bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facultative and persistent offspring sex-ratio bias in relation to the social environment in cooperatively breeding red-winged fairy-wrens (Malurus elegans)
Authors: Pot Morrison T. , Brouwer Lyanne 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Females should facultatively bias offspring sex ratio when fitness returns vary among sexes. In cooperative breeders, where individuals help raise others’ young, overproducing the philopatric sex will be adaptive when helpers are absent, whereas overproducing the dispersive sex may be adaptive to reduce intrasexual competition. Thus, fitness returns are expected to vary with the social environment. However, any offspring sex-ratio biases may also result from consistent among-female differences (e.g. quality) and/or environmental variables (e.g. food availability). Yet, few studies have disentangled facultative from persistent biases. We investigated offspring sex-ratio biases in relation to the social environment in cooperatively breeding red-winged fairy-wrens (Malurus elegans). Repeated observations of the same females over nine years allowed for disentanglement of facultative from persistent biases. Females without help did not overproduce daughters, despite female helpers being associated with higher fledgling survival (resource enhancement hypothesis). Instead, females without helpers facultatively overproduced sons —the slower dispersing sex— thereby ensuring long-term helper availability. Furthermore, offspring sex ratio was not biased towards the rarer sex of helpers present in the group or population (resource competition hypothesis). However, females with sex-biased helping produced similarly skewed offspring sex ratios. This among-female association may not be surprising, because helpers are previous seasons’ offspring. Thus, in addition to facultative responses to prevailing social conditions, we found evidence for persistent biases among females. This could potentially explain previous evidence for resource competition/enhancement that have typically been interpreted as facultative responses, highlighting the need for a within-female approach to better understand the adaptiveness of sex-ratio biases.

Significance statement
Under certain conditions, females may benefit from producing a biased offspring sex ratio, but evidence for such effects in vertebrates is weak and inconsistent. Here, using observations of the same females under different social conditions, we show that cooperatively breeding red-winged fairy-wrens facultatively biased offspring sex ratio towards sons when living in pairs, thereby ensuring the availability of a workforce to assist in raising future offspring. However, biased offspring sex ratio patterns may also be the result of consistent differences among females. Indeed, we also found evidence for such patterns and suggest that this could be an explanation for previous findings which are often interpreted as facultative responses.
Preoperative Risk Score for Early Mortality After Up‐Front Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Bereza‐Carlson Paulina , Nilsson Johan , Andersson Bodil 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly fatal malignancy. The aim was to identify preoperative factors for early mortality in up‐front resectable patients following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and develop an early mortality risk score.MethodsPatients registered in the Swedish National Registry for Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancer were included. Relevant preoperative factors (n = 21) were investigated. Early mortality was defined as death within 12 months after surgery. Based on the identified risk factor odds ratios (ORs), the Score Predicting Early Mortality (SPEM) was developed.ResultsIn total, 2183 PDs were performed, and 926 patients met the study criteria. The mean age was 68 (SD ± 8.8) years, and 48% were female. A total of 233 (24%) patients died within 12 months. In the multivariable analyses, age > 75 years (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.4; p = 0.008), CRP ≥ 15 mg/L (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3–3.1; p = 0.001), CA 19‐9 > 500 U/mL (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0–3.2; p = 0.040), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.00–2.1; p = 0.042), and active smoking (OR 1.47; 95%CI 1.00–2.00; p = 0.050) were found to be independent risk factors for early mortality.ConclusionFive independent preoperative risk factors for early mortality following PD were identified and together formed SPEM. The score might be a useful tool in establishing individualized treatment plans.
New-onset dermatomyositis following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination: a case-based review
Authors: Holzer Marie-Therese , Krusche Martin , Ruffer Nikolas , Haberstock Heinrich , Stephan Marlene , Huber Tobias B. , Kötter Ina 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDermatomyositis is a rare, type I interferon-driven autoimmune disease, which can affect muscle, skin and internal organs (especially the pulmonary system). In 2021, we have noted an increase in new-onset dermatomyositis compared to the years before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in our center. We present four cases of new-onset NXP2 and/or MDA5 positive dermatomyositis shortly after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Three cases occurred within days after vaccination with Comirnaty and one case after SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients required intensive immunosuppressive treatment. MDA5 antibodies could be detected in three patients and NXP2 antibodies were found in two patients (one patient was positive for both antibodies). In this case-based systematic review, we further analyze and discuss the literature on SARS-CoV-2 and associated dermatomyositis. In the literature, sixteen reports (with a total of seventeen patients) of new-onset dermatomyositis in association with a SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination were identified. Ten cases occurred after infection and seven after vaccination. All vaccination-associated cases were seen in mRNA vaccines. The reported antibodies included for instance MDA5, NXP2, Mi-2 and TIF1γ. The reviewed literature and our cases suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination may be considered as a potential trigger of interferon-pathway. Consequently, this might serve as a stimulus for the production of dermatomyositis-specific autoantibodies like MDA5 and NXP2 which are closely related to viral defense or viral RNA interaction supporting the concept of infection and vaccination associated dermatomyositis.
Validating the screening criteria for bone metastases in treatment-naïve unfavorable intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer - the prevalence and location of bone- and lymph node metastases
Authors: Rud Erik , Noor Daniyal , Galtung Kristina Flor , Ottosson Fredrik , Jacewicz Maciej , Baco Eduard , Lauritzen Peter Mæhre 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objective
The European Association of Urology (EAU) recommends a bone scan for newly diagnosed unfavorable intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. We aimed to validate the screening criteria for bone metastases in patients with treatment-naïve prostate cancer.

Methods
This single-center retrospective study included all patients with treatment-naïve unfavorable intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer. All underwent MRI of the lumbar column (T2Dixon) and pelvis (3DT2w, DWI, and T2 Dixon). The presence and location of lymph node and bone metastases were registered according to risk groups and radiological (rad) T-stage. The risk of lymph node metastases was assessed by odds ratio (OR).

Results
We included 390 patients, of which 68% were high-risk and 32% were unfavorable intermediate-risk. In the high-risk group, the rate of regional- and non-regional lymph node metastases was 11% and 6%, respectively, and the rate of bone metastases was 10%. In the unfavorable intermediate-risk group, the rate of regional- and non-regional lymph node metastases was 4% and 0.8%, respectively, and the rate of bone metastases was 0.8%. Metastases occurred exclusively in the lumbar column in 0.5% of all patients, in the pelvis in 4%, and the pelvis and lumbar column in 3%. All patients with bone metastases had radT3-4, and patients with radT3-4 showed a four-fold increased risk of lymph node metastases (OR 4.48, 95% CI: 2.1–9.5).

Conclusion
Bone metastases were found in 10% with high-risk prostate cancer and 0.8% with unfavorable intermediate-risk. Therefore, we question the recommendation to screen the unfavorable intermediate-risk group for bone metastases.

Key Points
• The rate of bone metastases was 10% in high-risk patients and 0.8% in the unfavorable intermediate-risk group.
• The rate of lymph-node metastases was 17% in high-risk patients and 5% in the unfavorable intermediate-risk group.
• No bone metastases were seen in radiologically localized disease.
On the closure of Collar’s triangle by optical diagnostics
Authors: Saiz Gabriel González , Sciacchitano Andrea , Scarano Fulvio 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAn experimental methodology is proposed to study aeroelastic systems with optical diagnostics. The approach locally evaluates the three physical mechanisms that produce the forces involved in Collar’s triangle, namely aerodynamic, elastic, and inertial forces. Flow and object surface tracers are tracked by a volumetric particle image velocimetry (PIV) system based on four high-speed cameras and LED illumination. The images are analysed with Lagrangian particle tracking techniques, and the flow tracers and surface markers are separated based on the different properties of their images. The inertial and elastic forces are obtained solely analysing the motion and the deformation of the solid object, whereas the aerodynamic force distribution is obtained with pressure from PIV techniques. Experiments are conducted on a benchmark problem of fluid–structure interaction, featuring a flexible panel installed at the trailing edge of a cylinder. Data are collected in the resonant regime, where the panel exhibits a two-dimensional motion. The estimation of inertial and elastic forces is obtained enforcing a high-order polynomial fit to the surface motion and deformation. The aerodynamic loads on the panel are challenged by the need to devise adaptive boundary conditions complying with the panel motion. The closure of Collar’s triangle yields overall residuals of about one-half of the inertial force taken as reference. The simultaneous measurement of the three forces paves the way to assessing the equilibrium of forces closing the Collar’s triangle. The latter can be intended for uncertainty evaluation or, when only two forces are measured, for estimation of the remaining Collar element.
Graphical Abstract
Systemic inflammatory biomarkers as predictive and prognostic factors in men with metastatic castration-refractory prostate cancer treated with docetaxel therapy: a comprehensive analysis in a German real-world cohort
Authors: Neuberger Manuel , Goly Nora , Skladny Janina , Milczynski Veronica , Weiß Christel , Wessels Frederik , Nitschke Katja , Grüne Britta , Haney Caelán M. , Hartung Friedrich , Herrmann Jonas , Jarczyk Jonas , Kowalewski Karl F. , Waldbillig Frank , Kriegmair Maximilian C. , Westhoff Niklas , Worst Thomas S. , Nuhn Philipp 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Advances in therapy of metastatic castration-refractory prostate cancer (mCRPC) resulted in more therapeutic options and led to a higher need of predictive/prognostic biomarkers. Systemic inflammatory biomarkers could provide the basis for personalized treatment selection. This study aimed to assess the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), the neutrophile-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in men with mCRPC under docetaxel.

Methods
Patients with mCRPC and taxane chemotherapy at a tertiary care centre between 2010 and 2019 were screened retrospectively. The biomarkers mGPS, NLR, PLR and SII were assessed and analyzed for biochemical/radiologic response and survival.

Results
We included 118 patients. Of these, 73 (61.9%) had received docetaxel as first-line, 31 (26.2%) as second-line and 14 (11.9%) as third-line treatment. For biochemical response, mGPS (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, p = 0.04) and PLR (OR 0.63, p = 0.04) were independent predictors in multivariable analysis. SII was significant in first-line cohort only (OR 0.29, p = 0.02). No inflammatory marker was predictive for radiologic response. In multivariable analysis, mGPS and NLR (hazard ratio (HR) 1.71 and 1.12, both p < 0.01) showed significant association with OS in total cohort and mGPS in the first-line cohort (HR 2.23, p < 0.01). Haemoglobin (Hb) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) showed several significant associations regarding 1 year, 3 year, OS and biochemical/radiologic response.

Conclusions
Pre-treatment mGPS seems a promising prognostic biomarker. A combination of mGPS, NLR and further routine markers (e.g., Hb and AP) could yield optimized stratification for treatment selection. Further prospective and multicentric assessment is needed.
Diagnostic value of regional myocardial flow reserve measurements using Rubidium-82 PET
Authors: Koenders Sabine S. , van Dalen Jorn A. , Jager Pieter L. , Mouden Mohamed , Slump Cornelis H. , van Dijk Joris D. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Visual assessment of Rubidium (Rb-82) PET myocardial perfusion images is usually combined with global myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements. However, small regional blood flow deficits may go unnoticed. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of regional with global MFR in the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (oCAD).

Methods
We retrospectively included 1519 patients referred for rest and regadenoson-induced stress Rb-82 PET/CT without prior history of oCAD. MFR was determined globally, per vessel territory and per myocardial segment and compared using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. Vessel MFR was defined as the lowest MFR of the coronary territories and segmental MFR as the lowest MFR of the 17-segments. The primary endpoint was oCAD on invasive coronary angiography.

Results
The 148 patients classified as having oCAD had a lower global MFR (median 1.9, interquartile range [1.5–2.4] vs. 2.4 [2.0–2.9]), lower vessel MFR (1.6 [1.2–2.1] vs. 2.2 [1.9–2.6]) and lower segmental MFR (1.3 [ 0.9–1.6] vs. 1.8 [1.5–2.2]) as compared to the non-oCAD patients (p < 0.001). The area under the curve for segmental MFR (0.81) was larger (p ≤ 0.005) than of global MFR (0.74) and vessel MFR (0.78).

Conclusions
The use of regional MFR instead of global MFR is recommended as it improves the diagnostic value of Rb-82 PET in the detection of oCAD.
New application to remediate drinkable groundwater from excess of hardness ions by using sodalite bearing modified illite
Authors: Mohamed Atef Mohamed Gad , Ali Al-Shimaa Roshdy Mohamed , Farrag Abd El Hay Ali , Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCalcium Hardness (Ca. H) and total Hardness ions in drinkable groundwater cause great problems for the entire world especially, the population communities which are located far from surface water sources. The present study investigates the use of Sodalite Bearing Modified Illite (SBMI) as a sustainable and new technique to eliminate these ions from drinkable groundwater to compatible with the instruction of the World Health Organization. The methodology was achieved by using a new method to remove these ions’ excess calcium Hardness and total Hardness depending on two main processes; the adsorption as a first step and the coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation process as a second step. The results of this study were achieved through conducting three tasks; (1) Chemical analysis surveys for all the groundwater wells, to determine the areas which are more affected by these salts, and plot them on the location maps. (2) Conducting the alkaline modification of the Illite ore to obtain the (SBMI) which has a high surface area and high adsorption ability, and it had been characterized by using XRD, XRF, SEM, and FTIR techniques. (3) The experimental studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of the modified Illite on raw groundwater containing a high concentration of hardness ions, through the batch studies to determine the factors which affected its ability for removing these ions from groundwater. The present study illustrated that the removing efficiency for both total hardness (Ca. H + Mg. H) and calcium hardness (Ca. H) reached about 98%. Finally, the present study recommended using this technique, when there is a requirement for large quantities of treated water at a low cost.
Humans, Neanderthals, robots and rights
Authors: Mamak Kamil 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRobots are becoming more visible parts of our life, a situation which prompts questions about their place in our society. One group of issues that is widely discussed is connected with robots’ moral and legal status as well as their potential rights. The question of granting robots rights is polarizing. Some positions accept the possibility of granting them human rights whereas others reject the notion that robots can be considered potential rights holders. In this paper, I claim that robots will never have all human rights, even if we accept that they are morally equal to humans. I focus on the role of embodiment in the content of the law. I claim that even relatively small differences in the ontologies of entities could lead to the need to create new sets of rights. I use the example of Neanderthals to illustrate that entities similar to us might have required different legal statuses. Then, I discuss the potential legal status of human-like robots.
Willingness to compete, gender and career choices along the whole ability distribution
Authors: Buser Thomas , Peter Noemi , Wolter Stefan C. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe expand the scope of the literature on willingness to compete by asking how it varies with academic ability and whether and how it predicts career choices at different ability levels. The literature so far has mainly focused on career choices made by students at the top of the ability distribution, particularly in academic institutions. We experimentally elicit the willingness to compete of 1500 Swiss lower-secondary school students at all ability levels and link it to the study choice that students make upon finishing compulsory school. Our analysis of the relationship between willingness to compete and the study choice considers the full set of study options, including the options in vocational education. We find that willingness to compete predicts which study option high-ability students choose, not only among academic specializations but also among vocational careers, and, importantly, it also predicts whether low-ability boys pursue upper-secondary education upon finishing compulsory schooling. Our second main contribution is to systematically explore how willingness to compete varies with academic ability. We find that high-ability boys, but not girls, are substantially more willing to compete compared to all other children. As a consequence, the gender gap in willingness to compete is significantly lower among low-ability students than among high-ability students. Overall, our study highlights that insights from the literature on willingness to compete are relevant for a broader set of policy questions, populations and choices.
Teachers’ cognitive beliefs about their assessment and use of tools when evaluating students’ learning of technological systems: a questionnaire study
Authors: Schooner Patrick , Höst Gunnar , Klasander Claes , Hallström Jonas 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn technology education, assessment is challenging and underdeveloped as it is a nascent practice and teachers do not have a well-defined subject tradition to lean on when assessing students. The aim of this study is to explore Swedish secondary technology teachers’ cognitive beliefs about assessing students’ learning of technological systems, in relation to the assessment tools they use. Data for the study were collected through a questionnaire which was completed by 511 Swedish technology teachers in lower secondary education (grades 7–9). The data were analysed statistically in three main steps. Exploratory factor analysis revealed underlying dimensions in teachers’ cognitive beliefs, which was followed by correlation analysis to discern associations between dimensions of cognitive beliefs. Finally, comparisons were made between groups of teachers to discern how teachers’ cognitive beliefs are influenced by their experience and educational background. The results show that additional education in the technology and engineering fields relates to more positive cognitive beliefs concerning teachers’ ability to assess students’ learning of technological systems. Teachers’ cognitive beliefs about assessment therefore did not primarily relate to the content of technological systems per se but to increased engineering and technology competence more broadly, which may indicate the importance of a comprehensive technological knowledge base in order to be confident in assessment. Furthermore, strong cognitive beliefs about assessment were connected specifically to local, regional and national technological systems, which are generally well-known and visible types of systems, and to the human, socio-technical dimensions of the systems. Cognitive beliefs about knowledge for assessment were also associated with positive attitudes to assessment tools that followed the formative tradition, which may be explained by the prevalence of procedural epistemic practices and modelling in the design and understanding of technological systems. Technology teachers would need additional in-service courses in engineering to broaden their knowledge and increase their cognitive beliefs about assessment. Formative assessment should also be preferred, and it might be appropriate to begin teaching and assessment with well-known local and regional infrastructural systems with a clear socio-technical dimension.
A systematic literature review of empirical research on technology education in early childhood education
Authors: Eliasson Sara , Peterson Louise , Lantz-Andersson Annika 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTechnology education in early childhood education (ECE) has only recently been established internationally as a curriculum content area. The interdisciplinary character of technology education and its status as a field under development occasion a need to distinguish and define technology in the merging of disciplines. This literature review presents an overview of technology education in ECE in recent empirical studies. The literature review was carried out systematically, resulting in 23 studies that were scrutinised to present an overall picture regarding study design, findings and how technology is characterised. The analysis of the nature of technology in the reviewed studies builds on DiGironimo’s (Int J Sci Education, 33(10):1337–1352. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2010.495400, 2011) conceptual framework, representing five distinct but merging dimensions of an ever-changing human technological creation process. In the synthesised findings, four subthemes derived from the studies’ overall themes were identified: two focusing on preschool teachers and pre-service teachers, and two focusing on technology activities with children. The aligned outcomes are discussed concerning the conceptual dimensions of technology, along with possibilities, challenges and implications for the current field of research on technology education in ECE.