bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soluble α-Klotho levels, glycemic control and renal function in US adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Perseghin Gianluca 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Aims
Soluble Klotho (s-Klotho) is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aging, but little is known on its relationship with chronic micro- and macro-vascular complications of type 2 diabetes and glycemic control. Here, we evaluate the association between s-Klotho levels, glycemic control and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods
This is a cross-sectional study including 2989 patients with T2D and available s-Klotho measurements from the 2007–2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (mean ± SE, age: 60.0 ± 0.2 years, BMI 33.3 ± 0.2 kg/m2, 46.7 ± 1.3% female). Determination of s-Klotho concentrations was performed with a sandwich ELISA test.

Results
Patients with higher s-Klotho levels were younger, more frequently female and had a lower prevalence of CKD and higher HbA1c levels. In multivariable linear regression models adjusting for age, race-ethnicity and BMI, both estimated glomerular filtration rate (B = 2.21, 95% CI 1.41–3.01, p < 0.001) and hemoglobin A1c (B = 37.38, 95% CI 28.91–45.86, p < 0.001) were positively associated with s-Klotho, while no significant association was found with cardiovascular disease. Results were confirmed when analyses were performed in men and women separately. No significant differences were identified between patients with an albuminuric or non-albuminuric CKD phenotype.

Conclusions
s-Klotho levels are dependent on kidney function and glycemic control in patients with T2D. Additional studies elucidating the mechanisms linking glycemic control and s-Klotho levels and exploring their predictive ability of clinically meaningful outcomes in patients with diabetes are needed.
Binary MoS2 nanostructures as nanocarriers for amplification in multiplexed electrochemical immunosensing: simultaneous determination of B cell activation factor and proliferation-induced signal immunity-related cytokines
Authors: Arévalo Beatriz , Blázquez-García Marina , Valverde Alejandro , Serafín Verónica , Montero-Calle Ana , Solís-Fernández Guillermo , Barderas Rodrigo , Campuzano Susana , Yáñez-Sedeño Paloma , Pingarrón José M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
A dual immunosensor is reported for the simultaneous determination of two important immunity-related cytokines: BAFF (B cell activation factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-induced signal). Sandwich-type immunoassays with specific antibodies (cAbs) and a strategy for signal amplification based on labelling the detection antibodies (dAbs) with binary MoS2/MWCNTs nanostructures and using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were implemented. Amperometric detection was carried out at screen-printed dual carbon electrodes (SPdCEs) through the hydroquinone HQ/H2O2 system. The developed dual immunosensor provided limit of detection (LOD) of 0.08 and 0.06 ng mL−1 for BAFF and APRIL, respectively, and proved to be useful for the determination of both cytokines in cancer cell lysates and serum samples from patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases and cancer. The obtained results agreed with those found using ELISA methodologies.
Graphical abstract
Are late hernia mesh complications linked to Staphylococci biofilms?
Authors: Patiniott P. , Jacombs A. , Kaul L. , Hu H. , Warner M. , Klosterhalfen B. , Karatassas A. , Maddern G. , Richter K. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the link between bacterial biofilms and negative outcomes of hernia repair surgery. As biofilms are known to play a role in mesh-related infections, we investigated the presence of biofilms on hernia meshes, which had to be explanted due to mesh failure without showing signs of bacterial infection.

Methods
In this retrospective observational study, 20 paraffin-embedded tissue sections from explanted groin hernia meshes were analysed. Meshes have been removed due to chronic pain, hernia recurrence or mesh shrinkage. The presence and bacterial composition of biofilms were determined. First, specimens were stained with fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes, specific for Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, and visualised by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Second, DNA was extracted from tissue and identified by S. aureus and S. epidermidis specific PCR.

Results
Confocal microscopy showed evidence of bacterial biofilms on meshes in 15/20 (75.0%) samples, of which 3 were positive for S. aureus, 3 for coagulase-negative staphylococci and 9 for both species. PCR analysis identified biofilms in 17/20 (85.0%) samples, of which 4 were positive for S. aureus, 4 for S. epidermidis and 9 for both species. Combined results from FISH/microscopy and PCR identified staphylococci biofilms in 19/20 (95.0%) mesh samples. Only 1 (5.0%) mesh sample was negative for bacterial biofilm by both techniques.

Conclusion
Results suggest that staphylococci biofilms may be associated with hernia repair failure. A silent, undetected biofilm infection could contribute to mesh complications, chronic pain and exacerbation of disease.
Complexities of health and acceptance of electronic health records for the Austrian elderly population
Authors: Halmdienst Nicole , Pruckner Gerald J. , Winter-Ebmer Rudolf 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe examine the personal health situation and how the complexities thereof affect the elderly Austrians’ willingness to accept electronic health records (EHR). Using data from the sixth wave of the SHARE survey in Austria, we find the complexity of individual health problems and the social integration of individuals influencing the acceptance of EHR. The higher the degree of multimorbidity, the more medication is prescribed, and the higher the number of hospital admissions, the higher is the acceptance of EHR. Having a chronical illness has a positive effect on EHR acceptance, whereas a pessimistic attitude and lack of joy in life, as indicators of depressive mood, have a negative impact. The results are mainly driven by women and younger patients aged between 50 and 70. People with poor social connection express lower acceptance of EHR.
Smart criminal justice: exploring the use of algorithms in the Swiss criminal justice system
Authors: Simmler Monika , Brunner Simone , Canova Giulia , Schedler Kuno 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn the digital age, the use of advanced technology is becoming a new paradigm in police work, criminal justice, and the penal system. Algorithms promise to predict delinquent behaviour, identify potentially dangerous persons, and support crime investigation. Algorithm-based applications are often deployed in this context, laying the groundwork for a ‘smart criminal justice’. In this qualitative study based on 32 interviews with criminal justice and police officials, we explore the reasons why and extent to which such a smart criminal justice system has already been established in Switzerland, and the benefits perceived by users. Drawing upon this research, we address the spread, application, technical background, institutional implementation, and psychological aspects of the use of algorithms in the criminal justice system. We find that the Swiss criminal justice system is already significantly shaped by algorithms, a change motivated by political expectations and demands for efficiency. Until now, algorithms have only been used at a low level of automation and technical complexity and the levels of benefit perceived vary. This study also identifies the need for critical evaluation and research-based optimization of the implementation of advanced technology. Societal implications, as well as the legal foundations of the use of algorithms, are often insufficiently taken into account. By discussing the main challenges to and issues with algorithm use in this field, this work lays the foundation for further research and debate regarding how to guarantee that ‘smart’ criminal justice is actually carried out smartly.
Post-diagnostic beta blocker use and breast cancer-specific mortality: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Scott Oliver William , Tin Tin Sandar , Elwood J. Mark , Cavadino Alana , Habel Laurel A. , Kuper-Hommel Marion , Campbell Ian , Lawrenson Ross 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Beta blockers (BB) have been associated with improved, worsened, or unchanged breast cancer outcomes in previous studies. This study examines the association between the post-diagnostic use of BBs and death from breast cancer in a large, representative sample of New Zealand (NZ) women with breast cancer.

Methods
Women diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to national pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. The median follow-up time was 4.51 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard of breast cancer-specific death (BCD) associated with any post-diagnostic BB use.

Results
Of the 14,976 women included in analyses, 21% used a BB after diagnosis. BB use (vs non-use) was associated with a small and nonstatistically significant increased risk of BCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.11; 95% CI 0.95–1.29). A statistically significant increased risk confined to short-term use (0–3 months) was seen (HR = 1.40; 1.14–1.73), and this risk steadily decreased with increasing duration of use and became a statistically significant protective effect at 3 + years of use (HR = 0.55; 0.34–0.88).

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that any increased risk associated with BB use may be driven by risk in the initial few months of use. Long-term BB use may be associated with a reduction in BCD.
Maternal and Child Health Pipeline Training Programs: A Description of Training Across 6 Funded Programs
Authors: Moerchen V. , Taylor-DeOliveira L. , Dietrich M. , Armstrong A. , Azeredo J. , Belcher H. , Copeland-Linder N. , Fernandes P. , Kuo A. , Noble C. , Olaleye O. , Salihu H. , Waters C. R. , Brown C. , Reddy M. M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The HRSA-funded maternal and child health pipeline training programs (MCHPTPs) are a response to the critical need to diversify the MCH workforce, as a strategy to reduce health disparities in MCH populations. These MCHPTPs support students from undergraduate to graduate education and ultimately into the MCH workforce.

Description
The models and components of training across the six MCHPTPs funded in 2016–2021 are summarized, to examine the design and delivery of undergraduate pipeline training and the insights gained across programs.

Assessment
Strategies that emerged across training programs were organized into three themes: recruitment, support for student persistence (in education), and pipeline-to-workforce intentionality. Support for student persistence included financial support, mentoring, creating opportunity for students to develop a sense of belonging, and the use of research as a tool to promote learning and competitiveness for graduate education. Finally, the link to Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) long-term training and other MCHB opportunities for professional development contributed significant nuance to the pipeline-to-workforce objectives of these programs.

Conclusions
The MCHPTPs not only increase the diversity of the MCH workforce, they also actively prepare the next generation of MCH leaders. The intentional connection of undergraduates to the infrastructure and continuum of MCH training, underscores the comprehensive impact of this funding.
The German version of the Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life (PEmb-QoL) questionnaire: reliability, responsiveness and structural validity
Authors: Fischer Simone , Meisinger Christine , Linseisen Jakob , von Scheidt Wolfgang , Berghaus Thomas M. , Kirchberger Inge 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life (PEmb-QoL) questionnaire is the only existing disease-specific instrument for measuring quality of life after pulmonary embolism (PE). It includes six dimensions: frequency of complaints, limitations in activities of daily living, work-related problems, social limitations, intensity of complaints and emotional complaints. The present study aimed to determine the psychometric properties including responsiveness and structural validity of the German version.

Methods
The analysis used data from participants of the LEA cohort study at University Hospital Augsburg. The PEmb-QoL was administered via postal surveys 3, 6 and 12 months post-PE. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Standardized response means (SRM) were calculated for investigating responsiveness. For evaluating the fit of the factor structure, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted.

Results
Overall, we used data from 299 patients 3 months after PE. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87–0.97) and ICC (0.53–0.90) were in an acceptable to good range. SRM scores showed good responsiveness of all dimensions. CFA revealed the four-factor model including one general factor to have a good model fit.

Conclusion
Despite existing floor effect, most standard criteria of reliability and validity were met and indications for appropriateness of the PEmb-QoL summary score could be found. Apart from some restrictions concerning the factor structure and the dimension of social limitations, our results support the use of the PEmb-QoL questionnaire for evaluating PE-specific quality of life. Future studies should seek replication in different samples to ensure generalizability of the findings.
Determining Dynamic Properties of Elastomer-Dampers by Means of Impact Testing
Authors: Rapp T. , Jacobs G. , Berroth J. , Guenther J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Damping elements made of elastomer materials are used in almost every mechanical system to prevent damage to components caused by impact-like excitations and the resulting high-frequency, large-amplitude oscillations. The dynamics of these operating conditions exceed the performance limits of conventional experimental testing methods, impeding validated predictions of the damper’s transmission behaviour.

Objective
A method is proposed to directly investigate the influence of impacts on the transmission behaviour of elastomeric dampers by impact testing.

Methods
Torsional-loaded elastomer dampers were experimentally investigated using a drop tower. During the experiment, a mass is brought into impact contact with a lever arm connected to the tested coupling. Measurements on resulting torsional oscillations and a comparison of the measurement results with a simple analytical model of the system allow for determining the coupling parameters stiffness and damping ratio.

Results
The characteristic parameters stiffness and damping ratio of the elastomer damper were mapped as a function of excitation-amplitude and frequency. A comparison of drop-tower test results with servo-hydraulic measurements validated the determined parameters.

Conclusions
Determining the transmission behaviour of elastomeric dampers from highly dynamic and impact-induced oscillation states proved to be a good approach to supplement established testing methods.
Histological paraffin-embedded block: a good alternative specimen to detect the use of opiates at least 20 years ago
Authors: Di Candia Domenico , Boracchi Michele , Gentile Guendalina , Giordano Gaia , Zoja Riccardo 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Since the solely certain remnants of a performed autopsy are formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, stored in the archives of every institute of legal medicine, we managed to extract molecules of toxicological interest from these specimens.

Methods
We assessed the analysis of ten fresh liver samples collected from heroin-related deaths and then histologically processed the same samples. The embedded blocks were then extracted by means of a new extracting method and the eluates were measured. We also selected five toxicological cases of heroin-related fatalities that were examined 20 years ago, collected the toxicological result documents of the analysis that were carried out at the time and then processed the corresponding FFPE liver samples that were stored in the archives.

Results
We managed to isolate heroine-related metabolites from 20-year-old paraffin-embedded blocks and calculated ratios to evaluate the performance of our new extraction.

Conclusions
According to our study, it is feasible to carry out a toxicological examination on old histological samples and, therefore, this matrix can be considered as a new alternative specimen for chemical-analytical evaluations of past cases or when fresh samples are not available anymore. The new extractive method was evaluated as efficient in treating these complex, paraffin-embedded samples. It was surprising that the target compounds could be quantitated from FFPE bocks created as long as 20 years ago.
A Review on Doped/Composite Bismuth Chalcogenide Compounds for Thermoelectric Device Applications: Various Synthesis Techniques and Challenges
Authors: Hegde Ganesh Shridhar , Prabhu A. N. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOne of the global demands of primary research objectives is to achieve human energy harvesting and self-powered wearable technologies. Bismuth chalcogenides are the trending materials for thermoelectric generators and Peltier coolers due to their notable thermoelectric figure of merit in the low- and room-temperature range. Systematic alloying of bismuth chalcogenides leads to a substantial change in their electrical and thermal transport properties. The high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) observed in bismuth chalcogenides is due to the rhombohedral crystal structure, lower effective mass, low thermal conductivity, and large band degeneracy. This review is aimed at identifying and quantifying different techniques for effectively improving the thermoelectric properties of doped/composite bismuth chalcogenide compounds. The review also examines the various synthesis methods including ball milling (BM), spark plasma sintering (SPS), self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), soft chemical reaction, hydrothermal reaction, melt growth (MG), melt spinning (MS), sintering and consolidated synthesis, and hot extrusion, with their respective figures of merit. Since device modification is a challenging task, this report reviews the present research on bismuth chalcogenide alloys to benchmark future development using various techniques.
Graphical Abstract
Finite Element Modeling of Hot Compression Testing of Titanium Alloys
Authors: Jedrasiak Patryk , Shercliff Hugh , Mishra Sumeet , Daniel Christopher S. , da Fonseca Joao Quinta 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis paper presents experimental results and finite element analysis of hot upsetting of titanium alloys Ti64 and Ti407 using a dilatometer in loading mode. All samples showed barrelling, as a consequence of an inhomogeneous temperature distribution and friction. The FE analysis is a full thermomechanical model of the test calibrated using multiple thermocouples. At each nominal temperature and strain rate, the true flow stress–strain response is inferred using the difference between the initially assumed constitutive response input to the FE analysis, $$\sigma =f\left(T,\dot{\varepsilon },\varepsilon \right)$$

σ
=
f

T
,

ε
˙

,
ε

, and the predicted response of the model. The analysis applies new procedures for: (1) modeling the thermal gradient; (2) finding the flow stress correction due to the inhomogeneity, using literature data as the input to the FE analysis; and (3) smoothing the constitutive data, fitting empirical $$\sigma =f\left(T,\dot{\varepsilon }\right)$$

σ
=
f

T
,

ε
˙

surfaces at multiple discrete strains. The extracted true constitutive data confirm the moderate strain-softening behavior in Ti64 alloy, and the FE model predicts the distribution of local deformation conditions, for application in interpretation of microstructure and texture evolution. This highlights the difference between nominal and actual test conditions, showing that the discrepancy varies systematically with test conditions, with the central strain and strain rate being magnified significantly, by factors of order 2–3.
Party Politics vs. Grievance Politics: Competing Modes of Representative Democracy
Authors: Flinders Matthew , Hinterleitner Markus 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAs a vast literature on political disaffection, populism, “pitchfork politics,” and the emergence of an “age of anger” testifies, the nature of democratic politics and the socio-political context in which it operates appear to have shifted sharply during the last decade. This is reflected in the rise of challenger parties, the election of unorthodox politicians, and widespread concern regarding the “crisis,” “death,” or “end” of democracy. Existing analyses have, however, understandably adopted a conventional model of party-based representative politics as their main interpretive lens or reference point to make sense of these changes. This article adopts a far bolder position. It suggests that a new form of “grievance politics” has emerged that constitutes a distinct and novel species of representative democracy. Grievance politics is defined by the fuelling and funneling of negative emotions and various blame-based political strategies which explicitly challenge and confound many of the core principles and values that have traditionally underpinned conventional conceptions of party politics. It is the tension between party politics and grievance politics—and their contemporary co-existence as competing modes of political representation—which this article seeks to underline and through this, to develop a clearer understanding of possible futures for representative democracy.
Business and Human Rights Regulation After the UN Guiding Principles: Accountability, Governance, Effectiveness
Authors: Wolfsteller René , Li Yingru 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSince the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) were adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, they have diffused into policy frameworks, laws, and regulations across the globe. This special issue seeks to advance the interdisciplinary field of human rights research by examining key elements of the emerging transnational regime for the regulation of business and human rights. In seven original contributions, scholars from political science, law, accounting, and philosophy critically reflect on the theoretical foundations of the UNGPs, they analyze the effectiveness of implementation mechanisms and current regulatory practice, and they advance proposals for the future development of the business and human rights regime. In this introduction, we prepare the ground for these analyses, proceeding in three steps. Firstly, we argue that the adoption of the UNGPs has triggered a norm cascade which requires a distinctive, empirically oriented research agenda focusing on the scope, governance, and effectiveness of corporate human rights accountability norms and instruments. Secondly, we explain how the articles in this special issue contribute to that research agenda by addressing these themes. Thirdly, we provide an overview of the individual contributions and point out avenues for future research.