bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting responses of vascular plants and bryophytes to present and past connectivity in unmanaged grasslands
Authors: Järvenpää Suvi , Kytöviita Minna-Maarit , Pitkämäki Tinja , Lampinen Jussi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe area of semi-natural grasslands has decreased dramatically causing many grassland specialist species to persist in small habitat fragments. Furthermore, ecological communities once shaped by disturbances related to traditional agriculture now face the impacts of modern agriculture and urbanization. Many of the species have become endangered due to the combined effects of habitat destruction and degradation. We studied the responses of vascular plants and bryophytes to present and past connectivity in semi-natural grasslands, while accounting for the effects of local environmental conditions. We conducted vegetation surveys in 33 fragmented, unmanaged dry grasslands in Southwest Finland. A total of 191 vascular plant species and 60 bryophyte species were recorded. Higher vascular plant diversity was associated with higher historical connectivity, whereas bryophyte diversity declined with increasing current connectivity. Edaphic conditions, microclimate and disturbances were found to structure both vascular plant and bryophyte communities, but the responses to individual environmental variables were very different. The contrasting responses could be explained by the differences between the typical life-history strategies in vascular plants and bryophytes as well as resource competition between the two groups. These results highlight the need to consider different species groups when planning conservation measures. Vascular plant richness may best be conserved in connected grasslands whereas bryophyte richness in isolated ones. The results also indicated that trampling by humans could result in positive disturbance and to some extent help maintain richness of grassland specialist species.
Cost-effectiveness of 5 fraction and partial breast radiotherapy for early breast cancer in the UK: model-based multi-trial analysis
Authors: Glynn David , Bliss Judith , Brunt Adrian Murray , Coles Charlotte E. , Wheatley Duncan , Haviland Joanne S. , Kirby Anna M. , Longo Francesco , Faria Rita , Yarnold John R. , Griffin Susan 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Purpose
We estimated the cost-effectiveness of 4 radiotherapy modalities to treat early breast cancer in the UK. In a subgroup of patients eligible for all modalities, we compared whole-breast (WB) and partial breast (PB) radiotherapy delivered in either 15 (WB15F, PB15F) or 5 fractions (WB5F, PB5F). In a subgroup ineligible for PB radiotherapy, we compared WB15F to WB5F.

Methods
We developed a Markov cohort model to simulate lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for each modality. This was informed by the clinical analysis of two non-inferiority trials (FAST Forward and IMPORT LOW) and supplemented with external literature. The primary analysis assumed that radiotherapy modality influences health only through its impact on locoregional recurrence and radiotherapy-related adverse events.

Results
In the primary analysis, PB5F had the least cost and greatest expected QALYs. WB5F had the least cost and the greatest expected QALYs in those only eligible for WB radiotherapy. Applying a cost-effectiveness threshold of £15,000/QALY, there was a 62% chance that PB5F was the cost-effective alternative in the PB eligible group, and there was a 100% chance that WB5F was cost-effective in the subgroup ineligible for PB radiotherapy.

Conclusions
Hypofractionation to 5 fractions and partial breast radiotherapy modalities offer potentially important benefits to the UK health system.
Genotoxicity, DNA damage and sperm defects induced by vinblastine
Authors: Fahmy Maha A. , Hassan Entesar E. , Farghaly Ayman A. , Hassan Zeinab M. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
The treatment with chemotherapy may develop secondary tumors as a result of chemo genotoxicity. Sperm defects is another complication associated with chemo treatment. In this study the genotoxicity of vinblastine (VB) was estimated in both somatic and germ cells.

Materials
85 mice were taken. Four single doses of VB at 3, 4.5, 6 and 10 mg/kg and three successive doses at 3, 4.5 and 6 mg/kg were taken for estimation of chromosomal aberrations (CAs). Four single doses of VB were involved in estimating the DNA fragmentation, and comet assay. For sperm abnormalities mice were injected with three successive doses of VB at 3, 4.5, and 6 mg/kg.

Results
The results demonstrated a significant frequency of DNA fragmentation in spleen cells and in the percentage of CAs in bone marrow. Numerical and structural aberrations were recorded with a pronounced number of polyploidy metaphases which reached (11.60%) after treatment with 6 mg/kg for three successive days vs zero for control. VB also induced a significant percentage of CAs in spermatocytes in the form of univalent. Sperm defects in the form of coiled tail, absence of acrosome and shapeless head and a significant DNA damage in the testes were recorded. The frequency of sperm abnormalities reached 11.06 ± 0.14 after treatment with highest tested dose (6 mg/kg) vs 3.04 ± 0.19 for control.

Conclusion
VB is genotoxic in somatic and germ cells. Sperm defects induced by VB are of serious concern to future generations and may affect the fertility of cancer survivors.
Complex Problems and Dealing with them on a Research Methods Course in a Business School
Authors: Harwood Stephen 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis study offers a conceptual explanation of a holistic methodology that has utility in how we engage with complex situations. This is the VIPLAN Methodology developed by Raul Espejo and first published in 1988. A case is presented that evaluates whether this methodology has impact when tacitly embedded in a postgraduate research methods course. The underlying argument is that research can be usefully viewed as a form of engagement in complex problem situations, with one challenge being to make sense of situational complexity and establish the question. Thus, it becomes appropriate to introduce the principles underpinning this methodology into a research methods course in order to develop student understanding of how to move from making sense of the situation to a clearly defined problem that is then handled. The study examines a research methods course delivered annually over a period of three years, but drawing upon data from the previous two years, permitting a five year perspective. The evidence from this study in the form of marks attained and proposal - dissertation topics, indicates that this more holistic approach to a research methods course has a positive impact, especially in terms of establishing a research question. It is concluded that the introduction of the principles underpinning this methodology into a research methods course does enhance the student ability to handle complex situations.
Enabling educational innovation through complexity leadership? Perspectives from four Dutch universities
Authors: Schophuizen Martine , Kelly Aodhán , Utama Caitlin , Specht Marcus , Kalz Marco 
Published: November 2022

AbstractLeadership in higher can influence the structurally embedding of educational technologies in higher education institutions. However, HEIs are complex pluralistic organizational environments with loosely coupled systems, diffused power and goal ambiguity which makes governance of educational innovations a wicked problem in which they have to balance dynamic complex interactions while also setting out a clear vision and enacting this vision towards organizational goals. This paper analyses four qualitative case studies with a focus on the choices made by leaders in four Dutch universities that aim to contribute to organisational educational innovation. We investigated the data through the lens of complexity leadership theory in which three types of leadership play an important role: administrative leadership (i.e. top-down oriented), adaptive leadership (i.e. bottom-up oriented) and enabling leadership that emerges as a leadership type between administrative and adaptive leadership and contributes to governing innovation in complex environments. This study sheds light on how, in the case of HEIs as complex environments, leaders made strategic choices and followed up on them to enable the innovative potential of the organisation.
Die Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR) auf dem Weg ins „Neue Normal“ – Eine Fallstudie
Authors: Hansen-Heidelk Stefanie 
Published: November 2022

ZusammenfassungDie COVID-19-Pandemie war der größte Transformationsbeschleuniger für die Arbeitsorganisation. Die BSR hat in einer repräsentativen Studie 2374 Beschäftigten zu Erfahrungen und Erwartungen mit mobilen Arbeiten (MoA) befragt. Es konnten keine unterschiedlichen Erwartungen bei Beschäftigten verschiedener Verwaltungsbereiche oder unterschiedlicher Altersgruppen nachgewiesen werden. Auch die familiäre Situation führt zu keinen anderen Erwartungen an das MoA. Führungskräfte wünschen sich weniger MoA. Die meisten wollen 2 bis 4 Tage im MoA arbeiten. Es bedarf daher keiner differenzierten Regelungen für unterschiedliche Beschäftigtengruppen für das langfristige Gelingen des mobilen Arbeitens.
Sustainability innovations: a proposal for an analytical framework and its empirical application in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Dabard Caroline Hélène , Mann Carsten 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSustainability innovations influence societal transformations through the development of new products, processes, organizations, behaviors or values. Although various research approaches have tackled technological innovations in the last few decades, the specificities and enabling conditions of individual sustainability innovations remain rather unknown. We therefore propose an analytical framework, built on learning from the social–ecological systems and transitions literature. The sustainability innovation framework features four dimensions: context, actors, process and outcomes, which are detailed in 31 variables. We use the sustainability innovation framework to analyze two case studies selected in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, Germany. The first refers to technological and organizational innovation in mobility, while the second relates to social and organizational innovation in agriculture. As a result, we highlight commonalities and differences in enabling conditions and variables between the two cases, which underpin the influence of trust, commitment, resource availability, experimenting, learning, advocating, and cooperating for innovation development. The cases further demonstrate that sustainability innovations develop as bundles of interdependent, entangled novelties, due to their disruptive character. Their specificity thereby resides in positive outcomes in terms of social–ecological integrity and equity. This study therefore contributes to transitions studies via a detailed characterization of sustainability innovations and of their outcomes, as well as through a generic synthesis of variables into an analytical framework that is applicable to a large and diverse range of individual sustainability innovations. Further empirical studies should test these findings in other contexts, to pinpoint generic innovation development patterns and to develop a typology of sustainability innovation archetypes.
Differences in long-term survival outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting using single vs multiple arterial grafts: a meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data and subgroup analyses
Authors: Magouliotis Dimitrios E. , Fergadi Maria P. , Zotos Prokopis-Andreas , Rad Arian Arjomandi , Xanthopoulos Andrew , Bareka Metaxia , Spiliopoulos Kyriakos , Athanasiou Thanos 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objective
We reviewed the available literature on patients with coronary artery disease undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with either single (SAG) or multiple arterial grafting (MAG).

Methods
Original research studies that evaluated the long-term survival of MAG versus SAG were identified, from 1995 to 2022. The median overall survival (OS) and event-free OS were the primary endpoints. Comparison of median OS between the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) and radial artery (RA) as a second arterial conduit was the secondary endpoint. Subgroup analyses were performed regarding patients older than 70 years, with diabetes mellitus, and females. A sensitivity analysis was performed with the leave-one-out method.

Results
Forty-four studies were included in the qualitative and thirty-nine in the quantitative synthesis. After pooling data from 180 to 459 patients, the MAG group demonstrated a higher OS (HR, 0.589; 95% CI, 0.58–0.60; p < 0.0001) and event-free OS compared with the SAG group (HR, 0.828; 95% CI, 0.80–0.86; p < 0.0001). In addition, RITA was associated with superior OS compared with RA as a second arterial conduit (HR, 0.936; 95% CI, 0.89–0.98; p = 0.009). MAG was also superior to SAG in patients over 70 years, females, and patients with diabetes mellitus. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated a small-size study effect on the female subgroup analysis.

Conclusion
The present meta-analysis indicates that MAG is associated with enhanced survival outcomes compared to SAG for patients undergoing isolated CABG.
High-Performance Quality Factor Based Sensor With Diagonal Cylinder Metasurface of the Bound State in the Continuum
Authors: Chen Yuxuan , Li Yuke , Hu Zhengda , Wang Zexiang , Li Zhenxing , Wang Jicheng 
Published: November 2022

AbstractHigh-quality-factor (high-Q-factor) electromagnetic resonance plays an important role in sensor applications. Previously proposed gas refractive index sensors are often limited by the large cavity length or microscale fabrication process in practical applications. Recently, ultra-high Q factor resonance based on the bound state in the continuum (BIC) has provided a feasible approach to solve these problems. In this paper, we propose a metasurface structure consisting of a single size tetramer cylinder. It supports dual band toroidal dipole (TD) resonances driven by BIC. The physical mechanism of double TD resonances is clarified by the multipole decomposition of the metasurface band structure and far-field scattering power. The sensor structure based on this achieves a sensitivity of 518.3 MHz/RIU, and the maximum line width does not exceed 680 kHz. The high-Q-factor electromagnetic resonance has the advantages of polarization independence and simplicity to manufacture. These findings will open up an avenue to develop the ultrasensitive sensor in the gigahertz regime.
The impact of a sepsis performance improvement program in the emergency department: a before–after intervention study
Authors: Schinkel Michiel , Holleman Frits , Vleghels Richarda , Brugman Kayla , Ridderikhof Milan L. , Dzelili Mahi , Nanayakkara Prabath W. B. , Wiersinga W. Joost 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines advocate that all hospitals use sepsis performance improvement programs. However, there is a limited evidence about how to structure such programs and what their potential impact is on sepsis management and outcomes in the emergency department (ED). In this study, we evaluated the implementation of a sepsis performance improvement program in the ED including a dedicated sepsis response team and analyzed the management and outcomes of sepsis patients before and after.

Methods
We conducted a before–after interventional study in the ED of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands. The sepsis performance improvement program included regular educational meetings, daily audits and weekly feedback, a screening tool, and a dedicated multidisciplinary sepsis response team. We studied all adult patients who presented to the ED with a suspected infection and a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) ≥ 3 during their stay. In the postintervention phase, these patients were seen by the sepsis team. Process-related and patient-related outcomes were measured between November 2019 and February 2020 (preintervention) and December 2021–May 2022 (postintervention).

Results
A total of 265 patients were included in the primary study, 132 patients preintervention and 133 patients postintervention. The postintervention phase was associated with improvements in nearly all process-related outcomes, such as a shorter time to antibiotics (66 vs. 143 min; p < 0.001), increased number of lactate measurements (72.9 vs. 46.2%; p < 0.001), and improved completeness of documented MEWS scores (85.0 vs. 62.9%; p < 0.001). Except for an improvement in the number of immediate versus delayed ICU admissions (100% immediate vs. 64.3% immediate; p = 0.012), there was no improvement in the other patient-related outcomes such as 28 days mortality (14.3 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.261), during the postintervention phase.

Conclusion
Our program stimulated physicians to make timely decisions regarding diagnostics and treatment of sepsis in the ED. Implementing the sepsis performance improvement program was associated with significant improvements in most process-related outcomes but with minimal improvements in patient-related outcomes in our cohort.
MinION Whole-Genome Sequencing in Resource-Limited Settings: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Wasswa Fredrickson B. , Kassaza Kennedy , Nielsen Kirsten , Bazira Joel 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe introduction of MinION whole-genome sequencing technology greatly increased and simplified complete genome sequencing in various fields of science across the globe. Sequences have been generated from complex organisms to microorganisms and are stored in genome databases that are readily accessible by researchers. Various new software for genome analysis, along with upgrades to older software packages, are being generated. New protocols are also being validated that enable WGS technology to be rapidly and increasingly used for sequencing in field settings.Recent FindingsMinION WGS technology has been implemented in developed countries due to its advantages: portability, real-time analysis, and lower cost compared to other sequencing technologies. While these same advantages are critical in developing countries, MinION WGS technology is still under-utilized in resource-limited settings.SummaryIn this review, we look at the applications, advantages, challenges, and opportunities of using MinION WGS in resource-limited settings.
Prospettive future nella terapia della Sindrome di Cushing
Authors: Pivonello Claudia , Simeoli Chiara , Patalano Roberta , Di Paola Nicola , Pivonello Rosario 
Published: November 2022

SommarioLa chirurgia rappresenta la terapia di elezione della Sindrome di Cushing (SC). Quando è controindicata o rifiutata dal paziente, o quando non si dimostra un trattamento di successo perché associato a recidiva o persistenza di malattia, si può ricorrere alla terapia medica che include principalmente tre categorie farmacologiche: i farmaci ad azione centrale, quali gli analoghi della somatostatina e gli agonisti della dopamina; i farmaci ad azione surrenalica, ossia gli inibitori della steroidogenesi surrenalica; e i bloccanti dei recettori dei glucocorticoidi (GC). Recentemente, anche in Italia sono disponibili nuove molecole con diversi target terapeutici e altre sono tuttora oggetto di studi preclinici e clinici.
Solitary Waves of the Perturbed KdV Equation with Nonlocal Effects
Authors: Ge Jianjiang , Wu Ranchao 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn this paper, the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation is considered, which is a shallow water wave model in fluid mechanic fields. First the existence of solitary wave solutions for the original KdV equation and geometric singular perturbation theory are recalled. Then the existence of solitary wave solutions is established for the equation with two types of delay convolution kernels by using the method of dynamical system, especially the geometric singular perturbation theory, invariant manifold theory and Melnikov method. Finally, the asymptotic behaviors of solitary wave solution are discussed by applying the asymptotic theory. Moreover, an interesting result is found for the equation without backward diffusion effect, there is no solitary wave solution in the case of local delay, but there is a solitary wave solution in the case of nonlocal delay.
Air ionization in self-neutralizing air-breathing plasma thruster
Authors: Taploo Anmol , Lin Li , Keidar Michael 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe paper describes an arc electron source for air ionization applications in a self-neutralizing air-breathing plasma thruster. The arc electron source is an electron source with a prominent level of electron energy control that is required for the air-breathing plasma thruster. The mean energy of the electrons in the arc electron source is controlled by changing the grid voltage in the range of 0 V–300 V. The Langmuir/Faraday probes were used to obtain ion/electron current, electron temperature, and electron density as a function of pressure and electron energy. Ion current measurements concerning distance from the source were obtained as a function of pressure and grid voltage. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to obtain electron temperature, spectral intensities, and ion formation rate. Additionally, a drift tube based on radial magnetic field electron confinement was designed to detect the presence of negative ions. It has been shown that both positive and negative ions can be produced thus providing conditions for a self-neutralizing air-breathing plasma thruster.
Team reasoning cannot be viewed as a payoff transformation
Authors: Colman Andrew M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn a recent article in this journal, Duijf claims to have proved that team reasoning can be viewed as a payoff transformation. His formalization mimics team reasoning but ignores its essential agency switch. The possibility of such a payoff transformation was never in doubt, does not imply that team reasoning can be viewed as a payoff transformation, and makes no sense in a game in which payoffs represent players’ utilities. A theorem is proved here that a simpler and more intuitive payoff transformation can mimic any theory that predicts what strategies players will choose in a well-defined game.
Incomplete Catching Up: Income among Yi, Manchu and Han People in Rural China, 2002–2018
Authors: Gustafsson Björn A. , Zhang Yudan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis paper explores household income per capita for the rural Yi and Manchu ethnic minority groups and the Han majority using data from the China Household Income Project 2002, 2013 and 2018. The disparity between total per capita income for the Yi and Han populations narrowed, while the average per capita income for the Manchu population remained relatively similar to that of the Han population. Decomposing total income to its sources shows that the rapid increase in agricultural income among the Yi was a main reason why the disparity in income, compared to the two other ethnic groups, narrowed. Nevertheless, reliance on agricultural income among the Yi was reduced as wage employment and migration increased. The Manchu group and the Han group also experienced rapid increases in wages and self-employment income. The aggregated value of transfers from the public sector was similar for all three ethnic groups.