bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lemierre’s syndrome complicating deep neck abscess: a case report
Authors: Xu Yi , Shi Qingyuan , Ying Haiyue
Published: September 2023

Background

Lemierre’s Syndrome is a severe medical condition that can result from oropharyngeal infection, typically caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, leading to sepsis, internal jugular vein thrombosis, and metastatic septic emboli. However, there is limited literature on this syndrome caused by Streptococcus anginosus, and few previous cases have been reported to have deep neck space infection. We present the first case of Lemierre’s Syndrome caused by Streptococcus anginosus with deep neck abscess.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old male patient with no significant medical history presented with right neck pain after accidentally swallowing a fish bone one month ago. Laryngoscopy did not reveal any abnormalities. Five days prior to admission, the patient developed high fever. Imaging studies showed internal jugular vein thrombosis and a neck abscess surrounding the carotid artery sheath. Blood culture results were positive for Streptococcus anginosus infection, and the patient was diagnosed with Lemierre’s syndrome. The patient underwent surgical drainage and received antibiotics and anticoagulant therapy, and had satisfactory clinical progress. He was discharged after a 16-day hospitalization.

Conclusions

Although Lemierre’s syndrome is rare, it needs attention because it can lead to serious complications and requires timely treatment. Deep neck space infections can be life-threatening and doctors must be aware of its potential severity.
Analysis of factors associated with the failure of treatment in thoracolumbar burst fractures treated with short-segment posterior spinal fixation
Authors: Alimohammadi Ehsan , Bagheri Seyed Reza , Joseph Benson , Sharifi Hasti , Shokri Bita , Khodadadi Lida
Published: September 2023

Background

The treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures continues to pose challenges. Although short-segment posterior spinal fixation (SSPSF) has shown satisfactory clinical outcomes, it is accompanied by a relatively high rate of treatment failure. This study aimed to assess factors associated with treatment failure in thoracolumbar burst fractures treated with SSPSF.

Methods

The clinical data of 241 consecutive patients with a traumatic thoracolumbar burst fracture who underwent SSPSF at our center between Apr 2016 and Apr 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups (failure of the treatment group and non-failure of the treatment group). We compared potential risk factors for the failure of treatment including age, gender, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, vertebral body compression rate, use of crosslinks, percentage of anterior height compression, presence of index level instrumentation, Cobb angle, interpedicular distance (IPD), canal compromise, Load Sharing Classification (LSC) score, use of posterolateral fusion, and pain intensity between the two groups.

Results

A sum of 137 (56.8%) males and 104 (43.2%) females were enrolled where the mean age and follow-up of the participants were 48.34 ± 10.23 years and 18.67 ± 5.23 months, respectively. Treatment failure was observed in 34 cases (14.1%). The results of the binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the lack of index level instrumentation (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.78–3.04; P = 0.014), LSC score (odds ratio [OR] 2.64; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.34–3.77; P = 0.007), and IPD (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.51–2.67; P = 0.023) were independently associated with a higher rate of failure of treatment.

Conclusions

The findings of this study revealed that increased rates of treatment failure in thoracolumbar burst fractures treated with SSPSF were associated with factors such as the absence of index level instrumentation, higher LSC scores, and larger IPD. These findings could be helpful in the proper management of patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures.
A new reverse half-discrete Mulholland-type inequality with a nonhomogeneous kernel
Authors: Peng Ling , Abd Rahim Rahela , Yang Bicheng
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a new reverse half-discrete Mulholland-type inequality with the nonhomogeneous kernel of the form $h(v(x)\ln n)$
h
(
v
(
x
)
ln
n
)
and the best possible constant factor is obtained by using the weight functions and the technique of real analysis. The equivalent reverses are considered. As corollaries, we deduce some new equivalent reverse inequalities with the homogeneous kernel of the form $k_{\lambda }(v(x),\ln n)$

k
λ

(
v
(
x
)
,
ln
n
)
. A few particular cases are provided. Our new reverse half-discrete Mulholland-type inequality which has a nonhomogeneous kernel is more general than in the previous homogeneous kernel work. The harmonized integration will have more applications.
Proteomic analysis across patient iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue reveals early cellular dysfunction and progression of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis
Authors: Pomeshchik Yuriy , Velasquez Erika , Gil Jeovanis , Klementieva Oxana , Gidlöf Ritha , Sydoff Marie , Bagnoli Silvia , Nacmias Benedetta , Sorbi Sandro , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla , Gouras Gunnar K. , Rezeli Melinda , Roybon Laurent
Published: September 2023

The hippocampus is a primary region affected in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because AD postmortem brain tissue is not available prior to symptomatic stage, we lack understanding of early cellular pathogenic mechanisms. To address this issue, we examined the cellular origin and progression of AD pathogenesis by comparing patient-based model systems including iPSC-derived brain cells transplanted into the mouse brain hippocampus. Proteomic analysis of the graft enabled the identification of pathways and network dysfunction in AD patient brain cells, associated with increased levels of Aβ-42 and β-sheet structures. Interestingly, the host cells surrounding the AD graft also presented alterations in cellular biological pathways. Furthermore, proteomic analysis across human iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue projected coherent longitudinal cellular changes indicative of early to end stage AD cellular pathogenesis. Our data showcase patient-based models to study the cell autonomous origin and progression of AD pathogenesis.

Graphical Abstract
Thermophilic Moorella thermoacetica as a platform microorganism for C1 gas utilization: physiology, engineering, and applications
Authors: Jia Dechen , Deng Wangshuying , Hu Peng , Jiang Weihong , Gu Yang
Published: September 2023

In the context of the rapid development of low-carbon economy, there has been increasing interest in utilizing naturally abundant and cost-effective one-carbon (C1) substrates for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. Moorella thermoacetica, a model acetogenic bacterium, has attracted significant attention due to its ability to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) via the Wood–Ljungdahl (WL) pathway, thereby showing great potential for the utilization of C1 gases. However, natural strains of M. thermoacetica are not yet fully suitable for industrial applications due to their limitations in carbon assimilation and conversion efficiency as well as limited product range. Over the past decade, progresses have been made in the development of genetic tools for M. thermoacetica, accelerating the understanding and modification of this acetogen. Here, we summarize the physiological and metabolic characteristics of M. thermoacetica and review the recent advances in engineering this bacterium. Finally, we propose the future directions for exploring the real potential of M. thermoacetica in industrial applications.
Cardiac sarcoma presenting as paraneoplastic arthritis and clubbing: a case report and literature review
Authors: Ung Natasha , Gunasingam Carmella , Cai Ken , Manolios Nicholas , Bayly Angela , Dinh Phuong , Orr Yishay , Choudhary Preeti , Wong Peter
Published: September 2023

Background

Cardiac tumours are rare, and clinical manifestations depend on the anatomical location. Symptoms can be the result of cardiac outflow anomalies, constitutional features such as fever, loss of weight, and/or paraneoplastic manifestations such as arthritis. To date, there has only been one other case report in the literature of cardiac sarcoma presenting as paraneoplastic arthropathy.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old woman presented with acute onset corticosteroid-resistant inflammatory polyarthralgia, clubbing and a systolic murmur. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a dilated left atrium with an echogenic mass and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple embolic infarcts. Histopathology following emergency resection showed a Grade 3 left atrial intimal sarcoma. The polyarthralgia and clubbing resolved soon after tumour removal. The patient went on to receive chemotherapy and remains in remission.

Conclusions

This case highlights the rare paraneoplastic association of cardiac sarcoma and arthropathy.
The Arts of Antifascist Black Transnationalism during the Spanish Civil War
Authors: Truett Brandon
Published: September 2023

This article asserts the critical role of art and literature in the resistance against fascism by situating the aesthetic work of African Americans as central to the transnational phenomenon of the Spanish Civil War. This article highlights the prehistory to the African American support of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 when news of Benito Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia galvanized members of the Harlem Renaissance. These two conflicts triangulated the imaginaries of the United States, Spain, and Ethiopia, producing a distinct form of antifascist Black transnationalism that extends work by Brent Hayes Edwards, Robert F. Reid-Pharr, and Nadia Nurhussein. To manifest this argument, this article examines Paul Robeson’s speeches at rallies in London that he later reprinted in his autobiography Here I Stand (1958) and Claude McKay’s posthumously published novel Amiable with Big Teeth about 1936 Harlem. Using archival research, this article analyzes the collage aesthetic of the scrapbook that the activist Thyra J. Edwards compiled in 1937 to record the actions of the Negro People’s Committee to Aid Spain. In sum, this article demonstrates the integral role of African American visual culture and literature to the development of twentieth-century antifascist ideology within a transnational perspective.
Determination of lipid quality and mercury levels of sardine and rainbow trout cooked with different methods
Authors: Çaklı Şükran , Demirtaş Erol Nida , Şen Yılmaz Evren Burcu , Baldemir Pınar , Çaklı Atilla
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of baking and pan-frying methods on the lipid quality and mercury (Hg) levels of two important fish species in Türkiye, namely, fileted sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The results revealed that sardines significantly decreased n-3 fatty acids depending on the cooking process, while the best n-6/n-3 ratio was observed in baked sardines, with higher rates found in pan-fried fish. Notably, pan-fried rainbow trout cooked with butter showed the highest atherogenic index (AI) of 0.71±0.32 and thrombogenic index (TI) of 0.61±1.43, as well as a hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index (HH) of 0.79 ± 0.17. Conversely, fried sardines exhibited lower atherogenic and thrombogenic scores, with fried sardines cooked in sunflower oil having a hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index of 4.85 ± 0.3. There were no significant variations in Hg content between raw and cooked fish. However, when compared to the raw control, the rise in Hg content for baked fish was substantial (p < 0.05) (baked rainbow trout 0.18 mg/kg and sardine 0.29 mg/kg). The decrease in FAs (Fatty Acids) due to cooking methods can be ordered as follows: Raw sardine > baked > fried. Conversely, the increase in FAs due to the cooking methods can be ordered as follows: fried > baked > raw sardine. Baked rainbow trout had much lower levels of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and myristic acid than the raw material. However, these levels were significantly increased in rainbow trout cooked in a frying pan. Additionally, oleic acid levels in fried rainbow trout were detected to be lower than in other preparations, whereas they were equivalent in baked rainbow trout.
A mutagenicity investigation of sediment from İzmir Inner Bay using Ames genotoxicity assay
Authors: Egüz Yigit , Boyacıoğlu Meltem
Published: September 2023

İzmir Bay is one of the most important ecosystems of Aegean Region. Impacts of environmental pollution in the aquatic environments, especially impacts of pollution with mutagenic and carcinogenic substances on human health is an important area of research. Thus, it is required to incorporate short-term biological research methods to the molecular chemical analysis methods. By means of Ames’s assay, it is possible to determine mutagenic potential of several chemicals, environmental pollutants, sediments, and waste waters. After the treatment facility was established in İzmir Bay in 2000, no mutagenicity studies were carried out in the sediment. Ames’s mutagenicity assay without S9 fraction using TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium was done at four different concentrations (125 μg, 250 μg, 375 μg, and 500 μg) in the sediment samples from six stations on İzmir Inner Bay in order to detect presence of chemicals that may cause mutagenic effects. Based on the results of Ames’s assay, it was found that especially Turan Area (Station 3, on which shipyard is located) among 6 stations on İzmir Bay was under mutagenic and toxic effect and Bostanlı Area (Station 6) was under intense toxic effect. Turan Area was under the influence of environmental pollutants that may cause frameshift mutations. According to the present study, İzmir Inner Bay was contaminated by mutagenic and toxic substances.
An investigation of the efficacy of different disinfectants on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from fish processing plant
Authors: Besler Aysu , Kılınç Berna
Published: September 2023

Healthy and safe food production is an important issue for processing plants that export internationally. With cleaning and disinfection, the number of bacteria that can contaminate fish by coming from various sources at every stage of the processing plant is kept to a minimum. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effective concentrations of different disinfectants on the bacterial strains forming the resident microflora of the fish processing plant. In the study, the effectiveness of 4 different disinfectants (chlorine, quaternary ammonium compounds, gluteraldehyde and hydrogen peroxide) was termined on bacteria isolated from different parts of the fish processing plant. The antimicrobial efficacy of different disinfectant concentrations was determined by the Quantitative Suspension Assay. In our study, it was determined that all disinfectants were effective on bacteria isolated at 2% concentration. It was determined that chlorine compounds did not show bactericidal activity at low concentrations (0.5%, 1%) on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates. The effectiveness of quaternary ammonium-based disinfectants on all isolates and hydrogen peroxide compounds on P. fluorescens at all concentrations was determined.
Microlearning and Mobile Learning as a Response to the Challenges of Transformation of the Communication Environment of Modern Education
Authors: Kiuru K. , Popova E. , Agapov A.
Published: September 2023

In modern society, communication on the Internet has completely changed the scenarios of human communication and education. Social networks provide access to information and global exchange of it, which poses new challenges to pedagogy as a science about the purpose and content of education. Internet pedagogy as a field of study and research activity explores the problems of the importance of the Internet for education and self-education, identifying the main forms of online learning, the relationship between the educational potential of the Internet and its actual use, the advantages and disadvantages of what users share online and what they learn with it.

Aim. To identify the attitude of students to education in social networks to confirm the relevance of microlearning and mobile learning as challenges to the transformation of the communication environment of modern education.

Methodology and research methods. To conduct the study, a questionnaire was developed, distributed using Google Forms. 466 university students from Chelyabinsk took part in the study. The sample type is spontaneous. The sampling contour is formed by registered users who have shown interest in this Internet survey. The mechanism for selecting respondents is self-selection.

Results. The communication environment of modern education is undergoing transformation, education with social networks is becoming more and more popular. The Russian market of educational services is not yet so acutely reacting to these transformations. We can predict that microlearning and mobile learning will become a serious alternative to the traditional educational environment in the coming years.

Scientific novelty. Analysis of the transformation of the communication environment of modern education allowed us to identify new trends - microlearning and mobile learning.

Practical significance. The identified trends will help the educational environment to prepare adequate responses to the identified challenges.
Jalons pour une historiographie de l’aire traductologique francophone (2ème partie)
Authors: Gambier Yves
Published: September 2023

MILESTONES FOR A HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE FRANCOPHONE TRANSLATION STUDIES FIELD (2ND PART)First, we identify the period before traductologie and then the issues of a historiography of translation studies, before grasping the debates around the term „translation studies” in the 1970s, in particular the motivations of the various equivalents suggested for Translation Studies (TS). In a second step, we refer to the precursors (1950s-1960s) and the pioneers (1980s and 1990s) of this French-language translation studies: what names emerge from this recent period and how have they advanced the reflection? Then we turn our attention to the problem of the translation of TS into French and translation studies into English. Finally, in order to define the socio-institutional dimension of the discipline, we study the parameters and factors that have favored and still favor this French-speaking translation studies, such as associations, training places and programs, recruitment bodies, as well as certain channels of dissemination (doctoral schools, research teams, journals, collections). Our final question focuses on the direct and indirect influences of French speaking researchers in the humanities and social sciences on TS and translation studies.
Rapsodias en clave postcovid
Authors: Garzón Díaz Karim , González-Moreno Claudia Ximena , Moncayo Barbosa Patricia , Palacios Esponisa Ximena , Vera Márquez Ángela Victoria , Villamil Duarte Angy Carolina
Published: September 2023

Rapsodias en clave postcovid es uno de los productos que presenta un proyecto de innovación e investi¬gación titulado “El canto como una práctica de cohesión humana, rapsodias de recuperación en clave postcovid” liderado por la Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, y por la Facultad de Creación de la Universidad del Rosario. Esta obra narra las experiencias de vida de una estudiante y una profesora durante el tiempo de confinamiento producto del covid-19. Las historias se entrelazan a través de una canción y su partitura compuesta por jóvenes universitarias y dos profesores que hicieron parte del proyecto. La narrativa del libro, en general, fue tejida a partir de las experiencias emocionales compartidas que produjo el programa de formación como agentes de cambio. El diálogo, el canto, las bitácoras, las reflexiones situadas y el sentido de comunidad fueron el faro que motivaron la co-creación.
Debt Contracting When Borrowers Face Transitory Uncertainty: Evidence from U.S. Gubernatorial Elections
Authors: Kim Kirak , Nguyen Trang
Published: September 2023

We study debt-contracting implications of uncertainty surrounding U.S. gubernatorial elections. In election years, loan contracts are more likely to include performance-pricing provisions, whereas loan spreads are mostly unaffected. Additionally, we find, only among those loans without performance-pricing provisions, a marginal increase in loan spreads in election years and a significant increase in loan-spread amendments postelection. The results suggest that under transitory uncertainty, performance pricing curbs an explicit rise in loan spreads and reduces ex-post renegotiations, yielding efficiency gains in contracting. Our further analysis uncovers a veiled pricing effect manifested through interest-rate contingencies: the likelihood of using rate-increasing pricing grids rises in election years for borrowers with a high exposure to uncertainty, thereby ensuring compensation to lenders for uncertainty. Overall, our findings suggest that loan contracting attempts to mitigate the problem of election uncertainty and renegotiation costs through state-contingent pricing, with which borrowers weigh initial loan spreads against the potential for loan-spread variability in the future.

This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.

Supplemental Material: The data is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.03106 .
A Localized Progressive Hedging Algorithm for Solving Nonmonotone Stochastic Variational Inequalities
Authors: Cui Xingbang , Zhang Liping
Published: September 2023

The progressive hedging algorithm (PHA) is an effective solution method for solving monotone stochastic variational inequalities (SVIs). However, this validity is based on the assumption of global maximal monotonicity. In this paper, we propose a localized PHA for solving nonmonotone SVIs and show that its validity is based on the weaker assumption of locally elicitable maximal monotonicity. Furthermore, we prove that such assumption holds when the mapping involved in the SVI is locally elicitable monotone or locally monotone. The local convergence of the proposed algorithm is established, and it is shown that the localized PHA has the rate of linear convergence under some mild assumptions. Some numerical experiments, including a two-stage orange market problem and randomly generated two-stage piecewise stochastic linear complementarity problems, indicate that the proposed algorithm is efficient.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 12171271].
Augmented tour construction heuristics for the travelling salesman problem
Authors: Ursani Ziauddin , Ursani Ahsan Ahmad
Published: September 2023

Tour construction heuristics serve as fundamental techniques in optimizing the routes of a traveling salesman. These heuristics remain significant as foundational methods for generating initial solutions to the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), facilitating subsequent applications of tour improvement heuristics. These heuristics effectively comprise the iterative application of city node selection and insertion. However, thus far, no attempts have been made to enhance the basic structure of tour construction heuristics to bring a better initial solution for the advanced heuristics. This study aims to enhance tour construction heuristics without compromising their theoretical complexity. Specifically, an iterative step of partial tour deconstruction has been introduced to the existing heuristics. This additional step has been implemented and evaluated with three highly performing tour construction heuristics: the farthest insertion heuristic, the max difference insertion heuristic, and the fast max difference insertion heuristic. The results demonstrate that augmenting these heuristics with the partial tour deconstruction step improves the best, worst, and average solutions while preserving their theoretical complexity
Assessment of Urban Wastelands using GIS and IoT as Tools for Spatial Data Analysis
Authors: Vikram Lavanya , Bhardwaj Monalisa
Published: September 2023

Large urban development around cities often results in vacant, abandoned or unproductive land parcels, sometimes called ‘wastelands’. There are various types of urban vacant land identified as post-industrial, derelict, land without any vegetation and left unattended, natural, and transportation-related vacant lands. The traditional way of collecting the data to study and manage such massive wastelands is hugely time consuming. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote sensing applications can extract periodic spatial changes and make it easier to collect and generate base maps, assess the number of wastelands in a given city, and remotely assess the extent of the area of wastelands/ vacant/ degraded lands. GIS also helps as a valuable tool to identify the neighboring land uses, lakes, green cover, and road networks, which could be considered as base work for any study to progress further with accurate information. Newer technologies like big data and cloud-assisted technology are employed in IoT applications for these wastelands to formulate an intelligent environment. Factors such as workforce, time, labor, transportation, money, and all other logistics can thus be strategized better with the combination of GIS and IoT applications; these are integral to wasteland monitoring and management practices for urban regions. This review paper aims to demonstrate how GIS, remote sensing, and IoT facilitate us to carry out monitoring, analyze, extrapolate, process, store, and integrate the spatial data for urban wastelands; and becomes a basis for planning and decision-making for on-site and management plans.
Investigations on Alkali Treated Modified Fibers of Desert Plant Prosopis juliflora
Authors: yadav Deepshikha , Singh G.P.
Published: September 2023

The development of natural fiber reinforced composite material is increasing at very fast rate due to their eco-friendly and biodegradable nature. NFCs natural fiber reinforced composites have various properties such as low cost, low density, recyclability, renewability and good physical and mechanical strength. NFCs have wide range of applications such as in automobile, sports, aerospace, marine, home appliances and in building construction. In this paper we used prosopis juliflora desert plant fibers as a filler to make biodegradable composites and alkali treatment was done to modification of fiber in order to make high strength composites materials. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption tests, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), this paper examines the effects of surface modification on the fibers. By conducting SEM analysis it has been observed that the chemical treatment of fibers can improve adhesion of the composites. Water absorption test concluded that due to the higher porosity and better surface energy of the treated fiber it had a higher rate of water absorption than the untreated fibers. FTIR results concluded that due to more crystalline structure and more ordered structure crystallinity index of the treated fibers increases compared to untreated fibers. FTIR results proves that TCI total crystallinity index and the LOI lateral order index is high for PJ treated fibers as compared to untreated PJ fibers.
Root canal re-treatment. Part 1: why and when?
Authors: Dowling Nisha , Gemmell A , Bonsor Stephen J , Edwards D
Published: September 2023

Both the anatomical challenges of root canal treatment and the variable clinical techniques employed mean that root canal re-treatment will sometimes be necessary. The first of this two-part series aims to discuss why cases may fail, and options for re-treatment. This includes the decision between re-treatment in general dental practice and the need for referral for specialist care.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understanding the reasons for root canal treatment failure will reduce the likelihood of failure and enable appropriate assessment when it does happen.
Antibacterial study of carbopol-mastic gum/silver nanoparticle-based topical gels with carvacrol/neem bark extract in vitro
Authors: Zintle Mbese , Siwaphiwe Peteni , Marthe Carine Fotsing , Thierry Youmbi Fonkui , Derek Tantoh Ndinteh , Suprakas Sinha Ray , Blessing Atim Aderibigbe
Published: September 2023

Background:

Resistance to antimicrobial drugs as a result of prolonged use usually results in clinical failure, especially in wound infections. Development of effective antimicrobial therapeutics for the management of infected wounds from a natural source with improved therapeutic effects is a pressing need.

Objective:

In this study, carbopol-mastic gum-based topical gels were loaded with silver nanoparticles in combination with either neem bark extract or carvacrol oil. The effect of combining silver nanoparticles with neem bark extract or the essential oil carvacrol in the prepared gel formulations was investigated on selected bacterial strains.

Method:

The prepared gels were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, followed by antimicrobial analysis against selected strains of bacteria.

Results:

There was no interaction between the loaded natural extract or essential oil and the polymer used for the preparation of the formulations, which was visible from the FTIR spectra of the formulations. The gels were selective and effective against selected strains of bacteria. However, the combination of the silver nanoparticles with essential oil or natural extract in some of the gel formulations rendered the formulation ineffective against some of the bacterial strains.

Conclusion:

The gel formulations were effective against bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis which are the common causes of wound infections. Incorporation of silver nanoparticles into the topical formulations with natural extracts is usually a good approach to overcome antibiotic-resistant infections. However, the combination of antibacterial agents must be managed carefully.
The critical factors in producing high quality and policy-relevant research: insights from international behavioural science units
Authors: Lecouturier Jan , Vlaev Ivo , Chadwick Paul , Chater Angel M. , Kelly Michael P. , Goffe Louis , Meyer Carly , Tang Mei Yee , Antonopoulou Vivi , Graham Fiona , Sniehotta Falko F.
Published: September 2023

Background:

There has been a rapid increase in the number of, and demand for, organisations offering behavioural science advice to government over the last ten years. Yet we know little of the state of science and the experiences of these evidence providers.

Aims and objectives:

To identify current practice in this emerging field and the factors that impact on the production of high-quality and policy-relevant research.

Methods:

A qualitative study using one-to-one interviews with representatives from a purposeful sample of 15 units in the vanguard of international behavioural science research in policy. The data were analysed thematically.

Findings:

Relationships with policymakers were important in the inception of units, research conduct, implementation and dissemination of findings. Knowledge exchange facilitated a shared understanding of policy issues/context, and of behavioural science. Sufficient funding was crucial to maintain critical capacity in the units’ workforces, build a research portfolio beneficial to policymakers and the units, and to ensure full and transparent dissemination.

Discussion and conclusion:

Findings highlight the positive impact of strong evidence-provider/user relationships and the importance of governments’ commitment to co-produced research programmes to address policy problems and transparency in the dissemination of methods and findings. From the findings we have created a framework, ‘STEPS’ (Sharing, Transparency, Engagement, Partnership, Strong relationships), of five recommendations for units working with policymakers. These findings will be of value to all researchers conducting research on behalf of government.
“Say a Body. Where None.”: Beckett’s Worstward Ho and Sartre’s Theory of the Imagination
Authors: Eklund Craig
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Critics often misinterpret Beckett’s Worstward Ho as being about the phenomenology of presence. The narrator, however, engages not with things that exist but, instead, the process of imaginative conjuring. The procedure resembles Sartre’s phenomenological method in The Imaginary and Beckett’s fictional depiction of the imagination serves as a corrective to Sartre’s “essential poverty” of the image—its lack of context. Worstward Ho demonstrates instead the image’s polyvalent contextual compatibility, which explains not only the referential ambivalence of Beckett’s work, but also the truth function of fiction itself, wherein the imaginary particular is amenable to general insights into the real.
Comparison of double-phase hologram and binary amplitude encoding: holographic projection and vortex beam generation
Authors: Shimobaba Tomoyoshi , Wang Fan , Starobrat Joanna , Kowalczyk Adam , Suszek Jarosław , Ito Tomoyoshi
Published: September 2023

Utilizing computer-generated holograms is a promising technique because these holograms can theoretically generate arbitrary waves with high light efficiency. In phase-only spatial light modulators, encoding complex amplitudes into phase-only holograms is a significant issue, and double-phase holograms have been a popular encoding technique. However, they reduce the light efficiency. In this study, our complex amplitude encoding, called binary amplitude encoding (BAE), and conventional methods including double-phase hologram, iterative algorithm, and error diffusion methods were compared in terms of the fidelity of reproduced light waves and light efficiency, considering the applications of lensless zoomable holographic projection and vortex beam generation. This study also proposes a noise reduction method for BAE holograms that is effective when the holograms have different aspect ratios. BAE is a non-iterative method, which allows holograms to be obtained more than 2 orders of magnitude faster than iterative holograms; BAE has about 3 times higher light efficiency with comparable image quality compared to double-phase holograms.
Influence of optical surface distortion in a cylindrical Offner stretcher on the far-field signal-to-noise ratio
Authors: Hu Bilong , Li Wei , Zuo Yanlei , Wu Zhaohui , Li Zhaoli , Mu Jie , Wang Xiao , Zeng Xiaoming
Published: September 2023

In a stretcher, the surface distortion of the optical elements can introduce spectral phase modulations into the laser, which can affect the laser’s signal-to-noise ratio. In this paper, by combining ray tracing methods and angular spectrum diffraction methods, the impact of the mid-frequency surface distortion of the optical elements in an cylindrical Offner stretcher on the far-field signal-to-noise ratio of the laser is simulated. The results show that reducing the spatial chirp on the convex cylindrical mirror can effectively improve the far-field signal-to-noise ratio of the laser, and two methods to improve the far-field signal-to-noise ratio are presented.
Near-unity excess noise factor of staircase avalanche photodiodes
Authors: Dadey Adam A. , Jones Andrew H. , March Stephen D. , Bank Seth R. , Campbell Joe C.
Published: September 2023

If a receiver system is circuit-noise limited, avalanche photodiodes can be beneficial, as their internal gain mechanism can lead to a higher system signal-to-noise ratio. However, the extent of this benefit is intrinsically limited by the detectors’ excess noise factor. The higher the factor, the lower the overall signal-to-noise ratio. The staircase avalanche photodiode proposed by Federico Capasso was designed to be a solid-state replacement for a photomultiplier tube in which discrete and deterministic gain would lead to a unity excess noise factor. The predicted gains for a staircase avalanche photodiode have recently been confirmed for one-, two-, and three-step structures [Nat. Photonics 15, 468 (2021)NPAHBY1749-488510.1038/s41566-021-00814-x]. This paper presents measurements of the excess noise factor of two- and three-step staircase avalanche photodiodes. At an average gain of 4.01 and 7.24, the two- and three-step staircase avalanche photodiodes have an average excess noise factor of 1.02 and 1.08, respectively.
Spiral Rendering Virtual Reality Imaging on a Headset
Authors: Ogata Yoichi
Published: September 2023

Recent advances in the technology on a virtual reality (VR) have been remarkable. Based on this, a large number of VR devices have been implemented in social media platforms. For examples, VR goggles for drive/flight simulators are now being developed in the vehicle industry, providing repeated training by installing them in training facilities. When wearing VR goggles, the user will look at the signboards related to road/air-route etc., on the user’s gaze. On the other hand, the user will sometimes also look at meters indicating speed and fuel gauges. So far, the display model for VR meters has generally been a simple circular model. Therefore, their performance for cognition and alertness have been poor, and thus improvement in the present design is required. In this work, an attempt has been made to convert the conventional model for a circular display to an advanced model for a 3D spiral rendering display equipped with quick recognition and improved alert functions. In detail, 3D-sprial VR stacked with rotation on sector-shaped VR image on gaze were created.
Child anemia in Cambodia: A descriptive analysis of temporal and geospatial trends and logistic regression-based examination of factors associated with anemia in children
Authors: Um Samnang , Cope Michael R. , Muir Jonathan A.
Published: September 2023

Anemia in children remains a public health concern in many resource-limited countries. To better understand child anemia in Cambodia, we examined temporal and geospatial trends of childhood anemia and used logistic regression to analyze its association with individual and household characteristics using data from the Cambodia Demographic and Health Surveys for 2005, 2010, and 2014. The prevalence of childhood anemia decreased from 62.2% in 2005 to 56.6% in 2014. The prevalence of childhood anemia was highest in Pursat (84.3%) for 2005, Kampong Thom (67%) for 2010, and Preah Vihear and Steung Treng (68.6%) for 2014. After adjusting for other variables, factors positively associated with childhood anemia included having a mother who was anemic (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.58–1.97); being male vs. female (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07–1.33), underweight (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14–1.57), or stunted (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09–1.41); or having had a recent episode of fever (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03–1.31). Children were less likely to have anemia if they were older than 12 months. They were also less likely to have anemia if they were from a wealthier household (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.50–0.84) or had taken medications for intestinal parasites (AOR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.89–0.93). These associations were generally consistent across time and space. Public health interventions and policies to alleviate anemia should be prioritized to address these factors across geospatial divides. Anemia remains highly prevalent among children aged 6–59 months in Cambodia.
#sleepingbaby on Instagram: Nonadherence of images to safe sleeping advice and implications for prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy
Authors: Kanits Floortje , L’Hoir Monique P. , Boere-Boonekamp Magda M. , Engelberts Adèle C. , Feskens Edith J. M.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Safe sleep of infants is important to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). The depiction of infant care behavior which is inconsistent with the safe sleep recommendations on social media has an impact on parental infant care thoughts, norms and behaviors. This study aims to determine the adherence of Instagram images to the Dutch safe sleeping advice.

Design

A systematic social media analysis on Instagram was performed using 22 hashtags and 9 accounts of Dutch companies or platforms related to infants. Images of sleeping infants were analyzed on consistency with the criteria: supine sleeping position, own cot or crib, sleep sack, and an empty bed.

Results

Based on 514 collected images, 5.9% was consistent with sleep sack use, 16.8% with an empty bed, 30.7% with an own cot or crib, and 67.5% with the supine sleeping position. For 311 images (60.5%), all four criteria could be rated, as for the others, at least one criterion was not clearly depicted. Only 6 of these images (1.9%) were consistent with all four criteria.

Conclusions

Although Instagram images are probably not representative of regular infant care behavior, the exposure to these images that are mostly inconsistent with the safe sleep advice can contribute to the formation of norms, and therefore influence parental care behavior. Accurate communication of the safe sleep recommendations through social media is needed, and opportunities are described for preventive health professionals to engage more in this communication with their public.
The German Revised version of the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ-R): Development with patient interviews and an expert Delphi consensus
Authors: Behrendt Frank , Stark Michaela , Chételat Sarah , Schädler Stefan , Trost Wiebke , Parmar Katrin , Gerth Hans Ulrich , Bonati Leo H. , Schuster-Amft Corina
Published: September 2023

Background

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a functional disorder of the nervous system and currently one of the most common types of chronic dizziness. Currently existing questionnaires do not fully assess patients’ specific symptoms of PPPD. The Japanese Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ) was recently developed following consensus-based diagnosis criteria. The aim of this study was to translate it into German, evaluate its content with the help of experts and patients and, if necessary, revise the original version to allow for a comprehensive assessment of patients’ PPPD-related symptoms.

Methods

A 3-round expert Delphi survey and semi-structured patient interviews were conducted. 28 experts from Switzerland, Germany and Austria working in hospitals or outpatient centres were asked to complete a first questionnaire on various aspects of PPPD, on the translated, original NPQ and their own related experiences (Round one), a second questionnaire with statements regarding PPPD they could agree or disagree with using a 6-point Likert-scale (Round two), and a third survey to finally reach a consensus on statements to be integrated into the NPQ. In addition, eleven patients (mean age of 64.6±12.6 years; 6 females) were selected according to the criteria for the diagnosis of PPPD proposed by the Bárány Society and participated in a semi-structured interview asking for their opinion on the content of the original NPQ. All collected data were analysed using a descriptive evaluation and a qualitative content analysis based on verbatim transcripts.

Results

Seven new items were added to the NPQ based on expert and patient comments and ratings. Its revised version (NPQ-R) comprises 19 items divided into five subscales using a 7-point Likert-scale with two additional subscales relating to associated symptoms and symptom behaviour in PPPD. The new maximal score is 114 points compared to 72 for the NPQ.

Conclusion

The NPQ-R is the first patient-reported outcome measurement for patients with PPPD in German. It should help to provide a comprehensive assessment of the intensity of PPPD in affected patients.
Aspiration-driven co-evolution of cooperation with individual behavioral diversity
Authors: Yuan Yongqiong , Wang Jian , Wang Zhigang , Yang Haochun , Xu Tao , Huang Huang
Published: September 2023

In evolutionary game, aspiration-driven updates and imitation updates are the two dominant game models, and individual behavior patterns are mainly categorized into two types: node player and link player. In more recent studies, the mixture strategy of different types of players has been proven to improve cooperation substantially. Motivated by such a co-evolution mechanism, we combine aspiration dynamics with individual behavioral diversity, where self-assessed aspirations are used to update imitation strategies. In this study, the node players and the link players are capable to transform into each other autonomously, which introduces new features to cooperation in a diverse population as well. In addition, by driving all the players to form specific behavior patterns, the proposed mechanism achieves a survival environment optimization of the cooperators. As expected, the interaction between node players and link players allows the cooperator to avoid the invasion of the defector. Based on the experimental evaluation, the proposed work has demonstrated that the co-evolution mechanism has facilitated the emergence of cooperation by featuring mutual transformation between different players. We hope to inspire a new way of thinking for a promising solution to social dilemmas.
Facilitators and barriers in implementation of active TB drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM) in programmatic management of drug resistance TB in Dar es Salaam region
Authors: Nyaulingo Belinda Chriacus , Mhimbira Francis Apolinary
Published: September 2023

Background

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that active TB Dug Safety Monitoring and Management (aDSM) be adopted in countries’ programmatic management of DR-TB services. In Tanzania, the National TB Leprosy Programme (NTLP), under the ministry of health, adopted the aDSM component in 2018. The study evaluated the facilitators and barriers of aDSM implementation in Dar es Salaam.

Materials and methods

This was a process evaluation study that adapted the descriptive cross-sectional approach, conducted in Dar es Salaam region. A total of 19 respondents, including clinicians, DOT (Direct Observed Therapy) nurses and key NTLP personnel, were interviewed using interview guides. Qualitative content analysis based on Graneheim & Lundman was used to guide the analysis.

Results

For aDSM to be implemented in a health facility, tools like forms for recoding and reporting, access to a functional laboratory for carrying out the required monitoring tests are a necessity. Moreover, the NTLP monitors the implementation through received aDSM reports and DR-TB supportive supervisions. However, it was found that in many health facilities, aDSM was partially being implemented due to various barriers: inadequate trained staff for aDSM implementation, administrative burden in reporting and delaying in AE management.

Conclusion

aDSM is inadequately being implemented due to the many setbacks faced by HCWs. aDSM-specific supportive supervisions and trainings to HCWs; incorporating the current manual aDSM reporting flow into the already existing electronic (Tanzania Medicine and Medical Drugs Authority) TMDA database seems useful.