bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Adjustable-Loop Suspensory Devices for All-Inside ACL Reconstruction: A Time-Zero Full-Construct Model
Authors: Bachmaier Samuel , Monaco Edoardo , Smith Patrick A. , Frank Rachel M. , Matzkin Elizabeth G. , Wijdicks Coen A.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Little is known about the stability of adjustable-loop devices (ALDs) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose:

To evaluate the stabilization behavior of 3 different types of ALDs for all-inside ACLR in a full-construct surgical technique-based manner.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

The femoral and tibial devices of Ultrabutton (Smith & Nephew), Infinity (Conmed), and TightRope II (Arthrex) were applied to quadrupled bovine tendon grafts (n = 8 each) with tibial-sided traction applied (350 N) for graft tensioning in a simulated fully extended knee. Knotless femoral graft fixation was based on either a suture-locking device (SLD; Ultrabutton), button-locking device (BLD; Infinity), or dual-locking device (DLD; TightRope II). All constructs were progressively loaded (50 N/500 cycles) from 50 to 300 N for 3000 cycles (0.75 Hz), including complete unloading situations and pull to failure (50 mm/min). Construct elongation, stiffness, and ultimate load were analyzed.

Results:

BLD showed significantly greater initial elongation (-2.69 ± 0.15 mm) than DLD (-3.19 ± 0.21 mm; P < .001) but behaved similarly to SLD (-2.93 ± 0.23 mm). While DLD and SLD had the smallest initial elongation at the same significance level, they behaved opposite to each other with gradually increasing peak loading. At the end of testing, DLD had the lowest (-0.64 ± 0.32 mm) and SLD the highest (3.41 ± 1.01 mm) total elongation ( P < .003 for both). SLD displayed significantly higher dynamic elongation (6.34 ± 0.23 mm) than BLD (3.21 ± 0.61 mm) and DLD (2.56 ± 0.31 mm) ( P < .001 for both). The failure load of BLD (865.0 ± 183.8 N) was significantly lower ( P < .026) compared with SLD and DLD (>1000 N). The predominant failure mode was suture rupture and tibial bone breakage with button subsidence (SLD, n = 4). No significant difference in stiffness between constructs was found.

Conclusion:

While DLD successfully restricted critical construct elongation, BLD partially and SLD completely exceeded the clinical failure threshold (>3 mm) of plastic elongation with loop lengthening during increasing cyclic peak loading with complete unloading. Higher failure loads of SLD and DLD implants (>1000 N) were achieved at similar construct stiffness to BLD.

Clinical Relevance:

A detailed biomechanical understanding of the stabilization potential is pertinent to the continued evolution of ALDs to improve clinical outcomes.
Sever’s Disease – a common cause of heel pain among sport-active children
Authors: Øllgaard Per
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

Sever’s disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis) is the most common cause of heel pain in growing and active children and adolescents. Studies imply that the prevalence is increasing for children attending sports with repetitive running and jumping. These children are advised to pause their sport when heel pain occurs. However, activity modifications, immobilization, or absolute rest often has a negative impact and can lead to total drop-out.  The objective of the study is to examine whether an intervention based on information and custom-made insoles can decrease pain levels in children between 6-14 years with Sever’s disease and make them return faster to sport activities instead of the conservative treatment with rest and/or activity modification.

Methods:

The study is a descriptive observational study based on a database from a physiotherapeutic clinical practice. This included 469 children between 6-14 years with diagnosed Sever’s disease who sought an expert in sports physiotherapy due to severe pain and limited sport activity. Baseline information was collected by the physiotherapist. Parents filled a questionnaire as follow up 3 months after the intervention.

Results:

The children experienced pain for 10,4 months on average. They all reported that their sport activities had been reduced or stopped entirely due to heel pain. All children received an intervention which included information about Sever’s disease and the physiology of the foot, combined with a customized insole that suspend the heel to relieve pressure on the apophysis of the calcaneus. The intervention helped most of the children to resume their sport activity.

Conclusion:

Sever’s disease is a painful, discomforting condition which causes reduced activity level in sport-active children and even ceasing sports completely, but customized insoles can ease pain and avert or limit immobilization.
Operationalizing Customer-perceived Value as an Emergent Variable: Empirical Evidence from Mobile Food Ordering and Delivery Applications
Authors: Dirsehan Taşkın , Kadıoğlu Cansu Tor
Published: September 2023

Customer-perceived value (CPV) has been a focal point in marketing literature, typically modelled as a reflective construct centred on the balance of benefits over costs, which in turn influences consumer satisfaction and subsequent behaviour. However, recognizing the multifaceted nature of CPV and its dependency on specific contexts, this study introduces a novel methodological approach by treating CPV as an emergent artifact. In doing so, we provide an alternative means to conceptualize and operationalize CPV, accommodating its diverse determinants across different sectors. Using data from an online survey of users of mobile food and delivery applications (MFODAs), we demonstrate the application and utility of this methodological shift, employing partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) to validate our approach. This study underscores the potential for marketing scholars to adapt and tailor the CPV construct based on the nuances of individual industries, offering both academic and practical insights into its formulation and implications.
Developing a two-level machine-learning approach for classifying urban form for an East Asian mega-city
Authors: Chen Chih-Yu , Koch Florian , Reicher Christa
Published: September 2023

Having had the most rapid urbanization in the world since the 1990s, mega-cities in East Asia featured highly compact and atomized modernist architecture. With densely built modernist architecture and relatively free building regulations, it is challenging to trace the actual development of the whole city. Compared to European cities, their overall urban landscapes are much denser, higher, and functionally mixed. In order to achieve a quicker and more accurate identification of urban forms in mega-cities, this study proposed a two-level machine-learning approach. At the building level, we extracted features from topographic maps and building licenses to automatically classify building types. Four state-of-the-art multi-class classification models were compared. At the block level, we used building types as input data and compared two methods for block clustering. In total 61,426 buildings from Taipei were classified and grouped into 10 block types. Different from Western cities, many of the block types in Taipei were mixtures of different types of buildings. This approach is efficient in exploring new urban form types, especially for emerging mega-cities where block types are previously unknown. The result not only sheds light on the features of East Asian urban landscapes but also serves as important basis of type-based strategic plans for contemporary urban issues.
Explainable spatially explicit geospatial artificial intelligence in urban analytics
Authors: Liu Pengyuan , Zhang Yan , Biljecki Filip
Published: September 2023

Geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) is proliferating in urban analytics, where graph neural networks (GNNs) have become one of the most popular methods in recent years. However, along with the success of GNNs, the black box nature of AI models has led to various concerns (e.g. algorithmic bias and model misuse) regarding their adoption in urban analytics, particularly when studying socio-economics where high transparency is a crucial component of social justice. Therefore, the desire for increased model explainability and interpretability has attracted increasing research interest. This article proposes an explainable spatially explicit GeoAI-based analytical method that combines a graph convolutional network (GCN) and a graph-based explainable AI (XAI) method, called GNNExplainer. Here, we showcase the ability of our proposed method in two studies within urban analytics: traffic volume prediction and population estimation in the tasks of a node classification and a graph classification, respectively. For these tasks, we used Street View Imagery (SVI), a trending data source in urban analytics. We extracted semantic information from the images and assigned them as features of urban roads. The GCN first provided reasonable predictions related to these tasks by encoding roads as nodes and their connectivities and networks as graphs. The GNNExplainer then offered insights into how certain predictions are made. Through such a process, practical insights and conclusions can be derived from the urban phenomena studied here. In this paper we also set out a path for developing XAI in future urban studies.
Outcomes of a Multicenter 10-Year Review of Postinjection Endophthalmitis and Associated Systemic Medical Comorbidities
Authors: Xu Lucy T. , Price Kenneth W. , Ramos Michael S. , Nowacki Amy S. , Yuan Alex , Yan Jiong
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To investigate whether any systemic medical conditions may be associated with a higher risk for developing postinjection endophthalmitis. Methods: This case-control study is a retrospective review within the Emory Eye Center from 2009 to 2019 and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 2012 to 2019. Each case was matched in a 1:4 case-to-control ratio. The associations between medical comorbidities and endophthalmitis were explored using multivariable logistic regression models on the combined sample. Results: Sixty-six individuals were diagnosed with injection-associated endophthalmitis. Systemic immunocompromised status was found to be a risk factor associated with developing endophthalmitis with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 3.17 ( P = .009). Other conditions with increased risk approaching statistical significance included a history of pulmonary disease (aOR, 1.74; P = .08) and a history of smoking (aOR, 1.72; P = .06). Conclusions: This is the first report to our knowledge demonstrating that immunocompromised status is associated with an increased risk for developing postinjection endophthalmitis. While this study may be limited due to its retrospective nature, the result may nevertheless serve as a guidance for risk counseling. Future analysis using a large-scale database will be needed.
An insight on optimization of FSP process parameters for the preparation of AA5083/(SiC-Gr) hybrid surface composites using the response surface methodology
Authors: D Ghetiya Nilesh , Bharti Shalok , Patel Kaushik M , Kumar Sudhir , Rahimian Koloor Seyed Saeid
Published: September 2023

Aluminum alloys are known for their extensive use in aerospace, automobile, marine, etc., industries due to their excellent inherent properties. Recent studies have developed different methods to modify the surface properties of aluminum by producing surface composites, such as the friction stir processing (FSP) method. The current study made an effort to develop a new hybrid surface composite of AA5083/(SiC-Gr) using the FSP method. For FSP process optimization, the response surface methodology (RSM) has been used. For creating the mathematical model using RSM, various input process parameters of the FSP are selected to predict the output characteristics of the prepared hybrid composite. A Box–Behnken design was used for the process with four factors, each factor was used with three levels, and the RSM was utilized to form a regression model to predict the responses. The ANOVA analysis suggests that NoP (number of passes): 3 and RV (reinforcement volume): 75:25 (SiC: Gr) ratio are the significant parameters of the study with a p-value less than .05. The novelty of this study lies in the development of a new hybrid surface composite of AA5083/(SiC-Gr) using the friction stir processing (FSP) method, with optimization achieved through the response surface methodology (RSM) and multi-objective selection criteria, resulting in predicted outcomes within a range of ±10% of the experimental observations.
Current reproducibility practices in management: What they are versus what they could be
Authors: Cortina José M. , Köhler Tine , Aulisi Lydia C.
Published: September 2023

While debates about a replication crisis in organization studies have taken up significant journal space over the past years, the issue of reproducibility has been mostly ignored. Reproducibility manifests when researchers draw the same conclusions from a reanalysis of the same dataset as used in the original study with the same (literal reproducibility) or superior (constructive reproducibility) data analytic techniques. Reproducibility studies are crucial for correcting accidental mistakes as well as intentional distortions during data preparation and analysis, thus allowing a science to be self-correcting. In the current editorial, we define reproducibility, provide published examples that illustrate the crucial role that reproducibility plays in scientific knowledge production, and offer findings from a review of papers published in the 2019 volumes of Academy of Management Journal and Journal of Management to explore how frequently different forms of reproducibility are employed in the top management outlet. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and reporting practices and offer guidance for authors, reviewers, and editors.
Dual enhancement in the radiosensitivity of prostate cancer through nanoparticles and chemotherapeutics
Authors: Jackson Nolan , Hill Iona , Alhussan Abdulaziz , Bromma Kyle , Morgan Jessica , Abousaida Belal , Zahra Yasmin , Mackeyev Yuri , Beckham Wayne , Herchko Steven , Krishnan Sunil , Chithrani Devika Basnagge
Published: September 2023

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) is an essential component in the treatment regimens for many cancer patients. However, the dose escalation required to improve curative results is hindered due to the normal tissue toxicity that is induced. The introduction of radiosensitizers to RT treatment is an avenue that is currently being explored to overcome this issue. By introducing radiosensitizers into tumor sites, it is possible to preferentially enhance the local dose deposited. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are a potential candidate that have shown great promise in increasing the radiosensitivity of cancer cells through an enhancement in DNA damage. Furthermore, docetaxel (DTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent that arrests cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, the phase most sensitive to radiation damage. We hypothesized that by incorporating DTX to GNP-enhanced radiotherapy treatment, we could further improve the radiosensitization experienced by cancer cells. To assess this strategy, we analyzed the radiotherapeutic effects on monolayer cell cultures in vitro, as well as on a mice prostate xenograft model in vivo while using clinically feasible concentrations for both GNPs and DTX.

Results

The introduction of DTX to GNP-enhanced radiotherapy further increased the radiotherapeutic effects experienced by cancer cells. A 38% increase in DNA double-strand breaks was observed with the combination of GNP/DTX vs GNP alone after a dose of 2 Gy was administered. In vivo results displayed significant reduction in tumor growth over a 30-day observation period with the treatment of GNP/DTX/RT when compared to GNP/RT after a single 5 Gy dose was given to mice. The treatment strategy also resulted in 100% mice survival, which was not observed for other treatment conditions.

Conclusions

Incorporating DTX to work in unison with GNPs and RT can increase the efficacy of RT treatment. Our study suggests that the treatment strategy could improve tumor control through local dose enhancement. As the concentrations used in this study are clinically feasible, there is potential for this strategy to be translated into clinical settings.
The use of cervical cerclage in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with cervical shortening or dilation: a twelve-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tan Hongying
Published: September 2023

Background

To identify the effect and optimal time of cervical cerclage in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with cervical shortening or dilation.

Methods

This observational retrospective study enrolled all women with asymptomatic twin pregnancies who were diagnosed with asymptomatic cervical shortening or dilation at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between 2010 and 2022. Women included were allocated into the cerclage group (n = 36) and the no cerclage group (n = 22). The cerclage group was further divided into the cerclage group (< 24 weeks group) and the cerclage group (24–28 weeks group) according to the time of cerclage. The no cerclage group was further divided into no cerclage group (< 24 weeks group) and no cerclage group (24–28 weeks group) according to the time of ultrasound-indicated or physical exam indicated cerclage. The rates of PTB < 24, 28, 32 and 34 weeks of gestation, maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared among the groups.

Results

The gestational age (GA) at delivery was higher (P = 0.005) and the interval time between the presentation of the indicated cerclage and delivery was longer in the cerclage group (P < 0.001). The rates of PTB before 28, 32, and 34 weeks of gestation, caesarean section and stillbirth were lower in the cerclage group (P < 0.05). The birthweight of the twins was higher in the cerclage group (P = 0.012). Admissions to the NICU were more frequent in pregnancies with no cerclage (P = 0.008). Subgroup analysis showed that the interval time between the presentation and delivery was longer in the cerclage group (< 24 weeks) (P < 0.001). The GA at delivery and the birthweight of the twins were significantly higher in the cerclage group (< 24 weeks) (P < 0.001). No differences were found in the GA at presentation, the GA at delivery, the interval time between the presentation to delivery and birthweight between the cerclage group (24–28 weeks group) and the control group (24–28 weeks group) (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Cerclage appears to prolong the GA at delivery and the interval time between the presentation to delivery, and may reduce the incidence of PTB before 28, 32 and 34 weeks of gestation and adverse perinatal outcomes in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with cervical shortening or dilation. Cerclage before 24 weeks of gestation showed longer GA at delivery, longer interval time between the presentation to delivery and higher birthweight of the twins. The GA at presentation, the GA at delivery, the interval time between the presentation to delivery and birthweight in women with cerclage at 24–28 weeks were similar to those in women without cerclage at 24–28 weeks.
Rhinovirus induces airway remodeling: what are the physiological consequences?
Authors: Spector Cassandra , De Sanctis Camden M. , Panettieri Reynold A. , Koziol-White Cynthia J.
Published: September 2023

Background

Rhinovirus infections commonly evoke asthma exacerbations in children and adults. Recurrent asthma exacerbations are associated with injury-repair responses in the airways that collectively contribute to airway remodeling. The physiological consequences of airway remodeling can manifest as irreversible airway obstruction and diminished responsiveness to bronchodilators. Structural cells of the airway, including epithelial cells, smooth muscle, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and adjacent lung vascular endothelial cells represent an understudied and emerging source of cellular and extracellular soluble mediators and matrix components that contribute to airway remodeling in a rhinovirus-evoked inflammatory environment.

Main body

While mechanistic pathways associated with rhinovirus-induced airway remodeling are still not fully characterized, infected airway epithelial cells robustly produce type 2 cytokines and chemokines, as well as pro-angiogenic and fibroblast activating factors that act in a paracrine manner on neighboring airway cells to stimulate remodeling responses. Morphological transformation of structural cells in response to rhinovirus promotes remodeling phenotypes including induction of mucus hypersecretion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Rhinovirus exposure elicits airway hyperresponsiveness contributing to irreversible airway obstruction. This obstruction can occur as a consequence of sub-epithelial thickening mediated by smooth muscle migration and myofibroblast activity, or through independent mechanisms mediated by modulation of the β2 agonist receptor activation and its responsiveness to bronchodilators. Differential cellular responses emerge in response to rhinovirus infection that predispose asthmatic individuals to persistent signatures of airway remodeling, including exaggerated type 2 inflammation, enhanced extracellular matrix deposition, and robust production of pro-angiogenic mediators.

Conclusions

Few therapies address symptoms of rhinovirus-induced airway remodeling, though understanding the contribution of structural cells to these processes may elucidate future translational targets to alleviate symptoms of rhinovirus-induced exacerbations.
Effects of levothyroxine replacement therapy on insulin resistance in patients with untreated primary hypothyroidism
Authors: Ostadrahimi Alireza , Manzari Taher , Gohari-Lasaki Sahar , Tutunchi Helda , Mobasseri Majid , Sadra Vahideh , Najafipour Farzad
Published: September 2023

Objectives

This study investigated the effects of levothyroxine replacement therapy on insulin resistance, lipid profile, and thyroid function in patients with untreated primary hypothyroidism. 105 patients with hypothyroidism with indication for levothyroxine replacement were enrolled in the present study. Insulin, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were assessed at the beginning of diagnosis and three months after levothyroxine replacement. Insulin resistance was calculated by hemostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI).

Results

Our data revealed a significant reduction in body mass index (27.18 ± 4.27 versus 26.81 ± 4.18 kg/m2, p = 0.028), cholesterol (199.79 ± 37.61 versus 178.10 ± 32.25 mg/dl, p < 0.001), triglyceride (160.41 ± 71.86 versus 146 ± 61.11 mg/dl, p = 0.012), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (123.54 ± 30.7 versus 107.08 ± 26.98 mg/dl, p < 0.001), fasting insulin (8.91 ± 3.92 versus 8.05 ± 2.65 mIU/l, p < 0.001), and thyroid stimulating hormone (47.47 ± 3.4 versus 2.22 ± 1.84 µIU/ml, p < 0.001) levels before and after drug intervention. However, no statistical differences were observed in HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In conclusion, in patients with untreated primary hypothyroidism, levothyroxine replacement therapy based on HOMA-IR and QUICKI did not improve insulin resistance; however, lipid profile was significantly improved following levothyroxine administration.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) with ID number: IRCT20130610013612N10 on the date 2019-09-02.
HAP-assisted multi-aerial base station deployment for capacity enhancement via federated deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Liu Lei , He Haoran , Qi Fei , Zhao Yikun , Xie Weiliang , Zhou Fanqin , Feng Lei
Published: September 2023

Aerial base stations (AeBSs), as crucial components of air-ground integrated networks, are widely employed in cloud computing, disaster relief, and various applications. How to quickly and efficiently deploy multi-AeBSs for higher capacity gain has become a key research issue. In this paper, we address the 3D deployment optimization problem of multi-AeBSs with the objective of maximizing system capacity. To overcome communication overhead and privacy challenges in multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL), we propose a federated deep deterministic policy gradient (Fed-DDPG) algorithm for the multi-AeBS deployment decision. Specifically, a high-altitude platform (HAP)-assisted multi-AeBS deployment architecture is designed, in which low-altitude AeBS act as the local nodes to train its own deployment decision model, while the HAP acts as the global node to aggregate the weights of local models. In this architecture, AeBSs do not exchange raw data, addressing data privacy concerns and reducing communication overhead. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms fully distributed MADRL algorithms and closely approximates the performance of multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG), which requires global information during training, but with less training time.
Time of death: behavioral responses of an oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, to capture by a longline fishing vessel
Authors: Scott Molly , Royer Mark , Hutchinson Melanie
Published: September 2023

Background

Bycatch mortality in longline fisheries is a major contributor to global declines in shark populations. The duration of time that an animal is hooked and the impacts of hooking on behavior affect the likelihood of mortality. However, limited information exists on the behavior of sharks to longline capture because of difficulties observing hooking events. Using a fortuitous recovery of an archival satellite tag, we describe the movement of an oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and examine the behavior prior to its mortality in response to hooking on a longline.

Results

A 1.5 m (fork length) C.longimanus was tagged and released in good condition by a fisheries observer following initial capture on a US longline fishing vessel. After release, the shark resumed normal vertical behavior within 5 h. Over 198 days, the shark undertook wide-ranging movements throughout the Pacific between Samoa, Niue, and Tonga. The shark was hooked by a second longline vessel while conducting routine yo-yo diving between 0 and 120 m depth. For the first hour after being hooked the shark exhibited high swimming activity with rapid vertical movements between 20 and 40 m indicative of an initial struggle against the line. After this, the shark struggled at the surface for approximately 5 h, until it succumbed to exhaustion and died on the line.

Conclusion

Fight time has a strong influence on the mortality rates of sharks captured in commercial longline fishing operations. Data obtained from this shark offers further understanding of capture behavior and time to mortality on a longline for C.longimanus which may assist managers as they work on options to reduce mortality rates for this threatened species.
Natural ventilation as a passive cooling strategy for multi-story buildings: analytic vertical skycourt formations
Authors: Ali Rasha A. , Megahed Naglaa A. , Shahda Merhan M. , Hassan Asmaa M.
Published: September 2023

Natural ventilation has been one of the most important passive cooling strategies for conditioning the built environment. However, several challenges influence natural ventilation in multi-story buildings. Consequently, skycourt presents a passive cooling strategy to provide a direct airflow into the space to cool the surroundings, increase thermal comfort, and reduce the need for mechanical ventilation. Therefore, this study proposes utilizing the skycourt as a passive cooling strategy that helps to enhance natural ventilation in multi-story buildings. The aim of the research is achieved by analyzing various global examples of buildings, based on the skycourt, in different climatic zones; dry, tropical, temperate, and cold. These examples covered all classifications of multi-story buildings (e.g., mid-rise, high-rise, and skyscrapers). Through this analysis, the influence of skycourt in providing natural ventilation is determined, which contributes to reduce energy consumption. Finally, a reference matrix for designers and decision-makers in the four studied climatic zones can be conducted to promote natural ventilation using the skycourt strategy.
The Muschelkalk aquifer of the Molasse basin in SW-Germany: implications on the origin and development of highly saline lithium-rich brines in calcareous hydrothermal reservoirs
Authors: Stober Ingrid , Grimmer Jens , Kraml Michael
Published: September 2023

Highly saline lithium-rich hydrothermal fluids (measured chloride concentration up to 44 g kg−1, lithium concentration up to 162 mg kg−1) occur in the deep calcareous Muschelkalk aquifer beneath the northern Alpine foreland (Molasse) basin. We have combined geologic, hydraulic, hydrochemical, and stress field data of the Triassic Muschelkalk aquifer beneath younger sediments of Triassic–Jurassic successions and the Cenozoic Molasse basin of SW-Germany for a synthesis to constrain the origin and development of these brines. In contrast to the regional southeast plunge of Jurassic and Cenozoic strata, low-gradient groundwater flow in the Upper Muschelkalk aquifer is to the north, induced by regional recharge from west, south, and east. The investigated area is seismically active and north trending maximum horizontal stress likely fosters development of necessary fracture permeability for northward flow in the competent carbonates of the Upper Muschelkalk aquifer. The highest lithium concentrations and total dissolved solids (TDS) can be found in the southern parts of the Muschelkalk aquifer. Here, the Muschelkalk Group overlays directly a crystalline basement swell separating two ENE-trending Permocarboniferous troughs. We argue that the highly saline lithium-rich fluids originate from fluid–rock interaction of meteoric water with Variscan crystalline basement rocks and entered the Muschelkalk aquifer on top of the basement swell by permeable faults and fractures. The marginal calcareous sand-rich facies of the Muschelkalk enables the inflow of brines from crystalline basement faults and fractures into the aquifer. We thus argue for an external origin of these brines into the aquifer and further intra-reservoir development by dilution with meteoric water.
Efficient Augmented Intelligence Framework for Bladder Lesion Detection
Authors: Eminaga Okyaz , Lee Timothy Jiyong , Laurie Mark , Ge T. Jessie , La Vinh , Long Jin , Semjonow Axel , Bogemann Martin , Lau Hubert , Shkolyar Eugene , Xing Lei , Liao Joseph C.
Published: September 2023

PURPOSE

Development of intelligence systems for bladder lesion detection is cost intensive. An efficient strategy to develop such intelligence solutions is needed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used four deep learning models (ConvNeXt, PlexusNet, MobileNet, and SwinTransformer) covering a variety of model complexity and efficacy. We trained these models on a previously published educational cystoscopy atlas (n = 312 images) to estimate the ratio between normal and cancer scores and externally validated on cystoscopy videos from 68 cases, with region of interest (ROI) pathologically confirmed to be benign and cancerous bladder lesions (ie, ROI). The performance measurement included specificity and sensitivity at frame level, frame sequence (block) level, and ROI level for each case.

RESULTS

Specificity was comparable between four models at frame (range, 30.0%-44.8%) and block levels (56%-67%). Although sensitivity at the frame level (range, 81.4%-88.1%) differed between the models, sensitivity at the block level (100%) and ROI level (100%) was comparable between these models. MobileNet and PlexusNet were computationally more efficient for real-time ROI detection than ConvNeXt and SwinTransformer.

CONCLUSION

Educational cystoscopy atlas and efficient models facilitate the development of real-time intelligence system for bladder lesion detection.
RANO 2.0: Update to the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Criteria for High- and Low-Grade Gliomas in Adults
Authors: Wen Patrick Y. , van den Bent Martin , Youssef Gilbert , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Ellingson Benjamin M. , Weller Michael , Galanis Evanthia , Barboriak Daniel P. , de Groot John , Gilbert Mark R. , Huang Raymond , Lassman Andrew B. , Mehta Minesh , Molinaro Annette M. , Preusser Matthias , Rahman Rifaquat , Shankar Lalitha K. , Stupp Roger , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , Wick Wolfgang , Macdonald David R. , Reardon David A. , Vogelbaum Michael A. , Chang Susan M.
Published: September 2023

PURPOSE

The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria for high-grade gliomas (RANO-HGG) and low-grade gliomas (RANO-LGG) were developed to improve reliability of response assessment in glioma trials. Over time, some limitations of these criteria were identified, and challenges emerged regarding integrating features of the modified RANO (mRANO) or the immunotherapy RANO (iRANO) criteria.

METHODS

Informed by data from studies evaluating the different criteria, updates to the RANO criteria are proposed (RANO 2.0).

RESULTS

We recommend a standard set of criteria for both high- and low-grade gliomas, to be used for all trials regardless of the treatment modalities being evaluated. In the newly diagnosed setting, the postradiotherapy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), rather than the postsurgical MRI, will be used as the baseline for comparison with subsequent scans. Since the incidence of pseudoprogression is high in the 12 weeks after radiotherapy, continuation of treatment and confirmation of progression during this period with a repeat MRI, or histopathologic evidence of unequivocal recurrent tumor, are required to define tumor progression. However, confirmation scans are not mandatory after this period nor for the evaluation of treatment for recurrent tumors. For treatments with a high likelihood of pseudoprogression, mandatory confirmation of progression with a repeat MRI is highly recommended. The primary measurement remains the maximum cross-sectional area of tumor (two-dimensional) but volumetric measurements are an option. For IDH wild-type glioblastoma, the nonenhancing disease will no longer be evaluated except when assessing response to antiangiogenic agents. In IDH-mutated tumors with a significant nonenhancing component, clinical trials may require evaluating both the enhancing and nonenhancing tumor components for response assessment.

CONCLUSION

The revised RANO 2.0 criteria refine response assessment in gliomas.
Work from Home before and after the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Bick Alexander , Blandin Adam , Mertens Karel
Published: September 2023

Based on novel survey data, we document a persistent rise in work from home (WFH) over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using theory and direct survey evidence, we argue that three-quarters of this increase reflects the adoption of new work arrangements that will likely be permanent for many workers. A quantitative model matched to survey data predicts that twice as many workers will WFH full-time postpandemic compared to prepandemic, and that one in every five instead of seven workdays will be WFH. These model predictions are consistent with survey evidence on workers’ own expectations about WFH in the future. (JEL I12, I18, J22, M54)
Disentangling COVID-19, Economic Mobility, and Containment Policy Shocks
Authors: Camehl Annika , Rieth Malte
Published: September 2023

We study the dynamic interaction between COVID-19, economic mobility, and containment policy. We use Bayesian panel structural vector autoregressions with daily data for 44 countries, identified through traditional and narrative sign restrictions. We find that incidence shocks and containment shocks have large and persistent effects on mobility, morbidity, and mortality that last for one to two months. These shocks are the main drivers of the pandemic, explaining between 20 and 60 percent of the average and historical variability in mobility, cases, and deaths worldwide. The policy trade-off associated to nonpharmaceutical interventions is 1 pp less economic mobility per day for 8 percent fewer deaths after 3 months. (JEL C43, H51, I12, I18, O15)
The effects of Mineral Waters from Slănic Moldova's Spring 1
and Spring 1 bis on Fibroblast activity: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Munteanu Constantin , Hoteteu Mihail , Munteanu Diana , Onose Gelu
Published: September 2023

Primary fibroblast cultures obtained from Wistar rats were investigated with a focus on two vital physiological mechanisms: inflammatory processes and oxidative stress balance. These are believed to be affected by mud and sulfurous natural mineral waters, forming the fundamental biological basis for understanding the therapeutic effects of these substances. Existing scientific research highlights that various cell types, including fibroblasts, are recruited during inflammation. These cells respond to a wide array of intercellular and microenvironmental signals, leading to a regulated production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Examples include cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, as well as chemokines and enzymes like cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Together, these play vital roles in modulating the inflammatory response.
Εξαγωγικός προσανατολισμός και αναπτυξιακές προσδοκίες νέων επιχειρηματιών στο παγκόσμιο ψηφιακό και θεσμικό περιβάλλον
Authors: Καλογερά Μαρία
Published: September 2023

Η επιχειρηματική διεθνοποίηση λαμβάνει χώρα από μια ευρεία γκάμα επιχειρήσεων με ετερογενή χαρακτηριστικά. Γενικά, οι επιχειρήσεις εξάγουν καθώς τρέφουν σε μεγάλο βαθμό προσδοκίες για αποκόμιση διαφόρων οφελών, όπως την επίτευξη οικονομιών κλίμακας, την ενίσχυση της παραγωγικότητας, την κερδοφορία τους, τη μικρότερη εξάρτηση από την εγχώρια αγορά και την εν γένει μακροχρόνια βιωσιμότητά τους. Η ανάπτυξη όμως των εξαγωγών δεν συνεπάγεται a priori την επίτευξη υψηλών οικονομικών επιδόσεων. Υπό αυτή την οπτική γωνία, η διατριβή αξιοποιεί την έννοια της ετερογένειας των επιχειρήσεων (firm heterogeneity approach) και στηριζόμενη στη θεώρηση ότι οι επιχειρήσεις μπορεί να είναι ετερογενείς ως προς την ηλικία και το μέγεθος διερευνά τον εξαγωγικό προσανατολισμό και τις αναπτυξιακές προσδοκίες α) των νεοφυών ή υπό-ίδρυση επιχειρήσεων (Early-Stage Firms), και β) των μικρομεσαίων επιχειρήσεων (SMEs). Επιπλέον, η παρούσα ανάλυση λαμβάνει σοβαρά υπόψη της τις συνθήκες που επικρατούν στο μακροοικονομικό περιβάλλον και διαμορφώνουν τη λειτουργία των επιχειρήσεων. Στο εμπειρικό μέρος διατυπώνονται συνολικά επτά (7) ερευνητικά ερωτήματα ενώ για την έρευνα πεδίου αντλούνται διαδοχικά, ποσοτικά και ποιοτικά δεδομένα, από δύο ιδιαιτέρως αξιόπιστες βάσεις δεδομένων επιχειρηματικότητας, την ICAP Data.Prisma (284 ελληνικές επιχειρήσεις) και την Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (56 χώρες). Τα δεδομένα μορφής panel data επεξεργάστηκαν με τη χρήση του δυναμικού υποδείγματος Γενικευμένης Μεθόδου Ροπών Συστήματος (GMM). Η έρευνα έδειξε ότι οι νεοφυείς επιχειρήσεις δεν επιτυγχάνουν εξαγωγική ευημερία σε σύγκριση με τις εδραιωμένες επιχειρήσεις. Αντιθέτως οι ΜμΕ αναδεικνύονται δυναμικότεροι εξαγωγείς έναντι των μεγάλων επιχειρήσεων. Επιπλέον, τόσο οι ΜμΕ όσο και οι εξαγωγικές early-stage firms παρουσιάζουν αρνητικές επιδόσεις σε όρους παραγωγικότητας εργασίας και κερδοφορίας. Από την άλλη, όταν εστιάζουμε στις εξαγωγικές ΜμΕ διαπιστώνουμε ότι βελτιώνουν σημαντικά τις οικονομικές τους επιδόσεις εκτός και εάν εξάγουν σε περίοδο κρίσης. Τέλος, η έρευνα ανέδειξε μερικούς σημαντικούς προσδιοριστικούς παράγοντες που πρέπει να ληφθούν σοβαρά υπόψη από τους φορείς για την τόνωση της διεθνοποίησης των νέων εγχειρημάτων όπως την ανάπτυξη εθνικών πολιτικών υποστήριξης έρευνας και καινοτομίας, την παροχή προσβασιμότητας σε φυσικές, εμπορικές και επαγγελματικές υποδομές και τη βελτίωση των επιπέδων φορολόγησης και γραφειοκρατίας στην εσωτερική αγορά, θωρακίζοντας τόσο τις επιχειρήσεις όσο την εθνική οικονομία με εργαλεία διαχείρισης και αντιμετώπισης κρίσεων.
In vitro analysis of quercetin-like compounds from mistletoe Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq as a potential antiviral agent for Newcastle disease
Authors: Mochamad Lazuardi , Malarvili Selvaraja , Jasmine Khairat , Lim Vuanghao
Published: September 2023

Background: Recent evidence suggests that some flavonoid compounds obtained from crude methanol extract of mistletoe leaves (Dendrophthoe pentandra L. Miq), also known as Benalu Duku (BD), have antimicrobial effects. Thus, the plant has the potential to eliminate viruses that may cause outbreaks in chicken farms. This study aimed to prove the in vitro ability of flavonoid compounds, namely quercetin-like compounds (QLCs), to eliminate field viruses, specifically the Newcastle disease virus (NDV).

Methods: This research was performed in two stages. An in vitro test was used with a post-test of the control groups designed at a significance of 0.05. BD leaves (5 kg) were extracted using a maceration method with methanol and then separated into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions. The final extracted products were separated using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to obtain QLCs. The QLCs were identified and compared with quercetin using HPLC, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The activity of QLCs was tested in vitro against the NDV at a virulency titer of 10−5 Tissue Culture Infectious Dose 50% (TCID50) and in chicken kidney cell culture.

Results: Solutions of 0.05% (w/v) QLCs were discovered to have antiviral activity against NDVs, with an average cytopathogenic effect antigenicity at a 10−5 dilution (p<0.05).

Conclusions: QLCs from flavonoids from the leaves of BD have antiviral bioactivity against NDVs and may have the potential to be developed as medicinal compounds for the treatment of other human or animal viral infections.
Evidencias de validez de una escala para evaluar el ajuste a la vida universitaria
Authors: Mata Salas Adriana , Moreira-Mora Tania , Pizarro-Aguilar Laura
Published: September 2023

El propósito de la investigación fue desarrollar una escala para medir el constructo de ajuste a la vida universitaria. El modelo teórico del constructo se basó en tres dimensiones: académica, social e institucional y con un diseño correlacional se utilizaron diversas técnicas para recolectar las evidencias de validez.  La muestra principal estuvo conformada por 673 estudiantes: 42,1% mujeres, 57,7% hombres y 0,3% otro, con un promedio de 18,29 años. En el primer análisis se encontraron evidencias asociadas al contenido de las dimensiones de la escala denominada AjusteU.  En el análisis de validez convergente se encontró una correlación de 0,582 a un nivel de significancia del 0.01 (bilateral) con el instrumento CAVU, otra medida que está teóricamente relacionada con el ajuste a la vida universitaria. En el tercer análisis se validó el planteamiento teórico con los datos empíricos mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Finalmente, en el análisis predictivo se comprobó que la puntuación de la escala AjusteU se asoció significativamente con el rendimiento del primer periodo universitario. La principal conclusión es que estas evidencias de validez y confiabilidad permiten un uso adecuado de los resultados, especialmente, en la toma de decisiones oportunas para favorecer el proceso de transición de secundaria a la educación superior.
Mood disorders in postpartum patients at the University Hospital in Zielona Góra according to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Authors: Jędrzejczak Adrianna Maria , Grzywacz Elżbieta , Chmielowiec Jolanta , Masiak Jolanta , Manulik Stanisław , Krężl Bogusława , Chmielowiec Krzysztof
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Childbirth and its course have a significant impact on a woman’s mental functioning during the postpartum period and motherhood. The mother’s mental state affects not only her child’s life and health, but also the functioning of the entire family. The literature distinguishes several types of mental disorders that occur in the postpartum period, including postpartum depression.
Aim. This study aims to determine the incidence of mood disorders in women up to 6 months postpartum.
Material and methods. The research was carried out using a standardized questionnaire – the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) – designed to determine the severity of mood disorders in the postpartum period in women at the University Hospital in Zielona Góra. The survey was conducted among 100 women aged from 17 to 43.
Results. The results of the analysis showed that in women who noticed mood disorders during pregnancy (n=11, i.e. 11% of the total and n=10, i.e. 10% of the total), there is a possibility of postpartum depressive disorders (score ≥12 points on the ESDP scale) (p=0.0006). Respondents who answered “Definitely yes”, accounted for 42.31% of women who scored ≥12 points on the ESDP scale, and those who answered “Rather yes”, accounted for 38.46%.
Conclusion. Respondents, whose pregnancy ended in a physiological delivery (forces of nature), feel more satisfied with childbirth than the other respondents (n=29 – definitely yes; n=24 – rather yes). In women whose pregnancy ended in caesarean section, the level of dissatisfaction with childbirth (n=9 – rather not) or less satisfaction (n=3 – definitely not) was higher than in the other women (p=0.0124).

Keywords: depression, childbirth, depression scale
The Effect of Reproductive Health Education on the Knowledge Level of Adolescent Pre-Marriage Sex in Riau Province, Indonesia
Authors: Setiawati Putri Ramadanti , Putri Tyas Aisyah , Isni Khoiriyah
Published: September 2023

Background: Adolescence is a stage of growth and development in humans that occurs after childhood and before adulthood. Adolescent will experience emotional changes and want to know new things that tend to be at risk of falling into promiscuity that leads to pre-marital sexual behavior. Lack of knowledge of adolescents about reproductive health is one of the contributing factors. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the effect of reproductive health education on the level of knowledge on preventing adolescent premarital sex in students of Junior High School Dwipa Abadi Kateman.
Methods: This research method uses a one group pretest-posttest design. Respondents used were students in grades 7, 8, 9 Junior High School Dwipa Abadi Kateman as many as 50 students. The intervention provided was in the form of health education in one meeting for 1 hour. The Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test was performed to analyze the data.
Results: Before being given the reproductive health education intervention, 31 people (62%) had high knowledge and after being given the reproductive health education intervention there were 44 people (88%) had high knowledge. From the results of the Wilcoxon Sign Rank test, a p-value of <0.001 was obtained, indicating that there was a difference in knowledge before and after the intervention.
Conclusion: There was an increase in adolescent knowledge about health after being given education regarding the importance of maintaining reproductive health in adolescents at SMP Dwipa Abadi Kateman.
A valuable role
Authors: Pearson Hayley
Published: September 2023

Hayley Pearson outlines what it entails to be an implant nurse practitioner.
A leadership tool kit
Authors: Wassif Hoda
Published: September 2023

Hoda Wassif gives guidance on how to avoid the ‘agenda trap’.
Progress over perfection
Authors: Brown Clementine Reese
Published: September 2023

Clementine Rees Brown discusses Sara do Carmo's journey in dental nursing and passion for sustainability.
A guide to handpiece care and maintenance
Authors: Beckwith Mark
Published: September 2023

Mark Beckwith gives a step-by-step guide for an effective handpiece decontamination protocol.
A revolutionary solution
Authors: Brzezinska Roksana
Published: September 2023

Roksana Brzezinska outlines the intricacies of dental implants.