bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transparency as an empty signifier? Assessing transparency in EU and platform initiatives on online political advertising and actors
Authors: Meyer Trisha , Vetulani‐Cęgiel Agnieszka
Published: September 2024

This paper investigates how the European Union (EU) and online platforms operationalise ‘political advertising’ and ‘transparency’ in a context of ongoing political and policy debates on regulating online platforms. We compare ongoing EU policy initiatives (revised Code of Practice on Disinformation and Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising) against platform policies and practices (Google, Mastodon, Meta, Microsoft, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter/X) undertaken to moderate political actors and advertising. We argue that the concept of transparency is used as an ‘empty signifier’: meaningful at the political and declarative level but when translated into practice, leads to diverse results. The paper contributes to academic and policy debates on platform responsibility and political advertising transparency in light of the recent European elections and the future implementation of the Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising.
Population pharmacokinetics of amodiaquine and piperaquine in African pregnant women with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections
Authors: Ding Junjie , Hoglund Richard M. , Tagbor Harry , Tinto Halidou , Valéa Innocent , Mwapasa Victor , Kalilani‐Phiri Linda , Van Geertruyden Jean‐Pierre , Nambozi Michael , Mulenga Modest , Hachizovu Sebastian , Ravinetto Raffaella , D'Alessandro Umberto , Tarning Joel
Published: September 2024

Artemisinin‐based combination therapy (ACT) is the first‐line recommended treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Pharmacokinetic (PK) properties in pregnant women are often based on small studies and need to be confirmed and validated in larger pregnant patient populations. This study aimed to evaluate the PK properties of amodiaquine and its active metabolite, desethylamodiaquine, and piperaquine in women in their second and third trimester of pregnancy with uncomplicated P. falciparum infections. Eligible pregnant women received either artesunate‐amodiaquine (200/540 mg daily, n = 771) or dihydroartemisinin‐piperaquine (40/960 mg daily, n = 755) for 3 days (NCT00852423). Population PK properties were evaluated using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling, and effect of gestational age and trimester was evaluated as covariates. 1071 amodiaquine and 1087 desethylamodiaquine plasma concentrations, and 976 piperaquine plasma concentrations, were included in the population PK analysis. Amodiaquine concentrations were described accurately with a one‐compartment disposition model followed by a two‐compartment disposition model of desethylamodiaquine. The relative bioavailability of amodiaquine increased with gestational age (1.25% per week). The predicted exposure to desethylamodiaquine was 2.8%–32.2% higher in pregnant women than that reported in non‐pregnant women, while day 7 concentrations were comparable. Piperaquine concentrations were adequately described by a three‐compartment disposition model. Neither gestational age nor trimester had significant impact on the PK of piperaquine. The predicted exposure and day 7 concentrations of piperaquine were similar to that reported in non‐pregnant women. In conclusion, the exposure to desethylamodiaquine and piperaquine was similar to that in non‐pregnant women. Dose adjustment is not warranted for women in their second and their trimester of pregnancy.
A New Approach in Chemical Bath Deposition of Cadmium Selenium Thin Films
Authors: Önal Metehan , Altiokka Barış
Published: September 2024

This study aims to produce cadmium selenium (CdSe) thin films with a hexagonal structure using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. In this study, 0.075 g of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) is used as a Cd source, 0.06 g of etilendiamin tetra acetic acid [(EDTA), (C10H16N2O8)] as a complexing agent, and 0.1 g of selenourea [CSe(NH2)2] as a selenium source. Ammonia (NH3) is employed to adjust the pH value of the solutions and varying amounts of Na2SO3 (from 0.1 to 1.6 g) are used as a reducing agent. This chemical combination has been used for the first time to produce CdSe thin films. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm that CdSe thin films exhibit a hexagonal structure without requiring annealing. The energy band gap values calculated via absorption graphs range from 1.76 to 1.91 eV. The surface morphologies are examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. SEM images show that there are no voids, cracks, or pinholes. The software named ImageJ is used to determine surface roughness, showing range from 6 to 8 nm. The photographs of the samples show that some films adhere homogeneously to the surfaces of substrates, depending on the amount of Na2SO3 used.
Experimental study on soil deformation caused by overexploitation of groundwater
Authors: Sun Lin , Wang Xiuyan , Wang Shuaiwei , Sun Weichao , Wang Jingjing , Di He
Published: September 2024

Due to the overexploitation of deep groundwater, the largest cone of depression in the world has formed in the North China Plain. This led to severe geological hazards, including land subsidence and ground fissures, and also caused economic losses. The prevention and treatment of subsidence needs to rely on the accurate prediction of subsidence amount. According to the one‐dimensional consolidation theory and effective stress principle, combined with stratum structure, groundwater flow, stress distribution, and so forth, the high‐pressure consolidation test results of 569.6 m deep borehole soil samples are adopted; with a specific focus on stress and deformation parameters under exploitation of groundwater condition, the soil‐water coupling prediction model of groundwater level lowering depth and land subsidence has been established. Verification with measured subsidence data near the study sites demonstrated that the predicted curve is consistent with the measured one and the differences between them are acceptable. The model can be applied in different areas after making adjustment based on different regional stratigraphic structures. Its key advantage lies in the ability to provide land subsidence prediction for areas lacking monitoring data, making it highly valuable for widespread application.

Practitioner Points

There is a compressible stratum structure; it is the internal factors of land subsidence.

The groundwater level decline causes the soil body stress to change. It is land subsidence of the external factors.

Based on the one‐dimensional consolidation theory and by combining stratigraphic structures, groundwater flow, and stress distribution, a ground settlement prediction model was established.
The non-haemorrhagic vagal response to trauma: a review of hypotensive and bradycardic responses to injury in the absence of bleeding
Authors: Woods Jonathan , Turner Jake , Hughes Amy , Davies Gareth , Grier Gareth
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Trauma has the potential to cause haemorrhage, tissue damage, pain, visceral manipulation and psychological distress. Each of these consequences of trauma can cause changes in autonomic outflow, which dictates a patient’s vital signs. Patients who are hypotensive and bradycardic due to a vagally mediated parasympathetic response to pain, psychological distress and visceral manipulation may be confused with those who exhibit bradycardia and hypotension following significant blood volume loss.

Methods

This review summarises literature that describes specific stimuli, patterns of injury and patient characteristics that are associated with a non-haemorrhagic vagal response to trauma.

Results

Twenty-six records described predominantly parasympathetic responses to trauma (both blunt and penetrating) and surgery (“iatrogenic trauma”). Such a non-haemorrhagic vagal response occurs following a wide variety of injury patterns. Patient age and sex are poor predictors of the likelihood of a non-haemorrhagic vagal response. The development and resolution of a non-haemorrhagic vagal response occurs over a heterogenous time period. It is unclear whether speed of onset and resolution is linked to the pattern of injury or other factors causing a predominantly parasympathetic response following non-haemorrhagic trauma.

Conclusion

The pattern of injury, patient demographic and speed of onset / resolution associated with the non-haemorrhagic vagal response to trauma may is heterogenous. It is therefore challenging to clinically distinguish between the hypotensive bradycardia due to hypovolaemia secondary to haemorrhage, or a parasympathetic response to trauma in the absence of bleeding.
The role of phase transformation (tetragonal – spinel) on the structural and mechanical properties of Ni doped CuFe2O4
Authors: Abdelhakim Nermin A. , Hemeda Osama M. , Shalaby Rizk M. , Mostafa M.
Published: September 2024

Nano-ferrites of Cu1–xNixFe2O4 (x = 0 to 1 with step 0.2) system was synthesized utilizing the flash auto combustion process annealed at 600oC for 3 h. The structural characterization for synthesized samples was carried out using x-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transition infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hardness of the prepared material was measured using micro-indentation creep technology. XRD pattern verified the creation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure. The undesired CuO phase forms around $$\:2\theta\:={50}^{^\circ\:}\:$$for pure Copper ferrite and decreases with increasing Ni content. The average crystalline size decreases from 27.92 nm to 13.28 nm by doping process from x = 0.2 to x = 1 which retards the growth of crystalline size. FTIR spectra are distinguished by the presence of two prominent absorption bands, ν2 for the octahedral site and ν1 for the tetrahedral site, in the range of approximately 593 and 471 cm− 1, respectively. FTIR analysis verified the formation of the ferrite system’s spinel structure. The TEM images show a nanocrystalline nature with some agglomeration and the crystallites are spherical in shape which their sizes are agrees well with that obtained from XRD measurements. The hardness decreases as the dwell time increases. The hardness and yield strength (Y) values were significantly improved due to the decrease in the crystallite size after Ni doping. The stress exponent (n) value increases by increasing Ni content which means that the mechanical properties improved due to increment of resistance.
Intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography for catheter placement verification in pediatric hydrocephalus: technical note
Authors: Krause Matthias , Lagumdzija Jasmina , Enzinger Simon , Wittig Jörn , Gaggl Alexander , Metzger Roman P. , Griessenauer Christoph J.
Published: September 2024

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement, essential for managing hydrocephalus, often risks catheter malpositioning, especially in patients with small ventricles. We present a novel technique combining neuronavigation with intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography using the BrainLab system and Loop-X mobile imaging unit. This approach enables real-time verification of catheter placement by integrating preoperative MRI data with intraoperative CT imaging. In a 12-year-old boy with therapy-refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension, neuronavigation was guided by the BrainLab Skull Fix and Cushing canula, ensuring precise catheter insertion into the right frontal horn. Post-placement, Loop-X facilitated immediate verification of the catheter’s trajectory and positioning, corroborated by postoperative MRI. This technique demonstrated high precision and minimized radiation exposure, emphasizing its utility in reducing revision rates due to suboptimal catheter placement.
Internal blood loss in fatal liver lacerations – determining lethality from relative blood loss
Authors: Holmgren Sandra , Beer Torfinn
Published: September 2024

Certificates of medical evidence are often used to aid the court in assessing the cause and severity of a victim’s injuries. In cases with significant blood loss, the question whether the bleeding itself was life-threatening sometimes arises. To answer this, the volume classification of hypovolemic shock described in ATLS® is commonly used as an aid, where a relative blood loss > 30% is considered life-threatening. In a recent study of deaths due to internal haemorrhage, many cases had a relative blood loss < 30%. However, many included cases had injuries which could presumably cause deaths via other mechanisms, making the interpretation uncertain. To resolve remaining ambiguity, we studied whether deaths due to isolated liver lacerations had a relative blood loss < 30%, a cause of death where the mechanism of death is presumably exsanguination only. Using the National Board of Forensic Medicine autopsy database, we identified all adult decedents, who had undergone a medico-legal autopsy 2001–2021 (n = 105 952), where liver laceration was registered as the underlying cause of death (n = 102). Cases where death resulted from a combination of also other injuries (n = 79), and cases that had received hospital care, were excluded (n = 4), leaving 19 cases. The proportion of internal haemorrhage to calculated total blood volume in these fatal pure exsanguinations ranged from 12 to 52%, with 63% of cases having a proportion < 30%. Our results lend further support to the claim that the volume classification of hypovolemic shock described in ATLS® is inappropriate for assessing the degree of life-threatening haemorrhage in medico-legal cases.
The habitat preferences of invasive raccoon dog imply elevated risks for wetland-associated prey species
Authors: Toivonen Pyry , Laaksonen Toni , Piironen Antti , Selonen Vesa
Published: September 2024

Habitat preferences of invasive predators determine where and for which prey species they pose a threat upon. This is crucial information for the conservation of endangered prey species because invasive predators pose additional predation on top of that caused by natural predators. In large parts of Europe, the most common invasive mesopredator is the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). To understand the risk that the raccoon dog poses for wetland-associated species, we collected information about its habitat preferences near these habitats. We used data on 24 GPS-collared raccoon dogs from three landscape types in Finland, to study their spatial and temporal habitat preferences. We first determined their home ranges, within which we then examined habitat use and preferences. Raccoon dogs showed generalist habitat use, which was evident in their wide range of used habitats. However, in spring and summer, during the breeding seasons of waterfowl and amphibians, they preferred wetlands and peatlands. They also preferred shorelines and the edges of forests and agricultural fields. During autumn and winter, raccoon dogs did not prefer wetlands. These findings support the conclusion that the raccoon dog’s habitat preferences pose a particular threat to wetland-associated species, such as nesting waterfowl and amphibians. The species’ habitat preferences coupled with high numbers of this invasive mesopredator pose additional predation for endangered wetland-associated species on top of that of native predators.
Perspective on oral medication adherence among patients with acute graft-versus-host disease: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Visintini Chiara , Lucchetta Chiara , Venturini Margherita , Mansutti Irene , Chiappinotto Stefania , Patriarca Francesca , Palese Alvisa
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Despite the importance of adherence to immunosuppressants (IMMs) after an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD), no studies to date have reported the experiences of such patients concerning medication adherence (MA). Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the perspective on MA to immunosuppressive oral therapy among allogeneic HSCT patients with aGvHD.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study following a reflexive thematic analysis methodological approach was performed involving a purposive sample of 16 patients with aGvHD who were being cared for in the outpatient setting of a bone marrow transplant centre and were willing to participate. Semi-structured audio-recorded interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed; member checking was performed. COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) and the ESPACOMP Medication Adherence Reporting Guideline were followed.

Results

Participants aged 25–74 years and mostly males (62.5%) were recruited for this study; 56.2% developed grade I, 37.5% grade II and 6.3% grade III aGvHD; 56.2% were receiving treatment with both cyclosporine and prednisone. Patients' perspectives have been summarised into four themes, named: “Transiting from an external obligation to a habit”; “Being in the middle between the negative and positive effects of the IMMs”; “Failure to systematically respect the rules”; and “Adopting personal strategies to become adherent”. After difficulties with the perception of feeling obliged, patients became used to adhering to IMMs. Although there were failures in systematically taking the medication correctly and there were episodes of non-adherence, the adoption of personal strategies helped patients to become adherent to their medication schedules.

Conclusions

MA in patients with aGvHD is a complex behaviour and is often a challenge. These results can help healthcare professionals and centres to understand how best to design tailored strategies and behavioural interventions to maximise patients’ MA to IMMs.
Multi-perspective patient representation learning for disease prediction on electronic health records
Authors: Yu Ziyue , Wang Jiayi , Luo Wuman , Tse Rita , Pau Giovanni
Published: September 2024

Patient representation learning based on electronic health records (EHR) is a critical task for disease prediction. This task aims to effectively extract useful information on dynamic features. Although various existing works have achieved remarkable progress, the model performance can be further improved by fully extracting the trends, variations, and the correlation between the trends and variations in dynamic features. In addition, sparse visit records limit the performance of deep learning models. To address these issues, we propose the multi-perspective patient representation Extractor (MPRE) for disease prediction. Specifically, we propose frequency transformation module (FTM) to extract the trend and variation information of dynamic features in the time–frequency domain, which can enhance the feature representation. In the 2D multi-extraction network (2D MEN), we form the 2D temporal tensor based on trend and variation. Then, the correlations between trend and variation are captured by the proposed dilated operation. Moreover, we propose the first-order difference attention mechanism (FODAM) to calculate the contributions of differences in adjacent variations to the disease diagnosis adaptively. To evaluate the performance of MPRE and baseline methods, we conduct extensive experiments on two real-world public datasets. The experiment results show that MPRE outperforms state-of-the-art baseline methods in terms of AUROC and AUPRC.
Health Outcomes Associated with Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults Living with HIV: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pollak Chava , Cotton Kelly , Winter Jennifer , Blumen Helena
Published: September 2024

Self-management of HIV is crucial to reduce disease-related negative health outcomes. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with poor disease self-management (e.g., medication non-adherence and care disengagement) in younger people with HIV and negative health outcomes in the general older adult population. Older adults with HIV (OWH) are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation, but the associated health outcomes remain unclear. A comprehensive review of Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Criteria for inclusion were original quantitative research, published in the English language, included adults with a mean age ≥ 50 years, and included a measure for loneliness or social isolation, and a health outcome measure. A total of 41 studies were analyzed and 19,282 participants contributed to this review. The main findings were that loneliness and social isolation were associated with negative health behavior, disease self-management, physiological, and psychological outcomes. Pooled prevalence of loneliness was 33.9% across 8 studies. Loneliness and social isolation are highly prevalent in OWH and are associated with negative outcomes in OWH, similarly to older adults in the general population. Older adults with HIV, however, are challenged by unique psychosocial circumstances that place them at greater risk for loneliness and social isolation and associated negative health outcomes. These findings should be verified in larger, diverse, and longitudinal samples to better understand interrelationships of psychosocial factors and clinical outcomes in OWH.
Data autonomy: beyond personal data abuse, sphere transgression, and datafied gentrification in smart cities
Authors: Gstrein Oskar J.
Published: September 2024

The ‘smart city’ has been driven by advances in information and communication technologies, with the aim of integrating these technologies with urban infrastructures for improved optimisation, automation and control. Smart cities have emerged as a response to the challenges faced by megacities and are likely to manifest the ‘datafying’ society in the public space. However, the pervasive nature of data collection, continuous analysis and inference, and long-term data storage result in a potentially problematic reconfiguration of society that undermines individual and collective autonomy. This article proposes the concept of ‘data autonomy’ as a guiding principle for the development of smart cities, addressing challenges related to the potential misuse of personal data, sphere transgression, and datafied gentrification. Section II. explores concerns related to data protection law, which can be understood as a proxy for the relationship between the individual and society, highlighting power dynamics and the autonomy of individuals and communities. Section III. discusses the concept of sphere transgression, where tech giants expand their influence in society without adequate expertise or accountability. Section IV. examines the potential impact of datafied gentrification on individual and collective autonomy. Building on the challenges identified throughout these sections, this paper proposes ‘data autonomy’ as a guiding principle for smart city development in section V., promoting a value-based approach centred on human dignity. To make it practicable, increased interdisciplinary collaboration in the development of smart cities is needed, with a particular focus on improved design and impact assessment methodologies.
Profiling mathematics teacher educators' readiness for digital technology integration: evidence from Zambia
Authors: Mukuka Angel , Alex Jogymol Kalariparampil
Published: September 2024

Research on Mathematics Teacher Educators (MTEs) is crucial for enhancing the professional development of prospective mathematics teachers. However, there is a dearth of recent studies focusing on MTEs’ preparedness for technology integration, particularly within the Zambian educational context, and the wider Sub-Saharan African region. This study assessed the readiness of MTEs in Zambia to effectively integrate digital technology into mathematics education, examining their perceived technological proficiency and familiarity, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. Using a predominantly quantitative cross sectional research design, responses were gathered from 104 MTEs across 16 colleges of education and 12 universities in Zambia through an online semi-structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that, on average, MTEs exhibited low to moderate familiarity with various mathematics-related software applications, e-learning management systems, and web-based video conferencing tools. Although technological proficiency and perceived ease of use were somewhat lacking, MTEs demonstrated awareness of the value of digital technology and expressed willingness to ensure that preservice mathematics teachers acquire the necessary information and skills for technology integration in mathematics teaching and learning. Furthermore, willingness to use technology in the classroom was significantly predicted by perceived usefulness of, and proficiency with, various digital tools. The study also revealed that individuals tend to perceive technology as easier to use as they become more technologically proficient. In light of these findings, it is suggested that access to technological support not only enhances MTEs’ perception of technology’s ease of use but also positively influences their inclination to incorporate it into instructional strategies.
Quality of Life among Youth with Misophonia: The Role of Internalizing Symptoms and Pessimism
Authors: Kook Minjee , Rast Catherine E. , Cervin Matti , Clinger Jane , Smith Eleanor , Draper Isabel , Murphy Nicholas , Lijffijt Marijn , Schneider Sophie , Parnes Mered S. , Pinciotti Caitlin , Goodman Wayne K. , Storch Eric A. , Guzick Andrew G.
Published: September 2024

This study examined quality of life (QoL) in youth with misophonia compared to a general US youth sample and how misophonia-related variables (severity, number of triggers, responses), internalizing/externalizing symptoms, age and gender were associated with QoL among youth with misophonia. One-hundred and two children and adolescents (Mage = 13.7 [2.5]) with impairing misophonia symptoms completed self-report measures and clinical interviews. A comparison to a general US youth sample was conducted by dividing participants with misophonia into two age groups (< or ≥ 14 years). Older youth with misophonia reported poorer QoL than youth from the general US population, while no statistically significant difference emerged for younger youth with misophonia. More internalizing symptoms, more pessimism, a greater number of misophonia triggers, and being older were significantly associated with poorer QoL among youth with misophonia, with each variable explaining unique variance. Hence, youth with misophonia – particularly adolescents – may have lower QoL compared to their peers, and internalizing symptoms and pessimism are most strongly correlated with poorer QoL. Future research should examine what contributes to poor QoL among youth with misophonia and their family members and potential remedies.
Artificial Intelligence for the Internal Democracy of Political Parties
Authors: Novelli Claudio , Formisano Giuliano , Juneja Prathm , Sandri Giulia , Floridi Luciano
Published: September 2024

The article argues that AI can enhance the measurement and implementation of democratic processes within political parties, known as Intra-Party Democracy (IPD). It identifies the limitations of traditional methods for measuring IPD, which often rely on formal parameters, self-reported data, and tools like surveys. Such limitations lead to partial data collection, rare updates, and significant resource demands. To address these issues, the article suggests that specific data management and Machine Learning techniques, such as natural language processing and sentiment analysis, can improve the measurement and practice of IPD.
fl-IRT-ing with Psychometrics to Improve NLP Bias Measurement
Authors: Bachmann Dominik , van der Wal Oskar , Chvojka Edita , Zuidema Willem H. , van Maanen Leendert , Schulz Katrin
Published: September 2024

To prevent ordinary people from being harmed by natural language processing (NLP) technology, finding ways to measure the extent to which a language model is biased (e.g., regarding gender) has become an active area of research. One popular class of NLP bias measures are bias benchmark datasets—collections of test items that are meant to assess a language model’s preference for stereotypical versus non-stereotypical language. In this paper, we argue that such bias benchmarks should be assessed with models from the psychometric framework of item response theory (IRT). Specifically, we tie an introduction to basic IRT concepts and models with a discussion of how they could be relevant to the evaluation, interpretation and improvement of bias benchmark datasets. Regarding evaluation, IRT provides us with methodological tools for assessing the quality of both individual test items (e.g., the extent to which an item can differentiate highly biased from less biased language models) as well as benchmarks as a whole (e.g., the extent to which the benchmark allows us to assess not only severe but also subtle levels of model bias). Through such diagnostic tools, the quality of benchmark datasets could be improved, for example by deleting or reworking poorly performing items. Finally, in regards to interpretation, we argue that IRT models’ estimates for language model bias are conceptually superior to traditional accuracy-based evaluation metrics, as the former take into account more information than just whether or not a language model provided a biased response.
The effect of a physically formidable competitor or cooperator on attraction to violent video games
Authors: Denson Thomas F. , Youssef Hanan , Blake Khandis R. , Dixson Barnaby J. W. , Harmon-Jones Eddie , Kasumovic Michael M.
Published: September 2024

Typically, men prefer violent video games more than women do. However, little is known about the motivational factors driving this greater preference for violent games in men. The integrative motivational model of violent video games (IMT-VVG) suggests that the pull of violent video games should be strongest in men because men have faced stronger evolutionary pressures to physically compete within an explicit hierarchy relative to women. In two experiments, individuals were led to believe they were competing (Experiment 1; N = 122) or cooperating (Experiment 2; N = 121) with an ostensible same-gender partner to complete a physical strength program. The partner was presented as either high or low in physical formidability. Participants then selected a violent or non-violent video game to play for up to 15 min. In Experiment 1, men showed a stronger preference for violent video games than women when they anticipated facing a stronger opponent in an impending physical strength competition. In Experiment 2, for the physical cooperation task, men also chose the violent game over the non-violent game, but did so independent of the formidability of their cooperation partner. In sum, these data suggest that men may be attracted to violent video games when faced with a competitive task that requires physical strength, but not necessarily a cooperative task. In support of this hypothesis, participants who played the violent games reported greater subjective toughness after game play. These results provide evidence for a new integrative motivational theory of violent video game play.
Academic Detailing Compared with Group Meetings to Change Drug Prescribing for Type 2 Diabetes—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Langaas Harald Christian , Salvesen Øyvind , Dyrkorn Roar , Blix Hege Salvesen , Spigset Olav
Published: September 2024

Background

Academic detailing (AD) is a one-on-one educational outreach with the goal to improve prescribing. There is insufficient evidence on the difference in impact between AD and group visits to facilitate behavior change among general practitioners (GPs).

Objective

To compare the impact of individual AD visits and group visits conveying the same content on treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Participants

GPs in Central Norway, visited September – November 2018.

Intervention

A total of 210 GPs were randomized and invited to an individual AD visit lasting 20 min; 193 were visited, of whom 146 were included in the analyses. In addition, 293 GPs were randomized and invited to a group meeting lasting 30–45 min; 261 were visited, of whom 188 were included in the analyses. Finally, 167 GPs were randomized and included in a control group. Visits were conducted by trained pharmacists and physicians.

Main Measures

Changes in prescribing of metformin and other T2D drugs after the intervention.

Key Results

The use of metformin increased with 5.9% the year after AD and with 4.9% the year after group meetings, compared to no change (0.0%) in the control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.016, respectively). There was no significant difference between the two intervention groups. The only drug group with a statistically significant difference between interventions was insulins, with an increase of 3.2% after AD compared to 19.1% after group visits (p < 0.001). For GLP-1 analogues (p = 0.031) and T2D drugs in total (p = 0.010), we found a significant difference between group intervention and control. Other differences between study groups did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Short educational visits of 20–45 min impact the prescribing of drugs for T2D, either the education is given one-on-one as AD or in a group setting.
Polish adaptation of Clark and Malecki’s academic grit scale
Authors: Kolemba Marcin , Konaszewski Karol , Niesiobędzka Małgorzata
Published: September 2024

The Academic Grit Scale (AGS) is a tool to measure academic grit (passion and perseverance). “Grit” is an indicator of the level of schoolchildren’s engagement and persistence in activities. In this article, we present the results of work based on the Polish version of the AGS. We conducted the research on a nationwide group of 835 Polish students aged 16 to 19. The results confirmed the AGS’s reliability and the one-factor structure of measured academic grit. The AGS’s criterion validity was reflected in the results of correlations with locus of control, self-efficacy, and procrastination. The robustness of the results obtained with the Polish version of the AGS was confirmed through deferred measurement. The Polish version of the AGS is a valid, reliable tool that can be successfully used in research to measure grit in a group of adolescent students as it pertains to education.
Pharmacology of Adenosine A1 Receptor Agonist in a Humanized Esterase Mouse Seizure Model Following Soman Intoxication
Authors: Shih Tsung-Ming , Munoz Crystal , Acon-Chen Cindy , Keith Zora-Maya
Published: September 2024

Recently a novel genetically modified mouse strain with serum carboxylesterase knocked-out and the human acetylcholinesterase gene knocked-in (KIKO) was created to simulate human responses to nerve agent (NA) exposure and its standard medical treatment. A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) agonist N-bicyclo-(2.2.1)-hept-2-yl-5'-chloro-5'-deoxyadenosine (ENBA) alone is a potent anticonvulsant and neuroprotectant (A/N) in both rat and KIKO mouse soman (GD) seizure models. In this study we utilized the KIKO mouse to evaluate further the basic pharmacologic A/N effects of ENBA as an adjunct to standard NA medical treatments (i.e., atropine sulfate, pralidoxime chloride [2-PAM], and midazolam). Male mice, implanted with cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) electrodes, were pretreated with asoxime (HI-6) and exposed to an epileptogenic dose of GD (33 µg/kg, s.c.) or saline (sham exposure) and then treated 15 min after seizure onset with ENBA at 15 mg/kg, i.p. (a minimum efficacy dose in suppressing NA-induced seizure) alone or as an adjunct to standard medical treatments. We collected EEG activity, seizure suppression outcomes, daily body temperature and weight, heart rate, toxic signs, neuropathology, and lethality data for up to 14 days. Without ENBA, death from NA exposure was 45%, while with ENBA, either alone or in combination with midazolam, the survival improved to 80% and 90%, respectively. Additionally, seizure was suppressed quickly and permanently, toxic signs, hypothermia, and bradycardia recovered by 48 h, and no neuropathology was evident. Our findings confirmed that ENBA is a potent A/N adjunct for delayed medical treatments of NA exposure.
A lightweight self-ensemble feedback recurrent network for fast MRI reconstruction
Authors: Li Juncheng , Yang Hanhui , Lui Lok Ming , Zhang Guixu , Shi Jun , Zeng Tieyong
Published: September 2024

Improving the speed of MRI acquisition is a key issue in modern medical practice. However, existing deep learning-based methods are often accompanied by a large number of parameters and ignore the use of deep features. In this work, we propose a novel Self-Ensemble Feedback Recurrent Network (SEFRN) for fast MRI reconstruction inspired by recursive learning and ensemble learning strategies. Specifically, a lightweight but powerful Data Consistency Residual Group (DCRG) is proposed for feature extraction and data stabilization. Meanwhile, an efficient Wide Activation Module (WAM) is introduced between different DCRGs to encourage more activated features to pass through the model. In addition, a Feedback Enhancement Recurrent Architecture (FERA) is designed to reuse the model parameters and deep features. Moreover, combined with the specially designed Automatic Selection and Integration Module (ASIM), different stages of the recurrent model can elegantly implement self-ensemble learning and synergize the sub-networks to improve the overall performance. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our model achieves competitive results and strikes a good balance between the size, complexity, and performance of the model.
“They forget that I’m a human being”—ward round communication with older patients living with frailty and informal caregivers: a qualitative study
Authors: Andersen Lene Holst , Løfgren Bo , Skipper Mads , Krogh Kristian , Jensen Rune Dall
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Skilful communication prompts quality patient care. Informal caregivers occupy a crucial role when caring for hospitalised older patients living with frailty. However, skilful communication with both patients and informal caregivers during ward rounds has not been studied. Thus, we aimed to explore communication preferences of patients and informal caregivers during ward rounds.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with hospitalized patients and informal caregivers until information redundancy occurred. We used inductive coding of the transcribed interviews followed by a reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The study included 15 patients and 15 informal caregivers. Patients had a median age of 85 years (range 75–100 years) and seven patients were females. Informal caregivers’ median age were 45 years (range 38–80 years) and 13 were females. Three themes were generated: (1) building relationships and conveying information, (2) alleviating informal caregiver strain and (3) sharing the decision-making process. Themes highlighted the importance of collaborative and empathetic approaches in healthcare interactions, emphasizing interpersonal communication skills, such as fostering professional relationships. The interviews unveiled informal caregiver burden stemming from disempowerment during hospital discharge process and managing mistrust within the healthcare system. The shared decision-making process should address patients’ and informal caregivers’ needs and circumstances.

Conclusions

Communication preferences of a population of older patients living with frailty and informal caregivers during ward rounds encompass interpersonal communication, demonstrating ample time, and being seen as a human being. Informal caregivers value being included in the decision-making process. Skilful communication includes for doctors to recognize informal caregivers’ narratives and burdens.

Graphical abstract
Occurrence of carbapenemase producing NAG Vibrio cholerae (NAG-CPV.c) in aquatic environment before the recommendation of carbapenem antibiotics
Authors: Igere Bright E. , Onojafe Joseph O. , Nwodo Uchechukwu U.
Published: September 2024

Recent research updates and advances have shown an upsurge of antibiotic resistance reports amongst bacterial species with increasing spread/distribution especially in the water nexus. Such has been the trend among Vibrio cholerae strain as it is observed to be emerging with diverse resistant determinants. The current study presents the occurrence of carbapenemase producing NAG Vibriocholerae (NAG-CPV.c) in aquatic environment before the recommendation of Carbapenem antibiotics. It focused on carbapenem resistant phenotype/genotype among environmental and somatic antigen nonagglutinating V. cholerae (SANAG-Vc) strains recovered from water sources, applying standard microbiological, serological and molecular biology techniques. Domestic water samples were collected for isolation of V. cholerae strains in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Carbapenem and specific β-lactamase inhibitors were employed for antibiotic susceptibility testing using K-B disc diffusion technique in addition to the Modified-Hodge-Test (MHT). Our results revealed 61 strains of environmental and SANAG-Vc serogroups. Amongst these confirmed SANAG-Vc strains recovered, 25 possess carbapenemase phenotype or NDM-1 phenotype (40.89%), whereas 24 (39.34%) were MHT positive phenotype. Further gene-based detection revealed 20 (32.79%) PCR confirmed as NDM-1 resistant gene positive strains. It is important to note that the carbapenem members of antibiotics are not readily employed in the therapeutic control of cholera cases as recommended by CLSI. Observing such resistant phenotypes/genotypes indicates a possible transfer/dissemination and emergence of such resistant determinants in the environment as the coastal water serves as a potential breeding hub for such resistant genes among potential pathogens. This is a serious threat to environmental wellness/public health especially those in the sub-urban and poor living localities, who source the analyzed water as their major source of water for domestic activities. The need for adroit and continuous monitoring of released water effluents of domestic and clinical sources remains a control strategy for environmental wellness and water bodies safety.
Adaptive neural network control of a centrifugal chiller system
Authors: Li Songchun , Zaheeruddin M.
Published: September 2024

In this paper, a neuro-adaptive PI control strategy for a water-cooled centrifugal chiller system is developed, and its control performance is examined. The system model consists of a flooded evaporator, a flooded condenser, a centrifugal compressor, and an electronic expansion valve. The overall system consists of three control loops: a compressor speed control loop, an inlet guide vane (IGV) control loop, and a condenser liquid level control loop. A neuro-adaptive control strategy for compressor speed control was designed. The control performance of the chiller was tested by carrying out simulation runs using an integrated building and HVAC (IB-HVAC) system model. The major details of the IB-HVAC model are described in this paper. Results show that the neuro-adaptive controller can adapt to new system dynamics of the IB-HVAC system and give good setpoint tracking responses under a wide range of operating conditions. The results show that the neuro-adaptive controller performs better than the constant gain PI controller in terms of speed of response and setpoint tracking properties.
Transfer learning for crash design
Authors: Colella Giada , Lange Volker A. , Duddeck Fabian
Published: September 2024

When designing the structure of a new vehicle, car manufacturers need to ensure the compliance with strict safety requirements. Aiming to support the engineers in the early phase of this process, we propose a transfer learning framework for crashworthiness. This work explores the possibility to infer knowledge on future situations by exploiting data coming from past development processes. During the early phases of automotive development, assessing the crash safety implies dealing with the challenge of low data availability. Here, the engineers have no hardware test to rely on and can access only few finite element simulations. Under these circumstances, an attractive concept to investigate is the development of a machine learning approach able to learn from the past designs and to transfer the acquired knowledge to the new ones. Transfer learning can serve to this aim. With it, one learns the basic knowledge from a source domain A, and transfers it to a target domain B, characterized by low data availability. Here, we propose a transfer learning framework and apply it to an explicatory industrial crash example. The components produced in the past constitute the source domain; the new component design is the target domain. The proposed methodology can serve as an innovative solution to support car manufacturers in the early phase of vehicle development and thus improve the performance in crashworthiness scenarios.
Crack lung: a difficult differential diagnosis of ground glass opacities in the emergency setting
Authors: Giannessi Caterina , Gozzi Luca , Cozzi Diletta , Cavigli Edoardo , Miele Vittorio
Published: September 2024

Background

The term 'Crack lung' refers to an acute syndrome of diffuse alveolar damage and hemorrhagic alveolitis that occurs within 48 hours of smoking freebase cocaine. Crack lung induces a variety of pulmonary complications, both acute and chronic, including pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, eosinophilic pneumonia, pneumothorax, and pulmonary thromboembolism. Ischaemia of pneumocytes because of crack use is induced by the following phenomena: thermal damage to the airways, direct toxicity, inflammatory damage, barotrauma and vasospasm. Diffuse alveolar damage and alveolar hemorrhage with eosinophilic cell infiltration and IgE deposits are found in the lung tissue.

Purpose

We present two clinical cases of patients admitted to the emergency department of our university hospital with respiratory failure. HRCT scans showed bilaterally, subpleural, and peri-hilar lung parenchyma, extensive areas of parenchymal ground-glass hyperdensity, crazy paving aspects, and relative sparing of the apices. The temporal relationship between the appearance of the bilateral opacities, the history documenting drug use, and the onset of hypoxemia suggests the diagnosis of "Crack lung".

Conclusions

It is important to include drug abuse and crack lung in the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory symptoms with ground-glass opacities, as they are not uncommon in emergency departments and may rapidly progress to ARDS. CT findings are not specific, but it is important to accurately collect anamnestic data and collaborate with the clinician to achieve a diagnosis and establish proper therapy.
Intermittent cell division dynamics in regenerating Arabidopsis roots reveals complex long-range interactions
Authors: Fallesen T. , Amarteifio S. , Pruessner G. , Jensen H. J. , Sena G.
Published: September 2024

In this work, we present a quantitative comparison of the cell division dynamics between populations of intact and regenerating root tips in the plant model system Arabidopsis thaliana. To achieve the required temporal resolution and to sustain it for the duration of the regeneration process, we adopted a live imaging system based on light-sheet fluorescence microscopy, previously developed in the laboratory. We offer a straightforward quantitative analysis of the temporal and spatial patterns of cell division events showing a statistically significant difference in the frequency of mitotic events and spatial separation of mitotic event clusters between intact and regenerating roots.