bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Totally Endoscopic Atrial Septal Defect Repair on Beating Heart: Clinical Outcome and Single-Surgeon Learning Curve Experience
Authors: Dang Huy Q. , Nguyen Huu C. , Le Thanh N.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Hanoi ASD procedure, which is totally endoscopic surgery for atrial septal defect (ASD) repair on beating heart. In addition, the present study also aimed to analyze the learning curve for this procedure.

Methods:

From May 2016 to February 2023, 198 consecutive ASD patients weighing ≥20 kg were enrolled in the retrospective study. The Hanoi ASD procedure includes (1) unilateral or bilateral femoral arterial cannulation; (2) two or three 5 mm trocars and a 15 mm port; (3) ASD repair on beating heart, preventing air embolism with CO2 insufflation and keeping the left atrium full of blood; and (4) not snaring the inferior vena cava. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was used to evaluate the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and operation time learning curves. Variables among the learning curve phases were compared.

Results:

The CPB and operation times were 90 (72 to 115) min and 180 (150 to 220) min, respectively. Total drainage volume was 190 (120 to 290) mL. No endoscopic failure or major complications were complications were excluding factors causing bias, the CUSUMCPBtime analysis for the remaining 131 patients included 3 phases. Phase 1 was the initial learning period (cases 1 to 34), phase 2 represented the technical competence period (cases 35 to 54), and phase 3 was the challenging period (cases 55 to 131).

Conclusions:

The Hanoi ASD procedure is safe and feasible for repairing ASD in patients weighing ≥20 kg. According to the learning curve analysis, 34 cases were required to achieve technical efficiency, and 54 cases were required to address highly challenging cases.
Outcomes Comparison of Robot-Assisted and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation
Authors: Melinosky Kelsey , Leng Albert , Johnson Christopher R. , Giuliano Verdi Katherine , Etchill Eric W. , Tandri Harikrishna , Brock Malcolm V. , Ha Jinny S.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a surgical antiadrenergic procedure that can reduce sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is currently the standard approach used in CSD, and the practicality for robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) has yet to be investigated.

Methods:

We conducted a single-center retrospective study of all adult patients ( N = 67) who underwent CSD from 2015 to 2021. We compared short-term outcomes of those treated with RATS versus VATS thoracic sympathectomy. For patients with VT, we examined the effectiveness of a RATS approach in reducing implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock burden.

Results:

A total of 34 patients underwent RATS cardiac denervation, and 33 underwent VATS cardiac denervation. Those undergoing RATS denervation had a significantly shorter procedure duration with a median of 129 min ( P = 0.008). Patients receiving the VATS approach were significantly more complicated by pneumothorax ( P = 0.004) and overall complications ( P = 0.01) when compared with the RATS approach. At 1 year after surgery, both groups had significant reductions in ICD shocks compared with before surgery, both decreasing from a median of 4 to 0 shocks ( P < 0.001). In addition, at 1 year after surgery, the percentage of patients with persistent ICD shocks and the median of ICD shocks were similar between the groups.

Conclusions:

The RATS approach to cardiac denervation has similar 1-year follow-up outcomes in reducing recurrent VT as the VATS approach. However, patients undergoing RATS denervation experienced better perioperative outcomes. This shows promise for robotic CSD to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with malignant arrhythmias.
Dilemmas of Adopting Goal-Directed Perfusion in Extracorporeal Circulation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Lukaszewski Marceli
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is generally based on standards established in the last decade. In recent years, a concept of perfusion management during ECC, goal-directed perfusion (GDP), has emerged to create optimal conditions for oxygen delivery and extraction, initiated by Rannuci et al. The aim of the present work was to determine whether the ECC procedure can truly be optimized with the current state of knowledge and understanding of human physiology.

Methods:

Discussed articles from 2017 to 2022 were selected from the MEDLINE (PubMed) database using the keywords “cardiopulmonary bypass” AND “cardiac surgery” AND “oxygen delivery” with the conditions of “clinical trial” OR “randomized controlled trial.”

Results:

The concept of GDP is an attempt to reproduce the physiological conditions of tissue respiration during ECC. Published articles, also due to their retrospective nature, are based on standards and recommendations that do not fully fit the field of physiological circulation. There are still insufficient tools to assess the relationship between volemia, perfusion pressure, and pump performance. Limitations include indications for vasoactive drugs. Methodology has rarely taken into account the period of starting and stopping the heart-lung machine, the most pronounced periods of circulatory destabilization with reduced oxygen delivery.

Conclusions:

Problems associated with ECC such as acute kidney injury, liver failure, vasoplegic syndrome, and others must await its resolution. The use of advanced monitoring technology and data engineering may allow the development of baseline hemodynamic models, which may make the ECC procedure more physiologic and thus improve the safety of the procedure.
The relationship between facial attractiveness and perceived guilt across types of crime
Authors: Kramer Robin SS , Jarvis Janie-Lea , Green Michaela , Jones Alex L
Published: November 2023

Facial first impressions influence jurors in both laboratory experiments and real courtrooms. Often, more attractive defendants are perceived as less guilty and receive more lenient sentences. However, the type of crime under consideration, as well as the ecological validity of the stimuli presented, may determine the nature of this bias. Here, extending previous work, we considered three crime types (robbery, sexual assault, and murder) and utilised short video clips of male defendants, accompanied by real-world crime descriptions. Crucially, we varied attractiveness by presenting a large set of identities, in comparison with the typical use of one “high” and one “low” attractive face. Using null hypothesis significance testing, we found no evidence that either attractiveness or crime type influenced guilt perceptions. Taking a Bayesian perspective, our results provided some evidence that more attractive defendants were rated as less guilty of murder but more guilty of sexual assault, with no bias observed for robbery. Importantly, however, none of these effects had high certainty and all were small in size. By comparing the extremes of attractiveness, we again found inconclusive evidence of any attractiveness effects, with small differences in all cases. The implications for this departure from previous findings are discussed in terms of ecological validity and the need to consider attractiveness as a continuous rather than binary measure.
Comparison of pulley plasty, pulley venting and resection of flexor digitorum superficialis slip after zone II flexor tendon repair: a cadaver study
Authors: Aljasim Omar , Yener Can , Demirkoparan Mesut , Bilge Okan , Küçük Levent , Günay Hüseyin
Published: November 2023

Various techniques have been developed to optimize the repair of zone II flexor tendon injuries. The aim of the present study was to compare the biomechanical outcomes of four different methods: resection of the single flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) slip; A2 pulley venting; and two different A2 pulley plasty methods. In total, 36 cadaveric fingers were dissected to determine the gliding coefficients (GC), maximum flexion angles (MFA) and bowstring measurements through digital imaging before and after surgical procedures. The GC increased significantly ( p < 0.05) and MFA decreased significantly ( p < 0.001) in all groups after the surgical interventions. There were no statistically significant differences between the surgical techniques regarding GC ( p = 0.756) and MFA ( p = 0.089). Bowstring distance significantly increased in the pulley venting group ( p < 0.001). The pulley plasty results were comparable to the other techniques. The single FDS slip resection technique should be considered as the method of choice for reducing the GC following flexor tendon repair as it preserves the anatomical structure of the A2 pulley.

Level of evidence

V
Hyperinflation and reduced diffusing capacity predict prognosis in SCLC: value of extended pre-therapeutic lung function testing
Authors: Kahnert Kathrin , Lempert Lilli Maria , Behr Jürgen , Elsner Laura , Bolt Toki , Tufman Amanda , Kauffmann-Guerrero Diego
Published: November 2023

Background:

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by aggressive growth and poor prognosis. Although SCLC affects nearly exclusively heavy smokers and leads to frequent respiratory symptoms, the impact of pre-therapeutic lung function testing in SCLC is sparely investigated until now. Therefore, we sought to examine whether we could find prognostic markers in pre-therapeutic lung function testing of SCLC patients.

Patients and Methods:

We retrospectively analysed a cohort of 205 patients with the diagnosis of SCLC between 2010 and 2018. Pre-therapeutic values of spirometry, body plethysmography and measurement of diffusing capacity was extracted from patients’ charts. Comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or by chi-square tests as appropriate. Kaplan–Meier analyses and COX-regression models were performed to correlate lung function parameters with patients’ outcome.

Results:

Airway obstruction itself, or the diagnosis chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on GOLD definitions did not correlate with survival in SCLC patients. Hyperinflation measured by increased residual volume and residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (log-rank p < 0.001) and reduced diffusing capacity (log-rank p = 0.007) were associated with reduced survival. Furthermore, patients with hyperinflation as well as impairments in gas exchange representing an emphysematic phenotype had the worst outcome (log-rank p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

We recommend including body plethysmography and measurement of diffusing capacity in the pre-therapeutic assessment of SCLC patients. Our findings suggest that reduction of hyperinflation may lead to better outcome in SCLC patients. Thus, in addition to effective tumour therapy, adequate therapy of the comorbidity of COPD should also be provided. In particular, measures to reduce hyperinflation by means of dual bronchodilation as well as respiratory physiotherapy should be further assessed in this setting.
Current role of PSMA-PET imaging in the clinical management of prostate cancer
Authors: Georgakopoulos Alexander , Bamias Aristotle , Chatziioannou Sophia
Published: November 2023

Despite the developments of the last few years, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PC) remains a deadly disease. Until recently, almost all guidelines recommended magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) for the initial staging and local/systematic recurrence. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) at the present stage, emerged as a promising diagnostic imaging tool for PC. PSMA PET/CT alone or in combination with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) can improve the detection of clinically significant PC, especially for Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) = 3 lesions. In addition, PSMA PET/CT is more accurate than CT and bone scan for intermediate to high-risk disease at the initial staging. Contrariwise, a negative PET is not useful for surgeons to avoid a pelvic nodal dissection. PET-PSMA imaging is appropriate for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence or PSA rise from undetectable level after radical prostatectomy or for PSA rise above nadir after definitive radiotherapy. Also, it is recommended for patients fit for curative salvage treatment. It should be noted that in patients, candidates for radionuclide therapy with Lutetium-177 (117Lu), a PSMA strong expression from PET/CT at baseline is considered necessary. This review summarizes the evolution of PSMA PET/CT and its current role in the management of PC.
Is sagittal spinopelvic alignment a cause of low back pain in pediatric spine pathologies? A review
Authors: Maria Czubak-Wrzosek , Patryk Wrzosek , Mateusz Żebrowski , Marcin Tyrakowski
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

Altered spinopelvic morphology is observed in many spine pathologies occurring during growth. The aim of the study is to better understand the sagittal compensatory mechanisms and their possible influence on the occurrence of pain in selected pediatric spine pathologies.

Methods:

A bibliographic search in the PubMed database included articles published between September 1965 and July 2023. The keywords contained in the search were “spondylolysis,” “spondylolisthesis,” “scoliosis,” “kypho,” “sagittal,” “pediatric,” “child,” “adolescent,” “grow,” “development,” and “pain.”

Results:

The largest diversity in sagittal alignment patterns was reported in idiopathic scoliosis, with global flattening of the spine being the most common. Kyphotic deformations occurring during growth are characterized by structural thoracic or thoracolumbar kyphosis compensated by lumbar hyperlordosis and lower pelvic incidence. Whereas in spondylolisthesis, altered morphology of the spinopelvic junction with high values of pelvic incidence is observed. Pain does not seem to be related to sagittal alignment in idiopathic scoliosis. In Scheuermann disease, it is localized at the apex of the deformity and is associated with the curve pattern, whereas in spondylolisthesis, sagittal alignment correlates with pain scores only in high-grade slips.

Conclusion:

Most of the patients with spine disorders that occurred during growth present a clinically balanced posture in the sagittal plane. It suggests that compensatory mechanisms before achieving skeletal maturity are really significant. A comprehension of sagittal alignment in spine deformities and its relationship to pain is essential for the proper assessment and treatment of these disorders.
Tumors and infections of the growing spine
Authors: Jasiewicz Barbara , Helenius Ilkka
Published: November 2023

The growing spine differs from the adult spine in several ways. Although tumors and infections cause only a small percentage of pediatric back pain incidences, delayed proper diagnosis and treatment may be disastrous. Benign lesions, such as osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst in the spine, are predominant during the first two decades of life, whereas malignant bony spinal tumors are rare. In the pediatric population, malignant spine tumors include osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, lymphoma, and metastatic neuroblastoma. Infections of the growing spine are rare, with the incidence of discitis peaking in patients under the age of 5 years and that of vertebral osteomyelitis peaking in older children. Spondylodiscitis is often a benign, self-limiting condition with low potential for bone destruction. Conservative treatments, including bedrest, immobilization, and antibiotics, are usually sufficient. Spinal tuberculosis is a frequently observed form of skeletal tuberculosis, especially in developing countries. Indications for surgical treatment include neurologic deficit, spinal instability, progressive kyphosis, late-onset paraplegia, and advanced disease unresponsive to nonoperative treatment. Spinal tumors and infections should be considered potential diagnoses in cases with spinal pain unrelated to the child’s activity, accompanied by fever, malaise, and weight loss. In spinal tumors, early diagnosis, fast and adequate multidisciplinary management, appropriate en bloc resection, and reconstruction improve local control, survival, and quality of life. Pyogenic, hematogenous spondylodiscitis is the most common spinal infection; however, tuberculosis-induced spondylodiscitis should also be considered.

Level of evidence: level 4.
Applications of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Wang Lining , Zhu Yihua , Yun Li , Guo Yang , Pan Yalan , Liu Mengmin , Ma Yong , Zhu Xiaoshu , Price William S.
Published: November 2023

Background

In recent years, the focus of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research has gradually shifted from pure chemical research to looking at the combination of chemistry with the life sciences. However, due to the complexity of the chemical composition of Chinese medicinal plants, understanding material structure through in vivo and in vitro studies is a bottleneck in biological analysis. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has numerous unique advantages over other analytical techniques, and has developed into a crucial tool in Chinese medicine research. This review aims to analyze and summarize the application of NMR under the multiple fields of TCM.

Methods

The online databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CNKI were using the search terms “Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry,” “NMR,”“Chinese medicine,” “TCM,” “Herbal medicine,” were from January 1, 2010 to June 1, 2023

Results

The research scopes were 375 after being selected. The latest applications of NMR to TCM including its application to metabolomics, structural identification and efficacy exploration, and authentication and quality control. There were 116 articles on metabolism, 196 articles on compound structure identification and 63 articles on quality control. The metabolomic study of NMR is in line with the multicomponent, multitarget, and overall comprehensive effect of TCM. The structural identification of the chemical components of TCM is more helpful for the discovery of other biologically active substances with high efficacy and few side effects. NMR provides support in quality control and planting site selection of TCM.

Conclusion

NMR has become an essential tool and makes great contributions to the field of TCM research, the innovation in the application of NMR technology will aid with the research on the material basis of TCM.
What is coming next in health technology startups? Some insights and practice guidelines
Authors: Chakraborty Imon , Edirippulige Sisira , Ilavarasan P Vigneswara
Published: November 2023

Health technology startups are experiencing a significant surge in growth, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, as they address gaps in the sector. However, despite their increasing prevalence, there is still relatively limited knowledge about this sector's evolution. This opinion article explores emerging trends in health startups, including their market size, growth, significant challenges, and guidelines for key stakeholders from a global healthcare service industry perspective. By gaining a better understanding of these trends, new research opportunities and evidence-based practices can be identified.
Melody for the Mind: Enhancing Mood, Motivation, Concentration, and Learning through Music Listening in the Classroom
Authors: Vigl Julia , Ojell-Järventausta Miitta , Sipola Helmi , Saarikallio Suvi
Published: November 2023

Listening to music has been shown to have positive impacts on mood and task performance, but there is little knowledge on such effects in school environments. This mixed-method study aimed to investigate the effects of self-selected music on students’ mood, motivation, concentration, and learning success in a real-life school context. Forty-eight secondary school students (age range: 15–19) completed the study, and both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The study consisted of two phases: one week of regular lessons without music and a subsequent week in which students listened to self-selected music before each lesson. The results showed that listening to music had strong positive effects on mood, motivation, and concentration, and moderate effects on learning. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions revealed that the beneficial effects were mostly perceived to be due to creating positive and energizing emotions, increasing attention, and providing routine and rest between lessons. The findings suggest that listening to self-selected music could be an effective and low-cost strategy for enhancing students’ emotional state, motivation, and concentration in a school context.
Shareholding Network of Institutional Investors and the Information Efficiency of Capital Market: Evidence From China
Authors: Liu Guang , Yi Hong , Yu Chih-Ping
Published: November 2023

A higher efficient capital market and direct financing environment are key to excellent enterprise performance and high-quality economic development in China. In recent years, institutional investors have gradually significantly impacted market information efficiency, while the existing studies still offer different conclusions. Given this, firstly, we chose the social network analysis as the study method, taking the open-ended equity mutual funds in the A-share stock market from 2010 to 2019 as samples, constructing the shareholding networks by taking the top ten bulk-holding stocks in every sample fund’s annual report as the connection. Then, we chronologically reveal the characteristics of those networks, such as scale, density, centrality, and so on. Lastly, we empirically test the influence of the institutional investors embedded in the shareholding networks on the information efficiency, and so does the robustness check. The results show that the shareholding networks are gradually expanding in scale and increasing in density. Furthermore, institutional investors can improve stock price informativeness and promote market information efficiency through a shareholding network, and the higher the network location of institutional investors, the greater the information effect. The conclusions based on the systemic view not only enrich the research on the information function of institutional investors, broaden the field of social network theory, but also provide guidance for regulating institutional investors and improving market transparency.
Usability testing of Healthcare Devices: A review of the current UX methods used for usability testing of healthcare devices
Authors: Sawant Sahil , Joshi Pratyusha , Sawant Sarvesh
Published: November 2023

This literature review examines the state of usability testing in medical device design, focusing on techniques and instruments used for assessing user-centered design. The analysis includes 30 studies from various fields, such as telemedicine, assistive technology, and healthcare devices. The review discusses different UX analysis techniques, their benefits and their drawbacks. Usability testing is critical in healthcare equipment design, utilizing various approaches and metrics. However, the analysis also highlights significant obstacles that need to be addressed, such as the need for more rigorous testing procedures and the application of user-centered design concepts. Overall, the review underscores the importance of usability testing in creating user-friendly, secure, and efficient medical equipment that benefits both patients and medical professionals.
Case Study Analysis of Near Miss Events: A Misstep and a Trip
Authors: Stephens Benjamin , Cuoco Michaela
Published: November 2023

We discuss two case studies that illustrate the application of conspicuity measures to evaluate two near miss events. Conspicuity distance measurements in both cases suggest that the hazards were not noticed during the user’s normal activities. Near miss events can suggest the presence of hazardous situations. Near miss events also illustrate forensic analysis that may generalize to cases with more serious injuries.
Perspective on Emotion Detection for Automotive Applications: Performance Evaluation of Two Emotion AI SDKs
Authors: Nasir Mansoor , Sonawane Kalyani , Bekkanti Nikhitha , Talamonti Walter
Published: November 2023

The work presented herein quantifies the limitations of the technology provided by two prominent suppliers in Emotion AI. Each Software Development Kit (SDK) performance was measured for accuracy using image and video databases. The results indicate that while the SDKs show high accuracy in detecting positive emotions (e.g., Happy), the performance suffered for negative emotions (e.g., Angry) due to missed and false detections. The results were worse for structured video datasets and degraded further when subjects were in naturalistic settings. Although Emotion AI have improved greatly in recent years, the current versions are not reliable enough for automotive applications. The paper provides perspectives on the reasons for subpar performance and guidance for improvement for future emotion estimation software.
Enhancing Art Gallery Visitors' Experiences through Audio Augmented Reality Technology
Authors: Dam Abhraneil , Lee Yeaji , Siddiqui Arsh , Lages Wallace Santos , Jeon Myounghoon
Published: November 2023

Audio Augmented Reality (AAR) applications are gaining traction, especially for entertainment purposes. To that extent, the current study explored its use and effectiveness in enhancing art gallery visitors’ experiences. Four paintings were selected and sonified using the Jython algorithm to produce computer generated music (Basic AAR); the audio was then further enhanced with traditional music by a musician (Enhanced AAR). Twenty-six participants experienced each painting in Basic, Enhanced, and No AAR condition. Results show that AAR cues had a significant effect on participants’ subjective feedback towards the paintings. Sentiment Analysis shows that participants mentioned significantly more positive words from Enhanced AAR than the others. Enhanced AAR also made participants express a sense of immersion, whereas Basic AAR made them concentrate more on forlorn aspects of the paintings. Findings from this study suggest ways to improve and customize AAR cues for different painting styles, and indicate the need for multi-modal augmentations.
Changing World of Work and Rural Diversification
Authors: Jha Praveen , Mishra Preksha
Published: November 2023

In India, as in most of the global South, the capitalist transition during the post–World War II era has unfolded in a manner by which labor absorption has not been commensurate with the growth of output in the non-agricultural sectors. For India, there is strong evidence to suggest that the employment elasticity of output has declined in most sectors during much of the so-called reform period. Furthermore, the transfer of agricultural workers to non-agricultural sectors has been largely driven by distress—particularly those of the self-employed, who still account for a lion’s share of employment in the country. This article engages with some of the crucial issues pertaining to the conceptualization of rural “diversification”, situating the increasingly complex rural–urban circuits within the larger architecture of contemporary capitalism. A large proportion of the total workers, especially in the global South, are caught in these circuits as proto- or semi-proletariats, often perambulating ceaselessly between rural and urban. Through the lens of the Marxian political economy, this article highlights some of the relevant tendencies and changes connected with contemporary circuits of accumulation and the associated patterns of rural diversification with a special focus on the last two decades.
‘We are not here to enforce; we are here for the people’ Factors influencing performance of contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Mevissen Fraukje EF , van Deursen Babette , Voeten Helene ACM , Watzeels Anita JCM
Published: November 2023

Background:

Provider-initiated contact tracing (CT) is an important measure to slow down the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, carrying out effective CT depends on the collaboration between the patient and the contact tracer. To improve CT, it is important to understand which factors influence contact tracers in being able to carry out CT during large pandemics.

Methods:

We performed individual semi-structured interviews with nine contact tracers working for the COVID-19 unit of the Public Health Service (PHS) Rotterdam-Rijnmond, the Netherlands, to explore their experiences with carrying out CT. Data were collected between July 2020 and December 2020. The interview protocol was structured based on the CT tasks and guided by the literature and the framework explaining adherence to clinical practice guidelines.

Results:

In general, CT seemed to be carried out satisfactorily. Individual factors (interviewing techniques and skills, attitude towards the patient and attitude towards CT), factors related to the patient (cooperativeness and engagement, emotions, language and culture and (mis)information), guideline-related factors (characteristics) and factors related to the organisation (interactions with colleagues, support from management, workload and training) were found to influence the carrying out of CT.

Conclusion:

To be well prepared for future pandemics, it is important to explore strategies that can be effective to support the contact tracer in performing CT, support patients in feeling comfortable to be engaged and ways to reach more consistency in policies and protocols.
W.E.B. Du Bois’s The Philadelphia Negro: A Book History
Authors: Sinitiere Phillip Luke
Published: November 2023

The Philadelphia Negro pioneered the field of urban sociology. As a result, scholars often highlight its academic interventions that over a century after its publication remain germane to the study of cities and multiethnic populations in urban settings. While emphasis on the text’s scholarly originality and contemporary analytic relevancy is central to demonstrate its importance, consideration of The Philadelphia Negro’s book history provides an equally compelling account of its enduring significance. Book history addresses the creation of a book as a physical publication. Book history also considers the authorial choices behind infrastructural, textual adornments such as appendixes or maps. In addition, book history deals with subjects like cover art and how publishers and authors often cocreate the external visual presentation of a book’s interior contents. In this brief book history, I explore an editorial history of critical scholarly editions of The Philadelphia Negro, an analysis occasioned by a recent 2023 University of Pennsylvania Press updated edition of the text that features sociologist Elijah Anderson’s revised editorial introduction, first published in 1996. In other words, I historicize critical scholarly editions of The Philadelphia Negro to trace the book’s reception and meaning over time. I also examine selected textual and infrastructural features of each critical edition, most especially the book covers. Historical analysis of sociological writing summons historians (like me) to perform cross-disciplinary intellectual labor while it also invites sociologists to consider historical context more expansively in their assessment of sociological texts.
The Medical Student Experience With Prework
Authors: DeVaul Nicole , Goldman Ellen
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to better understand the medical student experience with prework to determine what factors influence their motivation to complete prework.

INTRODUCTION

Medical education has been shifting to more active learning-type sessions such as flipped classrooms but these activities are unsuccessful when students do not complete the associated prework. The literature is lacking on why students do not complete prework and what would motivate them to do so. This qualitative study aims to answer those questions through the view of expectancy-value motivation theory.

METHODS

Thirteen preclinical medical students participated in a semistructured basic interview study investigating their experience with prework. Interview transcripts were coded, and codes were clustered and analyzed for themes.

RESULTS

Students develop particular routines they find successful for their studies. They explain how time in their schedules and the amount of time prework takes to complete plays a role in their study environment which must be favorable in order to complete prework. Students view video prework more favorably compared to reading assignments. Students note how the opinions of their peers influence their decision to complete prework. Each of these factors influences student motivation to complete prework.

CONCLUSION

This study finds that motivation to complete prework is influenced by the environment, format, and use of prework, student interest and prior knowledge, and peer influence. The combination of these factors determines whether a student believes they are capable of completing prework and if they find it valuable. In order to increase motivation to complete prework, faculty should consider how to address these factors in a way that students are able to fit prework into their study routines. This study provides the first step in understanding the medical student experience with prework and suggests directions for future studies to maximize student motivation to complete prework.
Voices of Black and Asian minority ethnic postgraduate students post the COVID-19 pandemic: Are higher education institutions listening?
Authors: Corrado Evelyn Wandia , Tang Fengling
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected students studying in higher education (HE) institutions in the UK and international contexts. Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) university students faced massive pressure during and post COVID-19 pandemic, alongside trying to meet their education goals. Our research project was with postgraduate students from two HE institutions, and this paper highlights participants' lived experiences and perspectives, including emotional stress, the need for greater support to access learning resources, financial issues and physical and mental health issues. Our paper suggests that HE institutions need to provide democratic spaces to encourage all students, including BAME students, to engage in dialogues among themselves and with other key players in HE, such as policymakers, and local and international communities, to address issues of inequality. It is important for HE institutions to listen to students' voices, reflect on the impact of the pandemic on their lives and make strategic planning for mitigating negativities and uplifting quality learning experiences post the pandemic.
Characterization of the clayey sediments in the exposed mudflats of the western Dead Sea shore
Authors: Shoval Shlomo
Published: November 2023

The retreat of the Dead Sea and the lowering of the base level in recent decades have led to the exposure of the littoral clay sediments on the shore, the occurrence of exposed mudflats and the development of ground subsidence along strips (‘subsidence strips’) and clustered sinkholes. Based on field observations and laboratory analyses, the present study characterizes the clayey sediments in the environment of the exposed mudflats on the western Dead Sea shore. The clayey sediments of the exposed mudflats (‘mudflat sediments’) consist of fine-grained laminated calcareous clays. The mineral composition of the bulk mudflat sediments consists of clay and carbonate minerals (calcite, aragonite and dolomite) with some quartz and feldspar, and frequently gypsum and halite. The clay mineral composition of these samples is smectitic illite–smectite and kaolinite with some discrete illite and palygorskite. The smectitic illite–smectite is randomly interstratified (1.7 nm illite–smectite type R = 0). Although the detrital smectitic illite–smectite in the mudflat sediments is situated in the saline environment of the Dead Sea shore, no significant illitization is observed in the depositional detrital clay. Subsidence strips with clustered sinkholes were formed in the exposed mudflats as part of the adjustment of the Dead Sea periphery to the lowering of the base level as a result of the retreat. The field observations in the studied area reveal that the subsiding of mudflat sediments in the formation of the subsidence strips usually involves mud sagging of wet clayey sediments in the subsurface and sediment collapse of dry clayey sediments near the surface.
Inhibitory effects of Bacillus velezensis ID-A01 supernatant against Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Kim Hyeoungeun , Han Chi-Young , Eun Su-Hyeon , Kim Min-Goo , Im A-Rang , Lee Byeonghun
Published: November 2023

Background

Dental caries is a chronic oral disease caused by microbial infections, which result in erosion of the dental enamel and cause irreversible damage. Therefore, proper disease management techniques and the creation of an environment that prevents intraoral growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans in the early stages, are crucial to prevent the potential progression of dental plaque to disease. Here, we aimed to investigate antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of the Bacillus velezensis ID-A01 supernatant (ID23029) against S. mutans, and its inhibitory effects on acidogenesis.

Results

A killing kinetics assay showed a peak lethality percentage of 94.5% after 6 h of exposure to ID23029. In sucrose-exposed conditions, ID23029 inhibited lactic acid formation, preventing the pH from falling below the threshold for enamel demineralization, and inhibited up to 96.6% of biofilm formation. This effect was maintained in the presence of lysozyme. Furthermore, ID23029 retained up to 92% lethality, even at an intraoral concentration at which lysozyme is ineffective against S. mutans.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential of the B. velezensis ID-A01 supernatant for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. Its eventual use in dental practice is encouraged, although further studies are required to confirm its beneficial effects.
Comparison of post-operative pain and quality of life between total thoracoscopic surgery and conventional full-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement
Authors: Lin Zhiqin , Chen Xiujun , Xu Zheng , Chen Liangwan , Dai Xiaofu
Published: November 2023

Background

To compare the post-operative pain and quality of life of patients who underwent total thoracoscopic surgery (TTS) or conventional full-sternotomy (CFS) for aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods

We reviewed the records of 223 consecutive AVR patients with either TTS or CFS from January 2018 to December 2022. We used a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) to measure the post-operative pain and quality of life, respectively. We also compared the operative data and clinical outcomes between the two groups.

Results

The TTS group had lower adjusted mean VAS scores than the CFS group at all time points after surgery (at 1 to 3 days and at 3 and 6 months, p < .001 for all comparisons), indicating less pain. The TTS group also had higher mean SF-36 scores than the CFS group up to 6 months after surgery (p < .001 for all comparisons), indicating better quality of life. The operative time was similar between the two groups (p = .224), but the TTS group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time than the CFS group (p < .001). The TTS group had more pulmonary complications than the CFS group (p = .023). However, there were no significant differences in other major complications or mortality between the two groups.

Conclusions

TTS is a safe and effective alternative to CFS for AVR. TTS resulted in less pain and better quality of life, especially in the early recovery period. However, further prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm our findings.
baymedr: an R package and web application for the calculation of Bayes factors for superiority, equivalence, and non-inferiority designs
Authors: Linde Maximilian , van Ravenzwaaij Don
Published: November 2023

Background

Clinical trials often seek to determine the superiority, equivalence, or non-inferiority of an experimental condition (e.g., a new drug) compared to a control condition (e.g., a placebo or an already existing drug). The use of frequentist statistical methods to analyze data for these types of designs is ubiquitous even though they have several limitations. Bayesian inference remedies many of these shortcomings and allows for intuitive interpretations, but are currently difficult to implement for the applied researcher.

Results

We outline the frequentist conceptualization of superiority, equivalence, and non-inferiority designs and discuss its disadvantages. Subsequently, we explain how Bayes factors can be used to compare the relative plausibility of competing hypotheses. We present baymedr, an R package and web application, that provides user-friendly tools for the computation of Bayes factors for superiority, equivalence, and non-inferiority designs. Instructions on how to use baymedr are provided and an example illustrates how existing results can be reanalyzed with baymedr.

Conclusions

Our baymedr R package and web application enable researchers to conduct Bayesian superiority, equivalence, and non-inferiority tests. baymedr is characterized by a user-friendly implementation, making it convenient for researchers who are not statistical experts. Using baymedr, it is possible to calculate Bayes factors based on raw data and summary statistics.
Multiclass risk models for ovarian malignancy: an illustration of prediction uncertainty due to the choice of algorithm
Authors: Ledger Ashleigh , Ceusters Jolien , Valentin Lil , Testa Antonia , Van Holsbeke Caroline , Franchi Dorella , Bourne Tom , Froyman Wouter , Timmerman Dirk , Van Calster Ben
Published: November 2023

Background

Assessing malignancy risk is important to choose appropriate management of ovarian tumors. We compared six algorithms to estimate the probabilities that an ovarian tumor is benign, borderline malignant, stage I primary invasive, stage II-IV primary invasive, or secondary metastatic.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used 5909 patients recruited from 1999 to 2012 for model development, and 3199 patients recruited from 2012 to 2015 for model validation. Patients were recruited at oncology referral or general centers and underwent an ultrasound examination and surgery ≤ 120 days later. We developed models using standard multinomial logistic regression (MLR), Ridge MLR, random forest (RF), XGBoost, neural networks (NN), and support vector machines (SVM). We used nine clinical and ultrasound predictors but developed models with or without CA125.

Results

Most tumors were benign (3980 in development and 1688 in validation data), secondary metastatic tumors were least common (246 and 172). The c-statistic (AUROC) to discriminate benign from any type of malignant tumor ranged from 0.89 to 0.92 for models with CA125, from 0.89 to 0.91 for models without. The multiclass c-statistic ranged from 0.41 (SVM) to 0.55 (XGBoost) for models with CA125, and from 0.42 (SVM) to 0.51 (standard MLR) for models without. Multiclass calibration was best for RF and XGBoost. Estimated probabilities for a benign tumor in the same patient often differed by more than 0.2 (20% points) depending on the model. Net Benefit for diagnosing malignancy was similar for algorithms at the commonly used 10% risk threshold, but was slightly higher for RF at higher thresholds. Comparing models, between 3% (XGBoost vs. NN, with CA125) and 30% (NN vs. SVM, without CA125) of patients fell on opposite sides of the 10% threshold.

Conclusion

Although several models had similarly good performance, individual probability estimates varied substantially.
Attitudes and barriers to resistance exercise training for older adults living with multiple long-term conditions, frailty, and a recent deterioration in health: qualitative findings from the Lifestyle in Later Life – Older People’s Medicine (LiLL-OPM) study
Authors: Hurst Christopher , Dismore Lorelle , Granic Antoneta , Tullo Ellen , Noble Jane M. , Hillman Susan J. , Witham Miles D. , Sayer Avan A. , Dodds Richard M. , Robinson Sian M.
Published: November 2023

Background

Many older adults live with the combination of multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) and frailty and are at increased risk of a deterioration in health requiring interaction with healthcare services. Low skeletal muscle strength is observed in individuals living with MLTC and is central to physical frailty. Resistance exercise (RE) is the best available treatment for improving muscle strength, but little is known about the attitudes and barriers to RE in this group of older adults. This study therefore aimed to explore the knowledge of and attitudes towards RE, as well as the barriers and enabling factors, in older adults living with MLTC, frailty and a recent deterioration in health.

Methods

Fourteen participants aged 69–92 years (10 women) from the Lifestyle in Later Life – Older People’s Medicine (LiLL-OPM) study were recruited from an Older People’s Medicine Day Unit in Newcastle, UK. Participants were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview exploring their knowledge and attitudes as well as barriers and enabling factors to RE. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The analysis generated three themes (1) a lack of awareness and understanding of RE, (2) a self-perceived inability to perform RE; physical and psychological barriers and (3) willingness to perform RE under expert guidance. There was a general lack of awareness and understanding of RE, with most participants having never heard of the term and being unaware of its potential benefits. When RE was described, participants stated that they would be willing to try RE, but it was apparent that an individualised approach underpinned by expert guidance would be required to support engagement.

Conclusions

Older adults living with MLTC, frailty and a recent deterioration in health lack awareness and understanding of RE. Despite a range of barriers, this group appear willing to engage in RE if they are appropriately supported. There is a need to co-design and deliver effective strategies, including education, to raise awareness and understanding of RE, as well as promote engagement in RE, in this group of older adults.