bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can educational video resources improve learning when used to augment traditional teaching of clinical examination? A randomized control trial of novice medical students
Authors: Flatt Ellie , Brewer Paul , Racy Malek , Mushtaq Faisal , Ashworth Rachael , Ali Fazal , Tomlinson James
Published: January 2023

Background

Good clinical examination skills can both increase the quality of patient care and reduce its cost. A previous study by our group demonstrated that face-to-face training is the gold standard for teaching these skills. It is unclear if high quality educational videos can augment this teaching.

Methods

Forty-two Medical Students naïve to large joint examination were recruited and block randomised to two groups. The control group had face-to-face teaching alone. The intervention group had their teaching augmented with a custom educational video accessed via a web portal. Participants were assessed on their examination of a large joint using a previously standardised assessment tool at baseline and 7 days post intervention. Assessors were blinded to intervention type.

Results

There was no significant difference in the mean baseline scores. Mean baseline scores were 3.35 (11.2%, SD = 2.2, SE = 0.49) for the face-to-face only group and 2.65 (8.8%, SD = 1.39, SE = 0.31) for the video adjunct group [p = 0.137]. There was a significant difference in the improvement in score after intervention between each group [p = 0.005]. The mean improvement in score was 15.42 (SD = 5.64, SE = 1.29) for the face-to-face only group and 20.68 (SD = 4.33,SE = 0.99) for the video adjunct group.

Conclusion

When used as an adjunct to more traditional face-to-face teaching methods, a custom-made educational video significantly improves the teaching of clinical examination skills and there is a role for these resources in augmenting traditional teaching methods.
A parametric model to jointly characterize rate, duration, and severity of exacerbations in episodic diseases
Authors: Safari Abdollah , Petkau John , FitzGerald Mark J. , Sadatsafavi Mohsen
Published: January 2023

Background

The natural history of many chronic diseases is characterized by periods of increased disease activity, commonly referred to as flare-ups or exacerbations. Accurate characterization of the burden of these exacerbations is an important research objective.

Methods

The purpose of this work was to develop a statistical framework for nuanced characterization of the three main features of exacerbations: their rate, duration, and severity, with interrelationships among these features being a particular focus. We jointly specified a zero-inflated accelerated failure time regression model for the rate, an accelerated failure time regression model for the duration, and a logistic regression model for the severity of exacerbations. Random effects were incorporated into each component to capture heterogeneity beyond the variability attributable to observed characteristics, and to describe the interrelationships among these components.

Results

We used pooled data from two clinical trials in asthma as an exemplary application to illustrate the utility of the joint modeling approach. The model fit clearly indicated the presence of heterogeneity in all three components. A novel finding was that the new therapy reduced not just the rate but also the duration of exacerbations, but did not have a significant impact on their severity. After controlling for covariates, exacerbations among more frequent exacerbators tended to be shorter and less likely to be severe.

Conclusions

We conclude that a joint modeling framework, programmable in available software, can provide novel insights about how the rate, duration, and severity of episodic events interrelate, and enables consistent inference on the effect of treatments on different disease outcomes.

Trial registration Ethics approval was obtained from the University of British Columbia Human Ethics Board (H17-00938).
The effects of continuous nursing via the WeChat platform on neonates after enterostomy: a single-centre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wu Lijuan , Lin Ying , Xue Ruiyun , Guo Bin , Bai Jianxi
Published: January 2023

Background

Temporary enterostomy is an effective treatment for various neonatal intestinal diseases. However, family caregivers find it challenging to provide the required nursing care. Nursing management is very important for reducing parents’ anxiety and improving the patients’ quality of life. This research aimed to compare the effects of continuous nursing using the WeChat platform with traditional nursing for neonates after enterostomy.

Methods

Neonates who underwent enterostomy from January 2014 to December 2020 in our hospital were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into the traditional nursing group and the continuous nursing group. The peri-stomal skin was evaluated with the DET scale. The mental status of the families was evaluated with the SAS and SDS.

Results

There were 143 patients in the traditional nursing group (TG) and 165 in the continuous nursing group (CG). The mean weight was 2.7 ± 0.6 kg in TG and 2.8 ± 0.5 kg in CG. The mean age at surgery was 4.9 ± 7.3 d in TG and 4.8 ± 7.55 d in the CG. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in the demographic information. The continuous nursing group had an obviously lower DET score for the peri-stomal skin than the traditional nursing group (P = 0.003). Three months after discharge from the hospital, the continuous nursing group replaced 7.2 ± 1.8 ostomy bags every week, significantly less than the traditional nursing group (P = 0.002). Three months after discharge, the continuous nursing group had better SAS and SDS scores than the traditional nursing group.

Conclusions

Continuous nursing based on WeChat can effectively improve the quality of life of neonates after enterostomy. Family members can also receive proper psychological counselling to relieve their anxiety and depression.
Dietary inflammatory index and cardiovascular disease risk in Hispanic women from the Women’s Health Initiative
Authors: Zuercher Monica D. , Harvey Danielle J. , Santiago-Torres Margarita , Au Lauren E. , Shivappa Nitin , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Allison Matthew , Snetselaar Linda , Liu Buyun , Robbins John A. , Hébert James R. , Garcia Lorena
Published: January 2023

Background

To evaluate the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Hispanic women from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), and to determine if body mass index (BMI) interacted with the DII scores.

Methods

Secondary analysis of baseline dietary data and long-term CVD outcomes among 3,469 postmenopausal women who self-identified as Hispanic enrolled in WHI. DII scores were calculated from self-administered food frequency questionnaires. The CVD outcomes included coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Stratified Cox regression models were used to assess the relationship between DII scores and CVD in women with and without obesity. Models were adjusted for age, lifestyle risk factors, known risk factors, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

Results

The incidence of CHD was 3.4 and 2.8% for stroke after a median follow-up of 12.9 years. None of the DIIs were associated with CVD risk in this sample of Hispanic women. BMI interacted with the DII (p < 0.20) and stratified models showed that the associations between the DII and CVD were only significant in women with overweight (p < 0.05). In this group, higher DII scores were associated with a higher risk of CHD (HR 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.51) and a higher risk of stroke (HR 1.32; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.64).

Conclusion

Among postmenopausal Hispanic women with overweight, greater adherence to pro-inflammatory diets was associated with higher risk of CVD. Additional research is needed to understand how to promote long-term heart-healthy dietary habits to reduce inflammation and prevent CVD in at-risk Hispanic women.
Two-dimensional code enables visibly mapping herbal medicine chemome: an application in Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Wang Qian , Liu Wenjing , Peng Bo , Gong Xingcheng , Shi Jingjing , Zhang Ke , Li Bo , Tu Pengfei , Li Jun , Jiang Jun , Zhao Yunfang , Song Yuelin
Published: January 2023

Background

Chemical profile provides the pronounced evidence for herbal medicine (HM) authentication; however, the chemome is extremely sophisticated. Fortunately, two-dimensional (2D) code, as a quick response means, is conceptually able to store abundant information, exactly fulfilling the chemical information storage demands of HMs.

Methods

We here attempted to denote both MS$$^1$$1and MS$$^2$$2dataset of HM with a single 2D-code chart. Measurement ofGanoderma lucidumthat is one of the most famous HMs with LC–MS/MS was employed to illustrate the “coding-decoding” workflow for the conversion amongst MS/MS dataset, 2D-code, and chemical profile, and to evaluate the applicability as well. After data acquisition, andm/zvalue of each deprotonated molecular signal was divided into integer and decimal portions, corresponding toxandycoordinates of 2D-plot, respectively. On the other side,m/zvalues of all its fragment ions were exactly assigned to serialxvalues sharing an identicalyvalue being equal to the precursor ion. 2D-code was thereafter produced by plotting these defined dots at a 2D-chart. Regarding a given 2D-code map, the entire chart (xcoordinate: 0–600;ycoordinate: 0–600) was fragmented into two regions by the line of y=x. MS$$^1$$1spectral signals always located below the line, whereas all fragment ions lay at the left zone. After extracting information from the edges of each square frame,m/zvalues of both precursor ion and fragment ions could be harvested and putatively deciphered to a compound through applying some empirical mass fragmentation rules.

Results

The entire code ofGanoderma lucidumfruit bodies therefore corresponded exactly to a compound set. The elution program, even the employment of direct infusion, couldn’t significantly impact the code, and dramatical differences occurred between different species and amongst different parts ofGanoderma lucidumas well. Not only ganoderic acid cluster but also certain primary metabolites served as the diagnostic compounds towards species differentiation.

Conclusion

2D-code might be a meaningful, practical visual way for rapid HM recognition because it is convenient to achieve the conversion amongst MS/MS dataset, 2D-barcode plot, and the chemome.
The role of microtubules in microalgae: promotion of lipid accumulation and extraction
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Lin Xiao , Yang Zhigang , Jiang Liqun , Hou Qingjie , Xie Zhen , Li Yizhen , Pei Haiyan
Published: January 2023

Background

Microtubules in cells are closely related to the growth and metabolism of microalgae. To date, the study of microalgal microtubules has mainly concentrated on revealing the relationship between microtubule depolymerization and synthesis of precursors for flagellar regeneration. While information on the link between microtubule depolymerization and biosynthesis of precursors for complex organic matter (such as lipid, carbohydrate and protein), is still lacking, a better understanding of this could help to achieve a breakthrough in lipid regulation. With the aim of testing the assumption that microtubule disruption could regulate carbon precursors and redirect carbon flow to promote lipid accumulation, Chlorella sorokiniana SDEC-18 was pretreated with different concentrations of oryzalin.

Results

Strikingly, microalgae that were pretreated with 1.5 mM oryzalin accumulated lipid contents of 41.06%, which was attributed to carbon redistribution induced by microtubule destruction. To promote the growth of microalgae, two-stage cultivation involving microtubule destruction was employed, which resulted in the lipid productivity being 1.44 times higher than that for microalgae with routine single-stage cultivation, as well as yielding a desirable biodiesel quality following from increases in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content. Furthermore, full extraction of lipid was achieved after only a single extraction step, because microtubule destruction caused removal of cellulose synthase and thereby blocked cellulose biosynthesis.

Conclusions

This study provides an important advance towards observation of microtubules in microalgae through immunocolloidal gold techniques combined with TEM. Moreover, the observation of efficient lipid accumulation and increased cell fragility engendered by microtubule destruction has expanded our knowledge of metabolic regulation by microtubules. Finally, two-stage cultivation involving microtubule destruction has established ideal growth, coupling enhanced lipid accumulation and efficient oil extraction; thus gaining advances in both applied and fundamental research in algal biodiesel production.
Interactions between the gut micro-community and transcriptome of Culex pipiens pallens under low-temperature stress
Authors: Lv Wen-Xiang , Cheng Peng , Lei Jing-Jing , Peng Hui , Zang Chuan-Hui , Lou Zi-Wei , Liu Hong-Mei , Guo Xiu-Xia , Wang Hai-Yang , Wang Hai-Fang , Zhang Chong-Xing , Liu Li-Juan , Gong Mao-Qing
Published: January 2023

Background

Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae) can survive at low temperature for long periods. Understanding the effects of low-temperature stress on the gut microflora and gene expression levels in Cx. pipiens pallens, as well as their correlation, will contribute to the study of the overwintering mechanism of Cx. pipiens pallens.

Methods

The gut bacteria were removed by antibiotic treatment, and the survival of Cx. pipiens pallens under low-temperature stress was observed and compared with the control group. Then, full-length 16S rRNA sequencing and the Illumina HiSeq X Ten sequencing platform were used to evaluate the gut microflora and gene expression levels in Cx. pipiens pallens under low-temperature stress.

Results

Under the low-temperature stress of 7 °C, the median survival time of Cx. pipiens pallens in the antibiotic treatment group was significantly shortened by approximately 70% compared to that in the control group. The species diversity index (Shannon, Simpson, Ace, Chao1) of Cx. pipiens pallens decreased under low-temperature stress (7 °C). Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis divided all the gut samples into two groups: control group and treatment group. Pseudomonas was the dominant taxon identified in the control group, followed by Elizabethkingia and Dyadobacter; in the treatment group, Pseudomonas was the dominant taxon, followed by Aeromonas and Comamonas. Of the 2417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 1316 were upregulated, and 1101 were downregulated. Functional GO terms were enriched in 23 biological processes, 20 cellular components and 21 molecular functions. KEGG annotation results showed that most of these genes were related to energy metabolism-related pathways. The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the gut microcommunity at the genus level and several DEGs.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the mechanism of adaptation of Cx. pipiens pallens to low-temperature stress may be the result of interactions between the gut bacterial community and transcriptome.

Graphical Abstract
Stripe-Transformer: deep stripe feature learning for music source separation
Authors: Qian Jiale , Liu Xinlu , Yu Yi , Li Wei
Published: January 2023

Music source separation (MSS) is to isolate musical instrument signals from the given music mixture. Stripes widely exist in music spectrograms, which potentially indicate high-level music information. For example, a vertical stripe indicates a drum time and a horizontal stripe indicates a harmonic component such as a singing voice. These stripe features actually affect the performance of MSS systems, which has not been explicitly explored by previous MSS studies. In this paper, we propose stripe-Transformer, a deep stripe feature learning method for MSS with a Transformer-based architecture. Stripe-wise self-attention mechanism is designed to capture global dependencies along the time and frequency axis in music spectrograms. Experimental results on the Musdb18 dataset show that our proposed model reaches an average source-to-distortion (SDR) of 6.71dB on four target sources, achieving state-of-the-art performance with fewer parameters. And the visualization results show the capability of the proposed model to extract beat and harmonic structure in music signals.
Toward a sustainable growth path in Arab economies: an extension of classical growth model
Authors: Taha Amjad , Aydin Mucahit , Lasisi Taiwo Temitope , Bekun Festus Victor , Sethi Narayan
Published: January 2023

Background/Objectives

Many economies are on the trajectory of alternative growth drivers other than conventional capital and labor. Access to credit facilities is a pertinent indicator of economic growth. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs-8) agenda, the national goal for sustainable development for most economies and Arab economies is no exception. Therefore, the current study adopts a traditional growth model by exploring the relationship between gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, credit for private sectors, ratio of exports, real GDP, and per labor force participants for selected Arab economies annually from 2001 to 2020.

Research design

This study leverages the Fourier Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS) unit root test and second-generation panel econometrics as estimation techniques, such as Westerlund and Edgerton panel cointegration test, and the use of two estimators, namely the augmented mean group (AMG) and common correlated error mean group (CCEMG), to obtain robust results.

Findings

Empirical findings from Westerlund and Edgerton panel cointegration tests validate the long-run equilibrium relationship among the outlined variables. Further empirical results indicate that the share of exports is negatively significant with economic growth in countries such as Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Jordan. Additionally, savings and labor force participation have a positive relationship with economic growth in individual countries such as Algeria and Bahrain. As per the panel, there is no significant relationship between labor force participation and economic growth. This indicates that the skilled labor force enhanced economic growth.

Conclusions

These findings come with inherent far-reaching policy suggestions for economies and panels. Further details on country-specific policy actions are presented in the concluding section.

Graphical Abstract
Assessing the implementation fidelity of HPV self-collection offered by community health workers during home visits (the EMA strategy): a case study in a low-middle-resource setting in Argentina
Authors: Paolino Melisa , Sánchez Antelo Victoria , Cuberli Milca , Curotto Mariana , Le Pera Anabella , Binder Fernando , Mazzadi Juan David , Firmenich Beatriz , Arrossi Silvina
Published: January 2023

Background

In Argentina, HPV  self-collection offered by community health workers was demonstrated to be effective to improve cervical cancer screening uptake. Based on these findings, the EMA strategy was scaled up in nine Argentinian provinces. However, there is no evidence about the degree of fidelity—in relation to the core components proposed by the National Program on Cervical Cancer Prevention—with which this strategy was implemented in the new jurisdictions. We carried out a fidelity evaluation of the EMA strategy scaling-up aimed at evaluating the level of adherence to the core components of the EMA strategy, and how different moderating factors affected the implementation fidelity.

Methods

This descriptive study used a multi-method approach involving quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the implementation fidelity using the Conceptual Framework for Implementation Fidelity. Evaluation of the degree of adherence to the core components of the EMA strategy was carried out through the analysis of a self-administered survey of health promoters, observations, and secondary data from the National Screening Information System. The analysis of moderating factors was carried out through analysis of field notes, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders.

Results

Our results showed that the core components with highest fidelity were training, sample handling, and transportation. Regarding the offer of HPV self-collection, we found some adaptations such as locations in which health promoters offered HPV self-collection, and fewer pieces of information provided to women during the offer. In the follow-up and treatment core component, we found a reduced adherence to triage and colposcopy. Some contextual factors had a negative impact on implementation fidelity, such as urban insecurity and the reduction in the number of health promoters that offered HPV self-collection. Moderating factors that contributed to achieve high level of fidelity included a well-defined strategy with clear steps to follow, permanent feedback and high level of engagement among implementers.

Conclusions

Our study shows how the analysis of fidelity and adaptations of HPV self-collection in real-world contexts are key to measure and maximize its effectiveness in low-middle-income settings.
Seismic performance evaluation of steel and GFRP reinforced concrete shear walls at high temperature
Authors: Belay Asfaw , Wondimu Temesgen
Published: January 2023

Fire-induced structural damage to the seismic performance of reinforced concrete shear walls is critical in the event of a fire-earthquake scenario. However, only few researchers have studied the seismic performance of reinforced concrete shear walls at high temperatures. This study focuses on the seismic performance of fiber reinforced concrete shear walls at high temperatures by using finite element (FE) software, ABAQUS. The experimental test available in a literature on seismic behavior of shear walls exposed to fire and thermal properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars were used to validate the FE model and showed good agreement and thus used in the simulation.

The FE results showed that exposure of RC shear wall to fire reduced the strength of the wall. The strength of walls at the maximum applied drift of 3.2% with concrete cover thicknesses of 20 mm, 25 mm, and 30 mm was dropped by about 70%, 76%, and 85% of the reference shear wall, respectively. Similarly, the strength of RC walls was reduced by about 80%, 75%, and 68% of the reference shear wall for the duration of fire exposure of 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min, respectively. Additionally, the strength of walls due to one side, two sides, or all sides’ exposure to fire was decreased by about 68%, 56%, and 50% of the reference shear wall, respectively. It can generally be concluded that the fire exposure sides has largely affected the strength of the shear wall compared to the other parameters and GFRP bars were more sensitive to temperature than steel bars.
Psychosis prediction 2.0: why child and adolescent mental health services should be a key focus for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder prevention research
Authors: Kelleher Ian
Published: January 2023

Existing approaches to psychosis prediction capture only a small minority of future cases. Recent research shows that specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) offer a (previously unrecognised) high-risk and high-capacity approach for psychosis early identification, prediction and, ultimately, prevention.
Cancer Risk Associated With PTEN Pathogenic Variants Identified Using Multigene Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing
Authors: Cummings Shelly , Alfonso Andrew , Hughes Elisha , Kucera Matt , Mabey Brent , Singh Nanda , Eng Charis
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE

PTEN-associated clinical syndromes such as Cowden syndrome (CS) increase cancer risk and have historically been diagnosed based upon phenotypic criteria. Because not all patients clinically diagnosed with CS have PTEN pathogenic variants (PVs), and not all patients with PTEN PVs have been clinically diagnosed with CS, the cancer risk conferred by PTEN PVs calculated from cohorts of patients with clinical diagnoses of CS/CS-like phenotypes may be inaccurate.

METHODS

We assessed a consecutive cohort of 727,091 individuals tested clinically for hereditary cancer risk, with a multigene panel between September 2013 and February 2022. Multivariable logistic regression models accounting for personal and family cancer history, age, sex, and ancestry were used to quantify disease risks associated with PTEN PVs.

RESULTS

PTEN PVs were detected in 0.027% (193/727,091) of the study population, and were associated with a high risk of female breast cancer (odds ratio [OR], 7.88; 95% CI, 5.57 to 11.16; P = 2.3 × 10−31), endometrial cancer (OR, 13.51; 95% CI, 8.77 to 20.83; P = 4.2 × 10−32), thyroid cancer (OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 2.64 to 9.01; P = 4.0 × 10−7), and colon polyposis (OR, 31.60; CI, 15.60 to 64.02; P = 9.0 × 10−22). We observed modest evidence suggesting that PTEN PVs may be associated with ovarian cancer risk (OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.71 to 8.32; P = 9.9 × 10−4). Among patients with similar personal/family history and ancestry, every 5-year increase in age of diagnosis decreased the likelihood of detecting a PTEN PV by roughly 60%.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that PTEN PVs are associated with significantly increased risk for a range of cancers. Together with the observation that PTEN PV carriers had earlier disease onset relative to otherwise comparable noncarriers, our results may guide screening protocols, inform risk-management strategies, and warrant enhanced surveillance approaches that improve clinical outcomes for PTEN PV carriers, regardless of their clinical presentation.
β-FeOOH Nanospindles as Chloride-Capturing Electrodes for Electrochemical Faradic Deionization of Saline Water
Authors: Zhang Lu , Chong Harry Lye Hin , Moh Pak Yan , Albaqami Munirah D , Tighezza Ammar Mohamed , Qin Chengjin , Ni Xinyi , Cao Jing , Xu Xingtao , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: January 2023

Electrochemical faradic deionization (EDI), one of the most promising research branches of capacitive deionization (CDI), has demonstrated considerable potential for water desalination and ion removal (particularly at medium to low salinity). However, the associated relatively slow anion-capturing kinetics have limited the practical applications of EDI. Based on several studies, researchers have attributed this slow anion-capturing rate to the sluggish conversion-reaction-induced anion-capturing process (as most anion-capturing electrodes belong to the conversion type). Herein, we report a strategy for accelerating the anion-capturing process to enhance the desalination rate of EDI by utilizing an intercalation-type FeOOH electrode. The chloride-driven EDI system equipped with hollandite-type FeOOH nanospindles is found to present a high desalination rate (up to 4.44 mg g−1 min−1) and desalination capacity (51.77 mg g−1). The current study can inspire the future design of ultrafast EDI systems and bring the EDI technique closer to its practical application.
Imaging in patients with acute dyspnea when cardiac or pulmonary origin is suspected
Authors: Milos Ruxandra-Iulia , Bartha Carmen , Röhrich Sebastian , Heidinger Benedikt H. , Prayer Florian , Beer Lucian , Wassipaul Christian , Kifjak Daria , Watzenboeck Martin L , Pochepnia Svitlana , Prosch Helmut
Published: January 2023

A wide spectrum of conditions, from life-threatening to non-urgent, can manifest with acute dyspnea, thus presenting major challenges for the treating physician when establishing the diagnosis and severity of the underlying disease. Imaging plays a decisive role in the assessment of acute dyspnea of cardiac and/or pulmonary origin. This article presents an overview of the current imaging modalities used to narrow the differential diagnosis in the assessment of acute dyspnea of cardiac or pulmonary origin. The current indications, findings, accuracy, and limits of each imaging modality are reported.

Chest radiography is usually the primary imaging modality applied. There is a low radiation dose associated with this method, and it can assess the presence of fluid in the lung or pleura, consolidations, hyperinflation, pneumothorax, as well as heart enlargement. However, its low sensitivity limits the ability of the chest radiograph to accurately identify the causes of acute dyspnea.

CT provides more detailed imaging of the cardiorespiratory system, and therefore, better sensitivity and specificity results, but it is accompanied by higher radiation exposure. Ultrasonography has the advantage of using no radiation, and is fast and feasible as a bedside test and appropriate for the assessment of unstable patients. However, patient-specific factors, such as body habitus, may limit its image quality and interpretability.

Advances in knowledge

This review provides guidance to the appropriate choice of imaging modalities in the diagnosis of patients with dyspnea of cardiac or pulmonary origin.
Prediction of accessory canals on the apical third of mandibular second molar based on micro-computed tomography
Authors: Wang Yinghui , Chen Yufan , Jing Yao , Qiao Feng , Yin Bin , Liu Juan , Zhou Jie , Chen Min , Wu Ligeng
Published: January 2023

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical factors influencing the incidence of accessory canals (ACs) in the apical third of the mandibular second molar in Chinese population.

Methods:

Micro-CT was performed on 86 root canals. The five possible factors influencing the incidence of ACs in the apical third were named X1 to X5. These factors were the canal length of the apical third, fused roots, location of apical foramen, curvature of the root canals, and complexity of the canals. Statistical analysis was performed by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, receiver operating characteristic curve, and the χ2 test (α = 0.05).

Results:

The selected variables in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model were fused roots and complex root canals. The area under the curve was 0.737, indicating that the model had a certain predictive ability. ACs were mainly distributed in the buccal wall and mesial wall of root canals in the apical third of molars (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

For Chinese population, fused roots and complex root canals are anatomical factors influencing ACs in the apical one-third of mandibular second molars, and the ACs mainly occur in the buccal wall and mesial wall of the root canal.
Επίδραση της οικονομικής κρίσης και της πολιτικής τοποθέτησης των πολιτών στις απόψεις τους για περιβαλλοντικά θέματα
Authors: Γαρείου Ζωή
Published: January 2023

Τα περιβαλλοντικά θέματα που απασχολούν την επιστημονική κοινότητα παγκοσμίως ποικίλουν και επεκτείνονται σε ένα εκτενές πλήθος επιστημονικών πεδίων. Η ανθρώπινη συνιστώσα συμβάλλει σημαντικά στον τρόπο διαχείρισης και αντιμετώπισης των περιβαλλοντικών θεμάτων. Για το λόγο αυτό ερευνητές από ολόκληρο τον κόσμο διερευνούν τον τρόπο που οι πολίτες αντιμετωπίζουν το περιβάλλον μελετώντας την ευαισθητοποίηση, στάση και συμπεριφορά τους απέναντι στο περιβάλλον. Διερευνούν επίσης και τους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τις περιβαλλοντικές στάσεις και συμπεριφορές των πολιτών, καθώς δημογραφικοί, κοινωνικοοικονομικοί παράγοντες και προσωπικές πεποιθήσεις και ιδεολογίες επηρεάζουν τις απόψεις των πολιτών. Στην παρούσα εργασία διερευνώνται οι απόψεις των πολιτών για το περιβάλλον και συγκεκριμένα διερευνάται η ευαισθητοποίηση, η στάση και η συμπεριφορά των πολιτών απέναντι σε καίρια περιβαλλοντικά θέματα, καθώς και η επίδραση της οικονομικής κρίσης και των πολιτικών τοποθετήσεων των πολιτών σε αυτές τις απόψεις. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας δείχνουν ότι οι πολίτες διατηρούν μία μέτρια στάση απέναντι στο περιβάλλον. Ανησυχούν για το περιβάλλον και για την τρέχουσα και τη μελλοντική κατάσταση της φύσης και αναγνωρίζουν τις καταστροφικές συνέπειες από την ανθρώπινη επέμβαση στη φύση. Οι πολίτες παρουσιάζουν επίσης, μέτρια θρησκευτικότητα, χωρίς να επηρεάζεται η περιβαλλοντική στάση τους από το βαθμό θρησκευτικότητάς τους. Ωστόσο, οι πολίτες που παρουσιάζουν ισχυρότερη περιβαλλοντική στάση εκφράζουν επίσης, μεγαλύτερη παρουσία της θρησκείας στη ζωή τους. Όσον αφορά στην ευαισθητοποίηση των πολιτών απέναντι στο περιβάλλον και αν και κατά πόσο αυτή συνάδει με αντίστοιχες φιλοπεριβαλλοντικές συμπεριφορές, τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι οι πολίτες παρουσιάζουν αρκετά υψηλή περιβαλλοντική ευαισθητοποίηση αλλά μέτρια περιβαλλοντική συμπεριφορά. Επίσης, κατά τη διερεύνηση της συμπεριφοράς των πολιτών στην καθημερινότητά τους, σχετικά με τη χρήση και την κατανάλωση νερού, ενέργειας και τροφίμων σε οικιακό επίπεδο, εντοπίστηκε ότι οι πολίτες επιδεικνύουν υπεύθυνη περιβαλλοντική συμπεριφορά στις συνήθειες και τις συμπεριφορές τους, κατά τη χρήση των οικιακών συσκευών και στην κατανάλωση ενέργειας και νερού σε επίπεδο κατοικίας. Τέλος, αναφορικά με την πολιτική τοποθέτησης των πολιτών, παρατηρείται ότι οι πολίτες με αριστερή πολιτική τοποθέτηση διατηρούν φιλοπεριβαλλοντική στάση και παρουσιάζουν υψηλότερη περιβαλλοντική ευαισθητοποίηση και συμπεριφορά σε σχέση με τους πολίτες με δεξιά πολιτική τοποθέτηση.
Fast peg-in-hole assembly policy for robots based on experience fusion proximal optimization
Authors: Men Yu , Jin Ligang , Li Fengming , Song Rui
Published: January 2023

Background: As an important part of robot operation, peg-in-hole assembly has problems such as a low degree of automation, a large amount of tasks and low efficiency. It is still a huge challenge for robots to automatically complete assembly tasks because the traditional assembly control policy requires complex analysis of the contact model and it is difficult to build the contact model. The deep reinforcement learning method does not require the establishment of complex contact models, but the long training time and low data utilization efficiency make the training costs very high.

Methods: With the aim of addressing the problem of how to accurately obtain the assembly policy and improve the data utilization rate of the robot in the peg-in-hole assembly, we propose the Experience Fusion Proximal Policy Optimization algorithm (EFPPO) based on the Proximal Policy Optimization algorithm (PPO). The algorithm improves the assembly speed and the utilization efficiency of training data by combining force control policy and adding a memory buffer, respectively.

Results: We build a single-axis hole assembly system based on the UR5e robotic arm and six-dimensional force sensor in the CoppeliaSim simulation environment to effectively realize the prediction of the assembly environment. Compared with the traditional Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient algorithm (DDPG) and PPO algorithm, the peg-in-hole assembly success rate reaches 100% and the data utilization rate is 125% higher than that of the PPO algorithm.

Conclusions: The EFPPO algorithm has a high exploration efficiency. While improving the assembly speed and training speed, the EFPPO algorithm achieves smooth assembly and accurate prediction of the assembly environment.
Los entornos de Coseriu: implicaciones, explicaciones y aplicaciones para la traducción
Authors: Duro Moreno Miguel
Published: January 2023

Esta obra constituye una original aportación a la traductología de inspiración coseriana. Empleando como fuente de inspiración teórico-conceptual la taxonomía de los entornos del hablar, el autor analizar trece versiones en español del salmo 127 (126) de la Biblia hebrea (la Tanaj), realizadas durante los últimos cuatro siglos y medio. El análisis crítico de estas traducciones y de las implicaciones que se derivan de ellas va precedido de una exhaustiva contextualización y cotejo de las diversas versiones del salmo en las cuatro lenguas sagradas clásicas de la antigüedad bíblica, de su exégesis y caracterización gramatical y filológica, así como de una revisión crítica de los entornos del hablar y de la teoría de la traducción.
Una poesía Kidult: un acercamiento a la obra de Elena Medel.
Authors: Giménez Facundo
Published: January 2023

El propósito de este trabajo es analizar la obra poética de la escritora española Elena Medel a partir de una noción, como la de kidult, recientemente popularizada por la antropología para problematizar el alto grado de complejidad adquirido por los pasajes de edad en el contexto posmoderno y neoliberal del siglo XXI. Será precisamente a partir de esta mirada, que yuxtapone y borronea los límites entre la niñez (kid) y la adultez (adult), que abordaremos el ethos infantil presente en toda su producción. El artículo propondrá, de este modo, un recorrido de la obra poética de Medel que abordará las diferentes flexiones adoptadas por lo kidult: desde la propuesta adolescente de Mi primer bikini (2002), pasando por las formas del duelo y la infancia en Tara (2006), hasta la problematización acceso del acceso a la adultez estará atravesado por el contexto de crisis económica española en Chatterton (2014).
Antes que sea demasiado tarde. Imaginarios de territorios rurales y urbanos en (las) crisis
Authors: Marin Juliette , Sepúlveda Francesco
Published: January 2023

Los peligros asociados a las distintas crisis socioambientales globales se acompañan de proclama­ciones morales sobre las formas en que habitamos los territorios. Estas valoraciones normativas hacia territorios han sido tradicionalmente estructuradas de manera dicotómica. Ampliamente criticadas desde la academia, estas dicotomías siguen operando a nivel sociopolítico. ¿Por qué persisten estos imaginarios a sabiendas de que estos territorios presentan dinámicas complejas, particularizadas y fluidas? Ante los mandatos de acción y transformación, ¿han realmente mutado los imaginarios territoriales urbanos y rurales? Situándonos en un largo debate interdiscipli­nario, interrogamos imaginarios vigentes de las esferas del mercado, las políticas públicas y la arquitectura-arte, mediante un análisis de tres casos de representaciones de territorios y su rol en la construcción de imaginarios hegemónicos (una revista de vinos en Chile, un documento de políticas públicas en Chile, una exposición del museo Guggenheim en Estados Unidos) para reflexionar sobre cambios y persistencias de estos imaginarios en contexto de crisis.
Clinical Characteristics and Possible Risk Factors of Epilepsy in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Tertiary-Center Experience
Authors: ARDIÇLI Didem , DEDEOĞLU Özge
Published: January 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to investigate possible risk factors and prognosis of epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy (CP) with a special emphasis on drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Materials and Methods: A total of 145 pediatric patients who were followed up with a diagnosis of CP between 2019 and 2022 were evaluated. Demographic features, prenatal/perinatal history, etiology and type of CP, degree of impairment in motor and cognitive functions, seizure type, neuroimaging, and electroencephalography (EEG) findings were obtained retrospectively from hospital records. The patients were divided into two groups: CP patients with epilepsy and patients without epilepsy. Study variables were compared between these two groups and also between DRE and controlled epilepsy groups.

Results: There were 91 (63%) boys and 54 (37%) girls with a mean age of 11.1 ± 4.2 years (3-18 years). Epilepsy was present in 107 (73.7%) cases and 40.1% of them had refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy was most common in the tetraplegic form of CP (p=0.028). Term gestation, birth weight of ≥2500 g, and history of neonatal seizures were significantly higher in patients with epilepsy (p=0.03, 0.01, and 0.03, respectively). Children with DRE were more likely to have tetraplegic CP (50%) and severe intellectual disability (56%).

Conclusion: Determination of potential risk factors is important in predicting the development of epilepsy in patients with CP, as it may provide closer follow-up of patients at high risk. Particular attention should be paid to the early identification and treatment of comorbid epilepsy in children with CP.
Positive Sequence Superimposed Based Islanding Detection Method Used in Distributed Generation
Authors: Bashir Javeed , Jena Premalata
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a passive method based localized islanding detection method for distributed generation (DG) connected to a main grid. The approach in this paper is based on the calculation of the magnitude of positive sequence based superimposed components of current and voltage, and the angle between them at the DG end. These three physical quantities altogether are used to identify the islanding. The prevailing active detection techniques introduce deliberately disturbances into the system which might lead to problems related to power quality, stability, and reliability of the power system. On the contrary, passive methods based islanding detection techniques has the issue of large non-detection zone (NDZ). The proposed technique overcomes the NDZ problem and does not introduce any disturbances. PSCAD/EMTDC is used to simulate the two systems. Various tests are carried out on these systems to access the execution of the proposed method and it was found that the suggested method has least NDZ and can detect the islanding within 10 ms well below the time required by a recloser which is 150 ms.
New Reliability Indices for Microgrids and Provisional Microgrids in Smart Distribution Systems
Authors: Sivakumar Kavitha , Jayashree R. , Danasagaran Karthikeyan
Published: January 2023

The construction of provisional microgrids paired with microgrids was recently introduced taking into consideration, the less critical zones of the distribution system. Similar to the microgrids, the provisional microgrids have distributed generators and a master controller. But these provisional microgrids cannot switch to islanded mode as a single entity as in the case of microgrids. Instead, they move to islanded mode along with the coupled microgrid, thus meeting the economic and reliability requirements of the less sensitive zones of the distribution system. This work first proposes few new device-based reliability indices for the sustained faults that cater to the new requirements arising due to the presence of distributed generators all over the system, embedded in clusters of microgrids and provisional microgrids. Secondly, considering the occurrences of temporary faults in similar systems, another new load-based reliability index is proposed. Later, for the chosen example distribution system with 69-buses, the existing reliability indices, and the proposed new indices are calculated. At last, the influence of these indices on generation expansion planning problems like placement and sizing of the distributed generators, construction of clusters of microgrids and provisional microgrids, and economic decisions on scheduling of maintenance is discussed in detail.
Design and Implementation of Low-Cost PMU for Off-Nominal Frequency and DDC in Compliance with IEEE C37.118 Standard
Authors: Rana Ankur Singh , Jnaneswar Kolli , Gadhiraju Mouna Krishna , Kumar Neeraj , Wani Shufali Ashraf , Thomas Mini Shaji
Published: January 2023

The transition of the conventional power grid into the smart grid requires continuous monitoring of integrated grids speared over wide-area through Phasor Measurement Units (PMU). These PMUs additionally perform protection and state estimation functions in the smart grid. This paper discusses implementation of a new phasor estimation method to eliminate the effects of Decaying DC (DDC) component and off-nominal frequencies during the extraction of the phasors from a relaying signal. The practical implementation of the proposed method in a low-cost microcontroller (ESP32-WROOM-32 development board) in compliance with the requirements of IEEE C37.118.1a-2011 standard is also demonstrated. The analysis of various existing algorithms estimating the phasors is carried out. The microcontroller is programmed with the best among the analysed algorithm and its feasibility to function as a proper Phasor Measurement Unit is tested. The newly designed PMU is rigorously tested with different estimation methods compliant with IEEE C37.118a-2011 standard. The comparison of the proposed method with different phasor estimation algorithms is also discussed.
Short Communication: Jagal, a traditional health food at Khadi Fair in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Jain Vartika
Published: January 2023

Abstract. Jain V. 2021. Short Communication: Jagal, a traditional health food at Khadi fair in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 37-41. Fairs and festivals are important to reflect traditional knowledge about various cultural, dietary, and healthcare practices. India has a rich legacy of cultural diversity, confluent in cuisine diversity. Every year, Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board organizes the Khadi fair in different districts of Rajasthan to exhibit and sell the products developed by artisans and local people of the state. Ethnobotanical surveys of the Khadi fair held at Udaipur city, Rajasthan, were carried out for the first time to document traditional health food items being sold in the fair. Semi-structured interviews conducted with sellers and consumers in the surveys revealed the mode of preparation, rate, and intended use of a hitherto unreported traditional health food locally called 'Jagal.’ It is a plant-based product developed mainly from sesame seeds, dried coconut kernel, and jaggery and consumed as a nutritious health food by urban mass and as a reliever of joint and back pain in older adults. Detailed scientific assessment of nutritional and therapeutic benefits of 'Jagal' needs to promote this food on international canvas as a dietary nutraceutical.
Perception of malaria and cultural diversity of antimalarial plants in three sympatric communities: Agni, Akyé and Gwa in the District of Alépé, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: DIOP AMADOU LAMINE , MALAN DJAH FRANÇOIS , KOUGBO MENEKE DISTEL
Published: January 2023

Abstract. Diop AL, Malan DF, Kougbo MD. 2021. Perception of malaria and cultural diversity of antimalarial plants in three sympatric communities: Agni, Akyé and Gwa in the District of Alépé, Côte d’Ivoire. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 1-11. Each ethnic group has developed its own culture expressed through traditional health care systems. This study aimed to determine how the communities with different histories perceive and manage malaria, a disease with a high prevalence rate in the Sub-Saharan region. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in 10 Agni, Akyé and Gwa communities villages. Two surveys were conducted: a house-to-house survey based on free lists interviews and an individual walk-in-the-woods interview. Frequency of quotation and Smith’s index was used to assess antimalarial plants’ knowledge level. The Venn diagram, hierarchical clustering, and Spearman correlation test compared malaria perception and the antimalarial plants among the three communities. In the studied communities, six forms of malaria were recognized with various symptoms. Seventy-seven antimalarial plants were used to cure these forms. The proportion of antimalarial plants specific to each community was quite low. This study has revealed the differences and similarities between the antimalarial plants used by the communities living in the same geographical area. This study has also highlighted new plants in the study area that could treat malaria. Finally, awareness must be made in the studied communities on different forms of malaria for a better understanding of this disease.