bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a set of competencies in palliative care nursing in Spain: what’s getting in the way of consensus?
Authors: Guanter-Peris Lourdes , Alburquerque-Medina Eulàlia , Solà-Pola Montserrat , Pla Margarida
Published: February 2024

Background

Spain currently lacks a competency framework for palliative care nursing. Having such a framework would help to advance this field in academic, governmental, and health management contexts. In phase I of a mixed-methods sequential study, we collected quantitative data, proposing 98 competencies to a sample of palliative care nurses. They accepted 62 of them and rejected 36.

Methods

Phase II is a qualitative phase in which we used consensus techniques with two modified nominal groups to interpret the quantitative findings with the objective of understanding of why the 36 competencies had been rejected. Twenty nurses from different areas of palliative care (direct care, teaching, management, research) participated. We conducted a thematic analysis using NVivo12 to identify meaning units and group them into larger thematic categories.

Results

Participants attributed the lack of consensus on the 36 competencies to four main reasons: the rejection of standardised nursing language, the context in which nurses carry out palliative care and other factors that are external to the care itself, the degree of specificity of the proposed competency (too little or too great), and the complexity of nursing care related to the end of life and/or death.

Conclusions

Based on the results, we propose reparative actions, such as reformulating the competencies expressed in nursing terminology to describe them as specific behaviours and insisting on the participation of nurses in developing institutional policies and strategies so that competencies related to development, leadership and professional commitment can be implemented. It is essential ​​to promote greater consensus on the definition and levels of nursing intervention according to criteria of complexity and to advocate for adequate training, regulation, and accreditation of palliative care expert practice. Locally, understanding why the 36 competencies were rejected can help Spanish palliative care nurses reach a shared competency framework. More broadly, our consensus methodology and our findings regarding the causes for rejection may be useful to other countries that are in the process of formalising or reviewing their palliative care nursing model.
A qualitative study of social accountability translation: from mission to living it
Authors: Cleland Jennifer , Zachariah Anand , David Sarah , Pulimood Anna , Poobalan Amudha
Published: February 2024

Background

Medical schools are increasingly adopting socially accountable mission and curricula, the realisation of which are dependent on engaging individuals to embody the mission’s principles in their everyday activities as doctors. However, little is known about how graduates perceive the efforts taken by their medical school to sensitise them to social accountability values, and how they translate this into their working lives. Our aim was to explore and understand graduate perceptions of how their medical school influenced them to embody a social accountability mission in their working lives.

Methods

This was a qualitative interview study carried out with graduates/alumni [n = 51] of Christian Medical College, Vellore [CMCV], India, a school with a long-established and explicit social-accountability mission. Data coding and analysis were initially inductive and thematic using Braun and Clarke’s six step framework. MacIntyre’s virtue ethics theory framed secondary analysis, allowing us to consider the relationships between individual and contextual factors.

Results

Our participants perceived that CMCV invested heavily in selecting personal qualities aligned with the CMCV mission. They saw that these qualities were reinforced through various practices: [e.g., placements in resource limited and/or remote and rural settings]; community engagement and expectations [e.g., student self-governance]; role modelling [staff and more senior students]. Much emphasis was placed on sustaining these traditions and practices over time, creating a strong sense of identity and belonging among participants, traditions which were fostered further by the alumni network and continued engagement with CMCV post-graduation.

Conclusions

Ensuring social accountable medical education depends on alignment and interactions over time between context and structures, systems and human agents. Further studies are needed to extend understanding of how students from diverse contexts experience socially accountable medical education and translate their educational experience into their thinking and practice after graduation.
Performance of ChatGPT on Chinese national medical licensing examinations: a five-year examination evaluation study for physicians, pharmacists and nurses
Authors: Zong Hui , Li Jiakun , Wu Erman , Wu Rongrong , Lu Junyu , Shen Bairong
Published: February 2024

Background

Large language models like ChatGPT have revolutionized the field of natural language processing with their capability to comprehend and generate textual content, showing great potential to play a role in medical education. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate and comprehensively analysis the performance of ChatGPT on three types of national medical examinations in China, including National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE), National Pharmacist Licensing Examination (NPLE), and National Nurse Licensing Examination (NNLE).

Methods

We collected questions from Chinese NMLE, NPLE and NNLE from year 2017 to 2021. In NMLE and NPLE, each exam consists of 4 units, while in NNLE, each exam consists of 2 units. The questions with figures, tables or chemical structure were manually identified and excluded by clinician. We applied direct instruction strategy via multiple prompts to force ChatGPT to generate the clear answer with the capability to distinguish between single-choice and multiple-choice questions.

Results

ChatGPT failed to pass the accuracy threshold of 0.6 in any of the three types of examinations over the five years. Specifically, in the NMLE, the highest recorded accuracy was 0.5467, which was attained in both 2018 and 2021. In the NPLE, the highest accuracy was 0.5599 in 2017. In the NNLE, the most impressive result was shown in 2017, with an accuracy of 0.5897, which is also the highest accuracy in our entire evaluation. ChatGPT’s performance showed no significant difference in different units, but significant difference in different question types. ChatGPT performed well in a range of subject areas, including clinical epidemiology, human parasitology, and dermatology, as well as in various medical topics such as molecules, health management and prevention, diagnosis and screening.

Conclusions

These results indicate ChatGPT failed the NMLE, NPLE and NNLE in China, spanning from year 2017 to 2021. but show great potential of large language models in medical education. In the future high-quality medical data will be required to improve the performance.
Dimension reduction and outlier detection of 3-D shapes derived from multi-organ CT images
Authors: Selle Michael , Kircher Magdalena , Schwennen Cornelia , Visscher Christian , Jung Klaus
Published: February 2024

Background

Unsupervised clustering and outlier detection are important in medical research to understand the distributional composition of a collective of patients. A number of clustering methods exist, also for high-dimensional data after dimension reduction. Clustering and outlier detection may, however, become less robust or contradictory if multiple high-dimensional data sets per patient exist. Such a scenario is given when the focus is on 3-D data of multiple organs per patient, and a high-dimensional feature matrix per organ is extracted.

Methods

We use principal component analysis (PCA), t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) and multiple co-inertia analysis (MCIA) combined with bagplots to study the distribution of multi-organ 3-D data taken by computed tomography scans. After point-set registration of multiple organs from two public data sets, multiple hundred shape features are extracted per organ. While PCA andt-SNE can only be applied to each organ individually, MCIA can project the data of all organs into the same low-dimensional space.

Results

MCIA is the only approach, here, with which data of all organs can be projected into the same low-dimensional space. We studied how frequently (i.e., by how many organs) a patient was classified to belong to the inner or outer 50% of the population, or as an outlier. Outliers could only be detected with MCIA and PCA. MCIA andt-SNE were more robust in judging the distributional location of a patient in contrast to PCA.

Conclusions

MCIA is more appropriate and robust in judging the distributional location of a patient in the case of multiple high-dimensional data sets per patient. It is still recommendable to apply PCA ort-SNE in parallel to MCIA to study the location of individual organs.
Implementing a tobacco-free workplace program at a substance use treatment center: a case study
Authors: Rogova Anastasia , Leal Isabel Martinez , Britton Maggie , Chen Tzuan A. , Lowenstein Lisa M. , Kyburz Bryce , Casey Kathleen , Skeene Kim , Williams Teresa , Reitzel Lorraine R.
Published: February 2024

Background

People with substance use disorders smoke cigarettes at much higher rates than the general population in the United States and are disproportionately affected by tobacco-related diseases. Many substance use treatment centers do not provide evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment or maintain comprehensive tobacco-free workplace policies. The goal of the current work is to identify barriers and facilitators to a successful and sustainable implementation of a tobacco-free workplace program, which includes a comprehensive tobacco-free policy and evidence-based cessation treatment services, in a substance use treatment center.

Methods

This study is based on an ethnographic approach and uses a qualitative case study design. Data were collected via interviews with staff (n = 6) and clients (n = 16) at the substance use treatment center and site visits (n = 8). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by the extended Normalization Process Theory designed to inform the implementation of innovations in healthcare practice.

Results

Staff at the substance use treatment center supported the implementation of the program and shared a good understanding of the purpose of the intervention and its potential benefits. However, the study identified significant challenges faced by the center during implementation, including widespread tobacco use among clients, contributing to attitudes among staff that tobacco cessation was a low-priority problem due to a perceived lack of interest in quitting and inability to quit among their clients. We identified several factors that contributed to changing this attitude, including provision of tobacco training to staff, active leadership support, low number of staff members who smoked, and access to material resources, including nicotine replacement products. The implementation and active enforcement of a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace program contributed to a gradual change in attitudes and improved the provision of evidence-based tobacco cessation care at the substance use treatment center.

Conclusions

Substance use treatment centers can integrate tobacco cessation practices in their daily operations, despite multiple challenges they face due to the complex behavioral health and socioeconomic needs of their clients. With proper support, substance use treatment centers can provide much needed tobacco cessation care to their clients who are disproportionately affected by tobacco-related health conditions and systemic health inequities.
Exploration of the potential association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database
Authors: Zhou Jianxing , Zheng You , Xu Baohua , Long Songjun , Zhu Li-e , Liu Yunhui , Li Chengliang , Zhang Yifan , Liu Maobai , Wu Xuemei
Published: February 2024

Background

Establishing whether there is a potential relationship between glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors (SSIBs) is crucial for public safety. This study investigated the potential association between GLP-1RAs and SSIBs by exploring the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Methods

A disproportionality analysis was conducted using post-marketing data from the FAERS repository (2018 Q1 to 2022 Q4). SSIB cases associated with GLP-1RAs were identified and analyzed through disproportionality analysis using the information component. The parametric distribution with a goodness-of-fit test was employed to analyze the time-to-onset, and the Ω shrinkage was used to evaluate the potential effect of co-medication on the occurrence of SSIBs.

Results

In total, 204 cases of SSIBs associated with GLP-1RAs, including semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and albiglutide, were identified in the FAERS database. Time-of-onset analysis revealed no consistent mechanism for the latency of SSIBs in patients receiving GLP-1RAs. The disproportionality analysis did not indicate an association between GLP-1RAs and SSIBs. Co-medication analysis revealed 81 cases with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines, which may be proxies of mental health comorbidities.

Conclusions

We found no signal of disproportionate reporting of an association between GLP-1RA use and SSIBs. Clinicians need to maintain heightened vigilance on patients premedicated with neuropsychotropic drugs. This contributes to the greater acceptance of GLP-1RAs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity.

Graphical Abstract
Serial cultures in invert emulsion and monophase systems for microbial community shaping and propagation
Authors: Dijamentiuk Alexis , Mangavel Cécile , Gapp Chloé , Elfassy Annelore , Revol-Junelles Anne-Marie , Borges Frédéric
Published: February 2024

Background

Microbial communities harbor important biotechnological potential in diverse domains, however, the engineering and propagation of such communities still face both knowledge and know-how gaps. More specifically, culturing tools are needed to propagate and shape microbial communities, to obtain desired properties, and to exploit them. Previous work suggested that micro-confinement and segregation of microorganisms using invert (water-in-oil, w/o) emulsion broth can shape communities during propagation, by alleviating biotic interactions and inducing physiological changes in cultured bacteria. The present work aimed at evaluating invert emulsion and simple broth monophasic cultures for the propagation and shaping of bacterial communities derived from raw milk in a serial propagation design.

Results

The monophasic setup resulted in stable community structures during serial propagation, whereas the invert emulsion system resulted in only transiently stable structures. In addition, different communities with different taxonomic compositions could be obtained from a single inoculum. Furthermore, the implementation of invert emulsion systems has allowed for the enrichment of less abundant microorganisms and consequently facilitated their isolation on culture agar plates.

Conclusions

The monophasic system enables communities to be propagated in a stable manner, whereas the invert emulsion system allowed for the isolation of less abundant microorganisms and the generation of diverse taxonomic compositions from a single inoculum.
Factors associated with safe and successful postoperative day 1 discharge after lung operations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Martins Russell Seth , Fatimi Asad Saulat , Ansari Amna Irfan , Raheel Hamna , Poulikidis Kostantinos , Latif M. Jawad , Razi Syed Shahzad , Bhora Faiz Y.
Published: February 2024

Background

A shorter length of stay (LOS) is associated with fewer hospital-acquired adverse conditions and decreased utilization of hospital resources. While modern perioperative care protocols have enabled some ambitious surgical teams to achieve discharge as early as within postoperative day 1 (POD1), most other teams remain cautious about such an approach due to the perceived risk of missing postoperative complications and increased readmission rates. We aimed to identify factors that would help guide surgical teams aiming for safe and successful POD1 discharge after lung resection.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases for articles comparing perioperative characteristics in patients discharged within POD1 (DWPOD1) and after POD1 (DAPOD1) following lung resection. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model.

Results

We included eight retrospective cohort studies with a total of 216,887 patients, of which 22,250 (10.3%) patients were DWPOD1. Our meta-analysis showed that younger patients, those without cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, and those with better preoperative pulmonary function are more likely to qualify for DWPOD1. Certain operative factors, such as a minimally invasive approach, shorter operations, and sublobar resections, also favor DWPOD1. DWPOD1 appears to be safe, with comparable 30-day mortality and readmission rates, and significantly less postoperative morbidity than DAPOD1.

Conclusions

In select patients with a favorable preoperative profile, DWPOD1 after lung resection can be achieved successfully and without increased risk of adverse outcomes such as postoperative morbidity, mortality, or readmissions.
Inter-platform reproducibility of ultrasound-based fat fraction for evaluating hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jeon Sun Kyung , Lee Jeong Min
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the inter-platform reproducibility of ultrasound-based fat fraction examination in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

Patients suspected of having NAFLD were prospectively enrolled from January 2023. Ultrasound-based fat fraction examinations were performed using two different platforms (ultrasound-derived fat fraction [UDFF] and quantitative ultrasound-derived estimated fat fraction [USFF]) on the same day. The correlation between UDFF and USFF was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland–Altman analysis with 95% limits of agreement (LOAs), and the coefficient of variation (CV) were used to assess inter-platform reproducibility.

Results

A total of 41 patients (21 men and 20 women; mean age, 53.9 ± 12.6 years) were analyzed. Moderate correlation was observed between UDFF and USFF (Pearson’s r = 0.748; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.572–0.858). On Bland–Altman analysis, the mean difference between UDFF and USFF values was 1.3% with 95% LOAs ranging from -8.0 to 10.6%. The ICC between UDFF and USFF was 0.842 (95% CI: 0.703–0.916), with a CV of 29.9%.

Conclusion

Substantial inter-platform variability was observed among different ultrasound-based fat fraction examinations. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use ultrasound-based fat fraction values obtained from different vendors interchangeably.

Critical relevance statement

Considering the substantial inter-platform variability in ultrasound-based fat fraction assessments, caution is imperative when interpreting and comparing fat fraction values obtained from different ultrasound platforms in clinical practice.

Key points

• Inter-platform reproducibility of ultrasound-based fat fraction examinations is important for its clinical application.

• Significant variability across different ultrasound-based fat fraction examinations was observed.

• Using ultrasound-based fat fraction values from different vendors interchangeably is not advisable.

Graphical Abstract
First report of Besnoitia bennetti in Irish donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease in Europe
Authors: Tinkler Stacy H. , Villa Luca , Manfredi Maria Teresa , Walshe Nicola , Jahns Hanne
Published: February 2024

Background

This is the first report of Besnoitia bennetti in donkeys in Ireland. B. bennetti, an apicomplexan protozoan parasite specific to equids, is an emerging pathogen in Europe. This parasite forms chronic intracytoplasmic cysts in cells of the mesenchymal lineage, mainly fibroblasts, in the skin, sclera and mucosa. Clinical signs in affected equine hosts vary from mild to severe debilitating disease. Little is known of the phylogeny, epidemiology or transmission of B. bennetti infection in donkeys, mules or horses.

Case presentation

Two cases of besnoitiosis in donkeys are presented. Both donkeys were born and raised in theSouthwest of Ireland. The first case was a 2.5-year-old donkey that had a suspect sarcoid removed, while the second case,a 2-year-old donkey, had a biopsy of nodular dermatitis of the muzzle. Diagnosis was made by histopathology and the parasite species, B. bennetti, was confirmed by PCR followed by sequencing and microsatellite analysis. Both donkeys had high antibody titres against Besnoitia spp. Small (0.5 mm) scleral, conjunctival and dermal cysts over the muzzle were subsequently observed in both animals. Treatment with trimethoprim sulfadiazine for 30 days did not lead to clinical resolution. The findings are compared to the cases of besnoitiosis in donkeys reported in the past 10 years throughout Europe.

Conclusions

Besnoitiosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for chronic skin disease particularly in cases of cutaneous masses, non-pruritic dermatitis, and dermatitis that is not responsive to treatment in donkeys and other equids. Future studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of the disease in Irish donkeys, the spread of the disease and the potential impact on the health and welfare of the donkeys.
The role of innovation-led profits in the development of an international financial centre
Authors: Michael Bryane
Published: February 2024

Qianhai—an innovation park in Shenzhen—has the possibility of boosting innovation in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and in the wider region. This paper reviews the existing evidence about which policies have promoted profitable innovation in the Qianhai region (Hong Kong and Shenzhen) in the past. We also point to the importance of profitable innovation—rather than just innovation for its own sake. Profits attract and keep firms in an international financial centre. Yet, until we know exactly how much profitability these innovative firms require and how to promote such profitability, the advice given in the literature to Qianhai’s and other policymakers will remain woefully inadequate.
Lavandula angustifolia mill. for a suitable non-invasive treatment against fungal colonization on organic-media cultural heritage
Authors: Paolino B. , Sorrentino M. C. , Troisi J. , Delli Carri M. , Kiselev P. , Raimondo R. , Lahoz E. , Pacifico S.
Published: February 2024

In the context of bio-deterioration of cultural heritage, the Lavandula angustifolia Mill. plant proves to be of interest for a green approach to the preservation of art manufacts on organic media. Supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SFE) was utilized to obtain both lavender essential oil (E2LS3) and hydrolate (E2LS3A), while ultrasound assisted maceration in n-hexane:ethanol (99:1, v:v) provided LA2/1 extract. The extracts, all chemically characterized by UHPLC-HRMS and GC–MS analyses, were screened for their antifungal capability towards six fungi isolated from the plywood support of Haim Steinbach's contemporary artwork "Un-color becomes alter ego #2" (1984). To this purpose, disk diffusion method was applied on both mycelium and conidial suspensions to unravel whether the inhibitory activity affects the growth of fungi at different life cycle stages. The micro-atmosphere method was also explored to assess the response of fungal growth in a saturated atmosphere. Data acquired highlighted that SFE-obtained lavender essential oil, whose oxygenated monoterpene part mostly accounting for terpinene-4-ol, borneol, linalool, camphor, and 1,8-cineole, proves to be a dose- and time-dependent inhibitor of fungal growth. It has also been shown that exposure to the oil vapor phase is more effective at very low dose levels. The promising results allow us to hypothesize the use of the essential oil for treating fungal colonization by exposure to its volatile components in a modified atmosphere environment, with no direct contact with the artwork.

Graphical abstract
Benign extradural haemorrhage: scope of conservative trial
Authors: Arif Sajad Hussain , Kareim Kaiser , Fayaz Mohsin , Chibber Sarabjit Singh
Published: February 2024

Background

Epidural hematomas have been treated with urgent surgical evacuation to prevent catastrophic neurological sequelae and death. Brain Trauma Foundation recommends EDH volume greater than 30 cm3 and warrants surgical evacuation irrespective of GCS. However, due to increase in number of patients undergoing brain CTs following head injuries, more patients have been detected with EDH causing minimal symptoms.

Aims and objectives

To study factors influencing patients being treated conservatively for head injury with supratentorial epidural hematomas.

Material and methods

Our study is a retrospective analysis of supratentorial epidural hematoma treated conservatively from august 2018 to July 2020 at Sher-i-Kashmir institute of medical sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Results

A total of 19 patients with EDH were treated conservatively and fulfilled the inclusion criteria.(GCS of 13–15 with no neurological deficit, mild signs of elevated ICP, EDH thickness < 1.5 cm on CT, EDH volume on CT < 30 ml, midline shift on CT less than or equal to 5 mm with no significant intradural pathology)Age ranged from 2 months to 70 years (average 27.15 yrs)males (89.47%) predominated females (10.53%). Motor vehicular accidents were the most common mode of injury (42.1%). EDH was localised 13 times on right side, 5 times on left side and bilateral in one, supratentorially. A midline shift of 5 mm was found in 3 of 19 patients; GCS was > 13 on admission. 8 patients were hospitalised for a week, whilst 2 patients stayed in the hospital for 20 and 25 days, respectively, due to problems not related to EDH. One patient in whom conservative treatment had to be changed to surgical evacuation after 6 days of observation because of worsening headache, impaired alertness repeated imaging showed slight increase in EDH.

Conclusions

EDH can be managed conservatively in carefully selected patients of minor head injury with radiological surveillance and close neurological monitoring. Patients with GCS on admission more than 13, midline shift of less than 5 mm, location and volume of EDH less than 30 ml. Thus, leading to optimal utilisation of hospital resources. So, we conclude that even a dreaded entity like extradural haemorrhage can be managed conservatively in selected cases with strict clinical and radiological surveillance. We have called them ‘’Benign extradural haemorrhages’’.
Evaluation of novel radiation protection devices during radiologically guided interventions
Authors: Larsson Maria E.V. , Jonasson Pernilla I. , Apell Petra S. , Kearney Peter P. , Lundh Charlotta J.
Published: February 2024

Background

In radiologically guided interventions, medical practitioners are subjected to radiation exposure, which may lead to radiation-induced diseases. In this study, novel radiation shields for the head and neck were evaluated for their potential to reduce radiation exposure.

Method

An anthropomorphic phantom was exposed on its left side to scattered radiation from beneath to simulate the exposure of an operator in a x-ray operating room. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were positioned at different depths in five slices in the phantom, measuring personal dose equivalent. Two different set up situations were evaluated: a head protector designed to reduce radiation in the upper section of the head; and a novel thyroid protector prototype extended in the front and on both sides, designed to reduce radiation in the lower and middle sections of the head. A standard thyroid collar prototype and a ceiling mounted lead glass shield were used as comparisons.

Furthermore, the head protector was evaluated in a clinical study in which TLDs were positioned to measure scattered radiation exposure to the heads of operators during endovascular interventions.

Results

The extended thyroid protector reduced the scattered radiation in the throat, chin, and ear slices. Some shielding effect was seen in the brain and skull slices. The head protector showed a shielding effect in the skull slice up to two cm depth where it covered the phantom head. As expected, the ceiling mounted lead glass shield reduced the scattered radiation in all measuring points.

Conclusions

A ceiling mounted lead glass shield is an effective radiation protection for the head, but in clinical practice, optimal positioning of a ceiling mounted lead shield may not always be possible, particularly during complex cases when radiation protection may be most relevant. Added protection using these novel guards may compliment the shielding effect of the ceiling mounted lead shield. The head protector stand-alone did not provide sufficient protection of the head. The extended thyroid protector stand-alone provided sufficient protection in the lower and middle sections of the head and neck.

Graphical Abstract
Isoflavone-enriched soybean leaves (Glycine max) restore loss of dermal collagen fibers induced by ovariectomy in the Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Yoo Dae Young , Xie Cheng-liang , Jeong Joo Yeon , Park Ki Hun , Kang Sang Soo , Lee Dong Hoon
Published: February 2024

Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are known for their capacity to simulate various physiological impacts of estrogen in the human body. Our research evaluated the effects of isoflavone-enriched soybean leaves (IESL) on collagen fiber loss prompted by ovariectomy in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, thereby simulating menopausal changes in women. IESL, bolstered with an increased concentration of isoflavones through a metabolite farming process, contained a significantly higher amount of isoflavones than regular soybean leaves. Our results indicate that the administration of IESL can counteract the decrease in relative optical density and dermal thickness of collagen fibers caused by ovariectomy in SD rats, with more pronounced effects observed at higher isoflavone dosages. These outcomes suggest that soybean leaves rich in isoflavones may hold potential benefits in combating collagen degradation and skin aging symptoms related to menopause. Further research is needed to fully understand the exact molecular pathways at play and the potential clinical relevance of these findings.
Sports Bra Restriction on Respiratory Mechanics during Exercise
Authors: KIPP SHALAYA , LEAHY MICHAEL G. , SHEEL A. WILLIAM
Published: February 2024

Women perform exercise in sports bras to limit breast motion. However, as the breasts become restricted, respiratory function may become compromised.

Purpose

We set out to understand how underband tightness or pressure of a sports bra relates to respiratory function and the mechanical work of breathing (

during exercise. Our secondary purpose was to quantify the effects of underband pressure on

O2 during submaximal running.

Methods

Nine highly trained female runners with normal pulmonary function completed maximal and submaximal running in three levels of underband restriction: loose, self-selected, and tight.

Results

During maximal exercise, we observed a significantly greater

during the tight condition (350 ± 78 J·min−1) compared with the loose condition (301 ± 78 J·min−1; P < 0.05), and a 5% increase in minute ventilation (

) during the tight condition compared with the loose condition (P < 0.05). The pattern of breathing also differed between the two conditions; the greater maximal

during the tight condition was achieved by a higher breathing frequency (57 ± 6 vs. 52 ± 7 breaths·min−1; P < 0.05), despite tidal volume being significantly lower in the tight condition compared with the loose condition (1.97 ± 0.20 vs. 2.05 ± 0.23 L; P < 0.05). During steady-state submaximal running,

O2 increased 1.3 ± 1.1% (range: −0.3 to 3.2%, P < 0.05) in the tight condition compared with the loose condition.

Conclusions

Respiratory function may become compromised by the pressure exerted by the underband of a sports bra when women self-select their bra size. In the current study, loosening the underband pressure resulted in a decreased work of breathing, changed the ventilatory breathing pattern to deeper, less frequent breaths, and decreased submaximal oxygen uptake (improved running economy). Our findings suggest sports bra underbands can impair breathing mechanics during exercise and influence whole-body metabolic rate.
Ανάπτυξη συστήματος ενεργού ελέγχου θορύβου χαμηλών συχνοτήτων σε ρυθμικά πεδία με σύνθετες ακουστικές πηγές
Authors: Γιουβανάκης Μάριος
Published: February 2024

Το αντικείμενο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι ο έλεγχος θορύβου χαμηλών συχνοτήτων σε ρυθμικά ηχητικά πεδία μικρών κλειστών χώρων με χρήση μίας σύνθετης δευτερεύουσας πηγής. Ο χαμηλόσυχνος θόρυβος σταθερής κατάστασης στους μικρούς χώρους επιδεινώνεται από τους συντονισμούς του περίκλειστου ηχητικού πεδίου. Ο στόχος είναι ο τοπικός και, κατά προσέγγιση, ολικός έλεγχος του τονικού χαμηλόσυχνου θορύβου σε ρυθμικό πεδίο, με μία σύνθετη πηγή ελέγχου, σε σταθερή θέση. Η πολική ακτινοβολία της σύνθετης πηγής καθίσταται μεταβαλλόμενη μέσω της παραμετρικής οδήγησης των σημάτων των στοιχειωδών πηγών, που την απαρτίζουν. Η μέθοδος βασίζεται στην προσαρμογή της σύζευξης της σύνθετης πηγής ελέγχου με το ρυθμικό πεδίο θορύβου που κυριαρχεί στον χώρο, προκαλώντας την εξασθένιση του θορύβου σε επιλεγμένες περιοχές. Οι ακουστικές προσομοιώσεις γίνονται με τη μέθοδο των Πεπερασμένων Στοιχείων, με τις οποίες εξετάζεται η δυνατότητα χρήσης μιας σύνθετης πηγής στον έλεγχο του ρυθμικού πεδίου και σε διάφορες τοπολογίες. Η σύνθετη πηγή κατασκευάζεται με μεγάφωνα χαμηλού συντελεστή δύναμης και διεξάγονται ακουστικές μετρήσεις για τη λήψη του πολικού διαγράμματος ακτινοβολίας της. Για την οδήγηση της πηγής ελέγχου αναπτύσσεται λογισμικό που υλοποιεί γενετικό αλγόριθμο βελτιστοποίησης των σημάτων των στοιχειωδών πηγών. Η αποτελεσματικότητα του συστήματος αξιολογείται με τη διεξαγωγή πειραματικών δοκιμών σε πραγματικό χώρο, επαληθεύοντας την υψηλή απόδοσή του. Επιπλέον, δοκιμάζεται και αξιολογείται η παραλλαγή μίας βασικής λειτουργίας του γενετικού αλγορίθμου, η οποία αποδίδει ταχύτερη σύγκλιση στη βέλτιστη λύση. Ο συνδυασμός της σύνθετης πηγής και του λογισμικού στην πειραματική εφαρμογή είναι πρωτότυπος, αξιόπιστος και αποτελεσματικός. Η απόδοση του στην καταστολή των τονικών θορύβων είναι από επαρκής έως εξαιρετική, ενώ η συγκεντρωμένη μορφή του, προσδίδει ευελιξία και ευκολία εφαρμογής, έναντι των προηγούμενων προτάσεων με διανεμημένες πηγές.
LEGAL CULTURE AND CODIFICATION OF INDUSTRY TERMINOLOGY
Authors: Serbinovskaya Natalia V. , Serbinovskaya Anna B. , Serbinovsky Boris Yu.
Published: February 2024

The problem of effective practical interdisciplinary and intersectoral application of industry (special) terminologies (including in law enforcement practice) is caused by the chaotic generation of terms and the probabilistic nature of the formation of terminologies. This is partly due to the lack of terminological and legal competencies of industry scientists and practitioners. Therefore, the goal of systematically streamlining industry terminologies, taking into account their interdisciplinary and intersectoral application, is achieved by solving the following problems: analysing of factual material; increasing the efficiency of the process of streamlining and codifying industry terminologies, terminological and legal competencies of industry specialists. The latter is proposed to be linked with the formation of terminological and legal culture and tradition. This makes it possible to achieve greater orderliness of industry terminology, legal clarity and unambiguity of codified terms through the efforts of interdisciplinary groups of scientists and practitioners. The main factual material is related to the use of medical terminology and the “wastewater” terminology system. The following were assessed: terminological and legal culture according to the level of relevant competencies of industry specialists; facts of inconsistent codification of terminologies and the absence of a common organizational cultural tradition of codification of terms and terminologies were analyzed; experience in the use of codified and non-codified terms and terminology systems in law enforcement practice. To solve the research problems, terminological, systemic and other well-known methodologies, methods and approaches were used. It was proposed to: improve the legal and terminological culture of developers of industry terminologies; form a tradition of ordering and codification of terms and terminologies; create interdisciplinary teams of competent specialists to solve codification problems; take into account previously made decisions and the experience of their application in law enforcement practice. A practically significant result is associated with the effective use of ordered and codified industry terminologies in law enforcement practice.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REGIME OF THE NORTHERN DELIVERY AS A FACTOR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH AND THE ARCTIC ZONE OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Authors: Goncharuk Galina V.
Published: February 2024

The relevance of the issue studied in the article lies in the fact that ensuring the sustainable development of the North and the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (hereinafter also referred to as the Russian Arctic) is a priority direction of modern state policy. One of the factors ensuring the stability and sustainability of the development of the North and the Russian Arctic is northern deliveries. The purpose of the study is to analyze the legal regulation of northern imports, characterize its role in order to ensure the sustainable development of the North and the Russian Arctic. To conduct the research, the comparative legal method, the formal legal method, the historical method, analysis, synthesis, and logical methods were used. The article examines the legal and organizational foundations for the sustainable development of the North and the Russian Arctic, highlights its relationship with food security, and notes the positive experience of Canada in the process of legal regulation of the target state of the Arctic part of the country - sustainable development. The sustainable development of the North and the Russian Arctic is considered in the article mainly within the framework of its socio-economic aspect. As a result of the study, conclusions were drawn that the development of legal regulation of northern imports is one of the factors in the sustainable development of the North and Arctic of Russian Federation.
First-Order Logic with Adverbs
Authors: Haze Tristan Grøtvedt
Published: February 2024

This paper introduces two languages and associated logics designed to afford perspicuous representations of a range of natural language arguments involving adverbs and the like: first-order logic with basic adverbs (FOL-BA) and first-order logic with scoped adverbs (FOL-SA). The guiding logical idea is that an adverb can come between a term and the rest of the statement it is a part of, resulting in a logically stronger statement. I explain various interesting challenges that arise in the attempt to implement the guiding idea, and provide solutions for some but not all of them. I conclude by outlining some directions for further research.
Students' Thriving and Well-Being in Online Learning Environments in Vocational Education and Training
Authors: Kiikeri Pia , Uusiautti Satu , Purtilo-Nieminen Sirpa
Published: February 2024

Context: Recent research on students' experiences with the quality of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the challenge to the development of online learning. During the pandemic, anxiety, depression, and fatigue occurred in online studies, which also weakened students' well-being. In this quantitative study, we examined how students thrive in synchronous and asynchronous online implementations. The goal of the research was to support students' well-being in online studies; therefore, the study uses the PERMA well-being theory. 
Approach: Finnish vocational education and training students (N = 363) participated in the study and answered the questions on positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment from both asynchronous and synchronous online delivery perspectives using a questionnaire. 
Findings: This study highlighted the importance of the teacher's online learning facilitation skills and task design skills, and the emotions generated in an online course. Based on the results, the respondents were divided into three student profiles: (1) Students thriving in online courses in general; (2) Students thriving, especially in asynchronous online courses; and (3) Students not thriving in online courses in general. 
Conclusions: According to the findings, students need different options for completing online courses. The role of the teacher in creating a positive and supportive atmosphere, fostering relationships, and creating clear work-related and versatile tasks is of great importance in the generation of emotions, whether it is an asynchronous or synchronous online implementation.
La memòria al fr. 4 d’Herinna i al fr. 94 de Safo
Authors: Navarro Maria
Published: February 2024

Tot i que no podem negar la relació d’influència, inspiració o intertextualitat que s’ha assenyalat a propòsit de l’obra de Safo i Herinna, sí que podem afirmar que no és tan estreta com alguns la varen plantejar. Presentem aquí l’estudi d’un element temàtic i retòric que és present en dos fragments d’aquestes autores, i que ha portat diversos autors, sobretot Rauk (1989) i Rayor (2005), a llegir-los de manera paral·lela, tot interpretant-los, si no conjuntament, sí de manera complementària a partir d’un element comú que semblen individuar en totes dues autores. Ens referim a la memòria, que apareix en ambdós poemes de manera directa en forma de flashback i que és invocada explícitament. Aquests estudis defensen un seguit de plantejaments que generalment han estat acceptats, però que, segons les noves edicions comentades d’Herinna (2003) i Safo (2017 i 2021), haurien de ser revisats i amb algunes arestes que s’haurien de perfilar i matisar.
A simulation study of preservice STM teachers’ technostress as related to supposed utility, attitudes towards portable technolo-gy and continuance intents to use portable technology
Authors: Awofala Adeneye Olarewaju , Oladipo Adenike J.
Published: February 2024

The speedy advancement of evolving technologies has made the integration of portable technology into preservice science, technology and mathematics (STM) teachers’ teaching practices a must to enhance learning goals and improve their professional development. However, preservice STM teachers are unenthusiastic in incorporating portable technology into instruction when they go out on practicum as a result of stress associated with technology called technostress. While numerous investigations have been carried out on the motives and imports of stress associated with technology in diverse milieus, no study has been carried out on technostress, supposed utility and dispositions towards portable technology as predictors of continuance intentions to use portable technology in Nigeria. In this study, three research questions were answered through the implementation of a correlational research design. 480 preservice STM teachers from 4 universities in southwest Nigeria formed the sample. A reliable and valid survey of 13 items was deployed for the collection of the study data. The data were coded and its analysis done via SPSS version 20 involving standard deviation, mean, Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis at 5% level of significance. The study established that the preservice STM teachers recorded low technostress, high attitudes towards portable technology, high supposed utility and high continuance intents to utilize portable technology. Also, the study affirmed the numerically momentous associations amid technostress, attitudes towards portable technology, supposed utility and continuance intents to deploying portable technology among preservice STM teachers. The construct of technostress, attitudes towards portable technology and supposed utility made numerically weighty contributions of 85.7% to the forecast of continuance intents to use portable technology. In line with the study findings, it was supported that the STM teacher educators should integrate portable technology into the teacher training programmes of preservice STM teachers to stimulate the use of portable technology in their studies. Preservice STM teachers and teacher educators could benefit from the results of this study.
Condiciones del aprendizaje virtual en época de pandemia en educación básica: Análisis desde el género y la etnia
Authors: Posso Yépez Miguel , León-Ron Verónica , García-Santillán Iván , Posso Astudillo Ángela
Published: February 2024

El sistema educativo ecuatoriano fue impactado por la pandemia de la Covid-19; uno de los cambios trascendentes fue el de la modalidad de estudios, del sistema presencial al virtual, donde las TIC y las condiciones de aprendizaje del alumnado tuvieron que ser adaptadas con celeridad. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir las condiciones de aprendizaje virtual en pandemia y determinar el nivel de relación, de estas condiciones, con el género y la etnia de los estudiantes de octavo, noveno y décimo años de educación básica. Es un estudio cuantitativo, de alcance relacional y descriptivo; el universo estudiado fue de 29344 estudiantes. La muestra fue de 1078 estudiantes, a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta con un nivel de confiabilidad de 0,84 (Alfa de Cronbach). Se demuestra que existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el género y la etnia con la disponibilidad de equipos, conectividad, privacidad suficiente y espacio cómodo para efectuar los estudios; pero no existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa con la disponibilidad de tiempo. Se concluye que la pandemia ha develado grandes brechas sociales entre estudiantes. En cuanto a las condiciones de aprendizaje virtual, la desventaja la tienen mayoritariamente las mujeres, los afrodescendientes y los indígenas.
nivell de vida de la pagesia medieval a la Catalunya central. L’inventari del mas Coromina de Viladordis (1397)
Authors: Mas Craviotto Adrià
Published: February 2024

L’objectiu del present article és l’estudi de la qualitat de vida, així com de la cultura material i l’estatus econòmic que caracteritzaren i distingiren el mas Coromina de Santa Maria de Viladordis, una parròquia rural propera a la ciutat de Manresa, capital de l’actual comarca del Bages. Aquests aspectes s’han analitzat a través de l’inventari de béns relictes del mas pertanyents al seu hereu i propietari, un document que fou redactat entre els dies 6 i 15 de març de 1397 a instància de la seva vídua. Així, a escala quantitativa i qualitativa, aquest document proporciona dades i informacions d’una excepcionalitat poc comuna les quals, al seu torn, ens han permès aprofundir en el nivell econòmic i patrimonial d’alguns dels membres de la pagesia grassa i benestant de finals del segle xiv en aquesta zona de la Catalunya central.