bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance characteristics of ExoDx urinary biomarker: A single-institution analysis.
Authors: Murdock Andeulazia , Xu Vincent Eric , Antar Ryan Michael , Pio Faozia , Bowler Nicholas , Whalen Michael Joseph
Published: June 2024

e17090

Background: Prostate cancer screening relies on prostate-specific antigen, which may lead to unnecessary prostate biopsies. The ExoDx Prostate (EPI) test, a urinary exosome assay, has been developed for the detection of clinically significant (Gleason Grade Group ≥2) prostate cancer (csPCa) to improve specificity. This study analyzes the performance characteristics of EPI compared to/in concert with a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)-based pathway at a single academic institution. Methods: Patients who underwent EPI testing between 10/2019 to 5/2023 were reviewed for EPI score, demographics, MRI characteristics, and biopsy results. Patients were categorized by EPI score (high risk ≥ 15.6 vs. low risk < 15.6). Outcome variables of biopsy and MRI were compared between EPI risk groups using Chi square and Mann Whitney-U test. Spearman correlation was used to estimate the correlation between EPI score and PI-RADS and Gleason score. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis assessed the performance of EPI and PI-RADS score for prediction of csPCa. An optimal cutoff value was determined for EPI using ROC, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed. Statistical comparisons were two-sided with a p-value <0.05 being statistically significant. Results: Of n=173 patients with EPI scores, 28.9% were low risk and 71.1% were high risk. EPI had weak correlation with PI-RADS score on prostate MRI (r = 0.30, p <0.001). An optimal EPI score cutoff for the detection of csPCa of 26.43 was determined (sensitivity 0.720, specificity 0.537, PPV 0.367, NPV 0.800). On ROC analysis, PI-RADS with score of ≥4 had better predictive performance for detecting csPCa with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 74.6% (sensitivity: 0.696, specificity: 0.721, PPV: 0.485, NPV: 0.862), versus an AUC of 63.1% with EPI testing. By utilizing a criteria of PI-RADS score ≥4 and EPI ≥ 26.43, we found improved PPV and specificity over either alone (PPV: 0.556 vs 0.485 vs 0.367, respectively) (specificity: 0.873 vs 0.721 vs 0.537, respectively). In addition, we found that with utilization of either PI-RADS score ≥4 or EPI ≥ 26.43, there was improved NPV and sensitivity (NPV: 0.962 vs 0.862 vs 0.800, respectively) (sensitivity: 0.957 vs 0.696 vs 0.720, respectively). Conclusions: Our study supports EPI testing as a way to assess risk for csPCa, ideally in combination with mpMRI, and also prompts reevaluation of 15.6 as an optimal cutoff EPI score.
Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram for survival in testicular and non-testicular primary choriocarcinoma (CC).
Authors: Alenezy Abdalwahab , Alshwayyat Sakhr Abdulsalam , Alshwayyat Tala Abdulsalam , Alshwayyat Mustafa , Alajmi Falah
Published: June 2024

e17112

Background: Primary CC is a rare germ cell tumor that occurs in males. The testes are the most frequent location. However, it can also develop in extragonadal sites such as the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or lungs. A prognostic index for estimating the clinical outcomes of CC would be attractive in the current clinical practice. We aimed to develop and validate an effective nomogram for predicting survival in patients with testicular and non-testicular CC. Methods: We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database of patients diagnosed with pure CC between 2000 and 2018. Patients who were not diagnosed based on histology, previous history of cancer or other concurrent malignancies, and unknown data were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: testicular and non-testicular CC. The clinicopathological features of each group were compared using the chi-squared test. Kaplan-Meier estimation, log-rank tests, and Cox regression analyses were used to identify the prognostic factors for OS and CSS. A nomogram was developed to predict 5-year OS, and a calibration curve was plotted to evaluate the agreement between actual (observed) outcomes and expected probabilities. Results: The study included 363 patients, with 270 (74.4%) classified as having testicular CC and 93 (25.6%) as having non-testicular CC. Testicular CC patients had better OS and CSS (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.38-0.71, and HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37-0.71, respectively) than non-testicular CC patients. Multivariate analyses identified the following independent prognostic factors for testicular CC: localized stage, surgery, tumor size ≥ 4 cm, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Interestingly, the use of radiotherapy was associated with poor OS and CSS (HR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.17-2.85 and HR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.05-2.73, respectively). For non-testicular CC, the independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS were age ≥ 30 years, regional stage, surgery, and chemotherapy. We developed a prognostic nomogram that integrated significant variables, including age, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stage, and tumor size. For testicular CC, the model assigned the highest weight to surgery, followed by radiation and tumor size. The AUC was 0.702 (95% CI: 0.638–0.766) and the calibration curves exhibited a mean error of 0.034. The non-testicular CC model assigned the highest weight to chemotherapy, age, and surgery. The AUC was 0.737 (95% CI, 0.631–0.843), and the calibration curves for 5-year survival demonstrated a mean error of 0.028. Conclusions: We developed and validated a novel nomogram for predicting the survival of patients with testicular and non-testicular CC. This personalized tool, incorporating key clinical factors such as age, stage, surgery, and treatment type, empowers clinicians with objective risk assessment, aiding in patient management and treatment decision-making.
Scalp Cooling in Preventing Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kang Danbee , Cho Juhee , Zhao Di , Kim Jeonghyun , Kim Nayeon , Kim Hoyoung , Kim Sooyeon , Kim Ji-Yeon , Park Yeon Hee , Im Young Hyuck , Guallar Eliseo , Ahn Jin Seok
Published: June 2024

PURPOSE

Current studies of the efficacy of scalp cooling are limited by short-term duration. Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of scalp cooling in reducing persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (PCIA) 6 months after chemotherapy.

METHODS

We conducted an open-label randomized controlled trial comparing scalp cooling versus control in newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer stages I-III scheduled to receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy with curative intent between December 2020 and August 2021. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to scalp cooling or usual clinical practice. The primary outcome was PCIA 6 months after chemotherapy. Hair thickness and density were measured using Folliscope 5.0. CIA-related distress was assessed using the CIA distress scale (CADS), with a higher score reflecting higher stress.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with PCIA at 6 months was 13.5% (12/89) in the scalp-cooling group and 52.0% (26/50) in the control group. The average difference in the change in hair thickness from baseline between the scalp-cooling and control groups was 9.0 μm in favor of the intervention group. The average difference in the change in hair density between intervention and control at the end of the study was –3.3 hairs/cm2. At 6 months after chemotherapy, the average difference in the change in CADS score between the intervention and control groups was –3.2 points, reflecting reduced CIA-related stress in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

Scalp cooling reduced the incidence of PCIA, primarily by increasing hair thickness compared with control. Scalp cooling is helpful in promoting qualitative hair regrowth. Yet, further research is necessary to observe longer-term benefits of scalp cooling.
Pediatric Leukemia Roadmaps Are a Guide for Positive Metastatic Bone Sarcoma Trials
Authors: Reed Damon R. , Tulpule Asmin , Metts Jonathan , Trucco Matteo , Robertson-Tessi Mark , O'Donohue Tara J. , Iglesias-Cardenas Fiorella , Isakoff Michael S. , Mauguen Audrey , Shukla Neerav , Dela Cruz Filemon S. , Tap William , Kentsis Alex , Morris Carol D. , Hameed Meera , Honeyman Joshua N. , Behr Gerald G. , Sulis Maria Luisa , Ortiz Michael V. , Slotkin Emily
Published: June 2024

ALL cures require many MRD therapies. This strategy should drive experiments and trials in metastatic bone sarcomas.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Vascular Ultrasonography for Postanesthesia Induction Hypotension: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Schorer Raoul , Ibsen Arni , Hagerman Andres , Ellenberger Christoph , Putzu Alessandro
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Arterial hypotension commonly occurs after anesthesia induction and is associated with negative clinical outcomes. Point-of-care ultrasound examination has emerged as a modality to predict postinduction hypotension (PIH). We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the predictive performance of point-of-care ultrasound tests for PIH in noncardiac, nonobstetrical routine adult surgery.

METHODS:

Online databases were searched for diagnostic test accuracy studies of point-of-care ultrasound for predicting PIH up to March 30, 2023. The systematic review followed the Cochrane methodology. A Bayesian diagnostic test accuracy network meta-analysis model was used, with PIH as defined by study authors as the main outcome. Risk of bias and applicability were examined through the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) score. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to assess evidence certainty.

RESULTS:

A total of 32 studies with 2631 participants were eligible for systematic review. Twenty-six studies with 2258 participants representing 8 ultrasound tests were included in the meta-analysis. Inferior vena cava collapsibility index (22 studies) sensitivity was 60% (95% credible interval [CrI], 49%–72%) and specificity was 83% (CrI, 74%–89%). Carotid artery corrected flow time (2 studies) sensitivity was 91% (CrI, 76%–98%) and specificity was 90% (CrI, 59%–98%). There were serious bias and applicability concerns due to selection bias and inappropriate blinding. The certainty of evidence was very low for all tests.

CONCLUSIONS:

The predictive performance of point-of-care ultrasound for PIH is uncertain. There is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials with appropriate blinding and void of selection bias.
Avant-Garde Anachronism
Authors: Chen Fangdai
Published: June 2024

This article examines Chen Chuncheng, an up-and-coming mainland Chinese novelist emerging from the internet, as a representative case of a renewed manifestation of literary avant-gardism in the contemporary Sinosphere. It is an avant-gardism that challenges the status quo of the avant-garde's radical revolutionism and shields itself under a more sophisticated and adaptable aestheticism. In engaging with China's classical past, particularly in his imagined history of Dream of the Red Chamber in a fictitious forty-ninth century where futuristic digital motifs abound, the young novelist invokes the radical belief in the power of wen 文 (letters) to intervene in sociopolitical crises. It is a belief that aligns with the avant-garde's core spirit of coming to the rescue of a society through aesthetic means. In deconstructing the temporality and materiality of literary texts, Chen also enacts a meta-reflection on the existential condition of literature in cyberspace, where digital technologies make it possible for literary productions to take alternative forms, to roam around, and to dissolve when the exigency of socio-historical circumstances necessitates. The digital world therefore constitutes the most ideal site to host literature's omni-presence and omni-absence—two concepts that form the dialectical kernel of Chen Chuncheng's neo-avant-gardism.
CEP41, a ciliopathy-linked centrosomal protein, regulates microtubule assembly and cell proliferation
Authors: Prassanawar Shweta Shyam , Sarkar Tuhin , Panda Dulal
Published: June 2024

Centrosomal proteins play pivotal roles in orchestrating microtubule dynamics, and their dysregulation leads to disorders, including cancer and ciliopathies. Understanding the multifaceted roles of centrosomal proteins is vital to comprehend their involvement in disease development. Here, we report novel cellular functions of CEP41, a centrosomal and ciliary protein implicated in Joubert syndrome. We show that CEP41 is an essential microtubule-associated protein with microtubule-stabilizing activity. Purified CEP41 binds to preformed microtubules, promotes microtubule nucleation and suppresses microtubule disassembly. When overexpressed in cultured cells, CEP41 localizes to microtubules and promotes microtubule bundling. Conversely, shRNA-mediated knockdown of CEP41 disrupts the interphase microtubule network and delays microtubule reassembly, emphasizing its role in microtubule organization. Further, we demonstrate that the association of CEP41 with microtubules relies on its conserved rhodanese homology domain (RHOD) and the N-terminal region. Interestingly, a disease-causing mutation in the RHOD domain impairs CEP41–microtubule interaction. Moreover, depletion of CEP41 inhibits cell proliferation and disrupts cell cycle progression, suggesting its potential involvement in cell cycle regulation. These insights into the cellular functions of CEP41 hold promise for unraveling the impact of its mutations in ciliopathies.
Islamism, Death, and Justice: A Comparative History of Political Thought
Authors: Awan Muhammad Faisal , Tabassum Shaista
Published: June 2024

In this article, we suggest that one important if neglected way through which we can make sense of political theories is by understanding their philosophical position on death. Comparative political theory analysis has been made for this purpose, and the history of political thought is read backwards. Focus has been made on Islamism to interpret its position on death and, through this, to see how Islamism approaches political institutions and critiques a modern justice tradition. The utility of such comparative history of political thought is that it shows how death and justice interconnect in political thought.
Stoa Felsefesinin Thomas Hobbes’un Siyaset Felsefesi Üzerindeki Etkileri
Authors: Çağlar Ahmet Faruk
Published: June 2024

Modern siyaset düşüncesinin kurucularından biri olarak kabul edilen Thomas Hobbes, insanın en temel (birincil) amaç ve çabasının hayatta kalmak olduğunu iddia eder ve siyaset felsefesini genel itibariyle bu iddia üzerine inşa eder. Bu çerçevede Hobbes, birincil bir içgüdüyle hayatta kalmaya çalışan insanın toplumsal varlığının özünü karşılıklı güvensizlik ve korku ile açıklar. Hobbes’un yüzyıllardır tartışılan, günümüz siyaset kuramları üzerinde de derin etkileri olan görüşleri pek çok kez Rene Descartes ve John Locke gibi çağdaşı filozoflar ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Buna karşın, genel olarak Helenistik felsefenin, özel olarak ise Stoa felsefesinin Hobbes üzerindeki derin etkileri çoğu zaman ihmal edilmiştir. Özellikle Türkçe literatürde Hobbes’un siyaset felsefesinin Stoacı temellerine dair müstakil olarak kaleme alınmış hemen hiçbir çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu makale, Stoa felsefesinin Hobbes üzerindeki doğrudan ve dolaylı etkilerini göstermek ve birçok açıdan Stoacı öğretilerden, özellikle oikeiosis öğretisinden hareket eden Hobbes’un, büyük ölçüde Hugo Grotius’un eserleri aracılığıyla haberdar olduğu ve içselleştirdiği bu öğretileri nasıl siyaset felsefesinin merkezine yerleştirdiğini göstermek amacıyla kaleme alınmıştır.
Aydınlar ve İktidar: Erol Güngör’ün Orta Doğu Yazılarında Milliyetçi Cephe Koalisyonları
Authors: Şahbaz Yunus
Published: June 2024

Türk düşüncesi ve Türk siyasî hayatında aydınlar ve iktidarlar arasındaki ilişkiler her zaman tartışmalı olmuştur. Siyasî ve toplumsal hareketliliğin yüksek olduğu 1970’li yıllarda, milliyetçi-muhafazakâr aydınların milliyetçi cephe koalisyonlarıyla kurdukları ilişkiler de bu bağlamda tartışılmaktadır. Ahmet Kabaklı, Ergun Göze ve bu makalede Orta Doğu’daki yazıları üzerinde durulan Erol Güngör gibi aydınların milliyetçi cephenin oluşumundaki rolleri, onların iktidarla ve siyasi hareketlerle kurdukları ilişkilere dair bir perspektif sunacaktır. Böyle bir girişim için öncelikle dönemin sosyo-politik bağlamı göz önünde tutulmalı ve söz konusu aydınlar tekil incelemelere tabi tutulmalıdır. Bu makalede 1970’li yıllardaki milliyetçi-muhafazakâr aydınların milliyetçi cephe koalisyonlarının oluşum sürecindeki rolleri, Erol Güngör’ün Orta Doğu yazıları merkeze alınarak incelenecektir. Bu bağlamda öncelikle aydınlar ve iktidar arasındaki teorik tartışmaya kısaca değinilecek ve akabinde milliyetçi cephe koalisyonlarının teşekkülünde Ahmet Kabaklı ve Ergun Göze’nin yazıları üzerinden milliyetçi aydınların rolü irdelenecektir. Daha sonra ise Erol Güngör’ün ve Orta Doğu gazetesinin milliyetçi cephe oluşumundaki yeri ve rolü tespit edilmeye çalışılacaktır. Sonrasında da Orta Doğu’nun başyazarı olarak Erol Güngör’ün milliyetçi cephe karşısındaki tutumu ve pozisyonu incelenecek ve diğer milliyetçi aydınlarla olan müşterek yönleri ve onlardan ayrılan tarafları ele alınacaktır. En nihayetinde ise bir aydın olarak Erol Güngör’ün Orta Doğu gazetesindeki yazıları itibarıyla organik aydın ya da yüzergezer entelijansiya arasında nerede durduğu tartışılacaktır.
Engelliliğin Fenomenolojisi: Görme Engellilerde Gündelik Yaşam ve Beden
Authors: Açıkgöz Reşat , Özil Hüseyin
Published: June 2024

Bu çalışma, görme engellilerin yeti yitimi deneyimlerini fenomenolojik bir bakışla incelemektedir. Çalışma, temel olarak yeti yitiminin bedensel etkilerinin değiştirdiği durumlara odaklanmaktadır. Buradan hareketle çalışmada yeti yitimini yaşayan bireylerin bakış açıları sunulmaya çalışılmaktadır. Çalışmada sadece kişisel deneyimler üzerinde durulmamıştır. Ayrıca yeti yitimi deneyimlerinin ortaklıklarına ulaşılmaya da çalışılmıştır. Ek olarak toplumdaki engellilik algısının engelli kişilerin engellilik algılarını nasıl etkilediği üzerinde de durulmuştur. Bu çerçevede çalışmada görme yeti yitimlerine sahip kişilerin engellilik algıları, yeti yitimi deneyimleri, gündelik hayat pratikleri, engelliliği algılama biçimleri ve yeti yitimlerini bedenselleştirme durumları araştırılmıştır. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenolojik tasarım kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada görüşme tekniğine başvurulmuş ve toplamda 18 kişiyle görüşülmüştür. Görüşmeler MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2022 programıyla analiz edilmiştir. Bulguların analizinde üç temaya ulaşılmıştır. Bunlar: yaşam dünyasında engelli bedenin farkındalığı, içe kapanma ile gündelik yaşama katılım arasında engelli beden, bedenselleşme ve engellilik algısıdır. Söz konusu üç tema, yeti yitimini deneyimleyen kişilerin gündelik hayat pratiklerini ve yeti yitimlerini bedenselleştirme biçimlerini ortaya koymaktadır. Yeti yitimlerinin bedenselleştirme biçimlerinin ise toplumsal bağlamdan kopuk olmadığı ortaya çıkmıştır. Özetle fenomenolojik perspektiften engelliliğin yaşam dünyası, öznelerarasılık, yaşanılan beden ve beden algısı kavramları bağlamında ortaya çıkan bir durum olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
What Did They Say? What Did They Mean? Interpreting US Policies through Presidents’ Discourses at Historical Landmarks in Europe: A Study of Democracy Attributes
Authors: Keser Ahmet , Kamalak Zeynep Elçin
Published: June 2024

This study investigates how US Presidents addressed the attributes of democracy in their speeches at critical European sites and historical breakpoints. The aim is to analyze the content of the speeches and determine whether there is a change in the emphasis on attributes related to the use of force. By examining projections related to force use, the study seeks to identify traces of US policies for the future of the Russian-Ukrainian War. Three speeches were selected for analysis: Reagan’s (1987) and Clinton’s (1994) Brandenburg’s speeches, and Biden’s (2022) Warsaw speech. They were analyzed using the attributes of global democracy indices through the Maxqda program. The findings indicate that the focused attributes of democracy and the overall comprehensiveness of attributes have changed over time. In summary, the analysis reveals that the frequency of the code ‘force’ in Clinton’s and Reagan’s speeches has shifted to the code ‘power’ in Biden’s speech. This suggests that the potential military power for deterrence may be strengthened, yet it is not intended for physical deployment in the Russian-Ukrainian war as a means of force.
Δομή και μετασχηματισμός στην οικονομία της Κίνας
Authors: Πρελορέντζος Αρσένιος-Γεώργιος
Published: June 2024

Η παρούσα Διδακτορική Διατριβή (Δ.Δ.) μελετά την οικονομία της Κίνας, και ειδικότερα πως αυτή αντέδρασε σε δύο πολύ σημαντικά γεγονότα που σημάδεψαν τις αρχές του 21ου αιώνα. Αρχικά, εξετάζεται πως η Κίνα κατάφερε να διατηρήσει την οικονομική της ανάπτυξη κατά την διάρκεια της χρηματοπιστωτικής κρίσης που ξέσπασε στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής (ΗΠΑ) το 2007 και την ακόλουθη κρίση που έπληξε την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση το 2010, ενώ στη συνέχεια το ενδιαφέρον μας στρέφεται στις επιπτώσεις στον χρηματοπιστωτικό τομέα από το ξέσπασμα της πανδημίας του Covid-19. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, σε πρώτο στάδιο, εξετάζονται οι δυναμικές αλληλεξαρτήσεις μεταξύ των οικονομιών της Κίνας, των ΗΠΑ και δεκαεπτά (17) χωρών μελών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (ΕΕ17) το διάστημα 1992 - 2017 προκειμένου να διαπιστωθεί κατά πόσο οι διαταραχές στις οικονομίες των ΗΠΑ και των ΕΕ17 μπορούν να επηρεάσουν την οικονομική ανάπτυξη της Κίνας. Στη συνέχεια, προκειμένου να εξεταστεί πως η πανδημία του Covid-19 επηρέασε τον χρηματοπιστωτικό τομέα και τι φαινόμενα διάχυσης παρατηρήθηκαν ανάμεσα στις οικονομίες της ανατολικής Ασίας, συνδυάστηκαν, για πρώτη φορά στην βιβλιογραφία, το παγκόσμιο διανυσματικό αυτοπαλίνδρομο υπόδειγμα (GVAR) με το γενικευμένο αυτοπαλίνδρομο υπόδειγμα δεσμευμένης ετεροσκεδαστικότητας (GARCH). Tέλος, στο τρίτο μέρος της παρούσας Δ.Δ., εισάγεται μια νέα συνάρτηση παραγωγής που αξιοποιεί τα νευρωνικά δίκτυα προκειμένου να εξεταστεί ο κλάδος τροφίμων του βασικότερου εμπορικού της εταίρου, δηλαδή των ΗΠΑ, που αποτελεί το 24% των εισαγωγών της Κίνας από τις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής.
Patient reported outcome measures in childbirth and postpartum maternal quality of life: a protocol for systematic review of measurement properties.
Authors: O'Byrne Laura J. , Maher Gillian M. , Khashan Ali S. , Greene Richard A. , Browne John , McCarthy Fergus P.
Published: June 2024

Background Patient centred healthcare is the corner stone to many healthcare strategies. Patient specific health needs should be at the fore of healthcare improvements and quality measurements. Patient reported outcome measures (PROM) that support real world clinical effectiveness assessments are increasingly being used to highlight domains where there is the greatest scope for change. Objectives This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate existing patient reported assessment measures/tool(s) that can be used in developing a PROM for postpartum women. We will assess and evaluate their measurement properties in a transparent and structured way in accordance with the COSMIN guidelines. Methods Methodological guidelines for systematic reviews of PROMs have been developed by the COSMIN initiative and will be followed for this systematic review. A systematic literature review will be performed using PubMed, CINAHL and EMBASE from inception to the present day. Two reviewers independently will judge eligibility, conduct data extraction and assess the methodological quality of each study as per COSMIN guidelines. Inclusion criteria: studies should concern PROM with an aim to evaluate measurement properties in the development or the evaluation of a PROM of interest. Included PROM will focus upon postpartum women assessing morbidity and quality of care. All peer reviewed studies with an assessment tool designed for patient completion will be considered. Exclusion criteria; abstract, letters and non-peer reviewed publications. Studies will be graded on measurement properties and quality of evidence as laid out by COSMIN. All studies and characteristics eligible for inclusion will be summarised and a recommendation to the most suitable measurement tool(s) will be given. Discussion We will provide a comprehensive description of all available patient reported assessment tools available for childbirth and postpartum quality of life and recommend based on COSMIN guidelines the most suitable instrument(s) available for use.
A qualitative exploration of advantages and disadvantages to using technology in the process of randomised controlled trial recruitment
Authors: Muldowney Lauren A. , Hynes Sinéad M. , Oglesby Megan , Dwyer Christopher P.
Published: June 2024

Background Despite its importance, recruiting a sufficient sample size for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) can pose a significant challenge, which has real-world impact on reliability of evidence, trial completion and ultimately, patient care. Technology has potential to enhance the recruitment process, but there is a lack of evidence regarding its current use and effectiveness. Consistent with findings from the PRioRiTy I study, the current research aims to explore the advantages and disadvantages to using technology during the recruitment process for RCTs. Methods Semi-structured interviews (n=7) were conducted with researchers involved in RCT recruitment in Ireland. Subsequently, a Public & Patient Involvement (PPI) panel focus group (n=3) was conducted to add further depth to these findings. The data were qualitatively analysed through ‘Reflexive Thematic Analysis’ to extract prominent themes. Results A superordinate theme arose: ‘Tech is just a medium so that you can reach more people’, along with two themes, which were corroborated by the PPI focus group: ‘Technology is used if and when the benefits outweigh the costs’ and ‘Success of recruitment through technology depends on the nature of the study.’ Conclusions This study provided a deeper understanding of the factors which influence researchers to employ technology in recruitment for RCTs. Implications suggest that future researchers should aim to adapt their recruitment approaches to meet digital tool preferences of their target cohort; and engage with patient groups in the community to allow networking opportunities for future studies. This research may contribute towards maximising efficiency in RCT recruitment.
Assessment of Nutritional Status and Physical fitness among older adults: a pilot study
Authors: Kyriakos Konstantinos , Perkowski Radosław
Published: June 2024

Introduction. With global aging trends, understanding the nutritional status and physical fitness of older adults is crucial for promoting healthy aging and independence. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess nutritional status, physical fitness, and demographic parameters among older adults. Material and Methods. Using reliable assessment tools, data were collected from 40 participants aged 60 years and above. Assessments included the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), and Handgrip Strength Test (HGS). Statistical analyses were conducted to explore correlations and differences. Results. Most participants exhibited normal nutritional status (n = 38; 95%) and generally normal mobility and handgrip strength. However, no significant correlations were found between nutritional status, physical fitness, and demographic factors. Conclusions. While the majority demonstrated favorable health indicators, some individuals were at risk of malnutrition and functional limitations. Surprisingly, age did not correlate significantly with nutritional status or physical fitness. Further research with larger cohorts and sensitive assessment tools is needed to elucidate these relationships fully.
Dynamic Usage Allocation and Pricing for Curb Space Operation
Authors: Lim Jisoon , Masoud Neda
Published: June 2024

The importance of curbside management is quickly growing in a modernized urban setting. Dynamic allocation of curb space to different usages and dynamic pricing for those usages can help meet the growing demand for curb space more effectively and promote user turnover. To model curbside operations, we formulate a Stackelberg leader-follower game between a leader operating curbside spaces, who sets space allocation and pricing of each curbside usage, and multi-followers, one for each type of curbside usage, who accept the proposed prices or reject them in favor of outside options. The proposed model offers flexible adaptability to manage curb space usages characterized by high turnover rates, such as parking and ride-sourcing pickup and drop-off, alongside accommodating usages that require more permanent infrastructure allocation, such as micromobility stations. Furthermore, the proposed model is able to capture the sensitivity of users to both prices, which are determined solely by the operator, and the occupancy levels of the curb space, which are determined by the complex interactions between the curbside operator and the users. We model a Stackelberg leader-follower game as a bilevel nonlinear optimization problem and reconstruct the problem into a single-level convex program by applying the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions, objective function transformation, and constraint linearization. Then, we develop a solution algorithm that leverages valid inequalities produced via Benders decomposition. We validate the practicability of the model and draw insights into curbside management using numerical experiments.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Transportation Sci. Special Issue on the ISTTT25 Conference.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation [Grant 2046372].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2024.0507 .
Power Requirement and Energy Consumption of Small Bale Recompression
Authors: Hofstetter Daniel W. , Liu Jude  
Published: June 2024

Highlights

Compression pressure has a nonlinear relationship with bale density.

Increasing compression speed increased the energy, power, and specific energy required to recompress bales.

The effect of speed on compression pressure and density was dependent on type of crop.

Abstract.
Biomass densification can reduce space needs during storage and transportation. It is important to quantify the amount of energy needed to densify biomass. Small bales (0.36 × 0.46 × 0.86 m) of herbaceous biomass crops, corn stover, indiangrass, switchgrass, and wheat straw, were recompressed in a compression chamber to determine their compression behavior in baled form. This chamber had the same cross-sectional area as a small baler. On average, the volume of all bales that were recompressed was reduced by 67.4%. Mean bale densities (d.b.) for corn stover, indiangrass, switchgrass, and wheat straw were increased from 94 to 264 kg m-3, 117 to 352 kg m-3, 139 to 384 kg m-3, and 98 to 277 kg m-3, respectively. The baled crops follow a nonlinear density vs. pressure relationship that can be accurately predicted using an exponential equation. When increasing loading or compression speed, the energy, power, and specific energy required to recompress the baled crops also increased. However, since each crop behaved differently during recompression, the effect of speed on compression pressure and density was dependent on the type of crop. At 60% reduction in bale volume and at the lowest compression speed (2.54 mm s-1), switchgrass required 15.6%, 61.7%, and 55.4% more energy than indiangrass, corn stover, and wheat straw, respectively. There were no significant differences in power required to compress different crops at the slowest speed (a = 0.05), but wheat straw required a lower specific energy of 0.725 kJ kg-1(d.b.) compared to between 0.734 and 0.814 kJ kg-1(d.b.) for the other crops. At the fastest compression speed (106.7 mm s-1), switchgrass required 32.4%, 59.4%, and 73.0% more energy, 12.9%, 20.5%, and 27.0% more power, and 15.7%, 5.4%, and 20.7% more specific energy than indiangrass, corn stover, and wheat straw, respectively. The purpose of this study was to determine the power requirement and energy consumption required to densify small bales of biomass crops using recompression to high enough densities to allow tractor trailers to be fully loaded to legal weight capacities within legal dimensions for highway transportation. Results from this study will be helpful when calculating energy balances related to biomass bale recompression for use as a feedstock in biofuel production and also for structural design and component selection for bale recompression machinery. Keywords: Bale, Biomass logistics, Bulk densification, Recompression.
A Study on One-Parameter Entropy-Transformed Exponential Distribution and Its Application
Authors: Stephen Mathew , John David Ikwuoche , Mutah Yaska
Published: June 2024

This study presents the Entropy-Transformed Exponential Distribution (EnTrED), in an attempt to enhancing the flexibility and applicability of the traditional exponential distribution. The study explores the statistical properties of the EnTrED, including mode, quantile function, reliability, moments, and hazard function. The parameters of the distribution were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation, and the stability of these estimates was thoroughly evaluated through extensive Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation results demonstrated that the maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters were well-behaved. Additionally, Empirical assessments against alternative distributions underscores the robustness of the EnTrED as a superior model for analyzing life data.
Yield and Complications of Endobronchial Ultrasound Using the Expect Endobronchial Ultrasound Needle
Authors:   Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT USA, Ghazal Fatima , Hanna Sandrine , Costanian Christy , Nuguru Shashank , Diab Khalil
Published: June 2024

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) stands as the gold standard for sampling the mediastinum and possesses the capability to detect a diverse range of disease processes. The EBUS needle industry has been experiencing rapid advancement, characterized by numerous companies either enhancing existing needles or introducing innovative ones. The majority of EBUS studies to date have predominantly utilized the OlympusTM Vizishot needles, which are constructed from stainless steel. In this paper, we focus on the evaluation of a cobalt chromium needle, namely the ExpectTM EBUS needle, with a specific emphasis on its diagnostic efficacy and any associated complications. It is important to note that our investigation is conducted independently, and we do not provide a comparative analysis with other needle types available in the market. Methods: This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of all patients who have undergone an EBUS-TBNA lymph node sampling using the ExpectTM needle between August 2016 and September 2017 at the IU Health University Hospital. Comparisons of clinical characteristics by complications, diagnosis, needle gauge, and lymph node size were performed using chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: 75% of the 102 included patients had their procedures done with the 22-gauge needle which were majorly performed in the setting of suspected intrathoracic malignancy followed by sarcoidosis and lymphoma. 99% of the patients had no complications after their procedures which were almost all diagnostic with two cases of bronchoscope damage. Mutational analysis was successful with both the 22 and 25-Gauge needles. Conclusion: In this paper, we demonstrate that the ExpectTM 22 and 25-gauge needles are safe and effective when used for EBUS-TBNAs through the OlympusTM EBUS bronchoscope for the evaluation of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy.
Narrating the Importance and Navigation of Family Relationships Among LGBTQ+ BIPOC College Students
Authors: Duran Antonio , Thacker Darrow Nancy E. , Chan Christian D.
Published: June 2024

Abstract: LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other minoritized genders and sexualities) and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities contend with oppressive realities on and off college campuses. Family relationships—families of origin and chosen families—have garnered attention for how they support and/or marginalize LGBTQ+ BIPOC college students. Informed by intersectionality as a theoretical framework, this narrative inquiry study centered on nine LGBTQ+ BIPOC students as they described the influence of families of origin and chosen families during college. Findings revealed the contexts that informed their negotiation of family relationships, how they discussed connection to family of origin based on family members' adherence to oppressive beliefs, and how chosen family served as a powerful mediator to oppressive realities. Shaped by these findings, we provide implications for research and practice relevant to higher education and student affairs.
Coherent homodyne detection for amplified cross-beam electric-field induced second harmonic
Authors: Billeau Jean-Baptiste , Cusson Patrick , Dogariu Arthur , Morozov Anatoli , Seletskiy Denis V. , Reuter Stephan
Published: June 2024

The electric-field induced second harmonic (E-FISH) signal sensing is
commonly used as a nonlinear optical technique to probe electric
fields inside a plasma region. Cross-beam E-FISH is being investigated
to improve spatial resolution by defining the interaction volume via a
controlled geometry of two overlapping noncolinear optical beams. This
drastic reduction in interaction length of the electric field and
laser region results in a significant signal reduction. To overcome
this signal reduction, we introduce coherent amplification of the
cross-beam E-FISH signal by mixing the low E-FISH signal with a
phase-locked bright local oscillator. We demonstrate enhancement of
the signal. By introducing a local oscillator we can now derive the
polarity of the measured electric field through the phase of the
homodyne signal. To illustrate the technique, we, for the first time,
to the best of our knowledge, measure the magnitude and the direction
of the electric field in a cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet, which
dynamically follows the profile of the applied bias current.
Photonic-assisted RF phase difference detector with full 0° to 360° phase detection capability
Authors: Li Aoqi , Chan Erwin H. W. , Liu Mingtong , Chen Hao
Published: June 2024

A microwave photonic structure for detecting the phase difference of two radio frequency (RF) signals is presented. It is capable of determining the RF signal phase difference unambiguously over the full 0° to 360° range, which overcomes the 0° to 180° phase detection range limitation in the reported structures. The proposed RF phase detector is designed to generate two DC voltages with amplitudes depending on the phase difference of the two input RF signals. An RF signal phase difference in the 0° to 360° range can be obtained from the ratio of the two system output DC voltages. The proposed RF phase detector has a wide operating frequency range, as it is free of microwave components. It overcomes the drawbacks of complex structures, large phase detection errors, limited phase detection range, and limited operating frequency range in the reported photonics-based RF phase detectors. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate 0° to 360° phase difference detection with errors below ±3∘ for different input RF signal frequencies.
On the physical layer security of visible light communications empowered by gold nanoparticles
Authors: Han Geonho , Choi Hyuckjin , Kim Ryeong Myeong , Nam Ki Tae , Choi Junil , Tsiftsis Theodoros A.
Published: June 2024

Visible light is a proper spectrum for secure wireless communications because of its high directivity and impermeability in indoor scenarios. However, if an eavesdropper is located very close to a legitimate receiver, secure communications become highly risky. In this paper, to further increase the level of security of visible light communication (VLC) and increase its resilience to malicious attacks, we propose to capitalize on the recently synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with chiroptical properties for circularly polarized light resulting in the phase retardation that interacts with the linear polarizer angle. GNP plates made by judiciously stacking many GNPs perform as physical secret keys. Transmitters send both the intended symbol and artificial noise to exploit the channel variation effect by the GNP plates, which is highly effective when an eavesdropper is located close to the legitimate receiver. A new, to our knowledge, VLC channel model is first developed by representing the effect of GNP plates and linear polarizers in the circular polarization domain. Based on the new channel model, the angles of linear polarizers at the transmitters and legitimate receiver are optimized considering the effect of GNP plates to increase the secrecy rate in wiretapping scenarios. Simulations verify that, when the transmitters are equipped with GNP plates, even if the eavesdropper is located right next to the legitimate receiver, insightful results on the physical layer security metrics are gained as follows: (1) the secrecy rate is significantly improved, and (2) the symbol error rate gap between the legitimate receiver and eavesdropper becomes much larger due to the chiroptical properties of GNP plates.
Inverse design of mid-infrared diamond waveguide beam splitter
Authors: Li Yihao , Chen Shu , Yu Yanan , Li Chen , Xiao Ting-hui
Published: June 2024

Diamond is a supreme material for mid-infrared (MIR) integrated photonics as it has a transparency window up to 20 µm that covers the entire fingerprint region. However, its relatively low refractive index poses a challenge in designing an MIR diamond functional device with both small footprint and high transmission efficiency. Here we propose and demonstrate the inverse design of an MIR diamond waveguide beam splitter operating at the wavelength of 15 µm with a small footprint of ∼15 µm × ∼15 µm and a total transmission efficiency above 95%. Our work paves a new avenue for the design of compact and high-efficiency MIR diamond photonic devices.
Substrate calibration method of a computer-generated hologram based on ray propagation in a three-dimensional model
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Hou Xi , Yan Wei , Hu Xiaochuan , Zhao Yuancheng , Li Mengfan
Published: June 2024

In interferometry with a computer-generated hologram (CGH), the substrate error of the CGH limits its high-precision aspheric measurement application. The propagation form of the substrate error is still ambiguous although 0th-order calibration can partly correct it. We established the ray propagation in a three-dimensional model in order to solve the ambiguity of substrate error propagation. This method shows the modulation process of the CGH substrate error on the transmitted wavefront for the first time, until now, to the best of our knowledge. The experiments show that the propagation of the substrate error can be accurately analyzed, and the CGH design efficiency also is significantly improved after applying this method.
Collective movement of schooling fish reduces the costs of locomotion in turbulent conditions
Authors: Zhang Yangfan , Ko Hungtang , Calicchia Michael A. , Ni Rui , Lauder George V.
Published: June 2024

The ecological and evolutionary benefits of energy-saving in collective behaviors are rooted in the physical principles and physiological mechanisms underpinning animal locomotion. We propose a turbulence sheltering hypothesis that collective movements of fish schools in turbulent flow can reduce the total energetic cost of locomotion by shielding individuals from the perturbation of chaotic turbulent eddies. We test this hypothesis by quantifying energetics and kinematics in schools of giant danio (Devario aequipinnatus) and compared that to solitary individuals swimming under laminar and turbulent conditions over a wide speed range. We discovered that, when swimming at high speeds and high turbulence levels, fish schools reduced their total energy expenditure (TEE, both aerobic and anaerobic energy) by 63% to 79% compared to solitary fish (e.g., 228 versus 48 kj kg−1). Solitary individuals spend approximately 22% more kinematic effort (tail beat amplitude•frequency: 1.7 versus 1.4 BL s−1) to swim in turbulence at higher speeds than in laminar conditions. Fish schools swimming in turbulence reduced their three-dimensional group volume by 41% to 68% (at higher speeds, approximately 103 versus 33 cm3) and did not alter their kinematic effort compared to laminar conditions. This substantial energy saving highlights that schooling behaviors can mitigate turbulent disturbances by sheltering fish (within schools) from the eddies of sufficient kinetic energy that can disrupt locomotor gaits. Therefore, providing a more desirable internal hydrodynamic environment could be one of the ecological drivers underlying collective behaviors in a dense fluid environment.
Threatening language detection from Urdu data with deep sequential model
Authors: Ullah Ashraf , Khan Khair Ullah , Khan Aurangzeb , Bakhsh Sheikh Tahir , Rahman Atta Ur , Akbar Sajida , Saqia Bibi
Published: June 2024

The Urdu language is spoken and written on different social media platforms like Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube. However, due to the lack of Urdu Language Processing (ULP) libraries, it is quite challenging to identify threats from textual and sequential data on the social media provided in Urdu. Therefore, it is required to preprocess the Urdu data as efficiently as English by creating different stemming and data cleaning libraries for Urdu data. Different lexical and machine learning-based techniques are introduced in the literature, but all of these are limited to the unavailability of online Urdu vocabulary. This research has introduced Urdu language vocabulary, including a stop words list and a stemming dictionary to preprocess Urdu data as efficiently as English. This reduced the input size of the Urdu language sentences and removed redundant and noisy information. Finally, a deep sequential model based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) units is trained on the efficiently preprocessed, evaluated, and tested. Our proposed methodology resulted in good prediction performance, i.e., an accuracy of 82%, which is greater than the existing methods.
Can digital transformation promote green innovation in enterprises? the moderating effect of heterogeneous environmental regulations
Authors: Sun Qiong , Wang Zhongsheng , Sun Yu , Huang Xiankai
Published: June 2024

Currently, digital transformation is having various impacts on enterprises around the world, including the green innovation. However, the current literature on the relationship between digitalization and green innovation in enterprises is scarce. What is the relationship between them, and whether heterogeneous environmental regulation has mediating effects, are questions that are worth exploring. Using a sample of listed manufacturing enterprises in China, this paper empirically tests the impact of digital transformation on enterprise green innovation. The results show that: (1) Digital transformation has a significant positive impact on green innovation, including green innovation output and green innovation capability. (2) Diverse environmental regulation may have mediating effects of digital transformation’s influence on green innovation. (3) After a number of robustness tests, the conclusions are still valid. This paper can provide a reference for developing green development strategies for manufacturing enterprises.