bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of intraoperative detection of a central venous catheter in azygos vein arch during esophageal cancer surgery
Authors: Murakawa Katsuhiko , Ono Koichi , Yamamura Yoshiyuki
Published: November 2024

Background

Central venous catheter (CVC) is often used in the perioperative management of esophageal cancer. The position of the CVC tip has been reported to shift with body positioning and, although infrequent, may traverse into the azygos vein arch. Herein, we describe a case where a migrated CVC tip in the azygous vein arch was identified during esophageal cancer surgery, preventing CVC dissection concurrent with azygous vein arch resection.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer and was referred to our department for surgery after undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. He underwent robot-assisted subtotal esophagectomy, followed by gastric conduit reconstruction via the posterior sternal route. Thoracic manipulation was performed with the patient in the prone position. During the surgery, a foreign body was found in the azygos vein arch, indicating that a central venous catheter had inadvertently entered the azygos vein arch. The catheter was retracted by 5 cm, and after confirming that no catheter remained in the azygos arch, the azygos vein arch was separated using an autosuture device.

Conclusions

Central venous catheter migration can occur in a various vessels. During prone esophageal cancer surgery, elevating the right upper extremity may alter the catheter tip’s position from its the preoperative position. CVC amputation should be observed because the azygos vein arch is often amputated to facilitate upper mediastinal dissection during esophageal cancer surgery.
Effect of stabilizers on the detection of swine influenza A virus (swIAV) in spiked oral fluids over time
Authors: Grau K. , Lillie-Jaschniski K. , Graaf-Rau A. , Harder T. , Eddicks M. , Zöls S. , Zablotski Y. , Ritzmann M. , Stadler J.
Published: November 2024

Background

Aggregated samples such as oral fluids (OFs) display an animal friendly and time and cost-efficient sample type for swine Influenza A virus (swIAV) monitoring. However, further molecular and biological characterization of swIAV is of particular significance. The reportedly inferior suitability of aggregated samples for subtyping of swIAV presents a major drawback compared to nasal swabs, still considered the most appropriate sample type for this purpose (Garrido-Mantilla et al. BMC Vet Res 15(1):61, 2019). In addition, the viral load in the original sample, storage conditions and characteristics of different swIAV strains might further compromise the eligibility of aggregated samples for molecular detection and subtyping. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the suitability of stabilizing media to minimize the degradation of viral RNA and thus increase the detection and subtyping rate of swIAV by RT-qPCR in spiked OFs under different conditions (virus strain, storage temperature and viral load in the original sample) over a time span of 14 days.

Results

The use of stabilizing media in spiked OFs resulted in a significant higher probability to detect swIAV RNA compared to OFs without stabilizers (OR = 46.1, p < 0.001). In addition, swIAV degradation over time was significantly reduced in samples suspended with stabilizer (OR = 5.80, p < 0.001), in samples stored at 4 °C (OR = 2.53, p < 0.001) and in samples spiked with the avian derived H1N2 subtype (OR = 2.26, p < 0.01). No significant differences in swIAV RNA detection and degradation of swIAV RNA in spiked OFs over time were observed between the three different stabilizing media.

Conclusion

Addition of stabilizers and storage of samples under cooled conditions significantly improved detection and subtyping of swIAV in spiked OFs.
The World Psychiatry Exchange Program: insights from Tunisians in India
Authors: Daoud Mona , Abdelghaffar Wafa , Sharad Philip , Ransing Ramdas , Pinto da Costa Mariana
Published: November 2024

The World Psychiatry Exchange Program offers opportunities overseas for early career psychiatrists (ECPs), fostering immersion in clinical and cultural contexts. In this article, we present the experiences of two Tunisian ECPs in India. Activities included observing interviews, and attending courses and webinars. Challenges and opportunities in perinatal psychiatry and in child psychiatry were observed, emphasising cross-cultural nuances. Language barriers were overcome through translation. Notably, collaboration and proximity between departments countered mental illness stigma among medical professionals. This exchange underscores the importance of cultural awareness, collaboration and contextual adaptation in psychiatry. Lessons from this cross-cultural experience offer insights for enhanced care and research in diverse settings. This exchange also allowed for a rich scientific and cultural experience and brought to light many commonalities between India and Tunisia.
Investigating the association of mechanical restraint with somatic harmful outcomes: national register-based study
Authors: Baandrup Lone , Kruse Marie
Published: November 2024

Background

Coercive measures to manage disruptive or violent behaviour are accepted as standard practice in mental healthcare, but systematic knowledge of potentially harmful outcomes is insufficient.

Aims

To examine the association of mechanical restraint with several predefined somatic harmful outcomes.

Method

We conducted a population-based, observational cohort study linking data from the Danish national registers from 2007 to 2019. The primary analyses investigated the association of mechanical restraint with somatic adverse events, using panel regression analyses (within-individual analysis) to account for repeated exposures and outcomes. Secondary between-group analyses were performed with a control group exposed to types of coercion other than mechanical restraint.

Results

The study population comprised 13 022 individuals. We report a statistically significant association of mechanical restraint with thromboembolic events (relative risk 4.377, number needed to harm (NNH) 8231), pneumonia (relative risk 5.470, NNH 3945), injuries (relative risk 2.286, NNH 3240) and all-cause death (relative risk 5.540, NNH 4043) within 30 days after mechanical restraint. Estimates from the between-group analyses (comparing the exposed group with a control group of 22 643 individuals) were non-significant or indicated increased baseline risk in the control group. A positive dose–response analysis for cardiac arrest, injury and death supported a causative role of mechanical restraint in the reported associations.

Conclusions

Although the observed absolute risk increases were small, the derived relative risks were non-negligible considering that less restrictive interventions are available. Clinicians and decision makers should be aware of the excess risk in future decisions on the use of mechanical restraint versus alternative interventions.
Forecasting wind power and turbine energy efficiency
Authors: Μίχος Δημήτριος
Published: November 2024

Αυτή η διατριβή παρουσιάζει μια ολοκληρωμένη μεθοδολογία για τη μοντελοποίηση, την προσομοίωση και την πρόβλεψη της συμπεριφοράς της τυρβώδους ροής του αέρα σε σύνθετο έδαφος στην περιοχή αιολικών πάρκων, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στην αντιμετώπιση των προκλήσεων που σχετίζονται με τη περιορισμένη διαθεσιμότητα δεδομένων ανέμου. Ο στόχος αυτής της προσέγγισης είναι να καταστεί δυνατή η ακριβής βραχυπρόθεσμη πρόβλεψη της παραγωγής ενέργειας για τις ανεμογεννήτριες που λειτουργούν σε τέτοια απαιτητικά περιβάλλοντα. Μια μελέτη περίπτωσης του αιολικού πάρκου στο Λαύριο της Ελλάδας χρησιμοποιείται για να δείξει και να επικυρώσει τη μεθοδολογία αυτής της διδακτορικής έρευνας. Η προσέγγιση αξιοποιεί μετρήσεις από κατακόρυφο ανεμολογικό LIDAR, σε συνδυασμό με μια νέα τεχνική χωρικής παρεκβολής βασισμένη σε ένα μοντέλο CFD (Wi.Sp.Ex), για την ανακατασκευή της ροής του αέρα πάνω από το σύνθετο έδαφος του αιολικού πάρκου. Το μοντέλο τύρβης k-ε χρησιμοποιείται για την αποτελεσματική καταγραφή της συμπεριφοράς της ροής κοντά στον τοίχο. Μέσω μιας σειράς προσομοιώσεων σταθερής κατάστασης με ποικίλες συνθήκες εισόδου και αρχικές τιμές, διερευνάται η χρονική εξέλιξη του πεδίου τυρβώδους ροής, παρέχοντας πολύτιμες πληροφορίες για τις πολύπλοκες αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ του ανέμου και του εδάφους. Το μοντέλο Wi.Sp.Ex. αποτελεί το βασικό, θεμελιωμένο στη φυσική, συστατικό του μοντέλου Wind Energy Extraction Latency (W.E.E.L.), το οποίο προβλέπει την παραγωγή ισχύος μιας ανεμογεννήτριας σε διάστημα 15 λεπτών, αναγνωρίζοντας τον χρόνο καθυστέρησης στην εξαγωγή αιολικής ενέργειας και χρησιμοποιώντας τα αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης Wi.Sp.Ex ως προβλέψεις για την ταχύτητα του ανέμου. Αυτή η ολοκληρωμένη προσέγγιση επιτρέπει μια πιο ακριβή και αξιόπιστη πρόβλεψη της βραχυπρόθεσμης παραγωγής ενέργειας, διευκολύνοντας τη βελτιωμένη διαχείριση των αιολικών πάρκων και τις στρατηγικές ενσωμάτωσης στο δίκτυο. Αυτή η μεθοδολογία προσφέρει μια πολλά υποσχόμενη λύση για την ενίσχυση της ακρίβειας και της αποτελεσματικότητας της αξιολόγησης των αιολικών πόρων και του σχεδιασμού αιολικών πάρκων, ιδιαίτερα σε περιβάλλοντα σύνθετου εδάφους όπου οι παραδοσιακές προσεγγίσεις μέτρησης και μοντελοποίησης μπορεί να αποτύχουν. Αντιμετωπίζοντας τις προκλήσεις που σχετίζονται με την περιορισμένη διαθεσιμότητα δεδομένων ανέμου και ενσωματώνοντας τη χρονική δυναμική του πεδίου ανέμου, αυτή η προσέγγιση συμβάλλει στην πρόοδο της τεχνολογίας αιολικής ενέργειας και την ενσωμάτωσής της στο ευρύτερο ενεργειακό τοπίο.
Impact of Exercise on the Course of Dermatomyositis: A Narrative Review of Recent Studies
Authors: Chawrylak Katarzyna , Kubas Maria , Krzemińska Katarzyna , Kuszneruk Julia , Kłusek Magdalena
Published: November 2024

Introduction and Purpose: Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory myopathy characterized by muscle weakness and distinctive skin manifestations, impacting both children and adults. This narrative review aims to examine the latest studies assessing the impact of physical activity on the course of dermatomyositis and determine which forms of exercise are beneficial for DM patients.
 
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing on articles published between 2018 and 2024.
 
State of Knowledge: The review identified consistent evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of exercise in DM patients. Exercise regimens, including resistance, aerobic, and stretching exercises, were found to improve muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and metabolic functions without increasing disease activity. Novel exercise approaches, such as blood flow restriction training and aquatic plyometric exercises, also showed promising results. However, the heterogeneity of the trials and small sample sizes highlight the need for larger, more diverse cohorts and long-term studies
 
Summary: The findings underscore the potential of structured exercise programs to enhance muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and overall physical function in DM patients. These improvements are achieved without exacerbating disease activity, highlighting the safety of exercise interventions. The review emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical activity into treatment plans for DM, advocating for personalized exercise prescriptions tailored to the unique inflammatory nature of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).
Das Lernszenario im (Kunst-) Museum: Authentizität im außerschulischen DaF/DaZ-Unterricht.
Authors: Piechocki-Serra Julia Magdalena
Published: November 2024

Das Lernszenario im DaF- bzw. DaZ-Unterricht konzentriert sich auf den außerschulischen und außeruniversitären Spracherwerb. Durch diese Methode werden nicht nur die interkulturellen und kommunikativen Kompetenzen der Lernenden verbessert, sondern sie ermöglicht dank der Authentizität (Material, kommunikativer Austausch zwischen den Lernenden und das Nichtunterbrechen durch die Lehrperson) das Schaffen von Szenarien, die realitätsnah sind. Dieser Beitrag fokussiert sich einerseits auf die Kombination zwischen Lernszenarien und Kunstmuseen, um den Klassenraum zu erweitern und somit einen anderen Lernort zu nutzen. Andererseits soll der Einsatz von Kunstwerken die Authentizität im Sinne des Lebenslangen Lernens begünstigen.
Making the best use of existing tools and treatments for the long-term, sustainable control of sheep
Authors: Burgess Stewart T.G.
Published: November 2024

Sheep scab, caused by the ectoparasitic mite Psoroptes ovis, significantly affects the UK sheep industry, with annual costs estimated between £80–200 million. Despite previous eradication efforts, sheep scab persists with an estimated 8–10k outbreaks annually. Treatment is limited to macrocyclic lactone (ML) injectables and organophosphate (OP) plunge dipping, with the emergence of ML-resistant mites highlighting the importance of OP dipping and the need to use the MLs both strategically and responsibly in the future. Diagnostic advancements, including a sheep scab ELISA blood test, enable early detection and targeted treatment. Recent control projects have demonstrated the potential for coordinated control to manage and reduce sheep scab incidence.
Lameness in dairy cows: where are we going?
Authors: Laven Richard
Published: November 2024

Richard Laven argues that to effectively combat lameness in dairy cows, a paradigm shift is needed, moving away from individual solutions towards multi-pronged strategies that combine technology, genetics and farmer input.
CattleReview
Authors: Barrett David C
Published: November 2024

This Cattle Review examines two recent Open Access papers in preventive veterinary medicine, which assess the current status of Johne's disease control in Great Britain's dairy herds.
Impact of bovine herpesvirus-1 infection on fertility in dairy cattle
Authors: Henderson Katrina , Caldow George
Published: November 2024

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is endemic in the UK dairy herd and can have an important negative impact on fertility. As well as being the cause of infectious pustular vulvovaginitis and infectious balanoposthitis, BoHV-1 can reduce conception rate following introduction of the virus in contaminated semen at the time of artificial insemination. Its ability to cause abortions, particularly in the last trimester, is well-documented and the incidence of abortions can be high following the introduction of infection to naïve herds. The impact of BoHV-1 on herd fertility will depend on the degree of herd immunity, route of infection and strain of BoHV-1. Vaccination has been shown to reduce spread of BoHV-1 within and between herds, and to significantly reduce the risk of abortion. In light of the cost of a single abortion, and the impact of BoHV-1 on milk yield, routine vaccination against BoHV-1 offers a cost-effective control strategy suitable for most UK dairy herds.
Independent success
Authors: White Emma
Published: November 2024

Samantha Hague speaks to Emma White about luxury eyewear, clinical excellence, team development and plans to expand
Sustainability interactive
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey describes some of your feedback from discussions concerning the recent CPD exercise focusing on sustainability and its relevance to eyecare (C-104835)
Building for the future
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett reports on how Barnham Opticians won the 2022 Build Back Better Optician Award
HMRC knows (almost) everything
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: November 2024

Adam Bernstein details the perils of under-declaring tax
Diary of a Spectacle Designer
Authors: Davies Tom
Published: November 2024

Tom Davies comes to regret his eyewear buying advice after a visit to the dentist
CPD: Presbyopia contact lenses
Authors: Harvey Bill , Hiscox Rachel
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey and Dr Rachel Hiscox introduce a new interactive CPD exercise encouraging discussion about the options for correcting the modern presbyope other than spectacles (C105669, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians)
Timeline for change set out by regulator
Authors: Jones Simon
Published: November 2024

Council sets out strategic plan, timeline for legislative reform and consumer complaints analysis. Simon Jones reports
Site Suitability Classification for Saturated Bioenergy Buffers and Area Estimates in the U.S. Midwest
Authors: Cacho Jules F. , Quinn John J. , Zumpf Colleen R. , Negri Cristina
Published: November 2024

Highlights

Suitability criteria for saturated bioenergy buffer (SBB) sites were developed.

A method to classify cropland areas as suitable SBB sites was demonstrated using public data.

The criteria and method for classifying suitable SBBs were generally successful at U.S. Midwest sites.

Areas were identified within U.S. Midwest states having the greatest potential for SBB implementation.

Abstract.Nutrient loss from tile-drained, row-crop fields is a major component in the impact of agricultural production on surface water quality, because drain tiles provide a short-circuit for nutrient-rich drainage water to reach ditches and eventually downstream waterbodies (e.g., creeks, streams, rivers). Saturated buffers (SBs) help address the tile-drainage water quality problem, and incorporating bioenergy crops into SBs (saturated bioenergy buffers, or SBBs) could provide both environmental protection and an economic benefit to farmers. The objectives of this analysis were to: (1) develop a site suitability classification approach for rapid, cost-effective identification of SBB candidate sites; and, after validation, (2) use it to estimate the size of land in the U.S. Midwest considered suitable for SBB sites. The approach uses several biophysical parameters to identify sites that (1) are likely to be tile-drained, row-cropped agricultural land; (2) have conditions conducive for denitrification; and (3) have stable streambanks. Supporting data came from federally funded and maintained U.S. databases (e.g., Soil Survey Geographic Database). This classification approach was implemented in ArcGIS Desktop and validated using data from various SB field studies in the U.S. Midwest. This approach has proven to be robust because it identified SB sites considered to be either performing or promising in reducing nitrate losses in tile drainage water with an accuracy range of 57% to 63%. SBB candidate areas in the U.S. Midwest totaled up to 225,000 ha and 342,000 ha for buffer widths of 20 and 30 m, respectively. The proposed approach could assist in both local siting and regional-scale implementation of SBBs, which could significantly mitigate nitrate loss in tile-drained U.S. Midwest agricultural lands while providing other environmental benefits and economic incentives for farmers. Keywords: Biomass production, Multi-functional landscapes, Sustainable agricultural land management, Tile-drained agriculture, Water quality protection.
Ultrafast filtered back-projection for photoacoustic computed tomography
Authors: Liu Songde , Tan Zhijian , Shao Pengfei , Wang Sheng , Tian Chao
Published: November 2024

The filtered back-projection (FBP) algorithm is widely used in photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) for image reconstruction due to its simplicity and efficiency. Yet, the real-time processing of high-speed PACT data remains challenging for regular FBP implementations. To enhance the reconstruction efficiency of the FBP algorithm, researchers have developed FBP implementations based on the graphics processing units (GPUs). However, existing GPU-accelerated FBP algorithms either sacrifice accuracy for efficiency or are still inefficient for high-speed, real-time PACT imaging. Herein, we report an ultrafast GPU acceleration-based FBP implementation for PACT image reconstruction without sacrificing accuracy. Firstly, the computation complexity of the filtering part of the FBP algorithm is significantly simplified with a pre-computed filtering matrix to enhance filtering efficiency. Secondly, the computation efficiency of the back-projection part of the FBP algorithm is dramatically increased through parallel programming and GPU acceleration. As a result, the proposed FBP implementation takes only 0.38 ms to reconstruct a two-dimensional image of 512 × 512 pixels, which is 439 times faster than regular FBP implementations. Numerical and experimental results show that the proposed FBP implementation outperforms existing GPU-based FBP implementations in reconstruction accuracy and computation efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest implementation of the FBP algorithm ever reported in PACT. This work is expected to provide an ultrafast and accurate image reconstruction solution for high-speed, real-time PACT imaging.
High-étendue multilevel surface-relief computer-generated hologram printing
Authors: Higashida Ryo , Miura Masato , Nobukawa Teruyoshi , Yamaguchi Yuta , Aoshima Ken-ichi , Funabashi Nobuhiko , Yamaguchi Masahiro
Published: November 2024

This paper proposes a method that prints large multilevel computer-generated holograms (CGHs) with submicrometer-scale structures on silicon wafer surfaces using laser lithography and reactive ion etching. The resulting CGHs, featuring surface-relief structures, reconstruct three-dimensional images by modulating the phase of irradiated light. The step depth of the surface is optimized by a pre-created tone curve that corrects the exposure. We measured the shape of the surface structures and evaluated the optical properties in terms of diffraction efficiency and conjugate image generation, demonstrating high fabrication accuracy. This method enables observers to view and evaluate the optically reconstructed image of high-étendue multilevel CGHs.
High-order harmonic generation in boron carbide laser-induced plasma: comparison with carbon and boron plasmas, two-color-pumping-induced enhancement, quasi-phase-matching, and tuning of harmonics
Authors: Ganeev Rashid A.
Published: November 2024

The study of the laser-induced molecular plasma produced during the ablation of boron carbide as a medium for high-order harmonic generation is reported. The efficiency of harmonics generation in this laser-induced plasma is compared with the plasma produced on the surfaces of boron and carbon targets at the intensities of heating and driving pulses of 2 × 1010 and 3 × 1014 W/cm2, respectively. The stability of harmonic emission from boron carbide plasma was notably better compared with the boron and carbon plasmas. The influence of laser-induced plasma formation, the role of ablated components, the delay between heating and driving pulses, and the characteristics of converting pulses on the harmonic efficiency and harmonic cut-off in boron carbide plasma are studied.
Orthogonal CORDIC-based Rotation Phase Interrogation for EFPI Fabry-Perot Sensor
Authors: Li Ruofei , Ma Zhibo , Xi Qi , Tian Zhiyong , Chang zhichuang , xu xulong
Published: November 2024

In response to the growing demand for high-real-time F-P demodulation algorithms, we present a novel Hilbert orthogonal F-P demodulation algorithm, HT-CORDIC, which is based on the Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC) algorithm. HT-CORDIC aims to balance accuracy and real-time performance. The algorithm employs the Hilbert transform to identify orthogonal signals, determines a specific phase difference through the Givens transform, and then extracts the cavity length through vector of the CORDIC algorithm. The algorithm was evaluated through a series of demodulation simulations and experiments conducted on the EFPI sensors. The results demonstrate that the demodulation accuracy is approximately 1 nm at a cavity length of 192.395μm. Furthermore, the algorithm demonstrates an exceptionally high degree of linearity, with an R2 value of 0.9999. The proposed parallel structure algorithm has been demonstrated to reduce the computation time by a factor of 35,138 in comparison to the traditional correlation coefficient method. Furthermore, the resolution was found to be satisfactory, at 2.23nm, with an average of 0.2533nm for the algorithmic noise MSE. It can be concluded that the HT-CORDIC algorithm has the potential to be employed for high-real-time F-P interferometric demodulation.
Imaging performance evaluation of large photon
sieves with high-efficiency simulation algorithms
Authors: Yuan Shenzhou , Feng Li , Liu Hua , Gan Weiqun
Published: November 2024

Photon sieve (PS) is a kind of diffractive lens that has great application potential in ultraviolet and X-ray imaging. It is very difficult to simulate the imaging performance of large PSs with numerous pinholes because of the high computing cost. No study has systematically analyzed a large PS through simulation. Based on individual far-field models with slight modifications, we introduce a symmetry assumption and a dimension-expansion algorithm with GPU. This approach makes the simulation approximately 1000 times faster and can be widely used to simulate point spread functions (PSFs) under both ideal and non-ideal conditions, considering factors such as chromatic aberration, depth of focus (DOF), wrinkles, and manufacturing uncertainty. For a smaller field of view (FOV), we derive Fresnel Zone Plate (FZP) diffraction formulas to quickly compute the FZP’s diffracted field and find a strong linear relationship between the PSF of a PS and that of its homologous FZP. By utilizing the PSF of the FZP and the linear factor, we achieve simulations in ideal cases within a few seconds. We systematically evaluate the imaging performance of an Hα PS with 1.7×10⁸ pinholes and predict nonideal impacts on the PS. We believe this is the first systematic simulation-based analysis of the comprehensive performance including manufacturing and installation uncertainties for such a large PS. These simulations offer effective methods for analyzing the systematic performance of large PSs and can be widely applied in their design.
New colleague or gimmick hurdle? A user-centric scoping review of the barriers and facilitators of robots in hospitals
Authors: Rasmussen Mathias Kofoed , Schneider-Kamp Anna , Hyrup Tobias , Godono Alessandro
Published: November 2024

Healthcare systems are confronted with a multitude of challenges, including the imperative to enhance accessibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the quality of healthcare delivery. These challenges are exacerbated by current healthcare personnel shortages, prospects of future shortfalls, insufficient recruitment efforts, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, global viral concerns, and ageing populations. To address this escalating demand for healthcare services, healthcare systems are increasingly adopting robotic technology and artificial intelligence (AI), which promise to optimise costs, improve working conditions, and increase the quality of care. This article focuses on deepening our understanding of the barriers and facilitators associated with integrating robotic technologies in hospital environments. To this end, we conducted a scoping literature review to consolidate emerging themes pertaining to the experiences, viewpoints perspectives, and behaviours of hospital employees as professional users of robots in hospitals. Through screening 501 original research articles from Web-of-Science, we identified and reviewed in full-text 40 pertinent user-centric studies of the integration of robots into hospitals. Our review revealed and analysed 14 themes in-depth, of which we identified seven as barriers and seven as facilitators. Through a structuring of the barriers and facilitators, we reveal a notable misalignment between these barriers and facilitators: Finding that organisational aspects are at the core of most barriers, we suggest that future research should investigate the dynamics between hospital employees as professional users and the procedures and workflows of the hospitals as institutions, as well as the ambivalent role of anthropomorphisation of hospital robots, and emerging issues of privacy and confidentiality raised by increasingly communicative robots. Ultimately, this perspective on the integration of robots in hospitals transcends debates on the capabilities and limits of the robotic technology itself, shedding light on the complexity of integrating new technologies into hospital environments and contributing to an understanding of possible futures in healthcare innovation.
Association of gestational weight gain rate with infant birth weight and cesarean delivery: A prospective cohort study in Nepal
Authors: Nepal Jyoti , Chaudhary Kalpana , Adhikari Bikram , Shrestha Abha , Shrestha Archana , Kapri Sangita Pudasainee , Rawal Shristi
Published: November 2024

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is linked to pregnancy outcomes, such as birth weight and delivery mode, though research in low-income countries like Nepal is limited. We examined the association of GWG rate with infant birth weight and cesarean delivery in a prospective cohort of 191 pregnant women in Nepal, using data collected from August 2018 to August 2019 at a peri-urban hospital in Dhulikhel. Participants included women with singleton, full-term live births, with GWG rate calculated from weight gain between the second and late pregnancy stages, divided by the weeks in between. GWG rate categories—adequate, inadequate, or excessive—were defined by pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) specific to GWG recommendations from the 2009 Institute of Medicine report. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board of Kathmandu University and Rutgers University. Statistical analyses in SPSS and Stata revealed that 52.4% of mothers exceeded the recommended GWG rate, particularly among overweight and obese women (0.4 ± 0.2 kg/week and 0.5 ± 0.2 kg/week, respectively). The average birth weight was 2964.9 ± 407.0 grams, with 12% of infants classified as low-birth-weight. Cesarean delivery was recorded in 45% of the women. After controlling for factors like age, education, ethnicity, occupation, parity and BMI, each 1 kg/week increase in GWG from the second to third trimester correlated with a 392-gram increase in birth weight (β = 391.9, 95%CI = 67.2–716.7, p = 0.01), while excessive GWG rate led to a 148-gram increase over adequate GWG rate (β = 148.1, 95%CI = 8.7–287.5, p = 0.03). However, GWG rate was not significantly linked to cesarean delivery. These findings suggest that maternal GWG rate positively affects infant birth weight but not cesarean delivery, underscoring the need for larger studies to explore GWG rate’s effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Mycetoma: A critical appraisal of educational content on YouTube
Authors: Pitua Ivaan , Raizudheen Raafidha , Namiiro Amelia Margaret , Apili Lorraine , Bongomin Felix
Published: November 2024

Background

Mycetoma is a fungal neglected tropical disease. Accurate dissemination of information is critical in endemic areas. YouTube, a popular platform for health information, hosts numerous videos on mycetoma, but the quality and reliability of these videos remain largely unassessed.

Methods

We used modified DISCERN and Global Quality Score (GQS) for reliability and quality respectively. Video duration, views, likes, and comments were recorded. Spearman’s rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to identify correlations between metrices and quality scores.

Results

We included 73 mycetoma-related YouTube videos were analyzed, the median GQS score was 4.00 ((IQR = 3.33–4.00), indicating generally high-quality content, while the median mDISCERN score was 3.00 (IQR = 3.00–3.00) reflecting moderate reliability. Videos produced by professionals had significantly higher scores compared to those from consumer-generated content (p < 0.001). A significantly positive correlation was observed between video duration and both GQS (r = 0.417, p < 0.001) and mDISCERN (r = 0.343, p = 0.003). However, views, likes and comments did not significantly correlate with video quality. Additionally, videos longer in duration (p < 0.001) and older in upload date (p = 0.014) had higher quality scores.

Conclusions

The study shows that mycetoma-related videos on YouTube are generally of high quality, with moderate reliability. This emphasizes the need for expert involvement in content creation and efforts to improve health information online.
The potential impact of COVID-19 vaccination on patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yangyang , Kong Demin , Ding Yicheng , Wang Jinhuan
Published: November 2024

Background

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disease characterized by a decrease in platelet count, which can be triggered by various factors, including viral infections and vaccination. With the widespread vaccination against COVID-19, concerns have arisen regarding a possible link between the vaccine and the exacerbation of ITP. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on ITP patients, including associated risks and outcomes.

Methods

A comprehensive search will be conducted in multiple electronic databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang, VIP, and CBM) to identify relevant studies. This study will include randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and case series evaluating the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on ITP patients. The primary outcome measure is the change in platelet count, while secondary outcome measures include the occurrence of thromboembolic events, bleeding complications, ITP recurrence rate, impact of ITP exacerbation, and adverse events. Data will be summarized and analyzed using Review Manager Software (RevMan) V.5.4. In addition, subgroup analyses will be performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results

It is anticipated that different types of COVID-19 vaccines may have varying impacts on ITP patients, leading to potential differences in outcomes. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the potential impact of COVID-19 vaccination on ITP patients and provide reference for clinical decision-making.

Conclusions

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will provide crucial information on COVID-19 vaccination for ITP patients and clinicians, contributing to guiding vaccination decisions and monitoring potential impacts after vaccination.
Bridging disparity in knowledge and utilization of contraceptive methods among married couples in the pastoralist community of Fentale District, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Sena Adugna , Garoma Sileshi , Belachew Tefera
Published: November 2024

Background

Despite progress in national reproductive health, pastoralist regions, including the Fentale District in Eastern Ethiopia, face challenges with limited contraceptive coverage due to gaps in understanding and adoption among couples.

Methods

This cross-sectional study of 1496 couples in Fentale District, Eastern Ethiopia, from October 1 to December 25, 2021, utilized multistage sampling. Data entered into EPI Data underwent analysis with SPSS (v23.0) and STATA (v14.0), employing descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of contraceptive knowledge.

Results

Of the 1496 couples, 93.8% (1404) participated in the survey. Significant educational disparities were observed, with 53.8% having no formal education, particularly among women (65.2%). Despite this, 80.2% of couples were aware of at least one family planning (FP) method, and 78.6% knew modern methods. The median knowledge of contraception methods was 3 for both genders. Men showed higher awareness of male (43.2%) and female condoms (17.4%) compared to women (31.8% and 6.0%). Overall, 27.4% of couples used contraception, with a significant gender difference: 41.2% of women and 13.5% of men. Modern contraceptives were used by 18.2% of couples, predominantly by women (34.8%). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated positive associations between contraceptive knowledge and education, bank account ownership, occupation, proximity to healthcare, and media exposure, while a nomadic-pastoralist lifestyle and specific treatment preferences showed negative associations.

Conclusion

The limited knowledge and utilization of family planning in the Fentale District stem from gaps in comprehension and disparities among couples. Factors influencing this situation include socio-demographic considerations, such as variations based on education, occupation, media exposure, bank account ownership, treatment preferences, and distance from healthcare facilities. This ensures that the interventions are having the desired effect and allows for adjustments as needed to promote family planning uptake.
Machine fault detection model based on MWOA-BiLSTM algorithm
Authors: Xia Yi-Qiang , Yang Yang
Published: November 2024

This paper proposes the Modulated Whale Optimization Algorithm(MWOA), an innovative metaheuristic algorithm derived from the classic WOA and tailored for bionics-inspired optimization. MWOA tackles common optimization problems like local optima and premature convergence using two key methods: shrinking encircling and spiral position updates. In essence, it prevents algorithms from settling for suboptimal solutions too soon, encouraging exploration of a broader solution space before converging, by incorporating cauchy variation and a perturbation term, MWOA achieve optimization over a wide search space. After that, comparisons were conducted between MWOA and seven recently proposed metaheuristics, utilizing the CEC2005 benchmark functions to assess MWOA’s optimization performance. Moreover, the Wilcoxon rank sum test is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Eventually, MWOA was juxtaposed with the BiLSTM classifier and six other meta-heuristics combined with the BiLSTM classifier. The aim was to affirm that MWOA-BiLSTM outperforms its counterparts, showcasing superior performance across crucial metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-Score. The study results unequivocally demonstrate that MWOA showcases exceptional optimization capabilities, adeptly striking a harmonious balance between exploration and exploitation.
Using micro-CT to explore bone density variations in the skulls of the vulnerable Opsariichthys uncirostris uncirostris (Three-lips fish) during reproductive migration to a Lake Biwa tributary
Authors: Mvula Andrew , Tawara Daisuke , Maruyama Atsushi
Published: November 2024

Not much is known about the changes in bone density due to fish reproductive migration. We used micro-CT and inferential statistics to determine whether the relative bone density in the skulls of adult Three-lips fish, that seasonally upstream migrated to a Lake Biwa tributary, changed across their known reproductive season. The relative bone density significantly decreased as standard length and condition factor (K) increased in both sexes. This negative relationship is likely due to age and hormonal effects in the fish. Results from the bone density analysis also revealed that male Three-lips fish had potentially lower relative bone density (although not significantly different) than females during peak reproductive migration, i.e., July to August. On average, male Three-lips fish are larger in length and weight than females, and in many species, females prefer larger males to smaller males, viewing their size as an indicator of genetic fitness and their ability to provide protection. Resources in the skulls of Three-lips males may be distributed in such a way that increases reproductive success, i.e., size at the expense of quality. In addition, individuals with slightly less dense bones, particularly males, appeared later than those with denser bones during the peak of the reproductive season. The high energy demands involved with aggression in males, often requires resource mobilization from various tissue compartments and could explain the slightly lower density in the latter half of the peak migration. Furthermore, Three-lips individuals that migrated earlier and later during the reproductive season may have more energy reserves than those that had been in the river for some time, hence the variable bone density between individuals. This study serves as a foundation for future studies on the effects of migration, changes in physiology and age on bone density analysis of Three-lips fish and other species in various ecosystems.
Isotopic heterogeneity in U.S. Urban water supply systems reflects climatic, environmental, and sociodemographic factors: Implications for forensic identification
Authors: Stantis Chris , Serna Alejandro , Verostick Kirsten , Tipple Brett , Jefferson Anne , Bowen Gabriel J.
Published: November 2024

The forensic application of stable oxygen isotope data from human tissues depends on naturally occurring isotopic variation in drinking water across geographic areas. One factor which complicates interpretation of forensic data is local variability: if a wide range of drinking water values is in a small geographic region it may be difficult to identify or rule out that region as a location of origin. We examine data from community collection programs documenting tap water isotope variation within 30 cities\developed areas throughout the United States. Isotopic variation within individual developed areas ranged widely, from essentially nil to greater than 9‰ (δ18O interdecile range). Many (14/30) of the study areas exhibited multi-modal isotope distributions, even in cases where the isotopic range was very small (e.g., <2.0‰), suggesting that the use of multiple, isotopically different sources was common. Most variation was attributed to differences in the source-region altitude or degree of evaporation for different water sources, and we observe limited variation in areas where contrasts in these variables are small. Variation tended to be largest in cities across the western USA. We explored correlations between the magnitude of local isotopic variation and climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic variables. We found that higher levels of variation occurred at sites where local water resources were likely to be more isotopically heterogeneous and in lower supply, consistent with the development of supply systems in these areas that access diverse and isotopically heterogeneous water resources. We also found that variation was positively correlated with larger developed areas, suggesting that pressures related to city growth may affect the degree to which infrastructure tapping diverse water resources is developed. Collectively, our results suggest that the influence of local tap water isotope heterogeneity on the precision of forensic geolocation is systematic and somewhat predictable, information to be factored into future applications.
Optimization of bus stop layout considering multiple factors including passenger flow direction
Authors: Li Guangchun , Nie Lei , Gao Feng , He Zhenhuan
Published: November 2024

Bus stop layout typically requires consideration of urban population distribution, traffic conditions, and passenger flow demand to establish an efficient foundation for the bus system’s operation. Based on the above key factors, this paper introduces a strategic method to optimize the bus stop layout from a macro perspective in order to save passengers’ travel time and improve the attractiveness of the bus system. This approach accounts for the matching degree between the Origin-Destination (OD) direction of passengers and their walking direction heading to bus stops. Initially, we take into account factors such as the population and area of traffic districts, and urban road conditions. Utilizing the hypernetwork multidimensional data clustering method along with GIS technology, we construct an alternative set of bus stops based on the hypernetwork framework. This set serves as a reference for the positioning of newly built and moved bus stops. Subsequently, we develop a two-stage model for bus stop layout decision-making. The first stage focuses on determining the bus stop layout at the traffic district level, taking into account multi-factors including the passenger flow matching degree. The second stage is designed to mitigate the negative impact of bus stop optimization on the overall service level of the urban bus system. A case study conducted in XT city demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach. Post-optimization, there is a 15.83% increase in the alignment between passenger flow direction and bus stop layout. Additionally, the average travel time for passengers is reduced by 7.55 minutes.
Pelagic cnidarian assemblages show range-edge effect at the boundary of ocean surface, as illustrated in the case of the Amazon River Plume
Authors: Tosetto Everton Giachini , Neumann-Leitão Sigrid , Araujo Moacyr , Bertrand Arnaud , Júnior Miodeli Nogueira
Published: November 2024

The neuston layer represents a complex community inhabiting the interface where oceanographic and atmospheric processes interact. Here, our aim was to compare patterns in the distribution and abundance of cnidarian assemblages observed in the neuston to parallel patterns previously observed in epipelagic waters along the spread of the Amazon River Plume over the Western Equatorial Atlantic, to test if the neuston reflects the patterns of the overall community whose core of distribution is located in epipelagic waters or are shaped by specific surface processes. The results show that both initial hypothesis were false. Instead, the cnidarian assemblages showed range-edge effect at the major ecotone placed at the interface between ocean and atmosphere. I.e., when proximate to the superior limits of their three-dimensional geographic ranges, represented here by the neuston, the population of most observed species occur in lower abundance. Specifically at the portion of the continental shelf with influence of the Amazon River Plume, the range-edge effect seems to be more prominent. Such results suggests the core of the cnidarian populations inhabiting this habit may lie in the deeper hypoxic waters beneath the plume. In conclusion, due the marked vertical structure observed here, proper evaluations of spatial patterns in the structure of pelagic cnidarian communities should preferentially be grounded on stratified sampling.