bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging Provides Insights Into Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Pathology
Authors: Zhang Justin K. , Jayasekera Dinal , Song Chunyu , Greenberg Jacob K. , Javeed Saad , Dibble Christopher F. , Blum Jacob , Sun Peng , Song Sheng-Kwei , Ray Wilson Z.
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND:

Diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) is a noninvasive quantitative imaging modality that may improve understanding of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) pathology through detailed evaluations of spinal cord microstructural compartments.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the utility of DBSI as a biomarker of CSM disease severity.

METHODS:

A single-center prospective cohort study enrolled 50 patients with CSM and 20 controls from 2018 to 2020. All patients underwent clinical evaluation and diffusion-weighted MRI, followed by diffusion tensor imaging and DBSI analyses. Diffusion-weighted MRI metrics assessed white matter integrity by fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and fiber fraction. In addition, DBSI further evaluates extra-axonal changes by isotropic restricted and nonrestricted fraction. Including an intra-axonal diffusion compartment, DBSI improves estimations of axonal injury through intra-axonal axial diffusivity. Patients were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe CSM using modified Japanese Orthopedic Association classifications. Imaging parameters were compared among patient groups using independent samples t tests and ANOVA.

RESULTS:

Twenty controls, 27 mild (modified Japanese Orthopedic Association 15-17), 12 moderate (12-14), and 11 severe (0-11) patients with CSM were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging and DBSI fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were significantly different between control and patients with CSM (P < .05). DBSI fiber fraction, restricted fraction, and nonrestricted fraction were significantly different between groups (P < .01). DBSI intra-axonal axial diffusivity was lower in mild compared with moderate (mean difference [95% CI]: 1.1 [0.3-2.1], P < .01) and severe (1.9 [1.3-2.4], P < .001) CSM.

CONCLUSION:

DBSI offers granular data on white matter tract integrity in CSM that provide novel insights into disease pathology, supporting its potential utility as a biomarker of CSM disease progression.
Microsurgical Obliteration of Craniocervical Junction Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Multicenter Experience
Authors: Salem Mohamed M. , Srinivasan Visish M. , Tonetti Daniel A. , Ravindran Krishnan , Taussky Philipp , Yang Kaiyun , Karahalios Katherine , Raygor Kunal P. , Naylor Ryan M. , Catapano Joshua S. , Tavakoli-Sabour Samon , Abdelsalam Ahmed , Chen Stephanie H. , Grandhi Ramesh , Jankowitz Brian T. , Baskaya Mustafa K. , Mascitelli Justin R. , Van Gompel Jamie J. , Cherian Jacob , Couldwell William T. , Kim Louis J. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Starke Robert M. , Kan Peter , Dehdashti Amir R. , Abla Adib A. , Lawton Michael T. , Burkhardt Jan-Karl
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND:

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) located at craniocervical junction are extremely rare (1%-2% of intracranial/spinal dAVFs). Their angio-architectural complexity renders endovascular embolization to be challenging given multiple small feeders with risk of embolysate reflux into vertebral artery and limited transvenous access. The available literature discussing microsurgery for these lesions is limited to few case reports.

OBJECTIVE:

To report a multicenter experience assessing microsurgery safety/efficacy.

METHODS:

Prospectively maintained registries at 13 North American centers were queried to identify craniocervical junction dAVFs treated with microsurgery (2006-2021).

RESULTS:

Thirty-eight patients (median age 59.5 years, 44.7% female patients) were included. The most common presentation was subarachnoid/intracranial hemorrhage (47.4%) and myelopathy (36.8%) (92.1% of lesions Cognard type III-V). Direct meningeal branches from V3/4 vertebral artery segments supplied 84.2% of lesions. All lesions failed (n = 5, 13.2%) or were deemed inaccessible/unsafe to endovascular treatment. Far lateral craniotomy was the most used approach (94.7%). Intraoperative angiogram was performed in 39.5% of the cases, with angiographic cure in 94.7% of cases (median imaging follow-up of 9.2 months) and retreatment rate of 5.3%. Favorable last follow-up modified Rankin Scale of 0 to 2 was recorded in 81.6% of the patients with procedural complications of 2.6%.

CONCLUSION:

Craniocervical dAVFs represent rare entity of lesions presenting most commonly with hemorrhage or myelopathy because of venous congestion. Microsurgery using a far lateral approach provides robust exposure and visualization for these lesions and allows obliteration of the arterialized draining vein intradurally as close as possible to the fistula point. This approach was associated with a high rate of angiographic cure and favorable clinical outcomes.
Robotic Arm-Protected Microsurgical Pericallosal and Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Clipping: A Technical Note and Case Series
Authors: Yeung Elton H. L. , Piper Keaton , Farooq Jeffrey , Zhang Jianjian , Agazzi Siviero , Van Loveren Harry , Lau Tsz
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND:

Managing intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IAR) during intracranial aneurysm clipping can be challenging given the excessive hemorrhage and limited field of view under the microscope for visualizing the proximal artery and safe temporary clipping.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the first known use of robotic arm for safeguarding IAR in microsurgical aneurysm clipping.

METHODS:

A robotic arm was used to safeguard 3 microsurgical clipping cases (1 pericallosal and 2 middle cerebral artery) performed by a single surgeon. The device was installed onto the side rail of the operating table along with the clip applier attachment. After dissecting the cerebral artery segment proximal to the aneurysm, a temporary aneurysm clip was loaded and established at the appropriate segment before dissecting distally toward the aneurysm.

RESULTS:

Setup for the robotic arm and temporary clip was simple, quick, precise, and without any unforeseen accommodations needed in all 3 instances. The temporary clip acted as an emergency gate and could be deployed either manually or remotely through a controller. IAR occurred in case 1, and the robotic-assisted temporary clip deployment achieved immediate hemostasis without complications. This method bypassed the need for significant suctioning, packing, and further exploration for safe temporary clipping. Case 2 and 3 demonstrated the feasibility for middle cerebral artery protection and ease of intraoperative readjustment.

CONCLUSION:

This technical note highlights the feasibility and relative ease of using a robotic arm as a safeguard device, and it enables on-demand control of proximal blood flow and may enhance the safety of microsurgical aneurysm procedures.
Ποιοτικά χαρακτηριστικά του διασωζόμενου και αυτομεταγγιζόμενου αίματος και οι επιπτώσεις τους στον καρδιοχειρουργικό ασθενή
Authors: Τάχιας Φρίξος
Published: December 2022

Υπόστρωμα: Η τεχνική της κυτταρικής διάσωσης είναι καλά εδραιωμένη στην περιεγχειρητική διαχείριση αίματος των ασθενών που υποβάλλονται σε καρδιοχειρουργική επέμβαση. Ωστόσο, εξακολουθούν να υπάρχουν ορισμένες ανησυχίες αναφορικά με την ασφάλεια της χρήσης, την αποτελεσματικότητά της και την επίδρασή της στις μετεγχειρητικές επιπλοκές. Σκοπός: Σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης ήταν τόσο να περιγράψει λεπτομερώς τα ποιοτικά χαρακτηριστικά του συλλεχθέντος από το χειρουργικό πεδίο και φυγοκεντρημένου αίματος όσο και να διερευνήσει τις πιθανές επιδράσεις της επαναχορήγησής του στην αποκατάσταση της συγκέντρωσης της αιμοσφαιρίνης, στα ποσοστά αιμορραγίας και μετάγγισης, καθώς και στις μετεγχειρητικές επιπλοκές στην καρδιοχειρουργική. Μέθοδοι: Οι ενήλικες ασθενείς που υποβλήθηκαν σε καρδιοχειρουργική επέμβαση με χρήση εξωσωματικής κυκλοφορίας επιλέχθηκαν τυχαία και προοπτικά για να λάβουν το φυγοκεντρημένο προϊόν μιας συσκευής ανάκτησης ερυθροκυττάρων. Πραγματοποιήθηκε ποιοτική και βακτηριολογική ανάλυση του συμπυκνώματος πριν και μετά τη φυγοκέντρηση και καταγράφηκαν για το σύνολο της παραμονής στο νοσοκομείο ή για τις πρώτες 30 ημέρες οι μεταγγίσεις και οι περιεγχειρητικές επιπλοκές, σύμφωνα με τις οδηγίες UDPB και ECPO. Η επίπτωσή τους συγκρίθηκε μεταξύ ομάδων μελέτης και μαρτύρων. Αποτελέσματα: Συνολικά μελετήθηκαν 209 ασθενείς, 99 ασθενείς στην ομάδα προστασίας κυττάρων (ομάδα μελέτης-cell saver) και 110 ασθενείς στην ομάδα ελέγχου. Οι ασθενείς στην ομάδα μελέτης παρουσίασαν ελαφρώς υψηλότερες συγκεντρώσεις αιμοσφαιρίνης μετεγχειρητικά και σχεδόν ταυτόσημες αιμορραγίες και ρυθμούς μετάγγισης, παρά την τάση για διαταραχές πήξης. Δεν υπήρξαν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές στα ποσοστά μετεγχειρητικών επιπλοκών μεταξύ των ομάδων και αποκαλύφθηκαν καλύτεροι δείκτες οξυγόνωσης.
The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health outcomes – A cross-sectional study among health care workers in Coastal South India
Authors: T Rekha , Kumar Nithin , Hegde Kausthubh , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Mithra Prasanna , Holla Ramesh , Bhagawan Darshan
Published: December 2022

Background: Frontline health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of developing unfavourable mental health outcomes and burnout, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the early warning signs of mental distress is very important to ensure the provision of quality patient care.

Methods: In this facility-based cross-sectional study, HCWs of the teaching hospitals affiliated to Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore were assessed regarding their mental health status using a semi-structured questionnaire. All doctors and nurses who were willing to participate from these teaching hospitals were included in the study. Data was collected over a period of four months (1st March -30th June 2021) till the required sample size was reached and analysed using IBM SPSS and expressed using mean (standard deviation), median (interquartile range), and proportions. Univariate analysis was done to identify the factors associated with mental health outcomes among the HCWs and the corresponding unadjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were reported.

Results: A total of 245 HCWs [52.2% (n=128) doctors and 47.8% (n=117) nurses] were included in our study. The proportion of participants with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and insomnia assessed using PHQ-9, GAD-7, and ISI-7 scales were 49% (n=119), 38% (n=93), and 42% (n=102) respectively. Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were more likely to be experienced by HCWs aged > 27 years, females, and involved in COVID-19 patient care. (p>0.05)

Conclusions:  Our findings that 38% of the examined HCWs had clinically relevant anxiety symptoms and 49% had clinically relevant depression symptoms draws attention to the importance of systematically tracking the mental health of HCWs during this ongoing pandemic. HCWs should monitor their stress reactions and seek appropriate help both on a personal and professional level. Appropriate workplace interventions including psychological support should be provided to HCWs, to ensure provision of uncompromised quality patient care.
Krytyka i obrona wiwisekcji w siedemnastym wieku
Authors: Pasieka Paweł
Published: December 2022

Eksperymenty na zwierzętach mają długą tradycję, sięgającą antyku. W czasach nowożytnych wraz z ożywieniem badań anatomicznych w XVI wieku zaczęto je wykorzystywać do wyjaśniania funkcji organów ciała, określenia różnicy pomiędzy ciałem żywym a martwym i obrony koncepcji krążenia płucnego krwi. Dopiero jednak w kolejnym stuleciu podjęto zakrojone na szeroką skalę badania z zakresu fizjologii, w których wiwisekcje stały się kluczowym elementem. Odkrycia dokonane w latach 20. XVII wieku przez Williama Harveya, układu krwionośnego jako zamkniętego układu cyrkulacyjnego, jak również przez Gaspare Aselliego, naczyń limfatycznych, zostały dokonane dzięki przeprowadzeniu licznych doświadczeń na zwierzętach. Eksperymenty te, jak i ich wyniki stały się przedmiotem polemik i debat, które dotyczyły zarówno kwestii wiarygodności uzyskanych w ten sposób danych, jak i etycznej strony przeprowadzonych badań. Artykuł jest próbą opisu tych sporów.
Empiriokrytyczna wykładnia filozofii:
Authors: Musioł Anna
Published: December 2022

Artykuł jest próbą empiriokrytycznej wykładni filozofii krytycznej Immanuela Kanta w ujęciu zaproponowanym przez Józefę z Krzyżanowskich Kodisową. Polska myślicielka czerpiąc z filozoficznego programu Kanta, próbując określić znaczenie Kanta dla filozofii współczesnej, wskazuje zarówno zalety jak i wady jego doktryny. Szczególną uwagę skupia na Kantowskiej epistemologii, zwłaszcza problemie apercepcji (empirycznej i tanscendentalnej), pojęciu samorzutności, poznawczym znaczeniu doświadczenia i empirycznej psychologii. Sięgając po empiriokrytyczny problemat energetyki i mechaniki, w artykule analizuję Kodisowej wykładnię filozofii jako nauki sprzyjającej rozeznaniu człowieka w otaczającym świecie.
Psicologia e Fenomenologia: uma (aproxim)ação política frente à vulnerabilidade
Authors: Melo Jailton Bezerra
Published: December 2022

Apresentamos, nesse trabalho, uma revisitação a duas teses de doutoramento que produziram considerações importantes para o assuntamento da vulnerabilidade e/ou situação de risco, tendo nas ideias de Martin Heidegger e Hannah Arendt aproximações possíveis com o fazer psicológico. A discussão foi construída a partir de uma atitude fenomenológica na psicologia, partindo do método cartográfico para leitura, compreensão e análise das teses. Após leitura crítica, a vulnerabilidade e a situação de risco revelaram-se como elementos importantes na conjuntura do existir humano, sendo dois fenômenos que coexistem e implicam-se com o mundo vivido. Consideramos, a partir disso, que a psicologia de inspiração fenomenológica pode embasar reflexões no campo das humanidades, com um realce para seu testemunho da ação clínica em psicologia coexistindo com a política. Nesse sentido, apontamos uma leitura crítica e hermenêutica acerca da implicação da psicologia com o viver cotidiano de grupos em situação de risco/vulnerabilidade, projetando discussões sobre o fazer ético e político da psicologia.
Fragmentação, velocidade e dominação: corporeidade e violência na contemporaneidade
Authors: Casanova Marco Antonio Dos Santos
Published: December 2022

O presente texto retoma uma pergunta clássica a partir de um outro horizonte de formulação da pergunta. Partindo de uma perspectiva fenomenológica, hermenêutica e existencial sobre o tema da corporeidade, o que procuramos fazer é antes de tudo acompanhar os dilemas trazidos pela distinção fenomenológica entre corpo vivo (Leib) e corpo físico (Körper), pelo acento hermenêutico no caráter histórico dos modos de organização da corporeidade, assim como pela tentativa da filosofia da existência de pensar o corpo sempre a partir dos modos constelacionais de sua realização pontual. Depois de realizar tal acompanhamento reconstrutivo do problema em suas três dimensões expostas por mim por mim fundamentais, aplicam-se os resultados dessa primeira parte ao problema do corpo na contemporaneidade, à relação entre corpo e fragmentariedade. Dessa aplicação surge o impasse do existir contemporâneo: diante da fragmentação, velocidade e dominação produzidas pelo niilismo, o corpo contemporâneo precisa aprender a ser todo fragmento.
Jocelyn Benoist nos limites da fenomenologia: percepção, doação, realidade
Authors: Andrade André Dias de
Published: December 2022

Na obra de Jocelyn Benoist a fenomenologia ocupa um lugar central, fundador de suas investigações filosóficas e, por fim, de suas proposições teóricas mais atuais. Curioso é que sem deixar de ocupar o lugar central, a fenomenologia aos poucos se modifica nele; de princípio metodológico ela se torna alvo de críticas bastante contundentes. Nesse trabalho reconstruiremos estas críticas que, por um lado, demonstram a fertilidade que a fenomenologia possui em filosofia e, de outro, a resistência que esta oferece para prosseguir as investigações acerca da relação entre percepção e realidade. Pois enquanto Benoist questiona a fenomenologia em seus cânones conceituais, é esta que impõe um desafio bastante árduo para que o filósofo possa, afinal, compreender nossa relação com o mundo.
O texto da fenomenologia
Authors: Römer Inga
Published: December 2022

Tradução de Luiza Helena Hilgert
Modernidade e raízes da vanguarda no ensaio finissecular “O que virá”, de José Enrique Rodó
Authors: Mattos Cristine Fickelscherer
Published: December 2022

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo maior aproximar as literaturas brasileira e hispano-americana, específicamente no que tange ao contexto em que se enraízam as vanguardas nesses dois âmbitos culturais. Para fazê-lo, aborda analíticamente o ensaio “O que virá” (1896), do escritor, pensador, ensaísta e político uruguaio José Enrique Rodó, como representante da estética e do pensamento finisseculares. A análise tem por fundamentação obras como as de Octavio Paz, João Alexandre Garbosa, Marshall Berman para o conceito de Modernidade literária; Mircea Eliade para mito e temporalidade; Fernando Ainsa e Mario Benedetti para o contexto uruguaio e a obra do autor; Geroge Steiner e Paul De Man para o trabalho com textos difíceis; Maria Lígia Coelho Prado, Roberto Schwarz e José Veríssimo para as relações entre Brasil e América Latina, entre outros.
Promoting academic resilience through peer support in a new pre-registration nursing programme
Authors: Edwards Mark , Williams Emma , Akerman Kevin
Published: December 2022

Nursing students can experience increased levels of stress while studying for their registration. It is acknowledged that higher education institutions should incorporate mechanisms to try to reduce these stress levels and build up resilience towards the difficult situations students may encounter during their studies. A bespoke method was created within a new part-time 4-year pre-registration nursing programme to support part-time junior (part 1) nursing students by implementing action learning sets within the programme. These sessions were delivered by part-time senior (part 3) nursing students who had already gone through similar experiences. Both the junior and senior students reported that they had gained benefits from this innovation, increasing their confidence and improving their ability to cope with some of the stressors of the programme. Building the resilience of nursing students within this pilot project was positively evaluated and could be developed further into other nursing programmes. This part-time programme was developed to retain nurses in Wales and was aimed at healthcare support workers with prior experience of providing the fundamentals of nursing care within local health boards.
Assessing progress on governance of advanced practice roles
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: December 2022

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, considers the issue of governance and quality assurance when it comes to advanced clinical practice
Results of an audit of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool
Authors: Tonks Nicola , Rolls Natasha , Bain Kimberly , Russell-Roberts Paul , Bain Mark
Published: December 2022

Background:

Leakage is the number one concern for people with an ostomy. The 2019 Ostomy Life Study, a global study of more than 5000 ostomates, showed that 92% of people living with a stoma worry about leakage. Getting the right stoma appliance for each patient is key to increasing patient quality of life.

Aim:

The study was designed to assess the use of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool in helping choose the most appropriate stoma products for a given patient, decreasing incidents of leakage and peristomal skin complications.

Methods:

A multi-centre (33 sites, 147 patients) low-interventional clinical investigation was conducted in which the use of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool was evaluated as a tool to reduce incidents of leakage, increase peristomal skin health and increase patient quality of life. A focus group of randomised participating clinicians (n=16) was held to explore the audit results.

Results:

The assessment tool most often took between 2 and 5 minutes to complete. It supported clinicians in selecting the right appliance for each patient, avoiding leakages and preventing associated peristomal skin complications. The assessment tool helped improve the accuracy and quality of documentation in the patients' medical/nursing notes, increasing the quality and continuity of care. Participants reported that using the assessment tool helped reduce care costs by reducing the need for product changes, supporting product usage and return patient visits.

Conclusion:

Use of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool helped clinicians choose the most appropriate stoma appliance the first time, resulting in patients having healthier peristomal skin, fewer leakages, more confidence in their stoma appliance and a higher quality of life.
Vision measuring technology for the position degree of a hole group
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Ge Yupeng , Wang Shun , He Jialong , Kou Ying , Bao Haojing , Tan Qingchang , Li Nian
Published: December 2022

The hole is one of the most important geometric elements in mechanical
parts. The center distance of a hole group measurement method based on
machine vision is proposed for solving the influence of perspective
distortion and improving the applicability of vision systems. In the
method, the plane equation of the measured plane is obtained by the
line structured light vision technology, and the process is free from
the constraints of the calibration plate. In order to eliminate the
effect of projection distortion on the measurement accuracy, a local
coordinate system is established on the plane of the measured hole
group, the hole diameter, and the center distance of the hole group,
which could be calculated by the local coordinates of the hole edge
points. In the experiment, the flange is taken as the measured object,
the distances between the holes on the flange are obtained by the
method proposed in this paper, and the measurement results compared
with the data are obtained by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
The experimental results show that the average measurement error of
center distance is 0.0739 mm, and the standard deviation is
0.0489 mm.
The ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ effector protein SAP11CaPm interacts with MdTCP16, a class II CYC/TB1 transcription factor that is highly expressed during phytoplasma infection
Authors: Mittelberger Cecilia , Hause Bettina , Janik Katrin
Published: December 2022

’Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’, is a bacterial pathogen associated with the so-called apple proliferation disease in Malus × domestica. The pathogen manipulates its host with a set of effector proteins, among them SAP11CaPm, which shares similarity to SAP11AYWB from ’Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’. SAP11AYWB interacts and destabilizes the class II CIN transcription factors of Arabidopsis thaliana, namely AtTCP4 and AtTCP13 as well as the class II CYC/TB1 transcription factor AtTCP18, also known as BRANCHED1 being an important factor for shoot branching. It has been shown that SAP11CaPm interacts with the Malus × domestica orthologues of AtTCP4 (MdTCP25) and AtTCP13 (MdTCP24), but an interaction with MdTCP16, the orthologue of AtTCP18, has never been proven. The aim of this study was to investigate this potential interaction and close a knowledge gap regarding the function of SAP11CaPm. A Yeast two-hybrid test and Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation in planta revealed that SAP11CaPm interacts with MdTCP16. MdTCP16 is known to play a role in the control of the seasonal growth of perennial plants and an increase of MdTCP16 gene expression has been detected in apple leaves in autumn. In addition to this, MdTCP16 is highly expressed during phytoplasma infection. Binding of MdTCP16 by SAP11CaPm might lead to the induction of shoot proliferation and early bud break, both of which are characteristic symptoms of apple proliferation disease.
Developing and evaluating a peer-based mental health literacy intervention with adolescent athletes
Authors: Panza Michael , Redman Grace , Vierimaa Matthew , Vella Stewart A. , Bopp Melissa , Evans M. Blair
Published: December 2022

Widespread adolescent involvement in organized sport means that sport contexts are well-suited to ‘actively’ integrate prevention programs that may promote population-level change. This mixed methods study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-based mental health literacy intervention. The intervention (i.e., Team Talk) was presented to eleven adolescent sport teams in the United States, with a total of 174 participants. Athlete participants completed surveys immediately before and after the intervention—including measures of workshop acceptability, social identity, and help-seeking behaviors. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a subset of five athletes, nine parents, and two coaches. With respect to recruitment as an indicator of feasibility, club-level adoption of the intervention was low, with difficulty recruiting clubs for intervention delivery. This signals that feasibility of the intervention–as it is currently designed and implemented by the research team–is low when considering similar competitive adolescent sport clubs and delivered as team-level workshops. Meanwhile, participants reported high acceptability of the intervention, and acceptability levels across participants was predicted by contextual factors related to implementation such as session duration. Regarding limited efficacy testing with measures completed before and after the intervention session: (a) social identity scores increased following the intervention, and (b) significant differences were not identified regarding efficacy to recognize symptoms of mental disorders. Athlete, coach, and parent interview responses also described potential adaptations to mental health programs. This research demonstrates the potential utility of peer-based mental health literacy interventions, while also revealing that further implementation research is necessary to adapt mental health literacy interventions to suit diverse adolescent sport contexts.
Undiagnosed status and associated factors of hypertension among adults living in rural of central, Ethiopia, 2020: Uncovering the hidden magnitude of hypertension
Authors: Gelassa Firaol Regea , Birhanu Adamu , Shibiru Abera , Nagari Shalama Lekasa , Jabena Desalegn Emana
Published: December 2022

Background

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular (CVD) disease related deaths worldwide. It affects more than 20% of adults in Ethiopia, making it a major public health concern. Although it is important to uncover the hidden extent of hypertension, there is limited information on the proportion of undiagnosed hypertension in rural areas of the country.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the magnitude of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among adults living in the rural Dano district, Central Ethiopia 2020.

Methods and materials

A quantitative, community-based cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2020. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 605 study participants. A Validated tool was used to assess the participant’s behavioral characteristics. Blood pressure was measured using digital blood pressure apparatus. The mean of three blood measurements was used to classify hypertension after intra-class correlation was tested. Standardized instruments were used to assess participants’ health-seeking behavior and knowledge of the hypertensive disease. The proportion of undiagnosed hypertension was determined among patients with hypertension. The regression analyses were done to determine factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension. The adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated to measure the strength of the association. The level of statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 21.32% (CI: 19.95%, 25.8%). Living in a household with the low wealth index [(AOR: 3.5,95%CI: (1.6,6.4)], far distance to health facility, [(AOR: 0.155,95%CI: (0.11.0.67)], underweight, [AOR = 2.2.1,95%CI:(2.00,4.22)], use of smokeless tobacco products, [AOR = 3.2,95%Cl:(1.88,4.75)], and participants’ knowledge of hypertension were independently associated with undiagnosed hypertension.

Conclusion

This study shows that undiagnosed hypertension is a major public health problem in the study area. Living in a household with a low wealth index, being far from a health facility, being underweight, using smokeless tobacco products, and having little knowledge about hypertension increase the likelihood of having undiagnosed Hypertension. Hypertension health information, particularly to smokes tobacco users, could improve the perceived susceptibility to hypertensive disease, and reduce the hidden extent of hypertension.
Evaluating the performance of memory type logarithmic estimators using simple random sampling
Authors: Bhushan Shashi , Kumar Anoop , Alrumayh Amani , Khogeer Hazar A. , Onyango Ronald
Published: December 2022

In survey research, various types of estimators have been suggested that consider only the current sample information to compute the unknown population parameters. Therefore, we utilize the past sample information along with the current sample information in the form of hybrid exponentially weighted moving averages to suggest the memory type logarithmic estimators for time-based surveys. The expression of the mean square error of the suggested estimators is determined to the first order of approximation. A relative comparison of the suggested estimators with the existing estimators is performed and efficiency conditions are obtained. Further, a simulation study is accomplished using a hypothetically rendered population and a real data illustration to improve the theoretical results. The results of the simulation study and the real data application exhibit that the consideration of past and current sample information meliorates the efficiency of the suggested estimators.
Factors influencing the timely completion of construction projects in Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeysinghe Nadeesha , Jayathilaka Ruwan
Published: December 2022

Timely completion is a crucial factor for the success of a construction project, especially in the Sri Lankan context. This study aims to identify the most influential factors that affect the timely completion of construction projects in Sri Lanka. Thirty-nine factors were identified through a comprehensive literature review and experts’ opinions. A questionnaire incorporating the 39 project delay factors was distributed among 163 Civil Engineers, and responses were obtained. Random sampling method was adopted to select the sample. The Relative Importance Index (RII) analysed and ranked the project delay factors. The top ranked significant project delay factors were identified as shortage of skilled subcontractors/suppliers, shortage of labourers (Skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled), financial difficulties of contractors, delay in delivering materials to the site, and Covid-19 pandemic situation. According to the main three respondent types, i.e., clients/owners, contractors and consultants, the contractor related factors was the key group among others that delay a construction project. The scientific value of the study includes assisting the Sri Lankan construction industry to identify the factors affecting the timely completion of construction projects, and developing mitigation methods and strategies. Also, the stakeholders could duly schedule the construction work by identifying areas that need more attention. The contribution of this study would assist stakeholders to adopt a proactive approach by identifying mistakes on their part and minimising potential issues that lead to construction project delays in Sri Lanka.
Improving quality control in the routine practice for histopathological interpretation of gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies using artificial intelligence
Authors: Ko Young Sin , Choi Yoo Mi , Kim Mujin , Park Youngjin , Ashraf Murtaza , Quiñones Robles Willmer Rafell , Kim Min-Ju , Jang Jiwook , Yun Seokju , Hwang Yuri , Jang Hani , Yi Mun Yong
Published: December 2022

Background

Colorectal and gastric cancer are major causes of cancer-related deaths. In Korea, gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic biopsy specimens account for a high percentage of histopathologic examinations. Lack of a sufficient pathologist workforce can cause an increase in human errors, threatening patient safety. Therefore, we developed a digital pathology total solution combining artificial intelligence (AI) classifier models and pathology laboratory information system for GI endoscopic biopsy specimens to establish a post-analytic daily fast quality control (QC) system, which was applied in clinical practice for a 3-month trial run by four pathologists.

Methods and findings

Our whole slide image (WSI) classification framework comprised patch-generator, patch-level classifier, and WSI-level classifier. The classifiers were both based on DenseNet (Dense Convolutional Network). In laboratory tests, the WSI classifier achieved accuracy rates of 95.8% and 96.0% in classifying histopathological WSIs of colorectal and gastric endoscopic biopsy specimens, respectively, into three classes (Negative for dysplasia, Dysplasia, and Malignant). Classification by pathologic diagnosis and AI prediction were compared and daily reviews were conducted, focusing on discordant cases for early detection of potential human errors by the pathologists, allowing immediate correction, before the pathology report error is conveyed to the patients. During the 3-month AI-assisted daily QC trial run period, approximately 7–10 times the number of slides compared to that in the conventional monthly QC (33 months) were reviewed by pathologists; nearly 100% of GI endoscopy biopsy slides were double-checked by the AI models. Further, approximately 17–30 times the number of potential human errors were detected within an average of 1.2 days.

Conclusions

The AI-assisted daily QC system that we developed and established demonstrated notable improvements in QC, in quantitative, qualitative, and time utility aspects. Ultimately, we developed an independent AI-assisted post-analytic daily fast QC system that was clinically applicable and influential, which could enhance patient safety.
Further evidence in support of the validity of the post-secondary student stressors index using a nationwide, cross-sectional sample of Canadian university students
Authors: Linden Brooke , Stuart Heather
Published: December 2022

The Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI) was created to facilitate improved evaluation of the sources of post-secondary student stress. This study reports evidence in support of the validity of the tool using a large, nationwide cross-sectional sample of students attending universities across Canada during the 2020–2021 academic year. We provide additional evidence for the construct validation of the PSSI, including internal structure evidence and relations to other variables by estimating multiple-indicator, multiple-cause models and investigating Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients between the PSSI and like constructs. Based on index validation guidelines, results provide further support for the internal structure of the PSSI, demonstrating hypothesized relationships with like constructs and manifest variables, as well as acceptable goodness-of-fit statistics. Similarly, correlation coefficients were statistically significant and in line with directionality hypotheses. The results of this research provide further evidence for the validity of the PSSI among varied university student populations in Canada and addresses several of the limitations identified in earlier preliminary psychometric work on the instrument.
Cystathionine γ-lyase and hydrogen sulfide modulates glucose transporter Glut1 expression via NF-κB and PI3k/Akt in macrophages during inflammation
Authors: Cornwell Alex , Fedotova Samantha , Cowan Sara , Badiei Alireza
Published: December 2022

Macrophages play a crucial role in inflammation, a defense mechanism of the innate immune system. Metabolic function powered by glucose transporter isoform 1 (Glut1) is necessary for macrophage activity during inflammation. The present study investigated the roles of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and its byproduct, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), in macrophage glucose metabolism to explore the mechanism by which H2S acts as an inflammatory regulator in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS) induced macrophages. Our results demonstrated that LPS-treated macrophages increased Glut1 expression. LPS-induced Glut1 expression is regulated via nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and is associated with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase PI3k activation. Small interfering (si) RNA-mediated silencing of CSE decreased the LPS-induced NF-κB activation and Glut1 expression, suggesting a role for H2S in metabolic function in macrophages during pro-inflammatory response. Confoundingly, treatment with GYY4137, an H2S-donor molecule, also displayed inhibitory effects upon LPS-induced NF-κB activation and Glut1 expression. Moreover, GYY4137 treatment increased Akt activation, suggesting a role in promoting resolution of inflammation. Our study provides evidence that the source of H2S, either endogenous (via CSE) or exogenous (via GYY4137), supports or inhibits the LPS-induced NF-κB activity and Glut1 expression, respectively. Therefore, H2S may influence metabolic programming in immune cells to alter glucose substrate availability that impacts the immune response.
Morphology extraction of fetal ECG using temporal CNN-based nonlinear adaptive noise cancelling
Authors: Cao Shi , Xiao Hui , Gong Gao , Fang Weiyang , Chen Chaomin
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Noninvasive fetal electrocardiography (FECG) offers many advantages over alternative fetal monitoring techniques in evaluating fetal health conditions. However, it is difficult to extract a clean FECG signal with morphological features from an abdominal ECG recorded at the maternal abdomen; the signal is usually contaminated by the maternal ECG and various noises. The aim of the work is to extract an FECG signal that preserves the morphological features from the mother’s abdominal ECG recording, which allows for accurately estimating the fetal heart rate (FHR) and analyzing the waveforms of the fetal ECG.

Methods

We propose a novel nonlinear adaptive noise cancelling framework (ANC) based on a temporal convolutional neural network (CNN) to effectively extract fetal ECG signals from mothers’ abdominal ECG recordings. The proposed framework consists of a two-stage network, using the ANC architecture; one network is for the maternal ECG component elimination and the other is for the residual noise component removal of the extracted fetal ECG signal. Then, JADE (one of the blind source separation algorithms) is applied as a postprocessing step to produce a clean fetal ECG signal.

Results

Synthetic ECG data (FECGSYNDB) and clinical ECG data (NIFECGDB, PCDB) are used to evaluate the extraction performance of the proposed framework. The statistical and visual results demonstrate that our method outperforms the other state-of-the-art algorithms in the literature. Specifically, on the FECGSYNDB, the mean squared error (MSE), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), correlation coefficient (R) and F1-score of our method are 0.16, 7.94, 0.95 and 98.89%, respectively. The F1-score on the NIFECGDB reaches 98.62%. The value of the F1-score on the PCDB is 98.62%.

Conclusion

As opposed to the existing algorithms being restricted to fetal QRS complex detection, the proposed framework can preserve the morphological features of the extracted fetal ECG signal well, which could support medical diagnoses based on the morphology of the fetal ECG signal.
Perceived stress and stress responses during COVID-19: The multiple mediating roles of coping style and resilience
Authors: Gao Qi , Xu Huijing , Zhang Cheng , Huang Dandan , Zhang Tao , Liu Taosheng
Published: December 2022

Although many studies have examined the effects of perceived stress on some specific stress responses during the COVID-19, a comprehensive study is still lacking. And the co-mediating role of coping style and resilience as important mediators of stress processes is also unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of perceived stress on emotional, physical, and behavioral stress responses and the mediating roles of coping style and resilience in Chinese population during the recurrent outbreak of COVID-19 from a comprehensive perspective. 1087 participants were recruited to complete the anonymous online survey including the Perceived Stress Scale, the Stress Response Questionnaire, the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and the Emotional Resilience Questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation and Hayes PROCESS macro 3.5 model 6 were used in the mediating effect analysis. Results showed that positive coping style and resilience both buffered the negative effects of perceived stress on emotional, physical, and behavioral responses through direct or indirect pathways, and resilience had the strongest mediating effects. The findings urged relevant authorities and individuals to take measures to promote positive coping style and resilience to combat the ongoing pandemic stress and protect public physical and mental health.
The effect of exercise-induced fatigue and heat exposure on soccer-specific decision-making during high-intensity intermittent exercise
Authors: Donnan Kate J. , Williams Emily L. , Stanger Nicholas
Published: December 2022

Global warming and the globalisation of sport has increased the prevalence of sports competitions being held in hot environments. However, there is currently limited research investigating the impact of the heat on soccer-specific decision-making skills during exercise reflective of the physical demands of match-play. Therefore, the effects of heat exposure on physical and soccer-specific decision-making performance, biological markers (i.e., metanephrines), appraisal (i.e., challenge vs. threat) and affective states, during prolonged high-intensity intermittent exercise were investigated. Nine well-trained male soccer players completed a 92-min cycling intermittent sprint protocol (CISP), whilst simultaneously responding to a series of soccer-specific decision-making trials at various time points, in two temperature conditions: hot (32°C, 50%rh) and temperate (18°C, 50%rh). Results showed that decision-making score (p = .030) was impaired in the hot compared to the temperate condition. There was a reduced workload in the second half during the hot condition (p = .016), which coincided with a heightened threat state (p = .007) and more unpleasant feelings (p = .008) experienced in the hot, compared to temperate, condition. Furthermore, plasma normetanephrine (NMET) was higher at half-time (p = .012) and post-CISP (p ≤ .001). Also, plasma metanephrine (MET) was higher post-CISP (p = .009) in the hot compared to temperate condition, reflecting a heightened stress response. Our findings highlight the need for practitioners to consider the detrimental effects heat exposure can have on both physical and decision-making performance when looking to facilitate performance in hot conditions.
Practices of tablet splitting and dose uniformity of fragments at public hospitals in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study supported by experimental findings
Authors: Emagn Kasahun Asmamaw , Joseph Nisha Mary , Belete Anteneh
Published: December 2022

Objective

To assess the practices and dose uniformity of tablet splitting at selected public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A hybrid study method was employed to see the overall practices of tablet splitting. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the practices of tablet splitting by administering structured questionnaires to patients and pharmacy professionals. Experimental data on dose and content uniformity of split tablets were obtained from the results of drugs split by study subjects. The content uniformity assay was performed using UV/Vis spectrophotometry.

Results

A total of 241 patients and 82 pharmacy professionals participated in the cross-sectional study. The majority of patient participants (51.3%) faced problems while splitting their tablet medications and this had a significant association with the education level of the patients (χ2 = 60.5; p = 0.001). Enteric-coated formulations were dispensed to be split, despite the precaution given by the manufacturers against splitting or crushing these products. Splitting of enteric-coated products accounts for 11% of the total drugs that were dispensed to be taken after a split. The mean of weight variation test for the half tablets does not meet the specifications set in pharmacopoeias when splitting was done by patients. The unscored haloperidol tablets were hard to split and resulted in a significant weight variation of half-tablets than the scored furosemide tablets. Moreover, the weight of 4 out of 20 fragments that were split by patients deviated at least by 15%.

Conclusions

This finding showed that the tablet-splitting practices are poor and do not meet the specifications set by pharmacopoeias. Splitting by patients resulted in significantly higher dose variation and weight loss of fragments than splitting by pharmacists.
Toponimia e imaginario poético en la lírica de Elvira Lacaci
Authors: López Martínez María Isabel
Published: December 2022

Los topónimos en lírica establecen una rivalidad entre la indeterminación espacial característica del género, que tiende a la generalización para conseguir la trascendencia, y los espacios explícitos, que pueden comportar localismo. Los topónimos encuadran los hechos y además cobran protagonismo cuando los espacios condicionan a los individuos y conforman la visión de mundo del poeta. Así sucede en corrientes líricas que destacan la influencia del medio en la persona, como la poesía social española de postguerra. El espacio constituye la base del imaginario poético de María Elvira Lacaci en su libro Al este de la ciudad, que aborda los problemas de miseria en los suburbios madrileños causados por los desplazamientos de la población rural hacia las ciudades. Los espacios también ayudan a construir la esencia de la voz lírica y de la persona y, en algunos casos, guardan las claves interpretativas del poema.
Alba Martín Santaella, Desde la otra orilla. Las mujeres en la Revista de Occidente (1923-1936). Almería, Universidad de Almería, 2021, ISBN: 978-84-13510934
Authors: Cazorla Castellón Antonio
Published: December 2022

Reseña de: Martín Santaella, Alba. Desde la otra orilla. Las mujeres en la Revista de Occidente (1923-1936). Almería: Edual, 2021, 592 páginas, ISBN: 978-84-1351-093-4.
Climate change and sustainability education in India and the place for arts-based practice: reflections from East Kolkata Wetlands
Authors: Jones Verity , Mitra Saptarshi , Gupta Nobina
Published: December 2022

In 2019 India was ranked seventh most affected nation by climate change, yet 65 per cent of the Indian population had not heard of climate change. India’s revised National Education Policy mentions climate change and environmental issues as part of its work towards reaching the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. However, to date, climate education in India has tended to remain the responsibility of the secondary science teacher in many schools where resources are limited. Following calls for a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach – where students can link environmental issues with their lives – we reflect on three arts-based climate education exemplars with students from the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) (n = 150, 10–17-year-olds). We consider how these frame climate change and sustainable education as a collective learning experience, rather than as scientific concepts alone. We respond to Szczepankiewicz et al.’s model for climate education and propose that teacher training in the EKW context can be conceptualised through a three-stage, interconnected approach to pedagogy: building concepts, learning through hands-on activities and building communities is central. We suggest that these three generalisable tenets of student teacher practice should be explored in other areas of ecological fragility, as well as in spaces of economic insecurity.