bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of cicatricial alopecia: A systematic review
Authors: Hajizadeh Nima , Heidari Amirhossein , Sadeghi Sara , Goodarzi Azadeh
Published: February 2024

Background

Cicatricial alopecia (CA) refers to various conditions that result in permanent hair loss. Treatment of CA has always been challenging. Regarding immune-mediated pathophysiology for many CA subtypes, the administration of Janus kinase (JAK) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have potentiated the treatments of CA.

Methods

After a thorough systematic search in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP, a total of 3,532 relevant records were retrieved and screened. Accordingly, 56 studies met the eligibility criteria and entered the review.

Results

Among JAK inhibitors, oral tofacitinib was the most frequently reported and the most effective treatment in improving signs and symptoms of CA with minimal adverse effects (AEs). Baricitinib was another JAK inhibitor with sustained improvement while causing mild AEs. As a TNF inhibitor, adalimumab induced a rapid and stable improvement in signs and symptoms in most patients with rare, tolerable AEs. Thalidomide was the other frequently reported yet controversial TNF inhibitor, which caused a rapid and significant improvement in the condition. However, it may result in mild to severe AEs, particularly neuropathies. Infliximab is a TNF inhibitor with mostly favorable results, albeit in a few patients caused treatable dermatological AEs. Apremilast and certolizumab pegol caused an incomplete amelioration of signs and symptoms with no AEs. Lenalidomide is another TNF inhibitor that can induce temporary improvement in CA with probable AEs. It is noteworthy that utilizing adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, golimumab, and an anonymous TNF inhibitor has induced paradoxical CA and other A.E.s in some patients.

Conclusion

Recent studies have recommended JAK and TNF inhibitors, especially oral tofacitinib and adalimumab, as a new modality or adjuvant therapy to previous medications for primary CA. Nonetheless, monitoring AEs on a regular basis is suggested, and further extensive studies are required before definitive recommendations.
When the antidote is the poison: Investigating the relationship between people’s social media usage and loneliness when face-to-face communication is restricted
Authors: Jütte David , Hennig-Thurau Thorsten , Cziehso Gerrit , Sattler Henrik
Published: February 2024

When governments mandated lockdowns to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the resulting reduction of face-to-face communication threatened many people’s psychological well-being by fostering feelings of loneliness. Given social media’s eponymous social nature, we study the relationship between people’s social media usage and their loneliness during these times of physical social restrictions. We contrast literature highlighting the social value of social media with a competing logic based on the “internet paradox,” according to which increased social media usage may paradoxically be associated with increasing, not decreasing, levels of loneliness. As the extant literature provides opposing correlational insights into the general relationship of social media usage and loneliness, we offer competing hypotheses and offer novel longitudinal insights into the phenomenon of interest. In the empirical context of Germany’s initial lockdown, our research uses survey panel data from February 2020 (before the lockdown) and April 2020 (during the lockdown) to contribute longitudinal evidence to the matter. We find that more usage of social media in the studied lockdown setting is indeed associated with more, not less loneliness. Thus, our results suggest a “social media paradox” when physical social restrictions are mandated and caution social media users and policy makers to not consider social media as a valuable alternative for social interaction. A post-hoc analysis suggests that more communication via richer digital media which are available during physical lockdowns (e.g., video chats) softens the “social media paradox”. Conclusively, this research provides deeper insights into the social value of social interactions via digital media during lockdowns and contributes novel insights into the relationship between social media and loneliness during such times when physical social interaction is heavily restricted.
Enhancing malaria detection in resource-limited areas: A high-performance colorimetric LAMP assay for Plasmodium falciparum screening
Authors: Nguyen Tuyet Kha , Jun Hojong , Louis Johnsy Mary , Mazigo Ernest , Lee Wang-Jong , Youm Hyun Cher , Shin Jieun , Lungu Douglas K. , Kanyemba Creto , Ahmed Md Atique , Muh Fauzi , Lee Se Jin , Na Sunghun , Chun Wanjoo , Park Won Sun , No Joo Hwan , Kim Min-Jae , Han Eun-Taek , Han Jin-Hee
Published: February 2024

Malaria eradication efforts in resource-limited areas require a rapid, economical, and accurate tool for detecting of the low parasitemia. The malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) is the most suitable for on-site detection of the deadliest form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum. However, the deletions of histidine rich protein 2 and 3 genes are known to compromise the effectiveness of mRDT. One of the approaches that have been explored intensively for on-site diagnostics is the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). LAMP is a one-step amplification that allows the detection of Plasmodium species in less than an hour. Thus, this study aims to present a new primer set to enhance the performance of a colorimetric LAMP (cLAMP) for field application. The primer binding regions were selected within the A-type of P. falciparum 18S rRNA genes, which presents a dual gene locus in the genome. The test result of the newly designed primer indicates that the optimal reaction condition for cLAMP was 30 minutes incubation at 65°C, a shorter incubation time compared to previous LAMP detection methods that typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. The limit of detection (LoD) for the cLAMP using our designed primers and laboratory-grown P. falciparum (3D7) was estimated to be 0.21 parasites/μL which was 1,000-fold higher than referencing primers. Under optimal reaction condition, the new primer sets showed the sensitivity (100%, 95% CI: 80.49–100%) and specificity (100%, 95% CI: 94.64–100%) with 100% (95% CI: 95.70–100%) accuracy on the detection of dried blood spots from Malawi (n = 84). Briefly, the newly designed primer set for P. falciparum detection exhibited high sensitivity and specificity compared to referenced primers. One great advantage of this tool is its ability to be detected by the naked eye, enhancing field approaches. Thus, this tool has the potential to be effective for accurate early parasite detection in resource-limited endemic areas.
COVID-19 in patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms at a primary healthcare facility in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Asamoah Issabella , Adusei-Poku Mildred , Vandyck-Sey Priscilla , Steele-Dadzie Allen , Kuffour Atta Senior , Turkson Albert , Asante Ivy Asantewaa , Addo-Osafo Kantanka , Mohktar Quaneeta , Adu Bright , Afrane Yaw A. , Sagoe Kwamena W. C.
Published: February 2024

Background

Malaria is a common and severe public health problem in Ghana and largely responsible for febrile symptoms presented at health facilities in the country. Other infectious diseases, including COVID-19, may mimic malaria due to their shared non-specific symptoms such as fever and headache thus leading to misdiagnosis. This study therefore investigated COVID-19 among patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms at Korle-Bu Polyclinic, Accra, Ghana.

Methods

This study enrolled 300 patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms aged ≥18yrs. After consent was obtained from study patients, two to three millilitres of whole blood, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples, were collected for screening of Plasmodium falciparum using malaria rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and nested PCR, and SARS-CoV-2 using SARS-CoV-2 antigen test and Real-time PCR, respectively. The plasma and whole blood were also used for COVID-19 antibody testing and full blood counts using hematological analyser. SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing was performed using MinIon sequencing.

Results

The prevalence of malaria by microscopy, RDT and nested PCR were 2.3%, 2.3% and 2.7% respectively. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 by COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test and Real-time PCR were 8.7% and 20% respectively. The Delta variant was reported in 23 of 25 SARS-CoV-2 positives with CT values below 30. Headache was the most common symptom presented by study participants (95%). Comorbidities reported were hypertension, asthma and diabetes. One hundred and thirteen (37.8%) of the study participants had prior exposure to SARS CoV-2 and (34/51) 66.7% of Astrazeneca vaccinated patients had no IgG antibody.

Conclusion

It may be difficult to use clinical characteristics to distinguish between patients with COVID-19 having malaria-like symptoms. Detection of IgM using RDTs may be useful in predicting CT values for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR and therefore transmission.
High dose rate 192Ir brachytherapy source model Monte Carlo dosimetry: mHDR-v2 and mHDR-v2r
Authors: Tsuji Shuhei , Narihiro Naomasa , Oita Masataka , Namito Yoshihito , Hirayama Hideo
Published: February 2024

After 2010, the source model of the microSelectron HDR Afterloader System was slightly modified from the previous model. Granero et al. named the modified source model “mHDR-v2r (revised model mHDR-v2)” and the previous model “mHDR-v2”. They concluded that the dosimetric differences arising from the dimensional changes between the mHDR-v2 and mHDR-v2r designs were negligible at almost all locations (within 0.5% for r ≥ 0.25 cm), the two-dimensional anisotropy function difference between the two sources is found 2.1% at r = 1.0 cm when compared with the results of the other experimental group. To confirm this difference, we performed a full Monte Carlo simulation without energy-fluence approximation. This is useful near the radiation source where charged-particle equilibrium does not hold. The two-dimensional anisotropy function of the TG-43U1 dataset showed a few percent difference between the mHDR-v2r and mHDR-v2 sources. There was no agreement in the immediate vicinity of the source (0.10 cm and 0.25 cm), when compared to Granero et al. in mHDR-v2r sources. The differences in these two-dimensional anisotropy functions were identified.
Characterization of a multiple-identity Vampire. Matthew Clairmont in A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Authors: Alcantud-Diaz María
Published: February 2024

The combination of historical and fantastic literatura featured with romance, conflict and supernatural characters seem to be the ingredients of the new bestseller sagas focused on creatures such as vampires. An example is the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. This autor uses different characteristics to report a current shift in traditional style, traits, and behaviour that the vampire figure seems to have experienced. This study has been set out with the objective of examining the character of the vampire Clairmont aimed at exploring the complexity of his multiple identities and demonstrating a shift in his role and traits regarding the traditional vampire. This has been done through a corpus study utilizing a thematic qualitative textual analysis. The study has revealed seven distinct themes related to new vampire characters and their potential to create a hook effect in the aforementioned readers.
An Exploratory Study on the Derivation of Ironical Implicatures by English Foreign Language Learners: Could Culture Play a Role?
Authors: Ortiz Fernández Paola , Barberán Recalde María Tania
Published: February 2024

Literature on cross-cultural communication has demonstrated that communication breakdowns are more likely to occur among speakers from different cultural backgrounds (Keenan 1976; Devine 1983). This kind of assumptions constituted the departing point of further studies, such as that of Bouton (1988), where he tested the communicative habits of non-native speakers of English and contrasted them with those of English native speakers. The results of these studies have proved that the derivation of implicatures by English non-native speakers differs if compared with that of English native speakers and that ironical implicatures are among the most difficult ones to grasp for English non-native speakers. What is more, culture has been regarded as a possible variable influencing the derivation of implicit meanings (Bouton 1988; Liddicoat 2009). In view of this literature and applying the approach on High Context and Low Context cultures (in accordance with Hall 1976; Würtz 2005; Min 2016; Hornikx and le Pair 2017), this exploratory study aims at analysing if culture plays a role in the derivation of ironical implicatures by English foreign language learners. For current purposes, the present study aims to analyse, first, whether a group of English foreign language learners derives pragmatically felicitous ironical implicatures or not; and, secondly, if culture as a bidirectional factor has an impact on participants’ interpretations. In order to do so, an exploratory sample of twelve English foreign language learners (all of them belonging to a High Context culture) filled a questionnaire, which was used to gather data. The questionnaire contained fifteen questions: ten multiple-choice questions and five open questions, each of them giving rise to an ironical implicature. The results suggest that participants show a high tendency to derive pragmatically felicitous ironical implicatures and that culture as a bidirectional variable has an impact on their interpretations. This leads to the conclusion that culture as a bidirectional variable seems to play a role in the derivation of ironical implicatures by the English foreign language learners in our sample.
Complicaciones en cirugía tiroidea y paratiroidea. Serie retrospectiva
Authors: Torres-Morientes Luis Miguel , Tamayo-Gómez Eduardo , Peciña-Melgosa Paula , Muñoz-Moreno María Fe , Fernández-Rodríguez Ana , Santos-Pérez Jaime
Published: February 2024

Introducción y objetivo:
La tiroidectomía es uno de los procedimientos quirúrgicos más frecuentes realizados a nivel mundial. La incidencia de complicaciones es relativamente frecuente y en algunas ocasiones pueden ser extremadamente graves, aunque actualmente la tasa de mortalidad se acerca al 0%.

Método:
Se realiza una revisión de 400 tiroidectomías realizadas por un mismo cirujano incluyendo tiroidectomías totales, hemitiroidectomías y paratiroidectomías desde septiembre de 2011 hasta febrero 2020. Se tomó como variable principal las complicaciones quirúrgicas más relevantes (parálisis laríngeas, hematomas sofocantes e hipoparatiroidismos transitorios y permanentes) y otras variables como duración de la cirugía, drenajes, estancia en REA, etc.

Resultados:
Del total de 400 pacientes intervenidos de tiroidectomía el 95% (380) no tuvieron alguna complicación quirúrgica importante (hemorragia asfixiante, parálisis cordal e hipoparatiroidismo permanentes) y un 89% no tuvieron ninguna complicación. Hubo 5 casos (0,8%) de parálisis cordales unilaterales permanentes y 15 casos de hipoparatiroidismos permanentes (3,75% de todos los operados y 6,7% de las tiroidectomías totales).

Discusión:
Las complicaciones más frecuentes e importantes son el hipoparatirodismo postquirúrgico, la lesión del nervio laríngeo recurrente (NLR) y el hematoma asfixiante.

Conclusiones:
La tiroidectomía es un procedimiento habitual y seguro con una disminución importante de la morbimortalidad en las últimas décadas. No obstante, las complicaciones pueden contribuir a un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. Por lo tanto, es responsabilidad del cirujano ser consciente de los problemas intra y postoperatorios, y poner medidas en la prevención y tratamiento.
Generációs olvasmányok? Irodalmi pedofília?
Authors: Urbanik Tímea
Published: February 2024

A Kapocs Kutatócsoport 2022-es szegedi olvasáskutatásának felső tagozatosai mind digitális bennszülöttek, a Z generáció utolsó éveiben születtek. Válaszaik összevetése a 11 évvel korábbi szegedi olvasáskutatás adataival (Bozsó et al. 2011), s a 2017-es és 2019-es országos reprezentatív olvasáskutatás adataival (Tóth 2020) generációs sajátosságok és trendszerű változások megfigyelését segíti.

Mit mutat a kedvenc olvasmányok listája, milyen kapcsolatban áll a kötelező olvasmányokkal, s az életkori sajátosságokkal?  Milyen műfajok, szerzők, sorozatok, brandek irányába fogékony a felsős korosztály. Vannak-e jelenleg generációs olvasmányok? S mindennek vannak-e szegedi, lokális vonatkozásai? Ezekre a kérdésekre keresi a válaszokat a tanulmány a szegedi 2022-es kutatás 421 felső tagozatos adatközlőjének válaszait összevetve a 2011-es szegedi kutatás 343 adatközlőjével és a 2017-es és 2019-es országos reprezentatív kutatás adataival.
Különböző generációk a munkahelyeken
Authors: Juhász Tímea , Czeglédi Csilla , Varga Erika
Published: February 2024

Cikkükben a szerzők a generációk fogalmát és jellemzőit, valamint a munkahelyi attitűdjeiket tárgyalják. A 2022-23-as primer kutatással választ keresnek arra a kérdésre, hogy az egyes generációk a munkaerőpiacon kivel dolgoznak együtt és kivel osztják meg a tudásukat szívesen. A megkérdezés az interneten keresztül történt, kvantitatív kutatás keretében. A szerzők saját kérdőívet használtak, amelynek megbízhatóságát a Spearman-Brown teszttel vizsgálták. Az eredmények azt mutatják, hogy a generációk közötti együttműködés pozitívan van jelen a cégeknél, igaz, hogy az egyes generációk szívesebben dolgoznak együtt bizonyos korosztályokkal, míg más generációkkal kevésbé.
Folyamatautomatizációs trendek Magyarországon – mire kell felkészülnie egy cégvezetőnek?
Authors: NAGY ZSOMBOR , SZABÓ KÁROLY , KOVÁTS DÁNIEL
Published: February 2024

Az utóbbi éveket úgy írhatjuk le talán a legjobban, mint egy technológiailag turbulens időszak kezdete. A vállalkozások mindennapi életébe olyan fejlesztések jelentek meg, mint a mesterséges intelligencia, az RPA vagy a különféle drónos technológiák. Az Ipar 4.0 egyértelműen átformálja a korábbi évtizedek vállalati működését, a következményekről pedig jelenleg csak sejtéseink lehetnek. A fent említett eszközök közül az egy legdinamikusabban terjedő megoldás az RPA, azaz a szoftverrobotok használata. Ennek megfelelően jelen kutatás ennek a technológiának a hatásait fogja mélyebben feltérképzeni. A tanulmány elsőként a szakirodalom-kutatás segítségével mutatja be a hazai és nemzetközi trendeket, valamint a korábbi kutatások eredményeit. Ezt követően kvalitatív eszközök segítségével vizsgáljuk meg a hazai RPA használat jelenlegi állapotát, illetve a jövőben várható hatásokat. Ezen belül főleg arra vagyunk kíváncsiak, hogy milyen előnyei és hátrányai vannak az RPA használatnak, valamint milyen hatással lehet a foglalkoztatottság alakulására a technológia alkalmazása. Valós veszély lehet-e, hogy bizonyos munkafolyamatok vagy teljes munkakörök alkalmazásával a vállalkozás olyan mértékű élő munkaerőt vált ki, amely tényleges leépítéshez vezethet? A fent megfogalmazott kérdéseket hazai környezetben vizsgáljuk, de a téma kiemelt aktualitása miatt a jövőben további kutatásokat szeretnénk lefolytatni nemzetközi szinten is.
Increased Intestinal Permeability and Decreased Resiliency of the Intestinal Barrier in Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Swanson Garth R. , Garg Kanika , Shaikh Maliha , Keshavarzian Ali
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

Only 20- 30% of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) develop Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). While the development of gut-derived endotoxemia is understood to be a required co-factor, increased intestinal permeability in ALD is not completely understood.

Methods:

We recruited 178 subjects – 58 healthy controls (HC), 32 with ALD, 53 with AUD but no liver disease (ALC), and 35 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Intestinal permeability was assessed by a sugar cocktail as a percentage of oral dose. The permeability test was repeated after an aspirin challenge in a subset.

Results:

5 hour urinary Lactulose/Mannitol (L/M) Ratio (primarily representing small intestinal permeability) was not statistically different in HC, ALC, ALD, and NAFLD (p=0.40). 24 hour urinary Sucralose (representing whole gut permeability) was increased in ALD (F= 5.3, p < 0.01) and distinguished ALD from ALC; 24 hour sucralose/lactulose (S/L) ratio (primarily representing colon permeability) separated the ALD group (F= 10.2, p<0.01) from NAFLD. After aspirin challenge, intestinal permeability increased in all groups and ALD had the largest increase.

Conclusions:

In a cohort of patients, we confirmed that (1) ALD has increased intestinal permeability compared to HC, ALC, or NAFLD. In addition, since small bowel permeability (L/M ratio) is normal, the disruption of intestinal barrier appears to be primarily in the large intestine.; (2) Decreased resiliency of intestinal barrier to injurious agents (like NSAID) might be the mechanism for gut leak in subset of AUD who develop ALD.
Geografia satirica dell’altro mondo: topoi, paradossi e obiettivi per un viaggio all’Ade
Authors: Camerotto Alberto
Published: February 2024

L’Aldilà è un luogo speciale, difficile da raggiungere da vivi. Ed è un luogo senza ritorno. È il viaggio della catabasi degli eroi: Eracle, Teseo, Odisseo. In Luciano di Samosata diventa, sulle tracce del mito e dell’epica omerica, un paradigma narrativo e una via della satira. Il nuovo eroe è in particolare Menippo nella Negromanzia. Il regno dei morti, con la sua speciale geografia, è il luogo dell’alterità, ossia il luogo ideale della satira per guardare alla realtà della vita umana in un modo differente.
Tópicos novelescos y tradición literaria en Herpílide (PDubl. C3)
Authors: Fernández Garrido Regla
Published: February 2024

En esta aportación se propone una interpretación del fragmento novelesco Herpílide (PDubl. C3), señalando los motivos que comparte con las novelas griegas, tanto las conservadas completas como los fragmentos. Se ofrece una traducción del mismo y se realiza un estudio formal del texto, prestando especial atención a su vocabulario, su sintaxis, y las figuras retóricas que utiliza. Se realiza un minucioso análisis de las líneas dedicadas a la écfrasis de la tormenta, desarrollada de acuerdo con las pautas del ejercicio progimnasmático. Se destaca el carácter retórico del texto y el peso de la tradición literaria en él.
Modelling of derivational networks of emotive verbs in Romanian
Authors: Czarnecki Szymon
Published: February 2024

The present paper aims to model derivational networks (nests) of emotive verbs in Romanian, on the basis of the semantic-structural types of derivatives. First, we define the most important notions of the nest derivatology, we introduce the notion of derivational nest modelling and of semantic-structural types of derivatives, and describe the principles of the analysis. After that, the derivational nests of selected verbs and their formal-semantic analysis are presented, with semantic and formal aspects in the commentary after each nest. At the end, the matrix of models resulting from the juxtaposition of all nest models and the conclusions from the research are presented.
Vanishing and blow-up solutions to a class of nonlinear complex differential equations near the singular point
Authors: Diblík Josef , Růžičková Miroslava
Published: February 2024

A singular nonlinear differential equation

z

σ

d
w

d
z

=
a
w
+
z
w
f

(

z
,
w

)

,

{z}^{\sigma }\frac{{\rm{d}}w}{{\rm{d}}z}=aw+zwf\left(z,w),

where

σ
>
1

\sigma \gt 1

, is considered in a neighbourhood of the point

z
=
0

z=0

located either in the complex plane

C

{\mathbb{C}}

if

σ

\sigma

is a natural number, in a Riemann surface of a rational function if

σ

\sigma

is a rational number, or in the Riemann surface of logarithmic function if

σ

\sigma

is an irrational number. It is assumed that

w
=
w

(

z

)

w=w\left(z)

,

a
∈
C
⧹

{

0

}

a\in {\mathbb{C}}\setminus \left\{0\right\}

, and that the function

f

f

is analytic in a neighbourhood of the origin in

C
×
C

{\mathbb{C}}\times {\mathbb{C}}

. Considering

σ

\sigma

to be an integer, a rational, or an irrational number, for each of the above-mentioned cases, the existence is proved of analytic solutions

w
=
w

(

z

)

w=w\left(z)

in a domain that is part of a neighbourhood of the point

z
=
0

z=0

in

C

{\mathbb{C}}

or in the Riemann surface of either a rational or a logarithmic function. Within this domain, the property

lim

z
→
0

w

(

z

)

=
0

{\mathrm{lim}}_{z\to 0}w\left(z)=0

is proved and an asymptotic behaviour of

w

(

z

)

w\left(z)

is established. Several examples and figures illustrate the results derived. The blow-up phenomenon is discussed as well.
Learning about Confucian ecological ethics to promote education for sustainable development in Chinese secondary chemistry education
Authors: Li Baoyu , Eilks Ingo
Published: February 2024

Incorporating cultural aspects into science education has recently been stressed in many non-Western societies. However, Chinese traditional cultures are rarely discussed in Chinese science classrooms. Hence, a teaching intervention integrating Confucian ecological ethics and education for sustainable development in secondary chemistry classrooms was designed, implemented online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and analyzed. It focuses on discussing aspects of Confucian ecological ethics in the context of a lesson plan on the socio-scientific issue of plastic use. Sixty-five 10th-grade students from an urban key public high school in Beijing voluntarily attended this research. Based on the analysis of their feedback it is suggested that Confucian ecological ethics can improve students’ environmental awareness. Most students acknowledged that Confucian ecological ethics could promote Chinese sustainability-oriented chemistry education with a value-oriented approach.
The acceptability of Songs of Love for youth living with chronic pain
Authors: Donovan Elizabeth , Green Vanya , Feldman Greg , Tachdjian Raffi , Curry Caitlin , Rice Charlotte , Zeltzer Lonnie K.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Music is helpful to young people in healthcare contexts, but less is known about the acceptability of music-based interventions for youth living at home with chronic pain who may be struggling to attend school and participate in social activities. The Songs of Love (SOL) foundation is a national nonprofit organization that creates free, personalized, original songs for youth facing health challenges. The aims of this study were (1) to assess acceptability of SOL from the perspective of youth with chronic pain receiving a song and singer-songwriters who created the songs, and (2) to explore the role of music more generally in the lives of young people living with pain.

Methods

Twenty-three people participated. Fifteen youth (mean age 16.8) were interviewed and received a song, and six singer-songwriters were interviewed about creating the songs. (Two additional people participated in pilot interviews.) Acceptability was assessed by (1) proportion of youth who participated in a second interview about their song and (2) results of reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) to determine acceptability. Themes addressing the role of music in the lives of youth with pain were also explored using RTA.

Results

The program was acceptable as 12 of 15 youth (80 %) participated in second interviews and themes met the definition of acceptability. Three themes addressing the role of music in the lives of youth living with pain were identified.

Conclusions

This is the first report of the acceptability and experience of SOL and contributes to research on the benefits of music for pain management.
Predictive factors for lung metastasis in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer: a clinical prediction study
Authors: Kuang Hou-fang , Lu Wen-liang
Published: February 2024

Objectives

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a nomogram for predicting lung metastasis in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer.

Methods

The SEER database was utilized to collect a dataset consisting of 1,590 patients who were diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2019. This dataset was subsequently utilized for the purpose of constructing a predictive model. The model was constructed utilizing a multivariate logistic regression analysis, incorporating a combination of least absolute shrinkage feature selection and selection operator regression models. The differentiation and calibration of the model were assessed using the C-index, calibration plot, and ROC curve analysis, respectively. Internal validation was performed using a bootstrap validation technique.

Results

The results of the study revealed that the nomogram incorporated several predictive variables, namely age, T staging, and positive nodes. The C-index had an excellent calibration value of 0.911 (95 % confidence interval: 0.876–0.946), and a notable C-index value of 0.884 was achieved during interval validation. The area under the ROC curve was determined to be 0.890, indicating its practicality and usefulness in this context.

Conclusions

This study has successfully developed a novel nomogram for predicting lung metastasis in children and adolescent patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Clinical decision-making can be enhanced by assessing clinicopathological variables that have a significant predictive value for the probability of lung metastasis in this particular population.
Samoprocijenjena spremnost odgojitelja za pedagoško vođenje
Authors: Varjačić Nikolina , Varga Rahaela
Published: February 2024

Pedagoško se vođenje sve više promiče kao participativni oblik vođenja koji predstavlja odmak od tradicionalnog razumijevanja da je samo jedan vođa u ustanovi. U slučaju predškolske ustanove, uz vođenje na razini čitave ustanove, i odgojitelji bi trebali prakticirati pedagoško vođenje na razini pojedine skupine djece. Za to su im potrebne određene kompetencije kako bi bili spremni za primjenu različitih aspekata pedagoškog vođenja u svakodnevnoj praksi. Stoga se spremnost promatra kao posjedovanje potrebnih znanja i vještina za djelotvorno rješavanje različitih profesionalnih izazova u sklopu pedagoškog vođenja, ali i odgovoran pristup, tj. svjesnost o važnosti kompetencija pedagoškog vođenja.Provedeno je istraživanje s ciljem detektiranja kakvoće spremnosti odgojitelja za rad u odgojno-obrazovnim skupinama primjenom pedagoškog vođenja mjerena samoprocjenom razvijenosti kompetencija vođenja te procjenom važnosti pojedinih kompetencija za pedagoško vođenje. Provjerena je i značajnost grupnih razlika u navedenoj (samo)procjeni. Rezultati pokazuju da se odgojitelji procjenjuju najspremnijima uvažavanju različitosti i multikulturalnosti te izgradnji povjerenja i suradničkog odnosa s djecom, dok se najmanje spremnima procjenjuju za primjenu novih tehnologija u radu, ulaganje truda u profesionalni razvoj te uključivanje roditelja u rad ustanove. Utvrđene su određene statistički značajne razlike u procjeni važnosti pojedinih aspekata pedagoškog vođenja i samoprocjeni njihove razvijenosti u odnosu na stručnost odgojitelja, radno iskustvo i uvjete rada.
Structural and morphological properties of CdSe1-xSx thin films obtained by the method of high-frequency magnetron sputtering
Authors: Kashuba A.I. , Semkiv I.V. , Andriyevsky B. , Ilchuk H.A. , Pokladok N.T.
Published: February 2024

CdSe1-xSx (x= 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6) thin films were deposited on quartz and silicon substrates by the method of high-frequency magnetron sputtering. The chemical composition analysis and crystal structure refinement was examined with using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data. CdSe1-xSx thin films crystallizes in hexagonal structure (structure type – ZnO, space group P63mc (No. 186)). The lattice parameters (a, c and V), crystallite size (D), strain (ε), dislocation density (δ) and the texture coefficient TC(hkl) was estimated from X-ray diffraction analysis. Units-cell parameters decrease with increasing S content in CdSe1-xSx thin film.
Dependence of Sheet Properties on Formation and Forming Variables – Prepared Contribution
Authors:   Centre Technique de l'Industrie des Papiers, Cartons et Celluloses, Gières, France, Jacquelin G.
Published: February 2024

As with all papermaking characteristics, the interpretation of observations on the behaviour of wood fibre networks is made more difficult by the heterogeneous nature of the fibres in a given pulp. The fractionation of fibres by length indeed makes analysis of the phenomena easier, but the flexibilities of fibres of equal lengths in the same pulp are very varied and it is well known that this factor has a great deal to do with wet web formation and its strengthening during drying. We were able to compare, for example, the development during slow drying of the strength of wet webs made of fibres from the same unbeaten pulp, fibres of the same length, but of different flexibility and wall thickness. The method for sorting pulp fibres by flexibility is a simple one that uses the differences in behaviour of these fibres in the networks while in motion. We shall say a few words about this method later, as we think it can make useful contributions in the field of papermaking fibrous networks.
Physical Processes Occurring during the Drying Phase
Authors:   British Paper and Board Industry Research Association, Kenley, Surrey, Page D. H. , Tydeman P. A. ,   British Paper and Board Industry Research Association, Kenley, Surrey
Published: February 2024

A description is given of experiments designed to substantiate some facets of the authors’ comprehensive theory of paper shrinkage and structure that was presented at the Oxford symposium. In particular, considerable evidence is presented in support of the basic concept in the theory-that is, the hypothesis of `adhesion before shrinkage’ of the constituent fibres. Examples are shown of a phenomenon that is the direct result of the latter process, termed necking of the fibres. Other factors important in the drying and shrinkage process are discussed.
Load/Elongation Properties of Fibres
Authors:   Research and Development Department, St Regis Paper Co., West Nyack, New York, Kallmes O. J. , Perez M. ,   Research and Development Department, St Regis Paper Co., West Nyack, New York
Published: February 2024

The goal of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the changes in the mechanical properties of spring wood fibres during the consolidation of the web. It was found that the elastic modulus of freely dried fibres E is essentially tripled by any axial load applied during drying. Their tensile strength t is increased and their stretch of is decreased in proportion to the loads applied during drying up a twofold change. The elastic modulus measured at 90°to the fibre axis E1, was found to be about 0.1E. These fibre properties are of paramount importance to the stress/strain properties of paper, which are described quantitatively in terms of the fibre properties and sheet structure in our second contribution to this symposium.
New records of Maned Wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: consequences for conservation
Authors: Nascimento Martins Juliana , Alves Marchett Cassiano , Benson Santos Barboza Eduardo , Lamperti de Oliveira Samantha , Polese Raminelli Bruno , Cambará Printes Rodrigo
Published: February 2024

We document records of Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), Maned Wolf, from on a private farm in the municipality of Cambará do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The farm borders Parque Nacional da Serra Geral, near Fortaleza Canyon. Twelve new records of Maned Wolf were captured with camera traps between 16 March 2023 and 10 November 2023, in ﬁve locations. These records are of signiﬁcance due to the rarity of this species in Rio Grande do Sul.
Strategies to overcome electron-beam issues in liquid phase TEM: Study of chemical processes
Authors: Zheng Wenjing , Lee Daewon , Zheng Haimei
Published: February 2024

Liquid phase (or liquid cell) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has become a powerful platform for in situ investigation of various chemical processes at the nanometer or atomic level. The electron beam for imaging can also induce perturbation to the chemical processes. Thus, it has been a concern that the observed phenomena in a liquid cell could deviate from the real-world processes. Strategies have been developed to overcome the electron-beam-induced issues. This article provides an overview of the electron-beam effects, and discusses various strategies in liquid cell TEM study of nucleation, growth, and self-assembly of nanoscale materials, where an electron beam is often used to initiate the reactions, and highly electron-beam-sensitive electrochemical reactions.

Graphical abstract
Determination of hydrolyzing and ethanolic potential of cellulolytic bacteria isolated from fruit waste
Authors: Shehzadi Areeba , Chaudhary Asma , Aihetasham Ayesha , Hussain Nageen , Naz Sumaira , Aziz Tariq , Alasmari Abdullah F.
Published: February 2024

Fruit wastes containing cellulose can be made valuable by cellulolytic bacteria in biofuel production. This study aimed to assess the potential of isolated cellulolytic bacteria to produce bioethanol and its fermentation efficiency. Seven out of 16 bacterial isolates were selected on the basis of their cellulose-degrading potential by providing cellulose as the only carbon source. Their potential to degrade cellulose was determined by different biochemical tests. All strains produced bubbles as indicators of carbon dioxide production in Durham tubes. The maximum hallow on Congo red staining was shown by CA2, CG2, as 54, 40 mm with cellulolytic index 16.3 and 19. Cellulose degradation was evaluated as light pink to maroon color in triphenyl tetrazolium in all strains except CA4 and CB1. Cellulose (2%) added medium was provided to the isolated strains for the period of 10 days to allow fermentation. CG2 and CA2 yielded maximum ethanol as 0.42±0.005 and 0.43±0.011 (g of ethanol/ g of reducing sugar consumed), respectively. Their percent fermentation efficiency was observed as 79.71±0.059% and 75.58±0.011% correspondingly. All strains showed cellulose activity, and the maximum was seen in CA2 and CG2 as 0.265±0.05, 0.27±0.011 μmol/min/L. Molecular characterization suggested that the CA2 and CG2 strains were Bacillus manliponesis CA2 and Bacillus sp. CG2 (Accession Nos. ON324120 and OM974175). This study elaborates on the capability of bacteria to produce bioethanol by degrading cellulose.
Modeling a Double-Hump Gas Rotation Curves in the Axisymmetric Gravitational Field of Galaxies
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Pejch Maxim , Morozov Alexander ,   Volgograd State University, Khoperskov Alexander ,   Volgograd State University
Published: February 2024

We present the results of constructing models of galactic disks with gas rotation curves that have zones of sharp changes in circular velocity. Such models allow the development of shear hydrodynamic instabilities, in particular centrifugal instability and acoustic resonance-type instability. A sample of galaxies with rotation curves containing regions of sharp negative gradients has been formed. Models of these objects are intended for carrying out computational experiments aimed at studying the generation of spiral patterns due to the development of hydrodynamic instability. We have identified objects whose rotation curves in the central region cannot be modeled by the spheroidal bulge subsystem, which indicates the presence of special components in composite models of the stellar disk.
Desequilíbrio no balanço de pagamentos
Authors: KILSZTAJN SAMUEL
Published: February 2024

RESUMO Esta é uma breve nota sobre as estatísticas do balanço de pagamentos e possíveis causas para o déficit em conta corrente.
The incidence of impairment of non-current assets in the face of the covid-19 crisis
Authors: Bravo Alan Simon , Santana Verônica de Fátima , Sarquis Raquel Wille
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT This papers aims to investigate whether the incidence of impairment of non-current assets increased with the advent of the covid-19 crisis. The Brazilian accounting literature on the impact of covid-19 on businesses still lacks empirical evidence, especially on the impact of the crisis on long-term accounting variables, for which the effect of covid-19 is more difficult to determine. The topic is relevant because it provides investors, regulators, preparers, and auditors with insights into the impact that a future crisis similar to covid-19 could have on businesses. The work is also relevant to academia, as it is one of the first to analyze the effect of the pandemic on long-term assets. The findings allow us to reflect on how companies and sectors are more or less exposed to the risk of impairment in crises, providing inputs for investment decision making in these scenarios. We studied 383 Brazilian publicly traded companies registered with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) between 2016 and 2020. To test the hypothesis of this research, we manually collected the recognitions and reversals of impairment losses in 1,805 financial statements and, then, estimated a set of linear regression models with using fixed effects panel data. We found a positive and significant relationship between the effects of the covid-19 crisis and the incidence of impairment of non-current assets in Brazilian firms, which persisted even after controlling for various economic and financial factors. By separating the impairment of fixed and intangible assets, the findings suggest that intangible assets were more exposed to the covid-19 crisis than fixed assets. The results remained robust to various econometric analyses, including industry patterns, sub-samples, and the effect of the audit firm. This research contributes to the academic and professional debate by confirming the correlation between this crisis and the impairments recorded in financial statements, studying their effects on the accounting of non-current assets and on the long-term returns of the companies and sectors analyzed.
The Moderating Role of Behavioral Controls in the Relationship between Incivility and Creativity
Authors: Ehlert Júlia B. , Moreira Luana Porto , Frare Anderson Betti , Cruz Ana Paula Capuano da
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to analyze the (moderating) role of behavioral controls (BCs) in the relationship between incivility and creativity. This study fills a research gap by investigating how management controls can affect the relationship between incivility and individual creativity. Given that unpleasant interactions in the organizational environment hinder the proliferation and execution of ideas, it is up to organizations to provide environments that stimulate creativity, which is naturally achieved with the presence of controls. The findings indicate that top managers should pay close attention to the BCs used, as they can circumvent the negative effects of incivility and generate a positive effect on middle managers’ creativity. A survey was conducted with middle managers from 86 companies listed on the B3 S.A. - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão (B3). To test the hypotheses, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used and, as an additional analysis, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) technique. The results show that supervisor and coworker incivility positively influence the instigated incivility of managers. In turn, instigated incivility negatively influences the creativity of these managers. To mitigate these effects, the results suggest that organizations should use BCs to moderate the effects of instigated incivility on managers’ creativity. The conclusion is that BCs absorb and circumvent the negative effects of instigated incivility, favoring the proliferation of creativity. Thus, theoretical contributions on the role of management controls in the context of incivility and creativity emerge, as well as practical contributions on how organizations can use controls to circumvent incivility and make better use of individuals’ creativity.
O papel moderador dos controles de comportamento na relação entre incivilidade e criatividade
Authors: Ehlert Júlia B. , Moreira Luana Porto , Frare Anderson Betti , Cruz Ana Paula Capuano da
Published: February 2024

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o papel (moderador) dos controles de comportamento (CC) na relação entre incivilidade e criatividade. O presente estudo preenche uma lacuna de pesquisa ao investigar como controles gerenciais podem atuar diante da relação entre incivilidade e criatividade individual. Dado que interações inconvenientes no ambiente organizacional prejudicam a proliferação e execução de ideias, cabe às organizações proporcionarem ambientes que estimulem a criatividade, naturalmente conciliando com a presença de controles. Os achados indicam que gestores de topo devem prestar considerável atenção nos CC utilizados, pois esses contornam os efeitos negativos da incivilidade e geram efeito positivo na criatividade dos gestores intermediários. Uma survey foi realizada com gestores de nível intermediário de 86 empresas listadas no B3 S.A. - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão (B3). Para testar as hipóteses, utilizou-se a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais por mínimos quadrados parciais [partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)] e, como análise adicional, a técnica de fuzzy-set qualitative - comparative analysis (fsQCA). Os resultados revelam que a incivilidade de supervisores e de colegas de trabalho influencia positivamente a incivilidade instigada dos gestores. Já a incivilidade instigada influencia negativamente a criatividade desses gestores. Para amenizar esses efeitos, os resultados sugerem que o uso de CC por parte das organizações modera os efeitos da incivilidade instigada na criatividade dos gestores. Conclui-se que os CC absorvem e contornam os efeitos negativos da incivilidade instigada, favorecendo a proliferação da criatividade. Assim, surgem contribuições teóricas sobre o papel de controles gerenciais no contexto da incivilidade e criatividade, bem como contribuições práticas sobre como a organização pode se amparar em controles para contornar a incivilidade e fazer melhor proveito da criatividade dos indivíduos.