bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical conceptions for a holistic, transdisciplinary approach to contemporary landscape
Authors: Dorado María Isabel Alba
Published: December 2023

In recent years the concept of landscape has undergone rapid expansion. This expansion, however, has not been accompanied by a parallel development in the definition of theoretical and methodological principles, nor has it achieved sufficient consensus for its application in scientific and/or administrative fields. The range of divergent ideas that currently persist and coexist around the concept of landscape, and which are biased towards disciplinary specificities, have given rise not only to terminological imprecision, but also to a lack of standardisation of study, evaluation, management and planning methodologies. This article aims to provide an overview of the different acceptations that have been developed in relation to the concept of landscape from the second half of the 20th century to the present day, with a view towards contributing to the conceptual and disciplinary plurality that exists regarding landscape as an entity. This study, however, also attempts to transcend this analysis by advancing towards the definition of a conceptual framework on which to redefine the concept of landscape by considering the multiplicity of dimensions that may be attributable to this concept and advocating a holistic, transdisciplinary, open, integrative approach to these dimensions.
Sense-based user interface platform for behavioral pattern analysis of young children
Authors: Lee Sangmin , Jang Jaehwan , Lee Young Tack , Kim Min-gu
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a system integration of a sense-based user interface (SUI) platform, comprised of flexible pressure and humidity sensor arrays with a commercial inertial measurement unit (IMU), to analyze behavioral patterns of young children. The pressure sensors utilize a sensor array created using flexible inkjet printing, with each sensor using a piezoresistive sensing layer. The humidity sensors employ an interdigitated capacitive sensor based on a polyimide humidity-sensitive layer and are also manufactured using the flexible inkjet printing technique. To achieve a wide measurement area, both the pressure and humidity sensors are expanded into 5 × 5 and 5 × 10 sensor arrays, respectively. Also, commercial IMU, including accelerometer/gyroscope sensors, is employed. Finally, the SUI platform is in the form of a cuboidal block model, with an IMU and circuits embedded within the block. Multilayered pressure and humidity sensor arrays are installed on the external surface of the block. Collected data from each sensor are visualized through heatmaps and 3D motion representation to create a platform that integrates fine-grained behavior as well as global behavior information of young children. This research would provide a foundation for the development of SUI technology, especially aimed at individuals who have difficulty with conventional forms of input–output devices.
Study of amur cork tree bark extract-dyed paper under artificial UVA irradiation
Authors: Luo Yanbing , Zhang Xiujuan , Ren Mengjia , Wei Yanfei
Published: December 2023

Some ancient Chinese paper artifacts dyed with amur cork tree bark extracts are currently preserved to different extents in museums and libraries worldwide. As traditional natural plant dyes, the long-term performance of the amur cork tree bark extract-dyed handmade paper has been questioned under a preserved environment. The photodegradation process of the extract-dyed papers was examined under accelerating artificial UVA irradiation conditions according to China national standard-paper and board- accelerated aging (exposure to light). Changes during aging were analyzed by optical observation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), pH, and tensile strength and folding endurance tests. The results showed that the main components from extracted dyes played an important role in affecting the photodegradation properties of dyed paper. The changes in surface color, pH, morphology and mechanical properties after the artificial UVA accelerated degradation tests revealed that a suitable concentration of the extract dyes for maintaining the long-term irradiation stability of the paper is important.
Coherent amplification of the Okhotsk high, Korean trough, and northwestern Pacific subtropical high during heavy rainfall over Japan in August 2021
Authors: Kuramochi Masaya , Ueda Hiroaki , Inoue Tomoshige , Honda Meiji , Takaya Koutarou
Published: December 2023

In August 2021, rain front stagnation in Japan resulted in prolonged and disastrous rainfall across the entire country. During the heavy rainfall period, the large-scale atmospheric field over the East Asian–western North Pacific region was characterized by meridional tripolar circulation anomalies: the Okhotsk high (OH), the trough over the Korean Peninsula (Korean trough), and the northwestern Pacific subtropical high (NWPSH). Simultaneously, tropical convective activity was enhanced over the eastern Indian Ocean and suppressed over the tropical western–central Pacific. This study investigates the dynamic mechanism of linkage of the extratropical tripolar anomalies and the effects of tropical convective modulation using a reanalysis dataset, a cutoff low detection scheme, the potential vorticity inversion method, and numerical experiments. Upper-tropospheric blocking over eastern Siberia connected to the surface OH is conducive to the stagnation of synoptic depressions, including cutoff lows and troughs, over the Korean Peninsula, contributing to the development and maintenance of the quasi-stationary Korean trough. Rossby waves emanating from the Korean trough excite an anticyclonic anomaly over the northwestern Pacific. This upper-level anomalous anticyclone acts to enhance the surface NWPSH through zonal heat transport, accompanied by a northward tilting structure with height. Simultaneously, the tropical intraseasonal oscillation is amplified over the Indo–western Pacific Ocean sector under the negative-phase Indian Ocean dipole and multi-year La Niña conditions. The combination of enhanced convection over the eastern Indian Ocean and suppressed convection across the tropical western–central Pacific reinforces the NWPSH. The anomalous circulation associated with the extratropical tripolar pattern and concurrent tropical heat forcing causes more moisture transport, convergence, and anomalous ascent, which contribute to heavy rainfall in Japan. These results suggest that the dynamically correlated amplification of tropical and extratropical circulation anomalies plays a crucial role in precipitation variability in East Asia.
Innovative solutions for disease management
Authors: Carmina Dafni , Benfenati Valentina , Simonelli Claudia , Rotolo Alessia , Cardano Paola , Grovale Nicoletta , Mangoni di S. Stefano Lorenza , de Santo Tiziana , Zamboni Roberto , Palermo Vincenzo , Muccini Michele , De Seta Francesco
Published: December 2023

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is a driver for emerging big data technologies for healthcare including digital platforms for data collection, systems for active patient engagement and education, therapy specific predictive models, optimized patient pathway models. Powerful bioelectronic medicine tools for data collection, analysis and visualization allow for joint processing of large volumes of heterogeneous data, which in turn can produce new insights about patient outcomes and alternative interpretations of clinical patterns that can lead to implementation of optimized clinical decisions and clinical patient pathway by healthcare professionals.

With this perspective, we identify innovative solutions for disease management and evaluate their impact on patients, payers and society, by analyzing their impact in terms of clinical outcomes (effectiveness, safety, and quality of life) and economic outcomes (cost-effectiveness, savings, and productivity).

As a result, we propose a new approach based on the main pillars of innovation in the disease management area, i.e. progressive patient care models, patient-centric approaches, bioelectronics for precise medicine, and lean management that, combined with an increase in appropriate private-public-citizen-partnership, leads towards Patient-Centric Healthcare.
ÉPOP (traditional starter culture): a complex composition of plant resources prepared by the Misings of Assam, Northeast India
Authors: Mili Rajiv , Sundriyal R. C.
Published: December 2023

Ethnic practices with relation to starter culture reflect a region-specific traditions; therefore, documentation of such knowledge is key to improvise basic understanding as how traditions, cultures, and processes are linked to local dietary systems, food and nutrition security, and social connection. Considering this, the present study aims to investigate the Mising ethnic tribal group, Assam state in Northeast India, with a focus to investigate mode of starter culture making for preparing local beverage along with plant species being used, time of collection, procedure of making starter culture, and how it is preserved. The community maintains an agrarian culture and is closely associated with forest-based natural resources. This group of people consumes various foods prepared from wild plants and crops along with meat and fish. Apong is one of the most important components of their culture, used as a beverage made up of rice by using starter culture locally known as ÉPOP. Detailed process of making of starter culture was documented. A total of 31 plant species varying from 22 families belonging to both flowering and non-flowering plants were recorded used by the community. Eight species also comprised market potential for diverse uses besides being used in starter culture preparation. The source of the collected resources varied from fallow land to forest, with the highest collection concentration in the forest (35.5%), mostly collected in the afternoon (51.61%) to ensure a quality of the plant material. The collected plant materials are mixed with soaked glutinous rice and made into starter cultures of different sizes that have a shelf life of 6 months. The study highlights that use of starter culture is consistent and harmless with distinct flavor and taste that apt to local appetite. Conserving community knowledge on starter culture making, however, requires appropriate policy planning and action line. The investigation not only increases our understanding on local food tradition but also has potential for applications in fermented food industry and thus opens up a new line of research in future.
Interpreting the Significance of Changes in Health-Related Quality-of-Life Scores
Authors: Osoba D , Rodrigues G , Myles J , Zee B , Pater J
Published: December 2023

PURPOSE

To determine the significance to patients of changes in health-related quality-of-life (HLQ) scores assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A subjective significance questionnaire (SSQ), which asks patients about perceived changes in physical, emotional, and social functioning and in global quality of life (global QL) and the QLQ-C30 were completed by patients who received chemotherapy for either breast cancer or small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). In the SSQ, patients rated their perception of change since the last time they completed the QLQ-C30 using a 7-category scale that ranged from "much worse" through "no change" to "much better." For each category of change in the SSQ, the corresponding differences were calculated in QLQ-C30 mean scores and effect sizes were determined.

RESULTS

For patients who indicated "no change" in the SSQ, the mean change in scores in the corresponding QLQ-C30 domains was not significantly different from 0. For patients who indicated "a little" change either for better or for worse, the mean change in scores was about 5 to 10; for "moderate" change, about 10 to 20; and for "very much" change, greater than 20. Effect sizes increased in concordance with increasing changes in SSQ ratings and QLQ-C30 scores.

CONCLUSION

The significance of changes in QLQ-C30 scores can be interpreted in terms of small, moderate, or large changes in quality of life as reported by patients in the SSQ. The magnitude of these changes also can be used to calculate the sample sizes required to detect a specified change in clinical trials.
Evaluating long-term antibody responses to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Pakistani population
Authors: Hussain Shakir , Naseer Fouzia , Kanani Fatima , Aijaz Javeria
Published: December 2023

Background & Objective: Nearly 80 million of the Pakistani population received two doses of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine, against SARS-CoV-2, and 2.6 million people received heterologous booster doses up to February 2022. Our objective was to evaluate the increase of antibody titers in persons vaccinated with Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 following two doses of BBIBP-CorV.

Methods: Serum specimens from forty-three participants were collected 4-8 weeks following two doses of BBIBP-CorV at the Indus Hospital & Health Network, Karachi. A second set of serum specimens were collected 2-12 months after Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose administration. Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA, Abbott Alinity Quant), and the pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay were performed on all specimens. The latter assay was reported as log half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50), calculated using a nonlinear regression algorithm (log [inhibitor] versus normalized response variable slope) in Graph Pad Prism 9. A paired sample t-test was used to ascertain the statistical significance of the difference in means of antibody titers obtained before and after the booster vaccine doses.

Results: Mean log10 values obtained with CMIA before and after the booster dose were 2.90 AU/mL and 3.87 AU/mL respectively, while the corresponding log10 IC50 values obtained through pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay were 2.45 and 2.80. These differences were statistically significant with CMIA (p = <0.00001), but not with pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay (p = 0.06318.).

Conclusion: A heterologous booster dose with Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine following two doses of BBIBP results in increased total antibody titers, though neutralizing antibody titers may start to wane a few months after the booster dose.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.2(ICON).8951

How to cite this: Hussain S, Naseer F, Kanani F, Aijaz J. Evaluating long-term antibody responses to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Pakistani population. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(2):S28-S34. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.2(ICON).8951

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Zinc chloride may regulate hematopoietic stem cell aging and pro-inflammatory cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Susianti Hani , Arrizal Achmad , Habibi Bakhtiar Yusuf , Supriyanto Friska , Khrisna Matthew Brian , Handono Kusworini , Wahono Cesarius Singgih , Rahman Perdana Aditya , Pratama Mirza Zaka , Chilmi Syahrul
Published: December 2023

Background: The immune cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) age earlier than those of normal subjects. However, the senescence of circulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in patients with SLE is not well understood, and it is unclear whether zinc treatment can regulate the senescence and proinflammatory cytokine production of HSCs in these patients.

Methods: Clinical data were collected on 38 patients with SLE and 35 healthy controls (HCs), and the complete blood count, circulating HSC number, and p16 (a senescence marker) expression in the peripheral blood of these participants were analyzed via flow cytometry. Pooled circulating HSCs were isolated using leukapheresis. The effects of zinc chloride exposure on the pooled HSCs of each group were determined in vitro. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL17, regulatory cytokine TGF-β, p16, and regulator T-cells (Tregs) were evaluated 72 h after incubation with 50 or 100 µM zinc chloride.

Results: The number of circulating HSCs did not differ between the two groups (p=0.1685). The expression of p16 in HSCs was higher in the SLE group than in the HC group (p = 0.0043), and patients with SLE exhibited higher levels of IL-6, IL-17, and p16 in pooled HSCs (p =0.0025, p<0.0001, and p = 0.0003, respectively), although TGF-β levels did not differ between the groups (p=0.9816). Zinc chloride reduced IL-6, TGF-β, IL-17, and p16 expression in patients with SLE toward HC levels. Treg frequency in pooled HSCs was comparable between the groups (p=0.3997), although a 100 µM zinc chloride treatment significantly depleted the Treg population of patients with SLE (p=0.0001).

Conclusions: Circulating HSCs in SLE are more aged and produce more proinflammatory cytokines. Zinc chloride treatment might prevent immunoaging and inhibit proinflammatory cytokine–producing cells in patients with SLE.
Does the merger improve the operating performance of the company? Evidence from the beverage industry in India
Authors: Mahamuni Pravin Narayan , Parkhi Shilpa , Sunder Raju Ganesh , Karande Kiran , Gadzo Samuel Gameli , Singh Premendra Kumar
Published: December 2023

Background There is fierce market competition both locally and globally. Every organisation seeks to maintain itself and, more crucially, to develop quickly through inorganic means. The expansion of a company through mergers and acquisitions is an inorganic process. Organic growth takes a very long period and is time-bound, but inorganic growth through mergers may be achieved quickly. This research aimed to determine whether the operating results of Indian beverage firms have improved after the merger or not. Methods In order to assess merger-related advantages to the acquiring firms, this study used the operating performance technique, which contrasts the pre-merger and post-merger performance of corporations using accounting data. Secondary data were used to carry out this study. The operating performance was assessed on six operating parameters (ratios) i.e. Operating Profit Margin, Gross and Net Profit Margin, Debt-Equity, Return on Net Worth and Capital Employed. The comparison was done for three years pre and post-merger period of these operating ratios. Results The findings demonstrate that mergers do not seek to increase owner wealth. This finding shows that rather than just becoming larger and achieving covert goals, managers should pay more attention to post-merger integration challenges in order to produce merger-induced synergies. Conclusion This study shows that the M&As have not had a good effect on a company’s operating performance, especially for the chosen beverage companies in India. Since financial measures cannot fully account for the influence of mergers on business performance, future research may create other metrics for merger-related gains. Research that provides profound insights into the causes and trends of post-merger business performance through the different types of mergers and industries would also be beneficial.
Evaluation of selected serum biomarkers levels in response to the infliximab reference product (Remicade®) versus its biosimilar (Remsima®) in a sample of ulcerative colitis patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: G. Kawri Yahya , Sameh Arif Inam , Abdalwahed Abdulameer Shaymaa
Published: December 2023

Background: Biologic therapies like Remicade® (infliximab originator) and Remsima® (infliximab biosimilar) have emerged as valuable options for the management of ulcerative colitis (UC) over the years. The purpose of the present study was to provide comprehensive comparison of the efficacy of Remicade® and Remsima® in the treatment of UC by performing a comprehensive analysis of key biomarkers.

Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional observational design. It was conducted at Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, spanning from July 2022 to February 2023. The study population consisted of individuals aged 21 to 57 years who had previously received a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Results: A total of 43 patients were included in the analysis. The mean infliximab trough levels in the Remicade group were 3.264 ng/mL, while in the Remsima group were 3.248 ng/mL. eight  Remicade patients developed anti-infliximab antibodies, while 9 Remsima patients tested positive. The mean serum calprotectin level was 5596 μg/ml in the Remicade group and 5795μg/ml in the Remsima group. The mean ESR value was 18.33mm/hr in the Remicade group and 16.43mm/hr in the Remsima group. The mean CRP value was 17.65mg/dl in the Remicade group and 16.19mg/dl in the Remsima group. The mean serum TNFa level measured was 159.5pg/ml in the Remicade group and 158.5pg/ml in the Remsima group. The mean serum Oncostatin M level measured was 107.3ng/ml in the Remicade group and 107.5ng/ml in the Remsima group

Conclusion: These findings study suggest that Remsima, as a biosimilar to Remicade, holds promise as a cost-effective alternative in UC management
Clinical parameters as predictors for sperm retrieval success in azoospermia: experience from Indonesia
Authors: Rachman Rinaldo Indra , Nurullah Ghifari , Atmoko Widi , Rasyid Nur , Cho Sung Yong , Birowo Ponco
Published: December 2023

Background Azoospermia is the most severe type of male infertility. This study aimed to identify useful clinical parameters to predict sperm retrieval success. This could assist clinicians in accurately diagnosing and treating patients based on the individual clinical parameters of patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 517 patients with azoospermia who underwent sperm retrieval in Jakarta, Indonesia, between January 2010 and April 2023. Clinical evaluation and scrotal ultrasound, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were evaluated before surgery. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine clinical parameters that could predict overall sperm retrieval success. Further subgroup analysis was performed to determine the factors that the diagnosis of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) diagnosis and sperm retrieval success among patients with NOA. Results A total of 2,987 infertile men attended our clinic. Men with azoospermia (n=517) who met the inclusion criteria and did not fulfil any exclusion criteria were included in the study. The overall sperm retrieval success was 47.58%. Logistic regression revealed that FSH 7.76 mIU/mL (sensitivity: 60.1%, specificity: 63.3%, p<0.001); longest testicular axis length 3.89 cm (sensitivity: 33.6%, specificity: 41.6%); and varicocele (p<0.001) were independent factors for overall sperm retrieval. The FSH cutoff of 7.45 mIU/mL (sensitivity: 31.3%, specificity: 37.7%, p<0,001); longest testicular axis length 3.85 cm (sensitivity: 76.7%, specificity: 65.4%, p<0.001); and varicocele (p<0.001) were independent factors for NOA diagnosis. Varicocele was the only clinical parameter that significantly predicted the success of sperm retrieval in patients with NOA. Conclusions FSH, LH, longest testicular axis, and varicocele are among the clinical parameters that are useful for predicting overall sperm retrieval success and NOA diagnosis. However, varicocele is the only clinical parameter that significantly predicts sperm retrieval success in patients with NOA. High-quality studies are required to assess the other predictors of sperm retrieval success.
Vasectomy provider decision-making balancing autonomy and non-maleficence: qualitative interviews with providers
Authors: Hoover Alison T. , Shattuck Dominick , Andes Karen L.
Published: December 2023

Background Male sterilization, or vasectomy, is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy with less than a 2% risk of complications. Despite the high efficacy, low risk, low cost, and gender equity benefits of vasectomy, just 2% of women reported that they and their partners relied on vasectomy as their contraceptive method globally in 2019. Health care providers can be both a facilitator and a barrier in men’s health generally, and may be in vasectomy provision as well. This study sought to describe the decision-making rationales of experienced vasectomy providers when evaluating patient candidacy in complex cases. Methods Fifteen vasectomy providers belonging to the global Vasectomy Network google group from seven countries participated in online interviews using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide. Providers were asked about their vasectomy training, their reasons for vasectomy provision, challenging cases they have faced, and approaches used to manage challenging cases. Vignettes were used to further elicit decision-making rationale. Thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA20. Results Provider decision-making was predicated on ensuring patients were well-informed, able to consent, and certain about their choice to have a vasectomy. Once those foundational conditions were met, providers filtered patient characteristics through their training, laws and policies, sociocultural norms, experience, and peer influence to produce a cost-benefit breakdown. Based on the cost-benefit analysis, providers determined whether to weigh autonomy or non-maleficence more heavily when determining vasectomy patient candidacy. Conclusions Despite clinical best practices that promote prioritizing patient autonomy over non-maleficence, some providers continued to weigh non-maleficence over autonomy in vasectomy patient candidacy evaluations. Non-maleficence was particularly prioritized in cases providers deemed to be at higher risk of regret. The findings of this study suggest vasectomy provider training should emphasize evidence-based best practices in shared decision-making and patient-centered care to facilitate vasectomy provision that honors patient autonomy and rights.
Portable ultrasound devices for obstetric care in resource-constrained environments: mapping the landscape
Authors: Ranger Bryan J. , Bradburn Elizabeth , Chen Qingchao , Kim Micah , Noble J. Alison , Papageorghiou Aris T.
Published: December 2023

Background The WHO’s recommendations on antenatal care underscore the need for ultrasound assessment during pregnancy. Given that maternal and perinatal mortality remains unacceptably high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), these guidelines are imperative for achieving better outcomes. In recent years, portable ultrasound devices have become increasingly popular in LMICs due to their cost-effectiveness, useability, and adoptability in resource-constrained settings. This desk review presents the capabilities and costs of currently available portable ultrasound devices, and is meant to serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers in the imaging community. Methods A list of ideal technical features for portable ultrasound devices was developed in consultation with subject matter experts (SMEs). Features included image acquisition modes, cost, portability, compatibility, connectivity, data storage and security, and regulatory certification status. Information on each of the devices was collected from publicly available information, input from SMEs and/or discussions with company representatives. Results 14 devices were identified and included in this review. The output is meant to provide objective information on ideal technical features for available ultrasound systems to researchers and clinicians working in obstetric ultrasound in LMICs. No product endorsements are provided. Conclusions This desk review provides an overview of the landscape of low-cost portable ultrasound probes for use in obstetrics in LMICs, and provides a description of key capabilities and costs for each. Methods could be applied to mapping the landscape of portable ultrasound devices for other clinical applications, or may be extended to reviewing other types of healthcare technologies. Further studies are recommended to evaluate portable ultrasound devices for usability and durability in global field settings.
A scoping review of the use of music as an arts-based method in migrant health research
Authors: Garry Fran , MacFarlane Anne , Murphy Tighe Sylvia , Punch Pattie , Phelan Helen
Published: December 2023

Background There is a growing awareness of the need to include people’s lived experiences in health decision-making. While much progress has been made in this field, exclusionary patterns persist regarding migrant participation in health research. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the available literature around the use of music as an arts-based research (ABR) method in migrant health research in order to extend knowledge of creative methods and tools used for migrant participation in health research. Methods Our review follows a scoping review methodology. Searches were conducted in 11 electronic databases between June and August, 2020. We identified 14 eligible references published between January 2009 and August 2020. We analysed how music is utilised as an arts-based research method in community-based health and wellbeing contexts primarily with refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and members of resettled immigrant communities. Results The findings show that music’s role is most prominent as a tool for recruitment and engagement followed by its use as a tool for dissemination. Music is effective as a means to co-produce and communicate knowledge of lived experiences of migration and related wellbeing issues. Recommendations and conclusions Our recommendations for further research include the need for increased detail on the musical element in ABR projects; Explicit identification of such research as ABR; Greater recognition of a multi-arts understanding of music in the context of ABR; Harnessing the potential of music in ABR across the research cycle. We conclude that arts-based research using music shows promise for capturing the complexity of migrants’ lives and health issues in an ethical way. It warrants further investigation in empirical studies in multiple clinical and community settings to understand its processes and impacts on the evidence base for migrant health.
W sprawie itinerariów królów wczesnonowożytnej Rzeczypospolitej – na marginesie recenzji
Authors: Wrede Marek
Published: December 2023

Tekst zainspirowany został recenzjami książki: Marek Wrede, Itinerarium króla Zygmunta III 1587–1632, Warszawa 2019, opublikowanymi w „Studia Geohistorica”, 9, 2021 (Magdalena Jakubowska) i „Studiach Źródłoznawczych”, 59, 2021 (Karol Łopatecki). Podejmuje niektóre poruszone w nich problemy (m.in. koryguje przebieg fragmentu trasy rejsu Zygmunta III do Szwecji w 1598 r., podając kalendarium i mapę rejsu). Przede wszystkim jednak jest głosem na rzecz podjęcia zinstytucjonalizowanych badań nad itinerariami królów Rzeczypospolitej XVI–XVIII w. Sygnalizując problem, przedstawia obecny stan takich studiów i podejmuje próbę sformułowania wstępnych warunków podjęcia zespołowych prac itineraryjnych.
Thoracic duct cannulation during left internal jugular vein cannulation: A case report
Authors: Hwang Geal Hong , Eom Woosik
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Central venous catheter insertion is an invasive procedure that can cause complications such as infection, embolization due to air or blood clots, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and, rarely, chylothorax due to damage to the thoracic duct. Herein, we report a case of suspected thoracic duct cannulation that occurred during left central venous catheter insertion. Fortunately, the patient was discharged without any adverse events related to thoracic duct cannulation.

CASE SUMMARY

A 46-year-old female patient presented at our department to undergo cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. During anesthesia, we decided to insert a central venous catheter through the left internal jugular vein because the patient already had a chemoport through the right central vein. During the procedure, blood reflux was observed when the needle tip was not within the ultrasound field of view. We did not try to find the tip; however, a guide wire and a central venous catheter were inserted without any resistance. Subsequently, when inducing blood reflux from the distal port of the central venous catheter, only clear fluid, suspected to be lymphatic fluid, was regurgitated. Further, chest X-ray revealed an appearance similar to that of the path of the thoracic duct. Given that intravenous fluid administration was not started and no abnormal fluid collection was noted on preoperative chest X-ray, we suspected thoracic duct cannulation.

CONCLUSION

It is important to use ultrasound to confirm the exact position of the needle tip and guide wire path.
Flexible and accurate system calibration method in microscopic fringe projection profilometry
Authors: Du Junlin , Luo Xiaopeng , Zhu Jiangping , An Shiyong , Zhou Pei
Published: December 2023

The three-dimensional (3D) measurement task of complex microstructures holds paramount significance in the domains of precision manufacturing and inspection. The calibration of the 3D system heavily determines the final reconstruction accuracy. The widely adopted system calibration method is phase-height mapping (PHM) and stereo vision (SV) based. The former can be applied directly to the calculation without considering the imaging model of the system, but it relies on highly precise and expensive translation stages or standard blocks. The latter’s accuracy cannot be guaranteed because it is difficult to accurately calibrate the projector. In this paper, we establish an optically coupled microscopic fringe projection profilometry system that consists of a Scheimpflug pinhole projector and a super-low distortion bi-telecentric camera. We introduce a simplified 3D system calibration approach that combines phase modulation transfer and ray propagation. Our method enables the simultaneous calibration of the system, including the calibration of the projector, camera, and the phase to a 3D coordinates relationship, using only a 2D target. The calibrated projector’s external parameters are used to obtain the target’s complete poses, and then the direct mapping coefficients of the phase to the 3D coordinates can be obtained through the optical geometry structure and phase labels. Comparable experiments verify the feasibility of the proposed method.
Optical parameters estimation in inhomogeneous turbid media using backscattered light: for transcutaneous scattering measurement of intravascular blood
Authors: Liang Shiyang , Miyake Takeo , Shimizu Koichi
Published: December 2023

In our earlier research, a technique was developed to estimate the effective attenuation coefficient of subcutaneous blood vessels from the skin surface using the spatial distribution of backscattered near-infrared (NIR) light. The scattering effect in surrounding tissues was suppressed through the application of a differential principle, provided that the in vivo structure is known. In this study, a new method is proposed enabling the separate estimation of both scattering and absorption coefficients using NIR light of different wavelengths. The differential technique is newly innovated to make it applicable to the subcutaneous structure without requiring explicit geometrical information. Suppression of the scattering effect from surrounding tissue can be incorporated into the process of estimating the scattering and absorption coefficients. The validity of the proposed technique can be demonstrated through Monte Carlo simulations using both homogeneous and inhomogeneous tissue-simulating models. The estimated results exhibit good coherence with theoretical values (r2 = 0.988–0.999). Moreover, the vulnerability and robustness of the proposed technique against different measurement errors are verified. Optimal conditions for practical measurement are specified under various light-detection conditions. Separate estimation of scattering and absorption coefficients improves the accuracy of turbidity measurements and spectroscopy in biomedical applications considerably, particularly for noninvasive measurements and analysis of blood, lipids, and other components in subcutaneous blood vessels.
OP-FCNN: an optronic fully convolutional neural network for imaging through scattering media
Authors: Huang Zicheng , Gu Ziyu , Shi Mengyang , Gao Yesheng , Liu Xingzhao
Published: December 2023

Imaging through scattering media is a classical inverse issue in computational imaging. In recent years, deep learning(DL) methods have excelled in speckle reconstruction by extracting the correlation of speckle patterns. However, high-performance DL-based speckle reconstruction also costs huge hardware computation and energy consumption. Here, we develop an opto-electronic DL method with low computation complexity for imaging through scattering media. We design the "end-to-end" optronic structure for speckle reconstruction, namely optronic fully convolutional neural network (OP-FCNN). In OP-FCNN, we utilize lens groups and spatial light modulators to implement the convolution, down/up-sampling, and skip connection in optics, which significantly reduces the computational complexity by two orders of magnitude, compared with the digital CNN. Moreover, the reconfigurable and scalable structure supports the OP-FCNN to further improve imaging performance and accommodate object datasets of varying complexity. We utilize MNIST handwritten digits, EMNIST handwritten letters, fashion MNIST, and MIT-CBCL-face datasets to validate the OP-FCNN imaging performance through random diffusers. Our OP-FCNN reveals a good balance between computational complexity and imaging performance. The average imaging performance on four datasets achieves 0.84, 0.91, 0.79, and 16.3dB for JI, PCC, SSIM, and PSNR, respectively. The OP-FCNN paves the way for all-optical systems in imaging through scattering media.
Controllable shaping of high-index dielectric nanoparticles by exploiting the giant optical force of femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Mao Yuheng , Bai Shuwen , Panmai Mingcheng , Zhou Lidan , Liu Shimei , Li Shulei , Liu Haiying , Fan Haihua , Dai Jun , Lan Sheng
Published: December 2023

Nanoparticles made of different materials usually support optical resonances in the visible to near infrared spectral range, such as the localized surface plasmons observed in metallic nanoparticles and the Mie resonances observed in dielectric ones. Such optical resonances, which are important for practical applications, depend strongly on the morphologies of nanoparticles. Laser irradiation is a simple but effective way to modify such optical resonances through the change in the morphology of a nanoparticle. Although laser-induced shaping of metallic nanoparticles has been successfully demonstrated, it remains a big challenge for dielectric nanoparticles due to their larger Young’s modulus and smaller thermal conductivities. Here, we proposed and demonstrated a strategy for realizing controllable shaping of high-index dielectric nanoparticles by exploiting the giant optical force induced by femtosecond laser pulses. It was found that both Si and Ge nanoparticles can be lit up by resonantly exciting the optical resonances with femtosecond laser pulses, leading to the luminescence burst when the laser power exceeds a threshold. In addition, the morphologies of Si and Ge nanoparticles can be modified by utilizing the giant absorption force exerted on them and the reduced Young’s modulus at high temperatures. The shape transformation from sphere to ellipsoid can be realized by laser irradiation, leading to the blueshifts of the optical resonances. It was found that Si and Ge nanoparticles were generally elongated along the direction parallel to the polarization of the laser light. Controllable shaping of Si and Ge can be achieved by deliberately adjusting the excitation wavelength and the laser power. Our findings are helpful for understanding the giant absorption force of femtosecond laser light and are useful for designing nanoscale photonic devices based on shaped high-index nanoparticles.
AI-based approach for transcribing and classifying unstructured emergency call data: A methodological proposal
Authors: Costa Dalton Breno , Pinna Felipe Coelho de Abreu , Joiner Anjni Patel , Rice Brian , Souza João Vítor Perez de , Gabella Júlia Loverde , Andrade Luciano , Vissoci João Ricardo Nickenig , Néto João Carlos
Published: December 2023

Emergency care-sensitive conditions (ECSCs) require rapid identification and treatment and are responsible for over half of all deaths worldwide. Prehospital emergency care (PEC) can provide rapid treatment and access to definitive care for many ECSCs and can reduce mortality in several different settings. The objective of this study is to propose a method for using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to transcribe audio, extract, and classify unstructured emergency call data in the Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU) system in southern Brazil. The study used all “1-9-2” calls received in 2019 by the SAMU Novo Norte Emergency Regulation Center (ERC) call center in Maringá, in the Brazilian state of Paraná. The calls were processed through a pipeline using machine learning algorithms, including Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models for transcription of audio calls in Portuguese, and a Natural Language Understanding (NLU) classification model. The pipeline was trained and validated using a dataset of labeled calls, which were manually classified by medical students using LabelStudio. The results showed that the AI model was able to accurately transcribe the audio with a Word Error Rate of 42.12% using Wav2Vec 2.0 for ASR transcription of audio calls in Portuguese. Additionally, the NLU classification model had an accuracy of 73.9% in classifying the calls into different categories in a validation subset. The study found that using AI to categorize emergency calls in low- and middle-income countries is largely unexplored, and the applicability of conventional open-source ML models trained on English language datasets is unclear for non-English speaking countries. The study concludes that AI can be used to transcribe audio and extract and classify unstructured emergency call data in an emergency system in southern Brazil as an initial step towards developing a decision-making support tool.
Hierarchy and interconnected networks in the WhiB7 mediated transcriptional response to antibiotic stress in Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Hurst-Hess Kelley , McManaman Charity , Yang Yong , Gupta Shamba , Ghosh Pallavi
Published: December 2023

Mycobacterium abscessus is intrinsically resistant to antibiotics effective against other pathogenic mycobacteria largely due to the drug-induced expression of genes that confer resistance. WhiB7 is a major hub controlling the induction of resistance to ribosome-targeting antibiotics. It activates the expression of >100 genes, 7 of which are known determinants of drug resistance; the function of most genes within the regulon is however unknown, but some conceivably encode additional mechanisms of resistance. Furthermore, the hierarchy of gene expression within the regulon, if any, is poorly understood. In the present work we have identified 56 WhiB7 binding sites using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (CHIP-Seq) which accounts for the WhiB7-dependent upregulation of 72 genes, and find that M. abscessus WhiB7 functions exclusively as a transcriptional activator at promoters recognized by σA/σB. We have investigated the role of 18 WhiB7 regulated genes in drug resistance. Our results suggest that while some genes within the regulon (eg. erm41, hflX, eis2 and the ABCFs) play a major role in resistance, others make smaller contributions (eg. MAB_4324c and MAB_1409c) and the observed hypersensitivity ΔMabwhiB7 is a cumulative effect of these individual contributions. Moreover, our CHIP-Seq data implicate additional roles of WhiB7 induced genes beyond antibiotic resistance. Finally, we identify a σH-dependent network in aminoglycoside and tigecycline resistance which is induced upon drug exposure and is further activated by WhiB7 demonstrating the existence of a crosstalk between components of the WhiB7-dependent and -independent circuits.
Epidemiology of multimorbidity in low-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from four population cohorts
Authors: Price Alison J. , Jobe Modou , Sekitoleko Isaac , Crampin Amelia C. , Prentice Andrew M. , Seeley Janet , Chikumbu Edith F. , Mugisha Joseph , Makanga Ronald , Dube Albert , Mair Frances S. , Jani Bhautesh Dinesh
Published: December 2023

We investigated prevalence and demographic characteristics of adults living with multimorbidity (≥2 long-term conditions) in three low-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa, using secondary population-level data from four cohorts; Malawi (urban & rural), The Gambia (rural) and Uganda (rural). Information on; measured hypertension, diabetes and obesity was available in all cohorts; measured hypercholesterolaemia and HIV and self-reported asthma was available in two cohorts and clinically diagnosed epilepsy in one cohort. Analyses included calculation of age standardised multimorbidity prevalence and the cross-sectional associations of multimorbidity and demographic/lifestyle factors using regression modelling. Median participant age was 29 (Inter quartile range-IQR 22–38), 34 (IQR25-48), 32 (IQR 22–53) and 37 (IQR 26–51) in urban Malawi, rural Malawi, The Gambia, and Uganda, respectively. Age standardised multimorbidity prevalence was higher in urban and rural Malawi (22.5%;95% Confidence intervals-CI 21.6–23.4%) and 11.7%; 95%CI 11.1–12.3, respectively) than in The Gambia (2.9%; 95%CI 2.5–3.4%) and Uganda (8.2%; 95%CI 7.5–9%) cohorts. In multivariate models, females were at greater risk of multimorbidity than males in Malawi (Incidence rate ratio-IRR 1.97, 95% CI 1.79–2.16 urban and IRR 2.10; 95%CI 1.86–2.37 rural) and Uganda (IRR- 1.60, 95% CI 1.32–1.95), with no evidence of difference between the sexes in The Gambia (IRR 1.16, 95% CI 0.86–1.55). There was strong evidence of greater multimorbidity risk with increasing age in all populations (p-value <0.001). Higher educational attainment was associated with increased multimorbidity risk in Malawi (IRR 1.78; 95% CI 1.60–1.98 urban and IRR 2.37; 95% CI 1.74–3.23 rural) and Uganda (IRR 2.40, 95% CI 1.76–3.26), but not in The Gambia (IRR 1.48; 95% CI 0.56–3.87). Further research is needed to study multimorbidity epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa with an emphasis on robust population-level data collection for a wide variety of long-term conditions and ensuring proportionate representation from men and women, and urban and rural areas.