bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relativistic Spin Precession in the Compact Double Neutron Star System PSR J1946+2052
Authors: Meng Lingqi , Zhu Weiwei , Kramer Michael , Miao Xueli , Desvignes Gregory , Shao Lijing , Hu Huanchen , Freire Paulo C. C. , Zhang Yongkun , Xue Mengyao , Fang Ziyao , Champion David J. , Yuan Mao , Miao Chenchen , Niu Jiarui , Fu Qiuyang , Yao Jumei , Guo Yanjun , Zhang Chengmin
Published: April 2024

We observe systematic profile changes in the visible pulsar of the compact double neutron star system PSR J1946+2052 using observations with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The interpulse of PSR J1946+2052 changed from a single-peak to a double-peak shape from 2018–2021. We attribute this evolution as the result of the relativistic spin precession of the pulsar. With the high sensitivity of FAST, we also measure significant polarization for the first time, allowing us to model this with the precessional rotating vector model. Assuming, to the first order, a circular hollow-cone-like emission beam pattern and taking the validity of general relativity (GR), we derive the binary’s orbital inclination angle (

63
∘

−

3
∘

+

5
∘

) and pulsar’s spin geometry. The pulsar’s spin vector and the orbital angular momentum vector are found to be only slightly misaligned (

0.
∘

21

−

0.
∘

10

+

0.
∘

28

). The quoted uncertainties do not reflect the systematic uncertainties introduced by our model assumptions. By simulating future observations of profile and polarization evolution, we estimate that we could constrain the precession rate within a 43% uncertainty in 9 yr. Hence, we suggest that the system’s profile evolution could be combined with precise pulsar timing to test GR in the future.
Evolution of Electron Acceleration by Corotating Interaction Region Shocks at 1 au
Authors: Guo 郭 Xinnian 新年 , Wang 王 Linghua 玲华 , Li 李 Wenyan 文妍 , Ma 马 Qianyi 千一 , Yang 杨 Liu 柳 , Wimmer-Schweingruber Robert F. , Bale Stuart D.
Published: April 2024

We present the first observations of in situ electron acceleration at corotating interaction region (CIR) shocks near 1 au, utilizing measurements from Wind and Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission in the interplanetary medium. As the forward (reverse) shock of the 2018 January CIR (the 2020 February CIR) moves from Wind at [206, 92, −7]R

E
([257, 25, 3]R

E
) to MMS1 at [24, 2, 7]R

E
([25, 3, 0.5]R

E
), the shock’s thickness becomes 8 (3) times thinner, but the convective electric field
E

drift gets weaker (stronger) along the shock; both the upstream and shocked suprathermal electrons exhibit a flatter flux energy spectrum, while the electron shock acceleration becomes less (more) significant. For the shocked suprathermal electrons with significant flux enhancement, the flux ratio across the shock appears to peak in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. Therefore, the CIR shock acceleration of solar wind suprathermal electrons at 1 au exhibits an efficiency increasing with the
E

drift strength. These results also suggest that such acceleration through the interplanetary medium can contribute to the formation of solar wind suprathermal electrons.
D5.1 Past-to-present EBV modelled datasets and status indicator for selected species in the Birds Directive
Authors: Herrando Sergi , Fraixedas Sara , Pocull Guillem , Villero Dani , Gamero Anna , Martí David , Keller Verena , Voříšek Petr , Klvaňová Alena , Gargallo Gabriel , Brotons Lluís
Published: April 2024

This deliverable shows, using farmland birds as a demonstrative case study, how the existing European network of bird monitoring schemes could be used to regularly update the distribution of terrestrial breeding birds across the whole of EU and neighbouring countries. In addition, it shows how changes in distribution could be assessed on frequent intervals suitable for informing on the achievement of EU environmental policy targets.
A review of Nearctic Lathrobium (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), with revision and descriptions of new flightless species from the mountains of the southeastern U.S.
Authors: Haberski Adam , Caterino Michael S.
Published: April 2024

Species of the genus Lathrobium Gravenhorst (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from North America north of Mexico are reviewed and 41 species are recognized. Morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data were used to guide species designations in three flightless lineages endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains, a biologically diverse region known for cryptic diversity. Using a combination of phylogeny, algorithm-based species delimitation analyses, and genitalic morphology, five new cryptic species are described and possible biogeographic scenarios for their speciation hypothesized: L. balsamense Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. camplyacra Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. islae Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. lividum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. smokiense Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov. Five additional species are described: L. absconditum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. hardeni Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. lapidum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L. solum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., and L. thompsonorum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov. Two species are transferred from Lathrobium to Pseudolathra Casey: Pseudolathra parcum (LeConte, 1880), comb. nov. and Pseudolathra texana (Casey, 1905), comb. nov. Twenty-six names are reduced to synonymy. Lectotypes are designated for 47 species. Larvae are described where known, and characters of possible diagnostic value are summarized. Species diagnoses, distributions, illustrations of male and female genitalia, and a key to Lathrobium species known from the Nearctic region (including several introduced species) are provided.
De Sándor Ferenczi à Michael Balint : savoir clinique, éducation et formation
Authors: Pechberty Bernard
Published: April 2024

Ferenczi nous oriente sur la question des liens entre psychanalyse et éducation. Dans une première partie, cet article décrit comment Ferenczi travaille, guidé par la clinique du traumatisme. Il nous transmet ses essais et erreurs, concernant les « techniques », liés à sa pratique psychanalytique. Il mobilise un rapport au savoir de recherche qui s’oppose frontalement à un savoir ritualisé dans la cure qui, de fait, reconduit la situation traumatique vécue par le patient. Dans un second temps, est étudié en quoi la formulation de la différence de l’enfant à l’adulte proposée par Ferenczi annonce la méthode que proposera Balint pour analyser en groupe la relation médecin malade. Ce premier type de dispositif clinique annonce les groupes cliniques d’analyse des pratiques professionnelles éducatives souvent développés en Sciences de l’éducation.
De Sándor Ferenczi à Salomon Resnik
Authors: Blanchard-Laville Claudine
Published: April 2024

Dans ce texte, l’auteure se propose de revisiter son lien aux travaux de Sándor Ferenczi. En explorant ce qu’écrivent certains auteurs psychanalystes qui reconnaissent ouvertement se situer dans la ligne de l’héritage de Ferenczi, elle montre que certains autres, même si leurs travaux pourraient visiblement reconnaître une dette à son égard, ne le mentionne pas explicitement, vraisemblablement victimes de l’omerta dont ce psychanalyste a été la victime pendant une cinquantaine d’années. Claudine Blanchard-Laville montre comment elle-même a pu revisiter son propre lien à cet auteur à travers sa connaissance des travaux de Michael Balint et son usage du texte de 1932 de Ferenczi « Confusion de langue » ; et ce, au-delà de la transmission qu’elle a reçue de son analyste Salomon Resnik. Ce dernier n’a jamais fait allusion à son prédécesseur Ferenczi, alors même que son attitude clinique a de grandes proximités avec celle de Ferenczi et qu’il avait lui-même pour habitude de faire souvent allusion aux analystes qui l’avaient précédé et inspiré. L’article se termine par une évocation des travaux plus récents du psychanalyste Philippe Réfabert qui, lui, se relie ouvertement à Ferenczi après avoir analysé avec d’autres analystes certains éléments présents lors de la fondation par Sigmund Freud de la psychanalyse qui ont peut-être contribué à l’effacement ultérieur de l’œuvre de Ferenczi.
Vers une clinique du « fragment » psychique en éducation et formation. Rencontre avec l’œuvre de Sándor Ferenczi
Authors: Le Roy Caroline
Published: April 2024

Cet article retrace mon expérience singulière de chercheure en sciences de l’éducation et de la formation dans ma rencontre progressive avec la psychanalyse de Sándor Ferenczi. Il revient sur certains aspects de cette psychanalyse du trauma en explorant quelques-uns des écrits du psychanalyste hongrois et met l’accent sur les phénomènes de fragmentation psychique. Pour ce faire, je propose d’expliciter quelques liens entre l’œuvre de S. Ferenczi et des éclairages théoriques plus contemporains qui ont initialement étayé mon activité de recherche. Ce faisant, il s’agira pour moi d’éclairer comment ce cheminement dans l’œuvre ferenczienne et mon rapport aux données de recherche, anciennes ou plus récentes, sont chevillés à une part déliée de mon histoire personnelle, orientant le regard que je pouvais y porter au fur et à mesure que cette dernière entrait, à mon insu, en résonance avec certaines situations issues de mon activité de recherche et de formation.
Réajuster les modalités de son rapport au savoir en lien avec l’élaboration d’un traumatisme incestueux sous l’égide des travaux de Sándor Ferenczi
Authors: Claquin Christelle
Published: April 2024

Cet article, qui s’inscrit dans une démarche clinique d’orientation psychanalytique en sciences de l’éducation et de la formation, se propose d’avancer quelques pistes de réflexion autour des réajustements des modalités du rapport au savoir de l’auteure au cours de sa recherche doctorale en lien avec un traumatisme d’ordre sexuel incestueux. Cette réflexion prend en compte l’analyse des mouvements contre-transférentiels de l’auteure en tant que « sujet-objet » de sa recherche en s’appuyant sur les avancées théoriques et cliniques du psychanalyste Sándor Ferenczi concernant la question du traumatisme.
Amniotic Membrane Augmentation for Enucleation After Chemotherapy in Retinoblastoma
Authors: Ramasubramanian Aparna , Rehman Nisha S. , Chauhan Argudit , Rodriguez Aurora , Leverant Amy , Tiwari Nishant
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

To describe amniotic membrane augmentation for enucleation after chemotherapy in retinoblastoma.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of patients with retinoblastoma who underwent enucleation. The study also evaluated the utility of amniotic membrane grafting in enucleation after chemotherapy in eyes with retinoblastoma.

Results:

In this study, 110 eyes of 107 patients were analyzed, and 49 patients had previous systemic chemotherapy, 13 eyes had previous intra-arterial chemotherapy, and 7 eyes had external beam radiation. Amniotic graft was used in 8 eyes (5 following IAC, 2 following systemic chemotherapy, and 1 after both). After IAC, 3 of 7 eyes without amniotic graft had implant exposure compared to 0 of 6 eyes with amniotic graft (
P
= .05). Pathological examination of the conjunctiva after intra-arterial chemotherapy showed goblet cell hypoplasia that hinders wound healing.

Conclusions:

Amniotic membrane augmentation improves wound integrity in patients with retinoblastoma, especially following intra-arterial chemotherapy.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2024;61(4):291–295.]
Evaluation of Structural and Functional Retinal Changes in Children With Intermittent Exotropia Versus Healthy Children
Authors: Ebeid Weam Mohamed , Abdellatif Mona Kamal , Mohsen Samak Noha
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

To detect structural and functional changes in children with intermittent exotropia using optical coherence tomography, pattern electroretinography (ERG), and multifocal ERG.

Methods:

The study included 26 patients with intermittent exotropia and 26 healthy individuals matched for age and sex with a mean age of 9.23 and 11.20 years in the intermittent exotropia and control groups, respectively (
P
= .310). All patients underwent full ophthalmic examination including measurement of the angle of strabismus at near and far, and assessment of the macula and optic nerve using optical coherence tomography, pattern ERG, and multifocal ERG.

Results:

All patients had 6/6 best corrected visual acuity with no fixation preference. A significantly prolonged P and N wave latency was found in all measured rings of multifocal ERG of patients with intermittent exotropia, P wave amplitude was lower in rings 1 and 5, and N wave amplitude was lower in rings 1 and 2. Regarding pattern ERG, the amplitude of P50 wave was lower and N95 latency was prolonged in the intermittent exotropia group. The upper and lower ganglion cell complex and the superior retinal nerve fiber layer were significantly thinner in the intermittent exotropia group compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Children with intermittent exotropia without any associated amblyopia or refractive error showed a subnormal pattern and multifocal ERG response in addition to a thinner ganglion cell layer and retinal nerve fiber layer compared to normal controls. This signifies that subtle structural and functional retinal changes are found in patients with intermittent exotropia.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2024;61(5):317–324.]
Comparison of probiotic properties between free cells and encapsulated cells of Limosilactobacillus fermentum InaCC B1295
Authors: Pato Usman , Yusuf Yusmarini , Riftyan Emma , Rossi Evy , Agrina
Published: April 2024

Probiotics are microflora that can improve intestinal health and the immune system, positively impacting human health. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of free cells and Limosilactobacillus fermentum InaCC B1295 (LFB1295) cells encapsulated with cellulose microfiber hydrogel (CMFH) from oil palm fronds (OPF) against gastric acid, bile ox gall, autoaggregation, coaggregation, and hydrophobicity of surface cells to reach the columns with high viability numbers and be capable of attaching to and colonizing the colon. The research was carried out experimentally by referring to previous research methods. Research data in resistance to gastric acid and bile salts, autoaggregation, coaggregation, and cell surface hydrophobicity were analyzed statistically using the t-test and displayed in table and figure form. The results showed that free cells were more susceptible to gastric acid and bile salts than CMFH-encapsulated cells from OPF, as indicated by a much more promising reduction in the viability of free cells compared to CMFH-encapsulated LFB1295 cells from OPF. Hence, LFB1295 free cells had higher autoaggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, and coaggregation values than CMGH-encapsulated cells from OPF. Free and encapsulated cells generally have high coaggregation values with fellow lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Pediococcus pentosaceus, compared to coaggregation with pathogenic bacteria, namely S. aureus and E. coli. These findings indicate that free cells or cells encapsulated with CMFH-OPF have excellent acid and bile salts, autoaggregation, coaggregation, and hydrophobicity and qualify as probiotics.
Generalization of Snell's Law for the propagation of acoustic waves in elliptically anisotropic media
Authors: Pedruelo-González Luis M. , Fernández-Martínez Juan L.
Published: April 2024

In seismic data processing, both in inversion (Inverse Processing) and modeling (Direct Processing), it is essential to consider anisotropy to unravel the geological structure of the subsoil. Besides, in most cases, the macroscopic model of anisotropy in 2D seismic surveys is elliptical and weak, with ratios of anisotropy close to one. Therefore, it is crucial to have at disposal the analytical formulas for acoustic wave propagation in elliptical anisotropic media. We presented the generalization of the Snell's Law for the case of acoustic wave propagation in elliptically anisotropic media. The generalization of the Snell's Law for acoustic anisotropic media had different applications in digital processing, raytracing, and acoustic inversion to properly consider elliptical anisotropy.
Some generic hypersurfaces in a Euclidean space
Authors: Alohali Hanan , Deshmukh Sharief
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we find three nontrivial characterizations of Euclidean spheres. In the first result, we show that the existence of a nonzero nontrivial concircular vector field $ {\omega } $ on a compact and connected hypersurface $ N $ of the Euclidean space $ R^{m+1} $ with a mean curvature $ \alpha $ constant along the integral curves of $ {\omega } $ and a shape operator $ T $ satisfying $ T({\omega) = \alpha \omega } $ implies that $ \alpha $ is a constant and $ N $ is isometric to a sphere, and the converse also holds. In the second result, we show that the presence of a unit Killing vector field $ \mathbf{v} $ on a compact and connected hypersurface $ N $ of a Euclidean space $ R^{m+1} $ gives a nonzero function $ \sigma = g\left(T \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v}\right) $ with shape operator $ T $, and the integral of the function $ m\alpha \sigma Ric\left(\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v}\right) $ has a certain lower bound, and is isometric to an odd-dimensional sphere, and the converse holds too. Finally, we show that for a compact and connected hypersurface $ N $ with support $ \rho $ and basic vector field $ \mathbf{u} $, the integral of the Ricci curvature $ Ric\left(\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{u}\right) $ has a specific lower bound and is necessarily isometric to a sphere, and the converse also holds.
Inequality and technological change
Authors: Macera Manuel , Tsujiyama Hitoshi
Published: April 2024

We study how technological change affects between‐ and within‐education‐group inequality in the United States. We develop a model with heterogeneous workers and firms in which the demand for skills is characterized by firms' recruiting behavior. We use the model to quantify the relative contribution of two types of technological change that affect the relative demand for skilled labor: technological change in firm‐specific productivity and technological change in labor productivity. We find that technological change in labor productivity, in the form of higher returns to skill in production, is the main driver of the increase in between‐ and within‐group inequality. Technological change in firm productivity, in the form of higher firm productivity dispersion, plays a less important role in explaining rising inequality, except for the increase in within‐group inequality for workers without a college degree.
Confidence set for group membership
Authors: Dzemski Andreas , Okui Ryo
Published: April 2024

Our confidence set quantifies the statistical uncertainty from data‐driven group assignments in grouped panel models. It covers the true group memberships jointly for all units with pre‐specified probability and is constructed by inverting many simultaneous unit‐specific one‐sided tests for group membership. We justify our approach under
N,
T → ∞ asymptotics using tools from high‐dimensional statistics, some of which we extend in this paper. We provide Monte Carlo evidence that the confidence set has adequate coverage in finite samples. An empirical application illustrates the use of our confidence set.
Inference for matched tuples and fully blocked factorial designs
Authors: Bai Yuehao , Liu Jizhou , Tabord-Meehan Max
Published: April 2024

This paper studies inference in randomized controlled trials with multiple treatments, where treatment status is determined according to a “matched tuples” design. If there are

|
D
|
possible treatments, then by a matched tuples design, we mean an experimental design where units are sampled i.i.d. from the population of interest, grouped into “homogeneous” blocks of size

|
D
|
, and finally, within each block, exactly one individual is randomly assigned to each of the

|
D
|
treatments. We first study estimation and inference for matched tuples designs in the general setting where the parameter of interest is a vector of linear contrasts over the collection of average potential outcomes for each treatment. Parameters of this form include standard average treatment effects used to compare one treatment relative to another, but also include parameters that may be of interest in the analysis of factorial designs. We first establish conditions under which a sample analog estimator is asymptotically normal and construct a consistent estimator of its corresponding asymptotic variance. Combining these results establish the asymptotic exactness of tests based on these estimators. In contrast, we show that, for two common testing procedures based on
t‐tests constructed from linear regressions, one test is generally conservative while the other is generally invalid. We go on to apply our results to study the asymptotic properties of what we call “fully‐blocked” 2

K
factorial designs, which are simply matched tuples designs applied to a full factorial experiment. Leveraging our previous results, we establish that our estimator achieves a lower asymptotic variance under the fully‐blocked design than that under any stratified factorial design, which stratifies the experimental sample into a finite number of “large” strata. A simulation study and empirical application illustrate the practical relevance of our results.
Essential to students’ intercultural learning abroad? Faculty intercultural development as key to leverage effective pedagogies
Authors: Sherman Whitney , Namaste Nina , Gibson Anne , Spira-Cohen Ezra
Published: April 2024

In the realm of international education there are many calls to increase and improve faculty development to make study abroad experiences more intellectually and interculturally enriching, for both faculty and students (Anderson et al., 2016; Gillespie, 2019; Gillespie et al., 2020; Johnstone et al., 2020; Layne et al., 2020). In this study we analyze a particular faculty development structure as a model of effectiveness. Part of a larger study examining student learning on Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) programs, this article analyzes 22 educator interviews, specifically grouping and categorizing their stated pedagogical tactics, and found that this organization’s intentional, highly mentored, relationship-rich faculty development program—centered on their own intercultural learning and growth—helped educators leverage pedagogies to effectively foster students’ intercultural learning. We argue that faculty’s intercultural learning is the key to empowering faculty’s successful leveraging of dynamic pedagogies, not vice versa. Our study, thus, demonstrates the need for investment, expansion, and mentorship of integrated faculty development programming, particularly with regard to educators’ own intercultural growth, in order to implement effective pedagogies that activate and expand students’ deep learning, especially while studying abroad.
Examining SGIDs through a disability lens: Increasing awareness and access in a CTL program
Authors: Gravett Emily O. , Breneman Daisy L.
Published: April 2024

Centers for teaching and learning (CTLs) have increasingly been attending to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and access (DEIJA), offering myriad programs for instructors to learn how to make their teaching more welcoming and effective for all students. Yet considerations of disability continue to lag behind in higher education, and educational developers themselves may not always create programs that are inclusive and accessible. In this article, we will focus on one popular CTL program, primarily called Small-Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID) in the literature. When we examine this program through the lens of Disability Studies, we begin to realize just how much ableism permeates its design and implementation. This article will begin an important process of uncovering, naming, and detailing some of the overlapping barriers for those involved in the SGID process and the accompanying equity and access gap(s) that may inadvertently be created because SGIDs are so frequently offered across the United States. We will explore how we might respond to some of the limitations of the SGID program, as currently and commonly conceived, including turning to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for redesign ideas and even considering whether this program continues to be the best way to achieve its intended outcomes. We offer a model for more broadly rethinking educational development processes that may perpetuate ableism and intersecting forms of oppression.
Management Configurations in an Internationalized Brazilian Organization: Human Resources Management, Market and Labor Relations Dynamics
Authors: Cruz Marcus Vinicius Gonçalves da , Sarsur Amyra Moyzes , Amorim Wilson Aparecido Costa de
Published: April 2024

The article analyzes the different configurations of management in a family-owned and recently internationalized firm and observes how the organization understands human resources management (HRM), market dynamics and labor relations in different contexts. This qualitative research consists of a case study based on a field survey and in-depth interviews with human resources managers in a large Brazilian family-owned organization operating in South America. The findings point out differences in management in the firm’s manufacturing plants depending on the country and similarities of the HRM practices within the same country. It was possible to observe a transitioning form of HRM toward the strategic level in the case of Brazil. However, this form of HRM is subsidiary to the traditional notion of HRM in other Latin American countries. Also, the firm monitors the labor market, and the labor relations it establishes are adapted according to the country. The study contributes theoretically by discussing management configurations for HRM, market and labor relations under a transnational approach, and the methodology allows comparative research. Finally, the research offers an empirical contribution by illustrating the management dynamics of a family-owned and recently internationalized firm in different regions of South America.
'Stinkafrikaners' and social stereotypes: The Anglo Boer War reminiscences of L.J. Groenewald
Authors: Bottomley John
Published: April 2024

No abstract available.
Stokvels and economic empowerment: The case of African women in South Africa, CA. 1930-1998
Authors: Verhoef Grietjie
Published: April 2024

Verwantskapverhoudings in tradisionele gemeenskappe het vroue onderwerp aan die gesag van mans en ouer vroue. Vroue behoort aan hulle mans en hulle reg om in die kraal te woon het afgehang van haar verwantskap tot een of ander man, lewend of afgestorwe. Ingevolge die kommunale grondbesitstelsel kon vroue nie grond erf nie, maar dit het vererf na haar kinders. Vroue het vruggebruik van hul afgestorwe eggenotes se grond behou. Wanneer vroue uit die tradisionele sektor uitbeweeg het, het die moontlikheid ontstaan om vry en onafhanklik van die man te word. Swart vroue wat stedelike gebiede toe getrek het, het self 'n inkome begin verdien. Dikwels het weduwees deur verstedeliking begin om 'n onafhanklike lewe te skep. In hierdie stedelike omgewing het vroue ondememendoorgegaan tot informele sektoraktiwiteite, maar hulle het toegang tot kontant ontwikkel waarvoor hu/le dan stokvelle gestig het. Stokvelle was sosio-ekonomiese ondersteuningstelsels om daaglikse bestaansbehoeftes asook later langtermyn aan krediet aan te spreek. In hierdie artikel word die stokvel as tipiese ROSCA-organisasie ontleed. Die verskillende verskyningsvorme van stokvelle wordbespreekasook die funksies daarvan in die Swart gemeenskappe. Ten sloffe word verwys na die pogings tot integrasie van stokvelle in die formele finansiiHe stelsel. Die artikel is krities ten aansien van die mate waartoe formele finansiele instellings die bewese spaargeneigdheid van hierdie organisasies erken en op grond daarvan toegang tot krediet verleen.
Association between healthy lifestyles and post-COVID-19 syndrome among college students
Authors: Sun Dezhuo , Zhu Xiangfei , Bao Zhonghan , Lin Xiaoping
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Post-COVID-19 syndrome still occurs in some populations. A healthy lifestyle is widely recognized as a first-line treatment to increase the body’s antiviral resistance and tissue repair, but it is unclear whether a healthy lifestyle can promote or alleviate the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

METHODS:

A stratified random sampling method was used to select 498 participants from three universities in Fujian as the target of the questionnaire survey. The survey focused on students’ healthy lifestyles and the symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression that are common in post-COVID-19 syndrome.

RESULTS:

Two months after developing COVID-19, some students continued to experience fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression, with fatigue being the most prominent symptom. The results of the study showed that there was a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between a healthy lifestyle and fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression among university students. Furthermore, when analyzing the different subdimensions of healthy lifestyles among university students, it was found that all dimensions showed varying degrees of negative correlation with fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression, except for health-related behaviors and interpersonal behaviors, which showed no relationship with fatigue (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

By improving healthy lifestyles, long-term COVID-19 symptoms can be reduced and improved and contribute positively to patient recovery, providing a viable rehabilitation option for long-term COVID-19 patients.
Endobronchial angioleiomyoma: Diagnostic difficulties of a rare lung neoplasm
Authors: Orlando Mafalda , Alimandi Maurizio , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: April 2024

Angioleiomyoma is a benign soft-tissue tumor that rarely develops in the respiratory tract. Here, we report a case of a 51-year-old female with an angioleiomyoma developed in the left lobar bronchial branch and extended to the left principal bronchus, causing nonspecific symptoms, and not visible on the chest X-ray examination. The suspected diagnosis was established by high-resolution computed tomography and confirmed by the histological evaluation of the endoscopically removed lesion.
Adjuvant surgical resection for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: Effectiveness and complications
Authors: Kim Ji Yong , Yun Jae Kwang , Lee Geon Dong , Choi Sehoon , Kim Hyeong Ryul , Kim Yong-Hee , Park Seung-Il , Kim Dong Kwan
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Standard antibiotic treatment for nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTMPD) has unsatisfactory success rates. Pulmonary resection is considered adjunctive therapy for patients with refractory disease or severe complications, but surgical indications and extent of resection remain unclear. We present surgical treatment outcomes for NTMPD and analyzes risk factors for unfavorable outcomes.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective investigation of medical records for patients diagnosed with NTMPD who underwent surgical treatment at Asan Medical Center between 2007 and 2021. We analyzed clinical data including microbiological and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS:

A total of 71 NTMPD patients underwent thoracic surgery. Negative conversion of acid-fast bacillus (AFB) culture following pulmonary resection was observed in 51 (73.9%) patients. In terms of long-term outcomes, negative conversion was sustained in 38 cases (55.1%). Mortality occurred in 7 patients who underwent pulmonary resections for NTMPD. Statistically significant associations with factors for recurrence or non-negative conversion of AFB culture were found in older age (odds ratio [OR] =1.093, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.029–1.161, P = 0.004), male sex (OR = 0.251, 95% CI: 0.071–0.892, P = 0.033), and extensive NTMPD lesions involving three lobes or more (OR = 5.362, 95% CI: 1.315–21.857, P = 0.019). Interstitial lung disease (OR = 13.111, 95% CI: 1.554–110.585, P = 0.018) and pneumonectomy (OR = 19.667, 95% CI: 2.017–191.797, P = 0.018) were statistically significant risk factors for postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSION:

Pulmonary resection can be an effective adjuvant treatment option for NTMPD patients, with post-operative antibiotic treatment as the primary treatment. Careful patient selection is crucial, considering the associated risk factors and resectability due to complications and recurrence.
Investigating vitamin D status following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and its relationship with long coronavirus disease
Authors: Kaddah Safy Zahed , Mousa Heba Allah , Elhalafawy Mariam Yasser , Ashraf Hala , Osman Mahmoud , Bayoumi Aml Ibrahim
Published: April 2024

Objective

Health-care systems are facing a brand new difficulty as a result of post-COVID-19 syndrome. The relationship between long COVID and vitamin d.(25OHD levels was not extensively studied. Also, to our knowledge, no study evaluated vit d.(25OHD) levels and their relation to long COVID in the long-term period [3–6 months) after COVID infection. This study aims to evaluate vit d.(25OHD) levels post-COVID-19 infection and its relation to persistent symptoms in long-term COVID.

Patients and methods

A cross-sectional, single-center study involving 84 patients who were recruited during the period from December 2021 to May 2022, during the previous 6 months after the COVID-19 sickness. Complete history, clinical examination, and laboratory analysis [C-reactive protein, D-dimer, total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count. Serum vit d.(25OHD), and HRCT chest were performed.

Results

Of the patients, 44% had insufficient levels [20–30 ng/dL), 36% had deficient vitamin D levels [<20 ng/dL), and only 19% reported normal levels. In the examined groups, there was no association between vitamin d.(25OHD) levels and post-COVID-19 symptoms.

Conclusion

The study population had a high rate of vit d.(25OHD) insufficiency; however, no association was found between vit d.(25OHD) level and post-COVID-19 symptoms. The relation between long COVID-19 pathophysiology and the immune system is more complicated. More research is required to determine whether vit d.(25OHD) may have a part in long-term COVID-19.
Lung ultrasound (LUS): a simple, inexpensive, and quick diagnostic method: a literature review
Authors: Lazovic Biljana , Dmitrovic Radmila , Simonovic Isidora , Jovičić Nevena , Vasin Dragan , ELBagalaty Mohamed , Esquinas Antonio M
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Historically, radiologists believed that ultrasound was ineffective for detecting lung and pleural diseases. Today, it is regarded as a diagnosis (imaging) that may be ‘equated’ with advanced methods such as radiography and computed tomography (CT) since it has comparable, if not greater, diagnostic accuracy for specific pathological substrates when compared with cross-sectional radiographic approaches such as CT. We have covered the basic anatomical points and lines, as well as their meanings in the interpretation of ultrasound findings, throughout this article. We have specifically highlighted conditions with high lung ultrasound (LUS) specificity and sensitivity, such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and pneumonia. It is also noteworthy that it’s recommended for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis. Following lines such as A, B, C, Z, and E would provide us with information on the patient’s current condition. We identified 15 papers that contained the following keywords: ‘A lines’, ‘B lines’, ‘C lines’, ‘Z lines’, ‘E lines’, ‘pleural effusion’, ‘pneumothorax’, ‘pneumonia’, and ‘coronavirus disease 2019’.

Conclusion

The use of lung ultrasound will become more widespread. It is vital to train general practitioners and emergency doctors in its use since it provides a quick and reliable reference point for further diagnosis.
Utility of original and simplified pulmonary embolism severity indices in risk stratification of patients with pulmonary embolism: a study from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abuelhassan Usama E , Alsalem Ali A , Alshafa Fawwaz A , Alshahrani Fahad S , AlShahrani Maram A , Alamri Amal K , Alaqil Meaad A , Alasim Ahmed A , Kadasah Ali S , Alsultan Eman M , Almani Salihah Y , Almani Nalah Y , Badawi Azizah G , Al-Shahrani Nourah A , Salawi Ali A , Alshehri Shubayli H , Alshehri Elham FA , Abdelwahab Sherif A
Published: April 2024

Background

We aimed to report our experience using both the pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) and its simplified form (s-PESI) score in evaluating patients with PE admitted at a large Saudi Arabian Hospital.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective analysis where the adult (≥14 years old) patients admitted to the hospital of the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region with the diagnosis of acute PE through 1 year were enrolled. The accuracy of both PESI and s-PESI was evaluated for mortality.

Results

Two hundred and twelve patients were enrolled. We encountered a significant relation only with the 90, 180 days, 1 year, and overall in-hospital mortality for low versus high-risk classification by the s-PESI score. There was neither a significant correlation between any-period mortality and classes of PESI score nor between low versus high-risk s-PESI score and 30-day mortality. The sensitivity of PESI and s-PESI in predicting mortality were 66.7 and 97.0%, respectively. The area under the curve of PESI and s-PESI were 0.611 (P=0.043), and 0.629 (P=0.005), respectively.

Conclusion

Besides being an easier tool for stratifying the risk of patients with PE, our data show that the s-PESI score is utilizable in Saudi Arabian patients with PE admitted at a large tertiary hospital. s-PESI and PESI have good potential to predict the prognosis of PE in terms of in-hospital mortality, with higher sensitivity, negative predictive value, and area under the curve for s-PESI versus PESI. There was a significant correlation between the s-PESI and the 90, 180 days, 1 year, and the overall in-hospital mortality. Further prospective multicenter studies are needed.
Kinetic model for polyhydroxybutyrate production by Bacillus aryabhattai MH997667.1 in a batch culture using different agitation speeds
Authors: Abd-Elsalam Ibrahim S. , Shafei Mona S. , Allam Reda F. , Mostafa Enas M. , Khattab Abd El-Nasser A. , Ragab Yasser M. , Amin Magdy A. , El-Metwally Neveen M.
Published: April 2024

Background

Slow degradation of synthetic plastics represents a high environmental hazard; therefore, there is an essential requirement to substitute them with eco-friendly products. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biodegradable biopolymer and also has several industrial, agricultural, and medical applications. Scaling up the production of PHB is still a problem due to the numerous parameters tangled in the fermentation processes.

Objective

The present work seeks to scale up polyhydroxybutyrate production by Bacillus aryabhattai MH997667.1 from shaken flasks to a 5L-bench top bioreactor with previously optimized media by applying a batch fermentation strategy.

Materials and methods

Different agitation speeds (200, 250 and 300 rpm) were tested in a 5L-bench-top bioreactor with a working volume of 3L. A kinetic model (logistic and Luedeking–Piret) that describes the microbial biomass and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production is used to expect the performance of batch fermentation of Bacillus aryabhattai MH997667.1.

Results and conclusion

The optimum PHB yield (2.32 g/l) was expressed at 250 rpm agitation after 28 hours of fermentation. The experimental data were also fitted with the logistic and Luedeking–Piret equations for growth and PHB formation, respectively. The mathematical model proposed for batch fermentation revealed that the simulated data showed a good fit with the experimental results obtained during the first 24 h of PHB production at 250 rpm, where the productivity was 0.095 g L−1h−1. Our data suggest that agitation speed had a significant effect on PHB production and the 250 rpm agitation speed is the optimum speed for PHB production using Bacillus aryabhattai MH997667.1 in batch fermentation.
Isolation and identification of probiotic lactobacilli from ruminant animals
Authors: Abdou Amr M. , Syame Sohier M. , Bakry Magdy A. , Effat Mohammad M. , Fouad Ehab A.
Published: April 2024

Background

Lactobacillus strains are a group of bacteria that provide health benefits to their hosts when consumed in proper amounts. They are which exhibit an important for intestinal microflora that constitutes a beneficial mechanism responsible for antimicrobial activity. Ruminant animals such as cattle, buffalo, goat, and sheep have formed a symbiotic relationship with ruminal microorganisms that synthesize fiber digesting enzymes. The microbial flora obtained from ruminal ingesta is an output of the composition, nature, and quality of the animals’ feed. It is found that the dominating flora are usually starch and complex polysaccharide degrading microbiota.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify probiotic lactobacilli present in some ruminant animals to investigate interspecies differences in probiotic Lactobacillus contents.

Materials and methods

Sixty samples were collected in triple manner under aseptic conditions from buffalo, cattle, sheep and goats including rectal, buccal, and nasal swabs. Following DNA extraction from the isolated bacteria, 16S rRNA multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to recognize the obtained isolates.

Results and conclusion

A total of 38 isolates were identified as lactobacillus species including 7, 14, 8, and 9 isolates from buffalo, cattle, sheep, and goat, respectively. The buffalo samples displayed the lowest variability in lactobacilli with the identification of Lactobacillus delbrueckii only. Cattle, goat, and sheep samples showed the presence of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophillus, L. delbrueckii, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. It is found that L. gasseri was the most frequently isolated species in cattle followed by L. rhamnosus, while L. delbrueckii was the most frequently isolated species in goat followed by L. casei. L. gasseri was the most frequently isolated strain in sheep followed by L. acidophillus and L. rhamnosus. These strains should be investigated in more detail, individually or in combination, for their potential health benefits. Understanding how these species interact with other microbiota community members in each host as well as how they interact with host cells, particularly immune cells, can provide valuable insight into their function both in health and disease.
Correlation of Anti-Mullerian Hormone with Antral Follicle Count among South Indian Infertile Women in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Mounika Kodali Lakshmi , Jayashree S. , Rangaswamy Mythily Mysore
Published: April 2024

Context:

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is one of the important causes of infertility and its incidence is increasing even in younger age groups with no risk factors. Ovarian reserve needs to be evaluated in an infertile couple as the fecundity or response to ovarian stimulation is less in women with DOR. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) are markers of ovarian reserve with the highest sensitivity.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to assess the ovarian reserve among infertile women through AMH and AFC, to find if there is a correlation between AMH and AFC, and to see if there is a correlation between AMH and AFC with age.

Settings and Design:

This study was conducted at the Department of OBG, JSS Hospital, JSS AHER, Mysore. This was a cross-sectional study.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 141 infertile women aged 19–45 years. Serum AMH was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay irrespective of the day of the menstrual cycle and AFC was measured on 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle by transvaginal ultrasound.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Student’s-t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation were used for analysis.

Results:

Mean AMH and AFC of the subjects were 4.52 ± 4.16 ng/ml and 17.08 ± 12.54, respectively. A significant positive correlation was noted between AMH and AFC (r = 0.663, P < 0.01) and there was a significant negative correlation between age as compared with AFC (r = −0.349, P < 0.01) and AMH (r = −0.244, P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

AFC and AMH showed a significant negative correlation with age. AFC had a strong positive correlation with serum AMH.
Development of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Core Sets for Lower Extremity Osteoarthritis within Indian Context: A Study Protocol
Authors: Khuman P. Ratan , Muruganantham Balaganapathy
Published: April 2024

Background:

Properly understanding the functioning and health status of lower extremity osteoarthritis (LEOA) is needed to optimize interventions to enhance function and minimize disability. The available International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Sets (CS) for osteoarthritis are not specific to the lower extremity. They are strongly influenced by Western sociocultural values that may be inappropriate in the Indian context. Therefore, the objective of this study is to present the proposed process for the development of the ICF CS for LEOA, specifically for the Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

The first stage is to identify ICF categories significant for LEOA using four preparatory studies: (a) a systematic literature review to compile the researcher’s perspective by identifying functional outcome measures, (b) a qualitative study using focus group interviews to identify patients’ perspective, (c) an expert survey to identify experts’ perspective, and (d) a cross-sectional, multicenter study. The first version of the comprehensive and brief ICF-CS for LEOA will be developed through a consensus process using a Delphi exercise, integrating the evidence from the preparatory studies. In the final stage, field testing on Indian patients will validate the first version of the CS for LEOA.

Conclusion:

The proposed protocol to develop ICF-CS for LEOA may provide the basis for a generally agreed-upon standard that allows a comparison of functioning in clinical practice, research studies, quality management, and reimbursement that are relevant for patients with LEOA and health-care providers in Indian contexts.
Ileal Chylolymphatic Mesenteric Cyst in a 4-year-old Child
Authors: Goel Aashna , Thakur Brijesh , Garg Vageesha
Published: April 2024

Mesenteric cysts are rare, usually asymptomatic intra-abdominal benign cystic lesions, located in gastrointestinal tract mesentery. Their incidence is estimated about 1/20,000 in the pediatric age group with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2. Here, we report a case of ileal chylolymphatic mesenteric cyst in a 4-year-old male child. A 4-year-old male child presented to the outpatient department with a history of on-and-off abdominal pain and vomiting for the last 2 years. Ultrasound revealed a well-defined anechoic area measuring approximately 68 mm × 52 mm in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and excised cyst with an attached part of the ileum was sent for histopathology. Correlating histology with immunohistochemical findings, the final diagnosis of ileal chylolymphatic type mesenteric cyst was considered. Mesenteric cysts should be kept as a differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal and pelvic cystic lesions. Although rare, awareness of this entity is necessary for early and prompt diagnosis as well as management, particularly in patients of the pediatric age group.