bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COGNITIVE ONOMASTICS: SOME RESULTS AND PROSPECTS
Authors:   Moscow City University, Alpatov V.V. , Chukarkova O.V. ,   St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University, Michugina S.V. ,   Moscow City University
Published: September 2024

The article surveys the subject matter and methodology of research within the overlapping area between cognitive linguistics and onomastics. It explores the cognitive dimension in onomastics as such and how it has been approached in onomasiology, cognitive psychology, cultural linguistic studies and ethnolinguistics. This is followed by an outline of cognitive onomastics as it emerged in the first quarter of the 21st century in Russia and, partially, Europe, adopting the agenda and terminology of cognitive linguistics. The authors offer an interpretation of the tendencies, along with prognostic suggestions concerning further trajectories and objectives of development of onomastics within the cognitive paradigm. The authors highlight a need for increased cohesion between the various schools in onomastics that study cognition, as well as increased awareness of research across other countries, and exemplify prospective areas where symbiosis of onomastics and cognitive linguistics could be most fruitful.
FOOTBALL MEDIA DISCOURSE: LINGUOSEMIOTIC APPROACH (on the material of English publications)
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Sklyarova N.G.
Published: September 2024

In the article the English football media discourse is characterized as a linguo-semiotic system that includes personal, locative, instrumental, processive, quantitative and qualitative signs. The methods of contextual, discursive, and comparative analysis help to reveal the variability of the six above mentioned classes of verbal signs in the English football media discourse, due to extralinguistic factors of the sports, political and social nature. The research shows that in the football media discourse, language signs denoting various realities of the corresponding sports sphere serve to highlight football competitions, the events taking place around them, the professional career of players and coaches, as well as to form the public opinion and popularize football. In the representation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2020 European Football Championship, there are not only common trends associated with the relative stability in the rules and tactics of the game, but also differences caused by the peculiarities of both football events, unsporting circumstances, the development of this sphere accompanied by changes and innovations. The results of the research contribute to the development of the semiotic approach in the discourse study.
A CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF STANCE IN NEWS ITEMS ON ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Authors:   MGIMO University, Kolomiec E.A.
Published: September 2024

The study examines stance in American and Russian news items dedicated to ecological and environmental issues. Green agenda represents a promising research field, as the analysis of the environmental rhetoric can shed light on socio-cultural specifics and political ambitions of a country. News items play a significant role in promoting ideas and opinions, so they can be an effective instrument of building public opinion towards ecological and environmental issues, and thus are in the focus of our analysis. The analysis of the stance is conducted with the usage of the Attitude sub-system of Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal framework. The research demonstrated little difference in the way stance is implemented in the texts. Both in American and Russian news the author focuses on his emotions relating to the topic discussed rather than on the nature of the latter. Findings demonstrated presence of subjective and evaluative elements that are not typical for news, meanwhile Russian news clusters are characterized by much stronger presence of these elements. It was revealed that the author prefers indirect means of transmitting the stance, which has been proved by former studies, and they demonstrate no correlation between the topic of a piece of news and the type of appraisal item. The abovementioned results constitute ground for further research in the field, namely whether the findings can be linked to features of sociocultural contexts.
Biomechanical Effects on Periodontal Ligaments during Expansion of the Maxillary Arch Using Thermoformed Aligners Modeled by Computational Methods
Authors: Rojas Gustavo Adolfo , Garcia Melo Jose Isidro , Aristizabal Mullet Juan Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Purpose: this paper evaluates the effect of thermo-formed aligners with complementary biomechanical attachments (CBA) on periodontal ligaments (PDL) during the expansion process of the maxillary arch using simulations based on the finite element method (FEM). Methods: four types of teeth (canine 3, premolar 4, premolar 5 and molar 6) were modeled using 3D CAD. In addition, aligners, CBAs and PDL were also 3D modeled. With this information, a FEM model was generated, and a clinical rehabilitation scenario was simulated. For the validation of the results, a comparison with medical records was performed. Results: for canine 3, the displacement was 0.134 mm with a maximum stress of 4.822 x10-3MPa in the amelocemental junction. For premolar 4, the displacement was 0.132 mm at a maximum stress of 3.273x10-3MPa in the amelocemental junction. Premolar 5 had a displacement of 0.129 mm and a stress of 1.358 x10-3MPa at 1 mm from the amelocemental junction. Molar 6 had a displacement of 0.124 mm and a maximum stress of 2.440 x10-3MPa. Conclusions: The simulations showed that the use of CBA reduces tooth tipping. The model with Vestibular CBA presented the best results in terms of the dental movement of expansion of the maxillary arch with the use of thermoformed aligners. Significance: Considering the difficulty of performing in vivo tests that evaluate the configuration effectiveness of the different CBA alternatives in thermoformed aligners, FEM techniques were used to reduce time and costs, and get accurate results with minimal errors.
Quantitative Methods for Business Research: Exploring the Impact of Customer Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Retail
Authors: ABUEL AFIEH AHMAD
Published: September 2024

Introduction : In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations strive to maintain a highly committed workforce to enhance productivity, reduce turnover, and achieve long-term success. Organizational commitment, defined as the psychological attachment of employees to their organization, is crucial in fostering employee loyalty and engagement (Meyer & Allen, 1991). However, identifying the factors that influence organizational commitment requires a deep understanding of employee attitudes and behaviors.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Condition Monitoring for Oil and Gas Industries
Authors: Rajakannu Amuthakkannan , K.P Ramachandran , K Vijayalakshmi
Published: September 2024

There are considerable benefits in applying Artificial Intelligence to automation in modern industries including Oil and Gas Industries. Oil and Gas Industries have many complex systems in their production and flow line. The failure of gas equipment will have serious consequences including financial and environmental issues. Condition monitoring of oil and gas equipment provides the condition of components, machines, systems, equipment, data hardware, and even software. The predictive maintenance and industry 4.0 applications have more advantages in petrochemical industries to make a safer economic environment and this paper addresses the Artificial Intelligence (AI) application of condition monitoring for Oil and Gas Industries. To understand the effectiveness of AI in condition monitoring for oil and gas industries, a case study related to the condition monitoring of drilling machine is conducted and applied Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm to analyze and predict the potential failures. The novelty of this work is the proposal of an approach for tool wear monitoring in drilling using acoustic emission sensors for feature extraction and considering wavelet packet decomposition for further analysis. The extracted features from WPD are given as input for ANN to identify the healthiness of the drill bit and machine. This work aims to find the effectiveness of AI-based condition monitoring in enhancing effectiveness of monitoring and the safety of equipment in Oil and Gas Industries.
Economy Contractions and the Rental Housing Affordability Situation in the Lagos Property Market: A Short-Term Outlook
Authors: Ugwuejim Stephen , Iruobe Patience , Rimamsichi Jonathan
Published: September 2024

With real estate cycles being a subset of business cycles, contraction stages are often perceived as short-term, after which a revival of the property market sets in. The worsening Nigerian economy has further complicated the issues of housing supply and affordability in economic nerves like Lagos. This study examined the fundamental and associated factors contributing to rental housing affordability issues between 2019-2023 in Lagos. This article is produced with the intention of providing a market data update on rental housing price movements for both the mainland and island zones of Lagos, as well as comparing their affordability convenience for income-earners or households based on the rent-income ratio. The study adopted a mixed research design and various data sources were consulted in analyzing the fundamentals, rent and affordability trends. The study discovered that affordability convenience ratios for the various income bands had deteriorated further between 2019 and 2023 in Lagos mainland (8%) and island (9%). 67% and 80% of income earners are paying above the optimal 30% of their personal or household income in meeting their rental demand in Lagos mainland and island respectively. The paper suggested the application of fundamental, institutional and environmental strategies to combating the current phenomenon.
Helical anchor installation with the High Mobility Engineer Excavator : proof-of-concept testing
Authors: Griffin Aaron , Murray Matthew
Published: September 2024

Proof-of-concept testing was conducted to determine the viability of helical anchor installation using the US Army’s High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE). To facilitate the proof-of-concept test, a new hydraulic hose kit was designed that connects the Bridge Supplemental Set (BSS) drive motor to the HMEE’s auxiliary hydraulic system. Additionally, a steel mount was fabricated that provided means to attach the BSS drive motor to the boom of the HMEE. Testing indicated the HMEE can successfully install the BSS anchors with the required hardware, but the vehicle’s large footprint will likely increase the installation time compared to previous methods. Several improvements to the hydraulic hose kit design were identified through the experiment, and guidance was created to facilitate efficient HMEE usage in the future. Once a permanent solution is developed to mount the BSS drive motor to the HMEE, the capabilities of the BSS will be greatly expanded by allowing each Multi-Role Bridge Company to install anchors using multiple vehicle types.
Terrestrial vision-based localization using synthetic horizons
Authors: Carter Jimmy , Pham Melissa , Masarro Richard , Edwards Jarrod , Anderson John , Fischer Robert
Published: September 2024

Vision-based localization could improve navigation and routing solutions in GPS-denied environments. In this study, data from a Carnegie Robotics MultiSense S7 stereo camera were matched to a synthetic horizon derived from foundation sources using novel two-dimensional correlation techniques. Testing was conducted at multiple observation locations over known ground control points (GCPs) at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL), Corbin Research Facility. Testing was conducted at several different observational azimuths for these locations to account for the many possible viewing angles in a scene. Multiple observational azimuths were also tested together to see how the amount of viewing angles affected results. These initial tests were conducted to help future efforts testing the S7 camera under more realistic conditions, in different environments, and while expanding the collection and processing methodologies to additional sensor systems.
IA: motor de cambio en El Español y sus redes sociales
Authors: Romera-Fadón Juan-Antonio , Cristófol Rodríguez Francisco Javier , Peláez-Agudo Demófilo
Published: September 2024

This study examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on social media management in digital media, with the Spanish newspaper El Español as a case study. Using a qualitative methodology based on interviews with innovation managers, the incorporation of AI tools into the newspaper's social media strategy is explored. The findings indicate that AI has enabled the optimization of content scheduling and improved audience interaction, although its application still faces challenges such as alignment with the editorial strategy and the need for human supervision. The study highlights the potential of AI to transform content management on social media, suggesting a more harmonious integration of these technologies in digital journalism.
Differentiation of anterior chamber pigment and inflammatory cells using swept-source optical coherence tomography: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Solebo Ameenat , Bellchambers Alice , Shu Rongling , Chu Colin , Petrushkin Harry
Published: September 2024

Background / Objectives:
We aimed to investigate the potential of anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) in differentiating anterior chamber (AC) pigment and inflammatory cells.
Subject / Methods:
Cross-sectional study of adults with uveitis. Exclusion criterion was corneal opacity sufficient to obscure slit lamp examination of anterior chamber. Reference testing comprised slit lamp based detection of pigment and Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) grading of intraocular inflammation. Index testing comprised CASIA2 swept-source AS-OCT acquisition, with semi-automated analysis to detect and measure hyper-reflective particles within the AC. Correlations between AS-OCT derived counts of different sized particles and clinical grades were explored using multilevel multivariable regression analyses.
Results:
62 eyes (31 patients) were included. There was a positive correlation between AS-OCT particle counts of >2 pixels (equivalent to >12microns), and SUN grading (adjusted coefficient, adjCoef 52.1, 95% CI 10.1-94.0, p=0.02), strengthened in eyes clinically absent of pigment (adjCoef 69.8, 17.4-122.1, p=0.01). Positive correlation was also noted between particle counts ≤2 pixels and presence of AC pigment clinically.
Conclusions:
Swept source (SS) AS-OCT holds potential utility in differentiating between pigment and cells within the AC, leading to improved management of individuals with or at risk of intraocular inflammation. SS AS-OCT derived biomarkers may also provide information on uveitis aetiology, supporting diagnosis of underlying conditions. Further work on a larger cohort, replication by other investigators and clinical teams, and clinical correlation with anterior chamber sampling, will enable future clinical validation.
Comparison of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound for measuring tumor size of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 5cm: A real-world study
Authors: Gan Leilei , Jiang Kunyuan , Chen Qiuxing , Yu Xin
Published: September 2024

Objective To retrospectively compare the performance of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in measuring tumor size of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤5cm.
Methods A total of 194 patients who met the inclusion criteria from January 2019 through May 2024 were included. Taken pathological results as the reference standard, The paired T-test and Bland–Altman analysis were conducted to assess the correlation and mean absolute error between the measured maximum diameter of HCC obtained from CE-MRI/CEUS and pathological results.
Results The comparison of baseline characteristics showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups of patients undergoing MRI and CEUS (P > 0.05). Both CE-MRI and CEUS demonstrated good correlation (r > 0.7) with histological results. The paired T-test analysis revealed that CE-MRI exhibited a smaller mean absolute error (0.1 ± 6.3 mm, P = 0.224, 95%CI -0.099~0.123) compared to CEUS (4.8 ± 7.1 mm, P < 0.001, 95%CI 0.354~0.615). Furthermore, results from the subgroup of patients who underwent both CE-MRI (r = 0.896, mean absolute error 1.2 ± 4.8 mm, P = 0.094, 95%CI -0.021~0.258) and CEUS (r = 0.882, mean absolute error 3.9 ± 4.7 mm, P < 0.001, 95%CI 0.252~0.527) echoed the aforementioned conclusions. The Bland-Altman analysis indicated that both CE-MRI and CEUS consistently overestimated the size of HCC when compared to pathological results. CE-MRI (bias 0.12; 1.19 mm) demonstrated a smaller bias in both the overall patient population and the subgroup patients, as opposed to CEUS (bias 5.02; 3.90 mm).
Conclusion In the preoperative assessment of tumor sizes for solitary HCC measuring ≤5cm, Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI exhibited superior measuring accuracy and can be more clinically useful compared to CEUS.
Involvement of Mycobacterium smegmatis small noncoding RNA B11 in triacylglycerol accumulation and altered cell wall permeability
Authors: Wu Zhuhua , Liu Weilong , Tan Qiuchan , Chen Yuhui , Lai Xiaoyu , Hong Jianming , Liang Hongdi , Wu Huizhong , Liang Jing , Chen Xunxun
Published: September 2024

Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is known to causesevere lung disease in patients.Pathways involving triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulationare thought to play a crucial regulatory role in bacterial growth and metabolism. Despite this understanding, little is known about the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of small RNAs in M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis), a type of Mycobacterium, serves as a model organism to investigate the molecular, physiological, and drug resistance features of M. tuberculosis.
Results In this study, we demonstrated that overexpression of B11 significantly affects bacterial growth and colony morphology, increases antibiotic sensitivity and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surface stress, decreases intracellular survival, and suppresses cytokinesecretion in macrophages. Transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses revealed a metabolic downshift in the B11 overexpression strain, characterized by reduced levels of TAG. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy showed that the B11 overexpression strain exhibited decreased cell wall thickness, leading to reduced biofilm formation and altered cell wall permeability. Additionally, we observed that B11 regulated certain target genes but did not directly bind to proteins.
Conclusions Taken together, these findings suggest that B11 plays important roles in Mycobacterium survival under antibiotic and SDS stresses, TAG accumulation, and contributes to antibiotic sensitivity through altered cell wall permeability.
Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of PI-RADS v2.1 Category 3–5 Lesions Using Amide Proton Transfer Imaging
Authors: Fang Hongkun , Hou Weishu , Wang Qun , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Xiao , Zhang Shuhai , Li Shoubin , Li Xiaohu , Yu Yongqiang
Published: September 2024

Objectives: To explore the value of amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTWI) combined with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) in evaluating the risk of aggressive PI-RADS v2.1 category 3–5 lesions.
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and MRI features of 69 patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and 32 patients with benign prostatic lesion (BL). The PCa group was classified into Gleason Grade Groups (GG) 1 to 4 based on Gleason Score (GS). APTWI parameters, ADC, and PSAD were compared among the different groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of each parameter, and Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between APTWI parameters and GS.
Results: APTWI parameters, ADC, and PSAD were significantly higher in the PCa group than in the BL group, whereas ADC was significantly lower in the PCa group than in the BL group. ADC showed the highest AUC in the diagnosis of PCa, followed by PSAD and APTmin. Combined analysis showed that APTmin+ADC+PSAD exhibited the highest AUC (0.997). In the PCa group, significant differences in APTWI parameters were found among GG1 to GG4 (P<0.001), with intra-group comparisons showing significant differences between GG1 and GG3, GG1 and GG4, GG2 and GG3, and GG2 and GG4 subgroups. The AUC of APTmean was greatest in evaluating the risk of aggressive PCa (0.843), which further increased when APTmean was combined with ADC and PSAD (0.859).
Conclusion: In PI-RADS v2.1 category 3–5 lesions, APT can serve as an important biomarker for the risk stratification of PCa, and combining APT with PSAD and ADC achieves the highest diagnostic efficacy.
Healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes between remodeled and conventional respiratory departments in treating COVID-19 patients during omicron period in China: a propensity score-matched study
Authors: Tang Xiumei , Zhou Ailing , Li Yuhang , Li Kai , Ma Li , Li Weimin
Published: September 2024

Purpose
This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes and healthcare costs of COVID-19 patients treated in either conventional or remodeled respiratory departments at a large medical center in China.
Methods
Using propensity score matching, we selected COVID-19 patients treated between December 2022 and February 2023. We compared all-cause in-hospital mortality as the primary outcome, along with secondary outcomes including length of hospitalization, rates of patients with critical illness complications, COVID-19 related treatments, and healthcare costs.
Results
Among the 5,102 COVID-19 patients treated during the study period, 4,553 (89.24%) were in the remodeled respiratory department, and 549 (10.76%) were in the conventional department. The final analysis included 1,633 propensity score-matched patients from the remodeled department and 549 from the conventional department at a ratio of 1:3. There were no significant differences in all-cause in-hospital mortality or length of hospitalization between the two groups. However, patients in the remodeled department had significantly higher rates of cerebrovascular complications (13.65% vs 8.74%, p = 0.003), higher rates of critical illnesses (3.61% vs 1.50% vs, p = 0.017), higher healthcare costs (7,400 vs 4,300, p < 0.001), while lower rates of respiratory complications (86.22% vs 99.63%, p < 0.001) and non-critical illnesses (45.19% vs 58.83%, p < 0.001). Patients in remodeled department received more invasive oxgen treatment than their counterpart while there was no difference regarding medication administering between the two groups.
Conclusions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, treatment in the remodeled respiratory department was associated with a higher incidence of critical illness and increased healthcare costs, but similar all-cause in-hospital mortality and length of hospitalization compared to the conventional department. Temporarily remodeling hospital infrastructure to expand respiratory care capacity can be a safe and effective strategy to manage surges in COVID-19 cases or other respiratory disorders at the expense of higer cost.
Brain age mediates gut microbiome dysbiosis-related cognition in older adults
Authors: Son Sang Joon , Lee Dong Yun , Roh Hyun Woong , Ly Maria , Kolobaric Antonija , Aizenstein Howard , Andreescu Carmen , Jašarević Eldin , Pascoal Tharick A. , Ferreira Pamela C. L , Bellaver Bruna , Cho Yong Hyuk , Hong Sunhwa , Nam You Jin , Park Bumhee , Kim Narae , Choi Jin Wook , Cheong Jae Youn , Kim Yoon-Keun , Shin Tae-Seop , Kang Chil-Sung , Kwon Cheol-O , Yoon Seo-Yoon , Hong Chang Hyung , Karim Helmet T.
Published: September 2024

Background Recent studies have focused on improving our understanding of gut microbiome dysbiosis and its impact on cognitive function. However, the relationship between gut microbiome composition, accelerated brain atrophy, and cognitive function has not yet been fully explored.Methods We recruited 292 participants from South Korean memory clinics to undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging, clinical assessments, and collected stool samples. We employed a pretrained brain age model– a measure associated with neurodegeneration. Using cluster analysis, we categorized individuals based on their microbiome profiles and examined the correlations with brain age, Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Box (CDR-SB).Results Two clusters were identified in the microbiota at the phylum level that showed significant differences on a number of microbiota phylum. Greater gut microbiome dysbiosis was associated with worse cognitive function including MMSE and CDR-SB; this effect was partially mediated by greater brain age even when accounting for chronological age, sex, and education.Conclusions Our findings indicate that brain age mediates the link between gut microbiome dysbiosis and cognitive performance. These insights suggest potential interventions targeting the gut microbiome to alleviate age-related cognitive decline.
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide plus anti-thymocyte globulin lowered serum IL-6 levels compared with post-transplant cyclophosphamide alone after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Koh Jeong Suk , Lee Myung-Won , Pham Thi Thuy Duong , Heo Bu Yeon , Choi Suyoung , Lee Sang-Woo , Seo Wonhyoung , Kang Sora , Lee Seul Bi , Kim Chul Hee , Ryu Hyewon , Eun Hyuk Soo , Lee Hyo-Jin , Yun Hwan-Jung , Jo Deog-Yeon , Song Ik-Chan
Published: September 2024

Background: Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are both common prophylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.
Method: This study compared the clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from January 2019 to February 2023.
Results: Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. There was a significant difference in IL-6 levels between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had CRS grade 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grade II-IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p <0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p <0.001). There was no significant difference in the CI of chronic GVHD between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group compared with the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011).
Conclusion: Serum IL-6 levels were higher with PTCy alone than with PTCy plus ATG. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affects IL-6 levels and reduces the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of the clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.
Delayed temporal intraparenchymal hemorrhage caused by rupture of middle meningeal artery pseudoaneurysm after a temporal rim fracture
Authors: Cheng Chen-Ting , Chiu Cheng-Di , Chen Wei-Liang , Guo Jeng-Hung
Published: September 2024

Middle meningeal artery (MMA) pseudoaneurysms are mostly caused by traumatic brain injury and can lead to severe morbidity because of epidural or subdural hematoma. We present a rare case of delayed rupture of a right MMA pseudoaneurysm that caused a temporal intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH). Delayed rupture of an MMA pseudoaneurysm is rare but has devastating consequences. Digital subtraction angiography in patients with traumatic brain injury with temporal rim fracture and temporal IPH may help diagnose this lesion easily and treat the disease earlier.
A retrospective study investigating the risk of graft loss in living donor liver transplant cases where size mismatching is predicted from graft-to-recipient weight ratio
Authors: Toriigahara Yukihiro , Matsuura Toshiharu , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Uchida Yasuyuki , Kajihara Keisuke , Maeda Shohei , Kawakubo Naonori , Nagata Kouji , Tajiri Tatsuro
Published: September 2024

Background/Purpose:
Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is vital for pediatric end-stage liver disease due to organ shortages. The graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) preoperatively measured predicts the outcomes of LDLT. We typically target between 0.8% and 3.0–4.0%, but the ideal GRWR remains controversial. We compared the outcomes of LDLT according to the GRWR to examine whether the criteria could be expanded while ensuring safety.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 99 patients who underwent LDLT in our department by dividing them into three groups according to their GRWR: Group S, with GRWR values lower than the normal range (GRWR < 0.8%); Group M, with GRWR values in the normal range (GRWR ≥ 0.8 to < 3.5%); and Group L, with GRWR values above the normal range (GRWR ≥ 3.5%).
Results:
In Groups S and L, 46.2% and 44.4% of patients underwent splenectomy and delayed abdominal wall closure, respectively. After these intraoperative adjustments, there were no significant differences between the groups in 5-year patient survival, 5-year graft survival, or the occurrence of post-transplantation thrombosis.
Conclusion:
When the GRWR is beyond the normal threshold, the risk of complications associated with graft size might be reduced by adjustments to provide appropriate portal blood flow and by delayed abdominal wall closure.
Can Malnutrition, Dietary Habits, and Diet Quality Be Determinant Factors in Frailty, Sarcopenia, Low Physical Function, and Depression in the Elderly?
Authors: Pehlivan Merve , Bakırhan Hande , Arpa Fatmanur Ozyürek , Irgat Serap Incedal
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to investigate the association between malnutrition, diet quality, and dietary intake and frailty, sarcopenia, low physical function, and depression in the elderly. The Edmonton Frailty Scale, Sarcopenia Rapid Screening Test, Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale for the Elderly, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment- Short Form, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence score scales were administered to all study participants (n=695) to determine frailty, sarcopenia, physical status, depression status, nutritional status and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Participants' dietary acid load was assessed using the Potential Renal Acid Load and Net Endogenous Acid Production indicators. Women had significantly higher levels of frailty and sarcopenia compared to men (p<0.05). Frailty and sarcopenia status were correlated with each other, and it was observed that GDS scores increased significantly while KATZ scores decreased as their severity increased (p<0.05). MNA and MEDAS scores correlated with the EFS (r=-0.508, p=0.000; r=-0.084, p=0.027, respectively), SARC-F (r=-0.358, p=0.000; r=-0.126; p=0.001, respectively), GDS (r=-0.397, p=0.000, r=-0,243, p=0,000, respectively), while KATZ and MNA (r=0,439) were found to be positively correlated with energy (r=0,133) and protein (r=0,119) intake (p<0,05). As the PRAL score increased, the GDS (r=-0.082; p=0.031), the SARC-F (r=-0.087; p=0.022), and the EFS (r=-119, p=0.002) decreased significantly. Each 1-unit increase in the MNA score caused a decrease of 0.857, 0.431, and 1.201 units in the EFS, SARF-C, and GDS, respectively, and an increase of 0.190 units in the KATZ. Malnutrition status is positively associated with frailty, sarcopenia, low physical activity, and depression.
Human neutrophil lipocalin, procalcitonin, c-reactive protein, and leucocyte count for prediction of bacterial sepsis in emergency department patients
Authors: Benhamou Jonathan , Nieves-Ortega Ricardo , Nickel Christian H. , Lampart Alina , Kuster Tobias , Balestra Gianmarco M. , Rosin Christiane , Becker Christoph , Lippay Kriemhild , Bingisser Roland
Published: September 2024

Background: Delayed identification of bacterial sepsis undermines the initiation of antibiotic and other time-sensitive treatments in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to investigate the performance of human-neutrophil lipocalin (HNL), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leucocyte count in conjunction with clinical scores for the early detection of bacterial sepsis.
Methods: Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected infection and a national early warning score (NEWS) ≥2 at triage were screened for eligibility. The study biomarkers were measured at ED presentation. The primary outcome was bacterial sepsis, defined as an acute bacterial infection and an increase of ≥2 points in the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (Sepsis-3 criteria). The diagnostic accuracy of the biomarkers for bacterial sepsis was calculated using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and its area under the curve (AUC) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).
Results: In total, we included 421 patients, of whom 155 (36.8%) had bacterial sepsis. For the prediction of bacterial sepsis, PCT outperformed the other biomarkers with an AUC (95% CI) of 0.77 (0.72 – 0.82), compared to HNL 0.72 (0.67 – 0.77), CRP 0.71 (0.66 - 0.76), and leucocyte count 0.64 (0.59 – 0.70). A combination of serum HNL with NEWS and SOFA at presentation had the best predictive value for bacterial sepsis (AUC 0.83).
Conclusion: A combination of biomarkers (serum HNL or CRP plus leucocytes) with NEWS and SOFA at presentation outperformed inflammatory biomarkers used individually in the prediction of bacterial sepsis.
VaxBot-HPV: A GPT-based Chatbot for Answering HPV Vaccine-related Questions
Authors: Tao Cui , Li Yiming , Li Jianfu , Li Manqi , Yu Evan , Amith Muhammad , Tang Lu , Savas Lara , Cui Licong
Published: September 2024

Background: HPV vaccine is an effective measure to prevent and control the diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This study addresses the development of VaxBot-HPV, a chatbot aimed at improving health literacy and promoting vaccination uptake by providing information and answering questions about the HPV vaccine;
Methods: We constructed the knowledge base (KB) for VaxBot-HPV, which consists of 451 documents from biomedical literature and web sources on the HPV vaccine. We extracted 202 question-answer pairs from the KB and 39 questions generated by GPT-4 for training and testing purposes. To comprehensively understand the capabilities and potential of GPT-based chatbots, three models were involved in this study : GPT-3.5, VaxBot-HPV, and GPT-4. The evaluation criteria included answer relevancy and faithfulness;
Results: VaxBot-HPV demonstrated superior performance in answer relevancy and faithfulness compared to baselines (Answer relevancy: 0.85; Faithfulness: 0.97) for the test questions in KB, (Answer relevancy: 0.85; Faithfulness: 0.96) for GPT generated questions;
Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of leveraging advanced language models and fine-tuning techniques in the development of chatbots for healthcare applications, with implications for improving medical education and public health communication.
A Phase/Amplification-Fitted Second-Order BDF-Type Method Using Barycentric Rational Interpolants for Orbital Initial Value Problems
Authors: Karim Ramin Goudarzi , Kiyadeh Sanaz Hami Hassan , Saadat Hosein , Safaie Ali , Khodadosti Fayyaz
Published: September 2024

We propose the design of a second-order Backward Differentiation Formula (BDF-type) method, employing barycentric rational interpolants and enhanced by a novel fitting technique for numerical solutions of second-order initial value problems (IVPs).

Initially, we define barycentric rational interpolants. Subsequently, we develop a second-order BDF-type method with constant coefficients derived from these interpolants. Further, we will adjust two coefficients of the new method using the novel fitting technique. For this purpose, we express the fitting operator of the second-order BDF-type methods in the form of a theorem, which encompasses both the phase lag factor and the amplification factor.

We will analyze the stability regions and local truncation error of the newly developed second-order Backward Differentiation Formula (BDF-type) method, which is based on barycentric rational interpolants. To demonstrate the superiority of this new method in terms of practical results and efficiency, we will present numerical results that include comparisons with several other methods.
Characterization of the Biodegradation Properties of Lignocellulosic Material by Pichia Kudriavzevii Isolated From Cocoa Pod Shell (Theobroma Cacao)
Authors: Jácome Natalia Trujillo , Mendoza Eliana Mendoza , Hurtado Beatriz Elena Padilla
Published: September 2024

Utilizing residual lignocellulosic biomass as a raw material for producing various commercially valuable products offers an alternative approach to mitigating the environmental pollution stemming from agro-industrial waste. In this study, a native microbial isolate obtained from the shell of cocoa pod, utilized in silage processes, underwent phenotypic characterization. Taxonomic identification through sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region, specifically ITS4 and ITS5, revealed that the isolate corresponded to the yeast Pichia kudriavzevii. Through qualitative and quantitative screening of lignocellulolytic enzymes, the yeast's capacity for the production of endo- and exo-cellulases, lignin peroxidases, and xylanases was determined. Biodegradation tests of the cocoa pod shell were carried out during a laboratory-scale silage process. In these assays, the degrading capacity of the microorganism in solution was evaluated in comparison to a commercial inoculum and an enzymatic extract of the same yeast. The results of these tests showed that the cocoa pod shell was degraded in different proportions, finding degradation values for lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose of 11%, 18% and 37%, respectively. Pichia kudriavzevii showed an important capacity to contribute to the degradation of the cocoa pod shell.
Valorization of red pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) peel through a multi-product cascade biorefinery approach towards bioactive food packaging films
Authors: Arroyo-Esqu Laura , Rincón Esther , Jiménez Víctor M. , Vásquez Fabian , Esqu Patricia , Espinosa Eduardo , Rodríguez Alejandro
Published: September 2024

This study proposes efficient valorization of red pitahaya (Hylocereussp.) peels by separating and purifying their structural and bioactive fractions to produce bioactive films through a multi-product cascade biorefinery approach. The process begins with the extraction of a betalain-rich extract (BET), followed by the separation of pectin (PEC), and finally, the production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from the remaining residue. The cumulative yield for the entire cascade process was 75.95 %. All fractions obtained were integrated into PEC-based films reinforced with CNF in the following proportions 5, 15, 30 and 45 % CNF. The films were subsequently subjected to characterization in terms of their physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The optimal mechanical reinforcement effect was observed in films with 45% CNF, which exhibited an increased tensile strength of 20.47 MPa compared to 100% PEC, and higher thermal stability. Therefore, the ratio of 45 % CNF was selected for the addition of the bioactive fraction, which comprised 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % BET. In general, all bioactive films exhibited a compact and uniform structure. Films with higher percentages of BET showed a 50‑70 % increase in water vapor permeability (WVP), which concomitantly reduced their barrier properties and tensile strength to 26.72 MPa, probably due to their hydrophilic nature. Additionally, the inclusion of BET resulted in enhanced wettability, as evidenced by a reduction in water contact angles (36.36 º). The UV light blocking capacity increased (57 % increase) while transparency decreased (43-50 %) with the addition of BET.
Prevalence of parasites in freshwater snails with notes on helminth-associated diseases in Balo-i Lake, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Authors: ESTANO LEONARDO A. , Bari Johanisah D. , Morilla Lady Jane G. , Estaño Leonardo A.
Published: September 2024

Freshwater snails play crucial roles in aquatic habitats with essential ecosystem functions and services. However, they also serve as intermediate hosts for various parasites that pose risks to human and animal health. This study aimed to identify freshwater snail species with parasite infection and assess parasite prevalence in Balo-i Lake, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. Snail samples were collected from three sites (Power Plant area, Residential area, and Agricultural area) around the lake utilizing the belt transect method, and parasites were identified based on morphological characteristics. Physicochemical parameters were measured to explore their correlation with parasite prevalence. Results revealed a total prevalence rate of 3.78% (95% CI 2.372–5.966) among five freshwater snail species – S. angularis (n = 26), P. acuta (n = 22), M. maculata (n = 81), M. tuberculata (n = 44), and R. quadrasi (n = 5), with notable variations among sampling sites and seasonal variation between wet and dry seasons. M. maculata harbored the most parasites, with three cercarial morphotypes and a nematode. Trematodes were the most abundant parasites, with five morphotypes identified, namely Cercarium cercariae, Gymnocephalous cercariae, Parapleurolophocercous cercaria, Echinostome cercariae, and Strigea cercariae, most of which are produced by intestinal parasites of fish, birds, and mammals. Gymnocephalous cercariae infected most snail individuals (n = 6), but Parapleurolophocercous cercaria was the most common, infecting three snail species across two sampling sites. The residential area has the highest prevalence rate of infection, likely influenced by frequent human activities like bathing, washing clothes, pollution, and the presence of potential hosts such as ducks, amphibians, and mammals in adjacent areas. Weak correlations between parasite prevalence and pH and temperature suggest additional influencing factors. The presence of parasites highlights public health concerns, emphasizing the need for control measures and ecosystem conservation to mitigate disease transmission in the area.
Associations between Dietary Behaviors and Physical Activity and Mental Health Disorders among Chinese Residents Aged 18-60: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: An Ran , Wu Yibo , Liu Xiaobing , Qi Jiale , Xue Yanli , Zhang Zhuoyuan , Zhang Yu , Guo Haoyan
Published: September 2024

Objective
Our aim was to study the associations of dietary behavior and physical activity intensity with anxiety and depressive symptoms in Chinese adults, as well as their dose‒response relationships.
Method
The data originated from the Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) project. We categorized poor dietary behavior and physical activity intensity based on the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) and the IPAQ-7 questionnaire. Poor dietary behavior encompassed five aspects: sugary drink consumption, alcohol intake, skipping breakfast, eating out, and dieting. Physical activity was classified into three levels: low, medium, and high. Ordered logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for depressive and anxiety symptoms. A restricted cubic spline analysis further explored the dose‒response relationship between anxiety/depression rates and unhealthy dietary behaviors.
Results
A total of 43.61%, 45.42%, and 52.29% of people with low, moderate and high physical activity levels, respectively, suffer from anxiety. A total of 55.76%, 51.73%, 58.25%, 53.68%, and 64.51% of people with bad eating habits, such as sugary drinks, drinking, skipping breakfast, eating out, suffer from anxiety. Individuals who engage in low, moderate and high levels of physical activity experience depression at a rate of 54.29%, 57.36%, and 63.90%, respectively. Individuals who consumed sugary drinks or alcohol, frequently skipped breakfast, dined out frequently, or were on a diet exhibited depression rates of 68.40%, 62.91%, 65.22%, and 76.22%, respectively. After adjusting for the same variables, the types of unhealthy eating behaviors and levels of physical activity were positively correlated with anxiety: sugary drinks (aOR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.27, 1.41), alcohol consumption (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.21, 1.41), skipping breakfast (aOR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.51, 1.80), eating out of home (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.09, 1.30), diet (aOR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.75, 2.16), and physical activity level (mid: aOR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.95, 1.11; high: aOR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.36, 1.47), as well as the same changes in depressive moods.
Conclusion
The increasing risk of anxiety and depression is associated with a growing number of unhealthy dietary habits, resulting in a commensurate increase in these mental health concerns.
Novel Estimation of Medical-Device Recalls from Malfunction Reports using Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers
Authors: Ishida Kai
Published: September 2024

In Japan, approximately 400 medical-device recalls and more than 10,000 malfunctions are reported each year, leading to 100–200 actual device recalls. Using text mining, we analyzed the medical-device malfunction reports in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare between 2008 and 2023. We targeted 4,529 cases on generators of cardiac implantable electronic devices, including 363 recalled cases. After mining the contents of problem status and health-damage reports, we attempted to estimate cases resulting in recalls using Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT). For this purpose, we adopted tohoku-BERT, a pre-training model based on Japanese Wikipedia data, UTH-BERT, a pre-training model based on medical records, and JMedRoBERTa, a pre-training model based on medical research papers. We operated a classifier with fine tuning on a dataset annotated with medical-device malfunction reports. The UTH-BERT achieved a recall rate and F2-score of 0.931 and 0.655, respectively, on undersampled data.