bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kajian Peran Ikatan Keluarga Madura dalam Pemilihan Walikota dan Wakil Walikota Surabaya di Tengah Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Muhammad Harits Ramadhan  , Zaky Ismail
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini berupaya untuk menjelaskan: mengenai efek dari adanya pandemi covid-19 yang berpengaruh pada proses perpolitikan di Indonesia khususnya peran relawan politik saat Pemilihan Umum Kepala Daerah. (1) bagaimana peran relawan  politik dalam upaya  pemenangan pasangan calon pada Pilkada di masa Pandemi Covid-19; (2) mengetahui bagaimana motivasi dari relawan politik Ikatan Keluarga Madura (Ikamra).
Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, pengumpulan data dengan metode wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Informan dalam penelitian ini dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling yang didasarkan pada kebutuhan penelitian. Konsep teori yang digunakan oleh peneliti adalah Relawan Politik oleh Kristin Samah dan Marketing Politik oleh Firmansyah.
Hasil yang dapat disampaikan adalah: (1) Peran relawan Ikamra dalam upaya pemenangan pasangan Machfud Arifin dan Mujiaman di pilkada Surabaya 2020 yakni dengan mengandalkan peran dari anggota-anggotanya yang memiliki pengaruh di wilayah tempat tinggal mereka dan membangun komunikasi dengan blater-blater serta tokoh masyarakat sekitar. Kemudian dengan mengajak pendukung calon Walikota Surabaya yang tidak mendapatkan rekomendasi dari partai politik untuk mendukung pasangan Machfud Arifin dan Mujiaman. (2) Ikatan Keluarga Madura merupakan relawan politik yang terbentuk karena adanya kesamaan daerah asal dan kesamaan ideologi dan merupakan relawan kelompok. Serta menginginkan adanya timbal balik berupa jasa yaitu meresmikan Ikatan Keluarga Madura sebagai organisasi masyarakat yang berbadan hukum.
Pandangan Masyarakat tentang Gaya Kepemimpinan Kepala Desa Berpendidikan Sarjana dan Bukan Sarjana di Madura
Authors: Holilah Holilah , Ismail Muchammad
Published: March 2024

Studi ini ingin melengkapi studi sebelumnya tentang gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa dari perspektif pandangan masyarakat, khususnya tentang pandangan masyarakat tentang gaya kepemimipinan kepala desa sarjana dan bukan sarjana dalam menyelenggarakan pemerintahan desa. Apakah terdapat perbedaan gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa yang berpendidikan sarjana dengan yang bukan sarjana dalam menyelenggarakan pemerintahan dan faktor apa saja yang melatar belakangi terjadinya perbedaan gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa tersebut. Studi ini adalah penelitian lapangan (filed reseach) dengan pendekatan kualitatif, jenis studi kasus. Lokasi penelitian di empat desa kecamatan Tanjungbumi Kabupaten Bangkalan, Desa Paseseh dan Desa Bumianyar mewakili kepala desa berpendidikan sarjana dan Desa Telaga Biru dan Tambak Pocok mewakili kepala desa tidak berpendidikan sarjana. Informan penelitian adalah warga masing desa dan beberapa tokoh diantaranya tokoh pemerintah, masyarakat, kyai, perempuan dan blater. Pengumpulan data dengan wawancara dan dokumentasi. Teori yang digunakan, teori Gaya Kepemimpinan dari Harbani Pasolong. Penelitian ini ditemukan pertama, gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa yang berpendidikan sarjana adalah demokratis dan otoriter. Gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa bukan sarjana, kepala desa Telaga Biru menurut warganya demokratis, sedangkan kepala desa Tambak pocok dinilai memiliki gaya kepemimpinan demokratis dan otoriter. Kedua, Faktor  yang melatar belakangi gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa adalah sesuai teori sifat kepemimpinan yaitu karakter kepala desa dan lingkungan kepala desa dibesarkan, sedangkan strata pendidikan tidak cukup mempengaruhi gaya kepemimpinan kepala desa.
Hak Politik Penyandang Disabilitas dalam Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kota Surabaya Tahun 2020
Authors: Erfianti rahmayani  , Nurhayati Aneik
Published: March 2024

Pada penelitian ini, terdapat dua permasalahan yang dikaji. Pertama adalah bagaimana diskriminasi hak politik pada para penyandang disabilitas, dan yang kedua bagaimana kehadiran negara dalam pemenuhan hak politik penyandang disabilitas pada pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kota Surabaya tahun 2020. Metode yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data wawancara, dokumentasi, dan observasi. Teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Pemilihan Umum dan Pemilihan Kepala Daerah, Politik Penyandang Disabilitas, dan Dialektika Civil Society dan Negara. Dari hasil penelitian ditemukan bahwa, pada pemenuhan hak politik penyandang disabilitas terutama dalam sosialisasi dan sarana prasarana masih terdapat adanya diskriminasi. Kemudian, dalam hal kehadiran negara, KPU kota Surabaya telah berupaya untuk memenuhi hak politik para penyandang disabilitas dengan memberikan kesempatan bagi penyandang disabilitas mengikuti program Relawan Demokrasi (Relasi) basis penyandang disabilitas. Hasilnya, pada Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kota Surabaya tahun 2020 lebih baik dibandingkan dengan Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kota Surabaya tahun 2015. Hal tersebut dibuktikan dengan peningkatan pemilih penyandang disabilitas yang cukup signifikan.
Strategi BAWASLU Provinsi Jawa Timur dalam Mencegah Pelanggaran Pemilihan Umum 2019 Melalui Media Sosial
Authors: Muhammad Ithofiyul Karim
Published: March 2024

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan memahami apa strategi serta peranan yang dilakukan Bawaslu Provinsi Jawa Timur dalam upaya mencegah pelanggaran Pemilu 2019 melalui media sosial. Untuk dapat menjawab rumusan masalah tersebut, penulis menggunakan penelitian kualitatif dengan metode penelitian lapangan. Dalam penelitian ini, pengolahan dan penyajian data dilakukan menggunakan teknik analisis kualitatif dengan prosedur penelitian yang bersifat menjelaskan, mengelola, menggambarkan dan menafsirkan hasil penelitian sebagai suatu ciri, karakter, atau gambaran tentang kondisi, ataupun fenomena  tertentu sebagai jawaban atas permasalahan yang diteliti. Teknik pengumpulan data yakni berupa observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori pemilu demokratis, teori pengawasan dan pendekatan institusionalisme. Hasil penelitian adalah Bawaslu Provinsi Jawa Timur menggunakan media sosial sebagai sarana untuk membantu dalam melakukan pengawasan dan pencegahan pelanggaran pemilu. Bawaslu juga bekerjasama dengan beberapa pihak yang berkaitan dengan media sosial. Dalam menjalankan pengawasan Bawaslu Provinsi Jawa Timur tidak hanya bekerjasama dengan pihak platform media sosial saja, tetapi juga dengan pihak kepolisian dan kejaksaan yang tergabung dalam Sentra Gakkumdu (Penegakkan Hukum Terpadu). Beberapa langkah atau program yang dilakukan Bawaslu Provinsi Jawa Timur adalah sebagai berikut: (1) Bekerjasama dengan Publik Figur/Influencer, (2) Membentuk Forum Diskusi dan Sekolah Kader, (3) Kolaborasi Bawaslu Provinsi Jawa Timur dengan Pihak Eksternal.
Strategi Pemenangan dalam Pemilihan Kepala Desa Selama Tiga Periode di Desa Sekarputih Kecamatan Balongpanggang Kabupaten Gresik
Authors: Adam Surya Saputra
Published: March 2024

Permasalahan yang dikaji dalam penelitian ini adalah menganalisis strategi pemenangan di pemilihan kepala desa selama tiga periode berturut-turut, kemenangan disetiap pemilihan kepala desa di Desa Sekarputih yang berlangsung dari tahun 2007 sampai 2019 adalah dimenangkan oleh bapak Syamsudin.Metode yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitaif dengan varian studi kasus. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Teori yang digunakan untuk menjelaskan fenomena kemenangan kandidat selama tiga periode adalah teori marketing politik dan teori strategi politik dari Peter Scroder.Dari penelitian ini ditemukan bahwa; pengunaan strategi yang dilakukan oleh kandidat Syamsudin di pemilihan kepaladesa tahun 2007 adalah mengunakan strategi sebagai berikut; melakukan pembentukan tim sukses, melakukann sowan dengan para leluhur desa, kemudian membentuk kelompok diskusi (think thank), dan melakukan riset lingkungan, kemudian yang terakhir pengunaan modalitas politik. Sedangkan strategi pemenangan yang digunakan oleh bapak Syamsudi dan tim sukses di pemilihan kepala desa tahun 2013 sebagai berikut: melakukan negoisasi dengan tokoh Muhammdiyah, melakukan pembangunan infrastruktur fasilitas keagamaan, pemberian uang, pengunaan jasa kyia, kemudian modalitas politik. Kemudian untuk pemilihan kepala Desa di periode terakhir pengunaan strategi yang bapak Syamsudin lakukan adalah sebagai berikut:merumuskan misi, pengumpulan fakta, modalitas pemilihan. Dari setiap pemilihan kepala desa yang sudah dilakukan oleh bapak Syamsudin pengambilan strategi yang bapak Syamsudin lakukan ada kelanjutan dan perubahan strategi karena dari  setiap  pemilihan kepala desa selama tiga periode bapak Syamsudin maju sebagai kandidat tunggal selama dua kali pemilihan
Systematic and Functional Aspects of Neologisms Denoting Job Titles in Russian
Authors:   HSE University, Fufaeva Irina , Zgirovskaya Olga ,   HSE University
Published: March 2024

The article presents the results of the analysis on neologisms denoting professions (including colloquial and/or representing collocations) obtained through a survey of native speakers of the Russian language, using the method of distributive semantics (RusVectores service) and the language model with artificial intelligence ChatGPT. All three methods for identifying neologisms – the names of professions – were evaluated and compared, both in quantitative terms and in terms of content. The most effective was a survey of native speakers of the Russian language; the least effective was the method of distributive semantics (RusVectores service). Extralinguistic factors in the emergence of new job titles are identified: the appearance of new and intensive development of existing professional fields, their diversification, the influence of another language on professional usage, the need for prestigious modern titles of existing jobs. An active addition of neologisms to a group of vocabulary in the areas of creating and disseminating information and helping practices has been revealed, where the blurring of the boundaries of existing jobs leads to an expansion of the semantic scope of existing job titles, and a large number of designations for narrow specialists appear. For titles of jobs not related to these areas, new synonyms appear less actively. The area associated with information processing is characterized by semantic shifts in the titles already used in the language. Despite the fact that neologisms-borrowings are common in the sphere of profession nomination, they are often replaced by original synonyms, or such synonyms successfully compete with borrowings.
Dynamics of American Political Discourse of the 20th – Early 21st Centuries
Authors:   Donetsk State University, Bessonova Olga , Fatianova Irina ,   Donetsk State University
Published: March 2024

The article addresses dynamics of conceptual space and communicative organization of the American political discourse in the 20 th – early 21 st centuries. The research objective is to identify transformations in the content of universal and nationally-marked concepts, as well as verbal modification of communicative strategies and tactics in the American political discourse of the periods under study. The main research methods applied are discourse, conceptual, semantic, and contextual analysis. The sampling corpus incorporates 662 public speeches of American presidents. The speeches under analysis belong to the ritual, orientational, and agonal genres of the political discourse. The main discourse-forming and nationally-marked concepts, features of the communicative structure of the American political discourse are established. The analysis of the metaphorical system as a way of realizing the intention in the American political discourse is carried out. The main types of conceptual metaphor, representing the discourse-forming concepts of the American political discourse are considered. The American political discourse conceptual space is more prone to transformations than its communicative structure in the studied timeframe. The nationally-marked concepts tend to be more dynamic than the universal discourse-forming concepts. The conceptual dynamism of the nationally-marked concepts manifests itself in the prevalence of the dominant features and the lacunarity at different stages of the American linguo-cultural community existence. The nationally-marked concepts components related to the historical and socio-cultural aspects of the speaking community life are brought into the open in the speeches of American presidents as transmitters of the national cultural values and role-status configurations in the political discourse of the 20 th – early 21 st centuries.
Turkic Borrowings in Russian
Authors:   Baku Eurasian University, Azerbaijan, Yusufkhanova Nargiz Ali
Published: March 2024

The vocabulary of any functioning language consists of original and borrowed words. The Russian language is no exception. Turkic borrowings form a significant layer of the vocabulary of the Russian language, filling it with meanings that are of great scientific interest both in philological terms and as a subject for ethnographic and historical research. In order to more accurately define the boundaries of the term “Turkism”, corresponding to the true origin of words, all Turkisms are divided into primordial and historical. The connection of languages of different systems is a historical process based on historical, cultural and interstate relations, scientific and technological progress, the development of scientific areas, etc. The mutual influence of languages is an integral part of the historical, cultural, political and sociological process. Thus, the language reflects emerging innovations and enriches itself by borrowing words from other languages. The vocabulary of any functioning language is made up of native and borrowed words. The Russian language is no exception. Turkic borrowings form a significant layer of the vocabulary of the Russian language, filling it with meanings that are of great scientific interest not only in philological terms but also as a subject for ethnographic and historical research. The connection between the Russian and Turkic peoples that arose since ancient times, their close contact, due to territorial proximity and the vital need to maintain trade and economic relations, demanded from the peoples who speak these languages a practical knowledge of the languages of their neighbours.
RECEPTORES DE MEMBRANA GABRA5 SÃO ALVOS MOLECULARES NA IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE GLIOMAS?
Authors: Badalotti Rafael , Giovanini Allan Fernando , Roesler Rafael , Santos Ricardo Silva dos , Malafaia Osvaldo , Ribas-Filho Jurandir Marcondes , Isolan Gustavo Rassier
Published: March 2024

Introdução: Gliomas são os tumores primários mais comuns do sistema nervoso central e a maioria é formada por glioblastomas, com graus elevados de proliferação e invasão, com heterogeneidade biológica e pouca resposta aos tratamentos atuais. Imunoterapia e geneterapia não têm mostrado eficácia e, por isso, é necessário buscar conhecimento de novas moléculas e genes envolvidos na sua carcinogênese.

Objetivos: Avaliar se o receptor do ácido gama-aminobutírico alfa 5 (GABRA5) é potencial alvo terapêutico ou biomarcador para gliomas de diferentes subgrupos, e a correlação entre os níveis de ácido ribonucleico mensageiro (mRNA) de GABRA5 com a sobrevida global.

Métodos: Revisão integrativa feita em plataformas virtuais, em português e inglês, realizada por descritores relacionados ao tema, descritos no DeCS como “glioma, sistema nervoso central, glioblastoma” com busca AND ou OR, considerando-se inicialmente o título e/ou resumo. Após, naqueles que tinham maior relação ao tema, foi realizada a leitura na íntegra dos textos.

Resultados: Foram incluídos 36 artigos.

Conclusão: Os níveis de mRNA de GABRA5 em amostras de gliomas de todos os subgrupos histológicos são menores, em comparação ao controle. Não foi observada correlação entre os níveis de mRNA de GABRA5 com a sobrevida global dos subgrupos avaliados.
EFFECTIVE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF ARTIFICIALLY ROUGHED SOLAR AIR HEATER BY DIAGONALLY CHAMFERED CUBOID ARRAY
Authors: Azad Man Singh
Published: March 2024

The solar air heater (SAH) is a very simple and economical device, but its thermal performance is quite poor. Boosting the heat transfer between absorber plates and the airflow can improve the thermal performance of a solar air heater. Applying artificial roughness to the absorber plate is a unique method for improving the thermal performance of solar air heaters compared to other methods. In this study, diagonally chamfered cuboids were utilized as roughness elements to investigate the enhancement of the performance of a solar air heater. This roughness is achieved by attaching diagonally chamfered cuboids to the absorber surface. A thorough experimental investigation was carried out to examine how this roughness affects the performance of solar air heaters. The study considered several parameters, such as relative roughness pitch (RRP) (5 to 8), arm length of cuboid (ALC) (4 to 10 mm), and relative roughness height (RRH) (0.44 to 0.077). To ensure turbulent flow during the experiment, the Reynolds number was kept within the range of 4250 to 18,000, which is considered ideal for solar air heaters operating with a constant heat flux of 1000 W/m2 on the absorber plate. An overall performance assessment of the artificially roughened solar air heater was conducted, which included analyzing the Nusselt number and friction factor for both roughened and smooth absorber surfaces operating under similar flow conditions. The maximum Nusselt number achieved was 3.68 times higher than that of the smooth absorber plate at Re = 4250, with roughness parameters RRP = 5, RRH = 0.077, and ALC = 10. The analysis also reveals a 2.48-fold improvement in the overall performance of the roughened configuration.
Taxonomic Identification and Nutritional Profiling of Wild Isolates of the Pink Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus djamor (Agaricomycetes) from Northwestern Himalayas (India)
Authors: Guleria Shikha , Jandaik Savita , Thakur Preeti
Published: March 2024

For generations, individuals have been incorporating wild edible fungi into their diets. Precisely identifying mushrooms is essential for harnessing their potential benefits for human use. Specifically, the taxonomical identification of Pleurotus species is known for its complexity. In modern times, it is always necessary to use molecular analysis as a valuable approach for gaining a deeper understanding of the systematics and the delineation of species. Thus, this study confirmed the identity of two wild isolates of Pleurotus djamor (pink oyster mushroom) using the internal transcribed spacer sequences. The amplicons underwent sequencing, and the resulting data was assembled and analyzed. The nucleotide sequences of the two wild isolates blasted against sequences from GenBank database revealed that two wild isolates matched 96.80 and 95.27% P. djamor with accession number KF280324.1 and KT273366.1. Commercially cultivated species took less time for spawn run (17.75 days), primordial initiation (22.25 days) and recoded highest biological efficiency (73.92%) among wild isolates. Nutritional analysis revealed that wild isolates showcase an abundance of nutrients, surpassing commercially cultivated species in terms of moisture, protein, and crude fiber content. This distinctive nutritional profile positions wild isolates as an exceptional superfood, fostering overall health enhancement.
HS2: Delivering a climate change adapted and resilient railway
Authors: Walker Alison , Allison Rachel
Published: March 2024

The impacts of climate change are already evident. Like all infrastructure, High Speed Two (HS2) needs to be climate resilient so it can function in a future where there will be warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, and more extreme weather. Without resilience measures, climate change could affect HS2 through an increased construction programme, network performance impacts and service delays with associated costs, as well as affecting staff and passengers. The policy for HS2 is to build a ‘climate-resilient railway’, taking part in the collective endeavour to combat climate change by setting ambitious carbon dioxide reduction targets for HS2’s overall operations to be net zero from 2035 and embedding adaptation measures to increase resilience to climate change. HS2 is one of the first projects to take a holistic approach to incorporating climate change into planning, design and construction. Learning from the approach used for HS2 is set out in this article. The key outputs of this paper are descriptions of how climate resilience thinking has been embedded into all project stages, how bespoke and innovative processes have fed into industry-leading best practice, reporting and guidance, and examples of climate-resilient design solutions. It is vital to integrate climate resilience and adaptation into infrastructure projects now to ensure infrastructure is prepared for our changing climate.
The shape recovery behavior of compressively deformed Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni alloys
Authors: Syed Bava Bakrudeen A , Jeyasimman D
Published: March 2024

Cylindrical alloys fabricated from shape memory Fe–xMn–5Si–5Ni–yCr were produced by utilizing diverse solid volume fractions through the use of the powder metallurgy and sintering technique. The shape recovery due to compressive force was analyzed and correlated with the volume fractions. A higher concentration of manganese (Mn) will result in a decrease in shape recovery as a result of the formation of oxides, precipitates and unintended intermetallics during the furnace cooling process. The dislocation occurring within and around the grain boundary is another significant factor contributing to the reduction in shape recovery. The increase in chromium (Cr) content reduces the likelihood of dislocation around the grain boundary. The effectiveness of compressive deformation was examined and correlated.
Preparation and properties of UV-curable rosin-based polyurethane coatings
Authors: Li Jiongchao , Liu Hongming , Yu Caili , Xu Jianben , Zhang Faai
Published: March 2024

Ultraviolet (UV)-curable coatings were prepared using rosin-based polyurethane as an oligomer with different active diluents and cross-linking monomers. The effects of the levels of different components on the properties of the polyurethane coatings were investigated, and the effects of the mass ratios of active diluents, cross-linking monomers, adhesion-promoting monomers and photoinitiators and curing times on the polyurethane coatings are discussed. The results showed that when hydroxypropyl acrylate was used as an end-capping agent, 40% methyl methacrylate as a reactive diluent, 10% dimethylolpropane tetracrylate as a cross-linking monomer, 7% hydroxyethyl diacrylate phosphate as an adhesion promoter, 4% 1173 as a photoinitiator and a curing time of 120 s, the UV-curable resin exhibited the best coating properties: a pendulum hardness of 0.63, a 60° gloss of 153.9, grade 2 adhesion, an impact strength of 500 J/m2 and water resistance exceeding 30 days.
Absence status in the elderly as a late complication of idiopathic generalized epilepsies
Authors: Bauer Gerhard , Bauer Richard , Dobesberger Judith , Benke Thomas , Walser Gerald , Trinka Eugen
Published: March 2024

The main categories of nonconvulsive status epilepticus are: complex partial and absence status. Absence status was reported to occur
de novo
in later life as a situation‐related, single event. We report four cases of absence status with presentation after the age of 60 years. At admission, no history of epilepsy had been mentioned. The preliminary diagnosis of absence status occurring
de novo
in later life had to be changed on completion of case histories. All patients had suffered from idiopathic generalized epilepsy with absence seizures, which had resolved after puberty. A second peak of IGE, with repeated episodes of absence status after the menopause and without identifiable triggering factors is assumed.
Over‐interpretation of electroclinical and neuroimaging findings in syncopes misdiagnosed as epileptic seizures
Authors: Fattouch Jinane , Di Bonaventura Carlo , Strano Stefano , Vanacore Nicola , Manfredi Mario , Prencipe Massimiliano , Giallonardo Anna Teresa
Published: March 2024

Syncope and epileptic seizures share some common clinical characteristics that may complicate the diagnostic process. In clinical practice, syncope is frequently misdiagnosed as an epileptic seizure and consequently treated with antiepileptic drugs. In this study, we identified 57 patients with syncope (diagnosis based on accepted criteria) who had come to our unit with a previous diagnosis of definite epilepsy in 30 cases (syncope misdiagnosed as epileptic seizures, SMS), or suspected epilepsy in the remaining 27 cases (unrecognized syncope, US). We attempted to identify factors underlying misdiagnosis by reviewing clinical findings, particularly potentially confounding features, and EEG/neuroimaging data. Finally, we compared these two groups of patients to search for crucial elements that had led to misdiagnosis. Although some clinical elements were found to be confounding in both groups, it was the interpretation of the EEG and MRI findings, particularly when combined with the confounding clinical features that constituted the main reasons for misdiagnosis.
Magnetoencephalographic studies of focal epileptic activity in three patients with epilepsy suggestive of Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome
Authors: Sakurai Kotaro , Tanaka Naoaki , Kamada Kyousuke , Takeuchi Fumiya , Takeda Youji , Koyama Tsukasa
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To determine the electromagnetic sources of localized epileptic activities using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in three adult patients with epilepsy suggestive of Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

Methods

MEG and simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) were recorded from three adult patients using a 204‐channel, whole‐head MEG system. Equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) were calculated for epileptic spikes on MEG according to the single dipole model.

Results

In two patients, MEG showed epileptiform discharges restricted to the unilateral temporal area, corresponding to the EEG spikes. The ECDs calculated from these MEG spikes were clustered in the unilateral temporal lobe. In our third patient, MEG spikes appeared in the right centroparietal area; ECDs were located to the right parietal lobe.

Conclusions

The sources of epileptiform discharges that were detected in a restricted area were localized to specific parts of the brain cortex. Despite certain limitations (small number of patients; atypical late‐onset epilepsy in one) our study suggests that MEG may prove to be a useful tool for investigating electromagnetic features of localized epileptic discharges in patients with LGS. Based on these preliminary results, further studies performed in patients with typical LGS features are justified.
Adult epileptic spasms: a clinical and video‐polygraphic study
Authors: d'Orsi Giuseppe , Demaio Vincenzo , Minervini Mauro G.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To analyse the video‐polygraphic features of two patients with adult epileptic spasms (ES).

Methods

Two patients with epileptic encephalopathy related to different cortical malformation; epileptic spasms had been present since the age of 18 and 25 years respectively. The patients underwent a clinical and neurophysiological examination (awake and sleep video‐polygraphic monitoring).

Results

In patient 1, epileptic spasms were characterized by loss of contact and a drooping forward of the head and upper extremities. ES were in clusters, of brief duration, lasting for 20“'‐1”; all events occurred during eating. Awake and sleep interictal EEG disclosed asyncronous paroxysmal abnormalities in the temporo‐parieto‐occipital regions. The ictal EEG showed a diffuse slow wave complex with intermingled fast activity, prevalent on both anterior regions; on polygraphic recordings, the prevalence of the muscle activation, increscendo‐decrescendo, was in the neck and the right side. In patient 2, ES were characterized by loss of awareness, head deviation to the left, jerks of the head and left limbs. ES occurred in cluster, and were of brief duration (< 1”), usually on awakening. Interictal EEG showed epileptiform abnormalities in the right fronto‐centro‐temporal regions; abnormalities present in the awake EEG were enhanced during NREM sleep. The ictal EEG showed a diffuse, slow wave complex with intermingled fast activity, prevalent in the right regions, with concomitant muscle activation, increscendo‐decrescendo, on the left deltoid and tibialis anterior.

Conclusions

Our two cases of adult ES were characterized by distinct clinical and polygraphic features, which were of brief duration, mild intensity, rare frequency per minute, and with preservation of cluster organization. In one patient, ES were induced by eating (reflex periodic spasms triggered by eating). A firm diagnosis of adult ES can be reached using video‐ polygraphic monitoring.
Near‐infrared spectroscopy as an alternative to the Wada test for language mapping in children, adults and special populations
Authors: Gallagher Anne , Thériault Martin , Maclin Ed , Low Kathy , Gratton Gabriele , Fabiani Monica , Gagnon Louise , Valois Katja , Rouleau Isabelle , Sauerwein Hannelore C. , Carmant Lionel , Nguyen Dang K. , Lortie Anne , Lepore Franco , Béland Renée , Lassonde Maryse
Published: March 2024

The intracarotid amobarbital test (IAT) is the most widely used procedure for pre‐surgical evaluation of language lateralization in epileptic patients. However, apart from being invasive, this technique is not applicable in young children or patients who present mental retardation and/or language deficits. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is increasingly employed as a non‐invasive alternative. Again, this method is more difficult to use with young children, especially hyperactive ones, since they have to remain motionless during data acquisition. The aim of this study was to determine whether near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be used as an alternative technique to investigate language lateralization in children and special populations. Unlike Wada test, NIRS is non‐invasive, and it is more tolerant to movement artefacts than fMRI. In the present study, NIRS data were acquired in four epileptic children, a 12‐year‐old boy with pervasive developmental disorder and a 3‐year‐old, healthy child, as well as three healthy and two epileptic adults, while they performed a verbal fluency task and a control task. When applicable, the results were compared to the subjects' fMRI and/or IAT findings. Clear laterality of speech was obtained in all participants, including the two non‐epileptic children, and NIRS results matched fMRI and IAT findings. These results, if replicable in larger samples, are encouraging and suggest that NIRS has the potential to become a viable, non‐invasive alternative to IAT and fMRI in the determination of speech lateralization in children and clinical populations that cannot be submitted to more invasive techniques.
Clinical evaluation of attentional processes in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS)
Authors: Deltour Laëtitia , Quaglino Véronique , Barathon Marion , De Broca Alain , Berquin Patrick
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to identify the attentional processes specifically affected in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS). The impact of several factors ‐ laterality of discharges, age‐at‐onset and duration of epilepsy, and medication ‐ on these cognitive functions was also studied. A group of 29 children with BCECTS was evaluated using standardized tests performed in routine clinical practice and specifically designed to assess executive and attentional functions. This group obtained mean scores significantly lower than normative means specifically for tasks involving attention control processes, i.e. cognitive flexibility and inhibitory processes. Neither the epilepsy‐related factors that we studied nor the medication appeared to influence performance of these tasks. These data suggest an impact of BCECTS on attentional processes, the most affected being attention control processes that develop late.
Gelastic seizures: not always hypothalamic hamartoma
Authors: Cheung Christina S. , Parrent Andrew G. , Burneo Jorge G.
Published: March 2024

Gelastic seizures are often associated with hypothalamic hamartomas. However, focal cortical dysplasias can also cause “laughing seizures”, and such cases can be difficult to localize with EEG. This case report presents a 29‐year‐old woman who was successfully rendered free of gelastic seizures after resection of a frontal cortical dysplasia, localized through MRI and SPECT imaging.
[Published with video sequences]
Ictal hiccup during absence seizure in a child
Authors: Ponnusamy Athi , Rao Ganesh , Baxter Peter , Field Patricia
Published: March 2024

Absence seizures are one of the features of idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE) and occur as component of many different syndromes. They are commonly associated with various clinical features such as mild clonic components, change in postural tone, automatisms and autonomic phenomena. Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is the prototype IGE with typical absence seizures. We report a child who had prominent ictal hiccups during an absence seizure, and discuss the possible mechanisms.
[Published with video sequences]
Unpleasant auditory illusions and related avoidance behaviour in a child
Authors: Barba Carmen , Guerrini Renzo
Published: March 2024

Auditory aura is a rare symptom in focal epilepsy. It has been described in autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features, but is, in general, poorly documented. We report on a 7‐year‐old, right‐handed boy, who suffered seizures characterized by positive auditory illusions with verbal and gestural automatisms and noticeable attempts at covering his ears. Clinical evaluation and video‐recording of the seizures, confirmed that most of the ictal behavior was deliberately directed at trying to prevent the unpleasant sensations reaching his ears.
[Published with video sequences]
Zonisamide for the treatment of myoclonic seizures in progressive myoclonic epilepsy: an open‐label study
Authors: Vossler David G. , Conry Joan A. , Murphy Jerome V.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To examine the safety and efficacy of zonisamide in treating myoclonic seizures associated with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME), in an open‐label setting.

Methods

Thirty patients with refractory PME (aged ≥ 5 years), who were taking up to three antiepileptic drugs, received adjunctive zonisamide (≤ 6 mg/kg/day) therapy for 16 weeks. Myoclonic seizures were recorded daily over a 24‐hour period or in 10‐minute epochs in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Safety was assessed via adverse events (AEs); efficacy was measured by the percentage of patients experiencing a ≥ 50% decrease in myoclonic seizure frequency from baseline.

Results

Treatment‐related AEs, experienced by 53% (n = 16/30) of patients, led to five patients discontinuing zonisamide. The most common AEs were decreased appetite, somnolence, and asthenia. Overall, 36% of patients (n = 10/28) had a ≥ 50% reduction in myoclonic seizure frequency.

Conclusions

These results suggest that zonisamide may be useful in the treatment of patients with PME. However, due to the size and open‐label character of this study, further research is required.
Long‐term cognitive and behavioural follow‐up in three patients with eye closure‐triggered paroxysmal activity
Authors: Termine Cristiano , Teutonico Federica , Balottin Umberto , Fasce Marco , Ferri Matteo , Perna Silvia , Piccinelli Paolo , Rubboli Guido , Veggiotti Pierangelo
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To study clinical, EEG, neuropsychological and behavioural evolution of three patients presenting with epileptic activity triggered by eye closure (EC) over a mean 10‐year follow‐up period.

Methods

All patients were studied at the time of the first observation (T0) and after a long follow‐up period (T1). At both T0 and T1, each patient underwent: 1) traditional and specific activation techniques during prolonged video‐EEG monitoring to detect possible inducing factors; 2) neuropsychological evaluations during video‐EEG monitoring either with eyes closed or eyes open to detect any transient cognitive impairment (TCI); 3) detailed neuropsychological assessment without simultaneous EEG recording, to detect any stable cognitive impairment (SCI).

Results

EEG recordings showed transient, generalized paroxysms in one case and a continuous epileptic activity triggered by eye closure in the other two cases, at both T0 and T1. In all patients, no particular epileptiform discharge‐induced factors were identified except for eye blinking (spontaneous, voluntary or induced by corneal reflex). The results of neuropsychological assessment while eyes were closed as compared to performances with eyes open, showed no significant differences at T0 or at T1 in two cases, thus possibly indicating the absence of TCI. Wechsler Intelligence Scales showed a decrease in performance at T1 in the two patients with eye closure‐induced, continuous epileptiform activity. Detailed neuropsychological assessment without EEG recordings demonstrated an impairment of facial recognition ability in all three patients at T1.

Conclusions

The lack of any differences between the results of neuropsychological tests performed with eyes open and eyes closed in two patients might suggest that not all eye‐closure‐triggered paroxysms are associated with TCI. On the other hand, our data highlight that EC‐triggered, EEG epileptic discharges can produce long‐lasting neuropsychological and behavioural effects, and also indicate that EEG discharges recurring over time might exert a disruptive effect on cognitive functions. Our three patients showed extreme variability across the neuropsychological tasks except for a facial recognition deficit that was evident in all cases, thus suggesting a possible dysfunction of temporo‐occipital brain structures and/or of the fusiform face area as recently demonstrated by combined fMRI/EEG studies in patients with fixation‐off sensitivity.
Ictal fear depends on the cerebral laterality of the epileptic activity
Authors: Guimond Anik , Braun Claude M.J. , Bélanger Émilie , Rouleau Isabelle
Published: March 2024

Glascher and Adolph (2003) proposed that both amydalae are specialized for fear, but that the right one is a fast, short, and relatively automatic fear processor, whereas the left one is more detail‐oriented and perceptual‐cognitive. According to this model, early ictal fear should occur more often in cases with a right temporal lobe epileptic focus. Several authors have tried to find a hemispheric specialization for ictal fear, but have not reached the power to attain a statistically significant effect of focus side. In this study, using previously published cases of unilateral epileptic focus causing early ictal symptoms of fear, we found 144 cases, of which 98 had a right hemisphere focus (68%) and 46 having left hemisphere focus (32%, p < 0.0005). Several control variables were assembled to verify possible alternative explanations of the main effect.
Ictal singing: case report and reappraisal of the literature
Authors: Bentes Carla , Pimentel José , Costa João , Santos Rosa , Rolo Vasco
Published: March 2024

Singing is a rare ictal symptom of focal epilepsy. We report a case of a left‐handed woman, with no musical education, experiencing refractory seizures consisting of the singing of a popular Portuguese folksong, with simultaneous, rhythmic hand clapping. A left mesial temporal sclerosis was successfully treated by selective amygdalohippocampectomy. As in most previously reported cases, the epileptogenic zone was located in the left hemisphere, although the ictal onset zone could not be lateralized on scalp EEG. This clinical case supports the evidence that cerebral music production seems to require both hemispheres, in accordance to the concept that brain specializations for music is associated with a dynamic, well‐orchestrated interaction of music‐specific neural networks.

[Published with video sequences]
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Late‐life absence status epilepticus: a female disorder?
Authors: Szűcs Anna , Barcs Gábor , Jakus Rita , Rásonyi György , Lalit Narula , Holló András , Kelemen Anna , Janszky József , Halász Péter
Published: March 2024

We report on three women and a review of the literature on absence status epilepticus over the age of 50 years. Our aim was to characterize the male‐female ratio in this condition. Out of 16 studies on absence status epilepticus over the age of 50, including our cases, a female dominance was found in 15. We found altogether, 104 (71%) females and 42 (29%) males. This gender difference is highly significant (p < 0.00001). We conclude that absence status epilepticus over the age of 50 is predominantly a female disorder.
Pediatric extratemporal epilepsy presenting with a complex auditory aura
Authors: Clarke Dave F. , Boop Frederick A. , McGregor Amy L. , Perkins F. Frederick , Brewer Vickie R. , Wheless James W.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Ear plugging (placing fingers in or covering the ears) is a clinical seizure semiology that has been described as a response to an unformed, auditory hallucination localized to the superior temporal neocortex. The localizing value of ear plugging in more complex auditory hallucinations may have more involved circuitry. We report on one child, whose aura was a more complex auditory phenomenon, consisting of a door opening and closing, getting louder as the ictus persisted.

Methods

This child presented, at four years of age, with brief episodes of ear plugging followed by an acute emotional change that persisted until surgical resection of a left mesial frontal lesion at 11 years of age. Scalp video‐EEG, magnetic resource imaging, magnetoencephalography, and invasive video‐EEG monitoring were carried out.

Results

The scalp EEG changes always started after clinical onset. These were not localizing, and encompassed a wide field over the bi‐frontal head regions, the left side predominant over the right. Intracranial video‐EEG monitoring with subdural electrodes over both frontal and temporal regions localized the seizure‐onset to the left mesial frontal lesion. The patient has remained seizure‐free since the resection on June 28, 2006, approximately one and a half years ago.

Conclusion

Ear plugging in response to simple auditory auras localize to the superior temporal gyrus. If the patient has more complex, formed auditory auras, not only may the secondary auditory areas in the temporal lobe be involved, but one has to entertain the possibility of ictal‐onset from the frontal cortex.

[Published with video sequences]
Pre‐surgical epilepsy evaluation using 3T MRI. Do surface coils provide additional information?
Authors: Strandberg Maria , Larsson Elna‐Marie , Backman Sofia , Källén Kristina
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To assess if 3T MRI can be further improved by adding surface coil imaging, in the context of detection and characterization of cerebral lesions in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy.

Methods

Twenty five patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery were examined with high resolution 3T MRI. The patients were MRI‐negative (n = 15), or had unclear findings (n = 10), on previous MRI at 1.0‐1.5T. Surface coils were applied over the suspected epileptogenic zone after imaging in the head coil. In MRI‐negative patients, placement of the coils was defined by semiological analysis, extracranial video‐EEG, and, in selected cases, subtraction ictal SPECT co‐registered with MRI and PET. Coil placement was reanalyzed and graded, based on the degree of convergence between different investigational modalities.

Results

Surface coil MRI allowed visualization of the cortical lesions with somewhat better demarcation and detail, but did not contribute to detection of previously undiagnosed lesions and did not provide additional information regarding type of lesion. Possible epileptogenic lesions were detected on 3T MRI in 12 patients. No abnormalities were found in the remaining 13 patients. 3T MRI provided new or additional information about the cortex, compared with reports from previous 1.0‐1.5T MRI in 5 patients (20%).

Conclusion

3T MRI with high resolution is valuable for lesion detection, especially MCD, in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy. We question the additional contribution from supplementary surface coil imaging at 3T MRI.
Late‐onset epilepsy in a surgically‐treated Sturge‐Weber patient
Authors: Jacobs Julia , LeVan Pierre , Olivier André , Andermann Frederick , Dubeau François
Published: March 2024

Sturge‐Weber syndrome is a rare, congenital, neurocutaneous disorder. It can be associated with a variety of symptoms including severe epilepsy. Patients often become symptomatic during childhood and the severity of the epilepsy correlates with the patient's neurological outcome. The patient reported here remained asymptomatic until age 24, when he started to experience migraine accompanied by visual scotoma and hemiparesis. Ten years later, he developed severe, refractory epilepsy, with prolonged postictal neurological deficits and ictal as well as post‐ictal headaches. It became increasingly difficult to distinguish between migraines and seizures as both could last for several hours, as demonstrated in the two video EEGs. Both the epilepsy and the migraine may therefore have contributed to the patient's severe, neurological deterioration, probably by accelerating the progressive neuronal damage. Surgery improved the situation, but lesional areas were too extensive for complete removal. Late‐onset symptoms in Sturge‐Weber syndrome may thus result in a severe course for the disease. Early intervention and surgical treatment options are discussed.
[Published with video sequences]
Frequency of attacks in patients with psychogenic non‐epileptic seizures
Authors: Asadi‐Pooya Ali A. , Bahrami Zahra
Published: March 2024

Aims
. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of attacks (psychogenic seizures) in patients with psychogenic non‐epileptic seizures (PNES) and to characterize factors potentially associated with attack frequency.

Methods
. In this retrospective study, all patients with PNES, who were studied at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from 2008 until 2018, were reviewed. We categorized the attack frequency in the patients as (1) daily; (2) weekly; and (3) frequency of less than one per week.

Results
. Three hundred and ten patients were studied. Attack frequency in patients was 34 ± 67 per month. One hundred and eleven patients (36%) had daily attacks, 93 (30%) had weekly attacks, and 106 (34%) had less than weekly attacks. Sixty‐five patients (21%) reported having more than one attack per day. Demographic variables, attack‐related variables, PNES associated factors, and use of AEDs were not significantly associated with attack frequency in the patients.

Conclusion
. We observed that two thirds of the patients with PNES had frequent daily or weekly attacks. The findings of our study could be helpful in designing future clinical trials. First, attack frequency is an unbiased outcome measure in the design of such studies. Second, it is easily measurable using attack calendars; we suggest that attack frequency be assessed daily using daily attack calendars. Finally, it is very easy to recruit patients with PNES for clinical trials (with regards to their attack frequency) since many of them have frequent attacks.