bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking algorithmic management in minor key: The case of housecleaning platform labour in Denmark
Authors: Floros Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

Algorithmic management has been a prominent focus of platform labour studies and is lately receiving increasing academic and policymaking interest. Conceptualisations of algorithmic management are mainly premised on ridehailing, crowdwork and food delivery platform research, while literature on algorithmic management of housecleaning and domestic work platforms is limited. This article draws on research in housecleaning platform labour in Denmark, demonstrating how algorithmic management unfolds in these platforms, which are the institutional devices which support algorithms in practice, and how platform workers experience, make sense of and resist this type of management. The analysis of the findings highlights two factors that greatly influence the algorithmic management process. The first is the role of customer support departments in underpinning – and sometimes substituting – the functions widely considered to be carried out by algorithms. The second factor is that intersectional subjectivities of – predominantly migrant and female – workers of Danish housecleaning platforms affect the ways in which workers experience and respond to their algorithmic management. The article concludes in proposing minor algorithmic management, as a concept more fitting to simultaneously describe the entanglement of human, social, and algorithmic components comprising housecleaning platforms’ algorithmic management and the contingent nature of migrant platform housecleaners’ compliance with such management.
Ground-motions site and event specificity: Insights from assessing a suite of simulated ground motions in the San Francisco Bay Area
Authors: Petrone Floriana , Taslimi Arsam , Mohammadi Nia Majid , McCallen David , Pitarka Arben
Published: August 2024

This article presents the results of a research that is part of a larger collaborative effort between the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, funded by the US Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. The main objective of this study is to assess a suite of near and far-field simulated ground motions obtained from 20 realizations of an M7 Hayward Fault earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area, California USA, and inform the selection of rupture simulation parameters leading to strong motions. To this aim, comparisons are conducted with NGA-W2 and directivity ground-motion models and a selected population of records. An archetypal steel moment-resisting frame is utilized to assess infrastructure response distributions. The analyses carried out for each simulated event and subdomain with consistent properties in terms of shallow shear-wave velocity proved to be instrumental for better interpreting the differences between simulated motions and empirical models. The main reasons identified for variances between simulations and empirical relationships included (1) directivity effects fully captured by the simulations across the full breadth of rupture models; (2) site vicinity to ruptures that incorporate large-slip patches, particularly if these are in the forward-directivity direction; and (3) presence of geologic structures that can “trap” seismic waves and produce ground motions with large amplitude and long signal duration. The analyses carried out in this work provide a path for interpreting ground-motion site and event specificity obtained from a suite of physics-based simulations, differing only in the rupture model characterization, to inform the selection of simulation scenarios for site-specific engineering analyses under strong excitations. Evidence from this work points to the possibility that current hazard models may underestimate ground-motion intensities in areas where the combined effect of directivity and site conditions results in large ground-motion amplitudes.
Analysis of site-response residuals from empirical ground-motion models to account for observed sedimentary basin effects in Wellington, New Zealand
Authors: de la Torre Christopher A , Bradley Brendon A , Lee Robin L , Tiwari Ayushi , Wotherspoon Liam M , Ridden Joel N , Kaiser Anna E
Published: August 2024

Analysis of prediction–observation residuals from the empirical ground-motion models (GMMs) used in the 2022 New Zealand National Seismic Hazard Model (NZ NSHM) update indicates a general underprediction of ground motions in the period range of [Formula: see text] s for soft sedimentary basin sites in Wellington. This study uses residual analysis to quantify this underprediction, understand the spatial distribution of these residuals and the specific conditions that cause them, and investigate options for the development of non-ergodic site-response adjustments to the GMMs. All 15 GMMs used in the NZ NSHM were evaluated, and the variability in site-response residuals between different models and different tectonic types of earthquake sources was quantified. Sites are regionalized based on different geomorphic features, such as individual basins and valleys. For example, average site terms are calculated for Te Aro, Thorndon, Miramar, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and several smaller valleys. The period at which maximum underprediction occurs at these sedimentary basin and valley sites was found to correlate well with the fundamental site period of the soil profile [Formula: see text], suggesting improvements can be made to regionalized GMMs by incorporating site period into the site-response prediction for sedimentary basin sites.
Associations between physical activity and ankle-brachial index: the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS)
Authors: Memarian Ensieh , Hamrefors Viktor , Kharraziha Isabella , Bergström Göran , Blomberg Anders , Malinovschi Andrei , Östgren Carl Johan , Ekblom Örjan , Engström Gunnar , Gottsäter Anders
Published: August 2024

Background

The ankle–brachial index (ABI) is the ratio of the ankle and brachial systolic blood pressures. In the clinical setting, low ABI (< 0.9) is an indicator of peripheral atherosclerosis, while high ABI (> 1.4) is a sign of arterial stiffness and calcification. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between ABI and physical activity levels, measured by accelerometer.

Methods

The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) is a Swedish nationwide population-based cross-sectional cohort for the study of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, in which individuals aged 50–64 years were randomly invited from the general population. The study population with data on ABI, physical activity, and sedentary time based on accelerometry was 27,737. Differences between ABI categories and associations to sedentary behavior, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and other metabolic characteristics were compared. ABI was categorized as low, ABI ≤ 0.9, borderline, ABI 0.91–0.99, normal, ABI 1.0-1.39, and high, ABI ≥ 1.4.

Results

Prevalence of low ABI was higher in the most sedentary quartiles compared to the least sedentary (0.6% vs. 0.1%, p < 0.001). The most sedentary individuals also exhibited higher BMI, higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. The proportion of wake time spent in MVPA was lowest in those with low ABI (0.033 ± 0.004; p < 0.001) and highest in those with ABI > 1.4 (0.069 ± 0.001; p < 0.001) compared to those with normal ABI. Compared to normal ABI, the proportion of sedentary time was highest in those with low ABI (0.597 ± 0.012; p < 0.001) and lowest in those with ABI > 1.4 (0.534 ± 0.002; p = 0.004).

Conclusion

This population-based study shows that middle-aged individuals with ABI > 1.4 have the highest level of physical activity, while individuals with a lower ABI, especially those with ABI < 0.9, are less active and spend more time sedentary. Future studies are needed to understand the relationships between ABI, physical activity, and the risk of peripheral arterial and cardiovascular disease in the general population.
Development and validation of the Women’s Self-care Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire (WSKAQ)
Authors: Khademi Khadijeh , Kaveh Mohammad Hossein , Asadollahi Abdolrahim , Nazari Mahin
Published: August 2024

Background

Menopausal women should learn self-care practices to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, positive health behaviors, and health status. In addition, the lack of self-care knowledge can lead to unhealthy attitudes and lifestyles, resulting in many complications. Improved self-care knowledge can foster positive attitudes, leading to healthier lifestyles as a beneficial cycle. However, menopausal women have limited knowledge about self-care and evaluation tools. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and investigate the validity and reliability of the Women’s Self-care Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire (WSKAQ) in Iranian menopausal women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 249 menopausal women, aged between 45 and 65 years and at least one year post-menopause, with a minimum literacy level of elementary education. Validation properties included construct validity, exploratory (EFA), and discriminant validity. Reliability was further established through Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s Omega. PASS 15 and SPSS 27 software were used to select centers, calculate sample size and analyze the data, respectively.

Results

The initial stage of construct validity involved the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and EFA, resulting in a 6-item self-care knowledge subscale, 47.29% of the total data variance, and 7-item self-care attitude subscale, 55.50% of the total data variance. Independent t-test indicated that menopausal women with education level equal to or higher than diploma have significantly higher self-care attitude scores than those with lower than diploma (p = 0.007). Additionally, significant correlations were observed between self-care knowledge and attitude (r:0.30). Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s Omega coefficients of the 13-item WSKAQ were 0.77 and 0.78, respectively.

Conclusions

Based on the results, the WSKAQ, consisting of 13 items, was validated and reliable for assessing the self-care knowledge and attitude of Iranian menopausal women.
Knowledge gaps related to HIV and condom use for preventing pregnancy: a cross-sectional study among migrants in Sweden
Authors: Tirado Veronika , Orsini Nicola , Strömdahl Susanne , Hanson Claudia , Ekström Anna Mia
Published: August 2024

Background

Information and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) plays a crucial role in promoting safe sexual practices among young migrants. We aimed to assess the sociodemographic factors of migrants associated with knowledge of condoms and the prevention, treatment, and transmission of HIV to highlight the need for SRHR information, including comprehensive sexual health education.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted (2018–2019) among migrants at Swedish language schools and high schools across Sweden. The survey included questions about knowledge of condom use for preventing pregnancy and HIV treatment and transmission. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the responses to the knowledge questions and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Out of 3430 respondents (median age: 35, interquartile range: 20), approximately 39% were unaware that condoms can prevent unplanned pregnancies. Only 58% of the respondents knew that condoms reduce the risk of contracting HIV. About 77% were unaware of HIV treatment, and 52% reported not knowing that a woman with HIV could transmit the virus to her baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Incorrect knowledge about condom use to prevent unwanted pregnancy was associated with several factors: younger age (15–19 years) adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.79); female respondents (aOR: 1.68; 95% CI 1.36–2.07); lack of previous sexual health education (aOR: 2.57; 95% CI 2.11–3.13); low level of education (aOR: 1.30; 95% CI 1.04–1.61). Originating from the Americas, European, or sub-Saharan African regions was associated with a 34–42% decreased likelihood of incorrect knowledge that condoms can reduce the risk of HIV infection compared to respondents from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). More than half (64%) of respondents reported needing more SRHR information.

Conclusions

We found significant knowledge gaps on HIV and condom use for preventing pregnancy among migrants in Sweden. Comprehensive sexual health education in language schools, along with information to newly arrived migrants from diverse regional backgrounds and targeted sexual health services to younger individuals, women, and those who lack sexual health education, are needed to address these information gaps and provide crucial SRHR education and information.
Beyond individual factors: a critical ethnographic account of urban residential fire risks, experiences, and responses in single-room occupancy (SRO) housing
Authors: Liao Catherine , Varcoe Colleen , Brown Helen , Pike Ian
Published: August 2024

Background

Burn injuries are a significant public health concern, closely linked to housing conditions and socioeconomic status. Residents in socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods are at increased risk of exposure to hazards due to older and poorer housing conditions and limited access to fire protection measures. Individual behaviours such as substance use, smoking, and hoarding are often highlighted as primary causes of residential fires, overshadowing the broader socioeconomic and structural factors that also play a significant role in housing safety. This paper explores the correlation between inadequate housing conditions and heightened fire risks leading to burn injuries, focusing on the contextual factors shaping everyday urban fire risks, experiences, and responses of residents living in Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) housing in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side (DTES) and staff working in the fire, health, housing (social and private), and non-profit sectors.

Methods

As part of an ongoing ethnographic study, we partnered with the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) to conduct participant observations in private, non-profit, and government-owned SROs, modular homes, and a temporary shelter. This paper synthesizes insights from participant observations from the first author’s self-reflexive journals, including informal conversations with approximately fifty-nine individuals such as SRO tenants, SRO managers/caretakers, health workers, burn survivors, municipal staff, not-for-profit staff, and firefighters.

Results

Urgent housing-related issues contributing to inequitable everyday urban fire risks were identified, such as structural deficiencies in SRO buildings and systems, inadequate waste management and storage, and inequitable approaches to addressing hoarding. Additionally, disparities in access to information and the interaction between interpersonal and structural stigmas were significant factors, underscoring the pressing need for intervention.

Conclusion

Communities like DTES, facing precarious housing conditions, disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and complex health and social challenges, necessitate a comprehensive and holistic approach to fire prevention and safety. Recognizing the interplay between housing instability, mental and physical health issues, unregulated toxic drug supply, drug criminalization, and structural inequities allows practitioners from various sectors to develop contextually driven fire prevention strategies. This multifaceted approach transcends individual-level behaviour change and is crucial for addressing the complex issues contributing to fire risks in underserved communities.
Independent concentration extraction as a novel green approach resolving overlapped UV–Vis binary spectra and HPTLC-densitometric methods for concurrent determination of levocloperastine and chlorpheniramine
Authors: Mohamed Ekram H. , Batakoushy Hany A. , Ibrahim Adel Ehab , Nasr Zeinab Adel , Soliman Marwa M. , Barghash Sona S. , Mohamed Tahany F. , Fouad Fatma A.
Published: August 2024

Background

The proposed research study introduces independent concentration extraction (ICE) as a novel UV–Vis spectrophotometric approach. The approach can be used for extracting the concentration of two analytes with severely overlapped spectra from their binary mixtures. ICE is based on spectral extraction platform involving simple smart successive methods that can directly extract the original zero order spectra of the analytes at their characteristic (λmax). Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and Levocloperastine fendizoate (LCF) are two commonly co-formulated drugs in cough preparations. The combined mixture was used to confirm the validity of the developed ICE tool. Another less green HPTLC was developed for the first time to separate both drugs and help also in confirming the proposed tool.

Methods

For the simultaneous determination of CPM and LCF, two ecologically friendly techniques were employed. The first approach encompasses the use of the ICE spectrophotometric method that could be successively applied for extracting the concentration of two analytes with severely overlapped unresolved spectra in their binary mixtures. Other complementary methods aiming at original spectral extraction; including spectrum subtraction (SS) and unity subtraction (US) were also successfully employed to resolve the zero order spectra of the combined drugs with all their characteristic features and peaks. The second technique used, a high-performance TLC-densitometric one, was performed on silica plates with silica plates F254 and a mobile phase with a ratio of 3:3:3:1 by volume of toluene, ethanol, acetone, and ammonia as a developing system at 230 nm.

Results

The presented extraction approach was executed without any optimization steps or sample pretreatment for the simultaneous determination of CPM and LCF. The method was found to be valid for their determination within concentration range of 3.0–30.0 μg mL−1 for both drugs. For HPTLC method, the resulting Rf values of CPM and LCF were 0.37 and 0.78, within concentration ranges of 0.3–4.0 μg/spot and 0.8–10.0 μg/spot, respectively. Greenness assessment of both developed methodologies showed that the HPTLC method is less green than the spectrophotometric method, yet with comparable sustainability when it comes to the used technique.

Conclusion

The procedures were found to be selective, accurate, and precise for analysis of the studied binary mixture. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the introduced methods was assessed using novel greenness metrics, namely AGREE and Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) to prove their ecological safety. In addition, white analytical chemistry (WAC) evaluation metric was employed to ensure the synergy and coherence of analytical, practical, and ecological attributes.
Electrochemical survey of electroactive microbial populations in deep-sea hydrothermal fields
Authors: Yamamoto Masahiro , Kawada Yoshifumi , Takaki Yoshihiro , Shimoniida Kosuke , Shitara Mariko , Tanizaki Akiko , Kashima Hiroyuki , Hirai Miho , Takaya Yutaro , Nozaki Tatsuo , Kasaya Takafumi , Takai Ken
Published: August 2024

Electric discharge in deep-sea hydrothermal fields leads us to expect the existence of electroactive microbial ecosystems in the environments. Electrochemical properties such as electric field distribution on the seafloor and electrical conductivity of the rock can be useful indicators of searching electroactive microbial community in natural environments. We performed electric field measurements in deep-sea hydrothermal fields and collected rock samples by a remotely operative vehicle (ROV) operation. Several spots on the seafloor with strong electric fields were detected, which included both active hydrothermal vent areas and inactive sulfide deposits far from the vents. The electrical conductivity of the rock samples was correlated with the copper and iron sulfide content. Microbial community compositions of the rock samples were characterized by small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis. The abundance of several microbial components, which are highly related to electroactive microorganisms such as Geobacteraceae and Thiomicrorhabdus, was affected by the electrical properties of rock samples. The results suggested that electrochemical properties on the seafloor would be related to the abundance of possible electroactive microbial populations, and that the electrochemical survey may be a powerful tool for exploring electroactive ecosystems.
Patient resuscitated after cardiopulmonary arrest exhibits abnormally increased phenytoin metabolic rate due to unknown factors: a case report
Authors: Nagamine Ayumu , Araki Takuya , Yashima Hideaki , Oshima Kiyohiro , Obayashi Kyoko , Yamamoto Koujirou
Published: August 2024

Background

Fosphenytoin (FOS) is a prodrug of phenytoin (PHT) with a metabolism that exhibits Michaelis–Menten-type kinetics. Genetic polymorphisms of the metabolic enzymes of PHT make it challenging to predict its plasma concentrations. High plasma PHT concentrations are typically problematic, and several causes have been elucidated. In contrast, cases of patients with low PHT plasma concentrations that did not increase despite the administration of appropriate PHT doses have been reported, and the causes may include changes in plasma protein-binding rates, genetic mutations, and concomitant use of drugs that induce liver enzymes; however, even these factors do not explain the low PHT plasma concentrations in some cases.

Case presentation

We encountered the case of a patient with plasma PHT concentrations that were continuously < 0.7 µg/mL after daily use of FOS for seizures that occurred after cardiopulmonary arrest. We analyzed the protein-unbound fraction, urinary metabolites, and related genes to investigate the cause. False negatives due to the measurement method, errors in dosage and administration method, and increased excretion of PHT were excluded. Hepatic metabolic activity of PHT increased to 4.6–6.1 times the normal level. The S/R ratio of 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin-glucuronide, a major PHT metabolite, was normal at 15.2, suggesting increased activities of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Furthermore, the protein-unbound fraction of PHT was 5.2–6.9%, CYP2C19*17 was wild type, and there was no concomitant drug use to induce both enzymes.

Conclusions

The low PHT plasma concentration in this patient was found to be caused by increased hepatic metabolic activity that could not be explained by known factors. Careful monitoring is necessary to consider the possibility of increased hepatic metabolic activity in similar cases.
Historical and practical aspects of macular buckle surgery in the treatment of myopic tractional maculopathy: case series and literature review
Authors: Cyrino Francyne Veiga Reis , de Lucena Moisés Moura , de Oliveira Audi Letícia , Filho José Afonso Ribeiro Ramos , Braga João Pedro Romero , de Azeredo Bastos Thais Marino , Coelho Igor Neves , Jorge Rodrigo
Published: August 2024

Background

Uncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness globally, with a rising prevalence in recent decades. Pathological myopia, often seen in individuals with increased axial length (AXL), can result in severe structural changes in the posterior pole, including myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM). MTM arises from tractional forces at the vitreoretinal interface, leading to progressive macular retinoschisis, macular holes, and retinal detachment (RD). This study aims to outline preoperative evaluation and surgical indication criteria for MTM, based on the MTM staging system, and to share our Brazilian experience with three cases of macular buckle (MB) surgery, all with over a year of follow-up.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of three cases of MTM-associated RD treated with MB surgery, with or without pars plana vitrectomy. Preoperative evaluations included optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasonography (USG) to assess the extent of macular involvement and retinal detachment. Surgical indications were determined based on the MTM staging system. The MB was assembled using customizable and accessible materials. Surgical procedures varied according to the specific needs of each case. An informed consent form regarding the surgical procedure was appropriately obtained for each case. The study was conducted with the proper approval of the institution’s ethics committee.

Results

All three cases demonstrated successful retinal attachment during the mean follow-up of eighteen months. In the first case, combined phacoemulsification, vitrectomy, and MB were performed for MTM with macular hole and RD. The second case required MB and vitrectomy after two failed RD surgeries. In the third case, a macular detachment with an internal lamellar hole was treated with MB alone. These cases highlight the efficacy of MB surgery in managing MTM in highly myopic eyes.

Conclusions

MB surgery is an effective treatment option for MTM-associated RD in highly myopic eyes, providing long-term retinal attachment. Our experience demonstrates that with proper preoperative evaluation and surgical planning, MB can be successfully implemented using accessible materials, offering a viable solution in resource-limited settings. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings and refine surgical techniques.
APPROACH e-PROM system: a user-centered development and evaluation of an electronic patient-reported outcomes measurement system for management of coronary artery disease
Authors: Roberts Andrew , Benterud Eleanor , Santana Maria J. , Engbers Jordan , Lorenz Christine , Verdin Nancy , Pearson Winnie , Edgar Peter , Adekanye Joel , Javaheri Pantea , MacDonald Courtney E. , Simmons Sarah , Zelinsky Sandra , Caird Jeff , Sawatzky Rick , Har Bryan , Ghali William A. , Norris Colleen M. , Graham Michelle M. , James Matthew T. , Wilton Stephen B. , Sajobi Tolulope T. ,   for the APPROACH investigators
Published: August 2024

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) confers increased risks of premature mortality, non-fatal morbidity, and significant impairment in functional status and health-related quality of life. Routine administration of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and its real time delivery to care providers is known to have the potential to inform routine cardiac care and to improve quality of care and patient outcomes. This study describes a user-centered development and evaluation of the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment (APPROACH) electronic Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement (e-PROM) system. This e-PROM system is an electronic system for the administration of PROMs to patients with CAD and the delivery of the summarized information to their care providers to facilitate patient-physician communication and shared decision-making. This electronic platform was designed to be accessible via web-based and hand-held devices. Heuristic and user acceptance evaluation were conducted with patients and attending care providers.

Results

The APPROACH e-PROM system was co-developed with patients and care providers, research investigators, informaticians and information technology experts. Five PROMs were selected for inclusion in the online platform after consultations with patient partners, care providers, and PROMs experts: the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, EuroQOL, and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory. The heuristic evaluation was completed by four design experts who examined the usability of the prototype interfaces. User acceptance testing was completed with 13 patients and 10 cardiologists who evaluated prototype user interfaces of the e-PROM system.

Conclusion

Both patients and physicians found the APPROACH e-PROM system to be easy to use, understandable, and acceptable. The APPROACH e-PROM system provides a user-informed electronic platform designed to incorporate PROMs into the delivery of individualized cardiac care for persons with CAD.
Intraindividual reproducibility of myocardial radiomic features between energy-integrating detector and photon-counting detector CT angiography
Authors: Tremamunno Giuseppe , Varga-Szemes Akos , Schoepf U. Joseph , Laghi Andrea , Zsarnoczay Emese , Fink Nicola , Aquino Gilberto J. , O’Doherty Jim , Emrich Tilman , Vecsey-Nagy Milan
Published: August 2024

Background

Radiomics is not yet used in clinical practice due to concerns regarding its susceptibility to technical factors. We aimed to assess the stability and interscan and interreader reproducibility of myocardial radiomic features between energy-integrating detector computed tomography (EID-CT) and photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) in patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CCTA) on both systems.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing clinically indicated CCTA on an EID-CT were prospectively enrolled for a PCD-CT CCTA within 30 days. Virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) at various keV levels and polychromatic images (T3D) were generated for PCD-CT, with image reconstruction parameters standardized between scans. Two readers performed myocardial segmentation and 110 radiomic features were compared intraindividually between EID-CT and PDC-CT series. The agreement of parameters was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and paired t-test for the stability of the parameters.

Results

Eighteen patients (15 males) aged 67.6 ± 9.7 years (mean ± standard deviation) were included. Besides polychromatic PCD-CT reconstructions, 60- and 70-keV VMIs showed the highest feature stability compared to EID-CT (96%, 90%, and 92%, respectively). The interscan reproducibility of features was moderate even in the most favorable comparisons (median ICC 0.50 [interquartile range 0.20–0.60] for T3D; 0.56 [0.33–0.74] for 60 keV; 0.50 [0.36–0.62] for 70 keV). Interreader reproducibility was excellent for the PCD-CT series and good for EID-CT segmentations.

Conclusion

Most myocardial radiomic features remain stable between EID-CT and PCD-CT. While features demonstrated moderate reproducibility between scanners, technological advances associated with PCD-CT may lead to greater reproducibility, potentially expediting future standardization efforts.

Relevance statement

While the use of PCD-CT may facilitate reduced interreader variability in radiomics analysis, the observed interscanner variations in comparison to EID-CT should be taken into account in future research, with efforts being made to minimize their impact in future radiomics studies.

Key Points

Most myocardial radiomic features resulted in being stable between EID-CT and PCD-CT on certain VMIs.

The reproducibility of parameters between detector technologies was limited.

PCD-CT improved interreader reproducibility of myocardial radiomic features.

Graphical Abstract
A bottom-up, One Health approach to assessing progress in the implementation of a national action plan for combatting antimicrobial resistance: a case study from Uganda
Authors: Waswa J.P. , Kiggundu Reuben , Kasujja Hassan , Vudriko Patrick , Sendagire Hakim , Kajumbula Henry , Sekamatte Musa , Kakooza Francis , Alombah Fozo , Joshi Mohan P. , Konduri Niranjan
Published: August 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to public health, and it is spreading across the human health, animal health, and environmental sectors. Sole reliance on desk reviews and national-level stakeholder engagement carries a risk of overestimating the country’s health security and AMR capacity. For a genuine evaluation, engaging frontline and last-mile implementers such as health care facilities and workers, farmers, and district local governments ensures a more accurate assessment of existing capabilities and implementation progress. Uganda utilized a bottom-up approach to assess the implementation status of the National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) to ensure the engagement of key stakeholders at the subnational level, who are often overlooked in NAP-AMR evaluation initiatives. This review revealed poor engagement of subnational stakeholders in the development, validation, dissemination, and implementation of the NAP-AMR as well as various issues at the national level—including gaps in government One Health policy, insufficient funding, and ineffective coordination—that resulted in the inadequate implementation of the NAP-AMR. Addressing these challenges should involve establishing a One Health policy and identifying sustainable funding sources for AMR activities. We recommend the legislation of dedicated policy to formally incorporate the National One Health Platform into government structures at the national and subnational levels. In our experience, a bottom-up approach to evaluating NAP-AMR implementation enhances the effectiveness of the review process and could be utilized by the WHO during the joint external evaluation of health security capacity.
Evaluation of pulmonary arterial stiffness in post mild COVID-19 patients: a pilot prospective study
Authors: Korkmaz Yetkin , Çınar Tufan , Şaylık Faysal , Akbulut Tayyar , Selçuk Murat , Oğuz Mustafa , Hayıroğlu Mert Ilker , Tanboğa İbrahim Halil
Published: August 2024

Background

Our primary goal was to utilize pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) to demonstrate the early alterations in the pulmonary vascular area in individuals with prior COVID-19 illness who had not undergone hospitalization.

Methods

In total, 201 patients with prior COVID-19 infection without hospitalization and 195 healthy, age- and sex-matched individuals without a history of COVID-19 disease were included in this prospective analysis. The PAS value for each patient was calculated by dividing the mean peak pulmonary flow velocity by the pulmonary flow acceleration time.

Results

The measured PAS was 10.2 ± 4.11 Hz/msec in post–COVID-19 participants and 8.56 ± 1.47 Hz/msec in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Moreover, pulmonary artery acceleration time was significantly lower in patients with a prior history of COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that PAS was significantly connected to a prior COVID-19 illness (odds ratio, 1.267; 95% confidence interval, 1.142–1.434; P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff point for detecting a prior COVID-19 disease for PAS was 10.1 (sensitivity, 70.2%; specificity, 87.7%).

Conclusions

This might be the first investigation to reveal that patients with a history of COVID-19 had higher PAS values compared to those without COVID-19. The results of the investigation may indicate the need of regular follow up of COVID-19 patients for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, especially during the post–COVID-19 interval.
Neurological Surgery Resident ABNS Written Exam Scores Before and After Introduction of a Weekly Didactic Educational Intervention: A 12-Year Single-Institution Retrospective Study
Authors: Boop Scott , Durfy Sharon , Bass David , Lee Amy , Zavatchen Sylvia , Ellenbogen Richard G. , Ravanpay Ali C.
Published: August 2024

United States neurological surgery residency education has undergone substantive changes over the past 2 decades. Neurosurgical professional bodies have developed numerous initiatives providing standardized assessments and training opportunities for residency programs. However, there have been few studies using standardized measures to assess core components of educational programming in individual programs. We conducted a 12-year retrospective review of resident American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) board scores using our institutional data from 2010 to 2021 to determine the effect of introducing a weekly didactic resident education hour (REH) on resident scores in the ABNS written in-training examination. ABNS scaled scores were analyzed before (2010-2016) and after (2017-2021) REH introduction. To account for a practice effect, we used a 2-factor linear regression model with an interaction term. We obtained ABNS scores from 43 residents representing 132 test attempts. The average ABNS scaled score significantly improved after the introduction of REH (319 vs 410, t = −3.44, P = .0008). Accounting for the practice effect revealed a significant interaction effect between the number of attempts taking the ABNS examination and whether formal didactics were taught, accounting for 46.2 points on the examination (t = 2.309, P = .023); however, REH alone did not have a significant effect on the scaled scores (t = -1.649, P = .102). ABNS written board scores represent a standardized metric by which educational initiatives within training programs may be assessed for efficacy. Further research is needed to identify educational approaches that are effective to meet the goal of demonstrated mastery of fundamental knowledge in neurosurgery across a diversity of neurological surgery residency programs.
Πρότυπες συμβάσεις για κατασκευαστικά έργα
Authors: Κούτσικος Χρυσοβαλάντης
Published: August 2024

Οι πρότυπες κατασκευαστικές συμβάσεις αποτελούν κοινό τόπο για το πλαίσιο της συνεργασίας των εμπλεκόμενων μερών (εργοδότη και εργολάβου) στην κατασκευή των σύγχρονων έργων. Η εξέλιξη των πρότυπων κατασκευαστικών συμβάσεων αποτυπώνει τις εξελίξεις και την ωρίμανση του κατασκευαστικού κλάδου παγκοσμίως μέσα από τις αναθεωρήσεις των αντίστοιχων συμβάσεων, οι οποίες πραγματοποιούνται μετά από τη συλλογή πραγματικών δεδομένων από μεγάλο πλήθος κατασκευαστικών έργων σε όλο το κόσμο. Η παρούσα διατριβή πραγματεύεται την εξέλιξη των πρότυπων κατασκευαστικών συμβάσεων και τον τρόπο που αυτές επιδρούν στα κατασκευαστικά έργα σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο, και αναλύει πως η εφαρμογή των κεντρικών μηχανισμών των πρότυπων κατασκευαστικών συμβάσεων, σε συνδυασμό με τις αρχές διαχείρισης έργων, μπορούν να βελτιώσουν την ελληνική κατασκευαστική πραγματικότητα.Ειδικότερα, με την παρούσα διατριβή, πραγματοποιείται μια ευρεία έρευνα για τον εντοπισμό διαφορών στην ελληνική κατασκευαστική πραγματικότητα. Η έρευνα αυτή εστιάζει σε δικαστικές αποφάσεις της πενταετίας 2015 – 2019 που αφορούν του βασικούς τομείς της διαχείρισης έργων (χρόνο, κόστος, ποιότητα).Με βάση την αξιολόγηση πάνω από 150 δικαστικών αποφάσεων όλων των βαθμίδων των Ελληνικών δικαστηρίων, οι οποίες αφορούν το σύνολο της ελληνικής επικράτειας για ιδιωτικά κατασκευαστικά έργα, εξάγονται συμπεράσματα για τα συνήθη σημεία τριβής μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων μερών και αναζητείται η βαθύτερη αιτία τους. Στην συνέχεια εξετάζεται αν η εφαρμογή συγκεκριμένων διατάξεων και μηχανισμών από τις πρότυπες κατασκευαστικές συμβάσεις (κυρίως FIDIC και NEC) καθώς και η εφαρμογή των αρχών της διαχείρισης έργων και σύγχρονων ψηφιακών τεχνολογιών θα μπορούσε να αποτρέψει την γένεση της διαφοράς ή, κατ’ ελάχιστον, θα όριζε καλύτερα τις υποχρεώσεις των δυο μερών και θα οδηγούσε σε μια ομαλότερη εκτέλεση έργου. Με βάση την έρευνα και την ανωτέρω μεθοδολογία διατυπώνονται προτάσεις για την εφαρμογή συγκεκριμένων διατάξεων και μηχανισμών στην ελληνική κατασκευαστική πραγματικότητα και κατ’ επέκταση με χρήση μαθηματικών μοντέλων αποτυπώνεται η προτεραιότητα στην ενσωμάτωση των προτάσεων αυτών με βάση τον βαθμό συνεισφοράς τους και το κόστος εφαρμογής τους στα κατασκευαστικά έργα.
Parental Educational Homogamy and Children’s Tertiary Education in Europe
Authors: Blossfeld Pia , Katrňák Tomáš , Chomková Manea Beatrice
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we examine (1) whether parental educational homogamy is associated with children’s tertiary educational attainment in different European countries and (2) whether this association is moderated by families’ educational backgrounds. Using data from the European Social Survey and multilevel logistic regression models, we find that parental homogamy is important for children’s tertiary educational attainment. In particular, children of more highly educated homogamous parents are more likely to obtain a tertiary degree themselves. This parental homogamy association varies across countries. While the association is below the European average in Czechia, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, it is equal or close to average in Slovenia, Estonia, France, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, and Lithuania, and above average in Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Belgium. Our findings suggest that parental educational constellations should be examined more closely in further education inequality research.
* This article belongs to a special issue on “Changes in Educational Homogamy and Its Consequences”.
Is physical activity an effective remedy for insomnia? - a review
Authors: Kosińska Agnieszka , Niedbał Piotr , Poborowska Dominika , Kahan Weronika , Szafrańska Weronika , Polańska Katarzyna , Wojaczek Marta , Kras Magdalena , Lelek Katarzyna , Łata Marcin
Published: August 2024

Introduction and purpose
This article explores the impact of physical activity on insomnia and sleep quality. It reviews existing research to clarify how exercise affects sleep patterns, identifies mechanisms through which exercise improves sleep, and evaluates practical recommendations for integrating physical activity into insomnia treatment. The goal is to offer valuable insights for individuals and healthcare professionals on using exercise as a non-pharmacological method to manage insomnia.
State of knowledge
The article reviews the literature on sleep, with a particular focus on the issue of insomnia. By understanding the causes of sleep disorders, it is possible to implement targeted diagnostics and subsequent treatment. The impact of physical activity on the overall problem of insomnia is also highlighted.
Material and Methods
A review of literature from 2004 to 2024 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Keywords included "insomnia," "sleep disorder," and "sleep impairment." The review focused on English-language primary research articles from peer-reviewed journals.
Summary
The review highlights the role of physical activity in managing insomnia, emphasizing its positive effects. Evidence indicates that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk and severity of insomnia and improves sleep quality. This underscores the effectiveness of physical activity as a valuable non-pharmacological approach to enhancing sleep and overall well-being.
 
Keywords
Insomnia;  physical activity;  sleep disorders;  quality of sleep; sport
When Healthy Habits Turn Harmful: A Medical Perspective on Exercise Addiction
Authors: Hądzlik Izabela , Wojtyła Klaudia , Barg Marta
Published: August 2024

Behavioural addictions, also known as non-substance-related addictions, encompass a range of compulsive behaviours that closely mirror substance use disorders in their effects on the brain's reward system and the individual's daily life. These addictions include, but are not limited to, gambling disorder, internet gaming disorder, compulsive shopping, and the focus of this review - exercise addiction. Exercise addiction is characterized by an intense, uncontrollable urge to engage in physical activity, despite potential negative consequences. Unlike substance use disorders, exercise addiction often remains underrecognized, overshadowed by the widespread promotion of regular physical activity as a healthy lifestyle choice. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of exercise addiction, covering its psychological origin and characteristics, diagnostic criteria, co-occurrence with other psychiatric disorders, epidemiology among athletes and management strategies.
Jet lag: an underestimated factor in reduced physical performance in athletes
Authors: Tokarski Michał , Tokarska Angelika , Bieganek Paula
Published: August 2024

Jet lag is a common issue affecting most athletes traveling across at least 2 time zones, particularly when traveling eastward. Observational studies on over 114,000 game matches have established that traveling teams had a statistically significant higher rate of game losses. Jet lag manifests not only in a decline in athletes' physical performance but also affects cognitive abilities, attention span, and subjective feelings of fatigue. Melatonin can be a very important supplement in helping to regulate the circadian rhythm. Other recommended methods include phototherapy, appropriate meal timing, and sedative medications.
This paper aims to gather the latest clinical research assessing athletes' predisposition to jet lag symptoms, large-scale retrospective observational studies evaluating this phenomenon, and discusses the functioning of the circadian rhythm, methods for alleviating jet lag symptoms, and its manifestations.
Diabetic Gastroparesis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, and Clinical Consequences
Authors: Dróżdż Olgierd , Gacka Piotr , Dołęga Marcin , Musialska Dominika , Rabczyński Maciej , Gołda Joanna , Mężyk Julia , Snopkowska Aleksandra
Published: August 2024

Diabetes mellitus affects over half a billion people worldwide and is associated with numerous complications, including diabetic gastroparesis, characterized by delayed gastric emptying without mechanical obstruction. Although diabetic gastroparesis does not affect life expectancy, it significantly impairs digestion and medication absorption, complicating glucose metabolism and health management, thus reducing quality of life. The etiology of diabetic gastroparesis is multifactorial, involving autonomic neuropathy, vagus nerve dysfunction, disturbances in interstitial cells of Cajal, nitric oxide synthesis, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress. Symptoms include early satiety, bloating, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, and unintentional weight loss, which complicate diabetes management by causing unpredictable glycemic control. Despite advancements in understanding diabetic gastroparesis, it remains underdiagnosed due to its often asymptomatic nature. Further research is needed to elucidate its epidemiology and pathophysiology, particularly in asymptomatic patients. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, and clinical consequences of diabetic gastroparesis, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic and management strategies.
Parkinson’s Disease and the faecal microbiota transplantation. Review of current knowledge
Authors: Dudek Marcin , Silldorff Julia , Zając Małgorzata , Fura Tomasz , Felińska Zuzanna , Anczyk Stanisław , Iszczuk Oliwia , Gajkiewicz Magdalena , Zaucha Radosław
Published: August 2024

Introduction and Purpose. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder caused by dopamine deficiency due to neuronal degeneration, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common and often precede motor symptoms. There is increasing evidence that imbalanced gut microbiota may influence the gut-brain axis and contribute to motor and non-motor PD symptoms. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) may have the potential to restore gut flora and improve PD symptoms. The study aims to explore the current knowledge on the impact of FMT on PD symptoms, acknowledging existing reviews and highlighting new studies not yet reviewed. Understanding the underlying causes of PD could lead to better treatment, diagnostics, and prevention.State of knowledge.
PD patients suffer from specific gut dysbiosis which leads to imbalance in the produced pro- and anti-inflammatory substances in the intestinal lumen resulting in aggreviation of α-synuclein in gut nervous cells which may hypothetically transfer via vagal nerve to CNS causing PD. In animal research FMT showed promising results in alleviating PD symptoms. Case reports showed reduction of both motor and non-motor dysfunctions, especially in constipation. DuPont et al. showed improvements in constipation, motor deficits, overall Parkinson’s symptoms, and some non-motor disorders. Cheng et al. showed improvements in MDS-UPDRS, scores of GI tract symptoms scales, PD-related autonomic symptoms and the stool frequency. Bruggeman et al. showed better MDS-UPDRS part 3 scores and better colon transit, but no significant differencies in any other tested domains. Conclusions.
As there is yet no standarized protocol for FMT, all of the past research used different techniques and showed slightly different outcomes, but all have shown that FMT have some positive effects on PD symptoms.