bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrability by quadratures of the problem of rolling motion of a heavy homogeneous ball on a surface of revolution of the second order
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kuleshov Alexander S. , Shishkov Alexander A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we consider the problem of rolling of a heavy homogeneous ball on a perfectly rough surface of revolution. Usually, when considering this problem, it is convenient to specify explicitly the surface along which the center of the ball moves during rolling, instead of the surface along which the ball rolls. The surface on which the center of the ball moves is equidistant to the surface on which the ball is rolling. It is well known, that the considered problem is reduced to the integration the second order linear homogeneous differential equation. In this paper we assume, that the surface along which the center of the ball moves is a non - degenerate surface of revolution of the second order. Using the Kovacic algorithm we prove that the general solution of the corresponding linear differential equation can be found explicitly. This means, that in this case the problem of rolling of a ball on a surface of revolution can be integrated by quadratures.
Corporative strategies of spatial warehousing development of retailers in Moscow agglomeration
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Makushin Mikhail A. , Cherepanova Ekaterina A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University
Published: August 2024

The rapid growth of the transport and logistics complex of urban agglomerations forces large companies to change spatial strategies for warehouse networks development based on current trends. Thus, there is a transformation of factors for the placement of warehouse facilities. This article examines the general and specific features of the spatial development of warehouse networks of the largest retailers and online-operators in the post-soviet period using the example of the Moscow agglomeration. The novelty of the work consists both in the comparative analysis and typologization of strategies for warehouse networks development, and in the study of shifts in their territorial development. The information base of the study was the author's database of corporations’ warehouse facilities, collected on the basis of open sources. Two multidirectional trends have been identified. The first is the shift of new construction to the periphery of the Moscow agglomeration, to the zone of influence of the Central Ring Road (CRR), and an increase in the average area of warehouse facilities. The second is the development of a network of small warehouse facilities (sorting centers, darkstores) in the core of the agglomeration, near or inside the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD). Territorial shifts have been identified in the placement of new warehouse facilities for both online-operators and retailers. Online retailers have moved from a strategy of placing warehouses near airports to placing a large warehouse in every sector of the Moscow agglomeration. For retailers, the determining factor of location remains proximity to motorways (formerly main highways, now the intersections of the main highway and the Central Ring Road/A–107 or A–108) with the possibility of expanding the service area to all regions of the Central Federal District. Based on the results obtained, a typology of strategies for the spatial development of warehouse networks of the largest retailers in the region is proposed. The analysis provides an idea of current trends in spatial strategies for the development of corporate warehouse networks in the Moscow agglomeration, which can be used in forecasting and territorial planning for other large-scale urban agglomerations, based on the concept of diffusion of innovations.
On the history of Russian argotism “chuvikha”
Authors:   Russian State University for the Humanities, Fufaeva Irina V.
Published: August 2024

The study addresses the problem of incompleteness of data on the origin of Russian slang expression chuvikha ‘woman, girl’. It has long been associated with thieves’ cant, in which, according to A. P. Barannikov, the lexeme was gypsyism. Then the gypsy etymology began to be rejected. The purpose of the study is to fill in the gaps in the history of the word chuvikha using the methods of corpus and lexicographic analysis on the material of the Russian National Corpus, the collection of digitized books google.books, the diary service Prozhito.org, dictionaries of secret languages, slang dictionaries, etc. The following conclusions are made. Chuvikha, chuvak and a number of other slang expressions moved into the jargon of so-called stylyags (youth, passionate about Western culture) no later than the early 1950s from the jargon of restaurant musicians, so-called labukhs. Thus, the source of the argotisms of the stylyags was the slang of musicians, not thieves. Further, jargons of restaurant musicians of the 20th century are related with the secret language of orchestral musicians of the 19th century, having common roots with the slang expressions of labukhs, are given in the book. They are also related with other secret languages of the 19th century. The words chuvikha and chuvak are possibly related to the lexem chovy ‘good’, which was used in the secret languages of the 19th century (with a variant of the root chuv-) and in the aforementioned musical jargon of the 1920s as a substantive — the nomination of a person.
The fate of an easement in the transformation of a dominant land parcel
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Krasnova Tatiana S.
Published: August 2024

The article is dedicated to the detailed analysis of the Ruling of the Third Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction dated February 16, 2022, No. 88-3377/2022, as well as several additional acts of courts related to this Ruling. In this case courts discuss the essence of an easement, real nature of an easement, fate of an easement in the transformation of a dominant land parcel or a servient land parcel, protection of an easement, termination of an easement. The author of the article critically evaluates these reasonings, referring to the norms of operative Russian and foreign legislation, current courts practice, doctrinal sources, historical materials, projects for reforming Russian legislation. The case under discussion is remarkable because several courts in support of their positions refer among others to the Model Act “On Limited Real Rights”, approved by the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States on November 27, 2015. The author of the article states the question: is it permissible to use the Model Act to resolve a particular case on the territory of the Russian Federation? And the author of the article gives the positive answer to the question, as far as the courts do not apply the Model Act directly, but resolve the case based on the general principles and meaning of civil law, requirements of good faith, reasonableness, fairness. Therefore, the Model Act is applied by the courts as the act that reflects such principles and meaning, for this reason the reference to the Model Act has a completely acceptable and even welcomed illustrative character. The analyzed case also confirms the idea that the modern regulation of easement relations in Russia indicates the existence of numerous theoretical and practical problems in this area. The multiple recommitment of the case to the appellate court, enormous controversy about the fate of the case in the legal community — are clear confirmation of this.
Flood detection in the Upper Krishna Basin through integrated geospatial analysis: leveraging decision frameworks and statistical measures
Authors: Sharma Kul Vaibhav , Jadhav Prasad , Kumar Vijendra , Dongare Pranit , Munoth Priyamitra , Singh Karan
Published: August 2024

Floods threaten the environment and human settlements across river basins globally, including the Upper Krishna Basin in India. This research delves into evaluating flood hazard areas within the Upper Krishna Basin utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Frequency Ratio (FR), and Statistical Index (SI). These methodologies prioritize and classify flood-prone regions by integrating spatial and non-spatial criteria. The findings reveal significant variations in flood risk classification across the Upper Krishna Basin based on the three models. The AHP model identifies 3.37% of the region as low flood risk, with 22.90% classified as moderate risk, and 68.27% as high risk. In contrast, the FR model designates 3.76% as low risk, 10.50% as moderate risk, and 42.21% as high risk. Meanwhile, the SI model identifies 1.04% of areas with low risk, 35.38% with under-high risk, and 57.87% with very high risk. Validation using Receiver Operating Characteristic-Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC) values demonstrates the superior reliability of the SI model. These findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers to allocate resources and implement effective flood mitigation measures.
Disinfection of sulfate-reducing clostridia, including Clostridium perfringens, in sewage effluents using peracetic acid
Authors: Suzuki Hiroyuki , Tomozawa Masataka , Shinohara Tsuyoshi , Yagishita Mayuko , Oonaka Kenji , Hashimoto Atsushi
Published: August 2024

Peracetic acid (PAA) is being tested as an alternative to chlorine for sewage disinfection due to its advantages, such as the lack of disinfection byproducts produced and low impact on the discharge site ecosystem. In this study, the inactivating efficiency of PAA against Clostridium perfringens, a known chlorine-resistant microorganism that also causes numerous foodborne illnesses, was evaluated in sewage. PAA remained 80–90% after 120 min of contact with sewage, while chlorine was reduced to 3%. The inactivation curve for Escherichia coli showed a linear decrease with chlorine, while a stepwise reduction was observed with PAA. The inactivation efficacy of PAA on sulfate-reducing clostridia (SRC)-containing C. perfringens was −2.41 log at a CT value of 3,025 mg·min/L. Among the detected SRCs, the −log inactivation of C. perfringens was estimated from the percentage of cpa gene positivity, and its PAA inactivation efficacy was higher than that of SRC at −3.17 log. Although SRC contained PAA-resistant non-C. perfringens clostridia, the effectiveness of PAA for inactivating C. perfringens in the presence of organic matter indicates its effectiveness as a sewage disinfectant.
Wastewater treatment process using immobilized microalgae
Authors: Aguiar Severo Ihana , Azevedo Otto Gustavo de Avila , da Silva Paulo Alexandre Silveira , Jacob-Furlan Beatriz , Mariano André Bellin , Ordonez Juan C. , Vargas José Viriato Coelho
Published: August 2024

Microalgae biomass products are gaining popularity due to their diverse applications in various sectors. However, the costs associated with media ingredients and cell harvesting pose challenges to the scale-up of microalgae cultivation. This study evaluated the growth and nutrient removal efficiency (RE) of immobilized microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus in sodium alginate beads cultivated in swine manure-based wastewater compared to free cells. The main findings of this research include (i) immobilized cells outperformed free cells, showing approximately 2.3 times higher biomass production, especially at 10% effluent concentration; (ii) enhanced organic carbon removal was observed, with a significant 62% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (383.46–144.84 mg L−1) within 48 h for immobilized cells compared to 6% in free culture; (iii) both immobilized and free cells exhibited efficient removal of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, with high REs exceeding 99% for phosphorus. In addition, microscopic analysis confirmed successful cell dispersion within the alginate beads, ensuring efficient light and substrate transfer. Overall, the results highlight the potential of immobilization techniques and alternative media, such as biodigested swine manure, to enhance microalgal growth and nutrient RE, offering promising prospects for sustainable wastewater treatment processes.
EVALUACIÓN DE LA CALIDAD DEL AGUA DE LAS SUBCUENCAS ACHAMAYO Y SHULLCAS (JUNÍN-PERÚ) UTILIZANDO EL ÍNDICE DE CALIDAD CCME
Authors: Gutiérrez Vilela Milagros , Ldeón Quispe Wilfredo Celestino
Published: August 2024

Los ríos y quebradas, en la mayoría de casos, son utilizados como cuerpo receptor de los vertimientos municipales, que, sin el debido tratamiento, genera problemas de contaminación del agua. En las áreas de estudio de esta investigación, se tiene información de los monitoreos de calidad del agua publicadas por la Autoridad Nacional del Agua, donde los resultados no son muy comprensibles para una población que no conoce del tema. Los Índices de Calidad del Agua (ICA) son una de las herramientas más utilizadas para evaluar la calidad del agua, ya que resumen los datos de los parámetros fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos de una manera sencilla y de fácil comprensión. El objetivo de esta investigación fue realizar la evaluación de los ICA en las subcuencas Achamayo y Shullcas a través de la metodología canadiense CCME-WQI (The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment - Water Quality Index). Para ello, se utilizaron los datos de los reportes de monitoreo de la calidad del agua de los años 2015 al 2020, los vertimientos municipales e información geoespacial de los ríos y cuencas. La subcuenca Shullcas obtuvo un resultado del ICA de 46.2 que corresponde a una calidad de agua “marginal”, este resultado es consecuencia de las altas concentraciones de coliformes termotolerantes y Escherichia coli, mientras que la subcuenca Achamayo obtuvo un ICA-CCME de 67.8, que corresponde a una calidad “regular”, llegando a la conclusión que la subcuenca Shullcas es la más impactada por los vertimientos municipales, por lo que se recomienda construir plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales con tecnología de lodos activados o biorreactores de lecho móvil MBBR.
A Prospective Study to Identify Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: The Causative Organisms, Antibiotic Sensitivity and its Safety in Pregnant Females
Authors: Sharif Saba , Agarwal Namita , Arya Shashi Bala , Goyal Rahul Kumar , Gupta Shubhangi
Published: August 2024

Introduction: The common procedure of urinary catheterization during childbirth may introduce bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections. Immune function is relatively compromised during pregnancy. The current study was aimed to identify antenatal patients with bacteriuria, the causative organism and its antibiotic sensitivity in patients with bacteriuria. Materials and Methods: The current prospective crosssectional study involved antenatal patients who were being admitted to the delivery room. A clean catch midstream urine sample was collected in a sterile container of which 5 to 10 mL of the sample was obtained in a separate sterile vial (container 1) for screening tests for leucocyte esterase and nitrite, and the remaining sample (container 2) was taken for routine microscopy, culture, and sensitivity. The reports were collected and tabulated, and bacteriuria was confirmed and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 200 patients were evaluated, and 40 of them had asymptomatic bacteriuria. In this study positive leukocyte esterase test and nitrite test results were considerably higher in the cases than the controls (p < 0.05) at 10.0 and 47.5%, respectively. Escherichia coli was found to be the most prevalent bacteria in this study, followed by, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and coagulasenegative Streptococcus and Klebsiella. Most of the E. coli isolates (100.0%) were sensitive to amikacin, a category D drug. The majority of Pseudomonas isolates (100.0%) were sensitive to colistin, a category C drug. Amongst category A drugs, Pseudomonas was sensitive to – cefoperazone-sulbactam, meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam. Conclusion: It is a standard practice to send urine routine and microscopy test in antenatal patients. As most patients are asymptomatic, investigations are required for early diagnosis of significant bacteria like leucocyte esterase, nitrite and culture and sensitivity. This will help us to institute appropriate treatment and improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
The Effect Of Weight Loss With Lifestyle Changes On LDL Cholesterol: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Güç Hülya , Gürel Köksal Neslişah , Sargın Mehmet
Published: August 2024

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the rate of decrease in lipid levels with effective lifestyle changes (LC) and the minimum body weight loss necessary for effective lipid reduction in obese patients.
Method: The study is a retrospective cohort study. The study included 71 patients who were followed up in the obesity clinic, who were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia but did not use any hyperlipidemia treatment. The patients' high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglyceride, body fat ratio and mass, body mass index (BMI), height and weight information were recorded at the first visit and the 6th month. In our study, patients were divided into two groups (based on the weight loss rates in the 6-month follow-up) those who lost less than 10% of their previous weight and those who lost 10% or more weight and their lipid parameters were compared.
Results: LDL-C reduction rates of patients classified according to their weight loss rates were found to be statistically significantly (p=0.011) higher in those with 10% or more weight loss than (group 1=18.48%) in those with less than 10% weight loss (group 2=13.04%). Total cholesterol reduction rates were also significantly (p=0.015) higher in the 1st group than in the 2nd group. According to the findings of our study, at least 10% weight loss is required to decrease total cholesterol and LDL-C significantly.
Conclusion: Implementation of primary and secondary prevention strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is important in the context of primary care. To reach the targeted LDL-C values, the weight monitoring of obese patients should be considered, and the importance of losing at least 10% of weight as one of the first steps should be emphasized.
Japanese Perception of Brain Death and Implications for New Medical Technologies: Quantitative and Qualitative Social Media Analysis
Authors: Vargas Meza Xanat , Oikawa Masanori
Published: August 2024

Background

Brain death has been used to decide whether to keep sustained care and treatment. It can facilitate tissue, organ, and body donation for several purposes, such as transplantation and medical education and research. In Japan, brain death has strict diagnostic criteria and family consent is crucial, but it has been a challenging concept for the public since its introduction, including knowledge and communication issues.

Objective

We analyzed data across YouTube and Twitter in Japan to uncover actors and assess the quality of brain death communication, providing recommendations to communicate new medical technologies.

Methods

Using the keyword “脳死” (brain death), we collected recent data from YouTube and Twitter, classifying the data into 5 dimensions: time, individuality (type of users), place, activity, and relations (hyperlinks). We employed a scale to evaluate brain death information quality. We divided YouTube videos into 3 groups and assessed their differences through statistical analysis. We also provided a text-based analysis of brain death–related narratives.

Results

Most videos (20/61, 33%) were uploaded in 2019, while 10,892 tweets peaked between July 3 and 9, 2023, and June 12 and 18, 2023. Videos about brain death were mostly uploaded by citizens (18/61, 27%), followed by media (13/61, 20%) and unknown actors (10/61, 15%). On the other hand, most identified users in a random sample of 100 tweets were citizens (73/100, 73%), and the top 10 retweeted and liked tweets were also mostly authored by citizens (75/100, 75%). No specific information on location was uncovered. Information videos contained guides for accreditation of the National Nursing Exam and religious points of view, while misinformation videos mostly contained promotions by spirituality actors and webtoon artists. Some tweets involved heart transplantation and patient narratives. Most hyperlinks pointed to YouTube and Twitter.

Conclusions

Brain death has become a common topic in everyday life, with some actors disseminating high-quality information, others disseminating no medical information, and others disseminating misinformation. Recommendations include partnering with interested actors, discussing medical information in detail, and teaching people to recognize pseudoscience.
Increased Risk of Influenza Infection During Cold Spells in China: National Time Series Study
Authors: Wang Haitao , Geng Mengjie , Schikowski Tamara , Areal Ashtyn Tracey , Hu Kejia , Li Wen , Coelho Micheline de Sousa Zanotti Stagliorio , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Sun Wei , Zhou Chengchao , Lu Liang , Zhao Qi , Ma Wei
Published: August 2024

Background

Studies have reported the adverse effects of cold events on influenza. However, the role of critical factors, such as characteristics of cold spells, and regional variations remain unresolved.

Objective

We aimed to systematically evaluate the association between cold spells and influenza incidence in mainland China.

Methods

This time series analysis used surveillance data of daily influenza from 325 sites in China in the 2014‐2019 period. A total of 15 definitions of cold spells were adopted based on combinations of temperature thresholds and days of duration. A distributed lag linear model was used to estimate the short-term effects of cold spells on influenza incidence during the cool seasons (November to March), and we further explored the potential impact of cold spell characteristics (ie, intensity, duration, and timing during the season) on the estimated associations. Meta-regressions were used to evaluate the modification effect of city-level socioeconomic indicators.

Results

The overall effect of cold spells on influenza incidence increased with the temperature threshold used to define cold spells, whereas the added effects were generally small and not statistically significant. The relative risk of influenza-associated with cold spells was 3.35 (95% CI 2.89‐3.88), and the estimated effects were stronger during the middle period of cool seasons. The health effects of cold spells varied geographically and residents in Jiangnan region were vulnerable groups (relative risk 7.36, 95% CI 5.44‐9.95). The overall effects of cold spells were positively correlated with the urban population density, population size, gross domestic product per capita, and urbanization rate, indicating a sterner response to cold spells in metropolises.

Conclusions

Cold spells create a substantial health burden on seasonal influenza in China. Findings on regional and socioeconomic differences in the health effects of cold spells on seasonal influenza may be useful in formulating region-specific public health policies to address the hazardous effects of cold spells.
e-Cigarettes, Smoking Cessation, and Weight Change: Retrospective Secondary Analysis of the Evaluating the Efficacy of e-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation Trial
Authors: Lyzwinski Lynnette , Dong Meichen , Wolfinger Russell D , Filion Kristian B , Eisenberg Mark J
Published: August 2024

Background

While smoking cessation has been linked to substantial weight gain, the potential influence of e-cigarettes on weight changes among individuals who use these devices to quit smoking is not fully understood.

Objective

This study aims to reanalyze data from the Evaluating the Efficacy of e-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation (E3) trial to assess the causal effects of e-cigarette use on change in body weight.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of the E3 trial in which participants were randomized into 3 groups: nicotine e-cigarettes plus counseling, nonnicotine e-cigarettes plus counseling, and counseling alone. With adjustment for baseline variables and the follow-up smoking abstinence status, weight changes were compared between the groups from baseline to 12 weeks’ follow-up. Intention-to-treat and as-treated analyses were conducted using doubly robust estimation. Further causal analysis used 2 different propensity scoring methods to estimate causal regression curves for 4 smoking-related continuous variables. We evaluated 5 different subsets of data for each method. Selection bias was addressed, and missing data were imputed by the machine learning method extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost).

Results

A total of 257 individuals with measured weight at week 12 (mean age: 52, SD 12 y; women: n=122, 47.5%) were included. Across the 3 treatment groups, of the 257 participants, 204 (79.4%) who continued to smoke had, on average, largely unchanged weight at 12 weeks, with comparable mean weight gain ranging from –0.24 kg to 0.33 kg, while 53 (20.6%) smoking-abstinent participants gained weight, with a mean weight gain ranging from 2.05 kg to 2.70 kg. After adjustment, our analyses showed that the 2 e-cigarette arms exhibited a mean gain of 0.56 kg versus the counseling alone arm. The causal regression curves analysis also showed no strong evidence supporting a causal relationship between weight gain and the 3 e-cigarette–related variables. e-Cigarettes have small and variable causal effects on weight gain associated with smoking cessation.

Conclusions

In the E3 trial, e-cigarettes seemed to have minimal effects on mitigating the weight gain observed in individuals who smoke and subsequently quit at 3 months. However, given the modest sample size and the potential underuse of e-cigarettes among those randomized to the e-cigarette treatment arms, these results need to be replicated in large, adequately powered trials.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02417467; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02417467
Chatbot-Led Support Combined With Counselor-Led Support on Smoking Cessation in China: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Weng Xue , Yin Hua , Liu Kefeng , Song Chuyu , Xie Jiali , Guo Ningyuan , Wang Man Ping
Published: August 2024

Background

China has a large population of smokers, with half of them dependent on tobacco and in need of cessation assistance, indicating the need for mobile health (mHealth) to provide cessation support.

Objective

The study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of combining chatbot-led support with counselor-led support for smoking cessation among community smokers in China.

Methods

This is a 2-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial nested in a smoke-free campus campaign in Zhuhai, China. All participants will receive brief face-to-face cessation advice and group cessation support led by a chatbot embedded in WeChat. In addition, participants in the intervention group will receive personalized WeChat-based counseling from trained counselors. Follow-up will occur at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment initiation. The primary smoking outcome is bioverified abstinence (exhaled carbon monoxide <4 parts per million or salivary cotinine <30 ng/mL) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include self-reported 7-day point prevalence of abstinence, smoking reduction rate, and quit attempts. Feasibility outcomes include eligibility rate, consent rate, intervention engagement, and retention rate. An intention-to-treat approach and regression models will be used for primary analyses.

Results

Participant recruitment began in March 2023, and the intervention began in April 2023. The data collection was completed in June 2024. The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

Conclusions

This study will provide novel insights into the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a chatbot-led intervention for smoking cessation in China. The findings of this study will inform the development and optimization of mHealth interventions for smoking cessation in China and other low- and middle-income countries.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05777005; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05777005

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/58636
e-Cigarettes, Smoking Cessation, and Weight Change: Retrospective Secondary Analysis of the Evaluating the Efficacy of e-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Lyzwinski Lynnette , Dong Meichen , Wolfinger Russell D , Filion Kristian B , Eisenberg Mark J
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

While smoking cessation has been linked to substantial weight gain, the potential influence of e-cigarettes on weight changes among individuals who use these devices to quit smoking is not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to reanalyze data from the Evaluating the Efficacy of e-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation (E3) trial to assess the causal effects of e-cigarette use on change in body weight.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of the E3 trial in which participants were randomized into 3 groups: nicotine e-cigarettes plus counseling, nonnicotine e-cigarettes plus counseling, and counseling alone. With adjustment for baseline variables and the follow-up smoking abstinence status, weight changes were compared between the groups from baseline to 12 weeks’ follow-up. Intention-to-treat and as-treated analyses were conducted using doubly robust estimation. Further causal analysis used 2 different propensity scoring methods to estimate causal regression curves for 4 smoking-related continuous variables. We evaluated 5 different subsets of data for each method. Selection bias was addressed, and missing data were imputed by the machine learning method extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost).

RESULTS

A total of 257 individuals with measured weight at week 12 (mean age: 52, SD 12 y; women: n=122, 47.5%) were included. Across the 3 treatment groups, of the 257 participants, 204 (79.4%) who continued to smoke had, on average, largely unchanged weight at 12 weeks, with comparable mean weight gain ranging from –0.24 kg to 0.33 kg, while 53 (20.6%) smoking-abstinent participants gained weight, with a mean weight gain ranging from 2.05 kg to 2.70 kg. After adjustment, our analyses showed that the 2 e-cigarette arms exhibited a mean gain of 0.56 kg versus the counseling alone arm. The causal regression curves analysis also showed no strong evidence supporting a causal relationship between weight gain and the 3 e-cigarette–related variables. e-Cigarettes have small and variable causal effects on weight gain associated with smoking cessation.

CONCLUSIONS

In the E3 trial, e-cigarettes seemed to have minimal effects on mitigating the weight gain observed in individuals who smoke and subsequently quit at 3 months. However, given the modest sample size and the potential underuse of e-cigarettes among those randomized to the e-cigarette treatment arms, these results need to be replicated in large, adequately powered trials.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02417467; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02417467
A Chatbot (Juno) Prototype to Deploy a Behavioral Activation Intervention to Pregnant Women: Qualitative Evaluation Using a Multiple Case Study (Preprint)
Authors: Mancinelli Elisa , Magnolini Simone , Gabrielli Silvia , Salcuni Silvia
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing focus on perinatal care, preventive digital interventions are still scarce. Furthermore, the literature suggests that the design and development of these interventions are mainly conducted through a top-down approach that limitedly accounts for direct end user perspectives.

OBJECTIVE

Building from a previous co-design study, this study aimed to qualitatively evaluate pregnant women’s experiences with a chatbot (Juno) prototype designed to deploy a preventive behavioral activation intervention.

METHODS

Using a multiple–case study design, the research aims to uncover similarities and differences in participants’ perceptions of the chatbot while also exploring women’s desires for improvement and technological advancements in chatbot-based interventions in perinatal mental health. Five pregnant women interacted weekly with the chatbot, operationalized in Telegram, following a 6-week intervention. Self-report questionnaires were administered at baseline and postintervention time points. About 10-14 days after concluding interactions with Juno, women participated in a semistructured interview focused on (1) their personal experience with Juno, (2) user experience and user engagement, and (3) their opinions on future technological advancements. Interview transcripts, comprising 15 questions, were qualitatively evaluated and compared. Finally, a text-mining analysis of transcripts was performed.

RESULTS

Similarities and differences have emerged regarding women’s experiences with Juno, appreciating its esthetic but highlighting technical issues and desiring clearer guidance. They found the content useful and pertinent to pregnancy but differed on when they deemed it most helpful. Women expressed interest in receiving increasingly personalized responses and in future integration with existing health care systems for better support. Accordingly, they generally viewed Juno as an effective momentary support but emphasized the need for human interaction in mental health care, particularly if increasingly personalized. Further concerns included overreliance on chatbots when seeking psychological support and the importance of clearly educating users on the chatbot’s limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results highlighted both the positive aspects and the shortcomings of the chatbot-based intervention, providing insight into its refinement and future developments. However, women stressed the need to balance technological support with human interactions, particularly when the intervention involves beyond preventive mental health context, to favor a greater and more reliable monitoring.
Demand Forecasting of Nurse Talents in China Based on the Gray GM (1,1) Model: Model Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wu XiuLi , Kang Aimei
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

In a global context, the shortage of nursing personnel has emerged as a significant challenge, particularly in countries such as China experiencing population aging. The inadequacy of nursing human resources has become one of the primary threats affecting the quality of health services available to Chinese residents. Therefore, forecasting the demand for nursing personnel has become an important issue.

OBJECTIVE

This study presents a Gray GM (1,1) forecasting model for predicting the future 10-year demand for nursing workforce and the number of specialized geriatric nurses, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the development of policies in health care institutions in China.

METHODS

Based on data from the China Statistical Yearbook 2022, the Gray GM (1,1) model was used to predict the demand for nursing jobs and geriatric nurses over the next 10 years (2024-2033).

RESULTS

The results indicate that from 2024 to 2033, amidst a continuous growth in the overall population and an increasingly pronounced trend of population aging, the demand for nursing workforce in China, especially for specialized geriatric nurses, is projected to steadily increase.

CONCLUSIONS

The paper provides a reference basis for the establishment of China’s health care workforce system and the involvement of government departments in health care workforce planning.
Implicit and explicit weight bias among healthcare professionals (Preprint)
Authors: Liang Jane W , Buonpane Christie , Wang Shengxuan , Salles Arghavan
Published: August 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

Data from over 1 million online survey responses collected by the Project Implicit Weight IAT (Implicit Association Test) suggest that implicit and explicit bias persist among both healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers, and that healthcare workers may actually express more explicit bias than others.
Correction: Making Metadata Machine-Readable as the First Step to Providing Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable Population Health Data: Framework Development and Implementation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Amadi David , Kiwuwa-Muyingo Sylvia , Bhattacharjee Tathagata , Taylor Amelia , Kiragga Agnes , Ochola Michael , Kanjala Chifundo , Gregory Arofan , Tomlin Keith , Todd Jim , Greenfield Jay
Published: August 2024

UNSTRUCTURED
The influence of glucocorticoids on the bone tissue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Masik N.P. , Masik O.I. , Niushko T.Yu.
Published: August 2024

Background. According to the GOLD guidelines, glucocorticoids (GCs) are recommended for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bone mineral density (BMD) can be reduced in case of the use of therapeutic doses of GCs. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of GCs on BMD and the frequency of osteoporosis in patients with COPD depending on the prescribed therapy. Materials and methods. We examined 202 patients with COPD (group E) in the acute phase. Group I consisted of 129 patients taking basic dual treatment, group II — 73 patients taking triple therapy with inhaled GCs. During exacerbations, systemic GCs were prescribed at the cumulative dose of 352.94 ± 30.51 mg/year. The bone state was examined using an ultrasound densitometer SONOST-2000. A Speed of Sound (SOS), Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA), Stiffness index (SI), and T- and Z-scores were determined. Results. Decreases in SI, BUA, T- and Z- scores were established in 43.51 % of the patients from the I group and 83.56 % from the II group (p < 0.05). In the II group, SI was lower by 9.54 %, BUA — by 14.35 %, SOS — by 14.57 %, T- score — by 6.9 %, Z- score — by 25.86 %; in subjects with GOLD 3: BUA — by 40.27 %, SI — by 3.25 %, T- score — by 17.9 %; in patients with GOLD 4: SI — by 19.9 %, BUA — by 77.8 %, T- score — by 5.6 % compared to the I group. Conclusions. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis was diagnosed in 10.71 % of patients from the I group and 20.55 % of the II group. Its frequency depended on the stage of COPD: GOLD 3 — in 22.22 % of patients, GOLD 4 — in 50.0 % of the subjects.
The Optimization Path of Practical Teaching System for Film and Television Media Majors in the Context of New Liberal Arts
Authors: Zhang Ke , Lai JiangTao
Published: August 2024

Under the macro vision of new liberal arts, the teaching of film and media majors is ushering in unprecedented challenges and broad opportunities. This paper focuses on exploring the optimization strategy of the practice teaching system of film and media majors, aiming to precisely meet the demand for talents in the new era, and to cultivate application-oriented innovative talents with profound humanistic sentiment, excellent practical ability and innovative spirit. In order to achieve this goal, this paper elaborately designs a multi-dimensional optimization path, covering such key areas as the deep integration of interdisciplinary subjects, the comprehensive innovation of the curriculum system, the creation of high-level teachers, the strengthening and upgrading of practical teaching, the in-depth promotion of the integration mechanism of industry-university-research and the effective incorporation of curriculum ideology and politics, etc., and puts forward a series of specific and feasible optimization measures, with a view to providing strong support and guidance for the future development of the film, television and media professional education. A series of specific and feasible optimization measures are proposed in order to provide strong support and guidance for the future development of film and media education.
Implementación del Proyecto Barrio Universitario: Soluciones de Programación
Authors: Larios Delgado José
Published: August 2024

Durante el desarrollo del proyecto Barrio Universitario, posterior a la definición de los requerimientos y al diseño de la aplicación, se hizo un análisis de las principales problemáticas a resolver en la etapa de implementación. Desde el ámbito de la programación, se destacaron dos aspectos clave: la lectura de archivos de configuración para definir el contenido audiovisual que la aplicación debe presentar en cada punto de interés de los sitios que conforman el Barrio Universitario y el ajuste de las proporciones y ubicación de los elementos de la interfaz gráfica de usuario para que se visualicen correctamente en cualquier dispositivo. Este reporte técnico presenta los algoritmos que se desarrollaron para dar solución a estas problemáticas con la finalidad de que se puedan usar como base para su implementación en otros proyectos a futuro.
Gestión de un evento académico masivo a distancia
Authors: Aguirre Barrera José Luis
Published: August 2024

Durante el periodo de emergencia sanitaria por COVID-19, los métodos de enseñanza tuvieron que ser adaptados y reinventarse para enfrentar nuevas necesidades, un aspecto relevante fue atender la necesidad de dar continuidad a la movilidad estudiantil y a la colaboración académica entre instituciones de educación superior. Para abordar este desafío, se propuso la creación de redes de colaboración y aprendizaje mediante la realización de un evento académico masivo a distancia en la región de América Latina y el Caribe. Como apoyo para la gestión de este proyecto, se integró y adaptó una metodología basada en buenas prácticas internacionales, como son el Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMBOK® -cuerpo de conocimientos para la gestión de proyectos- y la norma ISO 9001 para la gestión de la calidad. Esta metodología se enfoca en la gestión logística del evento académico a través de cuatro fases: inicio, organización y preparación, ejecución y cierre. La atención a este tipo de proyectos se aborda de manera puntual mediante las actividades clave desarrolladas como parte de la metodología propuesta, para las que se presentan recomendaciones para su ejecución, con el objetivo de proponer un modelo de referencia para la organización de eventos académicos masivos a distancia.
Letters and Papers of Emperor Peter the Great as a Source of A.N. Tolstoy’s Novel Peter the Great
Authors:   A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Belikova Ekaterina A. ,   Russian Christian Academy for Humanities named after Fyodor Dostoevsky
Published: August 2024

The letters of Peter the Great are one of the most significant documents of the late 17th — early 18th centuries. These living testimonies of the events that took place interested Tolstoy first of all when he conceived the idea of a historical novel Peter the Great. Personal documents of Peter the Great turned out to be excellent material for studying the language of the epoch, because depending on the situation, the emperor and his associates used either a businesslike or friendly tone. The article considers a number of fragments and episodes for which Letters and Papers of Emperor Peter the Great served as sources. Tolstoy inserted the full text of a letter in the novel if the former was about any significant events (for example the order of Peter the Great to B.P. Sheremetiev in December 1700 about the devastation of Ingria). In some cases, Tolstoy used phrases from the letters to create dialogues between Peter the Great and his inner circle. When describing the siege of Dorpat in the summer of 1704, Tolstoy studied the tsar’s message to A.D. Menshikov and added Peter the Great’s emotions, his orders, and the characteristics of those around him to this episode. The article also deals with a more complicated question concerning the source of Peter’s letter to the future Catherine I in the third book of the novel.
On the History of the Creation of the First Series of Peter the Great Movie
Authors: Gargyants Maria G.
Published: August 2024

The article reflects the initial stage of shooting the first episode of Peter the Great movie, which laid the conceptual foundation for the historical image of Emperor Peter I in the Soviet cinema. The obstacles the movie crew overcame to successfully release the film are emphasized: firstly, unrealistic deadlines for the completed work delivery, secondly, institutional changes in the State Administration of Cinematography that affected the order of script control and censorship, thirdly, production difficulties at Lenfilm. A comparative analysis of two scenarios for the movie (May and July 1935) allowed us to draw a parallel between the edits of literary texts about Peter the Great and the script. Shifting the emphasis in the script, A.N. Tolstoy reinforced Peter’s social loneliness in his noble environment, his attempt to rely on the merchant class, the similarity of the tasks of the Petrine era and Soviet modernity. The motives of strengthening Old Believers and the image of unpreparedness of the Russian army for the first battles of the Northern War, which were removed from the latest version of the script, turned out to be undesirable.
The Image of Home in the Trans-Volga Series by A.N. Tolstoy
Authors:   tate Budgetary Educational Institution Secondary general education school № 1 of Sukhodol urban-type settlement, Poloumova Polina I.
Published: August 2024

The article discusses the principles of creating the image of home using the example of the works by A.N. Tolstoy, which comprise the Trans-Volga series: the novellas Mishuka Nalymov, Cockerel, Dreamer and stories Arkhip, The Actress, Matchmaking. In Trans-Volga series Tolstoy turned to the phenomenon of home as a basic component of the Russian mentality and presented it as a paradigm of a changing type of culture, as a transition of family ties to a different type of relationship. With object-based visual means, the author created the image of home in which the idea of stability, orderliness, and arrangement is destroyed. In Tolstoy’s prose of the period under review, the house is empty without an owner, and a person who does not have his own home is defenseless. The image of home is associated with the motives of care, orphanhood, loneliness, illness, boredom, and melancholy. With the loss of a true home, family and kinship ties, the feeling of ‘homeliness’ as a special, original property of the Russian consciousness also disappears.
Tolstoy’s Petersburg Acquaintances: Grigory Grigoryevich Ge
Authors: Strelkova Zinaida V.
Published: August 2024

In December 1904, through A.L. Tolstoy, who was trying to present her plays in the capital’s theatres, the first meeting of Alexei Tolstoy with Grigory Grigorievich Ge took place. At this time, the future writer was still a student, and Grigory Grigorievich was a famous playwright and artist of the St. Petersburg Imperial Alexandrinsky Theatre. According to the author of the article, later Tolstoy, turning to the dramatic genre, renewed his acquaintance with Ge and continued communication with him, which significantly influenced the writer’s work. Having no documentary sources, the author of the article nevertheless bases her version on a detailed analysis of Tolstoy’s statements, which are autobiographical in nature, and on textual studies of his works. In addition, oral testimony from Ge’s relatives, in particular, his eldest son, Hollywood actor Gregory Gaye, the brother of Iya Grigorievna Ge (Lady Abdy), who, according to an earlier version of the author of the article, served as the main prototype for Zoe Monrose in Tolstoy’s science fiction novel The Hyperboloid of Engineer Garin, is used as evidence. For the first time, fragments of a letter from Gregory Gaye to his father are published, which give reason to believe that, in addition to other sources, Tolstoy could get information about Lady Abdy from her father, Grigory Grigorievich Ge.