bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing language laterality: does resting-state functional MRI help?
Authors: Singh Sumit , Alhasan Mustafa S. M. , Wang Zhiyue , Clarke Rebekah , Xi Yin , Maldjian Joseph A. , Wagner Ben , Booth Timothy
Published: March 2023

OBJECTIVE

Task-based functional MRI (tb-fMRI) is now considered the standard, noninvasive technique in establishing language laterality in children for surgical planning. The evaluation can be limited due to several factors such as age, language barriers, and developmental and cognitive delays. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) offers a potential path to establish language dominance without active task participation. The authors sought to compare the ability of rs-fMRI for language lateralization in the pediatric population with conventional tb-fMRI used as the gold standard.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective evaluation of all pediatric patients at a dedicated quaternary pediatric hospital who underwent tb-fMRI and rs-fMRI from 2019 to 2021 as part of the surgical workup for patients with seizures and brain tumors. Task-based fMRI language laterality was based on a patient’s adequate performance on one or more of the following: sentence completion, verb generation, antonym generation, or passive listening tasks. Resting-state fMRI data were postprocessed using statistical parametric mapping, FMRIB Software Library, and FreeSurfer as described in the literature. The laterality index (LI) was calculated from the independent component (IC) with the highest Jaccard Index (JI) for the language mask. Additionally, the authors visually inspected the activation maps for two ICs with the highest JIs. The rs-fMRI LI of IC1 and the authors’ image-based subjective interpretation of language lateralization were compared with tb-fMRI, which was considered the gold standard for this study.

RESULTS

A retrospective search yielded 33 patients with language fMRI data. Eight patients were excluded (5 with suboptimal tb-fMRI and 3 with suboptimal rs-fMRI data). Twenty-five patients (age range 7–19 years, male/female ratio 15:10) were included in the study. The language laterality concordance between tb-fMRI and rs-fMRI ranged from 68% to 80% for assessment based on LI of independent component analysis with highest JI and for subjective evaluation by visual inspection of activation maps, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The concordance rates between tb-fMRI and rs-fMRI of 68% to 80% show the limitation of rs-fMRI in determining language dominance. Resting-state fMRI should not be used as the sole method for language lateralization in clinical practice.
Crossing the cervicothoracic junction: an evaluation of radiographic alignment, functional outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Aflatooni Justin , Mohanty Sarthak , Angelov Ivan , Hirase Takashi , Bondar Kevin , Kakareka Michael , Saucedo Jose , Casper David , Saifi Comron
Published: March 2023

OBJECTIVE

There is currently no consensus regarding the appropriate lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) for multilevel posterior cervical fusion (PCF) constructs between C7 and crossing the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ). The goal of the present study was to compare postoperative sagittal alignment and functional outcomes among adult patients presenting with cervical myelopathy undergoing multilevel PCF terminating at C7 versus spanning the CTJ.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective analysis (January 2017–December 2018) was performed of patients undergoing multilevel PCF for cervical myelopathy that involved the C6–7 vertebrae. Pre- and postoperative cervical spine radiographs were analyzed for cervical lordosis, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), and first thoracic (T1) vertebral slope (T1S) in two randomized independent trials. Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores were used to compare functional and patient-reported outcomes at the 12-month postoperative follow-up.

RESULTS

Sixty-six consecutive patients undergoing PCF and 53 age-matched controls were included in the study. There were 36 patients in the C7 LIV cohort and 30 patients in the LIV spanning the CTJ cohort. Despite significant correction, patients undergoing fusion remained less lordotic than asymptomatic controls, with a C2–7 Cobb angle of 17.7° versus 25.5° (p < 0.001) and a T1S of 25.6° versus 36.3° (p < 0.001). The CTJ cohort had superior alignment corrections in all radiographic parameters at the 12-month postoperative follow-up compared with the C7 cohort: increase in T1S (ΔT1S 14.1° vs 2.0°, p < 0.001), increase in C2–7 lordosis (ΔC2–7 lordosis 11.7° vs 1.5°, p < 0.001), and decrease in cSVA (ΔcSVA 8.9 vs 5.0 mm, p < 0.001). There were no differences in the mJOA motor and sensory scores between cohorts pre- and postoperatively. The C7 cohort reported significantly better PROMIS scores at 6 months (22.0 ± 3.2 vs 11.5 ± 0.5, p = 0.04) and 12 months (27.0 ± 5.2 vs 13.5 ± 0.9, p = 0.01) postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Crossing the CTJ may provide a greater cervical sagittal alignment correction in multilevel PCF surgeries. However, the improved alignment may not be associated with improved functional outcomes as measured by the mJOA scale. A new finding is that crossing the CTJ may be associated with worse patient-reported outcomes at 6 and 12 months of postoperative follow-up as measured by the PROMIS, which should be considered in surgical decision-making. Future prospective studies evaluating long-term radiographic, patient-reported, and functional outcomes are warranted.
Can semirigid fixation of the rostral instrumented segments prevent proximal junctional kyphosis in the case of long thoracolumbar fusions? A finite element study
Authors: Turbucz Mate , Fayad Jennifer , Pokorni Agoston J. , Varga Peter P. , Eltes Peter E. , Lazary Aron
Published: March 2023

OBJECTIVE

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a relatively common complication following long instrumented posterior spinal fusion. Although several risk factors have been identified in the literature, previous biomechanical studies suggest that one of the leading causes is the sudden change in mobility between the instrumented and noninstrumented segments. The current study aims to assess the biomechanical effect of 1 rigid and 2 semirigid fixation techniques (SFTs) on developing PJK.

METHODS

Four T7–L5 finite element (FE) models were developed: 1) intact spine; 2) 5.5-mm titanium rod from T8 to L5 (titanium rod fixation [TRF]); 3) multiple rods from T8 to T9 connected with titanium rod from T9 to L5 (multiple-rod fixation [MRF]); and 4) polyetheretherketone rod from T8 to T9 connected with titanium rod from T9 to L5 (PEEK rod fixation [PRF]). A modified multidirectional hybrid test protocol was used. First, a pure bending moment of 5 Nm was applied to measure the intervertebral rotation angles. Second, the TRF technique’s displacement from the first loading step was applied to the instrumented FE models to compare the pedicle screw stress values in the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV).

RESULTS

In the load-controlled step, at the upper instrumented segment, the intervertebral rotation values relative to TRF increased by 46.8% and 99.2% for flexion, by 43.2% and 87.7% for extension, by 90.1% and 137% for lateral bending, and by 407.1% and 585.2% for axial rotation, in the case of MRF and PRF, respectively. In the displacement-controlled step, maximum pedicle screw stress values at the UIV level were highest in the case of TRF (37.26 MPa, 42.13 MPa, 44.4 MPa, and 44.59 MPa for flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, respectively). Compared to TRF, in the case of MRF and PRF, the screw stress values were reduced by 17.3% and 27.7% for flexion, by 26.6% and 36.7% for extension, by 6.8% and 34.3% for lateral bending, and by 49.1% and 59.8% for axial rotation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

FE analysis has shown that the SFTs increase the mobility at the upper instrumented segment and therefore provide a more gradual transition in motion between the instrumented and rostral noninstrumented segments of the spine. In addition, SFTs decrease the screw loads at the UIV level and hence could help reduce the risk for PJK. However, further investigations are recommended to evaluate the long-term clinical usefulness of these techniques.
Uciążliwość zapachowa przedsięwzięć
Authors: Krystek Jacek Joachim
Published: March 2023

Uciążliwość zapachowa jest zagadnieniem, które nie doczekało się do tej pory regulacji ustawo­wej. Powoduje to różne problemy zarówno dla inwestorów, którzy planują przedsięwzięcia mogące emitować odory, ale jeszcze bardziej dla ludzi, którzy muszą przebywać w pobliżu takich zakładów. Istnieje możliwość ozna­czania pojedynczych substancji, które charakteryzują się nieprzyjemnym zapachem (np. amoniak, siarkowodór, merkaptany, aminy), a których stężenia w środowisku są limitowane prawnie. Nieprzyjemny zapach, szczególnie w procesach gospodarki komunalnej czy wielkotowarowego chowu i hodowli zwierząt, pochodzi jednak naj­częściej z wielu substancji (nawet do kilkuset). Oznaczanie pojedynczych substancji w takich przypadkach nie przynosi żadnych rezultatów. Istnieje natomiast metoda olfaktometrii dynamicznej, która w znormalizowanym postępowaniu pozwala na oznaczanie uciążliwości zapachowej. Wydaje się celowym jak najszybsze wprowadze­nie w polskim systemie prawnym rozwiązań, które regulowałby zagadnienie uciążliwości zapachowej.
Scientific production on tourist security in the period 2002-2021
Authors: DÍAZ-POMPA Félix , PÉREZ-LABRADA Solangel , CRUZ-AGUİLERA Nolberto , BALSEİRA-SANAMÉ Zaydelis
Published: March 2023

Tourism security is linked to the well-being, physical, psychological and economic integrity of visitors, service providers and members of the host communities and plays a very important role when people choose a tourist destination, hence the need to analyze the scientific production associated with the topic. The present study aims to use bibliometric indicators to review the relevant literature related to tourism security in the period 2002-2021. The information and the main trends in this area are represented and mapped using the following software: EndNote, Excel, Bibexcel and VOSviewer. During the period analyzed, a total of 59 original articles were registered in the Sciencidirect and Scielo databases. The analysis indicates that the literature on tourism safety is growing gradually, however, it is considered insufficient; a total of 26 journals are included in the study where the journal Estudios y perspectivas en turismo is the leader in the field of research registering 24% of the total published research. As for the keyword analysis, the main lines of productivity are focused on the relationship between security and tourism, destination image, risk perception, public safety, customer satisfaction and Covid-19. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is a trigger for the growth of research related to the field of research under analysis. In conclusion, the limitation of this research is that only two databases were taken into account and that through the search strategy used, some works might not have been identified, in addition to the fact that the study can be expanded with the inclusion of other bibliometric indicators.
CHANGES IN THE USE OF MEDICAL IMAGING MODALITIES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FROM 2016 TO 2022
Authors: BEŞTEMİR Attila , BOZDERELİ BERİKOL Göksu
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Due to the presence or proximity of medical imaging modalities in emergency departments, their use is becoming widespread in pediatric and adult emergency departments. Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of computed tomography as a rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis of pneumonia has also increased. This study aimed to analyse the change in the trends of imaging modalities in emergency departments over the last 6 years in our country.

Material and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in the emergency departments of public and university hospitals in Turkey between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. The numbers and percents of imaging requests (CT,MRI,radiographs,USG) were analyzed.

Results: Regarding imaging per admission were considered, Plain radiograph constituted the most requested examinations compared to all applications (31%-36%). Then, the rates were followed by CT (10.84%-23.40%), and the highest CT requests were found in 2020(n=17.192.695). Overall, there was a statistically significant difference between years in terms of imaging types (X2 65.05, p
НАСЛІДКИ СТРУКТУРНИХ ЗРУШЕНЬ У ЗЕМЛЕКОРИСТУВАННІ АГРАРНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ: ЕКОЛОГІЧНИЙ АСПЕКТ
Authors: Полтавець Анатолій
Published: March 2023

У статті досліджено екологічні аспекти наслідків структурних зрушень у землекористуванні аграрних підприємств в Україні. Проаналізовано негативні наслідки неефективного управління земельними ресурсами, зокрема зниження родючості ґрунтів, підвищення еродованості, кислотності, засоленості ґрунтів і як наслідок недобори врожаю сільськогосподарських культур. Виділено основні показники, що зумовлюють погіршення якості ґрунтів, зокрема надмірна кількість внесення мінеральних добрив, пестицидів, гербіцидів та інших засобів захисту рослин. Встановлено, що основним екологічним аспектом наслідків структурних зрушень у землекористуванні аграрних підприємств є деградація земель. Виділено та проаналізовано такі показники деградації земель як: загальна площа деградованих земель; площі земель, що підлягають консервації; площі малопродуктивних угідь; площі земель, що потребують рекультивації; вміст гумусу в ґрунтах.
AdapTrack: An adaptive FairMOT tracking method applicable to marine ship targets
Authors: Chen Yantong , Chen Zekun , Zhang Zhongling , Bian Shichang
Published: March 2023

Ship tracking at sea is faced with the disadvantages of complex sea conditions and the large influence of ship occlusion on the tracker. Therefore, we propose a method called AdapTrack based on On the Fairness of Detection and Re-Identification in Multiple Object Tracking (FairMOT) which is suitable for marine targets. The search strategy of trivial augmentation is used to randomly select suitable data augmentation methods and strengths. Then, based on the FairMOT tracking framework, we change the sampling selection method of positive and negative samples from a two-dimensional Gaussian distribution with the same variances to a two-dimensional Gaussian distribution with different variances. It is limited by the bounding box (bbox) of ground truth. This method can improve the detection algorithm’s fitness to the ship target. At the same time, we use Multi-Object Tracking by Associating Every Detection Box (ByteTrack)’s double-threshold strategy to divide detection bboxes, which improves the matching and inference speed. In the first stage of data association, the high-scoring bbox calculates the cost matrix of data association through the Re-identification (Re-ID) model. In the second stage, the Intersection over Union(IOU) cost matrix is calculated after merging low-scoring detection bboxes and unmatched detection bboxes of the first stage. The method achieves Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA) of 36.1, Identification F-Score (IDF1) of 47.3, and Frames Per Second (FPS) of 28.79 on the Singapore-Marine-dataset. Experiments show that this method can better alleviate Identification Switch (ID-switch) and ensure the real-time tracking of complex and changeable ship target tracking at sea.
Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain in warehouse workers: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Gomes Maryanne Martins , dos Santos Silva Sandra Raquel , Padula Rosimeire Simprini
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder that leads to functional incapacity and absence from work. OBJECTIVE: To analyze warehouse workers’ prevalence and factors associated with low back pain. METHODS: Cross-sectional study design with 204 male warehouse workers (stocker, separator, checker, and packer) from motor parts companies. Age, body mass, marital status, education, the practice of physical exercise, presence of pain, low back pain intensity, comorbidities, time away from work, handgrip strength, flexibility, and trunk muscle strength were collected and analyzed. Data are presented as mean, standard deviation, absolute and relative frequency. A binary logistic regression was performed, with low back pain (yes or no) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: 24.0% of the workers reported low back pain with an average intensity of 4.7 (± 2.4) points. The participants were young, had completed high school education, were single and married, and had normal body weight. There was a more likely low back pain presence in separator tasks. Greater handgrip strength in the dominant (right) hand and trunk muscle is associated with no low back pain. CONCLUSION: Low back pain prevalence was 24% among young warehouse workers, more likely in separation tasks. A greater handgrip and trunk strength can be a protective factor to no low back pain.
Seated push-up tests: Reliable and valid measures for older individuals when used by primary healthcare providers
Authors: Chokphukiao Pakwipa , Poncumhak Puttipong , Thaweewannakij Thiwabhorn , Intaruk Roongnapa , Amatachaya Sugalya
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Body composition decline, lower limb impairments, and mobility deficits affect independence of older people. The exploration for a practical measure involving upper extremities may offer an alternative tool to be used by primary healthcare (PHC) providers for these individuals. OBJECTIVE: To explore reliability and validity of seated push-up tests (SPUTs) among older participants when used by PHC providers. METHODS: Older participants (n= 146) with an average age of > 70 years were cross-sectionally assessed using various demanding forms of SPUTs and standard measures to assess validity of the SPUTs. Reliability of the SPUTs were assessed in nine PHC raters, including an expert, health professionals, village health volunteers, and care givers. RESULTS: The SPUTs demonstrated very good agreement, with excellent rater and test-retest reliability (kappa values > 0.87 and ICCs > 0.93, p< 0.001). Moreover, the SPUT outcomes significantly correlated with lean body mass, bone mineral contents, muscle strength and mobility of older participants (r, rp⁢b=-0.270 to 0.758, p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: SPUTs are reliable and valid for older adults when used by PHC members. The incorporation of such practical measures is particularly important during this COVID-19 pandemic with limited people’s hospital access.
Dual deterministic model based on deep neural network for the classification of pneumonia
Authors: Mustafa Khan Muhammad , UI Islam Muhammad Saif , Siddiqui Ali Akbar , Qadri Muhammad Tahir
Published: March 2023

Pneumonia is a disease caused by the virus (flu, respiratory Syncytial Virus) or bacteria. It can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Chest X-rays have been widely utilized to diagnose such abnormalities with high exactitude and are primarily responsible for the augment real-world diagnosis process. Poor availability of authentic data and yardstick-based approaches and studies complicates the comparison process and identifying the safest recognition method. In this paper, a Dual Deterministic Model (DD-M) is proposed based on a Deep Neural network that would identify Pneumonia from chest X-ray and distinguish the cause in case of either viral or bacterial infection at an efficiency equivalent of an active radiologist. To accomplish the automated task of the proposed algorithm, an automatic computer-aided system is necessary. The proposed algorithm incorporates deep learning techniques to understand radiographic imaging better. The results were evaluated after implementing the proposed algorithm where; it reveals various aspects of the chest infected with Pneumonia compared to the healthy individual with approximately 97.45% accuracy and distinguishes between the viral and bacterial infection with the efficiency of 88.41%. The proposed algorithm with an improved image dataset will help the doctors diagnose.
A BCI framework for smart home automation using EEG signal
Authors: Borah Bidyut Bikash , Hazarika Uddipan , Baruah Satyabrat Malla Bujar , Roy Soumik , Jamir Ayangla
Published: March 2023

Since the first recording in 1924, modern developments in technology have enabled human electroencephalogram (EEG) acquisition as a non-invasive process, enabling a multitude of opportunities to learn about human brain dynamics. With the capability to tap into localized brain dynamics, it is possible to correlate event-related potentials such as meditation, concentration, and motor control with localized brain activities, opening up a broad spectrum for exploration and implementation in prosthetic, control, and brain computer interfaces. In this work, an attempt has been made to explore human emotions and other intelligent states that can be interpreted to automate and control electrical appliances for differently abled people. A smart home automation model has been designed and implemented using a Think Gear Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) Module (TGAM) EEG sensor module integrated with a Bluetooth module, which serves as the core for control applications. A combination of external triggers and brain states are interpreted and forwarded to gain control of the connected appliances via a local server over the internet. Equipped with internet connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT), the system also facilitates long-distance communication and control, which can be easily translated to industrial control and automation applications. Based on a single-channel analog EEG signal acquisition module, this study details the development of a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) control and monitoring system for smart home automation with blink and attention features. The designed BCI system has a large bandwidth of 400 Hz, an easy setup, Morphological Component Analysis (MCA) based blink detection, monitoring, control of devices, and high accuracy at a low cost. Each subject completed three trials separated by one minute. The smart devices underwent testing in two states, namely on and off. The response time and accuracy of the system were recorded for each trial. The average system response time for the devices was determined to be 17.13 sec for switching ON and 20.66 sec for switching OFF, with an accuracy of 98.73% and 95.75% for ON and OFF states respectively.
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Commonly Used Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review from a Machine Learning Perspective
Authors: Shah Jay , Rahman Siddiquee Md Mahfuzur , Krell-Roesch Janina , Syrjanen Jeremy A. , Kremers Walter K. , Vassilaki Maria , Forzani Erica , Wu Teresa , Geda Yonas E.
Published: March 2023

There is a growing interest in the application of machine learning (ML) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. However, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), frequent in subjects with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and other related dementias have not been analyzed sufficiently using ML methods. To portray the landscape and potential of ML research in AD and NPS studies, we present a comprehensive literature review of existing ML approaches and commonly studied AD biomarkers. We conducted PubMed searches with keywords related to NPS, AD biomarkers, machine learning, and cognition. We included a total of 38 articles in this review after excluding some irrelevant studies from the search results and including 6 articles based on a snowball search from the bibliography of the relevant studies. We found a limited number of studies focused on NPS with or without AD biomarkers. In contrast, multiple statistical machine learning and deep learning methods have been used to build predictive diagnostic models using commonly known AD biomarkers. These mainly included multiple imaging biomarkers, cognitive scores, and various omics biomarkers. Deep learning approaches that combine these biomarkers or multi-modality datasets typically outperform single-modality datasets. We conclude ML may be leveraged to untangle the complex relationships of NPS and AD biomarkers with cognition. This may potentially help to predict the progression of MCI or dementia and develop more targeted early intervention approaches based on NPS.
Selection of Logistics Service Provider for port enterprises: Combination of the weighting-grey synthetic decision-making method
Authors: Chen Kejia , Wu Qianqian , Yan Minru , Li Xuannan
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this paper is to explore how port enterprises can scientifically select a better logistic service provider (LSP) to achieve a high efficiency. An empirical study is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the combination weighting-grey synthetic decision-making method by helping the LSP selection of a port enterprise in China. Data are collected from questionnaires administered to port logistics’ industry professionals. The method is proposed, which associates the analysis network process method with the entropy method to determine the combined weights of the evaluation indexes. The improved centre-point triangular whitenization weight function is introduced to cluster the alternative port LSPs and judge the corresponding grey classes. Subsequently, the synthetic weighted decision-making vectors are used to determine the grey synthetic decision-making coefficient vectors. The grey synthetic clustering decision-making coefficients are calculated to establish a synthetic decision-making rank of the alternative plans. The combined method can help the port enterprises realize the selection of better LSPs in a scientific manner.
Dynamic model for implicit aspect detection in sentiment analysis using novel aspect pointer compendium
Authors: Devi Sri Nandhini M. , Pradeep Gurunathan
Published: March 2023

Sentiment analysis is the contextual analysis of words to retrieve the social opinion of a brand which aids the business firms/institutions to know the impact of their products/services. It is habitual that users may express different opinions regarding various aspects of the same entity. Therefore, there is a strong demand to extract all the opinion targets may those be explicitly mentioned aspects or implicit aspects which are not directly specified in the reviews. In this context, comparatively less amount of work has been carried out concerning implicit aspect detection. The proposed work has been dedicated solely to extracting the implicit aspects using a dynamic approach based on the type of sentence containing the clues for implicit aspect. A novel aspect pointer compendium (APC) has been developed that catalyzes the task of finding implicit aspects to the maximum extent possible. The APC incorporates the usage of different types of clues such as synonym clues, context clues, phrase clues, and partially implicit aspects that aid in the detection of hidden aspects. Based on this idea, the proposed work classifies the implicit aspect sentences into six types and proceeds with the task in an efficient manner. To strengthen the task of implicit aspect detection, the proposed work utilizes a hybrid technique encompassing APC, domain-specific adjective-noun collocation list (DSANCL), and the explicit aspect-opinion word pairs extracted from the reviews. The experimentation and results reveal that the proposed hybrid approach shows a good improvement in terms of the efficacy of extracting the implicit aspects as compared to the existing baseline models.
Longitudinal Assessment of Timed Function Tests in Ambulatory Individuals with SMA Treated with Nusinersen
Authors: Krosschell Kristin J. , Brown Laurey , Hoffman Katie , Zumpf Katelyn B. , Munson Hannah , Bidwell Jessa , Schulte Duncan P. , Schwaede Abigail N. , Buehner Amber N. , DiDonato Christine J. , Kuntz Nancy L. , Rao Vamshi K.
Published: March 2023

Background: Ambulatory individuals with spinal muscular atrophy experience weakness and impairments of speed and endurance. This leads to decreased motor skill performance required for daily living including transitioning from floor to stand, climbing stairs, and traversing short and community distances. Motor function improvements have been reported in individuals receiving nusinersen, but changes in timed functional tests (TFTs) which assess shorter distance walking and transitions have not been well documented. Objective: To evaluate changes in TFT performance over the course of nusinersen treatment in ambulatory individuals with SMA and identify potential factors [age, SMN2 copy number, BMI, Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE score), Peroneal Compound Motor Action Potential (CMAP) amplitude] associated with TFT performance. Methods: Nineteen ambulatory participants receiving nusinersen were followed from 2017 through 2019 (range: 0–900 days, mean 624.7 days, median 780 days); thirteen of 19 (mean age = 11.5 years) completed TFTs. The 10-meter walk/run test, time-to-rise from supine, time-to-rise from sitting, 4-stair climb, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Hammersmith Expanded and peroneal CMAP were assessed at each visit. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate unadjusted and adjusted changes in these outcomes over time. Results: Apart from time to rise from sitting and from supine, all TFTs were found to improve over the course of treatment after adjusting for baseline age and BMI. Conclusions: Improvement in TFTs over time in patients with SMA treated with nusinersen suggests that shorter TFTs may have value to assess individuals with SMA who have or later gain ambulatory function during treatment.
Impact of simulation on multidisciplinary NICU teamwork during delivery and transport of extremely preterm infants
Authors: Natarajan R. , Duchon J. , Jassar R.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multidisciplinary teamwork during delivery room (DR) resuscitation and timely transport to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can reduce morbidity and mortality for infants born Extremely Preterm (EP). We aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary high-fidelity simulation curriculum on teamwork during resuscitation and transport of EP infants. METHODS: In a prospective study conducted at a Level III academic center, seven teams (each consisting of one NICU fellow, two NICU nurses, and one respiratory therapist) performed three high-fidelity simulation scenarios. Videotaped scenarios were graded by three independent raters using the Clinical Teamwork Scale (CTS). Times of completion of key resuscitation and transport tasks were recorded. Pre- and post- intervention surveys were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, time of completion of key resuscitation and transport tasks decreased, with significant decreases in the time to attach the pulse oximeter, transfer of the infant to the transport isolette, and exit the DR. There was no significant difference in CTS scores from Scenario 1 to 3. Scenarios led by first-year fellows showed a trend towards improvement in all CTS categories. A comparison of teamwork scores pre- and post-simulation curriculum during direct observation of high-risk deliveries in real time revealed a significant increase in each CTS category. CONCLUSION: A high-fidelity teamwork-based simulation curriculum decreased time to complete key clinical tasks in the resuscitation and transport of EP infants, with a trend towards increased teamwork in scenarios led by junior fellows. There was improvement of teamwork scores during high-risk deliveries on pre-post curriculum assessment.
Oral Dextrose gel use in asymptomatic hypoglycemic newborns decreases NICU admissions and parenteral dextrose therapy: A retrospective study
Authors: Parappil H. , Gaffari M. , Ahmed J. , Skaria S. , Rijims M. , Chandra P. , Babu K.T.S.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hypoglycemia is one of the most common causes of admission to neonatal intensive care unit requiring intravenous dextrose therapy. Administration of IV dextrose and transfer to the NICU may interfere with parent-infant bonding, breastfeeding, and has financial implications. OBJECTIVE: Retrospective study to evaluate the effect of dextrose gel supplementation for asymptomatic hypoglycemia in reducing NICU admissions and intravenous dextrose therapy. METHOD: A retrospective study conducted for eight months each before and after introduction of dextrose gel in the management of asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia. Asymptomatic hypoglycemic infants were given only feeds in pre dextrose gel period and dextrose gel along with feeds in the dextrose gel period. Rates of admission to NICU and the need of IV dextrose therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: High risk characteristics (Prematurity, Large for Gestational Age, small for Gestational Age, Infants of diabetic mother etc.) were equally distributed among both the cohorts. Primary outcome results showed significant reduction in NICU admissions from 396/1801(22%) to 329/1783 (18.5%) (odds ratio, 95% CI 1.24(1.05-1.46, p 0.008). There was significant reduction in IV dextrose therapy requirement from 277/1405 (15.4%) to 182/1454 (10.2%) (odds ratio, 95% CI 1.59(1.31- 1.95, p < 0.001). Babies discharged on predominant breast feeding showed significant improvement from 237/396(59.8%) in the pre dextrose gel period to 240/329 (72.9%) (odds ratio, 95% CI 0.82(0.73-0.90, p < 0.001) in dextrose gel period. CONCLUSIONS: Dextrose gel supplementation with feeds reduced NICU admissions, the need for parenteral dextrose therapy, avoided maternal separation and promoted breastfeeding.
Bone mineral content for preterm neonates treated with caffeine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: An observational study
Authors: Ismail R.I.H. , Awad H.A. , Saber M. , Shehata B.M.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Prematurity is associated with lots of comorbidities. Premature neonates also have lower bone mineral content (BMC) compared to term neonates. Apnea of prematurity is a common complication and caffeine citrate is widely used for its prevention and treatment. Caffeine also affects creatinine clearance, urine flow rate and releases calcium from its storage sites. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to assess BMC in preterm neonates treated with caffeine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Secondary objectives were to determine whether caffeine therapy is associated with increased incidence of nephrocalcinosis or bone fracture. METHODS: Prospective observational study on 42 preterm neonates, 34 weeks’ gestation or less; 22 of them received intravenous caffeine (caffeine group) and 20 did not (control group). Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and creatinine, abdominal ultrasonography, and DEXA scan were done for all included neonates. RESULTS: BMC showed significant lower levels in the caffeine compared to control group (p = 0.017). Additionally, BMC was significantly lower in neonates who received caffeine for more than 14 days compared to those who received it for 14 days or less(p = 0.04). BMC showed significant positive correlation to birth weight, gestational age, serum P and significant negative correlation to serum ALP. Caffeine therapy duration was negatively correlated to BMC (r = –0.370, p = 0.000) and positively correlated to serum ALP levels (r = 0.667, p = 0.001). None of the neonates had nephrocalcinosis. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine administration for more than 14 days in preterm neonates may be associated with lower BMC but not nephrocalcinosis or bone fracture.
Italian sentiment analysis on climate change: Emerging patterns from 2016 to today
Authors: Bruno Mauro , Scannapieco Monica , Catanese Elena , Valentino Luca
Published: March 2023

The debate on climate change has increasingly attracted attention, especially among young people, since the foundation of the movement Friday for Future and the raising fame of Greta Thunberg. Social media websites can be used as a data source for mining public opinion on a variety of subjects including climate change. Twitter, in particular, allows for the evaluation of public opinion across time. Although it is a known problem that Twitter population is biased with respect to the whole population, it is also true that Twitter users are more likely to be young people. For this reason, the sentiment analysis of Twitter textual data on climate topics provides valuable insights into the climate discussion and could be considered as representative of the rising climate movement. In this study, a large dataset of Italian tweets between 2016 and 2022 containing a set of keywords related to climate change (e.g. Global warming, sustainable development, etc.) is analysed using volume analysis and text mining techniques such as topic modelling and sentiment analysis. Topic modelling, performed using word embedding, allows validating the keywords’ set and providing the prevalent discussion in Italy about the climate agenda and the major concerns related to climate emergency. Both daily volume and sentiment of tweets series have been analysed. The first series allows assessing the Italian participation to the climate debate, while the latter provides useful insights on the overall evolving mood during these years. In particular, we show that the major Italian concerns are related with global warming with a negative mood while a positive mood is recorded when public policies on environment are implemented.
A screening method based on analytic hierarchy process for closed-loop DBS strategies of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chen Huan , Zhao Dechun , Luo Zixin , Shen Lihao , Shu Yang , Li Ling
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a research hotspot in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, a variety of stimulation strategies will increase the selection time and cost in animal experiments and clinical studies. Moreover, the stimulation effect is little difference between similar strategies, so the selection process will be redundant. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to propose a comprehensive evaluation model based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to select the best one among similar strategies. METHODS: Two similar strategies, namely, threshold stimulation (CDBS) and threshold stimulus after EMD feature extraction (EDBS), were used for analysis and screening. The values of Similar to Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale estimates (SUE), β power and energy consumption were calculated and analysed. The stimulation threshold with the best improvement effect was selected. The weights of the indices were allocated by AHP. Finally, the weights and index values were combined, and the comprehensive scores of the two strategies were calculated using the evaluation model. RESULTS: The optimal stimulation threshold for CDBS was 52% and for EDBS was 62%. The weights of the indices were 0.45, 0.45 and 0.1, respectively. According to comprehensive scores, different from the situation where either EDBS or CDBS can be called optimal stimulation strategies. But under the same threshold stimulation, the EDBS was better than the CDBS under the optimal level. CONCLUSION: The evaluation model based on AHP under the optimal stimulation conditions satisfied the screening conditions between the two strategies.
Temozolomide: a cytostatic drug that is still important today
Authors: Dyrka Kamil , Czarnywojtek Agata , Borowska Magdalena , Kościński Jeremi , Moskal Jakub , Sawicka-Gutaj Nadia , Lewandowska Agnieszka , Van Gool Stefaan , Fichna Marta , Gut Paweł , Pietrończyk Krzysztof , Graczyk Patryk , Dworacka Marzena
Published: March 2023

TMZ has an advantage over other traditional alkylating agents (carmustine, lomustine, procarbazine), which are highly toxic and have poor patient survival. TMZ circumvents these problems because cytochrome P450 enzymes and the kidneys are not involved in its metabolism, it has predictable side effects (nausea, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia), which are usually reversible and only mild to moderate, have been widely described.
About half of patients treated with TMZ have high drug resistance induced by activity of O6-methylguanine methyltransferase. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are found among the neoplastic cell population, have also been shown to be responsible for resistance to TMZ. Additionally, acquired immunity, induced by TMZ’s epigenetic and genetic alterations, may develop. Currently, there are new therapeutic strategies for GBM based on nanotechnology, which are aimed at improving TMZ treatment (e.g. the use of apolipoprotein), or other techniques (siRNA, which increases the oxygen level in the tumour).
Thus, although TMZ was discovered more than three decades ago, this drug will be used to treat not only GBM, but also a large number of neoplastic pathologies. Further research focused on understanding the mechanisms of action and resistance to TMZ is required to improve its clinical application today and in the future.

Keywords: alkylating agents, drug resistance, chemotherapy, nanoparticles, cancer, glioblastoma multiforme
SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH DOSES AFFECT SOIL CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES AND PIGEON PEA INITIAL PERFORMANCE
Authors: Oliveira Rubio Giovana , Oliveira Ribeiro Diego , de Souza Zaqueu Henrique , Machado Pereira Rogério , Goularte Silva Jonathan , Dalmolin Bruno
Published: March 2023

Brazil stands out in the international scenario as the largest producer of sugarcane, processing billions of tons. Thus, this activity generates residues, such as ashes from bagasse burning and straw from sugarcane cleaning and from the production of sugar, alcohol and thermal energy. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the initial performance and chlorophyll content of pigeon pea and the chemical attributes of the soil after application of ash doses. The experiment was conducted in 2021, in a greenhouse located in southwestern Goiás, Brazil. The design used was completely randomized, composed of five ash doses: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Mg ha-1 and a control treatment, with four replicates, totaling 24 experimental units. The use of only ash as a fertilizer source causes linear increases in the initial growth of pigeon pea and in the contents of total chlorophyll and chlorophyll b, reaching the maximum increments with the estimated ash doses of 35.9 and 38.9 Mg ha-1. Applications of high ash doses promoted improvements in soil fertility, with increase in pH, P, K and base saturation as well as reduction in aluminum content and aluminum saturation. Calcium and magnesium contents reached the maximum increments with the estimated ash doses of 39.5 and 66.7 Mg ha-1, respectively.
Topological analysis of unaligned audio and text data
Authors:   National Laboratory Astana, Kozhirbayev Zh.M. , Yessenbayev Zh.A. ,   National Laboratory Astana
Published: March 2023

We have performed preliminary work on topological analysis of audio and text data for unsupervised speech processing. The work assumes that phoneme frequencies and contextual relationships are similar in the acoustic and text domains for the same language. Accordingly, this allowed the creation of a mapping between these spaces that considers their geometric structure. As a first step, generative methods based on variational autoencoders were chosen to map audio and text data into two latent vector spaces. In the next stage, persistent homology methods are used to analyze the topological structure of two spaces. Although the results obtained support the idea of the similarity of the two spaces, further research is needed to correctly map acoustic and text spaces, as well as to evaluate the real effect of including topological information in the autoencoder training process.
Machine learning driven smart electric power systems
Authors:   Astana International University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Tolegenova G.B. , Zakirova A.B. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Akhayeva Zh.B. ,   Astana International University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Berdymuratov D. ,   M/u 01068, Syzdykov А. ,   M/u 01068
Published: March 2023

The rapid growth of the population and economy leads to an increase in demand for electricity. Existing energy systems are intensively switching to active, flexible, and smart analogs of the smart grid, which creates big problems in many areas, such as the integration of renewable energy sources, cyberspace security, demand management, planning, and decision-making about the use of the system. Today, in the conditions of digitalization, automation, and intellectualization, traditional energy is changing, and new technologies are emerging, for example, «machine learning». This article discusses the possibilities of machine learning in electric power systems. The article describes the interrelation and interaction of elements of the smart network, the Internet of Things, and machine learning. The article presents methods of machine learning and their differences in solving technical problems of an intelligent network.
Peculiarities of bitumen testing methods
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Tulebekova A. , Kusbergenova Zh. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Aldungarova A. ,   D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Bakirbayeva A. ,   D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University
Published: March 2023

Bitumen as a construction material is extremely widespread in hydraulic engineering and road construction. Bitumen has a wide variety of features and useful properties, which allowed it to reach a leading level among other binder building materials. The article presents the peculiarities of laboratory testing of bitumen. Step by step the technique of bitumen testing on the ring-ball device and on the ductilometer is disclosed. The importance of testing quality control is justified. The results obtained showed the absence of deviations from the normative values. And reliability and accuracy of the obtained results are reached due to the use of an analytical approach and taking into account the risks arising during the tests. The account of which is presented by means of the "bow-tie" methodology, the main advantages of the use of which are the analysis of the reasons for risk occurrence, and the determination of decisions on their elimination.
Basic properties of mixed fuel (diesel fuel+dimethyl ether) and a theoretical assessment of the effect of a mixture of dimethyl ether on the performance of a diesel engine
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Karazhanov A. , Alipbayev Zh. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kokaev U. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Zabieva A. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Torebekova S. ,   Graduate College of Transport and Communications
Published: March 2023

In the work, there was carried out a physical and chemical analysis of alternative fuels, from which there was selected dimethyl alcohol. A number of theoretical calculations were carried out to evaluate the main properties of the mixed fuel and the effect of the addition of dimethyl ether on the performance of the diesel engine. For a more complete assessment of the effect of mixed fuel on engine performance, there were used regression modeling methods. The regression coefficients were calculated on a PC using the MATLAB application software package. Theoretical calculations and mathematical modeling have shown that the addition of 30% dimethyl ether to diesel fuel is the most effective part of the mixture to reduce the environmental performance of diesel engines.
Scientific work and writing not purely seen academically, but in a practical and real-life way
Authors: Kovtun Volodymyr
Published: March 2023

The author regards integrity as a mandatory part not only of scientific research and scientific writing, but also as an integral part of the activities of people who, due to their social function, have a great influence on shaping the worldviews and working approaches of their “godchildren”. The author bases his conclusions on his analysis of certain phenomena in the field of politics, academic life and personal teaching experience.