bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the heating rate of induction heating CFRP and temperature field based on image entropy
Authors: Pei Zhijian , Deng Zhihui , SHI Xinmin , Zhao Hui
Published: June 2023

The electromagnetic induction heating technology has the advantages of fast heating speed and cleanness, and can realize the rapid temperature curing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). In order to improve production efficiency and curing quality, a finite element model of induction heating CFRP was established, and the temperature field distribution and heating mechanism during induction heating of CFRP were analyzed. The correctness of the model and conclusion is verified by experiments. On this basis, the influence of current, diameter, frequency and distance on the heating rate is analyzed, and it is found that frequency has the greatest influence on the heating rate. In addition, the mathematical relationship between temperature field uniformity and entropy value is established, which provides a quantitative analysis method for the temperature field uniformity of induction heating CFRP. Through optimization analysis, it is obtained that for the CFRP mentioned in the article, the coil size is selected between 65 mm and 95 mm, and the spacing is between 3.5 mm and 6.5 mm, so that the temperature field has the best uniformity.
‘I have controlled so much’: Discourse of prison violence
Authors: Guo Jing-ying
Published: June 2023

Prison violence has been considered a threat to not only the safety of inmates, staff, and visitors but the day-to-day functioning of the prisons, and therefore is strictly forbidden and immediately punished. However, some inmates still turn to violence, which raises doubts about whether these inmates are naturally violent and impossible to change. This paper, based on in-depth interviews with 27 inmates who have committed violence and remained in solitary confinement in prisons in Zhejiang Province, China, examines how the inmates make sense of and describe their violent experiences. It is found that these inmates make efforts to construct their victims as deserving, acts as controlled, and punishment as acceptable through employing discursive strategies such as resorting to traditional values, conditional sentences, and repetition. In so doing, these inmates seek to redefine who they are not, how they should not be treated and what prison life should not be like. This paper could open up ways of better understanding why violence could be reduced but impossible to be eliminated completely in the prison context.
‘Specific Normalization’ method for NIRS calibrations
Authors: Cayuela-Sánchez José Antonio
Published: June 2023

In this study, we present a chemometric procedure called ‘Specific Normalization’. It upgrades the calibration for use in a specific set of new samples by normalizing together the spectra of both the calibration set and a new measured sample set. The proposed procedure is shown for near infra-red spectroscopy measurement of olive oil acidity, as an example. This procedure would need its integration as software application for routine analysis.
Matching ratio and sample size for optimal sequential testing with binomial data
Authors: Silva Ivair R. , Oliveira Fernando
Published: June 2023

Statistical sequential analysis of binary data is an important tool in clinical trials such as placebo-controlled trials, where a total of [Formula: see text] individuals are randomly allocated into two groups, one of size [Formula: see text] receiving the treatment/drug, and the other of size [Formula: see text] for placebo. The ratio [Formula: see text], namely “matching ratio,” determines the expected proportion of adverse events from the treatment group among the [Formula: see text] individuals. Bernoulli-based designs are used for monitoring the safety of post-licensed drugs and vaccines as well. For instance, in a self-control design, [Formula: see text] is the ratio between the risk and the control time windows. Irrespective of the type of application, the choice of [Formula: see text] is a critical design criterion as it determines the sample size, the statistical power, the expected sample size, and the expected time to signal the sequential procedure. In this paper, we run exact calculations to offer a statistical rule of thumb for the choice of [Formula: see text]. All the calculations and examples are performed using the R Sequential package.
qTPI: A quasi-toxicity probability interval design for phase I trials with multiple-grade toxicities
Authors: Ling Haodong , Shi Haolun , Yuan Nan , Ji Yuan , Lin Xiaolei
Published: June 2023

The common terminology criteria for adverse events by the National Cancer Institute has greatly facilitated the revolution of drug development and an increasing number of Phase I trials have started to collect multiple-grade toxicity endpoints. Appropriate and yet transparent Phase I statistical designs for multiple-grade toxicities are therefore in great needs. In this article, we propose a quasi-toxicity probability interval (qTPI) design that incorporates a quasi-continuous measure of the toxicity probability ([Formula: see text]) into the Bayesian theoretic framework of the interval based designs. Multiple-grade toxicity outcomes of each patient are mapped to [Formula: see text] according to a severity weight matrix. Dose–toxicity curve underlying the dosing decisions in the qTPI design is continuously updated using accumulating trial data. Numerical simulations investigating the operating characteristics of qTPI show that qTPI achieved better safety, accuracy and reliability compared to designs that rely on binary toxicity data. Furthermore, parameter elicitation in qTPI is simple and does not involve multiple hypothetical cohorts specification. Finally, a hypothetical soft tissue sarcoma trial with six toxicity types and grade 0 to grade 4 severity grades is illustrated with patient-by-patient dose allocation under the qTPI design.
Determinants of the Export Function in Morocco: Evidence from ARDL and Dynamic ARDL Models
Authors: El agri Fatiha , Jerry Mounir , Qafas Ahlam , Manzah Youness
Published: June 2023

Maintaining an acceptable level of trade deficit is one of the main challenges of the trade policy in developing countries like Morocco. Therefore, studying the most influential factors of the export function is of foremost importance. In this regard, our article studies the impact of a set of supply and demand determinants on export behavior in Morocco for the period Q1-1998–Q4-2018. The study uses an ARDL bound testing approach with structural breaks, extending to a future projection using the dynamic ARDL. The results of this study show that financial development, natural resources, and foreign investment output significantly influence Morocco’s export behavior. Consequently, forging a multidimensional policy that ensures the optimal allocation of financial resources, the modernization of the agricultural and phosphate sectors, and the transfer of know-how from foreign investors are some of the structural recommendations that will allow the promotion of exports in the future.

JEL Classification C32, F14, F17
The causal mind: An affordance-based account of causal engagement
Authors: Kolvoort Ivar , Schulz Katrin , Rietveld Erik
Published: June 2023

Causal cognition is a core aspect of how we deal with the world; however, existing psychological theories tend not to target intuitive causal engagement that is done in daily life. To fill this gap, we propose an Ecological-Enactive (E-E) affordance-based account of situated causal engagement, that is, causal judgments and perceptions. We develop this account to improve our understanding of this way of dealing with the world, which includes making progress on the causal selection problem, and to extend the scope of embodied cognitive science to causal cognition. We characterize identifying causes as selectively attending to the relevant ecological information to engage with relevant affordances, where these affordances are dependent on individual abilities. Based on this we construe causal engagement as based on a learned skill. Moreover, we argue that to understand judgments of causation as we make them in our daily lives, we need to see them as situated in sociocultural practices. Practices are about doing, and so this view helps us understand why people make these judgments so ubiquitously: to get things done, to provide an effective path to intervening in the world. Ultimately this view on causal engagement allows us to account for individual differences in causal perceptions, judgments, and selections by appealing to differences in learned skills and sociocultural practices.
Reporting on Suicide: An Examination of Suicide Coverage by U.S. Student Newspapers
Authors: Kocan Samantha , Parrott Scott
Published: June 2023

Suicide is an important issue facing students on college campuses. Student journalists face unique challenges covering suicide, including ethical considerations related to headline wording, text descriptions, and sourcing. Health advocates, news outlets, and professional journalism organizations partnered to develop guidelines for responsible suicide reporting. This study sought to understand the extent to which student journalists complied with the recommendations, which were designed to prevent so-called “copycat” deaths. Using content analysis, the study examined how 51 student newspapers covered suicide more than 3 years (2019–2021). It offers recommendations for students and advisors.
The Effects of the 11+ Dance Neuromuscular Program on Jump Height and Lower Extremity Biomechanics in Female Adolescent Dancers: A Non-Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: Sudds Karen J. , Maurus Philipp , Nigg Sandro R. , Wyon Matthew A. , Kolokythas Nico
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

Neuromuscular warm-up programs, such as FIFA 11+ were developed as early as 2006. These programs have been effective in reducing the risk of injury in female athletes by decreasing the moments surrounding the knee and improving neuromuscular control during static and dynamic movements such as jumping and landing. In addition, they have been effective for improving jump height in soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Methods:

The effects of the 11+ Dance, a dance-specific neuromuscular warm-up program, was examined on jump height and lower extremity biomechanics during bilateral and single leg countermovement jumps in recreational dancers. Twenty female adolescents from 2 dance schools participated in this 2-centered 8-week controlled non-randomized trial. The intervention group (IG) performed the 11+ Dance program 3×/week for 8-weeks during the first 30-minute of their regularly scheduled dance classes. The control group (CG) continued with their regular dance classes routine. Ground reaction force and motion capture data were used to assess jump height and lower extremity biomechanics pre and post intervention.

Results:

Both groups statistically increased their jump height (CG: Z = 1.89-2.45, P ≤ .0167; IG: Z = 2.18-2.76, P ≤ .0167). However, no statistical between group differences were observed ( Z = 0.38-1.22, P > .05). During takeoff, the IG statistically reduced peak knee extension moments ( t(18) = -3.04 to -3.77, P ≤ .0167) while increasing peak hip extension moments ( t(18) = 2.16-2.79, P ≤ .05) and peak hip flexion angles ( t(18) = 2.68-3.72, P ≤ .0167) compared to the CG. The IG also increased the hip flexion angles compared to the CG during landing ( t(18) = 2.78-5.13, P ≤ .0167) while no systematic differences were observed in all other variables of lower extremity biomechanics.

Conclusion:

The reduced joint load at the knee observed during takeoff needs further investigation. Neuromuscular training, such as the 11+ Dance, is supported by numerous quality research. Due to its simplicity, the 11+ Dance may be feasible and beneficial to complement regular warm-ups in recreational dance practice.
The gender wage gap across the wage distribution: Evidence in tourism at the sectoral level
Authors: Marfil-Cotilla Marina , Campos-Soria Juan A. , García-Pozo Alejandro
Published: June 2023

We conducted a comparative study of the main determinants of the gender wage gap across the wage distribution in the tourism sector from a sectoral perspective. Using matched employer-employee data from Spain, we propose different wage decompositions across the wage distribution based on unconditional quantile regressions. In feminised sectors, such as hospitality and travel agencies, the gender wage gap follows an increasing trend across the wage distribution, whereas in masculinised sectors, such as transportation, the gap follows a decreasing trend, becoming non-significant at the highest wage levels. Except in the case of transportation, gender wage discrimination increases as wages increase and is the component that explains the major part of this gap. The results show that there are differential barriers to the promotion of women at a sectoral level that perpetuate gender roles, particularly in positions of high responsibility.
How public trust and healthcare quality relate to blood donation behavior: Cross-cultural evidence
Authors: Graf Caroline , Suanet Bianca , Wiepking Pamala , Merz Eva-Maria
Published: June 2023

Blood donors are indispensable for enabling a myriad of medical procedures and treatments. We examined how public trust in the healthcare system and healthcare quality relate to individuals’ likelihood of donating blood, using survey data from representative samples of 28 European countries ( N = 27,868). Our preregistered analyses revealed that country-level public trust, but not healthcare quality, predicted individual propensity to donate blood. Notably, public trust decreased over time in many countries, while healthcare quality increased. Our results highlight the role of subjective perceptions of the healthcare system, rather than the objective state of healthcare, for blood donation behavior in Europe.
Investigation on a novel reliability analysis approach integrating adaptive space division and direction sampling
Authors: Han Xu , Frangopol Dan M.
Published: June 2023

Multitudes of algorithms have been proposed to evaluate the failure probability of components and systems. Among all these algorithms, direction sampling is a promising one. However, a major computational effort involved in direction sampling is that for each direction sample a root-searching process needs to be conducted to obtain the distance between the origin and the failure surface, which can be computationally expensive. In addition, the failure probability along a direction is hard to obtain when the direction vector intersects the failure surface multiple times. This paper proposes a novel approach to obtain densely populated points locating on the failure surface and utilizing these points to conduct reliability analysis with direction sampling. The process of obtaining the population consists in dividing the initial hypercube space into multiple lattice grids, identifying the grids crossing the failure surface, and dividing these grids into smaller ones. The iterative division process stops when the grids cut across by the failure surface are small enough so that the centers of these grids can be considered located on the failure surface. Several numerical tests are performed to validate the applicability of the proposed approach. Through these tests, it can be concluded that for the situation where the intersection between the direction vector and the failure surface is unique, the proposed approach will lead, with high accuracy, to a failure probability. For the situation where the intersection is not unique, satisfactory estimation of failure probabilities can also be achieved using approximation methods. For high-dimensional reliability problems, clustering techniques can be utilized to reduce the computational cost.
Using Qualitative Inquiries to Analyse the Dynamism of Factionalism
Authors: Kerr Rebecca
Published: June 2023

When exploring assessments of factionalism, there is the tendency to rely on quantitative assessments based upon an institutionalised and consciously organised group. However, to rely solely on the assessment of factionalism as such undermines and dismisses much of the intra-party dialogue which facilitates, encourages or could undermine party cohesion and unity. Quantitative analysis can rely on quite static understandings of the faction; however, this research understands factionalism as dynamic and changeable dependent on a range of internal and external variables. The fluidity of the faction is demonstrated in the ways in which the faction can adopt or drop ideological positions dependent on the appetite of intra-party groups and the electorate. Its dynamism is also reflected through the different typologies of factions that exist. The dynamic forms that the faction take are exemplified through the case study analysis of the Labour Party within the UK. The Labour Party also provides an interesting analysis in understanding the wide range of external factors that factions must negotiate. This includes, but is not limited to, the changing ways in which we understand party allegiance, identity and voting patterns. Factionalism is ultimately an interpersonal event, and to accurately capture this detail, qualitative assessments are necessary.
The Reverberations of War: Ukrainian and Polish Academics Write a Collective Autoethnography of Experiencing War in Ukraine
Authors: Dobosz Kala , Kacperczyk Anna , Kafar Marcin , Konecki Krzysztof T. , Kroczak Hanna , Melnikov Andrii , Szczepaniak Colette , Szwabowski Oskar
Published: June 2023

The article presents a form of collective autoethnography generated by members of an informal group of academics called The Autonomous Autoethnographic Collective. The leading idea we relate to is “reverberations” of multidimensional experiences of war in Ukraine that started on February 24, 2022. The aim of the text is to show the multiple perceptual views experienced by people situated in a borderline situation. Uncertainty of tomorrow, prolonged fear for one’s own life and that of his or her loved ones, and an attempt to survive in an environment exposed to a “constant fire” are aspects of both wartime feelings and—indicated by them—reflexive thinking. Adopting a dual perspective of the immersion in experience as lived and then analyzing it in the process of collectively shared knowledge is treated as method of inquiry. Life in the shadow of war leads to a variant of autoethnography that is subject to the principle of “reversed order,” and as such it manifests itself in the creation of “dispersed” composition. Based on the dialogic tradition (Bakhtin’s polyphonic voices), “reverberations” of war are expressed in an experimental mode of editing, which is intended not only to strengthen the message, but also to remain as close as possible to the source nature of the presented experiences—Discontinuities, imbalances, and disturbances of time and space are its visible signs.
Handling intercurrent events and missing data in non-inferiority trials using the estimand framework: A tuberculosis case study
Authors: Rehal Sunita , Cro Suzie , Phillips Patrick PJ , Fielding Katherine , Carpenter James R
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The ICH E9 addendum outlining the estimand framework for clinical trials was published in 2019 but provides limited guidance around how to handle intercurrent events for non-inferiority studies. Once an estimand is defined, it is also unclear how to deal with missing values using principled analyses for non-inferiority studies.

Methods

Using a tuberculosis clinical trial as a case study, we propose a primary estimand, and an additional estimand suitable for non-inferiority studies. For estimation, multiple imputation methods that align with the estimands for both primary and sensitivity analysis are proposed. We demonstrate estimation methods using the twofold fully conditional specification multiple imputation algorithm and then extend and use reference-based multiple imputation for a binary outcome to target the relevant estimands, proposing sensitivity analyses under each. We compare the results from using these multiple imputation methods with those from the original study.

Results

Consistent with the ICH E9 addendum, estimands can be constructed for a non-inferiority trial which improves on the per-protocol/intention-to-treat-type analysis population previously advocated, involving respectively a hypothetical or treatment policy strategy to handle relevant intercurrent events. Results from using the ‘twofold’ multiple imputation approach to estimate the primary hypothetical estimand, and using reference-based methods for an additional treatment policy estimand, including sensitivity analyses to handle the missing data, were consistent with the original study’s reported per-protocol and intention-to-treat analysis in failing to demonstrate non-inferiority.

Conclusions

Using carefully constructed estimands and appropriate primary and sensitivity estimators, using all the information available, results in a more principled and statistically rigorous approach to analysis. Doing so provides an accurate interpretation of the estimand.
Decision-making and ageing: everyday life situations under risk and under ambiguity
Authors: Gaubert Fanny , Borg Céline , Roux Jean-Christophe , Chainay Hanna
Published: June 2023

Cognitive modifications during ageing can affect decision-making competence (DMC). As this ability is central to the preservation of autonomy, our study aims to investigate how it changes in elderly adults and to determine whether such changes are linked to the deterioration of executive functions and working memory. To this end, 50 young adults and 50 elderly adults were assessed with executive, working memory, and DMC tasks. The latter comprised the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and a scenario task based on situations inspired by everyday life, under conditions of both risk and ambiguity. The results revealed lower performances in old than in young adults for the updating, inhibition, and working memory tasks. The IGT failed to distinguish between the two age groups. However, the scenario task did permit such a distinction, with young adults seeking more risky and ambiguous choices than elderly adults. Moreover, updating and inhibition capacities appeared to influence DMC.
The Oxford Face Matching Test: Short-form alternative
Authors: Stantić Mirta , Knyspel Jacob , Gaches Akhina , Liu Yining , Bird Geoffrey , Catmur Caroline
Published: June 2023

A recently published test of face perception, the Oxford Face Matching Test, asks participants to make two judgements: whether two faces are of the same individual and how perceptually similar the two faces are. In this study, we sought to determine to what extent the test can be shortened by removing the perceptual similarity judgements and whether this affects test performance. In Experiment 1, participants completed two versions of the test, with and without similarity judgements, in separate sessions in counterbalanced order. The version without similarity judgements took approximately 40% less time to complete. Performance on the matching judgements did not differ across versions and the correlation in accuracy across the two versions was comparable with the originally reported test–retest reliability value. Experiment 2 validated the version without similarity judgements against other measures, demonstrating moderate relationships with other face matching, memory, and self-report face perception measures. These data indicate that a test version without the similarity judgements can substantially reduce administration time without affecting test performance.
Determinants of outcome following PSMA-based radioligand therapy and mechanisms of resistance in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Kostos Louise , Buteau James P. , Hofman Michael S. , Azad Arun A.
Published: June 2023

[177Lu]Lu-PSMA has recently been approved for use in the post-taxane, post-novel hormonal-agent setting in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. As a beta-emitting radioligand targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), it delivers radiation to cells expressing PSMA on their surface. In pivotal clinical trials, patients were selected for this treatment based on positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging, requiring PSMA-avid disease with no evidence of discordant disease on 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET/CT or contrast CT scan. Despite exhibiting an optimal imaging phenotype, the response for many patients is not durable, and a minority do not respond to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA at all. Disease progression is inevitable even for those who achieve an exceptional initial response. Reasons for both primary and acquired resistance are largely unknown; however, they are likely due to the presence of underlying PSMA-negative disease not identified on imaging, molecular factors conferring radioresistance, and inadequate delivery of lethal radiation, particularly to sites of micrometastatic disease. Biomarkers are urgently needed to optimize patient selection for treatment with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA by identifying those who are most and least likely to respond. Retrospective data support using several prognostic and predictive baseline patient- and disease-related parameters; however, robust prospective data is required before these can be translated into widespread use. Further, early on-treatment clinical parameters (in addition to serial prostate-specific antigen [PSA] levels and conventional restaging imaging) may serve as surrogates for predicting treatment response. With little known about the efficacy of treatments given after [177Lu]Lu-PSMA, optimal treatment sequencing is paramount, and biomarker-driven patient selection will hopefully improve treatment and survival outcomes.
Defining Operative Indications in Lisfranc Injuries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pearsall Christian , Arciero Emily , Gupta Puneet , Bäcker Henrik , Tantigate Direk , Trofa David P. , Vosseller J. Turner
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this review was to determine operative indications for Lisfranc injuries.

Methods

A systematic review using a MEDLINE literature search was performed using the index “Lisfranc Injury” from 1980 onward using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines where applicable. Inclusion criteria were all clinical studies reporting on the management of Lisfranc injuries obtained via the search index, including case reports, review articles, cohort studies, and randomized trials. Non-English-language articles, inaccessible articles, those not relevant to the management of Lisfranc injuries (biomechanical, cadaveric, and technique articles), and those that did not explicitly state operative indications (vague or absent indications) were excluded.

Results

After identifying 737 studies, the full text of 391 studies was reviewed, and 58 reports providing explicit operative indications were included in the final analysis. Fifty-one (81.1%) studies provided diastasis cutoffs varying ≥2 mm (35/58; 60.4%), ≥ 1 mm (13; 22.4%), and ≥3 mm (3; 5.2%); the diastasis location was most commonly unspecified (31/58; 53.5%) or varied between combinations of metatarsal, tarsal, cuboid, and cuneiform bones (20/58; 27.6%). Specific imaging criteria for surgery included an avulsion fracture or fleck sign (3/58; 5.2%), arch height loss (3/58; 5.2%), and a tear on magnetic resonance imaging (5; 8.6%). The 11 (19%) studies defining operative indications in terms of classification schemes used the Nunley and Vertullo (8/58; 13.8%), Myerson (2; 3.5%), and Buehren (1; 1.7%) systems. Twenty-one (36.2%) studies provided multiple operative indications.

Conclusion

The most common Lisfranc operative indications among the limited reporting studies varied from a 1- to 3-mm diastasis across several locations. It is imperative for operative indications to be reported with an increased frequency and in a homogenous fashion to guide the clinical management of these subtle injuries.

Levels of Evidence:

Level IV; systematic Review
Peri-implantitis management by resective surgery combined with implantoplasty and Er:YAG laser irradiation, accompanied by free gingival graft: a case report
Authors: Shiba Takahiko , Komatsu Keiji , Watanabe Takayasu , Takeuchi Yasuo , Nemoto Takashi , Ohsugi Yujin , Katagiri Sayaka , Shimogishi Masahiro , Marukawa Eriko , Iwata Takanori
Published: June 2023

The optimal method for decontamination of implant surfaces for peri-implantitis treatment remains controversial. In recent years, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation and implantoplasty (IP) (i.e. mechanical modification of the implant) have been reported to be effective in decontaminating implant surfaces during the surgical treatment. Also, a lack of adequate keratinized mucosa (KM) around the implant is known to be associated with more plaque accumulation, tissue inflammation, attachment loss, and mucosal recession, increasing the risk of peri-implantitis. Therefore, free gingival graft (FGG) has been recommended for gaining adequate KM around the implant. However, the necessity of acquiring KM for the treatment of peri-implantitis using FGG remains unclear. In this report, we applied the apically positioned flap (APF) as resective surgery for peri-implantitis treatment in conjunction with IP and Er:YAG laser irradiation to polish/clean the implant surface. Furthermore, FGG was conducted simultaneously to create additional KM, which increased the tissue stability and contributed to the positive results. The two patients were 64 and 63 years old with a history of periodontitis. The removal of granulation tissue and debridement of contaminated implant surfaces were performed with Er:YAG laser irradiation post flap elevation and then modified smooth surfaces mechanically using IP. Er:YAG laser irradiation was also utilized to remove the titanium particles. In addition, we performed FGG to increase the width of KM as a vestibuloplasty. Peri-implant tissue inflammation and progressive bone resorption were not observed, and both patients maintained good oral hygiene conditions until the 1-year follow-up appointment. Bacterial analysis via high-throughput sequencing revealed proportional decreases in bacteria associated with periodontitis ( Porphyromonas, Treponema, and Fusobacterium). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to describe peri-implantitis management and bacterial change before and after procedures by resective surgery combined with IP and Er:YAG laser irradiation for peri-implantitis treatment, accompanied by FGG for increasing KM around the implants.
Air pollution and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Kang Suna , Hong Yun Soo , Park Jihwan , Kang Danbee , Kim Hyunsoo , Lee Jin , Kim Woojin , Kang Sung-Won , Guallar Eliseo , Cho Juhee , Park Hye Yun
Published: June 2023

Background:

Evidence on whether long-term exposure to air pollution increases the mortality risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited.

Objectives:

We aimed to investigate the associations of long-term exposure to particulate matter with diameter <10 µm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with overall and disease-specific mortality in COPD patients.

Design:

We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 121,423 adults ⩾40 years diagnosed with COPD during 1 January to 31 December 2009.

Methods:

Exposure to PM10 and NO2 was estimated for residential location using the ordinary kriging method. We estimated the risk of overall mortality associated with 1-, 3-, and 5-years average concentrations of PM10 and NO2 using Cox proportional hazards models and disease-specific mortality using the Fine and Gray method adjusted for age, sex, income, body mass index, smoking, comorbidities, and exacerbation history.

Results:

The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for overall mortality associated with a 10 µg/m3 increase in 1-year PM10 and NO2 exposures were 1.004 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.985, 1.023] and 0.993 (95% CI = 0.984, 1.002), respectively. The results were similar for 3- and 5-year exposures. For a 10-µg/m3 increase in 1-year PM10 and NO2 exposures, the adjusted HRs for chronic lower airway disease mortality were 1.068 (95% CI = 1.024, 1.113) and 1.029 (95% CI = 1.009, 1.050), respectively. In stratified analyses, exposures to PM10 and NO2 were associated with overall mortality in patients who were underweight and had a history of severe exacerbation.

Conclusion:

In this large population-based study of patients with COPD, long-term PM10 and NO2 exposures were not associated with overall mortality but were associated with chronic lower airway disease mortality. PM10 and NO2 exposures were both associated with an increased risk of overall mortality in underweight individuals and those with a history of severe exacerbation.
Breast cancer local recurrence after mastectomy with immediate latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap reconstruction: A case report
Authors: Shinzaki Wataru , Manabe Hironobu , Kubota Michiyo , Inui Hiroki , Hojo Toshiya , Ito Toshikazu , Itani Yoshihito , Komoike Yoshifumi
Published: June 2023

Even though most local recurrences after autologous breast reconstruction occur in superficial tissue, they also occur in deep tissue in the reconstructed breast. A 49-year-old woman presented with a bloody discharge from the right nipple. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic area in her right breast, which was diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ on histopathology. We performed nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction of the breast with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. At 6 years postoperatively, the patient presented with a palpable mass. Ultrasonography revealed a solid mass lesion subcutaneously in the right breast. Computed tomography revealed multiple enhanced solid mass lesions in the subcutaneous and deep tissues of the reconstructed breast. The mass in the deep tissue of the reconstructed breast was diagnosed as an invasive micropapillary carcinoma by biopsy. For local recurrence, we performed wide excision of the reconstructed breast. The masses in the subcutaneous and deep tissues of the reconstructed breast were diagnosed as invasive micropapillary carcinoma. Superficial recurrence was first detected by physical examination, and deep recurrence was later detected with further imaging. We present a case of local recurrences that occurred in the deep tissue, in addition to superficial tissue of the reconstructed breast.
The comorbidity of somatic symptom and major depressive disorders in the times of COVID-19 lockdown in adolescence: A case-report study
Authors: Shahini Najmeh , mirzadeh Mansoureh , Lashkarbolouk Narges
Published: June 2023

Physical symptoms with normal clinical examinations have been reported without detectable structural or biochemical abnormalities in the comorbidity of somatic symptom disorder and major depressive disorder. This association can have a debilitating effect on their academic and social performance. This case report is about a 13-year-old Afghani immigrant boy with no previous psychiatric history who developed severe body pain leading to a disability during the COVID-19 lockdown and social isolation. During further evaluation, all his clinical examinations were normal, and the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder was confirmed. Cognitive behavioral therapy includes cognitive therapy, changing lifestyle, and a motivational support method. Medical treatment with olanzapine, fluvoxamine, and gabapentin was started. During follow-up, there was improvement in the patient’s mood, and the patient began to walk and communicate. It is important to suspect an association of somatic symptom disorder and major depressive disorder in patients with severe body pain and multiemotional factors. Psychiatrists should keep in mind that emotional factors can play a significant role in causing and maintaining physical symptoms.
Prediction of mortality risk and duration of hospitalization of COVID-19 patients with chronic comorbidities based on machine learning algorithms
Authors: Amiri Parastoo , Montazeri Mahdieh , Ghasemian Fahimeh , Asadi Fatemeh , Niksaz Saeed , Sarafzadeh Farhad , Khajouei Reza
Published: June 2023

Background

The severity of coronavirus (COVID-19) in patients with chronic comorbidities is much higher than in other patients, which can lead to their death. Machine learning (ML) algorithms as a potential solution for rapid and early clinical evaluation of the severity of the disease can help in allocating and prioritizing resources to reduce mortality.

Objective

The objective of this study was to predict the mortality risk and length of stay (LoS) of patients with COVID-19 and history of chronic comorbidities using ML algorithms.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of COVID-19 patients with a history of chronic comorbidities from March 2020 to January 2021 in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran. The outcome of patients, hospitalization was recorded as discharge or death. The filtering technique used to score the features and well-known ML algorithms were applied to predict the risk of mortality and LoS of patients. Ensemble Learning methods is also used. To evaluate the performance of the models, different measures including F1, precision, recall, and accuracy were calculated. The TRIPOD guideline assessed transparent reporting.

Results

This study was performed on 1291 patients, including 900 alive and 391 dead patients. Shortness of breath (53.6%), fever (30.1%), and cough (25.3%) were the three most common symptoms in patients. Diabetes mellitus(DM) (31.3%), hypertension (HTN) (27.3%), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (14.2%) were the three most common chronic comorbidities of patients. Twenty-six important factors were extracted from each patient's record. Gradient boosting model with 84.15% accuracy was the best model for predicting mortality risk and multilayer perceptron (MLP) with rectified linear unit function (MSE = 38.96) was the best model for predicting the LoS. The most common chronic comorbidities among these patients were DM (31.3%), HTN (27.3%), and IHD (14.2%). The most important factors in predicting the risk of mortality were hyperlipidemia, diabetes, asthma, and cancer, and in predicting LoS was shortness of breath.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that the use of ML algorithms can be a good tool to predict the risk of mortality and LoS of patients with COVID-19 and chronic comorbidities based on physiological conditions, symptoms, and demographic information of patients. The Gradient boosting and MLP algorithms can quickly identify patients at risk of death or long-term hospitalization and notify physicians to do appropriate interventions.
Design and assessment of amblyopia, strabismus, and myopia treatment and vision training using virtual reality
Authors: Chan Hoi Sze , Tang Yuk Ming , Do Chi Wai , Ho Yin Wong Horace , Chan Lily YL , To Suet
Published: June 2023

Background

Virtual reality is a relatively new intervention that has the potential to be used in the treatment of eye and vision problems. This article reviews the use of virtual reality-related interventions in amblyopia, strabismus, and myopia research.

Methods

Sources covered in the review included 48 peer-reviewed research published between January 2000 and January 2023 from five electronic databases (ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science). To prevent any missing relevant articles, the keywords, and terms used in the search included “VR”, “virtual reality”, “amblyopia”, “strabismus,” and “myopia”. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed independently by two authors to form a narrative synthesis to summarize findings from the included research.

Results

Total number of 48 references were reviewed. There were 31 studies published on amblyopia, 18 on strabismus, and 6 on myopia, with 7 studies overlapping amblyopia and strabismus. In terms of technology, smartphone-based virtual reality headset viewers were utilized more often in amblyopia research, but commercial standalone virtual reality headsets were used more frequently in myopia and strabismus-related research. The software and virtual environment were mostly developed based on vision therapy and dichoptic training paradigms.

Conclusion

It has been suggested that virtual reality technology offers a potentially effective tool for amblyopia, strabismus, and myopia studies. Nonetheless, a variety of factors, especially the virtual environment and systems employed in the data presented, must be explored before determining whether virtual reality can be effectively applied in clinical settings. This review is significant as the technology in virtual reality software and application design features have been investigated and considered for future reference.
Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture Surgery Improves Physical and Cognitive Function in Patients with or Without Sarcopenia
Authors: Kanaya Yuji , Inoue Hirokazu , Sawamura Hideaki , Hoshino Yuichi , Takeshita Katsushi
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Sarcopenia is a prevalent risk factor for falls and fractures, and it affects the physical function and mortality of older people. The present study was performed to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients who underwent rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery and to examine the association of sarcopenia with physical and cognitive function outcomes.

Methods

This case–control study involved 132 patients who were admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward at a single hospital after surgical treatment of hip fractures from April 2018 to March 2020. The skeletal muscle mass index was examined using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 diagnostic criteria were applied on admission. We compared the walking speed, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score between the sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group on admission and on discharge.

Results

The prevalence of sarcopenia was 59.8%. In the non-sarcopenia group, the walking speed, MMSE score, FIM total score, FIM motor score, and FIM cognitive score were significantly lower on admission than those on discharge ( P < .05). In the sarcopenia group, the walking speed, MMSE score, FIM total score, and FIM motor score were significantly lower on admission than those on discharge ( P < .05); there was no significant difference in the FIM cognitive score between admission and discharge. On both admission and discharge, the MMSE score, FIM total score, FIM motor score, and FIM cognitive score were significantly better in the non-sarcopenia group than those in the sarcopenia group.

Conclusions

After postoperative rehabilitation of hip fractures in patients with and without sarcopenia, physical and cognitive function outcomes on discharge were significantly better than those on admission. Patients with sarcopenia had significantly worse physical and cognitive function outcomes than patients without sarcopenia both on admission and on discharge.
Multilevel Analysis of the Effect of Corporate Entrepreneurship and Learning Capabilities on the Attitudes of Key Personnel in Small and Medium Enterprises in Korea: The Moderating Effect of Social Capital
Authors: Nam Jung Min , Lee SungHo , Kang Jae Hyeung
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the multilevel impact of corporate entrepreneurship and learning capability on job satisfaction and organizational commitment and reveals the moderating effect of social capital. Using a quantitative approach based on secondary data from the Human Capital Corporation Panel (HCCP) provided by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training (KRIVET). A total of 344 people working for 67 SMEs were processed to infer the results through the hierarchical linear model (HLM). We found that corporate entrepreneurship and learning ability had significantly positive effects on organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Further, social capital had a moderating effect only on the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and organizational commitment, and there was no moderating effect on the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and job satisfaction as well as the relationship between learning capability, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. To inspire corporate entrepreneurship, individuals or teams should work with the company to create new organizations or incite innovation within the organization. Through social interaction, we must build and expand the consensus of our members and share values, attitudes, and objectives. Drawing on these findings, we suggest directions for future research.
Clinical and Endoscopic Response to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Antibody Therapy in a Patient With Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome
Authors: Salman Roghani Roham , De Castro Joline , Ajumobi Adewale B.
Published: June 2023

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is an acquired polyposis syndrome with gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. Given its rarity and lack of standard treatment, diagnosis and treatment are challenging. Steroid therapy and nutritional support are conventional treatments. There is no consensus on management of steroid-refractory cases. Here, we report the diagnosis and treatment course of a 54-year-old Asian male with CCS, whose initial treatment with prednisone 60 mg a day led to partial response and disease flare up during prednisone tapering. The use of infliximab and azathioprine led to promising remission of his symptoms.
Zomato’s Triumph till IPO: Is It Success Through Relationship?
Authors: Challa Syamala Devi , Kanakadurga A. , Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Singh Sanjeet
Published: June 2023

Food is a basic need for everyone. We struggle throughout our life to satisfy this need. The delicious food attracts and makes food lovers reach anywhere to get this. Convenience, quality and affordability are critical elements for the food business. This idea has attracted Mr Deepinder Goyal and Mr Pankaj Chaddah to start Zomato. Being a first mover in this unique food app market Zomato has struggled a lot. Before tasting its success, it was a loss-making company for a considerable period. This case study presents the key strategies followed by Zomato to achieve success till Initial Public Offer (IPO). It highlights how a loss-making company and food aggregator such as Zomato has succeeded through relationship and communication strategies maintained by the company and its co-founder Deepinder Goyal. This case study is based on understanding the significant issues and success faced by the company has been managed through public relationship management since its inception. It is completely developed from secondary sources and publicly available data and reports. This case is developed to discuss the essential strategies and steps taken by Zomato to improve its position till IPO. It highlights the inception, significant steps to break even, its success through relationship marketing, competitors’ effect, risk factors and future course of action.