bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement report: Spatiotemporal and policy-related variations of PM2.5 composition and sources during 2015–2019 at multiple sites in a Chinese megacity
Authors: Feng Xinyao , Tian Yingze , Xue Qianqian , Song Danlin , Huang Fengxia , Feng Yinchang
Published: November 2021

Abstract. A thorough understanding of the relationship between urbanization
and PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than
2.5 µm) variation is crucial for researchers and policymakers to
study health effects and improve air quality. In this study, we selected a
rapidly developing Chinese megacity, Chengdu, as the study area to
investigate the spatiotemporal and policy-related variations of PM2.5
composition and sources based on long-term observation at multiple sites. A
total of 836 samples were collected from 19 sites in winter 2015–2019.
According to the specific characteristics, 19 sampling sites were assigned
to three layers. Layer 1 was the most urbanized area and referred to the core
zone of Chengdu, layer 2 was located in the outer circle of layer 1, and
layer 3 belonged to the outermost zone with the lowest urbanization level.
The average PM2.5 concentrations for 5 years were in the order of
layer 2 (133 µg m−3) > layer 1 (126 µg m−3) > layer 3 (121 µg m−3). Spatial clustering of the chemical composition at the sampling sites was conducted for each
year. The PM2.5 composition of layer 3 in 2019 was found to be similar to that of the other layers 2 or 3 years ago, implying that
urbanization levels had a strong effect on air quality. During the sampling
period, a decreasing trend was observed for the annual average concentration of PM2.5, especially at sampling sites in layer 1, where the stricter control policies were implemented. The
SO42-/NO3- mass ratio at most sites exceeded 1 in 2015
but dropped to less than 1 since 2016, reflecting decreasing coal combustion and increasing traffic impacts in Chengdu, and these values can be further supported by temporal variations of the SO42- and NO3-
concentrations. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to quantify PM2.5 sources. A total of five sources were identified, with average contributions of 15.5 % (traffic emissions), 19.7 % (coal and biomass combustion), 8.8 % (industrial emissions), 39.7 % (secondary particles), and 16.2 % (resuspended dust). From 2015 to 2019, a dramatic decline was observed in the average percentage contributions of coal and biomass combustion, but the traffic emission source showed an increasing trend. For spatial variations, the high coefficient of variation (CV) values of coal and biomass combustion and industrial emissions indicated their higher spatial difference in Chengdu. High contributions of resuspended dust occurred at sites with intensive construction activities, such as subway and airport construction. Combining the PMF results, we developed the source-weighted potential source contribution function (SWPSCF) method for source localization. This new method highlighted the influences of spatial distribution for source contributions, and the effectiveness of the SWPSCF method was evaluated.
Radiative fluxes in the High Arctic region derived from ground-based lidar measurements onboard drifting buoys
Authors: Loyer Lilian , Raut Jean-Christophe , Di Biagio Claudia , Maillard Julia , Mariage Vincent , Pelon Jacques
Published: November 2021

Abstract. The Arctic is facing drastic climate changes that are not correctly represented by state-of-the-art models because of complex feedbacks between radiation, clouds and sea-ice surfaces. A better understanding of the surface energy budget requires radiative measurements that are limited in time and space in the High Arctic (> 80° N) and mostly obtained through specific expeditions. Six years of lidar observations onboard buoys drifting in the Arctic Ocean above 83° N have been carried out as part of the IAOOS (Ice Atmosphere arctic Ocean Operating System) project. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility to extent the IAOOS dataset to provide estimates of the shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) surface irradiances from lidar measurements on drifting buoys. Our approach relies on the use of the STREAMER radiative transfer model to estimate the downwelling SW scattered radiances from the background noise measured by lidar. Those radiances are then used to derive estimates of the cloud optical depths. In turn, the knowledge of the cloud optical depth enables to estimate the SW and LW (using additional IAOOS measured information) downwelling irradiances at the surface. The method was applied to the IAOOS buoy measurements in spring 2015, and retrieved cloud optical depths were compared to those derived from radiative irradiances measured during the N-ICE (Norwegian Young Sea Ice Experiment) campaign at the meteorological station, in the vicinity of the drifting buoys. Retrieved and measured SW and LW irradiances were then compared. Results showed overall good agreement. Cloud optical depths were estimated with a rather large dispersion of about 47 %. LW irradiances showed a fairly small dispersion (within 5 W m−2), with a corrigible residual bias (3 W m−2). The estimated uncertainty of the SW irradiances was 4 %. But, as for the cloud optical depth, the SW irradiances showed the occurrence of a few outliers, that may be due to a short lidar sequence acquisition time (no more than four times 10 mn per day), possibly not long enough to smooth out cloud heterogeneity. The net SW and LW irradiances are retrieved within 13 W m−2.
Last interglacial (MIS 5e) sea level proxies in the glaciated Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Dalton April S. , Gowan Evan J. , Mangerud Jan , Möller Per , Lunkka Juha P. , Astakhov Valery
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Because global sea level during the last interglacial (LIG; 130–115 ka) was higher than today, the LIG is a useful analogue for improving predictions of future sea level rise. Here, we synthesize sea level proxies for the LIG in the glaciated Northern Hemisphere for inclusion in the World Atlas of Last Interglacial Shorelines (WALIS) database. We describe 82 sites from Russia, northern Europe, Greenland and North America from a variety of settings, including boreholes, riverbank exposures and along coastal cliffs. Marine sediments at these sites were constrained to the LIG using a variety of radiometric methods (radiocarbon, U-Series dating, K-Ar dating), non-radiometric methods (amino acid dating, luminescence methods, and electron spin resonance, tephrochronology) as well as various stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental approaches. As the areas in this database were covered by ice sheets from the penultimate glaciation and were affected by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), most of the proxies show that sea level was much higher than present during the LIG. Many of the sites show evidence of regression due sea level fall due to GIA uplift, and some also show fluctuations that may reflect regrowth of continental ice or increased influence of the global sea level signal. The database is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5602212 (Dalton et al., 2021).
Ambient seismic noise analysis of LARGE-N data for mineral exploration in the Central Erzgebirge, Germany
Authors: Ryberg Trond , Kirsch Moritz , Haberland Christian , Tolosana-Delgado Raimon , Viezzoli Andrea , Gloaguen Richard
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Ambient seismic noise tomography is a novel, low-impact method to investigate the Earth’s structure. While most passive seismic studies focus on structures at crustal scales, there are only few examples of this technique being applied in a mineral exploration context. In this study, we performed an ambient seismic experiment to ascertain the relationship between the shallow shear wave velocity and mineralized zones in the Erzgebirge in Germany, one of the most important metal provinces in Europe. Late Variscan mineralized greisen and veins occurring in the Geyer-Ehrenfriedersdorf mining district of the Central Erzgebirge were mined from medieval times until the end of the 19th century. These occurrences represent a significant resource for commodities of high economic importance, such as tin, tungsten, zinc, indium, bismuth and lithium. Based on ambient noise data from a dense "LARGE-N" network comprising 400 low-power, short-period seismic stations, we applied an innovative tomographic inversion technique based on Bayesian statistics (transdimensional, hierarchical Monte Carlo search with Markov Chains using a Metropolis/Hastings sampler) to derive a three-dimensional shear wave velocity model. An auxiliary 3D airborne time-domain electromagnetic dataset is used to provide additional insight into the subsurface architecture of the area. The velocity model shows distinct anomalies down to approximately 500 m depth that correspond to known geological features of the study area, such as (a) gneiss intercalations in the mica schist-dominated host rock, imaged by a SW-NE striking low velocity zone with a moderately steep northerly dip, and (b) a NW-trending strike-slip fault, imaged as a subvertical linear zone cross-cutting and offsetting this low velocity domain. Similar to the velocity data, the electromagnetic data exhibit north-dipping (high-conductivity) structures in the mica schists, corresponding to the strike and dip of the predominant metamorphic fabric. An unsupervised classification performed on the bivariate 3D dataset yielded nine spatially coherent classes, one of which shows a high correspondence to drilled greisen occurrences in the roof zone of a granite pluton. The relatively high mean shear velocity and resistivity values of this class could be explained by changes in density and composition during greisen formation as observed in other areas of the Erzgebirge. Our study demonstrates the great potential of the cost-efficient and low-impact ambient noise technology for mineral exploration, especially when combined with other independent geophysical datasets.
Review article: Performance assessment of radiation-based field sensors for monitoring the water equivalent of snow cover (SWE)
Authors: Royer Alain , Roy Alexandre , Jutras Sylvain , Langlois Alexandre
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Continuous and spatially distributed data of snow mass (water equivalent of
snow cover, SWE) from automatic ground-based measurements are increasingly
required for climate change studies and for hydrological applications (snow
hydrological-model improvement and data assimilation). We present and
compare four new-generation sensors, now commercialized, that are
non-invasive and based on different radiations that interact with snow for SWE
monitoring: cosmic-ray neutron probe (CRNP), gamma ray monitoring (GMON)
scintillator, frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar (FMCW radar) at 24 GHz and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers (GNSSr). All
four techniques have relatively low power requirements, provide continuous
and autonomous SWE measurements, and can be easily installed in remote
areas. A performance assessment of their advantages, drawbacks and
uncertainties is discussed from experimental comparisons and a literature
review. Relative uncertainties are estimated to range between 9 % and 15 %
when compared to manual in situ snow surveys that are also discussed.
Results show the following. (1) CRNP can be operated in two modes of functioning:
beneath the snow, it is the only system able to measure very deep snowpacks
(> 2000 mm w.e.) with reasonable uncertainty across a wide range
of measurements; CRNP placed above the snow allows for SWE measurements over a
large footprint (∼ 20 ha) above a shallow snowpack. In both cases, CRNP
needs ancillary atmospheric measurements for SWE retrieval. (2) GMON
is the most mature instrument for snowpacks that are typically up to 800 mm w.e. Both CRNP (above snow) and GMON are sensitive to surface
soil moisture. (3) FMCW radar needs auxiliary snow-depth
measurements for SWE retrieval and is not recommended for automatic SWE
monitoring (limited to dry snow). FMCW radar is very sensitive to wet snow,
making it a very useful sensor for melt detection (e.g., wet avalanche
forecasts). (4) GNSSr allows three key snowpack parameters to be
estimated simultaneously: SWE (range: 0–1000 mm w.e.), snow depth and
liquid water content, according to the retrieval algorithm that is used. Its
low cost, compactness and low mass suggest a strong potential for GNSSr
application in remote areas.
Flow dependence of wintertime subseasonal prediction skill over Europe
Authors: Ardilouze Constantin , Specq Damien , Batté Lauriane , Cassou Christophe
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Issuing skillful forecasts beyond the typical horizon of weather predictability remains a challenge actively addressed by the scientific community. This study evaluates winter subseasonal reforecasts delivered by the CNRM and ECMWF dynamical systems and identifies that the level of skill for predicting temperature in Europe varies fairly consistently in both systems. In particular, forecasts initialized during positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) phases tend to be more skillful over Europe at week 3 in both systems. Composite analyses performed in an atmospheric reanalysis, a long-term climate simulation and both forecast systems unveil very similar temperature and sea-level pressure patterns 3 weeks after NAO conditions. Furthermore, regressing these fields onto the 3-weeks-prior NAO index in a reanalysis shows consistent patterns over Europe but also other regions of the Northern Hemisphere extratropics, thereby suggesting a lagged teleconnection, related to either the persistence or recurrence of the positive and negative phases of the NAO. This teleconnection, conditioned to the intensity of the initial NAO phase, is well captured by forecast systems. As a result, it is a key mechanism for determining a priori confidence in the skill of wintertime subseasonal forecasts over Europe as well as other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
Perceptions of tongue-bulb comfort and stability with and without anti-slip patches during assessments of tongue strength and endurance
Authors:   Wichita State University, VanRavenhorst-Bell Heidi , Cook Lucy
Published: November 2021

"
Purpose: The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) is commonly used to measure tongue strength and endurance. The tongue, however, is reported to periodically move from its intended placement on the IOPI bulb during measurement. This study sought to determine one’s perception of tongue-to-bulb slippage with and without two anti-slip patches (Patch1 – flexible fabric, Patch2 – hypoallergenic micropore fabric) and whether measures of tongue strength and endurance differed across the three IOPI bulb conditions.

Method: 40 healthy adults were randomly assigned to perform tongue strength and endurance procedures by elevating either the anterior (n = 22) or posterior (n = 18) portions of the oral tongue. Three IOPI bulb conditions (bulb alone, bulb+Patch1, bulb+Patch2) were used for tongue strength (5 trials per condition) and endurance (3 trials per condition) assessments. A survey to assess comfort level, stability, and preference followed.

Result: The bulb+Patch1 was perceived to maintain placement and significantly reduce tongue-to-bulb slippage, F (2,76) = 43.557, p < .0001; F (2,76) = 45.451, p < .0001, compared to bulb alone and bulb+Patch2, respectively. Tongue strength [anterior: F (2, 42) = 1.467, p = .242; posterior: F (1.41, 24.004) = 0.374, p = .619] and endurance [anterior: F (2, 42) = 3.738, p = .032; posterior: F (2, 34) = 1.399, p = .261] did not differ across conditions.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that healthy adults preferred using the bulb+Patch1 rather than a bare bulb or the bulb+Patch2 due to perceived stability of tongue-to-bulb contact. Given that lingual assessments of maximal performance did not differ across the IOPI bulb conditions, the use of a flexible fabric patch when adhered to the bulb may be helpful for positional stability without impacting testing validity.
"
Kolorystyka biblijna i metafory ucieleśnione na przykładzie czerni w Pieśni nad Pieśniami 1,5–6 i jej wczesnej recepcji
Authors: Kusio Mateusz
Published: November 2021

Artykuł ma na celu ukazanie znaczenia czerni w kontekście Pieśni nad Pieśniami 1,5–6 oraz jej wczesnej recepcji. Przeistacza się ona w oczach późniejszych interpretatorów z opisu dosłownego w metaforę ucieleśnioną wyrażającą prawdy religijne. Dosłowność samego wersetu biblijnego jest dowiedziona przez jego analizę filologiczną. Za reprezentatywne przykłady jego recepcji wzięte są: targum i midrasz do Pieśni nad Pieśniami oraz komentarz i homilie Orygenesa z Aleksandrii. Ich lektura pozwala wykazać, że traktują oni czerń i wygląd oblubienicy z Pieśni nad Pieśniami jako meta-forę niewiedzy, grzechu, odrzucenia przez Boga czy też niskiego stanu, jednocześnie wchodząc ze sobą w dialog egzegetyczny.
Metaforyczność ciała i sposoby obrazowania doświadczenia cielesnego
Authors: Targosz Daria
Published: November 2021

Szkic podejmuje próbę problematyzacji ciała w oparciu o teorie Maurice’a Merleau-Ponty’ego i somatopoetyki Anny Łebkowskiej, a także z uwzględnieniem koncepcji choroby jako metafory Susan Sontag. Tekst zawiera omówienie teorii Merleau-Ponty’ego zawartych m.in. w Fenomenologii percepcji, a opierających się na założeniu podmiotowości ciała i jego niesprowadzalności do poziomu rzeczy. Ponadto szkic omawia przedstawione przez francuskiego filozofa argumenty mówiące o podmiotowości ciała. Natomiast z koncepcji somatopoetyki, która odnosi się do zasad i sposobów uobecnienia się kategorii cielesności, autorka tekstu czerpie narzędzia służące do analizy tekstów za pomocą metafory ciała oraz założenia o potrzebie rozpoznania czy uchwycenia kategorii cielesności, a zarazem o świadomości oporu, który stawia cielesność. Tekst nakreśla także rolę ciała i podejmuje próbę określenia statusu ciała we współczesnej refleksji humanistycznej. Autorka zwraca uwagę na konieczność uwzględnienia spojrzenia na ciało ludzkie, mającego na uwadze jego specyficznie podmiotowy charakter (w przeciwieństwie do przedmiotowego postrzegania ciała). Tekst podejmuje temat sposobów obrazowania doświadczenia cielesnego oraz omawia zagadnienie ciała jako metafory.
Matematyka w metaforach? O wyjaśnianiu pojęć matematycznych za pomocą metafor kognitywnych
Authors: Hohol Mateusz
Published: November 2021

Wielu przedstawicieli nauk o poznaniu zgadza się dziś co do tego, że nasze ciała umożliwiają, a zarazem ograniczają procesy poznawcze. Ponieważ pojęcia abstrakcyjne, w tym matematyczne, wykraczają poza nasze bezpośrednie doświadczenie percepcyjno-motoryczne, stanowią one poważne wyzwanie dla idei ucieleśnionego umysłu. Teoria metafor kognitywnych oferuje rozwiązanie tego problemu. Zakłada ona, że pojęcia abstrakcyjne, w tym matematyczne, opierają się na pojęciach konkretnych, które są z kolei w pełni ugruntowane w percepcji i działaniu. W niniejszym rozdziale przed-stawiam zarówno główne założenia i osiągnięcia teorii metafor w odniesieniu do pojęć matematycznych, jak i różne linie krytyki. Wskazuję jednak, że krytyka teorii metafor jako wyjaśnienia dla poznawczego przetwarzania pojęć abstrakcyjnych nie oznacza, że pojęcia matematyczne są zupełnie odcieleśnione. Jako alternatywę dla teorii metafor przedstawiam słabsze ujęcie ucieleśnienia pojęć, w tym matematycznych, które opiera się na ideach podwójnego kodowania reprezentacji poznawczych oraz języka-jako-rusztowania dla myślenia abstrakcyjnego.
Intersphincteric Resection for Low Rectal Cancer: Parameters Affecting Functional Outcomes and Survival Rates
Authors:   Department of General Surgery Maslak Acibadem Hospital Istanbul, Turkey, Aliyev Vusal , Goksoy Beslen ,   Department of General Surgery Ilhan Varank Sancaktepe Training and  Research Hospital Istanbul, Turkey, Goksel Suha ,   Department of Pathology  Maslak Acibadem Hospital Istanbul, Turkey, Guven Koray ,   Department of Radiology Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University  School of Medicine Istanbul, Turkey, Bakır Barıs ,   Department of Radiology Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine Istanbul, Turkey, Saglam Sezer ,   Department of Medical Oncology Demiroglu Bilim University Istanbul, Turkey, Asoglu Oktar ,   Department of Surgery Bosphorus Clinical Scientific Academy Istanbul, Turkey
Published: November 2021

Introduction: The development of new surgical techniques and devices, as well as the improvements in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy enabled intersphincteric resection (ISR), has reduced permanent colostomy usage. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term oncological and functional outcomes of patients who underwent partial ISR for rectal cancer located less than 5cm from the anal verge. Materials and Methods: A series of 106 consecutive patients with very low rectal cancer underwent curative partial ISR from January 2006 to September 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. One-hundred-three (97%) of 106 patients received neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local recurrence (LR) rates were calculated using Kaplan–Meier methods. The Wexner incontinence score and Kirwan classification were used to evaluate patients’ functional results. Results: The median follow up was 60 months (range, 18–174). The estimated five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 89% and 81.6%, respectively. Five-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 6.6% and 10.4%, respectively. There was no in-hospital and 30-day mortality. The median Wexner score was 9 (range, 0–20) for 72 patients. Age (<65 years, p=0.027) and gender (male, p=0.019) had a positive effect on functional outcomes after surgery. One and five years colostomy-free survival rates were 96% and 89%, respectively. Conclusion: Intersphincteric resection techniques are feasible for patients with very low rectal cancer, providing good oncological and functional outcomes.
Modified Sling Technique for Difficult Filter Retrieval
Authors:   Postgraduate School of Radiodiagnostics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Grillo Pasquale , Granata Giuseppe ,   Postgraduate School of Radiodiagnostics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Savoldi Anna ,   Postgraduate School of Radiodiagnostics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Rodà Giovanni ,   Postgraduate School of Radiodiagnostics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Angileri Salvatore ,   Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, IRCCS Cà Granda Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy, Ierardi Anna ,   Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, IRCCS Cà Granda Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy, Dionigi Gianlorenzo ,   Division of Surgery, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy, Carrafiello Gianpaolo ,   Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, IRCCS Cà Granda Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Published: November 2021

Caval filters are placed in the inferior vena cava (IVC) to prevent pulmonary thromboembolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis. If there is no indication for thrombo-embolic risk prevention, the filter can be removed to reduce potential filter-related complications. Advanced endovascular techniques are frequently used to retrieve IVC filters. We describe an alternative filter-removal technique for use when standard techniques are not practicable. In our method, the filter hook is embedded within the IVC wall. To retrieve it, a long introducer is inserted; a guidewire and the "loop snare" retrieval system are then advanced through it with a coaxial system and positioned below the filter at the level of the common iliac vein confluence. The guidewire is then passed through the loop, creating a "sling" around the filter which allows the application of traction from the bottom upwards, releasing the hook from the wall. The loop is then held under tension with the filter aligned in the IVC lumen, and the introducer is advanced distally to completely cover the filter, allowing complete retrieval of the filter without damaging the vessel walls. This modified Sling technique is a safe and feasible method for complicated IVC filter retrieval.
Preoperative Sucrosomial Iron Supplementation Increases Haemoglobin and Reduces Transfusion Requirements in Elective Heart Surgery Patients: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors:   Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy, Pierelli Luca , De Rosa Alessandro ,   Transfusion Medicine , San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy, Falco Mauro ,   Department of Anesthesiology, European Hospital, Rome, Italy, Papi Elsie ,   Department of Anesthesiology, Aurelia Hospital, Rome, Italy, Rondinelli Maria ,   Transfusion Medicine , San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy, Turani Franco ,   Department of Anesthesiology, Aurelia Hospital, Rome, Italy, Weltert Luca ,   San Camillus International University for Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
Published: November 2021

Background: Low preoperative haemoglobin is frequently observed in heart surgery patients and is associated with a significant decrease in haemoglobin between post-operative days 2 and 3, known as haemoglobin drift. Overall, these patients tend to receive many RBC transfusions. Since iron homeostasis is often impaired in these patients, restoration of iron availability might override iron-restricted erythropoiesis. However, reduced tolerance to oral iron salts has limited this strategy to intravenous iron administration. Study Design and Methods: The purpose of this study was to assess whether preoperative supplementation with oral sucrosomial iron, a new iron-delivery technology with improved tolerance and bioavailability, might be an effective strategy for this patient population. One thousand consecutive patients were randomized and received either a one-month course of sucrosomial iron (60 mg/day) or no treatment prior to elective heart surgery at a single high-volume centre (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03560687). Primary end-points were haemoglobin concentration on the day of hospital admittance and number of blood transfusions. Secondary end-points were haemoglobin drift, tolerance of treatment and cost-effectiveness of sucrosomial iron administration. Results: Baseline haemoglobin in the treatment group was higher (by 0.67 g/dL; p<0.001) than that in the control group. The percentage of patients in the treatment group who required transfusion (35.4%) was half that in the control group (64.6%). The average number of transfused units per operation was 0.95 vs. 2.03 in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Haemoglobin drift was substantially similar in the two groups, and the tolerability of treatment was excellent (98%). The overall cost of treatment was 156 Euros less in the treatment group, expressed as a raw cost of transfusion. Conclusion: In elective heart surgery, routine preoperative sucrosomial iron administration seems to be a safe, well-tolerated and cost-effective strategy to increase preoperative haemoglobin and reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusions.
Robotic Inguinal Hernias Performed at a Community Hospital: a Case Series of 292 Patients
Authors:   Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, McGuirk Matthew , Abouezzi Ziad ,   Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, Zoha Zubair ,   Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, Smiley Abbas ,   Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, Latifi Rifat ,   Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
Published: November 2021

Background: Robotic inguinal hernia repair has become more common and has replaced the laparoscopic approach in many hospitals in the US. We present a retrospective review of 416 consecutive inguinal hernia repairs using the robotic transabdominal preperitoneal approach in an academic community hospital. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 416 consecutive robotic inguinal hernia repairs in 292 patients performed from October 2015 to March 2021 by two surgeons. The demographics, intra-operative findings, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. The results for patients during the initial 25 cases (which were considered to be during the learning curve for each surgeon) were compared to their subsequent cases. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Results: Overall, 292 patients underwent 416 inguinal hernia repairs, of whom 124 (42.5%) had bilateral hernias. The mean age was 61 years and the mean BMI was 26.96 kg/m2. Of the bilateral hernias, 31.5% were unsuspected pre-operatively. Femoral hernias were found in 20.5% of patients, including in 18.4% of men, which were also unsuspected. Post-operatively, 89% of patients were discharged home the same day. The most common post-operative complication was seroma, which occurred in 13%. Three patients required re-intervention: one had deep SSI (infected mesh removal), one had a needle aspiration of a hematoma (SSORI), and one was operated on for small bowel volvulus related to adhesions. On short-term follow-up, there was only one early recurrence (0.2%). When cases during the learning curve period were compared to subsequent surgeries, there were no major differences in post-operative complications or operating time. Patients aged ≥55 years had a 2.456-fold (p=0.023) increased odds of post-operative complications. Conclusions: Robotic inguinal hernia repair can be safely performed at a community hospital with few early post-operative complications and very low early recurrence rates. The robotic approach also allows for the detection of a significant number of unsuspected contralateral inguinal hernias and femoral hernias, especially in male patients. Age ≥55 years was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications.
The results of the study on cultivars of Argyranthemum frutescens (L.) Sch. Bip. in the “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute)
Authors:   “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute), Republic of Moldova, Voineac Ina
Published: November 2021

A new study on several cultivars of Argyranthemum frutescens (L.) Sch.Bip. has been conducted in the “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute). In the process of research, the regenerative ability of plants was studied and the optimal techniques of propagation were established for the tested cultivars. When assessing the decorativeness, the length of the fl owering stage and the morphological characteristics of various cultivars of A. frutescens were recorded. Characteristics and suggested uses of 12 cultivars of A. frutescens are given below.
Development of evaluation of new selected vine varieties in the ecological conditions of the peripheral of the Central Codrii
Authors:   State Agrarian University of Moldova, Mocanu Emilian , Melnic Rodica ,   State Agrarian University of Moldova, Birsa Elena ,   State Agrarian University of Moldova
Published: November 2021

The presented results refer to the study and evaluation of the development of the new selection varieties according to the ecological conditions of the periphery of the Central Codrii. The aim of the research was: highlighting the course of vegetation phases in the newly selected vine varieties, the newly created vine varieties were highlighted with different longevity of the vegetation period from budding to full maturation, which ranged from 132 days ('Aperen Roz') up to 195 days (‘Fetească albă’) and allows to extend the period of current consumption and industrial processing; studying the peculiarities of the growth of shoots and the development of vine leaves of new selection varieties; determination of the productive potential of the varieties of vines of new selection in the ecological conditions of the periphery of the Central Codrii, the productive potential of the last and new generation varieties, which was characterized by the average values at one log 4.05.1 kg for the apyrenic and 4 varieties, 6-4,7 kg per stem for the varieties 'Moldova', 'Fetească albă' and others. A special role in solving the problems of increasing the effi ciency of the wine complex and consolidating the national economy belongs to the category of wines with designation of origin by place of growth. Solving these problems is impossible without a competent assessment of the ecological and productive potential of each territory (micro-district, wine center and other areas), without developing new methods of effi cient use of natural resources, while maintaining the ecological balance and purity of the environment ambient.
Prunetum tenellae Soó 1951 Vincetosum herbaceae Pînzaru subass. nova (Prunion fruticosae R. Tx. 1952) in the cliff vegetation of the Republic of Moldova
Authors:   “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute), Republic of Moldova, Pinzaru Pavel
Published: November 2021

This article presents the characterization of the phytocoenoses dominated by Amygdalus nana that occur in the cliff area of the Dniester river basin, Republic of Moldova, which have been grouped in a new sub-association – vincetosum hederaceae Pînzaru subass. nova, in the association Prunetum tenellae Soó 1951. This sub-association includes xerophilous, thermophilic, western-Pontic phytocoenoses, occurring on sandy clays or on rendzina soils, on the limestone hills of the Dniester river basin, at altitudes of 60-150 m. The fl oristic composition of these phytocoenoses is dominated by the Eurasian elements (50%), followed by the European (10%), the Pontic-Mediterranean (9,6%) and the Central European elements (5,2%). The subassociation Prunetum tenellae Soó 1951 vincetosum herbaceae Pînzaru is of high value in terms of biodiversity conservation and deserves to be included in the List of Protected Plant Associations of the Republic of Moldova
Historical thinking and family historians: Renovating the house of history
Authors:   The University of Newcastle, Australia, Shaw Emma
Published: November 2021

Family history research, as a multi-billion-dollar industry, is one of the most popular pastimes in the world with millions of enthusiasts worldwide. Anecdotally regarded by some in the academy as being non-traditional, family historians are changing the historiographic landscape through the proliferation and dissemination of their familial narratives across multiple media platforms. Learning to master the necessary research methodologies to undertake historical work is a pedagogic practice, but for many family historians this occurs on the fringe of formal education settings in an act of public pedagogy. As large producers of the past, there have been many important studies into the research practices of family historians, where family historians have been shown to draw upon the research methodologies of professional historians. Paradoxically, little attention has been paid to how these large producers of historical knowledge think historically. This paper reports on interview findings from a recent Australian study into the historical thinking of family historians. Drawing on Peter Seixas’ (2011) historical thinking concepts as a heuristic lens, this research finds that some family historians, despite being largely untrained in historical research methodologies (Shaw, 2018), display the theoretical nuances of the history discipline in (re)constructing and disseminating their familial pasts.
Socioeconomic status and psychological distress do not predict mortality risk in the island population of Vis, Croatia
Authors: Lukežić Marina , Ćurković Ana , Kolčić Ivana , Polašek Ozren
Published: November 2021

Aims

To investigate the association between socioeconomic status and psychological distress measured by the General health questionnaire (GHQ-30) with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and cancer mortality on the Croatian island of Vis.

Methods

This population-based cohort consisted of 1,025 subjects (426 men and 599 women), who were followed up for 18 years or a total of 5.8 million days. The causes of death were extracted from the Croatian National Institute of Public Health database. We calculated the adjusted hazard ratios, with subjective material status, years of schooling and a composite household material status used as estimates of socioeconomic status.

Results

There were 279 cases of death (27.2%). Socioeconomic status and psychological distress did not predict either the specific or the all-cause mortality risk. In addition, the interaction between socioeconomic variables and psychological distress also did not yield a significant hazard ratio in all three instances (all-cause, cardiovascular or tumour mortality).

Conclusions

These results confirm previous reports of the high level of social equality in the population of the island of Vis. Small and isolated communities may experience a lesser extent of social inequalities in health.
From Data Journalism to Artificial Intelligence: Challenges Faced by La Nación in Implementing Computer Vision in News Reporting
Authors: de-Lima-Santos Mathias-Felipe , Salaverría Ramón
Published: November 2021

Journalism is at a radical point of change that requires organizations to come up with new ideas and formats for news reporting. Additionally, the notable surge of data, sensors and technological advances in the mobile segment has brought immeasurable benefits to many fields of journalistic practice (data journalism in particular). Given the relative novelty and complexity of implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism, few areas have managed to deploy tailored AI solutions in the media industry. In this study, through a mixed-method approach that combines both participant observations and interviews, we explain the hurdles and obstacles to deploying computer vision news projects, a subset of AI, in a leading Latin American news organization, the Argentine newspaper La Nación. Our results highlight four broad difficulties in implementing computer vision projects that involve satellite imagery: a lack of high-resolution imagery, the unavailability of technological infrastructure, the absence of qualified personnel to develop such codes, and a lengthy and costly implementation process that requires significant investment. This article concludes with a discussion of the centrality of AI solutions in the hands of big tech corporations.
Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound (FAMUS): uptake, completion and barriers to accreditation after two years
Authors:   Clinical Fellow, Acute Medicine, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, Russell J , Dachsel M ,   Consultant Acute Medicine, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, Gilmore A ,   Consultant Acute Medicine, Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, Matsa R ,   Consultant Acute and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke, Smallwood N ,   Consultant Acute Medicine, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill
Published: November 2021

The Society for Acute Medicine launched their ultrasound accreditation in September 2016, involving a practical course alongside completion of scanning competencies. Candidates require a registered supervisor to oversee their training. We present here the results of a survey of attendees of practical courses approximately 2 years after launch. The majority of respondents were Consultants or trainees within AIM. Fourteen of 76 (18.4%) respondents had completed the whole accreditation process, whilst 51 (67.1%) had not completed any of the three individual modules. The biggest barriers to accreditation were seen to be lack of supervisors, and lack of dedicated training time. There was good uptake of available online learning resources with good feedback. These results will be used to help develop the training pathway further and widen access to ultrasound training within the specialty and beyond.
A case report of extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a sequela of COVID-19?
Authors:   MBBS, University College London Hospital, UK., Sivalokanathan S , Syed MO ,   MBBS, University College London Hospital, UK., Sharmila A ,   MBBS, Queen’s Hospital, Romford, UK.
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory disease that is often the trigger for thrombotic complications. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) represents a small percentage of strokes, frequently proving to be a diagnostic challenge. We report a 31-year-old lady presenting with a persistent headache, 18 weeks after a mild COVID-19 illness. On her second visit, CT venography revealed extensive CVST. She was commenced on low-molecular-weight heparin, and was monitored closely in the neuro-medical intensive care unit. She was discharged 2 weeks later, with no residual neurological deficit, and commenced on a direct oral anticoagulant in the community. CVST should be considered in patients presenting with a refractory headache, with greater suspicion if previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenia following ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination
Authors:   MuDr Senior Clinical Fellow in Acute Medicine, Hereford County Hospital, Jafri A , Prieto A ,   MPharm Clinical Pharmacist, Hereford County Hospital
Published: November 2021

Serious thromboembolic events with concurrent thrombocytopenia, sometimes accompanied by bleeding, have occurred very rarely following administration of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. We report the case of a 59-year-old male with an unremarkable medical history who presented to the emergency department with increasing breathlessness five days after receiving the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCov-19. The patient’s blood results showed mild thrombocytopenia and a very high D-dimer, and a pulmonary embolism was confirmed through a CT pulmonary angiogram, which led to a provisional diagnosis of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. The condition was then treated with immunoglobulin and intravenous argatroban in line with the guidance from the Expert Haematology Panel focussed on Vaccine-induced Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia before conversion to apixaban.
EPICENTRE – Delivery of high quality acute medical care without transfer to hospital
Authors:   Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Rajaiah N , Kainth HK ,   Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Knight T ,   Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Sandwell SC ,   Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Published: November 2021

The NHS Five Year Forward View focuses on expansion and development of community services and out-of-hospital care. Hospital at Home is a concept that provides acute active treatment that would traditionally be provided in an inpatient setting, involving nursing staff and therapists. As well as being financially favourable, it is important to acknowledge that often, for a multitude of reasons, people prefer to remain at home rather than be admitted to hospital for treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has further reiterated that patients are at risk of nosocomial infection. More importantly Hospital at Home care has consistently been associated with greater satisfaction compared to acute hospital care for both patients and their family members.
Clinical thermography at extreme temperatures
Authors:   Department of Emergency Medicine, Hospital of South West Jutland, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark., Brabrand M , Nissen S K , Hanson S , Fløjstrup M
Published: November 2021

Every day, emergency departments and acute medical units all over the world receive and assess thousands of patients. Most are stable, but a few require immediate stabilization. To identify these, all patients are routinely triaged and have vital signs measured. Our group has shown that thermographic images of the face can be an alternative method for identifying patients at increased risk of 30-day mortality. In our previous studies, the thermographic images were taken after the patients had been inside for at least 30 minutes. However, to identify patients at risk, the images have to be available as quickly as triage, i.e. at the door when the patient arrives. Therefore, we have performed a small study, with the aim of illustrating the effect of such heat-gradients on thermal images of the face.
Intellectual Dimensions of Madīnian Polity and its Implication for Islamic Governance: Lessons from the Early History of Islam
Authors: Mrahorović Senad
Published: November 2021

The very first verse revealed to the Prophet of Islam ﷺ, namely ﴾ Read in the name of your Lord ﴿ implied the concept of knowledge that corresponds with the intellectual attestation of the first article of Islamic faith, that is, the belief in the unity of God, which for its part requires a specific kind of knowledge related to the Divine. With the same token, the Revelation continued to provide the Prophet ﷺ with the intellectual and spiritual insights that he ﷺ perfectly transformed into the nucleus based on which the first Islamic state known as the Madīnian polity was firmly established. Hence, in this paper, the analysis will cover the intellectual dimensions of the Madīnian polity portrayed here in three essential aspects: the revelation as the principal source of knowledge, the affirmation as the intellectual and practical application of knowledge, and the manifestation as the individual and communal reflection of knowledge. I will argue that the said aspects as they were displayed in the Madīnian polity are the core factors that underpin the Islamic governance as such.
Avanços Científicos em Medicina
Authors:   José Aderval Aragão
Published: November 2021

A atividade médica surgiu há milhares de anos, com origem em rituais e magias que tinham como objetivo afastar as doenças. A arte de curar é, portanto, uma prática antiga, mas que está em constante evolução. O misticismo perdeu espaço para o olhar científico, e a objetividade é a base da medicina hipocrática (o racionalismo foi aplicado pela primeira vez à medicina com Hipócrates). A medicina do futuro será preventiva e terapêutica. Os cuidados não serão mais focados nas enfermidades, e sim, em descobrir as doenças antes que elas aconteçam, com foco na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O médico do futuro deverá ter pensamento crítico, criativo e flexível, ter consciência da necessidade de mudanças. Em meio aos avanços da ciência subsidiados pela tecnologia, os profissionais da medicina enfrentam desafios cotidianos em relação ao bem-estar e à saúde dos pacientes. Tivemos diversos avanços na medicina nesses últimos tempos, como: as cirurgias robóticas assistidas, garantindo procedimentos mais seguros e menos invasivos aos pacientes; o prontuário eletrônico, facilitando a integração e o trabalho de uma equipe multidisciplinar; a telemedicina , que pode levar a uma redução de custos para clínicas e hospitais; novos medicamentos, comunicação instantânea, produção artificial de células humanas, células tronco, etc; avanços esses que estão auxiliando o trabalho de milhares de cientistas e profissionais da saúde, levando à melhoria na expectativa e qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Esperamos que esta obra possa contribuir no processo ensino-aprendizagem de estudantes, professores e demais profissionais da área de saúde.