bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for recurrence in elderly patients with stage II colorectal cancer: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Yagyu Takuki , Yamamoto Manabu , Tanio Akimitsu , Hara Kazushi , Sugezawa Ken , Uejima Chihiro , Kihara Kyoichi , Tatebe Shigeru , Kurisu Yasuro , Shibata Shunsuke , Yamamoto Toshio , Nishie Hiroshi , Shiota Setsujo , Saito Hiroaki , Naka Takuji , Sugamura Kenji , Katano Kuniyuki , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2022

Background

Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered appropriate for patients with risk factors for recurrence, rather than for all patients uniformly. However, the risk factors for recurrence remain controversial, and there is limited information, especially for elderly patients. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is widely used as a simple nutritional screening tool in the elderly and is associated with cancer prognosis and recurrence. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for recurrence in the elderly with stage II CRC, focusing on the GNRI.

Methods

We enrolled 348 elderly patients (≥ 75 years) with stage II CRC who underwent curative resection at the Department of Surgery, Tottori University and our 10 affiliated institutions. The patients were divided into GNRIhigh (≥ 93.465) and GNRIlow (< 93.465) groups.

Results

The GNRIlow group showed a significantly worse overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, GNRIlow (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.244, P < 0.001), pathologic T4 stage (HR: 1.658, P = 0.014), and moderate to severe lymphatic or venous invasion (HR: 1.460, P = 0.033) were independent factors affecting RFS. By using these three factors to score the risk of recurrence from 0 to 3 points, the prognosis was significantly stratified in terms of OS, CSS, and RFS (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). The recurrence rate for each score was as follows: 0 points, 9.8%; 1 point, 22.0%; 2 points, 37.3%; and 3 points, 61.9%.

Conclusions

GNRIlow, pathologic T4 stage, and moderate to severe lymphatic or venous invasion are high-risk factors for recurrence in the elderly with stage II CRC. The scoring system using these three factors appropriately predicted their recurrence and outcome.
Suspected clinical chorioamnionitis with peak intrapartum temperature <380C: the prevalence of confirmed chorioamnionitis and short term neonatal outcome
Authors: Vellamgot Anvar Paraparambil , Salameh Khalil , Habboub Lina Hussain M. , Pattuvalappil Rajesh , Elkabir Naser Abulgasim , Siam Yousra Shehada , Khatib Hakam
Published: April 2022

Background

Chorioamnionitis (CA) affects up to 3.9% of all deliveries worldwide and is one of the leading causes of early-onset neonatal sepsis. Fever≥380C is an essential criterion for the diagnosis of clinical CA. Obstetricians frequently take the maternal risk factors into consideration, and many mothers are treated as CA even with peak intrapartum temperature (PIT) between 37.60C to 37.90C if they have other clinical signs and risk factors.

Aim

To estimate the prevalence of confirmed chorioamnionitis and adverse neonatal outcomes among those mothers with PIT below 380C.

Materials and methods

Retrospective chart review among mothers delivered at Al-Wakra Hospital, Qatar, between1stJanuary2016 to 31stDecember 2019 with a clinical suspicion of CA.

Results

Among 21,471 mothers, 442 were suspected of having CA (2.06%, 95% CI 1.88 to 2.26%). After exclusions, 415 were included in the study, 203(48.9%) mothers had PIT between 37.6-37.90C. There was no significant difference in the rate of confirmed CA between the low (<380C) and higher (≥380C) temperature groups (25.4%Vs.31.3%, OR0.75, 95%CI0.46-1.25 , p.262). More patients in the low-temperature group received paracetamol for PIT between 37.6 to 37.9 0C, while it was less frequently used for such milder elevation in higher temperature group (88.2%Vs.38.9%, OR11.69, 95% CI 6.46-2.15, p <.001).

Conclusion

The incidence of suspected clinical CA in our institution was within the international rates. Although nearly half of the mothers with suspected clinical CA had peak temperature below the recommended diagnostic criteria, the rate of confirmed CA and neonatal outcome was not significantly different from those with PIT≥380C. Early antipyretic use might have affected further elevation of temperature.
Survival of eight LLIN brands 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after a mass distribution campaign in rural and urban settings in Senegal
Authors: Diouf Mbaye , Faye Babacar Thiendella , Diouf El Hadji , Dia Abdoulaye Kane , Konate Abdoulaye , Fall Fatou Ba , Sene Doudou , Diouf Mame Birame , Gadiaga Libasse , Konate Lassana , Dione Demba Anta , Tine Roger Clément , Faye Ousmane
Published: April 2022

Background

Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) are one of the core components of global malaria prevention and control. The lifespan of LLIN varies widely depending on the population or environment, and randomized studies are required to compare LLIN inaccording to arbitrary thresholds

households under different field conditions. This study investigated survival of different LLIN brands in Senegal.

Methods

Ten thousand six hundred eight LLINs were distributed in five regions, each stratified by rural and urban setting. As part of the longitudinal follow-up, 2222 nets were randomly sampled and monitored from 6 to 36 months. Using random effects for households, Bayesian models were used to estimate independent survival by net type (Interceptor®, Life Net®, MAGNet™, Netprotect®, Olyset® Net, PermaNet® 2.0 R, PermaNet® 2.0 C, Yorkool® LN) and by area (rural/urban). In addition to survival, median survival time and attrition of each LLIN brand was determined. Attrition was defined as nets that were missing because they were reported given away, destroyed and thrown away, or repurposed.

Results

Three net types had a proportion of survival above 80% after 24 months: Interceptor®87.8% (95% CI 80–93.4); conical PermaNet® 2.0 86.9% (95% CI 79.3–92.4) and Life Net® 85.6% (95% CI 75–93). At 36 months, conical PermaNet® 2.0 maintained a good survival rate, 79.5% (95% CI 65.9–88.8). The attrition due to redistributed nets showed that the two conical net types (PermaNet® 2.0 and Interceptor®) were more often retained by households and their median retention time was well above 3 years (median survival time = 3.5 years for PermaNet® 2.0 and median survival time = 4 years for Interceptor®). Despite this good retention, Interceptor® had weak physical integrity and its median survival due to wear and tear was below 3 years (median survival time = 2.4 years). The odds ratio of survival was 2.5 times higher in rural settings than in urban settings (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.7–3.7).

Conclusions

Differences in survival among LLIN may be driven by brand, shape or environmental setting. In this study in Senegal, conical PermaNet® 2.0 were retained in households while rectangular PermaNet® 2.0 had lower retention, suggesting that net shape may play a role in retention and should be further investigated. Distribution of preferred LLIN shape, accompanied by good communication on care and repair, could lead to increased effective lifespan, and allow for longer intervals between universal coverage campaigns.
Independent and joint effects of body mass index and metabolic health in mid- and late-life on all-cause mortality: a cohort study from the Swedish Twin Registry with a mean follow-up of 13 Years
Authors: Ler Peggy , Li Xia , Hassing Linda B. , Reynolds Chandra A. , Finkel Deborah , Karlsson Ida K. , Dahl Aslan Anna K.
Published: April 2022

Background

There is robust evidence that in midlife, higher body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), which often co-exist, are associated with increased mortality risk. However, late-life findings are inconclusive, and few studies have examined how metabolic health status (MHS) affects the BMI–mortality association in different age categories. We, therefore, aimed to investigate how mid- and late-life BMI and MHS interact to affect the risk of mortality.

Methods

This cohort study included 12,467 participants from the Swedish Twin Registry, with height, weight, and MHS measures from 1958—2008 and mortality data linked through 2020. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression with age as a timescale to examine how BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obesity) and MHS (identification of MetS determined by presence/absence of hypertension, hyperglycemia, low HDL, hypertriglyceridemia), independently and in interaction, are associated with the risk of all-cause mortality. Models were adjusted for sex, education, smoking, and cardiovascular disease.

Results

The midlife group included 6,252 participants with a mean age of 59.6 years (range = 44.9—65.0) and 44.1% women. The late-life group included 6,215 participants with mean age 73.1 years (65.1—95.3) and 46.6% women. In independent effect models, metabolically unhealthy status in midlife increased mortality risks by 31% [hazard ratio 1.31; 95% confidence interval 1.12–1.53] and in late-life, by 18% (1.18;1.10–1.26) relative to metabolically healthy individuals. Midlife obesity increased the mortality risks by 30% (1.30;1.06–1.60) and late-life obesity by 15% (1.15; 1.04–1.27) relative to normal weight. In joint models, the BMI estimates were attenuated while those of MHS were less affected. Models including BMI-MHS categories revealed that, compared to metabolically healthy normal weight, the metabolically unhealthy obesity group had increased mortality risks by 53% (1.53;1.19—1.96) in midlife, and across all BMI categories in late-life (normal weight 1.12; 1.01–1.25, overweight 1.10;1.01–1.21, obesity 1.31;1.15–1.49). Mortality risk was decreased by 9% (0.91; 0.83–0.99) among those with metabolically healthy overweight in late-life.

Conclusions

MHS strongly influenced the BMI-mortality association, such that individuals who were metabolically healthy with overweight or obesity in mid- or late-life did not carry excess risks of mortality. Being metabolically unhealthy had a higher risk of mortality independent of their BMI.
The impact of novel anchored barbed suture for capsular closure on hospital length of stay after total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao Liming , Su Wen , Huang Zheyu , Zeng Zhimin , Di Zhenglin , Tao Kun
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim was to evaluate whether using novel anchored barded suture for capsular closure can further shorten the length of stay following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within existed enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in osteoarthritis patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted among osteoarthritis patients aged 18 to 80 years without major comorbidities who underwent primary unilateral TKA between January 2018 and December 2019 was conducted. The capsular closure techniques, interventions for ERAS, operation time and length of stay were collected via hospital electronic information system. Propensity-score matching was used to compensate for the difference in interventions for ERAS and patient characteristics. Subgroup comparison of patients treated under normal ERAS protocol was performed.

Results

Included were 315 patients with capsular closure by barded suture and 397 patients with interrupted capsular closure by traditional suture. Patients’ characteristics and interventions for ERAS were balanced after propensity-score matching. The average postoperative length of stay in barded suture group was shorter than the compared group (2.10 ± 0.57 vs. 2.33 ± 0.80 days, p = 0.004), and with a significantly higher proportion of patients discharging within 2 days post procedure (88.0% vs. 70.7%, p < 0.001). The operation time for patients with barded suture closure was shorter compared to interrupted closure technique (100.90 ± 16.59 vs. 105.52 ± 18.47 min, p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis of patients treated under different levels ERAS protocol showed comparable results.

Conclusion

The use of barded suture for capsular closure was associated with shorter length of stay after TKA compared to traditional suture, suggesting that barded suturing technique could be one effective intervention for ERAS.
Essential role of reliable reduction quality in internal fixation of femoral neck fractures in the non-elderly patients—a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Qiu Longhai , Huang Yuliang , Li Guowen , Wu Hongbo , Zhang Yu , Zhang Zhiwen
Published: April 2022

Background

The rate of failure of internal fixation for femoral neck fractures has remained largely unchanged over the past 30 years. The current study attempted to identify the controllable variables influencing the failure of internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.

Methods

The study included 190 patients aged from 20 to 65 with femoral neck fracture caused by low energy violent injuries (fall from standing height), who were treated with multiple cannulated screws over the period 2005–2019 at a single centre. Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analysis was firstly utilized to evaluate the potential interaction between each variable and cumulative rates of reoperation. If P < 0.1 in KM survival analysis, the variables would be included in subsequent Cox survival analysis to explore the influencing need for reoperation of a femoral neck fracture. Next, all of the 190 patients were divided into perfect reduction group (Garden Alignment Index I) and imperfect reduction group (Garden Alignment Index II, III, IV). Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis resulted in 39 pairs. After the baseline variables were balanced between the two groups, cox survival analysis was utilized again to explore the variables influencing the need of reoperation of a femoral neck fracture. Finally, KM survival analysis was utilized to compare the cumulative rate of reoperation between perfect reduction (Group PR) and imperfect reduction (Group IR) as a subgroup analysis.

Results

Before PSM analysis, the mean age was 49.96 ± 12.02 years and the total reoperation rate was 17.40%. Cox survival analysis showed that only reduction quality was interrelated with the need for reoperation before PSM analysis and after PSM analysis. Kaplan–Meier cumulative reoperation rate was higher in Group IR than in Group PR after PSM analysis.

Conclusion

To prolong the service life of the original femoral head, it is essential to achieve a completely anatomical reduction and maintain the reduction quality until the patient fully recovers.
Content and comprehensiveness in the nursing documentation for residents in long-term dementia care: a retrospective chart review
Authors: Laukvik Lene Baagøe , Lyngstad Merete , Rotegård Ann Kristin , Slettebø Åshild , Fossum Mariann
Published: April 2022

Background

Insight into and understanding of content and comprehensiveness in nursing documentation is important to secure continuity and high-quality care planning in long-term dementia care. The accuracy of nursing documentation is vital in areas where residents have difficulties in communicating needs and preferences. This study described the content and comprehensiveness of nursing documentation for residents living with dementia in nursing homes.

Methods

We used a retrospective chart review to describe content and comprehensiveness in the nursing documentation. Person-centered content related to identity, comfort, inclusion, attachment, and occupation was identified, using an extraction tool derived from person-centered care literature. The five-point Comprehensiveness in the Nursing Documentation scale was used to describe the comprehensiveness of the nursing documentation in relation to the nursing process.

Results

The residents’ life stories were identified in 16% of the reviewed records. There were variations in the identified nursing diagnoses related to person-centered information, across all the five categories. There were variations in comprehensiveness within all five categories, and inclusion and occupation had the least comprehensive information.

Conclusion

Findings from this study highlights challenges in documenting person-centered information in a comprehensive way. To improve nursing documentation of residents living with dementia in nursing homes, nurses need to include residents’ perspectives and experiences in their planning and evaluation of care.
Exploring factors associated with hepatitis B screening in a multilingual and diverse population
Authors: Chu Janet N. , Nguyen Tung T. , Rivadeneira Natalie A. , Hiatt Robert A. , Sarkar Urmimala
Published: April 2022

Background

Racial/ethnic minorities bear a disproportionate burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and disease. Disparities in HBV screening contribute to worse outcomes for communities of color. We examined the impact of race/ethnicity, language preference, and having a usual place of care on HBV screening in a multilingual, urban cohort.

Methods

We used questions from the Health Information National Trends Survey and added validated questions about healthcare access and health literacy. We administered this survey in English, Spanish, and Chinese to a selected convenience sample of San Francisco city/county residents in 2017, with pre-specified targets for populations with known cancer disparities: 25% Spanish-speaking, 25% Chinese-speaking, and 25% Black Americans. Using weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses, we assessed how race/ethnicity, language preference, and having a usual place of care impacts self-report of HBV screening.

Results

Overall, 1027 participants completed the survey (50% of surveys administered in English, 25% in Spanish, and 25% in Chinese). Only 50% of participants reported HBV screening. In multivariable analysis, Black (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.08–0.49), Latinx (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.85), Asian (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.10, 0.94), and ‘Other’ race/ethnicity (OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.05–0.53) respondents had lower odds of HBV screening compared to non-Hispanic White respondents. Participants who had insurance had increased odds of HBV screening (OR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.48–4.93).

Conclusions

HBV screening disparities persist for Black Americans, Asian Americans, Latinx, and the uninsured. Future studies should explore reasons why current strategies have not been implemented or are not successful, particularly in addressing racial/ethnic and insurance disparities.
Disparities in expected driving time to opioid treatment and treatment completion: findings from an exploratory study
Authors: Alibrahim Abdullah , Marsh Jeanne C. , Amaro Hortensia , Kong Yinfei , Khachikian Tenie , Guerrero Erick
Published: April 2022

Background

Commuting time to treatment has been shown to affect healthcare outcomes such as engagement and initiation. The purpose of this study is to extend this line of research to investigate the effects of driving time to opioid programs on treatment outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed discharge survey data from 22,587 outpatient opioid use disorder treatment episodes (mainly methadone) in Los Angeles County and estimated the associated driving time to each episode using Google Maps. We used multivariable logistic regressions to examine the association between estimated driving time and odds of treatment completion after adjusting for possible confounders.

Results

Findings show an average driving time of 11.32 min and an average distance of 11.18 km. We observed differences in estimated driving time across age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Young, male, more formally educated, and Medi-Cal-ineligible clients drove longer to treatment. A 10-min drive was associated with a 33% reduction in the completion of methadone treatment plans (p < .01).

Conclusion

This systemwide analysis provides novel time estimates of driving-based experiences and a strong relationship with completion rates in methadone treatment. Specifically, the result showing reduced treatment completion rates for drive times longer than 10 min may inform policies regarding the ideal geographic placement of methadone-based treatment programs and service expansion initiatives.
PTH2R is related to cell proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer: a multi-omics analysis of bioinformatics and experiments
Authors: Xiaowei Wang , Tong Lu , Yanjun Qu , Lili Fan
Published: April 2022

Background

Ovarian cancer is a common gynecological disease and seriously endangers women's health. Currently, there is still a lack of effective molecular markers for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular markers associated with ovarian cancer.

Methods

The molecular and gene related to ovarian cancer were extracted from GEO database and TCGA database by bioinformatics, and the related genes and functions were further analyzed. The results were verified by qPCR, WB, CCK-8 and Transwell experiments.

Results

Data analysis showed that PTH2R gene was highly expressed in tumors, and 51 HUB genes were obtained. Finally, experimental verification showed that PTH2R gene was highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and PTH2R gene was involved in the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.

Conclusions

After experimental verification, we found that knocking down the expression of PTH2R can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of tumor cells.PTH2R is expected to become a new molecular marker for ovarian cancer.
Fast detection and quantification of Plasmodium species infected erythrocytes in a non-endemic region by using the Sysmex XN-31 analyzer
Authors: Khartabil Tania A. , de Rijke Yolanda B. , Koelewijn Rob , van Hellemond Jaap J. , Russcher Henk
Published: April 2022

Background

Due to increased travel from endemic countries, malaria occurs more frequently in non-endemic regions. It is a challenge for diagnostic laboratories in non-endemic countries to provide reliable results, as experience of staff is often limited to only a few cases per year. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the fully automated Sysmex XN-31 malaria analyzer in a routine diagnostic setting in a non-endemic region was evaluated.

Methods

Samples from 112 patients suspected for malaria were examined by the Sysmex XN-31 analyzer to determine the absolute count of malaria-infected red blood cells count (MI-RBC/µL). Microscopic examination of both Quantitative Buffy Coat capillary tubes and thick and thin blood films were used as reference methods. Limits of blank (LoB), detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) were investigated using an in vitro Plasmodium falciparum culture. Nine hundred twenty samples of patients with RBC abnormalities were included to determine which RBC abnormalities trigger indeterminate or false positive results.

Results

No false positive nor false negative results were obtained for the examined patient samples suspected for malaria. For 3% of samples an indeterminate result by the XN-31 was obtained. The Passing-Bablok regression line for diagnostic accuracy of the parasitaemia was y = 39.75 + 0.7892 × showing a positive bias of about 21% when comparing the MI-RBC results to microscopy. The LoB, LoD and LoQ were calculated to be 4.7, 5.9, and 19.0 infected RBC/μL, respectively. From the 920 abnormal RBC samples collected, 4.6% resulted in a false positive MI-RBC result and almost half of the samples produced indeterminate results. These results were related to increases in nucleated red blood cells, reticulocytes and other abnormal RBC morphologies such as sickle cells.

Conclusions

Based on the results, the XN-31 is a fast and reliable screening method in the detection and quantification of Plasmodium species in patients However, if an abnormal red blood cell morphology is present, the results of the XN-31 should be interpreted with caution as false positive results can be caused by interfering abnormal erythrocytes.
Micro/nanostructural properties of peri-implant jaw bones: a human cadaver study
Authors: Koresawa Kazuto , Matsunaga Satoru , Hikita Atsuhiko , Okudera Hajime , Yamaguchi Akira , Yajima Yasutomo , Abe Shinichi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Many points concerning the structure of osseointegration and the surrounding jaw bone remain unclear, and its optimal histological form has yet to be identified. The aim of this study was to clarify the structural characteristics of peri-implant jaw bone on the micro- and nano-scales by quantitatively evaluating bone quality.

Methods

Five samples of human mandibular bone containing dental implants and one dentate sample that had been in place for some years while the donors were still alive were collected. Bulk staining was performed, and 100-μm-thick polished specimens were prepared. The osteon distributions in peri-implant bone and mandibular cortical bone were measured, after which alignment analysis of biological apatite (BAp) crystallites and anisotropy analysis of collagen fiber orientation using second-harmonic generation imaging were carried out.

Results

Osteons in the vicinity of the implant body ran parallel to it. In the cortical bone at the base of the mandible, however, most osteons were oriented mesiodistally. The preferential alignment of BAp crystallites was generally consistent with osteon orientation. The orientation of collagen fibers in peri-implant jaw bone resembled the concentric rings seen in normal cortical bone, but there were also fibers that ran orthogonally across these concentric fibers.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the mechanical strain imposed by implants causes the growth of cortical bone-like bone in areas that would normally consist of cancellous bone around the implants, and that its structural characteristics are optimized for the load environment of the peri-implant jaw bone.
Separation of seismic multiple reflection-refraction based on morphological component analysis with high-resolution linear Radon transform
Authors: Liu Dawei , Zhang Haoqi , Wang Xiaokai , Chen Wenchao , Shi Zhensheng , Zhao Zhonghua
Published: April 2022

Investigating coherent noise attenuation is a continuing concern within seismic signal processing. As a common type of linear coherent noise, the multiple reflection-refraction (MRR) occurs in seismic records in which low-velocity strata overlie high-velocity strata, such as deserts, the Loess Plateau, etc. Due to its high velocity and strong energy, MRR seriously distorts the reflections and affects the interpretation. MRR has linear morphological characteristics on the shot gathers. Thus, a linear Radon transform with a surgical mute is usually applied to suppress MRR. However, significant numbers of shallow reflections are removed unintentionally in the [Formula: see text] domain when reflections overlap MRR. Therefore, a robust method that reduces the leakage of reflection energy is required. We have developed a novel method to attenuate MRR by examining the morphological difference between MRR and useful signals in the [Formula: see text] domain. MRRs are oblique linear events on the shot records, whereas the useful signals are quasi-hyperbolic events under the assumption of horizontal layers. After the high-resolution linear Radon transform, MRRs are ideally mapped into point features, whereas the useful signals are aligned with narrow curve bands in the ellipse. To better separate them in the [Formula: see text] domain, we use the morphological component analysis (MCA) theory and select the 2D stationary wavelet transform and the shearlet transform as sparse representation subdictionaries of point features and curved features, respectively. After MCA separation, we apply the inverse Radon transform to the separated MRRs and subtract them from the original seismic data. Subtraction can better preserve the amplitude of reflections. We use synthetic data and field data to illustrate the effectiveness of our method and demonstrate that making full use of the preceding morphological differences can improve the results of MRR attenuation.
Continuous denoising level adjustment of seismic data through filter modification
Authors: Zhao Yuxing , Li Yue , Lu Shaoping , Dong Xintong , Wu Ning
Published: April 2022

Noise reduction is an important step in seismic data processing. Noise levels display a significant degree of spatial and temporal variability owing to complicated geologic conditions and acquisition environments, making noise reduction extremely challenging. Existing denoising models for seismic data based on deep learning are typically developed using a training set with a single constant noise level or with numerous discrete noise levels within a given range. These models cannot be applied for the recovery of seismic data with continuous noise levels. If the noise level of the seismic data to be processed does not match the denoising model, noise reduction is likely to be incomplete or signal details may be lost. Notably, the filters (convolution kernels) in the models trained by data sets with different noise levels are very similar in terms of visual patterns; only the statistics of their weights differ, such as the mean and variance. Based on this principle, we have designed a generic denoising network to artificially adjust the denoising level. The filter modification layer (FML) in this generic denoising network modifies the filter channel-by-channel. A continuous change in the denoising level between the beginning and final levels can be conducted by altering the FML, thereby preventing over- or underdenoising.
Equilibrium real interest rates in Brazil: Convergence at last, but not quite
Authors: Fonseca Marcelo , Kfoury Muinhos Marcelo , Schulz Evandro
Published: April 2022

Real interest rates in Brazil converged to zero in 2020, but increased again in 2021. This paper aims to measure the equilibrium interest rate to assess the stance of monetary policy. We calculate this latent variable using different methodologies, including a version of Laubach and Williams (2003) with fiscal and credit variables. Based on this approach, the long-run equilibrium rate is in the range of 2-4%, depending on the output gap and risk scenario. Our sensitivity analysis shows that results change slightly in different scenarios of Brazil risk premium and US interest rate. Since 2019, the effective real rate is significantly below the neutral rate and slightly below the Taylor rate, indicating an expansionary monetary policy, but since 2021 is back in a contractionary mode.
Reddit as a prediction tool for crypto-assets
Authors: Loredo Camou Luis Antonio
Published: April 2022

Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have recently become a conversation topic among the general population. This paper will explore the information available in Reddit regarding crypto assets. Unlike other social platforms, Reddit allows analyzing the general population sentiment while conveniently organizing information by topic. We study the benefit of sentiment variables derived from Reddit's crypto forums to forecast volatilities and returns. While volatility forecasts seem to benefit from Reddit sentiment variables consistently, results are not statistically different from a benchmark. In contrast, returns present mixed forecasting results but show statistical differences from the proposed benchmark. We also offer evidence that the Reddit variables gain importance in market-wide and asset-specific events.
The predictability of cross-sectional returns in high frequency
Authors: Wang Yifan
Published: April 2022

Stock return forecast is of great importance to trading, hedging, and portfolio management. In this article, we apply LASSO and random forest to make rolling one-minute-ahead return forecasts of Dow Jones stocks, using the cross-section of lagged returns of S&P 500 components as candidate predictors. Although the number of candidate variables is large, the negative out-of-sample R2 suggests that the predictions from LASSO and random forest give larger mean-squared error than the historical average. So, there is no evidence of predictability in the cross-sectional returns of large stocks in high frequency. The predictability presented by Chinco et al. (2019) might be due to the interaction between large and small stocks.
Διδασκαλία επιστήμης και τεχνολογίας με χρήση σύγχρονων προγραμματιστικών περιβαλλόντων στην Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση
Authors: Χολέβα Βασιλική
Published: April 2022

Στην παρούσα διατριβή παρουσιάζεται ένα διδακτικό πλαίσιο ανάπτυξης τεχνολογικά υποστηριζόμενων μαθησιακών περιβαλλόντων, με αξιοποίηση εργαλείων οπτικού προγραμματισμού, τα οποία προτείνονται στα ισχύοντα και στα συμπληρωματικά Αναλυτικά Προγράμματα (ΔΕΠΠΣ - ΑΠΣ). Ευρύτερο αντικείμενο της διατριβής είναι η διερεύνηση της χρήσης τους στη διδακτική μαθησιακή διαδικασία για την ενίσχυση των μαθησιακών αποτελεσμάτων και για την ανάπτυξη των δεξιοτήτων που επιβάλλει ο εκπαιδευτικός προσανατολισμός του σύγχρονου σχολείου.Η διατριβή προτείνει ένα πλαίσιο εκπαιδευτικών σεναρίων που αναπτύσσονται με τη μέθοδο σχεδίων εργασίας (project), εφαρμόζονται στη διδασκαλία του γλωσσικού μαθήματος σε μαθητές Ε και ΣΤ Δημοτικού κατά την υλοποίηση εκπαιδευτικών παρεμβάσεων και υποστηρίζονται από τα περιβάλλοντα οπτικού προγραμματισμού Kodu και Scratch. Διερευνάται η αξιοποίηση των προγραμματιστικών περιβαλλόντων ως διδακτικά μαθησιακά εργαλεία και η συμβολή τους στην ανάπτυξη μαθησιακών και κοινωνικών δεξιοτήτων.Παρουσιάζονται ερευνητικά δεδομένα που προήλθαν από εργαλεία αξιολόγησης με υψηλό βαθμό πρωτοτυπίας, αφού οι προηγούμενες έρευνες εστιάζουν στην αξιοποίηση των προγραμματιστικών περιβαλλόντων στη διδασκαλία της Πληροφορικής. Τα συμπεράσματα της έρευνας αναδεικνύουν πως τα συγκεκριμένα ψηφιακά εργαλεία κατά την αξιοποίησή τους στη διδασκαλία του γλωσσικού μαθήματος δημιουργούν δυναμικά μαθησιακά περιβάλλοντα, μεταδίδουν γνώση και καλλιεργούν πολύτιμες δεξιότητες όπως κριτική σκέψη, δημιουργικότητα, συνεργασία, επικοινωνία και ψηφιακές ικανότητες.
Το θέατρο σκιών στη Θεσσαλονίκη (1912-1940)
Authors: Κουτσογιάννης Αθανάσιος
Published: April 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή ανήκει στο πεδίο της Ιστορίας του ελληνικού λαϊκού θεάτρου και ειδικότερα πραγματεύεται την πορεία του θεάτρου σκιών στη Θεσσαλονίκη (1912-1940). Μέσα από την ποσοτική καταγραφή και την ποιοτική ανάλυση του υλικού που προέκυψε από την έρευνα, επιχειρείται η σύνθεση της εικόνας του Καραγκιόζη ως λαϊκού θεάματος κατά την συγκεκριμένη χρονική περίοδο, ενταγμένο μέσα στο ευρύτερο ιστορικό και πολιτισμικό τοπίο της πόλης. Εξετάζεται η σχέση του με άλλες ψυχαγωγικές επιλογές των κατοίκων, καθορίζονται, χρονολογικά ταξινομημένες, οι τρεις φάσεις της διαδρομής του, εντοπίζονται και ταξινομούνται με βάση τα χαρακτηριστικά τους οι χώροι των παραστάσεων (καφενεία, θέατρα, κινηματογράφοι) και γίνεται αναφορά στη σύνθεση (κοινωνική, ηλικιακή, εθνολογική) του κοινού και στην αποδοχή που είχε το θέαμα στο πέρασμα του χρόνου. Επίσης, καταγράφονται οι καραγκιοζοπαίχτες που δραστηριοποιήθηκαν στην πόλη, τα έργα που ανέβασαν και τα χαρακτηριστικά της μουσικής των παραστάσεων. Ειδική μνεία γίνεται στην φιγούρα του Εβραίου, η οποία συνδέεται πολιτισμικά με τους σεφαραδίτες Εβραίους της πόλης. Επιπρόσθετα συζητούνται οι διάφορες απόψεις (θετικές ή αρνητικές) που διατυπώθηκαν μέσω του Τύπου από ανώνυμους δημοσιογράφους ή επώνυμους λογίους της πόλης για τον Καραγκιόζη, που συνιστούν και ένα ιδεολογικό αποτύπωμα του θεάματος σχετικά με την πρόσληψή του στην Θεσσαλονίκη. Τέλος, σχολιάζονται δημοσιεύματα του τοπικού Τύπου που χρησιμοποιούν τον Καραγκιόζη για την άσκηση κριτικής της κοινωνικής και πολιτικής πραγματικότητας καθώς και οι διαστάσεις της σάτιρας που συναντώνται σε παραστάσεις και αφορούν στο κοινωνικό πεδίο, μέσα από σχετικά χαρακτηριστικά παραδείγματα. Η διατριβή συνοδεύεται από παραρτήματα με πίνακες και τεκμήρια από τον Τύπο, που αναφέρονται στους καλλιτέχνες, στους χώρους ψυχαγωγίας και στο ρεπερτόριο και που αποτυπώνουν συνοπτικά τα ερευνητικά δεδομένα.
Urban and social data analysis techniques for knowledge extraction in smart cities
Authors: Μουστάκα Βάια
Published: April 2022

Ο υψηλός ρυθμός αστικοποίησης με τις προκλήσεις που τον συνοδεύουν και η απαίτηση για την εξοικονόμηση πόρων και την επίτευξη της αειφορίας και της ανθεκτικότητας σε εθνικό και διεθνές επίπεδο, οδήγησαν στην ανάδυση και την εύρεια διάδοση του οράματος της “ευφυούς πόλης”. Σκοπός του μετασχηματισμού μιας “συμβατικής” πόλης σε “ευφυή” είναι η βελτίωση της λειτουργικής αποτελεσματικότητας της πόλης, η παροχή καλύτερης ποιότητας κρατικών υπηρεσιών και η επίτευξη της ευημερίας των πολιτών. Δεδομένου ότι η πόλη αποτελεί ένα “σύστημα συστημάτων” που εκτείνεται σε έξι διαστάσεις, που περιλαμβάνουν μεμονωμένες υπηρεσίες για την αντιμετώπιση των αστικών αναγκών, καθίσταται σαφές ότι ο αποτελεσματικός σχεδιασμός και η συστηματική ανάπτυξη των ευφυών πόλεων απαιτεί την απόκτηση βαθειάς γνώσης για την πόλη. Η γνώση αυτή που ειναι απαραίτητη στη χάραξη πολιτικής και στην καινοτομία προέρχεται από την αξιοποίηση των αστικών δεδομένων που παράγονται, κυκλοφορούν και καταναλώνονται στις διάφορες υποδομές δεδομένων της πόλης. Η υλοποίηση του οράματος των ευφυών πόλεων έχει προσελκύσει το ενδιαφέρον πολλών μελετητών και επαγγελματιών, οι οποίοι πρότειναν διάφορες λύσεις, τόσο συγκεκριμένες (π.χ. για μια συγκεκριμένη πόλη, πρόβλημα, ανάγκη κ.λπ.) όσο και γενικές (π.χ. υπηρεσίες πολλαπλών χρήσεων, αρχιτεκτονικές κ.λπ.), με βάση τα ερευνητικά τους ενδιαφέροντα και την τεχνογνωσία τους. Ωστόσο, καθώς το όραμα ωριμάζει, εμφανίζονται νέες ερευνητικές προκλήσεις που αφορούν: α) την μοντελοποίηση και την τυποποίηση των ευφυών πόλεων ώστε να καταστεί εφικτός ο σχεδιασμός γενικευμένων λύσεων και η μέτρηση της απόδοσης των παρεμβάσεων, και β) το σχεδιασμό υπηρεσιών που αξιοποιούν δεδομένα για υποστήριξη της λήψης απόφασεων κατά το σχεδιασμό των ευφυών πόλεων. Επιπλέον, ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει η διερεύνηση των θεμάτων της ασφαλείας και της προστασίας ιδιωτικού απορρήτου στις ευφυείς πόλεις, καθώς τεράστιες ποσότητες αστικών ετερογενών δεδομένων που σύνδεονται άμεσα ή έμμεσα τους πολίτες παράγονται και αξιοποιούνται καθημερινά σε αυτές. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τα παραπάνω, η παρούσα διατριβή εστιάζει στην εξαγωγή γνώσης από αστικά και κοινωνικά δεδομένα και στην ανάπτυξη τεχνικών, πλαισίων και υπηρεσιών που θα συμβάλουν στη διαδικασία λήψης αποφάσεων σχετικά με το σχεδιασμό και τη διαχείριση των ευφυών πόλεων. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, η διατριβή επικεντρώνεται σε τέσσερις θεματικούς άξονες, που είναι οι ακόλουθοι: α) συστηματική ανασκόπηση της συμβολής των αστικών δεδομένων στην πραγματοποίηση του οράματος των ευφυών πόλεων, β) μοντελοποίηση και τυποποίηση των ευφυών πόλεων, γ) αντιμετώπιση των τρωτών σημείων των διαδικτυακών κοινωνικών δικτύων στις ευφυείς πόλεις, και δ) σχεδιασμός και ανάπτυξη υπηρεσιών που βασίζονται σε δεδομένα (data-driven services) για ευφυείς πόλεις.
Φιλοσοφικές προϋποθέσεις ερμηνείας του κινηματογράφου με βάση την Καντιανή Ηθική
Authors: Δήμου Δήμητρα
Published: April 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή ερευνά τις φιλοσοφικές προϋποθέσεις της καντιανής ηθικής ως απαραίτητου θεωρητικού υποβάθρου για την ανάγνωση, κατανόηση και αντίληψη της τέχνης του σύγχρονου κινηματογράφου ως μέσου διάδοσης αυθεντικών φιλοσοφικών ιδεών. Η μελέτη εστιάζεται προκαταρκτικά στην αναδρομική παρουσίαση των αισθητικών και ηθικών φιλοσοφικών ρευμάτων, με ορόσημο την εποχή του γερμανικού ιδεαλισμού και ειδικότερη ανάλυση των αρχών της θεωρίας του Immanuel Kant περί αισθητικής και ηθικής αντίστοιχα. Εφόσον με αυτά τα πεδία καλύπτεται το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο στα δύο πρώτα μέρη, στο επόμενο τρίτο μέρος γίνεται χρήση παραδειγμάτων σύγχρονων και κλασικών κινηματογραφικών αναπαραστάσεων και εξετάζεται προς απόδειξη η ισχύς της πιθανότητας ανάγνωσης και διάδοσης της καντιανής ηθικής δια του μη αναμενόμενου (για τα φιλοσοφικά δεδομένα) μέσου του κινηματογράφου.Το κύριο ζήτημα της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η απόδειξη ότι η φιλοσοφία συνολικά και η κλασική καντιανή θεώρηση συγκεκριμένα, δεν διατελούν αναγκαστικά απομακρυσμένες από τη σύγχρονή μας εποχή και δύναται να εμπεριέχονται στην πλέον εξελιγμένη - από την άποψη του ύψους των υλικοτεχνικών απαιτήσεων - μορφή τέχνης. Σε μια περίοδο που η εμβριθής μελέτη της φιλοσοφίας τείνει να χαρακτηριστεί αντιπαραγωγική και δυστυχώς δεν προτείνεται για τη σύναψη ενός χειροπιαστού δεσμού με την πραγματικότητα, η αναζήτηση εναλλακτικών φορέων διάδοσης των φιλοσοφικών αρχών αποτελεί μια νεωτερική πρόταση· σε μια περίοδο ολοκληρωτικής κρίσης κάθε ηθικού συστήματος, είναι επιτακτικής σημασίας η ανάγκη εξοικείωσης του μέσου πολίτη ως φιλοσοφικού υποκειμένου με τις καντιανές ηθικές αρχές. Η σημασία της έρευνας υπογραμμίζεται από την επιτακτική θεώρηση της φιλοσοφίας στο συνολικό πλαίσιο των κοινωνικών επιστημών, ώστε να ενταχθεί επιτυχώς η παραδοσιακή στη σύγχρονη μετανεωτερική φιλοσοφική οπτική και να αποτελέσει μια δυναμική πρόταση της διδασκαλίας της φιλοσοφίας σε όλες τις εκπαιδευτικές βαθμίδες. Η εν λόγω διατριβή αποτελεί μια μορφή ποιοτικής έρευνας που εκθέτει τις προϋποθέσεις, εξετάζει τα δεδομένα και προβάλλει τα συμπεράσματα της έρευνας, την οποία αφορά, δηλαδή ακριβώς τη δυνατότητα ανάγνωσης της καντιανής ηθικής στον σύγχρονο, εμπορικό, δημοφιλή (pop), αμφισβητούμενο κινηματογράφο, πραγματοποιώντας παράλληλα διαδοχικά τη σύνδεση αισθητικής και ηθικής, ηθικής και τέχνης και, εντέλει, καντιανής ηθικής και κινηματογράφου.
On equivalence of differential equations
Authors: Kruglikov Boris , Lychagin Valentin
Published: April 2022

In this paper we investigate the equivalence of nonlinear partial differential equations. We consider PDEs as submanifolds of the jet bundles and study the restriction of the Cartan and the metasymplectic structures on the equation. They generate curvature-like invariants of the differential equation. We formulate our equivalence theorems in terms of these invariants.
Some tests criteria for the covariance matrix with fewer observations than the dimension
Authors: Srivastava Muni S.
Published: April 2022

We consider testing certain hypotheses concerning the covariance matrix Σ when the number of observations N=n+1 on the p-dimensional random vector x, distributed as normal, is less than p, n
p, p-fixed, and p/n goes to zero, to the case when n<p, n-fixed, and n/p goes to zero. The third test is the normalized version of Fisher’s z-transformation which is shown to be asymptotically normally distributed as n and p go to infinity (irrespective of the manner). A test for the fourth hypothesis is constructed using the spherecity test for a (p−1)-dimensional vector but this test can only reject the hypothesis, that is, if the hypothesis is not rejected, it may not imply that the hypothesis is true. The first three tests are compared with some recently proposed tests.
On the osculator Lorentz spheres of timelike parallel p_i-equidistant ruled surfaces in the Minkowski 3-space R_1^3
Authors: Kuruoğlu Nuri , Masal Melek
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present radii and curvature axes of osculator Lorentz spheres of the timelike parallel pi-equidistant ruled surfaces with a timelike base curve in the Minkowski 3-space R13 and give the arc lengths of indicatrix curves of timelike base curves of these surfaces.
Stochastic modelling of insurance liabilities
Authors: Pettere Gaida
Published: April 2022

Our aim is to present a method for estimating incurred but not reported (IBNR) claim reserves. Each claim is described by threecharacteristics: the claim size, the allocated loss adjusted expense and the development time. We concentrate on the joint study of all three random variables. First, the marginal univariate distributions are estimated using families of lognormal, Pareto, Wald and Gamma distributions. Next, the matrix of dependence characteristics is found between the three variables and then different multivariate copulas are used to model the joint distribution. The obtained models are fitted to the real data of motor liability insurance of a Latvian insurance company. By simulation the average claim size and allocated loss adjustment expenses in each development day have been estimated. Finally, outstanding claim reserve has been estimated.
Regions of insensitivity for the variance of the estimator of a linear function of the mean parameters in the mixed linear model with type II constraints
Authors: Bohacova Hana , Heckenbergerova Jana
Published: April 2022

The insensitivity regions for the variance of the estimator of a linear function of the mean parameters in a mixed linear modelare already described in different sources. The aim of this paper is to outline one possible way of their utilization and to extend the concept of insensitivity to the estimators of a linear function of the mean parameters of the mixed linear model with type II constraints.
Admissible regions for neglecting parameters in linear statistical models
Authors: Kubáček Lubomír
Published: April 2022

Large number of parameters in linear statistical models can make their interpretation or subsequent handling difficult. The aim ofthe paper is to find admissible regions for neglecting a chosen group of parameters.
Thyrotropic effects of balneotherapy in Truskavets’ spa and their endocrine, vegetative and metabolic accompaniments
Authors: Ruzhylo Sofiya , Zakalyak Nataliya , Popovych Dariya , Kikhtan Volodymyr , Seniv Teodor , Novak Oksana , Mats’ko Oksana , Żukow Xawery
Published: April 2022

Background. Previous studies of the Truskavetsian Scientific School of Balneology have studied the effects of course use of bioactive water Naftussya - the main therapeutic factor of the spa - on plasma levels of thyroid hormones in males and females healthy rats and women with thyroid hyperplasia. In men with chronic cholecystitis, the immediate thyrotropic effects of a single use of Naftussya water have been studied. The aim of this study is thyrotropic effects of balneotherapy in Truskavets’ spa and their endocrine, vegetative and metabolic accompaniments in men and women with chronic cholecystitis and pyelonephritis. Materials and Methods. The object of clinical-physiological observation were 34 men (23-70 years) and 10 women (39-76 years), who underwent rehabilitation treatment of chronic cholecystitis and pyelonephritis in remission in the Truskavets’ spa. The examination was performed twice, before and after a 7-10-day course of balneotherapy. The main object of study was the plasma level of Triiodothyronine. We determined also content in plasma Cortisol, Aldosterone, Testosterone and Calcitonin as well as the parameters of the HRV and metabolism. Results. We find in 16 patients (12 men and 4 women) inhibitory thyrotropic effect, in 22 (16 men and 6 women) neutral, and in 6 men only – enhancing effect of balneotherapy. Each variant of the thyrotropic effect is accompanied by characteristic changes in testosteronemia, calcitoninemia, parathyroid activity, Heart Rate, Baevskiy’s Activity Regulatory Systems Index, HRV-markers of vagal tone, Calciemia as well as VLD and LD lipoproteins Cholesterol plasma. Conclusion. Our data confirmed and supplemented the provisions on the multivariate effects of balneotherapy in the spa of Truskavets’ on the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems and metabolism of patients.
Co-worker relationships and their impact on nurses in Irish public healthcare settings
Authors: Hanafin Sinéad , Cosgrove Jude , Hanafin Patrick , Lynch Ciaran , Brady Anne-Marie
Published: April 2022

This article presents the findings of a secondary analysis of data arising from a quantitative study of 3769 nurses on co-worker relationships and their impact on nurses working in public healthcare settings in Ireland. The overall findings from this analysis suggest moderate to high levels of satisfaction with co-worker relationships, with an average scale mean of 77%. Statistically significant lower scale means were identified in respect of nurses whose basic nursing qualification was awarded in a country outside the EU, among students and among those working in the west of Ireland. Respondents intending to leave the healthcare workforce reported significantly lower scores (74%) on this index compared with those intending to stay (79%). Significant positive correlations between co-worker relationships and workplace engagement (0.233), job satisfaction (0.225), organisational commitment (0.221) and perception of managers (0.259) were identified. These findings have implications for the retention of nurses working in Irish public healthcare services.