bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring in severe pediatric abusive head trauma
Authors: Lang Shih-Shan , Kumar Nankee K. , Rahman Raphia , Tucker Alexander , Flanders Tracy M. , Heuer Gregory G. , Storm Phillip B. , Zhao Chao , Huh Jimmy W.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is one of the most devastating forms of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). It commonly presents with seizures, which may contribute to poor neurological outcome following trauma. Noninvasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) neuromonitoring may provide information on cerebral oxygenation and perfusion. In this study, the authors evaluated whether NIRS regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) values were associated with seizure activity confirmed by electroencephalography (EEG) and whether NIRS neuromonitoring could aid in seizure detection in patients with severe AHT.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients aged ≤ 18 years who were admitted to a quaternary urban pediatric hospital from 2016 to 2022 with severe AHT, who received NIRS and EEG monitoring during their hospital course. They evaluated clinical presentation and hospital course, including imaging findings, EEG findings, and NIRS rSO2 values.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with severe AHT were monitored with both EEG and NIRS. The median age was 3.4 months, and 14 patients experienced seizures confirmed by EEG. On average, rSO2 values before, during, and after seizure did not differ significantly. However, within individual patients, bilateral regional NIRS rSO2 (bilateral forehead region) was seen to rise in the hour preceding seizure activity and during periods of frequent seizure activity, confirmed by EEG in the bilateral frontal-midline brain regions.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest study to analyze NIRS and seizures confirmed by EEG in the severe AHT population. The relationship between NIRS values and seizures in this series of pediatric patients with severe AHT suggests that, overall, regional NIRS cannot predict early seizures. However, increased cerebral oxygenation preceding seizure activity and during seizure activity may be detected by regional NIRS in certain patients with local seizure activity. Future studies with larger sample sizes may help elucidate the relationship between seizures and cerebral oxygenation in different regions in severe pediatric AHT.
Mental health comorbidities in workers’ compensation patients and the effect on pain, disability, quality of life, and return to work after lumbar spine surgery
Authors: Monk Steve H. , Hani Ummey , Stanley Gerry , Pfortmiller Deborah , Kim Paul K. , Bohl Michael A. , Holland Christopher M. , McGirt Matthew J.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

The impact of mental health comorbidities on outcomes after lumbar spine surgery in workers’ compensation (WC) patients has not been robustly explored. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of mental health comorbidities on pain, disability, quality of life, and return to work after lumbar spine surgery in WC patients.

METHODS

A nationwide, prospective surgical outcomes registry (National Neurosurgery Quality Outcomes Database [N2QOD]) was queried for all patients who underwent 1- to 4-level lumbar decompression and/or fusion from 2012 to 2021. Patients were stratified on the basis of compensation status into non-WC (25,507) and WC (1018) cohorts. Baseline demographic data, perioperative safety data, and patient-reported outcome measures were compared between groups. The WC cohort was further subdivided on the basis of mental health status into patients with anxiety and depression (n = 107) and those without anxiety and depression (n = 911). Propensity matching was used to generate parity between these subgroups, generating 214 patients (107 pairs) for analysis. Perioperative safety, facility utilization, 1-year patient-reported outcomes (back and leg pain, disability, and quality of life), and return to work were measured as a function of WC and mental health comorbidity status.

RESULTS

A total of 26,525 patients (25,507 non-WC and 1018 WC) who underwent 1- to 4-level lumbar spine surgery were reviewed. WC patients were younger, healthier (lower American Society of Anesthesiologists class), more likely to be minorities, less educated, and more likely to smoke and had greater baseline back pain, disability, and quality of life compared to non-WC patients. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was similar between groups (11%). WC patients had worse outcomes for all measures and lower rates of return to work compared to non-WC patients. WC patients with anxiety and depression demonstrated even greater disparities in all outcomes. After propensity matching, WC patients with anxiety and depression continued to demonstrate significantly worse outcomes in comparison to WC patients without anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities in outcomes after lumbar spine surgery in WC patients are exacerbated in patients with anxiety and depression. WC patients with mental health comorbidities receive the least benefit from lumbar spine surgery and may represent the most vulnerable subset of patients with spine pathology. Addressing mental health comorbidities preoperatively may represent an opportunity for valuable resource allocation and surgical optimization in the WC population.
Enhancing outcomes in deep brain stimulation: a comparative study of direct targeting using 7T versus 3T MRI
Authors: Middlebrooks Erik H. , Tipton Philip W. , Greco Elena , Okromelidze Lela , Patel Vishal , Wszolek Zbigniew K. , Zhou Xiangzhi , Tao Shengzhen , Westerhold Erin M. , Straub Sina , Uitti Ryan J. , Sandhu Sukhwinder Johnny Singh , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Grewal Sanjeet S.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of direct targeting in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for essential tremor using 7T MRI versus 3T MRI. The authors hypothesized that 7T MRI direct targeting would be noninferior to 3T MRI in early tremor outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing unilateral thalamic DBS for essential tremor between 2021 and 2023. Two matched cohorts were assessed, one using 7T MRI and the other using 3T MRI for surgical planning. The primary endpoint was the percentage improvement in the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) scores. Additionally, the authors assessed optimized programming settings and variance in electrode position on postoperative imaging. Demographic and clinical data were compared using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test. The squared Euclidean distance of each contact from the group mean centroid was calculated and averaged across the entire cohort to provide the variance (i.e., the mean squared distance) of electrode contact position.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients were analyzed, with 17 in each cohort. There were no significant differences in demographic information or mean surgical dates between the groups. There were no differences in intraoperative target repositioning or adverse events. The 7T group had a significantly greater TRS improvement than the 3T group (64.9% ± 11.4% vs 50.9% ± 16.4%, p = 0.004). Patients in the 7T cohort also had a lower mean stimulation current compared with those in the 3T cohort (2.0 ± 0.8 mA vs 2.7 ± 0.9 mA, p = 0.01). Image evaluation revealed that although the mean electrode position was comparable between 7T and 3T, the 7T electrode positioning was more clustered, indicating a lower variance in the final electrode location. The mean Euclidean distance between the individual electrode tips and the group centroid was significantly less at 7T than at 3T (1.82 ± 0.68 mm vs 2.75 ± 0.81 mm, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite concerns for increased artifacts and distortions at 7T, the authors show that these effects can be mitigated with an appropriate workflow, leading to improved surgical outcomes with direct targeting using 7T MRI. Their results suggest similar accuracy but greater precision in targeting with 7T MRI compared with 3T MRI, resulting in lower stimulation currents and improved tremor reduction. Future studies are needed to assess outcomes related to 7T MRI in targeting other subcortical structures.
Racial disparities in short-term spinal fusion outcomes across 4263 consecutive patients
Authors: Borja Austin J. , Gallagher Ryan S. , Karsalia Ritesh , Chauhan Daksh , Malhotra Emelia G. , Punchak Maria A. , Na Jianbo , McClintock Scott D. , Schuster James M. , Malhotra Neil R.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Race plays a salient role in access to surgical care. However, few investigations have assessed the impact of race within surgical populations after care has been delivered. The objective of this study was to employ an exact matching protocol to a homogenous population of spine surgery patients in order to isolate the relationships between race and short-term postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

In total, 4263 consecutive patients who underwent single-level, posterior-only lumbar fusion at a single multihospital academic medical center were retrospectively enrolled. Of these patients, 3406 patients self-identified as White and 857 patients self-identified as non-White. Outcomes were initially compared across all patients via logistic regression. Subsequently, White patients and non-White patients were exactly matched on the basis of key demographic and health characteristics (1520 matched patients). Outcome disparities were evaluated between the exact-matched cohorts. Primary outcomes were readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits, reoperations, mortality, intraoperative complications, and discharge disposition.

RESULTS

Before matching, non-White patients were less likely to be discharged home and more likely to be readmitted, evaluated in the ED, and undergo reoperation. After matching, non-White patients experienced higher rates of nonhome discharge, readmissions, and ED visits. Non-White patients did not have more surgical complications either before or after matching.

CONCLUSIONS

Between otherwise similar cohorts of spinal fusion cases, non-White patients experienced unfavorable discharge disposition and higher risk of multiple adverse postoperative outcomes. However, these findings were not accounted for by differences in surgical complications, suggesting that structural factors underlie the observed disparities.
The potential of proximal junctional kyphosis prevention using a novel tether pedicle screw construct: an in silico study comparing the influence of standard and dynamic techniques on adjacent-level range of motion and load pattern
Authors: Decker Sebastian , Koller Heiko , Overes Tom , Montali Andrea , Clin Julien , Hachem Bahe
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

A tether pedicle screw (TPS) enables individual stepless pretensioning and is placed at one or two levels above the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV+1 and UIV+2, respectively). This study aimed to evaluate a novel customized TPS for the prevention of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and to investigate the potential to generate a smoother force transition from cranial to long fusion during trunk flexion, instead of an abrupt change at the UIV, following adult spinal deformity surgery.

METHODS

A finite element model was designed based on an adult patient with spinal deformity instrumented from T10 to S1. Five different sagittal balance types and implant configurations were tested. The proximal range of motion (ROM) and intervertebral stress were examined, with a special focus on their respective discontinuities.

RESULTS

Tension shielding at UIV/UIV+1 by the TPS was consistent irrespective of sagittal profiles. The use of TPSs at UIV+1 and UIV+2 increased the efficacy in reducing spinal ROM discontinuity at UIV/UIV+1, as compared with the use of TPSs at UIV+1 only. Through the use of two pairs of TPSs cranial to the UIV, the optimal tension configuration could be defined to avoid a reduction effect at UIV+1. Neither the addition of transition rods to the TPSs nor the use of transition rods in combination with standard pedicle screws improved the junctional mechanics when compared with TPSs at UIV+1/UIV+2.

CONCLUSIONS

A smoother motion discontinuity at the UIV can be achieved via implementation of a TPS strategy. This new technology shows favorable in silico mechanics for reducing the risk of PJK.
Benefits of stereotactic radiosurgical anterior capsulotomy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis
Authors: Gupta Rishabh , Chen Jeffrey W. , Hughes Natasha C. , Hamo Mohammad , Jean-Baptiste Samuel , Paulo Danika L. , Chanbour Hani , Fan Run , Ye Fei , Vadali Abhiram , Cmelak Anthony , Bick Sarah K.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Anterior capsulotomy (AC) is a therapeutic option for patients with severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The procedure can be performed via multiple techniques, with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) gaining popularity because of its minimally invasive nature. The risk-benefit profile of AC performed specifically with SRS has not been well characterized. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to characterize outcomes following stereotactic radiosurgical AC in OCD patients.

METHODS

Studies assessing mean Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores before and after stereotactic radiosurgical AC for OCD were included in this analysis. Inverse-variance fixed-effect modeling was used for pooling, and random-effects estimate of the ratio of means and standard mean differences were calculated at 6 months, 12 months, and the last follow-up for Y-BOCS scores, as well as the last follow-up for the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)/BDI-II scores. A generalized linear mixed model was used to generate fixed- and random-effects models for categorical outcomes. Univariate random-effects meta-regression was used to evaluate associations between postoperative Y-BOCS scores and study covariates. Adverse events were summed across studies. Publication bias was assessed with Begg’s test.

RESULTS

Eleven studies with 180 patients were eligible for inclusion. The mean Y-BOCS score decreased from 33.28 to 17.45 at the last-follow up (p < 0.001). Sixty percent of patients were classified as responders and 10% as partial responders, 18% experienced remission, and 4% had worsened Y-BOCS scores. The degree of improvement in the Y-BOCS score correlated with time since surgery (p = 0.046). In the random-effects model, the mean BDI at the last follow-up was not significantly different from that preoperatively. However, in an analysis performed with available paired pre- and postoperative BDI/BDI-II scores, there was significant improvement in the BDI/BDI-II scores postoperatively. Adverse events numbered 235, with headaches, weight change, mood changes, worsened depression/anxiety, and apathy occurring most commonly.

CONCLUSIONS

Stereotactic radiosurgical AC is an effective technique for treating OCD. Its efficacy is similar to that of AC performed via other lesioning techniques.
Effect of high disease activity on spinal sagittal malalignment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Honda Shintaro , Murata Koichi , Fujibayashi Shunsuke , Otsuki Bungo , Shimizu Takayoshi , Fujii Takayuki , Okuzu Yaichiro , Kawai Toshiyuki , Kuroda Yutaka , Onishi Akira , Murakami Kosaku , Onizawa Hideo , Tanaka Masao , Morinobu Akio , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Atlantoaxial subluxation is a well-known serious complication encountered in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is unknown whether RA affects global spinal alignment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether high disease activity in patients with RA exacerbates spinal sagittal malalignment.

METHODS

The authors included 197 patients with RA who were followed up for > 2 years; standing spinal radiographs were obtained in all patients. Patients were divided into persistent moderate disease activity/high disease activity (pMDA/HDA; n = 64) and non-pMDA/HDA (n = 133) groups based on the disease activity at follow-up visits. Radiographic parameters assessed included pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), and C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA).

RESULTS

Over an average 5-year follow-up, increases in SVA, PT, and TK and a decrease in LL were observed. The pMDA/HDA group had a larger increase in PT and a higher incidence of vertebral fractures than the non-pMDA/HDA group. After adjusting variables using propensity score matching, the authors still found a higher rate of increase in PT (0.79°/year vs 0.01°/year, p = 0.001) in the pMDA/HDA group than in the non-pMDA/HDA group. This trend remained consistent even when patients who developed vertebral fractures were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal sagittal alignment deteriorates over time in patients with RA. High disease activity in RA exacerbates spinal deformity.
Treatment of conus medullaris arteriovenous malformation: the role of microsurgical treatment
Authors: Lee Jong Min , Park Jin Hoon , Park Jung Cheol , Ahn Jae Sung , Park Wonhyoung
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Conus medullaris arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is rare and challenging to treat. To better define the presentation, prognosis, and optimal treatment of these lesions, the authors present their treatment experiences for conus medullaris AVM.

METHODS

Eleven patients with AVM of the conus medullaris were identified between March 2013 and December 2021. Among these patients, 7 who underwent microsurgical treatment were included. Patient data, including age, sex, symptoms at presentation, neurological status, radiological findings, nidus depth (mainly pial lesion vs intramedullary lesion), type of treatment, and recurrence at follow-up, were collected. Postoperative angiography was performed in all patients. Spinal cord function was evaluated using the Frankel grade at the time of admission and 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

All 7 patients presenting with myeloradiculopathy were treated surgically. Four patients (57.1%) underwent endovascular embolization, followed by resection. The other 3 patients underwent microsurgery only. Complete occlusion was confirmed with postoperative angiography in all patients. Of the 3 patients who were nonambulatory before surgery (Frankel grade C), 2 were able to walk after surgery (Frankel grade D) and 1 remained nonambulatory (Frankel grade C) at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the authors’ clinical experiences, the results of multimodal treatment for conus medullaris AVM are good, with microsurgical treatment playing an important role. The microsurgical strategy can differ depending on the location of the nidus, and when possible, good results can be expected through microsurgical resection.
Multi-Ethnic Norms for Volumes of Subcortical and Lobar Brain Structures Measured by Neuro I: Ethnicity May Improve the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease1
Authors: Choi Yu Yong , Lee Jang Jae , te Nijenhuis Jan , Choi Kyu Yeong , Park Jongseong , Ok Jongmyoung , Choo IL Han , Kim Hoowon , Song Min-Kyung , Choi Seong-Min , Cho Soo Hyun , Choe Youngshik , Kim Byeong C. , Lee Kun Ho
Published: April 2024

Background: We previously demonstrated the validity of a regression model that included ethnicity as a novel predictor for predicting normative brain volumes in old age. The model was optimized using brain volumes measured with a standard tool FreeSurfer. Objective: Here we further verified the prediction model using newly estimated brain volumes from Neuro I, a quantitative brain analysis system developed for Korean populations. Methods: Lobar and subcortical volumes were estimated from MRI images of 1,629 normal Korean and 786 Caucasian subjects (age range 59–89) and were predicted in linear regression from ethnicity, age, sex, intracranial volume, magnetic field strength, and scanner manufacturers. Results: In the regression model predicting the new volumes, ethnicity was again a substantial predictor in most regions. Additionally, the model-based z-scores of regions were calculated for 428 AD patients and the matched controls, and then employed for diagnostic classification. When the AD classifier adopted the z-scores adjusted for ethnicity, the diagnostic accuracy has noticeably improved (AUC = 0.85, ΔAUC = + 0.04, D = 4.10, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the prediction model remains robust across different measurement tool, and ethnicity significantly contributes to the establishment of norms for brain volumes and the development of a diagnostic system for neurodegenerative diseases.
Risk of Major Types of Dementias Following Hospital-Diagnosed Infections and Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Janbek Janet , Laursen Thomas Munk , Frimodt-Møller Niels , Magyari Melinda , Haas Jürgen G. , Lathe Richard , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: April 2024

Background: Population-based studies have shown an increased risk of dementia after infections, but weaker links were reported for autoimmune diseases. Evidence is scarce for whether the links may be modified by the dementia or exposure subtype. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between infections and/or autoimmune diseases and rates of major types of dementias in the short- and long terms. Methods: Nationwide nested case-control study of dementia cases (65+ years) diagnosed in Denmark 2016–2020 and dementia-free controls. Exposures were hospital-diagnosed infections and autoimmune diseases in the preceding 35 years. Two groups of dementia cases were those diagnosed in memory clinics (MC) and those diagnosed outside memory clinics (non-memory clinic cases, NMC). Results: In total, 26,738 individuals were MC and 12,534 were NMC cases. Following any infection, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for MC cases was 1.23 (95% CI 1.20–1.27) and 1.70 for NMC cases (1.62–1.76). Long-term increased rates were seen for vascular dementia and NMC cases. IRRs for autoimmune diseases were overall statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Cases with vascular dementia and not Alzheimer’s disease, and a subgroup of cases identified with poorer health have increased long-term risk following infections. Autoimmune diseases were not associated with any type of dementia. Notably increased risks (attributed to the short term) and for NMC cases may indicate that immunosenescence rather than de novo infection explains the links. Future focus on such groups and on the role of vascular pathology will explain the infection-dementia links, especially in the long term.
Enhancing large language models with evolutionary fine-tuning for news summary generation
Authors: Xiao Le , Chen Xiaolin , Shan Xin
Published: April 2024

News summary generation is an important task in the field of intelligence analysis, which can provide accurate and comprehensive information to help people better understand and respond to complex real-world events. However, traditional news summary generation methods face some challenges, which are limited by the model itself and the amount of training data, as well as the influence of text noise, making it difficult to generate reliable information accurately. In this paper, we propose a new paradigm for news summary generation using Large Language Model(LLM) with powerful natural language understanding and generative capabilities. We also designed News Summary Generator (NSG), which aims to select and evolve the event pattern population and generate news summaries, so that using LLM extracts structured event patterns from events contained in news paragraphs, evolves the event pattern population using a genetic algorithm, and selects the most adaptive event patterns to input into LLM in order to generate news summaries. The experimental results show that the news summary generator is able to generate accurate and reliable news summaries with some generalization ability.
Communication signal detection based on high-order cumulants time-frequency analysis: on the application of deep learning YOLOV5 network
Authors: Long Huimin , Zheng Hang , Chen Ming , Liu Chengjian
Published: April 2024

The detection of communication signals in heterogeneous electromagnetic environments currently relies primarily on a one-dimensional statistical feature threshold method. However, this approach is highly sensitive to dynamic changes in the environment, fluctuations in signal-to-noise ratios, and complex noise. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel time-frequency diagram based on high-order accumulation for signal detection. Traditional time-frequency diagrams suffer from poor noise suppression ability and unclear features. However, higher-order cumulants can effectively overcome these shortcomings. Currently, methods based on higher-order cumulants are typically limited to one-dimensional signals. Yet, two-dimensional time-frequency signal diagrams can represent a broader array of features. This paper employs higher-order accumulation to extract time-frequency features from the received signal, thereby transforming the conventional radio detection problem into an image recognition challenge. By merging the advantages of higher-order accumulations and time-frequency diagrams, we propose the use of higher-order accumulation time-frequency diagrams for signal detection. Extensive experimental simulations demonstrate that the proposed time-frequency diagram exhibits strong anti-noise performance and effectively suppresses frequency bias from multiple perspectives. The performance of the Higher-Order Cumulant-Time Frequency (HOC-TF) indicated lower Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) compared with the Short-Time Fourier Transform-Time Frequency (STFT-TF) and Wavelet Transform-Time Frequency (WT-TF). Additionally, compared to the STFT-TF and WT-TF methodologies, the novel time-frequency diagram introduced demonstrates superior stability using the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) method. Moreover, by combining the new time-frequency diagram with the deep learning YOLOV5 network, signal detection and modulation identification of communication signals can be achieved.
An efficient fire detection network with enhanced multi-scale feature learning and interference immunity
Authors: Cui Jinrong , Sun Haosen , Kuang Ciwei , Xu Yong
Published: April 2024

Effective fire detection can identify the source of the fire faster, and reduce the risk of loss of life and property. Existing methods still fail to efficiently improve models’ multi-scale feature learning capabilities, which are significant to the detection of fire targets of various sizes. Besides, these methods often overlook the accumulation of interference information in the network. Therefore, this paper presents an efficient fire detection network with boosted multi-scale feature learning and interference immunity capabilities (MFII-FD). Specifically, a novel EPC-CSP module is designed to enhance backbone’s multi-scale feature learning capability with low computational consumption. Beyond that, a pre-fusion module is leveraged to avoid the accumulation of interference information. Further, we also construct a new fire dataset to make the trained model adaptive to more fire situations. Experimental results demonstrate that, our method obtains a better detection accuracy than all comparative models while achieving a high detection speed for video in fire detection task.
RETRACTED: Research on human behavior recognition algorithm based on HRNet and LSTM with model lightweight
Authors: Luo Long
Published: April 2024

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
Symmetric and Profound Monoaminergic Degeneration in Parkinson’s Disease with Premotor REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Authors: Woo Kyung Ah , Kim Han-Joon , Shin Jung Hwan , Cho Kangyoung , Choi Hongyoon , Jeon Beomseok
Published: April 2024

Background:

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) may precede or follow motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). While over 70% of idiopathic RBD cases phenoconvert within a decade, a small subset develops PD after a more extended period or remains nonconverted. These heterogeneous manifestations of RBD in PD prompt subtype investigations. Premotor RBD may signify “body-first” PD with bottom-up, symmetric synucleinopathy propagation.

Objective:

Explore brainstem and nigrostriatal monoaminergic degeneration pattern differences based on premotor RBD presence and duration in de novo PD patients.

Methods:

In a cross-sectional analysis of de novo PD patients ( n = 150) undergoing FP-CIT PET and RBD Single-Question Screen, the cohort was categorized into groups with and without premotor RBD (PDRBD +/–), with further classification of PDRBD + based on a 10-year duration of premotor RBD. Analysis of FP-CIT binding in the striatum and pons, striatal asymmetry, and striatum-to-pons ratios compared patterns of nigrostriatal and brainstem monoaminergic degeneration.

Results:

PDRBD + exhibited more severe and symmetrical striatal dopaminergic denervation compared to PDRBD–, with the difference in severity accentuated in the least-affected hemisphere. The PDRBD +<10Y subgroup displayed the most prominent striatal symmetry, supporting a more homogeneous “body-first” subtype. Pontine uptakes remained lower in PDRBD + even after adjusting for striatal uptake, suggesting early degeneration of pontine monoaminergic nuclei.

Conclusions:

Premotor RBD in PD is associated with severe, symmetrical nigrostriatal and brainstem monoaminergic degeneration, especially in cases with PD onset within 10 years of RBD. This supports the concept of a “widespread, bottom-up” pathophysiological mechanism associated with premotor RBD in PD.
Indocyanine green lymphography in the congenital chylothorax and chylous ascites
Authors: Lin T. , Shibasaki J. , Yamamoto K. , Shimokaze T. , Toyoshima K.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

The prognosis of congenital chylothorax and ascites ranges from spontaneous resolution to death, but no established examination exists to predict the prognosis. We aimed to develop a clinically useful method to evaluate lymphatic abnormalities using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography in infants with congenital chylothorax and ascites.

METHODS:

We retrospectively evaluated infants with congenital chylothorax and chylous ascites who underwent ICG lymphography in our hospital between 2012 and 2022. The ICG lymphography findings was evaluated. We defined the dermal backflow in the trunk as the lymphatic flow from the end of the limb back through the lymphatic vessels on the surface of the trunk. The association between the dermal backflow in the trunk and clinical outcomes, as follows, are investigated: the duration of the drainage period, the duration of endotracheal intubation, and the length of hospital stay.

RESULTS:

Twenty infants had a dermal backflow in the trunk, and ten did not. Clinical outcomes in infants with and without dermal backflow in the trunk were as follows (median): the duration of the drainage period (20 vs. 0 days, p = 0.001), the duration of endotracheal intubation (12 vs. 2 days, p = 0.04), and the length of hospital stay (62 vs. 41 days, p = 0.04), respectively. In multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for gestational age, the duration of the drainage period was correlated with the dermal backflow in the trunk [exp(B) = 2.62; p = 0.003].

CONCLUSIONS:

The dermal backflow in the trunk in ICG lymphography was useful in predicting the clinical course of congenital chylothorax and ascites.
Educación para la ciudadanía en un mundo volátil: Defensa frente al necroconstitucionalismo
Authors: Guerrero Salgado Efrén Ernesto
Published: April 2024

El documento analiza la polarización política y sus efectos en los derechos humanos en América Latina, destacando elecciones ajustadas y discursos extremos, así como prácticas que limitan los derechos. Se subraya la importancia del discurso de los derechos en contextos de desigualdad social y crisis económica, enfrentando prácticas necroconstitucionalistas que restringen los derechos en emergencias. Se plantea la necesidad de un nuevo discurso de derechos adaptado a la polarización y volatilidad actuales, y se analiza cómo la educación jurídica ciudadana puede contrarrestar el necroconstitucionalismo, promoviendo una ciudadanía informada y comprometida. Se concluye que el cambio hacia un paradigma bioconstitucionalista, que integre la constitución como base de valores y reglas de convivencia, puede ser clave para superar los desafíos en la protección de los derechos humanos.
Intrecci economici e nuove strade della cooperazione sindacale
Authors: Telljohann Volker
Published: April 2024

Questo articolo descrive come, a seguito degli accordi tra le industrie della Germania e dell'Italia si sia sviluppata una cooperazione sindacale transfrontaliera tra strutture decen- trate dei sindacati metalmeccanici italiani e tedeschi. Partendo dalla presentazione dei con- tenuti principali di questa cooperazione, che riguarda imprese multinazionali e le loro cate- ne di fornitura, viene discusso il possibile ruolo della legge tedesca sull'obbligo di diligenza nelle catene di fornitura nel contesto delle relazioni industriali italiane. Si ipotizza che l'attuazione di questa legge possa contribuire a limitare lo squilibrio di potere tra capitale e lavoro che in passato è costantemente aumentato nelle catene di fornitura globali delle im- prese multinazionali. Ma si presume anche che questo obiettivo possa essere raggiunto solo sulla base di una cooperazione sindacale consolidata a livello transfrontaliero.
Invecchiamento e digitalizzazione nei servizi sociosanitari
Authors: D’Agostino Luisa , Romito Alessia
Published: April 2024

In un contesto di rapido invecchiamento della popolazione e della forza lavoro, in Italia il settore sociosanitario rappresenta un comparto particolarmente critico. L'aumento dell'età media degli operatori, le previsioni di pensionamento della numerosa generazione del baby boom e le difficoltà di ricambio generazionale determinano un serio rischio di labour and skill shortage, mentre aumenta la domanda di servizi di cura e assistenza da parte di una collettività che invecchia. La digitalizzazione dei servizi, nonostante l'accelerazione ricevuta dalla pandemia, è rallentata da molteplici criticità legate anche all'età degli operatori, allo sviluppo delle loro competenze digitali e alla relativa offerta formativa. Le opportunità di rinnovamento dei servizi offerte dalle risorse del Pnrr esigono misure di sostegno e potenziamento, quantitativo e qualitativo, del personale. Su tali temi hanno indagato le due ricerche presentate in questo articolo.
Idee e pratiche discorsive come strumenti di sviluppo locale
Authors: Mastropierro Marina
Published: April 2024

Nel dibattito sullo sviluppo locale che si è aperto con l'ingresso del Piano Nazione di Ripresa e Resilienza nell'agenda politica di questo Paese, il tema del futuro sembra essersi riaffacciato. I territori sono chiamati a rispondere alle sollecitazioni che arrivano dall'Europa non più in modo passivo. Le strutture istituzionali locali esistenti spesso non sono in grado di fornire visioni adatte a dare slancio alla crescita. È in questa fragilità, riscontrata in uno studio di campo nella provincia di Avellino, che si individuano nuovi potenziali di sviluppo locale. Attraverso il paradigma del Discursive Institutionalism si vuole evidenziare il sostanziale contributo che possono apportare idee emergenti e interazioni discorsive allo sviluppo socioeconomico dei territori e al loro rinnovamento istituzionale, con l'obiettivo di allargare lo spettro degli strumenti e delle possibilità a disposizione dell'azione pubblica.
La formazione specialistica degli psicologi nel progetto "Non Vedo, Non Sento, Non Parlo" a favore dei minori vittime di Esperienze Sfavorevoli Infantili - ESI
Authors: D’Elia Daniela , Carpinelli Luna , Scapicchio Annamaria , Tomasetti, Antonella , Savarese Giulia
Published: April 2024

Nel presente contributo si vuol affrontare il tema della formazione specialistica degli psicologi che operano nel campo della tutela minorile attraverso la presentazione di un progetto regionale in materia – NON VEDO, NON SENTO, NON PARLO (Bando "Ricucire i sogni" Impresa Sociale "Con i bambini") – che si è caratterizzato per aver ampiamente investito sia sulla formazione avanzata e specialistica degli operatori psi-cologi, oltre che per gli interventi destinati direttamente agli utenti minori vittime di Esperienze Sfavorevoli Infantili – ESI (dall'inglese Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACEs). La formazione per gli psicologi ha investito tutte le fasi del loro intervento: dalla psicodiagnosi specialistica con strumenti di II livello (come la TSCYC, la A-DES, l'osservazione del gioco post-traumatico, etc.) all'intervento psicoterapico d'elezione sul Disturbo Post-Traumatico da Stress (DPTS) in età evolutiva, ossia l'EMDR. Ulteriore valore aggiunto è che tale formazione specialistica si è avviata – in una fase iniziale – con incontri ad hoc anche di tipo laboratoriale, oltre che frontali, per poi perdurare nella fase avanzata di presa in carico e per tutta la durata del proget-to, attraverso l'intervisione e la supervisione clinica. Il progetto, così strutturato, ha permesso di formare gli operatori psicologi esperti in materia di ESI e di creare équipe specialistiche in psicotraumatologia che hanno condiviso lo stesso modello sperimen-tale e le buone prassi validate per la presa in carico di minori e famiglie. È stato valu-tato il livello di soddisfacimento delle aspettative iniziali, la percezione di raggiungi-mento degli obiettivi formativi, la percezione di incremento delle competenze profes-sionali ed il grado di trasferibilità degli apprendimenti: il 96.5% dei partecipanti che dichiara un pieno o parziale soddisfacimento delle aspettative iniziali ed una perce-zione di raggiungimento degli obiettivi formativi che si attesta ad una media di 5.67, su una scala a sei livelli., studi che esplorino gli effetti della triangolazione sul conflit-to genitore-figlio.
Сучасна українська мова : практикум для підготовки до аудиторних занять та самост. роботи здобувачів першого (бакалавр.) рівня вищої освіти спец. 035 «Філологія» [Електронне видання]
Authors:   Національний університет ", Мамич Мирослава Володимирівна ,   Одеська юридична академія", Шевченко-Бітенська Олена Валентинівна
Published: April 2024

Практикум побудований згідно з вимогами програми курсу «Сучасна українська мова». Здобувачам освіти запропоновано тематику лекційних і практичних занять, перелік засадничих понять курсу, вправи до практичних занять, питання до обговорення, зразки тестових завдань і завдань для самостійної роботи. Посібник призначений для здобувачів освіти вищих навчальних закладів.
Hydroponic corn (Zea mays L.) fodder production through the implementation of mineral fertilization: a comparative study
Authors: Chiquito Contreras César , Cocoletzi Vásquez Eliezer , Ricaño Rodríguez Jorge
Published: April 2024

R
Objective: To produce hydroponic corn forage using a mineral fertilization planning with three different seed types and to determine the optimal concentration for production and livestock feeding.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A completely randomized experimental design was used. The following study variables were included in the design: plant height, root length, stalk thickness, and fresh biomass. Five hundred grams of three different variety seeds were selected, washed, disinfected, soaked, covered, aerated, and placed in plastic trays. Starting from the fifth day, the seeds were watered with formulated solutions until the end of production.
Results: Plant height reached 17.25 cm, at a 50% concentration; root were 12.55 cm long, at a 25% concentration with Sinaloa seeds; stalks were 2.40 mm thick, at a 25% concentration with Bajío seeds; and biomass recorded 1.184 kg at a 50% concentration with Sinaloa seeds.
Study Limitations/Implications: A greenhouse is not essential for fodder production, as long as the minimum necessary conditions (light, humidity, and temperature) are met.
Findings/Conclusions: The 50% nutrient solution had a positive influence on the study variables that used Sinaloa variety seeds. Therefore, hydroponics would be a reliable and practical technique for producers, useful during periods of prolonged drought; it would significantly counteract agroclimatological setbacks in the agricultural, livestock, and environmental sectors.
Lamb feeding preference for maize, bean, and broad bean stubble treated with silage effluent, urea-molasses, or phosphoric acid
Authors: Parraguirre Espinosa Alfredo , Guerrero - Rodríguez Juan de Dios , Crosby Galván María Magdalena , Hernández Sánchez David , Ramírez Valverde Gustavo
Published: April 2024

molasses (MaUM), silage effluent with phosphoric acid (MaEflAcP), and control (MaTes); bean stubble treated with silage effluent (FrEfl), effluent silage with urea-molasses (FrEflUM), and control (FrTes); and broad bean stubble treated with silage effluent and urea-molasses (HaEflUM), urea-molasses and phosphoric acid (HaUMAcP), and control (HaTes).
Design/Methodology/Approach: Six Dorper/Katahdin lambs of 21 kg (LW) were used to carry out the feeding preference test. In the morning, lambs were fed with a mixture of the three treatments of each stubble (70% of the dry matter (DM) requirement/40 min); meanwhile, in the evenings, they were offered each treatment in independent feeders (10% of the DM requirement/20 min). This treatment lasted 7 days. Intake was measured in grams (offer minus rejection). Once the ordinal qualitative variables of consumption frequency (1=low, 2=medium, and 3=high) were classified, the data were analyzed using the ordinal logistic regression model. The results were expressed as the estimated proportion of incidence of the frequencies (1, 2, or 3).
Results: The proportion estimated for the high consumption frequency recorded higher results for MaUM, HaUMAcP, and FrEflUM, reaching 95.24, 73.44, and 43.49%, respectively. The proportion estimated for the low consumption frequency for HaTes, MaTes, and FrTes was 95.12, 88.11, and 48.77%, respectively.
Study Limitations/Implications: The diets with different quality and flavors did not meet the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity; however, the results provide valuable information for the improvement of dry matter intake and animal production. Finding/Conclusions: Urea-molasses (UM) promoted consumption preference both alone or in combination with other ingredients, in all the stubbles tested.
Fungi diversity in roots of Guarianthe skinneri in urban condition: velamen versus cortex
Authors: Ochoa-Bonilla Jorge José , Bertolini Vincenzo , Zarza Eugenia
Published: April 2024

Objective: To Identify the endophytic fungal community of the G. skinneri root in urban populations, showing differences in composition between velamen and cortex to better understand the fungus-root interaction in these orchids.
Design/Methodology/Approach: We collected tissues from velamen and root from five specimens of G. skinneri growing on urban trees in Tapachuala, Chiapas. We extracted DNA, PCR amplified the ITS marker, sequenced on the Illumina platform followed by diversity analyses and taxonomic assignment.
Results: We detected 845 OTUs that were assigned to the Fungi kingdom. Velamen and cortex share 403 OTUs, 402 were found exclusively in velamen and 40 in cortex. Besides orchid mycorrhiza forming fungi, we detected other species (e.g Alternaria sp., Beauveria sp., Fusarium sp., Glomus sp. and Tricoderma sp.) that could be involved in root physiology during development and defense against pathogens and predators
Study Limitations/Implications: Metagenomic studies provide substantial amounts of data that go beyond conventional studies. However, the information generated is still limited regarding the role of each endophyte.
Findings/Conclusions: Despite these limitations, our work fills a knowledge gap because we detected endophytes that were previously unknown for G. skinneri, leading to new research questions about root-endophyte relationships.
Public Spaces and Urban Revitalization
Authors: Inglês Ana Cristina
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to provide insight into the potential of urban revitalisation interventions for improved public space in the context of African cities. Based on a review and evidence of the history, perceptions, and use of public spaces in the capital city of Angola, Luanda, the paper sheds lights on some of the challenges that surround the access to and inclusivity of quality public spaces in planned and unplanned urban set ups of African cities. Examples of urban revitalization initiatives in Luanda in turn shed light on the importance of the role of citizen adaptations and agency to tackle urban decay and the need to create public spaces that are inclusive and responsive to local needs, culture, and individual perceptions. In doing so, the paper seeks to show that the successful transfer of urban policies depends on local government leadership and support as well as a better understanding of the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of local residents and their understandings of what public space means and who they serve.
The Relationship Between the Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide and Skin Pressure
Authors: Figuracion Christian
Published: April 2024

This research paper studied the perfusion pressure (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) in relation to mechanical pressure. Utilizing a transcutaneous gas monitoring system, which offers insights into carbon dioxide (TcPCO2) levels during mechanical pressure application on the skin, this research centers around two distinct regions at the posterior section of the human body: the thoracic region, characterized by bone structure, and the lumbar region, comprising the muscle-fat structure. Three parameters were obtained regarding these regions: average partial pressure of carbon dioxide, peak partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and the rate of partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
A Comparison into Current SLAM Implementations
Authors: Robins Nolan
Published: April 2024

Automation has recently had a new increase in interest given its applications with the surge in machine learning innovations, self-driving cars, and more accessible computing capabilities. An integral part of automation is understanding an environment to operate within it. To understand environments we rely upon maps to traverse through them. In most real-world applications these environments are dynamic and ever-changing, thus a static map cannot be relied upon to completely describe an environment. SLAM attempts to solve this through continuous mapping and simultaneous localization within an environment. Finding applications in many fields SLAM still has many challenges to overcome with each implementation having its individual strengths. SLAM implementations are explored both in literature and with real-world testing as an initial study into what SLAM entails and the methods currently existing. Turtlebot 3 is a robotics platform used to explore this field and is utilized to create a map of a known lab environment. Overall newer implementations come with improvements in accessibility, costs, and accuracy, but still come with flaws including low resolution depending on sensors, and increased computational costs.