bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of identity priming on the (unconscious) bodily self-attribution
Authors: Ciorli Tommaso , Pia Lorenzo
Published: March 2024

It has been recently demonstrated that hand stimuli presented in a first-, with respect to a third-, person perspective were prioritized before awareness independently from their identity (i.e., self, or other). This pattern would represent an unconscious advantage for self-related bodily stimuli rooted in spatial perspective. To deeper investigate the role of identity, we employed a breaking-Continuous Flash Suppression paradigm in which a self- or other-hand presented in first- or third-person perspective was displayed after a conscious identity-related prime (i.e., self or other face). We replicated the unconscious advantage of the first-person perspective but, crucially, we reported that within the first-person perspective, other-hand stimuli preceded by other-face priming slowed down the conscious access with respect to the other conditions. These findings demonstrate that a top-down conscious identity context modulates the unconscious self-attribution of bodily stimuli. Within a predictive processing framework, we suggest that, by adding ambiguous information, the prime forces a prediction update that slows conscious access.
Molecularly defined sinonasal malignancies: an overview with focus on the current WHO classification and recently described provisional entities
Authors: Skálová Alena , Agaimy Abbas , Bradova Martina , Poorten Vincent Vander , Hanna Ehab , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Franchi Alessandro , Hellquist Henrik , Simpson Roderick H. W. , Lopéz Fernando , Nuyts Sandra , Chiesa-Estomba Carlos , Ng Sweet Ping , Homma Akihiro , Teng Yong , Leivo Ilmo , Ferlito Alfio
Published: March 2024

Classification of tumors of the head and neck has evolved in recent decades including a widespread application of molecular testing in tumors of the sinonasal tract, salivary glands, and soft tissues with a predilection for the head and neck. The availability of new molecular techniques has allowed for the definition of multiple novel tumor types unique to head and neck sites. Moreover, an expanding spectrum of immunohistochemical markers specific to genetic alterations facilitates rapid identification of diagnostic molecular abnormalities. As such, it is currently possible for head and neck pathologists to benefit from a molecularly defined tumor classification while making diagnoses that are still based largely on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This review covers the principal molecular alterations in sinonasal malignancies, such as alterations in DEK, AFF2, NUTM1, IDH1-2, and SWI/SNF genes in particular, that are important from a practical standpoint for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to treatment.
A clinico-anatomical dissection of the magnocellular and parvocellular pathways in a patient with the Riddoch syndrome
Authors: Beyh Ahmad , Rasche Samuel E. , Leff Alexander , ffytche Dominic , Zeki Semir
Published: March 2024

Key message

The Riddoch syndrome is thought to be caused by damage to the primary visual cortex (V1), usually following a vascular event. This study shows that damage to the anatomical input to V1, i.e., the optic radiations, can result in selective visual deficits that mimic the Riddoch syndrome. The results also highlight the differential susceptibility of the magnocellular and parvocellular visual systems to injury. Overall, this study offers new insights that will improve our understanding of the impact of brain injury and neurosurgery on the visual pathways.

The Riddoch syndrome, characterised by the ability to perceive, consciously, moving visual stimuli but not static ones, has been associated with lesions of primary visual cortex (V1). We present here the case of patient YL who, after a tumour resection surgery that spared his V1, nevertheless showed symptoms of the Riddoch syndrome. Based on our testing, we postulated that the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) inputs to his V1 may be differentially affected. In a first experiment, YL was presented with static and moving checkerboards in his blind field while undergoing multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including structural, functional, and diffusion, acquired at 3 T. In a second experiment, we assessed YL’s neural responses to M and P visual stimuli using psychophysics and high-resolution fMRI acquired at 7 T. YL’s optic radiations were partially damaged but not severed. We found extensive activity in his visual cortex for moving, but not static, visual stimuli, while our psychophysical tests revealed that only low-spatial frequency moving checkerboards were perceived. High-resolution fMRI revealed strong responses in YL's V1 to M stimuli and very weak ones to P stimuli, indicating a functional P lesion affecting V1. In addition, YL frequently reported seeing moving stimuli and discriminating their direction of motion in the absence of visual stimulation, suggesting that he was experiencing visual hallucinations. Overall, this study highlights the possibility of a selective loss of P inputs to V1 resulting in the Riddoch syndrome and in hallucinations of visual motion.
Pancreatitis affects gut microbiota via metabolites and inflammatory cytokines: an exploratory two-step Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Qiu Yi-Fan , Ye Jun , Xie Jin-Jin , Mao Xiao-Tong , Liu Yi-Long , Fang Qian , Qian Yang-Yang , Zou Wen-Bin , Cao Yu , Liao Zhuan
Published: March 2024

Previous studies have observed relationships between pancreatitis and gut microbiota; however, specific changes in gut microbiota abundance and underlying mechanisms in pancreatitis remain unknown. Metabolites are important for gut microbiota to fulfil their biological functions, and changes in the metabolic and immune environments are closely linked to changes in microbiota abundance. We aimed to clarify the mechanisms of gut–pancreas interactions and explore the possible role of metabolites and the immune system. To this end, we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis to evaluate the casual links between four different types of pancreatitis and gut microbiota, metabolites, and inflammatory cytokines. A two-step MR analysis was conducted to further evaluate the probable mediating pathways involving metabolites and inflammatory cytokines in the causal relationship between pancreatitis and gut microbiota. In total, six potential mediators were identified in the causal relationship between pancreatitis and gut microbiota. Nineteen species of gut microbiota and seven inflammatory cytokines were genetically associated with the four types of pancreatitis. Metabolites involved in glucose and amino acid metabolisms were genetically associated with chronic pancreatitis, and those involved in lipid metabolism were genetically associated with acute pancreatitis. Our study identified alterations in the gut microbiota, metabolites, and inflammatory cytokines in pancreatitis at the genetic level and found six potential mediators of the pancreas–gut axis, which may provide insights into the precise diagnosis of pancreatitis and treatment interventions for gut microbiota to prevent the exacerbation of pancreatitis. Future studies could elucidate the mechanism underlying the association between pancreatitis and the gut microbiota.
Real-time mobile GNSS network data acquired during the 2021–2022 unrest at Vulcano island
Authors: Bonforte Alessandro , Aiesi Gianpiero , Calvagna Francesco , Consoli Salvatore , Pruiti Lucia , Rubonello Alessio , Saraceno Benedetto
Published: March 2024

At the end of the summer 2021, an increase in CO2 emissions at Vulcano brought an increase in the alert level and, consequently, to the upgrade of the monitoring activities by increasing the number of instruments deployed and the rate of the surveys. One of the new devices installed was a geodetic GNSS mobile network for a real-time and high-frequency monitoring of ground deformation, to increase the detail with respect to the existing permanent network. The mobile stations were initially installed at the northern base of the La Fossa crater, where the highest values of soil degassing were recorded. Two stations were co-located with gravimeters, in order to compare and integrate the data. After this very first period of testing, the mobile GNSS array has been reconfigured, to investigate the mud pool area. Thus, four stations were installed around the degassing area, one of them being in the same site of the gravimeter. Data has been acquired at 1 Hz rate and is used for the weekly reporting to Civil Protection. It was the first experience of a light and quick-to-install geodetic real-time and high-rate GNSS mobile network in this area, and it was the occasion for testing its performance, as well as different approaches for the real-time kinematic (RTK) differential positioning in order to find the most suitable for the ongoing phenomena. Furthermore, direct data communication and archiving in the institutional database have been implemented for immediate querying from the control room tools. We report the experiences collected during the installation phase, site selection, RTK approaches, and ground motion and provide the daily raw data in RINEX format for any future precise postprocessing for the mid- to long-term analyses.
Associations between continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics and psycholinguistic measures: a correlational study
Authors: Marchini Francesco , Caputo Andrea , Convertino Alessio , Giuliani Chiara , Bitterman Olimpia , Pitocco Dario , Fornengo Riccardo , Lovati Elisabetta , Forte Elisa , Sciacca Laura , Napoli Angela
Published: March 2024

Aim

Recently, the relationship between diabetes and mental health has been widely studied. With the advent of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), some researchers have been interested in exploring the association between glucose-related metrics and psychological aspects. These studies have primarily relied on self-report questionnaires which present some limitations.

Therefore, the present multicenter study aims at testing potential associations between CGM metrics and affective processes derived from narratives about using a CGM sensor.

Methods

An exploratory correlational design was used. Fifty-eight adults with type 1 diabetes using CGM were enrolled and invited to complete an online survey, where they replied to an open-ended question regarding their personal experience with the CGM sensor. Texts derived from the answers were analyzed through Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, a widely used text analysis tool that can automatically identify and quantify linguistic patterns related to various psychological dimensions. Psycholinguistic measures were correlated with CGM metrics.

Results

Higher levels of sadness/depression correlated with lower %TIR (r = − 339; p < .01) and higher %TAR (r = .342; p < .01).

Conclusions

The study highlights the relationship between CGM metrics and psychological variables derived from patients' narratives. In particular, it is possible to hypothesize a positive role of %TIR in reducing depressive feelings in individuals with diabetes, as well as a negative role of depressive feelings in achieving desirable CGM outcomes. Additionally, there is a potential role of glycemic variability, particularly hyperglycemia, in the expression of depressive and sad feelings, which has been less studied compared to the effects of hypoglycemia.
Problems in peer relationships and low engagement in romantic relationships in preterm born adolescents: effects of maternal warmth in early childhood
Authors: Bilgin Ayten , Wolke Dieter , Trower Hayley , Baumann Nicole , Räikkönen Katri , Heinonen Kati , Kajantie Eero , Schnitzlein Daniel , Lemola Sakari
Published: March 2024

This study examined whether maternal warmth in early childhood moderates the association between preterm birth and problems in peer relationships and low engagement in romantic relationships in adolescence. We studied 9193 individuals from the Millennium Cohort Study in the United Kingdom, 99 (1.1%) of whom were born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks of gestation) and 629 (6.8%) moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT; 32–36 weeks gestation). Maternal warmth was reported by the mothers when their children were 3 years old. Peer relationship problems were reported by both the participants and their mothers at 14 and 17 years. Further, participants reported their engagement in romantic relationships at 14 and 17 years. All outcome variables were z-standardized, and the moderation effect was examined via hierarchical linear regressions. Compared to full-term birth, both MLPT and VPT birth were associated with lower engagement in romantic relationships at 17 years of age (b = .04, p = .02; b = .11, p = .02, respectively), and VPT birth was associated with increased peer relationship problems at 14 (b = .29, p = .01) and 17 years of age (b = .22, p = .046). Maternal warmth in early childhood was similarly associated with lower peer relationship problems in MLPT, VPT and full-term born adolescents. However, there was no influence of maternal warmth on engagement in romantic relationships at 17 years of age. There is no major modifying effect of maternal warmth in early childhood on the association between PT birth and peer relationship problems and low engagement in romantic relationships at 14 and 17 years of ages.
Virtual reality platform for teacher training on classroom climate management: evaluating user acceptance
Authors: Álvarez Ibis M. , Manero Borja , Romero-Hernández Alejandro , Cárdenas Miriela , Masó Isabel
Published: March 2024

Enhancing the educational experience through Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) is a promising avenue, elevating the authenticity and responsiveness of simulations. Particularly in educational settings, IVR holds the potential to augment accessibility and engagement in learning. However, one pivotal aspect lies in assessing the learners' acceptance of such environments to ensure optimal and effective utilization of these technologies. This paper delves into the Didascalia Virtual-ClassRoom usability testing —an immersive IVR environment tailored for pre-service secondary school teachers. The platform transports users into a simulated classroom, where they are invited to play the role of a teacher. During the simulation, three scenarios are recreated, reproducing disruptive behaviours commonly faced in real classrooms. 84 participants (28 teachers and 56 pre-service teachers) engaged in decision-making to manage the classroom climate influenced by the simulated situations. To collect data, we used a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess and gauge users' inclinations and attitudes towards embracing the technology in question. To gain deeper insights into the user experience, participants were further invited to participate in semi-structured interviews, offering reflections and suggestions for potential enhancements. The evaluation process encompassed the perceived usefulness of the Didascalia Virtual-ClassRoom, shedding light on factors that could either facilitate or impede the adoption of this platform to enhance classroom management competence. The participants' perspectives serve as a valuable foundation for refining the tool's functionality, and their feedback fuels recommendations for its seamless integration into initial teacher training programs.
Evaluation and 1-year follow-up of patients presenting at a Lyme borreliosis expertise centre: a prospective cohort study with validated questionnaires
Authors: van de Schoor F. R. , Baarsma M. E. , Gauw S. A. , Ursinus J. , Vrijmoeth H. D. , ter Hofstede H. J. M. , Tulen A. D. , Harms M. G. , Wong A. , van den Wijngaard C. C. , Joosten L. A. B. , Hovius J. W. , Kullberg B. J.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To describe the course of symptoms reported by patients with symptoms attributed to Lyme borreliosis (LB) without being subsequently diagnosed with LB.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study with patients presenting at the outpatient clinic of two clinical LB centres. The primary outcome was the prevalence of persistent symptoms, which were defined as clinically relevant fatigue (CIS, subscale fatigue), pain (SF-36, subscale bodily pain), and cognitive impairment (CFQ) for ≥ 6 months and onset < 6 months over the first year of follow-up. Outcomes were compared with a longitudinal cohort of confirmed LB patients and a general population cohort. Prevalences were standardised to the distribution of pre-defined confounders in the confirmed LB cohort.

Results

Participants (n = 123) reported mostly fatigue, arthralgia, myalgia, and paraesthesia as symptoms. The primary outcome could be determined for 74.8% (92/123) of participants. The standardised prevalence of persistent symptoms in our participants was 58.6%, which was higher than in patients with confirmed LB at baseline (27.2%, p < 0.0001) and the population cohort (21.2%, p < 0.0001). Participants reported overall improvement of fatigue (p < 0.0001) and pain (p < 0.0001) but not for cognitive impairment (p = 0.062) during the follow-up, though symptom severity at the end of follow-up remained greater compared to confirmed LB patients (various comparisons p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with symptoms attributed to LB who present at clinical LB centres without physician-confirmed LB more often report persistent symptoms and report more severe symptoms compared to confirmed LB patients and a population cohort.
Salivary gland-type cancers: cross-organ demographics of a rare cancer
Authors: Tanzawa Aika , Saito Kengo , Ota Masayuki , Takahashi Koji , Ohno Izumi , Hanazawa Toyoyuki , Uzawa Katsuhiro , Takiguchi Yuichi
Published: March 2024

Background

Salivary gland-type cancers (SGTCs) are histologically heterogeneous and can affect organs other than the salivary glands. Some tumors outside the salivary glands are diagnosed on their unique histological characteristics. Comprehensive cross-organ studies on SGTCs are limited.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC), acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), and polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) who visited our institution between 2009 and 2019. The primary tumor sites were classified into four categories; major salivary glands, head/neck (H/N) excluding (exc) major salivary glands (MSG) regions, broncho-pulmonary regions, and “others”. H/N exc MSG was further divided into three subcategories, nasal/paranasal sinus, oral and pharynx/larynx.

Results

We identified 173 patients with SGTCs, with SDC, AdCC, MEC, EMC, AcCC, and PAC accounting for 20%, 42%, 27%, 3%, 8%, and 1% of the cases, respectively. The most frequent primary site was the major salivary glands (64%), followed by H/N exc MSG regions (27%), broncho-pulmonary regions, and “others”, thus non-salivary gland origins accounted for 9% of all cases. Patients with SDC, MEC, AcCC, or SGTC of the major salivary glands and broncho-pulmonary regions were more frequently treated by surgery. The overall survival time of the patients with MEC was significantly better than that of patients with SDC or EMC.

Conclusions

This cross-organ study highlights the clinical significance of SGTCs, underscoring the need for developing novel therapies for this rare disease entity.
Turning manual web accessibility success criteria into automatic: an LLM-based approach
Authors: López-Gil Juan-Miguel , Pereira Juanan
Published: March 2024

Web accessibility evaluation is a costly process that usually requires manual intervention. Currently, large language model (LLM) based systems have gained popularity and shown promising capabilities to perform tasks that seemed impossible or required programming knowledge specific to a given area or were supposed to be impossible to be performed automatically. Our research explores whether an LLM-based system would be able to evaluate web accessibility success criteria that require manual evaluation. Three specific success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) that currently require manual checks were tested: 1.1.1 Non-text Content, 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context), and 3.1.2 Language of Parts. LLM-based scripts were developed to evaluate the test cases. Results were compared against current web accessibility evaluators. While automated accessibility evaluators were unable to reliably test the three WCAG criteria, often missing or only warning about issues, the LLM-based scripts successfully identified accessibility issues the tools missed, achieving overall 87.18% detection across the test cases. Conclusion The results demonstrate LLMs can augment automated accessibility testing to catch issues that pure software testing misses today. Further research should expand evaluation across more test cases and types of content.
Participation practices in mother-child interactions: longitudinal case studies
Authors: Pfänder Stefan , Schumann Elke , Freyburger Philipp , Behrens Heike , Buchheim Anna
Published: March 2024

In recent years, Conversational Analysis (CA) has seen an increasing interest in longitudinal studies (Deppermann & Pekarek Doehler, 2021). The recurrent experience of interactional practices leads interactants to develop routines that may sediment into entrenched patterns over time (Dreyer, 2022). Longitudinal CA thus aims to track the emergence and sedimentation of interactional practices over time. In this contribution, we analyse interactional practices of participation in play-situations. Participation in joint activities is a universal form of human sociality (Goodwin & Goodwin, 2005). Here, we focus on how children perform their own agentive participant’s work and how mothers support their children in doing so. Investigating a longitudinal data set of mother-child play-interactions at ages 1 and 5, we ask whether participation patterns emerge as early as in the first year and are sedimented in the fifth year, as well as whether the synchronisation of embodied action provides crucial resources for the achievement of active participation in joint activities.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Persons Living with HIV in Western Washington: Examining Lived Experiences of Social Distancing Stress, Personal Buffers, and Mental Health
Authors: Smith Sarah , Beima-Sofie Kristin , Naveed Asad , Bhatia Nikki , Micheni Murugi , Nguyen Anh Tuyet , Slaughter Francis , Wang Liying , Prabhu Sandeep , Wallace Stephaun , Simoni Jane , Graham Susan M.
Published: March 2024

Pandemic-related stressors may disproportionately affect the mental health of people with HIV (PWH). Stratified, purposive sampling was used to recruit 24 PWH who participated in a quantitative survey on COVID-19 experiences for in-depth interviews (IDIs). IDIs were conducted by Zoom, audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to develop an adapted stress-coping model. Participants experienced acute stress following exposure events and symptoms compatible with COVID-19. Social isolation and job loss were longer-term stressors. While adaptive coping strategies helped promote mental health, participants who experienced multiple stressors simultaneously often felt overwhelmed and engaged in maladaptive coping behaviors. Healthcare providers were important sources of social support and provided continuity in care and referrals to mental health and social services. Understanding how PWH experienced stressors and coped during the COVID-19 pandemic can help healthcare providers connect with patients during future public health emergencies, address mental health needs and support adaptive coping strategies.
Lived Experience of Health and Wellbeing Among Young People with Early Psychosis in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Chinn Victoria , Creagh Ella , Gardiner Tracey , Drysdale Briony , Ramritu Pāyal , Mansoor Zara , Every-Palmer Susanna , Jenkins Matthew
Published: March 2024

First episode psychosis (FEP) can disrupt a young person’s life and future health. Those with lived experience of FEP can inform effective support. This study investigated how young people with FEP experience good health and wellbeing living in Aotearoa New Zealand. Recent clients of early intervention services (n = 12) shared their stories across varying traditional and creative platforms. Thematic analysis revealed seven themes important for living well with FEP: whanaungatanga (relationships), addressing stigma, finding out who I am with psychosis, getting the basics right, collaborative healthcare, understanding psychosis, and access to resources. The themes informed five supporting processes: whakawhanuangatanga (relationship-building), using holistic approaches, creating space for young people, reframing, and improving access to appropriate resources. These findings deepen our understanding of how we can support young people to live well with FEP. This study highlights the value of creative methods and partnering with lived experience experts to conduct meaningful health research.

This trial was registered at Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) CTRN12622001323718 on 12/10/2022 “retrospectively registered”; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384775&isReview=true.
Evaluation of the relationship of treatment and vaccination with prognosis in patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Oncu Seyma , Korkmaz Derya
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of people worldwide and caused mortality. Many factors have been reported to affect the prognosis of COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of drug therapy and vaccination on prognosis in patients hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Methods

In this single-center, cross-sectional study, data were retrospectively collected from patients receiving inpatient treatment at a university hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19 between January 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022. The patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. The Chi-square, Cox and logistic regression was performed, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Total 1723 patients (50.1% were men, mean age: 60.6 ± 16.90) who had not been vaccinated rate was 27.0% (> 3 doses: 45.7%). Mortality rate was 17.0%. Increasing age, male, a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and no vaccination significantly increased mortality (P < 0.05). The mortality rate was significantly lower in the chloroquine treatment group than in the other treatment groups. Increasing age, male, and a high CCI were determined to be factors that significantly increased the length of hospital stay (LOHS). LOHS found to be significantly lower in the favipiravir or chloroquine groups compared to the remaining treatment groups (P < 0.001). Both mortality and the LOHS significantly differed according to AST, d-dimer, ferritin, and GFR.

Conclusion

This study primarily investigated the effect of treatment and vaccination on the prognosis of COVID-19. This was determined to be prepared for another potential pandemic that may arise due to COVID-19.
On soliton solutions of Fokas dynamical model via analytical approaches
Authors: Badshah Fazal , Tariq Kalim U. , Inc Mustafa , Javed Rizwan
Published: March 2024

The nonlinear (4+1)-dimensional Fokas equation (FE) has been demonstrated to be the integrable extension of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) and Davey–Stewartson (DS) equations. In nonlinear wave theory, the governing model is one of the fundamental structures that explains the surface waves and interior waves in straits or channels with different depths and widths. In this study, the generalized unified approach, the generalized projective ricatti equation technique, and the new F/G-expansion technique are applied to investigate the higher dimensional nonlinear model analytically. As a result, several solutions are successfully achieved, including dark soliton, periodic type solitons, w-shaped soliton, and single-bell shaped solitons. Along with an explanation of their behavior, we also display a few of the equation’s exact solutions graphically. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and simplicity of the approaches mentioned in this article, demonstrating their applicability to a wide range of additional nonlinear evolution issues in numerous scientific and technical disciplines.
Antithrombotic strategies for preventing graft failure in coronary artery bypass graft
Authors: Mauro Maria Sara , Finocchiaro Simone , Calderone Dario , Rochira Carla , Agnello Federica , Scalia Lorenzo , Capodanno Davide
Published: March 2024

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures face challenges related to graft failure, driven by factors such as acute thrombosis, neointimal hyperplasia, and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Despite extensive efforts over four decades, the optimal antithrombotic strategy to prevent graft occlusion while minimizing bleeding risks remains uncertain, relying heavily on expert opinions rather than definitive guidelines. To address this uncertainty, we conducted a review of randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses of antithrombotic therapy for patients with CABG. These studies examined various antithrombotic regimens in CABG such as single antiplatelet therapy (aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitors), dual antiplatelet therapy, and anticoagulation therapy. We evaluated outcomes including the patency of grafts, major adverse cardiovascular events, and bleeding complications and also explored future perspectives to enhance long-term outcomes for CABG patients. Early studies established aspirin as a key component of antithrombotic pharmacotherapy after CABG. Subsequent randomized controlled trials focused on adding a P2Y12 inhibitor (such as clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel) to aspirin, yielding mixed results. This article aims to inform clinical decision-making and guide the selection of antithrombotic strategies after CABG.
Current data processing methods and reporting standards for untargeted analysis of volatile organic compounds using direct mass spectrometry: a systematic review
Authors: Rosenthal K , Lindley MR , Turner MA , Ratcliffe E , Hunsicker E
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Untargeted direct mass spectrometric analysis of volatile organic compounds has many potential applications across fields such as healthcare and food safety. However, robust data processing protocols must be employed to ensure that research is replicable and practical applications can be realised. User-friendly data processing and statistical tools are becoming increasingly available; however, the use of these tools have neither been analysed, nor are they necessarily suited for every data type.

Objectives

This review aims to analyse data processing and analytic workflows currently in use and examine whether methodological reporting is sufficient to enable replication.

Methods

Studies identified from Web of Science and Scopus databases were systematically examined against the inclusion criteria. The experimental, data processing, and data analysis workflows were reviewed for the relevant studies.

Results

From 459 studies identified from the databases, a total of 110 met the inclusion criteria. Very few papers provided enough detail to allow all aspects of the methodology to be replicated accurately, with only three meeting previous guidelines for reporting experimental methods. A wide range of data processing methods were used, with only eight papers (7.3%) employing a largely similar workflow where direct comparability was achievable.

Conclusions

Standardised workflows and reporting systems need to be developed to ensure research in this area is replicable, comparable, and held to a high standard. Thus, allowing the wide-ranging potential applications to be realised.
The effect of writing script on efficiency and metacognitive monitoring in inferential word learning
Authors: Polyanskaya Leona , El-Dakhs Dina Abdel Salam , Tao Ming , Chu Fengfeng , Ordin Mikhail
Published: March 2024

The writing system – the transparency of orthography in alphabet-based systems and differences between logographic and phonetic-based systems – can affect the efficiency of inferential word learning when words are introduced visually. It can also shape how people self-evaluate their learning success (we refer to such type of self-evaluation as metacognitive monitoring of word learning). By contrast, differences in metacognition and learning performance do not emerge when words are presented auditorily. To measure metacognition, we assessed retrospective confidence by asking participants to rate their certainty about the correctness of their responses. As this direct question raises a person’s conscious awareness of how well they have learned a particular lexical unit, it allowed us to measure those aspects of metacognition that are modulated by consciousness. Such consciousness comes into play when a word is associated with an object. Differences in conscious awareness of the word learning success when words are represented visually make differential demands on word learning across languages and modalities. The observed differences between populations using different writing systems and between perceptual modalities may potentially modulate the effectiveness of vocabulary acquisition activities during foreign language learning.
3D magnetic seed localization for augmented reality in surgery
Authors: Ambrosini Pierre , AzizianAmiri Sara , Zeestraten Eliane , van Ginhoven Tessa , Marroquim Ricardo , van Walsum Theo
Published: March 2024

Purpose

For tumor resection, surgeons need to localize the tumor. For this purpose, a magnetic seed can be inserted into the tumor by a radiologist and, during surgery, a magnetic detection probe informs the distance to the seed for localization. In this case, the surgeon still needs to mentally reconstruct the position of the tumor from the probe’s information. The purpose of this study is to develop and assess a method for 3D localization and visualization of the seed, facilitating the localization of the tumor.

Methods

We propose a method for 3D localization of the magnetic seed by extending the magnetic detection probe with a tracking-based localization. We attach a position sensor (QR-code or optical marker) to the probe in order to track its 3D pose (respectively, using a head-mounted display with a camera or optical tracker). Following an acquisition protocol, the 3D probe tip and seed position are subsequently obtained by solving a system of equations based on the distances and the 3D probe poses.

Results

The method was evaluated with an optical tracking system. An experimental setup using QR-code tracking (resp. using an optical marker) achieves an average of 1.6 mm (resp. 0.8 mm) 3D distance between the localized seed and the ground truth. Using a breast phantom setup, the average 3D distance is 4.7 mm with a QR-code and 2.1 mm with an optical marker.

Conclusion

Tracking the magnetic detection probe allows 3D localization of a magnetic seed, which opens doors for augmented reality target visualization during surgery. Such an approach should enhance the perception of the localized region of interest during the intervention, especially for breast tumor resection where magnetic seeds can already be used in the protocol.
Short-term outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18,187 patients
Authors: Perry Rui , Barbosa José Pedro , Perry Isabel , Barbosa José
Published: March 2024

The role of robotic surgery in the curative-intent treatment of esophageal cancer patients is yet to be defined. To compare short-term outcomes between conventional minimally invasive (cMIE) and robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) in esophageal cancer patients. PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched. The included studies compared short-term outcomes between cMIE and RAMIE. Individual risk of bias was calculated using the MINORS and RoB2 scales. There were no statistically significant differences between RAMIE and cMIE regarding conversion to open procedure, mean number of harvested lymph nodes in the mediastinum, abdomen and along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), 30- and 90-day mortality rates, chyle leakage, RLN palsy as well as cardiac and infectious complication rates. Estimated blood loss (MD − 71.78 mL, p < 0.00001), total number of harvested lymph nodes (MD 2.18 nodes, p < 0.0001) and along the left RLN (MD 0.73 nodes, p = 0.03), pulmonary complications (RR 0.70, p = 0.001) and length of hospital stay (MD − 3.03 days, p < 0.0001) are outcomes that favored RAMIE. A significantly shorter operating time (MD 29.01 min, p = 0.004) and a lower rate of anastomotic leakage (RR 1.23, p = 0.0005) were seen in cMIE. RAMIE has indicated to be a safe and feasible alternative to cMIE, with a tendency towards superiority in blood loss, lymph node yield, pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay. There was significant heterogeneity among studies for some of the outcomes measured. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results and overcome current limitations.
Recycling of agro-industrial waste by fabricating laminated Al-metal matrix composites: a numerical simulation and experimental study
Authors: Bandhu Din , Barno Abdullaeva Sayfutdinovna , Ali Eyhab , Fenjan Mohammed N. , Hlail Saif Hameed , Naderian F.
Published: March 2024

The utilization of agriculture waste as a recycling process in aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) has gained significant attention as a novel approach in environmental toxicology. This technique aims to mitigate environmental hazards to humans by reducing the negative impact of waste materials. It has been recognized as an effective means to fabricate and enhance the properties of AMMCs. Furthermore, the use of these agro-industrial waste materials has the potential to mitigate both human and environmental risks, including pollution, while also leading to cost savings in manufacturing processes. The present investigation involves the fabrication of a novel metal matrix composite incorporating rice husk ash particles as reinforcement. The initial phase of the work involved the fabrication of novel composites. Subsequently, the focus shifted towards investigating the mechanical, physical, and wear characteristics of these composites. The forming process of the accumulative rolling was investigated by the numerical simulation using the ABAQUS program. Additionally, this study emphasizes the present utilization and prospective advancements of composites reinforced with agricultural and industrial wastes in diverse sectors, particularly in the fabrication of materials for vessels, autos, and construction industries. Furthermore, an examination of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fracture surfaces in the vicinity of layer interfaces has been conducted to investigate the quality of bonding.
A systematic review of adolescents’ relationships with siblings, peers, and romantic partners during the COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Murphy Laila , Bush Kevin R.
Published: March 2024

Studies on the pandemic suggest that COVID is related to many facets of adolescent development (i.e., Golberstein et al., JAMA Pediatrics, 174(9), 819–820, 2020). Although the full consequences of COVID on social, economic, and health outcomes are not yet fully known, the impact is predicted to be long-lasting (Prime et al., American Psychologist, 75(5), 631–643, 2020). This paper is a systematic review that focuses on the COVID pandemic’s change in adolescents’ relationships with their siblings, peers, and romantic partners, as well as the role of these relationships in helping adolescents navigate through the uncertainties of this period. Studies from several different countries were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist (Page et al., International Journal of Surgery, 88, 105906, 2021). Overall, the findings are mixed, with some results showing no change or relationship between COVID and each of the adolescent relationships examined, while other results indicated significant positive and/or negative changes or relationships. We hope our review of this growing body of literature will provide guidance and recommendations for researchers moving forward with specific studies examining the change in adolescents’ relationships with siblings, peers, and romantic partners- and the roles of these relationships during the COVID pandemic.
Psychedelic Therapy as Form of Life
Authors: Langlitz Nicolas , Gearin Alex K.
Published: March 2024

In the historical context of a crisis in biological psychiatry, psychedelic drugs paired with psychotherapy are globally re-emerging in research clinics as a potential transdiagnostic therapy for treating mood disorders, addictions, and other forms of psychological distress. The treatments are poised to soon shift from clinical trials to widespread service delivery in places like Australia, North America, and Europe, which has prompted ethical questions by social scientists and bioethicists. Taking a broader view, we argue that the ethics of psychedelic therapy concerns not simply how psychotherapies are different when paired with psychedelic drugs, but how psychedelic therapies shape and are shaped by different values, norms, and metaphysical commitments. Drawing from the published literature and interviews with seven psychedelic therapists working in clinical trials in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia, this article opens the black box of the treatments to consider the values and informal debates currently animating the therapies. Considering questions of patient autonomy, mechanisms of therapeutic action, and which therapies are best suited to pair with psychedelic substances, we examine the ethics of psychedelic therapy as an emergent form of life. To bring this form of life out in fuller relief, we conclude by comparing and contrasting it with ayahuasca use in Amazonian shamanism.
Predicting the clothing insulation through machine learning algorithms: A comparative analysis and a practical approach
Authors: Aparicio-Ruiz Pablo , Barbadilla-Martín Elena , Guadix José , Muñuzuri Jesús
Published: March 2024

Since indoor clothing insulation is a key element in thermal comfort models, the aim of the present study is proposing an approach for predicting it, which could assist the occupants of a building in terms of recommendations regarding their ensemble. For that, a systematic analysis of input variables is exposed, and 13 regression and 12 classification machine learning algorithms were developed and compared. The results are based on data from 3352 questionnaires and 21 input variables from a field study in mixed-mode office buildings in Spain. Outdoor temperature at 6 a.m., indoor air temperature, indoor relative humidity, comfort temperature and gender were the most relevant features for predicting clothing insulation. When comparing machine learning algorithms, decision tree-based algorithms with Boosting techniques achieved the best performance. The proposed model provides an efficient method for forecasting the clothing insulation level and its application would entail optimising thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Utilization of streamflow rates for determination of precipitation thresholds for landslides in a data-scarce region (Eastern Bartın, NW Türkiye)
Authors: Avcı Pınar , Ercanoglu Murat
Published: March 2024

One of the Türkiye’s most destructive natural hazards is landslides. Although much progress has been achieved in this subject throughout the country, there are still some problems related to adequate meteorological and high-quality landslide data. The aim of this study, which was carried out in the eastern part of Bartın province in the Western Black Sea region of Türkiye, is to indirectly determine the possible threshold values for landslides known to be triggered by precipitation. For this purpose, first, data related to landslides, precipitation, and streamflow were compiled and analyzed. Although many landslides have been mapped in the area, it has been determined that the number of reliable data on the dates (only three exact dates) of landslide occurrences is quite limited in the area. The relationship between the landslides that occurred in 1985, 1998, and 2021, and the stream gauging–precipitation data was analyzed. Then, due to the data scarcity related to the precipitation data, an indirect method, called Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN), was used to determine the relation between runoff and precipitation. The results revealed that daily 80 mm and cumulative 160 mm could be selected as the threshold values that may trigger the landslides. This study serves as an illustration of how an indirect approach can be used to approximate potential precipitation thresholds in a data-scarce region. Therefore, it will be possible to use these precipitation thresholds as a basis for future landslide hazard and risk assessments.
Excluding external iliac node irradiation during neoadjuvant radiotherapy decreases lower intestinal toxicity without compromising efficacy in T4b rectal cancer patients with tumours involving the anterior structures
Authors: Li Anchuan , Mao Miaobin , Chen Runfan , Chi Pan , Huang Ying , Wu Junxin , Xu Benhua
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To explore the impact of excluding the external iliac node (EIN) from the clinical target volume (CTV) during preoperative radiotherapy in T4b rectal cancer with anterior structure invasion.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 132 patients with T4b rectal cancer involving the anterior structures who received radiotherapy followed by surgery between May 2010 and June 2019. Twenty-nine patients received EIN irradiation (EIN group), and 103 did not (NEIN group). Failure patterns, survival and toxicities were compared between the two groups.

Results

The most common failure was distant metastasis (23.5%). 11 (8.3%) patients developed locoregional recurrence, 10 (9.7%) patients were in the NEIN group, and 1 (3.4%) was in the EIN group (P = 0.34). The EIN region failure was rare (1/132, 0.8%). The locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 96.3% vs. 90.5%, 82.1% vs.73.7%, 75.9% vs. 78.0% and 72.4% vs. 68.3% (all P > 0.05) for the EIN group and NEIN group, respectively. The incidence of grade 3–4 acute toxicity in the lower intestine was significantly higher in the EIN group than in the NEIN group (13.8% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.02). The Dmax, V35 and V45 of the small bowel was decreased in the NEIN group compared to the EIN group.

Conclusions

Exclusion of the EIN from the CTV in T4b rectal cancer with anterior structure invasion could reduce lower intestinal toxicity without compromising oncological outcomes. These results need further evaluation in future studies.