bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 5-year natural history study in LAMA2-related muscular dystrophy and SELENON-related myopathy: the Extended LAST STRONG study
Authors: de Laat E. C. M. , Houwen- van Opstal S.L.S. , Bouman K. , van Doorn J. L. M. , Cameron D. , van Alfen N. , Dittrich A. T. M. , Kamsteeg E. J. , Smeets H. J. M. , Groothuis J. T. , Erasmus C. E. , Voermans Nicol C.
Published: October 2024

Background

SELENON-related myopathy (SELENON-RM) is a rare congenital myopathy characterized by slowly progressive axial muscle weakness, rigidity of the spine, scoliosis, and respiratory insufficiency. Laminin-a2-related muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-MD) has a similar clinical phenotype, which ranges from severe, early-onset congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) to milder forms presenting as childhood- or adult-onset limb-girdle type muscular dystrophy. The first 1.5-year natural history follow-up showed that 90% of the patients had low bone quality, respiratory impairments were found in all SELENON-RM and most of the LAMA2-MD patients, and many had cardiac risk factors. However, further extensive knowledge on long-term natural history data, and clinical and functional outcome measures is needed to reach trial readiness. Therefore, we extended the natural history study with 3- and 5-year follow-up visits (Extended LAST STRONG).

Methods

The Extended LAST STRONG is a long-term natural history study in Dutch-speaking patients of all ages diagnosed with genetically confirmed SELENON-RM or LAMA2-MD, starting in September 2023. Patients visit our hospital twice over a period of 2 years to complete a 5-year follow up from the initial LAST-STRONG study. At both visits, they undergo standardized neurological examination, hand-held dynamometry (age ≥ 5 years), functional measurements, muscle ultrasound, respiratory assessments (spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure; age ≥ 5 years), Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA-)scan (age ≥ 2 years), X-ray of the left hand (age ≤ 17 years), lower extremity MRI (age ≥ 10 years), accelerometry for 8 days (age ≥ 2 years), and questionnaires (patient report and/or parent proxy; age ≥ 2 years). All examinations are adapted to the patient’s age and functional abilities. Disease progression between all subsequent visits and relationships between outcome measures will be assessed.

Discussion

This study will provide valuable insights into the 5-year natural history of patients with SELENON-RM and LAMA2-MD and contribute to further selecting relevant and sensitive to change clinical and functional outcome measures. Furthermore, this data will help optimize natural history data collection in clinical care and help develop clinical care guidelines.

Trial registration

This study protocol including the patient information and consent forms has been approved by medical ethical reviewing committee (‘METC Oost-Nederland’; https://www.ccmo.nl/metcs/erkende-metcs/metc-oost-nederland, file number: 2023–16401). It is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06132750; study registration date: 2023-10-05; study first passed date: 2023-11-15).
A retrospective analysis using comorbidity detecting algorithmic software to determine the incidence of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code omissions and appropriateness of Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) code modifiers
Authors: Gabel Eilon , Gal Jonathan , Grogan Tristan , Hofer Ira
Published: October 2024

Background

The mechanism for recording International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and diagnosis related groups (DRG) codes in a patient’s chart is through a certified medical coder who manually reviews the medical record at the completion of an admission. High-acuity ICD codes justify DRG modifiers, indicating the need for escalated hospital resources. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that value of rules-based computer algorithms that audit for omission of administrative codes and quantifying the downstream effects with regard to financial impacts and demographic findings did not indicate significant disparities.

Methods

All study data were acquired via the UCLA Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine’s Perioperative Data Warehouse. The DataMart is a structured reporting schema that contains all the relevant clinical data entered into the EPIC (EPIC Systems, Verona, WI) electronic health record. Computer algorithms were created for eighteen disease states that met criteria for DRG modifiers. Each algorithm was run against all hospital admissions with completed billing from 2019. The algorithms scanned for the existence of disease, appropriate ICD coding, and DRG modifier appropriateness. Secondarily, the potential financial impact of ICD omissions was estimated by payor class and an analysis of ICD miscoding was done by ethnicity, sex, age, and financial class.

Results

Data from 34,104 hospital admissions were analyzed from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. 11,520 (32.9%) hospital admissions were algorithm positive for a disease state with no corresponding ICD code. 1,990 (5.8%) admissions were potentially eligible for DRG modification/upgrade with an estimated lost revenue of $22,680,584.50. ICD code omission rates compared against reference groups (private payors, Caucasians, middle-aged patients) demonstrated significant p-values < 0.05; similarly significant p-value where demonstrated when comparing patients of opposite sexes.

Conclusions

We successfully used rules-based algorithms and raw structured EHR data to identify omitted ICD codes from inpatient medical record claims. These missing ICD codes often had downstream effects such as inaccurate DRG modifiers and missed reimbursement. Embedding augmented intelligence into this problematic workflow has the potential for improvements in administrative data, but more importantly, improvements in administrative data accuracy and financial outcomes.
Use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and posttraumatic stress disorder risk in the UK Biobank: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kang Sunghyuk , Kim Jimin , Yang Ji Su , Jeon Ye Jin , Lee Hyeok-Hee , Suglia Shakira F. , Tsai Alexander C. , Kang Jee In , Jung Sun Jae
Published: October 2024

Background

Previous research has shown that the use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers is linked to a lower prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but longitudinal studies are scarce. We aimed to estimate the association between the use of RAS blockers and the risk of PTSD among individuals taking antihypertensive medications.

Methods

This longitudinal study included participants aged 40–69 from the UK Biobank. Exposure data were obtained from the initial assessment (2006–10), while outcome data were obtained from the online mental health questionnaire administered 6–11 years later (2016–17). We included participants who were under antihypertensive treatment and did not have a prior diagnosis of PTSD before the initial assessment. Use of RAS blockers was defined as self-reported regular use, at the initial assessment, of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Among participants who experienced adverse life experiences, cases of probable PTSD were defined with the six-item PTSD Checklist-Civilian version score ≥ 14. Logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between RAS blocker use and the risk of probable PTSD.

Results

Of the 15,954 participants (mean age = 59.9 years; 42.6% women) under antihypertensive treatment with no prior history of PTSD at the initial assessment, 64.5% were taking RAS blockers. After a mean follow-up of 7.5 years, 1,249 (7.8%) were newly identified with probable PTSD. RAS blocker users had a lower risk of probable PTSD than RAS blocker non-users (OR = 0.84 [95% CI: 0.75–0.94]), whereas the use of other antihypertensive medications showed no such association (users vs. non-users; calcium channel blockers, OR = 0.99 [95% CI: 0.88–1.11]; beta-blockers, 1.20 [1.08–1.34]; and thiazide-related diuretics, 1.15 [1.03–1.29]). The association between probable PTSD risk and the use of ACEi vs. ARB showed no significant difference (p = 0.96).

Conclusions

Among individuals under antihypertensive treatment, the use of RAS blockers was associated with a decreased risk of probable PTSD. This added benefit of RAS blockers should be considered in the selection of antihypertensive medications.
Plasmid-free production of the plant lignan pinoresinol in growing Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Luelf U. Joost , Wassing Alexander , Böhmer Lisa M. , Urlacher Vlada B.
Published: October 2024

Background

The high-value aryl tetralin lignan (+)-pinoresinol is the main precursor of many plant lignans including (-)-podophyllotoxin, which is used for the synthesis of chemotherapeutics. As (-)-podophyllotoxin is traditionally isolated from endangered and therefore limited natural sources, there is a particular need for biotechnological production. Recently, we developed a reconstituted biosynthetic pathway from (+)-pinoresinol to (-)-deoxypodophyllotoxin, the direct precursor of (-)-podophyllotoxin, in the recombinant host Escherichia coli. However, the use of the expensive substrate (+)-pinoresinol limits its application from the economic viewpoint. In addition, the simultaneous expression of multiple heterologous genes from different plasmids for a multi-enzyme cascade can be challenging and limits large-scale use.

Results

In this study, recombinant plasmid-free E. coli strains for the multi-step synthesis of pinoresinol from ferulic acid were constructed. To this end, a simple and versatile plasmid toolbox for CRISPR/Cas9-assisted chromosomal integration has been developed, which allows the easy transfer of genes from the pET vector series into the E. coli chromosome. Two versions of the developed toolbox enable the efficient integration of either one or two genes into intergenic high expression loci in both E. coli K-12 and B strains. After evaluation of this toolbox using the fluorescent reporter mCherry, genes from Petroselinum crispum and Zea mays for the synthesis of the monolignol coniferyl alcohol were integrated into different E. coli strains. The product titers achieved with plasmid-free E. coli W3110(T7) were comparable to those of the plasmid-based expression system. For the subsequent oxidative coupling of coniferyl alcohol to pinoresinol, a laccase from Corynebacterium glutamicum was selected. Testing of different culture media as well as optimization of gene copy number and copper availability for laccase activity resulted in the synthesis of 100 mg/L pinoresinol using growing E. coli cells.

Conclusions

For efficient and simple transfer of genes from pET vectors into the E. coli chromosome, an easy-to-handle molecular toolbox was developed and successfully tested on several E. coli strains. By combining heterologous and endogenous enzymes of the host, a plasmid-free recombinant E. coli growing cell system has been established that enables the synthesis of the key lignan pinoresinol.
NDRG1 upregulation by ubiquitin proteasome system dysfunction aggravates neurodegeneration
Authors: Hoshino Tomonori , Mukai Atsushi , Yamashita Hirofumi , Misawa Hidemi , Urushitani Makoto , Tashiro Yoshitaka , Matsuzawa Shu-ichi , Takahashi Ryosuke
Published: October 2024

Protein turnover is crucial for cell survival, and the impairment of proteostasis leads to cell death. Aging is associated with a decline in proteostasis, as the progressive accumulation of damaged proteins is a hallmark of age-related disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We previously discovered that the declining function of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in motor neurons contributes to sporadic ALS pathologies, such as progressive motor neuron loss, protein accumulation, and glial activation. However, the mechanisms of UPS dysfunction-induced cell damage, such as cell death and aggregation, are not fully understood. This study used transcriptome analysis of motor neurons with UPS dysfunction and found that the expression of N-myc downstream regulated 1 (NDRG1) gets upregulated by UPS dysfunction. Additionally, the upregulation of NDRG1 induces cell death in the Neuro2a mouse neuroblastoma cell line. These results suggest that NDRG1 is a potential marker for UPS dysfunction and may play a role in neurodegeneration, such as that seen in ALS.
Design of a virtual reality serious game for experiencing the colors of Dunhuang frescoes
Authors: Liu Zhizheng , Chen Ding , Zhang Chi , Yao Jian
Published: October 2024

With the rapid advancement of digital games, serious games have emerged as a significant medium for engaging with cultural heritage. As a primary visual element in cultural heritage, color plays a crucial role in users’ digital learning. However, there is currently a scarcity of serious game designs that specifically focus on cultural heritage colors, indicating potential for improvement in the user experience. To further enhance users’ perception of color and create a more engaging and enriching digital cultural heritage experience, this study proposes a virtual reality serious game (VR SG) design method specifically tailored to cultural heritage colors. Additionally, it explores the potential of VR SG in enhancing the education, entertainment, and dissemination aspects of these colors within cultural heritage. Specifically, we explore how to integrate relevant knowledge of cultural heritage colors into the application process of VR SG and assess users’ learning performance, engagement, and interactive willingness within these VR SG. The study employs the colors of the Dunhuang cave frescoes as a case study for design practice. A total of 30 participants took part in a between-group comparison experiment, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative and qualitative assessments to compare the performance of a VR SG with a VR exhibition game. The results indicate that both the VR SG and the VR exhibition game effectively enhance users’ understanding and retention of knowledge, with VR SG users demonstrating higher levels of task engagement, emotional engagement, willingness to explore, and willingness to share. This study confirms the potential of VR SG to enhance the education, entertainment, and dissemination aspects of cultural heritage colors and discusses the implications of VR SG in supporting digital cultural heritage experiences.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor in Carney’s triad with laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a case report
Authors: Midoritani Hajime , Kawada Hironori , Kaneda Kosuke , Toda Shuichiro , Awane Kento , Tanino Keisuke , Harada Kaichiro , Tachibana Keigo , Honjo Masahiko , Kitamura Koji , Yoshitomi Mami , Shirakata Yoshiharu , Nishitai Ryuta
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Carney's triad is a rare syndrome characterized by the co-occurrence of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), pulmonary chondroma, and extra-adrenal paraganglioma. We present a case of a young woman with GISTs associated with this triad.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old woman was identified with multiple gastric tumors and a right lung nodule during a routine health check-up. CT scans and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 50 mm mass on the lesser curvature of the stomach, along with two additional gastric lesions and a 20 mm nodule in the right lung. The patient had a history of right middle lobectomy at the age of 19 for pulmonary chondroma. During surgery, enlarged lymph nodes were observed, indicating metastasis, which necessitated a total gastrectomy with radical (D2) lymph node dissection. Pathological examination confirmed seven GISTs, with immunohistochemical staining positive for KIT (+), DOG1 (+), and negative for SDHB (−). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day. Despite opting out of adjuvant imatinib therapy, she remains disease-free 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions

This case underscores the necessity of total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection due to the high incidence of metastasis in GISTs associated with Carney's triad. Further research is required to determine the optimal extent of lymph node dissection in such cases.
Comparative study on predicting turbulent kinetic energy budget using high-order upwind scheme and non-dissipative central scheme
Authors: Wang Dandi , Du Yiming , Jin Yao , Cai Jinsheng , Liao Fei
Published: October 2024

The accurate computation of different turbulent statistics poses different requirements on numerical methods. In this paper, we investigate the capabilities of two representative numerical schemes in predicting mean velocities, Reynolds stress and budget of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in low Mach number flows. With concerns on numerical order of accuracy, dissipation and dispersion properties, a high-order upwind scheme with relatively good dispersion and dissipation and a second-order non-dissipative central scheme with perfect dissipation but poor dispersion are adopted for this comparative study. By carrying out a series of numerical simulations including Taylor-Green vortex, turbulent channel flow at $$Re_{\tau }=180$$

R

e
τ

=
180

and turbulent flow over periodic hill at $$Re_{b}=10595$$

R

e
b

=
10595

, it can be obtained that although the high-order upwind scheme lacks perfection of dissipation in high wave number range, it still demonstrates superior predictive capability compared with the second-order non-dissipative central scheme, especially with relatively coarse grids. Finally, by taking the high-order upwind scheme as a suitable selection for turbulence simulation, the turbulent flow over a 30P30N multi-element airfoil is investigated as an application study. After briefly comparing the simulated profiles and spectrum with reference experimental results as validation, the budget of TKE is analyzed to locate the dominant flow structures and regions. It is found that the production and dissipation terms behave in a “monopole” pattern in the locations with strong shears and wakes. Whereas the advection and diffusion terms show an “inward” pattern and an “outward” pattern, which indicate the spatial transport of TKE between the center of the shear layer and nearby locations.
Hepatic toxicity assessment in HIV’s interaction with reverse transcriptase and integrase strand transfer inhibitors at a military hospital, southsouth Nigeria
Authors: Odegbemi Odekunle Bola , Olaniyan Mathew Folaranmi , Muhibi Musa Abidemi
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has made HIV a manageable condition, but there are risks associated with medications like reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), such as liver and renal toxicity. It is essential to understand these risks for effective treatment and case management. Investigating liver toxicity related to RTIs and INSTIs in Nigeria is crucial for optimizing HIV treatment. This study aimed to assess the impact of tenofovir lamivudine dolutegravir (TLD) on the liver function of HIV patients at Nigerian Navy Hospital (NNH)-Warri.

Methods

The liver function of 170 participants was assessed, with 120 on ART and the remainder being HIV-negative attendees at NNH-Warri. The study used a cross-sectional design and selected participants through random sampling. We collected data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Blood samples were taken through venipuncture and stored at – 20 °C before analysis. Ethical approval was obtained, and data analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistical Software Version 23, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

The study found significant differences in AST, TP, Alb, and GST levels between HIV-positive subjects receiving TLD and HIV-negative individuals. HIV-positive subjects had lower AST and Alb levels but higher TP and GST levels. Further analysis revealed correlations between age, gender, and liver enzymes, highlighting the complex relationship between HIV, liver function, and treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

The study suggests that decreased AST levels may have a protective effect, while ALT activity had minimal impact. Changes in TP, Alb, and GSTs emphasize the importance of monitoring hepatic synthetic function and detoxification pathways in HIV patients taking TLD.
Efficient equivalent-layer technique for processing irregularly spaced magnetic data on uneven surfaces
Authors: Piauilino Larissa S. , Oliveira Vanderlei C. , Barbosa Valéria C. F.
Published: October 2024

We develop a new rapid and robust equivalent-layer method for processing large magnetic data sets that can deal with irregularly spaced data points on undulating surfaces. Our method estimates an equivalent layer by numerically solving the upward continuation integral for a given set of magnetic data. Although this estimated layer allows performing specific spatial transformations, such as interpolation and continuations of any potential-field data, it cannot be used to perform conventional phase transformations on magnetic data, such as the reduction to the pole, because this layer requires a magnetic moment distribution over the equivalent layer of dipoles. To overcome this drawback, we transform the estimated equivalent layer into a planar equivalent layer of dipoles that equally reproduces the observed magnetic data. To carry out this transformation, we first use the fact that the estimated layer obtained by solving the upward continuation integral is a scaled version of the magnetic data on the layer plane, i.e., it can be considered a harmonic function. Then, we use the upward continuation integral to continue the estimated layer into a planar and regular grid, which results in a second equivalent layer. Finally, we apply a fast 2D discrete convolution to transform this second layer into a planar equivalent layer of dipoles that also fits the observed magnetic data. Applications to synthetic and real data show that our methodology is able to efficiently process magnetic data, combining the robustness of accommodating irregularly spaced data with the ability to perform phase transformations.
Population-Based Study of Rare Coding Variants in NR5A1/SF-1
Authors: Kouri Chrysanthi , Jia Raina Y , Kentistou Katherine A , Gardner Eugene J , Perry John R B , Flück Christa E , Ong Ken K
Published: October 2024

Background

Steroidogenic Factor 1/Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 5 Group A Member 1 (SF-1/NR5A1) is critical for the development and function of sex organs, influencing steroidogenesis and reproduction. While rare deleterious NR5A1/SF-1 variants have been identified in individuals with various differences of sex development (DSD), primary ovarian insufficiency, and infertility, their impact on the general population remains unclear.

Methods

We analyzed health records and exome sequencing data from up to 420 162 individuals (227 858 women) from the UK Biobank study to assess the impact of rare (frequency < 0.1%) predicted deleterious NR5A1/SF-1 variants on age at menopause and 26 other traits.

Results

No carriers of rare protein truncating variants in NR5A1/SF-1 were identified. We found that the previously reported association of rare deleterious missense NR5A1/SF-1 variants with earlier age at menopause is driven by variants in the DNA binding domain (DBD) and ligand binding domain (LBD) (combined test: beta = −2.36 years/allele, [95% CI: 3.21, −1.51], N = 107 carriers, P = 4.6 × 10−8). Carriers also had a higher risk of adult obesity (OR = 1.061, [95% CI: 1.003, 1.104], N = 344, P = .015), particularly among women (OR = 1.095 [95% CI: 1.034, 1.163, P = 3.87 × 10−3], N = 176), but not men (OR = 1.019, [95% CI: 0.955, 1.088], P = .57, N = 168).

Conclusion

Deleterious missense variants in the DBD and LBD likely disrupt NR5A1/SF-1 function. This study broadens the relevance of deleterious NR5A1/SF-1 variants beyond rare DSDs, suggesting the need for extended phenotyping and monitoring of affected individuals.
Imaging interorganelle contacts at a glance
Authors: Zanellati Maria Clara , Hsu Chih-Hsuan , Cohen Sarah
Published: October 2024

Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized into membrane-bound organelles that must coordinate their responses to stimuli. One way that organelles communicate is via membrane contact sites (MCSs), sites of close apposition between organelles used for the exchange of ions, lipids and information. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we describe an explosion of new methods that have led to exciting progress in this area and discuss key examples of how these methods have advanced our understanding of MCSs. We discuss how diffraction-limited and super-resolution fluorescence imaging approaches have provided important insight into the biology of interorganelle communication. We also describe how the development of multiple proximity-based methods has enabled the detection of MCSs with high accuracy and precision. Finally, we assess how recent advances in electron microscopy (EM), considered the gold standard for detecting MCSs, have allowed the visualization of MCSs and associated proteins in 3D at ever greater resolution.
Οράματα και οπτασίες στην πρώιμη νεοελληνική γραμματεία
Authors: Βρακοπούλου Ολυμπία
Published: October 2024

Τα οραματικά κείμενα αποτελούν ένα σημαντικό μέρος της θρησκευτικής γραμματείας της βυζαντινής και μεταβυζαντινής περιόδου. Τα έργα αυτά συνιστούν ένα αναγνωρίσιμο κειμενικό είδος με διακριτά στοιχεία σύγκλισης αλλά και επιμέρους αποκλίσεις, που είχε σημαντική επίδραση στη διαμόρφωση των αντιλήψεων σχετικά με τη μεταθανάτια τύχη του ανθρώπου, την ενδυνάμωση της πίστης αλλά και την ψυχική ωφέλεια. Η παρούσα διατριβή είναι μια συμβολή στη μελέτη τους, καθώς συγκεντρώνει και παρουσιάζει οραματικά κείμενα της πρώιμης νεοελληνικής περιόδου (16ος-18ος αιώνας) γραμμένα σε δημώδη γλώσσα· αφενός, πρωτότυπα όπως η Οπτασία Δημητρίου των ιερομόναχων Μητροφάνη (αρχικό κείμενο σε λόγια γλώσσα) και Λαυρέντιου (μεταφορά σε δημώδη γλώσσα), η Οπτασία Σοφιανής του Ιερόθεου Κουκουζέλη και η ανώνυμη Οπτασία τινός μοναχού…· αφετέρου, λόγια κείμενα της βυζαντινής περιόδου, που την περίοδο αυτή ξαναγράφονται, από επιφανείς λόγιους, σε δημώδη γλώσσα: η Οπτασία Ιωάννου από τον Ιωάννη Μορεζήνο και Αγάπιο Λάνδο, η Οπτασία Κοσμά μοναχού από τον Μάξιμο Μαργούνιο και, τέλος, το λεγόμενο "Όραμα της Θεοδώρας" από τον Αθανάσιο Βαρούχα. Το Πρώτο Μέρος (Α΄) της διατριβής περιέχει την πραγμάτευση των θεωρητικών στοιχείων που σχετίζονται με τις οραματικές εμπειρίες, καθώς και ζητήματα του κειμενικού είδους, ενώ στο Δεύτερο (Β΄) και Τρίτο (Γ΄) Μέρος της εργασίας εκδίδονται και σχολιάζονται τα πρωτότυπα και μεταφρασμένα οραματικά κείμενα αντίστοιχα, πλαισιωμένα από εισαγωγικά στοιχεία για τους συγγραφείς, την παράδοση και τη γλώσσα τους. Τα κείμενα συνοδεύει ένα συνολικό χρηστικό γλωσσάρι στο τέλος της εργασίας.
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) Household Contact study: a study protocol, statistical analysis and modelling plan
Authors: Khan Palwasha Y , Govender Indira , McCreesh Nicky , Sweeney Sedona , Sithole Mareca , Ording-Jespersen Greg , Buthelezi Xoli , Houben Rein MGJ , Baisley Kathy , Smit Theresa , Wong Emily B , Hanekom Willem , White Richard G , Vassall Anna , Fielding Katherine , Grant Alison D
Published: October 2024

Household case-contact studies are an established method to estimate the relative infectiousness of people with pulmonary tuberculosis. Testing of child household contacts with a QuantiFERON TB Gold plus (QFT) assay provides a proxy measure of M. tuberculosis infection in exposed household members. This study aims to generate data about the effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and of tuberculosis symptoms on risk of intra-household M. tuberculosis transmission to children and investigate the conditions under which symptom-agnostic screening should be considered, which could provide evidence to support a paradigm shift in tuberculosis screening strategy. Index people diagnosed with bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis who have been identified by routine health services and starting tuberculosis treatment at one of the 12 health facilities serving the population of the Africa Health Research Institute health and demographic surveillance area will be eligible for recruitment. For each consenting index participant, we will enroll all household members aged 2-14 years who will undergo a symptom screen and provide a blood sample for a QFT and HIV test. We will compare the proportion of child contacts who are QFT-positive in households of (i) index adults who are living with HIV and taking ART vs not taking ART and (ii) index adults engaged in ART care who report no symptoms vs those who report symptoms. We will use a novel mathematical model, incorporating new insights into TB natural history and transmission, to determine the circumstances under which screening for TB, regardless of reported symptoms, would have most impact on tuberculosis incidence and mortality, and explore comparative cost-effectiveness of interventions along the diagnostic pathway at different levels of the health system. Estimates of relative risk of intra-household M. tuberculosis transmission, combined with healthcare utilisation and cost data, will allow us to generate mathematical model estimates of the potential epidemiological impact and relative cost-effectiveness of different approaches to tuberculosis case-finding including symptom-agnostic tuberculosis screening at different levels of the health system.
„Empowerment” w polityce społecznej. Koncepcja „women’s empowerment” jako kategoria wyjaśniająca aktywność kobiet w Polsce
Authors: Piątek Krzysztof , Bieniecka Sabina
Published: October 2024

In this study, we wanted to present the complicated world of relations between the category of empowerment and social policy, focusing on theoretical aspects (terminological, conceptual, etc.), mainly in the area of ​​sociology and social policy, relating them to some dimensions of social practice in Poland, primarily regarding the system of social assistance and labour market. The research aspect in the form of an analysis of the results of field research regarding the conditions and specificity of women’s activity in Poland is also extremely important [...]. The subject of the second part of this book is the concept of women’s empowerment, and its main goal is to show the usefulness of this concept in the analysis of the activity of young women in Poland and to try to determine indicators of women’s empowerment that may prove necessary in further analyses of the phenomenon. In particular: 1. Presenting choices as a key category of analysis, allowing for the description of the dynamics and complexity of factors influencing women’s lower activity. 2. Describing the influence of the environment on decisions, the values ​​behind them, goals and tasks stereotypically assigned to men and women (in the perception of women). 3. Presenting the spectrum of possible variables that, in women’s perception, influence their ability to make autonomous decisionas (subjectively perceived structure of opportunities). 4. Presenting the dynamics of the relationship between factors at the level of subjectivity and factors at the level of the opportunity structure when women make important life choices. 5. Exploration of women's perceived scope of control (power) over their own lives and decisions. Level of empowerment of young women in Poland: – concerning the dimension of subjectivity – resources, indicators of subjectivity, – concerning the dimension of opportunity structure – institutions: opportunity structure indicators. From the Introduction
Przemiany w strukturze konsumpcji w państwach europejskich w świetle koncepcji zrównoważonego rozwoju
Authors: Jankiewicz Mateusz
Published: October 2024

Przemiany w strukturze konsumpcji w państwach europejskich w świetle koncepcji zrównoważonego rozwoju  (Changes in the structure of consumption in European countries in light of the concept of sustainable development) is a study of a theoretical and empirical character. The publication concerns important and up-to-date economic problems such as consumption and sustainable development, focusing on the relationship between changes taking place in the structure of household consumption expenditure and changes in the sustainable development of selected countries in Europe. An important element of this book is the indication of the importance of interactions between neighbouring countries (at the geographical and economic level) in the study of the above-mentioned relationship, as well as the need to include spatial connections in the analysis of changes in the consumption structure and their impact on sustainable development, which is possible thanks to the use of tools of modern spatial statistics and econometrics. The publication may be of interest to scientific researchers, analysts who study the relationship between economic processes and their forecasting, as well as students of economics and geography (mainly socio-economic geography).
Open reduction and plate fixation of fractures of both bones in the forearm in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: a case report
Authors: Kang Hyun-Tak , Kim Yeong-Tae , Kang Hong-Je
Published: October 2024

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare disease characterized by vascular malformations, port-wine staining, and soft tissue and bone hypertrophy. Lesions occur in the lower extremities in 95% of cases, whereas only 5% occur in the upper extremities. Several case reports have described the treatment of fractures in the lower extremities in patients with KTWS. However, the risk of massive bleeding, bone deformity, and poor bone quality can lead to suboptimal surgical outcomes. No reports describing the treatment of forearm shaft fractures in KTWS could be found in the English-language literature. Intramedullary nailing is difficult due to the deformed bone and the risk of nonunion. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) should be considered with caution in KTWS patients due to the risks of intraoperative bleeding and wound problems. The authors report that satisfactory results were obtained with ORIF after preoperative vascular embolization in a 60-year-old KTWS patient with fractures in both bones of the forearm.
DROGAS E MEDICALIZAÇÃO NA ESCOLA: REFLEXÕES SOBRE UM DEBATE NECESSÁRIO
Authors: Oliveira Elaine Cristina de , Harayama Rui Massato , Viégas Lygia de Sousa
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo tece reflexões sobre o tensionamento entre o combate ao uso de drogas ilícitas na escola e o crescente processo de medicalização da educação. Inicia com uma discussão conceitual em torno da medicalização; em seguida, expõe dados sobre o uso dos psicotrópicos mais comuns no ambiente escolar: o Cloridrato de Metilfenidato (geralmente usado por alunos) e o Clonazepam (consumido de forma mais acentuada por professores). Posto isso, envereda pelo debate sobre o uso de drogas na escola, buscando diálogo com a perspectiva antiproibicionista. Ao final, faz uma breve análise sobre a produção de diagnósticos e rótulos na escola. Espera-se contribuir com o debate sobre a articulação entre drogas e medicalização na escola.
A produção de conhecimento sobre multiculturalismo e currículo da educação básica: análise de dissertações e teses de programas de pós-graduação em educação brasileiros (2011-2020)
Authors: Lisboa Dinelle Rejane da Silva , Santos Marcio Antonio Raiol
Published: October 2024

Percebe-se nos últimos anos o crescimento dos ataques aos grupos identitários, ampliando assim, o racismo, misoginia, xenofobia, homofobia e a misologia tanto na sociedade contemporânea, como no contexto escolar. Estudos que incentivem práticas voltadas ao respeito à diversidade, buscando a convivência de forma harmoniosa e igualitária, são de extrema relevância para os dias sombrios em que vivemos. Neste sentido, buscando compreender de que forma se apresenta o debate quanto às temáticas da educação básica, currículo e multiculturalismo nas produções acadêmicas em teses e dissertações dos programas de pós-graduação brasileiros, no período de 2011 a 2020, no Catálogo de Tese e Dissertações do Portal de Periódicos da CAPES. A metodologia está baseada na pesquisa bibliográfica, do tipo Estado da Arte, de abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, tratando os dados por meio da análise de conteúdo conforme Bardin (1977). Assim, foi possível o surgimento de algumas categorias: Concepções do multiculturalismo abordado nas teses e dissertações, Teorias de currículo abordados nas obras. Os resultados trouxeram alguns destaques como: o multiculturalismo crítico e revolucionário apresentou maior destaque em relação às demais concepções, as teorias críticas e pós-críticas predominaram entre as produções de teses e dissertações e a teoria tradicional não se fez presente nesses resultados. Concluindo assim, que as produções acadêmicas denota um claro direcionamento para o debate voltado para a concepção de um multiculturalismo crítico e revolucionário, o viés crítico e pós-crítico nas propostas curriculares. Demonstrando assim coerência na produção deste campo.
"Japonesa, abre o olho”: racismo, xenofobia e misoginia contra mulheres amarelas
Authors: Kurihara Julia Tiemi , Baliscei João Paulo
Published: October 2024

Este artigo tematiza as diversas manifestações de ódio que acometem as mulheres amarelas. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é problematizar as violências xenofóbicas, racistas e misóginas que, na contemporaneidade, atingem as identidades femininas nipônicas. Para isso, recorre-se aos Estudos da Cultura Visual como aporte teórico e metodológico, uma vez que considera que as imagens, em suas diversas manifestações, apresentam formas de se ver e estar no mundo.  A partir da pesquisa bibliográfica, foi realizada a contextualização histórica, cultural e social da chegada das/os imigrantes japonesas/es no Brasil. Em seguida, foi feita uma análise de discursos, obras de arte e outras visualidades que permeiam os significados estereotipados construídos acerca das identidades de mulheres amarelas, em especial no contexto da pandemia do COVID-19. Por fim, conclui-se que a educação possui potencial para construir novas narrativas que rompam preconceitos e respeitem as diferenças, uma vez que a sociedade contemporânea é composta por múltiplas identidades que interagem entre si.
Avaliação intercultural/decolonial no currículo dos cursos de filosofia com emancipação social
Authors: Rodrigues Lisboa Edson da Silva , Lopes Luís Fernando
Published: October 2024

Apresenta-se uma análise de ementas dos cursos em Filosofia de 5 universidades federais numa perspectiva intercultural e decolonial. Parte-se do problema que currículo não é equitativo, posto não ser direcionado para minorias sociais. A hipótese é que uma perspectiva curricular de vertente intercultural e decolonial ocorre parcialmente nas ementas de algumas universidades. Objetiva-se apresentar algumas disciplinas que criam condições para se repensar o currículo. Ancora-se nas concepções de currículo de Sacristan (2000) e Silva (1995), as noções de emancipação em Freire (1996) e os conceitos de avaliação de Both; Martins (2016). A metodologia é qualitativa e exploratória, e os resultados permitem interpretar que é possível reorganizar o curriculo, desde que se revejam alguns pontos.
Um fenômeno na permanência estudantil: não deixar nenhum para trás e o Ensaio sobre a Dádiva
Authors: Carmo Gerson Tavares do , Souza Rozana Quintanilha Gomes , Josuel Valéria Viana
Published: October 2024

Este trabalho, inspirado na tríade dar-receber-retribuir do Ensaio sobre a Dádiva de Marcel Mauss, oportuniza a compreensão dos envolvimentos socioacadêmicos que ocorrem com estudantes na sala de aula. Internacionalmente, tais envolvimentos (ou engajamentos) já são considerados indutores de permanência estudantil. No Brasil, por sua vez, o Núcleo de Estudos sobre Acesso e Permanência na Educação (Nucleape), configura o envolvimento estudantil como fato inerente ao fenômeno proximidade espontânea socioacadêmica (PROESA). Tal fenômeno, quando submetido à pesquisa com (e não sobre) estudantes, gera investimentos de formas, noção desenvolvida por Laurent Thévenot, possibilitando aos estudantes coordenarem interesses e saberes situados e entrelaçados por desempenhos cognitivos, comportamentais e emotivos. A partir de um dispositivo provocador-reflexivo de auto-observações e observações mútuas, na sala de aula, intuímos a emersão de alunos reinventados que tangenciam perspectivas do aluno como invenção, noção elaborada por José Gimeno Sacristan.
Protecting young learners online
Authors: Dave Alex
Published: October 2024

Alex Dave, safeguarding education officer for LGfL-The National Grid for Learning, shares advice on choosing digital media and practices that promote child development and online safety for children in early years.
Figurability in the Art of Louise Bourgeois
Authors: Schiller Britt-Marie
Published: October 2024

Abstract: Manifest as the trauma of birth by being ejected from the womb, abandonment spread like grief and anxiety throughout Louise Bourgeois’s life (1911–2010). She transformed this anxiety into works of art, for which words are inadequate since the origin is preverbal and therefore unrepresented. She uses a capacity for figurability , creating objects that give shape to emotions and fantasies that have not been conceived or represented but registered on a primordial unconscious level. This capacity is possible through a state, not of regression, but regredience , a creative transformational process, which, as a “loom of the psyche,” is constantly weaving threads and ideas together that form links to ahistorical unrep-resented trauma for the work of figurability. I seek to give meaning to three of Bourgeois’s sculptures here, Fée couturière (1963), Le Regard (1966), and Portrait (1963), by suggesting that they bring shape to and illuminate the trauma of birth, laying to rest, at least temporarily, the ghosts that haunt the artist.
“Rise up and tell it”: Go Tell It on the Mountain , #ChurchToo, and James Baldwin’s Christian Witnesses
Authors: McCright Grace Perry
Published: October 2024

Abstract: This essay reads James Baldwin’s depiction of women witnessing against a preacher in his novel Go Tell It on the Mountain . It situates him in the company of contemporary #MeToo and #ChurchToo activists and Black theologians who call for accountability and reform in the church through the language of witness. Focusing on Baldwin’s witnessing women, the essay considers how the novel speaks into contemporary conversations about abuses of power and the treatment of sexual assault victims within the church. It argues that Baldwin’s novel urges contemporary readers to bear bold witness to their experiences in church and to listen and act in response to the witness of others.
The Self-Confrontation of Prayer: The Christian Right in James Baldwin’s Later Essays
Authors: Santin Bryan M.
Published: October 2024

Abstract: This article examines an under-theorized topic in James Baldwin’s later writings: his critique of the white evangelical Christian Right from the late 1970s until his death in 1987. By closely reading a handful of his later essays, it argues that Baldwin’s analysis of the Christian Right reinvigorates his earlier prophetic critique grounded in the tradition of the American jeremiad, as he continues to deploy a religious vocabulary that advances the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love. Ultimately, Baldwin’s critical analysis of the Christian Right is an unexpected and still underappreciated site of political hope.
Use of spectral transmittance model to improve the detection accuracy of chromium in soil
Authors: Yao Mingyin , Wan Qi , Liu Muhua , Wang Xiao , Xu Jiang
Published: October 2024

As a new quantitative analysis method for heavy-metal elements in soil, the main function of the polarization resolution model is to filter out the disturbance of other elements on the spectral signal of target plasma. In order to quantify the mechanism of improving detection performance, the spectral transmittance of plasma intensity in the polarization-resolved optical path has been derived, and the relationship between the intensity of polarization-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (PRLIBS) and the characteristic peak wavelength has been defined. Using the spectral data in the wavelength range of 424.50–429.24 nm as the characteristic signal, a quantitative analysis method for detection of the Cr element in soil has been developed. The improvement of spectral intensity stability at the characteristic peak of Cr I 425.7 was analyzed, and the mechanism of enhancing the detection accuracy was elucidated. Research has shown that, based on the polarization characteristics of Cr element plasma, PRLIBS is not affected by the matrix effects of soil and characterizes the amplitude conversion from the reference concentration of Cr element to the plasma spectral intensity. The spectral transmittance of plasma spectra depends not only on the characteristic peak wavelength and complex refractive index of heavy-metal elements but also on the measurement conditions such as spatial geometric angles and reflectivity of the transmission medium.
Flat-field methods for color image sensors
Authors: Wen Qiang , Li Xinru , Wan Helin , Huang Jianhao , Chen Lele , Li Dongguang , Luo Ting
Published: October 2024

The research provides a detailed analysis of the primary sources of non-uniformity in color CMOS image sensors. It introduces the fundamental theory of traditional photon conversion and the main objective and subjective quality evaluation metrics for images. The theoretical foundations of traditional correction methods are also discussed. Based on the photon response characteristics of the color image sensor, a method for flat-field correction of color image sensors is proposed by analyzing the grayscale response curves of each pixel. This method addresses the non-linearity issue in pixel photon response caused by crosstalk between pixels and improves the non-uniformity problem in pixel response.
Bi-functional and tri-channel image displays based on a single-size nanostructured metasurface enabled by dual-orientation-degeneracy
Authors: Fu Rao , Wang Wei , Liu Xiangmin
Published: October 2024

Benefiting from the extraordinary ability of manipulating lightwaves at the subwavelength scale, nanostructured metasurfaces are expected to achieve multifunctional and multichannel integration to expand functionality and increase information capacity. However, multifunctional and multichannel metasurfaces always consist of various anisotropic nanostructures, inevitably bringing challenges to design and fabrication. In this study, we propose a concept of dual-orientation-degeneracy containing twofold orientation degeneracy. The first-level degeneracy is a one-to-four mapping scheme between the intensity of Channel 1 and orientation angle and the second-level degeneracy refers to a one-to-two mapping between the intensity of Channel 2 and orientation angle. Additionally, we provide a minimalist design of bi-functional and tri-channel image displays based on a single-size nanostructured metasurface. The designed metasurface integrates two functionalities of nanoprinting and holography, which can generate a continuous grayscale meta-image, a binary meta-image and a phase-only holographic image. Three channel displays can be readily switched by polarization controls. More importantly, the metasurface is achieved merely by reconfiguring the orientation angles of the nanostructures with fixed geometries, relieving the structure design and fabrication burden. The presented minimalist design strategy is universal and applicable, which can contribute to advanced research and applications in ultra-compact image displays, high-dense optical storage, multi-folded optical anti-counterfeiting, etc.