bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional Analysis of Communication Skills in Geriatric Individuals
Authors: Aydoğan Zehra , Baş Banu , Babaoğlu Demiröz Gizem , Aksoy Songül
Published: July 2023

Background:

The prevalence of hearing loss increases significantly with age. Untreated hearing loss causes additional problems such as communication disorders, depression, dementia, isolation from society, loneliness, and decreased quality of life. To investigate the effects of hearing impairment in geriatric population and communication barriers due to hearing impairment and its effects on perception, attention, memory, fine motor skills and quality of life.

Methods:

Ninety volunteered elderly, aged minimum 65 years with no dementia, participated. Demographic information of the participants was obtained and the Stroop Test, Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly form, quality of life-elderly form, Digit Span Test, and Timed Fine Motor Test were applied respectively. They were divided into 3 groups (no hearing impairment: n = 27; mild to moderate impairment: n = 33; and significant impairment: n = 30) according to the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 80.2 ± 7.14 years, and 70% of them had self-reported hearing loss. According to the results of the analysis, the statistically significant differences were found between the hearing impairment scale and memory (P < .05), perception and attention (P < .05), fine motor skills (P < .05), and quality of life (P < .05).

Conclusion:

In terms of the hearing impairment scale, if the hearing impairment was worse, the quality of life was also worse. The elderly with cognitive communication problems and hearing loss were more likely to experience problems such as perception and attention, memory, and fine motor skills. Developing multidisciplinary early screening protocols for identifying and intervening hearing loss/communication skills potentially reduces such possible risks.
Internal control implementation and quality of higher education institutions: a moderation effect testing
Authors: Sofyani Hafiez , Saleh Zakiah , Abu Hasan Haslida
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the moderating effect of internal control on the relationship between internal quality assurance implementation and higher education institution (HEI) quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a survey method with hypothesis testing using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique with a second-order analysis approach. The questionnaire survey was administered to 191 HEIs.

Findings

The results revealed that internal control and internal quality assurance implementations are positively associated with HEI quality. Additionally, internal control implementation strengthened the relationship between internal quality assurance and HEI quality.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of knowledge on the moderating role of internal control in the HEI sector and its role in the non-economic aspect, namely, the HEI quality.
Quick-witted entrepreneurs versus systematic managers: a comparative analysis of decision-making competence
Authors: Tommasi Francesco , Sartori Riccardo , Bollarino Sara , Ceschi Andrea
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Decision-making competence (DMC) of entrepreneurs and managers is a longstanding topic in this increasingly globalized world. These figures operate in conditions not within their own control, and good levels of DMC are often considered to be desirable for the flourishing of business and society. This paper reports an empirical investigation on the DMC of entrepreneurs and managers, in an attempt to inform about their tendencies to incur in risky and costly choices.

Design/methodology/approach

Three cognitive biases associated with operational strategies and individual characteristics of entrepreneurs and managers, namely under/overconfidence (UOC, i.e. self-confidence in taking decisions), resistance to sunk costs (RSC, i.e. propensity to take cost investments) and consistency in risk perception (CRP, i.e. how well individuals understand probability rules) were considered . Cognitive biases measures were used in a cross-sectional study on a sample of n = 639 entrepreneurs and n = 512 managers. Data collected via online survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to determine differences among entrepreneurs and managers DMC.

Findings

Analyses reveal that entrepreneurs exhibit higher levels of UOC compared to managers with a marked presence of UOC among entrepreneurs at younger ages. Conversely, performance regarding RSC improves with higher education levels while age and RSC are positively correlated only for managers, regardless of education. Lastly, entrepreneurs and managers resulted as not being affected by CRP. This study discusses these results to provide initial insights for further avenues of research and practice.

Originality/value

The study offers an innovative, evidence-based viewpoint on how entrepreneurs and managers deal with risky and costly decisions. It offers an initial understanding of the role of UOC, RSC and CRP, that is specific cognitive biases associated with operational strategies and individual characteristics, in the DMC of these working figures. The study forwards avenues of scrutiny of quick-witted entrepreneurs and systematic managers.
Knowledge sharing quality on an enterprise social network: social capital and the moderating effect of being a broker
Authors: Reus Bas , Moser Christine , Groenewegen Peter
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to show that an important antecedent of perceived knowledge quality is an employee’s position in the organizational network due to their participation in different interest groups. In particular, this study theorizes that brokers establish a network of groups, which increases perceived knowledge quality vis-a-vis the social capital that employees draw on.

Design/methodology/approach

To test this study’s hypotheses on the influence of the structural position of knowledge brokers on the positive effects of social capital on perceived knowledge quality, this study combines data from an online survey with longitudinal archival data from a youth-care organization who used an enterprise social network (ESN) for knowledge sharing.

Findings

This study found a mitigating effect of being a broker on the relationship between trust and perceived knowledge quality, and also between inter-team interaction and perceived knowledge quality for lower levels of both trust and inter-team interaction on perceived knowledge quality.

Research limitations/implications

Although the hypotheses are supported, in light of prior research, the authors would have expected stronger and positive effects.

Practical implications

This research is particularly interesting because it emphasizes the important role of social capital. For organizations that deal with trust issues, it might help to stimulate employees to broaden their activity on ESNs by becoming active in multiple groups.

Originality/value

While knowledge sharing on ESNs is generally conducive for creating organizational value, there is a lack of understanding of what drives employees’ perception of the quality of shared knowledge, and how this perception may depend on their position in the social network. To investigate this question, the authors turn to social capital theory.
Steeply dipping structural target oriented viscoacoustic prismatic reverse time migration in frequency domain and its application
Authors: Li Jinli , Ma Bo , Qu Yingming , Zhu Jianggui , Liu Chang
Published: July 2023

Steeply dipping structural imaging is a great challenge due to its poor illumination. Conventional migration methods are unable to produce an accurate image of complex steeply dipping structures. The prismatic wave can improve the illumination of steeply dipping structures and is often used to improve the imaging results of such structures. Traditional elastic wave theory assumes that seismic waves do not attenuate when propagating through subsurface media. However, during seismic wave propagation, the wave energy decays exponentially due to the absorption and attenuation of the ground layer. Subsurface attenuation leads to amplitude loss and phase distortion of seismic waves, resulting in blurring of migration amplitudes when this attenuation is not taken into account during imaging. To address this issue, a frequency‐domain Q‐compensated prismatic reverse time migration method is proposed, which derives Q‐compensated prismatic wavefield propagation operators. In the proposed frequency‐domain Q‐compensated prismatic reverse time migration, Q attenuation is fully compensated along three propagation paths and two propagation types of prismatic waves. The optimized four‐order mixed 25‐point difference format and LU decomposition method are used to solve the Q‐compensated prismatic wavefield propagation equations with high computational efficiency. Numerical and field data examples demonstrate that the proposed frequency‐domain Q‐compensated prismatic reverse time migration method can compensate for deep attenuation energy and improve the imaging resolution of steeply dipping structures.
Policy learning and the COVID‐19 crisis: A systematic review of scholarship and key lessons for research and practice
Authors: Zaki Bishoy L. , Wayenberg Ellen
Published: July 2023

Policy learning plays an important role during crises, where it can empower effective crisis responses or derail policy . Accordingly, a crisis like the COVID‐19 pandemic has created a surge in research on policy learning. In this article, and more than 3 years from the crisis’ onset, we systematically review what COVID‐19 policy learning research has hitherto offered. We take stock of 45 scientific articles to provide an account of where policy learning has been researched, what methods, policy domains, and conceptual approaches were most used, and what new theoretical and conceptual advances have emerged from this growing body of research. Furthermore, we distil the key insights it offers to both scholars and practitioners. In doing so, we point to the theoretical and empirical gaps that future scholarship can address, as well as how can practitioners leverage research insights towards improving policy learning practices during similar crises in the future.

Points for practitioners

In creeping crises such as COVID‐19, policy‐makers need to consider the multidimensionality and societal embeddedness of policy issues while designing policy learning processes, particularly in identifying relevant expertise.

Creeping crises evolve over time. Hence, policy‐makers need to continuously re‐align the policy learning processes to match evolving crisis definitions, manifestations, and societal perceptions. This requires continuous context scanning.

In creeping crises, policy learning has considerable time and space interactions. Thus, when designing policy learning processes, policy‐makers need to proactively consider the heterogeneity of policy learning processes across various levels of the governance architecture over time. As such, holistic ‘governance’ of policy learning processes becomes essential.

Policy‐makers should strive towards minimising perceived political interventions and influences on the policy learning processes, particularly during crises to maintain transparency and public trust.
Responsiveness of the Patient‐Reported Outcome Measure‐Haemorrhoidal Impact and Satisfaction Score in patients with haemorrhoidal disease
Authors: Kuiper Sara Z. , Dirksen Carmen D. , Mitalas Litza , Clermonts Stefan H. E. M. , Van Dam Kayleigh A. M. , De Witte Evelien , Melenhorst Jarno , Van Kuijk Sander M. J. , Breukink Stephanie O. , Kimman Merel L.
Published: July 2023

Aim

In this study we aimed to assess the responsiveness of the symptom score of the recently developed Patient‐Reported Outcome Measure‐Haemorrhoidal Impact and Satisfaction Score (PROM‐HISS). Furthermore, the minimally relevant difference (MRD) was determined.

Method

The responsiveness of PROM‐HISS was tested using a criterion‐based (i.e. anchor) and construct‐based (i.e. hypotheses testing) approach. Patients with haemorrhoidal disease (HD) completed the PROM‐HISS before and 1 week after treatment in hospital. A global self‐assessment of change question (SCQ) was administered 1‐week after treatment and functioned as the criterion. The following analyses were performed: (1) correlation between the PROM‐HISS symptom score and the criterion (SCQ) and (2) hypotheses testing. The MRD was determined as change in symptoms of the subgroup reporting ‘somewhat fewer complaints’ on the SCQ.

Results

Between February and August 2022, 94 patients with grade II–IV HD from three hospitals were included. The correlation between the SCQ and a change on the PROM‐HISS symptom score was 0.595 indicating that an improvement on the SCQ corresponds to an improvement on the PROM‐HISS symptom score. As hypothesized, the mean change in PROM‐HISS scores was significantly different between subgroups of patients based on their SCQ responses. Patients reporting a small change in HD symptoms on the SCQ corresponded to a mean change of 0.3 on the PROM‐HISS symptom score.

Conclusion

The PROM‐HISS symptom score is a responsive instrument as it identifies change in HD symptoms because of treatment. The estimated MRD of 0.3 can be used to inform clinical research and practice.
Notorious: Animal passions in the desert: Lions, camels and a human, oh my!
Authors: Weil Kari
Published: July 2023

“You believe animals to be wholly deprived of passions” asks the narrator of Balzac's 1836 story, “A Passion in the Desert,” and he adds, “you should know that we can give them all the vices driven by our state of civilization.” It is in the context of Balzac's questioning of animal passion that I would like to consider the striking and passionate expressions shared among the lion, dromedary and human figures in Jules Verreaux' “Lion Attacking a Dromedary.” The denial of animal passion can be understood as a Cartesian legacy that influenced both taxidermy and the illustrations of early natural histories, but would eventually be questioned during the 18th and 19th centuries. Thus, Buffon accepted that an animal might be excited or moved by passions, but also wrote that any depiction of that agitation could only distort the representation of a species' essence. During the 19th century, by contrast, both scientific and artistic representations of animals show an increasing interest in animal emotions, even as these would underscore a greater affinity between human and non‐human animals, as evidenced by Darwin's 1872 publication of The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Balzac's story and Verreaux's taxidermy question to what extent passions humanize animals or bestialize humans, a question with potential relevance, I will argue, for understanding how the vices of civilization might relate to the figure of the human Courier in the exchange of passions.
Transgastric endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle biopsy for diagnosing gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the jejunum
Authors: Takano Yuichi , Niiya Fumitaka , Nagahama Masatsugu
Published: July 2023

Watch a video of this article.
Donor‐derived stem cell infusion for sustained pancytopenia after CD19 CAR‐T therapy for relapsed patients post allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Li Yingying , Li Yixue , Zhang Mingming , Zhao Houli , Zhu Miaoyong , Huang He , Hu Yongxian
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of donor‐derived chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR‐T) cells in the treatment of relapsed cases after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT), and whether donor‐derived peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) have a therapeutic effect on pancytopenia after CAR‐T cell therapy.

Methods

We analyzed data from five adults with B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who had relapse after allo‐HSCT and received donor‐derived CAR‐T cell therapy and donor‐derived PBSCs to promote hematopoietic recovery.

Results

All patients had negative minimal residual disease after CAR‐T therapy, grade 1–2 cytokine release syndrome, and developed grade 4 hematologic toxicity. During the pancytopenia stage after CAR‐T cell therapy, donor‐derived PBSCs were transfused without graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Four patients had grade I–II acute GVHD (aGVHD). After corticosteroid treatment, aGVHD resolved and hematopoiesis was restored. Although steroids in combination with etanercept and ruxolitinib relieved symptoms in one patient with grade IV aGVHD, complete hematopoietic recovery was not achieved, and the patient died due to severe infection.

Conclusions

Donor‐derived CAR‐T cell therapy is safe and effective in patients with relapsed/refractory ALL after allo‐HSCT. Donor‐derived PBSCs infusion could achieve hematopoietic recovery with controllable aGVHD in patients with persistent pancytopenia.
Characterizing blood pressure trajectories in people living with HIV following antiretroviral therapy: A systematic review
Authors: Drago Fabrizio , Soshnik‐Schierling Luke , Cabling Mark L. , Pattarabanjird Tanyaporn , Desderius Bernard , Nyanza Elias , Raymond Henry , McNamara Coleen A. , Peck Robert N. , Shiau Stephanie
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced AIDS‐related morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). Due to increased survival, PLWH have now been found to be at risk of chronic conditions related to ageing, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension is common in PLWH and is a major risk factor for the development of CVD. We conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the research evidence on longitudinal blood pressure (BP) trajectories following ART initiation in PLWH.

Methods

We searched the following databases: PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, and Web of Science (up to 15 March 2021) for peer‐reviewed published studies that reported BP trajectories following ART initiation in PLWH. Three reviewers independently screened all studies by title and abstract. We included articles in English, published up to March 2021, that report office BP trajectories in PLWH initiating ART. A total of 10 publications met our inclusion criteria. Eight studies were prospective cohorts and two were retrospective.

Results

Nine out of 10 studies in the literature reported an increase in systolic BP (4.7–10.0 mmHg in studies with a follow‐up range of 6 months to 8 years, and 3.0–4.7 mmHg/year in time‐averaged studies). In addition, four out of 10 studies reported increases in diastolic BP (2.3–8.0 mmHg for a 6 month to 6.8‐year follow‐up range and 2.3 mmHg/year).

Conclusion

Systolic BP consistently increases while diastolic BP changes are more heterogeneous following ART initiation in PLWH. However, the studies were highly variable with respect to population demographics, ART regimen and duration, and follow‐up time. Nevertheless, given the risks of CVD complications, such as stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarction, associated with elevated BP, results highlight the importance of future research in this area. It will be important to better characterize BP trajectories over time, identify the most critical times for interventions to reduce BP, determine the long‐term CVD consequences in PLWH with elevated BP, and understand how different ART regimens may or may not influence BP and CVD disease.
Concept and risk factors of alcohol relapse in liver transplant recipients with alcohol‐related aetiologies: A scoping review
Authors: Kim Sue Hyon , Jang Yeonsoo , Kim Hyunji
Published: July 2023

Alcohol relapse in those who received liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol‐related liver disease can lead to poor graft function, low medication adherence rates and decreased chances of survival. Numerous studies have evaluated on this topic; however, discrepancies in the meaning and measurement of ‘alcohol relapse’ lead to heterogeneous results. This scoping review aimed to explore the conceptual and operational definitions of alcohol relapse in LT recipients with alcohol‐related aetiologies and to examine newly reported risk factors of alcohol relapse. Following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review method and PRISMA guidelines, structured searches for articles published from 2012 to 2022 were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO. Twenty‐eight studies were included in the final review. Alcohol relapse was either defined as ‘any alcohol consumption’ or ‘a certain degree of alcohol drinking’ after transplantation. Discrepancies in the incidence rates persisted even within studies that shared the same conceptual definition. Commonly reported risk factors for alcohol relapse were younger age, social isolation and shorter abstinence periods before LT. Self‐efficacy and post‐transplant complications were newly identified risk factors in recent studies; whereas environmental factors such as external stressors were rarely included. The variance in the definition of alcohol relapse and inconsistent identification methods make it difficult to organize a structured interventional study. A standardized stratification of post‐LT alcohol relapse behaviour is needed to prior to implementing interventions that employ a harm minimization approach. Cost‐effective interventions promoting self‐efficacy could enable the prevention and management of alcohol relapse after LT.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the vertebral endplate of C5 with concomitant C4‐C5 disc protrusion in a French Bulldog
Authors: Thibault A. , Hamon M. , Jossier R. , Wyrzykowski B. , Haudiquet P.
Published: July 2023

A 4‐year‐old French bulldog was presented with neck pain and left forelimb lameness. CT scan revealed a bony defect in the craniodorsal rim of the endplate of C5 with a concomitant disc protrusion leading to ventral spinal cord compression. Ventral slot at C4‐C5 was performed to remove the protruding material and the fragment. Based on CT and histological findings, this bone defect was consistent with osteochondritis dissecans. Neck pain was absent immediately after the operation and the dog recovered without complication. Only a slight proprioceptive deficit of the left forelimb persisted during the 6‐month of follow‐up. Based on our search of the veterinary literature, this is the first published report of an osteochondritis dissecans of cervical endplate treated surgically.
Melanoma in infants, caused by a gene fusion involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)
Authors: Perkins Ifeoma U. , Tan Serena Y. , McCalmont Timothy H. , Chou Pauline M. , Mully Thaddeus W. , Gerami Pedram , Pomerantz Jason H. , Reyes‐Múgica Miguel , Balkin Daniel M. , Kruse Lacey L. , Huang Benjamin , Reichek Jennifer L. , Gangopadhyay Noopur , Chiosea Simon , Green Jared R. , Chamlin Sarah L. , Frieden Ilona J. , Bastian Boris C. , Yeh Iwei
Published: July 2023

We describe the first cases of pediatric melanoma with ALK fusion gene arising within giant congenital melanocytic nevi. Two newborn boys presented with large pigmented nodular plaques and numerous smaller satellite nevi. Additional expansile nodules developed within both nevi and invasive melanomas were diagnosed before 10 months of age in both boys. Oncogenic driver mutations in NRAS and BRAF were absent in both cases. Instead, oncogenic ZEB2::ALK fusion genes were identified in both the nevus and melanoma developing within the nevus. In both cases, tumors were noted by ultrasound in utero, demonstrated significant nodularity at birth, and progressed to melanoma in the first year of life suggesting that congenital nevi with ALK fusion genes may behave more aggressively than those with other mutations. As ALK kinase inhibitors are effective against a range of tumors with similar ALK fusion kinases, identifying ALK fusion genes in congenital melanocytic nevi may provide an opportunity for targeted therapy.
Trial‐by‐trial fluctuations of pre‐stimulus alpha power predict language ERPs
Authors: Lago Sara , Pezzetta Rachele , Gastaldon Simone , Peressotti Francesca , Arcara Giorgio
Published: July 2023

Anticipatory mechanisms are known to play a key role in language, but they have been mostly investigated with violation paradigms, which only consider what happens after predictions have been (dis)confirmed. Relatively few studies focused on the pre‐stimulus interval and found that stronger expectations are associated with lower pre‐stimulus alpha power. However, alpha power also fluctuates spontaneously, in the absence of experimental manipulations; and in the attention and perception domains, spontaneously low pre‐stimulus power is associated with better behavioral performance and with event‐related potential (ERPs) with shorter latencies and higher amplitudes. Importantly, little is known about the role of alpha fluctuations in other domains, as it is in language. To this aim, we investigated whether spontaneous fluctuations in pre‐stimulus alpha power modulate language‐related ERPs in a semantic congruence task. Electrophysiology data were analyzed using Generalized Additive Mixed Models to model nonlinear interactions between pre‐stimulus alpha power and EEG amplitude, at the single‐trial level. We found that the N400 and the late posterior positivity/P600 were larger in the case of lower pre‐stimulus alpha power. Still, while the N400 was observable regardless of the level of pre‐stimulus power, a late posterior positivity/P600 effect was only observable for low pre‐stimulus alpha power. We discuss these findings in light of the different, albeit connected, functional interpretations of pre‐stimulus alpha and the ERPs according to both a nonpredictive interpretation focused on attentional mechanisms and under a predictive processing framework.
Assessment of the genomic stability of calves obtained from artificial insemination and OPU/IVP in vitro fertilization
Authors: Kępka Katarzyna , Wójcik Ewa , Wysokińska Anna
Published: July 2023

Damage to genetic material and errors in the functioning of cellular mechanisms disturb genome stability and integrity. Assessment of genomic stability in animals is a very important aspect of breeding work. Unfortunately, harmful instabilities affect the functioning, health and reproductive processes of animals. Obtaining healthy calves is a priority, whatever methods of reproductive biotechnology are applied. The aim of the study was to assess the genomic stability of calves obtained from artificial insemination and OPU/IVP in vitro fertilization. The genomic stability of the calves was evaluated using the comet, sister chromatid exchange, and fragile sites assays. Damage to the genetic material of calves obtained by two reproductive biotechnologies was identified. Identification of instability in animals can be a valuable tool in breeding work and accelerate breeding progress.
From Reliability-Based Design to Resilience-Based Design
Authors: Wang Cao , Ayyub Bilal M. , Beer Michael
Published: July 2023

Reliability-based design has been a widely used methodology in the design of engineering structures. For example, the structural design standards in many countries have adopted the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) method. In recent years, the concept of resilience-based design has emerged, which additionally takes into account the posthazard functionality loss and recovery process of a structure. Under this context, the following questions naturally arise: can we establish a linkage between reliability-based design and resilience-based design? Does there exist a simple resilience-based design criterion that takes a similar form of LRFD? This paper addresses these questions, and the answer is “yes”. To this end, a new concept of structural resilience capacity is proposed, which is a generalization of structural load bearing capacity (resistance). The probabilistic characteristics (mean value, variance, probability distribution function) of resilience capacity are derived. Applying the concept of resilience capacity, this paper explicitly shows the relationship between the following four items: time-invariant reliability-, time-invariant resilience-, time-dependent reliability-, and time-dependent resilience-based design methods. Furthermore, an LRFD-like design criterion is proposed for structural resilience-based design, namely, load and resilience capacity factor design (LRCFD), whose applicability is demonstrated through an example. The LRCFD method can also be used, in conjunction with LRFD, to achieve reliability and resilience goals simultaneously of the designed structure.
Exploring the mysteries of topology in quantum materials by spin-resolved
spectroscopies
Authors: Tusche C. , Hagiwara K. , Tan X. L. , Chen Y.-J. , Schneider C. M.
Published: July 2023

Materials with unique quantum characteristics–quantum materials—have become of great importance for information technology. Among others, their unique transport phenomena are in many cases closely connected to details of the electronic structure. Exploring the electronic states and the interplay of the interactions in this material class down to the electron spin is, therefore, mandatory to understand and further design their physical behavior. We discuss several quantum materials studied by an advanced photoelectron spectroscopy approach—spin-resolved momentum microscopy with tunable synchrotron radiation—and illustrate the role of a progressive symmetry reduction leading to particular features of their electronic structures observed in the experiment.
War-related sexual and gender-based violence in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a community-based study
Authors: Fisseha Girmatsion , Gebrehiwot Tesfay Gebregzabher , Gebremichael Mengistu Welday , Wahdey Shishay , Meles Gebrekiros Gebremichael , Gezae Kebede Embaye , Legesse Awol Yemane , Asgedom Akeza Awealom , Tsadik Mache , Woldemichael Abraha , Gebreyesus Aregawi , Abebe Haftom Temesgen , Haile Yibrah Alemayehu , Gezahegn Selome , Aregawi Maru , Berhane Kiros T , Godefay Hagos , Mulugeta Afework
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) during armed conflicts has serious ramifications with women and girls disproportionally affected. The impact of the conflict that erupted in November 2020 in Tigray on SGBV is not well documented. This study is aimed at assessing war-related SGBV in war-affected Tigray, Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based survey was conducted in 52 (out of 84) districts of Tigray, excluding its western zone and some districts bordering Eritrea due to security reasons. Using a two-stage multistage cluster sampling technique, a total of 5171 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) were randomly selected and included in the study. Analysis used weighted descriptive statistics, regression modelling and tests of associations.

Results

Overall, 43.3% (2241/5171) of women experienced at least one type of gender-based violence. The incidents of sexual, physical and psychological violence, and rape among women of reproductive age were found to be 9.7% (500/5171), 28.6% (1480/5171), 40.4% (2090/5171) and 7.9% (411/5171), respectively. Of the sexual violence survivors, rape accounted for 82.2% (411/500) cases, of which 68.4% (247) reported being gang raped. Young women (aged 15–24 years) were the most affected by sexual violence, 29.2% (146/500). Commonly reported SGBV-related issues were physical trauma, 23.8% (533/2241), sexually transmitted infections, 16.5% (68/411), HIV infection, 2.7% (11/411), unwanted pregnancy, 9.5% (39/411) and depression 19.2% (431/2241). Most survivors (89.7%) did not receive any postviolence medical or psychological support.

Conclusions

Systemic war-related SGBV was prevalent in Tigray, with gang-rape as the most common form of sexual violence. Immediate medical and psychological care, and long-term rehabilitation and community support for survivors are urgently needed and recommended.
Heating Effects on Nanofabricated Plasmonic Dimers with Interconnects
Authors: Raman Rahul , Grasso John , Willis Brian G.
Published: July 2023

Plasmonic nanostructures with electrical connections have potential applications as new electro-optic devices due to their strong light–matter interactions. Plasmonic dimers with nanogaps between adjacent nanostructures are especially good at enhancing local electromagnetic (EM) fields at resonance for improved performance. In this study, we use optical extinction measurements and high-resolution electron microscopy imaging to investigate the thermal stability of electrically interconnected plasmonic dimers and their optical and morphological properties. Experimental measurements and finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations are combined to characterize temperature effects on the plasmonic properties of large arrays of Au nanostructures on glass substrates. Experiments show continuous blue shifts of extinction peaks for heating up to 210°C. Microscopy measurements reveal these peak shifts are due to morphological changes that shrink nanorods and increase nanogap distances. Simulations of the nanostructures before and after heating find good agreement with experiments. Results show that plasmonic properties are maintained after thermal processing, but peak shifts need to be considered for device design.
NEW APPROACH FOR DIGITAL RECOVERY FOR 12 LEAD ECG RAW DATA FROM COLOR SCANNED IMAGE OF PRINTED RECORD
Authors: SHALLAL RAFAH H. , ILYAS MUHAMMAD , SALIH SAMEER K.
Published: July 2023

Many medical reports and documents in printed form are available in huge sizes in archive units inside medical centers and hospitals around the world. The printed electrocardiogram paper is one type of archive data and is more powerful for expert cardiologists to study various cardiac diseases. On the other hand, the widespread development in the ability of intelligent computer systems to process digital signals increases the benefit of these data if converted to digital form. In this paper, a new approach for digital recovery of 12-lead electrocardiogram raw data from the printed colored scanned image has been proposed. This approach implements an algorithm with four steps including delineating effective regions, color filtering, contacting detected points, and sampling the resulted digital signals to reconstruct the digital electrocardiogram signal from the printed drawing of the same signal after digital scanning with significant resolution. Also, this algorithm is designed to process various kinds of printed electrocardiogram papers. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated qualitatively by visual inspection of the recovered and original signals in the same graph. Also, the similarity of these signals is evaluated quantitatively using some standard evaluation metrics. The simulation results show the consistency and robustness of the proposed digital recovery approach to generate electrocardiogram digital data with a high percentage accuracy exceeding 98%. Also, plotting the recovered signal with the original printed signal on the same graph shows a significant percentage of congruence in time and amplitude. Finally, the proposed idea in this study opens the way for an unlimited bank of digital electrocardiogram data with different morphologies.
Bacteriochlorin syntheses - Status, problems, and exploration
Authors: Tran Vy-Phuong , Wang Pengzhi , Matsumoto Nobuyuki , Liu Sijia , Jing Haoyu , Nalaoh Phattananawee , Chau Nguyen Khiem , Taniguchi Masahiko , Lindsey Jonathan S.
Published: July 2023

Bacteriochlorins – Nature’s near-infrared (NIR) chromophores – are distinguished by an intense ([Formula: see text] ∼;105 M[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] long-wavelength absorption band in the ∼;700–1000 nm. The development of routes to prepare synthetic, tailorable bacteriochlorins holds promise for multiple disciplines where NIR-light-promoted photoactivity is of interest. A de novo route to bacteriochlorins equipped with a stabilizing gem-dimethyl group in each pyrroline ring was discovered in 2003. Continued development in this arena over 20 years has led to additional routes as well as methods to install substituents at selected positions about the perimeter of the macrocycle. The present paper reports studies that highlight substantial limitations of existing synthetic routes, including stymied access to multi-bacteriochlorin arrays and the inability to install (in a rational way) distinct groups at opposite sides of the macrocycle. The origins of the limitations are traced to particular stages of the chemistry ranging from derivatizing pyrroles, creating pyrrolines, constructing and elaborating dihydrodipyrrins, coupling dihydrodipyrrins, and forming macrocycles. Through exploration of a dozen aspects of bacteriochlorin syntheses, 60 new compounds (and nine known compounds via improved syntheses) have been prepared and characterized; the data include 20 single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The research taken together points to areas of focus to fulfill the promise of this fascinating class of compounds.
Global dynamics of a periodic viral infection model incorporating diffusion and antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Xu Jinhu
Published: July 2023

A new viral infection model with cell-to-cell infection and periodic antiretroviral therapy was proposed and analyzed. With the help of defined basic reproduction number [Formula: see text], we proved that if [Formula: see text], then the infection-free steady state is globally attractive. If [Formula: see text], then the infection is uniformly persistent. Furthermore, the globally asymptotical stability of infection-free steady state has been established for the critical case of [Formula: see text]. Also, the global asymptotic stability of the infection steady state for a special case of the model has been established by applying the method of Lyapunov. Numerical simulations show that increasing the drug efficacy for blocking virus-to-cell infection, cell-to-cell infection and producing non-infectious virus contributes to weakening the severity of viral infection.
On the investigation of a one-dimensional blood flow model in elastic arteries under symmetry analysis
Authors: Shagolshem Sumanta , Bira B. , Zeidan D.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we consider a one-dimensional model of blood flow along the compliant arteries. With the help of the invariant function, we construct and classify the optimal system of subalgebras. Next, we reduced the given system of partial differential equations (PDEs) to the system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for each subalgebra and subsequently solved them exactly. Further, we investigate the evolutionary behavior of the average blood flow velocity and the cross-sectional area of the arteries; under the influence of the physical parameter [Formula: see text] graphically. Furthermore, we construct nonlocally related PDEs for the given system of PDEs, consisting of inverse potential systems (IPS) and potential systems. Finally, we classify the nonlocal symmetries arising from the potential system and IPS.
CFD simulation and optimization of ventilation for the layout of community architecture inspired by fishbone form
Authors: Wei Yangyang , He Wenhui , Zhang Siyi , Wang Xinxia , Peng Yun
Published: July 2023

The rise in urbanization has led to an increase in high-density communities. Our study drew inspiration from the fishbone structure and applied a bionic architectural layout to optimize the wind environment within the pedestrian areas of these communities. Additionally, our study delved into the intrinsic principles and simulation-based optimization methods for the wind environment in the pedestrian areas of the fishbone bionic architectural complex. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation technology, our study simulated the building models both before and after the community renovation. Furthermore, our study simulated nine architectural complex models proposed by our study, considering the architectural layout and facade height within the community. By verifying and comparing the simulation results, our study observed that the fishbone bionic architectural form significantly improved the wind environment within the community’s pedestrian areas. Regarding the facade height, our study discovered that taller architectural units should be positioned away from the prevailing wind direction to enhance the airflow within the architectural complex. This research carries substantial implications for the renovation and planning of residential communities, particularly in large urban settings with a substantial population.
String Indexing with Compressed Patterns
Authors: Bille Philip , Gørtz Inge Li , Steiner Teresa Anna
Published: July 2023

Given a string
S
of length
n
, the classic string indexing problem is to preprocess
S
into a compact data structure that supports efficient subsequent pattern queries. In this article, we consider the basic variant where the pattern is given in compressed form and the goal is to achieve query time that is fast in terms of the compressed size of the pattern. This captures the common client-server scenario, where a client submits a query and communicates it in compressed form to a server. Instead of the server decompressing the query before processing it, we consider how to efficiently process the compressed query directly. Our main result is a novel linear space data structure that achieves near-optimal query time for patterns compressed with the classic Lempel-Ziv 1977 (LZ77) compression scheme. Along the way, we develop several data structural techniques of independent interest, including a novel data structure that compactly encodes all LZ77 compressed suffixes of a string in linear space and a general decomposition of tries that reduces the search time from logarithmic in the size of the trie to logarithmic in the length of the pattern.
Band 5 Nurses’ Leadership Development as a Current Care Priority in England: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions, Barriers, and Ways Forward
Authors: Conner Tony , Parkinson Mark , Thompson Juliana
Published: July 2023

Aims. To explore band 5 staff nurses’ perceptions of leadership and leadership development and derive insights and recommendations to inform future practice. Background. Band 5 staff nurses are increasingly expected to develop leadership skills but are not always well supported in this. Method. A qualitative methodology situated within a constructivist paradigm explored the shared meanings and understandings of band 5 nurses’ leadership development within the context of current organisation, policy, and culture. Results. Three principal themes representing band 5 nurses’ perceptions of leadership were identified: defining leadership, opportunities to lead, promoting leadership development. Conclusion. Band 5 nurses’ leadership development is highly variable in frequency and quality. Key barriers and facilitators to development are discussed, including the wide provision of formally validated and bespoke leadership programmes that combine practice-based, informal training. Implications for Practice. Nurse leadership development at all levels remains integral to high-quality and safe health care. High rates of senior staff attrition and recent guidelines in England reinforce the need for band 5 nurse leadership. The multiple challenges impeding this are discussed, alongside ways of overcoming them.
A Novel Role of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen in Telomere Stability in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Reddy Vidyavathi , Hwang Clara , Reddy G. Prem-Veer , Kim Sahn-Ho
Published: July 2023

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression increases with prostate cancer grade and progression; however, the role of PSMA in prostate cancer progression remains poorly understood. Telomere stability is essential for the survival and genome stability of cancer cells. We found massive telomere DNA damage in PSMA-negative prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and DU145) compared with PSMA-positive prostate cancer (LNCaP) cells. The ectopic expression of PSMA suppressed telomere DNA damage in PC3 cells. PSMA inhibitor, 2-PMPA, and PSMA knockdown induced telomere DNA damage in PSMA-positive LNCaP cells but not in PSMA-negative PC-3 cells, suggesting that PSMA plays a critical role in telomere stability in prostate cancer cells. In addition, we observed that inhibition of PSMA or inhibition of glutamate receptor, which mediates PSMA-dependent activation of AKT, suppressed AKT phosphorylation, and caused telomere DNA damage. Furthermore, 2-PMPA-induced telomere DNA damage in LNCaP cells was associated with telomere aberrations, such as telomere–telomere fusions, sister–chromatid telomere fusions, and telomere breakages. AKT is reported to promote cell growth by stabilizing telomere association with telomere-binding proteins TRF1 and TPP1. We observed that TRF1 and TPP1 transfection of LNCaP cells attenuated the inhibitory effect of 2-PMPA on cell growth and telomere DNA damage. Together, these observations indicate that PSMA role in maintaining telomere stability in prostate cancer cells is mediated by AKT. Thus, these studies reveal an important role of PSMA in maintaining telomere stability that can promote cell survival and, thereby, prostate cancer progression.

Implications:

Role of PSMA in telomere stability suggests a strong correlation between PSMA expression and prostate cancer progression.
Combinatorial Immunotherapy with Agonistic CD40 Activates Dendritic Cells to Express IL12 and Overcomes PD-1 Resistance
Authors: Krykbaeva Irina , Bridges Kate , Damsky William , Pizzurro Gabriela A. , Alexander Amanda F. , McGeary Meaghan K. , Park Koonam , Muthusamy Viswanathan , Eyles James , Luheshi Nadia , Turner Noel , Weiss Sarah A. , Olino Kelly , Kaech Susan M. , Kluger Harriet M. , Miller-Jensen Kathryn , Bosenberg Marcus
Published: July 2023

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment, but resistance remains a significant clinical challenge. Myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment can modulate checkpoint resistance by either supporting or suppressing adaptive immune responses. Using an anti–PD-1–resistant mouse melanoma model, we show that targeting the myeloid compartment via CD40 activation and CSF1R blockade in combination with anti–PD-1 results in complete tumor regression in a majority of mice. This triple therapy combination was primarily CD40 agonist-driven in the first 24 hours after therapy and showed a similar systemic cytokine profile in human patients as was seen in mice. Functional single-cell cytokine secretion profiling of dendritic cells (DC) using a novel microwell assay identified a CCL22+CCL5+ IL12-secreting DC subset as important early-stage effectors of triple therapy. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are both critical effectors of treatment, and systems analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data supported a role for DC-secreted IL12 in priming T-cell activation and recruitment. Finally, we showed that treatment with a novel IL12 mRNA therapeutic alone was sufficient to overcome PD-1 resistance and cause tumor regression. Overall, we conclude that combining myeloid-based innate immune activation and enhancement of adaptive immunity is a viable strategy to overcome anti–PD-1 resistance.