bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical analysis of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with liver failure
Authors: Zhang Lili , Yin Ling , Lv Wenliang , Wang Yitong , Liu Yang , Gou Chunyan , Hu Jianhua , Wang Xiaojun
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study is to analyze and summarize the characteristics of the clinical data of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with liver failure, and to improve the cognition of the disease. The clinical data of patients with SLE complicated with liver failure hospitalized in Beijing Youan Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021 were collected retrospectively, including general information and laboratory examination data, and the clinical characteristics of the patients were summarized and analyzed. Twenty-one SLE patients with liver failure were analyzed. The diagnosis of liver involvement was earlier in 3 cases than that of SLE, and later in 2 cases. Eight patients were diagnosed with SLE and autoimmune hepatitis at the same time. The medical history is between 1 month and 30 years. This was the first case report of SLE complicated with liver failure. We found that: (1) among the 21 patients, organ cysts (liver and kidney cysts) were more common and the proportion of cholecystolithiasis and cholecystitis was higher than that in previous studies, but the proportion of renal function damage and joint involvement was lower. (2) The inflammatory reaction was more obvious in SLE patients with acute liver failure. The degree of liver function injury in SLE patients with autoimmune hepatitis was less than that in patients with other liver diseases. (3) The use of glucocorticoid in SLE patients with liver failure was worthy of further discussion.

Key Points• Patients with SLE complicated with liver failure have a lower proportion of renal impairment and joint involvement.• The study firstly reported SLE patients with liver failure.• Glucocorticoids in the treatment of SLE patients with liver failure are worthy of further discussion.
A framework for modern time geography: emphasizing diverse constraints on accessibility
Authors: Dodge Somayeh , Nelson Trisalyn A.
Published: February 2023

Time geography is widely used by geographers as a model for understanding accessibility. Recent changes in how access is created, an increasing awareness of the need to better understand individual variability in access, and growing availability of detailed spatial and mobility data have created an opportunity to build more flexible time geography models. Our goal is to outline a research agenda for a modern time geography that allows new modes of access and a variety of data to flexibly represent the complexity of the relationship between time and access. A modern time geography is more able to nuance individual experience and creates a pathway for monitoring progress toward inclusion. We lean on the original work by Hägerstrand and the field of movement GIScience to develop both a framework and research roadmap that, if addressed, can enhance the flexibility of time geography to help ensure time geography will continue as a cornerstone of accessibility research. The proposed framework emphasizes the individual and differentiates access based on how individuals experience internal, external, and structural factors. To enhance nuanced representation of inclusion and exclusion, we propose research needs, focusing efforts on implementing flexible space–time constraints, inclusion of definitive variables, addressing mechanisms for representing and including relative variables, and addressing the need to link between individual and population scales of analysis. The accelerated digitalization of society, including availability of new forms of digital spatial data, combined with a focus on understanding how access varies across race, income, sexual identity, and physical limitations requires new consideration for how we include constraints in our studies of access. It is an exciting era for time geography and there are massive opportunities for all geographers to consider how to incorporate new realities and research priorities into time geography models, which have had a long tradition of supporting theory and implementation of accessibility research.
Navigating power imbalances in landscape governance: a network and influence analysis in southern Zambia
Authors: Siangulube Freddie S. , Ros-Tonen Mirjam A. F. , Reed James , Djoudi Houria , Gumbo Davison , Sunderland Terry
Published: February 2023

Actors engaging in integrated landscape approaches to reconciling conservation and development represent multiple sectors and scales and actors with different powers, resource access, and influence on decision-making. Despite growing acknowledgement, limited evidence exists on the implications of power relations for landscape governance. Therefore, this paper asks why and how different forms of power unfold and affect the functioning of multi-stakeholder platforms in southern Zambia. Social network analysis and a power influence assessment reveal that all actors exercise some form of visible, hidden, or invisible power in different social spaces to influence decision-making or negotiate a new social order. The intersection of customary and state governance reveals that power imbalances are the product of actors’ social belongingness, situatedness, and settlement histories. We conclude that integrated landscape approaches are potentially suited to balance power by triggering new dynamic social spaces for different power holders to engage in landscape decision-making. However, a power analysis before implementing a landscape approach helps better recognise power differentials and create a basis for marginalised actors to participate in decision-making equally. The paper bears relevance beyond the case, as the methods used to unravel power dynamics in contested landscapes are applicable across the tropics where mixed statutory and customary governance arrangements prevail.
Expert consensus on the management of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Asia
Authors: Tse Eric , Kwong Yok Lam , Goh Yeow Tee , Bee Ping Chong , Ng Soo Chin , Tan Daryl , Caguioa Priscilla , Nghia Huynh , Dumagay Teresita , Norasetthada Lalita , Chuncharunee Suporn , Radhakrishnan Vivek , Bagal Bhausaheb , Atmakusuma Tubagus Djumhana , Mulansari Nadia Ayu
Published: February 2023

In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the standard treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) due to the availability of new potent drugs. However, the majority of data on CLL were derived from Western populations, with limited studies and guidelines on the management of CLL from an Asian population perspective. This consensus guideline aims to understand treatment challenges and suggest appropriate management approaches for CLL in the Asian population and other countries with a similar socio-economic profile. The following recommendations are based on a consensus by experts and an extensive literature review and contribute towards uniform patient care in Asia.
Co-jumps and recursive preferences in portfolio choices
Authors: Oliva Immacolata , Stefani Ilaria
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates a multivariate, dynamic, continuous-time optimal consumption and portfolio allocation problem when the investor faces recursive utilities. The economy we are considering is described through both diffusion and discontinuities in the dynamics. We derive an approximated closed-form solution to optimal rules by exploiting standard dynamic programming techniques. Our findings are manifold. First, we obtain dynamic optimal weights, inversely proportional to volatility. Second, we show that both co-jumps frequency and intensity play a crucial role, as they considerably limit potential losses in the investors’ wealth. Third, we prove that jumps in precision reinforce the effect of jumps in price, further reducing optimal allocation. Finally, we highlight how co-jumps may influence investors’ choices regarding intertemporal consumption.
Machine learning algorithms to forecast air quality: a survey
Authors: Méndez Manuel , Merayo Mercedes G. , Núñez Manuel
Published: February 2023

Air pollution is a risk factor for many diseases that can lead to death. Therefore, it is important to develop forecasting mechanisms that can be used by the authorities, so that they can anticipate measures when high concentrations of certain pollutants are expected in the near future. Machine Learning models, in particular, Deep Learning models, have been widely used to forecast air quality. In this paper we present a comprehensive review of the main contributions in the field during the period 2011–2021. We have searched the main scientific publications databases and, after a careful selection, we have considered a total of 155 papers. The papers are classified in terms of geographical distribution, predicted values, predictor variables, evaluation metrics and Machine Learning model.
Assessing the Departures from the Energy- and Flux-Budget (EFB) Model in Heterogeneous and Urbanized Environment for Stable Atmospheric Stratification
Authors: Trini Castelli Silvia , Mortarini Luca , Cava Daniela , Martano Paolo , Argentini Stefania , Casasanta Giampietro , Petenko Igor , Sozzi Roberto , Tampieri Francesco
Published: February 2023

Turbulence closure schemes, besides their intrinsic theoretical importance, represent a fundamental component in the atmospheric numerical models. Among his numerous and diverse scientific contributions, Prof. Sergej S. Zilitinkevich, with his coauthors, elaborated a turbulence closure model for stably-stratified geophysical flows, the Energy and Flux Budget (EFB) model. This closure has been verified and applied on many different experimental datasets and case studies, for steady state and homogeneous conditions. Having available observational datasets for urban and suburban sites in different cities in Italy, we investigate the deviation of the observations of turbulent kinetic energy and momentum flux from the EFB turbulence closure model in heterogeneous conditions. This allows addressing and interpreting the features that induce such deviation between the model and the observations. The EFB model is then revisited including residual terms that can account for the non-stationarity and heterogeneity of the considered cases. The correction with the residual terms leads to improve the agreement between the theoretical formulations and the observed behaviour for the turbulent kinetic energy shares and for the vertical momentum flux.
How to Neutralize Primary Psychopathic Leaders’ Damaging Impact: Rules, Sanctions, and Transparency
Authors: Laurijssen L. Maxim , Wisse Barbara , Sanders Stacey , Sleebos Ed
Published: February 2023

Primary psychopathy in leaders, also referred to as successful psychopathy or corporate psychopathy, has been put forward as a key determinant of corporate misconduct. In contrast to the general notion that primary psychopaths’ destructiveness cannot be controlled, we posit that psychopathic leaders’ display of self-serving and abusive behavior can be restrained by organizational contextual factors. Specifically, we hypothesize that the positive relationship between leader primary psychopathy on the one hand and self-serving behavior and abusive supervision on the other will be weaker to the extent that the organizational context (clear rules and policies, sanctionability of misconduct, and transparency of behavior) is stronger. Three studies (one experiment, one survey of leader–subordinate dyads, and one survey of teams) showed that clear rules in particular weakened the positive association between leader primary psychopathic traits and their self-serving and abusive behavior. Explanations for why clear rules rein in primary psychopathic leaders’ destructive behavior more than sanctionability of misconduct and transparency of behavior will be discussed.
COLLTS: A Promising Interactive Read-Aloud Intervention for Three-Year-Old Dual-Language Learners
Authors: August Diane L. , Carlson Coleen D. , Barr Christopher D. , Bergey Rebecca
Published: February 2023

The goal of this pilot study was to test a bilingual interactive read-aloud intervention designed to develop the oral language proficiency of three-year-old dual language learners (DLLs). The eight-week intervention—Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talent in Students (COLLTS)—was aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and consisted of evidence-based instructional methods; resources for teachers and students that supported teachers in enacting these methods; professional development related to the methods and resources; and family literacy activities. Control teachers were given the same books as the treatment teachers to read to their students but were not provided with all of the professional development and any of the other COLLTS resources. The study was implemented in 22 classrooms in seven Head Start centers in a large city in the southern United States. Data were collected to assess students’ language outcomes, teacher fidelity, and family participation. Findings indicated gains on a short receptive measure of instructed vocabulary, but no significant differences between treatment and control DLLs on that measure. Findings also indicated significantly greater gains for treatment DLLs compared with control DLLs in semantic knowledge measured by oral narrative retellings coded using language sample analysis; high levels of parent involvement and family satisfaction; and significantly greater gains in student’s vocabulary knowledge for more engaged treatment families.
Patient-reported outcome measures for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: a systematic review
Authors: Piontek Katharina , Donhauser Theresa , Kann Gesina , Fechtner Marie , Apfelbacher Christian , Gabes Michaela
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To conduct a systematic review of the quality of existing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for use in women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) applying the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology, and to derive recommendations for their use in future research.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Web of Science. Studies reporting on the development and/or validation of any PROMs for uncomplicated UTIs in women were considered eligible. We evaluated the methodological quality of each included study using the COSMIN Risk of Bias Checklist, and further applied predefined criteria for good measurement properties. Finally, we graded the evidence and derived recommendations for the use of the included PROMs.

Results

Data from 23 studies reporting on six PROMs were included. From those, the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) and the Urinary Tract Infection-Symptom and Impairment Questionnaire (UTI-SIQ-8) can be recommended for further use. Both instruments showed sufficient content validity. We further found high-quality evidence for sufficient internal consistency of the UTI-SIQ-8, while this criterion was not assessed for the ACSS due to a formative measurement model. All other PROMs have the potential to be recommended for use, but require further validation.

Conclusion

The ACSS and the UTI-SIQ-8 have the potential to be recommended for use in women with uncomplicated UTIs in future clinical trials. For all included PROMs, further validation studies are indicated.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO.
The modal basis of scientific modelling
Authors: Tahko Tuomas E.
Published: February 2023

The practice of scientific modelling often resorts to hypothetical, false, idealised, targetless, partial, generalised, and other types of modelling that appear to have at least partially non-actual targets. In this paper, I will argue that we can avoid a commitment to non-actual targets by sketching a framework where models are understood as having networks of possibilities as their targets. This raises a further question: what are the truthmakers for the modal claims that we can derive from models? I propose that we can find truthmakers for the modal claims derived from models in actuality, even in the case of supposedly non-actual targets. I then put this framework to use by examining a case study concerning the modelling of superheavy elements.
Communication medium in theileriosis control: the factors that determine disease knowledge among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe
Authors: Nhokwara Shelton M. , Kono Hiroichi , Kubota Satoko , Jubenkanda Mark
Published: February 2023

Theileriosis is one of the most important tick-borne diseases that has been affecting farmers and thousands of livestock in Zimbabwe. The main government strategy to combat theileriosis is use of plunge dips with anti-tick chemicals at specified times; however, an increase in number of farmers caused a strain on government services resulting in disease outbreak. One of the key issues that have been highlighted by department of veterinary is the strain in communication and knowledge of the disease with the farmers. Hence, it is important to evaluate the communication between farmers and veterinary services and identify possible areas of strain. A field survey was conducted with 320 farmers in Mhondoro Ngezi, a district badly affected by theileriosis. Face-to-face interviews with smallholders and communal farmers were conducted between September and October 2021, and the data were analyzed using Stata 17. Communal farmers relied mainly on oral communication and had limited knowledge of theileriosis; therefore, dead cattle % was high among them. Though veterinary extension officers were the prime source of information, oral communication medium affected knowledge transferred. The results of this study recommend adoption of communication mediums that encourage retention, such as brochures and posters by veterinary extension services. The government may also partner with private players to ease pressure of increased farming population due to land reform.
The modality effect reverses in a virtual reality learning environment and influences cognitive load
Authors: Albus Patrick , Seufert Tina
Published: February 2023

When Virtual Reality (VR) is used to present learning content, the three-dimensional image is often not sufficient and additional text is required, either in the form of visual or auditory text. Such additional instructional text could be particularly beneficial due to the many visual stimuli and the risk of visual working memory overload. Relieving working memory by using both channels in the audio-visual presentation, there might be more cognitive capacity available to invest in germane processes for learning. In addition, the image and the text can be processed simultaneously, supporting deeper learning processes. Based on the modality effect, it is therefore assumed that an audio-visual presentation in VR, compared to a visual-only presentation, can lead to higher learning outcomes (recall, comprehension and transfer). In a between-subjects design we analysed the modality principle in VR with 61 subjects (69% female). We hypothesized that when verbal information in VR is given auditorily instead of visually, it leads to overall higher learning outcomes. For intrinsic cognitive load we assumed no differences, but lower extraneous cognitive load and higher germane cognitive load for the audio-visual condition. However, results show a reverse modality effect. The visual-only condition showed higher learning outcome scores for recall, comprehension and transfer. As expected, the conditions showed no differences with regard to the intrinsic cognitive load. However, we also found no differences in extraneous cognitive load. Contrary to our hypothesis we found higher germane cognitive load for the visual-only condition compared to the audio-visual condition, which may be attributed to repeated reading, reading strategies or other self-regulatory strategies. Future research could focus on the use of strategies or evaluate relevant process data.
Effectiveness of invention tasks and explicit instruction in preparing intellectually gifted adolescents for learning
Authors: Lim Sue-ann , Jung Jae Yup , Kalyuga Slava
Published: February 2023

Solving a novel problem has recently garnered some attention as a viable alternative to traditional explicit instruction in the preparation of students for learning. This study investigated the effectiveness of introducing problem-solving tasks and worked examples prior to explicit instruction, along with the use of contrast, for gifted and non-gifted adolescents. One hundred and ninety-nine students from academically selective government and Independent high schools participated in this study. The 2 × 2 × 2 research design that was used examined the effects of giftedness (i.e., gifted vs. non-gifted), instruction-type (i.e., problem-solving vs. worked examples), and structure (i.e., high vs low contrast materials) on the learning outcomes of transfer and procedural knowledge. The study also examined the impact of explicit instruction and invention-first instruction strategies on non-performance variables—self-efficacy, extraneous load, experience of knowledge gaps, and interest. The results of the study suggested that invention-first instruction may be more effective than example-first instruction in transfer, and that gifted students may benefit more from invention-first instruction than example-first instruction. The use of contrast materials was not found to affect performance. Furthermore, instruction was found to have no significant effects on the investigated non-performance variables. Collectively, these findings challenge the conventional teaching modality of explicit instruction in gifted education, and puts forward the possibility of the invention-first strategy as an effective instructional strategy for gifted students.
Using neural networks to solve linear bilevel problems with unknown lower level
Authors: Molan Ioana , Schmidt Martin
Published: February 2023

Bilevel problems are used to model the interaction between two decision makers in which the lower-level problem, the so-called follower’s problem, appears as a constraint in the upper-level problem of the so-called leader. One issue in many practical situations is that the follower’s problem is not explicitly known by the leader. For such bilevel problems with unknown lower-level model we propose the use of neural networks to learn the follower’s optimal response for given decisions of the leader based on available historical data of pairs of leader and follower decisions. Integrating the resulting neural network in a single-level reformulation of the bilevel problem leads to a challenging model with a black-box constraint. We exploit Lipschitz optimization techniques from the literature to solve this reformulation and illustrate the applicability of the proposed method with some preliminary case studies using academic and linear bilevel instances.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in New York: an EHR-Based Cohort Study from the RECOVER Program
Authors: Khullar Dhruv , Zhang Yongkang , Zang Chengxi , Xu Zhenxing , Wang Fei , Weiner Mark G. , Carton Thomas W. , Rothman Russell L. , Block Jason P. , Kaushal Rainu
Published: February 2023

Background

Compared to white individuals, Black and Hispanic individuals have higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Less is known about racial/ethnic differences in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Objective

Examine racial/ethnic differences in potential PASC symptoms and conditions among hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using data from electronic health records.

Participants

62,339 patients with COVID-19 and 247,881 patients without COVID-19 in New York City between March 2020 and October 2021.

Main Measures

New symptoms and conditions 31–180 days after COVID-19 diagnosis.

Key Results

The final study population included 29,331 white patients (47.1%), 12,638 Black patients (20.3%), and 20,370 Hispanic patients (32.7%) diagnosed with COVID-19. After adjusting for confounders, significant racial/ethnic differences in incident symptoms and conditions existed among both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. For example, 31–180 days after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, hospitalized Black patients had higher odds of being diagnosed with diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50—2.56, q<0.001) and headaches (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.11—2.08, q=0.02), compared to hospitalized white patients. Hospitalized Hispanic patients had higher odds of headaches (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.21—2.17, q=0.003) and dyspnea (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05—1.42, q=0.02), compared to hospitalized white patients. Among non-hospitalized patients, Black patients had higher odds of being diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20—2.36, q=0.009) and diabetes (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.75—2.58, q<0.001), but lower odds of encephalopathy (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.45—0.75, q<0.001), compared to white patients. Hispanic patients had higher odds of being diagnosed with headaches (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.24—1.60, q<0.001) and chest pain (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.35—1.67, q < 0.001), but lower odds of encephalopathy (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51—0.80, q<0.001).

Conclusions

Compared to white patients, patients from racial/ethnic minority groups had significantly different odds of developing potential PASC symptoms and conditions. Future research should examine the reasons for these differences.
Bariatric Surgery Efficiency, Safety and Health Outcomes in Government Versus Privately Funded Hospitals
Authors: Chadwick Chiara , Burton Paul R. , Brown Dianne , Holland Jennifer F. , Campbell Angus , Cottrell Jenifer , MacCormick Andrew D. , Caterson Ian , Brown Wendy A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to determine if the hospital efficiency, safety and health outcomes are equal in patients who receive bariatric surgery in government-funded hospitals (GFH) versus privately funded hospitals (PFH).

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective observational study of prospectively maintained data from the Australia and New Zealand Bariatric Surgery Registry of 14,862 procedures (2134 GFH and 12,728 PFH) from 33 hospitals (8 GFH and 25 PFH) performed in Victoria, Australia, between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2020. Outcome measures included the difference in efficacy (weight loss, diabetes remission), safety (defined adverse event and complications) and efficiency (hospital length of stay) between the two health systems.

Results

GFH treated a higher risk patient group who were older by a mean (SD) 2.4 years (0.27), P < 0.001; had a mean 9.0 kg (0.6) greater weight at time of surgery, P < 0.001; and a higher prevalence of diabetes at day of surgery OR = 2.57 (CI95%2.29–2.89), P < 0.001. Despite these baseline differences, both GFH and PFH yielded near identical remission of diabetes which was stable up to 4 years post-operatively (57%). There was no statistically significant difference in defined adverse events between the GFH and PFH (OR = 1.24 (CI95% 0.93–1.67), P = 0.14). Both healthcare settings demonstrated that similar covariates affect length of stay (LOS) (diabetes, conversion bariatric procedures and defined adverse event); however, these covariates had a greater effect on LOS in GFH compared to PFH.

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery performed in GFH and PFH yields comparable health outcomes (metabolic and weight loss) and safety. There was a small but statistically significant increased LOS following bariatric surgery in GFH.

Graphical Abstract
Extract of Styrax japonica attenuates glutamate-induced apoptosis via regulating MAPK signaling pathway in HT22 hippocampal cells
Authors: Jeong Da Hye , Han Song-I , Kim Jae-Hoon
Published: February 2023

Two-thirds of people with dementia suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and there is a need to develop treatments with fewer side effects. Cholinergic and glutamate-induced brain damage occurs in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, so substances that suppress these symptoms may be potential candidates for the treatment. Ethanol extracts of 40 kinds of oriental medicine plants were examined whether they have acetylcholine esterase (Ache) inhibitory properties. We next investigated whether the ethanol extracts of six oriental medicine plants showing Ache inhibitory activity could inhibit glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. The ethanol extract of Styrax japonica (EESJ) was found to be relatively superior in both inhibitory activities. MTT and annexin V/PI staining assays confirmed that EESJ inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in the HT22 mouse hippocampal cells. EESJ also suppressed glutamate-mediated ROS production and attenuated the phosphorylation levels of MAPK members including ERK, JNK, and p38 kinases. Therefore, EESJ is a suitable candidate for developing a substance of Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
The retention of training doctors in the Irish health system
Authors: Pierse Tom , Morris Roisin , OToole Leah , Kinirons Brian , Staddon Eddie
Published: February 2023

Background

There is limited quantitative evidence on the migration patterns of training doctors in Ireland. The aim of this study is to estimate the number of trainee doctors leaving the Irish health system and the numbers returning.

Methods

This study uses administrative data to track the migration patterns of Irish trained doctors at various career stages.

Results

Eighty-four percent of interns who commenced intern training in 2015 subsequently commenced a basic specialist training (BST) or general practice (GP) training programme in subsequent years (2016–2021). Of those who completed BST training in 2017, 75% went on to higher specialist training (HST) in Ireland. In 2021, of the 2016 cohort of doctors awarded Certificates of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST), 68% are employed in Ireland and 32% are abroad or unknown. Of the 2016 group that are abroad, the UK is the main country of practice. There are variations in the retention rate across disciplines; from the 2016 cohort, 52% of anaesthesiology CSCSTs were working in Ireland in 2021 compared to 88% of psychiatry CSCSTs.

Conclusion

Previous research has highlighted Irish doctor’s intentions to migrate and intentions to return to Ireland. This study documents for the first time the extent to which Irish doctors are leaving and returning to the Irish health system from 2015 to 2021. The paper also gives a picture of variations across medical disciplines and the location of emigration of qualified specialists.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of endovascular thrombectomy for stroke: an Irish perspective
Authors: Brosnan Conor , Brennan David , Reid Conor , Power Sarah , O’Hare Alan , Brennan Paul , Thornton John , Crockett Matthew
Published: February 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic produced unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems. These challenges were amplified in the setting of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large vessel occlusion strokes given the time-sensitive nature of the procedure.

Aims

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service provision at the primary endovascular stroke centre in Ireland.

Methods

A retrospective review of the National Thrombectomy Service database was performed. All patients undergoing EVT from 1 January to 31 December inclusive of 2019 to 2021 were included. Patient demographics, functional outcomes and endovascular treatment time metrics were recorded.

Results

Data from 2019, 2020 and 2021 were extracted. Three hundred seven thrombectomies were performed in 2019 and 2020; this number increased to 327 in 2021. Median time from arrival to groin puncture for thrombectomy was 64 min in 2019, increasing to 65 min in 2020. In 2021, this decreased to 52 min. Median time taken from groin puncture to first perfusion remained stable from 2019 to 2021 years at 20 min. Total duration of emergency thrombectomies reduced from 32 min in 2019 to 27 min in 2020. This increased to 29 min in 2021.

Conclusions

Despite the myriad of challenges presented by the pandemic, service provision at the primary Irish ESC, and the referring hospitals, has proven to be robust. Procedural time metrics were maintained whilst the expected reduction in number of EVTs performed did not materialise, there actually being a significant increase in number of EVTs performed in the pandemic’s second year.
Copy Number Variation and Osteoporosis
Authors: Lovšin Nika
Published: February 2023

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize recent findings on copy number variations and susceptibility to osteoporosis.

Recent Findings

Osteoporosis is highly influenced by genetic factors, including copy number variations (CNVs). The development and accessibility of whole genome sequencing methods has accelerated the study of CNVs and osteoporosis. Recent findings include mutations in novel genes and validation of previously known pathogenic CNVs in monogenic skeletal diseases. Identification of CNVs in genes previously associated with osteoporosis (e.g. RUNX2, COL1A2, and PLS3) has confirmed their importance in bone remodelling. This process has been associated also with the ETV1-DGKB, AGBL2, ATM, and GPR68 genes, identified by comparative genomic hybridisation microarray studies. Importantly, studies in patients with bone pathologies have associated bone disease with the long non-coding RNA LINC01260 and enhancer sequences residing in the HDAC9 gene.

Further functional investigation of genetic loci harbouring CNVs associated with skeletal phenotypes will reveal their role as molecular drivers of osteoporosis.
Relationship Between Dementia Knowledge and Occupational Strain Among Staff of Residential Facilities for Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Lea Emma , Robinson Andrew , Doherty Kathleen
Published: February 2023

Working with people living with dementia in residential facilities for older adults can be challenging, and this is exacerbated when staff have a limited understanding of dementia. However, the relationship between knowledge of dementia and strain in caring for people with dementia among residential facility staff is unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between dementia knowledge and strain in caring for people with dementia. A questionnaire containing the Dementia Knowledge Assessment and Strain in Dementia Care Scales was administered in 2017 and 2019 to 141 staff in three southern Australian residential facilities for older adults. Bivariate and hierarchical regression analysis examined inter-scale relationships and the power of dementia strain to explain knowledge variance. It was found that staff had substantial gaps in dementia knowledge (mean score 32/50) and low strain in dementia care (mean score 4/16). A positive relationship was found between higher dementia knowledge and greater strain in dementia care (rs = 0.319, p < .001), particularly with feeling that residents are not receiving appropriate care from colleagues (Factor 1 Frustrated Empathy; rs = 0.392, p < .001). Frustrated Empathy explained a significant amount of variance in dementia knowledge beyond demographic variables. The findings suggest that more comprehensive dementia knowledge is associated with higher strain in care of people with dementia, particularly in the context of perceived lapses in the quality of care provided by colleagues. Arguably, organisational-wide dementia education to address identified gaps should be supported by facilitating staff enaction of their knowledge to improve care.
Effects of perspective switching and utilitarian thinking on moral judgments in a sacrificial dilemma among healthcare and non-healthcare students
Authors: Park Junsu , Shin Yongmin , Kim Seungmin , Maeng Seho , Ihm Jungjoon
Published: February 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals have often faced moral challenges, which required them to choose between endorsing self- or other-sacrifice for the greater good. Drawing on the altruistic rationalization hypothesis and trait-activation theory, this study investigates (a) whether healthcare students’ endorsement of utilitarian solutions to sacrificial moral dilemmas varies when they are confronted with the minority group, majority group, or third-person perspective on the given dilemma and (b) whether individual differences in utilitarian thinking, as measured by the Oxford Utilitarianism Scale (both instrumental harm and impartial beneficence), predict endorsement of utilitarian solutions to moral dilemmas. The study population was divided into a group of healthcare students and a group of non-healthcare students. It was found that the members of both groups expressed a stronger pro-utilitarian position when making moral dilemma judgments from a majority perspective than from the two other perspectives. However, a difference was observed with healthcare students being more reluctant to endorse the utilitarian action than their non-healthcare counterparts in the self-in-majority context. The instrumental harm component was a significant predictor of utilitarian judgments in the healthcare group, but impartial beneficence significantly predicted utilitarian judgments in the non-healthcare group in the self-in-majority context.
The Socio-Economic Status of Neighbourhoods and Access to Early Childhood Education
Authors: Baranyai Eszter
Published: February 2023

Good-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) has been shown to benefit children from low socio-economic backgrounds the most, starting from a very early age. Yet in many countries ECEC usage by such children is lower than that of their more fortunate peers. We study inequalities in the availability and affordability of local ECEC services in Hungary across neighbourhoods of different socio-economic status because these factors have been found to be key for ECEC uptake in many settings. Hungary is an interesting case because the potential to reduce child poverty is high. We find that publicly-funded ECEC availability for children under age 3 is lower in poorer areas in Hungary even after controlling for proxies of demand, regional effects and the known issue of low ECEC density in smaller settlements. Formal ECEC through the private sector is also scarcer in poorer areas but we do not find evidence that it is less affordable than in richer areas using a stylised family affordability metric. Our study not only expands the geographical dimension of the literature but also adds particular value by studying the private-sector pricing of ECEC services in the context of demand unsatisfied by the public sector.
The Different Bases of the Meaning and of the Seeing-in Experiences
Authors: Calzavarini Fabrizio , Voltolini Alberto
Published: February 2023

There are some complex experiences, such as the experiences that allow us to understand linguistic expressions and pictures respectively, which seem to be very similar. For they are stratified experiences in which, on top of grasping certain low-level properties, one also grasps some high-level semantic-like properties. Yet first of all, those similarities notwithstanding, a phenomenologically-based reflection shows that such experiences are different. For a meaning experience has a high-level fold, in which one grasps the relevant expression’s meaning, which is not perceptual, but is only based on a low-level perceptual fold that merely grasps that expression in its acoustically relevant properties. While a pictorial experience, a seeing-in experience, has two folds, the configurational and the recognitional fold, in which one respectively grasps the physical basis of a picture, its vehicle, and what the picture presents, its subject, that are both perceptual, insofar as they are intimately connected. For unlike a meaning experience, in a seeing-in experience one can perceptually read off the picture’s subject from the picture’s vehicle. Moreover, this phenomenological difference is neurologically implemented. For not only the cerebral areas that respectively implement such experiences are different, at least as far as the access to those experiences’ respective high-level content is concerned. As is shown by the fact that one can selectively be impaired in the area respectively implementing the meaning vs. the seeing-in experience without losing one’s pictorial vs. semantic competence respectively. But also, unlike meaning experiences, the area implementing the seeing-in experiential folds is perceptual as a whole. For not only a picture’s subject can be accessed earlier than an expression’s meaning, but also the neural underpinnings of such folds are located in the perceptual areas of the brain.
A new score system using data-driven approach to rank carbonate gas reservoirs in Sichuan Basin
Authors: Li Haitao , Pan Zhengyi , Chen Yanru , Yu Guo , Zhang Juan , Fang Yizhu , Zhang Li , Wang Jing , Sun Xianfei , Long Wei
Published: February 2023

In the early stages of exploration, with only a limited amount of data available, it is difficult to evaluate a reservoir and optimize the sequence of the development plan. The score system is often used to rank the reservoir based on multidisciplinary factors that combine geology, production, and economics. However, current methods that are widely employed to classify the reservoir, such as analogy or single parameter, are qualitative or inaccurate, especially for carbonate gas reservoirs with complex geological conditions. In this study, we developed a score system using a data-driven approach to rank carbonate gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin. We developed two approaches, expert scoring and the random forest, to rank the quality of the reservoir, which agreed well with the field development plan. The expert scoring approach, which is highly dependent on the experience of experts in this area, is more suitable for reservoirs with limited data available, especially in the early exploration stage. The random forest model, which is more robust and able to reduce uncertainty from experience, is more suitable for developed areas with sufficient data. The developed score system can help rank new resource recovery and optimize the development plan in the Sichuan Basin.
Antibacterial and antineoplastic MCF-7 and HePG-2 characteristics of the methanolic (80%) clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) extract
Authors: Mekky Alsayed E. , Emam Abdallah E. , Selim Mohammed N. , Abdelmouty Eslam S. , Khedr Mohamed
Published: February 2023

Syzygium aromaticum L. (S. aromaticum) used universally as a spice beside as one of classical Indian and Chinese medicine. It contains a variety of biologically active substances, one of them is eugenol which the main component, accounting for 81.1% of the clove oil. It used in traditional medicine as an antibacterial, antineoplastic, antiseptic, and analgesic agent. Previous studies reported its role within photochemical reactions and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and insecticidal properties, for that, eugenol listed as a promising candidate for the chemical scaffold for pharmaceuticals. The aim of the current study is evaluating of methanolic (80%) clove extract at room temperature in the sunlight (RS) and at low temperatures in the dark (DC) for their antibacterial and anticancer activity applied on different two cancer cell line types breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and hepato-carcinoma cell line type (HePG-2). The results evaluated that both (DC) and (RS) have antibacterial activity against five multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. Extract (DC) of clove has a larger zone of inhibition against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, and E. coli, with diameter 13, 20, 20, 21, and 15 mm, respectively, with MICs and MBCs of 6.25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/ml for all isolates except S. aureus showed MIC at 12.5 mg/ml. On the other hand, extract (RS) exhibit zone of inhibition with diameter 17, 10, 15, 18, 17 mm, respectively, with MICs and MBCs of 12.5 mg/mL and 25 mg/ml for all isolates except S. aureus showed MIC at 25 mg/ml. Also, both (DC) and (RS) have cytotoxic activity against two cell lines with significant DNA fragmentation as an indicator of cell apoptosis. The cytotoxic concentration of (DC) with IC50 values for MCF-7 started at 250 µg/ml and reached 46.7% but was 500 and 1000 µg/ml. toxicity reached 100%. Cytotoxicity of (RS) against mcf7 was found to be 48.25% at a concentration of 500 μg/ml, reaching 100% toxicity at the above concentrations 1000 µg/ml. For the HepG-2 cell line, the cytotoxic activity of (DC) was significant at 50.5% at a concentration of 250 µg/ml, whereas RS showed cytotoxic activity at 500 µg/ml with a value of 17.3%. These therapies for cancer and bacterial infections are all-natural and eco-friendly.
An Air-Rechargeable Zn Battery Enabled by Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Cathode
Authors: Shi Junjie , Mao Ke , Zhang Qixiang , Liu Zunyu , Long Fei , Wen Li , Hou Yixin , Li Xinliang , Ma Yanan , Yue Yang , Li Luying , Zhi Chunyi , Gao Yihua
Published: February 2023

Self-charging power systems collecting energy harvesting technology and batteries are attracting extensive attention. To solve the disadvantages of the traditional integrated system, such as highly dependent on energy supply and complex structure, an air-rechargeable Zn battery based on MoS2/PANI cathode is reported. Benefited from the excellent conductivity desolvation shield of PANI, the MoS2/PANI cathode exhibits ultra-high capacity (304.98 mAh g−1 in N2 and 351.25 mAh g−1 in air). In particular, this battery has the ability to collect, convert and store energy simultaneously by an air-rechargeable process of the spontaneous redox reaction between the discharged cathode and O2 from air. The air-rechargeable Zn batteries display a high open-circuit voltage (1.15 V), an unforgettable discharge capacity (316.09 mAh g−1 and the air-rechargeable depth is 89.99%) and good air-recharging stability (291.22 mAh g−1 after 50 air recharging/galvanostatic current discharge cycle). Most importantly, both our quasi-solid zinc ion batteries and batteries modules have excellent performance and practicability. This work will provide a promising research direction for the material design and device assembly of the next-generation self-powered system.
Experimental investigation on mechanical characteristics of red sandstone under graded cyclic loading and its inspirations for stability of overlying strata
Authors: Ran Qican , Liang Yunpei , Zou Quanle , Hong Yang , Zhang Bichuan , Liu Hao , Kong Fanjie
Published: February 2023

The horizontal stress in the fractured blocks of a fractured zone is in a stress relief status under repeated mining disturbances. To investigate the effect of the horizontal stress in fractured blocks on the stability of the overlying strata, uniaxially graded cyclic loading and unloading experiments on red sandstone with different initial stress level were carried out. First, the evolution of the loading and unloading elastic modulus, irreversible strain and load-unload response ratio were analyzed. Then, the strain energy evolution and damage variable characteristics were examined. Finally, the stability of a voussoir beam structure under repeated mining disturbances was discussed. The results showed that with increasing cycle number, the elastic modulus showed a nonlinear decreasing trend, the load-unload response ratio always fluctuated at approximately 1, and the irreversible strain showed a rapid and steady increasing trend. The proportion of elastic energy tended to increase linearly with increasing cycle number, while the proportion of dissipated strain energy tended to decrease. Moreover, the damage variable, based on the dissipation strain energy definition, showed a parabolic growth trend with increasing cycle number. The irreversible strain and damage variables showed an “increasing–decreasing-increasing” trend as the initial stress level increased. Finally, a stability criterion of the voussoir beam structure based on the effect of repeated mining disturbances on horizontal thrust was proposed. This research has important implications for overlying strata stability.