bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Autogenous bone block grafting in esthetic zone for implant supported prosthetic rehabilitation
Authors: Subhadarsanee Chitrika , Salian Shrishti , DHADSE PRASAD , Bajaj Pavan , HASSAN SAFIYA
Published: December 2023

Background: Dental implants provide a novel method of successful treatment and have been a highly predictable surgical procedure for replacing single or multiple teeth. Maxillary anterior single-tooth replacement is often the most difficult procedure in all of implant dentistry. The highly esthetic zone of the premaxilla often requires both hard (bone and teeth) and soft tissue restoration. Therefore, augmentation of alveolar ridge defect becomes more important in terms of providing sufficient bone volume for the placement of implants and for aesthetic considerations. The aim of this case report was to bring forward the novel technique of combining ridge augmentation using autogenous bone block graft for anterior implant placement using piezoelectric apparatus.

Case description: In this case report, a 27-year-old male patient presented to the department of periodontics with a chief complaint of poor aesthetics owing to missing tooth in the upper-front region (11) due to trauma that occurred 3 years back. The patient was diagnosed with an alveolar bone wall defect with 11 region. The authors brought forward the novel technique of combining ridge augmentation using autogenous bone block graft for anterior implant placement using piezoelectric apparatus in order to treat the patient. The follow-up was done at 6- and 9-months post-op respectively.

Conclusion: In spite of all the technical difficulties that the surgical and restoring clinician may face, the anterior single-tooth implant is the ideal modality of choice to replace a missing anterior maxillary tooth.

Clinical significance: Unique surgical and prosthetic concepts were implemented in this case for successful results.
Ex vivo precision-cut liver slices model disease phenotype and monitor therapeutic response for liver monogenic diseases
Authors: Perocheau Dany , Gurung Sonam , Touramanidou Loukia , Duff Claire , Sharma Garima , Sebire Neil , Finn Patrick F , Cavedon Alex , Siddiqui Summar , Rice Lisa , Martini Paolo G.V. , Frassetto Andrea , Baruteau Julien
Published: December 2023

Background In academic research and the pharmaceutical industry, in vitro cell lines and in vivo animal models are considered as gold standards in modelling diseases and assessing therapeutic efficacy. However, both models have intrinsic limitations, whilst the use of precision-cut tissue slices can bridge the gap between these mainstream models. Precision-cut tissue slices combine the advantage of high reproducibility, studying all cell sub-types whilst preserving the tissue matrix and extracellular architecture, thereby closely mimicking a mini-organ. This approach can be used to replicate the biological phenotype of liver monogenic diseases using mouse models. Methods Here, we describe an optimised and easy-to-implement protocol for the culture of sections from mouse livers, enabling its use as a reliable ex-vivo model to assess the therapeutic screening of inherited metabolic diseases Results We show that precision-cut liver sections can be a reliable model for recapitulating the biological phenotype of inherited metabolic diseases, exemplified by common urea cycle defects such as citrullinemia type 1 and argininosuccinic aciduria, caused by argininosuccinic synthase (ASS1) and argininosuccinic lyase (ASL) deficiencies respectively. Conclusions Therapeutic response to gene therapy such as messenger RNA replacement delivered via lipid nanoparticles can be monitored, demonstrating that precision-cut liver sections can be used as a preclinical screening tool to assess therapeutic response and toxicity in monogenic liver diseases.
The assessment of educational and supportive care to the infertile females undergoes In Vitro Fertilization procedure by clinical pharmacist: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Abbas Ibrahim Ali , Abdulhadi Rashid Abeer
Published: December 2023

Background Infertility affects approximately 10-15% of married individuals, and may trigger various emotional reactions. Females undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) are more susceptible to experiencing depression. This study aims to assess the influence of pharmacist counseling on quality of life, depression scores, and pregnancy rates among infertile females undergoing IVF treatment. Method The research examined women who visited the infertility clinic at Kamal Al-Samaraie Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq to achieve pregnancy. These individuals were separated into a control group and an intervention group. The intervention group received an educational program consisting of five visits, while the control group got a conventional hospital procedure. The present research evaluated the quality of life-related to fertility using the FertiQoL (Fertility Quality of Life) questionnaire. It examined the participants’ depression levels using the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression) scale. These assessments were conducted at the commencement and conclusion of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Results The present research included 150 women diagnosed with infertility, whose average age was 30.32 ± 5.64 years. The participants had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.12 ± 3.57. No statistically significant difference was seen in the FertiQoL evaluation scores between the control and intervention groups at the beginning of the study. The FertiQoL, assessed at the end of the trial, exhibited a statistically significant increase in the interventional group, with a P-value of 0.025. The prevalence of Depression risk patients decreased from 83% to 69%, and the interventional group exhibited a substantially greater proportion of favorable pregnancy outcomes (48%) compared to the control group (29.3%). Conclusion Infertile women who undergo IVF operations have higher rates of depression. Depression may be reduced, and quality of life improved with education and supportive counseling. Pregnancy rates rise as a result of clinical pharmacist counseling. Trial registration This study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT06022640).
To swim or not to swim after eating: a randomised controlled crossover feasibility trial
Authors: Harmankaya Sehriban , Öberg Stina , Ryg Jesper , Vogsen Marianne , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: December 2023

Background The aim was to investigate and challenge the belief that swimming immediately after eating is dangerous and also to investigate what potentially could happen when swimming immediately after a meal. We wanted to explore feasibility and get background data to perform sample size calculations and choose outcome parameters for a full-scale randomized trial. Methods The trial was performed during lunch breaks at a medical writing course in Turkey in June 2022. Participants were randomised on the first trial day to swim 14 meters breaststroke immediately after lunch or wait 30 minutes after eating, with crossover on the second trial day. Main outcomes measures were mortality, and mood, discomfort, and adverse events were assessed in participant-reported questionnaires. Participants completed a Profile of Mood States-Adolescents questionnaire, a visual analogue scale for discomfort, and a questionnaire of adverse events after each swim. Results A total of 26 participants completed the trial. No cases of mortality, drowning, resuscitation, side stitch, or muscle cramps were reported. The participants reported no significant difference in their mood states after each swim and no significant difference was found regarding the participants’ swimming time (P = 0.53). However, more discomfort was reported when swimming immediately instead of 30 minutes after eating (P = 0.05). Conclusions It seems that swimming after eating is safe since no mortality or cramps were registered. However, a significant level of discomfort was found when swimming immediately after eating lunch. This feasibility trial provides background data for a future full-scale randomised trial. Clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT05401396 (25/05/2022).
Aging with long-term physical disability: Cohort analysis of survey sample in the U.S.
Authors: Morgan Kerri A. , Putnam Michelle , Espin-Tello Sandra M. , Keglovits Marian , Campbell Margaret , Yan Yan , Wehmeier Aimee , Stark Susan
Published: December 2023

Background Chronic health conditions, secondary conditions, and decreasing functional ability related to aging and/or changes in underlying impairment may influence participation for persons aging with long-term physical disability (AwD). Objective To examine sample integrity and baseline findings through exploration of associations of sociodemographic, health, and disability factors with social participation for persons AwD. Methods This is a longitudinal cohort study following persons AwD over three years, reporting baseline cohort study data. A convenience sample of 474 persons AwD aged 45–65 reporting physical disability of ≥5 years’ duration was recruited through community organizations and social media. The cohort was majority female (66.7%) and single (62.0%), and over one-third (38.6%) was non-White. Pain, fatigue, depression, ability to participate in, and satisfaction with, social roles and activities were measured with the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. Results were manually compared against AwD study samples identified through a focused literature review and national census data. Results Participants aged 55–60 and 61–65 had significantly lower rates of employment and marriage and higher rates of living alone than participants aged 45–54. Participants reported higher rates of fatigue, pain, and depression and lower ability to participate in, and satisfaction with, participation in, social roles and activities than the general population. Ability to participate and satisfaction with participation were highest among Black/African American participants. Conclusions Participants reported higher rates of common AwD symptoms and lower ability to participate and satisfaction with participation than the general population, consistent with prior studies of AwD samples. This cohort reflects the AwD population and can be considered an AwD sample, comparable to those found in existing literature. The focus of future analyses will be to gain a greater understanding of chronic health conditions, incidence of falls, engagement in everyday life activities, and the impact of the environment.
Strategic concept paper for bioeconomy in Poland: executive summary
Authors: Kozyra Jerzy , Chmieliński Paweł , Jurga Piotr , Maciejczak Mariusz , Borzęcka Magdalena , Cieślikowska Justyna , Rozakis Stelios
Published: December 2023

The main objective of the proposed approach is to accelerate the transition of the bioeconomy towards a knowledge-based sustainable system, covering key biobased sectors strongly linked to agriculture in Poland, in line with the European Green Deal. The proposed model of a bioeconomy development strategy, with a special focus on agriculture, is based on two pillars: (1) strengthening traditional, relevant (in terms of economic indicators) sectors of the economy and improving their ‘sustainability’ by implementing the proposed transformation pathways; and (2) developing economic activities or ‘niche or novel sectors’ that are prospective accelerators of change in the face of climate challenge, and ensuring their upscaling. This approach forms the basis for policy planning at national and regional level in these European Union (EU) countries, where bioeconomy development strategies have been initiated through dialogue between science, administration and industry stakeholders. The strategic actions we propose are grouped in three areas; (1) Market intervention mainly by introducing sustainability criteria for the national production system; (2) Research, innovation and education that significantly strengthen the relationship between business and science and educational activities in the field of sustainability and climate change, and (3) Governance and policy actions to enforce the relationship between the main sub-sectors of bioeconomy and niche sectors in frame of bio-economy strategy or action plan that will profits by added value of products from bioeconomy sectors and increasing number of newly created jobs.
Occupation of Synoeca surinama (L.) (Vespidae, Polistinae) nests by Nasutitermes obscurus (Holmgren) (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in the Cerrado
Authors: Jacques Gabriel de Castro , Francisco Sheliane Cristina Coelho , Rubim Luis Gustavo Talarico , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: December 2023

The study of relationships between living beings is essential for understanding the functioning of the ecosystem for the management and conservation of biota, especially in rich and threatened biomes such as the Brazilian Cerrado. Therefore, this study aims to report the occupation of abandoned social wasp’s nests by termites in this biome. In this study, the occupation of two abandoned nests of Synoeca surinama (L.) by the termite Nasutitermes obscurus (Holmgren), recorded by chance, in April 2023 in a gallery forest with the same vegetation type of the Cerrado, located in the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park in southeastern Brazil. Both social wasp nests had their cells occupied by termites, which may have been used as a satellite nest for N. obscurus. This is the first record of a termite species occupying a social wasp’s nests; however, further studies are needed to better elucidate this relationship.
C-GMS, THE CANADIAN GROUND MOTION SERVICE-ASSESSMENT AND CORRECTION OF THERMAL EFFECTS ON BRIDGES
Authors: PONCOS VALENTIN , CUSSON DANIEL
Published: December 2023

Many public infrastructure assets in Canada are old and deteriorating, with almost 40% of publicly-owned bridges rated as fair, poor, or very poor in terms of their condition. Structural health monitoring (SHM) is a method for ensuring the safety and integrity of structures, detecting damage progression, and estimating the performance of infrastructure assets over time. For this purpose, a new wide-area Canadian Ground Motion Service has been created to make radar satellite-measured ground motion data publicly available. In this paper, the methodology of the approach is described with a focus on the assessment and correction of thermal effects on bridges.
SEPARATION OF PHYSICAL FROM MATHEMATICAL POLES IN OPERATIONAL MODAL ANALYSIS USING REDUCED, REASSEMBLED COVARIANCE MATRICES
Authors: WIEMANN MARCEL , BONEKEMPER LUKAS , KAPPEL JONAS , KRAEMER PETER
Published: December 2023

Modal analysis is one of the elementary tools for the analysis of structural dynamics. In context of vibration-based damage diagnosis and continuous monitoring of modal quantities, different variants of Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) were developed. In most cases, the results of the analysis (modal data) are improved by post-processing methods, e.g., by clustering of stable poles in stability diagrams. The aim of this paper is to facilitate the automatic interpretability of the computational results by preprocessing techniques. The method presented in this paper is used to distinguish between the physical poles and the unwanted mathematical poles to determine the natural frequencies more accurately. This is necessary because for the monitoring of complex real structures, high model orders are required, leading to the occurrence of mathematical poles. To enable a reliable separation, the spectral signal components are analyzed regarding their information content and their energy level in a specific frequency band. For this purpose, the widespread assumption is used that the largest singular values of the system response are related to the highest signal energy and that the lower singular values are caused by noise. With the use of different narrow frequency bands (e.g., by using bandpass filters), the estimation of an accurate threshold between noise and eigenfrequencies can be well established for each band. This technique is applied on the Covariance-Driven Stochastic Subspace Identification algorithm (SSI-COV) for OMA. In context of SSI-COV the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and the estimated threshold is used to build reduced and reassembled Hankel matrices from partial sum matrices for each frequency band separately. The advantage of the reduced matrices is that only physical poles have plausible modal damping values, and these can be well separate from mathematical poles. The effectiveness of the method is first demonstrated on simulated data and then successfully tested on a laboratory structure. The results, the advantages, and limitations of the method as well as the need for further improvements are discussed.
ENGLISH TEACHERS IN CLIL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MADRID: BELIEFS, ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE
Authors: Jaén Campos Marta
Published: December 2023

This study aims to explore the teacher cognition of EFL specialists working in CLIL Secondary settings in Madrid. More specifically, the dimensions of teacher knowledge and beliefs regarding the bilingual education programme and their own role are addressed. Being part of a larger study, it was designed as a multi-case study in which six EFL teachers from different Secondary schools took part. Moreover, a mixed-methods approach was followed in order to contrast and triangulate the results. First, they were administered a questionnaire consisting mostly of Likert-type scale questions which were analysed following quantitative procedures. Secondly, semistructured interviews were conducted with each of the participants and were later examined following a qualitative content analysis approach. The questions were concerned with their beliefs, attitudes and knowledge about CLIL, its outcomes, the role of language in these programmes and their own ideal professional role within them. The results show that although the participants’ vision about CLIL, its benefits and the role of language diverge; their beliefs are compatible with CLIL underpinnings. Also, they believe their contributions as language experts must be considered. The findings of this study, which could be replicated and extended to more language teachers, can help us design tailored teacher education programmes which take EFL teachers’ beliefs into account.
Historia militar, civil y sagrada del reino de Chile del misionero jesuita Miguel de Olivares. El mapuche según un criollo chileno de mediados del siglo XVIII
Authors: Figueroa Zúñiga Marcos A.
Published: December 2023

‘Historia militar, civil y sagrada del Reino de Chile’ del jesuita chileno Miguel de Olivares, redactada solo algunos años antes de la expulsión de la orden de los territorios americanos y publicada casi un siglo después, contiene muchas descripciones negativas de las comunidades mapuche, entre las que misionó por largo tiempo, como también propuestas de evangelización diferentes a los proyectos oficiales de su orden. Esta "independencia de juicio" del jesuita puede ser considerada como un ejemplo de la opinión que tenían del mapuche muchos criollos chilenos a mediados del siglo XVIII.
Optimal Experimental Design for Staggered Rollouts
Authors: Xiong Ruoxuan , Athey Susan , Bayati Mohsen , Imbens Guido
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we study the design and analysis of experiments conducted on a set of units over multiple time periods in which the starting time of the treatment may vary by unit. The design problem involves selecting an initial treatment time for each unit in order to most precisely estimate both the instantaneous and cumulative effects of the treatment. We first consider nonadaptive experiments, in which all treatment assignment decisions are made prior to the start of the experiment. For this case, we show that the optimization problem is generally NP-hard, and we propose a near-optimal solution. Under this solution, the fraction entering treatment each period is initially low, then high, and finally low again. Next, we study an adaptive experimental design problem, in which both the decision to continue the experiment and treatment assignment decisions are updated after each period’s data are collected. For the adaptive case, we propose a new algorithm, the precision-guided adaptive experiment algorithm, which addresses the challenges at both the design stage and the stage of estimating treatment effects, ensuring valid post-experiment inference, accounting for the adaptive nature of the design. Using realistic settings, we demonstrate that our proposed solutions can reduce the opportunity cost of the experiments by more than 50%, compared with static design benchmarks.

This paper was accepted by George Shanthikumar, data science.

Funding: S. Athey and G. Imbens were supported by the Office of Naval Research [Grant N00014-19-1-2468]. M. Bayati was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CMMI 1554140].

Supplemental Material: The e-companion and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4928 .
Ampliação das Políticas Públicas de Apoio à Agricultura Familiar por Meio da Extensão Universitária
Authors: Camargos Gustavo Henrique Silva
Published: December 2023

Objetivou-se avaliar como as ações de extensão universitária do programa COMUNI atuaram na ampliação das políticas públicas para a agricultura familiar. O COMUNI é um programa de extensão universitária desenvolvido nas cidades de Pompéu-MG e Felixlândia-MG no período de 2012 a 2020 e coordenou quatro projetos de extensão, que objetivaram promover ações de desenvolvimento socioeconômico da agricultura familiar. As ações do programa abordaram soluções para possibilitar melhorias na qualidade de vida das famílias como a regularização fundiária, a assistência técnica, o treinamento para beneficiamento da produção, a divulgação de informações técnicas, o estímulo ao reconhecimento comunitário e o apoio à saúde básica. Ressalta-se a necessidade de adequação das políticas públicas para a agricultura familiar e das metodologias de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural. O programa auxiliou no desenvolvimento local e possibilitou a melhoria da formação dos estudantes e a inserção da universidade no enfrentamento dos problemas da sociedade.
Sala Verde Unifeso: logística reversa e responsabilidade compartilhada
Authors: Pereira Luiz Antônio de Souza
Published: December 2023

A globalização econômica e cultural vigente é pautada na lógica de crescimento ilimitado da economia e do consumo, que desconsidera ou subestima os limites naturais do planeta e a incapacidade de atendimento a toda a população. A crise ambiental é essencialmente uma crise da (ir)racionalidade hegemônica. A Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos (Lei n° 12.305/2010) constitui um marco na problemática dos resíduos sólidos no país ao introduzir a logística reversa e a responsabilidade compartilhada no ciclo de vida dos produtos. Os Decretos federais n° 10.240/2020 (logística reversa de produtos eletroeletrônicos) e n° 10.388/2020 (logística reversa de medicamentos domiciliares vencidos ou em desuso) destacam o papel do consumidor. O que torna essencial a comunicação e a educação socioambiental não formal ao longo de toda a cadeia. O projeto de extensão Sala Verde Unifeso realizou nove atividades presenciais com o objetivo de informar e discutir o descarte de medicamentos domiciliares e produtos eletrônicos com 87 funcionários técnico-administrativos, em três campi. Os participantes consideraram a discussão do descarte correto dos medicamentos domiciliares vencidos e em desuso e do lixo eletrônico importante. A esmagadora maioria dos participantes afirmou descartar incorretamente os produtos e desconhecer as formas de descarte corretas. Todos os participantes informaram que pretendem compartilhar com familiares e amigos as informações abordadas nas atividades.
Non-pharmacological pain palliation methods in chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Tez Mesut , Şahingöz Eda , Martlı Hüseyin Fahri
Published: December 2023

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a condition characterized by persistent and often severe pain resulting from the inflammatory disease of the pancreas. While pharmacological treatments play a significant role in palliative pain management, some patients require non-pharmacological methods. This review article focuses on non-pharmacological approaches used to alleviate pain in CP. The article examines non-pharmacological palliation options, including surgery, endoscopic approaches, neurostimulation techniques, acupuncture, and other alternative medicine methods. The effectiveness of each method is evaluated, taking into consideration patient compliance and side effects. Additionally, this article emphasizes the importance of personalized pain management in CP and underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach. It aims to summarize the existing knowledge on the use of non-pharmacological palliation methods to improve the quality of life for patients with CP.
Endovenous laser treatment vs conventional surgery for great saphenous vein varicosities: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhang Chen , Yuan Zhao , Shao Zi-Qi , Wang Jian
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Varicosis is a common venous condition, which is typically treated surgically. However, selection of the optimal surgical approach can be challenging. Previous studies comparing endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and conventional surgery were retrospective and observational in nature and the results may therefore have been influenced by selection bias and the presence of other confounding factors. In this study, we used propensity score matching to reduce selection bias when comparing EVLT and conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose great saphenous veins.

AIM

To compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of EVLT and conventional surgery in patients with great saphenous vein varicosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1063 patients treated for primary varicosis of the great saphenous vein at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between January 2009 and December 2019. Among them, 56 patients were excluded owing to additional small saphenous varicose vein involvement, 81 owing to recurring varicose veins, 83 owing to complicated varicose veins (CEAP clinical classification C5-C6), and 6 owing to perioperative phlebitis. Finally, 772 patients were enrolled in this study. Standard demographic and clinicopathological data were collected from the medical records of the patients. For propensity score matching, 522 patients (261 who underwent EVLT and 261 who underwent conventional surgery) were randomly matched 1:1 by age, sex, onset time, smoking status, presence of diabetes, family history, stress therapy, C class, and the affected leg.

RESULTS

Of the 772 patients included in the study, 467 underwent EVLT and 305 underwent conventional surgery. There were significant differences in age, onset time, smoking and diabetes status, and family history between the two groups. Following propensity score matching, no significant differences in patients’ characteristics remained between the two groups. ELVT was associated with a shorter operation time and hospital stay than conventional surgery, both before and after propensity score matching. There were no differences in complications between the two groups after propensity score matching. Patients who underwent EVLT had a higher recurrence rate during the two-year follow-up period than those who underwent conventional surgery (33.33% vs 21.46%, χ 2 = 11.506, P = 0.001), and a greater percentage of patients who underwent EVLT experienced pain one week after the procedure (39.85% vs 19.54%, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

EVLT may not always be the best option for the treatment of great saphenous vein varicosis.
Atypical case of bow hunter’s syndrome linked to aberrantly coursing vertebral artery: A case report
Authors: Ahn Jun Hyong , Jun Hyo Sub , Kim In Kyeong , Kim Choong Hyo , Lee Seung Jin
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

In bow hunter’s syndrome (BHS), also known as rotational vertebral artery (VA) syndrome, there is dynamic/rotational compression of the VA producing vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Most occurrences involve atlantoaxial rather than mid-cervical VA compromise, the latter being rarely reported. Herein, we detail successful VA decompression at mid-cervical spine, given a departure from its usual course.

CASE SUMMARY

The patient, a 45-year-old man, presented to our hospital with occipital headache and vertigo. Computed tomography angiography showed anomalous C4 entry of right VA, with compression upon head rotation to that side. Thyroid cartilage and anterior tubercle of C5 transverse process were visibly at fault. We opted for surgery, using an anterior cervical approach to remove the anterior tubercle. Patient recovery was uneventful and brought resolution of all preoperative symptoms.

CONCLUSION

BHS is an important consideration where aberrant coursing of VA and neurologic symptoms coexist.
Metastatic pancreatic solitary fibrous tumor: A case report
Authors: Yi Kiyoun , Lee Jonghyun , Kim Dong Uk
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that is most commonly found in the pleura but can also originate from non-pleural sites. Among the non-pleural localizations, the pancreas is extremely rare. In particular, metastasis to the pancreas from the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare, with only two cases reported so far. We report a case of recurrence in the pancreas 14 years after the initial complete surgical removal of a tumor in the CNS.

CASE SUMMARY

A 68-year-old man with a past medical history of recurrent meningeal hemangiopericytoma, currently referred to as SFT, presented to the hospital with jaundice. The patient was first diagnosed with an 8cm-sized meningeal hemangiopericytoma fourteen years ago and underwent osteoplastic craniotomy. After 16 mo, imaging showed recurrence and he underwent gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS). 2 years later, imaging showed recurrence again leading to a second GKRS. 5 years later, recurrence was again suspected leading to a second craniotomy. Since then 3 years had passed, and imaging showed a 3.5cm-sized mass lesion on the pancreatic head with obstruction of the pancreatic and bile ducts. Endosonography with fine-needle aspiration biopsy was done preoperatively and aided in the diagnosis of SFT. The patient underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathologic findings of the resected pancreatic specimen, consistent with the previously resected brain specimen, confirmed the diagnosis of SFT.

CONCLUSION

The rarity and lack of knowledge about SFTs make suspecting and diagnosing this disease challenging. We believe that a report of metastatic pancreatic SFT from the CNS will contribute to a better understanding of this rare disease.
Locked out or let in? Learning from victim-survivors’ remote help-seeking experiences during COVID-19
Authors: Pfitzner Naomi , McGowan Jasmine
Published: December 2023

As COVID-19 traversed the world, public health control measures introduced to reduce the spread of the virus restricted people’s movements and confined many victim-survivors to homes with their abusers. These restrictions raised challenges for services providing support to victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) leading many to rapidly pivot to remote service delivery models. Much of the existing knowledge about victim-survivor service use during COVID-19 is based on the reflections and observations of practitioners and service providers. This article centres on the experiences and expertise of victim-survivors, using findings from an Australian study that investigated victim-survivors’ use of DFV services during lockdowns. Our exploratory survey data revealed that lockdowns created conditions in homes that made it challenging to receive support remotely with concerns about privacy looming large. At the same time, several victim-survivors reported that the widescale shift to remote service provision during lockdowns improved the accessibility of support services. Positive experiences of remote service provision during COVID-19 provide support for the retention of hybrid service models in the future to cater for diverse victim-survivor needs and communities.
From the Tropical Forest to Caribbean Islands to Cities and Beyond: Migration, Displacement, and Travel of the Kuna
Authors: Sherzer Dina , Sherzer Joel
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Travel, migration, and displacement have characterized most of Kuna history, beginning with their arrival in the Darién jungle in Panama and their subsequent move to the Caribbean coast and adjacent islands. Travel to other parts of Panama was formerly largely temporary, for work, education, or visiting other Kuna-speaking communities; recently, however, larger-scale migrations to the major cities of Panama have taken place, with migrants remaining permanently rather than returning to Kuna territory. A range of outsiders—missionaries, anthropologists, tourists, and others—have also visited Kuna communities. All these forms of travel, displacement, and contact with non-Kuna are reflected in Kuna oral traditions.
The Global Resistance to LGBTIQ Rights
Authors: Ayoub Phillip , Stoeckl Kristina
Published: December 2023

Abstract: This essay explores the troubling global pattern of illiberal governments weaponizing the issue of LGBTIQ rights. We argue that the fluidity of sexual orientation and gender identity makes LGBTIQ people susceptible targets for antidemocratic forces, allowing autocratic and illiberal regimes to contrast these identities with the perceived stability of tradition, national sovereignty, and conventional notions of "nature." Political homo- and transphobia are used by illiberal governments as tools to mobilize constituencies by framing LGBTIQ rights as incompatible with traditional values. Based on interviews and observations of participants at international forums, we also chart the global movement opposing LGBTIQ rights and explain how it undermines liberal democracy and threatens human-rights egalitarianism, weakens international institutions, and weaponizes democratic pluralism in divisive culture wars. The essay calls for a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between illiberalism, homo- and transphobia, and the challenge posed to the foundational values of liberal democracies. We also offer ideas for how actors in liberal democracies can respond to and defend LGBTIQ rights effectively.
Blood metal analysis of plasmas from donors with and without SARS-CoV-2 using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and logistic regression
Authors: Melikechi Noureddine , Adler Helmar G. , Safi Ali , Landis Joshua E. , Pourkamali-Anaraki Farhad , Eseller Kemal Efe , Berlo Kim , Bonito Danielle , Chiklis Gregory R. , Xia Weiming
Published: December 2023

Research on the correlation between metal levels in blood and Covid-19 infection has been conducted primarily by assessing how each individual blood metal is linked to different aspects of the disease using samples from donors with various levels of severity to Covid-19 infection. Using logistics regression on LIBS spectra of plasma samples collected pre- and post- Covid-19 pandemic from donors known to have developed various levels of antibodies to the SARS-Cov-2 virus, we show that relying on the levels of Na, K, and Mg together is more efficient at differentiating the two types of plasma samples than any single blood alone.
Introducing a letter paper with open source data: editorial
Authors: Lord Andrew
Published: December 2023

The Editor-in-Chief introduces a new letter paper that includes open source optical network data.
Deep optics preconditioner for modulation-free pyramid wavefront sensing
Authors: Guzmán Felipe , Tapia Jorge , Weinberger Camilo , Hernández Nicolás , Bacca Jorge , Neichel Benoit , Vera Esteban
Published: December 2023

The pyramid wavefront sensor (PWFS) can provide the sensitivity needed for demanding adaptive optics applications, such as imaging exoplanets using the future extremely large telescopes of over 30 m of diameter (D). However, its exquisite sensitivity has a limited linear range of operation, or dynamic range, although it can be extended through the use of beam modulation—despite sacrificing sensitivity and requiring additional optical hardware. Inspired by artificial intelligence techniques, this work proposes to train an optical layer—comprising a passive diffractive element placed at a conjugated Fourier plane of the pyramid prism—to boost the linear response of the pyramid sensor without the need for cumbersome modulation. We develop an end-2-end simulation to train the diffractive element, which acts as an optical preconditioner to the traditional least-square modal phase estimation process. Simulation results with a large range of turbulence conditions show a noticeable improvement in the aberration estimation performance equivalent to over 3λ/D of modulation when using the optically preconditioned deep PWFS (DPWFS). Experimental results validate the advantages of using the designed optical layer, where the DPWFS can pair the performance of a traditional PWFS with 2λ/D of modulation. Designing and adding an optical preconditioner to the PWFS is just the tip of the iceberg, since the proposed deep optics methodology can be used for the design of a completely new generation of wavefront sensors that can better fit the demands of sophisticated adaptive optics applications such as ground-to-space and underwater optical communications and imaging through scattering media.
Cavity continuum
Authors: Cheng Fan , Shuvayev Vladimir , Douvidzon Mark , Deych Lev , Carmon Tal
Published: December 2023

We experimentally demonstrate and numerically analyze large arrays of whispering gallery resonators. Using fluorescent mapping, we measure the spatial distribution of the cavity ensemble’s resonances, revealing that light reaches distant resonators in various ways, including while passing through dark gaps, resonator groups, or resonator lines. Energy spatially decays exponentially in the cavities. Our practically infinite periodic array of resonators, with a quality factor (Q) exceeding 107, might impact a new type of photonic ensembles for nonlinear optics and lasers using our cavity continuum that is distributed, while having high-Q resonators as unit cells.
Application of error level analysis in image spam classification using deep learning model
Authors: Singh Angom Buboo , Singh Khumanthem Manglem
Published: December 2023

Image spam is a type of spam that contains text information inserted in an image file. Traditional classification systems based on feature engineering require manual extraction of certain quantitative and qualitative image features for classification. However, these systems are often not robust to adversarial attacks. In contrast, classification pipelines that use convolutional neural network (CNN) models automatically extract features from images. This approach has been shown to achieve high accuracies even on challenge datasets that are designed to defeat the purpose of classification. We propose a method for improving the performance of CNN models for image spam classification. Our method uses the concept of error level analysis (ELA) as a pre-processing step. ELA is a technique for detecting image tampering by analyzing the error levels of the image pixels. We show that ELA can be used to improve the accuracy of CNN models for image spam classification, even on challenge datasets. Our results demonstrate that the application of ELA as a pre-processing technique in our proposed model can significantly improve the results of the classification tasks on image spam datasets.
Evaluation framework for facilitating the technology transfers of universities: Focusing on the perspective of technology donors
Authors: Hong Jongyi , Cha Jeonghwa , G. Bilegjargal , Park Kyungbo
Published: December 2023

Technological innovation and preoccupation with new markets through technological innovation have become critical factors in achieving success in the global market. Currently, companies cannot develop and commercialize all technologies. Therefore, the importance of technology transfers is rapidly increasing. Technology transfer is a crucial strategy adopted by organizations to remain innovative and competitive. However, Korea’s technology transfer rate is only 37.9%. In particular, the technology transfer rate from universities to companies is lower than that from government-funded research institutes in Korea. Although the fundamental approach for resolving barriers to technology transfer have been studied, previous research has been conducted from a narrow definition of technology transfer. Furthermore, previous research has focused on analyzing the success factors of technology transfer, presenting technology transfer processes, or conducting case studies. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology donor diagnosis framework based on CSFs (Critical Success Factors) to eliminate obstacles to technology transfers. To lower the barriers to technology transfers, it is necessary to develop a strategy for a successful technology transfer based on the diagnosis of technology donors. This study develops a diagnosis framework for universities from the perspective of technology donors, implements and tests the framework using case studies, and proposes strategies for each stage of technology transfer growth. The framework is able to assess multidimensional perspectives, because CSFs and PMs were extracted based on BSC. Furthermore, by comparing the perspectives score of technology donors in different universities, technology donors can identify the areas in which each university is lacking in its current situation. Multidimensional diagnosis and aggregation score of technology donors offer to extract optimal CSFs for technology transfer activation for each growth stage.
Evidence suggesting that reindeer mothers allonurse according to the direct reciprocity and generalized reciprocity decision rules
Authors: Engelhardt Sacha C. , Weladji Robert B. , Holand Øystein , Røed Knut H. , Nieminen Mauri
Published: December 2023

Allonursing is the nursing of the offspring of other mothers. Cooperation is an emergent property of evolved decision rules. Cooperation can be explained by at least three evolved decision rules: 1) direct reciprocity, i.e. help someone who previously helped you, 2) kin discrimination, i.e. preferentially direct help to kin than to non-kin, and 3) generalized reciprocity, i.e. help anyone if helped by someone. We assessed if semi-domesticated reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, mothers allonursed according to the decision rules of direct reciprocity, generalized reciprocity and kin discrimination over 2 years. To assess if reindeer mothers allonursed according to the direct reciprocity decision rule, we predicted that mothers should give more help to those who previously helped them more often. To assess if reindeer mothers allonursed according to the kin discrimination decision rule, we predicted that help given should increase as pairwise genetic relatedness increased. To assess if reindeer mothers allonursed according to the generalized reciprocity decision rule, we predicted that the overall number of help given by reindeer mothers should increase as the overall number of help received by reindeer mothers increased. The number of help given i) increased as the number of help received from the same partner increased in the 2012 group but not in both 2013 groups, ii) was not influenced by relatedness, and iii) was not influenced by an interaction between the number of help received from the same partner and relatedness. iv) The overall number of help given increased as the overall number of help received increased. The results did not support the prediction that reindeer mothers allonursed according to the kin discrimination decision rule. The results suggest that reindeer mothers may allonurse according to the direct reciprocity and generalized reciprocity decision rules.
Characterization of terminal flowering cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) mutants obtained by induced mutagenesis digs out the loss-of-function of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein
Authors: Eswaramoorthy Vijayakumar , Kandasamy Thangaraj , Thiyagarajan Kalaimagal , Chockalingam Vanniarajan , Jegadeesan Souframanien , Natesan Senthil , Adhimoolam Karthikeyan , Prabhakaran Jeyakumar , Singh Ramji , Muthurajan Raveendran
Published: December 2023

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is one of the major food legume crops grown extensively in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The determinate habit of cowpea has many advantages over the indeterminate and is well adapted to modern farming systems. Mutation breeding is an active research area to develop the determinate habit of cowpea. The present study aimed to develop new determinate habit mutants with terminal flowering (TFL) in locally well-adapted genetic backgrounds. Consequently, the seeds of popular cowpea cv P152 were irradiated with doses of gamma rays (200, 250, and, 300 Gy), and the M1 populations were grown. The M2 populations were produced from the M1 progenies and selected determinate mutants (TFLCM-1 and TFLCM-2) from the M2 generation (200 Gy) were forwarded up to the M5 generation to characterize the mutants and simultaneously they were crossed with P152 to develop a MutMap population. In the M5 generation, determinate mutants (80–81 days) were characterized by evaluating the TFL growth habit, longer peduncles (30.75–31.45 cm), erect pods (160°- 200°), number of pods per cluster (4–5 nos.), and early maturity. Further, sequencing analysis of the VuTFL1 gene in the determinate mutants and MutMap population revealed a single nucleotide transversion (A-T at 1196 bp) in the fourth exon and asparagine (N) to tyrosine (Y) amino acid change at the 143rd position of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP). Notably, the loss of function PEPB with a higher confidence level modification of anti-parallel beta-sheets and destabilization of the protein secondary structure was observed in the mutant lines. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the VuTFL1 gene was downregulated at the flowering stage in TFL mutants. Collectively, the insights garnered from this study affirm the effectiveness of induced mutation in modifying the plant’s ideotype. The TFL mutants developed during this investigation have the potential to serve as a valuable resource for fostering determinate traits in future cowpea breeding programs and pave the way for mechanical harvesting.
Etiology of severe mastitis in French dairy herds
Authors: Salat Olivier , Lemaire Guillaume , Durel Luc , Perrot Florent
Published: December 2023

Severe clinical mastitis is not so frequent in dairy cows, but it can have a significant economic impact due to its high mortality rate and adverse effects on milk production. Surveys about the cause of mastitis typically provide overall findings without connecting them to a specific medical condition. There are few studies on the specific etiology of severe mastitis. Only etiological results obtained during field studies are available in France, and the number of mastitic milk samples analyzed is always low. In recent years, veterinary clinics have improved their ability to identify bacteria causing bovine mastitis using a widely used method. This in-clinic milk culture made it possible to better understand the etiology of mastitis according to the symptoms observed. Regarding clinical mastitis, veterinarians treat severe cases differently than less severe ones. Based on data from nineteen veterinary clinics in France and over 2000 severe mastitis cases, the current study revealed that Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Escherichia coli, is the most common cause, isolated on average from 53.9% of milk samples. This information is highly reliable for practitioners to quickly and effectively treat the condition, because early and targeted treatment is crucial to avoid the complication of endotoxic shock.