bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where is the Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Truth In Making Decision?: Evaluation of 497 Cases
Authors: CAN Atilla , YILDIRAN Hüseyin , SUNAM Güven Sadi , ŞEN Halil
Published: December 2023

Background: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) exploration is a frequently performed surgical intervention in thoracic surgery in cases such as pleural biopsy, mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy biopsies, hemothorax, air leak control. In this study, 497 patients were reviewed and extended indications of VATS exploration were revealed.
Methods: All of the patients with radiologically detected intrathoracic pathology between 2009-2019 were included in the study. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative findings were evaluated retrospectively.
Results: The clinical indications for VATS exploration were pleural effusion, intrapulmonary mass, cystic lesion, mediastinal lymphadenopathy or mass that has been investigated with a pre-diagnosis of malignancy or developed secondary to previously known malignancy, prolonged air leakage and / or lung expansion problems, mediastinal mass, hemothorax, pleural thickening or pleural nodule, chest wall tumor, pericardial cyst or effusion, chylothorax, and intrathoracic cavitary lesion. All patients with these indications were managed mainly with VATS exploration.
Conclusion: Evaluation of operability criteria, and subtype determination for targeted therapies in the diagnosed patient, definitive diagnosis can be made and over-treatments can be prevented due to the precise biopsies can be taken with VATS exploration. We recommend the VATS exploration as a key step for all intrathoracic pathologies.
Awareness of Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department About Overdiagnosis
Authors: ARSLAN Şenol , AKPINAR Furkan
Published: December 2023

Background/Aims: Overdiagnosis is defined as detecting a disease or abnormal condition that, if left undiagnosed, would not harm the individual.
Our aim in the study is to increase the awareness of individuals about overdiagnosis in terms of social and demographic. Thus, we think that the number of unnecessary laboratory tests, computed tomography and other imaging tests in the emergency department can be reduced.
Methods: For the study, a questionnaire including demographic data and 7 questions about overdiagnosis was prepared for the patients who applied to the emergency department. The questionnaire was filled by the emergency specialists and senior emergency assistants in charge of the patient in the form of questions and answers with the participants.
Results: Our primary findings are: (1) There is a statistically significant relationship between patients' ideas about Overdiagnosis and variables such as gender, education level, place of residence, economic status, chronic diseases and the number of drugs used; (2) When we asked the patients if they would like to have a screening test for the diagnosis of a serious disease that does not cause complaints, 406 (76.5%) people stated that they wanted to have a screening test. However, after informing about overdiagnosis, this number decreased to 261 (49.2%) people.
Conclusion: In our study, we demonstrated that patients did not want unnecessary diagnosis and treatment when informed about overdiagnosis and overtreatment before performing any screening test. Therefore, we think that if patients are adequately informed, overdiagnosis and overtreatment rates, which greatly burden the health system, can be reduced.
The Effect of the Characteristics of Business Support Facilities on the Sales Price of Knowledge Industry Centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Area
Authors:   Korea Real Estate Policy Association, Shin Sangmin , Shin Seongyoun , Ko Hyunrim
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the characteristics of business support facilities on the sales price of knowledge industry centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. For this study, the characteristics of regions, locations, buildings, individual units, timing, and business support facilities are used as independent variables, and the sale price of the Knowledge Industry Centers is used as the dependent variable. This study analyzes 7,180 units of the Knowledge Industry Centers using the multiple regression analysis. As a result, It is found that the higher the area of business support facilities and the ratio of commercial facilities, the more positive factors affect the sale price. Therefore, if the ratio of business support facilities and commercial facilities can be properly combined, it will increase the productivity and work efficiency of tenant companies, leading to the improvement of sales income.
Adapting to a New Reality: Real Estate in the Post Pandemic Era
Authors:   Korea Real Estate Policy Association, Choi Choongik
Published: December 2023

This article aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the real estate market and the changes necessary to navigate the post-pandemic world. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the real estate market, causing changes in consumer preferences, behaviors, and economic factors that have affected various sectors, including residential, commercial, and retail properties. As a result, the industry has had to adapt to a new reality, with challenges and opportunities arising in response to the pandemic's effects. The residential real estate market has seen a shift towards suburban and rural areas, with homebuyers prioritizing space, privacy, and features that accommodate remote work and virtual schooling. Meanwhile, commercial and retail properties have faced challenges as businesses adapt to remote work and changes in consumer behavior. This paper supports that as the world transitions into a post-pandemic era, the real estate industry must continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of consumers and businesses alike.
Teodolfo Mertel, il giurista di Pio IX, e un’inedita trattazione storico-giuridica sugli statuti comunali
Authors: Notari Sandro
Published: December 2023

Teodolfo Mertel, giurista e storico, uomo di Stato e cardinale (Allumiere, 1806-ivi, 1899) ha dedicato un inedito saggio agli statuti comunali. Rinvenuto presso l’Archivio Apostolico Vaticano, lo scritto era destinato a fare da introduzione alla pubblicazione dell’intera collezione degli statuti dei comuni dello Stato Pontificio. La collezione, conservata a Roma, fu notevolmente arricchita e sistematizzata per iniziativa di Mertel nella sua veste di ministro dell’Interno, carica che egli ricoprì dal 1853 al 1858. Mertel inquadra la fonte statutaria nel contesto della vicenda comunale, distingue le varie tipologie di statuti, ne esamina i contenuti con esempi tratti dagli esemplari statutari presenti nella collezione. L’obiettivo dichiarato è la rivalutazione storiografica della fonte statutaria. Mertel si prefigge qualcosa di più della semplice rivitalizzazione storico-erudita della fonte statutaria locale: egli considera gli statuti portatori di uno strato profondo di princìpi da cui traggono origine gli ordinamenti giuridici e le istituzioni politiche moderne. Nella normativa e nell’organizzazione istituzionale dei comuni medievali egli rinviene le radici di alcune nozioni e tecniche costituzionali – ad esempio il principio rappresentativo, la divisione o l’equilibrio dei poteri – che erano al centro della riflessione teorica e del dibattito giuspolitico europeo del primo Ottocento. Il saggio di Mertel si inserisce a pieno titolo nel quadro dell’ampio e vivace dibattito ottocentesco sul ruolo degli ordinamenti comunali medievali nel processo – e nel modello – dell’incivilimento.
Quince años de investigaciones doctorales en trabajo social en Puerto Rico
Authors: Rodríguez Ramírez Jannette , Oliveras del Río Jennifer , Martínez-Medina Jeniffer
Published: December 2023

Este trabajo presenta un perfil de las investigaciones realizadas por estudiantes del Programa Doctoral en Trabajo Social de la Escuela Graduada de Trabajo Social Beatriz Lassalle de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. El mismo comprende los primeros quince años de disertaciones de este programa de estudio (2007 al 2022). Debido a que el área de énfasis de este doctorado es el análisis y administración de políticas o programas sociales, entre las variables que se presentan en este perfil están; las políticas sociales que han sido trabajadas, las poblaciones participantes y los temas atendidos. Además, se discute las recomendaciones de estas investigaciones a distintas instancias del país como, por ejemplo; el gobierno, la academia, organizaciones no gubernamentales y el colectivo profesional. La intención del trabajo es conocer parte de la aportación que el trabajo social está haciendo a la política social de Puerto Rico, a través de la investigación.
On the problem of combating trafficking in minors: the current state and problems of differentiation
Authors: Мырзабаев Н.К.
Published: December 2023

Рассматривается проблема недостаточности уголовно-правовых мер противодействия торговле несовершеннолетними в Республике Казахстан. Отмечено, что в Казахстане нет отдельного закона о противодействии торговле людьми, в том числе несовершеннолетними, тогда как международный опыт показывает, что наличие такого закона усиливает борьбу с этим явлением. Слабо выстроена работа по профилактике преступлений данного типа, по предупреждению, выявлению и идентификации пострадавших от торговли людьми, а также по подготовке кадров. На законодательном уровне не прописана система профилактики социального неблагополучия, которое является главной причиной попадания граждан в ситуацию торговли людьми.

The problem of insufficiency of criminal law measures to counteract trafficking in minors in the Republic of Kazakhstan is considered. It was noted that in Kazakhstan there is no separate law on combating trafficking in persons, including minors, while international experience shows that the existence of such a law strengthens the fight against this phenomenon. The work on the prevention of crimes of this type, on the prevention, detection and identification of victims of human trafficking, as well as on the training of personnel, is poorly organized. At the legislative level, there is no system for the prevention of social ill-being, which is the main reason for citizens to get into a situation of human trafficking.
Smart meter failure prediction based on weakened grey markov model with IOWA operator
Authors: Li Ziqi , Xu Jingqi
Published: December 2023

Scientifically predicting the annual failure quantity of smart meters is of significant importance for enhancing the economic benefits of smart meters and promoting the stable operation of smart grids. In this paper, traditional Grey Markov prediction models and Grey Markov models with weakened buffering operators are employed to predict smart meter failure data. To improve prediction accuracy, an Induced Ordered Weighted Averaging (IOWA) operator is introduced to construct a combination prediction model. Based on this approach, we predict the annual failure quantity of smart meters for a certain company in Wuhan, China, from 2020 to 2022 using data from 2012 to 2019. Accuracy indicators, such as correlation degree (G) and average relative error (P), have improved from level three to level two, indicating that the combination prediction model based on the IOWA operator effectively enhances prediction accuracy. This method demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of predicting smart meter failures.
Minimization of transportation costs using linear programming
Authors: Tang Peiqi
Published: December 2023

This paper intricately explores the utilization of Linear Programming (LP), a distinguished mathematical optimization technique, within the logistics and transportation sector, a domain persistently pursuing methods to bolster efficiency and curtail expenses. LP, characterized by its adeptness in optimizing a linear objective function subject to linear constraints, emerges as a pragmatic solution. This exposition elucidates how LP can be harnessed to ascertain the most economically viable transportation routes and quantities of goods transported from warehouses to consumers. A case study is introduced to spotlight the pragmatic applicability of LP in authentic scenarios, and the potential fiscal savings corporations can realize through its adoption. While recognizing the merits of LP, such as clarity, versatility, and computational efficacy, the paper also sheds light on its limitations, involving its dependency on certain presumptions, a necessity for precise data, and its concentration on single-objective optimization. The discourse concludes by prospecting the future of LP in transportation, exploring its amalgamation with artificial intelligence, machine learning, multi-objective optimization, and green logistics, intending to underscore the significance of LP in transportation and furnish insights for ensuing research and application.
A brief analysis of mathematical thinking and problem-solving ideas in advanced mathematics
Authors: Yu Shiyu
Published: December 2023

In this paper, some points were summarized to help students improve their advanced mathematical thinking after analyzing various problem-solving ideas and many advanced mathematical thinking points. The sources for the review are almost papers that were published from 1994 to 2022. This time period was chosen because advanced mathematics has developed greatly during this period, and many excellent papers have emerged, which can be better to refer to and draw conclusions. The review of this paper is guided by major mathematical journals. The review summarizes the research themes, research objectives, research methods, and conclusions reached in different papers. The paper also finds many kinds of methods to solve advanced mathematic problems. At the end of the paper, probabilistic thinking, infinite thinking, functional thinking and calculus thinking five kinds of thinking were proposed to help people to learn about the mathematical thinking in advanced mathematics.
Research on the high performance building and its application
Authors: Tian Fengbo
Published: December 2023

With the increasingly scarce energy resources on earth and the enhancement of peoples awareness of environmental protection, high performance building (HPB) has become a trend pursued by all countries while providing comfortable space for people and protecting good natural environment. This paper discusses the optimal application of HPB in various countries, and analyses its correct application in the face of Chinas national conditions and its role in improving the value of buildings. Through the research and analysis of relevant literatures, the following important factors of performance building are summarized: integration of urban block resources, building design and construction, evaluation criteria of efficient building, occupant experience, green energy efficiency and sustainability. These factors play a key role in the construction and operation of HPB. On the basis of further shortening the gap between construction and operation and optimizing the standards and performance of HPBs, they not only improve the actual value of the buildings themselves, but also have a positive impact on the natural environment and human health. HPB is an indispensable part of human development and progress in the future.
Application and research of artificial intelligence in civil engineering intelligent construction
Authors: Liu Qingyang
Published: December 2023

When artificial intelligence (AI) begins to intervene, the production and lifestyles of various industries have also undergone great changes. The civil engineering construction industry has taken this opportunity to carry out the industry transformation, from traditional civil engineering construction to the intelligent construction of civil engineering with the participation of AI. Through the dynamic tracking and data analysis of construction sites and buildings through AI, the life safety of construction workers can be ensured by improving efficiency and ensuring quality. This paper analyzes the feature of intelligent construction, and discusses the current situation of intelligent construction and the application progress of intelligent construction in civil engineering construction, including Building information modeling (BIM) technology, Internet of Things and big data technology, AI technology, virtual reality technology, three-dimensional scanning technology, intelligent equipment and construction robots. At the same time, the problems and disadvantages of AI in the construction field are analyzed, and the application prospect of intelligent construction technology in future engineering construction is forecasted.
Sustainable aviation fuel as a pathway to mitigate global warming in the aviation industry
Authors: Gao Yujue
Published: December 2023

The extensive utilization of fossil fuels by humanity has led to notable ecological degradation alongside a surge in productivity. The ensuing climate change, a result of global warming, poses a grave threat to human survival. A significant contributor to global warming is the emission of abundant greenhouse gases, with carbon dioxide being the most prevalent. Addressing global warming necessitates the identification and adoption of cleaner, alternative fuels to diminish carbon dioxide emissions. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) emerges as a prime alternative in this context. Chemically akin to conventional and fossil fuels, SAF originates from cleaner sources, offering a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions upon combustion. This paper highlights the importance of SAF as a viable strategy to mitigate CO2 emissions resulting from fossil fuel combustion. The paper also examines different SAF synthesis approaches, such as Fischer-Tropsch, Hydrogenated fatty acid esters and fatty acids (HEFA), and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) processes. In summary, challenges such as high production costs, raw material price fluctuations, and the need for supportive policies hinder SAF's widespread adoption. To address climate change and reduce aviation emissions, further research, technological advancements, government incentives, and collaborative efforts within the aviation industry are crucial.
Machine learning on USA house price prediction
Authors: Jin Zirong
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, an increasing number of students are opting to study abroad in order to acquire more advanced knowledge and pursue a superior educational environment. In many foreign countries, the option to apply for school dormitories is only available during the first year of university or graduate school. At other times, international students have to search for rented apartments or apply to stay with local host families. However, when studying abroad for an extended period, purchasing a property can potentially result in significant savings compared to renting. Therefore, this study focuses on comparing three types of machine learning techniques: multiple linear regression, Random Forest, and XGboost in predicting house prices in the United States. This research could provide reference for families studying abroad or property investors. Based on the preliminary findings of this study so far, it can be concluded that the XG-boost model demonstrates the highest accuracy and stability among these three methods.
Bitcoin price and return prediction based on LSTM
Authors: Yang Runzhi
Published: December 2023

This paper focuses on the prediction of Bitcoin prices and returns based on the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) neural network model, to better consider the impact of time factors. Since Bitcoin has long dominated the digital currency trading market, many researchers have completed many Bitcoin prediction results, including the screening of optimal features, comparison of prediction models and classification of prediction problems. Based on previous work, this article adds a Bitcoin revenue forecast section, presenting the results in the form of charts and data to provide more intuitive trends and more accurate performance. This paper uses LSTM as the experimental model, and uses the Bitcoin transaction history data set with timestamps as the original input. After a specific normalization method, the original model is trained, and then the subsequent transaction data is predicted. Compare it with the real value in the data set to get the final experimental results show that in this prediction problem, the performance of LSTM is slightly better than Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost); on the other hand, compared with price prediction based on real values for prediction, the prediction fluctuations of return are more obvious and more realistic, providing better reference value.
Google stock price prediction by the back propagation neural network
Authors: Sun Weiyi
Published: December 2023

Due to the influence of internal and external factors, stock prices often fluctuate greatly, which is also a big difficulty in the field of data mining and machine learning. This paper uses linear regression model, BP neural network model, and hard voting model to forecast Google stock. The results and accuracy of these three prediction models were observed respectively. Then a more accurate and practical model was selected to make a reasonable prediction of the closing price of Google stock in the following 15 days. The data set used is divided into two subsets, with some data used to fit the model and the rest used to evaluate the model. The results prove that the BP neural network model has the best prediction effect. Therefore, this model was selected for the next step of prediction, and the conclusive prediction result proved that the closing price of Google stock would decline in the following 15 days.
Short-time subway passenger flow forecast based on the ARIMA-LSTM
Authors: Chang Ziyue , Ding Yiquan , Guo Xinran
Published: December 2023

In recent years, with the rapid development of Chinas economy and the continuous increase in population, the urbanization process has intensified. This travel issue caused by peak traffic congestion affects a significant portion of urban populations. In order to conduct a thorough analysis, this article primarily focuses on the urban rail transit industrys subway system. In this study, three models - LSTM, ARIMA and ARIMA-LSTM were employed to analyze and predict short-term inbound flow data for the Hangzhou subway in January 2019. While the LSTM model used for forecasting, it was found to be ineffective in predicting data with extreme peaks. The ARIMA model is subsequently employed for data prediction, revealing its inadequacy in accurately forecasting unstable and non-patterned data. To overcome this limitation, a combined ARIMA-LSTM model is proposed to mitigate the shortcomings of individual models and achieve superior performance. The implementation of the ARIMA-LSTM model effectively mitigates subway congestion issues, thereby facilitating informed decision-making by subway operators. Moreover, it has a certain degree of robustness, even if the other data are not regular enough. The model can be applied in the real subway passenger flow prediction, which is conducive to the choice of people traveling to work and the management decisions of subway operators.
Path planning for storage robots using the RRT algorithm
Authors: Zhang Han
Published: December 2023

This paper delves into the issue of storage robot path planning, a critical challenge in the field of warehouse automation. To address this challenge, this paper introduces the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm and presents an innovative path planning approach aimed at efficiently handling dynamic environments and multiple constraints.Firstly, this paper extensively explores the complexity of the storage robot path planning problem, emphasizing its crucial nature in practical applications. Next, it provides an in-depth explanation of the principles of the RRT algorithm, particularly highlighting its unique advantages in path planning, especially in high-dimensional spaces and nonlinear constraints. In the implementation section, a detailed description is provided on how to apply the RRT algorithm to storage robot path planning, including the workflow of the algorithm and its key steps.In the discussion section, this paper thoroughly analyzes the potential application value of the RRT algorithm in storage robot path planning and discusses future improvement directions and research areas. Finally, by summarizing the outcomes of this study, the paper emphasizes the pivotal role of the RRT algorithm in storage robot path planning and the positive impact it brings to solving this significant problem.
The study on the relationship between dementia and air pollution
Authors: Duan Qiuyao
Published: December 2023

Dementia is a multifaceted neurological condition distinguished by a reduction in cognitive abilities, impairment of memory function, and worsening in overall functional capacity. In recent times, there has been an increasing level of apprehension regarding the potential consequences of environmental elements, specifically air pollution, on the advancement and manifestation of dementia. The primary objective of this research article is to investigate the correlation between dementia and air pollution by a comprehensive analysis of epidemiological data. Additionally, this study will delve into probable processes that may underlie this association and then analyze the ramifications for public health. The results indicate that the presence of air pollution could potentially be a contributing factor to an elevated susceptibility to dementia and a deterioration in cognitive function among those afflicted. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of this correlation is of utmost importance in order to formulate efficacious preventive measures and policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution on dementia.
Prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Clostridium difficile: A meta-analysis
Authors: Guo Tingxian , Jiang Zhuocheng , Yu Qianyue
Published: December 2023

In recent years, the resistance of Clostridium difficile to various common mainstream antibiotics cannot be ignored, the incidence of CDI in many areas is also increasing year by year, posing a great threat to public safety. Literature collection was carried out on 6 open databases, and high-quality literature data conforming to classification criteria were screened and extracted. The WPR and WPF of each antibacterial drug were calculated using the random effects model. Subgroup analysis was used to investigate the influence of regional and experimental methods. Results: A total of 40 studies were included. The WPR of vancomycin was 0.0372, 95%CI: [0.0148; 0.0671], I: 93.7%, WPF was 0.2195, I: 94.0%. The WPR of fidaxomicin was 0.0051, 95%CI: [0.0000; 0.0205], I: 82.7%, WPF was 0.1757, I: 93.6%. The WPR of metronidazole was 0.0318, 95%CI: [0.0056; 0.0727], I: 91.6%. Among the three antibiotics, the highest resistance of C. difficile to metronidazole were mainly distributed in the Middle East and Africa. The conclusion seems to indicate that C. difficile is most sensitive to Fidaxomicin, and the clinical cure rate is better than vancomycin. However, the clinical cure failure rate increased significantly from 2007 to 2019, while the drug resistance rate did not change significantly, suggesting that other factors besides drug resistance may affect the therapeutic effect of fidaxomicin on CDI. There was no significant difference in the results of AGAR dilution and e test, the main methods for drug susceptibility testing.
CRISPR/Cas9 in the treatment of -thalassemia
Authors: Liu Zheshi , Zhang Yuxiang
Published: December 2023

Based on clinical evidence, medication resistance poses a significant challenge to the treatment of cancer. It causes the disease to become uncontrollable and raises death rates. Drug resistance arises from a variety of causes, but a change in the inherited makeup of tumor cells is typically the root reason. The ability to modify the genome is growing with the recent discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/associated (Cas)9 technology, which may be helpful in reducing drug resistance. Owing to its exceptional accuracy and efficiency, the CRISPR/Cas 9 system has been used to investigate the relevant roles of cancer-causing genes, create animal models of tumors, and identify potential therapeutic targets. As a result, it has emerged as the go-to technique for therapeutic gene editing. Utilizing CRISPR/Cas 9 technologies in the treatment of different diseases is growing. Because oncogene regulation differs from normal gene regulation, the CRISPR/Cas 9 system offers efficient methods for oncogene elimination, interference with expression, and modification of activity, all of which can effectively impede the growth of tumors. This article discusses the potential of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to identify resistance targets in drug-resistant breast cancer and reverse resistance gene alterations. Furthermore, the difficulties that prevent this technology from being clinically applicable and emphasize the CRISPR/Cas9 systems are discussed. The CRISPR/Cas9 system will be a crucial component of personalized medicine and is anticipated to have a significant impact on reducing drug resistance in cancer therapy.
“I’m a feminist, do you hate me?”: Constructions of Feminism by Sajsi MC
Authors: Sabo Adriana
Published: December 2023

The paper focuses on the public persona of a popular female rapper from Serbia, Ivana Rašić, performing under the stage name Sajsi MC. As she openly calls herself a feminist, my goal will be to shed light onto how feminism is constructed in her discourse and music, taking into account the specificities of the post-socialist Serbian society and the transformation of the market (and life in general) into a neoliberal one, as well as certain strategies of the popular music industry. Given that she is active within the music market, and is involved in the creation of various products offered for consumption to audiences in the region, my goal will be to understand how feminism, as a category and a label, is envisioned, appropriated, reimagined and renegotiated within such a context, and how it is used by Sajsi MC as a strategy for positioning herself within the local music industry.
British Rock Roadies
Authors: Pisfil Sergio
Published: December 2023

Important changes in British live sound occurred in the early 1970s: Companies such as Feldon Audio began importing US components like JBL and transformed the industry, venues started to install costume-built systems that were capable of successfully amplifying rock acts, sound companies made millionaire investments to improve sound technology, England became a leader in mixing consoles manufacturing, US speaker cabinet designs influenced a new era in sound. Despite these key economic and material changes, in this article I argue that an equally important shift in live sound occurred in the late 1960s. Instead of drastic technological improvement, concert sound developed thanks to a new actor in the music industry: roadies. Drawing from archival research and semi structured interviews to British roadies active in the late 1960s, this article focuses on their practices and puts them at the center of live sound development.
Protest Is Mental Health: Afrocentric healing in a dance movement therapy session
Authors: Holmes Erin Bryce
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Cultural ideals are repeatedly coded into hidden messages through drums, sampling, and signifying, which is all embodied through various dance styles. This transformation brings new meaning to political, social, historical, and cultural issues.  The policing of the black moving body has become an international symbol of struggle, pain, oppression and injustice.  How strong is a symbol?  To be seen is to be remembered.  When will we forget what has been learned?  When will we receive what our ancestors have earned?  The purpose of this research is to deepen an understanding of the sub- group or ethnic group known as African- Americans in the new world, also known as, the Americas.  This paper begins with an introduction to phenomena such as present day stereotypes, social constructs and mandates on what is considered by Brenda Dixon Gottschild to be the "black dancing body" in America.  The discussion to follow deals with how policing the black dancing and moving body occurs throughout various interlinked systems in America.  The black female and male forms are constantly violated by lack of access to education, diagnosis of illness and reinforced stereotypes of aggression.  An embodied exploration of the Pan- African dance technique known as Umfundalai (pronounced ma-foon-da-la) provides a deeper understanding of protest within the arts.  This writer will show therapeutic values inherent in the stylized movement vocabulary of people of the African Diaspora and the utilization of their culture as a viable resource for healing in an acute care psychiatric hospital.
Altered expression of miR-125a and dysregulated cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus: Unveiling diagnostic and prognostic markers
Authors: Alsbihawi Tagreed Qassim , Zare Ebrahimabad Mojtaba , Seyedhosseini Fakhri Sadat , Davoodi Homa , Abdolahi Nafiseh , Nazari Alireza , Mohammadi Saeed , Yazdani Yaghoub
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder impacting multiple organs, influenced by genetic factors, especially those related to the immune system. However, there is a need for new biomarkers in SLE. MicroRNA-125a (miR-125a) levels are decreased in T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells of SLE patients. MiR-125a plays a regulatory role in controlling the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 12 (IL-12), which are crucial pro-inflammatory cytokines in SLE pathogenesis.

AIM

To assess the levels of miR-125a, IL-12, and TNF-α in SLE patients’ plasma, evaluating their diagnostic and prognostic value.

METHODS

The study included 100 healthy individuals, 50 newly diagnosed (ND), and 50 SLE patients undergoing treatment. The patients were monitored for a duration of 24 wk to observe and record instances of relapses. MiR-125a expression was measured using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, while ELISA kits were used to assess IL-12 and TNF-α production.

RESULTS

The results showed significantly reduced miR-125a expression in SLE patients compared to healthy individuals, with the lowest levels in ND patients. TNF-α and IL-12 expression levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients, especially in the early stages of the disease. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, and Cox-Mantel Log-rank tests indicated miR-125a, TNF-α, and IL-12 as proper diagnostic biomarkers for SLE. A negative correlation was found between plasma miR-125a expression and IL-12/TNF-α levels in SLE patients.

CONCLUSION

Decreased miR-125a levels may be involved in the development of SLE, while elevated levels of IL-12 and TNF-α contribute to immune dysregulation. These findings offer new diagnostic and prognostic markers for SLE. Moreover, the negative correlation observed suggests an interaction between miR-125a, TNF-α, and IL-12. Further research is necessary to uncover the underlying mechanisms that govern these relationships.
In vitro study on the transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria from textiles to pig skin
Authors: Lena Pavlina , Karageorgos Spyridon , Liatsou Maria , Agouridis Aris P , Spernovasilis Nikolaos , Lamnisos Demetris , Papageorgis Panagiotis , Tsioutis Constantinos
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

The survival of microorganisms on textiles and specifically on healthcare professionals’ (HCP) attire has been demonstrated in several studies. The ability of microorganisms to adhere and remain on textiles for up to hours or days raises questions as to their possible role in transmission from textile to skin via HCP to patients.

AIM

To evaluate the presence, survival and transmission of different multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) from HCP attire onto skin.

METHODS

Three MDRB [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE); carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae , CRKP)] were inoculated on textiles from scrubs (60% cotton-40% polyester) and white coat (100% cotton) at concentrations of 108 colony-forming units (CFU), 105 CFU, and 103 CFU per mL. The inoculation of swatches was divided in time intervals of 1 min, 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, and 6 h. At the end of each period, textiles were imprinted onto pig skins and each skin square was inverted onto three different selective chromogenic media. Growth from the pig skin squares was recorded for the 3 MDRB at the three above concentrations, for the whole length of the 6-h experiment.

RESULTS

MRSA was recovered from pig skins at all concentrations for the whole duration of the 6-h study. VRE was recovered from the concentration of 108 CFU/mL for 6 h and from 105 CFU/mL for up to 3 h, while showing no growth at 103 CFU/mL. CRKP was recovered from 108 CFU/mL for 6 h, up to 30 min from 105 CFU/mL and for 1 min from the concentration of 103 CFU/mL.

CONCLUSION

Evidence from the current study shows that MRSA can persist on textiles and transmit to skin for 6 h even at low concentrations. The fact that all MDRB can be sustained and transferred to skin even at lower concentrations, supports that textiles are implicated as vectors of bacterial spread.
Research on nanosciences involvement in pharmaceutical education should be reinforced
Authors: Huang Zheng-Wei , Huang Ye-Qi
Published: December 2023

Inclusion of nanoscience in pharmaceutical education should be reinforced, in order to match the demand of current pharmaceutical talent cultivation.
ÇOK İLACA DİRENÇLİ GRAM NEGATİF BAKTERİLERDEKİ SEFTAZİDİM-AVİBAKTAM DUYARLILIĞININ ARAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: AKBAŞ Emel , KESKİN Banu Hümeyra , KAYMAN Hande , YEKENKURUL Dilek , ÇALIŞKAN Emel , ÖKSÜZ Şükrü , ŞAHİN İdris
Published: December 2023

Çoklu ilaca dirençli (MDR) Gram negatif bakteriyel patojenler ciddi mortalite ve morbidite ile seyreden enfeksiyonlara neden olabilirler. Bu izolatların etken olduğu enfeksiyonlarda tedavi seçenekleri sınırlıdır. Çalışmamızda çeşitli klinik örneklerden izole edilen MDR Gram negatif bakterilerde seftazidim-avibaktam duyarlılık oranının araştırılması amaçlanmıştır.
Çalışmaya Düzce Üniversitesi Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Laboratuvarında Temmuz 2018-Temmuz 2022 tarihleri arasında çeşitli klinik örneklerden izole edilen Enterobacterales ve Pseudomonas aeruginosa suşları dahil edildi. Tür düzeyinde tanımlama ve antimikrobiyal duyarlılık testleri için klasik yöntemlere ilave olarak otomatize sistem (VITEK 2 Compact /Phoenix) kullanıldı. Bunların içinden MDR olduğu saptanan izolatlarda disk difüzyon yöntemi ile seftazidim-avibaktam (10-4 µ) (Bioanalyse, Türkiye) duyarlılığı araştırıldı.
Çeşitli klinik örneklerden toplam 83 adet MDR Enterobacterales ve 33 adet MDR P. aeruginosa olmak üzere 116 suş izole edildi. İzolatların 45’i (%38.7) seftazidim-avibaktama duyarlı bulundu. Seftazidim-avibaktam duyarlılığı Enterobacterales için %44.6 iken, P. aeruginosa suşlarında %24.2 olarak saptandı.
Sonuç olarak çalışmamızda, MDR Enterobacterales’te en etkili antibiyotik kolistin (p<0.001), ikinci seftazidim-avibaktam (p<0.001) oldu. MDR P. aeruginosa suşlarında da en etkili antibiyotik kolistin (p<0.001) olmakla birlikte; gentamisin, amikasin ve seftazidim-avibaktam duyarlılıklarının benzer olduğu görüldü (p<0.819). Yapılan çalışmalarda P. aeruginosa'nın seftazidim-avibaktama karşı direnç oranlarının diğer Gram-negatif patojenlere göre daha yüksek olduğu gösterilmiştir. Sonuçlarımız seftazidim-avibaktamın MDR-Enterobacterales ile gelişen enfeksiyonların tedavisi için bir alternatif olabileceğini; ancak, MDR-P. aeruginosa suşlarında duyarlılık test sonuçlarının önemli olduğunu düşündürmektedir.
Meteorological factors, ambient air pollution, and daily hospital admissions for depressive disorder in Harbin: A time-series study
Authors: Hu Ting , Xu Zhao-Yuan , Wang Jian , Su Yao , Guo Bing-Bing
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

The literature has discussed the relationship between environmental factors and depressive disorders; however, the results are inconsistent in different studies and regions, as are the interaction effects between environmental factors. We hypothesized that meteorological factors and ambient air pollution individually affect and interact to affect depressive disorder morbidity.

AIM

To investigate the effects of meteorological factors and air pollution on depressive disorders, including their lagged effects and interactions.

METHODS

The samples were obtained from a class 3 hospital in Harbin, China. Daily hospital admission data for depressive disorders from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2022 were obtained. Meteorological and air pollution data were also collected during the same period. Generalized additive models with quasi-Poisson regression were used for time-series modeling to measure the non-linear and delayed effects of environmental factors. We further incorporated each pair of environmental factors into a bivariate response surface model to examine the interaction effects on hospital admissions for depressive disorders.

RESULTS

Data for 2922 d were included in the study, with no missing values. The total number of depressive admissions was 83905. Medium to high correlations existed between environmental factors. Air temperature (AT) and wind speed (WS) significantly affected the number of admissions for depression. An extremely low temperature (-29.0 ℃) at lag 0 caused a 53% [relative risk (RR)= 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-1.89] increase in daily hospital admissions relative to the median temperature. Extremely low WSs (0.4 m/s) at lag 7 increased the number of admissions by 58% (RR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.07-2.31). In contrast, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity had smaller effects. Among the six air pollutants considered in the time-series model, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was the only pollutant that showed significant effects over non-cumulative, cumulative, immediate, and lagged conditions. The cumulative effect of NO2 at lag 7 was 0.47% (RR = 1.0047, 95%CI: 1.0024-1.0071). Interaction effects were found between AT and the five air pollutants, atmospheric temperature and the four air pollutants, WS and sulfur dioxide.

CONCLUSION

Meteorological factors and the air pollutant NO2 affect daily hospital admissions for depressive disorders, and interactions exist between meteorological factors and ambient air pollution.
Analysis of influencing factors and the construction of predictive models for postpartum depression in older pregnant women
Authors: Chen Lei , Shi Yun
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Changes in China's fertility policy have led to a significant increase in older pregnant women. At present, there is a lack of analysis of influencing factors and research on predictive models for postpartum depression (PPD) in older pregnant women.

AIM

To analysis the influencing factors and the construction of predictive models for PPD in older pregnant women.

METHODS

By adopting a cross-sectional survey research design, 239 older pregnant women (≥ 35 years old) who underwent obstetric examinations and gave birth at Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital from February 2022 to July 2023 were selected as the research subjects. When postpartum women of advanced maternal age came to the hospital for follow-up 42 d after birth, the Edinburgh PPD Scale (EPDS) was used to assess the presence of PPD symptoms. The women were divided into a PPD group and a no-PPD group. Two sets of data were collected for analysis, and a prediction model was constructed. The performance of the predictive model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

RESULTS

On the 42nd day after delivery, 51 of 239 older pregnant women were evaluated with the EPDS scale and found to have depressive symptoms. The incidence rate was 21.34% (51/239). There were statistically significant differences between the PPD group and the no-PPD group in terms of education level (P = 0.004), family relationships (P = 0.001), pregnancy complications (P = 0.019), and mother–infant separation after birth (P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high school education and below, poor family relationships, pregnancy complications, and the separation of the mother and baby after birth were influencing factors for PPD in older pregnant women (P < 0.05). Based on the influencing factors, the following model equation was developed: Logit (P ) = 0.729 × education level + 0.942 × family relationship + 1.137 × pregnancy complications + 1.285 × separation of the mother and infant after birth -6.671. The area under the ROC curve of this prediction model was 0.873 (95%CI: 0.821-0.924), the sensitivity was 0.871, and the specificity was 0.815. The deviation between the value predicted by the model and the actual value through the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was not statistically significant (χ 2 = 2.749, P = 0.638), indicating that the model did not show an overfitting phenomenon.

CONCLUSION

The risk of PPD among older pregnant women is influenced by educational level, family relationships, pregnancy complications, and the separation of the mother and baby after birth. A prediction model based on these factors can effectively predict the risk of PPD in older pregnant women.
Influence of physical education on anxiety, depression, and self-esteem among college students
Authors: Fu Hai-Yan , Wang Jing , Hu Jia-Xi
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Physical education is pivotal in our country’s education reform. Urban schools have notably enhanced the intensity of physical education in recent years. However, the effects of physical education on students' anxiety, depression, and self-esteem levels, as well as their interrelations, remain unexplored.

AIM

To analyze the influence of physical education on students’ anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.

METHODS

This study employed a cross-sectional design. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 478 first-year university students. Self-administered questionnaires were used to investigate the physical education status and basic information of college students. We used the Physical Activity Rank Scale-3 (PARS-3), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Esteem Scale (SES) to assess the level of exercise, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Multiple Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive ability of PARS-3 scores for anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Spearman’s correlation was used to analyze the correlations among the PARS-3, SAS, SDS, and SES.

RESULTS

Compared with the domestic norms, SAS and SDS scores were higher, and SES scores were lower (P < 0.05). Among the participants, 210 (43.93%) had PARS-3 scores below 20, 94 (19.67%) had scores of 20-42, and 174 (36.40%) had scores above 42. After adjusting for daily sleep time, gender, being an only child, major, father’s educational background, mother’s educational background, and family residence, PARS-3 scores were independent influencing factors for anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (P < 0.05). The AUC of PARS-3 scores predicting anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem were 0.805 (0.760-0.849), 0.799 (0.755-0.843), and 0.831 (0.788-0.874), respectively. The sensitivities were 0.799, 0.801, and 0.748, and the specificities were 0.743, 0.716, and 0.814, respectively. PARS-3 was negatively correlated with SAS and SDS scores (r = -0.566, -0.621, both P < 0.001) and positively correlated with SES scores (r = -0.621, P < 0.001). SES scores were negatively correlated with SAS and SDS scores (r = -0.508, r = -0.518, both P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The amount of physical activity is negatively correlated with anxiety and depression degree and positively correlated with self-esteem degree.