bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorptive Removal of Lead (II) Pollutants from Wastewater Using Corncob-Activated Carbon
Authors: Aliyu Sunusi , Salahudeen Nurudeen , Rasheed A. A.
Published: July 2024

he level of contamination in industrial wastewater has been a serious environmental challenge of our time. Various researchers have reported that the adsorption process using different adsorbents is a promising technique for treating heavy metal-contaminated wastewater. This study investigated the adsorptive removal of lead (II) from wastewater using corncob-activated carbon. Activated carbon was synthesized from a raw corncob. The synthesized activated carbon was applied as a sorbent in batch lead (II) adsorption in an aqueous lead (II) solution. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory characterized the synthesized activated carbon. A batch adsorption study investigated the effects of dosage, contact time, and the initial concentration of lead (II) on the sorption of Pb2+ on the synthesized activated carbon. The highest removal of lead recorded was 95 % at an adsorbent dosage of 2.5 g/L in 2 h. The highest adsorption capacity was 16.46 mg/g at the same conditions. The results showed that percentage removal increased with dosage and contact time but decreased with the initial metal ion concentration. Adsorption kinetics were best described with the pseudo-second-order kinetics, while the Langmuir isotherm model best fitted equilibrium adsorption in the study. The FTIR results showed the presence of several functional groups like carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amino, indicating good interaction with lead metal ions. The BET characterization revealed the activated corncob’s specific surface area and pore volume to be 249 m2/g and 0.164 cm3/g. This work shows that activated carbon can be synthesized from agricultural waste such as corncob and be used as an effective adsorbent for heavy metal removal, such as lead, from wastewater.
The Sharing Economy in the Tourism Sector: Microeconomic Factors
Authors: Navickas Valentinas , Petroke Ieva
Published: July 2024

This research endeavours to explore the intricate dynamics of microeconomic factors that significantly influence the evolution of the sharing economy within the vibrant landscape of Lithuania’s tourism sector. By harnessing an extensive dataset comprising diverse tourism metrics and online platform activities, advanced regression analysis techniques are employed to uncover the intricate interplay between tourism employment and key determinants such as tourism output, accommodation infrastructure, internet accessibility, and other pertinent variables. The empirical insights gleaned from this analysis reveal compelling correlations, shedding light on the pivotal role played by these factors in shaping the burgeoning sharing economy within the tourism realm. Moreover, this study provides nuanced insights into the potential implications for future research endeavours. By elucidating the complex relationships between various economic variables and the sharing economy, this research lays the groundwork for further empirical exploration and theoretical refinement. The ramifications of this research extend beyond academia to encompass practical implications for industry practitioners and policymakers alike. By gaining a deeper understanding of the microeconomic drivers of the sharing economy in the tourism sector, stakeholders can devise more informed strategies to leverage its potential for sustainable growth and development. In conclusion, this research represents a significant contribution to the burgeoning field of sharing economy studies within the context of the tourism sector. By revealing the intricate web of microeconomic factors underpinning its development, this study provides valuable insights that can inform both academic discourse and practical decision-making processes. Ultimately, it is hoped that this research will catalyse further exploration and innovation in the field, driving continued growth and prosperity within Lithuania’s tourism sector.
Institutional model of commercial real estate market
Authors: Burdenyuk E. N. , Kogan A. B.
Published: July 2024

The study considers institutions of the commercial real estate market with the aim to develop a descriptive institutional model. Institutional boundaries of the commercial real estate market are outlined. Time limits are determined by the equalization of supply and demand through the dynamics of rental rates. Geographical limits, despite the local character of the market, are determined by the participation of the largest developers. Commodity boundaries form the intended purpose of commercial real estate related to its use by lessees for business. This allows the interconnection of commercial real estate institutions to be considered from the perspective of value creation. By means of land relations, the initial conditions are determined by the institution of the state, which also establishes registration requirements. The developer connects the land supply with the rental market by developing a concept of the object, thus influencing related industries (developers, producers of construction materials). The institution of commercial real estate management ensures the interests of the developer. The composition of its participants is diverse, allowing the investor’s offer to be communicated to potential tenants as a value. The institute of accompanying participants of the commercial real estate market is mainly involved in information exchange between its other subjects; however, this institute is responsible for making the constituent links of the market sustainable. The lessee forms the final product using the value created by the developer (lessor) in the form of the intended purpose and individual properties of the object. Rental rates affect the profitability of commercial real estate, thereby determining the developer’s demand for capital. The results obtained can be used by both developers and researchers. The conclusion is made about the limited institutional role of the investor due to irrational capital raising and transferring these costs to the lessee. The reasons lie both in the strategies of most developers and in the desire to reduce risks through the preferred use of debt capital.
Transformations of Russian industrial real estate in the context of unstable economy: Literature mapping and review
Authors: Cherepanova M. S. , Shupletsov A. V.
Published: July 2024

This study is focused on Russian industrial real estate and mechanisms of its transformation in crisis periods as a sphere of scientific knowledge. The investigated crisis periods are of interest from the perspective of their different nature, which remains a relevant research problem at the interface of economics and politics. The source materials were all types of research literature published from 1940 up to the present, along with state standards in this field. The materials for analysis were collected from the book funds of the Russian State Library and journals of the leading Moscow universities. The collected literature was classified based on three historical periods. These included (1) the war and post-war period of the 40s and up to the mid-70s, when technical literature was published; (2) 90s and 2000s, which passed under the sign of perestroika and general restructuring of industrial enterprises; and (3) the period since 2014 up to the present, characterized by a series of geopolitical events. The conclusion is made that the evolution of scientific knowledge in the field of industrial real estate depends on the nature of the ongoing crisis.
Irkutsk regionalism as a trend of Soviet modernism
Authors: Eremin N. S. , Zolotareva M. V.
Published: July 2024

The article investigates the monuments of Irkutsk Soviet modernism and early postmodernism in order to reveal their identity and peculiarities, to determine the significance of these structures for the specific urban environment of the Eastern Siberian capital, as well as for the history of modern architecture as a research discipline. The research involved a review of bibliographic sources, a full-scale survey of objects belonging to the mentioned periods, and in-person interviews with the architects of the buildings under study and other Irkutsk citizens. Along with attracting interest to the urgent problems of cultural significance, objective assessment, and modern appearance of the heritage of the second half of the 20th century, the authors clarified the chronological framework of the main stages in the development of the modern city and provided a scientific definition of the Irkutsk regionalism term. As a result, it was established that the response to the challenges of the late Soviet years became a recognizable architectural segment, which, although rapturing the fabric of historical urban environment, reassembles it for functional aspiration for the future. The Irkutsk architecture, having an industrial beginning, has nevertheless remained authorial, and even uncompromising in the doctrines of Vladimir A. Pavlov and his followers, who supported his initiatives in the following era of postmodernism.
Dispersão de vírus zoonóticos de alta patogenicidade para humanos por morcegos
Authors: Gorgonho Paulo Henrique
Published: July 2024

O presente estudo construído de através da literatura especifica relacionada ao tema tem como objetivo central a ampliação do conhecimento das consequências da convivência entre seres humanos e morcegos, tendo como objetivo principal realizar a descrição sob o ponto de vista clínico-laboratorial os vírus zoonóticos de maior grau  de patogenicidade para humanos que são dispersados por estes animais, e como objetivos secundários, realizar  o apontamento dos fatores associados à transmissão de zoonoses, com ênfase à aquelas que tenham alto taxa de mortalidade, pelos morcegos aos humanos, enumerar os principais vírus zoonóticos de alta patogenicidade que são dispersados por morcegos, e relatar os aspectos clínico-laboratoriais dos principais vírus zoonóticos. Ademais correlacionar eventos ocorridos em diversas partes do mundo a situação brasileira, com intuito de apontar a possibilidade da dispersão de vírus zoonóticos de alta patogenicidade no país.  Em suma o estudo apresentou logrou êxito em ampliar os conhecimentos sobre os objetivos propostos.
Scaling up the practice of water operators’ partnership (WOP) and its linkages with investment programmes
Authors: Pascual-Sanz Maria , Diaz Carlos , Volk Franziska
Published: July 2024

Funding is limiting the extent to which water operators can engage in helping one another to increase access to water and sanitation services. Besides capacity development support, Water Operators' Partnerships are increasingly supporting mobilisation, implementation and sustainability of investment programmes. This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the current funding scenario for Water Operators` Partnerships, identify obstacles, and explore possibilities to promote the mobilisation of additional funds. It does so by analysing costs, sizes, sources of funding and the co-existence of WOPs with investment programmes. Some significant findings include the increasing recognition of the positive influence of WOPs not only by donors but also by development financial institutions, the emergence of WOP-dedicated programmes, the great potential of funds coming from decentralised development funding mechanisms, and the multiple scenarios in which WOPs and investment programmes co-exist. Salient challenges are the low reach of information related to WOP outcomes and the low feasibility of WOPs being funded by the technical assistance component of investment programmes. A remarkable highlight is the invitation from development financial institutions to WOP proponents to join forces in identifying ways to secure the best alignment and synergies between WOP support and investment programmes.
Los partidos políticos en México a través de las elecciones presidenciales, 1988-2018. 30 años de contiendas políticas
Authors: Torres Alonso Eduardo , García Aguilar María del Carmen
Published: July 2024

Reseña de: Torres-Ruiz, René (coord.), Los partidos políticos en México a través de las elecciones presidenciales, 1988-2018. 30 años de contiendas políticas. México, Universidad Iberoamericana-Grupo Editor Orfila Valentini, 2023, 376 pp.
Virtual Screening of Indonesian Herbal Compounds with Neuraminidase Inhibitor Activity against N2 Influenza Virus Protein: An in silico Study
Authors: Nurjanah Diana , Fadilah Fadilah , Dharmayanti Ni Luh Putu Indi
Published: July 2024

Background: Neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) is one of anti-influenza drugs recommended for use by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, after treatment with NAI drugs in human, resistance to influenza antiviral drugs is begun to rise. Therefore, identification of compounds from Indonesian herbal plants as natural inhibitors of the influenza virus neuraminidase protein needs to be conducted for the development of new anti-influenza drugs.Materials and methods: The crystal structure of the neuraminidase protein complex used in this study was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Structure-based pharmacophore modeling was performed using LigandScout version 4.4.5 software. Indonesian herbal plant compounds were collected from the HerbalDB database. Protein and ligand processing was carried out using Autodock 4.2 software. The 3D interaction visualization was carried out with Autodock software, while 2D interaction visualization was carried out with LigPlot software. To determine the toxicity and drug-likeliness of the ligand, the test ligands that had the best docking results were predicted using SwissADME and AdmetSAR.Results: From the virtual screening results, 24 hits were found, and five compounds had the best binding energy among the 24 tested compounds, these were pollenitin (ΔG=-7.22 kcal/mol), OPC-4:0 (ΔG=-7.11 kcal/mol), 6-hydroxykaempferol (ΔG=-7.08 kcal/mol), 5,8-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone (ΔG=-7.07 kcal/mol), and 3,5,6,7-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (ΔG=-6.95 kcal/mol). The best five compounds were then chosen for further analysis.Conclusion: OPC-4:0 is found to be the best compound for the NAI based on its binding energy, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and drug-likeliness. Thus, OPC-4:0 might be a potential candidate as a NAI of HxN2 virus. Keywords: influenza, molecular docking, neuraminidase, resistance, virtual screening
Pirataria e função social dos direitos autorais na hiperconectividade digital
Authors: Saldanha Alexandre
Published: July 2024

Este trabalho envolve temas de direitos autorais e direitos fundamentais de acesso à cultura no contexto das práticas digitais que violam as regras gerais de proteção às criações intelectuais. O problema abordado envolve a pirataria e a função social dos direitos autorais, considerando como esta prática realmente prejudica os interesses econômicos dos criadores de conteúdo e como ela pode colaborar com o acesso à cultura. Com o objetivo de investigar a literatura sobre o tema e números que representam a prática da pirataria, com a finalidade de analisar esta prática digital interfere nos direitos de acesso, a hipótese trabalhada é a de que as práticas que configuram pirataria não interferem nos lucros da indústria cultural e pode ser desconsiderada como violação. Usando de revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema e analisando dados numéricos disponíveis, busca-se colaborar com discussões que refletem sobre os direitos autorais em contextos contemporâneos.
O regime de responsabilidade civil na Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados e a cláusula geral de imputação objetiva: o diálogo de fontes como padrão interpretativo
Authors: Hind Costa Jessica , Acioly Luis Henrique
Published: July 2024

A Lei n. 13.709/2018 (LGPD) se descortinou como marco normativo do direito fundamental de Proteção de Dados Pessoais, predispondo princípios, deferindo direitos, estabelecendo obrigações, e atribuindo responsabilidade aos agentes de tratamento de dados. Contudo, não designou textualmente o caráter objetivo ou subjetivo do regime jurídico inerente à imputação da obrigação de indenizar decorrente das operações por ela disciplinadas. Assim, o presente artigo buscou estabelecer balizas para a compreensão do regime de responsabilização à luz de uma hermenêutica lógico-sistemática com o prisma de responsabilidade civil objetiva estabelecido pelo Código Civil, tendo por pano de fundo o diálogo de fontes como padrão interpretativo. Para tanto, revistou-se a doutrina clássica sobre a interpretação da cláusula geral de responsabilidade objetiva do direito privado, bem como os estudos modernos em favor e contra a objetividade do regime de responsabilidade civil da LGPD. A fim de construir essa interpretação sistemática, revisitou-se também a doutrina do diálogo das fontes. Ao cabo, concluiu-se pela viabilidade jurídica do regime objetivo da imputação da responsabilidade civil no âmbito da LGPD à luz da teoria do risco da atividade, conforme aplicação da teoria do diálogo das fontes frente à Teoria do Risco-Criado, prevista no Código Civil.
Trajectory Analysis for Identifying Classes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children of the United States
Authors: Lee Yu-Sheng , Sprong Matthew Evan , Shrestha Junu , Smeltzer Matthew P. , Hollender Heaven
Published: July 2024

Background

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that affects attention and behavior. People with ADHD frequently encounter challenges in social interactions, facing issues, like social rejection and difficulties in interpersonal relationships, due to their inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Methods

A National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) database was employed to identify patterns of ADHD symptoms. The children who were born to women in the NLSY study between 1986 and 2014 were included. A total of 1,847 children in the NLSY 1979 cohort whose hyperactivity/inattention score was calculated when they were four years old were eligible for this study. A trajectory modeling method was used to evaluate the trajectory classes. Sex, baseline antisocial score, baseline anxiety score, and baseline depression score were adjusted to build the trajectory model. We used stepwise multivariate logistic regression models to select the risk factors for the identified trajectories.

Results

The trajectory analysis identified six classes for ADHD, including (1) no sign class, (2) few signs since preschool being persistent class, (3) few signs in preschool but no signs later class, (4) few signs in preschool that magnified in elementary school class, (5) few signs in preschool that diminished later class, and (6) many signs since preschool being persistent class. The sensitivity analysis resulted in a similar trajectory pattern, except for the few signs since preschool that magnified later class. Children’s race, breastfeeding status, headstrong score, immature dependent score, peer conflict score, educational level of the mother, baseline antisocial score, baseline anxious/depressed score, and smoking status 12 months prior to the birth of the child were found to be risk factors in the ADHD trajectory classes.

Conclusion

The trajectory classes findings obtained in the current study can (a) assist a researcher in evaluating an intervention (or combination of interventions) that best decreases the long-term impact of ADHD symptoms and (b) allow clinicians to better assess as to which class a child with ADHD belongs so that appropriate intervention can be employed.
Artificial Intelligence and Alloy Design
Authors: Fisher D.
Published: July 2024

The development of novel materials can be greatly accelerated by Artificial Intelligence based on high-throughput automatic computation and data-mining of material databases. Artificial intelligence can be used to predict the properties of alloys, based simply upon their composition. The book references 343 original resources with their direct web links for in-depth reading.
Urinary continence following extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy: impact of surgical technique and pelvic fascial spaces reconstruction
Authors: Chibichyan M. B. , Kogan M. I. , Belousov I. I. , Sizyakin D. V. , Avetyan A. V. , Trusov P. V. , Shkodkin S. V. , Pchelkin A. S.
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Urinary incontinence is a common complication of radical prostatectomy. The development of surgical techniques when performing radical prostatectomy that improve the function of urinary continence after surgery is actual.

Objective. To compare urinary continence functions in long-term follow-up after open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy when only posterior or combined (anterior + posterior) reconstruction of the pelvic fascial spaces is performed.

Materials & methods. The study included 130 patients aged 63.0 [59.0; 68.0] years with local prostate cancer (сT1a-2сN0-xM0; 1 – 4 ISUP groups), subjected to non-nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy with posterior reconstruction and non-nerve-sparing extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with isolated posterior or combined (anterior + posterior) fascial reconstruction of the pelvic fascial spaces. Postoperative continence function was studied at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following surgery using a standard pad test.

Results. The incidence of urinary continence was higher at all follow-up periods during laparoscopic surgery. From the 6-months follow-up, these patients did not have severe urinary incontinence. At the same time, the rate of growth of some patients who began to retain urine did not depend on the method of reconstruction of the pelvic fascial spaces. The use of combined reconstruction of the pelvic fascial spaces at 12-months follow-up showed an advantage in urinary continence over performing only posterior reconstruction. Such patients achieved urinary continence in 90% of cases compared to 80.0% of cases. At the same time, the restoration of urinary continence at all periods of observation had a relatively uniform linear rate of increase in the indicator.

Conclusion. Reconstruction of the pelvic fascial spaces during open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy allows one to achieve satisfactory continuation in the postoperative period. However, higher efficiency is achieved when using a combined reconstruction technique.
Familial cross-testicular ectopia: a clinical case report
Authors: Akramov N. R. , Isroilov A. A. , Rakhmatullaev A. A. , Sizonov V. V. , Pospelov M. S. , Gallyamova A. I. , Orlov V. M.
Published: July 2024

Cross or transverse testicular ectopia is a rare congenital condition of the reproductive system that involves the migration of a testicle into the opposite inguinal canal, along with the presence of an inguinal hernia on the same side as the ectopic testicle. In the modern literature, there are discussions about diagnostic issues, particularly the use of ultrasound scanning and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose this condition. However, it is the results of laparoscopic examination that determine the most accurate criteria for surgical treatment. Many publications discuss the choice of surgical tactics, including separate transabdominal orchiopexy, with or without laparoscopic assistance; transeptal orchiopexy on both sides of the scrotum; and rare cases of orchiopexy for both testicles on one side of the scrotum. Ultimately, the choice of surgery depends on the individual characteristics and needs of the patient, and the surgeon should make the decision based on these factors. The article describes, for the first time, a case of familial testicular ectopia with bilateral inguinal hernia in siblings who underwent surgery using laparoscopic assistance. The method used was single-trocar laparoscopic access with transscrotal transeptal orchiopexy and simultaneous bilateral puncture of the inguinal ring and suture. During the long-term follow-up period (50 and 20 months after surgery) in both siblings, there were no signs of malformation or atrophy of the gonads.
Evaluation of the efficacy of Vesusten® in patients with overactive bladder and chronic recurrent cystitis
Authors: Galkina N. G. , Galkin A. V.
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Numerous studies have suggested that lower urinary tract infections may be involved in the development of overactive bladder (OAB) in patients who are resistant to standard treatment. In these cases, treatment targeting all stages of disease progression could be beneficial.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of Vesusten® in management of OAB in women with chronic recurrent cystitis.

Materials & methods. The study involved 40 patients diagnosed with OAB and chronic recurrent cystitis. All patients received Vesusten® as therapy for OAB. They received 5 mg of the medication intramuscularly three times per week for a total of 10 doses. The study included three stages: a screening period lasting up to 14 days; the stage for assessing the effectiveness of therapy (42 days from the start of therapy, including the therapy period + further follow-up after the end of therapy); follow-up period — 180 days + 14 days from completion of treatment.

Results. It was revealed Vesusten® clinical effectiveness on the severity of OAB symptoms and the quality of life of patients. hree weeks after the end of treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of OAB symptoms on the Patient Perception Index of Urgency and Symptoms (PPIUS) (2.2 ± 1.0 vs 0.95 ± 1.0 points) and TUFS (28.4 ± 11.6 vs 5. 1 ± 6.4 points), a decrease in the number of urinations during the day (11.5 ± 2.2 vs 8.8 ± 2.7 episodes) and at night (3.5 ± 1.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.5 episodes) time (p < 0.001). The nighttime urination frequency decreased by more than 2.5 times, while the proportion of patients who did not wake up at night for urination increased from 10 % to 35%. Evaluation of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-Q) after the completion of treatment compared with the initial data showed a statistically significant improvement in quality of life related to the severity of OAB symptoms (24.8 ± 7.5 vs 15.7 + 6.4 points; p < 0.001), and with general health status (74.0 ± 31.7 vs 57.6 ± 22.1 points; p = 0.0087). The average duration of the relapse-free period, including the course of Vesusten® treatment and the follow-up period, significantly increased to 42.90 ± 9.64 weeks in comparison with the duration of the relapse-free period before patients’ inclusion in the study — 17.96 ± 7.75 weeks (p < 0.001). During the clinical study, eight women experienced exacerbations of chronic cystitis (20%).

Conclusion. Study results suggest that the drug Vesusten® may be an effective treatment for OAB in combination with chronic recurrent cystitis. Based on our findings, we believe that Vesusten® can be considered as a potential treatment option for patients with chronic cystitis.
Transposition of the distal urethra: 10-year treatment results
Authors: Gvozdev G. Yu. , Bryanskykh E. P. , Sazonova N. A. , Lazareva E. K. , Sarukhanian A. L.
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Post-coital cystitis is not a separate nosologic unit, but belongs to recurrent urinary tract infection. Surgical interventions are only recommended in cases where conservative treatment fails to provide relief.

Objective. To evaluate the results of post-coital cystitis prophylaxis in urethral transposition.

Materials & methods. A retrospective study of 46 patients who underwent surgical treatment in the volume of transposition of the distal urethra from 2011 to 2013 was conducted in the clinic of Urology of MSUMD based on the Spasokukotsky Moscow Clinical Hospital.

Results. Based on subjective reports from patients, urethral transposition was found to be effective in 71.7% of cases. Half of the participants reported no recurrence of cystitis within the past year, and over half (67%) reported no inflammatory episodes after undergoing surgery.

Conclusion. The findings suggest that urethral transposition is an effective and relatively safe treatment option for patients with post-coital cystitis who have failed to respond to conservative treatments.
Male and female urinary incontinence management
Authors: Kogan M. I.
Published: July 2024

The article summarises the guidelines of the International Continence Society (ICI-7) for the management of male and female urinary incontinence. The author's opinion on the state of the problem from the perspective of its relevance in the field of modern practical urology is expressed.
Comparison of thulium and holmium lasers with conventional transurethral bladder resection for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Popov S. V. , Huseynov R. G. , Pomeshkin E. V. , Scriabin O. N. , Sivak K. V. , Perepelitsa V. V. , Lelyavina T. A. , Malyshev E. A.
Published: July 2024

Introduction. The gold standard of treatment for intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) in combination with intravesical therapy. However, this procedure may cause serious complications. At the same time, studies of various lasers for the treatment of NMIBC have demonstrated their safety and efficacy. Despite this, the topic has not yet been fully explored and is not widely practiced in clinical oncology, making further research necessary.

Objective. To compare thulium and holmium lasers with conventional TURB for management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials & methods. In our study, depending on the treatment approach, 84 NMIBC-patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 included 27 patients (34.14%), who underwent laser thulium bladder resection; group 2 included 25 patients (29.76%), who underwent laser holmium bladder resection, and group 3 included 32 patients (38.1%), who underwent standard TURB. Prior to surgery, all patients received a standard set of preoperative general clinical and instrumental examinations for bladder cancer, and the choice of surgical approach was based on informed patient consent, taking into account the benefits and risks of the three treatment options. All surgeries were performed in accordance with established protocols.

Results. In the TURB group, the surgery time was the longest and totalled in 20.5 ± 7.4 min. Laser technologies reduce the surgery time to 16.3 ± 5.3 min for a holmium laser and to 14.7 ± 5.2 min for a thulium laser. Also, in groups 1 and 2, a shorter duration of postoperative bladder irrigation was noted (4.4 ± 1.8 and 4.7 ± 1.6 hours) and shorter periods of postoperative bladder catheterisation (1.5 ± 0.08 and 1.6 ± 0.08 days) compared to group 3, where these indicators were 16.4 ± 2.5 hours and 2.5 ± 0.13 days, respectively. Among patients undergoing either holmium or thulium surgery, a higher rate of disease-free survival has been noted. Independent prognostic factors that influence the prognosis of NMIBC in all groups include the type of surgery, history of bladder tumors, and pathological stage.

Conclusion. The use of laser technology, such as thulium and holmium laser, in bladder wall resection for NMIBC shows promising results and provides a good clinical outcome that is comparable to (and in some cases, superior to) standard TURB.
Patterns of Use and Withdrawal Syndrome in Dual Cannabis and Tobacco Users (DuCATA_GAM-CAT): Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Saura Judith , Feliu Ariadna , Enríquez-Mestre Marta , Fu Marcela , Ballbè Montse , Castellano Yolanda , Pla Margarida , Rosa Nathalia , Radeva Petia , Maestre-González Elena , Cabezas Carmen , Colom Joan , Suelves Josep M , Mondon Silvia , Barrio Pablo , Andreu Magalí , Raich Antònia , Bernabeu Jordi , Vilaplana Jordi , Roca Tutusaus Xavier , Guydish Joseph , Fernández Esteve , Martínez Cristina
Published: July 2024

Background

Approximately 1 in 6 cannabis users develop a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the odds increase to 1 in 2 for daily users.

Objective

The Dual use of Cannabis and Tobacco Monitoreing through a Gamified Web app (DuCATA_GAM-CaT) project aims to identify cannabis-tobacco patterns of use and withdrawal symptoms among individuals with CUD who are attending substance abuse programs.

Methods

The project uses a mixed methods approach consisting of 3 studies. First, a participatory qualitative study involves focus groups comprising individuals with CUD, clinicians, project researchers, and an expert gamification company to co-design a gamified web app. Second, a longitudinal prospective study to follow up individuals over 6 weeks with CUD attending substance abuse programs . Participants report their cannabis-tobacco usage patterns, type and frequency of tobacco use, nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, psychoemotional factors, and motivation to quit both substances. Predictive analysis techniques are used to analyze clinical, demographic, psychological, and environmental data to predict the probability of achieving abstinence. Third, homogeneous focus groups to explore participants’ experiences during their CUD treatment.

Results

By June 2024, the project had completed the first study, defining eligible cannabis user profiles, developed the initial web app prototype, and initiated recruitment across 10 centers, with 74 participants enrolled, aiming to reach 150 participants in total.

Conclusions

All participants are required to provide informed consent, and their information is kept confidential and anonymized following confidentiality rules. The research team is committed to disseminating the results obtained to professional and patient groups, as well as informing public health agents, to positively influence political and social decision makers and design programmers. Additionally, we aim to prioritize the publication of the results in high-impact journals specialized in drug abuse, public health, and health care services research.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05512091; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05512091

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/58335
Census-Dependent Mortality of Ventilated Patients With COVID-19 in Israel: Noninterventional Observational Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Mendlovic Joseph , Mimouni Francis B
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic led to several surges in the mass hospitalization rate. Extreme increases in hospital admissions without adequate medical resources may increase mortality. No study has addressed the impact of daily census of ventilated patients on mortality in the context of the pandemic in a nationwide setting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether daily census of ventilated patients affected COVID-19 mortality rates nationwide in Israel.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study using nationwide, public-domain, population-based COVID-19 data of hospitalized patients from an Israeli database from March 11, 2020, until February 11, 2021. We included all COVID-19 hospital admissions, classified as mild to severe per the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention classification irrespective of whether they were mechanically ventilated. Outcome measures were daily death rates and death rates expressed as a percentage of ventilated patients.

RESULTS

During the study period (338 days from March 11, 2020, to February 11, 2021), 715,743 patients contracted and were clinically confirmed as having COVID-19. Among them, 5577 (0.78%) patients died. In total, 3398 patients were ventilated because of severe COVID-19. Daily mortality correlated with daily census of ventilated patients (R2=0.828, P<.001). The daily percent mortality of ventilated patients also correlated with the daily census of ventilated patients (R2=0.365, P<.001)—backward multiple regression analysis demonstrated that this positive correlation was still highly significant even when correcting for the average age or gender of ventilated patients (R2=0.4328, P<.001) or for the surge in their number. Overall, 40% of the variation in mortality was explained by variations in the daily census of ventilated patients. ANOVA revealed that at less than 50 ventilated patients per day, the daily mortality of ventilated patients was slightly above 5%, and it nearly doubled (10%) with 50-149 patients; moreover, in all categories of ≥200 patients ventilated per day, it more than tripled at ≥15% (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Daily mortality rates per ventilated patient increased with an increase in the number of ventilated patients, suggesting the saturation of medical resources. Policy makers should be aware that expanding medical services without adequate resources may increase mortality. Governments should perform similar analyses to provide indicators of system saturation, although further validation of these results might be needed to use this indicator to drive public policy.
An Extraction Tool for Venous Thromboembolism Symptom Identification in Primary Care Notes to Facilitate Electronic Clinical Quality Measure Reporting: Algorithm Development and Validation (Preprint)
Authors: Novoa-Laurentiev John , Bowen Mica , Pullman Avery , Song Wenyu , Syrowatka Ania , Chen Jin , Sainlaire Michael , Chang Frank , Gray Krissy , Panta Purushottam , Liu Luwei , Nawab Khalid , Hijjawi Shadi , Schreiber Richard , Zhou Li , Dykes Patricia C
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is often delayed and facilitating earlier diagnosis may improve associated morbidity and mortality. Clinical notes contain information not found elsewhere in the medical record that could facilitate timely VTE diagnosis and accurate quality measurement. However, extracting relevant information from unstructured clinical notes is complex. Today there are relatively few electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) in our national payment program and none that use NLP for data extraction. NLP holds great promise for making quality measurement more accurate and more efficient.

OBJECTIVE

We developed a rule-based NLP tool, VTExt, that extracts VTE symptoms from clinical note text, for use within an eCQM to quantify the rate of delayed diagnosis of VTE in primary care settings.

METHODS

We iteratively developed VTExt on an internal dataset using a rule-based approach to extract VTE symptoms from primary care clinical note text. The VTE symptoms lexicon was derived and modified with physician guidance and externally validated using data from two external healthcare organizations.

RESULTS

VTExt achieved near-perfect performance in extracting VTE symptoms from primary care notes sampled from records of patients diagnosed with and without VTE. In external validation VTExt achieved promising performance in two additional geographically distant organizations using different electronic health record systems. When compared against a deep learning-based model, VTExt exhibited similar or improved performance across all metrics.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a data-driven NLP-based approach to clinical note information extraction that can be generalized to different electronic health record (EHR) systems across different institutions. VTExt is the first NLP application to be used in a nationally endorsed eCQM.
ROLE OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AS AN ADJUVANT TO LIDOCAINE AND BUPIVACAINE COMBINATION AS LOCAL ANESTHETICS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING EXTERNAL DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY
Authors: SIVA SANKAR PR  , PRASAD YMS
Published: July 2024

Objective: The objective of the present study is to review the role of dexmedetomidine, its safety and efficacy when added to lidocaine and bupivacaine mixture to obtain local infiltration anesthesia (LA) in external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
Methods: A double-blind study was conducted to assess the role and efficacy of dexmedetomidine added to lidocaine and bupivacaine mixture to obtain local infiltration anaesthesia in External Dacryocystorhinostomy. In Group A of 32 patients 20 μg dexmedetomidine was added to 3.5 mL lidocaine 2% without epinephrine and bupivacaine 0.5% mixture as a local anesthetic. In Group B of 32 patients 3.5 mL of lidocaine 2% without epinephrine and bupivacaine 0.5% mixture alone was used as local anaesthetic. The onset and the duration of sensory blockade as well as intraoperative sedation were verified. Visual analog score was used to evaluate the post-operative pain during the 12 h postoperative period. Anesthesia-related intra-operative complications and patient satisfaction were observed.
Results: Group B patients developed Anaesthesia in short duration; duration of the anesthetic effect was for long period than in the Group A (p-value was 0.015 and 0.0001, respectively). The Visual Analog Scale score of the analgesia during the post-operative period was much lower (0–3) in the study Group B than in the Group A patients (4 and 5). These values were recorded after 6th and 8th hours postoperatively with p-values at 0.002 and 0.031, respectively.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine added to the local anesthetic agents acts as an adjuvant to produce an early sensory block, extended nerve block time, and post-operative analgesia without side effects and complications. Extended post-operative analgesia was associated with increased intraoperative sedation. Subjective satisfaction of the patients was achieved without side effects. Keywords: Lacrimal apparatus, Dacryocystorhinostomy, Local anesthetic, Sedation, Analgesia and Dacryocystorhinostomy.
Entre el miedo a caer y la lucha por mantenerse: la clase media latinoamericana y un nuevo contrato social
Authors: Agudelo Galeano Juan Jacobo , Saldarriaga Grisales Dora Cecilia
Published: July 2024

Desde que la mayoría de los países latinoamericanos alcanzaron su independencia en el siglo XIX, se han encontrado con un doble desafío: a nivel interno, consolidar Estados fuertes que brinden seguridad y un sentido de identidad a sus ciudadanos y, a nivel internacional, insertarse de forma efectiva en el sistema político y económico. En ese proceso, los modelos económicos y los planes de ajuste instaurados en la región a partir del fin de la ii Guerra Mundial han incidido en la clase media, ya sea incrementando o disminuyendo su número. Es así como la posibilidad de ingreso a la clase media, que, aunque segmentada en tradicional y nueva, sigue siendo un escenario idealizado para alcanzar estándares de vida dignos e incluso acceder a ciertos lujos. Infortunadamente, la llegada de la pandemia del COVID-19 aumentó en la región la sensación de incertidumbre e inestabilidad evidenciadas en indicadores macroeconómicos negativos en términos del pib o el aumento de la deuda externa, lo que incidió de manera sustancial en la clase media que se vio afectada por la pérdida de empleos e ingresos que les permitiese mantener o aumentar sus condiciones de vida. Las posibilidades de mejorar dichas condiciones se alinean al redireccionamiento del contrato social vigente en la mayoría de las sociedades latinoamericanas, en las que tanto las comunidades como los Estados han de propender por acuerdos que reduzcan la incertidumbre y desconfianza mutua. Esta vía abre paso a la aplicación de acciones que beneficien no solo a la clase media sino a las clases menos favorecidas.
Bioethanol: A Sustainable Liquid Fuel as Substitute to Gasoline
Authors: A Abdulsalam A. , S Aliyu , L Bashar B. , Y Danillela U. , U Ahmad Z. , B Aminu M. , A Gbadamosi L.
Published: July 2024

Abstract: Fossil fuel dependence is a growing concern due to its contribution to greenhouse gas emission, climatic change and environmental pollution. This highlights the urgency for alternative source of energy that is renewable, environmental friendly, stability in price, and attractive for sustainable development. Bioethanol, a biofuel has emerged as the most acceptable liquid fuel and as a promising alternative to gasoline. Bioethanol, derived from sugars and starch, has raised sustainability concern as it can lead to competition for land use and potentially driven-up food prices especially in developing countries. Meanwhile, Lignocellulosic biomass, a non-food resources, abundant in cellulose and hemicellulose, present a more sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production. This approach could offer advantages like affordability, environmental friendliness, reduce reliance on traditional fuels and compensate for fuel scarcity. Furthermore, bioconversion technology of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol is required to improve its efficiency and cost effectiveness, making it a highly attractive option for a greener energy in the future.
Fake News Detection Using Machine Learning
Authors: Madhunitha Rodda
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The pervasive spread of misinformation in today's digital environment presents a daunting problem, influencing public opinion and possibly causing unfavorable social consequences. This paper conducts a thorough investigation into the effectiveness includes a broad variety of false information in text, images, and video formats. Our study carefully assesses SVM, random forest, MLP, and naive Bayes classifiers using a large and painstakingly selected dataset. We provide a classifier of voting to improve accuracy and consistency by integrating the forecasts from these several models. Voting Classifier's outstanding performance, attaining a perfect accuracy rate and highlighting the ensemble approach's inherent robustness. The research emphasizes the vital ensemble methods' key part in strengthening the foundation the identification of bogus news systems and providing a strong barrier against the unrelenting propagation of fake information.
THE PERCEPTIONS BETWEEN JAVANESE AND MADURESE SPEAKERS TOWARDS THEIR DIALECTS IN ENGLISH CONVERSATION
Authors: Syakur Abd. , Sudrajad Wahyu , Sulistyaningsih Sulistyaningsih , Musyarofah Lailatul
Published: July 2024

This study seeks to explore and analyze Javanese and Madurese speakers' use of their respective dialects in English conversation. In the framework of ethnically diverse Indonesian schools, certain Javanese and Madurese-speaker pupils may have trouble performing dialogue which is the reason why the researcher conducted this research. The data was online questionnaires then the result of the questionnaires was analyzed by quantitative method. The Javanese and Madurese students from three primary cities of Pasuruan, Lumajang, and Jember in East Java, Indonesia, were used as the focus of this study. At least 200 persons participated as questionnaire participants. The results of the data from online questionnaires show that the score gathered was 2118 for Javanese perception and 2576 for Madurese perception after that, 2118:3500 was 60% (neutral categorized). After the spread out of the questionnaires and measurements, the result shows both Javanese and Madurese respondents did not have a problem with their dialects each other
effectivity of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) infected by Edwardsiella tarda
Authors: Susanti Novi , Oktaviani Dini , Apriani Leni , Gustriana Gustriana
Published: July 2024

The aim of this study is to determine the effectivity of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) dan Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) infected by Edwardsiella tarda. We used sensitivity test with disc diffusion Kirby-Bauer method. The 24 hours purified E. tarda isolate, cultivated in Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) by swabbing it using a sterile swab on the MHA surface, next put paper disc contain variants garlic concentrations and turmeric. Incubated MHA on the room temperature (30 oC) for at least 24 hours, inhibition zone diameter is measured to see the effectivity. Serial Tube Dilution method is used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value for garlic and turmeric. Used as medication base on the second stage were 1 × MIC2 × MIC4 × MIC and 8 × MIC. Statistical analysis used completely randomized design, with 6 treatment and 4 repetition which density 10 ind/aquarium each. The result showed that garlic and turmeric inhibited E.tarda effectively, the highest survival rate was 1 × MIC at 8000 ppm for garlic and 1 × MIC at 20 ppm for turmeric. However, MIC level cannot be used as reference to determine the dose of herbal treatment, we can determine the dose by using disc volume in resistance test.