bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of adding telerehabilitation home program to pharmaceutical treatment on the symptoms and the quality of life in children with functional constipation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Soliman Amir , AboAli Safy Eldin M. , Abdel Karim Amel E. , Elsamahy Sara A. , Hasan Judy , Hassan Badr Al-Amir , Mohammed Amira H.
Published: June 2024

Painful defecation, the passage of hard stools, unpleasant or irregular bowel deviation/movements from regular rate, and/or the feeling of not enough elimination of stool are common symptoms of functional constipation. The goals in treating constipation are to produce soft, painless stools and to prevent the re-accumulation of feces. This study looked at how the telerehabilitation home program (TRP) affected the symptoms of FC and the children who were constipated in terms of their quality of life. A randomized controlled trial included 400 children aging 4–18 years with functional constipation distributed in two groups: control group consisted of 200 children receiving pharmaceutical treatment and the intervention group consisted of 200 children receiving the telerehabilitation home program in addition to pharmaceutical treatment. Both groups received the interventions for 6 months. The outcomes in terms of functional constipation symptoms and quality of life are measured and compared pre- and post-interventions. Adding the telerehabilitation home program to pharmaceutical treatment of functional constipation in children results in prominent improvement in the condition; there is a significant difference between the intervention and control group in all Rome criteria which assess symptoms of functional constipation except rush to the bath-room to poop which showed non-significant difference; there is also a significant difference between the intervention and control group in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire which assess quality of life except the mental health domain which showed non-significant difference.

Conclusion: Adding the telerehabilitation home program to pharmaceutical treatment of functional constipation in children results in prominent improvement in symptoms of functional constipation and quality of life.

Trial registration: Our study was registered retrospectively with Clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT06207721 on 5 January 2024.

What Is Known:• Painful defecation, passage of hard stools, unpleasant or irregular bowel movements, feeling of incomplete stool elimination are common symptoms of functional constipation.• Goals in treating constipation include producing soft, painless stools and preventing re-accumulation of feces.What Is New:• Adding telerehabilitation home program to pharmaceutical treatment resulted in significant improvement in functional constipation symptoms and quality of life.• Significant differences between intervention group (200 children receiving telerehabilitation home program in addition to pharmaceutical treatment) and control group (200 children receiving pharmaceutical treatment) were observed in all Rome criteria except for rush to the bathroom to poop, and in all domains of SF36 questionnaire except for the mental health domain.
Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus from resident and Neotropical migrant birds in Colombia
Authors: Hernández-Ospina Maria Camila , Chitan-Guerrero Diego , Alvarez-Londoño Johnathan , Bohada-Murillo Mauricio , Martínez-Sánchez Estefani T. , Rivera-Páez Fredy A. , Castaño-Villa Gabriel J.
Published: June 2024

Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are a group of widely distributed blood parasites that can negatively affect the fitness of their hosts. Colombia contains the greatest diversity of birds on the planet, but knowledge about the associations between haemosporidian and its avifauna is scarce and fragmented. We collected blood samples from 255 birds (203 residents and 52 neotropical migrants) belonging to 27 families and 108 species. The study was conducted in six localities in the inter-Andean valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers. Parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus were identified in the samples by morphological and molecular analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cyt b. Among the samples, 9.3% (n = 24) were positive for Plasmodium or Haemoproteus. Co-infection with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus was found in Red-eyed Vireo﻿. Seventeen haemosporidian lineages were identified, five of which were reported for the first time in resident birds (Common Ground Dove, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Tropical Kingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater) and one in the Summer Tanager (neotropical migrant). The research results confirm the wide diversity of haemosporidian present in tropical lowlands and the possible role of neotropical migratory birds in dissemination on haemosporidian along their migratory routes.
Geometry smoothing and local enrichment of the finite cell method with application to cemented granular materials
Authors: Gorji Mahan , Komodromos Michail , Garhuom Wadhah , Grabe Jürgen , Düster Alexander
Published: June 2024

In recent times, immersed methods such as the finite cell method have been increasingly employed in structural mechanics to address complex-shaped problems. However, when dealing with heterogeneous microstructures, the FCM faces several challenges. Weak discontinuities occur at the interfaces between the different materials, resulting in kinks in the displacements and jumps in the strain and stress fields. Furthermore, the morphology of such composites is often described by 3D images, such as ones derived from X-ray computed tomography. These images lead to a non-smooth geometry description and thus, singularities in the stresses arise. In order to overcome these problems, several strategies are presented in this work. To capture the weak discontinuities at the material interfaces, the FCM is combined with local enrichment. Moreover, the L$$^2$$

2

-projection is extended and applied to heterogeneous microstructures, transforming the 3D images into smooth level-set functions. All of the proposed approaches are applied to numerical examples. Finally, an application of cemented granular material is investigated using three versions of the FCM and is verified against the finite element method. The results show that the proposed methods are suitable for simulating heterogeneous materials starting from CT scans.
Use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters and midline catheters for palliative care in patients with cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Gravdahl Eva , Haugen Dagny Faksvåg , Fredheim Olav Magnus
Published: June 2024

Background

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midline catheters (MCs) may offer convenient intravenous access, but evidence to support their place in palliative care is limited. This review aimed to assess catheter indications, utilization, complications, dwell time, and patient experiences in cancer patients receiving palliative care.

Methods

A systematic search for studies on catheter utilization for supportive or symptom treatment was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CENTRAL databases. Studies with a study population or a subgroup of palliative care cancer patients were included. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Quality assessment tool.

Results

Of 7631 unique titles, 17 articles were examined in detail, all published between 2002 and 2022. Median catheter dwell time varied from 15 to 194 days, the longest when utilized for home parenteral nutrition. For pain and symptom management, the typical duration was 2–4 weeks, often until the patient’s death. Complication rates were minimal, with thrombosis, infections, and occlusion ranging from 0 to 2.46 incidents per 1000 catheter days. In studies from palliative care services, patients reported minimal distress during procedures and high user satisfaction. Quality of life assessments post-procedure improved, possibly influenced by concurrent specialist palliative care provision. All studies were assessed to be of moderate or weak quality.

Conclusion

PICC and MC are safe and valuable tools in palliative care cancer patients who would benefit from intravenous access for symptom management. Further studies are needed to clarify indications for PICC or MC in palliative care.
Assessment of Anisotropic Elastic Parameters Using Laboratory Triaxial and In-Situ Pressuremeter Tests in Opalinus Clay
Authors: Liu Lang , Martin Derek , Giger Silvio B. , Chalaturnyk Rick
Published: June 2024

Opalinus Clay is a stratified shale that exhibits anisotropic deformation properties. In this work, the transversely isotropic deformation parameters of Opalinus Clay are summarized from recent undrained triaxial test campaigns. Relatively consistent values are found for Poisson’s ratios representing different orientations, regardless of the lithofacies and the effective confining stresses used in the tests. Pressuremeter tests were performed at the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory in two boreholes perpendicular and parallel to bedding, respectively. The elastic moduli normal to the borehole wall (borehole moduli) are determined using unloading data obtained at multiple diametric caliper axes and exhibit strong anisotropy for the tests in the borehole parallel to bedding. The anisotropic borehole moduli are predicted based on Amadei and Savage’s (Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 28:383–396, 1991. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(91)90077-Y) analytical solution using the laboratory-derived Poisson’s ratios and the shear modulus derived from pressuremeter tests in the borehole perpendicular to bedding. The prediction overestimates the magnitude of the borehole moduli but underestimates their anisotropic ratio compared to that from pressuremeter measurement. Drilling a borehole parallel to the bedding of Opalinus Clay is known to induce a local borehole damage zone preferentially developed normal to bedding. The results from a finite element analysis that incorporates this local damage are in better agreement with the pressuremeter measurement.
Cytotoxic impact of nicotine products on periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Wiesmann-Imilowski Nadine , Becker Philipp , Gielisch Matthias W. , Ziebolz Dirk , Vermehren Franziska , Bitschnau Marian , Langguth Nils , Brieger Jürgen , Deschner James , Kämmerer Peer W.
Published: June 2024

Objectives

The primary objective of this in vitro experiment was an assessment of proliferative capacity, metabolic activity, and potential cellular detriment of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDL) exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), electronic cigarette vapor (eCV), and heated tobacco product aerosol (HTP), or air (control).

Materials and methods

Using a CAD/CAM-designed exposition chamber, hPDL were exposed to CS, eCV, HTP, or air (control) based on the Health Canada Intense Smoking Regime. Cell proliferation, metabolic activity, and cellular detriment were assessed at various time points.

Results

Compared to the control, hPDL exposed to CS exhibited significantly decreased cell numbers at all time points. HTP exposure led to reduced cell numbers 48 h and 72 h post-exposure, while eCV-exposed cells showed no significant decrease. The metabolic activity of eCV-treated hPDL was slightly reduced at 7 h but recovered at 24 h and 48 h. In contrast, CS-treated cells exhibited significantly decreased metabolic activity at 24 h and 48 h, and HTP-exposed cells showed a significant decrease after 48 h. Flow cytometry indicated both apoptotic and necrotic cell death following CS exposure, with necrotic cell death being more pronounced.

Conclusions

eCV and HTP demonstrated comparatively reduced detrimental effects on hPDL compared to CS.

Clinical relevance

: The findings suggest that conventional cigarette smoke poses a substantial risk to periodontal health by significantly impairing cell proliferation and metabolic activity. However, alternatives such as eCV and HTP may offer a comparatively reduced risk.
Glacial Meltwater Increases the Dependence on Marine Subsidies of Fish in Freshwater Ecosystems
Authors: Saboret Grégoire , Moccetti Coralie , Takatsu Kunio , Janssen David J. , Matthews Blake , Brodersen Jakob , Schubert Carsten J.
Published: June 2024

In a warming world, the input of glacier meltwater to inland water ecosystems is predicted to change, potentially affecting their productivity. Meta-ecosystem theory, which posits that the nutrient availability in the recipient ecosystem can determine the extent of cross-ecosystem boundary utilization, can be useful for studying landscape-scale influences of glacier meltwater on inland waters. Here, we investigate how the input of glacier meltwater in a river system in Southern Greenland influences the utilization of marine subsidies in freshwater fish. Our study system comprised four sites, with controls for glacial meltwater and marine subsidies, harboring a partially migrating population of arctic char, meaning that some individuals migrate to the ocean and others remain in freshwaters, and two fully resident populations as a freshwater reference. We assessed the incorporation of marine carbon in freshwater resident char using both bulk and amino acid stable isotope analysis of muscle tissue. In the population with partial migration, marine subsidies were a significant resource for resident char individuals, and estimates of trophic position suggest that egg cannibalism is an important mechanism underlying the assimilation of these marine subsidies. In proglacial streams, namely those with high glacial meltwater, the total dependence on marine subsidies increased and reached 83% because char become cannibals at smaller sizes. In the configuration of our focal meta-ecosystem, our results suggest that the importance of marine subsidies to freshwater fish strengthens within increasing meltwater flux from upstream glaciers.
Prevalence and clinical implications of bloodstream infections in intensive care patients with or without burn injury: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bergmann Felix , Jorda Anselm , Sollner Julia , Sawodny Rebecca , Kammerer Kerstin , List Valerie , Prager Marlene , Gelbenegger Georg , Kumpf Katarina , Lagler Heimo , Zeitlinger Markus , Radtke Christine
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Severe burn injuries are often accompanied by infections and associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and clinical impact of bacteremia between patients receiving intensive care with and without burns.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study at the University Hospital Vienna, Austria, analyzed blood cultures from intensive care unit (ICU) patients with and without burns (2012–2022) to assess the prevalence of bacteremia, the associated pathogen distribution and the 60-day all-cause mortality.

Results

In 1170 ICU patients, 303 with burns and 867 without, the prevalence of bacteremia was similar among patients with at least one blood culture (31/157 [19.7%] versus 44/213 [20.7%], OR [95%CI] = 0.95 [0.57–1.57]). Burn patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of microbiological sampling (51.5% versus 24.5%, p < 0.001), resulting in a higher overall prevalence of bacteremia (10.2% versus 5.1%, p = 0.002). 16.2% of all identified pathogens were multidrug-resistant (MDR). The 60-day all-cause mortality was higher in patients with MDR pathogens than in patients without bacteremia (41.7% versus 10.6%, p = 0.026).

Conclusion

Bacteremia prevalence was similar in burn and non-burn patients, with high rates of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. The 60-day all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with MDR pathogens than in patients without bacteremia.
Value of MRI - T2 Mapping to Differentiate Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bucher Andreas Michael , Egger Jan , Dietz Julia , Strecker Ralph , Hilbert Tom , Frodl Eric , Wenzel Mike , Penzkofer Tobias , Hamm Bernd , Chun Felix KH , Vogl Thomas , Kleesiek Jens , Beeres Martin
Published: June 2024

Standardized reporting of multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) is widespread and follows international standards (Pi-RADS). However, quantitative measurements from mpMRI are not widely comparable. Although T2 mapping sequences can provide repeatable quantitative image measurements and extract reliable imaging biomarkers from mpMRI, they are often time-consuming. We therefore investigated the value of quantitative measurements on a highly accelerated T2 mapping sequence, in order to establish a threshold to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. For this purpose, we evaluated a novel, highly accelerated T2 mapping research sequence that enables high-resolution image acquisition with short acquisition times in everyday clinical practice. In this retrospective single-center study, we included 54 patients with clinically indicated MRI of the prostate and biopsy-confirmed carcinoma (n = 37) or exclusion of carcinoma (n = 17). All patients had received a standard of care biopsy of the prostate, results of which were used to confirm or exclude presence of malignant lesions. We used the linear mixed-effects model-fit by REML to determine the difference between mean values of cancerous tissue and healthy tissue. We found good differentiation between malignant lesions and normal appearing tissue in the peripheral zone based on the mean T2 value. Specifically, the mean T2 value for tissue without malignant lesions was (151.7 ms [95% CI: 146.9–156.5 ms] compared to 80.9 ms for malignant lesions [95% CI: 67.9–79.1 ms]; p < 0.001). Based on this assessment, a limit of 109.2 ms is suggested. Aditionally, a significant correlation was observed between T2 values of the peripheral zone and PI-RADS scores (p = 0.0194). However, no correlation was found between the Gleason Score and the T2 relaxation time. Using REML, we found a difference of -82.7 ms in mean values between cancerous tissue and healthy tissue. We established a cut-off-value of 109.2 ms to accurately differentiate between malignant and non-malignant prostate regions. The addition of T2 mapping sequences to routine imaging could benefit automated lesion detection and facilitate contrast-free multiparametric MRI of the prostate.
Deep Learning for Describing Breast Ultrasound Images with BI-RADS Terms
Authors: Carrilero-Mardones Mikel , Parras-Jurado Manuela , Nogales Alberto , Pérez-Martín Jorge , Díez Francisco Javier
Published: June 2024

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Ultrasound is one of the most used techniques for diagnosis, but an expert in the field is necessary to interpret the test. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems aim to help physicians during this process. Experts use the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to describe tumors according to several features (shape, margin, orientation...) and estimate their malignancy, with a common language. To aid in tumor diagnosis with BI-RADS explanations, this paper presents a deep neural network for tumor detection, description, and classification. An expert radiologist described with BI-RADS terms 749 nodules taken from public datasets. The YOLO detection algorithm is used to obtain Regions of Interest (ROIs), and then a model, based on a multi-class classification architecture, receives as input each ROI and outputs the BI-RADS descriptors, the BI-RADS classification (with 6 categories), and a Boolean classification of malignancy. Six hundred of the nodules were used for 10-fold cross-validation (CV) and 149 for testing. The accuracy of this model was compared with state-of-the-art CNNs for the same task. This model outperforms plain classifiers in the agreement with the expert (Cohen’s kappa), with a mean over the descriptors of 0.58 in CV and 0.64 in testing, while the second best model yielded kappas of 0.55 and 0.59, respectively. Adding YOLO to the model significantly enhances the performance (0.16 in CV and 0.09 in testing). More importantly, training the model with BI-RADS descriptors enables the explainability of the Boolean malignancy classification without reducing accuracy.
Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A inhibited ocular angiogenesis through modulating glial activation via SOCS3
Authors: Gregg Austin T. , Wang Tianxi , Szczepan Manon , Lam Enton , Yagi Hitomi , Neilsen Katherine , Wang Xingyan , Smith Lois E. H. , Sun Ye
Published: June 2024

Background

Pathological angiogenesis causes significant vision loss in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and other retinopathies with neovascularization (NV). Neuronal/glial-vascular interactions influence the release of angiogenic and neurotrophic factors. We hypothesized that botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) modulates pathological endothelial cell proliferation through glial cell activation and growth factor release.

Methods

A laser-induced choroidal NV (CNV) was employed to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of BoNT/A. Fundus fluorescence angiography, immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR were used to assess BoNT/A efficacy in inhibiting CNV and the molecular mechanisms underlying this inhibition. Neuronal and glial suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) deficient mice were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of BoNT/A in inhibiting CNV via SOCS3.

Findings

In laser-induced CNV mice with intravitreal BoNT/A treatment, CNV lesions decreased > 30%; vascular leakage and retinal glial activation were suppressed; and Socs3 mRNA expression was induced while vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) mRNA expression was suppressed. The protective effects of BoNT/A on CNV development were diminished in mice lacking neuronal/glial SOCS3.

Conclusion

BoNT/A suppressed laser-induced CNV and glial cell activation, in part through SOCS3 induction in neuronal/glial cells. BoNT/A treatment led to a decrease of pro-angiogenic factors, including VEGFA, highlighting the potential of BoNT/A as a therapeutic intervention for pathological angiogenesis in retinopathies.
Assessing the potential of different economic incentives for stimulating temperate agroforestry. A study in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: Tavernier Helena , Borremans Lieve , Bracke Jolien , Reubens Bert , Wauters Erwin
Published: June 2024

Many studies point to the social and environmental benefits of agroforestry, also in temperate regions such as Flanders. Nevertheless, farmers do not yet see agroforestry as an equally valuable option alongside other farming systems because of the uncertain economic profitability and the current incompatibility of this system with existing market conditions. This paper has the aim to identify and evaluate – existing and hypothetical- economic incentives for agroforestry in Flanders. Data was collected over the period 2015—2021 through focus groups at conferences and in thematic living labs in Flanders with a broad range of stakeholders (e.g. farmers, processors, policy makers, researchers, etc.). The results were analysed qualitatively in Nvivo12 to make a classification of incentives and instruments in a first phase. In a second phase they were evaluated based on an adjusted SAF (Suitability, Acceptability and Feasibility) framework. Four types of incentives were identified: (1) government based; (2) payment for agroforestry products; (3) payment for ecosystem services; and (4) community based incentives. Currently, the highest potential is expected from payment for ecosystem services and the least potential from payment for products and community-based incentives due to a lack of consumer demand for agroforestry products specifically and the unfamiliarity of agroforestry to a broader public. At the end of the data collection period, a positive evolution was already observed in the development of these instruments. To accelerate this evolution, initiatives supporting awareness among a broader public and more insights into the preferences of a wide range of stakeholders is needed.
LExCI: A framework for reinforcement learning with embedded systems
Authors: Badalian Kevin , Koch Lucas , Brinkmann Tobias , Picerno Mario , Wegener Marius , Lee Sung-Yong , Andert Jakob
Published: June 2024

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to its application in many areas of everyday life. In the context of control engineering, reinforcement learning (RL) represents a particularly promising approach as it is centred around the idea of allowing an agent to freely interact with its environment to find an optimal strategy. One of the challenges professionals face when training and deploying RL agents is that the latter often have to run on dedicated embedded devices. This could be to integrate them into an existing toolchain or to satisfy certain performance criteria like real-time constraints. Conventional RL libraries, however, cannot be easily utilised in conjunction with that kind of hardware. In this paper, we present a framework named LExCI, the Learning and Experiencing Cycle Interface, which bridges this gap and provides end-users with a free and open-source tool for training agents on embedded systems using the open-source library RLlib. Its operability is demonstrated with two state-of-the-art RL-algorithms and a rapid control prototyping system.
SPACA6P-AS: a trailblazer in breast cancer pathobiology and therapeutics
Authors: Feng Wenjie , Jiang Yiling , Zeng Lijun , Ouyang Yuhan , Li Hailong , Tang Yuanbin , Luo Lunqi , Ouyang Lianjie , Xie Liming , Tan Yeru , Li Yuehua
Published: June 2024

Objective

The primary objective of this investigation is to delve into the involvement of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SPACA6P-AS in breast cancer (BC) development, focusing on its expression pattern, association with clinical-pathological features, impact on prognosis, as well as its molecular and immunological implications.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was conducted utilizing RNA sequencing data of 1083 BC patients from the TCGA database. Functional exploration of SPACA6P-AS was carried out through the construction of survival curves, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Furthermore, its functionality was validated through in vitro cell experiments and in vivo nude mouse model experiments.

Results

SPACA6P-AS showed a remarkable increase in expression levels in BC tissues (p < 0.001) and demonstrated a close relationship to poor prognosis (overall survival HR = 1.616, progression-free interval HR = 1.40, disease-specific survival HR = 1.54). Enrichment analysis revealed that SPACA6P-AS could impact biological functions such as protease regulation, endopeptidase inhibitor activity, taste receptor activity, taste transduction, and maturity-onset diabetes of the young pathway. ssGSEA analysis indicated a negative correlation between SPACA6P-AS expression and immune cell infiltration like dendritic cells and neutrophils, while a positive correlation was observed with central memory T cells and T helper 2 cells. Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments illustrated that silencing SPACA6P-AS significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of BC cells. In vitro experiments also highlighted that dendritic cells with silenced SPACA6P-AS exhibited enhanced capabilities in promoting the proliferation of autologous CD3 + T cells and cytokine secretion. These discoveries elucidate the potential multifaceted roles of SPACA6P-AS in BC, including its potential involvement in modulating immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusion

The high expression of lncRNA SPACA6P-AS in BC is closely linked to poor prognosis and may facilitate tumor progression by influencing specific biological processes, signaling pathways, and the immune microenvironment. The regulatory role of SPACA6P-AS positions it as a prospective biomarker and target for therapeutic approaches for BC diagnosis and intervention.
Micropolitics of Mental Health Recovery: An Assemblage Analysis of People’s Experiences of Becoming Well
Authors: Friesinger Jan Georg , Topor Alain , Lindvig Gunnhild Ruud , Larsen Inger Beate
Published: June 2024

Mental health recovery takes place in a social and material world. However, socio-material contexts have often been absent from recovery studies. The present study was conducted in Norway, a Scandinavian welfare country. We interviewed people at meeting places who had experiences as service users, focusing on their experiences of becoming well, and analyzed their recovery stories using an assemblage framework. Our analysis identified four constitutive dimensions that promote mental health recovery: an atmosphere of togetherness, doings as more than the act, personal development, and integration in society. We discuss how these dimensions might be seen as social, relational, and material forces that create important micropolitics that challenge the individualistic professionalization of the recovery concept.
The Relation Between Perceived Mental Effort, Monitoring Judgments, and Learning Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: David Louise , Biwer Felicitas , Baars Martine , Wijnia Lisette , Paas Fred , de Bruin Anique
Published: June 2024

Accurately monitoring one’s learning processes during self-regulated learning depends on using the right cues, one of which could be perceived mental effort. A meta-analysis by Baars et al. (2020) found a negative association between mental effort and monitoring judgments (r = -.35), suggesting that the amount of mental effort experienced during a learning task is usually negatively correlated with learners’ perception of learning. However, it is unclear how monitoring judgments and perceptions of mental effort relate to learning outcomes. To examine if perceived mental effort is a diagnostic cue for learning outcomes, and whether monitoring judgments mediate this relationship, we employed a meta-analytic structural equation model. Results indicated a negative, moderate association between perceived mental effort and monitoring judgments (β = -.19), a positive, large association between monitoring judgments and learning outcomes (β = .29), and a negative, moderate indirect association between perceived mental effort and learning outcomes (β = -.05), which was mediated by monitoring judgments. Our subgroup analysis did not reveal any significant differences across moderators potentially due to the limited number of studies included per moderator category. Findings suggest that when learners perceive higher levels of mental effort, they exhibit lower learning (confidence) judgments, which relates to lower actual learning outcomes. Thus, learners seem to use perceived mental effort as a cue to judge their learning while perceived mental effort only indirectly relates to actual learning outcomes.
Exploring Scopoletin's Therapeutic Efficacy in DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis: Insights into Inflammatory Pathways, Immune Modulation, and Microbial Dynamics
Authors: Alqudah Abdelrahim , Qnais Esam , Gammoh Omar , Bseiso Yousra , Wedyan Mohammed , Alqudah Mohammad , Aljabali Alaa A. A. , Tambuwala Murtaza
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of scopoletin in ulcerative colitis, with a primary focus on its impact on crucial inflammatory pathways and immune responses. A male mouse model of DSS-induced colitis was employed with six distinct groups: a control group, a group subjected to DSS only, three groups treated with varying scopoletin doses, and the final group treated with dexamethasone. The investigation included an assessment of the effects of scopoletin on colitis symptoms, including alterations in body weight, Disease Activity Index (DAI), and histopathological changes in colonic tissue. Furthermore, this study scrutinized the influence of scopoletin on cytokine production, PPARγ and NF-κB expression, NLRP3 inflammasome, and the composition of intestinal bacteria. Scopoletin treatment yielded noteworthy improvements in DSS-induced colitis in mice, as evidenced by reduced weight loss and colonic shortening (p < 0.05, < 0.01, respectively). It effectively diminished TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-12 cytokine levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.05), attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the associated cytokine release (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), and modulated the immune response by elevating PPARγ expression while suppressing NF-κB pathway activation (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Additionally, scopoletin induced alterations in the gut microbiota composition, augmenting beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria while reducing E. coli (p < 0.05). It also enhanced tight junction proteins, signifying an improvement in the intestinal barrier integrity (p < 0.05, < 0.01). Scopoletin is a promising therapeutic agent for managing ulcerative colitis, showing benefits that extend beyond mere anti-inflammatory actions to encompass regulatory effects on gut microbiota and restoration of intestinal integrity.
The Roles of Mother-Perceived Coparenting and Child Routines on Children’s Social–Emotional Competence During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sezer Şevval Nur , Acar İbrahim H.
Published: June 2024

The purpose of the current study was to examine the contributions of coparenting quality and child routines to children’s social–emotional competence during COVID-19. Further, we investigated the indirect effects of coparenting quality on children’s social–emotional competence via child routines. The participants were 403 mothers of children between 23 and 102 months old (M = 59.23, SD = 10.92). Mothers reported their children’s social–emotional competence, coparenting quality, and children’s routines as main variables and the COVID-19 pandemic effects (financial, resources, psychological, and within-family interaction effects). Results from the structural equation model showed that higher levels of coparenting quality and consistency in child routines were positively related to children’s social–emotional competence. In addition, there was an indirect effect of coparenting on children’s social–emotional competence through child routines. In detail, higher parental coparenting quality was associated with more consistent child routines, and, in turn, more consistent child routines were associated with higher levels of social–emotional competence. These findings suggest that coparenting and child routines may play a crucial role in children’s social–emotional competence. Results are discussed, considering their functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The enhancement of electrical properties of TiO2/xCoFe2O4 nanocomposites for extended applications
Authors: Ibrahim R. S. , Hameed Talaat A. , Rady K. E. , Azab A. A.
Published: June 2024

The pure TiO2 and TiO2/xCoFe2O4 nanocomposites (0, 2, 4, and 6 wt. %) were synthesized using the sonomechanical method at room temperature. The prepared specimens were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray techniques (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and ac conductivity measurements. The sample exhibited homogeneous and well-distributed spherical nanoparticles of visible surface edges with average grain size ranging from 100 to 200 nm, as shown in the SEM micrograph. Raman spectra analysis showed the characteristic band for TiO2 at 141.2, 233.08, 447.13, 609.55, and 639.4 cm−1. The FTIR confirmed the interaction of CoFe2O4 and TiO2 reflecting the successful formation of nanocomposites. Compared to pristine TiO2, both the dielectric constant (ε') and conductivity were boosted by the inclusion of CoFe2O4. The behavior of the exponent factor (S) with temperature demonstrates that the conduction mechanism is the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) mechanism. The investigation of complex electric modulus established that the vertiginous nanocomposite had a non-Debye-type relaxation. The observed properties prove that TiO2/ xCoFe2O4 (x = 0, 2, 4, and 6 wt. %) nanocomposites are very functional for electric storage applications.
Internally Formed Preferences for Options only Influence Initial Decisions in Gambling Tasks, while the Gambling Outcomes do not Alter these Preferences
Authors: Zhu Jianhong , Katahira Kentaro , Hirakawa Makoto , Nakao Takashi
Published: June 2024

All humans must engage in decision-making. Decision-making processes can be broadly classified into internally guided decision-making (IDM), which is determined by individuals’ internal value criteria, such as preference, or externally guided decision-making (EDM), which is determined by environmental external value criteria, such as monetary rewards. However, real-life decisions are never made simply using one kind of decision-making, and the relationship between IDM and EDM remains unclear. This study had individuals perform gambling tasks requiring the EDM using stimuli that formed preferences through the preference judgment task as the IDM. Computational model analysis revealed that strong preferences in the IDM affected initial choice behavior in the EDM. Moreover, through the analysis of the subjective preference evaluation after the gambling tasks, we found that even when stimuli that were preferred in the IDM were perceived as less valuable in the EDM, the preference for IDM was maintained after EDM. These results indicate that although internal criteria, such as preferences, influence EDM, the results show that internal and external criteria differ.
Illness Narratives Without the Illness: Biomedical HIV Prevention Narratives from East Africa
Authors: Johnson-Peretz Jason , Atwine Fredrick , Kamya Moses R. , Ayieko James , Petersen Maya L. , Havlir Diane V. , Camlin Carol S.
Published: June 2024

Illness narratives invite practitioners to understand how biomedical and traditional health information is incorporated, integrated, or otherwise internalized into a patient’s own sense of self and social identity. Such narratives also reveal cultural values, underlying patterns in society, and the overall life context of the narrator. Most illness narratives have been examined from the perspective of European-derived genres and literary theory, even though theorists from other parts of the globe have developed locally relevant literary theories. Further, illness narratives typically examine only the experience of illness through acute or chronic suffering (and potential recovery). The advent of biomedical disease prevention methods like post- and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP and PrEP) for HIV, which require daily pill consumption or regular injections, complicates the notion of an illness narrative by including illness prevention in narrative accounts. This paper has two aims. First, we aim to rectify the Eurocentrism of existing illness narrative theory by incorporating insights from African literary theorists; second, we complicate the category by examining prevention narratives as a subset of illness narratives. We do this by investigating several narratives of HIV prevention from informants enrolled in an HIV prevention trial in Kenya and Uganda in 2022.
Visual Conjoint vs. Text Conjoint and the Differential Discriminatory Effect of (Visible) Social Categories
Authors: López Ortega Alberto , Radojevic Marco
Published: June 2024

Does learning political candidates’ social categories through visual cues affect voter preferences? This paper explores this question by conducting a visual conjoint survey experiment with 2324 German voters, varying whether respondents received information on candidates through explicit labels or pretested AI-generated candidate pictures. The results confirm our expectations that the way in which social categories are perceived affects preferences, with visual cues having a more significant effect on voter preferences compared to textual cues, leading to more discriminatory preferences for certain social categories. Moreover, we show that the effect of visual cues is moderated by the visibility of social categories, with visible social categories, such as gender binaries and ethnic in-/out-group, eliciting more discriminatory preferences with visual cues. The study sheds light on how visible and invisible social categories affect political candidates’ preferences and emphasizes the importance of considering the intersectionality of social categories and their relationship with ideology.
Real-time bus arrival delays analysis using seemingly unrelated regression model
Authors: Zhang Qi , Ma Zhenliang , Zhang Pengfei , Ling Yancheng , Jenelius Erik
Published: June 2024

To effectively manage and control public transport operations, understanding the various factors that impact bus arrival delays is crucial. However, limited research has focused on a comprehensive analysis of bus delay factors, often relying on single-step delay prediction models that are unable to account for the heterogeneous impacts of spatiotemporal factors along the bus route. To analyze the heterogeneous impact of bus arrival delay factors, the paper proposes a set of regression equations conditional on the bus location. A seemingly unrelated regression equation (SURE) model is developed to estimate the regression coefficients, accounting for potential correlations between regression residuals caused by shared unobserved factors among equations. The model is validated using bus operations data from Stockholm, Sweden. The results highlight the importance of developing stop-specific bus arrival delay models to understand the heterogeneous impact of explanatory variables. The significant factors impacting bus arrival delays are primarily associated with bus operations, such as delays at consecutive upstream stops, dwell time, scheduled travel time, recurrent congestion, and current traffic conditions. Factors like the calendar and weather have significant but marginal impacts on arrival delays. The study suggests that different bus operating management strategies, such as schedule adjustments, route optimization, and real-time monitoring and control, should be tailored to the characteristics of stop sections since the impacts of these factors vary depending on the stop location.
Partner wealth and audit quality: evidence from the United States
Authors: Jiang John Xuefeng , He Shaohua , Wang K. Philip
Published: June 2024

Using the market values of audit partners’ houses as a measure of their personal wealth, we find that wealthier U.S. partners provide higher-quality audits, as evidenced by fewer material restatements, fewer material SEC comment letters, and higher audit fees. A battery of falsification tests shows that these findings are not driven by the matching of wealthier partners with clients with higher financial reporting quality. Our additional analyses suggest two explanations: greater personal wealth both incentivizes partners to exert more effort in delivering high-quality audits and reveals partners’ audit competence.
Improvement of sulforaphane production in hairy root cultures of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) by eliciting Myrosinase gene expression and its effect on breast cancer cells
Authors: Amer May Ahmed , Mohamed Thoria Rashad , Rahman Raoufa A. Abdel , Shalaby Manal Ali , Badr Abdelfattah
Published: June 2024

Plant-derived hairy root cultures have the potential to be a significant biotechnological tool for producing valuable secondary metabolite compounds. This study deals with the production of broccoli’s hairy root cultures via the mediation of Agrobacterium rhizogenes and investigates the effects of different concentrations of copper sulfate (CuSO4) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) as two elicitors on the production of sulforaphane in broccoli's hairy root. The expression of the Myrosinase (MY) gene, associated with sulforaphane production, was quantified using real-time PCR. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect of different treatments of sulforaphane on the breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, was estimated and the transcription levels of apoptosis-associated genes were also determined. The highest amount of sulforaphane was produced at 4 µM CuSO4 after 16 h and 16 µM ZnSO4 after 8 h of elicitation. Overexpression of the MY gene was found to be associated with increased production of sulforaphane. All sulforaphane treatments induced a dose-dependent reduction in the viability of cancer cells. The sulforaphane extracted from broccoli's hairy roots treated with CuSO4 exerted a higher cytotoxic effect on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line than the sulforaphane extracted from broccoli's hairy root treated with ZnSO4. All treatments of sulforaphane up-regulated the Apoptosis Regulator (Bax) gene, Proapoptotic Bcl2 Associated X, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9, while down-regulating the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene (antiapoptotic) transcription. The overall results showed an antiapoptotic effect of sulforaphane extract derived from broccoli's hairy roots on MDAMB-231 breast cancer cells, thereby establishing the potential anticancer activity of the sulforaphane produced in broccoli's hairy root cultures.
Exploring robotic total hysterectomies: a multi-site experience with the Senhance Surgical System
Authors: Abendstein Burghard , Prugger Michael , Rab Attila , Siaulys Raimondas , Nausediene Vaida , Karpiciute Rita , Willeke Frank , Samalavicius Narimantas Evaldas
Published: June 2024

Robotic-assisted surgery emerged as a technological advancement in the twentieth century, with gynaecology being a key adopter of this approach. The Senhance Surgical System has gained prominence for total hysterectomies from single-site experiences, but multi-site reporting are still lacking in present literature. This multi-site study, conducted at Klaipeda University Hospital and Academic Teaching Hospital Feldkirch, aimed to explore the safety and feasibility of total hysterectomies with the Senhance Surgical System. The study involved 295 cases, showcasing a well-established routine with minimal procedure times. The average age of the patients was 53.5 years (SD: 10.3 years), ranging from 18 to 80 years. The patients’ BMI averaged 25.6 kg/m2 (SD: 6.2 kg/m2), ranging from a minimum of 17.7 kg/m2 to a maximum of 69.5 kg/m2. The duration of surgery varied between 30 and 215 min, with a median of 95 min (IQR: 81–116). The docking time was a median of 3 (IQR: 2–5) min and varied between 1.0 and 30.0 min, with a minimum to a maximum range of 1.0 to 122 min. Conversion (3 cases, 1%) and adverse events (6 cases, 2%) were infrequent. Additionally, robotic malfunctions were recorded minimally in 4,1% (12 cases) of the procedures, and pain on a 0–10 visual pain scale was reduced from mild [2.7 (± 1.2)] one day postoperative to minimal [0.9 (± 0.5)] at discharge. Overall, a great routine with the Senhance Surgical System proves good control and, thus, feasibility and safety. Therefore, the Senhance Surgical System is a viable option for total hysterectomy.