bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to improve the accuracy of height data from bird tracking devices? An assessment of high-frequency GPS tracking and barometric altimetry in field conditions
Authors: Schaub Tonio , Millon Alexandre , De Zutter Caroline , Buij Ralph , Chadœuf Joël , Lee Simon , Mionnet Aymeric , Klaassen Raymond Hendrikus Gerardus
Published: August 2023

Background

In the context of rapid development of wind energy infrastructure, information on the flight height of birds is vital to assess their collision risk with wind turbines. GPS tags potentially represent a powerful tool to collect flight height data, yet GPS positions are associated with substantial vertical error. Here, we assessed to what extent high-frequency GPS tracking with fix intervals of 2–3 s (GPS remaining turned on between fixes), or barometric altimetry using air pressure loggers integrated in GPS tags, improved the accuracy of height data compared to standard low-frequency GPS tracking (fix interval ≥ 5 min; GPS turned off between fixes).

Results

Using data from 10 GPS tag models from three manufacturers in a field setting (194 tags deployed on free-living raptors), we estimated vertical accuracy based on periods when the birds were stationary on the ground (true height above ground was approximately zero), and the difference between GPS and barometric height in flight. In GPS height data, vertical accuracy was mainly driven by noise (little bias), while in barometric data, it was mostly affected by bias (little noise). In high-frequency GPS data, vertical accuracy was improved compared to low-frequency data in each tag model (mean absolute error (AE) reduced by 72% on average; range of mean AE 2–7 vs. 7–30 m). In barometric data, vertical accuracy did not differ between high- and low-frequency modes, with a bias of − 15 to − 5 m and mean AE of 7–15 m in stationary positions. However, the median difference between GPS and barometric data was smaller in flight positions than in stationary positions, suggesting that the bias in barometric height data was smaller in flight. Finally, simulations showed that the remaining vertical error in barometric and high-frequency GPS data had little effect on flight height distributions and the proportion of positions within the collision risk height range, as opposed to the extensive noise found in low-frequency GPS data in some tag models.

Conclusions

Barometric altimetry may provide more accurate height data than standard low-frequency GPS tracking, but it involves the risk of a systematic error. Currently, high-frequency GPS tracking provides highest vertical accuracy and may thus substantially advance the study of wind turbine collision risk in birds.
Early intervention to prevent adverse child emotional and behavioural development following maternal depression in pregnancy: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Milgrom Jeannette , Hirshler Yafit , Holt Charlene , Skouteris Helen , Galbally Megan , East Christine , Glover Vivette , Reece John , O’Donnell Kieran J. , Walker Susan P. , Malloy Shannon , Gemmill Alan W.
Published: August 2023

Background

Substantial evidence indicates that maternal depression during pregnancy (i.e., antenatal depression) is associated not only with maternal wellbeing but also with child emotional and behavioural development. Children of antenatally depressed women are at risk of emotional and behavioural problems, including internalising problems (e.g., anxiety and depression) and externalising problems (e.g., attention problems), that may last at least to adolescence. These enduring effects also constitute an enormous economic cost. Despite the seriousness of this problem, until recently there existed very few controlled studies evaluating whether active psychological treatment for antenatal depression can prevent adverse child outcomes. Our previous pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) exploring the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for antenatal depression on child outcomes showed promising results. We aim to assess whether treating antenatal depression with an evidence-based 8-week structured CBT program can prevent or ameliorate adverse child developmental outcomes at 2 years of age.

Methods

Pregnant women ≤ 30 weeks gestation diagnosed with a depressive disorder are recruited and randomised to CBT or treatment as usual (TAU). The target sample size is 230 and the primary outcome measure is the infant Internalising scale of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) at 24 months of age. Secondary infant outcome measures at 24 months are the Externalising scale of the CBCL and the motor and cognitive development subscales of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Additional secondary outcome measures are subscales of the Revised Infant Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ-R), ASQ-3 and the ASQ-Socio-Emotional (ASQ-SE) at 3 and 12 months of age and the quality of mother-infant interaction at 3 and 24 months. Maternal measures, including demographic data, depression diagnosis, depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress and parenting stress, are collected across all time points.

Discussion

The trial is ongoing and recruitment was slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If results suggest a beneficial effect of antenatal depression treatment on infant outcomes, the project could have repercussions for standard antenatal care, for maternal and infant health services and for preventing the intergenerational transmission of mental health disorders.

Trial registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register: ACTRN12618001925235 Date Registered: 27 November 2018.
The role of telemedicine in joint replacement surgery? An updated review
Authors: Li Ka Yau , Chan Ping Keung , Yeung Shun Shing , Cheung Amy , Chan Wai Kwan Vincent , Luk Michelle Hilda , Cheung Man Hong , Fu Henry , Chiu Kwong Yuen
Published: August 2023

The usage of telemedicine and telehealth services has grown tremendously and has become increasingly relevant and essential. Technological advancements in current telehealth services have supported its use as a viable alternative tool to conduct visits for consultations, follow-up, and rehabilitation in total joint arthroplasty. Such technology has been widely implemented, particularly during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to deliver postoperative rehabilitation among patients receiving total joint arthroplasty (TJA), further demonstrating its feasibility with a lower cost yet comparable clinical outcomes when compared with traditional care. There remains ample potential to utilize telemedicine for prehabilitation to optimize the preoperative status and postoperative outcomes of patients with osteoarthritis. In this review, various implementations of telemedicine within total joint arthroplasty and future application of telemedicine to deliver tele-prehabilitation in TJA are discussed.
Impact of Breast Cancer Screening on 10-Year Net Survival in Canadian Women Age 40-49 Years
Authors: Wilkinson Anna N. , Ellison Larry F. , Billette Jean-Michel , Seely Jean M.
Published: August 2023

PURPOSE

In Canada, some provincial/territorial mammography screening programs include women age 40-49 years, whereas others do not. This study examines the impact of this dichotomy on the 10-year breast cancer (BC) net survival (NS) among women age 40-49 years and 50-59 years at diagnosis.

METHODS

Using the Canadian Cancer Registry data record linked to death information, we evaluated the cohort of Canadian women age 40-49 years and 50-59 years diagnosed with BC from 2002 to 2007. We compared 10-year NS estimates in the jurisdictions with organized screening programs that included women age 40-49 years, designated as screeners (Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), with comparator programs that did not (Yukon, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador).

RESULTS

BC was the primary cause of 10-year mortality in women age 40-49 years diagnosed with BC (90.7% of deaths). Among these women, the 10-year NS for screeners (84.8%; 95% CI, 83.8 to 85.8) was 1.9 percentage points (pp) higher than that for comparators (82.9%; 95% CI, 82.3 to 83.5; P = .001). The difference in favor of screeners was significant among women age 45-49 years (2.6 pp; P = .001) but not among women age 40-44 years (0.9 pp; P = .328). Similarly, the incidence-based BC mortality rate was significantly lower in screener jurisdictions among women age 40-49 years and 45-49 years, but not for 40-44 years. Provincial/territorial NS increased significantly with higher mammography screening participation ( P = .003). The BC incidence rate was virtually identical in screener and comparator jurisdictions among women age 40-49 years ( P = .976) but was significantly higher for comparators among women age 50-59 years ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Screening programs that included women in their 40s were associated with a significantly higher BC 10-year NS in women age 40-49 years, but not an increased rate of BC diagnosis. These results may inform screening guidelines for women age 40-49 years.
Optimizing Lung Cancer Screening With Risk Prediction: Current Challenges and the Emerging Role of Biomarkers
Authors: Wu Julie Tsu-yu , Wakelee Heather A. , Han Summer S.
Published: August 2023

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.

Lung cancer screening has been demonstrated to reduce lung cancer mortality, but its benefits must be weighed against the potential harms of unnecessary procedures, false-positive radiological findings, and overdiagnosis. Individuals at highest risk of lung cancer are more likely to maximize benefits while minimizing harm from screening. Although current lung cancer screening guidelines recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) only consider age and smoking history for screening eligibility, National Comprehensive Cancer Network and other society guidelines recommend screening on the basis of individualized risk assessment including family history, environmental exposures, and presence of chronic lung disease. Risk prediction models have been developed to integrate various risk factors into an individualized risk prediction score. Previous evidence showed that risk prediction model-based screening eligibility could improve sensitivity for detecting lung cancer cases without reducing specificity. Furthermore, recent advances in lung cancer biomarkers have enhanced the performance of risk prediction in identifying lung cancer cases relative to the USPSTF criteria. These risk prediction models can be used to guide shared decision-making discussions before proceeding with lung cancer screening. This study aims to provide a concise overview of these prediction models and the emerging role of biomarker testing in risk prediction to facilitate conversations with patients. The goal was to assist clinicians in assessing individual patient risk, leading to more informed decision making.
Impact of Childhood Cancer on Growth
Authors: Yoshida Tomoko , Delaney Angela
Published: August 2023

Along with improvements in cancer treatment over time, the number of childhood cancer survivors has been growing. Survivors are at risk for serious medical complications, and growth impairment is among the most common. There are multiple factors that may cause impaired growth among survivors. In this article, we review the impact of cancer on growth in children and adolescents. We first provide an overview of growth disturbance among childhood cancer patients and survivors due to nonhormonal causes, including a recent understanding of the effect of targeted cancer therapies (eg, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors) on growth. Then we describe the hormonal causes of growth impairment among survivors, focusing on growth hormone deficiency, including the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment. Lastly, we briefly summarize overgrowth and tall stature in childhood cancer. It is critical to assess the linear growth of children and adolescents, especially in cancer survivors who are at risk for growth disturbance, since growth is an important measure of their health.
Color Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence Properties of Chiral Platinum(II) Complexes with Salen Ligands
Authors: Ikeshita Masahiro , Tani Yuki , Kitahara Maho , Imai Yoshitane , Tsuno Takashi
Published: August 2023

A series of novel chiral platinum complexes 1–8 (R = 4-NEt2 (1), 4-F (2), 5-CF3 (3), 5-Cl (4), 5-OCF3 (5), 4-CF3 (6), 5-F (7), 5-MeO (8)) was prepared and their circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties were compared with those of the non-substituted analogue 9 (R = H). The complexes showed multi-color (green, yellow, and red) phosphorescence in the solution state, depending on the substitution position of the functional group of the ligands. The chiral complexes exhibited CPL with absolute luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) of up to the 1.3 × 10−3 in the dilute solution state. Acid-induced CPL was also achieved by the protonation of the diethylamino group of complex 1 with CH3SO3H. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to further understand the structure dependence of the chromogenic behavior of these complexes.
Παπατσώνης και Δάντης
Authors: Γαραντούδης Ευριπίδης
Published: August 2023

The object of the study is the relationship of T.K. Papatsonis with Dante’s work, and in particular with Commedia, a relationship that can be considered as crucial to understanding Papatsonis’s work, as it develops in throughout his spiritual life. In particular, are examined two thematic axes of this relationship which at certain points intersect, since they relate to creative aspects of the same intellectual. The first axis is that of Papatsonis as a poet who discourses with Dante, the second is that of Papatsonis as an essayist who praises/interprets Commedia’s Dante. The examination of the first axis focuses on the poem “Beata Beatrix” (1920). The second part of the study describes and comments on the eight essays on Dante written by Papatsonis from 1915 to 1965.
ΜΑΡΙΑ ΧΑΤΖΗΚΥΡΙΑΚΙΔΟΥ, Η Ιταλία του Νίκου Εγγονόπουλου
Authors: Χατζηκυριακίδου Μαρία
Published: August 2023

The Italy of Nikos Eggonopoulos
The presence of the Italian culture is reflected in all kinds of art with which the diverse representative of Greek surrealism Nikos Eggonopoulos dealt. «Although, […], the French fed my childhood dreams with Italy and Spain, I [only] loved Italy, and then got to know it in person» he wrote to his later wife, underlining the theoretical and experiential stimuli he received from the other side of the Adriatic coast. From the brush to the pen and vice versa, through reflections and patterns, the Italian landscape, the visual arts, the historical and literary reality and, of course, the monuments of Italy «rest his soul» and exert, as he states, a «deep and invincible» charm for him.
              But beyond the observations and critical thoughts about Italy as a historical and cultural entity, the Italian culture is part of the artistic ecosystem created by Eggonopoulos. He combines, seemingly incongruously, the painters and poets of Italy by placing them next to ordinary people or Greek deities while, conversely, Greek poets are depicted in his paintings with Venetian masks and renaissance attire or are described in his poems wandering in the streets of Venice. In this way he achieves multiple connections between the arts and the spaces, creating mixed forms and approaches that seem to have a common denominator: the answer to the question that concerns the origins of the Greek identity. Although in his time such a thing was treated as heretical, for Eggonopoulos these effects not only do not alter but, on the contrary, renew the cultural creation, enhancing the uniqueness, the dynamics and the universality of Greek culture.
ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΗΣ ΑΡΒΑΝΙΤΗΣ, Ο Jean-Paul Sartre και ο Albert Camus στη μετεμφυλιακή Ελλάδα. Στοιχεία για την έμμεση πρόσληψη της ιστορικής τους διαμάχης (1952-1960)
Authors: Αρβανίτης Παναγιώτης
Published: August 2023

Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus in post-civil war Greece (1952-1960). Aspects of the reception of their historic confrontation
This paper examines aspects of the Greek reception of the historic confrontation between Sartre and Camus, which was to be decisively determined by the post-civil war polarization. It begins by recalling the 1952 quarrel that put a definitive end to their friendship, and then presents the powerful impact of their thought on the literary field of post-civil war Greece. Through the integration of evidence from literary reviews and journals, this study demonstrates the transformations caused by Sartre’s “turn” as a fellow traveler of the communist movement, considering that the Greek Left had previously adopted the “anti-existentialist offensive” of the French Communist Party. The highlighting of the intense reactions to both Camus’s emblematic visit to Athens in 1955 and his award of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957 aims to project the ideological antagonisms of the period in Greece into the framework of the Cold War conflict. Despite the fact that the relationship between Greek left intellectuals and Sartre the “existentialist” was often conflictual, the “uneasy friendship” between them at the beginning of the 1950s seems to evolve around 1960 into an unshakable “companionship”, while the consistently negative attitude of the pre-dictatorship Left towards Camus, combined with the latter’s fervent embrace by liberal intellectuals, suggests the following: Sartre and Camus as moral and intellectual leaders fulfill, in the historical context of the Cold War as well as in that of the post-civil war division in Greece, a pro-communist and an anti-communist prophecy for intellectuals, respectively.
ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΧΡΥΣΑΝΘΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ, Υπερρεαλιστικά εγκώμια υπερρεαλιστών: Ανταγωνισμός μεταξύ Διοσκούρων;
Authors: Χρυσανθόπουλος Μιχάλης
Published: August 2023

Surrealist “praises” (encomia) of surrealists: Empeirikos and Engonopoulos compete? 
The purpose of the paper is to explore the way the Greek surrealists, Andreas Empeirikos and Nikos Engonopoulos, use the form of the “praise” (encomium) in a fashion that relates to the Ancient Greek tradition and to its Renaissance revival (e.g. Erasmus, “Praise of Folly”), in order to establish the basic principles of their approaches, to deal with negative criticism of their work, to underscore the merits of the ideas and the work of their seniors, but, also, to playfully criticise them and, last but not least, to support and praise each other. The period examined in detail is that from 1935 to 1945, while emphasis is laid on Empeirikos’ long “praise” of Engonopoulos published in 1945, which redrew the rules. The surrealist “praise” is examined as a “agonistic” form, as a competition between poets and artists and as a defensive weapon against malevolent attacks from critics.
Memory in the digital age
Authors: Mandolessi Silvana
Published: August 2023

This article explores the configuration of collective memory under the impact of the digital turn. In recent debates, there has been a marked tendency to interpret ‘digital memory’ as a new type of memory, which is radically different from the traditional conceptualization. Even leading authors in the field claim that the digital revolution implies the end of collective memory. However, I argue that despite the transformations that memory undergoes in the digital age, these changes do not imply a new ontology of memory but rather a materialization of the theoretical claims made by Memory Studies since the field's inception.

To support this hypothesis, I analyze digital memory in relation to three topics: first, I focus on the problematic definition of collective memory to demonstrate how the digital realm allows us to rethink the social nature of memory through a different concept of the social. By contrasting Halbwachs' notion of the social, which forms the basis of memory studies, with the alternative proposal of Gabriel Tarde, I argue that the latter enables us to refine the concept of the ‘collective’ that we have inherited from the founding figure of memory studies. Second, I delve into the new ontology of the digital archive showing how it materializes one of the defining features of collective memory: its mobile, dynamic, and procedural nature. Lastly, I address the inversion of the dialectic between memory and forgetting to highlight the specificity of these practices in the digital environment. I demonstrate how these changes effectively implement, surpassing older technologies, the concept of collective memory as a distributed and dynamic technological process that shapes our shared representations of the past.
Translation and clarity in Swiss multilingual legislation: A qualitative study on textuality
Authors: Canavese Paolo
Published: August 2023

Debate around clear legal language has become very prolific in recent years. This especially applies to multilingual contexts, where clarity is crucial to ensuring the equivalence of equally binding language versions. Clarity is a multifaceted concept that can be analysed through different lenses. While several studies have tackled clarity from the lexical and terminological perspective, textuality remains a largely under-investigated area. This paper sets out to illustrate that different concepts of text linguistics can be extremely useful for investigating multilingual legislation and its level of comprehensibility. To this aim, a qualitative pilot study was designed. It examines a sample of Swiss federal legislative acts in their Italian, French and German versions and tries to reveal recurrent micro-textual aspects that help illustrate how translation can influence text comprehensibility. It was found that the three language versions often formulate the same legal provision using different linguistic structures. Slight changes, for instance in thematic structure, position of adverbials or use of punctuation, can create a canonical and more comprehensible formulation in the translated texts, without hampering equivalence at the content level. In this respect, it is key that drafters of legislation and translators are aware of the relevance and potential of textuality to ensuring a high level of clarity in multilingual legislation.
A case of severe cardiomyopathy due to COVID-induced myocarditis, completely resolved after colchicine and immunoglobulin therapy
Authors: Khine Su , Edupuganti Srujan , Bachuwa Ghassan
Published: August 2023

Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) is well known for causing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Among other systemic complications, myocarditis is a frequently reported presentation as well as complication. One systematic review reported a 14% mortality rate in patients with COVID-19 myocarditis. Endomyocardial biopsy is a definitive diagnostic test but has been a challenge to perform in most cases of COVID myocarditis due to the contagious nature of the disease. Patients presenting with new cardiomyopathy with troponin leak and arrhythmias, supported by recent COVID-19 diagnosis should be suspected for COVID-induced myocarditis. Supportive treatment has been the mainstay of treatment with limited data on immunotherapy and colchicine. Our case is about a male in his 50s who had a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillations, with a positive COVID-19 test. Further workup showed severe non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy with an EF of 15–20%. He was treated with intravenous immunotherapy and colchicine. A repeat echocardiogram 3 days later showed resolution of cardiomyopathy. Our case report highlights the possible beneficial effects of immunotherapy and colchicine in viral myocarditis.
Spontaneous periodic hypothermia with confirmed epilepsy: a report of two cases
Authors: Rossignon Pierre , El Alaoui Kenza , Soupart Alain
Published: August 2023

Spontaneous periodic hypothermia (SPH) is an exceptionally rare condition characterised by paroxysmal episodes of spontaneous hypothermia. While commonly associated with Shapiro syndrome, which includes SPH, hyperhidrosis and agenesis of the corpus callosum, there are also cases of SPH that do not exhibit these defining characteristics, known as ‘Shapiro syndrome variant'. These variants may present with diverse brain imaging findings but no agenesis of the corpus callosum, suggesting different potential aetiologies. Notably, the association of SPH with epilepsy has only been reported in a few cases, and confirming epileptic activity in the context of SPH remains a challenge. In line with this, our report presents two exceptional cases of SPH without significant brain malformation, where we successfully confirmed the presence of epilepsy. The confirmation of epilepsy in these cases is particularly noteworthy, as it adds to the limited documentation of SPH cases with confirmed epilepsy. These findings contribute valuable insights into the association between SPH and epilepsy, enhancing our understanding of this rare condition. Our report also addresses the broader clinical presentations and the physiopathological mechanisms of SPH. By providing comprehensive insights into these aspects, we aim to advance the existing literature and improve our understanding of SPH and its association with epilepsy.
A Study on Assessment of Business Process Modeling Tool with the Application of the Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: R. Pallavi. D.
Published: August 2023

Business Process Modelling (BPM) plays a crucial role in connecting corporate policies with IT platform implementation to ensure business benefits. By integrating procedure, functional, organizational, and information perspectives with key metrics such as costs, cycle times, and responsibilities, BPM provides a foundation for assessing value chains, activity-based costs, bottlenecks, critical routes, and inefficiencies. In today's business landscape, both management and BPM are increasingly recognized as vital components. To facilitate the integration of modelling partners and BPM technologies, BPM tools have emerged as effective solutions. These tools enable the presentation and operational management of associated models to relevant parties. The Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) is used to analyse the data and deriving the results. In the context of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), selecting the most suitable business activity modelling tool among the available options becomes imperative. This study proposes an approach based on the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method to assist businesses in making informed decisions and choosing the optimal business policy modelling technology. The objective is to enhance the effectiveness, affordability, and security of the business procedure modelling process. Using GRA analysis, this research ranks a set of BPM tools, namely GDToolkit, JPetriNet, and ADONIS: CE, TimeNet, Jfern, and GreatSPN. The findings reveal the following order: GDToolkit (1st), JPetriNet (2nd), ADONIS: CE (3rd), TimeNet (4th), Jfern (5th), and GreatSPN (6th). The analysis indicates that GDToolkit is the preferred BPM tool, offering the most desirable features, while GreatSPN is considered the least preferred option. Overall, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of employing Grey Relational Analysis as a decision-making tool for selecting appropriate BPM technologies. By utilizing GRA, businesses can make informed choices that lead to more effective, affordable, and secure business process modelling, thereby enhancing their operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Financial Accounting for Management, Third Edition, Paresh Shah, Oxford University Press
Authors: Shah Fenil
Published: August 2023

I as a reviewer of this book, would like to reiterate the words of Albert Einstein – “Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought”.

The golden rule of accounting become disastrous when non-commercial background practitioners and management team members is faced with discontinuous change since 15th centuries.

This work is conceptualised and authored under the new pedagogical tool named as ‘Modern Approach of Accounting’, by Paresh Shah. The nature of account is emphasis on the five parts as per Modern Approach of Accounting (MAA) and replaced the age-old traditional concept of three types of account.

This book demonstrates throughout in his book, that Modern Approach of Accounting – believes in dichotomies – the sum of left-hand side of arithmetic equation equals the sum of right-hand side of arithmetic equation, - five types of nature of accounts, - debit and credit word itself has no meaning and significance, in the today’s state-of-art-technology, and for better and lucid understanding of accounting and in turn its use in decision-making.

The legacy of conquest of Modern Approach of Accounting must be reckoned with the same way the Golden rule of accounting trying to reckon with three types of traditional accounts.

The book is quite useful for non-commerce background reader, management students, and computer software and state-of-the-art technological software developer in the field of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). Keywords: Accountancy; Accounting process; Adopted approach, Event; Five parts of accounts; Modern Approach of Accounting; Traditional Approach.
Developing an e-learning curriculum to educate healthcare staff in the acute hospital setting about autism
Authors: Kyle Geraldine , Connolly Aine
Published: August 2023

When attending acute hospital settings, autistic children and adults rely on health professionals and ancillary staff to interact with them appropriately to facilitate accurate diagnoses and management of health concerns. Health outcomes for autistic people are adversely affected by comorbidities as well as difficulties in accessing and navigating acute healthcare environments. These factors demonstrate a need to develop targeted education for healthcare staff working in the acute hospital setting. This article discusses the background to the project, including the results of a literature review that highlighted some of the difficulties this patient group experiences in accessing health care. It discusses the development and evaluation of an e-learning education programme for healthcare staff working in an acute hospital setting using Kern et al's (1998) six-step approach to curriculum development. Staff reported a desire to learn more about autism and how to make patient consultations and experiences more accessible and productive. It was acknowledged that there are many undiagnosed autistic adults navigating the acute health system and it is anticipated that the e-learning programme will assist staff in identifying and meeting their needs. During research with an autism advocacy group, there was a clear recommendation for the use of the term ‘autistic person’ rather than ‘person with autism’, which is reflected in the resulting education programme and in this article.
Beyond body mass index: a synthesis of lifestyle factors that may influence in vitro fertilisation outcomes
Authors: Schneider Emma , Hamer Oliver , Smith Chris , Hill James
Published: August 2023

There are several lifestyle factors that are thought to potentially impact in vitro fertilisation outcomes, including body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, dietary patterns and physical activity. Eligibility criteria for in vitro fertilisation in England often require individuals to be non-smokers, drug free and have a body mass index <30kg/m2. Some researchers have questioned the scientific and ethical basis for the use of body mass index thresholds in fertility treatment, citing evidence that other factors may have a greater effect on the chance of success of in vitro fertilisation. This article aims to briefly synthesise the current evidence on how other factors such as smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, smoking, caffeine, dietary patterns and physical activity may impact in vitro fertilisation outcomes.
Translating the Law in the Inns of Court Play Gismond of Salerne (1566–68)
Authors: Equestri Alice
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Gismond of Salerne (1566–68) was a dramatic adaptation of Giovanni Boccaccio’s Tancredi and Ghismunda novella produced at the Inner Temple. Positing that the legal background of the authors was reflected in their reception of Boccaccio, this essay investigates the representation and use of various significations of the law in the play. It argues that the Inns authors were receptive to the presence of the Natural Law concept in the background of Boccaccio’s novella and that they intensified its role in the play, emphasizing its conflict with man-made law. The latter is also investigated in its own right, showing its impact on a thematic, rhetorical, and dramaturgical level. Further, the Inns writers’ political interests as members of a community revolving around common law explain why the play idealizes and justifies specific legal notions and practices.
Multi-helix beams generated with binary helico-conical phase patterns
Authors: Liu Shuo , Liu Xuejuan , Xiong Yan , Xu Yiping , Tao Shaohua , Yang Wenxing , Cheng Shubo
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we generate a type of double helico-conical beam (HCB) by binarizing the modified helico-conical phase (MHCP). The diffraction patterns of the double HCBs were analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The relative position of the double HCBs can be adjusted arbitrarily by introducing a blazed grating only. In addition, the superposition of multiple binary MHCPs can be used to generate multi-helix beams. Accordingly, the diffraction patterns of the multi-helix beams were also analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The results demonstrated that the number and relative position of multi-helix beams can be adjusted by the number of superimposed MHCP profiles and the azimuth factor θ
j
, respectively. This kind of arrayed HCB will be potentially applied in the fields of optical manipulation and multiplexed holography.
Design of a Broadband Polarization Controller Based on Silicon Nitride-Loaded Thin-Film Lithium Niobate
Authors: Ctyroky Jiri , Petracek Jiri , Richter Ivan , Kuzmiak Vladimir
Published: August 2023

A novel design of a polarization controller based on “etch-less” Si₃N₄-loaded thin film LiNbO₃ is described. Broadband operation in the spectral range between 1.45 and 1.65 µm is achieved by using a mode evolution TM/TE splitter/converter, two mode evolution 3 dB couplers, and two electro-optic phase shifters. Numerical simulations show that a single TE-mode output can be adjusted by applying control voltages lower than 10 V for an arbitrary input polarization state.
Species-specific wiring of cortical circuits for small-world networks in the primary visual cortex
Authors: Baek Seungdae , Park Youngjin , Paik Se-Bum
Published: August 2023

Long-range horizontal connections (LRCs) are conspicuous anatomical structures in the primary visual cortex (V1) of mammals, yet their detailed functions in relation to visual processing are not fully understood. Here, we show that LRCs are key components to organize a “small-world network” optimized for each size of the visual cortex, enabling the cost-efficient integration of visual information. Using computational simulations of a biologically inspired model neural network, we found that sparse LRCs added to networks, combined with dense local connections, compose a small-world network and significantly enhance image classification performance. We confirmed that the performance of the network appeared to be strongly correlated with the small-world coefficient of the model network under various conditions. Our theoretical model demonstrates that the amount of LRCs to build a small-world network depends on each size of cortex and that LRCs are beneficial only when the size of the network exceeds a certain threshold. Our model simulation of various sizes of cortices validates this prediction and provides an explanation of the species-specific existence of LRCs in animal data. Our results provide insight into a biological strategy of the brain to balance functional performance and resource cost.
Socioeconomic and demographic risk factors of autism spectrum disorder among children and adolescents in Bangladesh: Evidence from a cross-sectional study in 2022
Authors: Faruk Mohammad Omar , Rahman Md. Sahidur , Rana Md. Shohel , Mahmud Shohel , Al-Neyma Mahmuda , Karim Md. Sazzadul , Alam Nazia
Published: August 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the assorted uneven conditions of the human brain that lead to developmental disabilities. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the substantial risk factors of ASD among children in Bangladesh. The data were collected using convenience sampling through a questionnaire filled up by the trained interviewers. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were applied as bivariate analysis, and generalized beta regression was performed to determine the significant risk factors of autism spectrum disorder. The odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI) were the measuring parameters of the risk factors of ASD. The result revealed that later birth order children have more risk of ASD (OR = 1.13, CI: 1.014–1.264, p = 0.027) compared to the children whose birth order is first. Premature birth of the child (OR: 0.87, CI: 0.76–1.00, p = 0.05) and father’s age (OR: 0.86, CI: 0.76–0.97, p = 0.020) substantially affects ASD. The maternal history of specific illness (diabetes, thyroiditis, and hypertension) during pregnancy also significantly affect ASD (OR: 1.34, CI: 1.14–1.61, p = 0.002). The results of this study would assist policymakers in taking necessary steps to reduce the incidence of this disorder by targeting the potential risk factors.
Anthropogenic threats to owls: Insights from rehabilitation admittance data and rodenticide screening in Texas
Authors: Gomez Eres A. , Prestridge Heather L. , Smith Jennifer A.
Published: August 2023

Owls (Strigiformes) provide myriad ecosystem services and are sentinels for ecosystem health. However, they are at continued risk from anthropogenic threats such as vehicle collisions, entanglement with human-made materials, and exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), a widespread pesticide known to affect owls. Texas is an important region for numerous migratory and non-migratory owl species in the United States (US), yet assessments of threats owls face here are lacking preventing the development of informed conservation strategies. This study coupled assessment of admittance data from two wildlife rehabilitation centers in Texas with AR liver screening to (1) identify which species of owls are commonly admitted, (2) evaluate seasonality of admittance, and (3) assess causes of admittance for owls in Texas. Between 2010 and 2021, 1,620 owls were admitted into rehabilitation, representing eight species of which the Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was the most common. For all owls combined admittance rates were highest in the spring, driven by an influx of juveniles (n = 703, 43.40%). The leading cause of admittance amongst species was ‘no apparent injury’ (n = 567, 34.94%). Where clear diagnoses could be made, the leading causes of admittances were ‘entrapment in human infrastructure’ (n = 100, 6.11%) and ‘collision with vehicles’ (n = 74, 4.56%). While the admittance data did not reveal any cases of AR poisoning, liver screening demonstrated high incidences of AR exposure; of 53 owls screened for ARs, 50.94% (n = 27) tested positive with 18 showing exposure to multiple ARs. Brodifacoum was the most frequently detected AR (n = 19, 43.18%) and seven owls (25.93%) tested positive within lethal ranges. Our results suggest that owls in Texas are at risk from myriad anthropogenic threats and face high exposure rates to ARs. In doing so, our results can inform conservation strategies that mitigate anthropogenic threats faced by owls in Texas and beyond.
Assessment of health-related quality of life among patients with obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and its relationship with multimorbidity
Authors: Shah Shahid , Abbas Ghulam , Aslam Ayesha , Randhawa Fawad Ahmad , Khan Faiz Ullah , Khurram Haris , Chand Usman Rashid , Butt Muhammad Hammad , Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain , Khan Yusra Habib
Published: August 2023

Obesity, hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are among the multifactorial disorders that occur at higher prevalence in a population. This study aims to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with obesity, HTN and T2D individually and in the form of multimorbidity. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients in 15 private clinics of Punjab, Pakistan. A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect the data from patients with obesity, HTN and T2D or their comorbidity. A total of 1350 patients responded by completing the questionnaire. The HRQoL of these patients was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire (a standardized instrument for measuring generic health status). Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Multivariate linear regression model was used to model the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. In total, 15% of patients had combined obesity, HTN and T2D; 16.5% had HTN and T2D; 13.5% had obesity and HTN and 12.8% had obesity and T2D. Only 15.8% of patients had obesity, 14.3% had HTN, and 12% had T2D. Mann Whitney-U test gave the statistically significant (p = <0.001) HRQoL VAS score55.1 (±23.2) of patients with the obesity. HRQoL VAS scores of patients with obesity were found to be higher when compared to patients with both T2D 49.8 (±15.4) and HTN 48.2 (±21). Diagnosis of one, two and three diseases showed significant results in VAS with all variables including gender (p = 0.004), educational level (p = <0.001), marital status (p<0.001), residence (p = <0.001), financial situation (p = <0.001) and monthly income (p = <0.001). The most frequently observed extremely problematic dimension was anxiety/ depression (47%) and the self-care (10%) was the least affected. Patient HRQoL is decreased by T2D, HTN, and obesity. The impact of these diseases coexisting is more detrimental to HRQoL.
Effects of the nitrate and ammonium ratio on plant characteristics and Erythropalum scandens Bl. substrates
Authors: Ma Daocheng , Teng Weichao , Yi Biao , Lin Yongzhi , Pan Yuanyuan , Wang Linghui
Published: August 2023

Erythropalum scandens Bl. is a woody vegetable with high nitrogen demand that inhabits southern China. Ammonium and nitrate are the two main forms of inorganic nitrogen that plants directly absorb. A pot experiment was performed to determine the growth, physiological responses, and preferences of 12-month-old E. scandens seedlings for ammonium and nitrate. Aboveground and underground growth indexes, biomass, physiological and biochemical indexes (chlorophyll [Chl], soluble sugar, soluble protein and free proline contents), and substrate pH and nitrogen contents were determined under different nitrate and ammonium ratios (0 NO3-: 100 NH4+, 25 NO3-: 75 NH4+, 50 NO3-: 50 NH4+, 75 NO3-: 25 NH4+, and 100 NO3-: 0 NH4+), and the control (0 NO3-: 0 NH4+). The results showed that ammonium and nitrate improved the growth and physiological status of E. scandens seedlings in most of the treatments compared to the control. The aboveground growth status and biomass accumulation of E. scandens seedlings were significantly better under the 0 NO3-: 100 NH4+ treatment during fertilization compared with all other treatments. However, the growth status of the underground parts was not significantly different among treatments. Significant differences in osmoregulator content, except for soluble sugars, and Chl content were observed. Soluble sugars and soluble proteins were highest under the 0 NO3-: 100 NH4+ treatment at the end of fertilization (day 175). However, free proline accumulated during fertilization and the increase in NO3- indicated that excessive use of NO3- had a negative effect on the E. scandens seedlings. The order of accumulating nitrogen content was leaves > roots > stems. The highest N accumulation occurred in the aboveground parts under the 0 NO3-: 100 NH4+ treatment, whereas the highest N accumulation occurred in the underground parts under the 50 NO3-: 50 NH4+ treatment. Substrate pH increased at the end of fertilization (day 175) compared with the middle stage (day 75), while total nitrogen, ammonium, and nitrate were highly significantly different among the treatments. Total nitrogen and NH4+ content were the highest under the 0 NO3-: 100 NH4+ treatment, while NO3- content was the highest under the 100 NO3-: 0 NH4+ treatment. In conclusion, 12-month-old E. scandens seedlings grew best, and had better physiological conditions in NH4+ than NO3-. The 0 NO3-:100 NH4+ treatment (ammonium chloride 3.82 g/plant) resulted in the best growth and physiological conditions. Most of the growth and physiological indexes were inhibited with the increase in nitrate.
Avoiding scar tissue formation of peripheral nerves with the help of an acellular collagen matrix
Authors: Aman Martin , Mayrhofer-Schmid Maximilian , Schwarz Daniel , Bendszus Martin , Daeschler Simeon C. , Klemm Tess , Kneser Ulrich , Harhaus Leila , Boecker Arne H.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Extensive scar tissue formation after peripheral nerve injury or surgery is a common problem. To avoid perineural scarring, implanting a mechanical barrier protecting the nerve from inflammation processes in the perineural environment has shown promising results for functional recovery. This study investigates the potential of an acellular collagen-elastin matrix wrapped around a peripheral nerve after induction of scar tissue formation.

Materials and methods

In the present study, 30 Lewis rats were separated into three groups and sciatic nerve scarring was induced with 2.5% glutaraldehyde (GA-CM) or 2.5% glutaraldehyde with a supplemental FDA-approved acellular collagen-elastin matrix application (GA+CM). Additionally, a sham group was included for control. Nerve regeneration was assessed by functional analysis using the Visual Statisc Sciatic Index (SSI) and MR neurography during the 12-week regeneration period. Histological and histomorphometry analysis were performed to evaluate the degree of postoperative scar tissue formation.

Results

Histological analysis showed an extensive scar tissue formation for GA-CM. Connective tissue ratio was significantly (p < 0.009) reduced for GA+CM (1.347 ± 0.017) compared to GA-CM (1.518 ± 0.057). Similarly, compared to GA+CM, MR-Neurography revealed extensive scar tissue formation for GA-CM with a direct connection between nerve and paraneural environment. Distal to the injury site, quantitative analysis presented significantly higher axon density (p = 0.0145), thicker axon diameter (p = 0.0002) and thicker myelinated fiber thickness (p = 0.0008) for GA+CM compared to GA-CM. Evaluation of functional recovery revealed a significantly faster regeneration for GA+CM.

Conclusion

The supplemental application of an acellular collagen-elastin matrix showed beneficial effects in histological, radiological, and functional analysis. Therefore, applying a collagen-elastin matrix around the nerve after peripheral nerve injury or surgery may have beneficial effects on preventing scar tissue formation in the long run. This represents a feasible approach to avoid scar tissue formation in peripheral nerve surgery.