bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the Goligher classification a valid tool in clinical practice and research for hemorrhoidal disease?
Authors: Dekker L. , Han-Geurts I. J. M. , Grossi U. , Gallo G. , Veldkamp R.
Published: February 2022

Background

The most widely used classification for hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is the Goligher classification, which ranks presence and severity of prolapse in four grades. Since physicians base this gradation on medical history and physical examination, it might be prone to interobserver variability. Furthermore, the gradation impacts the treatment of choice which makes reproducibility of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to determine the interobserver variability of Goligher classification among surgeons in the Netherlands.

Methods

A single-choice survey was used. The first part consisted of questions concerning baseline characteristics and the use of the Goligher classification in routine clinical practice. In the second part, to assess interobserver variability, we asked gastrointestinal surgeons and residents who routinely treat HD to review 25 photographs (with given timing as during rest or push) of patients with HD and classify the gradation using the Goligher classification. The survey was sent by email on April 19, 2021 and was available online until July 5, 2021. Interobserver variability was assessed using Fleiss’ Kappa test.

Results

A total of 329 gastrointestinal surgeons, fellows and residents were sent an invitation email, of whom 95 (29%) completed the survey. Among the respondents, 87% indicated that they use the Goligher classification in clinical practice. Eighty-one percent found the classification helpful and 63% classified HD according to Goligher and followed the guidelines for treatment of HD accordingly. The interobserver variability showed an overall fair strength of agreement, with a Fleiss’ Kappa (κ) of 0.376 (95% CI 0.373–0.380). There was a moderate agreement for grade I and IV HD with a κ statistic of 0.466 and 0.522, respectively. For grades II and III, there was a lower (fair) strength of agreement with 0.206 and 0.378, respectively.

Conclusions

The fair interobserver variability is disappointing and demonstrates the need for a more reliable, and internationally accepted, classification for HD. A new classification should enable more uniformity in treating HD and in comparing outcomes of future trials and prospective registries. The protocol for a Delphi study for a new classification system is currently being prepared and led by an international research group.
Total plasma magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium concentrations in obese patients before and after bariatric surgery
Authors: Hierons Stephen J. , Catchpole Anthony , Abbas Kazim , Wong Wingzou , Giles Mathew S. , Miller Glenn V. , Ajjan Ramzi A. , Stewart Alan J.
Published: February 2022

Obesity enhances the risk of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions and often leads to metal dyshomeostasis, which contributes to the negative health aspects associated with the disease. In severe cases, bariatric surgery can be recommended to achieve sustained weight loss and improvement in health. Here, magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium concentrations were examined in 24 obese patients (7 males; 17 females) before and 9 months after undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. All patients lost weight over this period, with the mean BMI reducing from 51.2±7.1 kg/m2to 37.2±5.5 kg/m2. Moreover, whole-blood glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), as a marker of average glycaemia, was also measured and a correlative analysis of this parameter with metal concentrations performed. Significant alterations in the plasma concentrations of magnesium, zinc (both increased by 13.2% and 25.2% respectively) and copper (decreased by 7.9%) were observed over this period (plasma selenium concentration was unchanged), with BMI values correlating with plasma magnesium (p = 0.004) and zinc (p = 0.022) concentrations. At 9 months post-surgery, an increase in mean zinc/copper ratio was observed (0.86±0.29 compared to 0.63±0.14 pre-surgery). Comparison of whole-blood HbA1c concentrations pre- and post-surgery revealed a reduction from 6.50±1.28% pre-surgery to 5.51±0.49% post-surgery. Differences in plasma HbA1c and magnesium at either pre- and post-surgery correlated significantly, as did HbA1c and magnesium levels when pre- and post-surgery values were analysed together. Collectively, this work reveals that bariatric surgery, in conjunction with lifestyle/dietary changes, lead to improvements in the nutritional status of magnesium, zinc and copper. Furthermore, the observed improvements in magnesium and zinc were associated with weight loss and in the case of magnesium, to better glycaemic control.
Remembering emotions
Authors: Retkoceri Urim
Published: February 2022

Memories and emotions are both vital parts of everyday life, yet crucial interactions between the two have scarcely been explored. While there has been considerable research into how emotions can influence how well things are remembered, whether or not emotions themselves can be remembered is still a largely uncharted area of research. Philosophers and scientists alike have diverging views on this question, which seems to stem, at least in part, from different accounts of the nature of emotions. Here, I try to answer this question in a way that takes an intuitive notion of emotion and includes both scientific as well as philosophical aspects of both emotions and memory. To do this, I first distinguish between two different ways emotions can be expressed: as certain physiological responses, or as certain conscious experiences. Next, I show how each of these expressions of emotions can be remembered. Finally, I bring these two ways of expressing emotions, and the ways of remembering each of them, together into an explanation that also includes aspects often ascribed to emotions such as cognition. This interdisciplinary endeavor aims to serve as a starting point on what it could mean to remember emotions, and in doing so tries to build a bridge between scientific research and philosophical investigation of the memory of emotions.
Hysteresis and Surface Shear Stresses During Snow-Particle Aeolian Transportation
Authors: Niiya Hirofumi , Nishimura Kouichi
Published: February 2022

Surface shear stresses produced by wind and particle collision play a key role in aerodynamic entrainment and splash processes. The fluid shear stress at the surface during aeolian transport has been researched for decades; however, the equilibrium property reported in the literature, numerical simulations, and experiments is inconsistent. To discuss this discrepancy, this study investigates fluid and particle shear stresses at the surface during the aeolian transport of snow particles using a two-dimensional random-flight model of drifting snow. The simulations are performed for various friction velocities on a loose snow bed. By varying the wind conditions in stages, the transport hysteresis is confirmed, and the impact threshold is estimated from the particle transport rate ($$0.206\,\hbox {m\,s}^{-1}$$0.206ms-1). The friction velocity at the surface during transport decreases marginally with an increase in wind speed caused by the impact threshold, revealing that our results do not contradict Owen’s second hypothesis. The total shear stress, which is calculated by summing the fluid and particle shear stresses, is vertically uniform in the equilibrium state; thus, the increase in the particle shear stress decreases the fluid shear stress at the surface. The equilibrium property of the fluid shear stress near the surface changes significantly with height (from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend) because the particle shear stress decreases rapidly in the height range of 1–10 mm. Our findings suggest that it is difficult to accurately measure the fluid shear stress in the surface vicinity using anemometers, and a new methodology is needed.
Afatinib alone and in combination with vinorelbine or paclitaxel, in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who failed or progressed on prior trastuzumab and/or lapatinib (LUX-Breast 2): an open-label, multicenter, phase II trial
Authors: Hickish Tamas , Mehta Ajay , Liu Mei-Ching , Huang Chiun-Sheng , Arora Rajendra Singh , Chang Yuan-Ching , Yang Youngsen , Vladimirov Vladimir , Jain Minish , Tsang Janice , Pemberton Karine , Sadrolhefazi Behbood , Jin Xidong , Tseng Ling-Ming
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Resistance to HER2 (ErbB2)-targeted therapy may be mediated by other members of the ErbB family. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the irreversible ErbB family blocker, afatinib, alone as first-line therapy in the advanced setting and in combination with vinorelbine or paclitaxel for those who progressed on afatinib monotherapy, in female patients with metastatic breast cancer who had failed or progressed on prior HER2-targeted therapy in the early disease setting.

Methods

In this phase II, single-arm, two-part study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01271725), patients in part A received afatinib 40 mg/day in 21-day cycles until disease progression or intolerable adverse events (AEs). Patients with progressive disease could then receive afatinib plus weekly vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 or paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 until disease progression or intolerable AEs (part B). The primary endpoint was confirmed objective response rate (RECIST v1.1).

Results

Eighty-seven patients were enrolled and 74 were treated in part A (median age: 51 years [range 27–76]; 31 [42%] estrogen receptor-positive, 26 [35%] progesterone receptor-positive). Of these, 39 (53%) patients went on to receive afatinib plus vinorelbine (13 patients) or paclitaxel (26 patients) in part B. Thirteen (18%) and 12 (31%) patients achieved an objective response in parts A and B, respectively. The most common treatment-related AEs with afatinib monotherapy (any/grade ≥ 3) were diarrhea (68%/8%) and rash (49%/4%). Combination therapy was generally well tolerated, with no additive toxicity observed.

Conclusion

Afatinib treatment, alone or in combination with vinorelbine or paclitaxel, was associated with objective responses in ≥ 18% of patients with metastatic breast cancer for whom prior HER2-targeted therapy has failed. Treatment-related AEs were generally manageable, with few grade ≥ 3 AEs reported.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01271725, registered 1 July 2011.
The semantically annotated corpus of Polish quantificational expressions
Authors: Szymanik Jakub , Kieraś Witold
Published: February 2022

The paper presents a manually annotated corpus of Polish quantificational expressions. The quantifier annotation was conducted on top of existing gold-standard data for Polish as its separate layer. This paper releases the data and gives an overview of the corpus and related tools. As far as we know, this is the first large-scale annotation of generalized quantifiers together with their crucial semantic properties, including monotonicity profile. We also discuss the potential further use of the corpus in linguistics and cognitive science.
Uniqueness of the inversive plane of order sixty-four
Authors: Penttila Tim
Published: February 2022

The uniqueness of the inversive plane of order sixty-four, up to isomorphism, is established. Equivalently, it is shown that every ovoid of $$\mathrm{PG}(3,64)$$

PG
(
3
,
64
)

is an elliptic quadric.
Balancing control and autonomy in master surgery scheduling: Benefits of ICU quotas for recovery units
Authors: Heider Steffen , Schoenfelder Jan , Koperna Thomas , Brunner Jens O.
Published: February 2022

When scheduling surgeries in the operating theater, not only the resources within the operating theater have to be considered but also those in downstream units, e.g., the intensive care unit and regular bed wards of each medical specialty. We present an extension to the master surgery schedule, where the capacity for surgeries on ICU patients is controlled by introducing downstream-dependent block types – one for both ICU and ward patients and one where surgeries on ICU patients must not be performed. The goal is to provide better control over post-surgery patient flows through the hospital while preserving each medical specialty’s autonomy over its operational surgery scheduling. We propose a mixed-integer program to determine the allocation of the new block types within either a given or a new master surgery schedule to minimize the maximum workload in downstream units. Using a simulation model supported by seven years of data from the University Hospital Augsburg, we show that the maximum workload in the intensive care unit can be reduced by up to 11.22% with our approach while maintaining the existing master surgery schedule. We also show that our approach can achieve up to 79.85% of the maximum workload reduction in the intensive care unit that would result from a fully centralized approach. We analyze various hospital setting instances to show the generalizability of our results. Furthermore, we provide insights and data analysis from the implementation of a quota system at the University Hospital Augsburg.
Rate adaptive pacing in people with chronic heart failure increases peak heart rate but not peak exercise capacity: a systematic review
Authors: Clark H. I. , Pearson M. J. , Smart N. A.
Published: February 2022

Rate adaptive cardiac pacing (RAP) allows increased heart rate (HR) in response to metabolic demand in people with implantable electronic cardiac devices (IECD). The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review to determine if RAP increases peak exercise capacity (peak VO2) in line with peak HR in people with chronic heart failure. We conducted a systematic literature search from 1980, when IECD and RAP were first introduced, until 31 July 2021. Databases searched include PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Clinical Trials Register. A comprehensive search of the literature produced a total of 246 possible studies; of these, 14 studies were included. Studies and subsequent analyses were segregated according to comparison, specifically standard RAP (RAPON) vs fixed rate pacing (RAPOFF), and tailored RAP (TLD RAPON) vs standard RAP (RAPON). Pooled analyses were conducted for peak VO2 and peak HR for RAPON vs RAPOFF. Peak HR significantly increased by 15 bpm with RAPON compared to RAPOFF (95%CI, 7.98–21.97, P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between pacing mode for peak VO2 0.45 ml kg−1 min−1 (95%CI, − 0.55–1.47, P = 0.38). This systematic review revealed RAP increased peak HR in people with CHF; however, there was no concomitant improvement in peak VO2. Rather RAP may provide benefits at submaximal intensities by controlling the rise in HR to optimise cardiac output at lower workloads. HR may be an important outcome of CHF management, reflecting myocardial efficiency.
Technological Innovation, Sustainable Green Practices and SMEs Sustainable Performance in Times of Crisis (COVID-19 pandemic)
Authors: Alraja Mansour Naser , Imran Rabia , Khashab Basel M. , Shah Mahmood
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 restrictions significantly affected SMEs, which have faced many challenges to their sustainability within this fragile new environment. This study proposes a holistic framework of sustainable performance by interrelating factors showing robust associations to produce this effect' for achieving sustainable performance in SMEs, through integrating the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) and Resource Based View (RBV) models, to test how sustainable green practices can process the TOE factors when affecting sustainable performance. The research focuses on SMEs with worldwide employees and involves data collected from a range of different employees belonging to four different managerial levels. The process incorporated the analysis of 669 questionnaires to test the proposed hypotheses using structural equation modeling. Findings suggest that, together, TOE factors represent crucial inputs for green practices such as green training, green performance appraisal, that, in turn, mean critical processes lead to sustainable performance (output). Additionally, the findings should also inspire SMEs to focus even more effort on internal technological and organisational factors and to encourage an eco-friendly culture that would demand stakeholders adopt a more positive environmental stance.
Autistic Children Quickly Orient Away from Both Eyes and Mouths During Face Observation
Authors: Jónsdóttir Lilja Kristín , Neufeld Janina , Falck-Ytter Terje , Kleberg Johan Lundin
Published: February 2022

Studies have supported two different hypotheses of reduced eye gaze in people with ASD; gaze avoidance and gaze indifference, while less is known about the role of anxiety. We tested these hypotheses using an eye-tracking paradigm that cued the eyes or mouth of emotional faces. Autistic children (n = 12, mean age 7 years) looked faster away from both eyes and mouths than controls (n = 22). This effect was not explained by anxiety symptoms. No difference was found in latency towards either area. These results indicate that attentional avoidance of autistic children is not specific to eyes, and that they do not show attentional indifference to eyes compared to controls. Atypicalities in visual scanning in ASD are possibly unrelated to specific facial areas.
Navigating the internationalization process: Strategic resources for early internationalizing firms
Authors: Breuillot Angélique , Bocquet Rachel , Favre-Bonté Véronique
Published: February 2022

Despite an increasing number of studies identifying factors that influence the internationalization process for early internationalizing firms (EIFs), it remains unclear which of these numerous factors could play a strategic role and, more specifically, when. This paper develops a new conceptual framework anchored in the resource-based view to identify strategic resources that can explain EIFs’ internationalization process accurately over time. Building on a systematic literature review based on 102 papers covering a period of 29 years, we methodically present a phase-by-phase observation of EIFs’ internationalization process to identify the strategic relevance of different influential resources. The results highlight the importance of the shift from individual to organizational resources, which occurs at a critical phase of transition from the entry to the post-entry phase. Studying the evolution of strategic resources along four phases allows us to determine that the progress of EIFs through the phases of their internationalization process is closely linked to their resources’ development process. This study suggests some promising research avenues, at theoretical and methodological levels, and results in a series of concrete recommendations intended for entrepreneurs and/or managers of EIFs.
The Impact of Modifying Interpretive Bias on Contamination-Related Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms
Authors: Wong Shiu F. , Scharfenberg Angela , Krause Sandra , Grisham Jessica R.
Published: February 2022

Cognitive-behavioural models of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) propose that a tendency to negatively interpret ambiguous thoughts and situations plays a key role in maintaining the disorder. Moreover, some researchers have proposed that negative interpretive biases may share a common processing mechanism with attentional biases, with changes in one predicted to lead to changes in the other. The current study examined whether training positive (i.e., adaptive) interpretive bias of contamination-related OCD concerns using a cognitive bias modification paradigm (CBM-I) would lead to reductions in contamination concerns, as well as changes in contamination-related attentional bias. Undergraduate students with high levels of contamination-related OCD symptoms were randomly assigned to receive either positive (n = 31) or neutral (n = 33) CBM-I training. Participants in the positive training condition, relative to the neutral training condition, showed a significantly greater increase in positive interpretive bias, significantly less within-session behavioural avoidance of contaminants, and significantly reduced contamination-related cognitions (at one-week follow-up). Contrary to expectations, CBM-I training did not differentially impact attentional bias nor self-reported contamination-related OCD symptoms. We discuss future directions in applying CBM-I to contamination-related OCD.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Fear of COVID-19 Among Italian Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lo Moro Giuseppina , Cugudda Eleonora , Bert Fabrizio , Raco Immacolata , Siliquini Roberta
Published: February 2022

Medical students are in close contact with patients and should adhere to the same recommendations as healthcare workers. The study aimed to explore medical students' hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccine and evaluate fear of COVID-19 and its relationship with hesitancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst a sample of medical students attending clinical years (November 2020–February 2021, Italy). Multivariable regressions were performed (p < 0.05 as significant). A total of 929 students participated (58.6% of eligible students). Hesitancy was reported by 6.7%; extreme fear of COVID-19 by 42.0%. Among hesitancy predictors, there were the survey completion before COVID-19 vaccine authorisation (adjOR = 6.43), adverse reactions after a vaccination (adjOR = 3.30), and receiving advice against COVID-19 vaccination from a relative (adjOR = 2.40). Students who received the recommended paediatric vaccinations (adjOR = 0.10), students with higher adherence to preventive measures (adjOR = 0.98), and students with fear of contracting COVID-19 with regard to the health of loved ones (adjOR = 0.17) were less likely to be hesitant. Females (adjOR = 1.85), students with poor health (adjOR = 1.64), students who had a loved one severely affected by COVID-19 (adjOR = 1.68), and students with fear of contracting flu (adjOR = 3.06) had a higher likelihood of reporting extreme fear. Hesitancy was remarkably lower than in similar studies. However, there is room for improvement in university activities that could deepen the competence in vaccines. Our focus on fear should not be overlooked, since the extent of extreme fear that we found might represent a substantial burden, considering the associations between fear and other health outcomes.
The choice of efficiency benchmarking metric in evaluating firm productivity and viability
Authors: West S. C. , Mugera A. W. , Kingwell R. S.
Published: February 2022

The Debreu–Farrell measure of technical efficiency is widely used to benchmark firm performance. A limitation of this measure is that it is orientation restricted and evaluates the performance of a decision-making unit in an explicit direction relative to the best-practice frontier and not the most productive point on the frontier. Therefore, the measure does not provide policy insight on how to direct decision-making units to achieve the best possible productivity level. Taking a departure from conventional nonparametric benchmarking studies, this study benchmarks the performance of commercial farm businesses in the Western Australia’s wheatbelt region using total factor productivity efficiency (‘TFP efficiency’) and compares the results to those when the conventional technical efficiency measures are applied. We find that the two measures of firm performance differ and are influenced by different sources of firm heterogeneity. Therefore, derived policy insights and prescriptions also differ. This is an important insight that policymakers and practitioners need to be aware of.
The Effects of Childhood Trauma on College Completion
Authors: Lecy Natalie , Osteen Philip
Published: February 2022

This study uses the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to examine the effect of childhood trauma experiences on college graduation rates. A longitudinal mediation path analysis with a binary logistic regression is performed using trauma as a mediator between race, gender, first-generation status and college completion. The analysis reveals that being female and a continuing-generation student are both associated with greater likelihood of graduating college and that trauma mediates the relationship between race, gender, first-generation status and college completion. The authors explore the implications for these findings for policy, practice, and future research.
Correlation Between Biomass Burning Tracers in Urban and Rural Particles in Silesia—Case Study
Authors: Janoszka Katarzyna , Czaplicka Marianna
Published: February 2022

The major biomass burning tracers are thermal degradation products from the biopolymer cellulose, namely the didehydromonosaccharide derivatives levoglucosan, galactosan, and mannosan and the resin acid derivative dehydroabietic acid, with a minor contribution from β-sitosterol. Levoglucosan, galactosan, and mannosan were measured at two sites in Silesia, a rural (Rokitno) and industry region (Zabrze), during the winter of 2017/2018. The results showed that mean concentrations of the total tracers determined were 737 ng/m3 for Zabrze and 465 ng/m3 for Rokitno. Levoglucosan was the most abundant tracer; it was 83.2% of the determined tracers in Zabrze and 78.1% in Rokitno. The relative proportions of levoglucosan to mannosan have been used for source reconstruction of combustion-derived byproducts in atmospheric aerosols. The levoglucosan to mannosan ratio for Zabrze was 8.9 and for Rokitno 5.3; the levoglucosan to sum of mannosan and galactosan ratio was 6.2 and 3.8 for Zabrze and Rokitno, respectively. The correlation between tracers is high (0.73 to 0.97) and shows linearity. In order to compare the fuel type (by the coefficient of divergence (CD)) between different sites, the results from a previous work in health resort Krynica were used. The CD between Krynica and Rokitno as well as Krynica and Zabrze was equal to 0.633 and 0.712, respectively. The CD between Rokitno and Zabrze was equal to 0.175. Despite the biomass burning tracer measurements are mostly local, they have a huge impact on air pollution and climate changes.
Genomics and adaptation in forest ecosystems
Authors: Neophytou Charalambos , Heer Katrin , Milesi Pascal , Peter Martina , Pyhäjärvi Tanja , Westergren Marjana , Rellstab Christian , Gugerli Felix
Published: February 2022

Rapid human-induced environmental changes like climate warming represent a challenge for forest ecosystems. Due to their biological complexity and the long generation time of their keystone tree species, genetic adaptation in these ecosystems might not be fast enough to keep track with conditions changing at such a fast pace. The study of adaptation to environmental change and its genetic mechanisms is therefore key for ensuring a sustainable support and management of forests. The 4-day conference of the European Research Group EvolTree (https://www.evoltree.eu) on the topic of “Genomics and Adaptation in Forest Ecosystems” brought together over 130 scientists to present and discuss the latest developments and findings in forest evolutionary research. Genomic studies in forest trees have long been hampered by the lack of high-quality genomics resources and affordable genotyping methods. This has dramatically changed in the last few years; the conference impressively showed how such tools are now being applied to study past demography, adaptation and interactions with associated organisms. Moreover, genomic studies are now finally also entering the world of conservation and forest management, for example by measuring the value or cost of interspecific hybridization and introgression, assessing the vulnerability of species and populations to future change, or accurately delineating evolutionary significant units. The newly launched conference series of EvolTree will hopefully play a key role in the exchange and synthesis of such important investigations.
Numerical evaluation of face masks for prevention of COVID-19 airborne transmission
Authors: Liu Jiaxing , Hao Ming , Chen Shulei , Yang Yang , Li Jian , Mei Qi , Bian Xin , Liu Kun
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the globe to apply various preventive measures for public health. One of the most effective measures is wearing face masks, which plays a vital role in blocking the transmission of droplets and aerosols. To understand the protective mechanism of face masks, especially in indoor environments, we apply a computational fluid dynamics technique to predict the lifetime of cough droplets. Therefore, we can assess the exposure risk in a ventilated room where an infected individual wears a face mask or not. We focus on the dynamic evaporation and diffusion of droplets in a human-cough process, which is a major cause for the spread of the virus. We find that wearing a face mask can effectively reduce the total mass and Sauter mean diameter of the residual droplets after a single cough. The mass concentration of virus-carrying droplets in the ventilated room decreases by 201, 43,786, and 307,060 times, corresponding to wearing cotton face masks, surgical face masks, and N95 face masks, respectively. However, the maximum travel distance of 80% droplets is insensitive to wearing a face mask or not. Therefore, the residual droplets are widely distributed due to the influence of indoor airflow. Furthermore, we study aerosol exposure risks in different areas of the room and find that high concentrations of aerosols occur in the streamline through an infected individual, especially next to the individual within 1.5 m. This strongly suggests a social distance despite the fact that the majority of droplets are filtered by face masks. This study explains the impact of face masks and airflow on indoor exposure risks and further inspires potential measures for public health, for example, no individuals should sit near the air supply opening.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: The assessment of the protective impact of spidroin extract against UV-A radiation damage by using earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) as a robust human skin model via macroscopic and histological observations
Authors: El-Aziz Fatma El-Zahraa A. Abd , Ismail May S. , Askary Ahmad El , El-kott Attalla F. , Tantawy Ahmed A.
Published: February 2022

Numerous studies have confirmed the damage caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet-A rays. Malignant melanoma and skin cancer are two of the most serious health consequences. Thus, the UV-A protectant is intended to protect the skin, especially the two primary layers of skin (epidermis that represents the interface between the body and its surroundings and dermis). Spider silk is the most powerful natural fibre due to its regeneration, biocompatibility, antimicrobial, wound healing, antiseptic, and blood clotting properties. This work targeted to determine the protective effect of spidroin extract against UV-A radiation damage. Earthworms Aporrectodea caliginosa were collected from Assiut University’s farm. Each set of ten earthworms was separated into six groups and placed in a plastic container. Webs of spiders collected from trees and old houses. Spidroin was extracted and utilised in this work to determine the potential effects of topical application on UV-A protection. The experiment is divided into two sections: (1) UV-A exposure and (2) the use of spidroin extract to protect the earthworms from ultraviolet radiation. Two control groups (1،2) of worms were not received UV-A exposure, and four groups (3,4,5,6) were exposed to UVR-A. In contrast, groups (5,6) were received spidroin extract before exposure to UV-A. Each group from the groups (3,4,5,6) was exposed for three consecutive days (¼ hour/day, ½ hour/day, and 1 h/day), using a UV-Lamp with a wavelength of 366 nm. The histopathological changes revealed that after 1⁄4 h of UV exposure, the cuticle was swollen with a slightly detached epithelium. The cuticle was down after 1⁄2 h of exposure, and the epidermis was totally damaged and necrosed. After 1 h, the exposure showed destruction of the epidermis in the circular muscle with a loss of muscle filament integrity, varying size, and altered nucleus form, along with mild disintegration of longitudinal muscle. Spidroin extract is critical for earthworm protection against UV-A radiation damage and able to regeneration. For the first time, morphological and histological analysis was established to detect the Spidroin extract evaluated for topical application on earthworms. Earthworms can be considered as a robust human skin model prior to UV-A exposure. It induces a complete protective effect against UV-A radiation damage in earthworms.

Graphical abstract
How to evaluate sediment fingerprinting source apportionments
Authors: Batista P. V. G. , Laceby J. P. , Evrard O.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Evaluating sediment fingerprinting source apportionments with artificial mixtures is crucial for supporting decision-making and advancing modeling approaches. However, artificial mixtures are rarely incorporated into fingerprinting research and guidelines for model testing are currently lacking. Here, we demonstrate how to test source apportionments using laboratory and virtual mixtures by comparing the results from Bayesian and bootstrapped modeling approaches.

Materials and methods

Laboratory and virtual mixtures (n = 79) with known source proportions were created with soil samples from two catchments in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Soil samples were sieved at 63 µm and analyzed for colorimetric and geochemical parameters. The MixSIAR Bayesian framework and a bootstrapped mixing model (BMM) were used to estimate source contributions to the artificial mixtures. In addition, we proposed and demonstrated the use of multiple evaluation metrics to report on model uncertainty, residual errors, performance, and contingency criteria.

Results and discussion

Overall, there were negligible differences between source apportionments for the laboratory and virtual mixtures, for both models. The comparison between MixSIAR and BMM illustrated a trade-off between accuracy and precision in the model results. The more certain MixSIAR solutions encompassed a lesser proportion of known source values, whereas the BMM apportionments were markedly less precise. Although model performance declined for mixtures with a single source contributing greater than 0.75 of the material, both models represented the general trends in the mixtures and identified their major sources.

Conclusions

Virtual mixtures are as robust as laboratory mixtures for assessing fingerprinting mixing models if analytical errors are negligible. We therefore recommend to always include virtual mixtures as part of the model testing process. Additionally, we highlight the value of using evaluation metrics that consider the accuracy and precision of model results, and the importance of reporting uncertainty when modeling source apportionments.
Evidence Gaps in Assessments of the Healthiness of Online Supermarkets Highlight the Need for New Monitoring Tools: a Systematic Review
Authors: Maganja Damian , Miller Mia , Trieu Kathy , Scapin Tailane , Cameron Adrian , Wu Jason H. Y.
Published: February 2022

Purpose of Review

Online grocery shopping is increasingly popular, but the extent to which these food environments encourage healthy or unhealthy purchases is unclear. This review identifies studies assessing the healthiness of real-world online supermarkets and frameworks to support future efforts.

Recent Findings

A total of 18 studies were included and 17 assessed aspects of online supermarkets. Pricing and promotional strategies were commonly applied to unhealthy products, while nutrition labelling may not meet regulated requirements or support consumer decision-making. Few studies investigated the different and specific ways online supermarkets can influence consumers. One framework for comprehensively capturing the healthiness of online supermarkets was identified, particularly highlighting the various ways retailers can tailor the environment to target individuals.

Comprehensive assessments of online supermarkets can identify the potential to support or undermine healthy choices and dietary patterns. Common, validated instruments to facilitate consistent analysis and comparison are needed, particularly to investigate the new opportunities the online setting offers to influence consumers.
Validation of a Swedish translation of the gamblers’ beliefs questionnaire
Authors: Mide Mikael , Karlemon Patrik , Söderpalm Gordh Anna
Published: February 2022

The 20-item Gamblers’ Beliefs Questionnaire (GBQ) is used to identify cognitive distortions commonly had by gamblers. There is a great need for psychometrically validated instruments for both treatment and research purposes in the field of gambling addiction in Sweden. The purpose of this study was to validate a Swedish translation of the GBQ by assessing internal consistency, convergent validity, known-groups validity, the two-factor structure of the GBQ, and scaling success. The GBQ was translated into Swedish (GBQ-SE) and validated in a sample of 402 Swedish speaking women (47.9%) and men (52.1%) between 18–86 years, representing undergraduates, a working population, and people with current or historical gambling problems. The GBQ-SE showed excellent internal consistency and moderate relationships with instruments of problem gambling severity. We also showed that problem gamblers tend to endorse more gambling related distortions than non-problem gamblers by finding a significantly higher level of cognitive distortions in the problem gambler group. We were not able to confirm the two-factor structure in our sample. When assessing scaling success an overlap for eight of twenty of the items between the subscales was found. We conclude that the GBQ-SE is valid as a general instrument of gambling related cognitive distortions. It can be used to aid in treatment planning with gambling addicted clients, to evaluate treatment outcome, and for research purposes.
Voluntary auditory change: First-person access to agentive aspects of attention regulation
Authors: Wagemann Johannes
Published: February 2022

In perceptual psychology, audition and introspection have not yet received as much attention as other topics (e.g., vision) and methods (third-person paradigms). Practical examples and theoretical considerations show that it nevertheless seems promising to treat both topics in conjunction to gain insights into basic structures of attention regulation and respective agentive awareness. To this end, an empirical study on voluntary auditory change was conducted with a non-reactive first-person design. Data were analyzed with a mixed methods approach and compared with an analogous study on visual reversal. Qualitative hierarchical coding and explorative statistics yield a cross-modal replication of frequency patterns of mental activity as well as significant differences between the modalities. On this basis, the role of mental agency in perception is refined in terms of different levels of intention and discussed in the context of the philosophical mental action debate as well as of the Global Workspace/Working Memory account. As a main result, this work suggests the existence and structure of a gradual and developable agentive attention awareness on which voluntary attention regulation can build, and which justifies speaking, in a certain sense, of attentional self-perception.
Direct cyclodextrin-based powder extrusion 3D printing for one-step production of the BCS class II model drug niclosamide
Authors: Pistone Monica , Racaniello Giuseppe Francesco , Arduino Ilaria , Laquintana Valentino , Lopalco Antonio , Cutrignelli Annalisa , Rizzi Rosanna , Franco Massimo , Lopedota Angela , Denora Nunzio
Published: February 2022

Niclosamide (NCS) is a drug that has been used as an anthelmintic and anti-parasitic drug for about 40 years. Recently, some studies have highlighted its potential in treating various tumors, allowing a repositioning of this drug. Despite its potential, NCS is a Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class II drug and is consequently characterized by low aqueous solubility, poor dissolution rate and reduced bioavailability, which limits its applicability. In this work, we utilize a very novel technique, direct powder extrusion (DPE) 3D printing, which overcomes the limitations of previously used techniques (fused deposition modelling, FDM) to achieve direct extrusion of powder mixtures consisting of NCS, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, Affinisol 15 LV), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. For the first time, direct printing of powder blends containing HP-β-CD was conducted. For all tablets, in vitro dissolution studies showed sustained drug release over 48 h, but for tablets containing HP-β-CD, the release was faster. Solid-state characterization studies showed that during extrusion, the drug lost its crystal structure and was evenly distributed within the polymer matrix. All printed tablets have exhibited good mechanical and physical features and a stability of the drug content for up to 3 months. This innovative printing technique has demonstrated the possibility to produce personalized pharmaceutical forms directly from powders, avoiding the use of filament used by FDM.

Graphical abstract
Machine learning models for classification and identification of significant attributes to detect type 2 diabetes
Authors: Howlader Koushik Chandra , Satu Md. Shahriare , Awal Md. Abdul , Islam Md. Rabiul , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful , Quinn Julian M. W. , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2022

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease characterized by abnormally high blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance and reduced pancreatic insulin production. The challenge of this work is to identify T2D-associated features that can distinguish T2D sub-types for prognosis and treatment purposes. We thus employed machine learning (ML) techniques to categorize T2D patients using data from the Pima Indian Diabetes Dataset from the Kaggle ML repository. After data preprocessing, several feature selection techniques were used to extract feature subsets, and a range of classification techniques were used to analyze these. We then compared the derived classification results to identify the best classifiers by considering accuracy, kappa statistics, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, and logarithmic loss (logloss). To evaluate the performance of different classifiers, we investigated their outcomes using the summary statistics with a resampling distribution. Therefore, Generalized Boosted Regression modeling showed the highest accuracy (90.91%), followed by kappa statistics (78.77%) and specificity (85.19%). In addition, Sparse Distance Weighted Discrimination, Generalized Additive Model using LOESS and Boosted Generalized Additive Models also gave the maximum sensitivity (100%), highest AUROC (95.26%) and lowest logarithmic loss (30.98%) respectively. Notably, the Generalized Additive Model using LOESS was the top-ranked algorithm according to non-parametric Friedman testing. Of the features identified by these machine learning models, glucose levels, body mass index, diabetes pedigree function, and age were consistently identified as the best and most frequently accurate outcome predictors. These results indicate the utility of ML methods in constructing improved prediction models for T2D and successfully identified outcome predictors for this Pima Indian population.
Ultrasound findings of the thyroid gland in children and adolescents
Authors: Moschos Elena , Mentzel Hans-Joachim
Published: February 2022

Ultrasonography (US) is an important diagnostic tool in evaluating thyroid diseases in pediatric patients. This pictorial essay reviews the application of various ultrasound techniques such as B-Mode ultrasound and color Doppler, elastography and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in children and adolescents in various thyroid pathologies including congenital thyroid abnormalities, diffuse thyroid diseases (DTD), focal thyroid lesions and thyroid malignancy.
Optimised gravity anomaly fields from along-track multi-mission satellite altimeter over Malaysian seas
Authors: Yazid Nornajihah Mohammad , Din Ami Hassan Md , Omar Abdullah Hisam , Abdullah Nazirah Mohamad , Pa’suya Muhammad Faiz , Hamden Mohammad Hanif , Yahaya Noor Anim Zanariah
Published: February 2022

Marine gravity anomalies are crucial parameters and elements for determining coastal and ocean geoid, tectonics and crustal structures, as well as offshore studies. This study aims to derive and develop a marine gravity anomaly model over Malaysian seas from multi-mission altimetry data. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2020 Mean Sea Surface Model is computed based on along-track data from nine satellite missions, incorporating TOPEX, Jason-1, Jason-2, ERS-2, Geosat Follow on (GFO), Envisat-1, CryoSat-2, SARAL/AltiKa, and Sentinel-3A. The data exploited are from 1993 to 2019 (27 years). Residual gravity anomaly is computed using Gravity Software, and two-dimensional planar Fast Fourier Transformation method is applied. The evaluation, selection, blunder detection, combination, and re-gridding of the altimetry-derived gravity anomalies and Global Geopotential Model data are demonstrated. Cross-validation procedure is employed for data cleaning and quality control using the Kriging interpolation method. Then, cross-validation procedure is applied to the tapering window width 200, which adopting the GECO model denotes the optimum gravity anomaly with root mean square errors in the range of ± 4.2472 mGal to ± 6.0202 mGal. The findings suggest that the estimated marine gravity anomaly is acceptable to be implemented in the marine geoid determination and bathymetry estimation over Malaysian seas. In addition, the results of this study are valuable for geodetic and geophysical applications in marine areas.
Freedom at Work: Understanding, Alienation, and the AI-Driven Workplace
Authors: Vredenburgh Kate
Published: February 2022

This paper explores a neglected normative dimension of algorithmic opacity in the workplace and the labor market. It argues that explanations of algorithms and algorithmic decisions are of noninstrumental value. That is because explanations of the structure and function of parts of the social world form the basis for reflective clarification of our practical orientation toward the institutions that play a central role in our life. Using this account of the noninstrumental value of explanations, the paper diagnoses distinctive normative defects in the workplace and economic institutions which a reliance on AI can encourage, and which lead to alienation.
Duration of isolation and contagiousness in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients receiving tocilizumab and dexamethasone: A case series
Authors: Côté Florence , Boivin Guy , Loungnarath Vilayvong , Ruest Annie , Bestman-Smith Julie , Carbonneau Julie , Hamelin Marie-Ève , Roy Marie-Claude
Published: February 2022

We describe 10 patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who received tocilizumab and dexamethasone. We correlated isolation duration with cycle thresholds (Ct) values of nucleic acid amplification tests, clinical state and viral cultures. Isolation duration exceeded 21 days for 7 patients due to positive viral cultures or Ct values <30.
A History of Style and a Style of History: The Hermeneutic ofTarzin Persian Literary Criticism
Authors: Farghadani Shahla
Published: February 2022

This article considers style in Persian literary history and its critical rhetorical and hermeneutical roles for poets and critics in the medieval and Safavid-Mughal eras. It explores howtarz(manner) emerged as a hermeneutical term in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and achieved a central position insukhansanjī(evaluating speech) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This account oftarz—grounded in its historicity and multivalent implications—offers new insights into language for early modern Persian literary history, which is often periodized assabk-i hindī(Indian style) ortāza-gūyī(fresh-speaking). Through a close reading of Safavid-Mughaltazkiras (literary compendiums), this contribution examinestarzas an operating concept deployed by a number of prominenttazkirawriters. Finally, the article concludes by discussing this legacy's impact on twentieth-century scholarship.