bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tax avoidance and earnings management: a neural network approach for the largest European economies
Authors: Delgado Francisco J. , Fernández-Rodríguez Elena , García-Fernández Roberto , Landajo Manuel , Martínez-Arias Antonio
Published: January 2023

In this study, we investigate the relationship between tax avoidance and earnings management in the largest five European Union economies by using artificial neural network regressions. This methodology allows us to deal with nonlinearities detected in the data, which is the principal contribution to the previous literature. We analyzed Compustat data for Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain for the 2006–2015 period, focusing on discretionary accruals. We considered three tax avoidance measures, two based on the effective tax rate (ETR) and one on book-tax differences (BTD). Our results indicate the presence of nonlinear patterns and a positive, statistically significant relationship between discretionary accruals and both ETR indicators implying that when companies resort to earnings management, a larger taxable income—and thus higher ETR and lesser tax avoidance– would ensue. Hence, as also highlighted by the fact that discretionary accruals do not appear to affect BTD, our evidence does not suggest that companies are exploiting tax manipulation to reduce their tax payments; thus, the gap between accounting and taxation seems largely unaffected by earnings management.
Impact of Prediagnosis Risk of Major Depressive Disorder and Health-Related Quality of Life on Treatment Choice for Stage II-III Rectal Cancer
Authors: Farrell Matthew J. , Grogan Tristan R. , Raldow Ann C.
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE

We hypothesized that depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reported by patients before their cancer diagnoses would be associated with treatment choice for stage II and III rectal cancer, specifically whether patients underwent surgery.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare Health Outcomes Survey linked data set was used to identify patients with stage II-III rectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 who had completed the health outcomes survey within 36 months before their cancer diagnoses. Risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) was determined on the basis of responses to screening questions for depressive disorders. HRQOL was assessed using the Mental Component Summary and Physical Component Summary of the 36-Item Short Form Survey and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Using univariable and multivariable analyses, we assessed for associations between health survey responses and ultimate treatment modality.

RESULTS

We identified 142 evaluable patients, of whom 109 (76.8%) underwent surgery. Thirty patients (21.1%) met criteria for being at risk for MDD before their cancer diagnoses. Patients at risk for MDD underwent surgery less often than those not at risk ( P = .0499), and this association strengthened after adjusting for patient characteristics (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.82; P = .027). There was a nonsignificant trend between higher Mental Component Summary scores (indicating higher self-reported mental HRQOL) and increased frequency of undergoing surgery ( P = .081). There were no significant associations between the Physical Component Summary and treatment modality.

CONCLUSION

In Medicare beneficiaries with stage II-III rectal cancer, those at risk for MDD underwent standard-of-care treatment with surgery less frequently. Further studies are warranted to assess the effect of mental health on clinical decision making in this patient population.
From Models to Mirror Worlds
Authors: Ng Amelyn
Published: January 2023

This essay contemplates the media histories and politics of the digital twin: an accurate three-dimensional model designed to offer data-based simulation, predictive capability, and remote control over a material entity. Currently being developed across the spheres of industry, design, and “smart city” governance, digital twins are “digital-physical” databases purporting not only to represent the appearance of an object but also to capture or simulate all changes to its physical and informatic state, down to the bolt or data point. What are the media histories and stakes of a real-time digital simulation of the world? What of the desire to imitate the physical world in fully machine-readable form? Through three episodes that contribute to the technological imaginary of the twin—the digital factory, the “smart” building model, and the 3D “dashboard” city—it shows how contemporary simulations do not simply reflect reality or create fictional ones but are committed to remaking reality over and over again—each time with greater efficiency, oversight, and predictability.
The Joy of the World
Authors: Stockwell Cory
Published: January 2023

This article examines several recent theorizations of the concept “world” from within or in proximity to the field of world literature, and argues that these theorizations all suffer from a missed engagement with the work of Jean-Luc Nancy, the most important contemporary thinker of the concept. Focusing on recent books by Emily Apter, Debjani Ganguly, and Pheng Cheah, this article argues that while these theorists all make reference to Nancy, they do so in ways that miss essential aspects of his thinking. The article argues that the theoretical frameworks put forth by these thinkers prevent them from engaging with what Nancy called the “sense of the world.” The article concludes with a reflection on the place of joy in the text of Nancy to which all three of these thinkers make reference: The Creation of the World or Globalization.
Patterns of Failure Outcomes for Combination of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy for Melanoma Brain Metastases
Authors: Abdulhaleem Mohammed , Johnston Hannah , D'Agostino Ralph , Lanier Claire , Cramer Christina K. , Triozzi Pierre , Lo Hui-Wen , Xing Fei , Li Wencheng , Whitlow Christopher , White Jaclyn J. , Tatter Stephen B. , Laxton Adrian W. , Su Jing , Chan Michael. D. , Ruiz Jimmy
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Previous series have demonstrated central nervous system activity for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and shown improved local control between stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and ICI for lung cancer brain metastases.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether the addition of ICI to SRS for melanoma brain metastasis improves outcomes when compared with historical control group treated in the era before ICI availability.

METHODS:

In this single institution retrospective series, outcomes of 24 patients with melanoma receiving concurrent ICI and SRS were compared with 111 historical controls treated before ICI era. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cumulative incidence of local and distant failures was estimated using a competing risk model that accounted for baseline differences using propensity score adjustments.

RESULTS:

The median OS time was improved in patients receiving ICI compared with the historical control group (17.6 vs 6.6 months, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.056, P = .0005). Cumulative incidence at 1 year for local failure in the historical control and ICI groups was approximately 12.5% and 6.5%, respectively (HR = 0.25, P = .19), while cumulative incidence of distant brain failure in the historical control and ICI groups was approximately 48% and 28%, respectively (HR = 0.326, P = .015)

CONCLUSION:

Distant brain failure and OS were improved in patients receiving concurrent ICI with SRS compared with historical controls. Local failure trended in the same direction; however, owing to small sample size, this did not reach statistical significance. While these data remain to be validated, they suggest that patients with brain metastasis may benefit from concurrent use of ICI with SRS.
Πολυτροπικά κείμενα σε σχολικά εγχειρίδια Ιστορίας
Authors: Παπαχρήστου Χρυσούλα
Published: January 2023

Σκοπός της διατριβής είναι η μελέτη των πολυτροπικών κειμένων των σχολικών εγχειριδίων της Ιστορίας, υπό το πρίσμα της ανάπτυξης του γλωσσικού, οπτικού και ιστορικού εγγραμματισμού των μαθητών. Καθώς τα σχολικά εγχειρίδια υλοποιούν τα Αναλυτικά Προγράμματα και αποτελούν το σημαντικότερο μέσο διαμεσολάβησης της γνώσης, η διερεύνηση της δομής τους, της λειτουργίας τους και του σκοπού που επιτελούν βρίσκεται στον πυρήνα ερευνών γύρω από τον σχολικό εγγραμματισμό. Επιπλέον, η καλλιέργεια των προαναφερθέντων τύπων εγγραμματισμού είναι απαραίτητη, ώστε τα παιδιά να μπορούν να αντλούν πληροφορίες από τα προς μελέτη κείμενα αξιοποιώντας πολλαπλούς σημειωτικούς τρόπους, να κατανοούν σε βάθος και να αντιμετωπίζουν κριτικά όσα διαβάζουν. Για τον λόγο αυτό, στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας μελέτης, διεξήχθησαν τρεις ερευνητικές διαδικασίες, οι οποίες αποσκοπούσαν στην ανάδειξη της πολυτροπικής, κεμενογλωσσολογικής αλλά και διδακτικής διάστασης των σχολικών εγχειριδίων. Η επιλογή του γνωστικού αντικειμένου της Ιστορίας βασίζεται στο γεγονός ότι το μάθημα αυτό οφείλει να αξιοποιεί σημαντική ποικιλία κειμενικών τύπων, που βοηθούν τον μαθητή να μεταβεί ευκολότερα από τον αφηγηματικό στον επιστημονικό (επιχειρηματολογικό) λόγο. Συνακόλουθα, η έρευνα επικεντρώθηκε στα σχολικά εγχειρίδια της Στ’ Δημοτικού και της Α’ Γυμνασίου, προκειμένου να ελεγχθεί αν υπάρχει γλωσσολογική και μεθοδολογική συνέχεια από τη μία βαθμίδα στην άλλη, ώστε οι μαθητές να μεταβούν ομαλά από το Δημοτικό στο Γυμνάσιο.
Η επίδραση της Βυζαντινής μουσικής ως θεραπευτική διαδραστική αισθητική της ολότητας του ανθρώπου, σε σχέση με τους λειτουργικούς ύμνους
Authors: Παπαδάκης Δημήτριος
Published: January 2023

Στην ολιστική προσέγγιση του ανθρώπου, η μουσική ως μέρος του αισθητικού γίγνεσθαι, επηρεάζει την αυτοεικόνα και τη διάθεση. Οι μελέτες που υπάρχουν δεν επικεντρώνονται καθόλου στη θρησκευτική μουσική και ιδιαίτερα στους εκκλησιαστικούς ύμνους. Αυτό αποτελεί μία σημαντική παράλειψη αν ληφθεί υπόψη ότι η πνευματικότητα και η θρησκευτικότητα αποτελούν αντικείμενα μεγάλης ερευνητικής δραστηριότητας τα τελευταία χρόνια λόγω των ευρημάτων που έχουν εντοπίσει σχέσεις ανάμεσα στη πνευματικότητα, τη θρησκευτικότητα και την υγεία και κυρίως την ψυχική. Η οπτική του ερευνητή είναι επηρεασμένη από την θεωρία της «Διαλεκτικής σκέψης» του Friedrich Engels, η οποία υποστηρίζει ότι τα πράγματα κινούνται συνεχώς και αενάως προς τα μπροστά, δεν είναι ποτέ στατικά ή προβλέψιμα, η προτίμηση του συγγραφέα τόσο στην αντικειμενική όσο και στην εποικοδομητική οντολογία είναι αναπόφευκτη. Η μεθοδολογία της εργασίας στηρίχθηκε στη συλλογή πρωτογενών ποσοτικών και ποιοτικών δεδομένων. Βασικό εργαλείο της έρευνας αποτέλεσε το ερωτηματολόγιο μέσω του οποίου έγινε προσπάθεια να αποτυπωθούν ποικίλες πληροφορίες, που αφορούν στην επικοινωνία και στις κοινωνικές δεξιότητες των ατόμων που βρίσκονταν ευρύτερα στο ασθενικό φάσμα, αναδεικνύοντας τα χαρακτηριστικά γνωρίσματα όλων των παραμέτρων που παρατηρούνται μέσα από τις μουσικές επιδράσεις οδηγώντας το άτομο στην αυτοπραγμάτωσή του. Το ερωτηματολόγιο, ένα από τα κύρια εργαλεία της ποσοτικής έρευνας αλλά και γενικότερα των κοινωνικών επιστημών. Η επιλογή του εργαλείου αυτού έγινε καθώς παράγει άμεσα αποτελέσματα όπου οι συμμετέχοντες μπορούν να το συμπληρώσουν όποτε θέλουν, χωρίς να είναι απαραίτητη η παρουσία του ερευνητή. Στην παρούσα έρευνα χρησιμοποιήθηκε περιγραφική στατιστική για την αποτύπωση των χαρακτηριστικών του δείγματος και των απαντήσεων τους στο κυρίως μέρος της έρευνας. Η ανάλυση πραγματοποιήθηκε με την χρήση του στατιστικού προγράμματος SPSS22.0. Για το ποιοτικό μέρος της έρευνας χρησιμοποιήθηκε η θεματική ανάλυση. Δεδομένου ότι η αύξηση των αυτοκτονιών κατά τα τελευταία χρόνια παρουσιάστηκε την ίδια στιγμή με την εμφάνιση στους άνδρες μιας σύγχυσης αναφορικά με τον ρόλο των φύλων, η μελέτη της βιβλιογραφίας δείχνει ότι η ίδια η φύση του ανδρικού ρόλου στην κοινωνία μπορεί να είναι η αιτία για την εμφάνιση αυτοκτονικών τάσεων πιο συχνά στους άνδρες από ότι στις γυναίκες. Η μουσική χρησιμοποιήθηκε από την Εκκλησία από τους πρώτους χρόνους. Αυτό οδήγησε αρκετούς Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας να εκφράσουν την άποψη τους για τη μουσική και την ωφέλεια της, μεταξύ άλλων θεμάτων. Ένας από αυτούς ήταν ο Μέγας Βασίλειος ο οποίος αναφέρεται συχνά στη μουσική στο έργο του. Ο Πατέρας θεωρεί ότι η ψαλμωδία έχει τόσο σημαντικό ρόλο στη ζωή του πιστού που μοιάζει με το έργο των Αγγέλων.
An analysis of the possibilities and challenges of long stay tourism in Thailand
Authors: Madhyamapurush Warach
Published: January 2023

The tourism sector is significant in emerging nations like Thailand. The cost of lodging is a significant component of practically every trip, thus it is important to consider accommodation development while trying to draw in visitors from other nations. The long-stay tourism industry is crucial since longer visitor stays result in more revenue. Following this, other research on long-term lodging of all forms has been conducted, with an emphasis on both the tourist and real estate sectors. The best tourist option in Thailand is long-term travel. As evidenced by the American, European, and Japanese visitors, the target market is tourists from nations with high costs of living, frigid climates, and aging populations. Therefore, it is anticipated that the tourist demographic will change in future, leading to the emergence of the retirement home niche market as a part of long-stay tourism. The characteristics of long-stay tourism in Thailand are examined in this paper, and we assess the theoretical and conceptual framework as an analysis of Thailand's tourism. Examining the current situation of the Thai long-stay tourist business is the initial and main objective of this study. There is currently no perfect answer, but various alternatives from comparable markets in representative nations have been used as examples to subsequently create tourism accommodation in Thailand for long-stay tourism.
Does manager’s education play a significant role in company’s financial performance? An empirical study of the best-performing CEOs in the world
Authors: R. Stojiljkovic Dana , Cudano Mladen
Published: January 2023

El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar el impacto del nivel educativo de los directores generales en los resultados financieros de las empresas, medidos por el ROA (rendimiento de los activos) y el EBITDA (beneficios antes de intereses, impuestos, depreciaciones y amortizaciones). Utilizando la lista de los 100 directores generales con mejores resultados del mundo publicada en Harvard Business Review, analizamos la formación de los directores generales examinando sus estudios de grado y de máster, la clasificación de las universidades a las que asistieron los directores generales (Shanghái), la alineación de sus campos de estudio de grado y de máster, así como la alineación del máster con la rama industrial de la empresa, como predictores del ROA y el EBITDA de la empresa. Nuestros resultados revelaron una correlación negativa estadísticamente significativa entre el ROA y la edad de la empresa. También se observó que los directivos de las empresas más jóvenes tienden a tener un máster en ámbitos distintos del sector principal de su empresa. El análisis de regresión mostró una asociación positiva estadísticamente significativa entre el ROA de la empresa y el título de máster del director general que difiere del sector industrial de su empresa, pero no después de controlar la edad de la empresa. Al no encontrar ninguna relación sólida entre la educación formal del director y los resultados financieros de la empresa, concluimos que otros factores distintos de la educación del director general pueden ejercer una mayor influencia en los resultados financieros de la empresa.
Identidad y verdad en el mundo actual. Escrutinio de factores clave de veridicción.
Authors: Fernandez Agis Domingo
Published: January 2023

Dificultades inherentes a la construcción, comprensión y defensa de la identidad en el mundo actual. La comprensión de los fundamentos, sentido y aplicabilidad de los bienes culturales ha de tener en cuenta una serie de factores que son difíciles de comprender. Todo ello nos llevará a plantear de otro modo la construcción de la verdad y su específica conexión con la realidad. Factores clave de nuestra realidad existencial, de índole tecnocientífica, filosófica y jurídica, permanecen paradójicamente ocultos en gran medida porque no se les concede la debida importancia ni se proyectan sobre ellos las consecuencias de la debida atención que habría que prestarles.
El estado, el desarrollo tecnológico y algunos problemas éticos en internet.
Authors: Chan Chan Francisco Javier
Published: January 2023

El presente trabajo plantea dos cuestiones principales: la relación entre el Estado y el desarrollo tecnológico; y el estudio de cuatro problemas éticos en línea. Respecto de la primera, se pretender responder a la preguntar sobre la existencia de una relación entre el Estado y su desarrollo tecnológico y cómo éste influye específicamente en el caso de Internet. En relación a la segunda, exponemos cuatro problemas éticos en Internet: deep web, venta de órganos en línea, ciberguerra y pornografía infantil. Todo lo anterior se describe con el fin de dar un panorama general del desarrollo tecnológico estatal, los problemas éticos que pueden surgir y las conductas que los usuarios tienen en relación a estos últimos.
La importación en la UE del material biológico reproductivo humano y las situaciones de emergencias.
Authors: Monaco Mario
Published: January 2023

La circulación internacional de gametos humanos aporta incuestionables beneficios a una sociedad en claro declino demográfico y se encuentra en continua expansión. Las Directivas en materia de células reproductoras sostienen el objetivo de aplicar la disciplina de manera uniforme en toda la Unión Europea (UE) para poder garantizar el mayor nivel posible de protección de la salud con una calidad y una seguridad comparables entre los estados miembros. Estos requisitos se refuerzan ulteriormente para el caso de la importación de países extra UE. La transposición en España e Italia ha supuesto la incursión de la materia en dos contextos completamente distintos. Al mismo tiempo, no se pueden descuidar los acontecimientos internacionales actuales que requieren una atención especifica.
El acceso en igualdad a las técnicas de reproducción médicamente asistida: carencias legislativas y gestación por sustitución.
Authors: Serrano Ochoa Mª Ángeles
Published: January 2023

Las técnicas de reproducción asistida han abierto el camino a nuevas formas de familia y a la disponibilidad de la filiación. Si nuestra LTRHA 2006 ha conseguido facilitar la reproducción a las distintas orientaciones sexuales y ha posibilitado determinar la filiación al margen de la naturaleza (art. 7.3 y 8.3 LTRHA 2006) habría de plantearse si hay realmente una excusa, basada en la imposibilidad del respeto de los derechos fundamentales de los implicados en una gestación por sustitución solidaria, para mantener en la actualidad su nulidad y amparar en nuestro Derecho tan sólo dos únicos tipos de filiación, por naturaleza y adoptiva (art. 108 CC) o si es posible, de admitirse la gestación por otros de carácter altruista, el incluir una filiación basada en la voluntad procreacional, facilitando el acceso de todos, hombres y mujeres, en plena igualdad, a las técnicas de reproducción desarrolladas por los avances de la medicina.
Cuidados integrales en el final de la vida. P
Authors: Pérez Sevilla Macarena , Sánchez García Ana Belén , García Capilla Diego José
Published: January 2023

Tener una formación específica para proporcionar unos cuidados asistenciales de calidad desde el ámbito de la enfermería es una obligación reflejada en las competencias del grado en Enfermería. Con la aprobación en España de la Ley Orgánica 3/2021 de 24 de marzo, de regulación de la eutanasia, ofertar una nueva asignatura en la que se incluyan todas las necesidades, derechos y obligaciones de los pacientes y personal sanitario en el final de la vida, contemplando así las nuevas prácticas que los profesionales de Enfermería deberán administrar en sus lugares de trabajo es una obligación reflejada en el código deontológico nacional. El desconocimiento de los cuidados integrales en el final de la vida por parte de estos profesionales sanitarios puede ser causa de que no se administren unas prácticas asistenciales de calidad, aumentando con ello el sufrimiento tanto del paciente como de la familia y del propio personal sanitario.
Propuesta de decálogo para desarrollar la bioética en las organizaciones sanitarias.
Authors: Martín Treviño Theriot Jesús , Urbieta Mancisidor Josu
Published: January 2023

Los principios de Beneficencia, Autonomía, No maleficencia y Justicia son a día de hoy, la base que ha permitido desarrollar los sistemas sanitarios y limitando el ejercicio paternalista favoreciendo la relación médico paciente. Sin embargo, no se ha conseguido un completo desarrollo de la bioética a nivel de organización sanitaria ni políticas sanitarias. Proponemos 3 niveles: el nivel fundamental: Respeto, Transparencia, Veracidad y Coherencia; el intermedio: Dignidad, Legalidad, Justicia, Confianza y el superior: Integridad y Ecología. La capacidad de poder llevar a cabo este compendio de valores a nivel personal y trasladarlo a nuestras instituciones, sistemas de organización y viceversa, permitirá obtener mejores resultados cualitativos en la atención de paciente y con el resto de miembros del equipo, y a nivel cuantitativo, optimizando los recursos materiales, económicos, limitando así los posibles conflictos de interés.
Pressure ulcers in hospital patients: incidence and risk factors
Authors: Rapetti Roberta , Pansera Antonio , Visca Simona , Martolini Manuela , Antoniotti Sara , Bertoncini Fabio , Cirone Monica , Visca Sara
Published: January 2023

Objective:

With an ageing population and a rising number of people with chronic conditions and disabilities, pressure ulcers (PUs) are a frequent problem. Prevention and treatment, especially targeted at older people, frail and non-self-sufficient patients, are central to care provided by nurses. The objective of this study is to establish the incidence of PUs in hospital inpatients and identify possible associated risk factors.

Method:

A clinical observational study was conducted from May to November 2019 in a sample of patients admitted to Azienda Sociosanitaria Ligure 2 in Italy. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected at admission and at discharge, through a questionnaire or collection card. The analysis was done using SAS 9.4 2017 software.

Results:

In 7% of the 515 participating patients, PUs occurred during hospitalisation; PUs at stages I and II were predominantly in the coccyx, heels and malleolus.

Conclusion:

Significant associations were found between the development of lesions and age, certain pathologies, the degree of patient autonomy and the level of skin integrity.
Anti-inflammatory and collagenation effects of zinc oxide-based nanocomposites biosynthesised withMentha longifolialeaf extract
Authors: Arvanagh Farid Mohammadi , Masoumabad Abolfazl Bayrami , Yangjeh Aziz Habibi , Bayrami Mahdi , Feizpoor Solmaz , Nourani Mohammad Reza , Taheri Ramezan Ali
Published: January 2023

Objective:

The integration of nanomaterials and herbal medicine has led to the design of new nanocomposites, which are therapeutically more effective. The purpose of this study was to prepare different zinc oxide (ZnO)-based nanoparticles (NPs) via Mentha longifolia extract based on gauze linen fibre and study its effects on wound healing.

Methods:

The textural properties, morphology, thermal stability, purity, spectroscopic and phase structure of nanoparticles were investigated. Subsequently, male Wistar rats were subjected to wounds in six different treatment groups: Group I: control; group II: ZnO/W prepared in water (W); group III: ZnO/M synthesised with Mentha longifolia (M) extract; group IV: ZnO/copper(II) oxide (CuO)/M nanocomposite synthesised with M extract; group IV: treated with ZnO/silver (Ag)/M nanocomposite; group V: treated with ZnO/Ag/M nanocomposite; and finally, group VI: treated with ZnO/CuO/Ag/M nanocomposite. In all groups, the wounds were treated for 21 days with prepared samples. Every seven days, after measuring the decreasing rate of the wound size, tissue samples from each group were taken for histopathological analysis. The prepared tissue sections were assessed by haematoxylin and eosin staining for the formation of the epidermis, dermis and muscular tissue, and Masson's Trichrome staining for the formation of collagen fibres.

Results:

The results showed that the ZnO/CuO/Ag/M nanocomposite was a significantly more effective wound healing material in comparison with other samples (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

In this study, the integration of ZnO/CuO/Ag nanocomposites with secondary metabolites of Mentha longifolia gave rise to a superior combination, which could support different phases of wound healing via the regulation of cytokines and growth factors in the course of healing.
Polyhexamethylene biguanide and its antimicrobial role in wound healing: a narrative review
Authors: Rippon Mark G , Rogers Alan A , Ousey Karen
Published: January 2023

A wound offers an ideal environment for the growth and proliferation of a variety of microorganisms which, in some cases, may lead to localised or even systemic infections that can be catastrophic for the patient; the development of biofilms exacerbates these infections. Over the past few decades, there has been a progressive development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microorganisms across the board in healthcare sectors. Such resistant microorganisms have arisen primarily due to the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial treatments, and the subsequent ability of microorganisms to rapidly change and mutate as a defence mechanism against treatment (e.g., antibiotics). These resistant microorganisms are now at such a level that they are of grave concern to the World Health Organization (WHO), and are one of the leading causes of illness and mortality in the 21st century. Treatment of such infections becomes imperative but presents a significant challenge for the clinician in that treatment must be effective but not add to the development of new microbes with AMR. The strategy of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) has stemmed from the need to counteract these resistant microorganisms and requires that current antimicrobial treatments be used wisely to prevent amplification of AMR. It also requires new, improved or alternative methods of treatment that will not worsen the situation. Thus, any antimicrobial treatment should be effective while not causing further development of resistance. Some antiseptics fall into this category and, in particular, polyhexamethylene hydrochloride biguanide (PHMB) has certain characteristics that make it an ideal solution to this problem of AMR, specifically within wound care applications. PHMB is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that kills bacteria, fungi, parasites and certain viruses with a high therapeutic index, and is widely used in clinics, homes and industry. It has been used for many years and has not been shown to cause development of resistance; it is safe (non-cytotoxic), not causing damage to newly growing wound tissue. Importantly there is substantial evidence for its effective use in wound care applications, providing a sound basis for evidence-based practice. This review presents the evidence for the use of PHMB treatments in wound care and its alignment with AMS for the prevention and treatment of wound infection.
Does prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy prevent surgical site infection in abdominal surgery?
Authors: Meyer Jeremy , Roos Elin , Abbassi Ziad , Toso Christian , Buchs Christian Nicolas , Ris Frédéric
Published: January 2023

Objective:

To determine if prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (pNPWT) allows for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) in abdominal surgery.

Method:

A non-systematic review assessing the evidence was conducted in 2020.

Results:

Retrospectve studies comparing patients with pNPWT with patients receiving standard wound dressing after abdominal surgery showed encouragning results in favour of pNPWT for reducing the incidence of SSIs, but randomised controlled trials have so far reported mixed results.

Conclusion:

New randomised controlled trials including a sufficient number of patients at risk of SSIs are needed for confirming the results of non-interventional studies.
Management of acute surgical wounds in Saudi Arabia: nursing staff knowledge and practice
Authors: Altaweli Roa , Alzamanan Mahdi , Ashour Yasir , Aldawsari Zainab
Published: January 2023

Objective:

Nursing staff play a crucial role in postoperative wound care and management; it is therefore imperative that their knowledge is kept up to date to avoid complications. The overarching objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of nursing staff regarding various aspects of the management of acute surgical wounds.

Method:

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess nurses' clinical knowledge and practices in the management of acute wounds in four large hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The eligible participants included nurses who were working in the medical or surgical departments and those who were employed by the Ministry of Health. We administered a study questionnaire and conducted descriptive analysis to report frequencies and proportions of knowledge and practice aspects.

Results:

A total of 360 nurses responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 70%. A total of 221 nurses completed all survey questions. Of the participants, 56.56% were ≥30 years old, 95.48% were female, and 50.02% had >6 years' working experience. With regards to nurses' knowledge: 71.9% of the participants had updated their knowledge about wound care in the past two years; 54.3% perceived their knowledge of the availability of wound products as good; 74.66% correctly reported the classic signs of inflammation; 66.97% correctly identified general signs of wound infection; 84.62% of the sample considered surgical site infection as one complication of surgical wound infection. Only 61.09% of the nurses reported following wound care guidelines, 48.42% considered wound appearance as a highly important factor that influences nurses' choice of surgical dressing products, and 41.63% considered hospital policies and practices as important in making evidence-based decisions in wound management.

Conclusion:

This study found that nurses' knowledge about the management of wounds was generally good; however, there were gaps in the practical component which need to be filled to avoid wound complications.
Modified Woodward’s Procedure in the Management of Neglected Sprengel’s Shoulder
Authors: Nayak Tushar , Raje Amrut , Ragase Ashish , Kapoor Love , Kumar Venkatesan Sampath , Khan Shah Alam
Published: January 2023

Introduction: With a less than ideal health infrastructure and a vast underprivileged population in our country, many cases of Sprengel’s deformity are initially missed and are subsequently untreated. Although for best surgical results, the patient must be under the age of five, many patients present late at out tertiary care center. Thus, we evaluated the clinical results of the modified Woodward’s Procedure in such neglected cases. Methods: A retrospective study, of 16 patients aged 8-yr or above, with Sprengel’s deformity who underwent the modified Woodward’s procedure between 2006 and 2011. Clavicular osteotomy/morselization was avoided. The Cavendish scoring system was used to grade cosmesis and shoulder abduction was used to assess the functional outcome. The patients were prospectively followed up at two-years and after skeletal maturity. Results: There were ten females and six males and the average age was 9.4 years. The mean follow up was 4.2 yr. Omo- vertebral bar excision was done in 13 (81.25%) patients. The mean increase in postoperative shoulder abduction and Cavendish grades at a 2-yr follow-up were, 19.1° and 1.32 grades, respectively. None of our patients needed Clavicular osteotomy/morselisation and none developed neurological abnormalities. The was no change in the values at skeletal maturity. Conclusion: Satisfactory outcomes can be acquired by the Modified Woodward’s procedure in neglected Sprengel’s deformities. Besides a definitive cosmetic correction, the procedure also results in improvement of shoulder abduction. Clavicular Ostetomy/Morselization is not always required in cases presenting after the age of 8 years. Keywords: Woodward’s procedure; Sprengel’s shoulder, Cavendish grading, modified Woodward’s procedure; neglected Sprengel deformity.
Proximal Phalanx Enchondroma with Pathological Fracture Treated with Curettage and Bone Substitute Placement – A Case Report
Authors: Paul Nirvin , Kaganur Raghavendra , Gopurathingal Anto , George Joseph , Jirel Abhishek
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Enchondromas are predominantly seen in short tubular bones and are usually symptomless and the onset of pain may indicate a pathological fracture in most cases or malignant transformation in rare instances. Here, we report a case of proximal phalanx enchondroma with pathological fracture treated with synthetic bone substitute placement. Case Report: A 19-year-old girl presented to the outpatient department with complaints of swelling over the right little finger. She was evaluated for the same and a roentgenogram revealed a well-defined lytic lesion in the right little finger proximal phalanx. She was planned for conservative management, but she presented 2 weeks later with an increase in pain following trivial trauma. Conclusion: Synthetic bone substitutes are excellent materials for filling the void in benign conditions as they form resorbable scaffolds which have good osteoconductive properties and are associated with no donor site morbidity. Keywords: Enchondroma, curettage, bone substitute, bone morphogenic protein
Efficiency of Smart AI-Based Voice Apps and Virtual Services Operating With Chatbots
Authors: Said Nidal Al , Gura Dmitry , Karlov Dmitry
Published: January 2023

The development of computer and information technologies contributed to technological advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) by introducing "smart" apps in modern smartphones and gadgets. The need to apply AI in smart apps is due to the excessive demand of users in solving their day-to-day tasks. Their effectiveness was assessed by analyzing the average statistics based on the nature of the information requested in seven blocks of questions. The study results showed that depending on the accuracy of the query formulated, the data processing to derive the results from smart apps can be very different. The analysis was based on four indicators: accuracy, conformity, non-specificity, and no-response. Another urgent issue is studying the operation of Siri and Google Assistant smart apps to assess the reliability compliance of data from requests and application development perspectives. The study objectives included: analyzing and studying AI and its different forms; collecting data on the everyday use of apps in modern smartphones and gadgets with voice support functions; investigating device compatibility with smart apps to analyze and evaluate usage efficiency; studying the dependency of smart apps usage in everyday life.
P
T symmetry in a superconducting hybrid quantum system with longitudinal coupling
Authors: Xue Jiao-Jiao , Liu Wen-Xiao , Liang Shan-Shan , Fang Ai-Ping , Wang Xin , Li Hong-Rong
Published: January 2023

We propose a scheme consisting of coupled nanomechanical cantilever resonators and superconducting flux qubits to engineer a parity-time- (

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T

-) symmetric phononic system formed by active and passive modes. The effective gain (loss) of the phonon mode is achieved by the longitudinal coupling of the resonator and the fast dissipative superconducting qubit with a blue-sideband driving (red-sideband driving). A

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-symmetric to broken-

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T

-symmetric phase transition can be observed in both balanced gain-to-loss and unbalanced gain-to-loss cases. Applying a resonant weak probe field to the dissipative resonator, we find that (i) for balanced gain and loss, the acoustic signal absorption to amplification can be tuned by changing the coupling strength between resonators; (ii) for unbalanced gain and loss, both acoustically induced transparency and anomalous dispersion can be observed around Δ = 0, where the maximum group delay is also located at this point. Our work provides an experimentally feasible scheme to design

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-symmetric phononic systems and a powerful platform for controllable acoustic signal transmission in a hybrid quantum system.
Suppression of coupling between optical aberration and tilt-to-length noise in a space-based gravitational wave telescope
Authors: Lin HongAn , Li JianCong , Huang YaoZhang , Yu Miao , Luo JiaXiong , Wang Zhi , Wu YanXiong
Published: January 2023

Coupling between exiting wavefront error of space gravitational wave telescopes and tilt-to-length (TTL) noise affects the measurement accuracy. Using the LISA Pathfinder signal, we analyzed cancellation and superposition of TTL coupling noise under various optical aberrations. We proposed proportion requirements of any two aberrations amplitude when noise was cancelled and an aberration amplitude control requirement when noise was superposed. Taking them as the aberration control requirements of gravitational wave telescope optical system, the exiting wavefront error requirements was reduced while suppressing the TTL coupling noise. A 40× optical telescope system with detection aperture φ=200 mm was designed. The exiting wavefront error was relaxed from 0.02 λ to 0.0496 λ. The maximum coupling coefficient value did not exceed 6.9448 pm/µrad within a pointing jitter angle of ±300 µrad. The proposed approach should be useful in future telescope design.
Plasmonic biosensing with tilted fiber Bragg gratings interrogated using a 512-pixel spectrometer
Authors: Lobry Maxime , Guyot Corentin , Kinet Damien , Chah Karima , Caucheteur Christophe
Published: January 2023

Plasmonic tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) are very efficient for fast, accurate, and minimally invasive biosensing. Their transmitted amplitude spectrum is a dense comb of narrowband cladding mode resonances (full width at half maximum < 1 nm) that is usually demodulated using highly resolved (wavelength resolution < 10 pm) devices. This work demonstrates the possibility of using a coarsely resolved spectrometer (166 pm) to read out the amplitude spectrum of a gold-coated TFBG. A refined analysis of the spectral content has allowed us to develop signal processing that provides a refractometric sensitivity of 2656 nm/RIU. This is a fivefold improvement compared to previously reported read-out techniques. Biosensing has then been successfully implemented with gold-coated TFBGs implemented in reflection mode for the detection of insulin, with specific antibodies grafted on the gold surface. Our experimental work is a first step toward the industrialization of the FBG technology, as it opens the door to fast parallel biosensing, profiting from the multiple sensing channels (up to 64) of the interrogator and its high processing speed (repetition rate up to 3 kHz).
Amplification of mid-IR continuum for broadband 2D IR spectroscopy
Authors: Hack John H. , Lewis Nicholas H. C. , Carpenter William B. , Tokmakoff Andrei
Published: January 2023

We report the generation and characterization of microjoule level, broad bandwidth femtosecond pulses in the mid-infrared (MIR) using optical parametric amplification of continuum MIR seed pulses in GaSe. The signal (3 μm) and idler (6 μm) pulses have energies of 6 μJ and 3 μJ with bandwidths of ∼950 cm−1 and 650 cm−1 FWHM and pulse lengths of 34 fs and 80 fs. Broadband 2D IR spectra of O-H and N-H transitions are acquired with the signal beam demonstrating the capabilities of this source for cross peak and line shape measurements.
Determination of the linewidth enhancement factor of semiconductor lasers by complete optical field reconstruction
Authors: Sinquin Brian , Romanelli Marco
Published: January 2023

We show that the method of complete optical field reconstruction introduced by Debeau et al. [Opt. Lett. 23, 1784 (1998)10.1364/OL.23.001784] allows a precise determination of the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers. We determine experimentally the LEF with 3% uncertainty. The method is rather simple and reliable, and is of interest in the context of microwave photonics. While particularly adapted to actively modulated devices, the proposed approach can in principle be applied to any laser exhibiting a time-periodic behavior.
Non-mechanical three-dimensional LiDAR system based on flash and beam-scanning dually modulated photonic crystal lasers
Authors: De Zoysa Menaka , Sakata Ryoichi , Ishizaki Kenji , Inoue Takuya , Yoshida Masahiro , Gelleta John , Mineyama Yoshiyuki , Akahori Tomoyuki , Aoyama Satoshi , Noda Susumu
Published: January 2023

We propose and develop a new type of non-mechanical three-dimensional
(3D) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system, which integrates a
beam-scanning-type laser source and a flash-type laser source.
Employing on-chip dually modulated photonic crystal lasers for both
flash and beam-scanning sources, we develop a LiDAR system that is
small enough to fit in the palm of the hand. This system is capable of
measuring poorly reflective objects in the field of view (FoV) by
selectively illuminating these objects with sufficient power by the
beam-scanning laser, thereby overcoming the intrinsic issue affecting
conventional flash-type 3D LiDAR systems. In addition, we develop and
implement a program to have the LiDAR system automatically recognize
poorly reflective objects in the FoV and measure their distances by
selective illumination. Furthermore, we use the LiDAR system to
perform long-distance ranging while including a poorly reflective
object in the FoV.
Understanding networks in low-and middle-income countries’ health systems: A scoping review
Authors: Kalaris Katherine , Wong Geoff , English Mike
Published: January 2023

Networks are an often-employed approach to improve problems of poor service delivery and quality of care in sub-optimally functioning health systems. There are many types of health system networks reported in the literature and despite differences, there are identifiable common characteristics, uses, purposes, and stakeholders. This scoping review systematically searched the literature on networks in health systems to map the different types of networks to develop an understanding of what they are, when and what they are used for, and the purposes they intend to achieve. Peer-reviewed literature was systematically searched from six databases (Medline (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Global Health (Ovid), the Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, Global Index Medicus’s Africa Index Medicus) and grey literature was purposively searched. Data from the selected literature on network definitions, characteristics, stakeholders, uses, and purposes were charted. Drawing on existing frameworks and refining with the selected literature, a five-component framework (form and structure, governance and leadership, mode of functioning, resources, and communication), broadly characterizing a network, is proposed. The framework and mapping of uses, purposes, and stakeholders is a first step towards further understanding what networks are, when and what they are used for, and the purposes they intend to achieve in health systems.
How long can tardigrades survive in the anhydrobiotic state? A search for tardigrade anhydrobiosis patterns
Authors: Roszkowska Milena , Gołdyn Bartłomiej , Wojciechowska Daria , Księżkiewicz Zofia , Fiałkowska Edyta , Pluskota Mateusz , Kmita Hanna , Kaczmarek Łukasz
Published: January 2023

Anhydrobiosis is a desiccation tolerance that denotes the ability to survive almost complete dehydration without sustaining damage. The knowledge on the survival capacity of various tardigrade species in anhydrobiosis is still very limited. Our research compares anhydrobiotic capacities of four tardigrade species from different genera, i.e. Echiniscus testudo, Paramacrobiotus experimentalis, Pseudohexapodibius degenerans and Macrobiotus pseudohufelandi, whose feeding behavior and occupied habitats are different. Additionally, in the case of Ech. testudo, we analyzed two populations: one urban and one from a natural habitat. The observed tardigrade species displayed clear differences in their anhydrobiotic capacity, which appear to be determined by the habitat rather than nutritional behavior of species sharing the same habitat type. The results also indicate that the longer the state of anhydrobiosis lasts, the more time the animals need to return to activity.
Tephrosia toxicaria (Sw.) Pers. extracts: Screening by examining aedicidal action under laboratory and field conditions along with its antioxidant, antileishmanial, and antimicrobial activities
Authors: Sá Giulian César da Silva , da Silva Leidiane Barboza , Bezerra Pedro Vitor Vale , da Silva Melissa Alves Farias , Inacio Cássio Lázaro Silva , Paiva Weslley de Souza , e Silva Virgínia Penéllope Macedo , Cordeiro Laísa Vilar , Oliveira Johny Wysllas de Freitas , Silva Marcelo Sousa , Lima Edeltrudes de Oliveira , Moreira Francisco José Carvalho , Rocha Hugo Alexandre de Oliveira , Barra Patricia Batista , Ximenes Maria de Fátima Freire de Melo , Uchôa Adriana Ferreira
Published: January 2023

An increase in the incidence of arboviral, microbial and parasitic infections, and to disorders related to oxidative stress has encouraged the development of adjuvant therapies based on natural formulations, such as those involving plant extracts. Thus, to expand the repertoire of the available therapeutic options, this study aimed to describe the versatility of Tephrosia toxicaria (Sw.) (Pers., 1807) extracts for the control of arbovirus vectors, as well as their antioxidant, antileishmanial, and antimicrobial potential. Among the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts obtained, the hydroethanolic extract from roots (RHA) was identified as the most active larvicide extract demonstrating, respectively, the lowest lethal concentration (mg/mL) for 50%, 90% and 99% of Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) and Aedes albopictus (S., 1894) larvae, observed at 24 h (0.33, 0.84 and 1.80; 0.32, 0.70 and 1.32) and 48 h (0.17, 0.51 and 1.22; 0.26, 0.47 and 0.78) post-exposure. Field assays revealed that RHA (0.84 mg/mL) is a potential oviposition deterrent, reducing egg-laying by approximately 90%. RHA (0.1 mg/mL) also exhibited antioxidant activity for the following tests: total antioxidant capacity (286.86 mg AAE/g), iron (87.16%) and copper (25.64%) chelation, and superoxide scavenging (10%). In the cell culture assays, RHA (0.1 mg/mL) promoted regeneration of metabolic activity (92% cell viability) in cells exposed to oxidative stress. Furthermore, RHA displayed weak antileishmanial activity (IC50 = 3.53 mg/mL) against Leishmania amazonensis and not exhibit antimicrobial activity. The extraction favored the concentration of carbohydrates in RHA, in addition to lectins and protease inhibitors, with molecular masses estimated between 10 and 24 kDa. Cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity analyses of RHA suggested its biosecurity. Thus, RHA is a multivalent extract with insecticide and antioxidant properties at low and safe concentrations. However, others studies on its indirect toxic effects are ongoing to ensure the complete safety of RHA.