bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies Against Bestrophin in Non-Paraneoplastic Acute Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy
Authors: Pan Warren W. , Tracey Breanna M. , Jayasundera Kanishka T. , Fahim Abigail T.
Published: January 2024

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) has recently been identified as a paraneoplastic manifestation of various cancers. Yet, the first reported cases of AEPVM in the literature were reported in seemingly healthy individuals. It is not clear whether those individuals harbored unidentified mutations or occult cancers, or truly represented a separate subset of AEPVM. Here, we report two cases of mutation-negative, autoantibody-positive non-paraneoplastic AEPVM. We present multimodal ocular imaging to demonstrate the presentation of this subset of AEPVM.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:51–54.]
Ocular, Visual, and Anatomical Outcomes in Eyes Requiring Incisional Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Surgery Following the 0.19-mg Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Implant
Authors: Eichenbaum David , Gonzalez Victor H. , Roth Daniel , Fortun Jorge , Radcliffe Nathan M. , Cutino Antonio , Kasper Jonathan , Coughlin Brandon A. , Arevalo J. Fernando
Published: January 2024

Background and Objective:

To assess ocular, visual, and anatomical outcomes following the 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®) and incisional intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering surgery in diabetic macular edema.

Patients and Methods:

From a 36-month, phase 4, open-label, observational study (
N
= 202 eyes, 159 patients), 8 eyes (7 patients) required IOP-lowering surgery post-FAc; eyes were segregated by FAc-induced (
n
= 5, 2.47%) versus neovascular glaucoma (NVG)-related (
n
= 3, 1.49%) IOP elevations and assessed for IOP, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), and cup-to-disc ratio (c/d).

Results:

Changes at 36 months were +5.4 letters BCVA (
P
> 0.05) and +0.09 c/d (
P
= 0.0217); IOP and CST were unchanged. FAc-induced-group eyes required fewer IOP-lowering medications than NVG-group eyes (2.0 versus 4.0;
P
< 0.01) but for longer duration (15.2 versus 2.6 months;
P
< 0.001).

Conclusions:

Post-FAc IOP-lowering surgery, regardless of cause, largely did not affect the outcomes measured; these procedures, then, may not meaningfully threaten positive outcomes.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:22–29.]
Racial Differences in Choroidal Vascularity Index in Healthy Patients: Novel Insights
Authors: Moir John , Kaufmann Gabriel , Rodriguez Sarah H. , Nourian Niloofaralsadat , Abdul Rasheed Mohammed , Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Chhablani Jay , Skondra Dimitra
Published: January 2024

Background and Objective:

Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) measures the ratio of blood vessels in the choroid to the total choroidal area. We aimed to compare CVI between young Black and White patients without a history of ocular or systemic disease.

Patients and Methods:

We used a previously validated algorithm for shadow compensation and choroidal vessel binarization to measure CVI across the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid.

Results:

Black patients had a lower CVI (
ß
= −0.05,
P
< 0.001) compared to White patients. Choroidal volume or luminal volume did not significantly differ with respect to race, whereas there was a trend for Black patients to have a greater stromal volume (
ß
= 3.08,
P
= 0.01).

Conclusions:

Black patients have a lower CVI than do White patients, likely due to a greater proportion of stromal volume. Further study of this parameter is warranted to validate the findings of this exploratory study.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:30–38.]
Retinal Oxygenation With Conventional 100-ms Versus Short-Pulse Pan-Retinal Laser Photocoagulation
Authors: Gallagher Kevin , Ostler Timothy , Woolley Thomas E.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objective:

Conventional (100 ms) pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser burns are larger than short-pulse (10 ms to 20 ms) PRP burns. This study investigates the effect of PRP burns of different sizes on retinal oxygenation.

Method:

A mathematical model using COMSOL Multiphysics 6 was used to create a three-dimensional abstraction of the coupled biology of the choroid, photoreceptor, and retinal tissues. Laser burn sizes were varied in the model, specifically considering burn diameters of 500 μm, 250 μm, and 125 μm, while keeping the total burn area constant.

Results:

Total increase in retinal oxygenation was the same for different burn sizes, but the oxygen distribution differed. Smaller burns resulted in a more even lateral oxygen distribution but with reduced penetration into the inner retina.

Conclusions:

Conventional and short-pulse PRP may affect retinal oxygenation differently, even when total burn area is the same. Further investigation into optimum burn size and pattern is required.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:40–45.]
Research on nonlinear infectious disease models influenced by media factors and optimal control
Authors: Wang Danni , Yang Hongli , Yang Liangui
Published: January 2024

In this article, a mathematical model was developed to describe disease control by media factors. The Lambert W function was used to convert the system definition by implicit functions into explicit functions. We analyzed the dynamics of the defined piecewise smooth system and verified the correctness of the theoretical analysis through numerical simulation. Research revealed that media factors can delay the peak of an epidemic and reduce the scale of the epidemic. It is worth noting that adopting different control measures has a certain impact on the scale of the epidemic; the analysis results indicate that implementing dual-control is the most effective way to limit the spread of diseases and this strategy may provide clues for disease control.
L’œuvre d’Idir, approche thématique et lexicosémantique
Authors: Boukerchi Lamia , Ould Benali Naima
Published: January 2024

La chanson occupe une place importante dans une société et un chanteur peut divertir, persuader, influencer, convaincre et peut être impliqué dans le changement de sa société, c’est pourquoi nous nous sommes intéressés à faire une étude pluridisciplinaire de l’œuvre d’Idir, à savoir quelques-unes de ses chansons. La première partie de cet article est dédiée à une étude des principaux thèmes développés par l’artiste, la sélection de ces derniers est faite en fonction des thèmes les plus récurrents ce qui justifie aussi le choix de notre corpus. La deuxième partie est réservée à l’étude du choix du lexique fait par l’auteur, comme l’une de ses stratégies communicatives.
L’affichage publicitaire de la ville d’Annaba, champ de fabrication néologique
Authors: Melouah Sabrina
Published: January 2024

Cette contribution s’ouvre sur une perspective sociolinguistique urbaine examinant le phénomène néologique placardé dans l’affichage publicitaire de la ville d’Annaba en Algérie. Partant de contact des langues, issu de la vitalité socioéconomique et du progrès publicitaire, se révèle un néologisme dynamique et une richesse rhétorique créant un glossaire publicitaire vivant qui se fabrique dans les rues urbaines.
Evaluating Match of Firm and Customer Resources to Maximize Value
Authors: Kuzgun Ebru , Asugman Gulden
Published: January 2024

This chapter discusses the fundamental role of the match of firm and customer resource utilization capabilities for organizational effectiveness in value co-creation with a marketing perspective. A model is developed by applying both internal and external approaches to provide firms with an integrative strategic tool for evaluating their current value creation effectiveness. The proposed model maps out the emergence of different types of value based on the extent that firm and customers' resource utilization capabilities match.
ChatGPT in Education
Authors: Srishti Richa
Published: January 2024

This chapter critically examines the potential of ChatGPT, an AI language model, to revolutionise education. It presents a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT in education, including its ability to enhance the learning experience and the potential loss of essential skills due to over-reliance on technology. The chapter also raises ethical concerns about using ChatGPT in education, including data privacy and bias. Ultimately, the chapter concludes that ChatGPT should be used with human teachers to create a learning environment combining technology and human interaction. It highlights the importance of using ChatGPT responsibly to enhance, rather than dehumanise, education.
Metaverse in Higher Education and the Metaversities
Authors: Mengalli Neli Maria , Carvalho Antonio Aparecido
Published: January 2024

This chapter was written based on an exploratory study, reports, and articles current at the time of writing; however, over time, it tends to have historical characteristics in relation to metaversity. The objective was to highlight the growth mindset and disruptive technologies and innovations for the metaverse in higher education. In the exploratory research, it was revealed, in the metaverse ecosystem, the existence of metaversities, the possibilities of the metaverse for higher education institutions and the presence of phygital transformation in educational contents and activities. It was concluded that new research and new paradigms are needed for disruptive technologies in the metaverse ecosystem and metaversity has the potential to bring together realities, simulations, campus replicas, time and space travel, and meaningful and immersive experiences with augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality, and extended reality.
Teaching Accompaniment
Authors: Reifenberg Steve
Published: January 2024

Engaging in a complicated world to bring about positive change is challenging. Students often view themselves as either optimistic changemakers helping the “needy” or, conversely, recognize their own privilege and complicity in the world's problems as sophisticated pessimists. Both framings are problematic. Reflecting on his own fraught experiences trying to “help poor children” at a small orphanage in Chile in the early 1980s, the author explores the concept of “accompaniment”—walking together with others—as a constructive framing to move beyond this problematic duality. Drawing on the insights of Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez, Dr. Paul Farmer, and Ophelia Dahl, he explores how accompaniment informs their work. Reflecting on one's own experiences of being well-accompanied opens up new ways of understanding how one might engage in a complicated world. The paper proposes that teaching about accompaniment in the classroom might also model ways to engage in a complex world.
The prevalence and correlates of post-infectious fatigue following dengue infection among adults admitted to two selected hospitals in Colombo District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera Nadeeka , Wijewickrama Ananda , Waas Dulshika , Prathapan Shamini
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Dengue illness, an acute viral infection, is endemic in Sri Lanka causing a substantial public health challenge today in all dimensions of health. Post-infectious fatigue (PIF) after dengue infection had been reported in several studies as well as in textbooks of medicine.Objectives: To describe the prevalence and correlates of PIF at one-month follow-up among adults confirmed with dengue infection admitted to selected healthcare institutions in Colombo District, Sri Lanka.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted among 480 patients from July 2018 to January 2019. Participants were recruited on discharge from the hospital. We adopted systematic sampling method and followed them up one month after day 1 of the fever. Prevalence was assessed by the culturally adapted and validated Sinhala version of the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire. Correlates were assessed by a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. A binomial multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out via the SPSS-21 version.Results: The response rate was 84.58 (406/480). The majority were between 18-35 years (69.2%) and male (60.15%). The prevalence of PIF at one month was 35% (95% CI: 30.3, 39.8). After controlling for confounders, age ≥35 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=4.05; 95% CI: 2.04, 8.04), not being married (AOR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.38, 5.28), having experience of stress full life events (AOR=1.98; 95%CI: 1.16, 3.36), not receiving an adequate quantity of sleep (AOR=2.51; 95% CI: 1.00, 6.31), poor quality of sleep (AOR=15.34; 95% CI: 3.25, 72.49), headache post-discharge (AOR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.6, 4.53), presence of myalgia post-discharge (AOR=3.63; 95% CI: 2.16, 6.11), haemoglobin <11 g/dl at acute stage (AOR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.98) and having a platelet count ≤30,000/mm3 (AOR=2.38; 95% CI: 1.42, 3.99) showed significant associations with having PIF.Conclusions & Recommendations: Post-infectious fatigue was present among approximately one in three patients after one month following a dengue infection. The modifiable correlates suggest the indications for screening and prevention which is more applicable to clinicians.
Relationship between Selected Macroeconomic Factors and the Stock Market Prices: Evidence from Colombo Stock Exchange, Sri Lanka
Authors: Silva K.H.G.R.R. , Herath R.
Published: January 2024

The stock market plays a vital role in all economies. In 2010, the Colombo Stock Exchange became the second-highest performing stock market in the world as many domestic and foreign investors invested in the Sri Lankan stock market with the end of the war. However, it has created a market bubble and no significant improvements reported since mid-2011. Further, the determinants of share market performance remain unclear. It is generally apparent that macroeconomic factors cause a sound impact on stock market performance. Thus, this study attempts to identify the causal relationship between share prices and the four major macroeconomic factors in the Sri Lankan economy. The dependent variable was the All Share Price Index (ASPI). Real gross domestic product (RGDP), Money supply (M2b), Balance of trade (BOT) and Net foreign investment (NFI) were the independent variables. Monthly data was used for 10 years spanning from January 2009 to December 2018 for all variables. Monthly bulletins of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Colombo Stock Exchange data library were used to get data. Stata13, the statistical software was utilized to analyze the data. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, Johansen co-integration test and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) were employed to identify how macroeconomic factors impact share prices. There was a co-integration between the dependent and independent variables. The study revealed that there was a long-run causality between the performance of the capital equity market and macroeconomic variables and the long-run equilibrium could be reached at a speed of 13.90%. Empirical results disclose that M2b and BOT had a positive impact on the ASPI. However, NFI had a negative influence on the ASPI. All variables significantly impacted ASPI except RGDP. The results of the study may help policymakers, investors, and other professionals to make proper decisions.
Cost of a routine (planned) cardiac by-pass surgery at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Authors: Arachchi K. A. N. L. K. , Maranthota M. C. M. , Wickremasinghe W. K.
Published: January 2024

Background: Non-communicable disease (NCD) has become a major challenge in Sri Lanka. Over the last 40 years, ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been identified as one of the leading causes of NCD deaths in Sri Lanka. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a revascularization procedure that has been identified as an effective method for managing a patient with IHD. Therefore, estimating the approximate cost of CABG surgery in a public hospital would help in economic evaluations and managerial decision-making in public sector investments.Objective: To estimate the approximate cost of an uncomplicated routine (planned) cardiac bypass surgery at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo.Methods: This study was primarily based on secondary data. The data required for costing the procedure was extracted from 52 BHTs of patients who underwent CABG surgery at the NHSL during the last three months of the year 2019. Extracted data was used to determine the costing elements of each cost center. Direct and indirect cost centers were identified, and the cost of each center was determined by apportioning the available cost data by the step-down method using a weighted factor where applicable.Results: The approximate cost of an uncomplicated CABG was Rs. 1.3 million per patient. Out of the total cost, 89% (Rs. 1.16 million) was expended on direct labor as salaries of different categories of staff. A major portion of it (56%) was spent on ICU care (Rs. 0.654 million) followed by post-surgical care at the ward settings (33.9%, Rs. 0.393 million). The highest cost of the material was recorded at the theatre which was 6% of the total cost (Rs. 78,960.00). The cost of total overheads was Rs. 29,517.00 which was about 2.2% of the total. Conclusion: Although the approximate cost of a routine uncomplicated CABG surgery was Rs.1.3 million ($ 7,027) as of December 2019 at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, compared to more developed countries this is a fairly low cost. However, when the differences between health system organization and per capita health expenditure are concerned, this is quite evident to claim that the Sri Lankan health system has low-cost but effective models of delivering its care to people.
Cost saving and safety associated with centralised cytotoxic medicine reconstitution at National Hospital Kandy in 2019
Authors: Wickramarathna W. T. D. , Kumara B. D. , Bandara A. G. S. U. , Liyanaarachchie L. C. P. T.
Published: January 2024

Background: Cytotoxic medicines are associated with occupational risks to the operators. Therefore, centralised cytotoxic medicine reconstitution by trained pharmacists was initiated in Sri Lanka in 2009. Centralised parenteral medicine reconstitution has many advantages such as quality assurance, error reduction, wastage reduction and cost saving. However, none of these have been analyzed and reported in Sri Lankan settings before this study. If the cost saving is of a considerable value, Centralised Medicine Reconstitution (CMR) can be applied to other expensive medicines which will help to reduce the cost of medical supplies.Objectives: To analyse the cost saving and increased safety by reducing the medicine wastage due to the centralised parenteral cytotoxic medicine reconstitution in the National Hospital Kandy (NHK) in 2019.Methods: The study was conducted using the data recorded in 2019 on the daily medicine balance book maintained at the Cytotoxic Reconstitution Unit (CRU) in NHK. The number of vials used, the quantity of each dose, and the price of the parenteral cytotoxic medicine were used to calculate the total cost and the medicine wastage in the CRU and ward, and compared.Results: Theoretical medicine cost in wards to dispense 24 medicines was LKR 267.7 million, while the cost in the CRU was LKR 193.9 million. When it was reconstituted by the CRU, there was a wastage of 213,744.60 mg, and in wards, it was 4,353,153.60 mg. It showed a cost savings of LKR 73.8 million and a savings of 4,139,409 mg due to the CMR. The majority of cancer medications are cytotoxic, so reduction of medicine wastage also lowers the occupational risk and the risk to the environment.Conclusion: CMR of cytotoxic medicine in NHK has shown a 27% cost reduction and increased occupational and environmental safety as determined by 95% reduction in medicine wastage in 2019. CMR of other costly parenteral medicines in addition to the cytotoxics would help to reduce the cost on medicines.
New nomenclatural acts in African Eumolpinae
Authors: Zoia Stefano
Published: January 2024

After examination of type specimens the following synonymies are formalized: Bechyneia Jolivet, 1950 = Euryope Dalman, 1824 n. syn., B. spinosa Jolivet, 1950 = E. monstrosa Baly, 1862 n. syn., Dermoxanthus monardi Pic, 1940 = Pseudedusia fulvipes Jacoby, 1898 n. syn. Some morphological characteristics of P. fulvipes are described and discussed.
Nuovi dati biologici e geonemici sulla famiglia Scirtidae (Coleoptera: Scirtoidea) in provincia di Brescia e in alcune zone limitrofe (Lombardia, Italia)
Authors: Toledo Mario , Grottolo Mario , Pedersoli Davide
Published: January 2024

Gli Scirtidae sono una famiglia di coleotteri acquatici allo stadio larvale, la cui conoscenza in Italia presenta ancora molte lacune. Fino ad ora per la provincia di Brescia erano note cinque specie appartenenti a due generi; nel presente contributo, principalmente frutto di campagne di raccolta svoltesi negli ultimi anni in territorio bresciano e aree immediatamente limitrofe, vengono segnalate 16 specie, suddivise in 7 generi. Di queste specie Odeles gredleri (Kiesenwetter, 1863) e Scirtes haemisphaericus (Linnaeus, 1767) risultano anche i primi dati di Scirtidae noti per la provincia di Bergamo, mentre Hydrocyphon deflexicollis (P.W.J. Müller) risulta nuova per la Lombardia. Per contro, Contacyphon pubescens (Fabricius, 1792) e C. kongsbergensis (Munster, 1924), note per l’area in esame da fonti bibliografiche datate, non sono state rinvenute nel corso delle campagne di ricerca; la seconda specie, inoltre, è segnalata di un biotopo di poco al di fuori della provincia di Brescia (Pian del Gembro) ma geograficamente facente parte del bacino idrografico dell’alto corso del fiume Oglio, in Valle Camonica. In aggiunta viene segnalata per la prima volta in Lombardia la presenza di Scirtes orbicularis (Panzer, 1793), da una località in provincia di Mantova. Per ogni specie viene fornita una mappa della distribuzione in provincia di Brescia e in alcuni comuni limitrofi. Viene introdotta anche una breve analisi corologica della scirtidocenosi dell’area in esame.
Ricordo di Luciano Diotti (1942–2023)
Authors: Caldara Roberto , Tedeschi Michele , Giusto Carlo
Published: January 2024

Non disponibile.
Precision Medicine in Treatment: Based on Multiomics or Clinical Data
Authors: Hwang Daehee
Published: January 2024

Huge amounts of global data (genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic) generated from a broad spectrum of specimens collected from human patients have accumulated in public repositories, together with electronic health records and drug treatment information. Accordingly, there is a need for bioinformatic methods that can effectively extract useful information for precision medicine. Here, we present two precision medicine approaches using multiomics data and clinical big data, respectively.
Neuroesthetics and its Excitatory Sensitization of the Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Torlak Esra
Published: January 2024

The human mind receives, perceives, and processes visual and auditory input daily from the everyday world of art and culture as an esthetic neural experience involving several regions of the cerebrum. It is important to comprehend how this process of neuroesthetics works and how it affects each individual’s emotions and behavior. This article will incorporate various clinical scanning techniques and methods to examine the anatomical cerebral structures where the effects of external neuroesthetic stimuli can be correlated with its resultant neural cognitive response. The effects of neuroesthetic stimuli on the clinical improvement in patients experiencing depression, cognitive decline, and other forms of behavioral manifestations will be reviewed. The results of these studies (including international examples, along with various comparative analyses) demonstrate the beneficial effects of art on the pleasure centers of the brain and its consequent positive effects on patients’ behavior and emotions, thus exemplifying the short- and long-term importance of incorporation of neuroesthetics in not only the clinical setting but also in our global society.
The Neurological and Psychological Effects of Breastfeeding on Women
Authors: Tapırdamaz Şeyda Nur , Esencan Tuğba Yılmaz
Published: January 2024

Breastfeeding is the key element of infant feeding and has played a vital role in promoting infant health throughout history. It provides all the necessary nutrients for infants to grow and develop. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends initiating breastfeeding right after birth and continuing with exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by complementary feeding up to 24 months of age. The WHO has also set targets to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates by 2025. As scientific research has advanced, the benefits of breastfeeding for infant health have become increasingly apparent, not only for metabolic diseases but also for cognitive health. As a result, researchers have started examining whether breastfeeding has any neurological or psychological effects on lactating mothers. In this review, we examined current research on the neurological and psychological effects of breastfeeding on women.
Quasi-inner automorphisms of Drinfeld modular groups
Authors: Mason A. W. , Schweizer Andreas
Published: January 2024

Let

A

be the set of elements in an algebraic function field

K

over

\mathbb{F}_{q}

which are integral outside a fixed place

\infty

. Let

G=\mathrm{GL}_{2}(A)

be a
Drinfeld modular group
. The normalizer of 

G

in 

\mathrm{GL}_{2}(K)

, where

K

is the quotient field of

A

, gives rise to automorphisms of

G

, which we refer to as
quasi-inner
. Modulo the inner automorphisms of 

G

, they form a group

\mathrm{Quinn}(G)

which is isomorphic to

\mathrm{Cl}(A)_{2}

, the

2

-torsion in the ideal class group

\mathrm{Cl}(A)

. The group

\mathrm{Quinn}(G)

acts on all kinds of objects associated with

G

. For example, it acts freely on the cusps and elliptic points of

G

. If

\mathcal{T}

is the associated Bruhat–Tits tree, the elements of

\mathrm{Quinn}(G)

induce non-trivial automorphisms of the quotient graph

G \backslash \mathcal{T}

, generalizing an earlier result of Serre. It is known that the ends of

G \backslash \mathcal{T}

are in one-to-one correspondence with the cusps of

G

. Consequently,

\mathrm{Quinn}(G)

acts freely on the ends. In addition,

\mathrm{Quinn}(G)

acts transitively on those ends which are in one-to-one correspondence with the vertices of

G \backslash \mathcal{T}

whose stabilizers are isomorphic to

\mathrm{GL}_{2}(\mathbb{F}_{q})

.
Compactness in the spaces of functions of bounded variation
Authors: Gulgowski J.
Published: January 2024

Recently, the characterization of the compactness in the space

\mathrm{BV}([0,1])

of functions of bounded Jordan variation was given. Here, certain generalizations of this result are given for the spaces of functions of bounded Waterman

\Lambda

-variation, Young

\Phi

-variation and integral variation. It appears that, on the compact sets, the norm is uniformly approximated by certain seminorms induced by the selection of finitely many intervals in

[0,1]

.
Effectiveness of community-based interventions for older adults living alone: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Inhye , An Hyunseo , Yun Sohyeon , Park Hae Yean
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effectiveness of community-based interventions designed for older adults living alone through a systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODS: The study incorporated 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 non-RCTs to evaluate various interventions. The methodological quality of these studies was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist, while Q-statistic and I-square tests were performed to examine statistical heterogeneity. Additionally, visual inspection of funnel plots and the trim-and-fill method were employed to investigate potential publication bias. Of the 2,729 identified studies, 9 met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Independent variables were categorized into 5 groups (physical activity, nutrition, social relationships, social participation, and combined intervention) to examine their effects. Dependent variables were similarly classified into 5 subgroups to identify the specific effects of the interventions.RESULTS: Interventions focusing on nutrition and combined approaches were the most effective, yielding effect sizes of 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 1.25) and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.60), respectively. The interventions had the greatest impacts on the health behavior and mental health of the participants, with effect sizes of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.73 to 1.22) for health behavior and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.19 to 1.16) for mental health.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a direction for the development of community-based interventions tailored to the needs of older adults living alone. Additionally, it provides evidence to inform policy decisions concerning this demographic.
Clinical and technical factors in endoscopic skull base surgery associated with reconstructive success
Authors: Abiri A , Bitner B F , Nguyen T V , Pang J C , Roman K M , Vasudev M , Chung D D , Tripathi S H , Harris J C , Kosaraju N , Shih R M , Ko M , Miller J E , Douglas J E , Lee D J , Eide J G , Kshirsagar R S , Phillips K M , Sedaghat A R , Bergsneider M , Wang M B , Palmer J N , Adappa N D , Hsu F P K , Kuan E C
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:In this study, we identified key discrete clinical and technical factors that may correlate with primary reconstructive success in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS). METHODS: ESBS cases with intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks at four tertiary academic rhinology programs were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression identified factors associated with surgical outcomes by defect subsite (anterior cranial fossa [ACF], suprasellar [SS], purely sellar, posterior cranial fossa [PCF]). RESULTS: Of 706 patients (50.4% female), 61.9% had pituitary adenomas, 73.4% had sellar or SS defects, and 20.5% had high-flow intraoperative CSF leaks. The postoperative CSF leak rate was 7.8%. Larger defect size predicted ACF postoperative leaks; use of rigid reconstruction and older age protected against sellar postoperative leaks; and use of dural sealants compared to fibrin glue protected against PCF postoperative leaks. SS postoperative leaks occurred less frequently with the use of dural onlay. Body-mass index, intraoperative CSF leak flow rate, and the use of lumbar drain were not significantly associated with postoperative CSF leak. Meningitis was associated with larger tumors in ACF defects, nondissolvable nasal packing in SS defects, and high-flow intraoperative leaks in PCF defects. Sinus infections were more common in sellar defects with synthetic grafts and nondissolvable nasal packing. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on defect subsite, reconstructive success following ESBS may be influenced by factors, such as age, defect size, and the use of rigid reconstruction, dural onlay, and tissue sealants.
Characterization and Expression of Cytochrome b5 Gene and Protein in Ovaries of Giant Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon
Authors: Klinbunga Sirawut , Sittikankaew Kanchana , Janpoom Sirithorn , Prasertlux Sirikan , Rongmung Puttawan , Ratdee Ornchuda , Ittarat Wanwipa , Bunphimpapha Phimsucha , Khamnamtong Bavornlak
Published: January 2024

The full-length transcript of cytochrome b5 (PmCytb5) in the giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was characterized. It was 1539 bp with an open reading frame (ORF) of 432 bp deducing to 143 amino acids. The deduced PmCytb5 protein contained predicted cytochrome b5-like heme/steroid binding domain (Cytb5, positions 17-91) and a transmembrane domain (positions 120-139). In non-ablated wild adults, PmCytb transcript was significantly increased in mature ovaries while it was earlier upregulated in late vitellogenic stage in eyestalk-ablated shrimp (P<0.05). Progesterone injection (0.1 μg/g) induced the expression of PmCytb5 at 48 hours post injection (hpi, P<0.05) but serotonin (50 μg/g) did not alter its expression (P>0.05) in domesticated adults. The cytoplasmic PmCytb5 protein was upregulated from immature ovaries in the early vitellogenic stage and comparably expressed in subsequent stages in non-ablated wild broodstock. In eyestalk-ablated wild broodstock, a similar expression profile was observed but its expression was further increased in late vitellogenic, and mature stages. The membrane PmCytb5 protein was upregulated in late vitellogenic and mature stages in the former but expressed at a similar level in different ovarian stages in eyestalk-ablated broodstock. Results suggested the important role of PmCytb5 in ovarian development of P. monodon.
Molecular Investigation of Aquatic Reoviruses in Rainbow Trout in Northern Türkiye: The First Molecular Detection of Aquareovirus A in Türkiye
Authors: Gunduz Semra , Kurucay Hanne Nur , Dogan Emine , Albayrak Harun , Tamer Cuneyt
Published: January 2024

Aquareovirus A (AqRV A) has been known to cause low or intermediate diseases among various salmon species and mollusks. Additionally, Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), divided into subtypes PRV-1, PRV-2 and PRV-3, has been reported in rainbow trout, coho salmon and Atlantic salmon. In this study, we investigated the presence of these aquatic reoviruses in rainbow trout in Turkiye. For this purpose, fish were collected from 5 cities (Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Trabzon and Rize) in Turkiye`s Black Sea Region. In total, 150 fresh rainbow trout (30 fish per city) of 25–35 cm were collected from fishmongers. All the genotypes of Piscine orthoreoviruses (PRV) and Aquareovirus A were investigated using RT-PCR with degenerated pan-specific primers. No PRV genotypes were detected, but 4 pools of 30 pools were positive for AqRV A. According to phylogenetic analyses of segment 10 (VP7), all viruses were closely related to the Chum salmon reovirus (CSRV) belonging to AqRV A (GeneBank Accession number: NC_007590.1). This is the first report of AqRV A in naturally infected rainbow trout cultivated in sea cages in the world, necessitating further investigation of the pathobiology of AqRV A in rainbow trout.
Effectiveness of a School Intervention Based on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Soil-Transmitted Helminths
Authors: Viriato de Freitas Viviany , Goulart Madeira Newton
Published: January 2024

More than 1.5 billion people are infected by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) worldwide, comprising one of the world’s most serious public health problems. School-age children are the most affected as a result of precarious hygienic habits, especially in economically poor areas that lack appropriate sanitation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate a didactic method via a health education approach as a complement to the school curriculum of the sixth-grade students of public schools, distributed among six cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. For this, a didactic booklet was elaborated with educational explanatory activities about worms, their life cycle, and how to avoid infections. The intervention was measured by the change caused by knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), in students before and after using the notebook, through a questionnaire with high validity and internal consistency. Schools were assigned randomly into intervention and control groups, receiving both the didactic material and the questionnaires, versus the questionnaires only, respectively. The results were submitted to an analysis of covariance that revealed a significant difference pre- and postintervention for knowledge (P < 0.001), with greater means (0.54) compared with the control group (0.44); attitude (P < 0.005), with respective means of 0.56 versus 0.48; and practice (P < 0.001), with means of 0.75 versus 0.57. These findings set the didactic material as a potential tool to complement the school curriculum through KAP without disrupting the teaching system, in addition to assisting teachers in health education at schools aiming to prevent children’s infections by STHs.
Case Report: A Series of Three Meningoencephalitis Cases Caused by Acanthamoeba spp. from Eastern India
Authors: Haldar Soumendra Nath , Banerjee Kokila , Modak Dolanchampa , Mondal Agnibho , Sharma Chayan , Vasireddy Teja , Karad Rucha Kalyan , Patel Hardik Bharatbhai , Majumdar Debajyoti , Bhattacharjee Boudhayan , Khurana Sumeeta , Ghosh Tapashi , Guha Subhasish Kamal , Saha Bibhuti
Published: January 2024

Acanthamoeba spp. are rare etiological agents of meningoencephalitis with high mortality. We present three cases of Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent individuals from Eastern India. The first patient presented with fever and headache; the second with headache, visual disturbance, and squint; and the third presented in a drowsy state. The cases presented on March 3, 18, and 21, 2023 respectively. The first two patients had concomitant tubercular meningitis for which they received antitubercular therapy and steroid. Their cerebrospinal fluid showed slight lymphocytic pleocytosis and increased protein. The diagnosis was done by microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction. They received a combination therapy comprising rifampicin, fluconazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The first patient additionally received miltefosine. She responded well to therapy and survived, but the other two patients died despite intensive care. Detection of three cases within a period of 1 month from Eastern India is unusual. It is imperative to sensitize healthcare providers about Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Maternal Decision-Making Power and Care-Seeking Behaviors for Acutely Ill Children: A Multilevel Analysis of 33 Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Chi Hyejun , Eom Yun-Jung , Jung Sohee , Kim Jinseo , Jeong Joshua , Kim Rockli
Published: January 2024

Timely and appropriate healthcare seeking is crucial to reduce child mortality. However, rates of care seeking for acute childhood diseases remain low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study investigated the association between maternal decision-making power and care-seeking behaviors for children with diarrhea and acute respiratory infection (ARI) in SSA. Demographic and Health Surveys from 33 SSA countries were used in a sample of mother–child pairs (mothers aged 15–49 years; children aged 0–59 months) with a recent child episode of diarrhea (N = 41,729) and ARI (N = 71,966). Maternal decision-making power was defined as making decisions on all four familial topics alone or jointly with the husband/partner. Care-seeking behaviors were measured as seeking care from health providers, other types of providers, and any providers (including both). Multivariable three-level logistic regressions were conducted. Approximately 60% of the sample sought care from any provider (46–48% from health providers versus 13–14% from others). Approximately 28% of mothers had high decision-making power. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, high maternal decision-making power was associated with higher likelihood of seeking care from a health provider for both diarrhea (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01–1.12) and ARI (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03–1.11) and lower likelihood of seeking care from others (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.82–0.97 for diarrhea; aOR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.82–0.94 for ARI). Maternal decision-making power was positively associated with their care-seeking behaviors from health providers for acutely ill children in SSA. Women’s empowerment interventions that particularly increase women’s agency in decision-making may holistically improve health and well-being of the next generation.
Simulation applied to compaction process in sintered components for product performance optimization
Authors: Nunes Eduardo , Colosio Marco , Rodrigues André Luiz , Duarte Alisson
Published: January 2024

Sintered parts mechanical properties are very sensitive to final density, which inevitable cause an enormous density gradient in the green part coming from the compaction process strategy. The current experimental method to assess green density occurs mainly in set up by cutting the green parts in pieces and measuring its average density in a balance using Archimedes principle. Simulation is the more accurate method to verify gradient density and the main benefit would be the correlation with the critical region in terms of stresses obtained by FEA and try to pursue the optimization process. This paper shows a case study of a part that had your fatigue limit improved 1000% using compaction process simulation for better optimization.
The Performance of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System Integrated with Ethanol Reforming
Authors: Freitas B. R. , Lopes M. , Lopes G.
Published: January 2024

This study analyzes the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system integrated with different ethanol reforming processes. The main objective is to compare the different reform processes and optimize the dynamic operation of this system, mainly the energy balance. The thermodynamic analysis of the system was performed using Matlab. The simulation results showed that the studied systems are feasible, and the choice of operating parameter is a fundamental step in this process. The electrical performance of the SOFC-SR and SOFC-POX are similar. However, regarding thermal efficiency it was revealed that the SOFC-POX system had a higher efficiency with an increased O/E, decreasing SOFC temperatures.
Development of polyamide 5.6 bioplastic for application in automotive vehicles
Authors: De Carvalho Beatriz Lima Gino , Colosio Marco
Published: January 2024

The search for advanced materials with better properties and less environmental impact led to the development of new polymeric compounds in the bioplastics class. In this sense, the present study carried out an experimental research aiming to evaluate the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide 5.6 compared to polyamide 6.6. The developed polyamide 5.6 is a biopolymer obtained from renewable sources with a significant reduction of fossil raw materials by up to 45% in the carbon footprint and its molecular structure confers an improvement in tensile strength, durability and fatigue endurance. The results of the studies impose a similarity in the performance of the 5.6 biopolymer with materials traditionally applied in the sector, polyamide 6.6. The results suggest a good alternative to add value to the product and environmental interests.
Integrating Ergonomic and Artificial Intelligence in the Automotive
Authors: Puertas Carlos Augusto Palermo , Galhardi Antonio Cesar
Published: January 2024

The integration of ergonomics and artificial intelligence (AI) in the automotive industry has the potential to revolutionize the way how vehicles are designed, manufactured and used. The aim of this article is to review the recent literature on the subject and discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by the integration of these two fields. The paper begins defining the ergonomics and the AI and providing an overview of their respective roles in the automotive industry. It then examines the benefits of the integration of ergonomics and AI in the automotive industry, including the optimization of vehicle design and manufacturing process. The enhancement of the driver experience, and improvement of safety accessibility, and customization, however, the integration of ergonomics and AI in the automotive industry also presents challenges, including ethical and legal considerations, data privacy, liability, and the impact on the employment in the automotive industry. The paper reviews research on these challenges and suggests that the development of international standards for the integration of AI in the vehicles may be necessary to ensure that AI systems in vehicle are secure, highlighting the need for future research to explore the integration of ergonomic and AI in the automotive industry. Future research should focus and addressing the ethical, legal, and societal implications of the AI in vehicles, as well as exploring new opportunities for the use of AI in design, manufacturing, and use of vehicles in overall, the integration of ergonomics and AI in the automotive industry has the potential to significantly improve the design and manufacturing of vehicles, as well as enhance the driving experience for users. However, the integration of these two fields also poses challenges that must be addressed, including ethical concerns, legal considerations, and the employment in the automotive industry. By working to overcome these challenges, we ensure that benefits of ergonomics and AI in the automotive industry are fully realized while minimizing their potential negative impacts.
State of charge and state of health online estimation algorithm for lithium-ion batteries applied to hybrid electric vehicles based on adaptative filtering
Authors: Moura Jonathan Jefferson Pereira , Camboim Marcelo Miranda , Nunes Thomas Mateus Santana , Rosolem Maria de Fátima Negreli Campos , Beck Raul Fernando , Arioli Vitor Torquato
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, the need to use alternative and renewable energy sources has become a frequent agenda in the technological development of various segments. This includes the automotive sector, which has presented an exponential increase in the production and demand for electric vehicles in the last few years. Hybrid electric vehicles can be considered as an intermediate step for the transition from internal combustion vehicles to 100% electric vehicles once they use both electric and combustion engines. One of the biggest challenges currently observed in vehicle electrification relies on the energy storage system composed of batteries. The lithium-ion technology is the most used due to its efficiency, safety, and useful life. For lithium-ion batteries to operate safely and efficiently, a battery management system is required, which must be able to accurately estimate the state of charge and state of health, thus preventing the battery from being exposed to dangerous conditions adverse such as underdischarges or overcharges. Considering this focus, in this work the development of an algorithm for estimating the state of charge and state of health of lithium-ion batteries in applications with hybrid vehicles is presented. The methodology used was based on adaptive filtering algorithms through the implementation of a dual extended Kalman filter embedded in a Battery Management System and bench tested. The state of charge estimates resulted in a root mean square error of 0.8657% and a state of health mean absolute error of 1.4116%. Through this validation, the methodology proved efficient and robust even under operating conditions with high current variations in short periods, indicating that it is possible to use it in real applications with hybrid electric vehicles.