bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New species and record of Gastrochilus (Orchidaceae, Aeridinae) from China and Laos
Authors: LIU QIANG , WU XUN-FENG , ZHOU SHI-SHUN , LI JIAN-WU , JIN XIAO-HUA
Published: March 2023

Four new species of Gastrochilus (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) — G. menglaensis, G. tsii, G. wenshanensis and G. labrosus—are here described and illustrated, based on materials collected from China and Laos. Additionally, Gastrochilus minutiflorus is for the first time recorded in China and G. brevifimbriatus is reduced to a synonym of G. fargesii.
Diverse MJO Genesis and Predictability
Authors: Wei Yuntao , Ren Hong-Li , Xiang Baoqiang , Wang Yan , Wu Jie , Wang Shuguang
Published: March 2023

The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is the dominant intraseasonal wave phenomenon influencing extreme weather and climate worldwide. Realistic simulations and accurate predictions of MJO genesis are the cornerstones for successfully monitoring, forecasting, and managing meteorological disasters 3–4 weeks in advance. Nevertheless, the genesis processes and emerging precursor signals of an eastward-propagating MJO event remain largely uncertain. Here, we find that the MJO genesis processes observed in the past four decades exhibit remarkable diversity with different seasonality and can be classified objectively into four types, namely, a novel downstream origin from the westward-propagating intraseasonal oscillation (WPISO; 20.4%), localized breeding from the Indian Ocean suppressed convection (IOSC; 15.4%), an upstream succession of the preceding weakly dispersive (WD; 25.9%), and strongly dispersive (SD; 38.3%) MJO. These four types are associated with different oceanic background states, characterized by central Pacific cooling, southern Maritime Continent warming, eastern Pacific cooling, and central Pacific warming for the WPISO, IOSC, WD, and SD types, respectively. The SD type is also favored during the easterly phase of the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation. Diverse convective initiations possibly imply various kinds of propagations of MJO. The subseasonal reforecasts indicate robustly distinct prediction skills for the diverse MJO genesis. A window of opportunity for skillful week 3–4 prediction probably opens with the aid of the WPISO-type MJO precursor, which has increased the predictability of primary MJO onset by 1 week. These findings suggest that the diversified MJO genesis can be skillfully foreseen by monitoring unique precursor signals and can also serve as benchmarks for evaluating contemporary models’ modeling and predicting capabilities.
The 19th FRAME Annual Lecture, November 2022: Safer Chemicals and Sustainable Innovation Will Be Achieved by Regulatory Use of Modern Safety Science, Not by More Animal Testing
Authors: Fentem Julia H.
Published: March 2023

The decisions we make on chemical safety, for consumers, workers and the environment, must be based on the best scientific data and knowledge available. Rapid advances in biology, in cell-based technologies and assays, and in analytical and computational approaches, have led to new types of highly relevant scientific data being generated. Such data enable us to improve the safety decisions we make, whilst also enabling us to avoid animal testing. Stimulated by the UK and EU bans on animal testing for cosmetics, Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) approaches, which integrate various types of non-animal scientific data, have been established for assessing the safety of chemical ingredients used in cosmetics and other consumer products. In stark contrast, the chemicals regulations in Europe and other parts of the world have not kept pace with modern safety science and regulators are now mandating even more animal testing. Urgently closing this science–regulation gap is essential to upholding the EU’s legislative requirement that any animal testing is a last resort. The ongoing revisions of UK and EU chemicals strategy and regulations provide an opportunity to fundamentally change the design and assessment paradigm needed to underpin safe and more sustainable innovation, through applying the best science and tools available rather than continuing to be anchored in animal tests dating back many decades. A range of initiatives have recently been launched in response to this urgent need, in the UK as well as in the EU.
Examining the outcomes of the first one hundred residents in a community based residential rehabilitation unit for people affected by severe and persistent mental illness
Authors: Korman Nicole , Ng Joanna , Gore-Jones Victoria , Dark Frances , Parker Stephen
Published: March 2023

Objective

Community-based residential rehabilitation for people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) is increasingly available as an alternative to psychiatric inpatient care. Understanding who accesses these services and their outcomes will inform the optimal allocation of limited public mental health resources.

Method

This retrospective cohort study explored the outcomes of the first 100 consumers supported by a new Australian Community Care Unit (CCU). The primary outcome focus was acute mental health service use (emergency department presentations, acute mental health inpatient admission days), and secondary outcome foci were accommodation independence and substance use.

Results

When the 365 days before and after CCU support were compared, significant reductions in acute mental health bed days were observed (22 days, W = 3.373, p = .001); greater reductions were noted for those staying >182 days (31 days, W = 3.373, p = .001). Additionally, significant improvements in accommodation independence were found, (W = 3.373, p = .001).

Conclusion

CCU consumers experienced reductions in acute mental health inpatient service use and improved accommodation independence. These observations are consistent with the intended functioning of the residential rehabilitation service.
Commonly diagnosed disorders in domestic cats in the UK and their associations with sex and age
Authors: O’Neill Dan G , Gunn-Moore Danièlle , Sorrell Stephanie , McAuslan Harriet , Church David B , Pegram Camilla , Brodbelt Dave C
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to generate a robust evidence base on the prevalence of common disorders in cats and develop a deeper understanding of disorder associations with sex and age that could offer important opportunities for targeted veterinary care to improve feline health and welfare.

Methods

A random sample of 18,249 cats was obtained from 1,255,130 cats under primary care during 2019 within VetCompass, an epidemiological research programme based on anonymised primary care veterinary clinical records. All disorders recorded during 2019 were extracted and reported, and associations with sex and age were examined.

Results

The most prevalent disorders were periodontal disease (n = 2780 [15.2%], 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.72–15.76), obesity (n = 2114 [11.6%], 95% CI 11.12–12.06) and dental disease (n = 1502 [8.2%], 95% CI 7.84–8.64). Compared with male cats, females had an increased prevalence of poor quality of life, postoperative complications and hyperthyroidism, among others. Male cats had a higher prevalence of periodontal disease, road traffic accident (RTA) and obesity. Younger cats (<8 years) had an increased prevalence of cat bite abscess, flea infestation and RTA, while older cats (⩾8 years) had increased prevalence of lameness, cystitis and dental disease, among others.

Conclusions and relevance

These findings suggest that the veterinary profession needs to engage more effectively in informing owners on common preventable disorders (ie, obesity and dental disease). This new information can contribute to more targeted health surveillance and more effective veterinary interventions to promote improved health and welfare in pet cats. Large-scale collection and analysis of anonymised veterinary clinical records offer an important clinical resource for research.
The counter-monument as mnemonic device: The case of the Statues of Peace in South Korea
Authors: Yun Jieheerah
Published: March 2023

This article analyzes the removal and restoration of the “Statues of Peace” in South Korea. Although the presence of the statues has generated political tensions, various attempts to take down the statues have been met with recalcitrance and restorations. This article argues that processes of demolishing, re-erecting, and making modifications to the monuments function as ways of provoking a public debate, in the process becoming themselves a mnemonic device. This article concludes that despite criticisms of the concept of counter-monument, first formulated by James E. Young, this concept can become a valuable design tool if it is understood as a continuum rather than a binary construct. This study contributes to the current academic debate regarding counter-monuments and urban memorials by illustrating how the tactics of the counter-monument may vary.
A wearable electronic based on flexible pressure sensor for running motion monitoring
Authors: Chang Xiaoming
Published: March 2023

The flexible pressure sensor is expected to be applied in the new generation of sports wearable electronic devices. Developing flexible pressure sensors with a wide linear range and great sensitivity, however, remains a significant barrier. In this work, we propose a hybrid conductive elastomeric film oxide-based material with a concave-shape micro-patterned array (P-HCF) on the surface that sustainably shows the necessary sensing qualities. To enhance sensing range and sensitivity, one-dimensional carbon fibers and two-dimensional MXene are incorporated into the polydimethylsiloxane matrix to form a three-dimensional conductive network. Micro-patterns with a curved shape in P-HCFs can be able to linear sensitivity across the sensing range by controlling the pressure distribution inside the material. Besides, the sensitivity of P-HCF pressure sensor can reach 31.92 kPa−1, and meanwhile, the linear band of P-HCF pressure sensor can arrive at 24 Pa–720 kPa, which makes it a good choice for sports monitoring. The designed pressure sensor can be used to monitor the foot pressure during running. By analyzing the gait information during running, it can provide data support and strategy improvement for running. This new dual working mode pressure P-HCF sensor will provide a new way for the development of intelligent sports.
Of primary health care reforms and pandemic responses: understanding perspectives of health system actors in Kerala before and during COVID-19
Authors: Sankar D Hari , Joseph Jaison , Benny Gloria , Nambiar Devaki
Published: March 2023

Background

In 2016, the Government of the southern Indian state of Kerala launched the Aardram mission, a set of reforms in the state’s health sector with the support of Local Self Governments (LSG). Primary Health Centres (PHCs) were slated for transformation into Family Health Centres (FHCs), with extended hours of operation as well as improved quality and range of services. With the COVID-19 pandemic emerging soon after their introduction, we studied the outcomes of the transformation from PHC to FHC and how they related to primary healthcare service delivery during COVID-19.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using In-depth interviews with 80 health system actors (male n = 32, female n = 48) aged between 30–63 years in eight primary care facilities of four districts in Kerala from July to October 2021. Participants included LSG members, medical and public health staff, as well as community leaders. Questions about the need for primary healthcare reforms, their implementation, challenges, achievements, and the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery were asked. Written informed consent was obtained and interview transcripts – transliterated into English—were thematically analysed by a team of four researchers using ATLAS.ti 9 software.

Results

LSG members and health staff felt that the PHC was an institution that guarantees preventive, promotive, and curative care to the poorest section of society and can help in reducing the high cost of care. Post-transformation to FHCs, improved timings, additional human resources, new services, fully functioning laboratories, and well stocked pharmacies were observed and linked to improved service utilization and reduced cost of care. Challenges of geographical access remained, along with concerns about the lack of attention to public health functions, and sustainability in low-revenue LSGs. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions disrupted promotive services, awareness sessions and outreach activities; newly introduced services were stopped, and outpatient numbers were reduced drastically. Essential health delivery and COVID-19 management increased the workload of health workers and LSG members, as the emphasis was placed on managing the COVID-19 pandemic and delivering essential health services.

Conclusion

Most of the health system actors expressed their belief in and commitment to primary health care reforms and noted positive impacts on the clinical side with remaining challenges of access, outreach, and sustainability. COVID-19 reduced service coverage and utilisation, but motivated greater efforts on the part of both health workers and community representatives. Primary health care is a shared priority now, with a need for greater focus on systems strengthening, collaboration, and primary prevention.
A dyadic advance care planning intervention for people with early-stage dementia and their family caregivers in a community care setting: a feasibility trial
Authors: Yeung Cheryl Chi-yan , Ho Ken Hok-man , Chan Helen Yue-lai
Published: March 2023

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) is highly relevant for people with early-stage dementia to communicate their care preferences for serious illness conditions with their family caregivers before they become mentally incapacitated.

Methods

A multi-centre, quasi-experimental study was conducted to test the feasibility and acceptability of a theory-guided, dyadic ACP intervention (‘Have a Say’ programme) among participants with early-stage dementia–family caregiver dyads. The feasibility of the trial design, intervention procedures, subject recruitment and retention, and study instruments were assessed. Study outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and at 1 month (T2) and 3 months post-intervention (T3). Acceptability of the intervention was determined by the satisfaction score, completion rate and qualitative interviews as process evaluation with a purposive sample of participants and ACP facilitators. Generalised estimating equations were performed to examine differential changes between groups over time, with covariates adjusted.

Results

Subject recruitment from five elderly community centres yielded a recruitment rate of 60% and resulted in 36 client–caregiver dyads. The intervention was acceptable to the dyads, with a mean satisfaction score of 4.4 out of 5 and completion rate of 94.4%. The attrition rates at T1, T2, and T3 were 8.3%, 13.9%, and 19.4%, respectively. The intervention group reported a significantly greater improvement in the readiness for ACP at T1, self-efficacy for ACP at T3, and dyadic concordance on end-of-life care preferences at all time points than the control group, but not on depressive symptoms. Family caregivers in the intervention group reported a significantly higher caregiving burden at T2 than the control group. The qualitative findings revealed that triadic involvement of and trusting relationships among the dyads and ACP facilitators, and documentation of clients’ views are the programme strengths, while the structured format and discussion about medical issues posed implementation challenges.

Conclusions

This ACP intervention and trial design were feasible and acceptable to the dyads. Several refinements were identified, including adding a nurse-led group-based session for information giving, allowing flexibility in arrangement, and adding measure of ACP engagement of family caregivers. A rigorous trial to test the effects of the ACP intervention is warranted.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered on 14/08/2020 at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04513106).
FtMt reduces oxidative stress-induced trophoblast cell dysfunction via the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway
Authors: Xu Xia , Ye Xu , Zhu Mengwei , Zhang Qiuyu , Li Xiuli , Yan Jianying
Published: March 2023

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication of pregnancy that causes long-term adverse outcomes for the mother and fetus and may even lead to death. Oxidative stress caused by the imbalance of oxidants and antioxidants in the placenta has been considered as one of the key mechanisms of preeclampsia (together with inflammation, etc.), in which the placental mitochondria play an important role. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be increased in patients with PE. Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) is known to protect the mitochondria from oxidative stress, although its specific role in PE remains unclear.

Methods

We used qRT-PCR and western blotting to detect the expression levels of FtMt, HIF-1α, and VEGF in placental tissues from patients with PE. Human chorionic trophoblast cells were also administered with hypoxia treatment, followed by the detection of cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenic capacity by CCK8, Transwell, and endothelial cell angiogenesis assays; we also detected the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in these cells. Finally, overexpression or inhibitory FtMt lentiviral vectors, along with negative control vectors, were constructed and transfected into hypoxia-treated human chorionic trophoblast cells; this was followed by analyses of cell function.

Results

The expression levels of FtMt, HIF-1α and VEGF in the PE group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Following hypoxia, there was an increase in the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF protein in trophoblast cells. There was also an increase in invasion ability and vascular formation ability along with a reduction in cell proliferation ability. These effects were reversed by transfecting cells with the knockout FtMt lentivirus vector. The differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Analyses showed that FtMt plays a key role in the vascular regulation of PE trophoblast cells after hypoxia possibly acting via the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway. These results provide us an enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of PE and suggest that the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway represents a new target for the treatment of PE.
Developing an Inpatient Relationship Centered Communication Curriculum (I-RCCC) rounding framework for surgical teams
Authors: Nassar Aussama K. , Weimer‑Elder Barbette , Yang Rachel , Kline Merisa , Dang Bryan K. , Spain David A. , Knowlton Lisa M , Valdez Andre B. , Korndorffer James R. , Johnson Tyler
Published: March 2023

Background

Morning rounds by an acute care surgery (ACS) service at a level one trauma center are uniquely demanding, given the fast pace, high acuity, and increased patient volume. These demands notwithstanding, communication remains integral to the success of surgical teams. Yet there are limited published curricula that address trauma inpatient communication needs. Observations at our institution confirmed that the surgical team lacked a shared mental model for communication. We hypothesized that creating a relationship-centered rounding conceptual framework model would enhance the provider-patient experience.

Study design

A mixed-methods approach was used for this study. A multi-pronged needs assessment was conducted. Provider communion items for Press Ganey and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys were used to measure patients’ expressed needs. Faculty with experience in relationship-centered communication observed morning rounds and documented demonstrated behaviors. A five-hour workshop was designed based on the identified needs. A pre-and post-course Assessment and course evaluation were conducted. Provider-related patient satisfaction items were measured six months before the course and six months after the workshop.

Results

Needs assessment revealed a lack of a shared communication framework and a lack of leadership skills for senior trauma residents. Barriers included: time constraints, patient load, and interruptions during rounds. The curriculum was very well received. The self-reflected behaviors that demonstrated the most dramatic change between the pre and post-workshop surveys were: I listened without interrupting; I spoke clearly and at a moderate pace; I repeated key points; and I checked that the patient understood. All these changed from being performed by 50% of respondents “about half of the time” to 100% of them “always”. Press Ganey top box likelihood to recommend (LTR) and provider-related top box items showed a trend towards improvement after implementing the training with a percentage difference of up to 20%.

Conclusion

The Inpatient Relationship Centered Communication Curriculum (I-RCCC) targeting senior residents and Nurse Practitioners (NP) was feasible, practical, and well-received by participants. There was a trend of an increase in LTRs and provider-specific patient satisfaction items. This curriculum will be refined based on the study results and potentially scalable to other surgical specialties.
Screening and prenatal diagnosis of survival motor neuron gene deletion in pregnant women in Zhaoqing city, Guangdong Province
Authors: Huang Zhiwei , Yang Qingchan , Ye Jianxiang , Huang Jianxing , Lin Jin , Chen Jing , Liang Zizhao , Cao Zijie
Published: March 2023

Objective

A total of 5,200 pregnant women in Zhaoqing city, Guangdong Province, were screened to identify spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) mutation carriers to guide the prevention of SMA and prevent the birth of children with SMA.

Methods

Exons 7 and 8 (E7 and E8) of the survival motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene were detected in women using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. SMN1 and SMN2 copy numbers in those who were initially identified as carriers were verified via targeted region capture and next-generation sequencing. When both partners were identified as carriers, prenatal diagnosis of the fetus was performed.

Results

Among the screened women, 75 SMA carriers (71 cases had both E7 and E8 heterozygous deletions and 4 cases only had an E7 heterozygous deletion) were identified, with a carrier frequency of 1.44% (95% confidence interval: 1.31–1.65%). Three couples where both spouses were identified as SMA carriers, and their three fetuses were subjected to prenatal genetic analysis. Of the three, one had homozygous deletions of E7 and E8 and the other two had heterozygous deletions of E7 and E8. After a detailed prenatal consultation, the former couple decided to terminate the pregnancy.

Conclusion

Through screening and prenatal diagnosis of pregnant women in Zhaoqing city, Guangdong Province, the incidence of SMA can be reduced, prevention of birth defects can be improved, incidence of birth defects can be effectively minimized.
How to accurately preoperative screen nipple-sparing mastectomy candidate—a nomogram for predicting nipple-areola complex involvement risk in breast cancer patients
Authors: Xu Yuanbing , Pan Dai , Liu Yi , Liu Hanzhong , Sun Xing , Zhang Wenjie , Hu Chaohua
Published: March 2023

Background

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) offers superior cosmetic outcomes and has been gaining wide acceptance. It has always been difficult to objectively quantify the risk of nipple-areola complex involvement (NACi). The goal was to develop a prediction model for clinical application.

Methods

Patients who had a total mastectomy (TM) between January 2016 and January 2020 at a single institute formed the development cohort (n = 578) and those who had NSM + immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) between January 2020 and January 2021 formed the validation cohort (n = 112). The prediction model was developed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression studies. Based on NACi risk variables identified in the development cohort, a nomogram was created and evaluated in the validation cohort. Meanwhile, stratified analysis was performed based on the model’s risk levels and was combined with intraoperative frozen pathology (IFP) to optimize the model.

Results

Tumor central location, clinical tumor size (CTS) > 4.0 cm, tumor-nipple distance (TND) ≤ 1.0 cm, clinical nodal status positive (cN +), and KI-67 ≥ 20% were revealed to be good predictive indicators for NACi. A nomogram based on these major clinicopathologic variables was employed to quantify preoperative NACi risk. The accuracy was verified internally and externally. The diagnostic accuracy of IFP was 92.9%, sensitivity was 64.3%, and specificity was 96.9% in the validation group. Stratified analysis was then performed based on model risk. The diagnostic accuracy rates of IFP and NACiPM in low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk respectively were 96.0%, 93.3%, 83.9%, 61.3%, 66.7%, and 83.3%.

Conclusion

We created a visual nomogram to predict NACi risk in breast cancer patients. The NACiPM can be used to distinguish the low, intermediate, and high risk of NAC before surgery. Combined with IFP, we can develop a decision-making system for the implementation of NSM.
Mobile Robotic Balance Assistant (MRBA): a gait assistive and fall intervention robot for daily living
Authors: Li Lei , Foo Ming Jeat , Chen Jiaye , Tan Kuan Yuee , Cai Jiaying , Swaminathan Rohini , Chua Karen Sui Geok , Wee Seng Kwee , Kuah Christopher Wee Keong , Zhuo Huiting , Ang Wei Tech
Published: March 2023

Background

Aging degrades the balance and locomotion ability due to frailty and pathological conditions. This demands balance rehabilitation and assistive technologies that help the affected population to regain mobility, independence, and improve their quality of life. While many overground gait rehabilitation and assistive robots exist in the market, none are designed to be used at home or in community settings.

Methods

A device named Mobile Robotic Balance Assistant (MRBA) is developed to address this problem. MRBA is a hybrid of a gait assistive robot and a powered wheelchair. When the user is walking around performing activities of daily living, the robot follows the person and provides support at the pelvic area in case of loss of balance. It can also be transformed into a wheelchair if the user wants to sit down or commute. To achieve instability detection, sensory data from the robot are compared with a predefined threshold; a fall is identified if the value exceeds the threshold. The experiments involve both healthy young subjects and an individual with spinal cord injury (SCI). Spatial Parametric Mapping is used to assess the effect of the robot on lower limb joint kinematics during walking. The instability detection algorithm is evaluated by calculating the sensitivity and specificity in identifying normal walking and simulated falls.

Results

When walking with MRBA, the healthy subjects have a lower speed, smaller step length and longer step time. The SCI subject experiences similar changes as well as a decrease in step width that indicates better stability. Both groups of subjects have reduced joint range of motion. By comparing the force sensor measurement with a calibrated threshold, the instability detection algorithm can identify more than 93% of self-induced falls with a false alarm rate of 0%.

Conclusions

While there is still room for improvement in the robot compliance and the instability identification, the study demonstrates the first step in bringing gait assistive technologies into homes. We hope that the robot can encourage the balance-impaired population to engage in more activities of daily living to improve their quality of life. Future research includes recruiting more subjects with balance difficulty to further refine the device functionalities.
Oligonucleotide usage in coronavirus genomes mimics that in exon regions in host genomes
Authors: Iwasaki Yuki , Abe Takashi , Ikemura Toshimichi
Published: March 2023

Background

Viruses use various host factors for their growth, and efficient growth requires efficient use of these factors. Our previous study revealed that the occurrence frequency of oligonucleotides in the influenza virus genome is distinctly different among derived hosts, and the frequency tends to adapt to the host cells in which they grow. We aimed to study the adaptation mechanisms of a zoonotic virus to host cells.

Methods

Herein, we compared the frequency of oligonucleotides in the genome of alpha- and betacoronavirus with those in the genomes of humans and bats, which are typical hosts of the viruses.

Results

By comparing the oligonucleotide frequency in coronaviruses and their host genomes, we found a statistically tested positive correlation between the frequency of coronaviruses and that of the exon regions of the host from which the virus is derived. To examine the characteristics of early-stage changes in the viral genome, which are assumed to accompany the host change from non-humans to humans, we compared the oligonucleotide frequency between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the beginning of the pandemic and the prevalent variants thereafter, and found changes towards the frequency of the host exon regions.

Conclusions

In alpha- and betacoronaviruses, the genome oligonucleotide frequency is thought to change in response to the cellular environment in which the virus is replicating, and actually the frequency has approached the frequency in exon regions in the host.
The efficacy of nalmefene on anesthetic recovery of patients: a study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ma Xiaowen , Liu Jueying , Tang Ying , Lian Qiueyue , Huai Xiaorong , Liu Wanfeng , Su Diansan
Published: March 2023

Introduction

So far, the recovery quality after general anesthesia is still unsatisfied. Nalmefene is a drug to treat opioid overdose and reverse opioid actions. We aim to investigate the efficacy of nalmefene on optimizing the recovery quality of patients after general anesthesia.

Methods

It is a prospective, placebo-controlled, two-arm parallel groups, multicentre, double-blind, randomized (PPPMDR) clinical trial. The participants (n = 520) will be randomly assigned into two groups. Each patient will receive either: a single dose of nalmefene 0.25 µg/kg in the intervention group, or the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution in the control group at the end of the surgery. The primary outcome will be the time interval between the end of anaesthesia and recovery endpoints achieved (Aldrete recovery score ≥ 9) in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The other variables are the time interval from the end of operation to extubation; Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) score at extubation; the time at Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) orientation score ≥ 5; visual analog scale (VAS) score and adverse effects including postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and pruritus in PACU and 24 h postoperatively.

Analysis

This trial aims to study whether small dose of nalmefene can shorten the time from the end of surgery to Aldrete score ≥ 9 and improve opioid-induced side effects.This trial focuses on providing the reliable clinical evidence for satisfactory quality of recovery.

Ethics and dissemination

This clinical trial has been approved and supported by the ethics committee of the Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine (KY2020-150); Shanghai Tongren Hospital (2021–030-01);The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (2021–032); and The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University(2021-KY-0495–003). Analysis of the study results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04713358, Registered on September 23, 2021.
Influence of Aeolian Sand on Capillary Water Absorption of Concrete Under Freeze–Thaw Conditions
Authors: Li Yugen , Zhang Huimei , Chen Shaojie , Wang Hairen , Liu Xiaoyu , Gao Wei
Published: March 2023

Aeolian sand (AS) can become a green resource for concrete after the reasonable utilization. Study the evolution of AS concrete (ASC) capillary water absorption (CWA) under freeze–thaw (FT) conditions is of great significance for its popularization and application. One-dimensional (1D) CWA test was performed to analyze the effects of AS and freeze–thaw cycling (FTC) on concrete water absorption characteristics. Pore relative saturation (PRS) and pore saturation were defined to reveal the influence mechanism of AS content on concrete water absorption under FT conditions and predict the moisture distribution in damaged ASC combining with the capillary mechanics theory. The results showed that concrete frost resistance increased with increased AS content and the optimal frost resistance achieved with 100% AS replacement despite its low strength. The initial water absorption rate (WAR), pore saturation, and saturation speed of the ASC decreased with increased AS, while the PRS increased with low AS content but decreased with excessive AS. The water absorption depth increased with increased mass and dynamic elastic modulus loss rates. The mechanism regarding why excessive AS improved concrete frost resistance lay in its internal pore structure and large pore ratio, which reduced pore content that can easily absorb water, enclosed a higher volume of air bubbles, and easily formed "air locking," thereby increasing water transmission resistance and forming long transmission paths during the process of CWA.
Prediction of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma after direct-acting antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis: a cohort study
Authors: Marie Mohamad Saeed , Shousha Hend Ibrahim , Abdelrazek Wael , Hassany Mohamad , Dabees Hosam , Abdelghafour Reem , Aboganob Walaa mosaad , Said Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the rate of hepatic decompensation and de novo HCC and identify their independent factors in HCV genotype 4-infected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis following successful direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 1789 patients with HCV genotype 4-related compensated liver cirrhosis who achieved viral eradication after DAAs. Baseline and follow-up clinical, laboratory, albumin-bilirubin score (ALBI), and abdominal ultrasound were recorded to detect hepatic decompensation and de novo HCC. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the variables associated with decompensation and HCC.

Results

During the 24-month period of follow-up, 184 (10.28%) patients developed hepatic decompensation. Ascites was the commonest presentation. Baseline serum albumin, bilirubin, and platelet count were the independent factors associated with hepatic decompensation (P-values 0.022, 0.03, and < 0.001, respectively). A formula was developed for the prediction of decompensation using these 3 factors (AUC: 0.641 at cutoff 0.1098969 with a sensitivity of 59.9% and specificity of 61.7%). Pre-treatment ALBI score could predict decompensation at cutoff value − 2.5184, AUC 0.609, sensitivity 58.3%, and specificity 59.7%. Post-treatment ALBI score could predict hepatic decompensation after DAA therapy at cutoff value − 2.9521, AUC 0.597, sensitivity 48.1%, and specificity 75.5%. Sixteen (0.9%) patients developed de novo HCC. Age (odds ratio: 1.061, 95%, confidence interval: 1–1.126) and male gender (OR 3.450, 95% CI 1.105–10.769) were the independent factors associated with the development of de novo HCC but not the ALBI score.

Conclusion

Baseline demographic and laboratory data could predict hepatic decompensation and HCC in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis after successful DAA therapy
President's Page: What does SEG mean to you?
Authors: White Jim
Published: March 2023

President Ken Tubman invited staff to share its perspective as SEG continues its transformation. Having been a member and industry stakeholder leader for many years and executive director (ED) for more than two years now, I am honored to represent this hard-working group of individuals. This invitation led me to consider how people view the Society that we serve as employees.
Acquisition and near-surface impacts on VSP mini-batch FWI and RTM imaging in desert environment
Authors: Kazei Vladimir , Liang Hong , AlDawood Ali
Published: March 2023

The SEG Advanced Modeling (SEAM) Arid benchmark model was designed to simulate an extremely heterogeneous low-velocity near surface (NS), which is typical of desert environments and typically not well characterized or imaged. Imaging of land seismic data is highly sensitive to errors in the NS velocity model. Vertical seismic profiling (VSP) partly alleviates the impact of the NS as the receivers are located at depth in the borehole. Deep learning (DL) offers a flexible optimization framework for full-waveform inversion (FWI), often outperforming typically used optimization methods. We investigate the quality of images that can be obtained from SEAM Arid VSP data by acoustic mini-batch reverse time migration (RTM) and full-waveform imaging. First, we focus on the effects of seismic vibrator and receiver array positioning and imperfect knowledge of the NS model when inverting 2D acoustic data. FWI imaging expectedly and consistently outperforms RTM in our tests. We find that the acquisition density is critical for RTM imaging and less so for FWI, while NS model accuracy is critical for FWI and has less effect on RTM imaging. Distributed acoustic sensing along the full length of the well provides noticeable improvement over a limited aperture array of geophones in imaging deep targets in both RTM and FWI imaging scenarios. Finally, we compare DL-based FWI imaging with inverse scattering RTM using the upgoing wavefield from the original SEAM data. Use of significantly more realistic 3D elastic physics for the simulated data generation and simple 2D acoustic inversion engine makes our inverse problem more realistic. We observe that FWI imaging in this case produces an image with fewer artifacts.
Student Zone: Student chapter gives back to alma-mater universities and the local community
Authors: Ahmed Shaik Nasif , Zia Saqib , Patro Prasanta K.
Published: March 2023

The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) Geophysical Society is an SEG student chapter located in Hyderabad, India. Members of the student chapter have enjoyed giving back to our alma-mater universities and community in a variety of ways.
Changes in the gene pool composition of Scots pine depending on the mode of regeneration
Authors: Żukowska Weronika Barbara , Lewandowski Andrzej , Wójkiewicz Błażej , Litkowiec Monika , Rożkowski Roman , Urbaniak Lech , Kowalczyk Jan
Published: March 2023

Silvicultural practices can alter forest genetic resources in unpredictable ways, thereby influencing the adaptive and evolutionary potential of forest populations. This is especially alarming in the case of species with more northern distribution centers, due to the lack of area that can be colonized further north. In this article, we studied the genetic diversity of the Scots pine seed tree stand in Poland, its natural regeneration, and two artificially established progeny plantations. The research aimed to determine whether the regeneration mode had affected the efficiency of the gene pool transmission from the maternal seed stand to its offspring. Using nuclear microsatellite markers we compared the parameters of genetic variation and allelic composition among the studied stands. The results showed that all stands represent a common genetic pool with slightly higher values of observed heterozygosity in the case of progeny plantations. Inbreeding was significant only in natural regeneration. All stands have gained and lost rare alleles compared to the maternal seed stand. Nevertheless, the analysis of population differentiation showed that the gene pool of the maternal stand had been transmitted more efficiently to the natural regeneration, though the difference was only minimal. Possible reasons for the differences in transmission efficiency between natural regeneration and artificially established progeny plantations mainly include variations in the number of mother trees and crossing patterns in different reproductive seasons. Furthermore, some individuals that grow in the studied progeny plantations may be natural regeneration of the neighboring stands. In light of the obtained results, we discuss the genetic considerations for establishing and using seeds from progeny plantations in Poland.
Ενδυνάμωση γονέων παιδιών με ΔΑΦ μέσω ενός μοντέλου συστημικής συμπεριφορικής-αναλυτικής παρέμβασης
Authors: Δροσινού Αικατερίνη
Published: March 2023

Ο συνεχώς αυξανόμενος επιπολασμός της Διαταραχής Αυτιστικού Φάσματος, η σοβαρότητα της διαταραχής, καθώς επίσης και το υψηλό κόστος θεραπείας κάνουν επιτακτική την ανάγκη για ανάδειξη εμπεριστατωμένων θεραπευτικών παρεμβάσεων για τα παιδιά με ΔΑΦ και τις οικογένειές τους. Υπάρχει πλήθος ερευνών που καταδεικνύει την σπουδαιότητα της γονικής εμπλοκής στη θεραπεία των παιδιών με ΔΑΦ, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τόσο την πρόοδο του παιδιού με ΔΑΦ όσο και την ευημερία των οικογενειών τους. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση της αποτελεσματικότητας ενός Συστημικού Συμπεριφορικού-Αναλυτικού προγράμματος παρέμβασης – που υιοθετεί στόχους βάσει μιας αναπτυξιακής προοπτικής –, με σκοπό την εκπαίδευση των γονέων τεσσάρων αγοριών με ΔΑΦ προσχολικής και πρωτοσχολικής ηλικίας, που δέχονταν Έγκαιρη Εντατική Συμπεριφορική Αναλυτική Παρέμβαση (Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention – EIBI), καθώς και τεσσάρων αγοριών με ΔΑΦ, αντίστοιχης ηλικίας, που δέχονταν «Συνήθη Παρέμβαση» (“Treatment as Usual– TaU”). Ειδικότερα, απώτεροι στόχοι της παρέμβασης αυτής ήταν να βελτιωθούν τρεις κατηγορίες αντιδράσεων που αφορούσαν: α) σε ποικίλες μορφές καίριων δεξιοτήτων των συμμετεχόντων παιδιών με ΔΑΦ, β) σε ποικίλες μορφές γονικής συμπεριφοράς που συνάδουν με τη βελτίωση της σχέσης γονέα-παιδιού και γ) στη βελτίωση μορφών συμπεριφοράς που άπτονταν της σχέσης γονέα-παιδιού. Στην έρευνα, ακολουθήθηκε ένας πειραματικός σχεδιασμός με πολλαπλές γραμμές βάσης ανά κατηγορία αντιδράσεων, προκειμένου να αναδειχθεί κατά πόσο η παρέμβαση συνάδει με τους θεραπευτικούς στόχους που τέθηκαν για κάθε ζεύγος γονέα-παιδιού με ΔΑΦ. Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων κατέδειξε σημαντικά οφέλη για όλους τους συμμετέχοντες και μάλιστα σε όλες τις κατηγορίες αντιδράσεων: α) αυτών που σχετίζονται με το παιδί με ΔΑΦ, β) αυτών που σχετίζονται με τους γονείς παιδιού με ΔΑΦ, και γ) αυτών που σχετίζονται με την αλληλεπίδραση γονέα-παιδιού με ΔΑΦ. Τα αποτελέσματα γενικεύθηκαν στο σπίτι της κάθε οικογένειας, αλλά και σε νέες αντιδράσεις που δεν αποτέλεσαν άμεσο στόχο της παρέμβασης, ενώ διατηρήθηκαν σε βάθος χρόνου. Ταυτόχρονα, τα ευρήματα της διεξαχθείσας μελέτης κατέδειξαν και τη απόκτηση παράλληλων οφελών, για όλους τους συμμετέχοντες.
Αθωνική τοπογραφία, 18ος – 20ός αι.
Authors: Σκορδύλης Ιωάννης
Published: March 2023

Στις μονές του Αγίου όρους φυλάσσονται χειρόγραφοι τοπογραφικοί χάρτες με αναπαραστάσεις εκτάσεων γης που βρίσκονται εντός και εκτός της χερσονήσου του Άθω. Χρονολογούνται από τα μέσα του 18ου αιώνα μέχρι τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 1940 και σχεδιάστηκαν για να καλύψουν συγκεκριμένα πρακτικά ζητήματα οικονομικού και διοικητικού ενδιαφέροντος που αφορούσαν στη λειτουργία των μονών. Οι τοπογραφικοί χάρτες αποτύπωναν με λεπτομέρεια τις χαρτογραφημένες περιοχές και συνέβαλλαν στην ολοκλήρωση της λειτουργίας των διοικητικών και των συμβολαιογραφικών πράξεων για την επίλυση δικαστικών υποθέσεων. Περιέχουν επιστημονικά, ιστορικά και καλλιτεχνικά δεδομένα, αλλά μεταξύ τους υπάρχει γλωσσική πολυμορφία που προκύπτει από τη ρευστότητα στην τεχνοτροπία, τα διαφορετικά χαρτογραφικά και εικονογραφικά πρότυπα και την ακρίβεια των πληροφοριών που παρέχουν.Σύμφωνα με τον τρόπο σχεδίασής τους χωρίζονται σε τοπογραφικά σχέδια και σε ζωγραφικούς χάρτες. Τα περισσότερα τοπογραφικά σχέδια προέρχονται από τα ρουμανικά πριγκιπάτα και σχεδιάστηκαν σύμφωνα με τα διεθνή πρότυπα από τοπογράφους που ήταν απόφοιτοι στρατιωτικών σχολών. Περιέχουν τεχνικά στοιχεία (προσανατολισμό, κλίμακα αποτύπωσης και επεξηγηματικούς πίνακες) και η αισθητική τους στηρίζεται στην τάξη και στην αρμονία, με επιρροές κυρίως από τις καλλιτεχνικές αξίες του Νεοκλασικισμού και λιγότερο του Ρομαντισμού, ενώ σε λίγες περιπτώσεις συναντάμε οιονεί νατουραλιστικά στοιχεία στην απόδοση φυτικών θεμάτων.Οι ζωγραφικοί χάρτες σχεδιάστηκαν στο Άγιον Όρος από ζωγράφους που είχαν ποικίλο φάσμα καλλιτεχνικών επιρροών. Ως εκ τούτου, δεν έχουν αμιγή σχεδιαστικό χαρακτήρα και συντάσσονται με τη μορφή σχεδιογραφημάτων (γραμμικών ή έγχρωμων) και τοπιογραφικών απόψεων.Παρότι τα τοπογραφικά σχέδια αποτελούν τη μεγαλύτερη ομάδα χαρτών, οι ζωγραφικοί χάρτες παρουσιάζουν ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, διότι αποτελούν ομάδα χαρτών με νοηματική πληρότητα και ιδιαίτερα ιστορικά και τεχνοτροπικά χαρακτηριστικά. Οι ζωγράφοι δημιούργησαν περιγραφικά τοπία χρησιμοποιώντας στοιχεία από την αγιογραφία και την ελληνική παραδοσιακή τέχνη. Παράλληλα, χρησιμοποίησαν τα προσωπικά τους εικαστικά εργαλεία επαναπροσδιορίζοντας τις τυπικές συνιστώσες των τοπογραφικών χαρτών. Κοινά σχεδιαστικά στοιχεία συναντάμε σε ευρωπαϊκούς χάρτες ήδη από τον 13ο αιώνα και σε έργα της δυτικοευρωπαϊκής ζωγραφικής του 19ου αιώνα, αλλά δεν γνωρίζουμε εάν οι χάρτες του Αγίου Όρους αποτελούν προϊόν πρωτότυπης εικαστικής έκφρασης ή περιέχουν στοιχεία από δοκιμασμένες ξενόφερτες μεθόδους. Οι ζωγραφικοί χάρτες δεν συνδέονται με συγκεκριμένα κινήματα της τέχνης λόγω του χαρτογραφικού και του θρησκευτικού τους χαρακτήρα, αλλά θα μπορούσαν να αποτελέσουν ευδιάκριτη κατηγορία στην εξέλιξη της σύγχρονης ελληνικής τέχνης και της τοπιογραφικής παραγωγής του Αγίου Όρους για το ιδιαίτερο εικαστικό τους ιδίωμα στην απόδοση του φυσικού τοπίου.
Ο «κόσμος» ως «τεύχειν»: Ανθρωπολογικές διαστάσεις της σκέψης του Κώστα Παπαϊωάννου
Authors: Πέτσιος Κωνσταντίνος Θ.
Published: March 2023

Ἐπιδίωξή μας στὴν παρούσα μελέτη εἶναι ἡ ἀνάδειξη τῶν ἐσωτερικῶν νοηματικῶν ἀρθρώσεων τῆς φιλοσοφικῆς σκέψης τοῦ Νεοέλληνα φιλοσόφου Κώστα Παπαϊωάννου, ἀναφορικὰ μὲ τὰ κριτήρια ποὺ μορφοποιοῦν τὴν ἀνθρώπινη πράξη καὶ συγκροτοῦν τὸ πεδίο τοῦ Πολιτικοῦ. Σύμφωνα μὲ τὸν Παπαϊωάννου, ὁ ἀρχαιοελληνικὸς πολιτισμὸς ἑδραζόταν στὴν ἑνότητα ἀνθρώπου-φύσης, μὲ ἀποτέλεσμα  ἡ αὐτόβουλη παρουσία τοῦ ἀνθρωπίνου ὑποκειμένου νὰ νοηματοδοτεῖ τὸ «τεύχειν» ὡς ἀέναη δημιουργικὴ καὶ ἐνσυνείδητη παραγωγὴ νοήματος, δηλαδὴ φανέρωση ἀτομικὴ καὶ πραγμάτωση συλλογικὴ στὸ πεδίο τοῦ κοινωνικῶς ὑπάρχειν. Μέσα ἀπὸ τὸ θεωρητικὸ αὐτὸ πρίσμα, εἴμαστε σὲ θέση νὰ κατανοήσουμε τὴν καταλυτικὴ κριτικὴ τοῦ Παπαϊωάννου τόσο στὸν «μηδενισμὸ» ποὺ ἀναδύθηκε στὴν εὐρωπαϊκὴ σκέψη κατὰ τὸν ὕστερο 19οαἰώνα, ὅσο καὶ στὸν σοβιετικὸ μαρξισμό.
Το αίτημα της συμφιλίωσης του Λόγου με την Ύπαρξη. Επιδράσεις του Κ. Jaspers στο έργο του Κ. Παπαϊωάννου
Authors: Βάσση Παναγιώτα
Published: March 2023

Ένα από τα κομβικά ζητήματα που απασχολούν τον φιλοσοφικό στοχασμό του Παπαϊωάννου είναι η εργαλειοποίηση του Λόγου στη νεωτερική εποχή και η απορρέουσα εξ αυτού συρρίκνωση της Ύπαρξης. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, όπου ο άνθρωπος αφενός δεν θεμελιώνει και δεν εξαρτά καμία βεβαιότητα και κανέναν κανόνα από ένα υπερβατικό ον, όπου γκρεμίζονται οι θεολογικές βεβαιότητες του χριστιανικού κόσμου, αλλά ταυτόχρονα δεν μπορούν να επανεπινοηθούν οι βεβαιότητες του αρχαίου ελληνικού κόσμου, το ερώτημα είναι: τι συνέχει πλέον τον κόσμο, ποιο το νόημα της ζωής; Προκειμένου να απαντήσει σε αυτό το ερώτημα, καταφεύγει ο Παπαϊωάννου στη μέριμνα για το Είναι των υπαρξιστών και του Jaspers ειδικότερα. Χάρη σε αυτή τη θεώρηση, θεμελιώθηκε η απόπειρα συμφιλίωσης του Λόγου με την Ύπαρξη  και η φιλοσοφία περιέλαβε, ως  Philosophia Perennis, τα ζητήματα της θνητότητας, της τραγικότητας, αλλά και της ελευθερίας της ανθρώπινης ύπαρξης —που συνίστανται στο άνοιγμα της ύπαρξης σε αυτό που την υπερβαίνει. Πρόκειται για τη μετάθεση της φιλοσοφίας από το λογικό εγώ του υποκειμένου που φιλοσοφεί στην ύπαρξη ως ολότητα. Στην παρούσα εισήγηση θα αναδείξουμε σε αυτό το ζήτημα τις επιδράσεις του Jaspers στο έργο του Παπαϊωάννου.