bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The economic impact of a local, collaborative, stepped, and personalized care management for older people with chronic diseases: results from the randomized comparative effectiveness LoChro-trial
Authors: Kaier Klaus , Metzner Gloria , Horstmeier Lukas , Bitzer Eva Maria , Heimbach Bernhard , Kiekert Jasmin , Voigt-Radloff Sebastian , Farin-Glattacker Erik
Published: December 2023

Background

Within the ageing population of Western societies, an increasing number of older people have multiple chronic conditions. Because multiple health problems require the involvement of several health professionals, multimorbid older people often face a fragmented health care system. To address these challenges, in a two-group parallel randomized controlled trial, a newly developed care management approach (LoChro-Care) was compared with usual care.

Methods

LoChro-Care consists of individualized care provided by chronic care managers with 7 to 16 contacts over 12 months. Patients aged 65 + with chronic conditions were recruited from inpatient and outpatient departments. Healthcare utilization costs are calculated by using an adapted version of the generic, self-reporting FIMA©-questionnaire with the application of standardized unit costs. Questionnaires were given at 3 time points (T0 baseline, T1 after 12 months, T2 after 18 months). The primary outcome was overall 3-month costs of healthcare utilization at T1 and T2. The data were analyzed using generalized linear models with log-link and gamma distribution and adjustment for age, sex, level of care as well as the 3-month costs of care at T0.

Results

Three hundred thirty patients were analyzed. The results showed no significant difference in the costs of healthcare utilization between participants who received LoChro-Care and those who received usual care, regardless of whether the costs were evaluated 12 (adjusted mean difference € 130.99, 95%CI €-1477.73 to €1739.71, p = 0.873) or 18 (adjusted mean difference €192.99, 95%CI €-1894.66 to €2280.65, p = 0.856) months after the start of the intervention.

Conclusion

This study revealed no differences in costs between older people receiving LoChro-Care or usual care. Before implementing the intervention, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to provide robust evidence on the cost effects of LoChro-Care.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00013904, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00013904; date of first registration 02/02/2018.
Analysis of histopathology and changes of major cytokines in the lesions caused by Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection
Authors: Li Jidong , Chen Can , Gao Le , Wang Lingling , Wang Wei , Zhang Jinhua , Gong Zhenxing , Wang Jiandong , Guo Yanan
Published: December 2023

Background

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) is one of the main pathogens of sheep pneumonia, causing a series of clinical symptoms, such as depression, anorexia, hyperthermia, cough, dyspnea, and tract secretions. In recent years, the prevalence of M. ovipneumoniae pneumonia has become increasingly serious in sheep farms in Ningxia, China, leading to the death of sheep, and causing significant economic losses. In this study, the pathological organs infected by M. ovipneumoniae were collected to observe histopathological change, to determine the tissue localization of M. ovipneumoniae, and to analyze the cytokine changes, which lays a basis for the diagnosis and pathogenesis of M. ovipneumoniae disease.

Results

In this study, M. ovipneumoniae was detected in 97 of 105 samples collected from 13 large-scale sheep farms for nucleic acid by PCR. One representative isolate per farm was isolated from 13 farms. The lesions caused by M. ovipneumoniae were mainly in the trachea, bronchus, and lung, including necrosis of tracheal mucosal epithelial cells, disintegration of some epithelial cells, edema of mucosal lamina propria, with inflammatory cell infiltration, cytoplasmic vacuolization of epithelial cells of bronchial mucosa, massive infiltration of inflammatory cells in the alveolar space of lung, necrosis and hyperplasia of alveolar epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the proportion of M. ovipneumoniae positive area in the lung was the largest, followed by that in the bronchus and trachea. Compared to healthy animals, diseased animals exhibited up-regulated gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-κB in the trachea, bronchus, and lungs. In contrast, the expression of IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ was primarily limited to the trachea and bronchus. The expression of IL-1β showed differential patterns across different lung regions, with variations observed among lung lobes. Additionally, other cytokines consistently showed significant up-regulation specifically in the bronchus.

Conclusions

M. ovipneumoniae is primarily found in the lungs of infected individuals. NF-κB, an essential transcription factor, is involved in the regulation of IL-1β transcription. IL-12 may enhance the cytotoxic function of natural killer cells during M. ovipneumoniae infection. Those findings demonstrate the distinct expression profiles of cytokines in various anatomical sites throughout disease progression, suggesting the potential role of bronchial tissue as a major site of immune response.
Neuron-targeted overexpression of caveolin-1 alleviates diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction via regulating mitochondrial fission-mitophagy axis
Authors: Tang Wenxin , Yan Chaoying , He Shuxuan , Du Mengyu , Cheng Bo , Deng Bin , Zhu Shan , Li Yansong , Wang Qiang
Published: December 2023

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) that seriously affects the self-management of T2DM patients, is currently one of the most severe T2DM-associated complications, but the mechanistic basis remains unclear. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles, whose function refers to a broad spectrum of features such as mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy and so on. Mitochondrial abnormalities have emerged as key determinants for cognitive function, the relationship between DACD and mitochondria is not well understood.

Methods

Here, we explored the underlying mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction of T2DM mice and HT22 cells treated with high glucose/palmitic acid (HG/Pal) focusing on the mitochondrial fission-mitophagy axis with drug injection, western blotting, Immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. We further explored the potential role of caveolin-1 (cav-1) in T2DM induced mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic alteration through viral transduction.

Results

As previously reported, T2DM condition significantly prompted hippocampal mitochondrial fission, whereas mitophagy was blocked rather than increasing, which was accompanied by dysfunctional mitochondria and impaired neuronal function. By contrast, Mdivi-1 (mitochondrial division inhibitor) and urolithin A (mitophagy activator) ameliorated mitochondrial and neuronal function and thereafter lead to cognitive improvement by inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission and giving rise to mitophagy, respectively. We have previously shown that cav-1 can significantly improve DACD by inhibiting ferroptosis. Here, we further demonstrated that cav-1 could not only inhibit mitochondrial fission via the interaction with GSK3β to modulate Drp1 pathway, but also rescue mitophagy through interacting with AMPK to activate PINK1/Parkin and ULK1-dependent signlings.

Conclusions

Overall, our data for the first time point to a mitochondrial fission-mitophagy axis as a driver of neuronal dysfunction in a phenotype that was exaggerated by T2DM, and the protective role of cav-1 in DACD.

Graphical Abstract

Graphic Summary Illustration. In T2DM, excessive mitochondrial fission and impaired mitophagy conspire to an altered mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial dysfunction, with a consequent neuronal damage, overall suggesting an unbalanced mitochondrial fission-mitophagy axis. Upon cav-1 overexpression, GSK3β and AMPK are phosphorylated respectively to activate Drp1 and mitophagy-related pathways (PINK1 and ULKI), ultimately inhibits mitochondrial fission and enhances mitophagy. In the meantime, the mitochondrial morphology and neuronal function are rescued, indicating the protective role of cav-1 on mitochondrial fission-mitophagy axis.
Sodium salicylate ameliorates exercise-induced muscle damage in mice by inhibiting NF-kB signaling
Authors: Wang Yiming , Sun Yuning , Yang Chunhui , Han Bing , Wang Sining
Published: December 2023

Background

Eccentric muscle contraction can cause muscle damage, which reduces the efficiency of exercise. Previous evidence suggested that Sodium salicylate (SS) could improve the repair of aged muscle. This study intends to investigate whether SS can impact skeletal muscle damage caused by eccentric exercise.

Methods

Eccentric treadmill exercise was performed to induce muscle damage in mice. Plasma levels of muscle damage markers were estimated. RT-qPCR was employed for detecting mRNA levels of proinflammatory mediators in murine gastrocnemius muscle. Immunofluorescence staining of laminin/DAPI was utilized for quantifying centrally nucleated myofibers in the gastrocnemius muscle. Western blotting was implemented to examine protein levels of mitsugumin 53 (MG53), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9, and NF-κB signaling-related markers.

Results

SS administration reduced muscle damage marker production in the plasma and decreased the levels of proinflammatory mediators, MG53 and MMP-2/9 in mice after exercise. SS alleviated the severity of muscle damage in the gastrocnemius of mice after eccentric exercise. SS blocked NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle.

Conclusion

SS administration ameliorates skeletal muscle damage caused by eccentric exercise in the mouse model.
Ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases: role and mechanism
Authors: Zhang Qi , Luo Yuhao , Peng Lin , Rong Xi , Liu Yingxue , Li Jiafu , Luo Jing
Published: December 2023

In multicellular organisms, regulatory cell death is a crucial aspect of growth and development. Ferroptosis, which was postulated roughly ten years ago, is a mode of cell death that differs from apoptosis, autophagy, and pyrodeath. This distinct pattern of cell death is triggered by an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants and strongly associated with the metabolism of iron, lipids, amino acids, and glutathione. A growing body of research has implicated ferroptosis in the incidence and progression of many organ traumas and degenerative diseases. Recently, ferroptosis has gained attention as a crucial regulatory mechanism underlying the initiation and development of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, chemotherapy, and Corona Virus-2-induced cardiac injury. Pharmacological therapies that inhibit ferroptosis have great potential for the management of cardiovascular disorders. This review discusses the prevalence and regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, effect of ferroptosis on the immune system, significance of ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases, and potential therapeutic value of regulating ferroptosis in a variety of heart diseases.
Investigating performance metrics for container-based HPC environments using x86 and OpenPOWER systems
Authors: Kuity Animesh , Peddoju Sateesh K.
Published: December 2023

Container-based High-Performance Computing (HPC) is changing the way computation is performed and reproduced without sacrificing the raw performance compared to hypervisor-assisted virtualization technologies. It primarily supports continuously evolving data-intensive applications such as computational fluid dynamics, seismic tomography, molecular biology, and Proteomics. OpenPOWER systems, unlike the x86 systems, use the POWER-compliant processor to exploit instruction-level and thread-level parallelism heavily. In our previous work, we designed and developed a Containerized HPC environment (cHPCe) from the scratch using Linux namespaces on OpenPOWER systems. This paper aims to provide an in-depth performance analysis of the Containerized HPC environment using x86 systems and Containerized HPC environment using the OpenPOWER system, on systems’ subcomponents, processor, memory, interconnect, and IO. This sub-component analysis provides an insight on several aspects of the system performance. To the best of our knowledge, no research has been reported yet for such a comparative analysis that designs cHPCe for both x86 and OpenPOWER systems. The performance of the developed cHPCe is compared with BareMetals, and VMs using the benchmarks HPCC, and IOZone. Our experimental results achieve 0.13% less compute performance penalty at its peak performance on cHPCe compared to the BareMetal-based solution for x86 systems. In contrast, a VM-based solution introduces an overhead of 20% and 4.83% in x86 and OpenPOWER cases, respectively. Moreover, the x86 and OpenPOWER systems observe inconsistent behavior for memory performance with a worst-case penalty of 9.68% and 6.64% compared to achieved peak performance, respectively. However, similar behavior is reported for cHPCe with an overhead of less than 3% and 2% in the worst case for the latency and bandwidth, respectively, compared to the BareMetal for network and disk performance. Our experimental results reveal that the containerized OpenPOWER environment represents a viable alternative to the counterpart x86 environment for the HPC solution.
Youth perception of difficulty accessing cannabis following cannabis legalization and during the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: repeat cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the COMPASS study
Authors: Leatherdale Scott T. , Amores Angelica , Bélanger Richard E. , Battista Kate , Patte Karen A. , Jiang Ying
Published: December 2023

Background

Very little research has examined how perceptions of cannabis access among underage youth in Canada have changed since cannabis was legalized and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this paper examines the effect of the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth perceptions of cannabis access over time since the onset of the Cannabis Act in 2018 in a large sample of Canadian youth.

Methods

Using data from the COMPASS study (T1:2018/19, T2:2019/20, T3:2020/21), we used both repeat cross-sectional data [T1 (n = 38,890), T2 (n = 24,109), and T3 (n = 22,795)] to examine overall trends in perceptions of cannabis access, and sequential cohort longitudinal data [n = 4,677 students linked from T1 to T3] to examine the differential changes in perceptions of cannabis access among students over time.

Results

In the cross-sectional sample, the frequency of students reporting that cannabis was easy to access decreased by 26.7% from T1 (51.0%) to T3 (37.4%), although respondents who have used cannabis were more likely to report access was easy. In the longitudinal sample, perceptions of cannabis access being easy increased over time, especially among cannabis users. Perceived ease of access appears to have been slightly impeded during the initial pandemic period but rebounded during the ongoing pandemic period.

Conclusions

While the prevalence of youth reporting that cannabis is easy to access has declined since legalization and throughout the early and ongoing pandemic periods, a substantial number of underage youth continue to report that cannabis is easy to access. This suggest that there is an ongoing need for continued cannabis control efforts to address this issue.
Analyzing development finance flows in the Western Balkans’ energy sector: a 2008–2020 perspective
Authors: Causevic Amar , Macura Biljana , Haque Nabil , Solujic Sasa , Ploskić Adnan
Published: December 2023

Background

Development finance is vital for low- and middle-income countries to enhance their sustainability agendas, as it provides essential funding necessary to close domestic financing gaps, including in the energy sector. Coal is still a vital power source for the energy sectors in the Western Balkans (i.e., Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The energy sector is a critical component in the five countries’ pursuit to decarbonize (i.e., follow the net zero pathways) due to its central role as a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a critical enabler of sustainability transition. This article presents a mapping exercise of development finance for five Western Balkan countries’ energy sectors. The study conducted a scoping literature review and detailed analysis of the five countries’ energy sector-related development finance flows from 2008 to 2020. This aimed to provide insights into the development finance flows for renewable and non-renewable energy sources in five Western Balkan countries.

Results

The scoping literature review indicated a significant gap in knowledge about the effects and effectiveness of development finance in the Western Balkans. Data analysis identified US$3.2 billion in energy development finance in the examined countries. The disbursement ratios were above the global average of 63%. Serbia received the highest proportion of the total funding, while Montenegro obtained the highest funding per capita. The data analysis did not establish a connection between adopting the Paris Agreement in 2016 and increasing development finance flows for renewable energy projects. Around one-third of the disbursed development finance was invested in projects for energy supply using non-renewable sources. Official Development Aid loans represented 37% (US$1.2 billion) of the total funding, contributing to the increase in indebtedness in the five countries. European-based bilateral and multilateral development finance providers were the most important actors in the five examined countries.

Conclusions

The amount of the disbursed development finance was insufficient to cover a significant percentage of the needs of the surveyed countries. Although carbon-intensive energy infrastructure received considerable funding, the total amount of disbursed energy development finance ranged between 0.15 and 0.62% of the average gross domestic product for the analyzed countries during the study period. Based on the research findings, we recommend that development finance providers and recipient countries pay greater attention to planning for strategic funding disbursement.
Factors assessed in the first year of a longitudinal study predict subsequent study visit compliance: the TEDDY study
Authors: Melin Jessica , Lynch Kristian F. , Lundgren Markus , Aronsson Carin Andrén , Larsson Helena Elding , Johnson Suzanne Bennett
Published: December 2023

Background

Compliance with a study protocol is central to meeting its research goals. In longitudinal research studies, data loss due to missed visits limit statistical power and introduce bias. The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study is a longitudinal multinational (US, Finland, Germany, and Sweden) investigation of children at risk for type 1 diabetes (T1D) that seeks to identify the environmental triggers of islet autoimmunity and T1D. The purpose of the current study was to identify sociodemographic variables and maternal characteristics assessed in the first year of TEDDY that were associated with study visit compliance in the subsequent 3 years.

Methods

Sociodemographic variables, maternal life-style behaviors, post-partum depression, maternal reactions to the child’s T1D risk, and study-related variables were collected at child-age 6 months and 15 months. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of these variables to study visit compliance in the subsequent 3 years.

Results

Study visit compliance was highest in Sweden (p > 0.001), in children who were their mother’s first child (p > 0.001), and whose mothers were older (p > 0.001) and more satisfied with the TEDDY study (p > 0.001). Father participation was also associated with better study visit compliance (p > 0.001). In contrast, children whose mothers smoked (p > 0.001), suffered from post-partum depression (p = 0.034), and were more anxious about their child’s T1D risk (p = 0.002), completed fewer visits. Father’s study satisfaction was also associated with study visit compliance (p = 0.029); however, it was not significant in models that included maternal study satisfaction.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic variables, maternal characteristics—including study satisfaction—and fathers’ participation in the first year of a longitudinal study were associated with subsequent study visit compliance in a sample of children genetically at-risk for T1D followed for 4 years. This information can inform future strategies designed to improve study visit compliance in longitudinal pediatric studies.

Trial registration: NCT00279318, 06/09/2004.
Recent progress of exciton transport in two-dimensional semiconductors
Authors: Lee Hyeongwoo , Kim Yong Bin , Ryu Jae Won , Kim Sujeong , Bae Jinhyuk , Koo Yeonjeong , Jang Donghoon , Park Kyoung-Duck
Published: December 2023

Spatial manipulation of excitonic quasiparticles, such as neutral excitons, charged excitons, and interlayer excitons, in two-dimensional semiconductors offers unique capabilities for a broad range of optoelectronic applications, encompassing photovoltaics, exciton-integrated circuits, and quantum light-emitting systems. Nonetheless, their practical implementation is significantly restricted by the absence of electrical controllability for neutral excitons, short lifetime of charged excitons, and low exciton funneling efficiency at room temperature, which remain a challenge in exciton transport. In this comprehensive review, we present the latest advancements in controlling exciton currents by harnessing the advanced techniques and the unique properties of various excitonic quasiparticles. We primarily focus on four distinct control parameters inducing the exciton current: electric fields, strain gradients, surface plasmon polaritons, and photonic cavities. For each approach, the underlying principles are introduced in conjunction with its progression through recent studies, gradually expanding their accessibility, efficiency, and functionality. Finally, we outline the prevailing challenges to fully harness the potential of excitonic quasiparticles and implement practical exciton-based optoelectronic devices.
Regional lymph node density-based nomogram predicts prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients without distant metastases
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhao Rong , Wu Yu-Lan , Liu Yang , Jin Guan-Qiao , Su Dan-Ke
Published: December 2023

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a relatively common type of cancer in Southern China, with local recurrence or distant metastases even after radical treatment; consequently, it is critical to identify the patients at higher risk for these events beforehand. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of regional lymph node density (RLND) associated nomograms in NPC and to evaluate the utility of nomograms in risk stratification.

Methods

A total of 610 NPC patients without distant metastases (425 in the training and 185 in the validation cohort) were enrolled. The MRI-identified nodal features and clinical characteristics were documented, and the RLND was calculated. Cox analyses were conducted to identify prognostic-associated factors. Nomograms were generated based on the multivariate analysis results. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram models were determined using the concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and calibration curve; the results were compared with those of the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification. Decision curve analysis (DCA) and C-index were used to assess the prognostic effect and added discriminative ability of RLND. We also estimated the optimal RLND-based nomogram score cut-off values for survival prediction.

Results

RLND was an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), with hazard ratios of 1.36 and 1.30, respectively. RLND was utilized in the construction of nomograms, alongside other independent prognostic factors. The RLND-based nomogram models presented a more effective discriminative ability than the TNM classification for predicting OS (C-index, 0.711 vs. 0.680) and DFS (C-index, 0.681 vs. 0.669), with favorable calibration and consistency. The comparison of C-index values between the nomogram models with and without RLND provided substantiation of the crucial role RLND plays in these models. DCA confirmed the satisfactory clinical practicability of RLND. Moreover, the nomograms were used to categorize the patients into three groups (high-, middle-, and low-risk), and the Kaplan–Meier curves showed significant differences in prognosis between them (p < 0.05). These results were verified in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

RLND stands as a robust prognostic factor in NPC. The RLND-based nomograms excel in predicting survival, surpassing the TNM classification.
Prediction of malaria positivity using patients’ demographic and environmental features and clinical symptoms to complement parasitological confirmation before treatment
Authors: Ojurongbe Taiwo Adetola , Afolabi Habeeb Abiodun , Bashiru Kehinde Adekunle , Sule Waidi Folorunso , Akinde Sunday Babatunde , Ojurongbe Olusola , Adegoke Nurudeen A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Current malaria diagnosis methods that rely on microscopy and Histidine Rich Protein-2 (HRP2)-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) have drawbacks that necessitate the development of improved and complementary malaria diagnostic methods to overcome some or all these limitations. Consequently, the addition of automated detection and classification of malaria using laboratory methods can provide patients with more accurate and faster diagnosis. Therefore, this study used a machine-learning model to predict Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) antigen positivity (presence of malaria) based on sociodemographic behaviour, environment, and clinical features.

Method

Data from 200 Nigerian patients were used to develop predictive models using nested cross-validation and sequential backward feature selection (SBFS), with 80% of the dataset randomly selected for training and optimisation and the remaining 20% for testing the models. Outcomes were classified as Pf-positive or Pf-negative, corresponding to the presence or absence of malaria, respectively.

Results

Among the three machine learning models examined, the penalised logistic regression model had the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the training set (AUC = 84%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 75–93%) and test set (AUC = 83%; 95% CI: 63–100%). Increased odds of malaria were associated with higher body weight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.50, 95% CI: 2.27 to 8.01, p < 0.0001). Even though the association between the odds of having malaria and body temperature was not significant, patients with high body temperature had higher odds of testing positive for the Pf antigen than those who did not have high body temperature (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.91, p = 0.068). In addition, patients who had bushes in their surroundings (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.30 to 4.66, p = 0.006) or experienced fever (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 0.88 to 4.24, p = 0.099), headache (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 0.95 to 3.95, p = 0.068), muscle pain (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 0.66 to 3.39, p = 0.333), and vomiting (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 0.85 to 6.82, p = 0.097) were more likely to experience malaria. In contrast, decreased odds of malaria were associated with age (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.90, p = 0.012) and BMI (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.80, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Newly developed routinely collected baseline sociodemographic, environmental, and clinical features to predict Pf antigen positivity may be a valuable tool for clinical decision-making.
Language teacher psychological well-being: an insight into the impacts of emotion regulation, reflective teaching, self-efficacy, and identity in an EFL context
Authors: Ismail Sayed M. , Patra Indrajit , Yang HeXu , Ajanil Bemnet
Published: December 2023

Teachers' psychological wellbeing is defined as their evaluation and contentment with their own fulfillment, wellness, and profession as a concept best observable in positive psychology. Therefore, the psychological well-being of teachers is intertwined with a variety of other concepts. In the past, investigations mirrored that emotional regulation, reflective teaching, self-efficacy, and identity play important roles in the psychological and mental health of language instructors. Despite the enormous impact they play, there has never been any study that specifically investigated the contribution of emotion regulation, reflective teaching, self-efficacy, or identity to the psychological well-being of language teachers. As a result, the purpose of this sturdy was to provide emphasis on the aforementioned interpersonal dynamics within an EFL context. The Language Teacher Emotion Regulation Inventory, the English Language Teacher Reflective Inventory, the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale, the Professional Identity Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being at Work were all part of an online survey that 433 EFL teachers from China responded to. The data analysis conducted with Structural Equation Modeling as well as Confirmatory Factor Analysis via LISREL 8.80 suggested that the status of language instructors' emotion control, reflective teaching, self-efficacy, and identity may be expected to be a significant indicator for their psychological well-being. This was shown to be the case after they were subjected to a questionnaire. The results highlight the need of adding reflective practices, skills for emotional management, self-efficacy beliefs, and identity reconstruction within the curriculum of teacher training programs.
The validity and reliability of Indonesian version of atrial fibrillation effect on quality of life (AFEQT) questionnaire for atrial fibrillation patients
Authors: Zulmiyusrini Putri , Yamin Muhammad , Muhadi Muhadi , Kurniawan Juferdy , Salim Simon
Published: December 2023

Background

More than 60% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a significant health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment. HRQoL, a patient-reported outcome (PRO), has become an important endpoint to assess treatment success in AF patients. The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT) questionnaire is an AF-specific HRQoL tool shown to be feasible, reliable, and valid, with translations in various languages. Since this questionnaire has never been translated or validated in Indonesian, we aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the AFEQT questionnaire for AF patients.

Results

This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Integrated Cardiovascular Service Polyclinic, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia, from December 2021 to March 2022. A total of 30 participants were recruited for cross-cultural adaptation process, which consisted of translation and adaptation process, and a total of 102 participants were consecutively recruited to participate in the validation process, which consisted of validity test (construct validity) and reliability tests (internal consistency and test-retest). The retest was conducted within a 1–2-week interval after the baseline assessment, by analyzing the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The construct validity was determined by multitrait scaling analysis, and the convergent and divergent validity was compared to SF-36 domains. Multitrait scaling analysis revealed that all items in the Indonesian version of the AFEQT questionnaire had a strong negative correlation towards their respective domains (r -0.639–-0.960). For convergent and divergent validity, AFEQT domains had weak to strong positive correlations to all SF-36 domains (r 0.338–0.693). This questionnaire also had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α for overall score: 0.947; Domains: Symptoms: 0.818, Daily Activities: 0.943, Treatment Concern: 0.894, and Treatment Satisfaction: 0.865), as well as moderate-to-good test-retest reliability (0.521–0.828).

Conclusions

The Indonesian version of the AFEQT questionnaire has good validity and reliability for assessing quality of life of atrial fibrillation patients in Indonesia.
When parathyroid adenoma meets osteopathia striata, rarest amalgam of bony dysplasia with brown tumors: a case report
Authors: Sultan Moinuddin , Chauhan Rituja , Shukla Abhijeet , Badhe Padma
Published: December 2023

Background

Osteopathia is a benign entity characterized by linear densities along the diaphysis and metaphysis of the longitudinal axes of the long bone. Parathyroid adenoma is a non-malignant parathyroid gland tumor characterized by increased parathormone levels, causing defecting calcium levels leading to multiple brown tumors, renal calculi, bone pains, polyuria, and arrhythmias in the patient. The coexistence of parathyroid adenoma with osteopathia striata has not been reported yet in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case of its kind.

Case presentation

An 18-year-old male patient presented to our institution with the complaint of genu valgum deformity in his right knee and was admitted for corrective surgery. While undergoing a preoperative evaluation, we came across multiple focal, lytic lesions in his radiographs and an atypical finding of osteopathia striata in his long bones. Further examination led us to the findings of cranial sclerosis and acro-osteolysis of distal phalanges. The tumor, whose catalyst was unclear, directed us toward an ultrasonographic analysis of the patient’s neck, leading us to a solitary parathyroid adenoma.

Conclusions

Radiological examinations played a very crucial role in the diagnosis of this condition. Though the reason behind osteopathia and the parathyroid lesion in this patient remains unknown, this presentation remains an exceptional and never-reported case of parathyroid adenoma and associated brown tumors in a patient with osteopathia striata.
Working conditions, psychological distress and suicidal ideation: cross-sectional survey study of UK junior doctors
Authors: Teoh Kevin Rui-Han , Dunning Alice , Taylor Anna Kathryn , Gopfert Anya , Chew-Graham Carolyn A. , Spiers Johanna , Appleby Louis , Van Hove Maria , Buszewicz Marta , Riley Ruth
Published: December 2023

Background

Evidence attests a link between junior doctors’ working conditions and psychological distress. Despite increasing concerns around suicidality among junior doctors, little is known about its relationship to their working conditions.

Aims

To (a) establish the prevalence of suicidal ideation among junior doctors in the National Health Service; (b) examine the relationships between perceived working conditions and suicidal ideation; and (c) explore whether psychological distress (e.g. symptoms of depression and anxiety) mediates these relationships.

Method

Junior doctors were recruited between March 2020 and January 2021, for a cross-sectional online survey. We used the Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards Tool; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21; and Paykel Suicidality Scale to assess working conditions, psychological distress and suicidality, respectively.

Results

Of the 424 participants, 50.2% reported suicidal ideation, including 6.1% who had made an attempt on their own life. Participants who identified as LGBTQ+ (odds ratio 2.18, 95% CI 1.15–4.12) or reported depression symptoms (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.07–1.14) were more likely to report suicidal ideation. No direct relationships were reported between working conditions (i.e. control, support, role clarity, strained relationships, demand and change) and suicidal ideation. However, depression symptoms mediated all six relationships.

Conclusions

This sample of junior doctors reported alarming levels of suicidal ideation. There may be an indirect relationship between working conditions and suicidal ideation via depressive symptoms. Clearer research exploring the experience of suicidality in junior doctors is needed, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Systematic interventions addressing working environment are needed to support junior doctors’ mental health.
On the Peculiar Appendage of Appendicularia, styled “Haus” by Mertens
Authors: Allman Prof.
Published: December 2023

While using the towing-net in the Clyde, near Rothesay, during the last week of April, 1858, I observed among the contents of the net numerous specimens of an Appendicularia, which I cannot, without some doubt, refer to any described species, but which I shall not at present venture to name as distinct, for my attention was at the time rather turned to other points in its economy than to the determination of its specific characters.
Η πλοκή ως δομικό στοιχείο του πεζογραφικού σύμπαντος
Authors: Μυροφορίδης Αλέξανδρος
Published: December 2023

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή στοχεύει στην ανάδειξη της πλοκής ως δομικού στοιχείου, αφηγηματικής γραμματικής και μηχανισμού παρουσίασης της μυθοπλασίας στο πεζογραφικό σύμπαν. Συγκεντρώνει, σε μια ιστορική επισκόπηση, και αξιολογεί ορισμούς και θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις, από την Αρχαία Ελληνική Γραμματεία έως τα τέλη του 20ού αιώνα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, από την αριστοτελική θεώρηση της σύνθεσης και σύστασης των πραγμάτων, την πίστη στις τρεις Ενότητες, της Δράσης, του Χώρου και του Χρόνου, τις υποπλοκές και τη διατήρηση της δραματικής έντασης ανάμεσα στις θεατρικές πράξεις των Γάλλων κλασικών και των Βρετανών νεοκλασικών, την οπτική γωνία αφήγησης και παρακολούθησης της ιστορίας, την ανοικείωση στον πεζό λόγο των Ρώσων Φορμαλιστών, το παράδειγμα του E. M. Forster για τον «θάνατο της βασίλισσας» περί αιτιότητας των συμβάντων στην αφήγηση, την ανατροπή της ισορροπίας του στρουκτουραλιστή Tzvetan Todorov, αλλά και τις οργανωτικές δομές, τους κώδικες του Roland Barthes. Η ανάπτυξη των μεθοδολογικών αρχών της επικεντρώνεται στη χρήση προεπιλεγμένων μοτίβων, την ενσωμάτωση της μοντέρνας αφηγηματολογίας στην εργαλειοθήκη της και την εξωκειμενική αρχιτεκτονική. Μέσω της ιστορικής επισκόπησης αλλά και της καταγραφής των μεθόδων, των τύπων, των συνθετικών στοιχείων και των λοιπών μηχανισμών και τεχνασμάτων της, υπογραμμίζεται πως η πλοκή ενός κειμένου είναι το αποτέλεσμα ενός έντεχνου και ολοκληρωτικού συγγραφικού σχεδιασμού και δεν αντιπροσωπεύει αποκλειστικά την κατάλληλη επιλογή της ακολουθίας των γεγονότων – η πλοκή προσφέρει την ενδοκειμενική και την εξωκειμενική δόμηση, ομιλεί στον αναγνώστη με μια δική της, επινοημένη γλώσσα. Εποπτεύει τη ροή και ωθεί την εξελικτική δυνατότητα μιας αφήγησης, οριοθετεί το κείμενο χωρίς να το περιορίζει και του παρέχει διακριτό πλαίσιο αναφοράς και δομή προσχεδιασμένου αισθητικού αποτελέσματος, για την πρόσληψή της από τον αναγνώστη. Για την ανάδειξη των μηχανισμών της πλοκής και της δραματικής έντασης αξιοποιούνται παραδείγματα έργων από την παγκόσμια λογοτεχνία, παρατίθενται διαγράμματα και αναλύονται κείμενα μέσω της εργαστηριακής δημιουργικής γραφής.
Ενδυναμώνοντας Ρομά έφηβους και έφηβες για μία συμμετρική διαπολιτισμική αλληλεπίδραση
Authors: Αγάπογλου Θεοδώρα
Published: December 2023

Στην παρούσα διατριβή διερευνώνται οι τρόποι με τους οποίους είναι δυνατό μέλη μίας μειονοτικοποιημένης ομάδας, που διαθέτουν ελάχιστη κοινωνική εξουσία, υφίσταται πολλαπλές κοινωνικές διακρίσεις και ζουν γεωγραφικά περιθωριοποιημένα και πολιτισμικά περιχαρακωμένα στην κοινωνικά κατασκευασμένη ετερότητά τους, να ενδυναμωθούν, ώστε να διεκδικήσουν συμμετρική διαπολιτισμική αλληλεπίδραση με τους ‘Άλλους’. Η έρευνα πραγματοποιήθηκε σε έναν μουσουλμανικό οικισμό Ρομά της Θράκης, που απέχει μόλις 3 χιλιόμετρα από το κέντρο της πόλης. Μετά από τη διεξαγωγή μίας εθνογραφικής έρευνας με σκοπό την εξοικείωσή μου ως ερευνήτριας-εκπαιδεύτριας με την πολιτισμική ταυτότητα και την κοινωνική πραγματικότητα που βιώνει η συγκεκριμένη ομάδα, προσκάλεσα έφηβους και έφηβες, τη νέα γενιά μελλοντικών πολιτών, ως συμμετέχοντες σε μία συνεργατική και κριτική-χειραφετική έρευνα δράσης. Η έρευνα δράσης ακολούθησε μία σπειροειδή ανάπτυξη μέσω τεσσάρων κύκλων στο πλαίσιο ενός πρωτότυπου προγράμματος μη τυπικής και ‘κριτικής-απελευθερωτικής’ εκπαίδευσης. Η ενεργός εμπλοκή των εφήβων σε μία κοινότητα μάθησης και αναστοχασμού και η διερεύνηση ‘παραγωγικών θεμάτων’ ταυτότητας, ετερότητας, κοινωνικών ανισοτήτων και ενεργούς πολιτειότητας αποδείχθηκαν κρίσιμες, καθώς πρόσφεραν στους εφήβους την κριτική γνώση για την ανάκριση της κυρίαρχης ιδεολογίας και τη διεκδίκηση της εξουσίας τους με σκοπό την προώθηση της έκφρασης των αυθεντικών τους φωνών και των εναλλακτικών τους αφηγήσεων (‘counter-narratives’), που έως τότε αποσιωπούνταν. Παράλληλα, η συστηματική εξάσκηση στη διαπολιτισμική ικανότητα ενός δημοκρατικού πολίτη συνέδραμε στην αποτελεσματικότερη διαχείριση αυτής της κοινωνικής εξουσίας υπό το πρίσμα της κοινωνικής δικαιοσύνης. Η θεμελιωμένη θεωρία μέσω των συστηματικών βημάτων της διευκόλυνε την παραγωγή θεωρίας από το προς ανάλυση υλικό της έρευνας δράσης. Ο κριτικός-χειραφετικός χαρακτήρας της παρούσας έρευνας δράσης διαφαίνεται μέσω της αλλαγής των εφήβων, καθώς και των πρωτοβουλιών τους για την προώθηση ενός απελευθερωτικού διαλόγου αναφορικά με τα κοινωνικές ανισότητες που βιώνουν με στόχο τον εξανθρωπισμό των προνομιούχων ‘Άλλων’ και την κοινωνική αλλαγή που οι ίδιοι επιθυμούν.
Reimaging study in the management of blunt abdominal trauma in children: a low income country single center experience
Authors: Ben Youssef Sabrine , Mesaoud Marwa , Ben fredj Myriam , Boukhrissa Nouha , Abdelaaly Mabrouk , ben Mansour Maha , Mosbahi Sana , Sfar Sami , Chakroun Sawsen , Ksia Amine , Sahnoun Lassaad , Mekki Mongi , Zrig Ahmed , Belghith Mohsen
Published: December 2023

Introduction The abdomen is the most prevalent site of primarily unidentified fatal injury after blunt trauma, and represents the third major affected part. However, follow-up strategies of intra-abdominal injuries remain controversial. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of children with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) and who presented radiographic amendments in re-imaging studies and predict factors that could identify patients group requiring control in this population. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the department of pediatric surgery and the intensive care unit of Monastir involving all patients under the age of 14 years old who were admitted for blunt abdominal trauma between January 2010 and December 2021.An analysis of epidemiological, clinical, radiological and therapeutic management characteristics were performed. Results A total of 151 patients were included in this study with a mean age of six years. The sex ratio (m/f) was 2.7. Most trauma circumstances were related to road accidents (43.7%) and falls (32.4%). The liver, the spleen, and the kidneys were the most frequently affected organs. A combination of intra-abdominal lesions was recorded in 32 cases. 84% of the cases (110/131) of the reimaged patients had no complications, compared to 16% (21/131) who developed intra-abdominal complications. The complicated reimaging findings were significantly associated with high grade hepatic and renal injuries (p=0.019 and 0.002, respectively), and patient symptom persistence or development (p=0.001). Conclusion It is safe to avoid performing reimaging studies if clinical progression remains uneventful in children with low-grade hepatic, splenic, and renal lesions. However, the clinical assessment is the most crucial consideration during BAT management in children.
JOINT INPUT AND STATE ESTIMATION OF A SCALED WIND TURBINE MODEL: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: ZHU ZIMO , ZHU SONGYE
Published: December 2023

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has gained recognition in civil engineering and is now a well-established technique. Recently, it has received considerable research attention in the application in Wind turbine (WT) structures. A complete sensing system could provide comprehensive information about the structure during long-term operations. In this study, a 1:50 scaled WT model of the 5-MW reference WT presented by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) was designed and manufactured, and a comprehensive SHM sensing system was installed on the WT tower. The system included accelerometers, strain gauges, and as well as a camera system that integrated digital image correlation (DIC) technology and binocular stereo vision technology. By employing the joint input and state estimation (JISE) technique, both the unmonitored structural responses and the unknown interface input were estimated. The study found that blade rotation exerted significant effects on the WT tower responses. The feasibility of WT SHM using the camera system was also validated and discussed in the research. These findings establish a basis for future dynamic analysis of WT structures using the estimated responses and input. Moreover, the study results present a cost-effective approach for monitoring the structural health of WT systems.
QUANTIFIABLE SCOUR DETECTION FOR OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES USING RESONANCE FREQUENCY MONITORING AND A DIGITAL TWIN
Authors: WEIL MAXIMILLIAN , JURADO CARLOS SASTRE , CHAAR MUSTAFA , WINKLER KRISTOF , WEIJTJENS WOUT , DEVRIENDT CHRISTOF
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a methodology for enhancing frequency-based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs) by incorporating digital twin models. The proposed methodology utilizes an automated operational modal analysis to extract modal frequencies from acceleration measurements. The environmental and operational variability is removed through tree-based regression models, which can adequately recognize the different operational states of the OWT. The proposed data-driven approach relies on the detection of the modal frequency changes caused by a damaging scenario in the OWT (e.g. scouring). The digital twin model accounts for the actual properties of the substructure, considering the specific foundation geometry and soil conditions at the monitored OWT location. A statistical control chart is used to identify the possible scour depth by comparing the changes in the normalized modal frequency and the digital-twin calculations. The methodology is demonstrated on 4 months of measurements from a full-scale monitored OWT. The proposed methodology advances the SHM capabilities from damage detection to damage quantification, enabling improved operations & maintenance strategies for OWTs.
ANOMALY DETECTION IN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE STRUCTURES USING HIERARCHICAL BAYESIAN MODELLING
Authors: SMITH SIMON M. , HUGHE AIDAN J. , DARDENO TINA A. , BULL LAWRENCE A. , DERVILIS NIKOLAOS , WORDEN KEITH
Published: December 2023

Population-based structural health monitoring (PBSHM), aims to share information between members of a population. An offshore wind (OW) farm could be considered as a population of nominally-identical wind-turbine structures. However, benign variations exist among members, such as geometry, sea-bed conditions and temperature differences. These factors could influence structural properties and therefore the dynamic response, making it more difficult to detect structural problems via traditional SHM techniques. This paper explores the use of a hierarchical Bayesian model to infer expected soil stiffness distributions at both population and local levels, as a basis to perform anomaly detection, in the form of scour, for new and existing turbines. To do this, observations of natural frequency will be generated as though they are from a small population of wind turbines. Differences between individual observations will be introduced by postulating distributions over the soil stiffness and measurement noise, as well as reducing soil depth (to represent scour), in the case of anomaly detection.