bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of gene expression between mice and humans in acetaminophen-induced liver injury by integrating bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhao Shanmin , Feng Yan , Zhang Jingyuan , Zhang Qianqian , Wang Junyang , Cui Shufang
Published: March 2024

Objective

Mice are routinely utilized as animal models of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), however, there are significant differences in the pathogenesis between mice and humans. This study aimed to compare gene expression between humans and mice in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI), and investigate the similarities and differences in biological processes between the two species.

Methods

A pair of public datasets (GSE218879 and GSE120652) obtained from GEO were analyzed using “Limma” package in R language, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including co-expressed DEGs (co-DEGs) and specific-expressed DEGS (specific-DEGs). Analysis of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed analyses for specific-DEGs and co-DEGs. The co-DEGs were also used to construct transcription factor (TF)-gene network, gene-miRNA interactions network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for analyzing hub genes.

Results

Mouse samples contained 1052 up-regulated genes and 1064 down-regulated genes, while human samples contained 1156 up-regulated genes and 1557 down-regulated genes. After taking the intersection between the DEGs, only 154 co-down-regulated and 89 co-up-regulated DEGs were identified, with a proportion of less than 10%. It was suggested that significant differences in gene expression between mice and humans in drug-induced liver injury. Mouse-specific-DEGs predominantly engaged in processes related to apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress, while human-specific-DEGs were concentrated around catabolic process. Analysis of co-regulated genes reveals showed that they were mainly enriched in biosynthetic and metabolism-related processes. Then a PPI network which contains 189 nodes and 380 edges was constructed from the co-DEGs and two modules were obtained by Mcode. We screened out 10 hub genes by three algorithms of Degree, MCC and MNC, including CYP7A1, LSS, SREBF1, FASN, CD44, SPP1, ITGAV, ANXA5, LGALS3 and PDGFRA. Besides, TFs such as FOXC1, HINFP, NFKB1, miRNAs like mir-744-5p, mir-335-5p, mir-149-3p, mir-218-5p, mir-10a-5p may be the key regulatory factors of hub genes.

Conclusions

The DEGs of AILI mice models and those of patients were compared, and common biological processes were identified. The signaling pathways and hub genes in co-expression were identified between mice and humans through a series of bioinformatics analyses, which may be more valuable to reveal molecular mechanisms of AILI.
Unusual presentation and delayed diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma
Authors: Zaheer Salman , Zhou Alice L. , Gross John M. , Kilic Ahmet
Published: March 2024

Background

Primary cardiac angiosarcomas are very rare and present aggressively with high rates of metastasis. Given the poor prognosis, particularly once disease has spread, early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment is essential.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 46-year-old male who presented with chest pain, intermittent fevers, and dyspnea. Workup with computed tomography scan and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a right atrial pseudoaneurysm. Given the concern for rupture, the patient was taken to the operating room, where resection of the pseudoaneurysm and repair using a bovine pericardial patch was performed. Histopathology report initially demonstrated perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate. Six weeks later, the patient represented with chest pain and new word finding difficulty. Workup revealed multiple solid lung, pericardial, brain, and bone nodules. Eventual biopsy of a cardiophrenic nodule demonstrated angiosarcoma, and rereview of the original pathology slides confirmed the diagnosis of primary cardiac angiosarcoma.

Conclusions

Primary cardiac angiosarcomas are often misdiagnosed given the rarity of these tumors, but early diagnosis and initiation of treatment is essential. The unique presentation of our case demonstrates that clinical suspicion for cardiac angiosarcoma should be maintained for spontaneous pseudoaneurysm originating from the right atrium.
The digital divide in rural and regional communities: a survey on the use of digital health technology and implications for supporting technology use
Authors: Jongebloed Hannah , Anderson Kate , Winter Natalie , Nguyen Lemai , Huggins Catherine E. , Savira Feby , Cooper Paul , Yuen Eva , Peeters Anna , Rasmussen Bodil , Reddy Sandeep , Crowe Sarah , Bhoyroo Rahul , Muhammad Imran , Ugalde Anna
Published: March 2024

Objective

A digital divide exists for people from rural and regional areas where they are less likely and confident to engage in digital health technologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the digital health literacy and engagement of people from rural and regional communities, with a focus on identifying barriers and facilitators to using technology.

Results

Forty adults living in rural/regional areas completed a survey consisting of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) with additional items surveying participants’ experience with a range of digital health technologies. All participants had used at least one digital health technology. Most (80%) participants had an eHEALS score of 26 or above indicating confidence in online health information. Commonly reported barriers to digital health technology use centred on product complexity and reliability, awareness of resources, lack of trust, and cost. Effective digital health technology use is becoming increasingly important, there may be a need to prioritise and support people with lower levels of digital health literacy. We present opportunities to support community members in using and accessing digital health technology.
Shower dehumidification to reduce nontuberculous mycobacteria aerosolization
Authors: Kostecki Michael X. , Chan Yvonne L. , Honda Jennifer R.
Published: March 2024

Objective

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmentally acquired opportunistic pathogens that can cause recalcitrant lung disease. Prior reports have demonstrated links between shower use and infections, yet the aerosolization of NTM from showerheads, as well as the humidity levels that may modulate NTM aerosolization from showerheads is less studied. The objective of the current study was to investigate the role of humidity in NTM aerosolization among showers in homes located in a geographic area with high lung disease incidence, Hawai’i, and test whether deployment of a dehumidifier in well-ventilated bathrooms reduce NTM exposure.

Results

Across two sampling events and five showers, existing NTM showerhead biofilms along with shower air were sampled at three points: pre-shower, post-shower, and post-dehumidification. In each of the sampling events, respiratory relevant NTM species were identified from shower biofilms, which were also detected in aerosolized shower air after showering events, but not after the shower was dehumidified and bathrooms vented. While sample size was small, these data suggest running a shower is a possible source of NTM aerosolization and using a commercial household dehumidifier in conjunction with opening bathroom doors and windows may be simple, cost-effective interventions to reduce environmental NTM exposures.
Optimising total knee replacement imaging: a novel 3D printed PET/CT anthropomorphic phantom for metal artefact simulation
Authors: Assiri Rajeh , Knapp Karen , Fulford Jon , Chen Junning
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Arthroplasty phantoms, including total knee replacement (TKR) phantoms, have been frequently used to test metal artefact reduction methods applied to positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images. These phantoms generally simulate either simple anatomical features or simple activity distribution around the metal inserts in the PET/CT scans. 3D printing has been used recently to fabricate fillable anthropomorphic phantoms that accurately simulate volume and geometry. This study aims to describe the process of image segmentation, phantom modelling, 3D printing and validation of a population-based fillable TKR phantom that simulates human TKR PET/CT metal artefacts.

Methods

10 participants (5 male and 5 female) were scanned using 3T MRI and the images were segmented to create average male and average female 3D knee models, inversely with void cortical and porous trabecular compartments for 3D printing and contrast media. Virtual total knee replacement (TKR) surgery was implemented on these models to prepare the insertion locations for knee prosthetic implants. Subsequently, TKR models were printed using a 3D photopolymer resin printer and then injected with normal saline to test the phantoms for any leaks. Subsequently, diluted iodinated contrast media was injected into the cortical compartment and saline with 18F-FDG was injected into the trabecular compartment and the phantom was scanned with PET/CT. The images were then evaluated and compared to the human knee radiographic features reported in the literature.

Results

Phantoms were shown to be fluid-tight with distinct compartments. They showed comparable volume and geometry to the segmented human MRI knees. The phantoms demonstrated similar values for x-ray attenuation and Hounsfield units (HU) to the literature for both cortical and trabecular compartments. The phantoms displayed a uniform distribution for the radioactive tracer, resembling that seen in human trabecular bone PET. TKR phantom PET/CT images with metal inserts replicated the clinical metal artefacts seen clinically in the periprosthetic area.

Conclusion

This novel, 3D-printed, and customisable phantom effectively mimics the geometric, radiographic and radiotracer distribution features of real TKRs. Importantly, it simulates TKR image metal artefacts, making it suitable for repeatable and comprehensive evaluation of various metal artefact reduction methods in future research.
Determinants of digital technology development in sub-Saharan African countries: evidence from panel data analysis
Authors: Beyene Elfenesh , Bedemo Amsalu , Gebremeskel Atnafu
Published: March 2024

The primary objective of this research is to explore the elements that shape the progression of digital technology in Sub-Saharan African nations. The study employs data obtained from 16 countries, covering the period between 2000 and 2020. Employing fixed effect panel regression analysis, our research indicates that various non-technological factors significantly impact digital technology development in the region. The results highlight that variables including general government final consumption expenditure, inflation rate, employment growth rate, financial development, ease of doing business index, logistics performance index, international migration, access to electricity, and access to safe drinking water have a positive impact on the development of digital technology. Conversely, international trade is identified as a negative influence, primarily due to insufficient infrastructural development. These findings underscore the significance of non-technological elements, encompassing aspects like globalization, economic conditions, favorable digital ecosystems, and the fulfillment of basic human needs, in shaping the landscape of digital technology in the region. The study, while acknowledging limitations in terms of selected indicators, years, and countries, emphasizes the need for broader investigations in future research. Practically, the study suggests that governments in the region should prioritize addressing these non-technological factors to fully leverage the potential of digital technology development. The originality and value of this research lies in its exploration of non-technological determinants, shedding light on their pivotal role in shaping the digital technology landscape in sub-Saharan Africa.
Resilience and systems- A traffic flow case example
Authors: Mayar Khalilullah , Carmichael David G. , Shen Xuesong
Published: March 2024

Resilience has increasingly become a crucial topic to the function of various real-world systems as our planet undergoes a rising trend of uncertainty and change due to natural, human and technological causes. Despite its ubiquitous use, the term resilience is poorly and often inconsistently used in various disciplines, hindering its universal understanding and application. This study applies the resilience system interpretation framework, which defines resilience irrespective of its disciplinary association, in the form of adaptation and adaptive systems, to two traffic flow systems. The system framework defines resilience as the ability of the system state and form to return to their initial or other suitable state or form through passive and active feedback structures. Both components of the system framework are demonstrated through practical simulation scenarios on the modified viscous Burgers’ equation and the LWR-Greenshields model equipped with an adaptive Extremum seeking control, respectively. This novel and systematic understanding of resilience will advance resilience analysis, design, and measurement processes in various real-world systems in a unified fashion and subsequently pave the way for resilience operationalization and its integration into industry standards.
Reconsidering the nomenclature of the flexor digiti minimi muscles: a proposed solution to ambiguity in anatomical description
Authors: Ogut Eren
Published: March 2024

Background

The nomenclature surrounding the 'flexor digiti minimi brevis' muscle prompts deliberation concerning its accuracy and potential variations. Addressing this uncertainty entails expunging the term 'brevis' from nomenclature references to the muscle, opting instead for the term 'flexor digiti minimi.' This nomenclatural adjustment currently being advocated raises inquiries about the necessity for descriptors denoting the muscle's specific placement along the upper or lower extremities. This study was conducted with a dual objective: to illuminate this topic and consolidate existing research on this issue.

Main body of the abstract

Research encompassing the terms 'flexor digiti minimi' OR 'flexor digiti minimi brevis' was screened within this field. The inclusion criteria involved original articles, case reports, case series, relevant books, and book chapters. Excluded from this review were articles mentioning 'flexor digiti minimi' and 'digiti minimi' that were unrelated to the subject, as well as poster presentations, proceedings, conference materials, abstracts, and atlases.

Short conclusion

In summary, changing the name of the muscle enhances anatomical understanding, promotes clarity and precision in communication, facilitates research efforts, and helps prevent confusion in medical education and clinical practice. These benefits highlight the importance of revising nomenclature to reflect anatomical accuracy and improve healthcare outcomes. It also promotes consistency in studies and allows for more meaningful comparisons across studies, ultimately advancing our understanding of anatomical variations and their clinical significance. Furthermore, it allows for more effective teaching and learning experiences, enabling medical practitioners to make accurate diagnoses, develop effective treatment strategies.
Local Sociocultural Practice Specific Financial Toxicity Assessment Tool for Cancer: An Emerging Need
Authors: Sharma Parth , Rajagopal Muttacaud Ramakrishnan , Soto-Perez-de-Celis Enrique , Blanchard Charmaine , Sudhakaran Deepak , Mathew Aju
Published: March 2024

It is relevant to study the financial toxicity of cancer to address it. However, the existing tools fail to capture the financial destruction of cancer on patients and their families in resource-limited countries. The authors discuss the need for a new tool in this article.
Renal Hypokalemia: An Endocrine Perspective
Authors: Culver Silas A , Suleman Nawar , Kavuru Varun , Siragy Helmy M
Published: March 2024

The majority of disorders that cause renal potassium wasting present with abnormalities in adrenal hormone secretion. While these findings frequently lead patients to seek endocrine evaluation, clinicians often struggle to accurately diagnose these conditions, delaying treatment and adversely impacting patient care. At the same time, growing insight into the genetic and molecular basis of these disorders continues to improve their diagnosis and management. In this review, we outline a practical integrated approach to the evaluation of renal hypokalemia syndromes that are seen in endocrine practice while highlighting recent advances in understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology behind them.
Whence Automation? The History (and Possible Futures) of a Concept
Authors: Elzway Salem , Resnikoff Jason
Published: March 2024

Rather than a dispassionate term of engineering, automation is what scholars of STS (Science, Technology, and Society) call a “sociotechnical imaginary.” It offers a seductive and ready-to-hand teleological narrative about history, work, and technological change that obscures the politics behind seemingly incontestable and objective realities. Far from an accounting of the apolitical development of productive forces, the history of automation—as discourse, as process, and as technoscience—is inseparable from the development of the “technopolitics” of work, or the intersection between the built world and the contingency of political life. Technopolitics can help labor historians break out of these narrative traps, strip terms like automation of their explanatory authority, and reveal just how much of the labor process remains contingent and open to political negotiation. Frameworks provided by STS allow us to see how automation fails to explain changes to the workplace over the better part of the past century and how it, in fact, codified class domination in the American technopolitical regime of the postwar period.
Science as Routine: Work and Labor in the Bureau of Science at Manila
Authors: Baldoza Jonathan Victor
Published: March 2024

In the early twentieth-century Philippines, the Bureau of Science at Manila entrenched scientific knowledge production as a component of the American colonial government. This article examines the management and routinization of scientific activity in the bureau, looking at how scientists, acting as managers and bureaucrats, organized, categorized, and administered different kinds of scientific work and labor. In particular, the article discusses how the bureau's scientists grappled with “routine,” a category of work classified as important to the bureau's institutional identity but menial and perfunctory, an obstruction to research. As a result, research and routine characterized scientific work, involving technical, manual, and clerical labor along contiguous lines of investigation. Furthermore, the bureau offered a complex but integrated ecology where American and Filipino scientists, clerks, assistants, and other employees worked, forming professional networks and building scientific careers.
Poziom wyposażenia instytucjonalnego gmin w Polsce w 2021 roku
Authors: Szmytkie Robert , Sikorski Dominik
Published: March 2024

Głównym celem niniejszego opracowania było określenie poziomu wyposażenia instytucjonalnego gmin w Polsce. W badaniach zastosowano metodę typologii wzorcowej, która zakłada istnienie pewnej liczby rzędów osiedli centralnych wraz z typowymi dla tych rzędów rodzajami funkcji centralnych. Jako reprezentatywne dla poziomu gminnego określono 13 rodzajów instytucji centralnych. Badania wykazały, że gminy w Polsce cechowały się generalnie wysokim poziomem wyposażenia instytucjonalnego. Pewne niedobory w zakresie występowania instytucji gminnych zdiagnozowane zostały w przypadku gmin wiejskich i gmin obwarzankowych, a wielkość gminy jedynie w ograniczonym zakresie miała wpływ na jej poziom wyposażenia instytucjonalnego. W skali regionalnej województwa położone w zachodniej i południowej części Polski cechowały się nieznacznie wyższym poziomem wyposażenia w instytucje gminne niż województwa leżące w środkowej i wschodniej części kraju. W świetle uzyskanych wyników można stwierdzić, że wyposażenie instytucjonalne większości gmin pozwala na wypełnienie powierzonych im zadań własnych w stopniu bardzo wysokim lub wysokim.
Damage detection of composite structures using optimal modeling and vibration measurements from a limited number of sensors
Authors: Ζαχαράκης Ηλίας
Published: March 2024

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, υπάρχει μια αυξανόμενη τάση στη χρήση συστημάτων Παρακολούθησης Δομικής Ακεραιότητας (ΠΔΑ) των κατασκευών που μπορεί να αποδοθεί στη χρήση προηγμένων υλικών αλλά και στην ανάπτυξη μεγαλύτερων και πιο πολύπλοκων κατασκευών. Οι μέθοδοι που βασίζονται σε ταλαντωτικές μετρήσεις ανήκουν σε μια υποκατηγορία των ΠΔΑ η οποία λειτουργεί με την θεώρηση ότι μια βλάβη θα επηρεάσει την δυναμική απόκριση της κατασκευής. Κατά το παρελθόν, διάφορες μέθοδοι έχουν προταθεί με στόχο την ένδειξη βλάβης σε μία κατασκευή ή την εύρεση της ακριβής τοποθεσίας της βλάβης. Στην περίπτωση που αναζητείται η ακριβής τοποθεσία της βλάβης οι μέθοδοι απαιτούν πειραματικές μετρήσεις αλλά και επιπλέον δεδομένα ως είσοδο, μια από τις επιλογές είναι ένα μοντέλο Πεπερασμένων Στοιχείων. Η παρούσα διατριβή ερευνά αυτή την επιλογή παρουσιάζοντας έναν αλγόριθμο για την εύρεση της τοποθεσίας της βλάβης κάνοντας χρήση μετα-ευρετικών αλγορίθμων βελτιστοποίησης και μοντέλων Πεπερασμένων Στοιχείων. Παρόμοιες μέθοδοι έχουν προταθεί και στο παρελθόν, όμως ο παρών αλγόριθμος μπορεί να εφαρμοστεί σε οποιοδήποτε είδος μοντέλου Πεπερασμένων Στοιχείων, είτε απλοποιημένο είτε λεπτομερές, το οποίο μπορεί αντίστοιχα να αποτελείται από όλα τα είδη στοιχείων απαιτώντας μόνο σήματα εξόδου από τους αισθητήρες που έχουν τοποθετηθεί στην κατασκευή. Η εφαρμογή αυτού του αλγορίθμου προορίζεται αρχικά για κατασκευές που αποτελούνται από μέρη κατασκευασμένα με σύνθετα υλικά χωρίς όμως να περιορίζεται η χρήση του σε άλλου τύπου υλικά. Η παρούσα διατριβή ακολουθεί μια ολιστική προσέγγιση ξεκινώντας με την μοντελοποίηση των σύνθετων υλικών και προχωρά στην ανάπτυξη του κύριου αλγορίθμου εύρεσης βλαβών. Το σφάλμα ενός υπολογιστικού μοντέλου μπορεί να αποδειχθεί ένα μείζων πρόβλημα σε πολύπλοκες κατασκευές. Για να ξεπεραστεί αυτό το πρόβλημα μια επιπλέον μεθοδολογία παρουσιάζεται ώστε να εφαρμοστεί σε πολύπλοκες κατασκευές όπου το υπολογιστικό σφάλμα είναι αδύνατο να μειωθεί περαιτέρω. Επιπροσθέτως, αναπτύχθηκε μια στρατηγική για τη βέλτιστη τοποθέτηση των αισθητήρων ώστε να εφαρμόζεται σε συνεργασία με τον αλγόριθμο εύρεσης βλαβών, έχοντας την δυνατότητα να χρησιμοποιηθεί και σε άλλες μεθοδολογίες με παρόμοια χαρακτηριστικά. Τα προαναφερθείσα τμήματα της παρούσας διατριβής παρουσιάζονται λεπτομερώς σε συνδυασμό με τις αντίστοιχες πειραματικές δοκιμές που αποδεικνύουν την αποτελεσματικότητα των προτεινόμενων μεθοδολογιών.
Association between intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Mitchell Jill M. , Walsh Siobhan , O'Byrne Laura J. , Conrick Virginia , Burke Ray , Khashan Ali S. , Higgins John , Greene Richard , Maher Gillian M. , McCarthy Fergus P.
Published: March 2024

Background Current methods of intrapartum fetal monitoring based on heart rate, increase the rates of operative delivery but do not prevent or accurately detect fetal hypoxic brain injury. There is a need for more accurate methods of intrapartum fetal surveillance that will decrease the incidence of adverse perinatal and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes while maintaining the lowest possible rate of obstetric intervention. Fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) is a technology that may contribute to improved intrapartum fetal wellbeing evaluation by providing a non-invasive measurement of fetal oxygenation status. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesise the evidence examining the association between intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation levels and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes in the offspring. Methods We will include randomised control trials (RCTs), cohort, cross-sectional and case-control studies which examine the use of FPO during labour as a means of measuring intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation and assess its effectiveness at detecting adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes compared to existing intrapartum surveillance methods. A detailed systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.Gov and WHO ICTRP will be conducted following a detailed search strategy until February 2024. Three authors will independently review titles, abstracts and full text of articles. Two reviewers will independently extract data using a pre-defined data extraction form and assess the quality of included studies using the Risk of Bias tool for RCTs and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. We will use random-effects meta-analysis for each exposure-outcome association to calculate pooled estimates using the generic variance method. This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses and MOOSE guidelines. PROSPERO registration CRD42023457368 (04/09/2023)
Persistent depression in pregnant refugee and migrant women living along the Thai-Myanmar Border: a secondary qualitative analysis.
Authors: Ashley-Norman Tabitha , Fellmeth Gracia , Brummaier Tobias , Nosten Suphak , Oo May May , Phichitpadungtham Yuwapha , Wai Kerry , Khirikoekkong Napat , Plugge Emma , McGready Rose
Published: March 2024

Background Antepartum depression affects around 15% of pregnant women worldwide, and may negatively impact their infants’ physical, cognitive and social development, and confer a greater risk of emotional dysregulation in their children. Risk factors for antepartum depression disproportionately affect women from resource-sparse settings. In particular, pregnant refugee and migrant women face many barriers to diagnosis and care of mental health conditions, yet this group is under-represented in the literature. This study explores what refugee and migrant women living along the Thai-Myanmar border perceive as being contributory and protective factors to their antepartum depression, through secondary qualitative analysis of responses to clinical interviews for depression. Methods Previous research investigating perinatal depression in pregnant refugee and migrant women on the Thai-Myanmar border involved assessing 568 women for depression, using the Structured Clinical Interview for the diagnosis of DSM-IV Disorders (SCID). This study analyses a subsample of 32 women, diagnosed with persistent depression during the antepartum period. Thematic analysis of responses to the SCID and social and demographic surveys was undertaken to investigate factors which contribute towards, or protect against, persistent antepartum depression. Results Major themes which women described as contributing towards persistent antepartum depression were financial problems, interpersonal violence, substance misuse among partners, social problems and poor health. Factors women considered as protecting mental wellbeing included social support, accessible healthcare and distractions, highlighting the need for focus on these elements within refugee and migrant settings. Commonly expressed phrases in local Karen and Burmese languages were summarised. Conclusions Knowledge of factors affecting mental wellbeing in the study population and how these are phrased, may equip stakeholders to better support women in the study area. This study highlighted the limitations of contextually generic diagnostic tools, and recommends the development of tools better suited to marginalised and non-English speaking groups.
Institutional Factors in the Formation of the Residential Real Estate Market in the Russian Federation
Authors: Resin V. , Kallaur G. , Vasil'chenko P.
Published: March 2024

The authors formulated the fundamental postulates of the institutional approach to the study of the patterns of development of the real estate market, investigated the main stages of the functioning of the Russian Federation’s residential real estate market, which identified specific trends and analyzed the causes of crisis conditions. For each period of market development under consideration, the spheres of influence of the main institutional participants have been established. As a result, a generalized classification of residential real estate market institutions is proposed based on the experience of foreign traditional and neoclassical economic schools, as well as the works of domestic authors in the field of institutional economics. As a result of the performed research, the authors identified the key institutional factors specifying the formation and state of the modern housing construction market, which are systematized by the source of their impact on individual indicators of the real estate market or the behavior of its participants.
Technical Note—Production Management with General Demands and Lost Sales
Authors: Han Jinhui , Li Xiaolong , Sethi Suresh P. , Siu Chi Chung , Yam Sheung Chi Phillip
Published: March 2024

Analyzing Production-Inventory Systems with General Demand: Cost Minimization and Risk Analytics

Frequent production rate changes are prohibitive because of high setup costs or setup times in producing such items as sugar, glass, computer displays, and cell-free proteins. Thus, constant production rates are deployed for producing these items even when their demands are random. In “Production Management with General Demands and Lost Sales,” Han, Li, Sethi, Siu, and Yam obtain the optimal constant production rate for a production-inventory system with Lévy demand for long-run average and expected discounted cost objectives, explicitly in some cases and numerically in general with a Fourier-cosine scheme they develop. This scheme can help in computing risk analytics of the inventory system, such as stockout probability and expected shortfall. These measures are particularly significant for assessing supply resilience, especially for emergency products or services like medicines and healthcare equipment. This study’s analytical and numerical findings contribute to enhancing efficiency and decision making in production management.
Hyperargininemia: a rare diagnosis in adulthood
Authors: Freitas Henriques Carolina , Fernandes Rui , Barreto Francisco , Miranda Rubina , Aguiar Teresa Carolina
Published: March 2024

Background: Hyperargininemia is a rare inherited metabolic disorder of the urea cycle with an autosomal recessive transmission. It occurs due to a deficiency of the enzyme arginase I and causes progressive neurological damage. Very few cases are diagnosed in adulthood, with the majority being diagnosed before the age of 4. Currently, this condition is diagnosed by a mass spectrometry technique in neonatal screening, which has been implemented in Portugal since 2007; births before that were not screened for this entity. Case description: We present a case of a 23-year-old woman referred to the internal medicine and neurology departments with a history of two hospital admissions for rhabdomyolysis at the age of 18, consanguineous parents, learning difficulties and multiple falls since the age of 8. In addition, the patient also had behavioural changes so she had psychological counselling at school, but lacked family support. Neurological examination showed mild proximal paraparesis, and spastic and paraparetic gait. The aetiological study revealed a pathological variant in homozygosity ARG1 and increased blood levels of arginine. Therefore, the diagnosis of hyperargininemia was confirmed. Conclusions: Compared to other urea cycle disorders, hyperargininemia is the rarest one. It is important to recognise the characteristic clinical features and diagnose it early because a favourable outcome can be achieved with appropriate treatment. This case shows a delayed diagnosis of hyperargininemia and highlights the importance of the internist’s role in diagnosing rare diseases.
Uncommon thigh mass in neurofibromatosis type 1: unveiling aggressive epithelioid sarcoma
Authors: Gharbi Mohamed A. , Limaiem Faten , Romdhane Khaled B. , Tebourbi Anis , Bouzidi Ramzi , Nefiss Mouadh
Published: March 2024

Background: Patients with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) have an increased risk of developing soft-tissue sarcomas, particularly those related to the nervous system. Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an exceptionally rare subtype of soft-tissue sarcoma, with limited knowledge about its clinical presentation and optimal management in NF1. This report aims to provide insights into the characteristics and outcomes of ES in NF1 patients. Case description: A 37-year-old man with a history of NF1 presented with a progressively worsening mass on his right inner thigh. An MRI scan revealed a well-defined tissue mass originating from the adductor magnus muscle, later confirmed as ES through histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Considering poor local and general prognosis, the multidisciplinary team recommended salvage hip disarticulation, however the patient refused and opted for palliative marginal resection to reduce the tumour size. The patient’s condition declined rapidly, and he succumbed six days after the surgery. Conclusion: This case highlights the rarity of ES in NF1 patients and underscores the potential for malignant tumour development in this population. Further research is needed to improve our understanding and management of sarcomas in the context of NF1.
Mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma on screening colonoscopy: an unusual finding
Authors: Barjas Haidar Hussain , Yahia Yousef , Abuodeh Joud , Assaf Farah J.N. , Ammar Adham
Published: March 2024

Schwann cells are found in the peripheral nervous system and can sometimes appear as benign hamartoma lesions in various parts of the body. Although rare in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they have been observed in the colon. Recently, mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas of the GI tract have been studied, and it was discovered that they had yet to be investigated up to 2009. In this context, we present the case of a 60-year-old man who was found to have lesions in the transverse colon during a routine colonoscopy. No further investigations were conducted since these lesions have not been associated with any risk of malignancy transformation and have not been linked to any inherited syndromes.
The Use of a Vision System for Monitoring Chick Embryos in Incubator
Authors: Al-Ansi Abdullah , Ryabtsev V , Utkina T
Published: March 2024

Background: Determine the quality of hatching eggs and control the process of their embryonic development, it is necessary to perform candling of eggs, which makes it possible to identify and eliminate the causes of low hatching of chicks.
Contribution: The proposed vision system for processing images of chicken eggs makes it possible to distinguish fertilized eggs from unfertilized ones, which makes it possible to change the parameters of the incubator in the event of a large number of dead embryos.
Method: With the help of the National Instruments Vision Assistant module, which simplifies the collection, reproduction and storage of images recorded using a video camera connected via a FireWire interface, an incubator vision system has been developed.
Results: The yield of healthy chicks is increased due to the periodic automatic candling of eggs and the timely regulation of parameters during the incubation process.
Conclusion: Being able to monitor embryo development more closely allows you to determine the optimal time to change incubation parameters, such as humidity, to create the best conditions for egg hatching, leading to more efficient chick production. Similarly, the ability to use different light and temperature conditions to influence chick hatch time can allow for a faster incubation process and hatch healthy chicks in a shorter period of time.
Confidence is the key
Authors: Morris Casey
Published: March 2024

Casey Morris discusses the trials and triumphs on the road of a dental nurse's career.
Peace of mind
Authors: Silver Phil
Published: March 2024

Phil Silver reviews how best to perform effective mouth cancer checks.
Night time is the right time for dialysis
Authors: Palmer Nick
Published: March 2024

Nick Palmer discusses the benefits of nocturnal dialysis
A new weevil species, Larinus atillai sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from western Turkey
Authors: GÜLTEKİN LEVENT
Published: March 2024

The new species Larinus atillai sp. nov., associated with the Turkish endemic plant Jurinea pontica Hausskn. & Freryn, is described from western Turkey. The new species is closely related to Larinus idoneus Gyllenhal, 1835. Digital images of morphological characters, habitat of type locality, host plant and adults are presented.
Introducing Students to Web Engineering Topics by Teaching Web Augmentation
Authors: Aldalur Iñigo
Published: March 2024

Web augmentation has gained prominence as a promising approach to elevate the user experience by tailoring web content to meet diverse user needs and preferences. It offers the potential to enhance accessibility and personalization, making web experiences more engaging and inclusive. This research study examines the use of web augmentation in the context of web engineering education and its influence on student motivation. The study investigates how the integration of web augmentation techniques motivates students and enhances their learning experience. A questionnaire was administered to gather data on student perceptions and motivation levels following their exposure to web augmentation in the web engineering subject.
The findings reveal that the implementation of web augmentation in the web engineering subject has positively motivated students. Students express a strong preference for web augmentation as a learning tool, citing increased engagement and a more interactive learning environment. The findings support the adoption of web augmentation techniques as a valuable pedagogical tool, enhancing the learning experience and fostering student engagement. This study contributes to the field by addressing the gap in related work that focuses on the use of web augmentation specifically in educational settings.
Increased Productivity and Reduced Waste with Robotic Process Automation and Generative AI-powered IoE Services
Authors: Lo Wei , Yang Chun-Ming , Zhang Qiansha , Li Mingyuan
Published: March 2024

The convergence of robotic process automation (RPA) and generative AI (GAI) within the context of Internet of Everything (IoE) services represents a profound paradigm shift. This fusion of technologies not only streamlines routine tasks but also catalyzes innovation while harnessing the potential of interconnected devices. Such integration empowers organizations to achieve remarkable gains in efficiency and sustainability. This paper embarks on an exploration of these transformative services, designed to elevate productivity, and curtail wasteful practices in contemporary industries. By closely examining intricate case studies, we illuminate the multifaceted advantages of this integrated approach. Our investigation demonstrates how RPA accelerates the execution of repetitive processes, substantially diminishing the margin for human error and amplifying operational efficiency. In contrast, generative AI introduces a disruptive force, generating fresh ideas, designs, and solutions, thereby elevating the quality of products and services. The infusion of these cutting-edge technologies into the fabric of IoE services paves the way for organizations to attain unprecedented levels of automation, intelligence, and connectivity. Furthermore, this paper comprehensively addresses the intricate challenges and considerations associated with the proposed implementation. We delve into ethical concerns, security implications, and the necessary workforce adaptation to offer a balanced perspective on the adoption of these technologies. Additionally, we navigate through potential limitations and constraints, underscoring the imperative need for strategic planning and robust governance.
The role of history as a significant determinant in the upbringing of children and youth
Authors: Sitek Magdalena
Published: March 2024

Przedmiotem opracowania jest analiza zjawiska współczesnej edukacji historycznej dzieci i młodzieży. Edukacja ta odbywa się w zmiennym otoczeniu technologicznym, z wykorzystaniem narzędzi teleinformatycznych oraz w zmiennym otoczeniu światopoglądowym politycznym czy ekonomicznym. W konsekwencji powstają nowe możliwości edukacji historycznej. Celem opracowania jest poszukiwanie odpowiedzi na serię pytań jakie cisną się do głowy w kontekście nadchodzących zmian w edukacji człowieka. Nie sposób jest na nie wszystkie odpowiedzieć. Niemniej najważniejszym z nich jest : jak uczyć historii? Jakie miejsce zajmuje nauczanie historii w procesie edukacji młodzieży? Czy istnieje możliwość obiektywnego poznania historii? W pracy wykorzystano metodę analizy zdarzeń wywołanych nowymi możliwościami technicznymi. Do tych zdarzeń należy zaliczyć wprowadzenie poprawności politycznej w przekazie medialnym, ograniczanie nauczania historii do świadomości płynącej z postów. Wynikiem prowadzonych badań jest wyrażenie niepokoju o los nauczania historii. Ta bowiem często jest popularyzowana przez osoby nieprzygotowane, a dobór faktów do analizy historycznej dokonuje się pod kątem zapotrzebowania politycznego czy ideologicznego.
The European Court of Auditors as an audit institution.
Authors: Wójtowicz-Dawid Anna
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Głównym celem publikacji jest analiza znaczenia i roli Europejskiego Trybunału Obrachunkowego w systemie zarządzania i kontroli wydatkowania środków pochodzących z budżetu Unii Europejskiej. Podstawową tezą publikacji jest twierdzenie, że Europejski Trybunał Obrachunkowy jest instytucją audytową i funkcjonuje w ramach systemu audytu. Ponadto umiejscowienie Europejskiego Trybunału Obrachunkowego wśród instytucji audytowych niesie ze sobą konieczność innego postrzegania tej instytucji. Celem deskryptywnym publikacji jest pokazanie powiązania pomiędzy ETO jako instytucją audytu a zaufaniem, jakie posiada, oraz analizą czy funkcjonując jako instytucja audytowa ma większy wpływ na właściwe wydatkowanie środków publicznych pochodzących z budżetu UE, niż będąc instytucją kontrolną.

Materiał i metody

Poprzez charakterystykę instytucji audytu oraz przedstawienie zakresu zadań i kompetencji ETO, opierając się na metodzie dogmatyczno-prawnej, jak również teoretyczno-prawnej oraz w niewielkim stopniu historyczno-prawnej autorka wykazuje, iż ETO nie jest, jak się powszechnie klasyfikuje w polskiej doktrynie prawa, instytucją kontrolą.

Wyniki

Przedstawiono że ETO nie jest instytucją kontrolną jak powszechnie się wykazuje w doktrynie prawa.

Wnioski

Przedstawiona powyżej analiza wykazuje funkcje i zadania ETO jako instytucji audytowej. Stąd też niezbędne jest uporządkowanie nomenklatury i klasyfikacji ETO w polskiej doktrynie prawa.
Local development and entrepreneurship: legal, economic and managerial determinants. A multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Jastrzębski Wińczysław , Pochodyła Paweł , Bojaruniec Marta , Sokołowska-Woźniak Justyna , Golec Ewa
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Entrepreneurship is defined as a process in which not only business is a participant, but also local governments and social organizations (more broadly, the public and social sectors). In the management process, entrepreneurship is manifested, for example, by choosing the right strategy, creating flexible structures, promoting innovation, avoiding excessive administration and choosing the right forms of control.

Material and methods

The research methods used in the work are: comparative analysis, functional analysis, questionnaire, interviews with municipal managers through a direct conversation with the respondent, a dynamic research method and statistical methods of data analysis. The research was conducted using many quantitative and qualitative methods.

Results

The commune management process is active and aims to create prospects for the development of these units. Therefore, this process should be based on a strategic approach understood as an orderly set of activities, from the identification and assessment of potential opportunities and threats to the environment and the determination of the strengths and weaknesses of a local government unit.

Conclusions

The basic unit of local government:
1. The commune's mission is to use the commune's resources and potential on the basis of sustainable development, in order to raise the standard of living of the inhabitants and effective management.
2. The mission of the commune is to provide people with jobs and income allowing for the necessary standard of living for the society.
3. The commune's mission is to use the commune's development potential to create conditions for the development of entrepreneurship and to constantly improve the living conditions of its inhabitants.
Cultures of social markets
Authors: Zadek Simon
Published: March 2024

Social enterprises and markets have too often been conceived of as distinct, small, and usually marginal segments of the wider business community and economy. Yet the macro-cultural and policy contexts between countries and regions have historically delivered very different forms and levels of enterprises, social responsiveness, impact, and accountability, from the Scandinavian social contract to Chinese state enterprises, and from the Anglo-Saxon forms of corporate governance to the co-determination models from Germany to Taiwan. This article explores some of these developments, building on a broader view of ‘social enterprise’ as concerning the translation of societal values into enterprise aims, activities, configurations and social markets, concerning how such practices are embedded into markets and economies. Drawing on the author’s research and reflections, the article points to the current opportunity and risks in establishing a broader agenda and practice of social enterprises linked to the decline in the historically dominant Anglo-Saxon approach to privileging financial capital.
Freud’s Aphasia Book and Spielrein’s Destruction Paper: A Shared Fate, To Be Ignored and Restored
Authors: Marchese Frank
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This article discusses the early fate and subsequent revival of interest in Freud’s 1891 book, On Aphasia , and Sabina Spielrein’s 1912 Destruction paper. Early on, these authors shared a similar fate: a failure of recognition of the aforementioned works at the time of their initial publication. In Freud’s case, the number of books sold was minimal and the rest were shredded; it remained mostly unread and overlooked in discussions of neurological problems, although regarded as a classical contribution to the field of neurology. As for Spielrein, her paper, following its initial appearance in German, was not published until 80 years later in English! Although Spielrein had a profound impact throughout her mature career as a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and developmental child psychologist, she remained unacknowledged during her lifetime and was virtually forgotten after her death. This article demonstrates that, although the importance of their seminal works was overlooked, recent developments in neuroscience have revived interest in On Aphasia and, in Spielrein’s case, her contributions to psychoanalysis and developmental psychology have become classics in these fields.