bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post stroke aspiration pneumonia, associated factors, and treatment outcome among stroke patients admitted to Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigus Molla Dessalegn , Sendek Ergoye Melese , Ewunetu Mulugeta Biyadgie , Cherkos Abel Belete , Yimer Awol Arega
Published: November 2024

Background

Post-stroke aspiration pneumonia is a serious lung infection that occurs when stroke patients inhale food, saliva, liquid, vomit, or foreign objects. It is the leading cause of death for stroke patients worldwide, which accounts for 60% of stroke-associated deaths. Little is known about its prevalence, adverse outcomes, and determinants in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the prevalence of post-stroke aspiration pneumonia and associated factors in stroke patients admitted to the Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital.

Methods and materials

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 242 stroke patients admitted to the neurology unit of a medical ward from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2020. Data were collected from the patients' cards using a pre-developed data collection tool. The collected data was coded, cleaned, and entered into Epi-Info version 7.25, and then exported to SPSS 26 for further analysis. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with aspiration pneumonia. The adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval and a p < 0.05 were noted to declare variables had a significant association.

Results

The mean age of the patient was 61.15 ± 13.959 years with a minimum age of 21 and maximum age of 102 years. Males account for 55.8% and females for 44.2%. Out of 242 patients post-stroke aspiration pneumonia was identified in 23.1% of patients, and 55.4% of stroke patients improved, while 23.2% died from post-stroke aspiration pneumonia. The study found that having dysphagia (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.13, 8.21), feeding through a Nasogastric tube (AOR = 10.58; 95% CI: 4.58, 24.42), and a GCS level of 8–12 (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.04, 6.42) were independent predictors of post-stroke aspiration pneumonia.

Conclusion

This study found a high prevalence of post-stroke aspiration pneumonia and its associated mortality. Stroke patients with dysphagia, low levels of consciousness, and those who are fed through a tube are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Therefore, it is crucial to provide special care to stroke patients with these conditions. The study also highlights the importance of assessing the practice of preventative measures for PSAP among stroke patients in this study setting.
Coinfection of EBV with other pathogens: a narrative review
Authors: Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Rasizadeh Reyhaneh , Sharaflou Shabnam , Aghbash Parisa Shiri , Shamekh Ali , Jafari-Sales Abolfazl , Bannazadeh Baghi Hossein
Published: November 2024

The Epstein-Barr viwrus (EBV) is a common herpesvirus that affects more than 90% of people worldwide. Even while EBV infections are frequently asymptomatic, they can cause autoimmune diseases and a number of cancers, especially in those with impaired immune systems. The intricate relationships between EBV and other coinfecting pathogens, including as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papilloma virus (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Plasmodium species, are examined in this study. We investigated the fundamental processes of these coinfections, their effects on the course of the disease, and their practical ramifications. The study reviewed how co-infections with EBV might modify immune responses, promote oncogenesis, and make treatment plans more challenging. In this review, we also discussed current therapeutic strategies, such as targeted molecular interventions, EBV vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapy. The review underscores the need for more research to provide more focused and effective therapies that address the mutually reinforcing effects of numerous infections in disorders linked with EBV.
A Comparative Study of Airfoil Stall Characteristics Based on Detached Eddy Simulation Incorporated with Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory Scheme and Weighted Compact Nonlinear Scheme
Authors: Qi Yan , Zhong Bowen , Zou Song
Published: November 2024

In this paper, the detached eddy simulation (DES) method is used to calculate the aerodynamic characteristics of NACA0015 airfoil by combining the Riemann approximate solution HLLC (Harten–Lax–van Leer Contact) with the high-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme and the weighted compact nonlinear scheme (WCNS), respectively. By comparing the calculation results of the two different numerical schemes with the wind tunnel test results, it is found that both numerical schemes can accurately calculate the aerodynamic parameters at small angles of attack. However, in the range of near-stall angle (in the range of 10–15°), the calculation results of various numerical schemes have a certain degree of deviation. The calculation results of the fifth-order WCNS and the fifth-order WENO scheme are closer to the experimental values. The fifth-order WCNS predicts the stall angle of attack more accurately than the fifth-order WENO scheme. The calculation accuracy of the fifth-order WCNS is better than that of the fifth-order WENO scheme under the post-stall condition (where the angle of attack is greater than 15°). By comparing the vorticity contours calculated by different numerical schemes, it is found that the numerical dissipation of the fifth-order accuracy is smaller than that of the third-order accuracy, and the vortex capture ability is stronger. WCNS captures the small vortex structure that the WENO scheme does not.
Preliminary Examination of the Effects of Focused Ultrasound on Living Skin and Temperature at the Skin–Transducer Interface
Authors: Bishay Andrew A. E. D. , Swenson Andrew J. , Spivak Norman M. , Schafer Samantha , Bych Brendan P. , Gilles Spencer D. , Dorobczynski Christopher , Korb Alexander S. , Schafer Mark E. , Kuhn Taylor P. , Monti Martin M. , Bystritsky Alexander
Published: November 2024

Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation (tFUS) is a new, rapidly growing field related to the study and treatment of brain circuits. Establishing safety cutoffs for focused ultrasound is crucial for non-ablative neurological ultrasound experiments. In addition to potential focal heating, there is concern about temperature elevation at the skin surface. Much work has been performed at or near the FDA guideline of ISPTA.3 = 720 mW/cm2, which technically only applies to diagnostic, not therapeutic, ultrasound. Furthermore, evidence of brain tissue damage on histology in the focal region has been shown not to occur until ISPTA.3 > 14 W/cm2. Therefore, this study was conducted across a range of intensities between these two values, evaluating both subjective and objective side effects. Subjective side effects encompassed any discomfort experienced during and after focused ultrasound stimulation, while objective side effects included clinical findings of skin irritation, such as erythema, edema, or burns. This study also examined how the skin temperature at the skin–transducer interface would change in order to assess whether there would be significant heating. The subjects did not experience any unpleasant sensation at the point of stimulation, including heat or pain, and no objective findings of skin irritation were observed following stimulation and the removal of the transducer. In addition, there was no intensity-dependent effect on temperature, and the maximal rise in temperature was 1.45 °C, suggesting that these parameters do not result in the heating of the skin at the interface in such a way that poses a risk to subjects when operating at or below the intensities tested in this experiment.
Scratch-Induced Wear Behavior of Multi-Component Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramics
Authors: Garino Gia , Nisar Ambreen , Sukumaran Abhijith K. , Agarwal Arvind
Published: November 2024

Multi-component ultra-high-temperature ceramics (MC-UHTCs) are promising for high-temperature applications due to exceptional thermo-mechanical properties, yet their wear characteristics remain unexplored. Herein, the wear behavior of binary (Ta, Nb)C, ternary (Ta, Nb, Hf)C, and quaternary (Ta, Nb, Hf, Ti)C UHTCs synthesized via spark plasma sintering (SPS) is investigated. Gradual addition of equimolar UHTC components improves the wear resistance of MC-UHTCs, respectively, by ~29% in ternary UHTCs and ~49% in quaternary UHTCs when compared to binary UHTCs. Similarly, the penetration depth decreased from 115.14 mm in binary UHTCs to 73.48 mm in ternary UHTCs and 44.41 mm in quaternary UHTCs. This has been attributed to the complete solid solutioning, near-full densification and higher hardness (~up to 30%) in quaternary UHTCs. Analysis of the worn-out surface suggests pull-out, radial, and edge micro-cracking and delamination as the dominant wear mechanisms in binary and ternary UHTCs. However, grain deformation and minor delamination are the dominant wear mechanisms in quaternary UHTCs. This study underscores the potential of MC-UHTCs for tribological applications where material experiences removal and inelastic deformation under high mechanical loading.
Pigtail Catheter Compared to Formal Intercostal Catheter for the Management of Isolated Traumatic Pneumothorax: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Le Khang Duy Ricky , Wang Annie Jiao , Sadik Karim , Fink Kaylah , Haycock Shasha
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: The optimal management approach for adults with traumatic pneumothorax without haemothorax remains an area of debate. Specifically, there is lack of consensus as to whether insertion of a pigtail catheter is superior to a formal intercostal catheter in improving complication rates. (2) Methods: Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and the World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases were systematically searched for studies evaluating pigtail catheters compared to formal intercostal catheters for the management of traumatic pneumothorax. Investigative outcomes of interest included pain, duration management, failure, need for formal thoracoscopic surgery, need for supplemental oxygen, length of stay, infection and overall total complications. (3) Results: Three studies evaluating 280 patients were included in this analysis. There was no significant difference in total complications, rates of failure, length of stay or duration of management between pigtail catheters and formal intercostal catheters. This evidence was based on studies of low to moderate risk of bias with poor control for confounding factors. (4) Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates lack of evidence to suggest pigtail catheters are superior to formal intercostal catheter for traumatic pneumothorax. These findings may reflect a true absence of effect between either approach for this patient cohort or non-committal findings in light of limitations of the underlying evidence. Further prospective trials with larger sample sizes and control for confounders are required to validate the outcomes between these two modalities of treatment.
Preparation of Vanadium (3.5+) Electrolyte by Hydrothermal Reduction Process Using Citric Acid for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Kang Ung-Il
Published: November 2024

In this study, vanadium (3.5+) electrolyte was prepared for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) through a reduction reaction using a batch-type hydrothermal reactor, differing from conventional production methods that utilize VOSO4 and V2O5. The starting material, V2O5, was mixed with various concentrations (0.8 M, 1.2 M, 1.6 M, 2.0 M) of citric acid (CA) as the reducing agent and stirred for 60 min at 90 °C using a hot plate to ensure complete dispersion in the solution. The resulting solution was subsequently subjected to a hydrothermal reduction reaction (HRR) furnace at 150 °C for 24 h to generate vanadium (3.5+). The mixed states of the produced vanadium (3+) and vanadium (4+) were confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the electrolyte were investigated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), revealing that the optimal concentration of the CA was 1.6 M. The current efficiency, energy efficiency, and voltage efficiency of the electrolyte produced via the HRR process was compared with that prepared using VOSO4 in charge and discharge experiments. The results demonstrate that the HRR process yields an enhanced electrolyte across all efficiency metrics produced through the given improved performance in all efficiencies. These findings indicate that the HRR process using citric acid can facilitate the straightforward preparation of vanadium (3.5+) electrolyte, making it suitable for large-scale production.
Construction and Mechanism of Janus Nano-Graphite Reinforced Foam Gel System for Plugging Steam in Heavy Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Xu Zhongzheng , Xie Yuxin , Wang Xiaolong , Sun Ning , Yang Ziteng , Li Xin , Chen Jia , Dong Yunbo , Fan Herui , Zhao Mingwei
Published: November 2024

High-temperature steam injection is a primary method for viscosity reduction and recovery in heavy oil reservoirs. However, due to the high mobility of steam, channeling often occurs within the reservoir, leading to reduced thermal efficiency and challenges in enhancing oil production. Foam fluids, with their dual advantages of selective plugging and efficient oil displacement, are widely used in steam-injection heavy oil recovery. Nonetheless, conventional foams tend to destabilize under high-temperature conditions, resulting in poor stability and suboptimal plugging performance, which hampers the efficient development of heavy oil resources. To address these technical challenges, this study introduces a foam system reinforced with Janus nano-graphite, a high-temperature stabilizer characterized by its small particle size and thermal resistance. The foaming agents used in the system are sodium α-olefin sulfonate (AOS), an anionic surfactant, and octadecyl hydroxylpropyl sulfobetaine (OHSB), a zwitterionic surfactant. Under conditions of 250 °C and 5 MPa, the foam system achieved a half-life of 47.8 min, 3.4 times longer than conventional foams. Janus nano-graphite forms a multidimensional network structure in the liquid phase, increasing internal friction and enhancing shear viscosity by 1.2 to 1.8 times that of conventional foams. Furthermore, the foam gel system demonstrated effective steam-channeling control in heterogeneous heavy oil reservoirs, particularly in reservoirs with permeability differentials ranging from 3 to 9. These findings suggest that the Janus nano-graphite reinforced foam system holds significant potential for steam-channeling mitigation in heavy oil reservoirs.
Analyzing the Role and Impact of International Service-Learning Programs in Engineering Education: A Case Study from École Polytechnique de Bruxelles
Authors: Boey Cédric , Haut Benoit , Nonclercq Antoine
Published: November 2024

This study examines the role and impact of international service learning (ISL) programs in engineering education, focusing on the Codepo initiative at the École polytechnique de Bruxelles. Our primary objective is to analyze how ISL programs contribute to the development of students’ technical skills and civic engagement. We describe the structure and implementation of the Codepo teaching unit, present findings from a survey conducted with 150 former students (123 answers), and analyze the results in terms of skills acquisition, added value, and lessons learned. Our findings highlight the significant benefits of ISL programs for engineering students and provide actionable insights for other institutions aiming to implement similar initiatives. Notably, our results show that international service learning, generating large commitment from the students, can contribute to an engineering school in several ways. This type of initiative aims not only to train engineers in the field of cooperation (or in other technical professions) but also to educate them as world citizens. The results also highlight that it is not enough to propose projects linked to cooperation to make it a service learning scheme: working on reflexivity, encouraging autonomy, and finding the right partners remain challenges.
In Vitro Propagation, Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities, and Phytochemical Profiling of Wild and In Vitro-Cultured Plants of Curcuma larsenii Maknoi & Jenjitikul—A Rare Plant Species in Thailand
Authors: Saensouk Surapon , Benjamin Supacha , Chumroenphat Theeraphan , Saensouk Piyaporn
Published: November 2024

Curcuma larsenii Maknoi & Jenjitikul is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, possessing significant pharmacological potential, although it has become endangered through the abuse of resources. This research article delineates the findings of the in vitro propagation, transplantation, and phytochemical profiles of C. larsenii, a rare plant species in Thailand. Microshoots measuring 1 cm in length were used as explants for the induction of shoots and roots in both solid and liquid Murashige and Skoog medium, incorporating various concentrations of cytokinins (6-benzylamino-purine (BA), 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin), thidiazuron (TDZ)) and auxins (1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)) over a duration of 8 weeks. This study assessed the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and conducted high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The highest number of shoots was recorded in solid and liquid media containing MS medium enriched with 2 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L NAA, as well as 2 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L IAA, yielding 5.40 and 8.80 shoots/explant, respectively. The biggest roots/explant induction of 9.20 was attained using the liquid MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L IAA. The highest survival rate (100%) was recorded when tissue culture plantlets were transplanted into a mixture of sand and soil (1:1). In vitro-cultivated plants exhibited superior total phenolic content relative to wild plants. Leaf extracts of C. larsenii exhibited markedly superior antioxidant activity compared to other plant organs from both in vitro and wild specimens. C. larsenii wild plants and in vitro plants generated phenolic acids and flavonoids and exhibited antioxidant activity, demonstrating a biotechnological alternative for the acquisition of bioactive substances.
Crosstalk Between the Spleen and Other Organs/Systems: Downstream Signaling Events
Authors: Tarantino Giovanni , Citro Vincenzo
Published: November 2024

The aim of this review was to gather pieces of information from available critically evaluated published articles concerning any interplay in which the spleen could be involved. For many years, the spleen has been alleged as an unnecessary biological structure, even though splenomegaly is an objective finding of many illnesses. Indeed, the previous opinion has been completely changed. In fact, the spleen is not a passive participant in or a simple bystander to a relationship that exists between the immune system and other organs. Recently, it has been evidenced in many preclinical and clinical studies that there are close associations between the spleen and other parts of the body, leading to various spleen–organ axes. Among them, the gut–spleen axis, the liver–spleen axis, the gut–spleen–skin axis, the brain–spleen axis, and the cardio-splenic axis are the most explored and present in the medical literature. Such recent sources of evidence have led to revolutionary new ideas being developed about the spleen. What is more, these observations may enable the identification of novel therapeutic strategies targeted at various current diseases. The time has come to make clear that the spleen is not a superfluous body part, while health system operators and physicians should pay more attention to this organ. Indeed, much work remains to be performed to assess further roles that this biological structure could play.
Universal Knowledge Graph Embedding Framework Based on High-Quality Negative Sampling and Weighting
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Peng Huang , Fang Yang , Yang Zongqiang , Hu Yanli , Tan Zhen , Xiao Weidong
Published: November 2024

The traditional model training approach based on negative sampling randomly samples a portion of negative samples for training, which can easily overlook important negative samples and adversely affect the training of knowledge graph embedding models. Some researchers have explored non-sampling model training frameworks that use all unobserved triples as negative samples to improve model training performance. However, both training methods inevitably introduce false negative samples and easy-to-separate negative samples that are far from the model’s decision boundary, and they do not consider the adverse effects of long-tail entities and relations during training, thus limiting the improvement of model training performance. To address this issue, we propose a universal knowledge graph embedding framework based on high-quality negative sampling and weighting, called HNSW-KGE. First, we conduct pre-training based on the NS-KGE non-sampling training framework to quickly obtain an initial set of relatively high-quality embedding vector representations for all entities and relations. Second, we design a candidate negative sample set construction strategy that samples a certain number of negative samples that are neither false negatives nor easy-to-separate negatives for all positive triples, based on the embedding vectors obtained from pre-training. This ensures the provision of high-quality negative samples for model training. Finally, we apply weighting to the loss function based on the frequency of the entities and relations appearing in the triples to mitigate the adverse effects of long-tail entities and relations on model training. Experiments conducted on benchmark datasets FB15K237 and WN18RR using various knowledge graph embedding models demonstrate that our proposed framework HNSW-KGE, based on high-quality negative sampling and weighting, achieves better training performance and exhibits versatility, making it applicable to various types of knowledge embedding models.
The High Relative Accuracy of Computations with Laplacian Matrices
Authors: Orera Héctor , Peña Juan Manuel
Published: November 2024

This paper provides an efficient method to compute an LDU decomposition of the Laplacian matrix of a connected graph with high relative accuracy. Several applications of this method are presented. In particular, it can be applied to efficiently compute the eigenvalues of the mentioned Laplacian matrix. Moreover, the method can be extended to graphs with weighted edges.
A Review of Sturge–Weber Syndrome Brain Involvement, Cannabidiol Treatment and Molecular Pathways
Authors: Joslyn Katharine Elizabeth , Truver Nicholas Flinn , Comi Anne Marie
Published: November 2024

Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare congenital neurocutaneous disorder typically caused by a somatic mosaic mutation in R183Q GNAQ. At-risk children present at birth with a capillary malformation port-wine birthmark. The primary diagnostic characteristic of the disorder includes leptomeningeal enhancement of the brain, which demonstrates abnormal blood vessels and results in impaired venous drainage and impaired local cerebral perfusion. Impaired cerebral blood flow is complicated by seizures resulting in strokes, hemiparesis and visual field deficits, hormonal deficiencies, behavioral impairments, and intellectual disability. Therefore, anti-seizure medication in combination with low-dose aspirin is a common therapeutic treatment strategy. Recently published data indicate that the underlying mutation in endothelial cells results in the hyperactivation of downstream pathways and impairment of the blood–brain barrier. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been used to treat medically refractory seizures in SWS due to its anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Pilot research suggests that CBD improves cognitive impairment, emotional regulation, and quality of life in patients with SWS. Recent preclinical studies also suggest overlapping molecular pathways in SWS and in CBD, suggesting that CBD may be uniquely effective for SWS brain involvement. This review aims to summarize early data on CBD’s efficacy for preventing and treating epilepsy and neuro-cognitive impairments in patients with SWS, likely molecular pathways impacted, and provide insights for future translational research to improve clinical treatment for patients with SWS.
Bridging the Gap: Virtual Reality as a Tool for De-Escalation Training in Disability Support Settings
Authors: Hsu Ryan , McCabe Connor , Ellison Caroline , Howells Mark , Loetscher Tobias
Published: November 2024

Managing complex behaviors in disability support settings requires competent de-escalation skills. However, the current training methods often lack sufficient opportunities for realistic practice. This study details a three-stage development and evaluation of a virtual reality (VR) application for disability support staff to safely build de-escalation skills through simulated interactions. The first phase involved creating VR prototype scenarios depicting escalations with adolescent clients. Next, 12 disability support experts conducted content validation by refining the scenarios to confirm appropriateness and realism. Finally, a pilot study tested the tool’s usability and examined the initial construct validity in 20 participants. The prototype achieved high usability ratings (average 81.0 (SD 10.7) on the System Usability Scale). Additionally, a positive correlation between VR performance and empathy levels, as measured using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, was found (Pearson’s r = 0.487, p = 0.035). The promising results highlight the VR application’s potential as a transformative training tool. Future research should expand scenario diversity and compare VR with traditional methods to establish its efficacy in diverse settings and offer a path to enhance staff and student capabilities in challenging environments.
Succinic Acid Improves the Metabolism of High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice and Promotes White Adipose Browning
Authors: Yang Yuxuan , Luo Liang , Li Yiqi , Shi Xiangda , Li Chen , Chai Jin , Jiang Siwen , Zheng Rong
Published: November 2024

Succinic acid plays a crucial role as an essential intermediate in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle in mitochondria. In recent years, growing evidence has supported the the important role of succinic acid in fat metabolism. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of succinic acid on adipose tissue metabolism and insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and try to explore its potential mechanism. We found that the addition of succinic acid (40 mM) to drinking water inhibited the hypertrophy of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) in HFD-induced mice. Furthermore, succinic acid supplementation enhanced insulin sensitivity and improved their glucose tolerance in obese mice. Interestingly, succinic acid supplementation improved lipid metabolism in HFD-fed mice, as shown by decreased serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased HDL-C. In addition, succinic acid supplementation increased the expression of browning markers and mitochondria-related genes in iWAT. Further studies showed that the addition of succinic acid to drinking water promotes the browning of iWAT by activating the PI3K-AKT/MAPK signaling pathway. These results suggest that succinic acid has the potential to be used as an effective component for dietary intervention and may, therefore, play an important role in ameliorating and preventing obesity and associated metabolic diseases caused by HFD.
Editorial for Special Issue “Reclaiming Voices: Women’s Contributions to Baptist History”
Authors: Maxwell Melody
Published: November 2024

Women make up more than half of Baptist church members globally, yet many histories of Baptists have neglected women, focusing instead on men and the institutions they lead [...]
بطاقة الأداء المتوازن Balanced Scorecard في الشركات الصناعية الأردنية
Authors: زريقات مجدي عيسى
Published: November 2024

تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى فهم بطاقة الأداء المتوازن Balanced Scorecard في الشركات الصناعية الأردنية، من خلال دراسة مدى استخدام هذه الشركات لهذه البطاقة. وتهدف هذه الدراسة أيضا إلى دراسة أثر مجموعة من العوامل الداخلية والخارجية على استخدام بطاقة الأداء المتوازن. وهذه العوامل هي: إستراتيجية الشركة، والهيكل التنظيمي، والبيئة الخارجية، ودرجة المنافسة في الأسواق، وحجم الشركة. وقد تبين من نتائج الدراسة أن هناك تأييداً كبيراً في تطبيق بطاقة الأداء المتوازن في الشركات الصناعية الأردنية. وبينت النتائج أيضاً أن تنظيم الإجراءات الإدارية وحجم الشركة يؤثران إيجابيًّا على استخدام بطاقة الاداء المتوازن. كما بينت النتائج أن إستراتيجية الشركة المركزية والبيئة الخارجية ودرجة المنافسة لا تؤثر إيجابيًّا على استخدام بطاقة الأداء المتوازن. وقد أوصت الدراسة بتوجيه الباحثين لدراسة مجالات أخرى في موضوع بطاقة الأداء المتوازن، والخاصة بإمكانية التوسع في تطبيقها والتركيز على المنافع المترتبة على استخدامها.
Diagnostic value of antibody immunoblotting detection in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Akhverdyan Y. R. , Zavodovsky B. V. , Papichev E. V. , Polyakova J. V. , Sivordova L. E. , Bedina S. A. , Krayushkina N. G.
Published: November 2024

Objective. To assess the diagnostic value of antinuclear antibody (ANA) profiling in rheumatoid arthritis by immunoblotting.Materials and methods. In total, 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a mean age of 34.6 years (21.3–63.2) were observed. The disease duration was 11.2 years (3.7–19.8); the activity according to DAS 28 was 3.15 ± 1.36 (3.05–3.61) points. The RA diagnosis was based on generally accepted clinical guidelines. The control group included 28 patients with osteoarthritis. Laboratory examinations were conducted using a set of reagents to determine IgG antibodies to nuclear antigens by immunoblotting. Results. The RA patients showed an increased level of antibodies to the RNP/Sm antigen, with its frequency being significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.007). The most specific testomes for diagnosing RA were anti-RNP/Sm (specificity 96%, sensitivity 25%) and antibodies to the recombinant antigen (sensitivity 25%, specificity 88.1%). The method of ROC analysis found that the value of anti-RNP/Sm = 0 is the point corresponding to the optimal ratio of sensitivity/specificity. This value corresponds to a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 73.8%.Conclusion. The studied laboratory tests, as a rule, showed high specificity, but rather low sensitivity. The most specific test for RA is anti-RNP/Sm. The conducted ROC analysis showed that the anti-RNP/Sm test has an average quality index for diagnosing RA.
Introduction of uniportal VATS access when performing lobectomies
Authors: Kondratyev V. V. , Apanasevich V. I. , Startsev S. S. , Nedelkin E. B. , Usoltseva I. S.
Published: November 2024

Aim. Analysis of surgical indices during monoport thoracoscopic lobectomies in Sakhalin Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary at different stages of mastering the technique. Materials and methods. Case histories of 251 patients who underwent radical surgical treatment for lung cancer using monoport thoracoscopic access. Patients were divided into two groups: initial (109 patients) and advanced (142 patients). The average surgical time, number of complications and conversions were assessed. Results. Mastering the technique leads to a statistically significant reduction in surgical time. The difference in other parameters, such as the number of postoperative complications and the percentage of conversions at different stages, tends to decrease. Conclusion. Surgical indices improve as the team goes through the learning curve. The technique is adequate and reproducible for surgical treatment of patients with lung cancer.
Ultrasonography in gynecomastia diagnosis: Clinical experience
Authors: Goncharov A. V. , Gavrilov E. N. , Cherninkaya N. A.
Published: November 2024

Aim. To analyze the applicability of ultrasonography in gynecomastia diagnosis. Materials and methods. The study included 119 males aged 18 to 74 years with complaints of a lump in the projection of the areola, and/or pain/discomfort in the breast gland area. All the patients underwent an ultrasound examination (US) of the breast. In 112 (94.05%) patients, US revealed changes typical of gynecomastia. All patients were divided into three age groups: 18–44 years (n = 99), 45–59 years (n = 15), 60–74 years (n = 5). Results. Out of 112 cases, 97 and 15 were identified as gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia, respectively. The highest incidence of gynecomastia was observed in the first age group, with peaks at 24–26 and 30–32 years. Gynecomastia was more often defined as bilateral (67%); unilateral gynecomastia was found in 21.6% and 11.4% of cases on the left and right breast, respectively. The average diameter of the glandular disc was not statistically different in the studied groups (p > 0.05, p = 0.5), while the thickness of the glandular layer was statistically significantly different and increased with age (p ≤ 0.05). The symptoms of true gynecomastia included: in 22 cases, pain and/or discomfort in the breast; in 37 cases, an increase in size; and in 38 cases, a combination of symptoms. Subcutaneous mastectomy on both sides was performed in 21 patients. Histologically, the fibrous stage of gynecomastia predominated in 85.7% of cases (n = 18), the intermediate stage accounted for 9.5% of cases (n = 2), and the flowering stage was noted in 4.8% of cases (n = 1). The US diagnostic efficacy was determined as follows: specificity 100%, accuracy 96.3%, and sensitivity 95.45%.Conclusion. Ultrasound examination is an accessible, non-invasive, and safe diagnostic method for patients with suspected breast pathology.
The Social Determinants of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Integrative Sex and Couples Counseling: A Structural Competence Perspective
Authors:   University of Louisville, Goktan Ayla , Henry Melissa ,   University of Louisville
Published: November 2024

The Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts et al., 2015) call for counselors to address equity issues via social justice and advocacy. One equity issue relevant to counseling sexology is sexual and reproductive health inequities. This article applies the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health (SDSRH) to counseling sexology, specifically integrative sex and couples counseling, to address health inequities. A fictional case study incorporates the SDSRH from a cross-theoretical structural competence perspective. Future research should further elaborate SDSRH frameworks and evaluate the efficacy of their clinical applications.
ПРОВЕДЕНИЕ ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ В МЕДИЦИНЕ: СОВЕТЫ ПО СТРАТЕГИЯМ И РЕСУРСАМ ОБЗОРА ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ
Authors: К.С. Мильчаков
Published: November 2024

В настоящей работе представлен краткий обзор законодательных рамок информационного исследования в медицине, а также проведен обзор основных ресурсов, как библиографических баз данных, так и других. Описаны различные стратегии информационного поиска, которые зависят от цели обзора (плана исследования информации и критериев включения). Настоящая статья посвящена основам процесса обзора в рамках научных исследований по медицине и оценки технологий здравоохранения.

The current paper presents a short review of the legislative frames of information study in medicine, also it was done review of essential resources as bibliographic databases as others. It is described different strategies of information search that depend on the goal of the review (the plan of information study and inclusion criteria). This paper is devoted to essentials while review process in the frame of medical scientific research and health technology assessment.

Бұл мақалада медицинада ақпараттық зерттеулер жүргізудің құқықтық негіздері туралы қысқаша шолу, сондай-ақ библиографиялық дерекқорлардың және басқа да негізгі ресурстардың шолуы берілген. Зерттеудің мақсатына (ақпараттың зерттеу жоспары мен қосу критерийлеріне) байланысты түрлі ақпарат іздеу стратегиясы сипатталған. Бұл мақалада медицина саласындағы зерттеулер мен денсаулықты бағалау технологиясын бағалаудың негізі талқыланады.
Я-КОНЦЕПЦИЯ И САМООЦЕНКА ПОЛЬЗОВАТЕЛЯ КАК ФАКТОРЫ «ПЕРЕДАЧИ» ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ПРОФИЛЯ СОЗДАВАЕМОМУ АВАТАРУ
Authors: А.В. Антипова , В.А. Демарева
Published: November 2024

В данном исследовании было рассмотрено влияние Я-концепции и самооценки человека на «передачу» психологического профиля создаваемому аватару, созданному в виде чат-бота в приложении Character AI. В пилотном исследовании приняли участие 17 человек. Участникам исследования было предложено создать свой аватар в приложении Character AI, после чего участники проходили два опросника для выявления уровня самооценки и составления психологического профиля. Затем аватары в приложении ответили на идентичные вопросы. Результаты исследования показали, что при создании аватара люди в первую очередь наделяют его эмоциональными особенностями, которые присущи им самим. Люди с адекватной самооценкой «передали» аватару особенности своей личности, связанные с эмоциональностью и сдержанностью, при этом выявлена обратная связь при описании черт личности, связанных с игривостью и практичностью. Люди с адекватным уровнем самооценки реже отмечают у себя наличие качества «мечтательность» по сравнению с людьми с неадекватным уровнем самооценки.

The study investigated the impact of an individual's self-concept and self-esteem on the "transfer" of their psychological profile to an avatar created in the Character AI app. The study involved 17 participants who created avatars in the app and then completed two questionnaires to determine their level of self-esteem and compile a psychological profile. The avatars were then asked to answer the same questionnaire. Results showed that when creating an avatar, individuals primarily endow it with emotional characteristics. People with adequate self-esteem tended to "give" their avatars personality traits associated with emotionality and restraint. Conversely, people with inadequate self-esteem were more likely to describe their avatars as playful and practical. Additionally, those with adequate self-esteem were less likely to attribute the quality of "dreaminess" to their avatars compared to those with inadequate self-esteem.
ОСОБЕННОСТИ СПЕКТРА МОЩНОСТИ ЭЭГ ПРИ РЕШЕНИИ ЗАДАЧ У РЕСПОНДЕНТОВ С РАЗНОЙ ВЕДУЩЕЙ ТЕМПЕРАМЕНТНОЙ АКТИВНОСТЬЮ
Authors: Д.А. Докучаев
Published: November 2024

Исследование ЭЭГ показало, что люди с выраженной интеллектуальной активностью демонстрируют высокую нейроэффективность при решении автоматизированных задач, проявляя меньшую активность мозга. Респонденты с психомоторной активностью показали более низкую нейроэффективность. Интересные результаты получены при названии цветов: коммуникативная активность связана с различной активностью мозга в разных областях. При решении нестандартных задач люди с высокой интеллектуальной активностью легко справляются, в то время как респонденты с психомоторной активностью испытывают трудности. Результаты исследования подтверждают выводы В.М. Русалова.

The EEG study showed that people with pronounced intellectual activity demonstrate high neuroefficiency in solving automated tasks, showing lower brain activity. Respondents with psychomotor activity showed lower neuroefficiency. Interesting results were obtained when naming colors: communicative activity is associated with different brain activity in different areas. When solving non-standard problems, people with high intellectual activity easily cope, while respondents with psychomotor activity experience difficulties. The results of the study confirm the findings of V.M. Rusalov.
ВОПЛОЩЕНИЕ В АВАТАРЕ: ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПОДХОДЫ К АНАЛИЗУ ВЗАИМОСВЯЗИ ИГРОКА И ЕГО АВАТАРА
Authors: В.В. Вяхирева , В.А. Демарева
Published: November 2024

В статье рассматриваются исследования взаимосвязи между игроком и игровым аватаром. Рассмотрены теоретические аспекты ее возникновения. Основное внимание уделено концепции «воплощения в аватаре», основанной на феноменологическом подходе. Обсуждается роль аватара как инструмента и «феноменологического продолжения» игрока в игровом пространстве.

The paper investigates existing studies on the relationship between the player and his in-game avatar, based on a phenomenological approach. The analyzed studies discuss the concept of «avatar embodiment» as a possible explanation of players’ immersion in game. The avatar is observed as a «phenomenological body» with regard to players’ personal characteristics.
СООТНОШЕНИЕ ТИПОВ ПАРНЫХ СОЦИАЛЬНЫХ ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЙ В ТЕСТЕ «ТРУБА» У КРЫС ЧЕРЕЗ ТРИ ДНЯ И СЕМЬ МЕСЯЦЕВ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ В УСЛОВИЯХ СКУЧЕННОСТИ
Authors: Е.В. Лосева , А.А. Потехина
Published: November 2024

Исследовали соотношения типов и длительности парных социальных взаимодействий (ПСВ) в тесте «Труба» (тест на социальное доминирование) у группы крыс, содержавшихся в условиях скученности (18 крыс в клетке) 3 дня и 7 месяцев, и параллельно в те же сроки у контрольной группы при стандартном содержании (4-5 крыс в клетке). Выделили 7 типов ПСВ, 4 из которых заканчивались победой одной крысы и поражением другой, 1 тип - поражением обеих крыс и 2 типа – ничьёй. Через 3 дня скученности наблюдались более длительные, чем в контрольной группе, конфликты в трубе, когда победитель выталкивает, а побеждённый сопротивляется. Через 7 месяцев скученности ПСВ без конфликтов было больше, и ПСВ, где были победитель и побеждённый, заканчивались быстрее, чем в контрольной группе и при сравнении с ранним этапом скученности. Предполагается, что такая стратегия приводит к адаптации крыс к стрессогенным условиям долгого скученного содержания.

The ratios of the types and durations of paired social interactions (PSI) in the Tube test (dominance test) were studied in a group of rats kept in crowded conditions (18 rats per cage) for 3 days and 7 months, and in parallel for the same periods in a control group kept in standard conditions (4-5 rats per cage). Seven types of PSI were identified, four of which ended in the victory of one rat and the defeat of the other, one type - in the defeat of both rats, and two types - in a draw. After 3 days of crowding, conflicts in the tube were longer lasting than in the control in a situation where the winner attacks and the defeated resists. After 7 months of crowding, there were more conflict-free PSIs, and PSIs with a winner and a defeated ended faster than in the corresponding control and early stage of crowding. It is assumed that this strategy leads to adaptation of rats to stressful conditions of long crowded housing.
EKSPLORASI SERANGGA PADA TANAMAN BAWANG MERAH YANG DITUMPANGSARIKAN DENGAN CABAI MERAH (STUDI KASUS DI KECAMATAN GRONG GRONG KABUPATEN PIDIE)
Authors: Amar Aidil , Fridayati Diah , Marlina Marlina , Fatmala Nanda , Fauza Saniar , Irwansyah Irwansyah
Published: November 2024

Intercropping is a method that is widely used by farmers, this is because this method allows farmers to plant not just one type of plant but more. There are many advantages of this tumpeng sari system, such as increased plant production and optimal use of land. In plants, a diversity of insects appear that live and visit because of the influence of this tumpeng sari system. The aim of the research was to describe the types of insects found on shallot plants intercropped with red chilies. The purposive sampling survey method was used in the research, which was practically carried out on a stretch of land with red onions intercropped with red chilies. The research shows the results that insects trapped in shallot fields intercropped with chilies consist of 10 orders and 47 families, the order Araneae, the order Blatodea, the order Coleoptera, the order Dermaptera, the order Hemiptera, the order Diptera, the order Hymenoptera, the order Isoptera, the order Lepidoptera, the order Mantodea, while for There are two natural enemies of parasitoids, namely the order Hymenoptera, Diptera, for predatory insects the order found is the order Mantodea, order Orthoptera, order Lepidoptera, order, Hymenoptera, order Hemiptera, order Diptera, order Dermaptera, order Coleoptera order Araneae, while the order herbivorous insects found were the order Orthoptera, order Hemiptera, order Diptera, order Lepidoptera, order Coleoptera, a group of parasitoid insects with the highest number of individuals from the families Ichneumonidae and Braconidae, a group of predatory insects with the highest number of individuals from the family Reduviidae, and formicidae, a group of herbivorous insects with the highest number of individuals. high number of individuals from the Orthoptera family
Dampak Penggunaan Alat Permainan Edukatif terhadap Perkembangan Sintaksis Anak Penderita ADHD
Authors: Ulandari Griya Rizqi
Published: November 2024

This article will describe the impact of the use of APE on the syntactic development of children, especially children with language disorders, namely Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or known as ADHD. This study is included in descriptive research with qualitative methods. While the subjects in this study were ADHD children aged 4-7 years. The data in the study were the statements of an informant, namely a teacher with the initials S. The data collection technique used in the study was the interview technique. The results of the study showed that APE had a significant impact on the syntactic development of children with ADHD. With this tool, children are more enthusiastic, can focus, enjoy more, and have fun in every learning activity that takes place. Not only that, children also more often express expressions that have positive connotations. In fact, children, intentionally or not, are able to form language in the aspects of syntax, phrases and sentences.Keywords: ADHD; educational play tools; syntactic development; psycholinguistics Abstrak: Artikel ini akan mendeskripsikan dampak penggunaan APE terhadap perkembangan sintaksis anak, khususnya anak penderita gangguan berbahasa, yaitu Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder atau dikenal dengan ADHD. Penelitian ini termasuk ke dalam penelitian deskriptif dengan metode kualitatif. Sementara subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah anak ADHD berusia 4-7 tahun. Data dalam penelitian adalah tuturan seorang informan, yaitu guru berinisial S. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian adalah teknik wawancara. Hasil  penelitian menunjukkan bahwa APE sangat berdampak terhadap perkembangan sintaksis anak penderita ADHD. Dengan alat ini, anak lebih semangat, bisa fokus, lebih enjoy, dan bersenang-senang pada setiap kegiatan pembelajaran yang berlangsung. Tidak hanya itu, anak juga lebih sering mengungkapkan ekspresi yang berkonotasi positif. Bahkan, anak disengaja maupun tidak, mampu membentuk bahasa dalam aspek sintaksis, frasa dan kalimat.Katakunci: ADHD; alat permainan edukatif; perkembangan sintaksis; psikolinguistik