bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SILENT WARFARE: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CYBER BLOCKADES AND SANCTIONS
Authors: Ohrimenco Serghei , Cernei Valeriu
Published: July 2024

Traditionally, experts considered several blockades, including sea and land, with the development of aircraft transportation - air, and with the advent of space technology and special satellites - space. Also, information blockades have been introduced with the rapid development of computer technology and communication tools. Each type of blockade had its historical characteristics; they differed in costs and, of course, efficiency. In the second half and at the end of the 20th century, scientists operated the term cyber blockade and restrictions in cyberspace. The paper sequentially considers physical environments (domains): air, land, sea, outer space, information space, and cyberspace. Multiple definitions of cyberspace have emerged as this concept evolves and becomes more nuanced in response to rapid developments in the technical, technological, economic, and social dimensions of modern life. Due to their potential, cyber-attacks and cyber warfare have garnered significant attention considering the ongoing development of society and business. Cyber-attacks are carried out regularly - against government agencies, military and civilian departments, and private businesses. The growing dependence of countries on cyberspace can play a negative role in the process of confrontation. The enemy can attack those areas where cyberspace is a decisive element. The authors discussed the questions of cyber-blockade efficiency.
PLACE OF DIGITALIZATION IN THE STRUCTURE OF MODERN TRENDS IN THE DOMESTIC POLICE TRAINING SYSTEM
Authors: Yarmak Kirill
Published: July 2024

Modern police training system in Russia is carried out within the framework of a coherent multi-element and multi-level system of training and education of citizens preparing to serve in the internal affairs bodies or current employees (federal state civil servants, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia). The subject of this study is the system of personnel training for the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, the analysis of modern trends, which allows us to identify certain regularities. The purpose of the work is to identify modern trends in this system and determine the place of digital technologies. The empirical base of the study is the results of the integration of innovative pedagogical methods and technologies into the activities of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. In total, the study is based on the experience of all educational organizations of higher education of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and their branches, implementing educational programs of higher education during 2019 - 2023. The methodology of the study of modern pedagogical techniques and technologies presented by educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia every year during the five-year period is based on a set of scientific approaches, principles and methods. Novelty of the work - for the first time these materials were subjected to system analysis to determine the regularities of pedagogical technology development. The results of the study can be used in the further organization of the educational process. According to the results the author's scheme of multilevel training of personnel for internal affairs bodies is formulated, the most popular trends of implementation of innovative educational technologies are revealed, the place of digitalization in the general structure of trends of innovative technologies is determined.
Regression models of professional competencies of teachers of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Authors: Semenova Natalya , Pavlova Svetlana
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the problem of systematization of professional competencies of teachers of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Various methodological approaches to identifying and justifying the professional competencies of teachers are outlined. The most productive approach to the consideration of professional competencies based on the goals of modern education and the role of the teacher in it was noted. Such competencies as informational, interactive, polycultural and self-organizational are justified as leading ones in professional pedagogical activity. A hypothesis about their mutual influence is formulated. The purpose of the study was to substantiate the mutual influence of the leading professional competencies of teachers of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
The study involved 245 teachers from educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, with teaching experience from 1 to 50 years. To process the obtained data, linear regression analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.
As a result of linear regression, four regression models were identified that explain the mutual influence of leading competencies, which were combined into an integrative model demonstrating the significant influence of predictors. Self-organizational competence showed the highest predictor load, which confirmed the hypothesis about its system-forming role in relation to the leading professional competencies of a teacher. A stable triadic mutual influence of interactive, informational and self-organizational competencies has been identified, which is the basis for the formation of professional competence of a modern teacher. Polycultural competence has a lower predictor load and has a self-organizational influence on other competencies.
The prospect of developing the problem of systematization and justification of the leading competencies of higher education teachers is outlined, which consists in further research of competency indicators.
Pisarze miejscy w miastach Polski Centralnej w czasach jagiellońskich
Authors: Nowak Tadeusz , Ćwikła Łukasz
Published: July 2024

The text characterises the community of town writers in central Poland during the Jagiellonian period. Based on city records that have not yet been used in this respect, profiles of people holding the above-mentioned office are presented. The authors pay attention to such issues as: the writers’ state affiliation, territorial origin, family connections, education, other functions performed by them, fees and other sources of their income, as well as their assets. During the research, it was possible to identify 31 town writers working in the discussed territory. The vast majority of them came from the townsmen, while a few came from the nobility and clergy.
The Cost of Impatience in Dynamic Matching: Scaling Laws and Operating Regimes
Authors: Kohlenberg Angela , Gurvich Itai
Published: July 2024

We study matching queues with abandonment. The simplest of these is the two-sided queue with servers on one side and customers on the other, both arriving dynamically over time and abandoning if not matched by the time their patience elapses. We identify nonasymptotic and universal scaling laws for the matching loss due to abandonment, which we refer to as the “cost of impatience.” The scaling laws characterize the way in which this cost depends on the arrival rates and the (possibly different) mean patience of servers and customers. Our characterization reveals four operating regimes identified by an operational measure of patience that brings together mean patience and utilization. The four regimes subsume the regimes that arise in asymptotic (heavy-traffic) approximations. The scaling laws, specialized to each regime, reveal the fundamental structure of the cost of impatience and show that its order of magnitude is fully determined by (i) a “winner-take-all” competition between customer impatience and utilization, and (ii) the ability to accumulate inventory on the server side. Practically important is that when servers are impatient, the cost of impatience is, up to an order of magnitude, given by an insightful expression where only the minimum of the two patience rates appears. Considering the trade-off between abandonment and capacity costs, we characterize the scaling of the optimal safety capacity as a function of costs, arrival rates, and patience parameters. We prove that the ability to hold inventory of servers means that the optimal safety capacity grows logarithmically in abandonment cost and, in turn, slower than the square-root growth in the single-sided queue.

This paper was accepted by Baris Ata, stochastic models and simulation.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CMM-2137286].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.01513 .
Evaluasi Prioritas Kesesuaian Ruang Terbuka Hijau (RTH) di Kecamatan Kanigaran
Authors: Al Amin Rizkulloh Nurfauzi , Hariyanto Teguh , Pribadi Cherie Bhekti
Published: July 2024

Pertambahan jumlah penduduk di Kota Probolinggo setiap tahunnya menyebabkan kebutuhan ruangmeningkat sehingga terjadi pengalihan fungsi lahan di perkotaan dan keberadaan ruang terbuka hijau (RTH) semakinterancam. Analisis kesesuaian lahan dapat menjadi alternatif untuk mengatasi alih fungsi lahan, yakni melalui sisteminformasi geografis (SIG) dan dikombinasikan dengan menggunakan metode Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)untuk mendapatkan prioritas kesesuaian lokasi. Dalam penelitian ini akan menganalisis hasil AHP sebagai bobotdalam menentukan kesesuaian ruang terbuka hijau (RTH) di Kecamatan Kanigaran. Kriteria yang digunakan ialahkemiringan lereng, kepadatan penduduk, penggunaan lahan, aksesibilitas, dan kedekatan RTH terhadap kawasanperkotaan. Bobot dari masing-masing kriteria ini nantinya digunakan dalam weighted overlay. Didapatkan 5 tingkatkesesuaian ruang terbuka hijau (RTH), yaitu sangat sesuai (S1), sesuai (S2), cukup sesuai (S3), tidak sesuai (N1), dansangat tidak sesuai (N2). Analisis kesesuaian yang bernilai “S” terhadap kondisi eksisting dilakukan dengan mengoverlay tutupan lahan melalui Peta Dasar Kecamatan Kanigaran 1:1000. Kemudian, didapatkan perbandingankesesuaian dengan penggunaan eksisting di setiap kelurahannya
Using telehealth for people at the end of life with chronic illness in Australia
Authors: O'Connor Margaret , Moore Tim , Zhong Yaping
Published: July 2024

Background:

Traditional models of palliative care have been tested by the challenges of caring for increasing numbers of people at the end stages of a chronic non-malignant illness. The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent reliance on telehealth services, has enabled the development of creative models of care.

Aims:

To improve home-based palliative care for people with chronic illness using telehealth, and this was demonstrated using quality-of-life measures.

Methods:

A total of 35 non-cancer referrals to a community palliative care service were recommended for the pilot project, with one specialist palliative care nurse as their contact. All were offered a telehealth service with a specially designed app to self-monitor their symptoms, a session on advance care directives, and self-rated quality-of-life measures using the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (Version 1.0), consisting of 36 items that cover nine domains. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Findings:

Over the 21 months of the pilot study, 13 people chose to participate in the pilot. For participants, telehealth meant more control over their symptoms, fewer emergency presentations and appointment travel time was alleviated. Quality-of-life surveys highlighted physical impairments, which did not change over time.

Conclusion:

This pilot programme demonstrated an innovative approach to addressing the demands of people dying of chronic illness, with further work required to explore the place of telehealth consultations in the overall healthcare system.
Predictive value of diaphragm ultrasound for mechanical ventilation outcome in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Qu Lei-Lei , Zhao Wen-Ping , Li Ji-Ping , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is often combined with respiratory failure, which increases the patient's morbidity and mortality. Diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) has developed rapidly in the field of critical care in recent years. Studies with DUS monitoring diaphragm-related rapid shallow breathing index have demonstrated important results in guiding intensive care unit patients out of the ventilator. Early prediction of the indications for withdrawal of non-invasive ventilator and early evaluation of patients to avoid or reduce disease progression are very important.

AIM

To explore the predictive value of DUS indexes for non-invasive ventilation outcome in patients with AECOPD.

METHODS

Ninety-four patients with AECOPD who received mechanical ventilation in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into a successful ventilation group (68 cases) and a failed ventilation group (26 cases) according to the outcome of ventilation. The clinical data of patients with successful and failed noninvasive ventilation were compared, and the independent predictors of noninvasive ventilation outcomes in AECOPD patients were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, complications, systolic pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, partial pressure of oxygen, oxygenation index, or time of inspiration between patients with successful and failed mechanical ventilation (P > 0.05). The patients with successful noninvasive ventilation had shorter hospital stays and lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) than those with failed treatment, while potential of hydrogen (pH), diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF), diaphragm activity, and diaphragm movement time were significantly higher than those with failed treatment (P < 0.05). pH [odds ratio (OR) = 0.005, P < 0.05], PaCO2 (OR = 0.430, P < 0.05), and DTF (OR = 0.570, P < 0.05) were identified to be independent factors influencing the outcome of mechanical ventilation in AECOPD patients.

CONCLUSION

The DUS index DTF can better predict the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in AECOPD patients.
Magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics model for preoperative assessment of risk stratification in endometrial cancer
Authors: Wei Zhi-Yao , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Dong-Li , Zhao Wen-Ming , Meng Yuan-Guang
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Preoperative risk stratification is significant for the management of endometrial cancer (EC) patients. Radiomics based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with clinical features may be useful to predict the risk grade of EC.

AIM

To construct machine learning models to predict preoperative risk stratification of patients with EC based on radiomics features extracted from MRI.

METHODS

The study comprised 112 EC patients. The participants were randomly separated into training and validation groups with a 7:3 ratio. Logistic regression analysis was applied to uncover independent clinical predictors. These predictors were then used to create a clinical nomogram. Extracted radiomics features from the T2-weighted imaging and diffusion weighted imaging sequences of MRI images, the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson test, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis were employed to evaluate the relevant radiomic features, which were subsequently utilized to generate a radiomic signature. Seven machine learning strategies were used to construct radiomic models that relied on the screening features. The logistic regression method was used to construct a composite nomogram that incorporated both the radiomic signature and clinical independent risk indicators.

RESULTS

Having an accuracy of 0.82 along with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.915 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.806-0.986], the random forest method trained on radiomics characteristics performed better than expected. The predictive accuracy of radiomics prediction models surpassed that of both the clinical nomogram (AUC: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.611-0.899) and the combined nomogram (AUC: 0.869, 95%CI: 0.702-0.986) that integrated clinical parameters and radiomic signature.

CONCLUSION

The MRI-based radiomics model may be an effective tool for preoperative risk grade prediction in EC patients.
Organizing pneumonia secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report
Authors: Liu Min , Dong Xi-Yang , Ding Zhi-Xiang , Wang Qing-Hai , Li De-Hui
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Organizing pneumonia secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis is rare. Moreover, the temporal boundary between pulmonary tuberculosis and secondary organizing pneumonia has not been defined. We report a case of secondary organizing pneumonia associated with pulmonary tuberculosis occurring after nine months of antituberculosis treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

A 54 years old man, previously diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy, underwent nine months of antituberculosis treatment. Follow-up lung computed tomography revealed multiple new subpleural ground-glass opacities in both lungs, and a lung biopsy confirmed organizing pneumonia. Treatment continued with anti-tuberculosis agents and hormone therapy, and subsequent dynamic pulmonary computed tomography exams demonstrated improvement in lesion absorption. No disease recurrence was observed after corticosteroid therapy discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

When treating patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, if an increase in lesions is observed during anti-tuberculosis treatment, it is necessary to consider the possibility of tuberculosis-related secondary organizing pneumonia, timely lung biopsy is essential for early intervention.
Fragile hearts: Unveiling the crucial layers of frailty in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions
Authors: Mitsis Andreas , Myrianthefs Michael
Published: July 2024

Wang and Liu's systematic review of frailty among elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revealed that patients with frailty have significantly higher risks of all-cause and in-hospital death, major undesirable cardiovascular events, and major haemorrhage. Frailty is associated with adverse events, prolonged hospital stays, increased complications, and elevated mortality risk due to diminished physiological reserves. Integrating frailty into risk assessment tools is crucial, and gait speed has emerged as a key predictor of frailty. Recognizing the impact of frailty leads to personalized and informed decision-making, and frailty assessments should be performed. This holistic approach can inform tailored interventions, thereby optimizing outcomes for this vulnerable population undergoing PCI.
T lymphocyte proportion in Alzheimer’s disease prognosis
Authors: Willman Matthew , Patel Gopi , Lucke-Wold Brandon
Published: July 2024

Bai et al investigate the predictive value of T lymphocyte proportion in Alzheimer's disease (AD) prognosis. Through a retrospective study involving 62 AD patients, they found that a decrease in T lymphocyte proportion correlated with a poorer prognosis, as indicated by higher modified Rankin scale scores. While the study highlights the potential of T lymphocyte proportion as a prognostic marker, it suggests the need for larger, multicenter studies to enhance generalizability and validity. Additionally, future research could use cognitive exams when evaluating prognosis and delve into immune mechanisms underlying AD progression. Despite limitations inherent in retrospective designs, Bai et al 's work contributes to understanding the immune system's role in AD prognosis, paving the way for further exploration in this under-researched area.
Lumbar spine fusion surgery versus best conservative care for patients with severe, persistent low back pain
Authors: Bada Eniola S. , Gardner Adrian C. , Ahuja Sashin , Beard David J. , Window Peter , Foster Nadine E.
Published: July 2024

Aims

People with severe, persistent low back pain (LBP) may be offered lumbar spine fusion surgery if they have had insufficient benefit from recommended non-surgical treatments. However, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2016 guidelines recommended not offering spinal fusion surgery for adults with LBP, except as part of a randomized clinical trial. This survey aims to describe UK clinicians’ views about the suitability of patients for such a future trial, along with their views regarding equipoise for randomizing patients in a future clinical trial comparing lumbar spine fusion surgery to best conservative care (BCC; the FORENSIC-UK trial).

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey was piloted by the multidisciplinary research team, then shared with clinical professional groups in the UK who are involved in the management of adults with severe, persistent LBP. The survey had seven sections that covered the demographic details of the clinician, five hypothetical case vignettes of patients with varying presentations, a series of questions regarding the preferred management, and whether or not each clinician would be willing to recruit the example patients into future clinical trials.

Results

There were 72 respondents, with a response rate of 9.0%. They comprised 39 orthopaedic spine surgeons, 17 neurosurgeons, one pain specialist, and 15 allied health professionals. Most respondents (n = 61,84.7%) chose conservative care as their first-choice management option for all five case vignettes. Over 50% of respondents reported willingness to randomize three of the five cases to either surgery or BCC, indicating a willingness to participate in the future randomized trial. From the respondents, transforaminal interbody fusion was the preferred approach for spinal fusion (n = 19, 36.4%), and the preferred method of BCC was a combined programme of physical and psychological therapy (n = 35, 48.5%).

Conclusion

This survey demonstrates that there is uncertainty about the role of lumbar spine fusion surgery and BCC for a range of example patients with severe, persistent LBP in the UK.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(7):612–620.
Şehzade Korkut’un Siyasi Faaliyetleri ve Yörük Taifeleriyle Münasebetleri
Authors: Sarı Serkan
Published: July 2024

Osmanlı Tarihi içerisinde II. Bayezid dönemi daha çok şehzadelerin mücadeleleriyle anılan bir dönem olarak görülebilir. Fatihin vefatıyla başlayan Cem Sultan vakası ve sonradan Bayezid’in oğulları arasındaki mücadele dönemin taht mücadeleleri içerisinde şekillenmesine neden olmuştur. Bayezid’in şehzadeleri içerisinde âlim kişiliği ile de dikkati çeken Şehzade Korkut ve şehzadenin Yörüklerle münasebeti çalışmanın temelini oluşturmaktadır. Saruhan Sancağına vali olarak atanan ve sonradan Teke Sancağına gönderilen Şehzadenin Yörüklerin yoğun olarak yaşadığı bölgelerde görev yapması ve iktidar mücadelesi verdiği dönemde kullandığı güzergâhlar Yörüklerin yoğun olarak bulunduğu coğrafyalar olarak dikkati çekmektedir. Vergi gelirleri ile ilgili tutulan kayıtlarda Şehzade Korkut’la alakalarından dolayı tımar verilerek sipahi kaydedilen Yörükler olduğu görülmektedir. Bölgeyle ilgili tutulmuş Tahrir Defterlerine yansıyan bazı kayıtlar üzerinden gidilerek bahsedilen gruplarla Şehzade Korkut’un alaka ve faaliyetlerindeki yerleri üzerine durulmuştur. Şehzadenin yaşadığı ve ilişkili olduğu siyasi faaliyetler Osmanlı tarihinde iz bırakmış olaylar olarak dikkati çekmektedir. Çalışmada, bahsedilen dönemde Şehzade Korkut’un siyasi faaliyetleri ve görev yaptığı sancaklar ve havalisinde bulunan Yörük taifeleriyle münasebetleri anlatılmıştır.
Neoliberal Politikaların Öğretmen Emeğini Dönüştürücü Etkisi ve Ücretli Öğretmenlik
Authors: Yiğit Emin , Erdoğan Ali Erdi
Published: July 2024

Öz: Sosyal Refah politikaları bağlamında gelişen devlet, işveren ve çalışan arasındaki uzlaşı ve hukuki güvenceler, neoliberal ekonomi politikalarıyla dönüşüme uğramıştır. Bu dönüşüm, emek gücünün esnek, güvencesiz, korumasız, örgütsüz bir şekilde, ekonomik ve sosyal kırılganlık içeren koşullarda istihdamını beraberinde getirirken süreç aynı zamanda emek gücünü bölmüş ve parçalamıştır. Bireysel kazanımlarını önceleyen emek gücü aynı zamanda sendikasızlaşmıştır. Süreçten eğitim-öğretim sektörü de etkilenirken piyasalaştırma ve serbestleştirme uygulamalarıyla sektörde hem özel eğitim kurumlarının yoğunluğu artmış hem de devlet, eğitim-öğretim hizmetlerinin sunumunda göreli olarak piyasanın koşullarına uyarlanmıştır. Dönüşümden eğitim emekçileri de etkilenirken farklı statülerde öğretmen istihdamı gerçekleştirilir hale gelmiştir. Özellikle ekonomik ve sosyal kırılganlık içeren koşullarda istihdam edilen ücretli öğretmenler, belirsizlik koşullarda, korumadan yoksun bir şekilde esnek istihdama tabiidirler. Dolayısıyla neoliberal politikaların öğretmen emeğini dönüştürücü etkisini ücretli öğretmenlik üzerinden sorgulayan bu çalışma, sendikasızlaştırma, güvencesizleştirme, bireselleşme ve parçalanmanın deneyimlenme biçimlerini ve birbirlerini yeniden üretme süreçlerini ücretli öğretmenler bağlamında tartışmayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, Aydın’da istihdam edilen 270 ücretli öğretmenden 27’siyle, 2023 yılının Mart ve Nisan aylarında yapılan derinlemesine mülakatların saha verilerine dayanmaktadır.
On The Cover: Invasive Sparrows and the American Bird Box
Authors: Holmes Matthew
Published: July 2024

abstract: The cover image for this issue of Technology and Culture depicts how bird boxes became contested technologies in the United States. The early twentieth-century image shows a pair of house sparrows ( Passer domesticus )— an introduced species—taking over a bird box intended for native birds. But the claim that sparrows seized bird boxes and other nesting places to the detriment of American birds was controversial. Since their mid-nineteenth-century introduction to the United States, sparrows have had both supporters and detractors who used bird boxes as tools to aid or suppress the birds. This essay argues that this image and others like it constitute a form of “biological propaganda” that supported the professionalization of ornithology in the United States. Natural history illustrations are not value neutral but show animals and technology in such a way as to support their creator’s specific view of nature and what “belongs” in it.
Between Innovation and Resistance: The Role of Guilds in Early Modern Italian Ribbon Manufacturing
Authors: Caracausi Andrea
Published: July 2024

abstract: The historiographical debate about the influence of guilds on economic development and innovation lacks consensus. Scholars are divided: some argue that guilds fostered a positive environment for technological innovation through privileges that ensured profits for inventors, while others underline the guilds’ role in stifling innovation to protect their interests. This article undertakes a comparative analysis of ribbon manufacturing in early modern Italy, a sector known for its technology transfer across Europe. It finds that the nature of the guild and its specific privileges crucially determined technology transfer and innovation acceptance. In addition, the redistribution of profits within guilds was vital to the innovative process. The article concludes that the key to technology transfer and innovation lay in preserving the guilds’ profit monopolies and internal stability.
Bird Boxes and Sparrow Traps: The Technological Regulation of Avian Life in the United States
Authors: Holmes Matthew
Published: July 2024

abstract: Only a few decades after its introduction to the United States in the mid-nineteenth century, the house sparrow was considered a pest that drove away native birds. Its downfall is representative of a story familiar to scholars of animals and technology who have studied the methods used to control or exclude unwanted species from both rural and urban areas. The case of the house sparrow, however, differs in a crucial respect: the birds made their homes in bird boxes, built technologies designed to attract avian species and bring them closer to humans. This article documents how bird boxes were used as tools to regulate avian life in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the United States and argues that they should be seen as a technology that mediates and regulates our relationship with nature by promoting or controlling certain aspects of living organisms.
Rapid and label-free influenza A virus subtyping using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with incident-wavelength analysis
Authors: Ricker RyeAnne , Perea Lopez Nestor , Terrones Mauricio , Loew Murray , Ghedin Elodie
Published: July 2024

Early virus identification is a key component of both patient treatment
and epidemiological monitoring. In the case of influenza A virus
infections, where the detection of subtypes associated with bird flu
in humans could lead to a pandemic, rapid subtype-level identification
is important. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with machine
learning can be used to rapidly detect and identify viruses in a
label-free manner. As there is a range of available excitation
wavelengths for performing Raman spectroscopy, we must choose the best
one to permit discrimination between highly similar subtypes of a
virus. We show that the spectra produced by influenza A subtypes H1N1
and H3N2 exhibit a higher degree of dissimilarity when using
785 nm excitation wavelength in comparison with 532 nm
excitation wavelength. Furthermore, the cross-validated area under the
curve (AUC) for identification was higher for the 785 nm
excitation, reaching 0.95 as compared to 0.86 for 532 nm.
Ultimately, this study suggests that exciting with a 785 nm
wavelength is better able to differentiate two closely related
influenza viruses and likely can extend to other closely related
pathogens.
Large-depth-range 3D measurement based on optimized multi-focal projection system
Authors: Zhang Weihang , Zhu Sijie , Ran Chenxun , Zhang Qican , Wang Yajun
Published: July 2024

High-speed and large-depth-range 3D measurement technology is of great importance in a variety of fields. Conventional binary defocusing methods can achieve high measurement speed, but their depth range is limited because the defocusing effect is insufficient near the focal plane in the ordinary projection system. To address this problem, we propose an optimized multi-focal projection system by introducing a cylindrical lens with optimal parameter configuration. Compared to traditional methods, the proposed method could overcome the constraint of defocusing region to obtain high-quality sinusoidal fringe patterns over large depth range without sacrificing the measurement speed. In this paper, the principle of multi-focal projection system and the related scheme of parameter configuration are presented in order to illustrate the role of the cylindrical lens and system parameters on modulating the distribution of defocusing kernel and removing the limitations of defocusing region. Experimental results show that the proposed multi-focal projection system with optimal parameter configuration increased the depth range from 150 mm to 725 mm over the conventional single-focal system, achieving greater depth range and better measurement results.
Modelling of long-wave mid-infrared ultrashort pulse generation via difference frequency generation
Authors: Su Xinyang , Luo Xiaoyu , Chen Qingyu , Chi Xinyuan , Tian Zhaoyang , Wang Bolin , Cao Qian , Sarkisov Sergey , Kobtsev Sergey
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a model of generating mid-infrared (MIR) ultrashort laser pulse through difference frequency generation (DFG) is established. The pulse evolution relationship among the pump, signal, and idler pulses during the DFG process, as well as the effects of crystal length, pulse energy of the pump and signal lights, pulse width, and other factors on the characteristics of the MIR pulse are explored. Furthermore, through simulations from the time domain to the frequency domain, the spectral characteristics and angular distribution of MIR were analyzed. DFG experimental data are also presented to support the model.
Twisted hyperbolic-sine-correlated beams
Authors: Xu Siyu , Wang Haiyun , Peng Xiaofeng , Chen Yahong , Liu Lin , Wang Fei , Cai Yangjian , Liu Yonglei
Published: July 2024

In this study, a novel class of spatially non-uniformly correlated beams called twisted hyperbolic-sine-correlated (THSC) beams is introduced. The coherence structure of such beam sources is characterized by a hyperbolic sine function with a high-order twist phase embedded in its argument. The propagation properties of the THSC beams are numerically examined in detail. Our results reveal that the order numbers and twist factor of the twist phase has a significant effect on the spectral density and orbital angular momentum (OAM) flux density upon propagation, and they can be used to control the formation of certain specific far-field intensity profiles such as doughnut shape, rectangular window shape, and dumbbell-like shape, as well as the OAM flux distributions such as windmill-like shape. In addition, the THSC beams under certain order numbers may possess peculiar propagation characteristics such as diffraction-effect suppression, lateral shift of intensity maxima and beam spot rotation. Further, we have established a flexible yet compact experimental system to synthesize such kind of beam sources. The evolution properties of the intensity distribution are investigated and analyzed in the experiment.
Early intervention model for treating mood and anxiety disorders: A realist mixed-methods hypothesis test of emerging adult recovery through the mechanism of agency
Authors: Osuch Elizabeth , Vingilis Evelyn , Wammes Michael , Demy Jazzmin , Summerhurst Carolyn , Arcaro Justin
Published: July 2024

Early intervention treatment programs for mood and anxiety disorders are desperately needed since incidence of these is increasing. Evaluating such programs can identify which model components are helpful in providing improved outcomes. Realist evaluations discuss context-mechanism-outcome configurations to identify which interventions help whom, how, and under what circumstances. This study presents a realist configuration to evaluate an early intervention mood and anxiety program. The intervention involves personalized treatment in a shared decision-making model. The context of the model and the intervention, which uses a personalized, holistic, patient-centered approach that supports and facilitates agency enhancement within patients is described. The hypothesized mechanism of recovery is improved individual agency of the patient. Mixed methods were used to assess the proposed configuration. Illness severity measures were compared before engagement and 1–2 years after treatment onset. Results show improved functioning as well as improved symptoms, better quality of life and satisfaction with care. Individuals experienced significant functional improvement, with a large effect size. Symptoms and quality of life also improved significantly with large effect sizes. Reported satisfaction was high. Improvement in functioning was correlated with improvement in coping style but not age, number of visits, duration between timepoints or total number of traumatic exposures. Qualitative data also addressed the hypothesized mechanism of recovery. Youth identified their own engagement in care as an essential source of recovery and attributed improved agency as integral to overcoming life disruptions caused by mental illness. This realist evaluation is preliminary or pilot, and future work is needed to assess the hypothesized configuration more comprehensively and in different populations.
Factors affecting utilization of outpatient healthcare services among the elderly population in Butiama and Musoma districts, Tanzania: A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Sichalwe Magnus Michael , Mwesiga Chrisostom Charles , Kessy Anna Tengia , Behera Manas Ranjan
Published: July 2024

Background

In Tanzania and Sub-Saharan Africa, the elderly population has grown significantly due to improved quality of life, subsequently leading to prolonged life expectancy. Despite global development initiatives, elders still face insufficient care. Through a community-based investigation, this study assessed outpatient department (OPD) healthcare utilization and its determinants among the elderly in Butiama and Musoma districts, Tanzania.

Methodology

This study involved 415 elderly individuals aged 60 or older in Tanzania’s Butiama and Musoma districts. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data, and the results were analyzed using SPSS 22. Univariate analysis utilized descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis involved cross-tabulation data, and multivariate logistic regression identified factors influencing OPD service utilization.

Results

Approximately 43.4% of participants used OPD services in the past year. Divorced or separated individuals were over two times more likely to utilize OPD services compared to single participants. This association was statistically significant (OR 1.958; 95% CI 1.001–3.829; p = 0.05). About 74.5% of surveyed elders held a positive perception of OPD utilization. Although not statistically significant (p>0.05), individuals with a positive perception had 1.167 times higher odds of using OPD services (95% CI 0.746–1.826).

Conclusion

This study highlights a low overall utilization rate of OPD healthcare services among the elderly. Elderly individuals aged 80 years or older, along with widowed or divorced individuals, encounter specific barriers when accessing healthcare services. Positive perceptions play a crucial role in influencing healthcare utilization. It is essential to proactively offer tailored support and conduct further research, specifically addressing the distinct needs of divorced and widowed individuals when seeking healthcare services.
Safety climate in the operating room in the pre-pandemic and pandemic period of COVID-19: A mixed method study
Authors: Ferreira Rosilene Alves , Fassarella Cintia Silva , Ribeiro Olga Maria Pimenta Lopes , Cardoso Rosane Barreto , Henrique Danielle de Mendonça , Camerini Flávia Giron , Souza Rogério Marques de , Meneses Ricardo de Oliveira
Published: July 2024

Introduction

To verify whether the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the safety climate based on the perception of the multiprofessional team in the operating room and to analyze the domains of the safety climate during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period of COVID-19, demonstrating the intersections of quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Methods

Mixed-method research using a convergent approach strategy, carried out in the operating room of a university hospital, located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The nature of the quantitative phase was cross-sectional, and the nature of the qualitative phase was descriptive. We used the Pillar Integration Process to integrate the data. This research considered the pre-pandemic period was defined as before March 2020 and for the pandemic period, the 2nd and 3rd global waves. Research was approved by the institution’s board management and ethics committee.

Results

145 health professionals participated in the quantitative approach, and 20 in the qualitative approach. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted in the domains ’Perceived stress’ (p-value = 0.017); ’Working conditions’ (p-value = 0.040). Six categories emerged from the qualitative analysis, namely: Stress and professional performance due to COVID-19; Patient safety protocols in the operating room; Responsibility for patient safety, lack of effective communication and performance feedback; Biosafety of the professional staff in the operating room; Security culture maturity; Fair culture, organizational learning, and reporting mistakes. As a result of the data integration, 6 pillars were identified: Perception of communication in the operating room; Evolution of safety culture; Overview of protocol management and implementation; Fair organizational culture; Perception of stress due to COVID-19; Perception of professional performance due to COVID-19.

Conclusions

The impact that COVID-19 had on the safety climate in the operating room is evident. It underlines the need to implement strategies that support the solidification of attitudes aimed at patient safety, even in emergencies.
Film and games as alter egos: Towards a media theory of audio-visual play
Authors: Freyermuth Gundolf S.
Published: July 2024

This article explores the relationship between film and games as forms of audio-visual play from the perspective of media theory and game studies. Initially, I discuss the research into mimetic audio-visual play, media and genres with their affordances and the transformation brought about by digitization to the mediascape. The comparative analysis starts with an outline of the evolution of films and games, followed by an investigation into their unique modes of representation, narration and audiovisualization. Research findings conclude that the cinematic mode of representation captures external movement, while games model systems dynamically; films present time-based narrative syntagms, whereas games offer space-based multilinear paradigms for playful selection; films still work primarily with indexical recordings, games with non-indexical procedural animations, although hybridization of recording and animation characterizes contemporary media practice. In sum, the relation between films and games can be defined as alterity, an interrelated, reciprocal and mutually influential otherness.
Multimodal and commercial identity work by Fortnite content creators
Authors: White Jonathan R.
Published: July 2024

In this article, identity practices by a group of Australian Fortnite content creators are analysed. These creators stream themselves playing the game and create videos for YouTube. Identity practices relate first of all to the game itself. The choice of avatar indexes the individual creator, especially when the avatar is used regularly or is specific to a creator. Choice of lexis in the form of jargon indexes the skill level and experience of the creators, with some indexing an identity as a skilful experienced player, and others indexing a less serious playing style. Finally, we have identified a commercial identity with creators indexing their brand as a creator through asking viewers to subscribe to their channel and support them.
Challenges in Diagnosis: Primary Hepatic Lymphoma Presenting as a Space-Occupying Liver Lesion
Authors: Vasireddy Ramya , Bilalaga Mariah Malak , Iding Jeffrey , Sankineni Abhinav
Published: July 2024

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of lymphoid neoplasms, the incidence of which has increased over the past 3 decades. Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the liver is a very rare malignancy. We outline a case describing primary hepatic lymphoma in an 85-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer who presented with generalized weakness and nonspecific symptoms. The patient had normal liver function, serum alpha fetoprotein level, and hemoglobin. A computed tomography scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed numerous low-attenuation lesions scattered throughout the liver. This case underscores the importance of including primary hepatic lymphoma as a differential diagnosis for space-occupying liver lesions, especially in the setting of normal alpha fetoprotein level.
Well-Being of Infants Through Touch: The Effects of Massage on Sleep Quality and Weight Gain in the First 0-12 Months
Authors: Rayhani Salsabila , Mochtar Nur Mujaddidah , Djalilah Gina Noor , Asmarani Rewina Intan
Published: July 2024

The initial stage of an infant's life, from 0 to 12 months, is a critical period in their development. Growth optimization during this period depends on nutrition, emotional support, and early stimulation. Particularly, an infant's sleep quality is a key adaptive mechanism that influences their growth and well-being. This study aims to understand the impact of infant massage on the sleep quality of infants aged 0-12 months and to evaluate the influence of infant massage on weight gain in this age group. Therefore, this study conducts a systematic review of the impact of infant massage on infants aged 0-12 months, using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2018 to 2023. Of 855 articles, 29 met the inclusion criteria according to PRISMA guidelines. The results show that regular infant massage, ideally 3-4 times a week for 15-30 minutes, significantly improves sleep quality and weight gain in infants aged 0-12 months. The effectiveness of infant massage is influenced by various factors such as environmental conditions, daily nutrition, massage routines, daily activities of the baby, and health conditions. This study implies that infant massage can be an important and effective intervention to support healthy infant growth and development, particularly in improving sleep quality and weight gain in infants aged 0-12 months, thereby encouraging the incorporation of infant massage as an integral part of daily baby care.
Avaliação da citotoxicidade, mutagenicidade e genotoxicidade de Tarenaya aculeata (Cleomaceae) utilizando Allium cepa L.
Authors: Ferreira Duarte Bianca , Luis Aguayo de Castro Thiago , Do Socorro Mascarenhas Maria , Santos da Rosa Juliano , Rodrigo Nogueira Claudio , Andrea Lima Cardoso Claudia
Published: July 2024

Tarenaya aculeata é uma espécie pertencente à família Cleomaceae, que vem ganhando destaque nos estudos medicinais. Neste estudo foi analisado o efeito de extratos aquosos e frações obtidos com resina amberlite XAD-2 de folhas, caules e raízes de T. aculeata na germinação e proliferação celular de sementes de Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae). Uma análise de Componentes Principais (PCoA) foi realizada para observar semelhanças e dissimilaridades nas respostas do índice de germinação relativo e índice mitótico entre as amostras, e os cromatogramas das amostras foram obtidos utilizando um cromatógrafo líquido de alta eficiência (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Os extratos das folhas (LE) e frações (LF), na concentração de 100 µg/mL, apresentaram redução no índice de germinação em relação ao controle, com valores de 81,66 ± 6,02 para LE e 80,26 ± 6,87 para LF. Em relação ao índice mitótico, sementes tratadas com todos os extratos e frações de T. aculeata agiram de maneira dose-dependente. Os resultados obtidos referentes aos índices de germinação e mitótico indicaram um efeito alelopático das amostras. Na análise de proliferação celular os extratos dos caules (SE) e frações (SF) foram os mais citotóxicos, apresentando valor de índice mitótico de 9,00 ± 0,2 para SE e 8,4 ± 0,5 para SF, a 1000 µg/mL. A análise do PCoA permitiu observar uma diferença significativa nos caules e raízes comparados às folhas, que foram também observadas nos cromatogramas gerados a partir das diferentes amostras. Os extratos e frações não apresentaram genotoxicidade e mutagenicidade.