bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-depth mixed-method case study to assess how to support and communicate with the families of hospitalised patients during COVID-19: a social innovation embedded in clinical teams
Authors: Normandin Louise , Vialaron Cécile , Guemghar Imane , Sales Justine , Fleury Danielle , Malas Kathy , Wong Caroline , Brunet Fabrice , Pomey Marie-Pascale
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to describe and evaluate, in a real-life context, the support and communicate with families (SCF) team’s contribution to maintaining communication and supporting relatives when patients are at the end of their lives by mobilising the points of view of SCF team members, healthcare professionals, managers and the relatives themselves.

Design

An in-depth mixed-method case study (quantitative and qualitative). Individual interviews were conducted with members of the SCF team to assess the activities and areas for improvement and with co-managers of active COVID-19 units. Healthcare professionals and managers completed a questionnaire to assess the contribution made by the SCF team. Hospitalised patients’ relatives completed a questionnaire on their experience with the SCF team.

Setting

The study was conducted in a university teaching hospital in the province of Québec, Canada.

Participants

Members of the SCF team, healthcare professionals, managers and relatives of hospitalised patients.

Results

Between April and July 2020, 131 telephone communications with families and healthcare professionals, 43 support sessions for relatives of end-of-life patients and 35 therapeutic humanitarian visits were carried out by members of the SCF team. Team members felt that they had played an active role in humanising care. Fully 83.1% of the healthcare professionals and managers reported that the SCF team’s work had met the relatives’ needs, while 15.1% believed that the SCF team should be maintained after the pandemic. Fully 95% of the relatives appreciated receiving the telephone calls and visits, while 82% felt that the visits had positive effects on hospitalised patients.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the introduction of a social innovation involving support for and communication with families. The intention of this innovation was to support the complexity of highly emotional situations experienced by families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Profiles and associated factors of prenatal psychological symptoms and their association with health-related quality of life among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huo Lanting , Li Xiaomei , Yu Xingfeng , Nisar Anum , Yang Lei
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To cluster prenatal psychological symptoms into different profiles and investigate prenatal psychological symptoms’ sociodemographic, health-related and pregnancy-related factors. Furthermore, health-related quality of life was compared across prenatal psychological symptom profiles.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Obstetrics clinics of two university-affiliated, governmental, tertiary hospitals in Xi’an City, Northwestern China.

Participants

Between June and August 2020, 1020 pregnant women who maintained their health assessment appointments at the two research sites participated in this study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

This study’s primary outcome was the creation of latent profiles of prenatal psychological symptoms. These were represented by the coexisting symptoms of three common psychological disorders: depression measured using the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire, anxiety measured using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and stress measured using the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included potential sociodemographic, health-related and pregnancy-related factors associated with prenatal psychological symptoms, which were measured using a researcher-designed information sheet, and health-related quality of life, measured using the 5-Level EuroQol 5-Dimension questionnaire.

Results

Prenatal psychological symptoms were classified into three latent profiles using latent profile analysis: low (62.9%), moderate (31.3%) and severe (5.8%). Factors associated with the severity of prenatal psychological symptoms included age, relationship with partner, relationship with mother-in-law, history of gynaecological diseases, history of dysmenorrhoea, stage of pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, severity of vomiting symptoms and abnormal pregnancy indicators. Moreover, an inverse association was identified between the severity of prenatal psychological symptoms and health-related quality of life.

Conclusions

Considering the high prevalence of prenatal psychological symptoms and their adverse effects on health-related quality of life, the assessment of prenatal psychological symptoms should be integrated into prenatal healthcare and made routine practice. Investigating the relevant associated factors would be beneficial for identifying vulnerable individuals.
Breastfeeding trajectories for preterm infants over the first 6 months of life in England 2010–2020: surveys using large representative birth samples
Authors: Levene Ilana , Harrison Sian , Alderdice Fiona , Quigley Maria A
Published: October 2024

Background

Breastmilk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants, particularly preterm infants. Preterm infants face unique feeding challenges and these change with the birth gestation of the infant. Preterm infants’ feeding outcomes may have been affected differently than term infants by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The objective of this study was to describe the feeding trajectories of preterm infants in the first 6 months of life compared with term infants and compare these across prepandemic and pandemic periods.

Methods

Data were extracted from the 2010 UK Infant Feeding Survey and the English National Maternity Surveys of 2018 and 2020. Original survey weights were used. Infants were divided by gestation into term (37+0 to 42+6 weeks’ postmenstrual age), late preterm (34+0 to 36+6 weeks’ postmenstrual age) and a lower gestation group (23+0 to 33+6 weeks’ postmenstrual age). Modified Poisson regression, log-rank tests and survival curves were used to analyse feeding outcomes by gestational age.

Results

Late preterm infants had lower adjusted relative risk (aRR) of exclusive breastmilk at 6 weeks of age compared with term infants in 2010 and 2020 but not in 2018. In 2010, aRR was 0.47 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.74), in 2018 aRR was 0.86 (95% CI 0.67 to 1.10) and in 2020 aRR was 0.57 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.81). There was no evidence of differences in feeding outcomes between infants born less than 34 weeks’ postmenstrual age and term infants.

Conclusion

Late preterm infants had worse breastfeeding outcomes than term infants in 2010, but the inequity was reduced or eliminated in 2018. In 2020, during the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the inequity had re-emerged. Late preterm infants appear to be a particularly vulnerable population in relation to breast feeding. In future emergencies and natural disasters, late preterm infants should receive additional focus and resources to support breastfeeding establishment.
Partial regression of conventional renal cell carcinoma displays markers of wound repair
Authors: Domonkos Lilla , Yusenko Maria , Kovacs Gyula , Banyai Daniel
Published: October 2024

Aims

During detailed analysis of H&E-stained histological slides of 710 unbiased conventional renal cell carcinomas (cRCCs), 141 tumours displayed partial regressive changes showing strong similarity to that of wound healing. We aimed to analyse the molecular processes occurring in regressive tumours.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was applied to analyse the signalling molecules in 12 selected tumours, and statistical analysis was used to estimate the correlation between regression and the outcome of the disease.

Results

The regressive areas displayed inflammatory granulation tissue expressing transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1), interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 (IL1B and IL6), proliferation of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) positive naïve activated fibroblasts and a diffuse fibronectin 1 (FN1) network. In the central areas of regressive tissues, parallel-running myofibroblasts showed FN1, collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and collagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) positive immunoreaction. Partial tumour regression is associated with a better postoperative course of the disease.

Conclusions

Partial regression is a frequent event in cRCCs. Recognising complex molecular processes involved in tumour regression might help to find a way towards ‘healing’ cRCC.
Onyx embolization for salvage hemostasis after intraoperative rupture
Authors: Lee Ryan Patrick , Diaz Orlando , Gonzalez L Fernando
Published: October 2024

Video 1 shows three cases of intraoperative rupture during aneurysm coiling. Management of intraoperative aneurysm rupture is reviewed in brief, including reversal of anticoagulation/antiplatelets, intracranial pressure control, and rapid balloon deployment for control across the aneurysm neck. However, in all three cases, contrast extravasation continues despite aneurysm coiling, reversal of anticoagulation, and maximizing medical management. This is presumed to occur when the neck of the aneurysm is the site of rupture. We review the use of a salvage technique that can be considered as a last-ditch maneuver in these scenarios, which is deployment of Onyx liquid embolic (Medtronic). Onyx is the preferred liquid embolic for this use as it is cohesive instead of adhesive. The solvent used with Onyx, dimethyl sulfoxide, is also compatible with standard balloons.1 This is relevant because a balloon is needed both for control of hemorrhage during salvage embolization and for protection of the parent vessel from the embolic material.

Video 1

Demonstrating the technique of Onyx embolization for salvage hemostasis after intraoperative aneurysm rupture during coiling. Three example cases are shown.
The retrograde pressure cooker technique for transvenous embolization of a residual arteriovenous malformation following stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Cheng How-Chung , Chung Emily , Ahmed Syed Uzair , Mosimann Pascal
Published: October 2024

Residual brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) following stereotactic radiosurgery are not uncommon and the optimal subsequent management remains undetermined.1–3 Endovascular embolization has been reported as an effective treatment for residual BAVMs after radiosurgery,4 5 and has the advantage over repeat radiosurgery in selected cases as angiographic weak points can be secured immediately and the risk of radiation-induced complications is less of a concern.6 7 In this technical video (video 1), we demonstrate the transvenous embolization of a previously-irradiated arteriovenous malformation and a persistent venous pouch using the retrograde pressure cooker technique, with emphasis on the important recommendations for avoiding periprocedural complications.

Video 1

Video demonstrating Onyx embolization of the residual brain arteriovenous malformation using the retrograde pressure cooker technique
Rescue techniques for intravascular mechanical obstruction following Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device detachment
Authors: Zhu Haoyu , Zhang Yupeng , Liang Shikai , Jiang Chuhan
Published: October 2024

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is a well established treatment for bifurcation aneurysms.1–6 However, failed detachment after deployment can present significant challenges. In this technical video (video 1), we report on a patient with a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysm treated with the WEB device. Despite satisfactory deployment, multiple detachment attempts were unsuccessful. After repeated maneuvers, the WEB was finally detached but slightly protruded from the aneurysm sac, compromising blood flow in the superior branch of the MCA. Even after placing an Atlas stent, blood flow was not restored. Ultimately, using a microguidewire and microcatheter, we repositioned the protruded WEB device back into the aneurysm sac, successfully restoring blood flow. This case illustrates that the Atlas stent provides limited support for the WEB device. In similar situations, gently repositioning the protruded WEB back into the aneurysm sac may be a remedial measure.

Video 1

Technical video demonstrating rescue techniques for managing intravascular mechanical obstruction following detachment of the WEB device
Artificial intelligence and large language models in palliative medicine clinical practice and education
Authors: Taubert Mark , Hackett Robyn , Tavabie Simon
Published: October 2024

As we approach 2034, we anticipate significant advancements in digital technologies and their impact across various domains, including palliative and end-of-life care and perhaps higher education more generally. Predicting technological breakthroughs, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), is notoriously difficult. In a sense, you might need an AI to do this effectively. While some digital challenges can surprise us, others prove more elusive than expected. For example, AI’s ability to be creative with language and comprehension has been genuinely remarkable and will likely be of interest to those whose ‘bread and butter’ at work is communication. Similarly, those who teach skills required of clinicians in palliative and end-of-life care, including breaking bad news and nuanced conversations around holistic complexity and treatment preferences are likely to see significant changes and shifts in their practice.
Analysis of the winter oilseed rape recombination landscape suggests maternal–paternal bias
Authors: Abdollahi sisi Nayyer , Herzog Eva , Abbadi Amine , Snowdon Rod J. , Golicz Agnieszka A.
Published: October 2024

Recombination, the reciprocal exchange of DNA between homologous chromosomes, is a mandatory step necessary for meiosis progression. Crossovers between homologous chromosomes generate new combinations of alleles and maintain genetic diversity. Due to genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, the recombination landscape is highly heterogeneous along the chromosomes and it also differs between populations and between sexes. Here, we investigated recombination characteristics across the 19 chromosomes of the model allopolyploid crop species oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.), using two unique multiparental populations derived from two genetically divergent founder pools, each of which comprised 50 genetically diverse founder accessions. A fully balanced, pairwise chain-crossing scheme was utilized to create each of the two populations. A total of 3213 individuals, spanning five successive generations, were genotyped using a 15K SNP array. We observed uneven distribution of recombination along chromosomes, with some genomic regions undergoing substantially more frequent recombination in both populations. In both populations, maternal recombination events were more frequent than paternal recombination. This study provides unique insight into the recombination landscape at chromosomal level and reveals a maternal–paternal bias for recombination number with implications for breeding.
Status of the Super Charm-Tau Detector software
Authors: Maksimov Dmitry , Sukharev Andrey , Zhadan Anastasiia , Zhadan Daniil
Published: October 2024

The Super Charm-Tau (SCT) Factory project is actively developing in Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk. This paper presents the SCT Detector offline software framework Aurora components, status and future prospects.
GUP with minimal length and maximal momentum on the thermodynamics of relativistic fermi gas
Authors: Khosropour B.
Published: October 2024

This work attempts to investigate the influence of the linear and quadratic generalized uncertainty principle (LQGUP) on the thermodynamical characteristics of relativistic Fermi gas. The general thermodynamical characteristics of relativistic Fermi gas, such as mean energy, pressure, entropy, and specific heat, are obtained. According to the modified function of temperature for mean energy and specific heat of relativistic Fermi gas, we find that at high temperature limit, the value of deformation parameter in the framework of LQGUP has an important effect on thermodynamic characteristics. It appears that the deformation parameter’s value is rising at higher energy levels of science, resulting in the minimal measurable length reaching close to the Planck length scale.
New physics opportunities in triangle singularity
Authors: Gao Yu , Jia Yu , Lin Yugen , Zhang Jia-Yue
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we show that loop-induced processes involving new physics particles can readily satisfy Landau Equation and trigger triangular singularities at high-energy colliders, leading to fully visible Standard Model final states. In addition, a t-channel triangular singularity can also occur during particle scattering processes that may extend to low momentum exchange. We discuss several typical scenarios in supersymmetric and extended Higgs models, and three types of final-state kinematic features at the collider. Four-particle vertices in new physics can play a significant role in high energy diagrams. We identify an “everything on shell” triangular singularity diagram only involving bosonic couplings, which has the potential to completely avoid large virtuality suppression. We further show that such a virtuality-free diagram is missing in the Standard Model at electroweak scale, and it becomes available in new physics models.
On spacetimes with a semi-symmetric recurrent metric connection
Authors: Yılmaz Hülya Bağdatlı , De Uday Chand
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we deal with spacetimes allowing a semi-symmetric connection whose metric tensor is recurrent. We investigate the impact of this connection on spacetimes and establish a nontrivial example. We physically explain the properties of spacetime that we obtained. Under a certain condition, we demostrate that a spacetime admitting such a connection becomes the GRW spacetime as well as the anti-de Sitter and represents the dark matter era. Finally, we scrutinize in case such a spacetime admits a Ricci soliton and generalized Ricci soliton.
A new model describing improved bound-state and statistical properties in the framework of deformed Schrödinger equation for the improved Coshine Yukawa potential in 3D-NR(NCPS) symmetries
Authors: Maireche Abdelmadjid
Published: October 2024

In this paper, within the three-dimensional non-relativistic non-commutative phase–space (3D-NR(NCPS)) symmetries, we examined the 3D deformed Schrödinger equation (3D-DSE) using the improved Coshine Yukawa potential (ICYP) model composed from Coshine Yukawa potential (CYP) ([Formula: see text]) and other terms produced from the effect of phase–space deformation ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]). For this study, the 3D-DSE in the 3D-NR(NCPS) symmetry is solved and discussed with standard independent time perturbation theory and the generalized Bopp’s shifts method. For the homogeneous (H2 and N2) and heterogeneous (LiH, ScH, and HCL) diatomic molecules, it is obtained that the improved non-relativistic energy equation and eigenfunction for the ICYP in the presence of deformation phase–space are dependent on the discrete atomic quantum numbers ([Formula: see text],m), the dissociation energy [Formula: see text], the equilibrium bond length the screening parameter [Formula: see text], the deformation phase parameters ([Formula: see text]) and the deformation space parameters ([Formula: see text]). Additionally, the thermal properties of the CYP and ICYP with 3D Schrödinger equation (3D-SE) and 3D-DSE are thoroughly examined in the three-dimensional non-relativistic quantum mechanics (3D-NR(QM)) known in the literature symmetry and 3D-NR(NCPS) symmetries, including the partition function, mean energy, free energy, specific heat, and entropy. Furthermore, we discussed particular cases of thermodynamic characteristics for the ICYP model. In our study, we have shown that all the physical values related to energy and thermodynamic properties within the framework of the 3D(NR)NCPS symmetry are equal to the corresponding values within the framework of 3D-NR(QM) symmetry known in the literature, in addition to minor effects resulting from their interaction with the topological properties of the deformed phase–space. This study has multiple applications in various domains, including atomic and molecular physics.
A five-dimensional vacuum-defect wormhole space-time
Authors: Ahmed Faizuddin
Published: October 2024

In this study, we present a novel extension to the Klinkhamer vacuum-defect model by incorporating a fifth spatial dimension. This modification results in the formulation of a comprehensive five-dimensional wormhole space-time. Crucially, this extension preserves its classification as a vacuum solution to the field equations, thereby automatically satisfying all energy conditions. We demonstrate that this five-dimensional vacuum-defect space-time can be expressed in a pure canonical form, and thus, locally reduces to five-dimensional Minkowski space. Finally, we explore the geodesic equations in the vicinity of this five-dimensional vacuum-defect wormhole, offering insights into its intriguing properties.
Fermi surface renormalization group
Authors: Shankar R.
Published: October 2024

The low energy manifold for fermions at finite density is the Fermi surface. I describe renormalization group (RG) in which modes encountered on approaching the Fermi surface are systematically integrated out. The fixed point is described by strictly marginal coupling functions identified as the Landau parameters and marginally relevant coupling functions describing the BCS instability in various angular momentum channels.
Stochastic Canards in a Modified Leslie–Gower Population Model
Authors: Bashkirtseva Irina
Published: October 2024

The problem of analyzing the bifurcation mechanisms of complex stochastic oscillations in population dynamics is considered. We study this problem on the basis of the modified Leslie–Gower prey–predator model with randomly forced Holling-II functional response. The paper focuses on the effects of noise in the Canard explosion zone. The phenomenon of noise-induced splitting of Canard cycles is discovered and studied in terms of stochastic P-bifurcations. In parametric analysis, we use the stochastic sensitivity technique with the apparatus of confidence domains to find the most noise-sensitive Canard. For the phenomenon of stochastic splitting, an underlying deterministic mechanism using critical curves near the cycle orbit and sub-/super-critical zones is revealed.
Islamic Banking and Finance. Forty Years on; A Reality Check
Authors: Bacha Obiyathulla Ismath
Published: October 2024

Islamic Banking and Finance (IBF) has had forty years of impressive growth, yet, within the Muslim world, there is a paradox of huge accumulated wealth and seriously underdeveloped financial markets. This paper examines whether over its 40-year existence, IBF has lived up to its anticipated goals and objectives. It argues that growth has been patchy with huge gaps, missing links and missed opportunities. IBF has progressed not through innovation but imitation. Having replicated conventional banking and capital market products, IBF products like sukuk have largely mimicked conventional coupon bonds. Thus, IBF has not been able to offer new asset classes that can add value. Its products have the same interest rate risks and contagion effects. Given the higher transaction costs involved in structuring shariah compliant products, it is hard to see how they can offer even similar, if not superior returns. Further, with lower liquidity from less active and incomplete secondary markets, IBF cannot continue to play the same game as conventional players and hope to come out ahead. Yet, the paper argues, that the shariah offers huge latitude for innovation, especially of risk sharing instruments. A funding transaction or a sukuk based on a risk-sharing structure like Mudarabah, would have an entirely different risk return profile, no interest rate risk, very low correlation and no contagion. Further. increased reliance on risk-sharing contracts would move the financial system away from the fractional reserve framework, and closer to a mutual fund model. Such a move minimises systemic risk through risk dissipation and reduces the liquidity mismatch inherent to banking. Where the macro economy is concerned, system stability is enhanced by reducing risk concentration within the banking system and minimizes the contingent liabilities of governments by minimizing the use of deposit insurance. If IBF is to move on to a more successful and effective next phase, the gaps and inadequacies identified here, will have to be addressed.
Understanding Test Convention Consistency as a Dimension of Test Quality
Authors: Robillard Martin P. , Nassif Mathieu , Sohail Muhammad
Published: October 2024

Unit tests must be readable to help developers understand and evolve production code. Most existing test quality metrics assess test code’s ability to detect bugs. Few metrics focus on test code’s readability. One standard approach to improve readability is the consistent application of conventions. We investigated test convention consistency as a dimension of test quality. We formalized test suite consistency as the extent to which alternatives are used within a code base and introduce two complementary metrics to capture this extent. We elaborated a catalog of over 30 test conventions for the Java language organized in 10 convention classes that group mutual alternatives. We developed tool support to detect occurrences of conventions, compute consistency metrics over a test suite, and view occurrences of conventions in the corresponding code. We applied our tools to study the consistency of the test suites of 20 large open source Java projects. The study validates the design of the test convention classes, provides descriptive statistics on the range of consistency values for 10 different convention classes, and enables us to link observed changes in consistency values to specific events in the change history of our target systems, thus providing evidence of the construct validity of the metrics. We conclude that analyzing test suite consistency via static analysis shows promise as a practical approach to help improve test suite quality.
Extraction of Knowledge Models from Textbooks
Authors: Alpizar-Chacon Isaac
Published: October 2024

Isaac Alpizar-Chacon is an assistant professor in the Software Technology for Learning and Teaching group at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Utrecht University. In addition to his primary role, he is also an associate professor at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. His research interests focus on the impact of GenAI tools in computing education, the integration of these tools into the classroom, the teaching and learning of computational thinking skills, and knowledge extraction. Dr. Alpizar-Chacon holds a MSc degree in Computer Science from Saarland University (Saarbrücken, Germany) and a PhD degree in Information and Computing Sciences from Utrecht University (Utrecht, Netherlands).

Homepage: https://isaacalpizar.info/
Multi-Agent Attacks for Black-Box Social Recommendations
Authors: Wang Shijie , Fan Wenqi , Wei Xiao-Yong , Mei Xiaowei , Lin Shanru , Li Qing
Published: October 2024

The rise of online social networks has facilitated the evolution of social recommender systems, which incorporate social relations to enhance users’ decision-making process. With the great success of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) in learning node representations, GNN-based social recommendations have been widely studied to model user-item interactions and user-user social relations simultaneously. Despite their great successes, recent studies have shown that these advanced recommender systems are highly vulnerable to adversarial attacks, in which attackers can inject well-designed fake user profiles to disrupt recommendation performances. While most existing studies mainly focus on
targeted attacks
to promote target items on vanilla recommender systems,
untargeted attacks
to degrade the overall prediction performance are less explored on social recommendations under a
black-box
scenario. To perform untargeted attacks on social recommender systems, attackers can construct malicious social relationships for fake users to enhance the attack performance. However, the coordination of social relations and item profiles is challenging for attacking black-box social recommendations. To address this limitation, we first conduct several preliminary studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of cross-community connections and cold-start items in degrading recommendations performance. Specifically, we propose a novel framework
MultiAttack
based on multi-agent reinforcement learning to coordinate the generation of cold-start item profiles and cross-community social relations for conducting untargeted attacks on black-box social recommendations. Comprehensive experiments on various real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed attacking framework under the black-box setting.
An Extended Pattern Based Comprehensive Stemmer for the Urdu Language
Authors: Ali Mubashir , Baqir Anees , Raza Sherazi Hafiz Husnain , Khalid Shehzad , Smith Phillip , Lee Mark
Published: October 2024

The Urdu language is used by approximately 200 million people for spoken and written communications on a daily basis. There is a substantial amount of unstructured Urdu textual data that is available worldwide. Data mining techniques can be used to extract meaningful knowledge from such a large, potentially informative source of data. There are many text processing systems available to process unstructured textual data. However, these systems are mostly language specific and developed for a variety of languages such as English, Spanish, Chinese, and so on. Unfortunately, there are not as many language processing resources available for Urdu. Stemming is one of the most important preprocessing steps in the text mining process and its goal is to reduce grammatical words form, e.g., parts of speech, gender, tense, and so on, to their root form. In this work, we have extended the stemming capabilities of our existing pattern-based comprehensive stemming system for Urdu text. In addition to the existing stemming rules in previous work, we introduce novel stemming rules for prefix, and infix stemming. We also optimize the existing suffix removal rules and extend the add character lists for word normalization. These stemming rules are generic and have the ability to generate the stem of Urdu words as well as loan words (words belonging to other languages i.e., Arabic, Persian, Turkish). In the experimental evaluation, we have observed a significant improvement in the overall stemming accuracy of our proposed pattern-based Urud stemmer, which demonstrates the adoptability of the proposed stemming approach for a variety of text-processing applications.
Comparative Analysis of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Characterization Among Different Parts of Catharanthus roseus: In Vitro and In Silico Investigation
Authors: Hira Farjana Akter , Islam Ashekul , Mitra Kanika , Bithi Ummey Hafsa , Ahmed Khondoker Shahin , Islam Sanzida , Abdullah Shaike Mohammad , Uddin Md. Nazim
Published: October 2024

Background: The study investigates the antioxidant properties of Catharanthus roseus, focusing on identifying its antioxidant compounds and chemical constituents. We compare antioxidant activities across its root, stem, flower, and leaf and examine the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS)–generating enzymes by the plant’s phytocompounds.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis that included proximate analysis, mineral content assessment, and in vitro antioxidant characterization of various plant parts—root, stem, flower, and leaf. The levels of bioactive phytochemicals in both ethanol and mixed‐solvent extracts of Catharanthus roseus were quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD). Additionally, we performed molecular docking studies to explore the interactions of quantified phytocompounds.

Results: HPLC‐DAD analysis quantified catechin hydrate, catechol, (−) epicatechin, rutin hydrate, trans‐cinnamic acid, quercetin, vanillic acid, kaempferol, and trans‐ferulic acid in Catharanthus roseus. Despite the ethanol extract having higher total antioxidant properties and flavonoid content, the mixed‐solvent extract exhibited higher EC50 for reducing power and lower IC50 for ABTS, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and metal chelating activities. Molecular docking studies indicated that compounds such as catechin, rutin, epicatechin, quercetin, and kaempferol significantly inhibit the ROS‐generating enzyme microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES‐1).

Conclusions: The mixed‐solvent extract had higher levels of catechin hydrate, rutin hydrate, trans‐ferulic acid, and vanillic acid, whereas the ethanol extract contained more (−) epicatechin, catechol, kaempferol, quercetin, and trans‐cinnamic acid. While the extracts displayed antioxidant activity, the phytoconstituents also inhibited ROS‐generating mPGES‐1. These results identify key compounds with potential for developing new chemotherapeutic agents against ROS.
A Comparative Study on the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Honeys From Apis mellifera L. and Meliponula beccarii L. Collected From Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfaye Ofijan , Muleta Diriba , Desalegn Asnake
Published: October 2024

Honey is a natural substance synthesized by honeybees. Its physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities differ among honey types due to floral and entomological origins. This is a comparative study on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey from Apis mellifera and Meliponula beccarii L. (stingless bee) collected from different sources. A. mellifera honey samples were collected from hives (n = 13) and local markets (n = 13). M. beccarii honey samples were collected from local markets (n = 13). The honey samples were designated as A. mellifera fresh honey directly collected from hives (AMFH), A. mellifera honey collected from the local markets (AMMH), and stingless bees (M. beccarii) honey collected from markets (MBH). Physicochemical and antioxidant properties were analyzed using standard protocols. The antioxidant properties of the honey samples were assessed using total phenolic, flavonoids, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. Honey from the stingless bee (MBH) had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher (33.5 ± 3.0%) moisture content, free acidity (113 ± 5.0 meq/kg), and maltose (3.1 ± 1.0), but significantly lower (p < 0.001) levels of hydroxymethyl furfural (4.4 ± 2.0 mg/kg), pH (3.0 ± 0.0), EC (0.25 ± 0.0 mS/cm), fructose (19.6 ± 2.4%), glucose (18.2 ± 1.62%), and sucrose (0.18 ± 0.13, p < 0.05) compared to A. mellifera honey collected from markets. Honey from the stingless bees had higher phenolic (273 ± 9.0 mgGAE/100 g), flavonoid (41 ± 21 mgQE/100 g), and antioxidant content (104 ± 6.0 mgAAE/100 g); however, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Honey samples from the stingless bees had higher moisture, phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant contents but lower pH, HMF, sugar, ash, and electrical conductivity compared to A. mellifera honeys collected from markets. A. mellifera honey collected directly from the hive had higher quality than those purchased from markets. A strong awareness creation program is needed for consumers as well as honey producers to maintain the quality of honey.
Study of the Gyro and Divergence Characteristics of Relativistic Charged Particle Beam Propagation in Earth’s Magnetic Field
Authors: Fang Meihua , Liang Zheng , Gong Yingkui , Chen Jianfei , Zhu Guiping , Liu Ting , Tian Yu , Zhou Yu
Published: October 2024

Relativistic charged particle beam can be used as a destructive beam weapon in space for debris removal tasks. The trajectories of charged particles are affected by both electric and magnetic forces in the Earth’s magnetic field. In this paper, we firstly analyzed the correlation parameters of the charged particle beam as a weapon when it is propagated in the geomagnetic field. Then, the models were constructed based on COMSOL Multiphysics, and the IGRF model was adopted in the simulation. The gyroradius and the related uncertainty were analyzed by simulation of the charged particle transport in the geomagnetic field at different altitudes. The charged beam spot radius divergency was also simulated. The geomagnetic field can inhibite the diffusion of the electron beam.
Determination of the Effect of Different Energy Classes of Household Refrigerators on the Freezing Process and the Quality Characteristics of Beef
Authors: Sarıoğlu Hira Yüksel , Dirim Safiye Nur
Published: October 2024

The household refrigerator model used for freezing processes in this study was produced in the factory in different energy classes (C, D, and E). Equal amounts of beef (10 × 10 × 2 cm; 2 × 2 × 2 cm) and minced beef (10 × 10 × 2 cm) were placed in refrigerator bags before freezing. The freezing processes were carried out by placing beef samples on the top shelf where the radial fan was located in the freezer compartment of the refrigerators. After the frozen samples were thawed at +4°C, they were cooked in a water bath at 85°C. It was determined that the samples frozen in the refrigerator belonging to the D energy class at −24°C had shorter freezing times and therefore higher freezing rates. It was observed that pH (5.54–5.72) values of samples frozen in the D energy class were higher due to lower weight loss (0.32%–6.80%) values. When their color values were examined, the redness (a∗) values (15.09–17.61) were the highest, while the yellowness (b∗) values (10.31–13.29) were the lowest in these samples. In addition, the hardness (49.00–182.74) and chewiness (16.35–71.80) values of samples frozen in Energy Class D were found to be lower, while their protein denaturation temperatures were higher due to shorter freezing times. Consequently, in this study, the effects of the difference in energy classes of refrigerators on the quality characteristics of beef samples were examined, and the refrigerator belonging to the energy class (D) that gave the best quality properties was found to be the most suitable one for freezing the beef.
Serum Concentration at 24 h With Intensive Beta‐Lactam Therapy in Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Prospective Study
Authors: Thériault Evelyne , Benali Massilia , Starnino Samuel , Blain Hugues , Goettel Nicolas , Beloin-Jubinville Bianca , Marsot Amélie , Lamontagne Francois
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Early administration of appropriate antibiotics has been shown to be among the most effective interventions to reduce mortality in septic patients. We evaluated the attainment of efficacy and safety targets at 24 h associated with the use of intensive beta‐lactam therapy in patients admitted to the intensive care unit for sepsis.

Methods: This was a prospective study with patients who received beta‐lactams for sepsis or septic shock between February 2023 and September 2023. The antibiotic dose was unadjusted for renal function and administered by a loading dose followed by extended infusions, according to local practices. Blood samples were taken at the trough 24 h after the start of the beta‐lactam to obtain serum levels. These levels were compared to efficacy and innocuity thresholds found in the literature.

Results: Among 36 included patients, all of them achieved serum concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 100% of the therapeutic interval and 75% of them achieved serum concentrations above four times the MIC for 100% of the therapeutic interval. The predefined toxicity thresholds were reached by 8.3% of patients. Renal impairment was the factor most associated with the achievement of higher serum levels.

Conclusion: Nonrenally adjusted doses of beta‐lactams administered by extended infusion showed good attainment of effective concentrations and few toxic concentrations in critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock. Further studies are needed to better define the association between toxic concentrations and toxicity manifestations.
A Case of CUP with Malignant Pleural Effusion: Overcoming Diagnostic and Therapeutic Hurdles with Chemotherapy
Authors: Putra Andika , Gerwindrawan Amadisto , Budiono Eko , Purwanto Utomo Bambang , Afifah Naela Himayati , Sumpono Auliya Suluk Brilliant , Pradjatmo Heru , Purwanto Ibnu
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) present a diagnostic challenge as their origin is unidentified at diagnosis. Massive pleural effusion (MPE), indicative of lung metastasis in CUP, categorizes the condition into an unfavorable subset with a poor prognosis. Patients in this subset may exhibit a lower response to specific therapies. Case Presentation: A 62-year-old woman presented with cough, severe dyspnea, and MPE in the left lung. Thoracocentesis was performed, extracting 1,200 mL of hemorrhagic fluid, followed by the placement of an indwelling pleural catheter. The cytological examination of the pleural effusion indicated an adenocarcinoma, with immunohistochemistry revealing positive CK7 and negative CK20, Napsin A, and TTF-1. Additionally, elevated levels of Ca-125 (1,605 U/mL) and Ca 15-3 (242 U/mL) raised suspicion of gynecological malignancy. Thorax and abdominal CT scans, breast and thyroid ultrasounds showed no signs of malignancy, leading to the diagnosis of CUP. The patient’s performance status according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score was 4. Initial carboplatin 5 AUC and paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 administration resulted in improvement in performance status with ECOG score of 1, alleviation of dyspnea, reduction in pleural effusion 1 week after chemotherapy, with minimal effusion observed at 3 weeks, and Ca-125 levels decreased to 33.6 U/mL thereafter. Discussion: Empiric chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel is a feasible option for managing CUP with MPE mimicking gynecological malignancies with elevated Ca-125 and Ca 15-3 markers; initiating chemotherapy in poor performance status patients is beneficial with proper clinical judgment.
Transfusion Risk in Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic-Assisted Surgery: A Propensity Score Matched Case-Control Study across Surgical Disciplines
Authors: Rumpf Florian , Choorapoikayil Suma , Hof Lotta , Salari Keyan , Baumhove Olaf , Bayer Alexandra , Friederich Patrick , Friedrich Jens , Elke Gunnar , Gruenewald Matthias , Narita Diana , Raadts Ansgar , Schwendner Klaus , Jenke Dana J. , Steinbicker Andrea U. , Thoma Josef , Weber Viola , Velten Markus , Wittmann Maria , Weigt Henry , Lange Björn , Zacharowski Kai , Meybohm Patrick ,   German Patient Blood Management Network Collaborators
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly performed in various surgical disciplines demonstrating improved oncological and functional outcomes compared to conventional surgery. Objective: Unclear is how robotic-assisted surgery affects perioperative anemia and the need for blood products. Methods: In this case-control study, 15,009 matched patient pairs undergoing urological, visceral, or thoracic surgery were included. Pairwise comparisons between robotic-assisted surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and open surgery were performed with propensity score matching. Results: Robotic-assisted surgery compared to open surgery was associated with a risk reduction of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion by RR: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.27–0.37) and a limited reduction of perioperative hemoglobin (perioperative hemoglobin difference of 0.40 g/dL, 95% CI: 0.31–0.49). Robotic-assisted surgery was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay by 4.29 days (95% CI: 3.74–4.84). Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted surgery had no significant effect on red blood cell transfusions (RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.75–1.18), perioperative hemoglobin (0.27 g/dL, 95% CI: 0.16–0.38), or length of hospital stay 0.53 days (95% CI: −0.14–1.19). Conclusions: Robotic-assisted and laparoscopic procedures are associated with reduced blood transfusions compared to open surgery and, thus the advancement of minimally invasive procedures constitutes an important measure to improve patient outcomes.
Microbial Isolates and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Adults with Inborn Errors of Immunity: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis of Sputum Cultures
Authors: Karabiber Esra , Ilki Arzu , Gökdemir Yasemin , Vatansever Halime Mualla , Olgun Yıldızeli Şehnaz , Ozen Ahmet
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Individuals with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are at increased risk of respiratory infection and frequently receive prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotics, leading to antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to identify respiratory pathogens and antibiotic resistance patterns in IEI patients. Methods: We retrospectively studied 36 IEI patients with positive bacterial growth in sputum cultures between 2014 and 2023. Data covered hospitalizations, respiratory infections, yearly antibiotic prescriptions, past sputum cultures, and antibiotic sensitivities. Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and bronchiectasis served as a control group. Results: A total of 314 sputum cultures were analyzed from patients with IEI, alongside 585 cultures from individuals with PCD and 113 cultures from patients with bronchiectasis. Patients with IEI had a median age of 23.5 years, with 61% male participants. The study compared the differences in bacterial isolates from sputum cultures and antibiotic resistance between patients with IEI and the control groups. The most common bacterial isolates across all groups were Haemophilus influenzae (159 isolates in IEI vs. 314 in PCD and 26 in bronchiectasis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. In IEI patients, 992 symptomatic respiratory exacerbations and 43 pneumonia-related hospitalizations were recorded. Notably, H. influenzae in IEI patients showed high resistance rates to cefuroxime (82%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (66%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (59%), and ampicillin/sulbactam (49%). P. aeruginosa in IEI patients displayed significant resistance to ciprofloxacin (85%), ceftazidime (42%), and aminoglycosides (23–33%). Additionally, all S. pneumoniae isolates in IEI patients were tetracycline resistant, with high resistance rates to penicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin. It is essential to highlight the substantial resistance of common pathogens to oral antibiotics. In contrast, the control groups exhibited lower resistance rates across all bacterial isolates. Conclusion: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern among vulnerable IEI patients. We suggest conducting similar investigations in other regions to address this issue. The findings should inform future infection management guidelines for IEIs.
Inhibiting p38α and -β MAPK Affects Testis Development in the Marsupial Tammar Wallaby
Authors: Paranjpe Monika R. , Grady Patrick G.S. , Yu Hongshi , Pask Andrew J. , O’Neill Rachel J. , Shaw Geoff , Renfree Marilyn B.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The MAPK genes are critical for gonadal differentiation in eutherian mammals, but their role in marsupial mammals is unknown. Characterisation and phylogenetic analyses of the tammar wallaby MAPK genes show these genes are highly conserved with their orthologues in mammalian and non-mammalian species. Methods: We cultured sexually indifferent tammar gonads in the presence of p38α and -β MAPK inhibitor, SB202190. Results: SB202190 downregulated SOX9 and AMH levels in XY-treated gonads when compared to controls, similar to the effects of oestrogen on the MAPK pathway in males. In contrast, XX gonads treated with the SB202190 inhibitor showed no change in mRNA expression between the control and treated gonads for any of the markers tested. Conclusions: This study confirms that components of the MAPK pathway drive testis differentiation via the key downstream genes SOX9 and AMH in marsupials as is observed in eutherian mammals.