bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the technique for eliciting antidromic sural and superficial fibular sensory nerve action potentials
Authors: Winkel Antony , Cook Mark , Roberts Leslie
Published: March 2023

Introduction/Aims

Lower limb sensory nerve action potentials are an important component of nerve conduction studies. Most testing of the sural and superficial fibular nerves involves antidromic techniques above the ankle, which result in a falsely unobtainable response in 2%–6% of healthy people. Cadaver, surgical, and more recent ultrasound series suggest this may relate to the site of fascia penetration of the nerve, and it is hypothesized that a modified technique may be more likely to produce reliable responses and reduce false‐negative errors.

Methods

This article evaluates a variety of recording distances for both nerves in 100 healthy controls, including varying recording electrode positions and techniques, to provide the optimal electrodiagnostic information in healthy control subjects.

Results

Shorter stimulation distances produce higher‐amplitude responses but become confounded by increasing stimulation artifact at very short distances, with the best balance found at around 10 cm. In both sural and superficial fibular nerves, amplitude increases by approximately 10%/cm compared with the standard 14 cm distance. The Daube superficial fibular technique produced a higher amplitude than the Izzo Intermediate technique (by 22.46%, p < .001). The calculated upper limit of normal for side‐to‐side variation in amplitude was around 50% in the sural nerve but over 70% in the superficial fibular nerve.

Discussion

It is proposed that the 10 cm recording distance for both nerves is optimal, with minimal false‐negatives and a higher amplitude elicited than with existing techniques.
Preparation and properties of novel tung oil and linseed oil modified lignin phenolic resin
Authors: Xu Chunyu , Meng Fuliang , Qin Yuan , Zhang Yimiao , Hu Zhenguo , Jia Yufei , Yuan Xinhua
Published: March 2023

Replacing petroleum‐based raw materials with renewable materials is now obviously more in line with the needs of sustainable development. In this work, lignin, tung oil and linseed oil were selected to prepare tung oil modified lignin based phenolic resin (T‐LPF) and linseed oil modified lignin based phenolic resin (L‐LPF). T‐LPF and L‐LPF were characterized by FTIR, DSC, DMA, TGA, universal testing machine, SEM, friction and wear tester and 3D profilometer. The results show that compared with PF and LPF, the introduction of tung oil and linseed oil can reduce the curing activity and increase the curing peak temperature. The modified T‐LPF and L‐LPF have better thermal stability and mechanical properties. Compared with PF and LPF, the tensile strength of T‐LPF is increased by 33.4% and 41.75%, while the flexural strength is increased by 26.86% and 38.27% with the flexural strain increased by 68.97% and 91.41%. The tensile strength of L‐LPF is increased by 21.18% and 28.76%, while the bending strength is increased by 10.86% and 20.84% with the bending strain increased by 52.41% and 72.66%. T‐LPF and L‐LPF have better wear resistance than PF. They can be potentially used as resin matrix of high‐performance composites and friction composites.
The mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber/zinc methacrylate composites by latex compounding techniques
Authors: Chen Jing , Liao Lusheng , Zhang Fuquan , Hu Siwen , JiaYing Huang , Shuyun Shen , Dongning He , Mingyue Xue
Published: March 2023

Zinc methacrylate (ZDMA) is a typical ionic compound that readily reacts with rubber molecules. In this work, a new approach was developed to prepare natural rubber (NR)/ZDMA composites with a lower loading of ZDMA. ZDMA was prepared by the reaction of methacrylic acid (MAA) and ZnO in an aqueous solution. Then the NR/ZDMA masterbatches were obtained by latex compounding techniques; followed by vulcanization either with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) or together with a sulfur‐based vulcanization system (SVS). The results of mechanical property tests showed that the increment of ZDMA will decrease the cure rate index and increase crosslink density. When the content of ZDMA was more than 8.7 phr, not only the 300% and 500% modulus, tensile, and tear strength of NR/ZDMA composites were improved remarkably, but also the aging resistance and thermal stability were improved. When the amount of ZDMA is less than 8.7 phr, SVS shows a certain synergistic vulcanization effect with DCP. When 20 phr ZDMA was added, the tensile and tear strength increased by 86.5% and 60.1%, respectively, when contrasted to NR cured with traditional SVS. The structural characterization results revealed that ZDMA and Poly‐ZDMA have been formed and act as a reactive filler in the NR matrix.
Pyrolysis mechanisms of commonly used oxidizers on the 5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazole
Authors: Zheng Dongsen , Wang Jianzhong , Duo Yinxian , Liu Jiping
Published: March 2023

As a novel energetic material, 5‐Amino‐1H‐tetrazole (5AT) has a history of proposed applications in the fields of airbags, rocket engines, and new propellants. However, the application of 5AT is limited for its poor combustion stability. Identification of the thermal behaviour and pyrolysis mechanism of 5AT could provide guidance on the control of combustion behaviour, which can be effectively improved by adding oxidizers. In this paper, five kinds of oxidizers (Ammonium perchlorate (AP), Sodium perchlorate (NaClO4), Ammonium nitrate (AN), Manganese oxide (MnO2), and Chromic oxide (Cr2O3)) are mixed with 5AT for investigating the catalytic effects of multi‐type oxidizers on 5AT. Thermal behaviour is analysed by the TG‐DSC test and the thermal activation energy is evaluated by Kissinger and Ozawa methods. Moreover, TG‐FTIR and TG‐MS analyses are used to infer the pyrolysis gas products of 5AT/oxidant. The experimental results indicate that the 5AT‐AN has the lowest activation energy, and the degradation process was simplified into one step. The addition of AP, NaClO4, and MnO2 can promote the pyrolysis process of 5AT due to the redox reaction between melamine and the decomposition products of oxidizers, while the catalytic effect of Cr2O3 mainly occurs above 400 °C without the occurrence of oxidation. The catalytic mechanism of Cr2O3 mainly performs on the polyaddition and the ring‐opening reaction of N‐containing heterocycles. The findings of this work may offer valuable direction for understanding, designing, and using 5AT‐based propellants.
Interplay among malnutrition, chemoprevention, and the risk of malaria in young Ugandan children: Longitudinal pharmacodynamic and growth analysis
Authors: Ali Ali Mohamed , Wallender Erika , Hughes Emma , Dorsey Grant , Savic Radojka M.
Published: March 2023

African children are at risk of malaria and malnutrition. We quantified relationships between malaria and malnutrition among young Ugandan children in a high malaria transmission region. Data were used from a randomized controlled trial where Ugandan HIV‐unexposed (n = 393) and HIV‐exposed (n = 186) children were randomized to receive no malaria chemoprevention, monthly sulfadoxine‐pyrimethamine, daily trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, or monthly dihydroartemisinin‐piperaquine (DP) from age 6–24 months, and then were followed off chemoprevention until age 36 months. Monthly height and weight, and time of incident malaria episodes were obtained; 89 children who received DP contributed piperaquine (PQ) concentrations. Malaria hazard was modeled using parametric survival analysis adjusted for repeated events, and height and weight were modeled using a Brody growth model. Among 579 children, stunting (height‐for‐age z‐score [ZHA] < −2) was associated with a 17% increased malaria hazard (95% confidence interval [CI] 10–23%) compared with children with a ZHA of zero. DP was associated with a 35% lower malaria hazard (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI], 0.65 [0.41–0.97]), compared to no chemoprevention. After accounting for PQ levels, stunted children who received DP had 2.1 times the hazard of malaria (HR [95% CI] 2.1 [1.6–3.0]) compared with children with a ZHA of zero who received DP. Each additional malaria episode was associated with a 0.4% reduced growth rate for height. Better dosing regimens are needed to optimize malaria prevention in malnourished populations, but, importantly, malaria chemoprevention may reduce the burden of malnutrition in early childhood.
Experimental investigations on the shear strength of prestressed beam elements with a focus on the analysis of crack kinematics
Authors: Thoma Sebastian , Fischer Oliver
Published: March 2023

The shear strength of prestressed concrete girders with a low amount of web reinforcement is an ongoing subject of research, in particular with regard to the assessment of existing concrete bridges. In this paper, a series of experiments is presented that addresses this question and at the same time significantly lowers the degree of longitudinal reinforcement in line with efficiently designed bridge cross‐sections and contrary to the vast majority of representative scaled test series. The limit case observations allow for a shear failure of the system even in the case of yielding longitudinal reinforcement due to the incremental strain in the tendons that could be activated. The focus of the presented analysis lies within the load‐dependent crack kinematics of the beam elements on the basis of the digital image correlation. It is shown that, depending on the longitudinal strain of the cross‐section, load‐bearing components associated with aggregate interlock do not seem to be mechanically reasonable and an extent of plasticity‐theoretical ideas through a compression chord component appears to be more consistent.
Where Are We on Theorizing Teaching? A Literature Overview
Authors: Praetorius Anna-Katharina , Charalambous Charalambos Y.
Published: March 2023

This chapter begins by outlining the key ideas and problems of the theorizing of teaching as discussed in selected English-language literature published over the past six decades. The focus is on the value of theories of teaching and the ways theories of teaching and related terms have been defined. After creating a synthesis of the various attributes which researchers have suggested can be used for assessing the quality of theories of teaching, we discuss the process and difficulties of generating theories, and present a summary of theories of teaching found in the literature. The second part of this chapter clarifies the aims of this book, describes the sampling criteria for the selection of contributors, provides an overview of the structure of the book, and lists the questions that the contributors were asked to address.
Outline of a Theory of Teaching: What Teaching Is, What It Is For, How It Works, and Why It Requires Artistry
Authors: Biesta Gert
Published: March 2023

This chapter provides an outline of a theory of teaching through a discussion of three questions: what teaching is, what it is for and how it works. I discuss two popular myths about teaching: that teaching is outdated and that teachers should rather focus on supporting students’ learning, and that teaching is the most important factor in the production of measurable learning outcomes. Both views see teaching as a form of control, which is either rejected or embraced. The theory of teaching I outline, sees teaching as an act of communication which seeks to focus the attention of students, without assuming that such attention or what students do with it can be or should be entirely controlled. The purpose of teaching is to contribute to students’ qualification, socialisation, and their existence as responsible subjects of their own lives. Teaching requires structure and direction, but too much structure and direction turns teaching into indoctrination. Teachers need the ability to make situation-specific judgements about how to act and what to act for, which requires artistry or craftsmanship. Attempts to turn teaching into an evidence-based profession not just undermine teachers’ professionalism but also misrepresent what teaching is and ought to be about.
Lateral Variations of P-Wave Velocity from Deep Borehole Data in the Southern Apennines, Italy
Authors: Montone Paola , Mariucci Maria Teresa
Published: March 2023

We have selected 28 deep wells in the Southern Apennine area, most of which are located along and around the Val d’Agri Basin. The Southern Apennines, one of the most seismically active regions of the Italian peninsula, is a NE-verging fold-and-thrust belt characterised by the Meso–Cenozoic Apulia carbonate duplex system overlain by a thick column of Apennine carbonate platform and Lagonegro basin units. These units are unconformably covered by Neogene siliciclastic successions. Among the many Quaternary tectonic basins in the area, the Val d’Agri Basin is the most important intramontane depression, and is bordered by a ~ NW–SE-trending active fault system that represents one of the main seismogenic structures of the region. Moreover, the Val d’Agri Basin is the largest onshore oil field basin in Europe. In this context, we have analysed sonic log records from 28 deep wells and compared them with the corresponding stratigraphy and the other geophysical logs. We have obtained detailed measurements of the P-wave velocity (Vp) for each well from 0 to ~ 6 km depth, and found important lateral variations of Vp over very small distances. From these values, we have retrieved the densities of the main units crossed by the wells and the range of the overburden gradient in this area.
Auswirkungen von Lithium, Valproat, Carbamazepin und Antipsychotika auf die Kognition bei bipolarer Störung – ein systematisches Review
Authors: Leopold Sophie , Quante Arnim
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Die Langzeitauswirkungen der möglichen Therapieoptionen bei bipolarer Störung sind wenig untersucht, besonders in Bezug auf kognitive Beeinträchtigungen. Unterschiedliche Studien enthalten Hinweise, dass je nach Therapieform, das Risiko, an einer Demenz zu erkranken, weiter erhöht, aber auch gesenkt werden kann. Der aktuelle Forschungsstand wird in diesem systematischen Review zusammengefasst.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Auswirkungen einer Langzeittherapie mit Lithium, Valproat, Carbamazepin und Antipsychotika auf die Entstehung einer Demenz und kognitiver Beeinträchtigungen bei Patient*innen mit bipolarer Störung werden untersucht.

Methoden

Es wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche in der PubMed-Datenbank von den beiden Autor*innen im Zeitraum Mai bis Juli 2022 durchgeführt. Placebokontrollierte Studien, Metaanalysen, prospektive Studien mit Kontrollsubstanz, Fall-Kontroll-Studien, Kohortenstudien, systematische Reviews und randomisierte kontrollierte Studien wurden eingeschlossen.

Ergebnisse

Der Großteil der verfügbaren Studien sieht in der Langzeittherapie mit Lithium einen protektiven Effekt auf das Gedächtnis und damit das Entstehen einer Demenz. Für Valproat hingegen wird ein eher negativer Einfluss beschrieben. Bei Antipsychotika ist die derzeitige Datenlage nicht aussagekräftig genug, aber auch hier wird ein eher neutraler bis negativer Einfluss mit der Langzeiteinnahme assoziiert.

Diskussion

Lithium sollte, auch aufgrund des neuroprotektiven Effekts, in der Erhaltungstherapie der bipolaren Störung empfohlen werden. Der Einsatz von Valproat hingegen sollte in dieser Indikation kritisch gesehen werden. Antipsychotika sind bezüglich dieser Fragestellung noch nicht hinreichend untersucht, sodass keine generelle Empfehlung ausgesprochen werden kann.
Artificial intelligence in oncology: chances and pitfalls
Authors: Kather Jakob Nikolas
Published: March 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been available in rudimentary forms for many decades. Early AI programs were successful in niche areas such as chess or handwriting recognition. However, AI methods had little practical impact on the practice of medicine until recently. Beginning around 2012, AI has emerged as an increasingly important tool in healthcare, and AI-based devices are now approved for clinical use. These devices are capable of processing image data, making diagnoses, and predicting biomarkers for solid tumors, among other applications. Despite this progress, the development of AI in medicine is still in its early stages, and there have been exponential technical advancements since 2022, with some AI programs now demonstrating human-level understanding of image and text data. In the past, technical advances have led to new medical applications with a delay of a few years. Therefore, now we might be at the beginning of a new era in which AI will become even more important in clinical practice. It is essential that this transformation is humane and evidence based, and physicians must take a leading role in ensuring this, particularly in hematology and oncology.
Intercontinental comparison of women with breast cancer treated by oncologists in Europe, Asia, and Latin America: a retrospective study of 99,571 patients
Authors: Kadys Arturas , Gremke Niklas , Schnetter Laura , Kostev Karel , Kalder Matthias
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the baseline data of women with breast cancer (BC) undergoing treatment in an intercontinental comparison.

Methods

This study included 99,571 women with BC from Europe (70,834), Asia (18,208), and Latin America (10,529) enrolled between 2017 and 2021, based on data from IQVIA’s Oncology Dynamics database. This source is supplied with information by means of a cross-sectional partially retrospective survey collecting anonymized data on inpatients and outpatients treated by a representative panel of oncologists. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate the probability of metastases.

Results

The data available in Asia (98%) and Latin America (100%) were hospital data, while in Europe, patients were treated both in hospitals and in office-based practices (62%, 38%). The mean age in Asia and Latin America (57 ± 13) was lower than in Europe (61 ± 13; p < 0.001). Lobular BC was diagnosed twice as often in Europe compared to Asia and Latin America (15.2%, 9.8%, 8.0%). The number of patients with metastasized hormone receptor-positive (HR +) BC was significantly higher in Europe and Latin America than in Asia (76%, 68%; p < 0.001). The highest number of women with metastasized BC was reported in Europe (26% compared to 14% and 20%, respectively, in Asia and Latin America). Across the continents, the percentage of women with BC who experienced metastases was 51–61% for bone, 30–39% for lung and 25–32% for liver, followed by 3–6% for skin and 3% for brain.

Conclusion

Women with BC treated in Europe tend to be significantly older and more likely to develop metastases than women in Asia and Latin America, except for lung metastases.
Antenatally detected urinary tract dilatation: long-term outcome
Authors: Herthelius Maria
Published: March 2023

This review provides updated knowledge on the long-term outcomes among children with antenatally diagnosed urinary tract dilatation (UTD), previously often referred to as antenatal hydronephrosis. Different definitions of UTD exist, which makes comparison between studies and generalized conclusions difficult. Roughly, one-third of antenatally diagnosed UTD, defined as a renal pelvis anterior posterior diameter (APD) of ≥ 4 mm in the second trimester and/or ≥ 7 mm in the third trimester, will resolve before birth, another third will resolve within the first years of life, and in the remaining cases, UTD will persist or a congenital abnormality (CAKUT) will be diagnosed postnatally. The risk of a postnatal CAKUT diagnosis increases with the degree of prenatal and postnatal dilatation, except for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which cannot be predicted from the degree of UTD. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur in 7–14% of children with UTD during the first years of life. The risk of UTI is higher in children with traditional risk factors for UTI, such as dilated VUR, hydroureteronephrosis, female gender, and intact foreskin. Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis may be considered in selected patients during the first years of life. In long-term follow-ups, permanent kidney damage is diagnosed in approximately 40% of children with moderate or severe UTD, but hypertension, proteinuria, and/or reduced eGFR are uncommon (0–5%). In children with mild UTD, the long-term outcome is excellent, and these children should not be subjected to unnecessary examinations and/or follow-up.
Applicability of risk compensation to the relationship between health behaviors and COVID-19 vaccination among inpatients in Taizhou, China
Authors: Chen Liguang , Tung Tao-Hsin , Zhang Xinxin , Wang Gang
Published: March 2023

Aim

Based on the risk compensation theory, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between health behaviors of inpatients and COVID-19 vaccination during the epidemic with regard to the Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Taizhou, China.

Subject and methods

We conducted an online self-administered survey with a group of inpatients in a grade III, class A hospital in Taizhou, China, from February 27, 2022, to March 8, 2022. A total of 562 complete questionnaires were collected, and 18 questionnaires completed in under 180 seconds were rejected, leaving a total of 544 (96.8%) valid questionnaires collected. The participants who had received a COVID-19 vaccine were asked to describe the differences in their health behaviors before and after the vaccination, and the data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software.

Results

There were significant differences in the percentage of individuals wearing masks (97.2% and 78.9%, P < 0.001) and the percentage of hand washing after taking off the mask (89.1% and 63.2%, P < 0.001) between the inoculated group and the uninoculated group; however, there were no significant differences in other health behaviors. The participants showed better health behaviors (handwashing and wearing a mask) after the vaccination than prior to it.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the Peltzman effect did not increase risk behaviors during the Omicron epidemic. There was no reduction in health behaviors among inpatients after the COVID-19 vaccine, which may have even improved their health behaviors.
Selenium Nanoparticles Modulate Steroidogenesis-Related Genes and Improve Ovarian Functions via Regulating Androgen Receptors Expression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rat Model
Authors: Abdallah Ahmed B. E. , El-Ghannam Mohammed A. , Hasan Azza A. , Mohammad Lamiaa G. , Mesalam Noura M. , Alsayed Radwa M.
Published: March 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs during the reproductive period in women and is characterized by reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorders. Androgen plays a decisive role in its pathogenesis due to the interaction between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, which might be improved by selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). The present study aimed to clarify the effect of SeNPs on androgen synthesis and action in the PCOS model and the resulting effect on ovarian function. Fifty-five 7-week-old female albino rats (90–105 g) were divided equally into five groups: control (C), fed a standard diet for 11 weeks; high-fat diet (HFD) group, fed HFD for 11 weeks; HFD and letrozole (L) (HFD + L), fed HFD for 11 weeks and administrated orally with L, at a daily dose of 1 mg/kg BW, for three weeks from the 7th to 9th week of the trial; HFD + L + 0.1SeNPs and HFD + L + 0.2SeNPs groups, treated the same as HFD + L group and orally gavaged SeNPs at daily doses of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg BW, respectively, during the last 14 day of the experiment. Daily determination of estrous cycle was performed, and at the end of the experimental period, BMI, serum glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, sex hormones, TNF-α, IL6, oxidative stress biomarkers, ovarian mRNA expression of different proteins and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis, pathological examination, and immunohistochemical staining for androgen receptor (AR) were evaluated. Treatment of SeNPs restored estrous cyclicity, decreased BMI, and insulin resistance, improved dyslipidemia, reduced serum testosterone, and improved ovarian histopathology in PCOS rats. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant impacts of SeNPs were remarkably noticed. Administration of SeNPs decreased androgen synthesis and expression of ovarian AR protein by decreasing the mRNA expression of STAR, Cyp11A1, Cyp17A1, and HSD17B3 and increasing the expression of Cyp19α1. Conclusively, SeNPs decreased androgen synthesis and blocked the vicious circle initiated by excessive androgen secretion via decreased AR expression. Thus, it may effectively treat PCOS cases by eliminating its reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic dysfunctions.
Changes to Czech Corporate Restructuring Laws During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comment
Authors: Sprinz Petr
Published: March 2023

The author briefly comments on various measures undertaken in order to mitigate the effects of the extraordinary situation in connection with the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 and seeks to put them into the context of the available data. In this connection, the paper mainly focuses on corporate insolvency filings, extraordinary moratoria and suspension of loan repayments. The author also briefly describes the future outlook.
On BV supermanifolds and the super Atiyah class
Authors: Noja Simone
Published: March 2023

We study global and local geometry of forms on odd symplectic BV supermanifolds, constructed from the total space of the bundle of 1-forms on a base supermanifold. We show that globally 1-forms are an extension of vector bundles defined on the base supermanifold. In the holomorphic category, we prove that this extension is split if and only if the super Atiyah class of the base supermanifold vanishes. This is equivalent to the existence of a holomorphic superconnection: we show how this condition is related to the characteristic non-split geometry of complex supermanifolds. From a local point of view, we prove that the deformed de Rham double complex naturally arises as a de-quantization of the de Rham/Spencer double complex of the base supermanifold. Following Ševera, we show that the associated spectral sequence yields semidensities on the BV supermanifold, together with their differential in the form of a super BV Laplacian.
WHICH CLASSES OF STRUCTURES ARE BOTH PSEUDO-ELEMENTARY AND DEFINABLE BY AN INFINITARY SENTENCE?
Authors: BONEY WILL , CSIMA BARBARA F. , DAY NANCY A. , HARRISON-TRAINOR MATTHEW
Published: March 2023

When classes of structures are not first-order definable, we might still try to find a nice description. There are two common ways for doing this. One is to expand the language, leading to notions of pseudo-elementary classes, and the other is to allow infinite conjuncts and disjuncts. In this paper we examine the intersection. Namely, we address the question: Which classes of structures are both pseudo-elementary and
${\mathcal {L}}_{\omega _1, \omega }$
-elementary? We find that these are exactly the classes that can be defined by an infinitary formula that has no infinitary disjunctions.
On -Strongly Measurable Cardinals
Authors: Ben-Neria Omer , Hayut Yair
Published: March 2023

We prove several consistency results concerning the notion of

$\omega $

-strongly measurable cardinal in

$\operatorname {\mathrm {HOD}}$

. In particular, we show that is it consistent, relative to a large cardinal hypothesis weaker than

$o(\kappa ) = \kappa $

, that every successor of a regular cardinal is

$\omega $

-strongly measurable in

$\operatorname {\mathrm {HOD}}$

.
Transforming psychology education to include global mental health
Authors: Khoury Brigitte , De Castro Pecanha Viviane
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the reality of global migration has brought the lack of understanding of mental health needs across different cultures into sharp focus. Psychology programs are not up to date on global issues and are often experienced as inadequate in preparing graduates to meet the challenges of society today. The field of education and training in psychology has hardly evolved since the last two decades. On the other hand, the mental health needs arising locally and globally require a knowledge base and a set of skills future psychologists need to have in order to be able to work and grow professionally. In addition, most psychologists in the western world are bound, at some point in their career, to be in contact with immigrants or refugees to offer them services and be a source of support for such a vulnerable population. Also, the field of psychology is witnessing more movement among psychologists than ever before, whereby many professionals move to another country, to work, volunteer, gain or provide training, consult and much more. This requires a certain level of preparation, which psychologists need to be aware of and ready to engage in before and after they move. This article highlights different psychology programs around the world that include global mental health in their programs. It discusses essential aspects and skills that psychologists need to learn to be prepared to work globally with various populations and to expand their skills beyond service providing to more management and policy work. Topics such as human rights and social justice, advocacy, health management and policymaking are addressed as important competencies to be gained during the education and training of future psychologists.
Drag force on an oscillatory spherical bubble in shear‐thinning fluid
Authors: Zhang Xianping , Sugiyama Kazuyasu , Watamura Tomoaki
Published: March 2023

Power-law shear-thinning fluid motions induced by a translating spherical bubble with sinusoidal oscillation at a high frequency are numerically studied. We focus on reducing the time-averaged drag force

$D$

on the bubble owing to the oscillation-enhanced shear-thinning effect. Under the assumption of negligible convection, the unsteady Stokes equation is directly solved in a finite-difference manner over a wide parameter space of the dimensionless oscillation amplitude

$A$

(corresponding to the oscillatory-to-translational velocity ratio) and the power-law index

$n$

of the viscosity. The results show that, for small amplitude (

$A\ll 1$

), the drag reduction ratio

$1-D/D_0$

(here,

$D_0$

is

$D$

with no oscillation) is proportional to

$A^2$

. In contrast, for large amplitude (

$A \gg 1$

), the drag ratio

$D/D_0$

is proportional to

$A^{n-1}$

, revealing a power-law behaviour. In the case of

$A \gg 1$

for a strong shear-thinning fluid with small

$n$

, the square of the vorticity over the entire domain is much smaller than that of the shear rate, and thus the bulk flow may be regarded as irrotational. To provide a fundamental perspective on the drag reduction mechanism, a theoretical model is proposed based on potential theory, and demonstrated to well capture the power-law relation between

$D/D_0$

and

$A$

.
Feeding responses and digestive function of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) on various leafy vegetables exhibit possible tolerance traits
Authors: Hosseini Mousavi Seyedeh Masoumeh , Hemmati Seyed Ali , Rasekh Arash
Published: March 2023

Spodoptera littoralis is a highly polyphagous pest that attacks numerous important crops in the world and causes substantial economic losses to agricultural production. In the present study, the effects of different leafy vegetables, including Purslane, Chives, Parsley, Basil, Dill, Coriander, and Mint, were investigated on feeding responses and enzymatic activities of S. littoralis under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, the total contents of the three major secondary metabolites (phenolics, anthocyanins, and flavonoids) in the studied vegetables were determined. Our findings showed that the lowest and the highest approximate digestibility were on Basil and Purslane, respectively. The highest values of efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food were achieved in larvae fed on Chives and Coriander, respectively, whereas the lowest values were recorded after feeding on Purslane. The highest and lowest relative growth rates were in larvae reared on Dill and Purslane, respectively. Furthermore, the highest amylolytic and proteolytic activities were in larvae fed with Coriander and Dill, respectively, while the lowest activities of these enzymes were on Purslane. In addition, correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between feeding characteristics and enzymatic activity of S. littoralis with biochemical compounds of the studied leafy vegetables. Our results suggest that Coriander is a suitable host, while Purslane displayed tolerance traits against S. littoralis, which can be used in sustainable management programs aiming to reduce chemical inputs.
A new species of Ninoe (Annelida: Lumbrineridae) from the continental shelf off southern Namibia
Authors: Sedick Safiyya , Clarke Dylan , Biccard Aiden , Gihwala Kirti Narendra
Published: March 2023

Despite an increase in the number of new lumbrinerid descriptions globally and over recent decades, no new lumbrinerid species have been described from southern Africa over the last 40 years. This suggests that species richness in the region is currently underestimated, and that continued research would result in the discovery of more undescribed species. Here, a new species is described from grab samples collected off southern Namibia at >100 m depth. Ninoe namibiensis sp. nov. is characterized by simple multidentate hooded hooks with a long hood that only appears after chaetiger 18, branchiae from chaetiger 1–2 to 38 (with up to 7 filaments) and maxillary apparatus: MX III with one prominent tooth followed by a knob and MX IV unidentate with finely denticulate cutting edge (11 small teeth). A key to the Ninoe from southern Africa is provided.
Expression of genes in the AKT signalling pathway in human oocytes from patients with polycystic ovaries
Authors: Hafizi N. , Ozbakir B. , Tulay P.
Published: March 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder commonly found among females of reproductive age. Different factors have been correlated with this syndrome, although the aetiology of the disease is still unrecognized with both environmental and hereditary factors leading to the progression. Hormonal effects of the AKT pathway have made it an interesting study unit for PCOS cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of genes involved in the AKT pathway, including IRS1, IRS2, AKT1 and AKT2. In total, 13 human oocytes were collected for this study at the meiosis II stage, in which seven of them were collected from individuals with polycystic ovaries and the rest formed the control group of individuals with no signs of polycystic ovaries. RNA was extracted from oocytes and then the RNA was converted into cDNA for the real-time PCR process. Expression levels of four genes in the AKT pathway, in addition to housekeeping gene (ACTB), were evaluated. Expression levels of each gene were quantified using real-time PCR and statistical analysis was performed. The results of this study showed that there was no significant correlation between the expression of genes in oocyte samples obtained from patients with polycystic ovaries and the control group. This study is the first to evaluate the expression levels of genes involved in the AKT pathway in human oocyte samples. Therefore, it provides crucial information to form the basis of further studies.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 4-year-old female with pneumococcal meningitis
Authors: Munoz Kevin J. , Feig Cheyenne L. , Frandsen Erik L.
Published: March 2023

A previously healthy 4-year-old female presented in cardiogenic shock with pneumococcal meningitis. Findings on echocardiogram raised suspicion for takotsubo cardiomyopathy. With supportive care, left ventricular systolic function normalised. Findings on cardiac imaging helped determine the aetiology and avoid further invasive studies or unnecessary treatment.
Association between cardiopulmonary function, health-related quality of life and cognitive impairment among the older nursing home residents in Shanghai, China
Authors: Zhou Zhitong , Ren Longbing , Zhang Ziyan , Sun Xiaoting , Zheng Yongtao , Gu Yijun , Wu Hengjing , Li Jue , Zhang Lijuan
Published: March 2023

Background:

This study aimed to examine the association between cardiopulmonary function, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cognitive function among nursing home residents aged 80 years and over.

Methods:

A nursing home-based, cross-sectional study was implemented among 677 aged over 80 years in Shanghai, China. A total of 197 participants underwent effective cardiopulmonary function examinations. Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Short Form-36 scales (SF-36) were used to assess cognitive function and HRQOL, respectively.

Results:

Decline in left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.98; 95% confidential interval (CI), 1.03–3.81)] and vital capacity (VC) (AOR, 2.08; 95%CI, 1.07–4.04) was associated with cognitive impairment. After adjusting confounding factors, relationships between cognitive function and physical functioning (PF) (AOR, 0.98; 95%CI, 0.97–0.99) still existed.

Conclusions:

Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to cardiopulmonary health and HRQOL in the nursing home residents. Actions of public health strategies focus on the improvement of cardiopulmonary function, and PF among older nursing home residents with cognitive impairment is required.
Connecting unattached patients to comprehensive primary care: a rapid review
Authors: Nabieva Karina , McCutcheon Tess , Liddy Clare
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Lack of access to primary care providers (PCPs) is a significant hurdle to receiving high-quality comprehensive health care and creates greater reliance on emergency departments and walk-in clinics.

Methods:

We conducted a rapid review and analysis of the literature that discusses approaches to increasing access to continuous care for patients with no PCP (‘unattached patients’).

Results:

Five distinct themes across 38 resources were identified: financial incentives for patients and providers, health care organization, policy intervention, virtual care and health information technology (HIT), and medical education. Approaches that increased attachment were primary care models that combined two or more of these and reflected the Patient’s Medical Home (PMH) model.

Conclusions:

Although there are individual initiatives that could allow for temporary relief, long-term and community-wide success lies in designing models of primary care that use multiple tools, meet the needs of the community, and are supported by regional, provincial, and national policies.
Recurring Hauntings and Trauma in Schubert's ‘Unfinished’ Symphony
Authors: Leong Sio Pan
Published: March 2023

Schubert's interest in Gothicism is explored in numerous songs written between the 1810s and early 1820s and, in recent years, has served as an aesthetic agenda that some scholars have applied to his instrumental music. One notable exception is the ‘Unfinished’ Symphony (D. 759, 1822), a work whose thematic presentation and form have been frequently related to states of terror and horror, but rarely correlated further to Gothicism and never consistently so across the two completed movements. In light of this relative neglect, this article offers a Gothic reading of the symphony, finding correspondence with Gothic signifiers of ghostly hauntings and the ‘problem of closure’, and draws upon relevant literary criticism and psychoanalytic theory. As I show, the concept of psychoanalytic trauma – a concept widely deployed in current literary criticism to scrutinize repetitive patterns such as hauntings and circular temporality in Gothic literature – is especially instructive in terms of helping construct a richer understanding of the symphony.
Thromboembolierisiko unter kombinierten hormonellen Kontrazeptiva – aktueller Stand und Verschreibungspraxis
Authors: Wunder Dorothea
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung. Die Anwendung kombinierter hormoneller Kontrazeptiva (KHK) erhöht das Risiko nicht nur für venöse Thromboembolien (VTE), sondern auch für arterielle Thromboembolien (ATE). Das Thromboembolierisiko ist unter nichtoralen KHK (Pflaster, Vaginalringe) dasselbe wie unter einer oralen KHK. Risikofaktoren wie ein Alter >35 Jahre, Adipositas, Rauchen und eine positive Familienanamnese müssen erkannt und in die Kontrazeptionsberatung einbezogen werden. Es erfordert eine sorgfältige Erhebung der Anamnese. Eine ausführliche Information über Risiken und Nutzen ist obligat. Dies gilt für Neustarterinnen wie auch für Langzeitanwenderinnen. Die Risikofaktoren müssen bei der jährlichen Neuverschreibung regelmässig reevaluiert werden. Ausserdem ist es wichtig, über Frühsymptome einer Thrombose oder Lungenembolie zu informieren, damit eine schnell einsetzende Therapie möglich ist. KHK haben aber nicht nur Risiken, sondern auch für viele Frauen günstige Wirkungen auf Organe wie Ovar und Endometrium oder auf das allgemeine Wohlbefinden. Bei Erstverschreibung oder Wechsel einer KHK ist immer abzuwägen, ob gewisse Nutzen die Verschreibun eines Präparats mit einem geringfügig höheren Thromboserisiko gegenüber einer Pille mit niedrigerem Thromboserisiko (Pillen der zweiten Generation oder Präparate mit Estradiol/Nomegestrolacetat) rechtfertigen. Frauen, die bereits eine Pille der dritten Generation oder eine Pille mit Drospirenon bzw. Cyproteronacetat verwenden und sich damit wohl fühlen, müssen nicht zu einem anderen Präparat wechseln (sofern keine neuen Risikofaktoren aufgetreten sind). Für Frauen mit erhöhten Risiken, das heisst mit mehreren relativen oder einer absoluten Kontraindikation, stehen als sichere Alternativen zu KHK reine Gestagenpräparate, kupfer- oder levonorgestrelhaltige Intrauterinpessare oder nach abgeschlossener Familienplanung operative Methoden (Sterilisation/Vasektomie) zur Verfügung.
Kombinierte hormonelle Kontrazeption – welches Präparat für welche Indikation?
Authors: Quaas Philipp
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung. Kombinierte hormonelle Kontrazeptiva (CHC) sind eine wertvolle und äusserst wirksame Option bei der Beratung von Frauen mit Wunsch nach Verhütung. In der Schweiz verfügbare Anwendungsformen sind «Pillen» bzw. kombinierte orale Kontrazeptiva (KOK), Vaginalringe und transdermale Pflaster. Alle Präparate enthalten eine Östrogen- und eine Gestagenkomponente. Als Östrogenkomponente wird in den verschiedenen Produkten vorwiegend das synthetisch hergestellte Ethinylestradiol (EE) verwendet, wobei mittlerweile auch KOK verfügbar sind, die natürlich vorkommende Östrogene wie Estradiol (E2) und Estetrol (E4) enthalten. Für die Gestagenkomponente steht eine Reihe an Gelbkörperhormonen zur Verfügung, die es aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Partialwirkungen ermöglichen, ein für die Anwenderin «massgeschneidertes» Produkt zu verschreiben. Bei der Verschreibung von Kombinationspräparaten ist jedoch auch immer das individuelle Thromboembolie (TE)-Risiko zu beachten.
Eine chirurgisch behandelte Depression
Authors: Vigaru Valentina , Müntener Dominik , Kuchynka Jan
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung. Wir stellen eine 64-jährige Patientin mit unklarer Verschlechterung des Allgemeinzustands aufgrund einer vermuteten Depression vor. Trotz Behandlung der Depression verschlechterte sich ihr Zustand weiter. In der Notfall-Computertomografie und im MRT des Schädels wurde ein Tumor auf Höhe des Kleinhirns sowie ein Hydrocephalus obstructivus diagnosiziert. Die Histologie, die ein Hämangioblastom zeigte, und das Tumorstaging liessen uns ein VHL-Syndrom diagnostizieren. Patientinnen und Patienten mit einem VHL-Syndrom und ihre Angehörigen sollten in ein Screening-Programm aufgenommen werden, sofern die Erkrankung nicht durch molekulargenetische Tests ausgeschlossen werden konnte.
Une histoire familiale d’hypercholestérolémie – le rôle de la génétique
Authors: Podmore Clara , Deillon Eva , Nanchen David
Published: March 2023

Résumé. La génétique est encore peu utilisée en Suisse pour confirmer le diagnostic clinique d’une hypercholestérolémie familiale. Pourtant le dépistage génétique familial en cascade à partir d’un cas index est recommandé par les experts. En décrivant un patient et sa famille avec une hypercholestérolémie sévère, nous discutons les bénéfices, les risques et les barrières à l’implémentation du test la génétique pour l’hypercholestérolémie familiale. Le dépistage familial à l’aide du test génétique pourrait devenir un standard de soin pour l’hypercholestérolémie sévère.
Morchelvergiftung mit Schock und Koma
Authors: Widmer Daniel , Studhalter Michael
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung. Präsentiert wird der Fall einer zuvor gesunden 42-jährigen Patientin mit hypovolämem Schock, hypoglykämischem Koma, NSTEMI und passagerer Dialysepflichtigkeit nach Verzehr von Speisemorcheln. Das Wissen über die Toxizität der Morchel und die Wichtigkeit der korrekten Zubereitung ist wenig verbreitet in der Bevölkerung.
Akupunktur mit Folgen
Authors: Chamo Michael , Kull Christof , Khani Hamid
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung. Eine 70-jährige Patientin stellt sich mit seit sechs Stunden bestehenden linksseitigen Thoraxschmerzen und akut exazerbiertem Husten vor. Am Morgen hatte sich die Patientin einer Akupunkturbehandlung unterzogen. Klinisch fand sich eine Tachypnoe mit linksseitig abgeschwächtem Atemgeräusch und hypersonorem Klopfschall. Laboranalytisch fanden sich erhöhte D-Dimere und ein erhöhtes NT-proBNP. Aufgrund der Klinik sowie der Laborbefunde wurde eine CT des Thorax durchgeführt, welche den Verdacht auf einen linksseitigen Pneumothorax bestätigte. Nach Einlage einer Thoraxdrainage war der Pneumothorax radiologisch innerhalb von zwei Tagen vollständig regredient.
The Contribution of the Collaborative Use of the Rorschach Test in Togo
Authors: Kpassagou Lodegaèna Bassantéa
Published: March 2023

Abstract: The case study presented in this paper demonstrates the utility of a collaborative discussion of the Rorschach Test. In a context marked by dependence on the psychologist and lack of elaboration, discussing Rorschach responses with clients has the potential of engaging them actively in therapy. The present case concerns a young man with delusional disorder. The Rorschach’s collaborative discussion made it possible to build a stronger therapeutic alliance between the client and the psychologist. Indeed, this discussion helped the client to express homosexual fantasies, an otherwise unacceptable social taboo. It also helped him to talk profusely about his family and religion during the therapy. In the absence of normative data on the Rorschach Test in the Togolese population, this collaborative discussion relies on the clinician’s intention to directly use the personal meaning of the Rorschach responses to advance psychotherapy.
Pre- and Postpsychotherapy Assessment of a Patient With Retrograde	Amnesia
Authors: Hammarström Erik , Grønnerød Cato
Published: March 2023

Abstract: Retrograde amnesia is the inability to recollect memories from a certain period. In the following case study, a patient was assessed with the Zulliger inkblot test in an initial assessment before psychotherapy. At termination of the psychotherapy, 42 months later, the test was readministered. At this point, the patient had no recollection of having taken the test before, due to retrograde amnesia following electroconvulsive treatment that was given some time before the initial assessment. This situation offers a unique opportunity to study changes in test results after psychotherapy, without the memory effects of normal recollection of the initial testing. On the surface, many responses shared a striking similarity in content and wording. The structural data from coding of the test results, however, indicated important changes. These changes are discussed and elaborated in relation to the changes observed in the psychotherapeutic treatment.