bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A vignette study of mental health literacy for binge-eating disorder in a self-selected community sample
Authors: Hollett Kayla B. , Pennell Jenna M. , Carter Jacqueline C.
Published: May 2023

Background

Mental health literacy has implications for mental disorder recognition, help-seeking, and stigma reduction. Research on binge-eating disorder mental health literacy (BED MHL) is limited. To address this gap, our study examined BED MHL in a community sample.

Method

Two hundred and thirty-five participants completed an online survey. Participants read a vignette depicting a female character with BED then completed a questionnaire to assess five components of BED MHL (problem recognition, perceived causes, beliefs about treatment, expected helpfulness of interventions, and expected prognosis).

Results

About half of participants correctly identified BED as the character’s main problem (58.7%). The most frequently selected cause of the problem was psychological factors (46.8%) and a majority indicated that the character should seek professional help (91.9%). When provided a list of possible interventions, participants endorsed psychologist the most (77.9%).

Conclusions

Compared to previous studies, our findings suggest that current BED MHL among members of the public is better, but further improvements are needed. Initiatives to increase knowledge and awareness about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for BED may improve symptom recognition, help-seeking, and reduce stigma.
The spatial properties of the site amplifications of S-waves by generalized spectral inversion technique and the correction method of the site amplifications considering the contribution of later arrivals after major S-waves
Authors: Nakano Kenichi , Kawase Hiroshi
Published: May 2023

Site amplification is an important component of strong ground motion prediction as it differs among sites, reflecting its specific local subsurface geology. Here, we confirm that site amplifications are similar in a neighborhood area over a long period. However, few studies have investigated the spatial properties in a wide region (i.e., the whole of Japan). In this study, we explored the spatial properties of site amplifications based on the generalized inversion technique (GIT) using Fourier amplitude spectra (FAS) as well as pseudo-velocity response spectra (pSv) as the latter is an important index for engineering purposes and the most similar type of response spectra to FAS. The spatial distributions of S-wave site amplifications (SA-S), especially within large sediment basins (e.g., the Kanto and Osaka Basins in Japan), were found to be relatively similar in proximate areas for a long period ranging from 2 to 8 s. This suggests that we could easily predict the site amplifications using an empirical approach through spatial interpolation based on the properties obtained by the GIT. Furthermore, we propose a prediction procedure for site amplification for the whole duration from the SA-S at an arbitrary site. We used the correction function, which converts the SA-S to the site amplification for the whole duration (SA-W), including an S-wave portion and a subsequent portion. This function is called the whole-duration to S-wave spectral ratio (WSR) and is stable in terms of spatial properties. As we could estimate the SA-S either by theoretical transfer functions or observed microtremors, we can easily predict the SA-W based on the proposed WSR concept. We found that SA-S in pSv is more or less similar to SA-S in FAS, however, SA-W in pSv fails to capture the effects of the long duration of ground motions inside a large basin so that we cannot recommend to use pSv for the prediction of whole duration of ground motion.

Graphical Abstract
Conjugate observations of power line harmonic radiation onboard DEMETER
Authors: Wu Jing , Wang Zhengkai , Zhang Jingwen , Yue Chao , Xie Li
Published: May 2023

The effects of power line harmonic radiation (PLHR) on near-Earth space have been debated for many years. Since some ultrahigh voltage AC and DC power projects were added to the Chinese power grid, increasingly numerous radiations at 50 Hz and their harmonics have been caught by the microsatellite DEMETER in the geomagnetically conjugate topside ionosphere during the daytime of winter and spring. Distribution of SYM-H index has been studied, showing geomagnetic disturbances may be unnecessary for the occurrence of PLHR. The propagation of PLHR between hemispheres without much attenuation illustrates that PLHR can be amplified when crosses the equatorial zone. Eliminating seasonal and diurnal factors, dependence of PLHR propagation on the change in plasma density is disclosed. The abrupt variation of electron density gradient may create a favored condition for PLHR waves propagating between hemispheres.

Graphical Abstract
Nonadherence to antiasthmatic medications and its predictors among asthmatic patients in public hospitals of Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia: using ASK-12 tool
Authors: Demelash Teshome Bitew , Asmamaw Getahun , Limenh Liknaw Workie , Anagaw Yeniewa Kerie , Simegn Wudneh , Ayenew Wondim
Published: May 2023

Background

Globally, adequate asthma control is not yet achieved. The main cause of uncontrollability is nonadherence to prescribed medications.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to assess asthmatic patients' non-adherence to anti-asthmatic medications and the predictors associated with non-adherence.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three governmental hospitals in Bahir Dar city from September 5 to December 12, 2021. The data was collected using the Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 tool (ASK-12). Systematic random sampling was applied to select study participants. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of non-adherence. All statistical tests were analyzed using STATA version 16. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 422 asthmatic patients were included in the study. Most of the study participants (55.4%) did not adhere to their prescribed anti-asthmatic medicines. The educational status of the study participants (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.00–0.05), family history of asthma (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.04–0.21), and disease duration that the patients were living with (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.00–0.01) were the predictors of non-adherence to anti-asthmatic medications.

Conclusions

The level of nonadherence to treatment among patients with asthma was high. Religion, educational status of study participants, family history of asthma, and duration of the disease were the predictors of non-adherence of asthmatic patients to their antiasthmatic medications. Therefore, the Ministry of health, health policy makers, clinicians, and other healthcare providers should pay attention to strengthening the adherence level to antiasthmatic medications, and country-based interventions should be developed to reduce the burden of non-adherence to anti-asthmatic medications.
Determinants of long act reversible contraceptive utilization among HIV positive reproductive age women attending ART clinic in South West Ethiopia
Authors: Kefeni Bilisumamulifna Tefera , Tesfaye Sitota , Bayisa Kenbon , Negara Ebissa , Bati Feyiso
Published: May 2023

Background

Identifying the determinants of long-acting contraceptive utilization and managing the sexual and reproductive health of HIV-infected women is critical to reducing HIV transmission and maternal mortality. However, the determinants of long-acting contraceptive utilization have not been well understood in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of long-acting reversible contraceptive utilization among HIV-positive women on ART in southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based, unmatched case control study was conducted from July 24 to August 28, 2021, in south-west Ethiopia. The study participants were HIV positive women, with a sample size of 109 cases and controls. An interviewer administered a questionnaire, and a check list was used for data collection. A systemic random sampling technique was used to collect data from cases and controls. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to determine the determinants of LARC utilization among HIV-positive women. To demonstrate the strength of the determinant, the odds ratio was calculated with 95% confidence intervals, and a P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Result

A total of 324 women (108 cases and 216 controls) of reproductive age who were HIV positive were interviewed, with a response rate of 99.0%. urban residence (AOR = 2.67, 95%CI: 1.23- 5.77), having formal education (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI:1.36, 6.34), being counseled by health care provider (AOR = 5.42,95% CI: 2.67–11.03), no future fertility intention (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI:1.44–5.70), having CD4 count less than 500 cell/mm3 (AOR = 4.18,95% CI:2.12–8.23), having information of HIV transmission from mother to child (AOR = 3.65,95% CI:1.49–8.95),not using condom during sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.86,95% CI:2.46–9.62),,having knowledge towards LARC (AOR = 2.38,95% CI:1.24–4.58) and attitude towards LARC (AOR = 6.41,95%CI:3.16–13.0) were independent determinants of LARC utilization among HIV positive women.

Conclusion and recommendation

Women being counseled by a health care provider, having no future fertility intention, and having a CD4 count less than 500 cells/mm3 were found to be determinants of long-acting contraceptive method utilization among HIV-positive reproductive-age women. Also, our study supports the WHO Strategic Concepts for Improving the Links between Family Planning and HIV/AIDS Policy, Programs, and Services. It is recommended that Health care providers should use these factors as base line during family planning counseling and service delivery.
Two promising larval parasitoids, Bracon (Habrobracon) didemie and Dolichogenidea appellator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for biological control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Authors: Karut Kamil , Karaca Mahmut Mete , Döker İsmail , Kazak Cengiz
Published: May 2023

Background

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most important tomato pests that causes irreversible economic losses. Due to lack of effective control methods, chemical control is still the most preferred approach for management of the pest all over the world. Therefore, researches are mainly focused on implementing a sustainable pest control program against this pest through finding out effective natural enemies. For this purpose, a survey study was conducted to determine the larval parasitoids of T. absoluta in field-grown tomatoes in Adana, Turkey, in 2021–2022.

Results

Two larval parasitoids, Bracon (Habrobracon) didemie Beyarslan and Dolichogenidea appellator (Telenga) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were identified morphologically and molecularly. The first parasitoid populations were observed in tomato fields at the end of June and were maintained until the tomato plants were cleared (Middle of July). Throughout the survey, B. didemie was determined to be the more prevalent species than D. appellator. The highest percentage of D. appellator was found in the last week of June in 2021, at 42.8%. When the parasitoid species densities were compared, B. didemie accounted for 93.2% of the total parasitoids. Despite the intensive use of insecticides, the highest parasitoid density was achieved by B. didemie as 28 individuals per 100 leaves.

Conclusions

Based on these results, it was concluded that B. didemie can be candidate as a successful biological control agent against T. absoluta in tomato field as a part of IPM programs.
Antibiotics for treatment of apical periodontitis, indication or contraindication
Authors: Heta Saimir , Alliu Nevila , Robo Ilma , Ostreni Vera
Published: May 2023

Background

Apical periodontitis as an endodontic diagnosis has attracted attention for the close relationship between the periodontal nature and the endodontic nature that this pathology represents. The appearance of pathology in periodontal tissues, but originating from the infected canal of the affected tooth, is caused by the passage of pulpal infection–inflammation products only between the apical foramen toward the periodontal tissues positioned at the exit of the tooth canal. Depending on the morphology of the canal, it can be one inflamed area, or several that form a whole, if the pulp has terminal branches, like “river delta,” in its apical exit.

Main body of the abstract

The study aims to evaluate the clinical significance whether to treat or not with antibiotics of apical periodontitis. This study aims to look at this pathology from the perspective of the articles already published in the literature and after processing the conclusions of all the articles, come up with current recommendations on the treatment or not with antibiotics of the clinical cases presented with the pathology of the apical periodontium.

Results

The classification of apical periodontitis occurs depending on the clinical signs visible with radiographs and the objective and subjective complaints of the patient. Regardless of subclassifications of apical periodontitis, the cause is bacteria or symbiosis of bacteria causing pulpitis, so as in any bacterial infection there is a tendency to treat them with antibiotics locally rather than in a systemic way, as long as the infection does not cause systemic symptoms such as fever, or massive swelling of the affected area.

Short conclusion

From the analysis of the collected information, it is clear that the trend for treatment of apical periodontitis in the future does not lie in the application of antibiotics, but rather in irrigation solutions or the use of devices for the purpose of disinfecting the canal affected by the pathology. However, in no case is it indicated to eliminate the mechanochemical canal cleaning protocol before applying any type of treatment methodology.
Organizational readiness to implement task-strengthening strategy for hypertension management among people living with HIV in Nigeria
Authors: Iwelunmor Juliet , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Dulli Lisa , Aifah Angela , Nwaozuru Ucheoma , Obiezu-Umeh Chisom , Onakomaiya Deborah , Rakhra Ashlin , Mishra Shivani , Colvin Calvin L. , Adeoti Ebenezer , Badejo Okikiolu , Murray Kate , Uguru Henry , Shedul Gabriel , Hade Erinn M. , Henry Daniel , Igbong Ayei , Lew Daphne , Bansal Geetha P. , Ojji Dike
Published: May 2023

Background

Hypertension (HTN) is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV), but there is limited access to standardized HTN management strategies in public primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. The shortage of trained healthcare providers in Nigeria is an important contributor to the increased unmet need for HTN management among PLHIV. Evidence-based TAsk-Strengthening Strategies for HTN control (TASSH) have shown promise to address this gap in other resource-constrained settings. However, little is known regarding primary health care facilities’ capacity to implement this strategy. The objective of this study was to determine primary healthcare facilities’ readiness to implement TASSH among PLHIV in Nigeria.

Methods

This study was conducted with purposively selected healthcare providers at fifty-nine primary healthcare facilities in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. Healthcare facility readiness data were measured using the Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA) tool. ORCA is based on the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework that identifies evidence, context, and facilitation as the key factors for effective knowledge translation. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (including mean ORCA subscales). We focused on the ORCA context domain, and responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 corresponding to disagree strongly.

Findings

Fifty-nine healthcare providers (mean age 45; standard deviation [SD]: 7.4, 88% female, 68% with technical training, 56% nurses, 56% with 1–5 years providing HIV care) participated in the study. Most healthcare providers provide care to 11–30 patients living with HIV per month in their health facility, with about 42% of providers reporting that they see between 1 and 10 patients with HTN each month. Overall, staff culture (mean 4.9 [0.4]), leadership support (mean 4.9 [0.4]), and measurement/evidence-assessment (mean 4.6 [0.5]) were the topped-scored ORCA subscales, while scores on facility resources (mean 3.6 [0.8]) were the lowest.

Conclusion

Findings show organizational support for innovation and the health providers at the participating health facilities. However, a concerted effort is needed to promote training capabilities and resources to deliver services within these primary healthcare facilities. These results are invaluable in developing future strategies to improve the integration, adoption, and sustainability of TASSH in primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

Trial registration

NCT05031819.
Equity of Cancer and Diabetes Co-Occurrence: A National Study With 44 Million Person-Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Gurney Jason , Stanley James , Teng Andrea , Robson Bridget , Scott Nina , Sika-Paotonu Dianne , Lao Chunhuan , Lawrenson Ross , Krebs Jeremy , Koea Jonathan
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

The co-occurrence of diabetes and cancer is becoming increasingly common, and this is likely to compound existing inequities in outcomes from both conditions within populations.

METHODS

In this study, we investigate the co-occurrence of cancer and diabetes by ethnic groups in New Zealand. National-level diabetes and cancer data on nearly five million individuals over 44 million person-years were used to describe the rate of cancer in a national prevalent cohort of peoples with diabetes versus those without diabetes, by ethnic group (Māori, Pacific, South Asian, Other Asian, and European peoples).

RESULTS

The rate of cancer was greater for those with diabetes regardless of ethnic group (age-adjusted rate ratios, Māori, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.33 to 1.42; Pacific, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.43; South Asian, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.36; Other Asian, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.43; European, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.31). Māori had the highest rate of diabetes and cancer co-occurrence. Rates of GI, endocrine, and obesity-related cancers comprised a bulk of the excess cancers occurring among Māori and Pacific peoples with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Our observations reinforce the need for the primordial prevention of risk factors that are shared between diabetes and cancer. Also, the commonality of diabetes and cancer co-occurrence, particularly for Māori, reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary, joined-up approach to the detection and care of both conditions. Given the disproportionate burden of diabetes and those cancers that share risk factors with diabetes, action in these areas is likely to reduce ethnic inequities in outcomes from both conditions.
US Food and Drug Administration Approval Summary: Nivolumab Plus Platinum-Doublet Chemotherapy for the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Patients With Resectable Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Akinboro Oladimeji , Drezner Nicole , Amatya Anup , Runyan Jin , Fourie-Zirkelbach Jeanne , Zhao Miao , Bi Youwei , Korsah Kwadwo , Mixter Bronwyn , Tang Shenghui , Larkins Erin , Pazdur Richard , Beaver Julia A. , Singh Harpreet
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

On March 4, 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nivolumab plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with resectable non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We discuss the FDA's review of the key data and regulatory considerations supporting this approval.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The approval was based on the results of CheckMate 816, an international, multiregional, active-controlled trial that randomly assigned 358 patients with resectable NSCLC, stage IB (≥4 cm) to IIIA (N2) per the American Joint Committee on Cancer seventh staging edition to receive either nivolumab plus platinum-doublet or platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone for three cycles before planned surgical resection. The major efficacy end point that supported this approval was event-free survival (EFS).

RESULTS

At the first planned interim analysis (IA), the hazard ratio (HR) for EFS was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.87; P = .0052; statistical significance boundary = .0262) favoring the nivolumab plus chemotherapy arm; the median EFS was 31.6 months (95% CI, 30.2 to not reached) in the nivolumab plus chemotherapy arm versus 20.8 months (95% CI, 14.0 to 26.7) in the chemotherapy-only arm. At the time of a prespecified IA for overall survival (OS), 26% of patients had died, and the HR for OS was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.87; P = .0079; statistical significance boundary = .0033). Eighty-three percent of patients in the nivolumab-containing arm versus 75% in the chemotherapy-only arm received definitive surgery.

CONCLUSION

This approval, the first for any regimen for the neoadjuvant treatment of NSCLC in the United States, was supported by a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in EFS with no evidence of detriment in OS or negative impact on patients' receipt and timing of surgery or surgical outcomes.
Turing patterns on coupled phase oscillator chains with localized many-body interactions
Authors: Luo Hao-jie , Xue Yu , Huang Mu-yang , Wang Yi , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Kun
Published: May 2023

In this paper, coupled-phase oscillator chains with localized many-body interactions are studied. Systems have rich patterns such as chimera and twisted states. The coupled-phase oscillator chains have long-range two-body interactions and short-range three-body interactions, which respectively play the role of long-range inhibition of short-range activation, just like inhibitors and activators in traditional reaction-diffusion systems. The role of many-body interaction in the system is studied through the Turing pattern diagram and the critical point of Turing instability is obtained. After Turing instability occurs, the system will flow to twisted states and chimera states. The study indicates that long-range inhibition and short-range activation give an explanation for the formation of such coherent-incoherent modes such as chimera states, and that many-body interactions are good candidates as activators of the system.
Psychopathology in Acromegaly—Real and Perceived
Authors: Pivonello Rosario , Neggers Sebastian J C M M , Imran Syed Ali
Published: May 2023

Acromegaly is a chronic condition caused by the excessive production of growth hormone and is characterized by progressive morphological and systemic complications, as well as increased prevalence of psychopathologies, which markedly affect patients’ quality of life. The advancing multimodal therapies, while significantly improving the morbidity and mortality, have limited impact on psychopathologies, which often persist despite disease remission. The most common psychopathologies in acromegaly include depression, anxiety and affective disorders, together with sexual dysfunction, which may be considered as either a consequence or potentially even a contributory factor to these psychopathologies. Approximately one-third of patients with acromegaly manifest depression, whereas two-thirds of patients display anxiety, with both conditions tending to be more prevalent and severe in younger patients with shorter duration of disease. Apparently, a major impact of psychological discomfort in women compared with men appears to be the fact that women tend to internalize whereas men tend to externalize their distress. Personality disorders also commonly associated with acromegaly, especially due to body image suffering, are linked to sexual dysfunction, which seems to affect women more than men. In summary, psychopathology in acromegaly is a major determinant of the quality of life and a complex array of psychological abnormalities are associated with acromegaly.
Making a Loss
Authors: Poletti Anna
Published: May 2023

This article considers zine making as a form of independent literary production that can offer new insights into the understanding of creativity in literary studies and the humanities more broadly. It situates zines as a form of literary writing, reading, and distribution that cannot be incorporated into dominant accounts of literature or creativity because of their ephemerality. The article examines case studies by Kathy Acker, David Wojnarowicz, and the poet Hakim to demonstrate the unique forms of creativity zine making enacts. The author argues that the study of independent media requires the development of new, creative methodologies in cultural scholarship that can expand our understanding of the uses of creativity beyond understanding it as a practice that generates forms of value that can be transferred to other areas of civic life.
Failing Forward
Authors: Kanters Coco
Published: May 2023

This article analyzes efforts to institute professionally designed alternative currencies in European cities as acts of creative experimentation. The alternative currency consultants, or “the Money Makers,” experiment profusely with alternative moneys. As such, they have instituted various currencies throughout Europe from the 1990s onward—many of which have been funded by political bodies. Alternative moneys never succeeded in the sense that they never achieved their ambitious goal of creating resilient, localized economies. The article outlines how this rapid rise and fall of currency forms is interpreted by the Money Makers as a positive route of discovery toward a fair economy, an attitude of “failing forward.” Never quite successful, never quite finished, never just-right—to fail forward means that failure is not only imminent, it is required to attain success. New currencies are continuously created as reinventions upon themselves and upon capitalist practice. The notion of failing forward is key to understanding the creative design of currency alternatives as carrying within itself not only hopes for the future but also the history of prior forms as well as the current dynamics of neoliberal capitalism. The article argues therefore that creativity, as developing the “alterity” of “alternative economies,” is a collective enterprise that is institutionally shaped.
Co-creating with AI
Authors: Uricchio William , Cizek Katerina
Published: May 2023

The concept of “co-creation” is particularly timely because it reframes the ethics of who creates, how, and why, not only interpreting the world but seeking to change it through a lens of equity and justice. An expansive notion, co-creation embraces a constellation of methods, frameworks, and feedback systems in which projects emerge out of process and evolve from within communities and with people, rather than being made for or about them. Co-creation, we contend, offers a hands-on heuristic to explore the expressive capacities and possible forms of agency in systems that have already been marked as candidates for some form of consciousness. In this article, we ask if humans can co-create with nonhuman systems and, more specifically, artificial intelligence (AI) systems. To find out, we interviewed more than thirty artists, journalists, curators, and coders, specifically asking about their relationships with the AI systems with which they work. Their answers often reflected a broader spectrum of co-creation, expanding the social conversation and complicating issues of agency and nonagency, technology and power, for the sake of human and nonhuman futures alike.
The Light of Which It Speaks
Authors: Palmer Helen
Published: May 2023

This article is a transcript of the third session of a reading group on James Joyce’s Ulysses run by the five lizards who guard the grave of Joyce in Zürich. The third chapter of Ulysses is “Proteus,” in which the character Stephen Daedalus strides across Sandymount Strand meditating upon the “ineluctable modality of the visible” and his own variegated processes of perception as he takes in the sea and the beach. Each lizard articulates a different perspective on sensory perception and a different modality of reading directed by that perspective, and so the lizards cannot agree on what the focus of their discussion should be. As the lizards become more creatively inspired, several other characters appear and add their own perspective, and through the liveliness of conversation and the difference of voices there emerges a kind of “chameleonics” in which multicolored light is projected from within the bodies of each lizard. The mobilization of creativity in this discussion aims to open out the “ineluctable modality of the visible” occurring in the first sentence of Joyce’s chapter into a sensory manifold that both plays and is played by the voices of the meteorological forces themselves that render the seascape protean.
Circulating Brain Injury Biomarkers: A Novel Method for Quantification of the Impact on the Brain After Tumor Surgery
Authors: Michaëlsson Isak , Hallén Tobias , Carstam Louise , Laesser Mats , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M. , Sörbo Ann , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Jakola Asgeir S. , Skoglund Thomas
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND:

Clinical methods to quantify brain injury related to neurosurgery are scarce. Circulating brain injury biomarkers have recently gained increased interest as new ultrasensitive measurement techniques have enabled quantification of brain injury through blood sampling.

OBJECTIVE:

To establish the time profile of the increase in the circulating brain injury biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), tau, and neurofilament light (NfL) after glioma surgery and to explore possible relationships between these biomarkers and outcome regarding volume of ischemic injury identified with postoperative MRI and new neurological deficits.

METHODS:

In this prospective study, 34 adult patients scheduled for glioma surgery were included. Plasma concentrations of brain injury biomarkers were measured the day before surgery, immediately after surgery, and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 10.

RESULTS:

Circulating brain injury biomarkers displayed a postoperative increase in the levels of GFAP (P < .001), tau (P < .001), and NfL (P < .001) on Day 1 and a later, even higher, peak of NFL at Day 10 (P = .028). We found a correlation between the increased levels of GFAP, tau, and NfL on Day 1 after surgery and the volume of ischemic brain tissue on postoperative MRI. Patients with new neurological deficits after surgery had higher levels of GFAP and NfL on Day 1 compared with those without new neurological deficits.

CONCLUSION:

Measuring circulating brain injury biomarkers could be a useful method for quantification of the impact on the brain after tumor surgery or neurosurgery in general.
Economic Activity across Space: A Supply and Demand Approach
Authors: Allen Treb , Arkolakis Costas
Published: May 2023

What do recent advances in economic geography teach us about the spatial distribution of economic activity? We show that the equilibrium distribution of economic activity can be determined simply by the intersection of labor supply and demand curves. We discuss how to estimate these curves and highlight the importance of global geography—the connections between locations through the trading network—in determining how various policy relevant changes to geography shape the spatial economy.
On the origin of life: an RNA-focused synthesis and narrative
Authors: Fine Jacob L. , Pearlman Ronald E.
Published: May 2023

Darwin's assertion that “it is mere rubbish thinking, at present, of origin of life” is no longer valid. By synthesizing origin of life (OoL) research from its inception to recent findings, with a focus on (i) proof-of-principle prebiotically plausible syntheses and (ii) molecular relics of the ancient RNA World, we present a comprehensive up-to-date description of science's understanding of the OoL and the RNA World hypothesis. Based on these observations, we solidify the consensus that RNA evolved before coded proteins and DNA genomes, such that the biosphere began with an RNA core where much of the translation apparatus and related RNA architecture arose before RNA transcription and DNA replication. This supports the conclusion that the OoL was a gradual process of chemical evolution involving a series of transitional forms between prebiotic chemistry and the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) during which RNA played a central role, and that many of the events and their relative order of occurrence along this pathway are known. The integrative nature of this synthesis also extends previous descriptions and concepts and should help inform future questions and experiments about the ancient RNA World and the OoL.
Methodological system for conducting classes at the Department of "Engineering Graphics" RTU MIREA
Authors: Vyshnyepolskiy Vladimir , Boykov A. , Egiazaryan K. , Kadykova Nina
Published: May 2023

The general requirements for geometric and graphic training of students of technical universities are listed. The structure of the innovative methodological system of holding lessons is given. The tasks solved by the components of the system are listed. Each part is considered in detail. The method of holding lessons includes a scalable basic geometric and graphic course, a three-level student training system, an additional super-advanced level for students who study on individual trajectories and take part in olympiad, scientific, practical or competitive activities, electronic resources and multimedia teaching materials that allow to support the educational process for students experiencing difficulties in the usual mode, control measures to ensure the independence of the work of students. The possibility of scaling the basic geometric-graphic course, as well as the level differentiation of practical tasks, are illustrated by examples. The methodology for holding practical lessons includes dividing tasks into subtasks and elementary steps that are available for the vast majority of students to complete. It is noted that this technique is successfully transferred to the remote mode. The professional components of the methodological system are course projects, coursework and elective courses. Examples are given. Two interpretations of the term "practice-oriented learning" are given. It is noted that the proposed methodological system implements practice-oriented learning "in the broadest sense". The information resources that provide informational and methodological support for geometric and graphical preparation are listed. Their brief description is given. A general description of the advanced training program developed at the Department of Engineering Graphics of the RTU MIREA is given, which allows to partially solve the problem of the lack of qualified lecturers of geometric and graphic disciplines in higher education. Conclusions are drawn about the possibilities of the proposed methodological system: it allows to increase students' motivation to study the geometric-graphic course, to organize independent work of students, to provide the required performance indicators. It is also noted that the proposed methodological system allows to save an important pedagogical component - mentoring.
Problems of geometric-graphic training of university students
Authors: Boykov A. , Egiazaryan K. , Efremov A. , Kadykova Nina
Published: May 2023

It is noted that geometric and graphical disciplines traditionally cause difficulties in studying elementary students. It is pointed out that the requirements for the quality of education and ensuring academic performance are mutually inverse and are in conflict with the limited number of teaching hours, which has been steadily declining for many years. Data are given on the number of hours allocated for the study of geometric and graphic disciplines in Russian universities. The main reasons for the problems of geometric and graphic training of students are listed. The first reason is an attempt to give knowledge and skills from three different sections - mathematics (descriptive geometry), computer science (computer graphics) and engineering (engineering graphics) in conditions of shortage of classroom hours. Provides information about the content of classical textbooks of descriptive geometry, engineering graphics. The second reason is the complexity of the development of spatial thinking. It is noted that information technologies that facilitate the understanding of images do not solve the problem of the development of spatial thinking. Information is given on the heterogeneity of students in terms of the psychophysiological features of spatial thinking in general and in terms of various types of mathematical thinking. The third reason is the poor initial preparation of students. Features and reasons are indicated. The main ways of increasing the motivation of students to study geometric and graphic disciplines are given. The fourth reason is the unpreparedness of students for independent work. Reasons are given. The main ways of increasing the efficiency of students' independent work are given. The shortcomings of automatic control in the form of testing and automatic verification of solutions of graphic tasks are considered in detail. The fifth reason is the difference in the requirements for geometric and graphic training for different educational areas, specialties and profiles. The presence in the geometric-graphical cycle of disciplines of an invariant (common for different specialties and training profiles) core and subject settings is noted. The sixth reason is the high requirements for lecturers of geometric and graphic disciplines. The problem of training lecturing staff of higher education in the field of geometric and graphic education is noted. Conclusions are made about the need to create a methodological training system that takes into account and solves these problems.
Methodological systems for the preparation and holding of Olympiads and the development of students' intellectual abilities RTU MIREA
Authors: Vyshnyepolskiy Vladimir , Kadykova Nina , Efremov A. , Egiazaryan K.
Published: May 2023

The paper considers a methodological system for the development of students' intellectual abilities in the process of preparing for Olympiads in descriptive geometry. In accordance with this system, a detailed calendar plan for conducting training sessions for the regional Olympiad in descriptive geometry is presented.

The paper is also about the methodological system for preparing and holding a university, city and regional student Olympiads in graphic disciplines. The requirements for the choice of tasks for university Olympiads in descriptive geometry, instructions for holding university Olympiads are given.

The paper provides information, including historical information, about the Moscow City Olympiad in descriptive geometry, engineering and computer graphics. To assess the level of organization of city and regional student Olympiads, in particular, the Moscow City Olympiads, a criterion and dependence for its determination are proposed.

It was proposed the determination method of the composition of the university team for participation in the regional Olympiad in descriptive geometry is proposed based on four criteria: 1) the sum of points received for solving Olympiad tasks of previous years in the classroom; 2) the sum of points received for solving homework tasks; 3) the sum of points for two rounds of the University Olympiad; 4) integral indicator.

The methodological system of preparation and holding of the All-Russian student Olympiads in graphic disciplines is considered. To assess the level of organization of the All-Russian Student Olympiad, a criterion is proposed, which is determined by the sum of four parameters: 1) the number of participating universities; 2) the number of participating students divided by ten; 3) the number of subjects of the Russian Federation (regions) represented at the Olympiad; 4) the number of federal districts of the Russian Federation represented at the Olympiad.

The All-Russian Student Olympiads in graphic disciplines, which have been held by RTU MIREA since 1999 (until 2015, Moscow State University of Fine Chemical Technologies named after M.V. Lomonosov), are briefly considered. It was noted that 83 universities from the Russian Federation and one foreign university took part in these Olympiads.
Scientific Research at the Department of Engineering Graphics RTU MIREA
Authors: Vyshnyepolskiy Vladimir , Boykov A. , Egiazaryan K. , Efremov A.
Published: May 2023

Involving students in scientific activities is an important stage in the development of a future scientist. At the same time, the main difficulty is the need to interest the student. One of the factors that can generate such interest is to ensure the spirit of competition in the first attempts at scientific work. To do this, the Department of Engineering Graphics holds two sections in the Scientific and practical conference of students and graduate students of the

RTU MIREA: : "Smart Home", for students of radio engineering specialties, where students are engaged in the design and implementation of prototypes of various radio engineering devices and sensors, and "Descriptive Geometry", for students of all areas of education, where they present their projects to the jury both in the field of research of academic geometric knowledge, as well as in the field of their practical application. The authors of the best projects presented in the sections are given the opportunity to speak at the All-Russian Student Competition "Innovative Developments", which is also organized by the Department of Engineering Graphics as part of the All-Russian Student Olympiad for Students in Descriptive Geometry, Engineering and Computer Graphics. For half a year between these events, students correct the project in accordance with the comments made by the jury, and if there are unrealized plans, they finalize them. The next stage in the development of students - participants of the above-mentioned conference and Competition - is the preparation of a scientific article based on their work in journals indexed in the RSCI. The student gains experience in preparing an articles, after which, as a rule, scientific work continues, and the student takes part in various scientific conferences with reports, where he gains experience in speaking to an audience and interacting with it, and also, under the guidance of a supervisor, prepares a scientific article or a number of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, while gaining experience in communicating with reviewers and correcting their comments on the work. This experience gives the student the skill of independence in further scientific work
Problems of worldview through the eyes of students of the Far North
Authors: Antonova Yu. , Vinokurova V.
Published: May 2023

The article reveals the concept of worldview, its significance in every person`s life as an individual. The purpose of the study consists in considering the problem of worldview, based on the view of the students of the Far North. In accordance with the goal, the researchers were assigned the following tasks: disclosure of the concept and types of worldview, identifying their differences; definition of the problem of the emergence of a worldview in the context of changes and the origin of significant events in the political sphere; conducting a sociological survey among students from the Far North, to identify the main problematic issues concerning the variability of their worldview, as well as its stability; research of the work of the founder of Yakut literature, the first of the researchers of Yakutia, whose works occupy a significant place in the formation of the worldview of every inhabitant of the Far North. In the process of forming a worldview, a person faces limitationsthat is, with what we call distinctiveness, which implies nationality, religion, territory of residence, age, upbringing; in addition, at this stage, the formation of a political worldview takes place. The political worldview itself is associated with the individual's search for his place in the political or social sphere, which is manifested in the individual and subjective aspects of the political worldview, the peculiarity of which lies in the values of a particular society, where there is more often the influence of the dominant view. Such influence exists due to the hypertrophied authority of one person (or a limited circle of personalities). The arguments of these opinion leaders in favor of their own points of view are sometimes convincing to large masses of people. Also, people can perceive the beliefs of one person as their own, without an assessment of correctness or it own analysis, which in most cases is connected with the search for simple solutions. Choosing the path of a kind of "energy saving", people take on faith the opinion of another person who seems more competent. Based on the results of the study, in the second part of the work, the authors formulated some conclusions. In the mechanics of a difficult choice, when a decision is not made automatically, one of the reasons for uncertainty is highlighted: the instinctive resistance of a person, the feeling that he is going against himself, violating personal attitudes. Persuasion is a powerful tool not only for management, but also for strengthening the personal stability of the worldview. A leader with sufficiently developed persuasion skills is able to convince almost any opponent of the truth of his worldview.
Where to Cut the Long Tail? The Value of Carrying Inventory in Online Retail
Authors: Baldauf Christoph , Eng-Larsson Fredrik , Isaksson Olov
Published: May 2023

One advantage of online retail is that a large number of products can be displayed at low cost. However, online retailers must decide which of these products to carry in inventory (stock items) and which to order from suppliers when a customer places an order (nonstock items). In this paper, we empirically investigate how carrying a product in inventory affects its online sales. We use data from a European furniture and interior design retailer consisting of daily sales transactions and inventory data covering 18 months. We use a quasi-natural experiment—random transitions of products in and out of inventory at the retailer’s central warehouse—to estimate the causal effect of carrying inventory on sales. Our results show a strong and statistically significant increase in sales of, on average, 65% associated with having the product available in stock. More interestingly, this effect differs between products and is moderated by the price of the product: sales of more expensive products are less sensitive to the product being in stock. We use these results to draw insights on which types of items to carry in inventory.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.

Supplemental Material: Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4777 .