bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a 48-Hour Thickened Liquid Protocol on Visuospatial Skills in Young Adults
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth , Gorham-Rowan Mary , Carter Matthew D. , Lamb Katherine M.
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Thickened liquids are frequently recommended for individuals with swallowing disorders who are at risk of aspiration. However, thickened liquids may be poorly tolerated and result in reduced fluid intake, which may impact performance in a number of areas. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible impact of a thickened liquid regimen on visuospatial skills in young healthy adults.

Methods: Twenty young adults, ages 19-26 years, were included as participants. Baseline data consisting of urine specific gravity (USG) measurements as a marker of hydration status and completion of a visuospatial task were obtained prior to initiation of the experimental protocol. Participants in the experimental group followed a thickened liquid protocol, which consisted of drinking nectar-thick liquids for 48 hours. Data collection procedures were repeated.

Results: Participants in the experimental group exhibited significantly higher USG levels and required more time to complete the visuospatial task post-thickened liquids. No significant change in performance accuracy was found. Participants in the experimental group reported a decrease in fluid intake.

Conclusion: Performance accuracy on a visuospatial task was not significantly impacted by a 48-hour period of thickened liquid intake but time required to complete the task increased and was associated with mild dehydration as indicated by higher USG levels.
Niñez y adultez. Diálogos frente a tensiones familiares, laborales y del cuidado
Authors: Caro Pamela , Saracostti Mahia , Kinkead Ana , Grau María O.
Published: December 2024

(descriptivo): En este artículo comparamos percepciones de niños y niñas de Chile con sus madres, respecto a tensiones y estrategias de articulación trabajo y familia. Realizamos un análisis situado en la trama de relaciones entre sujetos, y abordamos hallazgos emergentes de la interpretación de entrevistas a niños y niñas y adultas, estableciendo una comparación entre perspectivas en torno a tensiones, cuidado, tiempo y bienestar. Los resultados muestran que existe una percepción generalizada, y que el trabajo tensiona más a las madres que a los padres, debido a una carga de trabajo global mayor. Las madres reconocen que el principal equilibrio a alcanzar es cumplir adecuadamente ambas funciones. Los niños y las niñas tienen posiciones menos conservadoras que las que reflejan los estereotipos adultos.
Cultura escrita e práticas sociais: a natureza do conhecimento filosófico-natural produzido nos espaços coloniais do Império Atlântico português (século XVIII)
Authors: Conceição Gisele Cristina da
Published: December 2024

Derivados de motivações políticas, sociais e econômicas, o conhecimento sobre o mundo natural dos espaços coloniais portugueses ao longo do período moderno, mas principalmente, a partir da segunda metade do século XVIII, foi produzido a partir de séries de dinâmicas que pretendiam responder ao repto Imperial de conhecer e dar a conhecer as potencialidades naturais que pudessem ser úteis para o motor econômico do Império. Tais dinâmicas acabaram por formar uma engrenagem composta por instituições metropolitanas e coloniais, assim como, por agentes oficiais e não oficiais, que controlaram e produziram o conhecimento sobre a filosofia natural daquele período. Este conhecimento, no âmbito deste artigo, será analisado a partir de duas linhas de pensamento: o da cultura escrita como instrumento de circulação de conhecimento, e o do conhecimento como instrumento de inserção social. O objetivo principal, portanto, é compreender qual é a natureza do conhecimento sobre filosofia natural produzido no Brasil durante a segunda metade do século XVIII observável nas fontes documentais. Também é foco de análise, a importância dada a esse conhecimento nas práticas sociais estabelecidas entre os agentes informais e as instituições oficiais metropolitanas.
Manatins e tartarugas no Brasil colonial (XVI-XVIII): apropriação, extrações, consumos e teleconexões oceânicas
Authors: Vieira Nina , Garcia Ana Catarina , Brito Cristina
Published: December 2024

Baleias, peixes-boi e tartarugas (de água doce e marinhas) estão entre as espécies aquáticas mais valorizadas pelos colonos e exploradores europeus do Atlântico ao longo do período moderno. No processo de contato com a ecologia tropical, com base numa perceção de abundância e de recursos inesgotáveis, estes animais foram selecionados como recursos de subsistência, mas também mercantilizados pelos europeus. Isso aconteceu, muitas vezes, com base na observação da sua utilização e captura pelas sociedades locais para fins de alimentação, transformação em utensílios, ou como elementos integrantes das suas práticas religiosas e culturais. Neste trabalho, iremos abordar algumas das questões da exploração local de recursos aquáticos, construídas sobre perceções locais e indígenas e transformadas pelas estruturas coloniais da época moderna. É discutido o caso de manatins e de tartarugas para a América Central e do Sul a partir das fontes históricas, principalmente, para os impérios ibéricos. Assim, mostramos como os animais aquáticos têm sido sistematicamente apropriados, explorados, transformados e mercantilizados, deixando adivinhar algumas das implicações sociais, políticas, econômicas e ambientais para o Atlântico moderno. Estas interações e relações pré-industriais de longa distância, que designamos como teleconexões oceânicas, são sustentadas na utilização e extrações de animais e impactos em ecossistemas do mar aberto, zonas costeiras e estuarinas.
Abraham Bar Ḥiyya in the Long Travels of the
Algorithm
Authors: Burbano Andrés
Published: December 2024

The term algorithm derives from Al-Khwārizmī (813–833), a Persian polymath based in Baghdad. His contributions to mathematics left an enduring impact on subsequent centuries. While translations of his algebraic works reached Christian Europe during the medieval period, a deeper examination is necessary to understand how his concepts were transmitted. In the early 1970s, artists exploring computational art, Roman Verostko (1929–2024) and Jean-Pierre Hébert (1939–2021), revitalized the term algorist to define their ventures into visual art utilizing computational technologies. Despite temporal disparities, fascinating conceptual parallels emerge between the practices of these modern algorists and the intellectual life and discussions of the Middle Ages linking scholars such as Abraham Bar Ḥiyya of Barcelona (1065–1145) and Fibonacci (1170–1240).
Transversal Racialisation: Losurdo’s Account of What Is and Isn’t Proto-Fascist in Nietzsche
Authors: Beiner Ronald
Published: December 2024

The article focuses on Domenico Losurdo’s subtle but important distinction between ‘horizontal racialisation’ and ‘transversal racialisation’. A grasp of what is at play in Nietzsche’s conception of the latter allows one to appreciate Nietzsche’s politics in its most disturbing and sinister aspect. It also uncovers revealing affinities with the decisively Nietzsche-influenced political vision of the über-fascist thinker, Julius Evola. Attention to this whole dimension of Nietzsche’s thought helps to vindicate Losurdo’s fundamental claim that Nietzsche is far more focused on politics than most contemporary philosophical commentators are willing to acknowledge.
Phylogeny of tribe Dacini revisited (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae)
Authors: HANCOCK D.L. , DREW R.A.I.
Published: December 2024

Phylogenetic relationships within the Dacini are discussed, with Dacimita David & Hancock and Ichneumonopsis Hardy transferred from tribe Gastrozonini to tribe Dacini based on synapomorphies and regarded as sister taxa to Monacrostichus Bezzi and Dacus Fabricius + Bactrocera Macquart respectively. The Madagascan genus Tythocalama Munro is removed from synonymy with subgenus Dacus (Neodacus) Perkins and placed as a new synonym of subgenus Dacus (Mictodacus) Munro.
A review of the influence mechanisms of climate-induced events on groundwater microplastic contamination: A focus on aquifer vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies
Authors: Khant Naing Aung , Lumongsod Regina Martha , Namkoong Sim , Kim Heejung
Published: December 2024

Climate change and plastic pollution are two main issues that our world is currently facing, and they are mainly linked through various processes, mechanisms, and chemical blueprint. Emerging issues related to microplastic (MP) contamination in freshwater are expanding and diverse research is being carried out globally. Factors causing climate change are increasing the frequency of extreme weather phenomena such as floods, drought, sea level rise, and heat waves, which can directly or indirectly influence the plastic/MP contamination in various ecosystems including groundwater environments. Here, we review the impacts of extreme weather events on MP contamination in freshwater with a specific focus on groundwater environments. This narrative review shows that flooding can have the most adverse effect on the MP pollution in groundwater environments through recharge events. Drought can also have major effects on MP pollution. Karst, alluvial, and coastal aquifers exhibit the highest levels of MP contamination among various aquifer types. Climate change's impact on different types of aquifers can vary depending on hydrogeological conditions and other factors in the groundwater environment. Prevention and comprehensive solutions are crucial for addressing MPs in the environment, with downstream measures being supplementary to upstream ones.
Jaw vs abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma: An analysis of 25 Iraqi cases
Authors: Izzat Alaa W. , Al-Drobie Ban , Ismael Fatimah J. , Abdullah Bashar
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study compared the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical characteristics and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) detection of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in the abdomen and jaw of Iraqi patients.

Methods

A cohort/retrospective study was carried out between August and September 2024 using 25 tissue blocks (14 gnathic and 11 abdominal BL) from the Oral and Maxillofacial Laboratory, University of Baghdad, College of Dentistry, and the National Centre for Educational Laboratories. The sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), while CD10, CD20, Bcl-2, BCl-6, C-Myc and Ki-67 markers were used for diagnosis. The DNA detection of the EBV was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

The tumours showed 22 classical and 3 atypical histological patterns. The mean age of the patients was 6.3 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 3.1:1. The younger patients were affected by the gnathic BL ( P = 0.01), and the EBV was detected with a positive correlation ( P = 0.005) in 14% of the gnathic and 72% of the abdominal tumours. There was no significant correlation between the Ki-67 expression and the clinicopathological features.

Conclusions

A critical finding of this study was that gnathic BL tends to affect people of a younger age. In addition, the abdominal presentation of EBV suggests a regional pattern of viral exposure, while there was no correlation between the aggressiveness of BL and viral exposure or the tumour site.
Computing characteristics of color difference formulas for regular coordinate changes in CIELAB color space
Authors: Cinko Ugur Onur , Becerir Behcet
Published: December 2024

Because of the non-uniformity of the CIELAB color space, scientists and researchers have tried to find the best formula for the CIELAB color space which provides consistent color difference results. The computing performances of the four color difference formulas (CIELAB1976, CMC, CIE94, and CIEDE2000) were tested in the four principal hue regions of the CIELAB color space at a constant lightness value of 50 ( L* = 50) which corresponds to the largest chromaticity plane around the gray point ( L* = 50; a* = 0; b* = 0). The dependence and consistency of the four formulas were investigated according to regular and constant color coordinate changes by using a specially prepared computer software. The experimental results showed that the three formulas other than CIELAB1976 computed in different manners peculiar to themselves and the CMC formula gave the most distinct results on different hue regions of the a*– b* color plane. CIELAB1976, CIE94, and CIEDE2000 formulas were found to compute the most consistent color difference results in the different hue regions. The color difference ( ΔE*) computing behaviors of the three formulas, other than CIELAB1976, changed depending on hue and chroma differences due to polar color difference considerations of their formulas, as expected.
Randomized controlled trial of bushen yinao pill combined with conventional therapy on intestinal flora imbalance and cognitive function improvement in older patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Ji , Li Cangda
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Bushen Yinao Pill, combined with standard therapy, on gut flora imbalances, inflammatory markers, and cognitive function in older patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

A total of 136 AD patients treated at the Department of Neurology from August 2022 to September 2023 were randomly assigned to two groups: 68 patients received standard treatment (control group, CTG), and 68 patients received the Bushen Yinao Pill plus standard treatment (intervention group, ITG). Outcomes included TCM syndrome scores, gut microbiota composition, inflammatory markers, cognitive function, overall efficacy, and safety.

Results

ITG showed significant reductions in syndrome scores as compared to CTG after treatment ( P < 0.05). The ITG also showed significant increases in beneficial bacteria and decreases in harmful bacteria compared to the CTG ( P < 0.05). Inflammatory markers (Aβ, IL-6, TNF-α) were reduced, and cognitive function improved more significantly in the ITG ( P < 0.05). The effective rate was higher in the ITG, with no significant difference in adverse reactions between the groups ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The Bushen Yinao Pill, when combined with standard therapy, effectively regulates gut microbiota, reduces inflammatory markers, and enhances cognitive function in AD patients, showing a favorable safety profile. Further research is recommended to validate these findings in diverse populations.
A postcosmopolitan condition? Economic progressivism and the return of great power war
Authors: Milstein Brian
Published: December 2024

As an emancipatory political project, cosmopolitanism always invited skepticism. This paper focuses on the economic-progressivist line of critique of cosmopolitanism, which has gained momentum in recent years. This critique is based on real concerns that the economic left must prioritize and integrate into its thinking; however, it is also fatally flawed. Any progressive project that takes seriously strong democratic self-determination for all peoples needs some version of a commitment to a global order that is democratically politically integrated, and this means stronger forms of supranational political integration, not weaker ones. I argue that the allure of progressive economic statism rests on erroneous assumptions about the character of the Westphalian state system and its relation to the evolution of global capitalism, which give a misleading impression that this system is somehow less friendly than neoliberal globalization to capitalist imperatives for extraction, accumulation, and growth. But there are equally expropriative and violent versions of capitalism that thrive in a closed Westphalian world. With great power rivalry once again emerging as a structuring feature of world order, signs of such versions are already making their appearance today.
IHI VICT3R: Developing and Implementing Virtual Control Groups to Reduce Animal Use in Toxicology Research
Authors: Steger-Hartmann Thomas , Sanz Ferran , Bringezu Frank , Soininen Inari
Published: December 2024

The virtual control group (VCG) concept was originally developed in the IMI2 project eTRANSAFE, using data of control animals which pharmaceutical companies have accrued over decades from animal toxicity studies. This control data could be repurposed to create virtual control animals to reduce or replace concurrent controls in animal studies. Initial work demonstrated the general feasibility of the VCG concept, but implementation requires significant further collaborative efforts. The new Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) project VICT3R aims to address these challenges and to obtain regulatory acceptance for the VCG concept. To achieve these goals, VICT3R will build a database comprising high-quality, standardized, and duly annotated control animal data from past and forthcoming toxicity studies. The VICT3R project will create workflows and computational tools to generate adequate VCGs based on statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) approaches. The validity, reproducibility, and robustness of the resulting VCGs will be assessed by comparing the performance of their use with that of real control groups.
Song as Social Media: Street Songs and Political Sociability in Early Modern Germany
Authors: Tlusty B. Ann
Published: December 2024

This paper will focus on sixteenth-century weaver and wedding singer Jonas Losch of Augsburg as a focal point for examining craftsmen in Germany who moonlighted as singers, offering both formal and informal entertainment in the streets, pubs, and other informal spaces of early modern German towns. Because songs were one of the few ways that artisans of lower status were able to make their voices heard, their songs were often political, socially critical, or even subversive, although many of these artisan singers also performed at weddings or in other non-political venues. In a process recognizable to a modern audience, sharing songs of protest provided a vehicle for building and solidifying group political identity and politicizing the spaces in which they were performed. The setting of political songs to familiar tunes associated with Protestant or Catholic identity increased the potential for eliciting emotional reactions and inflaming passions among listeners, which could lead to conflict. Because sound also penetrated windows, walls, and thresholds, songs could temporarily redefine spatial boundaries. The networks of artisan singers who wrote, copied, and shared these songs created political space for a lively public sphere of opinion among the artisan classes of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
To the Field Sermon: Popular Reformation in the Low Countries between Urban Space and Countryside
Authors: Van Bruaene Anne-Laure
Published: December 2024

Among the most striking phenomena in the history of the Reformation in the Low Countries are the Protestant open-air sermons of the summer of 1566. These sermons, held in fields, woods, marshlands or other open spaces beyond the city limits, were attended by hundreds or even thousands of men and women from all social groups, eager for reform. This essay discusses the geographical proliferation, organization and characteristics of the field sermons, which can be seen as an early example of the spatial accommodation of religious division in early modern Europe. It also argues that these sermons had a profound impact on urban communities, because civic authorities were faced with the challenge of controlling the flow of people and information, especially at the city gates. Moreover, field sermons had an impact on urban space at large, as sermon-goers claimed their place in town through a range of spontaneous and ritualized acts that reinforced their goal of obtaining a site of worship within the city walls.
On the Waterfront: Ottoman Port Politics and the Khan of Acre (1696–1702)
Authors: Casale Giancarlo , Calcagni Matteo
Published: December 2024

Using a recently discovered private merchant archive (the Archivio Adami-Lami in Florence, Italy), this article reconstructs the Acre Consul Controversy, a diplomatic dispute over the appointment of a Tuscan merchant, Francesco Adami, as the first English vice-consul of the Ottoman port of Acre. Through a micro-spatial case study, documenting the emerging rivalry between European ‘nations’ and their consular representatives in an Ottoman port city, this article contributes to understanding the power of space in early modern Mediterranean politics. First, it analyzes the interplay between the more institutionalized and corporate political practices typical of early modern Europe (embodied in the office of the ‘national’ consulate) and the more informal and flexible political practices of the Ottoman empire. Second, it situates key elements of this diplomatic controversy within a particular, clearly delineated semi-public space: Acre's Khan al-Ifrānj, a residential warehouse exclusively used by European merchants.
The Everyday Struggle Over Urban Space: Neighbourhoods, Neighbours, and the Policing of Street Gambling Mobs in Early Modern Venice
Authors: Cecchinato Umberto
Published: December 2024

In early modern Europe, spontaneous festive activities such as gambling and other street entertainments were a prominent part of everyday urban life. This article analyses their impact on some of Venice's informal political spaces. Ludic gatherings disrupted the rhythms of everyday life and often provoked violent reactions from residents who complained of being denied access to these public spaces. These daily struggles have long gone unnoticed, but they provide an example of how residents conceived of the urban environment in which they lived and how they established a political relationship with the authorities. Historians usually associate the suppression of street entertainment with a process of moralization imposed from above, beginning in the sixteenth century. The article reinterprets this narrative, arguing that the authorities’ policy of controlling urban space found fertile ground in a section of the community and depended on it to be effective. It shows how the prohibition of public ludic activities emerged from the demands of resident communities, who repeatedly appealed to the authorities for action to defend their use of informal spaces. The authorities’ repression relied heavily on neighbourhood control, which in turn depended on political decisions: in fact, residents usually denounced undesirable individuals or those with no ties to the community.
Spatial Fluidity and Informal Places for Politics in Southern Italy Between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period
Authors: de Divitiis Bianca
Published: December 2024

This article will consider the polycentric topography of politics in the centres of southern Italy between the late Middle Ages and the Early Modern period. The institutional fluidity which characterized the universitates of the Kingdom of Naples determined the use of different types of ‘informal’ spaces by the municipal bodies which administered the cities via groups of local elites and royal officials. These included wide, hybrid spaces, such as city squares and markets, smaller structured spaces such as the open loggias and archways, as well as shops and taverns. Within a context of ‘spatial fluidity’ which implied the parallel use and interchange of such spaces, the article will look to the use of spolia, namely ancient sculptures and inscriptions, and of new all’antica artistic and architectural features to confer administrative and juridical authority to spaces that were intended to host multiple functions.
Children's amputee mobility predictor—Assessing the functional capability of children with leg length discrepancy
Authors: Eylon Sharon , Stern Nurit , Schurr Itai , Siev-Ner Itzhak , Weiss Patrice L. , Kristal Anat
Published: December 2024

Objective

The study purpose was twofold: (1) to develop the Children’s Amputee Mobility Predictor and establish its content and social validity and (2) to determine its intra and inter-rater reliability.

Design

A reliability and validity study.

Setting

Pediatric rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Content validity study: 10 clinical experts; Social validity study: 24 stakeholders (i.e., children’s parents); Reliability study: 3 physical therapists.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main measure

The functional capability of 30 children with leg length discrepancy was evaluated using the Children’s Amputee Mobility Predictor. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, two-way mixed model, and absolute agreement for a single measure were used to establish intra and inter-rater reliability.

Results

Experts reached a consensus on the relevancy and clarity of all 26 tasks included in the Children’s Amputee Mobility Predictor. The intra- and inter-rater reliability were excellent, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC)2,1 = .95, with 95% CI ranging from 0.88–0.98; and ICC3,1 = 0.96 with 95% CI ranging from 0.93–0.98, respectively. Parent feedback indicated the relevancy of tasks for children with leg length discrepancies.

Conclusions

The Children's Amputee Mobility Predictor is a comprehensive outcome measure that requires minimal equipment or space. It appears stable over time when used by the same physical therapist and results suggest that it may be used by multiple physical therapists. The Children's Amputee Mobility Predictor appears to measure important and relevant aspects of functional capability and be a meaningful and relevant assessment tool, helping to guide the determination of medical necessity for specific prosthetic and physical therapy interventions.
Teachers’ Implementation of Social and Emotional Practices During Remote Instruction
Authors: Wahman Charis L. , Byun Sooyeon , Jeon Lieny , White-Cascarilla Allison , Houston Karen , Moustaka Marianna , Artman-Meeker Kathleen
Published: December 2024

In this exploratory study, we used a person-centered approach to examine 117 early childhood and elementary school teachers’ perceptions of their social and emotional practices within an evidence-based framework. A latent profile analysis revealed a 4-profile model with four distinct groups. Teachers’ level of education and years of experience were associated with lower or higher perceptions of child behavior. Results reveal how teachers’ perceptions of their social and emotional implementation and child behavior impact the intensity and variety of their practices, as well as differences in teachers’ perceptions based on their professional characteristics. Implications for this research suggest a need to further examine the contextual and causal factors that influence teachers’ implementation of social and emotional practices and perceptions of child behavior.
The Impact of Generative AI on Syllabus Design and Learning
Authors: Kim Hyoseok , Koo Thomas K. B.
Published: December 2024

This research examines the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the perception of educational content quality, specifically by comparing AI-generated and human-generated course syllabi in marketing education. Results from four studies indicate a general preference for AI-generated syllabi, attributed to their greater perceived objectivity. This preference is more pronounced in conventional courses but diminishes in unconventional ones, suggesting that the unique aspects of these courses may reduce the advantages of generative AI. In addition, disclosing the AI authorship of syllabi significantly affects their perceived quality negatively, underscoring the impact of transparency on the acceptance of AI-generated educational materials. These findings highlight the potential of generative AI in educational content creation and its limitations in certain contexts. They offer valuable insights for enhancing educational practices and shaping policy decisions to enrich student experiences in the era of AI integration.
Colocalization of hedgehog arterivirus 1 (HhAV-1) and histologic lesions in the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) with neurological disease
Authors: Lean Fabian Z. X. , Stidworthy Mark F. , Dastjerdi Akbar , Partridge Tim , Smith Stephen , Gough Julie , Núñez Alejandro , Lawson Becki , Seilern-Macpherson Katharina
Published: December 2024

The European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus) is a protected species of conservation concern in the UK. In recent years, there have been multiple incidents of fatal encephalitis in captive hedgehogs in wildlife rescue centers associated with the molecular detection of a hedgehog arterivirus (HhAV-1). However, it remains unclear whether the virus is the causative agent of the central nervous system (CNS) lesions. In a retrospective investigation using postmortem material from 7 captive hedgehogs with neurological disease, and a single hedgehog with previously identified meningoencephalitis, histologic examination was conducted in tandem with viral RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) to appraise tissue distribution of HhAV-1 and the colocalization with histologic lesions. ISH revealed multicellular tropism of HhAV-1 involving monocyte-macrophage and vascular endothelial cells, with viral RNA detected in multiple organs, likely due to endotheliotropism and viremia. In the CNS, encephalomyelitis was mild whilst viral RNA was abundant and widely distributed, particularly in the microglial population and localized to areas with glial nodules. Splenic lymphoid depletion was generally mild but was moderate to severe in 2 septicemic animals. Brain samples from 13 control hedgehogs, found dead in the wild due to predation/trauma, were also screened for HhAV-1, of which 8 tested positive by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a low viral load. No CNS lesions or ISH labeling was observed in 2 of these control hedgehogs that could be examined histologically. Combined, these findings indicate that HhAV-1 infections in captive hedgehogs in English wildlife rescue centers may be associated with histopathologic alterations and clinical neurological disease.
Infarctive encephalopathy in zoo-housed gibbons in North America
Authors: Schultz Mei Aoki , Rose Josephine B. , Olstad Katherine , Cross Johnny R. , Holder Kali A. , Hope Katharine L. , Richards Beth , Miller Andrew D.
Published: December 2024

Progressive neurologic signs without a known underlying etiology have been observed in managed gibbon populations housed at institutions in North America. In 2018, the Gibbon Species Survival Plan initiated a veterinary survey to evaluate clinical histories among gibbons displaying neurologic signs. The clinical results of this survey as well as the results of a centralized histologic review of brain samples from 5 species of managed gibbons displaying neurologic signs are outlined here. Reported neurologic deficits in gibbons surveyed included tremors (12/12, 100%), ataxia/incoordination (11/12, 92%), fine motor skill deficits (11/12, 92%), weakness (10/12, 83%), and mentation deficits (7/12, 58%). Gross lesions were not identified in the brain. However, in affected animals, histology revealed infarctive lesions in the cerebrocortical (14/15, 93% of animals) and cerebellar (10/15, 67% of animals) gray/white matter. Lesions were absent in the thalamus, mesencephalon, and brainstem. Lesions were typified by areas of parenchymal loss, perivascular foamy macrophage accumulation, and extensive gliosis dominated by gemistocytic astrocytes. In all affected animals, vessels located in the center of the lesions had increased tortuosity with loss of medial distinction, variable medial hyperplasia, and multifocal medial vacuolation that was accentuated by Masson’s trichrome staining. Thrombotic lesions were not identified, and amyloid was not identified by Congo red staining. Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) immunohistochemistry revealed extensive macrophage infiltration, even in areas in which lesions were not identified on histologic examination. This study reveals a pattern of small-vessel disease among gibbons displaying neurologic signs, and the resulting clinical syndrome is here termed “gibbon infarctive encephalopathy.”
Regional steel price index predictions for the southwest Chinese market through machine learning
Authors: Jin Bingzi , Xu Xiaojie
Published: December 2024

Commodity price forecasts have long been a major source of reliance for both investors and governments. This study analyses the difficult task of projecting regional steel price indices recorded on a daily basis for the southwest Chinese market, using data spanning from 1 January 2010 to 15 April 2021. The forecast of this major commodity price indicator has received insufficient attention in the literature. Forecasts here are facilitated through Gaussian process regressions, which are estimated based upon cross-validation together with Bayesian optimisations. With an arrived-at relative root mean square error of 0.4508%, the constructed models accurately forecast the price indices out-of-sample from 8 January 2019 to 15 April 2021. Investors and government authorities can utilise established models to research prices and make relevant decisions. When reference data on the price trends proposed by these models are employed, forecasting findings might aid in the development of similar commodity price indices.
Establishment of an inflammation-related acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome rat model supported by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Li Wenli , Chen Yuansen , Li Duo , Wang Haiwang , Liu Yanqing , Li Yongnan , Fan Haojun
Published: December 2024

Background:

The major concerns for patients who have acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 or sepsis and undergone successful venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) include a low survival rate and an uncontrollable inflammatory response. This study aimed to introduce an inflammation-related ALI/ARDS rat model supported by VV ECMO that is more suitable for clinical application to assess the immune response and thereby further improve survival after VV ECMO.

Methods:

Rats were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, and the LPS + ECMO group. ALI/ARDS was induced via intratracheal instillation of LPS in rats. A 5.5 F specially designed bicaval cannulation was placed in the external jugular vein for drainage and reflux. Femoral artery cannulation was used to monitor blood pressure during surgery. Arterial blood gas was measured at baseline and 3 h after VV ECMO support. Finally, lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples were harvested for further evaluation.

Results:

All LPS-induced ALI/ARDS rats were successfully supported by VV ECMO. The rats survived during the supporting process and maintained effective blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) activity. Compared with the LPS group, VV ECMO support provided oxygen supply to restore lung function and reduced lung injury.

Conclusion:

We successfully established an inflammation-related ALI/ARDS rat model supported by VV ECMO, in which VV ECMO support alleviated lung injury. Our rat model provides a new tool for immunological research on inflammation-related ALI/ARDS during VV ECMO.
Hegemonic Islamic masculinities: Contextualising a new form of hegemonic masculinities in the Iranian diaspora in the UK
Authors: Torbati Atlas
Published: December 2024

Masculinities research has started to explore the possibility of alternative manhood among migrant men. This paper aims to contribute to this emerging work by touching upon a less-explored subject in relation to hegemonic masculinity and migration and the perceptions towards sexual violence in the UK. Thirty participants were interviewed, and the data were analysed using framework analysis. The discourses such as ‘ gheirat’ and ‘real man’ and ‘complete Iranian man’ showed that Connell's concept of hegemonic masculinity is useful, but does not provide an adequate theoretical framework for analysing other forms of masculinities in the migration studies. Hence a new concept, ‘hegemonic Islamic masculinities’, is introduced as the subsection of hegemonic masculinity to contextualise the lived experience of Iranian men to sexual violence in the UK.
Application of 3D visualization virtual surgery system in percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy
Authors: Gong Chen , Zhang Min , Wu Jianming , Shi Zhiwei , Liu Xiangyang , Niu Yahui
Published: December 2024

Background

Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) is an effective minimally invasive technique for treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, precise channel establishment remains challenging. A three-dimensional visualization virtual surgery system (3DVVSS) is increasingly used in specific surgeries, yet its value in PTED remains uncertain.

Objective

To investigate the application of a 3DVVSS combined with a self-made intervertebral foramen positioning puncture device (IFPPD) in PTED for the treatment of LDH.

Methods

This study enrolled 120 LDH patients who underwent PTED between January 2021 and February 2022. Patients were randomly assigned to 3DVVSS combined with the IFPPD group (V group), and the traditional freehand methods group (T group). Hospitalization days, number of puncture attempts, fluoroscopy time, operation time, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and complications were analyzed.

Results

All patients completed follow-up without serious complications. Hospitalization days between the two groups were comparable ( p > 0.05). However, the V group showed statistically significant advantages over the T group in puncture time, number of puncture attempts, fluoroscopy times, and operation time ( p < 0.05). All patients exhibited significant improvements in VAS and ODI compared to those of preoperation ( p < 0.05). Still, there was no significant difference in VAS and ODI between T and V groups ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion

3DVVSS combined with IFPPD can significantly improve the successful puncture rate, and reduce the operation time and the fluoroscopy times, indicating its great potential in future clinical applications.
Comprehensive profiling of T-cell exhaustion signatures and establishment of a prognostic model in lung adenocarcinoma through integrated RNA-sequencing analysis
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Cheng Jiaqi , Jin Pingyan , Lv Lizheng , Yu Haijuan , Yang Chunxiao , Zhang Shuai
Published: December 2024

Background

T-cell exhaustion (TEX) in the tumor microenvironment causes immunotherapy resistance and poor prognosis.

Objective

We used bioinformatics to identify crucial TEX genes associated with the molecular classification and risk stratification of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

Bulk RNA sequencing data of patients with LUAD were acquired from open sources. LUAD samples exhibited abnormal TEX gene expression, compared with normal samples. TEX gene-based prognostic signature was established and validated in both TCGA and GSE50081 datasets. Immune correlation and risk group-related functional analyses were also performed.

Results

Eight optimized TEX genes were identified using the LASSO algorithm: ERG, BTK, IKZF3, DCC, EML4, MET, LATS2, and LOX . Several crucial Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways were identified, such as T-cell receptor signaling, toll-like receptor signaling, leukocytes trans-endothelial migration, Fcγ R-mediated phagocytosis, and GnRH signaling. Eight TEX gene-based risk score models were established and validated. Patients with high-risk scores had worse prognosis (P < 0.001). A nomogram model comprising three independent clinical factors showed good predictive efficacy for survival rate in patients with LUAD. Correlation analysis revealed that the TEX signature significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, tumor purity, stromal cells, estimate, and immunophenotype score.

Conclusion

TEX-derived risk score is a promising and effective prognostic factor that is closely correlated with the immune microenvironment and estimated score. TEX signature may be a useful clinical diagnostic tool for evaluating pre-immune efficacy in patients with LUAD.
Machine learning for improved medical device management: A focus on defibrillator performance
Authors: Spahić Lemana , Jeremić Luka , Lalatović Ivana , Muratović Tatjana , Džuho Amra , Pokvić Lejla Gurbeta , Badnjević Almir
Published: December 2024

Background

Poorly regulated and insufficiently maintained medical devices (MDs) carry high risk on safety and performance parameters impacting the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of patient diagnosis and treatment. After the MD directive (MDD) had been in force for 25 years, in 2017 the new MD Regulation (MDR) was introduced. One of the more stringent requirement is a need for better control of MD safety and performance post-market surveillance mechanisms.

Objective

To address this, we have developed an automated system for management of MDs, based on their safety and performance measurement parameters, that use machine learning algorithm as a core of its functioning.

Methods

In total, 1997 samples were collected during the inspection process of defibrillator inspections performed by an ISO 17020 accredited laboratory at various healthcare institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This paper presents solution developed for defibrillators, but proposed system is scalable to any other type of MDs, both diagnostic and therapeutic.

Results

Various machine learning algorithms were considered, including Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB) and Logistic Regression (LR). In addition, random forest regressor and XG Boost algorithms were tested for their predictive capabilities in the field of defibrillator output error prediction. These algorithms were selected because of their ability to handle large datasets and their potential for achieving high prediction accuracy. The highest accuracy achieved on this dataset was 94.8% using the Naive Bayes algorithm. The XGBoost Regressor with its r2 of 0.99 emerged as a powerful tool, showcasing exceptional predictive accuracy and the ability to capture a substantial portion of the dataset's variability.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that clinical engineering (CE) and health technology management (HTM) departments in healthcare institutions can benefit from proposed automatization of defibrillator maintenance scheduling in terms of increased safety and treatment of patients, on one side, and cost optimization in MD management departments, on the other side.
Hemodynamic evaluation of a novel double lumen cannula for left ventricle assist device system
Authors: Yu Honglong , Feng Xuefeng , Xie Yao , Xie Qilian , Peng Hu
Published: December 2024

Background

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been proven to be an effective therapy for providing temporary circulatory support. However, the use of this device can cause myocardial injury due to multiple insertions of various catheters.

Objective

Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic performance of a newly developed double-lumen catheter (DLC) for LVAD.

Methods

Two different LVAD DLC prototypes (a semi-circular and a concentric catheter) were designed based on the structure of venous DLC. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using the finite element method. The CFD results were confirmed through the testing of the 31 Fr prototype. The aorta is a large vessel with shear rates up to >300 s−1 and we used a reasonable approximation to model blood as a Newtonian fluid.

Results

At a flow rate of 5 L/min, the semi-circular prototype achieved an infusion pressure of 74.68 mmHg, while the concentric prototype achieved an infusion pressure of 46.11 mmHg. The CFD results matched the experimental results with a mean percentage error of less than 7%. The peak wall shear stress in the semi-circular prototype (717.5 Pa) was higher than the hemolysis threshold (400 Pa), which could cause blood damage, and it also had a higher hemolysis index compared to concentric prototype. Moreover, both prototypes exhibited areas of blood stagnation and recirculation, suggesting a possible risk of thrombosis.

Conclusion

Both prototypes of the LVAD DLC demonstrated similar blood flow rates. The semi-circular prototype showed superior infusion pressure compared to the concentric prototype, but had poorer hemolysis performance. However, the potential risk of thrombosis for both still exists. Therefore, further in vivo experiments are necessary to verify the safety and effectiveness of the LVAD DLC.
Unraveling the genetic mysteries of sarcopenia: A bioinformatics approach
Authors: Deng Hui , Wang Yuming , Dai Yang , Wang Qian , Lu Hao , Wang Qing
Published: December 2024

Objective

To study the genetic expression of sarcopenia using bioinformatics methods.

Methods

A Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to construct coexpression networks, along with protein-protein interaction networks. Diagnostic biomarker potential was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. An analysis of Single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) was performed in order to determine the amount of immune cell infiltration. We analyzed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment using the KEGG.

Results

WGCNA identified modules linked to bone metabolism, ssGSEA showed unique gene enrichment patterns, and 268 genes were found to be differentially expressed in sarcopenia. Fourteen co-expression modules related to bone metabolism were identified, with one showing a strong positive correlation. KEGG pathway analysis indicated downregulation of the renin-angiotensin system and Alzheimer's disease pathways. The differentially expressed genes were primarily involved in adipocyte differentiation.

Conclusion

This study analyzes genetic changes and immune cell patterns in sarcopenia, providing insights into its causes and potential diagnostic markers for future research on treatments.
Evaluation of wearable device technology in terms of health and safety in firefighters
Authors: Aksüt Güler , Eren Tamer
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Firefighting is one of the tasks that is physically difficult to perform and carries a high risk of injury and death. A better understanding of the underlying factors that influence the causes of fire scene injuries can improve firefighters’ safety. For this reason, the study aimed to determine the importance of Smart Personal Protective Equipment and wearable technology in protecting the health and safety of firefighters by using them instead of traditional equipment and systems. According to expert opinions and literature reviews, the dangers faced by firefighters have been determined to be thermal, physical, biological, environmental, and chemical.

Methods

Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) methods were used in the study. The AHP method was preferred because it is a systematic decision-making method that includes both ranking and comparison techniques. The PROMETHEE method was preferred because it provides the opportunity to make effective decisions in a very short time by basing the decision-making process on a scientific basis. In addition to the graphical representation of the ranking of alternatives, it offers decision-makers the opportunity to make various statistical analyses.

Results

The weights of the hazards were calculated using the AHP method. Physical hazards accounted for the highest weight. PROMETHEE was used in the ranking of wearable smart technological products to protect the health and safety of firefighters.

Conclusions

Products are listed as Personal Protection System, PROeTEX PPE, Wearable IoT Device, Flame Resistant Shirt, Fall Detection Systems, Smart Wearable Underwear, and WASP. With the study, it was concluded that the risk of firefighters being trapped would play an essential role in the prevention of death and injury. Improvements in wearable technological products used in the fire department will yield better results and increase safety.