bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Mortensen Trude M.B.
Published: October 2024

Background: Numerous observational studies show associations between family meal frequency and markers of child cardiovascular health including healthful diet quality and lower weight status. Some studies also show the "quality" of family meals, including dietary quality of the food served and the interpersonal atmosphere during meals, is associated with markers of child cardiovascular health. Additionally, prior intervention research indicates that immediate feedback on health behaviors (e.g., ecological momentary intervention (EMI), video feedback) increases the likelihood of behavior change. However, limited studies have tested the combination of these components in a rigorous clinical trial. The main aim of this paper is to describe the Family Matters study design, data collection protocols, measures, intervention components, process evaluation, and analysis plan. Methods/design: The Family Matters intervention utilizes state-of-the-art intervention methods including EMI, video feedback, and home visiting by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to examine whether increasing the quantity (i.e., frequency) and quality of family meals (i.e., diet quality, interpersonal atmosphere) improves child cardiovascular health. Family Matters is an individual randomized controlled trial that tests combinations of the above factors across three study Arms: (1) EMI; (2) EMI + Virtual Home Visiting with CHW + Video Feedback; and (3) EMI + Hybrid Home Visiting with CHW + Video Feedback. The intervention will be carried out across 6 months with children ages 5-10 (n = 525) with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (i.e., BMI ≥ 75%ile) from low income and racially/ethnically diverse households and their families. Data collection will occur at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 months post-intervention. Primary outcomes include child weight, diet quality, and neck circumference. Discussion: This study will be the first to our knowledge to use multiple innovative methods simultaneously including ecological momentary intervention, video feedback, and home visiting with CHWs within the novel intervention context of family meals to evaluate which combination of intervention components are most effective in improving child cardiovascular health. The Family Matters intervention has high potential public health impact as it aims to change clinical practice by creating a new model of care for child cardiovascular health in primary care. Trial registration: This trial is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (Trial ID: NCT02669797). Date recorded 5/02/22. © 2023. The Author(s).
New insights on the origin for rapakivi granites: U-Pb and Lu-Hf in zircon from Alto Candeias Intrusive Suite, Amazonian Craton, Brazil
Authors: Queiroz Luiza Almeida Villar de , Santos Anderson Costa dos , Ferreira Laís de Oliveira , Nogueira Camila Cardoso , Debowski Beatriz , Tavares Armando Dias , Pavón Pivetta Cecilia , Martins Maria Virginia Alves , Geraldes Mauro César
Published: October 2024

The Southwestern Amazonian Craton, in Rondônia state, Brazil, comprises multiple orogens with ages ranging from 1.8 to 1.0 Ga, where successive magmatic, metamorphic, and deformational processes reworked ancient rocks and produced new complexes and juvenile continental crust. Identification of the geochronological and petrographic characteristics of granitoids and terranes generated during such events is crucial for the recognition and distinction of their magma sources. A total of 64 samples collected from the Alto Candeias Intrusive Suite outcrops in Rondônia state recognized four different groups: (1) Monte Negro unit (rapakivi granites), (2) Buriti unit (equigranular to porphyritic granodiorites), (3) Campo Novo unit (medium to coarse-grained charnockites), and (4) Jacilândia unit (fine-grained granites). U-Pb geochronological data were obtained for each unit, with the following ages: 1350 ± 5 Ma (Monte Negro unit), 1350 ± 2 Ma (Buriti unit), 1349 ± 3 Ma (Campo Novo unit), 1348 ± 3 Ma, and 1349 ± 1 Ma (Jacilândia unit). The ages of the four granitic units are the same within error. Lu-Hf isotopic results presented in this study indicate that the Alto Candeias Intrusive Suite has the mantle as the magmatic source and that the continental crust coeval to the subduction process. This process led to the formation of I-type granitoids generated in the SW margin of the Amazonian Craton around 1350 Ma during San Ignacio orogeny.
As tramas recônditas da etnologia americanista alemã
Authors: Santos Diogo de Godoy
Published: October 2024

O livro Ascensão e declínio da etnologia alemã (1884-1950), de Erik Petschellies, aborda um capítulo importante da etnologia americanista, intersecionado com a história dos povos indígenas das terras baixas da América do Sul, propondo uma reavaliação atinada dessa tradição antropológica nacional obscurecida no pós-guerra sobretudo após o contexto do racialismo nazista.
Defining Echocardiographic Degrees of Right Heart Size and Function in Pulmonary Vascular Disease From the PVDOMICS Study
Authors: Mukherjee Monica , Mathai Stephen C. , Jellis Christine , Freed Benjamin H. , Yanek Lisa R. , Agoglia Hannah , Chiu Caitlin , Jani Vivek P. , Simpson Catherine E. , Brittain Evan L. , Tang W.H. Wilson , Park Margaret M. , Hemnes Anna R. , Rosenzweig Erika B. , Rischard Franz P. , Frantz Robert P. , Hassoun Paul M. , Beck Gerald , Hill Nicholas S. , Erzurum Serpil , Thomas James D. , Kwon Deborah , Leopold Jane A. , Horn Evelyn M. , Kim Jiwon ,   the PVDOMICS Study Group
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Defining qualitative grades of echocardiographic metrics of right heart chamber size and function is critical for screening, clinical assessment, and measurement of therapeutic response in individuals with pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). In a population enriched for PVD, we sought to establish qualitative grades and prognostic value of right heart chamber size and function.

METHODS:

We investigated 1053 study participants in PVDOMICS (Redefining Pulmonary Hypertension Through the PVD Phenomics Program) to determine clinical and echocardiographic differences associated with increasing pulmonary vascular resistance severity. Right heart chamber size and function were qualitatively assessed using a percentile-based approach above the median values to create a clinical grading system for right heart adaptation. The relationship between echocardiographic categories and all-cause mortality was examined using survival analyses adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS:

A stepwise increase in adverse right heart remodeling was observed with a concomitant decrease in functional parameters by pulmonary vascular resistance strata (
P
<0.001 for all). Mild, moderate, and severe categories of right heart chamber size and dysfunction were defined using a percentile-based approach across the spectrum of PVD. During a median follow-up of 2.07 years (interquartile range, 1.23–3.01 years), 130 participants died (11.4%). Progressive pulmonary vascular resistance increase and 2DE evidence of right heart dysfunction inclusive of fractional area change, and right ventricular global longitudinal strain were independently associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in multivariate analysis adjusted for age, disease duration, and male sex.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this well-characterized sample of adults with diverse etiologies and varying PVD severity, we define categories of abnormal right heart chamber size and function. Further, we demonstrate a stepwise relationship between these categories of abnormal morphology and function and all-cause mortality. Defining grades of right ventricular dysfunction in individuals with known PVD has important clinical implications for monitoring disease progression and response to therapies.
Lesion Volume as a Predictor for Return to Work After Endovascular Treatment: A 4‐Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Helland Gisle Berg , Beyer Mona Kristiansen , Enriquez Brian Anthony B. , Ihle‐Hansen Hege , Ihle‐Hansen Håkon , Andersson Stein , Leonardsen Esten Høyland , Stangeland Helle , Ùjhelyi Bettina , Hagberg Guri , Harbo Hanne Flinstad , Aamodt Anne Hege , Høgestøl Einar August
Published: October 2024

Background

There are no known objective biomarkers for predicting return to work (RTW) in ischemic stroke survivors. This study aims to explore the predictive utility and defines a cutoff value of lesion volume on RTW after endovascular treatment.

Methods

We included patients aged <65 years undergoing endovascular treatment at Oslo University Hospital between January 2017 and May 2019. Employment status was obtained at both baseline and a 4‐year follow‐up. Stroke lesion volumes were segmented using magnetic resonance imaging scans 24 hours after endovascular treatment. Logistic regression models were conducted to assess the impact of lesion volume on RTW status at follow‐up, adjusted for patients’ characteristics, stroke‐related factors, and treatment. We calculated the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the optimal lesion volume cutoff. Machine learning regression models were used to assess the predictive abilities of baseline clinical and imaging variables for RTW.

Results

Of the 109 individuals treated, 81 (74%) were employed at baseline. Among these, 60 completed 4‐year follow‐up with magnetic resonance imaging available for stroke lesion segmentation and were included in the analyses. Mean age at stroke onset was 51.8 years (range, 23.5–64.9 years), and 50% were female. Median lesion volume was 18 mL (interquartile ranges, 45—47 mL). After 4 years, 34 (57%) had successfully RTW. The odds for not RTW increased by 5% for every 1 mL increase in lesion volume (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02–1.11];
P
= 0.02). A lesion volume cutoff value of 29 cm
3
yielded a sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 0.65 for predicting RTW. Notably, the most influential feature in the machine learning model for predicting RTW was lesion volume.

Conclusion

Lesion volume was the most robust predictor of RTW 4 years after endovascular treatment. Our findings suggest that a cutoff of 29 cm
3
is suitable to distinguish between those with high and low chance of RTW.
Personalized neuroimaging reveals the impact of children’s interests on language processing in the brain
Authors: Olson Halie A. , Johnson Kristina T. , Nishith Shruti , Frosch Isabelle R. , Gabrieli John D.E. , D’Mello Anila M.
Published: October 2024

Cognition is shaped by individual experiences and interests. However, to study cognition in the brain, researchers typically use generic stimuli that are the same across all individuals. Language, in particular, is animated and motivated by several highly personal factors that are typically not accounted for in neuroimaging study designs, such as “interest” in a topic. Due to its inherently personal and idiosyncratic nature, it is unknown how interest in a topic modulates language processing in the brain. We conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 20 children (ages 6.98–12.01 years, mean(SD) = 9.35(1.52), 5 female/15 male) as they listened to personalized narratives about a topic of specific interest, as well as to non-personalized generic narratives. We found that personalized narratives about a topic of interest increased activation in canonical language areas, as well as in reward and self-reference regions. Strikingly, we found that activation patterns elicited by topics of personal interest were more consistent across children, despite their idiosyncratic nature, than activation patterns elicited by narratives about an identical generic topic. These results reinforce the critical role that personal interests play in language processing in the human brain, and demonstrate the feasibility of using a personalized neuroimaging approach to study the effects of individually-varying factors such as interest in the brain.
(Un) Learning and Re (Learning) Counterterrorism in Kenya: A Pilgrimage Towards Indigeneity
Authors: Achieng’ Shirley G.
Published: October 2024

To a great extent, Kenya’s counterterrorism approach is criticised for being a copycat of the Western state-centric approach. This raises questions on whether the country’s approach is indeed based on African heritage or embedded in Eurocentric dispositions. Despite being framed largely by discourses of Islamophobia Kenya’s counterterrorism approach is also a product of the dominant universalistic knowledge that is not entirely suitable for the country’s counterterrorism situation. Debates have emerged on whether this scenario is attributed to the failure to place terrorism in the wider historical context or whether coloniality and Western modernity are contributing to this threat. To address these issues, this paper employs the Afrocentric decolonial approach anchored on the Ubuntu philosophy to investigate what a decolonised counterterrorism approach that reflects indigenous perspectives should entail in Kenya. Consequently, this paper attempts to shed light on history through the eyes of the subaltern by deconstructing some of the mainstream assumptions that have dominated Kenya’s counterterrorism discourse. Consequently, this paper aims to provide the platform for epistemic reconstitution by debunking the myth that Indigenous Knowledge about counterterrorism is insubstantial.
Decades of Land and Agrarian Reform in Zimbabwe: a Review of Transformative Social Policy Lessons for Other African Countries
Authors: Tom Tom
Published: October 2024

Land is an enabler and guarantor of people’s socioeconomic wellbeing. As Africa grapples with enduring multiple human development challenges, though not the sole pathway nor a panacea, reforming land tenure, agrarian structures, and agrarian relations has immense capacity to address the structural causes of poverty, inequality and marginalisation. Yet, the corpus of scholarly literature that consciously centres the transformative social policy lessons of land and agrarian reform is paltry. The article uses Zimbabwe and Transformative Social Policy as the evaluative case study and lens respectively, to navigate the lessons of transformative social policy that are pertinent to other African countries. If appropriately designed and supported, land and agrarian reforms are core social policy instruments with multiple transformative functions – redistributive, productive, protective, reproductive and social compact. Nevertheless, these reforms are not the sole approach for transforming and guaranteeing people’s socioeconomic wellbeing in Africa.
Was eine KI niemals können wird, wird auch der Mensch niemals können
Authors: Braunwarth Julian
Published: October 2024

In this article, I will argue in favor of a broad concept of AI that is not restricted to a particular kind of technology. Arguments based on such a concept will stand the test of time and will not become obsolete as technology advances. Arguments concerning the limits and possibilities of technology based solely on steam engine technology, for example, would no longer be relevant today. The same holds for arguments concerning symbolic-logical AI – and will probably be similar in the future with arguments concerning current artificial neural networks. In a second step I develop a technology-independent argument to show that no system – no matter how advanced it may be – can ever fully understand itself. Furthermore, I will show that with a broad concept of AI – which also includes biological systems, for example – AI with human-level capabilities is, at least, possible. However, if artificial intelligence with human-level capabilities is possible, then the fundamental or absolute limitations of AI capabilities would also be fundamental limitations of human capabilities. In other words: what AI can never do, humans can’t do either.
Mind the Vicarious Responsibility
Authors: Kosterec Miloš
Published: October 2024

Vicarious responsibility exists. It is (also) a species of moral responsibility. Nevertheless, it is seldomly discussed or considered as such in the main debates within moral philosophy. This article presents a case for the relevance of vicarious moral responsibility to several of these discussions. It seeks to provide new insights for the debate between historicism and structuralism and presents a further case for distinguishing between various facets of moral responsibility. Furthermore, the article demonstrates that an agent need not enter into the relation of vicarious responsibility freely in order to be responsible. This idea then allows us to present new cases for compatibilism, demonstrating the consistency of moral responsibility with determinism.
Community and Care: Black Civil Society and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 in the United States
Authors: Skäbe Paul
Published: October 2024

During the deadliest pandemic of the twentieth century, the Great Influenza pandemic of 1918–1920, African Americans in the United States appeared to be an especially vulnerable population. The health effects of racialized segregation, produced by congested housing conditions, environmental racism, and exclusion from or discrimination in healthcare services, threatened a devastating situation during the second wave of the pandemic in late 1918. This paper argues that a network of Black civil society organizations and activists sprang into action to ameliorate the worst effects of this public health emergency, and that it was able to provide care and relief that would have largely been denied by white-led public and private institutions. This network had been built up in the preceding decades and can therefore serve as an important model and informational resource in utilizing community-centered planning to prepare marginalized peoples for the spread of pandemic disease.
Eugenia elapparensis (myrtaceae), a new species from southern western ghats, india and a correction on the lectotypification of eugenia calcadensis
Authors: JOSE ROBI ALOOR , BALAN ANOOP PUTHUPARAMBIL , SUJANAPAL PUTHIYAPURAYIL
Published: October 2024

A new species, Eugenia elapparensis, from southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It is very similar to Eugenia calcadensis, but differs in habit, leaf, floral and fruit characters. Additionally, lectotypification of E. calacadensis is also provided.
A new species of Epidendrum (Orchidaceae) of the Albertii group of the Eastern Andes in Colombia
Authors: LÓPEZ-FLORIANO OSCAR MAURICIO , CLAROS-CALDERÓN BRALLAN , HÁGSATER ERIC , SANTIAGO ELIZABETH
Published: October 2024

Epidendrum clinidiodontum is described and illustrated as a new species from the eastern slope of the Eastern Andean Cordillera from Caquetá and Cundinamarca, Colombia. The species belongs to the informal Albertii group and Ellipsophyllum subgroup and is vegetatively similar to Epidendrum hygrohylephilum but differs in having the lip pentagonal, base slightly cordate and margin crenate, the clinandrium-hood bidentate, and the callus laminar.
Effects of Implementing Trauma-Informed Training at Child Protection Professionals
Authors: Penavic Sanja
Published: October 2024

Trauma-informed training is essential for child protection professionals as their support and help to children, young people, and families is a significant factor in overcoming many problems and challenges, including various traumas, from early childhood to adulthood. This article aims to overview the current situation in the implementation of trauma-informed training, analyze studies regarding the effects of the implementation of this training in child protection, and provide evidence-based recommendations that indicate the need to further improve the competencies of child protection professionals for work with children, youth and families with trauma experience. The purpose of this article is to indicate the importance of implementing a trauma-informed approach in working with children and young people who have experienced some trauma, as well as significant challenges, limitations, and possible directions for improving the implementation of trauma-informed training in this area in order to provide them with more adequate and better quality support. The article is based on the analysis of existing scientific literature, and the method of work used is content analysis. The article begins by conceptualizing the trauma-informed approach, advantages, and limitations in implementing this approach in the child protection system. After that, a presentation and analysis of data on trauma-informed training and previous studies findings on the effects of this training on child protection professionals is given. This review showed a lack of more detailed and comprehensive studies on the effects of trauma-informed training in child protection, a lack of studies that deal in more detail with factors, gaps, and challenges in the implementation of this training, and a lack of data of training methods and techniques used for trauma-informed approach transferring to professionals, as well as monitoring. The implications for trauma-informed training for child protection professionals and the gaps to be covered in future studies are discussed.
Towards a Critical Decolonial Turn/Theory: Beyond the Binary of the West Versus Africa
Authors: Fosu Richard
Published: October 2024

As writing on decolonisation in African Studies has surged, efforts to avoid the concept becoming a mere metaphor, bandwagon, ideological trope, or mantra have grown, with scholars emphasising decolonial theory's ongoing relevance to the emancipation of formerly colonised Africans. This essay argues that to achieve its emancipatory goals, decolonial theory and intended praxes must re-centre the everyday realities of African societies. Recentring Africans is needed to move beyond Global North versus Africa as the ontological site for decolonisation. Recentring African societies has important epistemological and methodological implications for recentring African agency to make the decolonial project less reactionary and more proactive. I propose “post-independence” as an approach to decolonisation that offers descriptive and prescriptive means to locate the (im)material responsibilities of Africans in recentring their history. Post-independence allows a reimagining of how to undo the effects of colonialism by presenting colonialism as an episodic moment in Africa's long history.
Sex Trafficking in Asia: A Review from Business and Organisational Perspectives
Authors: Michael Sheila Devi , Mahalingam Ravi
Published: October 2024

The sex trafficking industry has evolved into a persistent and globally prevalent problem, notably in Asia. It is fundamentally a business-oriented and profit-driven activity. Political, social, and economic issues influence the modus operandi of sex traffickers. The majority of existing studies on sex trafficking in Asia are studied from several viewpoints, including human rights, feminists, and migration, with the least emphasis on the traffickers’ economic and organisational issues. Therefore, this paper will discuss the root causes of sex trafficking in Asia and examine it from a business economic and organisational standpoint, by analysing extensive literature and examining primary and secondary sources. According to these sources, three important factors contribute to the crime of sex trafficking: the supply of potential victims for exploitation in the source countries, the constant demand for trafficked victims in the destination countries, and the presence of organised crime groups acting as intermediaries in the market-driven business enterprise.
Productive and Destructive Group Contests: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Cheikbossian Guillaume , Rosaz Julie
Published: October 2024

In this study, we experimentally test the theoretical results of a contest game between groups when the value of the prize is fixed and when it is endogenously determined. It can decrease with contest efforts of all groups as in the case of an armed conflict or a lawsuit. The value of the prize can also increase with contest efforts as in the case of a patent race. We also analyze the impact of different groupings of players on contest efforts. We observe overinvestment and no negative effect of group size whether the prize value is exogenous or endogenous. Also, a productive contest seems to have no positive effect on individual investments. A destructive contest, however, does have a significant negative impact, but this effect is reduced with a larger number of competing groups.
Estimation of aerodynamic entrainment in developing wind-blown sand flow
Authors: He Wei , Zhang Jie , Xu Xiaojiang
Published: October 2024

Understanding aerodynamic entrainment, a critical process in wind-blown sand dynamics, remains challenging due to the difficulty of isolating it from other mechanisms, such as impact entrainment. Aerodynamic entrainment initiates the movement of surface particles, influencing large-scale processes like sediment transport and dune formation. Previous studies focused on average aerodynamic shear stress to estimate entrainment, but the role of impulse events, which cause significant shear stress fluctuations, remains under-explored. We used 12 hot-film shear sensors to measure the spatiotemporal distribution of aerodynamic shear stress during wind-blown sand flow development. We identified impulse events exceeding the entrainment threshold and analyzed their intensity, classifying particle movement as rocking, rolling, or saltation. Results indicate that after a 2-m fetch, sediment mass flux stabilizes, with aerodynamic shear stress decreasing to 78% of the entrainment threshold. We identified key trends, including the stabilization of rocking events beyond x = 4.5 m and a significant decrease in saltation frequency, indicating fully developed wind-blown sand flow. Impulse characteristics stabilize at a greater distance (4.5 m) than sediment transport (2 m) because turbulent airflow evolves more slowly. Our findings show that impulse events significantly influence aerodynamic entrainment. These insights enhance understanding of sediment transport dynamics and improve modeling of sand dune movement.
Reliability of a Tailored Tele-Medicine Model for Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) Clinical Practice in Remote Areas of Nepal: A Pilot Study from Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Gyawali Bigyan Raj , Obaidullah  , Ghimire Saurav , Kashyap Ashutosh , Rai Umesh Jang , Tripathi Prashant , Acharya Kunjan
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Despite the ever-expanding scope of telemedicine, studies regarding its application in the field of otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) in remote parts of the world are lacking. This pilot study aims to bridge the research gap and to assess the efficacy of our tailored telemedicine clinic model, operating in an “asynchronous” mode, in diagnosing various ORL-HNS diseases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center of Nepal. An asynchronous telemedicine portal was used with a store and share approach to telecast the pen endoscopic camera findings to the consultant in order to formulate a diagnosis and a management plan. Interobserver reliability was assessed using SPSS version 26 based on Cohen’s kappa. The association between the results of the Mimi Hearing App (v. 5.0) and pure tone audiometry were performed using chi-square test. Results: The overall diagnostic agreement in our study was substantial to almost perfect with kappa values of .843, .784, .737, and .764 for rhinology, head and neck, otology, and pediatric cases. Chronic otitis media was the predominant diagnosis across all age groups. Various head and neck swellings, symptomatic deviated nasal septum and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis followed closely. Discussion: The future of telemedicine in otorhinolaryngology can be gauged to be effective in reducing cost and human resource use in the limited setting of Nepal with the model allowing for remote but effective communication between the concerned patients and the expert doctor in clarifying doubts and making diagnosis, early recognition of diseases and preventing or decreasing complications of those diseases.
The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid Nasal Injections in the Treatment of Traumatic Olfactory Dysfunction
Authors: Jiang Rong-San , Chiang Yi-Fang
Published: October 2024

Objective: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been injected into the olfactory cleft to treat olfactory dysfunction related to coronavirus disease 2019. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of PRP combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) nasal injection in the treatment of traumatic olfactory dysfunction. Methods: Patients who had lost olfactory function after experiencing head trauma and were willing to receive PRP and HA nasal injections for treatment were enrolled. Before nasal injection, 10 cc of blood was drawn from the patients. The drawn blood was injected into a centrifuge tube for processing, and finally, 5 cc of the PRP mixed with HA was drawn out using an empty syringe. The PRP mixed with HA was injected into the upper part of the middle nasal septum and the medial side of the middle turbinate of the patient’s nasal cavity under a nasal endoscope. The olfactory function of each patient was evaluated by the phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) odor detection threshold test before and at both 1 and 3 months after nasal injection and the traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test at 3 months after nasal injection. Results: A total of 28 patients received PRP and HA nasal injections between August and December of 2023 and came back for evaluation of the effect. In all, 20 (71.4%) patients felt their olfactory function improved 1 month after injection, and 24 of 28 (85.7%) patients reported their olfactory function improved at 3 months after injection. The bilateral or unilateral PEA threshold decreased in 22 (78.6%) patients 1 month after injection, and decreased in 15 (53.6%) patients 3 months after injection. Conclusions: Our results show that PRP and HA nasal injections were associated with favored patient-reported outcomes and improved the olfactory threshold in the treatment of traumatic olfactory dysfunction.
An optimisation of the internal roller burnishing process for magnesium composites using Taguchi Multi objective optimization method
Authors: Arun prasad KR. , Stalin John M.R.
Published: October 2024

Machining Metal Matrix Composites with conventional metal removal causes particle debonding and crack propagation. This paper has given enhancing results for magnesium silicon carbide Metal Matrix Composite using an internal roller burnishing process. The optimal process parameters are obtained using a full factorial design and Taguchi Multi Response optimization. The optimized parameters include a spindle speed of 500 rpm, a feed rate of 0.5 mm/rev, and a stock allowance of 0.03 mm. The resulting surface characteristics comprise a surface roughness of 0.1555 µm, an out of roundness of 0.0595 mm, and a surface hardness of 66.9 HV. Scanning electron and atomic force microscope, images analyze the surface topology. Auto parts like transfer case and steering components can use burnished components.
The SCC behavior of MAO/EPD biocomposite coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloy
Authors: Wang Chao , Jiang Bo , Song Renguo
Published: October 2024

Aseptic loosening and inadequate osseointegration are significant issues associated with titanium alloy implants in complex body fluid environments. Surface coatings techniques are often employed to enhance the bioactivity and osseointegration capabilities. In this research, biocomposite coatings were fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy employing micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and the integration of micro-arc oxidation/electrophoretic deposition (MAO/EPD) technology. Microstructure, bioactivity, and corrosion resistance of the coatings were studied. To investigate the effect of the coatings on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, slow strain rate tension (SSRT) tests were conducted in simulated body fluid (SBF). Results show that the adhesive strength of the MAO/EPD composite coatings is around 28.41N, with an average contact angle of 19.05 °, indicating excellent wettability and biocompatibility. The corrosion rate of biocomposite coatings is 3.43 μm·a−1 and the biocomposite coatings exhibit excellent SCC resistance, with a SCC sensitivity of 9.21%, which is significantly lower than the 18.39% of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. This can be attributed to the lower porosity of the coatings, which can provide excellent protection for the alloy.
Extensive pedunculated fibrolipoma of the buttocks that had accompanied the patient for 50 years: a rare case report
Authors: Jin Yi , Li Jianmin , Tang Jiansong , Wang Zhuoyin
Published: October 2024

Lipomas are the most prevalent benign soft-tissue tumours, however, pedunculated fibrolipoma in the buttock is rare. Here, the case of a Chinese male patient in his early 70s with a 50-year history of a growing pedunculated fibrolipoma on his right buttock is presented. The attending physician and the registered nurse collaborated on a treatment plan, leading to a successful resection with rhomboid flap transfer. The operation went smoothly, and with continued home care and follow-ups, the patient recovered well, without complications. At 4 months post-surgery, the incision had healed perfectly, boosting the patient’s psychological state and allowing him to resume his daily activities unhindered.
Investigation of Improving Stability in Desulfurized-Rubber-Modified Asphalt Using Cerium-Stearate Incorporation
Authors: Jiao Xiaolei , Nie Yanjun , Yan Rongjun , Zhang Kai , Liu Yidi , Li Junwei
Published: October 2024

To enhance the compatibility of high-content desulfurized-rubber-modified asphalt (DRMA), the innovative selection of cerium hard acid is employed in this study to investigate its impact on the compatibility of DRMA. The results indicate that when the optimal content of cerium stearate is 1%, the compatibility of the modified asphalt is improved. On the microscopic level, it is observed that the total heat absorption of the modified asphalt decreases and thermal storage stability is enhanced as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. On the macroscopic level, it gives the smallest difference in softening point, optimal storage stability, and best compatibility of the modified asphalt. Additionally, dissolution tests and adhesion tests demonstrate that the inclusion of cerium stearate increases the solubility of desulfurized rubber in asphalt and reduces the stripping rate of desulfurized-rubber particles on the asphalt surface, thereby decreasing phase separation and promoting the compatibility of DRMA. Furthermore, rheological tests indicate that cerium stearate improves both high-temperature and low-temperature performance of the modified asphalt. The addition of cerium stearate increases the dynamic shear modulus of the modified asphalt, maintaining good stability and elasticity under shear loading, with minimal change in low-temperature rheological properties and lower temperature sensitivity, indicating the best compatibility at this point. Finally, molecular-dynamics simulation data indicate that the addition of cerium stearate decreases the parameter difference in the dissolution of modified asphalt and enhances the binding energy of the modified asphalt, demonstrating the feasibility of cerium stearate in promoting the compatibility of modified asphalt.
How Does Innovation-Collaboration Network Structure Influence Regional Economic Resilience?
Authors: Wen Yijia , Fang Li
Published: October 2024

This paper examines whether different structures of co-patenting networks affect regional economic adaptation and adaptability in divergent ways. Adaptation differentiates from adaptability by recovering in a pre-shock growth path, while adaptability entails forging a new growth path. Focusing on computer, electronic, and electrical equipment manufacturing industries in U.S. metropolitan and micropolitan areas from 1990 to 2012, the study reveals that complete networks, characterized by closely connected nodes, promote adaptation but weaken adaptability. In contrast, coalitional networks, featuring loosely connected subgroups, enhance adaptability but hurt adaptation. The study contributes to regional economic resilience literature by empirically demonstrating the trade-off relationship between adaptation and adaptability from network structures’ perspective. Practically, the study helps policy makers to effectively allocate stimuli, such as grants and tax incentives, to develop targeted co-patenting networks to improve adaptation or adaptability.
Clinicians’ priorities for exercise programming for people receiving peritoneal dialysis: Qualitative content analysis from an international survey
Authors: Harasemiw Oksana , Ford Emilie , Gabrys Iwona , Getachew Ruth , MacRae Jennifer , Thompson Stephanie , Bennett Paul N. , Bohm Clara
Published: October 2024

Exercise and physical activity have been shown to improve health outcomes among people receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD), however, little is known about PD clinicians’ perceptions and practices regarding exercise counselling. To inform exercise program design and implementation, we distributed a cross-sectional online questionnaire to PD clinicians between July and December 2021 through professional nephrology societies and networks. As part of this survey, participants were asked, “What are the most important aspects you would like to see incorporated in an exercise program for PD patients?” Six hundred and nine respondents provided 1249 unique perspectives. Responses were coded using summative content analysis and grouped into themes. The overarching theme identified was the need for individualized and accessible programming. Under this umbrella, the four main sub-themes identified were: promotion of specific exercises, overcoming common barriers to exercise, perceived cornerstones of exercise prescriptions, and program design to address patient-relevant outcomes. Overall, PD clinicians believed that PD does not preclude exercise participation and recognized the potential for exercise to improve physical, mental, and social well-being. The involvement of exercise professionals was valued in PD clinical programs. However, additional education for practitioners and patients regarding safety and the benefits of exercise is required to assist in widespread implementation and acceptance of exercise programming in the PD population.
Relationship between fill volume and transport in peritoneal dialysis—from bench to bedside
Authors: Öberg Carl M.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Larger fill volumes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically improve small solute clearance and water removal, and vice versa—but the relationship between intraperitoneal volume and the capacities for solute and water transport in PD has been little studied. Here, it is proposed that this relative relationship is described by a simple ratio (Volumenew/Volumeold)2/3 up to a critical break-point volume, beyond which further volume increase is less beneficial in terms of solute and water removal.

Method

To scrutinize this hypothesis, experiments were conducted in a rat model of PD alongside a retrospective analysis of data from a prior clinical study. Rats underwent PD with either three consecutive fills of 8 + 8 + 8 mL (n = 10) or 12 + 12 + 12 mL (n = 10), with 45-minute dwell time intervals. This approach yielded 60 estimations of water and solute transport, characterized by osmotic conductance to glucose and solute diffusion capacities, respectively.

Results

Comparative analysis of the predictive efficacy of the two models—the simple ratio versus the break-point model—was performed using Monte Carlo cross-validation. The break-point model emerged as a superior predictor for both water and solute transfer, demonstrating its capability to characterize both experimental data from rats and clinical data from patients.

Conclusion

The present analysis indicates that relatively simple calculations can be used to approximate clinical effects on solute and water removal when prescribing a lower or higher fill volume to patients with PD.
Experimental study of CO2 jet field and CO2-MQL-assisted turning of Ti-6Al-4V based on mass flow rate and pressure
Authors: Zhu Libin , Xia Jiawei , Qing Zhenhua , Yu Jia-Jia , Huang Haihong
Published: October 2024

The effectiveness of jet cooling is significantly influenced by both mass flow rate and pressure, which are interrelated and exhibit a coupled relationship. This study examined the effects of mass flow rate and pressure from the perspectives of thermodynamic theory, jet field temperature, micromorphology, and the performance of CO2-MQL-assisted turning of Ti-6Al-4V alloys. Comparative experiments demonstrated that a small mass flow rate of CO2 (1.00 g/s) can achieve cooling and lubrication effects comparable to those of a larger mass flow rate (1.83 g/s) when applied at pressures of 7.38 and 6.00 MPa, respectively. For varying pressures, the maximum differences in improving the CO2-MQL on turning force, turning zone temperature, and surface roughness were 2.36%, 26.31%, and 39.63%, respectively. Conversely, the maximum differences for varying mass flow rates were 1.32%, 17.53%, and 19.66%. The results indicate that pressure has a more significant impact and that optimizing the combination of pressure and mass flow rate is substantial for cooling and lubrication. This study offers a reference for reducing CO2 consumption in CO2-MQL applications, thereby enhancing the alignment of CO2-MQL with sustainable manufacturing practices.
Midline Cervical Cleft: Case Report and Current Understanding
Authors: Hwang Joshua Christopher , Perry Robert
Published: October 2024

Congenital midline cervical cleft (CMCC) is an extraordinarily rare midline lesion that is present at birth. The lesion can cause micrognathia and cervical contracture via underlying traction on the mandible. It is essential to recognize the condition and excise the lesion within 1 year of diagnosis to mitigate long term cosmetic and functional problems. We report a 10-month-old male infant with CMCC diagnosed immediately after birth. Ultrasound with color doppler imaging confirmed the anatomic characteristics of the lesion. The lesion was surgically excised and closed in layers, with no postoperative complications and good functional and cosmetic results. The pathognomonic presentation, etiology, differential diagnosis, and optimal surgical approach are also discussed.
Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) in Adolescents With ADHD and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS): A Pilot Open Trial
Authors: Wiggs Kelsey K. , Thornton Keely , Dunn Nicholas C. , Mitchell John T. , Fredrick Joseph W. , Smith Zoe R. , Becker Stephen P.
Published: October 2024

Objective: Very few studies have investigated intervention approaches that may be efficacious for youth with ADHD and co-occurring cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) symptoms. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring CDS symptoms. Methods: Fourteen adolescents ages 13 to 17 years (35.71% female; 64.29% White, 7.14% Black, 28.57% Multiracial) with ADHD and elevated CDS symptoms completed the 8-week group-based Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) program developed for individuals with ADHD. We collected measures of CDS, ADHD, mind-wandering, mindfulness, and other difficulties and functioning at baseline, 1-month post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention to examine preliminary efficacy. We measured participant session attendance, session engagement, at-home practice adherence, and satisfaction of adolescents and caregivers at 1-month post-intervention to examine feasibility and acceptability. We also collected qualitative feedback from adolescents and caregivers at 1-month post-intervention. Results: The intervention was overall feasible to administer, and caregivers and adolescents reported satisfaction with the intervention despite some difficulties with attendance and engagement. We observed improvements to both caregiver- and adolescent-reported CDS symptoms and ADHD-inattentive symptoms from pre-intervention to post-intervention time points, though findings across 1- and 3-month follow-up differed based on informant. We also observed improvements to some indices of adolescent-reported mind-wandering, mindfulness, brooding rumination, and academic functioning. For caregiver report, the only other noted improvement was for executive functioning. No improvements were reported by teachers. Conclusions: Findings support the initial feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of MAPs for adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring CDS symptoms on a range of outcomes. Larger trials with a randomized design are warranted to further examine mindfulness-based interventions for adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring CDS symptoms.
Refractive outcomes following simultaneous silicone oil removal and ciliary sulcus intraocular lens implantation
Authors: Zheng Dezhi , Huang Zijing , Chen Zhiying , Huang Dingguo , Chen Weiqi
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the refractive outcomes following the combined intervention of silicon oil (SO) removal and ciliary sulcus intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in aphakic eyes after phacovitrectomy.

Methods

A retrospective examination of medical records from patients who underwent a combined procedure of SO removal and ciliary sulcus IOL implantation from 2019 to 2022 was performed. The primary outcomes of interest included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), predictive error (PE) and mean absolute predictive error (MAE). Subgroup analyses were performed to compare outcomes between patients with and without intraoperative posterior capsulotomy.

Results

The cohort comprised 40 eyes from 40 patients, with a mean duration of SO tamponade of 5.17 ± 1.48 months. A significant improvement in UDVA was observed from 1.58 ± 0.31 logMAR to 0.99 ± 0.31 logMAR one month postoperatively ( P < 0.01). The PE was −0.73 ± 0.86 diopters (D), and the MAE was 0.90 ± 0.67 D, with 37.50% and 57.50% of cases achieving PE within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D, respectively. No significant differences in UDVA, PE, or MAE were found between the capsulotomy and non-capsulotomy subgroups (all P > 0.05). However, a lower proportion of eyes in the capsulotomy group achieved PE within ±1.0 D compared to the non-capsulotomy group one month postoperatively (38.90% vs. 72.70%, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The combined procedure of SO removal and sulcus IOL implantation resulted in a mild myopic shift in postoperative refraction. Intraoperative posterior capsulotomy seems to increase the lability of postoperative refractive outcomes.