bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covid-19 hotlines, helplines and call centers: a systematic review of characteristics, challenges and lessons learned
Authors: Eslami Jahromi Maryam , Ayatollahi Haleh , Ebrazeh Ali
Published: April 2024

Background

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of hotlines/helplines/call centers was implemented to provide remote services and support public health. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics, challenges and lessons learned of implementing Covid-19 hotlines/helplines/call centers during the pandemic.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore, and ProQuest databases as well as Google Scholar were searched between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2023 to retrieve relevant articles published in English. The quality and risk of bias of the studies were assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS), the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist.

Results

In total, 43 out of 1440 articles were included in this study. About half of the hotlines/helplines/call centers were launched in March 2020 (n = 19). Providing psychological support (n = 23), reliable information about Covid-19 (n = 10), healthcare advices about Covid-19 (n = 8), and triage (n = 7) were the most common purposes of implementing these services. The most common challenges included a lack of physical examination, unavailability of hotlines/helplines/call centers at the point of need, and delay in updating Covid-19 information. The most common lessons learned were employing qualified staff, providing proper training, and getting feedback from the callers and operators.

Conclusion

According to the results, most of the Covid-19 hotlines/helplines/call centers were launched in the early months of the pandemic, and about half of them were active seven days a week. Most of the operators were mental health providers and clinicians. The findings show the importance of continuous psychological support during crises, particularly when adequate information about the situation is not available. The challenges experienced by the callers and operators as well as the lessons learned by the service providers also need to be considered for future crises to increase the effectiveness of similar services.
Association of serum sclerostin levels with marrow adiposity in postmenopausal women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Wei , Zhang Minlan , Chen Qi , Li Fengyi , Li Shaojun
Published: April 2024

Background

Glucocorticoids and sclerostin act as inhibitors of the Wnt signaling pathway, thereby hindering bone formation. Given the pathway's intricate association with mesenchymal stem cells, the hypothesis suggests that heightened sclerostin levels may be intricately linked to an augmentation in marrow adiposity induced by glucocorticoids. This study endeavored to delve into the nuanced relationship between circulating sclerostin and bone marrow adipose tissue in postmenopausal women grappling with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 103 patients with autoimmune-associated diseases underwent glucocorticoid treatment, boasting an average age of 61.3 years (standard deviation 7.1 years). The investigation encompassed a thorough assessment, incorporating medical history, anthropometric data, biochemical analysis, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD). Osteoporosis criteria were established at a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Additionally, MR spectroscopy quantified the vertebral marrow fat fraction.

Results

BMD at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine showcased an inverse correlation with marrow fat fraction (r = –0.511 to – 0.647, P < 0.001). Serum sclerostin levels exhibited a positive correlation with BMD at various skeletal sites (r = 0.476 to 0.589, P < 0.001). A noteworthy correlation emerged between circulating sclerostin and marrow fat fraction at the lumbar spine (r = –0.731, 95% CI, –0.810 to –0.627, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis brought to light that vertebral marrow fat fraction significantly contributed to sclerostin serum concentrations (standardized regression coefficient ß = 0.462, P < 0.001). Even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, renal function, BMD, and the duration and doses of glucocorticoid treatment, serum sclerostin levels maintained a significant correlation with marrow fat fraction.

Conclusions

Circulating sclerostin levels exhibited a noteworthy association with marrow adiposity in postmenopausal women grappling with GIO.
Pharmacy faculty experiences with student academic entitlement: a multinational study from the Arab world
Authors: Hammoudi Halat Dalal , Alsous Mervat M. , Al-Jumaili Ali Azeez , Malki Ahmed , Ahmed Kawther Khalid , Hamad Anas , Darwish Rula , Thomas Dixon , Bukhatwa Salma , Khdour Maher , Alkhudair Nora , Al Balushi Abdullah Ali , Khalifa Sherif , Alsharif Naser Z. , Rahal Mohamad
Published: April 2024

Academic Entitlement (AE) is the expectation by students to receive high grades or preferential treatment without significant effort. Exploring AE from faculty perspective has not been investigated in Arab colleges of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions towards student AE among pharmacy faculty in the Arab World. A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous, electronic survey was sent to pharmacy faculty across pharmacy colleges in Arab countries. The survey collected demographic data, an AE measure including 17 items reflecting seven AE components, and faculty perceptions and perceived reasons for AE. A total of 345 responses were collected. The AE level was moderate (46.05 ±7.29), and the highest scores among its components were for customer service expectation (62%) and responsibility avoidance (59%). In multiple linear regression, AE showed positive significant association with faculty in clinical pharmacy departments and those having fewer years of experience. Most common complaints heard by faculty from students were requests to turn in assignments late (90%), while the most common communication issues faculty faced with students were unprofessional verbal communication (58%) and unprofessional messages on social media (57%). Poor admission criteria (40%) and existence of multiple private colleges of pharmacy (37%) were the most common perceived reasons for AE by participating faculty. This study reveals moderate AE experienced by pharmacy faculty in the Arab World, as well as common complaints, communication issues, and AE reasons. In collaboration with other stakeholders, faculty play an important role in indicating expectations from students regarding AE, and research is warranted to check if such interventions reduce AE among pharmacy students.
Increasing nurses’ occupational well-being: the role of career shocks, job crafting and supervisor autonomy support
Authors: Zhang Ying , Bu Xing , Zhang Na
Published: April 2024

Background

This study aims to explore the influence of career shocks on nurses’ occupational well-being through job crafting and the moderating role of supervisor autonomy support.

Method

The present study used a cross-sectional design. And the study included 714 frontline nurses in China, and we used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test our hypotheses.

Results

Job crafting mediated both the relationship between positive career shocks and occupational well-being and the relationship between negative career shocks and occupational well-being. Supervisor autonomy support moderated the indirect relationships.

Conclusions

Positive and negative career shocks could increase and impair nurses’ occupational well-being through job crafting, respectively. We contribute to helping nurses make sense of career shocks and preparing for career shocks, and hospital administrators and nurses’ direct supervisors can help nurse better cope with career shocks in attending job crafting activities and providing more autonomy supports.
Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation combined with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yaodi , Wu Shuyi , Zhou Jintuo , Zhang Jinhua
Published: April 2024

Background

Currently published studies have not observed consistent results on the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) use in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) combined with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, this study conducted a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of DOACs for patients with AF complicated with CKD.

Methods

Database literature was searched up to May 30, 2023, to include randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving patients with AF complicated with CKD DOACs and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Stroke, systemic embolism (SE), and all-cause mortality were used as effectiveness indicators, and major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), fatal bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) were used as safety outcomes.

Results

Nine RCT studies were included for analysis according to the inclusion criteria. Results of the efficacy analysis showed that compared with VKAs, DOACs reduced the incidence of stroke/SE (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.67–0.84) and all-cause deaths (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.93) in patients with AF who had comorbid CKD. Safety analyses showed that compared with VKAs, DOACs improved safety by reducing the risk of major bleeding (OR = 0.76, 95%CI 0.65–0.90), ICH (OR = 0.46, 95%CI 0.38–0.56), and fatal bleeding (OR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.65–0.87), but did not reduce the incidence of GIB and CRNMB.

Conclusion

Compared with VKAs, DOACs may increase efficacy and improve safety in AF patients with CKD (90 ml/min> Crcl≥15 ml/min), and shows at least similar efficacy and safety in AF patients with Kidney failure (Crcl<15 ml/min).
Fast, parallel, and cache-friendly suffix array construction
Authors: Khan Jamshed , Rubel Tobias , Molloy Erin , Dhulipala Laxman , Patro Rob
Published: April 2024

Purpose

String indexes such as the suffix array (sa) and the closely related longest common prefix (lcp) array are fundamental objects in bioinformatics and have a wide variety of applications. Despite their importance in practice, few scalable parallel algorithms for constructing these are known, and the existing algorithms can be highly non-trivial to implement and parallelize.

Methods

In this paper we presentcaps-sa, a simple and scalable parallel algorithm for constructing these string indexes inspired by samplesort and utilizing an LCP-informed mergesort. Due to its design,caps-sahas excellent memory-locality and thus incurs fewer cache misses and achieves strong performance on modern multicore systems with deep cache hierarchies.

Results

We show that despite its simple design,caps-saoutperforms existing state-of-the-art parallelsaandlcp-array construction algorithms on modern hardware. Finally, motivated by applications in modern aligners where the query strings have bounded lengths, we introduce the notion of a bounded-contextsaand show thatcaps-sacan easily be extended to exploit this structure to obtain further speedups. We make our code publicly available athttps://github.com/jamshed/CaPS-SA.
Unveiling the impact of cryptic plasmids curing on Escherichia coli Nissle 1917: massive increase in Ag43c expression
Authors: Lin Qi , Jiang Zhuo , Zhong Bo , Chen Jian-qing , Lv Zheng-bing , Nie Zuo-ming
Published: April 2024

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is an important chassis strain widely used for the development of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs). EcN strain naturally harbors two cryptic plasmids with unknown function. During the development of LBPs using EcN strain, the cryptic plasmids were cured usually to avoid plasmid incompatibility or alleviate metabolic burdens associated with these cryptic plasmids. While the cryptic plasmids curing in EcN may appear to be a routine procedure, the comprehensive impact of cryptic plasmids curing on the EcN strain remains incompletely understood. In the present study, the effects of cryptic plasmids curing on EcN were investigated using transcriptome sequencing. The results revealed that only a small number of genes showed significant changes in mRNA levels after cryptic plasmid curing (4 upregulated and 6 downregulated genes), primarily involved in amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, the flu gene showed the most significant different expression, encoding Antigen 43 (Ag43) protein, a Cah family adhesin. Mass spectrometry analysis further confirmed the significant increase in Ag43 expression. Ag43 is commonly present in Escherichia coli and mediates the bacterial autoaggregation. However, despite the upregulation of Ag43 expression, no Ag43-mediated cell self-sedimentation was observed in the cured EcN strain. These findings contribute to making informed decisions regarding the curing of the cryptic plasmids when Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 is used as the chassis strain.
Profitability trend prediction in crypto financial markets using Fibonacci technical indicator and hybrid CNN model
Authors: Khattak Bilal Hassan Ahmed , Shafi Imran , Rashid Chaudhary Hamza , Safran Mejdl , Alfarhood Sultan , Ashraf Imran
Published: April 2024

Cryptocurrency has become a popular trading asset due to its security, anonymity, and decentralization. However, predicting the direction of the financial market can be challenging, leading to difficult financial decisions and potential losses. The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the impact of Fibonacci technical indicator (TI) and multi-class classification based on trend direction and price-strength (trend-strength) to improve the performance and profitability of artificial intelligence (AI) models, particularly hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN) incorporating long short-term memory (LSTM), and to modify it to reduce its complexity. The main contribution of this paper lies in its introduction of Fibonacci TI, demonstrating its impact on financial prediction, and incorporation of a multi-classification technique focusing on trend strength, thereby enhancing the depth and accuracy of predictions. Lastly, profitability analysis sheds light on the tangible benefits of utilizing Fibonacci and multi-classification. The research methodology employed to carry out profitability analysis is based on a hybrid investment strategy—direction and strength by employing a six-stage predictive system: data collection, preprocessing, sampling, training and prediction, investment simulation, and evaluation. Empirical findings show that the Fibonacci TI has improved its performance (44% configurations) and profitability (68% configurations) of AI models. Hybrid CNNs showed most performance improvements particularly the C-LSTM model for trend (binary-0.0023) and trend-strength (4 class-0.0020) and 6 class-0.0099). Hybrid CNNs showed improved profitability, particularly in CLSTM, and performance in CLSTM mod. Trend-strength prediction showed max improvements in long strategy ROI (6.89%) and average ROIs for long-short strategy. Regarding the choice between hybrid CNNs, the C-LSTM mod is a viable option for trend-strength prediction at 4-class and 6-class due to better performance and profitability.
Geomagnetic field variations due to solar tides at the Indian Observatories
Authors: Dwivedi Divyanshu , Chandrasekhar N. Phani
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the response of solar (S) tidal signatures on the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field at two observatories in India during 1980–2002 over solar cycles (SC) 21–23: Hyderabad (HYB), located in the low-latitude region, and Ettaiyapuram (ETT), situated at the magnetic equator. HYB represents the characteristics of solar quiet (Sq), while ETT is under the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) effect. Our results show the additional information about ter (S3), and quarta-diurnal (S4) tidal signatures of Sq and EEJ, along with diurnal (S1) and semi-diurnal (S2) at both observatories. In Sq solar tide, the average amplitude of S1 tide is consistently higher than that of EEJ tide by ~ 10%. During the same period, the S2, S3, and S4 tidal signatures of Sq are weaker than EEJ by ~ 2%, 5%, and 2.5%, respectively. During solar cycle maxima, the amplitude of the Sq tide is higher in SC-21 than in SC-22 and SC-23 by ~ 13% and 16%, while SC-22 has higher EEJ tidal amplitudes than other SCs by ~ 9%. We observe that the tidal signatures of Sq and EEJ closely follow the trend of solar radio flux ($$\sqrt{F10.7}$$

F
10.7

), except for S4 of Sq. The Pearson correlation coefficients (P) between $$\sqrt{F10.7}$$

F
10.7

and Sq/EEJ tidal amplitudes exhibit negative to positive correlation coefficients during different phases of SCs. The solar tidal amplitudes of Sq/EEJ (S1-S4) with $$\sqrt{F10.7}$$

F
10.7

during D, E, and J seasons have varying correlation coefficients, indicating that each tide has a distinct response on the geomagnetic field.

Graphical Abstract
Relationship between strength development and pozzolanic reactions in lime stabilized kaolinite
Authors: Ahmadullah Tasneem , Chrysochoou Maria
Published: April 2024

This study contributes to the quantitative understanding of kaolinite reactions with lime over two years. Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) increased linearly with time, doubling within one year, followed by a 14% decrease. Spectroscopic analysis of the system was performed at ten curing times (0, 7, 28, 90, 120, 180, 270, 360, 540 and 720 days) using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and 2Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Both TGA and XRD showed decrease of portlandite up to 180 days; complete consumption appears to have occurred by 270 days. TGA curves indicated an increase in hydration products in the first 360 days which followed a linear trend with UCS increase. No hydration products were observable by either XRD or NMR during that timeframe and no detectable changes in the kaolinite content either. After 360 days, growth in the hydrates in TGA slowed, and XRD, NMR showed a rapid increase of stratlingite (Ca2Al2SiO7∙8H2O) up to 720 days along with a decrease in the kaolinite signal. Collectively, these results point to two phases in kaolinite dissolution: the first phase, up to about 360 days, is incongruent, characterized by preferential release of Si or Al and portlandite consumption, leading to amorphous Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) or an Afm phase, calcium monosulphoaluminate hydrate (CAH) formation. The second phase involves congruent dissolution and formation of Calcium Alumino Silicate Hydrate (CASH). It is hypothesized that CSH or CAH to CASH transformation occurs in the second stage, causing a disturbance in the cementitious matrix and loss in strength.
A case of Kommerell diverticulum in adolescence presented with dysphagia
Authors: Shinjo Hiroharu , Satokawa Hirono , Wakamatsu Hiroki , Yokoyama Hitoshi
Published: April 2024

Background

Kommerell diverticulum (KD) with right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSCA) is a rare congenital aortic anomaly. To improve organ compression symptoms and avoid rupture of aneurysms in adulthood (19 years old–), surgical treatment is considered the only curative option. However, in childhood (–18 years old), several problems regarding approach and technique selection have been reported. Surgical treatment for KD in infancy (birth–2 years old) has been reported recently, but rarely in adolescence (13–19 years old). We herein report a case of KD in which the patient underwent graft replacement during adolescence.

Case presentation

A 13-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital presenting with dysphagia and body weight loss. Esophagography showed upper esophageal stenosis caused by extrinsic compression. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography showed saccular aneurysm formation of KD with right aortic arch (RAA) and ALSCA. Elective surgery including KD resection and graft replacement of the descending aorta was performed via right thoracotomy under partial extracorporeal circulation. The ALSCA was reconstructed by graft interposition. No postoperative complication was observed. Follow-up esophagography showed no residual stenosis.

Conclusion

We experienced a case of KD with dysphagia and weight loss in adolescence, which was successfully treated with surgery. Graft replacement could be an effective treatment option, facilitating recovery even during the growth period.
Influence of temperature on embryonic development of Pontastacus leptodactylus freshwater crayfish, and characterization of growth and osmoregulation related genes
Authors: Alvanou Maria V. , Feidantsis Konstantinos , Lattos Athanasios , Stoforiadi Anthi , Apostolidis Apostolos P. , Michaelidis Basile , Giantsis Ioannis A.
Published: April 2024

Narrow clawed crayfish, Pontastacus (Astacus) leptodactylus, represents an ecologically and economically valuable freshwater species. Despite the high importance of artificial breeding for conservation purpose and aquaculture potential, hatching protocols have not been developed so far in this species. Further, limited knowledge exists regarding the artificial egg incubation, the temperature effect on embryonic development, hatching synchronization and hatching rate. In the present study we investigated the temperature increase (from 17 oC to 22oC) effects in two different embryonic developmental stages of P. leptodactylus. Furthermore, two primer pairs for the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 (FGFR4) gene cDNA amplification were successfully designed, characterising for the first time the FGFR4 gene in P. leptodactylus in relation to different developmental stages and temperatures. Apart from the FGFR4 gene, the Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit expression was also explored. Both the FGFR4 and Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit expression levels were higher in embryos closer to hatching. Egg incubation at 22oC for seven days led to significant increase of FGFR4 expression in embryos from earlier developmental stages. Nevertheless, temperature increase did not affect FGFR4 expression in eggs from latter developmental stages and Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit expression in all developmental stages. Temperature increase represents therefore probably a promising strategy for accelerating hatching in freshwater crayfish particularly in early developmental stages. Specifically, our results indicate that FGFR4 expression increased in embryonic stages closer to hatching and that temperature influences significantly its expression in embryos from earlier developmental stages. Overall, these findings can provide a better understanding of artificial egg incubation of P. leptodactylus, and therefore can be employed for the effective management of this species, both for economic and biodiversity retention reasons.
Birds and environment: a multidisciplinary approach to ecological, behavioural and conservation issues
Authors: Arya Ashish Kumar , Bachheti Archana , Sethi Vinaya Kumar , Joshi Kamal Kant
Published: April 2024

Birds perform significant ecosystem services in the environment. Nevertheless, they have been facing threats to their survival globally. This special collection assembles diverse articles on various aspects of birds’ life, their interactions with the environment, their adaptations, and threats they have been facing along with conservation measures.
Autonomous inland navigation: a literature review and extracontractual liability issues
Authors: Domenighini Camilla
Published: April 2024

Pilot tests for (semi-)autonomous transport via inland waterways are already taking place in Belgium and other European countries. However, the full commercial implementation of autonomous inland shipping might be hampered by liability issues. The allocation of liability, especially extracontractual liability, is an important concern for shipowners who want to invest in autonomous barges, and for other ecosystem actors. For this reason, a balanced risk distribution framework could boost the investment decision. A legal analysis of the current laws and regulations is necessary to evaluate whether they can be applied to new autonomous systems. The research approach consists of two steps. First, an in-depth literature review is carried out to determine whether extracontractual liability research has already been conducted and to highlight the gaps in autonomous inland waterways transport studies. Once it is proved that the vast majority of the research focuses on technology, it can be affirmed that there is a need to inquire about extracontractual liability. In the second part, thus, the two international Conventions on liability limitation and collision in inland navigation are examined.
Evolution of therapeutic management of patients with ANCA associated vasculitis in France after licensing Rituximab use
Authors: Durel Cécile-Audrey , Thervet Eric Simon , Chauveau Dominique , Schmidt Aurélie , Terrier Benjamin , Bataille Pierre M
Published: April 2024

Introduction

In 2013, rituximab was approved in France for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). The aim of the study was to compare the treatment and health events of adult incident patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), included before rituximab approval (over 2010–2012, Group 1) and those included after rituximab approval (over 2014–2017, Group 2).

Method

Data were extracted from the French National Health Insurance database (SNDS) including outpatient health care consumption and hospital discharge forms. Comparisons between inclusion periods were performed using Wilcoxon and χ² tests. Kaplan-Meier method was used to model the duration of treatment induction, maintenance, and off-drug periods. Fine and Gray tests were used to compare treatment phase durations.

Results

A total of 694 GPA and 283 MPA patients were included in Group 1, while 668 GPA and 463 MPA patients were included in Group 2. Between the two inclusion periods, the proportions of patients treated with rituximab increased in the induction and maintenance phases whereas treatment with azathioprine declined. These proportions remained stable in the case of methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and glucocorticoid-treated patients. Frequency of first-time hospitalized infections, diabetes and renal failure during the first year after inclusion increased for both groups.

Limitations of the study

This is a retrospective study based on claims data including only 76% of people covered by health insurance in France. The period studied includes the learning phase of using rituximab. This study lacks biological data and precise quantitative analysis for the use of steroids, therefore the criteria for establishing diagnosis and therapeutic choice were unknown.

Conclusions

Introduction of rituximab reduced the use of azathioprine without affecting the use of glucocorticoids or cyclophosphamide.
A comparative study on the synergistic activities of fractions and crude essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum
Authors: Awojide Shola Hezekiah , Fadunmade Ezekiel Olumide , Adegboye Adeola Adepeju , Oyewole Kehinde Adenike , Adedotun Ifeoluwa Samuel , Adeyemo Abayomi Gideon , Ayeni Jesutofunmi Victoria
Published: April 2024

Background

Syzygium aromaticum has been used for over a century because it has biological qualities for several health-related problems, and the crude essential oils are known to contain several components that could be responsible for synergistic or antagonistic potentials in relation to their biological uses. The study was designed to compare the biological activities of the crude essential oil from the bud of Syzygium aromaticum and fractions obtained from column chromatography.

Materials and methods

The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation, and two prominent fractions, C1 and C2, were obtained from the column chromatography separation of the crude essential oil. The quantitative phytochemical analysis was done by standard methods, the antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging assays. The antifungal activities were assessed by the agar diffusion method, while the anti-inflammatory activity was done using a lipoxygenase inhibitory assay. The major component observed in the crude and fractions was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis.

Results

The phytochemical analysis showed that phenolic acid, tannin, saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, and terpenoids were present in variable quantities in all of the fractions and crude essential oil. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for DPPH scavenging activity ranged from 226.1 to 301.2 µg/mL while that of ABTS scavenging activity ranged from 211.0 to 316.0 µg/mL. The lowest value of IC50 for both DPPH and ABTS was observed in fraction C1. The crude essential oil with a minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) value of 8.00 mg/mL was the most efficient against Candida albicans, Aspergillus penicillum, and Aspergillus niger. The anti-inflammatory assay showed C1 to have the lowest value of IC50 for the lipoxygenase assay. The major component observed in the crude essential oil as well as fraction C1 was eugenol, while fraction C2 had β-caryophyllene as the major component.

Conclusions

The result showed that all fractions as well as the crude essential oil exhibited antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities, and the crude essential oil was synergic only with respect to its antifungal activity, while fraction C1 was more efficient as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.
Revisiting VR training in developmental disorders, is it a friend or foe? A scoping systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: AbdelMassih Antoine Fakhry , AlHammadi Waad I. , AlHosani Hind A. , AlHosani Sara , AlHammadi Fatima , AlShehhi Shooq A.
Published: April 2024

Background

Immersive and non-immersive VR technology has been increasingly employed in training. This has encouraged physicians working in skill development to try using it to improve the learning, emotional recognition, and social skills of various disorders. This study aimed to explore the controlled trials employing VR in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.

Methodology

A literature review has been conducted, on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Any controlled trial in the pediatric age group, involving the comparison of VR training with other types of therapies in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia was included.

Results

Only 4 controlled trials were identified, comprising a total of 208 patients, with ages ranging from 6 to 16 years. Out of these studies, two involved patients with autism, one with ADHD, and one with dyslexia. VR was successful in improving emotional recognition but not social interaction in autism. All trials did not mention thoroughly possible complications of prolonged use of VR.

Short conclusion

Despite being a promising technology, there is still a long road to prove the validity of using VR in skills development. Few controlled trials have been tailored to explore VR advantages over conventional training and therapies, most of them have a limited sample size, a short training course, and no mention of possible setbacks, such as ocular effects and social isolation.
The Effects of Various Approaches to Lobectomies on Respiratory Muscle Strength, Diaphragm Thickness, and Exercise Capacity in Lung Cancer
Authors: Sirakaya Funda , Calik Kutukcu Ebru , Onur Mehmet Ruhi , Dikmen Erkan , Kumbasar Ulas , Uysal Serkan , Dogan Riza
Published: April 2024

Background

The most common surgery for non-small cell lung cancer is lobectomy, which can be performed through either thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Insufficient research has examined respiratory muscle function and exercise capacity in lobectomy performed using conventional thoracotomy (CT), muscle-sparing thoracotomy (MST), or VATS. This study aimed to assess and compare respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, and exercise capacity in lobectomy using CT, MST, and VATS.

Methods

The primary outcomes were changes in respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, and exercise capacity. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were recorded for respiratory muscle strength. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used to assess functional exercise capacity. Diaphragm thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound.

Results

The study included 42 individuals with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy via CT (n = 14), MST (n = 14), or VATS (n = 14). Assessments were performed on the day before surgery and on postoperative day 20 (range 17–25 days). The decrease in MIP (p < 0.001), MEP (p = 0.003), 6MWT (p < 0.001) values were lower in the VATS group than in the CT group. The decrease in 6MWT distance was lower in the MST group than in the CT group (p = 0.012). No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of diaphragmatic muscle thickness (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The VATS technique appears superior to the CT technique in terms of preserving respiratory muscle strength and functional exercise capacity. Thoracic surgeons should refer patients to physiotherapists before lobectomy, especially patients undergoing CT. If lobectomy with VATS will be technically difficult, MST may be an option preferable to CT because of its impact on exercise capacity.
Neglected very large ancient schwannoma of the distal wrist: a case report and literature review
Authors: Lee Hyun Rok , Yun Yeongsik , Kwak Hyoung Jong , Kang Jae Hoon
Published: April 2024

Ancient schwannoma is a variant of schwannoma characterized by slow progression, degenerative changes, and a higher incidence in older adults. There have been two prior reported cases of ancient schwannoma arising from the distal ulnar nerve at the wrist level, but neither were longstanding or very large. Herein, we report an ancient schwannoma found in the ulnar nerve of the distal forearm that was found to be clinically meaningful in size. A 61-year-old man presented with complaints of tingling sensation of the fourth and fifth fingers and bulging of the ulnar side of the wrist. The patient reported that the mass in his wrist had grown very slowly, starting about 10 years ago, and that he had started experiencing a tingling sensation in his fourth and fifth fingers about 3 years prior, which had become worse in the past year. Based on the results of the preoperative examination, a benign nerve sheath tumor was suspected. As it was thought that the possibility of malignancy was not high, we elected to perform a marginal excision. Pathological examination confirmed ancient schwannoma. At his most recent visit, 3 years after surgery, he reported no recurrence and that he felt better than before surgery, but some tingling sensations remained. As with small ancient schwannoma in the distal wrist, most cases of large ancient schwannoma can be treated without special complications based on an accurate preoperative diagnosis.
“verse-play” or “spoken ballet”? W. H. Auden, Rupert Doone, and a New Poetic Drama
Authors: Minden Gabriela
Published: May 2024

abstract: This article draws on previously neglected archival material to reexamine the first poetic drama written for Rupert Doone’s Group Theatre, W. H. Auden’s The Dance of Death (1933). I show that Doone, guided by the Ballets Russes’s “marriage of the arts,” worked alongside Auden to craft an innovative form of poetic drama whose meaning was generated not by the script on its own, but rather by the complex interaction of poetic text, visual metaphor, and corporeal rhetoric. Analyzing the choreographic aspects of The Dance of Death alongside its textuality thus brings into focus underexplored facets of the work’s notoriously ambiguous politics. Considering these politics within their historical context illuminates the significance of Doone’s dance-informed approach to theater, both for the Lord Chamberlain’s efforts regarding stage censorship and for Auden’s beliefs about the future of British poetic drama.
A narrative of women and war: The Finnish silent era film ‘On the warpath’
Authors: Narváez Daniel C.
Published: April 2024

This article discusses the film Sotapolulla (‘On the warpath’) (1922), a pioneering work in the early years of Finnish cinema. By highlighting the role that women played during the Finnish Civil War (1918), scriptwriter and director Teuvo Pakkala, a well-known conservative writer, created a model of femininity for the post-war period. The construction of the female characters accords with the standards of femininity in Hollywood silent film, which featured strong, assertive women committed to the social order. Thus Pakkala’s film in significant ways follows the classical model that Noël Burch identifies as an institutional mode of representation.
Kaş Bay: Evidence of a 20 km-diameter complex impact structure on the Turkey-Greece frontier
Authors: Ure A.J. , Bridgland D.R. , Tunstall N. , Westaway R. , Çakmak S. , Demir T.
Published: April 2024

Extensive field work, mineralogical and petrographic investigations show strong evidence for a complex, hypervelocity impact structure protruding into the Mediterranean Sea at the Turkey-Greece border. The Kaş Bay structure with a diameter of around 20 km, is structurally altered, since it coincides with the triple point of the Anatolian, Aegean, and African plates. The target rocks, entirely comprising sedimentary carbonate, show evidence of shock metamorphism, along with a wealth of significant finds and numerous indications of a clear and strong impact overprint. A Pleistocene age is inferred from related stratigraphical evidence.
Fibrostricturing Crohn's Disease Is Marked by an Increase in Active Eosinophils in the Deeper Layers
Authors: Jacobs Inge , Ke Bo-Jun , Ceulemans Matthias , Cremer Jonathan , D'Hoore André , Bislenghi Gabriele , Matteoli Gianluca , De Hertogh Gert , Sabino João , Ferrante Marc , Vermeire Séverine , Breynaert Christine , Vanuytsel Tim , Verstockt Bram
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Approximately 50% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) develop intestinal strictures necessitating surgery. The immune cell distribution in these strictures remains uncharacterized. We aimed to identify the immune cells in intestinal strictures of patients with CD.

METHODS:

During ileocolonic resections, transmural sections of terminal ileum were sampled from 25 patients with CD and 10 non-inflammatory bowel disease controls. Macroscopically unaffected, fibrostenotic, and inflamed ileum was collected and analyzed for immune cell distribution (flow cytometry) and protein expression. Collagen deposition was assessed through a Masson Trichrome staining. Eosinophil and fibroblast colocalization was assessed through immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS:

The Masson Trichrome staining confirmed augmented collagen deposition in both the fibrotic and the inflamed regions, though with a significant increased collagen deposition in the fibrotic compared with inflamed tissue. Distinct Th1, Th2, regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes were identified in fibrotic and inflamed CD ileum compared with unaffected ileum of patients with CD as non-inflammatory bowel disease controls. Only minor differences were observed between fibrotic and inflamed tissue, with more active eosinophils in fibrotic deeper layers and increased eosinophil cationic protein expression in inflamed deeper layers. Last, no differences in eosinophil and fibroblast colocalization were observed between the different regions.

DISCUSSION:

This study characterized immune cell distribution and protein expression in fibrotic and inflamed ileal tissue of patients with CD. Immunologic, proteomic, and histological data suggest inflammation and fibrosis are intertwined, with a large overlap between both tissue types. However strikingly, we did identify an increased presence of active eosinophils only in the fibrotic deeper layers, suggesting their potential role in fibrosis development.
Singing in Dark Times
Authors:   International Research Group on Authoritarianism and Counter-Strategies,   kollektiv orangotango
Published: May 2024

In their contribution, the BounSergi Collective describes their struggle as a queer collective, resisting the authoritarian encroachment on the campus of Istanbul's Boaziçi University: "We formed our collective when our so-called safe-spaces went under siege and we needed to stand together in order not to fall. We organize exhibitions, protests, guerrilla art festivals, and create our own art."
ETNOGRAFİK BİR SAHA ARAŞTIRMASININ İZİNDE TÜRKİYE’DE ŞAMAN MÜZİĞİNİN KULLANIMLARI: TARİH VE GÜNÜMÜZ
Authors: Bilget Güçlüer Sultan , Erkan Serdar
Published: April 2024

Geleneksel müzik türleri küreselleşme, dijitalleşme, teknolojik gelişmeler gibi pek çok unsurla birlikte dünyada fark edilmiş ve farklı geleneklere, kültürlere daha fazla ilgi uyandırmıştır. Yeniden keşfedilen geleneksel müzik türlerinin farklı öğeleri alternatif müzik camiasında yeni bir akım olarak kullanılarak popülerlik kazanmış ve geniş kitlelere ulaşmıştır. Şaman müziği, şamanik müzik, Orta Asya müziği, Tuva müziği, gırtlak müziği gibi pek çok adlandırması bulunan ve dünyada birçok örneğine rastlanan bu müzik türünün meraklısı olan herkes tarafından denendiği ya da var olan müzikal yapılarına entegre ederek yeni oluşumlarla sunduğu birden çok ekol karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada öncelikle post-modern çağda şaman müziği pratiklerinin canlanması; küresel anlamda ilgi ve meraka yol açması; popülerleşmesi anlaşılmaya çalışılmıştır. Henüz sayıları az olsa da akademik çalışmaların bu tarihçe ile ilgili aktardığı bilgilerin yanı sıra Türkiye’de Neo-Şamanizm akımı çerçevesinde çeşitli uygulamalar gerçekleştiren kişilerle yapılan görüşme verileri ışığında Türkiye’de “şaman müziği”nin ne zaman, nasıl canlanmaya başladığı ve ne şekilde tezahür ettiği ele alınacaktır. Bu açıdan çalışma, saha görüşmeleri yapılan kaynak kişilerin ağzından Türkiye’de şaman müziği tarihinin ve uygulamaya yönelik olarak nasıl ilgi toplamaya başladığının hikâyesidir.
EVRİMCİ MEDENİYET GÖRÜŞÜNE ERKEN BİR ELEŞTİRİ: FRANZ BOAS’IN ANTROPOLOJİSİ
Authors: Koytak Muhammet Elyesa
Published: April 2024

Medeniyet kavramının 19. yüzyıldan bu yana ilerleme ve evrim kavramlarıyla iç içe geçtiği yönünde önemli bir eleştirel literatür vardır. Bununla birlikte, medeniyet kavramına dair tartışmalarda antropolojinin erken dönem verimleri yeterince dikkat çekmemiş görünmektedir. İlkellik, kültür ve evrim konularında çokça yazmış, önemli ve etkili bir antropolog olan Franz Boas’ın yaklaşımı bu bağlamda dikkat çekicidir. Bu makale Franz Boas’ın evrimci-ilerlemeci paradigmaya nasıl bir eleştiri getirdiğini inceleyerek hem medeniyet kavramı etrafındaki tartışmalara hem de Franz Boas üzerine Türkçe literatüre katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Medeniyet kavramının Batı’yla özdeş olmadığını düşünen Boas biyolojik belirlenim fikrine dayanan ırk kavramını reddetmiş ve kültürel unsurların göreceli etkisine vurgu yapmıştır. Böylece tek yönlü ve tek biçimli evrim fikrine karşı, her kültürün kendi içinden açıklanması gerektiğini ileri sürmüştür. Makalede Boas’ın fikirleri tartışıldıktan sonra ona yöneltilmiş başlıca eleştiriler de değerlendirilmektedir.
$SO(3)$ quasi-monomial polynomial families
Authors: Samaruk N.M.
Published: April 2024

Let $H$ be a subgroup of the affine space group ${\rm Aff} 3)$, considered with its natural action on the vector space of three-variable polynomials. The polynomial family $\{ B_{m,n,k}(x,y,z) \}$ is called quasi-monomial with respect to $H$ if the group operators in two different bases $\{ x^m y^n z^k \}$ and $\{ B_{m,n,k}(x,y,z) \}$ have identical atrices. We derive a criterion for quasi-monomiality when the group $H$ is the special orthogonal group $SO(3)$. This criterion is expressed through the exponential generating function of the polynomial family $\{B_{m,n,k}(x,y,z)\}$. It has been proven that Appel's biorthogonal polynomials are quasi-monomials with respect to $SO(3)$ and recurrence relations have been found for them.
Perturbation of an isotropic $\alpha$-stable stochastic process by a pseudo-gradient with a generalized coefficient
Authors: Osypchuk M.M. , Boiko M.V.
Published: April 2024

The article is devoted to the perturbation of an isotropic $\alpha$-stable stochastic process in a finite-dimensional Euclidean space by a pseudo-gradient operator multiplied by a delta-function on a hypersurface. This is analogous to the construction of some membrane in the phase space. Semigroup of operators on the space of continuous bounded functions is constructed. It has the infinitesimal generator (in some generalized sense) $c\Delta_\alpha+(q\delta_S\nu,\nabla_\beta)$, where $c$ is some positive constant, $\Delta_\alpha$ is the fractional Laplacian of the order $\alpha$, $\delta_S$ is the delta-function on the hypersurface $S$, which has a normal vector $\nu$, $q$ is some continuous bounded function, $\nabla_\beta$ is a fractional gradient (pseudo-gradient), that is the pseudo-differentional operator defined by the symbol $i\lambda|\lambda|^{\beta-1}$. The order of the pseudo-gradient is less than $\alpha-1$. Some properties of the obtained semigroup are investigated. This semigroup defines a pseudo-process.
Ana Hatlarıyla İslam Hukukunda Bağy Suçu
Authors: Taş Burak
Published: April 2024

Bağy suçu, İslam hukuk tarihinde önemli bir yer işgal etmiştir. Kamu otoritesine karşı çıkılarak işlenen siyasi nitelikteki bu suç, aynı zamanda Allah’a da karşı çıkma olarak yorumlanmaktadır. Bu yönüyle korudu-ğu hukuki değer önem kazanmaktadır. Bağy suçu mezhepler arasında oldukça tartışmalı hususlar içermektedir. En temel tartışma bu suçun had ve tazir suçu niteliğinde olup olmadığı noktasında yoğunlaşmak-tadır. Bu tartışmaya bağlı olarak diğer önemli tartışma ise bu suçun uzlaşmaya elverişli olup olmadığıdır. Çalışmada suçun unsurları tipik-liğin maddi ve manevi unsurları ile hukuka aykırılık unsuru temelinde incelenmiştir. Suçun özel görünüş biçimleri; teşebbüs, iştirak ve içtima bakımından değerlendirilmiştir. Nihayetinde suçun yaptırımı ve muha-kemesi de irdelendikten sonra sonuca ulaşılmıştır.
MEVSİMLİK GÖÇEBE TARIM İŞÇİLERİNİN SOSYAL GÜVENLİK HAKLARININ GÜRCİSTAN ÖRNEĞİ ÜZERİNE İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Kantarcı Ateş Nihan Gizem
Published: April 2024

Mevsimlik göçebe tarım işçileri, her yıl çeşitli topraklara göç ederek tarım sektöründe çalışan ve çoğunlukla geçici işlerde istihdam edilen önemli bir iş gücünü oluşturur. Çalışmada mevsimlik göçebe tarım işçilerinin kavramsal olarak statüsünün ne olduğu, hangi mevzuat kapsamına dahil oldukları, özellikle Gürcistan’dan gelen mevsimlik göçebe tarım işçilerinin sosyal güvenlik haklarının neler olduğu sorularına cevaplar aranmıştır. İlk bölümde mevsimlik göçebe tarım işçileri kavramsal olarak ele alınmıştır. Kanunlarda ve uluslararası sözleşmelerde yapılan düzenlemeler belirtilmiştir. Devamında bazı ülkelerde (Almanya, Fransa, Hırvatistan ve Avustralya) mevsimlik göçebe tarım işçilerinin sosyal güvenlik hakları genel olarak incelenmiştir. Türkiye’ye mevsimlik tarım işçisinin çoğunlukla Gürcistan’dan gelmesi nedeni ile, Türkiye-Gürcistan Sosyal Güvenlik Sözleşmesi denetlenmiştir. Sonuç kısmında ise mevsimlik göçebe tarım işçileri için ülkeler arası sosyal güvenlik anlaşmalarının yapılması, bu işçilerin sendikalaşmalarının sağlanması sosyal yönden daha fazla koruma sağlayacağı tespitlerine varılmıştır.
Editor’s word
Authors: Dunajevas Eugenijus
Published: April 2024

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