bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experientia spiritualis et visio Dei – religijne i mistyczne konteksty Augustyńskiej duchowości
Authors: Warchał Robert Artur
Published: August 2022

Mając na uwadze życiowy dynamizm Augustyna, uwypuklający jego osobiste przeżycia, podjęta została próba zarysowania (wspólnie) doświadczenia religijnego oraz mistycznego. Starochrześcijański myśliciel przedstawia nam świadectwo własnej pobożności, a więc jego propozycja nie jest ścisłą definicją, co często stanowi trudność w wyłuskaniu istotnych elementów, ukrytych pod formą językowo-stylistyczną. Autor wspomina o religijności chłopięcej oraz o swoim nawróceniu, oczywiście był on świadomy tego, że celem poznania religijnego jest przede wszystkim stopniowe uobecnianie się tajemnicy Boga. Warte podkreślenia jest także to, że ekstatyczne zjednoczenie jest uwarunkowane w przykazaniu miłości, które można realizować wyłącznie poprzez słowa Jezusa. Konsekwencją tak rozumianej wiary okazała się dla Augustyna teologia kerygmatyczna św. Pawła, będąca sprzężeniem dogmatu i życia w nierozerwalną całość. Trudno jest wskazać granicę oddzielającą obydwa doświadczenia, niemniej, mając na uwadze świadectwo autora, należy uznać, że jego mistyka zostaje poprzedzona głębokim wysiłkiem ascetycznym. Mistycyzm oznacza u niego najbardziej intymne i pełne poznanie rzeczywistości Bożej mieszczące się w szeroko pojętej religijności. Z jednej strony Augustyn uznał w doświadczeniu nadprzyrodzonym poznanie Stwórcy, jednak z drugiej, odwołując się do nauczania św. Jana, dobitnie zasygnalizował epistemologiczną aporię, wedle której Bóg przekracza ludzkie możliwości poznawcze i dlatego pozostaje On w pewnej mierze nieosiągalny (J 1,18). Zestawienie tych dwóch doświadczeń łączy ze sobą problem chrześcijańskiej mistyki, intuicji i iluminacji oraz przypomina ważną prawdę, że poglądy Augustyna stanowią wyjątkową fenomenologię ludzkiej duchowości, będącą swego rodzaju generatorem dla wielu chrześcijańskich wspólnot.
Contingent Capital with Stock Price Triggers in Interbank Networks
Authors: Balter Anne G. , Schweizer Nikolaus , Vera Juan C.
Published: August 2022

This paper studies the existence and uniqueness of equilibrium prices in a model of the banking sector in which banks trade contingent convertible bonds with stock price triggers among each other. This type of financial product was proposed as an instrument for stabilizing the global banking system after the financial crisis. Yet it was recognized early on that these products may create circularity problems in the definition of stock prices—even in the absence of trade. We find that, if conversion thresholds are such that bond holders are indifferent about marginal conversions, there exists a unique equilibrium irrespective of the network structure. When thresholds are lower, the existence of equilibrium breaks down, whereas higher thresholds may lead to multiplicity of equilibria. Moreover, there are complex network effects. One bank’s conversion may trigger further conversions—or prevent them, depending on the constellations of asset values and conversion triggers.
Feasibility of inspiratory muscle training to improve pulmonary and respiratory muscle function, and for attenuating sleep apnea symptoms in children and adolescent with obstructive sleep apnea and obesity: Case report
Authors:   Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Sornkla Siramon , Sonsuwan Nuntigar ,   Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Pratanaphon Sainatee ,   Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Published: August 2022

Background: Studies have demonstrated a potential risk of pulmonary and respiratory muscle dysfunction in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and/or obesity. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is an adjunct intervention designed to improve respiratory muscle strength, decrease severity of OSA, and to enhance sleep quality in adults with OSA. However, its effects on children with OSA and obesity are still largely unknown. Objectives: This case report aims to show the feasibility and the effects of IMT on pulmonary and respiratory muscle function and sleep apnea symptoms of children and adolescents with OSA and obesity. Case description: Four children and one adolescent who were diagnosed with OSA and classified as obesity underwent IMT with training load at 60% of the individual’s maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) for 12 weeks. Results: No adverse effects occurred during evaluation and IMT. The participants’ compliance with IMT varied from 77.4% to 100%. After 12-week of IMT, MIP and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) increased from baseline, varying from 8.0% to 83.5% and 0.1% to 36.1%, respectively. Scores in the Sleep Related Breathing Disorder-Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD-PSQ) tended to decrease rapidly at week 3. Thereafter, participants responded differently toward the end of IMT. Changes in pulmonary function variables were not observed. Conclusion: Improvements in respiratory muscle strength, endurance, and SRBD-PSQ scores occurred after IMT, suggesting the feasibility of IMT for increasing inspiratory muscle performance and for ameliorating sleep apnea symptoms in children and adolescents with OSA and obesity. However, pulmonary function was unaffected by IMT
UMA ANÁLISE DA RELAÇÃO ENTRE A GESTÃO DA DIVERSIDADE, A LEGITIMAÇÃO INTERNA, O RESPEITO INTERNO PERCEBIDO E A IDENTIFICAÇÃO ORGANIZACIONAL DOS EMPREGADOS
Authors: Ceribeli Harrison Bachion , Inácio Diego Willian Silva
Published: August 2022

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a relação entre a gestão da diversidade, a legitimação organizacional interna, o respeito interno percebido e a identificação organizacional. Os dados foram coletados utilizando uma survey online e analisados por meio da técnica de Modelagem de Equações Estruturais. A amostra foi composta por 319 trabalhadores, residentes na Região Geográfica Intermediária de Belo Horizonte, Estado de Minas Gerais. Examinando os resultados obtidos, constatou-se que a gestão da diversidade impacta positivamente o processo de legitimação organizacional interna, que, por sua vez, contribui para que os empregados formem a percepção de que são respeitados pela organização e passem a se identificar com ela. Como contribuição, a presente pesquisa proporciona aos gestores um maior entendimento acerca de como a adoção de políticas voltadas para garantir a igualdade de oportunidades e tratamento no ambiente de trabalho favorece a construção de uma relação positiva entre empregados e empregadores.
WHAT ABOUT THE RISKS OF EXPATRIATION? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THIS DARK SIDE
Authors: Ribeiro Rodrigues da Silva Gabrielle
Published: August 2022

In the last decade, many studies have been developed about the expatriates’ choices and challenges. A big part of these studies has been focused on the positive side of the work or live abroad, focusing on successful cases with well-paid, well-protected and well-appointed expatriates. However, there are not only successes and the positive side of expatriation. Thus, trying to contribute to the dark side studies, the research question is stated: what kind of risks do the expatriate managers face? The purpose is to identify the risks that affect expatriate managers when they are working abroad. For it, a systematic review of the existing studies indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases is proposed. With the search terms "risk" OR “danger*” AND "expatriat*", ten articles were found. There are four groups of risks faced by expatriate managers, such as personal risk, risk management, financial risk and predominantly country risk. The theoretical and practical contribution is to highlight what has been studied, encouraging other researchers to focus on this area and encouraging organizations to plan ways to mitigate these risks that expatriate may experience.
PERSONAL VALUES AND THE USE OF SOURCES OF GUIDANCE AT WORK: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL
Authors: Athayde André Luiz Mendes , Torres Claudio Vaz , Thomason Stephanie Jeanne
Published: August 2022

The objective of this research was to test statistically significant correlations between personal values and employee’s use of sources of guidance when dealing with different events at work, comparing the United States and Brazil. 220 employees from a Brazilian university and 166 employees from an American university filled out a paper-and-pencil questionnaire comprised of two previously-validated scales. Based on the theoretical review, 8 hypotheses were raised to be empirically tested. The findings have practical implications for administrators and human resource professionals, who can benefit from knowledge about correlations between the constructs, especially when it comes to recruiting and selecting processes. Although the research was restricted to analyzing correlations, it elaborated a robust ground for future causality investigations and shed light on the importance of investigating specificities of work-related constructs in different nations, aiming at effective and contextualized management practices in times of raising globalization and internationalization.
Introduction: Approaching Young Men in Urban China
Authors: Cao Siyang
Published: August 2022

Chapter 1 begins by introducing the personal experience from which this study arises. Next, it critically reviews existing literature around the major driving forces that have shaped contemporary Chinese society and young men’s identity formation. It focuses in particular on how the process of modernization, individualization and the resilience of Confucianism have been approached differently among scholars in the West and East Asia, as well as their impacts on individual lives in urban China. The chapter moves on to provide a reflexive examination of the research design and the fieldwork process, including background information of the participants and the rationale behind addressing them as ‘ordinary Chinese young men’. The complicated power dynamics during the interviews and challenges in interpreting and representing the data are also discussed.
Chinese Masculinities, Identity Formation and Cultural Values
Authors: Cao Siyang
Published: August 2022

Chapter 2 provides an overview of the relevant literature and contextualizes this research. It first discusses a variety of Chinese masculinities in order to position ordinary young men within the masculinity paradigm. Specifically, it details plural ways of being a Chinese man across different historical periods and social classes, as well as problematizing recent media discourses of masculinity in relation to its various new forms and ‘crisis’. Following this, the focus shifts to theoretical discussions about identity formation and cultural values that have influenced the analysis of young men’s everyday experiences and gender in this research.
Making the Chinese Shenti : Embodiment and Masculinities in Everyday Lives
Authors: Cao Siyang
Published: August 2022

Chapter 3 deals with men’s bodies and embodied masculinity through the lens of shenti (body-self). Drawing particularly on Confucian values and conventional philosophical thought, it investigates different ways through which Chinese men work on and live with their bodies in everyday life. Based on participants’ accounts, this chapter further develops the Confucian analytical framework of du (degree, quantity or proportion), li (ritual, propriety or etiquette) and he (harmony) to characterize the young men’s embodied everyday lives. It highlights how young men’s bodily aesthetics and embodied experience are embedded in the local context and the great extent to which young men’s perceptions and practices of the body are pivotal aspects of constructing ideal masculinity.
Conclusion: Crafting Elastic Masculinity
Authors: Cao Siyang
Published: August 2022

Chapter 6 brings the threads of analysis together and reflects on various dimensions of ordinary young men’s creation of masculinity, especially elaborating the concept of ‘elastic masculinity’. This concept grew out of a reflexive engagement with participants’ accounts to capture the flexibility, heterogeneity and constraints involved in constructing masculinity in present-day China. It is acknowledged that my research interest and personal experience have had a significant influence on the sampling and analysis, and the study cannot offer a complete picture of young men’s experiences of everyday gender. However, these limitations can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Chinese masculinities. In addition, the chapter explains how this academic work responds to the production of alternative epistemologies and methodologies when researching gender in a non-Western context.
Narrow-band transmission filter based on 1D-PCs with a defect layer
Authors: Jafari Reza , Sahrai Mostafa , Bozorgzadeh Forough , Mohammadi-Asl Rana , Ahmadi Davood , Movahednia Majid
Published: August 2022

A narrow-band transmission filter based on one-dimensional photonic crystals with

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layers is grown by sol-gel spin-coating processing. The structural and optical properties of fabricated samples are characterized by an atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Specific wavelength transmission and bandgap in the optical filter with and without a defect layer have been investigated by engineering the layer thickness and defect layer material. For three fabricated optical filters, it is found that the maximum transmission for the

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and InP defect layers reaches 58.09% and 42.21%, respectively. The layer thickness is fixed just by tuning the rotational speed of the spin-coater.
Local tolerance and quality evaluation for optical surfaces
Authors: Deng Yuting , Tan Yilin , Wu Xiaofei , Zhu Jun
Published: August 2022

The manufacture of high-precision surfaces is the foundation of building high-performance optical systems. For over 50 years, the tolerance for optical surfaces has been specified by the root-mean-square (rms) or peak-to-valley (PV) value over the entire surface geometry. However, different regions on optical surfaces do not contribute equally to image quality and, thus, can tolerate different levels of errors. A global tolerance described by a single or few parameters cannot precisely provide the manufacturing requirements of each region on the surface, which may result in unnecessary accuracy specifications for surfaces. Furthermore, the components with the same PV or rms figure errors can produce different imaging qualities; however, this difference cannot be distinguished by the conventional figure of merit. To address these problems, a framework that includes a local tolerance model and a quality merit function for optical surfaces is proposed. The local tolerance model can provide an accurate tolerance for each region on the surface so the targeted wave aberration requirements are met during components manufacturing. More importantly, the proposed merit function closely ties the surface figure error to imaging performance, e.g., the findings can explain that the component with lower geometric accuracy may produce better imaging quality. This framework provides new insights into optical design, manufacture, and metrology and especially paves the way for the manufacture of high-precision large-aperture systems.
Host genotype controls ecological change in the leaf fungal microbiome
Authors: VanWallendael Acer , Benucci Gian Maria Niccolo , da Costa Pedro Beschoren , Fraser Linnea , Sreedasyam Avinash , Fritschi Felix , Juenger Thomas E. , Lovell John T. , Bonito Gregory , Lowry David B.
Published: August 2022

Leaf fungal microbiomes can be fundamental drivers of host plant success, as they contain pathogens that devastate crop plants and taxa that enhance nutrient uptake, discourage herbivory, and antagonize pathogens. We measured leaf fungal diversity with amplicon sequencing across an entire growing season in a diversity panel of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). We also sampled a replicated subset of genotypes across 3 additional sites to compare the importance of time, space, ecology, and genetics. We found a strong successional pattern in the microbiome shaped both by host genetics and environmental factors. Further, we used genome-wide association (GWA) mapping and RNA sequencing to show that 3 cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (crRLKs) were linked to a genetic locus associated with microbiome structure. We confirmed GWAS results in an independent set of genotypes for both the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA markers. Fungal pathogens were central to microbial covariance networks, and genotypes susceptible to pathogens differed in their expression of the 3 crRLKs, suggesting that host immune genes are a principal means of controlling the entire leaf microbiome.
The association of cultural orientation with adherence to social distancing behaviors during the early COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Dinero Rachel , Pieczonka Allison , Kmush Brittany L.
Published: August 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions are one of the major tools to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Information about these behaviors is disseminated by messaging campaigns. However, people differ in their responses to persuasive messages. Here, we examine whether cultural orientation is associated with adherence to recommended COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Participants (n = 443, 201 from the United States via Amazon Mechanical Turk and 242 from Central New York via a convenience, snowball sample) completed an online survey during April and May 2020. Cultural orientation was measured via the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism Scale. Adherence to limiting social contact was self-reported. Multi-level Poisson regression assessed the association between cultural orientation and social contact behaviors. Those high in horizontal individualist characteristics had a positive association with increased social contact behaviors (RR: 2.20, 95%CI: 1.97–2.47, p<0.001). Those high in vertical collectivist characteristics had a negative association with those behaviors (RR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.52–0.67, p<0.000). We found an association with cultural orientation and adherence to social contact behaviors during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, effective public health messages to promote adherence to preventative behaviors should be tailored to horizontal individualists, those least likely to engage in recommended behaviors.
The compliance and revenue benefits of ProHeart Vs monthly heartworm disease preventives in the US
Authors: Mwacalimba Kennedy , Smith Kristine , Moldavchuk Marina , Sears Derek , Brennan Christopher
Published: August 2022

The aim of the current study was to understand how the canine heartworm disease preventive ProHeart® 12 (extended-release injectable moxidectin, PH 12), impacts heartworm preventive purchase compliance and veterinary practice revenue over time compared to monthly heartworm disease preventives. This was a preliminary observational purchase compliance and revenue study based on a retrospective review of transaction data from 4,615 general practices across the United States. The review period was from September 2018 to August 2020. Anonymous transaction records of over 13 million canine patients were analyzed. Of these, only 3.5 million (25.7%) patients purchased any heartworm preventive, as has been presented in other studies. Practices that implemented PH 12 demonstrated the most growth in canine heartworm prevention revenue, patients, and patient compliance levels during the 12-month observation period, compared to previous year. These practices saw year over year growth in percent patients receiving heartworm protection, as well as 10% and 15% growth in the proportion of preventive patients compliant for more than 6 months and 12 months respectively. In contrast, practices that did not bring on PH 12 and only dispensed monthly heartworm preventives saw a decline in the proportion of canine preventive patients that were compliant for more than 6 months. Similarly, PH 12 practices experienced 15% growth in preventive revenue, and practices that did not bring on PH 12 only experienced 3.9% growth in preventive revenue. PH 12 was single-handedly responsible for all growth in patients compliant for more than 6 months in this study. Growth in protection of canine patients with PH 12 proves a helpful tool where mitigation strategies have thus far failed to curb increasing canine heartworm disease prevalence in the US.
Large socioeconomic gap in period life expectancy and life years spent with complications of diabetes in the Scottish population with type 1 diabetes, 2013–2018
Authors: Höhn Andreas , McGurnaghan Stuart J. , Caparrotta Thomas M. , Jeyam Anita , O’Reilly Joseph E. , Blackbourn Luke A. K. , Hatam Sara , Dudel Christian , Seaman Rosie J. , Mellor Joseph , Sattar Naveed , McCrimmon Rory J. , Kennon Brian , Petrie John R. , Wild Sarah , McKeigue Paul M. , Colhoun Helen M. ,   on behalf of the SDRN-Epi Group
Published: August 2022

Background

We report the first study to estimate the socioeconomic gap in period life expectancy (LE) and life years spent with and without complications in a national cohort of individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used linked healthcare records from SCI-Diabetes, the population-based diabetes register of Scotland. We studied all individuals aged 50 and older with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes who were alive and residing in Scotland on 1 January 2013 (N = 8591). We used the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2016 as an area-based measure of socioeconomic deprivation. For each individual, we constructed a history of transitions by capturing whether individuals developed retinopathy/maculopathy, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetic foot, or died throughout the study period, which lasted until 31 December 2018. Using parametric multistate survival models, we estimated total and state-specific LE at an attained age of 50.

Results

At age 50, remaining LE was 22.2 years (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 21.6 − 22.8) for males and 25.1 years (95% CI: 24.4 − 25.9) for females. Remaining LE at age 50 was around 8 years lower among the most deprived SIMD quintile when compared with the least deprived SIMD quintile: 18.7 years (95% CI: 17.5 − 19.9) vs. 26.3 years (95% CI: 24.5 − 28.1) among males, and 21.2 years (95% CI: 19.7 − 22.7) vs. 29.3 years (95% CI: 27.5 − 31.1) among females. The gap in life years spent without complications was around 5 years between the most and the least deprived SIMD quintile: 4.9 years (95% CI: 3.6 − 6.1) vs. 9.3 years (95% CI: 7.5 − 11.1) among males, and 5.3 years (95% CI: 3.7 − 6.9) vs. 10.3 years (95% CI: 8.3 − 12.3) among females. SIMD differences in transition rates decreased marginally when controlling for time-updated information on risk factors such as HbA1c, blood pressure, BMI, or smoking.

Conclusions

In addition to societal interventions, tailored support to reduce the impact of diabetes is needed for individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds, including access to innovations in management of diabetes and the prevention of complications.
Role of machine and organizational structure in science
Authors: Thu Moe Kyaw , Beppu Shotaro , Yarime Masaru , Shibayama Sotaro
Published: August 2022

The progress of science increasingly relies on machine learning (ML) and machines work alongside humans in various domains of science. This study investigates the team structure of ML-related projects and analyzes the contribution of ML to scientific knowledge production under different team structure, drawing on bibliometric analyses of 25,000 scientific publications in various disciplines. Our regression analyses suggest that (1) interdisciplinary collaboration between domain scientists and computer scientists as well as the engagement of interdisciplinary individuals who have expertise in both domain and computer sciences are common in ML-related projects; (2) the engagement of interdisciplinary individuals seem more important in achieving high impact and novel discoveries, especially when a project employs computational and domain approaches interdependently; and (3) the contribution of ML and its implication to team structure depend on the depth of ML.
Influenza vaccination of school teachers: A scoping review and an impact estimation
Authors: Huiberts Anne , van Cleef Brigitte , Tjon-A-Tsien Aimée , Dijkstra Frederika , Schreuder Imke , Fanoy Ewout , van Gageldonk Arianne , van der Hoek Wim , van Asten Liselotte
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Influenza vaccination, besides protecting traditional risk groups, can protect employees and reduce illness-related absence, which is especially relevant in sectors with staff shortages. This study describes current knowledge of influenza vaccination in teachers and estimates its potential impact.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of the considerations for and impact of influenza vaccination of schoolteachers (grey and scientific literature up to 2020 March, complemented with interviews). We then estimated the potential impact of teacher vaccination in the Netherlands, with different scenarios of vaccine uptake for 3 influenza seasons (2016–2019). Using published data on multiple input parameters, we calculated potentially averted absenteeism notifications, averted absenteeism duration and averted doctor visits for influenza.

Results

Only one scientific paper reported on impact; it showed lower absenteeism in vaccinated teachers, whereas more knowledge of vaccination impact was deemed crucial by 50% of interviewed experts. The impact for the Netherlands of a hypothetical 50% vaccine uptake was subsequently estimated: 74–293 potentially averted physician visits and 11,178–28,896 potentially averted days of influenza absenteeism (on ≈200,000 total teacher population). An estimated 12–32 vaccinations were required to prevent one teacher sick-leave notification, or 3.5–9.1 vaccinations to prevent one day of teacher absenteeism (2016–2019).

Conclusion

Scientific publications on influenza vaccination in teachers are few, while public interest has increased to reduce teacher shortages. However, school boards and public health experts indicate requiring knowledge of impact when considering this vaccination. Estimations of 3.5–9.1 vaccinated teachers preventing one day of influenza-related sick leave suggest a possible substantial vaccination impact on absenteeism. Financial incentives, more accessible on-site vaccinations at workplaces, or both, are expected to increase uptake, but more research is needed on teachers’ views and vaccine uptake potential and its cost-effectiveness. Piloting free on-site influenza vaccination in several schools could provide further information on teacher participation.
Can we speak of a negative psychological tetrad in sports? A probabilistic Bayesian study on competitive sailing
Authors: García-Mas Alejandro , Martins Bruno , Núñez Antonio , Ponseti Francisco J. , Trigueros Rubén , Alias Antonio , Caraballo Israel , Aguilar-Parra José M.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Researchers display an interest in studying aspects like the mental health of high-performance athletes; the dark side of sport, or the earliest attempts to study the so-called dark triad of personality in both initiation and high-performance athletes. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to determine the possible existence and magnitude of negative psychological aspects within a population of competition sailors and from a probabilistic point of view, using Bayesian Network analysis.

Methods

The study was carried out on 235 semi-professional sailors of the 49er Class, aged between 16 and 52 years (M = 24.66; SD = 8.03).

Results

The results show the existence of a Negative Tetrad—formed by achievement burnout, anxiety due to concentration disruption, amotivation and importance given to error—as a probabilistic product of the psychological variables studied: motivation, anxiety, burnout and fear of error.

Conclusion

These results, supported by Bayesian networks, show holistically the influence of the social context on the psychological and emotional well-being of the athlete during competition at sea.
The time to initiate trophic feeding and its predictors among preterm neonate admitted to neonatal intensive care unit, Multicenter study, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Daniel Adimasu , Tafere Yilikal , Eshete Tewodros , Abebaw Ermias , Adimasu Mekonen , Endalew Bekalu
Published: August 2022

Background

Trophic feeding is a small volume, hypo-caloric feeding, gut priming or minimal enteral feeding acclimate the immature gut of enteral fasting preterm neonates. Delayed starting of trophic feeding had resulted in short and long-term physical and neurological sequels. The current study aimed to estimate the time to initiate trophic feeding and its predictors among preterm neonates admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Debre Markos, Felege Hiwot, and Tibebe Ghion comprehensive specialized hospitals.

Methods

An institutional-based prospective follow-up study was conducted among 210 neonates. The data were collected with interview and chart review, entered into Epi data 3.1 and exported to Stata 14.1 for analysis. Multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to identify predictors of time to initiate trophic feeding.

Result

A total of 210 neonates were followed for 10136 person-hours of risk time and 191 (90.95%) of neonates were started trophic feeding. The overall incidence of starting trophic feeding was 2 per 100 (95% CI: 2, 2.2) person-hours observations. The median survival time was 42 hours (95% CI: 36, 48). APGAR- score at first minute <7 (AHR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.82), gestational age of <34 weeks (AHR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.5, 0.94), presence of respiratory distress syndrome (AHR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.68), presence of hemodynamic instability (AHR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.57), presence of perinatal asphyxia (AHR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.89), cesarean section delivery (AHR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44, 89) and being delivered within the study hospitals (AHR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.74) were found to be statistically significant predictors of time to initiate trophic feeding.

Conclusion

There was a significant delay to initiate trophic feeding in the studied hospitals. Gestational age of below 34 weeks, APGAR-score of less than seven, out-born delivery, cesarean delivery, presence of respiratory distress syndrome; perinatal asphyxia, and hemodynamic instability were predictors of delay in starting of trophic feeding. Standardized feeding guideline has to be implemented to overcome delays in enteral feeding initiation.
Preliminary brain-behavioral neural correlates of anterior cruciate ligament injury risk landing biomechanics using a novel bilateral leg press neuroimaging paradigm
Authors: Grooms Dustin R. , Diekfuss Jed A. , Criss Cody R. , Anand Manish , Slutsky-Ganesh Alexis B. , DiCesare Christopher A. , Myer Gregory D.
Published: August 2022

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk reduction strategies primarily focus on biomechanical factors related to frontal plane knee motion and loading. Although central nervous system processing has emerged as a contributor to injury risk, brain activity associated with the resultant ACL injury-risk biomechanics is limited. Thus, the purposes of this preliminary study were to determine the relationship between bilateral motor control brain activity and injury risk biomechanics and isolate differences in brain activity for those who demonstrate high versus low ACL injury risk. Thirty-one high school female athletes completed a novel, multi-joint leg press during brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize bilateral motor control brain activity. Athletes also completed an established biomechanical assessment of ACL injury risk biomechanics within a 3D motion analysis laboratory. Knee abduction moments during landing were modelled as a covariate of interest within the fMRI analyses to identify directional relationships with brain activity and an injury-risk group classification analysis, based on established knee abduction moment cut-points. Greater landing knee abduction moments were associated with greater lingual gyrus, intracalcarine cortex, posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus activity when performing the bilateral leg press (all z > 3.1, p < .05; multiple comparison corrected). In the follow-up injury-risk classification analysis, those classified as high ACL injury-risk had greater activity in the lingual gyrus, parietal cortex and bilateral primary and secondary motor cortices relative to those classified as low ACL injury-risk (all z > 3.1, p < .05; multiple comparison corrected). In young female athletes, elevated brain activity for bilateral leg motor control in regions that integrate sensory, spatial, and attentional information were related to ACL injury-risk landing biomechanics. These data implicate crossmodal visual and proprioceptive integration brain activity and knee spatial awareness as potential neurotherapeutic targets to optimize ACL injury-risk reduction strategies.
Influence of transurethral enucleation with bipolar of the prostate on erectile function: Prospective analysis of 51 patients at 12-month follow-up
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuyuki , Arai Hiroki , Honda Masahito
Published: August 2022

Background

Transurethral enucleation with bipolar (TUEB) is a safe and effective surgery for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). However, few data exist concerning the influence of TUEB on erectile function (EF) in patients with BPO.

Objective

To evaluate the influence of TUEB on EF in patients with BPO at 3- and 12-month follow-up.

Material and methods

We prospectively enrolled 51 patients who underwent TUEB from June 2016 to April 2020. We evaluated maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine (PVR), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) preoperatively and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. We classified the patients according to their preoperative IIEF-5 score into group 1 (IIEF-5 ≥10; n = 24) and group 2 (IIEF-5 <10; n = 27), and for further evaluation of EF, into subgroups a: severe (IIEF-5 5–7), b: moderate (8–11), c: mild to moderate (12–16), d: mild (17–21), and e: no erectile dysfunction (22–25). Data are displayed as median or median (interquartile range).

Results

The study comprised 51 patients with a median age of 75 (70.5–79.5) years. Median prostate and transition zone volumes were 69.5 (46.5–78.8) mL and 30.5 (19–43) mL, respectively. Urinary function improved significantly when comparing respective preoperative, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up values: Qmax (7.6, 12.9, 15.2 mL/s), PVR (50, 0, 0 mL), IPSS (20.5, 9, 6), and QoL (5, 2, 2), respectively. There was no significant change in IIEF-5 score across the three time points: 9, 7, 8. The IIEF-5 score slightly but significantly increased between the preoperative and 12-month follow-up values in group 2 (5, 5, 6) and subgroup a (5, 5, 5).

Conclusion

TUEB was effective and safe surgery for patients with BPO and showed no significant influence on EF at 12-month follow-up after TUEB in patients with BPO.
Optimization and selection of cause marketing mode with the warm glow effect
Authors: Wu Chuanliang , Xie Jiaping , Zhang Tingting
Published: August 2022

Cause marketing (CM) is an important way of implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies. While most related studies explore firms’ implementation of CM campaigns, which involve donation of part of their sales revenue to charity for a social cause, we focus on the case of a firm contributing a specific ratio of its sales quantity to implement the CM campaign and divide the CM campaign mix into four modes according to different CM implementation subjects and the wholesale price (exogenous or endogenous). Unlike firms in the supply chain that use donation amounts to implement CM, the implementation of CM by donation ratio will be influenced by the donation cost, which can further affect their pricing strategies. Therefore, this study takes a two-level supply chain as the research object and builds Stackelberg game models to explore the optimization problem of donation and pricing decisions for different CM modes and choices from CM modes. This study presents three main conclusions. First, when the degree of preference for CM is sufficiently large, the supplier or retailer can implement CM only when the income generated by the increase in sales and retail price can compensate for the donation cost. Owing to the differing donation costs, it is easier for suppliers to implement CM than retailers. Second, in the case of the exogenous wholesale price, when the degree of preference for CM is relatively low, the supplier should implement the CM. However, when the degree of preference for CM is relatively high, the retailer should implement the CM. When the degree of preference for CM is moderate, the supplier can suppress the free-rider behavior of the retailer in implementing CM by sharing donation costs with the retailer, thereby achieving a win-win situation. Third, in the case of endogenous wholesale prices, the supplier should take the initiative to implement CM. Compared with other CM modes, the donation ratio is the largest in this mode.
A reservoir bubble point pressure prediction model using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) technique with trend analysis
Authors: Alakbari Fahd Saeed , Mohyaldinn Mysara Eissa , Ayoub Mohammed Abdalla , Muhsan Ali Samer , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A.
Published: August 2022

The bubble point pressure (Pb) could be obtained from pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) measurements; nonetheless, these measurements have drawbacks such as time, cost, and difficulties associated with conducting experiments at high-pressure-high-temperature conditions. Therefore, numerous attempts have been made using several approaches (such as regressions and machine learning) to accurately develop models for predicting the Pb. However, some previous models did not study the trend analysis to prove the correct relationships between inputs and outputs to show the proper physical behavior. Thus, this study aims to build a robust and more accurate model to predict the Pb using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and trend analysis approaches for the first time. More than 700 global datasets have been used to develop and validate the model to robustly and accurately predict the Pb. The proposed ANFIS model is compared with 21 existing models using statistical error analysis such as correlation coefficient (R), standard deviation (SD), average absolute percentage relative error (AAPRE), average percentage relative error (APRE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The ANFIS model shows the proper relationships between independent and dependent parameters that indicate the correct physical behavior. The ANFIS model outperformed all 21 models with the highest R of 0.994 and the lowest AAPRE, APRE, SD, and RMSE of 6.38%, -0.99%, 0.074 psi, and 9.73 psi, respectively, as the first rank model. The second rank model has the R, AAPRE, APRE, SD, and RMSE of 0.9724, 9%, -1.58%, 0.095 psi, and 13.04 psi, respectively. It is concluded that the proposed ANFIS model is validated to follow the correct physical behavior with higher accuracy than all studied models.
Value of 3D printing technology combined with indocyanine green fluorescent navigation in complex laparoscopic hepatectomy
Authors: Cheng Jian , Wang Zhifei , Liu Jie , Dou Changwei , Yao Weifeng , Zhang Chengwu
Published: August 2022

Background

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has achieved rapid progress over the last decade. However, it is still challenging to apply laparoscopy to lesions located in segments I, VII, VIII, and IVa and the hepatic hilar region due to difficulty operating around complex anatomical structures. In this study, we applied three-dimensional printing (3DP) and indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging technology to complex laparoscopic hepatectomy (CLH) to explore the effects and value of the modified procedure.

Materials and methods

From January 2019 to January 2021, 54 patients with complex hepatobiliary diseases underwent LH at our center. Clinical data were collected from these patients and retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 30 patients underwent CLH using the conventional approach, whereas 24 cases received CLH with 3DP technology and ICG fluorescent navigation. Preoperative data were compared between the two groups. In the 3DP group, we modified the surgical strategy of four patients (4/24, 16.7%) due to real-time intraoperative navigation with 3DP and ICG fluorescent imaging technology. We did not modify the surgical strategy for any patient in the non-3DP group (P = 0.02). There were no significant differences between the non-3DP and 3DP groups regarding operating time (297.7±104.1 min vs. 328.8±110.9 min, P = 0.15), estimated blood loss (400±263.8 ml vs. 345.8±356.1 ml, P = 0.52), rate of conversion to laparotomy (3/30 vs. 2/24, P = 0.79), or pathological outcomes including the incidence of microscopical R0 margins (28/30 vs. 24/24, P = 0.57). Additionally, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications or recovery conditions between the two groups. No instances of 30- or 90-day mortality were observed.

Conclusion

The optimal surgical strategy for CLH can be chosen with the help of 3DP technology and ICG fluorescent navigation. This modified procedure is both safe and effective, but without improvement of intraoperative and short-term outcomes.
Longitudinal change in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in 3-to 16-year-old children: The Augsburg Plus study
Authors: Leone Vincenza , Meisinger Christa , Temizel Selin , Kling Elisabeth , Gerstlauer Michael , Frühwald Michael C. , Burkhardt Katrin
Published: August 2022

Background

Currently, more than 30,200,000 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed in Germany alone. However, data regarding prevalence of COVID-19 in children, both in Germany and internationally, are sparse. We sought to evaluate the number of infected children by measuring IgG antibodies.

Methods

Oropharyngeal swabs were collected between December 2020 and August 2021 to measure SARS-CoV-2, and capillary blood for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (by rapid test NADAL® and filter paper test Euroimmun® ELISA); venous blood was taken for validation (Roche® ECLIA and recomLine Blot) in 365 German children aged 3–16 years from 30 schools and preschools. We used multiple serological tests because the filter paper test Euroimmun® ELISA performs better in terms of sensitivity and specificity than the rapid test NADAL®. The Roche® ECLIA test is used to detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and the recomLine Blot test is used to rule out the possibility of infection by seasonal SARS-viruses and to test for specific SARS-CoV-2 proteins (NP, RBD and S1). In addition, one parent each (n = 336), and 4–5 teachers/caregivers (n = 90) per institution were tested for IgG antibodies from capillary blood samples. The total study duration was 4 months per child, including the first follow-up after 2 months and the second after 4 months.

Results

Of 364 children tested at baseline, 3.6% (n = 13) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using Euroimmun® ELISA. Seven children reported previously testing positive for SARS-CoV-2; each of these was confirmed by the Roche® Anti-SARS-CoV-2-ECLIA (antibody to spike protein 1) test. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies persisted over a 4-month period, but levels decreased significantly (p = 0.004) within this timeframe. The median IgG values were 192.0 BAU/ml [127.2; 288.2], 123.6 BAU/ml [76.6; 187.7] and 89.9 BAU/ml [57.4; 144.2] at baseline, 2 months and 4 months after baseline, respectively. During the study period, no child tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by oropharyngeal swab. A total of 4.3% of all parents and 3.7% of teachers/caregivers tested positive for IgG antibodies by Euroimmun® ELISA at baseline.

Conclusion

We noted a rather low seroprevalence in children despite an under-reporting of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Measurement of IgG antibodies derived from capillary blood appears to be a valid tool to detect asymptomatic infections in children. However, no asymptomatic active infection was detected during the study period of 4 months in the whole cohort. Further data on SARS-CoV-2 infections in children are needed, especially in the group of <5-year-olds, as there is currently no licensed vaccine for this age group in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute’s Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) recommended COVID-19 vaccination for 12–17 and 5–11 year olds in August 2021 and May 2022 respectively.
Accessing the stapedius muscle via novel surgical retrofacial approach during cochlear implantation surgery: Intraoperative results on feasibility and safety
Authors: Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Arnold Dirk , Volk Gerd Fabian , Korth Daniela , Aschenbach Rene , Hempel Johann-Martin , Schneider Fritz , Schade-Mann Thore , Gamerdinger Philipp , Tropitzsch Anke , Löwenheim Hubert
Published: August 2022

Human stapedius muscle (SM) can be directly and safely accessed via retrofacial approach, opening new approaches to directly measure the electrically evoked stapedius reflex threshold (eSRT). The measurement of the SM activity via direct surgical access represents a potential tool for objective eSRT fitting of cochlear implants (CI), increasing the benefit experienced by the CI users and leading to new perspectives in the development of smart implantable neurostimulators. 3D middle-ear reconstructions created after manual segmentation and related SM accessibility metrics were evaluated before the CI surgery for 16 candidates with assessed stapedius reflex. Retrofacial approach to access the SM was performed after facial recess exposure. In cases of poor exposition of SM, the access was performed anteriorly to the FN via drilling of the pyramidal eminence (PE). The total access rate of the SM via both the retrofacial and anterior approach of the FN was 100%. In 81.2% of cases (13/16), the retrofacial approach allowed to access the SM on previously categorized well exposed (8/8), partially exposed (4/5), and wholly concealed (1/3) SM with respect to FN. Following intraoperative evaluation in the remaining 18.8% (3/16), the SM was accessed anteriorly via drilling of the PE. Exposure of SM with respect to the FN and the sigmoid sinus’s prominence was a predictor for the suitable surgical approach. The retrofacial approach offers feasible and reproducible access to the SM belly, opening direct access to electromyographic sensing of the eSRT. Surgical planner tools can quantitatively assist pre-surgical assessment.