bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of collectors in centrifugal spinning: Effect on the fiber yield and morphology
Authors: Naseri Joda Nasrollah , Ince Ahmet Erdem , Rihova Martina , Pavlinak David , Macak Jan M
Published: November 2024

Centrifugal spinning is an increasingly popular and viable method to produce fibers of different compositions. However, there are still aspects to investigate and improve in the centrifugal spinning process, such as optimizing the fiber yield and obtaining defect-free fiber morphology. To address this gap, the effects of the collectors on the fiber yield and their morphology were investigated in this work. An aqueous solution with 18 wt% of PVP and two needles (18G and 21G) with different diameters and three different spinning speeds (5000, 7000, and 9000 RPM) were used to explore a set of fiber collectors with various collector spacing (1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cm distance between the collectors’ bars). The results of the experiments showed that fiber collectors affect the yield of the process and the fiber morphology to some (non-negligible) extent. Denser collectors enabled higher yield, thus reducing the waste, and positively affecting the beading of fibers. The knowledge obtained in this work about the influence of collectors on the centrifugal processing of basic polymers can be with an advantage applied to the processing of different polymers and needles used within the centrifugal spinning process.
Brief communication: The cohort of women prescribed HIV PrEP at the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Keddem Shimrit , Broderick Kaitlyn , Van Epps Puja , Roberts Christopher B. , Chhatre Sumedha , Beste Lauren A.
Published: November 2024

The goal of this study was to describe the cohort of women prescribed PrEP at the Veterans Health Administration. We used a cross-sectional study of electronic health record data. We used descriptive statistics and calculated estimated average percent change by year of prescription. A total of 417 women were prescribed PrEP over the study period. The most substantial change over time in PrEP prescribing occurred among women aged 18–24, in Other race group, and in the Western US. Though PrEP prescribing increased since its approval, more research is needed to identify barriers and expand PrEP access for women Veterans.
The Platform trial In COVID-19 vaccine priming and BOOsting (PICOBOO) booster vaccination substudy protocol
Authors: C McLeod , M Dymock , KL Flanagan , M Plebanski , H Marshall , J Marsh , MJ Estcourt , J Ramsay , U Wadia , PCM Williams , MC Tjiam , C Blyth , K Subbarao , S Nicholson , S.N. Faust , RB Thornton , A Mckenzie , T Snelling , P Richmond
Published: November 2024

Background

Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in Australia commenced in February 2021. The first vaccines recommended for use were AZD1222 and BNT162b2, both delivered as a two-dose primary schedule. In the absence of sustained immunity following immunisation, recommendations for booster vaccination have followed. It is likely that periodic boosting will be necessary for at least some Australians, but it is unknown what the optimal booster vaccines and schedules are or for whom vaccination should be recommended.

Methods

The Platform Trial In COVID-19 priming and BOOsting (PICOBOO) is a multi-site, multi-arm, randomised, Bayesian adaptive platform trial evaluating different booster vaccine interventions in immunocompetent children and adults, stratified by their primary vaccination schedule and age. Participants are randomised to receive one of three licensed COVID-19 booster vaccines available for use in Australia. PICOBOO aims to generate evidence about the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and cross-protection of different booster vaccine strategies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants/subvariants. The protocol structure specifying PICOBOO is modular and hierarchical. We have previously published the PICOBOO core (master) protocol. Here, we detail the substudy protocol which outlines the study processes which are specific to PICOBOO participants enrolled in the booster vaccination substudy.

Discussion

PICOBOO is an adaptive platform trial evaluating different COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies to generate evidence to inform immunisation practice and policy. The modular and flexible protocol structure is intended to enable investigators to respond with agility to new research questions as they arise, such as immunogenicity targeting emergent virus variants, and the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of new vaccines as they become available for use.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12622000238774; registered on 10/02/2022. Protocol V8.0_23112023.
Bioassay-guided isolation and in Silico characterization of cytotoxic compounds from Hemimycale sp. Sponge targeting A549 lung cancer cells
Authors: Said Asmaa Abo Elgoud , Abdel-Rahman Islam M. , Mostafa Yaser A. , Attia Eman Zekry , Samy Mamdouh Nabil , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Matsunami Katsuyoshi , Fouad Mostafa A. , Gouda Yaser G.
Published: November 2024

Bioassay-guided fractionation approach led to identification of two novel compounds; (4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methoxy-1H-pyrazol (1) and mycalene (2), alongside with four known metabolites; octadecane (3), hexatriacontane (4), 1-heneicosanol (5) and heptatriacontanoic acid (6) from the Red Sea marine sponge Hemimycale sp. The ethyl acetate fraction showed a noticeable cytotoxic activity against the lung cancer cell line (A549) with IC50 value of 75.54 µg/ mL. Structural elucidation was achieved using a combination of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). To elucidate the potential mechanism of action behind the cytotoxic effects against lung cancer, a multi-faceted approach combining in silico network pharmacology, experimental validation, and molecular docking studies were employed. Both compounds, designated as 1 and 2, demonstrated significant binding affinities to predicted target proteins, with docking scores of -4.789 and − 4.421 kcal/mol, respectively. These results lay the groundwork for further investigation into the therapeutic potential of these novel compounds from Hemimycale sp. as promising candidates for lung cancer treatment.
Dog ownership, physical activity, loneliness and mental health: a comparison of older adult and younger adult companion animal owners
Authors: Zablan Kirrily , Melvin Glenn , Hayley Alexa
Published: November 2024

Background and aim

Dog ownership has been suggested as an intervention to increase physical activity and improve mental health, but few studies have investigated the relationships between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health outcomes together. This study aimed to (1) investigate whether dog ownership, CA-related physical activity, and non-CA-related physical activity were explanatory variables for the relationships between CA ownership, depression, and anxiety via loneliness and (2) examine whether the relationships between these variables differed for older adult CA owners compared to younger adult CA owners.

Method

Participants were Australian CA owners from the community (N = 588, 76.3% female) aged 18–84 years (M = 55.34, SD = 14.90). A cross-sectional design and online/phone survey methodology were used.

Results

Path analysis showed that dog owners (compared to owners of other CA types) engaged in higher levels of both CA-related and non-CA-related physical activity, but only non-CA-related physical activity was associated with mental health outcomes. Multigroup moderation analysis showed that older adult and younger adult CA owners experienced similar moderate levels of loneliness, while in younger adults this moderate loneliness was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to older adults.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate people who choose to own dogs over other CA types engage in more active lifestyles, but it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dog that is associated with less loneliness and greater mental health. Members of the public should not be universally encouraged by health or other professionals to own a dog to support their mental health based on a belief that dog ownership leads to beneficial physical activity.
Democracy, visa-waivers, and international mobility
Authors: Altundal Ugur , Zarpli Omer
Published: November 2024

In examining visa-waiver agreements, previous studies have primarily focused on economic motivations and effects. In this article, we explore the potential political motivations and consequences. Particularly, we propose that there is a positive relationship between visa-waivers and democracy. We test this using a global dataset that records bilateral travel visa requirements for all countries between 1973 and 2013. We find support for our main hypothesis. We also examine the relationship between democracy, visa waivers and economic development. Contrary to our expectations, we find that democracy continues to exert influence on visa waivers even at high levels of income. Non-democracies fail to attain visa waivers even when they are wealthy. Finally, we explore whether visa waivers could have an impact on individuals’ attitudes towards democracy. Using survey data from 18 Latin American countries, we find suggestive evidence that that visa-waivers can have a positive impact on individuals’ democratic attitudes. Taken together, the findings suggest that democracy and visa-waivers might have a mutually reinforcing relationship.
Revisiting the shuffle of generalized Feistel structure
Authors: Chen Yincen , Guo Yi , Liang Xuanyu , Song Ling , Yang Qianqian
Published: November 2024

The Generalized Feistel Structure ($$\texttt{GFS}$$
GFS
) is one of the most widely used frameworks in symmetric cipher design. In FES 2010, Suzaki and Minematsu strengthened the cryptanalysis security of $$\texttt{GFS}$$
GFS
by searching for shuffles with the best diffusion property. In ASIACRYPT 2018, Shi et al. suggested a set of shuffles, which makes $$\texttt{GFS}$$
GFS
a better resistance against Demirci–Selcuk meet-in-the-middle cryptanalysis. Since these shuffles are different from the currently known good ones and also different from the shuffles used in $$\texttt{TWINE}$$
TWINE
and $$\texttt{LBlock}$$
LBlock
, our research focuses on a more comprehensive evaluation of $$\texttt{GFS}$$
GFS
with different shuffles, including diffusion property of shuffle, differential, linear, impossible differential, zero-correlation linear, integral and Demirci–Selcuk meet-in-the-middle cryptanalysis, to find the best one. Such evaluations entail significant time consumption. Thus, we utilize Mixed Integral Linear Programming models and introduce an evaluate-and-filter strategy to achieve it efficiently. Our results verify that the shuffles discovered by Suzaki and Minematsu and those used in $$\texttt{TWINE}$$
TWINE
and $$\texttt{LBlock}$$
LBlock
are the best so far. We also find that the cryptanalysis resistances of $$\texttt{GFS}$$
GFS
are not necessarily consistent. It is this finding that makes the necessity of our more comprehensive evaluation self-evident.
Surgical outcomes of drug-refractory infantile epileptic spasms syndrome and related prognostic factors: a retrospective study
Authors: Cao Xueyan , Ding Xin , Zhu Fengjun , Chen Li , Chen Yan , Sun Yang , Li Lin , Tan Zeshi , Li Cong , Yao Yi , Su Qiru , Cao Dezhi
Published: November 2024

Background

In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of surgical treatment in children with drug-refractory infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) and examine the factors influencing the post-surgical outcomes.

Methods

The clinical data of 30 children (18 males and 12 females) with epileptic spasms (ES) who underwent surgery at the Epilepsy Center of Shenzhen Children’s Hospital between June 2018 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Post-surgical outcomes were evaluated using the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale. Scalp electroencephalography and developmental quotient were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Univariate analysis and exact logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors affecting the postoperative efficacy.

Results

Of the 30 patients who underwent surgical resection, 22 (73.3%) achieved Engel’s class I–II outcomes. Additionally, motor and cognitive functions improved in 14 patients (46.7%). The development of 12 (40%) patients remained at the preoperative development level. The median number of antiseizure medications taken preoperatively was 5.27 (range 2–10), which decreased to 1.90 (range 0–4) at the last follow-up. Seizure duration, etiology, positive positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI), surgery type, and lesion location were significantly correlated with the postoperative efficacy (P < 0.05). Positive PET/MRI findings and lesion location predicted independently the postoperative outcomes. Permanent impairments of motor or language function were rare, with only two cases reporting hydrocephalus and one reporting hemiplegia.

Conclusions

Surgery is an effective treatment option for children with IESS. Early referral and comprehensive preoperative evaluation are essential for identification of surgically treatable structural lesions. The primary surgically treatable cause is cortical malformation, followed by perinatal brain injury. Hemispheric disconnection is a preferred surgical approach. Positive PET/MRI findings and lesion location predicted the postoperative outcomes.
Enhanced detection of Pythium insidiosum via lipid profiling with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Yurayart Nichapat , Jittorntam Paisan , Kumsang Yothin , Rujirawat Thidarat , Jiaranaikulwanich Atisak , Krajaejun Theerapong
Published: November 2024

Pythiosis is a severe disease in humans and animals globally, caused by the pathogenic oomycete Pythium insidiosum. Early and accurate detection is crucial for effective treatment, but traditional diagnostic methods have limitations. This study presents an alternative approach using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for lipid profiling to efficiently identify P. insidiosum. The study involved extracting microbial lipid components using optimized chloroform: methanol biphasic method and creating a lipid profile database with samples from 30 P. insidiosum isolates and 50 various fungi. The methodology was validated on 25 blinded samples for assay detection performance. Unique lipid profiles allowed species-specific identification with high efficiency: scores ≥ 2.682 indicated P. insidiosum, scores ≤ 2.512 suggested fungi, and scores in between pointed to other oomycetes. The assay demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 80%, and 88%, respectively, for detecting P. insidiosum. The limited detection specificity was due to false positive samples from closely related Pythium species, which are not a significant clinical concern. The findings show that MALDI-TOF MS lipid profiling can efficiently identify P. insidiosum, offering significant advantages in sample preparation, stability, and reproducibility over protein profile-based methods. This study marks the first instance of lipid profiles being reported for P. insidiosum, paving the way for clinical use in improving accurate detection and facilitating timely treatment interventions.
Insights into the chili phytochemicals, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of instant premixes (green and red chilies) and their reconstitution products
Authors: Arya Monisha , Kumari Priyanka , Kumar Gyanendra , Chauhan Attar Singh , Giridhar Parvatam
Published: November 2024

Chili fruits are a potential source of phytochemicals and nutrients for food and reconstituted products. Due to its high nutritional and bioactive components, the current study focused on developing chili instant food products employing hot-air drying method. The effect of the hot-air drying method on physicochemical properties, microbiological quality, retention of bioactive components, phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, and sensory quality of green and red chilies reconstitution products were investigated. HPLC quantification unveiled that fresh red chili product had retained the highest capsaicin (2703.14 µg/g) and dihydrocapsaicin (1518 µg/g) content on the 0th day. Furthermore, UPLC-MS confirmed the presence of eleven phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, rutin, and quercetin. Among all, ferulic acid (382.91 µg/g) was the most abundant phenolic compound in fresh green chili products, followed by trans-cinnamic acid (73.19 µg/g) in green chili reconstituted and catechin (65.66 µg/g) in green and red chili reconstituted products. The chili products retained reasonable amounts of bioactive components and antioxidants during storage without microbial growth. The correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between capsaicinoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties, which are linearly related in green chili products. This study offers manufacturers a cost-effective technology for producing high-quality chili-reconstituted products rich in essential nutrients and health benefits.

Graphical Abstract
The value of renal color Doppler ultrasound as an objective tool in the diagnosis of renal affection in SLE patients
Authors: Zakarieya Eman Yahya , Reda Mervat Abd Elhamid , Saber Nayera Zaghloul , Nasser Haytham Mohamed , Hammad Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: November 2024

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with diverse manifestations, which resembles a clinical challenge to be managed. Lupus nephritis is a life-threatening condition as about 10% of patients develop chronic kidney disease.

Aim of the work

To assess the role of resistive index (RI) as a noninvasive parameter in detecting renal affection in SLE patients.

Results

A case–control study included 3 matched groups: 30 patients, 15 SLE with no renal affection, and 15 SLE lupus nephritis patients, who were selected, diagnosed according to ACR criteria 2019 for SLE, beside 15 age- and gender-matched healthy controls without any risk factors of chronic diseases. Written informed consent was obtained from all the three groups, and the study was approved by ethical committee. There was a statistically significant increase in both SLEDAI and renal SLEDAI scores, serum BUN, creatinine, urinary pus cells, RBCs, casts and proteins, 24-h urinary proteins, and protein/creatinine ratio beside a statistically significant increase in both right and left resistive indices in the group of lupus nephritis than the other group. There was highly statistically significant difference between SLE without nephritis and SLE with nephritis regarding renal echogenicity. There was statistically significant positive correlation between average RI and SLEDAI, rSLEDAI, serum creatinine, BUN, 24-h urinary proteins, protein/creatinine ratio, and renal echogenicity. Relation between renal echogenicity and demographic, laboratory, and clinical data was highly statistically significant with rSLEDAI, serum creatinine, BUN, 24-h urinary proteins, and P/C ratio. Our study highlighted that the best cutoff point of Rt average RI to detect SLE with nephritis group was found > 0.68 with sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 100.0%, while the best cutoff point of left average RI to detect SLE with nephritis group was found > 0.7 with sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 100.0%.

Conclusion

Renal RI is a noninvasive technique that can be used for detection renal disease activity in SLE patients, together with renal parenchymal echogenicity by grayscale US.
Advances in basin modeling using Markov chain: Facies deposition in response to sea level variations and random sequence of geologic processes
Authors: Altamar Roderick Perez
Published: November 2024

The integration of Markov chain models with geologic stratigraphic simulations marks a significant step forward in sedimentary basin modeling. This study focuses on modeling the complexities of facies deposition influenced by sea level variations and geologic processes within sedimentary basins. Combining mathematical precision with geologic insights, the approach simulates and visualizes the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins, moving beyond traditional deterministic models. The methodology employs Markov chain models to capture the stochastic nature of geologic phenomena, simulating transitions between various geologic states, such as deformation, tilting, faulting, and erosion, over geologic timescales. Transition matrices within this probabilistic framework determine the likelihood of shifting from one geologic state to another. A synthetic sea level curve, developed using a sine function, mimics the periodic nature of sea level changes and their impact on facies deposition. A significant finding is the enhanced predictive capability of the Markov chain approach in geologic modeling. By embracing stochastic processes, the study reveals a deeper understanding of inherent uncertainties and variabilities in geologic formations. This insight is crucial for resource exploration and environmental studies, providing a nuanced perspective on sedimentation and structural transformations. The simulations yield various subsurface model realizations, enabling extensive evaluation of geologic uncertainties and demonstrating the model's adaptability to different geologic events. Finally, the study exemplifies how integrating mathematical models with geologic processes leads to improved understanding and visualization of complex geologic systems. It highlights the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in yielding innovative solutions and deeper insights into earth's subsurface complexities.
Foundation News: SEG Foundation looks to the future at IMAGE ’24
Authors: Detomo Rocky
Published: November 2024

The 2024 International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE), held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, was a landmark event for the SEG Foundation. The conference brought together students, geoscientists, energy professionals, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss the latest advancements and trends in geoscience and energy. The SEG Foundation's generous donors helped support more than 100 students to compete, present, and network during the event.
Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Risk Prediction Model Development to Support Cancer Care Delivery: A Scoping Review
Authors: Paudel Roshan , Dias Samira , Wade Carrie G. , Cronin Christine , Hassett Michael J.
Published: November 2024

PURPOSE

The integration of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into electronic health records (EHRs) has enabled systematic collection of symptom data to manage post-treatment symptoms. The use and integration of PRO data into routine care are associated with overall treatment success, adherence, and satisfaction. Clinical trials have demonstrated the prognostic value of PROs including physical function and global health status in predicting survival. It is unknown to what extent routinely collected PRO data are used in the development of risk prediction models (RPMs) in oncology care. The objective of the scoping review is to assess how PROs are used to train risk RPMs to predict patient outcomes in oncology care.

METHODS

Using the scoping review methodology outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis, we searched four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science) to locate peer-reviewed oncology articles that used PROs as predictors to train models. Study characteristics including settings, clinical outcomes, and model training, testing, validation, and performance data were extracted for analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 1,254 studies identified, 18 met inclusion criteria. Most studies performed retrospective analyses of prospectively collected PRO data to build prediction models. Post-treatment survival was the most common outcome predicted. Discriminative performance of models trained using PROs was better than models trained without PROs. Most studies did not report model calibration.

CONCLUSION

Systematic collection of PROs in routine practice provides an opportunity to use patient-reported data to develop RPMs. Model performance improves when PROs are used in combination with other comprehensive data sources.
De-naming
Authors: Chang Chia-Hsu Jessica
Published: November 2024

This article analyzes how the colonial naming structure creates and sustains what it means to be human and nonhuman in coloniality. It begins with a preliminary reading of Sylvia Wynter’s interpretation of Frantz Fanon’s “white mask” as a cultural technology, where the modern human’s names lie. The author argues that the “colored skin,” where the dehumanizing names are marked, is the other cultural technology inseparable from the white mask in constituting the colonial naming structure. By understanding skin technology as external to the embodied self, the author investigates how the modern idea of sex also functions as skin technology. The politics of women of color are then explored, interpreting the relation between sex and gender as the “sex-skin/gender-mask structure,” isomorphic to the Fanonian black-skin/white-mask structure. The article further engages with Naifei Ding’s concept of the “feminist knot” to analyze how this structure is reified and reproduced specifically in third-world Taiwan. It concludes with a proposal of “de-naming” as a decolonial methodology to shift away from dehumanizing names that fix a person into their sexed-and-colored skin and toward names that transform their embodied self.
Feminist Development Justice as Emancipatory Praxis
Authors: Mohamed Nasha , Chattopadhyay Sutapa , Gahman Levi
Published: November 2024

This article offers a comprehensive overview of feminist development justice, a transformative framework designed to reduce global inequalities that is being advanced by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD). The piece aims to unsettle and expand mainstream development studies literature, which critical scholars argue remains plagued by Eurocentrism and ongoing colonial modes of knowledge production. Additionally, it advocates for more recognition and citation of the grassroots analysis and frontline praxis of progressive social movements in the Global South that are guided by emancipatory politics and feminist ethics. We begin with a synopsis of development studies’ lack of attention to the enduring consequences of race, colonial power, and imperialism, as well as highlight arguments being made about the radical potential yet qualified merit of knowledges generated by social movements. We then present readers with the concept of feminist development justice, the justice-based pillars on which the framework rests, and the political work of the APWLD. The article ends with a succinct conclusion on what is at stake vis-à-vis extractivism and the seemingly intractable “development” challenges at hand and how grassroots social movements can be rich sources to draw from regarding liberatory change and building better worlds.
Injury Characteristics and Risk Factors of Sport-Related Concussion Among High School Athletes in School-Sponsored Sports
Authors: Shaffer Annabelle , Kemprecos Helen , Moran Zelda , Anderson Aaron T. , Tarr Adam , Flannell John , Huesmann Graham , Wszalek Tracey M. , Zimmerman Jerrad , Arnold Paul M.
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Over a million sport-related concussions (SRC) affect children annually in the United States, posing a significant public health concern. Limited data exist on the premorbid risk factors and injury characteristics of SRCs in high school athletes. This study aims to understand acute SRC injury characteristics and describe premorbid risk factors in high school athletes.

METHODS:

Athletes (aged 14-19 years) from 19 central Illinois high schools participating in school-sponsored sports from 2009 to 2023 were included. Sports Concussion Assessment Tool evaluations were performed as part of preseason and postinjury evaluations. Injury characteristics, such as mechanism, setting, and symptoms, were described using all SRCs in the study period. Odds ratios (OR) were computed to determine risk factors using athletes with a baseline Sports Concussion Assessment Tool before SRC and nonconcussed athletes.

RESULTS:

In total, 4360 athletes were included (3953 without SRC; 407 with ≥1 SRC of whom 168 had a previous baseline). Overall, 24.2% of SRCs occurred in female athletes, and most SRCs occurred in competitions while playing American football (52.3%), soccer (20.4%), and basketball (7.6%). Blow/hit to the head was the most common mechanism. Headache was the most severe symptom (2.55 ± 1.51 [SD]), and symptoms of emotionality and nervousness/anxiety were significantly more severe in female athletes (P < .05). Students with previous concussions (OR 2.64 95% CI [1.81, 3.78]), previous hospitalization for head injury (OR 3.19 95% CI [1.9, 5.14]), headache/migraine disorders (OR 2.23 95% CI [1.29, 3.66]), and learning disabilities (OR 2.69 95% CI [1.47, 4.61]) had greater odds of SRC (P < .05). Lower odds of SRC were seen in athletes identifying as Black or African American (vs White) (OR 0.54 95% CI [0.32, 0.86]) and those attending larger (vs smaller) schools (OR 0.64 95% CI [0.46, 0.88]).

CONCLUSION:

Understanding SRC risk factors and characteristics in high school athletes is critical for developing prevention and management programs, guiding neurosurgeons in mitigating SRC risk, and informing return-to-play decisions.
Comprehensive Surgical Management of Thoracic Schwannomas: A Retrospective Multicenter Study on 98 Lesions
Authors: Corazzelli Giuseppe , Corvino Sergio , Marvulli Maria , Cioffi Valentina , D'Elia Alessandro , Meglio Vincenzo , Tafuto Roberto , Mastantuoni Ciro , Scala Maria Rosaria , Ricciardi Francesco , Di Colandrea Salvatore , Leonetti Settimio , De Marinis Pasqualino , Paolini Sergio , Esposito Vincenzo , Fiorelli Alfonso , Innocenzi Gualtiero , de Divitiis Oreste , de Falco Raffaele , Bocchetti Antonio
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The optimal surgical management of thoracic schwannomas (TSs) remains contentious, with various approaches proposed. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and combined VATS with neurosurgical procedures have shown promise, particularly for Eden type IV and III lesions. However, unanimous consent on the most effective surgical intervention and understanding of prognostic factors for tumor recurrence needs to be improved. The aim of this study was to elucidate the optimal surgical approach according to the Eden type and investigate predictive factors for TS recurrence.

METHODS:

This retrospective, multicentric, observational study analyzed 98 surgically treated patients with TS from 2011 to 2023, assessing preoperative and 6-month follow-up clinical (recurrences, pain, and myelopathy recovery) and surgical parameters (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, extent of resection). Surgical procedures included thoracic laminectomy or hemilaminectomy for type I, laminectomy or thoracic transpedicular (TPD) approach for type II, laminectomy alone or combined laminectomy with VATS for type III, and VATS or thoracotomy (open thoracotomy [OT]) for type IV. Descriptive and deductive analyses were conducted between and within the 4 cohorts, with multivariate analysis assessing the contribution of predictor variables.

RESULTS:

No significant differences were found between hemilaminectomy and laminectomy for all analyzed parameters for type I. Type II lesions treated with TPD exhibited similar outcomes to laminectomy, albeit with longer procedure times. Type III lesions benefited from combined approaches compared with neurosurgical-only approaches. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery emerged as more favorable than OT for type IV lesions. Multivariate analysis revealed that patient sex, tumor location, extent of resection, and pathology significantly influenced recurrence rates.

CONCLUSION:

For Eden type III TSs, neurosurgical and VATS combined surgery achieved better outcomes than neurosurgery alone; for Eden type IV TSs, VATS achieved better results than OT. For Eden types I and II, hemilaminectomy and bilateral laminectomy and laminectomy and TPD achieved similar outcomes, respectively.
Ευρωπαϊκή ένωση και αεροπορικές μεταφορές
Authors: Θεοδοσίου Ευτυχία
Published: November 2024

Ο ‘Ενιαίος Ευρωπαϊκός Ουρανός’ ως συστημική πολιτική αποτελεί εξωτερική έκφραση μίας διαδικασίας συνολικού μετασχηματισμού των ευρωπαϊκών αερομεταφορών προς την παγκοσμιοποίηση. Τα πρώτα ψήγματα της πολιτικής αυτής ανιχνεύονται στα πλαίσια της Συνδιάσκεψης των Κρατών το 1944 που κατέληξε στην υπογραφή της Διεθνούς Σύμβασης Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας (Σικάγο). Δημιουργήθηκε έτσι το πρώτο παγκόσμιο διεθνές θεσμικό πλαίσιο αεροπορικής οργάνωσης, αυτό του ICAO, στο οποίο τα Συμβαλλόμενα Κράτη παραχώρησαν μέρος της μέχρι τότε απόλυτης και αποκλειστικής ρυθμιστικής επιχειρηματικής και επιχειρησιακής τους αρμοδιότητας σε θέματα πολιτικής αεροπορίας. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση –τότε ΕΟΚ- εντάσσει τις αερομεταφορές στους τομείς της Κοινής Πολιτικής, με την υποσχετική καθορισμού μίας επερχόμενης στενής συνεργασίας των αερομεταφορών της τεχνολογίας της οικονομίας και της κοινωνίας που χρησιμοποιεί τα πτητικά μέσα για εναρμόνιση, άμεσα συναρτώμενης με την πορεία της ενιαίας αγοράς. Αρχικά η σχέση Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και ICAO, δεν ήταν ευδιάκριτη, και θα μπορούσε να θεωρηθεί ως ανταγωνιστική. Με την εναρμόνιση των διαδικασιών λειτουργίας των ευρωπαϊκών αερομεταφορών και την ‘ανάθεση’ στην τεχνολογία βασικών ανθρώπινων ρόλων, αρχίζει να διαφαίνεται το κοινό τους ζητούμενο, η παγκοσμιοποίηση των ‘Ουρανών’. Ο Ενιαίος Ευρωπαϊκός Ουρανός, εξελίσσεται ακόμα και σήμερα. Στόχος είναι να δημιουργηθεί στις αερομεταφορές ένα πλήρως ψηφιοποιημένο περιβάλλον λειτουργίας στο οποίο κυριαρχεί η πληροφορική με τα εργαλεία της. Στο νέο περιβάλλον μειώνεται ο ανθρώπινος παράγοντας, ως δημιουργική συνιστώσα, και , με την παραδοσιακή έννοια της, η ‘εθνική κυριαρχία’ . Οι συνέπειες της υλοποίησης ενός τέτοιου σχεδιασμού στον εργασιακό τομέα, των αερομεταφορών, για τα έσοδα και για το κύρος κάποιων κρατών φαίνεται ότι δεν θα είναι ευχάριστες. Η νέα πραγματικότητα δεν φαίνεται να προβλέπει εναλλακτικό σενάριο για την περίπτωση συστημικής αποτυχίας ή και δυσλειτουργίας. Άπαξ και αναπτυχθεί σε πλήρη λειτουργία ο Ψηφιακός Ευρωπαϊκός Ουρανός, λόγω κατάργησης αλλά και δραματικής αλλαγής ρόλων και συστημικών σχέσεων. ενδεχομένως για κάποιους δεν φαίνεται να υπάρχει επιστροφή Το πολιτικό δίλημμα για το τι πολιτική πρακτική πρέπει να υιοθετηθεί είναι οξύτατο και ουσιαστικό για τα ‘μικρά’ κράτη. Αυτά μέσα στην ήδη διαμορφούμενη παγκόσμια ‘νέα τάξη πραγμάτων’ υποχρεούνται να θέτουν την ενεργοποίηση της εθνικής τους ασφάλειας και άμυνας, υπό την ‘ανοχή’ μίας παγκοσμιοποιημένης αγοράς που διέπεται μόνον από ανταγωνιστικούς όρους λειτουργίας
Animal-similes and creativity in the Posthomerica of Quintus of Smyrna
Authors: Σπίνουλα Βαρβάρα
Published: November 2024

Τα Μεθ' Όμηρον του Κόιντου Σμυρναίου είναι έπος της αυτοκρατορικής περιόδου και η αφήγησή του καλύπτει το κενό ανάμεσα στην Ιλιάδα και την Οδύσσεια του Ομήρου, δηλαδή εξιστορεί ό,τι ακολουθεί τον θάνατο του Έκτορα έως την άλωση της Τροίας και την αναχώρηση των Ελλήνων. Μελετάται η τεχνική του Κόιντου στη σύνθεση και στον συσχετισμό των παρομοιώσεων, εστιάζοντας το ενδιαφέρον της συγγραφέως σε εκείνες των αγρίων ζώων. Η ενδοκειμενική προσέγγιση αποκαλύπτει πως οι παρομοιώσεις σχηματίζουν ενότητες οι οποίες ενισχύουν τη συνοχή της κύριας αφήγησης. Ο Κόιντος χρησιμοποιεί επίσης τις παρομοιώσεις έτσι ώστε να εκφράσει την προσωπική του μελαγχολική αντίληψη για τον πόλεμο: διά των ενοτήτων των παρομοιώσεων η πορεία των μεμονωμένων ηρώων προς τον θάνατο καθρεφτίζει το κυρίως θέμα του έργου, δηλαδή την πτώση της Τροίας. Ωστόσο ο Κόιντος δεν εστιάζει την προσοχή του μόνον στους μεμονωμένους ήρωες. Εκφράζει επίσης έντονο ενδιαφέρον για τα θύματα του πολέμου, για τη μάζα των στρατιωτών, καθώς και για χαρακτήρες οι οποίοι απέχουν από το πεδίο της μάχης. Αυτή η πολύπλευρη προσέγγιση της ανθρώπινης ύπαρξης, η οποία αμέσως ή εμμέσως εμπλέκεται στον καταστροφικό πόλεμο, φέρνει τον Κόιντο κοντά στην ελληνιστική άποψη για το ηρωικό και στα ψυχολογικά πορτραίτα της ίδιας εποχής. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο περιέχει παρομοιώσεις οι οποίες περιγράφουν αποκλειστικά ανδρικούς χαρακτήρες και δεικνύουν την υπονόμευση του ηρωικού. Οι γυναικείες μορφές έχουν αυξημένη παρουσία στις παρομοιώσεις οι οποίες μελετώνται στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο και συμβάλλουν, ευάλωτες ως είναι, στη μελαγχολική ατμόσφαιρα των Μεθ' Όμηρον. Το τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναλύει τη σημασία του θηρός ως του κατεξοχήν αγρίου ζώου και καθιστά εμφανές ότι η παρομοίωση του θηρός είναι κυρίως ψυχολογική και εκφράζει τη δυσνόητη δύναμη της φύσεως. Στην παρούσα διατριβή μελετάται επίσης η γλώσσα και η εικονοποιΐα των παρομοιώσεων του Κόιντου σε σχέση με κείμενα της λογοτεχνίας μας όλων των περιόδων, κυρίως με τον Όμηρο, μα και με τους Πατέρες της εκκλησίας και το δημοτικό τραγούδι, και καθίσταται φανερή η συνέχεια μοτίβων και υφολογικών στοιχείων στην ελληνική παράδοση.
Marginal identities
Authors: Ζηκίδη Χαρίκλεια-Αϊντα
Published: November 2024

Η παρούσα διατριβή εξετάζει τις ταφικές πρακτικές που έχουν καταγραφεί σε οκτώ νεκροταφεία (Άγιος Ιωάννης, Τύμβος Καλογερόπουλου, Καμίνια, Κουκουνάρα-Γουβαλάρη, Περιστεριά, Ρούτσι, Βοϊδοκοιλιά και Βολιμίδια) που βρίσκονται στο νοτιοδυτικό όριο της Πελοποννήσου, στη Μεσσηνία, από τη Μεσοελλαδική έως την Υστεροελλαδική περίοδο (περ. 2050/2000 π.Χ. έως 1200/1190 π.Χ.). Στόχος της διατριβής είναι να προσδιορίσει τις ταφικές πρακτικές των κοινοτήτων που κατοικούσαν σε αυτή την περιοχή, τις αλλαγές που υπέστησαν αυτές οι πρακτικές κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής της περιόδου, και τον τρόπο με τον οποίο οι κοινότητες επέλεξαν να εκφράσουν τις συλλογικές τους ταυτότητες μέσω των ταφικών πρακτικών, πριν και κατά τη διάρκεια εμφάνισης της μυκηναϊκής ανακτορικής ταυτότητας.
RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF SUGAR PRODUCTION IN POST-SOVIET COUNTRIES
Authors: Loseva Anna , Klychova Guzaliya , Fakhretdinova Elvira
Published: November 2024

The sugar industry in a number of republics of former members of the USSR ceased to exist, and in some it significantly reduced the volume of sugar production. One of the reasons for development problems is the high level of competition among world industry leaders. An analysis of international statistics since 1961 shows that Brazil accounts for about 20% of world sugar production, followed by India, the European Union, China and Thailand. At the same time, in the period from 1961 to 1991, the USSR provided from 5.8 to 16.4% of the world volume. Currently, the share of the largest producers of the post-Soviet space in global sugar production - Russia and Belarus - is less than 4%. The degradation of the sugar industry in the countries of former members of the USSR is caused, first of all, by a decrease in the size of the area occupied by sugar beets. If in 1992 the total area of the countries was 3.1 million hectares, then after 30 years this figure decreased to 1.5 million hectares (by 51%). Thus, in post-Soviet countries, the raw material base of the sugar industry has been largely lost; processors are forced to switch to a full supply of imported raw materials, or to completely curtail production. The volume of sugar production in Ukraine is decreasing from 3647 thousand tons in 1992 to 1416 thousand tons in 2021, and in Russia there is a progressive increase (2538 thousand tons in 1992 and 5902 thousand tons in 2021) . By 2022, the Republic of Belarus will increase its share in the post-Soviet space to almost 7%. Further development may be facilitated by a decrease in sugar production in the European Union, an increase in global demand for sugar, as well as the growing interest of biofuel producers in sugar cane, which frees up space in the world market for production based on sugar beets.
SOCIAL AND ETHICAL MARKETING IN THE PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT: IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE, EFFICIENCY
Authors: Osadchaya Svetlana
Published: November 2024

The development of a socially oriented economy in the Russian Federation actualizes the use of the concept of social and ethical marketing in the practice of managing business entities, focused on the harmonious combination in their activities of tools that ensure effective commercial activities with the implementation of social goals, programs and projects. This direction is significant and, to a certain extent, a natural phenomenon for enterprises of the agro-industrial complex. Acting as a guarantor of food security, the activities of agricultural enterprises, in themselves, are socially significant, and the use of social and ethical marketing in management increases their importance. Providing support to about 50 legal entities, Agro-Belogorye Group of Companies is the leader of pork producers in Russia. The activities of the agro-industrial holding are effective: for the period 2017-2022 in the Agro-Belogorye Group of Companies, revenue increased by 49.7% and amounted to 469,015 thousand rubles; net profit increased by 216.8% (it amounted to more than 73 million rubles in 2022) over this period. The financial position of the company can be characterized as stable, as of December 31, 2023, better than that of most Russian organizations comparable in scale of activity (results of an independent audit). The company’s net assets are 379 555.9 times the authorized capital. The concept and philosophy of GC management involves the active use of a social marketing concept, which consists of carrying out socially responsible activities in relation to the external (environmental responsibility, socially oriented production activities, development of a recreational area, development of medical services, career guidance) and internal organizational environment. The results of the study confirm the feasibility of using social and ethical marketing tools in the management practice of Agro-Belogorye Group of Companies. Socially responsible behavior of the Group of Companies contributes, first of all, to the implementation of the most important strategic goal of the Russian Federation and the region - improving the quality and standard of living of the population; has a positive impact on the business reputation, image of the organization and, ultimately, on its competitiveness in the long term. Also, using the net present value method, results were obtained indicating the effectiveness of the implementation of a corporate system for managing social projects in an organization
LEVEL OF ADAPTABILITY OF STARTING MATERIAL FOR BREEDING SPRING SOFT WHEAT IN RYAZAN REGION
Authors: Barkovskaya Tat'yana , Gladysheva Ol'ga
Published: November 2024

The studies were conducted with the aim of a comprehensive assessment of spring soft wheat varieties of various maturity groups in terms of the level of disclosure of adaptive potential with the identification of valuable ones for use in breeding. The work was carried out in Ryazan region in 2018-2023. The material for the study was mid-early and mid-season foreign varieties Odeta, Sable, Kanyuk, Kalispero, KVS Torridon, KVS Aquilon, Ethos, CH Rubli, Etyud, as well as domestic varieties Zlata, Burlak, Agata, Gerakl, Omskaya 36, Margarita. Calculation of the parameters of adaptability, plasticity and stability was carried out according to the methods of A.A. Rossielle, J. Hemblin, L.A. Zhivotkov et al., E.D. Nettevich et al., V.A. Zykin, V.V. Khangildin. The soil of the plot is dark gray forest heavy loamy, of medium fertility. The weather conditions during the period were contrasting, typical of the Central Non-Black Earth Region. The yield of the mid-early group of varieties was within 3.57 ... 6.73 t/ha, mid-season - 3.33 ... 7.06 t/ha. High adaptive capacity was characterized by the mid-early variety Odeta, mid-season KVS Akvilon, Kanyuk, Kalispero, KVS Torridon. On average, over the years of research, their productivity was 5.51...5.95 t/ha, exceeding the average variety productivity in their maturity groups by 6.7...17.5%. At the same time, they had high indicators of compensatory capacity ((Y2+Y1)/2) - 5.62...5.95 t/ha, selection value (Sc) - 3.80...4.22 and variety stability level (VSL) - 103.2...156.2%. According to the comprehensive rating for the totality of all adaptability features, the best mid-early varieties were Zlata and Odeta with a rank sum of 21, mid-season varieties - Kanyuk, KVS Akvilon, KVS Torridon, Kalispero with a rank sum of 14...40.
Ankyloglossia in infants and its impact on breastfeeding - etiology, diagnosis, treatment. Literature review
Authors: Pakuła Anita , Hoppe-Mitera Ewa , Sionek-Wręga Irena , Ślemp Julia , Jakubowska Eliza , Kuźma Krzysztof , Bierć Karolina , Grochowska Marcelina , Kisiel-Cybula Ewelina
Published: November 2024

Ankyloglossia is a condition of limited tongue mobility caused by a restrictive lingual frenulum. Proper tongue mobility is essential for proper food intake (breastfeeding, speech development or proper development of facial bones). There is no clear classification that would indicate the need for surgical intervention or conservative treatment.
Material and method: A literature review was conducted by searching the PubMed database, Google Scholar, literature using the keywords 'ankyloglossia', ‘tongue tie', 'frenotomy,' ‘breastfeeding’, :lingual frenulum’. Focusing on the most recent reports, the selected articles were published from 2019 to 2024.
Brief description of the state of knowledge: The aim of the study was to review the literature on current recommendations regarding etiology, diagnostics, typical clinical manifestations of ankyloglossia in newborns and infants with particular emphasis on the effect on breastfeeding, indications for surgical treatment, complications after surgery and its effectiveness.
Result and conclusion: There is no clear consensus in the literature on the management of surgical treatment. However, There is a consent that surgery should be performed as soon as possible after an infant has been diagnosed with ankyloglossia and breastfeeding problems that do not improve with conservative treatment.It should be noted that surgical treatment is not the only method of dealing with ankyloglossia.
Navigating the Creator Economy: An Analysis of Content Promotion and View Allocation Policies on Digital Content Platforms
Authors: Ren Qitian
Published: November 2024

Game-theoretic analysis of content promotion, view allocation, and revenue strategies on digital content platforms is provided.
The Imagination Advantage: Why and How Strategists Combine Knowledge and Imagination in Developing Theories
Authors: Rindova Violina P. , Martins Luis L.
Published: November 2024

We theorize why and how strategists develop different types of theories when confronted with different types of problems by combining knowledge and imagination in different ways. We propose that strategists’ epistemic stances affect how they combine knowledge and imagination and whether they develop either analytic theories, or constructive theories of two types: reconfigurative and projective. We theorize how imagination complements knowledge in theory development to generate distinctive strategies and strategic advantages. We argue that analytic theories enable conjectural anticipation, which contributes to early timing of strategic actions; that reconfigurative theories posit novel value dimensions and enable industry shaping; and that projective theories articulate novel possibilities to shape desired and desirable futures. Our ideas advance research on how imagination is leveraged in theory development, future-oriented strategizing, and shaping strategies.