bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Refractory drug-induced systemic small-vessel vasculitis with two varied extracutaneous manifestations: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jovanovic Mark , Sabovic Miso
Published: October 2023

Background

Clopidogrel and ticagrelor are rarely reported to cause vasculitis via drug hypersensitivity reaction, largely mediated by T cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Despite therapeutic advances, the etiology of refractory vasculitides remains incompletely understood. Recently, (non)immunological mechanisms bypassing T cells and IgE have been proposed to explain resistance to standard immunosuppressants. Herein, we report a case of refractory drug-induced systemic small-vessel vasculitis with varied extracutaneous manifestations and incorporate multiple sources of data to provide detailed accounts of complex (non)immunological phenomena involved in this case. Study objectives are to provide an insight about rare presentations of commonly used drugs, upgrade the pathophysiological concepts of drug-induced vasculitis, raise need for further investigation to define causes and risk factors for refractory vasculitis, and discuss most of the current knowledge suggesting novel therapeutic approaches to treat this vasculitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the two flares of systemic small-vessel vasculitis in a single patient in response to clopidogrel and ticagrelor exposure, respectively. However, this report is limited by attribution/observer bias.

Case presentation

We herein report a 24-year-old Caucasian male student with a medical history of mild seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, tension-type headaches, posttraumatic arterial stenosis, and previous exposure to ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine who suffered largely from acute urticaria and dyspnea after 20 days of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel introduction. A skin punch biopsy confirmed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Serologic antibody testing, complement analysis, microbiologic testing, and cancer biomarkers revealed no abnormalities. Regarding the patient’s medical history, both acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel were exchanged for ticagrelor. Furthermore, the addition of naproxen, cyclosporine, bilastine, prednisolone, and montelukast resulted in complete recovery. After 7 days, diarrhea and hematuria occurred. Urinalysis and computed tomography showed reversible proteinuria with gross hematuria and hypodense changes in kidney medulla, respectively, associated with discontinuation of ticagrelor and naproxen. In addition, the patient recovered completely without any immunosuppression up-titration.

Conclusions

This case highlights the role of clopidogrel and ticagrelor as possible triggering agents for systemic small-vessel vasculitis and offers an insight into novel therapeutic strategies for refractory vasculitides. Further research is needed to build on the findings of a current report.
Head-to-head comparison of relative cerebral blood flow derived from dynamic [18F]florbetapir and [18F]flortaucipir PET in subjects with subjective cognitive decline
Authors: Tuncel Hayel , Visser Denise , Timmers Tessa , Wolters Emma E. , Ossenkoppele Rik , van der Flier Wiesje M. , van Berckel Bart N. M. , Boellaard Ronald , Golla Sandeep S. V.
Published: October 2023

Background

Dynamic PET imaging studies provide accurate estimates of specific binding, but also measure the relative tracer delivery (R1), which is a proxy for relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Recently, studies suggested that R1 obtained from different tracers could be used interchangeably and is irrespective of target tissue. However, the similarities or differences of R1 obtained from different PET tracers still require validation. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to compare R1 estimates, derived from dynamic [18F]florbetapir (amyloid) and [18F]flortaucipir (tau) PET, in the same subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

Results

Voxel-wise analysis presented a small cluster (1.6% of the whole brain) with higher R1 values for [18F]flortaucipir compared to [18F]florbetapir in the Aβ-negative group. These voxels were part of the hippocampus and the left middle occipital gyrus. In part of the thalamus, midbrain and cerebellum, voxels (2.5% of the whole brain) with higher R1 values for [18F]florbetapir were observed. In the Aβ-positive group, a cluster (0.2% of the whole brain) of higher R1 values was observed in part of the hippocampus, right parahippocampal gyrus and in the left sagittal stratum for [18F]flortaucipir compared to [18F]florbetapir. Furthermore, in part of the thalamus, left amygdala, midbrain and right parahippocampal gyrus voxels (0.4% of the whole brain) with higher R1 values for [18F]florbetapir were observed. Despite these differences, [18F]florbetapir R1 had high correspondence with [18F]flortaucipir R1 across all regions of interest (ROIs) and subjects (Aβ−:r2 = 0.79, slope = 0.85, ICC = 0.76; Aβ+: r2 = 0.87, slope = 0.93, ICC = 0.77).

Conclusion

[18F]flortaucipir and [18F]florbetapir showed similar R1 estimates in cortical regions. This finding, put together with previous studies, indicates that R1 could be considered a surrogate for relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the cortex and may be used interchangeably, but with caution, regardless of the choice of these two tracers.
HSP60 mimetic peptides from Mycobacterium leprae as new antigens for immunodiagnosis of Leprosy
Authors: Lima Mayara Ingrid Sousa , Corrêa Meydson Benjamim Carvalho , Moraes Emilly Caroline dos Santos , Oliveira Jaqueline das Dores Dias , de Souza Santos Paula , de Souza Aline Gomes , Goulart Isabela Maria Bernardes , Goulart Luiz Ricardo
Published: October 2023

The early diagnosis of leprosy serves as an important tool to reduce the incidence of this disease in the world. Phage display (PD) technology can be used for mapping new antigens to the development of immunodiagnostic platforms. Our objective was to identify peptides that mimic Mycobacterium leprae proteins as serological markers using phage display technology. The phages were obtained in the biopanning using negative and positive serum from household contacts and leprosy patients, respectively. Then, the peptides were synthesized and validated in silico and in vitro for detection of IgG from patients and contacts. To characterize the native protein of M. leprae, scFv antibodies were selected against the synthetic peptides by PD. The scFv binding protein was obtained by immunocapture and confirmed using mass spectrometry. We selected two phase-fused peptides, MPML12 and MPML14, which mimic the HSP60 protein from M. leprae. The peptides MPML12 and MPML14 obtained 100% and 92.85% positivity in lepromatous patients. MPML12 and MPM14 detect IgG, especially in the multibacillary forms. The MPML12 and MPML14 peptides had positivity of 11.1% and 16.6% in household contacts, respectively. There was no cross-reaction in patient’s samples with visceral leishmaniasis, tuberculosis and other mycobacteriosis for both peptides. Given these results and the easy obtainment of mimetic antigens, our peptides are promising markers for application in the diagnosis of leprosy, especially in endemic and hyperendemic regions.
A comprehensive study on the synchronization procedure in 5G NR with 3GPP-compliant link-level simulator
Authors: Tuninato Riccardo , Riviello Daniel Gaetano , Garello Roberto , Melis Bruno , Fantini Roberto
Published: October 2023

The 5G New Radio synchronization procedure is the first step that the user must complete to access the mobile network. It mainly consists of the detection of the primary and secondary synchronization signals (PSS and SSS, respectively) and the decoding of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Our goal is to provide a comprehensive study of the synchronization procedure and investigate different techniques and approaches, through the implementation of a 5G New Radio-compliant simulator. Of significant interest is the investigation of impairments such as the fading channel, the frequency offset, and the delay spread. The results are provided in terms of detection probability for the PSS and SSS detection, and in terms of block error rate for the PBCH. From the data collected, there is evidence that choosing M-sequences for the PSS leads to an appreciably robust solution against frequency offset. The structure of the Gold sequences for SSS generation can be exploited to reduce the detection complexity, and different approaches can be chosen to improve reliability against delay spread. Moreover, the polar coding for 5G PBCH outperforms the former 4G coding technique, but they are still sensible to frequency offset. Finally, the simulator functionalities are validated through real captures of 5G signals.
The assessment of the related factors of emotional divorce among Iranian people during the Covid-19 pandemic: a descriptive study
Authors: Sadeghzadeh Zahra , Ghodssi-ghassemabad Robabeh , Hamdieh Mostafa , Shariatpanahi Samirasadat , Babazadeh Faeze , Abdoli Mitra , Samadaee Gelehkolaee Keshvar
Published: October 2023

Background

When a couple experiences emotional divorce, it can lead to boredom, a decrease in their connection, feelings of sadness and despair, and reduced reliance on one another. These consequences can have a lasting impact on the entire family. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the affecting related factors of emotional divorce among Iranian people during the Covid19 pandemic.

Methods

A descriptive-analytical study was performed on 900 men and women from 22 districts of Tehran who were selected by the available sampling methods from March to October 2021. Data collection tools are Guttmann demographic and Emotional Divorce Questionnaires. The Questionnaires were completed by the participants of the study. R 4.0.2 software was used to analyze the data, in addition, an independent t-test and chi-square were used to compare the subjects in terms of emotional divorce. Also, the multiple logistic regression method was used to determine the independent factors affecting emotional divorce.

Results

The results showed that the related factors of emotional divorce include age, marriage rank, and duration of the marriage, choosing the spouse by parents, the education level of the couple, the job of the couple, infection of Covid19, and having disputes before Covid19 infection outbreak.

Conclusion

Emotional divorce is considered as a social harm which could be the prelude to legal divorce. Therefore, studying affecting factors in any society can pave the way for culture-based interventions to reduce such social harms.
Dropout predictors in the academic fields of economics and engineering in cooperative education: an observation of the first academic year using cox regression
Authors: Wild Steffen , Rahn Sebastian , Meyer Thomas
Published: October 2023

Cooperative education programs are usually based on a partnership between companies and universities. Dropouts have a particular impact here, for example the loss of junior staff in the companies. Most dropouts in cooperative education occur in the first academic year. In this multicausal dropout process, the influence of the cooperation partner is less pronounced in research. Consequently, we shed light on perspectives of organizational commitment to the company and motivational aspects in the academic fields of economics and engineering. We analyze collected data using a cross-sectional study design and estimated cox regression analysis on 2263 first-year students at Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Germany with 149 dropouts. Our analysis presents associations between affective commitment to the company, relatedness and competence at the university, and demographic and performance control variables with dropping out. Findings are contextualized within the current state of research. Practical implications are discussed in our study.
Human tauopathy strains defined by phosphorylation in R1-R2 repeat domains of tau
Authors: Smith Ethan D. , Vo Quan , Giasson Benoit I. , Borchelt David R. , Prokop Stefan , Chakrabarty Paramita
Published: October 2023

Distinctive post-translational modifications (PTM) characterize tau inclusions found in tauopathy patients. Using detergent-insoluble tau isolated from Alzheimer’s disease (AD-tau) or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP-tau) patients, we provide insights into whether phosphorylation of critical residues determine templated tau seeding. Our initial data with phosphorylation-ablating mutations (Ser/Thr → Ala) on select sites of P301L tau showed no changes in seeding efficacy by AD-tau or PSP-tau. Interestingly, when specific sites in the R1-R2 repeat domains (Ser262/Thr263/Ser289/Ser305) were mutated to phosphorylation-mimicking amino acid Glu, it substantially reduced the seeding efficiency of AD-tau, but not PSP-tau seeds. The resultant detergent-insoluble tau shows deficient phosphorylation on AT8, AT100, AT180 and PHF1 epitopes, indicating inter-domain cooperativity. We further identify Ser305 as a critical determinant of AD-tau-specific seeding, whereby the phospho-mimicking Ser305Glu tau abrogates seeding by AD-tau but not PSP-tau. This suggests that phosphorylation on Ser305 could be related to the formation of disease-specific tau strains. Our results highlight the existence of a phospho-PTM code in tau seeding and further demonstrate the distinctive nature of this code in 4R tauopathies.
Application of in-situ gamma spectrometry for radiogenic heat production estimation in the Western Himalaya, Kohistan, and Karakoram in northern Pakistan
Authors: Anees Muhammad , Kley Jonas , Leiss Bernd , Hindle David , Wajid Ali Abbas , Wagner Bianca , Shah Mumtaz M. , Luijendijk Elco
Published: October 2023

The Himalaya, Kohistan, and Karakoram ranges comprise Proterozoic to Cenozoic crystalline complexes exposed in northern Pakistan. Numerous hot springs in the area indicate high subsurface temperatures, prompting a need to evaluate the local contribution of radiogenic heat to the general orogenic-related elevated geothermal gradients. The current study employed a portable gamma spectrometer to estimate the in-situ radiogenic heat production in the Nanga Parbat Massif, Kohistan–Ladakh batholith, and the Karakoram batholith. Heat production in the Nanga Parbat Massif is high, with a range from 0.2 to 10.8 µWm−3 and mean values of 4.6 ± 2.5 and 5.9 ± 1.9 µWm−3 for gneisses and granites, respectively. By contrast, the heat production is low in the Kohistan–Ladakh batholith, ranging from 0.1 to 3.1 µWm−3, with the highest mean of 2.0 ± 0.5 µWm−3 in granites. The Karakoram batholith shows a large variation in heat production, with values ranging from 0.4 to 20.3 µWm−3 and the highest mean of 8.4 ± 8.3 µWm−3 in granites. The in-situ radiogenic heat production values vary in different ranges and represent considerably higher values than those previously used for the thermal modeling of Himalaya. A conductive 1D thermal model suggests 93–108 °C hotter geotherms, respectively, at 10 and 20 km depths due to the thick heat-producing layer in the upper crust, resulting in a surface heat flow of 103 mWm−2. The present study provides first-order radiogenic heat production constraints for developing a thermal model for geothermal assessment.
Diaphragm excursions as proxy for tidal volume during spontaneous breathing in invasively ventilated ICU patients
Authors: Janssen Matthijs L. , Jonkman Annemijn H. , Wennen Myrte , Wils Evert-Jan , Endeman Henrik , Heunks Leo
Published: October 2023

There is a need to monitor tidal volume in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure, given its relation with adverse clinical outcome. However, quantification of tidal volume in non-intubated patients is challenging. In this proof-of-concept study, we evaluated whether ultrasound measurements of diaphragm excursion could be a valid surrogate for tidal volume in patients with respiratory failure. Diaphragm excursions and tidal volumes were simultaneously measured in invasively ventilated patients (N = 21) and healthy volunteers (N = 20). Linear mixed models were used to estimate the ratio between tidal volume and diaphragm excursion. The tidal volume–diaphragm excursion ratio was 201 mL/cm in ICU patients [95% confidence interval (CI) 161–240 mL/cm], and 361 (294–428) mL/cm in healthy volunteers. An excellent association was shown within participants (R2 = 0.96 in ICU patients, R2 = 0.90 in healthy volunteers). However, the differences between observed tidal volume and tidal volume as predicted by the linear mixed models were considerable: the 95% limits of agreement in Bland–Altman plots were ± 91 mL in ICU patients and ± 396 mL in healthy volunteers. Likewise, the variability in tidal volume estimation between participants was large. This study shows that diaphragm excursions measured with ultrasound correlate with tidal volume, yet quantification of absolute tidal volume from diaphragm excursion is unreliable.
The interplay of self-acceptance, social comparison and attributional style in adolescent mental health: cross-sectional study
Authors: Ruan Qian-Nan , Shen Guang-Hui , Yang Jiang-Shun , Yan Wen-Jing
Published: October 2023

Background

Adolescence is a pivotal stage vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Although self-acceptance and social comparison are known to affect adolescent mental health, their interactive and moderating roles are not fully understood.

Aims

To explore the role of self-acceptance, social comparison and attributional style in predicting these mental health outcomes among adolescents in clinical settings.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 242 adolescents. Participants completed measures assessing self-acceptance, social comparison, attributional style and mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety). Mediation models and multi-group analysis were used to examine the relationships among these variables.

Results

Our findings demonstrated a significant relationship between self-acceptance, social comparison, depression and anxiety (rs = 0.32–0.88). Specifically, lower self-acceptance and higher social comparison were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Additionally, individuals with external attributional tendencies reported higher depression (Cohen's d = 0.61) and anxiety (d = 0.58) compared with those with internal tendencies. Mediation modelling showed that social comparison is a mediator between self-acceptance and depression (effect size −0.04, 95% CI −0.08 to −0.01) and anxiety (effect size −0.06, 95% CI −0.10 to −0.02). Crucially, multi-group analysis showed that the impact of social comparison on mental health outcomes varied significantly based on attributional style.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the importance of considering self-acceptance, social comparison and attributional style in understanding and addressing mental health challenges during adolescence. This could inform the development of targeted interventions to promote mental health and well-being among adolescents. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings in diverse populations and to explore the underlying mechanisms in greater detail.
Patient Portals to Elicit Essential Patient-Reported Elements of Communication Supporting Person-Centered Oncologic Care: A Pilot Study of the PERSON Approach
Authors: Epstein Andrew S. , Knezevic Andrea , Romano Danielle R. , Hoque Afshana , Raj Nitya , Reidy Diane , Rosa William E. , Cruz Elizabeth , Calderon Claudia , O'Shaughnessy Sarah , Sansone Angela , Okpako Molly , Nelson Judith E.
Published: October 2023

PURPOSE

Patient portal technology offers important new opportunities to support person-centered clinician-patient communication.

METHODS

Questionnaires relating to understanding of illness and treatment intent were sent quarterly via portal to all patients scheduled for follow-up in GI medical oncology clinics. For patients in selected clinics, items eliciting health-related values were added. Patient responses were available to all oncology team members in the electronic health record. Workflow and content of clinician-patient discussions about illness, treatment, and care goals stayed within clinicians' discretion. Feasibility (patient response rate), patient understanding, acceptability (three-item patient questionnaire), and efficacy (quality of clinician communication) were evaluated.

RESULTS

From May 2021 through December 2022, a total of 12,233 questionnaires about illness/treatment understanding were sent to 6,325 patients (one to six per patient), with 97% response, including 9,358 with both open- and closed-ended responses. Fewer than 0.1% of patients indicated distress related to the questionnaire/process. Open-ended responses complemented closed-ended answers by revealing prognostic awareness and illness concerns. Of 48 patients approached to complete the full questionnaire including values items via portal, 15 first received and completed them in clinic (5 on iPad, 10 on paper), while 33 received and 27 (82%) completed the portal questionnaire. Patients found the portal process acceptable, and ratings of clinician communication were higher after clinic visits informed by patients' questionnaire responses (average prescore 6.8 v 5.9 post; P = .03).

CONCLUSION

Almost all patients in this large GI cancer cohort responded via the portal about their understanding of illness and treatment goals. Eliciting their personal values by portal was also feasible, accepted by patients, and improved patient ratings of clinicians' communication. Portals represent a promising tool for scaling assessment of essential patient-reported elements of person-centered communication.
Supervised Machine Learning for Eliciting Individual Demand
Authors: Clithero John A. , Lee Jae Joon , Tasoff Joshua
Published: October 2023

The canonical direct-elicitation approach for measuring individuals’ valuations for goods is the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak procedure, which generates willingness-to-pay (WTP) values that are imprecise and systematically biased. We show that enhancing elicited WTP values with supervised machine learning (SML) can improve estimates of peoples’ out-of-sample purchase behavior. Furthermore, swapping WTP data with choice data generated from a simple task leads to comparable performance. We quantify the benefit of using various SML methods in conjunction with using different types of data. Our results suggest that prices set by SML would increase revenue by 29 percent over using the stated WTP, with the same data. (JEL C45, C91, D12)
A Qualitative Study of Sexual Violence and Attribution of Responsibility in Georgian Youth
Authors: Mchedlishvili Natalia , Zhghenti Nino
Published: October 2023

Background: Sexual violence is a complex and pressing social issue that needs urgent solutions. Republic of Georgia is one of those countries where despite some advancements in law and practice, patriarchal beliefs and behaviour patterns still prevail in a daily life. So far, there has not been undertaken an in-depth study on how Georgians and particularly youth, define sexual violence and what are the justifications behind these views. The aim of the research is to understand how Georgian students understand sexual violence, who they think are responsible for sexual violence and what are the underlying reasons behind those views. Method: In total, 37 in-depth interviews have been conducted with Georgian students, from September of 2019 to March of 2021. The study participants were recruited from different universities, including the two biggest cities of Georgia - Tbilisi and Batumi.   Results: The research revealed that understanding of sexual violence is far more complex than it was expected. Georgian students define sexual violence as a broad category where sexual harassment and sexual coercion have overlapping and at the same time independent meaning. Interpretation and attribution of responsibility in all three categories are dependent on situations and context that contain not only physical violence but also inappropriate touch, insistent gaze, comments about body parts, sexist insults and discrimination, messages of sexual content, psychological pressure and blackmailing. Attribution of responsibility was equally dependent on personal judgements as well as culturally determined stereotypes. Conclusion: Sexual violence is not a new phenomenon in Georgia, but its consideration as a social problem is. The research demonstrated that understanding and judgment on sexual violence, sexual harassment and sexual coercion is nuanced issue and still needs clear categories of definitions.
Pinostrobin mitigates neurodegeneration through an up-regulation of antioxidants and GDNF in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kongsui Ratchaniporn , Promsrisuk Tichanon , Klimaschewski Lars , Sriraksa Napatr , Jittiwat Jinatta , Thongrong Sitthisak
Published: October 2023

Background: One of the most common neurodegenerative diseases is Parkinson’s disease (PD); PD is characterized by a reduction of neurons containing dopamine in the substantia nigra (SN), which leads to a lack of dopamine (DA) in nigrostriatal pathways, resulting in motor function disorders. Oxidative stress is considered as one of the etiologies involved in dopaminergic neuronal loss. Thus, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of pinostrobin (PB), a bioflavonoid extracted from Boesenbergia rotunda with antioxidative activity in PD. Methods: Rats were treated with 40 mg/kg of PB for seven consecutive days before and after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD. After completing the experiment, the brains including SN and striatum were used for histological studies and biochemical assays. Results: PB treatment demonstrated a reduction of free radicals in the SN as indicated by significantly decreased MDA levels, whereas the antioxidative enzymes (SOD and GSH) were significantly increased. Furthermore, PB treatment significantly increased glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) immunolabelling which has neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on the survival of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, PB treatment was shown to protect CA1 and CA3 neurons in the hippocampus and dopaminergic neurons in the SN. DA levels in the SN were increased after PB treatment, leading to the improvement of motor function of PD rats. Conclusions: These results imply that PB prevents MPTP-induced neurotoxicity via its antioxidant activities and increases GDNF levels, which may contribute to the therapeutic strategy for PD.
Evaluation of the convalescent plasma therapy effectiveness and the factors that influence the therapeutic outcome in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Ibadi Zainab , Assad Hayder , Fawzi Hayder
Published: October 2023

Background: As an effective antiviral therapy is not available for the treatment of the current rapidly and continuously spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is very crucial to find an alternative treatment strategy. Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy has been used for prevention and treatment of many emerging infectious diseases, however, the results of current studies on CP in COVID-19 are not consistent. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CP therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, while evaluating patient and donor-related factors that might influence the therapeutic outcome. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 312 patients with either severe or critical COVID-19, who were admitted to Al-Hakeem and Al-Amal hospitals in Al-Najaf city, Iraq from June to August 2020. The patients were allocated to either the plasma therapy group (152 patients) who received CP combined with standard therapy or the standard therapy group (160 patients). The outcome measures were the 21-day mortality rate and time to clinical improvement. Results: The overall cumulative survival rate was significantly higher in patients who received CP compared to standard therapy alone at 21 days (68.3% vs. 46.8%, p-value = 0.010), with mean survival at 17.6 vs. 15.3 days, (p-value = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, the plasma therapy effect was an independent predictor of survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.368, 0.177 – 0.765). In terms of clinical improvement, the use of CP resulted in shorter clinical improvement (median duration of improvement: 8 vs. 11 days, p-value = 0.007), with 74.3% improvement rate after 21 days in CP compared to 65.0% in standard therapy. Conclusions: Therapy with CP in combination with standard therapy, independently improved survival in hospitalized patient with severe or critical COVID-19.
Clinical differentiation between ovarian granulosa cell tumor and ovarian cancer: a review
Authors: Chyćko Małgorzata , Czarnota Julia , Cichoń Katarzyna , Lasota Nina , Lambach Maciej , Younes Martyna , Demidowicz Gabriela , Wiśniewski Wojciech , Kowalczyk Klaudia , Trąbka Natalia
Published: October 2023

Differentiation of granulosa cell tumor and ovarian cancer doesn’t seem to cause much trouble in everyday clinical work. Despite quite easy distinction, within the researches discussed within this review, findings were suggesting less obvious results. There was a huge urge to take into consideration immunohistochemical differentiation. Common symptoms of many gynecological tumors are very similar, studies investigated that GCT and  ovarian cancer frequently overlap. Symptoms, method of treatment and prevalence rate (at some point) are often shared between these neoplasms. Fortunately, great distinction was provided by immunohistochemical findings.
Online Matching Frameworks Under Stochastic Rewards, Product Ranking, and Unknown Patience
Authors: Brubach Brian , Grammel Nathaniel , Ma Will , Srinivasan Aravind
Published: October 2023

Ranking Products for Customers with Unknown Patience

In e-commerce, customers have an unknown patience in terms of how far down the page they are willing to scroll. In light of this, how should products be ranked? The e-commerce retailer’s problem is further complicated by the fact that the supply of each product may be limited, and that multiple customers who are interested in these products will arrive over time. In “Online Matching Frameworks Under Stochastic Rewards, Product Ranking, and Unknown Patience,” Brubach, Grammel, Ma, and Srinivasan provide a general framework for studying this complicated problem that decouples the product ranking problem for a single customer from the online matching of products to multiple customers over time. They also develop a better algorithm for the single-customer product ranking problem under well-studied cascade-click models. Finally, they introduce a model where the products are also arriving over time and cannot be included in the search rankings until they arrive.
Seluk Beluk Sertifikasi Halal Self-Declare: Studi Kasus Pendampingan UMKM pada Pelaksanaan Pengabdian Masyarakat Berbasis Produk Tahun 2022
Authors: Rachmaniah Orchidea , Rahmawati Yeni , Hendrianie Nuniek , Altway Ali , Susianto Susianto
Published: October 2023

Program Sertifikasi Halal Gratis (SEHATI) telah dicanangkan oleh pemerintah di tahun 2022 ini dan telah tertuang pada Keputusan Kepala BPJPH No.33 Tahun 2022. Program ini dilakukan untuk menjalankan amanat Undang-undang No.33 Tahun 2014 terkait Jaminan Produk Halal sebagai program percepatan sertifikasi produk halal bagi pelaku usaha UMKM. Pusat Kajian Halal (PKH) ITS sebagai salah satu perguruan tinggi yang tercatat berhak melakukan registrasi proses produk halal melalui Keputusan Kepala BPJPH No 65 Tahun 2022 melakukan Pendampingan Produk Halal (PPH) kepada UMKM mitra binaan melalui pelaksanaan program pengabdian masyarakat berbasis produk. Terdapat 23 UMKM binaan yang terdaftar untuk mengikuti kegiatan ini pada bulan Mei 2022. Hanya terdapat 15 UMKM yang lanjut untuk didampingi dalam pendaftaran SEHATI dan 7 diantaranya telah terbit sertifikat halalnya pada rentang bulan Oktober-November tahun 2022.
Pendampingan Analisis Vulnerability dan Hardening pada Website Pemerintah Kota Surabaya
Authors: Setiawan Bambang , Samopa Febriliyan , Akbar Izzat Aulia , Sani Nisfu Asrul , Hidayanto Bekti Cahyo , Dharmawan Yogantara S.
Published: October 2023

Keamanan siber penting karena digunakan untuk melindungi semua informasi/data dari pencurian dan kerusakan. Termasuk data sensitif, informasi identitas pribadi, informasi pribadi, kekayaan intelektual, tidak terkecuali pada sistem informasi website pemerintahan. Tanpa keamanan siber, organisasi pemerintahan tidak dapat mempertahankan diri, menjadikannya target bagi penjahat dunia maya. Tes penetrasi adalah salah satu metode yang dapat mengetahui keamanan. Tes Penetrasi, dalam bahasa sehari-hari dikenal sebagai penetration test, pentest atau ethical hack, adalah serangan siber simulasi resmi pada sistem komputer, dilakukan untuk mengevaluasi keamanan sistem. Sedikit berbeda dengan penilaian kerentanan. Tes dilakukan untuk mengidentifikasi kelemahan (juga disebut sebagai kerentanan), termasuk potensi pihak yang tidak berwenang untuk mendapatkan akses ke fitur dan data sistem, serta kekuatan, memungkinkan penilaian risiko penuh untuk diselesaikan. Dengan dilakukannya tes penetrasi website di lingkungan pemerintahan Kota Surabaya diharapkan akan meningkatkan kualitas dan ketersediaan layanan kepada masyarakat.
Kebijakan Potensi Silvopastura Tanaman Produktif di Lahan Pehutani Desa Kebontunggul, Gondang, Kabupaten Mojokerto
Authors: Idajati Hertiari , Kurniawati Ummi Fadlilah , Nurlela Siti , Saptarini Dian , Nurif Muchammad , Irhamah Irhamah , Septadini Yolandita
Published: October 2023

Abstrak]{Program hutan untuk pengentasan kemiskinan diangkat kepermukaan kembali oleh Departemen Kehutanan (Dephut) melalui program wanaternak (silvopasture). Secara umum silvopastura diartikan sebagai kegiatan kombinasi antara kegiatan kehutanan dan peternakan dalam suatu kawasan hutan atau luasan lahan. Salah satu daerah yang memiliki potensi pengembangan lahan hutan dan peternakan adalah Desa Kebontunggul, Kabupaten Mojokerto. Khusus untuk ternak sapi, di Desa Kebontunggul berkembang program bantuan sapi secara bergulir yang telah berlangsung selama 15 tahun sejak tahun 1998. Hal ini tentu merupakan potensi yang sangat besar, namun potensi ini belum dioptimalkan oleh warga karena metode pemeliharaan sapi yang diterapkan masih tradisional. Peternakan sapi yang dilakukan oleh warga Desa Kebontunggul belum mengarah pada aspek bisnis, tetapi baru sebatas budidaya konvensional. Pada akhirnya adanya peternakan sapi tidak dapat memberikan perbaikan ekonomi warga yang signifikan. Oleh karena itu, pengabdian masyarakat ini penting dilakukan untuk mengidentikasi peluang pengembangan silvopastura pada lahan Perhutani di Desa Kebontunggul. Diharapkan dengan hasil pengabdian masyarakat ini dapat membantu masyarakat dalam memanfaatkan lahan tidur dan meningkatkan pendapatan ekonomi masyarakat.
Implementasi Photovoltaic Terintegrasi Battery Storage guna Menunjang Penerangan pada Kebun Buah Naga Desa Sukorejo
Authors: Putra Dimas Fajar Uman , Penangsang Ontoseno , Wibowo Rony Seto , Aryani Ni Ketut
Published: October 2023

Kabupaten Banyuwangi masih menjadi produsen buah naga terbesar di Indonesia, dengan hasil panen pada tahun 2020 mencapai 82.544 ton yang meningkat dibandingkan tahun sebelumnya. Sekitar 80% pasokan buah naga di Indonesia berasal dari Banyuwangi. Desa Sukorejo, Kecamatan Bangorejo, Kabupaten Banyuwangi merupakan salah satu penghasil buah naga terbesar dengan lahan seluas 273 Ha digunakan untuk budidaya buah naga. Dalam budidayanya, inovasi terus dilakukan untuk meningkatkan hasil produksi. Salah satunya penggunaan lampu neon berwarna kuning yang dinyalakan pada malam hari untuk mempercepat dan memperbesar panen. Jumlah lampu neon yang banyak akan mengonsumsi listrik yang besar juga. Selaras dengan hal tersebut, dibutuhkan biaya yang besar juga. Oleh karena itu, diadakan Abmas dengan menerapkan teknologi berupa panel surya yang terintegrasi battery storage guna menunjang penerangan lampu pada lahan pertanian buah naga. Dengan adanya alat tersebut, penggunaan listrik dari PLN akan berkurang karena sebagian telah disediakan oleh panel surya dan battery storage. Abmas dibagi menjadi 4 tahap, yaitu tahap persiapan yang berkaitan dengan peninjauan lokasi secara langsung untuk memeriksa kembali permasalahan dan solusi terkait, tahap penyuluhan yang memberi penyuluhan kepada masyarakat Desa Sukorejo terkait sistem yang digunakan, tahap pengadaan yang meliputi pengadaan alat-alat serta penunjang, dan tahap instalasi perakitan PLTS yang terintegrasi dengan battery storage. Kegiatan ini memiliki kegunaan dalam meningkatkan efisiensi pertanian buah naga di Desa Sukorejo, Kecamatan Bangorejo, Kabupaten Banyuwangi yakni dengan membantu dengan mengurangi biaya operasional melalui penggunaan sumber daya energi baru terbarukan yang ramah lingkungan. Sekaligus menjadi model pertama pemanfaatan sumber daya energi baru terbarukan, mengingat besarnya potensi ini di Desa Sukorejo.
The impact of dementia in the prison setting: a commentary
Authors: Blundell-White Victoria , Harrison Joanna , Hill James Edward
Published: October 2023

Older adults are the fastest growing demographic in the UK prison population; yet, there continues to be a lack of national strategy to ensure that consistent care is provided to this group, in line with the general population. The number of older adults with dementia is also rising globally; however, the prevalence of dementia in prisons remains unknown. The impact of dementia on older adults in prison is also largely unexplored. Subsequently, Brooke et al (2020) carried out a review to identify the prevalence of dementia in the UK prison population and explored how such prisoners are assessed, diagnosed, treated and supported. This article critically appraises and evaluates the systematic review by Brooke et al (2020) , and expands on the findings in context to practice.
Mental health and multiple sclerosis: how much are your patients sharing with you?
Authors: Winchester Claire
Published: October 2023

Findings from the MS Trust annual listening project show that some multiple sclerosis patients may not be discussing their mental health concerns with health professionals.
Simulation of Mechanical Fractionation of Chopped Whole-Plant Corn (WPC) Using Discrete Element Method (DEM)
Authors: Zhao Yumeng , Tekeste Mehari Z. , Schramm Matthew W. , Digman Matthew Francis
Published: October 2023

Highlights

Mechanical separation whole-plant corn (WPC) was simulated with DEM flexible fibers model.

Mass percent WPC was sensitive to DEM particle shape distribution.

DEM predicted mass fraction within 10% error compared with ASABE sieving test data.

Abstract. Fractionating whole-plant corn (WPC) in a single-pass harvesting system requires studies on the WPC-to-equipment interaction for improved property control, as well as mechanical and air-driven separation processes compared to the traditional multi-pass grain and stover harvesting system. The discrete element method (DEM) technique has the potential to simulate WPC mechanical fractionation and support simulation-based design of WPC separation processes. In this study, methods to develop DEM particle models of WPC (kernel, cob, stalk, and husk) and their material properties for simulating mass fractionation using the ASABE standard mechanical shaker were proposed. Measurement was done on the axial dimensions (major, intermediate, and minor) and mass of each WPC type (mean sample size is 56), sampled from single-pass harvesting. Applying gaussian multivariate regression and bootstrapping re-sampling techniques, a DEM particle approximate to each WPC was developed. Sensitivity analysis of the DEM Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and interaction parameters of coefficient of restitution, coefficient of rolling friction, and coefficient of static friction on mass fraction was performed after 156 ASABE sieve-shaking DEM simulation runs, generated using Latin Hypercube Design (LHD) design of experiment (DOE) from 19 DEM material parameters. DEM simulation using Hertz-Mindlin with flexible bond contact laws and DOE optimized material properties successfully reproduced the mass fractions retained in ASABE sieves at 9.8% mean relative error and a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.87. The DEM methodology developed for mechanical WPC mass fractionation could be deployed to perform virtual design of feedstock handling equipment and performance analysis of mechanical fraction systems. Keywords: Chopped whole-plant corn (WPC), Corn cob, Corn husk, Corn kernel, Corn stalk, Discrete element method (DEM), Flexible-bonded particle.
Measuring Smoke Emissions from Prescribed Rangeland Burning in the Flint Hills Region Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Authors: Liu Zifei , Baldwin Carolyn , Watson Douglas , Prentice Jayson , Balthazor Travis , Haque Md Ariful
Published: October 2023

Highlights

Smoke samples collected with UAS during rangeland prescribed burns were used to develop representative smoke emission factors for rangeland fires.

The head fire emission factors of PM2.5 and NOx were consistent with the low end of the range of flaming emission factors in the literature.

The combination of high air temperatures and high absolute humidity resulted in higher levels of PM2.5 and O3 in smoke.

Abstract.Prescribed burning is an ecological process critical to maintaining and improving rangeland ecosystems. Smoke impacts related to prescribed burning have been the subject of intense discussion and public debate. The objectives of this study were to collect accurate smoke emissions data using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and use the data to develop smoke emission factors representative of prescribed rangeland fires in the tallgrass prairie Flint Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma. The emission factors will be used to improve the input parameters used in smoke modeling tools. Four prescribed burns on unique burn units were sampled for this study. Smoke emission factors were determined using the carbon mass balance method. Average emission factors for head fires were: PM2.5, 11.3±10.8g/kg fuel; NOx as NO, 1.4±0.9 g/kg fuel; CO2, 1569±28 g/kg fuel; CH4, 6.8±4.3 g/kg fuel; NMHC as propane, 3.3±2.5 g/kg fuel; and VOC as propane, 4.5±3.5 g/kg fuel. Compared with head fires, back fires tended to produce lower emissions of PM2.5 but higher emissions of NOx and VOC. Green, high-moisture vegetation present during the growing season fires in September resulted in a larger head fire PM2.5 emission factor compared to April fires. Generally, the combination of high air temperature and high absolute humidity resulted in high PM2.5 and O3 in smoke. Conducting prescribed fires under conditions of cool air temperature and low absolute humidity can reduce the generation of PM2.5 and O3 in smoke, as long as these conditions fall within the prescribed range for the burn. Keywords: Carbon mass balance, Drone, Fire, Grass, Ozone, Pasture, Prescribed burning, Rangeland management, Rangelands, Smoke emission factor, Tallgrass prairie, Unmanned aircraft system.
Hispanism, Queer Theory, and Community
Authors: Burshatin Israel
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Israel Burshatin examines how queer approaches to medieval and early modern Spanish history and cultural production such as those found in Queer Iberia can help scholars rethink the hegemonic notions of "Hispanism."
The Wisconsin Seminary of Medieval Spanish Studies: An Update
Authors: Kish Kathleen
Published: October 2023

Abstract: In this update on the activities of the Seminary of Medieval Spanish Studies, Kish notes developments in The Hispanic Seminary of Medieval Studies's publication of medieval Spanish texts via microfiche and volumes and lists the scholars involved.
Queenship en la Corona de Aragón en la baja edad media: Estudio y propuesta terminológica
Authors: Silleras-Fernandez Nuria
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Noting that a comparable term to "queenship" does not exist in Spanish, Silleras-Fernandez offers three case studies of medieval Iberian queens that show how these women used the channels available to them to wield power.
Mission (Im)possible: Debating the "Sentimental" Genre
Authors: Francomano Emily C.
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Francomano reviews the scholarly debate on the "sentimental" genre over the past decades in order to suggest that the search for a conclusive definition is a chimera. An appreciation of these fictions as intentionally mixed works written by men who were steeped in erudite, rhetorical, literary, legal, and religious traditions, and who seem to have been well aware of the effects of playing around with poetic conventions and horizons of expectation, reveals that genres are not only invitations for particular sorts of interpretive engagements but also vehicles for shaping knowledge. The "sentimental" novelas/ficciones/romances have much to teach us about genre in the fiftheenth and sixteenth centuries.
Postmemory and Oral History in Josef Winkler's Die Verschleppung and Die Ukrainerin : Njetotschka Iljaschenko erzählt ihre Geschichte
Authors: Burwick William Christopher
Published: October 2023

abstract: Josef Winkler's fourth novel, Die Verschleppung. Njetotschka Iljaschenko erzählt ihre ukrainische Kindheit (The deportation: Njetotschka Iljaschenko narrates her Ukrainian childhood, 1983) contributes to the Austrian discourse of trauma narratives, the experience of alterity, and the representation of politically disenfranchised persons and groups, adding the aspect of forced labor, human rights violations with the emphasis on Ukraine, oral history, and postmemory. This article examines the intersection of ethics and language in Winkler's mediation of Iljaschenko's autobiography in Die Verschleppung and the 2022 reprint Die Ukrainerin. Njetotschka Iljaschenko erzählt ihre Geschichte (The Ukrainian. Njetotschka Iljaschenko narrates her story) and explores the challenges facing literary mediation while maintaining fidelity to the historicity of oral history and postmemory.
Hybrid cubic-chessboard metasurfaces for wideband angle-independent diffusive scattering and enhanced stealth
Authors: Al-Nuaimi Mustafa K. Taher , Whittow William G. , Huang Guan-Long , Chen Rui-Sen , Shao Qiang
Published: October 2023

Because of the shortcomings associated with their scattering patterns, both the chessboard and cubic phased metasurfaces show non-perfect diffusion and hence sub-optimal radar cross section reduction (RCSR) properties. This paper presents a novel and powerful hybrid RCSR design approach for diffusive scattering by combining the unique attributes of cubic phase and chessboard phase profiles. The hybrid phase distribution is achieved by simultaneously imposing two distinct phase profiles (chessboard and cubic) on the hybrid metasurface area with the aid of geometric phase theory to further enhance the diffusive scattering and RCSR. It is shown in this paper that through the integration of cubic and chessboard phase profiles, a metasurface with the hybrid phase mask successfully overcomes all the above issues and shortcomings related to the RCSR of both chessboard and cubic metasurfaces. In addition, the proposed design leverages the unique scattering properties offered by these distinct phase profiles to achieve enhanced stealth capabilities over wide frequency ranges and for large incidence angles. Simulation and measurement results show that the designed hybrid metasurfaces using the proposed strategy achieved RCSR and low-level diffused scattering patterns from 12–28 GHz (80%) for normal incidence of a far-field CP radar plane wave. The hybrid metasurface shows a stable angular diffusion and RCSR performance when the azimuthal and elevation incidence angles are in the range of 0° → ± 75° which is wider than other designs in the literature. Therefore, this work can make objects significantly less detectable in complex radar environments when enhanced stealth is required.