bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Foreign Direct Investment and Other Belt and Road Initiative Aspects Shape Sustainable Economic Development in Middle East Nations
Authors: Asiri Mohammed Abdulrahman Y. , Liu Cheng , Liu Xiangdong , Sumarliah Eli
Published: May 2023

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aspects, i.e. open trade (OT), foreign direct investment (FDI), capital formation, and information and communication technology (ICT) exports, are fundamental for any nation’s sustainable Economic Development (ED). The paper seeks to examine the effect of those aspects on the ED of Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations which participate in BRI. The study uses the yearly cross-sectional time-series data from 2013 to 2022. The dual-stage Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) is employed in the sample because the sum of parameters is smaller than the sum of moment clauses. The findings reveal that capital formation and FDI significantly and positively affect the ED, while OT and ICT exports negatively and insignificantly affect it. The general findings show that China’s external FDI has increased the ED in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations whereas OT shows an insignificance as the majority of emerging nations should capitalize industrial development and hearten export expansion. This study is an initial effort to examine the relationships among BRI aspects and sustainable ED in Middle East Nations using the GMM method.
Research on the Implementation of Advertising Design Teaching Based on Unity3D Development Platform and Web3D Technology
Authors: Zhong Zhengwu
Published: May 2023

In this work, the Unity3D development platform and Web3D technology are integrated into the teaching method of advertising design to get rid of the issues due to lack of communication and efficacy through design of digital advertisement. Based on this, an approach for ingenious product design from nature is proposed, with an emphasis on attaining a functional interaction of aesthetic intent and geometric features and investigating the relationships among natural systems and designers in product design from nature. The ponderings and research findings for the methodologies associated with the proposed approach are presented. This methodology is thought to significantly bring down the delivery time of ground-breaking design and development of products, both economically and technologically. The findings in comprehensive experiments demonstrates that interactive virtual technology can significantly enhance the efficacy and interaction of the whole system in the process of digital advertising design.
Who Will Purchase This Item Next? Reverse Next Period Recommendation in Grocery Shopping
Authors: Li Ming , Ariannezhad Mozhdeh , Yates Andrew , De Rijke Maarten
Published: May 2023

Recommender systems have become an essential instrument to connect people to the items that they need. Online grocery shopping is one scenario where this is very clear. So-called
user-centered
recommendations take a user as input and suggest items based on the user’s preferences. Such user-centered recommendations have received significant attention and uptake. Instead, we focus on an
item-centered
recommendation task, again in the grocery-shopping scenario. In the
reverse next-period recommendation
(
RNPR
) task, we are given an item and have to identify potential users who would like to consume it in the next period.

We consider three sub-tasks of the overall reverse next-period recommendation (
RNPR
) task, (i) Expl-
RNPR
, (ii) Rep-
RNPR
, and (iii) Mixed-
RNPR
, where we consider different types of target users, i.e., (i) explore users, who are new to a given item, (ii) repeat users, who previously purchased a given item, and (iii) both explore users and repeat users. To address the Expl-
RNPR
task, we propose a habit-interest fusion model that employs frequency information to capture the repetition-exploration habits of users and that uses pre-trained item embeddings to model the user’s interests. For the Mixed-
RNPR
task, we propose a repetition-exploration user ranking algorithm to decouple the repetition and exploration task and investigate the tradeoff between targeting different types of users for a given item. Furthermore, to reduce the computational cost at inference, we analyze the repetition behavior from both user and item perspectives and then introduce a repetition-based candidate filtering method for each sub-task. We conduct experiments on two public grocery-shopping datasets. Our experimental results not only demonstrate the difference between repetition and exploration, but also the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Development of a Disposable Aptasensor Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for Voltammetric Detection of Glyphosate
Authors: Congur Gulsah , Erdem Arzum
Published: May 2023

The development of monitoring tools for the detection of glyphosate is an attractive topic since its consumption is one of the debated worldwide issue. Herein, a bionanocomposite modified disposable electrochemical biosensor platform was developed for sensitive and selective detection of glyphosate. For this purpose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HaNP) were modified at the surface of disposable pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs). After the fabrication of CMC/HaNP-PGEs, glyphosate specific DNA aptamer that had G-quadruplex structure was immobilized at the surface of CMC/HaNP-PGEs. The specific interaction between DNA aptamer and glyphosate was performed at the electrode surface. Before/after each modification/immobilization/interaction step, anodic current value obtained by cyclic voltammetry measurements performed in 2.00 mM K3[Fe(CN)6]/K4[Fe(CN)6] (1:1) and 0.10 M KCl was recorded, and the changes at the average anodic current values were evaluated in terms of the optimization of experimental parameters. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values were calculated as 0.04 and 0.13 μg ml−1, respectively. The selectivity of the developed aptasensor was tested against 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, glufosinate, and (aminomethyl) phosphonic acid. The applicability of the aptasensor was shown using water samples. This novel aptasensor platform is a prototype for future hand-held devices developed for GLY monitoring.
Data-Driven Prognosis of Multiscale and Multiphysics Complex System Anomalies: Its Application to Lithium-ion Batteries Failure Detection
Authors: Liu Lin
Published: May 2023

Advancements in experimental and modeling techniques allow for in-depth analysis of multiphysics phenomena in complex systems with unprecedented sophistication and details at discrete spatial and temporal scales. Energy systems are crucial for reliability, making health monitoring vital to prevent failures. Balancing experimental complexity and computational cost is challenging, leading to the need for predictive capabilities in prognostics and health monitoring (PHM). Using lithium-ion batteries as an example, we summarize PHM predictive modeling for remaining useful life, anomalies, and failure detection. Additionally, we introduce data-driven prognosis (DDP) as a new approach for detecting failures in such systems.
Designing Li4Ti5O12/LiMn2O4 Cells: Negative-to-Positive Ratio and Electrolyte
Authors: Ha Yeyoung , Trask Stephen E. , Zhang Yicheng , Jansen Andrew N. , Burrell Anthony
Published: May 2023

Li4Ti5O12/LiMn2O4 (LTO/LMO) system is a promising candidate for behind-the-meter storage (BTMS) applications due to its critical-material-free chemistry exhibiting good safety and long lifetime. Here, we design LTO/LMO cells to mitigate their major degradation mechanism, loss of Li inventory, and improve their long-term cyclability. First, LMO electrodes with different loadings (2.61, 3.29, and 4.26 mAh cm−2) are paired with an LTO electrode (3.35 mAh cm−2) to create varying negative-to-positive ratios (N/P>1, =1, and <1). Additionally, conventional ethylene carbonate (EC)/ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) mixture electrolyte and safety enhanced EC-only electrolyte are examined. We show that storing additional Li inventory in the cathode (i.e., using a thicker electrode and having N/P<1) is a convenient method to enhance the capacity retention of LTO/LMO cells, but only if the electrode utilization is not limited by the Li+ ion transport. For systems that suffer from limited transport properties, prelithiating the anode will be more effective since LTO (∼165 mAh g−1
LTO) can store the same amount of capacity using less material compared to LMO (∼100 mAh g−1
LMO). In this work, we demonstrate how the electrolyte properties and the electrode thickness of LTO/LMO cells can be designed to enhance their performance.
Analysis of Specific Allergens in the Serum of Patients with Allergic Diseases in the Shanxi Region of China
Authors: Wu Jing , Liu Yuee , Xie Min , Cui Yanzhi , Wei Yaona , Cheng Yan , Yang Jing , Zhang Hongxia , Wang Lei
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study is to analyze the distribution characteristics of specific allergens based on the immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, performed using the sera of patients with allergic diseases in the Shanxi region of China. Sera from 3141 patients with allergic diseases were analyzed with immunoblotting for IgE antibodies specific to inhaled and ingested allergens. The distribution of allergens and association with factors such as disease profile, sex, age, and cosensitization of the patients who tested positive were analyzed. The most common positive rate of IgE specific to inhaled allergens was mugwort, followed by dust mite mix and common ragweed. The most common positive rate of IgE specific to ingested allergens was crab, followed by egg white and sea fish mix. When analyzed according to disease profile, mugwort was the most common allergen in asthma, rhinitis, and asthma combined with rhinitis. When analyzed by season, the allergens with the highest positive rates included tree mix (willow/poplar/elm), common ragweed, mugwort, and hop pollen from July through September. When analyzed by age, the allergens with the highest positive rates were tree mix, common ragweed, hop, house dust, cow’s milk, mutton/lamb, and peanut in participants aged 0–18 years and egg white in those aged ≥60 years. The radar charts showed cosensitization to multiple allergens. In the Shanxi region, the primary inhaled allergens were mugwort, dust mite mix (1: house dust mite/dust mite), and common ragweed. The primary ingested allergens were crab, egg white, and sea fish mix. There were differences in the positive rates of the allergens between genders, age groups, and seasons, and multiple allergens can cosensitize patients.
Novel Concepts for Intrauterine Device Placement at Caesarean Delivery: Description of Technique and Video Recording
Authors: Hofmeyr G. Justus , Kime Kyungu M.
Published: May 2023

The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics recommend digital insertion of the copper intrauterine device (IUD) during caesarean delivery and note the risk of thread inclusion in the uterotomy closure and nonvisibility of threads at follow-up. We describe a novel method of inserting the IUD with the insertion straw and directing the lower end of the straw through the cervix for retrieval after the operation, to protect and ensure alignment of the threads. We also describe a simple method of lengthening one thread with part of the other thread, to avoid risks associated with braided suture extensions.
Financial Performance Assessment by a Type‐2 Fuzzy Logic Approach
Authors: Wang Hong , Bhattacharjee Samyabrata , Kausar Nasreen , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir , Pamucar Dragan , Al Din Ide Nasr
Published: May 2023

Any company must constantly innovate if they want to maintain its market share in the present cutthroat and unstable industry. Innovation has a big influence on consumer behavior, yet it goes against the principles of sustainability. The issue of sustainability has become crucial to their company’s growth. In order to evaluate a business firm’s sustainability performance statistically, a new and effective fuzzy logic tool is created. Evolution and assessment are performed by a novel interval type‐2 fuzzy logic inference system. The judgment of the inference system is carried out on the basis of type‐2 fuzzy logic (T2FL), principal component analysis (PCA), and statistical data analysis. The main input variables include corporate environmental performance (CEP) and corporate financial performance (CFP). The suggested approach can effectively examine a corporation’s sustainable performance, according to experimental findings. A unique approach that makes use of language variables and if‐then logic to assist quantitative business sustainability events is the link between CEP and CFP. The recommended test will provide senior administrative leaders with useful information to supervise natural concerns correctly and gauge their commitment to company success.
Approaches for Children with a Disability Who Are Restricted Eaters: A Scoping Review
Authors: Fraser Rene , Bulkeley Kim , Barton Rebecca
Published: May 2023

This scoping review explored the interventions available for children with disabilities who are restricted eaters. The review will further identify aspects of parent coaching within these interventions. Initial journal searches were completed in July 2020 and updated in July 2022 with 13 articles included in the final review, which were thematically analysed. Three major themes were identified as follows: (1) a wide range of interventions ranging from nonresponsive practices to responsive approaches to mealtimes, (2) meaningful outcomes, and (3) varying degrees of parent involvement. No articles stated they were using parent coaching as a stand-alone intervention; however, features of parent coaching were evident in some of the studies. There is no overarching framework incorporating explicit aspects of coaching approaches to support clinicians’ work with children with restricted eating and their families.
Improvements of Lagrangian Data Assimilation Tested in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Dong Junjie , Sun Luyu , Carton James A. , Penny Stephen G.
Published: May 2023

This study extends initial work by Sun and Penny and Sun et al. to explore the inclusion of path information from surface drifters using an augmented-state Lagrangian data assimilation based on the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF-LaDA) with vertical localization to improve analysis of the ocean. The region of interest is the Gulf of Mexico during the passage of Hurricane Isaac in the summer of 2012. Results from experiments with a regional ocean model at eddy-permitting and eddy-resolving model resolutions are used to quantify improvements to the analysis of sea surface velocity, sea surface temperature, and sea surface height in a data assimilation system. The data assimilation system assimilates surface drifter positions, as well as vertical profiles of temperature and salinity. Data were used from drifters deployed as a part of the Grand Lagrangian Deployment beginning 20 July 2012. Comparison of experiment results shows that at both eddy-permitting and eddy-resolving horizontal resolutions Lagrangian assimilation of drifter positions significantly improves analysis of the ocean state responding to hurricane conditions. These results, which should be applicable to other tropical oceans such as the Bay of Bengal, open new avenues for estimating ocean initial conditions to improve tropical cyclone forecasting.
Guns versus Climate: How Militarization Amplifies the Effect of Economic Growth on Carbon Emissions
Authors: Jorgenson Andrew K. , Clark Brett , Thombs Ryan P. , Kentor Jeffrey , Givens Jennifer E. , Huang Xiaorui , El Tinay Hassan , Auerbach Daniel , Mahutga Matthew C.
Published: May 2023

Building on cornerstone traditions in historical sociology, as well as work in environmental sociology and political-economic sociology, we theorize and investigate with moderation analysis how and why national militaries shape the effect of economic growth on carbon pollution. Militaries exert a substantial influence on the production and consumption patterns of economies, and the environmental demands required to support their evolving infrastructure. As far-reaching and distinct characteristics of contemporary militarization, we suggest that both the size and capital intensiveness of the world’s militaries enlarge the effect of economic growth on nations’ carbon emissions. In particular, we posit that each increases the extent to which the other amplifies the effect of economic growth on carbon pollution. To test our arguments, we estimate longitudinal models of emissions for 106 nations from 1990 to 2016. Across various model specifications, robustness checks, a range of sensitivity analyses, and counterfactual analysis, the findings consistently support our propositions. Beyond advancing the environment and economic growth literature in sociology, this study makes significant contributions to sociological research on climate change and the climate crisis, and it underscores the importance of considering the military in scholarship across the discipline.
Tall Cell Variant of Invasive Papillary Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Arif Fatima Z. , Breese Rebecca O. , Friend Kara
Published: May 2023

Tall cell variant of invasive papillary breast carcinoma is exceedingly rare, with only 30 cases reported in the literature. This report describes a case of a 47-year-old woman who presented to the clinic with bilateral breast masses on a screening mammogram. The patient was lost to follow-up, but she presented again after 4 years when the right breast mass significantly grew in size over several months. Mammography showed a 1.9 cm right breast mass and a 2.3 cm left breast mass. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy revealed right breast triple negative invasive carcinoma of the tall cell papillary variant and left breast fibroadenomatoid nodules. She underwent bilateral lumpectomies with a right sentinel lymph node biopsy and was started on chemotherapy after surgical excision.
Marginal Ulcer Following Completion Pancreatectomy Complicated by Portal Vein Erosion
Authors: Torres-Ruiz Tania A. , Wharry Laura , Simo Kerri A.
Published: May 2023

Marginal ulcers, defined as ulcers at the duodenojejunostomy or gastrojejunostomy, are a known late-onset complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and total pancreatectomy (TP) with mean incidence ranging from 5.4% to 36% per the literature. These ulcers carry a risk of complications including hemorrhage or perforation which can result in significant mortality. Marginal ulcers from PD and TP causing portal vein erosion are extremely rare and given the high incidence of mortality, it is important to have a multimodal approach to the treatment with awareness that early operative management should be considered if other modalities fail. We discuss the case of a 57-year-old female with history of pancreatic tail intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) status post distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy and subsequent completion pancreatectomy for pancreatic head IPMN who presented with acute gastrointestinal bleed. The patient was successfully managed operatively with primary repair of the marginal ulcer after multiple failed endoscopic attempts.
Improving Attitudes Toward Psychotherapy in Residents and Syrian Refugees in Germany: An Interview Vignette Intervention Study
Authors: Schlechter Pascal , Hellmann Jens H. , Kamp Svea , Echterhoff Gerald , Wanninger Katharina , Wagner Ullrich , Knausenberger Judith
Published: May 2023

Syrian refugees underutilize mental health services in Western receiving countries, which is partly attributable to negative attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (APPH) and denial of the need for psychological help (DNPH). Interventions tailored to culture-specific characteristics of Syrian refugees are needed. We tested an intervention that disseminated information about the benefits of psychotherapy via ostensible interview vignettes to 205 German residents and 187 Syrian refugees residing in Germany. We used a 2 (group: residents vs. refugees) × 2 (source of information: ingroup vs. outgroup member) × 2 (therapy content: skill training vs. emotion regulation) × 2 (gender: women vs. men) between-participants design with the dependent variables APPH and DNPH. We measured adherence to masculine norms, support by religious faith, and distress disclosure as additional predictors. Refugees reported more negative APPH and higher DNPH than residents. Source of information and therapy content had no detectable effect. Men reported more negative APPH and higher DNPH than women. Adherence to masculine norms emerged as the strongest predictor of APPH. Masculine norms and support by religious faith partly explained differences between refugees and residents in APPH and DNPH. Exploratory post hoc analyses with nonintervention samples of 182 Syrian refugees and 202 residents from a similar study indicated that Syrian refugees who received an intervention (vs. no intervention) reported more positive APPH. No such difference was found for residents. Disseminating information about psychotherapy could positively impact APPH/DNPH in refugees but needs to be tailored to their sociocultural context. We outline recommendations for further research.
Recurring Vagueness: A Longitudinal Study of What Students Think about Sociology before, Right after, and Years after Taking the Introductory Course
Authors: Miskolczi Péter
Published: May 2023

The introductory course to sociology serves the multiple roles of providing students with the foundations of the field while also being its “public face” and possibly improving its image. The outcomes of introductory courses have been investigated mostly in quantitative ways in the past. The article presents a qualitative, longitudinal study of the “mental image” that 397 students of an introductory course at a Hungarian university formed about sociology. Participants were asked to draw mind maps around the central concept of “sociology” right before, right after, and years after taking the course. Results from the content analysis of mind maps indicate that while students are able to situate sociology as a science of the human world, their mental image of the field is often vague beyond that. Mind maps drawn years after taking the course bear the closest resemblance to the ones drawn even before studying it.
Doing Sociology, Learning Objectives, and Developing Rubrics for Undergraduate Research Methods
Authors: Thakore Bhoomi K.
Published: May 2023

The research project assignment can create meaningful opportunities for students to apply sociological concepts. For grading these projects, assessment rubrics are useful pedagogical tools to evaluate students’ abilities in achieving course learning objectives. In this study, I analyzed final research papers collected over multiple semesters in my undergraduate Methods of Social Research course. My goals are to (1) evaluate the grading rubric’s effectiveness in enabling students to meet course objectives and (2) identify improvements in students’ outcomes from revisions to the rubric over time. Findings indicate that rubrics can provide students the information needed to apply course concepts to their work and that rubric revisions are necessary to ensure validity, reliability, and equity across grading. In conclusion, I provide suggestions for implementing a semester-long research project assignment and initiating iterative revisions to rubric criteria.
Mental Health Changes in Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
Authors: Umbetkulova Saltanat , Kanderzhanova Akbota , Foster Faye , Stolyarova Valentina , Cobb-Zygadlo Deanne
Published: May 2023

This study provides an overview of research findings on long-term effects on healthcare workers mental health and factors associated with positive or negative changes. Medline and PubMed databases were searched for observational longitudinal studies and 18 papers were included in the review (PROSPERO: CRD42021260307). 12 articles indicated negative changes over time and six studies revealed a positive trend in a variety of mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, insomnia, and others). Female sex, younger age, nursing occupation, frontline work, longer working hours and concerns about contracting COVID-19 were identified to be associated with negative changes. Conversely, a supportive environment, access to psychological resources, provision of sufficient personal protective equipment and availability of COVID-19 tests were linked to positive changes. Therefore, our findings can assist governmental and institutional authorities with effective interventions to improve psychological care for healthcare workers.
The use of animation in NGOs’ audio-visual communication about solidarity and migration
Authors: Scafirimuto Guglielmo
Published: May 2023

One of the latest transformations of humanitarian communication in recent years has certainly been the growing adoption of the language of animation, especially in online media. Looking at the effects of this new trend, this article intends to reflect on how NGO communication has concretely changed on a visual and discursive level through the use of animation. The corpus analysed, selected from YouTube, consists of a series of examples of animated online videos of NGOs that deal with a recent and influential phenomenon: the refugee crisis. Since 2015, an increasing number of new NGOs have emerged in order to contribute to aid for migrants, as opposed to European policies: what kind of representation of migrants do NGOs convey in their communication campaigns that employ animation? What kind of solidarity discourse is adopted through this audiovisual language? The analysis of these examples will serve as a basis for introducing the theorisation of numerous characteristics specific to animation, which make it an effective medium for the promotion of humanitarian missions and for the transmission of the testimonies of migrants.
Good performance of syphilis rapid diagnostic test kits among young key populations in Thailand
Authors: Kamolrattana Rujirek , Songtaweesin Wipaporn Natalie , Suchartlikitwong Pintip , Sophonphan Jiratchaya , Moonwong Juthamanee , Wongharn Prissana , Khamthi Sasiprapha , Sritammasiri Taweesak , Puthanakit Thanyawee , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn
Published: May 2023

Background

The prevalence of syphilis is increasing among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) globally. Use of syphilis rapid diagnostic treponemal tests (RDTs) may improve test coverage and same-day treatment. This study aims to determine sensitivity and specificity of two syphilis RDTs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in men who have sex with men and transgender women aged 15–24 years attending a sexual health clinic in Bangkok. Syphilis RDTs used were Determine Syphilis TP and Bioline Syphilis 3.0, using whole blood from finger pricks and venipuncture. Treponemal pallidum electrochemiluminescence assay was used as standard reference.

Results

From February to July 2022, 200 AYAs with a mean age 21.1 (SD2.1) years were enrolled, including 50 (25.0%) living with HIV. Prevalence of syphilis was 10.5% (95%CI 6.6–15.6), which was higher among AYAs living with HIV (22.0%) compared with AYAs unaffected by HIV (6.7%). Sensitivities of Determine Syphilis TP and Bioline Syphilis 3.0 were 85.7% (95%CI 63.7–97.0) and 66.7% (95%CI 43.0–85.4), respectively. Specificity of both RDTs was 100% (95%CI 98.0–100.0). Performance of RDTs was similar for both specimens.

Conclusions

Syphilis RDTs have high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing syphilis. It should be considered for use in sexual health clinics with high syphilis prevalence to initiate treatment promptly.
Association Between Inferior Vena Cava-Involved Thrombosis, Severe Iliac Vein Stenosis, and Proximal Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Deep Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Gong Maofeng , Shi Yadong , Kong Jie , Zhao Boxiang , Liu Zhengli , He Xu , Gu Jianping
Published: May 2023

To investigate the possible risk factors for proximal pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT). A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted. Consecutive patients diagnosed with unilateral LEDVT and confirmed PE by computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography and indirect CT venography between September 2015 and January 2022 were included. Patient demographics, presentation of LEDVT, laboratory examination, thrombus characteristics, comorbidities and risk factors for LEDVT, and imaging findings were analyzed to determine the univariable and multivariable associations. The associations between thrombus location, stenosis, and proximal PE were assessed using a stratified analysis. A total of 115 eligible patients (60.08  ±  15.18 years, 59.1% male) were included. Of these patients, 40 (34.8%) were in the proximal PE group (proximal thrombus involved main or lobar pulmonary artery), and 75 (65.2%) were in the distal PE group (without main and labor pulmonary artery involvement). The univariable analysis showed that onset time of LEDVT symptoms ≤ 7 days ( P  =  .041), inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement ( P  =  .035), and severe iliac vein stenosis (IVS) (stenosis ratio > 61.3%) ( P  =  .010) were associated with the occurrence of proximal PE. Further multivariant analysis showed that IVC involvement was associated with an increased odds of proximal PE (OR: 4.45, 95% CI: 1.083 − 18.248, P  =  .038), whereas severe IVS (stenosis ratio > 61.3%) was associated with a decreased odds of proximal PE (OR: 0.294, 95% CI: 0.110-0.783, P  =  .014). Among patients with unilateral LEDVT, IVC involvement increased the risk of proximal PE; patients with severe IVS (stenosis ratio > 61.3%) had a lower risk of developing proximal PE compared with distal PE; and severe IVS seemed to be a protective factor for proximal PE.
Spleen size change after hepatitis C treatment: a simple parameter to predict clinical outcomes
Authors: Prakash Shahana , Kinder Kyle , Brown Kyle E
Published: May 2023

Portal hypertension contributes to splenomegaly in cirrhotic patients. Reduction in spleen size may represent improvement in portal hypertension. The goal was to determine whether reduction in spleen size following sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis is associated with lower risk of liver-related adverse outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was performed regarding HCV-infected patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents at the Iowa City Veterans Administration Medical Center between 2014 and 2019. Patients with cirrhosis and splenomegaly on baseline ultrasound were included. Spleen size, platelet counts, decompensations, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) status, and mortality were recorded through July 31, 2021. Decrease in spleen size ≥1.5 cm was regarded as significant. Intergroup comparisons were performed on SPSS 28. Eighty patients with cirrhosis and splenomegaly before SVR were identified. Spleen sizes decreased significantly after SVR in 31 patients over a median of 1 year (Group A), whereas 49 patients did not meet this endpoint (Group B). Lack of spleen size reduction was associated with the presence of varices before SVR (odds ratio (OR): 5.3, p < 0.01). Group A had significantly greater increases in platelet count after SVR than did Group B. Patients in Group B had greater risk of HCC (OR: 9.7, CI: 1.2–79; p = 0.03) and death (OR: 3.6, CI: 1.1–12; p = 0.04). Reduced spleen size in patients with HCV cirrhosis after SVR is associated with greater increment in platelet count, decreased risk of HCC, and reduced mortality compared to patients whose spleen size does not decrease.
“There's a lot missing”: Treating survivors of sex trafficking with trauma bonds
Authors: Casassa Kaitlin , Ploss Alexa , Karandikar Sharvari
Published: May 2023

Survivors of sex trafficking often develop trauma bonds with their traffickers. A trauma bond refers to an intense emotional attachment that can develop between victims and their abusers. Research on trauma bonds is sparse and as such so are practice recommendations for service providers. This study seeks to answer the question: What recommendations do service providers make for working with survivors of sex trafficking suffering from trauma bonding? This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 10 participants who were licensed social workers or counselors working directly with survivors. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded utilizing aspects of a grounded theory approach.

Findings

Three themes emerged: (1) understanding client needs, (2) the relational approach, and (3) using existing modalities. Participants discussed clients’ needs for healthy relationships, education about trauma bonding, and improved material circumstances. The relational approach participants described involves meeting clients where they are at, validating survivors, and establishing facts over feelings. Existing modalities discussed by participants include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and motivational interviewing (MI).

Applications

These findings can provide direction for service providers working with survivors of sex trafficking who have trauma bonds. Findings support the need for holistic interventions, and further intervention research is needed to empirically examine the efficacy of EMDR and MI with trauma bonds. Additionally, these findings can inform legislators and policy makers as they consider the needs of survivors.
Minimally Invasive Extirpation of Benign Atrial Cardiac Tumors: Clinical Follow-Up and Survival
Authors: Van Praet Karel M. , Kofler Markus , Wilkens Kristin , Sündermann Simon H. , Meyer Alexander , Hommel Matthias , Jacobs Stephan , Falk Volkmar , Kempfert Jörg
Published: May 2023

Objective:

Evidence determining the optimal treatment for cardiac tumors is rare. We report our midterm clinical outcome and patient characteristics of our series undergoing atrial tumor removal through a right lateral minithoracotomy (RLMT).

Methods:

From 2015 to 2021, 51 patients underwent RLMT for atrial tumor extirpation. Patients receiving concomitant atrioventricular valvular, cryoablation, and/or patent foramen ovale closure surgery were included. Follow-up was performed using standardized questionnaires (mean: 1,041 ± 666 days). Follow-up involved any tumor recurrence, clinical symptoms, and any recurrent arterial embolization. Survival analysis was successfully achieved in all patients.

Results:

Successful surgical resection was achieved in all patients. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times were 75 ± 36 and 41 ± 22 min, respectively. The most common tumor location was the left atrium ( n = 42, 82.4%). Mean ventilation time was 12.74 ± 17.23 h, intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 1.9 days (median: 1 day). Nineteen patients (37.3%) received concomitant surgery. Histopathological analysis showed 38 myxoma (74.5%), 9 papillary fibroelastoma (17.6%), and 4 thrombus (7.8%). Thirty-day mortality was observed in 1 case (2%). One patient (2%) suffered a stroke postoperatively. No patient had a relapse of cardiac tumor. Three patients (9.7%) showed arterial embolization during follow-up. Thirteen follow-up patients (25.5%) were in New York Heart Association class ≤II. Overall survival was 90.2% at 2 years.

Conclusions:

A minimally invasive approach for benign atrial tumor resection is effective, safe, and reproducible. Of the atrial tumors, 74.5% were myxoma and 82% were located in the left atrium. A low 30-day mortality rate with no manifestation of recurrent intracardiac tumor was observed.
World federation of interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology (WFITN) federation assembly neurointerventional surgery safety checklist
Authors: Chen Michael , Fargen Kyle M , Mocco J , Siddiqui Adnan H , Miyachi Shigeru , Mahadevan Jeyaledchumy , Ayudya Sirintara Singhara Na , Churojana Anchalee , Chryssidis Steve , De Villiers Laetitia , Rahman Mohibur , Dey Subash Kanti , Zhang Hongqi , Wang Donghai , Petrocelli Sergio , Garbugino Silvia , Kulcsar Zsolt , Januel Anne , Kocer Naci , Manfre Luigi , Tanaka Michihiro , Matsumaru Yuji , Suh Sang Hyun , Yoon Woong , de Freitas Carlos , Mont’Alverne Francisco , Desal Hubert , Caroff Jildaz , Lee Wickly , Anil Gopinathan , Harrichandparsad Rohen , LeFeuvre David , Agid Ronit , Orbach Darren B , Taylor Allan
Published: May 2023

Over the last 10 years, there has been a rise in neurointerventional case complexity, device variety and physician distractions. Even among experienced physicians, this trend challenges our memory and concentration, making it more difficult to remember safety principles and their implications. Checklists are regarded by some as a redundant exercise that wastes time, or as an attack on physician autonomy. However, given the increasing case and disease complexity along with the number of distractions, it is even more important now to have a compelling reminder of safety principles that preserve habits that are susceptible to being overlooked because they seem mundane. Most hospitals have mandated a pre-procedure neurointerventional time-out checklist, but often it ends up being done in a cursory fashion for the primary purpose of ‘checking off boxes’. There may be value in iterating the checklist to further emphasize safety and communication. The Federation Assembly of the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology (WFITN) decided to construct a checklist for neurointerventional cases based on a review of the literature and insights from an expert panel.
Fake News and the Web of Plausibility
Authors: Murphy Keith M.
Published: May 2023

This article explores the presentation of fake news, the most salient kind of disinformation, focusing neither on its text-based content nor its image-based form, but instead on its overall aesthetic composition—and how and why that composition contributes to the proliferation of disinformation. It begins with an analysis of “real news”—the genre that fake news attempts to copy—and its reliance on what Gaye Tuchman calls the “web of facticity” to communicate “good” information. It then turns to examine how fake news uses the logic of graphic design to exploit features of the web of facticity to create a “web of plausibility”—the web of facticity’s evil twin—to generate momentum for circulation through the analysis of several specific aesthetic features of the news genre. The conclusion offers some possible ways that this sort of perspective can better equip us to help stop the spread of disinformation.
A template for mapping emotion expression within hashtag publics
Authors: Rathnayake Chamil , Suthers Daniel D
Published: May 2023

Current literature on networked publics lacks research that examines how emotions are mobilised around specific actors, and quantitative analysis of affective phenomena is limited to vanity metrics. We address this issue by developing a network analytic routine, which guides the attribution of emotions contained in hashtagged tweets to their sources and targets. The proposed template enables identification of networked inconsequentiality (i.e., inability to trigger dialogue), reply targets (i.e., individuals targeted in replies) and voice agents (i.e., senders of replicated utterances). We demonstrate this approach with two data sets based on the hashtags #Newzealand (n = 131,523) and #SriLanka (n = 145,868) covering two major incidents of terrorism related to opposing extremist ideologies. In addition to the methodological contribution, the study demonstrates that user-driven emergence of networked leadership takes place based on conventional structures of power in which individuals with high power and social status are likely to emerge as targets as well as sources of emotions.
A case of breast cancer: Suppression of lactation-related FDG uptake 2 days after cabergoline administration
Authors: Kuroda Hiroyuki , Yoshizako Takeshi , Yamamoto Nobuko , Kataoka Yuko , Hyakudomi Miki , Itakura Masayuki , Kaji Yasushi
Published: May 2023

We present a case of a 35-year-old woman with breast cancer in lactation 3 months after childbirth, in which a lactation inhibitor was useful for 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. Via ultrasonography and biopsy with histopathology, we diagnosed the lesion in the upper region of the left breast as invasive ductal carcinoma. She stopped breastfeeding and was administered cabergoline to suppress lactation. Two days after the administration, 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed segmental uptake (10 cm in diameter) and no lactation-related uptakes. Dynamic MRI also revealed a segmental enhancement of the same size as 18F-FDG PET/CT. The lactation inhibitor was useful to delineate the extent of the lesion during the 18F-FDG PET/CT examination.
Health-related quality of life and vulnerability among people with myelodysplastic syndromes: a US national study
Authors: Abel Gregory A. , Hebert Donnie , Lee Cecilia , Rollison Dana , Gillis Nancy , Komrokji Rami , Foran James M. , Liu Jane Jijun , Al Baghdadi Tareq , Deeg Joachim , Gore Steven , Saber Wael , Wilson Steffanie , Otterstatter Michael , Thompson Jason , Borchert Christine , Padron Eric , DeZern Amy , Cella David , Sekeres Mikkael A.
Published: May 2023

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and vulnerability are variably affected in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other cytopenic states; however, the heterogeneity of these diseases has limited our understanding of these domains. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored MDS Natural History Study is a prospective cohort enrolling patients undergoing workup for suspected MDS in the setting of cytopenias. Untreated patients undergo bone marrow assessment with central histopathology review for assignment as MDS, MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with <30% blasts, or “At-Risk.” HRQoL data are collected at enrollment, including the MDS-specific Quality of Life in Myelodysplasia Scale (QUALMS). Vulnerability is assessed with the Vulnerable Elders Survey. Baseline HRQoL scores from 449 patients with MDS, MDS/MPN, AML <30%, ICUS or At-Risk were similar among diagnoses. In MDS, HRQoL was worse for vulnerable participants (eg, mean Patent-Reported Outcomes Management Information Systems [PROMIS] Fatigue of 56.0 vs 49.5; P < .001) and those with worse prognosis (eg, mean Euroqol-5 Dimension-5 Level [EQ-5D-5L] of 73.4, 72.7, and 64.1 for low, intermediate, and high-risk disease; P = .005). Among vulnerable MDS participants, most had difficulty with prolonged physical activity (88%), such as walking a quarter mile (74%). These data suggest that cytopenias leading to MDS evaluation are associated with similar HRQoL, regardless of eventual diagnosis, but with worse HRQoL among the vulnerable. Among those with MDS, lower-risk disease was associated with better HRQoL, but the relationship was lost among the vulnerable, showing for the first time that vulnerability trumps disease risk in affecting HRQoL. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02775383.
Oral candidiasis and cigarette, tobacco, alcohol, and opium consumption in Rafsanjan, a region in the southeast of Iran
Authors: Khalili Parvin , Movagharipoor Atekeh , Sardari Farimah , Movaghari Pour Fatemeh , Jamali Zahra
Published: May 2023

Background

We investigated the association between oral candidiasis prevalence and cigarette, tobacco, alcohol, and opium consumption in Rafsanjan, a region in the southeast of Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using the data of Oral Health Branch of Rafsanjan Cohort Study (OHBRCS) as a part of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS). RCS included in Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN) was begun in 2015 in the Rafsanjan. A full-mouth examination was done by trained dental specialists. Oral candidiasis was diagnosed based on clinical examination. Information about cigarette, tobacco, and opium smoking and alcohol consumption were collected based on data from self-reported questionaries. Univariate and multivariate dichotomous logistics regression were used to assess the association between oral candidiasis and cigarette, tobacco, alcohol, and opium consumption.

Results

Among 8682 participants with mean age of 49.94 years, the prevalence of oral candidiasis was 7.94%. There was a direct association between cigarette smoking in current and former cigarette smokers with an increased odds of oral candidiasis (OR: 3.26, 95% CI: 2.46–4.33 and OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.18–2.25 respectively) in fully adjusted models. There was a dose-response relationship between the odds of oral candidiasis and dose (OR: 3.31, 95% CI: 2.38–4.60), duration (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 2.04–3.95) and number (OR: 3.01, 95% CI: 2.02–4.50) of cigarette smoking in the 4th quartile compared to reference group.

Conclusions

A dose-response relationship was shown between cigarette smoking and increased odds of oral candidiasis.
Protocol of an implementation study of a clinician intervention to reduce fear of recurrence in cancer survivors (CIFeR_2 implementation study)
Authors: Liu Jia , Serafimovska Anastasia , He Sharon , Butow Phyllis , Shaw Joanne , McHardy Christopher John , Harris Georgia , Butt Zoe , Beith Jane
Published: May 2023

Background

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) affects 50–70% of cancer survivors with 30% reporting an unmet need for help with managing FCR. Patients indicate desire to discuss FCR with clinicians, however clinicians indicate discomfort with managing FCR and no formal educational interventions on how to discuss FCR or worry exists for oncology clinicians. Our team developed a novel clinician-driven brief education intervention to help patients manage FCR (the Clinician Intervention to Reduce Fear of Recurrence (CIFeR) intervention). In earlier work, we demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of CIFeR in reducing FCR in breast cancer patients. We now aim to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing this low-cost brief intervention within routine oncology practice in Australia. The primary objective is to assess the adoption of CIFeR in routine clinical practice. Secondary objectives are to identify the uptake and sustainability, perceived acceptability, feasibility, costs, barriers and facilitators of implementation of CIFeR in routine clinical practice, and to assess whether training in CIFeR increases clinicians’ self-efficacy in managing FCR with their patients.

Methods

This multicentre, single-arm Phase I/II implementation study will recruit medical and radiation oncologists and oncology surgeons who treat women with early breast cancer. Participants will complete online CIFeR training. They will then be asked to use CIFeR with suitable patients for the next 6 months. Participants will complete questionnaires prior to, immediately after and 3 and 6 months after training to assess confidence addressing FCR, and 3 and 6 months after training to assess Proctor Implementation outcomes. At 6 months, they will also be asked to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview to elicit their feedback about barriers and facilitators to using CIFeR in routine clinical practice.

Discussion

This study will provide further data to support the routine use of an evidence-based, clinician-lead educational intervention to reduce FCR in breast cancer patients. Additionally, this study will identify any barriers and facilitators to implementing the CIFeR intervention in routine care and evidence for integration of FCR training into oncology communication skills education.

Trial registration

Prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12621001697875.

Trial sponsor

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

Protocol version

2.6, Dated 28th February 2023.