bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Honey, I Shrunk the Irrelevant Effects! Simple and Fast Approximate Bayesian Regularization
Authors: Karimova Diana , van Erp Sara , Leenders Roger , Mulder Joris
Published: October 2024

Statistical models are becoming increasingly complex with more parameters to explain complex dependency structures among larger sets of variables. Regularization techniques (such as penalized regression) are ideal to identify the most important parameters by shrinking negligible effects to zero. The resulting regularized solutions are parsimonious and often show good predictive performance. Currently however regularization techniques have mainly been developed for standard modeling designs even though regularization techniques are also very useful for more complex modeling designs. Moreover, even though Bayesian regularization algorithms are competitive (and sometimes superior) to their classical counterpart, classical regularization techniques (such as the lasso) are still most common in applied research. To address these shortcomings, the current paper presents a fast and flexible approximate Bayesian regularization procedure. A Gaussian approximation is used for the integrated likelihood of the (large) set of parameters which is then combined with a Bayesian shrinkage prior to obtain a parsimonious solution with many (approximately) zero estimates. The method is implemented in the R package ‘shrinkem’. The general applicability of the methodology is illustrated in various applications including linear regression models, relational event models, mediation models, factor analytic models, and Gaussian graphical models.
"You're a Nobody When you're Unemployed": Exploring the Content of Unemployed People's Stereotype
Authors: Marie Charly , Bouchat Pierre , Bourguignon David
Published: October 2024

Previous research has shown that unemployed people bear a stigma that builds on the stereotype of "the unemployed" and is associated with many adverse individual and collective outcomes. Several studies have described their stereotype and compared it to other groups, but none has done so using the dimensions and facets of the most recent integrated framework of stereotypes. In Study 1 among university students (n = 241), we show that unemployed people are rated lower than employed people on the horizontal and the vertical dimensions of their stereotypes, as well as on the facets of capacity, assertiveness, morality and friendliness. In addition, we also show that unemployed people are also rated the lowest when compared to a high-high occupation (firefighters) and a low-low occupation (railroad workers). In study 2, we replicate and extend these findings with university students (n = 193) and show that unemployed people are also blatantly dehumanized when compared to the same target of employed people and to the same high-high and low-low occupations. In Study 3, we show that vocational integration workers (n = 123) also rate unemployed people lower than employed people on the horizontal and the vertical dimensions, as well as on the capacity, assertiveness and friendliness facets but not on morality. Overall, we conclude that unemployed people have a highly destructive stereotype that is lacking in every dimension and facet, that they are overly despised and that unemployment is so disregarded that not having a job is considered worse than having a devalued job.
No evidence for the efficiency of the eye-tracking-based RMET version at detecting differences of mind reading abilities across psychological traits
Authors: Beffara Bertrand , Veyrie Marina , Mauduit Laura , Bardi Lara , Cristofori Irene
Published: October 2024

The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test” (RMET) is one of the most used tests of theory of mind. Its principle is to match an emotion word to the corresponding face image. The performance at this test has been associated with multiple psychological variables including personality, loneliness and empathy. Recently, however, the validity of the RMET has been questioned. An alternative version of the test has been tested using eye-tracking (Russell et al., 2021) in addition to manual responses and was hypothesized to be more sensitive. Here, we put this hypothesis to the test by attempting to reproduce already-assessed correlational results between the performance at the classical RMET and the self-reported personality, loneliness and empathy, now using eye-gaze as an RMET performance index. Despite a marked eye-gaze bias towards the face image corresponding to the target word, the eye-gaze pattern correlated with none of the self-reported psychological variables. This result highlights the interest in using eye-tracking for theory of mind tests, while questioning the robustness of the association between psychological variables and RMET performance, and the validity of the RMET itself.
Thinking Fast and Slow in Large Language Models: a Review of the Decision-Making Capabilities of Generative AI Agents
Authors: Brady Oliver , Nulty Paul , Zhang LIli , Ward Tomas , McGovern David
Published: October 2024

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly being used in a wide range of everyday decision-making scenarios, transforming the way people make choices and interact with technology. However, despite their seemingly ‘superhuman’ capabilities, LLMs are not infallible and can exhibit pitfalls in their decision-making abilities if not deployed with caution. This review aims to analyse the decision-making capabilities of LLMs by comparing their abilities to humans through the lens of dual process theory. Guided by this framework, it is clear that LLMs can mimic both human-like System 1 thinking – exhibiting cognitive biases and relying on heuristics to support decision-making processes – and slower System 2 thinking through prompting methods like chain-of-thought reasoning. As LLMs have advanced, they have become more adept at comprehending tasks; however, they can still exhibit biases and make errors, some of which appear similar to human cognitive biases. What remains unclear, however, is the extent to which the processes in AI systems that lead to decision-making biases are truly analogous to those in human cognition, or if they are primarily a byproduct of the human-produced data and algorithms used to train the models. Moreover, LLMs can exhibit their own unique, nonhuman biases, such as hallucinations and overconfidence, that currently limit their application to real-world decision-making applications. Nonetheless, these models hold significant potential to revolutionise the way we make decisions across a diverse range of sectors. Thus, we conclude the review by offering recommendations for future research and practical suggestions on how to leverage LLMs to augment human decision-making.
Semantic content outperforms speech prosody in predicting affective experience in naturalistic settings
Authors: Koch Timo Kevin , Harari Gabriella M. , Schoedel Ramona , Gosling Samuel D. , Marrero Zachariah , Bemmann Florian , Bühner Markus , Stachl Clemens
Published: October 2024

Humans possess the remarkable ability to recognize affective states (e.g., emotions) from speech prosody (i.e., voice acoustics). Algorithms are now trained to do the same task at scale and increasingly deployed commercially. These algorithms have typically been trained on speech data based on enacted (e.g., by professional actors) or observed (e.g., externally rated) affect expressions collected in controlled lab settings. However, these algorithms are deployed to recognize subjective affect experiences from speech in real-world settings. This discrepancy between the controlled, often idealized speech data used for algorithm training and the naturalistic speech encountered during real-world deployment raises questions about whether algorithms can reliably detect subjective affective experiences in everyday settings. Here, we investigate whether experienced affect can be predicted from naturalistic speech samples collected via smartphones. In two field studies (experimental Study 1: N = 409; observational Study 2: N = 687), we collected 25,403 speech samples from participants along with their self-reported affective experiences. Machine learning analyses suggest that prosody reveals only limited affective information (r_md = .17) and is outperformed by semantic content (r_md = .33) captured by word embeddings from a large language model. Our findings challenge the generalizability of prosody-based emotion recognition technologies to naturalistic settings and underscore the importance of incorporating semantic content in the algorithmic recognition of subjective affective experiences from speech.
Detection of antibiogram pattern and prevalence of blaNDM and blaVIM genes among carbapenem resistant Eschericia coli isolates in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Kanta Sanchayita , Banya Chakraborty  , Anusri Tripathi  , Sumoyee Mukherjee
Published: October 2024

Background: Clinical significance of Eschericia coli is due to its capacity to develop resistance against many antibiotics specially carbapenem by producing carbapenemase which limits treatment options. blaNDM and blaVIM genes are responsible for this multi-drug-resistance. This is an alarming condition for society as well as clinician because they are very difficult to treat due to limited options of antibiotics and its high virulence.
Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to detect antibiogram pattern and prevalence of blaNDM and blaVIM genes among carbapenem resistant E. coli isolates in a tertiary care hospital. Our study will also help to identify molecular basis of Carbapenem resistance including treatment guideline.
Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed during January’2021 to June’2022 time period. Identification of E. coli was followed by standard protocol and antibiotic sensitivity was done by Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method following CLSI guideline, using VITEK-2D-SYSTEM. Detection of genes was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: Out of 1867 samples, 161 isolates were identified as E. coli, among which 90 were resistant to carbapenem. Among those, 50 (31%) were resistant to all three carbapenems. Among those, 100% were resistant to ampicillin, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, cefuroxime-axetil, cefoperazone-sulbactam, ceftriaxone, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin; 52% were resistant to amikacin; 54% were resistant to gentamicin; 86% were resistant to cotrimoxazole; 22% were resistant to nitrofurantoin and 96% were sensitive to tigecycline; 100% were intermediate sensitive to colistin. blaNDM gene is detected in 17 (34%) isolates and blaVIM gene is detected in 2 (4%) isolates by PCR.
Conclusion: E. coli leads to common clinical presentations such as urinary tract infection, blood stream infection, pneumonia, and wound infection. High burden of carbapenem resistant E. coli was associated with urinary indoor samples. Rising incidence of multi-drug-resistance occurs due to lack of infection control measures, irrational use of antibiotics. Continuous surveillance will prevent development of multi-drug-resistance and help to improve treatment guideline.
Changing paradigm of scrub typhus infection in children: A study from a tertiary care center of Eastern India
Authors: Bhattacharya Urmimala , Pal Sumita , Paria Soumyadip , Basu Kaushambi
Published: October 2024

Background: Scrub typhus, a zoonotic disease, is transmitted to humans by the bite of larval trombiculid mite. Keeping in view the morbidity and mortality associated with undiagnosed cases (due to both lack of specific diagnostic tests and ignorance about the disease), the disease deserves a special mention.
Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study were to assess complications and atypical manifestations of scrub typhus fever in this subpopulation and to assess the prognosis of patients presenting with atypical manifestations/complications.
Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal observational study on the basis of clinical and laboratory evidence at Department of Pediatrics, Calcutta-National-Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, from March 2021 to February 2022. Children between >28 days and <12 years with atypical manifestations of scrub typhus who were scrub immunoglobulin (Ig)M positive (Serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid) were included in the study.
Results: Of the 120 scrub typhus IgM-positive patients admitted in 1 year, complications present in 35%. These patients developed encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, neurological deficits, myocarditis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute kidney injury, atypical pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute encephalitis syndrome (23.8%), myocarditis with/without heart failure (14.3%), and multi-inflammatory syndrome in children with/without severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 IgG (14.2%). There is a statistically significant association between the duration of fever at admission and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, the longer the fever duration at admission, the higher the rate of complications and thus PICU admission.
Conclusion: Scrub typhus infection has expanded its various forms, presenting in various atypical manifestations alongside the common clinical features. Multiple cases of multiorgan involvement in the form of multi-inflammatory syndrome and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have been reported in the background of COVID-19 infection, alongside a significant percentage of scrub typhus infection reported in infancy. Thus, early detection is important to start intervention.
Morphometric analysis of pituitary gland using magnetic resonance imaging in Indian subjects
Authors: Krishna GK  , Harini Bopaiah  , Anil Kumar Sakalecha  , Lynn Joy
Published: October 2024

Background: Before the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the radiological assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary region relied on plain radiographs and computed tomography scans. However, contemporary medical practice now widely recognizes MRI as the preferred imaging modality for this purpose. The objective is to investigate variations in size and morphology of the pituitary gland associated with age and gender.
Aims and Objectives: (a) The aims of this study were as follows: To establish normative measurements of pituitary gland in South Indian population. (b) To evaluate the relationship between gender, weight, height, and body mass index in different patients using conventional MRI sequences.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, approved by the Institutional Review Board, included the enrolment of 140 normal individuals. The dimensions of the pituitary gland were assessed in 140 individuals exhibiting apparently normal pituitary gland function. The height and length of the pituitary gland were measured utilizing mid-sagittal T1-weighted images (T1-WI) obtained through MRI. The width of the pituitary gland was determined using coronal T1-WI, and the pituitary gland volume was subsequently calculated.
Results: This study comprised 98 females and 102 males. The anteroposterior dimension, height, and volume of the pituitary gland showed statistically significant correlations with age (P<0.05), while the transverse dimension did not show a significant correlation with age (P>0.05). The shape of the pituitary gland was found to have statistically significant correlations with age and gender. Conversely, the transverse diameter, height, and volume of the pituitary gland showed no significant correlations.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of considering pituitary size, shape, and volume in the evaluation of neuroendocrine disorders.
Prevalence of coronary artery calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis and the association of various risk factors with the development of coronary artery calcification in this patient population
Authors: Avisek Maity
Published: October 2024

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis exhibit a significantly higher risk of coronary artery calcification (CAC) than age-matched normal individuals, contributing to elevated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Aims and Objectives: This study designed to assess the prevalence of CAC in ESRD patients on dialysis and identify associated risk factors.
Materials and Methods: Fifty ESRD patients undergoing maintenance dialysis and twenty normal subjects were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Serum calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone were measured in all ESRD patients and normal controls. Multi Row Spiral Computed Tomography was performed to determine CAC scoring (CACS).
Results: CACS was significantly higher in ESRD patients compared to normal subjects (mean CACS: 91.4±32.7 vs. 7.75±9.5 Agatston units, P<0.05). Elevated levels of calcium phosphate products, serum leptin, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), presence of diabetes mellitus, and longer duration of dialysis were correlated with increased incidence of CACS in ESRD patients, as indicated by higher odd’s ratios ranged from 1.10 to 6.93.
Conclusion: CAC is highly prevalent in ESRD patients on dialysis, emphasizing the need for stringent risk factor management. Our findings suggest that controlling calcium phosphate product, serum leptin, age, iPTH levels, and duration of dialysis may reduce CAC burden in this population, potentially mitigating cardiovascular risk and improving outcomes.
Association between uric acid and cognitive function in maintenance hemodialysis patient
Authors: Avisek Maity  , Ajay Kumar Sowthiri
Published: October 2024

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. Hyperuricemia is prevalent in CKD patients and has been associated with cognitive dysfunction. Hyperuricemia has been associated with an increased risk for cerebral microvascular disease.
Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the association between uric acid level and cognitive function in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 90 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Serum uric acid (sUA) level was measured in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and cognitive performance was assessed by the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination score.
Results: There was a significant association between sUA level and cognitive function in hemodialysis patients. Patient with higher sUA levels was found to have poor cognitive function (P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between sUA and cognitive function which revealed an increase in sUA will decrease the cognitive function (P<0.05). In our study, there was a significant association between sUA and cognitive function in hemodialysis patients. Patients with hyperuricemia had poor cognitive function.
Conclusion: In our study, there was a significant association between sUA and cognitive function in hemodialysis patients. Patients with hyperuricemia had poor cognitive function.
A comparative study of efficacy and tolerability of bepotastine besilate (1.5%) and olopatadine hydrochloride (0.1%) eye drops in allergic conjunctivitis in a tertiary care hospital of the southern part of India
Authors: Sudipto Chatterjee  , Vijendra R  , Soumyadeep Mahapatra  , Kiran Kumar L
Published: October 2024

Background: Allergic conjunctivitis is increasing with the rise in the levels of allergens. Drug therapy is usually needed in addition to avoidance of general allergens to treat this condition. Both bepotastine besilate and olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solutions are newer additions in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis having dual properties of second-generation antihistaminics along with mast cell stabilizing activity.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of bepotastine besilate (1.5%) and olopatadine hydrochloride (0.1%) eye drops in patients presenting with allergic conjunctivitis in a tertiary care hospital of Southern part of India.
Materials and Methods: Sixty patients who were clinically diagnosed to be suffering from allergic conjunctivitis were selected as participants for the study. They were randomly distributed into two groups consisting of 30 patients each. One group received eye drop bepotastine (1.5%) and the other group received eye drop olopatadine (0.1%), with each patient receiving the medication twice daily for a duration of 2 weeks. During the first visit, all the patients were assessed for the signs and symptoms and subsequently re-assessed at weekly intervals for a period of 2 weeks. They were also advised to report occurrence of any unwanted drug reaction during the weekly follow-up visits.
Results: The above study showed the effectiveness of both bepotastine and olopatadine eye drops in decreasing the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Significant clinical improvement was found in all participants, whereas deterioration was found in none of them. Statistically significant improvement of itching and redness of eyes was observed with use of both the study drugs mentioned beforehand. Both the drugs were well tolerated by the patients. Statistically significant reduction of itching and foreign body sensation was found to be more in patients using bepotastine eye drops compared to those using olopatadine eye drops. Only two patients using bepotastine eye drops complained of having a mild burning sensation in eyes.
Conclusion: From this study, bepotastine and olopatadine eye drops have been observed to be safe and efficacious in allergic conjunctivitis. Bepotastine eye drop was found to be more efficacious to relieve itching and foreign body sensation compared to that of olopatadine eye drops.
To validate and correlate radiologic grading of central and foraminal stenosis post-surgical decompression on degenerative lumbar canal stenosis
Authors: Niraj Narayan Singh  , Kumar Rohit  , Mahipal Ajitsinh Padhiyar
Published: October 2024

Background: Lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) is characterized as a narrowing of the canal diameter with age, which can lead to degenerative bone and soft-tissue changes.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to validate the radiologic grading of central and foraminal through correlation with outcome after surgical decompression in degenerative LCS.
Materials and Methods: A total of 23 patients with degenerative LCS who satisfied inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study were selected and their Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain were recorded and their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was graded.
Results: LCS is the reduction in the dimension of the central or lateral lumbar canal that occurs most frequently as a result of chronic degenerative changes at the lumbar motion segments. In our study, ODI has comparable improvement in all groups and it does not correlate with the severity of stenosis. However, VAS for leg pain has a greater prevalence in the shorter durations group (<60 months) which had an average of 8.0. If VAS for leg pain was more preoperatively, a better outcome was seen postoperatively.
Conclusion: Decompression surgery for degenerative LCS shows significant improvement in ODI and VAS for back pain and leg pain irrespective of the severity of the stenosis by MRI grading or the severity of symptoms as assessed by VAS or ODI.
A comparative study to access the impact of TAP block with wound infiltration in laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Kaushik Ravi , Kumar Rajesh , Bafila Narendra Singh , Verma Rachna , Gautam Sanni Deyol
Published: October 2024

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local anesthetic wound infiltration have been used to relieve pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study investigated whether the subcostal transversus abdominis block was superior to traditional port-site infiltration of local anesthetic in reducing post-operative pain, opioid consumption, and time for recovery.
Aim and Objectives: To investigated whether the subcostal transversus abdominis block is superior to traditional port-site infiltration of local anesthetic in reducing post-operative pain, opioid consumption, and time for recovery.
Materials and Methods: All patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups (n=30) using computer-generated randomization. Patients in Group 1 (TAP group) received a TAP block by administration of 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine on each side just before completion of surgery, and patients in Group 2 (local wound infiltration [LWI] group) received 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine as a local infiltrate at the local site just before completion of surgery. The pain was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at intervals of 30 min to 24 h after the procedure.
Results: The mean VAS score was significantly lower in group 1 as compared to group 2 at 2 h and 4 h. Whereas the VAS score was not significantly different post-operative 30 min, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. The mean first rescue analgesia was significantly more in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The TAP block patients had significant VAS scores at 2 and 4 h postoperatively compared to the LWI patients. The TAP group had a significantly longer median time to first emergency analgesia compared to the LWI group, with a higher proportion of patients requiring only one dose of emergency analgesia.
Metabolic consequences on platelet parameters: Mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nakhro Nuneno , Khambra Poonam , Sharma Sonam , T. Banikanta Singha
Published: October 2024

Background: Diabetes mellitus encompasses metabolic disorders marked by chronic hyperglycemia, leading to various complications. It is considered a prothrombotic state associated with increased platelet reactivity. Parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), which are indicative of platelet size, enzymatic activity, and prothrombotic risk, can be readily assessed during routine hematological analysis, facilitating early detection of this prothrombotic state.
Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the varied alterations in platelet parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and tried to elucidate these parameters’ predictive role in diabetes complications.
Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2022 and February 2024, involving 100 patients with T2DM and 100 healthy non-diabetic individuals. MPV, PDW, fasting blood glucose (FBS), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured and analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, Chi-square test, and Spearman’s correlation tests in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 21.0).
Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 40–70 years with male predominance. In comparing the 100 diabetics and 100 non-diabetics groups, MPV and PDW levels were notably higher in diabetics (11.46±1.75 vs. 9.40±1.02 fl, 21±2.57 vs. 16.72±1.48%) with statistical significance (P<0.01). Similarly, FBS and HbA1C levels were elevated among diabetics (179.38±70.25 vs. 90.64±5.93, 7.83±2.24 vs. 5.02±0.64) along with a positive correlation between platelet indices (MPV and PDW) and FBS, HbA1c levels in patients with T2DM. In addition, diabetic patients with complications exhibit significantly higher MPV, PDW, FBS, and HbA1c levels compared to those without complications.
Conclusion: MPV and PDW levels show significant alterations in T2DM patients, with consistently elevated values, especially in those with complications. This underscores their potential importance as key indicators alongside glycemic indices such as FBS and HbA1c, in monitoring diabetes progression and anticipating associated complications.
Level of high sensitivity troponin I and its correlation with hemodialysis vintage – A pilot study
Authors: Saloni Malik  , Manisha Naithani  , Anissa Atif Mirza  , Sharon Kandari  , Suman KM  , Gaurav Shekhar Sharma
Published: October 2024

Background: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is advised in end-stage renal disease, the last stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). RRT includes maintenance hemodialysis (MHD)/peritoneal dialysis/renal transplant. The requirement for MHD is annually escalating in India. It is important to note that over 80% of patients receiving MHD have at least one cardiac disease at the time of dialysis initiation, such as ischemic heart disease, congestive cardiac failure, and arrhythmias.
Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to study high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) serum level as a marker of cardiovascular injury in patients receiving MHD. It was an attempt to envisage a correlation between serum hs-cTnI and hemodialysis (HD) vintage (duration since initiation of dialysis till date).
Materials and Methods: We enrolled 40 patients. Group 1 included those who had received MHD for ≤24 months, and Group 2 included those who had received MHD for more than 24 months.
Results: We found no significant difference between the two groups’ clinical characteristics and demographic features. The pre-and post-HD serum hs-cTnI values of all patients were recorded. The serum hs-cTnI levels were found to be elevated in 34 out of 40 patients’ post-dialysis, and the result was statistically significant (P=0.0001).
Conclusion: The present study has encouraging results, with values of hs-cTnI raised in post-dialysis samples; however, the levels did not correlate with HD vintage. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups would provide more detailed information on hs-cTnI’s role as a marker for HD-induced cardiac damage.
Predicting NEPSE Index: An ARIMA-Based Model
Authors: Paudel Sandip
Published: October 2024

Purpose: This research aims to employ the Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) approach to forecast the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index.Methods: Daily univariate time series data were taken from the NEPSE website and other sources for 27 years for a total 6143 daily time series data starting in 1997. The presence of unit roots was identified through an Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, which ensures stationarity in data. Thereafter, estimation and evaluation of AR (autoregressive), MA (moving average), and ARIMA models were carried out.Results: The study reveals that the ARIMA (2,1,1) model is well fitted in predicting the NEPSE index, indicating its ability to capture temporal dependence and trends that exist within the data.Conclusion: It concludes the temporal dynamics of series highlighting both the short-term impacts of past shocks and longer-term adjustment towards equilibrium. The research work supports the efficacy of model in capturing and predicting the behaviour of NEPSE index, thereby adding in informed decision making and future projections based on proposed statistical foundations.
On Ukraine: To Understand before Making Peremptory Judgments
Authors:   French economist, former Governor of the Banque de France (1987–1993), Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (1978–1987), President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1993–1998), de Larosiere Jacques
Published: October 2024

It would be wrong to confine oneself to asserting international law where it is far from the ethnic and human realities. It is not reasonable to insist on historical borders instead of deciding on a ceasefire line, as it only provides a bonus for aggression.
Rana razvojna odstupanja iz roditeljske perspektive
Authors: Popčević Klara , Matković Marija Magdalena , Ivšac Pavliša Jasmina
Published: October 2024

Sve veća pozornost danas se pridaje različitim komunikacijskim, jezičnim i govornim poremećajima, no unatoč tome velik broj djece s navedenim poremećajima prekasno se prepoznaje. Važnost ranog otkrivanja poremećaja neposredno je povezana s pravodobnim uključivanjem u sustav rane intervencije i posljedično boljim razvojnim ishodima. U tome jednu od ključnih uloga imaju roditelji. Cilj je ovog rada dobiti uvid u perspektivu roditelja djece predškolske dobi o ranim znakovima komunikacijskih, jezičnih i govornih teškoća. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 96 roditelja djece predškolske dobi, podijeljenih na skupinu roditelja djece s komunikacijskim, jezičnim i govornim teškoćama, te skupinu roditelja djece tipičnog razvoja. Analiza upitnika, koji su roditelji ispunili, pokazuje da 84 % roditelja uočava rane znakove odstupanja u komunikaciji, jeziku i govoru radi kojih bi se obratili stručnjacima. Unatoč tome, velik se postotak roditelja oprečno izjašnjava da nisu sigurni kada se obratiti logopedu. Nije pronađena statistički značajna razlika u potencijalno poduzetim koracima kod uočenih znakova odstupanja između roditelja djece tipičnog razvoja i roditelja djece s teškoćama. Ohrabruje podatak da mali postotak roditelja smatra opravdanim uvriježena pogrješna stajališta o ranom razvoju. Ustanovljeno je da spol i stupanj obrazovanja roditelja ne utječu značajno na njihovu perspektivu, no utvrđena je povezanost između dobi roditelja i njihove perspektive - stariji roditelji imaju jasniju perspektivu o ranim znakovima odstupanja i poduzetim koracima. Rezultati daju jasne smjernice o djelovanju logopeda u sustavu rane intervencije.
Contextuality of cognitive control deficits in alcohol dependence — pro et contra
Authors: Berezin Anna A. , Trusova Anna V. , Gvozdetcki Anton N. , Klimanova Svetlana G.
Published: October 2024

Cognitive impairment, including cognitive control, mediates the negative social consequences of alcohol-related behavior, but few studies have examined these processes in the Russian speaking population using modern and standardized assessment methods. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine the features of cognitive control (inhibition of automatic response) and the general level of cognitive functioning in a Russianspeaking sample of alcohol-dependent individuals (AD) using quantitative assessment methods. Materials and Methods. 111 individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence (F10.30) and 27 healthy participants were examined by using the Brief Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Affective Disorders Battery (BAC-A) and additional tests of cognitive control (Stroop test with incongruent stimuli, Stroop test with alcohol-associated stimuli). The statistical methods were U-Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation coefficient, two-stage least squares regression. Results. In the AD group the indices of cognitive functioning were significantly lower in all parameters except for the subtests of verbal memory and digit sequence (p<0,05). The model of the relationship between the parameters of general cognitive functioning and cognitive control reveals that the index of incongruence to alcohol-related stimuli was a significant predictor of sampe affiliation. Discussion. The obtained results may indicate the presence of impairments of speed of mental processes, planning , verbal fluency and response inhibition function in the group of individuals with AD. In the studied group, the automatic response inhibition function mediates the general cognitive functioning only within the relevant contextual stimuli.
Research of the personal characteristics of patients with vegetative disorders in relation to clinical and instrumental indicators
Authors: Mikhailov V. A. , Rzheutskaya Nina A. , Hyanikyaynen Igor V.
Published: October 2024

The aim of the research was to study the personality traits of patients with vegetative disorders (VD) and the identification of their psychosomatic relationships with heart rate variability (HRV) and with a clinical degree of severity of vegetative manifestations.The military personnel of Petrozavodsk were examined: the main group (MG) — 104 people with VD (average age 36,8±7,7 years, gender index 1:1); control group (СG) — 30 healthy individuals (average age 36,1±5,5 years; gender index 1:1; p=0,761).We used: «A questionnaire to identify signs of vegetative changes» (Vane A. M., 2003); cardiointervalography with an assessment of integrative indicators (standard deviation of RR — intervals (SDNN, ms) and total power of the spectrum (TR, ms2)). Personality traits were examined using the «Big Five» test (The Big Five Inventory–2 Short Form (BFI–2–S)). Statistical processing of experimental data was carried out in Excel 14.0 environment using Statistica 6.0 software packages. It was revealed that in patients with VD, compared with healthy ones, there is a moderate vegetative imbalance (36,63±10,50 / 2,67±1,96 points according to the A. M. Vane questionnaire); and a decrease in the level of vegetative regulation (with a predominance of sympathetic) with a decrease in adaptive capabilities (TP 1512,69±1005,38 ms2 and 6548,80±3898,95 ms2; SDNN 38,34±13,27 ms and 80,17±23,59 ms in MG and СG, respectively; p<0,05).

The results of BFI–2–S indicated that patients with VD have an increased level of neuroticism against the background of a weakening of such personal qualities as: extraversion, benevolence, good faith, openness to experience. Neuroticism is a characteristic personality trait that, through a system of psychosomatic relationships, exacerbates the clinical and neurological manifestations of the disease. It directly correlates with the severity of vegetative imbalance (according to the A. M. Vane questionnaire; R = 0,66), and vice versa — with heart rate variability (R = — 0,56 for SPNN; R = — 0,53 for TP). The results of the study make it possible to optimize personalized strategies for the medical and psychological rehabilitation of people with VD.
Reliability and Validity of the Sexual Intention Questionnaire for Adolescent Boys (SIQ-AB) in Malaysian Context
Authors: Saini Nazrie , Safii Razitasham , Minoi Jacey Lynn , Saimon Rosalia
Published: October 2024

INTRODUCTION: The newly developed Sexual Intention Questionnaire for Adolescent Boys (SIQ-AB) is an adapted tool from the Youth Sexual Intention Questionnaire (YSI-Q) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), aimed to assess the influence of knowledge, permissive attitude, social norms, and self-efficacy toward the sexual intention. Thus, the aim of this study was to validate the newly developed SIQ-AB to determine Malaysian adolescent boys’ sexual intention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SIQ-AB validity and reliability were assessed in this study. A total sample of 252 (Exploratory Factor Analysis, n=126 and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, n=126) among adolescent boys from Serian and Kota Samarahan, Sarawak were included in this study. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) assessed three constructs of sexual intention which include attitude, self-efficacy, and social norms with a 4-point Likert scale with a total of 19 items. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the TPB constructs of sexual intention, attitude, self-efficacy, and social norms with a 4-point Likert scale with a total of 19 items adopted from YSI-Q. RESULTS: The four-factor structures were supported by the EFA which had 19 items which accounted for 65.79% of the variation overall. Four items were removed due to improper positioning or low factor loading (<0.50), even though EFA supported the four-factor structure. Using Cronbach’s alpha, internal reliability varied between 0.77-0.89. Construct, convergent and composite validity of the SIQ-AB were further validated by the CFA with χ 2=199.0, df=129, p< 0.001, χ 2/df =1.54, CFI=0.98 and TLI=0.98 and RMSEA=0.06. CONCLUSIONS: The result proved that the SIQ-AB instrument is a valid and highly reliable tool to assess adolescent boys' sexual intention.
Barriers Towards Healthcare Access and Services among People with Disabilities: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Said Abdul Hadi , Mohd Farah Natashah , Baharom Mohamad Zairi , Md Aris Mohd Aznan , Mohamad Shahrin Mohamad Afiq
Published: October 2024

Healthcare access and services is one of the challenges faced by people with physical disability (PWPD). PWPD also has at risk of early death and preventable chronic illness. Lack of access to healthcare services includes delay or failure to receive needed care, lack of continuity of care and financial burden will result in deterioration of health, wellbeing and functional status. The aim of this paper was to review barriers towards healthcare access and services among PWPD based on the existing qualitative studies. We conducted a scoping review of relevant qualitative articles from PubMed, Scopus and ProQuest. The article search was based on the available keyword in the title with the publication restricted within 10 years (between 2012 to 2021). The search strategy was conducted using MeSH terms of ‘barriers, healthcare access, healthcare services and physical disability’. In this review, people with different kinds of physical disabilities were included. There were 2004 articles obtained from the initial search. 27 articles met the inclusion criteria for the final review. In each study, PWPD noted various barriers to access healthcare services. Findings from this review revealed five themes: personal; financial; attitudinal and communication; health system; structural and physical barriers. The findings showed that PWPD faces various barriers when accessing healthcare services. Addressing these barriers could help create a healthcare system that is inclusive and accessible for all.
Updates in Microglial Research with Respect to Brain Cancer
Authors: Subramaiam Hemavathy , Ma Jin Hao
Published: October 2024

Microglia resides in the microenvironment of the central nervous system (CNS) and is thought to play a key role in the development and progression of brain cancer. This is because it was shown that microglia comprised a large portion of the total brain tumour mass. Besides, the origin of microglia cells in brain tumours is worth understanding as it is important to distinguish the resident macrophages from the circulating macrophages when discussing the pathology of brain tumours. Activated microgliosis has been linked to increased inflammatory mediators like cytokines, growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and many more, which would facilitate tumourigenesis. Brain tumour cells also proliferate under the influence of signalling pathways, such as the toll-like receptor 2 signals. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which is an angiogenic factor aids in the growth of tumour cells. Brain cancer cells rely on suppressing the effector arm of immune system to evade attacks by downregulating major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) class II molecules and inducing the conversion of microglia to an immunosuppressive phenotype. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that give rise to brain cancers communicate with microglia cells, which determines their growth and invasion potential. Understanding the molecular interactions of brain cancer and microglia cells would help unlock novel treatments via means of immunotherapy, immunosuppressants and utilising microglia cells to deliver nanoparticle drugs to effectively target and treat brain cancer.
ECG Risk Score Model to Predict SCD in HFrEF: Retrospective Review in a Tertiary Centre
Authors: Mashood Faiz , Zainal Abidin Imran , Aseri Muhammad Azlan , Mahmood Zuhdi Ahmad Syadi , Loch Alexander
Published: October 2024

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients need to be risk stratify as guidelines have shown that patients with left ventricularejection fraction (LVEF) <35% could be prevented from sudden cardiac death (SCD) by insertion of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Thus we conducted a retrospective single tertiary centre study to evaluate the used of electrocardiogram (ECG) risk score model in identifying the individuals who at higher risk of SCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 356 heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients treated at University Malaya Medical Centre between January 2017 and December 2021 were enrolled into this study. The patients’ demographics, types of heart failure, medications, and ECG parameters data were collected. The study outcomes were survivor or death in and the cause of death were subdivided into SCD or non-sudden cardiac death (non-SCD). RESULTS: A total of 156 study patients were survivor whereas another 120 had SCD and 70 had non-SCD. There were six ECG parameters that remained significant in the final model, namely the bundle branch block (BBB), abnormal P waves, QRS duration, QTc duration, TpTe interval and PR interval. The significant ECG parameters were combined into a risk score to enumerate prediction ability towards SCD. From our ECG risk score model, subject with ≥2 ECG abnormalities had more than 3-fold increased risk for SCD (HR 3.739, 95% CI 1.703-8.211, P 0.001) and the risk proportionately increased with increasing ECG abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the cumulative ECG risk score model was independently associated with SCD and particularly effective for LVEF <40% where risk stratification model remained scarce. So, we would like to propose for a prospective study to further evaluate our study outcome.
Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Schoolchildren’s Visual and Eye Health: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ariffin Shazrina , Mohamed Akhir Saadah , Narayanasamy Sumithira
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Studies on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of teachers regarding schoolchildren’s visual and eye health is an important step before implementing further collaboration between education and healthcare system. The input in this field is limited as many countries are at the early stage of involving teachers in school health screening programmes. This review aims to understand the level of KAP among teachers on schoolchildren’s visual and eye health and the methodology used to conduct these studies. This scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for scoping studies. A systematic search using electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Ebscohost) was conducted to identify relevant articles, imported into the Rayyan web application for review management. Mendeley desktop was utilised for citation management. A total of 463 articles were identified during the selection process, and 17 articles were included in this scoping review after eligibility screening. These studies were grouped into three designs: cross-sectional, intervention, and qualitative. This scoping review revealed that the level of knowledge and practice among teachers on schoolchildren’s visual and eye health was low to moderate, while the level of attitude was good. Some misconceptions exist among teachers regarding children’s visual and eye health. Training programmes for teachers are crucial to significantly improve their KAP levels. Most of the teachers lacked the knowledge and practice concerning children’s visual and eye health. However, with a good attitude, their awareness level can be upgraded with proper training, eye screening facilities, and access to information.