bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I thought it was a hemangioma! A pictorial essay about common and uncommon liver hemangiomas’ mimickers
Authors: Bonatti Matteo , Valletta Riccardo , Corato Valentina , Gorgatti Tommaso , Posteraro Andrea , Vingiani Vincenzo , Lombardo Fabio , Avesani Giacomo , Mega Andrea , Zamboni Giulia A.
Published: September 2024

Focal liver lesions are frequently encountered during imaging studies, and hemangiomas represent the most common solid liver lesion. Liver hemangiomas usually show characteristic imaging features that enable characterization without the need for biopsy or follow-up. On the other hand, there are many benign and malignant liver lesions that may show one or more imaging features resembling hemangiomas that radiologists must be aware of. In this article we will review the typical imaging features of liver hemangiomas and will show a series of potential liver hemangiomas’ mimickers, giving radiologists some hints for improving differential diagnoses.

Critical relevance statement

The knowledge of imaging features of potential liver hemangiomas mimickers is fundamental to avoid misinterpretation.

Key Points

Liver hemangiomas typically show imaging features that enable avoiding a biopsy.

Many benign and malignant liver lesions show imaging features resembling hemangiomas.

Radiologists must know the potentially misleading imaging features of hemangiomas’ mimickers.

Graphical Abstract
Productive and metabolomic consequences of arginine supplementation in sows during different gestation periods in two different seasons
Authors: Virdis Sara , Luise Diana , Correa Federico , Laghi Luca , Arrigoni Norma , Amarie Roxana Elena , Serra Andrea , Biagi Giacomo , Negrini Clara , Palumbo Francesco , Trevisi Paolo
Published: September 2024

Background

The prolificacy of sows (litter size at birth) has markedly increased, leading to higher post-natal mortality. Heat stress can exacerbate this issue. Arginine plays an important role in several physiological pathways; its effect on gestating sows can depend on the period of supplementation. This study evaluated the effects of arginine supplementation on the productive performance and physiological status of sows during different gestation periods and seasons, using a multi-omics approach.

Methods

A total of 320 sows were divided into 4 groups over 2 seasons (warm/cold); a control group (CO) received a standard diet (including 16.5 g/d of arginine) and 3 other groups received the standard diet supplemented with 21.8 g/d of arginine (38.3 g/d of arginine) either during the first 35 d (Early35), the last 45 d (Late45) or throughout the entire gestation period (COM). The colostrum was analyzed for nutritional composition, immunoglobulins and metabolomic profile. Urine and feces were analyzed on d 35 and 106 for the metabolomic and microbial profiles. Piglet body weight and mortality were recorded at birth, d 6, d 26, and on d 14 post-weaning.

Results

Interactions between arginine and season were never significant. The Early35 group had a lower percentage of stillborn (P < 0.001), mummified (P = 0.002) and low birthweight (LBW) piglets (P = 0.02) than the CO group. The Late45 group had a lower percentage of stillborn piglets (P = 0.029) and a higher percentage of high birthweight piglets (HBW; P < 0.001) than the CO group. The COM group had a higher percentage of LBW (P = 0.004) and crushed piglets (P < 0.001) than the CO group. Arginine supplementation modifies the metabolome characterization of colostrum, urine, and feces. Creatine and nitric oxide pathways, as well as metabolites related to microbial activity, were influenced in all matrices. A slight trend in the beta diversity index was observed in the microbiome profile on d 35 (P = 0.064).

Conclusions

Arginine supplementation during early gestation reduced the percentage of stillborn and LBW piglets, while in the last third of pregnancy, it favored the percentage of HBW pigs and reduced the percentage of stillbirths, showing that arginine plays a significant role in the physiology of pregnant sows.
Overcoming times of crisis: unveiling coping strategies and mental health in a transnational general population sample during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Schurr Timo , Frajo-Apor Beatrice , Pardeller Silvia , Plattner Barbara , Tutzer Franziska , Schmit Anna , Conca Andreas , Fronthaler Martin , Haring Christian , Holzner Bernhard , Huber Markus , Marksteiner Josef , Miller Carl , Perwanger Verena , Pycha Roger , Schmidt Martin , Sperner-Unterweger Barbara , Hofer Alex
Published: September 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact, precipitating not only direct threats to physical health but also widespread economic and psychological challenges. This study aims to explore the dynamics of coping behaviour and psychological distress (PD) across different phases of the pandemic within an adult general population sample, spanning Austria and Italy.

Methods

An online questionnaire-based panel study was conducted between 2020 and 2023 including three measurements. We collected data on sociodemographic variables, coping responses (Brief COPE), and PD (Brief-Symptom-Checklist). Statistical analyses were conducted within a linear-mixed-model framework. Multiple imputation and sensitivity analysis were applied to validate the results obtained by complete case analysis.

Results

The study follows 824 participants and reveals a marginal decrease in overall PD from the first to the second follow-up, particularly in clinically relevant phobic anxiety (35.6% and 34.5% to 25.4%). Most coping behaviours exhibited stable mean-levels with intra-individual variability across the study period. Maladaptive coping strategies were consistently linked to increased PD, whereas adaptive strategies were associated with decreased PD.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the complex nature of coping behaviours and PD during and after the pandemic, suggesting that while mean-levels of PD and coping responses remained relatively stable, most coping strategies were subject to intra-individual change. Maladaptive strategies were associated with increased PD, pinpointing to the need for interventions that establish the foundation for adaptive coping mechanisms and promote their application. Further research should explore the reciprocal influences of mental health on coping behaviour, incorporating interventional designs to unravel the nuances of these relationships.
Tumor endothelium-derived PODXL correlates with immunosuppressive microenvironment and poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Huang Rui , Wang Fuhao , Zou Wenxue , Li Xiaohui , Lei Tianyu , Li Peihang , Song Yajun , Liu Chao , Yue Jinbo
Published: September 2024

Podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) is known to originate from tumor cells in several cancers; however, which cell type it is expressed in, whether and how it may contribute to tumor progression after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in cervical cancer (CC) remain unknown. In this study, we investigated these issues using a cohort of 180 immune stain data, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of 29,453 cells, and bulk RNA sequencing data from 187 cervical cancer samples treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. ScRNA-seq analysis revealed that PODXL was predominantly expressed in tumor endothelial cells (TECs) of CC, which was corroborated by tumor section staining. Moreover, the PODXL expression level was negatively associated with progression-free survival and overall survival of 180 CC patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (both p < 0.001). Furthermore, compared with PODXLlow TECs, PODXLhigh TECs exhibited a diminished anti-tumor immune response and enhanced tumor-promoting features characteristics. In addition, PODXL over-expression was also found to be negatively associated with immune response and indicated poor survival in bulk RNA sequencing data of CC treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. These results underscore the role of PODXL in CC, suggesting it as a promising target and prognostic marker for patients treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.
Early treatment response assessment with [177Lu]PSMA whole-body-scintigraphy compared to interim PSMA-PET
Authors: Ventura David , Rassek Philipp , Schindler Philipp , Akkurt Burak Han , Bredensteiner Linus , Bögemann Martin , Schlack Katrin , Seifert Robert , Schäfers Michael , Roll Wolfgang , Rahbar Kambiz
Published: September 2024

Background

Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) is an essential tool for patient selection before radioligand therapy (RLT). Interim-staging with PSMA-PET during RLT allows for therapy monitoring. However, its added value over post-treatment imaging is poorly elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare early treatment response assessed by post-therapeutic whole-body scans (WBS) with interim-staging by PSMA-PET after 2 cycles in order to prognosticate OS.

Methods

Men with metastasized castration-resistant PC (mCRPC) who had received at least two cycles of RLT, and interim PSMA-PET were evaluated retrospectively. PROMISE V2 framework was used to categorize PSMA expression and assess response to treatment. Response was defined as either disease control rate (DCR) for responders or progression for non-responders.

Results

A total of 188 men with mCRPC who underwent RLT between February 2015 and December 2021 were included. The comparison of different imaging modalities revealed a strong and significant correlation with Cramer V test: e.g. response on WBS during second cycle compared to interim PET after two cycles of RLT (cφ = 0.888, P < 0.001, n = 188). The median follow-up time was 14.7 months (range: 3–63 months; 125 deaths occurred). Median overall survival (OS) time was 14.5 months (95% CI: 11.9–15.9). In terms of OS analysis, early progression during therapy revealed a significantly higher likelihood of death: e.g. second cycle WBS (15 vs. 25 months, P < 0.001) with a HR of 2.81 (P < 0.001) or at PET timepoint after 2 cycles of RLT (11 vs. 24 months, P < 0.001) with a HR of 3.5 (P < 0.001). For early biochemical response, a PSA decline of at least 50% after two cycles of RLT indicates a significantly lower likelihood of death (26 vs. 17 months, P < 0.001) with a HR of 0.5 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Response assessment of RLT by WBS and interim PET after two cycles of RLT have high congruence and can identify patients at risk of poor outcome. This indicates that interim PET might be omitted for response assessment, but future trials corroborating these findings are warranted.
Exploring Iranian ESP teachers’ emotion labor: a critical perspective
Authors: Nazari Mostafa , Karimpour Sedigheh , Amjadi Mobina
Published: September 2024

Despite the growth of research on English for specific purposes (ESP) teachers over the past two decades, the scope of research that focally examines ESP teachers’ emotions is limited. The present study explored 10 Iranian ESP teachers’ emotion labor. Collecting data from questionnaires, narrative frames, and semi-structured interviews, we show how contextual discourses, policies, and expectations of ESP instruction interact with the teacher participants across four areas of pedagogy, assessment, materials, and curriculum and culture. Our findings indicated that content featured as a significant factor in the teachers’ emotions, agency, and identity directly, indirectly, and specifically through content-related discourses and participants. More specifically, it is not necessarily the content itself that along with language shape ESP teachers’ professional sense-making; rather, the way content manifolds in institutional work and interacts with language through various contextualities, modalities, and participants functions more profoundly in ESP teachers’ work. We provide implications for ESP teachers to draw on their collegial potentials to form communities of practice that positively contribute to their professional growth and transform their negative emotions into mutual emotionality.
Novel technique of switching TIVA and sevoflurane during epilepsy surgery for combined intraoperative motor evoked potentials monitoring and electrocorticography: an illustrative case report
Authors: Mukoyama Yoko , Ichikawa Junko , Komori Makiko , Kodaka Mitsuharu , Yokosako Suguru , Kubota Yuichi
Published: September 2024

Background

During epilepsy surgery, it is equally important to record electrocorticography (ECoG) for detecting epileptogenic activity and guiding brain resection, and to evaluate neuromonitoring data, particularly motor evoked potentials (MEP), for avoidance of postoperative neurological complications. However, sevoflurane, which is commonly used during recording of ECoG, may attenuate the MEP response. It enforces anesthesiologists and neurosurgeons to select one anesthetic agent over another, facilitating either ECoG or MEP monitoring.

Case presentation

In the presented case of a 20-year-old man, who underwent surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy, a novel technique of neuroanesthesia was introduced, integrating initial induction of the total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol (effect-site concentration, 2.3–3.0 μg/ml), its subsequent switching to sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration, 2.5%) for ECoG recording, and further change back to TIVA for MEP monitoring during brain resection.

Conclusions

Intraoperative switch of anesthetic agents according to specific intraoperative requirements may be useful for cases of brain surgery requiring both ECoG recordings and MEP monitoring.
Sex estimation based on glabella morphology in contemporary Brazilian human skulls
Authors: de Moura Ferreira Gomes Júlia Neves , de Carvalho Marcus Vitor Diniz , da Fonte Cornélio André Marquim Nogueira , de Azevedo Santos Greiciane Miguel , Petraki Gabriela Granja Porto , Soriano Evelyne Pessoa
Published: September 2024

Background

Estimating sex from a dry skull depends on studying validated and specific traits. One such reference area exhibiting sexual dimorphism is the glabella, located on the frontal bone. This anatomical landmark is easily classified and shows promising results in sexual identification due to its magnitude variations between sexes. The present study is methodologically based on Walker’s approach, which visually analyzes cranial traits and scores them according to their morphology. This study aimed to investigate the sex estimation of dry skulls from Brazilian human skeletons for human identification through macroscopic analysis of the glabella. This analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional study utilized a sample of 471 skulls from both sexes, aged 25 years or older, belonging to the contemporary collection of the Center for Studies in Forensic Anthropology at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pernambuco (CEAF/FOP/UPE), Brazil. Data were recorded in an Excel spreadsheet and subsequently subjected to statistical analysis using IBM© SPSS (version 22.0).

Results

Initial observation of the skeletons excluded 52 (11.0%) due to age below 25 years, absence of a skull, or compromised glabella region, resulting in a final sample of 419 skulls. The mean age was 66.6 years, with a median of 67, a minimum of 25, and a maximum of 109 years. Regarding glabella types, score 2 showed the highest frequency (35.6%), while score 5 had the lowest percentage (7.9%). A statistically significant association was found between female sex and glabella scores 1 and 2. Also, individuals aged over 60 presented more glabella scores 1 and 2. The sex estimation accuracy for the sample was 76.1%, with females having a higher percentage of correct observations than males.

Conclusions

The morphology of the glabella provides useful information for estimating sex in the biological profile. However, further studies on this morphological trait in other Brazilian osteological collections are encouraged to establish a national profile and contribute to human identification procedures in the country.
Potential of insect growth regulators for the control of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) with respect to their biochemical and histological effects
Authors: El-Shewy Amira M. , Hamouda Sameh S. A. , Gharib Ahmed M. , Gad Hassan A. , Abdelgaleil Samir A. M.
Published: September 2024

Background

Housefly causes a variety of health problems to humans and animals. Therefore, it is crucial to find out effective methods for the control of housefly larvae to avoid health problems associated with the presence this disease vector insect. Efficacy of insect growth regulators (IGRs), chlorfluazuron, lufenuron, methoxyfenozide and pyriproxyfen, against larvae of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), was assessed. The IGRs were mixed with food media at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0 mg/kg (ppm).

Results

The highest larvicidal activity was obtained by chlorfluazuron and pyriproxyfen with LC50 values of 6.79 and 7.10 ppm, respectively, 72 h post-treatment. Also, 25.0 ppm of chlorfluazuron and 75.0 ppm of methoxyfenozide as well as lufenuron were shown to fully suppress adult emergence and survival percentages (0.0%). Moreover, the activity of three digestive enzymes suppressed in the treated larvae with pyriproxyfen and chlorfluazuron: amylase (enzyme ratio (ER) = 0.71 and 0.78), lipase (ER = 0.54 and 0.63) and proteases (ER = 0.62 and 0.66), respectively. Also, methoxyfenozide and pyriproxyfen inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and general-esterase (GE) activity with ER (0.28 and 0.59) and (0.61 and 0.72), respectively. The histological examination of M. domestica larvae treated with IGRs showed changes in midgut; for example, the epithelial cells were broken, deformed and loss their columnar structure. Also, the peritrophic membrane disappeared completely.

Conclusions

The findings of the current study indicate that the tested IGRs have a potential to be applied in IPM programs of M. domestica.
Cloud EMRs auditing with decentralized (t, n)-threshold ownership transfer
Authors: Wang Yamei , You Weijing , Zhang Yuexin , Ye Ayong , Xu Li
Published: September 2024

In certain cloud Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) applications, the data ownership may need to be transferred. In practice, not only the data but also the auditing ability should be transferred securely and efficiently. However, we investigate and find that most of the existing data ownership transfer protocols only work well between two individuals, and they become inefficient when dealing between two communities. The proposals for transferring tags between communities are problematic as well since, they require all members get involved or a fully trusted aggregator facilitates ownership transfer, which are unrealistic in certain scenarios. To alleviate these problems, in this paper we develop a secure auditing protocol with decentralized (t, n)-threshold ownership transfer for cloud EMRs. This protocol is designed to operate efficiently without requiring the mandatory participation of every user or the involvement of any trusted third-party. It is achieved by employing the threshold signature. Rigorous security analyses and comprehensive performance evaluations illustrate the security and practicality of our protocol. Specifically, according to the evaluations and comparisons, the communication and computational consumption is independent of the file size, i.e., it is constant in our protocol for both communities.
Corneal microstructural changes of precise CHST6 gene mutation: a case series
Authors: Murugan Durga , Babu Senthil Kumar , Kalaimamani Ezhil Vendhan , Raju Kamaraj
Published: September 2024

Background

Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) is an inherited, autosomal recessive disorder of defective keratan sulfate (KS) metabolism. It is caused by the mutations in carbohydrate sulfotransferase 6 gene (CHST6) which is essential for the sulfation of KS. Unlike the western world, MCD is the most common corneal stromal dystrophy in India, especially in south Indian population; it could be due to high frequency of consanguineous marriages.

Case presentation

This study presents the clinical findings of one North Indian MCD family, including 6 patients and 3 unaffected relatives. We used slit lamp examination and in vivo confocal microscopy for assessment. Mutation screening was performed with Sanger sequencing, and corneal structure was analyzed through histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Our comparative findings revealed that all the patients identified with the deletion of major portion of CHST6 that included the Open Reading Frame (ORF). Although all the patients showed significantly reduced central corneal thickness (CCT-250 μm), a drastic decrease in stromal keratocyte count, and depletion of Bowman’s layer compared to controls.

Conclusions

This study first time revealed that MCD patients from one family with a deletion of major portion of CHST6 that included ORF leads to severe corneal morphological changes.
Cost-effectiveness of an interactive voice response system for improving retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among young adults in Uganda
Authors: Naggirinya Agnes Bwanika , Nuwamanya Elly , Nabaggala Maria Sarah , Musinguzi Francis , Nanungi Annet , Waiswa Peter , Rujumba Joseph , Meya David B. , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind
Published: September 2024

Background

New interventions aimed at increasing access to and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among young people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (YPLHIV) are needed. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of the call-for-life interaction voice response tool compared to that of the standard of care (SOC) for promoting treatment adherence and retention in care among YPLHIV in Western Uganda.

This cost-effectiveness study used data from a randomized controlled trial and a decision-analytic Markov model to estimate the long-term outcomes and costs of the Call for Life-Interactive Voice Response (CFL-IVR) tool and the usual care from the Ugandan public payer perspective. The model was parameterized using primary data and the literature and adopted a 1-year Markov cycle. The main outcomes were mean annual costs, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in form of cost per DALY averted. The CLF-IVR was deemed cost-effective if the ICER was between 1% and 51% of Uganda’s gross domestic product. We conducted deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to assess the effect of adjusting parameter values on cost-effectiveness estimates. All costs were reported in 2021 US dollars, and a discount rate of 3% was applied to both costs and outcomes.

Results

The base case analysis showed that, from the Ugandan public payer perspective, the CLF-IVR led to more mean annual costs ($359 vs. $280) and averted more mean annual DALYs (15.78 vs. 11.09) than the SOC, leading to an ICER of $17 per DALY averted. The base-case results did not change significantly in the deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. The cost-effectiveness estimates were more responsive to uncertainties surrounding ART duration, viral load suppression rates, and discount rates.

Conclusion

The CLF-IVR may be a cost-effective intervention for promoting treatment adherence and retention in care among YPLHIV in Uganda and other low-income settings. Once implemented, similar interventions may lead to greater returns in encouraging adherence to ART and retention in care among YPLHIV and other vulnerable groups, and eventually favorable clinical outcomes.

Trial registration

NCT04718974 Registry: clinical Trials.gov https://ichgcp.net/nl/clinical-trials-registry/NCT04718974 (20 Jan 2021).
Self-poisoning with paracetamol in England: short report of characteristics of individuals and their overdoses according to source of tablets
Authors: Brand Fiona , Bale Elizabeth , Tsiachristas Apostolos , Hawton Keith
Published: September 2024

Self-poisoning with paracetamol is the most frequently used overdose method in the UK. Psychosocial assessments were conducted by mental health clinicians with 127 consecutive individuals who presented with pure paracetamol overdoses to a large general hospital over 8 months, including asking about the source of the tablets and scoring the patients’ acts on the Beck Suicide Intent scale (BSI). Patients were predominantly female (86%) and young (79% aged 12–24 years). Most had used paracetamol which was available in the home (77%). Those who purchased paracetamol for the act took double the number of tablets compared with those who used paracetamol available in the home (37 v. 18), had higher suicidal intent (mean BSI: 11 v. 7) and more often required treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (71% v. 43%). These results highlight the need for safer home storage of paracetamol and consideration of reducing pack size limits on paracetamol that can be purchased.
Understanding mental health help-seeking and stigma among Hungarian adults: A network perspective
Authors: Swisher Valerie S. , Őri Dorottya , Rihmer Zoltán , Wernigg Róbert
Published: September 2024

Background

Hungarians exhibit more negative attitudes toward help-seeking for mental health problems compared to other European countries. However, research on help-seeking in Hungary is limited, and it is unclear how stigma relates to help-seeking when considering demographic and clinical characteristics. We used a network analytic approach to simulate a stigma model using hypothesized constructs in a sizable sample of Hungarian adults.

Methods

Participants were 345 adults recruited from nine primary care offices across Hungary. Participants completed self-report measures assessing public stigma, self-stigma, experiential avoidance (EA), attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, anxiety, depression, demographics, prior use of mental health services, and whether they have a family member or friend with a mental health condition.

Results

EA and anxiety were the most central nodes in the network. The network also revealed associations between greater EA with greater public stigma, anxiety, depression, and having a family member or friend with a mental health condition. More positive attitudes toward seeking help were associated with lower self-stigma, public stigma, and having received psychological treatment in their lifetime. Being female was associated with lower income, higher education, and having received psychological treatment in their lifetime. Finally, having a family member or friend with a mental health condition was associated with having received psychological treatment in their lifetime and greater public stigma.

Conclusions

The strength centrality and associations of EA with clinical covariates and public stigma implicate its importance in stigma models. Findings also suggest that while some aspects of existing stigma models are retained in countries like Hungary, other aspects may diverge.
Monitoring of Isothermal Crystallization and Time–Temperature Transformation of Amorphous Felodipine: The Time-Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Method
Authors: Pajzderska A. , Gonzalez M. A. , Jarek M. , Wąsicki J.
Published: September 2024

The isothermal crystallization process of felodipine has been investigated using the time-domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) method for amorphous bulk and ground samples. The obtained induction and crystallization times were then used to construct the time–temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram, both above and below the glass transition temperature (Tg). The Nose temperature was found equal to 363 K. Furthermore, the dynamics of crystalline and amorphous felodipine were compared across varying temperatures. Molecular dynamics simulations were also employed to explore the hydrogen-bond interactions and dynamic properties of both systems.

Graphical Abstract
The Role of Exercise Blood Pressure in Hypertension: Measurement, Mechanisms, and Management
Authors: CURRIE KATHARINE D. , SCHULTZ MARTIN G. , MILLAR PHILIP J. , PESCATELLO LINDA S.
Published: September 2024

Hypertension affects one in three adults globally and is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although blood pressure measurements at rest are fundamental to the detection and management of hypertension, abnormal blood pressure responses to exercise, namely, an exaggerated exercise blood pressure (EEBP), can provide additional independent information about current and future hypertension risk. This paper summarizes a symposium entitled, “The Role of Exercise Blood Pressure in Hypertension: Measurement, Mechanisms and Management” included at the 2023 American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting, which presented a timely discussion about the clinical utility of EEBP. Here we will summarize the evidence presented by the speakers including considerations for blood pressure measurement during exercise, an overview of EEBP thresholds and discussion about the value of EEBP during submaximal exercise for the identification and management of hypertension, a summary of the potential physiological mechanisms underpinning an EEBP, and a review of exercise prescription guidelines based on new and emerging evidence as they relate to the American College of Sports Medicine’s exercise recommendations for hypertension. We conclude by highlighting areas for future research with the overarching goal of improving the measurement and management of hypertension.
Dasysiphonia adriatica sp. nov. (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta), a new red algal species from the North Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: WOLF MARION A. , SCIUTO KATIA , BUOSI ALESSANDRO , ORLANDO-BONACA MARTINA , FORTIČ ANA , SFRISO ADRIANO
Published: September 2024

Dasysiphonia is a genus of the family Delesseriaceae (Rhodophyta) including 9 taxonomically accepted species, among which only the non-indigenous Dasysiphonia japonica has been documented from the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean). This invasive species is native to Hokkaido Island (Japan) and was introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean Sea through imports of the commercial Pacific oyster Magallana gigas. In this study, we describe a new species belonging to the genus Dasysiphonia, collected in the Mediterranean Sea. This new taxon was sampled in Slovenian coastal waters; its thalli were analysed using both molecular and morphological approaches and it was compared with the other known species. Moreover, samples of the invasive D. japonica were collected from different Venice Lagoon (Italy) sites and used for comparison with the new taxon. The phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the plastid rbcL gene, clearly distinguished the new Slovenian entity from all the known Dasysiphonia species, including the ones recently transferred from the sister genus Dasya. These results indicate that the Slovenian samples represent a new species, hereby named Dasysiphonia adriatica sp. nov.
Recent Advances in Biopesticide Research and Development: A Focus on Microbial: A Review
Authors: Tadesse Mawcha Kahsay , Malinga Lawrence , Muir Debbie , Ge Jing , Ndolo Dennis
Published: September 2024

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps are highlighted.
Do self-help groups improve sexual and reproductive health and HIV outcomes among female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping review protocol
Authors: Madimutsa Gracious , Machingura Fortunate , Nyamwanza Owen , Cowan Frances Mary , Mavhu Webster
Published: September 2024

Introduction Self-help groups (SHGs) have been effective in improving the health and wellbeing of women yet there is a dearth of evidence on how they can improve female sex workers’ (FSWs) HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The proposed scoping review seeks to address this gap by identifying and analysing literature on SHGs for FSWs in SSA. Materials and methods This scoping review will employ the methodology developed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), expanded on by Levac and colleagues (2010) and Colquhoun and colleagues (2014), and further outlined by Peters and colleagues (2020): (1) identifying the research question(s); (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting the studies; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarising, and reporting the results. Results We will report our findings in accordance with the guidance provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. Discussion The review will generate the most up-to-date evidence and identify gaps in literature in addition to informing future research on how SHGs can help address SRH and HIV outcomes among FSWs in SSA. Additionally, the scoping review can potentially inform a subsequent systematic review.
Can AI and AI-Hybrids Detect Persuasion Skills? Salesforce Hiring with Conversational Video Interviews
Authors: Chakraborty Ishita , Chiong Khai , Dover Howard , Sudhir K.
Published: September 2024

An AI and AI-human model to extract key features from conversational sales interview videos and predict expert scores
Drift Control of High-Dimensional Reflected Brownian Motion: A Computational Method Based on Neural Networks
Authors: Ata Baris , Harrison J. Michael , Si Nian
Published: September 2024

Motivated by applications in queueing theory, we consider a stochastic control problem whose state space is the d-dimensional positive orthant. The controlled process Z evolves as a reflected Brownian motion whose covariance matrix is exogenously specified, as are its directions of reflection from the orthant’s boundary surfaces. A system manager chooses a drift vector [Formula: see text] at each time t based on the history of Z, and the cost rate at time t depends on both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In our initial problem formulation, the objective is to minimize expected discounted cost over an infinite planning horizon, after which we treat the corresponding ergodic control problem. Extending the earlier work by Han et al. [Han J, Jentzen A, Weinan E (2018) Solving high-dimensional partial differential equations using deep learning. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 115(34):8505–8510], we develop and illustrate a simulation-based computational method that relies heavily on deep neural network technology. For the test problems studied thus far, our method is accurate to within a fraction of 1% and is computationally feasible in dimensions up to at least [Formula: see text].
Guidelines underscore the benefits of functional electric stimulation
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: September 2024

Foot drop arises from weakness of the dorsiflexor muscles in the leg and foot. Treatments for foot drop include physiotherapy, orthosis, medicines and surgery. This feature introduces functional electric stimulation (FES), which the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends for drop foot with a central neurological origin. In 2022, the Association for Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology published evidence-based guidelines for using FES to improve mobility in adults with lower limb impairment, including foot drop, due to upper motor neurone lesions. The guidelines cover: referral; potential benefits; considerations and precautions; access to FES services; service provision; initial assessment and treatment; monitoring and ongoing support; and minimum training standards. This feature aims to inspire readers to consult the full document.
GLP-1 receptor agonists and their role in managing type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: September 2024

There are three components to diabetes care. These are prevention, treatment and management. Linda Nazarko explains how nurses are increasingly adopting a holistic model of diabetes care.

Until recently the focus in diabetes care was on managing blood glucose – a glucocentric view. This is changing to a more holistic model aimed at prevention, treatment and management through lifestyle interventions as well as medication. An estimated 5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, most have type 2 diabetes which is associated with obesity. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, treated with diet and weight loss, or managed with medication. The number of people with diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. To manage diabetes well and reduce complications of poorly managed diabetes, management of the condition can no longer be restricted to endocrinologists and diabetes specialist nurses. This article provides guidance on how glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can be used in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Bridging musical gaps: creating educational songs with thematic learning for primary school students
Authors: Wadiyo Wadiyo , Haryono Slamet , Wiyoso Joko , Malarsih Malarsih
Published: September 2024

This study investigates how elementary school teachers without musical backgrounds create educational songs to support thematic learning under Indonesia's Kurikulum Merdeka. Thematic learning aims to integrate various subjects into cohesive themes, fostering student-centered learning (SCL) and emphasizing active engagement and critical thinking. Although the government provided the guiding textbooks, teachers face challenges in implementing SCL. Eventually, they often revert to conventional, teacher-centered methods. Previous research indicates that songs can serve as effective educational tools, but there is still a lack of thematic songs that align with the curriculum's specific themes. Using a case study approach, this research involved classroom observations, document analysis, and interviews with two first-grade teachers who developed songs for an environmental theme. The study found that teachers could create educational songs by deriving lyrics from teaching materials and improvising melodies, although they needed formal musical notation skills. Teachers and students then used these songs in classroom instruction, engaging in singing and physical activities. Despite inconsistencies in musical performance, the findings indicated that students were enthusiastic and better understood the material through these songs. The study highlights teachers' adaptive nature in leveraging available resources to meet educational objectives and emphasizes the importance of integrating arts, particularly music, into educational practices. The research contributes to the broader discourse on educational innovation, suggesting that even teachers without musical training can effectively create and use educational songs to enhance learning. Empowering teachers with resources and training in songwriting could further enrich thematic learning, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students. This approach aligns with the goals of the Kurikulum Merdeka, supporting holistic educational reforms and improving learning outcomes in Indonesian elementary education.
The long-term time course of septic arthritis
Authors: Clement Rhys G. E. , Wong Seng J. , Hall Andrew , Howie Sarah E. M. , Simpson A. H. R. W.
Published: September 2024

Aims

The aims of this study were to: 1) report on a cohort of skeletally mature patients with native hip and knee septic arthritis over a 14-year period; 2) to determine the rate of joint failure in patients who had experienced an episode of hip or knee septic arthritis; and 3) to assess the outcome following septic arthritis relative to the infecting organism, whether those patients infected by Staphylococcus aureus would be more likely to have adverse outcomes than those infected by other organisms.

Methods

All microbiological samples from joint aspirations between March 2000 and December 2014 at our institution were reviewed in order to identify cases of culture-proven septic arthritis. Cases in children (aged < 16 years) and prosthetic joints were excluded. Data were abstracted on age at diagnosis, sex, joint affected (hip or knee), type of organisms isolated, cause of septic arthritis, comorbidities within the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), details of treatment, and outcome.

Results

A total of 142 patients were confirmed to have had an episode of septic arthritis in a native hip (n = 17) or knee joint (n = 125). S. aureus accounted for 57.7% of all hip and knee joint infections. There were 13 inpatient deaths attributed to septic arthritis. The median age of the patients who died was 77.5 (46.9 to 92.2) and their median age-adjusted CCI was 8 (6 to 12). A failure of the joint occurred in 26 knees (21%) and nine hips (53%). Of the knee joints infected by S. aureus (n = 71), 23 knees (32%) went into failure of joint, whereas of those infected by other organisms (n = 54), only three knees (6%) failed.

Conclusion

Based on our study findings, hip and knee septic arthritis long-term outcomes were substantially worse than their immediate outcome suggested. Failure of knee joint is 6.1 times more likely to occur in those infected with S. aureus.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):785–792.
Surviving the End: Toward a Reappraisal of Climate Apocalypse
Authors: Un John
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Through an analysis of voice in Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake , John Un calls attention to the survival implicit in eschatological narration. He argues that the formal constraints in representing the end of the world mean that climate apocalypse is more than a tutor in the reality of climate change, encompassing a language of hopes, anxieties, and demands. He shows how Atwood's configuration of eschatological narration, whereby the character-narrator is sequestered in a corporate saferoom, calls into question the possibility of an ethical response to climate catastrophe within sociopolitical stratification. Only upon exiting his sequestered position, and abandoning the safeguards it represents, can the protagonist develop an ethical comportment to those who occupy the postapocalyptic world of the novel.
Efficient and widely tunable mid-infrared sources using GaAs and AlGaAs integrated platforms for second-order frequency conversion
Authors: Ulsig Emil Z. , Madsen Magnus L. , Stanton Eric J. , Reddy Dileep V. , Leger Alexandre Z. , Sørensen Simon R. , Godoy Pedro H. , Degli-Eredi Iterio , Stevens Martin J. , Hamel Deny R. , Shalm Lynden K. , Mirin Richard P. , Volet Nicolas
Published: September 2024

Integrated coherent mid-infrared (mid-IR) sources are crucial for spectroscopy and quantum frequency conversion (QFC) to facilitate scalable fiber-based application of single photons. Direct mid-IR emission with broad tunability poses fundamental challenges from the gain media and mirror components. This paper presents a characterization of a second-order nonlinear platform. It showcases a mid-IR parametric coherent source with a continuous tuning range exceeding 230 nm centered around 2425 nm, achieved through difference-frequency generation (DFG). The nonlinear coefficient d14 of gallium arsenide (GaAs) and aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) on insulator is experimentally determined via second-harmonic generation (SHG) in waveguides of various lengths, and the tolerance of the process is investigated. These materials are explored for their high conversion efficiency, utilizing monolithic epitaxial quantum dots and integrated waveguides for QFC. The results demonstrate efficient and tunable mid-IR emission suitable for compact, scalable quantum emitters, with applications in environmental and health monitoring.
Topological beam splitter based on 2D PC with different beam splitting angles
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Ma Youjun , Ju Cheng , Li Changhong
Published: September 2024

Photonic devices are prone to reflection losses at defects and corners. Topological photonics proposes robustness of transmission to improve transmission efficiency. In this work, a dielectric photonic crystal structure based on the quantum spin Hall effect is proposed, which has a large topological bandwidth. The transmission characteristics and robustness of the topological boundary state are verified by simulation, and designed and analyzed a topological beam splitter with a beam splitting channel of 60° + 30°. The system has good light transmission stability, suppression of scattering, and defect immunity. Numerical analysis shows that the minimum transmission loss is 0.23 dB, while in the case of power equalization the minimum transmission loss is 0.29 dB. The structure has promising applications in the field of all-optical integrated circuits and is expected to promote the practical use of photonic topological insulators in the field of communications.
Improved rapid algorithm for continuous shading based on the fully analytical polygon-based method
Authors: Wang Pin , Wang Fan , Zhang Yaping , Zhang Bing , Poon Ting-Chung
Published: September 2024

The fully analytical polygon-based algorithm is an efficient and precise method for generating holograms. However, the method cannot directly incorporate rendering information. We adopt the framework of the fully analytical polygon-based algorithm and introduce an improved self-similar subdivision model to simplify the computation of pixel normal vectors in the Blinn-Phong lighting model. By decoupling the specular reflection component from the spectrum, the method elegantly avoids the issue of non-integrable exponents in the specular reflection term. Building upon previous research, we propose a new segmentation method that combines square and triangular segments to compute continuous shading. By reducing the number of segments, the proposed method can nearly double the computational efficiency while generating lighting effects for realistic scenes with specular highlights, thus reconstructing realistic 3D scenes. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through numerical simulations and optical reconstructions.
Enhanced performance of GaN-based thin-film flip-chip LEDs with reflective current blocking layers
Authors: Liu Taoming , Deng YouCai , Liu Shibiao , Zhang Zhening , Su Yuhan , Chen Guolong , Kuo Hao-Chung , Lu Yijun , Chen Zhong , Wu Tingzhu
Published: September 2024

To further enhance the performance of GaN-based thin-film flip-chip light-emitting diodes (TFFC-LEDs), we designed and fabricated two sets of high-power blue chips with conventional and reflective current-blocking layers (CBL) The conventional CBL is composed of SiO2, whereas the reflective CBL consists of SiO2 and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). We systematically characterized their optoelectronic performance. The results indicate that at an injection current of 350 mA, the light output power (LOP) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the TFFC-LEDs with a reflective CBL increased by 4.9% and 5.7%, respectively, compared to the chips with a conventional CBL. The TFCalc simulation results indicate that the reflectivity of the reflective CBL reached 99.15%. The TracePro simulation results demonstrate that the reflective CBL can effectively enhance the light-extraction performance of the chip. We believe that the reflective CBL structure provides significant guidance for the fabrication of high-efficiency LEDs.