bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological, Clinical and Oncological Outcomes of Laryngeal Verrucous Carcinomas: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lechien Jérôme R. , Hans Stéphane
Published: December 2023

Objective

To investigate epidemiological, clinical and oncological outcomes of patients with laryngeal verrucous carcinomas (LVC).

Methods

Two independent authors investigated PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library for studies dedicated to epidemiological, clinical and oncological outcomes of patients with LVC. The following outcomes were investigated with PRISMA criteria: age; gender; tobacco/alcohol consumption; HPV infection; anatomical, pathological, therapeutic and survival outcomes. Studies were analyzed for bias through a validated clinical tool.

Results

Of the 212 identified articles, 15 retrospective studies and one prospective uncontrolled study met our inclusion criteria. Three studies reported findings from national databases. The males/females ratio is 9/1. Mean age was 60.3 years, which was younger compared to other laryngeal malignancies. The alcohol, cigarette overuse and the HPV status of patients were lacking in most studies. Glottis and supraglottis were the most common anatomical locations, corresponding to 78.7% and 12.4% of cases, respectively. The main therapeutic approaches consisted of surgery, radiotherapy, surgery followed by radiotherapy. Treatments reported 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival of 86.3 and 90.8, respectively. The 5- and 10-year local control rate were 83.6 and 72.6, respectively. The 10-year disease-specific survival was 80.2. Heterogeneity between studies was found for inclusion criteria, comorbidity data, and treatments.

Conclusion

LVC is a rare laryngeal cancer associated with better survival and recurrence outcomes than laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment regimen needs to be investigated in future prospective controlled studies.
Caregiver water safety knowledge and views of toddler water competency
Authors: Johnson Molly B. , Lawson Karla A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Drowning is the leading cause of death for toddlers. When caregivers are knowledgeable about water safety, they can provide the best protection against drowning. The aim of this study is to survey caregivers of toddlers to better understand factors associated with water safety knowledge, attitudes about pool supervision, and toddler water competency skills.

Methods

An online survey of 650 parents/caregivers of 1–4-year-old toddlers asked about the caregiver’s water safety and swimming background and views on pool supervision. Surveys included a true/false section of ten basic water safety knowledge questions. Caregivers also reported on toddler swim lesson history and whether their toddler could perform six standard water competency skills. Linear regression identified factors predictive of water safety knowledge.

Results

On average, caregivers selected the correct answer on six out of ten water safety knowledge questions. Water safety knowledge was predicted by the relationship of the caregiver to the toddler, gender, race, education, prior CPR training, caregiver swim capability, and reported pool supervision style. On average, caregivers reported that their toddler could perform half of the water competency skills. The majority of the toddlers had taken swimming lessons. One third of caregivers believed that after a toddler has had swimming lessons, they don’t need to be watched as closely when they are in a pool.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that water safety knowledge is poor and that there are misconceptions about toddler supervision needs. Efforts are needed to improve water safety knowledge and to change perceptions about supervision among caregivers of toddlers.
Case report: unusual posteromedial capsular lesion with posterior lateral meniscus root tear in two patients with constitutional genu recurvatum presenting after an acute ACL injury
Authors: Vittone Giulio , Mouton Caroline , Valcarenghi Jérôme , Dor Jérémie , Seil Romain
Published: December 2023

Ramp lesions of the medial meniscus and posterior lateral meniscus root tears (LMPRT) can be present simultaneously in up to 8% of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The prevalence of these complex and highly unstable meniscal tears increases exponentially with the severity of the injury. The posteromedial capsule (PMC) has often been disregarded in the past when discussing ligamentous and meniscal injuries, but the recent interest in ramp lesions has drawn surgeons’ attention to the posteromedial structures of the ACL injured knee. While the meniscocapsular junction is commonly repaired in unstable ramp lesions, in the current literature there is no report regarding proximal PMC lesions, be they in isolation or associated with complex meniscal injuries.

We report here two cases of proximal posteromedial capsular lesions associated with medial meniscus instability and posterior lateral root tears after ACL injury. The first case involves a meniscus ramp lesion associated with a proximal PMC tear and a posteromedial fluid collection in the muscle plane on magnetic resonance in a 22‐year‐old male soccer player. The second case involves a 21‐year‐old female soccer player who presented with a PMC lesion after hyperextension/valgus knee injury. The capsular lesions were repaired to restore capsular tension and improve medial meniscus posterior horn stability.
Validation of appropriate estimation criteria for the number of components for separating a polymodal grain-size distribution into lognormal distributions
Authors: Yamaguchi Naofumi
Published: December 2023

Polymodal particle size distributions are generally analyzed by separating them into lognormal distributions, but estimating the precise number of lognormal components required remains a considerable problem. In the present study, appropriate evaluation criteria for the estimation of the number of components were examined by using artificial data for which the true number of components was known. The characteristics of estimations of the number of components by four evaluation criteria, the mean square error (MSE), Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and adjusted R-squared (ARS), were investigated. The results showed that the MSE and ARS were less sensitive to the true number of components and tended to overestimate the number of components. By contrast, the AIC and BIC tended to underestimate the number of components, and their correct answer rates decreased as the true number of components increased. The BIC tended to include the true number of components among its higher ranked models. The present evaluation results suggest that the MSE, although frequently used, is not necessarily the most appropriate evaluation criterion, and that the AIC and ARS may be more appropriate criteria. Furthermore, checking whether the number of components estimated by the AIC or ARS is included among higher ranked BIC models might prevent overestimation and thereby allow for more valid estimation of the number of components. When the criteria were applied to grain-size distributions of lacustrine sediments, it was possible to estimate the number of components that reflected differences in grain-size distribution characteristics.
Effect of lairage time prior to slaughter on stress in pigs: a path analysis
Authors: Lee Jeongeun , Kang Darae , Shim Kwanseob
Published: December 2023

Background

Pre-slaughter process during transportation, handling, and lairage causes stress in pigs, affecting animal welfare and meat quality. Therefore, lairage factors are important for relieving stress. A total of 24 LYD (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) barrows were used to investigate the effect of 6 and 20 h lairage time (LT) on cortisol, serotonin, and catecholamine in blood and physiological factors in muscle, and to verify the causal relationship between these factors.

Results

The results revealed that cortisol was increased (0.064 ± 0.007 µg/ml), and epinephrine (0.020 ± 0.002 µg/ml) and norepinephrine (1.518 ± 0.071 µg/ml) were lower at a LT of 20 h than those at 6 h, and there was no significant effect on the muscle and carcass characteristic factors. In addition, cortisol and norepinephrine showed a negative correlation (r = -50,346, p = 0.0121), epinephrine and glycogen had a positive correlation (r = 0.4417, p = 0.0307), and serotonin and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were positively correlated (r = 0.4715, p = 0.0200). Path analysis indicated that the increase in LT had a direct effect on cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, and an indirect effect on muscle glycogen.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the effect of the increase in LT from 6 to 20 h in the lairage room on the stress response of pigs. These findings support the legal requirements that advocate for shorter lairage times, in alignment with enhanced animal welfare standards.
Effectiveness of functional training versus resistance exercise in patients with psoriatic arthritis: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Silva Diego Roger , Meireles Sandra Mara , Brumini Christine , Natour Jamil
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effect of functional versus resistance exercise training on the functional capacity and quality of life of psoriatic arthritis patients.

Methods

Forty-one psoriatic arthritis patients (18 to 65 years old) were randomized into two groups: functional training group and resistance exercise group. The functional training group underwent functional exercises with elastic band and the functional training group underwent machine resistance exercise twice a week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were: The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Health Assessment Questionnaire for the Spondyloarthropathies (HAQ-S) for functional capacity and functional status, one-repetition maximum test for muscle strength, the Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) for quality of life, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS-28) for disease activity. Analyzes were performed by a blinded evaluator at baseline (T0), six (T6) and twelve (T12) weeks after the beginning of the exercise.

Results

At baseline, the groups were homogeneous in the clinical and demographic characteristics. There was a statistical intra-group improvement for both groups in the BASFI, BASDAI, HAQ-s, and DAS-28. In the quality-of-life assessment, both groups showed statistical intra-group improvements for all domains except the “emotional aspect” domain in the resistance exercise group. In the muscle strength, there was a statistical improvement for all exercises in both groups, except for the “alternate biceps (bilateral)” exercise.

Conclusion

Functional training and resistance exercise are similarly effective in improving functional capacity, functional status, disease activity, general quality of life, and muscle strength in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04304326. Registered 11 March 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04304326?term=NCT04304326&draw=2&rank=1.
Description of a patient with developmental delay and dysmorphic features caused by a novel SHANK2 deletion
Authors: Molina Herranz David , Moreno Sánchez Amelia , Carmen Marcén Gema , Salinas Salvador Belén , Pérez Delgado Raquel , Izquierdo Álvarez Silvia
Published: December 2023

Background

The SHANK gene, located on chromosome 11q13.3-q13.4, encodes the SHANK2 protein with a function in neuronal synapses. An error in coding can alter the development of typical cognitive, linguistic and social skills. However, its alteration produces a phenotype that has yet to be fully defined.

Case presentation

We present the case of a patient diagnosed with a deletion in the SHANK2 gene as an infant and its subsequent evolution, including a description and iconography of the phenotype. Similar copy number variations (CNVs) are described in the literature, but none with the length of our patient's copy number.

Conclusions

This work broadens the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum associated with the SHANK2 gene, which promotes the genetic diagnosis of the disease.
Chlorogenic acid-optimized nanophytovesicles: a novel approach for enhanced permeability and oral bioavailability
Authors: Trivedi Hemangi R. , Puranik Prashant K.
Published: December 2023

Background

Chlorogenic acid, a phenolic derivative, shows excellent pharmacological properties. However, poor lipidic solubility, permeability, and oral bioavailability restrict its clinical use. Therefore, two different phospholipids—Phospholipon® 90H and LIPOID® S100 nanophytovesicles (NPVs)—were optimized, formulated and compared with central composite design for improved biopharmaceutical properties, antioxidant, anticancer and wound-healing activities.

Results

Higher entrapment (> 95%) and partition coefficient values were obtained with optimized CGA 90H NPVs and S100 NPVs. Particle size and zeta potential values confirmed small particle size(≅ 450 nm) with optimum stability. Non-covalent interactions between CGA and both phospholipids were confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. NPVs significantly enhanced the lipidic solubility (> 25 times) supported by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. A sustained dissolution and diffusion release were obtained with NPVs as compared to pure CGA. Likewise, ≅ twofold increase in permeability was obtained, supported by confocal microscopy. Enhanced oral bioavailability of CGA with improved Cmax, Tmax, AUC, half-life values was obtained with NPVs along withIVIVcorrelation. Enhanced DPPH radical scavenging and Fe2+chelation ability were obtained with CGA 90H NPVs > CGA S100 NPVs, with lower IC50values in HeLa and HL-60 cell lines (< 0.75 times) as compared to CGA in MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Higher wound contraction percentages were observed at day 3 with CGA S100 NPVs (71.56%) > CGA 90H NPVs (34.0%) in wound-healing studies.

Conclusions

The formulated NPVs exhibited efficiency of Phospholipon®90 H in enhancing oral bioavailability and LIPOID® S100 in increasing transdermal permeability, thus proving as promising carriers for enhancing biopharmaceutical and pharmacological properties of chlorogenic acid.
Optimizing biochar-based geopolymer composites for enhanced water resistance in asphalt mixes: an experimental, microstructural, and multi-objective analysis
Authors: Yaro Nura Shehu Aliyu , Sutanto Muslich Hartadi , Habib Noor Zainab , Usman Aliyu , Tanjung Liza Evianti , Aliyu Ibrahim , Jagaba Ahmad Hussaini
Published: December 2023

Due to increased traffic and environmental concerns, this study addresses challenges in conventional asphalt concrete. Our focus is on enhancing the water resistance of asphalt mixes through the optimization of both the asphalt binder and the biochar-based geopolymer composite. We employ experiments and response surface methodology to assess their impact on volume, Marshall parameters, and water resistance. Asphalt binders were evaluated within the range of 4–6%, while biochar-based geopolymer composite levels varied from 0 to 4%. According to the findings, the incorporation of the biochar-based geopolymer composite improves asphalt properties, stiffness, and temperature sensitivity. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to construct robust mathematical models with high R2 values (90%) and low p-values. Multi-objective optimization indicated that optimal content levels were 4.56% for the binder and 2.71% for the biochar-based geopolymer composite. Model accuracy was confirmed with less than a 5% error in validation tests. The research also identified structural changes in the asphalt binder caused by the BGC Si–O phase. Additionally, the leaching value for both BGC and BGC-MAB asphalt concrete was found to be substantially below the regulatory limit, demonstrating the environmental safety of incorporating BGC into the asphalt sector.
Digitalising mental health care: Practical recommendations from the European Psychiatric Association
Authors: Kalman Janos L. , Burkhardt Gerrit , Samochowiec Jerzy , Gebhard Christian , Dom Geert , John Miriam , Kilic Ozge , Kurimay Tamas , Lien Lars , Schouler-Ocak Meryam , Vidal Diego Palao , Wiser Jan , Gaebel Wolfgang , Volpe Umberto , Falkai Peter
Published: December 2023

The digitalisation of mental health care is expected to improve the accessibility and quality of specialised treatment services and introduce innovative methods to study, assess, and monitor mental health disorders. In this narrative review and practical recommendation of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), we aim to help healthcare providers and policymakers to navigate this rapidly evolving field. We provide an overview of the current scientific and implementation status across two major domains of digitalisation: i) digital mental health interventions and ii) digital phenotyping, discuss the potential of each domain to improve the accessibility and outcomes of mental health services, and highlight current challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and service users. Furthermore, we make several recommendations meant to foster the widespread adoption of evidence-based digital solutions for mental health care in the member states of the EPA. To realise the vision of a digitalised, patient-centred, and data-driven mental health ecosystem, a number of implementation challenges must be considered and addressed, spanning from human, technical, ethical–legal, and economic barriers. The list of priority areas and action points our expert panel has identified could serve as a playbook for this process.
A Prospective Multicenter Comparison of Trauma and Injury Severity Score, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status, and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Calculator’s Ability to Predict Operative Trauma Outcomes
Authors: Yeates Eric Owen , Nahmias Jeffry , Gabriel Viktor , Luo Xi , Ogunnaike Babatunde , Ahmed M. Iqbal , Melikman Emily , Moon Tiffany , Shoultz Thomas , Feeler Anne , Dudaryk Roman , Navas-Blanco Jose , Vasileiou Georgia , Yeh D. Dante , Matsushima Kazuhide , Forestiere Matthew , Lian Tiffany , Dominguez Oscar Hernandez , Ricks-Oddie Joni Ladawn , Kuza Catherine M.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:

Trauma outcome prediction models have traditionally relied upon patient injury and physiologic data (eg, Trauma and Injury Severity Score [TRISS]) without accounting for comorbidities. We sought to prospectively evaluate the role of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS) score and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Surgical Risk-Calculator (NSQIP-SRC), which are measurements of comorbidities, in the prediction of trauma outcomes, hypothesizing that they will improve the predictive ability for mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and complications compared to TRISS alone in trauma patients undergoing surgery within 24 hours.

METHODS:

A prospective, observational multicenter study (9/2018–2/2020) of trauma patients ≥18 years undergoing operation within 24 hours of admission was performed. Multiple logistic regression was used to create models predicting mortality utilizing the variables within TRISS, ASA-PS, and NSQIP-SRC, respectively. Linear regression was used to create models predicting LOS and negative binomial regression to create models predicting complications.

RESULTS:

From 4 level I trauma centers, 1213 patients were included. The Brier Score for each model predicting mortality was found to improve accuracy in the following order: 0.0370 for ASA-PS, 0.0355 for NSQIP-SRC, 0.0301 for TRISS, 0.0291 for TRISS+ASA-PS, and 0.0234 for TRISS+NSQIP-SRC. However, when comparing TRISS alone to TRISS+ASA-PS (P = .082) and TRISS+NSQIP-SRC (P = .394), there was no significant improvement in mortality prediction. NSQIP-SRC more accurately predicted both LOS and complications compared to TRISS and ASA-PS.

CONCLUSIONS:

TRISS predicts mortality better than ASA-PS and NSQIP-SRC in trauma patients undergoing surgery within 24 hours. The TRISS mortality predictive ability is not improved when combined with ASA-PS or NSQIP-SRC. However, NSQIP-SRC was the most accurate predictor of LOS and complications.
Struggles for the Human
Authors: Coleman Lara Montesinos
Published: December 2023

In Struggles for the Human, Lara Montesinos Coleman blends ethnography, political philosophy, and critical theory to reorient debates on human rights through attention to understandings of legality, ethics, and humanity in anticapitalist and decolonial struggle. Drawing on her extensive involvement with grassroots social movements in Colombia, Coleman observes that mainstream expressions of human rights have become counterparts to capitalist violence, even as this discourse disavows capitalism’s deadly implications. She rejects claims that human rights are inherently tied to capitalism, liberalism, or colonialism, instead showing how human rights can be used to combat these forces. Coleman demonstrates that social justice struggles that are rooted in marginalized communities’ lived experiences can reframe human rights in order to challenge oppressive power structures and offer a blueprint for constructing alternative political economies. By examining the practice of redefining human rights away from abstract universals and contextualizing them within concrete struggles for justice, Coleman reveals the transformative potential of human rights and invites readers to question and reshape dominant legal and ethical narratives.
Risk of Postoperative Ischemic Stroke and Myocardial Infarction in Patients Operated for Cancer
Authors: Rautiola Juhana , Björklund Johan , Zelic Renata , Edgren Gustaf , Bottai Matteo , Nilsson Magnus , Vincent Per Henrik , Fredholm Hanna , Falconer Henrik , Sjövall Annika , Nilsson Per J. , Wiklund Peter , Aly Markus , Akre Olof
Published: December 2023

Background

Risk assessment for ischemic stroke (IS) and myocardial infarction (MI) is done routinely before surgery, but the increase in risks associated with surgery is not known. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of arterial ischemic events during the first year after oncological surgery.

Methods

We used Swedish healthcare databases to identify 443,300 patients who underwent cancer surgery between 1987 and 2016 and 4,127,761 matched comparison subjects. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke during the hospitalization with logistic regression and calculated 1-year cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the outcomes after discharge.

Results

The cumulative incidences of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke during the first postoperative year were 1.33% and 1.25%, respectively. In the comparison cohort, the corresponding 1-year cumulative incidences were 1.04% and 1.00%. During the hospitalization, the OR for myocardial infarction was 8.81 (95% CI 8.24–9.42) and the OR for ischemic stroke was 6.71 (95% CI 6.22–7.23). After discharge, the average HR during follow-up for 365 days was 0.90 (95% CI 0.87–0.93) for myocardial infarction and 1.02 (95% CI 0.99–1.05) for ischemic stroke.

Conclusions

We found an overall increased risk of IS and MI during the first year after cancer surgery that was attributable to events occurring during the hospitalization period. After discharge from the hospital, the overall risk of myocardial infarction was lower among the cancer surgery patients than among matched comparison subjects.
Europe Is Looking for a Super-Judge
Authors: Laffranque Julia
Published: December 2023

One of the cornerstones of the rule of law is an independent, impartial, and high-quality court. It is therefore of the utmost importance that respect for the rule of law in the European Union (inclusive of its member states) be ensured by a court whose members are themselves elected in accordance with the rule of law. This means that, just as for the courts of the Member States, the ideal – which one would hope gets reflected in real-world practice in most cases – is for the Court of Justice of the European Union to be led by independent and impartial judges. Judges who are not only well-versed in their own national law but also fluent in the nuances of European Union law, are oriented toward the global legal world, display an ability to work in an international environment (encompassing several languages, most importantly French as the working language of said court), have an outstanding record of professional and scientific excellence, express themselves clearly and convincingly (both verbally and in writing), and possess impeccable moral and ethical integrity – in short, individuals who are unquestionably leaders in their field and role models for other judges. Indeed, Article 253 (1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) specifies that the Court of Justice’s judges and Advocates General shall be chosen from among persons whose independence is beyond doubt and who possess the qualifications required for appointment to the highest judicial offices in their respective countries or who are lawyers of recognised competence, with appointment by common accord of the governments of the Member States for a term of six years after consulting with the panel provided for by Article 255 TFEU. Membership of the institution’s General Court is similarly regulated. Accordingly, Europe is looking for super-judges and super-Advocates General for the Court of Justice of the European Union. The article gives an overview of the process involved, focusing in particular on the work of the so-called Article 255 panel.
Bioinformatics studies and comparison of mRNA transcription of glutathione S-transferase gene in some tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Elsevar Badrul Islam , Bayır Mehtap
Published: December 2023

Bioinformatics has revolutionized the way we study gene expression and regulation, enabling researchers to analyze large-scale genomic data with unprecedented speed and precision. In this study, we use bioinformatics tools and methods to compare mRNA transcription of glutathione S-transferase (gstr) gene in two different fish species: common carp and brown trout. In this study, liver, intestine, muscle, brain, heart, eye, spleen, gill, kidney, stomach, ovary and testis samples were taken from male and female brown trout and common carp, and total RNA was isolated from each tissue to synthesize cDNA from these tissues. Then, the transcript amounts of the gstr gene were determined by qPCR from all tissue samples. Gene structures, conserved gene synteny design, phyogenetic tree analyzes and similarity-identity ratios with other vertebrates were determined. When the transcriptional differences between male and female tissues for the brown trout gstr gene were examined, it was seen that the intestine, gill, kidney, stomach, muscle and gonads were significantly higher in male fish (p<0.05), but the differences between other tissues were not statistically significant. It has been determined that the highest gene expression was liver (p<0.05) and brain, eye, spleen, kidney, heart and spleen tissues have significantly lower gstr gene expression than other tissues in both male and female in common carp. In addition, the in-silico analysis determined that the brown trout gstr gene shared the highest similarity and identity ratio with rainbow trout, and the common carp gstr gene shared the highest similarity and identity ratio with goldfish.
A new oligochaeta record for Türkiye, Rhyacodrilus falciformis Bretscher, 1901 (Annelida: Naididae: Rhyacodrilinae)
Authors: Yünlü Melek Zeybek , Aydemir Çil Eylem , van Haaren Ton
Published: December 2023

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the aquatic Oligochaeta fauna of Türkiye. The study area selected for this research is Karasu Stream, located in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye, in the province of Sinop. Benthic macroinvertebrate samples were collected on a monthly basis between February 2013 and January 2014 from 10 selected stations in the study area. As a result of the study, Rhyacodrilus falciformis Bretscher, 1901 is reported as a new record for the Oligochaeta fauna of Türkiye. Besides being recognized as a new record species, this record also extends the species' distribution area to the Asian part of Türkiye. Additionally, this study provides detailed information on the biological, ecological, and morphometric characteristics, as well as the distribution of R. falciformis, identified as a new record for the fauna of Türkiye.
Experiencing al-Ḥusayn’s Suffering: Qamahzanī in the Shīʿī Mourning Tradition
Authors: KAYNAMAZOĞLU Zeynep Sena
Published: December 2023

Qamahzanī (or qamazanī, qama-zanī, i.e., mortifying oneself with a sharp object) is one of the most controversial components of the Shīʿī mourning culture. This ceremony aims to share and experience al-Imām al-Ḥusayn’s pain, and it has been performed by various Shīʿī communities for the last centuries. Historical data show that qamahzanī has been practiced in Iran since the Safavid period and spread to other countries with large Shīʿī populations, such as Syria and Iraq, during the Qajar period. Travel books that describe mourning in Iran during the Safavid period provide essential data about the first examples of qamahzanī, its transformation, and its place in popular religiosity. In addition, since the Safavid era, Shīʿī scholars have adopted different attitudes toward qamahzanī, and this ritual has been the subject of politics as well as piety. This article aims to understand the historical course of qamahzanī as well as its relationship with religion and politics and, indirectly, to question the power of high religious discourse to shape popular religiosity.
A Reply to Morriston’s Objection to Plantinga’s Free Will Defense
Authors: TAŞKIN Ferhat
Published: December 2023

The logical problem of evil holds that the existence of the theistic God, who is considered omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent, is logically incompatible with the existence of evil. Since there is evil in the world, the existence of the theistic God is then logically impossible. Alvin Plantinga has argued that if God has a good reason to allow evil to exist, the logical problem of evil fails. And the good reason that God has might be the great value of significant freedom – the freedom to choose between moral good and evil. Wesley Morriston objects that Plantinga’s free will defense is incompatible with one of the components of his ontological argument that God is omnibenevolent in every possible world. This paper aims to show that Morriston mistakenly assumes that the free will defense theorist holds the account of significant freedom for both human and divine freedom. If I am right, Plantinga’s defense of free will can meet Morriston’s objection.
Mathematical Literacy of Junior School Students and Levels Her Achievements
Authors: Rydze Oxana
Published: December 2023

In the article, based on the characteristics of mathematical literacy of a junior schoolchild as a set of universal and subject components, the author identifies three levels of their achievement: subject, general subject, universal. All components are characterized within the content of education and the requirements for preparing a primary school graduate. Scientific and methodological approaches that can help improve the mathematical literacy of primary schoolchildren are described. The work uses data from the implementation of individual tasks of regional monitoring in recent years, the international comparative study TIMSS (Trends in Mathematics and Science Study), as well as experimental work at the experimental sites of the Institute for Educational Development Strategy.
Nurse-midwives' knowledge of and attitude to obstetric triage in Kiambu referral hospitals: a cross-sectional study in Kenya
Authors: Nyariki Carolyne Kerubo , Mbuthia Grace Wambura , Yegon Eric , Magangi Cyprian Michieka
Published: December 2023

Background/Aaims

Obstetric triage is a brief assessment performed when a woman presents to hospital to prioritise her care. The aim of this study was to determine nurse-midwives' knowledge of and attitude to obstetric triage in two county referral hospitals in Kiambu, Kenya.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 40 nurse-midwives using a structured questionnaire. Mean scores were calculated for knowledge of goals, models and activities in obstetric triage, as well as the participants' attitudes to triage, with scores of at least 80% indicating that the participant was knowledgeable and had a positive attitude.

Results

The majority (85%) of participants were female, with a diploma (97.5%) and had an average of 7.5 years' experience. Only 20.0% were deemed knowledgeable about the goals of obstetric triage, and 42.5% lacked knowledge of any triage model. The mean score for knowledge of activities during obstetric triage was 93.0%, indicating that midwives were knowledgeable in this area, and the mean attitude score was 77%, falling short of the cut off to show a positive attitude.

Conclusions

Nurse-midwives showed knowledge gaps related to the goals and models for obstetric triage, but were highly knowledgeable on activities conducted during triage. On average, the participants were found to have a negative attitude to obstetric triage. It is recommended that nurse-midwives are trained on obstetric triage, to improve their knowledge and attitude.
World AIDS Day 2023: understanding the interconnected challenges of HIV and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Neubeck Lis
Published: December 2023

In this article, Lis Neubeck discusses the link between human immunodeficiency virus and cardiovascular disease risk for World AIDS Day 2023.
Namibian Teachers’ Behavioural Intentions on Students’ Mathematics Learning Using Their Own Devices
Authors: Jatileni Cloneria Nyambali , Havu-Nuutinen Sari , Pöntinen Susanna
Published: December 2023

Bring your own device (BYOD) policy implementation in schools worldwide has allowed students to learn subjects, including mathematics, using personal mobile devices (PMDs). PMD use has enhanced students’ mathematics enjoyment by bridging the gap between theoretical mathematics concepts and their practical applications, which makes mathematics more meaningful and leads to improved results. Nonetheless, students in Namibian basic education are not authorised to learn with PMDs in school. While students’ PMD use in school remains a topic of debate, there remains a need to investigate its impact on students’ mathematics learning and teachers’ perceptions of BYOD in mathematics classrooms. This study evaluated the perceptions and intentions of 209 Namibian mathematics teachers from the Omusati and Khomas regions regarding students’ mathematics learning using PMDs in schools. Data were collected through an online survey. A structural equation model revealed teachers’ positive intentions towards students’ use of PMDs through BYOD in learning mathematics in school. Perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEoU), and price value (PV) factors directly affected the teachers’ behavioural intentions (BI) towards students learning mathematics through BYOD. PEoU significantly affected teachers’ PU, and PV significantly affected teachers’ PEoU and PU. PU significantly mediated the relationship between PEoU and teachers’ intentions. PV significantly indirectly affected teachers’ intentions through PU. PEoU non-significantly mediated the PV and intention relationship. Practical implications are discussed, and recommendations are offered for the Namibian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and teacher training institutions.
A Typology and Landscape of State Funding Formulas for Public Colleges and Universities from 2004 to 2021
Authors: Kelchen Robert , Lingo Mitchell , Baker Dominique J. , Rosinger Kelly , Ortagus Justin , Wu Jiayao
Published: December 2023

State funding for public higher education institutions is crucial in supporting college access and completion, particularly among students from historically under-represented groups, yet little is known about the mechanisms that states use to allocate funds and how they are affected by financial challenges. This article provides the first detailed longitudinal typology of state funding strategies, focusing particularly on formula volatility and equity. We find a gradual shift toward funding models that include a combination of base-adjusted and enrollment and performance metrics, along with a growing focus on equity. During recessions, states frequently revert to across-the-board funding cuts, further disadvantaging under-resourced institutions.
Choosing a polarisation configuration for dynamic light scattering and laser speckle contrast imaging
Authors: Akther Sonam , Mikkelsen Markus B. , Postnov Dmitry D.
Published: December 2023

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is applied in various biomedical applications for full-field characterization of blood flow and tissue perfusion. The accuracy of the contrast interpretation and its conversion to the blood flow index depends on specific parameters of the optical system and scattering media. One such parameter is the polarisation of detected light, which is often adjusted to minimize specular reflections and image artefacts. The polarisation’s effect on the detected light scattering dynamics and, therefore, the accuracy of LSCI data interpretation requires more detailed investigation. In this study, we used LSCI and Dynamic Light Scattering Imaging to evaluate the effects of the detected light polarisation when imaging perfusion in the mouse cortex. We found that cross-polarisation results in a shorter decorrelation time constant, a higher coherence degree and stronger dynamic scattering compared to the parallel-polarisation or no-polariser configurations. These results support the cross-polarisation configuration as the most optimal for brain cortex imaging and suggest against direct or calibrated comparisons between the contrast recordings made with different polarisation configurations.
Dynamic transmission modeling of COVID-19 to support decision-making in Brazil: A scoping review in the pre-vaccine era
Authors: Berg de Almeida Gabriel , Mendes Simon Lorena , Maria Bagattini Ângela , Quarti Machado da Rosa Michelle , Borges Marcelo Eduardo , Felizola Diniz Filho José Alexandre , de Souza Kuchenbecker Ricardo , Kraenkel Roberto André , Pio Ferreira Cláudia , Alves Camey Suzi , Castelo Branco Fortaleza Carlos Magno , Toscano Cristiana Maria
Published: December 2023

Brazil was one of the countries most affected during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a pre-vaccine era, and mathematical and statistical models were used in decision-making and public policies to mitigate and suppress SARS-CoV-2 dispersion. In this article, we intend to overview the modeling for COVID-19 in Brazil, focusing on the first 18 months of the pandemic. We conducted a scoping review and searched for studies on infectious disease modeling methods in peer-reviewed journals and gray literature, published between January 01, 2020, and June 2, 2021, reporting real-world or scenario-based COVID-19 modeling for Brazil. We included 81 studies, most corresponding to published articles produced in Brazilian institutions. The models were dynamic and deterministic in the majority. The predominant model type was compartmental, but other models were also found. The main modeling objectives were to analyze epidemiological scenarios (testing interventions’ effectiveness) and to project short and long-term predictions, while few articles performed economic impact analysis. Estimations of the R0 and transmission rates or projections regarding the course of the epidemic figured as major, especially at the beginning of the crisis. However, several other outputs were forecasted, such as the isolation/quarantine effect on transmission, hospital facilities required, secondary cases caused by infected children, and the economic effects of the pandemic. This study reveals numerous articles with shared objectives and similar methods and data sources. We observed a deficiency in addressing social inequities in the Brazilian context within the utilized models, which may also be expected in several low- and middle-income countries with significant social disparities. We conclude that the models were of great relevance in the pandemic scenario of COVID-19. Nevertheless, efforts could be better planned and executed with improved institutional organization, dialogue among research groups, increased interaction between modelers and epidemiologists, and establishment of a sustainable cooperation network.
Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda: A cross sectional study
Authors: Musoke David , Lubega Grace Biyinzika , Obeng Michael Brown , Brandish Claire , Winter Jody , Niyongabo Filimin , Russell-Hobbs Kate , Ng Bee Yean , Mugisha Lawrence , Amir Saba , Kitutu Freddy Eric , Gibson Linda
Published: December 2023

Despite increasing evidence on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), there is limited literature on antimicrobial access and use in humans and animals in community settings globally. This study assessed knowledge and perceptions of AMR, as well as practices relating to the use of antimicrobials in humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study among 418 participants that employed quantitative data collection methods. A structured questionnaire that included questions on knowledge, perceptions, practices related to AMR, and perceptions on access to antimicrobials in humans and animals was used. Data was analysed in STATA version 10. The majority of participants 63.6% (266/418) had heard about AMR mainly from family and friends 57.5% (153/266), and most 70.8% (296/418) were aware that resistant microorganisms cause infections that are difficult to treat. Most participants 62.7% (262/418) thought that they should complete the full dose of antimicrobials when on treatment. However, on the last occasion of antimicrobial use, 13.0% (44/338) revealed that they did not complete the full course of treatment. Participants who were single (APR = 1.12, C.I = 1.03–1.12, p-value = 0.01) and earning between 91 and 290 USD on average per month (APR = 1.12, C.I = 1.02–1.23, p-value = 0.02) were more likely to have completed a given antimicrobial course as compared to those who were married/cohabiting and earned less than 15 USD respectively. The majority of participants 60% (251/418) owned animals, and 81.3% (204/251) reported using antimicrobials mainly for prevention 61.3% (125/204) or treatment of sick animals 70.6% (144/204). Among the participants, 57.4% (117/204) reported not having sold or consumed animal products within a week after exposure to antimicrobials. Interventions to prevent AMR should adopt a One Health approach to address the gap in knowledge and practices relating to the use of antimicrobials in humans and animals.
Stakeholder perspectives from 15 countries in Africa on barriers in snakebite envenoming research and the potential role of research hubs
Authors: Stienstra Ymkje , Aglanu Leslie Mawuli , Schurer Janna M. , Mijumbi Rhona , Mbonigaba Jean Bosco , Habib Abdulrazaq G. , Thomas Brent , Steinhorst Jonathan , Thomson Rachael , Padidar Sara , Amuasi John H. , Oluoch George O. , Lalloo David G.
Published: December 2023

Snakebite envenoming is a debilitating neglected tropical disease disproportionately affecting the rural poor in low and middle-income countries in the tropics and sub-tropics. Critical questions and gaps in public health and policy need to be addressed if major progress is to be made towards reducing the negative impact of snakebite, particularly in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa region. We engaged key stakeholders to identify barriers to evidence-based snakebite decision making and to explore how development of research and policy hubs could help to overcome these barriers. We conducted an electronic survey among 73 stakeholders from ministries of health, health facilities, academia and non-governmental organizations from 15 countries in the WHO Africa region. The primary barriers to snakebite research and subsequent policy translation were limited funds, lack of relevant data, and lack of interest from policy makers. Adequate funding commitment, strong political will, building expert networks and a demand for scientific evidence were all considered potential factors that could facilitate snakebite research. Participants rated availability of antivenoms, research skills training and disease surveillance as key research priorities. All participants indicated interest in the development of research and policy hubs and 78% indicated their organization would be willing to actively participate. In conclusion, our survey affirms that relevant stakeholders in the field of snakebite perceive research and policy hubs as a promising development, which could help overcome the barriers to pursuing the WHO goals and targets for reducing the burden of snakebite.
Light in the tunnel or just a train; impact of supply chain finance solutions on financial service providers’ financial performance by mitigating financial risk
Authors: Munir Munibah , Bhutta Nousheen Tariq
Published: December 2023

Supply chain finance is newly emerging concept and grab attend of financial sercive providers, buyers and suppliers. This study empirically examines the impact of supply chain finance solutions (SCFS), banks financial risk on financial service providers’ financial performance using panel dataset of Asian Development Bank registered countries (Pakistan, China and Bangladesh) from 2012–2021. By breaking new ground, supply chain finance solution index is developed by combining several solutions to measure its impact on financial service provider financial performance. The results show a significant impact of supply chain finance solutions on financial performance of financial service providers. Furthermore, by offering SCF solutions a bank is able to reduce its financial risk for the external parties (e.g., investors, shareholders) This research encourages financial service providers (banks) to embrace the supply chain finance solution to enhance financial performance and allows them to evaluate their supply chain finance solutions investments as a technique to mitigate financial risk.