bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification and Analysis of Pistachio Species Through Neural Embedding-Based Feature Extraction and Small-Scale Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Kumar S. Sathish , Sigappi AN. , Thomas G. Arun Sampaul , Robinson Y. Harold , Raja S. P.
Published: March 2023

Pistachios are a tremendous source of fiber, protein, antioxidants, healthy fats, and other minerals like thiamine and vitamin B6. They may help people lose weight, lower cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, lead to better gut, eye, and blood vessel health. The two main varieties farmed and exported in Turkey are kirmizi and siirt pistachios. Understanding how to detect the type of pistachio is essential as it plays an important role in trade. In this study, it is aimed to classify these two types of pistachios and analyze the performance of the various small-scale machine learning algorithms. 2148 sample images for these two kinds of pistachios were considered for this study which includes 1232 of Kirmizi type and 916 of Siirt type. In order to evaluate the model fairly, stratified random sampling is applied on the dataset. For feature extraction, we used deep neural network-based embeddings to acquire the vector representation of images. The classification of pistachio species is then performed using a variety of small-scale machine learning algorithms29,31 that have been trained using these feature vectors. As a result of this study, the success rate obtained from Logistic Regression through features extracted from the penultimate layer of Painters network is 97.20%. The performance of the models was evaluated through Class Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F1 Score, and values of Area under the curve (AUC). The outcomes show that the method suggested in this study may quickly and precisely identify different varieties of pistachios while also meeting agricultural production needs.
13
th
International Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference (LAK23)
Authors: Lynch Grace
Published: March 2023

The
Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR.)
is an inter-disciplinary network of leading international researchers who are exploring the role and impact of analytics on teaching, learning, training and development. SoLAR has been active in organizing the International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge (LAK) and the Learning Analytics Summer Institute (LASI), launching multiple initiatives to support collaborative and open research around learning analytics, promoting the publication and dissemination of learning analytics research, and advising and consulting with state, provincial, and national governments.
Upcoming SIGWEB Supported Conferences
Authors: Roßner Daniel
Published: March 2023

The Special Interest Group on Hypertext and the Web, SIGWEB was created in 1989 to support the community participating in the annual ACM Hypertext Conference. In its fourth decade, SIGWEB continues its efforts to support a wide range of communities and eight annual conferences. SIGWEB supports several specialized conferences, short courses, and workshops of different sizes, as well as the annual Hypertext Conference. SIGWEB sponsored conferences focus on timely topics in applied and computational hypertext and Web disciplines and provide a place for members and the entire applied Hypermedia and Web community to exchange ideas and to meet with and expand their network of colleagues. In this article, we provide a brief overview of SIGWEB sponsored conferences, in addition to events that are in cooperation with SIGWEB.
Perceived Knowledge and Confidence for Providing Youth-Specific Type 1 Diabetes Exercise Recommendations amongst Pediatric Diabetes Healthcare Professionals: An International, Cross-Sectional, Online Survey
Authors: Chinchilla Paula , Dovc Klemen , Braune Katarina , Addala Ananta , Riddell Michael C. , Jeronimo Dos Santos Tiago , Zaharieva Dessi P.
Published: March 2023

Background. Managing glycemia around exercise is challenging for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their healthcare professionals (HCP). We investigated HCP knowledge and confidence around exercise counseling for youth with T1D worldwide. Objective. To assess HCP familiarity with ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines and confidence to deliver recommendations about T1D and exercise. Methods. A new online survey was developed on strategies and competencies about exercise for youth with T1D, comprising of 64 questions, divided into eight different categories, assessing HCPs perceived exercise knowledge, confidence, training, and barriers to exercise counseling. Results. A total of 125 HCPs mean ± SD age 42 ± 8.2 years (74% female, 73% physicians) completed the survey. The ISPAD exercise guidelines were considered familiar to 68/125 (54%) of responders. Overall, 91/125 (73%) felt confident with giving recommendations about exercise with 47/125 (38%) recommending 45–60 mins/day of physical activity, while 16/125 (13%) recommended >60 mins/day. Several topics related to self-management around exercise were covered by most, but not all responders, and differences were observed in exercise content “confidence” and/or “competence” based on geographic location (

p
=
0.048

). No differences in exercise recommendation dose, confidence, or familiarity with ISPAD guidelines were observed for age, sex, type of HCP, years in practice, or healthcare type. Conclusions. Exercise counseling for youth with T1D remains a challenge in most healthcare settings, globally. In general, the number of physically active minutes per week is under-prescribed for youth with T1D and many HCPs in various settings around the world feel that more professional education is needed to boost confidence around the education of several exercise-related topics.
Sonicating for the Uptake of Paracetamol from Solution by Activated Carbon from Oak: Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Isotherms
Authors: Al-Ma’abreh Alaa M. , Edris Gada , Haddad Mike Kh.
Published: March 2023

This inquiry used ultrasonic waves to uptake paracetamol (PA) by using oak-based activated carbon (ACO). The surface of ACO was explored based on FT-IR, SEM, and XRD before and after the adsorption. The kinetic data for PA adsorption onto ACO corresponds to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Isothermal models of the Langmuir, Freundlich, D-R, and Temkin were used. The adsorption of PA onto ACO was found to be a monolayer with 96.03% uptake, which corresponds to Langmuir. The thermodynamic experiments revealed the endothermic nature of PA adsorption onto ACO. Under the investigated optimal conditions, the adsorption capacity of PA onto ACO was found to be 97.1 mg. L-1. ACO could be recycled after six regenerations. Ultimately, sonicating has adequate performance for the uptake of PA by ACO.
Treatment of Unresectable Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Cemiplimab in a Patient on Dialysis
Authors: de Lima Stacy Grace , Hyrcza Martin D. , Monzon Jose Gerard
Published: March 2023

Program death-1 inhibitors, a class of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, are now the standard of care in a variety of cancer settings, including cutaneous malignancies, such as melanomas, Merkel cell, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs). The clinical trials that led to the approval of the programmed death-1 inhibitor cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo®) for use in advanced cSCC excluded patients with autoimmune disease and those that required systemic immunosuppressive treatments, or had undergone solid-organ transplantation. Also, to be eligible, patients had to have adequate organ function. Here, we present the first report of a patient that has been successfully treated with cemiplimab for locally advanced cSCC while simultaneously on dialysis for treatment of renal failure following renal transplant.
A Genetic Risk Score Distinguishes Different Types of Autoantibody-Mediated Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Gupta Sanjana , Downie Mallory Louise , Cheshire Chris , Dufek-Kamperis Stephanie , Levine Adam Paul , Brenchley Paul , Hoxha Elion , Stahl Rolf , Ashman Neil , Pepper Ruth Jennifer , Mason Sean , Norman Jill , Bockenhauer Detlef , Stanescu Horia Constantin , Kleta Robert , Gale Daniel Philip
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and is characterized by detectable autoantibodies against glomerular antigens, most commonly phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R1) and thrombospondin type-1 domain containing 7A (THSD7A). In Europeans, genetic variation in at least five loci, PLA2R1, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, IRF4, and NFKB1, affects the risk of disease. Here, we investigated the genetic risk differences between different autoantibody states. Methods: 1,409 MN individuals were genotyped genome-wide with a dense SNV array. The genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated utilizing the previously identified European MN loci, and results were compared with 4,929 healthy controls and 422 individuals with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Results: GRS was calculated in the 759 MN individuals in whom antibody status was known. The GRS for MN was elevated in the anti-PLA2R1 antibody-positive (N = 372) compared with both the unaffected control (N = 4,929) and anti-THSD7A-positive (N = 31) groups (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons), suggesting that this GRS reflects anti-PLA2R1 MN. Among PLA2R1-positive patients, GRS was inversely correlated with age of disease onset (p = 0.009). Further, the GRS in the dual antibody-negative group (N = 355) was intermediate between controls and the PLA2R1-positive group (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: We demonstrate that the genetic risk factors for PLA2R1- and THSD7A-antibody-associated MN are different. A higher GRS is associated with younger age of onset of disease. Further, a proportion of antibody-negative MN cases have an elevated GRS similar to PLA2R1-positive disease. This suggests that in some individuals with negative serology the disease is driven by autoimmunity against PLA2R1.
Modeling of the Tricuspid Valve and Right Ventricle in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome With a Fontan Circulation
Authors: Nam Hannah H. , Flynn Maura , Lasso Andras , Herz Christian , Sabin Patricia , Wang Yan , Cianciulli Alana , Vigil Chad , Huang Jing , Vicory Jared , Paniagua Beatriz , Allemang David , Goldberg David J. , Nuri Mohammed , Cohen Meryl S. , Fichtinger Gabor , Jolley Matthew A.
Published: March 2023

Background:

In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with circulatory failure and death. We hypothesized that the tricuspid valve (TV) structure of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with a Fontan circulation and moderate or greater TR differs from those with mild or less TR, and that right ventricle volume is associated with TV structure and dysfunction.

Methods:

TV of 100 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and a Fontan circulation were modeled using transthoracic 3-dimensional echocardiograms and custom software in SlicerHeart. Associations of TV structure to TR grade and right ventricle function and volume were investigated. Shape parameterization and analysis was used to calculate the mean shape of the TV leaflets, their principal modes of variation, and to characterize associations of TV leaflet shape to TR.

Results:

In univariate modeling, patients with moderate or greater TR had larger TV annular diameters and area, greater annular distance between the anteroseptal commissure and anteroposterior commissure, greater leaflet billow volume, and more laterally directed anterior papillary muscle angles compared to valves with mild or less TR (all
P
<0.001). In multivariate modeling greater total billow volume, lower anterior papillary muscle angle, and greater distance between the anteroposterior commissure and anteroseptal commissure were associated with moderate or greater TR (
P
<0.001, C statistic=0.85). Larger right ventricle volumes were associated with moderate or greater TR (
P
<0.001). TV shape analysis revealed structural features associated with TR, but also highly heterogeneous TV leaflet structure.

Conclusions:

Moderate or greater TR in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with a Fontan circulation is associated with greater leaflet billow volume, a more laterally directed anterior papillary muscle angle, and greater annular distance between the anteroseptal commissure and anteroposterior commissure. However, there is significant heterogeneity of structure in the TV leaflets in regurgitant valves. Given this variability, an image-informed patient-specific approach to surgical planning may be needed to achieve optimal outcomes in this vulnerable and challenging population.
Long-Term Prognosis of Patients With Coexisting Obesity and Malnutrition After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Cohort Study
Authors: Kong Gwyneth , Zhang Audrey , Chong Bryan , Lim Jieyu , Kannan Shankar , Han Chin Yip , Ng Cheng Han , Lin Chaoxing , Khoo Chin Meng , Muthiah Mark , Dalakoti Mayank , Kristanto William , Wang Yibin , Kong William , Poh Kian Keong , Chai Ping , Foo Roger , Chan Mark Yan-Yee , Loh Poay-Huan , Chew Nicholas W.S.
Published: March 2023

Background:

The double burden of malnutrition, described as the coexistence of malnutrition and obesity, is a growing global health issue. This study examines the combined effects of obesity and malnutrition on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods:

Patients presenting with AMI to a percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital in Singapore between January 2014 and March 2021 were retrospectively studied. Patients were stratified into the following: (1) nourished nonobese, (2) malnourished nonobese, (3) nourished obese, and (4) malnourished obese. Obesity and malnutrition were defined according to the World Health Organization definition (body mass index ≥27.5 kg/m
2
) and Controlling Nutritional Status score, respectively. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The association between combined obesity and nutritional status with mortality was examined using Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, AMI type, previous AMI, ejection fraction, and chronic kidney disease. Kaplan-Meier curves for all-cause mortality were constructed.

Results:

The study included 1829 AMI patients, of which 75.7% were male and mean age was 66 years. Over 75% of patients were malnourished. Majority were malnourished nonobese (57.7%), followed by malnourished obese (18.8%), nourished nonobese (16.9%), and nourished obese (6.6%). Malnourished nonobese had highest all-cause mortality (38.6%), followed by the malnourished obese (35.8%), nourished nonobese (21.4%), and nourished obese (9.9%,
P
<0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated least favorable survival in malnourished nonobese group, followed by malnourished obese, nourished nonobese, and nourished obese. With nourished nonobese group as the reference, malnourished nonobese had higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.10–1.96],
P
=0.010), but only a nonsignificant increase in mortality was observed in the malnourished obese (hazard ratio, 1.31 [95% CI, 0.94–1.83],
P
=0.112).

Conclusions:

Among AMI patients, malnutrition is prevalent even in the obese. Compared to nourished patients, malnourished AMI patients have a more unfavorable prognosis especially in those with severe malnutrition regardless of obesity status, but long-term survival is the most favorable among nourished obese patients.
Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions in Patients With Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Wechsler Paul M. , Liberman Ava L. , Restifo Daniel , Abramson Erika L. , Navi Babak B. , Kamel Hooman , Parikh Neal S.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Smoking cessation rates after stroke and transient ischemic attack are suboptimal, and smoking cessation interventions are underutilized. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of smoking cessation interventions in this population.

Methods:

We constructed a decision tree and used Markov models that aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of varenicline, any pharmacotherapy with intensive counseling, and monetary incentives, compared with brief counseling alone in the secondary stroke prevention setting. Payer and societal costs of interventions and outcomes were modeled. The outcomes were recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, and death using a lifetime horizon. Estimates and variance for the base case (35% cessation), costs and effectiveness of interventions, and outcome rates were imputed from the stroke literature. We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and incremental net monetary benefits. An intervention was considered cost-effective if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was less than the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) or when the incremental net monetary benefit was positive. Probabilistic Monte Carlo simulations modeled the impact of parameter uncertainty.

Results:

From the payer perspective, varenicline and pharmacotherapy with intensive counseling were associated with more QALYs (0.67 and 1.00, respectively) at less total lifetime costs compared with brief counseling alone. Monetary incentives were associated with 0.71 more QALYs at an additional cost of $120 compared with brief counseling alone, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $168/QALY. From the societal perspective, all 3 interventions provided more QALYs at less total costs compared with brief counseling alone. In 10 000 Monte Carlo simulations, all 3 smoking cessation interventions were cost-effective in >89% of runs.

Conclusions:

For secondary stroke prevention, it is cost-effective and potentially cost-saving to deliver smoking cessation therapy beyond brief counseling alone.
Use of modified ichip for the cultivation of thermo-tolerant microorganisms from the hot spring
Authors: Zhao Juntian , Shakir Yasmeen , Deng Yulin , Zhang Ying
Published: March 2023

Background

Thermostable microorganisms are extremophiles. They have a special genetic background and metabolic pathway and can produce a variety of enzymes and other active substances with special functions. Most thermo-tolerant microorganisms from environmental samples have resisted cultivation on artificial growth media. Therefore, it is of great significance to isolate more thermo-tolerant microorganisms and study their characteristics to explore the origin of life and exploit more thermo-tolerant enzymes. Tengchong hot spring in Yunnan contains a lot of thermo-tolerant microbial resources because of its perennial high temperature. The ichip method was developed by D. Nichols in 2010 and can be used to isolate so-called “uncultivable” microorganisms from different environments. Here, we describe the first application of modified ichip to isolate thermo-tolerant bacteria from hot springs.

Results

In this study, 133 strains of bacteria belonging to 19 genera were obtained. 107 strains of bacteria in 17 genera were isolated by modified ichip, and 26 strains of bacteria in 6 genera were isolated by direct plating methods. 25 strains are previously uncultured, 20 of which can only be cultivated after being domesticated by ichip. Two strains of previously unculturable Lysobacter sp., which can withstand 85 °C, were isolated for the first time. Alkalihalobacillus, Lysobacter and Agromyces genera were first found to have 85 °C tolerance.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the modified ichip approach can be successfully applied in a hot spring environment.
Can mixed reality technologies teach surgical skills better than traditional methods? A prospective randomised feasibility study
Authors: Guha Payal , Lawson Jason , Minty Iona , Kinross James , Martin Guy
Published: March 2023

Background

Basic surgical skills teaching is often delivered with didactic audio-visual content, and new digital technologies may allow more engaging and effective ways of teaching to be developed. The Microsoft HoloLens 2 (HL2) is a multi-functional mixed reality headset. This prospective feasibility study sought to assess the device as a tool for enhancing technical surgical skills training.

Methods

A prospective randomised feasibility study was conducted. 36 novice medical students were trained to perform a basic arteriotomy and closure using a synthetic model. Participants were randomised to receive a structured surgical skills tutorial via a bespoke mixed reality HL2 tutorial (n = 18), or via a standard video-based tutorial (n = 18). Proficiency scores were assessed by blinded examiners using a validated objective scoring system and participant feedback collected.

Results

The HL2 group showed significantly greater improvement in overall technical proficiency compared to the video group (10.1 vs. 6.89, p = 0.0076), and a greater consistency in skill progression with a significantly narrower range of scores (SD 2.48 vs. 4.03, p = 0.026). Participant feedback showed the HL2 technology to be more interactive and engaging with minimal device related problems experienced.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that mixed reality technology may provide a higher quality educational experience, improved skill progression and greater consistency in learning when compared to traditional teaching methodologies for basic surgical skills. Further work is required to refine, translate, and evaluate the scalability and applicability of the technology across a broad range of skills-based disciplines.
The determinants of expert opinion in the development of care pathways: insights from an exploratory cluster analysis
Authors: Ratti Matteo , Milicia Osvaldo , Rescinito Riccardo , Coeckelberghs Ellen , Seys Deborah , Vanhaecht Kris , Panella Massimiliano
Published: March 2023

Background

We performed a secondary exploratory cluster analysis on the data collected from the validation phase of the study leading to the development of the model care pathway (CP) for Myasthenia Gravis (MG), in which a panel of 85 international experts were asked some characteristics about themselves and their opinion about the model CP. Our aim was to identify which characteristics of the experts play a role in the genesis of their opinion.

Methods

We extracted the questions probing an opinion and those describing a characteristic of the expert from the original questionnaire. We performed a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and a subsequent hierarchical clustering on principal component (HCPC) on the opinion variables, integrating the characteristic variables as supplementary (predicted).

Results

After reducing the dimensionality of the questionnaire to three dimensions we noticed that the not-appropriateness judgement of the clinical activities may overlap with the completeness one. From the HCPC it seems that the working setting of the expert may play a crucial role in determining the opinion about the setting of the sub-processes of MG: shifting from a cluster where the experts do not work in sub-specialist settings to one where the experts are working in them, the opinion changes accordingly from a mono-disciplinary setting to a multi-disciplinary one. Another interesting result is that the experience in neuromuscular diseases (NMD) measured in years and the expert typology (whether general neurologist or NMD expert) seem not to contribute significantly to the opinions.

Conclusions

These findings might indicate a poor ability of the expert to discriminate what is not appropriate from what is not complete. Also, the opinion of the expert might be influenced by the working setting, but not by the experience in NMD (as measured in years).
A prospective multicentre study evaluating the outcomes of the abdominal wall dehiscence repair using posterior component separation with transversus abdominis muscle release reinforced by a retro-muscular mesh: filling a step
Authors: Habeeb Tamer A. A. M. , Hussain Abdulzahra , Shelat Vishal , Chiaretti Massimo , Bueno-Lledó Jose , García Fadrique Alfonso , Kalmoush Abd-Elfattah , Elnemr Mohamed , Safwat Khaled , Raafat Ahmed , Wasefy Tamer , Heggy Ibrahim A. , Osman Gamal , Abdelhady Waleed A. , Mawla Walid A. , Fiad Alaa A. , Elaidy Mostafa M. , Amr Wessam , Abdelhamid Mohamed I. , Abdou Ahmed Mahmoud , Ibrahim Abdelaziz I. A. , Baghdadi Muhammad Ali
Published: March 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the results of posterior component separation (CS) and transversus abdominis muscle release (TAR) with retro-muscular mesh reinforcement in patients with primary abdominal wall dehiscence (AWD). The secondary aims were to detect the incidence of postoperative surgical site occurrence and risk factors of incisional hernia (IH) development following AWD repair with posterior CS with TAR reinforced by retromuscular mesh.

Methods

Between June 2014 and April 2018, 202 patients with grade IA primary AWD (Björck's first classification) following midline laparotomies were treated using posterior CS with TAR release reinforced by a retro-muscular mesh in a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Results

The mean age was 42 ± 10 years, with female predominance (59.9%). The mean time from index surgery (midline laparotomy) to primary AWD was 7 ± 3 days. The mean vertical length of primary AWD was 16 ± 2 cm. The median time from primary AWD occurrence to posterior CS + TAR surgery was 3 ± 1 days. The mean operative time of posterior CS + TAR was 95 ± 12 min. No recurrent AWD occurred. Surgical site infections (SSI), seroma, hematoma, IH, and infected mesh occurred in 7.9%, 12.4%, 2%, 8.9%, and 3%, respectively. Mortality was reported in 2.5%. Old age, male gender, smoking, albumin level < 3.5 gm%, time from AWD to posterior CS + TAR surgery, SSI, ileus, and infected mesh were significantly higher in IH. IH rate was 0.5% and 8.9% at two and three years, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the predictors of IH were time from AWD till posterior CS + TAR surgical intervention, ileus, SSI, and infected mesh.

Conclusion

Posterior CS with TAR reinforced by retro-muscular mesh insertion resulted in no AWD recurrence, low IH rates, and low mortality of 2.5%.

Trial registration Clinical trial: NCT05278117.
Local torsion of distal femur is a risk factor for patellar dislocation
Authors: Fan Chongyi , Niu Yingzhen , Wang Fei
Published: March 2023

Purpose

It has been widely reported that femoral anteversion is a risk factor for patellar dislocation. This study aims to evaluate whether internal torsion of the distal femur is noticeable in patients without increased femoral anteversion and to assess whether it is a risk factor for patellar dislocation.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 patients (24 females, 11 males) with recurrent patellar dislocation but without increased femoral anteversion treated in our hospital from January 2019 to August 2020. All patients underwent knee X-rays, digital radiography of lower-limbs, and CT scans of hip, knee, and ankle joints to measure femoral anteversion angle, distal femoral torsion angle, TT–TG and Caton-Deschamps index. Thirty-five control cases were matched on age and sex to compare the difference of anatomic parameters between the two groups, and the logistic analysis was used to analyze risk factors for patellar dislocation. Perman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation among femoral anteversion, distal femoral torsion and TT–TG.

Results

Greater distal femoral torsion was still observed in patients with patellar dislocation but without increased femoral anteversion. The torsion angle of distal femur, TT–TG distance and incidence of Patella Alta in patients with patellar dislocation were greater than those in control group, and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The torsion angle of distal femur (OR = 2.848, P < 0.001), TT–TG distance (OR = 1.163, P = 0.021) and Patella Alta (OR = 3.545, P = 0.034) were risk factors for patellar dislocation. However, no significant correlation was found among femoral anteversion, distal femoral torsion and TT–TG in patients with patellar dislocation.

Conclusion

On the condition that femoral anteversion did not increase, increased distal femoral torsion was commonly observed in patients with patellar dislocation, which represents an independent risk factor for patellar dislocation.
The live birth rate of vitrified oocyte accumulation for managing diminished ovarian reserve: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Kuan-Sheng , Lin Ming-Huei , Hwu Yuh-Ming , Yang Jia-Hwa , Lee Robert Kuo-Kuang
Published: March 2023

Background

Vitrified M-II oocyte accumulation for later simultaneous insemination has been used for managing POR. Our study aimed to determine whether vitrified oocyte accumulation strategy improves live birth rate (LBR) for managing diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Methods

A retrospective study included 440 women with DOR fulfilling Poseidon classification groups 3 and 4, defined as the presence of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) hormone level < 1.2 ng/ml or antral follicle count (AFC) < 5, from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019, in a single department. Patients underwent accumulation of vitrified oocytes (DOR-Accu) and embryo transfer (ET) or controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) using fresh oocytes (DOR-fresh) and ET. Primary outcomes were LBR per ET and cumulative LBR (CLBR) per intention to treat (ITT). Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and miscarriage rate (MR).

Results

Two hundred eleven patients underwent simultaneous insemination of vitrified oocyte accumulation and ET in the DOR-Accu group (maternal age: 39.29 ± 4.23 y, AMH: 0.54 ± 0.35 ng/ml), and 229 patients underwent COS and ET in the DOR-fresh group (maternal age: 38.07 ± 3.77 y, AMH: 0.72 ± 0.32 ng/ml). CPR in the DOR-Accu group was similar in the DOR-fresh group (27.5% vs. 31.0%, p = 0.418). However, MR was statistically higher (41.4% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.001), while LBR per ET was statistically lower (15.2% vs. 26.2%, p < 0.001) in the DOR-Accu group. There is no difference in CLBR per ITT between groups (20.4% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.081). The secondary analysis categorized clinical outcomes into four groups regarding patients’ age. CPR, LBR per ET, and CLBR did not improve in the DOR-Accu group. In the group of 31 patients, accumulated vitrified metaphase II (M-II) oocytes reached a total number of ≥ 15, and CPR improved among the DOR-Accu group (48.4% vs. 31.0%, p = 0.054); however, higher MR (40.0% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.03) resulted in similar LBR per ET (29.0% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.738).

Conclusions

Vitrified oocyte accumulation for managing DOR did not improve LBR. Higher MR resulted in lower LBR in the DOR-Accu group. Therefore, the vitrified oocyte accumulation strategy for managing DOR is not clinically practical.

Trial registration

The study protocol was retrospectively registered and was approved by Institutional Review Board of Mackay Memorial Hospital (21MMHIS219e) on August 26, 2021.
A big data study of language use and impact in radio broadcasting in China
Authors: Zhang Ruihua , Zhou Jincheng , Hai Tao , Zhang Shixue , Iwendi Marvellous , Shah Mohd Asif , Osamor Jude
Published: March 2023

Broadcasting more educating and language-reviving contents are ways radio stations can help revitalize the use of the English language in the Hunan province of China. The challenges faced in communicating in English in Chinese radio stations are majorly caused by the lack of language professionals and linguists in the broadcast stations. The absence of these professionals is a major constraint to the development of the community. The broadcast media can help manage multilingualism through the introduction of new words which would give little or no room for lexicon dearth but would expand the language lexicon. Using the English language during broadcast reduces language dearth, and helps reach a much larger audience, even those not in China. Programmes anchored in English in places where the language is barely spoken enhances the vocabulary, comprehension and language vitality of the listeners. This study examined the impact of the English language used in radio broadcasting using a descriptive Big Data survey research design. The study’s population comprises of the inhabitants of the Hunan province in China, from which a sample of 50 broadcast staff and 150 regular inhabitants was drawn using a stratified random sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire with closed questions and a self-structured interview. The sample employed frequency distribution tables, percentages, and charts in the presentation and analysis of data. The results revealed that majority of the respondents in Hunan listened to radio broadcast indicating that the use of English language can have massive impact on the people. The study also found that majority of the respondents use their indigenous languages in their day-to-day activities as well as their schools with English being used majorly only in schools with only English-speaking students. The study recommends, amongst others, that the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) review their policy on the allocated time of broadcast in English languages, and that more English language experts and linguists should be incorporated into the broadcast system.
How Unique is VC’s American History?
Authors: Korteweg Arthur , Sensoy Berk
Published: March 2023

VC: An American History, by Tom Nicholas, offers a compelling chronicle of the development of professional venture capital (VC) in the United States—from VC-like fore-bearers as diverse as eighteenth-century cotton manufacturing and nineteenth-century whaling up to the state of the modern VC market at the turn of the millennium. The book emphasizes America’s enduring advantage in VC as a consequence of these early developments and as a practical governance solution for investing in the long-tailed returns of risky new ventures. In this essay we discuss similar historical precedent and governance arrangements in the spice-trading voyages of the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Dutch Republic, calling into question the uniqueness of early American VC ancestors. Moreover, far from being a distinguishing feature of early ventures, long-tailed returns exist even in public equities, suggesting that the VC governance structure is about more than the distribution of returns. We conclude that the reasons for American dominance of contemporary VC remain unclear. Picking up where the book leaves off, we summarize facts and trends in twenty-first-century VC. (JEL G24, M13, N20, O16, O31)
Designing Information Provision Experiments
Authors: Haaland Ingar , Roth Christopher , Wohlfart Johannes
Published: March 2023

Information provision experiments allow researchers to test economic theories and answer policy-relevant questions by varying the information set available to respondents. We survey the emerging literature using information provision experiments in economics and discuss applications in macroeconomics, finance, political economy, public economics, labor economics, and health economics. We also discuss design considerations and provide best-practice recommendations on how to (i) measure beliefs; (ii) design the information intervention; (iii) measure belief updating; (iv) deal with potential confounds, such as experimenter demand effects; and (v) recruit respondents using online panels. We finally discuss typical effect sizes and provide sample size recommendations.(JEL C90, D83, D91)
Painting the black box white: Interpreting an algorithm-based trading strategy
Authors: Possatto André Bina
Published: March 2023

Difficulty understanding how a black box model makes predictions undermines machine learning's success in financial markets. We show how to employ model-agnostic methods to carry out machine learning stock market predictions that are more transparent to a human investor. We create long-short investment strategies using a tree-based fundamental analysis. We apply the models to the Brazilian stock market, achieving an out-of-sample expected annual return of 26.4% with a Sharpe ratio of 0.50. Ensembles between the long and short legs improve Sharpe ratio up to 1.26. Our strategy has low asset turnover and hence transaction costs do not harm performance too much. Interpretation shows differences in the main drivers of over- and underperformance.
Estimation of VIX futures through Gaussian factor models
Authors: Fernandes Felipe , Aiube Fernando , Souza Carla
Published: March 2023

In this paper we investigate VIX dynamics through a two-factor Gaussian model, following Avellaneda and Papanicolaou (2019). Two strategies were adopted. First, we considered constant market price of risk. Second, we included time-varying market price of risk. In both cases, we estimated the model following two different approaches. In the first, we used a sample encompassing seven VIX future contracts and also the spot VIX. In the second, we dropped the spot VIX from the sample. We found that this removal provided a better adjustment between empirical and estimated data.
Fluxos de investimento externo em carteira, expectativas e o retorno do mercado de ações brasileiro
Authors: Meurer Roberto
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo é analisada a influência do fluxo de investimento externo em carteira sobre os retornos do mercado de ações brasileiro, utilizando dados mensais de 2003 a 2018. Uma contribuição do artigo é considerar explicitamente as expectativas sobre produto, inflação e taxa de juros, bem como o preço das commodities. Os resultados indicam que todas as variáveis ajudam a explicar o retorno do índice do mercado acionário.
Quais os principais mecanismos de reorganização adotados pelas empresas brasileiras em recuperação judicial?
Authors: Grossert Ricardo Risso , Brunassi Vinícius Augusto , Gallucci Neto Humberto , Sampaio Joelson
Published: March 2023

Este artigo analisa os principais meios de reorganização adotados pelas empresas em recuperação judicial no Brasil à luz do artigo 50 da lei judicial coletados entre 2006 e 2018. Por meio de análise descritiva e com a utilização de testes de diferença entre médias e proporções e regressão logística, encontramos que a venda de ativos é um dos principais meios de reorganização adotados pelas empresas. Operações de renovação de dívidas, fusões e aquisições também são bastante utilizadas nas estratégias de reestruturação. Por fim, aferimos relação positiva entre dívida e a utilização de meios de reorganização que constituem nova injeção de recursos financeiros na empresa, como fusões, aumento de capital social, venda de bens e emissão de valores mobiliários.
Fatores determinantes do risco sistêmico bancário brasileiro: Uma abordagem CoVaR-Cópula
Authors: Guimarães Laura , Castro Miguel , Silva Lindomar Pinto , Ugolini Andrea
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo, quantificamos o risco sistêmico, entre janeiro de 2010 e janeiro de 2019, utilizando o Comovement Value at Risk (CoVaR) como medida de risco. Modelamos a dependência condicional entre bancos brasileiros e o índice representativo do sistema financeiro brasileiro (BFIndex) usando cópulas. Com essa medida de risco, avaliamos o impacto de algumas variáveis macroeconômicas sobre o risco sistêmico, utilizando um modelo de regressão linear dinâmico. Os resultados indicam que o risco sistêmico aumentou durante a crise financeira global de 2008 e que a volatilidade e os retornos do mercado da bolsa de valores são determinantes importantes para um maior ou menor risco sistêmico. Outras importantes variáveis macroeconômicas são a inclinação da curva do rendimento de “cupom zero” e a taxa de variação letra do tesouro a 12 meses. Esses resultados têm implicações para a regulamentação de capital das instituições financeiras.
Circulus (Mollusca-Gastropoda) species of the Turkish coasts with a note on the presence of Circulus octoliratus (Carpenter, 1856)
Authors: Öztürk Bilal , Bitlis Banu , Türkçü Neslihan
Published: March 2023

The present study is dealing with three Circulus species recorded along the Turkish coasts (İskenderun Bay, Levantine coast of Türkiye). Of the identified species, Circulus novemcarinatus and Circulus octoliratus are non-indigenous species originated outside the Mediterranean Sea, whereas Circulus striatus is a native one distributed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. While Circulus novemcarinatus was recorded at depths between 9 and 60 m, Circulus octoliratus and Circulus striatus were encountered at shallow depths (5-11.7 m, respectively). Within the present study some morphological and distributional characteristics of the investigated species are described.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and social functioning of healthcare workers
Authors: Belcarz Maria , Marczewska Sylwia
Published: March 2023

Introduction: The work of medical staff (doctors, nurses) is very stressful, especially during a pandemic. They often bear a lot of responsibility, work under time pressure and take care of a terminally ill patient. This unique time affects not only medical workers but also their families. The rules of functioning in a group and society are changing, and the possibility of exposure to infection by colleagues, relatives or friends is a risk factor for mental health problems.
The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to analyse the prevalence of mental disorders and changes in the social functioning of medical workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Materials and methods:  Survey search using author-made questionnaire was conducted. The study group consisted of people from 22 to 66 years of age. The survey was anonymous. The study material was analyzed, consisting of 127 correctly completed questionnaires. Collected data was then transformed for statistical purposes and the correlations were examined using Mann-Whitney U test (men vs women).
Results: Comparing the situation before the pandemic to the present one statistically significant increase in to experience stress at work for women. Nearly 90% of surveyed individuals are afraid of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus by a patient. Medical personnel (nurses, paramedics, doctors) are experiences stress (83%), fear (65%) and anxiety (76%) in the workplace. 10% of respondents took advantage of the psychological support.
Conclusions: The mental condition and functioning in the society of medical workers is significantly impaired due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Medical workers are exposed to constant stress, anxiety, powerlessness and their social activity is disturbed.
Generał brygady Albin Jasiński (1880-1940) – zarys biografii
Authors: Jarno Witold
Published: March 2023

Artykuł opisuje życie i karierę wojskową generała Albina Jasińskiego. Początkowo służył w armii rosyjskiej, a następnie w I Korpusie Polskim w Rosji. Później przybył do kraju, gdzie w listopadzie 1918 r. objął stanowisko dowódcy Łódzkiego Okręgu Wojskowego, a następnie w czerwcu 1919 r. 2 Dywizji Strzelców Wielkopolskich (późniejsza 15 Dywizja Piechoty). W lipcu 1920 r. został Inspektorem Okręgowym Armii Ochotniczej w Lublinie, po czym w następnym miesiącu objął dowództwo 11 Dywizji Piechoty. Dowodził nią przez niemal pięć lat, po czym objął stanowisko dowódcy 25 Dywizji Piechoty. W 1929 r. został przeniesiony w stan spoczynku i został osadnikiem wojskowym w województwie nowogródzkim. Po agresji Związku Radzieckiego na Polskę został aresztowany przez Rosjan i w kwietniu 1940 r. zamordowany w więzieniu NKWD w Mińsku. Za udział w wojnie polsko-rosyjskiej w 1920 roku otrzymał Order Virtuti Militari V klasy.
Komedia Żołnierz i bohater George’a Bernarda Shawa i jej wpływ na kształtowanie obrazu żołnierzy bułgarskich podczas wojen bałkańskich 1912–1913
Authors: Faszcza Dariusz
Published: March 2023

W końcu XIX i pierwszej połowie XX w. twórcy kultury niejednokrotnie pełnili funkcję kreatorów opinii o dziejących się wówczas wydarzeniach. Jednym z nich był wybitny brytyjski intelektualista George Bernard Shaw, który w swej twórczości podjął m.in. temat wojen toczonych na Bałkanach. Celem artykułu jest wykazanie związku komedii Shawa Arms and the Man (Żołnierz i bohater) z obrazem żołnierzy bułgarskich podczas wojen bałkańskich 1912 i 1913 r. funkcjonującym w przekazie prasowym z epoki. Został w nim także poruszony wątek oddania realiów wojny oraz bohaterstwa oficerów i żołnierzy na polu walki.
Rumuńska koncepcja bezpieczeństwa środkowoeuropejskiego z 1920 r. w ocenie dyplomacji polskiej (w świetle dokumentów z Instytutu Józefa Piłsudskiego w Ameryce)
Authors: Drzewiecki Łukasz
Published: March 2023

Celem artykułu jest przeanalizowanie stanowiska dyplomacji polskiej wobec polityki prowadzonej w drugiej połowie 1920 r. przez rumuńskiego ministra spraw zagranicznych Take Ionescu. Różniła się ona od pomysłów Edvarda Beneša, pomysłodawcy Małej Ententy. Autor zwrócił uwagę na poglądy poszczególnych dyplomatów na temat Małej Ententy oraz stosunków polsko-rumuńskich. Przeprowadzona analiza pozwoliła na odpowiedź na pytanie, które podejście do nowych układów w Europie Środkowej okazało się najbardziej realistyczne. Bazę źródłową stanowią dokumenty z Instytutu Józefa Piłsudskiego w Ameryce, dotąd prawie w ogóle niewykorzystane przez historyków piszących o genezie Małej Ententy.
Managing chronic kidney disease, diabetes and coronary artery disease
Authors: Ellis Peter
Published: March 2023

Chronic kidney disease, diabetes and coronary artery disease frequently co-exist in the same patient. The management of this triad of diseases is complex and requires a working knowledge of the management of each individual disease. This article identifies the main strategies for managing all three diseases in general practice and the role of the general practice nurse in this.

Chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease frequently co-exist in the same patient. Peter Ellis describes the role of the general practice nurse in supporting patients with these conditions
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF LUMBAR STENOSIS IN THE PRESENCE OF DEGENERATIVE SPONDYLOLISTHESIS: ARE DECOMPRESSION AND FUSION OR INTERSPINOUS PROCESS DEVICE SUPERIOR TO DECOMPRESSION ALONE? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Glendenning A.C. , Richards T. , Singh S. , Khurana A.
Published: March 2023

Aims

To compare the efficacy of decompression alone (DA) with i) decompression and fusion (DF) and ii) interspinous process device (IPD) in the treatment of lumbar stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Outcomes of interest were both patient-reported measures of postoperative pain and function, as well as the perioperative measures of blood loss, operation duration, hospital stay, and reoperation.

Methods

Data were obtained from electronic searches of five online databases. Included studies were limited to randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) which compared DA with DF or IPD using patient-reported outcomes such as the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), or perioperative data.

Patient-reported data were reported as part of the systematic review, while meta-analyses were conducted for perioperative outcomes in MATLAB using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. Forest plots were generated for visual interpretation, while heterogeneity was assessed using the I2-statistic.

Results

A total of 13 articles met the eligibility criteria. Of these, eight compared DA with DF and six studies compared DA with IPD. Patient-rated outcomes reported included the ODI and ZCQ, with mixed results for both types of comparisons. Overall, there were few statistically significant and no clinically significant differences in patient-rated outcomes. Study quality varied greatly across the included articles.

Meta-analysis of perioperative outcomes revealed DF to result in greater blood loss than DA (MD = 406.74 ml); longer operation duration (MD = 108.91 min); and longer postoperative stay in hospital (MD = 2.84 days). Use of IPD in comparison to DA led to slightly reduced operation times (MD = –25.18 min), but a greater risk of reoperation compared to DA (RR = 2.70).

Conclusion

Currently there is no evidence for the use of DF or IPD over DA in both patient-rated and perioperative outcomes. Indeed, both procedures can potentially lead to greater cost and risk of complications, and therefore, a stronger evidence base for their use should be established before they are promoted as routine options in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis.