bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel tongue-positioning device to reduce tongue motions during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: Geometric and dosimetric evaluation
Authors: Jung Seongmoon , Kim Bitbyeol , Lee Sung Young , Chang Won Ick , Son Jaeman , Park Jong Min , Choi Chang Heon , Lee Joo Ho , Wu Hong-Gyun , Kim Jung-in , Kim Jin Ho
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to assess the performance of a tongue-positioning device in interfractional tongue position reproducibility by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Fifty-two patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) while using a tongue positioning device were included in the study. All patients were treated with 28 or 30 fractions using the volumetric modulated arc therapy technique. CBCT images were acquired at the 1st, 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th, 23th, and 27th fractions. Tongues on planning computed tomography (pCT) and CBCT images were contoured in the treatment planning system. Geometric differences in the tongue between pCT and CBCT were assessed by the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and averaged Hausdorff distance (AHD). Two-dimensional in vivo measurements using radiochromic films were performed in 13 patients once a week during sessions. The planned dose distributions were compared with the measured dose distributions using gamma analysis with criteria of 3%/3 mm. In all patients, the mean DSC at the 1st fraction (pCT versus 1st CBCT) was 0.80 while the mean DSC at the 27th fraction (pCT versus 27th CBCT) was 0.77 with statistical significance (p-value = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference in DSC between the 1st fraction and any other fraction, except for the 27th fraction. There was statistically significant difference in AHD between the 1st fraction and the 19th, 23th, and 27th fractions (p-value < 0.05). In vivo measurements showed an average gamma passing rate of 90.54%. There was no significant difference between measurements at the 1st week and those at other weeks. The tongue geometry during RT was compared between pCT and CBCT. In conclusion, the novel tongue-positioning device was found to minimize interfractional variations in position and shape of the tongue.
Resilience of hospital and allied infrastructure during pandemic and post pandemic periods for maternal health care of pregnant women and infants in Tamil Nadu, India ‐ A counterfactual analysis
Authors: Paramasivan Kandaswamy , Prakash Ashwin , Gupta Sarthak , Phukan Bhairav , M.R. Pavithra , Venugopal Balaji
Published: September 2023

COVID-19 has impacted the healthcare system across the globe. The study will span three pandemic waves in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The goal is to learn how the pandemic affects antenatal care (ANC) and emergency delivery care for pregnant women in Tamil Nadu, India, and how medical services respond. The study employs counterfactual analysis to evaluate the causal impact of the pandemic. A feedforward in combination with a simple auto-regressive neural network (AR-Net) is used to predict the daily number of calls for ambulance services (CAS). Three categories of the daily CAS count between January 2016 and December 2022 are utilised. The total CAS includes all types of medical emergencies; the second group pertains to planned ANC for high-risk pregnant women and the third group comprises CAS from pregnant women for medical emergencies. The second wave’s infection and mortality rates were up to six times higher than the first. The phases in wave-II, post-wave-II, wave-III, and post-wave-III experienced a significant increase in both total IFT (inter-facility transfer) and total non-IFT calls covering all emergencies relative to the counterfactual, as evidenced by reported effect sizes of 1 and a range of 0.65 to 0.85, respectively. This highlights overwhelmed health services. In Tamil Nadu, neither emergency prenatal care nor planned prenatal care was affected by the pandemic. In contrast, the increase in actual emergency-related IFT calls during wave-II, post-wave-II, wave-III, and post-wave-III was 62%, 160%, 141%, and 165%, respectively, relative to the counterfactual. During the same time periods, the mean daily CAS related to prenatal care increased by 47%, 51%, 38%, and 38%, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels. The expansion of ambulance services and increased awareness of these services during wave II and the ensuing phases of Covid-19 pandemic have enhanced emergency care delivery for all, including obstetric and neonatal cohorts.
Dexamethasone treatment of murine auditory hair cells and cochlear explants attenuates tumor necrosis factor-α-initiated apoptotic damage
Authors: Kang Byung Chul , Yi Junyeong , Kim Song Hee , Pak Jhang Ho , Chung Jong Woo
Published: September 2023

The most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss is damage of auditory hair cells. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is closely associated with sensorineural hearing loss. The present study examined the preconditioning effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on TNF-α-induced ototoxicity in mouse auditory hair cells (HEI-OC1) and cochlear explants. Treatment of HEI-OC1 with 10 ng/ml TNF-α for 24 h decreased cell viability, increased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and induced caspase-mediated apoptotic signaling pathways. Pretreatment with 10 nM DEX for 6 h before TNF-α exposure restored cell viability, decreased ROS accumulation, and attenuated apoptotic signaling activation induced by TNF-α. Incubation of cochlear explants with 20 ng/ml TNF-α for 24 h resulted in significant loss of both inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) and an increase in apoptotic activation accessed by annexin V staining. The cochlear explants pre-incubated with 10 nM DEX attenuated TNF-α ototoxicity in both IHCs and OHCs and apoptotic cell death. These results indicated that DEX plays a protective role in ototoxicity induced by TNF-α through attenuation of caspase-dependent apoptosis signaling pathway and ROS accumulation.
Incentive strategy of dual innovation balance in green manufacturing innovation ecosystem: Based on hierarchical structure of innovation subject
Authors: Qin Hao , Zou Hua , Sun Jian
Published: September 2023

Exploratory innovation is a pivotal way to seize future opportunities in green manufacturing innovation ecosystems, and exploitative innovation is conducive to expanding existing markets and resources, so it is essential to discuss the balanced incentive strategy of dual innovation for the sustainable development of ecosystems. Based on the hierarchical structure, this paper divides the core subjects in the green manufacturing innovation ecosystem into the application layer, the support layer, and the scientific research layer, constructs the differential game model of the no-incentive scenario, the cost-sharing scenario, and the collaborative scenario, and discusses the incentive strategies of the three types of subjects and the ecosystem in the evolution process of the dual innovation balance. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The level of dual innovation balance effort of the three types of subjects decreases with the increase of resource costs and environmental construction costs and increases with the increase of innovation balance capacity; (2) Cost sharing from the application layer to the support layer and the scientific research layer can enhance the effort level of both, which in turn enhances the optimal benefits for the three types of subjects and the ecosystem as a whole; (3) In the collaborative scenario, the level of effort and total ecosystem benefits of the innovation balance of the three types of subjects are strictly better than in the no incentive scenario, and the Pareto-optimality of the three subjects and the ecosystem will be realized after the coefficients of the distribution of benefits among the three types of subjects are determined. Based on this, this paper puts forward specific suggestions for the optimization of the structural relationship of the innovation body hierarchy, the exploitation of green manufacturing resources, and the macro-planning of the management department.
The application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in chronic rhinosinusitis patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Yuqi , Fu Yijie , He Yuanqiong , Gong Xinru , Han Zhoutong , Fan Hongli , Zhu Tianmin , Li Hui
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has become extensively practiced and has shown encouraging benefits. Within recent years, ERAS has also been increasingly performed in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). However, the actual efficacy of ERAS in CRS patients undergoing ESS is not completely clear, and the related evidence remains weak. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ERAS in the perioperative management of CRS patients receiving ESS.

Methods

We searched randomized controlled trials in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Ovid, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, Wanfang, and VIP Database up to February 2023, to analyze the effectiveness and safety of ERAS in ESS perioperative management of CRS patients. We appraised the methodological quality in the included RCTs using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and assessed the quality of evidence with the Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were carried out with the the software Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0. In addition, potential publication bias was detected by Begg’s test, Egger’s test, and funnel plot test.

Results

Twenty-eight studies involving 2636 patients were included within this study. In comparison with the standard care (SC) group, the ERAS group had the advantages in the following aspects: length of stay (MD = -2.50, 95%CI: -3.04 to -1.97), pain scores (MD = -1.07, 95%CI: -1.46 to -0.67), anxiety score (SMD = -2.13, 95%CI: -2.83 to -1.44), depression score (SMD = -2.42, 95%CI: -3.13 to -1.71), hospitalization expenses, and quality of life. At the same time, the ERAS group presented a markedly lower incidence of adverse events in comparison to the SC group, such as overall complications (RR = 0.28, 95%CI:0.20 to 0.41), postoperative nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.33, 95%CI:0.21 to 0.50), facial edema (RR = 0.20, 95%CI:0.11 to 0.38), low back pain (RR = 0.28, 95%CI:0.16 to 0.49), urinary retention (RR = 0.12, 95%CI:0.05 to 0.30) and haemorrhage (RR = 0.19, 95%CI:0.07 to 0.55).

Conclusions

The results showed that the ERAS protocol is effective and safe in CRS patients who undergo ESS. However, Due to the limited overall methodological quality included studies, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of the results. More high-quality, multiple-centre, and large-sample studies are in demand in the future to further validate its clinical efficacy.
Object Artifacts, Image Artifacts and Conceptual Artifacts: Beyond the Object Into the Event
Authors: Smith Owen F.
Published: September 2023

When asked to respond to the question “what is an artifact?” I initially had several divergent responses. Because of my varied background and current position, I responded to thisquestion in three related but different ways: as an anthropologist (the area of my initial graduate training), as an art historian (the area of my Ph.D.), and as a professor of new media (my current position).
Friendly Alien: Object and Interface
Authors: Manovich Lev
Published: September 2023

Since 1996, artist Miltos Manetas has done paintings that systematically portray the new essential objects of contemporary life: joysticks, computers, computer game consoles, and computer cables (lots of them). Manetas also paints people who are usually intensely engaged in the activities made possible by consumer electronics devices, such as playing a computer game. But he never shows what games they are playing or what images they are looking at. Instead, he focuses on the humancomputer interface: hands clutching a joystick, a body stretched across the floor in the intense concentration or, alternatively, relaxing besides a laptop, a computer console, or a TV.
The Semantic Turn: A New Foundation for Design, Klaus Krippendorff (Routledge, 2005)
Authors: Ehn Pelle
Published: September 2023

Book Review
Process of soil salinization as a function of watermelon mineral fertilization
Authors: Costa Manoel Fernandes da , Silva Graciene de Souza , Albuquerque Junior Eden Cavalcanti de , Araújo Cícero Antônio de Sousa , Oliveira Fabio Freire de , Tavares Filho Gilberto Saraiva
Published: September 2023

The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) is a cucurbitaceous plant of great social and economic importance in Brazil, especially in the north-eastern region. However, anthropic actions through the practice of irrigation, fertigation and fertilization in an inadequate way, have potentiated the salinization of the soil becoming this one of the main factors that limit the production and the quality of the fruits. In this work, the effects of the application of mineral fertilization on the salinization of soil cultivated with watermelon were evaluated. The experiment was performed in the city of Petrolina-PE, with four repetitions, using five treatments: (T0) no fertilization, (T1) NPK fertilization, (T2) average dose of NPK practiced by producers, (T3) maximum dose of NPK from producers having potassium chloride as a source of potassium and (T4) maximum dose of NPK from producers having potassium sulfate as a source of potassium, at two different depths: 0.00 - 0.20 m and 0.20 - 0.60 m. The soil chemical attributes analyzed were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium. The increase in the continuous application of mineral fertilizers raised the electrical conductivity values of the soil to levels prejudicial to the crop.
Combined fertilization with nitrogen-potassium to mitigate salt stress in okra
Authors: Barros Sales Giuliana Naiara , Maria de Souza Silva Neta Alzira , Bezerra da Costa Franciscleudo , Soares de Lima Geovani , Souto Ribeiro Wellington , Silva Toshik Iarley da , De Medeiros Lima Brencarla , Esfrain Pereira Walter
Published: September 2023

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is sensitive to the salinity of water and soil, a common abiotic stress in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil; however, such sensitivity is variable with water management in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the fertilization with nitrogen-potassium combinations in okra cultivated under salt stress. Photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, growth and fruit quality were evaluated. Fertilization with N1:K1 (40% N + 40% K2O) reduced the damage caused by salt stress and increased the chlorophyll contents, while the application of N4:K4 (130% N + 100% K2O) decreased the damage caused by salt stress and increased the carotenoid contents. The combination of N:K fertilization did not affect gas exchange, however, salt stress decreased these variables. Fertilization with N2:K2 (70% N + 60% K2O) reduced the damage caused by salt stress and increased the leaf area of okra. In addition, salt stress decreased the number of fruits and increased the fresh mass of okra fruits. The N:K fertilization also reduced the damage caused by salt stress and in the soluble solids content, titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, and ascorbic acid content. Thus, N:K fertilization can be seen as an important agronomic strategy to improve the performance of okra quality subjected to saline conditions.
Jambu production (Acmella oleracea [(L.) R. K. Jansen]) using different organic fertilizers at planting and as top dressing
Authors: Nepomuceno Alves Thatiane , Cardoso Antonio Ismael Inácio , Carvalho Joseantonio Ribeiro de , Nordi Nicholas Taborda , Oliveira Marcelo Munhoz Venâncio de , Silva Irene Santos Slusarz da , Guedes Politon Thiago Pereira
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different forms of application (before planting and as top dressing) of organic fertilizers, namely castor bean cake and hoof and horn powder, on the production of jambu plants. The experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of São Manuel, SP, and at the 'Estância Três Nascentes' site in Botucatu, SP. Seven treatments were evaluated in a 2 x 3 + 1 factorial design, with two organic fertilizers, castor bean cake (CBC) and hoof and horn powder (HHP), and three forms of application (100% before planting, 100% as top dressing, and 50% before planting + 50% as top dressing), plus a control treatment. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Plant height, number of inflorescences (NI), fresh weight of inflorescences (FWI), fresh weight of vegetative parts (FWVP), and total fresh weight (TFW) were evaluated at each location. In São Manuel, there was a difference between fertilizers in the forms of application, 100% before planting and 50% before planting + 50% as top dressing, for FWVP and for TFW only in the first form. In Botucatu, HHP resulted in higher NI when applied 100% before planting and FWVP and TFW between fertilizers when applied 100% as top dressing. The increases compared to the control, with HHP and CBC, were 81%, 83%, 168%, 83%, and 95% in São Manuel and 19%, 42%, 316%, 56%, and 67%, in Botucatu, for plant height, NI, FWI, FWVP, and TFW, respectively, confirming the importance of supplementing base fertilization with organic compounds.
Supersequência Bauru (Cretáceo da Bacia do Paraná): Revisão estratigráfica com base em dados paleontológicos recentes
Authors: Arai Mitsuru , Dias-Brito Dimas
Published: September 2023

A Supersequência Bauru (SB), com cerca de 300 m no depocentro principal, refere-se ao pacote sedimentar continental cretáceo da Bacia do Paraná, incluindo os grupos Caiuá e Bauru. Estudos de superfície e de subsuperfície subdividiram a SB em várias unidades litoestratigráficas, mas seu arcabouço estratigráfico permanece instável, havendo, ademais, precária ponte entre a litoestratigrafia e a biocronologia, que é marcada por conflitos decorrentes de divergências taxonômicas. Discutimos este problema à luz de recentes dados palinológicos amarrados à bioestratigrafia aplicada ao Cretáceo das bacias costeiras do Brasil e de outras informações paleontológicas. O Grupo Caiuá é aqui atribuído ao Aptiano–Albiano. O Grupo Bauru, que tem na sua base sedimentos fluviais da Formação Santo Anastácio (Coniaciano?), apresenta em seu corpo lítico principal as formações Adamantina, Araçatuba, Uberaba, São Carlos, Itaqueri, Marília e Serra da Galga. Neste corpo, estudos palinológicos identificaram sedimentos neossantonianos e eocampanianos, respectivamente nas formações São Carlos e Araçatuba; a micropaleontologia de carófitas e ostracodes indicaram estratos maastrichtianos (neomaastrichtianos?) na Formação Serra da Galga. A combinação de tais datações com o arranjo estratigráfico-espacial das unidades permite-nos inferir uma idade neossantoniana–eocampaniana para as formações Adamantina e Uberaba e maastrichtiana para as formações Marília e Serra da Galga. Não se descarta que estratos santonianos mais velhos, ou mesmo pré-santonianos, componham as formações Adamantina/Araçatuba. A Formação Itaqueri, seguramente pós-santoniana, é tentativamente vinculada ao intervalo Campaniano inferior–médio. Cinco discordâncias erosivas, delimitando quatro sequências, associam-se à SB: a superfície da base, Pré-Caiuá, e os topos do Grupo Caiuá e das formações Santo Anastácio, Adamantina/Uberaba/Itaqueri e Marília/Serra da Galga. As lacunas temporais entre essas unidades são incertas pela imprecisão na datação do Santo Anastácio. O hiato máximo pré-Marília/Serra da Galga envolveria o intervalo Mesocampaniano a Eomaastrichtiano.
Optimizing the Management Algorithm for Adults With Functional Constipation Failing a Fiber/Laxative Trial in General Gastroenterology: Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Minimization Analysis
Authors: Shah Eric D. , Ahuja Nitin K. , Brenner Darren M. , Chan Walter W. , Curley Michael A. , Nee Judy , Iturrino-Moreda Johanna , Staller Kyle , Saini Sameer D. , Chey William D.
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Anorectal function testing is traditionally relegated to subspecialty centers. Yet, it is an office-based procedure that appears capable of triaging care for the many patients with Rome IV functional constipation that fail empiric over-the-counter therapy in general gastroenterology, as an alternative to empirical prescription drugs. We aimed to evaluate cost-effectiveness of routine anorectal function testing in this specific population.

METHODS:

We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis from the patient perspective and a cost-minimization analysis from the insurer perspective to compare 3 strategies: (i) empiric prescription drugs followed by pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) for drug failure, (ii) empiric PFPT followed by prescription drugs for PFPT failure, or (iii) care directed by up-front anorectal function testing. Model inputs were derived from systematic reviews of prospective clinical trials, national cost data sets, and observational cohort studies of the impact of chronic constipation on health outcomes, healthcare costs, and work productivity.

RESULTS:

The most cost-effective strategy was upfront anorectal function testing to triage patients to appropriate therapy, in which the subset of patients without anal hypocontractility on anorectal manometry and with a balloon expulsion time of at least 6.5 seconds would be referred to PFPT. In sensitivity analysis, empiric PFPT was more cost effective than empiric prescription drugs except for situations in which the primary goal of treatment was to increase bowel movement frequency. If adopted, gastroenterologists would refer ∼17 patients per year to PFPT, supporting feasibility.

DISCUSSION:

Anorectal function testing seems to be an emergent technology to optimize cost-effective outcomes, overcoming testing costs by phenotyping care.
Incidencia del pelagianismo en la hermenéutica agustiniana de Is 10,23
Authors: D'Andrea Bruno Nicolás
Published: September 2023

El siguiente artículo busca mostrar los resultados de una investigación en torno a la interpretación agustiniana de Is 10,23 LXX, texto citado por Pablo en Rom 9,28. Los diversos contextos en los que aparece la cita isaiana dentro de la producción agustiniana permiten descubrir algunas constantes en la interpretación, así como una evolución referida al tema de la gracia en contexto antipelagiano. La palabra abreviada de la que habla el profeta Isaías será identificada por Agustín como el doble mandamiento del amor, cuyo cumplimiento se debe al obrar libre del ser humano ayudado por la gracia de Dios.
Ciencias de la educación abiertas
Authors: Vallejo-Sierra Ruth-Helena , Pirela-Morillo Johann-Enrique , Tunjano-Huertas Wilintong
Published: September 2023

En la actualidad, la investigación educativa enfrenta diferentes cambios. Uno de los más urgentes es la articulación con los principios y criterios de la ciencia abierta, los cuales pretenden ampliar los modelos, escenarios y plataformas relacionadas con la producción, circulación, uso y transferencia del conocimiento educativo. Para aproximarse al panorama actual y establecer algunas proyecciones para Colombia, se analizaron los resultados de la investigación “prácticas de ciencia abierta de los investigadores colombianos” particularmente de los 122 investigadores en las ciencias de la educación, Se encontró que, en el diseño de investigaciones, especialmente se consulta información en recursos abiertos. Y bajos porcentajes en relación con la construcción de agendas investigativas en conjunto con las comunidades y las instituciones. En el diseño de la metodología, se reportan bajos porcentajes de réplica de métodos y técnicas investigativas. La gestión de datos es una de las prácticas con resultados más bajos, así como la comunicación pública de la ciencia. Las conclusiones colocan el acento en potenciar la ciencia abierta en: los procesos de formación de los actores de la ciencia, en todo el ciclo educativo especialmente en la enseñanza de la investigación y las vocaciones científica, y en los procesos de reconocimiento de los proyectos curriculares de todas las áreas de conocimiento.
»Sensomotorische Assessment Physiotherapie« (SeMo-P)
Authors: Stürner J. , Liepert J.
Published: September 2023

Für eine möglichst standardisierte Befundung, Zielformulierung und Verlaufskontrolle in der Physiotherapie ist eine regelmäßige Assessmenterhebung von großer Bedeutung. Viele der bereits bestehenden Assessments sind mit schwer betroffenen Patienten jedoch häufig nur eingeschränkt durchführbar oder es treten Decken- bzw. Bodeneffekte auf. Um dem entgegenzuwirken, wurde speziell für schwer betroffene Patienten das »Sensomotorische Assessment Physiotherapie« entwickelt. Dieses besteht aus drei Teilen, welche Auskunft über die Sensomotorik der getesteten Personen liefern sollen. In diesem Artikel werden die Entwicklung des Assessments beschrieben und die Ergebnisse einer Machbarkeitsstudie dargestellt. Schlüsselwörter: neurologisch-neurochirurgische Frührehabilitation, Phase B, Physiotherapie, Sensomotorik, sensomotorisches Assessment
Vaping Associated Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A Clinical and Radiologic Mimicker of COVID-19
Authors: Bonnier Alyssa , Nida Anum , Chong Woon Hean , Saha Santu , Saha Biplab K.
Published: September 2023

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare cause of respiratory failure. It is primarily a disease of smokers, either a new smoker or an existing one with a recent increase in cigarette consumption. Other risk factors include toxic gas exposure, inhalational illicit drugs, and smoking marijuana. AEP has also been reported in patients with e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury (EVALI). We present the case of a 20-year-old male who presented to the hospital with acute respiratory failure. The patient has been vaping heavily for the past three months and started smoking three days before presenting to the emergency department. He was hypertensive, tachycardic, tachypneic, and required high-flow nasal cannula to maintain SpO2 > 92%. His condition deteriorated in the first 24 hours following hospitalization requiring noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed an eosinophil count of 36%. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology revealed lipid-laden macrophages. He was diagnosed with AEP due to EVALI, and the patient was treated with high dose corticosteroid with subsequent improvement. Before the bronchoscopic evaluation, the clinical and radiologic findings were consistent with COVID-19, and the patient was tested twice for SARS-CoV-2 PCR. In the appropriate clinical setting, AEP should be considered in the differential diagnoses of community-acquired pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and COVID-19, especially in this pandemic era.
Osteomyelitis and Thrombosis in a Newborn with Group A Streptococcus Infection
Authors: Mitsiakos Georgios , Gialamprinou Dimitra , Tsakalidis Christos , Babatseva Evgenia , Lithoxopoulou Maria , Diamanti Elisavet
Published: September 2023

Neonatal osteomyelitis (OM), although exceptionally rare, has been linked to detrimental sequel, as diagnosis in the early stages is challenging and any delay in treatment can lead to disturbance in skeletal growth. In pediatric OM the most commonly grown bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus followed by group A Streptococcus (GAS). Notwithstanding, sepsis-induced coagulopathy is a well-known entity in children and adults, still sepsis-associated thrombosis is sparsely observed. we present a case of a newborn with GAS associated OM and thrombosis. A term neonate on the 11th day of life was referred to our NICU due to right (R) lower limb edema, cyanosis and core temperature up to 39 °C. Late onset sepsis was suspected and started on vancomycin and amikacin. A colour Doppler scan showed thrombosis of the R common femoral vein. The neonate started on iv unfractionated heparin. Ampicillin was added given positive for GAS blood culture. An MRI on the 5th day of admission, showed evidence of thrombosis resolution. On the 14th day of admission, a bone Tc99 scan showed evidence of OM of R femur. Antibiotic treatment switched to amoxicillin per os. The management was restricted to anticoagulant therapy with low molecular weight heparin for 3 months and antibiotic therapy for 6 months without surgery intervention and the patient recovered and discharged at 42 days of age. Early diagnosis and treatment of neonatal osteomyelitis can prevent bone destruction. Sepsis-associated thrombosis is barely observed during osteomyelitis, yet it should be considered as an emerged case requiring prompt treatment.
Dydaktyka technologiczna i ukryty program kształcenia na łamach czasopism „Polonistyka” i „Matematyka” z lat 1945–1961
Authors: Jasiński Krzysztof , Kopacz Agnieszka
Published: September 2023

The text presents an analysis of two magazines: “Polish Studies” and “Mathematics”, from the point of view of technological teaching and hidden concealed curriculum of the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic in 1945–1956. As previous studies indicate, the assumptions of both concepts are consistent with the educational policy in that time but an analysis of the specific titles in this regard has been rarely carried out.The article consists of a theoretical part with a definition of the concepts necessary to understand the topic, and outlines the historical context. It is followed by a research part presenting the methodology of the research and a description of selected texts. They open the way for the development of subsequent annuals and a systematic comparative analysis.
O szkolnictwie zawodowym Krakowa w zasobach archiwalnych Lwowa. Stan i perspektywa badań
Authors: Ślęczka Ryszard
Published: September 2023

The paper focuses on research into vocational education in Krakow. The state of the art as well as the perspectives are presented. The main part provides a detailed analysis of the historical materials collected in Ukraine’s Central State Historical Archives in Lviv with enormous resources titled the National School Board. The achievements of the Polish sustem of education, specifically the development of vocational schools in Krakow,  are presented in details based on these resources.  A general overview shows the cognitive value of the specific collections (sets) in relation to one of the most important scientific and educational centres in Galicia in southern Poland.
Education in Teschen Silesia from 1848 to 1914
Authors: Zormanova Lucie
Published: September 2023

The article focuses on the development of national education, Polish and Czech, in the territory of Teschen Silesia in 1848–1914 The first part of the article deals with the demographic changes that occurred at this time in the region, along with the development of industry. Moreover, the national issue and the national consciousness of the population are presented. In its second part, the article deals with the development of Polish and Czech education in the area, from preparatory high schools to secondary schools.
Historia edukacji osób autystycznych w Polsce na tle zmian zachodzących wokół zaburzenia ze spektrum autyzmu
Authors: Buława-Halasz Joanna
Published: September 2023

The text is an attempt to organize the knowledge about the history of education of autistic persons in Poland, and to present this process against the background of changes taking place around the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The three most important events in this area are: the new conceptualization of this disorder in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, the implementation to the standard of education of teachersmajoring in the education and therapy of persons with the autism spectrum disorder, and the demise of Professor Tadeusz Gałkowski, a researcher and activist who was the first to recognise this disorder in Poland.
Dążenia kobiet do dostępu do edukacji akademickiej na ziemiach polskich na przełomie XIX i XX wieku
Authors: Pawlicka Natalia
Published: September 2023

The purpose of the article is to present women’s aspirations for access to academic education in Poland at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.Educational inequalities accompanied women at all levels of education. However, the biggest problems were encountered by women in pursuit of tertiary education. It was this path of development that was inaccessible to them for the longest time in Poland. The difficult economic situation of Poles during the Partitions over time forced the society to slowly change the thinking and approach to the academic and professional activity of women. Due to the lack of opportunities to study in the partitioned area, the only possibility for Polish women to study at a higher level was academic emigration. The most common destinations were Switzerland, France, and, in the last decade of the 19th century, also Belgium. The beginnings of the practical struggle for access to tertiary education by women date back to 1892–1910. At this time, emancipation associations were involved in petitioning university authorities to grant women permission to study.This article is an attempt to trace the educational possibilities of women in Poland, with special emphasis placed on women’s aspirations to access academic education at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The article uses the methods of historical and pedagogical research and text analysis.
Badania jakościowe w glottodydaktyce. Analiza ilościowa badań prezentowanych na łamach „Neofilologa” (2012–2021)
Authors: Smuk Maciej
Published: September 2023

The article is devoted to the application of qualitative research in glottodidactics. In the first part of the text I recall the features of qualitative orientation, and then I present recommendations for the use of some methods and techniques: observation (self-observation, learner diary), interviews (focus groups), questionnaires. Other methods – narrative research, didactic dialogue, duoethnography, etc. – are only mentioned at the end. In the second part, I present the qualitative projects that were published in the journal “Neofilolog” in 2012–2021. Several aspects are analyzed: research methods/techniques used, research groups, specific methodological tendencies, topics and issues of the research. In the conclusion, I answer two questions: what contexts are too rarely studied and what types of research are missing.
In-service teachers’ interpretative repertoires about language: The teacher promotion examination context
Authors: Werbińska Dorota
Published: September 2023

While studies on interpretative repertoires have been conducted in SLA, this is still a fairly new topic with regard to language teachers. Due to various contextual differences, teachers’ interpretative repertoires change, which also seems a sufficient reason why they should be investigated on a regular basis. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse Polish in-service teachers’ (n=48) interpretative repertoires concerning language which emerged in the teachers’ discourses in the context of their taking a promotion examination. Acknowledging the complexity of this issue, interpretative repertoires, including the SLA studies devoted to identifying them, are first discussed, followed by a description of the study. In terms of methodology, the author’s field notes for data collection were used. The data were coded following the content analysis approach, and 6 conceptualizations of language emerged: language as system, language as communication, language as culture, but also as translanguaging, as preparation for exam, and as life preparation. The findings can be used to adopt new directions in future research on Polish teachers’ language-based interpretative repertoires. The study may also provide information for school policies and practice.
Fremdsprachenlehrerausbildung in Zeiten der Coronapandemie: Microteaching im digitalen Format
Authors: Hedžić Lara
Published: September 2023

Microteaching as a specific method in foreign language teacher education in which theoretical knowledge is put into practice, offers prospective teachers systematic, small-step and practice-oriented training of teaching behaviour and teaching skills in the form of classical microteaching (practical exercises in small groups of students), or peer teaching (training in small groups of fellow students). Due to the pandemic-related switch to digital teaching formats in university foreign language teacher training, microteaching also had to be moved from the traditional classroom to the digital space and had to face completely new challenges. The paper aims to explore the method of microteaching from a theoretical and empirical perspective and to demonstrate its possibilities and limitations in the digital format, using the example of a microteaching course with students at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results of a survey among future teachers of German as a foreign language on the effectiveness of microteaching in the digital format in the times of the coronavirus pandemic will be presented.
The use of lexical retrieval strategies by creative second language learners: A computational analysis of clustering and switching
Authors: Fernández-Fontecha Almudena , Ryan James
Published: September 2023

This study seeks to delve into the potential role of divergent thinking, a component of creativity, in second language learning. Specifically, we compare the use of lexical organization and production strategies of two groups of more and less creative EFL learners in year 12 through an automatic vectorial semantic analysis of their retrieval in three second language semantic fluency tasks. Consistent with previous research in the field of creativity, our findings indicate that the creative group retrieved more second language words than the less creative group. These words were less related to each other and to the stimulus categories than the words generated by the less creative group. While the creative participants’ retrieval was based on an extensive use of switching, a slight but non-significant trend was found in the production of longer clusters by the less creative participants. These results yield interesting insights into the potential role of creativity in second language learning.
Exploring collocation development in L2 German from students’ perspective: A contrasting case study
Authors: Boone Griet , Eyckmans June
Published: September 2023

Despite the growing body of studies on collocation learning in SLA research, there are hardly any studies taking the perspective of the individual learner or studies that have examined the effect of individual differences. This study–a qualitative component of a mixed-methods longitudinal project–presents an in-depth exploration of the intro- and retrospective views of five Dutch-speaking L2 students of German on their 3-year collocation learning process. It focuses on the individual factors that enhanced or hindered L2 collocation development, and on the extent to which effective and less effective collocation learners differed regarding their L2 motivation, exposure and use, learning experience, and learning strategies. Extreme sampling strategy was used and five contrasting cases of learners were selected (three effective versus two less effective collocation learners). Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and learners’ written reflections on five specific collocations. Findings indicate that the effective collocation learners showed a higher intrinsic motivation, more engagement in informal learning activities, more extensive social interaction in the L2, more awareness towards collocations, a higher degree of self-regulation, and a higher number of learning strategies than the less effective collocation learners. Based on these findings, pedagogical implications are provided.
Foundational principles of task-based language teaching
Authors: Wang Qiong
Published: September 2023

Since its emergence in the 1980s, task-based language teaching (TBLT) has been regarded as a language pedagogy that fosters genuine communication and has the capacity to cultivate learners’ communicative competence. Consequently, TBLT research has become a vibrant and evolving field with numerous researchers exploring its theoretical foundations and gathering empirical evidence to support or challenge its effectiveness as a language teaching approach (e.g., Ellis, 2017; Erlam, 2016). In his recent publication, Foundational Principles of Task-based Language Teaching, Martin East adeptly navigates through the theoretical bases, implementation and assessment of TBLT. By delving into the book, readers will embark on a journey of deepening their understanding of TBLT while gaining valuable insights that inform pedagogical decisions and advance research within this domain.
Effects of eccentric contraction on force enhancement in rat fast‐twitch muscle
Authors: Shi Jiayu , Wada Masanobu
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of eccentric contraction (ECC) on force enhancement in rat fast‐twitch skeletal muscle. Gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles were subjected to 200 ECCs in situ by electrical stimulation. Immediately before and after the stimulation, isometric torque produced by ankle flexion was measured at an ankle angle of 90°. After the second torque measurement, the superficial regions of the muscles were dissected and subjected to biochemical and skinned fiber analysis. ECC did not induce changes in the amount of degraded titin. After ECC, isometric torques in the GAS muscles were markedly reduced, especially at low stimulation frequency. ECC increased passive torque in whole muscle and passive force in skinned fibers. Passive force enhancement and the ratio of passive force to the maximal Ca2+‐activated force, but not residual force enhancement, were augmented in the skinned fibers subjected to ECC. An ECC‐induced increase in titin‐based stiffness may contribute to the increased PFE. These results suggest that skeletal muscle is endowed with a force potentiation system that can attenuate ECC‐induced force reductions.
Immediate stabilization of pedicle screws
Authors: Wild Michael de , Zimmermann Simon , Klein Karina , Steffen Thomas , Schlottig Falko , Hasler Carol , Rechenberg Brigitte von
Published: September 2023

This study was designed as proof of principle and safety test of the novel technique, the Immediate Stabilization System (ISS). The technique is designed to immediately stabilize polymer-augmented pedicle screws (PAS) in deficient bone and avoid complications of loosening pedicle screws at the bone-screw interface, especially in osteoporotic patients. A polymer sleeve was designed as augmentation to improve screw anchorage after drilling the screw hole. By applying ultrasonic energy, the polymeric tube was molded into the pores of the host bone forming a strong and uniform bond with the adjacent bone. The original screw was then implanted into the denser bony environment leading to an enhanced immediate stability. The ISS-treated implants were compared to conventionally placed pedicle screws in ex-vivo cadaver bones (2 sheep spines, n = 6 implants per spine, total 12 screws) and in-vivo in a spinal sheep model (Swiss alpine sheep, n = 5, 4 implants per animal, total 20 screws). The primary stability of ISS-treated pedicle screws was increased in ex-vivo bone (+24% insertion torque (IT)) and in-vivo (+32.9% IT) in sheep spine. Removal torque (RT) was lower in the in PAS tested for 8 weeks in-vivo. The ISS technology demonstrated improved anchorage of pedicle screws in ex-vivo cadaver bones as well as in-vivo studies in sheep spine.
Roadmap to Approval of a Digital Health Application
Authors: Ataiy Omed , Shamal Sultana , Sohrabi Keywan , Scholtes Michael , Gross Volker
Published: September 2023

Digital health applications are digital medical products (e.g. apps, web applications) that are prescribed to insured persons by physicians or psychotherapists and reimbursed by health insurances. For manufacturers, fulfilling the regulatory requirements for approval of a digital health application is challenging. This can be seen in the number of pulled and rejected applications from manufacturers for listing in the register of digital health applications. As of May 2022, a total of 61 applications have been pulled back by manufacturers and 8 have received negative decisions from the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Manufacturers want support to fulfill the requirements for approval of a digital health application. Based on a literature review and a sighting of relevant regulations, a roadmap was developed to represent the approval process for a digital health application to manufacturers in a visual and simplified flowchart. The roadmap consists for example the submission of the application, the verification of the application and listing of the digital health application in the register. The roadmap simplifies the approval process of a digital health application, enables early identification of requirements, and helps determine the right strategy. A field trial is essential to confirm its effectiveness and improvements are needed based on feedback. The roadmap is being tested with startups and small businesses to evaluate its applicability in different contexts.
Delineating QRS detector parameter based ECG-Beat classification
Authors: Hirnschrodt Michael , Hintermüller Christoph , Blessberger Hermann , Steinwender Clemens
Published: September 2023

The electrocardiogram is a very valuable clinical tool which allows to retrieve information about the presence and location of arrhythmic foci as well as ischemic and scar tissue and disorder’s of the dedicated cardiac conduction system. In the presented study timing parameters computed by a delineating beat detector for identifying the P-Wave, QRS - complex and T-Wave are used to classify the individual beats. From a set of total 419 feature generated from these parameters 64 are used to train LDA classifier for discriminating 3 classes (Normal, Artifact, Arrhythmic) and 5 Classes (Normal, Artifact, Atrial and ventricular premature contractions and bundle branch blocks). Further it is investigated how the imbalance between normal beats and arrhythmic beats as well as the beats missed by the beat detector affect the classification results. In the case of 5 classes accuracies of 97.52 % in the imbalanced case and 96.38 r for the balanced data were obtained. For 3 classes accuracies of 97.76 % and 95.18 % were achieved. Considering in addition the beats missed by the detector the accuracies dropped to 96.68 %, and 95.54 % for 5 classes and 95.54 % and 96.92 % for 3 classes. These values are within the ranges for linear classifier reported in literature. This is quite promising for implementing a real-time classifier which exploits the parameters and values computed by the beat detector.