bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative study exploring approaches, barriers, and facilitators of the HIV partner notification program in Kerman, Iran
Authors: Tavakoli Fatemeh , Dehghan Mahlagha , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Mirzazadeh Ali , Gouya Mohammad Mehdi , Sharifi Hamid
Published: May 2024

Background

HIV partner notification services can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to identify, locate, and inform their sexual and injecting partners who are exposed to HIV and refer them for proper and timely counseling and testing. To what extent these services were used by PLHIV and what are the related barriers and facilitators in southeast Iran are not known. So, this study aimed to explore HIV notification and its barriers and facilitators among PLHIV in Iran.

Methods

In this qualitative study, the number of 23 participants were recruited from November 2022 to February 2023 including PLHIV (N = 12), sexual partners of PLHIV (N = 5), and staff members (N = 6) of a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center in Kerman located in the southeast of Iran. Our data collection included purposive sampling to increase variation. The content analysis was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. The analysis yielded 221 (out of 322) related codes related to HIV notification, its barriers, and its facilitators. These codes were further categorized into one main category with three categories and nine sub-categories.

Results

The main category was HIV notification approaches, HIV notification barriers, and facilitators. HIV notification approaches were notification through clear, and direct conversation, notification through gradual preparation and reassurance, notification due to being with PLHIV, notification through suspicious talking of the physician, and notification due to the behavior of others. Also, the barriers were classified into individual, social, and environmental, and healthcare system barriers and the facilitators were at PLHIV, healthcare staff, and community levels. Stigma was a barrier mentioned by most participants. Also, the main facilitator of HIV notification was social support, especially from the family side.

Conclusions

The findings highlighted the multidimensionality of HIV notification emphasizing the importance of tailored support and education to enhance the notification process for PLHIV and their networks. Also, our results show that despite all the efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination in recent years, stigma still exists as a main obstacle to disclosing HIV status and other barriers are the product of stigma. It seems that all programs should be directed towards destigmatization.
Identification of prognostic stemness-related genes in kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yifan , Yao Yuntao , Zhang Yu , Xu Chengdang , Yang Tianyue , Qu Mingyu , Lu Bingnan , Song Xu , Pan Xiuwu , Zhou Wang , Cui Xingang
Published: May 2024

Background

Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) is the second most prevalent malignant cancer originating from the renal epithelium. Nowadays, cancer stem cells and stemness-related genes (SRGs) are revealed to play important roles in the carcinogenesis and metastasis of various tumors. Consequently, we aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms of SRGs in KIRP.

Methods

RNA-seq profiles of 141 KIRP samples were downloaded from the TCGA database, based on which we calculated the mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi). Next, we selected the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between low- and high-mRNAsi groups. Then, we utilized weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and univariate Cox analysis to identify prognostic SRGs. Afterwards, SRGs were included in the multivariate Cox regression analysis to establish a prognostic model. In addition, a regulatory network was constructed by Pearson correlation analysis, incorporating key genes, upstream transcription factors (TFs), and downstream signaling pathways. Finally, we used Connectivity map analysis to identify the potential inhibitors.

Results

In total, 1124 genes were characterized as DEGs between low- and high-RNAsi groups. Based on six prognostic SRGs (CCKBR, GPR50, GDNF, SPOCK3, KC877982.1, and MYO15A), a prediction model was established with an area under curve of 0.861. Furthermore, among the TFs, genes, and signaling pathways that had significant correlations, the CBX2-ASPH-Notch signaling pathway was the most significantly correlated. Finally, resveratrol might be a potential inhibitor for KIRP.

Conclusions

We suggested that CBX2 could regulate ASPH through activation of the Notch signaling pathway, which might be correlated with the carcinogenesis, development, and unfavorable prognosis of KIRP.
The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms within type 1 interferon pathway genes and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral load in antiretroviral-naïve participants
Authors: Mørup Sara Bohnstedt , Leung Preston , Reilly Cavan , Sherman Brad T. , Chang Weizhong , Milojevic Maja , Milinkovic Ana , Liappis Angelike , Borgwardt Line , Petoumenos Kathy , Paredes Roger , Mistry Shweta S. , MacPherson Cameron R. , Lundgren Jens , Helleberg Marie , Reekie Joanne , Murray Daniel D. ,   for the INSIGHT FIRST and START study groups
Published: May 2024

Background

Human genetic contribution to HIV progression remains inadequately explained. The type 1 interferon (IFN) pathway is important for host control of HIV and variation in type 1 IFN genes may contribute to disease progression. This study assessed the impact of variations at the gene and pathway level of type 1 IFN on HIV-1 viral load (VL).

Methods

Two cohorts of antiretroviral (ART) naïve participants living with HIV (PLWH) with either early (START) or advanced infection (FIRST) were analysed separately. Type 1 IFN genes (n = 17) and receptor subunits (IFNAR1, IFNAR2) were examined for both cumulated type 1 IFN pathway analysis and individual gene analysis. SKAT-O was applied to detect associations between the genotype and HIV-1 study entry viral load (log10 transformed) as a proxy for set point VL; P-values were corrected using Bonferroni (P < 0.0025).

Results

The analyses among those with early infection included 2429 individuals from five continents. The median study entry HIV VL was 14,623 (IQR 3460–45100) copies/mL. Across 673 SNPs within 19 type 1 IFN genes, no significant association with study entry VL was detected. Conversely, examining individual genes in START showed a borderline significant association between IFNW1, and study entry VL (P = 0.0025). This significance remained after separate adjustments for age, CD4+ T-cell count, CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio and recent infection. When controlling for population structure using linear mixed effects models (LME), in addition to principal components used in the main model, this was no longer significant (p = 0.0244). In subgroup analyses stratified by geographical region, the association between IFNW1 and study entry VL was only observed among African participants, although, the association was not significant when controlling for population structure using LME. Of the 17 SNPs within the IFNW1 region, only rs79876898 (A > G) was associated with study entry VL (p = 0.0020, beta = 0.32; G associated with higher study entry VL than A) in single SNP association analyses. The findings were not reproduced in FIRST participants.

Conclusion

Across 19 type 1 IFN genes, only IFNW1 was associated with HIV-1 study entry VL in a cohort of ART-naïve individuals in early stages of their infection, however, this was no longer significant in sensitivity analyses that controlled for population structures using LME.
Context-informed incremental learning improves both the performance and resilience of myoelectric control
Authors: Campbell Evan , Eddy Ethan , Bateman Scott , Côté-Allard Ulysse , Scheme Erik
Published: May 2024

Despite its rich history of success in controlling powered prostheses and emerging commercial interests in ubiquitous computing, myoelectric control continues to suffer from a lack of robustness. In particular, EMG-based systems often degrade over prolonged use resulting in tedious recalibration sessions, user frustration, and device abandonment. Unsupervised adaptation is one proposed solution that updates a model’s parameters over time based on its own predictions during real-time use to maintain robustness without requiring additional user input or dedicated recalibration. However, these strategies can actually accelerate performance deterioration when they begin to classify (and thus adapt) incorrectly, defeating their own purpose. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel adaptive learning strategy, Context-Informed Incremental Learning (CIIL), that leverages in situ context to better inform the prediction of pseudo-labels. In this work, we evaluate these CIIL strategies in an online target acquisition task for two use cases: (1) when there is a lack of training data and (2) when a drastic and enduring alteration in the input space has occurred. A total of 32 participants were evaluated across the two experiments. The results show that the CIIL strategies significantly outperform the current state-of-the-art unsupervised high-confidence adaptation and outperform models trained with the conventional screen-guided training approach, even after a 45-degree electrode shift (p < 0.05). Consequently, CIIL has substantial implications for the future of myoelectric control, potentially reducing the training burden while bolstering model robustness, and leading to improved real-time control.
Detecting the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with non-standard video
Authors: Mifsud Joseph , Embry Kyle R. , Macaluso Rebecca , Lonini Luca , Cotton R. James , Simuni Tanya , Jayaraman Arun
Published: May 2024

Background

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), necessitate frequent clinical visits and monitoring to identify changes in motor symptoms and provide appropriate care. By applying machine learning techniques to video data, automated video analysis has emerged as a promising approach to track and analyze motor symptoms, which could facilitate more timely intervention. However, existing solutions often rely on specialized equipment and recording procedures, which limits their usability in unstructured settings like the home. In this study, we developed a method to detect PD symptoms from unstructured videos of clinical assessments, without the need for specialized equipment or recording procedures.

Methods

Twenty-eight individuals with Parkinson’s disease completed a video-recorded motor examination that included the finger-to-nose and hand pronation-supination tasks. Clinical staff provided ground truth scores for the level of Parkinsonian symptoms present. For each video, we used a pre-existing model called PIXIE to measure the location of several joints on the person’s body and quantify how they were moving. Features derived from the joint angles and trajectories, designed to be robust to recording angle, were then used to train two types of machine-learning classifiers (random forests and support vector machines) to detect the presence of PD symptoms.

Results

The support vector machine trained on the finger-to-nose task had an F1 score of 0.93 while the random forest trained on the same task yielded an F1 score of 0.85. The support vector machine and random forest trained on the hand pronation-supination task had F1 scores of 0.20 and 0.33, respectively.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the feasibility of developing video analysis tools to track motor symptoms across variable perspectives. These tools do not work equally well for all tasks, however. This technology has the potential to overcome barriers to access for many individuals with degenerative neurological diseases like PD, providing them with a more convenient and timely method to monitor symptom progression, without requiring a structured video recording procedure. Ultimately, more frequent and objective home assessments of motor function could enable more precise telehealth optimization of interventions to improve clinical outcomes inside and outside of the clinic.
Three-dimensional printed custom-made modular talus prosthesis in patients with talus malignant tumor resection
Authors: He Xuanhong , Lu Minxun , Zou Chang , Li Zhuangzhuang , Gong Taojun , Kenmegne Guy Romeo , Wang Yitian , Luo Yi , Zhou Yong , Min Li , Tu Chongqi
Published: May 2024

Background

Talar malignant tumor is extremely rare. Currently, there are several alternative management options for talus malignant tumor including below-knee amputation, tibio-calcaneal arthrodesis, and homogenous bone transplant while their shortcomings limited the clinical application. Three-dimensional (3D) printed total talus prosthesis in talus lesion was reported as a useful method to reconstruct talus, however, most researches are case reports and its clinical effect remains unclear. Therefore, the current study was to explore the application of 3D printed custom-made modular prosthesis in talus malignant tumor.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the patients who received the 3D printed custom-made modular prosthesis treatment due to talus malignant tumor in our hospital from February 2016 to December 2021. The patient's clinical data such as oncology outcome, operation time, and volume of blood loss were recorded. The limb function was evaluated with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 (MSTS-93) score, The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score; the ankle joint ranges of motion as well as the leg length discrepancy were evaluated. Plain radiography and Tomosynthesis-Shimadzu Metal Artefact Reduction Technology (T-SMART) were used to evaluate the position of prosthesis and the osseointegration. Postoperative complications were recorded.

Results

The average patients’ age and the follow-up period were respectively 31.5 ± 13.1 years; and 54.8 months (range 26–72). The medium operation time was 2.4 ± 0.5 h; the intraoperative blood loss was 131.7 ± 121.4 ml. The mean MSTS-93 and AOFAS score was 26.8 and 88.5 respectively. The average plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, varus, and valgus were 32.5, 9.2, 10.8, and 5.8 degree respectively. One patient had delayed postoperative wound healing. There was no leg length discrepancy observed in any patient and good osseointegration was observed on the interface between the bone and talus prosthesis in all subjects.

Conclusion

The modular structure of the prosthesis developed in this study seems to be convenient for prosthesis implantation and screws distribution. And the combination of solid and porous structure improves the initial stability and promotes bone integration. Therefore, 3D printed custom-made modular talus prosthesis could be an alternative option for talus reconstruction in talus malignant tumor patients.
Effectiveness and safety of polyacrylamide hydrogel injection for knee osteoarthritis: results from a 12-month follow up of an open-label study
Authors: Bliddal Henning , Beier Jannie , Hartkopp Andreas , Conaghan Philip G. , Henriksen Marius
Published: May 2024

Objective

There are few effective osteoarthritis (OA) therapies. A novel injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) previously demonstrated efficacy and safety up to week 26 in an open-label study of knee OA. Here we report longer-term effectiveness and safety data.

Methods

This multi-centre, open-label study included patients with symptomatic and radiographic knee OA. Primary outcome was WOMAC pain (0–100 scale) at 13 weeks, and patients continued to 26 weeks before entering a further 26-week extension phase. Secondary efficacy outcomes included WOMAC stiffness and function subscales, Patient Global Assessment (PGA) and proportion of OMERACT-OARSI responders. Safety outcomes were adverse events (AEs).

Results

49 participants (31 women, mean age 70) received an ultrasound-guided, intra-articular injection of 6 ml iPAAG; 46 completed the extension phase to 52 weeks. There was a significant reduction in the WOMAC pain score from baseline to 52 weeks (− 17.7 points (95% CI − 23.1; − 12.4); p < 0.0001). Similar sustained improvements were observed for WOMAC stiffness (11.0 points; 95% CI − 17.0; − 4.9), physical function (18.0 points; 95% CI − 19.1; − 10.6), and PGA (16.3 points; 95% CI − 23.1; − 9.4). At 52 weeks 62.2% of patients were OMERACT-OARSI responders. From 26 to 52 weeks, 8 adverse effects (AE), including 1 serious AE (cerebrovascular accident) were reported in 5 subjects. None of the new adverse events were thought to be device related.

Conclusion

This open-label study suggests persistent benefits and safety of iPAAG through 52 weeks after a single injection.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04179552.
Identifying long-term survivors and those at higher or lower risk of relapse among patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia using a high-dimensional mixture cure model
Authors: Archer Kellie J. , Fu Han , Mrózek Krzysztof , Nicolet Deedra , Mims Alice S. , Uy Geoffrey L. , Stock Wendy , Byrd John C. , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Braess Jan , Spiekermann Karsten , Metzeler Klaus H. , Herold Tobias , Eisfeld Ann-Kathrin
Published: May 2024

Patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) may harbor prognostically relevant gene mutations and thus be categorized into one of the three 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) genetic-risk groups. Nevertheless, there remains heterogeneity with respect to relapse-free survival (RFS) within these genetic-risk groups. Our training set included 306 adults on Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology studies with de novo CN-AML aged < 60 years who achieved a complete remission and for whom centrally reviewed cytogenetics, RNA-sequencing, and gene mutation data from diagnostic samples were available (Alliance trial A152010). To overcome deficiencies of the Cox proportional hazards model when long-term survivors are present, we developed a penalized semi-parametric mixture cure model (MCM) to predict RFS where RNA-sequencing data comprised the predictor space. To validate model performance, we employed an independent test set from the German Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cooperative Group (AMLCG) consisting of 40 de novo CN-AML patients aged < 60 years who achieved a complete remission and had RNA-sequencing of their pre-treatment sample. For the training set, there was a significant non-zero cure fraction (p = 0.019) with 28.5% of patients estimated to be cured. Our MCM included 112 genes associated with cure, or long-term RFS, and 87 genes associated with latency, or shorter-term time-to-relapse. The area under the curve and C-statistic were respectively, 0.947 and 0.783 for our training set and 0.837 and 0.718 for our test set. We identified a novel, prognostically relevant molecular signature in CN-AML, which allows identification of patient subgroups independent of 2022 ELN genetic-risk groups.

Trial registration Data from companion studies CALGB 8461, 9665 and 20202 (trials registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as, respectively, NCT00048958, NCT00899223, and NCT00900224) were obtained from Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology under data sharing study A152010. Data from the AMLCG 2008 trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01382147.
Cardiovascular involvement in children with COVID-19 temporally related multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C): can cardiac magnetic resonance arrive to the heart of the problem?
Authors: Maggio Maria Cristina , Lembo Alessio , Finazzo Francesca , Alaimo Annalisa , Benfratello Guglielmo Francesco , Corsello Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Background

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) shows a significant overlap of symptoms with other hyper-inflammatory diseases such as Kawasaki disease (KD), but the real difference of the two conditions is still matter of debate. Coronary artery lesions (CAL) are the most relevant complication in KD. Nonetheless, CAL, myocarditis, pericarditis, arrhythmia are the main cardiovascular complications in MIS-C. A close clinical assessment is mandatory, both at the diagnosis and during the follow-up, by ECG and echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance (MRI) adds important data to ultrasound findings. However, cardiac MRI studies in MIS-C are limited to a small number of cohorts.

Methods

We enrolled 20 children (age:1–16 years; 11 F; 9 M) with cardiac involvement secondary to MIS-C, all evaluated by cardiac MRI.

Results

8 children showed pathological cardiac MRI: 2 showed pericardial effusion; 2 showed myocardial oedema; 1 showed aortic insufficiency; 3 showed delayed enhancement (one for acute myocarditis with oedema; 2 for myocardial fibrosis). Delayed enhancement was reduced significantly 5.6-9 months after the first MRI evaluation. 25% of patients with pathological MRI had CAL associated with valvular insufficiency of 2 valves. 17% of patients with normal MRI had CAL, associated with valvular insufficiency of 1 valve in 1 patient. The correlations between haematological, clinical, cardiologic parameters, treatment, did not reach the statistical significance. 4 patients were treated with anakinra. Among those, 2 patients showed a normal cardiac MRI. Cardiac lesions resolved in all the patients during the follow-up. Some patients with pathological cardiac MRI could not underwent a control with MRI, for the low compliance. However, echocardiography and ECG, documented the resolution of the pathological data in these cases.

Conclusions

A higher risk of CAL was documented in patients with an association of other cardiac lesions. Cardiac MRI is difficult to perform routinely; however, it is useful for evaluating the acute myocardial damage and the outcome of patients with MIS-C.
Assessing general hospital doctors’ attitudes toward psychiatric care in multicultural settings
Authors: Wimalaratne Inoka , McLay Jessica , Menkes David B
Published: May 2024

Objective

Psychiatric care in general hospitals depends on collaboration with non-psychiatrist doctors. The Doctors’ Attitudes toward Collaborative Care for Mental Health (DACC-MH) is a two-factor scale designed to address this issue and validated in the UK in 2010. However, its applicability in contemporary, culturally diverse settings is unknown and therefore this study was aimed at determining its validity and consistency using data from our 2021 international study. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were used, comparing results from our 2021 study (n = 889) with those from the 2010 UK study (n = 225).

Results

The DACC-MH consultation subscale, but not the management subscale, aligned with data from our larger, international study. The 2-factor model failed the Chi-square goodness of fit test (χ2(19) = 53.9, p < 0.001) but had acceptable other fit indices. While the previously identified attitudinal difference between physicians and surgeons was replicated, measurement invariance for this result could not be established. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a 6-factor model, contrasting with the 2-factor model proposed in 2010 for the UK sample. The DACC-MH scale shows significant limitations when applied to a larger, international dataset. Cultural and generational differences in doctors’ attitudes appear relevant and should be considered in assessing barriers to psychiatric care in general hospitals.
Colonic lymphomatous polyposis mantle cell lymphoma: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Djiwa Toukilnan , Koui B. B. S. , Aman N. A. , Coulibaly Z. I. , Kouyate M. , Kouame K. E.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract that may present as multiple lymphomatous polyposis. We report a case of lymphomatous polyposis with a review of the literature.

Case report

A 56-year-old man of Black ethnicity and Ivorian nationality with no relevant past medical history, consulted for a sudden onset symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, which evolved over 2 days. Macroscopic examination revealed the presence of multiple polyploid formations of the colonic mucosa. Histology showed diffuse lymphomatous proliferation of submucosa consisting off small lymphoid cells with a hyperchromatic crenelated nucleus, suggesting lymphomatous polyposis. Immunohistochemical examination showed expression by the tumor cells of antibodies to CD20, CD5, Bcl2, and cyclin D1. They did not express antibodies to CD10 and CD23. The Ki67 proliferation index was 25%. We have thus retained the diagnosis of mantle cell lymphomatous polyposis.

Conclusion

Multiple lymphomatous polyposis is a rare entity characterized by the presence of numerous gastrointestinal polyploid lesions sometimes involving several segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Typical lymphoma presenting as lymphomatous polyposis is mantle cell lymphoma; although, other tumors may have this aspect.
Microbiome composition and presence of cultivable commensal groups of Southern Tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) varies with captive conditions
Authors: Amin Ahmad , Mekadim Chahrazed , Modrackova Nikol , Bolechova Petra , Mrazek Jakub , Neuzil-Bunesova Vera
Published: May 2024

Southern Tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) belong to the specialized placental myrmecophages. There is not much information about their intestinal microbiome. Moreover, due to their food specialization, it is difficult to create an adequate diet under breeding conditions. Therefore, we used 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the fecal microbiome of captive Southern Tamanduas from four locations in the Czech Republic and evaluated the impact of the incoming diet and facility conditions on microbiome composition. Together with the microbiome analysis, we also quantified and identified cultivable commensals. The anteater fecal microbiome was dominated by the phyla Bacillota and Bacteroidota, while Pseudomonadota, Spirochaetota, and Actinobacteriota were less abundant. At the taxonomic family level, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Spirochaetaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Leuconostocaceae, and Streptococcaceae were mainly represented in the fecal microbiome of animals from all locations. Interestingly, Lactobacillaceae dominated in the location with a zoo-made diet. These animals also had significantly lower diversity of gut microbiome in comparison with animals from other locations fed mainly with a complete commercial diet. Moreover, captive conditions of analyzed anteater included other factors such as the enrichment of the diet with insect-based products, probiotic interventions, the presence of other animals in the exposure, which can potentially affect the composition of the microbiome and cultivable microbes. In total, 63 bacterial species from beneficial commensal to opportunistic pathogen were isolated and identified using MALDI-TOF MS in the set of more than one thousand selected isolates. Half of the detected species were present in the fecal microbiota of most animals, the rest varied across animals and locations.
Assessment of cortical evoked potential (P300) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in post-COVID-19 patients
Authors: Hamdy Mona Mohamed , Hosny Noha Ali , Farag Reham Gamal , Elbohy Zahraa Mohamed Yousry
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on many aspects of human health. There has been a major influence on cognitive capacities, including memory, attention, and cognitive skills for planning, organizing, and solving problems. Furthermore, it appears that the effects of COVID-19 may also impact the auditory system.

Objective

To determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 virus on both hearing and cognitive.

Patients and methods

Eighty participants, ranging in age from 20 to 59, will be evaluated for their auditory and cognitive abilities using the following methods: ABR using a click stimulus presented at 90 dBnHL at a rate of 21.1 c/s, followed by a rate of 71.1 c/s; cortical auditory evoked potential (P300) using a tone burst stimulus (50 ms) that will produce an oddball paradigm; measurements of the waveforms’ amplitude and latency will be made.

Results

ABR recording for both ears showed significant difference between cases and controls as regarding absolute latencies of wave I, III, V, wave V (high rate), amplitude (low and high rates), amplitude ratio, and interaural latency differences (III, I-III, I-V), while P300 outcomes showed a statistically significant difference between cases and controls regarding P300 latency (p <  0.05), while for amplitude, a highly significant difference was found.

Conclusion

COVID-19 can harm both the inner ear and the auditory pathway, and it has long-lasting effects on the auditory system and on cognitive processing and attention.
A sequence decomposition genetic algorithm for petrophysical inversion with spatial correlation
Authors: Wen Jin , Yang Dinghui , Bu Fan
Published: May 2024

Predicting petrophysical properties based on seismic attributes is essential for accurate subsurface characterization. Typically, a forward model is first established to relate the petrophysical properties to geophysical measurements, and then the petrophysical properties are inverted from the actual measurements. Imposing prior constraints of the spatial relationship is also desirable to regularize the ill-posed inverse problem. However, petrophysical inversion involving spatial correlation presents a high-dimensional optimization problem with multiple local extrema. This problem can be challenging to solve, particularly when discrete variables (such as lithofacies) and continuous variables (such as porosity and fluid saturation) are considered together. Therefore, we develop a global optimization algorithm that uses the Markov chain decomposition and a genetic algorithm for a joint discrete-continuous petrophysical inversion with spatial correlation. The innovation of this algorithm is to spatially decouple the sequence optimization problem into multiple low-dimensional subproblems and overcome the initial value dependence to converge to the global optimal solution. Furthermore, an approximation operation is introduced to expedite the optimization algorithm. Numerical experiments show that after algorithmic acceleration, the spatially correlated inversion requires the same computational time as a simple spatially uncorrelated inversion and achieves significantly better accuracy than the latter. Finally, we apply the method to a case study in East China, wherein the lithofacies, clay content, porosity, and water saturation are inferred from the data of the wave velocities and density. The inversion results around the wells generally match the well-logging data, verifying the feasibility of the new method.
The depositional evolution and associated controls on the reservoir property in the Permian Upper Urho Formation, southern Zhongguai Rise, Junggar Basin, northwest China
Authors: Chen Hongfei , Pang Xiongqi , Bao Liyin , Wu Zhiqi , He Naixiang , Gao Jun
Published: May 2024

The Permian strata in southern Zhongguai Rise are famous for their abundant petroleum reservoirs. The depositional evolution of the Upper Urho Formation has been studied by analyzing the interactions between the sedimentary environments and the diagenetic evolution based on the comprehensive analysis of geologic and geophysical data sets. The obtained results have shown that fan delta deposits, overlain by lacustrine deposits, are deposited. Proceeding upward, the fan delta succession is characterized by retrogradational patterns, such as sandstone facies and conglomeratic facies. These facies have shown different clay mineralogic compositions, porosity, and physical properties. The sandstone facies indicate well-sorted and well-rounded sedimentological textures with good physical properties. In contrast, the conglomeratic facies indicate poorly sorted and poorly rounded sedimentological textures with poor physical properties. All of these characteristics lead to reservoir heterogeneity resulting from sedimentary facies and diagenesis.
Comparison of Hospital Volume and Risk-Standardized Mortality Rate as a Proxy for Hospital Quality in Complex Oncologic Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery
Authors: Julian William T. , Elshami Mohamedraed , Ammori John B. , Hardacre Jeffrey M. , Ocuin Lee M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Centralization of hepatopancreatobiliary procedures to more experienced centers has been recommended but remains controversial. Hospital volume and risk-stratified mortality rates (RSMR) are metrics for interhospital comparison. We compared facility operative volume with facility RSMR as a proxy for hospital quality.

Patients and Methods

Patients who underwent surgery for liver (LC), biliary tract (BTC), and pancreatic (PDAC) cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database (2004–2018). Hierarchical logistic regression was used to create facility-specific models for RSMR. Volume (high versus low) was determined by quintile. Performance (high versus low) was determined by RSMR tercile. Primary outcomes included median facility RSMR and RSMR distributions. Volume- and RSMR-based redistribution was simulated and compared for reductions in 90-day mortality.

Results

A total of 106,217 patients treated at 1282 facilities were included; 17,695 had LC, 23,075 had BTC, and 65,447 had PDAC. High-volume centers (HVC) had lower RSMR compared with medium-volume centers and low-volume centers for LC, BTC, and PDAC (all p < 0.001). High-performance centers (HPC) had lower RSMR compared with medium-performance centers and low-performance centers for LC, BTC, and PDAC (all p < 0.001). Volume-based redistribution required 16.0 patients for LC, 11.2 for BTC, and 14.9 for PDAC reassigned to 15, 22, and 20 centers, respectively, per life saved within each US census region. RSMR-based redistribution required 4.7 patients for LC, 4.2 for BTC, and 4.9 for PDAC reassigned to 316, 403, and 418 centers, respectively, per life saved within each US census region.

Conclusions

HVC and HPC have the lowest overall and risk-standardized 90-day mortality after oncologic hepatopancreatobiliary procedures, but RSMR may outperform volume as a measure of hospital quality.
Enhanced ac4C detection in RNA via chemical reduction and cDNA synthesis with modified dNTPs
Authors: Relier Sebastien , Schiffers Sarah , Beiki Hamid , Oberdoerffer Shalini
Published: May 2024

The functional analysis of epitranscriptomic modifications in RNA is constrained by a lack of methods that accurately capture their locations and levels. We previously demonstrated that the RNA modification N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) can be mapped at base-resolution through sodium borohydride reduction to tetrahydroacetylcytidine (tetrahydro-ac4C), followed by cDNA synthesis to misincorporate adenosine opposite reduced ac4C sites, culminating in C:T mismatches at acetylated cytidines (RedaC:T). However, this process is relatively inefficient, resulting in less than 20% C:T mismatches at a fully modified ac4C site in 18S rRNA. Considering that ac4C locations in other substrates including mRNA are unlikely to reach full penetrance, this method is not ideal for comprehensive mapping. Here, we introduce “RetraC:T” (reduction to tetrahydro-ac4C and reverse transcription with amino-dATP to induce C:T mismatches) as a method with enhanced ability to detect ac4C in cellular RNA. In brief, RNA is reduced through NaBH4 or the closely related reagent sodium cyanoborohydride (NaCNBH3) followed by cDNA synthesis in the presence of a modified DNA nucleotide, 2-amino-dATP, that preferentially binds to tetrahydro-ac4C. Incorporation of the modified dNTP substantially improved C:T mismatch rates, reaching stoichiometric detection of ac4C in 18S rRNA. Importantly, 2-amino-dATP did not result in truncated cDNA products nor increase mismatches at other locations. Thus, modified dNTPs are introduced as a new addition to the toolbox for detecting ac4C at base resolution.
PROJECT LEARNING AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Zhebrunova Lyudmila A.
Published: May 2024

Purpose. The study aims to integrate theoretical and applied linguistic knowledge and a project method of teaching a foreign language thus assimilating socio-cultural stereotypes of the native and foreign languages in comparison.
Methodology. The article describes a project method that has been implemented in teaching English to young athletes. The study has made use of systematic, culturological, linguocognitive methodological approaches. The empirical base rests on the linguistic studies of terminological systems and socio-cultural stereotypes.
The main results of the research conducted are the following: improvement of the language skills of the students involved, building the understanding of the cognitive processes of language nomination in Russian and English in comparison in the students’ mind. Since these processes are based on the worldviews peculiar to each language, as a result of studying the nomination mechanisms, students add to their knowledge of the socio-cultural stereotypes characteristic of each of the above languages.
Practical implications. The applied method of involving students of non-linguistic specializations into language studies has as a result in the formation of a deeper understanding of the essence of the interaction of languages and peoples as social communities. This research area is prospective for further studies.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RELATIONSHIP PSYCHOLOGY BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Authors: Piskun Aleksandr A.
Published: May 2024

The following article is devoted to the exploration of the relationship between teachers and students of China, whereas the typical traits of communication between Chinese teachers and students are not sufficiently explored to date. The aim of the research consists in consideration of the “teacher – student” relationships originality in comprehensive schools of the PRC. The tasks of the study are to analyze the influence of the Chinese philosophy in formation of the educational relations in China, to consider the place of a teacher and a student in the Chinese educational process, and to describe the level of communication between teachers and students of the PRC. The meta-analysis of the historical, philosophical, and psychological-pedagogical scientific works was served as the main method of the research.
Results of the study. The analysis of the fundamental Chinese philosophical traditions and the official documents of PRC about the roles of the teacher and the students showed the social importance of the teacher`s role as a mentor, a leader, and an elder brother of the student, due to which we can observe the high level of respect among the students, what can also be followed by some degree of the fearfulness to teacher. The consideration of psychological-pedagogical scientific works of the foreign specialists had approved the following statements because the physical distance between a teacher and his students, and the structure of a classroom can create the certain differences between the subjects of education activity. Meanwhile modern Chinese educators endeavour to reduce the level of students` tension, building the academic and educational activities, which are based on the individual characteristics of students, and showing them the high level of attention and empathy.
SCHOOL EDUCATION DURING THE MODERNIZATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Authors: Turusbekova Anarkan
Published: May 2024

The article examines current areas of school education in Kyrgyzstan, management of the system, limited availability of education in remote areas, and teacher competence. The authors highlight key challenges and prospects for improving the educational system in the country.
AI Practitioner: The Story So Far
Authors: Radford Anne , Storace Keith , Verheijen Luc , Verma Neena , Aitken Shelagh
Published: May 2024

A hub for the Appreciative Inquiry community, the AI Practitioner began as a newsletter in 1998, supporting a global network of AI practitioners. It has grown into a journal featuring research and reviews in its guest-edited issues. Growing through challenges and transitions, its mission remains to inspire, educate, and unite the AI community, promising a future of growth and collaboration.
We Do Not See Things as They Are, But Rather as We Are
Authors: de Jong Joep C
Published: May 2024

Creating film portraits for a Ph.D. on Appreciative Leadership, mentored by Nic Askew, has become both an art and a business Joep de Jong cherishes. He says, ‘crafting these portraits became an art and passion’. Holding unconditional space fosters profound connections. Editing, though laborious, offers deep self-discovery. Three poignant portraits emerged, each a testament to serendipity and profound human connection.
Resilience, Allyship and Self-Efficacy: An Appreciative International Women’s Day Interview with Lindsey Godwin by Tanya Cruz Teller
Authors: Cruz Teller Tanya , Godwin Lindsey N.
Published: May 2024

What does it take to rise and thrive in academia leadership when the gender equity odds are against you? Tanya Cruz Teller and Lindsey Godwin discuss Lindsey’s journey, the role of family, and the strength of mentors and allyships in this interview conducted on International Women’s Day 2024.
Strategy orientation and government regulation on environmental performance: The role of green supply chain management
Authors: Maheswari Uma
Published: May 2024

Purpose-Both internal and external factors may affect a business's environmental performance. Using green supply chain management as a mediating variable, this study examined the relationship between strategy orientation and government legislation on environmental performance.
Design/Methodology/Approach-The study population focused on micro, small, and medium sized enterprises in Asia. This research data was collected through questionnaires given to respondents and obtained results as many as 50 respondents. Then, a model analysis was applied using the Smart PLS application.
Findings-The findings demonstrate that government policies and initiatives have a direct and favorable impact on green supply chain management. Green supply chain management has a favorable impact on environmental performance however, government plans and regulations do not directly improve environmental performance. The results indicate that the impact of government strategy and regulatory orientation on environmental performance is mediated by green supply chain management.
Research limitations/implications-For business actors, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises, it is necessary to focus on to the orientation of government strategies and regulations in their operational activities to encourage improved environmental performance. To support this, business actors must also pay attention to other factors, such as green supply chain management, to maximize efforts to achieve environmental performance.
Originality/value There is currently a dearth of research on the environmental performance of businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. Prior studies on environmental performance have examined both internal and external corporate aspects, such as strategy orientation and green supply chain management, as well as government requirements.
The role of supply chain management practices, supply chain responsiveness, and organizational capabilities on organizational performance
Authors: Rini Poppy Laksita
Published: May 2024

Purpose-Several internal and external elements impact an organization's performance. This study examines organizations' performance using both internal and external elements. Organizational capabilities are the internal aspects of the study, whereas supply chain management practices and supply chain responsiveness are the external factors. These three elements are believed to have a significant impact on an organization's performance.
Design/Methodology/Approach-The study population focused on furniture micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The research data were collected through questionnaires administered to respondents, and the results of 50 respondents were obtained. Then, a model analysis was applied using Smart PLS.
Findings-Supply chain management practices positively impact organizational performance, and supply chain responsiveness improves organizational performance. Organizational capabilities also have a favorable effect on organizational performance. If these three elements can be effectively utilized, it will enhance organizational performance.
Research limitations/implications-Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises must understand the importance of supply chain management and maximize its use to promote improvements in organizational performance. Business actors must maximize their efforts to achieve organizational success by considering other aspects, such as organizational capabilities.
Originality/value-Research on organizational performance is currently lacking, especially in the case of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises that are specifically associated with particular industries. Government rules, strategy orientation, and green supply chain management are just a few of the external and internal factors that have been the subject of prior research on organizational performance. As a result, this study examines the characteristics of supply chain management practices, supply chain responsiveness, and organizational capabilities in order to measure the performance of furniture micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Assessing Iron Deficiency Anemia in Obese Adolescents and Identifying Contributing Factors
Authors: Kılınç Şeyma , Öden Akman Alkım , Şaylı Tülin
Published: May 2024

Objective: Clinical outcomes can be significant for obesity and iron deficiency, two public health issues for which adolescents are especially vulnerable. The aim of this study was to assess the iron parameters and blood vitamin B12 levels in obese adolescents and identify the contributing variables to the development of anemia.

Material and Method: The present study involved a retrospective evaluation of 260 children (130 obese-130 control) who were admitted to the Ankara Pediatrics Haematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Outpatient Clinics, between March 2013 and May 2015. Body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile for age and gender was required for inclusion in the study group, which included children aged 12 to 18 years without acute or chronic illnesses. Data from patient files were used to collect information on physical examination findings, sociodemographic characteristics, daily dietary status, and level of physical activity. All patients had evaluations for CRP, iron parameters, vitamin B12, and complete blood count.

Results: The study revealed that the obese group had significantly higher serum ferritin levels (p=0.002) and lower serum iron and vitamin B12 levels (p=0.036 and 0.047, respectively) as compared to the control group. In the obese population, elevated BMI has been demonstrated to be correlated with elevated CRP levels.

Conclusion: In obese children, low serum iron and high ferritin levels can be regarded as typical reference values. Furthermore, it was discovered that low vitamin B12 levels were not associated with nutrition in obese children, although they were at risk for developing low levels