bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Neurophysiological Monitoring during Intradural Spinal Tumor Surgery
Authors: Ilhan Furkan , Boulogne Sébastien , Morgado Alexis , Dauleac Corentin , André-Obadia Nathalie , Jung Julien
Published: June 2024

Surgery for spinal cord tumors poses a significant challenge due to the inherent risk of neurological deterioration. Despite being performed at numerous centers, there is an ongoing debate regarding the efficacy of pre- and intraoperative neurophysiological investigations in detecting and preventing neurological lesions. This study begins by providing a comprehensive review of the neurophysiological techniques commonly employed in this context. Subsequently, we present findings from a cohort of 67 patients who underwent surgery for intradural tumors. These patients underwent preoperative and intraoperative multimodal somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs), with clinical evaluation conducted three months postoperatively. The study aimed to evaluate the neurophysiological, clinical, and radiological factors associated with neurological outcomes. In univariate analysis, preoperative and intraoperative potential alterations, tumor size, and ependymoma-type histology were linked to the risk of worsening neurological condition. In multivariate analysis, only preoperative and intraoperative neurophysiological abnormalities remained significantly associated with such neurological deterioration. Interestingly, transient alterations in intraoperative MEPs and SSEPs did not pose a risk of neurological deterioration. The machine learning model we utilized demonstrated the possibility of predicting clinical outcome, achieving 84% accuracy.
Overcoming Resistance to Standard-of-Care Therapies for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Gauss Chester , Stone Logan D. , Ghafouri Mehrnoosh , Quan Daniel , Johnson Jared , Fribley Andrew M. , Amm Hope M.
Published: June 2024

Although there have been some advances during in recent decades, the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains challenging. Resistance is a major issue for various treatments that are used, including both the conventional standards of care (radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy) and the newer EGFR and checkpoint inhibitors. In fact, all the non-surgical treatments currently used for HNSCC are associated with intrinsic and/or acquired resistance. Herein, we explore the cellular mechanisms of resistance reported in HNSCC, including those related to epigenetic factors, DNA repair defects, and several signaling pathways. This article discusses these mechanisms and possible approaches that can be used to target different pathways to sensitize HNSCC to the existing treatments, obtain better responses to new agents, and ultimately improve the patient outcomes.
Development of Basic Motor Skills from 3 to 10 Years of Age: Comparison by Sex and Age Range in Chilean Children
Authors: Hurtado-Almonacid Juan , Reyes-Amigo Tomás , Yáñez-Sepúlveda Rodrigo , Cortés-Roco Guillermo , Oñate-Navarrete Cristian , Olivares-Arancibia Jorge , Páez-Herrera Jacqueline
Published: June 2024

Basic motor skills are recognized as fundamental movements that allow children to interact with their environment and are identified as the basic structure on which more complex movements are built. Objective: to identify the level of motor development of children from 3 to 10 years of age according to sex and age group. Methodology. We studied a sample with a total of 328 participants (girls = 170; boys = 158) at preschool (n = 154) and school levels (n = 174). The ages of the students ranged from 3 to 10 years, with a mean of 5.94 years (±2.53). TGMD2 was applied to identify motor development. Results: boys and girls present low levels of physical activity, with most of them in the very poor, poor, and low-average categories (n = 182, 55.5%). Levels of motor development in locomotion, manipulation, and general development by age show significant differences (p = 0.000). However, levels of development by sex are not significant in manipulation, locomotion, and gross motor skills tests, respectively (p = 0.150, p = 0.208, and p = 0.210), and in relation to chronological age and motor development age show significant differences (p = 0.000).
Modeling of Mean-Value-at-Risk Investment Portfolio Optimization Considering Liabilities and Risk-Free Assets
Authors: Sukono  , Ghazali Puspa Liza Binti , Johansyah Muhamad Deni , Riaman  , Ibrahim Riza Andrian , Mamat Mustafa , Sambas Aceng
Published: June 2024

This paper aims to design a quadratic optimization model of an investment portfolio based on value-at-risk (VaR) by entering risk-free assets and company liabilities. The designed model develops Markowitz’s investment portfolio optimization model with risk aversion. Model development was carried out using vector and matrix equations. The entry of risk-free assets and liabilities is essential. Risk-free assets reduce the loss risk, while liabilities accommodate a fundamental analysis of the company’s condition. The model can be applied in various sectors of capital markets worldwide. This study applied the model to Indonesia’s mining and energy sector. The application results show that risk aversion negatively correlates with the mean and VaR of the return of investment portfolios. Assuming that risk aversion is in the 5.1% to 8.2% interval, the maximum mean and VaR obtained for the next month are 0.0103316 and 0.0138270, respectively, while the minimum mean and VaR are 0.0102964 and 0.0137975, respectively. The finding of this study is that the vector equation for investment portfolio weights is obtained, which can facilitate calculating investment portfolio weight optimization. This study is expected to help investors control the quality of appropriate investment, especially in some stocks in Indonesia’s mining and energy sector.
An Advanced Methodology for Crystal System Detection in Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Anđelić Nikola , Baressi Šegota Sandi
Published: June 2024

Detecting the crystal system of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for optimizing their performance and safety. Understanding the arrangement of atoms or ions within the battery’s electrodes and electrolyte allows for improvements in energy density, cycling stability, and safety features. This knowledge also guides material design and fabrication techniques, driving advancements in battery technology for various applications. In this paper, a publicly available dataset was utilized to develop mathematical equations (MEs) using a genetic programming symbolic classifier (GPSC) to determine the type of crystal structure in Li-ion batteries with a high classification performance. The dataset consists of three different classes transformed into three binary classification datasets using a one-versus-rest approach. Since the target variable of each dataset variation is imbalanced, several oversampling techniques were employed to achieve balanced dataset variations. The GPSC was trained on these balanced dataset variations using a five-fold cross-validation (5FCV) process, and the optimal GPSC hyperparameter values were searched for using a random hyperparameter value search (RHVS) method. The goal was to find the optimal combination of GPSC hyperparameter values to achieve the highest classification performance. After obtaining MEs using the GPSC with the highest classification performance, they were combined and tested on initial binary classification dataset variations. Based on the conducted investigation, the ensemble of MEs could detect the crystal system of Li-ion batteries with a high classification accuracy (1.0).
Embedding Enhancement Method for LightGCN in Recommendation Information Systems
Authors: Lee Sangmin , Ahn Junho , Kim Namgi
Published: June 2024

In the modern digital age, users are exposed to a vast amount of content and information, and the importance of recommendation systems is increasing accordingly. Traditional recommendation systems mainly use matrix factorization and collaborative filtering methods, but problems with scalability due to an increase in the amount of data and slow learning and inference speeds occur due to an increase in the amount of computation. To overcome these problems, this study focused on optimizing LightGCN, the basic structure of the graph-convolution-network-based recommendation system. To improve this, techniques and structures were proposed. We propose an embedding enhancement method to strengthen the robustness of embedding and a non-combination structure to overcome LightGCN’s weight sum structure through this method. To verify the proposed method, we have demonstrated its effectiveness through experiments using the SELFRec library on various datasets, such as Yelp2018, MovieLens-1M, FilmTrust, and Douban-book. Mainly, significant performance improvements were observed in key indicators, such as Precision, Recall, NDCG, and Hit Ratio in Yelp2018 and Douban-book datasets. These results suggest that the proposed methods effectively improved the recommendation performance and learning efficiency of the LightGCN model, and the improvement of LightGCN, which is most widely used as a backbone network, makes an important contribution to the entire field of GCN-based recommendation systems. Therefore, in this study, we improved the learning method of the existing LightGCN and changed the weight sum structure to surpass the existing accuracy.
GraphSensor: A Graph Attention Network for Time-Series Sensor
Authors: Ge Jiaqi , Xu Gaochao , Lu Jianchao , Xu Xu , Meng Xiangyu
Published: June 2024

Our work focuses on the exploration of the internal relationships of signals in an individual sensor. In particular, we address the problem of not being able to evaluate such intrasensor relationships due to missing rich and explicit feature representation. To solve this problem, we propose GraphSensor, a graph attention network, with a shared-weight convolution feature encoder to generate the signal segments and learn the internal relationships between them. Furthermore, we enrich the representation of the features by utilizing a multi-head approach when creating the internal relationship graph. Compared with traditional multi-head approaches, we propose a more efficient convolution-based multi-head mechanism, which only requires 56% of model parameters compared with the best multi-head baseline as demonstrated in the experiments. Moreover, GraphSensor is capable of achieving state-of-the-art performance in the electroencephalography dataset and improving the accuracy by 13.8% compared to the best baseline in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) dataset.
Emission Reduction Effects of China’s National Carbon Market: Evidence Based on the Power Sector
Authors: Xu Yingying , Zhao Shan , Chu Boxiao , Zhu Yinglun
Published: June 2024

The power sector is one of the major CO2-emitting industries in China. It is also the first key emissions control industry included in China’s national carbon trading market established in 2021. Therefore, based on the data of 30 provinces and cities in China from 2015 to 2022, this study analyzes the impact of the national carbon market policy on the carbon emissions of the power industry based on the generalized Difference-in-Difference (DID) model. Based on the method of text analysis, this paper constructs the carbon market policy intensity index of each region and incorporates it into the DID model. Empirical analysis finds that the national carbon market policy can significantly inhibit the carbon emissions of the power industry. However, the heterogeneity analysis of 30 provinces and cities shows that the national carbon market policy has a significant impact on the regions that already have a carbon pilot, but not on the non-pilot regions. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the national carbon market policy in the power industry emissions control, and also exposes the heterogeneity between regions, providing an important empirical basis for the inclusion of other energy-intensive industries.
Energy Intensity Forecasting Models for Manufacturing Industries of “Catching Up” Economies: Lithuanian Case
Authors: Norvaiša Egidijus , Bobinaitė Viktorija , Konstantinavičiūtė Inga , Miškinis Vaclovas
Published: June 2024

The objective of this research was to construct energy intensity forecasting models for key manufacturing industries, with a particular focus on “catching up” European economies. Future energy intensity values serve as the foundation for energy demand forecasts, which are essential inputs for the analysis of countries’ decarbonisation scenarios. The Lithuanian case is analysed in the context of its efforts to reach the economic development level of the most advanced European Union (EU) countries. The scientific literature and energy policy analysis, interdependence (correlation and regression), tendency and case analysis, logical economic reasoning, and graphical representation methods have been applied. The energy intensity forecasts until 2050 were based on historical statistical data of value added and final energy consumption of EU countries from 2000 to 2021. The analysis of historical trends revealed a remarkable decrease in industrial energy intensity in most EU countries, including Lithuania. Given the rapid pace of decline in historical energy intensity, the values observed in individual Lithuanian industries have already reached levels comparable to the most economically advanced EU countries. Four econometric trendlines were employed to construct forecasting models for energy intensity. The results for Lithuania demonstrated that the selected trendlines exhibited a high degree of fit with historical energy intensity data from the EU, as evidenced by their R2 values. Furthermore, the forecasts were shown to be highly accurate, with their MAPEs remaining below 10% in most cases. Nevertheless, the logarithmic trendline was found to be the most accurate for forecasting energy intensity in total manufacturing (MAPE = 4.0%), non-metallic minerals (MAPE = 3.5%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (MAPE = 4.1%) industries, with the exponential trendline in the chemical industry (MAPE = 8.7%) and the moving average in the total manufacturing industry (MAPE = 4.0%), food industries (MAPE = 4.0%), and remaining aggregate industries (MAPE = 14.5%). It is forecasted that energy intensity could decline by 8 to 16% to 1.10–1.20 kWh/EUR in Lithuania’s manufacturing industries by 2050.
A Systematic Review of Isolated Water and Energy Microgrids: Infrastructure, Optimization of Management Strategies, and Future Trends
Authors: Parraga Manuel , Vuelvas José , González-Díaz Benjamín , Rodríguez-Urrego Leonardo , Fajardo Arturo
Published: June 2024

Isolated water and energy microgrids (IWEMGs) serve as vital solutions for enhancing the well-being of remote and rural communities, particularly in areas where water and energy resources are scarce. This has spurred research into the interdependence between the water and energy sectors (water–energy nexus), a field that has grown in response to technological advancements. Through a systematic optimization framework, this review critically evaluates the integration of various technologies within IWEMGs, encompassing infrastructure, management, and strategic planning, while considering economic and social impacts. IWEMGs incorporate diverse technologies for the infrastructure, management, and strategic planning of water and energy resources, integrating economic and social considerations to inform decisions that affect both immediate and long-term sustainability and reliability. This article presents an exhaustive review of the literature on IWEMG management, employing an approach that synthesizes existing studies to enhance the understanding of strategic IWEMG management and planning. It introduces a structured taxonomy for organizing research trends and tackling unresolved challenges within the field. Notably, the review identifies critical gaps, such as the lack of comprehensive data on water demand in isolated locations, and underscores the emerging role of game theory and machine learning in enriching IWEMG management frameworks. Ultimately, this review outlines essential indicators for forthcoming research, focusing on the optimization, management, and strategic planning of IWEMG resources and infrastructure, thereby setting a direction for future technological and methodological advancements in the field.
LC-QTOF/MS-Based Profiling of the Phytochemicals in Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) and Their Bioactivities
Authors: Oh Mira , Han Ah-Ram , Lee Jaeyoun , Choi Sang Yoon , Choi Jae Woong , Song Nho-Eul , Hong Hee-Do , Rhee Young Kyoung , Cho Chang-Won
Published: June 2024

Recent assessments of the correlations between food and medicine underscore the importance of functional foods in disease prevention and management. Functional foods offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, with fresh fruits and vegetables being particularly prominent because of their rich polyphenol content. In this study, we elucidated the phytochemicals in ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), a globally consumed vegetable, using an LC-QTOF/MS-based untargeted detection method. The phytochemicals were clustered based on their structural similarity using molecular networking and annotated using the in silico tool for network annotation propagation. To identify the bioactive compounds, eight compounds were isolated from ice plant extracts. These compounds were identified using extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Additionally, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of all the isolates. Among the tested compounds, three showed antioxidant activity and all eight showed anti-inflammatory activity, demonstrating the potential of ice plant as a functional food.
Screening and Identification of High-Yielding Strains of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Optimization of Conditions for the Conversion of CLA
Authors: Chen Cunshe , Tong Fang , Sun Ruohao , Zhang Ying , Pang Zhihua , Liu Xinqi
Published: June 2024

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a class of naturally occurring octadecadienoic acid in humans and animals and is a general term for a group of conformational and positional isomers of linoleic acid. In order to obtain the development of excellent lactic acid strains with a high production of conjugated linoleic acid, 32 strains with a possible CLA conversion ability were obtained by initial screening using UV spectrophotometry, and then the strains were re-screened by gas chromatography, and finally, the strain with the highest CLA content was obtained. The strains were optimized for cultivation by changing the amount of substrate addition, inoculum amount, and fermentation time. The results showed that the yield of the experimentally optimized strain for the conversion of conjugated linoleic acid could reach 94.68 ± 3.57 μg/mL, which was 74.4% higher than the initial yield of 54.28 ± 2.12 μg/mL of the strain. The results of this study can provide some basis for the application of conjugated linoleic acid production by Lactobacillus paracasei in the fermentation of lactic acid bacteria.
Comparison of Brain Gene Expression Profiles Associated with Auto-Grooming Behavior between Apis cerana and Apis mellifera Infested by Varroa destructor
Authors: Liao Jiali , Wan Kunlin , Lü Yang , Ouyang Wenyao , Huang Jingnan , Zheng Liyuan , Miao Liuchang , Su Songkun , Li Zhiguo
Published: June 2024

The grooming behavior of honeybees serves as a crucial auto-protective mechanism against Varroa mite infestations. Compared to Apis mellifera, Apis cerana demonstrates more effective grooming behavior in removing Varroa mites from the bodies of infested bees. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating grooming behavior remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the auto-grooming behavior between A. cerana and A. mellifera and employed RNA-sequencing technology to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in bee brains with varying degrees of grooming behavior intensity. We observed that A. cerana exhibited a higher frequency of mite removal between day 5 and day 15 compared to A. mellifera, with day-9 bees showing the highest frequency of mite removal in A. cerana. RNA-sequencing results revealed the differential expression of the HTR2A and SLC17A8 genes in A. cerana and the CCKAR and TpnC47D genes in A. mellifera. Subsequent homology analysis identified the HTR2A gene and SLC17A8 gene of A. cerana as homologous to the HTR2A gene and SLC17A7 gene of A. mellifera. These DEGs are annotated in the neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathway, the glutamatergic synaptic pathway, and the calcium signaling pathway. Moreover, CCKAR, TpnC47D, HTR2A, and SLC17A7 may be closely related to the auto-grooming behavior of A. mellifera, conferring resistance against Varroa infestation. Our results further explain the relationship between honeybee grooming behavior and brain function at the molecular level and provide a reference basis for further studies of the mechanism of honeybee grooming behavior.
Disease and Creativity in the Diasporic City: A Gendered View on Two Atypical Transnational Novels
Authors: Cavalcanti Sofia
Published: June 2024

The topographical turn in literary and cultural studies has shed new light on the deeply symbolic significance of the natural and urban places where stories unfold. This focus on spatiality is particularly evident in the South Asian literature by contemporary women writers, where locations acquire a personality and significantly contribute to the shaping of gender identities. Although most of these narratives portray female protagonists who develop strategies of resistance and sisterhood within traditional domestic spaces, the widely praised transnational novels Brick Lane and The Mistress of Spices show that women can also achieve independence and self-realization in the bustling urban environment. Drawing on cultural geography as well as gender and social studies, this essay argues that the global dimension of the city offers diasporic women the opportunity to forge new empowered selves in the above-mentioned books. First, the article maintains that London and Oakland, CA, where the main characters live, exert a centripetal force on women, thus triggering change and mobility, both in physical and psychical terms. Second, it claims that the two cities are gendered “heterotopias”, i.e., heterogeneous spaces where border-crossing women, like those featured in the two novels at hand, can overcome alienation and develop creativity, resilience, and self-confidence. In conclusion, urban spaces serve as “safe houses” for immigrant women, where they can cure their emotional and physical diseases and become figures of adaptive hybridity.
Parents’ Needs When Experiencing the Transition to Twin Parenthood
Authors: Freitas Maria João , Maneta Travanca Isabel Sofia , García-Fernández Rubén
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: The transition to twin parenthood is a demanding challenge with a higher risk of maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy and a postpartum period that involves caring for more than one newborn at the same time with similar and simultaneous needs. (2) Aim: To find out about parents’ needs when experiencing the transition to twin parenthood and to describe the intervention of their specialized nursing support network. (3) Methodology: A descriptive exploratory study, based on a proper non-probabilistic sample of 15 nurses and 55 couples who are parents of twins, using two online questionnaires publicized on social networks. (4) Results: The couple’s needs were identified through knowledge of their experiences and difficulties during pregnancy and after the twin birth. Couples’ and nurses’ perceptions differed on the identified needs. The specialized nursing support network focuses its intervention on providing informative guidance on twin pregnancy and postpartum period, health education, group sharing experiences, home visits, planning, and including a family support network in the management of twin care and the creation of a daily routine. (5) Conclusions: There is a need to implement a program focused on the needs of parents of twins, promoting realistic expectations for the birth and parenting of twins, preparing parents, improving their well-being, and creating a specialized nursing support network available to this population.
Does Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution Affect Gestational Age and Newborn Weight?—A Systematic Review
Authors: Grabowski Bartlomiej , Feduniw Stepan , Orzel Anna , Drab Marcin , Modzelewski Jan , Pruc Michal , Gaca Zuzanna , Szarpak Lukasz , Rabijewski Michal , Baran Arkadiusz , Scholz Anna
Published: June 2024

Current evidence suggests that airborne pollutants have a detrimental effect on fetal growth through the emergence of small for gestational age (SGA) or term low birth weight (TLBW). The study’s objective was to critically evaluate the available literature on the association between environmental pollution and the incidence of SGA or TLBW occurrence. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodology adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO with ID number: CRD42022329624. As a result, 69 selected papers described the influence of environmental pollutants on SGA and TLBW occurrence with an Odds Ratios (ORs) of 1.138 for particulate matter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), 1.338 for particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), 1.173 for ozone (O3), 1.287 for sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 1.226 for carbon monoxide (CO). All eight studies analyzed validated that exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a risk factor for SGA or TLBW. Pregnant women in the high-risk group of SGA occurrence, i.e., those living in urban areas or close to sources of pollution, are at an increased risk of complications. Understanding the exact exposure time of pregnant women could help improve prenatal care and timely intervention for fetuses with SGA. Nevertheless, the pervasive air pollution underscored in our findings suggests a pressing need for adaptive measures in everyday life to mitigate worldwide environmental pollution.
Effectiveness of Peer Support Programs for Severe Mental Illness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Sung-Nam , Yu Hea-Jin
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: While medication and various forms of psychotherapy are common treatments for severe mental illness, peer support programs have also proven to be effective in managing mental disorders. These programs, which involve individuals with similar experiences in navigating mental health challenges, aim to improve coping skills and foster supportive community networks. However, despite the prevalent mention of peer support programs, especially those with supervision, there has been no systematic review or meta-analysis of peer support supervision. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the forms and effectiveness of peer support programs for individuals with severe mental illnesses. (2) Methods: A literature search focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between February 2003 and January 2024 was conducted. (3) Results: Sixteen RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria and involving a total of 4008 participants were reviewed. These studies utilized various peer support program strategies, with eight studies included in the qualitative analysis. The combined effect sizes for depressive symptoms (d = 0.12; 95% CI, −0.14, 0.37; p = 0.37), empowerment (d = 1.17; 95% CI, −0.81, 3.15; p = 0.25), quality of life (d = 0.70; 95% CI, −0.12, 1.52; p = 0.09), psychiatric symptoms (d = −0.05; 95% CI, −0.20, 0.10; p = 0.54), and self-efficacy (d = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05, 0.36; p = 0.01) were assessed. (4) Conclusions: Our analysis emphasizes the need for further studies on peer support programs for individuals with severe mental illness, particularly those focused on self-efficacy outcomes across diverse geographic locations involving more countries and with larger scales to bolster the strength of the evidence.
Assessment of the Daily Living Activities of Older People (2004–2023): A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis
Authors: Cui Ying , Choi Mankyu
Published: June 2024

With a rapidly aging global population, comprehending the risks associated with older people’s activities of daily living is increasingly important; yet, interdisciplinary analyses remain rare. By providing a bibliometric overview of the capability risks associated with older people’s activities of daily living, in order to identify prevailing trends and future directions in the field, the study aims to fill this gap. Using CiteSpace software to analyze data from 928 articles published between 2004 and 2023, the study results demonstrate the growing interest in the capability risks of older people’s activities of daily living, with the United States leading in the number of publications, and geriatrics emerging as the dominant discipline. Notably, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (Inserm) in France emerges as a pivotal contributor in the field. Key research topics encompass risk factors associated with a decline in daily activities and disease-related studies, with emerging trends in cognitive function and instrumental activity research. Future research should prioritize the development of predictive mechanisms for daily living trends, exploration of caregiving solutions, and promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration. This study highlights promising avenues for further research, emphasizing the importance of predictive modeling, innovative caregiving strategies, and interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing capability risks in the activities of daily living of older people.
Two New Species of Pentacarinus from the Acrotiarini Tribe in Burmese Amber (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae)
Authors: Deng Keyi , Liang Feiyang , Bourgoin Thierry , Wang Menglin
Published: June 2024

Two new species, Pentacarinus maculosus sp. nov. and Pentacarinus tenebrosus sp. nov., from Burmese amber are described. Alongside the type species P. kachinensis already described, they are easily distinguishable by the tegmina patterns. The diagnosis of the genus Pentacarinus is amended, notably with fusion of Pcu + A1 distad of forking CuA, the fork ScP + R approximately close to basal 1/5 of tegmen, basad of forking CuA, and only one transverse veinlet ir between RP and RA on forewings. Additionally, a key to these three species of Pentacarinus is provided.
The Innate Rates of Increase in Two Common Stored Grain Insects under Different Grain Storage Conditions and Times
Authors: Jian Fuji
Published: June 2024

The determination of innate rate of increase (r) values under different grain storage conditions is critical for insect population predictions. The r values for Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) were calculated by using a new suggested method (continuous time analysis) and data from the literature, and these calculated r values were compared to identify the r values and carrying capacities under real grain storage conditions and times. The insects were reared in small glass vials (0.3 kg wheat), small PVC columns (2 kg wheat), large PVC columns (14 kg wheat), and shallow containers (14 kg wheat or wheat + cracked wheat). The wheat or cracked wheat had 13.8 to 14.5% moisture contents at different constant temperatures (17.5 to 42.5 °C) and fluctuating temperatures. The r values at the beginning of the population were the highest. Before r became negative, it gradually decreased with increasing time. After the r value became negative, it sometimes increased to positive; however, the rebounded r was much less than the initial r and gradually tended to stabilize within an up-and-down range. This up-and-down r was related to the carrying capacity. The larger the grain bulk, the higher the innate rate was for both species. The r values associated with 14 kg of wheat could be used to predict the insect population dynamics in stored grain bins.
Improved Interpretation of Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressures through Left Atrial Volumetry—A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Güder Gülmisal , Reiter Theresa , Drayss Maria , Bauer Wolfgang , Lengenfelder Björn , Nordbeck Peter , Fette Georg , Frantz Stefan , Morbach Caroline , Störk Stefan
Published: June 2024

Background: The pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is regarded as a reliable indicator of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), but this association is weaker in patients with left-sided heart disease (LHD). We compared morphological differences in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with heart failure (HF) and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), with or without elevation of PAWP or LVEDP. Methods: We retrospectively identified 121 patients with LVEF < 50% who had undergone right heart catheterization (RHC) and CMR. LVEDP data were available for 75 patients. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 63 ± 14 years, the mean LVEF was 32 ± 10%, and 72% were men. About 53% of the patients had an elevated PAWP (>15 mmHg). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, NT-proBNP, left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), and LV end-systolic volume index independently predicted an elevated PAWP. Of the 75 patients with available LVEDP data, 79% had an elevated LVEDP, and 70% had concomitant PAWP elevation. By contrast, all but one patient with elevated PAWP and half of the patients with normal PAWP had concomitant LVEDP elevation. The Bland–Altman plot revealed a systematic bias of +5.0 mmHg between LVEDP and PAWP. Notably, LAEF was the only CMR variable that differed significantly between patients with elevated LVEDP and a PAWP ≤ or >15 mmHg. Conclusions: In patients with LVEF < 50%, a normal PAWP did not reliably exclude LHD, and an elevated LVEDP was more frequent than an elevated PAWP. LAEF was the most relevant determinant of an increased PAWP, suggesting that a preserved LAEF in LHD may protect against backward failure into the lungs and the subsequent increase in pulmonary pressure.
The Impact of Silent Liver Disease on Hospital Length of Stay Following Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery
Authors: Suffredini Giancarlo , Le Lan , Lee Seoho , Gao Wei Dong , Robich Michael P. , Aziz Hamza , Kilic Ahmet , Lawton Jennifer S. , Voegtline Kristin , Olson Sarah , Brown Charles Hugh , Lima Joao A. C. , Das Samarjit , Dodd-o Jeffrey M.
Published: June 2024

Objectives: Risk assessment models for cardiac surgery do not distinguish between degrees of liver dysfunction. We have previously shown that preoperative liver stiffness is associated with hospital length of stay following cardiac surgery. The authors hypothesized that a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 9.5 kPa would rule out a short hospital length of stay (LOS < 6 days) following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Methods: A prospective observational study of one hundred sixty-four adult patients undergoing non-emergent isolated CABG surgery at a single university hospital center. Preoperative liver stiffness measured by ultrasound elastography was obtained for each participant. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the adjusted relationship between LSM and a short hospital stay. Results: We performed multivariate logistic regression models using short hospital LOS (<6 days) as the dependent variable. Independent variables included LSM (< 9.5 kPa, ≥ 9.5 kPa), age, sex, STS predicted morbidity and mortality, and baseline hemoglobin. After adjusting for included variables, LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa was associated with lower odds of early discharge as compared to LSM < 9.5 kPa (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.84, p = 0.03). The ROC curve and resulting AUC of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.68–0.83) suggest the final multivariate model provides good discriminatory performance when predicting early discharge. Conclusions: A preoperative LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa ruled out a short length of stay in nearly 80% of patients when compared to patients with a LSM < 9.5 kPa. Preoperative liver stiffness may be a useful metric to incorporate into preoperative risk stratification.
Changes in Muscle Mass and Strength in Adolescents Following High-Intensity Functional Training with Bodyweight Resistance Exercises in Physical Education Lessons
Authors: Koźlenia Dawid , Popowczak Marek , Szafraniec Rafał , Alvarez Cristian , Domaradzki Jarosław
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: The growing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and declining physical fitness among children and adolescents due to sedentary lifestyles has increased attention toward preventive intervention to tackle this issue. This study investigated the age-related effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT), based on bodyweight resistance exercises conducted during physical education lessons, on muscle mass and strength improvement. (2) Methods: Adolescent males (n = 116) were allocated to four HIFT experimental groups (EGs) and four standard physical education program control groups (CGs) according to age (15, 16, 17, and 18 years [y]). The changes in muscle mass (absolute and relative to height [SMI]), hand–grip strength (HGS), sit-ups (SUs), and standing broad jump (SBJ) were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni tests. (3) Results: HIFT significantly increased muscle mass and scores in all strength tests (p < 0.01), while chronological age was significant for HGS (p < 0.01). Interactions between HIFT and chronological age categories were observed for HGS (p = 0.01) and SBJ (p < 0.03). Detailed post hoc tests revealed improvement in muscle mass across all chronological age categories for both approaches (p < 0.05). The 18y-EG group improved HGS over their control peers (p < 0.01), the EG groups significantly improved their SU results (p < 0.01), and SBJ improved in the 15y-EG and 18y-EG groups compared to their control (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: This research highlights the effectiveness of a school-based HIFT program in promoting muscle mass gains and enhancing muscle strength among adolescents. The findings offer valuable insights for implementing bodyweight exercises during physical education classes.
Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of an AI-Driven Platform for Assessing Endodontic Treatment Outcomes Using Panoramic Radiographs: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Kazimierczak Wojciech , Wajer Róża , Wajer Adrian , Kalka Karol , Kazimierczak Natalia , Serafin Zbigniew
Published: June 2024

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an AI-driven platform, Diagnocat (Diagnocat Ltd., San Francisco, CA, USA), for assessing endodontic treatment outcomes using panoramic radiographs (PANs). Materials and Methods: The study included 55 PAN images of 55 patients (15 males and 40 females, aged 12–70) who underwent imaging at a private dental center. All images were acquired using a Hyperion X9 PRO digital cephalometer and were evaluated using Diagnocat, a cloud-based AI platform. The AI system assessed the following endodontic treatment features: filling probability, obturation adequacy, density, overfilling, voids in filling, and short filling. Two human observers independently evaluated the images, and their consensus served as the reference standard. The diagnostic accuracy metrics were calculated. Results: The AI system demonstrated high accuracy (90.72%) and a strong F1 score (95.12%) in detecting the probability of endodontic filling. However, the system showed variable performance in other categories, with lower accuracy metrics and unacceptable F1 scores for short filling and voids in filling assessments (8.33% and 14.29%, respectively). The accuracy for detecting adequate obturation and density was 55.81% and 62.79%, respectively. Conclusions: The AI-based system showed very high accuracy in identifying endodontically treated teeth but exhibited variable diagnostic accuracy for other qualitative features of endodontic treatment.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Romanian Patients with Dystonia: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Băjenaru Ovidiu Lucian , Nuță Cătălina Raluca , Băjenaru Lidia , Balog Alexandru , Constantinescu Alexandru , Andronic Octavian , Popescu Bogdan Ovidiu
Published: June 2024

Background/Objectives: Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that lead to abnormal movements and postures; it has a major impact on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to examine the HRQoL of Romanian patients with dystonia using the EQ-5D-5L instrument. Methods: Responses to the EQ-5D-5L and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were collected alongside demographic and clinical characteristics. Health profiles were analyzed via the metrics of the EQ-5D-5L, severity levels, and age groups. Using Shannon’s indexes, we calculated informativity both for patients’ health profile as a whole and each individual dimension. Level sum scores (LSS) of the EQ-5D-5L were calculated and compared with scores from the EQ-5D-5L index and VAS. The HRQoL measures were analyzed through demographic and clinical characteristics. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, and non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U or Kruskall–Wallis H) were used. The level of agreement between HRQoL measures was assessed using their intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots. Results: A sample of 90 patients was used, around 75.6% of whom were female patients, and the mean age at the beginning of the survey was 58.7 years. The proportion of patients reporting “no problems” in all five dimensions was 10%. The highest frequency reported was “no problems” in self-care (66%), followed by “no problems” in mobility (41%). Shannon index and Shannon evenness index values showed higher informativity for pain/discomfort (2.07 and 0.89, respectively) and minimal informativity for self-care (1.59 and 0.68, respectively). The mean EQ-5D-5L index, LSS, and VAS scores were 0.74 (SD = 0.26), 0.70 (SD = 0.24), and 0.61 (SD = 0.21), respectively. The Spearman correlations between HRQoL measures were higher than 0.60. The agreement between the EQ-5D-5L index and LSS values was excellent (ICC = 0.970, 95% CI = 0.934–0.984); the agreement was poor-to-good between the EQ-5D-5L index and VAS scores (ICC = 683, 95% CI = 0.388–0.820), and moderate-to-good between the LSS and VAS scores (ICC = 0.789, 95% CI = 0.593–0.862). Conclusions: Our results support the utilization of the EQ-5D-5L instrument in assessing the HRQoL of dystonia patients, and empirical results suggest that the EQ-5D-5L index and LSS measure may be used interchangeably. The findings from this study highlight that HRQoL is complex in patients with dystonia, particularly across different age groups.
A Comprehensive Clinical Outcome Analysis of Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Sampath Hari Kumar , Lee Terence Ji Hui , Cher Chua E. , Liang Shen , Cheong Ooi Oon , Kofidis Theo , Vitaly Sorokin , Sazzad Faizus
Published: June 2024

Background: The long saphenous vein is routinely used for coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and two primary techniques are commonly utilized: endoscopic vessel harvesting (EVH) and open vessel harvesting (OVH). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of the EVH and OVH techniques used for CABG within the confines of a tertiary hospital. Methods: The clinical data of all patients subjected to either EVH or OVH for CABG surgery between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to discern variations in the rates of postoperative complications between EVH and OVH. Results: A cohort of 1884 individuals were included in this study, 75.3% of whom underwent EVH. Notably, the incidence of postoperative leg wound complications was significantly different between the patients who underwent OVH and the patients who underwent EVH, with incidence rates of 18.6% and 32%, respectively (p < 0.001). Leg wound complications (p < 0.001; OR 1.946; 95% CI 1.528–2.477) and leg wound infections (p = 0.050, OR 1.517, 95% CI 0.999–2.303) were significantly associated with OVH. Moreover, leg wound hematoma (p = 0.039, OR = 0.402, 95% CI = 0.169–0.957) and EVH were strongly associated. Conclusions: The large sample of patients and the inclusion of a range of Asian ethnic groups provided notable insights into postoperative complications related to different modalities. EVH was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative leg wound complications, which suggests that EVH is a better modality for those undergoing CABG surgery.
Appraisal of the Flow Diversion Effect Provided by Braided Intracranial Stents
Authors: Çay Ferdi , Arat Anıl
Published: June 2024

Objective: Comparison of the results of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) with braided stents (BS), flow diverters (FD), and laser-cut stents (LCS) to determine the relative flow-diverting capacity of BS (Leo baby and Accero). Methods: Saccular intracranial aneurysms treated by SAC and FD-assisted coiling were retrospectively evaluated. Aneurysm occlusion, as graded per Raymond–Roy score, was categorized as either recanalization/stable residual filling (Group A; lacking a flow diversion effect) or stable/progressive occlusion (Group B with a “flow diversion effect”). Factors predicting the flow diversion effect were evaluated. Results: Of the 194 aneurysms included, LCS, BS, and FD were used in 70 (36.1%), 86 (44.3%), and 38 (19.6%) aneurysms, respectively. Aneurysms treated by FD were larger, had wider necks, and were located on larger parent arteries (p < 0.01, 0.02, and <0.01, respectively). The mean imaging follow-up duration was 24.5 months. There were 29 (14.9%) aneurysms in Group A and 165 (85.1%) in Group B. Among a spectrum of variables, including sex, age, aneurysm size, neck width, parent artery diameter, follow-up duration, and stent type, the positive predictors for stable/progressive aneurysm occlusion were aneurysm size and placement of an FD or BS (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively, and were positive predictors over LCS: ORs 6.34 (95% CI: 1.62–24.76) and 3.11 (95% CI: 1.20–8.07), respectively) in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The placement of BS was a predictor of flow diversion over laser-cut stents. However, the flow diversion effect was approximately half that of FDs, suggesting that BS may only be considered to have some (partial) flow diversion effects.