bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of memory and attention on the association between video game addiction and cognitive/learning skills in children: mediational analysis
Authors: Kappi Amani Ali , El-Etreby Rania Rabie , Badawy Ghada Gamal , Ebrahem Gawhara , Hamed Warda El Shahat
Published: June 2024

Background

Video games have become a prevalent source of entertainment, especially among children. Furthermore, the amount of time spent playing video games has grown dramatically. The purpose of this research was to examine the mediation effects of attention and child memory on the relationship between video games addiction and cognitive and learning abilities in Egyptian children.

Methods

A cross-sectional research design was used in the current study in two schools affiliated with Dakahlia District, Egypt. The study included 169 children aged 9 to 13 who met the inclusion criteria, and their mothers provided the questionnaire responses. The data collection methods were performed over approximately four months from February to May. Data were collected using different tools: Socio-demographic Interview, Game Addiction Scale for Children (GASC), Children’s Memory Questionnaire (CMQ), Clinical Attention Problems Scale, Learning, Executive, and Attention Functioning (LEAF) Scale.

Results

There was a significant indirect effect of video game addiction on cognitive and learning skills through attention, but not child memory. Video game addiction has a significant impact on children’s attention and memory. Both attention and memory have a significant impact on a child’s cognitive and learning skills.

Conclusions

These results revealed the significant effect of video game addiction on cognitive and learning abilities in the presence of mediators. It also suggested that attention-focused therapies might play an important role in minimizing the harmful effects of video game addiction on cognitive and learning abilities.
Occurrence of pendelluft during ventilator weaning with T piece correlated with increased mortality in difficult-to-wean patients
Authors: Liu Wanglin , Chi Yi , Zhao Yutong , He Huaiwu , Long Yun , Zhao Zhanqi
Published: June 2024

Background

Difficult-to-wean patients, typically identified as those failing the initial spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), face elevated mortality rates. Pendelluft, frequently observed in patients experiencing SBT failure, can be conveniently detected through bedside monitoring with electrical impedance tomography (EIT). This study aimed to explore the impact of pendelluft during SBT on difficult-to-wean patients.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included difficult-to-wean patients undergoing spontaneous T piece breathing, during which EIT data were collected. Pendelluft occurrence was defined when its amplitude exceeded 2.5% of global tidal impedance variation. Physiological parameters during SBT were retrospectively retrieved from the EIT Examination Report Form. Other clinical data including mechanical ventilation duration, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and 28-day mortality were retrieved from patient records in the hospital information system for each subject.

Results

Pendelluft was observed in 72 (70.4%) of the 108 included patients, with 16 (14.8%) experiencing mortality by day 28. The pendelluft group exhibited significantly higher mortality (19.7% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.035), longer median mechanical ventilation duration [9 (5–15) vs. 7 (5–11) days, p = 0.041] and shorter ventilator-free days at day 28 [18 (4–22) vs. 20 (16–23) days, p = 0.043]. The presence of pendellfut was independently associated with increased mortality at day 28 (OR = 10.50, 95% confidence interval   1.21–90.99, p = 0.033).

Conclusions

Pendelluft occurred in 70.4% of difficult-to-wean patients undergoing T piece spontaneous breathing. Pendelluft was associated with worse clinical outcomes, including prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased mortality in this population. Our findings underscore the significance of monitoring pendelluft using EIT during SBT for difficult-to-wean patients.
Distinct leaflet-annular remodeling pattern in severe atrial functional mitral regurgitation: a three-dimensional echocardiography study
Authors: Abdelgawad Hoda , Mowafy Bassant , Khidr Kawkab , Elsharkawy Eman
Published: June 2024

Background

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is best described with normal left ventricular size and function, structurally normal mitral leaflets and dilated left atrium. Unlike the ventricular functional phenotype, changes in the annular geometry more than the tethering forces are the main culprit for mitral regurgitation. The aim of this study is to illuminate the leaflet-annular remodeling in patients with mitral regurgitation and atrial fibrillation (AF) using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TOE).

Results

Consecutive fifty patients with AFMR underwent transthoracic echocardiography and 3D TOE: 25 patients with AF and non-mild MR and 25 patients with AF and mild MR were studied. A special mitral valve analysis software was used to accurately assess the three unique pillars for MR: annular size, leaflets’ geometry and tenting parameters.

Compared to the mild MR group, non-mild MR group had long-standing AF of more than 1 year and larger left atrial volumes (51.83 ± 12.07 ml/m2 vs 33.68 ± 10.97 ml/m2, p < 0.001). No significant differences were noted in respect of tenting height, area and volume (13.06 ± 2.57 mm vs 11.43 ± 2.89 mm, p = 0.064, 3.58 ± 1.26 cm2 vs 2.80 ± 0.95 cm2, 0.081 and 6.70 ± 2.96 cm3 vs 5.04 ± 2.32 cm3, p = 0.081). Conversely, the non-mild MR group had larger annular area and perimeter (16.20 ± 3.90 cm2 vs 13.51 ± 3.85 cm2, p = 0.023 and 14.73 ± 1.72 cm vs 13.46 ± 1.79 cm, p = 0.033). Similarly, the non-mild MR group had larger anterior and posterior leaflets’ areas (10.18 ± 4.02 cm2 vs 8.71 ± 3.08 cm2, p = 0.04 and 8.96 ± 2.60 cm2 vs 7.30 ± 2.17 cm2, p = 0.029). Correspondingly, more disproportionate leaflet-annular remodeling, as assessed by the ratio of total leaflets’ area to the annular area, was noted in the non-mild MR as opposed to the mild MR group (1.22 ± 0.04 vs 1.26 ± 0.04, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Recently, AFMR has been recognized as a remarkable entity of secondary MR with unique mechanisms. Annular dilatation with disproportionate leaflet remodeling can validate the central regurgitation. However, the call for more parameters is being emphasized to characterize the suitable candidates for percutaneous interventions.

Graphical abstract
Clinical predictors of obstructive sleep apnea among residents of Sagamu local government area of Ogun State
Authors: Olalekan S. O. , Osonuga I. O. , Okwute P. G. , Atekoja O. E. , Adeyanju M. M. , Adegbesan B. O. , Ezima E. N. , Odufejo O. D. , Tayo B. , Edema V. B. , Taiwo D. D.
Published: June 2024

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most commonly diagnosed sleep-associated pulmonary disorder in the world. So many risk factors have been attributed to OSA; however, conflicting results exist on how these factors contribute to OSA.

Purpose

This study hypothesized that increasing the number of risk factors for OSA, as reflected in the STOP-BANG questionnaire, increases the probability of having OSA but also increases the likelihood of having other severe diseases such as hypertension in a Nigerian population and that the severity of OSA might be dependent on specific anthropometric indices.

Methods

This study involved 110 male and female residents of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. Data was collected using a standardized instrument and the STOP-BANG questionnaire. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, parametric test of independent t-test to characterize data based on gender, and multinomial regressions to determine predictive factors of the various parameters of study on the severity of OSA.

Results

The association of the male gender with higher risk of OSA was confirmed by this study. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) predicted the risk of OSA, with an increase in DBP and HR implying higher risk of OSA. Of the anthropometric tests examined in this study, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference (NC), and neck height ratio (NHtR) predicted the risk of OSA in comparing low risk and medium risk to high risk, an increase in BMI and NC implying a higher risk of OSA while an increase in NHtR implying a lower risk of OSA.
Nanomaterial strategies for enhancing plant resilience in the face of temperature stress
Authors: Sidhu Amanpreet K. , Sharma Madhvi , Bhickchand Agrawal Sanskruthi , Pradip Bhavsar Praneeta , Samota Mahesh Kumar
Published: June 2024

Plant growth and productivity are greatly impacted by temperature stress, both high and low. These stresses impair biochemical, physiological, and molecular processes in the plant, eventually affecting plant growth, development, and productivity. Consequently, novel approaches are needed to overcome these problems and achieve sustainability. Nanotechnology is one such novel approach to improving crop production, by using nanoscale products. Nanoparticle size, nature, application mode, environmental conditions, rhizospheric and phyllospheric environments, and the species of plant make a significant impact on their action. With their easy soluble nature, smaller size, and excellent ability to penetrate plants, and their ability to cross cellular barriers, nanoparticles have become an increasingly popular agricultural tool. It has recently been observed that silver, silicon, titanium, and selenium nanoparticles can alter the physiological and biochemical response of plants in order to counteract high or low temperature stress. In this review, a description is provided of how nanoparticles are absorbed in different plant parts and how they are translocate along with the factors that influence their uptake and translocation. Also how plant response to nanoparticles in temperature stress and the various types of physiological, morphological, anatomical, biochemical and molecular modifications caused by nanoparticles. The review is going to provide researchers in agricultural sciences a glimpse into how to discover new nanoparticles to deal with heat stress.
Tianjin’s Italian-Style town: the conundrum between conservation practices and heritage value
Authors: Wang Jingting , Marinelli Maurizio
Published: June 2024

The former Italian concession in Tianjin (1901–1945) has assumed symbolic significance for the modern urban redevelopment of this municipality through experimentation with distinctive practices of conservation management. In 1986, when the Historic Buildings Protection Area was defined, the former Italian concession was identified as a pilot urban conservation project. In 2002, the public company Haihe Construction and Development Investment Ltd. was put in charge of the design and implementation plan for the site, which progressively assumed the semblance of an ‘Italian-Style Town’. The distinctive transformation raised significant questions regarding the architectural restyling as well as its specific historical and cultural value. In August 2020, the management of the Italian-Style town was handed over to the Hebei District Government. This coincided with the emergence of a proposal for the creation of a ‘Larger Italian-Style Town’, that extended beyond the borders of the original Italian concession to include the former Austrian concession and the western section of the ex-Russian concession. The redevelopment strategy for this larger area aimed to create a service-oriented commercial area, presented as an ‘urban living room’, while showcasing Tianjin as an international metropolis.

This article analyses the evolution of the conservation strategy as well as the relevant legislation, management, and practices during the redevelopment of the former Italian concession. The aim of this study is to address the conflict between heritage protection and commercialisation. Thus, this article offers a critique of the trend towards functional replacement and structural adaptation to cater to the tourism industry rather than to the value of the community’s livelihood as a living heritage.
Self-supervised learning for efficient seismic facies classification
Authors: Chikhaoui Khalil , Alfarraj Motaz
Published: June 2024

Seismic facies classification is an important task in seismic interpretation that allows the identification of rock bodies with similar physical characteristics. Manual labeling of seismic data is immensely time consuming, given the recent surge in data volumes. Self-supervised learning (SSL) enables models to learn powerful representations from unlabeled data, thereby improving performance in downstream tasks using limited labeled data. We investigate the effectiveness of SSL for efficient facies classification by evaluating various convolutional and vision transformer-based models. We pretrain the models on image reconstruction and fine-tune them on facies segmentation. Results on the southern North Sea F3 seismic block in the Netherlands and the Penobscot seismic volume in the Sable Subbasin, offshore Nova Scotia, Canada, show that SSL has comparable performance to supervised learning using only 5%–10% labeled data. Further, SSL exhibits stable domain adaptation on the Penobscot data set even with 5% labeled data, indicating an improved generalization compared with the supervised learning setup. The findings demonstrate that SSL significantly enhances model accuracy and data efficiency for seismic facies classification.
Assessing Mobility in Patients With Glioblastoma Using Digital Phenotyping—Piloting the Digital Assessment in Neuro-Oncology
Authors: Nawabi Noah L. A. , Emedom-Nnamdi Patrick , Kilgallon John L. , Gerstl Jakob V. E. , Cote David J. , Jha Rohan , Ellen Jacob G. , Maniar Krish M. , Hong Christopher S. , Dawood Hassan Y. , Onnela Jukka-Pekka , Smith Timothy R.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Digital phenotyping (DP) enables objective measurements of patient behavior and may be a useful tool in assessments of quality-of-life and functional status in neuro-oncology patients. We aimed to identify trends in mobility among patients with glioblastoma (GBM) using DP.

METHODS:

A total of 15 patients with GBM enrolled in a DP study were included. The Beiwe application was used to passively collect patient smartphone global positioning system data during the study period. We estimated step count, time spent at home, total distance traveled, and number of places visited in the preoperative, immediate postoperative, and late postoperative periods. Mobility trends for patients with GBM after surgery were calculated by using local regression and were compared with preoperative values and with values derived from a nonoperative spine disease group.

RESULTS:

One month postoperatively, median values for time spent at home and number of locations visited by patients with GBM decreased by 1.48 h and 2.79 locations, respectively. Two months postoperatively, these values further decreased by 0.38 h and 1.17 locations, respectively. Compared with the nonoperative spine group, values for time spent at home and the number of locations visited by patients with GBM 1 month postoperatively were less than control values by 0.71 h and 2.79 locations, respectively. Two months postoperatively, time spent at home for patients with GBM was higher by 1.21 h and locations visited were less than nonoperative spine group values by 1.17. Immediate postoperative values for distance traveled, maximum distance from home, and radius of gyration for patients with GBM increased by 0.346 km, 2.24 km, and 1.814 km, respectively, compared with preoperative values.

CONCLUSIONS

:Trends in patients with GBM mobility throughout treatment were quantified through the use of DP in this study. DP has the potential to quantify patient behavior and recovery objectively and with minimal patient burden.
A new roadmap for an age-inclusive workforce management practice and an international policies comparison
Authors: Katiraee Niloofar , Berti Nicola , Das Ajay , Zennaro Ilenia , Aldrighetti Riccardo , Dimovski Vlado , Peljhan Darja , Dobbs Debra , Glock Christoph , Pacheco Gail , Neumann Patrick , Ogawa Ami , Battini Daria
Published: June 2024

Background Worldwide, the worker population age is growing at an increasing rate. Consequently, government institutions and companies are being tasked to find new ways to address age-related workforce management challenges and opportunities. The development of age-friendly working environments to enhance ageing workforce inclusion and diversity has become a current management and national policy imperative. Since an ageing workforce population is a spreading worldwide trend, an identification and analysis of worker age related best practices across different countries would help the development of novel palliative paradigms and initiatives. Methods This study proposes a new systematic research-based roadmap that aims to support executives and administrators in implementing an age-inclusive workforce management program. The roadmap integrates and builds on published literature, best practices, and international policies and initiatives that were identified, collected, and analysed by the authors. The roadmap provides a critical comparison of age-inclusive management practices and policies at three different levels of intervention: international, country, and company. Data collection and analysis was conducted simultaneously across eight countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Slovenia, and the USA. Results and conclusions The findings of this research guide the development of a framework and roadmap to help manage the challenges and opportunities of an ageing workforce in moving towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient labour force.
What’s in it for citizen scientists? An analysis of participant’s gains from a democratisation perspective
Authors: Unterfrauner Elisabeth , Fabian Claudia Magdalena , Hemming Gary , Garcia Beatriz
Published: June 2024

Citizen science projects optimise the democratisation of the production of scientific knowledge. In these initiatives, research processes do not rely solely on scientists’ but on citizens’ engagement likewise with benefits on both sides. As previous work shows, the democratisation perspective of citizen science projects might be viewed critically as some groups of citizens tend to be overrepresented in these initiatives while other are left out. This paper explores the claim of democratisation and the citizens’ benefits based on four citizen science projects in the fields of astrophysics and particle physics on the citizen science platform Zooniverse. Besides a general engagement strategy, the citizen science projects addressed two groups specifically, the elderly and people with visual impairments. The claim for democratisation is reflected in the analysis of citizens’ demographic variables as an indicator for accessibility of the research projects. We used a pre-post design with questionnaires on science attitudes, motivations, skills, self-efficacy, and knowledge to assess what citizen scientists gained from participating in the project. The demographic analysis of the data reveals that participants were quite heterogeneous and that people who feel that they belong to a group that is discriminated against are particularly motivated to participate in citizen science projects. In terms of benefits, the results indicate knowledge and scientific skills gains, but no changes on other evaluative dimensions. Their attitude towards science was, in general, already rather positive when joining the projects, thus not leaving much room for change. These results confirm the importance of and call for a diversified citizen science engagement strategy and show that even in citizen science projects where the citizens’ task is limited to classifying data lead to scientific knowledge and skills gains.
Progettare con il vuoto. Il ruolo strutturante dello spazio aperto
Authors: Renè Soleti
Published: June 2024

Partire dal vuoto come opportunità per ridefinire gli equilibri urbani in termini sociali e ambientali. Riprendere l’idea della “città per parti”, il ruolo della dispositio, la scarnificazione del tessuto (come incremento di quei “vuoti urbani”, materiale indispensabile per la genesi del progetto di architettura). I casi affrontati propongono una città definita e non dispersa, che lavora per isole urbane e unità architettoniche complesse ma riconoscibili. Tali caratteristiche, sono le fondamenta di un’identità dettata da criteri regolatori basati su distanze ed isolamenti. La costruzione o la trasformazione di realtà urbane potrebbe essere pensata come un sistema organizzato e coordinato, in grado di rispondere in modo più efficace alle emergenze pandemiche.
Use of drone in Indonesian sound art within the context of ‘Lawing’ put forward by Anugerah
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Milyartini Rıta
Published: June 2024

Nursalim Yadi Anugerah is an Indonesian modern contemporary artist, who uses the drones of Kledik, an instrument from Kalimantan in his artwork called ‘Lawing’. Anugerah has engaged in addressing socioenvironmental concerns through an interdisciplinary approach. His unique approach towards drone and sound art makes him an appropriate choice for this research. The primary objective of this research is to inquire the use of drone in Indonesian Sound Art within the context of ‘Lawing’ put forward by Anugerah. The research methodology adopted for this study is Sound Ethnography. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and literature review. Manual coding and triangulation were used to analyse and interpret the data. Various themes and subthemes were derived through the analysis of the interviews and observations. The researcher found relevant themes like aesthetic and experiential quality of drone, and innovation with drone. This study examines the aesthetics of lawing including tone, texture, resonance and noise within the context of drone. The concept of Lawing is the connection of humans and breathing at a personal level. Anugerah used an air compressor for his performance, which is an innovative way of approaching Kledik to create drone. Ambisonic sound systems and specialized microphones have been purpose-designed to craft such artworks, creating a unique spatial experience, and distinctive experiential dimension for the audience. The incorporation of technology with ethnic music in these artworks, emerges as a central driver of creativity and novelty. The study of ‘Lawing’ illustrates Anugerah’s innovative approach to transform the melodic rhythmic drone of the traditional Kledik into a continuous drone with various density in texture. Anugerah has been actively creating sound art, fusing philosophical and cultural underpinnings of Dayak’s with contemporary technology. ’Lawing’ not only presents the Dayak people’s belief, but also provoke listeners to understand the environmental issues faced in Kalimantan.
Convolutional neural network classification of beam profiles from silicon photonics gratings
Authors: Lim Yu Dian , Tan Chuan Seng
Published: June 2024

Convolutional neural network (CNN) models consist of CNN block(s), and dense neural network (DNN) block(s) are used to perform image classification on beam profiles in light beams coupled out from silicon photonics (SiPh) mixed-pitch gratings. The beam profiles are first simulated and segregated into three categories based on their corresponding height above the SiPh gratings. With one CNN block, one DNN block, and 128 nodes in the DNN block, classification accuracy of 98.68% is achieved when classifying 454 beam profile images to their corresponding categories. Expanding the number of CNN blocks, DNN blocks, and nodes, 64 CNN models are constructed, trained, and evaluated. Out of the 64 CNN models, 52 of them achieved classification accuracy of >95%.
100-km entanglement distribution with coexisting quantum and classical signals in a single fiber
Authors: Rahmouni A. , Kuo P. S. , Li-Baboud Y. S. , Burenkov I. A. , Shi Y. , Jabir M. V. , Lal N. , Reddy D. , Merzouki M. , Ma L. , Battou A. , Polyakov S. V. , Slattery O. , Gerrits T.
Published: June 2024

The development of prototype metropolitan-scale quantum networks is underway and entails transmitting quantum information via single photons through deployed optical fibers spanning several tens of kilometers. The major challenges in building metropolitan-scale quantum networks are compensation for polarization fluctuation, high-precision clock synchronization, and compensation for cumulative transmission time fluctuations. One approach addressing these challenges is to copropagate classical probe signals in the same fiber as the quantum signal. Thus, both signals experience the same conditions, and the changes of the fiber can therefore be monitored and compensated. Here, we demonstrate the distribution of polarization-entangled quantum signals copropagating with the White Rabbit precision time protocol classical signals in the same single-core fiber strand at metropolitan-scale distances. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of this quantum-classical coexistence by achieving high-fidelity entanglement distribution between nodes separated by 100 km of optical fiber. This advancement is a significant step towards the practical implementation of robust and efficient metropolitan-scale quantum networks.
Introduction to the ECOC 2023 Special Edition
Authors: Lord Andrew
Published: June 2024

This special issue includes extensions of optical networking papers that were presented at the European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) 2023, held 1–5 October 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dry matter distribution, yield and seed quality of soybean (Glycine max) genotypes as affected by water stress
Authors: Hossain Md. Musarraf , Al Mamun Md. Abdullah , Ahsan Md. Karimul , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Karim Md. Abdul
Published: June 2024

Water stress is a major constraint for crop productivity and culturing right cultivars may produce a considerable yield under such stressful condition. An experiment was conducted inside a vinyl house to evaluate the effect of water stress on dry matter distribution, yield, and seed quality of eight soybean genotypes, viz. G00006, BD2336, AGS383, PK472, BCS-1, NCS-1, BU Soybean-1 and BARI Soybean-6. They were grown in pots and subjected to water stress (20% of field capacity, FC) and control (80% of FC). The water stress reduced plant height, leaf number, leaf, stem, and root dry matter by 23, 45, 46, 45 and 19%, respectively, across the genotypes. Under water stress, the soybean genotypes G00006, BCS-1, NCS-1 and BARI Soybean-6 beard only 6 to 30% pod and 5 to 34% seed compared to the control condition. The results further indicated that yield of BD2336 and AGS383 were less affected by the stress than those of other genotypes. Interestingly, water stress exerted positive effect on seed germination, viability, speed of germination and vigor index in BD2336 and AGS383, respectively. Nitrogen and seed protein content were found the highest in BCS-1 under control (9.82 and 58.42% respectively) followed by AGS383. Phosphorus content in seed also reduced by the stress in the tested genotypes, except BD2336 (0.29% in control and 0.96% in water stress) and BARI Soybean-6. Potassium content in seed was reduced by the stress in the tested genotypes, except G00006 and BARI Soybean-6. Based on the findings related to water stress effects on yield and seed quality, particularly seed protein of the tested eight soybean genotypes, it was concluded that genotypes AGS383 and BD2336 might be considered for field trial under water deficit condition.
Hybrid Versus Conventional Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (Short-Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection)
Authors: Yang Dennis , Hasan Muhammad K. , Jawaid Salmaan , Singh Gurdeep , Xiao Yasi , Khalaf Mai , Tomizawa Yutaka , Sharma Neil S. , Draganov Peter V. , Othman Mohamed O.
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (H-ESD), which utilizes ESD knife along with snare-based resection, has been developed to overcome the technical complexity of conventional ESD (C-ESD). The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic outcomes of H-ESD vs C-ESD for nonpedunculated colorectal lesions ≥20 mm in size.

METHODS:

We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial to compare H-ESD and C-ESD (Short-ESD trial). Patients with colorectal lesions between 20 and 50 mm in size were randomly assigned (1:1) to H-ESD or C-ESD. Primary outcome was procedure time/speed. Secondary outcomes were en bloc and complete (R0) resection rates and adverse event rates.

RESULTS:

A total of 89 patients (median age 63 years; 49.3% women) with the median polyp size of 30 mm underwent H-ESD (n = 40) and C-ESD (n = 49). The mean procedure time of H-ESD was significantly shorter than that of C-ESD (41.1 ± 16.3 vs 54.3 ± 28.2 minutes; P = 0.007). The en bloc and R0 resection rates trended lower in the H-ESD vs C-ESD groups (77.5% vs 87.8%; P = 0.26% and 72.5% vs 79.6%; P = 0.46) without reaching statistical significance. Adverse event rate was similar between H-ESD and C-ESD (10% vs 8.2%; P = 1.00).

DISCUSSION:

Both H-ESD and C-ESD were safe and effective for resection of large colorectal lesions. H-ESD was associated with a shorter procedure time. H-ESD may represent a viable alternative to C-ESD, with the main advantage being easy applicability of a snare-based technique for colorectal lesions. Future studies are needed to further define the most suitable lesions for H-ESD, as to optimize efficiency and safety without compromising resection outcomes. ClinicaTrials.gov NCT NCT05347446.
Managing laboratory test ordering: a challenge in the new laboratory medicine model
Authors: Salinas María , Torreblanca Ruth , Sanchez Eduardo , Blasco Álvaro , Flores Emilio , López-Garrigós Maite
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The role of Laboratory Medicine in patient care has evolved in the last decades. The same has occurred to the laboratory model, which has evolved from a traditional model where the laboratory is merely involved in clinical decision-making to a leading model where the laboratory is not only involved but also determines decision-making. The advent of new technologies and automation of processes have enabled laboratory professionals to focus on the first and last phase of the analytical process namely, test ordering and decision-making based on laboratory results. These phases are more error-prone than the analytical phase, and where action must be taken to improve the quality of patient care.

Content

We share our experience in the design and establishment of laboratory test demand management interventions that facilitated diagnosis of occult disease, improved adherence to clinical guidelines, and optimized patient safety.

A description is provided of key points in the management of laboratory test over/underutilization.

Outlook

The objective of this review is to promote the involvement of laboratory professionals in the design and implementation of demand management interventions and in the development of the new Leader Laboratory model.
Revisiting the automatic prediction of lexical errors in Mandarin
Authors: Allassonnière-Tang Marc , Wan I-Ping
Published: June 2024

Speech errors provide cues for explaining the process of word retrieval. For example, speech errors are less likely to occur with high-frequency words since these words already receive a high level of activation. The current analysis further develops existing findings in two ways. First, instead of considering the overall frequency of the words in the entire corpora, we consider the gap in frequency between sequential pairs of words. We hypothesize that speech errors are more likely to occur if the target has a much lower frequency than its preceding word. Second, we use word embedding methods to quantify the semantic distance between sequential pairs of words. We hypothesize that speech errors are more likely to occur with words that have a large semantic distance from their preceding context. We also consider the potential effects of phonetic distance between sequential pairs of words and position-in-utterance of words in utterances. The results from a Mandarin corpus of speech errors show that word frequency and semantic distance between sequential pairs of words can be used to predict the occurrence of speech errors with an accuracy above the majority baseline.
The syntax of African American English borrowings in the Louisiana Creole tense-mood-aspect system
Authors: Mayeux Oliver
Published: June 2024

This paper presents the typologically unusual case of borrowed tense-mood-aspect morphemes. Data are taken from Louisiana Creole, a critically endangered French-lexifier creole. Over the course of its history, Louisiana Creole has been in contact with local varieties of both French and English, including African American English. It will be shown that points of structural congruity between Louisiana Creole and African American English have facilitated the borrowing of two aspect markers for speakers competent in both varieties. African American English stressed BIN has been borrowed and marks remote past habitual, stative, and completive. The adverb still has been borrowed and subsequently has grammaticalized as a continuative marker via spec-to-head reanalysis. These borrowings are integrated into the inflectional domain as functional heads marking aspect. Their ordering constraints are evaluated relative to a previous hierarchy proposed by Rottet. Discussion of contact-induced change in creole languages has typically been confined to examination of interactions with the lexifier, the language which contributes the majority of a creole’s vocabulary (in this case, French). Fewer studies have presented detailed accounts of how creoles behave when in contact with other languages, meaning that this particular contact context remains undertheorized.
Use of secondary condensates from evaporation as washing liquid in kraft pulp bleaching
Authors: Pinto Isabel S.S. , Costa Bebiana , Portugal Inês
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the role of secondary condensates in the pulp and paper industry’s journey to minimize its water footprint. The integration of secondary condensates, traditionally less explored in bleaching processes, is examined for its potential in reducing freshwater demand. Condensates with different organic content (chemical oxygen demand, COD) and their mixtures were tested as washing liquid after the alkaline extraction stage (E

P
) of eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp and compared to hot water. Two subsequent chlorine dioxide stages were applied to evaluate the impact of the washing liquid COD on pulp properties and chemicals consumption. Despite its higher organic content, the condensates can be used as a partial or total substitute for hot water without substantial compromises in the pulp properties, such as brightness, reversion, and viscosity. The calculated correlation between ClO2 consumption and COD in the washing liquid can be applied for assessing economic and environmental trade-offs, providing a roadmap for optimizing processes and reducing environmental impacts.
Bi- and tridentate phosphanegold(I) chloride units linked by organosilane backbones
Authors: Heinrichs Peter , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: June 2024

The tridentate ligand tris(dimethylphosphanyl-methyl)phenylsilane was prepared by the reaction of phenyltrichlorosilane with three equivalents of dimethylphosphanylmethyl lithium. This ligand and the bifunctional bis(dimethylphosphanylmethyl)dimethylsilane were converted into their corresponding gold(I) chloride complexes with three and two AuCl functions, respectively. The complexes were investigated for their ability to form intra- or intermolecular aurophilic interactions.
Detection and Genetic Analysis of Songling Virus in Haemaphysalis concinna near the China-North Korea Border
Authors: Li De , Li Jixu , Wang Ruichen , Zhang Weijia , Nie Kai , Yin Qikai , Fu Shihong , Cui Qianqian , Xu Songtao , Li Fan , Li Xingzhou , Wang Huanyu
Published: June 2024

Background:

Songling virus (SGLV) is a spherical, enveloped, fragmented, negative-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Orthonairovirus in the Nairoviridae family. SGLV is transmitted by ticks and can cause disease in humans. This study identified and characterized SGLV in Haemaphysalis concinna ticks collected in 2023 in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (China) near the China-North Korea border.

Methods:

A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to screen for SGLV nucleic acid in ticks. Baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) and African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells were used to isolate strains of SGLV from nucleic acid-positive samples through three successive passages. Next-generation sequencing and phylogenetics methods were used to characterize the SGLVs.

Results:

Of the 1659 ticks collected from 6 towns in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture near the China-North Korea border, positive SGLV nucleic acid results were identified in 19 H. concinna tick pools from Helong and Longjing towns. This discovery led to the extraction of 17 SGLV genome sequences. Homology analysis that compare the newly discovered L, M, and S segments of SGLV strain HLJ1202 revealed nucleotide similarities ranging from 95.5%–97.1%, 91.9%–98.9%, and 98.3%–99.2%, respectively, and amino acid similarities ranging from 95.7%–97.4%, 97.1%–98.8%, and 98.2%–98.9%, respectively. Six distinct clades, characterized by specific geographic locations and host organisms, were identified on the Maximum Likelihood tree of the L segment. The YB129 and YB150 isolates demonstrated SGLV nucleic acid replication across three successive passages in Vero cells, as evidenced by the decrease in RT-qPCR Ct values.

Conclusion:

This study marks the initial identification of SGLV in H. concinna within the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.
Towards the Liburni: Studies in the Social History of Early Roman Liburnia
Authors: Kurilić Anamarija
Published: June 2024

The book is written keeping in mind students and all those who are interested in ancient social history topics. Since this is too extensive a subject-matter for a single book, the focus is kept on the family and social structure of the Liburni. In Chapter I the readers are introduced to the people of Liburni, where recent knowledge about their territory and life is briefly presented. In order to avoid excessive accumulation of literature and footnotes, only the latest relevant references are cited, which, however, contain older references; of course, when necessary, older seminal works are also cited. Texts in Chapters II and III, which are transferred from other publications, are kept mostly in the form in which they were printed, and their original pagination is shown; however, occasionally changes were made in the graphic layout (such as in the charts that are printed here in color, although they were black and white in the original publication) or certain additions and/or corrections were introduced that the author deemed necessary because of the new insights that were published in the meantime. Also, the system of writing the footnotes is made uniform in the book, which changes the appearance of the footnotes of some earlier works, but not their content.
Occurrence of brucellosis in cattle and goats in Malaysia: a review
Authors: Athliamai Bitrus Asinamai , Mohammed Yahaya Sani , Khairani Bejo Siti , Mohamed Omar Ariff , Zunita Zakaria
Published: June 2024

The occurrence of brucellosis in Malaysian livestock population even though reported for many decades is low when compared to other countries in Asia. The presence of brucellosis in Malaysia was first confirmed in 1950 when B. abortus was first isolated from large ruminants. However, it was observed that there was a shift in the status of bovine brucellosis and unsubstantiated evidence suggests an increase of brucellosis infection among cattle. The most reliable and unambiguous method of diagnosing Brucella specie in animals is by isolation. Microscopic examination of smears made from vaginal, placenta or aborted foetus swabs have proven to be promising in the bacteriological examination of B. melitensis. Since the original recognition of the causative agent of brucellosis, large numbers of serological tests and various modifications to enhance accuracy have been developed for diagnosis of brucellosis. Serological testing for brucellosis among livestock is usually conducted as a component of the disease eradication and surveillance program. Rose Bengal plate test is the most widely used screening test for brucellosis. The test is internationally acknowledged as the choice for the screening of brucellosis in small ruminants and the OIE considers this test “prescribed tests for trade”. Many countries are undergoing a re-emergence of the disease especially in sheep and goats. In many countries, vaccination of animals has been found as the most successful method for prevention and control of brucellosis. Crucial factors for the successful eradication programme are the implementation of an effective surveillance system with adequate laboratory support.
Independent Long COVID Journalism as a Lens for Critical Information Literacy: Conversations with The Sick Times Founders Betsy Ladyzhets and Miles W. Griffis
Authors:   Rowan University, Baer Andrea
Published: June 2024

Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the acceleration of climate change illuminate how difficult it can be to make sense of information about wicked problems—that is, issues that are highly complex and have no simple or complete solutions (Rittel & Webber, 1973). One approach to grappling with wicked problems is to consider the information practices that different people, communities, or professions use to make sense of those issues. In this Perspectives piece, I explore possible ways to practice and teach about critical information literacy by looking to the views, experiences, and professional practices of two independent journalists who report on an urgent but still under-reported wicked problem: Long COVID. Betsy Ladyzhets and Miles W. Griffis are the co-founders of the website The Sick Times, which is dedicated to reporting on Long COVID and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Following highlights from their interviews with me about their work, I consider potential implications of these journalists’ experiences for practicing and teaching critical information literacy.
Gender inequality and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Lilothia S. H.
Published: June 2024

Despite generally accepted recognition of the difference in characteristics and outcomes of cardiovascular diseases between men and women, implementation of a gender and sex-specific approach for the treatment of women in clinical practice has been extremely slow or non-existent. Women continue to be hospitalized at later stages of the disease, receive less aggressive medical care, often experience recurrent symptoms of the disease, and have a lower quality of life. Furthermore, sex biased research and significant knowledge gaps still persist. Meanwhile, women's cardiovascular health requires not only sex-specific research, but also an acknowledgement of the complex interaction of gender and sociocultural aspects that influence women's lives and cardiovascular outcomes. Developing sex and gender-specific algorithms for timely diagnosis, risk stratification, follow-up, and referral for surgical intervention, incorporating sex and gender into research, and studying the mechanisms of differences may help reduce the gap in outcomes between women and men. The aim of the article is to provide a framework of current barriers for cardiac female patients and to equip physicians with information about potential solutions. This article covers terminology and relevant aspects of the subject of cardiovascular inequalities, history of inclusion of women in clinical trials, women's mortality rates for cardiac surgery, and tips on managing the problem.
Effectiveness of neoton in patients with heart failure receiving sacubitril/valsartan. Sub-analysis of the BYHEART study
Authors: Tereshchenko S. N. , Safiullina A. A.
Published: June 2024

Aim. To study the effectiveness of exogenous phosphocreatine (EP) therapy in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fraction (EF) receiving sacubitril/valsartan.

Material and methods. The nationwide prospective observational study BYHEART included a total of 842 patients who underwent intravenous EP therapy. To achieve this goal, a group of patients was identified that received sacubitril/valsartan (n=139). Before and after the EP course, the following methods were used: the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), Rating Scale of Clinical State, transthoracic echocardiography assessing left ventricular EF (LVEF), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), assessment of NT-proBNP level.

Results. Of the 139 patients included in the study, 69,06% (n=96) were male. The mean age was 62,89±12,2 years. Of the entire cohort of patients with HF, 50 patients had class II (35,97%), 80 — class III (57,56%), 9 — class IV (6,47%). EP therapy led to a significant improvement in the quality of life (from 67±17 to 49±16, p<0,01, delta -6,7), a decrease in the Rating Scale of Clinical State score (from 7,7±2,8 to 5,6±2,1, p<0,01, delta -2,2), an increase in 6MWT distance (from 261±85 m to 310±74 m, p<0,01, delta 49 m), LVEF (from 38,5±7,01% to 40,25±6,58%, p<0,01, delta 1,75%), decreased NT-proBNP concentration (from 1000 [602; 1869] pg/ml to 832 [469; 1614] pg/ml, p<0,01).

Conclusion. The results obtained demonstrate that adjuvant intravenous mitochondrial EP therapy in patients with HF receiving sacubitril/valsartan improves quality of life, decrease the Rating Scale of Clinical State score and NT-proBNP concentration, as well as increase 6MWT distance and LVEF.
Arterial stiffness and endothelial function in the long-term period after a coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Bondar S. A. , Rotar O. P. , Moguchaya E. V. , Boyarinova M. А. , Kolesova E. P. , Vasilyeva E. Yu. , Mikhailova A. A. , Karonova T. L. , Konradi A. O.
Published: June 2024

Aim. To assess endothelial function and arterial stiffness over time in patients after hospitalization with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and compare them with a control group.

Material and methods. A total of 53 patients over 18 years of age were hospitalized for COVID-19 in June — August 2021 was examined at two visits: the first — 10-16 months, the second — 14-23 months after discharge from the hospital. Control group included 53 patients from the ESSE-RF epidemiological study of a St. Petersburg population who did not have COVID-19, selected by sex, status of smoking, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Endothelial function was assessed by the levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in plasma and the reactive hyperemia index (lnRHI) on the EndoPAT 2000 system. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was determined using the SphygmoCor device, while cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) — using the VaSera device.

Results. The prevalence of endothelial vasomotor function disorders at the first and second visits in the active group did not differ significantly as follows: lnRHI £0,51 — 21% and 21%, cfPWV >10 m/s — 17% and 14%, and SLSI >9 — 28% and 34%, respectively. Plasma VCAM-1 levels were significantly higher during hospitalization than at the first and second visits — no differences were found between visits. The levels of lnRHI, vWF, cfPWV, CAVI, ABI at the first and second visits did not differ significantly. Post-COVID-19 patients differed from the control group only by a significantly higher ABI level at the second visit. According to the analysis of covariance, COVID-19 is associated with a CAVI increase at the first visit, as well as with an increase in ABI at both visits.

Conclusion. The 1,5-2-year follow-up of patients after COVID-19, which required hospitalization, showed a decrease in the plasma endothelial dysfunction parameter VCAM-1. There is no changes in endothelial function and arterial stiffness over a period of time from 10-16 months to 14-23 months after hospitalization with COVID-19.