bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing the Queen: Establishing Agency through Narrative Strategies and Royal Materiality in Charlotte Papendiek's Memoirs
Authors: Howard Susan Kubica
Published: August 2022

Writing in the popular nineteenth-century genre of queens’ lives, Charlotte Papendiek's memoirs, published under the title Court and Private Life in the Time of Queen Charlotte, chronicle both the life of the queen as well as that of Papendiek. Papendiek establishes her agency within the court of King George III and Queen Charlotte in the 1780s at Windsor by narrating the parallels between her life and the lives of the royals, the points of intersection between them, and the material exchanges with them that enhance her status in society and emphasize her centrality in her memoirs. She explores the bond between her family and the royal family: her father was one of three servants Queen Charlotte brought with her from her home when she came to England in 1761, her husband was page to the princess royal, and she herself was playmate to princes as a child and servant to the queen in her later years; she shows how this bond is represented by gifts given and received, by furniture and musical instruments bought from the royals and displayed or played in the Papendiek home, and by occasions upon which she stands proxy for the queen. Papendiek exploits her connection with the royals in her narrative, and, in particular, with Queen Charlotte, in order to solidify her own importance in her memoirs. She thereby achieves the centrality that the lives of queens insisted upon for their subjects and modeled for their female readers.
The Art of Imperial Maternity: Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, Empress Marie-Louise, and The King of Rome Sleeping
Authors: Strasik Amanda
Published: August 2022

In 1811, Pierre-Paul Prud'hon painted an allegorical portrait of the infant Napoleon II for Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon's second wife and the child's mother, that was exhibited publicly at the Paris Salon the following year. Prud'hon's painting is distinctive because it lacks conventional imperial attributes that characterized Napoleonic imagery at the time. On one level, the portrait can be understood according to Christian iconography or as an allegory of the new French order according to ancient Roman mythology. I argue, however, that Prud'hon subscribed to early nineteenth-century Romantic ideals, freely interpreting traditional artistic conventions to show the unity between childhood innocence, women, and nature. This pictorial approach appealed to Marie-Louise, who faced an increasingly unfavorable reputation in the wake of Napoleon's 1809 divorce and mounting public suspicion of the emperor's character. The empress utilized Prud'hon's romanticized image of her son to cast herself as the ideal Napoleonic woman and mother, thereby demonstrating her inherent virtue, reassuring the public of the empire's stability, and legitimizing her place at court on her own terms. Importantly, Prud'hon centralizes Marie-Louise's position as the heir's protector to imply her imperial significance—a dynamic role for the consort in this painting that has remained unexplored until now.
This Flame Within
Authors: Moradian Manijeh
Published: August 2022

In This Flame Within Manijeh Moradian revises conventional histories of Iranian migration to the United States as a post-1979 phenomenon characterized by the flight of pro-Shah Iranians from the Islamic Republic and recounts the experiences of Iranian foreign students who joined a global movement against US imperialism during the 1960s and 1970s. Drawing on archival evidence and in-depth interviews with members of the Iranian Students Association, Moradian traces what she calls “revolutionary affects”—the embodied force of affect generated by experiences of repression and resistance—from encounters with empire and dictatorship in Iran to joint organizing with other student activists in the United States. Moradian theorizes “affects of solidarity” that facilitated Iranian student participation in a wide range of antiracist and anticolonial movements and analyzes gendered manifestations of revolutionary affects within the emergence of Third World feminism. Arguing for a transnational feminist interpretation of the Iranian Student Association’s legacy, Moradian demonstrates how the recognition of multiple sources of oppression in the West and in Iran can reorient Iranian diasporic politics today.
Conserved Pib2 regions have distinct roles in TORC1 regulation at the vacuole
Authors: Troutman Kayla K. , Varlakhanova Natalia V. , Tornabene Bryan A. , Ramachandran Rajesh , Ford Marijn G. J.
Published: August 2022

TORC1 is a critical controller of cell growth in eukaryotes. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the presence of nutrients is signaled to TORC1 by several upstream regulatory sensors that together coordinate TORC1 activity. TORC1 localizes to both vacuolar and endosomal membranes, where differential signaling occurs. This localization is mimicked by Pib2, a key upstream TORC1 regulator that is essential for TORC1 reactivation after nutrient starvation or pharmacological inhibition. Pib2 has both positive and negative effects on TORC1 activity, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we pinpoint the Pib2 inhibitory function on TORC1 to residues within short, conserved N-terminal regions. We also show that the Pib2 C-terminal regions, helical region E and tail, are essential for TORC1 reactivation. Furthermore, the Pib2 FYVE domain plays a role in vacuolar localization, but it is surprisingly unnecessary for recovery from rapamycin exposure. Using chimeric Pib2 targeting constructs, we show that endosomal localization is not necessary for TORC1 reactivation and cell growth after rapamycin treatment. Thus, a comprehensive molecular dissection of Pib2 demonstrates that each of its conserved regions differentially contribute to Pib2-mediated regulation of TORC1 activity.
Breast cancer cryoablation with radiologic–pathologic correlation
Authors: Pigg Nicholas , Gordillo Claudia , Wang Yihong , Ward Robert C.
Published: August 2022

Breast cryoablation has become a viable option for the treatment of breast cancer in properly selected patient populations. With the increase in the use of cryoablation, post-treatment follow-up imaging and pathology has also gained increased importance. By using the proper imaging combination of diagnostic mammography, ultrasound and MRI, physicians are able to detect residual or recurrent malignancy and differentiate it from expected post-treatment findings. If suspicious imaging findings are seen, prompt biopsy and pathological diagnosis are essential. The pathologist must also be able to differentiate the expected post-procedural histological findings from those of recurrent or residual malignancy. These imaging and pathological findings must also be compared in order to ensure concordance and appropriate patient treatment.
A general hypothesis of multistable systems in pathophysiology
Authors: Burlando Bruno
Published: August 2022

Despite intensive investigations numerous diseases remain etiologically puzzling and recalcitrant to treatments. A hypothesis is proposed here assuming that these difficulties are due to an unsuitable approach to the mechanisms of life, which is subjugated by an apparent complexity and fails to grasp the uniformity that lays behind. The stability of metabolism, despite the enormous complex of chemical reactions, suggests that reciprocal control is a prerequisite of life. Negative feedback loops have been known for a long time to maintain homeostasis, while more recently, different life processes involved in transitions or changes have been modeled by positive loops giving rise to bistable switches, also including various diseases. The present hypothesis makes a generalization, by assuming that any functional element of a biological system is involved in a positive or a negative feedback loop. Consequently, the hypothesis holds that the starting mechanism of any disease that affects a healthy human can be conceptually reduced to a bistable or multistationary loop system, thus providing a unifying model leading to the discovery of critical therapeutic targets.
The influence of selected food ingredients on the reduction of the risk of endometriosis: a literature review
Authors: Mikut Karolina , Gorajek Anna , Bartoszewicz Jakub , Nowakowska Izabela , Wojtachnio Dominika , Grądzik Anna , Osiejewska Aleksandra , Kudan Małgorzata
Published: August 2022

Endometriosis is a common disease that occurs in 6-10% of women of reproductive age. The disease is often associated with chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease and is estrogen dependent. Its definition is the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. The etiology of the disease remains unclear. It is believed that a variety of immunological, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors may be responsible for the development of endometriosis. Surgical confirmation of the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus is necessary for the diagnosis of endometriosis. For this reason, endometriosis is considered to be underdiagnosed. Currently, available treatments have many limitations and cause many side effects during their long-term use. For this reason, other treatment and prevention methods for this disease are being sought. Research on the influence of dietary factors on endometriosis allows concluding that diet and particular food ingredients can be considered a factor reducing the risk of endometriosis. Therefore, understanding the role of nutrition in the development of endometriosis is of great importance for the development of effective guidelines related to the prevention of this disease. Therefore, we have reviewed the available literature related to the impact of individual components of the daily diet on the risk of developing endometriosis. Omega-3 fatty acids, dairy products, and soy in particular appear to be promising dietary factors that could potentially reduce the risk of endometriosis. Further research is needed to solidify this knowledge.
Computational and Theoretical Challenges for Computing the Minimum Rank of a Graph
Authors: Hicks Illya V. , Brimkov Boris , Deaett Louis , Haas Ruth , Mikesell Derek , Roberson David , Smith Logan
Published: August 2022

The minimum rank of a graph G is the minimum of the ranks of all symmetric adjacency matrices of G. We present a new combinatorial bound for the minimum rank of an arbitrary graph G based on enumerating certain subsets of vertices of G satisfying matroid theoretic properties. We also present some computational and theoretical challenges associated with computing the minimum rank. This includes a conjecture that this bound on the minimum rank actually holds with equality for all graphs.

History: This “Challenge” paper was invited by the Editor in Chief and based on the topics raised by the author at his plenary address at the 2022 INFORMS Computing Society Conference in Tampa, Florida.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant DMS-1720225].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1219 .
Overcoming the Coordination Problem in New Marketplaces via Cryptographic Tokens
Authors: Bakos Yannis , Halaburda Hanna
Published: August 2022

New platforms such as peer-to-peer marketplaces frequently face a “coordination problem” in attracting users, as potential users may be reluctant to join given the uncertainty of other users joining, and this could cause the new platform to fail. There are several mechanisms in the literature to help address this coordination problem, such as subsidies for early users and promises of refunds or buybacks if the platform fails; these mechanisms, however, are likely to favor incumbent and larger firms with established reputation and financial resources.

Platform-specific tradable cryptographic tokens allow a platform such as a marketplace to trade future revenue for present revenue, which then can be used to address the coordination problem. If the new platform is capital-constrained, as is often the case for new entrants and unproven technology applications, then tokens can offer an attractive alternative. As this benefit results from the tradability of the tokens, regulators and policy makers should facilitate or at least not unduly constrain the issuance of tradable utility tokens by new platforms. There is no corresponding benefit from user anonymity, and thus no corresponding drawback from identity regulations to establish accountability.
Consecutive Severe Orofacial Complications in Intensive Care Unit Patients: Quincke’s Disease and Macroglossia due to Prolonged Prone Positioning for Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Belfeki Nabil , Zayet Souheil , Sy Oumar , Coupry Louis Marie , Mazerand Sandy , Chouchane Ibrahim , Moini Cyrus , Monchi Mehran , Mekinian Arsène
Published: August 2022

Critically ill patients admitted into the intensive care units are susceptible to a wide array of complications that can be life-threatening, or lead to long-term complications. Some complications are inherent to the patient’s condition and others are related to therapeutics or care procedure. The prolonged prone positioning and mechanical ventilation devices are the first risk factors for orofacial complications. We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient, with a history of sleep apnoea syndrome, morbid obesity (body mass index of 43 kg/m2), and gastroesophageal reflux disease, presented to the emergency department with recent otorhinolaryngological symptoms of dysphonia and exertional dyspnoea lasting two days, and complicated with Quincke’s disease. First-line treatment consisted of a compilation of intravenous antihistamines and corticosteroids. The patient’s condition worsened. He developed an acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to ventilator-acquired pneumonia with prone positioning ventilation, complicated by severe macroglossia. Soaked gauze dressings were placed around his tongue. Progressively, the size of his tongue reduced.
The importance of periwound skin in wound healing: an overview of the evidence
Authors: Rippon Mark G , Rogers Alan A , Ousey Karen , Atkin Leanne , Williams Kate
Published: August 2022

The importance of the periwound skin as the ‘organ of healing’ in the skin should not be underestimated. This paper explores the numerous healing processes originating in the periwound skin, without which healing progression would not occur. This paper also explores how damage to the periwound skin is ubiquitous and can occur because of underlying pathology, misdiagnosis, mismanagement or the use of inappropriate treatments. As such, it is imperative that management strategies, including correct assessment of both wound bed and periwound skin, identify the correct treatment choice to lead to better patient/wound outcomes.

Declaration of interest:

The authors have no conflicts of interest.
The prevalence of skin lesions and associated factors in hospitalised adult patients with cancer
Authors: de Castro Diana Lima Villela , da Silva Evellyn Lima , Onaga Lilian Sayuri , Nogueira Paula Cristina , Furlan Priscilla Cidade , de Gouveia Santos Vera Lúcia Conceição
Published: August 2022

Objective:

To assess the prevalence of skin lesions and evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with their presence in hospitalised patients.

Method:

This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was performed in inpatient units and intensive care units of a cancer hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, after approval by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee. Data from hospitalised adult patients with cancer were collected during physical examinations and from medical records. A Chi-squared test, univariate analysis, a logistic regression model with results expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis were used to evaluate the data.

Results:

Of 341 patients, 80 had skin lesions, equating to an overall prevalence of 23.5%. The skin lesions included pressure injuries (10%), incontinence-associated dermatitis (6.7%), skin tears (6.5%), malignant wounds (3.8%) and complicated surgical wounds (3.2%). The factors associated with skin lesions in cancer patients were the use of disposable nappies (OR: 4.436) and age (59.1±15.1 years), according to the CART analysis, and the wearing of nappies (OR: 4.466, p<0.001), presence of ecchymosis (OR: 2.532, p<0.001) and infection (OR: 6.449, p=0.040), according to multiple regression analysis.

Conclusion:

This study contributed to knowledge about prevalence and associated factors of skin lesions in hospitalised patients with cancer, allowing the implementation of preventive measures.
Optimization of ultraviolet communication links based on finite difference stochastic approximation
Authors: Arslan C. Hakan , Dagefu Fikadu T. , Moore Terrence J. , Weisman Michael J. , Drost Robert J.
Published: August 2022

The ultraviolet communication (UV) channel has been shown to have unique features that could be exploited for covert ground-to-ground communications in complex non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. A key challenge is the determination of optimal configuration of pointing directions of the UV nodes in unknown NLOS environments to maximize the link performance. In this paper, we proposed a novel steering optimization approach based on Finite Difference Stochastic Approximation (FDSA) to simultaneously optimize the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) pointing directions without any knowledge about the locations and relative orientations of the two nodes. We perform parametric analysis using Monte Carlo channel simulations to investigate and select appropriate key algorithmic parameters and analyze the performance of the proposed algorithm. We also carry out experimentation using our custom designed UV Tx and Rx gimbal systems and demonstrate the utility and efficiency of the proposed steering optimization approach and show that the received photon count can be increased significantly.
Sonic enhancement of virtual exhibits
Authors: Al-Taie Inas , Di Giuseppantonio Di Franco Paola , Tymkiw Michael , Williams Duncan , Daly Ian
Published: August 2022

Museums have widely embraced virtual exhibits. However, relatively little attention is paid to how sound may create a more engaging experience for audiences. To begin addressing this lacuna, we conducted an online experiment to explore how sound influences the interest level, emotional response, and engagement of individuals who view objects within a virtual exhibit. As part of this experiment, we designed a set of different soundscapes, which we presented to participants who viewed museum objects virtually. We then asked participants to report their felt affect and level of engagement with the exhibits. Our results show that soundscapes customized to exhibited objects significantly enhance audience engagement. We also found that more engaged audience members were more likely to want to learn additional information about the object(s) they viewed and to continue viewing these objects for longer periods of time. Taken together, our findings suggest that virtual museum exhibits can improve visitor engagement through forms of customized soundscape design.
Relationship between research activities and individual factors among Japanese nursing researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Takeuchi Ayano , Yokota Shinichiroh , Tomotaki Ai , Fukahori Hiroki , Shimpuku Yoko , Yoshinaga Naoki
Published: August 2022

Aim

To explore the individual factors (such as gender, division of household labor, childcare and elder care) and their impact on research activities in the Japanese nursing research community during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic from April to June in 2020.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

An online survey with a self-reported questionnaire was conducted on Japan Academy of Nursing Science members to explore the impacts of individual factors among Japanese nursing researchers from April to June 2020. A multivariate logistic regression model was used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 1,273 participants (90.7% female, 85.8% university faculty) were included in the analysis. This survey showed that no evidence of a significant gender gap was found in research activities in Japanese nursing researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research activities during the pandemic were associated with time and motivation.
Dietary variability of western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Authors: Robbins Martha M. , Ortmann Sylvia , Seiler Nicole
Published: August 2022

Spatial and temporal variability in the availability of food resources will lead to variation in a species’ diet, which can then influence patterns of space use, sociality, and life history characteristics. Despite such potential impacts, little information is available about dietary variability for some species with large geographical ranges. Here we quantify the diet and nutritional content of plants consumed by western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Loango National Park, Gabon over a 2.6 year period and make comparisons with two study sites located 800 km away. The major foods consumed by the Loango gorillas differed greatly from the other two study sites, but gorillas at all three locations spent a similar proportion of feeding time consuming herbaceous vegetation and tree leaves (~ 50%) and fruit (35%). The Loango gorillas spent approximately 10% of feeding time eating nuts, which were not consumed at the other two study sites. Gorillas at those sites spent about 5% of feeding time eating insects, which were not consumed by Loango gorillas. Even though the species composition of the diet differed among the three sites, the nutritional composition of the major food items differed very little, suggesting that western gorillas consume foods of similar nutritional values to meet their dietary needs. This study shows the flexibility of diet of a species with a wide geographic distribution, which has implications for understanding variation in life history characteristics and can be useful for conservation management plans.
Global assessment of storm disaster-prone areas
Authors: Diodato Nazzareno , Borrelli Pasquale , Panagos Panos , Bellocchi Gianni
Published: August 2022

Background

Advances in climate change research contribute to improved forecasts of hydrological extremes with potentially severe impacts on human societies and natural landscapes. Rainfall erosivity density (RED), i.e. rainfall erosivity (MJ mm hm-2 h-1 yr-1) per rainfall unit (mm), is a measure of rainstorm aggressiveness and a proxy indicator of damaging hydrological events.

Methods and findings

Here, using downscaled RED data from 3,625 raingauges worldwide and log-normal ordinary kriging with probability mapping, we identify damaging hydrological hazard-prone areas that exceed warning and alert thresholds (1.5 and 3.0 MJ hm-2 h-1, respectively). Applying exceedance probabilities in a geographical information system shows that, under current climate conditions, hazard-prone areas exceeding a 50% probability cover ~31% and ~19% of the world’s land at warning and alert states, respectively.

Conclusion

RED is identified as a key driver behind the spatial growth of environmental disruption worldwide (with tropical Latin America, South Africa, India and the Indian Archipelago most affected).
Jog with your dog: Dog owner exercise routines predict dog exercise routines and perception of ideal body weight
Authors: Banton Sydney , von Massow Michael , Pezzali Júlia G. , Verbrugghe Adronie , Shoveller Anna K.
Published: August 2022

Canine obesity is becoming an increasingly prevalent concern among companion animal veterinarians and professionals alike. A number of sociodemographic, dietary, and exercise related variables have been shown to be predictive of a dog’s bodyweight, however, all previous surveys designed to address these variables have been focussed on only one area of the world at a time. The objective of this survey was to investigate how an owner’s exercise routine influences their dog’s exercise routine and which of the owner’s dietary and exercise habits influence their perception of their dog’s body weight. The survey included respondents across France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. The survey was distributed online via Qualtrics (Qualtrics XM, Utah, USA) and a total of 3,298 responses were collected, equally distributed across country and between sexes. Comparison of column proportions and multinomial logistic regression were performed in SPSS Statistics (Version 26, IBM Corp, North Castle, New York, USA). Respondents from Germany were more likely to exercise their dog for a longer amount of time, rank the importance of exercise as extremely important, report that their dog is an ideal body weight, and were less likely to report that someone (including a veterinarian) had told them their dog was overweight. Results from linear regression revealed that those who had been told their dog was overweight, those who restrict their dog’s food intake to control weight, those who select a weight control diet and those who give their dog more other foods (treats, table scraps, fruits/vegetables) on a daily basis were all less likely to believe that their dog is an ideal body weight. In contrast, only those who reported doing more vigorous exercise themselves or those who reported that their dog performs vigorous exercise were more likely to believe that their dog is an ideal body weight. The results highlight owner’s perceptions of healthy weight and the role of nutrition and exercise. Owner’s intentions and attitudes towards the value of exercise and promoting an ideal body weight in their dog should be explored, but may require a One Health approach to ensure successful weight management among both dogs and their owners.
Effects of restricting social media usage on wellbeing and performance: A randomized control trial among students
Authors: Collis Avinash , Eggers Felix
Published: August 2022

Recent research has shown that social media services create large consumer surplus. Despite their positive impact on economic welfare, concerns are raised about the negative association between social media usage and well-being or performance. However, causal empirical evidence is still scarce. To address this research gap, we conduct a randomized controlled trial among students in which we track participants’ daily digital activities over the course of three quarters of an academic year. In the experiment, we randomly allocate half of the sample to a treatment condition in which social media usage (Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat) is restricted to a maximum of 10 minutes per day. We find that participants in the treatment group substitute social media for instant messaging and do not decrease their total time spent on digital devices. Contrary to findings from previous correlational studies, we do not find any significant impact of social media usage as it was defined in our study on well-being and academic success. Our results also suggest that antitrust authorities should consider instant messaging and social media services as direct competitors before approving acquisitions.
Geometry image super-resolution with AnisoCBConvNet architecture for efficient cloth modeling
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyun , Kim Sun-Jeong , Lee Jung
Published: August 2022

We propose an anisotropic constrained-boundary convolutional neural networks (hereafter, AnisoCBConvNet) that can stably express high-quality meshes without oscillation by applying super-resolution operations to low-resolution cloth meshes. As a training set for the neural network, we use a pair between simulation data of low resolution (LR) cloth and data obtained by applying the same simulation to high resolution (HR) cloth with increased quad mesh resolution of LR cloth. The actual data used for training are 2D geometry images converted from 3D meshes. The proposed AnisoCBConvNet is used to train an image synthesizer that converts LR geometry images to HR geometry images. In particular, by controlling the weights anisotropically near the boundary, the problem of surface wrinkling caused by oscillation is alleviated. When the HR geometry image obtained through AnisoCBConvNet is converted back to the HR cloth mesh, details including wrinkles are expressed better than the input cloth mesh. In addition, our results improved the noise problem in the existing geometry image approach. We tested AnisoCBConvNet-based super-resolution in various simulation scenarios, and confirmed stable and efficient performance in most of the results. By using our method, it will be possible to effectively produce CG VFX created using high-quality cloth simulation in games and movies.
Clinical implications of first-trimester ultrasound dating in singleton pregnancies obtained through in vitro fertilization
Authors: Rapisarda Agnese Maria Chiara , Somigliana Edgardo , Dallagiovanna Chiara , Reschini Marco , Pezone Maria Grazia , Accurti Veronica , Ferrara Giuditta , Persico Nicola , Boito Simona
Published: August 2022

Background

In pregnancies obtained by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) the exact day of conception is known. For that reason, IVF pregnancies are currently dated according to the day of oocytes retrieval and consequent embryo transfer. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the knowledge of the exact day of conception in IVF pregnancies is a sufficient argument against dating these pregnancies by first trimester ultrasound measurement of the crown-rump length (CRL), as it is recommended in natural conceptions.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed, including all women with singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF who underwent the first-trimester ultrasound scan for the screening of aneuploidies between January 2014 and June 2019. For each pregnancy GA was determined using two alternative methods: one based on the date of embryo transfer (GAIVF), and one based on ultrasound measurement of CRL (GAUS). GA were compared to search for any discrepancy. The impact of pregnancy dating on obstetric outcome was evaluated.

Results

Overall, 249 women were included. Comparing GAUS and GAIVF, a median difference of 1 [0 – 2] days emerged (p<0.001), with GAUS being in advance compared to GAIVF. This discrepancy persisted when subgroups were analyzed comparing different IVF procedures (conventional IVF versus ICSI, cleavage versus blastocyst transfer, frozen versus fresh transfer). No impact of the dating method on obstetric outcomes was observed, being no differences in the rate of preterm birth or abnormal fetal growth.

Conclusions

In IVF pregnancies GAUS and GAIVF are not overlapping, since GAUS is mildly greater than GAIVF. This could be due to an anticipated ovulation and fertilization in IVF pregnancy, rather than an accelerated embryo development. For that reason, it would be appropriate to date IVF pregnancies according to GAUS, despite a known date of conception, to re-align IVF pregnancies to natural ones.
Association between proteinuria trajectories and outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis or shock
Authors: Monge Raphael , Oris Charlotte , Jabaudon Matthieu , Braïlova Marina , Futier Emmanuel , Sapin Vincent , Pereira Bruno , Lautrette Alexandre
Published: August 2022

Background

Proteinuria results from kidney damage and can be a predictor of illness severity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the optimal timing of proteinuria measurements and the reference values remain undetermined. Our objective was to identify the patterns of proteinuria change associated with mortality in ICU patients with sepsis or shock.

Methods

This monocentric retrospective cohort study performed from April 2010 to April 2018 involved all ICU patients with sepsis or shock and at least two measurements of proteinuria from a 24h-urine collection during the first 10 days of ICU stay, the first of which was made within 48h after ICU admission. We identified proteinuria trajectories by a semi-parametric mixture model and analysed the association between the trajectories and the mortality at day 28 by Cox proportional-hazards model.

Results

A total of 3,344 measurements of proteinuria from 659 patients were analysed. Four proteinuria trajectories were identified. Trajectories 1, 2, 3 and 4 comprised 127, 421, 60 and 51 patients, and were characterized by a first proteinuria of 1.14 [0.66–1.55], 0.52 [0.26–0.91], 2.92 [2.38–3.84] and 2.58 [1.75–3.32] g/24h (p<0.001) and a mortality of 24.4%, 38%, 20% and 43% (p = 0.002), respectively. Trajectories 3 and 4 had a high first proteinuria (>2g/24h). Only, the proteinuria of trajectory 4 increased within 3 days following the first measurement and was associated with increased mortality at day 28 (hazard ratio: 2.36 95%CI [1.07–5.19], p = 0.03), regardless of acute renal failure. The factors associated with trajectory 4 were cancer (relative risk: 8.91 95%CI [2.09–38.02], p = 0.003) and use of inotropic drugs (relative risk: 0.17 95%CI [0.04–0.69], p = 0.01).

Conclusion

This exploratory study of ICU patients with sepsis or shock identified four proteinuria trajectories with distinct patterns of proteinuria change over time and mortality rates. These results provide novel insights into renal pathophysiology and may be helpful to investigate subphenotypes of kidney injury among ICU patients in future studies.
Tuberculosis at a university hospital, Thailand: A surprising incidence of TB among a new generation of highly exposed health care workers who may be asymptomatic
Authors: Mingchay Pichanon , Paitoonpong Leilani , Kawkitinarong Kamon , Ohata Pirapon June , Suwanpimolkul Gompol
Published: August 2022

Objectives

There are a few reports of TB disease among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Thailand. The authors assessed the demographic data and incidence of overall TB disease including specific profession among HCWs in order to reduce the incidence rate.

Methods

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 195 HCWs at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH), Bangkok, Thailand, who had TB disease from 2003–2020.

Results

The average incidence of TB disease in HCWs at KCMH was 164 per 100,000 HCWs with 95% confidential interval [CI], 107 to 220; (94.4% had pulmonary TB). Most of the HCWs were from a young age group (43.08% were 20–29 years old) and the duration of work was short (58.82% had worked at KCMH for less than 5 years). Radiological technicians had the highest incidence of TB, followed by supportive teams, scientists, and physicians (429, 241, 205, and 193 per 100,000 HCWs according to their profession, respectively). Seventy five percent of TB disease was found in physicians who worked at KCMH within 2 years. TB incidence was highest among residents (688 per 100,000 residents) in a subgroup of physicians.

Conclusions

The incidence of TB disease in HCWs was close to the general population of Thailand (153 per 100,000 population with 95% CI, 116 to 195). A higher incidence was observed in the profession that had contact with TB patients and their specimens. A high proportion of asymptomatic HCWs also had TB disease and TB incidence was found in a new generation of HCWs who have worked for less than 5 years. More rigorous epidemiology investigations are needed to establish a definitive relation to subsequently developing TB after working in a hospital. The authors suggest active surveillance in all new incoming HCWs and TB preventive therapy should also be provided to recent converters.
Source water vulnerability to elevated total dissolved solids within a mixed-use Appalachian River basin
Authors: Merriam Eric R. , Strager Michael P. , Petty J. Todd
Published: August 2022

The upper Monongahela River basin in West Virginia represents a watershed wherein historic land use activities, including coal mining, conventional oil and gas development, and residential and urban development have contributed to elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations within surface and source waters with widespread exceedance of the 500 mg/L secondary drinking water standard for TDS. Our research was designed to characterize spatial variability in and sources of elevated and assess vulnerability of surface and source waters to additional TDS sources and loading. We compiled 3439 unique water quality sampling records throughout the study area over a ten-year period and applied boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis to model log[x]-transformed TDS as a function of landscape attributes across the 885 sampled NHD catchments. We predicted (i.e., elevated TDS and reduced dilution capacity) and observed (i.e., increased variability in TDS and temporary exceedances of 500 mg/L) elevated vulnerability of source waters, with vulnerability being largely driven by a few dominant contributors of TDS throughout the stream network. Notably, seven 12-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) inflows to the Monongahela River and its vulnerable tributaries were predicted to require a combined 6,664,879 m3 of water (i.e., chemical footprint) to dilute TDS concentrations below 500 mg/L from July through September. Our results provide insights into how the mixed land uses containing extractive industries can impact water quality and demonstrates the importance of both spatial and temporal processes in controlling vulnerability of source waters to water pollution.
The first study on the occurrence of bovine herpesviruses in the wild fauna of the Moscow region, Russia
Authors: Yatsentyuk Svetlana P. , Pchelnikov Alexander V. , Safina Elizaveta R. , Krasnikova Maria S.
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim: Some pathogens that cause infections in cattle are found in wild artiodactyls. Their prevalence, possible impact on the population of free-living animals, and the spread of infectious pathology in livestock have yet to be studied. We investigated the occurrence of bovine herpesviruses (BoHV-1, BoHV-4, and BoHV-6) among wild moose and roe deer in 8 areas of the Moscow region in the Russian Federation. Materials and Methods: One hundred and one tissue samples and nasal swabs of 24 moose and seven roe deer were studied using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for BoHV-1 DNA and conventional PCR for BoHV-4 and BoHV-6 DNA. A virus neutralization test (VNT) was used to detect antibodies to BoHV-1 in 19 serum samples. The final antibody titer was calculated with the Spearman-Kärber method. Results: BoHV-4 and BoHV-6 DNA were not detected in all studied samples of 31 animals. BoHV-1 DNA was detected using a real-time PCR in nasal swabs from 2 adult roe deer. For BoHV-1, only 9/19 tested serum samples reacted positive in VNT with the titer range from 0.67 ± 0.19 to 3.75 ± 0.10 log2. Antibodies were detected in all age groups, more often in fawns under 1-year-old. The seropositivity of females was higher than in males. Conclusion: Wild ungulates can potentially represent a reservoir of new pathogenic livestock viruses. To study the prevalence and genetic diversity of wild ungulate herpesviruses, detailed molecular studies of the cervid herpesvirus 1, cervid herpesvirus 2, and elk herpesvirus 1 are necessary.
Plovdiv – In foreign language educational environment
Authors: Petrova Elka , Yanev Boryan , Boykova Fani
Published: August 2022

The poster summarizes the results of the series of training seminars held in a foreign language environment. As a central part of the activities is the realized associative experiment, which allows observing the process of formation of a secondary linguistic personality; composing features of the interweaving of the elements in the structure of the linguistic picture of the world; tracing the peculiar layering of cognitive data and researching the specifics of the national culture in the mind of students during the reception of a foreign language. The associative experiment is, by its nature, a current educational method, especially in the context of the relationship between language and culture and the emphasis on multicultural education.

An associative experiment was included in the training, based on the idea of the fundamental unity of the psychological basis of association and the semantic components of meaning, rereading in its way the method of associative. It is important to explain that our understanding of an association is a mental connection that arises between representations, is based on individual subjective experience, but is directly related to the social cognition of the individual. Each of the existing types of the associative experiment is designed to solve a certain set of pre-set problems and, accordingly, has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, in our opinion, the directed associative experiment helps to obtain specific reactions having certain characteristics, but in this way, the process of association is relatively limited and to some extent controlled by the researcher, which can lead to subjective results.In our research, we have used a free-associative experiment of the principle – S (stimulus) – R (reactions). Based on the quantity laid down in Kent and Rozanov's model, we selected 100 stimulus words (50 adjectives, and 50 nouns related to the city of Plovdiv). The selection of lexemes took into account the fact that the respondents were foreigners and included only words that are part of the initial level of language proficiency. The results from the experiment allow us, from the point of view of semantics, to generalize the received reactions into some classification groups. A summary of the data is presented in this poster. In conclusion, the experiment allowed us to outline both the achieved effect of the interactive learning method and to see the specific features of the interweaving of cognitive structures in the minds of foreign learners.

The authors express sincere gratitude to the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science and the "Scientific and Project Activity" Division at Plovdiv University "PaisiiHilendarski" for the assistance provided.
Periodontal Treatment and Usual Care for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kamata Yohei , Kessoku Takaomi , Shimizu Tomoko , Sato Satsuki , Kobayashi Takashi , Kurihashi Takeo , Morozumi Toshiya , Iwasaki Tomoyuki , Takashiba Shogo , Hatanaka Kazu , Hamada Nobushiro , Kodama Toshiro , Higurashi Takuma , Taguri Masataka , Yoneda Masato , Usuda Haruki , Wada Koichiro , Nakajima Atsushi , Minabe Masato
Published: August 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Periodontal disease is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated periodontal treatment efficacy in patients with NAFLD and periodontal disease.

METHODS:

This multicenter, 2-arm, randomized study recruited adult patients with NAFLD and periodontitis, alanine aminotransferase levels ≥40 U/L, and equivalent steatosis grade ≥1. Forty eligible patients (18 men and 22 women) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (scaling and root planning [SRP; n = 20] and tooth brushing [n = 20] groups) stratified by age and sex. The primary and secondary endpoints were changes in alanine aminotransferase levels and serum Porphyromonas gingivalis IgG antibody titers from baseline to 12 weeks, respectively. Efficacy analysis was performed using an intention-to-treat approach (t test). This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000022079).

RESULTS:

We observed a significantly higher decrease in absolute alanine aminotransferase levels and P. gingivalis IgG antibody titers in the SRP group than in the tooth brushing group (−12 vs 1 U/L; mean difference [δ], −12; 95% confidence interval [CI], −20 to −5; P = 0.002). The decrease in P. gingivalis IgG antibody titer was significantly higher in the SRP group than in the tooth brushing group (FDC381, −1.6 [2.5]; δ, −1.6; 95% CI, −2.7 to −0.4; P = 0.0092; SU63, −1.7 [2.0]; δ, −1.7; 95% CI, −2.7 to −0.7). No life-threatening events or treatment-related deaths occurred.

DISCUSSION:

Periodontal treatment induced significant short-term and mid-term reductions in liver enzyme levels and antibody titers. Further research is warranted to clearly define SRP efficacy and tolerability in patients with NAFLD and periodontitis.
Enrichment of Patients With Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in Idiopathic Gastroparesis—A Gene Set Enrichment Analysis
Authors: Smieszek Sandra P. , Carlin Jesse L. , Fisher Michaela A. , Madonick Darby S. , Kupersmith Caleigh Q. , Moszczynski Paula D. , Xiao Changfu , Polymeropoulos Christos M. , Birznieks Gunther , Polymeropoulos Mihael H.
Published: August 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. We observe an enrichment of EDS cases in a gastroparesis clinical study.

METHODS:

We explored the frequency of EDS cases in 2 consecutive gastroparesis clinical studies. To explore the genetic surrogates of EDS, we have performed whole-genome sequencing analysis and we focused the analyses on the frequencies of consequential variants in core EDS genes.

RESULTS:

We report a significant enrichment of EDS cases in a set of patients with gastroparesis (14/686 vs 1/5,000 OR 104 (confidence interval 13.7–793.3) P value <0.0001). We report a significant enrichment of variants in EDS genes in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.

DISCUSSION:

The enrichment may be suggestive of converging pathways at the heart of etiology or predisposing patients to EDS with gastroparesis.
OPTIMIZING DISTRIBUTION ROUTE OF PACKED DRINKING WATER WITH THE CLARKE AND WRIGHT SAVINGS AND NEAREST NEIGHBOR METHODS (Case Study of PT. GSI)
Authors: Kurniawati Dwi Agustina , Rian Puji Kusuma  , Dwi Kristanto  , Noordin Mohd. Yusof  , Kuan Yew Wong
Published: August 2022

In the business, distribution has a very important role. The distribution process must be able to deliver products on time while it also reduces the transportation costs which can consume around 50% of the company's total logistics costs. If distribution costs can be reduced, it can indirectly increase the company’s profit. PT. GSI, located in Yogyakarta, is a distributor of packed drinking water company with brand “PLG”. In determining the distribution route, PT. GSI does not use any scientific method and only uses the driver’s intuition. The purpose of this study is to optimize the distribution route of the “PLG” packed drinking water delivery to obtain the minimum mileage by using the Clarke and Wright Savings and Nearest Neighbor methods. The Clarke and Wright Savings method and the Nearest Neighbor method are used because the customer locations are far from each other and there are also customers whose delivery locations are centered on one delivery area, so that the calculation of distance savings is needed.  Then the evaluation is done to determine which method is better. The comparison of the solution for data on 1st ,2nd ,3rd ,4th, and 6th March 2021 showed that the Nearest Neighbor method proposed best solution while data on 5th March 2021 showed that Clarke and Wright Savings giving the best solution. The results show that the Nearest Neighbor method provides better result in determining the distribution routes of PT. GSI.