bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corneal Densitometry Measurements Comparison between Anterior Segment OCT and Scheimpflug Imaging
Authors: Lupardi Enrico , Moramarco Antonio , Cassini Federico , Febbraro Simone , Savini Giacomo , Fontana Luigi
Published: April 2024

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the repeatability of corneal densitometry (CD) measurements obtained using both an anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) device and a Scheimpflug camera system, while also assessing the level of agreement. The study also sought to investigate the correlation of CD with age, gender, and central corneal thickness (CCT) in normal eyes.
Methods: CD measurements were obtained using the Casia 2 and the Pentacam AXL Wave. Data were collected on total corneal densitometry (TCD) and 4 concentric corneal annular areas, these are referred to as zone 1, denoting the central area, through to zone 4, designating the outermost peripheral region. Repeatability was assessed using intra-session test-retest variability, coefficient of variation (CoV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Correlation analysis was performed between CD, age, gender, and CCT.
Results: The study included 96 healthy volunteers. The Casia 2 demonstrated high repeatability and lower CoV values compared to the Pentacam AXL Wave. Agreement between the instruments was high in all corneal zones except for zone 1. CD values were positively correlated with age, except for zone 1 with the Pentacam.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that the Casia 2 can be a reliable tool for assessing corneal transparency in healthy individuals, however its measurements are not interchangeable with those provided by the Pentacam. The AS-OCT device may be more sensitive in detecting subtle age-related changes in CD within the central zone.
GITalk: Communication Skills Training for Gastroenterology Fellows Improves Self-Assessed Preparedness for Serious Illness Conversations
Authors: Noll Alan , Patel Arpan A , Claxton Rene , Arnold Robert M , Rogal Shari S , Bansal Amar D
Published: April 2024

Background
Despite caring for conditions associated with high symptom burden and mortality, GI fellows rarely receive communication training.
Aims
To describe the development, implementation, and assessment of GITalk, a novel communication curriculum for gastroenterology (GI) fellows.
Methods
GITalk was designed to improve the skills needed to have effective serious illness conversations frequently encountered in clinical practice. Participants practiced encounters using two cases with simulated actors. One case involved delivering news that a patient with decompensated cirrhosis will no longer be a candidate for liver transplant, and the second case involved counseling the family of a patient with moderate to severe dementia on the risks and benefits of inserting a percutaneous feeding tube for artificial enteral nutrition.
Results
Annual training sessions were held for four consecutive years, representing a total of 23 GI fellows. Prior to participation in GITalk, few participants reported having had prior formal teaching in serious illness conversations. Paired sample t-tests showed that participants had significantly higher mean post-training preparedness scores compared to pre-training across all 9 survey questions. 91% of participants strongly agreed with the statement: “I would recommend this training to other fellows.” 78% strongly agreed with, “This training should be required of all GI fellows.”
Conclusions
Participants had little formal training in serious illness conversation prior to participation in GITalk. They reported substantial improvement in their self-assessed preparedness for discussing common clinical scenarios encountered in gastroenterology. GITalk can serve as a model for improvements in the Interpersonal and Communication Skills core competency for gastroenterology trainees.
Unveiling Adolescent Suicide Cases in Indonesia through the Lens of Maslow's Needs Theory
Authors: Wardhani Yurika Fauzia , Paramita Astridya , Machfutra Eka Denis , Oktarina Oktarina , Irmansyah Irmansyah , Nurjana Made Agus , Hartini Nurul , Rahmasari Diana
Published: April 2024

Objective
This study aims to identify factors that influence suicidal thoughts and behaviour based on whether adolescents' needs are met according to Maslow's needs theory.
Methods
Data was obtained from the Google web news search engine by entering keywords related to suicide, known as web scraping. The data was processed descriptively.
Results
Most of the characteristics of suicide victims are male adolescence, aged about 17–25 years, and their current type of work is as a student. Based on Maslow's needs theory, the reason for most victims committing suicide is unfulfilled "love and belonging needs" (41.4 percent), of which romantic problems are the most current case (37.2 percent).
Conclusions
Suicide attempts by adolescents are essentially rooted in unmet needs. When their problems remain unsolved and there is nothing that can be done, they take a shortcut to escape from the problem by choosing suicide.
Hypertension in India: A Gender-based Study of Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Mohammad Raza , Bansod Dhananjay W.
Published: April 2024

Background
Hypertension, a major non-communicable disease, is responsible for a significant number of global deaths, including approximately 17.9 million yearly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 19% of global deaths are attributed to elevated blood pressure. India, with a population of over 1.3 billion, is facing a serious challenge in combating this silent killer. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of hypertension in India and explore its associated risk factors using data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).
Methods
NFHS-5 collected data from 636,699 households across all states and union territories. The study includes standardized blood pressure measurements for 1,708,241 individuals aged 15 and above. The data were analyzed using Stata 17.0, employing descriptive statistics for the assessment of the prevalence and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of hypertension.
Results
The study found the overall prevalence of hypertension in India to be 22.6%, with men (24.1%) having a higher prevalence than women (21.2%). Prevalence increased with age, reaching 48.4% in individuals aged 60 and above. Urban residents had a slightly higher prevalence (25%) than rural residents (21.4%). Regional variations were observed, with the highest prevalence in Sikkim (37.9%) and the lowest in Rajasthan (16.5%). Increasing age, urban residence, belonging to certain religions (Muslim and other than Hindu or Muslim), and being classified as Scheduled Tribe (ST) were associated with a higher likelihood of hypertension. Conversely, belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC), being currently unmarried, and having higher education were associated with a lower likelihood of hypertension. Wealth index analysis revealed that those in the richest quintile were more likely to have hypertension. Tobacco use showed a negative correlation with hypertension, while alcohol consumption exhibited a positive association. BMI was a significant risk factor, with overweight and obese individuals having higher odds of hypertension.
Conclusions
Hypertension is a significant health burden in India, affecting both men and women. Age, BMI, urban residence, alcohol use, and education level emerged as major predictors. Health education and awareness campaigns are critical to combat this growing epidemic. Policymakers must focus on preventive measures, targeting lifestyle changes and improved access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. By addressing these risk factors, India can make significant progress in controlling hypertension and reducing its impact on public health.
Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease mortality in Anhui province: An individual-level case-crossover study
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wang Xueting , Zhang Xu , Ni Jianping , Fang Lanlan , Zhao Hui , Ma Yubo , Pan Faming
Published: April 2024

Background: Investigating the short-term dynamics between air pollution and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality presents a compelling research imperative. Prior studies have noted associations, yet few have captured the intricate, short-term interactions within the Anhui Province, a region undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization.
Methods: A comprehensive case-crossover analysis was conducted in Hefei, Anhui Province, China,
between 2017 and 2020. Our objective was to discern the immediate effects of six prevalent air pollutants on CVD mortality risks. By harnessing high-resolution satellite data, we traced daily concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) to the exposure dosages of individuals.
Results: The analysis unveiled a substantial correlation between elevated levels of all six pollutants and an increase in CVD mortality. The temporal lag between exposure and peak mortality differed among pollutants, with exposure-response (E-R) curves delineating a mostly linear pattern, especially pronounced at lower concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and CO. A notable uptick in effect was observed at higher concentrations of NO2, SO2, and O3, with SO2 emerging as the most impactful on CVD mortality. Additionally, our gender-specific examinations revealed a heightened vulnerability to air pollutants among women, with seasonality also influencing exposure sensitivity.
Conclusions: This research corroborates the adverse effects of short-term air pollution exposure on CVD mortality and underscores the heightened risk associated with certain pollutants and demographic
cohorts. The findings foster a nuanced understanding of exposure-mortality relationships and advocate for public health initiatives aimed at mitigating air pollution exposure, particularly in more susceptible populations and during certain seasons. This study fills an important knowledge gap in regional case-crossover research and lays the groundwork for informed air quality management and health policy in Anhui Province.
Effects of an outdoor exercise program in persons with schizophrenia: Study protocol
Authors: Lourenço Paulo , Bastos Tânia , Pizarro Andreia , Corredeira Rui
Published: April 2024

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects around 1% of the population worldwide. Regular physical activity and exercise has been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for prevention and management of the disorder. Outdoor activities such as aerobic training can be an effective approach to promote health. The study will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a 24-week outdoor exercise program and the long-term effects of a 12-week follow-up on the physical and mental health of persons with schizophrenia. A detailed description of the rationale, design and methods of the protocol study will be provided.
Methods: The study will be a quasi-experimental controlled trial using a parallel-group design with multiple assessments over an 8-month period. The study will comprise outpatients between the ages of 18 and 60, clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants will be allocated to the experimental and control group. The experimental group will perform outdoor exercise twice a week, switching between walking and cycling for 24-weeks, while the control group will continue with regular daily activities. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, post-intervention and at 12-week follow-up. The expected results will be improvements in functional capacity, physical fitness, physical activity levels, self-esteem, motivation to physical activity and quality of life. Also, improvements in anthropometric measures will be expected.
Discussion: The study protocol and future results will add knowledge about the beneficial contribution of outdoor exercise on mental health policies. This study may also contribute to provide guidelines on exercise prescription for persons with schizophrenia.
To biopsy or not to biopsy adrenal mass: is that the question ?
Authors: PURENNE Edouard , Cornu Erika , Mezzarobba Vincent , Beauvy Julie , Juttet Pauline , Berre Jean Philippe Le , Cimarelli Sébastien , Watkin Emmanuel , Paepegaey Anne-Cécile
Published: April 2024

Purpose. European Society of Endocrinology recommend surgical approach for suspicious adrenal mass with a limited role for adrenal biopsy. We report here a case of a patient with a 70 mm adrenal mass in whom adrenal biopsy avoided unnecessary adrenalectomy.
Case report. A 80-year-old man was explored for a 67x41 mm suspect left adrenal tumor. Hormonal explorations were normal. 18F-FDG-PET/CT showed an increase of uptake of the adrenal mass (SUVmax: 44.6). As the diagnostic was uncertain, biopsy was performed. Pathology found T lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate with CD4 phenotype without malignancy criteria. Simple close monitoring was decided in multidisciplinary meeting and with the patient’s consent. At one and three month, CT and 18F-FDG-PET/CT showed a significant decrease of size and uptake of adrenal mass (40x20 mm and 19x10 mm and SUVmax 5.9 and 0.0).
Conclusion. This report shows the interest of adrenal biopsy for well-selected cases to avoid unnecessary adrenal surgery.
Changes in serum parameters during nusinersen treatment in children with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Sun Ruidi , Feng Li , Jiang Jun , Cai Chunquan , Sun Dan
Published: April 2024

BackgroundSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by motor neuron degeneration and progressive muscle atrophy and weakness. Clinical trials and real-world studies have demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful benefits of Nusinersen in a broad range of symptomatic and presymptomatic patients. The parameters in serum to monitor the safety and effect of Nusinersen was rarely reported among pediatrics patients. This retrospective study aimed to characterize the parameters in serum in children with SMA during Nusinersen therapy.ResultsA total of 46 children with SMA at baseline were included. Baseline creatinine (Crn) had significant difference between SMA types while CK at baseline had no statistical difference. Serum level of Crn and CK at baseline had statistical difference between SMA with different motor function. Statistical difference in Crn was observed between patients among baseline, 6 months, and 18 months. 25-(OH) D3 is significantly higher in the patients without scoliosis than those with scoliosis(P＝0.045).ConclusionsCrn and Vitamin D can be possible biomarkers to monitor the severity of SMA disease and progression.
A phase Ⅰ clinical trial of sonodynamic therapy combined with radiotherapy for brainstem gliomas
Authors: Huangfu Linkuan , Zha Boya , Li Peihong , Wang Long , Liu Xiaohao , Cui Haiyang , Li Yuxin , Wu Jingjing , Shi Shuling , Yang Yuchuan , Sun Xiaocong , Gao Shibo , Li Huizhen , Yang Daoke , Zheng Yingjuan
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Brainstem gliomas (BSGs) are a class of clinically refractory malignant tumors for which there is no uniform and effective treatment protocol. Ultrasound and radiation can activate hematoporphyrin and produce sonodynamic and radiodynamic effects to kill cancer cells. Therefore, we conducted the first phase Ⅰ clinical trial of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) combined with radiotherapy (RT) for the treatment of BSGs to verify its safety and efficacy.
Methods
We conducted a study of SDT combined with RT in 11 patients with BSGs who received SDT and RT after hematoporphyrin administration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed during this period to assess the tumor, and adverse events were recorded.
Results
All adverse events recorded were grade 1–2; no grade 3 or more serious adverse events were observed. Treatment was well tolerated, and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. There were no treatment-related deaths during the course of treatment. 2 of 7 (28.6%) patients with high-grade gliomas achieved partial response (PR), and the tumors were still shrinking as of the last follow-up date. 1 of 4 (25%) patients with low-grade gliomas achieved a minor response (MR), and 3 (75%) maintained stable disease (SD). The median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients was 9.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2–12.2) months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 10.5 (95% CI 5.1–15.9) months.
Conclusion
SDT combined with RT has a favorable safety and feasibility and shows a preliminary high therapeutic potential.
Determinants of antibiotic prescribing in primary care in Vietnam: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework
Authors: Vu Minh Duy , Nguyen Thi Hong Yen , Nagraj Shobhana , Do Thi Thuy Nga , Vu Thi Lan Huong , Nguyen Vinh Nam , Nguyen Thi Cam Tu , Nguyen Hai Yen , Cai Ngoc Thien Huong , Tran Thi Hang , Nuil Jennifer Van , Nguyen Yen Nhi , investigators Collective Action against AMR , Alban Hannah , Khuong Thanh Vinh , Duong Thi Thanh Huyen , Tran Huy Hoang , Lewycka Sonia
Published: April 2024

Background: To formulate effective strategies for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in primary care, it is crucial to gain a thorough understanding of factors influencing prescribers' behavior within the context. This qualitative study utilizes the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF) to uncover these influential factors.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with primary care workers in two provinces in rural Vietnam. Data analysis employed a combined inductive and deductive approach, with the deductive aspect grounded in the TDF.
Results: Thirty-eight doctors, doctor associates, and pharmacists participated in twenty-two interviews and two focus group discussions. We identified sixteen themes, directly mapping onto seven TDF domains: knowledge, skills, behavioral regulation, environmental context and resources, social influences, social/professional role and identity, and optimism. Factors driving unnecessary prescription of antibiotics include low awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a health threat, diagnostic uncertainty, prescription-based reimbursement policy, inadequate supply of symptom relief medications, patients’ perception of Commune Health Centers (CHC) medication as “free” benefits, and maintaining doctor-patient relationships. Potential factors facilitating AMS activities include time availability for in-person patient consultation, experience in health communication, and willingness to take action against antimicrobial resistance.
Conclusion: Utilizing the TDF to systematically analyze and present behavioral determinants offers a structured foundation for designing impactful antimicrobial stewardship interventions in primary care. The findings underscore the importance of not only enhancing knowledge and skills but also implementing environmental restructuring, regulation, and enablement measures to effectively tackle unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in this context.
Enhanced Residual Network with Spatial and Channel Attention Mechanisms for Improved Face Recognition Performance
Authors: Ruby A. Usha , Chandran George Chellin , Ganguly Abhisek , Tiwari Bhaskar
Published: April 2024

Face recognition is a method of biometric identification technology that uses a person's face characteristic data. Face-based characteristics can be easily acquired, unlike fingerprints, iris, and other biometrics, they can be collected without physical contact. Face recognition technology has therefore rapidly grown and is now widely employed in a variety of industries, including banking, manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and education. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have attained good results in face recognition with the constant developments in deep learning. However, throughout the training phase, deep convolution neural networks have challenges in convergence and optimization. These issues are resolved by residual networks. Furthermore, the channel attention techniques can support networks in learning only the characteristics that carry valuable information, hence enhancing the model’s accuracy. In this study, we first use the swish function to enhance the initial residual network to produce the improved residual network and then the spatial and channel attention mechanisms, are added to the Resnet. The experimental findings of face recognition on MegaFace, CFP, LFW, and AgeDB datasets demonstrate that our model performed significantly in various metrics like specificity, sensitivity, test accuracy, F1 score, Matthew's correlation coefficient, precision, and test loss.
Sustainable leafy green production in sand media based integrated aqua vegeculture system under salinity
Authors: Subramanian Radhakrishnan , Nair Chythra S. , Manoharan Ramya , Jaleel Abdul
Published: April 2024

Background
Saline aquaponics is an integrated system that involves growing fish and crops in salt water. With freshwater scarcity increasing globally, saline aquaponics utilizes abundant saltwater resources, providing a sustainable solution for agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions. The sandponic system, utilizing sand for filtration and crop growth, conserves water and withstands environmental challenges. However, their performance under different salinity levels needs detailed study. This study compared the growth of lettuce plants grown in sandponic system under various salinity levels and examined the impact of saltwater on the biochemical parameters and growth of lettuce. This three-month study integrated a sandponic system into an existing aquaponic setup and primarily investigated the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). Various conditions were tested, including tap water (control) and different levels of salinity (2.5%, 5%, and 10%). In the study, fish growth parameters remained unaffected by rising salinity, with all groups achieving a 90% survival rate.
Results
Elevated salinity showed potential efficiency gains in fish farming, as evidenced by better feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio in experimental groups. Lettuce growth thrived in freshwater, with promising results in 2.5% and 5% saltwater conditions, but 10% saltwater had a detrimental effect. Proximate composition analysis of lettuce indicated declining nutritional elements with increased saltwater, especially in the 10% group. Macro and micro mineral analysis showed no significant changes due to saltwater inclusion.
Conclusions
The introducing low levels of saltwater into irrigation systems does not adversely affect lettuce yield or nutritional quality. This finding supports the feasibility of integrating seawater into agriculture in coastal regions, provided salinity is carefully managed.
Unveiling Urban Malaria Dynamics: Beyond Insecticide Treated bed nets Coverage to Heterogeneous Human Behaviors and Spatial Realities
Authors: Savi Merveille Koissi , Childs Lauren M. , Borgemeister Christian
Published: April 2024

Background:
Despite cost efficiency, insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are still not extensively used: less than 2% of children sleep in completely functioning ITNs, and less than 40% of owners in Accra, Ghana, utilize them effectively. Thus, the predicted reduction in the prevalence of malaria throughout the country and in Accra is still far from being attained. This study deconstructs urban malaria dynamics, revealing the complex interplay of ITNs, spatial heterogeneity, and human behaviors.
Methods:
As such, we assessed urban malaria prevention knowledge, developed a metapopulation framework aligned with empirical findings, and incorporated behavior scenarios to better understand urban malaria dynamics.
Results:
Having an ITN does not guarantee its effective use, especially in densely populated areas. Limited living space and repurposing are identified as key barriers in Accra, Ghana, with healthcare visits emerging as catalysts for ITN use. Mathematical models that incorporate spatial and demographic factors emphasize the importance of achieving 60% ITN use in each community patch for epidemic elimination. A proxy-based approach to modeling human behavior overcomes the challenge of revealing that ITN coverage alone does not guarantee malaria expected reduction in prevalence.
Conclusion:
Shorter ITN distribution intervals and targeted education to improve community health are among the recommendations.
Molecular Structure of Flavonoids Determines the Efficacy of Glycosylation by Amylosucrase
Authors: Lee Jong Cheoul , Upadhyaya Siddha Raj , Thapa Samir Bahadur , Amoah Obed Jackson , Parajuli Niranjan , Sohng Jae Kyung
Published: April 2024

Flavonoids are multi-active ingredients found in most cosmetics and are used as antioxidants and calming agents. They are plant-based naturally occurring pharmacological agents with a great deal of therapeutic potential. Glycosylation of flavonoids is a promising way to produce new therapeutics, fluorescent probes, and cosmetics. Amylosucrase (DgAS) isolated from Deinococcus geothermalis is a versatile enzyme that hydrolyses sucrose as well as catalyses transglucosylation with flavonoids, polyphenols, and others. This study aimed to investigate the reasons behind the differential yields of glycosylated flavonoid and their substrate diversification through in vitro assays. Molecular docking and density function theory (DFT)-based analysis were performed with nine substances (apigenin, daidzein, fisetin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, myricetin, quercetin, and phloretin) to analyze the efficacy of O-glycosylation by DgAS in the presence of sucrose. We found through in vitro and in silico analyses that there is no glycosylation at the C-5 hydroxyl group of ring A and C-4’ hydroxyl group of ring B in flavonoids when reactions are performed using 0.5 µg/ml DgAS at 40°C for 2 h in 50 mM Tris HCl buffer (pH 7), under conditions where the molar ratio of flavonoids to sucrose was 1:50. However, there is mono-glucosylation at hydroxyl group in flavonoids under the same reaction conditions. On the other hand, natural phenol phloretin yielded a di-glucosylated product. It is concluded that the hydroxyl group of the highest acidity (weaker O-H bond) is more prone to glycosylation, and the planarity and stereochemistry of flavonoids also determine the reaction efficacy.
Clinical Characteristics of Guillain‐Barré syndrome in Shenzhen: A Retrospective Study
Authors: GUO Feng , YAO Qian-yuan , WU Xiao-hong , GUO Hui-xia , SU Xiao-lin , ZHOU Jin-fang , REN Li-jie , ZHOU Yan-xia
Published: April 2024

Background
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a group of immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy that causes acute flaccid paralysis. The global incidence of GBS was 0.6-4/100 000, and the incidence in China was 0.698/100 000. Although the diagnosis and treatment of GBS has made rapid progress, approximately 20% of patients with GBS are still unable to walk alone within 6 months after the onset of GBS, and 40% of patients have sequelae, such as weakened strength, limb pain, and numbness, seriously affecting their life and work. We aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with GBS in Shenzhen, China and analyze the factors affecting disease severity to provide a reference for the precise treatment of GBS.
Methods
Clinical data of inpatients diagnosed with GBS in several hospitals in Shenzhen from April 2010 to October 2021 were obtained from an electronic medical record system (HIS system). The clinical characteristics of patients with GBS and the factors affecting disease severity were analyzed.
Results
A total of 146 patients were identified for this study, and 13 were lost during follow-up. During the follow-up period, three patients had acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-CIDP). One hundred and thirty patients with complete data, comprising 90 males (69.23%) and 40 females (30.77%), with a median age of 39.50 ± 23.75 years, were included in the statistical analyses. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) was the most common clinical variant (106 cases [81.54%]). Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) were noted in 21 (16.15%), 2 (1.54%), and 1 (0.77%) patients, respectively. The clinical course of the disease was mainly mild in 95 cases (73.08%), while 35 patients (26.92%) experienced severe disease. Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that being ≥ 60 years old and having a pulmonary infection might be related to the severity of the disease.
Conclusions
AIDP is the most common manifestation of GBS in Shenzhen. Most cases of GBS in our setting are mild, and the long-term prognosis is favorable. Old age (≥ 60 years) and having a pulmonary infection are independent risk factors for severe GBS.
Investigating the Yanomami malaria outbreak puzzle: surge in mining during Bolsonaro’s government triggered peak in malaria burden
Authors: Dutra Daniela de Angeli , Fontes Cor , Braga Érika , Mordecai Erin
Published: April 2024

The Yanomami, an Indigenous people from the Amazon, confront multifaceted challenges endangering their health and cultural integrity. Of immediate concern is the surge in malaria cases in their territory during Bolsonaro’s government. We investigated the impact of land use on malaria incidence among the Yanomami leveraging satellite imagery and ran difference-in-differences analyses to ask whether the Yanomami suffered disproportionately from malaria when illegal mining was rising in the region (2016-2022). We show a remarkable ~300% rise in malaria from 2016 to 2022 and point to mining as the primary driver of malaria among the Yanomami; when mining increases by 1%, malaria increases by 31%. After mining unfolded, the burden of malaria among the Yanomami was disproportionately higher, up to 15%, than in non-indigenous communities. Our findings underscore the impact of illegal mining on the high malaria burden suffered by the Yanomami and the importance of rainforest conservation and land sovereignty for Indigenous health.
AIF-YOLO: small traffic sign recognition based on YOLOv7
Authors: Luo Xianglong , Chen Li , Liao Cong
Published: April 2024

Traffic sign recognition is an essential part of intelligent transportation systems and autonomous driving. However, due to the small size of traffic signs, there are a few problems in traffic sign recognition, such as missed recognition, false recognition, and so on. Therefore, we choose YOLOv7 as the baseline and propose an anti-interference feature enhancement YOLO, abbreviated as AIF-YOLO. Firstly, to enhance the network’s feature extraction capability, we add an adaptive feature extraction module (AFEM) structure to adaptive adjust the size of receptive field and refine features. Secondly, we introduce a contextual transformer into the feature extraction network of YOLOv7, resulting in the contextual transformer efficient layer aggregation network (CoT-ELAN) module. This improvement enables the model to capture the relation between traffic signs and environment and thus separate the interference signs. Furthermore, Wise-IoU loss was adopted to optimize network training, effectively addressing the poor quality label issue in the traffic sign dataset. Experiments were tested on Tsinghua-Tencent 100k dataset(TT100K), and the results show that our improved model performed better than the baseline YOLOv7, and other popular algorithms on precision, recall, and mAP@0.5.
Cyberattack Detection Using Unsupervised Learning Techniques
Authors: Islam Amanul , Rashid Md Mamunur
Published: April 2024

Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and challenging to detect, making it critical to develop effective and robust detection mechanisms. Unsupervised learning techniques offer a promising approach for cyberattack detection, particularly in scenarios where labeled data is scarce or not available. In this research, we propose a novel approach for cyberattack detection using adversarial autoencoders, which combine the traditional autoencoder architecture with an additional adversarial component. The proposed approach involves data collection and preprocessing, training an adversarial autoencoder model using unsupervised learning with adversarial training, detecting anomalies, and evaluating the performance of the approach. The proposed approach offers several benefits, including the ability to capture complex relationships in the data and generate realistic reconstructions of normal data. The effectiveness and potential of the proposed approach will be evaluated through extensive experiments and comparisons with existing unsupervised learning techniques or other benchmark methods.
Studierende unterrichten neben dem Studium als Vertretungslehrkräfte – ein Bericht zum Stand der empirischen Forschung
Authors: Hesse Florian , Krause Jonas
Published: April 2024

Im deutschsprachigen und auch internationalen Raum besteht derzeit vielerorts ein akuter Lehrkräftemangel. Eine Maßnahme zur Eindämmung dieses Mangels sieht vor, Lehramtsstudierende im Rahmen einer Nebentätigkeit dafür zu gewinnen, (Vertretungs-)Unterricht an Schulen zu erteilen, um kurzfristig Stundenausfälle zu kompensieren oder mittelfristig den Regelunterricht abzudecken. Aus Sicht der Forschung stellt sich die Frage, in welchem Umfang solche Tätigkeiten ausgeübt werden, wie sich die Tätigkeiten charakterisieren lassen (z. B. bezüglich Begleitung, Unterrichtsqualität usw.) und welche Chancen und Herausforderungen sich mit Blick auf (universitäre) Professionalisierungsprozesse ergeben. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die aktuelle Forschung und leitet daraus Desiderate für die Professionalisierungs- und Unterrichtsforschung in der Deutschdidaktik ab.
Dorothea Gotfurt, 1907–1995
Authors: Kelletat Andreas F.
Published: April 2024

Dorothea Gotfurt kam 1935 als Exilantin nach England. Dort wurde sie zur Übersetzerin. Zwischen 1955 und 1970 veröffentlichte sie vor allem im Scherz-Verlag (Bern), aber auch bei Fischer (Frankfurt/M.), Rowohlt (Reinbek) oder Szolnay (Wien) über dreißig von ihr ins Deutsche gebrachte Romane aus der zeitgenössischen englischsprachigen Literatur.
Luise Adelgunde Victorie Gottsched, 1713–1762
Authors: Schreiber Michael
Published: April 2024

Luise Gottscheds Übersetzungen können als wichtiger Beitrag zur Vermittlung zentraler Texte der Aufklärung und der französischen und englischen Literatur für ein deutsches Publikum betrachtet werden. Sie übersetzte literarische, philosophische, journalistische, geistes- und naturwissenschaftliche Texte aus dem Französischen und Englischen, u.a. Werke von Molière, Bayle, Voltaire, Destouches, Fénelon, Addison und Pope sowie von zahlreichen weniger bekannten Autoren und Autorinnen. Darüber hinaus verfasste sie eigene literarische Werke, insbesondere Dramen.
CHALLENGES IN THE ADOPTION OF A TRACEABILITY SYSTEM IN THE HALAL FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN IN MALAYSIA
Authors:   Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia., Najah Nazri Nur , Huda Sahari Noorul ,   Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia., Mohd Nor Aishah ,   Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia.
Published: April 2024

Halal and food safety are important issues nowadays. The issue regarding product recalls is not new and still happens, which involves halal and food safety matters. Other than that, the industries also lack awareness, knowledge, and the cost of implementing the traceability system on food premises. Thus, this study aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced by industry player in adopting the traceability system in the halal food supply chain. The study adopts the qualitative method, where the data was collected through a semi-structured interview with representatives of the supply chain company. The gathered data were analysed using thematic analysis to understand the challenges faced in adopting the traceability system throughout the supply chain. The finding indicated that a traceability system is adopted to assure that information related to halal food and products is available and can be traced along the supply chain. It includes the information pre-production process, such as the sources and origins of the raw materials. As regards halal supply chain management challenges that food establishments faced in implementing halal traceability, its covered aspects of a technical system, logistics, segregation at shop shelves, distribution and retail records, and product recall. It is recommended that the food establishment develop and get acquainted with traceability technology tools as it is more effective and efficient in tracking and tracing the product.
EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME RISK IN YOUNG ADULTS: A REVIEW
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, MGM Medical College, Aurangabad., Rankhamb Sangita , Dabir Bhakti ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, MGM Medical College, Aurangabad.
Published: April 2024

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of interrelated risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, particularly among young adults. Physical activity has been identified as a key lifestyle factor that can help mitigate the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. This review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the association between physical activity and metabolic syndrome risk in young adults. The review discusses the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in young adults and the various mechanisms by which physical activity can influence metabolic syndrome risk, including improvements in body composition, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and blood pressure regulation. Several studies have demonstrated that higher levels of physical activity, especially moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise, are associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome in young adult populations. However, the relationship between physical activity and metabolic syndrome risk may be moderated by factors such as sex and socioeconomic status. The review also highlights the need for further research to better understand the long-term impact of physical activity, the optimal types and intensities of exercise, and the development of tailored interventions to promote sustained physical activity and improve metabolic health in young adults. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the importance of encouraging and supporting young adults to engage in regular physical activity as a strategy for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome. Promoting physically active lifestyles among this population should be a public health priority to address the growing burden of metabolic syndrome and its associated health consequences.
UMUMİ HAYATA MÜESSİR HEYELAN RİSKİ NEDENİYLE AFETE MARUZ BÖLGE UYGULAMASI BAKIMINDAN İDARİ KOLLUK FAALİYETLERİ VE İDARENİN HİZMET KUSURU
Authors: Kozanoğlu Gonca
Published: April 2024

Jeolojik kökenli doğal afetlerden biri olan heyelanın idare hukuku bakımından önemi, heyelan nedeniyle zarar meydana geldiğinde idarenin sorumluluğu noktasında ortaya çıkmaktadır. 7269 sayılı Umumi Hayata Müessir Afetler Dolayısiyle Alınacak Tedbirlerle Yapılacak Yardımlara Dair Kanun başta olmak üzere hukukumuzda, doğal afetler nedeniyle ortaya çıkan afet zararlarını önlemek ve/veya azaltmak amacıyla idareye çeşitli görev ve sorumluluk yükleyen pek çok düzenleme bulunmaktadır. 7269 sayılı Kanun ile öngörülen tedbirlerin alınması ve yardımların yapılabilmesi için afete uğramış veya uğrayabilir bölgelerin, afete maruz bölge olarak kararlaştırılması ve ilan olunması gerekmektedir. Kanun, afete maruz bölge olarak ilan edilen alanda bulunan ve bu nedenle de can ve mal güvenliği bakımından risk oluşturan yapıların, sahipleri tarafından verilen süreler içinde tamir edilmesi veya tamiri mümkün olmaması halinde ise yıkılması; aksi halde idare tarafından yıktırılması, tahliyesi gibi hususlarla ilgili detaylı hükümler öngörmüştür. 7269 sayılı Kanun uyarınca idarenin gerek umumi hayata müessir heyelan riski nedeniyle afete maruz bölge uygulaması gerek heyelan riski sebebiyle afete maruz bölge olarak ilan edilen alanda kalan ve heyelan nedeniyle gördükleri hasar bakımından risk oluşturan, hasar görmesine rağmen sahipleri tarafından tamir edilmeyen yapıların tahliyesi ve yıktırılması yetkileri kolluk şeklinde düzenlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada, 7269 sayılı Kanun uyarınca umumi hayata müessir heyelan riski nedeniyle öngörülen söz konusu afet yönetim faaliyetleri, idare hukukumuz açısından idarenin konu bakımından faaliyetlerinden kolluk faaliyeti açısından ele alınacaktır. Danıştayın heyelan nedeniyle idarenin sorumluluğuna ilişkin kararlarının, afete maruz bölge çerçevesinde idarenin hizmet kusuru esasında şekillendiği görüldüğünden, bu çalışmada idarenin hizmet kusuru konusuna da değinilecektir.
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Care of Babies and Children
Authors: Franzin Lucimara Cheles da Silva , Peloso Renan Morais , Cotrin Paula , dos Santos Ferreira Bruna , Franzin Fernanda Mara , Franzin Claudio Alberto , Pini Nubia Inocencya Pavesi , Valarelli Fabricio Pinelli , Santin Gabriela Cristina , Pinzan-Vercelino Celia Regina Maio , Freitas Karina Maria Salvatore
Published: April 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted people's lives and also dental and medical care.

Objective

To evaluate parents' attitudes toward their children's dental care and habits during the early and intermediate stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Material and Methods

A structured online questionnaire containing 22 questions (available from August 19th to September 18th, 2020) was used. The parents of babies and children (aged 0-6 years) who were visiting the Baby Clinics of the Dental Department were eligible to participate in this study.

Results

During the stay-at-home orders, only 21.1% of the parents continued to take their child to the pediatrician for routine follow-up; 22.6% took the children to the doctor only due to an emergency. Most parents (53.5%) reported being very afraid of going out with their babies/ children during the pandemic and became infected. Most parents (84.9%) reported having doubts about maintaining their baby/child’s oral health guidelines during quarantine, and 81.1% had doubts about what to do in case of eruption of their baby/ child’s teeth. Some parents reported a decrease in the oral hygiene and eating habits of their babies/ children during the pandemic. The parents with a reduced income reported a significantly greater reduction in oral hygiene habits.

Conclusions

During the early and intermediate stages of the pandemic, when stay-at-home orders were suggested, parents of children aged 0-6 were afraid to take their children to medical and dental appointments. Besides that, these caregivers also claimed that their family routines of food and oral hygiene were altered.
OKUL PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMANLIĞI: KENYA VE TÜRKİYE ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: Çanakçı Uğur Ebru
Published: April 2024

Psikolojik danışma mesleğinin alt uzmanlık alanlarından birisi okul psikolojik danışmanlığıdır. Okul psikolojik danışmanlığı, okul sistemi içerisinde önemli bir role sahiptir. Okul psikolojik danışma hizmetleri ile öğrencilerin kişisel, duygusal, mesleki ve toplumsal alanlarda sağlıklı olarak gelişmelerine yardımcı olma amaçlanmaktadır ve bu hizmetler, belirli bir sistem dâhilinde sunulmaktadır. Türkiye’de yürütülen okul psikolojik danışmanlığı hizmetlerini başka bir ülke ile birlikte incelemek, okul psikolojik danışmanlığı konusunda nerede olunduğu, nereye gidildiği ve nerede olunması gerektiği ile ilgili daha somut bilgiler verebilir. Bu çalışma ile Türkiye ve Kenya’daki okul psikolojik danışmanlığı konusunu ele almak, okullarda psikolojik danışma hizmetlerinin nasıl örgütlendiğini/sunulduğunu, kapsayıcılığının nasıl olduğunu, okul psikolojik danışmanlarının yetkinliklerini, okul psikolojik danışmanlığı alanında süregelen olumlu, olumsuz ve geliştirilebilir yönleri görmek amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda Kenya’da ve Türkiye’de okul psikolojik danışmanlığının tarihsel gelişimi, okul psikolojik danışmanları, okul psikolojik danışmanlarının görevleri ve güncel konular ile okul psikolojik danışmanlarının karşılaştıkları güçlükler incelenmiştir.
Cracking The Case of The Cryptic Coronary: Diagnostic Strategies for Anomalous RCA Originating from LAD
Authors: Indrihapsari Pratiwi , Satrijo Budi , Rahimah Anna Fuji
Published: April 2024

Background: Coronary artery anomalies are typically congenital, though they may remain undetected until routine cardiac catheterization is performed. With a detection rate of only 1.3%, these anomalies often go unnoticed. In rare cases, the right coronary artery may originate from the left coronary system, but this anomaly is generally benign. Case presentation: A 55-year-old male patient was diagnosed with NSTEMI and underwent coronary angiography. However, despite multiple attempts, the medical team could not cannulate into the right coronary ostium. The left coronary ostium was located in the left sinus of Valsalva. Selective left coronary arteriography revealed normal courses of the left main and LAD but identified a critical stenosis in the LCx and a possible CTO at the RCA ostium. The patient received a stent in the LCx and returned the following month for another angiography, during which he received a stent in the proximal LAD. However, during cine angiography, it was found that the patient had an anomalous RCA that originated from the mid-portion of LAD, coursing anteriorly to the pulmonary artery and down to the right atrioventricular groove. Subsequent CCTA confirmed the RCA's origin from the mid-LAD. Conclusion: The report finds a rare RCA origin in the mid-LAD. The heart and its complex arterial network may be examined thoroughly, appreciate to coronary CTA, a non-invasive imaging approach. This allows for effective interventional cardiovascular therapy and is helpful for medical cardiac abnormality detection and assessment. Keyword: Anomalous Right Coronary Artery, CT Coronary Angiography, RCA from LAD, Single Coronary Artery.
International Marketing: Local consumer perception ofthe purchase decision of Chinese goods
Authors:   Universidad ECCI., Bustamante Matoma Harold Anderson , Vargas Gonzales Jorge Yezid ,   Universidad ECCI.
Published: April 2024

ntroduction: In recent years, local consumers have experienced a significant change in their purchasing preferences because of economic opening and market globalization. This change reflected the demand for international products to which companies needed to meet the needs of consumers, objective:This research was to analyze the perception of the local consumer and influence on the decision to purchase goods from China. Methodology: implemented in this project had a descriptive quantitative approach, where a questionnaire was designed and validated with closed questions rated on a Likert scale addressed to (109) local importers, the data were analyzed by SPSS version 29 software to ensure its feasibility and reliability. Results: The findings show that the behavior in the purchase process depends on preferences, motivations and consumption trends. Finally, Conclusion: the existence of factors that influence the perception and purchase decision regarding goods made in China related to quality and the pre-existence of experiences of other consumers in international trade