bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting cardiovascular risk in a Chinese primary Sjögren’s syndrome population: development and assessment of a predictive nomogram
Authors: Pu Jincheng , Song Jiamin , Pan Shengnan , Zhuang Shuqi , Gao Ronglin , Liang Yuanyuan , Wu Zhenzhen , Wang Yanqing , Zhang Youwei , Yang Lufei , Han Fang , Wu Huihong , Tang Jianping , Wang Xuan
Published: July 2023

Background:

Patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity as compared with the general population.

Objectives:

A retrospective study on 349 Chinese patients with pSS was conducted to identify potential risk factors for cardiovascular events and develop a cardiovascular risk nomogram.

Design:

This is a retrospective observational study.

Methods:

The study included 349 patients who were diagnosed with pSS at Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, China from January 2010 to March 2022. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to select features for the cardiovascular risk model. The features selected in LASSO were used to build the cardiovascular risk model in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the predictive model. Internal validation was performed by bootstrapping.

Results:

Sex, joint pain as an initial symptom, dry mouth, oral ulcers, dental caries, Raynaud’s phenomenon, fatigue, diabetes, elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, and elevated systolic blood pressure were included in the nomogram for the prediction of cardiovascular risk. Our model had good discrimination (C-index: 0.824, 95% confidence interval: 0.712–0.936) and good calibration (C-index in the interval validation: 0.8). Decision curve analysis indicated that our nomogram demonstrated clinical usefulness for intervention in a cardiovascular disease possibility threshold of 3%.

Conclusion:

The cardiovascular risk nomogram incorporating sex, initial joint pain, dry mouth, oral ulcer, dental caries, Raynaud’s phenomenon, fatigue, diabetes, elevated TSH, and systolic blood pressure could be used in the prediction of cardiovascular risk in patients with pSS and the guidance of further treatment.
What Drives People’s Behavioral Intention Toward Telemedicine? An Emerging Economy Perspective
Authors: Hossain Md. Alamgir , Amin Ruhul , Masud Abdullah Al , Hossain Md. Imran , Hossen Mohammad Awal , Hossain Mohammad Kamal
Published: July 2023

Because healthcare systems in developing nations are underfunded and unequal, practitioners must understand how telemedicine may be widely introduced and sustained. Unfortunately, telemedicine adoption receives less attention and there is limited knowledge regarding the interfering influence of patient engagement, satisfaction, and individual innovativeness. Consequentially, the current study seeks to investigate the factors that influence patients’ behavioral intentions toward telemedicine, while acknowledging engagement and satisfaction as mediators and personal innovativeness as a moderator. A questionnaire instrument was used to reach telemedicine users in Bangladesh, and finally, 305 samples were curated and explored applying structural equation modeling in AMOS software. The empirical results show that information quality, performance expectancy, engagement, and satisfaction are strong stimulators of behavioral intention toward telemedicine, whereas functionality, information quality, and performance expectancy drive satisfaction and engagement. One of the worthy findings of this study is that engagement and satisfaction play a significant mediating function, while personal innovativeness plays a moderating role, in influencing behavioral intention toward telemedicine. Confirming engagement and satisfaction as mediators and innovativeness as a moderator adds originality to this research, and overall will help to reduce healthcare bias prejudice among marginalized people in developing countries like Bangladesh.
Pregnancy outcomes and disease phenotype of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in singleton pregnancies after in vitro fertilization: a retrospective analysis of 1130 cases
Authors: Dai Fen , Lan Yehui , Pan Shuangjia , Wang Yuhuan , Hua Ying , Xiao Wenya
Published: July 2023

Background

Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) can increase the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), the pregnancy outcomes and disease phenotype of HDP in singleton pregnancies conceived via IVF remain unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 1130 singleton pregnancies with HDP from 2016 to 2020. According to the mode of conception, they were allocated into IVF (n = 102) and natural conception (NC) groups (n = 1028). All IVF pregnancies were subdivided into frozen embryo transfer (FET) group (n = 42) and fresh embryo transfer (ET) group (n = 60). Demographic data, pregnancy outcomes and disease phenotypes of HDP among the groups were compared. The risk factors for severe preeclampsia (PE) and early-onset PE were analyzed.

Results

The incidences of early-onset PE (P<0.001), severe PE (P = 0.016), cesarean section (P<0.001) and preterm births (P = 0.003) in the IVF-HDP group were significantly higher than those in the NC-HDP group, and gestational age at diagnosis of HDP (P = 0.027) and gestational age at delivery (P = 0.004) were earlier and birthweight of the neonates (P = 0.033) were lower in the IVF group. In singleton pregnancies with HDP, IVF was associated with increased risks for both severe PE and early-onset PE (aOR 1.945, 95% CI 1.256, 3.014; and aOR 2.373, 95% CI 1.537, 3.663, respectively), as well as FET, family history of preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, gestational hypothyroidism and multiparity were associated with increased risks of severe PE and early-onset PE.

Conclusions

In singleton pregnancies with HDP, IVF was associated with an increased incidence of the disease phenotype (severe or early-onset PE), as well as an increased incidence of pregnancy outcomes related to severe PE and early-onset PE.
SNHG1 opposes quiescence and promotes docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer
Authors: Zielske Steven P. , Chen Wei , Ibrahim Kristina G. , Cackowski Frank C.
Published: July 2023

Background

A majority of prostate cancer cells are in a non-proliferating, G0 (quiescent) phase of the cell cycle and may lie dormant for years before activation into a proliferative, rapidly progressing, disease phase. Many mechanisms which influence proliferation and quiescence choices remain to be elucidated, including the role of non-coding RNAs. In this study, we investigated the role of a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), SNHG1, on cell proliferation, quiescence, and sensitivity to docetaxel as a potential factor important in prostate cancer biology.

Methods

Publically available, anonymous, clinical data was obtained from cBioPortal for analysis. RNAi and prostate cancer cell lines were utilized to investigate SNHG1 in vitro. We measured G0 cells, DNA synthesis, and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to assess G2 arrest and apoptosis. These parameters were also investigated following docetaxel treatment.

Results

We discovered that in prostate cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set, high SNHG1 expression in localized tumors correlated with reduced progression-free survival, and in a data set of both primary and metastatic tumors, high SNHG1 expression was associated with metastatic tumors. In vitro analysis of prostate cancer cell lines showed SNHG1 expression correlated with a quiescent versus proliferative phenotype. Knockdown of SNHG1 by RNAi in PC3 and C4-2B cells resulted in an accumulation of cells in the G0 phase. After knockdown, 60.0% of PC3 cells were in G0, while control cultures had 13.2% G0. There were reciprocal decreases in G1 phase, but little impact on the proportion of cells in S and G2/M phases, depending on cell line. DNA synthesis and proliferation were largely halted- decreasing by 75% and 81% in C4-2B and PC3 cells, respectively. When cells were treated with docetaxel, SNHG1-depleted C4-2B and PC3 cells were resistant to G2 arrest, and displayed reduced apoptosis, as indicated by reduced cyclin B1 and cleaved caspase 3, suggesting SNHG1 levels may modulate drug response.

Conclusions

Overall, these results indicate SNHG1 has complex roles in prostate cancer, as it stimulates cell cycle entry and disease progression, but sensitizes cells to docetaxel treatment.
The relation between dietary quality and healthy eating index with bone mineral density in osteoporosis: a case-control study
Authors: Ghadiri Marzieh , Soltani Mitra , Rajabzadeh-Dehkordi Milad , Gerami Shirin , Shateri Zainab , Nouri Mehran , Gargari Bahram Pourghassem
Published: July 2023

Background

In this study, we aimed to illustrate the association between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and Dietary Quality Index (DQI) with bone mineral density (BMD) among postmenopausal Iranian women with osteoporosis compared to the healthy control.

Methods

In the current case-control study, 131 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and 131 healthy postmenopausal women participated. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck BMD. The subjects completed a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and then HEI and DQI were calculated based on the FFQ data. Crude and adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relation between HEI and DQI with the odds of the femoral and lumbar BMD.

Results

According to the results, participants in the last tertile of HEI were more likely to have higher femoral and lumbar BMD in the crude model (odds ratio (OR) = 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20–0.71 and OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10–0.40, respectively) and also in the adjusted model (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.20–0.78 and OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10–0.41, respectively). Also, in terms of DQI-I, participants in the last tertile were more likely to have higher femoral and lumbar BMD in the crude model (OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.12–0.45 and OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15–0.55, respectively) and also in the adjusted model (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14–0.58 and OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.17–0.67, respectively).

Conclusions

The results of the current study supported the hypothesis that high-quality diets with healthy patterns can be clinically effective in maintaining bone health. Thus, recommendations regarding the consumption of nutrient-rich food groups in a healthy diet can serve as a practical non-pharmacological strategy against osteoporosis.
Association between sleep duration and dental caries in a nationally representative U.S. population
Authors: Alawady Abdullah , Alharbi Asma , Alharbi Hajar , Almesbah Sarah , Alshammari Noor , Alkandari Ahmad , Alhazmi Hesham , Alqaderi Hend
Published: July 2023

Background

Dental caries is considered one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide despite all dental public health efforts. Short sleep duration has been established as a risk factor for several medical conditions. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between sleep duration and dental caries.

Methods

Data were collected from the 2017–2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative health survey conducted in the United States. Participants who completed sleep questionnaires were examined by dentists using standardized clinical criteria. Analysis was limited to Individuals aged ≥ 16 years with complete clinical oral examination data and who completed the sleep questionnaire (N = 5,205). The data were weighted to provide a national estimate, and multiple potential covariates were included in the analysis to account for the complex sample design. The main outcomes of the study were untreated dental caries and dental caries experience. The main predictor variables were average sleep hours/night and a binary variable with 7 h/night as a cut off. Multiple weighted Poisson and logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the hypothesis that people with short sleep duration are more likely to exhibit dental caries.

Results

This study showed a statistically significant negative relationship between sleep duration and dental caries amongst all weighted adjusted analyses conducted. For a one hour increase in average sleep hours, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of having a dental caries experience might decrease by 0.86 (AOR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75–0.98, P < 0.05). Individuals who reported an average sleep of ≥ 7 h were less likely to have a dental caries experience compared to individuals who reported an average sleep of < 7 h (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.33–0.82, P < 0.05). For a one hour increase in average sleep hours, the Adjusted Mean Ratio (AMR) of having a dental caries experience might decrease by 0.97 (AMR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96–0.99, P < 0.05), and was lower for those who reported sleeping ≥ 7 h/night than individuals who reported sleeping < 7 h/night (AMR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.87–0.99, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Findings of this cross-sectional representative study of the U.S. population revealed a statistically significant negative association between sleep duration and dental caries. In this study, individuals who slept < 7 h/night were more likely to exhibit dental caries.
Inverse problem for parameters identification in a modified SIRD epidemic model using ensemble neural networks
Authors: Petrica Marian , Popescu Ionel
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we propose a parameter identification methodology of the SIRD model, an extension of the classical SIR model, that considers the deceased as a separate category. In addition, our model includes one parameter which is the ratio between the real total number of infected and the number of infected that were documented in the official statistics. Due to many factors, like governmental decisions, several variants circulating, opening and closing of schools, the typical assumption that the parameters of the model stay constant for long periods of time is not realistic. Thus our objective is to create a method which works for short periods of time. In this scope, we approach the estimation relying on the previous 7 days of data and then use the identified parameters to make predictions. To perform the estimation of the parameters we propose the average of an ensemble of neural networks. Each neural network is constructed based on a database built by solving the SIRD for 7 days, with random parameters. In this way, the networks learn the parameters from the solution of the SIRD model. Lastly we use the ensemble to get estimates of the parameters from the real data of Covid19 in Romania and then we illustrate the predictions for different periods of time, from 10 up to 45 days, for the number of deaths. The main goal was to apply this approach on the analysis of COVID-19 evolution in Romania, but this was also exemplified on other countries like Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland with similar results. The results are backed by a theorem which guarantees that we can recover the parameters of the model from the reported data. We believe this methodology can be used as a general tool for dealing with short term predictions of infectious diseases or in other compartmental models.
A novel X-linked mutation in IL2RG associated with early-onset inflammatory bowel disease: a case report of twin brothers
Authors: Rayzan Elham , Sadeghalvad Mona , Shahkarami Sepideh , Zoghi Samaneh , Aryan Zahra , Mahdaviani Seyed Alireza , Boztug Kaan , Rezaei Nima
Published: July 2023

Background

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency is caused by IL2RG gene mutation. Several variations have been identified in the IL2RG gene, which potentially can prevent the production of nonfunctional proteins. Herein, a novel X-linked variant in the IL2RG gene is reported in twin brothers, associated with inflammatory bowel symptoms.

Case presentation

The patients were 26-month-old monozygotic twin middle-eastern males with failure to thrive and several inpatient admissions due to severe chronic nonbloody diarrhea that started at the age of 12 months. Pancolitis was revealed after performing upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies on the twin with more severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Flow cytometric evaluation of the peripheral blood cells showed low levels of CD4+ cells in both patients. Next generation sequencing-based gene panel test results of the two patients proved a novel heterozygous missense X-linked IL2RG mutation (70330011 A > G, p.Trp197Arg) in one of the patients, which was predicted to be deleterious (CADD score of 28), which soon after was confirmed by Sanger segregation in his twin brother. Both parents were wild types and had never experienced similar symptoms. The patients received an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched cord blood transplant. The twin with more severe gastrointestinal symptoms died 1 month after transplantation. In his brother, watery diarrhea eventually subsided after transplantation.

Conclusion

Intestinal involvement in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency is a rare presentation that might be neglected. The increasing availability of genetic screening tests worldwide could be helpful for early detection of such lethal primary immunodeficiency diseases and in implementing effective interventions to handle the severe outcomes.
Semantically enabling clinical decision support recommendations
Authors: Seneviratne Oshani , Das Amar K. , Chari Shruthi , Agu Nkechinyere N. , Rashid Sabbir M. , McCusker Jamie , Franklin Jade S. , Qi Miao , Bennett Kristin P. , Chen Ching-Hua , Hendler James A. , McGuinness Deborah L.
Published: July 2023

Background

Clinical decision support systems have been widely deployed to guide healthcare decisions on patient diagnosis, treatment choices, and patient management through evidence-based recommendations. These recommendations are typically derived from clinical practice guidelines created by clinical specialties or healthcare organizations. Although there have been many different technical approaches to encoding guideline recommendations into decision support systems, much of the previous work has not focused on enabling system generated recommendations through the formalization of changes in a guideline, the provenance of a recommendation, and applicability of the evidence. Prior work indicates that healthcare providers may not find that guideline-derived recommendations always meet their needs for reasons such as lack of relevance, transparency, time pressure, and applicability to their clinical practice.

Results

We introduce several semantic techniques that model diseases based on clinical practice guidelines, provenance of the guidelines, and the study cohorts they are based on to enhance the capabilities of clinical decision support systems. We have explored ways to enable clinical decision support systems with semantic technologies that can represent and link to details in related items from the scientific literature and quickly adapt to changing information from the guidelines, identifying gaps, and supporting personalized explanations. Previous semantics-driven clinical decision systems have limited support in all these aspects, and we present the ontologies and semantic web based software tools in three distinct areas that are unified using a standard set of ontologies and a custom-built knowledge graph framework:

(i) guideline modeling to characterize diseases,

(ii) guideline provenance to attach evidence to treatment decisions from authoritative sources, and

(iii) study cohort modeling to identify relevant research publications for complicated patients.

Conclusions

We have enhanced existing, evidence-based knowledge by developing ontologies and software that enables clinicians to conveniently access updates to and provenance of guidelines, as well as gather additional information from research studies applicable to their patients’ unique circumstances. Our software solutions leverage many well-used existing biomedical ontologies and build upon decades of knowledge representation and reasoning work, leading to explainable results.
Relationships between land use types and urban heat island intensity in Hulu Langat district, Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Rendana Muhammad , Idris Wan Mohd Razi , Rahim Sahibin Abdul , Abdo Hazem Ghassan , Almohamad Hussein , Al Dughairi Ahmed Abdullah , Al-Mutiry Motrih
Published: July 2023

Background

Urban heat island (UHI) is an urban climate phenomenon that primarily responds to urban conditions and land use change. The extent of hard surfaces significantly influences the thermal properties of the land. To address this issue, a novel approach quantifying the association between land use and UHI is developed. This study offers a new technique for effectively estimating the effect of land use on the UHI intensity using the combination of urban heat intensity index (UHII) and land contribution index (LCI) derived from Landsat 8 OLI images. The time-series thermal effect of land use on the UHI intensity can be determined according to the ratio in mean temperature between specific land use and the whole study site. The study was conducted in the Hulu Langat district, Malaysia during 2014–2021.

Results

The UHI intensity rose from 0.19 in 2014 to 0.70 in 2021. The negative value of LCI for vegetation areas and water bodies obtained its negative contribution to the urban heat island, while the positive value of LCI for bare areas and built-up areas showed its positive effect on the urban heat island. The LCI value for urban areas showed a significant increase in the 7 years such as 0.51, 0.66, 0.69, and 0.75 for periods 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021, respectively. The change in LCI from 2014 to 2021 for the transformation of bare area and forest was recorded to be 0.23 and − 0.02, respectively. Thus, the conversion of forests into urban areas had a negative effect on the increment of UHI intensity.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings are useful for policy-making agency in developing an effective policy for reducing high UHI intensity and planning long-term land use management.
A comprehensive review of the health benefits of flaxseed oil in relation to its chemical composition and comparison with other omega-3-rich oils
Authors: Al-Madhagy Somaia , Ashmawy Naglaa S. , Mamdouh Ayat , Eldahshan Omayma A. , Farag Mohamed A.
Published: July 2023

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L) is an ancient perennial plant species regarded as a multipurpose plant owing to its richness in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including α-linolenic acid (ALA). The extensive biochemical analysis of flaxseed resulted in the identification of its bioactive, i.e., lignans with potential application in the improvement of human health. Flaxseed oil, fibers, and lignans exert potential health benefits including reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders that have led to the diversification of flaxseed plant applications. This comprehensive review focuses on flaxseed oil as the major product of flaxseed with emphasis on the interrelationship between its chemical composition and biological effects. Effects reviewed include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anti-osteoporotic, cardioprotective, metabolic, and neuroprotective. This study provides an overview of flaxseed oil effects with the reported action mechanisms related to its phytochemical composition and in comparison, to other PUFA-rich oils. This study presents the most updated and comprehensive review summarizing flaxseed oil’s health benefits for the treatment of various diseases.

Graphical Abstract
Tacrolimus-Induced Akinetic Mutism or Epidural Catheter Migration: A Case Report
Authors: Hussey Patrick T. , Sowell Josiah , Hussey Hanna , Townsley Matthew M.
Published: July 2023

Differential diagnosis of the underlying cause of new-onset total body paralysis can be challenging and unsatisfying. In akinetic mutism, a rare side effect of tacrolimus, patients become apathetic, mute, and lose voluntary muscle movement. Epidural subarachnoid migration can present with similar symptoms. Delayed emergence/paralysis after anesthesia can include the common culprits of residual operative medications, stroke, as well as tacrolimus-induced akinetic mutism and thoracic epidural migration. We present a case of new-onset total body paralysis, presenting on postoperative day 1 following a double-lung transplant in a patient started on tacrolimus with a thoracic epidural catheter in place.
Physiological characteristics of IRR 400 series rubber clones (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) under drought stress
Authors: Pasaribu Syarifah Aini , Basyuni Mohammad , Purba Edison , Hasanah Yaya
Published: July 2023

Background: Drought stress is one of the main causes of plant death. Strategies for plant survival include triggering of specific signaling pathways and tolerance mechanisms. Rubber plantations have many uses, including in forest revitalization and as foreign exchange sources, job sources, and as an alternative source for building materials and furniture. The rubber plant’s response to drought stress is a complex biological process. Planting tolerant rubber clone in drought prone areas would be more appropriate. The present study is aimed to identify drought tolerant traits in order to select drought-tolerant clones at juvenile stage itself.

Methods: The first factor examined for this research was the clones (IRR 425, IRR 428, IRR 429, IRR 434, IRR 440, RRIC 100, and BPM 24), with water content (30%, 60%, and 90%) as the second factor studied. The study was arranged on a factorial randomized block design and repeated three times. Characteristics observed included total sugar (µM), proline (mg/L), chlorophyll a, b, total (µg/mL), hydrogen peroxidase (µmol/g), ascorbate peroxidase (unit/mg), superoxide dismutase (unit/mg), and peroxide dismutase (unit/mg).

Results: The tolerance ability of the IRR 400 series rubber clones to drought stress was determined by observing the concentrations of total sugar and proline, which were higher when the plant was treated with a lower water content. The selected clones tolerant to drought stress were RR 425 and IR 434 with high total sugar and proline. Other characteristics, namely chlorophyll a, b, and total, as well as hydrogen peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxide dismutase, cannot be used as selection characteristics for this study.

Conclusions: This drought study of IRR 400 clones with varying water content percentages illustrated that the total sugar and proline characteristics could be used to distinguish tolerance levels.
The Taxonomy of Blockchain-based Technology in the Financial Industry
Authors: Alamsyah Andry , Syahrir Syahputra
Published: July 2023

The decentralized approach of blockchain technology has resulted in innovations across various industries, including finance which is facing challenges due to the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) in the market. Decentralization improves business processes and spurs product innovation through increased transparency and removing intermediaries. A taxonomy created through a literature review outlines the four dimensions of these advancements: key drivers, products, benefits, and emerging threats. Proposed solutions are also included to tackle the threats.
Outcome analysis of posterior cruciate ligament injuries
Authors: Suneja Anmol , Deshpande Sanjay , Jadawala Vivek , Goel Sachin
Published: July 2023

Background - The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), a major stabiliser of the knee, restrains the posterior translation of tibia over femur. Injury to the two bundles of this ligament is usually seen in a motor vehicle accident, followed by dashboard injury.

Methods - Non-operative management post posterior cruciate ligament tears includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rehabilitation. Common surgical procedures include trans-tibial tunnel or tibial inlay technique of graft reconstruction, single bundle or double bundle reconstruction. Literature on outcomes of posterior cruciate ligament injuries managed with either of the methods is sparse; we therefore aim to conduct an interventional study to analyse the patients’ functional status and satisfaction post treatment.

Conclusions - Lysholm knee scoring scale and IKDC knee scoring system will be used as outcome measures. The follow up scores are taken 6, 12, 15 and 24 months after the treatment.

CTRI registration: REF/2023/06/068422
Making time for leadership development when leaders' time is scarce
Authors: Sakr Mona
Published: July 2023

Dr Mona Sakr, Associate Professor of Early Childhood at Middlesex University, discusses the importance of making time for leadership development and ways settings can do this when time is scare.
Ofsted reforms: ‘Rearranging the deckchairs on a sinking ship’
Authors: Swailes Ruth
Published: July 2023

Ruth Swailes, school improvement and early years advisor, discusses Ofsted's recent announcement about reforms to the way schools are inspected and the missed opportunities for the early years sector.
Reforming childcare: a missed opportunity to tackle poverty
Authors: Jarvie Megan
Published: July 2023

Megan Jarvie, head of Coram Family and Childcare, suggests reforms to the current childcare system to help make it more affordable for families and achieve its potential to tackle disadvantage in society.
2023 Optica Awards and Medals
Authors: Smith Meredith , Apter Kari , Balan Kiran
Published: July 2023

Optica is proud to honor and celebrate outstanding contributions
to science, research, engineering, education, industry and society.
James Webb Space Telescope: A Sparkling Optical Success
Authors: Daukantas Patricia
Published: July 2023

Superlatives strain to characterize the excellent performance of
the astronomical community’s latest infrared telescope, which is
beaming back dazzling and confounding images of the universe.
Association of OCT biomarkers and visual impairment in patients with diabetic macular oedema with vitreomacular adhesion
Authors: Subramanian Brughanya , Devishamani Chitralekha , Raman Rajiv , Ratra Dhanashree
Published: July 2023

Background

To analyse the distribution of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) biomarkers in different types of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) associated visual impairment in diabetic macular oedema.

Methods

A total of 317 eyes of 202 patients were enrolled. Cases were divided into two groups focal VMA and broad VMA and subjects with no VMA were enrolled as controls. A grading platform was used for evaluating the morphology of diabetic macular oedema (DME), using good-quality SD-OCT images. Grading was done for VMA and the biomarkers. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and central subfield thickness (CSFT) was also recorded.

Results

The CRT (p = <0.001) and CSFT (p = <0.001) values were statistically significant between the groups. Except for Inner Nuclear Layer Cysts (p = <0.001), absence of Bridging Tissue that is composed of muller cell fibers and bipolar cells (p<0.001), and Hyper Reflective Dots (HRD) in cyst (p = 0.006) there were no significant differences in the distribution of OCT biomarkers among the 3 groups (focal VMA, broad VMA and no VMA). Only Disorganization of Retinal Inner Layers (DRIL) (p = 0.044) showed significant association with vision impairment in all the 3 groups.

Conclusion

The distribution of OCT biomarkers was similar across all eyes of cases and controls. However, they were more likely to be associated with visual impairment in the presence of VMA than no VMA.
A simulation and thermodynamic improvement of the methanol production process with economic analysis: natural gas vapor reforming and utilization of carbon capture
Authors: Zhou Mi
Published: July 2023

The current investigation proposes an efficient process to produce methanol through the natural gas vapor reforming and direct hydrogenating of CO2 that reduces CO2 emission. The proposed process includes methanol synthesis in the catalytic reactor with an injection of carbon dioxide recovered from the plant’s flue and separation of methanol by distillation. An Aspen HYSYS code analyzes the proposed plant to assess the energy, exergy, economic, and environmental performances. Also, the effect of captured CO2 flow on the methanol production, carbon efficiency, stoichiometric number of synthesized gas, and reboiler and condenser duties are investigated as a sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that the methanol production rate of 82,040 kg/h provides carbon, energy and exergy efficiencies of 85 %, 77.26 % and 77.32 %, which are higher than the similar proposed plants. Regarding exergy analysis, the total exergy destruction rate is about 238,468.21 kW, in which the reforming and burner sections contribute to the highest portions of about 47 % and 30 %. The global warming potential of the process is obtained at about 0.26 

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, which is reduced by captured CO2. The annual costs of investment and income are about 416,772,399 $ and 236,292,429 $, yielding 1.72 years payback period.
Dual port dual drive/LiNb MZM measured modulators based light transmitter sources for ultra-long haul optical wireless systems
Authors: Kumar Darwin Nesakumar Annath , Tamilselvi Mani , Balasubramanian Bhuvaneswari , Ashokkumar Nagarajan , Prabu Ramachandran Thandaiah , Taher Aziz Mahoumd
Published: July 2023

This study demonstrated the dual port dual drive/LiNb MZM measured modulators based light transmitter sources for ultra-long haul optical wireless systems. The lighted signal spectrum is clarified after OWC channel through the use of LiNb MZM modulators and dual port dual drive MZM measured modulators. Lighted signal power amplitude spectrum variation is measured after OWC channel (150 km reach) through the use of LiNb MZM modulators and dual port dual drive MZM measured modulators. The total base signal band power amplitude value is estimated after OWC channel (150 km reach) through the use of both LiNb MZM modulators and dual port dual drive MZM measured modulators. Light sampled signals analysis based S parameters is clarified and sketched carefully with spectral frequency after amplification stage through the use of LiNb MZM modulators and dual port dual drive MZM measured modulators. Besides, the signal power amplitude quality with spectral time is simulated and sketched after amplification stage through the use of dual port dual drive MZM measured modulators and LiNb MZM modulators.
Hierarchically porous Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/SiO2 composites prepared by cypress tissue template with assistance of supercritical CO2
Authors: Ni Wei , Xu Qun , Jiao Jian-Xia , Liu Xiaofang , Ren Chenxing
Published: July 2023

Hierarchically porous α-Fe2O3 and silica-based Fe2O3 composites (I & II) ranging from nanopores to micrometer-sized pores have been prepared by a nanoscale casting process, using cypress wood tissue template in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). These wood-templated Fe2O3 and its SiO2-based composites with special hierarchical but continuous pore size from 9 nm up to 20 μm, were prepared from scCO2’ hybrid solution with cosolvent and precursor(s). Different characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, and N2 adsorption-desorption were used to investtig-ate the morphology and structure of Fe2O3 and its composites in different length scales. The Fe2O3 porous material showed a specific character-istic of being accumulated by Fe2O3 granules in the size range ca. 100–200 nm. The SiO2-based Fe2O3 composites exhibited a BET area of 99–104 m2/g, which was much higher than that of pure Fe2O3; this implies that the silica probably exists in the form of a gel skeleton.
Finite element analysis of the fatigue behavior of wood fiber cell walls
Authors: Somboon Phichit , Nieminen Kaarlo , Paulapuro Hannu
Published: July 2023

The fatigue behavior of the wood fiber cell wall under mechanical treatment in refining was simulated dynamically using a finite element method. The effect of the amplitude and frequency of impacts on the mechanical breakdown of the fiber wall structure was examined. The proposed model of the fiber cell wall was constructed from elementary microfibrils in various orientations embedded in isotropic lignin. The fatigue of the cell wall was simulated under normal refiner mechanical pulping conditions. A cyclic load was applied on the model fiber through a hemispherical grit proposed to be applied on the surface on refiner segments. Changes in the elastic modulus of the cell wall were analyzed to determine the potential for cell wall breakdown. An increase in the amplitude of applied forces and frequency of impacts was found to have a significant influence on the reduction of the elastic modulus of the wall structure. A high frequency of impacts increased the stiffness of the cell wall, but resulted in faster reduction of the elastic modulus. At a lower amplitude of impacts, efficient breakdown of the cell wall using grits was achieved with a high frequency of impacts or a high rotational speed of refiners.
Production of Vernacular Catechisms in Early Modern Königsberg (1545–1575), Its Dynamics and Goals Defined by the Print Agents
Authors: Kordyzon Wojciech
Published: July 2023

This paper discusses the development of the vernacular catechism as a printed genre. The process is exemplified by the editions published in Königsberg between 1545 and 1575 where the catechisms were printed in several vernacular languages (German, Lithuanian, Polish, Prussian) in printing shops run by Hans Weinreich, Aleksander Aujezdecki, and Hans Daubmann. The paper seeks to analyse the material in terms of linguistic coverage in the Duchy of Prussia and, via analysis of the peritextual elements, how the print agents presented their work to the recipients. The aspects of book design, such as the volume, format, and decorations, are included in the analysis to indicate the intended book prestige and usage.
Findbuch der Bestände Abt. 57 bis Abt. 62
Authors: Rathjen Jörg
Published: July 2023

Nach Beendigung der schleswig-holsteinischen Erhebung stellten die europäischen Mächte 1851/1852 den dänischen Gesamtstaat wieder her, dem die Herzogtümer Schleswig, Holstein und Lauenburg angehörten. Dänemark erklärte seinen Verzicht auf einen Anschluss des Herzogtums Schleswig.

1863 entwarf die dänische Regierung jedoch eine neue Verfassung, die auf eine Anbindung des Herzogtums Schleswig an Dänemark und eine Trennung vom Herzogtum Holstein hinauslief. Der Deutsche Bund betrachtete diese Verfassung als Verstoß gegen die internationalen Abmachungen. Als der neue dänische König Christian IX. (reg. 1863-1906) im selben Jahr die Verfassung unterzeichnete, besetzten daher Bundeskontingente die von dänischen Truppen geräumten Herzogtümer Holstein und Lauenburg. Bis zur Errichtung der für diese zuständigen preußischen Regierung zu Schleswig 1868 wurden beide Landesteile in der Folge von preußischen und österreichischen Übergangsbehörden verwaltet.

Der provisorische Charakter dieser Verwaltungen mit ihren zumeist nur wenige Monate tätigen Behörden spiegelt sich auch in der komplexen Bestandsbildung wider.

2007 wurden die Bestände der preußischen und österreichischen Verwaltung neu verzeichnet. Die Bearbeitung gab Anlass, auch eine Bestandsbereinigung durchzuführen. Die Signaturen der einzelnen Abteilungen wurden beibehalten; nur diejenigen mit Buchstabenzusatz erhielten eine neue Nummer, die ebenfalls in einer Konkordanz nachgewiesen ist.

Ein für alle Bestände gemeinsames Orts-, Sach- und Personenregister bildet den Abschluss dieses Findbuchs. Für die Suche nach einem Thema oder einem Sachbegriff sollte zuerst die sachsystematische Gliederung und als Ergänzung das Register genutzt werden.
Johannes August Lattmann
Authors: Guhl Anton F.
Published: July 2023

Johannes August Lattmann spielte eine besondere Rolle in der politischen Kultur Hamburgs. Als Kaufmann ging er zwei Jahrzehnte nach Übersee und stieg zum Teilhaber des New Yorker Handelshauses Gustav Amsinck & Co. auf. Zurück in Hamburg machte er durch großzügige Stiftungen von sich reden. 1907 zählte er zu den Donatoren der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Stiftung, deren Kuratorium er in späteren Jahren angehörte. Seine Wahl zum Senator 1912 war ein Novum und wurde nur durch ein Bündnis von liberalem Bürgertum und Sozialdemokratie möglich. Lattmann befürwortete ein plurales Nebeneinander von politischen Standpunkten und Konfessionen, trat für ein gleiches Wahlrecht ein und arbeitete mit Protagonistinnen der Frauenbewegung zusammen. Als er 1919 aus dem Senat schied, wurde er Manager der neu gegründeten Warentreuhand, um für die deutsche Wirtschaft verlorenen Kredit wiederherzustellen.
Assessment of the impact of wastewater from an abattoir in Oyo state on groundwater in Onidundu community, Nigeria
Authors: Oyinlola Kubrat A. , Odujebe Fausat O. , Ajibare Adefemi O. , Oriolowo Dorcas K. , Ogunleye Gbemisola E. , Odebunmi Ezekiel O. , Kazeem Muinat O.
Published: July 2023

Abstract. This study aimed to assess the composition of wastewater from the Oyo Central Abattoir and its possible impact on the surrounding groundwater (wells) in Onidundu community as users use them for economic and recreational purposes without being fully aware of the hazard the water can cause. For this purpose, wastewater and groundwater were analyzed for seven physicochemical parameters, verified by standard methods and compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. All physicochemical parameters evaluated were within acceptable limits, except for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), total dry matter (TS) and hardness in some of the water sources. Three microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Citrobacter sp. and Klebsiella sp.) were isolated and identified by standard procedures. Water Quality Index (WQI) and Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI) were applied to assess water quality. The WQI values ranged from 1.06 to 2.30, while the CPI score ranged from 1.02 to 1.82 among the sampled water sources. Those indices classify the waters as moderately polluted and excellent, respectively, but also due to the high numbers (0.86 × 105 CFU/mL to 4.84 × 105 CFU/mL) of pathogenic microorganisms due to microbial pollution, the analyzed water samples are not suitable for drinking, aquaculture and other household activities. Waste treatment in slaughterhouses, well water intended for domestic use, dug deep and away from waste disposal sites, are recommended to prevent possible hazards to the environment and public health.
Communication for Seniors’ Inclusion in Today’s Society: The Effects of Digitisation on Active Ageing
Authors: Llorente-Barroso Carmen , Abad-Alcalá Leopoldo , Colombo Fausto
Published: July 2023

The progressive ageing of developed societies requires strategies and tools to ensure the well-being of older adults. The new communication paradigm offers ways to reduce the stigma associated with ageing and to improve the quality of life for older adults, but it can also create a dynamic that could put their inclusion at risk. The internet has fomented digital gaps that have exacerbated some of the exclusionary barriers faced by many older adults, while allowing a considerable number of others to maintain emotional ties with loved ones during the worst moments of the pandemic. This thematic issue addresses the different opportunities offered by Information and Communication Technology in improving the social inclusion and quality of life of seniors, but it also considers the risks that digitisation may pose by limiting certain rights of this group. Through the different articles in this issue, the repercussions of communication on the management of ageing are highlighted from different perspectives and methodological approaches. In this way, the complexity of the issue has been revealed, along with the need to address it from positive and constructive perspectives that reassess the role of older adults in the societies in which they live.
Easily Changeable Kurtosis Distribution
Authors: Sulewski Piotr
Published: July 2023

The goal of this paper is to introduce the easily changeable kurtosis (ECK) distribution. The uniform distribution appears as a special cases of the ECK distribution. The new distribution tends to the normal distribution. Properties of the ECK distribution such as PDF, CDF, modes, inflection points, quantiles, moments, moment generating function, Moors’ measure, moments of order statistics, random number generator and the Fisher Information Matrix are derived. The unknown parameters of the ECK distribution are estimated by the maximum likelihood method. The Shannon, Renyi and Tsallis entropies are calculated. Illustrative examples of applicability and flexibility of the ECK distribution are given. The most important R codes are presented in the Appendix.
Individual control of a standard contract (Article 385(1) of the Civil Code) in the context valorization clauses in loans indexed to a foreign currency
Authors: Dąbrowska Krystyna Anna
Published: July 2023

The article is a synthetic presentation of the dominant positions in the doctrine and judical practice regarding individual control of the contract template in the context of abusiveness of valorization clauses in loans indexed to a foreign currency. The most important statements of the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union were indicated. The article focuses on the issues of the premises for individual control of the standard contract and the sanction of the consumer not being bound by an illegal contractual provision specified in art. 385(1) of the Civil Code Attention was drawn to interpretation difficulties caused by discrepancies between the wording of Council Directive 93/13/EEC and the wording of Art. 385(1) implementing the Directive.
Diseño de producto turístico-cultural como estrategia de diversificación de la oferta turística en Cienfuegos-Cuba: la ruta de las artes
Authors: Arias-Aragonés Francisco-José , Batista-Castillo Armando , Palmero-Berbena Raúl , Hernández-Gómez Kenia-Amaya
Published: July 2023

The present work aims to design a tourist-cultural route in Cienfuegos (Cuba), as an alternative for the diversification of the tourist offer, in response to the growing interest of tourists in culture and heritage. The six-stage methodology for the improvement or design of tourism products and their commercialization (MEPROTUR) was used, thus validating the relevance of tourism resources for the design and implementation of the new tourist-cultural product called: “The Route of the Arts”. The share of cultural tourism in Cienfuegos was found to be higher than the global trend. Additionally, the proposed methodology validated the tourist-cultural product, after integrating in a sustainable way, the existing art galleries in the Historic Center of the city, with the heritage, thus offering an experience to the tourist of direct contact with the artists. It is concluded that with the new tourist-cultural product: “The Route of the Arts”, the tourist offer of Cienfuegos is diversified and adjusts to the expectations and trends of world tourism.