bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with lipiodol chemoembolization for advanced gastric fundus and cardia cancer with obstruction
Authors: Zhou Gang , Ma Yaozhen , Ma Yishu , Ding Xiaolong , Liu Tao , He Wei , Jin Shuiling , Li Chunxia , Yin Meipan , Wu Gang
Published: December 2024

Purpose
Gastric fundus and cardia cancer are increasingly common, diagnosed at a late stage, often with severe obstruction, and have a poor prognosis. Transcatheter arterial lipiodol chemoembolization (TACE) is rarely used for gastric cancer. This single-center retrospective study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI) combined with TACE in advanced gastric fundus and cardia cancer with obstruction and compare it to bland embolization (BE).
Materials and Methods
The clinical efficacy of TAI-TACE was evaluated through technical and clinical success rates, obstruction relief, tumor response, overall survival (OS), and postoperative adverse events. TAI-TACE and TAI-BE efficacies were compared.
Results
The study included 53 patients (age 70.0 ± 11.1 years, 38 males). Thirty-two patients underwent TAI-TACE, and 21 underwent TAI-BE. The cohort’s technical success rate was 100%. The pre- and post-intervention median Stooler grades were 4 and 2 in the TAI-TACE group and 3 and 3 in the TAI-BE group, respectively. Compared to the TAI-BE group, the TAI-TACE group had a higher clinical success rate (78.1%, 25/32 vs. 42.9%, 9/21; P = 0.009), a better objective response rate (53.1% vs. 38.1%; P = 0.016), and a longer median OS (13.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.2–22.8 vs. 10.0; 95% CI, 8.5–11.5; P = 0.039) months. All adverse events were grade 1.
Conclusion
The TAI-TACE interventional therapy scheme was safe and effective, achieving rapid tumor shrinkage, obstructive symptom alleviation, improved quality of life, and a significantly better overall effect than TAI-BE.
Penile Fracture in Spinal Cord Injury Patient: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Hutajulu Yosua Yerico , Hengky Antoninus , Tritanto Rio , Gouw Tiono Budi
Published: December 2024

Background
Penile fracture is a urological emergency. Penile fracture is rare, with an incidence of 1 in 175,000 men.
Case Presentation
A 35-year-old man came to the ER shortly after experiencing swelling and bruising of his penis during sexual activity. The patient had a history of spinal cord injury nine years prior. The patient experienced paraparesis and hypoesthesia below L1 and sacral sparing. He expressed discomfort in the penis rather than pain. Physical examination revealed diffuse swelling, right-sided angulation, and a penile hematoma. The patient underwent surgery 14 hours after admission. The patient had no postoperative complaints, regained the ability to achieve erections, and showed no early signs of complications.
Conclusion
In penile fracture patients with SCI, severe pain may be absent. Therefore, a thorough evaluation through detailed history-taking and physical examination is crucial. Prompt surgical intervention resulted in successful functional restoration without complications.
Intraprocedural O-arm Computed Tomography guided Navigation with Ventilatory Strategy for Atelectasis Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopic Biopsy of Peripheral Lung Lesions: an IDEAL stage 2a study
Authors: Dai Shaohua , Xu Guoqiu , Tang Jian
Published: December 2024

Background: To improve the accuracy of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, we developed an innovative method to modify ENB, which first combines Intraprocedural Computed tomography (CT) guided navigation with Ventilatory strategy for Atelectasis (ICNVA).
Methods: This was a retrospective single-institution study in alignment with the IDEAL (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term follow-up) 's prescribed developmental stages 2a. Patients who planned to undergo ENB for pulmonary lesion biopsy were invited to participate. For each patient, we do not use preoperative chest CT data in the conventional ENB approach for navigation planning. Instead, after endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia and bronchoscope insertion into the endotracheal tube, we used O-arm CT scanner in the hybrid operating room to acquire intraoperative CT data for ENB path planning. Following endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia, a ventilation strategy to prevent lung collapse is employed to reduce the occurrence of atelectasis. Moreover, the same ventilation parameters were used when intraoperative CT data was acquired and ENB procedures was performed to minimize computed tomography to body divergence (CTBD) to the greatest extent possible. 50 consecutive participants completed this study beginning in March 2022. We have iteratively adjusted the technology. In accordance with the IDEAL recommendations, we recorded the technological modifications and general characteristics of each patient and ENB related data.
Results: All patients completed biopsy successfully. 2 patients developed pneumothorax, and 2 patients experienced bleeding but did not require surgical treatment. Four deliberate changes in technique occurred. After the first technological modification, ENB related security improved. After starting to establish puncture tunneling by using Wang's needle (MW-319), the ENB accuracy was significantly improved. After the CT scan area was reduced, the radiation dose to patients was reduced.
Conclusions: ICNVA-ENB has early indications for safety and efficacy in the biopsy of peripheral lung lesions.
Effect of Low-dose Esketamine on Postoperative Recovery Quality in Patients Undergoing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Jing , Niu Zheng , Wang Ting , Yu Lianya , Ren Xinyi , Zhang Shurui , Zhu Yuwei , Qi Dunyi
Published: December 2024

Purpose
To investigate the effect of intraoperative low-dose esketamine infusion on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Patients and methods:
A total of 106 female patients scheduled for elective total laparoscopic hysterectomy were randomly divided into group P (saline group) and group S (esketamine group). Group P received induction with normal saline, propofol, sufentanil, midazolam, and rocuronium, while group S received induction with low-dose esketamine (0.25 mg/kg), propofol, sufentanil, midazolam, and rocuronium. Both groups were maintained with intravenous infusion of propofol and remifentanil. The quality of recovery (QoR-40), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Index (PSQI) scores were assessed at 8, 24, 48, 72 hours, 7 days, and 30 days post-surgery. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores were evaluated at 72 hours, 7 days, and 30 days post-surgery. Intraoperative hemodynamics, remifentanil consumption, total surgical cost, inflammatory reactions, and adverse reactions were also documented.
Results
Both groups had similar QoR-40 scores at each time point (P > 0.05). Patients in group S had less intraoperative remifentanil use (P < 0.001), less consumption of phenylephrine (P = 0.005), fewer episodes of hypotension (P < 0.001), and shorter extubation and PACU residence times (P < 0.001). The NRS scores after extubation (P = 0.007), 8 hours (P = 0.027), and 48 hours (P = 0.016) after surgery, and the postoperative NLR (P = 0.003), and postoperative 24-h PSQI score (P = 0.024) were significantly lower in group S. The MBP was higher at T3 (P < 0.001), and the HR was faster at T1 (P = 0.005), T3 (P = 0.023), T4 (P = 0.014) and T5 (P = 0.010) in group S. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that educational attainment was associated with postoperative recovery (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
In patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy, the use of low-dose esketamine did not affect QoR-40 scores for overall postoperative recovery. However, it resulted in improved maintenance of intraoperative hemodynamics, decreased intraoperative opioid requirements, shortened postoperative extubation and PACU dwell time, and alleviated postoperative inflammatory response and pain, without introducing additional adverse effects.
The impact of stratified management of Ki-67 on the prognosis of small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaofang , He Mingyang , Zheng Guanghua , Bai Junjun
Published: December 2024

Objective
The Ki-67 protein is frequently employed in pathological immunohistochemistry to indicate cell proliferation activity. The principal aim of this study was to examine the impact of stratified management of Ki-67 on the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Methods
A total of 175 patients with SCLC who underwent surgical treatment were included in the study, with available data on the results of postoperative immunohistochemistry of the Ki-67 protein. A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between the protein and various clinicopathological features of SCLC, as well as its impact on survival.
Results
The cut-off value for the Ki-67 level was determined to be 75% through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. An elevated Ki-67 level was found to be associated with preoperative chemotherapy (χ2 = 4.980, P = 0.028), preoperative radiotherapy (χ2 = 4.600, P = 0.032), T stage (χ2 = 4.173, P = 0.041), TNM staging (χ2 = 10.4, P = 0.005), and lymph node involvement (χ2 = 16.721, P < 0.0001). The results of the survival analysis indicated that patients with SCLC exhibiting high levels of Ki-67 had a poorer prognosis than those with low Ki-67 levels (P = 0.0004). This was particularly evident in patients aged 60 years or older (P = 0.034), in males (P = 0.046), smoking for a minimum of 30 years (P < 0.001), advanced T staging (T3 + T4) (P = 0.031), lymph node involvement (P = 0.038), and TNM staging (P = 0.015), were associated with poorer outcomes. The univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that exposure to tobacco consumption (P = 0.005), gender (P = 0.003), pathologic T stage (P = 0.047), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.035), TNM staging (P = 0.012), and Ki-67 positive rate (P < 0.001) were the factors related to prognosis in SCLC. The results of the multivariate regression analysis indicated that gender (HR: 0.161, 95% CI: 0.058–0.449, P = 0.000), higher Ki-67 positive rate ((HR: 1.045, 95%CI: 1.025–1.510, P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis(HR: 0.326, 95%CI: 0.161–0.661, P = 0.002), and pathologic T stage (HR: 0.319, 95%CI: 0.120–0.850, P = 0.022) was identified as an additional risk factor for SCLC-related mortality.
Conclusion
In summary, the Ki-67 protein is not only strongly associated with the malignant characteristics of SCLC, but also the stratification of Ki-67 has significant implications for the treatment and prognosis of patients with small-cell lung cancer.
Intensified dominance of El Niño-like convection relevant for global atmospheric circulation variations
Authors: Lin Shuheng , Cai Fenying , Gerten Dieter , Yang Song , Jiang Xingwen , Su Zhen , Kurths Juergen
Published: December 2024

Tropical convection anomaly could serve as a crucial driver of global atmospheric teleconnections and weather extremes around the world. However, quantifying the dominances of convection anomalies with regional discrepancies, relevant for the variations of global atmospheric circulations, remains challenging. By using a network analysis of observation-based CMAP rainfall and ERA5 reanalysis datasets, our study reveals that El Niño-like convection is the most primary rainfall pattern driving the global circulation variations. Furthermore, we find that the global climate relevance of El Niño-like convection will be doubled by the end of this century, as projected consistently by 23 climate models. Such “rich nodes get richer” phenomenon in the network science is probably attributable to the dipolar rainfall changes over the western-central Pacific, coupled with the projected El Niño-like sea surface temperature changes. This study highlights the dominant role of El Niño-like convection on the global climate variations, especially under the future changing climate.
Association between mental health and professional quality of life among sexual assault victim advocates: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hiroyama Natsuko , Ogata Yasuko , Sasaki Miki , Misumi Junko , Matsuzaki Masayo , Ikeda Masaomi , Okubo Noriko
Published: December 2024

Background
Sexual assault victim advocates are exposed to the traumatic events of victims, which can lead to occupational stress. Occupational stress specific to advocates who support victims can cause compassion fatigue and burnout, which can worsen their mental health. Furthermore, such exposure could also lead to compassion satisfaction, which, in turn, may buffer compassion fatigue and burnout. To improve the mental health among advocates for victims of sexual assault in Japan, this study was designed to evaluate a hypothesized model explaining the impact of occupational stress on their mental health.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire via mail. The sample comprised 560 advocates from one-stop support centers for victims of sexual assault. Questionnaires comprising the components of the hypothesized model, namely, compassion fatigue, burnout, compassion satisfaction, traumatic stress symptoms, and psychological distress were mailed. After using descriptive statistics, path analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses and the fitness of the model.
Results
Data from 250 participants were analyzed. The prevalence rates of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction were 30%, 65%, and 4%, respectively. The hypothesized model had a good fit. Compassion fatigue had a significant positive effect on traumatic stress symptoms, psychological distress, and burnout. In addition, burnout had a significant positive effect on psychological distress. However, its association with traumatic stress symptoms was not significant. Compassion satisfaction had a significant negative effect on compassion fatigue and burnout.
Conclusions
Findings suggested that increased compassion satisfaction in advocates could buffer compassion fatigue and burnout, indirectly preventing the worsening of mental health of sexual assault victim advocates.
Analysis of Malignant Tumor Trends and Demographics in hospitalized patients in Kashi Prefecture from 2016 to 2023
Authors: Kade Nueraili , Yakufu Wusiman , Zhang Cheng , Wang Lin , Qian Qingqing , Liu Xiaochuan , Jia Long , Wu Chunfeng , Chen Weihua , Chen Tianxiang
Published: December 2024

Objective
To analyze the ranking, composition, trend changes, and distribution by gender and ethnicity of malignant tumors in hospitalized patients in the Kashi Prefecture from 2016 to 2023. This analysis aims to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors, screening programs, public education, medical resource allocation, and the development of hospital developments in the Kashi prefecture.
Methods
We collected the front-page data of medical records for malignant tumor patients from 2016 to 2023 at four comprehensive hospitals in the Kashi prefecture, and analyze the ranking, composition, and trend changes of diseases among hospitalized patients with malignant tumors.
Results
A total of 8,386 patients with malignant tumors were hospitalized. The number of hospitalizations for patients with malignant tumors showed an increasing trend from 2016 to 2023. The incidence of malignant tumors began to rise rapidly after the age of 40 and peaks at 70 years old. Among the top 10 types of malignant tumors, there were 5,918 hospitalizations, accounting for 70.5% of cases. Of these, gastrointestinal malignancies constituted 43.6%. The most common malignant tumor in males was gastric cancer, while in females, it was cervical cancer. Differences in the ranking of diseases were observed among different ethnic groups, with gastrointestinal malignancies accounting for as high as 44.8% among minority ethnicities.
Conclusion
The high-incidence tumors in this area include malignant tumors of stomach, esophagus, cervix, breast, and colorecum. Health promotion and early screening should be conducted according to the distribution of malignant tumors, medical resources should be reasonably adjusted, and relevant discipline support should be strengthened.
Anatomical Insights and Clinical Implications of the Persistent Trigeminal Artery: A Cadaveric Study Utilizing Latex Injection Techniques
Authors: Soto Gervith Reyes , Cruz Julio Cesar Pérez , Rangel Carlos Castillo , Reyes Luis Delgado , Diaz Bernardo Cacho , Moreno Daniel Alejandro Vega , Chérubin Tshiunza Mpoyi , Nikolenko Vladimir , Pérez Eduardo Javier Valladares , Aguayo Francisco Castañeda , Rosario Andreina Rosario , Ramirez Manuel De Jesus Encarnación
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare embryonic anastomosis connecting the internal carotid and basilar arteries. It persists in some individuals, with potential clinical implications, including cerebrovascular events and cranial nerve compression syndromes. Understanding the anatomical details of the PTA is crucial for neurosurgical planning and intervention, as its presence can alter hemodynamics and affect surgical outcomes.
Materials and Methods: This cadaveric study utilized a latex injection technique on a single male cadaver specimen. The brain was carefully extracted, and a seven-step brain injection technique was performed to visualize the PTA. Microsurgical dissection followed, documenting the PTA's origin, course, branching patterns, and anatomical relationships. Measurements were recorded using digital calipers, and high-resolution images were taken for analysis. Results: The PTA was identified originating from the posterior bend of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. It coursed posterolaterally into the posterior cranial fossa, bifurcating into medial and lateral branches. Variations included slight tortuosity near its origin. The medial branch contributed to the posterior circulation, while the lateral branch supplied the superior cerebellar artery. These findings offer detailed insights into the PTA's anatomy, enhancing the understanding of its clinical significance.
Conclusion: This study enhances the anatomical understanding of PTA, highlighting its clinical significance in neurosurgical planning and intervention. Further research with larger samples is needed to generalize these findings.
Effects of monochromatic LED light qualities on the photosynthetic capacity and pigment content of Dunaliella salina
Authors: Zhao Tianze , Li Yongfu , Che Xingkai , Wu Haixing , Ye Yuchen , Fan Dingning , Li Zhendong , Zhao Yingjie , Ye Wei
Published: December 2024

Light quality is a crucial abiotic environmental factor that influences the growth and β-carotene accumulation on Dunaliella salina. However, the influence of the factor on the primary photochemical reactions of D. salina and the physiological mechanisms regulating β-carotene metabolism remains unclear at present. This study involved the batch culture of D. salina using low light (40 ± 5 μmol photons m-2 s-1, without inhibiting photosynthetic electron transfer) provided by different colored LEDs. Our results indicated that the growth rate, chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b/β-carotene content of D. salina cells were higher under BL and RL than under WL and GL. The light absorption rates of chloroplasts in algae cells under BL and RL (22.8% and 18.6%, respectively) were higher than those under WL and GL (14.0% and 10.2%, respectively), which was attributed to the reduced light energy dissipation and increased photochemical efficiency under BL and RL. BL and RL enhanced the photosynthetic efficiency and β-carotene synthesis capability of D. salina cells. It was observed that under low light, light quality has little influence on the synthesis process of β-carotene. However, two key genes involved in the degradation pathway of β-carotene (LUT5 and ABA2) are significantly downregulated under both BL and RL. The higher content of all-trans β-carotene under BL than under RL. This is attributed to the inhibition of the conversion pathway from all-trans β-carotene to ABA biosynthesis precursor (9-cis-β-carotene) is more pronounced under BL than under RL. This explains why D.salina has a higher content of all-trans β-carotene under BL, while synthesized more 9-cis-β-carotene under RL.
Limited consensus of marine viral diversity observed across techniques
Authors: Martinez-Garcia Manuel , Martinez-Hernandez Francisco , Gomez Monica Lluesma , Vila-Nistal Marina , Roux Simon , Fornas Oscar
Published: December 2024

Viruses are fundamental to many aspects of life influencing
ecosystem functions. The `lenses´ we use for exploring the viral
diversity have expanded, yet at the same time each has limitations
that constrain our view of the uncultured virosphere. Here, using
the same surface seawater sample, we compare short- and long-read
viromics (i.e., Illumina, PacBio–HiFi and MinION sequencing) along
with high-throughput single-virus genomics (SVG) to explore the
consensus between approaches to uncover the extant viral diversity.
Overall, ≈42,000 viral contigs (> 10 kb) were obtained,
resulting in ≈12,500 and ≈23,400 viral clusters at the genus and
species level, respectively, and predominantly infecting
Flavobacteriaceae and Pelagibacteracea. At the viral family level,
SVG recovered viruses with a more distinct taxonomic profile
compared to other methods
. At lower taxonomic resolution, only < 1% of all species and genera, including some of the most abundant one, were captured by all methods; reaching a value of ≈2% when only viromics -with or without hybrid assemblies- were considered. When exploring how the different methods resolve the co-occurring genomic microdiversity within species using as reference one of the most abundant and microdiverse virus, the uncultured pelagiphages vSAG 37-F6 discovered by SVG, none of the methods separately were able to assemble the complete genome; which was only achieved by combining all datasets. Similarly, neither of the viral clusters at the strain level was recovered by all methods. Our data suggest that the inherent bias of each method still represents a challenge for the recovery of viral diversity.
Uso de Trichoderma spp. e bioativador na promoção de crescimento vegetativo na cultura da soja
Authors: Thainá Fogliatto Moreira  , Fernando Wurzius  , Juliane Nicolodi Camera  , Jana Koefender  , André  Schoffel
Published: December 2024

Na busca pelo aumento da produtividade da soja (Glycine max), muitas medidas alternativas de manejo têm sido adotadas, como a utilização de produtos biológicos associados com bioestimulantes, que visam incrementar o desenvolvimento da planta e ajudá-la a expressar seu máximo potencial durante seu ciclo. Diante disso, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência do uso do bioativador de solo Penergetic K® e do fungo Trichoderma spp. no tratamento de sementes e sobre o crescimento vegetativo da parte aérea e radicular na soja. Para a realização desse experimento usou-se formulações comerciais à base de T.  asperellum e T. harzianhum e o bioativador de solo Penergetic K® no tratamento das sementes da soja, as quais posteriormente foram submetidas a testes fisiológicos e a avaliação em casa de vegetação. Os resultados foram comparados pelo teste de Scott-Knott com nível de significância de 5%. O bioestimulante Penergetic K® associado com o fungo Trichoderma spp.  pode ser utilizado no tratamento de semente pois eles influenciaram de forma positiva no crescimento vegetativo da parte aérea e radicular de plantas de soja.
PENGARUH EARNING PER SHARE, RETURN ON ASSET, NET PROFIT MARGIN, DAN DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO TERHADAP HARGA SAHAM PERUSAHAAN SEKTOR MANUFAKTUR YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI PERIODE 2017 - 2023
Authors: Putri Anastasya Azzahra Maharani , Indraswari Citra Rahayu
Published: December 2024

Manufacturing is one sector of the Indonesian economy that is quite important and that draws a lot of interest from investors. Before buying or selling shares, investors should keep an eye on the company's performance to minimize potential risks. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how EPS, ROA, NPM, and DPR affect the share price of manufacturing sector businesses that are listed on the IDX between 2017 and 2023. Previous research yielded varying outcomes since it focused on a single manufacturing subsector. The quantitative research approach is panel data regression analysis. The study's conclusions indicate that whereas EPS and ROA have a considerable impact on stock prices, NPM and DPR do not. The combination of EPS, ROA, NPM, and DPR significantly affects stock price. With these results, it is expected that companies can focus on strategies to increase EPS and ROA to increase investor attractiveness and stock prices.
User Proficiency as a Bridge to Memorable Experiences: Investigating the Mediating Role on Smart Tourism Technologies in Religious Destinations
Authors: R. Rashmi , Rajan Shivakami , Chand Mohinder , Jamgade Sweety
Published: December 2024

Religious tourism has benefited significantly from smart tourism technology, enabling tourists to enrich their tourism experience seamlessly. Extant literature vouches for these benefits, but more research is necessary to examine the influence of user proficiency in using smart tourism technologies to create memorable experiences. This research study investigates this gap, drawing upon Kolb’s learning theory to understand the interplay of the indicators of smart tourism technologies, user proficiency, and the creation of memorable experiences in religious tourism. The quantitative data was collected through a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale using a purposive sampling method from 280 religious visitors during their course visit to the religious destination from six religious sites in Karnataka State, India. Awareness programs, user-centric training programs and personalised and curated solutions tailored to suit the user’s needs, knowledge and technological usage experiences, paving the way for creating more immersive, personalised encounters in religious tourism to create a sense of satisfaction in the tourist destination visit. By identifying the mediating role of user proficiency, this study provides valuable insights to industry, technology partners and policymakers.
Navigating Vietnamese Travelers Intention to Book Automated Services in Hotel
Authors: Pham Thai-Ngoc
Published: December 2024

The hospitality industry is undergoing significant digitalization and transformation. Despite profound changes in consumer behaviors, research seeking to understand their intention to accept new technologies has remained scant, especially in the context of developing markets. This study conducted a survey with 401 travelers in Vietnam to determine the factors that contribute to the intention to book automated services in hotels. We employ the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to develop the relationship among the proposed constructs. The findings show that the intention to use automated services drives the intention to book an automated services hotel, and that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived usefulness influence the intention to use automated services. Additionally, the study reveals that perceived risk does not significantly influence the travelers’ intention to use automated services. The study addresses theoretical and managerial implications as well as asserts limitations for future directions. It is believed that the findings will assist hotel managers to sharpen their marketing strategies to keep up with digital transformation in industrial revolution 4.0.
Understanding Individual Differences in Happiness Sources and Implications for Health Technology Design: Exploratory Analysis of an Open Dataset
Authors: Ennis Edel , Bond Raymond , Mulvenna Maurice , Sweeney Colm
Published: December 2024

Background

Psychologists have developed frameworks to understand many constructs, which have subsequently informed the design of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) aimed at improving mental health outcomes. The science of happiness is one such domain that holds significant applied importance due to its links to well-being and evidence that happiness can be cultivated through interventions. However, as with many constructs, the unique ways in which individuals experience happiness present major challenges for designing personalized DMHIs.

Objective

This paper aims to (1) present an analysis of how sex may interact with age, marital status, and parental status to predict individual differences in sources of happiness, and (2) to present a preliminary discussion of how open datasets may contribute to the process of designing health-related technology innovations.

Methods

The HappyDB is an open database of 100,535 statements of what people consider to have made them happy, with some people asking to consider the past 24 hours (49,831 statements) and some considering the last 3 months (50,704 statements). Demographic information is also provided. Binary logistic regression analyses are used to determine whether various groups differed in their likelihood of selecting or not selecting a category as a source of their happiness.

Results

Sex and age interacted to influence what was selected as sources of happiness, with patterns being less consistent among female individuals in comparison with male individuals. For marital status, differences in sources of happiness were predominantly between married individuals and those who are divorced or separated, but these were the same for both sexes. Married, single, and widowed individuals were all largely similar in their likelihood of selecting each of the categories as a source of their happiness. However, there were some anomalies, and sex appeared to be important in these anomalies. Sex and parental status also interacted to influence what was selected as sources of happiness.

Conclusions

Sex interacts with age, marital status, and parental status in the likelihood of reporting affection, bonding, leisure, achievement, or enjoying the moment as sources of happiness. The contribution of an open dataset to understanding individual differences in sources of happiness is discussed in terms of its potential role in addressing the challenges of designing DMHIs that are ethical, responsible, evidence based, acceptable, engaging, inclusive, and effective for users. The discussion considers how the content design of DMHIs in general may benefit from exploring new methods informed by diverse data sources. It is proposed that examining the extent to which insights from nondigital settings can inform requirements gathering for DMHIs is warranted.
Effectiveness of a Dyadic Technology–Enhanced Home-Based Horticultural Therapy on Psychosocial Well-Being Among People With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers: Multimethods Pilot Study
Authors: Kor Patrick Pui Kin , Liu Justina Yat Wa , Wong Arkers Kwan Ching , Tsang Alex Pak Lik , Tan Han Zhi , Cheung Daphne Sze Ki , Leung Humphrey Kwong Wai , Wong Frances Kam Yuet
Published: December 2024

Background

Horticultural therapy (HT) has been proposed to be an effective intervention for improving the psychosocial well-being of people with dementia and their caregivers. However, constraints such as limited land space in high-density cities, unstable weather, and lack of gardening experience may hamper the delivery of HT to people with dementia and their caregivers.

Objective

This pilot study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of a technology-enhanced home-based HT for people with dementia and their caregivers using a hydroponic indoor growing system.

Methods

A single-group pre-post design was adopted. A total of 37 dyads of people with dementia and their caregivers participated in 3 weekly face-to-face sessions, followed by 8 weeks of home-based horticultural activities. Outcomes were measured at baseline and postintervention (at week 11), including feasibility outcomes, cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and happiness levels of people with dementia. Caregivers’ outcomes included positive aspects of caregiving, perceived stress levels, depressive symptoms, caregiver distress, and happiness levels. Semistructured focus group interviews were conducted with the caregivers to further explore their horticultural experience.

Results

Intervention feasibility was established with a completion rate of 83.78% and an attrition rate of 2.63% (n=1). Significant improvements were detected in caregiver distress (P<.05) and the happiness level of people with dementia (P<.01). The qualitative findings indicated that HT improved the psychological well-being of both people with dementia and caregivers, enhanced the relationships between caregivers and people with dementia, expanded the caregivers’ social networks, and enhanced the autobiographical memory of people with dementia.

Conclusions

This pilot study provides evidence on the feasibility of using a hydroponic indoor grower to conduct home-based HT for people with dementia and their caregivers. The findings suggest positive effects on the psychological well-being of both people with dementia and their caregivers. Caregivers reported potential positive effects of HT on the autobiographical memory retrieval of people with dementia. Due to the pilot nature of this study, a control group was not employed. Therefore, large-scale randomized controlled trials are encouraged to further confirm the effectiveness of the intervention.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05577975; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05577975
Opioid-Related Mortality Across US Farming Counties: The Role of Economic Vulnerability Versus Pharmaceutical Marketing (Preprint)
Authors: Cao Ting , Moss, PhD Charles B. , Onel Gulcan , Seale Jr James L. , Post Lori A
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Opioid-related mortality remains a critical public health issue in the United States, particularly in rural areas. This study examines the determinants of age-adjusted opioid death rates in U.S. farming counties, focusing on the roles of economic deprivation and pharmaceutical marketing in rural farm communities.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluate two competing hypotheses: (1) that economic vulnerability, as captured by the “deaths of despair” framework, drives opioid-related mortality, and (2) that increased reliance on and promotion of opioids by pharmaceutical companies contributes significantly to the crisis.

METHODS

: We use a double-hurdle model to analyze county-level data on age-adjusted opioid death rates from 2007, 2012, and 2017, focusing on the share of farmland operated by Limited Resource Farmers, and pharmaceutical company payments to physicians. Data sources include the CDC Wonder database, ProPublica’s Dollars for Docs, and the U.S. Census of Agriculture. Regional dummy variables allow for exploring spatial differences, with the Basin and Range region serving as the reference category.

RESULTS

Findings reveal that economic vulnerability plays a significant role in opioid-related mortality. The share of farmland operated by Limited Resource Farmers is positively associated with age-adjusted opioid death rates, with elasticities changing from 0.0707 in 2007 to 0.0532 in 2012 and turning slightly negative in 2017. This trend suggests that as the opioid epidemic spread, the relative influence of economic deprivation in farming counties was diluted. Conversely, the elasticity of county-level opioid-related mortality with respect to pharmaceutical payments to physicians is not statistically significant, failing to support the hypothesis that pharmaceutical marketing drives the crisis.

CONCLUSIONS

Economic vulnerability, particularly among Limited Resource Farmers, is a key driver of opioid-related mortality in U.S. farming counties, supporting the “deaths of despair” framework. The lack of significant effects for pharmaceutical payments suggests a limited role for physician-targeted marketing in this context. These findings emphasize the need for interventions addressing economic instability in farming communities and tailoring regional responses to the opioid epidemic. Future research should explore additional factors, including healthcare access and mental health resources, to deepen understanding and inform more effective policies.

CLINICALTRIAL

Opioid Mortality, Farming Counties, Limited Resource Farmers, Economic Vulnerability, Pharmaceutical Marketing, Deaths of Despair, Rural America
Investigation of the geothermal system in region of Selime (Turkey) by resistivity methods
Authors: Yeken Tekin , Ozturk Ernam , Irmak Tahir Serkan , Hoşkan Nihan
Published: December 2024

The Anatolian platform continues its development with highly complex tectonic activities in Central Anatolia, known as tectonic deformation. In addition to faulting due to the plate movements, the fluid dynamics in the underground and the thermal cycle are also affected. Heater mass circulation plays a role in the development of plate tectonics. This study aimed to determine the geothermal potential of Selime (Aksaray) and its surroundings. The resistivity method was applied in field studies for the objectives. Geothermal fields with high thermal potential have been investigated by Vertical Electric Sounding  (VES) profiles. In the field study, five vertical electric soundings (VES) were applied, a general resistance of (50 – 60) Ωm was observed, and Selim tuff was determined at a depth of approximately (30-35) m. A sudden resistance drop of (1-2) Ωm under the Selime tuff layer proved the existence of a geothermal source. When examined with the hydrogeological data, a thermal fluid is present with an impermeable cover layer. As a result of this research, it was observed that the heater mass affected the thermal fluid, indicating that circulation represented a shallow system.
Bioweathering in monogenetic volcanoes: the case of Xitle in Mexico City
Authors: Ortega-Larrocea Maria del Pilar , Martínez Báez-Téllez María Fernanda
Published: December 2024

This contribution describes biological weathering features produced by microbial communities growing on rock surfaces denominated biological rock crusts. We provide arguments related to the importance of recognizing rocks as an ecological niche and a review of main recognized bio-weathering processes in basaltic bedrock. We particularly address the features found in the lava flow of the monogenetic volcano Xitle, which is located in the volcanic field of the Sierra del Chichinautzin in the south of Mexico City. We found that the diversity and distribution of organisms within the rock crusts varies depending on the superficial texture and porosity of the lavas. Mosses have a preference for vesicles and crevices, while lichens can establish in smoother and more exposed areas. The predominant biological weathering features we have found associated with these crusts are incrustation, penetration, vesicle infilling, endolithic colonization, fractures, and particle entrapment. It is worth noting that bioweathering features are related to specific biological groups: lichens exert all of the features found, while mosses are mostly associated with particle entrapment and vesicle infilling, and biofilms are related to penetration and endolithic colonization. Therefore, this article discusses the importance of geoheritage conservation in relation to the biodiversity these lavas harbor.
Detection of ionospheric response to earthquakes in Mexico: case study of September 8, 2021 and September 19, 2022
Authors: Melgarejo-Morales Angela , Sergeeva Maria A. , Kazachkina Ekaterina , Vesnin Artem M. , Aguilar-Rodriguez Ernesto
Published: December 2024

We explore the possibility of the ionospheric disturbance detection after two earthquakes (EQ) (Mw > 7) occurred on September 8, 2021, and September 19, 2022, in Mexico. The epicenter location, depth, focal mechanism, season and Space Weather background conditions were similar for the two EQs. The local time and the magnitude were different. Wave responses in the filtered slant TEC time series were revealed after both EQs at isolated satellite-receiver ray paths. The irregular variations exceeded the background fluctuation level and were not repeated on other days. Their form and temporal scales allowed us to associate them with the acoustic-gravity waves generated by the vertical displacement during the powerful EQs. The nighttime EQ on September 8, 2021, caused the medium-scale disturbances characterized with the N- and И-form fluctuations in TEC, a period of ~30 min and amplitudes of (0.1-0.2) TECU. The response to the daytime EQ on September 19, 2022, was of two types: smallscale disturbances N-, V-, И- and M-form with a 15 min period and amplitudes of (0.1-1.1) TECU; and medium-scale disturbances of N- and И-form with a period of ~30 min and amplitudes of (0.1-0.2) TECU. The presented conclusions for the Mexican region are preliminary as more statistics are needed.
Hydraulic permeability prediction from attenuation in an oil well using the squirt flow model
Authors: Mena-Negrete Joseline , Del Valle García Raúl , Coconi-Morales Enrique
Published: December 2024

A practical methodology is presented for estimating the hydraulic permeability from the wave attenuation at sonic frequencies using the poroelastic squirt flow model associated with the mechanism that encompasses the interaction between solid and fluid in an oil well. The methodology consists of four stages: a) the petrophysical evaluation, b) the static rock physics modeling that includes its diagnostics, c) the estimation of wave attenuations using an inversion scheme to optimize the Z critical parameter from the squirt flow model, d) the correlation between attenuations and the Z parameter with hydraulic permeabilities obtained by conventional well logs and available core analysis. The correlations are the means to establish the predicted hydraulic permeabilities from sonic and ultrasonic data. The obtained results suggest that the Z parameter is low while attenuations are high when the medium presents high porosity and permeability. In the methodology, the inversion scheme is proposed to find the Z parameter, the velocity dispersion, and attenuations in terms of the inverse quality factors, respectively for P-wave (QP –1) and S-wave S (QS –1) using a simulated annealing technique. The results from the application of the methodology are validated with core data (water saturation, porosity, and permeability) and mineralogical analysis from thin sections by the point counting technique. This methodology promises a means for predicting the hydraulic permeability from sonic and ultrasonic velocities in a well.
AI-Based Adaptive Traffic Management
Authors: Patil Vijay
Published: December 2024

Traffic congestion is one of the biggest and most important issues facing modern city dwellers, necessitating effective
and efficient solutions. AI-powered traffic light optimization has grown in popularity. The available literature indicates that
intelligent approaches outperform traditional management techniques. The amount of cars on each intersection road determines
the signal timings, which are adjusted to reduce traffic at the intersection. The recommended topology may significantly reduce
traffic jams and wait times at the intersection. A lot of benefits can arise from an efficient traffic control system, such as less
traffic on the roads, more economic efficiency, and enhancements in pedestrian safety and air quality. This paper discusses the
several phases of the process, including data collecting, data analysis, and simulation development. At the conclusion of the
process, a Python simulation model is created to test the topology.
“The Knight of Capote”. In Search of the Unknown Works by the American Writer
Authors: Zakharov Denis V.
Published: December 2024

The article tells about a decade of Russian scholar Denis Zakharov’s studies dedicated to Truman Capote’s literary heritage, his quest and discoveries of the unknown stories, feuilletons, poems and school essays by Capote, found in the 2014–2024 in American libraries and archives. Among them — the unfinished manuscript about Moscow “The Daughter of the Russian Revolution” (1958–1959), unfinished novella “The Wrong Mrs. Rockefeller”, made famous by the publication in 2023 in The Strand magazine as unknown short story “Another Day in Paradise”, and a draft of the notes (the precursor of a chapter from “La Côte Basque, 1965”), which could become another unknown piece by Truman Capote, worthy of publication as posthumous legacy of the writer. The article describes Denis Zakharov’s personal archive which contains more than fifty Capote's works in various genres, little known among Capote’s researchers. The article also sheds light on the history of the appearance of the writer's manuscripts in the archival funds of the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress, and describes the experience of incorporating information about these finds into Capote’s scholarly research. Denis Zakharov reveals the details of his attempts to organize the publication of Capote’s works, his communication with Russian publishers, editors of foreign magazines, the writer's biographer Gerald Clarke and the copyright owner lawyer Alan U. Schwartz. The article summarizes the results of the scholar’s ten-year research and traces the vector of further studies in the field as well as the prospects of publishing the unknown works of Truman Capote found by Denis Zakharov.
Ivan Kashkin’s Course on American Literary History (1928)
Authors:   A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Panov Sergey I. , Panova Olga Yu. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University,   A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2024

The paper is dedicated to Ivan Kashkin’s groundbreaking lecture course on the history of American literature. It lasted several semesters for students of different years, covered literary history of the United States from the 17th century. until the 1920s and was complemented by seminars (“practicums”). Kashkin drew up a detailed plan for the course — lectures and seminars — in 1928 and for his classes at the Higher State Literary Courses and the Higher Courses of Foreign Languages at the Library of Foreign Literature. Kashkin’s plan included an additional “translation” element: he had been teaching translation to his students since 1925, and the culmination of this career was Kashkin’s work at the new Institute of Foreign Languages (1930–1933): the students to whom he taught there formed Kashkin’s famous First Translation Team. However the course of American literary history that was supposed to last dozens of class hours, was never continued or renewed either by Kashkin himself or by anyone else: it simply didn’t fit into the increasingly standardized university curricula. It is nevertheless important to go back to the origins of Soviet American studies and analyse the valuable experience of Kashkin’s project, its breadth and detailed elaboration. Kashkin’s plans of lectures and seminars published in the addendum are stored in his personal fund in the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art.