bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stool-based Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children at a teaching and referral hospital in Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Dubale Mitiku , Tadesse Mulualem , Berhane Melkamu , Mekonnen Mekidim , Abebe Gemeda
Published: May 2022

Background

Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children is challenging mainly due to the difficulty of obtaining respiratory specimen and lack of sensitive diagnostic tests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert here after) for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB (PTB) from stool specimen in children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among consecutively recruited children (less than 15 years old) with presumptive PTB at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia. One pulmonary specimen (expectorated sputum or gastric aspirate) was collected from each participant and tested for TB by Xpert and Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture. In addition, one stool specimen per child was collected and tested by Xpert after a single step, centrifuge-free stool processing method adapted from KNCV TB Foundation. Diagnostic performance of Xpert was calculated with reference to LJ culture and to a composite reference standards (CRS) comprising of confirmed TB (positive by Xpert and/or culture) and unconfirmed TB (clinical diagnosis with improvement after anti-TB treatment).

Results

A total of 178 children were enrolled; 152 of whom had complete microbiological results. Overall, TB was diagnosed in 13.2% (20/152) of the children with presumptive TB. Of these, only ten had microbiologically confirmed TB (positive Xpert and/or culture) and the remaining ten were clinically diagnosed with positive response to anti-TB treatment and were classified as unconfirmed TB. Stool Xpert had sensitivity of 100% (95%CI: 66.4–100) and specificity of 99.3% (95%CI: 96.2–100) compared to culture; however, the sensitivity was decreased to 50% (95%CI: 27.2–72.8) when compared to CRS. The Xpert on gastric aspirate had sensitivity of 77.8% (95%CI: 40–97.2) compared to culture and 40% (95%CI: 19.1–64) compared to CRS.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of Xpert for stool sample is comparable to that for gastric aspirate. Stool sample is a potential alternative to pulmonary specimen in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB in children using Xpert.
Characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives: Systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Subhani Mohsan , Talat Usman , Knight Holly , Morling Joanne R. , Jones Katy A. , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Ryder Stephen D. , Llewellyn-Beardsley Joy , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan
Published: May 2022

Background and aims

Narratives of recovery from alcohol misuse have been analysed in a range of research studies. This paper aims to produce a conceptual framework describing the characteristics of alcohol misuse recovery narratives that are in the research literature, to inform the development of research, policy, and practice.

Methods

Systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches of databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychInfo, AMED and SCOPUS), grey literature, and citation searches for included studies were conducted. Alcohol recovery narratives were defined as “first-person lived experience accounts, which includes elements of adversity, struggle, strength, success, and survival related to alcohol misuse, and refer to events or actions over a period of time”. Frameworks were synthesised using a three-stage process. Sub-group analyses were conducted on studies presenting analyses of narratives with specific genders, ages, sexualities, ethnicities, and dual diagnosis. The review was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42021235176).

Results

32 studies were included (29 qualitative, 3 mixed-methods, 1055 participants, age range 17-82years, 52.6% male, 46.4% female). Most were conducted in the United States (n = 15) and Europe (n = 11). No included studies analysed recovery narratives from lower income countries. Treatment settings included Alcoholic Anonymous (n = 12 studies), other formal treatment, and ‘natural recovery’. Eight principle narrative dimensions were identified (genre, identity, recovery setting, drinking trajectory, drinking behaviours, stages, spirituality and religion, and recovery experience) each with types and subtypes. All dimensions were present in most subgroups. Shame was a prominent theme for female narrators, lack of sense of belonging and spirituality were prominent for LGBTQ+ narrators, and alienation and inequality were prominent for indigenous narrators.

Conclusions

Review provides characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives, with implications for both research and healthcare practice. It demonstrated knowledge gaps in relation to alcohol recovery narratives of people living in lower income countries, or those who recovered outside of mainstream services.

Protocol registration

Prospero registration number: CRD42020164185.
The sexual experience of Italian adults during the COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Federici Stefano , Lepri Alessandro , Castellani Mencarelli Alessandra , Zingone Evel , De Leonibus Rosella , Acocella Anna Maria , Giammaria Adriana
Published: May 2022

From March 11 to April 26, 2020, the Italian government imposed a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, a quarantine that resulted in significant restrictions on the movement and social contacts of the population, with a view to limiting the pandemic outbreak. The quarantine forced people to experience distorted social distance in two contrasting ways. For some people, it resulted in social distancing and isolation, for example by separating noncohabiting couples into different dwellings. For others, however, quarantine increased and imposed social closeness, forcing couples and families into constant, daily, and prolonged cohabitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual health and behaviors of Italian adults during the lockdown period using a multimethod research. An open- and a closed-ended e-questionnaire were administered immediately after the end of the lockdown. A total of 465 Italian adults completed the digital questionnaire (female = 78.7%). Participants recognized their lived sexual experience with generally positive characteristics (related to openness, unproblematic relationship with the body, and awareness and self-reflection about one’s sexuality), while negative thoughts such as worry and pain were quite scarce. Participants with a disability (5.6%) showed a marked inversion compared to the mean of respondents, recognizing themselves mainly in negative thoughts related to low self-esteem, inadequacy, and feelings of suffering, yet reporting a higher than mean level of arousal. In the qualitative analysis, the Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) index was computed to measure the salience of the word used by participants to respond to the open-ended five questions. It revealed a generally depressed emotional experience associated with the experience of lockdown, both in terms of desire, which seemed to be shifted more to the level of imagination and fantasies, and the actual possibility of experiencing sexual activity as usual. Nevertheless, the participants emphasized an opening to new possibilities in terms of expressing sexuality, accompanied by a rediscovery of the value of tenderness and affectivity as well as a clearer awareness of their sexual life, needs, and desires.
Screenwriting is Filmmaking: The Theory and Practice of Writing for the Screen, Brian Dunnigan (2019)
Authors: Brawner Misty
Published: May 2022

Review of: Screenwriting is Filmmaking: The Theory and Practice of Writing for the Screen, Brian Dunnigan (2019)

Marlborough: The Crowood Press Ltd., 168 pp.,

ISBN: 978-1-78500-609-8, p/bk, USD$22.88
Helicobacter pylori Antibiotic Resistance in the United States Between 2011 and 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ho Jonathan J.C. , Navarro Matthew , Sawyer Kelsey , Elfanagely Yousef , Moss Steven F.
Published: May 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Antimicrobial resistance among Helicobacter pylori strains has been rising globally, leading to declining eradication rates. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the resistance patterns of H. pylori strains in the United States between 2011 and 2021.

METHODS:

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for manuscripts and conference abstracts published between 2011 and 2021 reporting H. pylori antibiotic resistance. A mixed-effects model estimated pooled rates of resistance to clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, rifabutin, levofloxacin, or a combination of these, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS:

A total of 19 studies including 2,660 samples, met inclusion criteria. The pooled rate of resistance to metronidazole was 42.1% (95% CI 27.3%–58.6%), levofloxacin 37.6% (95% CI 26.3%–50.4%), clarithromycin 31.5% (95% CI 23.6%–40.6%), amoxicillin 2.6% (95% CI 1.4%–5.0%), tetracycline 0.87% (95% CI 0.2%–3.8%), rifabutin 0.17% (95% CI 0.00%–10.9%), and dual clarithromycin and metronidazole 11.7% (95% CI 0.1%–94.0%). Considerable data heterogeneity was evident for pooled resistance prevalence rates (I2 > 50%), with the exception of rifabutin resistance.

DISCUSSION:

Metronidazole, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin resistance rates each exceed 30%; thus, choosing an empiric antibiotic regimen without knowledge of the likely pattern of antibiotic resistance is not appropriate. Resistance to tetracycline, rifabutin, and amoxicillin remains low. Given the scarcity of available data with considerable heterogeneity among studies, continued surveillance, ideally with a more systematic approach to data collection, is an increasingly important goal in H. pylori management.
Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome Associated With Estrogen
Authors: Benfield John , Shah Raj A. , Grider Douglas J. , Sahebjam Farhad
Published: May 2022

Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) refers to a form of cholestatic liver disease with many etiologies. Vanishing bile duct syndrome is characterized by biliary ductopenia and chronic cholestasis. This is a challenging condition for clinicians because of its rarity and unclear pathophysiology. Presented is an 18-year-old woman who developed cholestatic liver injury and intrahepatic biliary ductopenia after a course of oral contraceptives and intravenous estrogen for uterine bleeding. A year later, this patient did not have significant improvement in liver biomarkers and was referred for transplantation.
Enfermedades que limitan el ingreso al trabajo en población económicamente activa
Authors: Peralta-González Gisela , Pérez Serge Marco Fidel , Gonzalez-Julio Luz Karinne , Torregrosa-Campo Etilvia Campo , Caballero-Zambrano Mónica Patricia , González-Ruiz Gisela Esther
Published: May 2022

Introducción: Actualmente la relación hombre-trabajo, se encuentra limitada por condiciones de salud, que pueden agravarse frente a la exposición a factores de riesgo. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, diseño no experimental, enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en 1570 consultantes a ingreso laboral, realizado durante el período de octubre de 2019 a marzo de 2020 a nivel local; con una muestra probabilística de 1073, nivel de confianza de 98,00 % y margen de error del 2,00 %. Criterios de inclusión: solicitantes de consulta pre-empleo, mayores de edad, ambos sexos que aceptaron participar en el estudio; excluidos menores de edad, autorizados por el Ministerio de trabajo. La recolección de la información se realizó mediante evaluación médico-ocupacional y exámenes complementarios, utilizando equipos biomédicos calibrados y formatos validados por la Institución. El análisis de la información fue realizado con estadística descriptiva, a través de media, moda, desviación estándar, tablas y figuras. Se respetaron los principios éticos para investigación en humanos. Resultados: Edad promedio 32 años, edad mínima de 18 y máxima de 66 años, desviación estándar de 9,2. De los participantes 51,57% presentó antecedentes personales patológicos: 47,15% índice de masa corporal normal, seguido de sobrepeso; 11.00% e hipertensión arterial 1,95%. La prevalencia de restricciones y aplazamientos laborales fue de 12,86%, generadas principalmente por enfermedades cardiovasculares, visuales, osteomusculares y digestivas. Conclusiones: Las restricciones y aplazamientos para el ingreso al trabajo, guardan correspondencia con las enfermedades que se describen en las estadísticas vitales presentadas en el país y en el Departamento de Sucre.
Factores biológicos, socioambientales y clínico radiológicos asociados a neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en menores de 5 años en un hospital público del Perú
Authors: Valencia Cuevas Diego José
Published: May 2022

Introducción: La Neumonía Adquirida en la Comunidad (NAC) es una patología inflamatoria que daña la vía respiratoria baja, generalmente de etiología infecciosa. Afecta el parénquima pulmonar produciendo alteración en la hematosis alveolar, ocasionando hipoxemia progresiva. Objetivo: Determinar cómo los factores biológicos, socioambientales, clínico radiológicos y analíticos se asocian al desarrollo de NAC en menores de 5 años hospitalizados en un Hospital Público del Perú durante el año 2019. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, analítico, tipo casos y controles. El tamaño muestral se realizó mediante muestreo aleatorio simple, no pareado, obteniendo 71 casos y 71 controles en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital San José durante el año 2019. Resultados: El sexo masculino predominó en los pacientes con NAC (54.9%); pero no hubo asociación significativa entre este sexo y NAC (OR: 1.67 IC: 0.86-3.23, p: 0.13). Los resultados estadísticamente significativos asociados a NAC fueron lactancia materna no efectiva (OR: 6.85, IC 95%: 3.18-14.75) y antecedente de enfermedades respiratorias (OR: 5.41, IC 95%: 2.58-11.34) Conclusiones: Los factores biológicos, lactancia materna no efectiva y antecedente de enfermedades respiratorias se encuentran asociados a NAC en menores de 5 años.
An Overview of Psychological Interventions on Breast Cancer Patients: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bonilla-Santos Jasmin , González-Montealegre Rodrigo Alberto , González-Hernández Alfredis
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Psychological morbidities are common in breast cancer patients. Clinical conditions like depression, cognitive alterations, anxiety, distress, fear of cancer, sleep di-sorders, and fatigue may persist in cancer survivors. Therefore, psychological interventions are an essential treatment for breast cancer. Objective: To identify psychological interventions and psychological outcomes for women with breast cancer. Methods: Five databases were searched: EMBASE, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE (Ovid), CENTRAL(Ovid) y PsycINFO (APAPsyNET), from Jan 2014 to Jun 4th, 2018. Two authors reviewed all title articles and abstracts in databases and selected potentially eligible studies. A narrati-ve synthesis of results was used due to the heterogeneity in randomized controlled trials, population characteristics, psychotherapies applied, outcomes, and timing of assessments. Results: This overview included 14 randomized controlled trials which comprise 1914 par-ticipants (included non-metastatic and metastatic), across 21 articles. The most common psychological interventions were cognitive-behavioral based. The principal psychological outcomes assessed were depression, quality of life, fatigue, and anxiety. Conclusion: Results from this review are useful to clarify an overview of intervention in psychological morbidities in breast cancer. Comorbidities vary, contribute costs to patients, and there is insufficient empirical evidence about psychotherapies to resolve all psychologi-cal morbidities in breast cancer patients.
Granuloma telangiectásico de cavidad oral en zona anterior
Authors: Betin-Portacio Cielo , Herrera-Herrera Alejandra , Díaz-Caballero Antonio
Published: May 2022

Introducción: El granuloma telangiectásico es una neoplasia benigna de origen epitelial y contenido vascular que se presenta en cavidad oral, de crecimiento lento. Su etiología es atribuible a trauma físico, alteraciones hormonales y al uso de medicamentos, además es inducido por presencia de cálculos y deficiente higiene oral. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas y patológicas de un granuloma telangiectásico presente en cavidad oral, su patogénesis y el manejo de terapéutico del caso. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 35 años que acude a consulta por presentar una lesión tumoral, en sector anterosuperior derecho, afectando la estética de la paciente. Se realizó excisión quirúrgica y al realizar el estudio histopatológico se confirmó diagnóstico de granuloma telangiectásico. Conclusión: Los profesionales de la odontología deben conocer todos los aspectos relacionados con el granuloma telangiectásico, etiopatogenia, características clínicas e histológicas, con el objeto de identificar esta patología, establecer diagnósticos diferenciales y poder brindar un diagnóstico adecuado y por consiguiente un plan de tratamiento específico para cada caso.
Funcionalidad de las personas mayores en Chile: Resultados basados en el REM-P5(2012-2016)
Authors: Cigarroa Cuevas Igor Iván , Ubeira-Gómez Miguel , Medina-Leal Nelson , Sarqu Carla , Sepúlveda Martín Sonia Alejandra
Published: May 2022

Antecedentes: En Chile la población de personas mayores ha incrementado en las últimas décadas. Se han establecido durante los años, políticas integrales de envejecimiento positivo con el fin de proteger la salud funcional de las personas mayores. No obstante, existe escasa evidencia sobre las características poblaciones de la funcionalidad de este grupo etario. Objetivos: Caracterizar la funcionalidad de personas mayores chilenas basadas en reportes del REM-P5 entre los años 2012-2016 según sexo, edad y zona geográfica y describir los ingresos y egresos del programa Más Adultos Mayores Autovalentes. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de diseño no experimental, de alcance descriptivo y de corte retrospectivo. Se tomaron registros nacionales y por región de los años 2012-2016 del REM-P5 Sección A, así como los registros de ingreso y egreso del programa Mas Adultos Mayores Autovalentes. Resultados: Se evidenció disminución de funcionalidad entre 2012-2016 (1,4%). Durante este periodo, se observó mayor porcentaje de funcionalidad en hombres que en mujeres y un descenso de la funcionalidad a medida que envejecían. Las zona norte y extremo sur concentraron el mayor porcentaje de personas mayores con altos niveles de funcionalidad y dependencia total. En el Programa Más Adultos Mayores Autovalentes, aumentaron las personas mayores que mantuvieron autovalencia sobre quienes mejoraron su autovalencia (?=7% de diferencia) entre 2015-2016. Conclusión: La funcionalidad de las personas mayores en Chile ha disminuido con los años, existiendo diferencias por sexo y región. Estos hallazgos podrían ayudar a enfocar las políticas sanitarias de intervención y monitorización orientadas a la funcionalidad de personas mayores.
Influencia de la incertidumbre sexual de estudiantes de enfermería sobre las actitudes sexuales en la vejez
Authors: Medina Fernández Josué , Medina Fernández Isaí , Molina Sánchez Janeth Wendolyne , Torres-Obregón Reyna , Carrillo Cervantes Ana Laura , Sifuentes-Leura Daniel
Published: May 2022

Objetivo Determinar la influencia de la incertidumbre sexual de los estudiantes de enfermería sobre las actitudes sexuales en la vejez. Materiales y métodos Estudio correlacional-predictivo, la muestra estuvo constituido por 222 participantes, determinado mediante un muestreo a conveniencia en estudiantes de enfermería de dos universidades privadas de Mérida, Yucatán. Se aplicó una cédula de datos, la escala de incertidumbre sexual y de actitudes hacia la sexualidad en la vejez. Se realizó estadística descriptiva, correlación de spearman y modelos de regresión. Se consideraron los aspectos éticos para su aplicación. Resultados La muestra en su mayoría estuvo constituida por mujeres 68.5%, una media de edad de 20.79 (DE=2.99). Se encontró relación de la incertidumbre sexual con las actitudes hacia la sexualidad en la vejez (r=-0.224, p<0.05), por otra parte, la incertidumbre sexual disminuye en .33 las actitudes sexuales hacia la vejez en los estudiantes de enfermería. El modelo indica que la edad, sexo e incertidumbre influye en 7.9% sobre las actitudes sexuales. Conclusión Se halló que la incertidumbre sexual influye en las actitudes hacia la sexualidad en la vejez en los estudiantes de enfermería debido a los probables prejuicios que se tiene a este grupo etario, se requiere abordar temas de sexualidad en ellos mismos y en el adulto mayor para cambiar esta perspectiva.
The Influencing of Toxic Gases on Structural, Electronic and Optical Features of CNTs Molecules: Computation Study
Authors: Mohammad Rajaa K. , Mohammad Mohammad R. , Al-Khaykanee Mohsin K. , Ahmed Duha S. , Ahmed Luma M.
Published: May 2022

The electronic properties of carbon nanotubes CNTs, such as ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA), energy gap (Eg), Fermi energy (Ef), binding energy (Eb), the density of state (DOS), and IR spectral properties, investigated after substituted the OH, SO, SiO2, H2O, and N2 groups on the optimization structure of CNT (3,3). The lengths of C=C for zigzag CNT (3,3) slight altered with substituted the mention groups and given the depress in bond length during the substituted –OH, -SO, and –SiO2 that attitude to bond orders for these substituted groups and different in electronegativity power for an oxygen atom in these groups. Moreover, the C-C bond for zigzag CNT (3,3) changed also, and gave a slight increase during the substituted OH group, but decreased during substituted So and SiO2 groups. The substituted of –SO and –SiO2 on the structure of CNT (3,3) demonstrated, fewer values of total energies that will increase the stability of CNT. The CNTS-SiO2 has a less value for bandgap compared with other substituted materials, this behaver has given it a good electronic conductivity. The B3LYP functional theory has been used to conduct the DFT approach. The analyzed Nano species agree well with the experimental results based on the measured values of HOMO and LUMO energies. The Gaussian 09 program was used to calculate all feature values.
Kondisi Gas Bumi Indonesia dan Energi Alternatif Pengganti Gas Bumi
Authors: Wibowo Yudhanto Edhi , Windarta Jaka
Published: May 2022

Sejalan dengan kebutuhan akan energi gas bumi, penurunan produksi dan cadangan gas bumi dalam negeri maka diprediksi neraca gas bumi Indonesia akan segera terjadi. Untuk mengurangi impor dan memperlambat habisnya cadangan gas bumi maka perlu dikembangkan energi alternatif yang terbarukan untuk dipakai atau menjadi energi pengganti dari Gas Bumi. Gas bumi digunakan dalam fase gas dan biasanya digunakan sebagai energi penggerak turbin gas atau mesin gas, untuk itu alternatif pengganti gas bumi harus memungkinkan untuk diterapkan pada atau mesin dengan tenaga gas bumi. Energi terbarukan yang mendukung untuk mengganti peran gas bumi antara lain LFG (Landfill Gas), Biogas dan Hidrogen. Indonesia dapat memproduksi LFG dalam jumlah besar jika dapat melakukan upgrade TPA yang ada lebih dari 500 lokasi tersebar di seluruh Indonesia. Biogas Indonesia dapat diproduksi dari bahan baku limbah POME dan limbah ternak yang melimpah. Sedangkan hidrogen adalah sumber alternatif masa depan yang sangat bersih, dimana perkembangan teknologi proses produksi dan pengguna produk hidrogen cukup cepat. Hidrogen dapat dihasilkan dari berbagai proses terbarukan dimana akan menjadi potensi yang sangat bermanfaat bagi dunia, dan khususnya Indonesia di masa mendatang. Pemerintah Indonesia perlu melakukan langkah nyata untuk menerapkan bahan bakar alternatif pengganti gas bumi melalui penyediaan fasilitas dan pelaksanaan kebijakan.
Analisis Pemanfaatan Limbah Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit Sebagai Cofiring pada PLTU Batubara
Authors: Praevia Muhammad Farizan , Widayat Widayat
Published: May 2022

Pemerintah Indonesia melalui Rencana Umum Energi Nasional (RUEN) menetapkan kebijakan bauran EBT sebesar 23% di tahun 2025. Salah satu upaya yang dilakukan adalah dengan cofiring biomassa pada PLTU Batubara. Indonesia sebagai negara penghasil kelapa sawit terbesar di dunia, otomatis menghasilkan limbah yang besar. Dari 1 ton Tandan Buah Segar (TBS), dihasilkan sebanyak 21% Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit (TKKS). Tandan kosong kelapa sawit dibiarkan menumpuk dan tidak termanfaatkan. Tandan kosong kelapa sawit dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai bahan bakar pembangkit uap dan listrik. Beberapa peneliti mengidentifikasi potensi tandan kosong kelapa sawit sebagai sumber energi terbarukan. Tandan kosong kelapa sawit dapat dijadikan cofiring pada PLTU Batubara eksisting dengan metode direct cofiring. Tandan kosong kelapa sawit dimixing dengan batubara sebelum masuk ke unit Boiler. Untuk mengurangi dampak dari abu hasil pembakaran biomassa, seperti alkali content, kadar air yang tinggi, calorific value yang rendah direkomendasikan proses peningkatan kualitas bahan bakar dengan cara Hydrothermal Treatment (HT). Metode ini disebut juga proses torefaksi, dimana memanaskan tandan kosong sawit pada temperatur 200-300 °C selama 15-60 menit. Hasil pemanasan diperoleh char (biomassa terkarbonasi) dengan kualitas yang sama dengan batubara. Penelitian menunjukkan dengan mengalami proses karbonasi dengan hydrotermal treatment diperoleh kenaikan calorific value tandan kosong dari 7.86 MJ/kg menjadi 22.22 MJ/kg (dibanding dengan batubara 22.34 MJ/kg). Skenario ini dapat dijadikan acuan bagi pemerintah Indonesia untuk terus berupaya mengurangi pemakaian bahan bakar fosil. Lebih lanjut terdapat beberapa penelitian terkait yang fokus mengintifikasi rasio perbandingan biomassa dan batubara sebelum dibakar disuatu PLTU batubara eksisting.
Unreliable Accounts: Governing behind a Veil
Authors: Williams Paul F.
Published: May 2022

This paper serves as a commentary to Professor Ramanna’s paper, “Unreliable Accounts: How Regulators Fabricate Conceptual Narratives to Diffuse Criticism.” The case analyzed by Professor Ramanna is the case of CON 8 in which the FASB changed the qualitative characteristics originally identified in CON2 to eliminate the concept of reliability from those qualities accounting data must possess before such data is decision useful. This commentary intends to add some historical depth to the particular case analyzed by Professor Ramanna to demonstrate that conceptual veiling has been a continuous process since the FASB’s original concepts statements that created a conceptual framework made up of two conflicting narratives, i.e. a mixing of the language of two metaphors for accounting. These two metaphors are “accountability” and “information.” The fateful error that has plagued the concepts statements with incoherence since the FASB began was the repurposing of accounting to that of “decision usefulness.” Decision usefulness as defined by FASB had to contain the property of prediction, explicitly predicting the timing, amount and uncertainty of cash flows. However, information is always “about something;” it is not a free-floating abstraction. Since knowledge about the future in economic affairs has eluded the ability of economists and likely always will, FASB is allegedly providing information about the future for which is has not any noteworthy expertise. CON 8 is just another stage of the growing incoherence of the concepts project. The norms of double entry accounting that developed over centuries and shaped accounting’s fundamental concepts served the purposes of accountability for which information to be information must be reliable. The entire edifice of science would collapse if scientific information were not reliable. Without reliability, the boundary between information and misinformation is blurred to the point of invisibility. Professor Ramanna’s analysis provides great insight into the absurdity standard setters now endorse that information does not have to reliable!
Evaluation of serum neurofilament light in the early management of mTBI patients
Authors: Kahouadji Samy , Bouillon-Minois Jean-Baptiste , Oris Charlotte , Durif Julie , Pereira Bruno , Pinguet Jérémy , Rozand Agathe , Schmidt Jeannot , Sapin Vincent , Bouvier Damien
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Serum S100B allows a one-third reduction of computed tomography (CT) scans performed for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of serum NF-L in the detection of intracranial lesions induced by mTBI.

Methods

One hundred seventy-nine adult mTBI patients presenting to the emergency department of Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 14–15 were included. S100B assays were performed for clinical routine while NF-L samples were stored at −80 °C until analysis. CT scans were performed for patients with S100B levels above the decision threshold of 0.10 μg/L. Later, NF-L and S100B levels were compared to CT scan findings to evaluate the biomarkers’ performances.

Results

The area under the ROC curve (AUC) evaluating the diagnostic ability in the prediction of intracranial lesions was 0.72 (95% CI; 0.58–0.87) for S100B and 0.58 (95% CI; 0.45–0.71) for NF-L, the specificities (at a threshold allowing a 100% sensitivity) were 35.7% for S100B, and 28% for NF-L (p=0.096). AUCs of NF-L and S100B for the identification of patients with neurological disorders were statistically different (p<0.001). The AUCs were 0.87 (95% CI; 0.82–0.93) for NF-L and 0.57 (95% CI; 0.48–0.66) for S100B. There was a poor correlation between NF-L and S100B, and NF-L levels were correlated to patients’ age (Spearman coefficient of 0.79).

Conclusions

NF-L showed poor performances in the early management of mTBI patients. NF-L levels are strongly correlated to neurodegeneration, whether physiological, age-related, or pathological.
Analyzing the characteristics of land use distribution in typical village transects at Chinese Loess Plateau based on topographical factors
Authors: Zhao Yizhen , Cao Jiannong , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Ming
Published: May 2022

The spatial distribution of land use at different terrain gradients has been used as an important index for the land management and ecological restoration in the Loess Plateau of China. Based on the land use data surveyed in 2015 and digital elevation model data with a resolution of 30 m from typical village transects in the Loess Plateau area in Yan’an City, Shaanxi Province, this study analyzed the terrain niche index, distribution index, land utilization comprehensive index, and land use equilibrium degree for four village transects. The results demonstrated that the land use types in the four village transects were mainly grassland, forest land, and cropland. Land use types showed obvious differences in respect to topographical gradient with built-up land, traffic land, water bodies, cropland, and orchard distributed in low terrain gradient areas, forest land, and grassland distributed in medium- and high-terrain areas. As terrain gradient increased, the land utilization comprehensive index and land use equilibrium degree showed a generally decreasing trend. These findings may provide a useful reference for land use planning and land resource allocation in the Loess Plateau region.
Lower bound on growth of non-elementary subgroups in relatively hyperbolic groups
Authors: Cui Yu-Miao , Jiang Yue-Ping , Yang Wen-Yuan
Published: May 2022

This paper proves that, in a non-elementary relatively hyperbolic group, the logarithm growth rate of any non-elementary subgroup has a linear lower bound by the logarithm of the size of the corresponding generating set.
As a consequence, any non-elementary subgroup has uniform exponential growth.
Storytelling beyond body text in popular science books: a multimodal analysis
Authors: Virtanen Mikko T.
Published: May 2022

This article examines multimodal storytelling performed outside the main body text in book-length popular science. By employing a case study approach, the study examines three kinds of visually detached stories: i) fragmentary case stories of lay experience, ii) fictional stories of prehistorical lifeworld and iii) scientists’ personal stories with everyday photography. The article shows that detached stories are digressions from the locally, or also globally, dominant ways of making meaning. These digressions can be modality shifts (from verbal to multimodal) but also more complex shifts that engage with cultural boundaries of (popular) science. Furthermore, the article complements prior studies of photographic storytelling by discussing the affordances of everyday photography in public occasions. The analytic framework combines Systemic-Functional genre studies, Social Semiotic and related models of visual design as well as approaches to factuality and fictionality in Narrative Studies. The data consists of contemporary Finnish popular science books representing the natural sciences.
Microstructural evolution and impression creep properties of a lead-based alloy PbSn16Sb16Cu2
Authors: Wang Duanzhi , Qi Yuan , Zhang Dong , Song Baoyong , Pan Zhongwen , Tong Yang , Kang Huifeng , Han Wenzhong
Published: May 2022

The impression creep behavior of a lead-based PbSn16Sb16Cu2 alloy was studied at stresses in the range from 15 to 30 MPa and temperatures in the range from 333 to 393 K. XRD, SEM, and EDS techniques were used to analyze microstructural evolutions of the alloy before and after creep at different impression creep conditions. Results show that, in the range of experimental conditions, the calculated stress exponent and the creep activation energy of the alloy are 4.12 and 60.56 kJ mol−1, respectively. Grain boundary diffusion-dominated dislocation climbing is the main impression creep mechanism of PbSn16Sb16Cu2 alloy. Creep rate increases and creep resistance decreases with the increase of temperature and stress, respectively. Two reasons dominate the creep process: first, Sn is largely precipitated from the solid solution in the matrix, which weakens the overall strength of the matrix during the creep process; second, as temperature and stress increase, the atoms are vibrated more fiercely by thermal energy, which results in a softening of the matrix and SnSb phase.
Study on stress distribution of SiC/Al composites based on microstructure models with microns and nanoparticles
Authors: Gao Zi-han , Gao Han-jun , Zhang Yi-du , Wu Qiong , Chen Shu-guang , Zhou Xin
Published: May 2022

The simulation model represents the microstructure that can accurately analyze and predict composites’ micro-stresses and mechanical properties. The conventional representative volume element (RVE) model can only contain one single-particle form. It makes that all the particles in the simulation model have the same shape, which is significantly different from actual particles. In the present study, four typical particle-modeling methods were adopted to establish geometric models to analyze the particle morphology and RVE size selection rules. Particles with the same granularity and similar volume were selected to generate RVE models with randomly distributed particles to predict the mechanical properties and analyze the micro-stress. The micro-stress distribution of the matrix and particles conformed to the rule of normal distribution, while the stress of the interphase does not conform to this law. The particle morphology has a negligible effect on the stress distribution of the matrix; however, it has a significant influence on the stress distribution of particles and interphases, especially during plastic deformation. Furthermore, the micro-stress of composites containing nanoparticles also conforms to the above law, but the stress of the interphase is more minor, and the stress of particles is more dispersed than composites with micron particles.
Effects of a Short-Term Heat Acclimation Protocol in Elite Amateur Boxers
Authors: Stone Brandon L. , Ashley John D. , Skinner Robert M. , Polanco Jose P. , Walters Mason T. , Schilling Brian K. , Kellawan J.M.
Published: May 2022

Stone, BL, Ashley, JD, Skinner, RM, Polanco, JP, Walters, MT, Schilling, BK, and Kellawan, JM. Effects of a short-term heat acclimation protocol in elite amateur boxers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—Boxing requires proficient technical and tactical skills coupled with high levels of physiological capacity. Although heat and humidity negatively affect acute exercise performance, short-term exercise training in hot and humid environments can lead to physiological adaptations that enhance exercise performance in both hot and thermoneutral conditions. In highly trained endurance athletes, exercise-induced acclimation can occur in as little as 5 days (known as short-term heat acclimation [STHA]). However, the impact of a 5-day heat acclimation (5-DayHA) in combat athletes, such as elite amateur boxers, is unknown. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether a 5-DayHA improves aerobic performance in a thermoneutral environment and causes positive physiological adaptations in elite boxers. Seven elite amateur boxers underwent a 5-DayHA protocol, consisting of 60-minute exercise sessions in an environmental chamber at 32 °C and 70% relative humidity. Repeat sprint test (RST) evaluated aerobic performance in a thermoneutral environment 24 hours before and after the 5-DayHA. Presession and postsession hydration status (urine specific gravity) and body mass were assessed. After a 5-DayHA period, boxers significantly improved RST performance (13 ± 7 to 19 ± 7 sprints, d = 0.92, p = 0.03) but not pre-exercise hydration status (1.02 ± 0.01 to 1.01 ± 0.01, d = 0.82, p = 0.07). Therefore, these findings suggest 5-DayHA enhances aerobic performance in elite-level amateur boxers and may provide a viable training option for elite combat athletes.
Effects of Vest and Sled Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint Performance in Young Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Fernández-Galván Luis Miguel , Casado Arturo , García-Ramos Amador , Haff Guy Gregory
Published: May 2022

Fernández-Galván, LM, Casado, A, García-Ramos, A, and Haff, GG. Effects of vest and sled resisted sprint training on sprint performance in young soccer players: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—The aim of the meta-analysis was to determine the effect of resisted sprint training (RST) on sprint performance in young (<20 years) soccer players and to analyze whether the training equipment (sled or vest) and magnitude of the resistive load (above or below 20% of body mass [BM]) influences the long-term adaptations in sprint performance. Resisted sprint training reduced the acceleration phase time [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.41], with greater reduction in sprint time occurring in response to applying resistance with a vest (SMD = −0.70) when compared with a sled (SMD = −0.27). Similar reductions were determined for resistive loads <20% (SMD = −0.55) and ≥20% of BM (SMD = −0.31). Full sprint time showed a small reduction after RST (SMD = −0.36), regardless of the training equipment (sled: SMD = −0.44; vest: SMD = −0.26) and resistive load (<20% of BM: SMD = −0.40 ≥ 20% of BM: SMD = −0.21). There was a small and nonsignificant reduction in the maximum-velocity phase after RST (SMD = −0.25), which was comparable when the training was performed with vest (SMD = −0.34) or sled (SMD = −0.22). No significant differences in the changes of the acceleration phase time (SMD = 0.05) or full sprint time (SMD = 0.08) were observed between the experimental (sled or vest RST) and control groups (only soccer or unresisted sprint training). In conclusion, RST is effective to improve sprint performance in young soccer players, but the improvements are not superior to unresisted sprint training.
Influences of crystallization time and molar composition of hydrogel on the preparation of sodalite, cancrinite and analcime
Authors:   Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Henan, 461000, China, Zhang X. , Jiang S. ,   Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Henan, 461000, China, Liu S. ,   Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Henan, 461000, China, Chen L. ,   Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Henan, 461000, China, Tong L. ,   Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Henan, 461000, China
Published: May 2022

Sodalite, cancrinite and analcime were synthesized via hydrothermal processes, the influences of crystallization time and molar composition of hydrogel on the crystalline end products were investigated. The results revealed that with the prolongation of crystallization time from 3 min to 80 min, the crystallization followed a sequence of phase transformations from amorphous to zeolite NaA, sodalite and cancrinite. Well-crystallized cancrinite crystals were achieved at Al2O3/SiO2 molar ratios of 0.12, 0.34 and 0.76. However, with the Al2O3/SiO2 molar ratio was increased to 0.95, pure-form sodalite was formed. A gradual increase in the crystallinity of cancrinite was observed with increasing H2O/SiO2 molar ratio, while too high H2O/SiO2 resulted in analcime generated. Also, when the Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios of the hydrogel were 0.70, 1.22 and 4.75, the corresponding products obtained were pure phases of analcime, cancrinite and sodalite, respectively
A rare case of insulinoma presenting with deep vein thrombosis, successfully treated with minimally invasive procedures including microwave ablation
Authors: Jayawickreme Kushalee Poornima , Muthukuda Dimuthu T , Kariyawasam Chithranga , Piyarisi Lalitha , Abeywickrama Buddhi A
Published: May 2022

Treatment of insulinoma can be challenging, while surgical resection is considered the first line. When surgery is contraindicated or is refused, minimally invasive procedures such as selective arterial embolization, local ablative techniques including alcohol ablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are being used of late. The world’s first microwave ablation of insulinoma was performed in 2015, after which there have been only a handful of reported cases. A 78-year-old female presented with painful swelling of the left lower limb. She was drowsy and was previously misdiagnosed as epilepsy when she had similar episodes since 2 years ago. She had hypoglycaemia with high serum insulin and C-peptide, and mildly high adjusted calcium, serum prolactin. MRI did not show pituitary adenoma. Lower limb venous duplex scan showed left lower limb deep vein thrombosis for which she was treated with anticoagulation. CT of the abdomen showed a tumour measuring 1.8 cm, located in the antero-superior aspect of the body of the pancreas, with the superior surface being abutted by the splenic artery and the inferior surface being 3 mm above the pancreatic duct, suggestive of an insulinoma. Selective transcatheter arterial embolization of the pancreatic tumour was attempted but was abandoned due to multiple small feeding arteries. Microwave ablation of the tumour was performed successfully. Since there was a possibility of the ablation being compromised due to the heat sink at the splenic artery, 2 mL of 99% alcohol was injected into the rim of the tumour near the artery. She was subsequently normoglycaemic. She defaulted follow up for repeat imaging of pancreas and screening for MEN1 syndrome due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minimally invasive procedures are preferred over surgery in selected patients with insulinoma, out of which microwave ablation could be preferentially recommended due to its efficacy and minimal complications. We report the first case of MWA performed in combination with AA in successfully treating insulinoma to our knowledge. This is also the first reported case of DVT associated with isolated insulinoma prior to intervention, though it is rarely reported in MEN1 syndrome.

Learning points

Novel therapeutic minimally invasive procedures are successful in treating selected cases of insulinoma.

Microwave ablation could be recommended preferentially over selective trans-arterial embolization, and radiofrequency ablation in treating insulinoma due to its efficacy and minimal complications.

We report the first case of microwave ablation performed in combination with alcohol ablation in successfully treating insulinoma to our knowledge.
Adrenal gland haemorrhages following motor vehicle accident with resultant adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Szwarcbard Naomi , Davis Anna , Bach Leon A , Hackman Kathryn
Published: May 2022

Adrenal gland haemorrhage is an uncommon, yet likely under-diagnosed complication of high-impact trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents (MVA). It usually occurs with multi-trauma and is associated with additional injuries to the ribs, liver, kidney, spleen and vertebrae. Trauma cases with resultant adrenal gland injury have higher mortality rates. Primary adrenal insufficiency as a result of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage is potentially fatal. We report three cases of life-threatening adrenal insufficiency following adrenal injuries sustained in MVA’s. Case 1 was a 60-year-old-male who presented with acute haemodynamic instability on admission. Case 2 was an 88-year-old female on anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, who developed haemodynamic instability 10 days into her admission. Case 3 was a 46-year-old male who developed hyponatraemia 2 weeks post-MVA. All were commenced on stress dose hydrocortisone replacement with improvement in clinical status. Only case 1 has had complete adrenal axis recovery, whereas the other patients remain on maintenance hydrocortisone replacement. Our cases demonstrate acute and subacute presentations of adrenal insufficiency following traumatic bilateral adrenal haemorrhages and highlight the importance of assessing adrenal morphology and function in any trauma patient with haemodynamic instability or hyponatraemia.

Learning points

Adrenal gland haemorrhage is an under-diagnosed consequence of high-impact trauma.

Trauma patients with adrenal haemorrhage have a significantly increased mortality risk.

Bilateral adrenal gland haemorrhage can result in life-threatening adrenal insufficiency requiring urgent glucocorticoid replacement.

Biochemical assessment of the adrenocortical axis should be considered in all patients presenting with high-impact trauma following motor vehicle accidents.

Given the potential for delayed presentation, any patients with new haemodynamic instability should have repeat biochemistry and/or imaging performed, even if initial adrenal imaging and investigations were normal.