bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementary Table 1 from Noninvasive Lung Cancer Subtype Classification Using Tumor-Derived Signatures and cfDNA Methylome
Authors: Li Shuo , Li Wenyuan , Liu Bin , Krysan Kostyantyn , Dubinett Steven M.
Published: August 2024

Clinical information of the tissue and blood samples
Supplementary Materials and Methods from The Effect of Exposure to Neighborhood Violence on Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling in Lung Tumors
Authors: Heath Hannah , Yoo Jin Y. , Akter Sabrina , Jain Atharva , Sharma Vani , McGee Hannah , Soliman Aiman , Mahmoud Abeer M. , Matthews Alicia K. , Winn Robert A. , Madak-Erdogan Zeynep , Kim Sage J.
Published: August 2024

Supplementary methods, expanded version of sequencing methodology.
Figure S5 from Mathematical Modeling of Tumor Growth in Preclinical Mouse Models with Applications in Biomarker Discovery and Drug Mechanism Studies
Authors: Zhou Huajun , Mao Binchen , Guo Sheng
Published: August 2024

Figure S5
Figure S2 from Mathematical Modeling of Tumor Growth in Preclinical Mouse Models with Applications in Biomarker Discovery and Drug Mechanism Studies
Authors: Zhou Huajun , Mao Binchen , Guo Sheng
Published: August 2024

Figure S2
Impact of a Stage-Based Classification on the Incidence of Fetal Growth Restriction, Preterm Birth Rates, and Birthweight in a Rural Community of Central India
Authors: Sharma Lalit Kishore , Choorakuttil Rijo Mathew , Nirmalan Praveen Kumar
Published: August 2024

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the stage-based classification of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on the magnitude of FGR, preterm births (PTBs), and birthweight (BW) in a rural population of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Methods: The program covered 168 public sector centers for pregnant women and infants that provided services to nearly 220,000 people. The third-trimester assessments included fetal biometry, growth and environment assessments, and Doppler assessments. Fetal growth was staged using the Barcelona protocol as stages 1–4 FGR, small for gestational age, and no FGR. The data from the last ultrasound assessment before childbirth were considered. Regular training programs covering preconception care, antenatal and postnatal care were organized in the local language for the public sector community health workers of the program district. Childbirth outcomes were collected from the obstetric service of the local public sector hospital. Results: The analysis included 1,229 pregnancies from 2019 to 2023. The overall magnitude of FGR using estimated fetal weight <10th centile was 19.61% and reduced to 13.34% with the stage-based classification. The magnitude of FGR using the stage-based classification reduced from 27.59% in 2019 to 8.95% in 2023. The PTB in the stage-based FGR subgroup declined from 35.0% in 2019 to 3.45% in 2023 and 96.55% of the stage 1 FGR babies in 2023 were delivered at term. The overall mean BW in the program area improved from 2,772.41 (357.11) g in 2019 to 2,819.68 (377.31) g in 2023. The perinatal mortality rate (8.95 per 1,000 pregnancies) in the program area for 2019–2023 was much lower than the 31.9 per 1,000 pregnancies reported for Madhya Pradesh. Conclusion: The change to a stage-based classification of FGR integrated with low-dose aspirin and fetal Doppler studies reduced the incidence of FGR and PTB and perinatal mortality and increased BW in this rural community.
Patient Characteristics, Diagnostic Testing Utilization, and Antifungal Prescribing Pattern for Onychomycosis in the USA: A Cohort Study Using DataDerm, 2016–2022
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Wang Tong , Tran Anh N.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Onychomycosis is a complex nail disease that is commonly seen in daily practice. Methods: Electronic health records of clinically diagnosed onychomycosis patients were extracted using DataDerm – a dermatology data registry hosted by the American Academy of Dermatology – spanning from the year 2016 to 2022. Results: Regardless of age, an increasing trend in patient volume was observed in the Southern US region, which accounted for 50.7–56.9% of onychomycosis patients in 2022. A coinfection of tinea pedis was present among 15.6–22.5% of patients. Diagnostic testing was infrequently utilized with less than one-quarter of patients having a histopathologic examination (12.7–21.9%) followed by fungal culture (5.5–8.2%) and direct microscopic examination (3.3–6.0%). Treatments were infrequently prescribed, accounting for less than one-quarter of patients (orals, terbinafine: 20.8–29.1%, fluconazole: 12.9–16.5%; topicals, efinaconazole: 3.2–13.8%); over 30% of treated patients received a combination regimen or experienced switching of treatments. Prescribing patterns did not significantly differ in vulnerable patient groups such as elderly patients and in patients with concomitant tinea pedis. Patients receiving a topical and/or oral antifungal prescription were frequently not tested to confirm the onychomycosis diagnosis (76.9%). Conclusion: Our findings add to a growing body of literature calling for the improvement of onychomycosis management practices.
Myeloproliferative Neoplasmen: Aktuelle Übersicht und molekulare Landschaft
Authors: Mahmud Muftah , Vasireddy Swati , Gowin Krisstina , Amaraneni Akshay
Published: August 2024

Myelofibrose (MF), myeloproliferative Neoplasien (MPN) und myelodysplastisches Syndrom (MDS)/MPN-Überlappungssyndrome haben eine breite Palette klinischer Präsentationen und molekularer Anomalien, was ihre Diagnose und Klassifizierung komplex macht. Diese Arbeit untersucht molekulare Aberrationen, epigenetische Modifikationen, Chromosomenanomalien und ihre Wechselwirkungen mit zellulären und anderen Immunmechanismen in den Manifestationen dieser Krankheitsspektren sowie klinische Merkmale, Klassifizierungen und Behandlungsmodalitäten. Mit dem Aufkommen der neuartigen Sequenzierungsmethoden hat sich das Verständnis der beteiligten genetischen Faktoren erweitert. Während jedoch bei der pharmakologischen Behandlung dieser Krankheiten große Fortschritte gemacht wurden, verharrt die Behandlung fortgeschrittener Krankheiten bei der hämatopoetischen Stammzelltransplantation.
(Re)construcción de identidades de género en jóvenes en comunidades de videojuegos
Authors: Alabau-Tejada Nuria , Gómez-Sota Fátima , García-Ull Francisco José
Published: August 2024

(analytical) Among the different digital leisure platforms, video games are one of the primary entertainment environments for young people. Video games generate new ways of socializing in digital communities through which gender identities are (re)constructed. This article presents the results of a qualitative study carried out using focus groups with Generation Z university students in Spain. The data analysis identified the different forms of socializing between genders that occur in video game communities, specifically how players choose characters/skins to construct identities that are either different to their offline gender or reproduce it. The persistence of stereotypes assigned to female characters, which is visible in the collected data, was notable. Finally, participants highlighted the possibility of these platforms becoming new, more plural and inclusive social spaces.
РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЯ ДІТЕЙ З ІНВАЛІДНІСТЮ: МЕДИКО-СОЦІАЛЬНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА СІМ'Ї
Authors: Школьник М. Б. , Михальчук В. М.
Published: August 2024

Мета: аналіз медико-соціальної характеристики сім’ї в дітей, які проходили реабілітаційне відновлення з приводу інвалідності при порушеннях опорно-рухового апарату, на основі даних анкетування батьків.
Матеріали і методи. Проводили опитування 280 батьків для оцінки  соціально-психологічної, корекційно-педагогічної та фізичної реабілітації дітей з інвалідністю, хворих на дитячий церебральний параліч та з іншими ураженнями центральної нервової системи з порушеннями опорно-рухового апарату із залученням мультидисциплінарної бригади реабілітологів. В анкету включено низку питань, що стосуються соціальної та медичної характеристики дитини, відомості про батьків, соціального стану сім’ї тощо.
Результати. Під спостереженням знаходилось 280 дітей віком від 4 до 14 років, з інвалідністю по дитячому церебральному паралічу та іншими ураженнями центральної нервової системи. Кожна  дитина отримала 10 комплексних занять згідно зі стандартом надання соціальних послуг. Реабілітаційний захід включав проведення таких занять, як: фізична реабілітація, заняття з корекції мови та мовлення, заняття корекційного педагога, заняття з психологом  та групові заняття: сюжетно-рольові та дидактичні ігри. Було опитано 280 респондентів. Ключову аудиторію складали батьки (законні представники) дітей, що проходили відновну терапію. Встановлено, що шкідливі звички до вагітності відмічали 69,3 % матерів та 73,2 % батьків дітей з інвалідністю. Шкідливі умови праці фіксували 21,8 % матерів та 13,9 % батьків зазначених дітей.
Висновок. Отримані дані свідчать, що оптимальний вибір індивідуальної програми реабілітації дитини з інвалідністю при функціонуванні організаційної моделі реабілітації за участю  мультидисциплінарної команди спеціалістів має відбуватися при залученні сім’ї, з урахуванням її медико-соціального статусу.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ НАРОДЖУВАНОСТІ ТА СМЕРТНОСТІ ДІТЕЙ ДО 1 РОКУ В УКРАЇНІ ТА ЛЬВІВСЬКІЙ ОБЛАСТІ В КОНТЕКСТІ СТРАТЕГІЇ ВДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ НЕОНАТОЛОГІЧНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ НАСЕЛЕННЮ
Authors: Любінець О. В. , Децик М. О.
Published: August 2024

Мета: аналіз рівня народжуваності, коефіцієнта сумарної народжуваності, смертності немовлят, у т. ч. у нео­натальному періоді в Україні та Львівській області, як основа для стратегічного планування організації медичної допомоги вагітним, породіллям та новонародженим.
Матеріали і методи. Матеріалом дослідження слугували дані Державної служби статистики України серед населення України та Львівської області за 2018–2020 рр., а саме медико-демографічні показники: народжуваність та коефіцієнт сумарної народжуваності, смертність немовлят, у т. ч. у віці 0–27 днів. Методи розвідки: демографічний, медичної статистики, статистичного порівняння та узагальнення.
Результати. Встановлено регіональні особливості досліджених показників. У Львівській області спостерігається: більший рівень народжуваності і нижчий ступінь зменшення загального коефіцієнта народжуваності та інтенсивності дітонародження, водночас із більш вираженим «зсувом» народжуваності в сторону «постаріння»; зростання показника смертності дітей у віці до 1 року з перевищенням середньоукраїнського рівня і вищою часткою смертності з приводу окремих станів, що виникають у перинатальному періоді; зростання показника смертності немовлят із приводу природжених вад розвитку, деформацій та хромосомних аномалій, в Україні ж відбулося його зниження; значне збільшення смертності немовлят від деяких інфекційних і паразитарних хвороб, особливо серед хлопчиків.  Смертність немовлят у неонатальному періоді в Україні та Львівській області у 2018–2020 рр. засвідчила протилежні тенденції: в Україні при нижчих показниках відбулося її зростання, а у Львівській області – зниження.
Висновок. Стратегію вдосконалення неонатологічної допомоги населенню України необхідно формувати з урахуванням регіональних особливостей та передбачати вирішення проблем, які пов’язані з демографічними процесами та соціально-економічними питаннями (особливостями умов проживання населення, організацією медичної допомоги новонародженим та немовлятам, у т. ч. роботою центрів експертного та регіонального неонатального скринінгу).
Restrictive Versus Liberal Transfusion in Patients With Type 1 or Type 2 Myocardial Infarction: A Prespecified Analysis of the MINT Trial
Authors: DeFilippis Andrew P. , Abbott J. Dawn , Herbert Brandon M. , Bertolet Marnie H. , Chaitman Bernard R. , White Harvey D. , Goldsweig Andrew M. , Polonsky Tamar S. , Gupta Rajesh , Alsweiler Caroline , Silvain Johanne , de Barros e Silva Pedro G.M. , Hillis Graham S. , Daneault Benoit , Tessalee Meechai , Menegus Mark A. , Rao Sunil V. , Lopes Renato D. , Hébert Paul C. , Alexander John H. , Brooks Maria M. , Carson Jeffrey L. , Goodman Shaun G. ,   for the MINT Investigators
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

The MINT trial (Myocardial Ischemia and Transfusion) raised concern for harm from a restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and anemia. Type 1 and type 2 MI are distinct pathophysiologic entities that may respond differently to blood transfusion. This analysis sought to determine whether the effects of transfusion varied among patients with a type 1 or a type 2 MI and anemia. The authors hypothesized that the liberal transfusion strategy would be of greater benefit in type 2 than in type 1 MI.

METHODS:

The authors compared rates of death or MI at 30 days in patients with type 1 (n=1460) and type 2 (n=1955) MI and anemia who were randomly allocated to a restrictive (threshold, 7–8 g/dL) or a liberal (threshold, 10 g/dL) transfusion strategy.

RESULTS:

The primary outcome of death or MI was observed in 16% of type 1 MI and 15.4% of type 2 MI patients. The rate of death or MI was higher in patients with type 1 MI randomized to a restrictive (18.2%) versus liberal (13.8%) transfusion strategy (relative risk [RR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.04–1.67]) with no difference observed between the restrictive (15.8%) and liberal (15.1%) transfusion strategies in patients with type 2 MI (RR, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.85–1.29]). The test for a differential effect of transfusion strategy by MI type was not statistically significant (
P
interaction
= 0.16).

CONCLUSIONS:

The concern for harm with a restrictive transfusion strategy in patients with acute MI and anemia raised in the MINT primary outcome manuscript may be more apparent in patients with type 1 than type 2 MI.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02981407.
Trajectory of Cognitive Decline After Incident Heart Failure Hospitalization: Findings From the REGARDS Study
Authors: Sterling Madeline R. , Ringel Joanna Bryan , Safford Monika M. , Goyal Parag , Khodneva Yulia , McClure Leslie A. , Durant Raegan W. , Jacob Alexandra E. , Levitan Emily B.
Published: August 2024

Background

Cognitive impairment is common among adults with heart failure (HF) and associated with poor outcomes. However, less is known about the trajectory of cognitive decline after a first HF hospitalization. We examined the rate of cognitive decline among adults with incident HF hospitalization compared with those without HF hospitalization.

Methods and Results

The REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study is a prospective longitudinal study of 23 894 participants aged ≥45 years free of HF at baseline. HF hospitalization was expert adjudicated. Changes in global cognitive function (primary outcome) were assessed with the Six‐Item Screener (range, 0–6). Secondary outcomes included change in Word List Learning (range, 0–30), Word List Delayed Recall (WLD; range, 0–10), and Animal Fluency Test (range, 0+). Segmented linear mixed‐effects regression models were used. Over 5 years, mean scores across all 4 cognitive tests declined for all participants regardless of HF status. Those with incident HF hospitalization experienced faster declines in the Six‐Item Screener versus those who were HF free (difference, −0.031 [95% CI, −0.047 to −0.016];
P
<0.001), a finding that persisted in fully adjusted models. Those with incident HF hospitalization did not experience faster declines in Word List Learning, Word List Delayed Recall, or Animal Fluency Test scores compared with those without HF hospitalization. Participants with hospitalization for HF with preserved, compared with reduced, ejection fraction had faster decline in Animal Fluency Test.

Conclusions

Global cognitive decline occurred faster among adults with incident HF hospitalization compared with those who remained free of HF hospitalization. This pattern was not seen for the other cognitive domains.
Proteomic Correlates and Prognostic Significance of Kidney Injury in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Salman Oday , Zhao Lei , Cohen Jordana B. , Dib Marie Joe , Azzo Joe David , Gan Sushrima , Richards A. Mark , Pourmussa Bianca , Doughty Rob , Javaheri Ali , Mann Douglas L. , Rietzschel Ernst , Zhao Manyun , Wang Zhaoqing , Ebert Christina , van Empel Vanessa , Kammerhoff Karl , Maranville Joseph , Gogain Joseph , Dennis Jaclyn , Schafer Peter H. , Seiffert Dietmar , Gordon David A. , Ramirez‐Valle Francisco , Cappola Thomas P. , Chirinos Julio A.
Published: August 2024

Background

Kidney disease is common in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the biologic correlates and prognostic significance of kidney injury (KI), in HFpEF, beyond the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), are unclear.

Methods and Results

Using baseline plasma samples from the TOPCAT (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist) trial, we measured the following KI biomarkers: cystatin‐C, fatty acid‐binding protein‐3, Beta‐2 microglobulin, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin, and kidney‐injury molecule‐1. Factor analysis was used to extract the common variability underlying these biomarkers. We assessed the relationship between the KI‐factor score and the risk of death or HF‐related hospital admission in models adjusted for the Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score and eGFR. We also assessed the relationship between the KI factor score and ~5000 plasma proteins, followed by pathway analysis. We validated our findings among HFpEF participants in the Penn Heart Failure Study. KI was associated with the risk of death or HF‐related hospital admission independent of the Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score and eGFR. Both the risk score and eGFR were no longer associated with death or HF‐related hospital admission after adjusting for the KI factor score. KI was predominantly associated with proteins and biologic pathways related to complement activation, inflammation, fibrosis, and cholesterol homeostasis. KI was associated with 140 proteins, which reproduced across cohorts. Findings regarding biologic associations and the prognostic significance of KI were also reproduced in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

KI is associated with adverse outcomes in HFpEF independent of baseline eGFR. Patients with HFpEF and KI exhibit a plasma proteomic signature indicative of complement activation, inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired cholesterol homeostasis.
Clonal Hematopoiesis Is Associated With Long‐Term Adverse Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Ninni Sandro , Vicario Rocio , Coisne Augustin , Woitrain Eloise , Tazibet Amine , Stewart Caitlin M. , Diaz Luis A. , White James Robert , Koussa Mohammed , Dubrulle Henri , Juthier Francis , Jungling Marie , Vincentelli André , Edme Jean‐Louis , Nattel Stanley , de Winther Menno , Geissmann Frederic , Dombrowicz David , Staels Bart , Montaigne David
Published: August 2024

Background

Cardiac surgery triggers sterile innate immune responses leading to postoperative complications. Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is associated with short‐term inflammation‐mediated outcomes after cardiac surgery. The impact of CH on long‐term postoperative outcomes remains unknown.

Methods and Results

In this cohort study, patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included from January 2017 to September 2019. Patients were screened for CH using a predefined gene panel of 19 genes. Recorded clinical events were all‐cause death, major adverse cardiac and cerebral events including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or nonscheduled coronary revascularization, stroke, and hospitalization for acute heart failure. The primary study outcome was time to a composite criterion including all‐cause mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events. Among 314 genotyped patients (median age: 67 years; interquartile range 59–74 years), 139 (44%) presented with CH, based on a variant allelic frequency ≥1%. Carriers of CH had a higher proportion of patients with a history of atrial fibrillation (26% for CH versus 17% for non‐CH carriers,
P
=0.022). The most frequently mutated genes were
DNMT3A
,
TET2
, and
ASXL1
. After a median follow‐up of 1203 [813–1435] days, the primary outcome occurred in 50 patients. After multivariable adjustment, CH was independently associated with a higher risk for the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.05–3.41],
P
=0.035). Most adverse events occurred in patients carrying
TET2
variants.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, CH is frequent and associated with a 2‐fold increased long‐term risk for major adverse clinical outcomes. CH is a novel risk factor for long‐term postcardiac surgery complications and might be useful to personalize management decisions.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03376165.
Mavacamten for Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Rationale for Clinically Guided Dose Titration to Optimize Individual Response
Authors: Owens Anjali T. , Desai Milind , Wheeler Matthew T. , Rodonski Anna , Merali Samira , Sehnert Amy J. , Saberi Sara
Published: August 2024

Mavacamten is the first and only cardiac myosin inhibitor approved in 5 continents for the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association class II and III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. An evidence‐based rationale was used to develop individualized mavacamten dosing, guided by commonly used clinical parameters. Echocardiography is recommended as part of routine clinical assessment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradient and LV ejection fraction are parameters that can be readily assessed and monitored by echocardiography. Therefore, an echocardiography‐based, clinically guided dose‐titration strategy was developed to optimize patient benefit from mavacamten for the treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while minimizing the risk of LV ejection fraction reduction. Results from clinical trials paired with extensive modeling and simulation analyses support a dose‐titration and monitoring strategy based on serial echocardiographic measures of Valsalva LV outflow tract gradient and LV ejection fraction. This dosing approach allows for the identification of the lowest individualized mavacamten dose and exposure required to provide improvements in LV outflow tract obstruction, functional capacity, and symptoms. Mavacamten is primarily metabolized by CYP2C19 (cytochrome P450 2C19), and CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotype has an effect on mavacamten exposure. Therefore, this approach has also been demonstrated to provide a favorable safety profile irrespective of patients' CYP2C19 metabolizer status. The dose‐titration strategy includes additional considerations for the potential onset of systolic dysfunction in the context of intercurrent illness, and for the potential of drug–drug interactions with inhibitors and substrates of cytochrome P450 enzymes. This posology is reflected in the mavacamten US prescribing information.
Atrial Imaging and Cardiac Rhythm in Cryptogenic Embolic Stroke: The ARIES Study
Authors: Rigual Ricardo , Castrejón‐Castrejón Sergio , Fernández‐Gassó Lucía , García‐Castro Jesús , Rodríguez‐Pardo Jorge , Martínez‐Cossiani Marcel , de Celis‐Ruiz Elena , Casado‐Fernández Laura , Hervás Carlos , Alonso‐López Elisa , Alonso de Leciñana María , Díez‐Tejedor Exuperio , Pérez‐David Esther , Ruiz‐Ares Gerardo , Merino José L. , Fuentes Blanca
Published: August 2024

Background

Unknown cardioembolic sources are frequent causes of cryptogenic stroke. We analyzed the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) or high burden of ectopic atrial activity (HBEA) in patients with cryptogenic stroke, assessing atrial function and 1‐year outcomes.

Methods and Results

The ARIES (Atrial Imaging and Cardiac Rhythm in Cryptogenic Embolic Stroke) study is an observational study including patients with cryptogenic stroke. We analyzed the frequency of AF and HBEA (>3000 atrial ectopic beats/day or >2 bursts or atrial tachycardia between 3 beats and ≤30 seconds) in two 30‐day Holter‐ECGs, comparing advanced echocardiography signs of left atrial (LA) dysfunction according to rhythm: AF, HBEA, and normal sinus rhythm. We also evaluated 1‐year stroke recurrence and mortality. The study included 109 patients; 35 (32.1%) patients had AF, 27 (24.8%) HBEA, and 47 (43.1%) normal sinus rhythm. Compared with those with normal sinus rhythm, patients with AF presented higher 2‐dimensional and 3‐dimensional LA indexed volumes (38.8±11.2 versus 27.3±11.8 mL/m
2
, and 50.6±17.2 versus 34.0±15.4 mL/m
2
, respectively,
P
<0.001), lower 3‐dimensional LA ejection fraction (50±14.6 versus 62.7±11.8,
P
=0.001), LA reservoir strain (22.0±8.6 versus 30.4±10.5,
P
<0.001), and LA contraction strain (10.5±8.18 versus 17.1±7.5,
P
<0.001), remaining significant in multivariate analysis. Patients with HBEA showed higher LA indexed volumes and lower LA reservoir strain than patients with normal sinus rhythm only in univariate analysis. There were no differences in ischemic recurrence or mortality among the groups.

Conclusions

Patients with cryptogenic stroke showed a high incidence of AF and HBEA. AF is strongly related to LA volume, LA function, and LA reservoir and contraction strain, whereas HBEA showed milder structural changes. Advanced LA echocardiography could help patient selection for long‐term ECG monitoring in suspected cardiac sources.
Second Try's a Charm: The Impact of Financial Aid Policy on Course Retaking Behavior for Low Income Students
Authors: Sovero Veronica , Griffith Amanda L.
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we examine the impact of a change to federal financial aid policy that gave aided students increased access to course retaking. Prior to Fall 2011, students receiving federal financial aid could not count repeated coursework towards their full-time enrollment count, despite many universities rolling out course retaking and grade forgiveness policies for their students. We use administrative records from San Francisco State University to examine how the 2011 federal financial aid policy change affected student outcomes for Pell Grant recipients. We find that the policy change led Pell-eligible students to be 3 percentage points more likely to repeat a course in which they earned a D grade on the initial attempt (approximately a 14 percent increase). We also find evidence that Pell-eligible students were more likely to attempt and earn higher credit hours after the policy change. However, despite this finding, there is no accompanying improvement in academic standing or increase in continued enrollment after the policy change. Results suggest that the policy may have influenced Pell-eligible students to take “riskier” classes with higher failure rates in science, technology, engineering, and math and business.
Navigating Firestorms: The Imperative of Conflict-Intelligent Leadership in a Turbulent World
Authors: Coleman Peter T.
Published: August 2024

This article offers a novel framework for conceptualizing conflict-intelligent leadership, which builds on evidence-based practices for constructive conflict resolution but extends and enhances them with new insights and strategies gleaned from complexity science. It argues that the development of conflict intelligence (CIQ) requires a broadening of one’s orientation to conflict across four levels: from a focus on and awareness of the self (implicit beliefs, emotional reactions, and ability to self-regulate), to a focus on social dynamics (interpersonal, intergroup, and moral conflict dynamics), as well as situational dynamics (conflicts in fundamentally different contexts), and ultimately to a focus on the broader systemic forces that may determine and be determined by more entrenched conflicts. The article defines CIQ, outlines the competencies and skills conducive to increasing it at each level, and offers a set of “toolkits,” with links to relevant resources such as online assessments, “just-in-time” apps, and popular articles. The aim of this article is to offer leaders a road map; a common vision, language, and skill set for navigating our often dizzying, contentious new world.
A Translation Note on Pseudo-Seneca, Her. O. 1907
Authors: Noussia Eirene Evdokia
Published: August 2024

The passage from pseudo-Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus 1905-1908 describes how Hercules briefly replaced the Titan Atlas in his duties supporting the Sky. However, the poet refers to Olympus, characterizing it with an epithet that does not belong to a mountain but to the sky. In this way an equation is created between these two places, mountain and sky. What is noteworthy in the passage of pseudo-Seneca, however, is not the general use of Olympus as a synonym for the sky, but the use of a designation of the sky for Olympus that completes the image of the identification of Olympus with the sky. Such mixing of adjectives is and remains rare as evidenced by the intertextual analysis attempted in the article. Moreover, mythology also mentions that Atlas holds the heavens forever (Hesiod, Vergil). It therefore follows that verse 1907 should be translated as ‘of the starry sky’ and not ‘of starry Olympus’.
Reflections on the Role of Fairness for the Sources of International Law
Authors: Kwiecień Roman
Published: August 2024

The paper discusses the relationship between the sources of international law and fairness. The author addresses this issue within the framework the following main question: what is the role of fairness for the formal sources of international law? By analysing the relationship between fairness and the formal sources of international law, the author also responds to two other, substantively relevant, questions: is the typology of these sources listed in Article 38 of the Statute of the ICJ fair?; is soft law a means to fairness in the sources? The author claims that fairness is neither a material nor formal source of international law but it is a procedural value which supports the legitimacy of the making of international law. Thus, it is relevant to the formal, not material, sources of international law. The term ‘formal sources’ is used in the paper in the twofold meaning. First, as instrumentum or ‘containers’ for rules and principles (where the law can be found), and, second, as processes and forms by which rules and principles are made. The author’s proposition is that fairness is primary relevant to the latter meaning. When the international law-making processes are fair, then their results, i.e., the formal sources conceived as instrumentum or ‘containers’ are also fair, and the law may be known. Rules and principles of international law are fair when they satisfy the requirements of a fair international law-making process, in particular, certainty, transparency and authoritativeness/representativeness. That is why, fairness may be seen as a crucial criterion of the legitimacy of international law-making processes. There are close relationships between fairness, law-making, legal certainty, effectiveness of rules and principles and the rule of law. These relationships mark the place of fairness in the sources of international law. The author seeks to point out that fairness as a product of the constantly changing social and political environment, does not occur in its pure form in practice. As such, fairness is a ‘matter of degree’ in the international law-making. That is why, a realistic goal of the international legal order is neutralization of unfairness as much as possible.
A new Plecia Wiedemann from the Oligocene of Lubéron (France) (Diptera: Bibionidae)
Authors: NEL ANDRÉ , NEL PATRICIA , GARROUSTE ROMAIN
Published: August 2024

The Bibionidae Newman, 1834, or march flies, are very frequent in the Oligocene lacustrine formations from France and Germany (Skartveit & Nel, 2017; Skartveit & Wedmann, 2021). In some places (e.g., Aix-en-Provence), they dominate the insect assemblages in term of number of specimens. The most frequent genera are Bibio Geoffroy, 1762 and Plecia Wiedemann, 1828. The proportions between the Bibioninae Newman, 1834 and Pleciinae Duda, 1930 can be used to estimate the variations in temperature in the area (Collomb et al., 2008).
First female of Eomeropidae (Mecoptera) from Kachin amber sheds light on morphology and environmental preferences of eomeropids in the Cretaceous
Authors: KACZMAREK SZYMON , LI LING-WEI , SOSZYŃSKA AGNIESZKA
Published: August 2024

Family Eomeropidae is a relict and species-poor family of scorpionflies (Mecoptera), encompassing 16 species within seven genera. Although this family was more diverse in the past, with nine species known from the Mesozoic and six from the Cenozoic (Cockerell, 1909; Ponomarenko & Rasnitsyn, 1974; Archibald et al., 2005; Ren & Shih, 2005; Zhang et al., 2011; Soszyńska-Maj et al., 2016; Archibald & Rasnitsyn, 2018; Bashkuev & Jarzembowski, 2023), only one extant species exists today: Notiothauma reedi MacLachlan, 1877, found in the rainforests of southwestern Chile (Table 1). Notably, this species does not exhibit the typical appearance of a scorpionfly; rather, it resembles a cockroach, with a flattened body, with dense venation on heavily sclerotized wings, and robust, spined legs adapted for ground-dwelling activities such as burrowing in soil, litter, and beneath bark. An apomorphy of the wing venation in this species is the close proximity of the radial vein bifurcation and the medial vein, termed the ‘eomeropid triadic branch’.
Image Multi-threshold Segmentation Based on an Ameliorated Harmony Search Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Shu Xiuteng , Tang Xiangmeng
Published: August 2024

Image segmentation is the basis and premise of image processing, though traditional multi-threshold image segmentation methods are simple and effective, they suffer the problems of low accuracy and slow convergence rate. For that reason, this paper introduces the multi-threshold image segmentation scheme by combining the harmony search (HS) optimization algorithm and the maximum between-class variance (Otsu) to solve them. Firstly, to further improve the performance of the basic HS, an ameliorated harmony search (AHS) is put forward by modifying the generation method of the new harmony improvisation and introducing a convergence coefficient. Secondly, the AHS algorithm, which takes the maximum between-class variance as its objective function, namely AHS-Otsu, is applied to image multi-level threshold segmentation. Finally, six test images are selected to verify the multilevel segmentation performance of AHS-Otsu. Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) are two commonly used metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of image segmentation, which are both used in this article. Comprehensive experimental results indicate that the AHS-Otsu does not only has fast segmentation processing speed, but also can obtain more accurate segmentation performance than others, which prove the effectiveness and potential of the AHS-Otsu algorithm in the field of image segmentation especially for the multi-threshold.
Rice Farmgate Price Estimation and Collection Modality in Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Hailu Addisu
Published: August 2024

The main aim of this analysis to estimate minimum farmgate price for paddy rice and to indicate paddy rice collection modalities from farmers and provide an overview of current rice production status in Oromia. Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most stable foods and expected to contribute to ensuring food security in Ethiopia. The success of rice production depends somewhat on its high yield potential, processing technologies and marketing facilities. Improving rice production and productivity as well as facilitating its processing and marketing access is therefore one of a key part of the economic growth strategies in the Oromia government’s food self-sufficiency initiatives. Both local production and import are the two key sources of rice grain supply and meet consumption demand of Oromia people. Consumption trends in Oromia as well as in Ethiopia have shown a substantial increase from time to time. Using a quantitative secondary data and a review of existing literature, this study provides an overview of the rice production and estimating the farmgate price of paddy rice. The study stresses the need for estimation of farmgate price, formulation of rice processing technologies and market-enhancing policies, such as supplying and installing rice processing technologies, better access to market facilities and market information and to improve rice productivity.
An Empirical Study on Online and Offline Blended Teaching Mode of College English Reading Teaching
Authors: Li Zhang
Published: August 2024

Online and offline blended teaching mode is a new teaching mode which is in line with the needs of college English teaching reform and can effectively stimulate students’ interest in English learning. In college Engligh teaching, the improvement of reading ability is crucial for students to acquire knowledge. Moreover, English reading ability is the premise of developing other language skills. College English reading teaching has achieved a certain success at present, but there are still a lot of problems. For some students, their reading ability is still low, and their analytical ability is poor, which are not conducive to improve students’ listening, speaking, writing and translation abilities. Due to these problems, with the guidance of production-oriented approach (POA), this paper makes an empirical study on online and offline blended teaching mode of college English reading teaching for non-English majors in our university by means of data analysis and questionnaire survey. This paper tries to explore the following questions: 1) Whether online and offline blended teaching mode can improve English reading ability of non-English majors? 2) Does online and offline blended teaching mode affect students’ learning motivation, learning attitude and learning behavior? 3) What are the advantages of online and offline blended teaching mode? Through the study, it is found that online and offline blended teaching mode of college English reading teaching can effectively stimulate students’ interest in English learning and improve their English academic performance. On the other hand, it is also found that online and offline blended teaching mode has higher requirements for teachers’ teaching ability. This study has practical significance for improving online and offline blended teaching mode of college English reading teaching and enhancing the reading ability of non-English majors.
Pure Metastatic Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Without Renal Mass: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Enes Pay , Hacibey Ibrahim , Yentur Serhat , Sonmez Salih , Semercioz Atilla
Published: August 2024

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common solid lesion in the kidney and accounts for approximately 90% of all kidney malignancies. Metastasis usually occurs a few years after the diagnosis of RCC, but metastases can be seen at first presentation in some patients. Pure metastasis of RCC without kidney lesions is an extremely rare seen entity. Herein, we aimed to present a pure metastatic RCC (mRCC) in several lymph nodes without a kidney mass. A 41-year-old male was diagnosed with multiple lymphadenopathies based on imaging conducted after a work accident. No other lesion was detected. An excisional biopsy was performed on the supraclavicular lymph node. Histopathological examination of sample revealed a Type 2 papillary RCC metastasis. No primary lesion was observed in both kidneys in CT/MRI imaging. As a result, the patient was diagnosed as a pure metastatic papillary RCC and sunitinib treatment was started. After the treatment, metastatic lesions regressed, however, patient died due to COVID-19. In the literature, mRCC of unknown primary represents an aggressive metastatic malignancy and can be considered a poor prognostic factor in itself. However, in some cases as such in our patient, appropriate treatment could be beneficial in terms of metastatic regression. Pure metastatic RCC has been reported with only case reports and series. The treatment and prognosis in these patients are heterogeneous.
An Active Learning Semantic Segmentation Model Based on an Improved Double Deep Q-Network
Authors: Yu Yan
Published: August 2024

Image semantic segmentation is essential in fields such as computer vision, autonomous driving, and human-computer interaction due to its ability to accurately identify and classify each pixel in an image. However, this task is fraught with challenges, including the difficulty of obtaining detailed pixel labels and the problem of class imbalance in segmentation datasets. These challenges can hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of segmentation models. To address these issues, we propose an active learning semantic segmentation model named CG_D3QN, which is designed and implemented based on an enhanced Double Deep Q-Network (D3QN). The proposed CG_D3QN model incorporates a hybrid network structure that combines a dueling network architecture with Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs). This novel approach improves policy evaluation accuracy and computational efficiency by mitigating a Q-value overestimation and making better use of historical state information. Our experiments, conducted on the CamVid and Cityscapes datasets, reveal that the CG_D3QN model significantly reduces the number of required sample annotations by 65.0% compared to traditional methods. Additionally, it enhances the mean Intersection over Union (IoU) for underrepresented categories by approximately 1% to 3%. These results highlight the model’s effectiveness in lowering annotation costs, addressing class imbalance, and its versatility across different segmentation networks.
Public Debt Management and Economic Growth in Sierra Leone (1973-2022)
Authors: Hadji Sylvester , Ganawah Mohamed
Published: August 2024

Sierra Leone is a small developing country that continues to encounter enormous public debt challenges, principally as a result of inadequate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and imprudent debt management. The country’s current debt-to-GDP ratio stands at 78.70%. The study investigates and analyses the impact of public debt on economic growth in Sierra Leone for the period 1973-2022. The study employs time series secondary data which were collected from various sources including the Central Bank of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Finance. Key macroeconomic variables such as external debt stock-to-GDP ratio and domestic debt stock-to-GDP ratio were specified in the models employed in this study. The variables were tested for stationarity using unit root tests before applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach in running the regression with a view to ascertaining both short run and long run effects of public debt on economic growth in Sierra Leone. Various diagnostic tests were carried out to appraise the robustness of the estimated growth equations using appropriate econometric criteria. The study empirically reveals a negative impact of public debt (both domestic and external) on economic growth in Sierra Leone both in the short run and in the long run. Furthermore, the study reveals that in order to ensure effective public debt management in Sierra Leone, there must be effective management of capital projects financed by public debt and to ensure stable exchange rates to reduce cost of financing debt. The study, therefore, proffers strategic recommendations in line with the findings, including a review of Sierra Leone’s debt management strategy to ensure that public debt is directed towards productive capital projects.
Influence of a New Generation Fungicide on Fusarium Head Blight in Spring Barley
Authors: Diakite Simbo , Diarra Ousmane , Diarra Rabiatou , Maiga Modibo , Traoré Brahima , Maiga Boubacar , Traoré Atia , Dembelé Christiane , Kassogue Adounignia , Dao Sognan , Fané Mah , Samaké Fassé , Welé Mamadou , Babana Amadou
Published: August 2024

Fusarium head blight is a serious problem in both traditional and intensive agriculture. The way to solve this problem is to use combined systemic fungicides. We therefore studied the effect of the new-generation fungicides Alto Super and KE (Propiconazole 250 g/l and Ciproconazole 80 g/l) combined with the foliar fertilizer Ultramag Super Sulphur-900. Laboratory studies were carried out at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), and field experiments were carried out in 2022 at the experimental field station of the Federal Research Centre "Nemchinovka." Fusarium head blight appeared in late July and early August. The application of the new-generation fungicide Alto Super, KE, alone and in combination with the new foliar fertilizer Ultramag Super Sulphur considerably reduced the development of the epiphytotic fungal disease. Their biological efficacy was 44.53–83.36%. The yield of Nur Spring barley in the experimental variants was higher than in the control variant. The yield gain of spring barley increased by 5.85% for Alto Super, KE, 9.40% for Ultramag Super Sulphur-900, and 12.85% for Alto Super, KE, and Ultramag Super Sulphur-900.
Redefining Climate Change as a National Security Issue: Local Climate Adaptation as a Communicative Point
Authors: Beauregard Jordan , Kim Younsung
Published: August 2024

Climate change is already taking a toll in the United States and globally and thereby threatens public safety and challenges national security. This reality requires educating the American public about climate change in tandem with security. However, climate change is not usually associated with national security to the public, although the climate security framework may accelerate to buffer the combative posture from the climate-dismissive and reduce polarization amongst political parties. In this study, we seek to provide an in-depth understanding of barriers to climate communication by bringing together climate politics and communication literature. We identify information silo effect and ideological factors that cause both conservative and liberal individuals to believe a certain way about certain issues and use motivated reasoning to justify those beliefs. We also suggest a potentially viable way to educate people about climate change and expand the notion of national security in public discourses. We argue that to help individuals see climate change as a security issue, climate communication should focus on fostering community resilience with local climate issues. In this way, policymakers can avoid getting trapped in an infinite loop of debate about climate science and overcome polarization while helping communities understand climate change as a national security issue and adapt to climate-induced impacts on ecosystem and community viability.
MST Initialization Based Intuitionistic Fuzzy c Means Clustering Using LINEX Hellinger Distance and Its Applications
Authors: M. Nithya , Balasubramaium K. , S. Senthil
Published: August 2024

Due to the uncertainty and fuzziness of information, the traditional clustering analysis method sometimes cannot meet the requirement in practice. The clustering method based on intuitionistic fuzzy set has attracted more and more scholars attention nowadays. This paper discusses the intuitionistic fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm. There are a number of clustering techniques developed in the past using different distance/similarity measure. In this paper, we proposed a improved edge density minimal spanning tree initilization method using LINEX hellinger distance based weighted LINEX intuitionistic fuzzy c means clustering. IFCM considered an uncertainty parameter called hesitation degree and incorporated a new objective function which is based upon intutionistic fuzzy entropy in the conventional Fuzzy C-means. The clustering algorithm has membership and non membership degrees as intervals. Information regarding membership and typicality degrees of samples to all clusters is given by algorithm. Furthermore, the algorithm is extended for calculating membership and updating prototypes by minimizing the new objective function of weighted LINEX intuitionistic fuzzy c-means. Finally, the developed algorithms are illustrated through conducting experiments on random dataset, partition coefficient and validation function are used to evaluate the validity of clustering also this paper compares the results of proposed method with the results of existing basic intuitionistic fuzzy c-means.