bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system v2017: patient outcomes after treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma nodules with category 3-5 and category M
Authors: Hu Yi-xin , Yan Cui-ju , Yun Miao , Zheng Wei , Zou Xue-bin , Zhang Ya-fang , Mao Ru-shuang , Li Ling-ling , Zhou Jian-hua
Published: April 2023

Objective:

To evaluate correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasonography Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS; v. 2017) categories (LR 3–5 vs LR-M) and outcomes in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after initial therapy.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, 272 patients with high risks for HCC and solitary clinically or pathologically confirmed HCC were identified between January 2010 and December 2015. Patients were initially treated by resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system and were followed up until December 31, 2018. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between nodules assigned as LR 3–5 or LR M according to CEUS LI-RADS v. 2017 by using the Kaplan-Meier curve, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard model.

Results:

Early washout is the key determinating whether a nodule is classed as LR-M. Treatment procedures and LI-RADS category showed an independent correlation with OS and RFS (p < 0.05). LR 3–5 category were more correlated with better OS (88.6 months and 74.2 months, respectively; p = 0.017) compared with LR-M. Surgical resection demonstrated longer OS and RFS than RFA in LR-M patients and longer OS in LR 3–5 patients (p < 0.05). Besides, there was no significantly difference in OS and RFS between two categories in resection (p > 0.05), while for patients treated with RFA, LR 3–5 patients showed significant longer OS and RFS than LR-M patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Patients with HCC assigned as LR-M showed worse RFS and OS and surgical resection tended to be a more effective treatment for these patients.

Advances in knowledge:

Putting forward a theory that CEUS LI-RADS categories could independently predict the outcome for patients with solitary HCC at early-stage after initial treatment.
Diagnostic accuracy of pelvis multiparametric MRI against CT virtual hysterosalpingography: a prospective study of tubal patency through female infertility assessment
Authors: Heuser Guilherme Galante , Medeiros Tássia Machado , Heuser Henrique Galante , Scopel Karen Rafaela Okaseski , Battisti Iara Denise Endruweit , Hochhegger Bruno , Winkelmann Eliane Roseli
Published: April 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI-hysterosalpingogram (HSG) with semiquantitative dynamic contrast‐enhanced perfusion, against the virtual multislice CT hysterosalpingogram (VHSG) as a reference standard.

Methods and Materials:

In this prospective study, 26 women (age >18 years) searching for infertility causes and with VHSG physician request. Thereafter, the assessment performance of both techniques was determined by two reader analyses. k statistics were used for the assessment of tubal patency. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the capability for tubal patency assessment between both exams on a per-patient and per-tube basis. The McNemar test was used to compare the diagnostic accuracy measures.

Results:

Tubal patency, uterine morphological, ovarian, and extrauterine abnormalities were evaluated through both exams in all 26 women. There was no significant difference between diagnostic performance measurements between the methods. The ROC curve of VHSG was 0.852 for both per-patient and per-tube analyses, and one and 0.938 for MRI-HSG. Sensitivity and specificity for per-patient and per-tube for VHSG were 95.2 and 97.7, 80 and 87.5%, and for MRI-HSG 100% for both analyses and 100 and 87.5%, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the feasibility of diagnosing tubal patency through MRI, using a semi-quantitative dynamic contrast‐enhanced perfusion sequence, and the satisfactory diagnosing of the uterine morphology, ovarian abnormalities, and ovarian and deep endometriosis.

Advances in knowledge:

Multiparametric MRI with a perfusion real-time sequence as a HSG method can be used in the evaluation not only for uterine and ovarian abnormilities but also tubal patency.
The prevalence of colour blindness among the males of the Bhoksha tribe in Dehradun, India
Authors: Tongbram Sarika Devi , Naorem Kiranmala Devi
Published: April 2023

Colour Blindness is an X-linked recessive disorder which predominantly appears in males. Colour blindness is the inability or decreased ability to perceive colour differences by the human eye under normal lighting conditions. The purpose of the present study was to find out the prevalence of congenital Red-Green colour blindness among the people of the Bhoksha tribe in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. The study was conducted with a total number of 204 individuals aged from 5 years to 85 years (mean ± SD is 22.71 ± 13.15) among the randomly selected male population. Colour blindness was examined using a standard Ishihara Chart under proper light. Among the total sample of 204 males in the community, 3 males are found to be colour blind which means that 98.53% were found to be normal, and the frequency of colour blindness was 1.47%. These three cases represented protanopia, deuteranopia and achromatopsia. Colour blindness appeared among the Pundir, Chauhan and Kakkad clans of the Bhoksha tribe in three villages. In conclusion, 1.47% were found to be colourblind in this study among the Bhoksha tribe of Dehradun, which is very high as compared with the prevalence in other tribal populations in India, although they were unaware of it. The present study supports Post and Pickford’s (1962, 1963) hypothesis of relaxation of selection.
Sample-Driven Optimal Stopping: From the Secretary Problem to the i.i.d. Prophet Inequality
Authors: Correa José , Cristi Andrés , Epstein Boris , Soto José A.
Published: April 2023

We take a unifying approach to single selection optimal stopping problems with random arrival order and independent sampling of items. In the problem we consider, a decision maker (DM) initially gets to sample each of N items independently with probability p, and can observe the relative rankings of these sampled items. Then, the DM faces the remaining items in an online fashion, observing the relative rankings of all revealed items. While scanning the sequence the DM makes irrevocable stop/continue decisions and her reward for stopping the sequence facing the item with rank i is Yi. The goal of the DM is to maximize her reward. We start by studying the case in which the values Yi are known to the DM, and then move to the case in which these values are adversarial. For the former case we are able to recover several classic results in the area, thus giving a unifying framework for single selection optimal stopping. For the latter, we pin down the optimal algorithm, obtaining the optimal competitive ratios for all values of p.

Funding: This work was partially supported by The Center for Mathematical Modeling at the University of Chile (ANID FB210005), Grant Anillo Information and Computation in Market Design (ANID ACT210005), FONDECYT 1220054 and 1181180, and a Meta Research PhD Fellowship.
Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings
Authors: Doherty Mary , McCowan Sue , Shaw Sebastian CK
Published: April 2023

Autistic people experience significant health disparities and reduced life expectancy. Barriers to accessing healthcare are associated with adverse health outcomes. Autism training and healthcare professionals' knowledge about autism is variable, and heterogeneity among autistic people leads to additional educational and clinical complexities. Autism remains nebulous for many practitioners, who are unclear about communication differences, access needs or life experiences common to autistic people. Healthcare environments can be challenging for all patients but autistic people may require specific accommodations to allow equitable access. The authors have developed a simple framework which may facilitate equitable clinical services at all points of access and care, using the acronym ‘SPACE’. This encompasses five core autistic needs: Sensory needs, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication and Empathy. Three additional domains are represented by physical space, processing space and emotional space. This simple yet memorable framework encompasses commonalities shared by autistic people.
What is the place of dural puncture epidural in labour analgesia?
Authors: Carnachan Amelia , Mandour Yasser
Published: April 2023

Epidural analgesia is the gold standard for labour analgesia. Dural puncture epidural analgesia is a modification of the conventional technique, where the dura is intentionally perforated with a spinal needle but no intrathecal medication is given. This article reviews the evidence for and against the clinical use of dural puncture epidural.
Knee kinematics during staircase descent
Authors: Chevalier Amelie , Vermue Hannes , Pringels Lauren , Herregodts Stijn , Duquesne Kate , Victor Jan , Loccufier Mia
Published: April 2023

Aims

The goal was to evaluate tibiofemoral knee joint kinematics during stair descent, by simulating the full stair descent motion in vitro. The knee joint kinematics were evaluated for two types of knee implants: bi-cruciate retaining and bi-cruciate stabilized. It was hypothesized that the bi-cruciate retaining implant better approximates native kinematics.

Methods

The in vitro study included 20 specimens which were tested during a full stair descent with physiological muscle forces in a dynamic knee rig. Laxity envelopes were measured by applying external loading conditions in varus/valgus and internal/external direction.

Results

The laxity results show that both implants are capable of mimicking the native internal/external-laxity during the controlled lowering phase. The kinematic results show that the bi-cruciate retaining implant tends to approximate the native condition better compared to bi-cruciate stabilized implant. This is valid for the internal/external rotation and the anteroposterior translation during all phases of the stair descent, and for the compression-distraction of the knee joint during swing and controlled lowering phase.

Conclusion

The results show a better approximation of the native kinematics by the bi-cruciate retaining knee implant compared to the bi-cruciate stabilized knee implant for internal/external rotation and anteroposterior translation. Whether this will result in better patient outcomes remains to be investigated.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(4):285–293.
In-situ calibration of the objective lens of an angle-resolved scatterometer for nanostructure metrology
Authors: Zhang Jinsong , Liu Jiamin , Zhu Jinlong , Jiang Hao , Liu Shiyuan
Published: April 2023

Due to the advantages of being non-contact, non-destructive, highly efficient, and low in cost, scatterometry has emerged as a powerful technique for nanostructure metrology. In this paper, we propose an angle-resolved scatterometer composed of a scattered light acquisition channel and a spatial imaging channel, which is capable of detecting multi-order diffracted light in a single measurement. Since the high numerical aperture objective lens is usually employed in an angle-resolved scatterometer, the polarization effect of the objective lens introduced by the non-normal incidence and installation stress should be considered. An in-situ calibration method for the objective lens’s polarization effects is proposed, in which a known analyzer is appended to the output light path to enable the extraction of the ellipsometric parameters of isotropic samples. Then the polarization effect of the objective lens can be determined in-situ by fitting the measured ellipsometric parameters to the calculated ones. With the objective lens polarization effect being considered, significant improvements in the accuracy and repeatability precision can be achieved in the metrology of the film thickness and grating topography parameters.
Broadband adiabatic mode division (de)multiplexer in thin film lithium niobate
Authors: Quan Qihong , Li Lianyan , Tu Xinghua , Zhang Yunshan , Shi Yuechun , Guo Yanting , Wang Xin
Published: April 2023

We report a broadband adiabatic mode division (de)multiplexer in a thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) waveguide based on the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage scheme. This particular adiabatic tunneling process is implemented in a three-waveguide structure, in which the intermediate waveguide is tilted relative to the outer waveguides. The excitation of the intermediate waveguide is negligible during the mode (de)multiplexing. A taper structure is included in the intermediate waveguide to ensure efficient mode conversion. The proposed (de)multiplexer can realize multiplexing or demultiplexing of the modes TE0, TE1, and TE2. The structural parameters are determined by simulation, and the results show that conversion efficiencies of 96.3% and 94.6% can be obtained for TE2 and TE1, while the 1-dB operation bandwidth is around 420 nm. The cross talks of TE2, TE1, and TE0 are lower than −13.4dB, −16.4dB, and −34.2dB. The designed (de)multiplexer has relatively good fabrication tolerance. Therefore, it is suitable in TFLN integrated chips.
Channel model for the dual-polarization b-modulated nonlinear frequency-division multiplexing optical transmission systems
Authors: Derevyanko Stanislav A. , Prilepsky Jaroslaw E.
Published: April 2023

We consider optical transmission systems based on the nonlinear frequency division multiplexing (NFDM) concept, i.e., the systems employing the nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) for signal processing and data modulation. Our work specifically addresses the double-polarization (DP) NFDM setup that utilizes the so-called b-modulation, the most efficient NFDM method proposed up-to-date. We extend the previously-developed analytical approach based on the adiabatic perturbation theory for the continuous nonlinear Fourier spectrum (b-coefficient) onto the DP case to obtain the leading order of continuous input-output signal relation, i.e., the asymptotic channel model, for an arbitrary b-modulated DP-NFDM optical communication system. Our main result is in deriving the relatively simple analytical expressions for the power spectral density of the components of effective conditionally Gaussian input-dependent noise emerging inside the nonlinear Fourier domain. We also demonstrate that our analytical expressions are in remarkable agreement with direct numerical results if one extracts the “processing noise” arising due to the imprecision of numerical NFT operations.
Dependence of nonlinear interference on mode dispersion and modulation format in strongly-coupled SDM transmissions
Authors: Lasagni Chiara , Serena Paolo , Bononi Alberto , Mecozzi Antonio , Antonelli Cristian
Published: April 2023

We study the role of the modulation format in the interaction between mode dispersion and the fiber nonlinear interference (NLI) in space-division multiplexed (SDM) systems with strongly-coupled spatial modes. We show that the interplay between mode dispersion and the modulation format has a significant impact on the magnitude of cross-phase modulation (XPM). We propose a simple formula that accounts for the modulation-format dependence of the XPM variance in the presence of arbitrary levels of mode dispersion, thus extending the ergodic Gaussian noise model.
Chirped pulse amplification based on praseodymium-doped fluoride fibers
Authors: Yamaizumi Koki , Hondo Fumihiro , Fuji Takao
Published: April 2023

We have developed a chirped pulse amplification system for ultrashort 1300 nm pulses based on praseodymium-doped fluoride fibers (Pr:ZBLAN). The 1300 nm seed pulse is generated through soliton-dispersive wave coupling in a highly nonlinear fiber pumped by a pulse from an erbium-doped fiber laser. The seed pulse is stretched with a grating stretcher to ∼150 ps and amplified with a two-stage Pr:ZBLAN amplifier. The average power reaches ∼112 mW at the repetition rate of 40 MHz. The pulse is compressed to 225 fs by using a pair of gratings without serious phase distortion.
General-purpose mid-infrared micro-spectrometer based on hierarchical residual CNN and data augmentation
Authors: Zhu Jiaqi , Liu Jing , Zhu He , Zeng Chenchen , Yang Meichen , Wang Yao , Cai Chunfeng , Yang Chenying , Pan Mingzhong , Wu Huizhen , Pan Mian , Dai Ning
Published: April 2023

Taking advantage of broad response range and snap-shot operation mode, reconstructive spectrometers based on integrated frequency-modulation microstructure and computational techniques attract lots of attention. The key problems in reconstruction are sparse samplings related with the limited detectors and generalization ability due to data-driving principle. Here, we demonstrate abstractly a mid-infrared micro-spectrometer covering 2.5–5 μm, which utilizes a grating-integrated lead selenide detector array for sampling and a hierarchal residual convolutional neural network (HRCNN) for reconstructions. Leveraging data augmentation and the powerful feature extraction ability of HRCNN, a spectral resolution of 15 nm is realized. Over one hundred chemicals, including untrained chemicals species tested with an average reconstruction error of ∼1E-4, exhibit the excellent reliability of the micro-spectrometer. The demonstration of the micro-spectrometer promotes the development of the reconstructed strategy.
Enhancement of Intra-hospital patient transfer in medical center hospital using discrete event system simulation
Authors: Meephu Ekkarat , Arwatchananukul Sujitra , Aunsri Nattapol
Published: April 2023

The intra-hospital transfer of critically ill patients are associated with complications at up to 70%. Numerous issues can be avoided with optimal pre-transport planning and communication. Simulation models have been demonstrated to be an effective method for modeling processes and enhancing on-time service and queue management. Discrete-event simulation (DES) models are acceptable for general hospital systems with increased variability. Herein, they are used to improve service effectiveness. A prospective observational study was conducted on 13 official day patient transfers, resulting in a total of 827 active patient transfers. Patient flow was simulated using discrete-event simulation (DES) to accurately and precisely represent real-world systems and act accordingly. Several patient transfer criteria were examined to create a more realistic simulation of patient flow. Waiting times were also measured to assess the efficiency of the patient transfer process. A simulation was conducted to identify 20 scenarios in order to discover the optimal scenario in which where the number of requests (stretchers or wheelchairs) was increased, while the number of staff was decreased to determine mean waiting times and confidence intervals. The most effective approach for decreasing waiting times involved prioritizing patients with the most severe symptoms. After a transfer process was completed, staff attended to the next transfer process without returning to base. Results show that the average waiting time was reduced by 21.78% which is significantly important for emergency cases. A significant difference was recorded between typical and recommended patient transfer processes when the number of requests increased. To decrease waiting times, the patient transfer procedure should be modified according to our proposed DES model, which can be used to analyze and design queue management systems that achieve optimal waiting times.
Candida species and oral mycobiota of patients clinically diagnosed with oral thrush
Authors: Karajacob Alexandria Sonia , Azizan Nuramirah Binti , Al-Maleki Anis Rageh Mohammad , Goh Joanne Pei En , Loke Mun Fai , Khor Hui Min , Ho Gwo Fuang , Ponnampalavanar Sasheela , Tay Sun Tee
Published: April 2023

Overgrowth ofCandidayeasts in the oral cavity may result in the development of oral thrush in immunocompromised individuals. This study analyzed the diversity and richness of the oral mycobiota of patients clinically diagnosed with oral thrush (OT), follow-up of oral thrush patients after antifungal therapy (AT), and healthy controls (HC). Oral rinse and oral swab samples were collected from 38 OT patients, 21 AT patients, and 41 healthy individuals (HC). Pellet from the oral rinse and oral swab were used for the isolation of oralCandidayeasts on Brilliance Candida Agar followed by molecular speciation. ITS1 amplicon sequencing using Illumina MiSeq was performed on DNA extracted from the oral rinse pellet of 16 OT, 7 AT, and 7 HC oral rinse samples. Trimmed sequence data were taxonomically grouped and analyzed using the CLC Microbial Genomics Module workflow.Candidayeasts were isolated at significantly higher rates from oral rinse and swab samples of OT (68.4%, p < 0.001) and AT (61.9%, p = 0.012) patients, as compared to HC (26.8%). Predominance ofCandida albicansspecifically, was noted in OT (60.5%, p < 0.001) and AT (42.9%, p = 0.006) vs. HC (9.8%), while non-albicans Candidaspecies was dominant in HC. Analysis of oral mycobiota from OT patients showed the presence of 8 phyla, 222 genera, and 309 fungal species. Low alpha diversity (Shannon index, p = 0.006; Chao-1 biased corrected index, p = 0.01), varied beta diversity (Bray-Curtis, p = 0.01986; Jaccard, p = 0.02766; Weighted UniFrac, p = 0.00528), and increased relative abundance ofC.albicans(p = 3.18E-02) was significantly associated with the oral mycobiota of OT vs. HC. This study supported thatC.albicansis the main etiological agent in oral thrush and highlights the association of fungal biodiversity with the pathophysiology of oral thrush.
Strategies to maintain recovery from alcohol problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from a mixed-methods national survey of adults in the United States
Authors: Gilbert Paul A. , Soweid Loulwa , Holdefer Paul J. , Kersten Sarah , Mulia Nina
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with poorer mental health and, in some cases, increased alcohol consumption; however, little is known about the pandemic’s effects on people in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), especially how they have coped with novel stressors. Our mixed-methods study investigated strategies used to maintain recovery during the pandemic, with attention to variation by gender. We analyzed data obtained in fall 2020 from an online US national survey of adults with resolved AUD (n = 1,492) recruited from KnowledgePanel, a probability-based cohort of non-institutionalized adults maintained by Ipsos for internet-based research. Participants endorsed possible coping strategies on a 19-item choose-all-that-apply list, which were analyzed using chi-square tests. In addition, 1,008 participants provided text responses to an open-ended question about their strategies to maintain recovery during the pandemic, which were coded and analyzed using an inductive, thematic approach. The majority of our sample met criteria for severe lifetime AUD (72.9%), reported being in recovery more than five years (75.5%), and had never used specialty AUD services or mutual-help groups (59.7%). The ordering of the coping strategies was quite similar for women and men; however, the top strategy (talking with family and friends by phone, text, or video) was endorsed more frequently by women than men (49.7% vs. 36.1%; p < .001). Among qualitative themes, “staying connected” was the most common. It was dominated by statements about family, with women mentioning children more often than men. Among other themes, “cognitive strategies” mirrored established therapeutic modalities, and “active pursuits” aligned with many recent recommendations for service providers working with substance-using populations during the pandemic. A minority of participants invoked “willpower” for recovery or stated that pandemic restrictions helped by reducing exposure to relapse risks. These findings shed light on recovery mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest potential intervention targets to support recovery during other catastrophic events, such as natural disasters.
Estudo do pontencial ecotoxicológico de insulinas e análogos de insulinas, utilizando algas do gênero Euglena gracilis para biotestes de toxicidade aquática.
Authors: Pinto Luciano Henrique , Biff Heloísa , Devegili Gabriela , Fausto Marcela Cristina , Soares Julia Carolina , Erzinger Gilmar Sidnei
Published: April 2023

Environmental problems reside in much of the lack of management -generated waste, which includes waste health. These are launched without selection in inappropriate areas, which helps to intensify the risks from this type of pollution. Situation that deserves mention is the disposal of medicines for chronic diseases of high prevalence and incidence, as in the case of diabetes, the clinical situation with increasing the number of insulin-dependent patients. This condition implies a consequent increase in the scale of production, use and disposal of both insulin analogues and analogues thereof as well as the population of industrial effluents. It is necessary to examine the existence of risk of environmental toxicity of these compounds, their structures or arising from the detachment of the zinc contained in the formulation. This work intends to verify these changes in vitro tests to obtain parameters that will assess future risk of industrial effluents emitted by these industries.
Teacher Educators’ Perceptions of Schoolteacher Feedback Literacy: Implications for Feedback Training in Teacher Education Programmes
Authors:   The Education University of Hong Kong, Zhan Ying
Published: April 2023

Few studies have empirically explored the specific elements of schoolteachers’ feedback literacy in spite of its crucial role in supporting student learning in classrooms. To address this research gap, individual interviews were conducted with 20 teacher educators in Hong Kong. The interviewees were asked to explicate the mind maps of schoolteacher feedback literacy that they had previously drawn. Data analysis revealed that the participants perceived schoolteacher feedback literacy as a three-dimensional concept, comprising knowledge, competence and disposition with specifications. In addition, the participants believed that schoolteacher feedback literacy was gradually evolving from a qualified level to a fully professional level over time. In their views, understanding subject content knowledge and developing positive feedback dispositions were prerequisites for developing feedback competencies. The findings of this study enhance the understanding of schoolteacher feedback literacy from the perspective of teacher educators and offer guidance for providing effective feedback training in teacher education programmes.
MODERNIZATION, ECLECTICISM, AND SAUDI ARABIA VISION 2030 ON FAMILY LAW: Positivization of Talaq Divorce in Niẓam Al-Aḥwāl 1443 H
Authors: Ni'ami Mohammad Fauzan , Bawazier Dio Alif , Ma’mun Sukron
Published: April 2023

Not bereft of the vision of 2030, Saudi Arabia reformed its Islamic family law, which resulted in the issuance of Niẓam al-Aḥwāl al-Syakhṣiyyah 1443 H. However, this modernization attempt is shadowed by the long-term preference for the established madhab. By focusing on the talaq issue, this article aims to investigate to what extent this Niẓam articulated with Hanbali madhab in managing divorce. As a normative study, data were collected by examining the primary resource, Niẓam al-Aḥwāl 1443. The result indicates that the positivization of divorce is primarily attributable to the Hanbali’s source of law. This (intra-doctrinal) positivization is intended to ensure legal certainty for the sake of this nation's modernization efforts. It affirms that the attempt in the private sector is in fact a manifestation of the 2030 political vision.[Tidak lepas dari visi 2030, Arab Saudi mereformasi hukum keluarga Islamnya, yang berujung pada keluarnya Niẓam al-Aḥwāl al-Syakhṣiyyah tahun 1443 H. Namun, upaya modernisasi ini terbayangi oleh preferensi jangka panjang terhadap madzhab yang telah mapan. Dengan berfokus pada masalah talak, artikel ini bertujuan untuk menyelidiki sejauh mana Niẓam ini berkaitan dengan madzhab Hanbali dalam mengatur perceraian. Sebagai kajian normatif, data dikumpulkan dengan mengkaji sumber primer, Niẓam al-Aḥwāl 1443. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa positivisasi talak terutama disebabkan oleh sumber hukum Hanbali. Positivisasi (intradoktrinal) ini dimaksudkan untuk menjamin kepastian hukum demi upaya modernisasi bangsa ini. Ditegaskan bahwa upaya di sektor swasta sebenarnya merupakan perwujudan dari visi politik 2030.]
OECD ÜLKELERİNDE SAĞLIK HİZMETLERİ ARZ VE TALEBİ ÜZERİNDE BİR DEĞERLENDİRME
Authors: FİLİZ Mustafa
Published: April 2023

Bu çalışma, OECD ülkelerinin sağlık arz ve talep değerlerine göre nasıl kümelendiği ve Türkiye’nin hangi OECD ülkeleri ile benzerlik gösterdiğinin belirlenmesi ve ülkeler üzerinde bir kısım değerlendirmelerde bulunmak amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmaya 39 ülke dahil edilmiştir. Araştırmada sağlık arzını temsil eden 3 değişken, sağlık talebini temsil eden 4 değişken olmak üzere toplamda 7 değişken kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analiz edilmesinde Ward analizi ve hiyerarşik olmayan kümeleme analizi yöntemlerinden k-ortalama kümeleme analizi kullanılmıştır. ANOVA testi ile değişkenlerin kümelere göre farklılığı belirlenmiştir. Ward yöntemine göre beş kümenin oluştuğu ve Türkiye’nin Rusya, Litvanya, Çek Cumhuriyeti, Letonya, Estonya, Polonya, Slovakya ve Macaristan ile aynı kümede yer aldığı görülmüştür. K-ortalama kümeleme analizi sonucu seçili ülkelerden uzaklığın en az Lüksemburg en fazla ise Kolombiya olduğu görülmüştür. Türkiye’nin içinde bulunduğu kümede iki değişkende en düşük değerlere sahip olduğu ve hiçbir değişkende en yüksek değere sahip olmadığı görülmüştür.
EV KADINLARININ SERBEST ZAMAN YOKSUNLUĞUNUN İNCELENMESİ: DÜZCE ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: KILIÇ Metin , KESKİN Ceylan
Published: April 2023

Günümüzde kadınların ücretli çalışma olarak belirttiğimiz işgücü piyasasında çalışma oranları oldukça düşüktür. Toplumda kadınların çoğunluğu ev içi ücretsiz çalışma alanlarında çoklu görev üstlendikleri görülmektedir. Bu görevlerin belli bir mesai gerektirmeyen ve kendine özgü rutinlerle belirlendiği, yapılmasının kadın tarafından zorunlu olarak görüldüğü bir algı yaratmıştır. Bu rutin ve zorunluluklar kadınların serbest zaman planlamalarını kısıtlayıcı bir etki yaratmakla birlikte, serbest zamanı bir kaçış ya da dinlenme olarak görmelerine neden olmakta ve serbest zaman yoksunluğu yaratmaktadır. Yaptığımız derinlemesine araştırmada, kırsal ve kentsel ayrımın yanında çeşitli değişkenler gözetilerek kadınların serbest zamanı nasıl anlamlandırmaya çalıştıkları ve serbest zaman kısıtlamaları ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda serbest zamanları olduğunu düşünen kadınların bile serbest zaman yoksunluğu yaşadığı tespit edilmiştir.
Mitral annular dynamics are influenced by left ventricular load and contractility in an acute animal model
Authors: Persson Robert Matongo , Aguilera Hans Martin Dahl , Kvitting John‐Peder Escobar , Grong Ketil , Prot Victorien Emile , Salminen Pirjo‐Riitta , Svenheim Bård , Leiknes Anita , Stangeland Lodve , Haaverstad Rune , Urheim Stig
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of loading conditions and left ventricular (LV) contractility on mitral annular dynamics. In 10 anesthetized pigs, eight piezoelectric transducers were implanted equidistantly around the mitral annulus. High‐fidelity catheters measured left ventricular pressures and the slope of the end‐systolic pressure‐volume relationship (Ees) determined LV contractility. Adjustments of pre‐ and afterload were done by constriction of the inferior caval vein and occlusion of the descending aorta. Mitral annulus area indexed to body surface area (MAAi), annular circularity index (ACI), and non‐planarity angle (NPA) were calculated by computational analysis. MAAi was more dynamic in response to loading interventions than ACI and NPA. However, MAAi maximal cyclical reduction (−Δr) and average deformational velocity (−) did not change accordingly (p = 0.31 and p = 0.22). Reduced Ees was associated to attenuation in MAAi‐Δr and MAAi‐ (r2 = 0.744; p = 0.001 and r2 = 0.467; p = 0.029). In conclusion, increased cardiac load and reduced LV contractility may cause deterioration of mitral annular dynamics, likely impairing coaptation and increasing susceptibility to valvular incompetence.
Love-Hate and War: Perfectionism and Self-Overcoming in Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Authors: Siemens Herman W.
Published: April 2023

This essay investigates the thought of self-overcoming (Selbst-Überwindung, sich überwinden) in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and its relation to Nietzsche’s Emersonian perfectionism in Schopenhauer as Educator. It is a conceptual study focused on key passages on self-overcoming in Zarathustra and related problems – most notably how to combine the demand for boundless affirmation with the demand for total critique in Nietzsche’s project of critical transvaluation. The main thesis is that Zarathustra’s response depends on his addressees: with regard to the mob, the rabble or Gesindel, he advocates a limit in negation under the sign of mildness (Milde); with regard to others engaged in self-overcoming, he advocates a limited negation in the form of love-hate. Connections with the perfectionism of Schopenhauer as Educator are made throughout the essay, which then draws them together in a comparative analysis of self-overcoming in Zarathustra and Nietzsche’s untimely perfectionism. The essay closes with some methodological reflections on the risks and benefits of its “prismatic” approach, focused on key passages in relation to other works in abstraction from the overall composition and narrative of the book.
Does the patellar tendon reflex affect the postural stability in stroke patients with blocked vision?
Authors: Zhou Ziyou , Hu Zhen , Bao Wei , Yang Ying , Chen Kai
Published: April 2023

Background

Stroke patients often show postural instability. The patellar tendon reflex is a basic physical examination for stroke patients. This study aimed to explore the correlation between patellar tendon reflex grade and postural stability among stroke patients.

Methods

A total of 37 elderly stroke patients, each with the same quadriceps muscle strength but different patellar tendon reflex levels, were tested on a force platform under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Parametric analysis, detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), and power spectral density (PSD) analysis were used in centre of pressure (COP) signal processing. The correlation between the results of measured data processing and the level of patellar tendon reflex was analysed.

Results

All three parameters of COP (the length of the sway trajectory, the mean range of the sway trajectory in the mediolateral [ML] direction [R

x
], and the mean range of the sway trajectory in the anterior–posterior [AP] directions [R

y
]) were negatively correlated with the patient’s patellar tendon reflex grade under the EC condition. The DFA results showed that a higher grade of patellar tendon reflex was associated with a smaller value of the crossover point in the AP direction. Only the PSD values of each frequency band in the AP direction were negatively correlated with patellar tendon reflex grade with EO and became negatively correlated in both AP and ML directions with EC. Overall, the results showed a strong correlation between patellar tendon reflex and postural stability in stroke patients when vision was blocked.

Significance

The strong correlation with EC may provide insights into clinic evaluation and treatment for rehabilitation or fall risks of stroke patients.
Exfoliated g-C3N4 as efficient sorbent for Pb ions removal from synthetic wastewaters
Authors: Modwi Abueliz
Published: April 2023

A successful exfoliation of g-C3N4 was achieved via ultrasonic power and ethanol as a solvent. The untreated (CN1) and treated (CN2) samples were characterized using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) ascertained the formation of a typical nitride entity with less intense peaks for the ultra-sonicated sample. The FTIR, EDX, and XPS data have jointly confirmed the formation of the target compound. By virtue of its enhanced BET surface area (277 m2 g−1) the treated samples could effectively adsorb 278 mg g−1 of Pb (II) in a considerably short time of 47 min. The adsorption phenomenon was found to abide with the second‵ order kinetics and adopt a Langmuir isotherm behavior. Lead (II) elimination showed high removal efficiency after up to four cycles of effective recycling. This study demonstrated that CN2 nanosheets might be approved as an effective and stable candidate for eliminating dangerous heavy metal pollutants.
Hochdämpfende Metall-Graphit-Verbundwerkstoffe in Werkzeugmaschinen
Authors: Zhou Xin , Hutsch Thomas , Penter Lars , Peukert Christoph , Rudolph Holger , Ihlenfeldt Steffen , Weißgärber Thomas
Published: April 2023

Für diesen Beitrag werden Eisen-Graphit-Verbundwerkstoffe (EGr) mit verschiedenen Graphitgehalten (zwischen 0 und 80 %) durch pulvermetallurgische Verfahren hergestellt und charakterisiert. Diese Proben kommen als Beilagen in einer Vorschubachse mit Linearführung zum Einsatz, und die resultierende Dämpfungswirkung wird in der Maschinenbaugruppe durch Kurzzeit-Fourier-Transformation (SFTF) und Fast-Fourier-Transformation (FFT) analysiert. Mit steigendem Graphitgehalt erhöht sich die Materialdämpfung des EGr. Das Gesamtsystem zeigt jedoch beim Einsatz eines EGr mit 20 Prozent Graphit das beste Dämpfungsverhalten.
REFLECTIONS OF CONSUMPTION CULTURE IN ADVERTISEMENTS: A READING ON ELIDOR ADVERTISEMENTS IN TURKEY
Authors: LİVBERBER TUBA , Kılınç Güneş
Published: April 2023

Consumer culture is generally a reflection of mass culture and popular culture. In this sense, it also includes social changes and transformations. Assuming that consumption is not only limited to 'real needs' but also an act that an individual performs to define himself socially and culturally, it is explained what consumer society means today. Attention is drawn to how individuals in consumer society construct and define themselves through symbolic consumption. In this sense, advertisements in the media are discussed as a tool of consumption culture. The symbols and meanings transmitted through cultural products in the media are analyzed through advertisements. Because advertisements undertake the task of transferring meanings and symbols from the cultural environment to products. In this direction, two commercials of the Elidor brand broadcast in Turkey constitute the sample of the study. The texts of these two commercials are analyzed with the critical discourse analysis method. In the analyzed commercials, it is observed that the brand not only tries to attract the attention of consumers but also tries to gain their trust and respect. As a result of the findings, it is revealed that the advertisements are structured within the framework of 'femvertising' with a representation outside the gender stereotypes of consumer culture. It is seen that while advertising texts seem to reject old ideals, they construct new ideals.
Targeted assembly of ectopic kinetochores to induce chromosome‐specific segmental aneuploidies
Authors: Tovini Laura , Johnson Sarah C , Guscott Molly A , Andersen Alexander M , Spierings Diana Carolina Johanna , Wardenaar René , Foijer Floris , McClelland Sarah E
Published: April 2023

Cancer cells display persistent underlying chromosomal instability, with individual tumour types intriguingly exhibiting characteristic subsets of whole, and subchromosomal aneuploidies. Few methods to induce specific aneuploidies will exist, hampering investigation of functional consequences of recurrent aneuploidies, as well as the acute consequences of specific chromosome mis‐segregation. We therefore investigated the possibility of sabotaging the mitotic segregation of specific chromosomes using nuclease‐dead CRISPR‐Cas9 (dCas9) as a cargo carrier to specific genomic loci. We recruited the kinetochore‐nucleating domain of centromere protein CENP‐T to assemble ectopic kinetochores either near the centromere of chromosome 9, or the telomere of chromosome 1. Ectopic kinetochore assembly led to increased chromosome instability and partial aneuploidy of the target chromosomes, providing the potential to induce specific chromosome mis‐segregation events in a range of cell types. We also provide an analysis of putative endogenous repeats that could support ectopic kinetochore formation. Overall, our findings provide new insights into ectopic kinetochore biology and represent an important step towards investigating the role of specific aneuploidy and chromosome mis‐segregation events in diseases associated with aneuploidy.
The role of DNA methylation in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: English Katherine A , Thakker Rajesh V , Lines Kate E
Published: April 2023

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) are the second most common pancreatic tumour. However, relatively little is known about their tumourigenic drivers, other than mutations involving the multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1), ATRX chromatin remodeler, and death domain-associated protein genes, which are found in ~40% of sporadic PNETs. PNETs have a low mutational burden, thereby suggesting that other factors likely contribute to their development, including epigenetic regulators. One such epigenetic process, DNA methylation, silences gene transcription via 5’methylcytosine (5mC), and this is usually facilitated by DNA methyltransferase enzymes at CpG-rich areas around gene promoters. However, 5’hydroxymethylcytosine, which is the first epigenetic mark during cytosine demethylation, and opposes the function of 5mC, is associated with gene transcription, although the significance of this remains unknown, as it is indistinguishable from 5mC when conventional bisulfite conversion techniques are solely used. Advances in array-based technologies have facilitated the investigation of PNET methylomes and enabled PNETs to be clustered by methylome signatures, which has assisted in prognosis and discovery of new aberrantly regulated genes contributing to tumourigenesis. This review will discuss the biology of DNA methylation, its role in PNET development, and impact on prognostication and discovery of epigenome-targeted therapies.
The future of fertility preservation for women treated with chemotherapy
Authors: Alesi Lauren R , Nguyen Quynh-Nhu , Stringer Jessica M , Winship Amy L , Hutt Karla J
Published: April 2023

Cytotoxic chemotherapies have been a mainstay of cancer treatment but are associated with numerous systemic adverse effects, including impacts on fertility and endocrine health. Irreversible ovarian damage and follicle depletion are the side effects of chemotherapy that can lead to infertility and premature menopause, both being major concerns of young cancer patients. Notably, many women will proceed with fertility preservation, but unfortunately existing strategies do not entirely solve the problem. Most significantly, oocyte and embryo freezing do not prevent cancer treatment-induced ovarian damage from occurring, which may result in the impairment of long-term hormone production. Unfortunately, loss of endogenous endocrine function is not fully restored by hormone replacement therapy. Additionally, while GnRH agonists are standard care for patients receiving alkylating chemotherapy to lessen the risk of premature menopause, their efficacy is incomplete. The lack of more broadly effective options stems, in part, from our poor understanding of how different treatments damage the ovary. Here, we summarise the impacts of two commonly utilised chemotherapies – cyclophosphamide and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) – on ovarian function and fertility and discuss the mechanisms underpinning this damage. Additionally, we critically analyse current research avenues in the development of novel fertility preservation strategies, with a focus on ferto-protective agents.

Lay summary

Over the past few decades, advances in the detection and treatment of cancer have dramatically improved survival rates in young women. This means that ensuring patients have a high quality of life after cancer treatment has become a new priority. Therefore, it is important to understand and prevent any long-term negative side effects of cancer treatments, with infertility and early-onset menopause being major concerns for women receiving chemotherapy. The current fertility preservation options available to young women have significant limitations. Therefore, the identification of new approaches to protect fertility has been an intense topic of research in recent years. In this review, we provide information on the negative side effects of two commonly used chemotherapy drugs – cyclophosphamide and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) – on fertility, and discuss how they cause damage to the ovaries. We also critically analyse recent preclinical studies related to the development of new fertility preservation techniques.
Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors inhibit proliferation of endometriosis cells
Authors: Kapur Arvinder , Ayuso Jose M , Rehman Shujah , Kumari Santosh , Felder Mildred , Stenerson Zach , Skala Melisa C , Beebe Dave , Barroilhet Lisa , Patankar Manish S
Published: April 2023

In brief

Developing novel therapies to cure and manage endometriosis is a major unmet need that will benefit over 180 million women worldwide. Results from the current study suggest that inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation may serve as novel agents for the treatment of endometriosis.

Current therapeutic strategies for endometriosis focus on symptom management and are not curative. Here, we provide evidence supporting the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as a novel treatment strategy for endometriosis. Additionally, we report an organotypic organ-on-a-chip luminal model for endometriosis. The OXPHOS inhibitors, curcumin, plumbagin, and the FDA-approved anti-malarial agent, atovaquone, were tested against the endometriosis cell line, 12Z, in conventional as well as the new organotypic model. The results suggest that all three compounds inhibit proliferation and cause cell death of the endometriotic cells by inhibiting OXPHOS and causing an increase in intracellular oxygen radicals. The oxidative stress mediated by curcumin, plumbagin, and atovaquone causes DNA double-strand breaks as indicated by the elevation of phospho-γH2Ax. Mitochondrial energetics shows a significant decrease in oxygen consumption in 12Z cells. These experiments also highlight differences in the mechanism of action as curcumin and plumbagin inhibit complex I whereas atovaquone blocks complexes I, II, and III. Real-time assessment of cells in the lumen model showed inhibition of migration in response to the test compounds. Additionally, using two-photon lifetime imaging, we demonstrate that the 12Z cells in the lumen show decreased redox ratio (NAD(P)H/FAD) and lower fluorescence lifetime of NAD(P)H in the treated cells confirming major metabolic changes in response to inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport. The robust chemotoxic responses observed with atovaquone suggest that this anti-malarial agent may be repurposed for the effective treatment of endometriosis.