bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haemoglobinopathies and other rare anemias in Spain: ten years of a nationwide registry (REHem-AR)
Authors: Marco Sánchez José Manuel , Bardón Cancho Eduardo Jesús , Benéitez David , Payán-Pernía Salvador , Collado Gimbert Anna , Ruiz-Llobet Anna , Salinas José Antonio , Sebastián Elena , Argilés Bienvenida , Bermúdez Mar , Vázquez María Ángeles , Ortega María José , López Rubio Montserrat , Gondra Ainhoa , Uriz José Javier , Morado Marta , Coll María Teresa , López Duarte Mónica , Baro María , Cervera Áurea , Recasens Valle , García Blanes Carmen , del Carcavilla María Pozo , Tallon María , González Espín Ana , Olteanu Olteanu Filip Camil , González Pablo , del Mañú Pereira María Mar , Cela Elena
Published: May 2024

REHem-AR was created in 2013. The progressive implementation of neonatal screening for haemoglobinopathies in Spanish autonomous communities where the registry had not been implemented, as well as the addition of new centres during this period, has considerably increased the sample of patients covered. In this study, we update our previous publication in this area, after a follow-up of more than 5 years. An observational, descriptive, multicentre and ambispective study of adult and paediatric patients with haemoglobinopathies and rare anaemias registered in REHem was performed. The data are from a cross-sectional analysis performed on 1 June, 2023. The study population comprised 1,756 patients, of whom 1,317 had SCD, 214 had thalassaemia and 224 were diagnosed with another condition. Slightly more than one third of SCD patients (37%) were diagnosed based on neonatal bloodspot screening, and the mean age at diagnosis was 2.5 years; 71% of thalassaemia patients were diagnosed based on the presence of anaemia. Vaso-occlusive crisis and acute chest syndrome continue to be the most frequent complications in SCD. HSCT was performed in 83 patients with SCD and in 50 patients with thalassaemia. Since the previous publication, REHem-AR has grown in size by more than 500 cases. SCD and TM are less frequent in Spain than in other European countries, although the data show that rare anaemias are frequent within rare diseases. REHem-AR constitutes an important structure for following the natural history of rare anaemias and enables us to calculate investment needs for current and future treatments.
Motorcycle injuries: a systematic review for forensic evaluation
Authors: Giovannini Elena , Santelli Simone , Pelletti Guido , Bonasoni Maria Paola , Lacchè Elena , Pelotti Susi , Fais Paolo
Published: May 2024

The intricate interplay of exposure and speed leave motorcyclists vulnerable, leading to high mortality rates. During the collision, the driver and the passenger are usually projected away from the motorcycle, with variable trajectories or final positions. Injuries resulting from the crash can exhibit distinct and specific characteristics depending on the circumstances of the occurrence.

The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review of the literature on injuries sustained by motorcyclists involved in road accidents describing and analyzing elements that are useful for forensic assessment.

The literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from January 1970 to June 2023. Eligible studies have investigated issues of interest to forensic medicine about during traffic accidents involving motorcycle. A total of 142 studies met the inclusion criteria and were classified and analyzed based on the anatomical regions of the body affected (head, neck, thoraco-abdominal, pelvis, and limb injuries). Moreover, also the strategies for preventing lesions and assessing injuries in the reconstruction of motorcycle accidents were examined and discussed.

This review highlights that, beyond injuries commonly associated with motorcycle accidents, such as head injuries, there are also unique lesions linked to the specific dynamics of accidents. These include factors like the seating position of the passenger or impact with the helmet or motorbike components. The forensic assessment of injury distribution could serve as support in reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the crash and defining the cause of death in trauma fatalities.
Success rates of intensive aphasia therapy: real-world data from 448 patients between 2003 and 2020
Authors: Peitz Dorothea , Schumann-Werner Beate , Hussmann Katja , Pinho João , Chen Hong , Binkofski Ferdinand , Huber Walter , Willmes Klaus , Heim Stefan , Schulz Jörg B. , Fimm Bruno , Werner Cornelius J.
Published: May 2024

Background

Aphasia is a devastating consequence after stroke, affecting millions of patients each year. Studies have shown that intensive speech and language therapy (SLT) is effective in the chronic phase of aphasia. Leveraging a large single-center cohort of persons with aphasia (PWA) including patients also in the subacute phase, we assessed treatment effects of intensive aphasia therapy in a real-world setting.

Methods

Data were collected at the Aachen aphasia ward in Germany between 2003 and 2020. Immediate treatment responses across different language domains were assessed with the Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT) using single-case psychometrics, conducted before and after 6–7 weeks of intensive SLT (10 h per week, median (IQR) dosage = 68 (61–76)). We adjusted for spontaneous recovery in subacute patients. Differential treatment effects between subgroups of chronicity and predictors of therapy response were investigated.

Results

A total of 448 PWA were included (29% female, median (IQR) age = 54 (46–62) years, median (IQR) time post-onset = 11 (6–20) months) with 12% in the early subacute, 15% in the late subacute and 74% in the chronic phase of aphasia. The immediate responder rate was 59%. Significant improvements in all AAT subtests und subscales were observed hinting at broad effectiveness across language domains. The degree of therapy-induced improvement did not differ between the chronicity groups. Time post-onset, dosage of therapy and aphasia severity at the beginning of treatment were predictors of immediate treatment response.

Discussion

Intensive therapy protocols for aphasia after stroke are yielding substantial responder rates in a routine clinical setting including a wide range of patients.
Lipopolysaccharide with long O-antigen is crucial for Salmonella Enteritidis to evade complement activity and to facilitate bacterial survival in vivo in the Galleria mellonella infection model
Authors: Krzyżewska-Dudek Eva , Dulipati Vinaya , Kapczyńska Katarzyna , Noszka Mateusz , Chen Carmen , Kotimaa Juha , Książczyk Marta , Dudek Bartłomiej , Bugla-Płoskońska Gabriela , Pawlik Krzysztof , Meri Seppo , Rybka Jacek
Published: May 2024

Bacterial resistance to serum is a key virulence factor for the development of systemic infections. The amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the O-antigen chain length distribution on the outer membrane, predispose Salmonella to escape complement-mediated killing. In Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) a modal distribution of the LPS O-antigen length can be observed. It is characterized by the presence of distinct fractions: low molecular weight LPS, long LPS and very long LPS. In the present work, we investigated the effect of the O-antigen modal length composition of LPS molecules on the surface of S. Enteritidis cells on its ability to evade host complement responses. Therefore, we examined systematically, by using specific deletion mutants, roles of different O-antigen fractions in complement evasion. We developed a method to analyze the average LPS lengths and investigated the interaction of the bacteria and isolated LPS molecules with complement components. Additionally, we assessed the aspect of LPS O-antigen chain length distribution in S. Enteritidis virulence in vivo in the Galleria mellonella infection model. The obtained results of the measurements of the average LPS length confirmed that the method is suitable for measuring the average LPS length in bacterial cells as well as isolated LPS molecules and allows the comparison between strains. In contrast to earlier studies we have used much more precise methodology to assess the LPS molecules average length and modal distribution, also conducted more subtle analysis of complement system activation by lipopolysaccharides of various molecular mass. Data obtained in the complement activation assays clearly demonstrated that S. Enteritidis bacteria require LPS with long O-antigen to resist the complement system and to survive in the G. mellonella infection model.
Target trial emulation of carfilzomib safety among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma using a nationwide observational data in Korea
Authors: Lee Hyun Kyung , Jang Ha Young , Kim In-Wha , Oh Jung Mi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Carfilzomib, commonly used for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), has been associated with various adverse events in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, real-world safety data for a more diverse population are needed, as carfilzomib received expedited approval. This study aimed to evaluate carfilzomib’s safety in Korea by comparing new users of KRd (carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) to Rd (lenalidomide and dexamethasone) using a nationwide administrative claims database.

Methods

The retrospective cohort study utilized target trial emulation, focusing on adverse events in various organ systems similar to the ASPIRE trial.

Results

This study included 4,580 RRMM patients between 2007 and 2020, and the KRd group showed significantly higher risks of hematologic adverse events (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) and some non-hematologic adverse events (cough, hypokalemia, constipation, hypertension, heart failure) compared to the Rd group. Among non-hematologic adverse events, cardiovascular events (heart failure [HR 2.04; 95% CI 1.24–3.35], hypertension [HR 1.58; 95% CI 1.15–2.17]) had the highest risk in the KRd group.

Conclusion

The safety profile of carfilzomib in Korean patients was similar to previous RCTs. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using carfilzomib in Asian individuals with RRMM due to the increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events.
Clinical significance of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for detection of incidental pre-malignant and malignant colonic lesions: correlation with colonoscopic and histopathological results
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Han Jiangqin , Li Junpeng , Cao Jinming , Zhou Yeye , Deng Shengming , Zhang Bin , Yang Yi
Published: May 2024

Background

Incidental colorectal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake, observed during positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans, attracts particular attention due to its potential to represent both benign and pre-malignant/malignant lesions. Early detection and excision of these lesions are crucial for preventing cancer development and reducing mortality. This research aims to evaluate the correlation between incidental colorectal FDG uptake on PET/CT with colonoscopic and histopathological results.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed on data from all patients who underwent PET/CT between December 2019 and December 2023 in our hospital. The study included 79 patients with incidental colonic FDG uptake who underwent endoscopy. Patient characteristics, imaging parameters, and the corresponding colonoscopy and histopathological results were studied. A comparative analysis was performed among the findings from each of these modalities. The optimal cut-off value of SUVmax for 18F-FDG PET/CT diagnosis of premalignant and malignant lesions was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The area under the curve (AUC) of SUVmax and the combined parameters of SUVmax and colonic wall thickening (CWT) were analyzed.

Results

Among the 79 patients with incidental colorectal FDG uptake, histopathology revealed malignancy in 22 (27.9%) patients and premalignant polyps in 22 (27.9%) patients. Compared to patients with benign lesions, patients with premalignant and malignant lesions were more likely to undergo a PET/CT scan for primary evaluation (p = 0.013), and more likely to have focal GIT uptake (p = 0.001) and CWT (p = 0.001). A ROC curve analysis was made and assesed a cut-off value of 7.66 SUVmax (sensitivity: 64.9% and specificity: 82.4%) to distinguish premalignant and malignant lesions from benign lesions. The AUCs of the SUVmax and the combined parameters of SUVmax and CWT were 0.758 and 0.832 respectively.

Conclusion

For patients undergo PET/CT for primary evaluation, imaging features of colorectal focal FDG uptake and CWT were more closely associated with premalignant and malignant lesions. The SUVmax helps determine benign and premalignant/malignant lesions of the colorectum. Moreover, the combination of SUVmax and CWT parameters have higher accuracy in estimating premalignant and malignant lesions than SUVmax.
Open questions on basal insulin therapy in T2D: a Delphi consensus
Authors:   Delphi Board, Alberto Aglialoro , Roberto Anichini , Angelo Avogaro , Cristiana Baggiore , Cesare Berra , Riccardo Bonadonna , Giuseppe Corrao Salvatore Maria , Andrea Da Porto , Lorenzo De Candia , Alessandro De Cosmo Salvatore , Graziano Di Cianni , Gloria Formoso , Gabriella Garrapa , Mariangela Ghiani , Francesco Giorgino , Giacomo Guaita , Ida Maiorino Maria , Stefano Masi , Monica Modugno , Nicola Morea , Lelio Morviducci , Nicola Napoli , Raffaele Napoli , Margherita Occhipinti , Emanuela Orsi , Gianluca Perseghin , Salvatore Piro , Giovanni Sartore , Giorgio Sesti , Francesco Tassone , Roberto Trevisan , Buzzetti Raffaella , Candido Riccardo , Esposito Katherine , Giaccari Andrea , Mannucci Edoardo , Nicolucci Antonio , Russo Giuseppina T.
Published: May 2024

Aims

The revolution in the therapeutic approach to type 2 diabetes (T2D) requires a rethinking of the positioning of basal insulin (BI) therapy. Given the considerable number of open questions, a group of experts was convened with the aim of providing, through a Delphi consensus method, practical guidance for doctors.

Methods

A group of 6 experts developed a series of 29 statements on: the role of metabolic control in light of the most recent guidelines; BI intensification strategies: (1) add-on versus switch; (2) inertia in starting and titrating; (3) free versus fixed ratio combination; basal-bolus intensification and de-intensification strategies; second generation analogues of BI (2BI). A panel of 31 diabetologists, by accessing a dedicated website, assigned each statement a relevance score on a 9-point scale. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was adopted to assess the existence of disagreement among participants.

Results

Panelists showed agreement for all 29 statements, of which 26 were considered relevant, one was considered not relevant and two were of uncertain relevance.

Panelists agreed that the availability of new classes of drugs often allows the postponement of BI and the simplification of therapy. It remains essential to promptly initiate and titrate BI when required. BI should always, unless contraindicated, be started in addition to, and not as a replacement, for ongoing treatments with cardiorenal benefits. 2BIs should be preferred for their pharmacological profile, greater ease of self-titration and flexibility of administration.

Conclusion

In a continuously evolving scenario, BI therapy still represents an important option in the management of T2D patients.
Pembrolizumab plus cisplatin and fluorouracil as induction chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy for patients with cT4 and/or supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (M1Lym) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Hokamura Nobukazu , Fukagawa Takeo , Fukushima Ryoji , Kiyokawa Takashi , Horikawa Masahiro , Kumata Yoshimasa , Suzuki Yusuke , Midorikawa Hironori
Published: May 2024

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (DCRT) is administered as standard treatment for patients with cT4 and/or M1Lym esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, its long-term result is inadequate. Although several studies have reported that conversion surgery can improve the survival of these patients, none have identified significantly better long-term survival than that achieved by DCRT. Thus, enhancing DCRT seems important to improve the survival of these patients. A strategy of shrinking tumor volume before DCRT and providing consolidation chemotherapy for systemic control is expected to improve the survival of these patients. Pembrolizumab plus cisplatin and fluorouracil has demonstrated good local control and significant improvement in the survival of patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Based on these results, the following strategy is proposed: This protocol should be applied as induction for these patients; then, DCRT should be provided depending on the initial response; and finally, adjuvant chemotherapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor should be given to all responders.
Cybersickness with passenger VR in the aircraft: Influence of turbulence and VR content
Authors: Mittelstaedt Justin , Huelmann Gerrit , Marggraf-Micheel Claudia , Schiller Alexander , Seehof Carsten , Stelling Dirk
Published: May 2024

Using VR in the airplane cabin is appealing, primarily because of the enhanced entertainment value, increased privacy, and improved recreational opportunities provided by higher levels of immersion. However, VR applications in aircrafts contain the risk of passengers developing cybersickness. The particular environment of a moving aircraft in interaction with visual representation of movements in VR could lead to severe cybersickness, especially during turbulence. We had 129 participants experience VR in a full flight simulator with different content (static or dynamic VR clips) and during varying phases of flight including turbulence. The employed simulator is equipped with a cabin module, creating an economically valid environment. VR induced significant but mild symptoms of cybersickness. Nausea and dizziness symptoms were most severe during turbulence and especially with dynamic VR content being presented. More anxious participants tended to report more symptoms. In addition, there was an association with video game use and attitudes toward new technologies. While mild content and short exposure times only led to fairly low expressions of cybersickness, a long-term use of VR under turbulence could possibly become a concern. Airlines should especially address passengers’ negative attitudes toward new technologies, and VR in particular, to reduce fears and the risk of low tolerability.
The economic impact of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Nijssen David J. , Wienholts Kiedo , Postma Maarten J. , Tuynman Jurriaan , Bemelman Willem A. , Laméris Wytze , Hompes Roel
Published: May 2024

Background

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains a burdensome complication following colorectal surgery, with increased morbidity, oncological compromise, and mortality. AL may impose a substantial financial burden on hospitals and society due to extensive resource utilization. Estimated costs associated with AL are important when exploring preventive measures and treatment strategies. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on (socio)economic costs associated with AL after colorectal surgery, appraise their quality, compare reported outcomes, and identify knowledge gaps.

Methods

Health economic evaluations reporting costs related to AL after colorectal surgery were identified through searching multiple online databases until June 2023. Pairs of reviewers independently evaluated the quality using an adapted version of the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria list. Extracted costs were converted to 2022 euros (€) and also adjusted for purchasing power disparities among countries.

Results

From 1980 unique abstracts, 59 full-text publications were assessed for eligibility, and 17 studies were included in the review. The incremental costs of AL after correcting for purchasing power disparity ranged from €2250 (+39.9%, Romania) to €83,633 (+ 513.1%, Brazil). Incremental costs were mainly driven by hospital (re)admission, intensive care stay, and reinterventions. Only one study estimated the economic societal burden of AL between €1.9 and €6.1 million.

Conclusions

AL imposes a significant financial burden on hospitals and social care systems. The magnitude of costs varies greatly across countries and data on the societal burden and non-medical costs are scarce. Adherence to international reporting standards is essential to understand international disparities and to externally validate reported cost estimates.
Application and evaluation of interlinked approaches for modeling changing capabilities
Authors: Koutsopoulos Georgios , Andersson Anna , Stirna Janis , Henkel Martin
Published: May 2024

The nature of modern organizations needs to be increasingly adaptive, since they are dealing with a constant demand to respond to stimuli derived from the dynamic environments they operate in. Changing their capabilities is a common response, and this makes capability management a vital aspect of organizational survivability. To date, there are no approaches specifically designed to address this specific situation. KYKLOS and Compass are two interlinked approaches of different complexity, a DSML and a canvas, developed to support capability change. As recently developed methods, they lacked formal demonstration and evaluation; therefore, the goal of this article is to present the demonstration and evaluation of the two approaches by their stakeholders, in particular, business and modeling experts. A case study in a Swedish company in the ERP system consulting domain that is undergoing changes in its sales and consulting capabilities related to evolving customer requirements has been used to demonstrate and evaluate the two approaches. The process consisted of two evaluation cycles. The first cycle concerned KYKLOS and used two categories of evaluators, the business experts and the modeling experts. While the modeling experts evaluated positively the method, the business experts had difficulties associated with its ease of use and adoption. This resulted in the development of Compass, which was evaluated by business experts during the second evaluation cycle. Compass was evaluated more positively in terms of the difficult aspects, but the challenge is ongoing and motivates further future research.
Development of Z number-based fuzzy inference system to predict bearing capacity of circular foundations
Authors: Hosseini Shahab , Gordan Behrouz , Kalkan Erol
Published: May 2024

Precise bearing capacity prediction of circular foundations is essential in civil engineering design and construction. The bearing capacity is affected by factors such as depth, density of soil, internal angle of friction, cohesion of soil, and foundation radius. In this paper, an innovative perspective on a fuzzy inference system (FIS) was proposed to predict bearing capacity. The uncertainty of fuzzy rules is eliminated by using Z-number theory. The effective parameters, i.e., depth, density of soil, internal angle of friction, cohesion of soil, and foundation radius were considered as inputs to the proposed model. To compare regression and FIS model with Z-based FIS, statistical indices such as the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and variance account for (VAF) were employed. For training and testing Z-FIS, the R2was (0.977 and 0.971), the RMSE was (1.645 and 1.745), and the VAF was (98.549% and 98.138), whereas for the FIS method, the values were (0.912 and 0.904), (5.962 and 6.76), and (90.12% and 88.49%). It should be mentioned that Z theory decreased the computational time by 89.28% (174.04 s to 18.65 s). The comparison of the statistical indicators of the presented models revealed the superiority of the Z-FIS model over the FIS. Notably, sensitivity analysis revealed that the most effective parameters on bearing capacity are internal angle of friction, depth, and soil density.
Fragility of Indonesian houses: scenario damage analysis of the 2006 Yogyakarta and 2009 Padang earthquakes
Authors: Weber Rikki , Cummins Phil , Edwards Mark
Published: May 2024

Indonesia is located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world and often experiences damaging earthquakes. In the past the housing sector has sustained higher earthquake related damage and losses than other sectors. This is often attributed to the fact that the most common houses in Indonesia are non-engineered, built with poor quality workmanship, poor quality materials and without resilient seismic design features. However little effort has been made to quantify how fragile Indonesian houses are, or how their fragility may vary according to the population density or relative wealth of a region. It is not possible to derive empirical fragility functions for Indonesia due to insufficient damage data. The aim of this study is to determine whether existing earthquake fragility functions can be applied to common house types in Indonesia. Scenario damage analyses simulating the 2006 Yogyakarta and 2009 Padang events were undertaken several times testing different fragility functions. The simulated damage results were then compared to the damage observed post event to determine whether an accurate damage prediction could be achieved. It was found that the common house types in Yogyakarta and Central Java vary according to age of construction, location and relative wealth of a region and can be reasonably well represented by existing fragility functions. However, the houses in Padang and surrounding West Sumatra did not vary in a predictable manner and are more fragile than anticipated. Therefore, the fragility of the most common house types in Indonesia differs between Central Java and West Sumatra. This has important implications for seismic damage and risk assessment undertaken in Indonesia.
Long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant trastuzumab emtansine + pertuzumab (T-DM1 + P) and docetaxel + carboplatin + trastuzumab + pertuzumab (TCbHP) for HER2-positive primary breast cancer: results of the randomized phase 2 JBCRG20 study (Neo-peaks)
Authors: Takano Toshimi , Masuda Norikazu , Ito Mitsuya , Inoue Kenichi , Tanabe Yuko , Kawaguchi Kousuke , Yasojima Hiroyuki , Bando Hiroko , Nakamura Rikiya , Yamanaka Takashi , Ishida Kazushige , Aruga Tomoyuki , Yanagita Yasuhiro , Tokunaga Eriko , Aogi Kenjiro , Ohno Shinji , Kasai Hiroi , Kataoka Tatsuki R. , Morita Satoshi , Toi Masakazu
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The randomized phase 2 Neo-peaks study examined usefulness of neoadjuvant trastuzumab emtansine + pertuzumab (T-DM1 + P) following docetaxel + carboplatin + trastuzumab + pertuzumab (TCbHP) as compared with the standard TCbHP regimen. We previously reported that pCR rate after neoadjuvant therapy tended to be higher with TCbHP followed by T-DM1 + P. We conducted an exploratory analysis of prognosis 5 years after surgery.

Methods

Neoadjuvant treatment with TCbHP (6 cycles; group A), TCbHP (4 cycles) followed by T-DM1 + P (4 cycles; group B), and T-DM1 + P (4 cycles; group C, + 2 cycles in responders) were compared. Group C non-responders after 4 cycles were switched to an anthracycline-based regimen. We evaluated 5-year disease-free survival (DFS), distant DFS (DDFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Data from 203 patients (50, 52, and 101 in groups A–C, respectively) were analyzed. No significant intergroup differences were found for DFS, DDFS, or OS. The 5-year DFS rates (95% CI) were 91.8% (79.6–96.8%), 92.3% (80.8–97.0%), and 88.0% (79.9–93.0%) in groups A–C, respectively. TCbHP followed by T-DM1 + P and T-DM1 + P with response-guided addition of anthracycline therapy resulted in similar long-term prognosis to that of TCbHP.

Conclusions

In patients who achieved pCR after neoadjuvant therapy with T-DM1 + P, omission of adjuvant anthracycline may be considered, whereas treatment should be adjusted for non-pCR patients with residual disease. T-DM1 + P with response-guided treatment adjustment may be useful for minimizing toxicity.

Trial registration number and date of registration

UMIN-CTR, UMIN000014649, prospectively registered July 25, 2014. Some of the study results were presented as a Mini Oral session at the ESMO Breast Cancer 2023 (Berlin, Germany, 11–13 May 2023).
University lecturers’ lived experiences of teaching critical thinking in Australian university: a hermeneutic phenomenological research
Authors: Manning Musa Nicholas John
Published: May 2024

The study explores insights into the phenomenon of Australian lecturers’ lived experiences of teaching standalone critical thinking units within associate degree courses at one university in Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. The study makes an original contribution by focusing upon the experiences of teaching staff in Australian universities in relation to teaching critical thinking, particularly from a Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological and Gadamerian hermeneutic theoretical and conceptual framework. At present, there are no unified methods, frameworks, or models of teaching critical thinking in Australian higher education. This problem for lecturers is an important aspect of a university education that is not well understood. This is a global educational issue and is a matter of teaching and learning concern worldwide in tertiary education (e.g. United States of America, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK). Although, several studies have been conducted on teaching critical thinking from the perspective of university lecturers. There is limited research that focus on teaching staff in Australian universities’ experience with teaching critical thinking that has used Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenology and Gadamer’s hermeneutic circle, interpretive approach in gathering data. Using interviews, data is conducted with three first-year undergraduate Australian university Ph.D. lecturers. During the analysis of the empirical data, three themes were significant in revealing the key findings: (a) Dwelling; (b) Sorge, and (c) Concern. The comprehensive understanding of the results was that the challenges university lecturers faced in developing students to thinking critically provided new pedagogical curriculum insights for the teaching and learning of a standalone critical thinking unit within the associate degree course.
Validation of the use of concept maps as an evaluation tool for the teaching and learning of mechanical and industrial engineering
Authors: Veiga Fernando , Gil-Del-Val Alain , Iriondo Edurne , Eslava Urko
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the experimental work developed to measure the learning process through concept map analysis. The development of a concept map is requested by the students for each chapter or theme of the subject. As a result, maps from engineering courses have been analyzed. The measurements carried out consider several parameters, such as individual and team map building, student progressive knowledge level, and map complexity. Concerning the complexity analysis, the focus is qualitative, and it is based on the data extracted from the concept maps elaborated by the students. The study, conducted during the 2018–2019 academic year, included students from various academic levels and institutions, such as the Public University of Navarra UPNA and the University of the Basque Country UPV-EHU, covering first-degree students of Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and first-degree students of Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering at UPNA, third-degree students of Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at UPV-EHU. The data collected from 37 individual maps in Industrial Drawing, 31 group maps in Industrial Drawing, 12 individual maps in Design of Machinery, and 12 group maps in Design of Machinery, along with a control group of 79 students who did not participate in any activity, provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of concept maps for evaluating understanding levels and learning outcomes across various engineering subjects and academic levels. The learning outcome of the students is treated to obtain the level of understanding of complex systems shown by the students through the concept maps previously drawn and the questionnaire answered by each student about the achievement of learning results through the use of concept maps. This work shows the research methodology established and the learning results achieved qualitatively: measuring the maps by means of a rubric, self-assessment based on a survey, and through the questionnaires. Also, the results obtained in the final exams have been compared. From the observed results, this methodology is presented as a suitable alternative for evaluating the correct acquisition of concepts in online teaching situations.
Oocyte retrieval in social fertility preservation: challenging traditional beliefs on gonadotropin dosing and follicular size
Authors: Herzberger Einat Haikin , Semo Mor , Soifer Kim , Miller Netanella , Gepstein Nitzan Goren , Rahav Roni , Levi Mattan , Wiser Amir
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To investigate treatment approaches for fertility preservation patients, with a focus on timing of oocyte retrieval, and to determine whether their characteristics differ from those of other IVF patients. Additionally, to evaluate the significance of follicle size on triggering day in the context of fertility preservation.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary, university-affiliated medical center. It compared 140 matched patients undergoing social fertility preservation to 140 patients undergoing IVF treatment due to male factor infertility.

Results

Patients undergoing fertility preservation received a higher initial gonadotropin dose and had more oocytes retrieved than the control group. Within the fertility preservation cohort, a negative correlation was observed between the rate of large follicles and the number of retrieved oocytes. While there was no significant association between rate of large follicles and oocyte maturation rate in the entire group, age-stratified analysis revealed a negative relationship. Analysis revealed that although traditional treatment determinants such as follicular size and gonadotropin dosing were considered, peak estradiol levels were consistently identified as significant predictors of treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

Physicians may modify treatments for fertility preservation, emphasizing a higher gonadotropin dosage to maximize oocyte retrieval. Elevated estradiol levels can serve as a real-time predictive marker for the number of mature oocytes. While treatment strategies can influence outcomes, intrinsic patient factors, particularly baseline ovarian function, remain crucial. These results challenge beliefs regarding the importance of larger follicles and suggest the need for a tailored approach, considering patient age and specific fertility preservation objectives.
Sparse deep encoded features with enhanced sinogramic red deer optimization for fault inspection in wafer maps
Authors: Altantawy Doaa A. , Yakout Mohamed A.
Published: May 2024

Due to the complexity and dynamics of the semiconductor manufacturing processes, wafer bin maps (WBM) present various defect patterns caused by various process faults. The defect type detection on wafer maps provides information about the process and equipment in which the defect occurred. Recently, automatic inspection has played a vital role in meeting the high-throughput demand, especially with deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) which shows promising efficiency. At the same time, the need for a large amount of labeled and balanced datasets limits the performance of such approaches. In addition, complex DCNN in recognition tasks can provide redundant features that cause overfitting and reduce interpretability. In this paper, a new hybrid deep model for wafer map fault detection to get over these challenges is proposed. Firstly, a new convolutional autoencoder (CAE) is employed as a synthetization model to fix the high imbalance problem of the dataset. Secondly, for efficient dimensionality reduction, an embedding procedure is applied to the synthesized maps to get sparse encoded wafer maps by reinforcing a sparsity regularization in an encoder-decoder network to form a sparsity-boosted autoencoder (SBAE). The sparse embedding of wafer maps guarantees more discriminative features with 50% reduction in spatial size compared to the original wafer maps. Then, the 2D encoded sparse maps are converted to 1D sinograms to be fed later into another aggressive feature reduction stage using a new modified red deer algorithm with a new tinkering strategy. The resultant feature pool is reduced to ~ 25 1D feature bases, i.e., ~ 1.5% of the initial size of the 2D wafer maps. Finally, for the prediction stage, a simple 1DCNN model is introduced. The proposed inspection model is tested via different experiments on real-world wafer map dataset (WM-811K). Compared to state-of-the-art techniques, the proposed model outperforms their performance even with small-sized 1D feature pool. The average testing accuracy are 98.77% and 98.8% for 9 and 8 types of faults, respectively.
A Plural Nomos: Law, Life, and Knowledge
Authors: Davies Margaret
Published: May 2024

Even in its limited state-based form, human law owes its existence to the natural physical world with its self-created value systems. What is understood as human law is grounded in human-nonhuman entanglements, themselves a subset of a multi-dimensional natural nomos consisting of the intricately connected normative worlds of animals, plants, earth, and cosmos. Complex and intersecting plural normative fields include those associated with the nonliving world, the multiple ontological worlds produced by life forms, and the many strata of human becoming – cultural, cognitive, social, and representational. As plural the nomos contains many irreducible dimensions. Normative fields intersect, hybridise, and clash; they can mutually strengthen and also negate other normativities. In this article, I set out and explore some dimensions of the plural nomos with a focus on living beings, notably the connectedness of being, knowing and normativity. The living nomos co-emerges with being and with the embodied knowledge of even the simplest forms of life. Life is both cognitive and normative; living beings inherit ancestral norms but, in living and adapting, life creates new norms, biological, cultural, and behavioural. The living-knowing being is always normative – produced by the norming processes and constraints of life and matter at large. Normative elements are a critical part of the ontological and epistemological embeddedness of human beings in more than human worlds. Before law (or knowledge) can be about life, it is also of or from life. Expanding the analytical frame of law in this way is one method by which we might reshape western narratives of law, with the aims of promoting better openness to First Nations laws, discouraging western cultural superiority and human exceptionalism, and moving toward a more eco-sensitive view of the continuity between human law-culture-society and the natural world.
DFT analysis of the electronic, optical, phonon, elastic, and mechanical features of ternary Rb2XS3 (X = Si, Ge, Sn) chalcogenides
Authors: Uğur Şule , Güler Melek , Özdemir Alptuğ , Güler Emre , Uğur Gökay
Published: May 2024

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were executed for the titled features of hitherto unreported Rb2XS3 (X = Si, Ge, Sn) chalcogen compounds. All compounds were found to be in semiconducting character where they demonstrate high-k dielectric properties, high optical conductivity, high refractivity and reasonable absorbance. In addition, obtained phonon dispersion curves of all compounds with positive phonon frequencies stipulate the dynamical stability. Also, computed elastic stiffness constants prove mechanical stability and bilateral agreement between Pugh ratio analyses with Poisson ratio results confirms the ductile mechanical feature of all addressed compounds. Overall, with satisfactory optical, elastic and mechanical aspects, Rb2XS3 (X = Si, Ge, Sn) chalcogenides can be promising materials for recent optoelectronics and microelectronics with diverse applications.
Headache in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma before and after transsphenoidal surgery – a prospective study
Authors: Hantelius Victor , Ragnarsson Oskar , Johannsson Gudmundur , Olsson Daniel S. , Jakobsson Sofie , Thurin Erik , Farahmand Dan , Skoglund Thomas , Hallen Tobias
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To study the long-term effect of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) on headache in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and identify factors predicting headache relief following TSS.

Methods

We evaluated headache in 101 consecutive patients with NFPA who underwent TSS from September 2015 to December 2021, preoperatively and 12-months post-surgery, by using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. Health-related quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS).

Results

Of 101 patients, 27 (27%) experienced disabling preoperative headache. Among these, the median total MIDAS score improved from 60 (interquartile range (IQR): 19–140) to 10 (IQR: 0–49) (P = 0.004). Additionally, headache frequency over a 90-day period decreased from 45 (IQR: 25–83) to 6 (IQR: 3–36) days (P = 0.002), and headache intensity decreased from 5 (IQR: 4–7) to 4 (IQR: 2–7) (P = 0.016) at 12-months post-surgery. At 12 months post-surgery, 18 (67%) of 27 patients with preoperatively disabling headache showed clinically relevant improvement of their headache, 4 (15%) showed deterioration, and 5 (19%) remained unchanged. In patients with clinically relevant improvement of their headache, the EQ-VAS score improved from 50 (IQR: 30 − 7) to 80 (IQR: 65–86) (P < 0.001). Of the 74 patients with no preoperative headache, 11 (15%) developed postoperative headache. We identified no clinical factors predicting postoperative headache relief.

Conclusion

The study supports that clinically significant and long-lasting improvements of disabling headache and QoL can be achieved with TSS in a substantial number of patients with NFPA.
Using Power Analysis to Choose the Unit of Randomization, Outcome, and Approach for Subgroup Analysis for a Multilevel Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Reduce Disparities in Cardiovascular Health
Authors: Harrall Kylie K. , Sauder Katherine A. , Glueck Deborah H. , Shenkman Elizabeth A. , Muller Keith E.
Published: May 2024

We give examples of three features in the design of randomized controlled clinical trials which can increase power and thus decrease sample size and costs. We consider an example multilevel trial with several levels of clustering. For a fixed number of independent sampling units, we show that power can vary widely with the choice of the level of randomization. We demonstrate that power and interpretability can improve by testing a multivariate outcome rather than an unweighted composite outcome. Finally, we show that using a pooled analytic approach, which analyzes data for all subgroups in a single model, improves power for testing the intervention effect compared to a stratified analysis, which analyzes data for each subgroup in a separate model. The power results are computed for a proposed prevention research study. The trial plans to randomize adults to either telehealth (intervention) or in-person treatment (control) to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The trial outcomes will be measures of the Essential Eight, a set of scores for cardiovascular health developed by the American Heart Association which can be combined into a single composite score. The proposed trial is a multilevel study, with outcomes measured on participants, participants treated by the same provider, providers nested within clinics, and clinics nested within hospitals. Investigators suspect that the intervention effect will be greater in rural participants, who live farther from clinics than urban participants. The results use published, exact analytic methods for power calculations with continuous outcomes. We provide example code for power analyses using validated software.
Comparing Tier 1 reading instruction with Tier 3 or special education intervention through an observational snapshot of school-implemented response to intervention across Grades 1–5
Authors: Al Otaiba Stephanie , Stewart Jennifer , van Dijk Wilhelmina , Conner Carlin , Freudenthal Dayna Russell , Rivas Brenna , Yovanoff Paul , Allor Jill
Published: May 2024

There is limited research about Tier 3 interventions provided during typical school Response to Intervention (RTI) implementation. As part of a larger RTI exploration study designed to focus on students with the most intensive reading needs, our goal was to contrast their Tier 1 core reading instruction with their Tier 3 intervention. Schools identified participating students as receiving Tier 3 or special education for reading. We aimed to provide a snapshot of differences in Tier 1 and intensive interventions delivered to 264 students from 32 elementary schools. Our research team used the Instructional Content Emphasis-Revised (ICE-R; Edmond & Briggs, 2003) to observe differences in group size and the amounts and types of curricular content (e.g., code vs. meaning-focused) students received during both tiers. We explored whether these patterns were consistent across Grades 1–5 and if they differed in relation to students’ disability (reading disability vs. other disability vs. no disability). We also examined whether the Tier 3 observation data was consistent with administrators’ reports about RTI implementation within their school. Across the grades, we found significantly more small-group than whole-class instruction during Tier 3 than in Tier 1. We observed significantly lower proportions of code-focused instruction than meaning-focused instruction, particularly during Tier 1. Generally, code-focused instruction decreased across the grades in both tiers. Although we found a trend suggesting students with reading disabilities may have received higher proportions of code-focused instruction than other students, this was not significant after multiple comparisons. We discuss some similarities and differences between our observations and administrator data. We discuss implications, limitations, and directions for future research.
Inadequate linear catch-up growth in children born small for gestational age: Influencing factors and underlying mechanisms
Authors: Tian Anran , Meng Fucheng , Li Sujuan , Wu Yichi , Zhang Cai , Luo Xiaoping
Published: May 2024

A minority of children born small for gestational age (SGA) may experience catch-up growth failure and remain short in adulthood. However, the underlying causes and mechanisms of this phenomenon are not yet fully comprehended. We reviewed the present state of research concerning the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor axis and growth plate in SGA children who fail to achieve catch-up growth. Additionally, we explored the factors influencing catch-up growth in SGA children and potential molecular mechanisms involved. Furthermore, we considered the potential benefits of supplementary nutrition, specific dietary patterns, probiotics and drug therapy in facilitating catch-up growth.