bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perhydrous organic carbon logging evaluation method in shore and shallow lacustrine shale formations: A case study of the Mesozoic lacustrine shale in the western Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Zeyu Nan , Ling Zhang , Jing Lu , Jun Li , Maojin Tan , Jiyan Li , Xiaofeng Zhang
Published: March 2022

The types of organic carbon in shore and shallow lacustrine shales are more diverse than those in marine formations. It is of great importance to establish log interpretation models of the separate types of organic carbon content for hydrocarbon generation potential estimation. First, we summarize the main rock types and their logging characteristics in the shore and shallow lacustrine shale reservoirs and analyze the types of organic carbon in shore and shallow lacustrine shales using core pyrolysis analysis and kerogen maceral microscopic identification. Second, we establish the calculation method of the total organic carbon (TOC) content in the lacustrine shale formation by regression analysis. Third, we divide the organic matter in shore and shallow lacustrine shales into two parts: perhydrous organic carbon (perhydrous macerals) with a higher hydrogen index, higher H/C atomic ratio, and stronger hydrocarbon generation potential and subhydrous organic carbon (subhydrous macerals) with a lower hydrogen index, lower H/C atomic ratio, and poorer hydrocarbon generation potential. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of the mixed skeleton, combined with the formation component triangular chart, and establish calculation methods for perhydrous and subhydrous organic carbon contents. Finally, we apply this method to the Mesozoic shore and lacustrine shale in the western Sichuan Basin, China. The application indicates that the kerogen types of the Mesozoic shore and shallow lacustrine formations in the western Sichuan Basin are mainly type III and type IIB kerogen with a low content of perhydrous macerals. The perhydrous organic carbon content calculated by the logging evaluation model is positively correlated with the perhydrous maceral content obtained by kerogen maceral microscopic identification and the oil generation potential S2 obtained by core pyrolysis analysis. Logging analysts should use the perhydrous organic carbon content to estimate the hydrocarbon generation potential of shore and shallow lacustrine shale formations.
Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers in the Soil and Water Conservation Movement in South Texas, 1940s to Present
Authors: Alonzo Armando C.
Published: March 2022

Conservation of natural resources in South Texas is basically a modern development that parallels the evolution of the Soil Conservation Service and other federal agricultural agencies. Since the World War II era, Hispanic producers have played an important role in adopting new conservation practices to conserve and enhance the value of their lands. Initially, the region was a natural grassland devoted to ranching, but farm development in the early twentieth century led to a sharp increase in irrigated farmland along the Rio Grande. Conservation practices during the long period of extensive ranching were ineffective. As a result, by the twentieth century much of the grasslands were turned into brushland due to overgrazing, the disuse of fires to suppress weeds and useless shrubs, soil compaction, and soil and wind erosion. Hispanic farmers and ranchers had to be convinced that new practices were beneficial. The cooperation of SCS, ASCS, and other agencies facilitated the work of introducing new practices, such as disking, root plowing, seeding of new grasses, and range management practices. Farmers also benefited from new practices. Construction of Falcón Dam in 1954 was a great boost to water conservation and flood control. The last forty years have seen a rapid growth in wildlife ranches and the sale of rangelands to prosperous professionals and businessmen and women. At present, three thousand Hispanic producers are dedicated to conserving their water and soil resources, adapting to these two new developments.
To Make a Desert Bloom: The Israeli Agricultural Adventure and the Quest for Sustainability
Authors: Tal Alon
Published: March 2022

This article offers an overview of the vicissitudes faced by Israeli agriculture during the past century. The Zionist pioneers who came from Europe to Palestine sought to "reclaim" the status of Jewish farmers in their homeland. This ethic translated into an extraordinary societal support for Israel’s agrarian economy and steady growth in agricultural production. Seven key factors are identified as being critical to this record of success, including a commitment to food security, water development, and technological innovation. Yet, during the past twenty years numerous changes in local and international dynamics have posed substantial challenges to Israel’s agricultural sector. In addition, while Israeli agriculture has largely halted erosion and restored desertified lands of the Negev Desert, it also produced myriad environmental side effects including water contamination and excessive pesticide usage. The article considers responses to these challenges that offer promising prospects for a sustainable agricultural future in Israel.
Introduction: Media Archaeology and the Resources of Film Studies
Authors: Morgan Daniel
Published: March 2022

The introduction to this special issue traces the interactions between the rise of media archaeology and the field of cinema and media studies. Arguing that media archaeology provided a necessary corrective around the question of media, I aim to show how its focus on historical narratives—especially on models of temporality—has led to a critical stagnation and a blind spot with regard to non-Western media. Drawing on the resources in film studies for thinking about the trans- or international movement of media, I set out the need for and terms of a globalizing media archaeology.
Song Time, the Time of Narratives, and the Changing Idea of Nation in Postindependence Cinema
Authors: Majumdar Rochona
Published: March 2022

What changes in our understanding of Indian films when we treat the song sequence as a separate medium situated both within and outside the film text? I argue for treating the song text as operating simultaneously on multiple levels, both within the film and in its afterlife. Through a close reading of select song sequences from both popular and art cinema, I demonstrate how they may be read as allegories of temporal sensibilities at odds with the temporality presented in the main narrative of the film. Songs condense a heterogeneous variety of pasts and possible futures into a singular experience of the present, doing so by way of multiple registers of affect. This work is found not only in popular film songs but also in those of Indian art films; the anxieties over a transition to modernity is common to both varieties of filmmaking in the post-independence moment.
149 Predictive Value of Magnetoencephalography to Guide Intracranial Implant Strategy
Authors: Anand Adrish , Gadot Ron , Najera Ricardo A. , Smith David , Hegazy Mohamed , Gavvala Jay R. , Shofty Ben , Sheth Sameer A.
Published: March 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a useful component of a pre-surgical evaluation. Due to its high spatiotemporal resolution, MEG often provides nonredundant information to the clinician when forming hypotheses about the epileptogenic zone (EZ). With the increasing utilization of stereo-EEG (sEEG), MEG clusters are more commonly used as an sEEG electrode target. However, there are no pre-defined features of an MEG cluster that predict whether it is representative of intracranial EEG interictal or ictal activity, which limits optimal utilization of MEG in surgical planning.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed patients who had an MEG study since it became available at our center (2017-2021). Patients were included if they had a positive MEG prior to an sEEG evaluation. MEG dipoles and sEEG electrodes were reconstructed in the same coordinate space to calculate overlap between electrodes and MEG clusters, and to quantify MEG cluster characteristics. MEG cluster features including brain region, stability (degree to which dipoles are parallel), tightness (density of dipole distribution), and number of dipoles were included in a binary classifier to predict ictal and interictal activity.

RESULTS:

Across 39 included patients, 13% of sEEG electrodes sampled MEG clusters. In these contacts, there were higher rates of ictal (43.22% vs 17.36%, p < 0.001) and interictal activity (39.63% vs 18.93%, p < 0.001) compared to electrodes not sampling MEG clusters. For contacts sampling the MEG cluster, binary classification predicted ictal activity with 76.7% accuracy compared to 54.4% in shuffled data (c-statistic = 0.816) , while interictal activity was predicted accurately at 68.2% compared to 57.8% in shuffled data (c-statistic = 0.672) . Further analysis of individual characteristics showed that cluster stability contributed most to the model’s accuracy (c-statistic = 0.773), whereas tightness (c-statistic = 0.701) and number of spikes (c-statistic = 0.692) contributed to a lesser extent. Brain region (c-statistic = 0.553) was not predictive of ictal activity.

CONCLUSION:

MEG cluster stability, tightness, and number of dipoles can be used to predict ictal activity. Quantitative analysis of these features may be useful for prospective planning of intracranial diagnostic implants.
Prognostic Role of Preoperative Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Plasma Levels in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Treated With Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Mori Keiichiro , Schuettfort Victor M. , Katayama Satoshi , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Pradere Benjamin , Quhal Fahad , Sari Motlagh Reza , Mostafaei Hadi , Grossmann Nico C. , Rajwa Pawel , Teoh Jeremy YC. , Resch Irene , Fajkovic Harun , Moschini Marco , D’andrea David , Abufaraj Mohammad , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Lotan Yair , Scherr Douglas , Egawa Shin , Compérat Eva , Shariat Shahrokh F. ,   European Association of Urology–Young Academic Urologists Urothelial Carcinoma Working Group (EAU-YAU)
Published: March 2022

Background

Angiogenesis-related marker vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) has been shown to be elevated in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), but its predictive/prognostic role has not been determined. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the predictive/prognostic role of VCAM-1 for patients who have UCB treated with radical cystectomy (RC).

Methods

The study enrolled 1036 patients with clinically non-metastatic advanced UCB who underwent RC, and plasma VCAM-1 was evaluated preoperatively. The correlation of plasma VCAM-1 with pathologic and survival outcomes was assessed using binominal logistic regression and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Discrimination was assessed using the area under the curve and concordance indices. The clinical net benefit was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Preoperative VCAM-1 was significantly elevated in patients with adverse pathologic features. Higher VCAM-1 levels were independently associated with increased risk of lymph-node-metastasis (LNM), ≥pT3 disease, and non-organ-confined disease (NOCD (p< 0.001 for each). Preoperative plasma VCAM-1 was independently associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) in pre- and postoperative multivariable models. Adding VCAM-1 to these predictive models improved their discriminatory ability to predict all outcomes by a significant margin. In the DCA, VCAM-1 addition to the reference models for prediction of LNM, NOCD, RFS, and CSS resulted in relevant improvement.

Conclusions

Elevated plasma VCAM-1 was associated with biologically and clinically aggressive UCB disease features. After validation, preoperative VCAM-1 may serve as a biomarker to help identify patients likely to benefit from intensified/multimodal therapy. In addition, VCAM-1 improved the discriminatory power of predictive/prognostic models and can be used to refine personalized clinical decision-making.
Patients undergoing multiple 18F-FDG PET/CT exams: Assessment of frequency, dose and disease classification
Authors: Indrakanti Santoshi , Li Xinhua , Rehani Madan M.
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To analyse the frequency, demographics, primary disease and cumulative effective dose of patients undergoing two or more 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations in a year.

Methods:

In a retrospective study performed at a tertiary-care hospital, patients who underwent ≥2 18F-FDG PET/CT scans in a calendar year were identified for two consecutive years. The CT radiation dose was calculated using dose-length-product and sex-specific conversion factors. The primary malignancy of patients was retrieved from electronic medical records.

Results:

10,714 18F-FDG PET/CT exams were performed for 6,831 unique patients in 2 years, yielding an average of 1.6 exams per patient. The maximum number of 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations any patient underwent in a single year was seven. 20.9% patients had ≥2 18F-FDG PET/CT exams in any single year. Thirty nine percent patients in the cohort were below 60 years age. The median dose for 18F-FDG PET/CT examination was 25.1 mSv and maximum value reaching 1.7 to 2.9 times the median value. Cumulative effective dose (CED) was≥100 mSv in 12–13% of the patients. The cumulative dose for both years combined demonstrated the 25th percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile as well as the mean to be over 100 mSv, with the 25th percentile being 109 mSv. The dominant primary malignancies contributing to serial 18F-FDG PET/CTs in decreasing frequency were melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Conclusions:

A sizeable number of patients undergo≥2 18F-FDG PET/CT exams with one out of every eight patients receiving cumulative dose≥100 mSv and that includes patients with long-life expectancy.

Advances in knowledge:

The study found that one of five patients had≥2 18F-FDG PET/CT exams in a calendar year, one of four patients in two years and one of eight patients received cumulative dose≥100 mSv. Top malignancies associated with serial imaging in decreasing order of frequency included melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Correlation among alveolar bone assessments provided by CBCT, micro-CT, and 14 T MRI
Authors: Choi Isabela Goulart Gil , Pinhata-Baptista Otavio Henrique , Ferraço Renato , Kim Jun Ho , Abdala Júnior Reinaldo , Arita Emiko Saito , Cortes Arthur Rodriguez Gonzalez , Ackerman Jerome L.
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral adipose tissue (BMAT) volume in 21 alveolar bone specimens, as determined by 14 T MRI, and correlate them to the radiodensity values obtained pre-operatively of regions of interest (ROIs) by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to the bone-volume-to-tissue-volume ratio values obtained by micro-CT, the gold-standard for morphometric data collection.

Methods:

Partially edentulous patients were submitted to a CBCT scan, and the radiographic bone densities in each ROI were automatically calculated using coDiagnostiX software. Based on the CBCT surgical planning, a CAD/CAM stereolithographic surgical guide was fabricated to retrieve a bone biopsy from the same ROIs scanned preoperatively, and then to orientate the subsequent implant placement. The alveolar bone biopsies were then collected and scanned using the micro-CT and 14 T MRI techniques. Pearson’s correlation test was performed to correlate the results obtained using the three different techniques.

Results:

In the 21 eligible bone specimens (6 females, 15 males), age (mean age 52.9 years), micro-CT, and 14 T MRI variables were found to be normally distributed (p > 0.05). The strongest—and only statistically significant (p < 0.05)—correlation was found between micro-CT and 14 T MRI values (r = 0.943), and the weakest, between 14 T MRI and CBCT values (r = –0.068).

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that 14 T MRI can be used to evaluate BMAT as an indirect marker for bone volume, and that CBCT is not a reliable technique to provide accurate bone density values.
Ligands with polyfluorophenyl moieties promote a local structural rearrangement in the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers that increases ligand affinities
Authors: Anisuzzaman Sharif , Geraskin Ivan M. , Ilgu Muslum , Bendickson Lee , Kraus George A. , Nilsen-Hamilton Marit
Published: March 2022

The interaction of nucleic acids with their molecular targets often involves structural reorganization that may traverse a complex folding landscape. With the more recent recognition that many RNAs, both coding and noncoding, may regulate cellular activities by interacting with target molecules, it becomes increasingly important to understand how nucleic acids interact with their targets and how drugs might be developed that can influence critical folding transitions. We have extensively investigated the interaction of the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers with a library of small molecule ligands modified by various extensions from the imido nitrogen of DFHBI [(Z)-5-(3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2,3-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one] that reach out from the Spinach2 ligand binding pocket. Studies of the interaction of these compounds with the aptamers revealed that polyfluorophenyl-modified ligands initiate a slow change in aptamer affinity that takes an extended time (half-life of ∼40 min) to achieve. The change in affinity appears to involve an initial disruption of the entrance to the ligand binding pocket followed by a gradual transition to a more defined structure for which the most likely driving force is an interaction of the gateway adenine with a nearby 2′OH group. These results suggest that polyfluorophenyl modifications might increase the ability of small molecule drugs to disrupt local structure and promote RNA remodeling.
Bibliometric analysis and network visualization mapping of global research in Q fever vaccine
Authors: Ahmad Tauseef , Haroon Haroon , Ornos Eric David Bicaldo , Malibary Husam , Hussain Akbar , Baig Mukhtiar , Santali Eman Y. , Alestad Jeehan H. , Muzaheed Muzaheed , Rabaan Ali A. , Harapan Harapan
Published: March 2022

Background: Query fever (Q fever), caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a highly infectious zoonotic infection to humans and livestock. Despite extensive efforts to develop effective vaccines against this disease, only one vaccine is licensed and available. The aim of this study was to investigate the global research trends, keystone bibliometric parameters, and network visualization mapping in Q fever vaccine from 1941 to 2021.  

Methods: A retrospective bibliometric followed by a visualized study was conducted. The searches were conducted in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) Edition of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The following keywords were used: "Q fever" OR "Query fever" OR "Coxiella burnetii" OR "Coxiella-burnetii" OR "C. burnetii" (Topic) AND "Vaccin*" OR "Immuniz*" OR "Immunis*" (Topic) without any limitation. The data were plotted for co-authorship countries, co-occurrence keywords plus, and bibliographic coupling sources network visualization mapping. The VOSviewer version 1.6.17 was used for network visualization.  

Results: The bibliographical search resulted in a total of 478 publications which were included in this study. The publications were mainly published in English (n=436), while the major document types were articles (n=391). The most productive year was 2014 (n=33), while the most cited year was 2020 (n=1026). The extensively studied research areas were immunology and veterinary science, and the most used keywords plus were Q-fever and Coxiella-burnetii. Kazar J (n=17) was the leading author, while the famous journal was Acta Virologica (n=23). The most active institution was the Slovak Academy of Sciences (n=32), and the leading country was the US (n=129).  

Conclusion: A rapid increase has been observed in Q fever vaccine publications and citations in the past 20 years. This study might be of great interest to provide standard bibliographic information and keystones parameters in Q fever vaccine research.
Ponseti method under general anesthesia is an effective method of treatment for neglected congenital talipes equino varus: a cohort study.
Authors: Sananta Panji , Suryanto Dradjat Respati , Dwi Saputra Tofan Margaret , Sugiarto Muhammad Alwy
Published: March 2022

Background:Neglected congenital talipes equino varus (CTEV) deformity is common in poorer developing countries. If ignored, children with CTEV result in callosity, potential bone and skin infection, and a significant mobility limitation resulting from stiffness. There are many management options that can be used to manage neglected CTEV. Until now, the Ponseti casting technique is a gold standard for treating CTEV without surgery. Ponseti methods effectively correct CTEV deformity in all ages. However, patients treated with the Ponseti process will suffer pain during correction in daily practice. Therefore, it is necessary to give anesthesia to reduce pain and relax soft tissues to achieve a satisfactory outcome when correction is carried out.

Methods:This study design is a retrospective. Our study consisted of 32 patients, divided into two groups. Group A is the group that was treated with the Ponseti using general anesthesia (GA), and group B is the group without using GA. The children were anesthetized using isoflurane inhalation with 1-2 mcg/kg. After that, we performed serial casting every week and evaluated the outcome and number change cast between using GA and without GA. Lastly, we used a paired t-test statistical analysis to determine the relationship between before and after therapy.

Results:In group A, the mean Pirani score significantly reduced from 5.81 ± 0.403 to 0.625 ± 0.40. In contrast with roup B, where the mean Pirani score slightly decreased from 5.81 ± 0.403 to 4.437 ± 1.093. After the last serial cast, in group A, only four cast replacements were needed to achieve a good outcome, whereas, in group B, the results remained unsatisfactory after 10 cast changes.

Conclusions:

Ponseti method under GA is an effective treatment and reduced the number of cast changes for neglected CTEV.
Views and practices on medical cannabis of unlicensed providers in Thailand: a qualitative study
Authors: Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Saingam Darika , Thaikla Kanittha , Talek Muhammadfahmee
Published: March 2022

Background: Despite the legalization of cannabis use for medical purposes in Thailand in February 2019, illicit providers are still widespread and accessible. This study aimed to understand why people still chose to receive medical cannabis treatment or products from unlicensed or illegal providers. The practices of unlicensed or illegal providers in provision of medical cannabis products or treatment services were also examined.

Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted among medical cannabis providers and users, including 36 unlicensed and 7 licensed providers and 25 users in 2019-2021. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants until saturation of data was achieved. Interviews included open-ended questions about the providers’ practices and attitudes towards medical cannabis. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed.

Results: Overall, six reasons were identified to answer why unlicensed/illicit providers were still popular, including: 1) easy accessibility; 2) familiarity with the unlicensed providers before the legal scheme became available; 3) favorable characters (kind, supportive, non-judgmental) of unlicensed providers; 4) affordable treatment fees; 5) trust in the quality of the medicines; and 6) lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards cannabis from healthcare professionals. Most providers started their career as medical cannabis providers by using it themselves or with their relatives and being satisfied with the results. They used cannabis products to treat all diseases, including skin, eyes, HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases and all kinds of cancers. Additionally, they believed that it was effective, with no or minimal adverse effects.

Conclusions: This study suggests that some patients will continue receiving medical cannabis treatment and products from unlicensed or illegal providers. More attention should be paid on increasing the capacity of medical cannabis service systems within public health hospitals, and the certification of unlicensed providers, so as to integrate them into a regulated system.
Improving memorability using Emojis in a shoulder surfing resistant authentication method
Authors: Amer Mohamed Mahrous Mahrous , Kam Yvonne Hwei-Syn , Elkhedrawi Aiman Hussein
Published: March 2022

Background: Emojis are icons that are familiar and fun to add pizzazz and colour to communication. They have also been used in authentication where the emojis form memorable pictogram story-like passwords. Emojis, which are graphical, are in general vulnerable to shoulder surfing attacks (SSAs). This paper studies whether graphics such as emojis offer better memorability than numerics when implemented in a shoulder-surfing resistant authentication method. Thus, the proposed method aims to meet both needs of being shoulder-surfing resistant as well as being memorable.

Methods: In this paper, a SSA resistant method (DragPIN) is used as a reference system on which to implement emojis in place of numerics. Additionally, a new feature, cue questions was implemented for added security. In the proposed method, users composed emoji-based stories using personalised cue questions that served as memory aids. Moreover, these self-chosen cue questions were less comprehensible to shoulder-surfing observers. There were two variants of the DragPIN method, manual and automatic-sliding. To compare the differences, both the reference configuration and modified versions based on the proposed method were implemented. Thirty people participated in user testing. A pre- and post-survey appraised user experience. User testing and survey on both methods and their variants for performance, memorability, and usability were performed.

Results: All implementations successfully resisted shoulder surfing. The time taken for login in the manual variant using the proposed methodology was shorter than using the reference method. After four to six weeks, login performance taking into account intermediate failures was better for the proposed method (86.7-91.7%) than the reference method (76.7-78.3%). Hypothesis testing also showed significance in the results. This could point to higher memorability in the proposed method.

Conclusion: The study provides testing of emoji-based compared to PIN-based implementation in authentication. Emoji-based stories may form memorable passwords while personalised cue questions may aid memorability.
The genome sequence of the grizzled skipper, Pyrgus malvae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Hayward Alex , Vila Roger , Lohse Konrad , Laetsch Dominik ,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pyrgus malvae (the grizzled skipper; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Hesperiidae). The genome sequence is 725 megabases in span. The majority (99.97%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled.
Gastric dilatation volvulus: a treatment guide
Authors: McCagherty Joanna , Woods Sam
Published: March 2022

Gastric dilatation volvulus is a relatively common emergency presentation in small animal veterinary practice. Typically, deep-chested large and giant breed dogs are affected, but the condition has been reported in other breeds of dog, such as the Dachshund. Dogs presenting with gastric dilatation volvulus will typically exhibit signs of lethargy, retching and unproductive vomiting, distension of the cranial abdomen, ptyalism and respiratory compromise. In some cases, patients will present in severe hypovolamemic shock. Prompt recognition, stabilisation and surgical correction of the gastric dilatation volvulus are required for successful treatment of the condition. This article discusses the approach to investigation, stabilisation, surgical correction and postoperative management of gastric dilatation volvulus.
Presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of primary gastric lymphoma in 13 cats
Authors: Lyraki Maria , Gould Sara , Maunder Christina
Published: March 2022

Primary gastric lymphoma is a well-characterised disease in humans, but is poorly characterised in cats. This study retrospectively describes the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of cats with primary gastric lymphoma in a UK referral hospital. Medical records of cats diagnosed with primary gastric lymphoma, without ultrasonographic involvement of the intestinal tract, between 2009 and 2020 were reviewed. A total of 13 cats met the inclusion criteria. All cases were of large cell lymphoma. Cytology alone was diagnostic in nearly all cases (10/11). At diagnosis six cats were euthanised. The remaining seven cats were treated with a multiagent chemotherapy protocol (5/7) or a combination of prednisolone and chlorambucil (2/7). Median overall survival time was 300 days (ranging from 30–1980 days). The two cats treated with prednisolone and chlorambucil survived for 300 and 480 days respectively. This study raises awareness of feline primary gastric lymphoma for veterinary surgeons in clinical practice. Although an uncommon disease presentation, primary gastric lymphoma has unique characteristics that may differ from the high-grade intestinal form. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimum therapeutic approach.
A Grounded Theory Study on Motivational Development After Detours in Young Adulthood – How Extra-Vocational Training Affects Aspirations
Authors: Landberg Monique , Noack Peter
Published: March 2022

Context: In the present study, we explore what motivates young adults to re-engage with education or employment after a period of non-engagement. Insights into this process facilitate the implementation of tailored support measures for at-risk groups. It is well-known that young people who are not involved in any kind of education, employment, or training face further risks to their professional and psychological development. Methods: Using a grounded theory approach, interviews with young adults from various educational tracks were analyzed, compared, and contrasted. The sample was focused mainly on apprentices in extra-vocational training and professionals working with young people to describe the process of re-engaging in detail (n = 30). Findings: Our analyses suggested that frustrating prior experiences and offers to participate in government-funded vocational training prompted motivation to learn an occupational skillset. Undergoing an apprenticeship enabled young adults to develop the motivation to finish vocational training and to plan on further education.Conclusion: The implications of these results as they pertain to Germany's labor market policies, which foster a sense of individual responsibility to facilitate the achievement of professional success, are discussed. Furthermore, the implications for supporting further educational aspirations when working with young adults are discussed.
Feed corrective lenslets for enhanced beamscan in flat lens antenna systems
Authors: Garcia Nicolas , Wang Wei , Chisum Jonathan
Published: March 2022

A method for improving beamscan performance of flat lens antenna systems is proposed, wherein small gradient index (GRIN) lenses are included in the feed apertures to correct spillover losses and improve scan collimation. Given a lens system with a flat feed surface, these feed-corrective-lenslets (FCLs) sit in the apertures of offset feed elements and squint the feed pattern toward the center of the lens, reducing spillover radiation and increasing gain at scan. Furthermore, the FCLs shift the effective phase center of the feed to be closer to the Petzval surface, improving scanned collimation and enhancing beam angle. A GRIN lens and FCLs for three offset positions are designed, fabricated and demonstrated in the Ku-band. The FCLs improve the gain of the scanned beam by up to 2 dB out to 50°, reducing the scan loss exponent from 5.0 to 2.5 at 18 GHz.
Estimation of water attenuation coefficient by imaging modeling of the backscattered light with the pulsed laser range-gated imaging system
Authors: Lin Hongsheng , Zhang Xiaohui , Ma Liheng , Hu Qingping , Jin Dongdong
Published: March 2022

Compared to conventional floodlighted imaging systems, a pulsed laser range-gated imaging system can get a real-time high performance underwater image when the distance of target is known. Otherwise, optical properties of the water, mainly the attenuation coefficient of the water, should be obtained to automatically set the parameters of the imaging system. Typically, special instrument is required to measure the attenuation coefficient of the water. In this work, a water attenuation coefficient estimation method is proposed merely with the pulsed laser range-gated imaging system. The imaging model of the backscattered light of the pulsed laser range-gated imaging system is built through the light propagation theory. As a result, the water attenuation coefficient is calculated by nonlinear estimation method. Experiments under different water conditions are designed and carried out to verify the proposed method. Results show that the relative errors between the estimation and the reference are about 1% for the water in the water tank and seawater pool, and about 4% for the towing boat tank, respectively.
Study of the knowledge about gamification of degree in primary education students
Authors: Fiuza-Fernández Alba , Lomba-Portela Lucía , Soto-Carballo Jorge , Pino-Juste Margarita Rosa
Published: March 2022

Gamification refers to the use of game mechanics in non-recreational environments, such as the school environment, in order to enhance motivation, concentration, effort, commitment and other positive values common to all games. Gamification allows us to establish clear objectives that are presented to be overcome. It also offers constant feedback, shows the progression of students, recognizes their effort and it guides them over the course of the teaching and learning process. The aim is to measure the knowledge of future teachers about gamification as a didactic resource. The sample is composed of 164 students of the Degree in Primary Education in Galicia (Spain). The scale obtains a reliability of 0.94 α. The index of Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) provides a value of 0.932 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity (χ2 = 2739,793; gl = 351, p < .000), ensuring that the factor analysis is right, and the model achieves a good fit. The students of the Degree in Primary Education have not heard of the term gamification, but still consider feasible its implementation in the school environment. The students feel that they don’t know enough about this teaching resource, and they are afraid of not achieving the curricular objectives using it as they have no control over the content to be taught.
The relationship between body mass index and neurologic outcomes in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated with targeted temperature management
Authors: Bang Hyo Jin , Park Kyu Nam , Youn Chun Song , Kim Han Joon , Oh Sang Hoon , Lim Jee Yong , Song Hwan , Kim Soo Hyun , Jeong Won Jung , Kim Hyo Joon ,   on behalf of the Korean Hypothermia Network Investigator
Published: March 2022

Background

The association of body mass index with outcome in patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on neurological outcomes and mortality in resuscitated patients treated with TTM after OHCA.

Methods

This multicenter, prospective, observational study was performed with data from 22 hospitals included in the Korean Hypothermia Network KORHN-PRO registry. Comatose adult patients treated with TTM after OHCA between October 2015 and December 2018 were enrolled. The BMI of each patient was calculated and classified according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Each group was analyzed in terms of demographic characteristics and associations with six-month neurologic outcomes and mortality after cardiac arrest (CA).

Results

Of 1,373 patients treated with TTM identified in the registry, 1,315 were included in this study. One hundred two patients were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), 798 were normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), 332 were overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), and 73 were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The higher BMI group had younger patients and a greater incidence of diabetes and hypertension. Six-month neurologic outcomes and mortality were not different among the BMI groups (p = 0.111, p = 0.234). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that BMI classification was not associated with six-month neurologic outcomes or mortality. In the subgroup analysis, the underweight group treated with TTM at 33°C was associated with poor neurologic outcomes six months after CA (OR 2.090, 95% CI 1.010–4.325, p = 0.047), whereas the TTM at 36°C group was not (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.249–3.112, p = 0.843).

Conclusions

BMI was not associated with six-month neurologic outcomes or mortality in patients surviving OHCA. However, in the subgroup analysis, underweight patients were associated with poor neurologic outcomes when treated with TTM at 33°C.
Impact of smoking status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on pulmonary complications post lung cancer surgery
Authors: Jeganathan Vishnu , Knight Simon , Bricknell Matthew , Ridgers Anna , Wong Raymond , Brazzale Danny J. , Ruehland Warren R. , Rahman Muhammad Aziz , Leong Tracy L. , McDonald Christine F.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with an increased risk of post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) following lung cancer resection. It remains unclear whether smoking cessation reduces this risk.

Methods

Retrospective review of a large, prospectively collected database of over 1000 consecutive resections for lung cancer in a quaternary lung cancer centre over a 23-year period.

Results

One thousand and thirteen patients underwent curative-intent lobectomy or pneumonectomy between 1995 and 2018. Three hundred and sixty-two patients (36%) were ex-smokers, 314 (31%) were current smokers and 111 (11%) were never smokers. A pre-operative diagnosis of COPD was present in 57% of current smokers, 57% of ex-smokers and 20% of never smokers. Just over 25% of patients experienced a PPC. PPCs were more frequent in current smokers compared to never smokers (27% vs 17%, p = 0.036), however, no difference was seen between current and ex-smokers (p = 0.412) or between never and ex-smokers (p = 0.113). Those with a diagnosis of COPD, independent of smoking status, had a higher frequency of both PPCs (65% vs 35%, p<0.01) and overall complications (60% vs 40%, p<0.01) as well as a longer length of hospital stay (10 vs 9 days, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Smoking and COPD are both associated with a higher rate of PPCs post lung cancer resection. COPD, independent of smoking status, is also associated with an increased overall post-operative complication rate and length of hospital stay. An emphasis on COPD treatment optimisation, rather than smoking cessation in isolation, may help improve post-operative outcomes.
Physio-biochemical responses and expressional profiling analysis of drought tolerant genes in new promising rice genotype
Authors: Freeg Haytham A. , Attia Kotb A. , Casson Stuart , Fiaz Sajid , Ramadan Ebrahim A. , Banna Antar El- , Zoulias Nicholas , Aboshosha Ali , Alamery Salman
Published: March 2022

Rice cultivation in Egypt is limited by the scarcity of water resources. The main strategy of rice breeders to overcome this problem is to develop new high-yielding varieties that are tolerant to drought stress. In this study, an drought-tolerant (IR60080-46A) variety was crossed with commercial Egyptian varieties using the back-cross method and marker-assisted selection (MAS) approach. The advanced lines of these crosses were selected under drought stress conditions. The best-performing candidate line, RBL-112, and its parental genotypes, were evaluated under drought stress and control conditions. The RBL-112 line showed superior its root system, which in turn produced higher grain yield under drought-stress conditions than its parental and check genotypes. Furthermore, physiological and biochemical studies showed that the RBL-112 line maintained higher relative water content (RWC), maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) values, proline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to its parents and the check. The functional expression profiles of 22 drought tolerance-related genes were studied, out of which the genes OsAHL1, OsLEA3, OsCATA, OsP5CS, OsSNAC1, Os1g64660, OsRab21, OsAPX2, OsDREB2A, OsSKIPa, and OsLG3 were strongly induced in the newly developed RBL-112 line under drought-stress conditions. It could be concluded that the new line has a higher capacity to modulate physiological activities and expression levels of several drought-induced genes to withstand drought stress with high yielding ability. This finding suggests that the RBL-112 line presents a promising new addition to enable sustainable rice cultivation under water-limited conditions, and confirms the efficiency of the approach implemented in the current study.
A qualitative exploration of mental health knowledge among pediatric health professionals in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al-Yateem Nabeel , Rossiter Rachel , Subu Muhammad Arsyad , Slewa-Younan Shameran , Azizur Rahman Syed , Dias Jacqueline Maria , Al-Marzouqi Amina
Published: March 2022

Background

Mental health literacy (MHL) is an essential competency for all healthcare professionals. In the United Arab Emirates, previous studies reported a low level of MHL among healthcare professionals working with vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Further in-depth exploration is necessary to build understanding of beliefs and knowledge about mental illness among pediatric health professionals.

Methods

Written narratives exploring mental health knowledge were collected from pediatric nurses and analyzed using content analysis. These written narratives were extracted from responses to open-ended questions embedded in a questionnaire completed as part of previous studies. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research were followed in reporting this study.

Results

The overarching theme that emerged from the data was that nurses struggled to negotiate the complexities of psychological distress and mental illness. Two overlapping sub-themes were identified: (1) professional knowledge was incomplete, confused, and lacking in clarity and (2) professional knowledge was impacted by cultural beliefs and stigma. A third sub-theme reflected how participants identified with others’ suffering and felt powerless to help themselves or others. Participants described stress and mental exhaustion.

Conclusions

Participants’ narratives were characterized by struggles arising from insufficient knowledge, confusion, and deeply-held cultural and religious beliefs. Therefore, they were unable to resolve the conflict between professional knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental illness and stigma arising from cultural and religious beliefs/attitudes. Culturally-specific education is needed for healthcare professionals that addresses contextual, cultural, and religious factors impacting on stigma while actively supporting the healthcare workforce and enabling access to mental health services.
Remembering Tomorrow: Music and Nostalgia in Fallout’s Retro-Future
Authors: Kizzire Jessica
Published: March 2022

Fallout 3’s post-apocalyptic setting presents players with an inhospitable retro- future in which the familiar monuments of Washington D.C. lie in ruins, surrounded by the deteriorating remains of a once-thriving civilization steeped in the aesthetics of mid-twentieth-century America. Situating the analysis within broader discussions of nostalgia and alternate histories, this study examines nostalgia as a form of historical consciousness. Through a detailed analysis of lyrical and musical content, this study explores the myriad ways the music engages with nostalgia as a form of historical consciousness, noting both its potential effect on players and its narrative use within Fallout 3’s gameworld.
La guerra y los naipes: el órdago de cómo se hace una novela
Authors: Roberts Stephen
Published: March 2022

Este artículo examina la relación de Unamuno con la guerra, desde sus primeros escritos hasta su muerte en 1936, haciendo hincapié en los años del exilio (1924-1930), cuando Unamuno se centra en sublimar el concepto de la guerra con el fin de transformarlo en la base de su filosofía interpersonal. El artículo analiza el papel que desempeñan los juegos de naipes, concretamente el solitario y el mus, tanto en este proceso de sublimación, como en la guerra verbal entre Unamuno y el dictador Miguel Primo de Rivera.
Unamuno ante los populismos extremos de la República
Authors: Pascual Mezquita Eduardo
Published: March 2022

A partir de los textos del último Unamuno, se analiza aquí su crítica a la creciente bipolarización y el extremismo político durante la II República Española, tratando de aclarar la distinción unamuniana entre guerra?civil y guerra?incivil; así como las causas de la degeneración mental y religiosa que, según él, delataban la conducta y el resentimiento de muchos jóvenes y los bandos extremos: los hunos y los hotros. De forma constante, Unamuno propuso el ideal alterutral como un modelo –tan utópico como difícil–, imprescindible si quiere lograrse una política auténticamente dialéctica y civil.