bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aortic valve sclerosis is not a benign finding but progressive disease associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Seo Jeong Hun , Chun Kwang Jin , Lee Bong-Ki , Cho Byung-Ryul , Ryu Dong Ryeol
Published: November 2024

Background

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) shares risk factors with atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between AVS progression with cardiovascular (CV) risk has not been researched. This study investigates CV outcomes according to progression of AVS.

Methods

This study included 2,901 patients with AVS (irregular leaflet thickening and peak aortic jet velocity < 2 m/sec) who underwent serial echocardiograms at least 1 year apart during 2011–2020. The primary outcome was defined as CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or revascularization.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 3.9 years, 439 of 2,901 AVS patients (15.1%) progressed to mild or greater aortic stenosis. Patients with progression were older and more likely to have atrial fibrillation than those without. In a stepwise regression, age (odds ratio [OR] per 1-year increase, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.07), peripheral artery disease (OR, 9.07; 95% CI, 3.12–26.4), and left ventricular mass index (OR per 1-g/m2 increase, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02) were associated with AVS progression. Over a median of 6.3 years, the primary outcome occurred in 858 of 2,901 patients (29.6%). Patients with progression had higher frequency of CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or revascularization than those without progression (P < 0.0001). In Cox proportional hazards regression, AVS progression (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.10–1.61) was a significant determinant of CV mortality.

Conclusions

The progression to aortic stenosis in AVS patients is an independent risk factor for CV mortality. These findings suggest that patients with AVS progression may benefit from stricter CV risk monitoring.
Is There Too Little Antitrust Enforcement in the US Hospital Sector?
Authors: Brot Zarek , Cooper Zack , Craig Stuart V. , Klarnet Lev
Published: November 2024

From 2002 to 2020, there were over 1,000 mergers of US hospitals. During this period, the FTC took enforcement actions against 13 transactions. However, using the FTC’s standard screening tools, we find that 20 percent of these mergers could have been predicted to meaningfully lessen competition. We show that, from 2010 to 2015, predictably anticompetitive mergers resulted in price increases over 5 percent. We estimate that approximately half of predictably anticompetitive mergers had to be reported to the FTC per the Hart–Scott–Rodino Act. We conclude that there appears to be underenforcement of antitrust laws in the hospital sector. (JEL G34, G38, I11, K21)
Decision Making in Information Security Investments: Impact of System Vulnerability and Investment Timing on Resource-Sharing Platforms
Authors: Zhao Hui , Wu Yong , Jin Zhijie
Published: November 2024

This study distinguishes enterprises into high- and low-type categories based on enterprise value and cost efficiency, examining their strategic behaviors in three investment timing games: move simultaneously, the high-type enterprise moves first, and the low-type enterprise moves first. By comparing the three games, we find that both types of enterprises would always exert more effort in the sequential game than in the simultaneous game, and the later-move advantage makes both types of enterprises prefer to become the follower in the game. We also find that the enhanced cost efficiency advantage or enterprise value gap possessed by the high-type enterprise would widen the effort gap between the two types of enterprises, and enhance the low-type enterprise’s incentive to be the follower. Moreover, the existence of system vulnerability not only causes both types of enterprises to reduce their security effort that generates free-riding behaviors but also can first discourage and then encourage enterprises from moving in advance. We further propose a liability-based mechanism to tackle the free-riding problem. We reveal an exact optimal liability coefficient, whether in the simultaneous or sequential game and find that the high-type enterprise should undertake more compensation when its dominant position becomes more obvious and the low-type enterprise could therefore undertake decreased liability. Last, we extend the model to multiple enterprises and show that the results are robust.

Funding: This work was supported by the Shanghai Science and Technology Development Foundation [Grant 24692107700]; the Humanities and Social Science Fund of Ministry of Education of China [Grant 23YJA630100]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities; DHU Distinguished Young Professor Program; and the Shanghai Social Science Foundation [Grant 2022ZGL009].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/deca.2024.0190 .
An Improved Combinatorial Benders Decomposition Algorithm for the Human-Robot Collaborative Assembly Line Balancing Problem
Authors: Huang Dian , Mao Zhaofang , Fang Kan , Fu Enyuan , Pinedo Michael L.
Published: November 2024

As an emerging technology, human-robot collaboration (HRC) has been implemented to enhance the performance of assembly lines and improve the safety of human workers. By integrating the advantages of human workers and collaborative robots (cobots), HRC enables production systems to process tasks consecutively, concurrently, or collaboratively. However, the introduction of cobots also makes the corresponding human-robot collaborative assembly line balancing problem more complex and difficult to solve. To solve this problem, we first propose an enhanced mixed integer program (EMIP) with various enhancement techniques and tighter bounds, and then, we develop an improved combinatorial Benders decomposition algorithm (Algorithm ICBD) with new local search strategies, Benders cuts, and acceleration procedures. To verify the effectiveness of our proposed model and algorithms, we conduct extensive computational experiments, and the results show that our proposed EMIP model is significantly better than the existing mixed integer program model; the percentages of instances that can obtain feasible and optimal solutions are increased from 82.42% to 100% and from 29.17% to 43.5%, respectively, whereas the average gap is decreased from 19.81% to 5.64%. In addition, our proposed Algorithm ICBD can get 100% of feasible solutions and 65.92% of optimal solutions for all of the test instances, and the average gap is only 1.49%. Moreover, compared with existing Benders decomposition methods for this problem, our approach yields comparatively better solutions in notably shorter average computational time when run in the same computational environment.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Discrete.

Funding: This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation Council of China [Grants 72401214, 92167206, 7221101377, 72471169, and 72231005], the Ministry of Education of China [Grant 24YJC630078], and Computation and Analytics of Complex Management Systems (Tianjin University). This research was also supported by the Tianjin Natural Science Foundation Project [Grant 23JCQNJC01900] and the Tianjin Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project [Grant TJGL21-016].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0279 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2023.0279 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
Jobs scheme reduces violence risk
Authors: Weinstein Nicole
Published: November 2024

IN SUMMARY

US-inspired employability programme offers wraparound support from youth workers to reduce incidence of crime and violence among young people at risk.
Local youth offer peer review
Authors: Stephenson Jo
Published: November 2024

Councils must ensure sufficient youth services to meet young people's needs. Jo Stephenson looks at how a government-backed peer review programme is helping local authorities meet requirements
Children's minister sets out plan to boost social work with families
Authors: Simpson Fiona
Published: November 2024

New children's minister Janet Daby wants to ease the burden on social workers – her own professional background – to make the role more attractive and reduce the incentive for staff to move to agency work
A School Nurse for Every School: A report on the 2024 SAPHNA conference
Authors: Bekaert Sarah
Published: November 2024

The annual SAPHNA conference painted a bleak picture of increasing health inequalities among children and the difficulties facing school nurses; but also brought hope with examples of good practice and innvovation in difficult times, Sarah Bekaert reports
CPD: Informed consent and the specialist optometrist
Authors: Matheson Andrew
Published: November 2024

Informed consent is a legal requirement for any medical treatment and is reinforced by professional guidelines. With the growing use of a number of invasive treatment procedures by specialist optometrists, Andrew Matheson considers the increasing importance of gaining valid informed consent from patients (C102707, suitable for one distance learning CPD point for therapeutic optometrists, optometrists and dispensing opticians)
Back to basics
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Andrew McClean finds out how Tony Pessok has adapted Mondottica's strategy and brought its teams together
Cyclical fashion
Authors: Jones Simon
Published: November 2024

Simon Jones considers how industry leaders have grown and transformed the eyewear sector
View from the present
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett talks to voices from practice and industry to find out what they think have been the biggest changes in their sectors and what the future holds
Innovation platz
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Since its inception in 2003, Mykita has achieved true independence through an in-house design and manufacturing process. Modern classics are created through the combination of craftmanship and adoption of new technologies. The Berlin-based eyewear company always seeks to innovate. Mykita's design team digs into its archive with Andrew McClean
Optometrists working beyond normal hours
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Andrew McClean explores the findings of a survey completed by GOC registrants
Resourceful ways
Authors: Hale Mike
Published: November 2024

Mike Hale collates useful resources, qualifications and events relevant to dry eye
CPD: The impact of cosmetics on the ocular surface
Authors: Farrant Sarah
Published: November 2024

There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting cosmetic products routinely applied to the periocular skin and lid margins may have a negative impact on the tears and ocular surface and, in some cases, may be linked with more serious disease. In this review, Sarah Farrant offers an overview of cosmetics, the risks they present and how to advise our patients about their use. (C103516, suitable for one distance learning CPD point for optometrists, contact lens opticians and dispensing opticians)
National Eye Health Week 2022 wrapped up
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett reports on the activities from National Eye Health Week
CPD: Blur sensitivity interactive 1
Authors: Harvey Bill , Mallen Ed
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey and Professor Ed Mallen introduce a new interactive CPD exercise based on the recent two-part series which considered the concept of blur sensitivity and how it might affect eye care practice (C103740, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)
Diary of a Spectacle Designer
Authors: Davies Tom
Published: November 2024

Tom Davies takes the opportunity to look back as his company approaches its 20th birthday
“Far East” Legacies and the Normalization of “Non-Ashkenazi” Histories in Israel
Authors: Moreno Aviad
Published: November 2024

Abstract: How is a Sephardi-Mizrahi protest in Israel interconnected with a Western fascination with “Far East” civilization? This essay introduces The Jewish Communities in the Far East (Hebrew; Jerusalem, 1982), jointly published by key Zionist Sephardi organizations. Authored by Reuben Kashani, an Afghan-born intellectual who made significant contributions to various Sephardi-Mizrahi periodicals in Israel, alongside his broader Jewish readership, the book was designed to introduce East Asian cultures to Hebrew readers. This essay delves into the broader motivations behind the writing and publication of Kashani’s 1982 book. I conclude that he aimed to challenge stereotypes and the assumption that the modernization of Asian and African Jewries necessarily requires Ashkenazi guidance, and emphasize the pioneering spirit and international engagement of these communities. In so doing Kashani also aimed to counter Ashkenazi dominance in both Zionist and Jewish historiographies, following the longer legacy of Sephardi-Mizrahi intellectual activism in the twentieth century. This approach disrupts prevailing narratives emphasizing domestic ethnic tensions in Israel, fostering a more multilayered examination of intra-Jewish hierarchies.
Practicing Death: Depriving Death of Its Strangeness
Authors: Oliver Debra Parker
Published: November 2024

Abstract: We live in a death-denying culture where, despite the fact death happens to everyone, individuals prefer to deny death, facing it only when necessary. There exists a myth that death can be delayed, or perhaps redefined, or controlled in some fashion. The stories in this issue serve as examples of how healthcare professionals encounter death and how they learn to cope with it.
Santiago Sanguinetti’s Dramatic Trilogy on What is (Not) Revolution
Authors: Misemer Sarah M.
Published: November 2024

Abstract: Santiago Sanguinetti’s plays from the Trilogía de la Revolución (Argumento contra la existenicia de la vida inteligente en el Cono Sur , Vol. 1, Sobre la teoría del eterno retorno aplicada a la revolución en el Caribe , Vol. 2, and Breve apología del caos por exceso de testosterona en las calles de Manhattan , Vol. 3), written between 2012–2014 and published in 2015 by Uruguayan press Estuario Editoral, represent a pivotal moment in Sanguinetti’s career when he begins to garner serious attention as a rising star. In all three examples, we see revolution paradoxically as both action and inaction. Sanguinetti’s trilogy and later addition of Bakunin sauna (2018) provide humorous approaches to understanding the failures of revolutionary ideals of the 1960s/70s in Latin America. If, as the characters in all four plays make evident, “[e]so no es revolución [(t)hat’s not revolution]” Sanguinetti invites his audiences to think about what could be revolution in the future through complex re-engagement with historical moments and theoretical frameworks on stage.
Remembering Severo Sarduy
Authors: Shin Ery
Published: November 2024

Abstract: Despite struggling with his own HIV diagnosis and its physical and psychological tolls during the AIDS epidemic’s peak years, Severo Sarduy as a personality was such that suicide didn’t emerge as the inevitable, commonsensical choice. In his life and work, he demonstrates a way of going on without valorizing either the emotional highs or lows because emotions are simply a barometer of fatigue and temperament for him. The universality rather than the particularity of his condition—or its particularity that coaxed out a sense of the universal—provided an additional protective layer against depression. From the beginning of his career, Sarduy believed all bodies were doomed, not just diseased ones. His literature shifts how death is perceived by refocusing the lens through which all bodies, not just HIV-positive ones, are apprehended.
Optical neural networks based on perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Kaicheng , Harwell Jonathon , Pierangeli Davide , Conti Claudio , Di Falco Andrea
Published: November 2024

Optical neural networks (ONNs) are a class of emerging computing platforms that leverage the properties of light to perform ultra-fast computations with ultra-low energy consumption. ONNs often use CCD cameras as the output layer. In this work, we propose the use of perovskite solar cells as a promising alternative to imaging cameras in ONN designs. Solar cells are ubiquitous, versatile, highly customizable, and can be fabricated quickly in laboratories. Their large acquisition area and outstanding efficiency enable them to generate output signals with a large dynamic range without the need for amplification. Here we have experimentally demonstrated the feasibility of using perovskite solar cells for capturing ONN output states, as well as the capability of single-layer random ONNs to achieve excellent performance even with a very limited number of pixels. Our results show that the solar-cell-based ONN setup consistently outperforms the same setup with CCD cameras of the
same resolution. These findings highlight the potential of solar-cell-based ONNs as an ideal choice for automated and battery-free edge-computing applications.
Exploring variations in the implementation of a health system level policy intervention to improve maternal and child health outcomes in resource limited settings: A qualitative multiple case study from Uganda
Authors: Walugembe David Roger , Plamondon Katrina , Kaharuza Frank , Waiswa Peter , Wylie Lloy , Wathen Nadine , Kothari Anita
Published: November 2024

Background

Despite growing literature, few studies have explored the implementation of policy interventions to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Even fewer studies explicitly articulate the theoretical approaches used to understand contextual influences on policy implementation. This under-use of theory may account for the limited understanding of the variations in implementation processes and outcomes. We share findings from a study exploring how a health system-level policy intervention was implemented to improve maternal and child health outcomes in a resource limited LMIC.

Methods

Our qualitative multiple case study was informed by the Normalization Process Theory (NPT). It was conducted across eight districts and among ten health facilities in Uganda, with 48 purposively selected participants. These included health care workers located at each of the cases, policy makers from the Ministry of Health, and from agencies and professional associations. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews to understand uptake and use of Uganda’s maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) policy and were inductively and deductively analyzed using NPT constructs and subconstructs.

Results

We identified six broad themes that may explain the observed variations in the implementation of the MPDSR policy. These include: 1) perception of the implementation of the policy, 2) leadership of the implementation process, 3) structural arrangements and coordination, 4) extent of management support and adequacy of resources, 5) variations in appraisal and reconfiguration efforts and 6) variations in barriers to implementation of the policy.

Conclusion and recommendations

The variations in sense making and relational efforts, especially perceptions of the implementation process and leadership capacity, had ripple effects across operational and appraisal efforts. Adopting theoretically informed approaches to assessing the implementation of policy interventions is crucial, especially within resource limited settings.
Internetfüggő és problémás internethasználó serdülők csoportjainak jellemzői a szerfogyasztás, pszichológiai, társas és egyéb változók mentén
Authors: Pikó Bettina , Tóth Roland
Published: November 2024

Az internet mint kommunikációs eszköz jelentősen átformálta a világunkat, gondolkodásunkat, társas kapcsolatainkat. Számos pozitív hatása mellett azonban negatív következményekkel is számolnunk kell, mint a problémás használat és az addikció. Jelen tanulmányunkban három csoportot alakítottunk ki és hasonlítottunk össze (internetfüggők, problémás internethasználók és normál felhasználók) számos rizikó- és védőfaktor mentén. A Szegedi Ifjúságkutatás 2022 elnevezésű kutatásban 7–12. osztályos tanulók vettek részt (N = 2239, átlagéletkor = 14,6 év, szórás = 1,7 év, 51,8% lány). A minta 18,8%-a bizonyult problémás internethasználónak, ezen belül 13,7% potenciális függőnek, 5,1% pedig már ténylegesen függőnek. A lányok mindkét rizikócsoportban fölényben voltak. Mindhárom csoport jelentősen különbözött a vizsgált változók mentén, a legjelentősebb eltérés a pszichológiai skálák pontszámában, valamit az illegális drogfogyasztás gyakoriságában volt, ami jól jelzi a problémás használók, illetve internetfüggők mentális sérülékenységét. A problémás használók kevésbé voltak elégedettek az iskolával, és rosszabb tanulmányi eredményről számoltak be, a szülői kontroll is kevésbé mutatkozott meg az esetükben. A védőfaktorok, például az offline társas támogatás vagy az iskolai elégedettség erősítése fontos szerepet játszhat a megelőzésben.
A Phase II, Multicentric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Proof of Concept Study of Efficacy and Safety of Rifamycin SV-MMX 600 mg Tablets Administered Three or Two Times Daily to Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Balsiger Lukas Michaja , Santos Javier , Serra Jordi , Piessevaux Hubert , Baert Didier , Storr Martin , Basilisco Guido , Mazzetti Alessandro , Moro Luigi , Gerloni Mara , Longo Luigi , Gentili Alessandra , Tack Jan
Published: November 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Treatment with nonresorbable antibiotics is effective in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Multimatrix (MMX) formulations ensure targeted drug delivery to the mid-distal small bowel and colon—traditionally considered the origin of IBS symptoms. To assess the efficacy of rifamycin SV-MMX for the treatment of IBS-D.

METHODS:

Randomized controlled trial in patients with IBS-D (Rome IV). Patients received rifamycin SV-MMX 600 mg (b.i.d = 1200 mg/d or t.i.d = 1800 mg/d) or placebo for 2 weeks. Primary end point was responder rate in the first treatment week on the full analysis set (FAS). Response was defined as decrease in average abdominal pain ≥ 30% AND ≥50% reduction of days with stool type 6 or 7 based on daily reporting.

RESULTS:

A total of 279 patients were randomized (=ITT), and 264 of were included in the FAS. More patients with rifamycin SV-MMX b.i.d (22/88, 25.00%) met the primary end point than t.i.d (10/81, 12.35%) or placebo (9/95, 9.47%) in both FAS and ITT. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for b.i.d. vs placebo was 3.26 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39–7.67; P = 0.007) and for t.i.d. vs b.i.d. 0.40 (95% CI: 0.17–0.92; P = 0.031). After treatment, the percentage of monthly global responders was higher in the b.i.d. group vs placebo in the first month (64.2% vs 46.6%, adjusted odds ratio = 2.14 95% CI: 1.15; 4.00; P = 0.0173) and first 2 months.

DISCUSSION:

Rifamycin SV-MMX 600 mg b.i.d. was more effective than placebo and t.i.d. dosing in the first week of treatment. Two months after treatment, rifamycin SV-MMX 600 mg b.i.d. provided more global symptom relief than placebo.
Use of a Two-Gene Methylated DNA Biomarker Assay and Nonendoscopic Balloon for Detection of Barrett Esophagus Among High-Risk Individuals in a Screening Population
Authors: Shaheen Nicholas J. , Othman Mohamed O. , Taunk Jawar , Chang Kenneth J. , Jaganmohan Sathya , Yachimski Patrick S. , Fang John C. , Spataro Joseph S. , Verma Suman , Lee Victoria T. , deGuzman Brian J. , Aklog Lishan
Published: November 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Barrett esophagus (BE) is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We aimed to assess performance, safety, and tolerability of the EsoGuard (EG) assay on samples collected nonendoscopically with the EsoCheck (EC) device (EG/EC) for BE detection in the intended-use population meeting American College of Gastroenterology guideline criteria (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and 3+ additional risk factors).

METHODS:

We performed a prospective, multicenter study (NCT04293458) to assess EG performance (primary endpoint) on cells collected with EC, for detection of BE and EAC using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsies as the comparator. Twenty-four sites across the United States and Spain participated. EC safety and usability were assessed as secondary endpoints.

RESULTS:

180 male subjects aged >50 years with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease met eligibility criteria, of which 163 (90.6%) had EGD and successful EC administration. Mean age was 60.5 years, 34.4% were obese, 56.7% had tobacco history, and 3.9% had a 1st degree relative with BE or EAC. Of 122 samples analyzed, 93 contributed to the primary endpoint analysis. Eight subjects (8.6%) in the Primary Analysis Population had BE on EGD, none with dysplasia. Sensitivity of EG for BE was 87.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.4–99.7), specificity was 81.2% (95% CI 71.2–88.8), positive predictive value was 30.4% (95% CI 13.2–52.9), and negative predictive value was 98.6% (95% CI 92.3–99.96). Mild esophageal abrasions were observed in 1.5%; no serious adverse events were reported.

DISCUSSION:

This study in the intended-use population suggests that EG/EC is promising for BE screening. While future work is necessary to define its performance characteristics with more precision, this approach may provide a safe, accurate, and well-tolerated nonendoscopic alternative in high-risk patients.
FSMA 2023 Secondary Competitiveness and Growth Objective: A Step Back or a Step Forward?
Authors: Lim Ee Vi
Published: November 2024

Abstract: The Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) 2023 sparked considerable debates for the imposition of a Secondary International Competitiveness and Growth Objective (SICGO) on the UK’s financial regulators. This article challenges the criticisms of SICGO by first highlighting its implications as (1) a secondary objective, and less noticeably, (2) the qualification for SICGO to be aligned with international standards. To take this further, we compare SICGO horizontally with the competitiveness ‘have regard’ of the abolished Financial Services Authority, and vertically to similar mandates in Singapore and other countries. From this, we formulate recommendations to (A) better communicate SICGO’s limitations externally, and (B) align the organisational and accountability structure to execute SICGO internally. Fundamentally, this paper not only seeks to provide a one-off evaluation of SICGO but also demonstrate fresh methodologies for future regulatory studies by interacting with adjacent fields of research while being firmly anchored in legal analysis.
Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy of Ag(I), Cu(II), and Zn(II) Modified Sodalite Zeolite Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sriatun Sriatun , Pertiwi Khairini , Azmiyawati Choiril , Asy'ari Mukhammad , Bima Damar Nurwahyu , Zubir Nor Aida
Published: November 2024

Sodalite zeolite modified with metal ions Ag+, Cu2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ was successfully synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. The research aims to obtain silver, copper, and zinc metal-modified sodalite separately and determine their antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Sodalite zeolite was synthesized using ludox and sodium aluminate through hydrothermal methods, ensuring uniform crystal growth and optimal crystallinity, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The average particle sizes of the modified zeolites were determined to be 54.9 nm for Ag-Zeolite, 37.2 nm for Cu-Zeolite, and 28.56 nm for Zn-Zeolite, with structural changes observed through alterations in peak intensity. Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis showed no significant change in the zeolite’s morphology. In addition, the EDX results showed the presence of Ag (3.15%), Cu (3%), and Zn (2.41%) metals indicating successful ion exchange. Antibacterial assays revealed that Cu-Zeolite demonstrated superior efficacy inhibition zones against Escherichia coli (14.04±1.26) and Staphylococcus aureus (20.74±0.48), highlighting its potential as an antimicrobial agent. The mechanism of action involved the controlled release of metal ions, disrupting bacterial cell membranes and metabolic processes. Notably, Cu2+ ions exhibited the strongest antibacterial properties due to their smaller ionic radius and higher electronegativity than Ag+ and Zn2+. This research underscores the promising applications of metal-ion-modified sodalite zeolite in medical and environmental contexts.
Multitextuality in RPGs: a ludonarrative synergy model for video game text analysis
Authors: Solska Dagmara
Published: November 2024

The article presents the textual potential of games and distinguishes between the types of texts in text-heavy video games. Text types are categorized according to the diegetic/non-diegetic situation vis-à-vis the game world and primary text function. It is assumed that role-playing games (RPGs) such as Divinity: Original Sin 2 (Larian Studios, 2017) encompass a greater volume of textual material. The proposed corpus analysis model is based on the concept of ludonarrative synergy, text and discourselinguistics, and methods of natural language processing (NLP) and computational linguistics. Two-level text analysis using Python examines the validity of categorizing game texts according to an extended diegetic/nondiegeticmodel.
Gastrointestinal health anti-diarrheal mixture relieves spleen deficiency-induced diarrhea through regulating gut microbiota
Authors: Wu Zhengquan , Yao Liuyi , Guo Jun , Xu Zhong , Wang Zhengyan
Published: November 2024

This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the gastrointestinal health anti-diarrheal mixture (GHAM) on diarrhea induced by spleen deficiency, focusing on its modulation of gut microbiota. Using specific pathogen-free Wistar rats, a spleen deficiency model was created through senna leaf gavage. Rats were divided into control, model, positive control, and GHAM treatment groups. After a 14-day treatment, fecal samples were analyzed via 16S rDNA sequencing to assess microbiota alterations. GHAM significantly mitigated diarrhea and enhanced food intake and fecal quality. It increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Romboutsia and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and decreased the levels of diarrhea-associated bacteria, such as Prevotellaceae and Bacillus, thereby improving microbiota functionality. GHAM’s modulation of gut microbiota structure and function effectively alleviated spleen deficiency-induced diarrhea, positioning it as a potential natural herbal treatment for gastrointestinal ailments. This study lays the groundwork for further exploration of GHAM’s regulatory impact on gut health.
Myriad factors and pathways influencing tumor radiotherapy resistance
Authors: Mi Lanjuan , Zhang Hongquan
Published: November 2024

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of various tumors, yet radioresistance often leads to treatment failure and tumor recurrence. Several factors contribute to this resistance, including hypoxia, DNA repair mechanisms, and cancer stem cells. This review explores the diverse elements that drive tumor radiotherapy resistance. Historically, resistance has been attributed to cellular repair and tumor repopulation, but recent research has expanded this understanding. The tumor microenvironment – characterized by hypoxia, immune evasion, and stromal interactions – further complicates treatment. Additionally, molecular mechanisms such as aberrant signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications, and non-B-DNA structures play significant roles in mediating resistance. This review synthesizes current knowledge, highlighting the interplay of these factors and their clinical implications. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing strategies to overcome resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in cancer patients.
On implementation of Stickel's key exchange protocol over max-min and max-T semirings
Authors: Alhussaini Sulaiman , Sergeev Sergeĭ
Published: November 2024

Given that the tropical Stickel protocol and its variants are all vulnerable to the generalized Kotov–Ushakov attack, we suggest employing the max-min semiring and, more generally, max-

T

T

semiring where the multiplication is based on a

T

T

-norm, as a framework to implement the Stickel protocol. While the Stickel protocol over max-min semiring or max-

T

T

semiring remains susceptible to a form of Kotov–Ushakov attack, we demonstrate that it exhibits significantly increased resistance against this attack when compared to the tropical (max-plus) implementation.
Crystal structure of 1′,3′-dihydro-2,2′-spirobi[indene]-1,3-dione, C17H12O2
Authors: Wang Lanhua , Liu Qi
Published: November 2024

C17H12O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.0333(13) Å, b = 15.7993(19) Å, c = 7.0619(9) Å, β = 92.302(2)∘, V = 1230.0(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0420, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1081, T = 298 K.
Schweigeminute nach Versterben eines Menschen auf der Intensivstation
Authors: Meyer-Natus Theresa , Frick Eckhard , Mächler Ruth
Published: November 2024

Das Konzept einer einminütigen Schweigeminute nach dem Tod eines Patienten (in der Literatur als „PAUSE“ bekannt) wird in internationalen Studien, vor allem im amerikanischen Raum, als förderlich für das psychische Wohlbefinden des Personals beschrieben (Bartels 2014; Kapoor et al. 2018; Ducar & Cunningham 2019; Welch et al. 2022; Webb et al. aop). Diese Studie zielt darauf ab, die Machbarkeit und Wirkung einer solchen Schweigeminute in München zu untersuchen.

In einem zweistufigen Studiendesign wird zunächst die Bereitschaft des medizinischen Personals zur Einführung der Schweigeminute erfasst (Stufe 1), gefolgt von der clusterrandomisierten Implementierung und Überprüfung der Intervention (Stufe 2). Wir analysieren den Einfluss der Intervention auf die Lebenszufriedenheit und das Work-Engagement.

Die Ergebnisse können Hinweise auf die Machbarkeit und den Nutzen einer Schweigeminute in Deutschland geben und das Potenzial dieser Intervention zur Verbesserung der Lebenszufriedenheit und das Work-Engagement des Intensivpersonals beleuchten.
Design e artesanato: auxílio para o pré desenvolvimento de uma identidade visual
Authors: Pinto Azevedo Luiza , Lopes Damasceno Patrícia
Published: November 2024

Este artigo é um recorte de um Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso que tem como objetivo auxiliar o designer na etapa de pré desenvolvimento de uma identidade visual para um artesão, tendo por base a metodologia de Design Participativo (BATISTA, 2011). Para alcançar esse objetivo, foi explicitada a relação entre design e artesanato e esclarecido o conceito de identidade visual para um artesão, a partir de de Borges (2011), Sebrae (2014) e Batista (2011). Por fim, apresenta-se uma análise de marcas desenvolvidas para artesãos, na qual se utilizou da técnica de benchmarking (CARLINI, 2004) aliada aos princípios do design. Como resultados foi possível observar que o artesanato é parte indispensável da cultura de um povo, representa suas práticas e costumes, além de influenciar diretamente na economia de um determinado lugar. Também foi possível perceber que  identidades visuais desenvolvidas especialmente para artesãos através da metodologia de Design Participativo preza pela participação deste em todas as etapas do processo do desenvolvimento de uma marca.
"Você conhece o nosso planeta?" Uma cartilha para o ensino de geociências, na perspectiva da agenda 2030 da ONU
Authors: Pinto Viter Magalhães , Alves Johny Barreto , Cardozo Emanuélle Soares , Pereira Vaneza Barreto
Published: November 2024

O Grupo de Estudos em Geociências (GEOS) é um projeto unificado da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), cujo eixo de extensão tem como intuito a divulgação e popularização das geociências no sistema educacional brasileiro, em acordo com o quarto objetivo do desenvolvimento sustentável (educação de qualidade), presente na Agenda 2030 da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU). Nos anos de 2020 e 2021, o GEOS produziu vídeos didáticos destinados a alunos do 3° ao 5° ano do ensino fundamental, buscando adequação ao formato remoto em decorrência da pandemia de COVID-19. A partir dos vídeos, o GEOS elaborou uma cartilha com conceitos fundamentais da geologia, que integra material didático e atividades lúdicas. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar a cartilha “Vamos conhecer nosso Planeta? – O planeta Terra em metodologias lúdicas”, bem como seu processo criativo. A cartilha é composta por seis tópicos “As Camadas da Terra”, “O Ciclo das Rochas”, “Tectônica e Vulcões”, “Os Fósseis”, “Os Polos” e “Mudanças Climáticas”, que constituem uma sequência lógica, de modo a apresentar o planeta Terra a partir da sua composição interior ao exterior e sua relação com as questões ambientais atuais. Os vídeos didáticos integrados podem ser acessados por QR Codes. A elaboração de um material físico, visualmente atrativo ao público-alvo, didático e de conteúdo multimídia permite que conceitos geocientíficos sejam trabalhados em sala de aula de forma lúdica e recreativa, qualificando o processo de aprendizagem, conforme um dos principais objetivos da agenda 2030 da ONU.
A sustentabilidade como potencializadora da indissociabilidade entre ensino, pesquisa e extensão
Authors: Natalia Steigleder Clara , Da Fonseca Holz Raquel , Eduardo Silveira Luzardo Javier , Carlos de Oliveira Koglin João , Pinto da Silva Maurício
Published: November 2024

Este ensaio apresenta a EspecializaçãoGestão para a Sustentabilidade, do Centro de Integração do Mercosul (CIM), refletindo sobre os aspectos teóricos e práticos que nortearam sua formulação. O tema Sustentabilidade é tratado como potencializador da indissociabilidade entre ensino, pesquisa e extensão. A relação universidade - sociedade marca de forma significativa o Curso a partir de três pilares: 1) Sustentabilidade como uma escolha que representa um compromisso do CIM com o desenvolvimento sustentável, tanto nas ações internas, institucionais, como em relação à região em que está inserido; 2) a transversalidade e indivisibilidade dos Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável no trabalho conjunto das áreas que compõem o CIM, possibilitando uma abordagem complexa do tema da Sustentabilidade; e 3) a dimensão prática que o Curso adquire a partir da compreensão da importância da produção de estudos, pesquisas, políticas e ações de ensino e extensão  que promovam a Sustentabilidade nas ações dos agentes públicos e privados.
Saúde e bem estar: Ações extensionistas e seu potencial de transformação de uma SAC urbana utilizada por moradores de Divinópolis MG
Authors: Guimaraes Parreira Adriano , Cunha Tibúrcio Larissa
Published: November 2024

O acesso à água com qualidade e em abundância é desigual em todo o mundo. No Brasil, cerca de 35 milhões de pessoas não têm acesso à água potável, como alternativa, comunidades em vulnerabilidade hídrica tendem a buscar outros meios de abastecimento como as SAC’s (soluções alternativas coletivas de abastecimento).  Em Divinópolis MG há várias SAC’s cuja água é utilizada pela população para consumo próprio sem o devido conhecimento de sua qualidade microbiológica, em sua maioria localizadas em regiões com diferentes níveis de degradação ambiental. Neste sentido, o foco deste trabalho consistiu na realização de intervenções na SAC urbana popularmente conhecida como mina Bela Vista, cuja água é frequentemente coletada pela população local para consumo próprio. As ações envolveram análises laboratoriais periódicas da qualidade microbiológica de amostras de água coletadas naquele manancial, levantamento das condições macroscópicas gerais, reuniões junto a comunidade, autoridades municipais  e veículos de comunicação com vistas a melhoria das condições encontradas. Em um ambiente de interação dialógica e buscando transformação social, assegurando vida saudável e bem estar aos usuários, observou-se variação da qualidade microbiológica da água ao longo do período de avaliação, classificação predominantemente ruim da condição macroscópica observada, os quais fundamentaram levantamento de proposições e conquista de acordos com o poder público local com vistas ao cercamento da nascente, instalação de lixeiras assim como a conscientização dos moradores locais quanto ao descarte de lixo e trânsito de animais.
Questões em prol da sustentabilidade: Reflexões através de perspectivas decoloniais
Authors: Giovana Tessmer Santin Fátima , Nicanor Mello da Silva Bruno
Published: November 2024

Considerando nossas vivências no movimento que se propõe a construir um projeto agroecológico na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, visualizamos um contexto de disputas e contradições. Pensando sobre os projetos de extensão universitária e os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da última Conferência das Nações Unidas, o objetivo deste ensaio é trazer algumas reflexões que temos considerado relevantes para avançar nos debates sobre desenvolvimento e sustentabilidade. Através da contextualização socioeconômica e de um giro decolonial, tentamos trazer problemas que entendemos como centrais na realidade social latino-americana, a partir deste pano de fundo, trouxemos autores e autoras que realizaram um movimento epistemológico fundamental para os desafios do século XXI. Ao fim, levantamos algumas questões, tendo em vista a problemática apresentada.
Acidente por afogamento na primeira infância: revisão com proposta e ativação de tecnologia leve no município de Cametá, Pará
Authors: Gomes Terezinha de Jesus Valente Duarte , Santos Samanta Barra dos , Brasil Laélia Maria Barra Feio , Lima Vera Lúcia de Azevedo , Paraizo-Horvath Camila Maria Silva , Correa Júnior Antonio Jorge Silva
Published: November 2024

O afogamento representa um evento clínico e social que ocorre de forma inesperada constituindo-se importante causa de morbimortalidade. Neste sentido, o trabalho em tela objetiva relatar a proposta e a ativação de um folder regional de prevenção de acidentes por afogamento em crianças amazônicas. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo-exploratório, segmentado em: revisão de seis etapas, construção de um folder a partir das evidências-vivências e um relato de vivência de proposição e ativação de tecnologia leve segundo Merhy. Construiu-se um folder com artes autorais a partir de 17 publicações, do universo de 115 publicações. Enfatiza-se que as ações ocorreram no município de Cametá vinculadas a Atenção Básica, os cenários para a ativação de tecnologia foram 29 micro áreas, nas Unidades de Saúde Cinturão Verde e Menino Deus. Discute-se que há carência de literatura pertinente, principalmente no contexto da Amazônia brasileira, este agravo tem como principais fatores de risco a supervisão ineficiente das crianças em ambientes de risco e a ausência do uso de equipamentos de segurança. Ademais, constatou-se nas ações que não congregaram apenas crianças na faixa etária de 1-4 anos, que a população pouco observa os fatores de risco que cercam as crianças em seu domicílio e no cotidiano, devido a exposição contínua da realidade ribeirinha, desta forma, a construção do folder e as mobilizações endossam o Trabalho Vivo em saúde à medida que visibilizam um agravo pouco debatido pelo sistema acadêmico e da saúde.
Avaliação das contribuições de um site que suscita a educação científica como forma atenuante ao uso irracional de antibióticos e multirresistência bacteriana
Authors: Diniz Cabral Aline , Abreu Regis Vinicius Alves de , Macedo Ana Rafaela da Silva de , Rossi Daise Aparecida
Published: November 2024

Dentre as causas multifatoriais da multirresistência aos antibióticos, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS, 2023) classifica a desinformação como sendo uma das mais graves, por advir pessoas a tomarem antibióticos em excesso, descartar de maneira inapropriada e reforçar fake news disseminadas na internet. Como fator agravante, tem-se ainda mitos e falácias que são transmitidos de geração em geração, ainda mais quando se trata do cuidado e do manejo dos animais. Com o avanço das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação Digital (TDIC) e dos recursos tecnológicos atuais, notícias verdadeiras ou falsas, se espalharam rapidamente. Assim, foi desenvolvido um site, denominado Zoopage, de fácil acesso, que seleciona e divulga informações úteis e confiáveis ​​sobre animais domésticos e de produção, desde a vivência até o consumo de seus produtos, de forma lúdica, crítica e reflexiva, suscitando a educação científica no âmbito de uso racional de antibióticos, conhecimento de zoonoses e manejo adequado de animais, tendo como público-alvo a comunidade com pouco contato com o mundo acadêmico, de diferentes idades. Por fim, apesar de carecer de algumas melhorias, ficou evidente a relevância do site Zoopage para a divulgação do conhecimento científico como forma de extensão universitária.
Projeto “Quem é meu pai?”:
Authors: Meneghetti Brendler Karina
Published: November 2024

O direito à filiação, consagrado como fundamental pela Constituição Federal de 1988, representa um marco na igualdade jurídica entre todos os filhos. O Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA) reforçou esse direito como inalienável e irrenunciável, podendo ser exercido contra os pais ou seus herdeiros. A presença paterna, embora a mãe seja figura crucial no início da vida da criança, revela-se essencial para o desenvolvimento, influenciando não apenas aspectos afetivos, mas também econômicos e sociais. Esta ausência, seja física ou psicológica, assume uma dimensão crítica na formação do indivíduo, associando-se a comportamentos de risco, como o envolvimento com drogas, especialmente durante a infância e adolescência. O Projeto "Quem é Meu Pai?" surge como resposta a esse cenário preocupante. Busca garantir o direito à filiação paterna a crianças e adolescentes sem pai registral, envolvendo estudantes de educação infantil e ensino fundamental das escolas públicas, bem como recém-nascidos do município. O objetivo é buscar efetivar o reconhecimento e a consequente assunção da responsabilidade paterna. Em casos em que o reconhecimento da paternidade não é viável, são consideradas alternativas como adoção, guarda e tutela. Em 2022, o projeto mapeou crianças e adolescentes sem o nome paterno nas escolas públicas. Em 2023, tiveram início as reuniões de conscientização envolvendo a coordenação do projeto, o Ministério Público, genitoras e supostos genitores das crianças e adolescentes com o objetivo de efetivar o reconhecimento paterno, seja de forma voluntária, seja mediante realização de exame de DNA.
Epitope Tagging with Genome Editing in Mice Reveals That the Proton Channel OTOP1 Is Apically Localized and Not Restricted to Type III “Sour” Taste Receptor Cells
Authors: Kaplan Joshua P. , Ye Wenlei , Kileen Heather , Liang Ziyu , Tran Anne , Chi Jingyi , Yang Chingwen , Cohen Paul , Liman Emily R.
Published: November 2024

The gustatory system allows animals to assess the nutritive value and safety of foods prior to ingestion. The first step in gustation is the interaction of taste stimuli with one or more specific sensory receptors that are generally believed to be present on the apical surface of the taste receptor cells. However, this assertion is rarely tested. We recently identified OTOP1 as a proton channel and showed that it is required for taste response to acids (sour) and ammonium. Here, we examined the cellular and subcellular localization of OTOP1 by tagging the endogenous OTOP1 protein with an N-terminal HA epitope (HA-OTOP1). Using both male and female HA-OTOP1 mice and high-resolution imaging, we show that OTOP1 is strictly localized to the apical tips of taste cells throughout the tongue and oral cavity. Interestingly, immunoreactivity is observed in the actin-rich taste pore above the tight junctions defined by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and also immediately below these junctions. Surprisingly, OTOP1 immunoreactivity is not restricted to Type III taste receptor cells (TRCs) that mediate sour taste but is also observed in glia-like Type I TRCs proposed to perform housekeeping functions, a result that is corroborated by scRNA-seq data. The apical localization of OTOP1 supports the contention that OTOP1 functions as a taste receptor and suggests that OTOP1 may be accessible to orally available compounds that could act as taste modifiers.