bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case of Multifocal Ectopic Germinoma Manifesting with Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus Syndrome
Authors: Doi Tomoyuki , Takahashi Yoshinobu , Sakamoto Manato , Hashimoto Naoya
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Intracranial germinomas mainly arise in the pineal gland or neurohypophyseal region. The basal ganglia have been reported as the site of occurrence for ectopic germinomas, whereas other sites have been rarely described. We experienced a case of multifocal ectopic germinoma that arose in the septum pellucidum and the dorsal brain stem, not including the pineal gland, neurohypophysis, and basal ganglia of ectopic germinoma in a pregnant woman. Case Presentation: The patient initially presented to our institution with complaints of diplopia in the past 14 weeks of gestation, and imaging later revealed two intracranial neoplastic lesions, with one lesion involving the septum pellucidum and the other involving the dorsal brainstem. Both tumors were partially excised via a transcortical approach. Based on the results of pathology and immunohistochemistry, the patient was diagnosed with germinoma, and the intraoperative spinal fluid cytology was class V in Papanicolaou classification. The patient received three courses of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide together with whole-brain irradiation, which resulted in complete elimination of the tumors. No evidence of recurrence was identified after 18 months. Conclusion: The results illustrated the need to consider germinoma in the differential diagnosis if the lesions involve midline structures such as the septum pellucidum or dorsal brainstem. Given the rarity of germinoma arising outside the pineal gland and neurohypophyseal region, these findings provide key insights into the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
A Secretaria da Agricultura no Plano de Ação do Governo do Estado de São Paulo (1959-1963)
Authors: Aguiar Gabriel Deller de , Camargo Monica Junqueira de
Published: March 2024

Logo após assumir o Governo do Estado de São Paulo em 1959, Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Pinto começa a delinear o que seria uma das mais emblemáticas experiências de planejamento no Brasil, o Plano de Ação do Estado de São Paulo. Ao lado dos investimentos setoriais em justiça, educação e saúde, que viabilizaram obras paradigmáticas da arquitetura paulista, a Secretaria da Agricultura atuou durante essa experiência de planejamento com a proposição de um programa específico para o setor agrícola, o que rendeu um importante acervo documental de mais de 450 obras, que compõem redes infraestruturais para o avanço produtivo. Esse acervo inédito lança luz sobre a trajetória de personagens desconhecidos pela historiografia e atuantes nos quadros técnicos do Estado, além de contribuir para ampliar o debate sobre os horizontes do desenho moderno, apresentando arquiteturas de viéses pragmático e econômico, bem como de caráter certamente pioneiro, ao marcar uma fase de inflexão na arquitetura pública promovida pelo estado de São Paulo.
O processo de seeding da computação ao design para inovação social: revisão sistemática da literatura
Authors: Fuentefria Luana Duarte , Franzato Carlo
Published: March 2024

O presente artigo apresenta uma revisão silstemática da literatura sobre o conceito de seeding, que foi inicialmente elaborado na área da computação, por Gerhard Fischer e pela equipe do Center for LifeLong Learning and Design, e sucessivamente integrado à área do design. O conceito é usado para denominar processos participativos de difusão da inovação, não apenas abertos, mas apropriáveis pelas pessoas às quais se abrem (comunidades de designers, desenvolvedores e usuários). Logo, trata-se de processos passíveis de evoluções autônomas, contínuas e potencialmente infinitas. De forma metafórica, o conceito de seeding remete a sementes projetuais concebidas para a disseminação da inovação. Progressivamente, o conceito começa a aparecer nos setores em que atuam as organizações associativas e as administrações públicas, demonstrando seu potencial para a evolução do discurso da inovação social. A revisão permitiu recolher as diversas compreensões do conceito e aprofundar sua aplicação no design. O principal resultado da revisão foi a compreensão de sua aplicabilidade no campo do design para a inovação social. De fato, o conceito de seeding resultou especialmente relevante para compreender e praticar processos de projetação aberta e participativa de inovações sociais que possam ser disseminadas livremente na sociedade e apropriadas autonomamente pelas comunidades alcançadas. Finalmente, o artigo apresenta as Casas Colaborativas porto-alegrenses, caso que ilustra as elaborações conceituais do processo de seeding, bem como sua aplicabilidade no design para a inovação social.
Preservação de territórios culturais: os asilos-colônia Santo Ângelo (Mogi das Cruzes) e Aimorés (Bauru) e as cidades paulistas
Authors: Janotti Bianca Maria Batista , Schicchi Maria Cristina da Silva
Published: March 2024

Entre 1930 e 1960, a política de tratamento dos hansenianos por meio do isolamento implantada no estado de São Paulo tornou-se modelo para muitas cidades brasileiras. Os asilos-colônia, complexos hospitalares criados para essa finalidade, foram pensados para funcionar em rede, de forma que pudessem abranger todo o estado a partir de cinco asilos-colônia: Santo Ângelo, Padre Bento,  Pirapitingui, Cocais e Aimorés. Esses asilos – construídos entre 1920 e 1930 – foram tombados pelo Conselho de Defesa do Patrimônio Histórico, Arqueológico, Artístico e Turístico entre 2016 e 2018. Sua história, ligada a essa cadeia de instituições de tratamento, demandou uma abordagem de estudo de conjunto, mas também uma leitura dos próprios territórios onde estão inseridos, pois entende-se que esses complexos não se mantiveram alheios aos processos políticos e de planejamento locais. Assim, o objetivo principal da pesquisa foi estudar os asilos-colônia como equipamentos complexos de escala urbano-territorial. A partir de um levantamento preliminar dos cinco asilos tombados, foram selecionados dois deles para estudo de caso: o Santo Ângelo (Mogi das Cruzes) e o Aimorés (Bauru). Buscou-se avaliar as condições de uso, apropriação e os significados atuais desses complexos, tanto por seu papel no desenvolvimento territorial dos municípios onde estão situados, quanto, principalmente, para as populações locais. A pesquisa se apoiou nos métodos histórico-analítico e empírico. O resultado possibilitou a ampliação da discussão sobre os asilos-colônia como territórios culturais e apontar novos critérios de apreensão dos significados culturais a eles relacionados, como contribuição à reflexão sobre a preservação dos denominados “patrimônios marginais”.
Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulating Blood Pressure and Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Pandey Kailash N.
Published: March 2024

The pioneering work of Dr Lewis K. Dahl established a relationship between kidney, salt, and high blood pressure (BP), which led to the major genetic-based experimental model of hypertension. BP, a heritable quantitative trait affected by numerous biological and environmental stimuli, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is considered to be a primary modifiable factor in renal, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases. Genome-wide association studies have identified monogenic and polygenic variants affecting BP in humans. Single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in genome-wide association studies have quantified the heritability of BP and the effect of genetics on hypertensive phenotype. Changes in the transcriptional program of genes may represent consequential determinants of BP, so understanding the mechanisms of the disease process has become a priority in the field. At the molecular level, the onset of hypertension is associated with reprogramming of gene expression influenced by epigenomics. This review highlights the specific genetic variants, mutations, and epigenetic factors associated with high BP and how these mechanisms affect the regulation of hypertension and kidney dysfunction.
Affordances: on Luminous Abodes and Ecological Reason
Authors: Wirth Jason M.
Published: March 2024

This is an essay on place in light of the ecological crisis as an exercise in what Pierre Charbonnier has recently called ecological reason, that is, “the environmental reflexivity of our species.” How do the roots of our prevailing political and economic relationships to the many lands that sustain us appear retroactively from the perspective of ecological reason? In a kind of tragic reversal, the mad rush to global prosperity and political dignity now appears as the emerging catastrophe of our failure to heed the terrestrial affordances that sustain us. I explicate this problem and root about for responses to it by lacing together the recent work of Charbonnier as well as John Sallis, Bruno Latour, and Brian Burkhart in a single weave of place-specific thinking. How can we begin to rethink place from the ground up?
Cosmological Topologies and the (De)formations of Things at Catastrophic Ends
Authors: Rivera Omar
Published: March 2024

Drawing from Andean cosmological, mythological and aesthetic lineages, this paper is about the possibility of a phenomenology of things at catastrophic ends. In this regard, I approach things under the sway of a (de)formative emptiness. In the first part, I develop a relational ontology on the basis of the Andean notion of pacha or cosmos, which provides a phenomenological frame for a determination of “place,” “world” and “topology.” I also contrast an elemental topology of the cosmos configured by ouranic sunlight with an elemental catastrophism that overturns it. In the second part, I study a chronological series of artifacts in an Andean aesthetic lineage in order to attempt a phenomenology of “things” (utensils, buildings, mountains) that “spectrally” hover in overturns of the cosmos (pachakuti).
Durability, Flexibility and Plasticity in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Authors: Murphy Sean D.
Published: March 2024

The overall resilience of the Convention – its durability, its flexibility and its plasticity in the face of myriad challenges that have unfolded over time – is largely attributable to certain design features within the Convention, to a willingness to ‘bend’ the Convention toward practical outcomes when necessary, and to the foresight of the drafters in closely tying the Convention to other agreements and standards, as well as to the general field of international law, so that the Convention might evolve as the world evolves. There are risks in flexibility and plasticity; in measured doses they promote resilience, while if taken too far they can erode confidence and support in the regime. Ultimately, such resilience rests on the good faith of States and other relevant actors in pursuing common ground in regulating a common space.
Expansion, Reform, and Homogenisation
Authors: Pope Michael Aidan
Published: March 2024

This article argues that proselytising across the Iberian Atlantic during the early modern period occurred in three historical phases. The first such phase is one of expansion, in which many mass conversion took place without much attention to catechising (1492–1539). The second phase is reforming in nature, as debates on how best to educate the converted in their new faith developed (1540–1579). The third and final phase is homogenising, as the ways in which all the newly converted groups were expected to behave were consolidated around the image of the Old Christin nobility (1580–1640). The sources used in this article include papal bulls, royal decrees, and catechisms, which have been analysed alongside the current historiography.
The EU Commission’s Infringement Procedures in the Water Sector
Authors: Krämer Ludwig
Published: March 2024

Under Article 17 teu, the EU Commission has to ensure that EU law is implemented by the Member States. For a long time, the European Commission kept its activities with regard to the implementation of Article 258 tfeu rather confidential. Since about ten years, the Commission changed its policy. The Commission installed a database, where it lists all decisions under Article 258 tfeu which it adopted. The present contribution will, on the basis of that database, the different implementation reviews, other Commission publications and the information of the European Environment Agency on the state of the EU environment, retrace the state of affairs with regard to the monitoring, by the Commission, of the implementation of Union legislation in the water sector. This review will show whether the database is up-to-date and it will also provide data to discuss the infringment practice of the Commission in the field of water protection.
Frāy in Seven Documents from the Pahlavi Archive of Hastijan
Authors: Asefi Nima
Published: March 2024

In this article, seven documents from the Pahlavi Archive of Hastijan have been examined. All seven documents are housed in the Bancroft Library of the University of Berkeley. Three documents, Berk. 35, Berk. 162, and Berk. 33A, were published for the first time by Gignoux (2010 and 2003), but the present writer tried to revise them and complete the unread words, correct the misreadings, and achieve a better translation. Other documents – Berk. 169, Berk. 12, Berk. 17, and Berk. 170 (a small fragment) – are published for the first time in this article. The common feature of these documents is that a person named Frāy is present in all of them. Frāy is a famous person in the Pahlavi Archive of Hastijan, and we can see his name in 38 documents. The early document, Tehran C, was written in the year 32 (32 years after the death of Yazdgird III), and the last document, Berk. 8, was written in the month Spandarmad (12th month) of the year 49.
The Culture of Censorship: State Intervention and Complicit Creativity in Global Film Production
Authors: Fang Jun
Published: March 2024

How does state censorship shape global creative production? To explore the merger of art and the state in a global context, I adopt a micro-sociological approach to examine the culture of censorship and reconceptualize censorship as an ongoing, social process. Based on participant observation within a global film studio and interviews with industry insiders in Beijing and Los Angeles, I investigate how global cultural producers navigate China’s rigid film censorship system. My analysis reveals how China’s state censors use multistage gatekeeping and intermediated censorship to infiltrate the creative process and exert global influence. I then show how informality transforms these organizational procedures into a relational process that is hard to trace. In this, studio executives and filmmakers are induced to engage in complicit creativity, seeking creative negotiations through working with, rather than against, the state; specifically, they practice concession, reconfiguration, and collusion. These processes anchor a culture of censorship characterized by the symbiotic relationship between censors and creators, epitomizing a dynamic dance between everyday state power and everyday resistance. This relational model of censorship provides useful analytic scaffolding, extending our knowledge of the inner workings and consequences of state intervention in the new global cultural economy.
Examining the Longitudinal Bi-Directional Associations of Friend Engagement, Social Functioning, and Depression
Authors: Anderson Austen R. , Lastrapes Mallory
Published: March 2024

Various components of social functioning predict depression and these associations can vary by gender. Bi-directional associations may be important to consider as social factors may influence depressive symptoms while depressive symptoms may impact social factors. Most previous longitudinal research examining bi-directional effects has traditionally used the cross-lagged panel model (CLPM), which has some inherent weaknesses. This study sought to apply a more comprehensive analysis to examine bi-directional associations between friend engagement, social functioning, and depressive symptoms. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) were tested on three waves from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study ( N = 5890). Average levels of social functioning were positively associated with friend engagement and negatively associated with depression. Fluctuations in social functioning and friend engagement were negatively associated with same-wave depressive symptoms. Lastly, depression was predicted by previous fluctuations in social functioning, although the findings varied by gender. This study showed that the relationships between social factors and depression are apparent within and across large time intervals, even while controlling for between-person associations. These findings add further support to the need to attend to social life as a predictor of depression in older adults. Future research could improve upon this research by examining the characteristics of the friendship interactions and including more diverse samples.
Pyrite morphological evidence for sedimentary conditions of the Wufeng formation–Longmaxi formation in south-east Chongqing area–insights for high-quality shale gas reservoir formation mechanism
Authors: Zhao Difei , Wang Qinxia , Zhang Zhibo , Zhao Yuelin , Zhang Jiaming , Liu Dandan , Wang Shengxiu , Yin Junkai , Guo Yinghai , Wang Geoff
Published: March 2024

As one of the important minerals in marine shale reservoirs, the development characteristics of pyrite can provide guidance for the exploration of deep shale gas resources and the study of high-quality reservoir development mechanisms. In this study, samples of the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formation in the southeast Chongqing area were selected, and the development characteristics of framboidal pyrite were revealed through a combination of qualitative and quantitative method. High-quality reservoirs of the upper Wufeng Formation and the bottom of the Longmaxi Formation are developed with smaller sizes, weaker variation and a narrower size distribution of pyrite framboids compared with other units of the strata, suggesting relatively stable euxinic conditions during deposition. The development characteristics of framboidal pyrite and some of the key reservoir evaluation parameters such as organic matter content and brittle mineral content, etc., are controlled by similar factors. Therefore, pyrite morphological evidence can be used as a potential indicator of high-quality shale reservoirs.
Symptom and Technology Management Intervention Usefulness for Caregivers of Children With Tracheostomies and Feeding Tubes
Authors: Spratling Regena , Tennant Monica Nelson , Lee Jiwon
Published: March 2024

Background:

Caregivers of children who require medical technology of tracheostomies and feeding tubes provide intensive and specialized care at home. They have extensive training in the hospital prior to their child’s discharge; however, there is limited education about their child’s care once they are at home. The Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment: Symptom and Technology Management Resources intervention focused on commonly experienced symptoms and technology used at home by caregivers.

Objective:

We present the findings from the intervention exit interviews to gain insight about the intervention from caregiver perspectives, notably their perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and acceptability.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive design was used to examine caregivers’ perceptions of the intervention in exit interviews. These interviews were conducted upon completion of the intervention as part of feasibility testing.

Results:

Sixteen caregivers completed the study and participated in exit interviews. Caregivers described the themes of the best that you can do, a reminder that I am doing it the right way, and I wish I had these when my child first had the tracheostomy and feeding tube. Caregivers also provided feedback about the intervention’s usefulness and suggestions for further refinement and future adaptations of the intervention.

Conclusions:

Caregivers provided valuable insights about the intervention, describing its usefulness to them, the potential for usefulness for other caregivers of these children, and their experiences with care of their children at home. Future plans include efficacy testing and modifications to enhance the intervention based on caregiver feedback.
Siewert II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma: Still searching for the right treatment transabdominal or transthoracic surgical approaches?
Authors: Maatouk Mohamed , Nouira Mariem , Dhaou Anis Ben , Kbir Ghassen Hamdi , Mabrouk Aymen , Khlifa Mohamed Ben , Daldoul Sami , Sayari Sofien , Moussa Mounir Ben
Published: March 2024

Introduction

To date, the discussion is still ongoing whether the Siewert II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) should be resected either by thoracoabdominal esophagectomy or gastrectomy with resection of the distal esophagus by transhiatal extension. The aim of our study was to compare the oncological and perioperative outcomes of the transthoracic approach (TTA) and the transabdominal approach (TAA).

Methods

Searches of electronic databases identifying studies from Cochrane, PubMed and Google Scholar were performed. Randomised and non-randomised studies comparing TTA and TAA approaches for surgical treatment of AEG Siewert type II were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa and Jada scales were used to evaluate methodological quality. The risk of bias was assessed using the Rob v2 and Robins-I tools. Meta-analyses were conducted for the outcomes.

Results

We included 17 trials (2 randomised controlled trials and 15 cohorts) involving 15297 patients. Longer three-year overall survival, five-year overall survival and R0 resection rates were observed in the TTA group. However, TTA had greater morbidity and pulmonary complications.

Conclusion

Transthoracic approach appears to be preferable for selected Siewert II tumours. This may lead to higher survival rates and better R0 resection rate. Well-designed studies are needed to confirm the results of this systematic review.
Moment-independent sensitivity analysis of a fold mechanism based on an active learning kriging method
Authors: Hu Yebao , Liu Yongshou , Guo Qing , Dai Jiayin , Wang Jing
Published: March 2024

The present article shows the reliability and sensitivity of a missile folding rudder calculated by MSC.ADAMS and MATLAB. For folding rudder, mass of the counterweight, maximum of the motive force, preloading force, and stiffness coefficients of the spring 1 and spring 2 are considered when calculating the reliability. Two methods, active learning kriging (ALK) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), are introduced to calculate the reliability. The results obtained by ALK and MCS are compared to ensure the accuracy of the reliability. Three failure modes are considered respectively in reliability calculation, including the unfolding time exceeding the specified value, the max load of the lock structure 1 or lock structure 2 exceeding the specified value. Moment-independent sensitivity index is introduced to assess the importance rank of each factor. Both cases with and without gap are discussed to explore the influence of gaps between sleeve and shaft. Comparison of two cases show that gaps could reduce reliability of the folding rudder. The influence of gaps cannot be neglected during the reliability calculated, especially for mechanism with several motion joints like the rudder folding. The works aim to provide valuable guidance for design and optimization of unfolding rudder. In addition, it is a beneficial trial for introducing reliability theory in weapon equipment field.
Openness to Experience Predicts Engagement in Role-Play: Evidence From Two Methodologies
Authors: Lim Mengyu , Bizzego Andrea , Chen SH Annabel , Esposito Gianluca
Published: March 2024

Background

Role-play, or the transient embodiment of a different role from one’s own, is a uniquely human activity that permeates many aspects of life. However, what psychosocial factors is one’s involvement in role-play associated with? Current role-play research tends to focus on limited variables and is partially marred by negative perception towards role-play in the context of online gaming. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that role-play has potential to elicit psychosocial benefits, including improvements in empathy, resilience, and self-esteem, as well as the amelioration of psychopathology. Therefore, the present study conducts a large-scale survey to identify significant psychosocial benefits that are associated with the individual’s engagement in role-play activities. Background variables such as sociodemographic and personality factors are also included to enhance understanding of types of individuals who engage in role-play.

Methods

A total of 265 adults were recruited for this study, and data were analyzed using two analytic methods: (1) multiple logistic regression and (2) machine learning, namely support vector machine.

Results

Results from both methods agreed that higher openness to experience, a personality factor, significantly increases the likelihood of the individual having reported previous role-play experience.

Discussion

While findings remain inconclusive regarding associated psychosocial benefits of role-play, results suggest significant predisposing factors that shape the individual’s tendency to engage in role-play activities.

Conclusion

The present study provides a large-scale investigation into a wide scope of psychosocial and predisposing factors associated with the individual’s role-play experience. Using two analytic methodologies, it was found that there are significant predisposing personality traits that increase the likelihood of the individual engaging in role-play activities.
Impact of stress on the tear production of healthy cats
Authors: Donat Almagro Larissa , Moutinho Izabelle , Mendes de Oliveira Victor , Ferreira Gonçalves Gentil
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the impact of acute stress on tear production in companion cats to provide a basis for minimizing stress-inducing stimuli during ophthalmic evaluations.

Methods

A total of 24 healthy owned cats (12 males, 12 females) of mixed breed, aged 8 months to 7 years, with no history of ocular diseases, were selected for the study. The cats were housed in individual cages under controlled conditions for 6 days. The Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1) was performed in the morning (between 9:00 am and 11:00 am) using test strips from the same batch. The first test (without stress) was conducted on the fifth day of acclimation, and the second test (with stress) on the sixth day. The stress stimulus consisted of recordings of barking dogs, cats fighting and the murmuring of people. For both tests, the heart rate was assessed with a stethoscope before, during and after the tests, and the environmental stress level was also evaluated. Results are presented as mean ± SD and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The study found that STT-1 values were significantly higher ( P = 0.009) with stress (22.2 ± 6.0 mm/min [95% CI 19.9–24.6]) than without stress (17.5 ± 6.9 mm/min [95% CI 14.8–20.2]). Similarly, the heart rate was significantly higher ( P = 0.028) in stress vs non-stress conditions (213.4 ± 37.5 beats per minute [bpm] [95% CI 198.7–228.1] vs 171.5 ± 28.6 bpm [95% CI 160.3–182.7], respectively), and the environmental stress score was significantly higher ( P <0.001) in stress vs non-stress conditions (3.3 ± 0.5 [95% CI 3.1–3.5] vs 1.2 ± 0.4 [95% CI 1.1–1.4], respectively).

Conclusions and relevance

Stress increased tear production in cats. Although the mean STT-1 value obtained under stress conditions was within the normal range, stress can influence the test results. The use of cat friendly handling techniques facilitates execution of the STT-1.
Systematic application of SICA-PED protocol for central venous catheterization in neonates: A prospective clinical study on 104 cases
Authors: Spagnuolo Ferdinando , Maietta Anna , Pugliese Umberto , Lettieri Emanuele , Minopoli Fabrizio , Coppola Nicola , La Verde Marco , Macera Margherita , Monari Caterina , Onorato Lorenzo , Carpentieri Mauro
Published: March 2024

Background:

Catheterization of central vessels can be associated with early and late, potentially fatal complications. A proactive approach is imperative to reduce the frequency and magnitude of adverse events. Recently, the GAVeCeLT has proposed a protocol called SICA-PED (i.e. Safe Insertion of Central Access in Pediatric patients) and includes seven evidence-based strategies.

Methods:

Through a single-center prospective observational study, the authors wanted to consolidate the efficacy and safety of these protocol in newborns. In a series of 104 newborns, the seven steps of the protocol were applied (1) pre-procedural ultrasound study of the RaCeVA veins, (2) correct aseptic technique, (3) ultrasound-guided venipuncture, (4) intraprocedural localization of the tip of the catheter with TTE (ECHO TIP) and (iECG) intracavitary electrocardiogram, (5) reasoned choice of the implant exit site with the RAVESTO Tunneling technique, (6) anchoring without stitches, and (7) exit point protection with the use of glue and transparent semipermeable membrane. The authors have included a further precaution in point (6) the subcutaneous anchoring system has added the counter-fixation of the catheter wings that we will call 6Plus Point.

Results:

All infants requiring implantation of elective us-guided central venous access were enrolled in the study. None of the 104 implanted central venous catheters experienced early complications (accidental arterial puncture, PNX, primary malposition); rare late complications such as ecchymosis, CRBSI, exit site infection or dislodgement were observed, No catheter-related thrombotic phenomena were observed. The CRBSI catheter-related infection rate was 2.47 × 1000 days catheter cases.

Conclusion:

The results of this prospective study strengthen the feasibility and efficacy of the SICA-Ped Protocol. Demonstrating that the systematic application of the evidence-based seven-step implantation strategy increases the success rate, minimizes early and late complications, which result in increased patient safety.
A novel marine turbocharger compressor volume flow rate model based on stagnation enthalpy theory
Authors: Tang Yuanyuan , Xia Yu , Zhang Jundong , Jia Baozhu , Liang Wenwei
Published: March 2024

The compressor volume flow rate model determines the mass flowing into the diesel engine in simulation. It is a key component model that affects the accuracy of the overall performance of the diesel engine. At present, there is a lack of an accurate and easy-to-use compressor volume flow rate model. To solve this, the stagnation enthalpy-based compressor volume flow rate model (SP model) is proposed. The SP model is compared with an improved version of the famous empirical JENSEN model, M-JENSEN (MJ), and physics-based KS model. The proposed SP model only requires the stagnation pressure to be determined. The empirical M-JENSEN model needs a compressor map to optimize its six parameters. The physics-based KS model requires specific work to be determined. The SP model needs the least measured data and is easy to be identified. Models’ accuracy comparison on ABB A270 shows that the proposed SP model can generate the compressor map with RMSE of about 1.1m3/s and mean relative error (MRE) of about 6.9%. The rated volume flow rate of ABB A270 is about 20m3/s. While the RMSE and MRE of MJ model are about 0.6m3/s and 3.1% respectively. And they are about 3.0m3/s and 17.4% for KS model. When the model’s accuracy is compared to MAN TCA88, SP model shows slightly better performance than its performance on ABB A270. The rated volume flow rate of MAN TCA88 is about 60m3/s. The values of RMSE of SP model, MJ model, and KS model are 3.2m3/s, 2.2m3/s, 10.3m3/s respectively. Their MREs are 6.73%, 4.45%, and 17.8% respectively. In terms of these results, it can be concluded that our proposed SP model needs the least data, easy to code, and has excellent performance. It is one of the best compressor mass flow rate models so far in real-time diesel simulation.
Comparing ChatGPT With Experts’ Responses to Scenarios that Assess Psychological Literacy
Authors: Machin M. Anthony , Machin Tanya M. , Gasson Natalie
Published: March 2024

Progress in understanding students’ development of psychological literacy is critical. However, generative AI represents an emerging threat to higher education which may dramatically impact on student learning and how this learning transfers to their practice. This research investigated whether ChatGPT responded in ways that demonstrated psychological literacy and whether it matched the responses of subject matter experts (SMEs) on a measure of psychological literacy. We tasked ChatGPT with providing responses to 13 psychology research methods scenarios as well as to rate each of the five response options that were already developed for each scenario by the research team. ChatGPT responded in ways that would typically be regarded as displaying a high level of psychological literacy. The response options which were previously rated by two groups of SMEs were then compared with ratings provided by ChatGPT. The Pearson's correlations were very high ( r's  = .73 and .80, respectively), as were the Spearman's rhos (rho's = .81 and .82, respectively). Kendall's tau were also quite high (tau's = .67 and .68, respectively). We conclude that ChatGPT may generate responses that match SME psychological literacy in research methods, which could also generalise across multiple domains of psychological literacy.
The development and evolution of ethics review boards – Israel as a case study
Authors: Peled-Raz Maya , Efron Yael , Tzafrir Shay S , Doron Israel (Issi) , Enosh Guy
Published: March 2024

Although well established in developed countries, Ethics review boards in the academia, and specifically for social and behavioral sciences (SBS) research, is a relatively new, and still a controversy inducing endeavor. This study explores the establishment and functioning of ERBs in Israeli academia, serving as a case study for the challenges and progress made in ensuring ethical research practices in non-medical related spheres. A purposeful sample of 46 participants was selected, comprising ERB current or past members and SBS researchers, who each interacted extensively with ERB’s evaluation processes. The participants came from all eight research universities of Israel, as well as seven large public and private academic colleges. Open, semi structured In-depth interviews were conducted in order to facilitate a critical reflective stance among the various participants, exploring their experiences, behaviors and the meanings they assign to ERB processes. Our research revealed two major themes. The first is the developmental trajectories in the construction processes of ERBs in Israel, comprised of the following stages: Initiation, expansion, opposition, and acceptance and assimilation. The second was a typology of participation throughout the ERBs’ construction process. Inspired by Merton’s strain theory, this typology includes conformists, ritualists, ideologists, control-freaks, and insurgents. The findings expose a unique perspective into the initiation, establishment, and development of ERBs, which can shed light on the role of ERBs in general, as well as point out how resistance to ERBs, as well as the different reasons for championing them, affected not only ERBs form and their legitimacy, but also their interaction with researchers.
Predicting post-stroke cognitive impairment using electronic health record data
Authors: Ashburner Jeffrey M , Chang Yuchiao , Porneala Bianca , Singh Sanjula D , Yechoor Nirupama , Rosand Jonathan M , Singer Daniel E , Anderson Christopher D , Atlas Steven J
Published: March 2024

Background:

Secondary prevention interventions to reduce post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) can be aided by the early identification of high-risk individuals who would benefit from risk factor modification.

Aims:

To develop and evaluate a predictive model to identify patients at increased risk of PSCI over 5 years using data easily accessible from electronic health records.

Methods:

Cohort study that included primary care patients from two academic medical centers. Patients were aged 45 years or older, without prior stroke or prevalent cognitive impairment, with primary care visits and an incident ischemic stroke between 2003 and 2016 (development/internal validation cohort) or 2010 and 2022 (external validation cohort). Predictors of PSCI were ascertained from the electronic health record. The outcome was incident dementia/cognitive impairment within 5 years and beginning 3 months following stroke, ascertained using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth/Tenth Revision (ICD-9/10) codes. For model variable selection, we considered potential predictors of PSCI and constructed 400 bootstrap samples with two-thirds of the model derivation sample. We ran 10-fold cross-validated Cox proportional hazards models using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalty. Variables selected in >25% of samples were included.

Results:

The analysis included 332 incident diagnoses of PSCI in the development cohort (n = 3741), and 161 and 128 incident diagnoses in the internal (n = 1925) and external (n = 2237) validation cohorts, respectively. The C-statistic for predicting PSCI was 0.731 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.694–0.768) in the internal validation cohort, and 0.724 (95% CI: 0.681–0.766) in the external validation cohort. A risk score based on the beta coefficients of predictors from the development cohort stratified patients into low (0–7 points), intermediate (8–11 points), and high (12–23 points) risk groups. The hazard ratios (HRs) for incident PSCI were significantly different by risk categories in internal (high, HR: 6.2, 95% CI: 4.1–9.3; Intermediate, HR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.1) and external (high, HR: 6.1, 95% CI: 3.9–9.6; Intermediate, HR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9–4.3) validation cohorts.

Conclusion:

Five-year risk of PSCI can be accurately predicted using routinely collected data. Model output can be used to risk stratify and identify individuals at increased risk for PSCI for preventive efforts.

Data access statement:

Mass General Brigham data contain protected health information and cannot be shared publicly. The data processing scripts used to perform analyses will be made available to interested researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
Steroid versus placebo injections and wrist splints in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Adindu Ebubechi , Ramtin Sina , Azarpey Ali , Ring David , Teunis Teun
Published: March 2024

A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials compared the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections with placebo injections and wrist splints for carpal tunnel syndrome, focusing on symptom relief and median nerve conduction velocity. Within 3 months of the corticosteroid injection, there was a modest statistically significant difference in symptom relief compared to placebo injections and wrist splints, as measured by the Symptom Severity Subscore of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire; however, this did not meet the minimum clinically important difference. Pain reduction with corticosteroids was slightly better than with wrist splints, but it also failed to reach clinical significance. Electrodiagnostic assessments showed transient changes in distal motor and sensory latencies in favour of corticosteroids at 3 months, but these changes were not evident at 6 months. The best current evidence suggests that corticosteroid injections provide minimal transient improvement in nerve conduction and symptomatology compared with placebo or wrist splints.
Diversifying News Sources as Multicultural News Production: Critical Political Economy Approach to Sourcing Practices in Ethiopian Mainstream TV Channels
Authors: Eranfeno Gizachew Nemomsa , Gemeda Agaredech Jemaneh , Bamano Abdissa Zerai
Published: March 2024

This study examines the diversity of news sourcing in Ethiopian TV channels, utilizing Critical Political Economy approach. It analyses 1167 news stories from 2019 to 2021 and interviews with 25 journalists. The study reveals disparity in the representation of peripheral communities, despite the utilization of various news sources. This indicates that diversifying news sources alone does not guarantee equal representation of diverse voices. Economic limitations, editorial decisions, and language barriers confine news gathering to specific geographic regions. Journalists’ limited autonomy and newsroom culture contribute to prioritizing government affairs thereby limiting diversity of voices. The study suggests collaborative efforts among news editors, managers, and political authorities, and policy framework for multicultural news production, to achieve content and voice diversity. It emphasizes the need to combine normative principles with real-world practices and the impact of resource constraints on media reception and viewer choices in future research.
Understanding Person-Situation Dynamics at Work: Effects of Traits, States, and Situation Characteristics on Teaching Performance
Authors: Abrahams Loes , Rauthmann John F. , De Fruyt Filip
Published: March 2024

Research on person-situation dynamics has mostly focused on only the person or the situation in isolation in the prediction of outcomes and has relied on single rating sources. The current work examined simultaneously the effects of personality traits, personality states, situation characteristics, and trait × state as well as trait × situation interactions on teachers’ job performance using self-ratings and two types of other ratings. Twice daily during a 13- or 14-day experience sampling study, teachers’ personality states, situation characteristics, and job performance were rated by N = 173 teachers, N = 98 supervisors, and N = 1,295 students (69 classes). Results demonstrated main effects of personality traits, personality states, and situation characteristics on momentary job performance, with meaningful alignments between significant predictors (e.g., Extraversion and Positivity). With only one exception, no statistically significant interactions were found. Overall, these findings highlight that both personality and situation characteristics uniquely predict teaching performance.
Ewing’s sarcoma of the parotid gland: A rare entity with review of the literature
Authors: Chahdoura Hayfa , Mousli Alia , Noubigh Ghaiet el Fidaa , Yahyaoui Safia , Abidi Rim , Chiraz Nasr
Published: March 2024

Background

Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare malignant entity. Extraosseous Ewing’s sarcoma (EES) of the head and neck region is a rare occurrence, and Ewing’s sarcoma of the parotid gland is even rarer. To the best of our knowledge, we reported the first case of extraskeletal ES originating from the parotid gland in the Tunisian literature.

Case report

We report a rare case of EES of the parotid gland in a 35-year-old female. She presented with left parotid tumefaction. Physical examination revealed solid and fixed mass associated with facial paralysis. Magnetic resonance imaging illustrated a left intra-parotid process occupying the entire gland measuring 42 mm infiltrating the masseter and pterygoid muscles. The patient had a total left parotidectomy with ipsilateral triangular lymph node dissection. The definitive pathological examination and the immunohistochemical staining confirmed a primary peripheral neuroectodermal tumor or PNET with the presence of a specific EWING/PNET-type translocation in 60% of the tumor cells. She had an adjuvant chemotherapy (four cycles of vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide) followed by external radiotherapy.

Conclusion

A clinical and radiological follow-up by cervical MRI was done every 3 months and The 10-month follow-up showed no locoregional and distant recurrence.
Correlation between diffusion-weighted image-derived parameters and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging-derived parameters in the orofacial region
Authors: Chikui Toru , Ohga Masahiro , Kami Yukiko , Togao Osamu , Kawano Shintaro , Kiyoshima Tamotsu , Yoshiura Kazunori
Published: March 2024

Background

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) are widely used in the orofacial region. Furthermore, quantitative analyses have proven useful. However, a few reports have described the correlation between DWI-derived parameters and DCE-MRI-derived parameters, and the results have been controversial.

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation among parameters obtained by DWI and DCE-MRI and to compare them between benign and malignant lesions.

Material and Methods

Fifty orofacial lesions were analysed. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f) were estimated by DWI. For DCE-MRI, TK model analysis was performed to estimate physiological parameters, for example, the influx forward volume transfer constant into the extracellular-extravascular space (EES) (Ktrans) and fractional volumes of EES and plasma components (ve and vp).

Results

Both ADC and D showed a moderate positive correlation with ve (ρ = 0.640 and 0.645, respectively). Ktrans showed a marginally weak correlation with f (ρ = 0.296), while vp was not correlated with f or D*; therefore, IVIM perfusion-related parameters and TK model perfusion-related parameters were not straightforward. Both D and ve yielded high diagnostic power between benign lesions and malignant tumours with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.830 and 0.782, respectively.

Conclusion

Both D and ve were reliable parameters that were useful for the differential diagnosis. In addition, the true diffusion coefficient (D) was affected by the fractional volume of EES.
Assessing Speech Audibility via Syllabic-Rate Neural Responses in Adults and Children With and Without Hearing Loss
Authors: Pendyala Varsha , Sethares William , Easwar Vijayalakshmi
Published: March 2024

An objective method for assessing speech audibility is essential to evaluate hearing aid benefit in children who are unable to participate in hearing tests. With consonant-vowel syllables, brainstem-dominant responses elicited at the voice fundamental frequency have proven successful for assessing audibility. This study aimed to harness the neural activity elicited by the slow envelope of the same repetitive consonant-vowel syllables to assess audibility. In adults and children with normal hearing and children with hearing loss wearing hearing aids, neural activity elicited by the stimulus /su∫i/ or /sa∫i/ presented at 55–75 dB SPL was analyzed using the temporal response function approach. No-stimulus runs or very low stimulus level (15 dB SPL) were used to simulate inaudible conditions in adults and children with normal hearing. Both groups of children demonstrated higher response amplitudes relative to adults. Detectability (sensitivity; true positive rate) ranged between 80.1 and 100%, and did not vary by group or stimulus level but varied by stimulus, with /sa∫i/ achieving 100% detectability at 65 dB SPL. The average minimum time needed to detect a response ranged between 3.7 and 6.4 min across stimuli and listener groups, with the shortest times recorded for stimulus /sa∫i/ and in children with hearing loss. Specificity was >94.9%. Responses to the slow envelope of non-meaningful consonant-vowel syllables can be used to ascertain audible vs. inaudible speech with sufficient accuracy within clinically feasible test times. Such responses can increase the clinical usefulness of existing objective approaches to evaluate hearing aid benefit.