bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaginal lactobacilli profile in pregnant women with normal & abnormal vaginal flora
Authors: Yeruva Thirupathaiah , Rajkumar Hemalatha , Donugama Vasundhara 
Published: December 2024

Background & objectives:
Lactobacilli species that are better adapted to vaginal environment of women may colonize better and offer protection against vaginal pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the distribution of common Lactobacillus species was investigated in pregnant women.

Methods:
Sixty seven pregnant women were included in the study and vaginal samples were collected for Gram staining. Women were classified as normal vaginal flora, intermediate flora and bacterial vaginosis (BV) based on Nugent's score. Vaginal samples were also collected for the identification of Lactobacillus spp. by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) profiling of 16S rDNA amplification method.

Results:

Lactobacillus crispatus (100%) was the most predominant Lactobacillus spp. present in pregnant women with normal flora, followed by L. iners (77%), L. jensenii (74%) and L. helveticus (60%). While, L. iners was commonly present across groups in women with normal, intermediate or BV flora, L. crispatus, L. jensenii and L. helveticus decreased significantly as the vaginal flora changed to intermediate and BV. In women with BV, except L. iners other species of lactobacilli was less frequently prevalent. Species such as L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum, L. paracasei and L. casei were not detected in any vaginal sample.

Interpretation & conclusions:

L. crispatus, L. jensinii and L. helveticus were predominant species in women with normal flora. L. crispatus alone or in combination with L. jensinii and L. helveticus may be evaluated for probiotic properties for the prevention and treatment of BV.
Validity of Broselow tape for estimating weight of Indian children
Authors: Shah Vivek , Bavdekar Sandeep B. 
Published: December 2024

Background & objectives:
The Broselow tape has been validated in both ambulatory and simulated emergency situations in the United States and is believed to reduce complications arising from inaccurate drug dosing and equipment sizing in paediatric population. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the actual weight and weight determined by Broselow tape in the Indian children and to derive an equation for determination of weight based on height in the Indian children.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India. The participants’ weights were divided into three groups <10 kg, 10-18 kg and >18 kg with a total sample size estimated to be 210 (70 in each group). Using the tape, the measured weight was compared to Broselow-predicted weight and percentage weight was calculated. Accuracy was defined as agreement on Broselow colour-coded zones, as well as agreement within 10 per cent between the measured and Broselow-predicted weights. The resulting data were compared with weights estimated by advanced paediatric life support (APLS) and updated APLS formulae using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results:
The mean percentage differences were −11.78, −17.09 and −14.27 per cent for <10, 10-18 and >18 kg weight-based groups, respectively. The Broselow colour-coded zone agreement was 33.3 per cent in children weighing <10 kg, but only 7.4 per cent in the 10-18 kg group and 33.9 per cent in the >18 kg group. Agreement within 10 per cent was 53.13 per cent for the <10 kg group, but only 21.08 per cent for the 10-18 kg group and 33.9 per cent for the >18 kg group. Application of 10 per cent weight correction factor improved the percentages to 79.2 per cent for the <10 kg category, to 55.70 per cent for the 10-18 kg group and to 61.0 per cent for the >18 kg group. The correlation coefficient between actual weight and weights estimated by Broselow tape (r=0.89) was higher than that between actual weight and weight estimated by APLS method or updated APLS formulae (r=0.68) in 12-60 months age group as well as in >60 months age group (r=0.76).

Interpretation & conclusions:
Broselow weight overestimated weight by >10 per cent in majority of Indian children. The weight overestimation was greater in children belonging to over 18 and 10-18 kg weight groups. Applying 10 per cent weight correction factor to the Broselow-predicted weight may provide a more accurate estimation of actual weight in children attending public hospital. Weights estimated using Broselow tape correlated better with actual weights than those calculated using APLS and updated APLS formulae.
Reassessing the Significance of Mycobacterium in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Study Protocol in Nigeria
Authors: Ekeke Ngozi , Iyama Francis Sunday , Ossai Edmund Ndudi , Chukwu Joseph Ngozi , Eze Chinwe Chika , Egbule Daniel , Nwafor Charles , Njoku Martin I. , Meka Anthony O. , Odama Michael , Ezeakile Okechukwu E. , Murphy-Okpala Ngozi N. 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of affected individuals, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating mental health services with self-care practices for individuals suffering from leprosy, Buruli ulcer (BU), and lymphatic filariasis (LF). The role of trained Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and NTD champions (NTD-Cs) will be explored to enhance health outcomes in this population.

Methods:
A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in four local government areas (clusters) with the highest incidence of leprosy, BU, or LF. Clusters were purposively selected and randomized into intervention and control groups: three clusters received interventions, while one served as a control. The intervention arms include (a) Mental health and self-care interventions by NTD-Cs. (b) Mental health and self-care interventions by HCWs. (c) Self-care interventions only by HCWs. d) Control group receiving standard care. Data were collected at baseline and postintervention using validated questionnaires, including the Patient Health Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life (QOL-BREF), among others. The intervention will last for 8 months, with monthly self-help group meetings providing support and resources.

Results:
The study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of integrated mental health and self-care interventions for NTD patients by evaluating outcomes such as mental health status, quality of life (QOL), and socioeconomic factors.

Conclusion:
This trial aims to inform policy and practice by demonstrating the potential benefits of integrating mental health services within the care framework for individuals affected by NTDs in Nigeria. If successful, the findings will contribute to the enhancement of healthcare delivery and may be incorporated into the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program for broader implementation across the country.
Trial registration: PACTR Registration number: PACTR202404852537141.

https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/Default.aspx?Logout=True

Retrospectively registered.
The Effects of Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Treatment Uptake and Outcomes in the Fako Division of Cameroon
Authors: Pokam Benjamin David Thumamo , Shindoh Elsie Ngu , Djuikoue Cecile Ingrid , Nana Cedric Seugnou , Kakah Sabi Hannah , Elisee Assadioh Pierre Kana , Tendongfor Nicholas 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an infectious disease affecting mainly the lungs and persists as the leading cause of death worldwide. With the emergence of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the management and outcome of TB has been greatly affected because of the global shift in attention. This study aims to determine the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the TB treatment uptake and outcomes in the Fako Division of Cameroon.

Methods:
A hospital-based retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out in 3 Health Districts of the Fako Division of Cameroon. Extraction forms and structured questionnaire were used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from records and health personnel, respectively. Data on treatment uptake and outcomes before and during the pandemic were compared, as well as challenges faced in TB diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic.

Results:
Of the 1557 reviewed files of TB patients, treatment uptake was lower (73.40%) during compared to before (82.30%) the pandemic (P < 0.0001). A larger proportion (83.30%) had a successful outcome before compared to (74.3%) during the pandemic (P < 0.0001). There was a significant drop in both good TB treatment uptake (8.9%) and successful outcomes (9%), respectively, during the pandemic. A number of significant challenges faced in TB diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic included shortage of drugs (63.6%) and diagnostic materials (54.5%), as well as decrease in the diagnosis rate of TB patients (90.9%) with the main reason being fear of being quarantined at the hospital (63.6%).

Conclusions:
A decrease in TB treatment uptake and successful outcomes was observed during the COVID-19 period compared to prior the pandemic. This is indicative of poor usage of the TB services during the pandemic as a result of COVID-19 barrier measures and laxity in the TB control programs. TB programs require some intensification geared towards strengthening the patient-centered approach and a community-based active TB case finding, especially in the current potential resurgence of the pandemic.
SIADH, a Rare Complication Postcarotid Endarterectomy – Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Chittibomma Kovidh , Sebastian Jithin Jagan , Subramanian Sairam 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Severe hyponatremia, postcarotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a rare phenomenon. Several physiological conditions lead to hyponatremia post-CEA. We describe the case of an 83-year-old hypertensive who developed severe hyponatremia after right CEA for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. He developed symptoms of severe hyponatremia on postoperative day 4, before discharge, with a serum sodium level of 112 mmol/L. He was investigated and found to have diuretic-induced hyponatremia alongside syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. The symptoms were recognized early, and both causes were treated, leading to improvements in sodium levels and preventing further deterioration. The patient was discharged on an ADH receptor antagonist with no recurrence of symptoms during follow-up. There have been four similar cases reported in the literature, which have been reviewed in comparison to the present case. Severe hyponatremia post-CEA presents after 24 h of surgery, and awareness helps early diagnoses and prevents hyponatremia-related readmission and patient morbidity.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of Radiomic Features in Normal Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Investigating Robustness and Region Variations
Authors: Shakeri Mahsa , Mostaar Ahmad , Sadeghi Arash Zare , Hosseini Seyyed Mohammad , Joybari Ali Yaghobi , Ghadiri Hossein 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Despite extensive research on various brain diseases, a few studies have focused on radiomic feature distribution in healthy brain images. The present study applied a novel radiomic framework to investigate the robustness and baseline values of radiomic features in normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) regions.

Materials and Methods:
Analyses were performed on T1 and T2 images including 276 normal brains and 14 healthy volunteers were scanned with three scanners using the same protocols. The images were divided into 1024 three-dimensional nonoverlap patches with the same pixel size. Seven patches located in the thalamus, putamen, hippocampus and brain stem were selected as volume of interest (VOI). Eighty-five radiomic features were generated. To investigate the variation of features across VOIs, the analysis of variance was performed and coefficient of variation (COV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were explored to examine the features repeatability.

Results:
Thalamus (right and left) and hippocampus (left) resulted in more stable features (COV ≤ 6%) in T1 and T2 images, respectively. The inter-scanner ICC analysis demonstrated the features of T2 sequences represented more repeatable results and the brain stem and thalamus (both T1 and T2) showed particularly high repeatability (higher ICC values). Robust results (ICC ≥ 0.9) were identified for energy and range features of the first order class and several textures features across different brain regions.

Conclusion:
Our results indicated the baselines of the repeatable texture features in healthy brain structural MRI highlighting inter-scanner stability. According to the findings, MRI sequencing and VOI location impact feature robustness and should be considered in brain radiomic studies.
Crossed products as compact quantum metric spaces
Authors: Klisse Mario 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
By employing the external Kasparov product, in [18], Hawkins, Skalski, White, and Zacharias constructed spectral triples on crossed product C

$^\ast $

-algebras by equicontinuous actions of discrete groups. They further raised the question for whether their construction turns the respective crossed product into a compact quantum metric space in the sense of Rieffel. By introducing the concept of groups separated with respect to a given length function, we give an affirmative answer in the case of virtually Abelian groups equipped with certain orbit metric length functions. We further complement our results with a discussion of natural examples such as generalized Bunce-Deddens algebras and higher-dimensional noncommutative tori.
An Enumerative Perspective on Connectivity
Authors: Akmal Shyan 
Published: December 2024

Connectivity (or equivalently, unweighted maximum flow) is an important measure in graph theory and combinatorial optimization. Given a graph $G$ with vertices $s$ and $t$, the connectivity $\lambda(s,t)$ from $s$ to $t$ is defined to be the maximum number of edge-disjoint paths from $s$ to $t$ in $G$. Much research has gone into designing fast algorithms for computing connectivities in graphs. Previous work showed that it is possible to compute connectivities for all pairs of vertices in directed graphs with $m$ edges in $\tilde{O}(m^\omega)$ time [Chueng, Lau, and Leung, FOCS 2011], where $\omega \in [2,2.3716)$ is the exponent of matrix multiplication. For the related problem of computing &quot;small connectivities,&quot; it was recently shown that for any positive integer $k$, we can compute $\min(k,\lambda(s,t))$ for all pairs of vertices $(s,t)$ in a directed graph with $n$ nodes in $\tilde{O}((kn)^\omega)$ time [Akmal and Jin, ICALP 2023]. In this paper, we present an alternate exposition of these $\tilde{O}(m^\omega)$ and $\tilde{O}((kn)^\omega)$ time algorithms, with simpler proofs of correctness. Earlier proofs were somewhat indirect, introducing an elegant but ad hoc &quot;flow vector framework&quot; for showing correctness of these algorithms. In contrast, we observe that these algorithms for computing exact and small connectivity values can be interpreted as testing whether certain generating functions enumerating families of edge-disjoint paths are nonzero. This new perspective yields more transparent proofs, and ties the approach for these problems more closely to the literature surrounding algebraic graph algorithms.Comment: 29 pages, TheoretiCS journal version
¿Son estrictamente privadas las sociedades anónimas?
Authors: Moreno Izquierdo José Ángel 
Published: December 2024

En el marco de un cuestionamiento teórico general del modelo dominante de gran empresa y del monopolio de su sistema de gobierno por los accionistas mayoritarios, el artículo destaca en primer lugar la naturaleza originalmente en buena parte pública de las empresas societarias precedentes de las actuales sociedades anónimas, sintetizando sus características básicas, que suponían privilegios sustanciales frente a las empresas normales y que respondían a los objetivos de interés general o público que justificaban su creación (y que constituían finalidades de obligado cumplimiento para el mantenimiento de los privilegios). Tras ello, y ante los problemas cada vez mayores que las grandes sociedades anónimas vienen generando —en buena medida, por esos privilegios, que posibilitan e impulsan una irresponsabilidad social estructural—, el artículo pone de relieve que un número creciente de expertos viene considerando que podría ser conveniente en nuestro tiempo recordar ese carácter de empresas excepcionalmente privilegiadas, recuperando en alguna medida un control público diferencial en su funcionamiento, de forma que se posibilitara una contribución más positiva al interés general (para lo que la filosofía de la responsabilidad social voluntaria resulta claramente fútil).
La evolución del emprendimiento y su desarrollo conceptual con aplicabilidad al desarrollo empresarial
Authors: Peñuela Ismael Enrique Ibañez , Duque Alba Patricia Guzmán , Gómez Hermenegildo Gil 
Published: December 2024

En el desarrollo de este capítulo se hará una revisión historia de la evolución del concepto del emprendimiento hasta la actualidad y su aplicabilidad en el desarrollo empresarial, siendo cada elemento un factor clave del emprendimiento lo cual sirve como herramientas para el crecimiento de las empresas en sus diferentes ámbitos. Asimismo, se contemplara el posicionamiento de la marca a partir de las preferencias de los consumidores quienes a través de las diferentes estrategias de comerciales se ven seducidos adquirir un servicio o un producto, el branding como un factor clave y eficiente para conseguir la fidelización de los clientes en un mercado cada vez más competitivo, de igual manera se analiza la integración del marketing digital a la aplicabilidad el e-commerce y s-commerce en el desarrollo del emprendimiento como una manera eficiente de generar un crecimiento continuo al hacer empresa en entornos digitales.
A Comparative Study of Legal Practices in European Jurisdictions and Azerbaijan in Absentia Trials
Authors: Abbasova Firuza , Mammadova Lala , Zeynalova Ayan 
Published: December 2024

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the adoption of in absentia trials in Azerbaijan following the 2023-2024 legal reforms, focusing on the balance between judicial efficiency and defendants' rights. This issue is particularly crucial as Azerbaijan continues to modernize its legal system to align with international standards, especially in the context of transitional justice. Azerbaijan's legal system, though based on the Roman legal tradition, is relatively young, and still in transition from Soviet-era practices.

Theoretical Framework: Theoretical Framework grounded in human rights principles, especially the right to a fair trial enshrined in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It draws on the Roman-German legal tradition that has influenced countries like Italy, Germany, and Belgium, thereby shaping Azerbaijan’s approach to in absentia trials.

Method: The method further examines how these safeguards align with ECHR standards and compares them to practices in Italy, Germany, and Belgium. Moreover, it explores recent and relevant cases of in absentia trials in other countries, and the potential challenges Azerbaijan may face as it implements similar reforms.

Results and Discussion: Results and Discussion show that Azerbaijan’s legal reforms have incorporated procedural safeguards akin to those in Italy and Germany, ensuring robust protection of defendants' rights while promoting judicial efficiency. However, the study also notes that Azerbaijan’s legal system, despite its Roman law foundation, is relatively new and lacks the depth of experience necessary to fully implement more advanced legal concepts like in absentia trials.

Research Implications: Research Implications suggest that by modernizing its legal framework in line with European standards, Azerbaijan demonstrates how judicial reforms can be both efficient and rights-compliant, filling gaps rooted in its transition from Soviet-era legal systems to a Roman law-based framework.

Originality/Value: The research contributes to understanding how in absentia trials, as a judicial innovation, can be successfully integrated into a developing legal system like Azerbaijan's, providing valuable lessons for other states in transition.
Information Opposition of Russia and Georgia at the Present Stage
Authors: Mansurov Timur 
Published: December 2024

Objective: The purpose of the study is to identify the specifics of the information confrontation between Russia and Georgia at the present stage.

Method: The use of systemic methodological and historical approach symbiosis in the article as the methodology for studying contributed to the identification of a number of important contradictions between the parties to the conflict, the stages of information confrontation, which were determined by a combination of factors of a military-political, economic, social and humanitarian nature.

Results and Discussion: The trends were analyzed in which the information counteraction of two states is carried out. The article notes that the main conflictogens in the information context of Russia and Georgia are the following factors: territorial, unresolved political and state status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, development of associated relations between Russia and "partially recognized states", the conflicts of multi-vector integration projects developed by regional and non-regional countries, socio-cultural and humanitarian issues. The article pays special attention to the approaches (models) of counteraction and their content used by Russia and Georgia. Traditional and non-traditional sources of information (disinformation) used by the media of two countries are analyzed.

Research Implications: The study shows that an important feature of the confrontation between Russia and Georgia today is the presence of serious restrictions for access to the media and communication means of both sides, thus individual media are forced to conduct their activities in the Internet space.
Regional Property Asset Management (BMD) Case Study of Operational Vehicles at the Bone Bolango Regency Health Office
Authors: Suprapto Srihandyani , Mohi Widya Kurniati , Pambi Selvi , One Astin Yasin 
Published: December 2024

This research aims to obtain an overview of BMD Asset Management, Case Study of Operational Vehicles at the Health Service of Bone Bolango District. The research method uses a qualitative research type with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques were carried out through interviews with several informants and observation as well as recording secondary data related to the research problem. The results of the research concluded asset management of the regional property was not optimal as indicated by the indicators: (1) Asset planning was by standards and planning was carried out by identifying the needs of the Bone Bolango District Health Service; (2) In Asset Organizing, structured according to the organizational system or Bone Bolango District Health Service; (3) The briefing has not gone well, because the use of assets has not been recorded in the inventory; (4) Meanwhile, supervision has not been running well, due to lack of asset maintenance, including lack of vehicle maintenance, resulting in damage and lack of maintenance of STNK extensions.