bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cholecalciferol Use Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Incident Morphometric Vertebral Fractures in Acromegaly
Authors: Chiloiro Sabrina , Frara Stefano , Gagliardi Irene , Bianchi Antonio , Giampietro Antonella , Medici Margherita , Allora Agnese , di Filippo Luigi , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Zatelli Maria Chiara , De Marinis Laura , Giustina Andrea 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Context
Skeletal fragility is observed in 30% to 60% of acromegaly patients, representing an emerging complication of the disease that increases disability. Despite several studies having investigated the clinical and hormonal prognostic factors for the occurrence of vertebral fractures (VFs) in acromegaly, very few data are available on their prevention/treatment including the effect of vitamin D (VD) supplementation, which has been reported to have a fracture-protective effect in several studies in patients with osteoporosis.

Objective
We aimed to investigate the role of cholecalciferol (D3) supplementation in the prevention of incident VFs (i-VFs) in acromegaly.

Methods
A longitudinal, retrospective and multicenter study was performed on 61 acromegaly patients treated and untreated with D3 supplementation.

Results
Twenty-six patients were treated with D3 supplementation according to clinical guidelines. The median D3 weekly dosage was 8500 IU (interquartile range [IQR]: 3900). The median duration of D3 supplementation was 94 months (IQR: 38). At last follow-up, i-VFs were diagnosed in 14 patients (23%). I-VFs were less prevalent in patients on D3 supplementation (14.3% of cases) compared to patients not treated with D3 (85.7%; P = .02). The final level of serum V25OH-D was significantly lower in patients who developed i-VFs (28.6 ng/mL, IQR: 4.1) compared to patients who did not develop i-VFs (34.2 ng/mL, IQR: 9.6; P = .05). The logistic regression confirmed the protective role of D3 supplementation on the occurrence of i-VFs (odds ratio: 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.79; P = .01).

Conclusion
It is likely that D3 supplementation could lead to a reduction in i-VFs in acromegaly.
It Is Surprisingly Difficult to Measure Income Segregation
Authors: Leung-Gagné Josh , Reardon Sean F. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Recent studies have shown that U.S. Census– and American Community Survey (ACS)–based estimates of income segregation are subject to upward finite sampling bias (Logan et al. 2018; Logan et al. 2020; Reardon et al. 2018). We identify two additional sources of bias that are larger and opposite in sign to finite sampling bias: measurement error–induced attenuation bias and temporal pooling bias. The combination of these three sources of bias make it unclear how income segregation has trended. We formalize the three types of bias, providing a method to correct them simultaneously using public data from the decennial census and ACS from 1990 to 2015–2019. We use these methods to produce bias-corrected estimates of income segregation in the United States from 1990 to 2019. We find that (1) segregation is on the order of 50% greater than previously believed; (2) the increase from 2000 to the 2005–2009 period was much greater than indicated by previous estimates; and (3) segregation has declined since 2005–2009. Correcting these biases requires good estimates of the reliability of self-reported income and of the year-to-year volatility in neighborhood mean incomes.
Towards implementing telemedicine in Tunisia: Results of a knowledge, attitude and practice study among medical doctors
Authors: Nouira Mariem , Souayeh Nesrine 
Published: August 2023

Background: The use of information and communication technology such as telemedicine occupies nowadays a huge place in modern medicine practice all over the world, mainly after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its implementation in Tunisia and other developing countries has achieved little success with low utilization and can be challenging for several reasons. In this study, our aim was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of Tunisian medical doctors regarding telemedicine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional web survey, administered to medical doctors in Tunisia in October 2022. Respondents’ level of knowledge of telemedicine was assessed by calculating a knowledge score (0 to 12). Attitude subsections were about perceived telemedicine attributes of relative advantage, compatibility, trial ability and complexity. Results: A total of 243 participants were included. The mean age was 45 ± 9.6 years old, and 57.2% were female, with a mean of 14.3 ± 10.3 years of professional experience. The majority (95.9%) had an average or high level of computer skills. More than half (59.3%) had a poor level of telemedicine knowledge. A good level of knowledge was significantly associated with age category over 50 years (p = 0.02) and with years of experience over 10 (p = 0.03). The majority (89.3%) had a moderate or high score about perceived advantages. The majority (88.5%) accepted use of telemedicine in their future practice. Almost half (46.9%) had practiced telemedicine activities before using a mobile phone (91%) or social media (64%). The principal limitations of applying telemedicine were challenges of organization and implementation, and incomplete patient examination. Conclusions: Although Tunisian doctors’ knowledge and practice of telemedicine were unsatisfactory, their positive attitude and willingness to try it in their future practice were encouraging. There is an urgent need for implementing telemedicine in Tunisia to improve health care coverage in some unprivileged areas.
Effects of white matter hyperintensities on isolated executive function assessed by the Trail Making Test
Authors: Nagayama Tomiko , Yamaguchi Shuhei , Nakayama Takuya , Yang Sunghoon , Inagaki Seiichi , Nagayama Masao 
Published: August 2023

Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on MRI are associated with cognitive dysfunction, particularly slow processing speed and executive dysfunction. However, it is not clear whether WMHs burden affects isolated executive function independent of aging when WMHs are assessed separately in periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH). Purpose: To assess the relationship between the degree of WMHs and the performance on the Trail Making Test (TMT), which can evaluate isolated ability of set-shifting and working memory. Methods: 74 participants who visited our memory clinic and underwent the TMT subtests (TMT-A and TMT-B) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). All subjects performed the TMT within the time limits and their MMSE scores were 24 or higher, and they were diagnosed as having normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. The extent of PVH and DSWMH was graded from 0 to 3 using the Fazekas scale. We obtained testing time to complete the TMT-A and TMT-B, and calculated TMT-B minus TMT-A. We performed correlation analyses between the degree of WMHs and the time measures of the TMT subtests with adjustment of age. Results: Average scores of the MMSE were not different among the groups either by PVH grade or by DSWMH grade. In contrast, average time required for the TMT-A, TMT-B, and TMT-B minus TMT-A increased along with exacerbation of PVH and DSWMH grade. After the adjustment of age we found significant association between only DSWMH grade and the time difference of TMT-B minus TMT-A. Conclusions: Exacerbation of PVH and DSWMH differentially affected isolated executive functions assessed by the TMT subtests independent of age and general cognitive function.
Manual cervical therapy and vestibular migraine: A case series
Authors: O'Toole Roger , Watson Dean 
Published: August 2023

Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) is a relatively new diagnostic entity with incomplete knowledge regarding pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic guidelines. By reporting the effect of manual cervical therapy (MCT) on people with VM, we suggest a possible role for upper cervical afferents in VM treatment and/or pathogenesis. The objective was to describe the change in clinical presentation and self-reported symptoms of VM corresponding to MCT and followed up to six months. Methods: A nonrandomised *ABA design was utilised to consecutively and prospectively evaluate selected patients with diagnosed VM. Symptom characteristics (frequency and intensity) were recorded along with standardised patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to document the response to MCT. Results: Three patients were recruited who met the diagnostic criteria for VM. All three patients demonstrated improvement in both migraine attack and interictal symptom frequency. These improvements mirrored changes in PROs and were sustained over a six-month follow-up period. Conclusions: The improvement that coincided with the intervention including MCT was rapid, observable and sustained. This suggests that the upper cervical spine could be a therapeutic target in VM and may have implications for future research into the pathogenesis of VM.
Demographic and socioeconomic predictors of religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours in a prospective cohort study (ALSPAC) in Southwest England: Results from the parental generation
Authors: Major-Smith Daniel , Morgan Jimmy , Halstead Isaac , Tohidinik Hamid Reza , Iles-Caven Yasmin , Golding Jean , Northstone Kate 
Published: August 2023

Background: We explored associations between possible demographic and socioeconomic causes of religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours (RSBB) in the parental generation of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Methods: We used a prospective birth cohort study (ALSPAC) in Southwest England with 14,157 enrolled mothers and 14,154 associated partners. Three RSBB outcome measures collected during pregnancy were examined: religious belief (belief in God/a divine power; yes/not sure/no), religious affiliation (Christian/none/other) and religious attendance (frequency of attendance at a place of worship). Multiple demographic and socioeconomic exposures were assessed (23 in mothers and 22 in partners). We explored age-adjusted associations between each exposure and outcome using multinomial regression, in addition to exposure-age interactions. Results: Many demographic and socioeconomic factors were associated with RSBB, including age, ethnicity, marital status, education, income and deprivation. Overall, higher socioeconomic position was associated with increased levels of RSBB, particularly regarding religious attendance. For instance, compared to mothers with the lowest level of educational attainment, a degree-level education was associated with a six-fold increase in the relative risk ratio of religious attendance at least once a week, relative to not attending at all (RRR=5.90; 95% CI=[4.44; 7.86]). The magnitude of these associations often varied by outcome, e.g., income was associated with religious attendance, but only weakly with religious affiliation. Although results were demographically and socially patterned, overall effect sizes were relatively small, with a largest pseudo-R2 value of 2.4%. Patterns of association were similar for mothers and partners. Conclusion: The observed positive association between socioeconomic position and RSBB is contrary to much previous theoretical and empirical work. Potential reasons for these differences are discussed, including cross-cultural variation in religiosity and state support, and differences between RSBB measures. This descriptive paper can also help inform future studies using these data regarding the consideration of appropriate confounders.
Flexible optical tactile sensor based on a liquid-membrane lens structure
Authors: Hu Ronghua , Yang Hui , Wang Lihui , Fan Longfei 
Published: August 2023

Based on the liquid lens focus mechanism, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, optical tactile sensor is designed by taking advantage of the structure simplicity, fast response, and environmental immunity. The design of the tactile sensing mechanism used the liquid-membrane lens structure. To integrate the tactile sensing system, we designed a data acquisition circuit unit. A performance test platform was built, and performance testing and two application demonstrations were conducted. The experiment’s result showed that the linear fitting degree was greater than 0.988, the load response time was 0.078 s, the target mass was accurately measured, the maximum error was less than 0.02 N, and the fine adjustment of the LED light intensity was achieved.
Cloud-basierte KI-Anwendungen für Natural Language Processing: Marktüberblick und Vorstellung von typischen Anwendungsfällen für den Mittelstand
Authors: Pröhl Thorsten , Baumgartner Sabrina , Zarnekow Rüdiger 
Published: August 2023

ZusammenfassungDie Digitalisierung von Unternehmen schreitet voran und Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) ist längst nicht mehr nur ein Megatrend von morgen, sondern bereits im vielfältigen Einsatz. Große Unternehmen setzen bereits Lösungen ein, die auf Künstlicher Intelligenz basieren, um ihre Geschäftsprozesse sowie Abläufe zu automatisieren und zu optimieren. Um dem zunehmenden Wettbewerbsdruck standhalten zu können, müssen deshalb auch mittelständische Unternehmen mehr und mehr auf KI-Lösungen setzen. Ein Anwendungsfeld von KI stellt das Natural Language Processing dar, welches vielversprechende Möglichkeiten zur Automatisierung und Optimierung von Geschäftsprozessen von mittelständischen Unternehmen bereithält. KI-Anwendungen aus der Cloud bieten dabei den Vorteil, dass keine eigenen KI-Modelle entwickelt werden müssen, sondern auf bereits trainierte Modelle zurückgegriffen werden kann. Das erlaubt auch mittelständischen Unternehmen, die keine eigene Machine Learning Abteilung besitzen, KI in ihren Geschäftsprozessen einzusetzen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden typische Anwendungsfälle für den Mittelstand beschrieben und Anbieter cloud-basierter KI-Anwendungen für NLP übersichtsartig in Form eines Marktüberblicks präsentiert. Um den Mittelstand bei der Einführung von KI-Anwendungen zu unterstützen, werden typische Herausforderungen skizziert und ein Vorgehen zur Implementierung vorgeschlagen.
The psychosocial burden of women seeking treatment for breast and cervical cancers in Ghana’s major cancer hospitals
Authors: Okyere Asante Patience Gyamenah , Owusu Adobea Yaa , Oppong Joseph Ransford , Amegah Kingsley E. , Nketiah-Amponsah Edward 
Published: August 2023

Background
Breast and cervical cancers remain the most common cancers and the leading cause of cancer deaths in Ghana. Non-communicable diseases such as cancers, have been associated with psychological burdens such as anxiety and depression disorders as well as severe mental disorders such as bipolar disorder. As such the World Health Organisation has noted that mental health and well-being are crucial in reducing the NCD burden.

Methods
A convergent mixed method approach was used to ascertain the psychosocial burden of breast and cervical cancer patients who sought treatment in three major cancer hospitals in Ghana. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide from 298 breast and cervical cancer patients seeking treatment at the Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals as well as the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre. Qualitative analysis was done using thematic content analysis while quantitative analysis was done using logistic regression.

Results
The findings of the study showed that patients not only battled with psychological burdens such as anxiety, depression, pain, stigma, fear of death and loss of spouses but also struggled with physical, social, and dietary restrictions. Patients with low educational levels and income status, retired or unemployed, and/or had larger household sizes suffered more psychosocial burdens.

Conclusion
There is a need for liaison psychiatrists and health psychologists to assist oncologists to provide psychological support such as free and routine counselling services for cancer patients and their caregivers. Educational campaigns on mainstream and social media need to be intensified to demystify the stigma surrounding cancers in Ghana.
Factors Affecting Online Learning Behavior During The COVID-19 Epidemic of Students of The Demonstration School of Ramkhamhaeng University
Authors:   Faculty of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University, Charoenkul Prontip 
Published: August 2023

The purposes of this research are : 1) To study the personal factors of students in the Demonstration School of Ramkhamhaeng University, 2) to study the system quality factors information quality and the quality of online services, 3) to study the behavior of learning online during the COVID-19 outbreak, and 4) to study the personal factors of the respondents affecting their online learning behavior during the period the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Using questionnaires as a research instrument. The samples use in the research are students who choose to study art learning subject groups elementary school level 1-3, Ramkhamhaeng University Demonstration School number of 150 by quota sampling and the statistics use in the research are frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Chi – Square Test.	The research was found that as follows : 1) Most of the students were female not more than 9 years old with a cumulative grade point averaged in the range of 2.51- 3.00 which the course characteristics were practical. However, students used the residence of their parents/relatives. It was a place for using in online learning. 2) System quality factors information quality and the quality of online services. Overall, it was found that the students strongly agreed. When considering each aspect in descending order, it was found that the side with the highest mean was service quality, followed by information quality and the least was system quality. 3) Students' online learning behavior most were using less than 2 times a week. The online class time was between 12.01 - 15.00 hrs. , using the online system for no more than 2 hours per session. However, the equipment used in learning was a notebook and was intending to be used for homework assignments. 4) Student's personal factors affects online learning behavior during the epidemic of COVID-19 statistically significant at the .05. and 5) System quality factor information quality and service quality of online systems affects online learning behavior were during the epidemic of COVID-19 statistically significant at the .05 level.
Effects of COVID-19 on the Autonomic Cardiovascular System: Heart Rate Variability and Turbulence in Recovered Patients
Authors: Taş Sedat , Taş Ümmü 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 may be a risk factor for developing cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Data are limited, however, on the association between heart rate variability, heart rate turbulence, and COVID-19. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular autonomic system in patients with persistent symptoms after recovering from COVID-19 and to determine whether these patients showed changes in ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring.

Methods
Fifty-one adults who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and presented with persistent symptoms to the cardiology outpatient clinic after clinical recovery between April and June 2021 were included. Patients were prospectively followed for 6 months. The patients were evaluated at the time of first application to the cardiology outpatient clinic and at 6 months after presentation. Ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring and echocardiographic findings were compared with a control group of 95 patients.

Results
Patients in the post–COVID-19 group had significantly higher mean (SD) turbulence onset (0.39% [1.82%] vs −1.37% [2.93%]; P < .001) and lower heart rate variability than those in the control group at both initial and 6-month evaluations. The post–COVID-19 group had no significant differences in echocardiographic findings compared with the control group at 6 months, except for right ventricle late diastolic mitral annular velocity (P = .034). Furthermore, turbulence onset was significantly correlated with turbulence slope (r = −0.232; P = .004), heart rate variability, and the parameters of left (r = −0.194; P=.049) and right (r = 0.225; P = .02) ventricular diastolic function.

Conclusions
COVID-19 may cause cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Heart rate variability and turbulence parameters can be used to recognize cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but have persistent symptoms.
Differential effect of gold nanoparticles on cerebrovascular function and biomechanical properties
Authors: Hunt Ryan D. , Sedighi Omid , Clark Wayne M. , Doiron Amber L. , Cipolla Marilyn J. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHuman stroke serum (HSS) has been shown to impair cerebrovascular function, likely by factors released into the circulation after ischemia. 20 nm gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have demonstrated anti‐inflammatory properties, with evidence that they decrease pathologic markers of ischemic severity. Whether GNPs affect cerebrovascular function, and potentially protect against the damaging effects of HSS on the cerebral circulation remains unclear. HSS obtained 24 h poststroke was perfused through the lumen of isolated and pressurized third‐order posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) from male Wistar rats with and without GNPs (~2 × 109 GNP/ml), or GNPs in vehicle, in an arteriograph chamber (n = 8/group). All vessels were myogenically reactive ≥60 mmHg intravascular pressure; however, vessels containing GNPs had significantly less myogenic tone. GNPs increased vasoreactivity to small and intermediate conductance calcium activated potassium channel activation via NS309; however, reduced vasoconstriction to nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Hydraulic conductivity and transvascular filtration, were decreased by GNPs, suggesting a protective effect on the blood–brain barrier. The stress–strain curves of PCAs exposed to GNPs were shifted leftward, indicating increased vessel stiffness. This study provides the first evidence that GNPs affect the structure and function of the cerebrovasculature, which may be important for their development and use in biomedical applications.
Synthesis of cadmium(ii) ion-imprinted composite membrane with a pyridine functional monomer and characterization of its adsorption performance
Authors: Hong Yuwen , Wang Xin , Fu Dongxue , Wang Guifang , Zhao Li , Cheng Huiling 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cd(ii) ion was used as template ion, and N,N'-pyridine-2,6-di(2-methacrylamide) was used as the functional monomer. The experimental conditions for the synthesis of Cd(ii) ion-imprinted composite membranes (Cd(ii)-IICMs) were optimized by the surface-imprinting method, and 25 Cd(ii)-IICM1–25 and their corresponding non-imprinted composite membranes (NICM1–25) were prepared. Then, the structures of the optimal membranes Cd(ii)-IICM17 and NICM17 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Brunner–Emmett–Teller, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle analysis, and the effects of different adsorption conditions were studied. The adsorption behavior was analyzed by isothermal adsorption models and kinetic models. The permeation selectivity of Cd(ii)-IICM17 towards Cd(ii) ions was studied. Results of the experiment indicate that Cd(ii)-IICM17 had excellent adsorption properties for Cd(ii) ions with an imprinting factor of 2.15. The adsorption of Cd(ii) ions in solution by Cd(ii)-IICM17 and NICM17 was in accordance with the Freundlich isothermal adsorption model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In addition, in the presence of the competing ions Co(ii), Ni(ii), and Cu(ii), Cd(ii)-IICM17 showed good permeation selectivity for Cd(ii) ions, and the permeation process followed a facilitated permeation mass-transfer mechanism. In summary, the Cd(ii)-IICM17 prepared in this study has good application prospects for the separation and removal of Cd(ii) ions from wastewater.