bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successful implementation of Medical Education Faculty Development Project at Saint George University of Beirut in the immediate post triple blow to Beirut
Authors: Nehme Alexandre , Btaiche Rachel , Jreij Marc , Jahjah Jizel , Karam George , Belcher Anne 
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy of the Faculty Development Program (FDP) implemented at the Saint George University of Beirut-Faculty of Medicine (SGUB FM) under exceptional circumstances as the triple blow to Beirut. Methods: The Faculty Development, directed towards a cohort of 35 faculty members, is composed of two major components: methodology of teaching and techniques of assessment. The Kirkpatrick’s assessment model, in combination with a specifically designed psychological questionnaire, were chosen to assess the effectiveness of the faculty development initiative. Results: Results of the different questionnaires were interpreted individually, then through the lens of the psychological questionnaire. A majority of faculty (55%) were significantly affected psychologically by Beirut’s triple blow and 77% of all participants found the workshops to be of excellent quality (Kirkpatrick’s Level I). Moreover, Kirkpatrick’s level II results yielded a 76% mean percentage of correct answers to post-workshops MCQs and a significant improvement in the mean results of the self-assessment questionnaires, administered before and after each workshop. Results also show that the more a trainee is psychologically affected, the less he/she performs as evidenced by a decrease in the satisfaction rate as well as in the score of the cognitive MCQs and of the self-assessment questionnaires. Conclusions: This study was able to highlight that significant learning can occur amidst exceptional circumstances like the Beirut triple blow and administration should invest in professional growth to retain its faculty.
Experimenting with visual content: online focus group on citizens’ perception and trust in science communication
Authors: Piccolo Chiara , Pellegrini Giuseppe , Tulin Marina , Szüdi Gábor , Bartar Pamela 
Published: March 2023

Background: This paper presents part of a wider research project called TRESCA[1] which aims to develop trust in science through the innovation of communication practices. Connected with the topic of trust in sciences, in terms of the credibility and reliability of scientific information, a part of the project was dedicated to the assessment of the explanatory power of two main elements of communication: audio and video. Particular attention was given to how these two elements relate to the perception of citizens, mediating with the latent imaginaries, emotional charges and value judgements that are the basis of the framing of relevant news, and thus with the ability of people to distinguish between correct and false communication. Methods: To investigate these aspects, an ad hoc workshop was designed and implemented in three European countries with the aim of understanding how people interpret the content of a scientific communication video with particular attention to the role of images and audio. Some probe questions were carefully selected to explore content and latent imaginaries, emotional and critical aspects also related with the trust of the communication. Results: By involving citizens in discussions and innovation efforts, many suggestions and recommendations have been collected. In today’s everyday life, where the visual is very widespread, thanks to the ever-growing presence of social media, the power of images can exceed that of audio. Conclusions: Since watching a video without sound can mislead the real content of the message, especially when the source or the speaker aren’t recognisable. This can have many repercussions on people’s ability to evaluate the truthfulness of a news and, consequently, on the choice to grant trust - or distrust.
How Does Competition Affect Exploration vs. Exploitation? A Tale of Two Recommendation Algorithms
Authors: Cao H. Henry , Ma Liye , Ning Z. Eddie , Sun Baohong 
Published: March 2023

Through repeated interactions, firms today refine their understanding of individual users’ preferences adaptively for personalization. In this paper, we use a continuous-time bandit model to analyze firms that recommend content to multihoming consumers, a representative setting for strategic learning of consumer preferences to maximize lifetime value. In both monopoly and duopoly settings, we compare a forward-looking recommendation algorithm that balances exploration and exploitation to a myopic algorithm that only maximizes the quality of the next recommendation. Our analysis shows that, compared with a monopoly, firms competing for users’ attention focus more on exploitation than exploration. When users are impatient, competition decreases the return from developing a forward-looking algorithm. In contrast, development of a forward-looking algorithm may hurt users under monopoly but always benefits users under competition. Competing firms’ decisions to invest in a forward-looking algorithm can create a prisoner’s dilemma. Our results have implications for artificial intelligence adoption and for policy makers on the effect of market power on innovation and consumer welfare. This paper was accepted by Dmitri Kuksov, marketing. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4722 .
Biomarkers of oxidative stress and its nexus with haemoglobin variants and adverse foeto-maternal outcome among women with preeclampsia in a Ghanaian population: A multi-centre prospective study
Authors: Abdul Ganiwu , Osei-Wusu William , Asare Gordon Akuffo , Daud Samira , Opoku Stephen , Tamakloe Valentine Christian Kodzo Tsatsu , Frimpong Joseph , Sackey Benedict , Boadu Wina Ivy Ofori , Paintsil Vivian , Annani-Akollor Max Efui , Wiafe Yaw Amo , Anto Enoch Odame , Addai-Mensah Otchere 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionHaemoglobin variants and preeclampsia (PE) are associated with adverse fatal events of which oxidative stress may be an underlying factor. Oxidative stress (OS) among preeclamptic women with haemoglobin variants has been well established. It is, however, unclear whether haemoglobin variants induce OS to aggravate the risk of adverse foeto-maternal outcomes in pregnant women with preeclampsia. We measured the levels of OS biomarkers and determined the association between haemoglobin variants, and adverse foeto-maternal outcomes among pregnant women with PE.MethodsThis multi-centre prospective study recruited 150 PE women from three major health facilities in both Bono and Bono east regions of Ghana from April to December 2019. Haemoglobin variants; HbAS, HbSS, HbSC, HbCC, and HbAC were determined by haemoglobin electrophoresis. OS biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), vitamin C, and uric acid (UA) along with haematological and biochemical parameters were estimated using standard protocol. Adverse pregnancy complications (APCs) such as post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), HELLP (Haemolysis, Elevated liver enzymes, Low platelet count) syndrome, preterm delivery, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and neonatal jaundice were recorded.ResultsOf the 150 pregnant women with preeclampsia, the distribution of haemoglobin AA, AS, AC, CC, SS and SC phenotypes were 66.0%, 13.3%, 12.7%, 3.3%, 3.3% and 1.3%, respectively. The most prevalent foeto-maternal outcomes among PE women were NICU admission (32.0%) followed by PPH (24.0%), preterm delivery (21.3%), HELLP syndrome (18.7%), and neonatal jaundice (18.0%). Except for vitamin C level which was significantly higher in patients with at least a copy of Haemoglobin S variant than those with at least a copy of Haemoglobin C variant (5.52 vs 4.55;p= 0.014), levels of MDA, CAT, and UA were not statistically significantly different across the various haemoglobin variants. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that participants with HbAS, HbAC, having at least a copy of S or C and participants with HbCC, SC, SS had significantly higher odds of neonatal jaundice, NICU admission, PPH and HELLP syndrome compared to participants with HbAA.ConclusionReduced levels of vitamin C are common among preeclamptics with at least one copy of the HbC variant. Haemoglobin variants in preeclampsia contribute to adverse foeto-maternal outcomes with Haemoglobin S variants being the most influencing factor for PPH, HELLP, preterm labour, NICU admission, and neonatal jaundice.
A SWOT analysis of the development of health technology assessment in Iran
Authors: Behzadifar Masoud , Ghanbari Mahboubeh Khaton , Azari Samad , Bakhtiari Ahad , Rahimi Sara , Ehsanzadeh Seyed Jafar , Sharafkhani Naser , Moridi Salman , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundHealth systems need to prioritize their services, ensuring efficiency and equitable health provision allocation and access. Alongside, health technology assessment (HTA) seeks to systematically evaluate various aspects of health technologies to be used by policy- and decision-makers. In the present study, we aim to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in developing an HTA in Iran.MethodThis qualitative study was conducted using 45 semi-structured interviews from September 2020 to March 2021. Participants were selected from key individuals involved in health and other health-related sectors. Based on the objectives of the study, we used purposive sampling (snowball sampling) to select individuals. The range of length of the interviews was between 45 to 75 minutes. Four authors of the present study carefully reviewed the transcripts of interviews. Meanwhile, the data were coded on the four domains of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). Transcribed interviews were then entered into the software and analyzed. Data management was performed using MAXQDA software, and also analyzed using directed content analysis.ResultsParticipants identified eleven strengths for HTA in Iran, namely the establishment of an administrative unit for HTA within the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME); university-level courses and degrees for HTA; adapted approach of HTA models to the Iranian context; HTA is mentioned as a priority on the agenda in upstream documents and government strategic plans. On the other hand, sixteen weaknesses in developing HTA in Iran were identified: unavailability of a well-defined organizational position for using HTA graduates; HTA advantages and its basic concept are unfamiliar to many managers and decision-makers; weak inter-sectoral collaboration in HTA-related research and key stakeholders; and, failure to use HTA in primary health care. Also, participants identified opportunities for HTA development in Iran: support from the political side for reducing national health expenditures; commitment and planning to achieve universal health coverage (on behalf of the government and parliament); improved communication among all stakeholders engaged in the health system; decentralization and regionalization of decisions; and capacity building to use HTA in organizations outside the MOHME. High inflation and bad economic situation; poor transparency in decisions; lack of support from insurance companies; lack of sufficient data to conduct HTA research; rapid change of managers in the health system; and economic sanctions against Iran are threats to the developmental path of HTA in Iran.ConclusionHTA can be properly developed in Iran if we use its strengths and opportunities, and address its weaknesses and threats.
Pandemic management impacts Slovak health care workers’ quality of life during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pacutova Veronika , Madarasova Geckova Andrea , Kizek Peter , Majernikova Sara Maria , de Winter Andrea F. , Reijneveld Sijmen A. 
Published: March 2023

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic led to accepting a lot of various protective pandemic management-related measures (PanMan), which may have had a large impact on health care workers (HCWs) but evidence is scarce. We therefore explored the impact of measures during the second wave. We assessed the associations of PanMan with the Quality of Life (QoL) of hospital HCWs.

Methods
We collected data from 215 HCWs (77.7% females, mean age 44.4), who were working at the COVID-related departments of one large hospital in eastern Slovakia via a questionnaire, specifically developed in direct collaboration with them. We assessed PanMan related factors, such as COVID-19 experience, information overload, non-adherence of the public, work stress, barriers and facilitators of health care provision, and QoL related factors, such as impact on family life and activities, housekeeping, relationships with relatives and mental well-being. To analyse the data, we used logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender.

Results
PanMan greatly impacted the QoL of HCWs, in particular family life, housekeeping and mental well-being (odds ratio, 6.8–2.2). The most influential PanMan factors were COVID-19 experience (3.6–2.3), work stress (4.1–2.4) and barriers in health care provision (6.8–2.2). Perceiving work stress had a negative impact on all QoL domains, even on relationships with the greatest impact. Conversely, the PanMan factors reducing the negative impact on QoL were training and colleagues’ support (0.4–0.1).

Conclusion
PanMan had a strong negative impact on the QoL of hospital HCWs during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Managing False Lumen Patency in Chronic Thoracic Aortic Dissecting Aneurysms With Coil Embolization
Authors: Vaidya Yash Pradeep , Abdul Rahman Naveed , Kannan Arul Manu , Feghali Anthony , Shaw Palma M. , Costanza Michael James 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair has become the preferred modality of treatment of complicated type B aortic dissections. However, persistent pressurization of the false lumen can lead to negative aortic remodeling with aneurysmal dilation. Described herein is the coil embolization technique that can be used to manage this complication and a review of the literature on the recent development of management options.
The first Grushin eigenvalue on cartesian product domains
Authors: Luzzini Paolo , Provenzano Luigi , Stubbe Joachim 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In this paper, we consider the first eigenvalue

λ
1

⁢

(
Ω
)

{\lambda_{1}(\Omega)}

of the Grushin operator

Δ
G

:=

Δ

x
1

+

|

x
1

|

2
⁢
s

⁢

Δ

x
2

{\Delta_{G}:=\Delta_{x_{1}}+\lvert x_{1}\rvert^{2s}\Delta_{x_{2}}}

with Dirichlet boundary conditions on a bounded domain Ω of

ℝ
d

=

ℝ

d
1

+

d
2

{\mathbb{R}^{d}=\mathbb{R}^{d_{1}+d_{2}}}

. We prove that

λ
1

⁢

(
Ω
)

{\lambda_{1}(\Omega)}

admits a unique minimizer in the class of domains with prescribed finite volume, which are the cartesian product of a set
in

ℝ

d
1

{\mathbb{R}^{d_{1}}}

and a set in

ℝ

d
2

{\mathbb{R}^{d_{2}}}

, and that the minimizer is the product of two balls

Ω
1
*

⊆

ℝ

d
1

{\Omega^{*}_{1}\subseteq\mathbb{R}^{d_{1}}}

and

Ω
2
*

⊆

ℝ

d
2

{\Omega_{2}^{*}\subseteq\mathbb{R}^{d_{2}}}

.
Moreover, we provide a lower bound for

|

Ω
1
*

|

{\lvert\Omega^{*}_{1}\rvert}

and for

λ
1

⁢

(

Ω
1
*

×

Ω
2
*

)

{\lambda_{1}(\Omega_{1}^{*}\times\Omega_{2}^{*})}

.
Finally, we consider the limiting problem as s tends to 0 and to

+
∞

{+\infty}

.
An ARL-Unbiased Modified np-Chart for Autoregressive Binomial Counts
Authors: Morais Manuel Cabral , Wittenberg Philipp , Cruz Camila Jeppesen 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Independence between successive counts is not a sensible premise while dealing, for instance, with very high sampling rates.
After assessing the impact of falsely assuming independent binomial counts in the performance of np-charts, such as the one with 3-σ control limits, we propose a modified np-chart for monitoring first-order autoregressive counts with binomial marginals.
This simple chart has an in-control average run length (ARL) larger than any out-of-control ARL, i.e., it is ARL-unbiased.
Moreover, the ARL-unbiased modified np-chart triggers a signal at sample t with
probability one if the observed value of the control statistic
is beyond the lower and upper control limits L and U.
In addition to this, the chart emits a signal with probability

γ
L

{\gamma_{L}}

(resp.

γ
U

{\gamma_{U}}

) if that observed value coincides with L (resp. U).
This randomization allows us to set the control limits in such a way that the in-control ARL takes the desired value

ARL
0

{\operatorname{ARL}_{0}}

, in contrast to traditional charts with discrete control statistics.
Several illustrations of the ARL-unbiased modified np-chart are provided, using the statistical software R and resorting to real and simulated data.
The effect of encomir-93 mimic transfection on the expression of miR-93 and PSA and androgen receptor in prostate cancer LNcap cell line
Authors: Mokhtari Hossein , Ebrahimi Ali , Nejati Mohaddeseh , Barartabar Zeinab , Damchi Mehdi , Khonakdar-Tarsi Abbas , Zahedi Mahlagha 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men with high mortality rate which is a major concern for men’s health. However, the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. miR-93 is an important oncogene which may have important function in prostate cancer.So, this study aimed to predict that encomir-93 mimic transfection on the expression of miR-93 and PSA and AR in prostate cancer LNcap cell line.

Methods
Lymph node carcinoma of the prostate (LNCaP) was cultured and then miR-93 mimics was designed, synthesized and the transfected to LNCaP. The expression level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and androgen receptor (AR) was determined via Real-time PCR after treated with 15 pmol of miR-93 mimics.

Results
miR-93 mimic transfection led to significant increase in PSA and AR expression in comparison with control group (p≤0.05).

Conclusions
The miR-93 and its target genes has important role in PCa progression via enhancement in PSA and AR expression. Further research on the function of the miR-93 and its target genes in tumorgenesis and progression PCa could be helpful for the treatment of prostate cancer.
On finding a penetrable obstacle using a single electromagnetic wave in the time domain
Authors: Ikehata Masaru 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The time domain enclosure method is one of the analytical methods for inverse obstacle problems governed by partial differential equations in the time domain.
This paper considers the case when the governing equation is given by the Maxwell system
and consists of two parts. The first part establishes the base of the time domain enclosure method
for the Maxwell system using a single set of the solutions over a finite time interval
for a general (isotropic) inhomogeneous medium in the whole space. It is a system of asymptotic inequalities
for the indicator function which may enable us to apply the time domain enclosure method to the problem of finding unknown penetrable
obstacles embedded in various background media. As a first step of its expected applications, the case when
the background medium is homogeneous and isotropic is considered and the time domain enclosure method is realized.
This is the second part.
The dose limits of teeth protection for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy based on the early oral health-related quality of life
Authors: Yang Jing , Yang Liping , Han Qian , Zhang Yangyang , Tao Zhenchao , Zhou Yan , Zhang Peng , Wang Ru , Sun Bin , He Jian , Gao Jin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Radiation-related teeth damage is a common complication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) that seriously affects their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). However, few studies have focused on protecting teeth function. This study aimed to calculate dental dose limits based on OHRQoL. Analysis was performed on 96 NPC patients who received RT (all received routine pre-radiotherapy dental interventions in our department). Based on the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), OHRQoL was assigned into poor (<46) and good condition groups (≥46). The binary logistic regression analysis model was used for single-factor and multivariate analyses to identify the independent factors affecting OHRQoL. The cut-off value of dose received by teeth was obtained by drawing a receiver operating characteristic curve. NPC patients experienced a decline in OHRQoL following RT (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis of GOHAI revealed that the average dose of maxillary anterior teeth, the average dose received by the oral cavity, tumor volume (GTVnx), and liking of the sweet food all affected GOHAI (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the average dose of maxillary anterior teeth and liking sweet food were independent factors that influenced the OHRQoL of NPC patients with RT. When the average dose received by maxillary anterior teeth is greater than 28.78 Gy, and there is a tendency in sweet food, the OHRQoL will deteriorate. NPC patients who received RT had a better OHRQoL if the average dose to maxillary anterior teeth was limited to less than 28.78 Gy and the intake of high-sugar foods was reduced.
miR-30b-5p targeting GRIN2A inhibits hippocampal damage in epilepsy
Authors: Zheng Hu , Wu Liuyang , Yuan Huisheng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractGRIN2A is associated with epilepsy (EP); however, its regulatory mechanism involving upstream miRNA (miR-30b-5p) has been overlooked. In this study, we aimed to identify the regulatory mechanism of the miR-30b-5p/GRIN2A axis in EP. Hippocampal neurons isolated from mice were incubated in magnesium-free medium for 48 h to establish anin vitroEP model. Anin vivomodel of EP was constructed by the intraperitoneal injection of atropine into mice. Nissl staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate pathological injuries in the hippocampal CA1 regions of mice. The CCK8 assay confirmed that miR-30b-5p overexpression restored the suppressed proliferative capacity of hippocampal neurons exposed to magnesium-free conditions. Caspase-3 activity assay revealed that miR-30b-5p overexpression abrogated the increased apoptosis of hippocampal neurons under magnesium-free conditions. In anin vivomodel of EP, miR-30b-5p overexpression reversed pathological injuries in the hippocampal CA1 regions of mice and abrogated the increased apoptosis in the EP mouse model. Luciferase assays and western blotting confirmed that miR-30b-5p targeted GRIN2A, thereby inhibiting GRIN2A expression. Overall, miR-30b-5p can protect against cell proliferation and attenuate apoptosis in hippocampal neurons under magnesium-free conditions by targeting GRIN2A.