Main Items Research Articles (Page 1)

This is an annotated summary of the main items contributed to the ACM Risks Forum in the most recent quarter, orgnanized categorically. References (R i j) to the online Risks Forum denote RISKS vol i number j. Cited RISKS items generally identify contributors and sources, together with URLs. Official RISKS archives are available at www.risks.org, with nice html formatting and search engine courtesy of Lindsay Marshall at Newcastle: http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/i.j.html (also ftp://www.sri.com/risks). CACM Inside Risks: https://www.csl.sri.com/users/neumann/insiderisks.html

Abstract This study aims to elucidate factors affecting variations in 137Cs concentrations of masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou inhabiting a forest river and its connected dam reservoir (an artificial lake) in the upper reaches of the Ota River system during summer–autumn (August and October 2017). A clear size effect was observed in river-resident individuals, with significantly higher 137Cs concentrations in autumn, particularly in 1-year-old (age-1) prespawning adults. River residents (mean 1990 Bq/kg) showed significantly higher 137Cs concentrations than the larger lake migrants (mean 703 Bq/kg). The main prey items of river residents were terrestrial and aquatic insects, whereas lake migrants predominantly consumed small fish (pond smelt), as indicated by distinct d 13C and d 15N values. Larger age-1 river residents consumed a greater proportion of terrestrial prey than smaller age-0 individuals. A significant linear relationship between 137Cs concentrations in diets and those in age-1 river residents was observed in autumn, when terrestrial insects had higher 137Cs concentrations than aquatic insects. These results suggest that larger river residents efficiently fed on terrestrial insects with elevated 137Cs concentrations, resulting in rapid 137Cs accumulation during summer–autumn. By contrast, the lower variation in lake migrants likely reflects their consistent feeding on small fish with lower 137Cs concentrations. Potential factors contributing to interspecific differences in 137Cs concentrations and their variability among masu salmon and other river and lake fish are also discussed.

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) globally affects over 30 million people and is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Caribbean, and North/South America. Globally, people living with SCD disproportionately suffer premature deaths, hospitalizations due to acute complications, and significant multi-organ complications. Despite vivid similarities with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), clinical care and research is disproportionately minimal for SCD. Both CF and SCD are inherited, life-limiting, multi-system diseases; however, one mainly affects white people and the other Black people. Objective We aim to describe socio-demographics of SCD populations globally and highlight policy limitations and urgently needed changes to achieve equitable and just SCD care and research. Methods An electronic database search of Ovid MEDLINE (“sickle cell disease and marginalized people” and “policy in sickle cell disease”) was conducted for the period 1947 to May 2022. Additional information was obtained through Google Scholar, gray literature, and back references of relevant articles. Study selection and quality assessment was conducted independently in duplicate. Results Data were extracted and analyzed from 137 full articles, reports, and gray literature. We propose five main actionable items: 1) establish and strengthen national and international screening programs; 2) implement prevention and education programs; 3) enhance collaboration between stakeholders; 4) increase funding for SCD related research; and 5) promote new models for multidisciplinary and transition care. Conclusions Globally, social, economic, geographical, and political factors affect access to comprehensive SCD management. Urgent policy changes are needed for equitable, inclusive, and just SCD care with lifespan approach, and research.

As with many other latent variable models, the confirmatory factor analysis model is built upon the conditional independence assumption, which states that latent variables and item parameters can fully explain covariations between item responses. However, growing evidence in psychological and educational measurement research challenges this assumption, raising concerns regarding conditional dependence (CD). As the main model parameters correspond to the main person and item effects, CD implies the presence of unexplained person-item interactions. To leverage this information from nonbinary item responses, we propose integrating a latent space model with confirmatory factor analysis. The resulting model assumes that persons and items have co-ordinates on a shared metric space called an interaction map, where distances between persons and items reflect CD and their interactions. With this approach, the model quantifies and visualizes person-item interactions, leading to further practical analyses of CD. Our simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed model can recover its parameters well and correctly detect underlying CD. We also provide empirical examples to demonstrate the utilities and advantages of the proposed model, such as (a) deriving personalized diagnoses and evaluations for respondents, (b) quantifying individual differences in perceived item properties, and (c) facilitating investigations of CD with external variables and method effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

ABSTRACT Objectives To measure epidemiological data on concussions and examine the association between knowledge and attitudes about concussions and inappropriate post-injury behavior. Design Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Setting Online survey. Participants A total of 365 competitive cyclists in Japan. Main Outcome Measures Survey items included participant information, the experience of concussion-like symptoms, concussion knowledge index (CKI) score, concussion attitude index (CAI) score, and inappropriate behavior post-concussion injury. Results The prevalence of concussion-like symptoms among all competitive cyclists was 45.8%. CKI and CAI scores for all participants were 21.7 ± 3.4 and 10.5 ± 3.4, respectively. No significant differences were identified in CKI and CAI scores based on concussion-like symptom experience. After adjusting for covariates, we found that the risk of ‘returning to training without rest after injury’ decreased by 20% for each 1-point increase in CKI score. In contrast, the risk of ‘returning to training with symptoms remaining’ decreased by 13% for each 1-point increase in CAI. Conclusions An association was found between concussion knowledge and return to competition without a period of rest post-injury, as well as between attitude toward concussion and return to competition with symptoms. Therefore, these findings can contribute to concussion education among cyclists.

ObjectivesThere are currently no validated screeners that evaluate diet and lifestyle of people living with and beyond cancer (PLWBC). The purpose of this study was to reach a consensus among an international expert panel on the essential items to include in this type of instrument.DesignA scientific committee developed the initial list of items, which were presented to an expert panel in a two-round-modified electronic Delphi. Panellists were asked to rate the adequacy, relevance and feasibility of self-reporting each item. Qualitative assessments were encouraged.SettingFour countries (Spain, UK, USA and Portugal).ParticipantsExperts working in a cancer-related health profession or cancer-related research were recruited.Main outcome measuresItems were initially categorised into seven domains (body composition, physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking, sleep and psychosocial distress). A content validity index per item (CVI-i) and a scale-level CVI (S-CVI) were calculated (acceptable≥0.78). All items with a CVI-i≥0.78 were submitted to a final consensus meeting.ResultsA total of 108 items were proposed to the panel. In Round 1, 77 items were accepted, 10 items were excluded and 6 new items were proposed. During Round 2, 4 items were accepted and 19 were excluded. Diet and alcohol were merged into one domain. The final consensus meeting decided on 61 items categorised into six domains (S-CVI:0.94): body composition, physical activity, diet and alcohol, smoking, sleep and psychosocial distress.ConclusionsWe identified the main items to be considered when developing a screener to evaluate diet and lifestyle in PLWBC in a clinical setting, and the results obtained will guide the content of the screener in the following validation study.

This is an annotated summary of the main items contributed to the ACM Risks Forum in the most recent quarter, orgnanized categorically. References (R i j) to the online Risks Forum denote RISKS vol i number j. Cited RISKS items generally identify contributors and sources, together with URLs. Official RISKS archives are available at www.risks.org, with nice html formatting and search engine courtesy of Lindsay Marshall at Newcastle: http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/i.j.html (also ftp://www.sri.com/risks). CACM Inside Risks: https://www.csl.sri.com/users/neumann/insiderisks.html

In raptors, size-related differences between sexes affect the choice of prey. While the broad patterns of the globally endangered black-and-chestnut eagle’s (Spizaetus isidori) feeding habits are known in the northern Andes, specific knowledge of the sex-related diet differences in the species remains unknown. Here, we conducted direct observations to evaluate the differences in prey size between female and male eagles, as well as the numerical rates of prey delivery to nestlings, and the differences in prey diversity between sexes, in nine nests in Ecuador. Males provided more prey to nestlings than females (227 vs. 99 prey items, respectively), and females hunted heavier prey than males (on average 1.19 vs. 0.95 kg, respectively). The overlap in captured prey between sexes was relatively high (O = 0.67), which suggests potential for competition. There was no difference between male and female black-and-chestnut eagles in either prey diversity or the composition of the prey species when considering the main prey items. However, the sexes differed in the prey items at lower biomass contributions. Males’ prey were primarily bird species from the orders Galliformes, Columbiformes, and Psittaciformes, while females’ prey were mostly mammal species from the orders Primates and Carnivora, and some passerine birds. Both sexes preferred arboreal species, but males hunted more scansorial and terrestrial prey. Our data suggest that sex-related differences in the eagle’s dietary contribution to nestlings likely result from parental role differentiation, rather than intersexual competition.

When forming accounting (financial) statements, the relevant question is at what cost to reflect the main balance sheet items. The article discusses methods for evaluating an asset such as a right of use. The requirements concerning the main approaches to valuation and permitted valuation methods regulated by accounting legislation are analyzed, the difficulties and problems of valuing assets in the form of a right of use are identified.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of telemedicine, specifically video consultations as they provide healthcare access in challenging situations where face-to-face encounters are not possible. Nevertheless, it remains largely unknown to what extent the organisation of general practice and national digital infrastructures have impacted the uptake and use of video consultations.ObjectiveThis study examined the variation in use of video consultations in general practice across Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored associations with practice- and country-level characteristics.MethodsThis study is part of the international PRICOV-19 project, using data from an online survey and additional questions from national leads. First, we conducted a rapid literature search to support an evidence-based selection of the PRICOV-19 main survey items and additional questions aligned with our aims. Then, we included five practice-level and nine country-level characteristics, as well as COVID-19 intensity characteristics, as independent variables in the analysis. Finally, we conducted a linear mixed model analysis at the country-level, examining five models incrementally within a one-level random intercept regression model.ResultsData from 5,065 general practices in 38 countries revealed that fewer than half (47.5%) utilized video consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Usage was highest in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Scandinavia, and France (82.6–94.4%) and the lowest in Portugal, Spain, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic (11.1–23.1%). At practice-level, key factors associated with higher usage included having more patients than average with a history of migration and difficulty speaking the local language, being a self-employed general practitioner, having a higher number of registered patients, and being urban-based. At country level, only accessible and affordable internet was statistically significantly associated with use of video consultations.ConclusionsThe study corroborates some established trends in telemedicine adoption while also providing new insights into specific practice-level factors that facilitated the use of video consultations in general practice across European countries during COVID-19. While some factors are universally influential, particularly internet access and affordability, others are more context-dependent.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Infective endocarditis and litigation for compensation on healthcare-associated infections: An Italian sample analysis.

This study designs a web-based online menu ordering system for the UMKM Solo Fried Chicken (SFC), located on Jl. Binjai KM.10.5, Paya Geli, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency. The system is built using PHP and MySQL, with a responsive design to allow customers to place orders anytime and anywhere. The applied technology aims to address several issues previously faced by UMKM SFC, such as slow and inefficient manual ordering processes, long queues, and order recording errors that affect service quality. Additional problems include the lack of available menu information, the absence of a recommendation system to assist customers in choosing menus, and the unavailability of a digital system for recording transactions and sales reports. The main problem addressed in this study is how to build a web-based online ordering system that not only simplifies transactions but also accurately recommends menus based on customer preferences. As a solution, this research implements the Item-Based Collaborative Filtering method to recommend menus based on the purchasing patterns of other customers with similar preferences. Based on the calculations, the system recommends the top three most relevant menus for each main menu item, such as Combo Original Paha for Ayam Paha, and Kidz 3, which frequently appears as a recommendation due to its similarity with many customers' preferences. This system is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce errors, accelerate service, and provide a more personalized ordering experience. Key features developed in the system include online ordering, menu recommendations, sales reports, and transaction recording, which are visualized through a Use Case Diagram and Flowmap

Целью статьи является выявление налоговых источников обеспечения финансовой самодостаточности региона на современном этапе развития. В статье проводится анализ основных проблем в формировании налоговых доходов с позиции обеспечения бюджетной самодостаточности региона на примере регионов Приволжского федерального округа (ПФО). Рассматриваются основные показатели оценки налоговой компоненты в обеспечении финансовой самодостаточности регионов, выявляются регионы-лидеры по уровню бюджетной самодостаточности и динамике уровня бюджетной самодостаточности. Также в статье проводится анализ основных пропорций в распределении налоговых доходов в консолидированные бюджеты регионов ПФО, выявляются возможности в обеспечении основных статей расходов консолидированных бюджетов регионов и их объемы. The purpose of the article is to identify tax sources for ensuring the financial self-sufficiency of the region at the current stage of regional development. The article analyzes the main problems in the formation of tax revenues from the standpoint of ensuring the budgetary self-sufficiency of the region using the example of the regions of the Volga Federal District (VFD). The main indicators of assessing the tax component in ensuring the financial self-sufficiency of the regions are considered, the leading regions in terms of budget self-sufficiency and the dynamics of the level of budget self-sufficiency are identified. The article also analyzes the main proportions in the distribution of tax revenues to the consolidated budgets of the regions of the VFD, identifies opportunities in providing the main items of expenditure of the consolidated budgets of the regions and their volumes.

Topicality. Ukraine’s integration into the EU means joining the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is one of the most expensive and important policies of the integration association and allocates funds from the European budget in the form of direct costs to farmers, financing measures to stabilize prices, supporting the development of rural regions and ecological agriculture. Negotiations on agriculture are one of the central issues in the negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, as Ukraine is one of the world’s leading exporters of grain crops and has enormous agricultural potential. Adapting to the EU’s agricultural policy is expected to affect efforts to promote Ukraine’s European integration significantly. However, the question remains as to what measures can be taken today to offset the potential impact of Ukrainian agriculture on the European agricultural goods market. Aim and tasks. The purpose of the article is to identify the main tasks in implementing the EU Common Agricultural Policy at the current stage in order to summarize and formulate proposals for potential measures of adaptation to the provisions and requirements of the CAP of the Ukrainian agricultural sector. The main objectives of the study are to identify the differences in farm business that form the need for its support in the EU, to analyze the dynamics of expenditures on the main items of CAP financing, to summarize approaches to financing farms, to determine the role of Ukraine in the EU agricultural goods market; to summarize the main challenges associated with Ukraine's integration into the EU in the context of CAP implementation; to identify the main areas of support for the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine in wartime and its adaptation to CAP requirements. Materials and methods. The methods of theoretical generalization, analysis, and synthesis of scientific publications of a fundamental and applied nature in the fields of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, foreign trade in agricultural products, and Ukraine's integration into the EU were used. The solution to the tasks set in the study was ensured by using the methods of structural-logical, graph-analytical, and statistical analysis. Research results. The study determined how the objectives of the EU Common Agricultural Policy correlate with the features that distinguish the EU farm business from other types of economic activity. The dynamics of expenditures on the main CAP items for 2021-2027 were analyzed. The role of Ukraine in the world food market in the pre-war period was determined, and the main results and problems of developing agricultural exports in wartime were summarized, including the change in the logistical routes of exports via the land border to the EU countries bordering Ukraine. It is determined that after the war, Ukraine is among the three largest exporters of agricultural products to the EU market, providing about 8% of the total agricultural imports of the Community. The main concerns of the EU Member States, which are the primary recipients of CAP funds, are summarized: potential risks for the EU common agricultural market and measures that can be used to adapt Ukraine's agricultural policy to EU requirements and mitigate potential risks. Conclusion. The scientific novelty of the study lies in developing theoretical foundations for adapting Ukraine's agricultural policy to EU requirements. Potential risks for the EU common agricultural market can be mitigated by introducing transitional periods and excluding extensive agricultural holdings from direct CAP financing. To support the EU integration process in the context of adapting Ukraine's agricultural policy, it is important to improve the Agricultural Development Strategy, considering the CAP principles and implementing rural development programs at the national and regional levels. The study's practical significance is determined by the possibility of using the results obtained and the recommendations formed by authorities at different levels in modernizing agricultural development strategies and policies to adapt to the requirements of the CAP.

This is an annotated summary of the main items contributed to the ACM Risks Forum in the most recent quarter, orgnanized categorically. References (R i j) to the online Risks Forum denote RISKS vol i number j. Cited RISKS items generally identify contributors and sources, together with URLs. Official RISKS archives are available at www.risks.org, with nice html formatting and search engine courtesy of Lindsay Marshall at Newcastle: http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/i.j.html (also ftp://www.sri.com/risks). CACM Inside Risks: https://www.csl.sri.com/users/neumann/insiderisks.html

For centuries, the Russians have been persistently developing the northern territories, moving further and further eastwards both by land and by sailing across the northern seas. The main goal of these journeys was furs, the trade of which brought huge profits to both industrialists and the state, being the main export item. Gradually, as reserves were depleted, the center of production shifted to the north and east, where enterprising industrialists actively penetrated, followed by the sovereign’s people, who taxed local tribes. At the end of the 16th century, the state, represented by Tsar Boris Godunov, realized the need to establish control over the territories beyond the Ob River, which were called Mangazeya, where Pomor merchants and industrialists were uncontrollably extracting furs. For this purpose, by Godunov’s decree of 1600, the city of Mangazeya was founded on the Taz River, which for several decades became the main stronghold and capital of the vast Mangazeya district. A huge flow of “soft gold” passed through the city, bringing income to the treasury and enriching enterprising people. From Mangazeya, detachments of industrialists and Cossacks went further east, to the Yenisei and Lena rivers, founding new strongholds, securing Siberian lands for the Russian state. The wealth of the northern territories attracted the interest of foreign invaders, who planned to seize these lands under various pretexts, taking advantage of the weakening of the Russian state during the Time of Troubles.

Sexual health in cancer care: a narrative review and position statement from the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).

ABSTRACTIntroductionPrimary molars play a key role in maintaining space and guiding the eruption of permanent teeth. The course of treatment for these teeth may differ from one country to another, even if the recommendations are the same. The goal of this study was to evaluate the selected clinical practices for primary molar treatment by students from different European countries and compare them to international recommendations. Materials and methods: An observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study was designed using a self-administered online survey that was sent to 69 European dental schools. Among those schools, 10 agreed to distribute the survey. The survey consisted of 22 questions regarding the treatment of primary molars—from anesthesia to prescription—and was divided into four main items: anesthesia, pulp treatment, coronal restoration, and prescriptions. Results: A multitude of materials and medications are available to treat primary molars. For most therapies, students responded in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommendations. However, there was a statistically significant link between nationality and chosen therapy regarding all items (anesthesia, pulp treatment, coronal restoration, and prescription). Conclusion: Even with differences in clinical practice, the education provided in the studied countries enabled students to practice evidence-based dentistry and follow international recommendations.How to cite this articleBoeffard C, Davit-Beal T, Doublier A, et al. Comparison of the Management of Carious Primary Molars by a Sample of Undergraduate Students from Three European Countries. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(6):647–652.

The development of technology in the retail world drives the need to create more efficient solutions in transaction management and stock of goods. Kasirku is a web-based cashier application designed for small and medium-sized stores. This application provides three main features, namely Transactions, Stock Items, and Sales Reports, with additional additional transaction features, discounts, taxes, add items, and QR scanners to simplify store operations. The Transaction feature assists users in recording sales efficiently, complete with options for adding items, applying discounts, and automatic tax calculation. The Stock Item feature allows store owners to monitor stock items in real-time, reducing the risk of out-of-stocks or recording errors. Sales Reports available in various formats, such as PDF or Excel, help store owners conduct more in-depth sales analysis. The development of the Kasirku application was conducted using the waterfall approach, which includes several steps: requirements analysis, design, implementation, and testing. The results of the testing process show that this application can increase efficiency in recording transactions, minimize errors in stock management, and produce precise reports. The QR Scan feature is proven to speed up the item input process when the store is busy, providing additional flexibility to users. This app has successfully become a reliable solution for store owners to manage their stores more easily and quickly.

The European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a fish species that can be a planktivorous, benthivorous and carnivorous at different life stages. Using the example of the perch population from White Lake (Northwest Russia) the connection between ontogenetic change of diet and mercury accumulation in fish muscle tissue is shown. Analysis of the gut contents of 223 perch indicated that the main food item of perch aged 4-6+ years is the lake form of European smelt (80-100%). Also, the lowest THg concentrations were observed in perch aged 4-5+ and 6+ years - 160 ± 47 and 172 ± 51 ng/g (wet weight), respectively. Starting from age 6+ pikeperch and ruff appear in the diet of perch. In fish aged 9+ the proportion of lake smelt in the diet is 25-33%, and the mercury content in muscles is 447 ± 44 and 462 ± 109 ng/g (wet weight) in individuals aged 9+ and 10-12+ years, respectively. An increased proportion of pikeperch and ruff in the diet, whose average mercury content is 2.5 times higher than that of smelt, lead to increased mercury concentrations in perch muscle. There was also a statistically significant linear regression between mercury content and δ15N in perch older than 7+ years (p = 0.002; r2 = 0.38) and no correlation between mercury content and δ13C in fish of different ages. Concentrations exceeding the U.S. EPA recommended values (330 ng/g ww) were found in perch aged 9+ years and older, with body length greater than 25 cm. Therefore, the local people should not consume perch with body length greater than 25 cm from White Lake. Further measurements are needed to determine the mercury concentration in perch in nearby lakes and their suitability for human consumption. It is recommended that a similar study be conducted in a number of reservoirs within the study region in order to determine the factors influencing the intensive accumulation of mercury in fish.