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Bargaining with suppliers is a key Purchasing and Supply Management (PSM) activity but there is considerable ambiguity over what bargaining entails and the concept currently lacks a systematic treatment, despite its significant interest to PSM professionals. The literature shows that bargaining can be seen as an adversarial approach to negotiation (in contrast to more integrative/collaborative ones) and also the back-and-forth discussion over price and other variables between buying and supplying organisations to reach an agreement. In addition, many will move between fundamentally distributive and integrative approaches as the discussions play out. A systematic literature review of the Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, JSTOR and Web of Science databases was undertaken to address this gap, identifying 427 relevant journal papers that were systematically analysed. First, descriptive techniques identified the trajectory of published papers, methods, theories and their industrial context. Second, content analysis identified the key constructs and associated operational measures/variables of bargaining. Third, the constructs have then been ordered temporally and by areas of location (organisational/departmental and individual levels) to generate a model and inform a series of practice-based recommendations at different stages of the bargaining process. The findings will allow future researchers to use the constructs either directly in developing focused hypotheses to test relationships or as a basis for refinement and extension in cumulative theory building and testing. In addition, a series of focused research gaps have been identified, such as addressing the current contradictory findings of the effect of purchasing volume or organisational size on bargaining power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, and CASBEE certification systems and assess their integration potential with BIM as facilitator to test different project alternatives in order to help achieve certification system requirements. A literature review was conducted, in which 299 articles were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases and refined using the Bibliometrix tool, resulting in a total of 271 published articles. Of these, 15 used tools to facilitate BIM-LEED integration and were therefore selected for analysis. The results indicate that integrating BIM and green building rating systems can make the process more agile and standardized. However, more research in this field is needed, especially investigating the suitability of BIM authoring tools other than Revit, and evaluating the efficiency of commercial tools and those developed in scientific research to assist in the certification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a bibliometric analysis of the scientific production around the epistemic injustice construct in the period 1998–2023. The data to perform the analysis was retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and its analysis tool was used to obtain the bibliometric indicators. As part of the analysis, the most relevant authors, the journals with the greatest impact, the countries with the greatest scientific production, and the areas where the subject has had a broader development are presented. In addition, a review of the articles with the greatest impact on scientific production under this theme is included. It is concluded that epistemic injustice is a concept that continues to develop and expand in the humanities and social sciences, health sciences, education and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paint contains various complex chemical mixtures, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons (primarily toluene), ketones, and benzene as reported at previous studies. Toxicity from some chemicals can cause early DNA damage with various factors. A scoping review was conducted via literature review on relevant studies on the effect of paint exposure on paint workers and DNA damage. A systematic search was conducted in October 2021 via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The key terms used were paint, solvent-based paint, organic solvent, mixed organic solvent, occupational exposure and DNA damage, oxidative stress, genotoxicity on a painter, paint worker. From 561 articles, only 13 articles were finally selected based on the inclusion, exclusion criteria, and eligibility criteria. The literature showed that biomonitoring studies on painters were consistently reporting positive and significant DNA damage due to exposure to different types of compounds mixed in a paint. However, there were fewer studies on paint manufacturing factory workers compared to painters while paint manufacturing workers exposed various chemical everyday during the paint production which potentially susceptible to occupational toxicity. In conclusion, this review suggests that exposure to paints could induce early DNA damage among paint workers and further investigations on paint exposure among paint manufacturing factory workers and the DNA damage were needed in order to improve occupational health among paint workers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Shelters are an important part of a full response to survivors, as stated in many international conventions, such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA). This study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the establishment of shelters for women survivors of violence. Materials and methods: This narrative review was conducted based on the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). The MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, and EBSCO databases in English and Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID) in Persian were searched for related documents. Also, WHO, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) guidelines and instructions for shelter services for women and girls who have been subjected were searched up to July 31, 2023. A qualitative synthesis was carried out on the 28 eligible articles and instructions out of the 420 retrieved documents. Results: "A "shelter" describes emergency and temporary "safe accommodation for women and children who have been subjected to or are at risk of (typically male) domestic abuse. Types of shelters include emergency shelters or safe homes, second-stage or transitional housing facilities, third-stage housing, and alternative accommodation during (and occasionally after) the period of residence. The shelter delivers a wide range of services, including health services, socio-economic services, and legal services. These principles consisted of a comprehensive perspective, quality of service, organization, funding, and the right issues. Conclusion: Women who are survivors need holistic, interdisciplinary, and specialist care that focuses on safety and needs. The adoption of regulations with robust enforcement guarantees and the facilitation of approvals for the construction of non-governmental shelters and safe houses should be on the agenda setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gliosarcomas (GS) are sporadic malignant tumors classified as a Glioblastoma (GBM) variant with IDH-wild type phenotype. It appears as a well-circumscribed lesion with a biphasic, glial, and metaplastic mesenchymal component. The current knowledge about GS comes from the limited literature. Furthermore, recent studies describe peculiar characteristics of GS, such as hypothesizing that it could be a clinical–pathological entity different from GBM. Here, we review radiological, biomolecular, and clinical data to describe the peculiar characteristics of PGS, treatment options, and outcomes in light of the most recent literature. A comprehensive literature review of PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted for articles written in English focused on gliosarcoma until 2023. We include relevant data from a few case series and only a single meta-analysis. Recent evidence describes peculiar characteristics of PGS, suggesting that it might be a specific clinical–pathological entity different from GBM. This review facilitates our understanding of this rare malignant brain tumor. However, in the future we recommend multi-center studies and large-scale metanalyses to clarify the biomolecular pathways of PGS to develop new specific therapeutic protocols, different from conventional GBM therapy in light of the new therapeutic opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current review is focused on compiling a comprehensive overview of the zirconia surface modification for implant interface osseointegration. Background: During the past few decades, the importance of osseointegration for patients has significantly increased, and this importance has been reflected in a sharp growth in the number of relevant items and treatments in that field of implant dentistry, as well as a parallel rise in publications on the subject. The search has been conducted through various databases including Cochrane, Web of Science databases, and Google Scholar, and Ovid Medline, on the given topic. The preferred method of zirconia surface treatment and its effect on osseointegration are briefly reviewed in this article in order to provide a concise summary of the current scientific and clinical viewpoints. Zirconia surface treatment is controversial topic in terms of surface treatment. Surface bio-inertness of zirconia implants result in limited osseointegration compared to titanium implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The configuration factor (C-factor) is an index used to evaluate the relationship between cavity configuration and the development of polymerization shrinkage stress in dental restorations. Although C-factor has been widely researched, its correlation with stress analysis in dental restorations remains controversial. This review aims to discuss the application and limitations of C-factor and define the restricted conditions under which the C-factor "rule of thumb" is applicable. A thorough literature review was conducted on the application and limitations of C-factor in stress analysis of dental restorations. This was principally based on MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases and a review of the relevant studies and publications in scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals for the specific topic of C-factor and polymerization shrinkage. The C-factor alone cannot provide an accurate prediction of the shrinkage stress of restorations and the mechanical behavior of material-tooth interfaces. C-factor is only applicable under one condition not typically seen in clinical practice: low, near-rigid compliance. Conditions for the application of C-factor have been explicitly defined. A more accurate and precise understanding and utilization of the C-factor is of benefit as it contributes to better understanding of polymerization shrinkage behavior of restorations. [Display omitted] • The configuration factor (C-factor) "rule of thumb" works only in low, near-rigid compliance. • C-factor was introduced to predict shrinkage stress of materials. • C-factor cannot represent the biomechanical behavior of dental restorations. • Unlike polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage stress is not a material property. • New mathematical models have been developed to refine C-factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on the analysis of the importance given to neutrality in the intervention of mediators, with special emphasis on the legislation and codes of conduct followed by mediators in Spain and Chile. For this purpose, a review of the literature on neutrality has been carried out using various scientific databases and an analysis of the legislation in these countries. The aim of this analysis was to highlight the research carried out by mediation professionals on this issue and to propose possible solutions. Among the results achieved is the affirmation that neutrality is in the mediation process and not in the mediator. This reality is not reflected in ethical codes of conduct or in legislation. Therefore, it is proposed the need to elaborate a universal and accredited code of ethics, which would help to consolidate the current polyphony of voices on mediator neutrality in the countries where mediation is used. As mediation as a profession becomes more and more established, it is essential that the principle of neutrality be understood unambiguously. In contrast to the rules that appear in current legislation and in certain codes of conduct, mediators should not be subject to the constraints of achieving personal neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This systematic review aimed to investigate the association between dietary inflammatory potential and liver cancer to provide evidence regarding scientific dietary health education. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify case–control or cohort studies that involved dietary inflammation index (DII)/empirical dietary inflammation pattern (EDIP) and liver cancer in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Using a combination of DII/EDIP and liver cancer as the search terms, the associations between DII/EDIP and liver cancer were then assessed. Participants: Three case–control studies and two cohort studies were brought into the meta-analysis, with 225 713 enrolled participants. Results: Meta-analysis of categorical variables showed that DII/EDIP in the highest category increased the risk of liver cancer compared to DII/EDIP in the lowest category (relative risk (RR) = 2·35; 95 % CI 1·77, 3·13; P = 0·000) and with low heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 40·8 %, P = 0·119). Meta-analysis of continuous variables showed that significant positive association between liver cancer and DII/EDIP scores (RR = 1·24; 95 % CI 1·09, 1·40; P = 0·001), and no heterogeneity (I² = 0·0 %, P = 0·471). Stratified according to the study design, there was a significant positive association between liver cancer and DII/EDIP scores in both cohort studies (RR = 2·16; 95 % CI 1·51, 3·07; P = 0·000) and case–control studies (RR = 2·75; 95 % CI 1·71, 4·41; P = 0·000). Conclusion: The higher the DII/EDIP score, the higher the risk of liver cancer. This finding may have prominent implications for the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver resection is the treatment for a variety of benign and malignant conditions. Despite advances in preoperative selection, surgical technique, and perioperative management, post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following liver resection. Methods: A review of the literature was performed utilizing MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases in May of 2023. The MESH terms "liver failure," "liver insufficiency," and "hepatic failure" in combination with "liver surgery," "liver resection," and "hepatectomy" were searched in the title and/or abstract. The references of relevant articles were reviewed to identify additional eligible publications. Results: PHLF can have devastating physiological consequences. In general, risk factors can be categorized as patient-related, primary liver function-related, or perioperative factors. Currently, no effective treatment options are available and the management of PHLF is largely supportive. Therefore, identifying risk factors and preventative strategies for PHLF is paramount. Ensuring an adequate future liver remnant is important to mitigate risk of PHLF. Dynamic liver function tests provide more objective assessment of liver function based on the metabolic capacity of the liver and have the advantage of easy administration, low cost, and easy reproducibility. Conclusion: Given the absence of randomized data specifically related to the management of PHLF, current strategies are based on the principles of management of acute liver failure from any cause. In addition, goal-directed therapy for organ dysfunction, as well as identification and treatment of reversible factors in the postoperative period are critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviews how empathy and its role are conceptualised in entrepreneurial and engineering literature. Our findings can then be used as a foundation for developing contextual and theoretical models of empathy for entrepreneurial engineering. These models will help create teaching practices and approaches to prepare empathic entrepreneurial engineers. The study deployed a systematic literature review of 40 papers from engineering and entrepreneurship fields, obtained from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The analysis involved three phases. First, a descriptive analysis of research on empathy in entrepreneurship and engineering was completed, followed by a content analysis focusing on definitions and the role of the empathy phenomenon and a co-citation analysis to identify commonly cited authors. The results of this literature review demonstrate different indicators that reflect the current state of empathy research and study trajectories of this phenomenon in the fields of engineering and entrepreneurship. These indicators include the number of papers related to empathy in engineering and entrepreneurship literature by year of publication, definitions of empathy and keywords used in analysed literature as well as list of authors and their area of interests within empathy research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of global death, increasing over time. Despite current novel improvements, it is still a major medical challenge. Quercetin (QU) is a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, antihypertensive, antiarrhythmogenic, and antiapoptotic effects. It can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol oxidation and prevent endothelial dysfunction in CVD. Also, it can protect myocardial cells against oxidative stress and inflammation caused by free radicals. An updated review of the literature on the cardiovascular effects of quercetin was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct databases. The aim of this review is to summarize the various effects of quercetin on the cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world of work is one of the most striking exponents of the challenges faced by transgender (or trans) people, configuring one of the main spheres of exclusion and interdictions in the experiences of this group. Based on this understanding, the present study aims to review national scientific productions on the work of transgender people, specifically those published in article format. Through searching in the main national databases of scientific publications, 38 articles were selected on this topic. These articles were characterized using an analytical protocol. Their findings were categorized into four axes that led to discussions and reflections on Brazilian production about the work of trans people. The results and analyses allowed us to identify contributions, trends, and gaps in dealing with the topic, which reinforces the need for new research in this area, especially considering the potential of the work to contribute to the social inclusion of the trans population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver (MCN-L) including biliary cystadenomas (BCA) and biliary cystadenocarcinomas (BCAC) are rare cystic lesions that comprise less than 5% of all liver cysts and affect only a small subset of individuals. We herein review the current evidence regarding the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, tumor markers, pathological findings, clinical management, and prognosis of MCN-L. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE/Pubmed and Web of Science databases. In PubMed, the terms "biliary cystadenoma," "biliary cystadenocarcinoma," and "non parasitic hepatic cysts" were queried to identify the most recent data on MCN-L. Results: US imaging, CT, and MRI, as well as consideration of clinicopathological features, are required to appropriately characterize and diagnose hepatic cystic tumors. BCA are premalignant lesions and cannot be reliably differentiated from BCAC based on imaging alone. As such, both types of lesions should be treated with margin-negative surgical resection. Following surgical resection, recurrence is fairly low among patients with BCA and BCAC. Despite having worse long-term outcomes than BCA, the prognosis following surgical resection of BCAC still remains more favorable than other primary malignant liver tumors. Conclusion: MCN-L are rare cystic liver tumors that include BCA and BCAC, which can be difficult to differentiate based on imaging alone. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of management for MCN-L with recurrence being generally uncommon. Future multi-institutional studies are still required to better understand the biology behind BCA and BCAC to improve the care of patients with MCN-L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Job crafting based on individual initiative represents a new form of work design, supporting stability in increasing work performance. In many cases, this method proves to be an effective way of increasing employees' work engagement, mainly because of the mediated autonomy in their work performance and the greater meaningfulness that results from it. The basis of job crafting is employee support, which initiates working behavior focused on proactivity in creating and adapting work to the subjective requirements of the employee's individuality. The available literature highlights various approaches that mediate individual topics, with which companies try to stimulate employee behavior, the expected result of which is job crafting, which leads to an increase in work performance. Purpose of the article: The goal of the study is to identify current research directions in the field of job crafting, specifically in relation to increasing work performance. Methods: The Web of Science database was used to identify the main directions of research in the relevant literature. Research was directed at peer-reviewed articles published in journals indexed in SSCI as Q1 and Q2. The resulting number of articles was identified based on the PRISMA selection method. Findings & value added: By analyzing the literary sources, we have identified 4 important research topics that the authors of the scientific articles addressed. The most widespread topic was work engagement and its influence on job crafting. In the second topic, the authors addressed the issue of how job crafting supports the meaningfulness of work. The third research topic that the authors addressed was job crafting as a factor of employee autonomy. The fourth theme identified was the influence of leadership and management support on jobcrafting behavior. The paper offers the reader a systematic and clear list of available quality resources that can help them in their personal research related to job crafting and work performance. In addition, the results of our research may be useful for companies trying to improve the work performance of their employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many industries, including healthcare, banking, the auto industry, education, and retail, have already undergone significant changes because of artificial intelligence (AI). Business-to-Customer (B2C) e-commerce has considerably increased the use of AI in recent years. The purpose of this research is to examine the significance and impact of AI in the realm of fashion e-commerce. To that end, a systematic review of the literature is carried out, in which data from the Web Of Science and Scopus databases were used to analyze 219 publications on the subject. The articles were first categorized using AI techniques. In the realm of fashion e-commerce, they were divided into two categories. These categorizations allowed for the identification of research gaps in the use of AI. These gaps offer potential and possibilities for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archival bond is the embodiment of the relationships shared amongst records generated in the course of the same activity, by the same creator. It has been one of the key governing principles of the archival profession since its inception. At the heart of this concept is the notion that records only acquire meaning and identity in the context of the aggregation they originally belong to. This interpretation has been guided by an analog worldview of archives in which creators, activities, and fonds are easily delimited constructs. With the digitalization of recordkeeping, these boundaries are meshed in favor of more fluid processes that prioritize the flow and recombination of information across several systems and classification schemes. This article attempts to revisit the concept of archival bond under the light of the current information paradigm with the goals of examining its fundamental notions, discussing its application and limitations. The methodology is qualitative and relies on documentary research. A literature review on the archival bond is conducted through the consultation of Web of Science and Scopus databases. As an expansion of the archival bond, a novel concept of informational bond is suggested as an attempt to more accurately capture the context of digital information and to reinforce the trustworthiness of archival representations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries, as organizations that typically deal with significant amounts of data, can use data mining techniques to make informed decisions based on discovered knowledge to optimize their services. Finding valuable hidden information or patterns in large amounts of data is highly important in library management and services. Academic libraries, as centers that continuously serve the scientific community, have been able to provide better services to their users by utilizing results from data-based studies for better resource and budget management or by using the information within their organizations. This study was conducted to systematically collect and analyze data mining studies in university libraries with a focus on applications, subject areas, techniques, and software used. Articles were retrieved from two major scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) following PRISMA's preferred guidelines for literature review, and were screened and selected based on their relevance, techniques, software used, and subject areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work analyses and evaluates the results of research work carried out so far in the field of rainwater management in urban areas in Poland. Using the "biblioshiny" tool, a bibliometric analysis was carried out based on queries to the Scopus and Web of Science databases. As a result, information was obtained on selected bibliometric statistics of scientific publications in which the topic of rainwater in Poland was taken up. The probable direction of further research development in the field of the analysed issues was also determined. In addition, after a detailed review of all the articles obtained at the earlier stage of the bibliometric analysis, the main research contexts were indicated and discussed. Areas and issues requiring further analysis and supplementation were indicated in the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paint contains various complex chemical mixtures, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons (primarily toluene), ketones, and benzene as reported at previous studies. Toxicity from some chemicals can cause early DNA damage with various factors. A scoping review was conducted via literature review on relevant studies on the effect of paint exposure on paint workers and DNA damage. A systematic search was conducted in October 2021 via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The key terms used were paint, solvent-based paint, organic solvent, mixed organic solvent, occupational exposure and DNA damage, oxidative stress, genotoxicity on a painter, paint worker. From 561 articles, only 13 articles were finally selected based on the inclusion, exclusion criteria, and eligibility criteria. The literature showed that biomonitoring studies on painters were consistently reporting positive and significant DNA damage due to exposure to different types of compounds mixed in a paint. However, there were fewer studies on paint manufacturing factory workers compared to painters while paint manufacturing workers exposed various chemical everyday during the paint production which potentially susceptible to occupational toxicity. In conclusion, this review suggests that exposure to paints could induce early DNA damage among paint workers and further investigations on paint exposure among paint manufacturing factory workers and the DNA damage were needed in order to improve occupational health among paint workers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the studies on energy poverty and its measurement between 2004 and 2022. A search of the Web of Science database with the keyword "energy poverty measurement" yielded 195 articles, among which 69 articles were found. In the study, first of all, information about the definition of energy poverty, the problems it causes and its determining criteria. In the next step, other determinants of energy poverty are explained with the help of graphs and tables. In the methodology section, the articles are analyzed in detail according to the economic development of the countries and the measurement models used. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are presented, and future work is suggested to find a universally accepted measurement model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agile Project Management is a topic that has become popular both in business and academia, since the publication of the Agile Manifesto - a historic landmark in this subject. In the next 20 years, there was a relevant scientific production that must be analyzed to provoke reflection about the knowledge built up in this period. In this sense, this study aims to analyze the relevant scientific literature on Agile Project Management through a systematic review and a bibliometric analysis of articles published in scientific journals with Digital Object Identifier, in English, from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, from 2001 to 2021. The research results enable us to gain insights into the characteristics of this knowledge domain, regarding its volume and evolutionary trend, main contributors (i.e. scientific journals, authors, and their affiliations), main studies, methods used, and its central thematic axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we provide a review of research that explores the extensive history of wildfires across Europe, focusing specifically on Romania's territory. Lakes and peatlands serve as ideal sources for reconstructing charcoal fluxes resulting from vegetation burning. These natural resources are extremely sensitive to local environmental changes, and the deposition of allochthonous material is exclusively atmospheric. The analysis of macro-charcoal is the primary method for reconstructing local and regional wildfires. This article aims to emphasize the significant studies on paleofires, and the processing and identification methods of macroscopic charcoal particles, which include charcoal number, morphology, and CharAnalysis. The review of scientific achievements in Europe and Romania provides valuable insights into these methods. We aim to investigate the potential of modern international paleofire databases, such as the Global Charcoal Database and Reading Palaeofire Database, which provide updated information on local and regional paleofire occurrences during the Holocene period. We will also make use of software tools that generate maps based on network data, such as VOSviewer Bibliometric Analysis, to visualize and study the wildfire in Romania. Furthermore, we will analyze the publications related to this topic that are available in the Web of Science database. We analyzed the results of paleofire studies in Europe and Romania to determine the primary research directions linked to fire reconstruction. Our review revealed that most of the study sites in Romania are in the Carpathians, particularly at higher elevations, followed by mid-elevation areas. However, lowlands have been less investigated up to this date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) accounts for up to 70% of incomplete spinal cord injuries, and modern improvements in surgical and anaesthetic techniques have given surgeons more treatment options for the ATCCS patient. We present a literature review of ATCCS, with the aim of elucidating the best treatment option for the varying ATCCS patient characteristics and profiles. We aim to synthesise the available literature into a simple-to-use format to aid in the decision-making process. Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant studies and improvement in functional outcomes were calculated. To allow for direct comparison of functional outcomes, we chose to focus solely on studies which utilised the ASIA motor score and improvements in ASIA motor score. Results: A total of 16 studies were included for review. There were a total of 749 patients, of which 564 were treated surgically and 185 were treated conservatively. There was a significantly higher average motor recovery percentage amongst surgically-treated patients as compared to conservatively treated patients (76.1% vs. 66.1%, p value = 0.04). There was no significant difference between the ASIA motor recovery percentage of patients treated with early surgery and delayed surgery (69.9 vs. 77.2, p value = 0.31). Delayed surgery after a trial of conservative management is also an appropriate treatment strategy for certain patients, and the presence of multiple comorbidities portend poor outcomes. We propose a score-based approach to decision making in ATCCS, by allocating a numerical score for the patient's clinical neurological condition, imaging findings on CT or MRI, history of cervical spondylosis and comorbidity profile. Conclusions: An individualised approach to each ATCCS patient, considering their unique characteristics will lead to the best outcomes, and the use of a simple scoring system, can aid clinicians in choosing the best treatment for ATCCS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nursing as a discipline directs its actions toward the integral care of the life and health of the human being, either to individuals or groups. Two essential elements make it up; one is the professional, which integrates it with other health disciplines and facilitates the development of actions that improve the quality of life and respond to social needs. Objective: To describe the dimensions and components that characterize university professors' quality of life and state of health. Method: An exploratory literature review was carried out in various documentary sources and scientific databases, consisting of a bibliographic search in June 2022 in Scielo and Redalyc. Results: Self-care could be considered as the ability of an individual to carry out all the activities necessary to live and survive with well-being. Conclusions: These theories, originating from psychosociology and nursing, contribute to the emergence of new models and approaches that generate well-being, and human development, for the person's benefit and, therefore, improve indicators of said quality of life in patients--university teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying habitat quality is dependent on measuring a site's relative contribution to population growth rate. This is challenging for studies of waterbirds, whose high mobility can decouple demographic rates from local habitat conditions and make sustained monitoring of individuals near‐impossible. To overcome these challenges, biologists have used many direct and indirect proxies of waterbird habitat quality. However, consensus on what methods are most appropriate for a given scenario is lacking. We undertook a structured literature review of the methods used to quantify waterbird habitat quality, and provide a synthesis of the context‐dependent strengths and limitations of those methods. Our search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases returned a sample of 666 studies, upon which our review was based. The reviewed studies assessed habitat quality by either measuring habitat attributes (e.g., food abundance, water quality, vegetation structure), or measuring attributes of the waterbirds themselves (e.g., demographic parameters, body condition, behavior, distribution). Measuring habitat attributes, although they are only indirectly related to demographic rates, has the advantage of being unaffected by waterbird behavioral stochasticity. Conversely, waterbird‐derived measures (e.g., body condition, peck rates) may be more directly related to demographic rates than habitat variables, but may be subject to greater stochastic variation (e.g., behavioral change due to presence of conspecifics). Therefore, caution is needed to ensure that the measured variable does influence waterbird demographic rates. This assumption was usually based on ecological theory rather than empirical evidence. Our review highlighted that there is no single best, universally applicable method to quantify waterbird habitat quality. Individual project specifics (e.g., time frame, spatial scale, funding) will influence the choice of variables measured. Where possible, practitioners should measure variables most directly related to demographic rates. Generally, measuring multiple variables yields a better chance of accurately capturing the relationship between habitat characteristics and demographic rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-government improves the functioning of state institutions for the benefit of citizens. Corruption is a phenomenon that has affected public management, undermining its foundations, its credibility and hindering the goals pursued by its institutions. The objective of this literature review is to describe e-government as a solution to the fight against corruption. The methodology used was based on the PRISMA statement, 30 studies were chosen respecting the filtering and eligibility criteria; the information on the variables was explored in the WEB OF SCIENCE and SCOPUS databases, between 2020 and 2023. The results obtained support that e-government is important to improve access to information. To reduce the cost of government, combat corruption and strengthen the role of government agencies. By developing the transparency of state management and involving society through digital interactions. It is concluded that, in order to fight corruption, governments must focus on optimizing the delivery of public services. Through the practice of e-government with the purpose of optimizing institutional quality in the provision of services. With transparent management, which contributes to the development of governance and the reduction of corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of 3D printing in bone grafts is gaining in importance and is becoming more and more popular. The choice of the method has a direct impact on the preparation of the patient for surgery, the probability of rejection of the transplant, and many other complications. The aim of the article is to discuss methods of bone grafting and to compare these methods. This review of literature is based on a selective literature search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases from 2001 to 2022 using the search terms "bone graft", "bone transplant", and "3D printing". In addition, we also reviewed non-medical literature related to materials used for 3D printing. There are several methods of bone grafting, such as a demineralized bone matrix, cancellous allograft, nonvascular cortical allograft, osteoarticular allograft, osteochondral allograft, vascularized allograft, and an autogenic transplant using a bone substitute. Currently, autogenous grafting, which involves removing the patient's bone from an area of low aesthetic importance, is referred to as the gold standard. 3D printing enables using a variety of materials. 3D technology is being applied to bone tissue engineering much more often. It allows for the treatment of bone defects thanks to the creation of a porous scaffold with adequate mechanical strength and favorable macro- and microstructures. Bone tissue engineering is an innovative approach that can be used to repair multiple bone defects in the process of transplantation. In this process, biomaterials are a very important factor in supporting regenerative cells and the regeneration of tissue. We have years of research ahead of us; however, it is certain that 3D printing is the future of transplant medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radioembolization (RE) with 90Yttrium (Y90) has generally been used to treat patients with advanced disease. Recent data suggest, however, that RE is also safe and feasible to treat patients with early or intermediate stage disease. We herein review the current evidence regarding the use of RE with Y90 for patients with HCC. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases with a search end date of August 1, 2022. Results: Patients with HCC are often treated according to the BCLC staging system. Among patients with early-stage HCC (BCLC A), intermediate-stage HCC (BCLC B), and advanced-stage HCC (BCLC C), RE with Y90 has demonstrated promising results with comparable overall survival, time to disease progression, and radiological response compared with other standard of care treatment modalities. Moreover, Y90 RE can be used as a downstaging treatment modality for patients with advanced HCC who have a disease burden that is initially outside LT criteria. Radiation lobectomy (RL) has been described as a treatment modality with the intent of treating the ipsilateral liver that harbors the HCC, while also causing compensatory hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR). Conclusion: While initially considered as a palliative option for HCC patients, Y90 RE has emerged as an important part of the multi-modality care of patients with HCC across a wide spectrum of clinical indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to analyze how the topic of competencies is addressed in organizational studies, an integrative literature review was carried out using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. 126 articles were analyzed, classified in three axes of analysis: the logic of competencies for the development of people, competencies associated to professional categories, and recurrent and emerging themes involving competencies. It was observed the prevalence of quantitative studies in private organizations under the influence of American, English, French and integrating theoretical currents. The teaching profession received more attention from research related to education and that of a doctor in the context of health. Entrepreneurial skills and management skills are among the recurrent themes, while interdisciplinarity and socio-environmental skills are among the emerging themes. The study presents an overview of the publications on the theme and points to avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to present rare sinus syndromes known as silent sinus syndrome (SSS) and frontal sinus syndrome with excessive pneumatization and bone defects in the wall (pneumocele). The available literature describing pneumocele cases was reviewed. Methodology: PubMed and Science Direct databases were searched by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome was finding descriptions of the sinus pneumocele. In the end, papers on frontal sinus pneumocele that was not the result of trauma, congenital defects or comorbidities were selected. Moreover, the authors presented their own cases of SSS and pneumocele. Results: Twelve case reports of frontal sinus pneumocele were found, one own case was presented. In addition, 8 subjects with SSS, diagnosed and treated in the period from September 2017 to May 2022, were described. Conclusions: With the increasing number of patients suffering from sinus diseases and the growing number of endoscopic surgeries, the knowledge of rare sinus syndromes will increase the safety of the procedures performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease has become one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, which seriously affects the health of the elderly. Early detection and intervention are the most effective prevention methods currently. Compared with traditional detection methods such as traditional scale tests, electroencephalograms, and magnetic resonance imaging, speech analysis is more convenient for automatic large-scale Alzheimer's disease detection and has attracted extensive attention from researchers. In particular, deep learning-based speech analysis and language processing techniques for Alzheimer's disease detection have been studied and achieved impressive results. Methods: To integrate the latest research progresses, hundreds of relevant papers from ACM, DBLP, IEEE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science electronic databases, and other sources were retrieved. We used these keywords for paper search: (Alzheimer OR dementia OR cognitive impairment) AND (speech OR voice OR audio) AND (deep learning OR neural network). Conclusions: Fifty-two papers were finally retained after screening. We reviewed and presented the speech databases, deep learning methods, and model performances of these studies. In the end, we pointed out the mainstreams and limitations in the current studies and provided a direction for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the concepts of performance, performance measurement and evaluation, which are important phenomenon for every business. First, a literature review is conducted using the Web of Science database. Then, the concepts of performance, performance measurement and evaluation are examined theoretically; and performance evaluation approaches are discussed. As a result of the literature review, 360-degree performance evaluation system, which is one of the modern methods that has not found many places in the business administration literature, is examined in detail, and a general framework is tried to be formed on the subject. Consequently, it is determined that 360-degree performance evaluation system cannot provide a single handed and direct solution to performance problems. However, when the system is carefully prepared and applied correctly, it moves away from the tendency of firms to see the individual as a mechanical production material, which is caused by classical performance evaluation methods, and leads them to the tendency to see them as "human". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport sector plays an important role in society at large. This article aimed to provide a state-of-the-art literature review in the area of sustainable transport. Data for the analysis were collected from the Web of Science database from 2000 to 2022. A total of 1238 bibliometric records of publications were collected. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were undertaken in the article. The analysis results showed five main research areas: 1—sustainable urban/public transport and mobility; 2—transport emissions and fuels; 3—sustainable supply chain/logistics management models; 4—performance and metrics in sustainable transport; and 5—future and policy. The limitations of the research carried out, which mainly concern the methodological section, should also be borne in mind. These include the selected publication base and search criteria, such as the year or language of publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swarm Intelligence (SI) algorithms are frequently applied to tackle complex optimization problems. SI is especially used when good solutions are requested for NP hard problems within a reasonable response time. And when such problems possess a very high dimensionality, a dynamic nature, or present intrinsic complex intertwined independent variables, computational costs for SI algorithms may still be too high. Therefore, new approaches and hardware support are needed to speed up processing. Nowadays, with the popularization of GPU and multi-core processing, parallel versions of SI algorithms can provide the required performance on those though problems. This paper aims to describe the state of the art of such approaches, to summarize the key points addressed, and also to identify the research gaps that could be addressed better. The scope of this review considers recent papers mainly focusing on parallel implementations of the most frequently used SI algorithms. The use of nested parallelism is of particular interest, since one level of parallelism is often not sufficient to exploit the computational power of contemporary parallel hardware. The sources were main scientific databases and filtered accordingly to the set requirements of this literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been estimated that between 30 and 50 per cent of all injuries that take place throughout participation in a sport are the consequence of soft tissue injuries, and muscle injuries are the primary cause of physical disability. Methods: The current literature review was designed between October 2021 and April 2022, according to the PRISMA standards, using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. At the screening stage, we eliminated articles that did not fit into the themes developed in all subchapters of the study (n = 70), articles that dealt exclusively with orthopaedics (n = 34), 29 articles because the articles had only the abstract visible, and 17 articles that dealt exclusively with other techniques for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The initial search revealed 343 titles in the databases, from which 56 duplicate articles were automatically removed, and 2 were added from other sources. Results: The combination of these three techniques results in the following advantages: It increases joint mobility, especially in stiff joints, it increases the range of motion, accelerates tissue repair, improves tissue stability, and extensibility, and it reduces soft tissue inflammation (manual therapy). In addition, it decreases the concentration of pro-inflammatory mediators and improves capillary permeability, resulting in the total eradication of inflammation (HILT). It warms the deep tissues, stimulates vascularity, promotes the repose of tissues (particularly muscle tissue), and stimulates drainage (TECAR). Conclusions: TECAR therapy, combined with manual therapy and High-Intensity Laser therapy in treating muscle diseases, presented optimal collaboration in the recovery process of all muscle diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prevention of tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma is vital to achieving the World Health Organisation's End TB Strategy target of eliminating TB. However, the process and impact evaluation of interventions to reduce TB-stigma are limited. This literature review aimed to examine the quality, design, implementation challenges, and successes of TB-stigma intervention studies and create a novel conceptual framework of pathways to TB-stigma reduction. Method: We searched relevant articles recorded in four scientific databases from 1999 to 2022, using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, supplemented by the snowball method and complementary grey literature searches. We assessed the quality of studies using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool, then reviewed study characteristics, data on stigma measurement tools used, and interventions implemented, and designed a conceptual framework to illustrate the pathways to TB-stigma reduction in the interventions identified. Results: Of 14,259 articles identified, eleven met inclusion criteria, of which three were high quality. TB-stigma reduction interventions consisted mainly of education and psychosocial support targeted predominantly toward three key populations: people with TB, healthcare workers, and the public. No psychosocial interventions for people with TB set TB-stigma reduction as their primary or co-primary aim. Eight studies on healthcare workers and the public reported a decrease in TB-stigma attributed to the interventions. Despite the benefits, the interventions were limited by a dearth of validated stigma measurement tools. Three of eight studies with quantitative stigma measurement questionnaires had not been previously validated among people with TB. No qualitative studies used previously validated methods or tools to qualitatively evaluate stigma. On the basis of these findings, we generated a conceptual framework that mapped the population targeted, interventions delivered, and their potential effects on reducing TB-stigma towards and experienced by people with TB and healthcare workers involved in TB care. Conclusions: Interpretation of the limited evidence on interventions to reduce TB-stigma is hampered by the heterogeneity of stigma measurement tools, intervention design, and outcome measures. Our novel conceptual framework will support mapping of the pathways to impacts of TB-stigma reduction interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric lymphangioma is one of the highly rare benign tumors characterized by multilocular or unilocular lymphatic spaces. Herein, we report a case of lymphangioma in the gastric antrum.Case Presentation: A 77-year-old male patient who had been experiencing epigastric discomfort for a year was presented to our hospital. A gastric subepithelial lesion was diagnosed by upper endoscopy and was entirely excised via diatal subtotal gastrectomy. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed an echoless homogenous echo pattern in the third wall layer. A lymphangioma was diagnosed by pathologic investigation of the resected specimen. The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were reviewed for literature in English while using the keywords of "gastric lymphangioma" or "lymphangioma of stomach" or "gastric lymphatic cyst" or "lymphatic cyst of stomach" and the results were discussed.Conclusion: Gastric lymphangioma is a rarely occurring submucosal tumor that should be considered when diagnosing subepithelial lesions in the stomach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Health inequities such as chronic disease are significantly higher among individuals living with disadvantage compared with the general population and many are reported to be attributable to preventable dietary risk factors. This study provides an overview of the current nutrition interventions for individuals living with extreme disadvantage, in supported residential settings, to develop insights into the development and implementation of policies and practices to promote long-term nutritional health and well-being.Design: A scoping review searched Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases using the terms 'resident', 'nutrition', 'disadvantage', 'intervention' and their synonyms, with particular emphasis on interventions in residential settings.Setting: Residential services providing nutrition provision and support.Participants: People experiencing extreme disadvantage.Results: From 5262 articles, seven were included in final synthesis. Most interventions focused on building food literacy knowledge and skills. Study designs and outcome measures varied; however, all reported descriptive improvements in behaviour and motivation. In addition to food literacy, it was suggested that interventions need to address behaviour and motivations, programme sustainability, long-term social, physical and economic barriers and provide support for participants during transition into independent living. Socio-economic issues remain key barriers to long-term health and well-being.Conclusions: In addition to food literacy education, future research and interventions should consider utilising an academic-community partnership, addressing nutrition-related mental health challenges, motivation and behaviour change and a phased approach to improve support for individuals transitioning into independent living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron, the stigmas of Crocus sativus L., has been mentioned extensively in the traditional reference texts as a herbal medicine. Many clinical trials have been conducted on this valuable herbal substance and its main constituents following numerous cellular and animal assessments. In the present review, we have collected almost all of these clinical studies to clarify how much knowledge has clinically been achieved in this field so far and which scientific gaps are needed to be filled by more studies. A comprehensive literature review was conducted through a two-round search. First, we performed a general search for identifying the human disorders against which saffron was studied. Then, we searched specifically for the combination of saffron keywords and each disease name. Scientific databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of science were used for this search. Studies were collected through electronic databases from their inception up to August 2021. The largest number of these clinical studies represent the investigations into saffron efficacy in different neurological and mental disorders, particularly depression. This substance has clinically revealed significant protective effects against various types of depression, age-related macular degeneration, and allergic asthma. In some cases, such as sexual dysfunction, cognitive and metabolic disorder, the effects of saffron are still clinically open to dispute, or there are limited data on its positive influences. Overall, saffron and its constituents have promising effects on human disorders; however, it needs more clinical evidence or meta-analyses to be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation has recently introduced itself as a groundbreaking phenomenon with profound impacts on societies, industries, businesses, and even individuals. Accordingly, several studies have attempted to give a literature review or analysis of digital transformation research during the last few years. However, most of them are domain-specific studies based on small data samples or subjective review methods, so we lack a general and robust understanding of the landscape of this field of research across different disciplines and domains. Taking a step toward filling this gap, the current study aims to shape an overall and reliable picture of the research realm on digital transformation. To the aim, a computational method namely topic modeling was applied to two big texts, one of which includes all digital transformation-related publications that were indexed in well-known Scopus and Web of Science databases (8639 documents), and the other one only contains studies that were published by high-quality JCR journals (1264 documents). As a result, 20 and 13 topics were respectively introduced as the underlying themes of the global trends and core knowledge in digital transformation research along with their temporal evolutionary paths throughout the recent years. Also, by comparing these two groups of topics, it was known that there are nine developing trends in this field of research that require more attention and advancements to establish themselves as the core knowledge of the field. Complementing the contributions of previous domain-specific or subjective reviews on digital transformation, this study tries to favor a better understanding of this scholarship through multidisciplinary and multidimensional analyses of digital transformation-related publications by using the topic modeling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are compounds that alter functions of the endocrine system due to their ability to mimic or antagonize endogenous hormones, or that alter their synthesis and metabolism, causing adverse health effects. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a reliable method to assess human exposure to chemicals through measurement in human body fluids and tissues. It identifies new sources of exposure and determines their distribution, thereby enabling detection of the most exposed populations. Blood and urine are commonly used for HBM of EDC, but their interest is limited for compounds presenting short half-lives. Hair appears as an interesting alternative insofar as it provides a large exposure window. For the present study, we evaluated the relevance of hair in determining EDC exposure. With this in mind, we undertook a literature review focusing on the bioanalytical aspects and performances of methods developed to determine EDC in hair. The literature review was performed through methodical bibliographical research. Relevant articles were identified using two scientific databases: PubMed and Web of Science, with search equations built from a combination of keywords, MeSH terms and Boolean operators. The search strategy identified 2949 articles. After duplicates were removed, and following title, abstract, and full-text screenings, only 31 were included for qualitative synthesis. Hair collection was mainly performed in the back of the head and preparation involved two processes: cutting into small pieces or grounding to powder. The off-line LC-MS/MS method remains the main technique used to assess EDC through hair. Differences regarding the validation of analytical methods and interpretation of HBM results were highlighted, suggesting a need for international harmonisation to obtain reliable and comparable results. External contamination of hair was identified as a main limitation in the interpretation of results, highlighting the need to better understand EDC transfers through hair and to develop relevant hair decontamination processes. [Display omitted] • Review of analytical methods for the assessment of EDCs through hair. • Work especially focused on extraction processes and analytical performance. • Discussion about the relevance of hair matrix as a biomarker of exposure to EDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, plant‐derived medicines have been playing an increasing and relevant role in the treatment of several diseases, thus fostering the search for new bioactive substances. Among the various families of plants studied, those of the Combretum genus can be highlighted since they are widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of hepatitis, malaria, respiratory infections, cancer, skin hemorrhage, and anxiety. Phytochemical studies carried out on species of the Combretum genus demonstrated the presence of several classes of bioactive chemical compounds, including the triterpene 3β,6β,16β‐trihydroxilup‐20(29)‐ene (CLF‐1). In this perspective, the objective of this review was to gather all pharmacological activities attributed to the CLF‐1 triterpene, highlighting its importance for the pharmaceutical industry. The research was performed in scientific databases such as PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, SciFinder and Science Direct. The literature indicates a great pharmacological potential of CLF‐1, evidencing its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antiparasitic, antinociceptive, healing, and antibacterial action, antinociceptive and antitumor effect. Therefore, based on the different research above, it is plausible to consider CLF‐1, obtained from different parts of the C. leprosum plant, as a molecule with biotechnological potential that may contribute to the development of new drugs and, consequently, in the treatment of various human pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fish are traded, caught, farmed, and killed in their trillions every year around the world, yet their welfare is often neglected and their capacity for feelings is regularly disregarded. We have searched the scientific literature to determine what is known about fish sentience and relate our findings to the many uses of fish around the globe. Fish are traded, caught, farmed, and killed in their trillions every year around the world, yet their welfare is often neglected and their sentience regularly disregarded. In this review, we have sought to (1) catalogue the extent to which fish sentience has featured over the past 31 years in the scientific literature and (2) discuss the importance of fish sentience in relation to their commercial uses. We searched the journal database Science Direct using 42 keywords that describe traits or elements of sentience to find articles that were referring to or exploring fish sentience. Our review returned 470 results for fish sentience in 142 different species and subspecies of fish, and featured 19 different sentience keywords. The top four keywords were; 'stress' (psychological) (n = 216, 45.9% of total results), 'anxiety' (n = 144, 30.6%), 'fear' (n = 46, 9.7%), and 'pain' (n = 27, 5.7%). Our findings highlight an abundance of evidence for fish sentience in the published scientific literature. We conclude that legislation governing the treatment of fish and attitudes towards their welfare require scrutiny so that their welfare can be safeguarded across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction - One of the therapeutic approaches in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT). The planning of RT can be performed based on different imaging techniques, and several factors may influence their quality, including respiratory motion. Objectives - This study aims to: 1) assess the importance of 4DCT and 4DPET/CT for motion correction and target volume definition in planning RT for NSCLC; and 2) compare volume delimitation between PET/CT, 4DCT, and 4DPET/CT techniques, identifying their advantages and limitations. Methods - Literature review, using the PRISMA methodology for the selection of articles in PubMed and Science Direct databases and other sources (b-on and Google Scholar). Articles published between January 2014 and January 2020 were considered. Delineated volumes using 3D and 4D techniques were compared, assessing the impact of respiratory motion on image acquisition and subsequent RT planning. Results - 230 articles were obtained, but only five were eligible for the study. The 4DCT and 4DPET/CT techniques showed better results, decreasing motion artifacts. The volumes delimited by the various techniques under study were similar, although small variations were recorded when the 4D technique is not applied. Conclusion - Currently 4DPET/CT shows better results in the delimitation of target volumes for RT planning than the 4DCT technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although distraction-based growing rods (GR) are the gold standard for the treatment of early onset scoliosis, they suffer from high failure rates. We have (1) performed a literature search to understand the deficiencies of the current protocols, (2) in vitro evaluation of GRs using our proposed protocol and performed a finite element (FE) model validation, and (3) identified key features which should be considered in mechanical testing setups. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published on (a) in vivo animal, in vitro cadaveric, and biomechanical studies analyzing the use of GRs as well as (b) failure mechanisms and risk factors for GRs. Both FE and benchtop models of a proposed TGR test construct were developed and evaluated for two cases, long tandem connectors (LT), and side-by-side connectors (SBS). The test construct consisted of five polymer blocks representing vertebral bodies, joined with springs to simulate spinal stiffness. The superior and inferior blocks accepted the pedicle screw anchors, while the three middle blocks were floating. After the pedicle screws, rods, and connectors were assembled onto this construct, distraction was performed, mimicking scoliosis surgery. The resulting distracted constructs were then subjected to static compression-bending loading. Yield load and stiffness were calculated and used to verify/validate the FE results. Results: From the literature search, key features identified as significant were axial and transverse connectors, contoured rods, and distraction, distraction being the most challenging feature to incorporate in testing. The in silico analyses, once they are validated, can be used as a complementing technique to investigate other anatomical features which are not possible in the mechanical setup (like growth/scoliosis curvature). Based on our experiment, the LT constructs showed higher stiffness and yield load compared to SBS (78.85 N/mm vs. 59.68 N/mm and 838.84 N vs. 623.3 N). The FE predictions were in agreement with the experimental outcomes (within 10% difference). The maximum von Mises stresses were predicted adjacent to the distraction site, consistent with the location of observed failures in vivo. Conclusion: The two-way approach presented in this study can lead to a robust prediction of the contributing factors to the in vivo failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological heritage represents and brings together geological elements of great local and global relevance. It also promotes conservation and sustainable use. This study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis of the contributions that address the topics of geological heritage and geosites, using the Scopus and Web of Science databases for the knowledge of trends and research focuses in this area. The methodology consists of: (i) the preparation of the idea and gathering information from a search on the subjects of interest (geoheritage and geosites); (ii) the merging of the databases and applying automated conversions; and (iii) the analysis of the results and the literature review. The first phase of the work identified 2409 and 1635 documents indexed in Scopus and WoS, respectively. The merged global database (2565 documents) identified the following words as analysis topics: geoconservation, geotourism, geopark, and geodiversity. The analysis also revealed the top five countries in scientific contributions as Italy (12.1%), Spain (8.77%), China (5.67%), Portugal (5.35%), and Brazil (5.31%). Finally, most of the publications focus on the characterisation, assessment, and development of geosite initiatives. The main lines of action and contributions to the topics (7.91%) highlight the fact that geoscientists worldwide value geosites for geoconservation and geotourism strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]