Search

Introduction: Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) is currently the best alternative for preterm (premature) babies as producing a sufficient milk supply in the early weeks can be difficult for new mothers. However, there are conflicting results on the impact of donor human milk (DHM) on the growth of preterm infants. Aims: This systematic review aims to thematically investigate the impact of pasteurization on the nutritional components of DHM and to thematically determine the correlation between PDHM and its effect on the growth and development of preterm infants. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library on original research articles published from January 2017 to April 2023. We illustrated the screening and selection outcomes in a PRISMA flowchart and assessed the quality of the selected articles using Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. Results: Four of 130 articles met the inclusion criteria. Correspondingly, two main themes were identified from the selected articles, which include nutrient composition of donor milk and short-term growth outcome. Conclusion: To get rid of any potentially harmful bacteria that could infect a premature newborn, it is reasonable to conclude that DHM requires pasteurization. Thus, there is now less of the milk's natural nutritional components--protein, fat, antioxidants, cytokines, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and insulin-like growth factor--in the liquid. The short-term growth of preterm infants may be slightly impacted by the pasteurization of DHM, which also lowers some of its nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research project focuses on making art accessible to blind and visually impaired students by exploring the beauty of nature and manmade objects through the concepts of texture and tactility. Although it is usually assumed that blind and visually impaired people would have little interest or talent in creating images, they can be created in a variety of different ways and methods. The research project emphasizes the exploration of the creative process, which is designed to provide exposure, experience, and additional skills to nurture self-confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and talent development. This qualitative research project used the case study method. The research employed creative studio and content analysis approaches by using the elements and principles of art and design. The research project significantly reviews how blind and visually impaired students are able to reinterpret texture and imply patterns in a variety of visual artworks inspired by design in nature and design by man. Thus, these special students have the potential to show an exceptional level of skill and talent that establishes the sense of touch as a method of mental representation between imagination and the realization of the creative process. Furthermore, this research project would inspire a new perception of interactivity in the learning activities of blind and visually impaired students towards improving the quality of special education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional educational models struggle to meet the demands of students seeking personalized online learning resources (OLRs). Collaborative filtering (CF) algorithms are widely employed for personalized OLR recommendations, yet they encounter issues such as poor scalability, cold start, and sparse data issues. In response, an enhanced CF algorithm is proposed, incorporating a fusion of time weighting and a credibility selection strategy. Initially, interactions and ratings among learners are analyzed. Subsequently, the algorithm integrates learner similarity and trust, calculating the credibility value weight between learners. Dynamic time weighting is then introduced separately into CF algorithms based on OLRs and learners, respectively. Ultimately, the algorithm predicts learner ratings for unknown OLRs. Experimental comparisons demonstrate that the performance metrics of the hybrid algorithm presented in this paper show significant improvement over traditional and other improved algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a vital mechanical circulatory support used with increasing frequency in complex congenital cardiac surgeries. This study evaluated the outcomes of a protocol-based venoarterial (VA) ECMO program following congenital heart surgeries. Methods and Results: This was a retrospective review of 198 patients who underwent VA-ECMO after congenital cardiac surgeries at our institute between 2004 and 2023. Patients were divided into pre-ECMO protocol (2004-2017) and post-ECMO protocol (2018-2023) implementation. There were 107 patients in the preprotocol era and 91 in the postprotocol era. We compared weaning from ECMO and survival to hospital discharge between the two eras. An analysis of the factors influencing survival to hospital discharge was also done. ECMO was initiated through the central cannulation technique through median sternotomy in all patients. The median age and weight at initiation were 4 months (interquartile range [IQR] 1-33.5 months) and 4.4 kg (IQR 3.3-10.1 kg), respectively. The successful weaning of the ECMO (n = 67/91, 73.6%) and survival to discharge (n = 43/91, 47.3%) were higher in patients of the postprotocol era. However, it was not statistically significant. Higher risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery-1 >3 and acute kidney injury were independent predictors of poorer survival to hospital discharge. Conclusions: A protocol-based ECMO program may improve outcomes of successful weaning and survival to discharge in patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

his research focuses on a three-phase Active Front End (AFE) converter that uses Model Predictive Control (MPC) for its switching operations. The MPC technique forecasts the AFE voltages and currents by integrating the voltage vectors from the converter switches across eight distinct switching states into a discrete state space model. Simulation results reveal a rapid dynamic response to changes in load voltage and minor fluctuations in current and wave values, which increase after connecting to an unbalanced load. Testing the effect of sampling time shows that a 5µs sampling time achieves the lowest Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), with 0.02% for voltage and 0.13% for current. This indicates that smaller sampling times improve the accuracy of reference voltage predictions, thereby enhancing electricity quality. Furthermore, the impact of nonlinear loads on voltage demonstrates that as the load resistance significantly increases from 20 Ω to 45 Ω, inversely proportional to the load inductance value, the THD remains relatively constant, ranging from 0.03% to 0.04%. In the 780th prediction analysis using MPC with a 25µs sampling time, the voltage reference value is determined. The cost function value is 0.0127 in the 8th switching state, with predicted voltage values of Vsa = -51.3829 V, Vsb = -2.53489 V and Vsc = 3.04872 V [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of higher education in China, this mixed-methods study with an intervention design explores the impact of Movie-Based Learning (MBL) on university students' cultural identity (CI) within a movie education course. Quantitative findings indicated that MBL significantly enhanced CI, particularly in cognitive and emotional dimensions, while behavioral identity did not exhibit improvement. Notably, the effect of MBL on CI surpassed that of regular instruction in the control group, which improved general CI but not cognitive, emotional, or behavioral identity. Qualitative findings illuminated learners' acceptance of MBL, revealing emotional resonance and connection with culturally rich and diverse movies. Despite positive perceptions, participants expressed uncertainty about translating cultural knowledge and awareness gained in the classroom to real-world actions and behavior. This research contributes to the understanding of the nuanced impact of MBL on CI development, which highlights the effectiveness of MBL but also underscores the need to address the transferability of cultural knowledge to behavioral actions. Implications include the importance of refining instructional strategies to bridge this gap and enhance the practical applicability of cultural learning beyond the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]