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1. Understanding familial locative play: Exploring parent online social learning to play Pokémon Go

Author

Saker, M. and Mercea, D.

Subjects
Cognitive science, Communication, 05 social sciences, 050801 communication & media studies, Context (language use), Locative case, HM, Social learning, Mixed reality, 0506 political science, 0508 media and communications, Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous), HQ, 050602 political science & public administration, Social media, Sociology, Game interface, GV
Abstract

Pokémon Go is a hybrid reality game (HRG) that research suggests is played by families in the context of joint-media engagement. Yet, the game interface itself provides little information about how to approach the game. Given this and the fact that many parents play this HRG with their young children, we examine the process of parent online social learning to play Pokémon Go. Drawing on an original study of Pokémon Go conducted between August and November 2019, including a Facebook survey on a non-probabilistic purposive sample, and semi-structured interviews with a range of parents who play this HRG with their children, the aim of this article is to explore parent online social learning as a path to optimising in-game performance. In the main, we found that the frequency with which parents followed tips provided by individuals online related inversely to how well they knew them and was differentially linked to the sources of information parents used. We nuance these findings with insights from the interviews.

Published
2021
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2. The Activist Chroniclers of Occupy Gezi

Author

Mercea, D., Levy, H., McGarry, A., Erhart, I., Eslen-Ziya, H., Jenzen, O., and Korkut, U.

Subjects
QA75, 0508 media and communications, 05 social sciences, 050602 political science & public administration, 050801 communication & media studies, HN, 0506 political science
Abstract

With the benefit of hindsight, this chapter casts another glance at Occupy Gezi, a landmark protest in contemporary Turkey. We reflect on the pursuit of visibility by activists on Twitter as a means to garner the attention of the Turkish and the global public to the heavy-handed police crackdown of the popular mobilization. We interpret their quest for visibility as a ‘subaltern tactic’ employed to reverse an asymmetry of power through an aesthetics of indignation at the injustice perpetrated against peaceful demonstrators. In the longer run, however, such visibility poses an important dilemma when, as in the case of Turkey, it becomes the basis for reflexive state surveillance.

Published
2019
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3. Cuing Collective Outcomes on Twitter: A Qualitative Reading of Movement Social Learning

Author

Mercea, D. and Levy, H.

Subjects
QA75, HE, social learning, social movements, social information use, collective outcomes, retweet
Abstract

In this article, we explore the process of movement social learning on Twitter. Previously described as the diffusion and social validation of innovation pertaining to collective outcomes through the practice of retweeting, movement social learning is unpicked with a combination of trace and interview data. We examine language use in retweets associated with the UK People’s Assembly Against Austerity with the aim to form an understanding of how such learning is cued. We argue that retweeters make visible and transmit insights into collective outcomes and ways of attaining them. They maintain a flow of information that sustains a pool of knowledge about the movement. At the same time, they construct a selective discursive environment where the public voicing of conflict can help clarify the scope of participation in a movement.&nbsp

Published
2019

4. Physicians' guideline adherence is associated with long-term heart failure mortality in outpatients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the QUALIFY international registry

Author

Komajda, M. Schöpe, J. Wagenpfeil, S. Tavazzi, L. Böhm, M. Ponikowski, P. Anker, S.D. Filippatos, G.S. Cowie, M.R. Aleksanyan, A. Atayan, L. Avetisyan, A. Davtyan, N. Drambyan, M. Gevorgyan, K. Grigoryan, M. Hakobyan, Z. Hayrapetyan, H. Kocharyan, L. Kramarevskaya, T. Melqonyan, A. Muradyan, F. Nanyan, R. Ordyan, A. Ordyan, M. Piruzyan, A. Podosyan, G. Safaryan, K. Sargsyan, T. Sarkisyan, A. Sisakyan, H. Ter-Grigoryan, V. Ustyan, T. Alexopoulos, C. Amerena, J. Arstall, M. Ayres, B. Barron, G. Beltrame, J. Bou-Samra, J. Brown, M. Cross, D. Dwyer, N. Eccleston, N. Hare, D. Ho, B. Hopper, I. Jackson, B. Korczyk, D. Lattimore, J.D. Levendel, A. Macfadyen, R. Pandeli, V. Playford, D. Richardson, M. Senior, J.A. Shah, A. Shetty, P. Soward, A. Srivastava, P. Swale, M. Vogl, E. Wai, B. William, M. Worthington, A. Wright, S. Brunner, B. Fuhrmann, W. Horer, L. Maca, T. Nahler, A. Ortner, H. Racz, G. Scheibner, P. Sebald, C. Abdullayev, A. Abdullayev, R. Ahmadov, A. Alakbarov, E. Aliyev, F. Aliyev, F. Bakhshaliyev, A. Bakhshiyev, M. Dadashova, G. Dashdamirov, R. Faradjova, N. Guliyev, A. Guliyev, F. Guliyeva, S. Hajiyev, G. Ibrahimov, F. Imanov, G. Isayeva, A. Isayeva, M. Jabrailova, U. Jafarov, R. Jahangirov, T. Khalilov, A. Khalilov, S. Mehdiyev, S. Najafov, R. Samedova, H. Shahhuseynov, S. Yusifly, R. Yusifov, T. Zahidova, K. Zeynalov, A. Abdullatif, A. Al-Banna, R. Haiky, W. Husain, A. Jamsheer, A. Barbuk, O. Belskaya, M. Borodko, V. Kurlianskaya, A. Mackevich, S. Mankevich, N. Moroz-Vodolazhskaya, N. Ravtovich, O. Saevich, A. Troyanova, T. Chughtai, A. Johar, S. Luqman, N. Nair, T.C.-R. Deyoung, P. Ezekowitz, J. Frenette, M. Howlett, J. Huynh, T. Nguyen, V. Toma, M. Orenstein, T. Rinne, M.R.C. Virani, S. Zieroth, S. Ailiman, M. Cong, H. Ding, W. Dong, W. Dong, Y. Gao, C. Li, L. Li, Z. Liang, Y. Liu, X. Liu, S. Luo, S. Shi, H. Tian, Q. Wang, D. Wang, J. Wei, M. Wu, C. Xu, D. Yang, X. Yang, Z. Zhang, C. Zhang, Q. Zhang, Y. Zhang, R. Zheng, Y. Zhao, L. Zhou, J. Buch, P. Davidsen, F. Eiskjær, H. Bruun, N.E. Kragh-Thomsen, N.E. Franow, H. Køber, L. Korup, E. Madsen, B.K. Mikkelsen, K. Nielsen, K.A. Nørgaard, A. Refsgaard, J. Rickers, H. Kaiser, P. Sykulski, R. Zeuthen, E.L. El Fottoh, A.A. El Badry, M. El Hady, Y.A. El Kady, E. El Khatib, H. Fawzy, M. Hegazy, H. Salama, M.K. Mortada, A. Mostafa, T. Mwafy, A. Ossama, M. Samir, S. Seleem, M. Sobhy, B. Bregadze, G. Chelidze, K. Chumburidze, V. Jalabadze, K. Khabeishvili, G. Kiphiani, Z. Klimiashvili, Z. Kvitsiani, A. Mamatsashvili, M. Melia, I.M.A. Oragvelidze, T. Orjonikidze, S. Paposhvili, K. Petriashvili, S. Phaghava, Z. Shushania, M. Tsetskhladze, E. Tsinamdzgvishvili, B. Abdel-Qader, M. Al-Zoebi, A. Böhm, G. Bosch, R. Brune, S. Bunge, K. Dominick, K. Duda, S. Erdogan, A.E. Faber, G. Fach, C. Fechtrup, C. Frickel, S. Giokoglu, K. Haas, J. Hagenow, A. Haj-Yehia, A. Hansen, C. Hartung, W.M. Hauser, E.R. Hofmeister, A. Hohensee, H. Hüttemann, M. Keim, M. Krämer, A. Langwasser, K. Lodde, B.P. Lorch, G. Lüer, C. Müller, K. Placke, J. Plesch, B. Potolidis, L. Richter, F. Rieker, W.A. Schlichting, J. Stenzel, G. Theuer, J.D. Marcin, A. Warkentin, R. Wegner, M. Wilke, A. Agrafiotis, I. Aleksandridis, I. Farmakis, D. Giannakoulas, G. Karavidas, A. Lamprou, A. Ninios, V. Panagiotopoulos, K. Papadopoulos, K. Siachos, S. Dékány, M. Borbéy, A. Borsányi, T. Forster, T. Gavallér, H. Gyuricza, I. Heltai, K. Herczeg, B. HŐgye, M. Losonczi, I. Merkely, B. Metz, E. Muk, B. Nagy, K. Ökrös, M. Piry, K. Poós, G. Sárszegi, Z. Somogyi, T. Sziliczei-Németh, E. Tátrai, T. Zima, E. Zsigmond, A. Daly, C. Mahon, N. Meany, B. Abbdi, I. Awaysheh, R. Azouka, M. Hamoudeh, S. Nammas, A. Okkeh, O. Aimakova, G. Ismagulova, Z. Issabekova, A. Junusbekova, G.A. Koshumbayeva, K. Madaliyev, K. Mekebekova, D. Mukatova, A. Ospanova, G. Sadvakassova, G. Sunkarbekova, Z. Yegorova, Y. Zhangelova, S. Kim, K.H. Al-Mutairi, M. Gaber, Y. Ghali, I. Ghanem, A. Hafez, H. Haiba, M. Koushy, T. Mahmoud, A. Raafat, G. Sallam, M. Senousi, O. Soliman, M. Massih, T.A. Ali, S.A. Jaoude, S.A. Azzi, N. Badaoui, G. Bayeh, H. Beydoun, A. Chammas, E. Dib, H. Gebran, M. Ghanem, G. Haidar, H. Hamadeh, M. Hamoui, O. Hobeika, R. Jazra, C. Kabbani, S. Kadri, Z. Karanaminassian, R. Kassab, R. Kleit, M. Mansour, H. Mousallem, N. Semaan, C. Simonian, A. Sarkis, A. Succar, S. Zalloum, R. Zind, R. Anusauskiene, J. Grigaliuniene, A. Karaliute, R. Kavoliuniene, A. Kozlovaite, V. Miliuniene, D. Rinkuniene, D. Rudys, A. Stasaityte, D. Aziz, F.A.A. Rahim, A.A.A. Ahmad, R. Ahmadsah, S.H.K.A. Ang, C.C. Ang, S.H. Cham, Y.L. Chee, K.H. Chooi, K.C. Chu, C.M. Fam, T.L. Fong, A. Ismail, O. Ismail, J.R. Kamarulzaman, M.H. Kasim, S.S. Khiew, N.Z. Krishnan, C. Krishinan, S. Lau, G. Lee, L.Y. Liew, H.B. Lim, C.W. Mahendran, K. Dass, R.D.M. Mohamad, R. Arshad, M.K.M. Unit, H.M. Mustapha, Z. Ng, W.K. Ong, T.K. Oon, Y.Y. Ramli, A.W. Ramanathan, G.R.L. Ross, N.T. Said, A. Sarwar, M. Tan, E. Tan, S.K. Voon, C.Y. Yusoff, M.R. Abidin, H.A.Z. Chua, S.K. Yew, K.L. Amin, N.H.M. Kandiah, K. Chong, L.A. Mohamed, M.S. Lim, B.K. Koh, K.T. Low, D.W. Abdelkhirane, C. Allali, Y. Askour, M. Balafrej, K. Bendagha, N. Bendriss, L. Benjelloun, H. Chaib, A. Cherradi, G. Cherti, M. Chtioui, M. El Belghiti, A.R. Fihri, O.F. Habbal, R. El Hattaoui, M. Khatouri, A. Kheyi, J. Kriem, J. Soufiane, N. Soufiani, A. Zaimi, S. Adamczyk-Kot, D. Barg, Z. Bartkowiak, R. Braciszewicz, W. Czajkowska, E. Dudek-Niechciał, M. Grzelakowski, P. Jarosik, Z. Jerzykowska, O. Koprowski, P. Krysiak, W. Łajkowski, Z. Ziemlewska-Krawczyk, E. Lelonek, M. Lewicka, E. Płonka, J. Sadowski, J. StĘpieŃ-Adamczewska, V. Szponar, J. WrzesiŃski, K. Brito, D.A. Araújo, I. Figueiredo, J.P.A. Campelo, M.B. Sardinha, P.M.B. Fernando, P. de Brito Domingues Sanches Peres de Noronha, M.A. Baptista, S.B.C. Cardoso Pinto, J.P. Piçarra, B.M.C. Farto e Abreu, P. da Fonseca, M.C.F.G. Soares, A.I.C.G.O. Resende, J.D.A. Durão, D.L. Nascimento, A.I.F.V. Bernardes, E.L.M.O. Marques, F. Ramos, M.A.N. Sargento, L.J.M. dos Santos, J.P.F. Raimundo, A. da Luz Ventosa, A.M.S. Sarmento, P. Aguiar, C.M.T. Ahmed, E. Al-Suwaidi, J. Al Dabdoob, W. Badr, A. Gomaa, M. Albu, M. Antohi, I. Apavaloaei, C. Ardelean, A. Badea, G. Bicescu, G. Blaj, C. Bogdan, L. Bucatanschi, M. Buzea, A. Calarasu, V. Catinean, S. Christodorescu, R. Cocoi, D. Costache, L. Cretu, D. Crisu, D. Dima-Cozma, C. Dumitrescu, S. Enache, V. Firastrau, V. Frigy, A. Gherghina, A. Girbea, S. Gutu, A. Horovitz, M. Hortopan, G. Istratoaie, O. Jianu, C. Jinga, L. Lighezan, D. Luka, A. Magheru, S. Mercea, D. Miklos, K. Moga, R. Oprea, N. Paraschiv, D.M. Pop, D. Rusu, R. Sirbu, I. Socoteanu, E. Stanciulescu, G. Suteu, A. Tetiu, O. Traistaru, A. Tudoran, M. Turiceanu, M.C. Viinkler, L. Adonina, E. Akinina, S. Alferov, P. Arkhipov, M. Aroutunov, G. Babkin, A. Barbashina, T. Bochkareva, J. Boldueva, S. Bukhonkina, J. Chumakova, S.G. Fayans, I. Furmenko, G. Galyavich, A. Grinstein, Y. Klein, G. Kastanayan, A. Kazachkova, T. Korolev, S. Koshelskaya, O. Kosmacheva, E. Koziolova, N. Kuimov, A. Kushnarenko, N. Lebedev, P. Matushin, G. Mineeva, E. Motylev, I. Nedbaykin, A. Nevzorova, V. Rachkova, S. Rebrov, A. Reznik, I. Saiganov, S. Sayfutdinov, R. Schekotov, V. Serdechnaya, E. Shalaev, S. Shtegman, O. Sitnikova, M. Smolenskaya, O. Sulimov, V. Tarlovskaya, E. Temnikova, E. Timonin, D. Tolstov, S. Uskatch, T. Ustyuzhanin, V. Valeeva, R. Vasyuk, Y. Viktorova, I. Yakushin, S. Zadionchenko, V. Zateischikov, D. Zhirov, I. Bollová, D. Dulková, K. Fazekaš, F. Hermel, I. KŇazeje, M. NedĚĽová, I. Nociar, J. Procházka, L. Pundová, L. Slanina, M. Varga, I. Almenar, L. Beltrán, P. Cobo, M. Delgado, J. Enjuanes, C. Garrido, I. Gómez, M.A. Manito, N. Marzal, D. Murga, N. Ocampo, M. Pérez, J. Sánchez, I. Buakhamsri, A. Leemasawat, K. Kanoksilp, A. Kiatchoosakun, S. Phrommintikul, A. Porapakkham, P. Rodprasert, S. Senthong, V. Wongcharoen, W. Wongwantanee, S. Bahadir, H. Emül, A. Gokce, M. Gurcagan, A. Kaya, O.K. Keser, A. Pinar, P. Taș, M.H. Tosun, H.B. Yazlar, A.S. Yilmaz, S. Yuksel, Y. Bagriy, A. Ivchyna, N. Lyashenko, A. Matviychuk, N. Shchukina, O. Tkach, N. Tseluyko, V. Vasylieva, L. Abdallah, A. Agrawal, A. Basleeb, F. Bazargani, N. Hatou, E. Al Kaddour, A.R. Al Kasser, M. Al Mulla, A. Radaideh, G. Salustri, A. on behalf of the QUALIFY Investigators

Abstract

Background: Physicians' adherence to guideline-recommended therapy is associated with short-term clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, its impact on longer-term outcomes is poorly documented. Here, we present results from the 18-month follow-up of the QUALIFY registry. Methods and results: Data at 18 months were available for 6118 ambulatory HFrEF patients from this international prospective observational survey. Adherence was measured as a continuous variable, ranging from 0 to 1, and was assessed for five classes of recommended HF medications and dosages. Most deaths were cardiovascular (CV) (228/394) and HF-related (191/394) and the same was true for unplanned hospitalizations (1175 CV and 861 HF-related hospitalizations, out of a total of 1541). According to univariable analysis, CV and HF deaths were significantly associated with physician adherence to guidelines. In multivariable analysis, HF death was associated with adherence level [subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–0.99 per 0.1 unit adherence level increase; P = 0.034] as was composite of HF hospitalization or CV death (SHR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94–0.99 per 0.1 unit adherence level increase; P = 0.043), whereas unplanned all-cause, CV or HF hospitalizations were not (all-cause: SHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.9–1.02; CV: SHR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.01; and HF: SHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.96–1.02 per 0.1 unit change in adherence score; P = 0.52, P = 0.2, and P = 0.4, respectively). Conclusion: These results suggest that physicians' adherence to guideline-recommended HF therapies is associated with improved outcomes in HFrEF. Practical strategies should be established to improve physicians' adherence to guidelines. © 2019 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2019 European Society of Cardiology

Published
2019

6. The geographic embedding of online echo chambers: Evidence from the Brexit campaign

Author

Bastos, M. T., Mercea, D., and Baronchelli, A.

Subjects
Population Dynamics, Social Sciences, lcsh:Medicine, HM, Social Networking, 0508 media and communications, Sociology, Geoinformatics, 050602 political science & public administration, Communication source, Computer Networks, QA, lcsh:Science, media_common, Multidisciplinary, Geography, Communication, GA, 05 social sciences, Echo (computing), Politics, Social Communication, 0506 political science, Social Networks, Physical Sciences, The Internet, Network Analysis, Research Article, Computer and Information Sciences, Internet privacy, Twitter, 050801 communication & media studies, Situated, media_common.cataloged_instance, Humans, Social media, European Union, European union, JZ, Internet, Social network, Population Biology, business.industry, Social geography, lcsh:R, Biology and Life Sciences, Social Support, Probability Theory, Probability Distribution, Communications, Geographic Distribution, United Kingdom, Earth Sciences, lcsh:Q, business, Social Media, Mathematics
Abstract

This study explores the geographic dependencies of echo-chamber communication on Twitter during the Brexit campaign. We review the evidence positing that online interactions lead to filter bubbles to test whether echo chambers are restricted to online patterns of interaction or are associated with physical, in-person interaction. We identify the location of users, estimate their partisan affiliation, and finally calculate the distance between sender and receiver of @-mentions and retweets. We show that polarized online echo-chambers map onto geographically situated social networks. More specifically, our results reveal that echo chambers in the Leave campaign are associated with geographic proximity and that the reverse relationship holds true for the Remain campaign. The study concludes with a discussion of primary and secondary effects arising from the interaction between existing physical ties and online interactions and argues that the collapsing of distances brought by internet technologies may foreground the role of geography within one’s social network.

Published
2018

12. Predictive Value of NT-proBNP, FGF21, Galectin-3 and Copeptin in Advanced Heart Failure in Patients with Preserved and Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Author

Ianos RD, Iancu M, Pop C, Lucaciu RL, Hangan AC, Rahaian R, Cozma A, Negrean V, Mercea D, and Procopciuc LM

Subjects
Humans, Male, Female, Middle Aged, Aged, Stroke Volume physiology, ROC Curve, Galectins blood, Blood Proteins, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 blood, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 complications, Fibroblast Growth Factors blood, Natriuretic Peptide, Brain blood, Heart Failure blood, Heart Failure complications, Heart Failure physiopathology, Biomarkers blood, Peptide Fragments blood, Glycopeptides blood, Glycopeptides analysis, Predictive Value of Tests, Galectin 3 blood
Abstract

Background and Objectives : Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common initial presentations of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There are different cardiac biomarkers related to the pathophysiological mechanisms of HF in T2DM. The current research aims to identify additional biomarkers that could improve the diagnosis and prognosis of HFpEF, which is currently assessed using NT pro-BNP levels. NT pro-BNP is a valuable tool for diagnosing heart failure but may not always correlate with clinical symptom severity or can present normal levels in certain cases, such as obesity. Biomarkers like FGF-21 and galectin-3 could provide greater insight into heart failure severity, especially in diabetic patients. The main objective of the current study is to assess the performance of NT-proBNP, FGF21, Galectin-3 and Copeptin to discriminate between advanced and mild HF. Materials and Methods : A total of 117 patients were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups: 67 patients in NYHA functional class I-II (mild HF) and 50 patients in NYHA III-IV (advanced HF). NT-pro BNP, FGF21, Galectin 3 and Copeptin serum levels were determined with the ELISA method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and binomial logistic regression analysis were used to measure the ability of the studied biomarkers to distinguish between advanced and mild HF patients. Results : In patients with T2DM with advanced HF, serum FGF21 level was significantly positively correlated with eGFR (ρ = 0.35, p = 0.0125) and triglycerides (ρ = 0.28, p = 0.0465) and significantly negatively correlated with serum levels of HDL cholesterol (ρ = -0.29, p = 0.0386) and with RV-RA gradient (ρ = -0.30, p = 0.0358). In patients with mild HF, serum FGF21 level was significantly negatively correlated with NT-proBNP levels (ρ = -0.37, p = 0.0022), E/e' ratio (ρ = -0.29, p = 0.0182), TR velocity (ρ = -0.24, p = 0.0470) and RV-RA gradient (ρ = -0.24, p = 0.0472). FGF21 (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.79) and NT-proBNP (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.82) demonstrated significant predictive value to discriminate T2DM patients with advanced HF from those with mild HF. Elevated values for FGF21 (≥377.50 ng/mL) or NTproBNP (≥2379 pg/mL) were significantly associated with increased odds of advanced HF after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. Conclusions : NTpro-BNP and FGF21 have a similar ability to discriminate T2DM patients with advanced HF from those with mild HF. Univariable and multivariable logistic models showed that, FGF21 and NTproBNP were independent predictors for advanced HF in patients with preserved and mildly reduced ejection fraction and T2DM.

Published
2024
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13. The Impact of Obesity on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Function in Caucasian Children.

Author

Mercea D, Ianos R, Pop C, Lazar AL, Sitar-Tăut A, Orășan O, and Cozma A

Subjects
Child, Humans, Prospective Studies, White People, Diastole physiology, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ethnology, Pediatric Obesity ethnology, Pediatric Obesity physiopathology
Abstract

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction are correlated with obesity and hypertension in adult patients, but few studies have investigated the association between obesity itself and left ventricular function in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity and LVH on left ventricular diastolic function in pediatric subjects compared with children without obesity. Methods: A number of 454 patients from an outpatient cardiology service were enrolled in a prospective study, 33 children with obesity, 20 overweight children, and 401 children without obesity. The subjects were assigned to three groups according to age and school grade. A standardized two-dimensional echocardiography analysis was performed in all children. The evaluated echocardiographic parameters included thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS), thickness of the posterior wall of the left ventricle, and left atrium size. The left ventricular diastolic function was analyzed by the classic pulsed-wave Doppler technique, tissue Doppler technique, and continuous Doppler technique. Results: The number of children with obesity was higher in the school and adolescent groups. The median age of children with obesity was 9 years. The subjects were classified according to blood pressure values in hypertensive, with high-normal blood pressure/prehypertension and with normal blood pressure values. Standard echocardiography showed that children with obesity had significantly increased thickness of the IVS and of the posterior wall compared with nonobesity subjects ( P  < 0.001). Left ventricular systolic function was preserved in both groups. Diastolic function was normal in the obesity group and in the non-obesity group, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that childhood obesity is associated with significant changes in the myocardial structure consisting of LVH, but we did not find an early alteration in the left ventricular diastolic function of the subjects with obesity compared with patients with a normal weight.

Published
2021
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14. Prospective Study of Pulmonary Embolism Presenting as Syncope.

Author

Pop C, Ianos R, Matei C, Mercea D, Todea B, Dicu D, Tarus M, Filip D, Kozma G, Cotoraci C, Petris A, and Tint D

Subjects
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Computed Tomography Angiography, Emergency Service, Hospital statistics & numerical data, Female, Hospitalization statistics & numerical data, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Prospective Studies, Pulmonary Embolism complications, Pulmonary Embolism diagnosis, Risk Factors, Syncope therapy, Young Adult, Pulmonary Embolism epidemiology, Syncope etiology
Abstract

Background: Syncope represents a common condition among the general population. It is also a frequent complaint of patients in the emergency department (ED). Pulmonary embolism (PE) considers a differential diagnosis, particularly in a case of syncope without chest pain., Study Question: What is the prevalence of PE among patients who presented an episode of syncope to the ED and among those hospitalized for syncope in a tertiary care hospital?, Study Design: From January 2012 to December 2017, we conducted a prospective observational study among adult patients presenting themselves to the ED consecutively or admitted for syncope., Measures and Outcomes: Syncope and PE were defined by professional guidelines. PE was ruled out in patients who had a low pretest clinical probability, as per Wells score and a negative D-dimer assay. In other patients, computed tomography pulmonary angiography was performed., Results: Seventeen thousand eight-two patients (mean age 71.3 ± 13.24 years) visited the ED for syncope. PE was detected in 45 patients (mean age 65.75 ± 9.45 years): 4 with low risk, 26 with intermediate risk, and 15 with high risk. The prevalence of PE in those hospitalized with syncope was 11.47%, which is 45 of 392 (confidence interval 95% 8.48-15.04), and was 2.52%, 45 of 1782 (confidence interval 95% 1.8-3.3), in patients presenting with syncope to the ED. The location of the embolus was bilateral in 24 patients (53.33%), in a main pulmonary artery in 10 (22.22%), in a lobar artery in 10 (22.22%), and in a segmental artery in 1 (2.22%)., Conclusions: The occurrence of syncope, if not explained otherwise, should alert one to consider PE as a differential diagnosis. PE rate, presenting as syncope, is the highest in patients with large thrombi, which is responsible for bilateral or proximal obstruction in a main or lobar pulmonary artery.

Published
2019
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15. The public accountability of social platforms: lessons from a study on bots and trolls in the Brexit campaign.

Author

Bastos M and Mercea D

Abstract

In this article, we review our study of 13 493 bot-like Twitter accounts that tweeted during the UK European Union membership referendum debate and disappeared from the platform after the ballot. We discuss the methodological challenges and lessons learned from a study that emerged in a period of increasing weaponization of social media and mounting concerns about information warfare. We address the challenges and shortcomings involved in bot detection, the extent to which disinformation campaigns on social media are effective, valid metrics for user exposure, activation and engagement in the context of disinformation campaigns, unsupervised and supervised posting protocols, along with infrastructure and ethical issues associated with social sciences research based on large-scale social media data. We argue for improving researchers' access to data associated with contentious issues and suggest that social media platforms should offer public application programming interfaces to allow researchers access to content generated on their networks. We conclude with reflections on the relevance of this research agenda to public policy.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'The growing ubiquity of algorithms in society: implications, impacts and innovations'., (© 2018 The Author(s).)

Published
2018
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