bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation and evaluation of personal genetic testing as part of genomics analysis courses in German universities
Authors: Slosarek Tamara , Ibing Susanne , Schormair Barbara , Heyne Henrike O. , Böttinger Erwin P. , Andlauer Till F. M. , Schurmann Claudia
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Due to the increasing application of genome analysis and interpretation in medical disciplines, professionals require adequate education. Here, we present the implementation of personal genotyping as an educational tool in two genomics courses targeting Digital Health students at the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) and medical students at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Methods

We compared and evaluated the courses and the students’ perceptions on the course setup using questionnaires.

Results

During the course, students changed their attitudes towards genotyping (HPI: 79% [15 of 19], TUM: 47% [25 of 53]). Predominantly, students became more critical of personal genotyping (HPI: 73% [11 of 15], TUM: 72% [18 of 25]) and most students stated that genetic analyses should not be allowed without genetic counseling (HPI: 79% [15 of 19], TUM: 70% [37 of 53]). Students found the personal genotyping component useful (HPI: 89% [17 of 19], TUM: 92% [49 of 53]) and recommended its inclusion in future courses (HPI: 95% [18 of 19], TUM: 98% [52 of 53]).

Conclusion

Students perceived the personal genotyping component as valuable in the described genomics courses. The implementation described here can serve as an example for future courses in Europe.
High anti-tumor activity of a novel alpha-fetoprotein-maytansinoid conjugate targeting alpha-fetoprotein receptors in colorectal cancer xenograft model
Authors: Griffin Patricia , Hill Wendy A. , Rossi Fabio , Boohaker Rebecca , Stinson Karr , Sherman Igor
Published: April 2023

The alpha-fetoprotein receptor (AFPR) is a novel target for cancer therapeutics. It is expressed on most cancers and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) but generally absent on normal tissues. Studies were performed to investigate the use of recombinant human AFP (ACT-101) conjugated with maytansinoid toxins for targeted toxin delivery to cancer. Four structurally different ACT-101-maytansinoid conjugates containing cleavable glutathione sensitive linkers were initially investigated in a mouse xenograft model of colorectal cancer. Reduction in tumor volume was seen for all four conjugates compared to control (p < 0.05). The anti-tumor effects of the conjugate selected for further development (ACT-903) persisted after treatment discontinuation, with tumors becoming undetectable in 9 of 10 mice, and all 10 mice surviving through Day 60 with no obvious signs of toxicity. A follow-up study performed in the same model compared the effects of single intravenous doses of ACT-903 (10–50 mg/kg) to that of control groups receiving vehicle or ACT-101. A significant reduction of tumor burden compared to control was achieved in the 40 and 50 mg/kg dose groups. Survival was significantly prolonged in these 2 groups (40 mg/kg (p < 0.0001); 50 mg/kg (p = 0.0037). Free maytansine blood levels at 4 h were 0.008% of the dose, indicating stability of the conjugate in circulation as was expected based on in vitro plasma stability studies. No obvious signs of toxicity were seen in any of the treated groups. Observed efficacy and excellent tolerability of ACT-903 in these xenograft models support advancing the development of ACT-903 toward clinical use.
The risk for post-thrombotic syndrome of subjects with deep vein thrombosis in an Indonesian referral hospital: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ariyanti Farieda , Sukrisman Lugyanti , Antono Dono , Harimurti Kuntjoro
Published: April 2023

Background

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and affects 20–40% of DVT subjects. The risk factor of PTS after DVT is difficult to determine. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of PTS after 3 months of DVT diagnosis and to determine the risk of PTS.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of subjects who developed DVT confirmed by Doppler ultrasound in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from April 2014 until June 2015. The presence of PTS was assessed after 3 months of completed DVT treatment using the Villalta score. Risk factors for PTS were evaluated from medical records.

Results

There were 91 subjects with DVT with mean age of 58 years. 56% were female. It was dominated by subjects aged ≥ 60 years (45.1%). Hypertension (30.8%) and diabetes mellitus (26.4%) were the major comorbidities in this study. Deep vein thrombosis occurred commonly in unilateral side (79.1%), proximal localization (87.9%), and unprovoked DVT (47.3%). The cumulative incidence of PTS after DVT was 53.8%, 69% of subjects had mild PTS. Heaviness of the leg (63.2%) and edema (77.5%) were the most common symptoms.

Results

There were 91 subjects with DVT with mean age of 58 years. 56% were female. It was dominated by subjects aged ≥ 60 years (45.1%). Hypertension (30.8%) and diabetes mellitus (26.4%) were the major comorbidities in this study. Deep vein thrombosis occurred commonly in unilateral side (79.1%), proximal localization (87.9%), and unprovoked DVT (47.3%). The cumulative incidence of PTS after DVT was 53.8%, 69% of subjects had mild PTS. Heaviness of the leg (63.2%) and edema (77.5%) were the most common symptoms. Significant risk factors for PTS were unprovoked DVT (adjusted RR 1.67; 95%CI: 1.17–2.04; p = 0.01) and female gender (adjusted RR 1.55; 95%CI: 1.03–1.94; p = 0.04). Age, body mass index, thrombus location, immobilization, malignancy and surgery was not associated with PTS.

Conclusion

We conclude that 53.8% of subjects suffered PTS after 3 months of DVT. Unprovoked DVT and female gender were significant risk factors for PTS.
Optimal timing and sequence of combining stereotactic radiosurgery with immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating brain metastases: clinical evidence and mechanistic basis
Authors: Tian Wentao , Chu Xianjing , Tanzhu Guilong , Zhou Rongrong
Published: April 2023

Recent evidence has shown that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are efficacious for treating brain metastases of various primary tumors. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) or blood-tumor barrier (BTB) essentially restrict the efficacy of ICIs. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can be a powerful ally to ICIs due to its trait of disrupting the BBB/BTB and increasing the immunogenicity of brain metastases. The combination of SRS + ICI has shown synergy in brain metastases in several retrospective studies. Nevertheless, the optimal schedule for the combination of SRS and ICI in brain metastases is yet to be determined. In this review, we summarized the current clinical and preclinical evidence on the timing and sequence of SRS + ICI to provide insight into the current state of knowledge about this important area in patient care.
Exploring the association of physical activity with the plasma and urine metabolome in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Muli Samuel , Brachem Christian , Alexy Ute , Schmid Matthias , Oluwagbemigun Kolade , Nöthlings Ute
Published: April 2023

Background

Regular physical activity elicits many health benefits. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms through which physical activity influences overall health are less understood. Untargeted metabolomics enables system-wide mapping of molecular perturbations which may lend insights into physiological responses to regular physical activity. In this study, we investigated the associations of habitual physical activity with plasma and urine metabolome in adolescents and young adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included participants from the DONALD (DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed) study with plasma samples n = 365 (median age: 18.4 (18.1, 25.0) years, 58% females) and 24 h urine samples n = 215 (median age: 18.1 (17.1, 18.2) years, 51% females). Habitual physical activity was assessed using a validated Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire. Plasma and urine metabolite concentrations were determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS/MS) methods. In a sex-stratified analysis, we conducted principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of metabolite data and to create metabolite patterns. Multivariable linear regression models were then applied to assess the associations between self-reported physical activity (metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hours per week) with single metabolites and metabolite patterns, adjusted for potential confounders and controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) at 5% for each set of regressions.

Results

Habitual physical activity was positively associated with the “lipid, amino acids and xenometabolite” pattern in the plasma samples of male participants only (β = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04, p = 0.001, adjusted p = 0.042). In both sexes, no association of physical activity with single metabolites in plasma and urine and metabolite patterns in urine was found (all adjusted p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our explorative study suggests that habitual physical activity is associated with alterations of a group of metabolites reflected in the plasma metabolite pattern in males. These perturbations may lend insights into some of underlying mechanisms that modulate effects of physical activity.
Determinants of cigarette smoking and smoking frequency among women of reproductive age in Nigeria: evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ogbuabor Daniel Chukwuemeka , Ogbuabor Alphonsus Ogbonna , Igwe Matthew Chibunna
Published: April 2023

Background

Smoking is a leading cause of avoidable deaths and attributable disability-adjusted life years globally. Yet, the determinants of smoking practices among women are understudied. This study assessed the determinants of smoking and smoking frequency among women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

Methods and materials

Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were used in this study (n = 41,821). The data were adjusted for sampling weight, stratification, and cluster sampling design. The outcome variables were smoking status and smoking frequency (daily smoking and occasional smoking). The predictor variables included women’s socio-demographic and household characteristics. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to evaluate the association between outcome and predictor variables. All variables significant in bivariate analyses were further analysed using complex sample logistics regression. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of smoking among women of reproductive age is 0.3%. The prevalence of smoking frequency is 0.1% (daily) and 0.2% (occasionally). Overall, women aged 25-34 (AOR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.06-4.29, ρ = 0.034), residing in the South-south region (AOR = 9.45, 95%CI: 2.04-43.72, ρ <0.001), being formerly married (AOR = 3.75, 95%CI: 1.52-9.21, ρ = 0.004), in female-headed households (AOR = 2.56, 95%CI: 1.29-5.08, ρ = 0.007) and owning mobile phones (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.13-3.90, ρ = 0.020) were more likely to smoke. Whereas female-headed households (AOR = 4.34, 95%CI: 1.37-13.77, ρ = 0.013) and being formerly married (AOR = 6.37, 95%CI: 1.67-24.24, ρ = 0.007) predisposed to daily smoking, age 15-24 (AOR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02-0.64, ρ = 0.014) was protective of daily smoking among women. Owning mobile phones (AOR = 2.43, 95%CI: 1.17-5.06, ρ = 0.018) increased the odds of occasional smoking among women.

Conclusions

The prevalence rates of smoking and smoking frequency are low among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Women-centred approaches to tobacco prevention and cessation must become evidence-informed by incorporating these determinants into interventions targeting women of reproductive age in Nigeria.
Clinical and imaging outcomes of self-locking stand-alone cages and anterior cage-with-plate in three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a retrospective comparative study
Authors: Tang Liang , Liu Xiaoming , Lu Yanghu , Liu Yanbin , Yu Jiangming , Zhao Jian
Published: April 2023

Background

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has been considered standard management for cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy. However, the option of using self-locking stand-alone cages or cage-with-plate in three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and imaging outcomes of the two procedures in multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Methods

Sixty-seven patients who underwent three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were enrolled in this study, of which 31 patients underwent surgery using self-locking stand-alone cages (group cage) and 36 patients using cage-with-plate (group plate). For the evaluation of clinical outcomes, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, visual analogue scale for neck pain, neck disability index, Odom’s criteria and dysphagia status were measured. Imaging outcomes were evaluated by cervical sagittal angle, fusion segmental Cobb’s angle, fusion segmental height, range of motion, cage subsidence rate, fusion rate and adjacent segment degeneration. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 19.0).

Results

Both groups showed improvement in modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, visual analogue scale for neck pain and neck disability index, after surgery, and there was no significant difference between the groups. The occurrence rate of dysphagia is significantly lower in the group cage compared with the group plate (p < 0.05). The postoperative cervical sagittal angle, fusion segmental Cobb’s angle, fusion segmental height and cage subsidence rate in the group plate were significantly superior to that in the group cage (p < 0.05). However, the rate of adjacent segment degeneration was significantly lower in the group cage compared with the group plate (p < 0.05). Both groups showed no significant difference in terms of fusion rate (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The self-locking stand-alone cages are effective, reliable and safe in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy. Self-locking stand-alone cages showed a significantly lower rate of dysphagia and adjacent segment degeneration, while anterior cervical cage-with-plate could provide stronger postoperative stability and maintain better cervical spine alignment.
Evaluating remote post-mortem veterinary meat inspections on pig carcasses using pre-recorded video material
Authors: Almqvist Viktor , Berg Charlotte , Kautto Arja Helena , Hultgren Jan
Published: April 2023

Background

Official meat inspections at small-scale slaughterhouses and game-handling establishments in geographically remote areas place a heavy burden on the meat-producing food business operators. By performing meat inspections remotely using live-streamed video, instead of on-site, the official control could meet the goals of sustainability, resilience and logistics. We investigated the agreement between the two approaches at pig slaughter. Two official veterinarians (OVs) inspected 400 pig carcasses at a Swedish slaughterhouse, with each pig being inspected on site by one OV and remotely by the other. After a period of 3 to 6 months, video recordings of the remote inspections were assessed again by the same OVs, thus enabling direct comparisons of previous on-site inspections and renewed video-based inspections within the same OV.

Results

Agreement across 22 finding codes was generally very high for both OVs. In all but one case (whether to fully condemn a carcass), for both OVs, Prevalence-Adjusted Bias-Adjusted kappa was well above 0.8, indicating ‘almost perfect agreement’.

Conclusions

This study supports earlier findings that reliable post-mortem inspections can be performed using video, and indicates higher agreement between remote and on-site inspections if the same OV performs both.
External validation of the PROLOGUE score to predict neurological outcome in adult patients after cardiac arrest: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Blatter René , Gökduman Bulus , Amacher Simon A. , Becker Christoph , Beck Katharina , Gross Sebastian , Tisljar Kai , Sutter Raoul , Pargger Hans , Marsch Stephan , Hunziker Sabina
Published: April 2023

Background

The PROLOGUE score (PROgnostication using LOGistic regression model for Unselected adult cardiac arrest patients in the Early stages) is a novel prognostic model for the prediction of neurological outcome after cardiac arrest, which showed exceptional performance in the internal validation. The aim of this study is to validate the PROLOGUE score in an independent cohort of unselected adult cardiac arrest patients and to compare it to the thoroughly validated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) and Cardiac Arrest Hospital Prognosis (CAHP) scores.

Methods

This study included consecutive adult cardiac arrest patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Swiss tertiary teaching hospital between October 2012 and July 2022. The primary endpoint was poor neurological outcome at hospital discharge, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score of 3 to 5 including death.

Results

Of 687 patients included in the analysis, 321 (46.7%) survived to hospital discharge with good neurological outcome, 68 (9.9%) survived with poor neurological outcome and 298 (43.4%) died. The PROLOGUE score showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.83 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.86) and good calibration for the prediction of the primary outcome. The OHCA and CAHP score showed similar performance (AUROC 0.83 and 0.84 respectively), the differences between the three scores were not significant (p = 0.495). In a subgroup analysis, the PROLOGUE score performed equally in out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest patients whereas the OHCA and CAHP score performed significantly better in OHCA patients.

Conclusion

The PROLOGUE score showed good prognostic accuracy for the early prediction of neurological outcome in adult cardiac arrest survivors in our cohort and might support early goals-of-care discussions in the ICU.

Trial registration Not applicable.
Individual psychotherapy for cluster-C personality disorders: protocol of a pragmatic RCT comparing short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy, affect phobia therapy and schema therapy (I-FORCE)
Authors: Daniëls Martine , Van Henricus L. , van den Heuvel Birre , Dekker Jack J. M. , Peen Jaap , Bosmans Judith , Arntz Arnoud , Huibers Marcus J. H.
Published: April 2023

Background

Cluster-C personality disorders (PDs) are highly prevalent in clinical practice and are associated with unfavourable outcome and chronicity of all common mental health disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety disorders). Although several forms of individual psychotherapy are commonly offered in clinical practice for this population, evidence for differential effectiveness of different forms of psychotherapy is lacking. Also, very little is known about the underlying working mechanisms of these psychotherapies. Finding evidence on the differential (cost)-effectiveness for this group of patients and the working mechanisms of change is important to improve the quality of care for this vulnerable group of patients.

Objective

In this study, we will compare the differential (cost)-effectiveness of three individual psychotherapies: short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (SPSP), affect phobia therapy (APT) and schema therapy (ST). Although these psychotherapies are commonly used in clinical practice, evidence for the Cluster-C PDs is limited. Additionally, we will investigate predictive factors, non-specific and therapy-specific mediators.

Methods

This is a mono-centre randomized clinical trial with three parallel groups: (1) SPSP, (2) APT, (3) ST. Randomization on patient level will be pre-stratified according to type of PD. The total study population to be included consists of 264 patients with Cluster-C PDs or other specified PD with mainly Cluster-C traits, aged 18–65 years, seeking treatment at NPI, a Dutch mental health care institute specialized in PDs. SPSP, APT and ST (50 sessions per treatment) are offered twice a week in sessions of 50 min for the first 4 to 5 months. After that, session frequency decreases to once a week. All treatments have a maximum duration of 1 year. Change in the severity of the PD (ADP-IV) will be the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures are personality functioning, psychiatric symptoms and quality of life. Several potential mediators, predictors and moderators of outcome are also assessed. The effectiveness study is complemented with a cost-effectiveness/utility study, using both clinical effects and quality-adjusted life-years, and primarily based on a societal approach. Assessments will take place at baseline, start of treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months.

Discussion

This is the first study comparing psychodynamic treatment to schema therapy for Cluster-C PDs. The naturalistic design enhances the clinical validity of the outcome. A limitation is the lack of a control group for ethical reasons.

Trial registration

NL72823.029.20 [Registry ID: CCMO]. Registered on 31 August 2020. First participant included on 23 October 2020.
Early weaning causes small intestinal atrophy by inhibiting the activity of intestinal stem cells: involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Tian Junquan , Li Yuying , Bao Xuetai , Yang Fan , Tang Xiongzhuo , Jiang Qian , Yin Yulong , Yao Kang
Published: April 2023

Background

Early weaning and shorter breastfeeding duration are applied by a proportion of young mothers, especially in the social spheres of poverty-stricken areas. Early childhood is a critical period for intestinal development, which is driven by intestinal stem cells (ISCs). However, how early weaning practice affects the function of ISCs to mediate intestinal development remains unclear.

Methods

We established an excellent early weaning mice model that has significant intestinal atrophy and growth arrest symptoms to explore the responses of ISCs to early weaning. The primary and passaged intestinal organoids from the suckling or early weaning mice were cultured to explore the underlying mechanism of early weaning affecting the ISCs.

Results

Early weaning depressed the self-renewal of ISCs and attenuated the activity of ISCs-driven intestinal epithelial regeneration and crypt expansion in vivo and ex-vivo. Further results showed that early weaning retarded the differentiation of ISCs into transit-amplifying cells and Paneth cells, and accelerated the apoptosis of villous epithelial cells, jointly leading to intestinal epithelial atrophy. Mechanistically, early weaning inhibited Wnt signaling in ISCs, while an exogenous Wnt amplifier restored ISCs’ function in ex-vivo.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that early weaning depresses the activity of ISCs via attenuating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and triggers the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 in jejunum, thereby impeding ISCs-driven epithelial regeneration and intestinal growth, which may provide a basal theory for the development of infant nutrients targeting stem cells to alleviate early weaning-induced intestinal problems.
Vehicle logo detection using an IoAverage loss on dataset VLD100K-61
Authors: Shi Xiaohui , Ma Shengli , Shen Yang , Yang Yankun , Tan Zexin
Published: April 2023

Vehicle Logo Detection (VLD) is of great significance to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Although many methods have been proposed for VLD, it remains a challenging problem. To improve the VLD accuracy, an Intersection over Average (IoAverage) loss is proposed for enhancing the bounding box regression. The IoAverage loss accelerates the convergence of bounding box regression than using the Intersection over Union (IoU) loss. In the experiments, IoAverage loss has been incorporated into the state-of-the-art object detection framework YOLOV5s, namely YOLOV5s-IoAv in this paper. The advantages of the IoAverage loss are verified on the PASCAL VOC2007 datasets. The results of using the IoAverage loss show performance gains of + 15.27% mAP0.5 and + 30.87% mAP0.5:0.95 higher than that of the Complete IoU (CIoU) loss. The application of YOLOV5s-IoAv is implemented to VLD on dataset VLD100K-61. VLD100K-61 is a self-collected dataset containing 100,041 images supplied by traffic surveillance cameras in the real world from 61 categories. YOLOV5s-IoAv achieves performance gains as + 15.27% mAP0.5:0.95 for VLD than YOLOV5s-CIoU. The proposed method yields the mAP0.5 value of up to 0.992 on the dataset VLD100K-61, providing a promising solution to vehicle logo recognition applications.
Blow-up of solutions to the semilinear wave equation with scale invariant damping on exterior domain
Authors: Ren Cui , Ming Sen , Fan Xiongmei , Du Jiayi
Published: April 2023

This paper is concerned with the blow-up of solutions to the initial boundary value problem for the wave equation with scale invariant damping term on the exterior domain, where the nonlinear terms are power nonlinearity $|u|^{p} $

|
u
|

p

, derivative nonlinearity $|u_{t}|^{p} $

|

u
t

|

p

and combined nonlinearities $|u_{t}|^{p}+ |u|^{q} $

|

u
t

|

p

+

|
u
|

q

, respectively. Upper bound lifespan estimates of solutions to the problem are obtained by constructing suitable test functions and utilizing the test function technique. The main novelty is that lifespan estimates of solutions are associated with the well-known Strauss exponent and Glassey exponent. To the best of our knowledge, the results in Theorems 1.1–1.3 are new.
Acceptability of mandatory vaccination against influenza, measles, pertussis and varicella by workers in healthcare facilities: a national cross-sectional study, France, 2019
Authors: Vaux Sophie , Fonteneau Laure , Péfau Muriel , Venier Anne-Gaëlle , Gautier Arnaud , Altrach Sophan Soing , Parneix Pierre , Levy-Bruhl Daniel
Published: April 2023

Background

Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCW) aims to protect them and to reduce transmission to susceptible patients. Influenza, measles, pertussis, and varicella vaccinations are recommended but not mandatory for HCW in France. Insufficient vaccine coverage for these diseases in HCW has raised the question of introducing mandatory vaccination. We conducted a survey to estimate acceptability of mandatory vaccination for these four vaccines by HCW working in healthcare facilities (HCF) in France, and to identify associated determinants.

Methods

In 2019, we performed a cross-sectional survey of physicians, nurses, midwives and nursing assistants working in HCF in France using a randomised stratified three-stage sampling design (HCF type, ward category, HCW category). Data were collected in face-to-face interviews using a tablet computer. We investigated the possible determinants of acceptability of mandatory vaccination using univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions, and estimated prevalence ratios (PR).

Results

A total of 8594 HCW in 167 HCF were included. For measles, pertussis, and varicella, self-reported acceptability of mandatory vaccination (very or quite favourable) was 73.1% [CI95%: 70.9–75.1], 72.1% [69.8–74.3], and 57.5% [54.5–57.7], respectively. Acceptability varied according to i) HCW and ward category for these three vaccinations, ii) age group for measles and pertussis, and iii) sex for varicella. For mandatory influenza vaccination, acceptability was lower (42.7% [40.6–44.9]), and varied greatly between HCW categories (from 77.2% for physicians to 32.0% for nursing assistants).

Conclusion

HCW acceptability of mandatory vaccination was high for measles, pertussis and varicella but not as high for influenza. Vaccination for COVID-19 is mandatory for HCW in France. Replication of this study after the end of the COVID-19 crisis would help assess whether the pandemic had an impact on their acceptability of mandatory vaccination, in particular for influenza.
Changes in selection of resources with reproductive state in a montane ungulate
Authors: Blum Marcus E. , Stewart Kelley M. , Shoemaker Kevin T. , Cox Mike , Wakeling Brian F. , Dilts Thomas E. , Bennett Joe R. , Bleich Vernon C.
Published: April 2023

Animals select habitats based on food, water, space, and cover. Each of those components are essential to the ability of an individual to survive and reproduce in a particular habitat. Selection of resources is linked to reproductive fitness and individuals likely vary in how they select resources relative to their reproductive state: during pregnancy, while provisioning young when nutritional needs of the mother are high, but offspring are vulnerable to predation, or if they lose young to mortality. We investigated the effects of reproductive state on selection of resources by maternal female desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) by comparing selection during the last trimester of gestation, following parturition when females were provisioning dependent young, and if the female lost an offspring. We captured, and recaptured each year, 32 female bighorn sheep at Lone Mountain, Nevada, during 2016–2018. Captured females were fit with GPS collars and those that were pregnant received vaginal implant transmitters. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate differences in selection between females provisioning and not provisioning offspring, as well as the length of time it took for females with offspring to return levels of selection similar to that observed prior to parturition. Females that were not provisioning offspring selected areas with higher risk of predation, but greater nutritional resources than those that were provisioning dependent young. When females were provisioning young immediately following parturition, females selected areas that were safe from predators, but had lower nutritional resources. Females displayed varying rates of return to selection strategies associated with access to nutritional resources as young grew and became more agile and less dependent on mothers. We observed clear and substantial shifts in selection of resources associated with reproductive state, and females exhibited tradeoffs in favor of areas that were safer from predators when provisioning dependent young despite loss of nutritional resources to support lactation. As young grew and became less vulnerable to predators, females returned to levels of selection that provided access to nutritional resources to restore somatic reserves lost during lactation.
The effect of wearable technology on badminton learning performance: a multiple feedback WISER model in physical education
Authors: Lin Kuo-Chin , Hung Hui-Chun , Chen Nian-Shing
Published: April 2023

Traditional physical education mainly relies on the instructor’s verbal explanations and physical demonstrations. However, learners might be confused about whether their movements and positions are correct. Moreover, a typical badminton class has approximately 50 students, creating a huge teaching load for an instructor. To reduce the instructor’s workload and improve learners’ badminton performance, a multiple feedback WISER model was designed for badminton classes. The model provides visual feedback, information feedback, and verbal guidance to learners. In this study, a quasi-experiment was designed and participants were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group adopted the multiple feedback WISER model while the control group applied the conventional method. The teaching experiment lasted for 8 weeks with 46 participants in the experimental group and 50 participants in the control group, respectively. To measure the learning performance, a movement detection system using wearable technology was utilized. The results indicate that the experimental group, which used the multiple feedback WISER model, outperformed the control group, which used traditional teaching methods, on badminton clear and smash skill learning (Clear: p < .001, EG = 71.03, CG = 54.76; Smash: p < .01, EG = 82.79, CG = 72.22). Further analysis reveals that the multiple feedback is more beneficial for learners with lower initial skill levels (Clear: p < .05, Lower = 63.21, Higher = 46.99; Smash: p < .001, Lower = 77.67, Higher = 39.39)
So, you want to get into “total-body” PET/CT scanning? An installation guide for beginners!
Authors: Hicks Rodney J.
Published: April 2023

“Total-body” and ultra-extended field-of-view PET/CT scanners are now available commercially with great enthusiasm for their potential in both streamlining clinical practice and providing unique research opportunities. Accordingly, many groups are rushing to implement this technology. For early adopters, the challenges of these systems compared with more standard PET/CT systems have been significant. In this guide, aspects that need to be considered in planning installation of one of these scanners are discussed. These include financing, space, structural engineering, power supply, chilled water and environmental controls to manage heat loads, IT infrastructure and data storage, radiation safety and radiopharmaceutical procurement, staffing levels, patient handling logistics and imaging protocol redesign to leverage the superior sensitivity of these scanners, and marketing. It is a daunting but worthwhile endeavor in the author’s opinion but needs a great team and the ability to bring in the appropriate expertise at the appropriate time.
Development of particle swarm clustered optimization method for applications in applied sciences
Authors: Mahdavi-Meymand Amin , Sulisz Wojciech
Published: April 2023

An original particle swarm clustered optimization (PSCO) method has been developed for the implementations in applied sciences. The developed PSCO does not trap in local solutions in contrary to corresponding solutions obtained by the applications of particle swarm optimization algorithm that is frequently used in many disciplines of applied sciences. The integrations of PSCO with multilayer perceptron neural network, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), linear equation, and nonlinear equation were applied to predict the Vistula river discharge. The performance of PSCO was also compared with autonomous groups particle swarm optimization, dwarf mongoose optimization algorithm, and weighted mean of vectors. The results indicate that the PSCO has no tendency to trap in local solutions and its global solutions are more accurate than other algorithms. The accuracy of all developed models in predicting river discharge was acceptable (R2 > 0.9). However, the derived nonlinear models are more accurate. The outcome of thirty consecutive runs shows that the derived PSCO improves the performance of machine learning techniques. The results also show that ANFIS-PSCO with RMSE = 108.433 and R2 = 0.961 is the most accurate model.
Training for “Worst-Case” Scenarios in Sidestepping: Unifying Strength and Conditioning and Perception–Action Approaches
Authors: Kadlec Daniel , Miller-Dicks Matt , Nimphius Sophia
Published: April 2023

Sidesteps can impose high demands on the knee joint and lead to non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Understanding how different constraints shape an athlete’s movement strategy and the associated joint demands can help design training interventions to increase injury resilience. Motor capacities, such as muscular strength and power, act as boundaries for the safe execution of perceptual–motor skills and co-determine the emergence of unique movement strategies. Increasing single- and multi-joint strength enables a broader solution space for movement strategies and increases load tolerance. Manipulating task constraints during sidesteps can be used in the training process to systematically expose athletes to increasing demands (on the knee joint or any joint or structure) in preparation for “worst-case” scenarios. In particular, the type and timing of information available influence the preparation time, subsequently affecting the movement strategy and the associated magnitude of external knee joint loading (e.g., knee valgus moment). While an athlete’s perceptual–cognitive skills contribute to the preparation time during in situ scenarios, attempts to further improve those skills with the aim of increasing athlete preparation time prior to “worst-case” scenarios are yet to demonstrate conclusive evidence of transfer to on-field situations. Therefore, in the current article, we reflect on the impact of different interacting constraints that influence the execution of sidesteps during in situ scenarios and impose high demands on the knee joint. Subsequently, we discuss how an integrated perspective, drawing on knowledge and perspectives from strength and conditioning and perception–action, may enhance an athlete’s ability to withstand “worst-case” scenarios and adapt to perform varied movement executions when sidestepping.
Effect of WeChat-based intervention on food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among university students in Chongqing, China: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Cai Zhengjie , Luo Xinmiao , Xu Xianglong , Shi Zumin , Reis Cesar , Sharma Manoj , Hou Xiaorong , Zhao Yong
Published: April 2023

Background

Food safety is of global importance and has been of concern in university settings in recent years. However, effective methods to conduct food safety education are limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an intervention on food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) by social media, WeChat, among university students.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Chongqing, China. Two departments were recruited randomly from a normal university and a medical university. One department from each university was randomly selected as the intervention group and the other as the control group. All freshmen students in each selected department were chosen to participate in this study. One thousand and twenty-three students were included at baseline, and 444 students completed the study. This intervention was conducted through food safety-related popular science articles with an average of three articles per week released by WeChat official accounts called "Yingyangren" for two months to the intervention group. No intervention was conducted in the control group. An independent t-test was used to test statistical differences in the food safety KAP scores between the two groups. A paired t-test was used to test statistical differences in the food safety KAP scores between before and after the intervention. And quantile regression analysis was conducted to explore the difference between the two groups across the quantile levels of KAP change.

Results

After the intervention, compared with control group, participants in the intervention group did not score significant higher on knowledge (p = 0.98), attitude (p = 0.13), and practice (p = 0.21). And the scores of food safety knowledge and practices slightly improved after the intervention both in the intervention group (p = 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively) and in the control group (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Additionally, the quantile regression analysis showed that the intervention had no effect on improving the food safety KAP scores.

Conclusions

The intervention using the WeChat official account had limited effects on improving the food safety KAP among the university students. This study was an exploration of food safety intervention using the WeChat official account; valuable experience can be provided for social media intervention in future study.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-OCH-14004861.
Environmentally sustainable smart cities and their converging AI, IoT, and big data technologies and solutions: an integrated approach to an extensive literature review
Authors: Bibri Simon Elias , Alexandre Alahi , Sharifi Ayyoob , Krogstie John
Published: April 2023

There have recently been intensive efforts aimed at addressing the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change through the applied innovative solutions of AI, IoT, and Big Data. Given the synergistic potential of these advanced technologies, their convergence is being embraced and leveraged by smart cities in an attempt to make progress toward reaching the environmental targets of sustainable development goals under what has been termed “environmentally sustainable smart cities.” This new paradigm of urbanism represents a significant research gap in and of itself. To fill this gap, this study explores the key research trends and driving factors of environmentally sustainable smart cities and maps their thematic evolution. Further, it examines the fragmentation, amalgamation, and transition of their underlying models of urbanism as well as their converging AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and solutions. It employs and combines bibliometric analysis and evidence synthesis methods. A total of 2,574 documents were collected from the Web of Science database and compartmentalized into three sub-periods: 1991–2015, 2016–2019, and 2020–2021. The results show that environmentally sustainable smart cities are a rapidly growing trend that markedly escalated during the second and third periods—due to the acceleration of the digitalization and decarbonization agendas—thanks to COVID-19 and the rapid advancement of data-driven technologies. The analysis also reveals that, while the overall priority research topics have been dynamic over time—some AI models and techniques and environmental sustainability areas have received more attention than others. The evidence synthesized indicates that the increasing criticism of the fragmentation of smart cities and sustainable cities, the widespread diffusion of the SDGs agenda, and the dominance of advanced ICT have significantly impacted the materialization of environmentally sustainable smart cities, thereby influencing the landscape and dynamics of smart cities. It also suggests that the convergence of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies provides new approaches to tackling the challenges of environmental sustainability. However, these technologies involve environmental costs and pose ethical risks and regulatory conundrums. The findings can inform scholars and practitioners of the emerging data-driven technology solutions of smart cities, as well as assist policymakers in designing and implementing responsive environmental policies.
Feasibility of the use of WhatsApp messaging technology to facilitate obstetric referrals in rural Ghana
Authors: Dzomeku Veronica Millicent , Mensah Adwoa Bemah Boamah , Nakua Emmanuel Kweku , Agbadi Pascal , Okyere Joshua , Kumah Alex , Munukpa Jacob , Ofosu Anthony Adofo , Lockhart Nancy , Lori Jody R.
Published: April 2023

Background

Obstetric referrals thrive on rapid transfer of information and data, and effective communication in order to reduce delays in receiving of quality care once the woman reaches the facility. We explored health care workers’ perception of the feasibility and acceptance of WhatsApp messaging technology to facilitate obstetric referrals in selected health facilities in rural Ghana.

Methods

The study used a qualitative research method and adheres to the interpretivist ideology. This study was conducted in the Sene East District (SED) and Sene West District (SWD) in the Bono East region of Ghana. Sixteen healthcare facilities were sampled. In-depth interviews and focused group discussions were conducted. QSR NVivo-12 for data management and analysis. Collaizzi's descriptive phenomenological technique of analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

From the analysis, three main themes emerged. The themes included the HCWs’ perceptions of the feasibility of WhatsApp messaging technology (sub: optimist and pessimist perspectives), challenges to the acceptance of WhatsApp messaging technology (sub: challenge with getting data, network challenges, and risk of platform used for unintended purposes), and the HCWs’ perceptions of the acceptance of WhatsApp messaging technology (sub: easy communication and information sharing, improvement in quality of service, and tracking referred clients’ compliance).

Conclusion

We conclude that the implementation of WhatsApp messaging technology in obstetric referral is feasible and acceptable to HCWs in rural healthcare facilities in Ghana. To promote the acceptance and use of WhatsApp messaging technology in obstetric referrals, there is a need to build the capacity of HCWs and provide a working guideline to regulate the platform. The government and its partners must consider providing internet data and airtime, as well as dedicated phones to support the implementation of the use of WhatsApp messaging technology in promoting effective obstetric referral.
Prediction of Brain Metastases Development in Patients With Lung Cancer by Explainable Artificial Intelligence From Electronic Health Records
Authors: Li Zhao , Li Rongbin , Zhou Yujia , Rasmy Laila , Zhi Degui , Zhu Ping , Dono Antonio , Jiang Xiaoqian , Xu Hua , Esquenazi Yoshua , Zheng W. Jim
Published: April 2023

PURPOSE

Early detection of brain metastases (BMs) is critical for prompt treatment and optimal control of the disease. In this study, we seek to predict the risk of developing BM among patients diagnosed with lung cancer on the basis of electronic health record (EHR) data and to understand what factors are important for the model to predict BM development through explainable artificial intelligence approaches accurately.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We trained a recurrent neural network model, REverse Time AttentIoN (RETAIN), to predict the risk of developing BM using structured EHR data. To interpret the model's decision process, we analyzed the attention weights in the RETAIN model and the SHAP values from a feature attribution method, Kernel SHAP, to identify the factors contributing to BM prediction.

RESULTS

We developed a high-quality cohort with 4,466 patients with BM from the Cerner Health Fact database, which contains over 70 million patients from more than 600 hospitals. RETAIN uses this data set to achieve the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve at 0.825, a significant improvement over the baseline model. We also extended a feature attribution method, Kernel SHAP, to structured EHR data for model interpretation. Both RETAIN and Kernel SHAP can identify important features related to BM prediction.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to predict BM using structured EHR data. We achieved decent prediction performance for BM prediction and identified factors highly relevant to BM development. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that both RETAIN and Kernel SHAP could discriminate unrelated features and put more weight on the features important to BM. Our study explored the potential of applying explainable artificial intelligence for future clinical applications.
Remembrance of Nanjido
Authors: Oh Se-Mi
Published: April 2023

This article examines the transformation of Nanjido, an island that served as a landfill for Seoul from 1978 to 1993, into an ecological park called World Cup Park in preparation for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It discusses how this mega-event instigated urban planning focusing on ecological restoration and urban regeneration and how the history of Nanjido was subsequently framed as the undoing of the industrial past of the city, most notably seen in its waste management. This article analyzes this contested space through a careful reading of two documentary sources: The Millennium Park Master Plan (Milleniŏm kongwŏn kibon kyehoek, 2000) and Memories of the Park: The World Cup Park (Kongwŏn ŭi kiŏk: Wŏldŭk’ŏp kongwŏn, 2020). Through the reading of a master plan that articulates a vision for the future and an archive that systematically gazes toward the past, this article unpacks the narrative of this strange space, where preindustrial, industrial, and postindustrial histories simultaneously coexist and cancel each other out.