bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policies regarding Use of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Professional Recovery Programs: A Scoping Review
Authors: White Kelley M. , Hill Lucas G. , Perez Joshua C. , Torrez Sorina B. , Zagorski Claire M. , Loera Lindsey J.
Published: January 2022

Background: In the U.S., medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Despite substantial evidence of efficacy, the use of MOUD by health professionals remains controversial. This scoping review sought to identify and describe policies related to the use of MOUD by physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in professional health programs (PHP). Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed in August 2020 to identify pertinent articles from the U.S. which were then evaluated for inclusion by a team of trained reviewers. Results: Nine articles were ultimately identified for inclusion, and their years of publication ranged from 1984 to 2012. The treatment of physicians was addressed in seven articles, nurses in four, and pharmacists in two. Data from one veterinarian and several dentists could not be disaggregated from three studies. Naltrexone was the most commonly accepted form of MOUD within PHPs. A 2011 survey of physician and nurse PHP administrators found that 11/22 (50%) physician programs and 15/33 (45%) nursing programs forbade practice reentry while taking buprenorphine with the remainder indicating it could be allowed under some circumstances. The use of methadone within PHPs was extremely rare, and no specific details regarding PHP policies related to its use or practice reentry could be identified. No articles reported specifically on practice reentry policies for pharmacists. Conclusions: This scoping review identified one article detailing explicit policies concerning MOUD use in the target professions. Implicit policies extrapolated from other articles found that naltrexone was the most commonly accepted form of MOUD, with methadone and buprenorphine being avoided due to dubious concerns of impairment. A unified, contemporary, comprehensive survey of current PHP policies and evaluation of actual treatment data to ascertain real-world practices is needed.
Assessment of activity energy expenditure during competitive golf: The effects of bag carrying, electric or manual trolleys
Authors: Kasper Andreas M. , O'Donnell Amy , Langan‐Evans Carl , Jones Adam , Lindsay Alex , Murray Andrew , Close Graeme L.
Published: January 2022

Golf is a sport played around the globe, with an estimated 42.6 million people playing within the United Kingdom and United States of America alone. To date, there is limited data on the energy expenditure of golf. The present study assessed the activity energy expenditure (AEE) of 16 high‐standard (handicap under 5) golfers who completed three rounds of competitive golf either carrying the golf bag (BC), using a manual push trolley (MT) or an electric trolley (ET) (Stewart Golf, Gloucester, UK). Prior to each round, participants were fitted with an Actiheart® accelerometer (Camntech, Fenstanton, UK) to estimate AEE, whilst ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and enjoyment were collected following each round. Data were analysed using a one‐way repeated measures ANOVA, with Hedges g effect sizes (ES) calculated. Mean (SD) AEE was 688 ± 213 kcal for BC, 756 ± 210 kcal for MT and 663 ± 218 kcal for ET (p = .05) although these differences were deemed small or less. The ET condition resulted in the lowest mean heart rate, moderate or very large from BC or MT, respectively. There were no significant differences in enjoyment although perceived exertion was lowest in the ET condition. In summary, we report meaningful differences in AEE between the three conditions (p = .05), with perceived exertion and maximum HR being lowest when using the electric trolley. Golf may be considered as an effective intervention to increase step count and improve physical activity levels across the general population regardless of transportation methods of clubs.
Pentaheptite diamond: a new carbon allotrope
Authors: Zhang Chuang , Yang Xigui , Lv Ruoyun , Lv Chaofan , Qin Jinxu , Liu Hang , Zang Jinhao , Dong Lin , Shan Chong-Xin
Published: January 2022

The search for sp
3-hybridized carbon allotropes other than diamond has attracted extensive interest because of their fascinating properties. In this paper, an orthorhombic carbon phase in sp
3 bonding, named pentaheptite diamond, by combining the particle swarm optimization method with first-principles calculations has been predicted. The phonon spectra, total energy and elastic constants calculations of the pentaheptite diamond confirm its dynamical, thermal and mechanical stability at zero pressure, respectively. It possesses a high bulk modulus of 385 GPa and Vickers hardness of 72.6 GPa, comparable to diamond. Electronic band structure calculations show that the pentaheptite diamond has a direct band gap of 4.18 eV.
Development of the temperature-dependent interatomic potential for molecular dynamics simulation of metal irradiated with an ultrashort pulse laser
Authors: Tanaka Yuta , Tsuneyuki Shinji
Published: January 2022

Laser ablation is often explained by a two-temperature model (TTM) with different electron and lattice temperatures. To realize a classical molecular dynamics simulation of the TTM, we propose an extension of the embedded atom method to construct an interatomic potential that is dependent on the electron temperature. This method is applied to copper, and its validity is demonstrated by comparison of several physical properties, such as the energy–volume curve, phonon dispersion, electronic heat capacity, ablation threshold, and mean square displacement of atoms, with those of finite-temperature density functional theory.
Iterative weighted fidelity and hybrid regularization-based algorithm for ECT
Authors: Cui Liqin , Tian Peng , Wang Chao , Jia Bin , Wang Yaoxuan , Qin Long , Deng Xiao , Zhang Li , Qin Jianmin
Published: January 2022

A new image reconstruction algorithm for electrical capacitance tomography based on iterative weighted fidelity and hybrid regularization is proposed. Specifically, an improved cost function model with the weighted data fidelity term and non-convex regularization term can better describe the sparsity of images and strengthen the anti-noises ability compared with the L1-norm or L2-norm regularization methods. In order to solve the proposed model efficiently, the alternating direction method of multipliers is used to divide the complex optimization problem into several simple iterative sub-problems. Moreover, the iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm and the iterative p-shrinkage algorithm are also adopted to solve the sub-problems. Besides, simulation and experiments for different permittivity distributions are investigated with noise-free and noise-contaminated cases respectively. The research results verify that reconstruction images with the proposed algorithm have fewer artifacts and deformations, clearer edges, and better noise robustness than the other methods considered.
Optimization algorithm for high precision RGB-D dense point cloud 3D reconstruction in indoor unbounded extension area
Authors: Pan Zihao , Hou Junyi , Yu Lei
Published: January 2022

Aimed at the problems existing in the present Red Green Blue-Depth (RGB-D) three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithms in the unbounded extension area, such as low accuracy, inaccurate pose estimation, and more restrictions on data set shooting, an optimization algorithm for indoor unbounded RGB-D dense point cloud 3D reconstruction with high accuracy is proposed. The algorithm aims at obtaining better pose estimation during image construction. In the image preprocessing stage, normal direction information is given to each point cloud. In camera pose estimation, since perspective-n-points (PNPs) pose estimation is more accurate and has a smaller cumulative error than the traditional near-point iterative algorithm, this paper improves PNP pose estimation and puts it into the pose estimation algorithm. Direct average distribution of errors to achieve loop closure will affect the accuracy of pose estimation. In this study, Similarity Transformation of 3 Points was used to optimize the solution before global Bundle adjustment, enhancing the closed-loop performance of the algorithm. Experimental verification showed that the error of the proposed algorithm for indoor environment reconstruction was about 2 cm at macro and small scales, and the reconstruction error was less than 2%. It can be widely used for RGB-D 3D reconstruction of large indoor scenes and has high accuracy in pose estimation and mapping.
Global bifurcation diagrams of positive solutions for a class of 1D superlinear indefinite problems*
Authors: Fencl M , López-Gómez J
Published: January 2022

This paper analyzes the structure of the set of positive solutions of a class of one-dimensional superlinear indefinite bvp’s. It is a paradigm of how mathematical analysis aids the numerical study of a problem, whereas simultaneously its numerical study confirms and illuminates the analysis. On the analytical side, we establish the fast decay of the positive solutions as λ ↓ −∞ in the region where a(x) < 0 (see (1.1)), as well as the decay of the solutions of the parabolic counterpart of the model (see (1.2)) as λ ↓ −∞ on any subinterval of [0, 1] where u
0 = 0, provided u
0 is a subsolution of (1.1). This result provides us with a proof of a conjecture of [26] under an additional condition of a dynamical nature. On the numerical side, this paper ascertains the global structure of the set of positive solutions on some paradigmatic prototypes whose intricate behavior is far from predictable from existing analytical results.
Patient specific distortion detection and mitigation in MR images used for stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Bredfeldt Jeremy S , Miao Xin , Kaza Evangelia , Schneider Manuel , Requardt Martin , Feiweier Thorsten , Aizer Ayal , Tanguturi Shyam , Haas-Kogan Daphne , Rahman Rifaquat , Cagney Daniel N , Sudhyadhom Atchar
Published: January 2022

Objective. In MRI-based radiation therapy planning, mitigating patient-specific distortion with standard high bandwidth scans can result in unnecessary sacrifices of signal to noise ratio. This study investigates a technique for distortion detection and mitigation on a patient specific basis. Approach. Fast B0 mapping was performed using a previously developed technique for high-resolution, large dynamic range field mapping without the need for phase unwrapping algorithms. A phantom study was performed to validate the method. Distortion mitigation was validated by reducing geometric distortion with increased acquisition bandwidth and confirmed by both the B0 mapping technique and manual measurements. Images and contours from 25 brain stereotactic radiosurgery patients and 95 targets were analyzed to estimate the range of geometric distortions expected in the brain and to estimate bandwidth required to keep all treatment targets within the ±0.5 mm iso-distortion contour. Main Results. The phantom study showed, at 3 T, the technique can measure distortions with a mean absolute error of 0.12 mm (0.18 ppm), and a maximum error of 0.37 mm (0.6 ppm). For image acquisition at 3 T and 1.0 mm resolution, mean absolute distortion under 0.5 mm in patients required bandwidths from 109 to 200 Hz px−1 for patients with the least and most distortion, respectively. Maximum absolute distortion under 0.5 mm required bandwidths from 120 to 390 Hz px−1. Significance. The method for B0 mapping was shown to be valid and may be applied to assess distortion clinically. Future work will adapt the readout bandwidth to prospectively mitigate distortion with the goal to improve radiosurgery treatment outcomes by reducing healthy tissue exposure.
Line-of-sight quantum key distribution with differential phase shift keying
Authors: Endo Hiroyuki , Sasaki Toshihiko , Takeoka Masahiro , Fujiwara Mikio , Koashi Masato , Sasaki Masahide
Published: January 2022

Free-space optical (FSO) links offer a practical approach to realize quantum key distribution (QKD) in a global scale. However, when one wants to further extend the distance from the geostationary orbit to the ground, currently known QKD schemes cannot realize practical key rates mainly due to the diffraction losses of a laser beam. If the facts that the FSO links are highly directional and must be used in the line-of-sight (LoS) condition are taken into account, one may impose some physical restrictions on an eavesdropping model to explore longer-distance QKD. In this paper, we propose a novel FSO secret key agreement scheme, line-of-sight QKD (LoS-QKD), based on a quantum wiretap channel. In our model, an eavesdropper can tap only a limited fraction of the FSO signal beam but perform any physically allowable operations on the tapped signals. Fading effects which are significant in the FSO links are fully taken into account. We provide a security proof for the differential phase shift (DPS) keying scheme in terms of the metric which meets the composability. We investigate numerically the performances of LoS-QKD with DPS keying, including finite-length analysis, showing that our proposed scheme can realize high-speed and long-distance secret key agreement with information-theoretic security.
Tracer dynamics in one dimensional gases of active or passive particles
Authors: Banerjee Tirthankar , Jack Robert L , Cates Michael E
Published: January 2022

We consider one-dimensional systems comprising either active run-and-tumble particles (RTPs) or passive Brownian random walkers. These particles are either noninteracting or have hardcore exclusions. We study the dynamics of a single tracer particle embedded in such a system—this tracer may be either active or passive, with hardcore exclusion from environmental particles. In an active hardcore environment, both active and passive tracers show long-time subdiffusion: displacements scale as t
1/4 with a density-dependent prefactor that is independent of tracer type, and differs from the corresponding result for passive-in-passive subdiffusion. In an environment of noninteracting active particles, the passive-in-passive results are recovered at low densities for both active and passive tracers, but transient caging effects slow the tracer motion at higher densities, delaying the onset of any t
1/4 regime. For an active tracer in a passive environment, we find more complex outcomes, which depend on details of the dynamical discretization scheme. We interpret these results by studying the density distribution of environmental particles around the tracer. In particular, sticking of environment particles to the tracer cause it to move more slowly in noninteracting than in interacting active environments, while the anomalous behaviour of the active-in-passive cases stems from a ‘snowplough’ effect whereby a large pile of diffusive environmental particles accumulates in front of an RTP tracer during a ballistic run.
Quantitative analysis of an ECR Ar plasma structure by X-ray spectroscopy at high spatial resolution
Authors: Naselli E. , Rácz R. , Biri S. , Mazzaglia M. , Galatà A. , Celona L. , Gammino S. , Torrisi G. , Mascali D.
Published: January 2022

In the frame of the PANDORA_Gr3 project, aiming at measuring for the first time in-plasma nuclear β-decays of astrophysical interest, an innovative multi-diagnostic approach to correlate plasma parameters to nuclear activity has been proposed [1–3]. This is based on several detectors and techniques (optical emission spectroscopy, RF systems, interferopolarimetry) and here we focus on high resolution spatially-resolved X-ray spectroscopy, performed by means of a X-ray pin-hole camera setup sensitive in the 0.5–20 keV energy domain. We present measurements on an Ar plasma heated by Electron Cyclotron Resonance at the ECR-plasma lab of ATOMKI-Debrecen. The achieved spatial and energy resolution were 0.5 mm and 300 eV at 8 keV, respectively [4]. The new algorithm of analysis for single-photon-counted images has been developed allowing an investigation in High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) mode. Hence a spatially resolved quantitative characterization of plasma vs. plasma walls emitted spectra was done; the investigated electrons are the ones crucial for in-plasma ionization. Both stable and turbulent plasma regimes can be investigated.
3D numerical simulation with experimental validation of a traveling magnetic field stirring generated by a Bitter coil for silicon directional solidification process
Authors: Hiba B , Nouri Ab , Hachani L , Zaidat K
Published: January 2022

Silicon is the most widely used raw material in photovoltaic industry; however, the quality of the silicon photovoltaic solar cells depends on the quality of the raw material (i.e. metallurgical silicon or poly-silicon) and the solidification methods used for the production of the silicon ingot from which the solar cells are produced. This study is related to how improve the quality of the final ingot in the directional solidification process; it is necessary to control the impurity segregation of silicon raw material during the processing. This control can be accomplished by adding an electromagnetic Bitter coil which can generate an external traveling magnetic field (TMF) stirring to control the hydrodynamic flow of silicon melt during the solidification process without contaminating it. To carry out this study, we used a Bridgman vertical directional solidification furnace, equipped with a cylindrical Bitter coil stirrer used in order to have the control of the silicon melt convection on the principal parameters of the solidification process, such as the growth rate, the thermal gradient and the natural convection of silicon melt. For the electromagnetic, heat exchange and silicon melt flow modelling, we used 3D numerical Multiphysics coupled models. Parallel to the numerical results we carried out experimental investigations relating to the characterization of the electromagnetic parameters. This study shows a promising effect of the applied traveling magnetic field on the final ingot quality; indeed, we have the ability to control the silicon melt flow which can affect the thermal configuration, the solidification interface shape and the segregation of impurities by changing the electric current input configuration of the Bitter coil stirrer.
Clinical trials in older people
Authors: Pitkala Kaisu H , Strandberg Timo E
Published: January 2022

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) usually provide the best evidence for treatments and management. Historically, older people have often been excluded from clinical medication trials due to age, multimorbidity and disabilities. The situation is improving, but still the external validity of many trials may be questioned. Individuals participating in trials are generally less complex than many patients seen in geriatric clinics.

Recruitment and retention of older participants are particular challenges in clinical trials. Multiple channels are needed for successful recruitment, and especially individuals experiencing frailty, multimorbidity and disabilities require support to participate. Cognitive decline is common, and often proxies are needed to sign informed consent forms. Older people may fall ill or become tired during the trial, and therefore, special support and empathic study personnel are necessary for the successful retention of participants.

Besides the risk of participants dropping out, several other pitfalls may result in underestimating or overestimating the intervention effects. In nonpharmacological trials, imperfect blinding is often unavoidable. Interventions must be designed intensively and be long enough to reveal differences between the intervention and control groups, as control participants must still receive the best normal care available. Outcome measures should be relevant to older people, sensitive to change and targeted to the specific population in the trial. Missing values in measurements are common and should be accounted for when designing the trial.

Despite the obstacles, RCTs in geriatrics must be promoted. Reliable evidence is needed for the successful treatment, management and care of older people.
Assessment of biogeographic variation in traits of Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) for use in restoration and agriculture
Authors: Innes Peter , Gossweiler André , Jensen Scott , Tilley Derek , St. John Loren , Jones Thomas , Kitchen Stanley , Hulke Brent S
Published: January 2022

Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) is widely distributed across western North America and is currently used in native ecosystem restoration. There is also growing interest in de novo domestication of Lewis flax as a perennial oilseed crop. To better understand this species and facilitate both restoration and domestication, we used common gardens to assess biogeographical variation in a variety of seed and growth traits from 37 flax accessions, consisting of 35 wild populations from the Intermountain West region, the pre-variety germplasm Maple Grove (L. lewisii) and the cultivar ‘Appar’ (L. perenne) and related this variation to collection site geography and climate. Results from linear mixed models suggest there is extensive phenotypic variation among populations of Lewis flax within the Intermountain West. Using a multivariate approach, we identify a key suite of traits that are related to latitude and climate and may facilitate adaptation, including flowering indeterminacy, seed mass and stem number. These traits should be taken into account when considering the release of new germplasm for restoration efforts. We also find that Lewis flax seed contains desirably high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid and is otherwise mostly indistinguishable in fatty acid composition from oil-type varieties of domesticated flax (L. usitatissimum), making it a strong candidate for domestication. This study provides fundamental knowledge for future research into the ecology and evolution of Lewis flax, which will inform its use in both restoration and agriculture.
Systematic evaluation of computational tools to predict the effects of mutations on protein stability in the absence of experimental structures
Authors: Pan Qisheng , Nguyen Thanh Binh , Ascher David B , Pires Douglas E V
Published: January 2022

Changes in protein sequence can have dramatic effects on how proteins fold, their stability and dynamics. Over the last 20 years, pioneering methods have been developed to try to estimate the effects of missense mutations on protein stability, leveraging growing availability of protein 3D structures. These, however, have been developed and validated using experimentally derived structures and biophysical measurements. A large proportion of protein structures remain to be experimentally elucidated and, while many studies have based their conclusions on predictions made using homology models, there has been no systematic evaluation of the reliability of these tools in the absence of experimental structural data. We have, therefore, systematically investigated the performance and robustness of ten widely used structural methods when presented with homology models built using templates at a range of sequence identity levels (from 15% to 95%) and contrasted performance with sequence-based tools, as a baseline. We found there is indeed performance deterioration on homology models built using templates with sequence identity below 40%, where sequence-based tools might become preferable. This was most marked for mutations in solvent exposed residues and stabilizing mutations. As structure prediction tools improve, the reliability of these predictors is expected to follow, however we strongly suggest that these factors should be taken into consideration when interpreting results from structure-based predictors of mutation effects on protein stability.
DLRAPom: a hybrid pipeline of Optimized XGBoost-guided integrative multiomics analysis for identifying targetable disease-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes
Authors: Shen Chen , Li Huiyu , Li Miao , Niu Yu , Liu Jing , Zhu Li , Gui Hongsheng , Han Wei , Wang Huiying , Zhang Wenpei , Wang Xiaochen , Luo Xiao , Sun Yu , Yan Jiangwei , Guan Fanglin
Published: January 2022

The lack of a reliable and easy-to-operate screening pipeline for disease-related noncoding RNA regulatory axis is a problem that needs to be solved urgently. To address this, we designed a hybrid pipeline, disease-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axis prediction from multiomics (DLRAPom), to identify risk biomarkers and disease-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes by adding a novel machine learning model on the basis of conventional analysis and combining experimental validation. The pipeline consists of four parts, including selecting hub biomarkers by conventional bioinformatics analysis, discovering the most essential protein-coding biomarkers by a novel machine learning model, extracting the key lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA axis and validating experimentally. Our study is the first one to propose a new pipeline predicting the interactions between lncRNA and miRNA and mRNA by combining WGCNA and XGBoost. Compared with the methods reported previously, we developed an Optimized XGBoost model to reduce the degree of overfitting in multiomics data, thereby improving the generalization ability of the overall model for the integrated analysis of multiomics data. With applications to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), we predicted nine risk protein-coding biomarkers and some potential lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes, which all correlated with GDM. In those regulatory axes, the MALAT1/hsa-miR-144-3p/IRS1 axis was predicted to be the key axis and was identified as being associated with GDM for the first time. In short, as a flexible pipeline, DLRAPom can contribute to molecular pathogenesis research of diseases, effectively predicting potential disease-related noncoding RNA regulatory networks and providing promising candidates for functional research on disease pathogenesis.
Present state and future outlook for the application of in vitro oocyte maturation in human infertility treatment
Authors: Krisher Rebecca L
Published: January 2022

In vitro oocyte maturation is an assisted reproductive technology in which a meiotically immature oocyte (prophase I or germinal vesicle stage) is recovered from an antral follicle and matured in vitro prior to fertilization. This technology, although in widespread use in domestic livestock, is not typically implemented during human in vitro fertilization cycles. This review examines how in vitro oocyte maturation is currently used in the clinical setting, including the various ways in vitro oocyte maturation is defined in practice. The role of in vitro oocyte maturation in patient care and the major challenges for implementation are described. Efficiency and safety are critically explored. The role of in vitro oocyte maturation in oncofertility will also be discussed. Finally, the outlook for the future of clinical in vitro oocyte maturation is considered.
Progesterone and interferon tau regulate expression of polyamine enzymes during the ovine peri-implantation period
Authors: Halloran Katherine M , Stenhouse Claire , Moses Robyn M , Seo Heewon , Johnson Gregory A , Wu Guoyao , Bazer Fuller W
Published: January 2022

Progesterone (P4) and interferon tau (IFNT) are important for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in ruminants. Agmatine and polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) have important roles in the survival, growth, and development of mammalian conceptuses. This study tested the hypothesis that P4 and/or IFNT stimulate the expression of genes and proteins involved in the metabolism and transport of polyamines in the ovine endometrium. Rambouillet ewes (n = 24) were surgically fitted with intrauterine catheters on Day 7 of the estrous cycle. They received daily intramuscular injections of 50 mg P4 in corn oil vehicle and/or 75-mg progesterone receptor antagonist (RU486) in corn oil vehicle from Days 8–15, and twice daily intrauterine injections (25 μg/uterine horn/day) of either control serum proteins (CX) or IFNT from Days 11–15, resulting in four treatment groups: (i) P4 + CX; (ii) P4 + IFNT; (iii) RU486 + P4 + CX; or (iv) RU486 + P4 + IFNT. On Day 16, ewes were hysterectomized. The total amounts of arginine, citrulline, ornithine, agmatine, and putrescine in uterine flushings were affected (P < 0.05) by P4 and/or IFNT. P4 increased endometrial expression of SLC22A2 (P < 0.01) and SLC22A3 (P < 0.05) mRNAs. IFNT affected endometrial expression of MAT2B (P < 0.001), SAT1 (P < 0.01), and SMOX (P < 0.05) mRNAs, independent of P4. IFNT increased the abundance of SRM protein in uterine luminal (LE), superficial glandular (sGE), and glandular epithelia (GE), as well as MAT2B protein in uterine LE and sGE. These results indicate that P4 and IFNT act synergistically to regulate the expression of key genes required for cell-specific metabolism and transport of polyamines in the ovine endometrium during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy.
Predictors of Social Workers Attitudes Towards Evidence-based Practice: Self-determination and the Moderating Role of Organisational Learning
Authors: Zhang Huan , Chen Zhen , Zhang Qiujie
Published: January 2022

Social workers’ attitudes towards evidence-based practice (EBPA) are critical to evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation. However, current studies on EBPA have not yet established a theoretical framework based on the intrinsic motivations that underlie social workers’ attitudes. By applying self-determination theory, this study constructed an explanatory framework that focussed on intrinsic motivation and used organisational learning capability (OLC) as a moderating role. Furthermore, this study verified the constructed framework using data from the Chinese Social Workers Survey including 5,620 social workers from all provinces in China. The results showed that social workers’ professional autonomy, job satisfaction and professional competence had significantly positive impacts on their EBPA and that OLC played a moderating role in the relationship between social workers’ intrinsic motivations and their EBPA. These findings provide further insight into social workers’ EBPA. The practical implications include emphasising practitioners’ innate psychological needs, including the voice of service users and building learning organisations when improving social workers’ EBPA and implementing EBP.
Outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency in the UK
Authors: Shields Adrian M , Anantharachagan Ariharan , Arumugakani Gururaj , Baker Kenneth , Bahal Sameer , Baxendale Helen , Bermingham William , Bhole Malini , Boules Evon , Bright Philip , Chopra Charu , Cliffe Lucy , Cleave Betsy , Dempster John , Devlin Lisa , Dhalla Fatima , Diwakar Lavanya , Drewe Elizabeth , Duncan Christopher , Dziadzio Magdalena , Elcombe Suzanne , Elkhalifa Shuayb , Gennery Andrew , Ghanta Harichandrana , Goddard Sarah , Grigoriadou Sofia , Hackett Scott , Hayman Grant , Herriot Richard , Herwadkar Archana , Huissoon Aarnoud , Jain Rashmi , Jolles Stephen , Johnston Sarah , Khan Sujoy , Laffan James , Lane Peter , Leeman Lucy , Lowe David M , Mahabir Shanti , Lochlainn Dylan James Mac , McDermott Elizabeth , Misbah Siraj , Moghaddas Fiona , Morsi Hadeil , Murng Sai , Noorani Sadia , O’Brien Rachael , Patel Smita , Price Arthur , Rahman Tasneem , Seneviratne Suranjith , Shrimpton Anna , Stroud Catherine , Thomas Moira , Townsend Katie , Vaitla Prashantha , Verma Nisha , Williams Anthony , Burns Siobhan O , Savic Sinisa , Richter Alex G
Published: January 2022

In March 2020, the United Kingdom Primary Immunodeficiency Network (UKPIN) established a registry of cases to collate the outcomes of individuals with PID and SID following SARS-CoV-2 infection and treatment. A total of 310 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with PID or SID have now been reported in the UK. The overall mortality within the cohort was 17.7% (n = 55/310). Individuals with CVID demonstrated an infection fatality rate (IFR) of 18.3% (n = 17/93), individuals with PID receiving IgRT had an IFR of 16.3% (n = 26/159) and individuals with SID, an IFR of 27.2% (n = 25/92). Individuals with PID and SID had higher inpatient mortality and died at a younger age than the general population. Increasing age, low pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection lymphocyte count and the presence of common co-morbidities increased the risk of mortality in PID. Access to specific COVID-19 treatments in this cohort was limited: only 22.9% (n = 33/144) of patients admitted to the hospital received dexamethasone, remdesivir, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based therapeutic (e.g. REGN-COV2 or convalescent plasma) or tocilizumab as a monotherapy or in combination. Dexamethasone, remdesivir, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based therapeutics appeared efficacious in PID and SID. Compared to the general population, individuals with PID or SID are at high risk of mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Increasing age, low baseline lymphocyte count, and the presence of co-morbidities are additional risk factors for poor outcome in this cohort.
Causal mediation analysis with double machine learning
Authors: Farbmacher Helmut , Huber Martin , Lafférs Lukáš , Langen Henrika , Spindler Martin
Published: January 2022

This paper combines causal mediation analysis with double machine learning for a data-driven control of observed confounders in a high-dimensional setting. The average indirect effect of a binary treatment and the unmediated direct effect are estimated based on efficient score functions, which are robust with respect to misspecifications of the outcome, mediator, and treatment models. This property is key for selecting these models by double machine learning, which is combined with data splitting to prevent overfitting. We demonstrate that the effect estimators are asymptotically normal and $n^{-1/2}$-consistent under specific regularity conditions and investigate the finite sample properties of the suggested methods in a simulation study when considering lasso as machine learner. We also provide an empirical application to the US National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, assessing the indirect effect of health insurance coverage on general health operating via routine checkups as mediator, as well as the direct effect.
Sodium-containing acetaminophen and cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with and without hypertension
Authors: Zeng Chao , Rosenberg Lynn , Li Xiaoxiao , Djousse Luc , Wei Jie , Lei Guanghua , Zhang Yuqing
Published: January 2022

Aims

Previous studies have found high sodium intake to be associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality among individuals with hypertension; findings on the effect of intake among individuals without hypertension have been equivocal. We aimed to compare the risks of incident CVD and all-cause mortality among initiators of sodium-containing acetaminophen with the risk of initiators of non-sodium-containing formulations of the same drug according to the history of hypertension.

Methods and results

Using The Health Improvement Network, we conducted two cohort studies among individuals with and without hypertension. We examined the relation of sodium-containing acetaminophen to the risk of each outcome during 1-year follow-up using marginal structural models with an inverse probability weighting to adjust for time-varying confounders. The outcomes were incident CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure) and all-cause mortality. Among individuals with hypertension (mean age: 73.4 years), 122 CVDs occurred among 4532 initiators of sodium-containing acetaminophen (1-year risk: 5.6%) and 3051 among 146 866 non-sodium-containing acetaminophen initiators (1-year risk: 4.6%). The average weighted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–1.92]. Among individuals without hypertension (mean age: 71.0 years), 105 CVDs occurred among 5351 initiators of sodium-containing acetaminophen (1-year risk: 4.4%) and 2079 among 141 948 non-sodium-containing acetaminophen initiators (1-year risk: 3.7%), with an average weighted HR of 1.45 (95% CI 1.18–1.79). Results of specific CVD outcomes and all-cause mortality were similar.

Conclusion

The initiation of sodium-containing acetaminophen was associated with increased risks of CVD and all-cause mortality among individuals with or without hypertension. Our findings suggest that individuals should avoid unnecessary excessive sodium intake through sodium-containing acetaminophen use.
Microbial biogeography of acid mine drainage sediments at a regional scale across southern China
Authors: Hao Yi-Qi , Zhao Xin-Feng , Ai Hong-Xia , Gao Shao-Ming , Teng Wen-Kai , Zheng Jin , Shu Wen-Sheng
Published: January 2022

Investigations of microbial biogeography in extreme environments provide unique opportunities to disentangle the roles of environment and space in microbial community assembly. Here, we reported a comprehensive microbial biogeographic survey of 90 acid mine drainage (AMD) sediment samples from 18 mining sites of various mineral types across southern China. We found that environmental selection was strong in determining the AMD habitat species pool. However, microbial alpha diversity was primarily explained by mining sites rather than environmental factors, and microbial beta diversity correlated more strongly with geographic than environmental distance at both large and small spatial scales. Particularly, the presence/absence of widespread AMD habitat generalists was only correlated with geographic distance and independent of environmental variation. These distance–decay patterns suggested that spatial processes played a more important role in determining microbial compositional variation across space; which could be explained by the reinforced impacts of dispersal limitation in less fluid, spatially structured sediment habitat with diverse pre-existing communities. In summary, our findings suggested that the deterministic assembling and spatial constraints interact to shape microbial biogeography in AMD sediments; and provided implications that spatial processes should be considered when predicting microbial dynamics in response to severe environmental change across large spatial scales.
Error estimates for finite differences approximations of the total variation
Authors: Caillaud Corentin , Chambolle Antonin
Published: January 2022

We present a convergence rate analysis of the Rudin–Osher–Fatemi (ROF) denoising problem for two different discretizations of the total variation. The first is the standard discretization, which induces blurring in some particular diagonal directions. We prove that in a simplified setting corresponding to such a direction, the discrete ROF energy converges to the continuous one with the rate $h^{2/3}$. The second discretization is based on dual Raviart–Thomas fields and achieves an optimal $O(h)$ convergence rate for the same quantity, for discontinuous solutions with some standard hypotheses.
Balancing Statistical Power and Risk in HIV Cure Clinical Trial Design
Authors: Lau Jillian S Y , Cromer Deborah , Pinkevych Mykola , Lewin Sharon R , Rasmussen Thomas A , McMahon James H , Davenport Miles P
Published: January 2022

Background

Analytical treatment interruptions (ATI) are pauses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cure trials. They are the gold standard in determining if interventions being tested can achieve sustained virological control in the absence of ART. However, withholding ART comes with risks and discomforts to trial participant. We used mathematical models to explore how ATI study design can be improved to maximize statistical power, while minimizing risks to participants.

Methods

Using previously observed dynamics of time to viral rebound (TVR) post-ATI, we modelled estimates for optimal sample size, frequency, and ATI duration required to detect a significant difference in the TVR between control and intervention groups. Groups were compared using a log-rank test, and analytical and stochastic techniques.

Results

In placebo-controlled TVR studies, 120 participants are required in each arm to detect 30% difference in frequency of viral reactivation at 80% power. There was little statistical advantage to measuring viral load more frequently than weekly, or interrupting ART beyond 5 weeks in a TVR study.

Conclusions

Current TVR HIV cure studies are underpowered to detect statistically significant changes in frequency of viral reactivation. Alternate study designs can improve the statistical power of ATI trials.
Vaccines alone are no silver bullets: a modeling study on the impact of efficient contact tracing on COVID-19 infection and transmission in Malaysia
Authors: Baha Raja Dhesi , Abdul Taib Nur Asheila , Teo Alvin Kuo Jing , Jayaraj Vivek Jason , Ting Choo-Yee
Published: January 2022

Background

The computer simulation presented in this study aimed to investigate the effect of contact tracing on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission and infection in the context of rising vaccination rates.

Methods

This study proposed a deterministic, compartmental model with contact tracing and vaccination components. We defined contact tracing effectiveness as the proportion of contacts of a positive case that was successfully traced and the vaccination rate as the proportion of daily doses administered per population in Malaysia. Sensitivity analyses on the untraced and infectious populations were conducted.

Results

At a vaccination rate of 1.4%, contact tracing with an effectiveness of 70% could delay the peak of untraced asymptomatic cases by 17 d and reduce it by 70% compared with 30% contact tracing effectiveness. A similar trend was observed for symptomatic cases when a similar experiment setting was used. We also performed sensitivity analyses by using different combinations of contact tracing effectiveness and vaccination rates. In all scenarios, the effect of contact tracing on COVID-19 incidence persisted for both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases.

Conclusions

While vaccines are progressively rolled out, efficient contact tracing must be rapidly implemented concurrently to reach, find, test, isolate and support the affected populations to bring COVID-19 under control.
Beyond Citation Metrics: A Pilot Scoping Review to Rapidly Characterize Article Impact
Authors: Rubinstein Matthew L
Published: January 2022

Background

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) support evidence-based practice in laboratory medicine. However, there is little in the literature to address the challenge of globally characterizing the impact of SRMA findings and recommendations. We propose that characterization of citing studies through the structured methods of scoping review provides a meaningful window.

Content

A scoping review method characterized the impact of a test utilization SRMA’s findings and recommendations through use of a 17-item structured charting template. Following charting, we used descriptive content analysis to identify patterns of utilization, while incorporating current conceptual thinking on healthcare quality improvement.

Rapid scoping reviews support descriptive characterization of SRMA impact and linkage of studies to evolving concepts in the quality improvement literature. The approach may be especially appealing to communities of practice, e.g., to support reflective practice. This pilot suggests that primary studies that have cited the 2018 SRMA have utilized some, but not all, aspects of the 2018 SRMA.
Secrecy by Default: How Regional Trade Agreements Reshape Protection of Source Code
Authors: Słok-Wódkowska Magdalena , Mazur Joanna
Published: January 2022

A growing number of regional trade agreements include articles prohibiting access to or the transfer of source code as a condition of the import, distribution, sale, or use of software. We challenge this new approach to protecting source code in international economic law. Using Katharina Pistor’s theory of the ‘code of capital’, we find that this approach protects source code as capital at the expense of the regulatory power of states. The new approach differs from existing ways of protecting source code as well as from the protection based on copyrights, patents, trade secrecy, and provisions on forced technology transfer. We show that it establishes the secrecy of source code by default and leaves only a small window for states to require access to source code.
Clinical characteristics of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone and the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on the affected patients: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroshi , Zhang Liuzhe , Hirai Toshihide , Tsuda Yusuke , Ikegami Masachika , Tanaka Sakae
Published: January 2022

Background

Clinical characteristics of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone are not elucidated. Herein, we clarify its clinical features and analyze the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone.

Methods

Prognostic factors and estimated disease-specific survival in 247 patients with primary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone were identified from a registry in Japan. The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated in localized resectable cases, and the characteristics of the two groups treated with or without chemotherapy were adjusted using propensity score matching.

Results

The 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 47.4% in the entire cohort and 56.4 and 16.9% in the M0 and M1 groups, respectively. Multivariate disease-specific survival analysis revealed that metastasis on initial presentation and age ≥ 65 years were poor prognostic factors. Overall, 132 localized and resectable primary lesions were extracted. Adjuvant chemotherapy administration was a favorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 0.43, P = 0.04), and it significantly prolonged disease-specific survival compared with no adjuvant chemotherapy (5-year disease-specific survival: 78.8% vs. 51.8%, P = 0.008). Adjuvant chemotherapy prolonged disease-specific survival in patients with tumor size <8 cm (5-year disease-specific survival: 100% vs. 54.6%, P = 0.02); however, its efficacy decreased in those with tumor size ≥8 cm (5-year disease-specific survival: 68.7% vs. 42%, P = 0.09). After propensity score matching, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with good disease-specific survival (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Metastasis in the initial presentation was the poorest prognostic factor. On evaluating localized and resectable cases only, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved disease-specific survival, although its effect decreased in cases with large tumors.
Political Bioethics
Authors: Gregg Benjamin
Published: January 2022

If bioethical questions cannot be resolved in a widely acceptable manner by rational argument, and if they can be regulated only on the basis of political decision-making, then bioethics belongs to the political sphere. The particular kind of politics practiced in any given society matters greatly: it will determine the kind of bioethical regulation, legislation, and public policy generated there. I propose approaching bioethical questions politically in terms of decisions that cannot be “correct” but that can be “procedurally legitimate.” Two procedures in particular can deliver legitimate bioethical decisions, once combined: expert bioethics committees and deliberative democracy. Bioethics so understood can exceed bioethics as a moral project or as a set of administrative principles to regulate medical practice; it can now aspire to a democratic project that involves ordinary citizens as far as reasonably possible. I advance this argument in four steps: (1) using the example of human germline gene editing, (2) I propose a general understanding of proceduralism, and (3) then combine two types and (4) conclude with a defense of majoritarian proceduralism. I develop this argument in terms of one example: germline gene editing.