bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tau seeding in cases of multiple sclerosis
Authors: LaCroix Michael S. , Mirbaha Hilda , Shang Ping , Zandee Stephanie , Foong Chan , Prat Alexandre , White Charles L. , Stuve Olaf , Diamond Marc I.
Published: October 2022

Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that in many cases leads to progressive MS, a neurodegenerative disease. Progressive MS is untreatable and relentless, and its cause is unknown. Prior studies of MS have documented neuronal accumulation of phosphorylated tau protein, which characterizes another heterogeneous group of neurogenerative disorders, the tauopathies. Known causes of tauopathy are myriad, and include point mutations within the tau gene, amyloid beta accumulation, repeated head trauma, and viral infection. We and others have proposed that tau has essential features of a prion. It forms intracellular assemblies that can exit a cell, enter a secondary cell, and serve as templates for their own replication in a process termed “seeding.” We have previously developed specialized “biosensor” cell systems to detect and quantify tau seeds in brain tissues. We hypothesized that progressive MS is a tauopathy, potentially triggered by inflammation. We tested for and detected tau seeding in frozen brain tissue of 6/8 subjects with multiple sclerosis. We then evaluated multiple brain regions from a single subject for whom we had detailed clinical history. We observed seeding outside of MS plaques that was enriched by immunopurification with two anti-tau antibodies (HJ8.5 and MD3.1). Immunohistochemistry with AT8 and MD3.1 confirmed prior reports of tau accumulation in MS. Although larger studies are required, our data suggest that progressive MS may be considered a secondary tauopathy.
Social isolation and suicide risk: Literature review and perspectives
Authors: Motillon-Toudic Chloé , Walter Michel , Séguin Monique , Carrier Jean-Daniel , Berrouiguet Sofian , Lemey Christophe
Published: October 2022

Background

Suicide is a major public health problem and a cause of premature mortality. With a view to prevention, a great deal of research has been devoted to the determinants of suicide, focusing mostly on individual risk factors, particularly depression. In addition to causes intrinsic to the individual, the social environment has also been widely studied, particularly social isolation. This paper examines the social dimension of suicide etiology through a review of the literature on the relationship between suicide and social isolation.

Methods

Medline searches via PubMed and PsycINFO were conducted. The keywords were “suicid*” AND “isolation.”

Results

Of the 2,684 articles initially retrieved, 46 were included in the review.

Conclusions

Supported by proven theoretical foundations, mainly those developed by E. Durkheim and T. Joiner, a large majority of the articles included endorse the idea of a causal relationship between social isolation and suicide, and conversely, a protective effect of social support against suicide. Moreover, the association between suicide and social isolation is subject to variations related to age, gender, psychopathology, and specific circumstances. The social etiology of suicide has implications for intervention and future research.
Pembrolizumab With or Without Chemotherapy in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Updated Results of the Phase III KEYNOTE-048 Study
Authors: Harrington Kevin J. , Burtness Barbara , Greil Richard , Soulières Denis , Tahara Makoto , de Castro Gilberto , Psyrri Amanda , Brana Irene , Basté Neus , Neupane Prakash , Bratland Åse , Fuereder Thorsten , Hughes Brett G.M. , Mesia Ricard , Ngamphaiboon Nuttapong , Rordorf Tamara , Wan Ishak Wan Zamaniah , Lin Jianxin , Gumuscu Burak , Swaby Ramona F. , Rischin Danny
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Pembrolizumab and pembrolizumab-chemotherapy demonstrated efficacy in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in KEYNOTE-048. Post hoc analysis of long-term efficacy and progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2) is presented.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to pembrolizumab, pembrolizumab-chemotherapy, or cetuximab-chemotherapy. Efficacy was evaluated in programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 20, CPS ≥ 1, and total populations, with no multiplicity or alpha adjustment.

RESULTS

The median study follow-up was 45.0 months (interquartile range, 41.0-49.2; n = 882). At data cutoff (February 18, 2020), overall survival improved with pembrolizumab in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.81) and CPS ≥ 1 populations (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.89) and was noninferior in the total population (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68 to 0.97). Overall survival improved with pembrolizumab-chemotherapy in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.84), CPS ≥ 1 (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.78), and total (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.85) populations. The objective response rate on second-course pembrolizumab was 27.3% (3 of 11). PFS2 improved with pembrolizumab in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.84) and CPS ≥ 1 (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.95) populations and with pembrolizumab-chemotherapy in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.86), CPS ≥ 1 (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.81), and total (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.88) populations. PFS2 was similar after pembrolizumab and longer after pembrolizumab-chemotherapy on next-line taxanes and shorter after pembrolizumab and similar after pembrolizumab-chemotherapy on next-line nontaxanes.

CONCLUSION

With a 4-year follow-up, first-line pembrolizumab and pembrolizumab-chemotherapy continued to demonstrate survival benefit versus cetuximab-chemotherapy in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Patients responded well to subsequent treatment after pembrolizumab-based therapy.
Symptoms and Needs Monitoring in Diverse Ambulatory Oncology Patients: Usage Characteristics and Impact on Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalization
Authors: Natori Akina , Sookdeo Vandana Devika , Koru-Sengul Tulay , Schlumbrecht Matthew , Calfa Carmen L. , Maclntyre Jessica , Benzo Roberto M. , Moreno Patricia I. , Crane Tracy E. , Garcia Sofia F. , Penedo Frank J.
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Symptoms and needs monitoring using patient-reported outcomes (PRO) is associated with improved clinical outcomes in cancer care. However, these improvements have been observed predominantly in non-Hispanic White patients using English assessments with high completion rates. The documented impact of such monitoring on system-level outcomes including emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations remains limited. We explored factors affecting the completion of PRO measures and evaluated clinical outcomes in an ambulatory oncology setting with a diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic population.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis (October 2019-February 2022) was performed for patients with cancer assigned to My Wellness Check (MWC), a patient-portal-administered and electronic health record–based PRO assessment that generates automated alerts to oncology providers. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes were collected. Logistic regression models examined factors affecting the completion of MWC questionnaires. Cumulative incidence of ER visits and hospitalization were assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusting for demographics.

RESULTS

We identified 9,553 patients; 43.1% (n = 4,117) answered one or more questions. Patients age 65 years or older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.77; P < .0001), male (aOR, 0.81; P < .0001), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (aOR, 0.70; P < .0001), living without partners (aOR, 0.75; P < .0001), or receiving no treatment (aOR, 0.76; P < .0001) were less likely to answer MWC questionnaires. Patients who completed the entire MWC questionnaires had a reduced risk of an ER visit (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.78; P < .0001) and hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.80; P = .0007) relative to patients who did not.

CONCLUSION

Completing electronic health record–based PRO assessments was associated with significantly better clinical outcomes in a diverse cancer population. Specific patient groups were less likely to participate. Further research is needed to identify barriers to completing PRO measures and the long-term benefits of such programs.
Thrombosis-Related Loss of Arterial Lines in the First Wave of COVID-19 and Non–COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Zon Rebecca L. , Merz Lauren E. , Fields Kara G. , Grandoni Jessica , Stuart Jessica C. , Occhiogrosso Rachel H. , Li Linda , Baron Rebecca M. , Fredenburgh Laura E. , Woolley Ann E. , Connors Jean M. , Frendl Gyorgy
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND:

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with severe respiratory distress requiring intensive care unit (ICU)–level care. Such care often requires placement of an arterial line for monitoring of pulmonary disease progression, hemodynamics, and laboratory tests. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, experienced physicians anecdotally reported multiple attempts, decreased insertion durations, and greater need for replacement of arterial lines in patients with COVID-19 due to persistent thrombosis. Because invasive procedures in patients with COVID-19 may increase the risk for caregiver infection, better defining difficulties in maintaining arterial lines in COVID-19 patients is important. We sought to explore the association between COVID-19 infection and arterial line thrombosis in critically ill patients.

METHODS:

In this primary exploratory analysis, a multivariable Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model was used to retrospectively estimate the association between critically ill COVID-19 (versus sepsis/acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS]) patients and the risk of arterial line removal for thrombosis (with arterial line removal for any other reason treated as a competing risk). As a sensitivity analysis, we compared the number of arterial line clots per 1000 arterial line days between critically ill COVID-19 and sepsis/ARDS patients using multivariable negative binomial regression.

RESULTS:

We retrospectively identified 119 patients and 200 arterial line insertions in patients with COVID-19 and 54 patients and 68 arterial line insertions with non-COVID ARDS. Using a Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, we found the adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for arterial line clot to be 2.18 (1.06–4.46) for arterial lines placed in COVID-19 patients versus non–COVID-19 sepsis/ARDS patients (P = .034). Patients with COVID-19 had 36.3 arterial line clots per 1000 arterial line days compared to 19.1 arterial line clots per 1000 arterial line days in patients without COVID-19 (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] [95% CI], 1.78 [0.94–3.39]; P = .078).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study suggests that arterial line complications due to thrombosis are more likely in COVID-19 patients and supports the need for further research on the association between COVID-19 and arterial line dysfunction requiring replacement.
“To Consort with Eccentricities”: Edith Sitwell’s Eighteenth Century
Authors: Charles Katherine G.
Published: October 2022

Across her career the modernist Edith Sitwell iterated eccentricity as a category of reclaimed value that sanctions an expansive array of previously overlooked and frequently unshared pleasures. These intimate appetites are broadly conceived as operating in variable proximity to embodiment and eros but also as enticingly out of joint with their historical moment. In pursuit of the concept of eccentricity, this essay applies twenty-first-century methods developed by queer studies to the representational strategies Sitwell undertook in English Eccentrics (1933) and I Live under a Black Sun (1937), two counter-Enlightenment texts that draw their found content and characters from the Age of Pope and Swift. It argues that reappropriating eccentricity as a badge of creativity rather than a label for dismissal allows Sitwell to explore more capacious models of pleasure and erotic attachment that are not circumscribed by physical contact or heteronormative consummation. In doing so, Sitwell develops eccentricity as a framework oppositionally defined by the mystification of its peers but angled to claim future recognition.
The Decay of Singing: Remembering the Castrato
Authors: Gladfelder Hal
Published: October 2022

The advent of a new political regime in Italy in the 1790s led to decrees banning castrati from the stage and the closure of the singing academies where they taught. But seventy years later the composer Gioacchino Rossini looked back to the castrati as the last adepts of the art of bel canto: “As to the castrati, they vanished, and the usage disappeared in the creation of new customs. That was the cause of the irretrievable decay of the art of singing.” This essay focuses on the eighteenth-century castrato Gasparo Pacchierotti—friend of Charles, Frances, and Susan Burney, idol of William Beckford—and on the efforts of the novelist and critic Stendhal to “remember” Pacchierotti’s lost voice. Stendhal never heard Pacchierotti in his prime, but in his 1824 Vie de Rossini he declared that the art of bel canto had reached its apogee with Pacchierotti in 1778: five years before the writer’s own birth. Stendhal sought to demonstrate that the lost voice could be remembered by way of both historical evidence and the textual and viva voce “recordings” of earlier listeners: Beckford, the Burneys, and the singer Gabriel Piozzi. In Stendhal’s erotics or mnemonics of musical sensation, such textual and performative recordings allow us to remember the sensations elicited by an absent voice as vividly as the phonographic or digital recordings on which later listeners would rely.
Risk for Hemorrhage the First 2 Years After Gamma Knife Surgery for Arteriovenous Malformations: An Update
Authors: Karlsson Bengt , Jokura Hidefumi , Yang Huai-Che , Yamamoto Masaaki , Martinez-Alvarez Roberto , Kawagishi Jun , Guo Wan-Yuo , Chung Wen-Yuh , Söderman Michael , Yeo Tseng Tsai , Lax Ingmar
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND:

Knowledge about the natural course of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have increased during the past 20 years, as has the number of AVMs treated, especially larger ones. It is thus timely to again analyze the risk for hemorrhage after Gamma Knife Surgery (GKS).

OBJECTIVE:

To confirm or contradict conclusions drawn 20 years ago regarding factors that affect the risk for post-GKS hemorrhage.

METHODS:

The outcome after GKS was studied in 5037 AVM patients followed for up to 2 years. The relation between post-treatment hemorrhage rate and a number of patient, AVM, and treatment parameters was analyzed. The results were also compared with the results from our earlier study.

RESULTS:

The annual post-treatment hemorrhage rate was 2.4% the first 2 years after GKS. Large size, low treatment dose, and old age were independent risk factors for AVM hemorrhage. After having compensated for the factors above, peripheral AVM location and female sex, at least during their child bearing ages, were factors associated with a lower post-GKS hemorrhage rate.

CONCLUSION:

Large AVMs (>5 cm3) treated with low doses (≤16 Gy) had higher and small AVMs treated with high doses a lower risk for hemorrhage as compared with untreated AVMs. This was detectable within the first 6 months after GKS. No difference in hemorrhage rate could be detected for the other AVMs. Based on our findings, it is advisable to prescribe >16 Gy to larger AVMs, assuming that the risk for radiation-induced complications can be kept at an acceptable level.
Family size desires and intentions in the lowest fertility region in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Vinh Duc , Nghiem Thuy Thi
Published: October 2022

Background: Vietnam's total fertility rate has been relatively stable around the replacement level since 2005. Meanwhile, fertility in the Southeast of Vietnam has always been far below the replacement level. As reproductive desires and intentions are important determinants of fertility, the article estimates family size desires and intentions in the Southeast and analyse related sociodemographic factors, contributing insights to the low fertility in this region.

Methods: Based on data from a survey of people aged 18-45 in the Southeast in 2020, bivariate analysis and multinomial logistic regressions were applied to examine family size desires and intentions in this region. 

Results: Most respondents want two (57.3%) or more (33.1%) children, and only 8.4% of them want to have fewer than two children. There are wide gaps within reproductive desires and intentions and the actual fertility. The mean intended family size is nearly 2.1, lower than the mean desired family size but much higher than the total fertility rate in 2020. Young people and unmarried females are more likely to have desires and intentions of fewer than two children. The most frequent reason for no intention of attaining desired family sizes is the fear of not having enough financial resources to raise their children as their expectations.

Discussion and Conclusion: The low fertility in the Southeast of Vietnam is not due to a substantial decline in the value of children, but mainly because socioeconomic conditions are not favourable for having two or more children. In the current context in the Southeast, when most people of reproductive age still want and intend to have at least two children, support policies to reduce difficulties and obstacles to having would be much more effective in increasing the fertility rate than later when the desire of fewer than two children become more popular.
Potential of in vivo stress reporter models to reduce animal use and provide mechanistic insights in toxicity studies
Authors: Iñesta Vaquera Francisco , Ferro Febe , McMahon Michael , Henderson Colin J. , Wolf C. Roland
Published: October 2022

Chemical risk assessment ensures protection from the toxic effects of drugs and manmade chemicals. To comply with regulatory guidance, studies in complex organisms are required, as well as mechanistic studies to establish the relevance of any toxicities observed to man. Although in vitro toxicity models are improving, in vivo studies remain central to this process. Such studies are invariably time-consuming and often involve large numbers of animals. New regulatory frameworks recommend the implementation of “smart” in vivo approaches to toxicity testing that can effectively assess safety for humans and comply with societal expectations for reduction in animal use. A major obstacle in reducing the animals required is the time-consuming and complexity of the pathological endpoints used as markers of toxicity. Such endpoints are prone to inter-animal variability, subjectivity and require harmonisation between testing sites. As a consequence, large numbers of animals per experimental group are required. To address this issue, we propose the implementation of sophisticated stress response reporter mice that we have developed. These reporter models provide early biomarkers of toxic potential in a highly reproducible manner at single-cell resolution, which can also be measured non-invasively and have been extensively validated in academic research as early biomarkers of stress responses for a wide range of chemicals at human-relevant exposures. In this report, we describe a new and previously generated models in our lab, provide the methodology required for their use and discuss how they have been used to inform on toxic risk. We propose our in vivo approach is more informative (refinement) and reduces the animal use (reduction) compared to traditional toxicity testing. These models could be incorporated into tiered toxicity testing and used in combination with in vitro assays to generate quantitative adverse outcome pathways and inform on toxic potential.
Narcisismo, pró-sociabilidade e agressão: o papel mediador da empatia
Authors: Gomes Cavalcanti Jaqueline , Oliveira Amaro dos Santos Jennifer , Pimentel Carlos Eduardo , Mesquita do Nascimento Anderson , Trindade Maria Aparecida , Vieira de Lima Pinto Adriele
Published: October 2022

O presente estudo objetivou investigar o papel mediador da empatia, tomando em conta o narcisismo como variável preditora em dois diferentes modelos, tendo a pró-sociabilidade como variável dependente no primeiro e as dimensões de agressão no segundo. Para isso, contou-se com uma amostra de 205 participantes da cidade de João Pessoa (M = 27.43; DP = 9.13). Utilizou-se a Single-Item Narcissism Scale, a Escala Multidimensional de Reatividade Interpessoal, a Escala de Pró-sociabilidade, o Questionário de Agressão e um questionário sociodemográfico. Os dados foram processados com o auxílio do IBM SPSS e AMOS através das análises descritivas e inferenciais (correlações e mediação). Os resultados apontaram para efeitos diretos negativos do narcisismo na empatia e no comportamento pró-social; e efeitos diretos positivos na agressão. Além disso, verificou-se o papel mediador da empatia na relação entre o narcisismo e a pró-sociabilidade, não encontrado na relação narcisismo e agressão. Esses achados corroboram estudos prévios, bem como contribuem para o entendimento das inter-relações dos construtos estudados.
Health Decision Analysis: Evolution, Trends, and Emerging Topics
Authors: Long Elisa F. , Montibeller Gilberto , Zhuang Jun
Published: October 2022

Health remains one of the most challenging realms for decision makers and policy making while critical for the well-being of humans, the stability of societies, and the development of economies. Decision making in this field ranges from medical doctors identifying the best treatments for patients, healthcare companies selecting the most promising drugs for development, healthcare providers deciding for adequate levels of resourcing, health regulators deciding whether to approve a new medicine or health technology, to regional and national health departments identifying how to increase the health security of regions and countries. In this positioning paper, and introduction to this Special Issue, we present the history, evolution, and trends of health decision analysis and suggest that these developments and news trends can be conceptualized as an emerging field of applied research for our discipline: Health Decision Analysis.
Policy Optimization in Dynamic Bayesian Network Hybrid Models of Biomanufacturing Processes
Authors: Zheng Hua , Xie Wei , Ryzhov Ilya O. , Xie Dongming
Published: October 2022

Biopharmaceutical manufacturing is a rapidly growing industry with impact in virtually all branches of medicine. Biomanufacturing processes require close monitoring and control, in the presence of complex bioprocess dynamics with many interdependent factors, as well as extremely limited data due to the high cost of experiments and the novelty of personalized bio-drugs. We develop a new model-based reinforcement learning framework that can achieve human-level control in low-data environments. A dynamic Bayesian network is used to capture causal interdependencies between factors and predict how the effects of different inputs propagate through the pathways of the bioprocess mechanisms. This model is interpretable and enables the design of process control policies that are robust against model risk. We present a computationally efficient, provably convergent stochastic gradient method for optimizing such policies. Validation is conducted on a realistic application with a multidimensional, continuous state variable.

History: Accepted by Bruno Tuffin, Area Editor for Simulation.

Funding: This work was partially supported by National Institute of Standards and Technology [Grant 70NANB17H002].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1232 .
Paying for Performance in Public Pension Plans
Authors: Lu Yan , Mullally Kevin , Ray Sugata
Published: October 2022

We examine the relation between public pension plan chief investment officer (CIO) compensation and plans’ investment performance. Higher paid CIOs outperform their counterparts by 47–60 basis points per year, largely through increased and superior investment in private equity and real estate. This outperformance generates an additional $74.91–$95.63 million in economic value. Plans offering higher compensation hire better educated CIOs and are more likely to retain their CIOs. Higher CIO compensation is positively correlated with the use of incentive compensation, but incentive compensation does not directly affect performance. Demand- and supply-side frictions help explain the variation in CIO pay and the persistent low compensation paid by some plans despite the positive relation between compensation and performance.

This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.

Funding: S. Ray gratefully acknowledges a summer research grant from the Culverhouse College of Business at the University of Alabama.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4554 .
General Edge Assembly Crossover-Driven Memetic Search for Split Delivery Vehicle Routing
Authors: He Pengfei , Hao Jin-Kao
Published: October 2022

The split delivery vehicle routing problem is a variant of the well-known vehicle routing problem, where each customer can be visited by several vehicles. The problem has many practical applications, but it is computationally challenging. This paper presents an effective memetic algorithm for solving the problem with a fleet of limited or unlimited vehicles. The algorithm features a general edge assembly crossover to generate promising offspring solutions from the perspective of assembling suitable edges and an effective local search to improve each offspring solution. The algorithm is further reinforced by a feasibility-restoring procedure, a diversification-oriented mutation, and a quality-and-distance pool updating technique. Extensive experiments on 324 benchmark instances indicate that our algorithm is able to update 143 best upper bounds in the literature and match the best results for 156 other instances. Additional experiments are presented to obtain insight into the roles of the key search ingredients of the algorithm. The method was ranked second in the SDVRP track at the 12th DIMACS Implementation Challenge on Vehicle Routing Problems.

Funding: Support from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) [Grant 201906850087] for the first author is acknowledged.
Correlation between Severity of Laryngeal Hypertension and Subjective Voice Evaluation
Authors: Kim Ji-Sung
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the usefulness of subjective voice disorder evaluation as a method of laryngeal hypertension evaluations. The Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) was compared according to the severity of laryngeal hypertension, and a correlation analysis was performed between the severity of laryngeal hypertension and the VFI score. Methods: The subjects of this study were 67 patients diagnosed with hyperfunctional voice disorder. The author classified the larynx into four parts and palpated it for evaluation of laryngeal hypertension. And according to the results, the patients were classified into ‘none, mild, moderate, and severe’. The voice measurements were based on the K-VFI results. Results: The results of comparing VFI scores according to the severity of laryngeal hypertension, K-VFI-total (F = 4.155, p = .009), K-VFI-fatigue (F = 15.628 p = .000), physical (F = 6.959, p = .000) and rest (F = 10.673, p = .000) showed significant differences between groups. In multiple comparisons, the three groups with hypertension each had higher scores in K-VFI-total, physical, and rest than the group without hypertension. In the K-VFI-fatigue, the moderate and severe hypertension groups scored higher than the non-hypertension group. In addition, the severity of laryngeal hypertension showed a significant positive correlation with K-VFI-total (r = .530, p = .000), K-VFI-fatigue (r = .375, p = .000), K-VFI-physical (r = .592, p = .000) and K-VFI-rest (r = .425, p = .000). Conclusion: These results suggest that patients can recognize laryngeal hypertension as evaluated by an SLP’s palpation. In addition, it indicates that the VFI which includes items about physical discomfort as a subjective voice evaluation can be usefully performed for the evaluation of laryngeal hypertension.
Phonological Awareness, Rapid Naming, and Nonword Repetition Abilities in Children with Dyslexia in Grade 1 to 6
Authors: Yoon Hyojin , Kim Bo Rim
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study examined phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming (RAN), and nonword repetition abilities in children with dyslexia and typically developing children in grade 1 to 6. To examine the phonological processing abilities according to reading developmental stage, participants were divided into two groups: grade 1-2 and grade 3-6. Methods: A total of 78 children with dyslexia and typically developing children in grade 1-2 and 3-6 participated. All participants had no problems in nonverbal cognition and receptive vocabulary. Children with dyslexia had to score a standard score of 85 or less, and among the typically developing children those with a standard score of 90 or higher on the word decoding test of the standardized reading test were selected. Phonological processing abilities were tested using the phonological awareness, rapid naming, and nonword repetition tasks. Results: Children with dyslexia showed lower performance in phonological awareness, RAN, and nonword repetition tasks compared to typically developing children. In addition, it was found that all phonological processing abilities improved as the grade increased. There was an interaction effect on only nonword repetition, with no difference between children with dyslexia and typically developing children in grade 3-6. Conclusion: Even in Hangul, a transparent orthography, children with dyslexia had problems in all three phonological processing abilities. The effect size was the largest on the RAN between the two reading groups, so children with dyslexia were likely to have most difficulty on RAN. Finally, vocabulary ability in children with dyslexia would influence nonword repetition abilities.
The importance of good nutrition during pregnancy: a comparison between the UK and Brazil
Authors: Azevedo-Martins Anna Karenina , Nonato Giovana , Newson Lisa , Abayomi Julie
Published: October 2022

The UK and Brazil both have sizable populations with significant demands on antenatal and maternity care. However, access to different healthcare professionals and knowledge regarding the importance of maternal nutrition vary widely between the two countries. This article compares the different approaches used in maternal nutrition between the UK and Brazil, seeking to share best practice and improve antenatal care.
Labour induction and ethnicity
Authors: Winter George F
Published: October 2022

George F Winter discusses issues surrounding providing midwifery care to women from ethnic minorities, who experience different obstetric outcomes as well as potential differences in quality of care
Infective endocarditis in dogs and cats
Authors: Korzybska Ewelina , Bode Liz
Published: October 2022

Infective endocarditis is an uncommon cardiac disease, caused by microbial invasion of the endocardium or heart valves. It presents many challenges with respect to diagnosis and effective treatment. This article reviews the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis and treatment of bacterial endocarditis in dogs and cats.
An improved filter against injection attacks using regex and machine learning
Authors: Chegu Sujan , Reddy Gautam U , Bhambore Bharath S , Adeab KA , Honnavalli Prasad , Eswaran Sivaraman
Published: October 2022

Injection-based attacks have consistently made the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)Top 10 vulnerabilities for years. 1 Common types of injection attacks include SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS) and code injection. Filter engines are used to detect and sanitise user inputs for these malicious attacks. The user input is assumed to be tainted by default. Thus, the ability of a filter in terms of accuracy and latency is important. There exist various approaches to improve filters, primarily including techniques based on regular expressions (regexes), abstract syntax tree, machine learning and so on. However, the testing of modern solutions has achieved no more than 98.5% accuracy for XSS. This article looks at ways to improve accuracy.
Environmental impacts assessment of maize, soybean, and wheat production in the Southwest of São Paulo state: alternative scenarios for the substitution of chemical fertilization
Authors: Giusti Gabriela , Saavedra Yovana María Barrera , Almeida Gustavo Fonseca de
Published: October 2022

Mineral fertilizers are highly impactful in the agricultural sector, and animal manure can be an alternative to mitigate its impacts. The goal of this research was to estimate the potential environmental impacts on the production of soybean, maize, and wheat at the Lagoa do Sino Farm School from the Federal University of Sao Carlos, contemplating the 2016/2017 cropping season and testing the replacement of 100%, 50%, and 30% of chemical fertilization by composted cow manure. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was the methodology used. The functional unit was one ton of each crop produced on farm. Impacts were also assessed for one hectare of production for each agricultural product investigated and the system boundary was a cradle-to-farm gate. Impacts were assessed using the CML 2000 world+ method for abiotic depletion, global warming, acidification, and eutrophication. Chemical fertilization was the main hotspot for all crops produced. Soybean showed a potential impact of 1489 MJ, 125 kg CO2 eq., 0.6 kg SO2 eq., and 0.4 kg PO4 eq.; the production of maize 1497 MJ, 197 kg CO2 eq., 1 kg SO2 eq., and 0.8 kg PO4 eq.; and the production of wheat 5863 MJ, 632 kg CO2 eq., 3.3 kg SO2 eq., and 2.4 kg PO4 eq. The 30% substitution scenario was the most efficient observed since there is an increase in fuel consumption if distribution of larger amounts of manure are needed. Enriching the manure and investing in fossil fuel substitution will improve the environmental profile of the crops produced under intensive systems in the Southwest state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Nonlinear error full-field compensation method for phase measuring profilometry
Authors: Xu Cai , Cao Yiping , Cai Wenjuan , Wu Haitao , Li Hongmei , Zhang Hechen , An Haihua
Published: October 2022

Phase measuring profilometry (PMP) has the highest measuring accuracy
among structured light projection-based three-dimensional (3D) sensing
methods. Due to their low-cost and high-resolution features,
commercial projectors are extensively used in PMP, but they are all
designed with a gamma effect purpose that considers the
characteristics of human vision. Affected by the gamma effect, a set
of phase-shifting sinusoidal deformed patterns captured in PMP may
contain high-order harmonics which lead to nonlinear phase errors.
Then, a novel nonlinear error full-field compensation method is
proposed. First, the unwrapped phases modulated by the reference plane
are measured several times, and their average phase is taken as the
measured phase modulated by the reference plane to eliminate random
errors as much as possible. Second, an expected phase plane is fitted
from this average phase with the least-squares method. Third, the
nonlinear phase error can be detected by subtracting the fitted
expected phase from this average phase. Finally, the full-field
look-up table (LUT) can be established between the nonlinear phase
error and the measured phase. When an object is measured, the
unwrapped phase modulated by the object is taken as the measured phase
of the LUT, so the corresponding nonlinear phase error can be directly
searched in the LUT. In this way, the full-field nonlinear phase error
can be efficiently compensated. Experimental results show the
feasibility and validity of the proposed method. The mean absolute
error (MAE) can be improved from 0.48 mm to 0.06 mm, and
the root mean square error (RMSE) can be improved from 0.55 mm
to 0.07 mm.
Design and analysis of a compact micro-ring resonator signal emitter to reduce the uniformity-induced phase distortion and crosstalk in orbital angular momentum (OAM) division multiplexing
Authors: Jian Yin-He , Chow Chi-Wai
Published: October 2022

To improve the transmission capacity of an optical system, different multiplexing schemes have been proposed, such as optical time division multiplexing (OTDM), wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), polarization division multiplexing (PolDM), spatial division multiplexing (SDM), etc. One kind of SDM technique to boost the capacity is through modifying the spatial phase structure of an optical beam, which is known as the orbital angular momentum (OAM) division multiplexing. Moreover, the OAM signal emitter can be produced by using mature and high-yield silicon photonic (SiPh) technology, without the need of using bulky optical components or expensive spatial light modulator (SLM). The SiPh-based micro-ring resonator is one of the promising OAM signal emitter candidates, since it is simple, compact and easy to fabricate. However, the device performance is highly subjected to the structural design, and the uniformity-induced phase distortion will significantly degrade the purities of OAM beams; hence, introducing severe OAM signal crosstalk during the OAM division multiplexing. In this work, a compact SiPh-based micro-ring resonator type OAM signal emitter with detailed design parameters is presented and the output signal uniformity issue is comprehensively investigated. Two kinds of the structural optimization are performed by adjusting the angular grating width as well as the grating height. The results indicate that a significant improvement in output OAM beam uniformity can be achieved, with the attenuation factor being improved over 88% at the price of acceptable 4 ∼ 5% coupling efficiency reduction. The variations of the transmission and the uniformity induced by the fabrication error are also analyzed.
Coherence–orbital angular momentum matrix of non-uniformly correlated sources
Authors: Raveh David , Korotkova Olga
Published: October 2022

The structure of the coherence–orbital angular momentum (OAM) matrix of a scalar, non-uniformly correlated source is revealed and its relation with the degree of coherence is established. It is shown that while this source class has a real-valued coherence state, it possesses a rich OAM correlation content and highly controllable OAM spectrum. In addition, the degree of OAM purity based on the information entropy measure is employed for, we believe, the first time, and is shown to be controlled by the choice of location and variance of the correlation center.
High resolution data modifies intensive care unit dialysis outcome predictions as compared with low resolution administrative data set
Authors: Ziegler Jennifer , Rush Barret N. M. , Gottlieb Eric R. , Celi Leo Anthony , Armengol de la Hoz Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2022

High resolution clinical databases from electronic health records are increasingly being used in the field of health data science. Compared to traditional administrative databases and disease registries, these newer highly granular clinical datasets offer several advantages, including availability of detailed clinical information for machine learning and the ability to adjust for potential confounders in statistical models. The purpose of this study is to compare the analysis of the same clinical research question using an administrative database and an electronic health record database. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used for the low-resolution model, and the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU) was used for the high-resolution model. A parallel cohort of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis and requiring mechanical ventilation was extracted from each database. The primary outcome was mortality and the exposure of interest was the use of dialysis. In the low resolution model, after controlling for the covariates that are available, dialysis use was associated with an increased mortality (eICU: OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.75–2.44, p<0.01; NIS: OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.36–1.45, p<0.01). In the high-resolution model, after the addition of the clinical covariates, the harmful effect of dialysis on mortality was no longer significant (OR 1.04, 95% 0.85–1.28, p = 0.64). The results of this experiment show that the addition of high resolution clinical variables to statistical models significantly improves the ability to control for important confounders that are not available in administrative datasets. This suggests that the results from prior studies using low resolution data may be inaccurate and may need to be repeated using detailed clinical data.
HIV-1 integrase resistance associated mutations and the use of dolutegravir in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ngoufack Jagni Semengue Ezechiel , Santoro Maria Mercedes , Ndze Valantine Ngum , Ka’e Aude Christelle , Yagai Bouba , Nka Alex Durand , Dambaya Beatrice , Takou Desiré , Teto Georges , Fabeni Lavinia , Colizzi Vittorio , Perno Carlo-Federico , Ceccherini-Silberstein Francesca , Fokam Joseph
Published: October 2022

As sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are transitioning to dolutegravir (DTG)-based ART, baseline data are required for optimal monitoring of therapeutic response. In this frame, we sought to generate up-to-date evidence on the use of integrase-strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) and associated drug resistance mutations (DRMs) within SSA. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we included randomized and non-randomized trials, cohort-studies, cross-sectional studies, and case-reports published on INSTI or integrase DRMs in SSA. We included studies of patients exposed to DTG, raltegravir (RAL) or elvitegravir (EVG). Primary outcomes were “the rate of virological control (VC:<50copies/ml)” and “the presence of DRMs” on INSTI-based regimens among patients in SSA. We synthesised extracted data using subgroup analysis, and random effect models were used where appropriate. Additional analyses were conducted to assess study heterogeneity. We identified 1,916 articles/citations through database searches, of which 26 were included in the analysis pertaining to 5,444 patients (mean age: 37±13 years), with 67.62% (3681/5444) female. Specifically, 46.15% (12/26) studies focused on DTG, 26.92% (7/26) on RAL, 23.08% (6/26) on both DTG and RAL, and 3.85% (1/26) on EVG. We found an increasing use of DTG overtime (0% before 2018 to 100% in 2021). Median treatment duration under INSTI-based regimens was 12 [9–36] months. Overall, the rate of VC was 88.51% [95%CI: 73.83–97.80] with DTG vs. 82.49% [95%CI: 55.76–99.45] and 96.55% [95%CI: 85.7–100.00] with RAL and EVG, respectively. In univariate analysis, VC with DTG-containing vs. other INSTI-regimens was significantly higher (OR = 1.44 [95%CI: 1.15–1.79], p = 0.0014). Among reported DRMs at failure, the only DTG resistance-mutations were G118R and R263K. In SSA, DTG presents a superiority effect in VC compared to other INSTIs. Nonetheless, the early detection of INSTI-DRMs calls for sentinel surveillance for a successful transition and a sustained efficacy of DTG in SSA.

PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42019122424.
A scoping review of the impact of organisational factors on providers and related interventions in LMICs: Implications for respectful maternity care
Authors: Reddy Bhavya , Thomas Sophia , Karachiwala Baneen , Sadhu Ravi , Iyer Aditi , Sen Gita , Mehrtash Hedieh , Tunçalp Özge
Published: October 2022

We have limited understanding of the organisational issues at the health facility-level that impact providers and care as it relates to mistreatment in childbirth, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By extension, it is not clear what types of facility-level organisational changes or changes in working environments in LMICs could support and enable respectful maternity care (RMC). While there has been relatively more attention to health system pressures related to shortages of staff and other resources as key barriers, other organisational challenges may be less explored in the context of RMC. This scoping review aims to consolidate evidence to address these gaps. We searched literature published in English between 2000–2021 within Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect databases. Study selection was two-fold. Maternal health articles articulating an organisational issue at the facility- level and impact on providers and/or care in an LMIC setting were included. We also searched for literature on interventions but due to the limited number of related intervention studies in maternity care specifically, we expanded intervention study criteria to include all medical disciplines. Organisational issues captured from the non-intervention, maternal health studies, and solutions offered by intervention studies across disciplines were organised thematically and to establish linkages between problems and solutions. Of 5677 hits, 54 articles were included: 41 non-intervention maternal healthcare studies and 13 intervention studies across all medical disciplines. Key organisational challenges relate to high workload, unbalanced division of work, lack of professional autonomy, low pay, inadequate training, poor feedback and supervision, and workplace violence, and these were differentially influenced by resource shortages. Interventions that respond to these challenges focus on leadership, supportive supervision, peer support, mitigating workplace violence, and planning for shortages. While many of these issues were worsened by resource shortages, medical and professional hierarchies also strongly underpinned a number of organisational problems. Frontline providers, particularly midwives and nurses, suffer disproportionately and need greater attention. Transforming institutional leadership and approaches to supervision may be particularly useful to tackle existing power hierarchies that could in turn support a culture of respectful care.