bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Speech Sound Disorders on Language, Literacy, and Nonverbal Mathematical Thinking Skills of 6-Year-Old Children
Authors: Lee Eun Ju
Published: January 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of speech sound disorders on the development of language, literacy, and nonverbal mathematical thinking skills. Methods: 1,474 children who participated in both the ‘Three-Sentence-Screening Test for Korean speech sound disorders’ and ‘Academic Skills: Language and Literacy Ability, and Non-Language Mathematical Thinking’ as part of the Panel Study on Korean Children (7th year, age 6) were targeted. Through the ‘Three-Sentence-Screening Test for Korean speech sound disorders’, the severity of speech sound disorder was classified into four groups (general, slight speech error, recommendation of deep examination, and suspected articulation disorder); and scores for three academic abilities (language and literacy, non-verbal mathematical thinking) measurement variables were compared through multivariate analysis (MANOVA) and one-way analysis (ANOVA). Results: At the age of 6, it was confirmed that the severity of speech sound disorders had a significant effect on all aspects of language, literacy, and non-verbal mathematical thinking skills. Conclusion: The results of these studies are consistent with the results of existing studies that have found that speech sound disorders acted as a variable affecting language, literacy, and mathematical thinking in existing studies. Therefore, it may be necessary to identify children with speech sound disorders early in the pre-school age period and to observe their language and academic ability more carefully to support them.
A Qualitative Study on the Communication Experiences and Effective Communication Strategies of Adults with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Im Myung Soon , Park HyunJu
Published: January 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate the nature and significance of the communication experiences encountered by adults with cochlear implants in the course of their social lives, and to explore effective communication strategies for the same. Methods: Data was collected via one-on-one in-depth interviews with five adults with cochlear implants, then analyzed through the Colaizzi phenomenological methodology. Results: First, the communication experiences of participants were categorized into the two themes of negative and positive experiences, with eight resultant sub-themes. The negative experiences consisted of “emotional distance,” “a lonely island in the crowd,” “difficulties that are not resolved,” and “facing communication barriers,” while positive experiences comprised “climbing the hill of maturity,” “gratitude toward good and beautiful encounters,” “the joy of managing to do my share,” and “the dreams one sets out to realize in their youth.” Next, effective communication strategies were categorized into the two themes of strategies for continuing communication and strategies for overcoming breakdowns in communication, with nine resultant sub-themes. Strategies for continuing communication included “structuralizing situations” and “enthusiastic attitudes,” while strategies for overcoming breakdowns in communication included “recepting through the use of tools” and “expressing oneself to the end.” Conclusion: The participants in this study face restricted situations due to their hearing impairments, but grow through dynamic interaction with society, and continuously employed effective communication strategies to respond efficiently to social situations. Principal factors to be considered and future service strategies for aiding unhindered communication for the hearing-impaired were discussed based on the results of the study.
The Relationship between Nonword Repetition and Speech Perception and Phonological Memory in Children with Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Won Hoseul , Ha Seunghee
Published: January 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to examine nonword repetition (NWR) performance of children with speech sound disorders (SSD) compared with children with typical development (TD) and investigate the relationship between NWR and speech perception, phonological short-term and phonological working memory, and percentage of consonants correct (PCC). Methods: Participants included 8 children with Pure SSD, 7 children with SSD accompanied by language disorders (LD) and 9 children with TD aged 5 to 6 years. Children completed NWR tasks, speech perception tests focusing on initial and final consonants in one-syllable words, and immediate memory tasks examining forward and reverse recall of familiar words. NWR performances were examined according to the entire, retrieval and sequencing accuracies and analyzed by 9 error types. Results: Children with SSD and LD performed significantly lower total and retrieval accuracies of NWR than children with TD. Substitution errors of articulation place were most frequent in all groups. Only children with SSD exhibited syllable structure errors. No significant group differences existed in speech perception. Children with SSD and LD showed lower phonological short-term memory than children with TD. Both children with SSD and LD and with Pure SSD performed significantly lower phonological working memory than children with TD. NWR showed significant relationship with speech perception, phonological memory, and PCC. The relationships between NWR and phonological short-term memory and PCC were striking. Conclusion: This study underlines that children with SSD and LD show remarkable difficulties in NWR and supports the close relationship of NWR with phonological short-term memory and speech accuracy.
Quad-band Compact MIMO Antennas for 5G Mobile Communications
Authors: Farahat Asmaa E. , Hussein Khalid F. A.
Published: January 2023

Three types of quad-band millimetric-wave two-port MIMO antenna systems are proposed for the forthcoming generations of mobile handsets. A novel printed antenna is introduced to be the single element of the proposed MIMO antennas. It is shown that the proposed MIMO antennas are capable of producing both spatial and polarization diversities that enhance the performance of mobile communications. Two configurations of co-polarized two-port MIMO antennas are proposed to provide spatial diversity, whereas a cross-polarized two-port MIMO antenna is proposed to produce polarization diversity. It is shown that all the proposed MIMO antennas can operate efficiently over the four frequency bands centered at 28, 43, 52, and 57 GHz. Prototypes are fabricated for the proposed MIMO antennas for the sake of experimental evaluation. The measurements agree with the simulation results showing high performance of the proposed types of MIMO antennas including the impedance matching, radiation patterns, envelop correlation coefficient, and diversity gain. Both the experimental and simulation results show that the achieved bandwidths, at the four operational frequency bands, are 0.6, 0.6, 1.8, and 1.5 GHz, respectively. Also, the radiation efficiencies calculated at the four operational frequencies are 86.5%, 87.5%, 89.2%, and 90.0%, respectively. The dimensions and the results concerning the performance of the proposed MIMO antennas are compared to other designs for MIMO antennas available in some recently published work.
On the network design and control of an optical network: interconnecting multiple chips on a wafer
Authors: Zhang Ziyue , Colle Didier , Tavernier Wouter , Pickavet Mario
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we propose a network architecture for a multi-chip optical network-on-wafer (NoW); we concentrate on the research of its control mechanisms and control algorithms. Our proposed optical NoW aims at providing dynamically controlled terabytes-per-second unidirectional bandwidth for every chip module in a multi-chip processor. This architecture is promising in achieving low energy consumption and high aggregated bandwidth, providing a competitive idea for the next generation of optical-connected multi-chip computing systems. A synchronous network control scheme with a network control algorithm is proposed for slowly varying traffic patterns. Moreover, an edge coloring algorithm is an important part of our network control algorithm; we propose improved edge coloring algorithms modified from existing edge coloring algorithms. We show that our improved edge coloring algorithm has lower time complexity and also achieves faster execution in our experiments than the existing methods.
Robust and unbiased estimation of the background distribution for automated quantitative imaging
Authors: Silberberg Mauro , Grecco Hernán E.
Published: January 2023

Background estimation is the first step in quantitative analysis of images. It has an impact on all subsequent analyses, in particular for segmentation and calculation of ratiometric quantities. Most methods recover only a single value such as the median or yield a biased estimation in non-trivial cases. We introduce, to our knowledge, the first method to recover an unbiased estimation of background distribution. It leverages the lack of local spatial correlation in background pixels to robustly select a subset that accurately represents the background. The resulting background distribution can be used to test for foreground membership of individual pixels or estimate confidence intervals in derived quantities.
Word and color impressions measured with normal and simulated deutan color stimulus sets in color vision normal and deuteranopic observers
Authors: Negishi Ippei , Shinomori Keizo
Published: January 2023

Impressions of nine semantic words expressing abstract meanings were measured by a color selection process using twelve hues from vivid tone in the Practical Color Coordinate System (PCCS) as well as White, Grey and Black (as a normal color stimulus set) in a paired comparison method (Experiment 1). Color impressions were rated using 35 paired words in a semantic differential (SD) method (Experiment 2). The data of ten color vision normal (CVN) and four deuteranopic observers were analyzed separately by principal component analysis (PCA). Our previous study [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 37, A181 (2020)JOAOD60740-323210.1364/JOSAA.382518] using these methods indicated that deuteranopes could understand the impression of all colors if the color names can be recognized, even if deuteranopes cannot perceive redness and greenness. In this study, we also used a simulated deutan color stimulus set in which colors were modified to simulate the color appearance in deuteranopes by using Brettel–Viénot–Mollon’s model to investigate how these simulated deutan colors would be treated by the deutan observers. In the CVN and deutan observers, color distributions of the principal component (PC) loading values in Experiment 1 were close to the PCCS hue circle in the normal colors, and those of the simulated deutan colors could be fitted by ellipses, but there were wide gaps of 73.7° (CVNs) and 89.5° (deutan) where only “White” existed. The word distributions as the PC score values could also be fitted by ellipses and are moderately similar between stimulus sets, but the fitting ellipses were considerably compressed in the minor axis directions in the deutan observers, although categories of words were similar between observer groups. The word distributions in Experiment 2 were not statistically different between the observer groups and the stimulus sets. The color distribution of the PC score values were statistically different, but tendencies of the color distributions were similar between observers. The color distributions of the normal colors could be fitted by ellipses, similar to the hue circle, and those of the simulated deutan colors could be fitted by cubic function curves. These results suggest that both of the stimulus sets were perceived as one dimensional and as a monotonic series of colors by a deuteranope, but the deuteranope can recognize the difference of the stimulus sets and recall the color distributions of each set, similar to those in the CVN observers.
Wave description of geometric phase
Authors: Garza-Soto Luis , Hagen Nathan , Lopez-Mago Dorilian , Otani Yukitoshi
Published: January 2023

Since Pancharatnam’s 1956 discovery of optical geometric phase and Berry’s 1984 discovery of geometric phase in quantum systems, researchers analyzing geometric phase have focused almost exclusively on algebraic approaches using the Jones calculus, or on spherical trigonometry approaches using the Poincaré sphere. The abstracted mathematics of the former and the abstracted geometry of the latter obscure the physical mechanism that generates geometric phase. We show that optical geometric phase derives entirely from the superposition of waves and the resulting shift in the location of the wave maximum. This wave-based model provides a way to visualize how geometric phase arises from relationships between waves, and from the transformations induced by optical elements. We also derive the relationship between the geometric phase of a wave by itself and the phase exhibited by an interferogram, and provide the conditions under which the two match one another.
Multiple motion picture recording in light-in-flight recording by holography with an angular multiplexing technique
Authors: Inoue Tomoyoshi , Kakue Takashi , Nishio Kenzo , Kubota Toshihiro , Awatsuji Yasuhiro
Published: January 2023

Light-in-flight recording by holography (LIF holography) is an ultrafast imaging technique for recording light pulse propagation as a motion picture. In this study, we propose and demonstrate multiple motion picture recordings of light pulse propagation by use of LIF holography with angular multiplexing. We set incident angles of reference light pulses to remove the difficulty in adjusting the optical path length difference between an object light pulse and reference light pulses and the complexity of the optical system. In the experiment, by using LIF holography with angular multiplexing, we succeeded in recording a propagating light pulse as two motion pictures with durations of 129.6 ps without an inseparable superimposition of the reconstructed images. In addition, cross talk between the recorded images, noise caused by cross-terms in an image plane, and the number of motion pictures that can be recorded are discussed.
Dynamic depth-of-field projection mapping method based on a variable focus lens and visual feedback
Authors: Wang Lihui , Tabata Satoshi , Xu Hongjin , Hu Yunpu , Watanabe Yoshihiro , Ishikawa Masatoshi
Published: January 2023

Dynamic projection mapping is an interactive display technology, which is capable with multiplayers with naked eyes for augmented reality. However, the fixed and shallow depth-of-field of the projector optics limits its potential applications. In this work, a high-speed projection mapping method with a dynamic focal tracking technology based on a variable focus lens will be illustrated. The proposed system included a high-speed variable focus lens, a high-speed camera, and a high- speed projector, so that the depth and rotation information would be detected and then served as feedback to correct the focal length and update the projection information in real time. As a result, the information would be well-focused projected even on a 3D dynamic moving object. The response speed of the high-speed prototype could reach around 5 ms, and the dynamic projection range covered from 0.5 to 2.0 m.
Broadband integrated polarization splitter and rotator using subwavelength grating claddings
Authors: Borhan Mia Md , Jaidye Nafiz , Ahmed Ishtiaque , Ahmed Syed Z. , kim Sangsik
Published: January 2023

We present a broadband integrated photonic polarization splitter and rotator (PSR) using adiabatically tapered coupled waveguides with subwavelength grating (SWG) claddings. The PSR adiabatically rotates and splits the fundamental transverse-magnetic (TM0) input to the fundamental transverse-electric (TE0) mode in the coupler waveguide, while passing the TE0 input through the same waveguide. The SWGs work as an anisotropic metamaterial and facilitate modal conversions, making the PSR efficient and broadband. We rigorously present our design approaches in each section and show the SWG effect by comparing with and without the SWG claddings. The coupling coefficients in each segment explicitly show a stronger coupling effect when the SWGs are included, confirmed by the coupled-mode theory simulations. The full numerical simulation shows that the SWG-PSR operates at 1500–1750 nm (≈250 nm) wavelengths with an extinction ratio larger than 20 dB, confirmed by the experiment for the 1490–1590 nm range. The insertion losses are below 1.3 dB. Since our PSR is designed based on adiabatical mode evolution, the proposed PSR is expected to be tolerant to fabrication variations and should be broadly applicable to polarization management in photonic integrated circuits.
Pulsed microwave photonic vector network analyzer based on direct sampling
Authors: Ding Min , Chen Xiaoen , Jin Zhengtao , Chen Jianping , Wu Guiling
Published: January 2023

Pulsed VNAs enabling large dynamic measurement at a low pulse duty cycle are necessary for the characterization of active devices due to the overheating damage risk under continuous wave stimulation. In this paper, we proposed a pulsed microwave photonic vector network analyzer (p-MPVNA) based on direct sampling. With the broad system bandwidth of the p-MPVNA and undersampling technique, pulsed signals are received thru asynchronous wideband detection, and pulsed S-parameters are calculated thru vector superposition. In asynchronous wideband detection, the continuous spectrum of the pulsed signal is discretized into multiple frequency components. A low repetition rate optical pulse train undersamples the pulsed signal, and the discretized frequency components are aliased. The frequency components in the main lobe including most energy of the pulse signal are vector superimposed to calculate the pulsed S-parameter. The proposed p-MPVNA has a dynamic range decreases rate of 10log(duty cycle) when pulse duty cycle is below 10% , which is much slower than that of 20log(duty cycle) for classical narrowband detection. An experimental p-MPVNA is established for validation. A 6 to 18 GHz microwave amplifier is measured with continuous and pulsed power supply and the measured gain curves are consistent with the results from a commercial VNA. The system dynamic range decrease with pulse duty cycle is verified by the pulsed S-parameter measurement of a 10 GHz low pass filter under continuous and pulsed stimulation.
High-Q multiple Fano resonances with near-unity modulation depth governed by nonradiative modes in all-dielectric terahertz metasurfaces
Authors: Song Feihu , Xiao Binggang , Qin Jianyuan
Published: January 2023

Reducing radiative losses for a high quality factor resonance based on the concept of nonradiative states including anapole mode and bound states in the continuum mode has been attracting extensive attention. However, a high quality factor resonance is obtained at the expense of its modulation depth. Here, an asymmetric metasurfaces structure consisted of silicon double D-shaped resonator arrays that can support both an anapole mode and two bound states in the continuum modes in terahertz band is proposed, which has not only ultrahigh quality factor but also near-unity modulation depth. A resonance derived from anapole mode with stronger electromagnetic field enhancement and higher quality factor can be achieved by increasing the gap of resonator. Meanwhile, two Fano resonances governed by bound states in the continuum modes can be identified, and their quality factors can be easily tailored by controlling the asymmetry of resonator. Such an all-dielectric metasurfaces structure may give access to the development of the terahertz sensors, filters, and modulators.
Generation of Bessel beams with tunable longitudinal electric and magnetic fields using an all-dielectric metasurface
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Xiang Hong , Han Dezhuan
Published: January 2023

Optical beams with a pure longitudinally polarized field are of great interest for their unique properties and promising applications in various fields such as optical trapping and three-dimensional microscopy. Here, an all-dielectric metasurface is proposed to directly generate Bessel beams with tunable longitudinally polarized electric and magnetic fields under a simple incidence of linear polarization. Under the incidence of horizontal polarization, a Bessel beam with a pure longitudinally polarized electric field can be generated, which can be turned to a beam with a pure longitudinally polarized magnetic field when the incidence is switched to vertical polarization. More importantly, it is further demonstrated that the longitudinal components of the electric and magnetic fields can be accurately manipulated between zero and the maximum by simply changing the polarization angle of incident light. The simplicity and flexibility of this proposed metasurface may provide new possibilities in ultracompact photonic devices for optical trapping, optical storage, and related fields.
Directional amplified spontaneous emissions from Ag nanohole array with high diffraction orders
Authors: Liu Yujun , Lv Fanzhou , Xiao Jiamin , Wu Dongda , La Junqiao , Yin Xiaoli , Wang Yi , Wang Wenxin
Published: January 2023

Surface plasmon excitations in metallic hole arrays have been extensively studied in the context of light–matter interaction, since the generated Bloch surface plasmon polariton (Bloch-SPP) exhibits unique properties of nanoscale light confinement, near-field enhancements, and long-range metal surface propagation. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a plasmonic device that exhibits highly directional emission in visible light; using Ag film with a thickness of 100 nm deposited on a subwavelength porous alumina array as a plasmonic cavity, four-level rhodamine 6G (R6G) is selected as the gain material. It is suggested that a Bloch-SPP with high diffraction orders on a Ag nanohole array can generate a strong local electric field and a high Purcell factor at a nanohole edge. Moreover, directional five-fold enhanced amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with polarization dependence is observed under a low threshold of 199.9 W/cm2 in the visible light region, which comes from the optical feedback provided by the 2D periodic nanohole array. This work opens up a wide range of applications for real-time tunable wavelength, controlled multimode laser, fluorescence detection, etc.
GaAs-enabled tunable multifunctional devices based on three coupling mechanisms for terahertz metamaterials
Authors: Yan Xin , Huang Chengcheng , Zhang Zijing , Qiu Fu , Liu Wenjia , Xu Ruochen , Wang Ziqun , Li Zhenhua , Hu Xiaofei , Wang Chao , Zhang Yonggang , Yao Haiyun , Liang Lanju , Yao Jianquan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a terahertz metamaterial structure with multiple physical features such as EIT-like resonance, Fano resonance, and terahertz wave absorption, is implemented. The device consists of a metal structure and a GaAs layer. The conductivity of GaAs can be adjusted by optical pump. When the conductivity of GaAs is 10 S/m, with the TE polarization wave incenting, the Fano resonance formed, and when the TM polarization wave was incenting, the EIT-like resonance formed. Modulation of the resonance can be achieved by adjusting the conductivity of GaAs, and a maximum modulation depth of 96.5% is obtained. When the conductivity of GaAs is 2 × 105 S/m, a double narrow-band absorption is obtained with TM polarization wave exciting. The maximum sensitivity reaches 513 GHz/RIU and the maximum FOM value reaches 39.5, which indicates that the device has excellent performance in refractive index sensing. The device also has a wide range of applications in terahertz sensors, slow-light devices, and terahertz modulators.
Interpretable machine learning for automated left ventricular scar quantification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients
Authors: Navidi Zeinab , Sun Jesse , Chan Raymond H. , Hanneman Kate , Al-Arnawoot Amna , Munim Alif , Rakowski Harry , Maron Martin S. , Woo Anna , Wang Bo , Tsang Wendy
Published: January 2023

Scar quantification on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images is important in risk stratifying patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) due to the importance of scar burden in predicting clinical outcomes. We aimed to develop a machine learning (ML) model that contours left ventricular (LV) endo- and epicardial borders and quantifies CMR LGE images from HCM patients.We retrospectively studied 2557 unprocessed images from 307 HCM patients followed at the University Health Network (Canada) and Tufts Medical Center (USA). LGE images were manually segmented by two experts using two different software packages. Using 6SD LGE intensity cutoff as the gold standard, a 2-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained on 80% and tested on the remaining 20% of the data. Model performance was evaluated using the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), Bland-Altman, and Pearson’s correlation. The 6SD model DSC scores were good to excellent at 0.91 ± 0.04, 0.83 ± 0.03, and 0.64 ± 0.09 for the LV endocardium, epicardium, and scar segmentation, respectively. The bias and limits of agreement for the percentage of LGE to LV mass were low (-0.53 ± 2.71%), and correlation high (r = 0.92). This fully automated interpretable ML algorithm allows rapid and accurate scar quantification from CMR LGE images. This program does not require manual image pre-processing, and was trained with multiple experts and software, increasing its generalizability.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome after SARS-CoV-2 infection on young adult population: International observational federated study based on electronic health records through the 4CE consortium
Authors: Moal Bertrand , Orieux Arthur , Ferté Thomas , Neuraz Antoine , Brat Gabriel A. , Avillach Paul , Bonzel Clara-Lea , Cai Tianxi , Cho Kelly , Cossin Sébastien , Griffier Romain , Hanauer David A. , Haverkamp Christian , Ho Yuk-Lam , Hong Chuan , Hutch Meghan R. , Klann Jeffrey G. , Le Trang T. , Loh Ne Hooi Will , Luo Yuan , Makoudjou Adeline , Morris Michele , Mowery Danielle L. , Olson Karen L. , Patel Lav P. , Samayamuthu Malarkodi J. , Sanz Vidorreta Fernando J. , Schriver Emily R. , Schubert Petra , Verdy Guillaume , Visweswaran Shyam , Wang Xuan , Weber Griffin M. , Xia Zongqi , Yuan William , Zhang Harrison G. , Zöller Daniela , Kohane Isaac S. ,   The Consortium for Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE), Boyer Alexandre , Jouhet Vianney
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In young adults (18 to 49 years old), investigation of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been limited. We evaluated the risk factors and outcomes of ARDS following infection with SARS-CoV-2 in a young adult population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 1st, 2020 and February 28th, 2021 using patient-level electronic health records (EHR), across 241 United States hospitals and 43 European hospitals participating in the Consortium for Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE). To identify the risk factors associated with ARDS, we compared young patients with and without ARDS through a federated analysis. We further compared the outcomes between young and old patients with ARDS.

Results

Among the 75,377 hospitalized patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR, 1001 young adults presented with ARDS (7.8% of young hospitalized adults). Their mortality rate at 90 days was 16.2% and they presented with a similar complication rate for infection than older adults with ARDS. Peptic ulcer disease, paralysis, obesity, congestive heart failure, valvular disease, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease and liver disease were associated with a higher risk of ARDS. We described a high prevalence of obesity (53%), hypertension (38%- although not significantly associated with ARDS), and diabetes (32%).

Conclusion

Trough an innovative method, a large international cohort study of young adults developing ARDS after SARS-CoV-2 infection has been gather. It demonstrated the poor outcomes of this population and associated risk factor.
Perceived discrimination based on the symptoms of covid-19, mental health, and emotional responses–the international online COVISTRESS survey
Authors: Dambrun Michaël , Bonetto Eric , Motak Ladislav , Baker Julien S. , Bagheri Reza , Saadaoui Foued , Rabbouch Hana , Zak Marek , Nasir Hijrah , Mermillod Martial , Gao Yang , Antunes Samuel , Ugbolue Ukadike Chris , Pereira Bruno , Bouillon-Minois Jean-Baptiste , Nugier Armelle , Clinchamps Maëlys , Dutheil Frédéric ,   The COVISTRESS network
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite the potential detrimental consequences for individuals’ health and discrimination from covid-19 symptoms, the outcomes have received little attention. This study examines the relationships between having personally experienced discrimination based on the symptoms of covid-19 (during the first wave of the pandemic), mental health, and emotional responses (anger and sadness). It was predicted that covid-19 discrimination would be positively related to poor mental health and that this relationship would be mediated by the emotions of anger and sadness.

Methods

The study was conducted using an online questionnaire from January to June 2020 (the Covistress network; including 44 countries). Participants were extracted from the COVISTRESS database (Ntotal = 280) with about a half declaring having been discriminated due to covid-19 symptoms (N = 135). Discriminated participants were compared to non-discriminated participants using ANOVA. A mediation analysis was conducted to examine the indirect effect of emotional responses and the relationships between perceived discrimination and self-reported mental health.

Results

The results indicated that individuals who experienced discrimination based on the symptoms of covid-19 had poorer mental health and experienced more anger and sadness. The relationship between covid-19 personal discrimination and mental health disappeared when the emotions of anger and sadness were statistically controlled for. The indirect effects for both anger and sadness were statistically significant.

Discussion

This study suggests that the covid-19 pandemic may have generated discriminatory behaviors toward those suspected of having symptoms and that this is related to poorer mental health via anger and sadness.
Random forests, sound symbolism and Pokémon evolution
Authors: Kilpatrick Alexander James , Ćwiek Aleksandra , Kawahara Shigeto
Published: January 2023

This study constructs machine learning algorithms that are trained to classify samples using sound symbolism, and then it reports on an experiment designed to measure their understanding against human participants. Random forests are trained using the names of Pokémon, which are fictional video game characters, and their evolutionary status. Pokémon undergo evolution when certain in-game conditions are met. Evolution changes the appearance, abilities, and names of Pokémon. In the first experiment, we train three random forests using the sounds that make up the names of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean Pokémon to classify Pokémon into pre-evolution and post-evolution categories. We then train a fourth random forest using the results of an elicitation experiment whereby Japanese participants named previously unseen Pokémon. In Experiment 2, we reproduce those random forests with name length as a feature and compare the performance of the random forests against humans in a classification experiment whereby Japanese participants classified the names elicited in Experiment 1 into pre-and post-evolution categories. Experiment 2 reveals an issue pertaining to overfitting in Experiment 1 which we resolve using a novel cross-validation method. The results show that the random forests are efficient learners of systematic sound-meaning correspondence patterns and can classify samples with greater accuracy than the human participants.
Surgical laser therapy for cryptoglandular anal fistula: Protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mei Zubing , Zhang Zhijun , Han Ye , Du Peixin , Yang Wei , Wang Qingming , Zheng De
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Anal fistula is the natural evolution of perianal abscess and one of the most common perianal diseases for adults. For complex fistula, it is still very challenging for anorectal surgeons to manage. With the introduction of laser technique in surgery, it is becoming more and more widely used for the treatment of cryptoglandular anal fistula. During the past decade, numerous studies have reported the clinical effectiveness and postoperative outcomes of different forms of laser treatment for anal fistula. However, as these studies were varied in terms of baseline characteristics, the evidence for the true clinical effectiveness of laser treatment for anal fistula need further critical appraisal. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of surgical laser therapy for cryptoglandular anal fistula stratified by laser type and Parks’ classification through a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Methods and analysis

This study will be carried out with adherence to the Cochrane Handbook. We will search PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase until June, 2022 to identify all relevant interventional and observational studies examining the effects of laser therapy on the clinical outcomes for cryptoglandular anal fistula. Data extraction from eligible studies will be performed independently by two unblinded authors using standardized extraction forms. Risk of bias assessment for each study will be conducted using Cochrane tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) tool for observational studies. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model will be used to calculate the pooled estimates. Heterogeneity will be examined by subgroup analysis stratified by laser type and Parks’ classification and other study characteristics. Potential publication bias will be assessed by funnel plot symmetrical and Egger’s regression tests.

Conclusions

The synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence of this systemic review will yield updated and comprehensive evidence of laser treatment on specific outcomes, which can provide anorectal surgeons with high level evidence-based recommendations to improve patient care and clinical outcomes. OSF registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/36ADW.
Association between serum periostin levels and the severity of arsenic-induced skin lesions
Authors: Khatun Moriom , Siddique Abu Eabrahim , Wahed Abdus S. , Haque Nazmul , Tony Selim Reza , Islam Jahidul , Alam Shahnur , Sarker Md. Khalequzzaman , Kabir Isabela , Hossain Shakhawoat , Sumi Daigo , Saud Zahangir Alam , Barchowsky Aaron , Himeno Seiichiro , Hossain Khaled
Published: January 2023

Arsenic is a potent environmental toxicant and human carcinogen. Skin lesions are the most common manifestations of chronic exposure to arsenic. Advanced-stage skin lesions, particularly hyperkeratosis have been recognized as precancerous diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of arsenic-induced skin lesions remains unknown. Periostin, a matricellular protein, is implicated in the pathogenesis of many forms of skin lesions. The objective of this study was to examine whether periostin is associated with arsenic-induced skin lesions. A total of 442 individuals from low- (n = 123) and high-arsenic exposure areas (n = 319) in rural Bangladesh were evaluated for the presence of arsenic-induced skin lesions (Yes/No). Participants with skin lesions were further categorized into two groups: early-stage skin lesions (melanosis and keratosis) and advanced-stage skin lesions (hyperkeratosis). Drinking water, hair, and nail arsenic concentrations were considered as the participants’ exposure levels. The higher levels of arsenic and serum periostin were significantly associated with skin lesions. Causal mediation analysis revealed the significant effect of arsenic on skin lesions through the mediator, periostin, suggesting that periostin contributes to the development of skin lesions. When skin lesion was used as a three-category outcome (none, early-stage, and advanced-stage skin lesions), higher serum periostin levels were significantly associated with both early-stage and advanced-stage skin lesions. Median (IQR) periostin levels were progressively increased with the increasing severity of skin lesions. Furthermore, there were general trends in increasing serum type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels with the progression of the disease. The median (IQR) of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, and IgE levels were significantly higher in the early-and advanced-stage skin lesions compared to the group of participants without skin lesions. The results of this study suggest that periostin is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of arsenic-induced skin lesions through the dysregulation of type 2 immune response.
Conventional androgen deprivation therapy is associated with an increased risk of fracture in advanced prostate cancer, a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Chen Wei-Cheng , Li Jian-Ri , Wang Shian-Shiang , Chen Chuan-Shu , Cheng Chen-Li , Hung Sheng-Chun , Lin Ching-Heng , Chiu Kun-Yuan , Liao Po-Chi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of care in advanced prostate cancer. We conducted a Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) study to evaluate the association between ADT and fracture risk in patient with prostate cancer in Taiwan.

Methods

Between 2001 and 2008, data from the Taiwan NHIRD was collected. We separated newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients into four groups: the injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists group, the orchiectomy group, the oral antiandorgens group and the radical prostatectomy only group. A non-cancer matched control group was also assigned for comparison. T tests, chi-squared tests, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression were performed. A subsequent fracture event was defined according to the appropriate diagnosis codes (ICD9-CM 800–829) with hospitalization. Patients with fracture before their diagnosis with prostate cancer were excluded.

Results

Overall, 22517 newly diagnosed patients with prostate cancer were enrolled in the study. After exclusion criteria were applied, 13321 patients were separated into the injection group (5020 subjects), the orchiectomy group (1193 subjects), the oral group (6059 subjects) and the radical prostatectomy only group (1049 subjects). The mean age of the overall study population was 74.4 years. Multi-variant analysis disclosed a significantly increased risk of fracture in the injection group, the orchiectomy group, and the oral group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95%, confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 1.76, p<0.001, HR = 1.95, 95%, CI 1.61 to 2.37, p<0.001, HR = 1.37, 95%, CI 1.22 to 1.53, p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, a significantly decreased fracture risk was noted in the radical prostatectomy only group (HR = 0.51, 95%, CI 0.35 to 0.74, p = 0.001). Patients receiving osteoporosis medication had a significantly decreased fracture risk (HR = 0.26, 95%, CI 0.19–0.37, p<0.001).

Conclusions

ADT is associated with an increased risk of fracture. For patients receiving long-term prostate cancer castration therapy, doctors should always keep this complication in mind and arrange proper monitoring and provide timely osteoporosis medication.
Fitólitos – Uma ferramenta para estudos de reconstituição paleoambiental
Authors: Calegari Marcia Regina , Souza Erica de , Mozer Jonathan Harrison , Marcolin Luciane , Fonseca Christiane Farias da
Published: January 2023

Os fitólitos são estruturas microscópicas de sílica (SiO2.nH2O) produzidos nos tecidos vegetais. O interesse pelo estudo dos fitólitos tem crescido significativamente nos últimos anos no Brasil e no mundo devido a sua grande variedade de usos, desde a arqueologia até a medicina legal e por sua natureza altamente interdisciplinar. A análise fitolítica recentemente tem sido entendida como uma superdisciplina, que perpassa por diferentes escalas de análise. Estudos referentes a produção de fitólitos, variações de forma e tamanho e, a análise/interpretação de assembleias preservadas em solos e sedimentos têm contribuído para a compreensão de questões paleoambientais e paleoarqueobotânicas. Com vistas a relevância e visibilidade que a análise de fitólitos tem apresentado, sobretudo no Brasil, se apresenta aqui uma revisão sobre os principais aspectos relacionados a essa técnica e as aplicações no Brasil.
Vídeo-Minuto e Instagram na Sala de Aula: Uma Proposta Pedagógica Experimental Direcionada com viés Educomunicativo / IVideo-Minute and Instagram in the Classroom: An Experimental Pedagogical Proposal Directed with Educommunicative Bias NADA COM VIÉS EDUCOMUNICATIVO
Authors: Florêncio Roberto Rémígio , Trapiá Filho João de Sá Araújo , Cordeiro Janaína de Souza
Published: January 2023

Os desafios impostos pela pandemia causada pelo novo coronavírus atingiu todos os setores da sociedade, entre eles a educação. O contexto remoto de ensino, apesar de permitir que as aulas tivessem continuidade, apresentou outros empecilhos a serem ultrapassados, incluindo a introdução das próprias TDICs nas aulas. Este trabalho tem como objetivo ressaltar como práticas educominucativas podem tornar as aulas mais significativas mesmo no ensino remoto. Como o vídeo-minuto pode tornar-se uma ferramenta pedagógica para práticas de aulas dialógicas com olhares educomunicativos?  Essa questão norteou professores do curso de Pós-Graduação em Educação, Cultura e Territórios Semiáridos a desenvolverem uma pesquisa com estudantes do 8º ano do Ensino fundamental II, em uma escola da Rede Pública no interior de Pernambuco. A pesquisa é experimental e direcionada, com viés educomunicativo, parte de uma análise documental. A partir do gênero Regulamento, associado a um concurso de vídeo-minuto, foi possível utilizar o Instagram como ferramenta de veiculação das produções dos estudantes, envolvendo a comunidade. O tema do concurso abriu espaço para que os discentes apresentassem os desafios de estudar na pandemia, sugerindo reflexões dos docentes acerca das práticas pedagógicas. Abstract: The challenges imposed by the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus reached all sectors of society, including education. The remote teaching context, despite allowing classes to continue, presented other obstacles to be overcome, including the introduction of TDICs in classes. This work aims to highlight how educational practices can make classes more meaningful even in remote teaching. How can the minute-video become a pedagogical tool for dialogical class practices with educommunicative perspectives? This question guided teachers of the Post-Graduate Course in Education, Culture and Semi-arid Territories to develop a research with students of the 8th year of Elementary School II, in a public school in the interior of Pernambuco. The research is experimental and directed, with an educommunicative bias, based on a documental analysis. From the Regulation genre, associated with a one-minute video contest, it was possible to use Instagram as a tool for the placement of student productions, involving the community. The theme of the contest made room for students to present the challenges of studying in the pandemic, suggesting reflections from teachers about pedagogical practices.Keywords: Pedagogical proposal; Educommunication; Remote classes.
Descrição de Sífilis Congênita em Almenara/MG Entre 2015-2022 / Description of Congenital Syphilis in Almenara/MG Between 2015-2022
Authors: Ladislau Ruth Alves , Souza Poliana Félix , Coelho Viviane Amaral Toledo , De Souza Carla Giselly , Nascimento Ednardo de Souza , Bigatello Creonice Santos , Coelho Thomaz
Published: January 2023

Objetivo: Analisar a assistência pré-natal nos casos de sífilis congênita no município de Almenara- MG, entre 2015 a 2022. Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica do tipo descritivo exploratória de caráter qualitativo-quantitativo como método investigativo para obter informações pertinentes e coerentes para fundamentação teórica do problema e simultaneamente a análise de dados que foram obtidos através do SINAN. Resultados: Foram diagnosticados e notificados 34 casos de sífilis em gestantes e 56 casos de sífilis congênita, sendo possível observar que a partir do ano de 2015 o número de casos aumentou substancialmente. Quanto as características da assistência pré-natal, 53 gestantes realizaram pré-natal (94,6%) e 16 delas tiveram o diagnóstico durante o pré-natal, sendo que apenas 1 (2,7%) teve o tratamento de forma adequada. Conclusão: Há uma deficiência quanto à assistência pré-natal prestada as mulheres. A detecção tardia aliada ao tratamento inadequado sugere a definição de estratégias com os participantes da equipe de saúde promovendo a captação das gestantes e seus parceiros. Abstract: Objective: To analyse prenatal care in cases of congenital syphilis in the city of Almenara-MG, between 2015 and 2022. Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive literature review of a qualitative-quantitative nature as an investigative method to obtain relevant information and coherent for the theoretical foundation of the problem and simultaneously the analysis of data that were obtained through SINAN. Results: 34 cases of syphilis in pregnant women and 56 cases of congenital syphilis were diagnosed and reported, and it is possible to observe that from the year 2015 the number of cases increased substantially. As for the characteristics of prenatal care, 53 pregnant women underwent prenatal care (94.6%) and 16 of them had the diagnosis during prenatal care, with only 1 (2.7%) being adequately treated. Conclusion: There is a deficiency in the prenatal care provided to women. Late detection combined with inadequate treatment suggests the definition of strategies with the participants of the health team, promoting the capture of pregnant women and their partners.Keywords: Congenital syphilis; Quality of prenatal care; IST.
Desafios no Cotidiano de Famílias com Crianças e Adolescentes com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo / Challenges in the Daily Life of Families with Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Prychodco Robson Celestino , Bittencourt Zelia Zilda Lourenço de Camargo
Published: January 2023

O Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo impacta significativamente a vida das pessoas diagnosticadas e de seus familiares, com especial destaque às mães. O artigo objetiva descrever as mudanças, adequações da vida e do cotidiano decorrentes do diagnóstico. Participaram do estudo 90 voluntários, membros de pelo menos uma das três maiores redes sociais sobre Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo no Facebook, de onde os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário semiestruturado. Os resultados permitiram inferir que para a maioria dos responsáveis foi necessário reacomodar muitos aspectos do cotidiano ligados à vida profissional, financeira, acadêmica, pessoal e conjugal, à rotina familiar e de projetos, para incorporar a nova realidade trazida pelo diagnóstico, reforçando a necessidade de  políticas públicas direcionadas às necessidades desse público. Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder significantly impacts the lives of diagnosed people and their families, especially mothers. The article aims to describe the changes, adaptations of life and daily life resulting from the diagnosis. The study included 90 volunteers, members of at least one of the three largest social networks on Autism Spectrum Disorder on Facebook, from where data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. The results allowed us to infer that for most of those responsible, it was necessary to rearrange many aspects of daily life related to professional, financial, academic, personal and marital life, to the family and project routine, to incorporate the new reality brought by the diagnosis, reinforcing the need to public policies directed to the needs of this public.Keyword: Family Relations; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Diagnosis; Family Caregiver.