bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysbiotic alteration in the fecal microbiota of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Chen Ke , Geng Huafeng , Ye Cong , Liu Junbao
Published: July 2024

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease associated with high androgen and infertility. The gut microbiota plays an important role in metabolic diseases including obesity, hyperglycemia, and fatty liver. Although the gut microbiota has been associated with PCOS, little is known about the gut microbial structure and function in individuals with PCOS from Northeast China. In this study, 17 PCOS individuals and 17 age-matched healthy individuals were recruited for community structure and function analysis of the gut microbiota. The results showed that PCOS individuals have reduced diversity and richness of the gut microbiota compared with healthy individuals. Beta diversity analysis showed that the community structure of the gut microbiota of individuals with PCOS was significantly separated from healthy individuals. At the phylum level, PCOS individuals have reduced
Firmicutes
and
Bacteroidota
and increased
Actinobacteriota
and
Proteobacteria
compared with healthy individuals. At the family and genus levels, the composition of the gut microbiota between PCOS patients and healthy individuals was also significantly different. In addition, PICRUSt2 showed that individuals with PCOS have different microbial functions in the gut compared with healthy individuals. We finally confirmed that
Bifidobacterium
was enriched in the fecal samples of PCOS patients, while other 11 genera including
Bacteroides
,
UCG_002
,
Eubacterium__coprostanoligenes_group_unclassified
,
Dialister
,
Firmicutes_unclassified
,
Ruminococcus
,
Alistipes
,
Christensenellaceae_R_7_group
,
Clostridia_UCG_014_unclassified
,
Roseburia
, and
Lachnospiraceae_unclassified
were depleted compared with healthy individuals. These results indicate that individuals with PCOS have altered community structure and functions of the gut microbiota, which suggests that targeting the gut microbiota might be a potential strategy for PCOS intervention.

IMPORTANCE

Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the development of PCOS. There is a complex and close interaction between PCOS and gut microbiota. The relationship between the pathogenesis and pathophysiological processes of PCOS and the structure and function of the gut microbiota needs further investigation.
Health-related quality of life outcomes reporting associated with FDA approvals in haematology and oncology
Authors: Gupta Medhavi , Akhtar Othman Salim , Bahl Bhavyaa , Mier-Hicks Angel , Attwood Kristopher , Catalfamo Kayla , Gyawali Bishal , Torka Pallawi
Published: July 2024

Objective

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes are important in making clinical and policy decisions. This study aimed to examine the HRQoL reporting in cancer drug trials leading to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals.

Methods and analysis

This retrospective cohort study analysed HRQoL data for trials leading to FDA approvals between July 2015 and May 2020. Proportion of included trials that reported HRQoL, latency between FDA approval and first report of HRQoL data, HRQoL outcomes, and their correlation with OS (overall survival) and PFS (progression-free survival) were analysed.

Results

Of the 233 trials associated with 207 FDA approvals, HRQoL was reported in 50% of trials, of which only 42% had the data reported by the time of FDA approval. There were no changes in frequency of HRQoL reporting between 2015 and 2020. HRQoL data were first reported in the primary publication in only 30% trials. Of the 115 trials with HRQoL data available, HRQoL improved in 43%, remained stable in 53% and worsened in 4% of trials. Among the trials that led to FDA approvals based on surrogate endpoints (79%), HRQoL was reported in 45% and improved only in 18% trials. There was no association between OS and PFS benefit and HRQoL outcomes.

Conclusion

Rates of HRQoL reporting were suboptimal in trials that led to FDA approvals with no improvements seen between 2015 and 2020. HRQoL reporting was often delayed and not presented in the primary publication. HRQoL reporting was further sparse in trials with approvals based on surrogate endpoints and HRQoL improved in only a minority of them.
Are adverse events higher among patients with acute optic neuritis prescribed glucocorticoids? A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study
Authors: De Lott Lindsey B. , Brennan Benjamin , Wallace Beth , Kerber Kevin , Burke James F , Roslin Chloe , Terman Samuel , Andrews Chris , Waljee Akbar K , Banerjee Mousumi
Published: July 2024

Objective

Optic neuritis (ON) is an acute focal inflammation of the optic nerve routinely treated with glucocorticoids. We aimed to compare adverse events (AE) among glucocorticoid-treated and untreated patients in the real world to guide clinical decision making about treatment tradeoffs.

Design

Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Claims study from a large, private insurer in the USA (2005–2019).

Participants

Adults≥18 years old with ≥1 ICD9/10 ON diagnosis with an evaluation/management visit code, and ≥6 months continuous enrolment prior to and following ON diagnosis.

Intervention

Glucocorticoid prescription exposure.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome was any AE within 90 days of glucocorticoid prescription. Secondary outcome was AE assessment by severity. Generalised estimating equations with logit link assessed relationships between glucocorticoid prescription and AEs. High-dimensional propensity score analyses accounted for potential confounding (eg, sociodemographics and comorbidities). Sensitivity analyses restricted the cohort to high-dose prescriptions (≥100 mg prednisone equivalent, injection/infusion), AEs within 30 days, highly specific ON definition and traditional propensity score match.

Results

Of the 14 311 people with 17 404 ON claims, 66.3% were women (n=9481), predominantly White (78.2%; n=9940), with median age (IQR)=48 (37,60) years. Within 90 days of the claim, 15.7% (n=2733/17 404) were prescribed glucocorticoids. The median (IQR) prescription duration=10 (6,20) days. Any and severe AEs were higher among patients prescribed glucocorticoids versus none (any AEs: n=437/2733 (16.0%) vs n=1784/14 671 (12.2%), adjusted OR 1.33 (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.50); severe AEs: n=72/2733 (2.6%) vs n=273/14 671 (1.9%), adjusted OR 1.82 (95% CI: 1.37 to 2.35)). Sensitivity analyses were similar.

Conclusions

Real-world glucocorticoid prescriptions among ON patients were short-term, associated with a 30% relative increase in potentially serious AEs captured within healthcare encounters, including those not previously observed, such as VTE. These results can inform treatment decisions, particularly for ON patients likely to experience only marginal benefits.
Characteristics and feedback of adult survivors of childhood cancer seen in Swiss comprehensive follow-up clinics led by general internists: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Tinner Eva Maria Eugenia , Dogan Oezcan , Boesing Maria , Roser Katharina , Michel Gisela , Minder Anna-Elisabeth , Maier Sabrina , Bayha Marinela , Affolter Helene , Baumgartner Christine , Meienberg Fabian , Kuehni Claudia , Rössler Jochen , Wertli Maria M , Leuppi Jörg D
Published: July 2024

Objectives

In our study, we aimed to characterise adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCS), assess their health issues, gauge health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and evaluate visit satisfaction.

Design

Prospective cohort study using data from clinical visits and questionnaires.

Setting

Interdisciplinary follow-up programme for ACCS based on the long-term follow-up (LTFU) guidelines of the Children’s Oncology Group and overseen by internists in two Swiss hospitals.

Participants

ACCS attending our LTFU clinics between April 2017 and January 2022 were eligible.

Interventions

We documented medical history, current health status and assessed HRQOL using Short Form-36 V.2, comparing it with Swiss general population (SGP) norms (T mean=50, SD=10; age stratified). 3 months post visit, a feedback questionnaire was distributed.

Main results

Among 102 ACCS (mean age: 32 years (range: 18–62 years), 68% women), 43 had no prior follow-up (36 ACCS>28 years, 7 ACCS≤28 years). A notable 94% had health issues, affecting an average of 6.1 (SD=3.3) organ systems. HRQOL was lower in ACCS>28 years than the SGP>28 years (physical: 44.8 (SD=11.65) vs 49.3 (SD=10.29), p=0.016; mental: 44.4 (SD=13.78) vs 50.53 (SD=9.92), p=0.004). Older ACCS (>28 years) reported inferior physical (44.8 vs 50.1 (SD=9.30), p=0.017) and mental HRQOL (44.4 vs 50.3 (SD=7.20), p=0.009) than younger ACCS. The majority of respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with the consultation, exceeding 90%.

Conclusion

ACCS attending LTFU clinics face diverse health issues impacting multiple organ systems and exhibit lower HRQOL compared with the SGP. Thus, internist-led LTFU clinics are crucial for optimising follow-up care.
Gender-sensitive community weight-loss programmes to address overweight and obesity in men: a scoping review
Authors: Nguyen Dieu , Liu Yutong , Kavanagh Shane A , Archibald Daryll
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To examine how gender-sensitive community weight-loss programmes have been used to address overweight and obesity in men and to identify what can be learnt from this rapidly evolving field.

Design

Scoping review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping review checklist for reporting.

Data sources

A database search was conducted using EBSCOhost (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, Global Health, Health Source: Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition and Medline Complete), Google, Google Scholar, Open Access Theses and Dissertations platform and Scopus.

Eligibility criteria

All weight-loss programmes using a gender-sensitive approach to address men’s overweight and obesity in community settings.

Data extraction and synthesis

Narrative synthesis was conducted based on the research questions and objectives. Primary outcomes include operationalisation, context and concept of the gender-sensitive approach. Information was reviewed and extracted to Microsoft Excel by two reviewers.

Results

A total of 40 studies (28 quantitative, eight mixed methods and four qualitative) were identified from 4617 records. Gender-sensitive approaches were undertaken in a range of settings and contexts including professional sports clubs (n=21), non-professional sporting clubs (n=16), workplace-based (n=2) and commercial organisation-based (n=1). The most common analysis approaches were evaluating the effect of the programmes (n=31) where positive impact was predominantly shown (eg, up to 3.9 kg weight reduction at 3-month follow-up). Programmes (ie, Football Fans in Training) were short-term cost-effective (eg, the cost was £862–£2228 per 5% weight reduction at 12-month follow-up). Qualitative evidence highlights factors that influenced men’s participation (eg, camaraderie) and identifies areas for improvement.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate that gender-sensitive programmes for men’s weight loss have been effectively applied using a range of different approaches and in a range of different contexts. Further evidence is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the programmes across diverse groups of men.
Social media use and anxiety levels among school adolescents: a cross-sectional study in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Aryal Nishika , Rajbhandari Anuja
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Excessive social media (SM) usage is the foremost factor contributing to anxiety. While these platforms facilitate connection and entertainment, their overuse can negatively impact adolescents' mental well-being. The study aimed to evaluate both SM usage and levels of anxiety while assessing potential associations between the two.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 401 school-age adolescents (14–17 years) in grades 9 and 10 through self-administered questionnaires. Kruskal-Wallis test was used as a non-parametric test to compare the groups, and ordinal logistic regression was used to model the relationship between ordinal dependent and independent variables.

Results

The study reported high SM usage (43.6% spent 4–8 hours daily). Females and grade 9 students were more prone to severe anxiety (45.2% and 34.3%, respectively). Despite privacy concerns (93.3%), 37.9% shared their accounts. Severe anxiety was prevalent (35.4%), with males exhibiting less odds of severe anxiety compared with females (OR=0.37, p value <0.001) and higher usage frequency and duration associated with increased anxiety (p<0.001 in the Kruskal-Wallis test). Those dependent on SM had 1.15 times higher odds of severe anxiety, while those not taking breaks showed lesser anxiety (OR=0.89, β=−0.10).

Conclusions

Involvement of adolescents in SM is associated with their anxiety levels, with factors like gender, usage patterns, and behaviours on these platforms playing important roles. This emphasises the need to understand how SM affects mental well-being and highlights the impact of their usage behaviours and concerns about privacy.
Sleep duration, chronotype, health and lifestyle factors affect cognition: a UK Biobank cross-sectional study
Authors: West Raha , Wong Ryan Tak Chun , Park Ji-Eun , Lee Si Woo , Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Dinayinie , Liu Zhigang , Ma Daqing
Published: July 2024

Objective

To explore the nuanced relationship between sleep patterns, chronotype, quality and the influence of health and lifestyle factors on cognitive performance.

Design, setting, participants

This cross-sectional analysis used ordinary least squares regression within the UK Biobank database, assessing 26 820 participants aged 53–86 years, categorised into two cohorts: Cohort 1 (10 067 participants, 56% female; completed all four cognitive tests of Fluid Intelligence/reasoning, Pairs Matching, Reaction Time and Prospective Memory) and Cohort 2 (16 753 participants, 56% female; completed only two cognitive assessments of Pairs Matching and Reaction Time).

Exposures

Participant’s self-reported sleep duration, chronotype and quality. Cognitive function was assessed through standardised computerised tests. The analysis was adjusted for demographic and comorbidity covariates.

Main outcomes and measures

Cognitive performance scores were evaluated against sleep parameters and health and lifestyle factors including sex, age, vascular and cardiac conditions, diabetes, alcohol intake, smoking habits and body mass index.

Results

The regression highlighted a positive association between normal sleep duration (7–9 hours) and cognitive scores in Cohort 1 (β=0.0567, 95% CI 0.0284 to 0.0851), while extended sleep duration negatively impacted scores across both cohorts (Cohort 1: β=−0.188, 95% CI −0.2938 to −0.0822; Cohort 2: β=−0.2619, 95% CI −0.3755 to −0.1482). Chronotype distinctions, particularly intermediate and evening types, were linked to superior cognitive function. Gender, age, angina, high blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol intake and smoking emerged as significant cognitive influencers.

Conclusions and relevance

The study delineates a multifaceted and nuanced relationship between sleep variables, health and lifestyle factors in determining cognitive outcomes. These findings highlight the vital role of sleep quality on cognitive health.
Patient and caregiver perspectives on causes and prevention of ambulatory adverse events: multilingual qualitative study
Authors: Sharma Anjana E , Tran Amber S , Dy Marika , Najmabadi Adriana L. , Olazo Kristan , Huang Beatrice , Sarkar Urmimala
Published: July 2024

Context

Ambulatory adverse events (AEs) affect up to 25% of the global population and cause over 7 million preventable hospital admissions around the world. Though patients and caregivers are key actors in promoting and monitoring their own ambulatory safety, healthcare teams do not traditionally partner with patients in safety efforts. We sought to identify what patients and caregivers contribute when engaged in ambulatory AE review, focusing on under-resourced care settings.

Methods

We recruited adult patients, caregivers and patient advisors who spoke English, Spanish and/or Cantonese, from primary care clinics affiliated with a public health network in the USA. All had experience taking or managing a high-risk medication (blood thinners, insulin or opioid). We presented two exemplar ambulatory AEs: one involving a warfarin drug-drug interaction, and one involving delayed diagnosis of colon cancer. We conducted semistructured focus groups and interviews to elicit participants’ perceptions of causal factors and potential preventative measures for similar AEs. The study team conducted a mixed inductive-deductive qualitative analysis to derive major themes.

Findings

The sample included 6 English-speaking patients (2 in the focus group, 4 individual interviews), 6 Spanish-speaking patients (individual interviews), 4 Cantonese-speaking patients (2 in the focus group, 2 interviews), and 6 English-speaking patient advisors (focus group). Themes included: (1) Patients and teams have specific safety responsibilities; (2) Proactive communication drives safe ambulatory care; (3) Barriers related to limited resources contribute to ambulatory AEs. Patients and caregivers offered ideas for operational changes that could drive new safety projects.

Conclusions

An ethnically and linguistically diverse group of primary care patients and caregivers defined their agency in ensuring ambulatory safety and offered pragmatic ideas to prevent AEs they did not directly experience. Patients and caregivers in a safety net health system can feasibly participate in AE review to ensure that safety initiatives include their valuable perspectives.
Investigating a novel population health management system to increase access to healthcare for children: a nested cross-sectional study within a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cecil Elizabeth , Forman Julia , Newham James , Hu Nan , Lingam Raghu , Wolfe Ingrid
Published: July 2024

Background

Early intervention for unmet needs is essential to improve health. Clear inequalities in healthcare use and outcomes exist. The Children and Young People’s Health Partnership (CYPHP) model of care uses population health management methods to (1) identify and proactively reach children with asthma, eczema and constipation (tracer conditions); (2) engage these families, with CYPHP, by sending invitations to complete an online biopsychosocial Healthcheck Questionnaire; and (3) offer early intervention care to those children found to have unmet health needs. We aimed to understand this model’s effectiveness to improve equitable access to care.

Methods

We used primary care and CYPHP service-linked records and applied the same methods as the CYPHP’s population health management process to identify children aged <16 years with a tracer condition between 1 April 2018 and 30 August 2020, those who engaged by completing a Healthcheck and those who received early intervention care. We applied multiple imputation with multilevel logistic regression, clustered by general practitioner (GP) practice, to investigate the association of deprivation and ethnicity, with children’s engagement and receiving care.

Results

Among 129 412 children, registered with 70 GP practices, 15% (19 773) had a tracer condition and 24% (4719) engaged with CYPHP’s population health management system. Children in the most deprived, compared with least deprived communities, had 26% lower odds of engagement (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.87). Children of Asian or black ethnicity had 31% lower odds of engaging, compared with white children (0.69 (0.59 to 0.81) and 0.69 (0.62 to 0.76), respectively). However, once engaged with the population health management system, black children had 43% higher odds of receiving care, compared with white children (1.43 (1.15 to 1.78)), and children from the most compared with least deprived communities had 50% higher odds of receiving care (1.50 (1.01 to 2.22)).

Conclusion

Detection of unmet needs is possible using population health management methods and increases access to care for children from priority populations with the highest needs. Further health system strengthening is needed to improve engagement and enhance proportionate universalist access to healthcare.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03461848).
Futile recanalization in patients with basilar artery occlusion: assessment of the underlying etiology and the role of perfusion imaging
Authors: Baik Sung Hyun , Jung Cheolkyu , Kim Byung Moon , Kim Dong Joon
Published: July 2024

Background

Futile recanalization (FR) after endovascular therapy (EVT) is common in basilar artery occlusion (BAO). The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of FR in the posterior circulation with an emphasis on the role of perfusion imaging and its relation to the underlying etiology.

Methods

We included BAO patients who had pretreatment perfusion imaging and successful recanalization after EVT. Patients were dichotomized into futile and non-futile groups according to the favorable functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–3). Perfusion abnormalities were assessed using an automated software for Tmax volume measurement and identification of hypoperfusion area based on Tmax>6 s involvement of the pons-midbrain-thalamus (PMT), cerebellum, and temporo-occipital lobe.

Results

Of the 134 enrolled patients, the incidence of FR was 47.8% (64/134). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that a higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.066; 95% CI 1.011 to 1.125), a longer onset-to-recanalization time (aOR 1.002; 95% CI 1.001 to 1.004), incomplete recanalization (aOR 3.909; 95% CI 1.498 to 10.200), and PMT hypoperfusion (aOR 4.444; 95% CI 1.203 to 16.415) were independent predictors of FR. In patients with embolic occlusion of etiology, PMT hypoperfusion was associated with FR (aOR 8.379; 95% CI 1.377 to 50.994), whereas intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS)-related occlusion was not (p=0.587).

Conclusions

In patients with BAO, the likelihood of FR is associated with PMT hypoperfusion on pretreatment perfusion imaging. In particular, PMT hypoperfusion may be used as an imaging predictor of FR in patients with embolic cause of BAO.
U-SMART: unified swarm management and resource tracking framework for unoccupied aerial vehicles
Authors: Phadke Abhishek , Medrano F. Antonio , Starek Michael
Published: July 2024

Unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms have the ability to exhibit improved capabilities and performance when compared to individual UAVs. However, their target operation environment is fraught with disruptions, including communication limitations, sensor failures, and dynamic environmental conditions, which can significantly impact swarm performance and robustness. To address these challenges, the proposed unified swarm management and resource tracking (U-SMART) framework focuses on enabling resiliency within UAV swarms. Resiliency refers to the swarm's ability to adapt, recover, and maintain functionality in the face of disruptions. The framework integrates features such as agent well-being tracking, collision and obstacle avoidance, energy management, and task control to enhance the swarm's ability to withstand disruptions and continue operating effectively to provide a comprehensive solution for unified swarm management. The modular design allows flexible configuration, upgrades, and the addition of new components. This facilitates easy adaptation to specific swarm requirements and evolving operational needs. Using frameworks like U-SMART, swarm operators can efficiently manage and control UAV swarms, mitigate disruptions, and maintain high situational awareness in challenging environments. Performance is validated for the integrated modules to test feasibility for different experiment scenarios. For each module and feasibility test, thresholds were set to indicate acceptable performance in the presence of disruptions, and results for the swarm running on the proposed framework showed the acceptable performance of agents validated using explicitly designed metrics.
Leptogenesis and dark matter in minimal inverse seesaw using $$A_4$$ modular symmetry
Authors: Gogoi Jotin , Sarma Lavina , Das Mrinal Kumar
Published: July 2024

In this paper we have studied neutrino masses and mixings by adding a scalar triplet $$\eta $$
η
to the particle content of minimal Inverse seesaw. We have realised this extension of minimal inverse seesaw with the help of a level 3 modular group, $$\Gamma (3)$$

Γ
(
3
)

. This group is isomorphic to non-abelian discrete symmetry group $$A_4$$

A
4

. We have also used $$Z_3$$

Z
3

symmetry group to restrain certain interaction terms in the lagrangian of the model. We have studied baryon asymmetry of the universe, neutrinoless double-beta decay and dark matter in our work. In order to check the consistency of our model with various experimental constraints, we have therefore calculated effective mass, relic density and baryogenesis via leptogenesis. Interestingly, we have found our model quite compatible with the experimental bounds and is also successful in producing the neutrino masses and mixings in the 3$$\sigma $$
σ
range.
Cycling into the workshop: e-bike and m-bike mobility patterns for predictive maintenance in Barcelona’s bike-sharing system
Authors: Grau-Escolano Jordi , Bassolas Aleix , Vicens Julian
Published: July 2024

Bike-sharing systems have emerged as a significant element of urban mobility, providing an environmentally friendly transportation alternative. With the increasing integration of electric bikes alongside mechanical bikes, it is crucial to illuminate distinct usage patterns and their impact on maintenance. Accordingly, this research aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of mobility dynamics, distinguishing between different mobility modes, and introducing a novel predictive maintenance system tailored for bikes. By utilising a combination of trip information and maintenance data from Barcelona’s bike-sharing system, Bicing, this study conducts an extensive analysis of mobility patterns and their relationship to failures of bike components. To accurately predict maintenance needs for essential bike parts, this research delves into various mobility metrics and applies statistical and machine learning survival models, including deep learning models. Due to their complexity, and with the objective of bolstering confidence in the system’s predictions, interpretability techniques explain the main predictors of maintenance needs. The analysis reveals marked differences in the usage patterns of mechanical bikes and electric bikes, with a growing user preference for the latter despite their extra costs. These differences in mobility were found to have a considerable impact on the maintenance needs within the bike-sharing system. Moreover, the predictive maintenance models proved effective in forecasting these maintenance needs, capable of operating across an entire bike fleet. Despite challenges such as approximated bike usage metrics and data imbalances, the study successfully showcases the feasibility of an accurate predictive maintenance system capable of improving operational costs, bike availability, and security.
On fractional Pennes bio-heat equation using Legendre collocation method
Authors: Mishra Arvind Kumar , Kumar Sushil , Shukla Ajay Kumar
Published: July 2024

In this paper, the distribution of heat in skin tissue during thermal treatment using the time-fractional Pennes model is studied. Temperature variations concerning several parameters such as derivative [Formula: see text] time, blood perfusion, and transmitted power are described using the Legendre collocation technique. The best feature of the proposed technique is the conversion of fractional-order differential equations into a set of algebraic systems and the ability to approximate both spatial and temporal coordinates with a single basis. The obtained results and comparison with an exact solution are illustrated.
Longitudinal Loyalty: Understanding The Barriers To Running Longitudinal Studies On Crowdsourcing Platforms
Authors: Soprano Michael , Roitero Kevin , Gadiraju Ujwal , Maddalena Eddy , Demartini Gianluca
Published: July 2024

Crowdsourcing tasks have been widely used to collect a large number of human labels at scale. While some of these tasks are deployed by requesters and performed only once by crowd workers, others require the same worker to perform the same task or a variant of it more than once, thus participating in a so-called
longitudinal study
. Despite the prevalence of longitudinal studies in crowdsourcing, there is a limited understanding of factors that influence worker participation in them across different crowdsourcing marketplaces. We present results from a large-scale survey of 300 workers on 3 different micro-task crowdsourcing platforms: Amazon Mechanical Turk, Prolific, and Toloka. The aim is to understand how longitudinal studies are performed using crowdsourcing. We collect answers about 547 experiences and we analyze them both quantitatively and qualitatively. We synthesize 17 take-home messages about longitudinal studies together with 8 recommendations for task requesters and 5 best practices for crowdsourcing platforms to adequately conduct and support such kinds of studies. We release the survey and the data at: https://osf.io/h4du9/.
Resolution Over Linear Equations: Combinatorial Games for Tree-like Size and Space
Authors: Gryaznov Svyatoslav , Ovcharov Sergei , Riazanov Artur
Published: July 2024

We consider the proof system Res

\((\oplus)\)

introduced by Itsykson and Sokolov (Ann. Pure Appl. Log.’20), which is an extension of the resolution proof system and operates with disjunctions of linear equations over

\({\mathbb {F}}_2\)

.

We study characterizations of tree-like size and space of Res

\((\oplus)\)

refutations using combinatorial games. Namely, we introduce a class of extensible formulas and prove tree-like size lower bounds on it using Prover–Delayer games, as well as space lower bounds. This class is of particular interest since it contains many classical combinatorial principles, including the pigeonhole, ordering, and dense linear ordering principles. Furthermore, we present the width-space relation for Res

\((\oplus)\)

generalizing the results by Atserias and Dalmau (J. Comput. Syst. Sci.’08) and their variant of Spoiler–Duplicator games.
PEBASI: A Privacy preserving, Efficient Biometric Authentication Scheme based on Irises
Authors: Gunasinghe Hasini , Atallah Mikhail , Bertino Elisa
Published: July 2024

We introduce a novel privacy-preserving biometric authentication scheme based on irises that allows a user to enroll once at a trusted biometric certification authority (BCA) and authenticate to online service providers (SPs) multiple times without involving the BCA during the authentication. Our scheme preserves the user’s biometric privacy from the SPs and transactional privacy from the BCA, while providing security against a malicious user. During the enrollment, the BCA issues a signed token that encrypts the user’s biometrics. We introduce techniques enabling the SP and the user to perform secure computation of biometric matching between such encrypted biometrics and the user’s biometrics captured at the authentication time. We provide a prototype implementation, a performance evaluation, and a security analysis of the protocol.
18 A/1020 V p-GaN-gated HEMTs with Isosceles Trapezoidal-Shaped Multi-Finger Structure
Authors: Lai Yu-Jun , Wu Dian-Ying , Yang Ya-Han , Liu Yu-Chen , Wu Cheng-Yeu , Wu Meng-Chyi
Published: July 2024

In this article, we investigate the effects of gate and drain field plates and isosceles trapezoidal-shaped multi-finger structures on the characteristics of high current p-GaN-gated high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). By optimizing the lengths of gate and drain field plates, the p-GaN-gated HEMTs with 200 μm have a breakdown voltage of 1893 V, a specific on-resistance of 7.0 mΩ-cm2, and a Baliga figure of merit (BFOM) value of 511 MW cm−2. Using the optimized isosceles trapezoidal-shaped multi-finger metallization on the source and drain, the p-GaN-gated HEMT with a 100 mm gate width can reach a current of 2.3 A. Combining all the optimum parameters of field plates and isosceles trapezoidal-shaped multi-finger, the fabricated 600 mm p-GaN-gated HEMT exhibits an output current of 18 A, an on-resistance of 0.7 Ω, and a breakdown voltage of 1020 V. Furthermore, the device also exhibits good thermal stability at high temperatures. These results demonstrate the potential and advantages of p-GaN-gated HEMT for power applications.
Modulating the Electrocatalytic CO2-CO Performance by Ag Morphology
Authors: Qiu Xudong , Li Xiaoguang
Published: July 2024

Highly selective conversion of CO2 into CO molecules remains a major challenge in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reactions, and metallic silver-based materials have great potential. However, the selectivity and activity of traditional silver (Ag)-based materials cannot reach the desired level, and the development of new Ag-based materials has become a hot research topic. Here, novel ag-glomerated spore-shaped Ag nanomaterials are reported for the efficient reduction of CO2 to CO. The unique nanostructures endowed with larger specific surface area, and the spore-like dispersed Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have more unsaturated Ag sites, which endowed the catalysts with higher intrinsic activity. Electrochemical tests show that spore-like Ag can obtain a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 95.6% at −1 V vs RHE, which is much higher than that of Ag nanowires (NWs) (73%) and ordinary Ag NPs (83%) synthesized in the same period. By using the three different morphologies of Ag synthesized as a research platform and statistically comparing the FE in the corresponding voltage interval, we obtained the influence of morphology effect on the selectivity of CO product production by electrocatalytic CO2 production over Ag-based catalysts, which can be further used as a guideline for catalyst development.
An efficient inducible model for the control of gene expression in renin cells
Authors: Medrano Silvia , Yamaguchi Manako , Almeida Lucas Ferreira de , Smith Jason P. , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Sigmund Curt D. , Sequeira-Lopez Maria Luisa S. , Gomez R. Ariel
Published: July 2024

Fate mapping and genetic manipulation are important tools to study the identity of renin cells. Here, we report on a novel Cre mouse model, Akr1b7CreERT2, for the spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression in renin cells. Cre is properly expressed in renin cells during development and in the adult under basal conditions and under physiological stress. Moreover, renin can be efficiently deleted in the adult, leading to the development of concentric vascular hypertrophy.
Integrative analysis of long isoform sequencing and functional data identifies distinct cortical layer neuronal subtypes derived from human iPSCs
Authors: Zehra Binte , Mohamed Nesrin , Farhat Ahmad , Bru-Mercier Gilles , Satsangi Dharana , Tambi Richa , Kamarudheen Rihana , Kumail Muhammad , Khalil Reem , Pessia Mauro , D’Adamo Maria Cristina , Berdiev Bakhrom K. , Uddin Mohammed
Published: July 2024

Low differentiation efficiency is one of the major drawbacks of the existing protocols to differentiate iPSCs into neuronal lineages. Here, we present time-efficient and robust approach of neuronal differentiation leading to the generation of functional brain units, cortical layer neurons. We found iPSCs cultured in Essential 8 media (E8M) resulted in neuronal differentiation without the signs of growth of spontaneously differentiated cells in culture at any point in 35 days compared with Stemflex media (SFM).
Lineage-tracing reveals an expanded population of NPY neurons in the inferior colliculus
Authors: Silveira Marina A. , Herrera Yoani N. , Beebe Nichole L. , Schofield Brett R. , Roberts Michael T.
Published: July 2024

Across brain regions, neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression is dynamic and influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. We previously showed that NPY is expressed by a class of inhibitory neurons in the auditory midbrain. Here, we find that this neuron class also includes neurons that previously expressed NPY, suggesting that NPY expression is dynamically regulated in the auditory midbrain. We also provide functional evidence that NPY neurons contribute to local inhibitory circuits in the auditory midbrain.
Hue and orientation pinwheels in macaque area V4
Authors: Parajuli Arun , Felleman Daniel J.
Published: July 2024

The representation of hue and orientation in macaque monkey area V4 was determined by intrinsic cortical imaging of responses to isoluminant hues and achromatic grating stimuli. Vector summation of support vector machine (SVM) decoded single-condition responses was used to generate hue and orientation maps that, like V1 orientation maps, were both characterized by distinct pinwheel patterns. These data suggest that pinwheels are an important structure to represent different stimulus features across multiple visual cortical areas.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence and Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events following Catheter Ablation
Authors: Lin Mingjie , Wang Juntao , Rong Bing , Zhang Kai , Chen Tongshuai , Han Wenqiang , Hu Tong , Wang Tianyu , Deng Haonan , Zhong Jingquan , Wu Lin
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Further evidence is required to understand the impact of preexisting and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) following catheter ablation. Materials and Methods. Data from 1,685 patients (1,406 without DM vs. 279 with DM) who underwent AF catheter ablation between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed. These participants were prospectively monitored for incidents of AF recurrence and MACCE over an average period of 58.1 months. Results. A higher incidence of AF recurrence (24.6% vs. 34.4%) and a greater frequency of MACCE (6.5% vs. 9.3%) were observed among DM patients. Kaplan–Meier curves indicated that DM significantly increased the rates of AF recurrence, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.506 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.165–1.948 (p = 0.0003). This association persisted in the propensity‐matched cohort. DM was independently predictive of AF recurrence after adjusting for potential risks using Cox regression analysis. Notably, new‐onset DM was also found to be an independent predictor of AF recurrence. Similarly, DM was an independent risk of MACCE (HR [95% CI], 2.273 [1.120–4.615], p = 0.023). Conclusions. Both existing DM and newly diagnosed DM were identified as independent risk factors for AF recurrence following ablation; they also significantly impacted MACCE outcomes. This study underscores the urgent need for careful management of DM among individuals undergoing AF ablation in order to reduce the likelihood of arrhythmic relapse. This analysis utilized data from a prospective observational study registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on July 20, 2014 (ChiCTR-OCH-14004674).
Assessing Midwives’ Knowledge and Practice in Neonatal Resuscitation: Gaps and Transfer of Knowledge to Reduce Mortality
Authors: Mohamedsharif Mohamed Abdualgafar Osman , Mohammed Isra Bdraldein Salih , Mohamedsharif Abubaker A.
Published: July 2024

Introduction. The neonatal period is a crucial time for the survival, growth, and development of newborns. Despite advances in medical science, neonatal mortality rates remain a significant public health issue, and midwives play a critical role in reducing neonatal deaths through the use of evidence‐based practices and appropriate neonatal resuscitation techniques. However, studies have shown that healthcare workers, including midwives, may not possess adequate knowledge in neonatal resuscitation, leading to adverse outcomes. This study aims to explore the current state of neonatal care and the role of midwives in neonatal resuscitation, with a focus on training and the transfer of knowledge into practice. It is essential to assess the level of knowledge of midwives in neonatal resuscitation and their ability to transfer this knowledge into action to reduce neonatal mortality rates. Objectives. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and practice of midwives in neonatal resuscitation, identify gaps in their knowledge and practice, and evaluate their ability to transfer this knowledge into action to reduce neonatal mortality rates. Methods. This study is a cross‐sectional, descriptive study conducted in six governmental teaching hospitals located in Khartoum city, with a total sample size of 57 midwives who work in the labor and operation rooms of the hospitals. The questionnaire comprised sections on sociodemographics (5 questions), knowledge assessment (14 questions), and neonatal resuscitation practices (21 questions). The sampling technique used was total coverage. Result. This study included 57 female participants, primarily aged 51–60 years with a one‐year diploma level of education. Of those surveyed, 49.1% performed neonatal resuscitation weekly. Participants demonstrated strong knowledge and practice in preparing for birth, but some gaps were identified in equipment usage and identification band placement. Resuscitation skills were generally lacking, with poor performance in ambo bagging and chest compression. Conclusion. This study on Sudanese midwives’ neonatal resuscitation knowledge and practices reveals room for improvement in equipment use, identification, and resuscitation skills. Demographic factors affect CPR knowledge and practice.
Unsupervised Vision‐Based Structural Anomaly Detection and Localization with Reverse Knowledge Distillation
Authors: Lei Xiaoming , Sun Mengjin , Zhao Rongxin , Wu Huayong , Zhou Zijie , Dong You , Sun Limin
Published: July 2024

Most of vision‐based methods for structural damage detection rely on supervised learning, requiring a substantial number of labeled images for model training, which is labor‐intensive and time‐consuming. To address these challenges, this study introduces a vision‐based structural anomaly detection and localization approach using unsupervised learning and reverse knowledge distillation. The proposed model incorporates a teacher model, a student model, and a trainable one‐class bottleneck embedding module. The asymmetrical architecture of the teacher and student models forms an encoder‐decoder structure for parameter transfer and feature extraction. The student network receives a specific embedding from the teacher network as input and target, facilitating the recovery of multiscale information from the teacher. Training images only contain the undamaged structures, and the teacher model, a pretrained model, instructs the student model to remember their undamaged features to detect and localize damages in unseen testing images. Through experiments, including a comparison among five candidate backbones for pretrained teacher models based on the residual network and testing across various structural damage types, the optimal model is identified, demonstrating good performance in both anomaly detection and localization. Furthermore, the model’s generalization performance is thoroughly validated, confirming its efficacy across diverse scenarios.
Cervical Cancer Screening Utilization among Kidney Transplant Recipients, 2001 to 2018
Authors: Hsu Christine D. , Yu Xiaoying , Guo Fangjian , Adekanmbi Victor , Kuo Yong-Fang , Westra Jordan , Berenson Abbey B.
Published: July 2024

Background:

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have elevated risks of cervical precancers and cancers and guidelines recommend more frequent cervical cancer screening exams. However, little is known about current trends in cervical cancer screening in this unique population. We described patterns in the uptake of cervical cancer screening exams among female KTRs and identified factors associated with screening utilization.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included female KTRs between 20 and 65 years old, with Texas Medicare fee-for-service coverage, who received a transplant between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2017. We determined the cumulative incidence of receiving cervical cancer screening post-transplant using ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT codes and assessed factors associated with screening utilization, using the Fine and Gray model to account for competing events. Subdistribution hazard models were used to assess factors associated with screening uptake.

Results:

Among 2,653 KTRs meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative incidences of initiating a cervical cancer screening exam post-transplant were 31.7% [95% confidence interval (CI), 30.0%–33.6%], 48.0% (95% CI, 46.2%–49.9%), and 58.5% (95% CI, 56.7%–60.3%), respectively. KTRs who were 55 to 64 years old (vs. <45 years old) and those with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Score post-transplant were less likely to receive cervical cancer screening post-transplant.

Conclusions:

Cervical cancer screening uptake is low in the years immediately following a kidney transplant.

Impact:

Our findings highlight a need for interventions to improve cervical cancer screening utilization among kidney transplant recipients.

See related In the Spotlight, p. 1554
Differences in the Prognostic Role of Age, Extent of Resection, and Tumor Grade between Astrocytoma IDHmt and Oligodendroglioma: A Single-Center Cohort Study
Authors: van der Vaart Thijs , Wijnenga Maarten M.J. , van Garderen Karin , Dubbink Hendrikus J. , French Pim J. , Smits Marion , Dirven Clemens M.F. , Kros Johan M. , Vincent Arnaud J.P.E. , van den Bent Martin J.
Published: July 2024

Purpose:

IDH-mutant glioma is classified as oligodendroglioma or astrocytoma based on 1p19q-codeletion. Whether prognostic factors are similar between these tumor types is not well understood.

Experimental Design:

Retrospective cohort study. Molecular characterization was performed with targeted next-generation sequencing. Tumor volumes were calculated using semiautomatic 3D segmentation on all pre- and post-operative MRI scans. Overall survival was assessed with the Cox-proportional hazards model.

Results:

A total of 383 patients with newly diagnosed IDH-mutant glioma were followed up for a median of 7.2 years. Grades 3 and 4 patients had significantly lower Karnofsky performance, with tumors having more contrast enhancement. Patients also received more aggressive postsurgery treatment. Postoperative tumor volume is significantly and independently associated with survival (HR, per cm3 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03–1.39) in IDH-mutant glioma. A separate analysis of oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma showed a significant association of postoperative tumor volume in astrocytoma but not in oligodendroglioma. Higher age and histologic tumor grade were associated with worse survival in patients with oligodendroglioma but not with astrocytoma.

Conclusions:

Our data support an initial strategy of extensive resection in patients with oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma. Other important prognostic factors differ between these tumor types, urging researchers and clinicians to keep treating these tumors as separate entities.