bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does poor methodological quality of prediction modeling studies translate to poor model performance? An illustration in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Helmrich Isabel R. A. Retel , Mikolić Ana , Kent David M. , Lingsma Hester F. , Wynants Laure , Steyerberg Ewout W. , van Klaveren David
Published: May 2022

Background

Prediction modeling studies often have methodological limitations, which may compromise model performance in new patients and settings. We aimed to examine the relation between methodological quality of model development studies and their performance at external validation.

Methods

We systematically searched for externally validated multivariable prediction models that predict functional outcome following moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Risk of bias and applicability of development studies was assessed with the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). Each model was rated for its presentation with sufficient detail to be used in practice. Model performance was described in terms of discrimination (AUC), and calibration. Delta AUC (dAUC) was calculated to quantify the percentage change in discrimination between development and validation for all models. Generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used to examine the relation between methodological quality and dAUC while controlling for clustering.

Results

We included 54 publications, presenting ten development studies of 18 prediction models, and 52 external validation studies, including 245 unique validations. Two development studies (four models) were found to have low risk of bias (RoB). The other eight publications (14 models) showed high or unclear RoB. The median dAUC was positive in low RoB models (dAUC 8%, [IQR − 4% to 21%]) and negative in high RoB models (dAUC − 18%, [IQR − 43% to 2%]). The GEE showed a larger average negative change in discrimination for high RoB models (− 32% (95% CI: − 48 to − 15) and unclear RoB models (− 13% (95% CI: − 16 to − 10)) compared to that seen in low RoB models.

Conclusion

Lower methodological quality at model development associates with poorer model performance at external validation. Our findings emphasize the importance of adherence to methodological principles and reporting guidelines in prediction modeling studies.
Qualitative study to characterize patient experience and relevance of patient-reported outcome measures for patients with metastatic synovial sarcoma
Authors: Eliason Laurie , Grant Laura , Francis Anya , Cardellino Anna , Culver Ken , Chawla Sant P. , Arbuckle Rob , Pokras Shibani
Published: May 2022

Background

The outlook for patients with metastatic synovial sarcoma (mSS) is poor. Better understanding of patient experience in this setting, beyond clinical measures, may guide improvements in management. Validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments specific to many types of cancer exist, but for rare cancers this is often not the case.

Methods

This study aimed to characterize patient experiences of symptoms and impacts of mSS and evaluate the content validity and relevance of the novel European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Item Library 31 (EORTC IL31) Disease Symptoms PRO tool assessing synovial sarcoma symptoms. This tool comprises items from preexisting, validated cancer-specific PRO instruments from the EORTC Item Library. It was developed as an mSS-specific add-on to the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), which evaluates general cancer and treatment-related symptoms and functioning. This was a non-interventional, qualitative interview study involving semi-structured, concept elicitation (CE) and cognitive debriefing (CD) telephone interviews in adults with mSS. CE explored symptoms and their impact on functioning and quality of life; CD assessed participant understanding and relevance of the PRO tools.

Results

Among the 8 participants, the most common disease-related symptoms reported during CE were fatigue and pain, while shortness of breath was one of the most bothersome. The greatest negative impacts of mSS occurred in domains of physical functioning and sleep. Key treatment priorities for patients were to improve disrupted sleep and ability to undertake strenuous activities.

Conclusions

The interviews showed that, when used together, the EORTC IL31 and EORTC QLQ-C30 covered symptoms and impacts of most relevance and importance to patients with mSS, with no notable gaps and good conceptual coverage. This study therefore supports the content validity of 2 tools in mSS, advocating their use in clinical trials to assess treatment impact on PRO measures of importance to these patients.
Comparison of clinical outcomes following osteochondral allograft transplantation for osteochondral versus chondral defects in the knee
Authors: Matthews John Reza , Brutico Joseph , Heard Jeremy , Chauhan Kashyap , Tucker Bradford , Freedman Kevin Blake
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is a restorative technique for addressing articular cartilage defects by transferring mature viable chondrocytes with subchondral bone into size-matched lesions. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in clinical and functional outcomes in patients treated with OCA for osteochondral defects compared with isolated chondral pathology.

Methods

A retrospective review identified patients who underwent OCA transplantation and grouped them into osteochondral or isolated chondral pathology. Demographic data, surgical history, lesion characteristics, complications, and rate of subsequent surgery were reviewed. The review included 86 patients (24 osteochondral, 62 chondral) with a mean follow-up of 5.4 ± 1.4 years. Outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR.), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical scores. Failure was defined to include revision OCA, graft removal, conversion to ACI, or conversion to arthroplasty.

Results

The average age at surgery was 32.3 and 37.3 years for the osteochondral and chondral groups, respectively (P = 0.056). The medial femoral condyle was the most common defect location in both groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Patients with osteochondral pathology had significantly greater KOOS JR., IKDC, and SF-12 scores (P < 0.05), and fewer failures were reported in the osteochondral group (8.3% versus 32.3%, P = 0.045). When controlling for age, sex, laterality, BMI, and presence of a concomitant procedure, patients with osteochondral pathology were found to have better KOOS and IKDC scores, but there was no difference in SF12 scores or rates of failure between groups.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that patients undergoing OCA for osteochondral defects may have greater functional outcomes and similar failure rates compared with OCA transplantation for isolated chondral pathology.
Platelet-rich plasma injection in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Barman Apurba , Sinha Mithilesh K. , Sahoo Jagannatha , Jena Debasish , Patel Vikas , Patel Suman , Bhattacharjee Souvik , Baral Debanjan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy.

Methods

The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for clinical trials which compared PRP injection with other ‘active treatment’ interventions (‘Non-PRP’ injection and ‘No-injection’ treatments) or ‘No-active treatment’ interventions. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials that had been published up to 15 November 2021, were included in the meta-analysis. The primary outcome, pain relief, was measured on a ‘visual analog scale.’ Secondary outcomes were knee functional activities and quality of life (QoL). The PRISMA guidelines were followed throughout the study.

Results

Eight comparative studies were identified for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Assessment of these studies revealed that there were no significant differences in pain relief, functional outcomes, and QoL in the short, medium, and long term between PRP injection and Non-PRP injection interventions. Similarly, comparison of PRP injection to the No-active treatment intervention showed no differences in short- and medium-term pain relief. However, when PRP injection was compared to the No-injection treatment intervention extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECWT), the former was found to be more effective in terms of pain relief in the medium term (mean difference [MD] − 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] − 2.72 to − 0.28) and long term (MD − 1.70; 95% CI, − 2.90 to − 0.50) and functional outcomes in the medium term (MD 13.0; 95% CI 3.01–22.99) and long term (MD 13.70; 95% CI 4.62–22.78).

Conclusions

In terms of pain relief and functional outcomes, the PRP injection did not provide significantly greater clinical benefit than Non-PRP injections in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy. However, in comparison with ESWT, there was a significant benefit in favor of PRP injection.
Assessment of efficacy and safety of two Egyptian protocols for treatment-experienced HCV patients: an observational study
Authors: Hagag Radwa Samir , Fakhry Morkoss Medhat , Ahmed Ossama Ashraf , Abdalgeleel Shaimaa Abdalaleem , Radwan Mahasen Aly , Naguib Gina Gamal
Published: May 2022

Background

The devastating adverse effects of interferon (IFN) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) lead to the emerging of direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs). This investigation was undertaken to assess safety and efficacy of two Egyptian DAA protocols for HCV: sofosbuvir (SOF)/daclatasvir (DCV)/simeprevir (SMV)/ribavirin (RBV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)/ombitasvir (OMB)/paritaprevir (PTV)/ritonavir (RTV)/RBV for 12 weeks in treatment-experienced HCV Egyptian patients.

Methods

It is a retrospective study where 139 patients, out of 400 patients, were divided according to their documented treatment protocol into two groups (Gp1: SOF/DCV/SMV/RBV and Gp2: SOF/PTV/OMB/RTV/RBV). All patients’ physical examination, disease history, laboratory baseline, and end of treatment data were collected from their profiles, evaluated and compared.

Results

Gp1 and Gp2 regimens had achieved sustained virologic response rates (SVR12) of 96.6% and 95.1%, respectively. Hemoglobin, ALT, and AST had decreased significantly (P< 0.05) in the two groups. Total bilirubin level had increased significantly in Gp1 and Gp2 (P = 0.002 and < 0.001, respectively). Creatinine level had increased significantly (P = 0.002) in Gp1 at end of treatment, while Gp2 remained unchanged. Headache and fatigue were the most common side effects in both protocols.

Conclusions

SOF/DCV/SMV/RBV and SOF/PTV/OMB/RTV/RBV regimens achieved high similar efficacy in Egyptian treatment-experienced HCV patients. Even though the outcome was with tolerable side effects, a better treatment regimen was recommended to abate these side effects for the welfare of Egyptian HCV patients.
Development of a questionnaire to measure the knowledge, expectations, and challenges of parents of children with cochlear implants
Authors: Salah Norhan , Osman Dalia Mostafa , Safwat Rasha , Farag Heba Mahmoud
Published: May 2022

Objectives

When children are diagnosed with loss of hearing, different aspects will influence the parents’ decision-making process of cochlear implantation. Little information is available for coping experience and challenges associated with parenting cochlear implanted children. The objective of this work was to study parental knowledge of parental expectations versus experiences about CI children and to explore the challenges they might face.

Material and methods

Participants were parents of 50 Egyptian children with CI (28 males and 22 females). The children’s ages ranged from 5 to 8 years with a mean age of 6.55 years. An Arabic questionnaire was designed to evaluate parental perspectives and challenges during the CI procedure.

Results

Most of the parents were satisfied with the amount of knowledge they received before implantation. Nearly half of parents (48%) received their knowledge about CI from the experience of others. Parents who d a sufficient awareness of the prerequisites of the protocol of CI in the general national health insurance were (48%). Most of the parents had challenges with a length of the CI procedure, expensive spare parts, and the cost of language therapy. Parents showed high expectations regarding academic achievements. Parental expectations regarding communication ability and social skills were met. Parents were most satisfied with the improved wellbeing and future life skills of their children.

Conclusions

This study declares that the parental questionnaire is an important instrument that gives insight into the knowledge, expectations, and challenges of parents of children with cochlear implants in order to achieve a successful consequence following implantation.
Fast 2.5D and 3D inversion of transient electromagnetic surveys using the octree-based finite-element method
Authors: Xiao Longying , Fiandaca Gianluca , Zhang Bo , Auken Esben , Christiansen Anders Vest
Published: May 2022

Two efficient implementations of 3D and 2.5D modeling and inversion are presented to be applicable to large-scale transient electromagnetic (TEM) method explorations. The key novel features are (1) forward response and Jacobian calculations are implemented using the octree-based finite-element method, (2) a mirror approach is used to build a 2.5D inversion scheme for further efficiency, and (3) a flexible link between the forward mesh and inversion model is applied on 3D and 2.5D schemes based on the voxel formulation. We compare the performance of the new implementations with 3D modeling using tetrahedral meshes, with respect to speed and memory requirements. The 3D octree algorithm requires less than 1/3 of the computational time compared with a 3D tetrahedral scheme for equivalent accuracy. The 2.5D octree algorithm further speeds up the process by reducing the computational time by another factor of two. The inversion uses the Levenberg-Marquart approach minimizing the least-squares criterion of the objective function. We determine the utility of our inversion approach on a synthetic example and a field example. In the synthetic example, the 3D octree inversion result finds superior resolution of a 3D anomaly compared with a 1D result, whereas the 2.5D inversion result is, expectedly, between the 1D and 3D results, but with favorable computational expenses compared with the full 3D solution. The field data set contains 200 soundings, and we perform a 3D inversion on the full survey. A 24-sounding section is then selected for the 2.5D inversion. The 2.5D inversion result finds resistivity features similar to the 3D inversion result at the selected profile. Hence, we conclude that the presented implementations are capable of handling relatively large TEM surveys on modern computational platforms. This could be smaller subsets of production-size surveys where 2D and 3D effects are pronounced.
Drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar surveying: Flight-height considerations for diffraction-based velocity analysis
Authors: Booth Adam D. , Koylass Tiffany M.
Published: May 2022

Recent studies highlight the potential of the drone platform for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveying. Most guidance for optimizing drone flight heights is based on maximizing the image quality of target responses, but no study yet considers the impact on diffraction traveltimes. Strong GPR velocity contrasts across the air-ground interface introduce significant refraction effects that distort diffraction hyperbolas and introduce errors into diffraction-based velocity analysis. The severity of these errors is explored with synthetic GPR responses, using ray- and finite-difference approaches, and a field GPR data set acquired over a sequence of diffracting features buried up to 1 m depth. Throughout, GPR antennas with 1000 MHz center frequency are raised from the ground to heights <0.9 m (i.e., 0–3 times the wavelength in air). Velocity estimates are within +10% of modeled values (spanning from 0.07 to 0.13 m/ns) if the antenna height is within 1/2 wavelength in air above the ground surface. Greater heights reduce diffraction curvature, damaging velocity precision, and masking diffractions against a background of subhorizontal reflectivity. Field data highlight further problems of the drone-based platform, with data dominated by reverberations in the air gap and reduced spatial resolution of wavelets at target depth. We suggest that a drone-based platform is unsuitable for diffraction-based velocity analysis, and any future drone surveys are benchmarked against ground-coupled data sets.
Acute Postoperative Seizures and Engel Class Outcome at 1 Year Postselective Laser Amygdalohippocampal Ablation for Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Barkley Ariana S. , Sullivan Liam T. , Gibson Alec W. , Zalewski Kody , Mac Donald Christine L. , Barber Jason K. , Hakimian Shahin , Ko Andrew L. , Ojemann Jeffrey G. , Hauptman Jason S.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND:

MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is a safe, minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical approaches. Prognostic factors associated with efficacy are debated; preoperative epilepsy duration and semiology seem to be important variables.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether acute postoperative seizure (APOS) after MRgLITT for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with seizure freedom/Engel class outcome at 1 year.

METHODS:

A single-institution retrospective study including adults undergoing first time MRgLITT for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (2010-2019) with ≥1-year follow-up. Preoperative data included sex, epilepsy duration, number of antiepileptics attempted, weekly seizure frequency, seizure semiology, and radiographically verified anatomic lesion at seizure focus. Postoperative data included clinical detection of APOS within 7 days postoperatively, and immediate amygdala, hippocampal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal residual volumes determined using quantitative imaging postprocessing. Primary outcome was seizure freedom/Engel classification 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS:

Of 116 patients, 53% (n = 61) were female, with an average epilepsy duration of 21 (±14) years, average 6 failed antiepileptics (±3), and weekly seizure frequency of 5. APOS was associated with worse Engel class (P= .010), conferring 6.3 times greater odds of having no improvement vs achieving seizure freedom at 1 year. Residual amygdala, hippocampal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal volumes were not statistically significant prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION:

APOS was associated with a lower chance of seizure freedom at 1 year post-MRgLITT for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Amygdala, hippocampal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal residual volumes after ablation were not significant prognostic factors.
Why did he say that? Teaching physicians-in-training how to recognize hidden emotions in end-of-life prognosis conversations: an autoethnography
Authors: Stonestreet John
Published: May 2022

Background: Intuitively accessible via WhyDidHeSayThat.com, this article begins with two unconscionable end-of-life prognosis-related quotes from best-selling physician-author, Atul Gawande, and an unnamed doctor, asking: “Why did he say that?” The article then proceeds to answer this question by showing how physicians’ most common end-of-life communication blunders are rooted in their unexplored emotions. Healthcare’s only widespread conversation analysis training focused on examining the role of hidden emotions in influencing the flow of conversation is found in Spiritual Care’s “Verbatim” education modules. While the need for physicians’ emotional self-awareness for improved end-of-life communication has been identified in the literature, no one has explored how this need might be met by custom-tailoring Spiritual Care’s “Verbatim” education modules for physicians-in-training.

Methods: This article utilizes the qualitative research method of autoethnography to grant physicians access to the content and power of Spiritual Care’s “Verbatim” education modules for conversation analysis and emotional intelligence.  

Results: Using a profound personal example from the author’s firsthand experience of the suggested training tool, the “Verbatim” module is shown to grant revelatory self-knowledge and invaluable emotional intelligence. The same model then illuminates the physician cases.

Conclusion: Spiritual Care’s “Verbatim” education modules address universal issues of clinical communication and emotional self-awareness that are applicable to physician-patient/family conversations surrounding end-of-life decision-making. Customizing these conversation analysis modules for physicians-in-training may help to address physicians’ emotionally-triggered conversational miscues in end-of-life prognosis communication. Existing programs for complementary end-of-life communication training are noted, and it is claimed that a combination of each of these models, together with the proposed module, may be ideal. It is also admitted that no form of education or training can ensure ethical communication. Therefore the ultimate solution is to supplement communication training with real-time, third-party support and accountability. This can be achieved by the "Doctor Body Cam" intervention protocol, accessible via DoctorBodyCam.com.
A comparison of the World Health Organisation's HEAT model results using a non-linear physical activity dose response function with results from the existing tool
Authors: Smith Robert , Thomas Chloe , Squires Hazel , Goyder Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The WHO-Europe’s Health Economic Assessment Tool is a tool used to estimate the costs and benefits of changes in walking and cycling. Due to data limitations the tool’s physical activity module assumes a linear dose response relationship be-tween physical activity and mortality.

Methods: This study estimates baseline population physical activity distributions for 44 countries included in the HEAT. It then compares, for three different scenarios, the results generated by the current method, using a linear dose-response relationship, with results generated using a non-linear dose-response relationship.

Results: The study finds that estimated deaths averted are relatively higher (lower) using the non-linear effect in countries with less (more) active populations. This difference is largest for interventions which affect the activity levels of the least active the most. Since more active populations, e.g. in Eastern Europe, also tend to have lower Value of a Statistical Life estimates the net monetary benefit estimated by the scenarios are much higher in western-Europe than eastern-Europe.

Conclusions: Using a non-linear dose response function results in materially different estimates where populations are particularly inactive or particularly active. Estimating base-line distributions is possible with limited additional data requirements, although the method has yet to be validated. Given the significant role of the physical activity module within the HEAT tool it is likely that in the evaluation of many interventions the monetary benefit estimates will be sensitive to the choice of the physical activity dose response function.
Roman Knoll i Juliusz Łukasiewicz – dwie wizje miejsca Polski w Europie w przededniu wybuchu drugiej wojny światowej
Authors: Bartoszewicz Henryk
Published: May 2022

Przedmiotem artykułu jest obraz miejsca Polski w Europie na przełomie 1938 i 1939 r., przedstawiony w dwóch broszurach opublikowanych wówczas przez Romana Knolla i Juliusza Łukasiewicza. Obydwaj autorzy należeli do grona znakomitych dyplomatów II Rzeczypospolitej. Knoll ukazał Polskę jako państwo zagrożone agresją III Rzeszy, a ponadto dostrzegał on możliwość zawarcia antypolskiego paktu niemiecko-sowieckiego. Natomiast broszura Łukasiewicza wpisywała w krąg literatury propagandowej Obozu Zjednoczenia Narodowego, która widziała ówczesną Rzeczpospolitą co najmniej jako europejskie mocarstwo regionalne.
Sprawa zabójstwa oficera wywiadu PRL Władysława Mroza: zbrodnia – śledztwo – konsekwencje
Authors: Gołębiewicz Marcin
Published: May 2022

Główny cel artykułu stanowi przedstawienie okoliczności zabójstwa 27 X 1960 r. w Paryżu oficera Departamentu I MSW Władysława Mroza. Kapitan Mróz będąc „nielegałem”, ujawnił tajemnice wywiadowcze organom kontrwywiadu francuskiego. Został zamordowany bez przeprowadzenia postępowania sądowego. Czyn ten będąc zbrodnią komunistyczną, nigdy nie ulegnie przedawnieniu karalności.
Efectos del Covid-19 en Colombia. Una visión desde el derecho del trabajo y el empleo
Authors: Camacho Ramírez Adriana
Published: May 2022

El trabajo, como fuente de riqueza, desarrollo, bienestar social y derecho fundamental, debe estar en primera línea frente a cualquier modificación o adaptación del ordenamiento jurídico de un país. De ahí que, con un enfoque en el derecho laboral, este libro aborde los efectos y los cambios que generó, y sigue generando, la pandemia de covid-19 en Colombia, así como la protección social de nuestros ciudadanos y el fortalecimiento del diálogo social, la negociación colectiva y las instituciones y mecanismos de las relaciones laborales en materia colectiva. Dado lo anterior, cada uno de los capítulos que componen esta obra presentan un problema jurídico específico, con un estilo de investigación y una metodología propia, que, con estadísticas, cifras, derecho comparado y normas administrativas o legales, ofrecen análisis y propuestas diversas, que podrán ser el inicio de muchas reflexiones, incluso en el periodo pospandémico.
The Ex Ante Likelihood of Bubbles
Authors: Chinco Alex
Published: May 2022

The limits of arbitrage explain how a speculative bubble is sustained; they do not explain how likely one is to occur. To do that, you need a theory about the thing that sporadically causes arbitrageur constraints to bind. I propose a first such theory, which is based on social interactions between speculators. The theory says that bubbles should be more likely in assets where increases in past returns make excited-speculators relatively more persuasive to their peers. I empirically verify this ex ante prediction about bubble likelihoods and show that it is robust to some ex post disagreement about bubble definitions.

This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4351 .
Responsabilização ou Punição: Violações de Direitos na Medida Socioeducativa de Internação
Authors: Costa Cibele Soares da Silva , Alberto Maria de Fatima Pereira , Silva Erlayne Beatriz Félix de Lima
Published: May 2022

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as violações de direitos na vida de jovens em cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas de internação. Foi realizada uma pesquisa com dez jovens que cumpriam medida socioeducativa de internação em uma cidade do estado da Paraíba. Utilizou-se uma entrevista aberta individual abordando o cotidiano dos jovens na unidade de internação. Os dados foram analisados a partir da Análise Temática de Conteúdo, organizados na classe temática Violações de direitos durante o cumprimento da medida socioeducativa, com as respectivas categorias: Violência física e psicológica, Enclausuramento, Superlotação, Negligência, Consequências da medida disciplinar e Revista íntima vexatória. Conclui-se que o cumprimento da medida socioeducativa de internação se caracteriza pela permanência da cultura punitiva, evidenciando a necessidade de um projeto pedagógico que norteie as ações nas unidades e as atividades de todos os profissionais que atuam nas instituições de medidas socioeducativas, e que efetive a garantia de direitos dos jovens.
Saúde Mental, Uso de Álcool e Qualidade do Sono em Estudantes de uma Universidade Pública
Authors: Reis Maria Emanuelle De França Antunes , Matumoto Polyana Alvarenga , Bernardino Neto Morun , Rosa Thiago Augusto , Rezende Alexandre Azenha Alves de , Calábria Luciana Karen
Published: May 2022

Este estudo analisou os aspectos cognitivos e comportamentais dos estudantes de uma universidade pública durante a graduação, considerando autopercepção de depressão, ansiedade e estresse, bem como uso de substâncias psicoativas e qualidade do sono. Foi realizado um delineamento longitudinal com 34 estudantes ingressantes em 2015/1 e formandos em 2018/2, aplicando-se questionário online. Do total de universitários, 22 eram mulheres e 12 eram homens, sendo que o consumo de drogas aumentou para ambos os sexos. A frequência da percepção de processos depressivos aumentou no fim do curso, enquanto a de ansiedade diminuiu, para ambos os sexos. Os dados de percepção do estresse mostraram aumento na frequência total. Houve correlação positiva fraca entre depressão e ansiedade ou estresse, mas correlação positiva moderada entre estresse e ansiedade no final do curso. Ainda, obteve-se um aumento expressivo de distúrbio do sono em homens e mulheres, porém de forma significativa apenas para os primeiros. Foi notada correlação positiva fraca entre a percepção de depressão, ansiedade ou estresse no final do curso. Faz-se necessário o acompanhamento multiprofissional do universitário, auxiliando na maneira de lidar com as dificuldades, bem como medidas de melhoria da qualidade de vida e sono.
Treinamento de Habilidades Sociais no Contexto Escolar: Revisão Sistemática
Authors: Tallamini Elsa Zanette , Patias Naiana Dapieve , Ferreira Vinícius Renato Thomé , Wagner Márcia Fortes
Published: May 2022

A literatura descreve que as habilidades sociais são reconhecidas como fator de proteção ao desenvolvimento humano. Por consequência, programas de treinamento de habilidades sociais têm sido considerados eficazes no aprimoramento de tais comportamentos e competências sociais. Esta revisão tem como objetivo avaliar os estudos de intervenção voltados ao contexto educacional no âmbito do Treinamento de Habilidades Sociais, publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais. Foram localizados um somatório total de 1.022 artigos utilizando os descritores "Social skills AND Training AND Teachers" nos bancos de dados SciELO, LILACS, EBSCO, PePSIC e PubMedD, sem delimitação de período de tempo. Depois de aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão utilizando o método Prisma, restaram nove artigos, provenientes de diferentes países. Os resultados indicaram a escassez de estudos voltados ao cenário escolar tendo o professor como foco. Além disso, no que se refere aos estudos nacionais, estão vinculados a alguns grupos de pesquisa, existem poucos instrumentos específicos e não foram focados em habilidades sociais educativas. No entanto, os estudos analisados apresentam contribuições em termos da caracterização do repertório de habilidades sociais e propõem intervenções no âmbito educacional.
Produção e compartilhamento de memes de literatura nas redes sociais
Authors: Subrinho Abinalio Ubiratan da Cruz , Gonzaga de Lima Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Este estudo se debruça sobre questões relacionadas as reverberações da hibridização da literatura para/na internet. Objetivando refletir sobre a construção e compartilhamento de memes, criados a partir de referências literárias, na condição de elemento de aproximação entre os leitores-usuários e a literatura on e offline. Nesta investigação compreendemos os memes de internet enquanto produto da cibercultura (LÉVY, 2011), produzidos a partir de um processo de apropriação e mixagem (BORRIAUD, 2009), quanto a subcategoria memes de literatura, descrevemos arquivos elaborados a partir de temas, obras e autores circunscritos no campo do literário. Com o desenvolvimento da pesquisa ficou evidente a diversidade de memes de literatura, e a existência de um crescente número de internautas obstinados a promover o encontro entre leitores e narrativas.
Comportamento de forrageio de Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) cearensis Ducke, 1910 (Apidae) em Waltheria cinerascens A.St.Hil. (Sterculiaceae) em dunas costeiras (APA do Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Costa Cristiana B. N. , Costa Jorge A. S. , Rodarte Ana Tereza A. , Jacobi Claudia M.
Published: May 2022

O comportamento de forrageio de Xylocopa cearensis Ducke, 1910 (Apidae) em plantas de Waltheria cinerascens A. St.Hil. (Sterculiaceae) foi estudado pela primeira vez no ecossistema de restinga em dunas costeiras na APA do Abaeté (12o56’S, 38o21’W), município de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, no período de 23/mar a 05/maio/2001. Foram acompanhadas treze rotas deforrageio entre plantas, com variação de quatro a vinte passos (média de treze passos). Os ângulos e as distâncias entre cada espécime vegetal visitado foram mensurados, bem como o número de flores oferecidas e visitadas. As rotas observadas indicam que provavelmente existe uma direcionalidade com tendência a movimentos laterais. As abelhas visitam cerca de 31% das flores oferecidas com pico de visitação próximo ao horário de receptividade estigmática. O néctar é o principal recurso floral explorado pelas abelhas, sendo o pólen depositado, durante o processo de coleta do néctar, na mandíbula ou na parte frontal da cabeça em flores longistílicas e brevistílicas, respectivamente. Esse comportamento possibilita a polinização interformas em W. cinerascens. A distribuição das plantas foi analisada através do método de quadrados contínuos. Waltheria cinerascens possui uma distribuição agrupada na área e o maior deslocamento apresentado por Xylocopa cearensis abrange uma área de 600 m2.
Etnoecologia dos cágados-d’água Phrynops spp. (Testudinomorpha: Chelidae) entre pescadores artesanais no Açude Bodocongó, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Alves Ângelo G. C. , Souto Francisco José B. , Leite Aracélia M.
Published: May 2022

Bodocongó é um açude urbano localizado em Campina Grande, Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil (07°13’11”S, 35°52’31”W). Apesar dos altos níveis de poluição e alcalinidade, esse corpo aquático tem sido intensamente utilizado pela população humana de baixa renda que reside em sua margem. Sobrevivendo num ambiente degradado, essas pessoas desenvolveram um amplo e diversificado corpus de conhecimentos empíricos sobre o funcionamento, a estrutura e a utilização do ecossistema. Entre os vários recursos biológicos conhecidos e utilizados localmente, incluem-se os cágados-d’água (Phrynops spp.) localmente denominados “cago-d’água”. Este trabalho teve como objetivo descrever e avaliar as formas pelas quais esses quelídeos são conhecidos e utilizados pelos pescadores artesanais que atuam naquele Açude. Os dados de campo foram coletados através de entrevistas etnográficas e também por observação direta das atividades de pesca no ecossistema. Animais foram coletados para identificação taxonômica. Os informantes demonstraram conhecer aspectos tróficos, comportamentais e taxonômicos dos cágados-d’água, bem como várias formas de uso medicinal e alimentar dos Phrynops, o que evidencia a importância destes quelônios na dinâmica etnoecológica do Açude Bodocongó. Esses animais servem aos pescadores locais como fonte de proteína e recurso medicinal, pelo uso de sua carne e gordura (“banha”). Por outro lado, os cágadosd’água são vistos localmente como responsáveis pelo “roubo” de pescados e iscas e por estragos em apetrechos de pesca, configurando assim uma conexão conflitiva entre pescadores e cágados-d’água. A descrição e compreensão dos saberes e práticas populares autóctones são subsídios essenciais para um melhor conhecimento e conservação dos açudes brasileiros e da sua biota, especialmente o gênero Phrynops, que se encontra ameaçado e pouco estudado.
Manipulating quantum interference of dressed photon fields
Authors: Chang Chih-Chun , Chen Yi-Hsin , Chen Guang-Yin , Lin Lee
Published: May 2022

Through quantum electrodynamics (QED) we investigate the interactions between a three-level atom and two photon fields under perturbation limit. The dispersion relation and (relative) transmission of the probe photons are obtained by calculating the corresponding Feynman diagrams. The quantum interference in this three-level system such as Fano resonance and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) can be tuned by varying the intensities of the control and probe beams. Moreover, by considering that the control beam with periodic modulation, that is, the so-called Landau-Zener-Stückelberg (LZS) type source, the accumulated phase after Landau-Zener transitions is found to show the alternating Fano (EIT) lineshapes in the transmission of the probe photons. We further find that the transmissions can become almost stationary in addition to a wide EIT window in time even though the control beam is a LZS-type oscillating source.
Cone-type multi-directional viewing-zone extension of a computer-generated hologram via a shuffle interconnection
Authors: Kim Soobin , Kim Young-ju , Kim Taeone , Kim Hwi
Published: May 2022

We propose the multi-directional viewing-zone extension of computer-generated holograms (CGHs) using a single flat-panel spatial light modulator (SLM) and a multi-directional shuffle interconnection. A design breaking the SLM plane into several sub-zone regions and creating extended viewing-zones through a multi-directional shuffle interconnection is presented with a proof-of-concept experiment generating a cone-like viewing zone subtended by sixteen sub-viewing-zones.
Color computational ghost imaging based on a plug-and-play generalized alternating projection
Authors: Liu Shoupei , Li Qi , Wu Huazheng , Meng Xiangfeng
Published: May 2022

Computational ghost imaging (CGI), in which an image is retrieved from the known speckle patterns that illuminate the object and the total transmitted intensity, has shown great advances because of its advantages and potential applications at all wavelengths. However, high-quality and less time-consuming imaging has been proven challenging especially in color CGI. In this paper, we will present a new color CGI method that can achieve the reconstruction of high-fidelity images at a relatively low sampling rate (0.0625) by using plug-and-play generalized alternating projection algorithm (PnP-GAP). The spatial distribution and color information of the object are encoded into a one-dimensional light intensity sequence simultaneously by combining randomly distributed speckle patterns and a Bayer color mask as modulation patterns, which is measured by a single-pixel detector. A pre-trained deep denoising network is utilized in the PnP-GAP algorithm to achieve better results. Furthermore, a joint reconstruction and demosaicking method is developed to restore the target color information more realistically. Simulations and optical experiments are performed to verify the feasibility and superiority of our proposed scheme by comparing it with other classical reconstruction algorithms. This new color CGI scheme will enable CGI to obtain information in real scenes more effectively and further promote its practical applications.
The search for scientific meaning in mindfulness research: Insights from a scoping review
Authors: Phan-Le Nhat Tram , Brennan Linda , Parker Lukas
Published: May 2022

There are on-going debates about what is and is not ‘mindfulness’. These debates are stifling rigorous academic research as scientific precision is a precursor to shared meaning. While mindfulness is a growing field of research, these divergent and conflated meanings are limiting deeper interdisciplinary research. Interventions designed in one practice context may not be useful in other contexts because meaning is not transferred between settings. This review clarifies the various research domains that study mindfulness and the conceptual and operational definitions in each domain. This two-stage study comprises a scoping review of mindfulness classifications and a comparative content mapping of mindfulness studies from 2015 to 2021. The initial comprehensive search strategy followed the preferred reporting items for scoping reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) method. The comparative analysis was conducted using Leximancer. Findings illustrate a complex growing research corpus on mindfulness that is somewhat confused. The results from the scoping review show three shared domains in mindfulness classifications: short-term effects of mindfulness, long-term effects of mindfulness, and mindfulness practices. The results from the content mapping show four domains of mindfulness research: mental health, behavioural change, cognitive neuroscience, and ethical mindfulness. Operational definitions of mindfulness are not articulated clearly in these domains. Conceptual and operational definitions in the ‘ethical mindfulness’ domain are not yet developed. To enhance scientific progress in mindfulness research, further investigations of mindfulness classifications need to be developed. Content mapping and semantic typology is a potential candidate for future classification. More attention should be paid to developing operational definitions according to specific research domains. Scholars in the ethical mindfulness domain will need solid conceptual and operational definitions to support their research efforts.
The effective family size of immigrant founders predicts their long-term demographic outcome: From Québec settlers to their 20th-century descendants
Authors: Labuda Damian , Harding Tommy , Milot Emmanuel , Vézina Hélène
Published: May 2022

Population history reconstruction, using extant genetic diversity data, routinely relies on simple demographic models to project the past through ascending genealogical-tree branches. Because genealogy and genetics are intimately related, we traced descending genealogies of the Québec founders to pursue their fate and to assess their contribution to the present-day population. Focusing on the female and male founder lines, we observed important sex-biased immigration in the early colony years and documented a remarkable impact of these early immigrants on the genetic make-up of 20th-century Québec. We estimated the immigrants’ survival ratio as a proportion of lineages found in the 1931–60 Québec to their number introduced within the immigration period. We assessed the effective family size, EFS, of all immigrant parents and their Québec-born descendants. The survival ratio of the earliest immigrants was the highest and declined over centuries in association with the immigrants’ EFS. Parents with high EFS left plentiful married descendants, putting EFS as the most important variable determining the parental demographic success throughout time for generations ahead. EFS of immigrant founders appears to predict their long-term demographic and, consequently, their genetic outcome. Genealogically inferred immigrants’ "autosomal" genetic contribution to 1931–60 Québec from consecutive immigration periods follow the same yearly pattern as the corresponding maternal and paternal lines. Québec genealogical data offer much broader information on the ancestral diversity distribution than genetic scrutiny of a limited population sample. Genealogically inferred population history could assist studies of evolutionary factors shaping population structure and provide tools to target specific health interventions.
A sheet pocket to prevent cross-contamination of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded block for application in next generation sequencing
Authors: Iwaya Keiichi , Arai Hisae , Takatou Nanao , Morita Yuka , Ozeki Rinko , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Sakamoto Masaru , Kouno Tsutomu , Soma Masayoshi
Published: May 2022

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks are used as biomaterials for next-generation sequencing of cancer panels. Cross-contamination is detected in approximately 5% of the DNA extracted from FFPE samples, which reduces the detection rate of genetic abnormalities. There are no effective methods available for processing FFPE blocks that prevent cells from mixing with other specimens. The present study evaluated 897 sheets that could potentially prevent cell transmission but allow for the movement of various solvents used in FFPE blocks. According to the International Organization for Standardization and Japanese Industrial Standards, six requirements were established for the screening of packing sheets: 1) filter opening ≤5 μm, 2) thickness ≤100 μm, 3) chemical resistance, 4) permeability ≥1.0 × 10−3 cm/s, 5) water retention rate <200%, and 6) cell transit test (≤2 cells/10 high-power fields). Polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene/polyethylene composite sheets met all criteria. A pocket, which was designed to wrap the tissue uniformly, was made of these sheets and was found to effectively block the entry of all cell types during FFPE block processing. Using a sheet pocket, no single cell from the cell pellet could pass through the outer layer. The presence or absence of the sheet pocket did not affect hematoxylin and eosin staining. When processing FFPE blocks as a biomaterial for next-generation sequencing, the sheet pocket was effective in preventing cross-contamination. This technology will in part support the precise translation of histopathological data into genome sequencing data in general pathology laboratories.
How the term “white privilege” affects participation, polarization, and content in online communication
Authors: Quarles Christopher L. , Bozarth Lia
Published: May 2022

The language used in online discussions affects who participates in them and how they respond, which can influence perceptions of public opinion. This study examines how the termwhite privilegeaffects these dimensions of online communication. In two lab experiments, US residents were given a chance to respond to a post asking their opinions about renaming college buildings. Using the termwhite privilegein the question decreased the percentage of whites who supported renaming. In addition, those whites who remained supportive whenwhite privilegewas mentioned were less likely to create an online post, while opposing whites and non-whites showed no significant difference. The term also led to more low-quality posts among both whites and non-whites. The relationship between question language and the way participants framed their responses was mediated by their support or opposition for renaming buildings. This suggests that the effects of the termwhite privilegeon the content of people’s responses is primarily affective. Overall, mention ofwhite privilegeseems to create internet discussions that are less constructive, more polarized, and less supportive of racially progressive policies. The findings have the potential to support meaningful online conversation and reduce online polarization.