bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental Dyslexia and the Stress of Reading: A Social Stress Study of Neuroendocrine Response in Children
Authors: Buchweitz Augusto , de Azeredo Lucas Araújo , Esper Nathalia Bianchini , Dalfovo Nicole Prigol , Picoli Fernanda , da Cunha Fernanda Silva , Viola Thiago Wendt , Grassi‐Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: May 2023

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistently slow and effortful reading. It is associated with core cognitive deficits in decoding words, but it also presents significant challenges associated with, for example, anxiety and stress related to academic performance. We asked, thus, whether, reading out loud would be associated with elevated stress for readers with dyslexia, relative to good readers, and we investigated stress‐related hormone response in these two groups. We carried out an acute psychosocial stress test (Trier Social Stress Test‐Children adapted for children, TSST‐C), which included a reading out loud task. We carried out a quasi‐experimental study with an experimental group of participants with Developmental Dyslexia (n = 17), and a control group, with good readers (n = 18). During the stress test, we collected six saliva samples for evaluation of two stress‐related hormones, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. We found a main effect for group for ACTH and for cortisol levels. We also found significantly higher levels of ACTH in the dyslexic group at the end of the task, and during the post‐task recovery period. Results are discussed in the light of the less‐understood emotional impact of dyslexia, and of a recently proposed role for stress as a trigger for increased risk of development of dyslexia. Lastly, we underscore the contribution for the evidence of the emotional impact of learning disorders, especially, as is the case, from a population generally underrepresented in cognitive neuroscience research (i.e., Latin‐American children).
Iran and the SCO: The Quest For Legitimacy and Regime Preservation
Authors: Grajewski Nicole Bayat
Published: May 2023

At the 2021 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the Russian‐ and Chinese‐led bloc announced the approval of Iran's longstanding bid for membership. Iran has viewed its involvement in the organization as a means of bolstering external legitimacy, fostering security‐oriented regionalism, and promoting the transition toward the so‐called multipolar world order. The SCO has served as a regime‐preservation network by providing Iran with a source of solidarity against external pressure. Tehran's commitment to the normative order, sustained by the SCO's discourse of noninterference, sovereignty, and countering the “three evils”—terrorism, extremism, and separatism—has galvanized the organization's role as a common front against the imposition of liberal norms and challenges to regime security.
Heat shock‐induced enhanced susceptibility of barley to Bipolaris sorokiniana is associated with elevated ROS production and plant defence‐related gene expression
Authors: Künstler A. , Füzék K. , Schwarczinger I. , Nagy J. K. , Bakonyi J. , Fodor J. , Hafez Y. M. , Király L.
Published: May 2023

Heat stress alters plant defence responses to pathogens. Short‐term heat shock promotes infections by biotrophic pathogens. However, little is known about how heat shock affects infection by hemibiotrophic pathogens like Bipolaris sorokiniana (teleomorph: Cochliobolus sativus). We assessed the effect of heat shock in B. sorokiniana‐susceptible barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Ingrid) by monitoring leaf spot symptoms, B. sorokiniana biomass, ROS and plant defence‐related gene expression following pre‐exposure to heat shock.

For heat shock, barley plants were kept at 49 °C for 20 s. B. sorokiniana biomass was assessed by qPCR, ROS levels determined by histochemical staining, while gene expression was assayed by RT‐qPCR.

Heat shock suppressed defence responses of barley to B. sorokiniana, resulting in more severe necrotic symptoms and increased fungal biomass, as compared to untreated plants. Heat shock‐induced increased susceptibility was accompanied by significant increases in ROS (superoxide, H2O2). Transient expression of plant defence‐related antioxidant genes and a barley programmed cell death inhibitor (HvBI‐1) were induced in response to heat shock. However, heat shock followed by B. sorokiniana infection caused further transient increases in expression of HvSOD and HvBI‐1 correlated with enhanced susceptibility. Expression of the HvPR‐1b gene encoding pathogenesis‐related protein‐1b increased several fold 24 h after B. sorokiniana infection, however, heat shock further increased transcript levels along with enhanced susceptibility.

Heat shock induces enhanced susceptibility of barley to B. sorokiniana, associated with elevated ROS levels and expression of plant defence‐related genes encoding antioxidants, a cell death inhibitor, and PR‐1b. Our results may contribute to elucidating the influence of heat shock on barley defence responses to hemibiotrophic pathogens.
Sparse principal component analysis for high‐dimensional stationary time series
Authors: Fujimori Kou , Goto Yuichi , Liu Yan , Taniguchi Masanobu
Published: May 2023

We consider the sparse principal component analysis for high‐dimensional stationary processes. The standard principal component analysis performs poorly when the dimension of the process is large. We establish oracle inequalities for penalized principal component estimators for the large class of processes including heavy‐tailed time series. The rate of convergence of the estimators is established. We also elucidate the theoretical rate for choosing the tuning parameter in penalized estimators. The performance of the sparse principal component analysis is demonstrated by numerical simulations. The utility of the sparse principal component analysis for time series data is exemplified by the application to average temperature data.
Behavioral extremity moderates the association between certainty in attitudes about COVID and willingness to engage in mitigation‐related behaviors
Authors: Siev Joseph J. , Petty Richard E. , Paredes Borja , Briñol Pablo
Published: May 2023

People generally intend to act more on beliefs and attitudes about which they have greater certainty. However, we introduce a boundary condition to the positive association between certainty and behavioral intentions—behavioral extremity. Uncertainty about a threatening issue like COVID‐19 can be disconcerting, and we propose that uncertain people cope in part through increased openness to extreme actions like accepting risky medical treatments and aggression toward those defying mitigation policies. Testing this, we compiled and analyzed all the data on certainty about COVID‐19 mitigation policies and willingness to engage in mitigation‐related behaviors that our lab collected during the pandemic (6 samples, 20 behaviors, Ns up to 1496). External ratings of the behaviors' extremity moderated certainty‐willingness associations: whereas greater certainty was associated with increased willingness to engage in moderate behaviors (the typical result), lower certainty was associated with increased willingness to engage in extreme behaviors, especially among those worried about becoming ill.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes in CMV infection in intestinal transplant recipients: A single‐center experience
Authors: Fernandez Anmary A. , Simkins Jacques , Anjan Shweta , Abbo Lilian , Selvaggi Gennaro , Venkatasamy Vighnesh , Miyashiro Rafael , Martin Eric , Turkeltaub Joshua , Arosemena Leopold , O'Brien Christopher , Tekin Akin , Vega Ana , Perez Michelle M. , Kelly Jennifer Jebrock , Garcia Jennifer , Vianna Rodrigo M. , Natori Yoichiro
Published: May 2023

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most common posttransplantation infections and has been associated with increased rejection and mortality. Data in intestinal transplants recipients are limited.

Methods

This is a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of all intestinal transplants performed between January 1, 2009, and August 31, 2020. We included recipients of all ages who were at risk of CMV infection. To identify the risk factors, we conducted at first univariate and multivariate analysis. For the multivariate analysis, we developed a logistic regression model based on the result of univariate analysis.

Results

Ninety five patients with a median age of 32 (interquartile range [IQR] 4, 50) were included. CMV donor seropositive/recipient seronegative were 17 (17.9%). Overall, 22.1% of the recipients developed CMV infection at a median time of 155 (IQR 28–254) days from transplant, including 4 CMV syndrome and 6 CMV end‐organ disease. Overall, 90.4%, (19/21) developed DNAemia while on prophylaxis. Median peak viral load and time to negativity was 16 000 (IQR 1034–43 892) IU/mL and 56 (IQR 49–109) days, respectively. (Val)ganciclovir and foscarnet were utilized in 17 (80.9%) and 1 (4.76%) recipients, respectively. Recurrences of CMV DNAemia and graft rejection were observed in three and six recipients, respectively. Younger age was identified as a risk factor (p = .032, odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.95–0.99) to develop CMV DNAemia.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of intestinal transplant recipients developed CMV infection while on prophylaxis. Better methods such as CMV cell mediated immunity guided prophylaxis should be used to prevent infections in this population.

image
Sickle cell disease and the need for blood: Barriers to donation for African, Caribbean, and Black young adults in Canada
Authors: Haw Jennie , Walrond Jean , Jayachandran John , Dordunoo Dzifa , Eche‐Ameh Hannah , Muwhen Ufuoma , Phiri Princess , Rastogi Jaya , Tinga Biba
Published: May 2023

Background

Many blood operators around the world face the challenge of increasing the number of donors of African ancestry to meet the transfusion needs of people living with sickle cell disease. This article reports results of the barriers to blood donation for young adults (aged 19–35) in Canada who identify as African, Caribbean, or Black.

Study Design and Methods

A community‐based qualitative study was conducted by researchers from community organizations, blood operator, and universities. In‐depth focus groups and interviews (n = 23) were conducted from Dec 2021 to Apr 2022 and thematic analysis was completed.

Results

Applying a socio‐ecological model, multiple levels of interacting barriers to blood donation were identified. These included macro‐level barriers (e.g., systemic racism, mistrust of the healthcare system, sociocultural beliefs and views about blood and sickle cell disease), mezzo‐level barriers (e.g., deferral criteria, minimum hemoglobin levels, donor questionnaire, access, parental concerns), and microlevel barriers (e.g., limited knowledge of blood needs for people with sickle cell disease, lacking information about blood donation process, fear of needles, personal health concerns).

Discussion

This study is the first to focus on barriers to donation for African, Caribbean, and Black young adults across Canada. Parental concerns, informed by parents' experiences of inequitable healthcare and mistrust, emerged as a novel finding in our study population. Results suggest that higher order (macro‐level) barriers influence and may reinforce lower order (mezzo‐ and microlevel) barriers. As such, interventions aimed at addressing barriers to donation should keep in view all levels with particular attention paid to higher order barriers.
Dense lineability and spaceability in certain subsets of ℓ∞$\ell _{\infty }$
Authors: Leonetti Paolo , Russo Tommaso , Somaglia Jacopo
Published: May 2023

We investigate dense lineability and spaceability of subsets of with a prescribed number of accumulation points. We prove that the set of all bounded sequences with exactly countably many accumulation points is densely lineable in , thus complementing a recent result of Papathanasiou who proved the same for the sequences with continuum many accumulation points. We also prove that these sets are spaceable. We then consider the same problems for the set of bounded non‐convergent sequences with a finite number of accumulation points. We prove that such a set is densely lineable in and that it is nevertheless not spaceable. The said problems are also studied in the setting of ideal convergence and in the space .
Distribution of Dirichlet L‐functions
Authors: Dong Zikang , Wang Weijia , Zhang Hao
Published: May 2023

In this article, we study the distribution of values of Dirichlet L‐functions, the distribution of values of the random models for Dirichlet L‐functions, and the discrepancy between these two kinds of distributions. For each question, we consider the cases of and  separately.
Meteorological Influence on Space-time Distribution of Tomé-Açu (Eastern Amazon) Vegetation Cover using MODIS Products
Authors: Rua Matheus Lima , Fernandes Gabriel Siqueira Tavares , Dos Santos Anderson , Santana Mateus Augusto De Carvalho , Pantoja Marcos Vinicius Santos , Teixeira Keila Beatriz Silva
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to analyze the seasonal behavior of vegetation cover and its response to the variation of meteorological elements in the microregion of Tomé-Açu, Eastern Amazon. The study area refers to the microregion of Tomé-Açu, Pará. MODIS sensor images were processed and analyzed on Google Earth Engine and QGIS 3.18.1 software to apply the NDVI, EVI and LAI vegetation indices. Results showed that the vegetation cover of the Microregion of Tomé-Açu has well-defined seasonality, with evident variation in vegetation indices throughout the year. The three indexes showed higher values in the dry season period and lower values in the rainy period of the year. Seasonality of vegetation cover showed a positive correlation with rainfall in the region, with higher values associated with rainfall occurring between 4 and 5 months prior to the observation.
Modal model prediction of surface waves and resonant characteristics of rectangular grooved gratings
Authors: Mellish Steve , Taherzadeh Shahram , Attenborough Keith
Published: May 2023

A modal model formulation explains many aspects of sound propagation over complex grooved surfaces. Insights that such a formulation offers about the intrinsic resonant properties of rectangular grooved surfaces shall be explored and applied to predict phenomenon such as surface waves and non-specular energy redistribution (blazing). Furthermore, the effects of filling the grooves with a porous material are investigated. A brief summary is made of the modal method and the mechanisms involved with sound propagation over rough surfaces to provide the context before exploring, in detail, how the modal method may be applied to predict various resonant behaviours of rectangularly grooved gratings. As well as their general predictive capabilities, the modal methods also provide significant insight into the wave modes diffracted by grooved surfaces under incident excitation at a low computational cost.
Transient agonism of the sonic hedgehog pathway triggers a permanent transition of skin appendage fate in the chicken embryo
Authors: Cooper Rory L. , Milinkovitch Michel C.
Published: May 2023

Vertebrate skin appendage early development is mediated by conserved molecular signaling composing a dynamical reaction-diffusion–like system. Variations to such systems contribute to the remarkable diversity of skin appendage forms within and among species. Here, we demonstrate that stage-specific transient agonism of sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway signaling in chicken triggers a complete and permanent transition from reticulate scales to feathers on the ventral surfaces of the foot and digits. Resulting ectopic feathers are developmentally comparable to feathers adorning the body, with down-type feathers transitioning into regenerative, bilaterally symmetric contour feathers in adult chickens. Crucially, this spectacular transition of skin appendage fate (from nodular reticulate scales to bona fide adult feathers) does not require sustained treatment. Our RNA sequencing analyses confirm that smoothened agonist treatment specifically promotes the expression of key Shh pathway–associated genes. These results indicate that variations in Shh pathway signaling likely contribute to the natural diversity and regionalization of avian integumentary appendages.
Clonally expanded, thyrotoxic effector CD8
+
T cells driven by IL-21 contribute to checkpoint inhibitor thyroiditis
Authors: Lechner Melissa G. , Zhou Zikang , Hoang Aline T. , Huang Nicole , Ortega Jessica , Scott Lauren N. , Chen Ho-Chung , Patel Anushi Y. , Yakhshi-Tafti Rana , Kim Kristy , Hugo Willy , Famini Pouyan , Drakaki Alexandra , Ribas Antoni , Angell Trevor E. , Su Maureen A.
Published: May 2023

Autoimmune toxicity occurs in up to 60% of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy for cancer and represents an increasing clinical challenge for expanding the use of these treatments. To date, human immunopathogenic studies of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) have relied on sampling of circulating peripheral blood cells rather than affected tissues. Here, we directly obtained thyroid specimens from individuals with ICI-thyroiditis, one of the most common IRAEs, and compared immune infiltrates with those from individuals with spontaneous autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) or no thyroid disease. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a dominant, clonally expanded population of thyroid-infiltrating cytotoxic CXCR6
+
CD8
+
T cells (effector CD8
+
T cells) present in ICI-thyroiditis but not HT or healthy controls. Furthermore, we identified a crucial role for interleukin-21 (IL-21), a cytokine secreted by intrathyroidal T follicular (T
FH
) and T peripheral helper (T
PH
) cells, as a driver of these thyrotoxic effector CD8
+
T cells. In the presence of IL-21, human CD8
+
T cells acquired the activated effector phenotype with up-regulation of the cytotoxic molecules interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and granzyme B, increased expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR6, and thyrotoxic capacity. We validated these findings in vivo using a mouse model of IRAEs and further demonstrated that genetic deletion of IL-21 signaling protected ICI-treated mice from thyroid immune infiltration. Together, these studies reveal mechanisms and candidate therapeutic targets for individuals who develop IRAEs.
The ComRS-SigX Pathway Regulates Natural Transformation in Streptococcus ferus
Authors: Rued Britta E. , Federle Michael J.
Published: May 2023

Natural transformation is the process by which bacteria take up DNA and allows for acquisition of new genetic traits, including those involved in antibiotic resistance. This study demonstrates that the understudied species
Streptococcus ferus
is capable of natural transformation using a peptide-pheromone system like that previously identified in
Streptococcus mutans
and provides a framework for future studies concerning this organism.
Generating large volumes of crust-derived high δ18O rhyolites in the Chon Aike Silicic Large Igneous Province, Patagonia
Authors: Foley Michelle L. , Putlitz Benita , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Bégué Florence , Siron Guillaume , Kosmal Andres
Published: May 2023

The Jurassic Chon Aike Silicic Large Igneous Province (Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula) is dominated by voluminous, crust-derived magmas (235,000 km3) that erupted as predominately explosive silicic material over ~40 m.y. In this study, we combine petrological descriptions and bulk-rock major- and trace-element compositions with quartz oxygen-isotope measurements from multiple silicic units (primarily ignimbrites and some rhyolitic flows) from two of the five silicic formations in Patagonia. We have identified that quartz oxygen-isotope values are high (>9‰–12‰). Quartz pheno crysts analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) are also homogeneous at the microscale with no measurable change in isotope value with respect to internal and often complex zoning textures. The ubiquity of widespread high δ18O rhyolites and their trace-element compositions support their origin from melting of a metasedimentary source with a similarly high δ18O value. Mass balance calculations require that an average of >75% melt derived from partial melting of the dominant basement lithology is needed to explain the isotopic and chemical composition of the rhyolites. The ideal P-T environment was identified by thermodynamic models for fluid-absent melting of graywackes at 900 °C and 5 kbar. Regional-scale crustal melting occurred during a widespread, high heat-flux environment within an extensional setting during the breakup of the Gondwanan supercontinent. The overlap of a unique tectonic and igneous environment, combined with a fertile crust dominated by graywacke and pelitic compositions in southern Patagonia, generated large volumes of some of the highest δ18O silicic magmas documented in the geologic record.
Care coordination across healthcare systems: development of a research agenda, implications for practice, and recommendations for policy based on a modified Delphi panel
Authors: Hempel Susanne , Ganz David , Saluja Sonali , Bolshakova Maria , Kim Timothy , Turvey Carolyn , Cordasco Kristina , Basu Aashna , Page Tonya , Mahmood Reshma , Motala Aneesa , Barnard Jenny , Wong Michelle , Fu Ning , Miake-Lye Isomi M
Published: May 2023

Objective

For large, integrated healthcare delivery systems, coordinating patient care across delivery systems with providers external to the system presents challenges. We explored the domains and requirements for care coordination by professionals across healthcare systems and developed an agenda for research, practice and policy.

Design

The modified Delphi approach convened a 2-day stakeholder panel with moderated virtual discussions, preceded and followed by online surveys.

Setting

The work addresses care coordination across healthcare systems. We introduced common care scenarios and differentiated recommendations for a large (main) healthcare organisation and external healthcare professionals that contribute additional care.

Participants

The panel composition included health service providers, decision makers, patients and care community, and researchers. Discussions were informed by a rapid review of tested approaches to fostering collaboration, facilitating care coordination and improving communication across healthcare systems.

Outcome measures

The study planned to formulate a research agenda, implications for practice and recommendations for policy.

Results

For research recommendations, we found consensus for developing measures of shared care, exploring healthcare professionals’ needs in different care scenarios and evaluating patient experiences. Agreed practice recommendations included educating external professionals about issues specific to the patients in the main healthcare system, educating professionals within the main healthcare system about the roles and responsibilities of all involved parties, and helping patients better understand the pros and cons of within-system and out-of-system care. Policy recommendations included supporting time for professionals with high overlap in patients to engage regularly and sustaining support for care coordination for high-need patients.

Conclusions

Recommendations from the stakeholder panel created an agenda to foster further research, practice and policy innovations in cross-system care coordination.
Development of the Young Disability Questionnaire (spine) for children with spinal pain: field testing in Danish school children
Authors: Lauridsen Henrik Hein , Meldgaard Emilie , Hestbæk Lise , Hansen Gabrielle Kristine
Published: May 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to finalise the development of the Young Disability Questionnaire (YDQ-spine) to measure the consequences of neck, midback and low back pain, relevant for schoolchildren aged 9–12 years.

Design

A cross-sectional field test of the YDQ-spine was carried out.

Setting

Danish primary schools.

Participants

Children aged 9–12 years from all Danish schools were invited to complete the questionnaire.

Methods

Eight hundred and seventy-three schools were invited to participate. Consenting schools received information material, instructions and a link to an electronic version of the prefinal YDQ-spine. Local teachers distributed the electronic YDQ-spine to children aged 9–12 years. Descriptive statistics and item characteristics were carried out. Item reduction was performed using partial interitem correlations (scrutinising correlations>0.3) and factor analyses (items loading>0.3 were retained) to eliminate redundant items and to obtain insight into the structure of the questionnaire.

Results

A total of 768 children from 20 schools answered of the questionnaire and 280 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of having back and/or neck pain (36%). Multisite pain was reported by 38%. Partial interitem correlations and factor analyses resulted in elimination of four items which were considered redundant leaving 24 items in the final YDQ-spine with an optional section onwhat matters mostto the child. The factor analyses showed a two-factor structure with a physical component (13 items) and a psychosocial component (10 items) in addition to one standalone item (sleep).

Conclusion

The YDQ-spine is a novel questionnaire with satisfactory content validity measuring physical and psychosocial components (including sleep disturbances) of spinal pain in children aged 9–12 years. It also offers an optional section onwhat matters mostto the child allowing targeted care in clinical practice.
Determinants of inappropriate antibiotic prescription in primary care in developed countries with general practitioners as gatekeepers: a systematic review and construction of a framework
Authors: Sijbom Martijn , Büchner Frederike L , Saadah Nicholas H , Numans Mattijs E , de Boer Mark G J
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to identify determinants of inappropriate antibiotic prescription in primary care in developed countries and to construct a framework with the determinants to help understand which actions can best be targeted to counteract development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Design

A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies reporting determinants of inappropriate antibiotic prescription published through 9 September 2021 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed.

Setting

All studies focusing on primary care in developed countries where general practitioners (GPs) act as gatekeepers for referral to medical specialists and hospital care were included.

Results

Seventeen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used for the analysis which identified 45 determinants of inappropriate antibiotic prescription. Important determinants for inappropriate antibiotic prescription were comorbidity, primary care not considered to be responsible for development of AMR and GP perception of patient desire for antibiotics. A framework was constructed with the determinants and provides a broad overview of several domains. The framework can be used to identify several reasons for inappropriate antibiotic prescription in a specific primary care setting and from there, choose the most suitable intervention(s) and assist in implementing them for combatting AMR.

Conclusions

The type of infection, comorbidity and the GPs perception of a patient’s desire for antibiotics are consistently identified as factors driving inappropriate antibiotic prescription in primary care. A framework with determinants of inappropriate antibiotic prescription may be useful after validation for effective implementation of interventions for decreasing these inappropriate prescriptions.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023396225.
Online survey and interview evaluation to explore the use of video consulting among Allied Health Professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Williams Jessica , Johns Gemma , Phipps Kerrie , Khalil Sara , Ogonovsky Mike , Ahuja Alka
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Allied Health Professionals (AHP) consist of 13 different specialty roles in Wales, sharing the responsibility of promoting and supporting the health and well-being of the population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shift in care provision, with the increased use of online consultations, such as those using video consultation platforms. However, this shift was associated with uncertainty and hesitancy, and, thus, to understand the usage and reasons for using video consultations, this study aimed to capture the experiences of both AHP and their patients, while investigating each role individually.

Participants

A survey was distributed to and completed by n=8928 patients and n=4974 clinicians, all AHP were included except for orthoptists and paramedics due to ambiguities in the data. A further 86 clinicians participated in phone interviews.

Results

All professions had a high prevention of face-to-face with the use of video consultations (68.6% overall and 81.4% of clinicians reported the prevention). However, this was lower for certain professions such as podiatrists, potentially due to the specific patient needs, such as physical assessments. Also, a range of different appointment types were being conducted, and there was a high acceptance of these alternative methods among participants. The interviews with clinicians revealed five important aspects of video consultations: the perceived benefits, the perceived challenges, technology issues and necessary improvements, clinician preference and the future of video consulting. Specifically, the future of video consulting evidenced clinicians’ desire for a blended approach to working, selecting the appropriate modality depending on the situation and patient-specific needs.

Conclusions

Integrating the traditional methods of service delivery (face-to-face), and novel, innovative ways, such as video consultations, can motivate positive transformations for the efficiency and efficacy of health and social care.
Conflict-climate-displacement: a cross-sectional ecological study determining the burden, risk and need for strategies for neglected tropical disease programmes in Africa
Authors: Kelly-Hope Louise A , Harding-Esch Emma Michèle , Willems Johan , Ahmed Fatima , Sanders Angelia M
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Complex challenges such as political instability, climate change and population displacement are increasing threats to national disease control, elimination and eradication programmes. The objective of this study was to determine the burden and risk of conflict-related and climate-related internal displacements and the need for strategies for countries endemic with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Design, setting and outcome measures

A cross-sectional ecological study was conducted including countries that are endemic with at least one of five NTDs requiring preventive chemotherapy in the African region. For each country, the number of NTDs, population size and the number and rate per 100 000 of conflict-related and natural disaster-related internal displacements reported in 2021 were classified into high and low categories and used in unison to stratify and map the burden and risk.

Results

This analysis identified 45 NTD-endemic countries; 8 countries were co-endemic with 4 or 5 diseases and had populations classified as ‘high’ totalling >619 million people. We found 32 endemic countries had data on internal displacements related to conflict and disasters (n=16), disasters only (n=15) or conflict only (n=1). Six countries had both high conflict-related and disaster-related internal displacement numbers totalling >10.8 million people, and five countries had combined high conflict-related and disaster-related internal displacement rates, ranging from 770.8 to 7088.1 per 100 000 population. Weather-related hazards were the main cause of natural disaster-related displacements, predominately floods.

Conclusions

This paper presents a risk stratified approach to better understand the potential impact of these complex intersecting challenges. We advocate for a ‘call to action’ to encourage national and international stakeholders to further develop, implement and evaluate strategies to better assess NTD endemicity, and deliver interventions, in areas at risk of, or experiencing, conflict and climate disasters, in order to help meet the national targets.
What proportion of clinical prediction models make it to clinical practice? Protocol for a two-track follow-up study of prediction model development publications
Authors: Arshi Banafsheh , Wynants Laure , Rijnhart Eline , Reeve Kelly , Cowley Laura Elizabeth , Smits Luc J
Published: May 2023

Introduction

It is known that only a limited proportion of developed clinical prediction models (CPMs) are implemented and/or used in clinical practice. This may result in a large amount of research waste, even when considering that some CPMs may demonstrate poor performance. Cross-sectional estimates of the numbers of CPMs that have been developed, validated, evaluated for impact or utilized in practice, have been made in specific medical fields, but studies across multiple fields and studies following up the fate of CPMs are lacking.

Methods and analysis

We have conducted a systematic search for prediction model studies published between January 1995 and December 2020 using the Pubmed and Embase databases, applying a validated search strategy. Taking random samples for every calendar year, abstracts and articles were screened until a target of 100 CPM development studies were identified. Next, we will perform a forward citation search of the resulting CPM development article cohort to identify articles on external validation, impact assessment or implementation of those CPMs. We will also invite the authors of the development studies to complete an online survey to track implementation and clinical utilization of the CPMs.

We will conduct a descriptive synthesis of the included studies, using data from the forward citation search and online survey to quantify the proportion of developed models that are validated, assessed for their impact, implemented and/or used in patient care. We will conduct time-to-event analysis using Kaplan-Meier plots.

Ethics and dissemination

No patient data are involved in the research. Most information will be extracted from published articles. We request written informed consent from the survey respondents. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.

OSF registration

(https://osf.io/nj8s9).
Regional and temporal trends of falls and injurious falls among Chinese older adults: results from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 2011–2018
Authors: Liu Yang , Kabba John Alimamy , Xu Sen , Gu Hanxin , Su Xiaoming , Liu Yuanli , Yu Hao
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate temporal trends and regional differences of both falls and injurious falls among Chinese older adults and identify the associated risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis using the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Our sample included 35 613 people aged 60 years or above. We analysed two binary outcome variables that were collected at each wave, including whether a respondent had any falls in the last 2 or 3 years, and if so, whether a respondent experienced any injurious falls that warranted seeking medical treatment. The explanatory variables included individual-level sociodemographic characteristics, physical function and health status. We conducted both descriptive and multivariate logistic analyses.

Results

We found no significant trend for falls after adjusting for individual-level factors, while significant regional variations in falls existed with higher fall prevalence in the central and western areas, compared with the eastern area. We detected a significant descending trend of injurious falls between 2011 and 2018 and identified the northeastern region with the lowest rates of injurious falls during the study period. Our study also revealed significant risk factors for falls and injurious falls, such as chronic conditions and function limitations.

Conclusions

Our results indicated no temporal trend of falls, a declined trend of injurious falls, and significant regional variations in the prevalence of falls and injurious falls in 2011–2018. These findings have important implications for prioritising areas and subpopulations to prevent falls and injuries among China’s elderly population.
Contractile function of fasting and digesting broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris)
Authors: Lopes André Guelli , Monteiro Diana Amaral , Vasconcelos Eliton da Silva , Kalinin Ana Lúcia
Published: May 2023

Feeding regimes are a critical process to ensure survival and reproduction, which modulate several behavioral and physiological patterns of ectotherms, especially cardiovascular adjustments. However, crocodilian myocardial contractile function after food intake remains understudied. We investigated the importance of ventricular myocardial contractility during digestion in the broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris Daudin, 1801. Isometric ventricle preparations and Ca2+-handling protein expression were used to investigate the effects of prolonged fasting (30 days) and feeding (48 h after feeding on meals at 15% of body mass) on cardiac function. Upon feeding, there was no significant difference in relative ventricular mass. The cardiac response of the caiman to digestion was characterized by upregulation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger expression and an increase in myocardial contractility (positive inotropism and lusitropism) within the physiological range of heart rate. The digesting caiman's ventricular myocardium was able to maintain faster kinetics of contraction and relaxation, allowing for significantly increased cardiac pumping capacity at higher pacing frequencies. Our results demonstrated that the myocardium of broad-snouted caimans exhibits specializations in excitation–contraction coupling, which can provide a means to support high cardiovascular performance during digestion.
Hawking temperature as the total Gauss–Bonnet invariant of the region outside a black hole
Authors: Altas Emel , Tekin Bayram
Published: May 2023

We provide two novel ways to compute the surface gravity ($$\kappa $$
κ
) and the Hawking temperature $$(T_{H})$$

(

T
H

)

of a stationary black hole: in the first method $$T_{H}$$

T
H

is given as the three-volume integral of the Gauss–Bonnet invariant (or the Kretschmann scalar for Ricci-flat metrics) in the total region outside the event horizon; in the second method it is given as the surface integral of the Riemann tensor contracted with the covariant derivative of a Killing vector on the event horizon. To arrive at these new formulas for the black hole temperature (and the related surface gravity), we first construct a new differential geometric identity using the Bianchi identity and an antisymmetric rank-2 tensor, valid for spacetimes with at least one Killing vector field. The Gauss–Bonnet tensor and the Gauss–Bonnet scalar play a particular role in this geometric identity. We calculate the surface gravity and the Hawking temperature of the Kerr and the extremal Reissner–Nordström holes as examples.
Conformal motions of anisotropic exact Bianchi type II models admitting energy conditions in f(T) gravity
Authors: Qazi Sabiha , Hussain Fiaz , Ramzan M. , Haq Sirajul
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this paper is to explore the anisotropic exact Bianchi type II solutions in [Formula: see text] gravity, where [Formula: see text] denotes the torsion scalar. We utilize the solutions to discuss conformal vector fields (CVFs) and energy conditions. In the first slot of this study, we find the CVFs. The CVFs being a generalization of the Killing vector fields (KVFs) are affiliated with the conservation laws of physics. Corresponding to the obtained solutions, we observe law of conservation of (linear or generalized) momentum. In the second slot, we derive the constraints under which the solution classes can admit certain energy conditions.
Fuzzy DEMATEL-ANP-Based Approach for Determining the CRM Readiness Factors
Authors: Moghaddam Dorna Jazebi , Sazvar Zeinab , Keramati Abbas
Published: May 2023

Research in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in the healthcare sector is in a developing stage and demands further research to get more in-depth insight. We present a comprehensive model to develop and prioritize CRM readiness factors in hospitals using fuzzy DEMATEL-ANP, which helps top managers allocate their limited resources to enhance the required infrastructure for a CRM system. After extracting proper readiness factors, multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are applied to assess CRM readiness. First, using the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory approach (DEMATEL), the interdependent relations amongst criteria are designated. Second, the fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) is applied to weigh the sub-criteria. Top management support and structure are the most critical factors which play an essential role in the CRM readiness concept. The importance of top management’s factor has been investigated in many previous works. The structure has been neglected in the previous studies; however, our results demonstrate that it should be considered a crucial factor. This study’s findings can facilitate the CRM system’s adoption process to be employed by decision-makers within hospitals to mitigate the failure rate of the CRM system’s implementation, leading to providing plenty of advantages to the patient association and hospitals. The results of this paper can also have a contribution to the implementation of CRM and artificial intelligence (AI) as an innovative strategy in organizations, particularly hospitals.
Improving Few-Shot Multi-Speaker Text-to-Speech Adaptive-Based with Extracting Mel-Vector (EMV) for Vietnamese
Authors: Ngoc Phuong Pham , Quang Chung Tran , Chi Mai Luong
Published: May 2023

Training a multi-speaker Text-to-Speech (TTS) model requires multiple speakers’ voices to generate an average speech model. However, the average speech synthesis model will be distorted or averaged, resulting in low quality if the new speaker’s voice has too little data to train. The existing methods require fine-tuning the model; otherwise, the model will achieve low adaptive quality. However, for synthesis voice to achieve high adaptive quality, at least thousands of fine-tuning steps are required. To solve these issues, in this paper, we propose a Vietnamese multi-speaker TTS adaptive-based technique that synthesizes high-quality speech and effectively adapts to new speakers, with two main improvements: (1) propose an Extracting Mel-Vector (EMV) architecture with three components, the Encoder–Decoder–Embedding Features, which enables complete learning of speaker features with Mel-spectrograms as input for few-shot training and (2) a continuous-learning technique called “data-distributing” preserves the new speaker’s characteristics after many training epochs. Our proposed model outperformed the baseline multi-speaker synthesis model and achieved a MOS score of 3.8/4.6 and SIM of 2.6/4 with only 1 min of the target speaker’s voice.
OS Scheduling
Authors: Kaffes Kostis
Published: May 2023

In any system that multiplexes resources, the problem of scheduling what computations run where and when is perhaps the most fundamental. Yet, like many other essential problems in computing (e.g., query optimization in databases), academic research in scheduling moves like a pendulum, with periods of intense activity followed by periods of dormancy when it is considered a "solved" problem. These three papers make significant contributions to an ongoing effort to develop better scheduling policies for modern computing systems. The papers highlight the need for better, more efficient, and more flexible OS schedulers; open up new areas of research; and demonstrate the importance of continued development and innovation in OS scheduling policies.
How Technology Is (or Is Not) Transforming Law Firms
Authors: Rodgers Ian , Armour John , Sako Mari
Published: May 2023

In this review, we explore the impact of technology on US and UK law firms, focusing in particular on the recent machine learning wave of artificial intelligence. Technology has not so far ushered the end of law firms as we know them. Adoption of artificial intelligence/machine learning is in its early stages in the sector, and its impact has been constrained by the scope of use cases for which it is so far well-suited. Technology is nevertheless transforming law firms, in the sense of leading to material changes to their current forms, in the following novel ways: ( a) deployment not only in the back office but in the front office, affecting lawyers’ core tasks of advising clients; ( b) opportunities for lawyers to pursue alternative career paths with different skill sets across the profession; and ( c) emerging options for law firms to adopt business models creating value from nonhuman capital and nonlegal human capital.
A Holistic Presentation of 3-Electrode Potentiostat Measurement Data: The Hexa-Region Plot
Authors: Siegl Inge , Sailer Norbert , Steffan Christoph
Published: May 2023

There is no standardizedpractice for presenting compliance voltage data generated during a 3-electrode potentiostatic measurement. As a result, engineers are sometimes unaware about the electrical requirements their sensor or cell inhibits. This paper proposes a method to compactly display all electrical information . The introduction of a six region voltage plot, with the cell current plotted in the third dimension, achieves a holistic potentiostat data presentation. The proposed method revealscompliance voltage demands, fosters understanding of a sensor’s electric behavior, enables a comparison of potentiostat capabilities, and most importantly, standardizes results across potentiostat platforms.
Bioinspired Synthesis of Zinc Molybdate Nanoparticles: An Efficient Material for Growth Inhibition of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Dye Remediation
Authors: Reddy Sanjeev Machindra , Karmankar Smita Badur , Alzahrani Hayat Ali , Hadap Arti , Iqbal Amjad , Alenazy Rawaf , Salem-Bekhit Mounir M. , Jain Bhawana
Published: May 2023

Zinc molybdate nanoparticles with molybdate are synthesized through green method with different salt precursors using Moringa oleifera leaf extract. Those nanoparticles had structural, vibrational, and morphological properties, which were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystalline size of synthesized zinc molybdate was 24.9 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) clearly showed the attachment of molybdate with ZnO. The synthesized nanomaterial was also characterized through UV-visible spectroscopy which had 4.40 eV band gap energy. Those nanoparticles were also characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTA) and photoluminance spectroscopy (PL). ZnMoO4 had photocatalytic property via methylene blue dye. After 190 minutes, the dye changed to colourless from blue colour. The degradation efficiency was around 92.8%. It also showed their antibacterial effect via Escherichia coli and Staphylococcusaureus bacterial strains. In the presence of light and air, nanoparticles of ZnMoO4 inhibit the growth of cells of E. coli and S. aureus bacterial strains because of ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation. Because of the formation of singlet oxygen (

O

2

∗
−

), hydrogen oxide radical (

−

O
H

∗

), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ZnMoO4 showed photodegradation reaction against aq. solution of methylene blue dye at 6 pH with constant time interval. With time, the activity of ZnMoO4 also decreased because of the generation of a layer of hydrogen oxide (-OH) on nanomaterial surface, which could be washed with ethanol and distilled water. After drying, the catalytic Zinc molybdate nanoparticles could be reused again in the next catalytic reaction.