bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19, sex, and gender in China: a scoping review
Authors: Feng Huiyun , Gan Connie Cai Ru , Leiva Diego , Zhang Bao Ling , Davies Sara E.
Published: February 2022

Background

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, states were called upon by the World Health Organization to introduce and prioritise the collection of sex-disaggregated data. The collection of sex-disaggregated data on COVID-19 testing, infection rates, hospital admissions, and deaths, when available, has informed our understanding of the biology of the infectious disease. The collection of sex-disaggregated data should also better inform our understanding of the gendered impacts that contribute to risk of exposure to COVID-19. In China, the country with the longest history of fighting the COVID-19 infection, what research was available on the gender-differential impacts of COVID-19 in the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Methods

In this scoping review, we examine the first 6 months (January–June 2020) of peer-reviewed publications (n = 451) on sex and gender experiences related to COVID-19 in China. We conducted an exhaustive search of published Chinese and English language research papers on COVID-19 in mainland China. We used a COVID-19 Gender Matrix informed by the JPHIEGO gender analysis toolkit to examine and illuminate research into the gendered impacts of COVID-19 within China.

Results

In China, only a small portion of the COVID-19-related research focused on gender experiences and differences. Near the end of the six-month literature review period, a small number of research items emerged on women healthcare workers, women’s mental health, and pregnant women’s access to care. There was an absence of research on the gendered impact of COVID-19 amongst populations. There was minimal consideration of the economic, social and security factors, including gender stereotypes and expectations, that affected different populations’ experiences of infection, treatment, and lockdown during the period of review.

Conclusion

At the outset of health emergencies in China, gender research needs to be prioritised during the first stage of an outbreak to assist with evaluation of the most effective public health measures, identifying access to healthcare and social welfare barriers amongst priority communities. Gender stereotypes and gendered differences lead to different patterns of exposure and treatment. The exclusion of this knowledge in real time affects the design of effective prevention and recovery.
Paramedic Norwegian Acute Stroke Prehospital Project (ParaNASPP) study protocol: a stepped wedge randomised trial of stroke screening using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in the ambulance
Authors: Bugge Helge Fagerheim , Guterud Mona , Bache Kristi C. G. , Braarud Anne-Cathrine , Eriksen Erik , Fremstad Kjell Otto , Ihle-Hansen Hege , Ingebretsen Svein Håkon , Kramer-Johansen Jo , Larsen Karianne , Røislien Jo , Thorsen Kjetil , Toft Mathias , Sandset Else Charlotte , Hov Maren Ranhoff
Published: February 2022

Background

Less than 50% of stroke patients in Norway reach hospital within 4 h of symptom onset. Early prehospital identification of stroke and triage to the right level of care may result in more patients receiving acute treatment. Quality of communication between paramedics and the stroke centre directly affects prehospital on-scene time, emphasising this as a key factor to reduce prehospital delay. Prehospital stroke scales are developed for quick and easy identification of stroke, but have poor sensitivity and specificity compared to an in-hospital assessment with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The aim of the Paramedic Norwegian Acute Stroke Prehospital Project (ParaNASPP) is to assess whether a structured learning program, prehospital NIHSS and a mobile application facilitating communication with the stroke physician may improve triage of acute stroke patients.

Methods

A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled intervention design will be used in this trial in Oslo, Norway. Paramedics at five ambulance stations will enrol adult patients with suspected stroke within 24 h of symptom onset. All paramedics will begin in a control phase with standard procedures. Through an e-learning program and practical training, a random and sequential switch to the intervention phase takes place. A mobile application for NIHSS scoring, including vital patient information for treatment decisions, transferring data from paramedics to the on-call stroke physician at the Stroke Unit at Oslo University Hospital, will be provided for the intervention.

The primary outcome measure is positive predictive value (PPV) for prehospital identification of patients with acute stroke defined as the proportion of patients accepted for stroke evaluation and discharged with a final stroke diagnosis. One thousand three hundred patients provide a 50% surplus to the 808 patients needed for 80% power to detect a 10% increase in PPV.

Discussion

Structured and digital communication using a common scale like NIHSS may result in increased probability for better identification of stroke patients and less stroke mimics delivered to a stroke team for acute diagnostics and treatment in our population.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04137874. Registered on October 24, 2019.
High-dose vitamin D substitution in patients with COVID-19: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study—VitCov Trial
Authors: Jaun Fabienne , Boesing Maria , Lüthi-Corridori Giorgia , Abig Kristin , Makhdoomi Anja , Bloch Nando , Lins Christina , Raess Andrea , Grillmayr Victoria , Haas Philippe , Schuetz Philipp , Gabutti Luca , Muser Jürgen , Leuppi-Taegtmeyer Anne B. , Giezendanner Stéphanie , Brändle Michael , Leuppi Jörg D.
Published: February 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused millions of deaths, and new treatments are urgently needed. Factors associated with a worse COVID-19 prognosis include old age (> 65 years), ethnicity, male sex, obesity, and people with comorbidities. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was reported as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19. According to a recent clinical case series, vitamin D deficiency is a modifiable risk factor, which has the prospect of reducing hospital stay, intensive care, and fatal outcomes. Vitamin D has potent immunomodulatory properties, and its supplementation might improve important outcomes in critically ill and vitamin D-deficient COVID-19 patients. Despite the evidence that supports an association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity, there is uncertainty about the direct link. Therefore, the aim of the trial is to assess if high-dose vitamin D supplementation has a therapeutic effect in vitamin D-deficient patients with COVID-19.

Methods

As the trial design, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-center approach was chosen to compare a high single dose of vitamin D (140,000 IU) followed by treatment as usual (TAU) (VitD + TAU) with treatment as usual only (placebo + TAU) in patients with COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency.

Discussion

Vitamin D substitution in patients with COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency should be investigated for efficacy and safety. The study aim is to test the hypothesis that patients with vitamin D deficiency suffering from COVID-19 treated under standardized conditions in hospital will recover faster when additionally treated with high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Latest studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation in patients with COVID-19 is highly recommended to positively influence the course of the disease. With this randomized controlled trial, a contribution to new treatment guidelines shall be made.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04525820 and SNCTP 2020-01401
Dental antibiotic stewardship: study protocol for developing international consensus on a core outcome set
Authors: Thompson Wendy , Teoh Leanne , Pulcini Céline , Williams David , Pitkeathley Carole , Carter Vanessa , Sanderson Susie , Torres Glauco , Walsh Tanya
Published: February 2022

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is both a global public health and patient safety problem driven by overprescribing of antibiotic and other antimicrobial drugs. To conserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations, antibiotic stewardship approaches to using them only where appropriate and necessary are advocated. Dentistry accounts for about 10% of antibiotic prescriptions across global healthcare, with 80% not in accordance with guidance in some countries. Core outcome sets enable the results of studies to be compared in order to maximise the value which can be derived from them. The aim of this study is to develop an international consensus on a core outcome set for dental antibiotic stewardship.

Methods

Consensus on outcomes which are critical for inclusion in the core outcome set for dental antibiotic stewardship will be sought through two rounds of a Delphi survey (using the DelphiManager online system) followed by a final online consensus meeting. Thirty participants will be recruited to the Delphi Panel from across three stakeholder groups: ten dentists, ten academics and ten adults experienced with dental antibiotics as either a patient or parent/carer of a patient who has been prescribed them. Consensus will be achieved if more than 70% of the panel agree that an outcome is critical, with at least one from each stakeholder group in agreement. A long-list of candidate core outcomes has been developed from previously published studies with additions recommended by the steering group. The steering group will oversee development of the core outcome set and includes people from around the world with experience of dental antibiotics: clinicians, researchers and people with experience of being prescribed dental antibiotics and/or surviving an antibiotic resistant infection.

Discussion

To date, few studies of dental antibiotic stewardship have been published. Internationally, dental antibiotic guidelines and patterns of use vary widely, so a core outcome set is particularly important to facilitate meaningful comparisons between studies. This core outcome set will encompass antibiotic prescribing for both therapeutic indications, such as for people with acute infections, and for prophylactic indications, such as the prevention of distant site infections (like infective endocarditis) following dental procedures.
Accelerating neural network training with distributed asynchronous and selective optimization (DASO)
Authors: Coquelin Daniel , Debus Charlotte , Götz Markus , von der Lehr Fabrice , Kahn James , Siggel Martin , Streit Achim
Published: February 2022

With increasing data and model complexities, the time required to train neural networks has become prohibitively large. To address the exponential rise in training time, users are turning to data parallel neural networks (DPNN) and large-scale distributed resources on computer clusters. Current DPNN approaches implement the network parameter updates by synchronizing and averaging gradients across all processes with blocking communication operations after each forward-backward pass. This synchronization is the central algorithmic bottleneck. We introduce the distributed asynchronous and selective optimization (DASO) method, which leverages multi-GPU compute node architectures to accelerate network training while maintaining accuracy. DASO uses a hierarchical and asynchronous communication scheme comprised of node-local and global networks while adjusting the global synchronization rate during the learning process. We show that DASO yields a reduction in training time of up to 34% on classical and state-of-the-art networks, as compared to current optimized data parallel training methods.
Morphological and histological description of the midgut caeca in true crabs (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Brachyura): origin, development and potential role
Authors: Castejón Diego , Rotllant Guiomar , Alba-Tercedor Javier , Ribes Enric , Durfort Mercè , Guerao Guillermo
Published: February 2022

Background

The decapods are a major group of crustaceans that includes shrimps, prawns, crayfishes, lobsters, and crabs. Several studies focused on the study of the digestive system of the decapods, constituted by the oesophagus, stomach, midgut tract, midgut gland, and hindgut. Nevertheless, in the midgut tract there are associated a set of organs called “midgut caeca”, which are among the most controversial and less studied digestive organs of this group. This work used the common spider crabMaja brachydactylaBalss, 1922 as a model to resolve the origin, development, and potential role of the midgut caeca. Such organs were studied in the larvae (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa), first juveniles, and adult phases, being employed traditional and modern techniques: dissection, micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), and light and electron microscopical analyses (TEM and SEM).

Results

The common spider crab has a pair of anterior midgut caeca and a single posterior caecum that originate from the endoderm germ layer: they develop from the midgut tract, and their epithelium is composed by secretory cells while lacking a cuticle lining. The midgut caeca are small buds in the newly hatched larvae, enlarge linearly during the larval development, and then continue growing until became elongated and coiled blind-tubules in adults. The adult midgut caeca are internally folded to increase their inner surface. The electron microscopy observations showed that the midgut caeca are highly active organs with important macroapocrine and microapocrine secretory activity. Our results suggest that the role of the caeca might be related to the digestive enzyme secretion. The secretory activity should increase as the animal grows in size.

Conclusion

The present study resolves the embryonic origin of the midgut caeca (endoderm derived organs), development (general lengthening starting from small buds), and role (active secretory organs). The secretory activity of the midgut caeca should be incorporated in the current models of the digestive physiology in different decapod taxa.
Anesthetic management of complicated placenta percreta
Authors: Kumar Rajnish , Sahay Nishant , Naaz Shagufta , Kumar Rajesh
Published: February 2022

Background

Placenta percreta is a severe form of placenta accreta in which the placenta penetrates the entire uterine wall and attaches to another organ such as the bladder and bowel. It gives rise to a major obstetric hemorrhage, peripartum hysterectomy, and maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Case presentation

I present a 34-year-old female of 24 week gestation a case of placenta percreta with a history of bleeding per vagina for the last 1 month for that she received 11 units of blood transfusion. Placenta percreta with fetal demise was diagnosed in magnetic resonance imaging on admission. Uterine artery embolization was done to reduce perioperative bleeding. Hysterectomy was done successfully with the multidisciplinary team approach under general anesthesia.

Conclusions

So, proper preoperative planning and good communication with the multidisciplinary approach will make a better outcome in these types of cases.
Design of a multi-epitope-based peptide vaccine against the S and N proteins of SARS-COV-2 using immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Rouzbahani Arian Karimi , Kheirandish Farnaz , Hosseini Seyedeh Zeinab
Published: February 2022

Background

As the new pandemic created by COVID-19 virus created the need of rapid acquisition of a suitable vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 to develop Immunity and to reduce the mortality, the aim of this study was to identify SARS-CoV-2 S protein and N antigenic epitopes by using immunoinformatic methods to design a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, for which S and N protein-dependent epitopes are predicted. B cell, CTL and HTL were determined based on antigenicity, allergenicity and toxicity that were non-allergenic, non-toxic, and antigenic and were selected for the design of a multi-epitope vaccine structure. Then, in order to increase the safety of Hbd-3 and Hbd-2 as adjuvants, they were connected to the N and C terminals of the vaccine construct, respectively, with a linker. The three-dimensional structure of the structure was predicted and optimized, and its quality was evaluated. The vaccine construct was ligated to MHCI. Finally, after optimizing the codon to increase expression in E. coli K12, the vaccine construct was cloned into pET28a (+) vector.

Results

Epitopes which were used in our survey were based on non-allergenic, non-toxic and antigenic. Therefore, 543-amino-acid-long multi-epitope vaccine formation was invented through linking 9 cytotoxic CTL, 5 HTL and 14 B cell epitopes with appropriate adjuvants and connectors that can control the SARS coronavirus 2 infection and could be more assessed in medical scientific researches.

Conclusion

We believe that the proposed multi-epitope vaccine can effectively evoke an immune response toward SARS-CoV-2.
Congenital granular cell tumor in a neonate—a case report
Authors: Shah Amar A. , Shah Anirudh V.
Published: February 2022

Background

Congenital granular cell tumor (CGCT) is a rare benign soft tissue tumor of the new born. It is also called congenital epulis.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 3-day-old male neonate who was postnatally noted to have a 2-cm mass over the maxillary alveolar ridge in the midline. The mass was causing feeding difficulties, and hence, decision for surgical excision was taken. The postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Conclusion

Congenital granular cell tumor (CGCT) is commonly seen on the gingival margins of the maxilla or mandible. Large tumors may cause polyhydramnios in the antenatal period or feeding and respiratory difficulties in the postnatal period. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by histopathology. Malignant change or recurrence has not been reported following incomplete excision of this mass.
The mobility of continental shale oil by gas flooding and influencing factors based on displacement-nuclear magnetic resonance instruments
Authors: Huo Qiuli , Fu Li , Wang Min , Li Ming , Zhang Jinxu , Zeng Huaseng
Published: February 2022

The efficient development of shale oil is a challenging problem for researchers. Conventional experiments for characterizing fluid distribution encounter a bottleneck because of the special composition, complex pore structure, and unclear fluid occurrence in shale oil reservoirs. Targeting continental shale in eastern China, we used high-temperature and high-pressure displacement instruments combined with nuclear magnetic resonance instruments for the first time to evaluate the shale oil mobility under different gases ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) flooding for simulating “huff-n-puff” in the field. Results found that the gas flooding can significantly improve the mobility of shale oil. Compared with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] had obvious advantages in improving the mobility of shale oil. Under an injection pressure of 6.0 MPa, the experimental average movable ratio was 22.3%, and the theoretical maximum movable ratio was 39.3%. Organic matter abundance, mineral composition, sedimentary structures, and pore structure determine the movable ratio of gas flooding by affecting the permeable channel, phase state of the injected gas, and gas-oil contact. Gas flooding has broad prospects in the exploitation of continental shale oil considering difficult development and abundant gas source in the eastern basin of China.
Impact of Diagnostic Delays on Lung Cancer Survival Outcomes: A Population Study of the US SEER-Medicare Database
Authors: Romine Perrin E. , Sun Qin , Fedorenko Catherine , Li Li , Tang Mariel , Eaton Keith D. , Goulart Bernardo H.L. , Martins Renato G.
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE:

Time from diagnosis to treatment has been associated with worse survival outcomes in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about the impact of delay in time to diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of time from radiographic suspicion to histologic diagnosis on survival outcomes using the US SEER-Medicare population database.

METHODS:

We identified patients from the SEER-Medicare data set diagnosed with any stage NSCLC between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, who received stage-appropriate treatment and had a computed tomography scan within 1 year of diagnosis. Time to confirmation was determined as the interval between most recent computed tomography imaging and date of histologic diagnosis. Our primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS:

In total, 10,824 eligible patients were identified. The median time to confirmation was 20 (range 0-363) days. Using multivariate Cox regression models, longer time to confirmation was associated with improved OS in all comers driven by stage IV patients after adjustment for age, sex, diagnosis year, histology, and comorbidity index. In a separate landmark analysis excluding patients deceased within 6 months of diagnosis, the association between time to diagnosis and survival was no longer evident.

CONCLUSION:

Time to confirmation of NSCLC was inversely associated with OS in this US SEER population study. This association was lost when patients deceased within 6 months of diagnosis were excluded, suggesting that retrospective registry-claims databases may not be the optimal data source to study time to diagnosis as a quality metric because of the unaccounted confounding effects of tumor behavior. Prospective evaluations of clinically enriched data sources may better serve this purpose.
Una larga cadena de oro: Memorias coloniales y contemporáneas sobre Huáscar Inca
Authors: Martínez S. Paula , Martínez C. José Luis
Published: February 2022

Existe un conjunto de registros documentales y visuales que nos permite afirmar que desde el inicio del período colonial se produjeron cantos y memorias sobre el Inca Huáscar. Con base en dichos registros postulamos la existencia de un ciclo de memoria sobre este Inca presente en relatos orales, pinturas, qeros y festividades. Este ciclo se extiende desde el siglo xvi hasta la actualidad y abarca una amplia extensión geográfica que trasciende las fronteras del antiguo Imperio inca. Proponemos que este ciclo forma parte de un sistema más amplio de memorias que describimos en este artículo.
How Do Households Value the Future? Evidence from Property Taxes
Authors: Koster Hans R.A. , Pinchbeck Edward W.
Published: February 2022

Despite the near ubiquity of intertemporal choice, there is little consensus on the rate at which individuals trade present and future costs and benefits. We contribute to this debate by estimating discount rates from extensive data on housing transactions and spatiotemporal variation in property taxes in England. Our findings imply long-term average net of growth nominal discount rates that are between 3 and 4 percent. The close correspondence to prevailing market interest rates gives little reason to suggest that households misoptimize by materially undervaluing very long-term financial flows in this high-stakes context. (JEL D15, H71, R31)
Synthesis of bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) solid solutions for photodegradation of methylene blue dye
Authors: Gembo Robert O. , Aoyi Ochieng , Majoni Stephen , Etale Anita , Odisitse Sebusi , King'ondu Cecil K.
Published: February 2022

Background: The removal of textile wastes is a priority due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties.  In this study, bismuth oxyhalide was used in the removal of methylene blue (MB) which is a textile waste. The main objective of this study was to develop and investigate the applicability of a bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) solid solutions in the photodegradation of MB under solar and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation.

Methods: Bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) (0 ≤ z ≤ 1) materials were successfully prepared through the hydrothermal method. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to determine the surface area, microstructure, crystal structure, and morphology of the resultant products. The photocatalytic performance of BiOBrzI(1-z) materials was examined through methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light and solar irradiation.

Results: The XRD showed that BiOBrzI(1-z) materials crystallized into a tetragonal crystal structure with (102) peak slightly shifting to lower diffraction angle with an increase in the amount of iodide (I-). BiOBr0.6I0.4 materials showed a point of zero charge of 5.29 and presented the highest photocatalytic activity in the removal of MB with 99% and 88% efficiency under solar and UV irradiation, respectively. The kinetics studies of MB removal by BiOBrzI(1-z) materials showed that the degradation process followed nonlinear pseudo-first-order model indicating that the removal of MB depends on the population of the adsorption sites. Trapping experiments confirmed that photogenerated holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) are the key species responsible for the degradation of MB.

Conclusions: This study shows that bismuth oxyhalide materials are very active in the degradation of methylene blue dye using sunlight and thus they have great potential in safeguarding public health and the environment from the dye’s degradation standpoint. Moreover, the experimental results agree with nonlinear fitting.
A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice about antibiotic prescribing and resistance among medical practitioners in Kenya
Authors: Kamita Moses , Mutungi Joe Kimanthi , Mungai Samuel , Mureithi Dominic , Kijogi Caroline , Kimani Racheal , Ndegwa Davies , Maina Jeremiah , Gitaka Jesse
Published: February 2022

Background

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat worldwide and especially in developing countries. Irrational antibiotic prescription as well as lack of the requisite knowledge and awareness of proper antibiotic use are major drivers of antibiotic resistance. In Kenya, although the Ministry of Health has developed antibiotic use guidelines, these guidelines are not widely followed. Antibiotic prescription is, therefore, hugely at the discretion of the clinician. It is thus necessary to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of antibiotic prescription among medical practitioners in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among antibiotic prescribers in three counties (Kiambu, Nakuru, and Bungoma) in Kenya.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics were used to generate frequencies, percentages, and proportions. Where necessary, univariate analyses such as Pearson’s chi-square were performed to compare proportions for statistical significance.

Results

From the three counties, 240 respondents recorded their responses: 30% from Kiambu, 34.6% from Nakuru, and 35.4% from Bungoma. The respondents included 19 (7.9%) consultants, 66 (27.4%) medical officers, 135 (56.3%) clinical officers and 20 (8.3%) pharmacists. Of all respondents, more than 90% agreed or strongly agreed that antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a catastrophe worldwide and in Kenya. However, the proportion of the respondents who either agreed or strongly agreed (71.6%) that antibiotic resistance is a problem in their respective health facilities was significantly lower (ρ=0.013).

Conclusion

This study revealed that most medical practitioners were aware and knowledgeable about antibiotic resistance. However, there was a disconnect with mitigation measures such as active antibiotic stewardship and laboratory analyses to support judicious prescription. There is, therefore, a need for continuous education and stewardship interventions.
Characterising and Addressing the Psychosocial Impact of Tuberculosis in Indonesia (CAPITA): A study protocol
Authors: Fuady Ahmad , Fitriangga Agus , Sugiharto Agus , Arifin Bustanul , Yunita Ferdiana , Yani Finny Fitry , Nasution Helmi Suryani , Putra I Wayan Gede Artawan Eka , Rauf Saidah , Mansyur Muchtaruddin , Wingfield Tom
Published: February 2022

Background: Tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma remains a key barrier for people with TB to access and engage with TB services and can contribute to the development of mental illnesses. This study aims to characterise stigmatisation towards people with TB and its psychosocial impact in Indonesia.

Methods: This study will apply a sequential mixed method in two main settings: TB services-based population (setting 1) and workplace-based population (setting 2). In setting 1, we will interview 770 adults with TB who undergo sensitive-drug TB treatment in seven provinces of Indonesia. The interview will use the validated TB Stigma Scale questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and EQ-5D-5L to assess stigma, mental illness, and quality of life. In Setting 2, we will deploy an online questionnaire to 640 adult employees in 12 public and private companies. The quantitative data will be followed by in-depth interview to TB-related stakeholders.

Results: CAPITA will not only characterise the enacted stigma which are directly experienced by people with TB, but also self-stigma felt by people with TB, secondary stigma faced by their family members, and structural stigma related to the law and policy. The qualitative analyses will strengthen the quantitative findings to formulate the potential policy direction for zero TB stigma in health service facilities and workplaces. Involving all stakeholders, i.e., people with TB, healthcare workers, National Tuberculosis Program officers, The Ministry of Health Workforce, company managers, and employees, will enhance the policy formulation. The validated tool to measure TB-related stigma will also be promoted for scaling up to be implemented at the national level.

Conclusions: To improve patient-centered TB control strategy policy, it is essential to characterise and address TB-related stigma and mental illness and explore the needs for psychosocial support for an effective intervention to mitigate the psychosocial impact of TB.
Methodical Issues of Economic Analysis in Financial Control and Forensic Accounting
Authors: Paschenko T. , Shakirova N.
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the article is to propose an algorithm for choosing a base when using comparison as an expert technique. The article discusses the types of comparison, types of basic indicators, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cases in which the use of a certain comparison base will be most appropriate. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that it can be used in the development of private methods of forensic economic examinations to increase the objectivity and validity of the comprehensiveness of the expert research.
The use of radio frequency currents in musculoskeletal injuries
Authors: Ciechanowska Katarzyna
Published: February 2022

Elektroterapia to dział medycyny fizykalnej, który wykorzystuje energię elektryczną w celach leczniczych i diagnostycznych. Jednym z najnowocześniejszych zabiegów z zakresu elektroterapii, który wykorzystuje prądy wielkiej częstotliwości to terapia Indiba. Jest to zabieg oparty na zastosowaniu przepływu elektrycznego prądu radiofrekwencyjnego o częstotliwości 448 kHz. Prądy o częstotliwości radiowej stały się jednym z podstawowych metod leczenia dolegliwości bólowych i urazów mięśniowo-szkieletowych.  Badania kliniczne pokazują, że terapia prądami wielkiej częstotliwości zmniejszają dolegliwości bólowe, przyspieszają przepływ krwi, dotleniają organizm oraz przyspieszają metabolizm komórkowy. W literaturze można spotkać także artykuły, w których przedstawione są znakomite rezultaty takie jak: szybsze zdrowienie tkanek i powrót do aktywności fizycznej.
The role of skin antisepsis in upper extremity surgery to reduce surgical site infection: a comparison between single and triple regimens
Authors: Hwang Ji Sup , Lee Dong Min , Lee Yo Han
Published: February 2022

Purpose: No consensus exits regarding preoperative skin antisepsis for upper extremity surgery. We aimed to determine whether the use of povidone-iodine only (single regimen) instead of povidone-iodine and alcohol-chlorhexidine (triple regimen) resulted in an increased rate of surgical site infection (SSI), and to detect any associated factors that increased the infection risk.Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective review of medical records was conducted for patients who underwent upper extremity surgery from March 2020 to February 2021. Either the single or triple regimen was used for preoperative skin antisepsis. The rate of SSI was compared based on a marked elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) at 2 weeks after surgery, superficial SSI, and deep SSI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with SSI among the evaluated parameters.Results: Among 175 patients (male, 81 and female, 94), the single regimen was used in 78 patients (44.6%) and the triple regimen in 97 patients (55.4%). The single regimen (odds ratio [OR], 2.425; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.040–5.655) and a surgical procedure using a metal implant (OR, 3.602; 95% CI, 1.184–10.953) were significantly associated with a marked CRP elevation at 2 weeks. However, there was no differencein SSI rates between the single and triple regimens. Diabetes mellitus (OR, 6.636; 95% CI, 1.259–34.969) was the only factor significantly associated with superficial SSI through logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: Our study suggests that the single regimen resulted in a longer CRP elevation than the triple regimen, but was similarly effective in preventing SSI for upper extremity surgery.
La fotografía como medio dinamizador de las prácticas artísticas contemporáneas en Centroamérica.
Authors: Galeano Rosa Rodnie Gabriel
Published: February 2022

El presente artículo contiene un conjunto de reflexiones que se encaminan a explorar e indagar algunos de los aportes estéticos y artísticos de la producción fotográfica a la práctica artística contemporánea de la región centroamericana. La fotografía como género artístico ha sido escasamente empleada por los artistas contemporáneos centroamericanos, sin embargo, la producción fotográfica de Luis González Palma, Victoria Cabezas, Cinthya Soto y Donna Conlon ha sido tan relevante y fundamental que ha logrado alterar y dinamizar el aparato productivo del arte en Centroamérica. Por tanto, demostrar la incidencia en el campo de la estética y del arte de los aportes del trabajo fotográfico de estos artistas es parte de los propósitos de este artículo. Finalmente, el artículo intenta advertir sobre los peligros que conlleva la estetización como proceso, sobre todo, de aquellas fotografías que intentan revelarse en expresión desenfrenada contra el sistema, pero que terminan siendo víctimas de los procesos de estetización que todo lo neutralizan.
Improving Sales Forecasting Accuracy: A Tensor Factorization Approach with Demand Awareness
Authors: Bi Xuan , Adomavicius Gediminas , Li William , Qu Annie
Published: February 2022

Because of the accessibility of big data collections from consumers, products, and stores, advanced sales forecasting capabilities have drawn great attention from many businesses, especially those in retail, because of the importance of forecasting in decision making. Improvement of forecasting accuracy, even by a small percentage, may have a substantial impact on companies’ production and financial planning, marketing strategies, inventory controls, and supply chain management. Specifically, our research goal is to forecast the sales of each product in each store in the near future. Motivated by tensor factorization methodologies for context-aware recommender systems, we propose a novel approach called the advanced temporal latent factor approach to sales forecasting, or ATLAS for short, which achieves accurate and individualized predictions for sales by building a single tensor factorization model across multiple stores and products. Our contribution is a combination of a tensor framework (to leverage information across stores and products), a new regularization function (to incorporate demand dynamics), and extrapolation of the tensor into future time periods using state-of-the-art statistical (seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average models) and machine-learning (recurrent neural networks) models. The advantages of ATLAS are demonstrated on eight product category data sets collected by Information Resources, Inc., where we analyze a total of 165 million weekly sales transactions of over 15,560 products from more than 1,500 grocery stores.

Summary of Contribution: Sales forecasting has been a task of long-standing importance. Accurate sales forecasting provides critical managerial implications for companies’ decision making and operations. Improvement of forecasting accuracy may have a substantial impact on companies’ production planning, marketing strategies, inventory controls, and supply chain management, among other things. This paper proposes a novel computational (machine-learning-based) approach to sales forecasting and thus is positioned directly at the intersection of computing and business/operations research.
On the Estimation of Discrete Choice Models to Capture Irrational Customer Behaviors
Authors: Jena Sanjay Dominik , Lodi Andrea , Sole Claudio
Published: February 2022

The random utility maximization model is by far the most adopted framework to estimate consumer choice behavior. However, behavioral economics has provided strong empirical evidence of irrational choice behaviors, such as halo effects, that are incompatible with this framework. Models belonging to the random utility maximization family may therefore not accurately capture such irrational behavior. Hence, more general choice models, overcoming such limitations, have been proposed. However, the flexibility of such models comes at the price of increased risk of overfitting. As such, estimating such models remains a challenge. In this work, we propose an estimation method for the recently proposed generalized stochastic preference choice model, which subsumes the family of random utility maximization models and is capable of capturing halo effects. In particular, we propose a column-generation method to gradually refine the discrete choice model based on partially ranked preference sequences. Extensive computational experiments indicate that our model, explicitly accounting for irrational preferences, can significantly boost the predictive accuracy on both synthetic and real-world data instances.

Summary of Contribution: In this work, we propose an estimation method for the recently proposed generalized stochastic preference choice model, which subsumes the family of random utility maximization models and is capable of capturing halo effects. Specifically, we show how to use partially ranked preferences to efficiently model rational and irrational customer types from transaction data. Our estimation procedure is based on column generation, where relevant customer types are efficiently extracted by expanding a treelike data structure containing the customer behaviors. Furthermore, we propose a new dominance rule among customer types whose effect is to prioritize low orders of interactions among products. An extensive set of experiments assesses the predictive accuracy of the proposed approach by comparing it against rank-based methods with only rational preferences and with more general benchmarks from the literature. Our results show that accounting for irrational preferences can boost predictive accuracy by 12.5% on average when tested on a real-world data set from a large chain of grocery and drug stores.
Multiple Drug Regimen-Refractory Rosai–Dorfman–Destombes Disease Mimicking Relapsing Polychondritis Successfully Treated with Cobimetinib
Authors: López-Aldabe Kima , Escrihuela-Vidal Francesc , Tuells-Morales Manel , Llobera-Ris Clàudia , Bauer-Alonso Andrea , Cortes-Romera Montserrat , Gràcia-Sànchez Laura , Tormo-Ratera Marian , Juanola Roura Xavier , Penin-Mosquera Rosa Maria , Corbella Xavier , Solanich Xavier
Published: February 2022

Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease (RDD) or sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of unknown cause. The disease often manifests as bilateral painless cervical lymphadenopathy associated with systemic symptoms such as fever and weight loss. Extranodal disease is also frequent and can involve any organ, mostly skin, nasal cavity, bone, and retro-orbital tissue. Swelling of cartilaginous tissues such as ear helix or laryngeal structures may mimic the entity known as relapsing polychondritis. Although spontaneous remission is the most expected evolution, some cases require systemic treatment with prednisone, methotrexate or cytotoxic agents, with variable success rates. In this respect, since somatic variants in genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway have been observed to play a pathogenic role in RDD, the use of therapies targeting these pathogenic variants seems to be a reasonable strategy. Here we present a case of RDD with extensive extranodal involvement that showed a rapid and complete response to the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib
Ganho de peso interdialítico e fatores associados em pacientes em tratamento hemodialítico
Authors: Silva Danielle Cristina Guimarães da , De Almeida Joice Natielle Mariano , Dos Santos Thailane Carvalho , Almeida Ellen De Souza , De Souza Janniny Vanderley , Santana Amanda De Oliveira
Published: February 2022

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência do ganho de peso interdialítico (GPI) e verificar sua correlação com indicadores sociodemográficos, antropométricos, clínicos e bioquímicos em pacientes em tratamento hemodialítico. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo transversal com pacientes adultos e idosos, de ambos os sexos, cadastrados em uma unidade de hemodiálise. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir da aplicação de questionário estruturado, aferição de medidas antropométricas e análise dos prontuários. As associações entre as variáveis foram verificadas utilizando-se modelos de regressão linear simples e múltipla. A análise dos dados foi realizada com o auxílio do software Stata 13.1. Resultados: Foram avaliados 123 pacientes, com predominância do sexo masculino (63,4%), faixa etária superior a 40 anos (66,6%) e nível socioeconômico baixo (50,4%). A prevalência de GPI excessivo entre os participantes do estudo foi de 10,5% e associou-se de forma negativa com o aumento da idade (β= -0,019; 95% IC: -0,037; -0,006). Foram observadas associações positivas entre o GPI e o aumento da circunferência da cintura (β= 0,022; 95% IC: 0,003; 0,041), o tempo de hemodiálise dado em meses (β= 0,017; 95% IC: 0,009; 0,026) e o aumento da concentração sérica de creatinina (β= 0,091; 95% IC: 0,016; 0,166). Conclusão: Constatou-se que o GPI foi maior em pacientes mais jovens e se associou de forma positiva à circunferência da cintura, ao tempo em hemodiálise e à concentração sérica de creatinina. Esses achados demonstram a importância de intervenções multiprofissionais para que pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise apresentem melhor qualidade de vida.
Fichas Técnicas de Preparações Regionais como instrumento para preservação da identidade cultural
Authors: Conceição Jamille Góes da , Barbosa Ana Gabriela De Freitas , Silva Isabella De Matos Mendes da , Freitas Fernanda , Camilo Valéria Macedo Almeida
Published: February 2022

Introdução: A preservação de alimentos tradicionais disponibiliza, para o mercado, alimentos com caráter simbólico, representantes do patrimônio alimentar e com qualidades específicas. Sendo assim, a padronização do processo produtivo através da Ficha Técnica de Preparo representa uma alternativa viável para preservar as características regionais dos produtos. Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou elaborar Fichas Técnicas de Preparo de produtos regionais como um instrumento de promoção de qualidade e de preservação de práticas e saberes locais de preparações elaboradas por uma cooperativa na região do Baixo Sul, Bahia. Método: Inicialmente, realizou-se visita in loco visando caracterizar os locais de produção dos alimentos e os grupos de agricultoras participantes da cooperativa; posteriormente, aplicou-se formulário para estabelecer os critérios de seleção das preparações. Em seguida, foram escolhidos cinco produtos para serem padronizados; logo após realizou-se o acompanhamento da produção, seguido da elaboração das Fichas Técnicas de Preparo. Resultados: Elaboraram-se Fichas Técnicas de Preparo da bala de jenipapo, beiju de amendoim, biscoito de banana sem açúcar, biscoito de goma e geleia de cacau. A produção é 100% artesanal e possui grande valor cultural, pois são elaborados a partir de matérias-primas presentes no território seguindo a tradição, cujas práticas culinárias são compartilhadas entre os familiares por gerações. Conclusão: A elaboração das Fichas Técnicas de Preparo possibilitou padronizar as preparações regionais, contribuindo para a qualidade, bem como para a diminuição do desperdício de matéria-prima, aproveitamento dos recursos disponíveis na região, redução de custos, desenvolvimento local e preservação da identidade cultural das preparações elaboradas pela cooperativa.
Avaliação da qualidade dos menus infantis em restaurantes comerciais frente à nova classificação dos alimentos do guia alimentar para a população brasileira
Authors: Silva Naiara Almeida , Monteiro Mary Clara Da Costa , Pinto Ana Maria De Souza
Published: February 2022

Introdução: A prevalência da obesidade tem aumentado na população brasileira, com destaque no público infantil, associada principalmente a fatores comportamentais que levam a más escolhas alimentares. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de menus infantis em restaurantes de shopping centers da Baixada Santista-SP e sua consonância com as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira considerando a NOVA classificação dos alimentos. Método: O artigo é oriundo de um projeto de pesquisa desenvolvido por uma equipe multidisciplinar e interinstitutos, composta por pesquisadores do curso de Nutrição. Utilizou-se um questionário como instrumento de coleta de dados, aplicado em todos os shopping centers de quatro cidades da Baixada Santista – Santos, São Vicente, Praia Grande e Guarujá –, com questões para caracterização e avaliação da qualidade dos menus infantis. O instrumento foi aplicado individual e simultaneamente por duas pesquisadoras, comparando seus respectivos aspectos nutricionais aos conceitos de alimentação saudável estabelecidos no Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira; posteriormente, os dados coletados foram transcritos para uma plataforma digital. Foram visitados 60 restaurantes distribuídos em quatro cidades, dos quais apenas 13% tinham a oferta de menu infantil. Resultados: De acordo com a caracterização dos restaurantes, identificou-se que 50% deles são de grandes redes, em sua maioria fast food. Algumas preparações classificadas como ultraprocessadas, como batatas fritas, hambúrgueres e empanados, são ofertadas em 87,5%, 62,5% e 87,5% dos restaurantes, respectivamente. Preparações que exigem técnicas de preparo mais específicas, como macarrões, foram encontradas em 37,5% dos restaurantes. A utilização de queijo como coberturas e recheios foi identificada em 100% dos restaurantes. Bebidas classificadas como ultraprocessadas foram ofertadas em 12,5% dos restaurantes. Conclusão: Foi possível identificar que não são exibidos os valores nutricionais e de alérgenos nas preparações. Observou-se que a qualidade dos menus infantis oferecidos nos restaurantes é limitada em relação à variedade dos alimentos e com grande oferta de alimentos ultraprocessados, estando em desacordo com as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira.