bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Not‐so‐disposable e‐cigarettes: Methods young people use to discard single‐use e‐cigarettes
Authors: Donovan Emily M. , Azadi Mona , McKay Tatum , Aarvig Kathleen , Kreslake Jennifer
Published: June 2024

Background and aims

To date, most tobacco product waste research focuses on cigarettes. Less is known about single‐use ‘disposable’ e‐cigarette waste, which contains several hazardous and toxic materials. This exploratory study examines self‐reported methods for discarding disposables among a national sample of US adolescents and young adults.

Design, setting, participants and measurements

Data were obtained from a weekly cross‐sectional survey of US residents aged 15–24 years. The analytical sample consisted of data collected from November 2022 to August 2023 from respondents who reported past‐30‐day use of disposables (n = 1313). Weighted multinomial logistic regressions examined the association between tobacco use behaviors and respondents’ primary self‐reported method for discarding disposables (reference group: ‘throw them in the regular trash’), controlling for socio‐demographic variables.

Findings

Approximately half of respondents discarded their empty disposables in the regular trash (52.9%). On average, respondents reported throwing away 3.1 disposables monthly [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.83, 3.29]. Second most commonly, respondents reported keeping or collecting empty disposables (21.4%). Respondents who reported 10–30 days (versus 1‐9) of past‐month vaping were more likely to primarily keep or collect disposable e‐cigarettes (relative risk reduction = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.20, 2.24) compared to discarding in the trash.

Conclusions

Young people in the United States who use disposable e‐cigarettes report primarily discarding their disposable e‐cigarettes in the regular trash or keeping them. All reported disposal methods raise safety and environmental concerns.
Differential effects of digital mindfulness‐based interventions on creative potential and responsibility among middle school students
Authors: Rebecchi Kevin , Lubart Todd , Shankland Rebecca , Hagège Hélène
Published: June 2024

Background

Creativity and responsibility are enhanced by meditation among adults, but such effects have not been studied in adolescents. Moreover, the determinants of the ethical effect (such as responsibility) of meditation are unclear.

Aims

To address this gap by investigating the impact of digital in‐class meditation programmes in middle school, focusing on intentions (self‐centred vs. responsibility‐centred), on adolescents' creative potential and sense of responsibility. These intentions are operationalized by different purpose‐based meditations.

Methods

We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 107 year 7 adolescents from six classes, assigning them to two experimental groups and an active control group. Pre‐ and post‐intervention assessments were conducted over an 11‐week period, including a creativity (EPoC) test comprising four exercises (graphic and verbal, divergent and convergent thinking), a responsibility and a mindfulness scale.

Results

Our findings revealed no discernible effects on divergent thinking or self‐reported mindfulness. However, we observed significant differences in graphic and verbal convergent creative thinking, as well as impacting responsibility scores, between a responsibility‐centred meditation group and a self‐centred meditation group. Moreover, distinctions were noted between control and self‐centred meditation groups and between some classes. Effect sizes indicated that the interventions had a moderate but significant impact on the variables measured.

Conclusion

Our study reveals the effectiveness of digital meditation interventions in enhancing convergent creative thinking and responsibility among middle‐school students. Notably, it shed new light on the importance of meditation intentions, which may be as significant as the form of meditation itself.
Union officers' turnaway: Push, pull, and values in Canada, Italy, and the United States
Authors: Frangi Lorenzo , Signoretti Andrea , Zhang Tingting
Published: June 2024

We compare union officer occupational turnaway in Canada, Italy and the United States. We identify three forces that, in addition to industrial relations institutional settings, shape union officers’ individual decisions on turnaway: push, pull and values. We analysed 101 semi‐structured interviews with ex‐union officers. To shed light on the diversity of their turnaway, we propose a typology composed of six types, each of which is based on one force or the interplay of two or three. Our findings suggest occupational values misfit is central. Former officers experienced a gap between their values and the union's external mission and/or internal functioning, or even developed a root occupational values difference. In addition, contextual characteristics seem to shape turnaway, including industrial relations institutions and societal values. Implications for trade union organizational policies are discussed.
The Case for Climate Reparations by Fossil Fuel Companies: Ethical Foundations, Monetary Estimates and Feasibility
Authors: Grasso Marco
Published: June 2024

This contribution argues that the fossil fuel industry has played a major role in human‐driven climate change and should agree to shoulder the burden of the associated damages. To this end, the article develops a responsibility‐based approach to operationalize and quantify fossil fuel companies’ climate reparations and locate them in the current political economy context. It explains the rationale for a responsibility‐based approach to climate reparations, investigates their foundational elements and proposes a Global Climate Reparations Fund to manage them. The article continues by providing a typology of climate reparations and their operational aspects, which makes it possible to quantify the financial burden as amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars annually over the coming decades. The political economy of climate reparations, with particular attention to their feasibility, is then analysed. The article lays the groundwork for a reasoned dialogue within and between civil society and political representatives of different backgrounds on the responsibility of fossil fuel companies in the climate crisis and on their role in rectifying climate damages through reparations.
Self‐conducted sonographic monitoring of the knee in patients with haemophilia—A feasibility study
Authors: Strauss Anna Christina , Marquardt Natascha , Oldenburg Johannes , Pieper Claus Christian , Attenberger Ulrike , Hmida Jamil , Rommelspacher Charlotte , Koob Sebastian , Strauss Andreas Christian
Published: June 2024

Introduction/aim

To evaluate whether patients with haemophilia (PwH) can be enabled to perform ultrasonography (US) of their knees without supervision according to the Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD‐US) protocol and whether they would be able to recognize pathologies.

Methods

Five PwH (mean age 29.6 years, range 20–48 years) were taught the use of a portable US device and the HEAD‐US protocol. Subsequently, the patients performed US unsupervised at home three times a week for a total of 6 weeks with a reteaching after 2 weeks. All images were checked for mapping of the landmarks defined in the HEAD‐US protocol by a radiologist. In a final test after the completion of the self‐sonography period, participants were asked to identify scanning plane and potential pathology from US images of other PwH.

Results

On the images of the self‐performed scans, 82.7% of the possible anatomic landmarks could be identified and 67.5% of the requested images were unobjectionable, depicting 100% of the required landmarks. There was a highly significant improvement in image quality following reteaching after 2 weeks (74.80 ± 36.88% vs. 88.31 ± 19.87%, p < .001). In the final test, the participants identified the right scanning plane in 85.0% and they correctly identified pathology in 90.0% of images.

Conclusion

Appropriately trained PwH can perform the HEAD‐US protocol of their knee with high quality and are capable to identify pathologic findings on these standardized images. Asynchronous tele‐sonography could enable early therapy adjustment and thereby possibly reduce costs.
Evaluating patient and family preferences for acute and preventive pediatric headache treatment
Authors: Martin Elise G. , Kuziek Jonathan , Rasiah Jananee , Orr Serena L.
Published: June 2024

Objective

To describe acute and preventive treatment preferences among youth with migraine and their parents/guardians, and to describe the degree of youth–parent/guardian preference agreement.

Background

Headache disorders are common in youth, but little is known about patient and family preferences for headache treatments and outcomes.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional survey, a headache treatment preferences questionnaire was co‐created with stakeholders, piloted, and distributed to consenting youth with migraine aged 9–18 years and parents/guardians at a tertiary care headache clinic in western Canada. Response data were summarized for youth and parents/guardians separately, and agreement rates within a youth–parent/guardian pair were compared to a hypothesized agreement rate of 80% for the primary questionnaire items.

Results

Seventy‐two youth and n = 94 parents/guardians participated, with n = 63 in youth–parent/guardian pairs. Freedom from pain and rapid relief, and reducing pain severity and headache frequency were top acute and preventive treatment priorities, respectively. More than 90% (69/72) agreed that ≥ 50% reduction in headache frequency was a good target. For both acute and preventive interventions, swallowed pill–based options were most often selected as the preferred first‐line treatment, with neuromodulation selected as the preferred second‐line treatment. The level of agreement within youth–parent/guardian pairs on preferred treatment modalities was lower than hypothesized for acute (63% [40/63], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 52–75%, χ2 = 10.73, p = 0.001) but not for preventive treatment (73% [46/63], 95% CI = 62–84%, χ2 = 1.92, p = 0.166). Regarding which treatment modalities were perceived as most effective, youth–parent agreement was lower than hypothesized for both acute (48% [30/63], 95% CI = 35–60%, χ2 = 41.29, p < 0.001) and preventive treatment (46% [29/63], 95% CI = 34–58%, χ2 = 45.43, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Youth and family preferences aligned qualitatively, but sometimes diverged quantitatively, from typical clinical trial outcomes. The level of agreement within youth–parent/guardian pairs on treatment preferences and perceptions was low. Clinicians should consider both perspectives as they may be divergent.
Efficacy of a new protocol for the prevention of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders in dental hygiene students: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ferrillo Martina , Migliario Mario , Calafiore Dario , Marotta Nicola , Fortunato Leonzio , Ammendolia Antonio , Giudice Amerigo , de Sire Alessandro
Published: June 2024

Objective

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the efficacy of a new muscle stretching and strengthening protocol for the prevention of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in dental hygiene students.

Methods

Students attending the 2nd and 3rd year of a Dental Hygiene Degree Course of a University Hospital were randomly allocated into treatment group (muscle stretching and strengthening sessions) and control group (no treatment). Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), quality of life, the intensity of the pain and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) Scale were assessed at the baseline (T0), after 4 weeks (T1) and after 16 weeks (T2).

Results

Of 37 subjects screened for eligibility, 28 patients (aged 28.25 ± 8.89 years) were enrolled and divided into treatment and control groups. The NWQ showed significant between‐group differences in the following regions from T0 to T2: neck (p = 0.0003), shoulders (p = 0.0057) and lower back (p = 0.0136). In terms of pain, a significant between‐group difference was reported from T2 (p < 0.001). The GPE demonstrated that the average satisfaction related to the performed treatment was 1.4 ± 0.63.

Conclusion

The present pilot RCT demonstrated the efficacy of stretching associated with muscle strengthening in decreasing the risk of WMSD, especially for the neck, shoulders and lower back. The potential strength of this model is related to the possibility to perform stretching exercises chairside at work during scheduled breaks, in addition to complementary muscle strengthening sessions at home. Future RCTs are necessary to better investigate the role of this protocol for WMSD prevention.
The role of individual differences in second language pragmatics: A systematic review
Authors: Zhang Lan , Aubrey Scott
Published: June 2024

The current systematic review aims to understand the role of individual differences (IDs) in second language (L2) pragmatics and offer recommendations for further research in this domain. To achieve this, 86 empirical studies in L2 pragmatics published in SSCI (Social Science Citation Index) journals from 2000 to 2023 were systematically selected and coded for IDs, pragmatic features and modalities investigated, methodological orientation, and research findings. The significance of this review paper is the inclusion of both qualitative and quantitative findings and the identification of research trends in the last two decades. This inclusive approach allowed us to reveal the extent to which ID factors were studied within the classic research paradigm (i.e., the influence of IDs in isolation) and the socio‐dynamic research paradigm (i.e., the combined influence of IDs and context over time). Findings revealed that the IDs identified (L2 proficiency, identity, intercultural competence, language mindsets, willingness to communicate, motivation, and cognitive factors) exerted considerable influence on L2 pragmatic competence. Accounting for research gaps, trends in methodology, and findings in the area, we provide specific recommendations for future research to bring the study of L2 pragmatics in line with the ‘affective turn’ in second language acquisition.
Gyrodactylus in the spotlight: how exposure to light impacts disease and the feeding behavior of the freshwater tropical guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: MacAulay Scott , Cable Jo
Published: June 2024

Artificial light at night (ALAN) negatively impacts organisms in many ways, from their feeding behaviors to their response and ability to deal with disease. Our knowledge of ALAN is focused on hosts, but we must also consider their parasites, which constitute half of all described animal species. Here, we assessed the impact of light exposure on a model host–parasite system (Poecilia reticulata and the ectoparasitic monogenean Gyrodactylus turnbulli). First, parasite‐free fish were exposed to 12:12 h light:dark (control) or 24:0 h light:dark (ALAN) for 21 days followed by experimental infection. Second, naturally acquired G. turnbulli infections were monitored for 28 days during exposure of their hosts to a specified light regime (6:18 h, 12:12 h, or 24:0 h light:dark). Experimentally infected fish exposed to constant light had, on average, a greater maximum parasite burden than controls, but no other measured parasite metrics were impacted. Host feeding behavior was also significantly affected: fish under ALAN fed faster and took more bites than controls, whilst fish exposed to reduced light fed slower. Thus, ALAN can impact parasite burdens, even in the short term, and altering light conditions will impact fish feeding behavior. Such responses could initiate disease outbreaks or perturb food‐webs with wider ecological impacts.
First long‐term trajectory of an ocean sunfish (Mola mola L.) from the northwestern Mediterranean
Authors: Rouyer Tristan , Landreau A. , Derridj O. , Bonhommeau S. , Frejafond R. , Wendling B. , Kerzerho V.
Published: June 2024

The ocean sunfish is a large fish for which many aspects of its ecology and biology are still poorly known. Electronic tagging was used to provide the first information on the movements of an ocean sunfish from the northwestern Mediterranean. The sunfish moved towards the Gibraltar strait over the year and displayed substantial movements in the water column. The potential of the tagging technique employed for studying its behavior and long‐term migratory dynamics, and assessing the post‐release survival of ocean sunfish is highlighted.
Has mortality in the United States returned to pre‐pandemic levels? An analysis of provisional 2023 data
Authors: Minhas Abdul Mannan Khan , Fudim Marat , Michos Erin D. , Abramov Dmitry
Published: June 2024

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic, which started in 2020, resulted in greater all‐cause mortality in 2020 and in subsequent years. Whether all‐cause mortality remains elevated in 2023 compared to pre‐pandemic numbers is unknown.

Methods and results

The United States (US) Center for Disease Control Wide‐Ranging, Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database was used to compare mortality rates between 2019 and provisional data for 2022 and 2023. Age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) for all‐cause as well as top causes of mortality were collected. Mortality based on subgroups by sex, age, and ethnicity was also collected. All‐cause AAMRs between 2018 and 2023 per 100,000 individuals were 723.6, 715.2, 835.4, 879.7, (provisionally) 798.8, and (provisionally) 738.3, respectively, with AAMRs in 2023 remaining above 2019 pre‐pandemic levels. Similar trends were noted in subgroups based on sex, ethnicity, and most age groups. Mortality attributed directly to COVID‐19 peaked in 2021 as the 3rd leading cause of death and dropped to the 10th leading cause in 2023. Provisional mortality rate trends for 2023 suggest that rates for diseases of the heart increased during the pandemic but appear to have returned to or dipped below pre‐pandemic levels.

Conclusion

Provisional 2023 all‐cause mortality rates in the US have decreased from the 2021 peak associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic but remain above the pre‐pandemic baseline. Mortality from some conditions, including diseases of the heart, appears to have recovered from the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Peri‐mortem arrhythmias in the non‐cardiac intensive care unit
Authors: Okaj Iva , Vadakken Maria E. , Belley‐Côté Emilie P. , Lengyel Alexandra P. , Rai Anand S. , Suri Rubani S. , Healey Jeff S. , McIntyre William F.
Published: June 2024

Background

Cardiovascular failure is recognized as a common final pathway at the end of life but there is a paucity of data describing terminal arrhythmias.

Aim

We aimed to describe arrhythmias recorded peri‐mortem in critically ill patients.

Study design

We enrolled intensive care unit patients admitted to two tertiary Canadian medico‐surgical centres. Participants wore a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor for 14 days, until discharge, removal or death. We recorded all significant occurrences of arrhythmias in the final hour of life.

Results

Among 39 patients wearing an ECG monitor at the time of death, 22 (56%) developed at least 1 terminal arrhythmia as adjudicated by an arrhythmia physician: 23% (n = 9) had ventricular fibrillation/polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, 18% (n = 7) had sinoatrial pauses, 15% (n = 6) had atrial fibrillation and 13% (n = 5) had high‐degree atrioventricular block. Five participants (13%) developed multiple arrythmias.

Conclusions

Arrhythmias are common in dying critically ill patients. There is a roughly even distribution between ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular block.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The results of this study may be most useful for critically ill patients who are organ donation candidates. The appearance of arrhythmias may serve as a marker of change in clinical status for organ donation teams to plan mobilization efforts. In participants who are sedated or intubated, arrhythmias could be a surrogate marker for respiratory or neurologic changes.
Exploring Cultural Competence in Teacher Preparation
Authors: Wallace Kathleen Kelly
Published: June 2024

This mixed methods study explores teacher candidates’ self-efficacy in the application of culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) as measured by Siwatu’s (2007) Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale and examines those perceptions considering candidates’ performance on targeted rubrics of the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), a nationally recognized tool for assessing teacher readiness. Pearson’s official edTPA scores on two culturally relevant rubrics were examined against survey results to ascertain whether perceived abilities align with target scores indicating learner-ready teachers. Interviews with participants provide triangulation and further validation while illuminating other factors related to CRP implementation during the candidates’ student teaching semester. Results show that pre-service educators feel efficacious in their capacity to implement CRP in theory; yet scores indicate that in practice, candidates struggle to implement culturally responsive lessons.
Sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in functional/dissociative seizures and epilepsy: a large cohort study
Authors: Faiman Irene , Hodsoll John , Jasani Iman , Young Allan H , Shotbolt Paul
Published: June 2024

Background

People with functional/dissociative seizures (FDS) are at elevated suicidality risk.

Objective

To identify risk factors for suicidality in FDS or epilepsy.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study from the UK’s largest tertiary mental healthcare provider, with linked national admission data from the Hospital Episode Statistics. Participants were 2383 people with a primary or secondary diagnosis of FDS or epilepsy attending between 01 January 2007 and 18 June 2021. Outcomes were a first report of suicidal ideation and a first hospital admission for suicide attempt (International Classification of Diseases, version 10: X60–X84). Demographic and clinical risk factors were assessed using multivariable bias-reduced binomial-response generalised linear models.

Findings

In both groups, ethnic minorities had significantly reduced odds of hospitalisation following suicide attempt (OR: 0.45–0.49). Disorder-specific risk factors were gender, age and comorbidity profile. In FDS, both genders had similar suicidality risk; younger age was a risk factor for both outcomes (OR: 0.16–1.91). A diagnosis of depression or personality disorders was associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation (OR: 1.91–3.01). In epilepsy, females had higher odds of suicide attempt-related hospitalisation (OR: 1.64). Age had a quadratic association with both outcomes (OR: 0.88–1.06). A substance abuse disorder was associated with higher suicidal ideation (OR: 2.67). Developmental disorders lowered the risk (OR: 0.16–0.24).

Conclusions

This is the first study systematically reporting risk factors for suicidality in people with FDS. Results for the large epilepsy cohort complement previous studies and will be useful in future meta-analyses.

Clinical implications

Risk factors identified will help identify higher-risk groups in clinical settings.
Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in paediatric patients: a review systematic and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Freitas Cijara Leonice , Sarmento Ayane Cristine Alves , Serquiz Nicoli , Nobre Maria Luisa , Costa Ana Paula Ferreira , Medeiros Kleyton Santos , Gonçalves Ana Katherine
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The paediatric population represents a quarter of the world’s population, and like adult patients, they have also suffered immeasurably from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Immunisation is an effective strategy for reducing the number of COVID-19 cases. With the advancements in vaccination for younger age groups, parents or guardians have raised doubts and questions about adverse effects and the number of doses required. Therefore, systematic reviews focusing on this population are needed to consolidate evidence that can help in decision-making and clinical practice. This protocol aims to assess the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in paediatric patients and evaluate the correlation between the number of vaccine doses and side effects.

Methods and analysis

We will search the PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Scopus and Cochrane databases for randomised and quasi-randomised clinical trials that list the adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine and assess its correlation with the number of doses, without any language restrictions. Two reviewers will select the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extract data and asses for risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The Review Software Manager (RevMan V.5.4.1) will be used to synthesise the data. We will use the Working Group’s Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations to grade the strength of the evidence of the results.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required as no primary data are collected. This systematic review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023390077.
Extreme weather events and maternal health in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Pappas Anna , Kovats Sari , Ranganathan Meghna
Published: June 2024

Background

Despite global efforts to improve maternal health and healthcare, women throughout the world endure poor health during pregnancy. Extreme weather events (EWE) disrupt infrastructure and access to medical services, however little is known about their impact on the health of women during pregnancy in resource-poor settings.

Objectives

This review aims to examine the current literature on the impact of EWE on maternal health to identify the pathways between EWE and maternal health in low-income and middle-income countries to identify gaps.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were published before 15 December 2022 and the population of the studies included pregnant and postpartum women (defined at up to 6 weeks postpartum) who were living in low-income and middle-income countries. The exposure of the included study must be related to EWE and the result to maternal health outcomes.

Sources of evidence

We searched the literature using five databases, Medline, Global Health, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL in December 2022. We assessed the results using predetermined criteria that defined the scope of the population, exposures and outcomes. In total, 15 studies were included.

Charting methods

We identified studies that fit the criteria and extracted key themes. We extracted population demographics and sampling methodologies, assessed the quality of the studies and conducted a narrative synthesis to summarise the key findings.

Results

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The quantitative studies (n=4) and qualitative (n=11) demonstrated an association between EWE and malnutrition, mental health, mortality and access to maternal health services.

Conclusion

EWE negatively impact maternal health through various mechanisms including access to services, stress and mortality. The results have demonstrated concerning effects, but there is also limited evidence surrounding these broad topics in low-resource settings. Research is necessary to determine the mechanisms by which EWE affect maternal health.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022352915.
Excess mortality across countries in the Western World since the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘Our World in Data’ estimates of January 2020 to December 2022
Authors: Mostert Saskia , Hoogland Marcel , Huibers Minke , Kaspers Gertjan
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic has been substantial. Insight into excess death rates in years following WHO’s pandemic declaration is crucial for government leaders and policymakers to evaluate their health crisis policies. This study explores excess mortality in the Western World from 2020 until 2022.

Methods

All-cause mortality reports were abstracted for countries using the ‘Our World in Data’ database. Excess mortality is assessed as a deviation between the reported number of deaths in a country during a certain week or month in 2020 until 2022 and the expected number of deaths in a country for that period under normal conditions. For the baseline of expected deaths, Karlinsky and Kobak’s estimate model was used. This model uses historical death data in a country from 2015 until 2019 and accounts for seasonal variation and year-to-year trends in mortality.

Results

The total number of excess deaths in 47 countries of the Western World was 3 098 456 from 1 January 2020 until 31 December 2022. Excess mortality was documented in 41 countries (87%) in 2020, 42 countries (89%) in 2021 and 43 countries (91%) in 2022. In 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic onset and implementation of containment measures, records present 1 033 122 excess deaths (P-score 11.4%). In 2021, the year in which both containment measures and COVID-19 vaccines were used to address virus spread and infection, the highest number of excess deaths was reported: 1 256 942 excess deaths (P-score 13.8%). In 2022, when most containment measures were lifted and COVID-19 vaccines were continued, preliminary data present 808 392 excess deaths (P-score 8.8%).

Conclusions

Excess mortality has remained high in the Western World for three consecutive years, despite the implementation of containment measures and COVID-19 vaccines. This raises serious concerns. Government leaders and policymakers need to thoroughly investigate underlying causes of persistent excess mortality.
Area deprivation index predicts annual chronic kidney disease screening and chronic kidney disease development among patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and type 2 diabetes in a large midwestern health system: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ingle Mary , Khatib Rasha , Du Yuxian , Valuckaite Vesta , Singh Rakesh , Kong Sheldon , Williamson Todd , Baman Sarang
Published: June 2024

Background

We explore how area deprivation index (ADI), a national ranking of neighbourhood sociodemographic disadvantage is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening and development among patients with newly diagnosed hypertension (HTN) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods

Patients (n=235 208) with a new HTN or T2DM diagnosis between 2015 and 2018 in a large healthcare system were followed for 3 years to evaluate CKD screening (one estimated glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin-to-creatine ratio) and CKD development. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated associations between ADI quintiles with CKD screening and diagnosis.

Results

Most patients were white (57%) females (55%) with HTN (65%). Few were screened in the first year after diagnosis (17%) and 9% developed CKD within 3 years. The odds of patients being screened were 54% greater (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.48 to 1.60) and 146% greater (OR 2.46; 95% CI 2.19 to 2.76) for developing CKD for most deprived compared with the least deprived.

Conclusions

Patients with high ADI were more likely to be screened and almost twice as likely to develop CKD compared with the least deprived. Results highlight the importance of systematic health record data collection in large healthcare systems to evaluate social factors with health outcomes.
Evaluation of flow diverters for cerebral aneurysm therapy: recommendations for imaging analyses in clinical studies, endorsed by ESMINT, ESNR, OCIN, SILAN, SNIS, and WFITN
Authors: Fiehler Jens , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Anagnostakou Vania , Cortese Jonathan , Cekirge H Saruhan , Fiorella David , Hanel Ricardo , Kulcsar Zsolt , Lamin Saleh , Liu Jianmin , Lylyk Pedro , Marden Franklin A , Pereira Vitor M , Psychogios Marios-Nikos , Rice Hal , Rouchaud Aymeric , Saatci Isil , Siddiqui Adnan H , Spelle Laurent , Yang Pengfei , Grams Astrid , Gounis Matthew J
Published: June 2024

Background

Multiple studies and meta-analyses have described the technical and clinical outcomes in large cohorts of aneurysm patients treated with flow diverters (FDs). Variations in evaluation methodology complicate making comparisons among studies, hinder understanding of the device behavior, and pose an obstacle in the assessment of further advances in FD therapy.

Methods

A multidisciplinary panel of neurointerventionalists, imaging experts, and neuroradiologists convened with the goal of establishing consensus recommendations for the standardization of image analyses in FD studies.

Results

A standardized methodology is proposed for evaluating and reporting radiological outcomes of FD treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The recommendations include general imaging considerations for clinical studies and evaluations of longitudinal changes, such as neointimal lining and stenosis. They cover standards for classification of aneurysm location, morphology, measurements, as well as the assessment of aneurysm occlusion, wall apposition, and neck coverage. These reporting standards further define four specific braid deformation patterns: foreshortening, fish-mouthing, braid bump deformation, and braid collapse, collectively termed ‘F2B2’.

Conclusions

When widely applied, standardization of methods of measuring and reporting outcomes will help to harmonize the assessment of treatment outcomes in clinical studies, help facilitate communication of results among specialists, and help enable research and development to focus on specific aspects of FD techniques and technology.
Laser spectroscopy of magnetic splitting of Pr I levels in the presence of saturation effects
Authors: Sobolewski Ł. M. , Windholz L. , Kwela J.
Published: June 2024

Laser spectroscopy is a very precise tool in determining atomic structure data. However, in the case of complex spectra, when the individual components of the spectra cannot be separated, precise analysis is hindered by the appearing saturation effect. Sometimes this effect is so large that the spectrum simulation does not provide precise results. In the present work, we present the analysis of the Zeeman spectra of seven praseodymium lines in the range of 566–652 nm, which were recorded using the LIF technique in the presence of the saturation effect. To analyze these spectra, we used a specially dedicated computer program, which allowed for very accurate matching of the simulated spectrum to the recorded experimental shape. As a result of the conducted research, we determined 14 Lande factor values, 3 of which are new.

Graphic Abstract
How the twofold light cone arises from nonlinear electrodynamics
Authors: Breton Nora , Acevedo Alfonso S.
Published: June 2024

We analyze the propagation of light signals in the context of nonlinear electrodynamics. As a general feature of the nonlinear theories, the superposition principle is no longer satisfied. In the electromagnetic theory, this is due to the self-interactions of the field and light propagation is governed by an effective or optical metric. We present a simple derivation of the two light cones that arise if the Lagrangian depends on the electromagnetic invariants in a nonlinear way. Using the algebraic properties of the electromagnetic tensor $$f_{\mu \nu }$$

f

μ
ν

, we determine the dispersion relations from the eigenvalues of a Sturm–Liouville equation. It turns out that in the presence of a background field, light propagation can be slower or faster than the one in vacuum. We also derive the corresponding transport vector fields.
Automated Experimental Modal Analysis for Bridges Using a Cogwheel
Authors: Bayer Jan , Urushadze Shota
Published: June 2024

An automated input–output experimental modal analysis technique has been developed and tested on a scaled laboratory model. An impulse force is generated by a heavy cogwheel (CW) at equidistant steps along a chosen driving path on a bridge. At least two accelerometers are required in order to evaluate the modal properties. Since the quality of the impact signal is not ideal, the moving mass along with corresponding frequency changes are applied to evaluate the mass-proportional mode shapes of the bridge with the CW mass eliminated. As an alternative, the mode shapes can be obtained from the relations between the fixed and moving accelerometers. The main advantage and novelty is that the process can be automated. Also new is the fact that a CW is applicable to experimental modal analysis as an exciter. The method provides modal parameters based on a dense network of measuring points.
Primary Resonances in Inclined Cantilever Beam with Tip-Mass: A Parameter-Splitting Multiple-Scales Approach
Authors: Du Hai-En , Zhao Chen-Yang , Lin Yue , Zheng Jia-Xin , Ma Jian , Huang Chun-Long
Published: June 2024

The transverse static load, resultant from self-weight, significantly impacts both the response and the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a flexible inclined cantilever with a large lumping tip mass under harmonic base motion. However, the transverse static load was not taken into account and the mode shape of a pure cantilever beam was directly adopted during Galerkin’s procedure in the formulations of a cantilever carrying a large lumping tip mass in many previous studies. In this paper, (1) the static load effect caused by the self-weight in an inclined cantilever is considered by using a coordinate transformation, (2) the efficacy of adopting a pure cantilever beam mode shape to analyze a cantilever beam carrying a large lumping mass is studied and (3) a recently proposed semi-analytical method named parameter-splitting multiple-scales method is extended to analyze the cantilever studied to examine its effectiveness. First, the extended Hamilton’s principle is utilized to formulate the equation of motion of the cantilever studied. After that, the mode shape of a pure cantilever and the exact mode shape of a cantilever carrying a lumping mass are separately adopted in Galerkin’s method to transform the partial differential equation into ordinary differential equations. The frequency-response curves of the discretized nonlinear differential equations obtained by the numerical continuation method and the parameter-splitting multiple-scales method are compared to address ① the transverse static load effect on the frequency-response and nonlinear dynamical behavior of the beam, ② the discrepancies between the resultant frequency-response curves obtained by using two different mode shapes and ③ the efficacy of the parameter-splitting multiple-scales method on solving strongly nonlinear practical problem.
Online Learning Deep Neural Network Fuzzy Control of Structures Under Earthquake Motions: Numerical and Experimental Tests
Authors: Lv Yang , Hui Jiantong , Zhong Bo , Zhang Fanxing , Ren Zehua , Li Fangfang
Published: June 2024

The conventional control methods typically assume that the controlled structure behaves as a deterministic system, overlooking variations in structural dynamic properties and uncertainties in earthquake motions. To overcome this constraint, this study introduces an innovative approach: an online learning deep neural network fuzzy control method (DFNN). In the proposed method, Offline training was conducted using training samples generated through the Linear–quadratic regulator (LQR) to determine the initial parameters of DFNN. An ON–OFF system was introduced for real-time control signal adjustment. The input and corrected control signals were utilized as training samples to train and modify the parameters of the DFNN system, enabling online learning capabilities. Numerical and experimental investigations were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of passive control (OFF), fuzzy logic control, deep neural network fuzzy control, and online learning deep neural network fuzzy control using a numerical three-story steel frame structure and an experimental two-story steel frame structure with one magneto-rheological (MR) damper. The simulation and shaking table test results demonstrate that DFNN can adaptively adjust the parameters of the neural network, leading to significantly higher control efficiency compared to fuzzy logic control and deep neural network fuzzy control, particularly when the structural properties and earthquake motions differ from the training samples.
Computation Offloading and Band Selection for IoT Devices in Multi-Access Edge Computing
Authors: Ray Kaustabha , Banerjee Ansuman
Published: June 2024

The advent of Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) has enabled service providers to mitigate high network latencies often encountered in accessing cloud services. The key idea of MEC involves service providers deploying containerized application services on MEC servers situated near Internet-of-Things (IoT) device users. The users access these services via wireless base stations with ultra low latency. Computation tasks of IoT devices can then either be executed locally on the devices or on the MEC servers. A key cornerstone of the MEC environment is an offloading policy utilized to determine whether to execute computation tasks on IoT devices or to offload the tasks to MEC servers for processing. In this work, we propose a two phase Probabilistic Model Checking based offloading policy catering to IoT device user preferences. The first stage evaluates the trade-offs between local vs server execution while the second stage evaluates the trade-offs between choice of wireless communication bands for offloaded tasks. We present experimental results in practical scenarios on data gathered from an IoT test-bed setup with benchmark applications to show the benefits of an adaptive preference-aware approach over conventional approaches in the MEC offloading context.
X-Phishing-Writer: A Framework for Cross-lingual Phishing E-mail Generation
Authors: Guo Shih-Wei , Fan Yao-Chung
Published: June 2024

Cybercrime is projected to cause annual business losses of $10.5 trillion by 2025, a significant concern given that a majority of security breaches are due to human errors, especially through phishing attacks. The rapid increase in daily identified phishing sites over the past decade underscores the pressing need to enhance defenses against such attacks. Social Engineering Drills (SEDs) are essential in raising awareness about phishing yet face challenges in creating effective and diverse phishing e-mail content. These challenges are exacerbated by the limited availability of public datasets and concerns over using external language models like ChatGPT for phishing e-mail generation. To address these issues, this article introduces X-Phishing-Writer, a novel cross-lingual Few-shot phishing e-mail generation framework. X-Phishing-Writer allows for the generation of e-mails based on minimal user input, leverages single-language datasets for multilingual e-mail generation, and is designed for internal deployment using a lightweight, open-source language model. Incorporating Adapters into an Encoder–Decoder architecture, X-Phishing-Writer marks a significant advancement in the field, demonstrating superior performance in generating phishing e-mails across 25 languages when compared to baseline models. Experimental results and real-world drills involving 1,682 users showcase a 17.67% e-mail open rate and a 13.33% hyperlink click-through rate, affirming the framework’s effectiveness and practicality in enhancing phishing awareness and defense.
Table S5 from White Blood Cell Count, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Incident Cancer in the UK Biobank
Authors: Song Minkyo , Graubard Barry I. , Loftfield Erikka , Rabkin Charles S. , Engels Eric A.
Published: June 2024

Pearson correlation rho values amongst high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil count and lymphocyte count
Table S4 from White Blood Cell Count, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Incident Cancer in the UK Biobank
Authors: Song Minkyo , Graubard Barry I. , Loftfield Erikka , Rabkin Charles S. , Engels Eric A.
Published: June 2024

Multivariate model for kidney cancer incidence
Figure S2 from White Blood Cell Count, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Incident Cancer in the UK Biobank
Authors: Song Minkyo , Graubard Barry I. , Loftfield Erikka , Rabkin Charles S. , Engels Eric A.
Published: June 2024

Scatter plots for breast cancer. Results are shown for total white blood cell count (upper left), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (upper right), neutrophil count (lower left), lymphocyte count (lower right) a function of time from the start of follow-up (one year after the baseline assessment) until cancer diagnosis. Solid line indicates cubic regression trend fitted for cases and the red dotted line indicates the population mean values of each y-axis variable.
Figure S1 from White Blood Cell Count, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Incident Cancer in the UK Biobank
Authors: Song Minkyo , Graubard Barry I. , Loftfield Erikka , Rabkin Charles S. , Engels Eric A.
Published: June 2024

Flow chart of selection of subjects for analysis in the UK Biobank (UKBB) Dataset. The excluded numbers indicated in each box are not mutually exclusive.
Supplementary Table S3 from Projecting the Impact of Multi-Cancer Early Detection on Late-Stage Incidence Using Multi-State Disease Modeling
Authors: Lange Jane M. , Gogebakan Kemal Caglar , Gulati Roman , Etzioni Ruth
Published: June 2024

Supplementary Table S3: Early mean sojourn time (EMST) by cancer site corresponding to specified overall mean sojourn times (OMST) and late mean sojourn times (LMST)
Supplementary Table S1 from Projecting the Impact of Multi-Cancer Early Detection on Late-Stage Incidence Using Multi-State Disease Modeling
Authors: Lange Jane M. , Gogebakan Kemal Caglar , Gulati Roman , Etzioni Ruth
Published: June 2024

Supplementary Table S1: Sources of inputs for the lung cancer validation.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Projecting the Impact of Multi-Cancer Early Detection on Late-Stage Incidence Using Multi-State Disease Modeling
Authors: Lange Jane M. , Gogebakan Kemal Caglar , Gulati Roman , Etzioni Ruth
Published: June 2024

Supplementary Figure S1: Two-stage progressive natural history model with hypoexponential preclinical onset distribution.
Supplementary Table 1 from Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Algorithms Using Human Papillomavirus Testing—Lessons Learnt from a South African Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sebitloane Hannah M. , Forestier Mathilde , Ginindza Themba G. , Dhlomo Wendy , Moodley-Govender Eshia , Darragh Teresa M. , Baena Armando , Herrero Rolando , Almonte Maribel , Broutet Nathalie , De Vuyst Hugo
Published: June 2024

Supplementary Table 1: Reported side effect immediately after ablative treatment and at one week
Supplemental Table 3 from Lifetime Exposure to Cigarette Smoke, B-Cell Tumor Immune Infiltration, and Immunoglobulin Abundance in Ovarian Tumors
Authors: Hathaway Cassandra A. , Townsend Mary K. , Wang Tianyi , Vinci Christine , Jake-Schoffman Danielle E. , Hecht Jonathan L. , Saeed-Vafa Daryoush , Moran Segura Carlos , Nguyen Jonathan V. , Conejo-Garcia Jose R. , Fridley Brooke L. , Tworoger Shelley S.
Published: June 2024

Supplemental Table 3: Characteristics of women with ovarian cancer in NHS and NHSII, overall and who had tumor tissue on the TMAs and information about lifetime cigarette smoke exposure
Table 3 from Assessing the Value of Incorporating a Polygenic Risk Score with Nongenetic Factors for Predicting Breast Cancer Diagnosis in the UK Biobank
Authors: Collister Jennifer A. , Liu Xiaonan , Littlejohns Thomas J. , Cuzick Jack , Clifton Lei , Hunter David J.
Published: June 2024

Breakdown of case and control classification in the test data (N = 25,369) using 10-year risks from the Gail model with and without PRSBC, with a fixed proportion (2.88%) of women considered at “moderate risk”.