bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliable and transparent in-vehicle agents lead to higher behavioral trust in conditionally automated driving systems
Authors: Taylor Skye , Wang Manhua , Jeon Myounghoon
Published: May 2023

Trust is critical for human-automation collaboration, especially under safety-critical tasks such as driving. Providing explainable information on how the automation system reaches decisions and predictions can improve system transparency, which is believed to further facilitate driver trust and user evaluation of the automated vehicles. However, what the optimal level of transparency is and how the system communicates it to calibrate drivers’ trust and improve their driving performance remain uncertain. Such uncertainty becomes even more unpredictable given that the system reliability remains dynamic due to current technological limitations. To address this issue in conditionally automated vehicles, a total of 30 participants were recruited in a driving simulator study and assigned to either a low or a high system reliability condition. They experienced two driving scenarios accompanied by two types of in-vehicle agents delivering information with different transparency types: “what”-then-wait (on-demand) and “what + why” (proactive). The on-demand agent provided some information about the upcoming event and delivered more information if prompted by the driver, whereas the proactive agent provided all information at once. Results indicated that the on-demand agent was more habitable, or naturalistic, to drivers and was perceived with faster system response speed compared to the proactive agent. Drivers under the high-reliability condition complied with the takeover request (TOR) more (if the agent was on-demand) and had shorter takeover times (in both agent conditions) compared to those under the low-reliability condition. These findings inspire how the automation system can deliver information to improve system transparency while adapting to system reliability and user evaluation, which further contributes to driver trust calibration and performance correction in future automated vehicles.
The impact of multiple language exposure on cognition during childhood: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Clayden Jonathan D. , Hope Steven , Argyri Froso , Goksan Sezgi , Stefani Artemis , Wei Li , Liegeois Frederique Jeanne
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Many studies argue that exposure to, and use of, multiple languages in childhood has beneficial effects beyond the linguistic domain, including on executive functions (EFs), although recent evidence remains controversial. EFs encompass abilities necessary for regulating goal-directed behaviours in everyday life and, in children, EFs strongly predict later academic achievement and wellbeing. One theoretical framework distinguishes “hot” EFs, which have a reward or affective component, from “cool” EFs that do not. How exposure to more than one language in early childhood modulates hot and cool EFs in later childhood, alongside other environmental and cognitive factors, remains poorly understood.

Methods

We analysed data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a large-scale, nationally representative longitudinal cohort study, which provides information on perinatal and environmental factors (e.g., languages spoken in the home, maternal education) alongside cognitive measures assessed in English. At 3 years, we examined the effect of multiple language exposure on the Bracken school readiness assessment (knowledge of shapes, letters, etc.), and on naming vocabulary. At age 11, we examined the predictors of cool EF, measured with a spatial working memory task; hot EF, measured using a gambling task; and vocabulary, measured using a verbal reasoning task.

Results

Data from 16,134 children were analysed. At age 3, a negative effect of multiple language exposure on school readiness and vocabulary was observed, but the difference was smaller with higher maternal education. At age 11, there was also a negative effect on vocabulary, but smaller than that observed at age 3. There were no direct effects of language exposure on either spatial working memory or gambling scores. For hot EF, the multiple language exposure effects were indirect, mediated by early cognition, and the most significant predictor of gambling strategy was sex. For cool EF, school readiness and vocabulary at age 3 were the strongest predictors.

Discussion

Our findings, based on a UK population sample, highlight the importance of considering socioeconomic status and early-life abilities when interpreting the effects of language environments on hot and cool EFs.
A bibliometric analysis of publications on obsessive–compulsive disorder using VOSviewer
Authors: Tang Yimiao , Lu Xuewen , Wan Xin , Hu Maorong
Published: May 2023

Background

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the top ten disabling diseases seriously affecting the health of population. Recently, studies on this disease significantly increased. However, only a few bibliometric analyses concerning this area have been reported. In this study, we used bibliometrics and visualization tools to examine the current state, hot topics and future trends in OCD research.

Methods

Scientific publications regarding OCD were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The features of OCD research were further analyzed using VOSviewer.

Results

A total of 24,552 publications and 65,296 authors in the field of OCD were retrieved from 2000 to 2022, showing an overall upward trend in publications over the past 22 years. One hundred and thirteen countries around the world had participated in the research. Among these countries, the developed countries such as the United States, England, and Canada were the crucial productive nations in this subject. As for institutions, the Harvard University, the University of London, and the University of California system were the leading institutions. Authors including Storch EA, Mataix-Cols D, and Stein DJ were the prolific authors. 1,949 journals are contributing to the OCD field, of which the top three are Biological Psychiatry (831 articles), European Neuropsychopharmacology (776 articles) and Psychiatric Research (648 articles). Research hotspots of OCD included pathogenesis, epidemiology, comorbidities, clinical features, and evaluation methods. COVID-19, mental health, functional connectivity, and genome-wide association were emerging trends in the field of OCD.

Conclusion

This study integrates the bibliometric information on the current research status and emerging trends in OCD from a macro perspective. The findings can provide valuable insights into further research on OCD.
Exploring the positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of the older adults in India
Authors: Mishra Nidhi , Datti Ravi S. , Tewari Ashutosh , Sirisety Maneela
Published: May 2023

Background

Caregiving is a committed role that focuses on providing the required support and care to a care receiver who is either ill, disabled, or dependent to the extent that they are incapable of independent functioning. The topic of caregiving has been extensively studied worldwide, mainly focused on the negative aspects of caregiving, like caregiver stress, burden, role conflicts, and burnout among caregivers. However, limited efforts have been made to understand the positive aspects of caregiving among informal caregivers who spend most of their time in this unpaid role. The present study addresses this concern by exploring the positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of older persons in India.

Methodology

This is a qualitative study, which was conducted, using the existential-phenomenological approach. In this study, a purposive sampling technique was used, and a total of a 100 family caregivers participated from four cities in India, namely Prayagraj, Pune, Visakhapatnam, and Guwahati. Twenty-five family caregivers between the age of 30–50  years participated from each of these four cities. The data was collected using six semi-structured interview questions on positive aspects of caregiving based on the lived experiences of caregivers. The interview schedule was developed based on the PERMA model and finalized after the pilot study. Each interview took 30–50 min and was recorded and transcribed.

Results

The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Some commonalities and differences were observed in the responses given by family caregivers from the four cities. Four major themes that emerged for the “Nature of positive caregiving” among participants from all four cities are “Caregiver’s attitude,” “Care and compassion,” “Roles and responsibilities,” and “Beliefs and values.” Four significant themes for the “Factors contributing to positive caregiving” are “Meaningfulness in life,” “Sense of belongingness,” “Personal growth,” and “Empathetic understanding.”

Conclusion

Based on the study’s findings, it can be said that the themes were associated with the PERMA model. Positive caregiving is an important indicator of caregivers’ and care receivers’ well-being. The findings have implications for planning some action research, training, and counseling programs for promoting positive aspects of caregiving among informal caregivers.
Web-based surveillance of respiratory infection outbreaks: retrospective analysis of Italian COVID-19 epidemic waves using Google Trends
Authors: Porcu Gloria , Chen Yu Xi , Bonaugurio Andrea Stella , Villa Simone , Riva Leonardo , Messina Vincenzina , Bagarella Giorgio , Maistrello Mauro , Leoni Olivia , Cereda Danilo , Matone Fulvio , Gori Andrea , Corrao Giovanni
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Large-scale diagnostic testing has been proven insufficient to promptly monitor the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019. Electronic resources may provide better insight into the early detection of epidemics. We aimed to retrospectively explore whether the Google search volume has been useful in detecting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus outbreaks early compared to the swab-based surveillance system.

Methods

The Google Trends website was used by applying the research to three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, and Sicily), covering 16 million Italian citizens. An autoregressive-moving-average model was fitted, and residual charts were plotted to detect outliers in weekly searches of five keywords. Signals that occurred during periods labelled as free from epidemics were used to measure Positive Predictive Values and False Negative Rates in anticipating the epidemic wave occurrence.

Results

Signals from “fever,” “cough,” and “sore throat” showed better performance than those from “loss of smell” and “loss of taste.” More than 80% of true epidemic waves were detected early by the occurrence of at least an outlier signal in Lombardy, although this implies a 20% false alarm signals. Performance was poorer for Sicily and Marche.

Conclusion

Monitoring the volume of Google searches can be a valuable tool for early detection of respiratory infectious disease outbreaks, particularly in areas with high access to home internet. The inclusion of web-based syndromic keywords is promising as it could facilitate the containment of COVID-19 and perhaps other unknown infectious diseases in the future.
Evaluating the outcomes and implementation determinants of interventions co-developed using human-centered design to promote healthy eating in restaurants: an application of the consolidated framework for implementation research
Authors: Fuster Melissa , Dimond Emily , Handley Margaret A. , Rose Donald , Stoecker Charles , Knapp Megan , Elbel Brian , Conaboy Cara , Huang Terry T. K.
Published: May 2023

Background

Restaurants are an emerging yet underutilized setting to facilitate healthier eating, particularly among minoritized communities that disproportionately experience health inequities. The present study aimed to examine outcomes from interventions co-developed using Human-Centered Design (HCD) in two Latin American restaurants, including sales of healthier menu items (HMI) and the consumer nutrition environment. In addition, we aimed to assess implementation outcomes (acceptability, fidelity, and sustainability) and elucidate the determinants for implementation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Methods

This study used a mixed-methods, longitudinal design. Data were collected pre-, during, and post-intervention testing. Intervention outcomes were examined through daily sales data and the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Restaurants (NEMS-R). Changes in HMI sales were analyzed using interrupted time series. Implementation outcomes and determinants were assessed through site visits [observations, interviews with staff (n = 19) and customers (n = 31)], social media monitoring, and post-implementation key informant interviews with owners and staff. Qualitative data were analyzed iteratively by two independent researchers using codes developed a priori based on CFIR.

Results

The HCD-tailored interventions had different outcomes. In restaurant one (R1), where new HMI were introduced, we found an increase in HMI sales and improvements in NEMS-R scores. In restaurant two, where existing HMI were promoted, we found no significant changes in HMI sales and NEMS-R scores. Acceptance was high among customers and staff, but fidelity and sustainability differed by restaurant (high in R1, low in R2). Barriers and facilitators for implementation were found across all CFIR constructs, varying by restaurant and intervention. Most relevant constructs were found in the inner setting (restaurant structure, implementation climate), individual characteristics, and process (HCD application). The influence of outer setting constructs (policy, peer pressure) was limited due to lack of awareness.

Conclusion

Our findings provide insights for interventions developed in challenging and constantly changing settings, as in the case of restaurants. This research expands the application of CFIR to complex and dynamic community-based settings and interventions developed using HCD. This is a significant innovation for the field of public health nutrition and informs future interventions in similarly dynamic and understudied settings.
Quality of life profiles and their associations with depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Luo Guozhi , Li Weiping , Wu Donghai , Wei Xinyue , Zang Yanpeng , Liu Jing-Dong
Published: May 2023

Background

This study aimed to (1) explore the quality of life (QoL) profiles of older adults in Hong Kong and (2) examine their association with predictors (age, sex, body mass index, and depressive symptoms) and distal outcome (cognitive impairment) using a person-centered approach.

Methods

A total number of 328 community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong were invited to participate in this study. Data from 259 older adults were identified as valid for the primary analysis. Latent profile analysis was used to explore QoL profiles. Multinomial logistic regression using the R3STEP function in Mplus was used to explore the predictive role of age, sex, body mass index, and depressive symptoms in profile membership. The Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars approach was used to examine how the distal outcome of cognitive impairment differs as a function of QoL profiles.

Results

Three QoL profiles emerged from the latent profile analysis (Low, Moderate and High QoL). It was found that depression, but not age, sex, or body mass index, significantly predicted QoL profile membership. The results of the Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars analysis revealed no significant differences in cognitive impairment across the three QoL profiles.

Conclusion

This is the first study that examined the relationship between QoL, depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment of older adults using a person-centered approach. The findings provide additional information for the evidence obtained from variable-centered approach on the associations among variables abovementioned. Our additional focus on the antecedents of emergent QoL profiles also provide practical knowledge regarding timely treatment for or prevention of depressive symptoms, which we submit will be crucial for enhancing the QoL of older adults.
Disseminated tuberculosis and diagnosis delay during the COVID-19 era in a Western European country: a case series analysis
Authors: Roure Sílvia , Vallès Xavier , Sopena Nieves , Benítez Rosa Maria , Reynaga Esteban A. , Bracke Carmen , Loste Cora , Mateu Lourdes , Antuori Adrián , Baena Tania , Portela Germán , Llussà Judith , Flamarich Clara , Soldevila Laura , Tenesa Montserrat , Pérez Ricard , Plasencia Elsa , Bechini Jordi , Pedro-Botet Maria Lluïsa , Clotet Bonaventura , Vilaplana Cristina
Published: May 2023

Background

Disseminated tuberculosis is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and a poorer prognosis.

Objectives

To describe case series of disseminated TB and diagnosis delay in a low TB burden country during the COVID-19 period.

Methodology

We consecutively included all patients with of disseminated TB reported from 2019 to 2021 in the reference hospital of the Northern Crown of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. We collected socio-demographic information, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings.

Results

We included all 30 patients reported during the study period—5, 9, and 16 in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively—20 (66.7%) of whom were male and whose mean age was 41 years. Twenty-five (83.3%) were of non-EU origin. The most frequent system involvement was central nervous system (N = 8; 26.7%) followed by visceral (N = 7; 23.3%), gastro-intestinal (N = 6, 20.0%), musculoskeletal (N = 5; 16.7%), and pulmonary (N = 4; 13.3%). Hypoalbuminemia and anemia were highly prevalent (72 and 77%). The median of diagnostic delay was 6.5 months (IQR 1.8–30), which was higher among women (36.0 vs. 3.5 months; p = 0.002). Central nervous system involvement and pulmonary involvement were associated with diagnostic delay among women. We recorded 24 cured patients, two deaths, three patients with post-treatment sequelae, and one lost-to-follow up. We observed a clustering effect of patients in low-income neighborhoods (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

There was a substantial delay in the diagnosis of disseminated TB in our study region, which might impacted the prognosis with women affected more negatively. Our results suggest that an increase in the occurrence of disseminated TB set in motion by diagnosis delay may have been a secondary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Violence against healthcare workers in the middle of a global health crisis: what is it about policy and what to learn from international comparison?
Authors: Kuhlmann Ellen , Falkenbach Michelle , Lotta Gabriela , Tenbensel Tim , Dopfer-Jablonka Alexandra
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Violence against healthcare workers is a global health problem threatening healthcare workforce retention and health system resilience in a fragile post-COVID ‘normalisation’ period. In this perspective article, we argue that violence against healthcare workers must be made a greater priority. Our novel contribution to the debate is a comparative health system and policy approach.

Methods

We have chosen a most different systems comparative approach concerning the epidemiological, political, and geographic contexts. Brazil (under the Bolsonaro government) and the United Kingdom (under the Johnson government) serve as examples of countries that were strongly hit by the pandemic in epidemiological terms while also displaying policy failures. New Zealand and Germany represent the opposite. A rapid assessment was undertaken based on secondary sources and country expertise.

Results

We found similar problems across countries. A global crisis makes healthcare workers vulnerable to violence. Furthermore, insufficient data and monitoring hamper effective prevention, and lack of attention may threaten women, the nursing profession, and migrant/minority groups the most. There were also relevant differences. No clear health system pattern can be identified. At the same time, professional associations and partly the media are strong policy actors against violence.

Conclusion

In all countries, muchmore involvement from political leadership is needed. In addition, attention to the political dimension and all forms of violence are essential.
A detailed dosimetric comparative study of IMRT and VMAT in normal brain tissues for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy
Authors: Shao Kainan , Zheng Shuang , Wang Yajuan , Bai Xue , Luo Hongying , Du Fenglei
Published: May 2023

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) is the primary treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, it can cause implicit RT-induced injury by irradiating normal brain tissue. To date, there have been no detailed reports on the radiated exact location in the brain, the corresponding radiation dose, and their relationship.

Methods

We analyzed 803 Chinese NPC patients treated with RT and used a CT brain template in a Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space to compare the group differences in RT dose distribution for different RT technologies (IMRT or VMAT).

Results

Brain regions that received high doses (>50 Gy) of radiation were mainly located in parts of the temporal and limbic lobes, where radioactive damage often occurs. Brain regions that accepted higher doses with IMRT were mainly located near the anterior region of the nasopharyngeal tumor, while brain regions that accepted higher doses with VMAT were mainly located near the posterior region of the tumor. No significant difference was detected between IMRT and VMAT for T1 stage patients. For T2 stage patients, differences were widely distributed, with VMAT showing a significant dose advantage in protecting the normal brain tissue. For T3 stage patients, VMAT showed an advantage in the superior temporal gyrus and limbic lobe, while IMRT showed an advantage in the posterior cerebellum. For T4 stage patients, VMAT showed a disadvantage in protecting the normal brain tissue. These results indicate that IMRT and VMAT have their own advantages in sparing different organs at risk (OARs) in the brain for different T stages of NPC patients treated with RT.

Conclusion

Our approach for analyzing dosimetric characteristics in a standard MNI space for Chinese NPC patients provides greater convenience in toxicity and dosimetry analysis with superior localization accuracy. Using this method, we found interesting differences from previous reports: VMAT showed a disadvantage in protecting the normal brain tissue for T4 stage NPC patients.
Global insight into a complex-structured heliosphere based on the local multi-point analysis
Authors: Pal Sanchita , Balmaceda Laura , Weiss Andreas J. , Nieves-Chinchilla Teresa , Carcaboso Fernando , Kilpua Emilia , Möstl Christian
Published: May 2023

From 29 January to 7 February 2022, the heliosphere was structured with large-scale interacting substructures that appeared with significant dissimilarities at distant observations separated longitudinally by ∼34°. Probing the complexity of the structured heliosphere with multi-point in situ and imaging observations by using a fleet of spacecraft has revealed many unknown facts on the dynamics of large-scale structures in the heliosphere. In this paper, we investigate a complex-structured heliosphere by analyzing the Sun, solar corona, and solar wind with remote and in situ observations aided by heliospheric modeling. We identified multiple flux ropes (FRs) associated with large expulsions of magnetized plasma-coronal mass ejections, from the same solar source in a three-day interval, an interplanetary wave shock, and a sheath in front of the FRs. In situ observations displayed a stream interaction region behind FRs formed due to the overtaking of different-speed solar winds. This high-speed stream originated from a coronal hole located southeast of the coronal mass ejection solar source. We find evidence of merging FRs, FR deflection due to the presence of the nearby coronal hole, and FR’s unalike structural appearance at distant multi-point observations obtained at 1 au. This complex-structured heliosphere resulted in multiple G1-class geomagnetic storms when interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere. Thus, the study focuses on the reconstruction of the structured heliosphere based on observations and modeling. It highlights the importance of multi-point observations in understanding the global configuration and disparity in the local nature of a structured heliosphere.
Participation patterns in talent development in youth sports
Authors: Güllich Arne , Barth Michael , Hambrick David Z. , Macnamara Brooke N.
Published: May 2023

There has been a longstanding debate about the question: What amounts of what types of youth sport activities optimally facilitate later athletic excellence? This article provides a review of relevant research. We first evaluate popular conceptualizations of participation patterns—early specialization, deliberate practice, and deliberate play. Then, we review the available evidence on associations between performance and individual participation variables. The review reveals conceptual, definitional, and empirical flaws of the conceptions of early specialization, deliberate practice, and deliberate play. These approaches thus possess limited usefulness for empirical research. A review of studies considering individual, clearly defined participation variables provides a differentiated pattern of findings: Predictors of rapid junior performance and of long-term senior performance are opposite. Higher-performing juniors, compared to lower-performing peers, started playing their main sport, began involvement in talent promotion programs, and reached developmental performance milestones at younger ages, while accumulating larger amounts of coach-led main-sport practice, but less other-sports practice. In contrast, senior world-class athletes, compared to less-accomplished national-class peers, started playing their main sport, began involvement in talent promotion programs, and achieved performance milestones at older ages, while accumulating less coach-led main-sport practice, but more other-sports practice. We discuss implications for theory, practice, and future research.
Scaffolding collective agency curriculum within food-systems education programs
Authors: Jordan Nicholas R. , Valley Will , Donovan Dennis , Clegg Daniel J. , Grossman Julie , Hunt Natalie , Michaels Thomas , Peterson Hikaru , Rogers Mary A. , Sames Amanda , Stein Mary
Published: May 2023

Collective agency (CA) can be defined as the shared understanding, will, and ability of a heterogenous group to take action and work together toward a common goal. We are motivated by the premise that CA is central to meeting the challenges inherent to 21st century food systems. These challenges include maintaining sustainable agricultural production and meeting nutritional needs of a growing population while protecting the climate, wildlife, soil, air and water quality, and enhancing equity, inclusion and justice for those who work in or engage with these systems. Given the importance of CA in food systems, university programs focused on food systems must address it. To date, despite many calls for higher education to build skills in CA, implementation has been minimal. Single courses addressing CA exist in some program-level curricula, but we know of no previous efforts in food-systems degree programs to systematically cultivate CA across their curriculum through scaffolding, i.e., interconnection and integration of learning activities across courses, so as to enhance their complementarity and impact. We (a consortium of university faculty building food systems curricula, located at University of British Columbia, Montana State University, and University of Minnesota) developed our approach to teaching CA through an action-research process, conducted during 2019–2022. In this paper, we report on our process and outline an emergent conceptual model of a curriculum for CA that can be embedded within broader, program-level food systems curricula. We describe its elements and share our experiences in implementing these elements. We conclude by describing current efforts to further develop CA curricula in the context of food-systems degree programs.
Strengthening food security through alternative carbohydrates in the city-state of Singapore
Authors: Lin Amy Hui-Mei , Gómez-Maqueo Andrea
Published: May 2023

Strengthening food security, in places where land and natural resources are limited or no longer available, is challenging. This is especially true for the production of staple food carbohydrates. Unlike some alternative foods, such as cultured meats, producing food carbohydrates using conventional agri-food approaches requires many natural resources, which are not available in some regions such as Singapore. Therefore, we must develop new, sustainable methods to enhance the quantity and nutritional quality of foods rich in carbohydrates. In this article, we review current developments in food security in the city-state of Singapore and emphasize the essential role of food carbohydrates in the food security plan. We discuss technology developments (i.e., indoor vertical farming, urban farming) used to enhance crop quality and production. We also make a few recommendations such as exploring underutilized and unconventional crops that are resilient and nutrient-dense, identifying hidden resources in local ecosystems (i.e., revalorizing agri-food processing by-products), and producing alternative carbohydrates (i.e., microbial and synthetic carbohydrates). Experience and approaches developed in Singapore provide an example to other regions and may inspire creativity in securing food availability.
Development and validation of a newly developed nomogram for predicting the risk of deep vein thrombosis after surgery for lower limb fractures in elderly patients
Authors: Han Shuai , Bai Yunpeng , Jiao Kun , Qiu Yongmin , Ding Juhong , Zhang Jun , Hu Jingyun , Song Haihan , Wang Jiaqi , Li Shufeng , Feng Dapeng , Wang Jian , Li Kai
Published: May 2023

Background

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is indispensable in the treatment of lower limb fractures during the perioperative period. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel model for predicting the risk of DVT in elderly patients after orthopedic surgeries for lower limb fractures.

Methods

This observational study included 576 elderly patients with lower limb fractures who were surgically treated from January 2016 to December 2018. Eleven items affecting DVT were optimized by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to construct a predictive model incorporating the selected features. C-index was applied to evaluate the discrimination. Decision curve analysis was employed to determine the clinical effectiveness of this model and calibration plot was applied to evaluate the calibration of this nomogram. The internal validation of this model was assessed by bootstrapping validation.

Results

Predictive factors that affected the rate of DVT in this model included smoking, time from injury to surgery, operation time, blood transfusion, hip replacement arthroplasty, and D-dimer level after operation. The nomogram showed significant discrimination with a C-index of 0.919 (95% confidence interval: 0.893–0.946) and good calibration. Acceptable C-index value could still be reached in the interval validation. Decision curve analysis indicated that the DVT risk nomogram was useful within all possibility threshold.

Conclusion

This newly developed nomogram could be used to predict the risk of DVT in elderly patients with lower limb fractures during the perioperative period.
Surgery for metastatic spinal differentiated thyroid cancer: feasibility, outcome, and prognostic factors
Authors: Liu Xiajun , Hu Panpan , Zhai Shuheng , Liu Xiao , Wang Ben , Zhou Hua , Liu Xiaoguang , Liu Zhongjun , Wei Feng
Published: May 2023

Study design

A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives

This study aims to report the surgical outcome of metastatic spinal differentiated thyroid cancer (MSDTC) and analyze the factors affecting the prognosis.

Methods

Thirty-five patients were recruited in our single institution who underwent spinal surgery and adjuvant therapies from 2009 to 2019. Two surgical procedures, total en-bloc spondylectomy and debulking surgery, were undertaken. Their clinical data, postoperative events, and survival data were collected and analyzed. Survival time and associated factors were further analyzed.

Results

The cohort had a median survival time of 60 months. The mean visual analog scale scores and the Karnofsky performance score improved postoperatively (p < 0.05). The patients' Frankel grade was elevated for cases with preoperative neurological deficits (p < 0.05). In 31 patients who underwent debulking surgery, 41.9% (n = 13) had local recurrences, and radiotherapy reduced the risk of local relapse (p < 0.05). Preoperative and postoperative Frankel grades and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy were associated with the patients’ survival in the univariate analysis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a multivariate regression analysis showed the postoperative Frankel grade as an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusion

Pain, quality of life, and neurological status of patients can be effectively improved after surgery. Radiotherapy can reduce the risk of local recurrences, whereas RAI therapy has a limited effect on local and extraspinal tumor control. Neurological status was independently associated with the patients' survival.
Apparent total tract digestibility and palatability of extruded diets with graded levels of whole soybeans by dogs
Authors: Kim Hee S. , Li Sang , Zheng Yi , Aldrich Charles G.
Published: May 2023

Fat has high energy density and is considered one of the primary energy sources for dogs, however, increasing fat level in dry dog food has been challenging due to the lubrication and limitation of the coating system. The objective was to determine the effect of whole soybeans (WSB) on nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and palatability by dogs. The corn gluten meal, chicken fat, and brewers rice were replaced by WSB at 10, 20, and 30% (WSB10, WSB20, and WSB30, respectively) in the base diet (WSB0). Twelve beagles were randomly assigned. The digestibility trial was duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design where dogs were allowed a 9-d adaptation followed by a 5-d total fecal collection for each period. Least-square means were analyzed with a single degree of freedom contrasts and significance at α = 0.05. Palatability was determined with a 2-bowl test by 20 beagles for 2 d with each WSB diet compared to the WSB0. First choice preference between two diets and total food consumption were recorded. Individual intake ratios (IR) were calculated (intake of each diet/total intake) for each dog. First choice (FC) was analyzed by a Chi-square probability, and the diet consumption was compared by a Wilcoxon signed rank test and a 2-way analysis of variance. Fecal moisture, output, and defecation frequency increased linearly (P< 0.05) as WSB increased. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, and gross energy decreased linearly (P< 0.05) as dogs fed the increased level of WSB. The fresh fecal pH in dogs decreased linearly (P< 0.05) as WSB content increased. The acetate, propionate, and the total short-chain fatty acid concentration increased linearly (P< 0.05) while the total branched-chain fatty acid concentration decreased linearly (P< 0.05) as WSB increased. Dogs had greater (P< 0.05) FC for WSB diets than WSB0, but there was no difference among treatments for diet consumption and IR. In conclusion, additional thermal processing before extrusion may improve nutrient digestibility of WSB. The stool quality and palatability were not affected, and fermentation in hindgut increased by WSB by dogs.
Is the Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in domestic dogs underestimated or misdiagnosed? A comprehensive presentation of four lethal cases
Authors: Taulescu Marian Aurel , Negoescu Andrada , Ungur Andrei , Toma Corina , Ionică Angela Monica , Gal Claudiu , Sandu Ioana , Buzdea Alexandru , Tutuneanu Andrei , Turcitu Mihai , Horvat Ioan Emilian , Deak Georgiana
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum) is a widely distributed gastropod-borne nematode, causing severe cardio-pulmonary disorders in dogs. In Romania, A. vasorum was detected in foxes and serologically confirmed in domestic dogs, but no clinical cases are currently diagnosed.

Methods

Four dogs with clinical history of respiratory distress, originating from different geographical regions of Romania, were included in the study. One dog (case 1) was clinically evaluated using thoracic radiology and cardiac ultrasound; examination of feces and PCR were also performed for the etiologic diagnosis. The postmortem exam was performed in the other three cases, followed by parasitological and molecular analyses.

Results

In the first case, parasitic pneumonia was suspected based on the radiographic examination of the thorax and the infection with A. vasorum was confirmed by L1 morphological identification and PCR. The main postmortem changes included large, coalescing, dark red areas of pulmonary consolidation (n = 3) and numerous adult nematodes in the pulmonary arteries (n = 2). The histopathological examination of the lungs showed necrotizing and granulomatous pneumonia with severe hemorrhages and chronic pulmonary arterial changes. Intralesional nematodes were seen in all necropsied cases. Additional inflammatory changes related to A. vasorum infection were identified in the brain and tracheobronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 2). Identification of larvae, histopathology and PCR confirmed the infection with A. vasorum.

Conclusions

This study describes the first cases of canine cardiopulmonary angiostrongylosis in domestic dogs in Romania, and focuses on clinical presentation, pathological findings and molecular analysis. Angiostrongylosis should be included on the list of differential diagnoses of canine cardiopulmonary distress and/or haemorrhagic diathesis in Romania and awareness should be raised among clinicians to avoid post-mortem diagnosis in the future.
The therapy frequency of antibiotics and phenotypical resistance of Escherichia coli in calf rearing sites in Germany
Authors: Merle Roswitha , Weise Susann , Gorisek Lisa , Baer Jorinde , Robé Caroline , Friese Anika , Jensen Katharina Charlotte
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The association between antibiotic use and the occurrence of resistant bacteria is a global health problem and is subject to enormous efforts at national and international levels. Within the scope of the study “KAbMon”, the resistance situation as well as the use of antibiotics in calf rearing farms in Germany was investigated. We hypothesized that the levels of resistance are associated with certain calf keeping farm types, such as pre-weaned calf farms, animal groups, and therapy frequency.

Methods

In total, 95 calf keeping farms were visited between October 2019 and April 2021. At each farm, up to three pooled fecal samples (10 freshly released feces each) were collected. One sample was taken in the youngest calf group, another in the oldest calf group, and one in the hospital box, if available. Escherichia coli was isolated from non-selective MacConkey agar. The therapy frequency reflects the average number of treatment days per calf in a half-year, while the resistance score is the sum of the relative minimum inhibitory concentration per substance over all 10 tested substances.

Results

The 1781 isolates from 178 samples showed high resistance rates against sulfamethoxazole (82%), tetracycline (49%), and ampicillin (40%). High resistance scores were mainly found in pre-weaned calf farms (purchasing calves from 2  weeks of life) and in the youngest animals. The therapy frequency showed an almost linear relationship with the resistance scores, and the age at purchase was negatively related to the resistance score.

Discussion

The high use of antimicrobials of young calves might be associated with a high risk for infectious diseases and might indicate that the current system of crowding 14-day-old calves from different farms in one group is not optimal. Further efforts are necessary to educate and motivate the calf keepers to ensure highest levels of hygiene and management as well as animal welfare conditions and to increase animal health.
Quantification of phenobarbital-induced ataxia in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy
Authors: Sherif Tamara , Twele Friederike , Meller Sebastian , Müller-Anders Alexandra , Volk Holger A.
Published: May 2023

Ataxia is a clinical sign seen in several neurological diseases and has been reported as an adverse effect of anti-seizure medication such as phenobarbital (PB). Efforts to objectify canine ataxia in order to provide appropriate treatment or monitor adverse effects of drugs remain limited. Automated quantitative gait analysis can be useful for the acquisition of objective data for the evaluation and monitoring of ataxia in dogs. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to examine the gait characteristics of dogs with PB induced ataxia and compare them with healthy dogs using a computer- and treadmill-based gait analysis system. Six healthy dogs and five dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) with PB-induced ataxia underwent video- and computer-assisted gait analysis during slow walking (maximum speed of 0.7 m/s) on a treadmill with four ground reaction force plates (one plate per limb). Kinetic and spatio-temporal gait parameters of dogs’ locomotion were analyzed, including individually calculated coefficients of variation. Dogs with IE treated with PB showed higher variability in spatio-temporal but not in kinetic gait parameters. Double support phase of gait cycles was increased on the cost of single support and swing phases. Body weight standardized ground reaction forces in vertical, craniocaudal, and mediolateral direction were severely affected by ataxia. Compensatory mechanisms in locomotion of dogs with PB-induced ataxia included spatio-temporal and kinetic gait characteristics, most likely in order to compensate imbalance caused by limb incoordination.
Kidney Transplantation From Donors With Acute Kidney Injury: Are the Concerns Justified? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nita George Emilian , Gopal Jeevan Prakash , Khambalia Hussein A. , Moinuddin Zia , van Dellen David
Published: May 2023

Renal transplantation improves quality of life and prolongs survival in patients with end-stage kidney disease, although challenges exist due to the paucity of suitable donor organs. This has been addressed by expanding the donor pool to include AKI kidneys. We aimed to establish whether transplanting such kidneys had a detrimental effect on graft outcome. The primary aim was to define early outcomes: delayed graft function (DGF) and primary non-function (PNF). The secondary aims were to define the relationship to acute rejection, allograft survival, eGFR and length of hospital stay (LOS). A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted on the studies reporting the above outcomes from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. This analysis included 30 studies. There is a higher risk of DGF in the AKI group (OR = 2.20, p < 0.00001). There is no difference in the risk for PNF (OR 0.99, p = 0.98), acute rejection (OR 1.29, p = 0.08), eGFR decline (p = 0.05) and prolonged LOS (p = 0.11). The odds of allograft survival are similar (OR 0.95, p = 0.54). Transplanting kidneys from donors with AKI can lead to satisfactory outcomes. This is an underutilised resource which can address organ demand.
Predicting Road Traffic Accidents—Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Gatarić Dragan , Ruškić Nenad , Aleksić Branko , Đurić Tihomir , Pezo Lato , Lončar Biljana , Pezo Milada
Published: May 2023

Road traffic accidents are a significant public health issue, accounting for almost 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually, with millions more experiencing non-fatal injuries. A variety of subjective and objective factors contribute to the occurrence of traffic accidents, making it difficult to predict and prevent them on new road sections. Artificial neural networks (ANN) have demonstrated their effectiveness in predicting traffic accidents using limited data sets. This study presents two ANN models to predict traffic accidents on common roads in the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) using objective factors that can be easily determined, such as road length, terrain type, road width, average daily traffic volume, and speed limit. The models predict the number of traffic accidents, as well as the severity of their consequences, including fatalities, injuries and property damage. The developed optimal neural network models showed good generalization capabilities for the collected data foresee, and could be used to accurately predict the observed outputs, based on the input parameters. The highest values of r2 for developed models ANN1 and ANN2 were 0.986, 0.988, and 0.977, and 0.990, 0.969, and 0.990, accordingly, for training, testing and validation cycles. Identifying the most influential factors can assist in improving road safety and reducing the number of accidents. Overall, this research highlights the potential of ANN in predicting traffic accidents and supporting decision-making in transportation planning.
Multi-Objective Optimal Design of μ–Controller for Active Magnetic Bearing in High-Speed Motor
Authors: Li Yuanwen , Zhu Changsheng
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a control strategy based on the inverse system decoupling method and μ-synthesis is proposed to control vibration in a rigid rotor system with active magnetic bearings that are built into high-speed motors. First, the decoupling method is used to decouple the four-degrees-of-freedom state equation of the electromagnetic bearing rigid rotor system; the strongly coupled and nonlinear rotor system is thus decoupled into four independent subsystems, and the eigenvalues of the subsystems are then configured. The uncertain parametric perturbation method is used to model the subsystem, and the multi-objective ant colony algorithm is then used to optimize the sensitivity function and the pole positions to obtain the optimal μ-controller. The closed-loop system thus has the fastest possible response, the strongest internal stability, and the best disturbance rejection capability. Then, the unbalanced force compensation algorithm is used to compensate for the high-frequency eccentric vibration; this algorithm can attenuate the unbalanced eccentric vibration of the rotor to the greatest extent and improve the robust stability of the rotor system. Finally, simulations and experiments show that the proposed control strategy can allow the rotor to be suspended stably and suppress its low-frequency and high-frequency vibrations effectively, providing excellent internal and external stability.