bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the effect of using collaborative assessment on symptomatology as an intervention in the treatment of mental illness? A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Hovmand Oliver Rumle , Storebø Ole Jakob , Reinholt Nina , Gryesten Jasmin Rejaye , Arnfred Sidse M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Clinicians usually conduct diagnostic assessments in order to establish a diagnosis or to evaluate the effect of treatment. Two meta-analyses suggest that diagnostic assessment administered in collaboration with the patient and personalized feedback might have a therapeutic effect.

Methods

We aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect on symptomatology when using assessment as a therapeutic intervention for patients with psychiatric illnesses.

We will search in five relevant electronic databases. Two reviewers will independently select papers following pre-defined eligibility criteria, extract data, and assess the quality of included studies. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of psychological assessment with other psychotherapeutic interventions in populations of patients will be included in the meta-analysis. We will extract data on symptom-related outcomes, quality of life, dropout, and re-diagnosis and use meta-analysis techniques to compute the effect size of interventions using assessment as a psychotherapeutic intervention.

The review will be conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Risk of bias will be assessed by using the Risk of Bias tool RoB 2.0 of the Cochrane Collaboration, and the certainty of the body of evidence will be assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Discussion

The results will be able to inform clinicians and policymakers on the effect of assessment and, depending on the results, could lead to a recommendation for modified assessment procedures and approaches in mental health services. Ultimately, it might improve the treatment outcome in mental health services.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021270567
Assessment of the quality and content of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for vitamin D and for immigrants using the AGREE-II instrument: a protocol for systematic review
Authors: Yousef Said , Hayawi Lamia , Manuel Douglas , Colman Ian , Papadimitropoulos Manny , Hossain Alomgir , Faris Moez AlIslam , Wells George A.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Worldwide, more immigrants experience vitamin D (vitD) deficiency than non-immigrants, which is attributed to ethnic variations, place or region of birth, skin pigmentation, clothing style, and resettlement-related changes in diet, physical activity, and sun exposure. Current recommendations in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) concerning vitD are inadequate to address vitD deficiency among immigrants. CPGs may also lack guidance for physicians on vitD supplementation for immigrants. Moreover, there are concerns about the overall quality of these CPGs.

Objectives

This systematic review will collate and critically appraise CPGs relevant to immigrants’ health and vitD. Moreover, we will evaluate whether the CPGs of vitD including recommendations for immigrants and clarify whether the CPGs of immigrants include recommendations on vitD.

Methods

A systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE® ALL, EMBASE, and Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) electronic databases, guideline repositories, and gray literature will be conducted to identify relevant CPGs. Two reviewers will independently evaluate the methodological quality of the retrieved guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research, and Evaluation-II (AGREE-II) instrument. CPGs scoring ≥60% in at least four domains, including “rigor of development,” will be considered high quality.

Conclusion

Evaluating the quality and content of relevant CPGs may support researchers in developing national and global guidelines for immigrants. Furthermore, it may support vitD testing, nutritional counseling, and supplementation for vulnerable immigrant sub-populations.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021240562.
A class of biharmonic nonlocal quasilinear systems consisting of Leray–Lions type operators with Hardy potentials
Authors: Musbah Z. , Razani A.
Published: November 2022

We study the existence of multiple solutions to a nonlocal system involving fourth order Leray–Lions type operators along with singular terms under Navier boundary conditions. The method is based on the variational methods.
Association between binge eating and physical violence perpetration among U.S. college students
Authors: Ganson Kyle T. , Lisi Nicole E. , O’Connor Julia , Nagata Jason M.
Published: November 2022

Background

To date, no known research has explored the link between binge eating and physical violence perpetration despite overlapping psychological constructs that underpin these behaviors (i.e., emotion regulation difficulties, impulsivity). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between binge eating and self-reported physical violence perpetration.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from four survey years (2016–2020) of the national (U.S.) Healthy Minds Study (N = 6210) were analyzed. Unadjusted (Independent samples t test) and adjusted (logistic regression) analyses were conducted to determine the associations between binge eating in the past four weeks and violence perpetration in the past 12 months, while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

The unadjusted mean number of days of binge eating was significantly higher among participants who reported physical violence perpetration (M = 2.6, SD = 5.2) compared to those who did not (M = 1.8, SD = 3.7). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that each additional day of binge eating was associated with 5% higher odds (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.09) of self-reported physical violence perpetration, while adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusions

Results from this study are the first known to identify an association between binge eating and physical violence perpetration among U.S. college students. Findings are supported by the potential mechanistic overlap of emotion regulation and impulsivity associated with both binge eating and violence perpetration, underscoring the need for more research.
Developing a national pharmaceutical research strategy in Lebanon: opportunities to bridge the gaps and reach the goals
Authors: Akel Marwan , Hajj Aline , Sacre Hala , Zeenny Rony M. , Haddad Chadia , Salameh Pascale
Published: November 2022

Pharmaceutical research can be structured into clear national strategies that optimize patient health and foster innovation. The objectives of this document are to assess the need for a national pharmaceutical research strategy based on the current situation in Lebanon, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of pharmaceutical research in Lebanon, and to suggest a pharmaceutical research strategy for Lebanon, including goals and objectives. In Lebanon, in the absence of a national health research policy, pharmaceutical research is conducted in academia or hospitals, although projects are the result of personal or team initiatives that should be organized to better serve the needs of the country. Many strengths of pharmaceutical research were identified, such as the pharmaceutical workforce and academics who are willing to contribute to research, while the implementation of the national pharmaceutical strategy represents an important opportunity to promote research. Among the weaknesses is the lack of research culture in some institutions and interinstitutional/interprofessional collaborations. Thus, the suggested strategy aims to structure pharmaceutical research in Lebanon, including the priorities towards which research is directed, the process by which research is conducted, and the workforce conducting research. It will mainly rely on the World Health Organization's interrelated goals (organization, priorities, capacity, standards, and translation). The implementation of the suggested pharmaceutical research strategy will only be achieved through the leadership of the pharmaceutical authorities and the collaboration of stakeholders.
Regional economic tightness from rural to urban regions
Authors: Waters Keith , Shutters Shade T.
Published: November 2022

Regional economies are characterized by networks of interactions between individual elements and are thus quintessential complex systems. Analyzing the relatedness of various aspects of regional economies, such as exports, industries, occupations, and technologies, using methods from complexity science is becoming commonplace. However, current work has focused nearly exclusively on regional economic complexity of more urbanized regions within countries, if not entire countries themselves. Smaller urban areas are typically over-looked and rural regions are almost entirely absent from the dialog. This paper seeks to fill this gap by examining smaller urban areas and rural regions from a complexity economics perspective. Analyzing cross-sectional data provides initial insights into the transformation of regional economic connectedness from rural to urban regions. Using a previously developed metric of economic connectivity based the on co-occurrence of economic activities, called tightness, we examine the skills space and industry space of metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural regions in the United States. We find that the least and the most urbanized regions have the highest tightness, and that this is partially due to the share of specialty skills in a “socio-cognitive” lobe of skills space. However, we also find that the composition of skills in the least and most urbanized regions differs markedly. Findings suggest that planners seeking to increase the share of socio-cognitive skills in the local workforce may be constrained by population size, and that regions of moderate population size may be required to first grow industries that require less cognitive skills.

Science Highlights

• Regional economic tightness and regional
economic output are positively correlated, even when controlling for regional
population.

• Skills tightness is greatest in the least
populous and most populous regions while industry tightness is greatest in the
most populous regions.

• Higher skills tightness is driven partially by
the share of socio-cognitive skills in the regional workforce.

• The most rural and most urban counties have
the highest share of specialty skills in the socio-cognitive lobe of skills
space.

Policy and Practice
Recommendations

• Both skills and industrial tightness should be
fostered to increase regional per capita output.

• Growing jobs that utilize socio-cognitive
skills may increase skills tightness and thus regional productivity.

• Moderately-urbanized areas typically have a lower
share of workers with socio-cognitive skills, and may experience more difficulty
growing knowledge-intensive industries.
A Simple One-Parameter Percent Dissolved Versus Time Dissolution Equation that Accommodates Sink and Non-sink Conditions via Drug Solubility and Dissolution Volume
Authors: Polli James E.
Published: November 2022

In vitro dissolution generally involves sink conditions, so dissolution equations generally do not need to accommodate non-sink conditions. Greater use of biorelevant media, which are typically less able to provide sink conditions than pharmaceutical surfactants, necessitates equations that accommodate non-sink conditions. One objective was to derive an integrated, one-parameter dissolution equation for percent dissolved versus time that accommodates non-sink effects via drug solubility and dissolution volume parameters, including incomplete solubility. A second objective was to characterize the novel equation by fitting it to biorelevant dissolution profiles of tablets of two poorly water-soluble drugs, as well as by conducting simulations of the effect of dose on dissolution profile. The Polli dissolution equation was derived, $$\% \;dissolved=100\%\left[1-\frac{\left({{M}_{0}-c}_{s}V\right)}{{M}_{0}-{{c}_{s}Ve}^{{-k}_{d}\left(\frac{{{M}_{0}-c}_{s}V}{V}\right)t}}\right]$$

%

d
i
s
s
o
l
v
e
d
=
100
%

1
-

M
0

-
c

s

V

M
0

-

c
s

V
e

-
k

d

M
0

-
c

s

V

V

t

, where M0 is the drug dose (mg), cs is drug solubility (mg/ml), V is dissolution volume (ml), and kd is dissolution rate coefficient (ml/mg per min). Maximum allowable percent dissolved was determined by drug solubility and not a fitted extent of dissolution parameter. The equation fit tablet profiles in the presence and absence of sink conditions, using a single fitted parameter, kd, and where solubility ranged over a 1000-fold range. kd was generally smaller when cs was larger. FeSSGF provided relatively small kd values, reflecting FeSSGF colloids are large and slowly diffusing. Simulations showed impact of non-sink conditions, as well as plausible kd values for various cs scenarios, in agreement with observed kd values. The equation has advantages over first-order and z-factor dissolution rate equations. An Excel file for regression is provided.

Graphical Abstract
Avaliação da interação farmacológica de antifúngicos e quimioterápicos: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Silva Vitoria Feitosa da , Coutinho Tatiana Do Nascimento Paiva , Campos Rosana De Sousa , Silva Wildson Max Barbosa da , Barbosa Letícia Bernardo , Sá Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente , Andrade Neto João Batista de
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: avaliar, por meio da literatura existente, a interação farmacológica de antifúngicos e quimioterápicos. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo de revisão sistemática de acordo com o diagrama de fluxo do processo de pesquisa PRISMA. Os descritores escolhidos foram: drug interactions, CYP inhibitors, antifungal e antineoplastic, mediante análise realizada no MESH. As bases de dados escolhidas foram: Pubmed, Lilacs e Scielo. O período considerado para busca de artigos publicados foi de 2015 a 2020. Resultados: no banco de dados PubMed, foram encontrados 54 artigos, enquanto, nas bases Lilacs e Scielo, não foram encontrados artigos de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos. Dos 54 artigos, 7 foram selecionados para esta revisão. O intervalo com maior número de publicações foi de 2015-2016. Os antifúngicos mais citados nos resultados foram os inibidores fortes da CYP (Cetoconazol, Itraconazol e Voriconazol). Conclusão: a revisão sistemática da literatura mostrou que não existe uma correlação exata entre a interação farmacológica dos antifúngicos com os antineoplásicos, quando administrados de forma simultânea. São necessários mais estudos atuais que possam monitorar e estabelecer, de forma precisa, a relação dessas interações.
Bisphosphonate use is associated with a decreased joint narrowing rate in the non-arthritic hip
Authors: Kawai Toshiyuki , Nishitani Kohei , Okuzu Yaichiro , Goto Koji , Kuroda Yutaka , Kuriyama Shinichi , Nakamura Shinichiro , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: November 2022

Aims

The preventive effects of bisphosphonates on articular cartilage in non-arthritic joints are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral bisphosphonates on the rate of joint space narrowing in the non-arthritic hip.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed standing whole-leg radiographs from patients who underwent knee arthroplasties from 2012 to 2020 at our institute. Patients with previous hip surgery, Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥ II hip osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, or rheumatoid arthritis were excluded. The rate of hip joint space narrowing was measured in 398 patients (796 hips), and the effects of the use of bisphosphonates were examined using the multivariate regression model and the propensity score matching (1:2) model.

Results

A total of 45 of 398 (11.3%) eligible patients were taking an oral bisphosphonate at the time of knee surgery, with a mean age of 75.8 years (SD 6.2) in bisphosphonate users and 75.7 years (SD 6.8) in non-users. The mean joint space narrowing rate was 0.04 mm/year (SD 0.11) in bisphosphonate users and 0.12 mm/year (SD 0.25) in non-users (p < 0.001). In the multivariate model, age (standardized coefficient = 0.0867, p = 0.016) and the use of a bisphosphonate (standardized coefficient = −0.182, p < 0.001) were associated with the joint space narrowing rate. After successfully matching 43 bisphosphonate users and 86 non-users, the joint narrowing rate was smaller in bisphosphonate users (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The use of bisphosphonates is associated with decreased joint degeneration in non-arthritic hips after knee arthroplasty. Bisphosphonates slow joint degeneration, thus maintaining the thickness of joint cartilage in the normal joint or during the early phase of osteoarthritis. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(11):826–834.
Research on Visualization of Large-scale User Association Feature Data Based on Nonlinear Dimension Reduction Method
Authors: Xie Yuchen , Beram Shehab Mohamed , Kaur Baljinder , Neware Rahul , Rakhra Manik , Koundal Deepika
Published: November 2022

A high dimensional data visualization platform based on nonlinear dimension reduction approach was built and deployed in order to research the visualization of large-scale user linked feature data. The following test results were obtained through the implementation of a dimension reduction method and a functional module: The test set of the MNIST data set is given in CSV format, which may be represented as a 785*10000 matrix. The matrix is a representation of the handwritten picture that has been abstracted and transformed. The PCA approach provides the best dimensional-reduction impact on the dietary nutrient dataset, retaining 98.8 percent of the variation. The protein structure and function data set is not well served by any of the three dimensional-reduction techniques. Both T-SNE and Large Vis algorithms have better dimensional-reduction effects on MNIST data set, which reflects the nonlinear characteristics of the data set. Compared with T-SNE algorithm, Large Vis algorithm has no significant improvement in visualization effect, which is mainly reflected in time efficiency.
Research on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Approach in Universities Based on Large Data
Authors: Maoning Li
Published: November 2022

The development of computer technology has promoted the processing technology of large data, meanwhile, the upsurge of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship has also been promoted. Therefore, it is very meaningful to study the way of innovation and entrepreneurship by using large data technology. Firstly, the research status and development trend of innovation entrepreneurship are analyzed. The development of large data is introduced, and then the coupling point of innovative entrepreneurship and Internet technology is analyzed, and the large data algorithm suitable for the research of innovative startups is designed. Finally, by using the distributed Blackboard Control algorithm in the large data technology, the innovation and entrepreneurship approach of university is analyzed. Through experimental analysis and verification, the proposed improved large data technology, compared to other algorithms, in some performance has a certain advantage.
Algorithm for determination of image domain constraints for intensity correlation imaging
Authors: Hyland David C.
Published: November 2022

This paper considers the application of intensity correlation imaging
with its noise reducing phase retrieval algorithm to astronomical
observations. Prior work showed that, when image domain constraints
are accounted for, the necessary integration times can be greatly
reduced. A limitation of this prior work was that the image domain
constraints were presumed known a
priori. Assuming only a luminous object against a black sky,
this work develops a stochastic search algorithm that, combined with
the phase retrieval algorithm, identifies the image constraints and,
thereby, completes the image reconstruction. Computational examples
demonstrate that practical imaging times are readily achievable.
Diffuse reflection spectroscopy at the fingertip: design and performance of a compact side-firing probe for tissue discrimination during colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Geldof Freija , Witteveen Mark , Sterenborg Henricus J. C. M. , Ruers Theo J. M. , Dashtbozorg Behdad
Published: November 2022

Optical technologies are widely used for tissue sensing purposes. However, maneuvering conventional probe designs with flat-tipped fibers in narrow spaces can be challenging, for instance during pelvic colorectal cancer surgery. In this study, a compact side-firing fiber probe was developed for tissue discrimination during colorectal cancer surgery using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The optical behavior was compared to flat-tipped fibers using both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental phantom measurements. The tissue classification performance was examined using freshly excised colorectal cancer specimens. Using the developed probe and classification algorithm, an accuracy of 0.92 was achieved for discriminating tumor tissue from healthy tissue.
Security mesh-based optical network exploiting the double masking scheme
Authors: Feng Manying , Xie Yiyuan , Dai Li , Liu Bocheng , Jiang Xiao , Chai Junxiong , Tang Qianfeng , Yang Rong , Yuan Haodong
Published: November 2022

In order to tackle the security and privacy problems in optical networks, a novel mesh-based optical security network exploiting double masking (DM) scheme for multipoint confidential communication is proposed and studied theoretically. For each node in the network, a pair of mutually asynchronous vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are required as transceivers, and the delay fiber (DF) is used to set different time delays as network node markers. In this security network, the encryption of the message is implemented on the transmitter of the source node by using the DM scheme, and the encrypted message is transmitted to the receiver of the destination node through the optical network for decryption. Each network node can output its individual chaotic signals separately with different time delay markers. By regulating different internal parameter mismatches, the synchronization characteristics of transceivers in a security network are numerically analyzed by using the cross correlation coefficient. Simulation results show that the chaos synchronization between transceivers enjoys fantastic robustness to mismatched parameters. Meanwhile, the tolerance of the DM scheme to the inherent parameter mismatch is excellent, so it is suitable for constructing secure networks in optical networks. Besides, based on the high quality synchronization with a correlation coefficient of 0.983, the communication performances of the longest path channel are investigated for a given metropolitan area network scale. Two pieces of 10 Gb/s messages can be effectively concealed in the chaos and decoded gratifyingly behind 100 km transmission, and the system has reliable security to resist illegal attacks. Finally, the network performance simulation is conducted for diverse configurations of the mesh-based optical networks. All the results confirmed the chaotic encryption scheme provides a novel way for any two legitimate nodes to establish security keys in optical networks.
Experimental validation of machine-learning based spectral-spatial power evolution shaping using Raman amplifiers
Authors: Soltani Mehran , Da Ros Francesco , Carena Andrea , Zibar Darko
Published: November 2022

We experimentally validate a real-time machine learning framework, capable of controlling the pump power values of Raman amplifiers to shape the signal power evolution in two-dimensions (2D): frequency and fiber distance. In our setup, power values of four first-order counter-propagating pumps are optimized to achieve the desired 2D power profile. The pump power optimization framework includes a convolutional neural network (CNN) followed by differential evolution (DE) technique, applied online to the amplifier setup to automatically achieve the target 2D power profiles. The results on achievable 2D profiles show that the framework is able to guarantee very low maximum absolute error (MAE) (<0.5 dB) between the obtained and the target 2D profiles. Moreover, the framework is tested in a multi-objective design scenario where the goal is to achieve the 2D profiles with flat gain levels at the end of the span, jointly with minimum spectral excursion over the entire fiber length. In this case, the experimental results assert that for 2D profiles with the target flat gain levels, the DE obtains less than 1 dB maximum gain deviation, when the setup is not physically limited in the pump power values. The simulation results also prove that with enough pump power available, better gain deviation (less than 0.6 dB) for higher target gain levels is achievable.
Focused vortex beam generator suitable for optical fiber spanners in a complex liquid environment
Authors: Bai Zhiyong , Wu Luping , Liu Rui , Yu Jian , Ma Dingbang , Chen Zikai , Ran Jianjun , Wang Ying , Liao Changrui , Wang Yiping
Published: November 2022

We experimentally demonstrated an all-fiber focused vortex beam (FVB) generator which was prepared by milling a spiral zone plate (SZP) on the Au-coated end face of a hybrid fiber by focused ion beam (FIB). In this generator, the fundamental modes propagating in the hybrid fiber are focused while being modulated into high-order orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode by the SZP at the end face. The focus length and topological charge were designed and then were both theoretically and experimentally verified. The results show that, the obtained characteristics of the FVB agree with the designed ones. The measured diameters of the focal spots are 2.2 µm, 4.4 µm, and 5.2 µm for the FVB with the topological charge of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. The simulated results show that the proposed FVB generators can maintain good focusing characteristics in different liquids, so it is a good candidate for optical fiber spanner use in a complex liquid environment. Moreover, the processing efficiency of the proposed FVB generators is nearly ten times higher than that of the previously reported ones due to the Au-coated film.
Smoothing of inter-layer edge artifacts in depth-map computer-generated holograms
Authors: Park Sungjae , Lee Jonghyun , Choi Wonwoo , Park Shin-Woong , Kim Hwi
Published: November 2022

In the depth-map computer-generated hologram (CGH), inter-layer edge artifacts are observed in the discontinuous edges of section-wise depth-map objects. CGH synthesis, utilizing the hybrid smoothing method of silhouette masking and edge-apodization, alleviates unwanted inter-layer edge artifacts. The proposed method achieves improved de-artifact filtering that generates holographic images closer to the ground truth image of the depth-map object unattainable by the conventional CGH synthesis method.
Computational analysis of 5-fluorouracil anti-tumor activity in colon cancer using a mechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model
Authors: Ma Chenhui , Almasan Alex , Gurkan-Cavusoglu Evren
Published: November 2022

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a standard chemotherapeutic agent to treat solid cancers such as breast, colon, head, and neck. Computational modeling plays an essential role in predicting the outcome of chemotherapy and developing optimal dosing strategies. We developed an integrated mechanistic pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) model examining the influence of 5-FU, as an S-phase specific double-strand break (DSB)-inducing agent, on tumor proliferation. The proposed mechanistic PK/PD model simulates the dynamics of critical intermediate components and provides the accurate tumor response prediction. The integrated model is composed of PK, cellular, and tumor growth inhibition (TGI) sub-models, quantitatively capturing the essential drug-related physiological processes. In the cellular model, thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibition, resultant deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pool imbalance, and DSB induction are considered, as well as 5-FU incorporation into RNA and DNA. The amount of 5-FU anabolites and DSBs were modeled to drive the kinetics of the pharmacological tumor response. Model parameters were estimated by fitting to literature data. Our simulation results successfully describe the kinetics of the intermediates regulating the 5-FU cytotoxic events and the pattern of tumor suppression. The comprehensive model simulated the tumor volume change under various dose regimens, and its generalizability was attested by comparing it with literature data. The potential causes of the tumor resistance to 5-FU are also investigated through Monte Carlo analysis. The simulation of various dosage regimens helps quantify the relationship between treatment protocols and chemotherapy potency, which will lead to the development of efficacy optimization.
A roadmap to reduce information inequities in disability with digital health and natural language processing
Authors: Newman-Griffis Denis R. , Hurwitz Max B. , McKernan Gina P. , Houtrow Amy J. , Dicianno Brad E.
Published: November 2022

People with disabilities disproportionately experience negative health outcomes. Purposeful analysis of information on all aspects of the experience of disability across individuals and populations can guide interventions to reduce health inequities in care and outcomes. Such an analysis requires more holistic information on individual function, precursors and predictors, and environmental and personal factors than is systematically collected in current practice. We identify 3 key information barriers to more equitable information: (1) a lack of information on contextual factors that affect a person’s experience of function; (2) underemphasis of the patient’s voice, perspective, and goals in the electronic health record; and (3) a lack of standardized locations in the electronic health record to record observations of function and context. Through analysis of rehabilitation data, we have identified ways to mitigate these barriers through the development of digital health technologies to better capture and analyze information about the experience of function. We propose 3 directions for future research on using digital health technologies, particularly natural language processing (NLP), to facilitate capturing a more holistic picture of a patient’s unique experience: (1) analyzing existing information on function in free text documentation; (2) developing new NLP-driven methods to collect information on contextual factors; and (3) collecting and analyzing patient-reported descriptions of personal perceptions and goals. Multidisciplinary collaboration between rehabilitation experts and data scientists to advance these research directions will yield practical technologies to help reduce inequities and improve care for all populations.
Evaluation of ERIC-PCR and MALDI-TOF as typing tools for multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from a tertiary care center in India
Authors: Kundu Jyoti , Kansal Shubhangi , Rathore Shivali , Kaundal Meenakshi , Angrup Archana , Biswal Manisha , Walia Kamini , Ray Pallab
Published: November 2022

Background and aim

Multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is associated with nosocomial infections in both outbreak and non-outbreak situations. The study intends to evaluate the potential of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus- polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR), a genomic based typing and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) proteomic-based typing techniques for clonal relatedness among multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Methodology

Multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 137) were collected from March 2019 to February 2020. Identification and protein-based phylogenetic analysis were performed by MALDI-TOF MS. Genomic typing was done by ERIC-PCR and analyzed by an online data analysis service (PyElph). Dice method with unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) program was used to compare the ERIC profiles. The samples were also evaluated by PCR for the presence of genes encoding carbapenemases, extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) and mobile colistin resistance-1 (mcr1).

Result and conclusion

The study presents ERIC-PCR as more robust and better discriminatory typing tool in comparison to MALDI-TOF for clonal relatedness in multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. Isolates were typed into 40 ERIC types, and six groups by MALDI-TOF-MS. PCR-based analysis revealed that all the strains harbored two or more ESBL and carbapenemase genes. None of the isolates revealed the presence of the plasmid mediated mcr-1 gene for colistin resistance.
Health professions faculty’s perceptions of online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chidzonga Midion Mapfumo , Haruzivishe Clara , Chikwasha Vasco , Rukweza Judith
Published: November 2022

The global societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is incalculable with profound social suffering, deep economic hardships and enforced closure of schools, businesses, and higher learning institutions through the imposition of lockdown and social distancing in mitigation of the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 infection. Institutions have had to hastily migrate teaching, learning and assessment to online domains, at times with ill-prepared academics, students and institutions and with unwelcome and disorienting consequences. Our study surveyed perspectives of faculty at the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (UZFMHS) towards the hastily adopted online teaching, learning and assessment implemented in response to the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty nine (29) faculty in all the major disciplines and career hierarchy. There were mixed responses regarding the use of this modality for teaching, learning and assessment: training before online teaching, learning and assessment, advantages and disadvantages, cost effectiveness, effectiveness for teaching, learning and assessment, effect on student feedback, disruptions from internet connectivity issues, interaction with students, suitability for practical training, and barriers to online teaching, learning and assessment. These results would enable the UZFMHS develop institutional and personalised approaches that would enable execution of online teaching, learning and assessment under the current and post COVID-19 pandemic.
Dissociable effects of emotional stimuli on electrophysiological indices of time and decision-making
Authors: Gladhill Keri Anne , Mioni Giovanna , Wiener Martin
Published: November 2022

Previous research has demonstrated that emotional faces affect time perception, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Earlier attempts focus on effects at the different stages of the pacemaker-accumulator model (clock, memory, and/or decision-making) including, an increase in pacemaker rate or accumulation rate via arousal or attention, respectively, or by biasing decision-making. A visual temporal bisection task with sub-second intervals was conducted in two groups to further investigate these effects; one group was strictly behavioral whereas the second included a 64-channel electroencephalogram (EEG). To separate the influence of face and timing responses, participants timed a visual stimulus, temporally flanked (before and after) by two faces, either negative or neutral, creating three trial-types: Neg→Neut, Neut→Neg, or Neut→Neut. We found a leftward shift in bisection point (BP) in Neg→Neut relative to Neut→Neut suggests an overestimation of the temporal stimulus when preceded by a negative face. Neurally, we found the face-responsive N170 was larger for negative faces and the N1 and contingent negative variation (CNV) were larger when the temporal stimulus was preceded by a negative face. Additionally, there was an interaction effect between condition and response for the late positive component of timing (LPCt) and a significant difference between response (short/long) in the neutral condition. We concluded that a preceding negative face affects the clock stage leading to more pulses being accumulated, either through attention or arousal, as indexed by a larger N1, CNV, and N170; whereas viewing a negative face after impacted decision-making mechanisms, as evidenced by the LPCt.
Variation in blood pressure and heart rate of radiological technologists in worktime tracked by a wearable device: A preliminary study
Authors: Minamimoto Ryogo , Yamada Yui , Sugawara Yasuharu , Fujii Megumi , Kotabe Kazuki , Iso Kakeru , Yokoyama Hiroki , Kurihara Keiichi , Iwasaki Tsubasa , Horikawa Daisuke , Saito Kaori , Kajiwara Hironori , Matsunaga Futoshi
Published: November 2022

The aim of this preliminary study was to measure the systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and heart rate (HR) of radiological technologists by WD, and evaluate variation among individuals by worktime, day of the week, job, and workplace. Measurements were obtained using a wristwatch-type WD with optical measurement technology that can measure SBP and DBP every 10 minutes and HR every 30 minutes. SBP, DBP, and HR data obtained at baseline and during work time were combined with the hours of work, day of the week, job, and workplace recorded by the participants in 8 consecutive weeks. We calculated the mean, the ratio to baseline and coefficient of variation [CV(%)] for SBP, DBP, and HR. SBP, DBP, and HR values were significantly higher during work hours than at baseline (p<0.03). The ratio to baseline values ranged from 1.02 to 1.26 for SBP and from 1.07 to 1.30 for DBP. The ratio to baseline for SBP and DBP showed CV(%) of approximately 10% according to the day of the week and over the study period. For HR, ratio to baseline ranged from 0.95 to 1.29. The ratio of mean BP to baseline was >1.2 at the time of starting work, middle and after lunch, and at 14:00. The ratio to baseline of SBP were 1.2 or more for irradiation, equipment accuracy control, registration of patient data, dose verification and conference time, and were also working in CT examination room, treatment planning room, linac room, and the office. CV(%) of BP and HR were generally stable for all workplaces. WD measurements of SBP, DBP, and HR were higher during working hours than at baseline and varied by the individuals, work time, job, and workplace. This method may enable evaluation of unconscious workload in individuals.
The hidden cost of a smartphone: The effects of smartphone notifications on cognitive control from a behavioral and electrophysiological perspective
Authors: Upshaw Joshua D. , Stevens Carl E. , Ganis Giorgio , Zabelina Darya L.
Published: November 2022

Since their release in 2007, smartphones and their use have seemingly become a fundamental aspect of life in western society. Prior literature has suggested a link between mobile technology use and lower levels of cognitive control when people engage in a cognitively demanding task. This effect is more evident for people who report higher levels of smartphone use. The current study examined the effects of smartphones notifications on cognitive control and attention. Participants completed the Navon Letter paradigm which paired visual (frequent and rare target letters) and auditory (smartphone and control sounds) stimuli. We found that overall, participants responded slower on trials paired with smartphone notification (vs. control) sounds. They also demonstrated larger overall N2 ERP and a larger N2 oddball effect on trials paired with smartphone (vs. control) sounds, suggesting that people generally exhibited greater levels of cognitive control on the smartphone trials. In addition, people with higher smartphone addiction proneness showed lower P2 ERP on trials with the smartphone (vs. control) sounds, suggesting lower attentional engagement. These results add to the debate on the effects of smartphones on cognition. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
The biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of bacterial profile from endotracheal tube of patients admitted to intensive care unit in southwest of Iran
Authors: Dargahi Zahra , Hamad Anas Abdullah , Sheikh Ahmad Farajzade , Ahmad Khosravi Nazanin , Samei Fard Shahla , Motahar Moloudsadat , Mehr Fatemeh Jahangiri , Abbasi Fariba , Meghdadi Hossein , Bakhtiyariniya Pejman , Heydari Reza , Moradi Melika , Asareh Zadegan Dezfuli Aram
Published: November 2022

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevalent nosocomial illness in mechanically ventilated patients. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of bacterial profiles from Endotracheal Tubes of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in southwest Iran. According to the standard operating method, the microbiological laboratory conducts bacteria culture and susceptibility testing on endotracheal Tube samples suspected of carrying a bacterial infection. The Clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) techniques are used to determine the Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial isolates to antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The crystal violet staining method was used to assess the biofilm-forming potential of isolates in a 96-well microtiter plate. In total, (51%) GPBs were included in this study. The isolated GPB were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (16%), S. aureus (14%). In total, (40%) of GNB were included in this study. The isolated GNB were Klebsiella spp. (36%), A. baumannii (22%), P. aeruginosa (35%). (32%) bacterial strains were MDR and (29%) strains were XDR. The results of biofilm formation showed (72%) were biofilm producers. VAP is a common and severe nosocomial infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Controlling biofilm formation, whether on the ET or in the oropharyngeal cavity, is thus an important technique for treating VAP. Colistin and linezolid are antibiotics that are effective against practically all resistant GNB and GPB isolates.
Effect of 1.5% potassium oxalate on sensitivity control, color change, and quality of life after at-home tooth whitening: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Oliveira Barros Antonia Patricia , da Silva Pompeu Danielle , Takeuchi Elma Vieira , de Melo Alencar Cristiane , Alves Eliane Bemerguy , Silva Cecy Martins
Published: November 2022

Objective

This clinical trial evaluated the effect of 1.5% potassium oxalate (PO) in controlling sensitivity and color change after at-home tooth whitening. It also evaluated the influence of PO on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the degree of patient satisfaction after bleaching treatment.

Materials and methods

Fifty volunteers were randomized into two groups (n = 25): At-home bleaching gel with 22% carbamide peroxide for 45 min + placebo gel (GP) or 1.5% PO (GPO) for 10 min. The intensity of tooth sensitivity was assessed daily through the visual analog scale. The color analysis was performed three times: baseline, 21 days, and 1 month after the last application of the whitening gel. The impact of the oral condition on the patient’s quality of life (OIDP) was used to measure the impact caused by the whitening treatment in relation to the individuals’ ability to carry out their daily activities and its influence on HRQOL.

Results

No difference in tooth sensitivity was observed (p > 0.05). In addition, there was no difference in color change between groups (p > 0.05). However, there was an intragroup statistical difference throughout the evaluation period (p <0.05). The OIDP analysis showed a statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05) and there was no difference between the groups regarding the degree of satisfaction with the bleaching (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The 1.5% PO was effective in preventing sensitivity and did not interfere with tooth whitening. Desensitizing therapy had a positive impact on quality of life and patient satisfaction.
Men’s late presentation for HIV care in Eastern Uganda: The role of masculinity norms
Authors: Nabikande Sherifah , Namutundu Juliana , Nangendo Joanita , Okello Tom , Agwang Winnie , Tusabe Joan , Kabwama Steven Ndugwa , Katahoire Anne Ruhweza
Published: November 2022

Introduction

In Uganda, adult men living with HIV are more likely to present late for care; with a CD4 cell count below 350 cells/μl compared to women. Understanding why adult men present late for HIV care is important in improving early linkage to care. Studies across countries in Sub-Saharan Africa emphasize the role of masculinity norms; defined as social expectations about appropriate roles and behavior for men, in men’s health behaviours particularly, in HIV care engagement. This study therefore explored how masculinity norms influence men’s late presentation for HIV care.

Methods

This was a qualitative study undertaken in Jinja District, Eastern Uganda between October and November 2020. We conducted 20 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with men living with HIV who had presented late for care at Family Hope Centre. We also conducted four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with HIV negative men and women in selected communities of Katende and Walukuba. Conventional content analysis approach was used to identify themes across the collected data.

Results

A total of 20 men participated in the In-depth Interviews (IDIs), with majority being married 15/20 (75%) and primary level holders 7/15 (46.7%). Nineteen (19) women participated in two FGDs, with a mean age of 29.5 years. Nineteen (19) men also participated in other two FGDs, with a mean age of 28.2 years. Conventional content analysis results indicated that men’s late presentation for HIV care in Jinja district is greatly related to their concerns of loss of respect and the need to preserve their reputation and maintain a sense of normality in their families and society as proposed by Wilson’s (1969) respectability-reputation theoretical model. Respectability was endorsed by ‘the wider society’, while reputation was endorsed almost entirely by men and some women.

Conclusion

Findings show that the explanations for men’s late presentation arise from the masculinity norms in Jinja District, Eastern Uganda.