bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What role for asbestos in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? Findings from the IPF job exposures case–control study
Authors: Reynolds Carl J , Sisodia Rupa , Barber Chris , Moffatt Miriam , Minelli Cosetta , De Matteis Sara , Cherrie John W , Newman Taylor Anthony , Cullinan Paul
Published: January 2023

Background

Asbestos has been hypothesised as the cause of the recent global increase in the incidence of ‘idiopathic’ pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Establishing this has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. The association between occupational asbestos exposure and IPF, and interaction with a common (minor allele frequency of 9% in European populations) genetic variant associated with IPF,MUC5Brs35705950, is unknown.

Methods

Multicentre, incident case–control study. Cases (n=494) were men diagnosed with IPF at 21 UK hospitals. Controls (n=466) were age-matched men who attended a hospital clinic in the same period. Asbestos exposure was assessed at interview using a validated job exposure matrix and a source-receptor model. The primary outcome was the association between asbestos exposure and IPF, estimated using logistic regression adjusted for age, smoking and centre. Interaction withMUC5Brs35705950 was investigated using a genetic dominant model.

Results

327 (66%) cases and 293 (63%) controls ever had a high or medium asbestos exposure risk job; 8% of both cases and controls had cumulative exposure estimates ≥25 fibre ml⁻¹ years. Occupational asbestos exposure was not associated with IPF, adjusted OR 1.1 (95% CI 0.8 to 1.4; p=0.6) and there was no gene–environment interaction (p=0.3). Ever smoking was associated with IPF, OR 1.4 (95% CI 1 to 1.9; p=0.04) and interacted with occupational asbestos exposure, OR 1.9 (95% CI 1 to 3.6; p=0.04). In a further non-specified analysis, when stratifying for genotype there was significant interaction between smoking and work in an exposed job (p<0.01) for carriers of the minor allele ofMUC5Brs35705950.

Conclusion

Occupational asbestos exposure alone, or through interaction withMUC5Brs35705950 genotype, was not associated with IPF. Exposure to asbestos and smoking interact to increase IPF risk in carriers of a common genetic variant, the minor allele ofMUC5Brs35705950.

Trial registration number

NCT03211507.
Monitoring seedling stands using national forest inventory and multispectral airborne laser scanning data
Authors: Rana Parvez , Mattila Ulla , Mehtätalo Lauri , Siipilehto Jouni , Hou Zhengyang , Xu Qing , Tokola Timo
Published: January 2023

Characterizing seedling stands with respect to their species proportions and co-occurring vegetation is important for monitoring the desired development of the forest stand. Related inventory information has traditionally been collected with costly field surveys and National Forest Inventory (NFI)-based models. Here, we present a novel fusion approach to combine remote sensing (RS)-based models and NFI-based models to predict seedling stand characteristics, i.e., height, density, and tending needs. We used the best linear unbiased predictor for the fusion of the NFI- and RS-based models. The NFI-based models were derived using NFI sample plots and stand features. The RS-based models were derived using airborne laser scanning and color–infrared images and separate field-measured data. NFI-based models were found to be rather unreliable (RMSE = 65%–115% for stem density and 59%–78% for height), but they were always available without the need for any additional RS data. RS-based models provided an RMSE of 41%–92% for stem density and 26%–45% for height. The fusion procedure used at the prediction stage consistently increased the accuracy of all variables of interest, but the improvements were minor. In addition, we classified the tending need in seedling stands if the height of the coniferous tree was less than 1 m compared to broadleaved trees. If we simulate the decision-making situation of tending needs, we can predict tending needs (91% user accuracy) fairly well for a stand.
A criterion of proper action on some compact extensions of ℝn and applications
Authors: Baklouti Ali , Bejar Souhail , Fendri Ramzi
Published: January 2023

Let K be a compact subgroup of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the semi-direct product group. Let H be a closed subgroup of G and [Formula: see text] a discontinuous group for the homogeneous space [Formula: see text]. We establish a geometrical criterion of the proper action of [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], which requires an accurate description of the structure of closed connected subgroups of Euclidean motion groups. As a consequence, we establish a criterion for the existence of a compact Clifford–Klein form [Formula: see text] and study the Calabi–Markus phenomenon.
A counterexample to Gurjar–Zhang’s conjectures
Authors: Lu Jun , Wu Xiao-Hang
Published: January 2023

Our main purpose in this paper is to give a counterexample to some interesting conjectures on a rational fibred surface with multiple fibers proposed by R. V. Gurjar and D.-Q. Zhang.
Laser Pulse’s Frequency Effect on Plasma Parameters for Titanium Dioxide Produced by FHG of a Q-Switched ND: YAG Pulse Laser
Authors: Abdalameer Nisreen Kh. , Jassim Rafal H. , Jebur Eman K. , Mazhir Sabah N.
Published: January 2023

This work studies the relationship between laser irradiance and pulse frequency effect on plasma features of the TiO2. This target was irradiated by a Q-switched nanosecond Nd: YAG laser with the first harmonic generation (FHG) wavelength (1064[Formula: see text]nm), laser energy 500[Formula: see text]mJ, and pulse frequency ranging from 6[Formula: see text]Hz to 10[Formula: see text]Hz at atmospheric pressure. The Boltzmann plot and the Stark broadening methods calculated the plasma parameters ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The findings were examined in light of the previously published experiments and theories, and it was discovered that they agreed with the hypothesis of the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE); on the other hand, research was conducted on the other basic plasma properties such as the Debye length ([Formula: see text]), the Debye sphere ([Formula: see text]), and the plasma frequency ([Formula: see text]). We observed that all plasma parameters are influenced by pulse frequency. The results clarify the linear change in electron temperature at increasing pulse frequency for TiO2 plasma. In contrast, the broadening of the line profiles related to electron density was evident with pulse frequency, causing an increase in electron density.
Asymptotic behavior of an SIQR epidemic model driven by Lévy jumps on scale-free networks
Authors: Xu Yuncheng , Liu Sanyang , Sun Xiaojun , Hu Hua , Wang Yu
Published: January 2023

To investigate the effect of information transmission, Lévy jumps and contact heterogeneity of individuals on the asymptotic behavior of epidemic, a stochastic SIQR epidemic model with non-monotone incidence rate and Lévy jumps on scale-free networks is constructed. At first, the global dynamics of the deterministic model is studied by constructing appropriate Lyapunov functions. Then the stochastic model is made in accordance with the ecological significance, the existence and uniqueness of the global positive solution of the stochastic SIQR model is manifested. Next, by constructing suitable stochastic Lyapunov functions and applying Itô formula with jump, the asymptotic behavior of solutions of stochastic model around equilibrium of the corresponding deterministic model is checked. At last, the correctness of the analytical results is verified by numerical simulations.
CLIMATE SENSITIVITY OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION AND PEAK DEMAND IN INDIA: CASE OF HETEROGENEOUS CLIMATE ZONES
Authors: JAIN DIVYA , SARANGI GOPAL K. , DAS SUKANYA
Published: January 2023

Electricity demand is determined largely by regional climate conditions and seasonal characteristics, apart from a myriad of socio-economic and demographic factors. This paper investigates the climate sensitivity of electricity consumption and peak demand in six energy-intensive Indian states across heterogeneous climate zones using a non-parametric approach known as multivariate adaptive regression splines. The results show the highest temperature sensitivity of cooling electricity consumption in Punjab (8.2%), followed by Rajasthan (3.5%), Madhya Pradesh (3.1%), Tamil Nadu (2.3%), and Uttar Pradesh (1.2%). Among other climate variables, relative humidity has a non-linear impact on electricity consumption in the majority of states. The minimum temperature rise has a stronger influence on peak electricity demand than the maximum temperature in three states. Given that air-conditioning penetration is expected to increase in the future, this state-level analysis will help in developing accurate forecasts for electricity demand and formulating climate adaptation strategies for India.
DAS: Efficient Street View Image Sampling for Urban Prediction
Authors: Zhang Guozhen , Yi Jinhui , Yuan Jian , Li Yong , Jin Depeng
Published: January 2023

Street view data is one of the most common data sources for urban prediction tasks, such as estimating socioeconomic status, sensing physical urban changes, and identifying urban villages. Typical research in this field consists of two steps: acquiring a dataset with a street view image sampling algorithm and designing a prediction algorithm for urban prediction tasks. However, most of the previous research focuses on the prediction algorithms, leaving the sampling algorithms underexplored. To fill this gap, we set out to investigate how different street view image sampling algorithms affect the performance of the follow-up tasks and develop an effective street view image sampling algorithm for urban prediction. Through a comprehensive analysis of the performance of different sampling algorithms in three of the most common urban prediction tasks, including commercial activeness prediction, urban liveliness prediction, and urban population prediction, we provide solid empirical evidence that the sampling algorithm significantly affects the performance of the prediction model. Specifically, the performance differences of different sampling algorithms can reach over 25%. Further, we revealed that the sampling step size and the sampling quality are two important factors that affect the performance of a sampling algorithm, while the sampling angle has little influence. Inspired by our analysis results, we propose an effective street view image sampling algorithm, DAS, which contains a denoising module and an adaptive sampling module. It can dynamically adjust the sampling step size to adapt to the optimal size for each region and get rid of the impact of noise images in the meantime. Experiments on three large-scale datasets demonstrate its superior performance over multiple state-of-the-art baselines, and further ablation study shows the effectiveness of each module. Finally, through a thorough discussion of our findings and experimental results, we provide insights into the street view image sampling algorithm design, and we call for more researches in this blank area.
Computer Vision-based Analysis of Buildings and Built Environments: A Systematic Review of Current Approaches
Authors: Starzyńska-Grześ Małgorzata B. , Roussel Robin , Jacoby Sam , Asadipour Ali
Published: January 2023

Analysing 88 sources published from 2011 to 2021, this article presents a first systematic review of the computer vision-based analysis of buildings and the built environment. Its aim is to assess the potential of this research for architectural studies and the implications of a shift to a cross-disciplinarity approach between architecture and computer science for research problems, aims, processes, and applications. To this end, the types of algorithms and data sources used in the reviewed studies are discussed in respect to architectural applications such as a building classification, detail classification, qualitative environmental analysis, building condition survey, and building value estimation. Based on this, current research gaps and trends are identified, with two main research aims emerging. First, studies that use or optimise computer vision methods to automate time-consuming, labour-intensive, or complex tasks when analysing architectural image data. Second, work that explores the methodological benefits of machine learning approaches to overcome limitations of conventional analysis to investigate new questions about the built environment by finding patterns and relationships among visual, statistical, and qualitative data. The growing body of research offers new methods to architectural and design studies, with the article identifying future challenges and directions of research.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Parameter Tuning of Robot Visual Servoing
Authors: Xu Meng , Wang Jianping
Published: January 2023

Robot visual servoing controls the motion of a robot through real-time visual observations. Kinematics is a key approach to achieving visual servoing. One key challenge of kinematics-based visual servoing is that it requires time-varying parameter configuration throughout the entire process of one task. Parameter tuning is also necessary when applying to different tasks. The existing work on parameter tuning either lacks adaptation or cannot automate the tuning of all parameters. Meanwhile, the transferability of existing methods from one task to another is low. This work develops a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework for robot visual servoing, which can automate all parameters tuning for one task and across tasks. In visual servoing, forward kinematics focuses on motion speed, while inverse kinematics focuses on the smoothness of motion. Therefore, we develop two separate modules in the proposed DRL framework. One tunes time-varying Forward Kinematics parameters to accelerate the motion, and the other tunes the Inverse Kinematics parameters to ensure smoothness. Moreover, we customize a knowledge transfer method to generalize the proposed DRL models to various robot tasks without reconstructing the neural network. We verify the proposed method on simulated robot tasks. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods and manual parameter configuration in terms of movement speed and smoothness in one task and across tasks.
Farmer’s Perceptions of Agroforestry Practices, Contributions to Rural Household Farm Income, and Their Determinants in Sodo Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tega Mathewos , Bojago Elias
Published: January 2023

Agroforestry has been widely used in developing countries as a solution to mitigate the effects of climate variability. However, its significance to the well-being of farmers in rural communities has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the contribution of agroforestry practices (AFPs) to the farm income of rural families, the perceptions of farmers, and factors that affect AFPs’ contribution to household income in the Sodo Zuria district. The optimal sample size of 173 households from the three study sites was selected through a stratified random sampling procedure. Data were collected using structured interviews, focus group discussion, observation, and key informant interviews. According to the findings, most farmers in the research area had a good perception of the benefits of agroforestry methods. The yearly mean gross income from various agroforestry approaches was 15,990.90 ETB·ha−1·yr−1 for nonadopters and 32,471.24 ETB·ha−1·yr−1 for adopters, respectively. Tree and fruit tree integration with crops, animals, or pastures has the potential to significantly increase food production and farmer economic situations. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the size of the farm, the number of livestock, the experience of agroforestry, and the extension service affect the adoption of agroforestry practices to house farm income positively, while the size of the family negatively affects it. Agroforestry plays a critical role in reducing food poverty and enhancing farmer livelihood resilience (reducing farmers’ vulnerability to climate variability). However, determining the extent to which this is true is challenging because both farmer groups often have low levels of assets such as land and income, which limits tree planting to reaping maximum benefits from agroforestry. As a result, the government and other responsible entities should pay special attention to assisting smallholder farmers in using agroforestry practices for the sustainability of their livelihoods that have been hampered by agricultural land scarcity.
In Vivo Antifungal Activity and Computational Studies of Some Azole Derivatives against Candida Albicans
Authors: Emami Leila , Jamshidzadeh Akram , Khabnadideh Soghra , Pakshir Keyvan , Jamshidi Maryam , Rahat Shirin , Arya Sepideh , Rezaei Zahra
Published: January 2023

Resistance of Candida species is a major problem in the management of Candida infection. This study investigated in vivo antifungal activities of several new imidazole and triazole derivatives in a C. albicans systemic infection. The efficacy of derivatives was determined against systemic infection by C. albicans in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, and the antifungal activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated in comparison with fluconazole. Compounds 3 and 8 had the highest efficacy with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.5–1 μM against the C. albicans pathogen. In vivo activities in immunosuppressed mice were also greater than fluconazole. Furthermore, docking analysis was carried out to know the binding mode of imidazole and triazole derivatives to the CYP51 active site of C. albicans and dihydrofolate reductase as a valid antifungal target. The docking study found that the antifungal results are well correlated with docking results. ADMET and in silico physicochemical parameters were also performed. This study demonstrates that compounds 3 and 8 are potential antifungal candidates against the C. albicans pathogen.
Mechanical, Durability, and Gamma Ray Shielding Characteristics of Heavyweight Concrete Containing Serpentine Aggregates and Lead Waste Slag
Authors: Sayyadi Allahyar , Mohammadi Yaghoub , Adlparvar Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2023

Heavyweight concrete is used to prevent harmful radiation for the construction of hospital, military, and nuclear power plants and also to increase the durability for the construction of marine concrete structures. In this research, using a combination of serpentine aggregates and lead slag, the mechanical, durability, impact resistance, and shielding properties of heavyweight concrete were examined. The variables included fine and coarse serpentine aggregates, which were replaced with normal fine and coarse aggregates in amounts of 0, 25, 50, and 100 percent, respectively. The lead slag in all samples was considered constant. Slump, compressive strength, flexural strength, water penetration depth, impact resistance (drop hammer), and gamma ray attenuation coefficient tests were conducted. The chemical composition of serpentine aggregates and lead slag were evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction. The results showed that the density and linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) increased with the increase of fine and coarse serpentine aggregates in heavyweight concrete containing lead slag. The highest density and LAC were obtained in a sample in which 100% fine serpentine aggregates and 100% coarse serpentine aggregates were used. Using 25% of serpentine fine aggregates and 25% of serpentine coarse aggregates in heavyweight concrete samples containing lead slag has achieved the highest compressive strength and flexural strength. But with the increase of fine and coarse serpentine aggregates to more than 25%, the upward trend of increasing compressive strength decreased. Silica constitutes a large part of the chemical structure of serpentine aggregates (about 42%). Increasing the amount of serpentine aggregates in concrete mixes leads to excessive release of calcium hydroxide in concrete. This issue can lead to the formation of a weak zone in concrete and decrease the compressive and impact resistance.
The Clinical and Laboratory Efficacy of HA 330 Treatment Combined with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Septic Shock Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Onuk Sevda , Akin Aynur Karayol , Sari Ali , Gundogan Kursat , Baskol Gulden , Dogru Kudret , Sungur Murat
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Blood purification therapy is a method used to enable cytokine removal and to improve disturbed immune homeostasis in patients with sepsis or septic shock. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HA 330 treatment on biochemical and hemodynamic parameters and cytokine levels in adult patients with septic shock. Methods: Critically ill patients with septic shock who received continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration and HA 330 treatment were included in this prospective observational study. Biochemical and hemodynamic parameters were followed throughout HA 330 treatment. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, high-mobility group box1 (HMGB-1) protein, IL-10 levels were analyzed by ELISA method, before and after each HA 330 session. Results: A total of 18 critically ill patients were included in this study. The median APACHE 2 score was 22.2 ± 7.49 and median SOFA score 9.6 ± 5.44 on intensive care unit admission. SOFA scores were significantly decreased on the 3rd day of HA 330 treatment, compared to 2nd day scores (p = 0.017). Median leukocyte value was significantly decreased (p = 0.027 and p = 0.024), while hemodynamic parameters remained unchanged throughout the HA 330 treatment. Median CRP and procalcitonin levels were significantly reduced at day 3 of HA 330 treatment compared to the baseline (p = 0.015 and p = 0.033, respectively). Serum IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a, HMGB-1, and IL-10 levels decreased insignificantly by 11.5%, 26.4%, 11.4%, 37.9%, 0.02%, and 35.5%, respectively, at the end of the hemoperfusion treatment compared to the pre-treatment. Conclusion: The administration of HA 330-based hemoperfusion in septic shock patients revealed improvements in SOFA scores, leukocyte count, and CRP and procalcitonin levels. However, there was no statistically significant change in concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and hemodynamic parameters during HA 330 treatment.
Flank Pain as a First Symptom of a Diffuse Midline Glioma
Authors: Bassa Burc , Battmann Achim , Craemer Eva Maria , Meyding-Lamadé Uta
Published: January 2023

Diffuse midline gliomas are a new entity in the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, corresponding to grade 4 gliomas. The diagnostic pathognomonic feature is the presence of a H3K27M mutation. Although mainly seen in children, cases in adults have also been reported. The symptoms are highly variable and usually dependent on the location and extent of spinal cord compression.
Late PAMM-Like Lesions in a Patient with HIV Retinopathy
Authors: Kanakis Menelaos , Georgalas Ilias , Kozobolis Vassilios , Lekkou Alexandra , Karmiris Efthymios , Stavrakas Panagiotis
Published: January 2023

This report describes a case of a newly diagnosed 49-year-old HIV patient, who presented with decreased visual acuity and retinal lesions characterized by ischemia at the level of the deep retinal capillary plexus, documented with optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, fluorescein angiography, and visual fields testing. These lesions closely resembled the morphologic and clinical characteristics of late paracentral acute middle maculopathy. The presence of these lesions suggests that HIV microangiopathy can potentially affect both superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses.
In vivo Sealing of Fetoscopy-Induced Fetal Membrane Defects by Mussel Glue
Authors: Avilla-Royo Eva , Seehusen Frauke , Devaud Yannick R. , Monné Rodriguez Josep M. , Strübing Nele , Weisskopf Miriam , Messersmith Phillip B. , Vonzun Ladina , Moehrlen Ueli , Ehrbar Martin , Ochsenbein-Kölble Nicole
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The benefits of fetal surgery are impaired by the high incidence of iatrogenic preterm prelabor rupture of the fetal membranes (iPPROM), for which chorioamniotic separation has been suggested as a potential initiator. Despite the urgent need to prevent iPPROM by sealing the fetoscopic puncture site after intervention, no approach has been clinically translated. Methods: A mussel-inspired biomimetic glue was tested in an ovine fetal membrane (FM) defect model. The gelation time of mussel glue (MG) was first optimized to make it technically compatible with fetal surgery. Then, the biomaterial was loaded in polytetrafluoroethylene-coated nitinol umbrella-shaped receptors and applied on ovine FM defects (N = 10) created with a 10 French trocar. Its sealing performance and tissue response were analyzed 10 days after implantation by amniotic fluid (AF) leakage and histological methods. Results: All ewes and fetuses recovered well after the surgery, and 100% ewe survival and 91% fetal survival were observed at explantation. All implants were tight at explantation, and no AF leakage was observed in any of them. Histological analysis revealed a mild tissue response to the implanted glue. Conclusion: MG showed promising properties for the sealing of FM defects and thereby the prevention of preterm birth. Studies to analyze the long-term tissue response to the sealant should be performed.
O teletrabalho e o direito à desconexão no home office em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Silva Leda Maria Messias da , Takeshita Leticia Mayumi Almeida
Published: January 2023

O presente artigo analisou o teletrabalho e o direito à desconexão no home office em tempos de pandemia. Por intermédio do método dedutivo, este trabalho teve como objetivos específicos a conceituação e a explanação do teletrabalho, em cotejo com o home office, sendo este espécie daquele. Abordou-se o direito à desconexão vinculado aos direitos da personalidade durante a pandemia de covid-19. Em complemento, analisou-se a inobservância do direito à desconexão derivada do excesso de trabalho e de cobranças pelo empregador, inclusive fora do expediente. Subsequentemente, enfatizou-se a linha tênue entre a cobrança e a cobrança excessiva pelo empregador, que inviabiliza o efetivo descanso do trabalhador. Ademais, examinou-se o dano existencial, que não somente implica ofensa aos direitos à saúde, ao lazer e à educação, como também prejudica ou priva o trabalhador do convívio familiar e social. Em conclusão, sublinhou-se o impacto do home office nos trabalhadores em relação ao direito de desconexão.
Elevated Uric Acid Is Associated With New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Swedish AMORIS Cohort
Authors: Ding Mozhu , Viet Ngoc Nguyen , Gigante Bruna , Lind Viktor , Hammar Niklas , Modig Karin
Published: January 2023

Background

The role of uric acid is gaining increasing importance in the evaluation of cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between uric acid levels and risk of new‐onset AF.

Methods and Results

A total of 339 604 individuals 30 to 60 years of age and free from cardiovascular disease at baseline (1985–1996) in the Swedish AMORIS (Apolipoprotein‐Mortality Risk) cohort were followed until December 31, 2019 for incident AF. Cox regression models were used to examine the association between uric acid and AF, adjusting for potential confounders and stratifying by incident cardiovascular disease. Over a mean follow‐up of 25.9 years, 46 516 incident AF cases occurred. Compared with the lowest uric acid quartile, each of the upper 3 quartiles were associated with an increased risk of AF in a dose–response manner. Adjusted hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% CI, 1.06–1.12) for second quartile, 1.19 (95% CI, 1.16–1.23) for third quartile, and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.41–1.49) for fourth quartile. The association was similar among individuals with and without incident hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, or coronary heart disease. The dose–response pattern was further supported in a subsample of individuals with repeated measurements of uric acid.

Conclusions

Elevated uric acid was associated with an increased risk of AF, not only among people with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors but also among those without. Future investigations are needed to examine whether lowering uric acid is relevant for AF prevention.
Redescribing, But Really, Finally Moving on From Israelite Origins
Authors: Tobolowsky Andrew
Published: January 2023

Burton Mack’s 1996 article “On Redescribing Christian Origins” was a classic of the discipline. In my view, one of its most enduring contributions is its recognition that the centrality of the New Testament’s view of Christian Origins survives despite a growing recognition that, technically, it ought to be sidelined – that it is protected by a “ring of fire.” Further, he argued that the perseverance of this centrality was a major factor inhibiting the influence of New Testament studies on other disciplines. In this essay, I argue that the centrality of the Hebrew Bible’s vision of Israelite origins as a starting point for contemporary debates, even among those who regard it as a fiction, is characterized by a similar avoidance of certain necessary recognitions and is inhibiting to a similar degree.
Trace Theory of Perception for Temporal Bisection
Authors: Killeen Peter R.
Published: January 2023

The Trace Theory of Perception (TToP) is applied to temporal interval bisection. In this protocol, after familiarization with the referents for long or short judgments — the endpoints of the range — observers classify probe stimuli ‘short’ or ‘long’ (closer to the short or to the long referent). The midpoint of the range is predicted by TToP to be near and slightly above the geometric mean of the endpoints, and generally independent of signal modality. The observed bisection points, the time at which the probability of a long response is , deviates from those predictions. It was hypothesized that the deviations were caused by the observers’ bias to use categories equally often, which would be accomplished if the bisection point were at the median of the probes. A weighted average of the predicted midpoint and the median accounted for most of the variance in over 100 experiments, and explained the difference between linear and logarithmic spacing of probes.
Revision of the New Zealand gecko genus Hoplodactylus, with the description of a new species
Authors: SCARSBROOK LACHIE , WALTON KERRY , RAWLENCE NICOLAS J. , HITCHMOUGH RODNEY A.
Published: January 2023

The New Zealand endemic gecko genus Hoplodactylus is revised. Two species are recognized: Hoplodactylus duvaucelii (Duméril & Bibron, 1836) from the North Island and some near-shore islands, and H. tohu n. sp., which was formerly widespread throughout the South Island but is presently restricted to some islands in the Cook Strait region. H. delcourti (Bauer & Russell, 1986) is retained in Hoplodactylus sensu lato in the interest of taxonomic stability, pending further research, but is probably neither congeneric nor from New Zealand.
Prediction of pre-hospital blood transfusion in trauma patients based on scoring systems
Authors: Plodr Michal , Berková Jana , Hyšpler Radomír , Truhlář Anatolij , Páral Jiří , Kočí Jaromír
Published: January 2023

Background

Pre-hospital blood transfusion (PHBT) is a safe and gradually expanding procedure applied to trauma patients. A proper decision to activate PHBT with the presently limited diagnostic options at the site of an incident poses a challenge for pre-hospital crews. The purpose of this study was to compare the selected scoring systems and to determine whether they can be used as valid tools in identifying patients with PHBT requirements.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study was conducted between June 2018 and December 2020. Overall, 385 patients (aged [median; IQR]: 44; 24–60; 73% males) were included in this study. The values of five selected scoring systems were calculated in all patients. To determine the accuracy of each score for the prediction of PHBT, the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used and to measure the association, the odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was counted (Fig. 1).

Results

Regarding the proper indication of PHBT, shock index (SI) and pulse pressure (PP) revealed the highest value of AUC and sensitivity/specificity ratio (SI: AUC 0.88; 95% CI 0.82–0.93; PP: AUC 0.85 with 95% CI 0.79–0.91).

Conclusion

Shock index and pulse pressure are suitable tools for predicting PHBT in trauma patients.
Under the chest pain center mechanism, whether the nursing handover affects the nursing efficiency and the outcomes of patients with STEMI in the emergency department? A retrospective study
Authors: Luo Zhenyu , Liu Sihui , Li Yunying , Zhong Shuyan
Published: January 2023

Background

The introduction of chest pain centers (CPC) in China has achieved great success in shortening the duration of nursing operations to significantly improve the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The nursing handover period is still considered the high incidence period of adverse events because of the distractibility of nurses’ attention, potential interruption, and unclear responsibilities. Under the CPC mechanism, the nursing efficiency and patients’ outcome, whether affected by the nursing handover, is still a knowledge gap in research. This is also the aim of this study.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted with data from STEMI patients from a tertiary hospital in the north of Sichuan Province from January 2018 to December 2019 through the Chinese CPC database. Patients are divided into handover and non-handover groups according to the time they presented in the Emergency Department. D2FMC, FMC2FE, FMC2BS, FMC2CBR, FMC2FAD, and D2W were selected to measure nursing efficiency. The occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events, the highest troponin values within 72 h of hospitalization, and the length of hospitalization were selected to measure the patient outcomes. Continuous variables are summarized as mean ± SD, and t-tests of the data were performed. P-values < 0.05 (two-tailed) were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 231 cases were enrolled, of which 40 patients (17.3%) were divided into the handover period group, and 191 (82.6%) belonged to the non-handover period group. The results showed that the handover period group took significantly longer on items FMC2BS (P < 0.001) and FMC2FAD (P < 0.001). Still, there were no significant differences in D2FMC and FMC2FE, and others varied too little to be clinically meaningful, as well as the outcomes of patients.

Conclusion

This study confirms that nursing handover impacts the nursing efficiency of STEMI patients, especially in FMC2BS and FMC2FAD. Hospitals should also reform the nursing handover rules after the construction of CPC and enhance the triage training of nurses to assure nursing efficiency so that CPC can play a better role.
Impact of sampling and data collection methods on maternity survey response: a randomised controlled trial of paper and push-to-web surveys and a concurrent social media survey
Authors: Harrison Siân , Alderdice Fiona , Quigley Maria A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Novel survey methods are needed to tackle declining response rates. The 2020 National Maternity Survey included a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and social media survey to compare different combinations of sampling and data collection methods with respect to: response rate, respondent representativeness, prevalence estimates of maternity indicators and cost.

Methods

A two-armed parallel RCT and concurrent social media survey were conducted. Women in the RCT were sampled from ONS birth registrations and randomised to either a paper or push-to-web survey. Women in the social media survey self-selected through online adverts. The primary outcome was response rate in the paper and push-to-web surveys. In all surveys, respondent representativeness was assessed by comparing distributions of sociodemographic characteristics in respondents with those of the target population. External validity of prevalence estimates of maternity indicators was assessed by comparing weighted survey estimates with estimates from national routine data. Cost was also compared across surveys.

Results

The response rate was higher in the paper survey (n = 2,446) compared to the push-to-web survey (n = 2,165)(30.6% versus 27.1%, difference = 3.5%, 95%CI = 2.1–4.9, p < 0.0001). Compared to the target population, respondents in all surveys were less likely to be aged < 25 years, of Black or Minority ethnicity, born outside the UK, living in disadvantaged areas, living without a partner and multiparous. Women in the social media survey (n = 1,316) were less representative of the target population compared to women in the paper and push-to-web surveys. For some maternity indicators, weighted survey estimates were close to estimates from routine data, for other indicators there were discrepancies; no survey demonstrated consistently higher external validity than the other two surveys. Compared to the paper survey, the cost saving per respondent was £5.45 for the push-to-web survey and £22.42 for the social media survey.

Conclusions

Push-to-web surveys may cost less than paper surveys but do not necessarily result in higher response rates. Social media surveys cost significantly less than paper and push-to-web surveys, but sample size may be limited by eligibility criteria and recruitment window and respondents may be less representative of the target population. However, reduced representativeness does not necessarily introduce more bias in weighted survey estimates.
Mental health and sociodemographic characteristics among Icelanders, data from a cross-sectional study in Iceland
Authors: Sigurðardóttir Svala , Aspelund Thor , Guðmundsdóttir Dóra G. , Fjorback Lone , Hrafnkelsson Hannes , Hansdóttir Ingunn , Juul Lise
Published: January 2023

Background

Mental health challenges are on the rise worldwide. In Iceland, little is known about the sociodemographic factors associated with poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and psychiatric medication for mental disorders in a nationally representative sample in Iceland and to explore its associations with sociodemographic factors.

Methods

This Icelandic cross-sectional study ‘Health and Wellbeing of Icelanders’ was conducted in 2017 and included 9,887 randomly chosen adults. Participants’ depression, anxiety, and stress levels were measured with the Depression Anxiety and Stress scale-21(DASS-21) and the association with sociodemographic factors and prescribed psychiatric medication was assessed in a multinominal logistic regression analysis.

Results

The youngest age group (18 to 29 years old) had the poorest mental health. Males had a higher risk of medium and high depression scores than females, RRR 1.23 (95% CI 1.06–1.44) and RRR 1.71 (95% CI 1.25–2.33) when adjusted for sociodemographic factors (age, sex, education, marital status, financial status, living area, employment) and use of psychiatric medication. Participants with the most considerable financial difficulties had the highest risk of high scores on depression RRR 11.19 (95% CI 5.8—21.57), anxiety RRR 12.35 (95% CI 5.62—27.14) and stress RRR 11.55 (95% CI 4.75—28.04) when compared to those that do not.

Conclusions

The youngest participants and those with the most extensive financial difficulties had the highest depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Males scored higher than females on depression. There was a trend towards worse mental health with lower sociodemographic status. Higher education, living with someone, and financial security were associated with better mental health. These results implicate the importance of government actions to counteract social inequalities in the Icelandic nation.
Psychometric properties of the measure of achieved capabilities in homeless services
Authors: Greenwood Ronni Michelle , O’Shaughnessy Branagh R. , Manning Rachel M. , Vargas Moniz Maria J. , Sacchetto Beatrice , Ornelas Jose ,   the Home_EU Consortium, Jorge-Monteiro Maria F. , Almas Inês , Duarte Teresa , Disperati Francesca , Gaboardi Marta , Lenzi Michela , Santinello Massimo , Vieno Alessio , Marques Rita P. , Carmona Maria , Nave Américo , Bernad Roberto , Rivero Borja , Julián Martin , Bokszczanin Anna , Zmaczynska-Witek Barbara , Katarzyna Skałacka , Rogowska Aleksandra , Schel Sandra , Peters Yvonne , vanLoenen Tessa , Raben Liselotte , Wolf Judith R. , Beijer Ulla , Blid Mats , Kallmen Hakan , Bispo Teresa , Cruz Tiago , Pereira Carla , Auquier Pascal , Petit Junie M. , Loubière Sandrine , Tinland Aurélie
Published: January 2023

Background

Purposeful participation in personally meaningful life tasks, enjoyment of positive reciprocal relationships, and opportunities to realize one’s potential are growth-related aspects of a meaningful life that should be considered important dimensions of recovery from homelessness. The extent to which homeless services support individuals to achieve the capabilities they need to become who they want to be and do what they want to do is, in turn, an important indicator of their effectiveness. In this study, we developed a measure of achieved capabilities (MACHS) for use in homeless services settings, and assessed its construct and concurrent validity.

Methods

We analysed data collected from homeless services users at two time points in eight European countries to assess the factor structure and psychometric properties of the new measure. Participants were adults engaged with either Housing First (n = 245) or treatment as usual (n = 320).

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded a four-factor structure of the capabilities measure: community integration, optimism, safety, and self-determination. We obtained evidence for construct validity through observed correlations between achieved capabilities and recovery, working alliance and satisfaction with services. Moreover, we obtained evidence of the measure’s concurrent validity from its positive association between HF and personal recovery, which was fully mediated by achieved capabilities.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate that the MACHS is a valid and reliable measure that may be used to assess the extent to which homeless services support their clients to develop capabilities needed for growth-related recovery. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed.
Hospital utilization among urban poor in Indonesia in 2018: is government-run insurance effective?
Authors: Wulandari Ratna Dwi , Laksono Agung Dwi , Mubasyiroh Rofingatul , Rachmalina Rika , Ipa Mara , Rohmah Nikmatur
Published: January 2023

Background

An urban poor is a vulnerable group that needs government financing support to access health services. Once they are sick, they will fall deeper into poverty. The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of government-run insurance in hospital utilization in urban poor in Indonesia.

Methods

The research analyzed the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey data. This cross-sectional survey collected 75,970 participants through stratification and multistage random sampling. Meanwhile, the study employed hospital utilization as an outcome variable and health insurance ownership as an exposure variable. Moreover, the study looked at age, gender, marital status, education, and occupation as control factors. The research employed a binary logistic regression to evaluate the data in the final step.

Results

The results show that someone with government-run insurance is 4.261 times more likely than the uninsured to utilize the hospital (95% CI 4.238–4.285). Someone with private-run insurance is 4.866 times more likely than the uninsured to use the hospital (95% CI 4.802–4.931). Moreover, someone with government-run and private-run insurance has 11.974 times more likely than the uninsured to utilize the hospital (95% CI 11.752–12.200).

Conclusion

The study concluded that government-run insurance is more effective than the uninsured in improving hospital utilization among the urban poor in Indonesia. Meanwhile, private-run is more effective than government-run and uninsured in improving hospital utilization among the urban poor in Indonesia. Moreover, the most effective is to combine the kind of health insurance ownership (government-run and private-run).
Evaluation of long-term sequelae by cardiopulmonary exercise testing 12 months after hospitalization for severe COVID-19
Authors: Noureddine Sofia , Roux-Claudé Pauline , Laurent Lucie , Ritter Ophélie , Dolla Pauline , Karaer Sinan , Claudé Frédéric , Eberst Guillaume , Westeel Virginie , Barnig Cindy
Published: January 2023

Background

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is an important clinical tool that provides a global assessment of the respiratory, circulatory and metabolic responses to exercise which are not adequately reflected through the measurement of individual organ system function at rest. In the context of critical COVID-19, CPET is an ideal approach for assessing long term sequelae.

Methods

In this prospective single-center study, we performed CPET 12 months after symptom onset in 60 patients that had required intensive care unit treatment for a severe COVID-19 infection. Lung function at rest and chest computed tomography (CT) scan were also performed.

Results

Twelve months after severe COVID-19 pneumonia, dyspnea was the most frequently reported symptom although only a minority of patients had impaired respiratory function at rest. Mild ground-glass opacities, reticulations and bronchiectasis were the most common CT scan abnormalities. The majority of the patients (80%) had a peak O2 uptake (V′O2) considered within normal limits (median peak predicted O2 uptake (V′O2) of 98% [87.2–106.3]). Length of ICU stay remained an independent predictor of V′O2. More than half of the patients with a normal peak predicted V′O2 showed ventilatory inefficiency during exercise with an abnormal increase of physiological dead space ventilation (VD/Vt) (median VD/VT of 0.27 [0.21–0.32] at anaerobic threshold (AT) and 0.29 [0.25–0.34] at peak) and a widened median peak alveolar-arterial gradient for O2 (35.2 mmHg [31.2–44.8]. Peak PetCO2 was significantly lower in subjects with an abnormal increase of VD/Vt (p = 0.001). Impairments were more pronounced in patients with dyspnea. Peak VD/Vt values were positively correlated with peak D-Dimer plasma concentrations from blood samples collected during ICU stay (r2 = 0.12; p = 0.02) and to predicted diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (r2 =  − 0.15; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Twelve months after severe COVID-19 pneumonia, most of the patients had a peak V′O2 considered within normal limits but showed ventilatory inefficiency during exercise with increased dead space ventilation that was more pronounced in patients with persistent dyspnea.

Trial registration: NCT04519320 (19/08/2020).