bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligibility of speech produced by sighted and blind adults
Authors: Ménard Lucie , Trudeau-Fisette Pamela , Tiede Mark Kenneth
Published: September 2022

Purpose

It is well known that speech uses both the auditory and visual modalities to convey information. In cases of congenital sensory deprivation, the feedback language learners have access to for mapping visible and invisible orofacial articulation is impoverished. Although the effects of blindness on the movements of the lips, jaw, and tongue have been documented in francophone adults, not much is known about their consequences for speech intelligibility. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of congenital visual deprivation on vowel intelligibility in adult speakers of Canadian French.

Method

Twenty adult listeners performed two perceptual identification tasks in which vowels produced by congenitally blind adults and sighted adults were used as stimuli. The vowels were presented in the auditory, visual, and audiovisual modalities (experiment 1) and at different signal-to-noise ratios in the audiovisual modality (experiment 2). Correct identification scores were calculated. Sequential information analyses were also conducted to assess the amount of information transmitted to the listeners along the three vowel features of height, place of articulation, and rounding.

Results

The results showed that, although blind speakers did not differ from their sighted peers in the auditory modality, they had lower scores in the audiovisual and visual modalities. Some vowels produced by blind speakers are also less robust in noise than those produced by sighted speakers.

Conclusion

Together, the results suggest that adult blind speakers have learned to adapt to their sensory loss so that they can successfully achieve intelligible vowel targets in non-noisy conditions but that they produce less intelligible speech in noisy conditions. Thus, the trade-off between visible (lips) and invisible (tongue) articulatory cues observed between vowels produced by blind and sighted speakers is not equivalent in terms of perceptual efficiency.
Development and real-life use assessment of a self-management smartphone application for patients with inflammatory arthritis. A user-centred step-by-step approach
Authors: Beauvais Catherine , Pham Thao , Montagu Guillaume , Gleizes Sophie , Madrisotti Francesco , Lafourcade Alexandre , Vidal Céline , Dervin Guillaume , Baudard Pauline , Desouches Sandra , Tubach Florence , Le Calvez Julian , de Quatrebarbes Marie , Lafarge Delphine , Grange Laurent , Alliot-Launois Françoise , Jeantet Henri , Antignac Marie , Tropé Sonia , Besset Ludovic , Sellam Jérémie ,   on behalf of Therapeutic patient education group of the French Society of Rheumatology and Club Rhumatismes et Inflammations
Published: September 2022

Background

Mobile health applications (apps) are increasing in interest to enhance patient self-management. Few apps are actually used by patients and have been developed for patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs which use entails risk of adverse effects such as infections.

Objective

To develop Hiboot, a self-management mobile app for patients with IA, by using a user-centred step-by-step approach and assess its real-life use.

Methods

The app development included first a qualitative study with semi-guided audiotaped interviews of 21 patients to identify the impact of IA on daily life and patient treatments practices and an online cross-sectional survey of 344 patients to assess their health apps use in general and potential user needs. A multidisciplinary team developed the first version of the app via five face-to-face meetings. After app launch, a second qualitative study of 21 patients and a users’ test of 13 patients and 3 rheumatologists led to the app’s current version. The number of app installations, current users and comments were collected from the Google Play store and the Apple store.

Results

The qualitative study revealed needs for counselling, patient–health professional partnership, and skills to cope with risk situations; 86.8% participants would be ready to use an app primarily on their rheumatologist’s recommendation. Six functionalities were implemented: a safety checklist before treatment administration, aids in daily life situations based on the French academic recommendations, treatment reminders, global well-being self-assessment, periodic counselling messages, and a diary. The Hiboot app was installed 20,500 times from September 2017 to October 2020, with 4300 regular current users. Scores were 4.4/5 stars at Android and iOS stores.

Conclusion

Hiboot is a free self-management app for patients with IA developed by a step-by-step process including patients and health professionals. Further evaluation of the Hiboot benefit is needed.
Dietary patterns and associated factors among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria: Evidence from Ibadan pregnancy cohort study
Authors: Adeoye Ikeola A. , Okekunle Akinkunmi P.
Published: September 2022

Background

Maternal nutrition is vital for an optimal intrauterine environment, foetal development, birth weight, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. We assessed the maternal dietary patterns using a data-driven technique and the associated sociodemographic factors among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methodology

Dietary assessment was performed during the enrolment of participants for the Ibadan Pregnancy Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study, conducted among 1745 pregnant women enrolled early in pregnancy (≤ 20 weeks) at four comprehensive obstetric facilities within the Ibadan metropolis. A qualitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the pregnant population’s intake of food and drinks three months prior to their enrollment. We determined dietary patterns by applying principal component analysis with a varimax rotation. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate the association between sociodemographic factors and dietary patterns at 5% statistical significance.

Results

Mean age and gestational age at enrolment were 29.8 (± 5.3) years and 16.4 (±4.2) weeks, respectively. White rice was the most frequently consumed meal [794 (45.5%) daily, 898 (51.4%)] weekly in our study population. Five major dietary patterns were identified, and they accounted for 28.8% of the total variation: "protein-rich diet with non-alcoholic beverages" (15.6%); "fruits" (4.1%); "typical diet with alcohol" (3.8%); "legumes" (2.8%), "refined grains" (2.6%). Maternal education and income were inversely associated with the consumption of a "protein-rich diet with non-alcoholic beverages", "typical diet with alcohol", and "legumes" in a dose-response fashion. Also, employed women had a higher mean intake of fruits [adjusted β: 0.33 (0.02; 0.65) p = 0.040] compared with women without employment.

Conclusions and recommendation

We described five dietary patterns of pregnant women using a data-driven technique, principal component analysis, in Nigeria. We also identified factors influencing maternal dietary patterns, which can inform public health interventions, especially behavioural change communication during antenatal care.
Examining the mental health of siblings of children with a mental disorder: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Krzeczkowski John E. , Wade Terrance J. , Andrade Brendan F. , Browne Dillon , Yalcinoz-Ucan Busra , Riazi Negin A. , Yates Elizabeth , Tagalakis Andrea , Patte Karen A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Mental disorders affect 1 in 5 children having consequences for both the child and their family. Indeed, the siblings of these children are not insulated from these consequences and may experience elevated levels of psychological distress, placing them at increased risk for developing mental disorders. This protocol describes the methodology for a scoping review that will examine how mental disorders in children impact the mental health of their sibling(s). Further, we aim to examine the role of sex, gender, birth order, age of each child, and familial factors (e.g., parent mental illness, family structure), in sibling mental health. The proposed review will also identify resources that aim to support the needs of siblings of children with mental disorders. Taken together, this proposed review aims to take a fundamental step towards determining intervention targets to reduce the transmission of risk between siblings.

Aim

The proposed scoping review aims to address the following questions: i) how do mental disorders (in children <18 years of age) impact the mental health of their sibling(s) (also <18 years of age)? ii) Can we identify resources designed to address the needs of siblings of children with mental disorders?

Methods

We will conduct the proposed scoping review in keeping with the six-stage Arksey and O’Malley Framework and the scoping review methodology provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute. In section i) we outline our research questions. In section ii) we describe our process for identifying studies that examine the mental health of siblings of a child with a mental disorder and studies that provide evidence on resources directed specifically at these siblings. We will search peer-review and grey literature published between 2011 and 2022 from OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, Proquest Nursing and Allied Health, PsycINFO (via APA platform), Proquest Sociology Collection and Web of Science Core Collection and Proquest Theses and Dissertations. Section iii) describes our process for selecting relevant studies. In sections iv and v, we describe our methods for charting and summarizing relevant data. Finally, in section vi) we describe our integrative knowledge translation plan that aims to include knowledge users in interpretating and translating evidence gathered from the proposed review.
The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, an emerging paradigm of a gender egalitarian organisation
Authors: Xenophontos Stavroulla , Zachariou Margarita , Polycarpou Pavlos , Ioannidou Elena , Kazandjian Vera , Lagou Maria , Michaelidou Anna , Spyrou George M. , Cariolou Marios A. , Phylactou Leonidas
Published: September 2022

Females are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines globally and although progress has been made, the gender gap persists. Our aim was to explore gender parity in the context of gender representation and internal collaboration at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), a leading national biomedical organisation accredited as an equal opportunity employer. Towards this aim we (1) explored trends in gender parity within the different departments, positions and qualifications and in student representation in the CING’s postgraduate school and, (2) investigated the degree of collaboration between male and female researchers within the Institute and the degree of influence within its co-authorship network. We recorded an over-representation of females both in the CING employees and the postgraduate students. The observed female over-representation in pooled CING employees was consistent with a similar over-representation in less senior positions and was contrasted with an observed male over-representation in only one middle rank and culminated in gender equality in the top rank in employee hierarchy. In terms of collaboration, both males and females tended to collaborate with each other without any significant preference to either inter-group or intra-group collaboration. Further comparison of the two groups with respect to their influence in the network in terms of occupying the positions of highest centrality scores, indicated that both gender and seniority level (head vs non-head) were significant in shaping the authors’ influence, with no significant difference in those belonging in the same seniority level with respect to their gender. To conclude, our study has validated the formal recognition of the CING’s policies and procedures pertinent to its egalitarian culture through the majority of the metrics of gender equality assessed in this study and has provided an extendable paradigm for evaluating gender parity in academic organizations.
Executive Function Touch battery: Translation and preliminary measure validation for Pakistani preschoolers
Authors: Toor Hafsa Khalil , Hanif Rubina
Published: September 2022

Keeping in mind the importance of measuring early executive function (EF) skills in low and middle-income countries, the present study examined the feasibility and preliminary psychometric properties of a performance-based computerized EF measure; EF Touch, to be used with Pakistani preschoolers. Review of the content and Urdu translation of verbal instruction EF Touch battery was carried out by subject matter experts before data collection from the 120 preschoolers aged between 3.1 to 5.9 years. The feasibility report indicated that between 79.2% -100% of the preschoolers completed each executive function task. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the unidimensionality of the EF battery. Item response theory models were used for the initial assessment of tasks and item parameters. Results demonstrated that each task worked invariantly across subgroups of preschoolers residing in low and middle-income households. Moreover, preschoolers showed differences on each task, and task scores reflect their latent EF skills in the low to moderate range. The battery was demonstrated as a feasible and reliable measure for use with low and middle-income countries specifically in Pakistan.
Classification and prediction for multi-cancer data with ultrahigh-dimensional gene expressions
Authors: Chen Li-Pang
Published: September 2022

Analysis of gene expression data is an attractive topic in the field of bioinformatics, and a typical application is to classify and predict individuals’ diseases or tumors by treating gene expression values as predictors. A primary challenge of this study comes from ultrahigh-dimensionality, which makes that (i) many predictors in the dataset might be non-informative, (ii) pairwise dependence structures possibly exist among high-dimensional predictors, yielding the network structure. While many supervised learning methods have been developed, it is expected that the prediction performance would be affected if impacts of ultrahigh-dimensionality were not carefully addressed. In this paper, we propose a new statistical learning algorithm to deal with multi-classification subject to ultrahigh-dimensional gene expressions. In the proposed algorithm, we employ the model-free feature screening method to retain informative gene expression values from ultrahigh-dimensional data, and then construct predictive models with network structures of selected gene expression accommodated. Different from existing supervised learning methods that build predictive models based on entire dataset, our approach is able to identify informative predictors and dependence structures for gene expression. Throughout analysis of a real dataset, we find that the proposed algorithm gives precise classification as well as accurate prediction, and outperforms some commonly used supervised learning methods.
Ten years of graduates: A cross-sectional study of the practice location of doctors trained at a socially accountable medical school
Authors: Hogenbirk John C. , Strasser Roger P. , French Margaret G.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The study predicted practice location of doctors trained at a socially accountable medical school with education programs in over 90 communities.

Methods

A cross-sectional study examined practice location 10 years after the first class graduated from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), Canada. Exact tests and logistic regression models were used to assess practice location in northern Ontario; northern Canada; or other region; and rural (population <10,000) or urban community.

Results

There were 435 doctors with 334 (77%) practising as family doctors (FPs), 62 (14%) as generalist specialists and 39 (9%) as other medical or surgical specialists. Approximately 92% (128/139) of FPs who completed both UG and PG at NOSM practised in northern Ontario in 2019, compared with 63% (43/68) who completed only their PG at NOSM, and 24% (30/127) who completed only their UG at NOSM. Overall, 37% (23/62) of generalist specialists and 23% (9/39) of other specialists practised in northern Ontario. Approximately 28% (93/334) of FPs practised in rural Canada compared with 4% (4/101) of all other specialists. FP northern Ontario practice was predicted by completing UG and PG at NOSM (adjusted odds ratio = 46, 95% confidence interval = 20–103) or completing only PG at NOSM (15, 6.0–38) relative to completing only UG at NOSM, and having a northern Ontario hometown (5.3, 2.3–12). Rural Canada practice was predicted by rural hometown (2.3, 1.3–3.8), completing only a NOSM PG (2.0, 1.0–3.9), and age (1.4, 1.1–1.8).

Conclusion

This study uniquely demonstrated the interaction of two mechanisms by which medical schools can increase the proportion of doctors’ practices located in economically deprived regions: first, admit medical students who grow up in the region; and second, provide immersive UG and PG medical education in the region. Both mechanisms have enabled the majority of NOSM-trained doctors to practise in the underserved region of northern Ontario.
A paradigm shift in learning strategy research: Illustration and example of a within-person examination
Authors: Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2022

Although research on learning strategies has contributed to improving learners’ performance, most studies only described the characteristics of learners. These approaches have focused on inter-individual differences and their correlations, making it difficult to examine the process of selecting learning strategies in individuals. To examine the correlations within individual learners, such as the variables that influence the use of a strategy by a specific learner, two surveys were conducted in this study. Perceived cost and perceived benefit of using each strategy as the influential variables on choosing a strategy were adopted with reference to decision-making research. Perceived cost consisted of the time perspective for learning outcomes by the learning strategy and the method of learning strategy implementation. In Study 1, cognitive strategies that have a direct impact on the acquisition of learning content were measured, and metacognitive strategies that monitor and regulate one’s own learning behavior were examined in Study 2. The variables were treated for each individual to calculate intra-class and within-person correlations, although data were collected using a typical questionnaire survey in learning strategy studies. Hierarchical Bayesian modeling was conducted with use of the learning strategy as the objective variable and the perceived costs and benefits as explanatory variables. The analysis revealed that, in terms of cognitive strategies (Study 1), learners avoided using learning strategies perceived to have a high cost in the short term; however, they used cognitive strategies regardless of the circumstances. Furthermore, regarding metacognitive strategies (Study 2), students avoided using learning strategies that they perceived as costly to use in the short term and used them only when they suited the circumstances. On the other hand, in metacognitive strategies (Study 2), students avoided using learning strategies that they perceived as costly to use for the next test and use as appropriate for the situation. Focusing on within-individual variance and correlation made the interpretation of factors that influence the choice of learning strategies more intuitive and provided more suggestions for educational practice.
Haemophilus influenzae serotype b seroprevalence in central Lao PDR before and after vaccine introduction
Authors: Hefele Lisa , Lai Jana , Vilivong Keoudomphone , Bounkhoun Toukta , Chanthaluanglath Valin , Chanthongthip Anisone , Balloch Anne , Black Antony P. , Hübschen Judith M. , Russell Fiona M. , Muller Claude P.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Vaccination has dramatically reduced invasiveHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) disease worldwide. Hib vaccination was introduced in the Lao PDR in 2009, as part of the pentavalent vaccine. To contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of Hib in Lao PDR and the protection levels before and after the introduction of the vaccination, we tested serum samples from existing cohorts of vaccine age-eligible children and unvaccinated adolescents for antibodies against Hib.

Methods

Serum samples from 296 adolescents born before vaccine introduction and from 1017 children under 5 years (vaccinated and unvaccinated) were tested for anti-Hib antibodies by ELISA. Bivariate analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with long-term protection.

Results

The vast majority of all participants showed evidence of short- (42.7%) or long-term (56.1%) protection against Hib. Almost all of the unvaccinated adolescents had antibody titers indicating short-term protection and almost half (45.6%) were long-term protected. Nearly all children (>99.0%) were at least short-term protected, even those that were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. Among vaccinated children, participants vaccinated more than 1 or 2 years ago and with a mid-upper arm circumference z-score < -2 were less likely to be long-term protected.

Discussion

Nearly all adolescents born before the introduction of Hib vaccination in the Lao PDR had antibody titers corresponding to at least short-term protection, indicating a high burden of Hib disease at that time. After vaccine introduction, all but four children (>99%) showed at least short-term protection. Possible explanations for the proportion of protected, yet apparently unvaccinated children, may be past infections, cross-reacting antibodies or faulty vaccination documentation. Our results highlight the need for robust surveillance and reporting of invasive Hib disease to determine the burden of disease despite vaccination.
Determination of the optimum definition of growth evaluation for indeterminate pulmonary nodules detected in lung cancer screening
Authors: Lee Jong Hyuk , Hwang Eui Jin , Lim Woo Hyeon , Goo Jin Mo
Published: September 2022

Objective

To determine the optimum definition of growth for indeterminate pulmonary nodules detected in lung cancer screening.

Materials and methods

Individuals with indeterminate nodules as defined by volume of 50–500 mm3 (solid nodules) and solid component volume of 50–500 mm3 or average diameter of non-solid component ≥8 mm (part-solid nodules) on baseline lung cancer screening low-dose chest CT (LDCT) were included. The average diameters and volumes of the nodules were measured on baseline and follow-up LDCTs with semi-automated segmentation. Sensitivities and specificities for lung cancer diagnosis of nodule growth defined by a) percentage volume growth ≥25% (defined in the NELSON study); b) absolute diameter growth >1.5 mm (defined in the Lung-RADS version 1.1); and c) subjective decision by a radiologist were evaluated. Sensitivities and specificities of diagnostic referral based on various thresholds of volume doubling time (VDT) were also evaluated.

Results

Altogether, 115 nodules (one nodule per individual; 93 solid and 22 part-solid nodules; 105 men; median age, 68 years) were evaluated (median follow-up interval: 201 days; interquartile range: 127–371 days). Percentage volume growth ≥25% exhibited higher sensitivity but lower specificity than those of diametrical measurement compared to absolute diameter growth >1.5 mm (sensitivity, 69.2% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.023; specificity, 82.0% vs. 96.6%, p = 0.002). The radiologist had an equivalent sensitivity (53.9%; p = 0.289) but higher specificity (98.9%; p = 0.002) compared to those of volume growth, but did not differ from those of diameter growth (p>0.05 both in sensitivity and specificity). Compared to the VDT threshold of 600 days (sensitivity, 61.5%; specificity, 87.6%), VDT thresholds ≤200 and ≤300 days exhibited significantly lower sensitivity (30.8%, p = 0.013) and higher specificity (94.4%, p = 0.041), respectively.

Conclusion

Growth evaluation of screening-detected indeterminate nodules with volumetric measurement exhibited higher sensitivity but lower specificity compared to diametric measurements.
Electroacupuncture attenuates ischemic injury after stroke and promotes angiogenesis via activation of EPO mediated Src and VEGF signaling pathways
Authors: Wang Lifen , Sheng Gang , Cui Jinjun , Yao Yanling , Bai Xue , Chen Fan , Yu Wei
Published: September 2022

Although electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of stroke, its mechanisms of action remain undefined. This study explored the therapeutic effects of EA in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) and evaluated its possible mechanisms in promoting angiogenesis. To evaluate the effect of EA, we used 2, 3, 5-Triphenyl-2H-Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) staining and behavior score to calculate the cerebral infarct volume and neurological deficit score after CIRI. Western blot (WB) analysis was employed to evaluate the expression of cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34), erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and phospho-Src (p-Src) in the brain of the rats with CIRI. On the other hand, we established an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury model using brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), and analyzed cell viability and expression of VEGF or p-Src using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and WB, respectively. Our data showed that EA at the GV26 acupoint could significantly promote the expression of CD34, EPO, VEGF and p-Src in CIRI rats. Our CCK-8 results demonstrated that intervention with recombinant EPO and VEGF proteins remarkably improved the viability of BMECs after OGD/R, while a Src inhibitor, PP1, reversed this phenotype. The WB results showed that the recombinant EPO protein increased the expression of VEGF and p-Src, which was significantly inhibited by PP1. Taken together, our findings showed that EA at the GV26 acupoint can significantly attenuate ischemic injury after stroke and promote angiogenesis via activation of EPO-mediated Src and VEGF signaling pathways. Besides, the upregulation of VEGF may also be associated with the activation of Src by EPO.
An improved beetle antennae search path planning algorithm for vehicles
Authors: Liang Qing , Zhou Huike , Yin Yafang , Xiong Wei
Published: September 2022

With the development of society, the application of mobile robots in industry and life is increasingly extensive, and the local path planning of mobile robots in unknown environments is a problem that needs to be solved. Aiming at the problem that the traditional beetle antennae search (BAS) algorithm can easily fall into local optimum and the optimization accuracy is low, we propose an improved beetle antennae search. It introduces a map safety threshold, the addition of virtual target points, and the smoothing of the path. Map safety threshold means extra space with obstacles at all times, improving path reliability by avoiding collisions. Adding virtual target points reduces situations where the vehicle gets stuck in local optima. The B-spline smoothing path reduces the original path’s straight turns to improve the path’s robustness. The effectiveness and superiority of the algorithm are verified by comparing and testing the existing path planning algorithms through simulation in different environments.
Factors contributing to tourism demand at major Japanese hot springs
Authors: Medai Nagi , Okamoto Naoyuki , Ogasawara Yu , Hihara Katsuya
Published: September 2022

Hot springs are a major tourism resource in nature-based tourism, and the hot springs market is one of the biggest sectors in wellness tourism markets. In the present study, we examine factors contributing to tourism demand for major hot spring resorts in Japan using ordinary least squares regression models and generalized linear mixed models, and compare the estimation results. The results show that significant factors in most of our models are quality of accommodations and the degree of dependence on inbound demand. Furthermore, the number of non-Japanese languages supported on websites of hot spring resorts has a significant impact on inbound demand. Since the results of the present study cover more than 80 hot spring sites, the results highlight common important factors for hot spring resorts. Such widely applicable factors have been missing in previous studies, and the present study fills this research gap.
Correlation between higher-order aberration and photophobia after cataract surgery
Authors: Ishiguro Naoko , Horiguchi Hiroshi , Katagiri Satoshi , Shiba Takuya , Nakano Tadashi
Published: September 2022

Cataract surgery impinges on the spatial properties and wavelength distribution of retinal images, which changes the degree of light-induced visual discomfort/photophobia. However, no study has analyzed the alteration in photophobia before and after cataract surgery or the association between retinal spatial property and photophobia. Here, we measured the higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of the entire eye and the subjective photophobia score. This study investigated 71 eyes in 71 patients who received conventional cataract surgery. Scaling of photophobia was based on the following grading system: when the patient is outdoor on a sunny day, score of 0 and 10 points were assigned to the absence of photophobia and the presence of severe photophobia prevents eye-opening, respectively. We decomposed wavefront errors using Zernike polynomials for a 3-mm pupil diameter and analyzed the association between photophobia scores and HOAs with Spearman’s rank sum correlation (rs). We classified patients into two groups: photophobia (PP) unconcerned included patients who selected 0 both preoperatively or postoperatively and PP concerned included the remaining patients. After cataract surgery, photophobia scores increased, remained unchanged (stable), and decreased in 3, 41, and 27 cases, respectively. In the stable group, 35 of 41 cases belonged to PP unconcerned. In PP concerned, there were significant correlations between photophobia score and postoperative root-mean-square values of total HOAs (rs = 0.52, p = 0.002), total coma (rs = 0.52, p = 0.002), total trefoil (rs = 0.47, p = 0.006), and third-order group (rs = 0.53, p = 0.002). In contrast, there was no significant correlation between photophobia scores and preoperative HOAs. Our results suggest that the spatial properties of retinal image modified by HOAs may affect the degree of photophobia. Scattering light due to cataracts could contribute to photophobia more than HOAs, which may mask the effect of HOAs for photophobia preoperatively.
Structural assessment and expected utility gain
Authors: Thöns Sebastian
Published: September 2022

This paper contains an introduction, probabilistic formulation, and exemplification (1) of system state and utility actions, (2) system state and utility action value analysis and (3) a threshold formulation for a predicted information and action decision analysis. The approaches build upon structural condition assessment and provide a basis for the condition management by maximising the expected utility for information and actions before information acquirement and action implementation. Following the basic distinction of system state and utility actions, strengthening, replacement, repair, load reduction and consequence reduction actions are formulated. With an exemplary study encompassing an expected utility calculation and an action value analysis, it is demonstrated how expected utility optimal physical system changes can be identified before implementation. The threshold formulation for a predicted information and action decision analysis relies on the equality of the decision theoretical posterior action optimality condition. By extending the exemplary predicted action decision analyses with different structural health information (SHI), the threshold formulation is exemplified and the optimal condition management strategies are identified.
On the treatment of measurement uncertainty in stochastic modeling of basic variables
Authors: Küttenbaum Stefan , Maack Stefan , Taffe Alexander , Braml Thomas
Published: September 2022

The acquisition and appropriate processing of relevant information about the considered system remains a major challenge in assessment of existing structures. Both the values and the validity of computed results such as failure probabilities essentially depend on the quantity and quality of the incorporated knowledge. One source of information are onsite measurements of structural or material characteristics to be modeled as basic variables in reliability assessment. The explicit use of (quantitative) measurement results in assessment requires the quantification of the quality of the measured information, i.e., the uncertainty associated with the information acquisition and processing. This uncertainty can be referred to as measurement uncertainty. Another crucial aspect is to ensure the comparability of the measurement results.This contribution attempts to outline the necessity and the advantages of measurement uncertainty calculations in modeling of measurement data-based random variables to be included in reliability assessment. It is shown, how measured data representing time-invariant characteristics, in this case non-destructively measured inner geometrical dimensions, can be transferred into measurement results that are both comparable and quality-evaluated. The calculations are based on the rules provided in the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). The GUM-framework is internationally accepted in metrology and can serve as starting point for the appropriate processing of measured data to be used in assessment. In conclusion, the effects of incorporating the non-destructively measured data into reliability analysis are presented using a prestressed concrete bridge as case-study.
Risk based maintenance for Swiss railway bridges: concept, implementation and first experiences
Authors: Proske Dirk , Payeur Jean-Baptiste , Girardin Blaise , Friedl Herbert
Published: September 2022

The Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) has an inventory of approx. 6,000 bridges. So far, condition classes of the individual bridges have been used for maintenance management. To improve the efficiency of the maintenance management, a long-term change from the condition class-based approach to a risk-based approach is considered. Such a risk-based approach was developed and implemented during a two-stage process into software (Excel and Python). The software was also linked to the SBB databases to access the relevant data. The Python software now includes 12 parameters to adapt the initial failure probability to specific bridge conditions and 15 damage parameters. So almost 30 parameters are used to compute the risk for each bridge. The software is also linked to geographical maps to show the location of the bridges. Besides the development of the approach, also the first experience of the application of this methodology will be discussed. For example, the risk-based ranking of the bridges clearly showed that specific bridge types are dominating. Also, some original ideas and concepts were not applicable due to difficulties in providing the required input data. However, currently the risk-based bridge ranking complies well with former investigations carried out by hand.
A procedure to derive partial safety factors in textile-reinforced concrete members
Authors: Schulze-Ardey Jan Philip , Feiri Tânia , Ricker Marcus , Hegger Josef
Published: September 2022

In the last decades, modern technological and research developments of textile-reinforced concrete have led to extensive applications in building and civil engineering structures all over the world. Examples of textile-reinforced concrete can be found in retrofitting of existing buildings, facade slabs or bridges. Despite its potential, the widespread use of textile-reinforced concrete remains still limited. This is partly explained by the lack of a consistent design framework since conventional design methods used for other materials (e.g., steel reinforced concrete) cannot be directly applicable to textile-reinforced concrete. Thus, procedures to derive partial safety factors for textile-reinforced concrete would be a major step forward towards a regular procedure for the design of structural members made of this material.This paper offers a general procedure to determine safety factors. The approach is illustrated with a bending design example of a textile-reinforced concrete facade slab. The example is calculated in a recently developed software package for structural reliability analysis built in the statistical programming language R. For the derivation of safety factors, initial data is required, which can be obtained from experimental or numerical tests or from literature. The paper includes the basics of data evaluation as well as the statistical characterisation of data extracted from literature.
Influence of plastic tension chord deformation on the shear capacity of prestressed beam elements
Authors: Thoma Sebastian , Fischer Oliver
Published: September 2022

The shear strength of prestressed beam elements is of great interest with regard to the evaluation of existing concrete bridges. Accompanying extensive experimental test series, the adaptation and modification of existing models for the evaluation of the load-bearing capacity also represents an important step. Against this background, considerations are made for the isolation of critical influencing factors on the effective concrete compressive strength and quantified on the basis of a numerical framework. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis is performed on this basis to determine the influence of individual parameters and their interaction. Taking into account the non-linear relationships at the cross-section level and in the cracked compressive stress field in the web, the shear reinforcement ratio and the strain in the longitudinal reinforcement are of major importance.
Adaptive sequential sampling for reliability estimation of binary functions
Authors: Vořechovský Miroslav
Published: September 2022

A novel method for estimation of rare event probability is proposed, which works also for computational models returning categorical information only: success or failure. It combines the robustness of simulation methods (counting failure events) with the strength of approximation methods which refine the boundary between the failure and safe sets. Two basic tasks are identified: (i) extension of the experimental design (ED) and (ii) estimation of probabilities. The new extension algorithm adds points for limit state evaluation to the ED by balancing the global exploration and local exploitation, and the estimation uses the pointwise information to build a simple surrogate and perform a novel optimized importance sampling. No connection is presumed between the limit function value at point and its proximity to the failure surface. A new global sensitivity measure of the failure probability to individual variables is proposed and obtained as a by-product of the proposed methods.
Diccionario de aprendizaje de español como lengua extranjera (DAELE)
Authors: Bueno Rejane
Published: September 2022

La necesidad de atribuir al diccionario un nuevo papel en el proceso de la enseñanza-aprendizaje de idiomas se impulsa por los cambios de paradigmas en este panorama, lo que conlleva una reformulación de los materiales didácticos que se utilizarán en ello.  En el marco de la  Lexicografía Pedagógica, los repertorios lexicográficos deben dotarse de características específicas que se basarán en aspectos como conocer al usuario al que se destina la obra, en una descripción lingüística de las unidades recopiladas y, principalmente, en una presentación adecuada de esta información al tipo de usuario y a las finalidades específicas de utilización del repertorio. Proponemos, entonces, aportar  algunas reflexiones que han tenido lugar en el proyecto de elaboración del DAELE, principalmente en lo relacionado con la información del verbo, que entendemos como una pieza léxica fundamental para que un aprendiz extranjero pueda construir frases adecuadas en la LE. Presentaremos algunos problemas posibles de este tipo de usuario y cuáles han sido las soluciones propuestas por el equipo que trabaja en la elaboración del DAELE para solucionarlos.
Composição e Derivação
Authors: Gonçalves Carlos Alexandre Victorio
Published: September 2022

Constitui objetivo deste trabalho repensar as diferenças entre composição e derivação, de modo a fornecer evidências do português brasileiro em favor da proposta de Kastovsky (2009). Para o autor, esses processos de formação de palavras constituem os extremos prototípicos de um continuum, havendo, em decorrência, casos limítrofes com propriedades duas operações morfológicas. A mudança de estatuto morfológico também é avaliada no artigo, pois Bauer (2005) a considera uma das principais evidências da flexibilização das fronteiras entre composição e derivação.
Edgar Poe em português
Authors: Santos Silva Karin Hallana , Ferreira Elida Paulina
Published: September 2022

Nesse artigo discutimos os limites entre tradução e adaptação, tomando o contexto de publicação de duas traduções para o português da obra Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque, de Edgar Allan Poe. Tratou-se do estudo da publicação de Histórias Extraordinárias (1978; 2003) com tradução de Breno Silveira e de tradução e adaptação, com o mesmo título, de Clarice Lispector. Observamos que o conjunto de contos da obra original diferiu do conteúdo dos volumes produzidos em português, o qual apresenta título bem diverso do original. Por meio de uma análise comparativa, envolvendo o original e as duas traduções, investigamos o que nesse contexto foi considerado o original. Além disso, um dos volumes em português já se coloca como adaptação, o que, do ponto de vista investigativo levantou outra questão a ser estudada: se a própria tradução não reproduz o original, então qual seria o limite entre tradução e adaptação? Procuramos responder a essa questão tomando a idéia de que todo texto traduzido já é uma reescrita e transforma o original (Lefevere 1992, Amorim 2006). A reflexão sobre o limite entre tradução e adaptação na contemporaneidade traz para o debate o questionamento sobre o próprio conceito de original e de tradução (Paz 1990; Derrida 1982, Ferreira 2006 e 2007) e sobre os condicionantes da constituição de imagens nas culturas alvo (Rodrigues 2001, Amorim 2006); conceitos em que nos concentramos para responder a questão aqui proposta.
Linguagem e poder
Authors: Castelliano Tânia Regina
Published: September 2022

Este artigo analisa o livro Falcão Meninos do Tráfico (2006), de Mv Bill e Celso Athayde, com base teórica em Beth Brait sobre a linguagem, presente no livro Dialogismo e Construção do Sentido (1997), e as concepções de poder em Michel Foucault, presentes em sua obra Vigiar e Punir (2007).
Fraseologia no Futebol
Authors: Matuda Sabrina
Published: September 2022

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo estudar a terminologia do futebol em inglês e português por meio do estabelecimento de equivalentes fraseológicos. Para tanto, a fundamentação teórica embasa-se na Linguística de Corpus e em uma Abordagem Textual da Terminologia. Partiremos do pressuposto de que um termo raramente ocorre sozinho e de que o significado estático que quase sempre lhe é atribuído muda de acordo com o contexto e com as palavras com as quais co-ocorre. O corpus de estudo, em fase de compilação, possui, aproximadamente, 285 mil palavras - 156.146em inglês e 127.984em português. Em vista da complexidade da compilação de um corpus representativo analisaremos somente alguns primeiros achados.
O professor de línguas e as correções de erros
Authors: Meireles Ubiratan da Silva , Ferreira Daniela de Azevedo
Published: September 2022

Este artigo é resultado de questionamentos sobre os efeitos das correções de erros no processo de aprendizagem de uma língua e o sistema de crenças de professores de línguas, incluindo-se os professores de português. Grande parte das correções feitas em sala de aula não resultou na aprendizagem pretendida. A maioria dos professores pesquisados acredita, de maneira inquestionável, na eficácia das correções, considerando-as parte indissociável do processo de ensino/aprendizagem de uma língua, revelando, no entanto, que tais correções são completamente assistemáticas em sua prática escolar.
Prepričanja in implementacija na dokazih podprte prakse med visokošolsko izobraženimi diplomiranimi medicinskimi sestrami in zdravstveniki v Sloveniji (1. del)
Authors: Skela-Savič Brigita , Bole Urban , Lobe Bojana
Published: September 2022

Uvod: Za načrtovanje strategije uvajanja na dokazih podprte prakse v slovenski zdravstveni negi je pomembna ocena znanj, prepričanj in različnih vidikov uporabe na dokazih podprte prakse pri izvajalcih zdravstvene nege. Ocena mora biti zanesljiva, veljavna in reprezentativna, da lahko koristi načrtovanju nacionalnih strategij na tem področju. Namen raziskave je prikaz psihometrične analize uporabljenega in mednarodno uveljavljenega instrumenta.Metode: Sodelovalo je 1014 visokošolsko izobraženih medicinskih sester in zdravstvenikov z vseh treh nivojev zdravstvenega varstva. V raziskavi sta bili uporabljeni dve  lestvici, in sicer »Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs Scale« in »Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Scale«. Lestvici sta bili psihometrično analizirani s testi zanesljivosti in veljavnosti.Rezultati: Povprečna vrednost prepričanj na dokazih podprte prakse je 3,47 (s = 0,54). Zanesljivost lestvice je znašala 0,909, varianca je bila pojasnjena v 63,71 % s tremi faktorji (prepričanja v znanje, prepričanja v uporabnost, težavnost uporabe in časovna potratnost). Povprečna vrednost implementacije je 2,23 (s = 0, 89). Zanesljivost lestvice je znašala 0,969, varianca je bila pojasnjena v 68,52 % z dvema faktorjema (uporaba znanj, uporaba korakov).Diskusija in zaključek: Testirana instrumenta se pokažeta kot zanesljiva in veljavna. Raziskava zelo poudari primanjkljaj znanj za razvoj na dokazih podprte prakse in znanj, ki so del vsakodnevnih razvojnih aktivnosti v delokrogu visokošolsko izobražene medicinske sestre. Zahtevajo se aktivnosti za izboljšanje stanja na ravni visokošolskih in zdravstvenih zavodov, kot na ravni  nacionalnih združenj v zdravstveni negi.
Primary healthcare nurses' perceptions about their ability to utilise electronic health records
Authors: Ngweh Tengeh Laura , Bimerew Million
Published: September 2022

Introduction: The implementation, adoption and use of electronic health records remains a global challenge despite the numerous advantages associated with their  use. This paper explores primary healthcare nurses' perceptions regarding their skill levels in using EHRs.Methods: Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a sample of 71 nurses (63% response rate) in selected primary health care (PHC) facilities of the  Northern-Tygerberg substructure, Cape Town.Results: The overall results show that 59 respondents  83%) believed that they were skilled in using EHRs in PHC. Nearly two thirds of all nurses (46 or 64.8%) reported  using EHRs for nursing documentation, 45 nurses (63%) reported using EHRs to store, retrieve and transfer data, 44 (62%) reported being able to design a flow chart, 38 (53.5%) reported being able to access databases and 38 (52.1%) reported being able to convert electronic files for various applications. However, 33 nurses (46.5%) were unsure of their computer skills in creating multimedia files. This varied from service department to service department, with 62 respondents (87.3%) in pediatric care and 59 respondents (83.1%) in family planning, adult  nursing and HIV management reporting having EHR skills. Enrolled nurses rated their EHR skills significantly lower (58%) than registered nurses (92%) (p = 0.028).Discussion and conclusion: Although most respondents in this study reported being skilled in using EHRs in PHC, better computer accessibility and continuous training are important ongoing requirements. Further qualitative research is needed to better understand some of the problems and barriers which affect nurses' ability to use EHRs in PHC settings.