bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multivariable prediction models for long-term outcomes after hip fracture: A protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Walsh Mary E. , Kristensen Pia Kjær , Hjelholt Thomas J. , Hurson Conor , Walsh Cathal , Blake Catherine
Published: June 2022

Background: Hip fracture results in high mortality and, for many survivors, long-term functional limitations. Multivariable prediction models for hip fracture outcomes have the potential to aid clinical-decision making as well as risk-adjustment in national audits of care.

The aim of this study is to identify, critically appraise and synthesise published multivariable prediction models for long-term outcomes after hip fracture.

Protocol: The systematic review will include a literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL) for journal articles. Search terms related to hip fracture, prognosis and outcomes will be included. Study selection criteria includes studies of people with hip fracture where the study aimed to predict one or more long-term outcomes through derivation or validation of a multivariable prediction model. Studies will be excluded if they focus only on the predictive value of individual factors, or only include patients with periprosthetic fractures, fractures managed non-surgically or younger patients. Covidence software will be used for data management. Two review authors will independently conduct study selection, data extraction and appraisal. Data will be extracted based on the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist. Risk of bias assessment will be conducted using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). Characteristics and results of all studies will be narratively synthesised and presented in tables. Where the same model has been validated in multiple studies, a meta-analysis of discrimination and calibration will be conducted.

Conclusions: This systematic review will aim to identify multivariable models for hip fracture outcome prognosis that have been derived using high quality methods. Results will highlight if current models have the potential for further assessment for use in both clinical decision making and improving methods of national hip fracture audits.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42022330019 (25th May 2022).
COVID-19 and older people’s wellbeing in northern KwaZulu-Natal – the importance of relationships
Authors: Manyaapelo Thabang , Edwards Anita , Mpanza Nondumiso , Nxumalo Samukelisiwe , Nxumalo Zama , Gumede Ntombizonke , Ngwenya Nothando , Seeley Janet
Published: June 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the non-pharmacological prevention methods have affected the wellbeing of older people.  In this paper we focus on the wellbeing, and vulnerability, of older people in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa during the first year of the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a series of up to four monthly in-depth interviews with 26 people aged 60 years and older.  Interviews were conducted by telephone, because of restrictions on face-to-face contact, and digitally recorded.  After transcription and translation, the data were coded thematically, with analysis guided by a wellbeing theoretical framework.

Results: Having access to food, to healthcare and to somewhere they felt safe to stay, was essential for everyone, but for many managing expenses became more of a struggle as adult children who had lost their source of employment came home to stay.  However, despite the shortages of money, the importance of relationships, whether they are familial or the close community of neighbours, was highlighted in the accounts from a number of participants. Older people not only got help with day-to-day life from others, but also found solace in the company of others. The sense of community, from family and neighbours, helped to ease some of the stress experienced as a result of the lockdowns.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus impacted the wellbeing of older adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Wellbeing for many older people has been nurtured by relationships with family and friends.
Exactitud y precisión de los métodos dentales para estimar la edad basados en la transparencia de la dentina radicular
Authors: Peralta-Cerro Liz , Alvarado-Muñoz Erika , Aguirre-Siancas Elías
Published: June 2022

Introducción: este trabajo buscó determinar la exactitud y precisión de los métodos dentales para estimar la edad, basados en la transparencia de la dentina radicular. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal de tipo comparativo en el que se evaluaron 90 dientes unirradiculares de una muestra peruana de 90 cadáveres adultos masculinos. En cada diente se midió la altura de la periodontosis, altura radicular y longitud de la transparencia de la dentina radicular. Con estas  edidas se hallaron las edades dentales de acuerdo con los métodos de Prince-Ubelaker, Ubelaker-Parra y Vilcapoma, y se compararon los resultados entre sí y con la edad cronológica (edad real). Debido a la normalidad de los datos y a su homocedasticidad, se utilizó la prueba de Pearson, el Anova de un factor para muestras relacionadas y la prueba de Tukey. La exactitud se evaluó mediante las diferencias entre las edades cronológicas y las estimadas por cada método, y la precisión se obtuvo del análisis de confiabilidad y repetibilidad, mediante diagramas de Bland-Altman. El nivel de significancia fue 0.05. Resultados: las exactitudes y precisiones fueron de 0.15-0.14, 2.18-2.07, 3.5-3.11 y 9.92-9.82 para los  métodos de Vilcapoma, Ubelaker-Parra, Prince-Ubelaker para masculinos blancos y Prince-Ubelaker para para masculinos negros, respectivamente. Conclusiones: el método de Vilcapoma tuvo mayor exactitud y precisión para estimar la edad.
Surgical care practitioners: an audit across the surgical specialties
Authors: Fletcher Nicholas , Russell Bradley
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS), when devising their curriculum for surgical care practitioners (SCPs), aimed to provide a level of training to produce a practitioner able to work across the surgical patient's journey, providing care to, arguably, an advanced level. This audit planned to examine the reality of this.

Method:

SCPs from a closed group, on the Facebook social media platform were invited to complete an online questionnaire about their role as an SCP.

Results:

A total of 92 responses were gathered from across the surgical specialty SCP community and from around the UK. Data were collected on the breakdown of the SCP's role and working practices.

Conclusion:

The data collected demonstrated the multifunctional nature of the SCP and their ability to work at a level as envisioned by the RCS curriculum.
Perceived sleep quality: a comparison between hospital nurses and student nurses
Authors: Rahman Hanif Abdul , Hatsanee Asma' , Menjeni Nurmarinah Aqilah , Salleh Zainatul Ashiqin , Hamid Ramlah Abdul , Ali Mursidi
Published: June 2022

Background:

The prevalence of poor sleep quality is high among nurses, and affects them physically and psychologically as well as organisational functioning. However, evidence on equipping student nurses with good sleep practices that could mitigate poor sleep as they transition into the nursing workforce is lacking.

Aim:

This study compared the prevalence and quality of good sleep among hospital nurses and student nurses.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study of 130 hospital nurses and 130 student nurses in Brunei was carried out. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index. Multiple logistic regression was applied.

Results:

Hospital nurses were 4.29 times more likely to experience poor sleep than student nurses. Those who were overweight were 2.35 times more likely to have poor sleep quality than those with a healthy weight. Although students had significantly good sleep latency, needing less time to fall asleep, they experienced significantly more sleep disturbances, shorter sleep duration and less sleep efficiency.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of poor sleep quality among nurses in Brunei is higher than global estimates. Stakeholders such as nursing leaders, nursing educators and healthcare policymakers should prepare student nurses and help existing nurses by formulating strategies to promote working schedules and rosters that minimise circadian disruption.
Developing therapeutic relationships with people living with HIV: exploring the nurse–patient relationship
Authors: Croston Michelle , Wibberley Christopher , Jack Kirsten
Published: June 2022

Background:

The care paradigm for HIV has changed from one of an infectious, life-limiting disease to that of a chronic manageable condition. This shift poses challenges for practitioners working in this area when providing care that is both person centred and reflective of the demands placed on an evolving disease area.

Objectives:

The overall aim of this study was to explore how therapeutic relationships are developed and their subsequent use within person-centred care.

Design:

An interpretative phenomenological analysis research design was used to collect data from 10 purposively recruited HIV specialist nurses in the north-west region of the UK. In-depth, semistructured interviews were used to collect the data.

Results:

Data analysis revealed three themes that captured person-centredness in HIV care. These were: ways of being; the nurse-patient relationship; and the influence of stigma.

Conclusion:

The research illuminates key features that are important when developing therapeutic relationships and offers a framework to explain how these features were also key elements of person-centred care.
Concurrent optical and magnetic stimulation therapy in patients with lower extremity hard-to-heal wounds
Authors: Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer Finja , Traber Jürg , Liesch Georg , Bittner Christiane , Benecke Ulf , Dissemond Joachim
Published: June 2022

Objective:

The treatment of patients with hard-to-heal wounds represents a major multidisciplinary challenge. Therefore, the development and clinical validation of new technologies remains extremely important. The novel application of concurrent optical and magnetic stimulation (COMS) offers a promising noninvasive approach to support physiological wound healing processes, especially in hard-to-heal wounds.

Method:

In a multicentre, prospective, comparative, clinical trial, patients with hard-to-heal wounds on lower extremities of different aetiologies were treated with COMS as an adjunct to standard of care (SOC). The primary endpoint was safety; secondary endpoints were wound healing, pain and wound-specific quality of life (Wound-QoL).

Results:

A total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study (intention to treat population (ITTP), n=40). Of these patients, 37 were included in the analysis of the primary endpoint (primary endpoint population, (PEP), n=37). A further subgroup of 30 patients was included in the analysis of the secondary endpoint (secondary endpoint population (SEP), n=30). Finally, the SEP was stratified regarding patients' responsiveness to SOC in an SOC non-responder subgroup (NRSG), n=21, and in an SOC responder subgroup (RSG), n=9. A total of 102 adverse events (AEs) were recorded, of which 96% were ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’, and 91% were either a singular or transient event. Only 11 AEs were serious and associated with inpatient treatments unrelated to the studied intervention. In the NRSG, reductions in wound size were found to be statistically significant within the different study periods. Additionally, an acceleration of the healing rate was detected between the baseline and the first four weeks of COMS treatment (p=0.041). The rate of near-complete and complete wound closure in the SEP after 12 weeks were 60% and 43%, respectively. Pain reduction across the treatment group was statistically significant (p≤0.002 for both the SEP and NRSG). The Wound-QoL score improved by 24% during the study (p=0.001).

Conclusion:

In this study, COMS treatment for patients with hard-to-heal wounds on lower extremities was a safe and effective novel treatment option, especially for patients who did not respond to SOC.
Ensino e Aprendizagem Remotos: Lacunas no Campo da Administração no Contexto da Pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Pereira Ramon Jung , Oliveira Verônica Macário de , Nascimento Daniela Viegas da Costa , Teodósio Armindo dos Santos de Sousa
Published: June 2022

Em decorrência da pandemia de COVID-19, a utilização de recursos online fez-se necessária para implantação emergencial de formas alternativas de ensino e aprendizagem remotos pelas instituições de ensino brasileiras, sem preparo prévio. Diante dos enfrentamentos cruciais no ensino superior em contexto pandêmico, pretendeu-se analisar, neste artigo, como o ensino foi impactado pela pandemia, tendo como base a percepção e condições dos alunos de Administração. O intuito foi analisar o cenário, identificando como aprimorar o ensino e aprendizagem remotos, tanto na graduação quanto na pós-graduação. Para isso, desenvolveu-se um estudo com estratégias quali-quantitativas, envolvendo pesquisa documental, observação participante e aplicação de questionários com estudantes de Administração de duas instituições brasileiras, levando em consideração não apenas fatores tecnológicos, mas também sociais, econômicos e emocionais. O resultado apontou uma diferença no impacto sobre alunos de graduação e pós-graduação. Ainda, a pesquisa apontou para como a pandemia de COVID-19 pode ter agido como um potencializador de mazelas sociais e, inevitavelmente, prejudicado os processos de ensino-aprendizagem. Por fim, ações são propostas e implementadas para mitigar os problemas encontrados e oferecer caminhos ao ensino de Administração acompanhado.
Amizade, Sucesso e Expansão: Tudo ia bem até que a Pandemia Chegou
Authors: Lenzi Vicente Thaís Helena , Pedrini Roberta , Souza Felipe Cristiane Pauline , Behling Hans Peder
Published: June 2022

Este caso para ensino retrata as dificuldades enfrentadas na comunicação interna de uma empresa de tecnologia, especialista em trade marketing, em um momento de crise. Tem como objetivos proporcionar a reflexão sobre a importância da comunicação interna em uma organização; ilustrar os desafios da comunicação interna em momento de crise e identificar oportunidades de melhoria no processo de comunicação de demissões em massa. Sugere-se a aplicação em cursos de graduação, especialmente nos cursos de Administração, nas disciplinas que abordem gestão de pessoas, comunicação organizacional e empresarial, comunicação interna, clima organizacional ou gestão da mudança. É indicado para alunos que tenham adquirido conteúdo sobre comunicação interna, gestão de crise ou gestão de mudança, e que necessitem de exemplos práticos para aproximação à realidade do mercado de trabalho. A história relatada neste caso de ensino é verídica e aconteceu no ano de 2020, momento sensível para a economia mundial dada a pandemia da Covid-19.

Palavras-chave: Comunicação Interna; Gestão de Crise; Covid-19; Empreendedorismo.
Universidade: Questionar para Defender
Authors: Demo Pedro
Published: June 2022

A universidade é um mundo demasiadamente grande para caber em qualquer análise, muito menos nesta aqui tão incipiente, apenas sugestiva e que corre riscos de generalizar em demasia. Universidade é, hoje, uma das pontas mais destacadas da “indústria da educação” (Verger et alii, 2016), capturada pelo neoliberalismo, o que já coloca a versão pública tendencialmente como reserva estratégica da elite, mesmo que este cenário tenha mudado ultimamente. Cabe-me também reconhecer a quem faz o bom combate, em nome das causas mais nobres da universidade, que, junto com o método científico, é uma das invenções mais civilizatórias jamais desenhadas e institucionalizadas na saga humana.
Travelling ‘the Caledonian way’: education policy learning and the making of Europe
Authors: Grek Sotiria
Published: June 2022

The paper examines the case of education policy learning in Europe and argues that, contrary to dominant assumptions, education is a fruitful area for the analysis of Europeanising processes. More specifically, an examination of the case of the Scottish school inspectorate’s European exchanges is useful in relation to the study of international policy communities, their formation and particular workings, as it signals a new level of ‘political work’ (Smith, 2009): that of exporting, internationalising and then importing afresh one’s local/national knowledge, once it has successfully gone through the international ‘test’, and is therefore still relevant and future-proof (to the nation).
“We build vacations into everyday life”: rethinking carers’ restorative experiences through the lens of place
Authors: Silverman Marjorie
Published: June 2022

This article proposes a reimagining of the concept of carer respite. It explores the role of place in eliciting restorative experiences for carers and reconsiders the mechanism of ‘respite as an outcome’. Findings from a Canadian-based study about dementia carers’ experiences in their neighbourhoods illustrate that everyday places, whether in the home or in the social or built environment of the neighbourhood, facilitate their connections to themselves and others, leading to a sense of restoration. As such, respite is the outcome not necessarily of mental or physical removal from the care situation, but rather of the (em)placing of care within everyday life.
Childhood overweight and obesity at the start of primary school: External validation of pregnancy and early-life prediction models
Authors: Ziauddeen Nida , Roderick Paul J. , Santorelli Gillian , Wright John , Alwan Nisreen A.
Published: June 2022

Tackling the childhood obesity epidemic can potentially be facilitated by risk-stratifying families at an early-stage to receive prevention interventions and extra support. Using data from the Born in Bradford (BiB) cohort, this analysis aimed to externally validate prediction models for childhood overweight and obesity developed as part of the Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors (SLOPE) study in Hampshire. BiB is a longitudinal multi-ethnic birth cohort study which recruited women at around 28 weeks gestation between 2007 and 2010 in Bradford. The outcome was body mass index (BMI) ≥91st centile for overweight/obesity at 4–5 years. Discrimination was assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). Calibration was assessed for each tenth of predicted risk by calculating the ratio of predicted to observed risk and plotting observed proportions versus predicted probabilities. Data were available for 8003 children. The AUC on external validation was comparable to that on development at all stages (early pregnancy, birth, ~1 year and ~2 years). The AUC on external validation ranged between 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62 to 0.66) at early pregnancy and 0.82 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.84) at ~2 years compared to 0.66 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.67) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.84) on model development in SLOPE. Calibration was better in the later model stages (early life ~1 year and ~2 years). The SLOPE models developed for predicting childhood overweight and obesity risk performed well on external validation in a UK birth cohort with a different geographical location and ethnic composition.
Financing malaria
Authors: Rannan-Eliya Ravindra P.
Published: June 2022

The faltering of progress towards malaria elimination follows a plateauing in international financing since 2010. Despite calls for increased international financing, this will be hard to achieve. Both developed country donors and developing countries with malaria face severe fiscal constraints in expanding malaria funding in the next few years. Simply exhorting countries to spend more is unlikely to be successful, just as the Abuja declaration was not, and the developing countries with most malaria burden suffer from weaker economic growth and less capacity to increase domestic financing. One major prospect for substantial new financing is China, but this may depend on established funders yielding influence in the global financing architecture to China and other emerging economies. This argues for greater emphasis on spending available financing better, but improving the impact of international funding is not straightforward. It is associated with significant transaction costs for recipients, impairs the ability of the WHO to coordinate global efforts, and may pressure recipient countries to focus more on commodities and easy wins instead of investing in health systems and management capacity. While more should be done to mitigate these perverse effects, much of this is the unavoidable price of such generosity and the inevitable need for accountability to funders. Ultimately, countries must do more with their own spending, which is often under-counted, but usually far exceeds the international contribution. The experience of Sri Lanka, El Salvador, and China—three countries that eliminated malaria—provides two pointers. First, achieving early and widespread treatment of most malaria cases, which is not the case in much of high burden Africa, may be critical to sustain accelerated elimination. Second, such coverage requires health systems that prioritize access for all services and conditions. Public opinion surveys indicate that this is consistent with what much of the affected population wants, prioritizes, and is willing to finance through higher taxes, which points to weaknesses in accountability of policy to people. International funders could do better to heed what affected populations want and let local partners be responsive to their own public’s preferences.
Immunological investigation of a multiepitope peptide vaccine candidate based on main proteins of SARS-CoV-2 pathogen
Authors: Khairkhah Niloofar , Bolhassani Azam , Agi Elnaz , Namvar Ali , Nikyar Arash
Published: June 2022

Multiepitope vaccines could induce multiantigenic immunity against large complex pathogens with different strain variants. Herein, thein silico,in vitroandin vivostudies were used to design and develop a novel candidate antigenic multiepitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. The designed multiepitope construct targets the spike glycoprotein (S), membrane protein (M), and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., the S-N-M construct). This construct contains the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-, helper T lymphocyte (HTL)-, and linear B lymphocyte (LBL)-inducing epitopes. The multiepitopes-n-mfusion gene was subcloned in prokaryotic (pET24a) and eukaryotic (pcDNA3.1) expression vectors. Its expression was evaluated in mammalian cell line using LL37 cell penetrating peptide. Moreover, the recombinant multiepitope S-N-M peptide was produced inE.colistrain. Finally, mice were immunized using homologous and heterologous regimens for evaluation of immune responses. Our data indicated that the multiepitope S-N-M peptide construct combined with Montanide 720 in homologous regimen significantly stimulated total IgG, IgG2a, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-15, IL-21 and IL-6, and Granzyme B secretion as compared to other groups. Moreover, the pcDNA-s-n-m/ LL37 nanoparticles significantly induced higher immune responses than the naked DNA in both homologous and heterologous regimens. In general, our designed multiepitope vaccine construct can be considered as a vaccine candidate in SARS-CoV-2 infection model.
Identification of HCN1 as a 14-3-3 client
Authors: Lankford Colten , Houtman Jon , Baker Sheila A.
Published: June 2022

Hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 (HCN1) is expressed throughout the nervous system and is critical for regulating neuronal excitability, with mutations being associated with multiple forms of epilepsy. Adaptive modulation of HCN1 has been observed, as has pathogenic dysregulation. While the mechanisms underlying this modulation remain incompletely understood, regulation of HCN1 has been shown to include phosphorylation. A candidate phosphorylation-dependent regulator of HCN1 channels is 14-3-3. We used bioinformatics to identify three potential 14-3-3 binding sites in HCN1. We confirmed that 14-3-3 could pull down HCN1 from multiple tissue sources and used HEK293 cells to detail the interaction. Two sites in the intrinsically disordered C-terminus of HCN1 were necessary and sufficient for a phosphorylation-dependent interaction with 14-3-3. The same region of HCN1 containing the 14-3-3 binding peptides is required for phosphorylation-independent protein degradation. We propose a model in which phosphorylation of mouse S810 and S867 (human S789 and S846) recruits 14-3-3 to inhibit a yet unidentified factor signaling for protein degradation, thus increasing the half-life of HCN1.
Feasibility of a new multifactorial fall prevention assessment and personalized intervention among older people recently discharged from the emergency department
Authors: HEPKEMA Bouke W. , KÖSTER Lydia , GELEIJN Edwin , VAN DEN ENDE Eva , TAHIR Lara , OSTÉ Johan , PRINS Bernard , VAN DER VELDE Nathalie , VAN HOUT Hein , NANAYAKKARA Prabath W. B.
Published: June 2022

Background and importance

Falls among older people occur frequently and are a leading cause of Emergency department (ED) admissions, disability, death and rising health care costs. Multifactorial fall prevention programs that are aimed to target the population at risk have shown to effectively reduce the rate of falling and fall-related injuries in community-dwelling older people. However, the participation of and adherence to these programs in real life situation is generally low.

Objective

To test the feasibility of a transitionally organized fall prevention assessment with accompanying personalized intervention initiated at the ED.

Design, settings and participants

A process evaluation, of a non-randomized controlled pilot trial for implementing a transitionally organized multifactorial fall prevention intervention, was performed using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to gain insight into the barriers and facilitators of implementation. Older fallers (>70yrs) presenting at the ED were selected based on ZIP-code and after obtaining informed consent, data for the evaluation was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Furthermore, feedback was collected from the healthcare providers.

Main results

The consent was obtained by 24 (70%) of the patients approached directly at the ED and 17 (26%) of the patients approached later by phone. Adherence to the protocol by the participants, clinical assessors and family practice were all more than 90%. After three months, nine (26%) of the participants had at least one recurrent fall: three (20%) patients in the intervention group and six (32%) in the control group.

Conclusion

ED presentation due to a fall in older persons provides a window of opportunity for optimizing adherence to a multifactorial fall prevention program as willingness to participate was higher when the patients were approached at the ED during their stay. Implementing a transitionally organized multidisciplinary fall prevention program was successful with a high protocol adherence.

The Netherlands trial register

NTR NL8142, November 8, 2019.
Miniaturized ultra-wideband filter with independently controlled notch bands for 5.1/6/8 GHz wireless applications
Authors: Basit Abdul , Khattak Muhammad Irfan , Zubir Farid , Shah Syed Waqar
Published: June 2022

A novel three-mode step impedance resonator (TSIR) is developed to design a miniaturized multi-pole microstrip planar ultra-wideband (UWB) filter with independently controlled notched bands at different frequencies is presented in this work. The basic UWB filter consists of four L-shaped λ/4 short-circuited stubs operating in the range of i.e. 2.7 to 12.1 GHz with fractional bandwidth (FBW) 127%, and the TSIR is constructed using two T-shaped λ/2 open ended step impedance resonator (SIR) and one λ/4 short-circuited uniform impedance resonator (UIR) is coupled to the basic UWB design in order to achieve the stopbands performance at 5.1 GHz, 6 GHz, and 8 GHz, to supress the unwanted bands of WLAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and X-band satellite communication system, respectively. Commercial full-wave electromagnetic (EM) software HFSS-13 was used to design an ultra-compact structure having size 0.07 λg×0.02 λg on Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 substrate to justify good agreement between simulated and measured S-parameters.
Using forensic analytics and machine learning to detect bribe payments in regime-switching environments: Evidence from the India demonetization
Authors: Charoenwong Ben , Reddy Pooja
Published: June 2022

We use a rich set of transaction data from a large retailer in India and a dataset on bribe payments to train random forest and XGBoost models using empirical measures guided by Benford’s Law, a commonly used tool in forensic analytics. We evaluate the performance around the 2016 Indian Demonetization, which affects the distribution of legal tender notes in India, and find that models using only pre-2016 data or post-2016 data for both training and testing data had F1 score ranges around 90%, suggesting that these models and Benford’s law criteria contain meaningful information for detecting bribe payments. However, the performance for models trained in one regime and tested in another falls dramatically to less than 10%, highlighting the role of the institutional setting when using financial data analytics in an environment subject to regime shifts.
Age and sex effects on DNA methylation sites linked to genes implicated in severe COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry
Authors: Bohlin Jon , Page Christian M. , Lee Yunsung , Pettersson John H.-O. , Jugessur Astanand , Magnus Per , Håberg Siri E.
Published: June 2022

Male sex and advanced age are associated with severe symptoms of COVID-19. Sex and age also exhibit substantial associations with genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) differences in humans. Using a random sample of Illumina EPIC-based genome-wide methylomes from peripheral whole blood of 1,976 parents, participating in The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), we explored whether DNAm in genes linked to SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry and to severe COVID-19 were associated with sex and age. This was carried out by testing 1,572 DNAm sites (CpGs) located near 45 genes for associations with age and sex. We found that DNAm in 281 and 231 of 1,572 CpGs were associated (pFDR<0.01) with sex and aging, respectively. CpGs linked to SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry genes were all associated with age and sex, except for theACE2receptor gene (located on the X-chromosome), which was only associated with sex (pFDR<0.01). Furthermore, we examined whether 1,487 autosomal CpGs associated with host-cell entry and severe COVID-19 were more or less associated with sex and age than what would be expected from the same number of randomly sampled genome-wide CpGs. We found that the CpGs associated with host-cell entry and severe COVID-19 were not more or less associated with sex (R2= 0.77, p = 0.09) than the CpGs sampled from random genomic regions; age was actually found to be significantly less so (R2= 0.36, p = 0.04). Hence, while we found wide-spread associations between sex and age at CpGs linked to genes implicated with SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry and severe COVID-19, the effect from the sum of these CpGs was not stronger than that from randomly sampled CpGs; for age it was significantly less so. These findings could suggest that advanced age and male sex may not be unsurmountable barriers for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to evolve increased infectiousness.
Distinct phenotypic behaviours within a clonal population of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
Authors: Mariz-Ponte Nuno , Gimranov Emil , Rego Rute , Moura Luísa , Santos Conceição , Tavares Fernando
Published: June 2022

Bacterial canker of the kiwifruit caused by the etiological agentPseudomonas syringaepv.actinidiaeis the most severe disease in kiwifruit production. Since 2008 a hypervirulent Psa biovar 3 has spread rapidly worldwide. Different genomic and phenotypic approaches have been used to understand the origin of the dissemination and geographical evolution of populations associated with this pandemic. This study aimed to characterize the genetic and phenotypic diversity of 22 Psa isolates collected in different regions of Portugal between 2013 and 2017. Genotypic and phenotypic characterization was based on Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis (MLSA), motility, IAA production, Biolog GEN III, and copper sensitivity. No polymorphisms were detected for the concatenated sequence (1950 bp) of the housekeeping genesgltA,gapA,gyrB, andrpoD. Results support the analysed Portuguese Psa isolates (2013–2017) belonging to Psa3, and MLSA indicates high genetic clonality and stability of these populations. The phenotypic analysis through Biolog revealed a heterogeneous pattern in the Psa collection and its position in the Pseudomonas complex. This heterogeneity reflects a genomic diversity that may reflect distinct adaptive trends associated with the environmental conditions and widespread. The Portuguese Psa collection showed no resistance to copper. This information is relevant to kiwi producers that predominantly use Cu-treatments to control kiwifruit bacterial canker.
Cohort profile: The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS)
Authors: Labadie Julia , Swafford Brenna , DePena Mara , Tietje Kathy , Page Rodney , Patterson-Kane Janet
Published: June 2022

The aim of this article is to provide a detailed description of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS), a prospective cohort study investigating nutritional, environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors for cancer and other common diseases in dogs. Primary outcomes of interest include hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and high-grade mast cell tumors. Secondary outcomes of interest include other cancers, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, atopy, otitis externa, hip dysplasia, heart failure, and renal failure. A total of 3,044 United States Golden Retrievers aged 6 months to 2 years completed baseline enrollment from June 2012 to April 2015. As of May 31, 2021, 2,251 dogs remain engaged in the study, 352 have died, and 441 are lost to follow-up. Extensive annual questionnaires completed by owners and veterinarians gather information about lifestyle, environmental exposures, physical activity, reproductive history, behavior, diet, medications, and diagnoses. Dogs also have annual veterinary examinations and biospecimen collection (blood, serum, hair, nails, feces, urine) for biobanking. Additional reporting, including histology and tumor biobanking, is conducted for any malignancies or deaths. When an animal dies, full medical records are obtained, and necropsies are requested at owner discretion. Full or partial necropsies have been performed on 218 dogs. Questionnaire data are freely available to researchers with approved credentials who agree to a data use agreement. In addition, researchers can submit proposals to utilize biospecimens or obtain additional data.
Colonies of Acropora formosa with greater survival potential have reduced calcification rates
Authors: Clark Vanessa , Mello-Athayde Matheus A. , Dove Sophie
Published: June 2022

Coral reefs are facing increasingly devasting impacts from ocean warming and acidification due to anthropogenic climate change. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, potential solutions have focused either on reducing light stress during heating, or on the potential for identifying or engineering “super corals”. A large subset of these studies, however, have tended to focus primarily on the bleaching response of corals, and assume erroneously that corals that bleach earlier in a thermal event die first. Here, we explore how survival, observable bleaching, coral skeletal growth (as branch extension and densification), and coral tissue growth (protein and lipid concentrations) varies for conspecifics collected from distinctive reef zones at Heron Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. A reciprocal transplantation experiment was undertaken using the dominant reef building coral (Acropora formosa)between the highly variable reef flat and the less variable reef slope environments. Coral colonies originating from the reef flat had higher rates of survival and amassed greater protein densities but calcified at reduced rates compared to conspecifics originating from the reef slope. The energetics of both populations however potentially benefited from greater light intensity present in the shallows. Reef flat origin corals moved to the lower light intensity of the reef slope reduced protein density and calcification rates. ForA.formosa, genetic differences, or long-term entrainment to a highly variable environment, appeared to promote coral survival at the expense of calcification. The response decouples coral survival from carbonate coral reef resilience, a response that was further exacerbated by reductions in irradiance. As we begin to discuss interventions necessitated by the CO2that has already been released into the atmosphere, we need to prioritise our focus on the properties that maintain valuable carbonate ecosystems. Rapid and dense calcification by corals such as branchingAcroporais essential to the ability of carbonate coral reefs to rebound following disturbance events and maintain 3D structure but may be the first property that is sacrificed to enable coral genet survival under stress.
The placement of foot-mounted IMU sensors does affect the accuracy of spatial parameters during regular walking
Authors: Küderle Arne , Roth Nils , Zlatanovic Jovana , Zrenner Markus , Eskofier Bjoern , Kluge Felix
Published: June 2022

Gait analysis using foot-worn inertial measurement units has proven to be a reliable tool to diagnose and monitor many neurological and musculoskeletal indications. However, only few studies have investigated the robustness of such systems to changes in the sensor attachment and no consensus for suitable sensor positions exists in the research community. Specifically for unsupervised real-world measurements, understanding how the reliability of the monitoring system changes when the sensor is attached differently is from high importance. In these scenarios, placement variations are expected because of user error or personal preferences. In this manuscript, we present the largest study to date comparing different sensor positions and attachments. We recorded 9000 strides with motion-capture reference from 14 healthy participants with six synchronized sensors attached at each foot. Spatial gait parameters were calculated using a double-integration method and compared to the reference system. The results indicate that relevant differences in the accuracy of the stride length exists between the sensor positions. While the average error over multiple strides is comparable, single stride errors and variability parameters differ greatly. We further present a physics model and an analysis of the raw sensor data to understand the origin of the observed differences. This analysis indicates that a variety of attachment parameters can influence the systems’ performance. While this is only the starting point to understand and mitigate these types of errors, we conclude that sensor systems and algorithms must be reevaluated when the sensor position or attachment changes.
The FCG Editor: An innovative environment for engineering computational construction grammars
Authors: van Trijp Remi , Beuls Katrien , Van Eecke Paul
Published: June 2022

Since its inception in the mid-eighties, the field of construction grammar has been steadily growing and constructionist approaches to language have by now become a mainstream paradigm for linguistic research. While the construction grammar community has traditionally focused on theoretical, experimental and corpus-based research, the importance of computational methodologies is now rapidly increasing. This movement has led to the establishment of a number of exploratory computational construction grammar formalisms, which facilitate the implementation of construction grammars, as well as their use for language processing purposes. Yet, implementing large grammars using these formalisms still remains a challenging task, partly due to a lack of powerful and user-friendly tools for computational construction grammar engineering. In order to overcome this obstacle, this paper introduces the FCG Editor, a dedicated and innovative integrated development environment for the Fluid Construction Grammar formalism. Offering a straightforward installation and a user-friendly, interactive interface, the FCG Editor is an accessible, yet powerful tool for construction grammarians who wish to operationalise their construction grammar insights and analyses in order to computationally verify them, corroborate them with corpus data, or integrate them in language technology applications.
Timely health care seeking and first source of care for acute febrile illness in children in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Shimelis Techalew , Schierhout Gill , Tadesse Birkneh Tilahun , Dittrich Sabine , Crump John A. , Kaldor John M. , Vaz Nery Susana
Published: June 2022

Background

Timely health care seeking with access to quality health care are crucial to improve child survival. We conducted a study which aimed to identify factors influencing timely health care seeking and choice of first source of health care in Ethiopia.

Methods

A total of 535 caregivers who sought health care for febrile children aged under 5 years at a tertiary hospital, and one urban and two rural health centres in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia were recruited to participate in the study from August to November 2019. Caregivers were interviewed using pretested structured questionnaires on socio-demographic and clinical factors to identify associations with health care seeking practice and first source of care, and reasons for particular practices. Delayed care seeking was defined as seeking care from a health facility after 24 hours of onset of fever.

Results

Of 535 caregivers who participated, 271 (50.7%) had sought timely health care; 400 (74.8%) utilized a primary health care (PHC) facility as first source; and 282 (52.7%) bypassed the nearest PHC facility. Rural residents (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.85; 95% CI 1.11–3.09), and those who reported cough (AOR 1.87; 95% CI 1.20–2.93) as a reason for consultation were more likely to delay seeking health care. While caregivers were less likely delayed for children aged 24–35 months (AOR 0.50; 95% CI 0.28–0.87) compared to infants. Utilizing higher-level hospitals as the first source of care was less frequent among rural residents (AOR 0.15; 95% CI 0.06–0.39) and in those with no formal education (AOR 0.03; 95% CI 0.01–0.27). Those having a longer travel time to the provider (AOR 2.11; 95% CI 1.09–4.08) more likely utilized higher hospitals.

Conclusion

We identified a need to improve timely health seeking among rural residents, infants, and those presenting with respiratory symptoms. Improvements may be achieved by educating communities on the need of early care seeking, and ensuring the communities members’ expectations of services at each level consistent with the services capacity.
Poesía y publicidad en tres poetas de la España tardofranquista
Authors: Zorita Arroyo Diego
Published: June 2022

Mediante un análisis comparativo de la obra de Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Aníbal Núñez y Justo Alejo, este artículo analiza la relación entre poesía y publicidad en la España tardofranquista. El criterio de selección de los poemas descansa en la apropiación de recursos retóricos, discursivos y ortotipográficos de la publicidad para, mediante la ironía y la hipérbole, criticar su finalidad pragmática: la incitación al consumo. La apropiación de estos recursos publicitarios sirve a los poetas para cuestionar la función sagrada que el Romanticismo asignó a la poesía y para propugnar nuevos modos de creación poética en los albores de la era del consumo.
M.ª Ángeles Ayala Aracil, Estudios literarios. Alicante, Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo y Publicacions de la Universitat d’Alacant, 2021, 524 páginas
Authors: Gutiérrez Sebastián Raquel
Published: June 2022

Reseña del libro: M.ª Ángeles Ayala Aracil, Estudios literarios. Alicante, Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo y Publicacions de la Universitat d’Alacant, 2021, 524 páginas, ISBN 978-84-1302-147-8.
Emilio Peral Vega, La verdad ignorada. Homoerotismo masculino y literatura en España (1890-1936). Madrid, Cátedra, 2021, 296 pp., ISBN 978-84-376-4319-9
Authors: Mendieta Rodríguez Elios
Published: June 2022

Reseña del libro: Emilio Peral Vega, La verdad ignorada. Homoerotismo masculino y literatura en España (1890-1936). Madrid, Cátedra, 2021, 296 pp., ISBN 978-84-376-4319-9.
30 años de LEADER en Andalucía. Diversificación, turismo rural y crecimiento inteligente
Authors: Nieto Figueras Cristina , Cantarero Prados Francisco José , Enrique Sayago Pablo
Published: June 2022

Se exponen los principales resultados de un estudio realizado sobre la trayectoria seguida por el método de desarrollo rural LEADER en Andalucía durante sus treinta años de andadura y sobre los retos a los que se enfrentan en los últimos años, a través de los proyectos de diversificación y mejora de la calidad de vida impulsados por los Grupos de Acción Local andaluces. Para ello se analiza la evolución de los proyectos de turismo rural y las distintas opciones ligadas al aprovechamiento turístico de los recursos territoriales, así como su relación con las directrices europeas orientadas a un crecimiento inteligente. Tomando como referencia anteriores investigaciones sobre periodos precedentes, el estudio empírico se centra en las iniciativas impulsadas en las dos últimas fases de implementación de LEADER, analizando para ello las fuentes institucionales y contrastándolas con la información de proyectos, pormenorizada y recogida en los portales en línea de las 51 Zonas Rurales LEADER andaluzas. De los resultados se deduce la consolidación de la tendencia señalada por otros trabajos, referida a la madurez y creciente presencia de las iniciativas turísticas, y el compromiso con la innovación, sostenibilidad y especialización de las actuaciones. Asimismo, se reconocen las dificultades vinculadas a su integración en los Programas de Desarrollo Rural, que requieren propuestas de mejora para el próximo periodo 2023-2027, actualmente en proceso de diseño.
La Temperatura Efectiva Equivalente en Cuba
Authors: Barcia Sardiñas Sinaí , Hernández González Dunia , Otero Martín Meylin
Published: June 2022

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar el comportamiento espacial del índice bioclimático Temperatura Efectiva Equivalente en Cuba con objeto de conocer el espectro de sensaciones térmicas a la que está expuesta la población cubana. Para esto se calcula la Temperatura Efectiva Equivalente utilizando los datos trihorarios de 62 estaciones meteorológicas en el período 1981-2010 y se emplean métodos de modelación espacial basados en técnicas estadísticas y geoestadísticas apoyadas en los Sistemas de Información Geográfica. Los resultados confirman que en Cuba el rango diurno de las sensaciones térmicas según este índice bioclimático varía en dependencia de la época del año. Las mañanas del período poco lluvioso se caracterizan por ser generalmente frescas y en menor medida resultan frías o muy frías, en cambio, las tardes de mayo a octubre son generalmente calurosas llegando a ser muy calurosas en los meses de julio y agosto. Las características espaciales más contrastantes de las sensaciones térmicas en el país se presentan en función del efecto del relieve del terreno y la distancia a las costas, encontrándose las zonas más confortables desde el punto de vista térmico hacia el occidente y zonas montañosas del país.