bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy or early infancy and risk of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disorder, language disorder, and epilepsy in children: population based cohort study
Authors: Choi Ahhyung , Lee Hyesung , Jeong Han Eol , Lee Seo-Young , Kwon Jun Soo , Han Jung Yeol , Choe Young June , Shin Ju-Young
Published: May 2024

Objective

To evaluate the association between antibiotic use during pregnancy or early infancy and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Design

Nationwide population based cohort study and sibling analysis.

Setting

Korea’s National Health Insurance Service mother-child linked database, 2008-21.

Participants

All children live born between 2009 and 2020, followed up until 2021 to compare those with and without antibiotic exposure during pregnancy or early infancy (first six months of life).

Main outcomes measures

Autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disorder, language disorder, and epilepsy in children. After 1:1 propensity score matching based on many potential confounders, hazard ratios with 95% confidence interval were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. A sibling analysis additionally accounted for unmeasured familial factors.

Results

After propensity score matching, 1 961 744 children were identified for the pregnancy analysis and 1 609 774 children were identified for the early infancy analysis. Although antibiotic exposure during pregnancy was associated with increased risks of all four neurodevelopmental disorders in the overall cohort, these estimates were attenuated towards the null in the sibling analyses (hazard ratio for autism spectrum disorder 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.12; intellectual disorder 1.00, 0.93 to 1.07; language disorder 1.05, 1.02 to 1.09; and epilepsy 1.03, 0.98 to 1.08). Likewise, no association was observed between antibiotic exposure during early infancy and autism spectrum disorder (hazard ratio 1.00, 0.96 to 1.03), intellectual disorder (1.07, 0.98 to 1.15), and language disorder (1.04, 1.00 to 1.08) in the sibling analyses; however, a small increased risk of epilepsy was observed (1.13, 1.09 to 1.18). The results generally remained consistent across several subgroup and sensitivity analyses, except for slightly elevated risks observed among children who used antibiotics during very early life and those who used antibiotics for more than 15 days.

Conclusions

In this large cohort study, antibiotic exposure during pregnancy or early infancy was not associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disorder, or language disorder in children. However, elevated risks were observed in several subgroups such as children using antibiotics during very early life and those with long term antibiotic use, which warrants attention and further investigation. Moreover, antibiotic use during infancy was modestly associated with epilepsy, even after control for indications and familial factors. When prescribing antibiotics to pregnant women and infants, clinicians should carefully balance the benefits of use against potential risks.
PET imaging of unruptured intracranial aneurysm inflammation (PET-IA) study: a feasibility study protocol
Authors: Laukka Dan , Paturi Jooa , Rahi Melissa , Saraste Antti , Parkkola Riitta , Kivelev Juri , Gardberg Maria , Kuhmonen Johanna , Rinne Jaakko
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging can be used to evaluate arterial wall inflammation in extracranial vascular diseases. However, the application of PET imaging in unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) remains unexplored. Our objective is to investigate feasibility of PET imaging using 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTANOC tracers to evaluate arterial wall inflammation in UIA.

Methods and analysis

This PET imaging feasibility study will enrol patients scheduled for surgical treatment of UIA. The study subjects will undergo PET imaging of the intracranial arteries within 1 month before planned surgery. The imaging protocol includes 18F-FDG PET MRI, MRA with gadolinium enhancement, and 68Ga-DOTANOC PET CT. The study will also involve preoperative blood samples, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, and aneurysm sac biopsy. Planned sample size is at least 18 patients. Primary outcome is uptake of 18F-FDG or 68Ga-DOTANOC in intracranial arterial aneurysms compared with contralateral normal vessel as maximum standardised uptake value or target-to-blood pool ratio and correlation of uptake of 18F-FDG or 68Ga-DOTANOC to aneurysm histological findings. Secondary outcomes include estimating the correlations between uptake of 18F-FDG or 68Ga-DOTANOC and histological findings with blood and CSF miRNA-levels, arterial wall enhancement in gadolinium enhanced MRA, aneurysm size and shape, smoking, hypertension, and location of the aneurysm.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland, Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea, and Turku University Hospital. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04715503
Cross-sectional analysis of use of real-world data in single technology appraisals of oncological medicine by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2011–2021
Authors: Kang Jiyeon , Cairns John
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aims to identify how real-world data (RWD) have been used in single technology appraisals (STAs) of cancer drugs by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Design

Cross-sectional study of NICE technology appraisals of cancer drugs for which guidance was issued between January 2011 and December 2021 (n=229). The appraisals were reviewed following a published protocol to extract the data about the use of RWD. The use of RWD was analysed by reviewing the specific ways in which RWD were used and by identifying different patterns of use.

Primary outcome measure

The number of appraisals where RWD are used in the economic modelling.

Results

Most appraisals used RWD in their economic models. The parametric use of RWD was commonly made in the economic models (76% of the included appraisals), whereas non-parametric use was less common (41%). Despite widespread use of RWD, there was no dominant pattern of use. Three sources of RWD (registries, administrative data, chart reviews) were found across the three important parts of the economic model (choice of comparators, overall survival and volume of treatment).

Conclusions

NICE has had a long-standing interest in the use of RWD in STAs. A systematic review of oncology appraisals suggests that RWD have been widely used in diverse parts of the economic models. Between 2011 and 2021, parametric use was more commonly found in economic models than non-parametric use. Nonetheless, there was no clear pattern in the way these data were used. As each appraisal involves a different decision problem and the ability of RWD to provide the information required for the economic modelling varies, appraisals will continue to differ with respect to their use of RWD.
Work environment and hypertension in industrial settings in Benin in 2019: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Adjobimey Menonli , Houehanou Corine Yessito , Cisse Ibrahim Mama , Mikponhoue Rose , Hountohotegbe Esdras , Tchibozo Concheta , Adjogou Amelée , Dossougbété Véronique , Gounongbe Fabien , Ayelo Paul Ahoumenou , Hinson Vikkey , Houinato Dismand Stephan
Published: May 2024

Objective

To determine the association between occupational factors, particularly psychosocial factors, and hypertension.

Design

Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using logistic multivariate regression.

Setting

Fifteen cotton ginning plants in Benin.

Participants

Permanent and occasional workers in the cotton ginning industry.

Data collection

Data on sociodemographic, occupational, behavioural and clinical history characteristics were collected using a number of standardised, interviewer-administered questionnaires. These questionnaires were based on the WHO’s non-communicable disease questionnaire, Karasek questionnaire and Siegrist questionnaire. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured. Any worker with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg according to the WHO criteria was considered hypertensive, as was any subject on antihypertensive treatment even if blood pressure was normal.

Results

A total of 1883 workers were included, with a male to female ratio of 9.08. Of these, 510 suffered from hypertension (27.1%, 95% CI 25.1 to 29.2). In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors identified were occupational stress (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.96, 95% CI 1.28 to 12.2), age ≥25 years (aOR=2.77, 95% CI 1.55 to 4.96), body mass index of 25–30 kg/m2(aOR=1.71, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.2), body mass index >30 kg/m2(aOR=2.74, 95% CI 1.84 to 4.09), permanent worker status (aOR=1.66, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.41) and seniority in the textile sector >5 years (aOR=2.18, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.8). Recognition at work emerged as an effect-modifying factor subject to stratification.

Conclusions

Occupational factors, particularly job strain and recognition at work, are modifiable factors associated with hypertension in the ginning plants sector and deserve to be corrected through occupational health promotion and prevention.
Associations between intravaginal practices and incidence of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis among women enrolled in the dapivirine vaginal ring trial (The Ring Study) in southwestern Uganda: a retrospective secondary analysis
Authors: Kusemererwa Sylvia , Ruzagira Eugene , Onyango Martin , Kabarambi Anita , Abaasa Andrew
Published: May 2024

Objectives

We assessed associations between intravaginal practices (IVPs) and the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) among women using the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) or placebo vaginal ring in southwestern Uganda.

Methods

This was a retrospective secondary analysis of data collected from women at risk of HIV infection recruited into the Ring Study. The latter evaluated the safety and efficacy of the DVR between 2013 and 2016. At baseline, a behavioural questionnaire was administered to obtain information on sexual activity and IVP (exposure) defined as; insertion inside the vagina of any items aimed at cleaning the vagina for any reason before, during or after sex other than practices to manage menses. Each participant self-inserted the DVR/placebo and replaced it every 4 weeks for 2 years. Outcomes were diagnosis of STIs, that is,Chlamydia trachomatis,Neisseria gonorrhoea,Trichomonas vaginalis(TV), HIV and BV. The incidence rate of STI/BV was estimated, overall, by IVP and trial arm in single-event-per-participant and multiple-event-per-participant analyses.

Results

Of the 197 women enrolled, 66 (33.5%) were <25 years of age. Overall, 93 (47.2%) practised at least one form of IVP. During the follow-up, 172 (87.3%) women were diagnosed with an STI/BV at least once. The majority had TV (73.6%, n=145). Overall rate of STI/BV was 51.9/100 person-years, 95% CI 44.7 to 60.3 (IVP: yes, 51.0 (40.8–63.8) vs no, 52.6 (43.0–64.4)). IVPs were not statistically significantly associated with rate of individual STIs/BV. Similar results were observed when the analyses were conducted separately for each trial arm.

Conclusions

IVP was not associated with risk of STIs/BV in the Ring Study.

Trial registration number

NCT01539226.
Combined MRI-TRUS fusion targeted and systematic biopsy versus systematic biopsy alone for the detection of prostate cancer: protocol for a prospective single-centre trial
Authors: Liu Wujianhong , Kadier Aimaitiaji , Shen Danjing , He Yanyan , Dong Shengrong , Zhu Kun , Xu Guang , Zhao Binghui , Mao Shiyu , Guo Changcheng , Yao Xudong , Wei Qin , Han Dongyan , Yang Bin
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The classic way of diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa) is by conducting the 12-core systematic biopsy (SB). However, it has a low detection rate for clinically significant PCa (csPCa) and can lead to the detection of clinically insignificant PCa (cisPCa). Although MRI-transrectal ultrasound (MRI-TRUS) fusion targeted biopsy (TB) can effectively improve the detection rate of csPCa, it may still miss some cases. Therefore, we propose using a combination of TB and SB methods to enhance the detection rate of csPCa while minimising the detection rate of cisPCa.

Methods and analysis

This study is a prospective, single-centre investigation that aims to assess and compare the detection rate of csPCa using MRI-TRUS fusion TB combined with SB versus TRUS 12-core SB alone. Biopsy-naïve men with suspected PCa will be subjected to multiparametric MRI. Patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (V.2.1) score ≥3 will be enrolled in the TB-SB combination group. The sample size is established as 660 participants, considering a 10% drop-out rate. The primary outcome is the detection rate of csPCa in men without prior biopsy using MRI-TRUS fusion TB combined with the standard TRUS-guided 12-core SB method. CsPCa will be defined as International Society of Urological Pathology Grade ≥2.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee at the Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, an affiliated hospital of Tongji University School of Medicine. The research results will be published in a peer-reviewed international journal.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2000036089.
Perioperative mental health intervention for depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults study protocol: design and methods for three linked randomised controlled trials
Authors: Holzer Katherine J , Bartosiak Kimberly A , Calfee Ryan P , Hammill Chet W , Haroutounian Simon , Kozower Benjamin D , Cordner Theresa A , Lenard Emily M , Freedland Kenneth E , Tellor Pennington Bethany R , Wolfe Rachel C , Miller J Philip , Politi Mary C , Zhang Yi , Yingling Michael D , Baumann Ana A , Kannampallil Thomas , Schweiger Julia A , McKinnon Sherry L , Avidan Michael S , Lenze Eric J , Abraham Joanna
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Preoperative anxiety and depression symptoms among older surgical patients are associated with poor postoperative outcomes, yet evidence-based interventions for anxiety and depression have not been applied within this setting. We present a protocol for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in three surgical cohorts: cardiac, oncological and orthopaedic, investigating whether a perioperative mental health intervention, with psychological and pharmacological components, reduces perioperative symptoms of depression and anxiety in older surgical patients.

Methods and analysis

Adults ≥60 years undergoing cardiac, orthopaedic or oncological surgery will be enrolled in one of three-linked type 1 hybrid effectiveness/implementation RCTs that will be conducted in tandem with similar methods. In each trial, 100 participants will be randomised to a remotely delivered perioperative behavioural treatment incorporating principles of behavioural activation, compassion and care coordination, and medication optimisation, or enhanced usual care with mental health-related resources for this population. The primary outcome is change in depression and anxiety symptoms assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-Anxiety Depression Scale from baseline to 3 months post surgery. Other outcomes include quality of life, delirium, length of stay, falls, rehospitalisation, pain and implementation outcomes, including study and intervention reach, acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness, and patient experience with the intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The trials have received ethics approval from the Washington University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board. Informed consent is required for participation in the trials. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, presented at clinical research conferences and disseminated via the Center for Perioperative Mental Health website.

Trial registration numbers

NCT05575128,NCT05685511,NCT05697835, pre-results.
Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on poststroke cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Liu Wulong , Cheng Xianglin , Zhang Yao , Liao Weijing
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Poststroke cognitive impairment is a common complication in stroke survivors, seriously affecting their quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial to improve cognitive function of patients who had a stroke. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) are non-invasive, safe treatments with great potential to improve cognitive function in poststroke patients. However, further improvements are needed in the effectiveness of a single non-invasive brain stimulation technique for cognitive rehabilitation. This study protocol aims to investigate the effect and neural mechanism of the combination of tDCS and taVNS on cognitive function in patients who had a stroke.

Methods and analysis

In this single-centre, prospective, parallel, randomised controlled trial, a total of 66 patients with poststroke cognitive impairment will be recruited and randomly assigned (1:1:1) to the tDCS group, the taVNS group and the combination of tDCS and taVNS group. Each group will receive 30 min of treatment daily, five times weekly for 3 weeks. Primary clinical outcome is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Secondary clinical outcomes include the Mini-Mental State Examination, Stroop Colour Word Test, Trail Marking Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Modified Barthel Index. All clinical outcomes, functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging will be measured at preintervention and postintervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University (approval no: KY202390). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals or at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2300076632.
Personalised Exercise-Rehabilitation FOR people with Multiple long-term conditions (PERFORM): protocol for a randomised feasibility trial
Authors: Simpson Sharon Anne , Evans Rachael A , Gilbert Hannah Rosemary , Branson Amy , Barber Shaun , McIntosh Emma , Ahmed Zahira , Dean Sarah Gerard , Doherty Patrick Joseph , Gardiner Nikki , Greaves Colin , Daw Paulina , Ibbotson Tracy , Jani Bhautesh , Jolly Kate , Mair Frances , Ormandy Paula , Smith Susan , Singh Sally J , Taylor Rod
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Personalised Exercise-Rehabilitation FOR people with Multiple long-term conditions (PERFORM) is a research programme that seeks to develop and evaluate a comprehensive exercise-based rehabilitation intervention designed for people with multimorbidity, the presence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). This paper describes the protocol for a randomised trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the PERFORM intervention, study design and processes.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, parallel two-group randomised trial with individual 2:1 allocation to the PERFORM exercise-based intervention plus usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control). The primary outcome of this feasibility trial will be to assess whether prespecified progression criteria (recruitment, retention, intervention adherence) are met to progress to the full randomised trial. The trial will be conducted across three UK sites and 60 people with MLTCs, defined as two or more LTCs, with at least one having evidence of the beneficial effect of exercise. The PERFORM intervention comprises an 8-week (twice a week for 6 weeks and once a week for 2 weeks) supervised rehabilitation programme of personalised exercise training and self-management education delivered by trained healthcare professionals followed by two maintenance sessions. Trial participants will be recruited over a 4.5-month period, and outcomes assessed at baseline (prerandomisation) and 3 months postrandomisation and include health-related quality of life, psychological well-being, symptom burden, frailty, exercise capacity, physical activity, sleep, cognition and serious adverse events. A mixed-methods process evaluation will assess acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of intervention delivery and feasibility of trial processes. An economic evaluation will assess the feasibility of data collection and estimate the costs of the PERFORM intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial has been given favourable opinion by the West Midlands, Edgbaston Research Ethics Service (Ref: 23/WM/0057). Participants will be asked to give full, written consent to take part by trained researchers. Findings will be disseminated via journals, presentations and targeted communications to clinicians, commissioners, service users and patients and the public.

Trial registration number

NCT68786622.

Protocol version

2.0 (16 May 2023).
What is the ideal time to begin tapering opioid agonist treatment? A protocol for a retrospective population-based comparative effectiveness study in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Yan Ruyu , Kurz Megan , Guerra-Alejos B Carolina , Min Jeong Eun , Bach Paxton , Greenland Sander , Gustafson Paul , Karim Ehsan , Korthuis P Todd , Loughin Tom , McCandless Lawrence , Platt Robert W , Schnepel Kevin , Seaman Shaun , Socías M Eugenia , Wood Evan , Xie Hui , Nosyk Bohdan
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) tapering involves a gradual reduction in daily medication dose to ultimately reach a state of opioid abstinence. Due to the high risk of relapse and overdose after tapering, this practice is not recommended by clinical guidelines, however, clients may still request to taper off medication. The ideal time to initiate an OAT taper is not known. However, ethically, taper plans should acknowledge clients’ preferences and autonomy but apply principles of shared informed decision-making regarding safety and efficacy. Linked population-level data capturing real-world tapering practices provide a valuable opportunity to improve existing evidence on when to contemplate starting an OAT taper. Our objective is to determine the comparative effectiveness of alternative times from OAT initiation at which a taper can be initiated, with a primary outcome of taper completion, as observed in clinical practice in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods and analysis

We propose a population-level retrospective observational study with a linkage of eight provincial health administrative databases in BC, Canada (01 January 2010 to 17 March 2020). Our primary outcomes include taper completion and all-cause mortality during treatment. We propose a ‘per-protocol’ target trial to compare different durations to taper initiation on the likelihood of taper completion. A range of sensitivity analyses will be used to assess the heterogeneity and robustness of the results including assessment of effectiveness and safety.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol, cohort creation and analysis plan have been classified and approved as a quality improvement initiative by Providence Health Care Research Ethics Board and the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics. Results will be disseminated to local advocacy groups and decision-makers, national and international clinical guideline developers, presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals electronically and in print.
Perceptions and experiences of paramedics managing people with non-traumatic low back pain: a qualitative study of Australian paramedics
Authors: Vella Simon P , Simpson Paul , Bendall Jason C , Pickles Kristen , Copp Tessa , Swain Michael S , Maher Christopher G , Machado Gustavo C
Published: May 2024

Background

Paramedics are often first providers of care to patients experiencing non-traumatic low back pain (LBP), though their perspectives and experiences with managing these cases remain unclear.

Objectives

This study explored paramedic views of the management of non-traumatic LBP including their role and experience with LBP management, barriers to referral and awareness of ambulance service guidelines.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews conducted between January and April 2023.

Setting

New South Wales Ambulance service.

Participants

A purposive sample of 30 paramedics of different specialities employed by New South Wales Ambulance were recruited.

Results

Paramedic accounts demonstrated the complexity, challenge, frustration and reward associated with managing non-traumatic LBP. Paramedics perceived that their primary role focused on the assessment of LBP, and that calls to ambulance services were often driven by misconceptions surrounding the management of LBP, and a person’s pain severity. Access to health services, patient factors, defensive medicine, paramedic training and education and knowledge of guidelines influenced paramedic management of LBP.

Conclusion

Paramedics often provide care to non-traumatic LBP cases yet depending on the type of paramedic speciality find these cases to be frustrating, challenging or rewarding to manage due to barriers to referral including access to health services, location, patient factors and uncertainty relating to litigation. Future research should explore patient perspectives towards ambulance service use for the management of their LBP.
‘Unusual’ HCV genotype subtypes: origin, distribution, sensitivity to direct-acting antiviral drugs and behaviour on antiviral treatment and retreatment
Authors: Vo-Quang Erwan , Pawlotsky Jean-Michel
Published: May 2024

The high genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has led to the emergence of eight genotypes and a large number of subtypes in limited geographical areas. Currently approved pangenotypic DAA regimens have been designed and developed to be effective against the most common subtypes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a). However, large populations living in Africa and Asia, or who have migrated from these regions to industrialised countries, are infected with ‘unusual’, non-epidemic HCV subtypes, including some that are inherently resistant to currently available direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs due to the presence of natural polymorphisms at resistance-associated substitution positions. In this review article, we describe the origin and subsequent global spread of HCV genotypes and subtypes, the current global distribution of common and unusual HCV subtypes, the polymorphisms naturally present in the genome sequences of unusual HCV subtypes that may confer inherently reduced susceptibility to DAA drugs and the available data on the response of unusual HCV subtypes to first-line HCV therapy and retreatment. We conclude that the problem of unusual HCV subtypes that are inherently resistant to DAAs and its threat to the global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis are largely underestimated and warrant vigorous action.
Dietary creatine is associated with lower serum neurofilament light chain levels
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M. , Grasaas Erik , Baltic Sonja , Cvejic Jelena
Published: May 2024

Low creatine availability may be linked to an elevated risk of neuronal damage, yet this association remains inadequately explored at the population level. Utilizing 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, the current study found a negative correlation between dietary creatine intake and serum levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL; a biomarker for neuronal damage) in a cohort of 1912 individuals (52.2% females) aged 20–75 years. This inverse association persisted even after adjusting for other nutritional variables known to influence neuronal viability. The observed pattern, where increased dietary creatine intake was associated with reduced circulating NfL levels, suggests potential protective effects of creatine against neuronal injury.
Oral hormonal contraceptives and cardiovascular risks in females
Authors: Bhullar Sukhwinder K. , Rabinovich-Nikitin Inna , Kirshenbaum Lorrie A.
Published: May 2024

Oral hormonal contraception (OHC) is a widely employed method in females for the prevention of unintended pregnancies, as well as for the treatment of menstrual disorders, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. However, it is believed that with OHCs use, some females may have higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and heart failure. Although such risks are infrequently detected in healthy young females with the use of oral contraceptives, slightly elevated risks of cardiovascular diseases have been observed among reproductive-aged healthy females. However, prolonged use of OHC has also been claimed to have protective cardiac effects and may contribute to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, the debate on whether OHC administration increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases has been ongoing with inconsistent and controversial viewpoints. Nevertheless, a great deal of work has been carried out to understand the relationship between OHC use and the occurrence of cardiovascular risk in females who use OHC for preventing the unwanted pregnancy or treatment of other disorders. Therefore, in this review we summarize the most recent available evidence regarding the association between the use of oral hormonal contraceptives and the risk for cardiovascular disease in females who are using OHC to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Searching for new physics in c→u transitions with nonuniversal Z′ model
Authors: Mandal M. , Biswas S. , Mahata S. , Sahoo S.
Published: May 2024

In recent years, it has been reported that rare charm decays have immense potential to probe physics beyond the standard model (SM). The Glashow–Iliopoulos–Maiani mechanism effectively suppresses the flavor changing neutral currents decays involving [Formula: see text] transitions which makes them sensitive to new physics (NP) effects. In this work, we study D meson decays undergoing [Formula: see text] transitions in nonuniversal [Formula: see text] model. We determine the NP coupling from [Formula: see text] mixing and [Formula: see text] process. We then estimate the upper limits of branching fractions and forward–backward asymmetries for the decays [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The upper limits of the branching fractions obtained in the [Formula: see text] model show a significant enhancement from their SM results.
DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CUSP SINGULARITIES
Authors: BÜYÜKTAŞ SELİN , KARAÇOR DENİZ
Published: May 2024

Studies on nonlinear analysis of system dynamics have increased in recent years. Since most systems that exist in nature have complex dynamics and therefore exhibit nonlinear behavior; there are various methods and theories developed in this context. Self-similar functions are mathematical functions exhibiting self-similar and scale-invariant behaviors performing fractal structures. Singularities are the basis for producing the self-similar behavior of these functions. Singularity analysis is mainly carried out by using wavelet transform (WT). The cusp singularities are non-oscillating singularities which are characterized by their singularity strength. However, the representation and behavior of this type of singularity differs depending on the sign of the exponent, known as the singularity strength. The cusp singularity functions with negative exponent show irregular behavior progressively different than positively valued functions since the value of the function is undefined at that particular singular point. It is commonly accepted that the singularity strength is studied as Hölder exponent of the cusp function, but by definition, the value of this exponent cannot take negative values. We present a new method to estimate the singularity strength of cusp singularities with negative exponent. The developed method is based on analyzing and redistributing the amplitudes of a cusp function with negative exponent by taking the WT. The redistribution of amplitudes over time is achieved by applying curve fitting process to frequency values of the analyzing function.
RELIEF TRANSFORMATION OF Ni-BASED METALLIC GLASS RIBBON UPON ANNEALING IN β -RELAXATION REGION
Authors: BUTENKO P. N. , BETEKHTIN V. I. , OBIDOV B. A.
Published: May 2024

The lack of ductility is known to be one of the major drawbacks of amorphous state. Recently, an increase in the tensile strength and ductility was found in the [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]B2 metal glass ribbon pre-annealed at [Formula: see text]-relaxation temperature. This paper analyzes the surface relief transformation observed during this process and the nature of separate inhomogeneities. The most significant effect is a flattening of the surface relief. This case was confirmed by statistical processing. Thus, the surface relief change was shown to be a clear indicator of structure relaxation process, that occurs in a metal glass ribbon well below its crystallization.
On a class of constacyclic codes of length 4ps over 𝔽pm[u] 〈u3〉
Authors: Laaouine Jamal , Dinh Hai Q.
Published: May 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a prime such that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a positive integer. For any nonzero element [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], we determine the algebraic structure of all [Formula: see text]-constacyclic codes of length [Formula: see text] over the finite commutative chain ring [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a positive integer. If the unit [Formula: see text] is a square, [Formula: see text], each [Formula: see text]-constacyclic code of length [Formula: see text] is expressed as a direct sum of an [Formula: see text]-constacyclic code and an [Formula: see text]- constacyclic code of length [Formula: see text]. In the main case that the unit [Formula: see text] is not a square, it is shown that any nonzero polynomial of degree at most [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text] is invertible in the ambient ring [Formula: see text]. It is also proven that the ambient ring [Formula: see text] is a local ring with the unique maximal ideal [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. Such [Formula: see text]-constacyclic codes are then classified into eight distinct types of ideals, and the detailed structures of ideals in each type are provided. Among other results, the number of codewords, and the dual of each [Formula: see text]-constacyclic code are obtained. The non-existence of self-dual and isodual [Formula: see text]-constacyclic codes of length [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text], when the unit [Formula: see text] is not a square, is likewise proved.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF A OMNIDIRECTIONAL BENDING ACTUATOR FOR CLIMBING ANALYSIS
Authors: WANG BINGZHU , YE XIANGRUI
Published: May 2024

With its good flexibility and adaptability to the environment, soft robot has been attached great importance by the majority of researchers in recent years, and is widely used in rehabilitation treatment, flexible grasping and other fields. However, the existing actuators have disadvantages such as single deformation mode, poor flexibility and insufficient environmental adaptability. The reason is that the actuator structure is too simple to meet the complex application scenarios. In this paper, an omnidirectional bending multi-segment soft actuator is proposed, and the parameter analysis and dynamic analysis models are given. Meanwhile, the prestressed modal analysis of the proposed model is carried out to better characterize the dynamic behavior. A numerical study of a climbing motion verifies the novelty and validity of the proposed structure.
Global well-posedness for second grade fluids
Authors: Clark H. R. , Friz L. , Rojas-Medar M.
Published: May 2024

This paper deals with a study on an initial-boundary value problem for incompressible non-Newtonian fluids of degree two, in a bounded and simply connected open set [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. It will be shown that the global-in-time weak solution is uniformly stable (i.e. the behavior of the solution changes continuously with the data), and consequently this solution is unique. Furthermore, an exponential decay rate for the energy of the weak solution will also be established.
The Impact of Knowledge Management Practices on Organisational Performance: Case Study in a Public Organisation
Authors: Ledmaoui Ahmed , Mokhtari Bouchaib
Published: May 2024

This study delves into the strategic challenge of Knowledge Management (KM) in organisations, particularly in the public sector, and aims to identify the impact of KM practices on organisational performance. By examining the relationship between knowledge as a valuable resource for competitive advantage, the study identifies the factors that affect knowledge formalisation and preservation in organisations. The study surveyed several department heads from a public organisation to analyse the impact of KM practices, and found that practices such as knowledge capitalisation, formalisation, sharing and inventory have a positive effect on organisational performance. The study also sheds light on the importance of understanding the context and potential barriers to effective KM, particularly department heads’ reluctance to share knowledge due to concerns over losing power. The contribution of this study lies in bridging the gap between theory and practical context in KM practices and identifying the factors that affect organisational performance.
Eulerian series as Hecke-type double sums through the transformation formulas
Authors: Hao Li-Jun , Xu Liang-Liang
Published: May 2024

Recently, establishing the Hecke-type double sums forms for Eulerian series has received a great deal of attention to seek special cases of q-hypergeometric series. In this paper, with the aid of some basic hypergeometric series identities given by Chen and Wang, and Liu, we discover many new Eulerian series and express them in terms of Hecke-type double sums and Appell–Lerch sums. Based on the modern sense for the mock theta functions, we find that some of these series are mock theta functions and the others are mixed mock theta functions. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of Hecke-type double sums, we find three string function identities with levels 2, 4, and 6.
Discovery of Positive Allosteric Modulators of α 7 nAChR by an Ensemble-based Virtual Screening Method, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and in vitro Biological Activity Testing
Authors: Meng Peiran , Mu Wenjun , Ding Daobo , Chen Huan , Li Zhaohui , Hou Hongwei , Hu Qingyuan
Published: May 2024

The [Formula: see text]7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a neurotransmitter receptor and a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we used deep learning-based classification modeling, molecular docking, and intracellular calcium signal detection experiments to identify positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the [Formula: see text]7 nAChR from natural tobacco products. First, we used a classification prediction model based on the direct message-passing neural network (D-MPNN) and molecular docking to predict potential [Formula: see text]7 PAMs. Subsequently, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions were performed to determine its pharmacological properties and minimal toxic side effects, leading to the selection of three natural compounds for in vitro activity validation. Calcium signaling assay experiments revealed that diosmetin can enhance nicotine-induced calcium ion signaling. 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicated that diosmetin can form a dense and stable complex with [Formula: see text]7 nAChR. This study provides valuable insights for the design of more effective and selective ligands for the [Formula: see text]7 nAChR.
Balancing Human Likeness in Social Robots: Impact on Children’s Lexical Alignment and Self-disclosure for Trust Assessment
Authors: Calvo-Barajas Natalia , Akkuzu Anastasia , Castellano Ginevra
Published: May 2024

While there is evidence that human-like characteristics in robots could benefit child-robot interaction in many ways, open questions remain about the appropriate degree of human likeness that should be implemented in robots to avoid adverse effects on acceptance and trust. This study investigates how human likeness, appearance and behavior, influence children’s social and competency trust in a robot. We first designed two versions of the Furhat robot with visual and auditory human-like and machine-like cues validated in two online studies. Secondly, we created verbal behaviors where human likeness was manipulated as responsiveness regarding the robot’s lexical matching. Then, 52 children (7–10 years old) played a storytelling game in a between-subjects experimental design. Results show that the conditions did not affect subjective trust measures. However, objective measures showed that human likeness affects trust differently. While low human-like appearance enhanced social trust, high human-like behavior improved children’s acceptance of the robot’s task-related suggestions. This work provides empirical evidence on manipulating facial features and behavior to control human likeness in a robot with a highly human-like morphology. We discuss the implications and importance of balancing human likeness in robot design and its impacts on task performance, as it directly impacts trust-building with children.
A Human-Centered View of Continual Learning: Understanding Interactions, Teaching Patterns, and Perceptions of Human Users Toward a Continual Learning Robot in Repeated Interactions
Authors: Ayub Ali , De Francesco Zachary , Mehta Jainish , Yaakoub Agha Khaled , Holthaus Patrick , Nehaniv Chrystopher L. , Dautenhahn Kerstin
Published: May 2024

Continual learning (CL) has emerged as an important avenue of research in recent years, at the intersection of Machine Learning (ML) and Human–Robot Interaction (HRI), to allow robots to continually learn in their environments over long-term interactions with humans. Most research in CL, however, has been
robot-centered
to develop CL algorithms that can quickly learn new information on systematically collected static datasets. In this article, we take a
human-centered
approach to CL, to understand how humans interact with, teach, and perceive CL robots over the long term, and if there are variations in their teaching styles. We developed a socially guided CL system that integrates CL models for object recognition with a mobile manipulator robot and allows humans to directly teach and test the robot in real time over multiple sessions. We conducted an in-person study with 60 participants who interacted with the CL robot in 300 sessions with 5 sessions per participant. In this between-participant study, we used three different CL models deployed on a mobile manipulator robot. An extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data collected in the study shows that there is significant variation among the teaching styles of individual users indicating the need for personalized adaptation to their distinct teaching styles. Our analysis shows that the constrained experimental setups that have been widely used to test most CL models are not adequate, as real users interact with and teach CL robots in a variety of ways. Finally, our analysis shows that although users have concerns about CL robots being deployed in our daily lives, they mention that with further improvements CL robots could assist older adults and people with disabilities in their homes.
Model-Agnostic Adaptive Testing for Intelligent Education Systems via Meta-learned Gradient Embeddings
Authors: Bi Haoyang , Liu Qi , Wu Han , He Weidong , Huang Zhenya , Yin Yu , Ma Haiping , Su Yu , Wang Shijin , Chen Enhong
Published: May 2024

The field of education has undergone a significant revolution with the advent of intelligent systems and technology, which aim to personalize the learning experience, catering to the unique needs and abilities of individual learners. In this pursuit, a fundamental challenge is designing proper test for assessing the students’ cognitive status on knowledge and skills accurately and efficiently. One promising approach, referred to as
Computerized Adaptive Testing
(CAT), is to administrate computer-automated tests that alternately select the next item for each examinee and estimate their cognitive states given their responses to the selected items. Nevertheless, existing CAT systems suffer from inflexibility in item selection and ineffectiveness in cognitive state estimation, respectively. In this article, we propose a Model-Agnostic adaptive testing framework via Meta-leaned Gradient Embeddings, MAMGE for short, improving both item selection and cognitive state estimation simultaneously. For item selection, we design a Gradient Embedding-based Item Selector (GEIS) which incorporates the concept of gradient embeddings to represent items and selects the best ones that are both informative and representative. For cognitive state estimation, we propose a Meta-learned Cognitive State Estimator (MCSE) to automatically control the estimation process by learning to learn a proper initialization and dynamically inferred updates. Both MCSE and GEIS are inherently model-agnostic, and the two modules have an ingenious connection via meta-learned gradient embeddings. Finally, extensive experiments evaluate the effectiveness and flexibility of MAMGE.
Accelerating Scientific Paper Skimming with Augmented Intelligence Through Customizable Faceted Highlights
Authors: Fok Raymond , Soldaini Luca , Trier Cassidy , Bransom Erin , MacMillan Kelsey , Cheng Evie , Kambhamettu Hita , Bragg Jonathan , Lo Kyle , Hearst Marti A. , Head Andrew , Weld Daniel S.
Published: May 2024

Scholars need to keep up with an exponentially increasing flood of scientific papers. To aid this challenge, we introduce
Scim
, a novel intelligent interface that helps scholars skim papers to rapidly review and gain a cursory understanding of its contents.
Scim
supports the skimming process by highlighting salient content within a paper, directing a scholar’s attention. These automatically-extracted highlights are faceted by content type, evenly-distributed across a paper, and have a density configurable by scholars. We evaluate
Scim
with an in-lab usability study and a longitudinal diary study, revealing how its highlights facilitate the more efficient construction of a conceptualization of a paper. Finally, we describe the process of scaling highlights from their conception within
Scim
, a research prototype, to production on over 521,000 papers within the Semantic Reader, a publicly-available augmented reading interface for scientific papers. We conclude by discussing design considerations and tensions for the design of future skimming tools with augmented intelligence.