bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Calculation Method of Typical Distribution Network Engineering Works in Xinjiang
Authors: Zhu Mingming , Wang Kunlun , Wang Shiyi , Surya Dirishati , Guo Jing
Published: February 2023

At present, the investment focus of the power grid is from the main network to the distribution network, and the distribution network engineering projects, as an important means to improve the security and stability level of the power grid, the power grid transmission capacity, the equipment health level and reduce the power supply energy consumption, is also a necessary guarantee for the power grid companies to improve the economic benefits, social benefits, and achieve sustainable development. With the continuous improvement of the investment scale of the distribution network, there are still prominent problems, such as insufficient precision of the distribution network cost control and extensive management. Based on the current situation of management and control and the actual situation of typical distribution network project construction, this paper puts forward a calculation method based on the reasonable range of engineering quantity of Chebyshev inequality, which can provide a reference for the subsequent construction of similar projects, and further improve the standardization and standardization level of the company’s distribution network project cost management.
Investigation of Wet-Preparation Methods of Nickel Foam For Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Authors: Ferriday T.B. , Sampathkumar S.N. , Middleton P.H. , Van Herle J.
Published: February 2023

Water electrolysers are multi-component systems whose performance relies on each part performing its task. A great emphasis has been placed on the development of efficient catalyst-coated electrodes, however the efficacy of the underlying substrate itself has been overlooked. This paper investigates the resulting performance of nickel foam electrodes in 1.0 M KOH after being treated in various concentrations of hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid. The greatest performance was achieved utilising 0.50 M H2SO4 as measured by LSV, EIS and CV and ECSA, resulting in a 27% decline in series resistance relative to untreated nickel foam. The series resistance decreased continuously with acid concentration until a plateau was reached at the concentration of 0.5 M, where this trend was seen for both types of acid. Utilising these preparation methods for nickel foam electrodes can notably enhance electrode performance.
Observed contribution of Barents-Kara sea ice loss to warm Arctic-cold Eurasia anomalies by submonthly processes in winter
Authors: Li Yanqin , Zhang Li , Gan Bolan , Wang Hong , Li Xichen , Wu Lixin
Published: February 2023

The warm Arctic-cold Eurasia (WACE) pattern of surface air temperature anomalies is a prominent feature of the Eurasian climate variations during boreal winter. The interannual WACE anomalies are accompanied by sea ice loss in the Barents-Kara (BK) seas, however, the causality between them remains controversial because of large internal atmospheric variability over subarctic Eurasia in winter. Here we disentangle the contribution of BK sea ice loss to the WACE anomalies based on a statistical decomposition approach. An anticyclonic circulation anomaly over subarctic Eurasia that forces the WACE anomalies is found to reach its peak 3 d prior to BK sea ice loss. After excluding this prior atmospheric forcing signature, the East Asian cooling matures about 15 d later as a result of the weakened moisture transport associated with the enhanced BK downstream ridge and East Asian trough due to BK sea ice loss. The results suggest that BK sea ice loss contributes ∼65% and ∼81% of the WACE-related East Asian cooling and Arctic warming at interannual timescale, respectively, whereas the WACE-related cooling over central Eurasia primarily results from internal atmospheric variability. Such submonthly lagged East Asia cooling caused by BK sea ice loss could be helpful in predicting winter extreme cold events over East Asia.
Simultaneous optimization of weld bead geometry and weld strength during gas tungsten arc welding of Inconel 825 strips using desirability function coupled with grey relational analysis (DF-GRA)
Authors: Choudhury Bishub , Singh Vivek , Singh Ajay Pratap , Chandrasekaran M. , Patel Yamika , Singh Shailesh Kumar
Published: February 2023

Inconel 825 is a prominent Ni-Fe-Cr based superalloy finds application in aerospace, defense, automotive, nuclear, marine industries. This article investigates ‘weld strength’ and ‘weld bead characteristics’ of Inconel 825 weld specimens welded using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. The welding speed (V), welding current (I), gas flow rate (GFR) and arc length (N) are considered as GTAW parameter and their effect has been examined on the weld characteristics. Welding speed and welding current has been identified as the most influential factor on process characteristics. Increased heat input from increased welding current and decreased welding speed initially improves weldment penetration (P) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). However, at the highest heat input condition, the formation of root cracks is observed, resulting in nominal weld strength deterioration. To obtain a favorable parameters setting that satisfies both the criterion simultaneously i.e. maximizing weld strength for optimum weld bead geometry, a hybrid optimization approach employing desirability function coupled with grey relational analysis (DF-GRA) is proposed. Satisfying all the objectives simultaneously, the approach provides an optimum weld parameters setting of (I
3−V
1−GFR
2−N
1:120 A−180 mm min−1−9 l/min−2 mm) resulting an improvement of 4.15% in penetration (P), 5.12% in front width (W), 19.74% in reinforcement (R), 1.29% in ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and 2.9% in percentage elongation (%E) on validation. Upon comparison, the algorithm outperforms the optimization results of both DF and GRA approach suggesting its robust nature. Overall, the DF-GRA hybrid approach is found simple and effective that includes the ignored robustness of the desirability approach.
Normal forms of a polynomial ODE
Authors: Bruno Alexander
Published: February 2023

We consider an ordinary differential equation (ODE) of order

n
n

, which is a polynomial of the independent variable

x
x

, the dependent variable

y
y

and all its derivatives up to the order

n
n

. To such equation we put in correspondence its Newton polygon. If the polygon has a vertex

(
v
,
1
)

(v,1)

and corresponding truncated equation has eigenvalues

λ
1

\lambda _1

, …,

λ
n

\lambda _n

, then there exists such formal substitution

y
=
z
+
φ
(
x
)

y=z+\varphi (x)

, where

φ
(
x
)

\varphi (x)

is a power series, that for

z
=

z
′

=
⋯
=

z

(
n
)

=
0

z=z’=\dotsb =z^{(n)} =0

the transformed equation has only resonant terms

a
m

x
m

a_mx^m

, where

m
=
v
+

λ
k

∈

Z

m=v+\lambda _k\in \mathbb Z

. It is true near each of two points:

x
=
0

x=0

and

x
=
∞

x=\infty

.
𝑞-Heun equation and initial-value space of 𝑞-Painlevé equation
Authors: Sasaki Shoko , Takagi Shun , Takemura Kouichi
Published: February 2023

We show that the

q
q

-Heun equation and its variants appear in the linear

q
q

-difference equations associated to some

q
q

-Painlevé equations by considering the blow-up associated to their initial-value spaces. We obtain the firstly degenerated Ruijsenaars-van Diejen operator from the linear

q
q

-difference equation associated to the

q
q

-Painlevé equation of type

E
8

E_8

.
Uniqueness of the solution of some nonlinear singular partial differential equations of the second order
Authors: Tahara Hidetoshi
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we consider a nonlinear singular second order partial differential equation of the form
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis t StartFraction partial-differential Over partial-differential t EndFraction right-parenthesis squared u equals upper F left-parenthesis t comma x comma left-brace left-parenthesis t StartFraction partial-differential Over partial-differential t EndFraction right-parenthesis Superscript i Baseline left-parenthesis StartFraction partial-differential Over partial-differential x EndFraction right-parenthesis Superscript alpha Baseline u right-brace Subscript i plus StartAbsoluteValue alpha EndAbsoluteValue less-than-or-equal-to 2 comma i greater-than 2 Baseline right-parenthesis">

(

t

∂

∂
t

)

2

u
=
F

(

t
,
x
,

{

(

t

∂

∂
t

)

i

(

∂

∂
x

)

α

u

}

i
+

|

α

|

≤
2
,
i
>
2

)

\Bigl (t \frac {\partial }{\partial t} \Bigr )^2u = F \Bigl (t,x, \Bigl \{ \Bigl (t \frac {\partial }{\partial t} \Bigr )^i \Bigl (\frac {\partial }{\partial x} \Bigr )^\alpha u \Bigr \}_{i+|\alpha | \leq 2,i>2} \Bigr )

\]
in the complex domain. If

F
(
t
,
x
,
z
)

F(t,x,z)

(with

z
=
{

z

i
,
α

}

i
+

|

α

|

≤
2
,
i
>
2

z=\{z_{i,\alpha } \}_{i+|\alpha | \leq 2,i>2}

) is a holomorphic function satisfying

F
(
0
,
x
,
0
)
≡
0

F(0,x,0) \equiv 0

and

(
∂
F

/

∂

z

i
,
α

)
(
0
,
x
,
0
)

(\partial F/\partial z_{i,\alpha })(0,x,0)

≡
0

\equiv 0

(if

|

α

|

>
0

|\alpha |>0

), then this equation is called a nonlinear Fuchsian type partial differential equation in

t
t

. Under a very weak assumption, we show the uniqueness of the solution. The result is applied to the problem of analytic continuation of local holomorphic solutions of this equation.
Solution with movable singular points of some Hamiltonian system
Authors: Yoshino Masafumi
Published: February 2023

This paper studies the movable singular points of a solution of the Hamiltonian system with the Hamiltonian

H
≔

H
0

+

H
1

H≔H_0+H_1

. Here

H
0

H_0

is integrable and the Hamiltonian system of

H
0

H_0

has a singular solution

v
v

, while

H
1

H_1

is a perturbation. A singular solution for

H
H

is given as

F
(
v
)

F(v)

for some transformation

F
F

being defined in the domain of the phase space which contains the orbit of

v
v

tending to the infinity. The map

F
F

is given by the homology equation via the global Borel summability.
Some notes on moment partial differential equations. Application to fractional functional equations
Authors: Lastra Alberto , Michalik Sławomir , Suwińska Maria
Published: February 2023

The present work provides a brief description on the state of the art regarding the theory of moment differential equations in the complex domain, and its applications to the study of fractional differential equations. All results are stated without any proof, giving appropriate references where the details can be found. We also describe how the theory can be particularized to fractional differential equations and the scope of the results achieved.
Pioglitazone restores mitochondrial function but does not spare cortical tissue following mild brain contusion
Authors: Hubbard W Brad , Vekaria Hemendra J , Kalimon Olivia J , Spry Malinda L , Brown Emily P , Kilbaugh Todd J , Sullivan Patrick G
Published: February 2023

Pioglitazone interacts through the mitochondrial protein mitoNEET to improve brain bioenergetics following traumatic brain injury. To provide broader evidence regarding the therapeutic effects of pioglitazone after traumatic brain injury, the current study is focused on immediate and delayed therapy in a model of mild brain contusion. To assess pioglitazone therapy on mitochondrial bioenergetics in cortex and hippocampus, we use a technique to isolate subpopulations of total, glia-enriched and synaptic mitochondria. Pioglitazone treatment was initially administered at either 0.25, 3, 12 or 24 h following mild controlled cortical impact. At 48 h post-injury, ipsilateral cortex and hippocampus were dissected and mitochondrial fractions were isolated. Maximal mitochondrial respiration injury-induced deficits were observed in total and synaptic fractions, and 0.25 h pioglitazone treatment following mild controlled cortical impact was able to restore respiration to sham levels. While there are no injury-induced deficits in hippocampal fractions, we do find that 3 h pioglitazone treatment after mild controlled cortical impact can significantly increase maximal mitochondrial bioenergetics compared to vehicle-treated mild controlled cortical impact group. However, delayed pioglitazone treatment initiated at either 3 or 24 h after mild brain contusion does not improve spared cortical tissue. We demonstrate that synaptic mitochondrial deficits following mild focal brain contusion can be restored with early initiation of pioglitazone treatment. Further investigation is needed to determine functional improvements with pioglitazone beyond that of overt cortical tissue sparing following mild contusion traumatic brain injury.
Transition to adult care of young people with congenital heart disease: impact of a service on knowledge and self-care skills and correlates of a successful transition
Authors: Ricci Piera , Dimopoulos Konstantinos , Bouchard Melissa , Zhiya Cheryl Chong , Castro Meira Virginia , Pool Danielle , Lambell Michelle , Rafiq Isma , Kempny Aleksander , Heng Ee Ling , Gatzoulis Michael A , Haidu Loredana , Constantine Andrew
Published: February 2023

Aims

Less than one-third of adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) successfully transition to adult care, missing out on education of their cardiac condition, and risking loss to follow-up. We assessed the efficacy of our transition clinic on patient education and empowerment and identified correlates of successful transition.

Methods and results

Overall, 592 patients were seen at least once in our transition service between 2015 and 2022 (age 15.2 ± 1.8 years, 47.5% female). Most adolescents (53%) had moderate CHD, followed by simple (27.9%) and severe (19.1%) CHD. Learning disability (LD) was present in 18.9% and physical disability (PD) in 4.7%. In patients without LD, knowledge of their cardiac condition improved significantly from the first to the second visit (naming their condition: from 20 to 52.3%, P < 0.0001; describing: 14.4–42.7%, P < 0.0001; understanding: 26.1–60.7%, P < 0.0001), and from the second to the third (naming: 67.4%, P = 0.004, describing: 61.4%, P < 0.001, understanding: 71.1%, P = 0.02;). Patients with LD did not improve their disease knowledge over time (all P > 0.05). Treatment adherence and management involvement, self-reported anxiety, and dental care awareness did not change over time. Successful transition (attendance of ≥ 2 clinics) was achieved in 49.3%. Younger age at the first visit, simpler CHD, and absence of PD were associated with successful transition.

Conclusion

A transition service positively impacts on patient education and empowerment in most CHD adolescents transitioning to adult care. Strategies to promote a tailored support for patients with LD should be sought, and earlier engagement should be encouraged to minimize follow-up losses.
Consumption and tax gains attributable to Covid-19 vaccinations in 12 EU countries with low vaccination rates
Authors: Cylus Jonathan , Walters Jessica , McKee Martin , Cowley Peter
Published: February 2023

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic is an economic and a health crisis. Households reduced consumption expenditures as large-scale physical distancing measures, lower disposable incomes and fear of infection when engaging in many types of economic activity took hold. This, in turn, reduced domestic tax revenues at a time when governments were facing increased financial pressures to strengthen and sustain welfare states.

Methods

We developed a simulation model, the Covid-19 Taxination Simulator, to estimate potential economic gains and tax revenues attributable to vaccine rollouts. We apply the model to 12 European Union countries which had low vaccination rates at the beginning of 2022.

Results

The highest growth in aggregate personal consumption expenditure attributable to Covid-19 vaccines administered as of January 2022 is in Greece (10.8%), Slovenia (8.6%) and Czechia (8.6%), while the lowest is in Bulgaria (2.2%) and Slovakia (2.1%). If countries had vaccinated 85% of their adult population, the largest gains in consumption tax revenues would be expected in Romania (830 million Euros) and Poland (738 million Euros). Consumption tax revenues generated by meeting the 85% of the adult population target would, on their own, be large enough to fully cover the costs of expanding the vaccine rollout itself in Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary and Greece.

Conclusion

Covid-19 vaccination rollouts not only save lives and relieve pressures on health systems, they also support economic growth and generate additional tax revenues. These revenues can partially offset the costs of vaccines programmes themselves.
Multilevel analysis of integration and disparity in the mammalian skull
Authors: Sherratt Emma , Kraatz Brian
Published: February 2023

Biological variation is often considered in a scalable hierarchy, e.g., within the individual, within the populations, above the species level. Morphological integration, the concept of covariation among constituent parts of an organism, is also hierarchical; the degree to which these “modules” covary is a matter of the scale of the study as well as underlying processes driving the covariation. Multilevel analyses of trait covariation are a valuable tool to infer the origins and historical persistence of morphological diversity. Here, we investigate concordance in patterns of integration and modularity across three biological levels of variation: within a species, within two genera-level radiations, and among species at the family level. We demonstrate this approach using the skull of mammalian family Leporidae (rabbits and hares), which is morphologically diverse and has a rare-among-mammals functional signal of locomotion adaptation. We tested three alternative hypotheses of modularity; from the most supported we investigated disparity and integration of each module to infer which is most responsible for patterns of cranial variation across these levels, and whether variation is partitioned consistently across levels. We found a common pattern of modularity underlies leporid cranial diversity, though there is inconsistency across levels in each module’s disparity and integration. The face module contributes the most to disparity at all levels, which we propose is facilitating evolutionary diversity in this clade. Therefore, the distinctive facial tilt of leporids is an adaptation to locomotory behavior facilitated by a modular system that allows lineages to respond differently to selection pressures.
Structure and evolution of the Australian plate and underlying upper mantle from waveform tomography with massive data sets
Authors: de Laat J I , Lebedev S , Celli N L , Bonadio R , Chagas de Melo B , Rawlinson N
Published: February 2023

We present a new S-wave velocity tomographic model of the upper mantle beneath the Australian Plate and its boundaries that we call Aus22. It includes azimuthal anisotropy and was constrained by waveforms from 0.9 million vertical-component seismograms, with the densest data sampling in the hemisphere centred on the Australian continent, using all available data covering this hemisphere. Waveform inversion extracted structural information from surface waves, S- and multiple S-waves and constrained S- and P-wave speeds and S-wave azimuthal anisotropy of the crust and upper mantle, down to the 660-km discontinuity. The model was validated by resolution tests and, for particular locations in Australia with notable differences from previous models, independent inter-station measurements of surface-wave phase velocities. Aus22 can be used to constrain the structure and evolution of the Australian Plate and its boundaries in fine detail at the regional scale. Thick, high-velocity (and, by inference, cold) cratonic lithosphere occupies nearly all of western and central Australia but shows substantial lateral heterogeneity. It extends up to the northern edge of the plate, where it collides with island arcs, without subducting. Diamondiferous kimberlites and lamproite deposits are underlain by cratonic lithosphere, except for the most recent diamondiferous lamproites in the King Leopold Orogen. The rugged eastern boundary of the cratonic lithosphere resolved by the model provides a lithospheric definition of the Tasman Line. Just east of the Tasman Line, an area of intermediate-thick lithosphere is observed in the southern part of the continent. The eastern part of Australia is underlain by thin, warm lithosphere, evidenced by low seismic velocities. All the sites of Cenozoic intraplate volcanism in eastern Australia are located on thin lithosphere. A low-velocity anomaly is present in the mantle transition zone (410–660 km depths) beneath the Lord Howe and Tasmanid hotspots, indicative of anomalously high temperature and consistent with a deep mantle upwelling feeding these hotspots and, possibly, also the East Australia hotspot. High seismic velocities at 200–410 km depth below New Guinea indicate the presence of slab fragments, probably linked to the subduction of the Australian Plate. High seismic velocities are observed in the transition zone below northeast Australia and indicate the presence of subducted lithospheric fragments trapped in the transition zone, possibly parts of the former northern continental margin of Australia.
Introduction: Social Histories of the Security State
Authors: Lebovic Sam
Published: February 2023

This introduction sketches the common themes of the five articles in this special section, outlines the importance of studying the security state as a central feature of modern social history, and suggests future avenues for research and analysis of security institutions devoted to policing, surveillance, violence, and control. It focuses particularly on: the globalization of security practices; the relationship between cultural subjectivity, social conditions, and state formation; the generative quality of security state activity; and questions of periodization, causation, and change over time.
A trifecta: patterns in orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction
Authors: Leavitt Chelom E , Leonhardt Nathan D , Eldredge Joanna Gurr , Busby Dean M , Clarke Rebecca W
Published: February 2023

Background

We based this study on the sexual wholeness model, which considers emotional, physical, and meaning elements of sexuality, and previous research that indicates variability in the associations among orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction.

Aim

We performed a person-based latent class approach to examine variables linked with the trifecta of orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction.

Methods

We used a Mechanical Turk sample that consisted of 1645 sexually active participants (1032 women) to evaluate classes and related variables.

Outcomes

Women divided into 5 classes and men into 3 classes. High orgasm consistency alone did not ensure sexual or relational satisfaction.

Results

We found that 5 groups emerged for women: high orgasm/low satisfaction (6%), low trifecta (8%), low orgasm/high satisfaction (16%), moderate orgasm/high satisfaction (15%), and high trifecta (55%). For men, 3 groups emerged: lower orgasm/high satisfaction (12%), moderate trifecta (14%), and high trifecta (74%). We also found that high orgasm consistency for women did not guarantee relational and sexual satisfaction, nor did lower orgasm consistency for men or women guarantee problematic relational and sexual satisfaction.

Clinical Implications

Communication, attachment, and sexual harmony were key elements associated with positive trifecta outcomes. Clinicians and educators may emphasize the importance of these variables when individuals encounter sexual or relational distress.

Strengths and Limitations

Data analytic techniques revealed a variety of groups for men and women and associations between a host of physical, psychological, and meaning variables and the trifecta of orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. However, this study is cross-sectional and correlational, which limits the conclusions that we can draw from it.

Conclusion

While the variables of orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction are each informative, together they help clinicians, educators, and researchers better understand the complexity of sex.
The Lives of Stars
Authors: Ostlie Dale A.
Published: February 2023

The Lives of Stars explores why the patterns that emerged in the previous chapter exist. A star is born in a stellar nursery and these nebulas are found across interstellar space. Under the right conditions, portions of these clouds can begin to collapse, triggering star formation and the creation of protoplanetary disks that lead to exoplanets. Just like the Sun, stars are powered by nuclear reactions that occur because of the high temperatures and pressures generated by the relentless pull of gravity. But nuclear reactions cause the central composition of a star to change, which is reflected in observable surface changes; the star evolves. Like all of science, theories and models must be continuously tested. Pulsating stars are natural probes of stellar interiors, and the presence of clusters of stars allow astronomers to directly compare the influence of mass and composition on stellar evolution.
The first genetic landscape of inherited retinal dystrophies in Portuguese patients identifies recurrent homozygous mutations as a frequent cause of pathogenesis
Authors: Peter Virginie G , Kaminska Karolina , Santos Cristina , Quinodoz Mathieu , Cancellieri Francesca , Cisarova Katarina , Pescini Gobert Rosanna , Rodrigues Raquel , Custódio Sónia , Paris Liliana P , Sousa Ana Berta , Coutinho Santos Luisa , Rivolta Carlo
Published: February 2023

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of ocular conditions characterized by an elevated genetic and clinical heterogeneity. They are transmitted almost invariantly as monogenic traits. However, with more than 280 disease genes identified so far, association of clinical phenotypes with genotypes can be very challenging, and molecular diagnosis is essential for genetic counseling and correct management of the disease. In addition, the prevalence and the assortment of IRD mutations are often population-specific. In this work, we examined 230 families from Portugal, with individuals suffering from a variety of IRD diagnostic classes (270 subjects in total). Overall, we identified 157 unique mutations (34 previously unreported) in 57 distinct genes, with a diagnostic rate of 76%. The IRD mutational landscape was, to some extent, different from those reported in other European populations, including Spanish cohorts. For instance, the EYS gene appeared to be the most frequently mutated, with a prevalence of 10% among all IRD cases. This was, in part, due to the presence of a recurrent and seemingly founder mutation involving the deletion of exons 13 and 14 of this gene. Moreover, our analysis highlighted that as many as 51% of our cases had mutations in a homozygous state. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing a cross-sectional genotype–phenotype landscape of IRDs in Portugal. Our data reveal a rather unique distribution of mutations, possibly shaped by a small number of rare ancestral events that have now become prevalent alleles in patients.
Measurement Properties of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale in Rehabilitation for Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Evensen Janne , Soberg Helene Lundgaard , Sveen Unni , Hestad Knut A , Moore Jennifer L , Bronken Berit Arnesveen
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study investigated the validity, reliability, responsiveness, and interpretability of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) in subacute stroke rehabilitation to determine its suitability to measure patient-identified rehabilitation goals.

Methods

A prospective observational study was designed according to the checklist from Consensus-Based Standards for Selecting Health Measurement Instruments. Seventy-one patients diagnosed with stroke were recruited in the subacute phase from a rehabilitation unit in Norway. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used to assess the content validity. Assessment of construct validity was based on hypotheses for correlation of the PSFS and comparator measurements. We assessed reliability by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) (3.1) and the standard error of measurement. The assessment of responsiveness was based on hypotheses for the correlation of change scores between the PSFS and the comparator measurements. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to assess responsiveness. The smallest detectable change and minimal important change were calculated.

Results

Eighty percent of the PSFS items were classified as activities and participation in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, indicating satisfactory content validity. The reliability was satisfactory with an ICC of 0.81 (95% CI = 0.69–0.89). The standard error of measurement was 0.70 point, and the smallest detectable change was 1.94 points. Five of 7 hypotheses were confirmed for construct validity, and 5 of 6 were confirmed for responsiveness, indicating moderate construct validity and high responsiveness. Assessing responsiveness with a criterion approach resulted in an area under the curve of 0.74. A ceiling effect was identified for 25% of the participants 3 months after discharge. The minimal important change was estimated to be 1.58 points.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates satisfactory measurement properties for the PSFS in individuals undergoing inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Impact

This study supports the use of the PSFS to document and monitor patient-identified rehabilitation goals in patients receiving subacute stroke rehabilitation when applied using a shared decision approach.
Human Capital, Female Employment, and Electricity: Evidence from the Early 20th-Century United States
Authors: Vidart Daniela
Published: February 2023

This paper revisits the link between electrification and the rise in female labour force participation (LFP), and presents theoretical and empirical evidence showing that electrification triggered a rise in female LFP by increasing market opportunities for skilled women. I formalize my theory in an overlapping generations model and find that my mechanism explains one quarter of the rise in female LFP during the rollout of electricity in the U.S. (1880–1940), and matches the slow decline in female home production hours during this period. I then present micro-evidence supporting my theory using newly digitized data on the early electrification of the U.S.
Long-term effects of sectarian politics: evidence from Lebanon
Authors: Emery Thomas J , Spruk Rok
Published: February 2023

We examine the effect of sectarian politics in the presence of weak state capacity on long-term economic growth. To this end, we exploit the 1956 civil uprising between Maronite Christian and Sunni Muslim factions in Lebanon to estimate the impact of sectarian political tensions on long-term growth. To isolate the impact of the uprising, we use synthetic control estimator and match Lebanon’s pre-1956 growth and development trajectory with the rest of the world where such uprising did not occur, and estimate the counterfactual growth trajectory in the hypothetical absence of the sectarian conflict. Our evidence indicates large and pervasive negative growth effects of factionalism. Our estimates imply that Lebanon’s per capita income down to the present day is on average 57% lower than that of its pre-1956 synthetic control group without sectarian clashes, and does not seem to be driven by preexisting or subsequent trends and shocks. The negative long-term growth effect of sectarian conflict is robust to a battery of spatial and temporal placebo checks, choice of samples and is not sensitive to the composition of control groups.
Oral testosterone therapy: past, present, and future
Authors: Miller Jake A , Nguyen Tuan T , Loeb Charles , Khera Mohit , Yafi Faysal A
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) remains a commonly utilized treatment for men with testosterone deficiency (TD). Despite the recent FDA approval of new oral TRT medications, concerns remain regarding their efficacy and safety, and prescription rates for these medications have decreased compared to those for TD medications with other routes of administration.

Objective

In this study we sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral testosterone undecanoate (oTU), a new oral TRT medication.

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases; 1269 articles were identified, with 44 articles included in the final review and 12 used to perform meta-analyses to investigate the change in serum total testosterone (TT) and risk of adverse effects following oral testosterone undecanoate (oTU) use. Articles were also reviewed to investigate the reported effects of oTU on body composition, liver function, hematologic assays, lipid profiles, hormone assays, prostate growth, hypertension, and symptoms of TD.

Results

Across placebo-controlled randomized trials, there was no significant increase in TT for those receiving oTU vs placebo (mean difference, −0.26 [95% CI, −1.26 to 0.73]). On subanalysis, when eugonadal participants received oTU, a significant decrease in TT was demonstrated (mean difference −0.86 [95% CI, −1.28 to 0.43]). When participants who were hypogonadal at baseline received oTU, a significant increase in TT compared to placebo was seen (mean difference 1.25 [95% CI, 0.22-2.29]). There was no significant risk of adverse effects (RR, −0.03 [95% CI, −0.08 to 0.03]) or serious adverse effects (RR, 0.15 [95% CI, −0.66 to 0.96]) in the oTU groups compared to placebo.

Conclusion

oTU was found to be well tolerated in hypogonadal patients, resulting in improved testosterone levels, height velocity, and sexual symptoms, without significant hepatotoxicity, prostatic enlargement, or worsening hypertension. There was no consensus regarding the effect of oTU on lean and fat mass percentages, hematologic assays, lipid profiles, mood, and general well-being.
Necessity of Pretests in Central Venous Catheter Insertion Simulation-Based Mastery Learning: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Barsuk Jeffrey H. , Mitra Debi , Cohen Elaine R. , Wayne Diane B.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) is a rigorous form of competency-based learning. Components of SBML include a pretest, deliberate practice, and a posttest; all learners must meet or exceed a minimum passing standard (MPS) on the posttest before completing training. The authors aimed to explore whether a modified SBML curriculum (without a pretest assessment) was as effective as the standard SBML curriculum (with a pretest assessment).

Method

The authors performed a randomized controlled trial of internal medicine residents who participated in an internal jugular central venous catheter insertion SBML curriculum at a tertiary care academic medical center in Chicago, Illinois, from December 2018 through December 2021. Residents were randomly assigned to complete the usual SBML intervention (pretest group) or to complete a modified SBML intervention without a pretest (no pretest group). The authors compared initial posttest performance and training time between groups.

Results

Eighty-nine of 120 eligible residents (74.1%) completed the study: 43 in the pretest group and 46 in the no pretest group. Median (IQR) initial posttest scores were not statistically different between the pretest group (96.6 [93.1–100]) and the no pretest group (96.6 [92.4–100]). However, all 43 residents (100%) in the pretest group reached the MPS at the initial posttest compared with 41 of the 46 (89%) in the no pretest group (P = .06). Residents in the pretest group required 16.5 hours more faculty and learning time than the no pretest group.

Conclusions

More residents who completed a pretest reached the MPS at initial posttest. However, incorporating a pretest during the internal jugular central venous catheter SBML curriculum required substantially more learner and faculty time without clear performance benefits.
Characteristics and Trends of Occupational Radiation Doses among Korean Radiation Workers (1984–2020)
Authors: Noh Eunbi , Lee Dalnim , Park Sunhoo , Ju Sun Dong , Kim Ji-Hye , Seo Songwon
Published: February 2023

This study identified characteristics of occupational radiation doses among Korean radiation workers from 1984–2020 using the National Dose Registry. The overall mean effective dose from 1984–2020 was 1.05 mSv y−1, with the highest mean effective dose of 2.61 mSv y−1 for non-destructive testing workers. The mean effective dose gradually decreased from 2.97 mSv in 1984 to 0.34 mSv in 2020. The largest decline ratio between 1984 and 2020 was observed in educational institutions at 97.4% (0.84 mSv in 1984 and 0.02 mSv in 2020), followed by industries at 96.5% (2.55 mSv in 1984 and 0.09 mSv in 2020). Compared to 1984, the individual dose-distribution and collective dose-distribution ratios in 2020 decreased by 82.6–99% and 53.7–94.7%, respectively. This downward trend was consistent in all occupations, while decline characteristics were different depending on occupation types, work experience, and changes in radiation safety regulations. Considering that some changes in radiation doses in the registry could be solely based on changing the recording mode regardless of the actual changes in radiation doses, a careful understanding of radiation doses in the registry is particularly relevant for future epidemiological studies.
OLINDA/EXM 2—The Next-generation Personal Computer Software for Internal Dose Assessment in Nuclear Medicine
Authors: Stabin Michael G.
Published: February 2023

The OLINDA/EXM version 2.0 personal computer code was created as an upgrade to the widely used OLINDA/EXM 1.0 and 1.1 codes. This paper documents the upgrades that were implemented. New decay data and anthropomorphic and biokinetic models were implemented in the software, and the software alpha and beta tested. Agreement of doses between the OLINDA/EXM codes 1 and 2 was very good. Use of the new anthropomorphic and biokinetic models results in understandable differences between the codes. Previous models were retained in the new code, and those results were identical to those in the previous code. OLINDA/EXM 2.0 represents an upgrade from version 1, with new modeling data recommended by the international community. It standardizes internal dose calculations for dose assessments in clinical trials with radiopharmaceuticals, theoretical calculations for existing pharmaceuticals, teaching, and other purposes.
Comparison of cataract surgery outcomes in English proficient and limited English proficiency patients
Authors: Gill Zafar S. , Caldwell Anne Strong , Patnaik Jennifer L. , Marin A. Itzam , Mudie Lucy I. , Grove Nathan , Ifantides Cristos , Ertel Monica K. , Puente Michael A. , Seibold Leonard K.
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

To determine differences in cataract surgery outcomes between English proficient (EP) and limited English proficiency (LEP) patients.

Setting:

Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Aurora, Colorado.

Design:

Retrospective.

Methods:

Patients who underwent phacoemulsification at the Sue Anschutz-Rogers Eye Center between January 2014 and February 2020 were included. Patients who self-identified as needing or preferring an interpreter in medical encounters were defined as LEP. Differences in surgical characteristics and outcomes including cataract maturity, surgical complexity, and surgical complications were analyzed.

Results:

868 eyes (6.4%) were identified from LEP patients. LEP patients were more likely to have mature cataracts (5.1% vs 2.3%, P < .0001). LEP patients' surgeries were more likely to be considered complex (27.8% vs 15.3%, P < .0001) and use higher cumulative dissipated energy (mean of 9.5 [SD = 9.5] vs 7.2 [SD = 7.1], P < .0001). Preoperative visual acuity was worse in LEP patients (logMAR 0.566 [SD = 0.64] vs 0.366 [SD = 0.51], P < .0001) but showed greater improvement after surgery (logMAR 0.366 [SD = 0.54] vs 0.254 [SD = 0.41], P < .0001). There were no significant differences in operative time, intraoperative or postoperative complications. More LEP patients were on steroids 4 weeks postoperatively when compared with EP patients (14.6% vs 10.1%, P < .0002). LEP patients were less likely to undergo subsequent YAG capsulotomy (7.3% vs 12.8%, P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Disparities in cataract outcomes between EP and LEP patients was demonstrated. Further research into ophthalmic health disparities for LEP patients is needed to understand the root causes and how they can be addressed.
Repeatability and agreement between a reference Scheimpflug tomographer and a low‐cost Scheimpflug system
Authors: Xu Wenjun , Zhai Changbin , Yusufu Mayinuer , Gan Jiahe , Li Shiming , Zheng Yan , Kang Mengtian
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

To assess the repeatability and agreement between Scheimpflug-based corneal topographers, Scansys and Pentacam, in measuring ocular parameters in myopic eyes.

Setting:

Grade-A tertiary hospital in Beijing, China.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The following measurements were performed in 204 subjects undergoing preoperative examinations for refractive surgery from the corneal curvature, astigmatism, corneal thickness, corneal volume, corneal asphericity, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and volume (ACV), and pupil diameters. Repeatability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficient with 95% CI, Cronbach α, coefficient of variation, within-subject SD, test–retest repeatability, and 1-way analysis of variance (1-way analysis of variance). The interdevice agreement was determined using paired t test and Bland-Altman plots.

Results:

Scansys showed good repeatability in the anterior and posterior corneal flattest meridian (Kf), steepest meridian (Ks), and mean (Km); axis of anterior corneal Ks; anterior corneal astigmatism; pupil central corneal thickness (CCT); CCT; corneal apex thickness; thinnest corneal thickness; corneal volume; photopic pupil diameter; ACD; and ACV. In the agreement study, Bland-Altman plots showed that 95% limit of agreement of corneal curvature, pupil CCT, corneal apex thickness, thinnest corneal thickness, and corneal volume generated by Scansys and Pentacam were narrow. There were no statistically significant differences in the anterior corneal Kf and Km.

Conclusions:

Scansys showed good repeatability in measuring corneal curvature of anterior and posterior surfaces, anterior corneal astigmatism, corneal thickness, corneal volume, photopic pupil diameter, ACV, and ACD. Scansys and Pentacam can only be used interchangeably in measuring anterior corneal curvature.
Increased risk of false-positive HIV ELISA results after COVID-19
Authors: Alfie Laura G. , Longueira Yesica S. , Pippo Mónica , Cruces Leonel , Quiroga María F. , Turk Gabriela , Laufer Natalia
Published: February 2023

Objective:

From the first-generation options available in 1985, tests to detect HIV-1 specific antibodies have increased its sensitivity and specificity. HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 surface glycoproteins present a certain degree of homology and shared epitope motifs, which results of relevance as both pandemics coexist. Here, we aimed to evaluate the rate of false-positive HIV serology results among individuals with COVID-19 diagnosis and in vaccinated individuals.

Design:

A retrospective analysis of the samples stored at the Infectious Disease Biobank in Argentina from donors with previous COVID-19 diagnosis or anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Methods:

Plasma samples were analyzed using Genscreen Ultra HIV Ag-Ab. In those with a positive result, the following assays were also performed: ELISA lateral flow Determine Early Detect; RecomLine HIV-1 & HIV-2 IgG and Abbott m2000 RealTime PCR for HIV-1 viral load quantification. In all samples, the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was evaluated by ELISA using the COVIDAR kit. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson's and Fisher's exact chi-squared test; Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results:

Globally, the false-positive HIV ELISA rate was 1.3% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.66–2.22; χ
2 = 4.68, P = 0.03, when compared with the expected 0.4% false-positive rate]. It increased to 1.4% (95% CI 0.70–2.24, χ
2 = 5.16, P = 0.02) when only samples from individuals with previous COVID-19 diagnosis, and to 1.8% (95% CI 0.91–3.06, χ
2 = 7.99, P = 0.005) when only individuals with detectable IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were considered.

Conclusion:

This higher occurrence of HIV false-positive results among individuals with detectable antibodies against Spike SARS-CoV-2 protein should be dispersed among virology testing settings, health providers, and authorities.
Viral suppression among adults with HIV receiving routine dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy and 3 months weekly isoniazid-rifapentine
Authors: Chaisson Lelia H. , Semitala Fred C. , Nangobi Florence , Steinmetz Samantha , Marquez Carina , Armstrong Derek T. , Opira Bishop , Kamya Moses R. , Phillips Patrick P.J. , Dowdy David W. , Yoon Christina
Published: February 2023

Objective:

We aimed to evaluate safety of 3 months weekly isoniazid-rifapentine (3HP) for tuberculosis (TB) prevention when co-administered with dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (TLD), and compare viral suppression among those initiating TLD + 3HP vs. TLD alone.

Design/Methods:

We analyzed data from an ongoing Phase 3 randomized trial comparing TB screening strategies among adults with CD4+ ≤350 cells/μl initiating routine antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Kampala, Uganda. TB screen-negative participants without contraindications are referred for self-administered 3HP. HIV viral load is routinely measured at 6 and 12 months. Here, we included TB-negative participants who initiated TLD with or without 3HP. We determined the number who discontinued 3HP due to drug toxicity. In addition, we assessed viral suppression at 6 and 12 months and used log-binomial regression to assess risk of viremia at 6 months for participants who initiated TLD + 3HP vs. TLD alone.

Results:

Of 453 participants initiating TLD (287 [63.4%] female, median age 30 years [interquartile range (IQR) 25–37], median pre-ART CD4+ cell count 188 cells/μl [IQR 86–271]), 163 (36.0%) initiated 3HP. Of these, 154 (94.5%) completed 3HP and one (0.6%) had treatment permanently discontinued due to a possible 3HP-related adverse event. At 6 months, for participants who received TLD + 3HP, risk of viremia >50 copies/ml was 1.51 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–2.14] times that of participants who received TLD alone. There was no difference in viral suppression between those who received TLD + 3HP vs. TLD alone at 12 months.

Conclusions:

Co-administration of TLD + 3HP was well tolerated. However, those who received TLD + 3HP were less likely to achieve viral suppression within six-months compared to those who received TLD alone.