bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Headache disorders and relevant sex and socioeconomic patterns in adolescents and young adults across 204 countries and territories: an updated global analysis
Authors: Ge Rongguang , Chang Jie , Cao Yongjun
Published: August 2023

Background

Primary headache disorders are a group of highly prevalent and disabling neurological diseases that mainly consist of migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). A previous study showed that the burden of headaches peaked at a working age that ranged from 15 to 49, particularly among females, affecting their productivity and severely damaging their social interactions.

Methods

The latest dataset was retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. Three indicators, including prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs), were adopted for evaluation. The overall and specific headache burdens were fully compared and analysed at global, regional, and national levels. The ratio of female YLD rates to male YLD rates due to headaches was calculated to estimate the sex pattern. Finally, we utilized the two-tailed Spearman test to explore the potential association between socioeconomic background and headaches among young people.

Results

Globally, for overall headache disorders, a total of 2,049,979,883 prevalent cases (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 1,864,148,110 to 2,239,388,034), 601,229,802 incident cases (95% UI: 530,329,914 to 681,007,934), and 38,355,993 YLDs (95% UI: 7,259,286 to 83,634,503) were observed for those aged 10 to 54 in 2019. Sex differences were widely found for all headache types among adolescents and young adults, especially migraine. However, the most interesting finding was that the associations we tested between the socioeconomic environment and young headache patients were positive, regardless of region or specific country or territory.

Conclusions

Overall, the global burden of headaches in adolescents and young adults largely increased from 1990 to 2019. Although slight declines were observed in sex differences, they remained significant and challenging. The positive correlations between headache and socioeconomic background among young people were relatively inconsistent with previous investigations, and several related hypotheses were proposed for explanation. Interdisciplinary actions involving education, policy- and law-making, and basic medical practice are desperately needed to further fight against the headache burden, promote gender equality in headache care, and eliminate the stigmatization of headache patients in student and working groups.
Prevalence, clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters of arrhythmias among patients with rheumatic heart disease attending Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Makatu Clara Damascene , Mutagaywa Reuben Kato , Peter Ponsian , Barongo Aileen , Kifai Engerasiya
Published: August 2023

Background

Arrhythmia is a known complication of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). It is critical to recognize arrhythmias early on so that prompt preventative actions and vigilant monitoring may be considered while treating these patients.

Aim

This study aimed at determining the prevalence, clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters of arrhythmias among RHD patients attending Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI).

Methodology

Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis of RHD aged 18years and above attending JKCI. Demographic and clinical information was documented. Echocardiography, a resting electrocardiography and 24 h ambulatory Holter monitoring electrocardiography were done. Chi square test was used to determine association between variables and those with a p value ≤ 0.2 were entered in a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the independent factors associated with arrhythmias. P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The receiver operating curve was used to determine the critical point for left atrial size beyond which arrhythmias develop.

Results

A total of 390 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 39 years interquartile range (IQR 30–52). Females were 257/390 (65.9%). Asymptomatic patients were 208/390 (53.3%). Most patients belonged to New York heart Association (NYHA) functional class I&II 247/390 (62.1%). The most common valve lesion was mitral stenosis 228/390 (58.5%). Arrhythmias were found in 276/390 (70.77%) patients, of which 193/390 (49.5%) patients were from resting electrocardiography (ECG) and 88/197 (44.7%) patients from holter ECG. Independent factors for arrhythmias were, NYHA functional class III&IV (a0R 4.67, 95% CI 1.82-12.00 p = < 0.01) and severe left atrial diameter enlargement (aOR 7.28, 95% CI 3.17–16.70 p = < 0.01). The critical point beyond which arrhythmias develop was found to be left atrium diameter > 48 mm.

Conclusion

We found a high prevalence of arrhythmias among patients with RHD. The independent predictors of arrhythmias were left atrium dilatation and NYHA functional class III-IV. We recommend close monitoring for arrhythmias among RHD patients in sinus rhythm with higher NYHA functional class and dilated left atrium.
Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and hypertension among adults in North Sudan: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Hassan Ahmed A. , Abdelbagi Omer , Osman Osman E. , Adam Ishag
Published: August 2023

Background

Globally, hypertension represents a major public health problem. The association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and hypertension remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and hypertension among adults in Sudan.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in North Sudan. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Serum 25(OH)D was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

Results

Of the total of 391 participants, 202 (51.7%) were females. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of participants’ ages was 45(32–55) years. Of the total, 219(56.0%) had hypertension. The median (IQR) of serum25(OH)D was 13.3(9.9–19.7) ng/mL, and 295 (75.4%) participants had vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL). In multivariable logistic regression, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for age = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI)1.03‒1.061, the AOR for being female = 2.02, 95% CI, 1.12‒3.66, and body mass index was AOR = 1.09, 95% CI, 1.05‒1.14, all of which were significantly associated with hypertension. However, serum 25(OH)D levels were not associated with hypertension (AOR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.99‒1.05, P = 0.317). In multiple linear regression, while systolic blood pressure was negatively associated with 25(OH)D (coefficient = − 0.28, P = 0.017), there was no significant association between serum 25(OH)D level and diastolic blood pressure (coefficient = − 0.10, P = 0.272) or mean blood pressure (coefficient =–0.03, P = 0.686).

Conclusion

The current study revealed a negative association between vitamin D and systolic blood pressure. The mechanism of such an association needs further study.
Rim plate in the treatment of hyperextension tibial plateau fracture: surgical technique and a series of cases
Authors: Sun Zhijian , Li Ting , Liu Yabo , Mao Yujiang , Li Weihua , Guo Qi , Li Shaoliang , Li Changrun
Published: August 2023

Background

The existence of a “bare area” at the anterior plateau has been observed in cases where anteromedial and/or anterolateral proximal tibial locking plates are used for fixation in the treatment of hyperextension tibial plateau fractures (HTPF). The objective of this study is to introduce the rim plate fixation technique and evaluate its clinical efficacy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on HTPF patients who underwent treatment with a combination of rim plate and proximal tibial locking plate at our hospital between April 2015 and December 2019. All patients were followed up for a minimum of one year. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed using anteromedial/posteromedial and/or anterolateral approaches for all cases. The surgical strategies employed for rim plate fixation were introduced, and both radiographic and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

Thirteen patients were enrolled in the study, with an average follow-up time of 4.3 years. Satisfactory reduction was achieved and radiographically maintained in all cases. Additionally, all patients exhibited satisfactory clinical functions, as evidenced by a mean hospital for special surgery (HSS) knee score of 96.2 ± 2.0 (range: 90–98). Furthermore, no wound complications or implant breakage were observed in this series.

Conclusion

The combination of the rim plate and proximal tibial plate proved to be an effective fixation configuration, resulting in satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Safety and efficacy of precision hepatectomy in the treatment of primary liver cancer
Authors: Zhang Junhong , Zhang Pengfei , Cao Jinglin
Published: August 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of precision hepatectomy in the treatment of primary liver cancer.

Methods

An randomized controlled trial of 98 patients with primary liver cancer admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to February 2021 were analyzed for the study, and they were divided into 49 cases each in the control group (conventional hepatectomy) and the study group (precision hepatectomy) according to the different surgical methods. The surgical condition, complications and follow-up results of the two groups were counted, and the liver function and immune function of the two groups were observed before and 1 week after surgery.

Results

The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospitalization time and anal venting time in the study group were less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). One week after surgery, AST, TBiL, ALT and ALB levels decreased, with in the study group significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05); CD4+, CD3 + and CD4+/CD8 + levels were significantly higher in the study group (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After 2 years of follow-up, the recurrence rate and mortality rate of the study group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05); the difference was not statistically significant when comparing the metastasis rate between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Precision hepatectomy can effectively treat primary liver cancer with high safety and could be promoted in clinical practice.
The impact of sarcopenia on esophagectomy for cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Park Amanda , Orlandini Marina Feliciano , Szor Daniel José , Junior Ulysses Ribeiro , Tustumi Francisco
Published: August 2023

Background

Esophagectomy is the gold-standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer but has high morbimortality rates. Sarcopenia is a common comorbidity in cancer patients. The exact burden of sarcopenia in esophagectomy outcomes remains unclear. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to establish the impact of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes of esophagectomy for cancer.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing sarcopenic with non-sarcopenic patients before esophagectomy for cancer (Registration number: CRD42021270332). An electronic search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, and LILACS, alongside a manual search of the references. The inclusion criteria were cohorts, case series, and clinical trials; adult patients; studies evaluating patients with sarcopenia undergoing esophagectomy or gastroesophagectomy for cancer; and studies that analyze relevant outcomes. The exclusion criteria were letters, editorials, congress abstracts, case reports, reviews, cross-sectional studies, patients undergoing surgery for benign conditions, and animal studies. The meta-analysis was synthesized with forest plots.

Results

The meta-analysis included 40 studies. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with increased postoperative complications (RD: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.14), severe complications (RD: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.19), and pneumonia (RD: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.18). Patients with sarcopenia had a lower probability of survival at a 3-year follow-up (RD: -0.16; 95% CI: -0.23 to -0.10).

Conclusion

Preoperative sarcopenia imposes a higher risk for overall complications and severe complications. Besides, patients with sarcopenia had a lower chance of long-term survival.
Sequence dependencies and mutation rates of localized mutational processes in cancer
Authors: Poulsgaard Gustav Alexander , Sørensen Simon Grund , Juul Randi Istrup , Nielsen Morten Muhlig , Pedersen Jakob Skou
Published: August 2023

Background

Cancer mutations accumulate through replication errors and DNA damage coupled with incomplete repair. Individual mutational processes often show nucleotide sequence and functional region preferences. As a result, some sequence contexts mutate at much higher rates than others, with additional variation found between functional regions. Mutational hotspots, with recurrent mutations across cancer samples, represent genomic positions with elevated mutation rates, often caused by highly localized mutational processes.

Methods

We count the 11-mer genomic sequences across the genome, and using the PCAWG set of 2583 pan-cancer whole genomes, we associate 11-mers with mutational signatures, hotspots of single nucleotide variants, and specific genomic regions. We evaluate the mutation rates of individual and combined sets of 11-mers and derive mutational sequence motifs.

Results

We show that hotspots generally identify highly mutable sequence contexts. Using these, we show that some mutational signatures are enriched in hotspot sequence contexts, corresponding to well-defined sequence preferences for the underlying localized mutational processes. This includes signature 17b (of unknown etiology) and signatures 62 (POLE deficiency), 7a (UV), and 72 (linked to lymphomas). In some cases, the mutation rate and sequence preference increase further when focusing on certain genomic regions, such as signature 62 in transcribed regions, where the mutation rate is increased up to 9-folds over cancer type and mutational signature average.

Conclusions

We summarize our findings in a catalog of localized mutational processes, their sequence preferences, and their estimated mutation rates.
A reduced Galerkin finite element formulation based on proper orthogonal decomposition for the generalized KDV-RLW-Rosenau equation
Authors: Zhao Wenju , Piao Guang-Ri
Published: August 2023

This paper investigates reduced-order modeling of the Korteweg de Vries regularized long-wave Rosenau (KdV-RLW-Rosenau) equation using semi- and fully-discrete B-spline Galerkin approximations. The approach involves the application of a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method to a Galerkin finite element (GFE) formulation, resulting in a POD GFE formulation with lower dimensions and high accuracy. The error between the reduced POD GFE solution and the traditional GFE solution is analyzed using the Crank-Nicolson method. Numerical examples show that the theoretical conclusions are consistent with the results of the numerical computation, and that the POD method is effective and feasible.
Conversion surgery for advanced jejunal adenocarcinoma with multiple peritoneal metastases: a case report
Authors: Obayashi Miku , Otsuka Shimpei , Ashida Ryo , Ohgi Katsuhisa , Yamada Mihoko , Kawakami Takeshi , Uesaka Katsuhiko , Sugiura Teiichi
Published: August 2023

Background

Small bowel cancer (SBC) is a rare malignancy that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Palliative chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with metastatic SBC. The relevant literature on conversion surgery in patients who have responded favorably to chemotherapy is limited.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with jejunal carcinoma with multiple peritoneal metastases. After implanting an expandable metallic stent at the primary site, the patient underwent 6 months of FOLFOX therapy, resulting in a clinical complete response. Chemotherapy was continued, and four years after the initiation of therapy, the patient showed no evidence of disease progression. Nevertheless, anemia of continuous minor hemorrhages from the stent site and general malaise of chemotherapy got progressively worse during treatment. After confirming negative ascites cytology and the absence of peritoneal metastasis via staging laparoscopy, the patient underwent partial jejunectomy. Pathologically, no residual tumor was detected in the resected specimen. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained free of recurrence for 30 months after surgery without chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Although infrequent, conversion surgery may be a valid therapeutic option for selected cases of SBC with peritoneal metastasis.
The influence of outcome expectancy on interpretation bias training in social anxiety: an experimental pilot study
Authors: Frommelt Tonya , Traykova Milena , Platt Belinda , Wittekind Charlotte E.
Published: August 2023

Background

Cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) trainings have shown positive effects on interpretation bias in both active interpretation bias training conditions and structurally similar control conditions. Outcome expectations have been suggested to contribute to these placebo effects. The goal of this pilot experimental study was to test the feasibility of positive expectancy induction, to gain preliminary insight into whether this has implications for the efficacy of CBM-I training, and to assess the feasibility of recruitment and the overall study design.

Methods

Socially anxious individuals aged 18 years and older received a single session (approx. 45 min) of either CBM-I or placebo training preceded by either a positive expectancy induction or no expectancy induction. We first tested whether the expectancy induction had modified participants’ expectations of training. We then explored the effects of CBM-I training and expectancy induction on interpretation bias. Finally, we assessed the feasibility of recruitment and further study procedures.

Results

Due to pandemic-related difficulties, fewer participants were recruited than initially planned. Thirty-four (22 females and 12 males) participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions (interpretation bias training + high expectancy = 10, interpretation bias training + no expectancy = 8, placebo training + high expectancy = 11, placebo training + no expectancy = 5). Participants in the positive expectancy condition had more positive expectations of the training (CBM-I or placebo) than participants in the no expectancy condition. We were unable to conduct the planned 2 × 2 × 2 analysis of interpretation bias due to the small sample size. When looking at these groups individually, we found that participants in the active training condition and participants in the high expectancy condition showed increases in positive interpretation bias and decreases in negative interpretation bias from pre- to post-training, while participants in the placebo and no expectancy conditions showed no change.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the expectancy manipulation utilized in this study may be adopted by future studies which investigate outcome expectations as an unspecific mechanism of CBM-I. Preliminary analyses suggest that participants’ expectations are likely to play a role in the effect of CBM-I training, although these effects require replication in a larger sample. Several observations about the study feasibility were made which could inform future trials.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered on the August 23, 2022, through the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00029768).
Will the gap ever be bridged? A cross-national comparison of non-native students’ educational achievements
Authors: Porcu Mariano , Sulis Isabella , Usala Cristian , Giambona Francesca
Published: August 2023

A crucial element in evaluating the success of immigrant integration policies is to compare the school performances of immigrant students with that of natives. According to large-scale international assessments, immigrant students tend to underperform their native peers even after controlling for socioeconomic conditions, with relevant differences depending on countries’ migration histories. This article analyses the evolution in the skills gap between native students and students with an immigrant background by comparing traditional (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) and new immigration countries (Italy and Spain) using data collected from the Program for International Student Assessment survey from 2009 to 2018. We model students’ learning outcomes in mathematics and reading in a multilevel setting by clustering students at the high school level. This approach allows us to compare countries’ relative performances concerning the immigrant integration process by accounting for the role played by high schools and students’ backgrounds. Results show that the differences between native and immigrant students in both sets of countries are narrowing but still present.
Provocative mesenteric angiography for occult gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review
Authors: Hegde Siddhi , Sutphin Patrick D. , Zurkiya Omar , Kalva Sanjeeva P.
Published: August 2023

Occult gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a challenge for physicians to diagnose and treat. A systematic literature search of the PubMed and Embase databases was conducted up to January 1, 2023. Eligible studies included primary research studies with patients undergoing provocative mesenteric angiography (PMA) for diagnosis or localization of occult GIB. Twenty-seven articles (230 patients) were included in the review. Most patients (64.8%) presented with lower GIB. The average positivity rate for provocative angiography was 48.7% (58% with heparin and 46.7% in thrombolytics). Embolization was performed in 46.4% of patients, and surgical management was performed in 37.5%. Complications were rare. PMA can be an important diagnostic and treatment tool but studies with high-level evidence and standardized protocols are needed to establish its safety and optimal use.
Series of fast reperfusion with simultaneous proximal and distal aspiration in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Zahner Jule , Lausberg Nora , Schott Peter , Haage Patrick , Freyhardt Patrick , Feyen Ludger
Published: August 2023

Background

Various endovascular techniques for the recanalization of large vessel occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke have been established. In this series a combined distal and proximal aspiration technique was used as a novel approach. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether this technique achieves reperfusion faster and if embolization in distal territories can be reduced.

Results

The success of the treatment was dependent on the localization of the clot. Fast reperfusion was achieved in all patients when the clot was located at the level of the middle cerebral artery. Aspiration failed when the vessel occlusion was located at the level of the carotid-T and subsequent rescue treatment was performed. Median groin puncture to reperfusion time was 20 min (range 9–66). No Embolization to new territories (ENT) and no intracerebral hemorrhage were observed. One patient died. In all other patients favorable neurological outcome was observed as measured by a modified Rankin score at discharge (mRS 0, range 0–1).

Conclusion

Simultaneous proximal and distal aspiration appears to be fast and effective. Furthermore, it reliably prevented ENT in patients with vessel occlusion at the level of the middle cerebral artery in a small cohort.
A step in the right direction: exploring the effects of aerobic exercise on HbA1c reduction
Authors: Singh Bhupinder , Koneru Yogitha Chowdary , Zimmerman Holden , Kanagala Sai Gautham , Milne Indigo , Sethi Anirudh , Jain Rohit
Published: August 2023

Diabetes has become a serious health concern for the global population. An estimated 643 million people will have type 2 diabetes mellitus by the year 2030. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the important risk factors along with obesity, hypertension, and diet. Exercise improves blood glucose levels and reduces glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Physical aerobic exercise utilizes energy stored in the form of ATP and helps to burn stored fat. The process of muscular contraction during a physical workout controls the mechanisms responsible for improving blood glucose levels. These involve complex pathways that ultimately increase the uptake of blood glucose, improve insulin sensitivity and blood flow, and optimize the functioning of the endocrine pancreas. An overall reduction in HbA1C can be achieved through the interplay of all these pathways.
Bead Mill-driven Acceleration of Catalytic Methanolysis of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Kawase Tomoya , Ishitani Haruro , Kobayashi Shū
Published: August 2023

We investigated the depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) into its monomer dimethyl terephthalate with the assistance of pulverization using bead-milling technology. The results of this study revealed pulverization conditions under which catalytic methanolysis proceeded at <90 °C. The suitable selection of milling media and solvents was important for efficient methanolysis. The results suggested the contribution of low-molecular-weight PET, generated through ZrO2-mediated bead milling.
The genome sequence of the London Dowd, Blastobasis lacticolella (Rebel, 1939)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Hutchinson Finley ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: August 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Blastobasis lacticolella (the London Dowd; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Blastobasidae). The genome sequence is 577.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.63 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 10,302 protein coding genes.
Positive Socialization of a Younger Schoolchildren in the Process of Mastering the Course "Robotics"
Authors: Davoyan Irina
Published: August 2023

The article discusses the positive impact of robotics classes on the process of positive socialization of primary school students, which, in accordance with the requirements of the updated version of the Federal State Educational Standard for Primary General Education, is one of the goals of teaching children of this age group. Based on the examples of extracurricular activities in the course, it has been demonstrated that the Lego constructor is a suitable tool for introducing younger schoolchildren to robotics, and also acts as a “soft” means of their positive socialization.
Carbon monoxide poisoning - cases, pathophysiology, management
Authors: Kubicka Magdalena , Dębiec Paweł , Wilk Joanna , Szydłowski Przemysław , Makarewicz Magdalena , Porzak Mikołaj , Szyłkajtis Natalia
Published: August 2023

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common clinical problem, especially in autumn and winter. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and poisoning causes hypoxia, cell damage and consequently, can lead to death. Carbon monoxide exposure is measured directly from blood samples and expressed as a percentage of carboxyhemoglobin or indirectly using carbon monoxide in the breath. Carboxyhemoglobin percentage is the most commonly used biomarker of carbon monoxide exposure. Although the diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confirmed by the detection of elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, the presence of clinical signs after known exposure to carbon monoxide should not be ignored. Carbon monoxide poisoning can have lasting effects. Physicians evaluating patients with acute poisoning should initiate treatment with normobaric oxygen and consider treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Often, complete recovery after poisoning may not be possible and you should then refer for the treatment of complications to appropriate specialists.
The Impact of Government Interventions on COVID-19 Spread and Consumer Spending
Authors: Zhao Nan , Yao Song , Thomadsen Raphael , Wang Chong Bo
Published: August 2023

We examine the impact of government interventions on the spread of COVID-19 and consumer spending. We do this by first estimating models of COVID-19 spread, consumer spending, and social distancing in the United States during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing has a large effect on reducing COVID-19 spread and is responsive to national and local case numbers. Nonmask government interventions reduce COVID-19 spread, whereas the effectiveness of mask mandates is much smaller and statistically insignificant. Mask mandates tend to increase social distancing, as do nonmask governmental restrictions as a whole. Social distancing hurts spending in the absence of a mask mandate but has a negligible effect on spending if there is a mask mandate. Mask mandates have a direct effect of increasing spending in counties with high levels of social distancing while reducing spending in counties with low levels of social distancing. We use these three estimated models to calculate the effect of mask mandates and other governmental interventions on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and consumer spending. Implemented mask mandates decreased COVID-19 cases by a statistically insignificant 774,000 cases, saving 28,000 lives, over a four-month period, but led to $76B–$155B of additional consumer spending. Other nonmask governmental interventions that were implemented reduced the number of COVID-19 cases by 34M, saving 1,230,000 lives, while reducing consumer spending by approximately $470B–$703B over our 4-month period of the study. Thus, these restrictions were cost effective as long as one values each saved life at $387,000–$608,000 or more.

This paper was accepted by Matt Shum, marketing.

Supplemental Material: The data is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4853 .
As literaturas underground e marginal: reflexões sobre pretuguês e adaptação do rap para o conto em “Óleo e Garoa”, de Fred Aganju
Authors: Oliveira Sávio Silva
Published: August 2023

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar o processo de adaptação de uma música de rap para o conto a partir da mobilização dos conceitos de Literatura Marginal e Literatura Underground. A pesquisa discorre acerca do conto e música intitulados “Óleo e Garoa” (2022/2018 respectivamente), de Aganju Dref. Assim, a problemática deste artigo se assenta na questão: quais impactos sociais e literários surgem no processo de adaptação de um rap para um conto? Por meio da pesquisa, observamos como a literatura marginal e underground utilizam o Pretuguês como tecnologia de comunicação e letramento na diáspora africana, sobretudo por meio obra em análise, a denúncia de um genocídio em curso especificamente nos interiores baianos ao passo que também explora uma nova ótica politizada sobre as cidades históricas, a exemplo de Cachoeira/BA.
Encenando Lady Macbeth: O Caso Charlotte Cushman (1816-1876)
Authors: Athias Cecília
Published: August 2023

Este artigo discute as tensões de gênero presentes em Macbeth (1606) de Shakespeare, focalizando a protagonista da tragédia, Lady Macbeth, e tem como objetivo ler conjuntamente a referida personagem e um recorte da história de Charlotte Cushman, atriz estadunidense que viveu no século XIX. Ao encenar Lady Macbeth, Cushman teve sua atuação descrita com termos como “virago” e “sanguinária”. A proposta aqui é refletir como as instabilidades de gênero inerentes ao texto shakespeariano deram margem a atuações dramáticas consideravelmente distintas. A título de comparação, analisarei o modo como Cushman encenou a personagem em contraste com a maneira que a atriz britânica Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) o fez, um século antes, no Reino Unido.
A nurse led cauda equina service: a quality improvement project
Authors: Stewart Trudy , Hogan-Tricks Michelle
Published: August 2023

Background:

People with cauda equina syndrome (CES) often experience bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction, which can result in short to significant issues. It was recognised in the authors' hospital that the post-operative follow-up and management of CES complications was inconsistent for CES patients. Consequently, a nurse led cauda equina service was developed using a quality improvement framework that focused on enhancing the post-operative care and the support these patients receive both in hospital and following discharge.

Aim:

To evaluate this 2-year long nurse led CES service to identify areas of success and improvement.

Results:

In this particular hospital, there was a yearly increase in CES patients (46 patients in 2020 and 59 patients in 2021), with many patients left with some degree of bladder (26%), bowel (30%) and sexual (24%) dysfunction.

Conclusion:

It is clear that the nurse led cauda equina service has improved the process for managing patients with CES post-surgery.
Evaluation of Xpert MTB/XDR test for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to first and second-line drugs in Uganda
Authors: Katamba Achilles , Ssengooba Willy , Sserubiri James , Semugenze Derrick , Kasule George William , Nyombi Abdunoor , Byaruhanga Raymond , Turyahabwe Stavia , Joloba Moses L.
Published: August 2023

Background

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the major challenges to TB control.

Design and methods

This was a blinded, laboratory-based cross-sectional study using sputum samples or culture isolates. Samples were from patients with rifampicin-resistant—TB and/or with high risk for isoniazid (INH) resistance and/or 2nd line fluoroquinolones (FQ) and injectable agents (IAs). The diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert® MTB/XDR test was compared to MGIT960 and the Hain Genotype® MTBDRplus and MDRsl assays (LPA) as reference DST methods. Factors for laboratory uptake of the Xpert® MTB/XDR test were also evaluated.

Results

Of the 100 stored sputum samples included in this study, 65/99 (65.6%) were resistant to INH, 5/100 (5.0%) were resistant to FQ and none were resistant to IAs using MGIT960. The sensitivity and specificity, n (%; 95% Confidence Interval, CI) of Xpert® MTB/XDR test for; INH was 58 (89.2; 79.1–95.5) and 30 (88.2; 72.5–96.6) and for FQ; 4 (80.0; 28.3–99.4) and 95 (100; 96.2–100), respectively. Using LPA as a reference standard, a total of 52/98 (53.1%) were resistant to INH, 3/100 (3.0%) to FQ, and none to IA. The sensitivity and specificity, n (%; 95%CI) of Xpert® MTB/XDR test compared to LPA for; INH was 50 (96.1; 86.7–99.5) and 34 (74.0; 58.8–85.7) for FQ 3 (100; 29.2–100) and 96 (99.0; 94.3–99.9) respectively. The factors for laboratory uptake and roll-out of the Xpert® MTB/XDR test included: no training needed for technicians with, and one day for those without, previous Xpert-ultra experience, recording and reporting needs were not different from those of Xpert-ultra, the error rate was 4/100 (4%), one (1%) indeterminate rate and test turn-around-time were 1hr/45 minutes.

Conclusion

There is high sensitivity and specificity of Xpert® MTB/XDR test for isoniazid and fluoroquinolones. There are acceptable Xpert® MTB/XDR test attributes for the test uptake and roll-out.
Test-retest reliability and construct validity of trunk extensor muscle force modulation accuracy
Authors: Gilliam John R. , Song Ahyoung , Sahu Pradeep K. , Silfies Sheri P.
Published: August 2023

Low back pain is associated with changes in trunk muscle structure and function and motor control impairments. Voluntary force modulation (FM) of trunk muscles is a unique and under-investigated motor control characteristic. One of the reasons for this paucity of evidence is the lack of exploration and publication on the reliability and validity of trunk FM protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the within- and between-day test-retest reliability and construct validity for trunk extensor muscle FM. Twenty-nine healthy participants were tested under three FM conditions with different modulation rates. Testing was performed on a custom-built apparatus designed for trunk isometric force testing. FM accuracy relative to a fluctuating target force (20–50%MVF) was quantified using the root mean square error of the participant’s generated force relative to the target force. Reliability and precision of measurement were assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable difference (MDD95), and Bland-Altman plots. In a subset of participants, we collected surface electromyography of trunk and hip muscles. We used non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) to identify the underlying motor control strategies. Within- and between-day test-retest reliability was excellent for FM accuracy across the three conditions (ICC range: 0.865 to 0.979). SEM values ranged 0.9–1.8 Newtons(N) and MDD95 ranged from 2.4–4.9N. Conditions with faster rates of FM had higher ICCs. NNMF analysis revealed two muscle synergies that were consistent across participants and conditions. These synergies demonstrate that the muscles primarily involved in this FM task were indeed the trunk extensor muscles. This protocol can consistently measure FM accuracy within and between testing sessions. Trunk extensor FM, as measured by this protocol, is not specific to any trunk muscle group but is the result of modulation by all the trunk extensor muscles.
COVID-19 and the constructions of Africa in African news media
Authors: Ndlovu Mphathisi , Nikabs Maame
Published: August 2023

This article examines the constructions of Africa in COVID-19-related stories that were produced by African news media. Dominant scholarship indicates that western media generally reproduce and perpetuate harmful stereotypes on Africa. Given that there is scant literature on how African media covers Africa, this article uses the COVID-19 pandemic as an entry point to explore the disease narratives on Africa. Drawing on Afrokology as decolonial perspective, this article examines the discourses and narratives on Africa that were produced by African news organizations. Data were drawn from ten news organizations from Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Egypt. A quantitative corpus analysis and a qualitative critical discourse analysis were used to analyse the COVID-19-related stories. Findings demonstrate that harmful disease stereotypes about Africa as a place of danger, darkness, tragedy and human rights abuses were reproduced by the African media.
Life and death in the production of a Factographic object
Authors: Fisher Andrew
Published: August 2023

This article focuses on documents made by the Soviet military secret service detailing the arrest, interrogation, trial and execution of Sergei Tret’iakov in Moscow in 1937. The original documents were published in Russian in 1997 as part of Return my Freedom, a collection of archival records edited by Vladimir Kolyazin that details the fate of Russian and German cultural figures who fell victim to the Stalinist terror. This record of Tret’iakov’s violent death has received little attention, even in Russia or in Russian studies. The book presents facsimiles of 60 separately numbered and dated sheets containing records of Tret’iakov’s arrest and the search of his home. There are two written confessions; a first short admission of guilt and a second longer account of his supposed crimes that also claims parts of the first to be fictitious. These are followed by a transcript of his interrogation, a very brief account of his trial and the even briefer report of his execution. A historical gap separates these from documents of Tret’iakov’s official rehabilitation in 1954 which his wife, Olga Tret’iakov was instrumental in securing. Return my Freedom also contains the record of her arrest, interrogation and release in 1937. The article presents translated extracts from the official record of Tret’iakov’s interrogation and execution for the first time in English, and it explores these documents in relation to core strategies and critical commitments that shaped Tret’iakov’s influential conception of Factography.
A DIVERSIDADE DAS INFÂNCIAS NA LEGISLAÇÃO E NA PRÁTICA: DESAFIOS NA SUPERAÇÃO DO RACISMO
Authors: Oliveira Zilma De Moraes Ramos
Published: August 2023

O artigo analisa como documentos curriculares para a Educação Infantil construídos pelos estados brasileiros em 2018 fazem referência à questão da diversidade das infâncias e problematizam as demandas e as ofertas de educação básica para as populações indígenas, do campo, ribeirinhas, quilombolas e outras que se definem como marcadas por tradições e histórias e por ocupar território diferente dos traçados urbanos.  Conclui que não basta uma legislação que aponte para as diversidades de modo inclusivo, e sim o incremento a práticas cotidianas que garantam o caminho da transformação, da derrubada de preconceitos e discriminações. Os projetos pedagógicos efetivados em todas as escolas de educação infantil devem assegurar uma ampliação cultural altamente criativa e humana, especialmente no que diz respeito a um currículo em ação antirracista. Faz-se necessária uma real transformação na formação de professores voltada para a percepção de que práticas racistas são condenáveis.
Implicações do método cartográfico para a educação: a sala de aula como lugar de invenção
Authors: S. Y. Picchioni Marta
Published: August 2023

A cartografia, pensada por Gilles Deleuze e Félix Guattari, tem sido utilizada por diferentes campos do saber como um método de pesquisa que se desloca das etapas lineares e pré-concebidas para dar lugar aos processos, com todos as marcas de imprevisibilidade e transitoriedade que os atravessam. Nesse sentido, pode ser considerada uma espécie de antimétodo, já que um de seus princípios fundamentais é a disponibilidade aos encontros, sempre únicos e singulares e, nessa medida, não replicáveis. Aqui, a medição exata de variáveis ou a separação binária entre sujeito e objeto de pesquisa já não se sustentam, pois o fazer cartográfico só acontece no encontro entre campos de forças e paisagem, ou seja, em ato. No presente artigo, proponho que pensemos nas contribuições desse método para o campo da educação, tomando a escola como paisagem e os profissionais da educação e estudantes como agentes que fazem do ato educativo um lugar de invenção.
Cultura digital e os desafios no currículo: tecnologia e criatividade no Ensino Fundamental I
Authors: Dias Pacheco Martins Ricardo , Silvestre Dias Hippler Naissa Maria
Published: August 2023

A Cultura Digital trouxe o mundo para a palma da mão,mas milhares de dúvidas às cabeças. O mundo laboral setransformou; a família percebeu alterações no modo de serelacionar e a escola ainda patina em relação ao assunto.Se faltava uma posição do Ministério da Educação, foilançada em 2017 e atualizada para versão final em 2018a Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), que se mostrafavorável ao uso das mídias digitais por parte da escola. Esteartigo mostra como o gestor pode aproveitar ao máximo osaparatos tecnológicos para um currículo atrativo e que causeparticipação. Para chegar a esse ponto, a discussão começoucom o levantamento sobre o papel da escola, com base em pesquisa que buscou os termos currículo, cultura e tecnologia.Mostrou-se que à escola cabe preparar o ser para assumir seu papel no mundo, o que não significa exclusivamente qual profissão exercerá. O trabalho conclui que a criatividade alia os gestores aos demais pesquisadores da área da tecnologia, ou seja, deixando linha para prosseguir nesse estudo.
Estratégias para a formação continuada de professores: relato de experiência do Projeto Aprender a Estudar Textos em um Município da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo
Authors: Souza José Carlos , Rezende Caroline , Paulet Piedra Nicole
Published: August 2023

O presente relato tem o objetivo de compartilhar umaexperiência de implementação do Projeto Aprender a EstudarTextos (AET). Desenvolvida pelo Laboratório de Educação,a metodologia de formação continuada do Projeto apoiaprofessoras dos 4º e 5º ano do Ensino Fundamental no estudo e planejamento de atividades que incorporam a linguagem acadêmica como ferramenta de ensino e de aprendizagem, tanto da leitura quanto da área de História. Por meio de um conjunto estruturado de ações formativas contribui à reflexão docente sobre interações comunicativas e práticas pedagógicas em torno dos textos escolares.
Comparative study of standard and small transrectal transducers for prostate ultrasonography
Authors: Hwang Sung Il , Ahn Hyungwoo , Lee Hak Jong , Jung Sung Il
Published: August 2023

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate pain and image quality associated with the use of two different ultrasound transducers.Methods: Fifty healthy male participants aged 30 years or older were prospectively enrolled. All ultrasound procedures were performed using a V8 machine (Samsung Medison, Seoul, Korea) equipped with EA2-11 (conventional) and miniER7 (small-caliber) transrectal transducers, operated by a single genitourinary radiologist. To minimize bias, one group of volunteers underwent ultrasonography with the conventional transducer first, followed by the small transducer. For the remaining participants, the examinations were performed in the opposite order. Ultrasonography, including the measurement of total prostate and transitional zone volumes, was conducted in accordance with standard practice. After testing with both probes, participants were asked to rate their pain on a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS). A radiologist then evaluated the quality of the images acquired with each probe using a 5-point numeric scale and compared the prostate volume measurements obtained by each method.Results: The mean NRS scores associated with the conventional and small transducers were 4.7±1.8 and 2.7±1.2, respectively (P<0.05). The mean ultrasound image qualities from the two transducers were statistically similar (4.78 and 4.74, P>0.05). The whole prostate gland volume as measured with the conventional transducer (mean±standard deviation, 24.2±9.1 mL) was greater than the measurement (22.1±8.7 mL) obtained with the small-caliber transducer (P<0.05). However, only two of the 50 whole gland volume measurements differed by more than two standard deviations.Conclusion: The use of a small transrectal probe significantly reduced pain without compromising image quality.