bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Sanitary Pads Improve Girls' Educational Outcomes?
Authors: Agarwal Sumit , Chia Liu Ee , Ghosh Pulak
Published: August 2024

Using a staggered installation of sanitary pad vending machines across schools in the Indian state of Kerala, we study the impacts of free monthly access to sanitary pads on girls' educational outcomes. We find that the number of dropouts among female students in the 7th-grade decrease by 24 percentage points and the attendance rate increases by 23 percentage points after the treatment. Our results are mainly driven by girls in backward-caste, rural schools, and public schools, supporting the idea that free distribution of sanitary pads alleviates cost of obtaining sanitary pads.
The Unintended Consequences of Home-Buying Restriction in China
Authors: Chen Yunjie , Liu Yongzheng , Wei Hailun
Published: August 2024

We investigate the fake divorce activities associated with the home-buying restriction policy in China. We find that the policy increased divorce rate (marriage restoration rate) in the treated cities by 0.436 (0.195) permillage point relative to the control cities. This explains a 19.9% increase in the overall national divorce rate, of which at least 45% can be interpreted as fake divorces. Moreover, we find that the main responders to this policy are people who are older, childless, less-educated, and wealthier. Finally, we show that the fraudulent behavior has significant implications for market efficiency, intra- and inter-household wealth inequality, and other consequences.
The Value of Piped Water and Sewers: Evidence from 19th Century Chicago
Authors: Coury Michael , Kitagawa Toru , Shertzer Allison , Turner Matthew A.
Published: August 2024

We estimate the impact of piped water and sewers on property values in late 19th century Chicago. The cost of sewer construction depends sensitively on imperceptible variation in elevation, and such variation delays water and sewer service to part of the city. This delay provides quasi-random variation for causal estimates. We extrapolate ate estimates from our natural experiment to the area treated with water and sewer service during 1874-1880 using a new estimator. Water and sewer access increases property values by a factor of about 2.8. This suggests that benefits are large relative to: the value of the value of averted mortality, many other infrastructure projects, and construction costs.
Instrument-Based Estimation of Full Treatment Effects with Partial Compliers
Authors: Nibbering Didier , Oosterveen Matthijs
Published: August 2024

The effect of the full treatment is a primary parameter of interest in policy evaluation, while often the effect of a subset of treatment is estimated. We partially identify the local average treatment effect of receiving full treatment (LAFTE) using an instrumental variable that may induce individuals into subsets of treatment (partial compliers). We show that partial compliers violate the standard exclusion restriction, necessary conditions on the absence of partial compliers are testable, and partial identification holds under a double exclusion restriction. We identify partial compliers in four applications and estimate informative bounds on the LAFTE in three of them.
Set-Identified Structural Vector Autoregressions and the Effects of a 100 Basis Point Monetary Policy Shock
Authors: Read Matthew
Published: August 2024

I estimate impulse responses to a 100 basis point US monetary policy shock using setidentified structural vector autoregressions. Identified sets for these responses may be unbounded when the identifying restrictions admit zero impact response of the federal funds rate following a standard-deviation shock. Such a zero response is always admissible when there are fewer sign and zero restrictions than endogenous variables. This is the case under existing restrictions on the systematic component of monetary policy, which consequently yield uninformative identified sets. Additional sign and narrative restrictions yield informative identified sets and imply smaller output responses than some previous estimates.
Phylogenetic and morphological revision sexual stages of the genus Paraphoma (Phaeosphaeriaceae) and next related species from clade of Ophiobolus-like (Phaeosphaeriaceae)
Authors: MLČOCH PATRIK , MATUŠINSKY PAVEL
Published: August 2024

This study brings new knowledge about the taxonomy of some fungal species that originally belong to the polyphyletic genus Leptosphaeria. Molecular-phylogeny and morphology methods were carried out for taxonomic revision of some taxa in the genus Leptosphaeria (L. clavispora, L. barriae, L. rubicunda and its similar species) and defined new taxonomic combinations of these species, namely Ophiobolus clavisporus (J. H.Mill. & Burton) Mlčoch, Chaetosphaeronema barriae (Shoemaker) Mlčoch and Paraphoma rubicunda (Rehm ex G. Winter) Mlčoch. In the genus Chaetosphaeronema, Ch. misuriniensis sp. nov. was described, and in the genus Paraphoma, Paraphoma betonicicola sp. nov. and P. moravica sp. nov. were described. Furthermore, the synoptic keys of species from Paraphoma rubicunda (Rehm ex Winter) Mlčoch comb. nov. morphological species group, and dichotomous keys for phragmosporous species of the order Pleosporales, which are known from dead stems of Lamiaceae and phragmosporous taxa associated with Lupinus (Fabaceae), are provided.
Miscellaneous nomenclatural notes on Andean Chrysochlamys (Clusiaceae: Clusieae)
Authors: CARO-SÁNCHEZ ANGY V. , MARINHO LUCAS C. , IDÁRRAGA-PIEDRAHÍTA ALVARO , ALZATE-GUARÍN FERNANDO
Published: August 2024

Chrysochlamys (Clusiaceae) is a strictly Neotropical genus that comprises between 35 and 55 species. The taxonomy of the genus is poorly-known in South American region, especially in Andean countries. During the taxonomic revision of Chrysochlamys and related genera in Colombia we observed two mainly gaps: the unclear nomenclatural history of Andean Chrysochlamys and the necessity of lectotypification of some species published by Pax, Poeppig, Planchon and Triana. To solve both issues, we provide a Chrysochlamys nomenclatural history summary and reduce nomenclatural ambiguities on a few Andean flora. For this, we carried out an exhaustive analysis of Chrysochlamys and related genera type collections and protologues. We propose a new combination, Chrysochlamys microcarpa comb. nov., originally published in Tovomita, designated six lectotypes, propose a numbering for three Triana’s type collections, and discuss a case of inadvertent lectotypification. This paper provides relevant information about problematic or understudied Chrysochlamys species, which will be useful for subsequent taxonomic studies.
Outbreak detection in Harar town and Kersa district, Ethiopia using phylogenetic analysis and source attribution
Authors: Thystrup Cecilie , Hald Tine , Belina Dinaol , Gobena Tesfaye
Published: August 2024

Background

Foodborne diseases (FBDs) represent a significant risk to public health, with nearly one in ten people falling ill every year globally. The large incidence of foodborne diseases in African low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) shows the immediate need for action, but there is still far to a robust and efficient outbreak detection system. The detection of outbreak heavily relies on clinical diagnosis, which are often delayed or ignored due to resource limitations and inadequate surveillance systems.

Methods

In total, 68 samples of non-typhoidal Salmonella isolates from human, animal and environmental sources collected between November 2021 and January 2023 were analyzed using sequencing methods to infer phylogenetic relationships between the samples. A source attribution model using a machine-learning logit-boost that predicted the likely source of infection for 20 cases of human salmonellosis was also run and compared with the results of the cluster detection.

Results

Three clusters of samples with close relation (SNP difference < 30) were identified as non-typhoidal Salmonella in Harar town and Kersa district, Ethiopia. These three clusters were comprised of isolates from different sources, including at least two human isolates. The isolates within each cluster showed identical serovar and sequence type (ST), with few exceptions in cluster 3. The close proximity of the samples suggested the occurrence of three potential outbreaks of non-typhoidal Salmonella in the region. The results of the source attribution model found that human cases of salmonellosis could primarily be attributed to bovine meat, which the results of the phylogenetic analysis corroborated.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggested the occurrence of three possible outbreaks of non-typhoidal Salmonella in eastern Ethiopia, emphasizing the importance of targeted intervention of food safety protocols in LMICs. It also highlighted the potential of integrated surveillance for detecting outbreak and identifying the most probable source. Source attribution models in combination with other epidemiological methods is recommended as part of a more robust and integrated surveillance system for foodborne diseases.
Government funded suicide prevention in Australia – an environmental scan
Authors: Bassilios Bridget , Currier Dianne , Krysinska Karolina , Dunt David , Machlin Anna , Newton Danielle , Williamson Michelle , Pirkis Jane
Published: August 2024

Background

Suicide is a worldwide public health problem. In response to this problem, Australia was one of the first countries to develop national suicide prevention policy. Guided by the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO), which was established in 2021, suicide prevention in Australia is in a period of reform. The NSPO is driving a nationally consistent and integrated approach to suicide prevention including leading the development of a new National Suicide Prevention Strategy. This article summarises findings from an environmental scan of government-led suicide prevention in Australia, conducted as an input for the development of the new Strategy.

Methods

The scan was conducted from August 2022 to January 2023. We searched relevant government websites and Google to identify policy documents and programs and services. We undertook a desktop review of documents and programs/services using coding templates developed to address the objectives of the scan. Qualitative information was extracted in a systematic manner using these templates.

Results

Australia’s suicide prevention efforts are significant as demonstrated by activities ranging from policy documents intended to guide and plan activity, the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement committing the Federal Government and jurisdictions to work together, and the availability of national, state, local area based, and digital services and programs. Suicide prevention approaches in Australia are mostly selective or indicated. There is less emphasis on universal approaches, wellbeing promotion, strengthening protective factors and mitigating the impact of known drivers of distress. In addition, there is limited evidence to demonstrate a whole-of-government or whole-of-system approach is operating in Australia. Findings should be interpreted in the context that suicide prevention in Australia is currently in a period of transition.

Conclusions

Current government emphasis on and investment in suicide prevention activity, together with strong commitment to lived experience and cross sectorial collaboration, are substantial and appropriate. There are also many opportunities to further progress cross-portfolio and cross-jurisdiction suicide prevention and response efforts. This requires urgently adopting a shared understanding of suicide, which includes the diverse drivers of suicidal distress, and improving protective factors and social wellbeing.
Learning effect of online versus onsite education in health and medical scholarship – protocol for a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Raffing Rie , Konge Lars , Tønnesen Hanne
Published: August 2024

Background

The disruption of health and medical education by the COVID-19 pandemic made educators question the effect of online setting on students’ learning, motivation, self-efficacy and preference. In light of the health care staff shortage online scalable education seemed relevant. Reviews on the effect of online medical education called for high quality RCTs, which are increasingly relevant with rapid technological development and widespread adaption of online learning in universities. The objective of this trial is to compare standardized and feasible outcomes of an online and an onsite setting of a research course regarding the efficacy for PhD students within health and medical sciences: Primarily on learning of research methodology and secondly on preference, motivation, self-efficacy on short term and academic achievements on long term. Based on the authors experience with conducting courses during the pandemic, the hypothesis is that student preferred onsite setting is different to online setting.

Methods

Cluster randomized trial with two parallel groups. Two PhD research training courses at the University of Copenhagen are randomized to online (Zoom) or onsite (The Parker Institute, Denmark) setting. Enrolled students are invited to participate in the study. Primary outcome is short term learning. Secondary outcomes are short term preference, motivation, self-efficacy, and long-term academic achievements. Standardized, reproducible and feasible outcomes will be measured by tailor made multiple choice questionnaires, evaluation survey, frequently used Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, Single Item Self-Efficacy Question, and Google Scholar publication data. Sample size is calculated to 20 clusters and courses are randomized by a computer random number generator. Statistical analyses will be performed blinded by an external statistical expert.

Discussion

Primary outcome and secondary significant outcomes will be compared and contrasted with relevant literature. Limitations include geographical setting; bias include lack of blinding and strengths are robust assessment methods in a well-established conceptual framework. Generalizability to PhD education in other disciplines is high. Results of this study will both have implications for students and educators involved in research training courses in health and medical education and for the patients who ultimately benefits from this training.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05736627. SPIRIT guidelines are followed.
Comparison of proton therapy and photon therapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: He Junyi , Liu Yingxin , Zhang Xiaojing , Li Butuo , Yang Linlin , Wang Haohua , Wang Shijiang , Yu Jinming , Wang Linlin
Published: August 2024

The use of proton therapy (PT) in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) remains controversial, with insufficient evidence to determine its superiority over photon therapy (XRT). We conducted a systematic review of PT trials in ES-NSCLC, analyzing dosimetry, efficacy, and safety across to inform clinical decision-making. Our study showed that PT reduced lung and heart dosimetric parameters compared to XRT, with significant differences in lung V5, lung V10 and mean heart dose (MHD). In terms of efficacy, there were no significant differences in 1-year OS, 3-year OS and 3-year PFS between PT and XRT. For toxicity, no significant difference was observed in treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and radiation pneumonitis (RP). Single-arm analysis of PT found that V5, V10, V20 of lung and heart V5 were 13.4%, 11.3%, 7.9% and 0.7%, respectively. The mean lung dose and MHD were 4.15 Gy and 0.17 Gy, respectively. The single-arm pooled 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year OS rates for PT were 95.3%, 82.5%, 81.3% and 69.3%, respectively. PFS rate and local control rate at 3 years were 68.1% and 91.2%, respectively. The rates of TRAEs of grade ≥ 3 and grade ≥ 2 were 2.8% and 19.8%, respectively. The grade ≥ 2 RP occurred at a rate of 8.7%. In conclusion, PT had acceptable efficacy and safety, and was better at protecting organs at risk than XRT in ES-NSCLC. However, the survival and safety benefit of PT was not significant compared to XRT.
Impact of Previous Surgery and/or Radiation Therapy on Endoscopic Reconstruction Outcomes
Authors: Snyder Rita , Rubino Franco , Seaman Scott , Banu Matei , Su Shirley Y. , Hanna Ehab Y. , DeMonte Franco , Raza Shaan M.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The impact of prior local therapies, including radiation and surgery, on reconstruction outcomes after endonasal surgery is currently not well known. Reconstruction nuances in the preoperative setting merit further evaluation to avoid potential postoperative complications that can hinder overall tumor management and negatively impact patient outcome. We sought to determine whether prior treatments increase risk of reconstruction-related postoperative morbidity and to evaluate the effectiveness of our current treatment paradigm for skull base reconstruction.

METHODS:

A retrospective review of all endonasal surgeries for tumor resection between March 2000 and March 2022 was performed. Patients were grouped based on treatment history. Patient demographics, operative, and postoperative reconstruction-related morbidity data were collected, including cerebrospinal fluid leak, sinonasal morbidity, and infectious complications. Variables significantly associated with postoperative complications in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. Complication-free survival curves were generated, and the log-rank test evaluated the relationship between complication-free survival and the different clinical, surgical, and treatment parameters. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 26 (IBM Corp) and Graph Pad 9.0 (GraphPad Software).

RESULTS:

A total of 418 patients were included. 291 patients had no prior treatments, 49 patients had previously received radiation, and 78 patients had prior surgeries. Of the 49 patients who had prior radiation, 27% underwent reconstruction with tunneled pericranial flaps vs 16% of treatment-naïve patients. On multivariate analysis, prior treatment was not significantly associated with reconstruction-related complications. Negative smoking history, no leak or small intraoperative leak, and use of vascularized flap in reconstruction were protective factors.

CONCLUSION:

In patients undergoing endonasal surgery, prior radiation and/or surgery does not appear to significantly increase the risk of immediate or delayed reconstruction complications using our current reconstructive management plan, which incorporates an upfront regional flap for high-risk cases.
Image estimation and uncertainty quantification
Authors: Ταρουδάκη Βικτωρία
Published: August 2024

Οι καταγεγραμμένες εικόνες συνήθως αλλοιώνονται από θαμπάδα και θόρυβο. Η αποκατάσταση τέτοιων αλλοιωμένων εικόνων είναι ένα δυσάρεστο πρόβλημα. Ακόμα κι αν η θόλωση είναι γνωστή, η Ο άγνωστος θόρυβος οδηγεί σε αβεβαιότητα στην εικόνα που έχει αποκατασταθεί. Η απλή προσέγγιση αποκατάστασης αποτυγχάνει αφού περιέχει πολύ θόρυβο στις υψηλές συχνότητες που καταστρέφει την υπολογισμένη αποκατεστημένη εικόνα. Για την επίλυση αυτού του προβλήματος, αυτή η εργασία επικεντρώνεται στον υπολογισμό της αποκατασταθείσας εικόνας χρησιμοποιώντας φασματικά λίτρα που δίνουν βάρος στα εξαρτήματα της εικόνας που δεν είναι τόσο μολυσμένα από το θόρυβο. Χρησιμοποιούμε διαφορετικές μεθόδους μέτρησης όπως η Περικομμένη Tikhonov, η Περικομμένη SVD και νέες μεθόδους που εμείς που δημιουργήσαμε εδώ και επιδιώκουμε να βρούμε μια σχεδόν βέλτιστη επιλογή της παραμέτρου του φίλτρου η οποία θα δώσει την καλύτερη προσέγγιση της αρχικής εικόνας. Δίνουμε και υπολογίζουμε την Παράμετρο Picard όταν το πρόβλημα ικανοποιεί τη Διακριτή Συνθήκη Picard και με αυτή υπολογίζουμε τις ιδιότητες του θορύβου. Επίσης, αναπτύσσουμε μια νέα μέθοδο υπολογισμού της σχεδόν-βέλτιστης λύσης με τη χρήση στατιστικής ανάλυσης που μας δίνει επίσης έναν τρόπο να εκτιμηθεί το σφάλμα της λύσης που είναι ένας τρόπος ποσοτικοποίησης της αβεβαιότητας.
Networks of interaction in the early iron age Cyclades
Authors: Γκαρώνης Αθανάσιος
Published: August 2024

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή εξετάζεται η αρχαιολογική ιστορία των Κυκλάδων κατά τη διάρκεια πέντε αιώνων, περίπου από το 1200 π.Χ. έως το 700 π.Χ. Το κύριο σώμα της διατριβής χωρίζεται σε τέσσερα κεφάλαια, καθένα από τα οποία αντιστοιχεί σε μια κύρια χρονολογική περίοδο: Ύστερη Ελλαδική ΙΙΙΓ, Πρωτογεωμετρική, Πρώιμη/Μέση Γεωμετρική και Ύστερη Γεωμετρική περίοδος. Σε κάθε κεφάλαιο συνδυάζονται διαφορετικές μέθοδοι ανάλυσης δικτύων, δηλαδή χωρικά δίκτυα και δίκτυα ανταλλαγών. Αρχικά εξετάζεται η διασπορά των αρχαιολογικών θέσεων και τα αντίστοιχα χωρικά δίκτυα και αναλύεται το πώς αυτά διασταυρώνονται ή επηρεάζονται από τις σύγχρονες εξελίξεις που έλαβαν χώρα και σε περιοχές εκτός της περιοχής μελέτης. Για την αποτύπωση των χωρικών δικτύων, χρησιμοποιείται ως μεθοδολογικό εργαλείο η Ανάλυση Εγγύτατων Σημείων (Proximal Point Analysis). Τα αποτελέσματα ελέγχονται σε σχέση με τα εμπειρικά δεδομένα, προκειμένου να διερευνηθεί αν και πώς οι διάφοροι τύποι δικτύων σχετίζονται μεταξύ τους, αλλά και για να εξεταστεί η συνδεσιμότητα των κυκλαδικών θέσεων με άλλες περιοχές του Αιγαίου και της Μεσογείου. Τα δίκτυα ανταλλαγών απεικονίζονται στον χάρτη ως κατευθυνόμενα και σταθμισμένα δίκτυα (Social Network Analysis). Οι δύο τύποι δικτύων χρησιμοποιούνται για την ανασύνθεση πιθανών θαλάσσιων διαδρομών που ενέπλεκαν ή διέρχονταν από τα νησιά των Κυκλάδων. Τέλος, εξετάζονται διάφορες πτυχές του αρχαιολογικού υλικού και των γραπτών πηγών, με σκοπό την διερεύνηση αφενός των μέσων οικειοποίησης του παρελθόντος από τις κοινότητες των Κυκλάδων και αφετέρου ζητημάτων ταυτότητας όπως αυτή λειτουργούσε σε διαφορετικά επίπεδα, με έμφαση στον 8ο και 7ο αιώνα π.Χ.
Rhyme in dróttkvætt, from Old Germanic Inheritance to Contemporary Poetic Ecology III: The Old Norse Poetic Ecology
Authors: Frog
Published: August 2024

This paper is the third in a three-part series that develops a model for the background of rhyme in Old Norse dróttkvætt poetry as a formalization of the same form of rhyme found across Old Germanic poetries. The first paper in this series outlined the argument and its background. The second paper explored rhyme in Old Germanic poetries outside of Old Norse. The present paper introduces rhyme in Old Norse eddic poetries in relation to what was found in other Old Germanic traditions. It then turns to dróttkvætt, discussed in relation to the broader poetic ecology in which it emerged and developed, and considers how dróttkvætt impacted that ecology and uses of rhyme in eddic poetry. Although the ultimate origin of dróttkvætt remains obscure, the discussion of rhyme in dróttkvætt requires a discussion of the history of the meter, here situated in relation to other developments in the poetic ecology that point to greater attention to cadence and rhyme under conditions conducive to formalizing a stanzaic structure. However, this exploration of the history of the poetic form highlights that rhyme may have been a secondary development of the basic meter, formalizing what began as an optional added feature that may have had only a marginal metrical role.
Functions of Exact and Homonymous Internal Rhymes in Georgian Medieval Panegyric Poetry
Authors: Lomidze Tamar
Published: August 2024

The text of the medieval Georgian panegyric poem “Tamariani” has come to us in the form of manuscripts of the 18th and 19th centuries. “Tamariani” mainly uses a poetic form, which is known in Georgian versification as “Chakhrukhauli”. “Chakhrukhauli” is a quatrain with twenty-syllable lines, the pre-caesural parts of which consist of two rhymed (often homonymous) syntagms. The lines also have an end rhyme. In Georgian literary criticism, until now, only evaluative points of view have been expressed regarding this work, and the functional nature of the formal techniques has been ignored. This article is an attempt to substantiate the hypothesis that the use of specific formal techniques – in particular, frequently repeated precaesural (including homonymous) rhymes in “Tamariani” – was due to the influence of Neoplatonic philosophy on the author. This hypothesis is also supported by the fact that Georgian researchers also noted the influence of Neoplatonic philosophy on “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin”, the author of which was Chakhrukhadze’s contemporary, the greatest Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, although, unlike “Tamariani”, the influence of Neoplatonic philosophy was reflected on Rustaveli work’s content and philosophical concept, while in Chakhrukhadze’s poem the influence of Neoplatonism becomes clear upon a careful “reading” of the form of the work.
La reformulación de la indemnización por despido improcedente a la luz de la Carta Social Europea.
Authors: Álvarez del Cuvillo Antonio
Published: August 2024

Este artículo analiza la regulación de la indemnización por despido improcedente en España a la luz de la Carta Social Europea y las decisiones del Comité Europeo de Derechos Sociales. Se expone la problemática del actual modelo indemnizatorio español, que, al basarse exclusivamente en la antigüedad y el salario del trabajador, no ofrece una compensación adecuada a los trabajadores más vulnerables en el mercado de trabajo. Además, se critica la predictibilidad absoluta del sistema de indemnización, que ha convertido al despido improcedente en un mecanismo normalizado para la gestión de las plantillas, vaciando de contenido el derecho humano a no ser despedido sin justa causa. En respuesta a estas deficiencias, el trabajo propone una revisión profunda del sistema de cálculo de indemnizaciones, sugiriendo la implementación de un modelo más flexible, pero al mismo tiempo estructurado y equilibrado. Para ello, se propone dividir la indemnización en tres componentes: el lucro cesante derivado de la pérdida del empleo –al que se le debe aplicar la indemnización por despido objetivo procedente–, los daños morales vinculados a la antijuricidad del despido –que deben ser suficientemente disuasorios– y los perjuicios acreditados fehacientemente que no puedan subsumirse en las categorías anteriores.
Sobre la regulación europea nonata de la desconexión digital de los trabajadores.
Authors: Trujillo Pons Francisco
Published: August 2024

: El artículo aborda la creciente importancia del derecho a la desconexión digital en el entorno laboral actual, especialmente en el contexto europeo. Se destaca la necesidad de regular esta práctica para proteger la salud mental de los trabajadores, en particular en el contexto del teletrabajo y la conectividad constante. Se mencionan iniciativas legislativas en Europa que buscan garantizar este derecho, así como desafíos en su implementación, como la necesidad de establecer límites claros en la disponibilidad de los trabajadores. Se analiza el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la desconexión digital, subrayando la importancia de encontrar un equilibrio entre la flexibilidad laboral y la protección de la salud mental de los trabajadores. En síntesis, se aboga por medidas a nivel individual, organizacional y nacional para promover un ambiente laboral saludable y equilibrado, reconociendo la relevancia de garantizar el derecho a la desconexión digital en el mercado laboral actual.
A la sombra de la legalidad: la hipersensibilidad hacia las riñas de gallos como acto proselitista en la política cultural e identitaria colombiana
Authors: González Gutiérrez Jonathan Steven
Published: August 2024

La riña de gallos en Colombia, de fuerte arraigo cultural, es hoy objeto de debate en el ámbito social, legal y político. Aunque las estrategias empleadas por los movimientos sociopolíticos en contra de la gallística varían dependiendo del territorio, tienen un objetivo común: la prohibición legal de las peleas de gallos. A la par, estas fungen de termómetro de los cambios sociales, políticos y legales que experimentan las sociedades. Se evidencia una dicotomía a la luz del concepto de maltrato animal entre la crianza de aves de combate y la de aves para el consumo humano. La invisibilidad del sufrimiento animal da lugar a una hipersensibilidad hacia los animales como seres sintientes y lleva al rechazo social de ciertos comportamientos identitarios. En este sentido, las riñas de gallos son un reflejo de los cambios en la sociedad. La gallística ha pasado de ser un fortín político a ser perseguida por los políticos de elección popular en el orden nacional y municipal (Cárdenas, 2021), lo que pone de manifiesto la transformación de la sociedad colombiana frente a la sensibilidad animal y la configuración de nuevas formas del delito.
Code and Data Repository for Spatiotemporal Data Set for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests
Authors: Custodio Janiele E. S. C. , Lejeune Miguel A.
Published: August 2024

The software and data in this repository are a snapshot of the software and data that were used in the research reported on in the paper Spatiotemporal Data Set for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests by J. Custodio and M. Lejeune.
Code and Data Repository for JANOS: An Integrated Predictive and Prescriptive Modeling Framework
Authors: Bergman David , Huang Teng , Brooks Philip , Lodi Andrea , Raghunathan Arvind U.
Published: August 2024

The software and data in this repository are a snapshot of the software and data from the development repository that were used in the research reported on in the paper JANOS: An Integrated Predictive and Prescriptive Modeling Framework by D. Bergman, T. Huang, P. Brooks, A. Lodi, and A.U. Raghunathan.
It's no drama!
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: August 2024

Drama and early years teacher, Karen Hart, shares ideas for how to incorporate drama into settings to support a variety of areas of child development, as well as suggestions for different drama games to use with early years children.
Self-supervised contrastive learning improves machine learning discrimination of full thickness macular holes from epiretinal membranes in retinal OCT scans
Authors: Wheeler Timothy William , Hunter Kaitlyn , Garcia Patricia Anne , Li Henry , Thomson Andrew Clark , Hunter Allan , Mehanian Courosh
Published: August 2024

There is a growing interest in using computer-assisted models for the detection of macular conditions using optical coherence tomography (OCT) data. As the quantity of clinical scan data of specific conditions is limited, these models are typically developed by fine-tuning a generalized network to classify specific macular conditions of interest. Full thickness macular holes (FTMH) present a condition requiring urgent surgical repair to prevent vision loss. Other works on automated FTMH classification have tended to use supervised ImageNet pre-trained networks with good results but leave room for improvement. In this paper, we develop a model for FTMH classification using OCT B-scans around the central foveal region to pre-train a naïve network using contrastive self-supervised learning. We found that self-supervised pre-trained networks outperform ImageNet pre-trained networks despite a small training set size (284 eyes total, 51 FTMH+ eyes, 3 B-scans from each eye). On three replicate data splits, 3D spatial contrast pre-training yields a model with an average F1-score of 1.0 on holdout data (50 eyes total, 10 FTMH+), compared to an average F1-score of 0.831 for FTMH detection by ImageNet pre-trained models. These results demonstrate that even limited data may be applied toward self-supervised pre-training to substantially improve performance for FTMH classification, indicating applicability toward other OCT-based problems.
Development of a clinical prediction score for Ebola virus disease screening at triage centers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Yango Jepsy , Tshomba Antoine Oloma , Kwete Papy , Madinga Joule , Mulangu Sabue , Mbala-Kingebeni Placide , Henriquez-Trujillo Aquiles R. , Jacobs Bart K. M.
Published: August 2024

The 2018–2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was the largest since the disease‘s discovery in 1976. Rapid identification and isolation of EVD patients are crucial during triage. This study aimed to develop a clinical prediction score for EVD using clinical and epidemiological predictors. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using surveillance data from EVD outbreak, collected during routine clinical care at the Ebola Transit Center (ETC) in Beni, DRC, from 2018 to 2020. The Spiegelhalter and Knill-Jones method was used for score development, including potential predictors with an adjusted likelihood ratio above 2 or below 0.50. Validation was performed using a dataset previously published in PLOSOne by Tshomba et al. Among 3725 patients screened, 3698 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with 571 (15.4%) testing positive for EVD via RT-PCR Test. Seven predictive factors were identified: asthenia, sore throat, conjunctivitis, bleeding gums, hematemesis, contact with a sick person, and contact with a traditional healer. The prediction score achieved an Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.764, with 81.4% sensitivity and 53.6% specificity at a -1 cutoff. External validation demonstrated an AUROC of 0.766, with 80.8% sensitivity and 41.4% specificity at the -1 cutoff. Our study developed a screening tool to assess the risk of suspected patients developing EVD and being admitted to ETUs for RT-PCR testing and treatment. External validation results affirmed the model’s reliability and generalizability in similar settings, suggesting its potential integration into clinical practice. Given the severity and urgency of EVD as well as the risk nosocomial EVD transmission, it is essential to continuously update these models with real-time data on symptoms, disease progression, patient outcomes and validated RDT during EVD outbreaks. This approach will enhance model accuracy, enabling more precise risk assessments and more effective outbreak management.
Malaria reporting timeliness analysis and factors associated with delayed notification, 2018–2022, Nepal
Authors: Kandel Shashi , Dahal Gokarna , Marasini Rudra Prasad , Paudel Krishna Prasad , Parajuli Ashna , Thapa Susmita , Aryal Rizu , Jongcherdchootrakul Kanlaya , Thitichai Phanthanee
Published: August 2024

In order to monitor public health trends and identify disease outbreaks early, efficient and reliable notification and surveillance systems are essential. Nepal uses a 1-3-7 malaria surveillance approach. The Short Message System (SMS) -based system for timely notification has been established. However, knowledge gaps exist regarding the timeliness of notification, treatment initiation, and case-based investigations. Hence, this study identifies the timeliness of notification and factors associated with delayed notification. This study used a cross-sectional approach and used secondary malaria surveillance data from Nepal’s national malaria elimination program for the period of 2018 to 2022. The study revealed that the majority (79.9%) of malaria cases were male, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.96:1. Occupation was found to be significantly associated with delayed notification. Repatriate workers had 0.60 times lower odds of experiencing delayed notification compared to the reference occupation. Similarly, individuals diagnosed in the Sudurpaschim and Lumbini provinces had significantly lower odds (0.48 and 0.38, respectively) of encountering delayed notification compared to the reference province. Furthermore, relying on a single laboratory tool for malaria diagnosis (either RDT or microscopy only) was significantly associated with delayed notification. Individuals diagnosed solely with RDT or microscopy had 2.04 and 1.79 times higher odds of experiencing delayed notification, respectively, compared to those diagnosed using both laboratory tools. This study provides insight into the timeliness of surveillance system approach by assessing delayed notification and the factors associated with it. No delays are identified in median notification, treatment time and in case investigation. Improvement in the timeliness of malaria reporting over the years was observed. Provinces with high burden of malaria and repatriate workers showed lower delayed notification and conversely, cases diagnosed with single laboratory tool showed delayed notification time.
Cerebro-spinal flow pattern in the cervical subarachnoid space of healthy volunteers: Influence of the spinal cord morphology
Authors: Leblond Lugdivine , Sudres Patrice , Evin Morgane
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Toward further cerebro-spinal flow quantification in clinical practice, this study aims at assessing the variations in the cerebro spinal fluid flow pattern associated with change in the morphology of the subarachnoid space of the cervical canal of healthy humans by developing a computational fluid dynamics model.

Methods

3D T2-space MRI sequence images of the cervical spine were used to segment 11 cervical subarachnoid space. Model validation (time-step, mesh size, size and number of boundary layers, influences of parted inflow and inflow continuous velocity) was performed a 40-year-old patient-specific model. Simulations were performed using computational fluid dynamics approach simulating transient flow (Sparlart-Almaras turbulence model) with a mesh size of 0.6, 6 boundary layers of 0.05 mm, a time step of 20 ms simulated on 15 cycles. Distributions of components velocity and WSS were respectively analyzed within the subarachnoid space (intervertebral et intravertebral levels) and on dura and pia maters.

Results

Mean values cerebro spinal fluid velocity in specific local slices of the canal range between 0.07 and 0.17 m.s-1 and 0.1 and 0.3 m.s-1 for maximum values. Maximum wall shear stress values vary between 0.1 and 0.5 Pa with higher value at the middle of the cervical spine on pia mater and at the lower part of the cervical spine on dura mater. Intra and inter-individual variations of the wall shear stress were highlighted significant correlation gwith compression ratio (r = 0.76), occupation ratio and cross section area of the spinal cord.

Conclusion

The inter-individual variability in term of subarachnoid canal morphology and spinal cord position influence the cerebro-spinal flow pattern, highlighting the significance of canal morphology investigation before surgery.
Transition to Adulthood through Coaching and Empowerment in Rheumatology (TRACER): A feasibility study protocol
Authors: Reesor Emma , Borovsky Dorota , Herrington Julie , Jarvis Pamela , Clarke Megan , Berard Roberta , Beattie Karen , Batthish Michelle
Published: August 2024

The transition from pediatric to adult care for patients with chronic disease is a vulnerable period, with risks of disengagement from care and subsequent complications of inadequately managed disease. This period comes at a time when there are many other transitions occurring in the young person’s life, including changes to vocation, social supports, and to their physiology. The aim of the TRACER study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a multi-center, randomized-controlled trial of a virtual Transition Coach Intervention in youth transferring from pediatric to adult rheumatology care. Patients are being recruited at their last pediatric rheumatology visit from McMaster Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre in Ontario, Canada. Participants are then randomized to standard of care or to eight transition coaching sessions, covering topics around health management, future planning, and self-advocacy. The primary outcomes of the study are to demonstrate protocol feasibility, including optimal recruitment and consent rates, ≥ 90% coaching session completion, and complete data collection with ≤ 5% missing data. Baseline demographics, transition readiness, global functional assessment, disease activity, and self-efficacy will be collected to characterize the study population. Recruitment has begun and is estimated to last 19 months. This study will inform the design of a robust, multi-centered, randomized-controlled study to investigate the impact of a virtual transition coaching program in supporting the physical, mental, and social well-being of youth with rheumatic disease transitioning into adult care.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov protocol ID: 14499
Has urban public service equalization reduced regional differences in economic resilience?
Authors: Wang Susu , Zhang Qidi , Sun Mengze , Teng Yuhong
Published: August 2024

We delve into whether the equalization of basic public services can mitigate regional disparities in China’s economic resilience. Our analysis reveals that COVID-19 has diminished economic resilience and exacerbated regional differences. Notably, these regional disparities constitute the primary cause of spatial variations in economic resilience. Despite the initially low level of basic public services in Chinese cities, there is a discernible upward trend, indicating a gradual narrowing of regional disparities. Furthermore, we uncover a substantial positive correlation between the equalization of public services and variations in regional economic resilience, thereby offering fresh empirical evidence that the equalization of public services can help bridge the gap in regional economic resilience.
Survival and predictors of mortality among colorectal cancer patients on follow-up in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. A 5-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Balta Bargude , Taylor Lesley , Bogale Netsanet , Hailu Dejene , Zerhouni Yasmin A.
Published: August 2024

Background

The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer were still rising rapidly in many low-income and middle-income countries, which was linked to ongoing societal and economic status. Colorectal cancer is the leading cancer in Ethiopia with relatively lower survival. However, colorectal cancer patients’ survival time and predictors have not been well studied in Southern Ethiopia.

Objective

This study aimed to assess five-year survival and predictors of mortality among colorectal cancer patients at Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Method

Facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 323 patients who visited Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1st, 2017 to April 30th, 2022. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve with the Log-rank test was used to estimate the survival time. Bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the net effect of each independent variable on time to death after diagnosis.

Result

Over the 5-year observation period, the overall mortality rate was 38.5%, with an incidence density of 31 fatalities per 100 person-years observation. Survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 78%, 53, 32.4%, 23.3%, and 18.7% respectively. The multivariable analysis showed that metastatic disease (AHR = 4.2, CI: 1.5–11.5), baseline carcinoembryonic antigen level ≥5ng/ml (AHR: 2.4, CI: 1.2–5.8), living in rural areas (AHR = 2.2, CI:1.03–4.8) and mucinous carcinoma (AHR = 0.33, CI: 0.13–0.87) were independent predictors of colorectal cancer mortality.

Conclusion

Overall survival of colorectal cancer patients in the study was low compared to similar studies in developing and developed worlds. A significantly low survival rate was observed for patients with advanced stage, elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and rural residents indicating the key role of early detection and timely initiation of treatment to improve survival and quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer.
Risk factors associated with meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A matched case-control study
Authors: Kabanunye Moses Musah , Adjei Benjamin Noble , Gyaase Daniel , Nakua Emmanuel Kweku , Afriyie Stephen Opoku , Enuameh Yeetey , Owusu Michael
Published: August 2024

The Northern part of Ghana lies within the African meningitis belt and has historically been experiencing seasonal meningitis outbreaks. Despite the continuous meningitis outbreak in the region, the risk factors contributing to the occurrence of these outbreaks have not been clearly identified. This study, therefore, sought to describe the clinical characteristics and possible risk factors associated with meningitis outbreaks in the Upper West Region (UWR). A 1:2 matched case-control study was conducted in May-December 2021 to retrospectively investigate possible risk factors for meningitis outbreak in the UWR of Ghana between January and December 2020. Cases were persons with laboratory confirmed meningitis, and controls were persons of similar age and sex without meningitis living in the same house or neighborhood with a confirmed case. Both primary and secondary data including clinical, socio-demographic and laboratory information were collected and entered on standard questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and conditional logistic regression. Meningitis cases were mostly due to Streptococcus pneumoniae (67/98; 68.37%), followed by Neisseria meningitides serogroup X (27/98; 27.55%). Fever occurred in 94.03% (63/67) of Streptococcus pneumoniae cases and 100% in both Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X (27/27) and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W groups (3/3). CSF white cell count was significantly associated with the causative agents of meningitis. Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that, passive exposure to tobacco [AOR = 3.65, 95%CI = 1.03–12.96], bedrooms with 3 or more people [AOR = 4.70, 95%CI = 1.48–14.89] and persons with sore throat infection [AOR = 8.97, 95%CI = 2.73–29.43] were independent risk factors for meningitis infection. Headache, fever and neck pain continue to be the most common symptoms reported by meningitis patients. Education and other preventive interventions targeting exposure to tobacco smoke and crowded rooms would be helpful in reducing meningitis outbreaks in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
Incorporating connectivity among Internet search data for enhanced influenza-like illness tracking
Authors: Ning Shaoyang , Hussain Ahmed , Wang Qing
Published: August 2024

Big data collected from the Internet possess great potential to reveal the ever-changing trends in society. In particular, accurate infectious disease tracking with Internet data has grown in popularity, providing invaluable information for public health decision makers and the general public. However, much of the complex connectivity among the Internet search data is not effectively addressed among existing disease tracking frameworks. To this end, we propose ARGO-C (Augmented Regression with Clustered GOogle data), an integrative, statistically principled approach that incorporates the clustering structure of Internet search data to enhance the accuracy and interpretability of disease tracking. Focusing on multi-resolution %ILI (influenza-like illness) tracking, we demonstrate the improved performance and robustness of ARGO-C over benchmark methods at various geographical resolutions. We also highlight the adaptability of ARGO-C to track various diseases in addition to influenza, and to track other social or economic trends.