bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benefit Communication and Its Effects on Employees’ Benefit Level Satisfaction: The Multiple Mediating Effects of POS and Benefit Comparison
Authors: Cordón-Pozo Eulogio , Vidal-Salazar M. Dolores , de la Torre-Ruiz José Manuel , Gómez-Haro Samuel
Published: July 2020

Many firms offer employees a broad range of benefits as part of their compensation. However, little attention has been given to the extent to which firms communicate with their employees in relation to such benefits. This study proposes that benefit communication can have both direct and indirect positive effects on employees’ benefit level satisfaction. The effects of benefit communication were examined by means of a survey among 828 employees of different Spanish firms. This study hypothesized and found that benefit communication led to increased benefit level satisfaction. Similarly, this study found that benefit communication can influence benefit level satisfaction through the multiple intermediating effects of employees’ perceived organizational support and employees’ comparison of their benefits with those of referent others. These results imply that academics and practitioners must pay attention to providing adequate benefit communication in order to ensure the effectiveness of benefits.
Cycling Without Age: Assessing the Impact of a Cycling-Based Initiative on Mood and Wellbeing
Authors: Gray Ryan , Gow Alan J.
Published: July 2020

Objective: Cycling Without Age is a global initiative in which trained volunteers take adults living in care homes or supported housing environments out on specially designed trishaws. Despite its global success, there is limited research on the effect the initiative has on the older adults taking part. The current study therefore assessed changes in mood and wellbeing to determine whether there were short-term benefits of participation. Methods: Forty-nine older adults (69% female; 67–100 years old ( M = 84.1, SD = 7.6)) living in care homes and supported housing environments were recruited; 35 participants completed all measures and comprise the analytical sample. Participants completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist immediately before a ride (baseline); they repeated the measures on completion of the ride (follow-up). Participants also completed baseline and follow-up measures on a day in which they did not go on a ride. Mixed ANOVA compared differences in baseline and follow-up mood and wellbeing scores on ride and no ride days. Results: For all mood and wellbeing measures, there were significant interactions between day (ride or no ride) and measurement occasion (baseline or follow-up). Analyses revealed significant improvement in mood and wellbeing at follow-up on ride days versus no ride days. Conclusion: Short-term positive changes in mood and wellbeing were reported as a result of participation in the Cycling Without Age initiative for older adults in care home and supported living environments. Further research is needed to explore the longevity of benefits and longer-term changes.
Retina Injury After Dexamethasone Injection Into a Vitrectomized Eye
Authors: Elliott Michael S. , Montezuma Sandra R.
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

This work reports a case of retinal and vitreous hemorrhage after a dexamethasone (Ozurdex, Allergan) intravitreal implant injection to treat clinically significant macular edema (ME) in a patient with moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods:

A 61-year-old woman who had a vitrectomy 3 years prior in the right eye underwent intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection in the right eye. Immediately after the injection, the patient noted numerous floaters, with visual acuity decline from 20/30 before injection, to counting fingers at 3 feet after injection. Dilated examination revealed the dexamethasone implant resting against the retina, just inferior to the inferior arcade. On 360° fundus examination, the retina was found to be flat and attached. Optical coherence tomography of the macula demonstrated that the dexamethasone implant was preretinal, possibly having lifted the internal limiting membrane.

Results:

Thirty minutes after the injection, the patient reported that her vision was starting to clear. The patient was informed about what had transpired and warned about signs and symptoms of retinal detachment. She canceled her 1-week follow-up appointment because her vision returned to baseline. By 4 weeks post injection, her vision was 20/20 without macular edema.

Conclusions:

This case represents the first reported instance in which retinal impact by an Ozurdex implant was observed without treatment and vision recovered to baseline.
Cultural Alignment: The Fundamental Fuel for Business Success—An HR Perspective from the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Saha Smita
Published: July 2020

This article describes how a pharmaceutical organisation adapted itself to the changes in the industry and transformed from a traditional product centred approach to an approach that focusses on improving the whole patient journey. This called for a cultural alignment—right from re-purposing of the organisation, identifying inspirational values and using these as organisational anchors for steering the business strategy. Also, the organisation has significantly invested in its leadership capabilities to constantly skill-reskill-upskill to stay future-relevant. The approaches undertaken by this organisation for future-proofing business are valuable insights which are applicable across domains.
Neuronal Plasma Membrane Integrity is Transiently Disturbed by Traumatic Loading
Authors: Prado Gustavo R , LaPlaca Michelle C
Published: July 2020

The acute response of neurons subjected to traumatic loading involves plasma membrane disruption, yet the mechanical tolerance for membrane compromise, time course, and mechanisms for resealing are not well understood. We have used an in vitro traumatic neuronal injury model to investigate plasma membrane integrity immediately following a high-rate shear injury. Cell-impermeant fluorescent molecules were added to cortical neuronal cultures prior to insult to assess membrane integrity. The percentage of cells containing the permeability marker was dependent on the molecular size of the marker, as smaller molecules gained access to a higher percentage of cells than larger ones. Permeability increases were positively correlated with insult loading rate. Membrane disruption was transient, evidenced by a membrane resealing within the first minute after the insult. In addition, chelation of either extracellular Ca2+ or intracellular Ca2+ limited membrane resealing. However, injury following chelation of both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ caused diminished permeability as well as a greater resealing ability compared to chelation of extracellular or intracellular Ca2+ alone. Treatment of neuronal cultures with jasplakinolide, which stabilizes filamentous actin, reduced permeability increases, while latrunculin-B, an actin depolymerizing agent, both reduced the increase in plasma membrane permeability and promoted resealing. This study gives insight into the dynamics of neuronal membrane disruption and subsequent resealing, which was found to be calcium dependent and involve actin in a role that differs from non-neuronal cells. Taken together, these data will lead to a better understanding of the acute neuronal response to traumatic loading.
Observations of Rayleigh waves in Mexico City Valley during the 19 September 2017 Puebla–Morelos, Mexico earthquake
Authors: Heresi Pablo , Ruiz-García Jorge , Payán-Serrano Omar , Miranda Eduardo
Published: July 2020

This article discusses the principal features of Rayleigh surface waves generated by basin-edge effects in Mexico City during the Mw7.1 19 September 2017 Puebla–Morelos, Mexico earthquake. Rayleigh waves were extracted from ground motions recorded at 12 stations in Mexico City. We used a recently proposed method for extracting surface waves, where the earthquake record is filtered based on the normalized inner product of the Stockwell transform of the three-component earthquake recordings. Results of this study reveal that basin-edge effects produced strong Rayleigh waves, particularly at certain stations, with frequencies that are mainly between 0.2 and 0.9 Hz, which is consistent with previous frequency ranges reported in the literature. Evidence of higher-mode Rayleigh waves was found at all stations located on soft soil sites, even at stations that are more than 1 km away from the basin edges. It was also observed that peak acceleration spectral ordinates of the retrograde component of the extracted Rayleigh waves at two stations exceeded the design spectral ordinates of the 1976 and 2004 editions of the Mexico City Seismic Provisions.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among bank workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dagne Dereje , Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Getachew Atalay
Published: July 2020

Background

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are dramatically increased in the world due to the advancement of technology and competitiveness of markets. There were limited studies carried out regarding WMSDs among bank workers in Africa particularly in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among bank workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed in the study. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select 838 bank workers from 62 banks in Addis Ababa. Self-administered standard Nordic questionnaires were used as well. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with WMSDs. Moreover adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value < 0.05 was used to show the strength of association between explanatory variables and dependent variable.

Results

Out of 838 total numbers of participants, 755 bank workers returned their questionnaires responding with a rate of 90%. Of these, 77.6% (N = 586) suffered WMSDs with a 95% CI [75–81%]. Based on the final multivariate logistic regression analysis being female [AOR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.91–4.65], sitting back in a twisted position [AOR = 3.59, 95% CI 2.13–6.08], sitting back bent [AOR = 4.06, 95% CI 2.48–6.66], work on fixed position [AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.17–2.71], no work time break [AOR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.44–7.71], type of chairs [AOR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.19–5.75] and job stress [AOR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.19–4.54] were factors significantly associated with WMSDs.

Conclusion

From the study’s findings, the magnitude of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among bank workers was high. Being female, awkward posture, no work time break, fixed position, type of chairs, and job stress are the factors significantly associated with WMSDs. So bank workers should use proper types of chairs, practice proper work posture, increase healthy working conditions, and create awareness programs on how to maintain beneficial health conditions which may lead to increased leisure time.
Correction to: Pregnant women’s clinical characteristics, intrapartum interventions, and duration of labour in urban China: a multi-center cross-sectional study
Authors: Gu Chunyi , Wang Xiaojiao , Zhang Zhijie , Schwank Simone , Zhu Chunxiang , Zhang Zheng , Qian Xu
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Anti-TNF agents and potential effects on male fertility: are men being counseled?
Authors: Cooley Lauren Folgosa , Wren James , Keeter Mary Kate , Lam Isaac , Bennett Nelson , Brannigan Robert E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Adult men with autoimmune conditions are commonly prescribed anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents; however, there is a paucity of quality evidence as to their effect on male fertility (e.g. semen parameters and sperm quality). Our objective was to determine if men with autoimmune conditions are being counseled regarding the unknown reproductive effects of anti-TNF agents prior to initiation of therapy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 1010 male patients age 18–45 who were prescribed an anti-TNF agent were assessed for (1) receipt of counseling regarding potential reproductive effects; (2) screening for anatomic or laboratory abnormalities associated with infertility; (3) election for sperm cryopreservation.

Results

Only 10.3% of men received counseling, and this was not associated with age (p = 0.77). Those who received counseling were significantly more likely to have a genitourinary exam performed, be assessed for presence of a varicocele, be asked about or endorse low libido or erectile dysfunction, have a testosterone, LH, FSH, or prolactin level checked, and have a semen analysis performed (all, p < 0.0001). Rates of sperm cryopreservation were low, but statistically higher in men who received counseling (5.77% (+) counseling, 1.10% (−) counseling) (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The limited current literature lacks a consensus regarding the short- and long-term male reproductive effects of anti-TNF therapy. Despite this lack of clarity, rates of pre-initiation counseling were low. Rates of sperm cryopreservation, while improved in the counseled group remained low, suggesting prescribing physicians may be unaware of this option for patients.
Randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of implemented depression prevention in high-risk adolescents
Authors: de Jonge-Heesen Karlijn W. J. , Rasing Sanne P. A. , Vermulst Ad A. , Scholte Ron H. J. , van Ettekoven Kim M. , Engels Rutger C. M. E. , Creemers Daan H. M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Adolescent depression is a global mental health concern. Identification and effective prevention in an early stage are necessary. The present randomized, controlled trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based depression prevention in adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms. This prevention approach is implemented in school communities, which allows to examine effects under real-life circumstances.

Methods

A total of 5222 adolescents were screened for elevated depressive symptoms in the second grade of secondary schools; 130 adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years old (M = 13.59; SD = 0.68; 63.8% girls) were randomly assigned to the experimental (OVK 2.0) or control condition (psycho-education). Self- and parent-reported depressive symptoms were assessed at pretest and post intervention, as well as 6- and 12-months follow-up. Clinical assessment of depression was assessed at pretest and 6-months follow-up.

Results

Intent-to-treat analyses revealed that the decrease in adolescent-rated depressive symptoms was significantly larger in the intervention condition than in the control condition. There was no significant difference in decrease of parent-rated depressive symptoms between both conditions.

Conclusions

Based on the findings, we recommend the implementation of screening and prevention in schools, according the basics of this study design. Since this is a new step forward, we discuss the clinical impact and challenges, as well possibilities for future research.

Trial registration

The study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register for RCT’s (NTR5725). Date registered: 11 March 2016.
Elevation, azimuth, and polarization estimation with nested electromagnetic vector-sensor arrays via tensor modeling
Authors: Cao Ming-Yang , Mao Xingpeng , Huang Lei
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we address the joint estimation problem of elevation, azimuth, and polarization with nested array consists of complete six-component electromagnetic vector-sensors (EMVS). Taking advantage of the tensor permutation, we convert the sample covariance matrix of the receive data into a tensorial form which provides enhanced degree-of-freedom. Moreover, the parameter estimation issue with the proposed model boils down to a Vandermonde constraint Canonical Polyadic Decomposition problem. The structured least squares estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques is tailored for joint auto-pairing elevation, azimuth, and polarization estimation, ending up with a computational efficient method that avoids exhaustive searching over spatial and polarization region. Furthermore, the sufficient uniqueness analysis of our proposed approach is addressed, and the stochastic Cramér-Rao bound for underdetermined parameter estimation is derived. Simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Catabolism and interactions of uncultured organisms shaped by eco-thermodynamics in methanogenic bioprocesses
Authors: Nobu Masaru K. , Narihiro Takashi , Mei Ran , Kamagata Yoichi , Lee Patrick K. H. , Lee Po-Heng , McInerney Michael J. , Liu Wen-Tso
Published: July 2020

Background

Current understanding of the carbon cycle in methanogenic environments involves trophic interactions such as interspecies H2 transfer between organotrophs and methanogens. However, many metabolic processes are thermodynamically sensitive to H2 accumulation and can be inhibited by H2 produced from co-occurring metabolisms. Strategies for driving thermodynamically competing metabolisms in methanogenic environments remain unexplored.

Results

To uncover how anaerobes combat this H2 conflict in situ, we employ metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to revisit a model ecosystem that has inspired many foundational discoveries in anaerobic ecology—methanogenic bioreactors. Through analysis of 17 anaerobic digesters, we recovered 1343 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes and corresponding gene expression profiles for uncultured lineages spanning 66 phyla and reconstructed their metabolic capacities. We discovered that diverse uncultured populations can drive H2-sensitive metabolisms through (i) metabolic coupling with concurrent H2-tolerant catabolism, (ii) forgoing H2 generation in favor of interspecies transfer of formate and electrons (cytochrome- and pili-mediated) to avoid thermodynamic conflict, and (iii) integration of low-concentration O2 metabolism as an ancillary thermodynamics-enhancing electron sink. Archaeal populations support these processes through unique methanogenic metabolisms—highly favorable H2 oxidation driven by methyl-reducing methanogenesis and tripartite uptake of formate, electrons, and acetate.

Conclusion

Integration of omics and eco-thermodynamics revealed overlooked behavior and interactions of uncultured organisms, including coupling favorable and unfavorable metabolisms, shifting from H2 to formate transfer, respiring low-concentration O2, performing direct interspecies electron transfer, and interacting with high H2-affinity methanogenesis. These findings shed light on how microorganisms overcome a critical obstacle in methanogenic carbon cycles we had hitherto disregarded and provide foundational insight into anaerobic microbial ecology.
Accuracy of interproximal enamel reduction during clear aligner treatment
Authors: De Felice Maria Elena , Nucci Ludovica , Fiori Adriana , Flores-Mir Carlos , Perillo Letizia , Grassia Vincenzo
Published: July 2020

Aim

The aim of the present study was to compare the accuracy of the actual space obtained through interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) compared to the amount of IPR planned through the digital setup during clear aligner treatment (CAT).

Materials and methods

A total of 10 clinicians were randomly recruited using the Doctor Locator by Align Technology (California). For each clinician, four consecutive patients treated with CAT and manual stripping were selected for a total of 40 subjects and 80 dental arches. For each patient, the amount of planned IPR and the amount of actual IPR performed were recorded. Each arch was considered individually. For each arch, the mesio-distal tooth measurements were obtained from second to second premolars.

Results

No systematic measurement errors were identified. In 25 cases, stripping was planned and performed in both arches; in 4 cases only in the upper arch and in the remaining 7 cases only in the lower arch. The difference between planned IPR and performed IPR was on average 0.55 mm (SD, 0.67; P = 0.022) in the upper arch and 0.82 mm (SD, 0.84; P = 0.026) in the lower arch. The accuracy of IPR in the upper arch was estimated to be 44.95% for the upper arch and 37.02% for the lower arch.

Conclusion

Overall, this study showed that the amount of enamel removed in vivo did not correspond with the amount of IPR planned. In most cases, the performed IPR amount was lower than planned. When considering the actual amount in millimeter, these differences may not be considered clinically relevant.
Treatment outcomes of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Bahawalpur, Pakistan; a record review
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Fatima Razia , Ahmad Nafees , Babar Zaheer-Ud-Din
Published: July 2020

Background

There is limited published data form Pakistan on treatment success rate among extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients. The aim of this study was to assess clinical form, treatment outcomes, and identify the factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcome among EPTB patients.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at the Chest Disease Unit of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Pakistan. Medical records of EPTB patients, registered at the study site from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2017, were reviewed to obtain the data. Final treatment outcomes among EPTB patients were evaluated in accordance with the standard Word Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcome.

Results

A total of 651 EPTB patients were included in the study. Highest proportion of patients had pleural TB (n = 217, 33.3%). Out of the total 651 patients, 463 (71.1%) successfully completed the treatment. Among 177 (27.2%) patients with unfavorable treatment outcome, 10 (1.5%) died, while 165 (25.4%) lost to follow-up the treatment. Lymph node TB (AOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.422, 0.989) and meningeal TB (AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.065, 4.144) were significantly associated with unfavorable treatment outcome.

Conclusion

The treatment success (favorable outcome) rate among EPTB patients was less than the target (i.e., ≥ 90%) set by the WHO. Highest proportion of patients lost to follow-up during the treatment.
Effect of dynamic cyclic loading on screw loosening of retightened versus new abutment screw in both narrow and standard implants (in-vitro study)
Authors: Attiah Eman Mohammed Nasr , AlGendy Attiah Ali , Mostafa Tamer Mohamed Nasr
Published: July 2020

Background

The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the effect of dynamic cyclic loading on screw loosening of retightened abutment screw versus new abutment screw in both narrow and standard implants.

Methods

Separate acrylic resin blocks containing implant assembly (fixture, abutment, abutment screw, metal tube capping the abutment). Samples were divided into two main groups according to the diameter of implant: group 1 (GI 4.5-mm diameter) and group 2 (GII 3-mm diameter). Each group is subdivided into two subgroups according to the suggested option to manage screw loosening either by retightening (GIA, GIIA) or using new screws (GIB, GIIB). One hundred thousand cycles of eccentric dynamic cyclic loading (DCL) were applied before and after retightening or replacing the screw; then, removal torque loss (RTL) ratio was calculated, tabulated, and analyzed by t-student, ANOVA, pair wise Tukey’s tests.

Results

There were differences between GI and GII regarding the incidence of screw loosening process. Removal torque loss ratio was higher in GIB and GIIB where the old abutment screws were replaced by new screws for both standard implants (SIs) and narrow diameter implants (NDIs). There was significant effect of retightening and replacing the abutment screws after exposure to DCL.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this in-vitro study, it can be conclude that screw loosening process occurred in both SIs and NDIs but with higher values in NDIs. It is better to retighten the screw of NDIs and SIs than replacing it with a new screw.
Dental age assessment of North Indian origin children using Nolla’s method in mandibular second molar
Authors: Singh Harsh Vijay , Kalra Namita , Tyagi Rishi , Khatri Amit
Published: July 2020

Background

A cross-sectional study was done on 900 children of North Indian origin, (male = 458; female = 442) aged 10 to 16 years. Digital radiovisiography of permanent mandibular second molar was chosen over higher radiation extra oral projections used for whole arch-like orthopantogram. Each image was evaluated for mean dental age using Nolla’s method of age estimation and was compared to the mean chronological age of children in the study group. The study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of Nolla’s method of age estimation in the North Indian population.

Results

The mean dental age was found to be significantly underestimated by (1.8 ± 5.5) months in 900 children. The trend of underestimation was more in males ((2.5 ± 4.2) months) as compared to females ((1.1 ± 6.4) months). Both sexes showed underestimation of chronological age till 14 years. However, the dental age and chronological age became similar at 14 years, and overestimation of chronological age was observed afterwards (p value > 0.001).

Conclusion

Nolla’s method of age estimation using radiovisiograph for mandibular second molar is a reliable method in children of North Indian origin, although it underestimates the chronological age. After the average age of 14, dental age surpassed chronological age in the study group. In addition, permanent mandibular second molar was found to be a reliable tooth for dental age estimation.
The impact of plant density and spatial arrangement on light interception on cotton crop and seed cotton yield: an overview
Authors: CHAPEPA Blessing , MUDADA Nhamo , MAPURANGA Rangarirai
Published: July 2020

Light attenuation within a row of crops such as cotton is influenced by canopy architecture, which is defined by size, shape and orientation of shoot components. Level of light interception causes an array of morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes. Physiological determinants of growth include light interception, light use efficiency, dry matter accumulation, duration of growth and dry matter partitioning. Maximum light utilization in cotton production can be attained by adopting cultural practices that yields optimum plant populations as they affect canopy arrangement by modifying the plant canopy components. This paper highlights the extent to which spatial arrangement and density affect light interception in cotton crops. The cotton crop branches tend to grow into the inter-row space to avoid shade. The modification of canopy components suggests a shade avoidance and competition for light. Maximum leaf area index is obtained especially at flowering stage with higher populations which depicts better yields in cotton production.
Differential diagenetic evolution and hydrocarbon charging of the tight limestone reservoir of the Da’anzhai Member in the central Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Su Jiao , Tian Zepu , Shen Yingchu , Liu Bo , Xu Qilu , Wang Yongjun
Published: July 2020

The tight lacustrine carbonate reservoir of the Da’anzhai Member, Lower Jurassic Ziliujing Formation, in the central Sichuan Basin is a typical tight oil reservoir, and it is one of the crucial petroleum exploration targets in the Sichuan Basin. The porosity of the limestone ranges from 0.5% to 2%, and the permeability ranges from 0.001 to 1 mD. The Da’anzhai limestone experienced multiple diageneses, including compaction, cementation, dissolution, and recrystallization. Different diageneses occurred in the burial process due to the various fabrics and depositional environments, eventually forming distinct rock types; therefore, the pore evolution and hydrocarbon charging characteristics are inconsistent. In our research, there are two stages of major maturation and hydrocarbon expulsion in the source rocks of the Da’anzhai Member. The first large-scale expulsion of hydrocarbon is oil-based and gas-supplemented, whereas the second expulsion is dominated by gas. Hydrocarbon-filling characteristics are different in different types of reservoir rocks. Compared with the bioclastic grainstone and crystalline limestone, we have considered that the argillaceous shell packstone and bioclastic packstone deposited in the shallow and semideep lake environment still contain residual intergranular pores, which have not become fully compacted and are partly filled with hydrocarbons. The presence of hydrocarbon fluid hindered the secondary porosity reduction and was helpful for reserve space preservation.
Attenuation of seismic swell noise using convolutional neural networks in frequency domain and transfer learning
Authors: You Jiachun , Xue Yajuan , Cao Junxing , Li Canping
Published: July 2020

Because swell noises are very common in marine seismic data, it is extremely important to attenuate them to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). Compared to process noises in the time domain, we have built a frequency-domain convolutional neural network (CNN) based on the short-time Fourier transform to address swell noises. In the numerical experiments, we quantitatively evaluate the denoising performances of the time- and frequency-domain CNNs, compare the impacts of network structures on attenuating swell noises, and study how network parameter choices impact the quality of the denoised signal based on peak S/N, structural similarity, and root-mean-square-error indices. These results help us to build an optimal CNN model. Furthermore, to illustrate the superiority of our proposed method, we compare the conventional and proposed CNN methods. To address the generalization capability of CNN, we adopt transfer learning by using fine tuning to adjust the weights of the pretrained model with a small amount of target data. The application of transfer learning improves the quality of the denoised images, which further proves that our proposed method with transfer learning has the potential to be deployed in actual seismic data acquisition.
Evaluating the effect of birth weight on brain volumes and depression: An observational and genetic study using UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Ye Jing , Wu Cuiyan , Chu Xiaomeng , Wen Yan , Li Ping , Cheng Bolun , Cheng Shiqiang , Liu Li , Zhang Lu , Ma Mei , Qi Xin , Liang Chujun , Kafle Om Prakash , Jia Yumeng , Wang Sen , Wang Xi , Ning Yujie , Zhang Feng
Published: July 2020

Background.

Birth weight influences not only brain development, but also mental health outcomes, including depression, but the underlying mechanism is unclear.

Methods.

The phenotypic data of 12,872–91,009 participants (59.18–63.38% women) from UK Biobank were included to test the associations between the birth weight, depression, and brain volumes through the linear and logistic regression models. As birth weight is highly heritable, the polygenic risk scores (PRSs) of birth weight were calculated from the UK Biobank cohort (154,539 participants, 56.90% women) to estimate the effect of birth weight-related genetic variation on the development of depression and brain volumes. Finally, the mediation analyses of step approach and mediation analysis were used to estimate the role of brain volumes in the association between birth weight and depression. All analyses were conducted sex stratified to assess sex-specific role in the associations.

Result.

We observed associations between birth weight and depression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.968, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.957–0.979, p = 2.29 × 10−6). Positive associations were observed between birth weight and brain volumes, such as gray matter (B = 0.131, p = 3.51 × 10−74) and white matter (B = 0.129, p = 1.67 × 10−74). Depression was also associated with brain volume, such as left thalamus (OR = 0.891, 95% CI = 0.850–0.933, p = 4.46 × 10−5) and right thalamus (OR = 0.884, 95% CI = 0.841–0.928, p = 2.67 × 10−5). Additionally, significant mediation effects of brain volume were found for the associations between birth weight and depression through steps approach and mediation analysis, such as gray matter (B = –0.220, p = 0.020) and right thalamus (B = –0.207, p = 0.014).

Conclusions.

Our results showed the associations among birth weight, depression, and brain volumes, and the mediation effect of brain volumes also provide evidence for the sex-specific of associations.
EPA guidance on the quality of mental health services: A systematic meta-review and update of recommendations focusing on care coordination
Authors: Gaebel W. , Kerst A. , Janssen B. , Becker T. , Musalek M. , Rössler W. , Ruggeri M. , Thornicroft G. , Zielasek J. , Stricker J.
Published: July 2020

Background.

The quality of mental health services is crucial for the effectiveness and efficiency of mental healthcare systems, symptom reduction, and quality of life improvements in persons with mental illness. In recent years, particularly care coordination (i.e., the integration of care across different providers and treatment settings) has received increased attention and has been put into practice. Thus, we focused on care coordination in this update of a previous European Psychiatric Association (EPA) guidance on the quality of mental health services.

Methods.

We conducted a systematic meta-review of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence-based clinical guidelines focusing on care coordination for persons with mental illness in three literature databases.

Results.

We identified 23 relevant documents covering the following topics: case management, integrated care, home treatment, crisis intervention services, transition from inpatient to outpatient care and vice versa, integrating general and mental healthcare, technology in care coordination and self-management, quality indicators, and economic evaluation. Based on the available evidence, we developed 15 recommendations for care coordination in European mental healthcare.

Conclusions.

Although evidence is limited, some concepts of care coordination seem to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health services and outcomes on patient level. Further evidence is needed to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of different care coordination models.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer-Related Patient Encounters
Authors: London Jack W. , Fazio-Eynullayeva Elnara , Palchuk Matvey B. , Sankey Peter , McNair Christopher
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

While there are studies under way to characterize the direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with cancer, there have been few quantitative reports of the impact that efforts to control the pandemic have had on the normal course of cancer diagnosis and treatment encounters.

METHODS

We used the TriNetX platform to analyze 20 health care institutions that have relevant, up-to-date encounter data. Using this COVID and Cancer Research Network (CCRN), we compared cancer cohorts identified by querying encounter data pre-COVID (January 2019-April 2019) and current (January 2020-April 2020). Cohorts were generated for all patients with neoplasms (malignant, benign, in situ, and of unspecified behavior), with new incidence neoplasms (first encounter), with exclusively malignant neoplasms, and with new incidence malignant neoplasms. Data from a UK institution were similarly analyzed. Additional analyses were performed on patients with selected cancers, as well as on those having had cancer screening.

RESULTS

Clear trends were identified that suggest a significant decline in all current cohorts explored, with April 2020 displaying the largest decrease in the number of patients with cancer having encounters. Of the cancer types analyzed, lung, colorectal, and hematologic cancer cohorts exhibited smaller decreases in size in April 2020 versus 2019 (−39.1%, −39.9%, −39.1%, respectively) compared with cohort size decreases for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma (−47.7%, −49.1%, −51.8%, respectively). In addition, cancer screenings declined drastically, with breast cancer screenings dropping by −89.2% and colorectal cancer screenings by −84.5%.

CONCLUSION

Trends seen in the CCRN clearly suggest a significant decrease in all cancer-related patient encounters as a result of the pandemic. The steep decreases in cancer screening and patients with a new incidence of cancer suggest the possibility of a future increase in patients with later-stage cancer being seen initially as well as an increased demand for cancer screening procedures as delayed tests are rescheduled.
High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Persistence and Anal Microbiota Among Nigerian Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With or At Risk for HIV
Authors: Nowak Rebecca G. , Ravel Jacques , Bentzen Søren M. , Schumaker Lisa M. , Ambulos Nicholas P. , Ndembi Nicaise , Dauda Wuese , Mitchell Andrew , Mathias Trevor J. , Crowell Trevor A. , Baral Stefan D. , Blattner William A. , Charurat Manhattan E. , Palefsky Joel M. , Cullen Kevin J.
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

Noninvasive therapies, such as probiotics that promote local immunity and reduce persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), would circumvent challenges in implementing anal cancer screening where same-sex behavior is stigmatized and criminalized. We describe the persistence of HR-HPV and its relationship with the anal microbiota among Nigerian men who have sex with men (MSM).

METHODS

Anal swabs from HIV-uninfected and -infected MSM who were enrolled in the TRUST/RV368 cohort were HPV genotyped at enrollment and at 3 and 12 months. Participants who presented with the same type(s) of HR-HPV across all visits were categorized as having persistent infections. The anal microbiota composition at baseline of HR-HPV–positive individuals was evaluated. Unsupervised K-means clustering of the 15 most abundant bacterial taxa identified 2 microbial clusters (MC-1 and MC-2). Unadjusted associations of 12-month HR-HPV persistence was evaluated by MC membership and HIV status using χ2 tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS

One hundred nine HIV-infected and 41 HIV-uninfected participants—contributing 284 baseline HR-HPV infections—were observed for a median of 12 months (interquartile range, 11.5-12.6 months). MC-1 was dominated by Prevotella and MC-2 consisted of a diverse set of anaerobic bacteria ( Finegoldia, Corynebacterium, Peptoniphilus, and Anerococcus). At 12 months, 45% (67 of 150) of MSM had 86 persistent HR-HPV and 55% (83 of 150) cleared all baseline HR-HPV. HPV16 (21%), HPV45 (13%), and HPV51 (12%) were the most persistent. Persistence of any HR-HPV was nonsignificantly higher in MC-1 (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% CI, 0.8 to 3.1). Persistent HPV16 was more abundant in MC-2 versus MC-1 (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 12.0), whereas HPV45 and HPV51 were similarly distributed across both MCs. Compared with HIV-uninfected, persistence (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.8 to 3.3) and MC-2 membership (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8 to 2.0) were nonsignificantly higher among HIV-infected participants.

CONCLUSION

Anal HPV16 has the highest annual persistence and is associated with a low Prevotella anal microbiota, a potentially modifiable cofactor.
Comprehensive Genomic Analysis in NRG Oncology/RTOG 9802: A Phase III Trial of Radiation Versus Radiation Plus Procarbazine, Lomustine (CCNU), and Vincristine in High-Risk Low-Grade Glioma
Authors: Bell Erica H. , Zhang Peixin , Shaw Edward G. , Buckner Jan C. , Barger Geoffrey R. , Bullard Dennis E. , Mehta Minesh P. , Gilbert Mark R. , Brown Paul D. , Stelzer Keith J. , McElroy Joseph P. , Fleming Jessica l. , Timmers Cynthia D. , Becker Aline P. , Salavaggione Andrea L. , Liu Ziyan , Aldape Kenneth , Brachman David G. , Gertler Stanley Z. , Murtha Albert D. , Schultz Christopher J. , Johnson David , Laack Nadia N. , Hunter Grant K. , Crocker Ian R. , Won Minhee , Chakravarti Arnab
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

NRG Oncology/RTOG 9802 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00003375 ) is a practice-changing study for patients with WHO low-grade glioma (LGG, grade II), as it was the first to demonstrate a survival benefit of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy over radiotherapy. This post hoc study sought to determine the prognostic and predictive impact of the WHO-defined molecular subgroups and corresponding molecular alterations within NRG Oncology/RTOG 9802.

METHODS

IDH1/2 mutations were determined by immunohistochemistry and/or deep sequencing. A custom Ion AmpliSeq panel was used for mutation analysis. 1p/19q codeletion and MGMT promoter methylation were determined by copy-number arrays and/or Illumina 450K array, respectively. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model and tested using the log-rank test. Multivariable analyses (MVAs) were performed incorporating treatment and common prognostic factors as covariates.

RESULTS

Of the eligible patients successfully profiled for the WHO-defined molecular groups (n = 106/251), 26 (24%) were IDH-wild type, 43 (41%) were IDH-mutant/non-codeleted, and 37(35%) were IDH-mutant/codeleted. MVAs demonstrated that WHO subgroup was a significant predictor of PFS after adjustment for clinical variables and treatment. Notably, treatment with postradiation chemotherapy (PCV; procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine) was associated with longer PFS (HR, 0.32; P = .003; HR, 0.13; P < .001) and OS (HR, 0.38; P = .013; HR, 0.21; P = .029) in the IDH-mutant/non-codeleted and IDH-mutant/codeleted subgroups, respectively. In contrast, no significant difference in either PFS or OS was observed with the addition of PCV in the IDH-wild-type subgroup.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to report the predictive value of the WHO-defined diagnostic classification in a set of uniformly treated patients with LGG in a clinical trial. Importantly, this post hoc analysis supports the notion that patients with IDH-mutant high-risk LGG regardless of codeletion status receive benefit from the addition of PCV.
America’s Postsecular Stages
Authors: Tanner-Kennedy Dana
Published: July 2020

Dana Tanner-Kennedy stakes a claim for an unacknowledged category of contemporary American theater: postsecular theater. She argues that religious belief becomes a matter of choice in a postsecular era that struggles between post-truth reality and transcendental belief. Through in-depth readings of contemporary plays and performances—such as Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’s Appropriate, Stew’s Passing Strange, and the Wooster Group’s Early Shaker Spirituals—Tanner-Kennedy suggests that these works rescript existing religious values and counter the historic secularity of the American dramatic canon since modernism. She advocates for a renewed emphasis on “religious literacy” in education so that academics and critics may better understand these works and their successors.
Voting and Contributing when the Group Is Watching
Authors: Henry Emeric , Louis-Sidois Charles
Published: July 2020

Members of groups and organizations often have to decide on rules that regulate their contributions to common tasks. They typically differ in their propensity to contribute and often care about the image they project; in particular, they want to be perceived by other group members as being high contributors. In such environments we study the interaction between how members vote on rules and their subsequent contribution decisions. We show that making contributions visible affects the calculus of reputation and the voting decisions, and can be welfare decreasing as it makes some rules more likely to be rejected. (JEL D71, D72)
Matching in Networks with Bilateral Contracts: Corrigendum
Authors: Hatfield John William , Jagadeesan Ravi , Kominers Scott Duke
Published: July 2020

Hatfield and Kominers (2012) introduced a model of matching in networks with bilateral contracts and showed that stable outcomes exist in supply chains when firms’ preferences over contracts are fully substitutable. Hatfield and Kominers (2012) also asserted that in their setting, full substitutability is equivalent to the assumption that all indirect utility representations of each firm’s preferences are quasisubmodular; we show here that this claimed equivalence result does not hold in general. We show instead that full substitutability is equivalent to weak quasisubmodularity of all indirect utility representations. (JEL C78, D85)
Usefulness of multidetector computed tomography to differentiate between renal cell carcinoma and oncocytoma. A model validation
Authors: Paño Blanca , Soler Alexandre , Goldman Debra A , Salvador Rafael , Buñesch Laura , Sebastià Carmen , Nicolau Carlos
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to validate a multivariable predictive model previously developed to differentiate between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and oncocytoma using CT parameters.

Methods and materials:

We included 100 renal lesions with final diagnosis of RCC or oncocytoma studied before surgery with 4-phase multidetector CT (MDCT). We evaluated the characteristics of the tumors and the enhancement patterns at baseline, arterial, nephrographic and excretory MDCT phases.

Results:

Histopathologically 15 tumors were oncocytomas and 85 RCCs. RCCs were significantly larger (median 4.4 cm vs 2.8 cm, p = 0.006). There were significant differences in nodule attenuation in the excretory phase compared to baseline (median: 31 vs 42, p = 0.015), with RCCs having lower values. Heterogeneous enhancement patterns were also more frequent in RCCs (85.9% vs 60%, p = 0.027). Multivariable analysis showed that the independent predictors of malignancy were the enhancement pattern, with oncocytomas being more homogeneous in the nephrographic phase [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.16 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.75, p = 0.02)], nodule enhancement in the excretory phase compared to baseline, with RCCs showing lower enhancement [OR 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.99, p = 0.005)], and a size > 4 cm, with RCCs being larger [OR 5.89 (95% CI 1.10 to 31.58), p = 0.038].

Conclusion:

The multivariable predictive model previously developed which combines different MDCT parameters, including lesion size > 4 cm, lesion enhancement in the excretory phase compared to baseline and enhancement heterogeneity, can be successfully applied to distinguish RCC from oncocytoma.

Advances in knowledge:

This study confirms that multiparametric assessment using MDCT (including parameters such as size, homogeneity and enhancement differences between the excretory and the baseline phases) can help distinguish between RCCs and oncocytomas. While it is true that this multiparametric predictive model may not always correctly classify renal tumors such as RCC or oncocytoma, it can be used to determine which patients would benefit from pre-surgical biopsy to confirm that the tumor is in fact an oncocytoma, and thereby avoid unnecessary surgical treatments.
A RESILIÊNCIA EM MERCADOS POPULARES: UMA ANÁLISE NO MERCADO CENTRAL DE FORTALEZA
Authors: Victor Caio , Gerhard Felipe , Menezes Domingos , Peñaloza Verónica
Published: July 2020

Este estudo objetivou conhecer e descrever a resiliência do Mercado Central de Fortaleza. Realizou-se uma pesquisa de inspiração etnográfica e entrevistas conversacionais com 174 atores presentes no cotidiano desse mercado, analisando, mediante as lentes da resiliência, a construção coletiva e a representação do mercado popular por seus atores. A estratégia metodológica utilizada foi a análise de similitude e a análise prototípica. A intensificação do processo de urbanização, a industrialização e a expansão do setor terciário, especialmente por meio da inserção de comércio varejista mais moderno, transformaram o espaço urbano de Fortaleza. Como consequência, o Mercado Central atravessa um período de crise e estagnação, referente às baixas expectativas dos entrevistados. O trabalho contribuiu para compreensão das expectativas dos comerciantes em relação ao mercado. Sabendo da importância e o valor desse patrimônio histórico cultural para a cidade, o mercado necessita de um processo de revitalização.