bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on the digital divide: a rapid review
Authors: Litchfield Ian , Shukla David , Greenfield Sheila 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveThe increased reliance on digital technologies to deliver healthcare as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant pre-existing disparities in digital access and utilisation of healthcare might be exacerbated in disadvantaged patient populations. The aim of this rapid review was to identify how this ‘digital divide’ was manifest during the first wave of the pandemic and highlight any areas which might be usefully addressed for the remainder of the pandemic and beyond.DesignRapid review and narrative synthesis.Data sourcesThe major medical databases including PubMed and Embase and Google Scholar were searched alongside a hand search of bibliographies.Eligibility criteriaOriginal research papers available in English which described studies conducted during wave 1 of the COVID pandemic and reported between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2021.ResultsThe search was described using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and identified nine studies. The results are presented within a refined framework describing the three key domains of the digital divide: (1) digital access, within which one study described continuing issues with internet connectivity among vulnerable patients in the UK; (2) digital literacy, where seven studies described how ethnic minorities and the elderly were less likely to use digital technologies in accessing care; (3) digital assimilation, where one study described how video technologies can reduce feelings of isolation and another how elderly black males were the most likely group to share information about COVID-19 on social media platforms.ConclusionsDuring the early phase of the pandemic in the developed world, familiar difficulties in utilisation of digital healthcare among the elderly and ethnic minorities continued to be observed. This is a further reminder that the digital divide is a persistent challenge that needs to be urgently addressed when considering the likelihood that in many instances these digital technologies are likely to remain at the centre of healthcare delivery.
Impact of mRNA vaccines in curtailing SARS-CoV-2 infection and disability leave utilisation among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analysis from a tertiary healthcare system in the Greater Houston metropolitan area
Authors: Vahidy Farhaan S , Pan Alan P , Hagan Kobina , Bako Abdulaziz T , Sostman Henry Dirk , Schwartz Roberta L , Phillips Robert , Boom Marc L 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesWe provide an account of real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary healthcare system and report trends in SARS-CoV-2 infections and subsequent utilisation of COVID-19-specific short-term disability leave (STDL).DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsSummary data on 27 291 employees at a tertiary healthcare system in the Greater Houston metropolitan area between 15 December 2020 and 5 June 2021. The initial 12-week vaccination programme period (15 December 2020 to 6 March 2021) was defined as a rapid roll-out phase.Main outcomes and measuresAt the pandemic onset, HCW testing and surveillance was conducted where SARS-CoV-2-positive HCWs were offered STDL. Deidentified summary data of SARS-CoV-2 infections and STDL utilisation among HCWs were analysed. Prevaccination and postvaccination trends in SARS-CoV-2 positivity and STDL utilisation rates were evaluated.ResultsUpdated for 5 June 2021, 98.2% (n=26 791) of employees received a full or partial dose of one of the approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccination rate during the rapid roll-out phase was approximately 3700 doses/7 days. The overall mean weekly SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates among HCWs were significantly lower following vaccine roll-out (2.4%), compared with prevaccination period (11.8%, p<0.001). An accompanying 69.8% decline in STDL utilisation was also observed (315 to 95 weekly leaves). During the rapid roll-out phase, SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate among Houston Methodist HCWs declined by 84.3% (8.9% to 1.4% positivity rate), compared with a 54.7% (12.8% to 5.8% positivity rate) decline in the Houston metropolitan area.ConclusionDespite limited generalisability of regional hospital-based studies—where factors such as the emergence of viral variants and population-level vaccine penetrance may differ—accounts of robust HCW vaccination programmes provide important guidance for sustaining a critical resource to provide safe and effective care for patients with and without COVID-19 across healthcare systems.
To dictate or collaborate? A phenomenological exploration of physiotherapists’ leadership styles
Authors: Smith Victoria , Maxwell Claire , Robinson Lisa 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesSelection of effective leadership styles within healthcare is linked to high quality, safe care for patients. Within the literature attention has been given to medical and nursing professions, failing to acknowledge the contribution made by physiotherapy leaders. This study aims to consider the leadership styles used by physiotherapists in a designated leadership role, specifically exploring the barriers they face and the strategies employed to overcome current leadership dilemmas.DesignA qualitative, phenomenological design was used. Consent was obtained from each participant for one semistructured interview which was audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.SettingA large National Health Service Foundation Trust within the North East of England.ParticipantsA purposive sample of ten physiotherapy team leaders.ResultsThe theoretical leadership framework that emerged demonstrated the daily tensions experienced by physiotherapy team leaders in regard to being a transactional or transformational leader. Within this, three superordinate themes exist: the individual, the team and the organisation and beyond. Each theme contained barriers and enablers which related to transactional and transformational leadership styles, respectively.ConclusionsThe framework identified gives insight into a group of clinical leaders not yet explored and provides a foundation for the development of leadership behaviours throughout physiotherapy. These clinicians should be supported by senior leaders to develop more transformational styles which have the potential to impact on staff well-being and patient care. Future research should compare these findings with studies involving larger sample sizes that span the health and social care system.
Symbiotic interactions between a newly identified native mycorrhizal fungi complex and the endemic tree Argania spinosa mediate growth, photosynthesis, and enzymatic responses under drought stress conditions
Authors: Outamamat Elmostapha , El Mrabet Said , Dounas Hanane , Bargaz Adnane , Duponnois Robin , Ouahmane Lahcen 
Published: October 2021

Water deficit or drought is the most important abiotic stress limiting plant growth performance and plant community development; this is typical in the Mediterranean area where plants are often severely and permanently water limited. Such is the case of the argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels), one of the tree species most affected by desertification and global warming. To advance knowledge on how this tree can withstand drought stress, inoculation with a native complex of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), composed mainly of the genus Glomus, was studied in connection with a set of growth and physiological parameters. Under controlled conditions, inoculated and non-inoculated argan seedlings were grown for 3 months under three water regimens: 25%, 50%, and 75% relative to the field capacity of used soil substrate. The results showed that the argan tree had different growth abilities to develop and withstand the various applied water limitations. The AMF complex stimulated the growth and mineral nutrition of argan seedlings under the different imposed levels of water deficiency. Relative water content (RWC) in leaves, water potential, and stomatal conductance in argan leaves showed a general improvement in inoculated seedlings compared to non-inoculated ones. Soluble sugar and proline contents significantly increased in non-inoculated seedlings compared with inoculated seedlings under water-limiting conditions (25%). Similarly, oxidative enzyme (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) activity increased significantly in drought-stressed seedlings. Non-inoculated seedlings showed the highest accumulation of these enzymes. Moreover, mycorrhizal symbiosis establishment positively correlated with argan tree seedlings in terms of growth, mineral nutrition, soluble sugar and proline contents, and enzymes activities. The main results from the current study suggest that AMF improve the ability of A. spinosa to tolerate drought by enhancing mineral nutrition and the transport of high levels of water by enhancing the RWC and water potential in leaves. Finally, the alleviation of the destructive effects of reactive oxygen species was modulated by enzymatic scavenging activity. Hence, the use of AMF in the technical process of argan seedlings production is highly recommended in different ecofriendly restoration strategies, with the aim of producing high quality seedlings capable of tolerating drought stress.
Task-based support in search engines
Authors: Garigliotti Darío 
Published: October 2021

Darío Garigliotti is a postdoctoral researcher at Aalborg University, Denmark, where he works in collaboration with Prof. Katja Hose and Assoc. Prof. Johannes Bjerva, in the areas of information extraction, information retrieval and natural language processing. He completed his doctoral degree in Computer Science at University of Stavanger, Norway, under the supervision of Prof. Krisztian Balog. The website at https://dariogarigliotti.github.io/ contains more information about Garigliotti's work.
The research conducted by Garigliotti focused on utilizing and extending methods and techniques from semantic search within an information access paradigm that aims to support users in achieving their tasks. More specifically, to enhance search engines with functionalities for recognizing the underlying tasks in searches and providing support for task completion. The work presented in this thesis is organized in three grand themes: entity type information for entity retrieval, entity-oriented search intents, and task-based search. Alongside the theoretical and empirical contributions, a number of resource contributions were developed, including several corpora and test collections, and a knowledge base of entity-oriented search intents.
Antimalarial Activity of Hydromethanolic Crude Extract and Chloroform Fraction of Brucea antidysenterica Leaves in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice
Authors: Aragaw Tezera Jemere , Getahun Kefyalew Ayalew 
Published: October 2021

Background. Different parts of Brucea antidysenterica are used in traditional and alternative medicine in Ethiopia for the treatment of different health problems including malaria and have good in vitro antimalarial activity. However, no in vivo study was conducted to substantiate the claim. Our study planned to determine the antimalarial effect of B. antidysenterica extract. Methods. Swiss albino mice (6–8 weeks old, 20–28 g) were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei. Different doses of both hydromethanolic extract and chloroform fraction were orally given at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day. Results. The parasitemia suppression percent of hydromethanolic crude extract and chloroform fraction in chemosuppressive tests ranged between 33.48 and 75.93% and 38.32 and 76.64%, respectively. The hydromethanolic crude extract and chloroform fraction exhibited the curative effect of 46.75–70.91% and 50.30–80.06% parasitemia suppression, respectively (

p

< 0.001), compared with negative control. Conclusion. From our study, it is concluded that the hydromethanolic crude extract and chloroform fraction of B. antidysenterica leaves showed promising antiplasmodial effects against Plasmodium berghei. This upholds the folkloric use of B. antidysenterica leaves and the thought of as a possible source to develop new antimalarial agents.
Salivary and Serum Interleukin-10, C-Reactive Protein, Mean Platelet Volume, and CRP/MPV Ratio in the Diagnosis of Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Full-Term Neonates
Authors: Omran Ahmed , Sobh Hazem , Abdalla Mohamed Osama , El-Sharkawy Sonya , Rezk Ahmed R. , Khashana Abdelmoneim 
Published: October 2021

Salivary markers could serve as potential noninvasive markers in the diagnosis of neonatal infections. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic role of salivary and serum interleukin 10 (IL-10), C-reactive protein (CRP), mean platelet volume (MPV), and CRP/MPV ratio in the diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis in full-term neonates. Seventy full-term neonates were enrolled in this prospective case-control study, 35 with late-onset neonatal sepsis, and 35 controls. Salivary IL-10, serum IL-10, and CRP concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Complete blood (CBC) count was measured by an automated blood cell counter. The salivary IL-10, serum IL-10, CRP, MPV, and CRP/MPV ratio levels were much higher in neonates with late-onset sepsis than in control (

220
±
150

vs.

18
±
9

pg
/
ml

,

P
<
0.001

), (

316
±
198

vs.

23.7
±
14

pg
/
ml

,

P
<
0.001

), (

78.2
±
34

vs.

3.3
±
1.7

mg
/
L

,

P
<
0.001

), (

11.2
±
0.9

vs.

8.6
±
0.4

fL

), and (

7.08
±
3.3

vs.

0.4
±
0.2

,

P
<
0.001

), respectively. At the cutoff point of >31 pg/ml, salivary IL-10 showed 97.1% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity. Serum IL-10 at a cutoff value of ≥33.6 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 80%. MPV showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 94.4% at a

cutoff

value
≥
9.2

fL

. CRP/MPV ratio showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.1% at a

cutoff

value
>
0.9

. Salivary and serum IL-10 showed a positive correlation with CRP and CRP/MPV ratio in septic neonates. The current study shows for the first time that both salivary IL-10 and CRP/MPV showed statistically significant differences between neonates with late-onset sepsis and controls. Accordingly, salivary IL-10 could serve as a potential noninvasive biomarker for the diagnosis of late-onset sepsis in full-term neonates.
The Efficacy of Moxibustion on the Serum Levels of CXCL1 and β-EP in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Tao Siyu , Wang Xue , Liao Chenxi , Xiong Yan , Tang Jie , Jiang Nannan , Li Yuan , Hu Xinyue , Shuai Rouxian , Wang Yueyue , Wu Ping 
Published: October 2021

Objective. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion on joint swelling and pain and the levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), β-endorphin (β-EP) in serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanism of moxibustion on improving RA. Methods. Sixty-eight patients with RA were randomly and equally classified into the control and treatment groups. The control group was treated with routine drug therapy, while the treatment group received routine drug therapy and moxibustion. Both groups were treated for eight weeks. The symptoms and laboratory indicators of RA patients were compared in the two groups before and after intervention. Results. Sixty-one patients completed the study: four patients dropped out from the treatment group and three from the control group. Trial endpoints were change (∆) in symptoms, measured by Ritchie’s articular index (RAI), swollen joint count (SJC), and laboratory indicators, measured by the level of CXCL1, β-EP, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). ∆RAI, ∆SJC, ∆CXCL1, ∆β-EP, ∆TNF-α, and ∆IL-1β in the treatment group were superior to the control group (13.50 [14.50] versus 6.00 [13.00] in ∆RAI, 4.00 [3.00] versus 2.00 [4.00] in ∆SJC, 0.04 ± 0.79 ng/mL versus -0.01 ± 0.86 ng/mL in ∆CXCL1, -2.43 [5.52] pg/mg versus -0.04 [4.09] pg/mg in ∆β-EP, 3.45 [5.90] pg/mL versus 1.55 [8.29] pg/mL in ∆TNF-α, and 6.15 ± 8.65 pg/mL versus 1.28 ± 8.51 pg/mL in ∆IL-1β; all

P

< 0.05). Conclusion. Moxibustion can improve the joint swelling and pain symptoms in patients with RA, which may be related to the fact that moxibustion can reduce the release of inflammatory factors in patients with RA and downregulate the level of CXCL1 and increase the level of β-EP at the same time. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-IOR-17012282.
Using Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation to Generate Initial Perturbations in ENSO Ensemble Forecasts
Authors: Zhou Qian , Chen Lei , Duan Wansuo , Wang Xu , Zu Ziqing , Li Xiang , Zhang Shouwen , Zhang Yunfei 
Published: October 2021

AbstractUsing the latest operational version of the ENSO forecast system from the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center (NMEFC) of China, ensemble forecasting experiments are performed for El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events that occurred from 1997 to 2017 by generating initial perturbations of the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP) and Climatically relevant Singular Vector (CSV) structures. It is shown that when the initial perturbation of the leading CSV structure in the ensemble forecast of the CSVs-scheme is replaced by those of the CNOP structure, the resulted ensemble ENSO forecasts of the CNOP+CSVs-scheme tend to possess a larger spread than the forecasts obtained with the CSVs-scheme alone, leading to a better match between the root mean square error and the ensemble spread, a more reasonable Talagrand diagram and an improved Brier skill score (BSS). All these results indicate that the ensemble forecasts generated by the CNOP+CSVs-scheme can improve both the accuracy of ENSO forecasting and the reliability of the ensemble forecasting system. Therefore, ENSO ensemble forecasting should consider the effect of nonlinearity on the ensemble initial perturbations to achieve a much higher skill. It is expected that fully nonlinear ensemble initial perturbations can be sufficiently yielded to produce ensemble forecasts for ENSO, finally improving the ENSO forecast skill to the greatest possible extent. The CNOP will be a useful method to yield fully nonlinear optimal initial perturbations for ensemble forecasting.
What brings contracting back in-house? A synthesis of international evidence
Authors: Lu Jiahuan , Hung Wan-Ju 
Published: October 2021

Contracting back-in has received growing scholarly attention, but there is little empirical consensus in the literature as to what drives governments to bring previously contracted work back in-house and to what extent. This study performs a meta-analysis to synthesize 332 effect sizes from 16 existing studies concerning the antecedents of contracting back-in across different countries. The analysis indicates that contracting back-in is a market management strategy driven by low levels of market competition, high proportions of for-profit contractors, insufficient cost savings, and inadequate contract management. Meanwhile, contracting back-in is a political move shaped by left-wing political ideology and employee opposition to outsourcing. Environmental factors including unemployment rate, population size, and population density also play a role. This study provides empirical generalizations of previous results and contributes a more coherent knowledge base for future studies. Points for practitioners Our analysis indicates that contracting back-in is driven by a mix of both pragmatic and political factors, but pragmatic factors related to contracting management complexity shape contracting back-in in a more forceful way. Our findings also suggest that factors pushing governments to contract out do not necessarily have an impact on contracting back-in. Government decisions to contract out and contract back-in may be based on different considerations.
Objective Assessment of Aerosolization During Transnasal Endoscopy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Matos Sophia , Sharma Arun , Crosby Dana 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveThe goal of this systematic review is to assimilate the literature on objective assessment of particulate aerosolization during transnasal endoscopic procedures.Data SourcesPubMed and hand‐searched articles.Review MethodsThe PubMed electronic database was searched using Medical Subject Headings and free‐text search terms relating to aerosolization and transnasal endoscopic procedures from inception to November 16, 2020. References were hand‐searched to identify additional publications for consideration. Inclusion in the systematic review required quantification of aerosol generation during clinic transnasal endoscopic procedures. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines and flowchart were followed during the systematic review.ResultsEight of 900 studies met criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Five studies tested nasal endoscopy with mixed findings on the risk of aerosol generation during this procedure. Two studies assessed flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy and also reported mixed findings. Breathing, sneezing, speech, and spray anesthetic/decongestants were found to consistently increase aerosol generation above baseline. A number of studies tested new and general mitigation strategies and were found to be effective in decreasing aerosol generation.ConclusionsThe coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has informed many considerations regarding patient and provider safety. It is valuable to understand the risk during outpatient otolaryngology procedures through the quantification of aerosolization. There are several effective methods to control aerosolization during these procedures. The findings of this systematic review will inform appropriate precautions to protect against spread of infectious agents by aerosolization.
Intraductal Fragmentation in Sialolithiasis Using Pneumatic Lithotripsy: Initial Experience and Results
Authors: Koch Michael , Schapher Mirco , Sievert Matti , Mantsopoulos Konstantinos , Iro Heinrich 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveTo report initial experience in using a pneumatic lithotripter to treat salivary stones.Study DesignLevel IV retrospective study.SettingUniversity hospital and tertiary referral center.MethodsA pneumatic lithotripter was used to treat salivary stones after these were diagnosed. Probes with diameters of 0.7 mm were used. Total fragmentation was intended in all stones. Stone fragments were removed using several instruments in serial sialendoscopies to achieve complete stone clearance.ResultsA total of 62 patients with 77 stones were treated. Forty‐three submandibular stones were treated in 34 patients, and 34 parotid stones were treated in 28 patients. An operating pressure of 2.5 bar and a single frequency mode were used. Complete fragmentation was achieved in all but one of the treated stones in both glands (98.7%). Among the patients, 90.32% became stone free and 100% symptom free. Multiple stones were treated in 24.19% of the patients, and multimodal therapy was also carried out in 24.19%. All of the glands were preserved.ConclusionsThe pneumatic lithotripter proved to be effective in the treatment of sialolithiasis. Stone size, location, and the gland involved were important clinical factors. The device was sufficient to achieve success without any increased risk for complications in the patients or damage to the sialendoscopes.