bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in general population: A living systematic review and meta‐analysis (updated Aug 14, 2021)
Authors: Yang Jie , D’Souza Rohan , Kharrat Ashraf , Fell Deshayne B. , Snelgrove John W. , Murphy Kellie E. , Shah Prakesh S. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionConflicting reports of increases and decreases in rates of preterm birth (PTB) and stillbirth in the general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic have surfaced. The objective of our study was to conduct a living systematic review and meta‐analyses of studies reporting pregnancy and neonatal outcomes by comparing the pandemic and pre‐pandemic periods.Material and methodsWe searched PubMed and Embase databases, reference lists of articles published up until August 14, 2021 and included English language studies that compared outcomes between the COVID‐19 pandemic time period and the pre‐pandemic time periods. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. We conducted random‐effects meta‐analysis using the inverse variance method.ResultsForty‐five studies with low‐to‐moderate risk of bias, reporting on 1 843 665 pregnancies during the pandemic period and 23 564 552 pregnancies during the pre‐pandemic period, were included. There was significant reduction in unadjusted estimates of PTB (35 studies, unadjusted odds ratio [uaOR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98), but not in adjusted estimates (six studies, adjusted OR [aOR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.80–1.13). This reduction was noted in studies from single centers/health areas (25 studies, uaOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86–0.96) but not in regional/national studies (10 studies, uaOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95–1.02). There was reduction in spontaneous PTB (six studies, uaOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81–0.96) and induced PTB (five studies, uaOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81–0.97). There was no difference in the odds of stillbirth between the pandemic and pre‐pandemic time periods (24 studies, uaOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.97–1.26 and four studies, aOR 1.06, 95% CI 0.81–1.38). There was an increase in mean birthweight during the pandemic period compared with the pre‐pandemic period (six studies, mean difference 17 g, 95% CI 7–28 g). The odds of maternal mortality were increased (four studies, uaOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05–1.26); however, only unadjusted estimates were available and the result was mostly influenced by one study from Mexico. There was significant publication bias for the outcome of PTB.ConclusionsThe COVID‐19 pandemic may be associated with a reduction in PTB; however, referral bias cannot be excluded. There was no statistically significant difference in stillbirth between pandemic and pre‐pandemic periods.
Haemoprotozoa in wild short‐beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Authors: Hill AG , Boyd SP , Clark NJ , Proboste T 
Published: November 2021

The occurrence and clinical significance of the protozoal parasite reported as Hepatozoon tachyglossi in wild short‐beaked echidnas (Tachyglossis aculeatus) have long been uncertain, as has its potential as a prognostic indicator. This retrospective survey of free‐ranging short‐beaked echidnas admitted to a wildlife hospital used morphological evidence to identify a H. tachyglossi prevalence of 56%, with parasitaemias affecting 0%–36% of monocytes. There was no statistical association between H. tachyglossi intensity and clinical status (P‐value = 0.12; 95% confidence interval = 0.1 to 1.3), nor between the presence of H. tachyglossi and age, reason for admission, outcome, season or location. Piroplasms, presumed to be Theileria tachyglossi, were concurrently identified in the erythrocytes of 88% of short‐beaked echidnas with no association between age, outcome, season or location, but a statistical association with the location where the animal was found (either on a road, airport runway, exposed urban area, or entangled). Given the current results, intracellular parasitism due to H. tachyglossi may be considered as an incidental finding on haematologic examination of short‐beaked echidnas and is likely not an effective prognostic indicator. Further research using molecular tools is required to resolve the uncertain identity of H. tachyglossi which has been based on morphologic characteristics alone.
Sleep‐disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness predict children’s reading ability
Authors: Joyce Anna , Breadmore Helen L. 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundSleep problems are common in children and are known to detrimentally affect language and cognitive abilities, as well as academic achievement.AimsWe aimed to investigate effects of sleep on oral word and non‐word reading in a large, cross‐sectional sample of children.SampleOf 428 children who attended a public psychological science event, 339 children aged 4–14 years (mean 8;10 ± 2;2) took part.MethodsParents completed two sleep questionnaires (Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Sleep‐Disordered Breathing Questionnaire) whilst children completed the Test of Word Reading Efficiency.ResultsHierarchical multiple linear regression assessed whether parentally reported sleep problems were able to predict word and non‐word oral reading speeds as measures of sight word reading and phonemic decoding efficiency, respectively. Children with parent‐reported increased sleep‐disordered breathing, daytime sleepiness, and shorter sleep latency had poorer performance on the reading task for both words and non‐words, as well as the total combined score. The models explained 6–7% of the variance in reading scores.ConclusionsThis study illustrates associations between sleep and word and non‐word reading. The small but significant effect is clinically meaningful, especially since adverse factors affecting children’s reading ability are cumulative. Thus, for children with multiple risk factors for poor reading ability, sleep problems may be another avenue for treatment. Since reading ability is a strong predictor of later academic success and life outcomes, our study provides important evidence to suggest that children with sleep problems should also be screened for literacy difficulties, and children with literacy difficulties be screened for sleep problems.
Social comparison in the classroom: Priming approach/avoidance changes the impact of social comparison on self‐evaluation and performance
Authors: Boissicat Natacha , Fayant Marie‐Pierre , Nurra Cécile , Muller Dominique 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundSocial comparisons between pupils are especially relevant at school. Such comparisons influence self‐perception and performance. When pupils evaluate themselves more negatively and perform worse after an upward comparison (with a better off pupil) than a downward comparison (with a worse‐off pupil), this is a contrast effect. On the other hand, when they evaluate themselves more positively and are better after an upward than downward comparison, this is an assimilation effect.AimsWe examine assimilation and contrast effects of comparison in the classroom on pupils’ self‐evaluation and performance. Previous work by Fayant, Muller, Nurra, Alexopoulos, and Palluel‐Germain (2011) lead us to hypothesize that approach vs. avoidance moderates the impact of upward vs. downward comparison: approach should lead to an assimilation effect on self‐evaluation and performance, while avoidance should lead to contrast on self‐evaluation and performance.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we primed pupils with either approach or avoidance before reading upward or downward comparison information about another pupil. We then measured self‐evaluation (Experiment 1) and performance (Experiments 1 and 2).ResultsResults confirmed our predictions and revealed the predicted interaction on self‐evaluation (Experiment 1) and performance (Experiment 2): approach leads to an assimilation effect (in both experiments) whereas avoidance leads to a contrast effect (in Experiment 2).ConclusionsThese experiments replicate previous studies on self‐evaluation and also extend previous work on performance and in a classroom setting. Priming approach before upward comparison seems especially beneficial to pupils.
Genomewide association analysis of warfarin dose requirements in Middle Eastern and North African populations
Authors: El Rouby Nihal , Shahin Mohamed H. , Bader Loulia , Khalifa Sherief I. , Elewa Hazem 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTo date, there has been no genomewide association study (GWAS) from the Middle East and North African (MENA) region to identify genetic variants associated with warfarin dose variability using this approach. In this study, we aimed to conduct the first GWAS of warfarin dose requirements in patients from the MENA region. A total of 132 Qatari (discovery) and 50 Egyptians (replication) were genotyped using Illumina Multi‐Ethnic Global BeadChip Array. A GWAS was performed on log‐transformed weekly warfarin dose in the studied population, adjusting for clinical characteristics and ancestry. The genomewide signals from the discovery cohort were tested in the Egyptian cohort. A GWAS meta‐analysis, including the Qatari and Egyptian cohorts, was also performed and the output from this analysis was used in a gene‐based analysis. The discovery analysis in Qatari identified five genomewide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in chromosome 16. These signals were replicated in the Egyptian cohort. Combining the two data through a GWAS meta‐analysis strengthened the association in chromosome 16 with VKORC1 rs9934438 being the lead genomewide signal (β = −0.17, 6 × 10−15). Other SNPs were identified in chromosome 10 at a p value less than 1 × 10−5. The genetic variants within VKORC1 rs9934438 and CYP2C9 rs4086116 explained 39% and 27% of the variability in the weekly warfarin dose requirement in the Qatari and Egyptians, respectively. This is the first GWAS of warfarin dose variability in the MENA region. It confirms the importance of VKORC1 and CYP2C9 variants in warfarin dose variability among patients from the MENA region.
Procrastination and the non‐monotonic effect of deadlines on task completion
Authors: Knowles Stephen , Servátka Maroš , Sullivan Trudy , Genç Murat 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe conduct a field experiment to test the non‐monotonic effect of deadline length on task completion. Participants are invited to complete an online survey in which a donation goes to charity. They are given either 1 week, 1 month, or no deadline to respond. Responses are lowest for the 1‐month deadline and highest when no deadline is specified. No deadline and the 1‐week deadline feature a large number of early responses, while providing a 1‐month deadline appears to give people permission to procrastinate. If they are inattentive, they might forget to complete the task.
Atypical processing in neural source analysis of speech envelope modulations in adolescents with dyslexia
Authors: Granados Barbero Raúl , de Vos Astrid , Ghesquière Pol , Wouters Jan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDifferent studies have suggested that language and developmental disorders such as dyslexia are associated with a disturbance of auditory entrainment and of the functional hemispheric asymmetries during speech processing. These disorders typically result from an issue in the phonological component of language that causes problems to represent and manipulate the phonological structure of words at the syllable and/or phoneme level. We used Auditory Steady‐State Responses (ASSRs) in EEG recordings to investigate the brain activation and hemisphere asymmetry of theta, alpha, beta and low‐gamma range oscillations in typical readers and readers with dyslexia. The aim was to analyse whether the group differences found in previous electrode level studies were caused by a different source activation pattern or conversely was an effect that could be found on the active brain sources. We could not find differences in the brain locations of the main active brain sources. However, we observed differences in the extracted waveforms. The group average of the first DSS component of all signal‐to‐noise ratios of ASSR at source level was higher than the group averages at the electrode level. These analyses included a lower alpha synchronisation in adolescents with dyslexia and the possibility of compensatory mechanisms in theta, beta and low‐gamma frequency bands. The main brain auditory sources were located in cortical regions around the auditory cortex. Thus, the differences observed in auditory EEG experiments would, according to our findings, have their origin in the intrinsic oscillatory mechanisms of the brain cortical sources related to speech perception.
Kangaroo management in the South Australian rangelands: Impacts and challenges for conservation management
Authors: Finlayson Graeme , Tschirner Kurt , McCann Justin , Appleby Matt 
Published: November 2021

SummaryWildlife management on a landscape scale is often complex, particularly where different land use practices occur in the same region. This is particularly so for the management of overabundant grazing species (both domestic and native) in a modified landscape, where anthropogenic activities and climatic drivers can influence their distribution and abundance beyond sustainable levels. In Australia’s arid rangelands, macropods benefit from pastoral activities including improved pastures, artificial watering points and the removal of apex predators. This paper addresses some of the challenges associated with managing Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) in a conservation context on the privately managed Boolcoomatta Station conservation reserve in the South Australian arid rangelands. We reflect on the history of the region and how anthropogenic activities, associated with an unpredictable climate, have made macropod management so complex. Ecological monitoring at Boolcoomatta Station suggests that, along with the influence of rainfall, grazing by overabundant Red Kangaroo had a negative impact on vegetation and resident avifauna of chenopod plains. Fenced exclosures further demonstrate the grazing impact of Red Kangaroo, with perennial grasses found only where grazing was excluded. The closure of waterpoints (dams) failed to reduce Red Kangaroo impacts on the reserve, despite some evidence that persistence of Red Kangaroo near fenced dams may be reduced in the long term. Results of monitoring and management outcomes at Boolcoomatta highlight the need for an improved framework to manage Red Kangaroo. This should include consideration of improved regional stock management practices in the face of climate change; improving our understanding of the role of apex predators in agricultural landscapes; developing and setting grazing impact thresholds to instigate macropod management; improving and standardizing monitoring methods for assessing impacts; and lastly, consideration of the mental health and social well‐being of land managers in these areas.
Spatio‐temporal analysis of kangaroo–vehicle collisions in Canberra, Australia
Authors: Dunne Bethany , Doran Bruce 
Published: November 2021

SummaryOver the last 30 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of kangaroo–vehicle collisions in Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), especially of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). Motor vehicle collisions with kangaroos are a threat to people and kangaroos, causing not only costly vehicle damage but also potentially leading to injury or loss of human life as well as animal welfare issues. Species, sex, moonlight, season and rainfall have previously been noted as potential influences on the number and frequency of kangaroo–vehicle collisions. In December 2015, a smartphone application using Collector for ESRI ArcGIS was implemented to enable ACT rangers to collect accurate information about each call‐out or carcass attendance in real time. A total of 3346 kangaroo–vehicle collision points were collected by rangers over a 15‐month period from March 2016 to June 2017. The data lend limited support to a concentration of kangaroo–vehicle collisions around the full moon, although 45% of collisions were recorded when the moon was less than 50% illuminated. Although the highest roadkill numbers were recorded in winter (June‐August), kangaroo–vehicle collisions were not directly correlated with season: there is a complex interaction with other variables. This study revealed that the relationship between the movement between patches of habitat and roads is dynamic and that further research is warranted into potential methods for reducing the number of kangaroo–vehicle collisions on Canberra roads, particularly in relation to speed limits, seasonality and kangaroo movements proximate to roads and areas of core habitat.
Predicting intention of Norwegian dental health‐care workers to use nanomaterials: An application of the augmented theory of planned behavior
Authors: Xenaki Victoria , Marthinussen Mihaela Cuida , Costea Daniela Elena , Breivik Kyrre , Lie Stein Atle , Cimpan Mihaela Roxana , Åstrøm Anne Nordrehaug 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDue to the rapid development of nanotechnology and its integration into dentistry, there is a need for information on the factors influencing the decision of dental health‐care workers to use nanomaterials. Based on a national survey among Norwegian dentists and dental hygienists, this study applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB), augmented with past behavior and perceived risk, to predict the intention to use dental nanomaterials in the future and to assess whether an augmented TPB model operates equivalently across professional groups. Structural equation modelling was used to assess whether the hypothesized model fits the data. Of 1792 eligible participants, 851 responded to an electronic survey. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control had the strongest effect on intention, followed by past behavior and subjective norms. Risk perceptions had an indirect effect on intention. Multigroup comparison confirmed invariance of the model across professional groups. This study supports the validity of the augmented TPB model to explain the intention of Norwegian dentists and dental hygienists to use nanomaterials. The strongest influence on intention is given by the attitudes toward nanomaterials and perceived confidence in their use. The findings of the study have implications for management of the use of nanomaterials in dentistry by policy makers.
Regional brain atrophy and aberrant cortical folding relate to anxiety and depression in patients with traumatic brain injury and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Sharma Ayushe A. , Goodman Adam M. , Allendorfer Jane B. , Philip Noah S. , Correia Stephen , LaFrance W. Curt , Szaflarski Jerzy P. 
Published: November 2021

SummaryObjectivePsychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are characterized by multifocal and global abnormalities in brain function and connectivity. Only a few studies have examined neuroanatomic correlates of PNES. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is reported in 83% of patients with PNES and may be a key component of PNES pathophysiology. In this study, we included patients with TBI preceding the onset of PNES (TBI‐PNES) and TBI without PNES (TBI‐only) to identify neuromorphometric abnormalities associated with PNES.MethodsAdults diagnosed with TBI‐PNES (n = 62) or TBI‐only (n = 59) completed psychological questionnaires and underwent 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging data were analyzed by voxel‐ and surface‐based morphometry. Voxelwise general linear models computed group differences in gray matter volume, cortical thickness, sulcal depth, fractal dimension (FDf), and gyrification. Statistical models were assessed with permutation‐based testing at 5000 iterations with the Threshold‐Free Cluster Enhancement toolbox. Logarithmically scaled p‐values corrected for multiple comparisons using familywise error were considered significant at p < .05. Post hoc analyses determined the association between structural and psychological measures (p < .05).ResultsTBI‐PNES participants demonstrated atrophy of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the right cerebellum VIII. Relative to TBI‐only, TBI‐PNES participants had decreased FDf in the right superior parietal gyrus and decreased sulcal depth in the left insular cortex. Significant clusters were positively correlated with global assessment of functioning scores, and demonstrated varying negative associations with measures of anxiety, depression, somatization, and global severity of symptoms.SignificanceThe diagnosis of PNES was associated with brain atrophy and reduced cortical folding in regions implicated in emotion processing, regulation, and response inhibition. Cortical folds primarily develop during the third trimester of pregnancy and remain relatively constant throughout the remainder of one’s life. Thus, the observed aberrations in FDf and sulcal depth could originate early in development. The convergence of environmental, developmental, and neurobiological factors may coalesce to reflect the neuropathophysiological substrate of PNES.
Predictive effect of computed tomography imaging omics features under deep learning on metastatic lymph nodes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yuan Jianpeng , Huang Wensheng , Wu Yongshun , Liu Long , Bu Chao , Wang Shuqiang , Zhang Weidong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article was to explore the adoption value of deep learning combined with computed tomography (CT) imaging omics in the prediction of metastatic lymph nodes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). An end‐to‐end neural network architecture was designed based on the fully convolutional neural network (FCNN), which was applied to the CT image analysis of 52 patients with lymphatic metastasis and 36 patients without lymphatic metastasis. Patient's lymph node volume (V), the largest cross‐sectional shortest diameter (d‐value), and other macro characteristics were recorded. The microscopic features of its CT imaging omics were extracted. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to analyse the prediction performance (accuracy, area under the curve [AUC], and Youden index) of each feature for lymphatic metastasis. The results showed that the lymph node volume (4.37 ± 0.67) and the shortest diameter of the largest cross section (12.35 ± 2.31) of patients with lymph node metastasis were greatly larger than those without lymph node metastasis (1.84 ± 0.65, 7.98 ± 2.04) (P < 0.05). There were five features that met the conditions of AUC > 0.7 and Yoden index>0.5, including lymph node volume (AUC area 0.945, Youden index 0.597), the shortest diameter of the largest cross section (AUC area 0.746, Youden index 0.539), Surface Area Density (AUC area 0.809, Youden index 0.552), Compactness1 (AUC area 0.751, Youden index 0.537), and Convex Hull Volume (AUC area 0.751, Youden index 0.537). The AUC of V+ Surface Area Density + Compactness1 + Convex Hull Volume was 0.876, and the prediction accuracy was 92.11%. In short, the prediction model composed of the macroscopic features of CT images and some imaging omics features based on deep learning showed high accuracy and AUC for the prediction of NPC metastatic lymph nodes. Moreover, V + Surface Area Density + Compactness1 + Convex Hull Volume can be used as the optimal feature combination model for predicting NPC lymphatic metastasis.