bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No gender-specific differences in comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Yayan Josef , Rasche Kurt 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
A deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AD) leads to increased activity of proteolytic enzymes. The consequence is a damage of airways and alveoli and, ultimately, the development of emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Purpose
Gender-specific differences in terms of comorbidities are still unclear due to the rarity of this genetic autosomal recessive disease.

Patients and methods
This retrospective observational study was conducted from January 1, 2005, to November 30, 2022, in the Department of Pneumology, HELIOS University-Clinic Wuppertal, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany.

Results
Eleven patients with COPD due to A1AD could be included into the study (6 males, 54.5%; 95% CI 23.4–83.3%) with a mean age of 53.9 ± 11.6 years. The male study participants were of normal weight body mass index 24.17 ± 4.67, while the females were obese 31.2 ± 4.87 (p = 0.054). More women were smokers (60%, p = 0.567). Furthermore, all of the women had panlobular emphysema (100%, p = 0.455). All subjects suffered from COPD, with most male subjects in severe advanced stages (50%, p = 0.545). No case of liver involvement was observed in this study.

Conclusion
The findings of this study showed no statistically relevant gender-specific differences in comorbidities of patients with COPD due to A1AD.
The Cost of Nonconvexity in Deterministic Nonsmooth Optimization
Authors: Kong Siyu , Lewis A. S. 
Published: November 2023

We study the impact of nonconvexity on the complexity of nonsmooth optimization, emphasizing objectives such as piecewise linear functions, which may not be weakly convex. We focus on a dimension-independent analysis, slightly modifying a 2020 black-box algorithm of Zhang-Lin-Jegelka-Sra-Jadbabaie that approximates an ϵ-stationary point of any directionally differentiable Lipschitz objective using [Formula: see text] calls to a specialized subgradient oracle and a randomized line search. Seeking by contrast a deterministic method, we present a simple black-box version that achieves [Formula: see text] for any difference-of-convex objective and [Formula: see text] for the weakly convex case. Our complexity bound depends on a natural nonconvexity modulus that is related, intriguingly, to the negative part of directional second derivatives of the objective, understood in the distributional sense. Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant DMS-2006990].
O Que se Espera de um Diplomata? Mudanças Curriculares no Instituto Rio Branco no Governo Bolsonaro | What is Expected of a Diplomat? Curriculum Changes in the Rio Branco Institute in the Bolsonaro Government
Authors: Marques Ricardo Almeida , Velasco Júnior Paulo Afonso Monteiro 
Published: November 2023

A utilização do currículo como ferramenta capacitadora de indivíduos, sua função primária, é praticada em qualquer instituição com tal propósito. Entretanto, há a possibilidade de seu uso como um recurso para reprodução de lógicas e visões de mundo específicas, cunhadas de acordo com os interesses das lideranças que o idealizaram. O presente estudo realiza uma análise das mudanças no currículo de ensino do corpo diplomático brasileiro realizadas no governo Bolsonaro, a fim de constatar se elas foram norteadas pelas posturas governamentais, de modo a servir como instrumento de propagação da ideia de realidade das lideranças no poder. A partir do estudo comparativo das grades curriculares anterior e posterior à dita administração, é possível observar que houve inclinações para tal direção com as alterações realizadas na grade, ainda que algumas tenham, a princípio, partido de iniciativas mais pragmáticas.Palavras-chave: Diplomacia; Currículo; Política Externa.ABSTRACTThe use of curriculum as a training tool for individuals, its primary function, is practiced in any institution with such purpose. However, there is the possibility of its use as a resource for the reproduction of specific logics and worldviews, coined according to the interests of the leaders who idealized it. This study carries out an analysis of the changes in the teaching curriculum of the Brazilian diplomatic corps carried out during the Bolsonaro governance, in order to verify whether they were guided by government postures, as to serve as an instrument for propagating the idea of reality of the leaders in power. From the comparative analysis of the curricula before and after said administration, it is possible to observe that there were inclinations in that direction with the changes made to the curriculum, although some, at first, began from more pragmatic initiatives.Keywords: Diplomacy; Curriculum; Foreign Policy. Recebido em: 30 abr. 2022 | Aceito em: 24 jan. 2023.
The evolution of leg ulcer guidelines and recommendations
Authors: Ingleby Anna 
Published: November 2023

Background: Clinical guidelines aim to consolidate and incorporate the latest evidence and opinion to improve patient outcomes and reduce variations in practice. Aims and methods: This article will examine the evolution of clinical guidelines and recommendations in leg ulcer assessment and management, from the seminal Royal College of Nursing clinical guideline (1998) to the current Leg Ulcer Recommendations from the National Wound Care Strategy Program (2023) . The evolving definitions of leg ulcers will be discussed, as well as the multidisciplinary approach needed to manage the underlying aetiology of this condition. Findings and conclusion: A national appetite for improving leg ulcer assessment and treatment, is being informed by clinical guidelines and recommendations. The cornerstones of assessment and management remain constant, although some fundamental elements around ankle brachial pressure index ranges, historically used to aid diagnosis of leg ulcer aetiology, have been omitted in the recent recommendations.
Reentry Service Engagement Among a Reentry Population with Co-occurring Mental Health and Opioid Use Disorders in Massachusetts Jails
Authors: Shaffer Paige M. , Smelson David , Helm Abigail , Gaba Ayorkor , Marcus Sarah , Shaffer Howard J. 
Published: November 2023

Aim: Co-occurring opioid use and mental health disorders (COD) are common among people with criminal legal involvement. Reentry is a vulnerable period with low treatment engagement, often resulting in relapse, reincarceration, and overdose. While both linkage and multicomponent COD wraparound interventions have supported reentry, little is known about which are most effective for treatment engagement post release.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 293 nonrandomized persons involved in the criminal legal system enrolled in a multicomponent COD intervention (n=173) or a linkage only model (n=120) for treatment. Kaplan Meier Curves and Cox Proportional Hazards were computed to determine differences in engagement.
Results: Engagement was significantly different between interventions (X2=58.33, P <.0001). We observed a 73.3% reduction in hazard of early discharge for participants receiving the multicomponent COD intervention as compared to the linkage only model (P<.0001) and a higher 12-month engagement rate (51.5%) compared to the linkage only model (20.8%).
Conclusions: Future research should include a randomized controlled trial to examine factors that influence post-release engagement as well as treatment effects and outcomes. We suggest that programs consider both interventions and assess client reentry needs in advance of release to match to the best suited post-release COD treatment.
REABILITAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL DO INSS: análise das capacidades estatais do programa no Tocantins
Authors: Mesquita de Moura Cristiana Maria , Almeida Lia 
Published: November 2023

Diante das mudanças recentes na política previdenciária, há um panorama de incerteza na política de Reabilitação Profissional do INSS, devido ao enfraquecimento e reestruturação institucional do mesmo. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a capacidade estatal do Programa de Reabilitação de atingir os seus objetivos institucionais. Foram consultados documentos institucionais e realizadas entrevistas com os profissionais que atuam no PRP – TO no Tocantins de forma a identificar as capacidades técnico-administrativas e político-relacionais. Observou-se a existência de uma burocracia altamente qualificada, todavia insuficiente para atender à demanda, limitada capacidade de garantir os recursos financeiros de forma a viabilizar questões básicas de funcionamento. Percebeu-se limitações quanto à coordenação interna e externa. No nível político-relacional verificou-se fragilidade nas relações com outras instituições, impossibilitando atender às diversas demandas que perpassam pelas políticas transversais que dialogam com o PRP. É essencial o investimento do setor público para superar as debilidades das capacidades encontradas.
Motion-resolved, reference-free holographic imaging via spatiotemporally regularized inversion
Authors: Gao Yunhui , Cao Liangcai 
Published: November 2023

Holography is a powerful technique that records the amplitude and phase of an optical field simultaneously, enabling a variety of applications such as label-free biomedical analysis and coherent diffraction imaging. Holographic recording without a reference wave has been long pursued because it obviates the high experimental requirements of conventional interferometric methods. However, due to the ill-posed nature of the underlying phase retrieval problem, reference-free holographic imaging is faced with an inherent tradeoff between imaging fidelity and temporal resolution. Here, we propose a general computational framework, termed spatiotemporally regularized inversion (STRIVER), to achieve motion-resolved, reference-free holographic imaging with high fidelity. Specifically, STRIVER leverages signal priors in the spatiotemporal domain to jointly eliminate phase ambiguities and motion artifacts, and, when combined with diversity measurement schemes, produces a physically reliable, time-resolved holographic video from a series of intensity-only measurements. We experimentally demonstrate STRIVER in near-field ptychography, where dynamic holographic imaging of freely swimming paramecia is performed at a framerate-limited speed of 112 fps. The proposed method can be potentially extended to other measurement schemes, spectral regimes, and computational imaging modalities, pushing the temporal resolution toward higher limits.
Incidence of long-term post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection related to pain and other symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hoshijima Hiroshi , Mihara Takahiro , Seki Hiroyuki , Hyuga Shunsuke , Kuratani Norifumi , Shiga Toshiya 
Published: November 2023

Background
Persistent symptoms are reported in patients who survive the initial stage of COVID-19, often referred to as “long COVID” or “post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection” (PASC); however, evidence on their incidence is still lacking, and symptoms relevant to pain are yet to be assessed.

Methods
A literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CHINAL and preprint servers MedRχiv and BioRχiv through January 15, 2021. The primary outcome was pain-related symptoms such as headache or myalgia. Secondary outcomes were symptoms relevant to pain (depression or muscle weakness) and symptoms frequently reported (anosmia and dyspnea). Incidence rates of symptoms were pooled using inverse variance methods with a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. The source of heterogeneity was explored using meta-regression, with follow-up period, age and sex as covariates.

Results
In total, 38 studies including 19,460 patients were eligible. Eight pain-related symptoms and 26 other symptoms were identified. The highest pooled incidence among pain-related symptoms was chest pain (17%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 11%-24%), followed by headache (16%, 95% CI, 9%-27%), arthralgia (13%, 95% CI, 7%-24%), neuralgia (12%, 95% CI, 3%-38%) and abdominal pain (11%, 95% CI, 7%-16%). The highest pooled incidence among other symptoms was fatigue (44%, 95% CI, 32%-57%), followed by insomnia (27%, 95% CI, 10%-55%), dyspnea (26%, 95% CI, 17%-38%), weakness (25%, 95% CI, 8%-56%) and anosmia (19%, 95% CI, 13%-27%). Substantial heterogeneity was identified (I2, 50–100%). Meta-regression analyses partially accounted for the source of heterogeneity, and yet, 53% of the symptoms remained unexplained.

Conclusions
The current meta-analysis may provide a complete picture of incidence in PASC. It remains unclear, however, whether post-COVID symptoms progress or regress over time or to what extent PASC are associated with age or sex.
Evaluating the utility of the Allplex STI Essential Assay to determine the occurrence of urogenital sexually transmitted infections among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Moodley Clinton , Tootla Hafsah , Amien Imaan , Engel Mark E. 
Published: November 2023

Background
Sexually transmitted infections are among the most commonly occurring infections globally, with countries in sub-Saharan Africa exhibiting disproportionately higher prevalence rates. Numerous reports indicate the need for accurate detection, epidemiological characterisation, and appropriate management of these infections. This prospective observational laboratory study sought to determine the occurrence of STI, using a validated molecular assay as a diagnostic and surveillance tool in our setting.

Methods
Urogenital swabs from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, submitted to the National Health Laboratory Service, at Groote Schuur Hospital, from 04 August 2021–03 February 2022, for routine microbiological investigations, were subjected to the Allplex™ STI Essential Assay (Seegene Inc, South Korea) to determine the distribution of STI pathogens in our setting. This multiplex assay includes C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, N. gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Correlations between detected organisms and participant age and clinical indications for testing were determined using Stata® software.

Results
A total of 148 urogenital swabs (91.2% from women) were included in the analysis, of which 56/148 (37.84%) were from symptomatic patients. Up to 83.8% of the samples tested positive for ≥1 organism, with all seven target organisms detected in at least one sample. Ureaplasma parvum was the most common organism detected, followed by N. gonorrhoeae, M. hominis, U. urealyticum, T. vaginalis, C. trachomatis, with M. genitalium being the least detected. All 25 samples submitted for routine antenatal Group B Streptococcal screening were positive for at least one STI organism, and one sample from sexual non-accidental injury tested positive for five different organisms.

Conclusions
STIs comprise a variety of organisms in our setting, with many patients exhibiting coinfection with multiple organisms. This suggests the need for a critical evaluation of current syndromic testing and treatment guidelines so as to stem inadvertent spread of STI organisms and the development of resistance. The use of molecular testing methods may improve detection, especially in resource limited settings, providing speedy results, and thus allowing for guided therapy in only infected patients.
Estimating spatially disaggregated probability of severe COVID-19 and the impact of handwashing interventions: The case of Zimbabwe
Authors: Joseph George , Milusheva Sveta , Sturrock Hugh , Mapako Tonderai , Ayling Sophie , Hoo Yi Rong 
Published: November 2023

Introduction
The severity of COVID-19 disease varies substantially between individuals, with some infections being asymptomatic while others are fatal. Several risk factors have been identified that affect the progression of SARS-CoV-2 to severe COVID-19. They include age, smoking and presence of underlying comorbidities such as respiratory illness, HIV, anemia and obesity. Given that respiratory illness is one such comorbidity and is affected by hand hygiene, it is plausible that improving access to handwashing could lower the risk of severe COVID-19 among a population. In this paper, we estimate the potential impact of improved access to handwashing on the risk of respiratory illness and its knock-on impact on the risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease across Zimbabwe.

Methods
Spatial generalized additive models were applied to cluster level data from the 2015 Demographic and Health Survey. These models were used to generate continuous (1km resolution) estimates of risk factors for severe COVID-19, including prevalence of major comorbidities (respiratory illness, HIV without viral load suppression, anemia and obesity) and prevalence of smoking, which were aggregated to district level alongside estimates of the proportion of the population under 50 from Worldpop data. The risk of severe COVID-19 was then calculated for each district using published estimates of the relationship between comorbidities, smoking and age (under 50) and severe COVID-19. Two scenarios were then simulated to see how changing access to handwashing facilities could have knock on implications for the prevalence of severe COVID-19 in the population.

Results
This modeling conducted in this study shows that (1) current risk of severe disease is heterogeneous across the country, due to differences in individual characteristics and household conditions and (2) that if the quantifiable estimates on the importance of handwashing for transmission are sound, then improvements in handwashing access could lead to reductions in the risk of severe COVID-19 of up to 16% from the estimated current levels across all districts.

Conclusions
Taken alongside the likely impact on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 itself, as well as countless other pathogens, this result adds further support for the expansion of access to handwashing across the country. It also highlights the spatial differences in risk of severe COVID-19, and thus the opportunity for better planning to focus limited resources in high-risk areas in order to potentially reduce the number of severe cases.
Prevalence of Cervical Cancer and Clinical Management of Women Screened positive using visual inspection with acetic acid and Cervicography in selected public sector health facilities of Manicaland and Midlands provinces of Zimbabwe, 2021
Authors: Tachiwenyika Emmanuel , Dhodho Munyaradzi , Muchedzi Auxilia , Sibanda Tafadzwa P. , Mupanguri Chiedza , Mukungunugwa Solomon , Mhangara Mutsa , Ganje Ngonidzashe , Tapera Talent , Samushonga Tendai , Muzondo Morgen , Dube Sithabiso , Tafuma Taurayi , Chingombe Byrone , Maravanyika Admire , Nyamundaya Tichaona 
Published: November 2023

Background
Zimbabwe has high cervical cancer (CC) burden of 19% and mortality rate of 64%. Zimbabwe uses Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) for CC screening. Manicaland and Midlands provinces recorded low VIAC positivity of 3% (target 5–25%) and treatment coverage of 78% (target = 90%) between October 2020 and September 2021.

Objectives
We explored VIAC positivity rate and clinical management of clients screening positive in Manicaland and Midlands provinces.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using routine VIAC and CC management data for period October 2020 to September 2021. Two samples were used, 1) a sample drawn from 48,000 women VIAC screened to measure positivity rate, and 2) a sample of 1,763 VIAC positive women to assess clinical management. Kobo-based tool was used to abstract data from facility registers, and data were analyzed using STATA 15.

Results
We analyzed data for 2,454 out of 48,000 women screened through VIAC. About 82% (2,007/2,454) were HIV positive, median ages were 40 and 38 years for HIV positives and negatives respectively. Most (64% and 77%) of HIV positive and negative clients respectively were married. VIAC positivity was 5.9% and 3.4% among HIV positive and negative women screened for the first time, and 3.2% and 5.6% for repeat visits respectively. Overall, 89.1% (1,571/1,763) of VIAC positive women received treatment. Most (41%) of those treated received thermocoagulation. Overall, 43.1% of clients received treatment on VIAC day, and 77.4% within 30 days. Six-month post-treatment coverage was 3.8%.

Conclusion
VIAC positivity among HIV positive women screening for the first time was 5.9%, within the expected 5–25%. Treatment coverage was high, and turnaround time from diagnosis to treatment met national standards. Post-treatment coverage was suboptimal. We recommend continued implementation of quality improvement initiatives, capacity building of clinicians, and optimization of post-treatment review of clients.
Advanced muscle imaging in adolescent elite rowers utilizing diffusion tensor imaging: Association of imaging findings with stroke typology
Authors: Marth Adrian Alexander , Auer Timo Alexander , Bertalan Gergely , Gebert Pimrapat , Kirchenberger Timo , Geisel Dominik , Hamm Bernd , Keller Sarah 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Muscular overuse injuries are a common health issue in elite athletes. Changes in the muscular microenvironment can be depicted by Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). We hypothesize that the biomechanics of different stroke typologies plays a role in muscle injury and tested our hypothesis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the lumbar spine muscles of adolescent rowers utilizing DTI.

Methods and materials
Twenty-two male elite rowers (12 sweep, 10 scull rowers) with a mean age of 15.8 ± 1.2 years underwent 3-Tesla MRI of the lumbar spine 6 hours after cessation of training. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated for the erector spinae and multifidus muscle. Student’s t-test was used to test differences of DTI parameters between sweep and scull rowers and a Pearson correlation was utilized to correlate the parameters to training volume.

Results
ADC values in the erector spinae and multifidus muscle were significantly higher (p = 0.039) and FA values significantly lower (p < 0.001) in sweep rowers compared to scull rowers. There was no significant association between DTI parameters and training volume (r ≤ -0.459, p ≥ 0.074).

Conclusions
Our DTI results show that lumbar spine muscle diffusivity is higher in sweep rowers than in scull rowers. Altered muscle diffusivity is suggestive of microscopic tissue disruption and might be attributable to biomechanical differences between stroke typologies.
Story and Structure: A Complete Guide, Leon Conrad (2022)
Authors: Tsigkas Alexander 
Published: November 2023

Review of: Story and Structure: A Complete Guide, Leon Conrad (2022)
Glastonbury: The Squeeze Press, 528 pp.,
ISBN 978-0-95563-913-5, h/bk, $50.00
ISBN 978-1-90606-925-4, p/bk, $38.99
The effect of COVID-19 in estimating the South African real spot-rate curve
Authors: Mashoene Mmakganya , Doorasamy Mishelle 
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the dynamism of different mathematical term-structure models during COVID-19 to estimate the South African real spot-rate curve. The study is based on term-structure models following Nelson-Siegel framework; and further incorporates the recalibration process on static term-structure models over different economic environments. It was found that the recalibration methodology resulted in no improvements on Linear-parametric and Cubic-splines term-structure models. However, the recalibration effect on Nelson-Siegel and Svensson models resulted in an improved fit for South African inflation-indexed spot rates even in periods of heightened market risk.