bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire in Italian Language
Authors: Fontana Luca , Dolce Pasquale , Santocono Carolina , Annarumma Maddalena , Iavicoli Ivo 
Published: March 2023

Objective
This study aimed to validate in Italian the Worker Well-Being Questionnaire developed by US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Methods
The questionnaire was independently translated into Italian by two authors. Translations were compared with obtain a synthesis that was back-translated. Back translations were submitted to an expert committee to produce a final version of the questionnaire. The Italian version, after being pretested, was administered guaranteeing anonymity to a total sample of 206 health care workers.

Results
Findings obtained are satisfactory, indicating excellent fit (CFI and TLI values ranged from 0.96 to 0.99, RMSEA values ranged from 0.03 to 0.07), sound internal consistency of scales (Cronbach’s α values exceeded 0.7) and factor structures consistent with theory.

Conclusions
Italian version of the questionnaire is faithful to the original and allows for efficient and robust measurement of workers’ well-being.
Incidence and Predictors of COVID-19 Infection in Prison Healthcare Workers
Authors: Caruth Julie , Black Kathleen , Legard Alicia , De Resende Adriana , Getz Kylie , Borowski Michelle , Debilio Lisa , Brewer Arthur , Kipen Howard , Udasin Iris G. , Graber Judith M. 
Published: March 2023

Objective
The aim of the study is to assess the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among correctional healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the demographic and workplace characteristics of New Jersey correctional HCWs between March 15, 2020, and August 31, 2020, using univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results
Among 822 HCWs, patient-facing staff had the highest incidence of infection (7.2%). Associated risk factors include being Black and working in a maximum-security prison. There were few statistically significant findings due to small total numbers (n = 47) that tested positive.

Conclusions
Correctional HCWs’ challenging work environment creates unique risk factors for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Administrative measures taken by the department of corrections may have a significant role in curbing the spread of infection. The findings can help focus preventive measures for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in this unique population.
Display Characterization for Contrast Sensitivity Testing
Authors: de Wit Gerard C. 
Published: March 2023

SIGNIFICANCE
Contrast sensitivity measurements using a computer display have been reported to lack accuracy when displaying small contrasts. This report investigates if the characterization/calibration of display luminance may contribute substantively to these kinds of described inaccuracies.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate what errors in contrast sensitivity may result from characterizing a display by fitting a gamma curve through physical or psychophysical luminance measurement data.

METHODS
The luminance functions of four different in-plane switching liquid crystal displays (IPS LCDs) have been measured for all 256 gray levels (the actual luminance function). This has been compared with a gamma-fitted luminance curve (the gamma luminance function). Calculated are the errors in displayed contrast that may arise when assuming the gamma luminance function instead of the actual luminance function.

RESULTS
The amount of error differs considerably between the displays. In general, for large contrasts (Michelson logCS <1.2), the error is acceptable (<<0.15 log unit). However, for smaller contrasts (Michelson logCS >1.5), the error may become unacceptably high (>0.15 log unit).

CONCLUSIONS
To improve the accuracy of testing contrast sensitivity with an LCD, it is necessary to fully characterize the display, measuring the luminance of each gray level instead of fitting a smooth gamma function through limited luminance data.
Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Simulation-Based Translational Research
Authors: Paganotti Lisa A. , Shope Ron , Calhoun Aaron , McDonald Paige L. 
Published: March 2023

Introduction
Translational research has been identified as a research priority for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). Despite a larger focus on translational research in recent years, the overall amount of simulation-based translational research remains low. Greater understanding of how to approach translational simulation is required to inform novice simulation and translational researchers. This study sought to answer the following research questions: How do simulation experts describe the barriers and facilitators to implementing translational simulation programs? How do simulation experts describe their various approaches to implementing translational simulation programs? What recommendations do simulation experts describe for overcoming barriers to implementing translational simulation programs?

Methods
A qualitative instrumental case study was used to elicit multiple instances of translational simulation research to gather an in-depth description from study participants. Three data sources were used: documents, semistructured interviews, and a focus group.

Results
Data analyses revealed 5 major themes: clarifying goals and definitions, special considerations, social networking, research, and factors external to the simulation program.

Conclusions
Key findings include a lack of a standardized definitions for translational simulation and simulation-based translational research, the challenge of demonstrating the value of translational simulation, and the need for translational simulation programs to be integrated into departmental quality, patient safety, and risk management work. The findings and advice from the experts in this research can assist new researchers or those encountering challenges in implementing translational simulations.
Cognitive trends in an urban Indian elderly community: Glycated hemoglobin and geriatric depression play a bigger role than age
Authors: Dongaonkar Bhaktee , Singh Arman Deep , Hurakadli Swathi B , Godbole Ashwini 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the cognitive profile in urban Indian older adults and observe the prevalence of cognitive impairment associated with age, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, vitamin B12, and other psychosocial factorsMethodsUrban community dwelling older adults (55-85years, n=123) underwent a detailed demographic and cognitive assessment comprising of tests from different cognitive domains – memory, executive function, visuospatial abilities, and verbal fluency. Serum samples were collected from a subset of participants (n=60) to determine HbA1c and vitamin B12 levels.ResultsPerformance in all cognitive domains declined with age. The decline became prominent around age 70. HbA1c correlated inversely with processing speed and executive function. Vitamin B12 did not correlate with performance on any cognitive test. Geriatric depression correlated inversely with visuospatial abilities. Surprisingly, stepwise multiple regression revealed that HbA1c and geriatric depression contributed to 28% variance on Montreal Cognitive Assessment whereas participant age did not contribute significantly. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) was observed in 17% of participants. Participants classified as MCI had higher levels of HbA1c and geriatric depression, and lower performance in all cognitive domains compared to non-MCI participants.ConclusionAlthough cognitive performance declined with age, HbA1c and geriatric depression played a greater role than age in predicting cognitive decline. This study highlights the prevalence of metabolism linked changes in cognition in community dwelling Indian older adults.
Age-related differences in the functional topography of the locus coeruleus: implications for cognitive and affective functions
Authors: Veréb Dániel , Mijalkov Mite , Canal-Garcia Anna , Chang Yu-Wei , Gomez-Ruis Emiliano , Gerboles Blanca Zufiria , Kivipelto Miia , Svenningsson Per , Zetterberg Henrik , Volpe Giovanni , Betts Mathew J. , Jacobs Heidi , Pereira Joana B. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe locus coeruleus (LC) is an important noradrenergic nucleus that has recently attracted a lot of attention because of its emerging role in cognitive and psychiatric disorders. Although previous histological studies have shown that the LC has heterogeneous connections and cellular features, no studies have yet assessed its functional topography in vivo, how this heterogeneity changes over aging and whether it is associated with cognition and mood. Here we employ a gradient-based approach to characterize the functional heterogeneity in the organization of the LC over aging using 3T resting-state fMRI in a population-based cohort aged from 18 to 88 years old (Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience cohort, n=618). We show that the LC exhibits a rostro-caudal functional gradient along its longitudinal axis, which was replicated in an independent dataset (Human Connectome Project 7T dataset, n=184). Although the main rostro-caudal direction of this gradient was consistent across age groups, its spatial features varied with increasing age, emotional memory and emotion regulation. More specifically, a loss of rostral-like connectivity, more clustered functional topography and greater asymmetry between right and left LC gradients was associated with higher age and worse behavioral performance. Furthermore, participants with higher-than-normal Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ratings exhibited alterations in the gradient as well, which manifested in greater asymmetry. These results provide an in vivo account of how the functional topography of the LC changes over aging, and imply that spatial features of this organization are relevant markers of LC-related behavioral measures and psychopathology.
Screening for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through interactions with an internet search engine
Authors: Yom-Tov Elad , Navar Indu , Fraenkel Ernest , Berry James D. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disease, remains a clinical diagnosis with a diagnostic delay of over a year. Here we examine the possibility that interactions with an internet search engine could be used to help screen for ALS. We identified 285 anonymous Bing users whose queries indicated that they had been diagnosed with ALS and matched them to 1) 3276 control users and 2) 1814 users whose searches indicated they had ALS disease mimics. We tested whether the ALS group could be distinguished from controls and disease mimics based on search engine query data. Finally, we conducted a prospective validation from participants who provided access to their Bing search data. The model distinguished between the ALS group and controls with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81. Model scores for the ALS group differed from the disease mimics group (ranksum test, P<0.05 with Bonferrini correction). Mild cognitive impairment could not be distinguished from ALS (NS). In the prospective analysis, the model reached an AUC of 0.74. These results suggest that interactions with search engines could be used as a tool to assist in screening for ALS, to reduce diagnostic delay.
End to end stroke triage using cerebrovascular morphology and machine learning
Authors: Deshpande Aditi , Elliott Jordan , Jiang Bin , Tahsili-Fahadan Pouya , Kidwell Chelsea , Wintermark Max , Laksari Kaveh 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundRapid and accurate triage of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is essential for early revascularization and improved patient outcomes. Response to acute reperfusion therapies varies significantly based on patient-specific cerebrovascular anatomy that governs cerebral blood flow. We present an end-to-end machine learning approach for automatic stroke triage.MethodsEmploying a validated convolutional neural network (CNN) segmentation model for image processing, we extract each patient’s cerebrovasculature and its morphological features from baseline non-invasive angiography scans. These features are used to detect occlusion’s presence and the site automatically, and for the first time, to estimate collateral circulation without manual intervention. We then use the extracted cerebrovascular features along with commonly used clinical and imaging parameters to predict the 90-day functional outcome for each patient.ResultsThe CNN model achieved a segmentation accuracy of 94%. The automatic stroke detection algorithm had a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 94%, respectively. The models for occlusion site detection and automatic collateral grading reached 96% and 87.2% accuracy, respectively. Incorporating the automatically extracted cerebrovascular features significantly improved the 90-day outcome prediction accuracy from 0.63 to 0.83.ConclusionsThe fast, automatic, and comprehensive model presented here can improve stroke diagnosis, aid collateral assessment, and enhance prognostication for treatment decisions, using cerebrovascular morphology.
Experiences of care-seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infections among gay and bisexual men: A phenomenological study
Authors: Adoma Prince Owusu , Yeboah Snr Cecilia Adomah , Nantomah Bismark , Manu Emmanuel , Kushitor Mawuli 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionGay and bisexual men (GBM) are stigmatized in the Ghanaian society and that negatively affect their care-seeking behaviour. We sought to understand the experiences of care-seeking behaviour (CSB) for STIs among gay and bisexual men in Bono region, Ghana.MethodsA respondent-driven sampling was used to collect data from 17 gay and bisexual men in Bono region based on phenomenological qualitative approach. The data were thematically analysed using the Atlas.ti software.ResultsResults were presented under various themes with appropriate accompanying excerpts. Two broad themes emerged from the data; personal and health system experiences of treating STIs. Personal experiences such as economic conditions, knowledge on STI, marital experiences and bisexual’s partner awareness of sexual orientation had influences on CSB. Experience with the cost of treatment, stigmatisation by health care workers (HCW) and perceived quality healthcare were the health system factors found to influence CSB.ConclusionTo help improve STIs care-seeking behaviour, government need to encourage and economically empower GBM, while at the same time, improving their knowledge on STI prevention and control. The National Health Authority should intensify and monitor the implementation of the national health insurance at the private healthcare sectors without favour and discrimination for gay and bisexual men.
Improving Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations of Coiled Aneurysms Using Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Fillingham Patrick , Bhathal Julia Romero , Marsh Laurel M.M. , Barbour Michael C. , Kurt Mehmet , Ionita Ciprian N. , Davies Jason M. , Aliseda Alberto , Levitt Michael R. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTCerebral aneurysms are a serious clinical challenge, with ∼half resulting in death or disability. Treatment via endovascular coiling significantly reduces the chances of rupture, but the technique has failure rates between 25-40%. This presents a pressing need to develop a method for determining optimal coil deployment strategies. Quantification of aneurysm hemodynamics through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has the potential to significantly improve the understanding of the mechanics of aneurysm coiling and improve treatment outcomes, but accurately representing the coil mass in CFD simulations remains a challenge. We have used the Finite Element Method (FEM) for simulating patient-specific coil deployment based on mechanical properties and coil geometries provided by the device manufacturer for n=4 ICA aneurysms for which 3D printedin vitromodels were also generated, coiled, and scanned using ultra-high resolution synchrotron micro-CT. The physical and virtual coil geometries were voxelized onto a binary structured grid and porosity maps were generated for geometric comparison. The average binary accuracy score is 0.836 and the average error in porosity map is 6.3%. We then conduct patient-specific CFD simulations of the aneurysm hemodynamics using virtual coils geometries, micro-CT generated oil geometries, and using the porous medium method to represent the coil mass. Hemodynamic parameters of interest including were calculated for each of the CFD simulations. The average error across hemodynamic parameters of interest is ∼19%, a 58% reduction from the average error of the porous media simulations, demonstrating a marked improvement in the accuracy of CFD simulations using FEM generated coil geometries.
Challenging the gold standard: critical limitations in clinical detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Danchuk Sarah N. , Solomon Ori E. , Kohl Thomas A. , Niemann Stefan , van Soolingen Dick , van Ingen Jakko , Michael Joy S. , Behr Marcel A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHeteroresistant infections - defined as infections in which minority drug-resistant (DR) populations are present - are a challenge in infectious disease control. InMycobacterium tuberculosis, heteroresistance poses challenges in diagnosis and has been linked with poor treatment outcomes. We compared the analytic sensitivity of molecular methods, such as GeneXpert and whole genome sequencing (WGS) in detecting heteroresistance when compared to the ‘gold standard’ phenotypic assay: the agar proportion method (APM). Using defined mono-resisitant BCG strains we determined the limit of detection (LOD) of rifampin-R (RIF-R) detection was 1% using APM, 60% using Xpert MTB/RIF and 10% using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra. To evaluate clinical WGS pipelines, a blinded panel of BCG mixtures was sent to 3 clinical labs. These were composed of either a) RIF-R plus isoniazid-R (INH-R) BCG or b) fluoroquinolone-R (FQ-R) plus clofazimine-R/bedaquiline-R (CLZ/BDQ-R) BCG. No labs called resistance at 1%; all labs called RIF-R at 10% or greater and two out of three labs reported FQ-R at 10%. Two labs were able to detect the majority population (either INH-R or CLZ/BDQ-R) at 50%. Importantly, where labs did not report resistance in the majority population, the mutations were present in the raw data but excluded from the final analysis. In conclusion, the gold standard APM more reliably detects minority resistant populations than molecular tests. Further research is required to determine whether the higher LOD of molecular tests is associated with deleterious patient outcomes and the potential effects on transmission of resistance at the population level.
Rotamer Density Estimator is an Unsupervised Learner of the Effect of Mutations on Protein-Protein Interaction
Authors: Luo Shitong , Su Yufeng , Wu Zuofan , Su Chenpeng , Peng Jian , Ma Jianzhu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractProtein-protein interactions are crucial to many biological processes, and predicting the effect of amino acid mutations on binding is important for protein engineering. While data-driven approaches using deep learning have shown promise, the scarcity of annotated experimental data remains a major challenge. In this work, we propose a new approach that predicts mutational effects on binding using the change in conformational flexibility of the protein-protein interface. Our approach, named Rotamer Density Estimator (RDE), employs a flow-based generative model to estimate the probability distribution of protein side-chain conformations and uses entropy to measure flexibility. RDE is trained solely on protein structures and does not require the supervision of experimental values of changes in binding affinities. Furthermore, the unsupervised representations extracted by RDE can be used for downstream neural network predictions with even greater accuracy. Our method outperforms empirical energy functions and other machine learning-based approaches.
Coarse-grained Modeling and Experimental Investigation of the Viscoelasticity of Human Gut Mucus and Nanoparticle Dynamics
Authors: Zhao Liming , Arias Sandra L. , Brito Ilana L. , Yeo Jingjie 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA thick layer of mucus covering the gastrointestinal tract acts as an innate barrier guarding the epithelial surface. The high molecular weight and cross-linked glycoproteins (mucins), the major building blocks of mucus, can effectively obstruct or trap invading noxious substances, such as detrimental bacteria and virus. The mucus layer as well as any trapped material can be regularly removed by the friction force from food flow and gastrointestinal peristalsis, the process of which primarily relies on the viscoelastic and shear-thinning properties. Conversely, the process by which beneficial substances, such as drug nanoparticles, cross the mucus layer and contact the epithelium is also influenced by the chemical and rheological properties of the mucus layer. Gastrointestinal disorders, most notably colitis, are often accompanied by changes to the mucosal structure. In this study, we experimentally characterized the viscoelasticity and dynamic viscosity of mucus collected from human intestinal cells. In addition, we developed a bi-component mesoscopic-scale mucus model that contained Muc2, the dominant mucin secreted in healthy individuals, and Muc5AC, which is secreted by intestinal goblet cells in certain intestinal disorders. This model enabled us to study the effects of cross-linking and mucin concentration on rheological properties of mucus. Furthermore, we quantified changes in the diffusion dynamics of nanoparticles in mucus networks caused by factors such as the size of nanoparticles, nanoparticle-mucin interactions, and the degree of mucin cross-linking.
Genome Sequencing and Comprehensive Rare Variant Analysis of 465 Families with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Sanchis-Juan Alba , Megy Karyn , Stephens Jonathan , Ricaurte Camila Armirola , Dewhurst Eleanor , Low Kayyi , French Courtney E , Grozeva Detelina , Stirrups Kathleen , Erwood Marie , McTague Amy , Penkett Christopher J , Shamardina Olga , Tuna Salih , Daugherty Louise C. , Gleadall Nicholas , Duarte Sofia T , Hedrera-Fernández Antonio , Vogt Julie , Ambegaonkar Gautam , Chitre Manali , Josifova Dragana , Kurian Manju A , Parker Alasdair , Rankin Julia , Reid Evan , Wakeling Emma , Wassmer Evangeline , Woods C Geoffrey ,   NIHR-BioResource, Raymond F Lucy , Carss Keren J 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPurposeDespite significant progress in unravelling the genetic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), a substantial proportion of individuals with NDDs remain without a genetic diagnosis following microarray and/or exome sequencing. Here we aimed to assess the power of short-read genome sequencing (GS), complemented with long-read GS, to identify causal variants in NDD participants from the NIHR BioResource project.MethodsShort-read GS was conducted on 692 individuals (489 affected and 203 unaffected relatives) from 465 families. Additionally, long-read GS was performed on five affected individuals who had structural variants (SVs) in technically challenging regions, complex SVs, or required distal variant phasing.ResultsCausal variants were identified in 36% affected individuals (177/489) and a further 26% (129/489) had a variant of uncertain significance, after multiple rounds of re-analysis. Among all reported variants, 88% (333/380) were SNVs/indels, and the remainder were structural variants (SVs), non-coding, and mitochondrial variants. Furthermore, long-read GS facilitated resolution of challenging SVs and invalidated variants of difficult interpretation from short-read GS.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the value of short-read GS, complemented with long-reads, to investigate the genetic causes of NDDs. GS provides a comprehensive and unbiased method to identify all types of variants throughout the nuclear and mitochondrial genome in NDD individuals.