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MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) is an academic open access publisher that publishes 190 diverse peer-reviewed, scientific, open access, electronic journals. This collection hosts U of T publications automatically transferred from MDPI journals.

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Exploring Silica Nanoparticles: A Sustainable Solution for Pest Control in Sri Lankan Rice Farming
(2024-10-23) Wang, Zeyu; Thavarajah, Nirusha; Fernando, Xavier
Rice cultivation stands as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy, serving as a vital source of employment for rural communities. However, the constraints of limited land availability have prompted an escalating dependence on agrochemicals, notably for pest management, thereby posing significant threats to human health and the environment. This review delves into the exploration of silica nanoparticles as a promising eco-friendly substitute for conventional pesticides in the context of Sri Lankan rice farming. It comprehensively examines various aspects, including the synthesis methods of silica nanoparticles, their encapsulation with synthetic pesticides, and an evaluation of their efficacy in pest control. Furthermore, it sheds light on the innovative utilization of agricultural waste such as rice husk and straw in the production of silica-based nanopesticides. This approach not only demonstrates a shift towards sustainable agricultural practices but also aligns with the principles of green chemistry and circular economy, offering a holistic solution to the challenges faced by the rice farming sector in Sri Lanka.
Derangetropy in Probability Distributions and Information Dynamics
(2024-11-18) Ataei, Masoud; Wang, Xiaogang
We introduce derangetropy, which is a novel functional measure designed to characterize the dynamics of information within probability distributions. Unlike scalar measures such as Shannon entropy, derangetropy offers a functional representation that captures the dispersion of information across the entire support of a distribution. By incorporating self-referential and periodic properties, it provides insights into information dynamics governed by differential equations and equilibrium states. Through combinatorial justifications and empirical analysis, we demonstrate the utility of derangetropy in depicting distribution behavior and evolution, providing a new tool for analyzing complex and hierarchical systems in information theory.
Thriving Beyond Adversity: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study Using a Strength-Based Approach Depicts Indigenous Adolescents with Less Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Had Fewer Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)
(2024-11-05) Islam, Md Irteja; Lam, Bernadette Yan Yue; Esgin, Tuguy; Martiniuk, Alexandra
Improving social and emotional well-being (SEWB) among Indigenous adolescents is crucial. Since neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are common in Indigenous people and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are important contributors to negative health outcomes throughout the lifespan, we investigated whether limited ACE exposure is associated with reduced risk of NDDs in Australian Indigenous teens using the data from multiple waves (Wave 1 to Wave 9, and Wave 11) of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). We also examined the role of other protective factors, such as Indigenous cultural identity and school connectedness, against NDDs. A strengths-based approach using mixed-effects logistic regression models examined the protective effect of limited ACE exposure (from LSIC waves 1–9) on NDDs (outcome from LSIC wave 11), adjusting for sociodemographic factors. The NDDs included autism, ADHD, intellectual, neurological, and specific learning disabilities. Of the 370 individuals analysed, 73.2% valued Indigenous cultural identity, and 70.5% were strongly connected at school. More than one-fourth (27.8%) reported limited ACE exposure, while the majority was not diagnosed with NDDs (93%). Longitudinal analysis revealed limited ACE exposure was 6.01 times (95% CI: 1.26–28.61; p = 0.024) more likely to be protective against NDDs compared to those exposed to multiple ACEs. Moreover, valuing cultural identity (aOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.06–7.39; p = 0.038) and girls (aOR = 13.88; 95% CI: 3.06–62.84; p = 0.001) were protective against NDDs compared to their respective counterparts. Our findings highlight the need to prevent ACE exposure and promote Indigenous cultural identity in preventing negative health outcomes and the exacerbation of health inequities to strengthen the SEWB of Indigenous communities.
Effect of Integrin Blockade on Experimental Spondyloarthritis
(2024-10-31) Yau, Enoch; Lim, Melissa; Qaiyum, Zoya; Boroojeni, Shaghayegh Foroozan; Tang, Michael; Pacheco, Addison; Tavasolian, Fataneh; Inman, Robert D.
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) describes a group of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation in the spine and peripheral joints. While pathogenesis is still unclear, proinflammatory gut-derived immune cells have been identified in the joints of SpA patients. We previously identified an enriched population of integrin-expressing cells in the joints of SpA patients. Entry of gut-derived cells into joints may be mediated by these integrins. In the current study, we used the SKG murine model of SpA to study the impact of integrin blockade. Mice were injected with antibodies against the integrin α4β7 or the β7 monomer twice a week. Treatment with antibodies against α4β7 reduced disease severity in curdlan-injected SKG mice, with disease scores being comparable between treatment initiation times. Targeting the β7 monomer led to reduced arthritis severity compared to targeting the α4β7 dimer. Treatment with antibodies against α4β7 or β7 decreased expression of these integrins in CD4+ T cells, with the frequency of αE+β7+ T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes correlating with disease severity. In summary, we showed that integrin blockade showed potential for ameliorating disease in a murine model of SpA, lending support for further studies testing integrin blockade in SpA.
Healthcare Provider Narratives of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant and Parenting Youth in Canada: A Qualitative Study
(2024-10-26) Meherali, Salima; Ahmad, Mariam; Rehmani, Amyna Ismail; Hussain, Amber; Nisa, Saba; Lebeuf, Simone; Munro, Sarah; Ashton, Chandra; Lassi, Zohra S.; Vandermorris, Ashley; Samji, Hasina; Norman, Wendy V.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant challenges for healthcare providers working with pregnant and parenting youth. However, the impacts of the pandemic on this population and healthcare services from the perspective of healthcare providers are not well documented in Canada. We examined the narratives and experiences of healthcare providers regarding these impacts and explored the challenges to service provision. Using a qualitative interpretative description (ID) approach, we recruited 25 health and service providers from Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia for individual qualitative interviews. Our analysis resulted in three themes: complexities of health service provision during COVID-19, healthcare providers’ accounts of impacts on pregnant and parenting youth, and leveraging challenges into opportunities for service provision. Participants described the influence of pandemic policies and distancing measures on accessibility of health services, availability of healthcare resources and personnel, and well-being of their clients. They also reported increased mental health issues, isolation, and exacerbation of inequities within this population. Providers highlighted the role of telemedicine in ensuring some degree of continuity of care. Additionally, they commented on service adaptations to address the evolving needs of their clients. Our findings underline the need for a resilient and adaptable healthcare system that can better support the needs of vulnerable populations during crises.
From Sound to Movement: Mapping the Neural Mechanisms of Auditory–Motor Entrainment and Synchronization
(2024-10-25) Pranjić, Marija; Braun Janzen, Thenille; Vukšić, Nikolina; Thaut, Michael
Background: Humans exhibit a remarkable ability to synchronize their actions with external auditory stimuli through a process called auditory–motor or rhythmic entrainment. Positive effects of rhythmic entrainment have been demonstrated in adults with neurological movement disorders, yet the neural substrates supporting the transformation of auditory input into timed rhythmic motor outputs are not fully understood. We aimed to systematically map and synthesize the research on the neural correlates of auditory–motor entrainment and synchronization. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews, a systematic search was conducted across four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus) for articles published between 2013 and 2023. Results: From an initial return of 1430 records, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized based on the neuroimaging modality. There is converging evidence that auditory–motor synchronization engages bilateral cortical and subcortical networks, including the supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. Specifically, the supplementary motor area and the basal ganglia are essential for beat-based timing and internally guided rhythmic movements, while the cerebellum plays an important role in tracking and processing complex rhythmic patterns and synchronizing to the external beat. Self-paced tapping is associated with additional activations in the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia, suggesting that tapping in the absence of auditory cues requires more neural resources. Lastly, existing studies indicate that movement rate and the type of music further modulate the EEG power in the alpha and beta frequency bands. Conclusions: These findings are discussed in the context of clinical implications and rhythm-based therapies.
Cutting Through History: The Evolution of Glioblastoma Surgery
(2024-10-24) Ishaque, Abdullah H.; Das, Sunit
Despite significant advancements in neuro-oncology, management of glioblastoma remains a formidable challenge. Over the last century, the role and goals of surgery for patients with glioblastoma have evolved dramatically, with surgical intervention maintaining a central role in patient care. To understand the future role of surgery in the management of glioblastoma, we must review and appreciate the historical journey that has led us to this juncture. Here, we provide an overview of this evolution and speak about anticipated changes in the future. “Certainly we cannot hope to solve the glioblastoma problem by throwing up our hands and saying there is nothing we can do. On the contrary, the solution lies in our constantly pressing on, making more and more strenuous efforts to remove these tumors, and not allowing ourselves to be deterred by any obstacles that lie in our path.”—Ernest Sachs, 1950.
Caregiver Experiences, Healthcare Provider Perspectives and Child Outcomes with Virtual Care in a Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic: A Mixed-Methods Study
(2024-10-22) Raghuram, Kamini; Noh, Hayle; Lee, Seungwoo; Look Hong, Nicole; Kelly, Edmond; Shah, Vibhuti
Background: Caregiver and healthcare provider perspectives of virtual care have not been explored in depth in the literature for neonatal follow-up clinics. Our objective was to evaluate caregivers’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives and compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm neonates before and after implementing virtual care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with families and healthcare providers, designed and analyzed using phenomenological qualitative methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate and compare neurodevelopmental characteristics of two preterm cohorts, one before (“in-person”) and after (“virtual”) virtual care. Results: Three themes were identified: increased confidence in in-person assessments, adequate delivery of information using virtual platforms and a preference for specialized care through the neonatal follow-up clinic. A total of 252 infants born preterm, 104 infants in the in-person group and 148 infants in the virtual group, were included in the study. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of cerebral palsy was lower when virtual care was used compared to in-person assessments (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.01–0.98) while the adjusted odds of cognitive delay measured by in-person standardized testing were higher (aOR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.25–6.19). Conclusions: Caregivers and healthcare providers prefer in-person assessments for comprehensive developmental support. It may be more challenging to detect subtle cognitive differences using caregiver-reported measures. Cerebral palsy may be missed when assessments are completed virtually.
A Stable Isotope Analysis to Quantify the Contribution of Basal Dietary Sources to Food Webs of Drinking Water Reservoirs
(2024-11-20) Huang, Feng; Zhao, Wen; Qiao, Xingye; Xia, Changge; Liu, Yuan; Wei, Jie; Yin, Dongpeng; Arhonditsis, George
This study investigates the food web structure of the Xinlicheng Reservoir, a drinking water source of critical importance in Changchun, China, by employing stable isotope analysis (SIA) to quantify the contribution ratios of four basal dietary sources—phytoplankton, zooplankton, sediment organic matter, and particulate organic matter (POM)—to the diets of two key filter-feeding fish species, Hypophthalm ichthys molitrix and Aristichthys nobilis. The analysis reveals that phytoplankton is the dominant dietary source for both species, contributing 32.08% and 34.06%, respectively, whereas the POM contribution is discernably lower (13.25%). The average trophic level of the fish assemblage in Xinlicheng Reservoir is 3.03, while the trophic levels of the two filter-feeding species lie between 3.00 and 3.50. Furthermore, a random forest model was used to identify key environmental drivers of isotopic variations in these basal dietary sources, highlighting the significant role of pH, total nitrogen (TN), chloride (Cl⁻), calcium (Ca²⁺), phosphorus (TP), and silicate (SiO44−) in influencing carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios. These findings provide critical insights to optimize biomanipulation strategies aimed at improving water quality in drinking water reservoirs by enhancing our understanding of the environmental factors that govern trophic interactions and broader food web dynamics.
Impact of Underlying Chronic Medical Conditions on COVID-19 Outcomes Among People Living with HIV: A Retrospective Analysis from the Minnesota Fairview Network
(2024-11-20) Aremu, Taiwo Opeyemi; Yang, Kaifeng; Lu, Han; Oluwole, Oluwatosin Esther; Adeyinka, Kehinde Oluwatosin
(1) Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about the impact of underlying medical conditions on the health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH). This study aimed to assess how pre-existing chronic medical conditions affect the health outcomes of PLWH infected with COVID-19. (2) Methods: A retrospective study using data from the Minnesota Fairview network (1 January 2020–31 December 2022) was conducted. Fisher’s exact test, the Kruskal–Wallis rank-sum test, and ordinal logistic regressions with a Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) adjustment on p-values were used to assess the influence of chronic conditions on COVID-19 severity, adjusting for age and gender. (3) Results: Among 216 records, significant associations were found for a stroke, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, and neurologic conditions (p < 0.05). Type 1 diabetes was marginally significant (0.05 < p < 0.1). After adjusting for age and sex, a stroke (p = 0.0008, BH-adjusted p = 0.0044) and chronic kidney disease (p = 0.0003, BH-adjusted p = 0.0033) significantly increased the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. (4) Conclusions: Pre-existing medical conditions should be considered in the clinical management and public health interventions for PLWH infected with COVID-19. Tailored strategies are essential to mitigate the higher risk of severe outcomes in PLWH with specific chronic comorbidities.
Exponential Functions Permit Estimation of Anaerobic Work Capacity and Critical Power from Less than 2 Min All-Out Test
(2024-11-20) Tsai, Ming-Chang; Thomas, Scott; Klimstra, Marc
The Critical Power Model (CPM) is key for assessing athletes’ aerobic and anaerobic energy systems but typically involves lengthy, exhausting protocols. The 3 min all-out test (3MT) simplifies CPM assessment, yet its duration remains demanding. Exponential decay models, specifically mono- and bi-exponential functions, offer a more efficient alternative by accurately capturing the nonlinear energy dynamics in high-intensity efforts. This study explores shortening the 3MT using these functions to reduce athlete strain while preserving the accuracy of critical power (CP) and work capacity (W′) estimates. Seventy-six competitive cyclists and triathletes completed a 3MT on a cycle ergometer, with CP and W′ calculated at shorter intervals. Results showed that a 90 s test using the bi-exponential model yielded CP and W′ values similar to those of the full 3MT. Meanwhile, the mono-exponential model required at least 135 s. Bland–Altman and linear regression analyses confirmed that a 120 s test with the mono-exponential model reliably estimated CP and W′ with minimal physical strain. These findings support a shortened, less-demanding 3MT as a valid alternative for CPM assessment.
Management of Hirschsprung’s Disease: A Survey with Brazilian Pediatric Surgeons
(2024-11-20) Penaloza, Cesar Saul Quevedo; Barreto, Alana Carnevale; Ortolan, Erika Veruska Paiva; Zani, Augusto; Lourenção, Pedro Luiz Toledo de Arruda
Background: Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) is a congenital malformation of the enteric nervous system clinically manifested by intestinal obstruction in the neonatal period or severe constipation in childhood. Several surveys on HD have been conducted to evaluate experiences in its management around the world. For the first time in Brazil, we analyze and report the management patterns of HD among pediatric surgeons in Brazil. Methods: A validated questionnaire was disseminated in print at the Congress of Pediatric Surgery in São Paulo-Brazil, and an online version was sent to all the active members of the Brazilian and Paulista Institute of Pediatric Surgery. Results: In total, 361 pediatric surgeons answered the survey. Of these, 329 completed all questions (response rate: 91%). Most Brazilian services treat fewer than 10 cases of HD annually. The preferred diagnostic method was rectal biopsy. For newborns (NBs) and infants, open biopsy was the most commonly used technique. For NBs with HD clinically stable 50% of specialists chose immediate surgery. In NBs and infants with classic HD, the Soave technique (69%) is the most common surgical intervention, and the transanal route (80%) is the preferred surgical approach. In children over 3 years of age with classic HD, the most-used technique is the Duhamel method (54%), with the open approach being the most common (52%). Conclusions: Our study in Brazil found that HD patient management aligns with scientific evidence and international guidelines.
Aquatic Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Scoping Review
(2024-11-20) Ogonowska-Slodownik, Anna; Jakobowicz, Oliwia; Alexander, Lyndsay; Marinho-Buzelli, Andresa R.; Devion, Catherine; Morgulec-Adamowicz, Natalia
Globally, around 1 in 10 children aged 0–17 years have moderate-to-severe disabilities. The aquatic environment provides hydrostatic and hydrodynamic characteristics that make exercise and therapy feasible for children and adolescents with disabilities. The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to the use of aquatic therapy in children and adolescents with disabilities. The eligibility criteria were as follows: participants—children and/or adolescents with disabilities aged from 6 to 18 years old; concept—aquatic therapy interventions; context—any available setting. The databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, Eric, Scopus, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, and one register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. In total, 52 reports met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies included children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; 46.7%)—442 participants in 21 studies in total. The majority of interventions were based on aquatic exercise (35%). Most often, interventions were conducted for 8 weeks, with 2 sessions a week lasting 60 min. The most common type of intervention for children and adolescents with ASD and Down syndrome was swimming. Participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neuromuscular disorders, and cerebral palsy were more often treated with aquatic exercises. This scoping review could guide practitioners, clinicians, and researchers on what type, setting, and content of aquatic therapy interventions, including exercise types, intervention duration, number of sessions, frequency, facility, and provider, are used with children and adolescents with disabilities.
Integral Operators in b-Metric and Generalized b-Metric Spaces and Boundary Value Problems
(2024-11-19) Middlebrook, Christopher; Feng, Wenying
We study fixed-point theorems of contractive mappings in b-metric space, cone b-metric space, and the newly introduced extended b-metric space. To generalize an existence and uniqueness result for the so-called Φs functions in the b-metric space to the extended b-metric space and the cone b-metric space, we introduce the class of ΦM functions and apply the Hölder continuous condition in the extended b-metric space. The obtained results are applied to prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions and positive solutions for nonlinear integral equations and fractional boundary value problems. Examples and numerical simulation are given to illustrate the applications.
Post-Newtonian Effects in Compact Binaries with a Dark Matter Spike: A Lagrangian Approach
(2024-11-17) Montalvo, Diego; Smith-Orlik, Adam; Rastgoo, Saeed; Sagunski, Laura; Becker, Niklas; Khan, Hazkeel
We apply the Lagrangian method to study the post-Newtonian evolution of a compact binary system with environmental effects, including a dark matter spike, and obtain the resulting gravitational wave emission. This formalism allows one to incorporate post-Newtonian effects up to any desired known order, as well as any other environmental effect around the binary, as long as their dissipation power or force formulae are known. In particular, in this work, we employ this method to study a black hole–black hole binary system of mass ratio 105 by including post-Newtonian effects of order 1PN and 2.5PN, as well as the effect of relativistic dynamical friction. We obtain the modified orbits and the corresponding modified gravitational waveform. Finally, we contrast these modifications against the LISA sensitivity curve in frequency space and show that this observatory can detect the associated signals.
Oncology Camp Participation and Psychosocial Health in Children Who Have Lived with Cancer—A Pilot Study
(2024-11-15) O’Connell, Sarah; O’Keeffe, Nathan; Wells, Greg D.; West, Sarah L.
Children with lived cancer experience encounter adversity, therefore experiences promoting psychosocial health are necessary. This pilot study determined the impact of recreational oncology camps (ROC) on resilience, hope, social support, and mental well-being in youth who have lived with cancer. Youth (6–18 years) with cancer experience enrolled in an 11-day session of ROC (Muskoka, Ontario, Canada) were invited to participate. Participants completed a survey [Children’s Hope Scale (CHS), Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R), Social Provisions Scale (SPS-5), and Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS)] on the first (T1) and last day (T2) of camp, and 3 months post-camp (T3). Repeated-measures ANOVAs evaluated differences in survey scores among time points. Ten participants (14.1 ± 2.5 years) were included in the analysis. CHS scores at T3 were lower than T1 and T2 (F = 9.388, p = 0.008). CYRM-R, SPS-5, and SWEMWBS scores were high but did not differ between time points. Hope decreased 3 months post-camp, suggesting a need for continued psychosocial support. Overall, the ROC environment is associated with positive psychosocial health.
Intraoperative Periprosthetic Fractures in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A 1.6-Million-Patient Analysis of Complications, Costs, and the Challenges in AI-Based Prediction
(2024-11-14) Maman, David; Steinfeld, Yaniv; Yonai, Yaniv; Fournier, Linor; Bar, Ofek; Safir, Oleg; Berkovich, Yaron
Background: Periprosthetic fractures following total hip arthroplasty are serious complications occurring in up to 2.4% of primary cases, contributing to significant morbidity, extended hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. Predicting these fractures remains a challenge despite advances in surgical techniques and prosthetic materials. Methods: This study analyzed 1,634,615 cases of primary THA from the NIS database (2016–2019) using propensity score matching to compare outcomes between patients with and without intraoperative periprosthetic fractures. Predictive models, including logistic regression, decision tree, and deep neural network, were evaluated for their ability to predict fracture risk. Results: Patients with periprosthetic fractures exhibited a 14-fold increase in pulmonary embolism risk, a 12-fold increase in infections, and a 5-fold increase in hip dislocations. Fractures extended hospital stays (3.8 vs. 2.5 days) and added approximately USD 32,000 in costs per patient. The predictive models yielded low accuracy (AUC max = 0.605), underscoring the complexity of predicting periprosthetic fractures. Conclusions: Intraoperative periprosthetic fractures in THA significantly elevate complication rates, costs, and length of stay. Despite extensive modeling efforts, accurate prediction remains difficult, highlighting the need to focus on preventive strategies, such as improved surgical techniques and real-time intraoperative monitoring.
Facilitation of Enrollment onto Cancer Clinical Trials Using a Novel Navigator-Assisted Program: A Cross-Sectional Study
(2024-11-14) Hossami, Mahmoud; Abdel-Nabi, Rhonda; Zaib, Farwa; Touma, Kayla; Nassar, Renee; Rim, Sanghyuk Claire; Paunic, Milica; Hilal, Olla; Gupta, Pratham; Hirmiz, Roaa; Touma, Michael; Sadik, Govana; Akingbade, Emmanuel; Sharma, Depen; Kalia, Swati; Fatima, Rija; Luginaah, Anthony; Mohamed, Ibrahim; Luo, Rong; Delisle, Megan; Hamm, Caroline
Introduction: Clinical trials are essential to the advancement of clinical therapies that improve the outcomes of people with cancer. However, enrollment in clinical trials remains a challenge. The Clinical Trial Navigator [CTN] Program was designed to address the current gap in the cancer care journey by assisting with the clinical trials search process. Methods: Between March 2019 and July 2024, applicants of the CTN program included people with cancer, their family members, and/or their care team. Applicants entered the CTN program through a REDCap^® survey that collected the patient’s medical history. A final curated list of potential clinical trials was provided to the applicant. Metrics of success included clinical trial referral and enrollment, and we examined the factors that impacted these outcomes. Results: A total of 445 people with cancer applied to the CTN program during the study. Of the 262 patients with referral and enrollment information, a trial referral occurred in 27.5% [n = 72]. Of the 72 patients who were referred to a clinical trial, 13 [18.1%] were enrolled, 9 [12.5%] are pending enrollment, and 50 [69.4%] were not enrolled. We identified a potential trial for 88% of applicants, with a median of one potential trial per patient. Physicians were highly involved as applicants. Interpretation: The CTN program is successful in searching for clinical trials for people with cancer. Ongoing implementation into other Canadian sites, assessments of patient-reported outcomes, website and social media campaigns, and research into the factors that impact referral and enrollment are underway.
Facial Movements Extracted from Video for the Kinematic Classification of Speech
(2024-11-12) Palmer, Richard; Ward, Roslyn; Helmholz, Petra; Strauss, Geoffrey R.; Davey, Paul; Hennessey, Neville; Orton, Linda; Namasivayam, Aravind
Speech Sound Disorders (SSDs) are prevalent communication problems in children that pose significant barriers to academic success and social participation. Accurate diagnosis is key to mitigating life-long impacts. We are developing a novel software solution—the Speech Movement and Acoustic Analysis Tracking (SMAAT) system to facilitate rapid and objective assessment of motor speech control issues underlying SSD. This study evaluates the feasibility of using automatically extracted three-dimensional (3D) facial measurements from single two-dimensional (2D) front-facing video cameras for classifying speech movements. Videos were recorded of 51 adults and 77 children between 3 and 4 years of age (all typically developed for age) saying 20 words from the mandibular and labial-facial levels of the Motor-Speech Hierarchy Probe Wordlist (MSH-PW). Measurements around the jaw and lips were automatically extracted from the 2D video frames using a state-of-the-art facial mesh detection and tracking algorithm, and each individual measurement was tested in a Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation (LOOCV) framework for its word classification performance. Statistics were evaluated at the α=0.05 significance level and several measurements were found to exhibit significant classification performance in both the adult and child cohorts. Importantly, measurements of depth indirectly inferred from the 2D video frames were among those found to be significant. The significant measurements were shown to match expectations of facial movements across the 20 words, demonstrating their potential applicability in supporting clinical evaluations of speech production.
Recent Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 Is Associated with Less Severe Disease in Working-Age Adults
(2024-11-12) Fischer, Kailey; Langley, Joanne M.; Harrison, Robyn; Mubareka, Samira; Nadarajah, Jeya; Smieja, Marek; Valiquette, Louis; Cooper, Curtis; Powis, Jeff; CCS Working Group,; McGeer, Allison; Coleman, Brenda L.
Background: Essential workers, including those working in healthcare and education, are at higher risk of exposure to communicable diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. Reducing the rates of infection is important for their personal health and for the ongoing safe operation of essential services. Methods: Data from participants in two prospective cohort studies who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 through 2023 were used to determine whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is associated with the severity of symptoms in working-age adults. Results: SARS-CoV-2-positive tests (N = 3757) were reported by 3093 participants (mean: 1.2 per person); 1229 (33%) illnesses did not interfere with regular activities, 1926 (51%) made participants too unwell for regular activities, and 602 (16%) required participant bed rest. Compared with vaccine receipt more than 12 months earlier, receipt within six months of an infection was associated with lower risk ratios for more severe illness (too unwell: 0.69 and bed rest: 0.67) compared with being able to conduct regular activities. More recent vaccination was also associated with lower odds reporting of systemic symptoms (fever, myalgia, arthralgia) and fewer solicited symptoms. Conclusion: Staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations should continue to be recommended since receiving a recent immunization lessened the severity of illness. Also, as symptoms of COVID-19 are now largely similar to other respiratory viruses, practitioners need to use this evidence to inform diagnostic testing and return-to-work policies.

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