Predicting questions' scores on stack overflow

Developer support forums are becoming more popular than ever. Crowdsourced knowledge is an essential resource for many developers yet it can raise concerns about the quality of the shared content. Most existing research efforts address the quality of answers posted by Q&A community members. In this paper, we explore the quality of questions and propose a method of predicting the score of questions on Stack Overflow based on sixteen factors related to questions' format, content and interactions that occur in the post. We performed an extensive investigation to understand the relationship between the factors and the scores of questions. The multiple regression analysis shows that the question's length of the code, accepted answer score, number of tags and the count of views, comments and answers are statistically significantly associated with the scores of questions. Our findings can offer insights to community-based Q&A sites for improving the content of the shared knowledge

Periodontal and peri-implant status and whole salivary interleukin 1-beta levels among individuals using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: an observational study

Objective: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are commonly used for managing psychological diseases such as depression. These disorders are also directly associated with periodontal and peri-implant diseases, namely periodontitis and peri-implantitis, respectively. It is hypothesized that there is no difference in periodontal and peri-implant clinicoradiographic status and unstimulated whole salivary interleukin (IL)-1β levels in participants using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and controls (individuals not using SSRI). The aim of the present observational case-control study was to compare periodontal and peri-implant clinicoradiographic statuses and whole salivary IL-1β in participants using SSRI and controls. Methods: Users of SSRI and controls were included. In all participants, periodontal (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI], probing depth [PD], clinical attachment loss [AL] and marginal bone loss [MBL]) and peri-implant (modified PI [mPI], modified GI [mGI], PD and crestal bone loss [CBL]) were assessed. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected and IL-1β levels were determined. Information related to duration of implants in function, duration of depressive symptoms and treatment of depression was retrieved from healthcare records. Sample-size was estimated using 5% error and group comparisons were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Thirty-seven SSRI users and 35 controls were assessed. Individuals using SSRI had a history of depression of 4.2 ± 2.5 years. The mean age of SSRI-users and controls were 48.7 ± 5.7 and 45.3 ± 5.1 years, respectively. Tooth brushing twice daily was reported by 75.7% and 62.9% SSRI-users and controls, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in PI, mPI, GI, mGI, PD, clinical AL, numbers of MT and mesial and distal MBL and CBL among individuals using SSRI compared with controls (Tables 3 and 4). The unstimulated whole salivary flow rate in individuals using SSRI and controls was 0.11 ± 0.003 and 0.12 ± 0.001 ml/min, respectively. Whole salivary IL-1β levels in individuals using SSRI and controls were 57.6 ± 11.6 pg/ml and 34.6 ± 5.2 pg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Users of SSRI and controls demonstrate healthy periodontal and peri-implant tissue statuses with no marked differences in whole salivary IL-1β levels provided oral hygiene is stringently maintained.Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University - grant No. [PNURSP2022R63, PNURSP2023R63

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population