Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impulsivity as a Risk Factor for Addictive Disorder Severity during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Results from a Mixed Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Interindividual differences in personality traits, especially impulsivity traits, are robust risk factors for addictive disorders. However, their impact on addictive disorders during the COVID-19 lockdown remains unknown. This study assessed patients being followed for addictive disorders before the lockdown. We aimed to determine whether impulsivity traits (i.e., negative- and positive urgency) were associated with addictive disorders severity during the lockdowns. We also explored the patients’ subjective experiences, focusing on high versus low impulsivity. The quantitative study assessed 44 outpatients consulting for addictive disorders, for impulsivity, emotion regulation, anxiety/depression, and their addictive disorder characteristics, using self-administered questionnaires. In the qualitative study, six patients from the quantitative study were assessed using guided interviews. We observed that higher negative and positive urgencies were associated with addictive disorder severity. The subjective experiences of patients during the lockdowns differed according to their emotion-related impulsivity: high versus low. Low impulsive patients used online technologies more effectively to maintain follow-up, with more positive reappraisal. In contrast, highly impulsive patients reverted more frequently to self-medication with substances and/or behaviors, more social isolation, and found coping with negative emotions more challenging. Overall, the patient’s ability to cope with stressful events, like the COVID-19 lockdown, depended on their emotion-related impulsivity.
The Effect of Sodium Nitroprusside Treatment on Storage Ability of Fresh-Cut Potato

Quality deterioration is a major problem restricting the fresh-cut potato industry. The present study investigated the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) treatment on the quality of fresh-cut potatoes during short-term storage. The treatment was carried out immediately either before or after cutting, using an SNP concentration of 200 μmol/L. The results showed that SNP treatment inhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total soluble solids (TSSs). SNP treatment also decreased the firmness, chewing properties, and ascorbic acid (AsA) content in potatoes, maintaining high levels of total phenols (TPs), total flavonoids (TFs), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, SNP treatment restrained the rise of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), as well as the electrolyte leakage (EL) rate. After SNP treatment, the nitrite content in the potatoes was within security scope. Comparing potatoes treated before and after cutting, the best result was noted in the potatoes soaked in SNP before cutting, which displayed the smallest losses in firmness (11.24%), chewing properties (34.30%), and AsA (40.35%), and maximum increases in TPs (32.84%), TFs (2.83−time), NO (76.11%), and SOD activity (93.15%). Moreover, this group presented the minimum MDA content, EL rate, and TSS values and the lowest PAL, POD, and PPO activities. These results indicated that 200 μmol/L SNP applied for 20 min, particularly before cutting, is an efficient alternative technology that can be used in the fresh-cut potato industry.
Poverty-Aware Programs in Social Service Departments in Israel: A Rapid Evidence Review of Outcomes for Service Users and Social Work Practice

Critical perspectives and practices are fundamental to social work, yet there are only scarce examples of direct critical practice in public social services, and even fewer empirical evaluations of their outcomes for service users and social workers. This article presents a rapid evidence review of 25 evaluation studies of five programs that operate in the social services departments in Israel according to the principles of the Poverty-Aware Paradigm (PAP). The PAP is a critical paradigm for direct social work practice with people living in poverty that was implemented in the welfare services by the Ministry of Welfare, targeting over 14,000 service users. The evaluation studies we reviewed encompass an overall quantitative sample of 4612 service users and 1363 professionals, and a qualitative sample of 420 service users and 424 professionals. The findings present: (1) the program’s outcomes for service users in terms of relationship with social workers, financial circumstances, family relations, and children’s safety; and (2) the program’s impact on social workers’ attitudes and practices. Finally, we discuss the lessons learned regarding social workers’ role in combatting poverty, the construction of success in interventions with people in poverty, and the article’s limitations.
A Work Time Control Tradeoff in Flexible Work: Competitive Pathways to Need for Recovery

Work time control may offer opportunities, but also implies risks for employee recovery, influenced by increased work-related ICT use and overtime work. However, this risk–opportunity tradeoff remains understudied. This study aimed to test two different models of associations between work time control, work-related ICT use, overtime work, and the need for recovery. These models were constructed based on data on office workers with flexible work arrangements. Cross-sectional data were obtained with questionnaires (n = 2582) from employees in a Swedish multi-site organization. Regression models treated the three determinants of the need for recovery either as independent, or as linked in a causal sequence. The test of independent determinants confirmed that more work time control was associated with less need for recovery, whereas more ICT use and overtime work were associated with a higher need for recovery. In a test of serial mediation, more work time control contributed to a greater need for recovery through more ICT use and then more overtime work. Work time control also had a competitive, indirect effect through a negative association with overtime work. Our results suggest that work time control is beneficial for employee recovery, but may for some be associated with more work-related ICT use after regular working hours, thus increasing recovery needs. Policies that support work time control can promote recovery, but employers must attend to the risk of excessive use of ICT outside of regular working hours.
Understanding the Antecedents and Effects of mHealth App Use in Pandemics: A Sequential Mixed-Method Investigation

Pandemics such as COVID-19 pose serious threats to public health and disrupt the established systems for obtaining healthcare services. Mobile health (mHealth) apps serve the general public as a potential method for coping with these exogenous challenges. However, prior research has rarely discussed the antecedents and effects of mHealth apps and their use as a coping method during pandemics. Based on the technology acceptance model, empowerment theory, and event theory, we developed a research model to examine the antecedents (technology characteristics and event strength) and effects (psychological empowerment) of mHealth apps and their use. We tested this research model through a sequential mixed-method investigation. First, a quantitative study based on 402 Chinese mHealth users who used the apps during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted to validate the theoretical model. A follow-up qualitative study of 191 online articles and reviews on mHealth during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted to cross-validate the results and explain the unsupported findings of the quantitative study. The results show that (1) the mHealth app characteristics (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) positively affect mHealth app use; (2) mHealth app use positively affects the psychological empowerment of mHealth users; and (3) the characteristics of pandemic events (event criticality and event disruption) have positive moderating effects on the relationship between mHealth app characteristics and mHealth app use. This study explains the role of mHealth apps in the COVID-19 pandemic on the micro-level, which has implications for the ways in which mHealth apps are used in response to public pandemics.
Fusobacterium Nucleatum-Induced Tumor Mutation Burden Predicts Poor Survival of Gastric Cancer Patients

Simple Summary Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world. An important risk factor in the development of alimentary tract cancers is the presence of pathogenic microbiota, such as Helicobacter pylori. We previously showed that sporadic infection of Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with disease progression. Therefore, we examined the mutational landscape of F. nucleatum-positive, resected gastric cancer tissues using the Illumina TruSight Oncology 500 comprehensive panel to identify small nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, and unstable microsatellite sites. We identified a number of recurrent genetic aberrations, especially activating mutations of ERBB2, ERBB3, and PIK3CA and disrupted TP53. We found that the combination of F. nucleatum infection and high tumor mutational burden was a strong predictor of poor prognosis. Thus, F. nucleatum infection is correlated with increased accumulation of mutations and progression of gastric cancer, and these factors may be useful in the prognosis of this disease. Abstract Co-infection of Helicobacter pylori and Fusobacterium nucleatum is a microbial biomarker for poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with microsatellite instability and the accumulation of mutations in colorectal cancer. Here, we investigated the mutation landscape of Fusobacterium nucleatum-positive resected gastric cancer tissues using Illumina TruSight Oncology 500 comprehensive panel. Sequencing data were processed to identify the small nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, and unstable microsatellite sites. The bioinformatic algorithm also calculated copy number gains of preselected genes and tumor mutation burden. The recurrent genetic aberrations were identified in this study cohort. For gene amplification events, ERBB2, cell cycle regulators, and specific FGF ligands and receptors were the most frequently amplified genes. Pathogenic activation mutations of ERBB2, ERBB3, and PIK3CA, as well as loss-of-function of TP53, were identified in multiple patients. Furthermore, Fusobacterium nucleatum infection is positively correlated with a higher tumor mutation burden. Survival analysis showed that the combination of Fusobacterium nucleatum infection and high tumor mutation burden formed an extremely effective biomarker to predict poor prognosis. Our results indicated that the ERBB2-PIK3-AKT-mTOR pathway is frequently activated in gastric cancer and that Fusobacterium nucleatum and high mutation burden are strong biomarkers of poor prognosis for gastric cancer patients.
Global validation of a forecast model for irradiance of solar,erythemally effective ultraviolet radiation

Alois W. SchmalwieserGu¨nther SchaubergerUniversity of Veterinary MedicineInstitute of Medical Physics andBiostatisticsVeterina¨rplatz 1, A-1210 ViennaAustriaE-mail: alois.schmalwieser@vu-wien.ac. atMichal JanouchCzech Hydrometeorological InstituteSolar and Ozone ObservatoryHvezdarna 456 500 08 Hradec Kralove 8Czech RepublicManuel NunezUniversity of Tasmania, AustraliaSchool of Geography and EnvironmentalStudiesGPO Box 252-78Hobart, Tasmania 7001AustraliaTapani KoskelaFinnish Meteorological InstituteOzone and UV ResearchP.O. Box 503 FIN-00101 HelsinkiFinlandDaniel BergerSolar Light Incorporated721 Oak LanePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19126Gabriel KaramanianUshuaia GAW StationPO Box 187, 9410, Ushuaia-TDFArgentinaPavel ProsekKamil LaskaMasaryk UniversityDepartment of GeographyKotla ´rˇska 2, 611 37 BrnoCzech RepublicAbstract. A worldwide forecast of the global solar erythemally effectiveUV irradiance, also called UV Index, under clear skies is presented. Theforecast was established to inform the public about the expected amountof erythemally effective ultraviolet radiation for the next day. The forecastenables the user to choose the appropriate sun protection tool and toadopt the personal behavior to reduce the risk of health damage. Theforecast as well as the radiation model are validated using measure-ments from a Robertson-Berger meter made at four continents (Antarc-tica, Australia, America, and Europe). The measurements cover the lati-tudinal range from 67.4°N to 60.1°S. Since the UV Index wasdetermined to quantify UV radiation protection, the goal of a forecastscheme is to avoid underestimation. Therefore the frequency of under-estimation was used as quality criteria also. The Austrian forecast modelshows less than 7.3% underestimation in all cases, whereas 5.0% resultfrom the radiation model and 2.3% from the used value of the total ozonecontent of the atmosphere.
Urbanicity—Perspectives from Neuroscience and Public Health: A Scoping Review

Urban residency is associated with exposure to environmental factors, which can influence health in many ways. Neuroscientific research, as well as Public Health research, aim towards broadening evidence in the field of Urban Health. However, it is unclear whether the association between urban living and mental illnesses is causal rather than explainable by other selective effects. This review seeks to gather information on the current evidence regarding urban living and neurological outcomes to demonstrate how Public Health and Neuroscience could complement each other in the field of Urban Health. A scoping review was conducted in four electronic databases according to the PRISMA-statement guidelines. 25 empirical studies were included. Outcomes such as schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, social and cognitive functioning were scrutinised. Evidence was found for alteration of brain functioning and brain structure. Most studies researching cognitive functioning or cognitive decline displayed possible protective effects of urban living compared to rural living. The different study designs in Public Health and Neuroscience could profit from each other. Although the comparability of studies is limited by the inconsistent assessments of urbanity. Synergies and potentials to combine aspects of Public Health and Neuroscience in the field of Urban Health to improve population health became apparent.
Differentiating Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas from Benign Conditions Using Routine Health Records: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) constitutes a devastating disease with late diagnosis and poor overall survival, complicated by clinical presentations similar to benign pancreatic diseases. We aimed to analyse clinical parameters for differentiating suspected PDAC from benign conditions. The study holistically explored the presenting symptoms and routine laboratory test results of pancreatic disease patients during their consultation at secondary/tertiary care, including their demographic, lifestyle and comorbidity characteristics. Developed on a prospectively recruited cohort, this is the first machine learning-based prediction model that differentiates PDAC patients from those with benign conditions with a high degree of recall (sensitivity) and precision (positive predictive value). The model could serve to support clinicians’ decisions when assessing patients with pancreatic pathology and separating potential malignant candidates from benign ones for urgent referral to a tertiary centre. This could improve upon the current UK guidelines enabling early detection of PDAC by developing a digital referral tool. Abstract The study aimed to develop a prediction model for differentiating suspected PDAC from benign conditions. We used a prospective cohort of patients with pancreatic disease (n = 762) enrolled at the Barts Pancreas Tissue Bank (2008-2021) and performed a case-control study examining the association of PDAC (n = 340) with predictor variables including demographics, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, presenting symptoms and commonly performed blood tests. Age (over 55), weight loss in hypertensive patients, recent symptoms of jaundice, high serum bilirubin, low serum creatinine, high serum alkaline phosphatase, low red blood cell count and low serum sodium were identified as the most important features. These predictors were then used for training several machine-learning-based risk-prediction models on 75% of the cohort. Models were assessed on the remaining 25%. A logistic regression-based model had the best overall performance in the validation cohort (area-under-the-curve = 0.90; Spiegelhalter’s z = −1·82, p = 0.07). Setting a probability threshold of 0.15 guided by the maximum F2-score of 0.855, 96.8% sensitivity was reached in the full cohort, which could lead to earlier detection of 84.7% of the PDAC patients. The prediction model has the potential to be applied in primary, secondary and emergency care settings for the early distinction of suspected PDAC patients and expedited referral to specialist hepato-pancreatico-biliary services.
SESN2 Knockdown Increases Betulinic Acid-Induced Radiosensitivity of Hypoxic Breast Cancer Cells

Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural compound well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-malarial effects and anti-tumor properties. Its enhanced cytotoxicity in tumor cells and induction of cell death in various cancer entities qualifies BA as an interesting candidate for novel treatment concepts. Our analyses showed enhanced cytotoxicity and radiosensitization under hypoxic conditions in human breast cancer cells. So far, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the BA-treated human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 under normoxic and hypoxic conditions based on microarray technology. Hypoxia and BA regulated a variety of genes in both breast cancer cell lines. KEGG pathway analysis identified an enrichment of the p53 pathway in MCF-7 cells (wtp53) under hypoxia. In MDA-MB-231 cells (mtp53) an additional BA incubation was required to activate the p53 signaling pathway. Fourteen down-regulated and up-regulated genes of the p53 pathway were selected for further validation via qRT-PCR in a panel of five breast cancer cell lines. The stress-induced gene Sestrin-2 (SESN2) was identified as one of the most strongly up-regulated genes after BA treatment. Knockdown of SESN2 enhanced BA-induced ROS production, DNA damage, radiosensitivity and reduced autophagy in breast cancer cells. Our results identified SESN2 as an important target to enhance the radiobiological and anti-tumor effects of BA on breast cancer cells.
Global output feedback stabilization for a class of stochastic feedforward nonlinear systems with time-varying input delay

This paper investigates the problem of output feedback stabilization for a class of stochastic feedforward nonlinear systems with time-varying input delay. The drift and diffusion terms satisfy the linear growth condition and are dependent on unmeasurable states and the delayed input. First, we use a change of coordinates to introduce a scaling gain into the system. Then, based on the high-gain observer technique, a delay-free output feedback controller with the scaling gain is developed. Based on the Lyapunov–Krasovskii method and the idea of feedback domination, it is shown that the closed-loop system can be rendered globally asymptotically stable in probability via appropriately choosing the scaling gain. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Lifestyle, Insulin Resistance and Semen Quality as Co-Dependent Factors of Male Infertility

Infertility is a problem that affects millions of couples around the world. It is known as a disease of couples, not individuals, which makes diagnosis difficult and treatment unclear. Male infertility can have many causes, from mechanical ones to abnormal spermatogenesis or spermiogenesis. Semen quality is determined by a number of factors, including those dependent on men themselves, with the number of infertile men growing every year. These include, e.g., diet, physical activity, sleep quality, stress, among many others. As these factors co-exist with insulin resistance, which is a disease closely related to lifestyle, it has been singled out in the study due to its role in affecting semen quality. In order to examine connections between lifestyle, insulin resistance, and semen quality, a review of literature published from 1989 to 2020 in the following databases PubMed/Medline, EMBASE (Elsevier), Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed. Hence, semen quality, environment, and insulin resistance are interrelated, thus it is difficult to indicate which aspect is the cause and which is the effect in a particular relationship and the nature of possible correlations. Since the influence of lifestyle on semen quality has been extensively studied, it is recommended that more thorough research be done on the relationship between insulin resistance and semen quality, comparing the semen quality of men with and without insulin resistance.
Review of hydrogen retention in tungsten

Although extensive studies on hydrogen (H) retention in tungsten (W) loaded by ion implantation, plasma exposure and gas charging have been done, reported amounts of H retained in W, and their dependences on the incident flux, fluence and temperature are very inconsistent. The present work aims at the clarification of the H retention mechanisms with critical review of reported data and presentation of recent results. H diffusion coefficient for dissolved H in W is large enough to allow for a deep penetration of H into W bulk. Energetic H loading results in H saturation in the subsurface layers. The thickness of the saturated layers could grow under prolonged loading and the H in the layers remain long or hard to remove. Both the growth of the thickness of the saturated layers and the deep penetration of H into the bulk could result in significantly large H retention in W and dissipate the advantage of W as plasma facing wall.
A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Affecting Saudi Patients’ Communication Experience with Non-Saudi Physicians in Saudi Arabia

(1) Background: Communication is the main issue between the patient and physician. Communication gaps lead to medical errors, mistakes, and wrong diagnoses and treatments. It would certainly be a cause of patient dissatisfaction, the physicians’ job dissatisfaction, and the increase in the cost of health services. (2) Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore the perception of Saudi patients when they meet non-Saudi consultants at hospitals. (3) Material and Methods: This study is exploratory in nature. Semi-structured face to face interviews were conducted. Study participants were patients from the outpatient department of the Hospitals of Qassim province, Saudi Arabia. A total of eight respondents, four male and four female, participated in the study. (4) Results: Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Two main themes emerged: the first theme is encountering difference, with three sub-themes, while the second one is the absence of partnering, with four sub-themes. (5) Conclusions: The analysis of the patients’ experiences of their medical encounters revealed that the effectiveness of the physician-patient communication was jeopardized by two challenges: encountering differences and the absence of partnering. (6) Limitations: This study was conducted in one site only and hence findings must be tested in application to other sites in other parts of Saudi Arabia and in other similar countries. A further limitation of this study was the cultural barrier that was encountered by the researcher during the interview process.