bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility among women with abnormal vaginal discharge attending the gynecology clinic at a tertiary hospital in south-western Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ahabwe Onesmus Magezi , Kabanda Taseera , Abesiga Lenard , Mugisha Julius , Kayondo Musa , Ngonzi Joseph , Tugume Rodgers , Agaba Collins David , Byamukama Onesmus , Tibaijuka Leevan , Lugobe Henry Mark
Published: February 2023

Background: Abnormal vaginal discharge is a common complaint among women of reproductive age, affecting about a third of all women. In resource-limited settings where access to laboratory services is limited, treatment is usually syndromic. This approach may result in ineffective treatment, with high recurrence rates and a potential of developing antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility among women with an abnormal vaginal discharge attending the gynecology clinic at a tertiary hospital in Southwestern Uganda.
Methods: We conducted a hospital based cross-sectional study among women aged 15-49 years, presenting with abnormal vaginal discharge at the gynecology clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital from December 2020 to June 2021. Demographic characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. We collected cervical and vaginal sterile swabs and subjected them to wet preparation and gram stain. The specimens were cultured for bacterial isolates. Susceptibility testing was performed on samples with bacterial isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, on the commonly prescribed antibiotics in this setting. We summarized and described the bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility patterns as frequencies and percentages.
Results: Bacteria were isolated in 29.6% (107/361) of the women, and the commonest isolates included; Staphylococcus aureus 48.6% (52/107), Klebsiella pneumoniae 29.9% (32/107) and Enterococcus fecalis 15% (16/107). Yeast cells were found in 17.7% (64/361) of the women with abnormal vaginal discharge. Cefuroxime (90.7%) and Ciprofloxacin (84.1%) had a high level of sensitivity while high levels of resistance were observed for Doxycycline (86%) and Azithromycin (67%).
Conclusion: The common bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus fecalis. The isolated bacteria were most sensitive to Cefuroxime and Ciprofloxacin but resistant to Doxycycline and Azithromycin. There is need for routine culture and susceptibility testing of women with abnormal vaginal discharge so as to guide treatment, minimize inappropriate antibiotic use and consequently reduce antibiotic resistance.
Efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after failure of platinum-containing regimens: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Luo Jian , Xiao Wanying , Hua Fengyang , Cao Yanqing , Wang Dongxia , Wang Xicheng
Published: February 2023

Objective: There is a lack of standard salvage treatment options for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC) that has failed platinum-containing regimens. Breakthroughs in immunotherapy have opened up new options for these patients. However, the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy have not been clarified. This study aimed to summarize and assess the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with RM-NPC who failed platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Methods: Up to August 25, 2022, clinical trials of PD-1 inhibitors in RM-NPC patients who failed platinum-containing regimens were searched in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Retrieval subject terms included "nasopharyngeal carcinoma", "metastatic", "recurrence", "PD-1", and "PD-L1". The clinical trials eligible for inclusion were systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed.
Results: A total of 9 studies including 842 patients with RM-NPC were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that PD-1 inhibitors had promising efficacy in patients with RM-NPC who failed platinum-containing regimens: objective response rate (ORR) was 24% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21-26%), disease control rate (DCR) was 52% (95% CI 45-58%), 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 25% (95% CI 18-32%), and 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 53% (95% CI 37-68%). In terms of treatment-related adverse events (AEs), the incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-related AEs was 19% (95% CI 13-24%). In addition, we found that PD-1 inhibitors were more effective in patients with PDL-1 positive than in patients with PDL-1 negative nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had failed platinum-containing regimens (ORR 31% (95% CI 25-37%) vs 20% (95% CI 15-25%)).
Conclusion: PD-1 inhibitors may provide a survival benefit for patients with RM-NPC who have failed platinum-containing regimens and have the advantage of a good safety profile, making them a promising treatment option.
Endurance capacities of expert pianists: an electromyographic and kinematic variability study
Authors: Goubault Etienne , Turner Craig , Mailly Robin , Begon Mickaël , Maso Fabien Dal , Verdugo Felipe
Published: February 2023

During fatiguing piano tasks, muscle fatigue develops differently between expert pianists. Differences in neuromotor strategies employed could explain a slower rate of fatigue development. The objective was to compare muscle activation and kinematic variabilities between ShortDuration(i.e., pianists with less endurance) and LongDuration groups. Results from 49 pianists showed that EMG activation variability of most shoulder and upper limbs muscles was greater for the ShortDuration group with time during two piano fatiguing tasks, namely Digital and Chord tasks. Segment acceleration variability, assessed using inertial measurement units, was also greater with time for the ShortDuration group at the right arm during the Digital task, and at the thorax and head during the Chordtask. Finally, thorax lateroflexion variability increased with time for the LongDuration group (but not the ShortDuration group) during the Digital task. During the Chord task, wrist flexion variability was higher for the LongDuration group compared to the ShortDuration group. These results showed a direct effect of time on the pianists’ acceleration variability and EMG activation variability. In contrast, a protective effect of fatigue development could be attributed to kinematic variability. Results also suggest a higher risk of injury among pianists in the ShortDuration group.
Numerical and Experimental Characterisation of Melt Pool in Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Ss316l.
Authors: Khan Ahsan , Jaffery Syed Hussain Imran , Hussain Syed Zahid , Dilawar Shakeel
Published: February 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Positive association between weight-adjusted-waist index and dementia in the Chinese population with hypertension: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Wei , Xie Yanyou , Yu Chao , Yu Lingling , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu
Published: February 2023

Purpose
The links between obesity and dementia remain equivocal. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), a new anthropometric indicator reflecting obesity, and dementia in the Chinese population with hypertension.
Methods
A total of 10,289 participants with hypertension were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, a subset of the China H-type hypertension registry study. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (WC) divided by the square root of bodyweight. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale was performed to evaluate the cognitive function. According to educational background, different MMSE cut-off values were applied to define dementia: < 24 for participants with ≥ 7 years of education, < 20 for those with 1–6 years of education, and < 17 for illiterate participants. Multivariable linear regression and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between WWI and MMSE and dementia, respectively.
Results
Overall, the mean age was 63.7 ± 9.7 years, and 49.0% were males. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that WWI was negatively associated with MMSE (β, -1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.24, -0.94). Consistently, multivariable binary logistic regression analyses found a positive association between WWI and the risk of dementia (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% CI: 1.35, 1.56). Compared with individuals in quartile 1 of WWI, the adjusted β and OR values of WWI for MMSE and dementia were − 2.28 (95% CI: -2.62, -1.94) and 2.12 (95% CI: 1.81, 2.48), respectively. Results of smoothing curve fitting confirmed the linear association between WWI and MMSE and dementia. Subgroup analysis showed a stronger association between WWI and dementia in participants with hypertension with midday napping.
Conclusion
WWI was independently and positively associated with dementia among the population with hypertension, especially in those with midday napping. The data suggest that WWI may serve as a simple and effective tool for the assessment of the risk of dementia in clinical practice.
The lived experience of parents' challenges in a neonatal intensive care unit at Dilchora referral hospital, Ethiopia: a phenomenological study
Authors: Mohammed Aminu , Legesse Henok , Hailu Mickiale
Published: February 2023

Background:A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a special ward in a hospital that is important to save babies' lives when they are born early, have health problems, or have a difficult birth. Accordingly, parents face various challenges in such stressful conditions during their stay. Hence, this study was aimed at exploring the lived experiences of such parents.Methodology: A phenomenological qualitative study was undertaken in the Haramaya General Hospital, east Hararghe, Ethiopia, from September 1 to 30, 2022. Data was collected from purposively selected parents via in-depth interviews using a semi-structured tool, aided by a voice recorder and field notes. A thematic analysis done with an inductive approach goes through six steps: familiarization, coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up.Results:22 parents were interviewed and six themes have identified. Parents complained of psychological problems like anxiety, stress, worries, hopelessness, and a state of confusion. In addition, anger, crying, sadness, frustration, dissatisfaction, regret, disappointment, feeling bad, self-blaming, nervousness, disturbance, and lack of self-control were major emotional problems raised by the parents. Parents expressed that health care providers showed indiscipline, lack of commitment, and uncooperative behavior. Likewise, shortage of medicines, money, and limited time to visit their neonates were the other concerns of many parents. At the same time, parents were provided minimal information and limited cooperation from health care providers.Conclusion:Medical and non-medical services in the NICU can challenge parents' finances. Parents in the NICU face both emotional and psychological challenges related to the hospital, HCPs, society, and their own perceptions. Parents in the NICU have also been challenged by the hospital's miserably loud sounds or shouts. The hospital and health care professionals recommended expanding both medical and non-medical services in the NICU.
Women’s experience of the health information process involving a digital information tool before commencing radiation therapy for breast cancer: a deductive interview study
Authors: Grynne Annika , Wångdahl Josefin , Fristedt Sofi , Smith Frida , Browall Maria
Published: February 2023

Background
Women due to commence radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently request information throughout and after the treatment as a means to reduce distress. Nevertheless, the provision of information to meet individual needs from their level of health literacy is often overlooked. Thus, women’s information needs are often unmet, leading to reports of discontent. Internet and digital information technology has significantly augmented the available information and changed the way in which an individual person accesses and comprehends information. As health information is no longer explicitly obtained from healthcare professionals, it is essential to examine the sequences of the health information process in general, and in relation to health literacy. This paper reports on qualitative interviews, targeting women diagnosed with breast cancer who were given access to a health information technology tool, Digi-Do, before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment.
Methods
A qualitative research design, inspired by the integrated health literacy model, was chosen to enable critical reflection by the participating women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women with access to Digi-Do, in addition to receiving standard information (oral and written) before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment. A deductive thematic analysis process was conducted.
Results
The results demonstrate how knowledge, competence, and motivation influence women’s experience of the health information process. Three main themes were found: Meeting interactive and personal needs by engaging with health information; Critical recognition of sources of information; and Capability to communicate comprehended health information. The findings reflect the women’s experience of the four competencies: to access, understand, appraise, and apply, essential elements of the health information process.
Conclusions
We can conclude that there is a need for tailored health information technology tools, such as the Digi-Do, to enable iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiation therapy process. The Digi-Do can be seen as a valuable complement to the interpersonal communication with health care professionals, facilitating a better understanding, and enabling iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiotherapy treatment. This enhances a sense of preparedness before treatment started.
Major excursions in sulfur isotopes linked to permafrost change in Eurasia during the last 50,000 Years.
Authors: Stevens Rhiannon , Reade Hazel , Sayle Kerry , Tripp Jennifer , Frémondeau Delphine , Lister Adrian , Barnes Ian , Germonpré Mietje , Street Martin , Murton Julian , Bottrell Simon , Higham Thomas
Published: February 2023

Widespread permafrost thaw is underway as arctic regions warm at twice the rate of the global average. Greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide) released from thawing organic-rich permafrost soils contribute to a positive feedback loop that further accelerates global warming. There is an urgent need to understand the relationship between past permafrost conditions and palaeoclimatic change, to better predict present permafrost response to ongoing and future climate change. Through sulfur isotope analysis (δ34S) of radiocarbon-dated bone collagen samples spanning the last 50,000 years, we have identified what we term a high-magnitude Late Pleniglacial Sulfur Excursion (LPSE) in Eurasia. This anomaly is geographically widespread and several orders of magnitude higher than the sulfur isotope variation previously attributed to changing animal origin or diet alone. We show that a major change in the terrestrial sulfur cycle related to continental-scale environmental processes are, in this context, representing changing permafrost conditions. Sulfur isotope analysis of faunal samples offer an unrivalled prospect of developing high-resolution, tightly chronologically-constrained records of past permafrost change in relation to global climate changes. This would inform on the sensitivity of permafrost to past climate change, enabling constraints to be put on modelled responses of present‐day permafrost to future climate change. More broadly, our findings indicate animal δ34S values may reflect local environmental conditions, complicating the use of δ34S values as a tool for food origin, animal migration, and archaeological palaeodiet and mobility research.
Oncological Features and Prognosis of HIV-positive Colorectal Cancer: An analysis using propensity score matching
Authors: Yang Fuyu , Chen Defei , Woraikat Saed , Tang Chenglin , He Fan , Li Yao , Qian Kun
Published: February 2023

Background
The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in oncological features, surgical safety and prognosis between HIV positive CRC patients and HIV negative CRC patients with the same T stage and the same tumor site.
Patients and Methods
We collected a total of 24 patients with HIV infection combined with CRC who underwent radical resection of CRC. With the method of random stratified sampling, A total of 363 postoperative patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma without HIV infection were collected. After propensity score matching(PSM), we got 72 patients (HIV+∶HIV-=24∶48). The differences of perioperative serological indexes, surgical safety, oncological features and long-term prognosis were compared.
Results
Of 363 HIV negative CRC patients, 48 HIV negative patients were matched with 24 HIV positive patients. Compared with HIV negative patients, less HIV positive patients received chemotherapy, HIV+ patients had fewer preoperative leukocytes, fewer postoperative leukocytes, fewer preoperative lymphocytes, lower CEA, more intraoperative bleeding, more metastatic lymph nodes, higher N stage, higher TNM stage, shorter overall survival and shorter progression free survival.
Conclusion
Compared with HIV negative CRC patients, HIV positive patients with the same T stage and the same tumor site have more metastatic lymph nodes and worse long-term survival after surgery, but the risk of surgery will not increase.
FGFR2b is essential for salivary gland duct homeostasis and MAPK-dependent seromucous acinar cell differentiation
Authors: Aure Marit , Symonds Jennifer , Villapudua Carlos , Dodge Joshua , Werner Sabine , Knosp Wendy , Hoffman Matthew
Published: February 2023

Exocrine secretory acinar cells in salivary glands (SG) are critical for oral health and loss of functional acinar cells is a major clinical challenge. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) are essential for early development of multiple organs, including SG. However, the role of FGFR signaling in specific epithelial SG populations later in development and during acinar differentiation are unknown. Here, we predicted FGFR dependence in specific populations using scRNAseq data and conditional mouse models to delete FGFRs in vivo. We identifed essential roles for FGFRs in craniofacial and early SG development, as well as progenitor function during duct homeostasis. Importantly, we discovered that FGFR2b was critical for seromucous and serous acinar cell differentiation and secretory gene expression (Bpifa2 and Lpo) via MAPK signaling, while FGFR1b was dispensable. We show that FGF7, expressed by myoepithelial cells (MEC), activated the FGFR2b-dependent seromucous transcriptional program. We propose a model where MEC-derived FGF7 drives seromucous acinar differentiaton, providing a rationale for targeting FGFR2b signaling in regenerative therapies to restore acinar function.
Social Connectedness and Suicidal Ideation: The Roles of Perceived Burdensomeness and Thwarted Belongingness in the Distress to Suicidal Ideation Pathway
Authors: Gill Peter , Arena Michael , Rainbow Christopher , Hosking Warwick , Shearson Kim , Ivey Gavin , Sharples Jenny
Published: February 2023

Background:Suicide is a serious public health issue. Distress has been identified as a common risk factor, with research also suggesting that a lack of social connectedness is involved.
Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional study investigated the role of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness in the psychological distress/suicidal ideation pathwayin a community sample of 480 Australian adults.
Results: As expected, distress was found to be a strong predictor of suicidal ideation. Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness both moderated and mediated the relationship between distress and suicidal ideation. Specifically, distress was more strongly linked to suicide ideation when burdensomeness or thwarted belongingness were also high. This moderating effect was stronger for thwarted belongingness than it was for burdensomeness. These variables also mediated the pathway, in that higher distress related to higher burdensomeness and thwarted belonging, which in turn related to higher suicide ideation. This mediating effect was stronger for burdensomeness than for thwarted belonging.
Conclusions: Overall, the findings confirm the importance of our social relatedness in suicide. Increasing belongingness and reducing the perception of being a burden on others may be an important intervention strategy for weakening the link between distress and suicide ideation.
A dual role of osteopontin in modifying B cell responses
Authors: Chunder Rittika , Schropp Verena , Marzin Manuel , Amor Sandra , Kürten Stefanie
Published: February 2023

Background
The occurrence of B cell aggregates within the central nervous system (CNS) has prompted investigation of the potential sources of pathogenic B cell and T cell responses in a subgroup of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Nevertheless, the expression profile of molecules associated with these aggregates and their role in aggregate development and persistence is poorly described. Here, we focused on the expression pattern of osteopontin (OPN), which is a well described cytokine, in MS brain tissue.
Methods
Autopsied brain sections from MS cases with and without B cell pathology were screened for the presence of CD20+ B cell aggregates and co-expression of OPN. To demonstrate the effect of OPN on B cells flow cytometry, ELISA and in vitro aggregation assays were conducted using peripheral blood of healthy volunteers.
Results
Although OPN was expressed in MS brain tissue independent of B cell pathology, it was also highly expressed within B cell aggregates. In vitro studies demonstrated that OPN downregulated the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on B cells. Furthermore, OPN-treated B cells produced significantly lower amounts of IL-6. However, OPN-treated B cells also exhibited a higher tendency to form homotypic cell aggregates in vitro.
Conclusion
Taken together, our data indicate a conflicting role of OPN in modulating B cell responses.
Hot pressed PEEK/Graphite thin film laminate composites: Thermal properties and mechanical behavior
Authors: Sariyev Bakytzhan , Abdikadyr Alina , Baitikenov Temirlan , Anuarbekov Yerbolat , Golman Boris , Spitas Christos
Published: February 2023

This work studies high-performance laminate composite materials made of graphite and poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK). The composites were fabricated using a hot press method at a temperature below 310°C, and their structural, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated and discussed. SEM images of the laminate cross-section indicated a solid interfacial interaction between PEEK and graphite due to the high joining load. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that 3-layered PEEK/graphite/PEEK (PGP) and 5-layered PEEK/graphite/PEEK/graphite/PEEK (PG)2P composites had better thermal stability at high temperatures compared to neat PEEK. The mechanical properties tests showed that PGP had a higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) by 52% compared to neat graphite. However, adding another layer of graphite (PG)2P caused a decrease in UTS by 9.6% due to the higher volume fraction of graphite. The nanoindentation tests confirmed these findings: Young's modulus increased from 1.64 to 2.58 GPa, and the hardness increased from 0.164 to 0.178 GPa for PGP and (PG)2P, respectively. Additionally, XRD analysis indicated that the crystallinity of fabricated composites increased by 35.5% compared with pristine PEEK. The present study confirms that using PEEK and graphite sheets in composite fabrication through hot pressing improves thermal and mechanical properties.
The Multi-Omics Analyses of ACSL1 Reveal Its Translational Significance as a Tumor Microenvironmental and Prognostic Biomarker in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yang , Liang Jiayu , Zhao Junjie , Wang Xinyuan , Feng Dechao , Xu Hang , Shen Yu , Zhang Yaowen , Dai Jindong , Wang Zhipeng , Wei Qiang , Liu Zhenhua
Published: February 2023

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC) is the dominant subtype of kidney cancer. Dysregulation of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1(ACSL1) is strongly implicated in undesirable results in varieties of cancers. Nevertheless, the dysregulation and associated multi-omics characteristics of ACSL1 in ccRCC remain elusive.
Methods: We probed the mRNA and protein profiles of ACSL1 in RCC using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and verified them in our patient cohort and RCC cell lines. Correlations between ACSL1 expression and clinicopathological features, epigenetic modification and immune microenvironment characteristics were analyzed to reveal the multi-omics profile associated with ACSL1.
Results: ACSL1 was down-regulated in ccRCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Lower expression of ACSL1 was linked to unfavorable pathological parameters and prognosis. The dysregulation of ACSL1 was greatly ascribed to CpG island-associated methylation modification. The ACSL1 high-expression subgroup had enriched fatty acid metabolism-related pathways and high expression of ferroptosis-related genes. In contrast, the ACSL1 low-expression subgroup exhibited higher immune and microenvironment scores, elevated expression of immune checkpoints PDCD1, CTLA4, LAG3, and TIGIT, and higher TIDE scores. Using data from the GDSC database, we corroborated that down-regulation of ACSL1 was associated with higher sensitivity towards Erlotinib, Pazopanib, and PI3K-Akt-mTOR-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Conclusion: Taken together, our findings point to ACSL1 as a biomarker for prognostic prediction of ccRCC, identifying the tumor microenvironment (TME) phenotype, and even contributing to treatment decision-making in ccRCC patients.
Reliability of speech assessments in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease
Authors: Miglorini Elaine Cristina , Santos Vanessa Brzoskowski dos , Saraiva-Pereira Maria Luiza , Leotti Vanessa Bielefeldt , Olchik Maira Rozenfeld , Jardim Laura Bannach
Published: February 2023

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph Disease (SCA3/MJD) is a genetic disorder characterized by ataxic manifestations. Although dysarthria is the main symptom, validated assessments of speech and voice are lacking.
Objectives: We aimed to evaluate reliability of auditory-perceptual and acoustic assessments, collected in-person and by telephone calls, and to raise data on their external validity.
Methods: Symptomatic individuals were studied. Arm 1 studied test-retest reliability of in-person speech assessments; arm 2 studied reliability of in-person and remote evaluations. Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS)-adl, demographic, and molecular data were also obtained. The minimum kappa for the five perceptual variables under study to be considered reliable was set at 0.8. The minimum intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for the 45 acoustic-instrumental assessments under study to be considered reliable was 0.70, for a p <0.05.
Results: 17 and 20 subjects were included in arms 1 and 2, respectively. All five auditory-perceptual assessments and 30 acoustic-instrumental assessments were considered reliable for the standard in-person use. Four auditory-perceptual and four acoustic assessments have also achieved reliability for use in-person and/or by telephone. Three auditory-perceptual assessments (subsystems: phonation, respiration, and resonance) and two acoustic-instrumental assessments (subsystems: respiration and articulation) correlated with age and disease duration; phonation also correlated FARS-adl.
Discussion: A substantial number of assessments of speech were considered reliable for the standard in-person use in SCA3/MJD. Moreover, eight of them were also reliable when used either in-person or remotely. Our results support their use in future studies on this disease.
Time series causal relationships discovery through feature importance and ensemble models
Authors: Castro Manuel , Júnior Pedro Ribeiro Mendes , Soriano-Vargas Aurea , Werneck Rafael De Oliveira , Gonçalves Maiara , Filho Leopoldo Lusquino , Moura Renato , Zampieri Marcelo , Linares Oscar , Ferreira Vitor , Ferreira Alexandre , Davólio Alessandra , Schiozer Denis , Rocha Anderson
Published: February 2023

Inferring causal relationships from observational data is a key challenge when seeking to understand the interpretability of Machine Learning models. Given the ever increasing amount of observational data available in many areas, Machine Learning algorithms used for forecasting have increased their complexity, leading to a less understandable path of how a decision is made by the model. With this in mind, we propose leveraging ensemble models, e.g., Random Forest, to assess which input features the trained model pays more attention to when making a forecast and, in this way, establish causal relationships between the variables. The advantage of those algorithms is the possibility of obtaining the feature importance, which allows us to build the causal network. We apply our methods to estimate causality in time series for two domains: One climate dataset and two oil field production datasets. We aim to perform causal discovery, i.e., establish the existing connections between the variables in each dataset. Through an iterative process of improving the forecasting of a target’s value, we evaluate whether the forecasting improves by adding information from a new potential driver; if so, we state that the driver causally affects the target. On the oil field related datasets, the results we obtained based on causal analysis agree with the interwell connections already confirmed by tracer information; for the cases when the tracer data are available, we used it as our ground truth. This agreement between both estimated and confirmed connections provides us the confidence about the effectiveness of our proposed methodology. To our knowledge this is the first time causal analysis using solely production data is employed to discover interwell connections in an oil field related dataset.
The feasibility and effectiveness of auricular acupressure on managing sleep quality, mood status, and quality of life in parents of children with cancer
Authors: Chiang Yi-Chien , Chen Shih-Hsiang , Moser Debra K. , Wen Yu-Chuan , Lin Yu-Ting
Published: February 2023

Purpose
To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of an auricular acupressure intervention on sleep, mood state, and quality of life (QOL) among parents of children with cancer.
Methods
In this pilot study, 35 parents were assigned to 3-weeks of an active acupressure intervention (AAG) or a sham acupressure group (SAG). Feasibility was assessed by adherence to acupressure protocol. Instruments used to test outcomes were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Profile of Mood States, and QOL-Short-Form.
Results
Adherence to the protocol was 78%. There were no differences between the groups in overall sleep quality or mood state, but QOL in the Physical Component Summary was better in the AAG at time 1. There were differences on some QOL subscales. Parents in AAG had better Physical Functioning and General Health subscales than SAG at time 1 and time 2, respectively.
Conclusion
Likely due to small sample size, AAG and SAG did not differ in overall sleep quality, mood state, or QOL, but there were significant subscale differences that support intervention effectiveness. A fully powered large-scale trial is needed to determine if this intervention will be effective in parents. Reducing symptom distress and improving QOL in parents of children with cancer is essential. Interventions to achieve this goal must be tested.
Assessment of exercise-induced stress via automated measurement of salivary cortisol concentrations and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio
Authors: Tsunekawa Katsuhiko , Shoho Yoshifumi , Ushiki Kazumi , Yanagawa Yoshimaro , Matsumoto Ryutaro , Shimoda Nozomi , Aoki Tomoyuki , Yoshida Akihiro , Nakajima Kiyomi , Kimura Takao , Murakami Masami
Published: February 2023

In this study, our aim was to validate whether the automated measurement of salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and the testosterone-to-cortisol (T/C) ratio considering their individual circadian rhythms can be used to assess the stress response of male athletes to different exercise intensities accurately and effectively. We measured the salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and their respective serum concentrations that were collected from 20 male long-distance runners via passive drooling in the morning and evening for two consecutive days involving different exercise intensities. An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was performed to evaluate the salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations. The results showed a positive correlation between the salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and their respective serum concentrations. The participants were divided into high-intensity and low-intensity exercise groups. The high-intensity exercise group showed a significantly higher rate of change in the salivary cortisol concentration and significantly lower rate of change in the T/C ratio in the evening of day 1. Our results indicated that the automated assessment of salivary cortisol concentrations and the T/C ratio could distinguish between exercises at different intensities, which may be beneficial for detecting differences in stress responses among athletes.
Effect of nitrogen content on corrosion behavior of a high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Qiao Yanxin , Gao Fengyin , Chen Jian , Yang lanlan , Zhou Huiling , Zheng Zhibin , Zhang Lianmin
Published: February 2023

A series of electrochemical tests combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to study the effect of nitrogen content on the composition and structure of passive film of a high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel (HNSS) in 0.5 mol/L sodium chloride solution and its corrosion performance. The results showed that the proportion of low-angle grain boundaries in the HNSS increased with the increase of nitrogen content. Electrochemical results suggested that the HNSS with a higher nitrogen content had a lower corrosion current density in 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution and thus a lower corrosion rate. This was attributable to the formation of higher proportion of stable oxides (i.e., Cr2O3) in the passive film, accelerating the passivation process and promoting the corrosion resistance.
“I can’t see anything but upside”: A qualitative study of clients’ experiences on North America’s first take-home injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) program
Authors: Oviedo-Joekes Eugenia , Dobischok Sophia , Carvajal José , MacDonald Scott , McDermid Cheryl , Klakowicz Piotr , Harrison Scott , Lajeunesse Julie , Chow Nancy , Brown Murray , Gill Sam , Schechter Martin
Published: February 2023

Background

To support public health measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, oral opioid agonist treatment (OAT) take-home doses were expanded in Western countries with positive results. Injectable OAT (iOAT) take-home doses, which were previously not recommended, were made available for the first time in several sites to align with public health measures. Building upon these temporary risk-mitigating guidelines, a clinic in Vancouver, BC continued to offer two of a possible three daily doses of take-home injectable medications to eligible clients. The present study explores the processes through which take-home iOAT doses improved clients’ quality of life and continuity of care in real-life settings.

Methods

Three rounds of semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted over a period of seventeen months beginning in July 2021 with eleven participants receiving iOAT take-home doses at a community clinic in Vancouver, BC. Interviews followed a topic guide that evolved iteratively in response to emerging lines of inquiry. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded using NVivo 1.6.

Results

Participants reported that take-home doses granted them the freedom away from the clinic to have daily routines, form plans, and enjoy unstructured time. Participants appreciated the greater privacy, accessibility, and ability to engage in paid work. Furthermore, participants enjoyed greater autonomy to manage their medication and level of engagement with the clinic. These factors contributed to greater quality of life and continuity of care. Participants shared that their dose was too essential to divert and that they felt safe transporting and administering their medication off-site. In the future, participants would like to access longer take-home prescriptions, the ability to pick-up at different and convenient community pharmacies, and a medication delivery service.

Conclusions

Reducing the number of daily onsite injections from two or three to only one revealed the diversity of rich and nuanced needs that added flexibility and accessibility in iOAT can meet. Urgent action such as policy reform and licencing diverse opioid medications/formulations is necessary to make these measures permanent and meet the varied needs and preferences of OUD clients.
Factors influencing the acceptance or rejection of dietary and body norm systems favorable to the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes among Sub-Saharan Africa migrants: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Ntanda Gisèle Mandiangu , Sia Drissa , Beogo Idrissa , Baillot Aurélie , Tchouaket Eric Nguemeleu
Published: February 2023

Background: The number of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing worldwide. The prevalence rate of this disease is generally higher in the migrant population compared to the general population. However significant inequalities in the prevalence of T2D are notable between and within migrant populations. Among them, migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, South America and South Asia are more affected than those of European origin. The act of eating and the corporality play an essential role in the development of this disease. Dietary and body norms systems favorable to the prevention and control of type 2 go against what is vital for most of these people, exposing them to conflicts of norms that are difficult to reconcile.
Objectif: to identify factors that may influence the acceptance or rejection of dietary and body norm systems favorable to the prevention and control of T2D by Sub-Saharan Africa migrants living with T2D.
Materials and methods: Scoping review according to the steps described by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) will be conducted. An electronic search of studies from 2011 to 2022, published English, Italian, French or in Portuguese will be conducted in eight databases (CINAHL, Cochrane library, Embase, Google Scholar, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences). The grey literature including publication in Open Grey database and Website of non-governmental organizations working on migrant from Sub-Saharan Africa will be searched. All articles related to body norms, dietary behaviors, or determinants of body behaviors and dietary of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and those related to factors that influence acceptance or rejection of dietary and body norms systems favorable to the prevention and control of T2D among the migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa living with T2D or at risk to develop this disease will be included. This scoping review will be reported following the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for interventional Trials (SPIRIT) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
Results: The results will focus on factors influencing the acceptance or rejection of dietary and body norms systems favorable to the prevention and control of T2D among the migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa living with T2D or at risk to develop it.
When psychiatry goes to school: a qualitative study on the increase of psychiatric care in middle schools in the state of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Pietrobon Tania , Digiovanni Madeline , Michel Alexandre , Moro Marie-Rose , Benoit Laelia
Published: February 2023

Introduction:
Brazilian education follows an inclusion model of special education and utilizes school-based mental health centers, leading to the medicalization of student concerns and raising questions about the link between schooling and children’s psychopathology. How do professionals in the education sector define their roles regarding students’ mental health?
Methods:
Twenty-one semi-directive interviews were conducted between March and June 2018 in five schools and two universities in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.
Results:
We identified three overarching domains: 1) a reported increase in the number of students with a psychiatric diagnosis, 2) teachers’ discourse on the influence of inclusive education policies on their daily practice, and 3) how socioeconomic differences drive selective medicalization of student concerns.
Conclusion:
In Brazil, selective medicalization has evolved differently in the public and private school systems, reinforcing inequalities already present in care and education.
Resetting the Baseline: Using Machine Learning to Find Lost Meadows
Authors: Cummings Adam K. , Pope Karen L. , Mak Gilbert
Published: February 2023

Context.
Mountain meadows occur in specific geomorphological conditions where low-gradient topography promotes fine sediment accumulation and high groundwater tables. Over 150 years of human-caused hydrological degradation of meadows along with fire suppression has resulted in decreased groundwater elevations and encroachment of upland vegetation, greatly diminishing the ecological value of meadows for water storage, baseflow, sediment capture, wildfire resistance, wildlife habitat, and carbon storage.
Objectives.
We aimed to understand where and how frequently meadows historically occurred to reset the baseline condition and provide insight into their restoration potential. We trained machine learning algorithms to identify potential meadow areas with similar hydrogeomorphic conditions to extant meadows while ignoring their unique vegetative characteristics since we hypothesized that vegetation would change but geomorphology would remain.
Methods.
We used a publicly available dataset of over 11,000 hand-digitized meadow polygons occurring within a 25,300 km2, 60-watershed region in the Sierra Nevada, California USA to train random forest models to detect meadow-like hydrogeomorphic conditions. Predictor variables represented topographical position, flow accumulation, climate, and topographical relief at differing scales. We assessed model performance and produced maps delineating high probability meadow polygons.
Results.
Our findings showed that there is 2.6 to 8.3 times more potential meadow habitat than currently documented. The predicted area includes a mixture of existing but undocumented meadows, non-meadow habitats that may have converted from meadows due to lost function and forest encroachment, and areas with meadow-like geomorphology that may never have been meadows. The polygons encompassing predicted meadows often expanded existing meadows habitats into adjacent areas with continuous topography, but with upland vegetation and incised channels.
Conclusions.
Using readily available data and accessible statistical techniques, we demonstrate the accuracy of a tool to detect about five times more historical meadows than currently recognized within a complex, mountainous landscape. This “found” area greatly increases the potential area that could be subject to meadow restoration with benefits for biodiversity, wildfire management, carbon sequestration, and water storage.
Hybrid origin and status of the endangered Ilex sanqingshanensis revealed by molecular and morphological evidence
Authors: Liu Wei-li , Li Dan-qi , Zou Yi-ping , Hao Ming-zhuo , Zhang Zhi-yong , Fan Deng-mei , Yang Yi
Published: February 2023

Identification of natural hybrids considered as endangered species is of vital importance in biodiversity conservation and taxonomy, as natural hybrids will usually waste the conservation resource and obscure the divergences between distinct species. During the field surveys in the Sanqing Mountain, we found the endangered endemic species,Ilex sanqingshanensis, strictly co-occurred withI.ficoideaandI.pernyiand then supposed a hybrid origin for this taxon. Combing the molecular analyses of ITS and cpDNA (petA-psbJ + psbA-trnH) with the morphological analyses of eight leaf characters, we confirmed this taxon to be a hybrid betweenI.ficoideaandI.pernyiand accepted it asI. ×sanqingshanensis. Despite the presence of intermediacy in morphology, this hybrid is sharply distinct from the two parents in all tested traits, misleading the botanists to treat it as a species. Considering the inadequacies of morphological distinctions in distinguishing holly hybrids, we have emphasized the necessity of molecular evidence for erectingIlexspecies.
Tailoring the Performance of Nanocellulose-based Multilayer-Barrier Paperboard using Biodegradable-Thermoplastics, Pigments, and Plasticizers
Authors: Koppolu Rajesh , Lahti Johanna , Abitbol Tiffany , Aulin Christian , Kuusipalo Jurkka , Toivakka Martti
Published: February 2023

In this work a multilayer barrier paperboard was produced in a roll-to-roll process by slot-die coating of nanocellulose (microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF)) followedby extrusion coating of biodegradable thermoplastics (polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polybutylene succinate (PBS)). Hyperplaty kaolin pigments were blended in different ratios into nanocellulose to tailor the barrier properties of the multilayer structure and to study their influence on adhesion to the thermoplastic top layer. Influence of a plasticizer (glycerol) on flexibility and barrier performance of the multilayer structure was also examined.Water vapor permeance for the multilayer paperboard was below that of control single-layer thermoplastic materials, and oxygen permeance of the coated structure was similar or lower than that of pure nanocellulose films. Glycerol as a plasticizer further lowered the oxygen permeance and kaolin addition improved the adhesion at the nanocellulose/thermoplastic interface.The results provide insight into the role played by nanocelluloses, thermoplastics, pigments, and plasticizers on the barrier properties when these elements are processed together into multilayer structures, and paves the way for industrial production of sustainable packaging.
Multi-Objective Optimization Scheduling of Integrated Energy System Interval Under Multiple Uncertainty Environment
Authors: Zhao Lin , Hou Yixin , Jiang Haiwei , Liu Guangshuo , Yang Fangyuan
Published: February 2023

To solve influence of the uncertainty in integrated energy system on dispatch plan, a interval multi-objective optimization dispatch method of integrated energy system under multiple uncertain factors is proposed. Firstly, interval mathematics is used to describe multiple uncertain factors in the system, such as efficiency of multi-energy coupling unit, demand response, and electricity substitution; secondly, considering the efficient use of energy, the economics of system operation and difference in energy quality, optimize the operation of the system with goal of lowest system operating cost and highest exergy efficiency; finally, based on interval multi-objective linear programming method, an interval multi-objective optimization scheduling technique of integrated energy system under multiple uncertain factors is established. Case analysis shows that proposed multi-objective optimization scheduling method can take economics of system operation and exergy efficiency into account, and effectively improve the system's ability to deal with multiple uncertainties.