bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly in Jaffna district of Sri Lanka
Authors: Santhalingam Sathees , Sivagurunathan Sivayogan , Prathapan Shamini , Kanagasabai Sivapalan , Kamalarupan Luxmi
Published: August 2022

Globally, the proportion of the elderly is increasing. In comparison to other Southeast Asian countries, Sri Lanka’s population is rapidly aging. The elderly are a vulnerable age group that requires special attention to live a long and healthy life. As, there was a scarcity of data on the elderly’s quality of life, studying the level of quality of life and the associated factors of the elderly in the Jaffna district will provide insight into how to plan interventions to improve the elderly’s overall well-being in Jaffna District and Sri Lanka as well. The study aimed to determine the quality of life of the elderly in the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka and to study the association of socioeconomic factors with the quality of life. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 813 community-dwelling elderly in the Jaffna District of Sri Lanka. Socio-economic characteristics were recorded by way of a structured questionnaire. The WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire was used to assess quality of life in four domains: physical health, psychological, social participation and the environment. The statistical Package of Social Science Software (SPSS) version 21 was used to analyse the data. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were applied, p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Among the four QOL domains, the mean (SD) score for an environmental domain was (12.1±2.1), (12.0±2.8) for the psychological domain, (11.8±2.3) for the physical health domain, and (10.1±3.0) for the social relationship domain. Factors significantly associated with all domains of QOL included marital status, level of education, living arrangement, employment, level of income, income adequacy and ownership of the house. Furthermore, age, sex, religion, number of children, and presence of monthly income, were significantly associated with at least one domain of QOL of the elderly. According to these findings, the QOL of the elderly in the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka seems low. And it was associated with multiple socio-economic factors. Interventions to improve the QOL of the elderly are anticipated with a higher emphasis on social relationship for the elderly.
Characterizing eye-gaze positions of people with severe motor dysfunction: Novel scoring metrics using eye-tracking and video analysis
Authors: Okamoto Mari , Kojima Ryosuke , Ueda Akihiko , Suzuki Machiko , Okuno Yasushi
Published: August 2022

Nonverbal communication with people who have physical disabilities is difficult. Eye-tracking technologies have recently been developed and applied to help people with physical disabilities in their communication. However, the eye-gaze patterns of people with severe motor dysfunction (SMD) have not been analyzed in detail. To clarify characterization of people with SMD, we aimed to develop gaze position-based evaluation metrics and analyze detailed eye-gaze patterns of people with SMD. We developed two new scoring metrics: (1) saliency score based on three saliency maps—spectral residual (SR), fine grained (FG), and motion (Mo); and (2) the distance score, which represents to what extent people can chase an object in a video. The evaluation was performed on 102 participants, consisting of 35 subjects with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD; SMD with IQ < 20), 19 with severe physical disabilities (SPD; SMD with IQ ≥ 20), and 48 healthy individuals. We observed that two saliency scores (SR and FG) and the distance score showed significant differences between the PIMD/SPD and healthy groups for the entire video, whereas Mo scores did not. Moreover, the distance score was analyzed separately for each scene, where scenes were categorized into three patterns—running, explanation, and hiding—according to the behavior of the moving objects. In the SPD and healthy groups, the explanation scenes accounted for the highest percentage of all scenes with the best distance score (63.6% and 61.9%, respectively), whereas in the PIMD group, the running scenes accounted for the highest percentage (54.5%). In conclusion, the new metrics were successful in quantitatively assessing the gaze responsiveness of people with SMD, which could not be assessed using a conventional metric, gaze-acquisition time. This study is expected to expand the possibilities of nonverbal communication using eye-tracking devices for people with SMD.
Comparative study between radiofrequency-induced and muscimol-induced inhibition of cultured networks of cortical neuron
Authors: Lemercier Clément E. , Garenne André , Poulletier de Gannes Florence , El Khoueiry Corinne , Arnaud-Cormos Delia , Levêque Philippe , Lagroye Isabelle , Percherancier Yann , Lewis Noëlle
Published: August 2022

Previous studies have shown that spontaneously active cultured networks of cortical neuron grown planar microelectrode arrays are sensitive to radiofrequency (RF) fields and exhibit an inhibitory response more pronounced as the exposure time and power increase. To better understand the mechanism behind the observed effects, we aimed at identifying similarities and differences between the inhibitory effect of RF fields (continuous wave, 1800 MHz) to the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor agonist muscimol (MU). Inhibition of the network bursting activity in response to RF exposure became apparent at an SAR level of 28.6 W/kg and co-occurred with an elevation of the culture medium temperature of ~1°C. Exposure to RF fields preferentially inhibits bursting over spiking activity and exerts fewer constraints on neural network bursting synchrony, differentiating it from a pharmacological inhibition with MU. Network rebound excitation, a phenomenon relying on the intrinsic properties of cortical neurons, was observed following the removal of tonic hyperpolarization after washout of MU but not in response to cessation of RF exposure. This implies that hyperpolarization is not the main driving force mediating the inhibitory effects of RF fields. At the level of single neurons, network inhibition induced by MU and RF fields occurred with reduced action potential (AP) half-width. As changes in AP waveform strongly influence efficacy of synaptic transmission, the narrowing effect on AP seen under RF exposure might contribute to reducing network bursting activity. By pointing only to a partial overlap between the inhibitory hallmarks of these two forms of inhibition, our data suggest that the inhibitory mechanisms of the action of RF fields differ from the ones mediated by the activation of GABAAreceptors.
An optimized method of extracting and quantifying active Neutrophil serine proteases from human whole blood cells
Authors: Basso Jessica , Zhang Jimin , Lasala Daniel , Rose Sasha J. , Chen Kuan-Ju , Cipolla David
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) are implicated in numerous inflammatory diseases. Thus, a robust methodology to monitor and quantify NSPs is important to study disease progression and evaluate the effect of pharmacological interventions. A comparison of the various methods used to extract NSPs from neutrophil granulocytes has not been published, providing the impetus to conduct this method optimization and comparison study.

Methods

Two NSP recovery methodologies were evaluated on samples from five human donors: zymosan stimulation and cell pellet extraction. For the zymosan stimulation method, 1 mL donor blood was added to zymosan and samples were incubated at 37°C for 30 min while shaking. Samples were then centrifuged, and the plasma was collected for quantitation of NSP activity. For the cell pellet extraction procedure, 2 mL whole blood samples were centrifuged into white blood cell pellets following red blood cell lysis. To each pellet, three sequential lysis steps were performed using either 0.05% Nonidet P-40 Substitute (NP40) or 0.02% Triton X-100 lysis buffers under agitation followed by centrifugation. NSP activities were quantified using an exogenous peptide substrate specific to each of the three NSPs being analyzed: neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, and proteinase 3.

Results and discussion

The zymosan stimulation method resulted in lower recovery of active NSPs and was unable to stimulate significant release of active cathepsin G. In contrast, the NP40 pellet extraction method showed consistent inter-donor NSP release with greater recoveries of active NSPs than the Triton method or the zymosan stimulation method. Overall, the pellet extraction procedure provided 13.3-fold greater recovery of active neutrophil elastase, 283-fold greater recovery of active cathepsin G, and 2.9-fold greater recovery of active proteinase 3 than the zymosan method.

Conclusion

The NP40 cell pellet extraction method resulted in greater extraction of active NSPs compared to the other methods investigated here, which may allow for a more accurate and complete biomarker profile when evaluating human clinical samples.
Welfare state decommodification and population health
Authors: Jacques Olivier , Noël Alain
Published: August 2022

A generous welfare state decommodifies social relations and frees citizens from relying excessively on markets. We argue that decommodification is associated with population health in two ways: directly, as it provides better social protection to households and indirectly, as it mitigates health-damaging labour market polarization and reduces the incidence of labour market risks. Using time-series cross-sectional quantitative analysis for 21 OECD countries from 1971 to 2010, we observe a negative relationship between decommodification and the age-standardized death rate. We then analyze three correlates of decommodification—income redistribution, labour market polarization and the reduction of labour market risk incidence—and find that only the latter two are associated with population health. Higher labour market polarization, measured by the share of market income allocated to the richest decile relative to the share of the poorest decile, is associated with a higher death rate. A new measure of risk reduction, the degree to which the welfare state reduces the prevalence of large income losses, is also associated with lower death rates, especially for men. Welfare state decommodification thus contributes to population health directly, and indirectly, via the attenuation of labour market polarization and the mitigation of labour market risks.
Chloroquine alleviates the heat-induced to injure via autophagy and apoptosis mechanisms in skin cell and mouse models
Authors: Tang Sheau-Chung , Ko Jiunn-Liang , Lu Chun-Te , Leong Pui-Ying , Ou Chu-Chyn , Hsu Chih-Ting , Hsiao Yu-Ping
Published: August 2022

Burns can cause cell death and irreversible tissue damage. We examined the pathway of human dermis fibroblasts cell death caused by skin burns and the roles of chloroquine in human skin keratinocytes HaCaT wound healing. Western blot assays were performed to assess expression of proteins associated with autophagy, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in skin cells following burns. Changes in apoptosis-related proteins were assessed using flow cytometry, and wound cell migration was examined using wound healing assays. The burn animal model was used to test whether chloroquine would promote wound healing. In human burned fibroblasts, expression of LC3B-II and Cleave-caspase-7 was increased, whereas expression of Beclin-1, p62, and Grp78 was decreased. Severe burn induced ER stress and ERK phosphorylation, but PD98059 or necrostatin-1 treatment cells did not affect expression of autophagy LC3B-II protein and can induce apoptosis. Even though added with TGF-β and FGF did not repair autophagy caused by burns. Suggesting that autophagy and apoptosis were involved in heat-injured mechanism. Recombinant Wnt3a protein can help restore expression of β-catenin which reduced following burns in keratinocytes. Wnt3a protein can promote migration of keratinocytes after burns. Interesting, chloroquine increased expression of LC3B-II protein and restored cell migration activity after 24 h of burns. Consistently, surgical dressing containing chloroquine promoted wound healing in a burn animal mode. Autophagy and Wnt/β-catenin is two signalling pathways that participate in cell repair and wound healing in human fibroblasts, keratinocytes. Surgical dressing containing chloroquine can recover wound healing in burned rats.
Human genotype-to-phenotype predictions: Boosting accuracy with nonlinear models
Authors: Medvedev Aleksandr , Mishra Sharma Satyarth , Tsatsorin Evgenii , Nabieva Elena , Yarotsky Dmitry
Published: August 2022

Genotype-to-phenotype prediction is a central problem of human genetics. In recent years, it has become possible to construct complex predictive models for phenotypes, thanks to the availability of large genome data sets as well as efficient and scalable machine learning tools. In this paper, we make a threefold contribution to this problem. First, we ask if state-of-the-art nonlinear predictive models, such as boosted decision trees, can be more efficient for phenotype prediction than conventional linear models. We find that this is indeed the case if model features include a sufficiently rich set of covariates, but probably not otherwise. Second, we ask if the conventional selection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by genome wide association studies (GWAS) can be replaced by a more efficient procedure, taking into account information in previously selected SNPs. We propose such a procedure, based on a sequential feature importance estimation with decision trees, and show that this approach indeed produced informative SNP sets that are much more compact than when selected with GWAS. Finally, we show that the highest prediction accuracy can ultimately be achieved by ensembling individual linear and nonlinear models. To the best of our knowledge, for some of the phenotypes that we consider (asthma, hypothyroidism), our results are a new state-of-the-art.
Does sex of the jockey influence racehorse physiology and performance
Authors: Schrurs Charlotte , Dubois Guillaume , Van Erck-Westergren Emmanuelle , Gardner David S.
Published: August 2022

The racing industry is supported by a predominance of female stablehands and work riders, but few become professional jockeys. Female jockeys have recently had notable race success. No study has assessed whether the sex of the rider may subtly influence racehorse physiology to affect performance. Here, using a validated exercise tracking system (the ‘Equimetre’™) that records many physiological parameters simultaneously, this study characterised racehorse cardiovascular (heart rate, heart rate recovery) and biomechanical (stride length and frequency) parameters at various exercise intensities (slow canter to hard gallop) to address the question whether any parameter varied according to sex of the rider. A total of 530 Thoroughbreds, varying in age (2–7 years old) and sex (including geldings), from one racing yard in Australia, completed a total of 3,568 exercise sessions, monitored by a single trainer, on varying track surfaces (sand, turf, or fibre). Different work riders,103 in total (male, n = 66; female, n = 37) of which n = 43 were current or past registered professional jockeys, participated in the study. Data were analysed using analysis of variation (ANOVA) or mixed-effect models, as appropriate. Sex of the rider did not influence (P > 0.05) racehorse speed nor stride length at any training intensity. Racehorse heart rate and peak heart rate increased with training intensity (P < .001), with no difference according to sex of rider (P > 0.05). Racehorse heart rate recovery was influenced by sex of the rider, but only at the extremes of the reversed, usual training intensity on each surface (e.g. heart rate after galloping on sand was significantly lower with male riders, P = 0.03). Finally, analysis of 52,464 race results indicated a similar chance of a top-three placing for male and female jockeys. In conclusion, this study, using objectively obtained data, demonstrates for the first time no overt effect of the rider’s sex on racehorse physiology in training and performance in racing. Such data could encourage greater female participation in racing and improve access of female jockeys to better quality mounts in racing events.
Short-term responses of small mammal diversity to varying stand-scale patterns of retention tree patches
Authors: Sultaire Sean M. , Kroll Andrew J. , Verschuyl Jake , Roloff Gary J.
Published: August 2022

Retention forestry is a common practice for biodiversity conservation in forests managed for wood production. Retention forestry often leaves unharvested patches of trees that vary in size and spatial pattern but experiments evaluating the effects of different retention patch configurations at a constant level of retention are lacking for many regions and taxonomic groups. We implemented an experimental study in clearcut conifer stands with retention across the U.S. Pacific Northwest region. The study consisted of five stand-level (11–55 ha) experimental treatments each replicated 10 times within a randomized complete block design, resulting in 50 treated stands. Retained tree density was comparable across treatments but size, number, and location (upland or riparian) of patches within stands varied among the five treatments. Within experimental treatments, we measured small mammal (<1kg) species and functional trait (i.e., body size, diet, activity stratum) richness in retention patches, surrounding harvested portions of stands, and nearby unharvested stands. We evaluated species and functional trait richness by treatment using generalized linear mixed-effects models and species-specific responses to retention placement using a community occupancy model. We obtained repeat captures of 21 species of small mammals but found limited evidence of a treatment effect on species richness, and no differences in functional trait richness. Species richness was highest where all retained trees were aggregated into one patch placed adjacent to a forested riparian buffer (mean = 6.6 species, 95% CI = 5.7–7.5), and lowest in the treatment containing one retention patch in the upland portion of a harvested stand (mean = 4.7 species, 95% CI = 3.8–5.6). Furthermore, estimates of species richness within retention patches of harvested stands (i.e., not considering species in harvested areas) did not differ among treatments, indicating that the slightly elevated species richness in riparian-associated retention results from 1–2 species in these patches that do not occur in adjacent harvested portions of each treated stand. Patch occupancy of several species was higher in riparian patches than harvested portions of the treated stands, and fewer species had higher occupancy in upland patches compared to harvested portions of treated stands. Our results indicated that at retention densities currently required in Oregon and Washington, the location of retention patches had a small influence on stand-scale measures of small mammal diversity, but local increases in species richness may be obtained by retaining trees adjacent to riparian buffers.
Mitochondrial calcium buffering depends upon temperature and is associated with hypothermic neuroprotection against hypoxia-ischemia injury
Authors: Sosunov Sergey , Bhutada Arnav , Niatsetskaya Zoya , Starkov Anatoly , Ten Vadim
Published: August 2022

Hypothermia (HT) is a standard of care in the management of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI). However, therapeutic mechanisms of HT are not well understood. We found that at the temperature of 32°C, isolated brain mitochondria exhibited significantly greater resistance to an opening of calcium-induced permeability transition pore (mPTP), compared to 37°C. Mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity (mCBC) was linearly and inversely dependent upon temperature (25°C—37°C). Importantly, at 37°C cyclosporine A did not increase mCBC, but significantly increased mCBC at lower temperature. Because mPTP contributes to reperfusion injury, we hypothesized that HT protects brain by improvement of mitochondrial tolerance to mPTP activation. Immediately after HI-insult, isolated brain mitochondria demonstrated very poor mCBC. At 30 minutes of reperfusion, in mice recovered under normothermia (NT) or HT, mCBC significantly improved. However, at four hours of reperfusion, only NT mice exhibited secondary decline of mCBC. HT-mice maintained their recovered mCBC and this was associated with significant neuroprotection. Direct inverted dependence of mCBC upon temperature in vitro and significantly increased mitochondrial resistance to mPTP activation after therapeutic HT ex vivo suggest that hypothermia-driven inhibition of calcium-induced mitochondrial mPTP activation mechanistically contributes to the neuroprotection associated with hypothermia.
The barriers and facilitators of HIV-exposed infant testing as perceived by HIV-positive mothers in Botswana: A qualitative study
Authors: Karugaba Grace , Simpson Jennifer , Mathuba Bathusi , Phoi Onkemetse , Regonamanye Thato , Mathuba Keofentse , Dintwa Eldah , Nkomo Bornapate , Ramaabya Dinah , Pule Mathabo Relebohile , Matshaba Mogomotsi
Published: August 2022

Background

Despite high rates of HIV testing and enrolment of HIV-positive pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in Botswana, coverage for HIV-exposed infant (HEI) testing remains suboptimal. Many factors can contribute to suboptimal HEI testing rates, but they have seldom been thoroughly investigated in Botswana. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of HIV-positive mothers on the barriers and facilitators of HEI testing to inform interventions to promote HEI testing in Botswana.

Methods

We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with HIV-positive mothers who gave birth in 2016 at the three largest public hospitals in Botswana. FGDs were held in Maun, Francistown, and Gaborone from September 2019 to March 2020. The maximum variation sampling method was used to select the participants using information that was abstracted from birth registers and other medical records at the study sites. Mothers were asked to describe their HEI testing experiences, what made it easy or difficult for them to return the HEI for testing, and what needs to be done to improve HEI testing in Botswana. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data.

Results

Fifteen FGDs with 142 mothers (aged 21–52 years) were held. Participants identified several facilitators to HEI testing, including a mother with adequate knowledge of PMTCT, intensive tracking of HEI by healthcare workers (HCWs), positive attitudes of HCWs toward clients, and social support from significant others. Staff shortages at health care facilities, frequent stock-outs of HIV test kits, fear of stigma, fear of positive test results for the child, and transportation challenges were identified as key barriers to HEI testing. Increasing staffing at healthcare facilities, having adequate supplies of HIV test kits, enhanced HEI tracking, easing access to HEI testing services in rural areas, and providing quality PMTCT education were among the proposed interventions to promote HEI testing.

Conclusion

Optimizing HEI testing in Botswana will require multi-level interventions at the policy, health system, community, interpersonal, and individual levels.
The impact of long-term care needs on the socio-economic deprivation of older people and their families: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Martarelli Rossella , Casanova Georgia , Lamura Giovanni
Published: August 2022

Major global problems such as population ageing, long-term care and the socio-economic burden of chronically ill older people and their families are urgent issues. Research in this field contributes to the growing international literature on health-related quality-of-life instruments, but little is known about the links between the related variables. Thus, the scoping review this protocol refers to plans to examine the socio-economic consequences of older people’s poor health on their economic conditions and their families. In particular, the main aims are: a) to map the main concepts that characterize the body of the reference literature; b) to identify conceptual gaps or unexplored research areas to be addressed; c) to illuminate the difficulties that affect a large number of families with older members to care for, with particular attention to the concept of socio-economic deprivation, which includes material living conditions as well as social aspects (e.g. in the form of loneliness experienced as a consequence of health disorders). This protocol paper fulfils the purpose of clarifying the planned methodological phases, including the sub-phases, and listing the techniques used. A three-step approach is being applied, consisting of: pre-planning phase, protocol phase, and conduction and reporting phase. The preliminary stages of the protocol design are part of a dedicated project within the Open Science Framework platform and included in a Research Square preprint. This proposed project will contribute to multidisciplinary research on the connections between ill health and poverty, and could support critical reflections on the current evidence and guide future policies to alleviate this double burden.
Comparisons of home-based arts engagement across three national lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic in England
Authors: Mak Hei Wan , Bu Feifei , Fancourt Daisy
Published: August 2022

Between March 2020 and March 2021, the United Kingdom (UK) experienced three lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the evident association between arts engagement and wellbeing, this study was designed to compare the predictors and patterns of home-based arts engagement during these lockdowns. Data analysed in this study were from the UK COVID-19 Social Study run by University College London. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify predictors of arts engagement and compare (i) respondents’ engagement levels during the first lockdown in April/May 2020 and their levels in pre-pandemic times (N = 23,086), (ii) their engagement levels during the second lockdown in November/December 2020 with their levels during the first lockdown (N = 11,481), and (iii) their engagement levels during the third lockdown in January/February 2021 with their levels during the first lockdown (N = 13,270). During first lockdown, 1 in 4 increased their arts engagement and 1 in 6 decreased it. Of those who increased, 2 in 5 maintained or further increased their engagement in subsequent lockdowns, but just 7% of those who had decreased their engagement increased it. Younger adults (aged 18–29) showed initial increases in first lockdown, whilst people who were not employed and those with a physical health condition showed decreases and people with a mental health condition showed changes during the first lockdown (both increases and decreases). Females and people with higher education showed continuous changes across the three lockdowns, with women being more likely to increase their engagement and those with higher education being less likely to decrease. People of ethnic minorities and those with higher income declined their engagement in the third lockdown. This study provides insight into levels of arts engagement across the three national lockdowns in the UK and suggests that the pandemic may have affected long-term cultural behaviours for some groups.
Patient complexity assessment tools containing inquiry domains important for Indigenous patient care: A scoping review
Authors: Sehgal Anika , Barnabe Cheryl , Crowshoe Lynden (Lindsay)
Published: August 2022

Patient complexity assessment tools (PCATs) are utilized to collect vital information to effectively deliver care to patients with complexity. Indigenous patients are viewed in the clinical setting as having complex health needs, but there is no existing PCAT developed for use with Indigenous patients, although general population PCATs may contain relevant content. Our objective was to identify PCATs that include the inquiry of domains relevant in the care of Indigenous patients with complexity. A scoping review was performed on articles published between 2016 and 2021 to extend a previous scoping review of PCATs. Data extraction from existing frameworks focused on domains of social realities relevant to the care of Indigenous patients. The search resulted in 1078 articles, 82 underwent full-text review, and 9 new tools were identified. Combined with previously known and identified PCATs, only 6 items from 5 tools tangentially addressed the domains of social realities relevant to Indigenous patients. This scoping review identifies a major gap in the utility and capacity of PCATs to address the realities of Indigenous patients. Future research should focus on developing tools to address the needs of Indigenous patients and improve health outcomes.
A high-resolution map of coastal vegetation for two Arctic Alaskan parklands: An object-oriented approach with point training data
Authors: Hampton-Miller Celia J. , Neitlich Peter N. , Swanson David K.
Published: August 2022

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument in northwest Alaska have approximately 1600 km of predominantly soft-sediment coastlines along the Chukchi Sea, a shallow bay of the Arctic Ocean. Over the past decade, marine vessel traffic through the Bering Strait has grown exponentially to take advantage of new ice-free summer shipping routes, increasing the risk of oil spills in these fragile ecosystems. We present a high-resolution coastal vegetation map to serve as a baseline for potential spill response, restoration, and change detection. We segmented 663 km2of high-resolution multispectral satellite images by the mean-shift method and collected 40 spectral, topographic and spatial variables per segment. The segments were classified using photo-interpreted points as training data, and verified with field based plots. Digitizing points, rather than polygons, and intersecting them with the segmentation allows for rapid collection of training data. We classified the map segments using Random Forest because of its high accuracy, computational speed, and ability to incorporate non-normal, high-dimensional data. We found creating separate classification models by each satellite scene gave highly similar results to models combining the entire study area, and that reducing the number of variables had little impact on accuracy. A unified, study area-wide Random Forest model for both parklands produced the highest accuracy of various models attempted. We mapped 18 distinct classes, with an out-of-bag error of 11.6%, resulting in an improvement to the past per-pixel classification of this coast, and in higher spatial and vegetation classification resolution. The resulting map demonstrates the utility of our point-based method and provides baseline data for incident preparedness and change detection. Elevation is highly correlated with the ordination of the vegetation types, and was the most important variable in all tested classification models. The vegetation classification brings together the largest amount of vegetation data for the Chukchi Sea coast yet documented.
Relationships between changing communication networks and changing perceptions of psychological safety in a team science setting: Analysis with actor-oriented social network models
Authors: Luo Jinwen , Jeon Minjeong , Lee Minho , Ho Eric , Pfammatter Angela Fidler , Shetty Vivek , Spring Bonnie
Published: August 2022

A growing evidence base suggests that complex healthcare problems are optimally tackled through cross-disciplinary collaboration that draws upon the expertise of diverse researchers. Yet, the influences and processes underlying effective teamwork among independent researchers are not well-understood, making it difficult to fully optimize the collaborative process. To address this gap in knowledge, we used the annual NIH mHealth Training Institutes as a testbed to develop stochastic actor-oriented models that explore the communicative interactions and psychological changes of its disciplinarily and geographically diverse participants. The models help investigate social influence and social selection effects to understand whether and how social network interactions influence perceptions of team psychological safety during the institute and how they may sway communications between participants. We found a degree of social selection effects: in particular years, scholars were likely to choose to communicate with those who had more dissimilar levels of psychological safety. We found evidence of social influence, in particular, from scholars with lower psychological safety levels and from scholars with reciprocated communications, although the sizes and directions of the social influences somewhat varied across years. The current study demonstrated the utility of stochastic actor-oriented models in understanding the team science process which can inform team science initiatives. The study results can contribute to theory-building about team science which acknowledges the importance of social influence and selection.
Melatonin in preservation solutions prevents ischemic injury in rat kidneys
Authors: Coskun Abdurrahman , Yegen Cumhur , Arbak Serap , Attaallah Wafi , Gunal Omer , Elmas Merve Acikel , Ucal Yasemin , Can Ozge , Baş Banu , Yildirim Zeynep , Seckin Ismail , Demirci Sibel , Serteser Mustafa , Ozpinar Aysel , Belce Ahmet , Basdemir Gulcin , Moldur Derya Emel , Derelioglu Ecenur Izzete , Yozgatli Tahir Koray , Erdemgil Yigit , Unsal Ibrahim
Published: August 2022

Transplantation is lifesaving and the most effective treatment for end-stage organ failure. The transplantation success depends on the functional preservation of organs prior to transplantation. Currently, the University of Wisconsin (UW) and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) are the most commonly used preservation solutions. Despite intensive efforts, the functional preservation of solid organs prior to transplantation is limited to hours. In this study, we modified the UW solution containing components from both the UW and HTK solutions and analyzed their tissue-protective effect against ischemic injury. The composition of the UW solution was changed by reducing hydroxyethyl starch concentration and adding Histidine/Histidine-HCl which is the main component of HTK solution. Additionally, the preservation solutions were supplemented with melatonin and glucosamine. The protective effects of the preservation solutions were assessed by biochemical and microscopical analysis at 2, 10, 24, and 72 h after preserving the rat kidneys with static cold storage. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in preservation solutions was measured at 2, 10, 24, and 72. It was not detectable at 2 h of preservation in all groups and 10 h of preservation in modified UW+melatonin (mUW-m) and modified UW+glucosamine (mUW-g) groups. At the 72ndhour, the lowest LDH activity (0.91 IU/g (0.63–1.17)) was measured in the mUW-m group. In comparison to the UW group, histopathological damage score was low in modified UW (mUW), mUW-m, and mUW-g groups at 10, 24, and 72 hours. The mUW-m solution at low temperature was an effective and suitable solution to protect renal tissue for up to 72 h.
Shared and unique interoceptive deficits in high alexithymia and neuroticism
Authors: Gaggero Giulia , Dellantonio Sara , Pastore Luigi , Sng Kelly H. L. , Esposito Gianluca
Published: August 2022

Interoception is the perception of internal bodily signals. It is considered fundamental to developing emotional awareness. For this reason, interoceptive deficits are often associated with alexithymia, a condition characterized by difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF), and an externally-oriented style of thinking (EOT). Yet, the atypical interoception found in alexithymia might be of a similar type and/or more serious than those found in other partially overlapping constructs that entail emotional difficulties and behavioural patterns associated with specific emotional styles. Our study explores this issue by examining the relationship between the interoceptive deficits associated with alexithymia and the Big Five personality traits. A non-clinical sample (N = 504) completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Big Five Inventory and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness. Data were analysed using a network analytic approach that conceives psychological traits as networks of interacting symptoms. The estimated network highlighted that EOT is the alexithymia component least associated with interoception and most associated with lower Openness to Experience. Conversely, DIF and Neuroticism are, respectively, the dimensions of alexithymia and the Big Five most highly associated with interoception. We also compared interoceptive abilities in the four groups of participants whose scores were a) high for both alexithymia and neuroticism, b) high only for alexithymia c), high only for neuroticism, and d) low for both. High alexithymia was especially associated with the tendency to ignore sensations of pain or discomfort, while neuroticism was more indicative of the tendency to worry about these sensations. These results suggest that while high alexithymia and neuroticism share some interoceptive deficits, others are unique to alexithymia and contribute to overall lower interoceptive ability in this condition. Our findings suggest that interventions to enhance awareness of bodily sensations can be beneficial especially for profiles who present high neuroticism and alexithymia.
Enhancing neutralizing activity against influenza H1N1/PR8 by engineering a single-domain VL-M2 specific into a bivalent form
Authors: Hoang Phuong Thi , Luong Quynh Xuan Thi , Cho Seungchan , Lee Yongjun , Na Kyungho , Ayun Ramadhani Qurrota , Vo Thuy Thi Bich , Kim Taehyun , Lee Sukchan
Published: August 2022

Flu disease, with high mortality and morbidity, is caused by the influenza virus. Influenza infections are most effectively prevented through vaccination, but it requires annual reformulation due to the antigenic shift or drift of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins. Increasing resistance to available anti-influenza drugs was also recently reported. The M2 surface protein of the influenza virus is an attractive target for universal vaccine development as it is highly conserved and multifunctional throughout the viral life cycle. This study aimed to discover a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the M2 protein of influenza A H1N1/PR8, showing neutralizing activity through plaque inhibition in virus replication. Several candidates were isolated using bio-panning, including scFv and single-domain VLtarget M2 protein, which was displayed on the yeast surface. The scFv/VLproteins were obtained with high yield and high purity through soluble expression inE.coliBL21 (DE3) pLysE strains. A single-domain VL-M2-specific antibody, NVLM10, exhibited the highest binding affinity to influenza virions and was engineered into a bivalent format (NVL2M10) to improve antigen binding. Both antibodies inhibited virus replication in a dose-dependent manner, determined using plaque reduction- and immunocytochemistry assays. Furthermore, bivalent anti-M2 single-domain VLantibodies significantly reduced the plaque number and viral HA protein intensity as well as viral genome (HAandNP) compared to the monovalent single-domain VLantibodies. This suggests that mono- or bivalent single-domain VLantibodies can exhibit neutralizing activity against influenza virus A, as determined through binding to virus particle activity.
Consumer preferences, experiences, and attitudes towards telehealth: Qualitative evidence from Australia
Authors: Toll Kaylie , Spark Lauren , Neo Belinda , Norman Richard , Elliott Sarah , Wells Leanne , Nesbitt Julia , Frean Isobel , Robinson Suzanne
Published: August 2022

In Australia, telehealth is not new, with several telehealth specialist services being available for those living in rural and remote communities. However, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth was not routinely available for primary care or urban specialist appointments. There has been an increased focus in the use of telehealth within primary care, and particularly general practice, but overall, there has been limited research to date to guide telehealth best-practice based on consumer experiences and preferences within these settings. We aimed to capture the consumer experience of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, through a novel Kitchen Table Discussion (KTD) method. This increases access to a broader community consumer cohort, with consumer hosts leading discussions in a safe environment. The KTDs were conducted in May 2021, with 10 community members each hosting a group of up to 10 participants. A total of 90 participants took part from across Australia, with the majority living in major cities, although a significant proportion lived in inner and outer regional areas of Australia, or had experience living in rural, regional or remote areas. Seventy percent of participants reported using telehealth in the past. Data were analysed sequentially using thematic analysis and identified key themes: modality, convenience, access, wait time, existing relationship, communication, connectivity, cost, and privacy. Overall, the future of telehealth looks hopeful from the perspective of the consumer, but significant improvements are required to improve consumer engagement and experience. It is evident that ‘one size does not fit all’, with results suggesting consumers value the availability of telehealth and having choice and flexibility to use telehealth when appropriate, but do not want to see telehealth replacing face-to-face delivery. Participants tended to agree that telehealth was not a preferred method when physical examination was required but would suit certain points of the patient journey.
Siberian stone pine, Siberian dwarf pine, their hybrids, and backcrosses: comparative analysis of crone formation in the first 10 years of life
Authors: Goroshkevich S. S. , Goroshkevich S. N.
Published: August 2022

For the first time, a comparative analysis of crown morphogenesis in Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica), Siberian dwarf pine (P. pumila), their hybrids and backcrosses was carried out using the example of 10-year-old seed offspring from the Northern Baikal natural population. The goal is to “decompose” the life form phenomenon into elementary traits, to trace their formation at the beginning of ontogenesis on two contrasting examples (an upright tree vs. prostrate tree) and inheritance after interspecific hybridization. The parent species differed fundamentally in (1) stem inclination and (2) apical dominance at two levels (1-year-old shoots and perennial branches). The phototropic slope of the Siberian dwarf pine stem “triggered” the mechanism of prostrate tree formation. Apical dominance in the system of perennial branches was the main factor in the crown formation. It, in turn, consisted of two key characteristics: strength and selectivity. In Siberian stone pine, apical dominance was strong and nonselective. In Siberian dwarf pine, apical dominance was weak and selective: some of the largest branches did not obey him. All key traits were inherited by hybrids and backcrosses strictly intermediate in accordance with the proportion of species in the offspring genome.
Influence of abiotic environmental factors on the growth of shoots of Juniperus excelsa M.-Bieb. in the Crimean Mountains
Authors: Keronkova O. O.
Published: August 2022

The article presents the results of studying the seasonal growth of Juniperus excelsa shoots according to abiotic factors, including features of weather and orographic conditions of growth. It has been established that the growth of juniper vegetative organs is most significantly affected by the amount of precipitation in the period from February to June. The maximum growth of shoots (5.29 cm) was noted in 2021, which was characterized by an increased amount of precipitation, the amount of which ranged from 322 mm to 437 mm. In the western part of the plantations of the Crimean Mountains, the annual increase is higher in comparison with the central and eastern ones. The degree of influence of orographic factors was determined. It has been established that influence of elevation is 43 %; in dry years, the intensity of the influence of this factor decreases. The relationship between the annual increase in shoots of J. excelsa and the indicators of soil conditions and slope exposure was revealed. The maximum growth (3.6 cm) was noted on the trial plots with B1 edatope, the minimum (2.3 cm) on B0 and C1. On slopes with eastern and southwestern exposures, the increase is higher compared to other exposures.
The first information about the phytoplankton of some water bodies of the national park «Krasnoyarsk pillars»
Authors: Eichvald K. A. , Bazhenova O. P.
Published: August 2022

The article presents the first data on the species composition and taxonomic structure of phytoplankton in some rivers and streams of the national park «Krasnoyarsk pillars». 69 species and intraspecific taxa of algae from six divisions were identified: Cyanoprokaryota - 4, Chrysophyta - 3, Euglenophyta - 4, Bacillariophyta - 40, Chlorophyta - 16, Charophyta - 2. Diatoms and green algae form the basis of species richness. The composition of phytoplankton is dominated by truly planktonic and random planktonic species, in relation to the salinity of the water - indifferent, to the active reaction of the environment - indifferent and alkaliphiles, in terms of geographical confinement - cosmopolitans. The composition of species-indicators of saprobity indicates an increased level of water pollution with organic substances.
Predictive Maintenance of Thermal-Energy-Storage Air-Conditioning with Deep Learning
Authors: Sanzana Mirza Rayana , Abdulrazic Mostafa Osama Mostafa , Wong Jing Ying
Published: August 2022

Climate change is evident throughout the world as heat waves and floods are making the headlines. One of the daily amenities that are used by people as they feel the heat and humidity for a bearable atmosphere is an air-conditioner (AC). However, conventional AC emits greenhouse gases and adds to the heat and humidity in the atmosphere contributing more to global warming. It is time to focus on a greener alternative and yet sustainable form of AC which is a Thermal-Energy-Storage Air-Conditioner (TES-AC). This green alternative stores chilled water in the form of thermal energy at night when energy demand is low and then uses the stored thermal energy to cool the building’s air the next day. It does not just reduce building energy consumption but also reduces building management costs. Nevertheless, there is a reluctance to this shift at a large scale as management and maintenance of TES-AC is complicated due to inappropriate charging load doubling energy consumption. Hence, this research focuses on utilizing deep learning techniques to predict the charging load required in advance, so the facility managers prepare at night and minimize disruption in daily operations. The purpose of this research is to make facility managers more inclined to use the greener and more sustainable TES-AC to reduce energy consumption and management costs while contributing positively to the environment. Furthermore, this research demonstrates the possibility of reducing energy consumption even more and improving efficiency with deep learning and discusses deploying it in a user-friendly application.