bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current advances in 2022: A critical review of selected topics by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee
Authors: Metcalf Ryan A. , Cohn Claudia S. , Bakhtary Sara , Gniadek Thomas , Gupta Gaurav , Harm Sarah , Haspel Richard L. , Hess Aaron S. , Jacobson Jessica , Lokhandwala Parvez M. , Murphy Colin , Poston Jacqueline N. , Prochaska Micah T. , Raval Jay S. , Saifee Nabiha H. , Salazar Eric , Shan Hua , Zantek Nicole D. , Pagano Monica B.
Published: July 2023

Background

The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee (CTMC) composes a summary of new and important advances in transfusion medicine (TM) on an annual basis. Since 2018, this has been assembled into a manuscript and published in Transfusion.

Study design and methods

CTMC members selected original manuscripts relevant to TM that were published electronically and/or in print during calendar year 2022. Papers were selected based on perceived importance and/or originality. References for selected papers were made available to CTMC members to provide feedback. Members were also encouraged to identify papers that may have been omitted initially. They then worked in groups of two to three to write a summary for each new publication within their broader topic. Each topic summary was then reviewed and edited by two separate committee members. The final manuscript was assembled by the first and senior authors. While this review is extensive, it is not a systematic review and some publications considered important by readers may have been excluded.

Results

For calendar year 2022, summaries of key publications were assembled for the following broader topics within TM: blood component therapy; infectious diseases, blood donor testing, and collections; patient blood management; immunohematology and genomics; hemostasis; hemoglobinopathies; apheresis and cell therapy; pediatrics; and health care disparities, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Discussion

This Committee Report reviews and summarizes important publications and advances in TM published during calendar year 2022, and maybe a useful educational tool.
Inherent Occupational Health Assessment for Alternative Hydrogen Synthesis Pathways
Authors: Abdulkareem Fatimah , Mimi H. Hassim  , Syaza I. Ahmad
Published: July 2023

Hydrogen is one of the most investigated topics in energy transition due to its sustainability and vast applicability. However, it has health and safety challenges like any other chemical process. Most attention focuses on this fuel production's technology and economic potential with some work related to its safety impact. This study conducts an occupational health hazard assessment on two hydrogen synthesis routes at the design research and development stage. This study compares the outcomes to find the healthiest Hydrogen production route. This research leveraged the Inherent Occupational Health Index (IOHI) as the assessment to measure the health challenges peculiar to each production route. Three different index calculation types additive, average, and worst case are used to achieve the comparison. The information used in the evaluation is available at the R&D design stage. The study shows that both synthesis routes assessed steam methane reforming and coal gasification fall under the hazardous category of the IOHI index standard. But steam methane reforming has a lower IOHI index standard value of 16 than coal gasification 17.7. Therefore, although both synthesis routes are hazardous and pose occupational health risks to workers, steam methane reforming is a better alternative for hydrogen production from a health perspective.
Carbon Footprint of An Offshore Survey by Oil and Gas Service Provider Company
Authors: Lam Cai Hui , Mimi H. Hassim  , Ho Wai Shin
Published: July 2023

The rapid development of global economy has leaded to climate change issues. The greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide have driven the issues of climate change and become one of the concerns confronting human society. An offshore survey project that carried out by a service provider company in oil and gas industry was chosen for the carbon footprint estimation during the project’s operation in this study. The major objective of this study is to calculate the carbon footprint of the above-mentioned project in terms of CO2, eq and use it as a benchmark or reference for the company, as well as to create an Excel Tool that can be used as a carbon footprint calculator. Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology is to generate the framework for the project in this study. There have three unavoidable sources: fuel combustion by survey vessel, transportation involved and water consumption during the operation of the project. The emission factors approach is used in this study to quantify the emission of GHGs from the project. Emission factor values will be obtained from the published report that revised by Federal Register of Legislation in 2020. The carbon footprint of the project was calculated to be 130.44 tons of CO2, eq. Scope 1 accounted for 96.05% of the carbon footprint, which comprised fuel combusted by survey vessel.
Security Study on Freestanding Minigrid with Multiple Rotary Energy Sources
Authors: Ajewole Titus Oluwasuji , Olabode Olakunle , Akinyele Daniel , Amole Abraham , Fadipe Olusola , Olatunde Oladepo  , Hammed O. Lasisi
Published: July 2023

Traditional grid has been extensively studied for system security. For freestanding renewable energy-based minigrid, a three-source stand-alone minigrid is in this study examined for system security under large disturbances. By real-time simulation, rotor responses of the generators and voltage characteristics of the buses are assessed at sudden load change and under fault condition. Post-perturbation behaviour of the system shows synchronism is not compromised by any of the generators and the bus voltage profiles remains within their pre-perturbation statutory limits. This implies that a number of rotating machine-based energy mini-sources could be interconnected into a freestanding minigrid without compromising the stability of the system. The assessment could find use in predictive and corrective compensation for stability issues in mini integrated power systems and serve as simple generic investigative approach that could be integrated into Minigrids Remedial Action Scheme or Minigrids Energy Management System for dynamic security assessment of multi-machine island minigrids.
ESCALATOR STEP DISPLACEMENT’S ACCIDENT: FORENSIC ENGINEERING APPROACH
Authors: KHALID MOHD SHAMSURI , Zaini Zainur Akramin , ABDUL RAZAK MUHAMMAD ARIFF , MOHAMMAD YUSOF NUR ATHIRA  DIYANA
Published: July 2023

In Malaysia, escalator accidents caused injuries or fatalities. As a result, a forensic engineering technique was employed to look into the real causes of an escalator malfunction. There was escalator that occurred in 2016, KL Sentral. The escalator accident in 2016. The escalator step displacement is the clearance of a step along the vertical and lateral axes. According to BS EN 115-2017, a step's clearance shall be measured. Step alignment of the escalator steps pass through the comb will be affected by step displacement that is outside of the permitted range, either the lateral or vertical direction that led to collision. The alignment of the escalator steps that moving through the comb will be hampered by step displacement that is more than the standard and it may result in a collision between the two parts on either the upper landing platform or lower landing platform. The impact from the collision of steps and combs may also injured escalator passengers. Hence, the clearance of the step in the vertical and lateral direction at any time. It is crucial to inspect and measure the step displacement parameter for both lateral and vertical step displacement. Improper installation of the step axle slot component on the step shaft; lateral step displacement is caused by clearance between a bush and stopper ring component, while vertical step displacement is caused by clearance between an axle slot and bush component. Prior, installation of those steps must be done carefully to avoid any clearance to prevent step displacement’s accident occurred.
Development of microbiological diffusion inhibition test for the determination of antibiotic residues in the milk
Authors: Aktayeva S. , Sarsen A. , Mussakhmetov A. , Kiribayeva A. , Tursunbekova A. , Khassenov B.
Published: July 2023

Antimicrobial agents are used in animal husbandry for the prevention and treatment of diseases in farm animals and have become an indispensable aspect of commercial livestock production. Antimicrobial therapy is well-established as a component of comprehensive preventive measures aimed at minimizing diseases in farm animals and has been incorporated into procedures directed at promoting livestock growth and productivity. Bacillus licheniformis strain T7 is susceptible to the antibiotics clidamycin, rifampicin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, tetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol, has good sporogenic properties, grows rapidly on nutrient agar at 30-55 °C, pH 5.5–8.0, and can serve as a test culture in a microbial inhibitor test. Bacillus licheniformis T7 spores were obtained by growing the culture in Difco sporulation medium and then inactivating the vegetative cells at 90 °C for 20 minutes. Endospores of Bacillus licheniformis T7 co-polymerized with nutrient agar and germinated at 55 °C for 3–3.5 h, resulting in a pH shift from 5.5 to >6.5, which can be measured with an acid-base indicator. Bromocresol purple was suggested as a pH indicator for use in a microbiological inhibition test, wherein the presence of antibiotics or other compounds impeding the development of a microbiological culture could be determined by a change in the agar's color. A microtube- and plate-based microbiological inhibitor test prototype has been developed.
Gender Equality in the “Next Stage” of the “New Age?” Content and Fan Perceptions of English Media Coverage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Authors: Pope Stacey , Allison Rachel , Petty Kate
Published: July 2023

This article offers an original contribution by examining both the quantity and quality of English print media coverage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and how fans perceive and respond to this coverage. It is the first longitudinal analysis of media coverage of women’s football in the United Kingdom and compares print media coverage between the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups. We draw on a content analysis of five English national newspapers and 49 semistructured interviews with fans. We develop new theoretical insights through the development of our framework of the “next stage” of the “new age.” Our findings show media coverage of women’s football has substantially increased, with respectful coverage sustained. The new theme of gender equality made visible several types of inequality, but the media industry failed to acknowledge its own role in reinforcing gender inequalities. Interviewees were critical of the time-limited “revolution” whereby coverage was limited to the duration of the World Cup. To advance gender equality, future media coverage must be sustained, meaningful, and prominent.
A confinable female-lethal population suppression system in the malaria vector,
Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Smidler Andrea L. , Pai James J. , Apte Reema A. , Sánchez C. Héctor M. , Corder Rodrigo M. , Jeffrey Gutiérrez Eileen , Thakre Neha , Antoshechkin Igor , Marshall John M. , Akbari Omar S.
Published: July 2023

Malaria is among the world’s deadliest diseases, predominantly affecting Sub-Saharan Africa and killing over half a million people annually. Controlling the principal vector, the mosquito
Anopheles gambiae
, as well as other anophelines, is among the most effective methods to control disease spread. Here, we develop a genetic population suppression system termed Ifegenia (inherited female elimination by genetically encoded nucleases to interrupt alleles) in this deadly vector. In this bicomponent CRISPR-based approach, we disrupt a female-essential gene,
femaleless
(
fle
), demonstrating complete genetic sexing via heritable daughter gynecide. Moreover, we demonstrate that Ifegenia males remain reproductively viable and can load both
fle
mutations and CRISPR machinery to induce
fle
mutations in subsequent generations, resulting in sustained population suppression. Through modeling, we demonstrate that iterative releases of nonbiting Ifegenia males can act as an effective, confinable, controllable, and safe population suppression and elimination system.
A Variant of the Sulfoglycolytic Transketolase Pathway for the Degradation of Sulfoquinovose into Sulfoacetate
Authors: Chu Ruoxing , Wei Yifeng , Liu Jiayi , Li Boran , Zhang Jianing , Zhou Yan , Du Yunfei , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2023

Many bacteria utilize environmentally widespread C2 sulfonate sulfoacetate as a sulfur source, and the disease-linked human gut sulfate- and sulfite-reducing bacteria can use it as a terminal electron receptor for anaerobic respiration generating toxic H
2
S. However, the mechanism of sulfoacetate formation is unknown, although it has been proposed that sulfoacetate originates from bacterial degradation of sulfoquinovose (SQ), the polar head group of sulfolipids present in all green plants.
Production and cross-feeding of nitrite within
Prochlorococcus
populations
Authors: Berube Paul M. , O'Keefe Tyler J. , Rasmussen Anna , LeMaster Trent , Chisholm Sallie W.
Published: July 2023

Prochlorococcus
is an abundant photosynthetic bacterium in the open ocean, where nitrogen (N) often limits phytoplankton growth. In the low-light-adapted LLI clade of
Prochlorococcus
, nearly all cells can assimilate nitrite (NO
2
−
), with a subset capable of assimilating nitrate (NO
3
−
). LLI cells are maximally abundant near the primary NO
2
−
maximum layer, an oceanographic feature that may, in part, be due to incomplete assimilatory NO
3
−
reduction and subsequent NO
2
−
release by phytoplankton. We hypothesized that some
Prochlorococcus
exhibit incomplete assimilatory NO
3
−
reduction and examined NO
2
−
accumulation in cultures of three
Prochlorococcus
strains (MIT0915, MIT0917, and SB) and two
Synechococcus
strains (WH8102 and WH7803). Only MIT0917 and SB accumulated external NO
2
−
during growth on NO
3
−
. Approximately 20–30% of the NO
3
−
transported into the cell by MIT0917 was released as NO
2
−
, with the rest assimilated into biomass. We further observed that co-cultures using NO
3
−
as the sole N source could be established for MIT0917 and
Prochlorococcus
strain MIT1214 that can assimilate NO
2
−
but not NO
3
−
. In these co-cultures, the NO
2
−
released by MIT0917 is efficiently consumed by its partner strain, MIT1214. Our findings highlight the potential for emergent metabolic partnerships that are mediated by the production and consumption of N cycle intermediates within
Prochlorococcus
populations.

IMPORTANCE

Earth’s biogeochemical cycles are substantially driven by microorganisms and their interactions. Given that N often limits marine photosynthesis, we investigated the potential for N cross-feeding within populations of
Prochlorococcus
, the numerically dominant photosynthetic cell in the subtropical open ocean. In laboratory cultures, some
Prochlorococcus
cells release extracellular NO
2
−
during growth on NO
3
−
. In the wild,
Prochlorococcus
populations are composed of multiple functional types, including those that cannot use NO
3
−
but can still assimilate NO
2
−
. We show that metabolic dependencies arise when
Prochlorococcus
strains with complementary NO
2
−
production and consumption phenotypes are grown together on NO
3
−
. These findings demonstrate the potential for emergent metabolic partnerships, possibly modulating ocean nutrient gradients, that are mediated by cross-feeding of N cycle intermediates.
A microbial consortium alters intestinal
Pseudomonadota
and antimicrobial resistance genes in individuals with recurrent
Clostridioides difficile
infection
Authors: Rooney Ashley M. , Cochrane Kyla , Fedsin Stephanie , Yao Samantha , Anwer Shaista , Dehmiwal Satyender , Hota Susy , Poutanen Susan , Allen-Vercoe Emma , Coburn Bryan ,   MTOP Investigators, Allard Johane , Croitoru Kenneth , Gaisano Herbert , Guttman David , Taylor Valerie , Philpott Dana , Winer Dan
Published: July 2023

Intestinal colonization with pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs) is associated with increased risk of infection. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has successfully been used to cure recurrent
Clostridioides difficile
infection (rCDI) and to decolonize intestinal AROs. However, FMT has significant practical barriers to safe and broad implementation. Microbial consortia represent a novel strategy for ARO and pathogen decolonization, with practical and safety advantages over FMT. We undertook an investigator-initiated analysis of stool samples collected from previous interventional studies of a microbial consortium, microbial ecosystem therapeutic (MET-2), and FMT for rCDI before and after treatment. Our aim was to assess whether MET-2 was associated with decreased
Pseudomonadota (Proteobacteria
) and antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) burden with similar effects to FMT. Participants were selected for inclusion if baseline stool had
Pseudomonadota
relative abundance ≥10%. Pre- and post-treatment
Pseudomonadota
relative abundance, total ARGs, and obligate anaerobe and butyrate-producer relative abundances were determined by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. MET-2 administration had similar effects to FMT on microbiome outcomes. The median
Pseudomonadota
relative abundance decreased by four logs after MET-2 treatment, a greater decrease than that observed after FMT. Total ARGs decreased, while beneficial obligate anaerobe and butyrate-producer relative abundances increased. The observed microbiome response remained stable over 4 months post-administration for all outcomes.

IMPORTANCE

Overgrowth of intestinal pathogens and AROs is associated with increased risk of infection. With the rise in antimicrobial resistance, new therapeutic strategies that decrease pathogen and ARO colonization in the gut are needed. We evaluated whether a microbial consortium had similar effects to FMT on
Pseudomonadota
abundances and ARGs as well as obligate anaerobes and beneficial butyrate producers in individuals with high
Pseudomonadota
relative abundance at baseline. This study provides support for a randomized, controlled clinical trial of microbial consortia (such as MET-2) for ARO decolonization and anaerobe repletion.
Development of the intestinal microbiome in cystic fibrosis in early life
Authors: Price Courtney E. , Hampton Thomas H. , Valls Rebecca A. , Barrack Kaitlyn E. , O’Toole George A. , Madan Juliette C. , Coker Modupe O.
Published: July 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a heritable disease that causes altered physiology at mucosal sites; these changes result in chronic infections in the lung, significant gastrointestinal complications as well as dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, although the latter has been less well explored. Here, we describe the longitudinal development of the gut microbiome in a cohort of children with CF (cwCF) from birth through early childhood (0–4 years of age) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of stool samples as a surrogate for the gut microbiota. Similar to healthy populations, alpha diversity of the gut microbiome increases significantly with age, but diversity plateaus at ~2 years of age for this CF cohort. Several taxa that have been associated with dysbiosis in CF change with age toward a more healthy-like composition; notable exceptions include
Akkermansia
, which decreases with age, and
Blautia
, which increases with age. We also examined the relative abundance and prevalence of nine taxa associated with CF lung disease, several of which persist across early life, highlighting the possibility of the lung being seeded directly from the gut early in life. Finally, we applied the Crohn’s Dysbiosis Index to each sample, and found that high Crohn’s-associated dysbiosis early in life (<2 years) was associated with significantly lower
Bacteroides
in samples collected from 2 to 4 years of age. Together, these data comprise an observational study that describes the longitudinal development of the CF-associated gut microbiota and suggest that early markers associated with inflammatory bowel disease may shape the later gut microbiota of cwCF.

IMPORTANCE

Cystic fibrosis is a heritable disease that disrupts ion transport at mucosal surfaces, causing a buildup of mucus and dysregulation of microbial communities in both the lungs and the intestines. Persons with CF are known to have dysbiotic gut microbial communities, but the development of these communities over time beginning at birth has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we describe an observation study following the development of the gut microbiome of cwCF throughout the first 4 years of life, during the critical window of both gut microbiome and immune development. Our findings indicate the possibility of the gut microbiota as a reservoir of airway pathogens and a surprisingly early indication of a microbiota associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Supplemental Material: Dune interactions record changes in boundary conditions
Authors: Marvin M. Colin , al. et
Published: July 2023

Supplemental text describing methods for dune-field digitization, digitization sensitivity analysis, sediment flux calculations, and turnover time scales; validation for turnover time scales; terrestrial wind data sensitivity analysis; three supplemental tables and five figures; and all compiled data. ERA5-Land data are available from the Copernicus Climate Data Store (https://cds.climate.copernicus.eu/).  
Supplemental Material: Tesserae: Surface differences across Venus’s “continents”
Authors: Whitten Jennifer , Campbell Bruce
Published: July 2023

More methodological details, as well as the results and details about surface modification properties in the form of supplemental text, figures, and tables.  
Supplemental Material: Surface exposure constraints on the mantle water budget
Authors: Chotalia K. , al. et
Published: July 2023

Extended literature overview, extended model descriptions for parameterized convection model and conversion to sea level, discussion of model sensitivity and the Archean hypsometry.  
Systemic capillary leak syndrome secondary to decompression sickness
Authors: Mathavan Akshay , Mathavan Akash , Jones Kirk , Ataya Ali
Published: July 2023

Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare derangement of endothelial function characterised by extravasation of plasma and proteins into the interstitial space. Primary capillary leak syndrome is a rare, episodic medical illness of unknown molecular pathology while secondary capillary leak syndrome may be precipitated by any number of inflammatory and infectious syndromes. Decompression sickness, a disorder of depressurisation, has been identified as a very rare trigger. We present a structured case report of systemic capillary leak syndrome secondary to decompression sickness following deep diving, informing physicians of this potential complication. No pharmacological therapy has substantial evidence in the treatment of acute systemic capillary leak syndrome. By review of current recommendations for acute management, we also emphasise an observed positive response to judicious fluid resuscitation and an oral cyclic AMP-elevating agent (ie, terbutaline).
Trauma-related Lyme arthritis
Authors: Roberts John , Merchant Elisabeth
Published: July 2023

A man in his 40s with no prior orthopaedic history presented to an infectious disease clinic with persistent left knee pain and swelling following a traumatic meniscal tear and ensuing prodromal period of fever and chills. Aspiration of the left knee joint revealed a white cell count of 21.0 ×109/L (83% neutrophils) with negative Gram stain and culture. However, Lyme PCR was positive and accompanied by serologies consistent with Lyme arthritis. He was treated with a standard course of antibiotic therapy with subsequent resolution of joint effusion and significant improvement in pain.

This is to our knowledge the first report in the literature of Lyme arthritis seemingly provoked by traumatic knee injury. We propose disruption of normal joint anatomy and ensuing inflammation in response to acute injury incited and accelerated migration of previously latentBorrelia burgdorferispirochetal infection into surrounding synovial tissue, leading to enhanced inflammatory activity and exacerbation of knee pain.
Sexual and reproductive health issues and associated factors among female night school students in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Mihretie Gedefaye Nibret , Goshu Yitayal Ayalew , Belay Habtamu Gebrehana , Tassew Habtamu Abie , Ayalew Abeba Belay , Beshah Mekonnen Haile , Muche Tewachew Liyeh
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues and associated factors among female night school students in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Design

Institution-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

16 night schools were selected from 4 zones in the Amhara Region. The data were collected between 1 January and 28 February 2019.

Participants

1428 female night school students aged 15–24 years.

Outcomes

Prevalence of SRH issues, defined as those who had experienced at least one SRH issue during their lifetime (including sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy, early marriage and abortion). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used in the analysis.

Results

The prevalence of SRH issues was 32.7% (95% CI 29.5% to 35.9%). Having secondary education (adjusted (OR) AOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.86), being single in marital status (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.74), not discussing SRH issues with their families (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI 2.13 to 3.40) and poor knowledge of SRH services (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI 2.08 to 3.32) were significantly associated with SRH issues.

Conclusion

The lifetime prevalence of SRH issues among female night school students was high. Being single, having a secondary education, not discussing SRH issues with family, and having a poor understanding of SRH services were associated with SRH issues. Qualitative studies should be conducted to explore students’ feelings and intentions about SRH issues.
SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in Peru: a cross-sectional survey of values and attitudes of the general population
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Guillermo Z , Shilton Sonjelle , Mallma Salazar Patricia Silvia , Pflucker Oses Paola , Torres-Slimming Paola Alejandra , Batheja Deepshikha , Banerji Abhik , Mallery Amber , Ivanova Reipold Elena , Carcamo Cesar
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To assess the values of and attitudes towards the use of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection tests for self-testing in a rural and an urban area in Peru.

Design

Cross-sectional, street-based population survey.

Setting

A series of over 400 randomly selected street points in Valle del Mantaro and in Lima.

Participants

438 respondents (203 female) participated. They were all older than 17 years and provided informed consent for participation.

Intervention

All respondents answered on the spot, a 35-item questionnaire developed in KoboToolbox.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes of interest were: likelihood to use a SARS-CoV-2 self-test; willingness to pay for a SARS-CoV-2 self-test and likelihood to comply with recommended actions following a positive SARS-CoV-2 self-test result. Bivariate analyses and Poisson regression (PR) analyses were performed to identify significant associations between dependent variables and independent variables pertaining to respondents’ characteristics, risk perception and previous experiences with conventional COVID-19 testing.

Results

Of the 438 respondents, 51.49% had previous experience with conventional COVID-19 testing; 20.37% had COVID-19 disease; 86.96% accepted the idea of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing; and, 78.95% would be likely to use it if needed. Almost all (94.75%) would pay for a self-testing device (mean acceptable payment: US$10.4) if it was not provided free of charge by health authorities. Overall, 93.12%, 86.93% and 85.32% would self-isolate, report the results and warn their contacts, respectively. Being a female (adjusted PR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09, p<0.018), having completed secondary education (adjusted PR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37, p<0.024) and expressing likelihood to use self-testing (adjusted PR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.16, p<0.0.24) could be predictors of willingness to pay for a self-test.

Conclusions

Self-testing is perceived as an acceptable approach. Health authorities in Peru should facilitate access to this approach to complement healthcare facilities-led testing efforts for COVID-19. Future research is necessary to understand the impact of self-testing in case detection and pandemic control.
Comparison of patient exit interviews with unannounced standardised patients for assessing HIV service delivery in Zambia: a study nested within a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Sikombe Kombatende , Pry Jake M , Mody Aaloke , Rice Brian , Bukankala Chama , Eshun-Wilson Ingrid , Mutale Jacob , Simbeza Sandra , Beres Laura K , Mukamba Njekwa , Mukumbwa-Mwenechanya Mpande , Mwamba Daniel , Sharma Anjali , Wringe Alison , Hargreaves James , Bolton-Moore Carolyn , Holmes Charles , Sikazwe Izukanji T , Geng Elvin
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To compare unannounced standardised patient approach (eg, mystery clients) with typical exit interviews for assessing patient experiences in HIV care (eg, unfriendly providers, long waiting times). We hypothesise standardised patients would report more negative experiences than typical exit interviews affected by social desirability bias.

Setting

Cross-sectional surveys in 16 government-operated HIV primary care clinics in Lusaka, Zambia providing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Participants

3526 participants aged ≥18 years receiving ART participated in the exit surveys between August 2019 and November 2021.

Intervention

Systematic sample (every nthfile) of patients in clinic waiting area willing to be trained received pre-visit training and post-visit interviews. Providers were unaware of trained patients.

Outcome measures

We compared patient experience among patients who received brief training prior to their care visit (explaining each patient experience construct in the exit survey, being anonymous, without manipulating behaviour) with those who did not undergo training on the survey prior to their visit.

Results

Among 3526 participants who participated in exit surveys, 2415 were untrained (56% female, median age 40 (IQR: 32–47)) and 1111 were trained (50% female, median age 37 (IQR: 31–45)). Compared with untrained, trained patients were more likely to report a negative care experience overall (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) for aggregate sum score: 1.64 (95% CI: 1.39 to 1.94)), with a greater proportion reporting feeling unwelcome by providers (aPR: 1.71 (95% CI: 1.20 to 2.44)) and witnessing providers behaving rude (aPR: 2.28 (95% CI: 1.63 to 3.19)).

Conclusion

Trained patients were more likely to identify suboptimal care. They may have understood the items solicited better or felt empowered to be more critical. We trained existing patients, unlike studies that use ‘standardised patients’ drawn from outside the patient population. This low-cost strategy could improve patient-centred service delivery elsewhere.

Trial registration number

Assessment was nested within a parent study;www.pactr.orgregistered the parent study (PACTR202101847907585).
Bidirectional association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese: a 5-year longitudinal study
Authors: Ziwei Zhang , Hua Yumeng , Liu Aiping
Published: July 2023

Objective

Depressive symptoms and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are important issues affecting the health of the middle-aged and elderly population in China. This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional association between depressive symptoms and CVD in middle-aged and elderly people in China.

Design

A 5-year longitudinal study.

Setting and participants

We included 6702 middle-aged and elderly participants from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which is a nationwide longitudinal household survey that started in 2011 (T1) and followed up every 2 years in 2013 (T2) and 2015 (T3).

Outcome measures

Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors of depressive symptoms and CVD at T1. The cross-lagged panel model was used to analyse the association between depressive symptoms and CVD at T1, T2 and T3.

Results

The CHARLS is a representative longitudinal survey of people aged ≥45 years. Using data extracted from the CHARLS, overall, at T1, 2621 (39.10%) participants had depressive symptoms and 432 (6.4%) had CVD, and at T3, 2423 (36.2%) had depressive symptoms and 760 (11.3%) had CVD, respectively. Depressive symptoms at T1 had a effect on CVD at T2 (β=0.015, p=0.009), and depressive symptoms at T2 had an effect on CVD at T3 (β=0.015, p=0.034). CVD at T1 predicted depressive symptoms at T2 (β=0.036, p=0.002).

Conclusions

There is a bidirectional predictive effect between depressive symptoms and CVD. The effect of depressive symptoms on CVD is stable, and CVD has an effect on depressive symptoms in a short period of time.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic control measures on amblyopia treatment: a retrospective study of records from a tertiary eye hospital in China
Authors: Liu Jing , Ye Qingqing , Xiao Chutong , Zhuang Yijing , Feng Lei , He Yunsi , Xu Zixuan , Zhou Yusong , Chen Xiaolan , Yao Ying , Jiang Rengang , Pang Yangfei , Yu Wentong , Wen Yun , Yuan Junpeng , Thompson Benjamin , Li Jinrong
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Amblyopia is the most common cause of unilateral visual impairment in children and requires long-term treatment. This study aimed to quantify the impact of pandemic control measures on amblyopia management.

Design and setting

This was a retrospective cohort study of data from a large amblyopia management database at a major tertiary eye care centre in China.

Participants

Outpatients with amblyopia who visited the hospital from 1 June 2019, through 28 February 2022.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the number of first and follow-up in-person visits to the hospital for amblyopia treatment. Secondary outcomes included the time interval between consecutive visits and improvement of vision (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis). Patient records were grouped into prepandemic and during pandemic periods.

Results

A total of 10 060 face-to-face visits for 5361 patients (median age 6.7 years, IQR 5.4, 8.9) that spanned two lockdown periods were included in the analysis, of which 28% were follow-up visits. Pandemic control measures caused a sharp decline in the number of outpatient visits (3% and 30% of prepandemic levels in the months directly after the start of the first (2020) and second (2021) periods of pandemic control measures, respectively). However, these drops were followed by pronounced rebounds in visits that exceeded prepandemic levels by 51.1% and 108.5%, respectively. The interval between consecutive visits increased significantly during the pandemic from a median (IQR) of 120 (112, 127) days in 2019 to 197 (179, 224) in 2020 (p<0.001) and 189 (182, 221) in 2021 (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the improvement of visual function or treatment compliance between the prepandemic and postpandemic groups.

Conclusions

The number of amblyopia patient hospital visits spiked well above prepandemic levels following lockdown periods. This pattern of patient behaviour can inform planning for amblyopia treatment services during and after public health-related disruptions.
Predictors of specialist somatic healthcare utilization among older people with intellectual disability and their age-peers in the general population: a national register study
Authors: Sandberg Magnus , Axmon Anna , Ahlström Gerd , Kristensson Jimmie
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To compare somatic healthcare usage among older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to that of their age-peers in the general population, taking into account health and demographic factors, and to identify predictors for somatic healthcare usage among older people with ID.

Participants

Equally sized cohorts, one with people with ID and one referent cohort, one-to-one-matched by sex and year of birth, were created. Each cohort comprised 7936 people aged 55+ years at the end of 2012.

Design

Retrospective register-based study.

Setting

All specialist inpatient and outpatient healthcare clinics in Sweden.

Outcome measures

Data regarding planned/unplanned and inpatient/outpatient specialist healthcare were collected from the Swedish National Patient Register for 2002–2012. Diagnoses, previous healthcare usage, sex, age and cohort affiliation was used to investigate potential impact on healthcare usage.

Results

Compared with the referent cohort, the ID cohort were more likely to have unplanned inpatient and outpatient care but less likely to have planned outpatient care. Within the ID cohort, sex, age and previous use of healthcare predicted healthcare usage.

Conclusions

Older people with ID seem to have lower risks of planned outpatient care compared with the general population that could not be explained by diagnoses. Potential explanations are that people with ID suffer from communication difficulties and experience the healthcare environment as unfriendly. Moreover, healthcare staff lack knowledge about the particular needs of people with ID. Altogether, this may lead to people with ID being exposed to discrimination. Although these problems are known, few interventions have been evaluated, especially related to planned outpatient care.
Experience-based codesign approach to improve care in Australian emergency departments for complex consumer cohorts: the MyED project protocol, Stages 1.1–1.3
Authors: Cheek Colleen , Hayba Nema , Richardson Lieke , Austin Elizabeth E , Francis Auton Emilie , Safi Mariam , Ransolin Natália , Vukasovic Matthew , De Los Santos Aaron , Murphy Margaret , Harrison Reema , Churruca Kate , Long Janet C , Hibbert Peter D , Carrigan Ann , Newman Bronwyn , Hutchinson Karen , Mitchell Rebecca , Cutler Henry , Holt Leanne , Braithwaite Jeffrey , Gillies Donna , Salmon Paul M , Walpola Ramesh Lahiru , Zurynski Yvonne , Ellis Louise A , Smith Kylie , Brown Anthony , Ali Reza , Gwynne Kylie , Clay-Williams Robyn
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Emergency department (ED) care must adapt to meet current and future demands. In Australia, ED quality measures (eg, prolonged length of stay, re-presentations or patient experience) are worse for older adults with multiple comorbidities, people who have a disability, those who present with a mental health condition, Indigenous Australians, and those with a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. Strengthened ED performance relies on understanding the social and systemic barriers and preferences for care of these different cohorts, and identifying viable solutions that may result in sustained improvement by service providers. A collaborative 5-year project (MyED) aims to codesign, with ED users and providers, new or adapted models of care that improve ED performance, improve patient outcomes and improve patient experience for these five cohorts.

Methods and analysis

Experience-based codesign using mixed methods, set in three hospitals in one health district in Australia. This protocol introduces the staged and incremental approach to the whole project, and details the first research elements: ethnographic observations at the ED care interface, interviews with providers and interviews with two patient cohorts—older adults and adults with a CALD background. We aim to sample a diverse range of participants, carefully tailoring recruitment and support.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (2022/PID02749-2022/ETH02447). Prior informed written consent will be obtained from all research participants. Findings from each stage of the project will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Project outputs will be disseminated for implementation more widely across New South Wales, Australia.
Smartphones, social Media and Adolescent mental well-being: the impact of school policies Restricting dayTime use—protocol for a natural experimental observational study using mixed methods at secondary schools in England (SMART Schools Study)
Authors: Wood Grace , Goodyear Victoria , Adab Peymane , Al-Janabi Hareth , Fenton Sally , Jones Kirsty , Michail Maria , Morrison Breanna , Patterson Paul , Sitch Alice J , Wade Matthew , Pallan Miranda
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Smartphone and social media use is prevalent during adolescence, with high levels of use associated with lower levels of mental well-being. Secondary schools in the UK have introduced policies that restrict daytime use of smartphones and social media, but there is no evaluation on the impact of these policies on adolescent mental well-being. The SMART Schools Study aims to determine the impact of daytime restrictions of smartphone and social media use on indicators of adolescent mental well-being, anxiety, depression, physical activity, sleep, classroom behaviour, attainment and addictive social media use.

Methods and analysis

This is a natural experimental observational study using mixed methods. Secondary schools within a 100 mile radius of the recruiting centre in the West Midlands (UK) have been categorised into two groups: Schools that restrict (intervention) and permit (comparator) daytime use of smartphones. We aim to recruit 30 schools (20 restrictive, 10 permissive) and 1170 pupils aged 12–13 and 14–15 years. We will collect data on mental well-being, anxiety and depressive symptoms, phone and social media use, sleep and physical activity from pupil surveys, and accelerometers. Policy implementation measures and data on individual pupil factors will be collected through school staff surveys, and website/policy analysis. Six case study schools will explore individual, school and family/home factors that influence relationships between school smartphone policies, smartphone/social media use, and mental well-being. Economic evaluation will be completed through a cost–consequence analysis from an education sector perspective.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Birmingham’s Research Ethics Committee (ERN_22-0723). Parents/carers of pupil participants can complete a form to opt their child out of the study. Pupil, school staff and parent/carer participants are asked to complete online/written consent (or assent). Findings will be disseminated through policy briefings, resources for schools, social media, reports, and open access publications.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN77948572.
Geochronology, petrogenesis, and mineralization potential of the syenogranites in the Yama fluorite deposit, Tataleng granitic batholith, Qilian Orogen, NW China
Authors: Jiao He , Lu Hai-Feng , Huang Guo-Biao , Cui Qiang-Qiang , Ding Qing-Feng , Zhou Xuan , Wu Rui-Zhe
Published: July 2023

The Yama fluorite deposit in the Qilian Orogen in NW China is characterized by predominant granitic magmatism and fluorite mineralization. The wall rocks hosting the fluorite–quartz veins in the Yama area consist of the Yama porphyritic syenogranite and the Wulandawu syenogranite. In this study, the major and trace element compositions, zircon U–Pb ages, and zircon Hf isotopes and trace element compositions were investigated. Two samples for the Yama porphyritic syenogranite yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U zircon ages of 440.7 ± 4.8 and 447.9 ± 6.0 Ma, and one sample for the Wulandawu syenogranite yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U zircon age of 441.2 ± 5.0 Ma, all of which indicate a Late Ordovician to Early Silurian crystallization age. Geochemically, both syenogranites are peraluminous, with high alkali contents, low Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents, relatively low (K2O + Na2O)/CaO ratios, and high Rb/Sr and Rb/Ba ratios, suggesting that they are fractionated S-type granites. They have zircon εHf( t) values of −14.9 to −4.4 and −12.2 to −4.5, respectively, suggesting that they were derived from the partial melting of pelitic-rich sources within the relatively shallow Paleoproterozoic reworked crust. The detailed geochronological and geochemical data suggest that the studied syenogranites were emplaced in a post-collisional setting related to the closure of the South Qilian Ocean. Finally, they have relatively low quantitative oxygen fugacity values, indicating relatively reduced redox states, but their very low zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios, low whole-rock K/Rb ratios, relatively high Nb/Ta ratios, and low Zr/Hf ratios suggest that they are not likely to form important W–Sn deposits and related fluorite deposits.
Did You Train on My Dataset? Towards Public Dataset Protection with CleanLabel Backdoor Watermarking
Authors: Tang Ruixiang , Feng Qizhang , Liu Ninghao , Yang Fan , Hu Xia
Published: July 2023

The huge supporting training data on the Internet has been a key factor in the success of deep learning models. However, this abundance of public-available data also raises concerns about the unauthorized exploitation of datasets for commercial purposes, which is forbidden by dataset licenses. In this paper, we propose a backdoor-based watermarking approach that serves as a general framework for safeguarding publicavailable data. By inserting a small number of watermarking samples into the dataset, our approach enables the learning model to implicitly learn a secret function set by defenders. This hidden function can then be used as a watermark to track down third-party models that use the dataset illegally. Unfortunately, existing backdoor insertion methods often entail adding arbitrary and mislabeled data to the training set, leading to a significant drop in performance and easy detection by anomaly detection algorithms. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a clean-label backdoor watermarking framework that uses imperceptible perturbations to replace mislabeled samples. As a result, the watermarking samples remain consistent with the original labels, making them difficult to detect. Our experiments on text, image, and audio datasets demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively safeguards datasets with minimal impact on original task performance. We also show that adding just 1% of watermarking samples can inject a traceable watermarking function and that our watermarking samples are stealthy and look benign upon visual inspection.
Optimal Pricing in a Single Server System
Authors: Krishnan K. S. Ashok , Singh Chandramani , Maguluri Siva Theja , Parag Parimal
Published: July 2023

We study optimal pricing in a single server queue when the customers valuation of service depends on their waiting time. In particular, we consider a very general model, where the customer valuations are random and are sampled from a distribution that depends on the queue length. The goal of the service provider is to set dynamic state dependent prices in order to maximize its revenue, while also managing congestion. We model the problem as a Markov decision process and present structural results on the optimal policy. We also present an algorithm to find an approximate optimal policy. We further present a myopic policy that is easy to evaluate and present bounds on its performance. We finally illustrate the quality of our approximate solution and the myopic solution using numerical simulations.