bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐injury motives: A person‐centered examination
Authors: Dixon‐Gordon Katherine L. , Turner Brianna J. , Haliczer Lauren A. , Gratz Kim L. , Tull Matthew T. , Chapman Alexander L.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

People report multiple motives for nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), but few studies have examined how these motives relate to one another. This study identified person‐centered classes of NSSI motives, their NSSI and psychopathological correlates, and their utility in predicting future NSSI across two samples.

Methods

Participants were adolescents and young adults (aged 15–35) with recent NSSI recruited from online forums (n = 155, Sample 1) or the community (n = 127, Sample 2). Participants completed measures of NSSI, emotion regulation difficulties, borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, and reported on their NSSI over 12 months.

Results

Latent profile analyses yielded five classes in each sample: low interpersonal, self‐punishment/interpersonal, moderate intra/interpersonal, high intra/interpersonal, and mainly interpersonal motives. Classes were not associated with lifetime NSSI characteristics, but highly motivated participants reported more severe depression and BPD symptoms, and greater emotion dysregulation than low‐motivated participants. Those in the mainly interpersonal (Sample 1) and self‐punishment/interpersonal (Sample 2) motives classes reported greater NSSI frequency during follow‐up.

Conclusions

This study identified five classes of NSSI motives. Participants who report multiple motives for NSSI may be more clinically severe, whereas those who report strong desires to communicate with others or punish themselves may be at the highest risk for more frequent NSSI over time.
Comparative analyses of American and Asian lotus genomes reveal insights into petal color, carpel thermogenesis and domestication
Authors: Zheng Ping , Sun Heng , Liu Juan , Lin Jishan , Zhang Xingtan , Qin Yuan , Zhang Wenping , Xu Xiuming , Deng Xianbao , Yang Dong , Wang Meng , Zhang Yanting , Song Heyun , Huang Yongji , Orozco‐Obando Warner , Ming Ray , Yang Mei
Published: April 2022

Nelumbo lutea (American lotus), which differs from Nelumbo nucifera (Asian lotus) morphologically, is one of the two remaining species in the basal eudicot family Nelumbonaceae. Here, we assembled the 843‐Mb genome of American lotus into eight pseudochromosomes containing 31 382 protein‐coding genes. Comparative analyses revealed conserved synteny without large chromosomal rearrangements between the genomes of American and Asian lotus and identified 29 533 structural variants (SVs). Carotenoid and anthocyanin pigments determine the yellow and red petal colors of American and Asian lotus, respectively. The structural genes encoding enzymes of the carotenoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways were conserved between two species but differed in expression. We detected SVs caused by repetitive sequence expansion or contraction among the anthocyanin biosynthesis regulatory MYB genes. Further transient overexpression of candidate NnMYB5 induced anthocyanin accumulation in lotus petals. Alternative oxidase (AOX), uncoupling proteins (UCPs), and sugar metabolism and transportation contributed to carpel thermogenesis. Carpels produce heat with sugars transported from leaves as the main substrates, because there was weak tonoplast sugar transporter (TST) activity, and with SWEETs were highly expressed during thermogenesis. Cell proliferation‐related activities were particularly enhanced in the warmer carpels compared with stamens during the cold night before blooming, which suggested that thermogenesis plays an important role in flower protogyny. Population genomic analyses revealed deep divergence between American and Asian lotus, and independent domestication affecting seed, rhizome, and flower traits. Our findings provide a high‐quality reference genome of American lotus for exploring the genetic divergence and variation between two species and revealed possible genomic bases for petal color, carpel thermogenesis and domestication in lotus.
α1‐Adrenoceptors activate the NLRP3 inflammasome through downregulation of Kir2.1 in cardiac inflammation
Authors: Chen Ling , Wang Wenbo , Peng Xiangyang , Liu Luqian , Zhang Aimei , Li Xinzhi , Ma Ketao , Wang Li
Published: April 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the mechanism of cardiac inflammation induced by α1‐adrenoceptor stimulation by NLRP3 inflammasome activation?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In the mechanism of cardiac inflammation induced by α1‐adrenoceptor overactivation, Kir2.1 exerts cardioprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Overstimulation of sympathetic nerves in cardiovascular diseases can lead to impaired cardiomyocyte function and potential heart failure, which activates not only the β‐adrenoceptors but also the α1‐adrenoceptors (α1‐AR). A previous report indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is involved in cardiac inflammation induced by the α1‐AR agonist phenylephrine (PE), but the mechanism is still unknown. Here, we aimed to study whether Kir2.1 is involved in cardiac inflammation caused by PE. The results from in vitro experiments showed that PE upregulated the expression levels of NLRP3, caspase‐1, interleukin (IL)‐18 and IL‐1β and downregulated the expression level of Kir2.1 in H9C2 cells. The Kir2.1 agonist zacopride downregulated the expression of NLRP3, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18, and the Kir2.1 inhibitor ML133 upregulated their expression. To further explore the mechanism, we found that zacopride downregulated the protein expression level of p‐p65 and that ML133 upregulated it. Moreover, the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signalling pathway inhibitor curcumenol reversed the expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes caused by PE in H9C2 cells. In in vivo experiments, the protein expression level of Kir2.1 in the PE group was significantly decreased, and the activation of Kir2.1 by zacopride reduced cardiac inflammation. In short, Kir2.1 is involved in α1‐AR overactivation, which induces cardiac inflammation, through the NF‐κB signalling pathway, and activating Kir2.1 can downregulate NLRP3 inflammation and exert cardioprotective effects induced by zacopride.
Investigation on Viscosity Behavior of Anionic Polyacrylamide Copolymer in Brine Solutions for Slickwater Fluids Applications at High Salinity and Hardness Conditions
Authors: Balaga Dileep Kumar , Korlepara Navneeth Kumar , Vyas Aditya , Kulkarni Sandeep D.
Published: April 2022

Slickwater fluids, used to undertake fracturing in low-permeability reservoirs, may be derived from produced water consisting of a range of dissolved salts. The fluids are pumped downhole at high flowrates, and hence friction reducers, e.g., anionic polyacrylamides (APAMs) are added, which also impart viscosity to the fluid resulting in better proppant transport. The present work investigates the effect of an APAM copolymer on the viscosity of slickwater fluids; specifically, at high salinity and hardness conditions. The experimental part of this study demonstrated the impact of the parameters—APAM concentration and salt type/concentration—on slickwater fluid viscosity. In a freshwater–APAM fluid, as monovalent salt (salinity) is added incrementally, fluid viscosity decreased initially owing to the charge-shielding effect; and, then viscosity values were leveled off beyond a certain salinity level. However, a very peculiar behavior was observed for the addition of divalent salts (hardness) to fluid systems. Initially, as hardness increased up to 50k ppm (parts per million), as expected, fluid viscosity showed a significant decrease; on the contrary, as the hardness was raised beyond 50k ppm, the solution viscosity showed a distinctive increase up to 250k ppm. This phenomenon may be explained on the basis of the reverse charge-shielding effect, i.e., excessive divalent ionicity inducing repulsion between polymer charge sites. To model the above experimentally observed non-monotonous viscosity behavior, various machine learning models were employed; support vector regression (SVR)based models predicted the slickwater fluid viscosity with maximum accuracy. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the prominence of the studied input parameters. The modeling work would assist in minimizing trial-and-error in designing/optimizing a slickwater fluid system.
Experimental Study on Laser-Induced Surface Damage of a Single-Crystal Nickel-Based Superalloy Under Continuous Wave Fiber Laser Scanning Process
Authors: Nandam Srinivasa Rao , Venugopal Rao A. , Gokhale Amol A. , Joshi Suhas S.
Published: April 2022

Single-crystal (SC) nickel-based superalloy castings offer high-temperature mechanical properties that result in superior gas turbine engine performance and durability. These castings undergo various precision machining operations to remove a significant amount of material while manufacturing. Here, nickel-based superalloys are one of the most difficult materials to be cut. Therefore, novel concepts are being employed to improve their machinability including lowering their surface strength. This paper presents the introduction of laser-induced surface damage (LISD) on a second-generation SC nickel-based superalloy using a continuous wave (CW) fiber laser. Laser scanning experiments were performed on SC specimens in the as-cast condition with a laser power of 1000 W, a beam diameter of 1.2 mm, and scanning speeds from 5.5 mm/s to 16.5 mm/s. The cross-sections of the laser-irradiated surfaces were investigated by measuring the irradiated geometries (IRG), microstructural changes, microsegregations, solidification cracking, and heat affected zone (HAZ). The IRG shows the conduction mode of penetration with a high width-to-depth ratio under a bigger beam diameter and top-hat type beam profile. The IRG boundaries have irregular profiles due to the dissolution of interdendrite regions and eutectic phases. The IRG showed fine dendrites and solidification cracks with reduced microsegregation levels. The solidification cracking is mainly attributed to thermal stresses and the microcracking in HAZ is attributed to the dissolution of low melting Mo and Ti eutectics. The evolved HAZ ranges from 15% to 20% of the IRG depth. The LISD volume is evaluated as IRG plus HAZ for removal by machining process.
Ballistic Impact of Structural Steels at Low Temperatures
Authors: Holmen J. K. , Thomesen S. , Perez-Martin M. J. , Hopperstad O. S. , Børvik T.
Published: April 2022

Steels are usually stronger at low temperatures than at high temperatures. But low temperatures are, particularly in combination with high strain rates and high stress triaxiality ratios, known to cause embrittlement. The common understanding is that the ductility of steels decreases dramatically below a threshold temperature known as the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. This study explores the ballistic performance of Strenx 960 Plus steel plates at both low temperatures and room temperature. We describe a ballistic setup where target plates were cooled down to as low as −60 °C before we present results from ballistic impact tests with three different projectile types. The ballistic limit velocities from tests at low temperatures were higher than the ballistic limit velocities from tests at room temperature, indicating that brittle fracture does not take place. An analytical approach based on the Johnson–Cook constitutive relation, the Cockcroft–Latham ductile failure criterion, and a simple brittle fracture criterion is presented. The model suggests that ductile fracture prevails for most realistic material state histories, both in the ballistic impact tests as well as for quasi-static and dynamic tensile tests. This supports previous observations that brittle fracture is unlikely to occur in modern steels even when subjected to rapid loading and low temperatures.
A Stochastic Reduced-Order Model for Statistical Microstructure Descriptors Evolution
Authors: Tran Anh , Wildey Tim , Sun Jing , Liu Dehao , Wang Yan
Published: April 2022

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) models have been a crucial building block for modern materials development, relieving heavy reliance on experiments and significantly accelerating the materials design process. However, ICME models are also computationally expensive, particularly with respect to time integration for dynamics, which hinders the ability to study statistical ensembles and thermodynamic properties of large systems for long time scales. To alleviate the computational bottleneck, we propose to model the evolution of statistical microstructure descriptors as a continuous-time stochastic process using a non-linear Langevin equation, where the probability density function (PDF) of the statistical microstructure descriptors, which are also the quantities of interests (QoIs), is modeled by the Fokker–Planck equation. We discuss how to calibrate the drift and diffusion terms of the Fokker–Planck equation from the theoretical and computational perspectives. The calibrated Fokker–Planck equation can be used as a stochastic reduced-order model to simulate the microstructure evolution of statistical microstructure descriptors PDF. Considering statistical microstructure descriptors in the microstructure evolution as QoIs, we demonstrate our proposed methodology in three integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) models: kinetic Monte Carlo, phase field, and molecular dynamics simulations.
Acoustic Wave Focusing From Reconfigurable Acoustic Arrays Based on a Bricard-Miura Synthesis
Authors: Bentley Christopher S. , Harne Ryan L.
Published: April 2022

Recent studies have shown that reconfigurable acoustic arrays inspired from rigid origami structures can be used to radiate and focus acoustic waves. Yet, there is a need for exploration of single-degree-of-freedom deployment to be integrated with such arrays for sake of tailoring wave focusing. This research explores a reconfigurable acoustic array inspired from a regular Miura-ori unit cell and threefold-symmetric Bricard linkage. The system focuses on acoustic waves and has single-degree-of-freedom motion when incorporated with a modified threefold-symmetric Bricard linkage. Three configurations of the array are analyzed where array facets that converge towards the center axis are considered to vibrate like baffled pistons and generate acoustic waves into the surrounding fluid. An analytical model is constructed to explore the near-field acoustic focusing behavior of the proposed acoustic array. The wave focusing capabilities of the array are verified through proof-of-principle experiments. The results show that the wave focusing of the array is influenced by the geometric parameters of the facets and the relative distance of facets to the center axis, in agreement with simplified ray acoustics estimates. These findings underscore the fundamental relationship between focusing sound radiators and geometric acoustics principles. The results encourage broader exploration of acoustic array designs inspired from integrated single-degree-of-freedom linkages and origami structures for sake of straightforward array deployment and reconfiguration.
Design and Application of Double-Parallelograms-Based Tuned Mass Damper for Low-Frequency Vibration Absorption
Authors: Ma Wenshuo , Yu Jingjun , Yang Yiqing
Published: April 2022

Low-frequency vibration suppression is challenging in practical engineering problems due to the harsh requirement for vibration reduction devices, which requires constant low stiffness over a wide amplitude range. A passive tuned mass damper (TMD) composed of a positive stiffness module (PSM) in parallel with a negative stiffness module (NSM) is proposed, which are implemented by serial double-parallelograms (DP) and parallel-DP, respectively. The PSM has a large deflection range of constant stiffness for a given beam length, while the NSM offers negative stiffness within a certain deflection range when applied with axial load above the critical threshold. Based on the closed-form modeling of the stiffness modules using the beam constraint model (BCM), the design and analysis of the PSM and NSM are carried out considering the nonlinearity under large deflections. Afterward, with the structure of TMD implemented, its stiffness characteristics and low-frequency tunability are experimentally validated. Finally, the application on a suspension bridge model shows that a maximum of 29.8-dB vibration reduction of low-frequency mode is attained within the frequency range of interest. The proposed TMD well attenuates the vibrations excited by sweep sinusoidal and harmonic excitations under prespecified threshold levels of acceleration.
Positive Implicit Associations for Physical Activity Predict Physical Activity and Affective Responses During Exercise
Authors: Calado Gerson Daniel de Oliveira , Araújo Andressa de Oliveira , Oliveira Gledson Tavares Amorim , Sasaki Jeffer Eidi , Rebar Amanda L. , Machado Daniel Gomes da Silva , Elsangedy Hassan Mohamed
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of implicit associations and explicit evaluations with affective responses during an aerobic exercise session, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in adults. Fifty adults (70% women; median age = 31 years; 25th, 75th percentiles: 24.50, 40.50 years old; body mass index = 25.29 ± 4.97 kg/m2) not engaged in regular physical activity completed an implicit association test and a questionnaire of explicit evaluations and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. After the 7-day period, the participants performed 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Every 5 min, the affective response and the perception of effort were recorded. Participants who had more positive implicit associations toward physical activity (vs. sedentary behavior) reported higher affective responses during exercise and engaged in more moderate to vigorous physical activity. Encouraging pleasant physical activity may act to partially improve future physical activity through automatic motivational processes.
Associations of plasma soluble CD22 levels with brain amyloid burden and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Bu Xian-Le , Sun Pu-Yang , Fan Dong-Yu , Wang Jun , Sun Hao-Lun , Cheng Yuan , Zeng Gui-Hua , Chen Dong-Wan , Li Hui-Yun , Yi Xu , Shen Ying-Ying , Miles Luke A. , Maruff Paul , Gu Ben J. , Fowler Christopher J. , Masters Colin L. , Wang Yan-Jiang
Published: April 2022

CD22 has been suggested to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis by inhibiting microglial amyloid β (Aβ) phagocytosis. Soluble CD22 (sCD22) generated by cleavage from cell membranes may be a marker of inflammation and microglial dysfunction; but alterations of sCD22 levels in AD and their correlation with AD biomarkers remain unclear. Plasma sCD22 levels were measured in cognitively normal non-AD participants and patients with preclinical AD and AD dementia from a Chinese cohort and the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing. Plasma sCD22 levels were elevated in patients with preclinical and dementia AD. Plasma sCD22 levels were negatively correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ42 levels and Aβ42/Aβ40, and positively correlated with CSF phosphorylated tau levels and brain Aβ burden, but negatively correlated with cognitive function. Moreover, higher plasma sCD22 levels were associated with faster cognitive decline during follow-up. These findings suggest that CD22 plays important roles in AD development, and that sCD22 is a potential biomarker for AD.
Protected generation of dissipative Kerr solitons in supermodes of coupled optical microresonators
Authors: Tikan Alexey , Tusnin Aleksandr , Riemensberger Johann , Churaev Mikhail , Ji Xinru , Komagata Kenichi Nicolas , Wang Rui Ning , Liu Junqiu , Kippenberg Tobias J.
Published: April 2022

A photonic dimer composed of two evanescently coupled high-
Q
microresonators is a fundamental element of multimode soliton lattices. It has demonstrated a variety of emergent nonlinear phenomena, including supermode soliton generation and soliton hopping. Here, we present another aspect of dissipative soliton generation in coupled resonators, revealing the advantages of this system over conventional single-resonator platforms. Namely, we show that the accessibility of solitons markedly varies for symmetric and antisymmetric supermode families. Linear measurements reveal that the coupling between transverse modes, giving rise to avoided mode crossings, can be substantially suppressed. We explain the origin of this phenomenon and show its influence on the dissipative Kerr soliton generation in lattices of coupled resonators of any type. Choosing an example of the topological Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, we demonstrate how the edge state can be protected from the interaction with higher-order modes, allowing for the formation of topological Kerr solitons.
Nonequilibrium sub–10 nm spin-wave soliton formation in FePt nanoparticles
Authors: Turenne Diego , Yaroslavtsev Alexander , Wang Xiaocui , Unikandanuni Vivek , Vaskivskyi Igor , Schneider Michael , Jal Emmanuelle , Carley Robert , Mercurio Giuseppe , Gort Rafael , Agarwal Naman , Van Kuiken Benjamin , Mercadier Laurent , Schlappa Justine , Le Guyader Loïc , Gerasimova Natalia , Teichmann Martin , Lomidze David , Castoldi Andrea , Potorochin Dimitri , Mukkattukavil Deepak , Brock Jeffrey , Zhou Hagström Nanna , Reid Alexander H. , Shen Xiaozhe , Wang Xijie J. , Maldonado Pablo , Kvashnin Yaroslav , Carva Karel , Wang Jian , Takahashi Yukiko K. , Fullerton Eric E. , Eisebitt Stefan , Oppeneer Peter M. , Molodtsov Serguei , Scherz Andreas , Bonetti Stefano , Iacocca Ezio , Dürr Hermann A.
Published: April 2022

Magnetic nanoparticles such as FePt in the L1
0
phase are the bedrock of our current data storage technology. As the grains become smaller to keep up with technological demands, the superparamagnetic limit calls for materials with higher magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This, in turn, reduces the magnetic exchange length to just a few nanometers, enabling magnetic structures to be induced within the nanoparticles. Here, we describe the existence of spin-wave solitons, dynamic localized bound states of spin-wave excitations, in FePt nanoparticles. We show with time-resolved x-ray diffraction and micromagnetic modeling that spin-wave solitons of sub–10 nm sizes form out of the demagnetized state following femtosecond laser excitation. The measured soliton spin precession frequency of 0.1 THz positions this system as a platform to develop novel miniature devices.
3-D seismic chronostratigraphy of reefs and drifts in the Browse Basin, NW Australia
Authors: Thronberens Sebastian , Back Stefan , Bourget Julien , Allan Tony , Reuning Lars
Published: April 2022

In its subsurface, the Browse Basin on the Australian Northwest Shelf accommodates one of the largest Miocene–Pliocene carbonate platform provinces on Earth. This study presents a comprehensive three-dimensional (3-D) documentation and investigation of the Neogene Browse Basin carbonates based on the analysis of 15 3-D seismic reflection volumes covering ca. 33,000 km2 and 22 industry boreholes. Eight basin-wide seismic marker horizons tied to Sr isotope and biostratigraphic data provide a robust 3-D chronostratigraphic framework that (1) newly documents the occurrence of Miocene to recent carbonate systems in vast inboard basin areas; (2) presents the 3-D distribution and dynamic development of carbonate platforms through time constrained by absolute ages; and (3) supports the detailed 3-D interpretation of Miocene to recent depositional processes and key stratigraphic controls.

Around 18.6 Ma, the extent of all Browse Basin carbonate platforms was ca. 8600 km2, rising to >10,000 km2 between 15.6 Ma and 12 Ma. By ca. 9.7 Ma, the total platform extent had decreased to ca. 5700 km2, waning to <2800 km2 in the Pliocene. The observed reef demise is less abrupt than previously thought and comprises two steps, with the first in the late Miocene on the outer shelf and the second in the Pliocene on the middle and inner shelf. The Miocene outer-shelf platform demise coincided with (1) strong subsidence that outpaced sedimentation, (2) an increase in NW–SE-oriented tidal current activity, (3) the development of NNE–SSW-oriented bottom currents, and (4) the onset of drift sedimentation. The Pliocene demise of middle-shelf reefs coincided with (1) an increase of clastic sediment input from land and (2) stalling of the Indonesian Throughflow around 3.7 Ma. The basin-wide, 3-D seismic chronostratigraphic analysis presented supports a re-evaluation of the key controls for Miocene and Pliocene reef growth and decay on the NW Shelf and highlights the complexity of interacting global, regional, and local processes and peculiarities in carbonate platform development.
Nodular fasciitis of the submandibular gland
Authors: Wong Ting Suen , Gan Richard Wei Chern , Karsai Laszlo , Wong Bun Yin Winson
Published: April 2022

A woman in her 20s presented with a non-tender swelling of the right submandibular gland. Ultrasound was suggestive of pleomorphic adenoma. The histology result of the excised tumour later confirmed a diagnosis of nodular fasciitis which is extremely rare in the submandibular gland. Postoperatively, she has made good recovery. Due to the similarity of the radiological image of pleomorphic adenoma and nodular fasciitis, it poses difficulty in diagnosing nodular fasciitis without cytology or histology of the salivary gland. Although being extremely rare, it would be worth to consider nodular fasciitis as one of the differential diagnosis in future cases of benign submandibular lesions.
Deep blue dot corneal degeneration: a rare corneal degeneration
Authors: Mandal Sohini , Sahay Pranita , Nagpal Ritu , Maharana Prafulla Kumar
Published: April 2022

A female patient in the age group 55–60 years presented to us with blurring of vision in both eyes. On slit-lamp examination, numerous circular to oval fleck-like discrete blue opacities at the level of deep corneal stroma and Descemet’s membrane was observed. These lesions were predominantly seen in the central two-thirds of the cornea. Considering the age of presentation and the clinical features, the probable diagnosis of ‘deep blue dot corneal degeneration’ was made.
Gut microbial dysbiosis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review protocol of case-control studies
Authors: Wang Dan-Wen , Pang Xiang-Tian , Zhang Heng , Gao Hai-Xia , Leng Yu-Fei , Chen Feng-Qin , Zhang Rui , Feng Yun , Sun Zhi-Ling
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a huge societal impact due to the high prevalence, irreversible joint damage and systemic complications. Gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of RA by regulating the host immune system. Restoring intestinal homeostasis by altering the microbiota could be an attractive strategy for the prevention and treatment of RA. However, the signature features of microbial dysbiosis in RA are still controversial. Therefore, we aim to elucidate the characteristic change in the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in RA.

Methods and analysis

We will systematically search through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, as well as dissertations and conference proceedings. The reference lists of all included studies will be also reviewed to retrieve additional relevant studies. The case-control studies that reported either the relative abundance of bacteria at the phylum or genus level or at least one of the alpha-diversity, beta-diversity indexes in both RA and healthy controls will be included. Eligible studies will be screened independently by two reviewers according to the inclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale will be used to assess the quality of the included studies. Data extraction, qualitative and quantitative analysis will be performed within the gut microbial dysbiosis in RA. The expected outcomes will be the identification of the specific changes in composition and diversity of the gut microbiota in patients with RA. The quality of evidence will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is unnecessary as this review does not address the data and privacy of patients. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021225229.
Study protocol: a survey exploring patients’ and healthcare professionals’ expectations, attitudes and ethical acceptability regarding the integration of socially assistive humanoid robots in nursing
Authors: Mlakar Izidor , Kampič Tadej , Flis Vojko , Kobilica Nina , Molan Maja , Smrke Urška , Plohl Nejc , Bergauer Andrej
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Population ageing, the rise of chronic diseases and the emergence of new viruses are some of the factors that contribute to an increasing share of gross domestic product dedicated to health spending. COVID-19 has shown that nursing staff represents the critical part of hospitalisation. Technological developments in robotics and artificial intelligence can significantly reduce costs and lead to improvements in many hospital processes. The proposed study aims to assess expectations, attitudes and ethical acceptability regarding the integration of socially assistive humanoid robots into hospitalised care workflow from patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perspectives and to compare them with the results of similar studies.

Methods/design

The study is designed as a cross-sectional survey, which will include three previously validated questionnaires, the Technology-Specific Expectation Scale (TSES), the Ethical Acceptability Scale (EAS) and the Negative Attitudes towards Robots Scale (NARS). The employees of a regional clinical centre will be asked to participate via an electronic survey and respond to TSES and EAS questionaries. Patients will respond to TSES and NARS questionaries. The survey will be conducted online.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the study was obtained by the Medical Ethics Commission of the University Medical Center Maribor. Results will be published in a relevant scientific journal and communicated to participants and relevant institutions through dissemination activities and the ecosystem of the Horizon 2020 funded project HosmartAI (grant no. 101016834).

Ethical approval date

06 May 2021.

Estimated start of the study

December 2021.
Schools preparedness for menstrual hygiene management: a descriptive cross-sectional study in the West Gonja Municipality, Savannah Region of Ghana
Authors: Asumah Mubarick Nungbaso , Abubakari Abdulai , Gariba Ayishetu
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate schools’ preparedness for menstrual hygiene management in the West Gonja Municipality of Ghana.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods approach.

Setting

Junior high schools in the West Gonja Municipality.

Participants

Twenty-six schools were randomly selected, and 13 schoolgirls were purposively chosen for qualitative interviews.

Analysis of data

The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and thematic content analysis, respectively. The transcriptions were printed out and read repeatedly to identify similar wordings, phrases, concept and meanings.

Outcomes

Presence of menstrual hygiene facilities in basic schools.

Results

Majority (69.2%) of the schools were poorly prepared towards menstrual hygiene management. Only 38.5% schools had water, most schools (61.5%) did not have waste bins, 30.8% of the schools had designated places for changing of menstrual materials. No school had menstrual hygiene materials available for emergency use. All participants acknowledged inadequate hygiene facilities in their schools. During menses, adolescent girls often absent themselves from school. Girls tend to be very inactive during their menstrual period for fear of embracement from their male counterparts. The following themes were obtained ‘unavailability of hygiene material’, ‘involvement in class during menses’ and ‘absence from school’.

Conclusion

Schools in West Gonja Municipality have inadequate menstrual hygiene management facilities that could be a major setback to the health and educational attainment of young girls. The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources should expand menstrual hygiene and its management to reach the West Gonja Municipality as part of the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy.
Understanding what wellbeing means to medical and nursing staff working in paediatric intensive care: an exploratory qualitative study using appreciative inquiry
Authors: Butcher Isabelle , Morrison Rachael , Webb Sarah , Duncan Heather , Balogun Omobolanle , Shaw Rachel
Published: April 2022

Aims and objectives

To explore what wellbeing means to medical and nursing staff working in a large paediatric intensive care (PIC).

Design

Exploratory qualitative design using an appreciative inquiry framework.

Setting

PIC unit; primary, secondary and tertiary.

Participants

46 nurses and doctors working on PIC.

Interventions

A set of images were used together with open-ended questions to prompt staff to discuss what wellbeing means to them. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Images depicting nature, children and groups of adults were selected most. Meanings of wellbeing for PIC staff can be understood through three themes: (1) Being nurtured and supported at work, (2) Importance of nature and (3) Social support independent of work. The first theme considered the importance of being listened to at work as well as staff highlighting the value of being in control at work. Within the second theme, being active in nature and outdoors as well as the importance of being in the present moment was illustrated. Within the final theme, staff expressed the value of having support independent of work and highlighted the importance of spending time with family.

Conclusions

This study provides a unique insight into how individuals working in PIC experience wellbeing and what wellbeing means to them. Understanding how healthcare professionals in PIC settings experience wellbeing and what wellbeing means to them will enable researchers to develop interventions designed to enhance staff wellbeing based on lived experience.
Opt-out rates and reasons for non-participation in a single-arm feasibility trial (ENGAGE) of a guided internet-administered CBT-based intervention for parents of children treated for cancer: a nested cross-sectional survey
Authors: Hagström Josefin , Woodford Joanne , von Essen Agnes , Lähteenmäki Päivi , von Essen Louise
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Difficulties with recruitment into clinical trials are common. An opt-out recruitment strategy, whereby potential participants can decline further contact about a study (opt-out), and non-responders are contacted, may facilitate participation. Primary objectives examined opt-out and consent rates, mode and time point of opt-out, and sociodemographic characteristics of those who opted out versus those who chose to participate in a single-arm feasibility trial (ENGAGE) of a guided, internet-administered, cognitive–behavioural therapy-based intervention for parents of children treated for cancer. Secondary objectives examined reasons for non-participation.

Design

A cross-sectional survey nested within the ENGAGE feasibility trial.

Setting

The intervention was delivered from Uppsala University, with parents located throughout Sweden.

Participants

Potential participants were recruited 3 months–5 years following their child ending treatment for cancer and were identified via their personal identification number (via the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry and Swedish Tax Agency) and invited via postal invitation packs and could opt out via post, online, telephone or email. Those who did not opt out or consent, within 4 weeks, received up to five telephone calls and/or one postal reminder.

Results

Of 509 invited, 164 (32.2%) opted out, 78 (47.6%) via post, 53 (32.3%) via telephone, 24 (14.6%) online, and 6 (3.7%) via email, 88 (53.7%) opted out after at least one telephone call and/or postal reminder. There was a trend for parents with lower educational levels to opt out. No need of psychological support, lack of time, and no interest in internet-administered self-help were frequently reported reasons for non-participation.

Conclusions

Results emphasise the importance of using different opt-out modes and suggest future research should consider how to widen study participation for parents with lower education levels. Self-identifying a need for psychological support and the acceptability of internet-administered self-help are important factors for participation and should be considered in future research to increase recruitment.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN57233429.
Qualitative evaluation of enabling factors and barriers to the success and sustainability of national public health institutes in Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia
Authors: Woldetsadik Mahlet A , Bratton Shelly , Fitzpatrick Kaitlin , Ravat Fatima , Del Castillo Lisetta , McIntosh Kelsy J , Jarvis Dennis , Carnevale Caroline R , Cassell Cynthia H , Chhea Chhorvann , Prieto Alvarado Franklyn , MaCauley Jane , Jani Ilesh , Ilori Elsie , Nsanzimana Sabin , Mukonka Victor M , Baggett Henry C
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The success of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is critical to countries’ ability to deliver public health services to their populations and effectively respond to public health emergencies. However, empirical data are limited on factors that promote or are barriers to the sustainability of NPHIs. This evaluation explored stakeholders’ perceptions about enabling factors and barriers to the success and sustainability of NPHIs in seven countries where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has supported NPHI development and strengthening.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting

Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia.

Participants

NPHI staff, non-NPHI government staff, and non-governmental and international organisation staff.

Methods

We conducted semistructured, in-person interviews at a location chosen by the participants in the seven countries. We analysed data using a directed content analysis approach.

Results

We interviewed 43 NPHI staff, 29 non-NPHI government staff and 24 staff from non-governmental and international organisations. Participants identified five enabling factors critical to the success and sustainability of NPHIs: (1) strong leadership, (2) financial autonomy, (3) political commitment and country ownership, (4) strengthening capacity of NPHI staff and (5) forming strategic partnerships. Three themes emerged related to major barriers or threats to the sustainability of NPHIs: (1) reliance on partner funding to maintain key activities, (2) changes in NPHI leadership and (3) staff attrition and turnover.

Conclusions

Our findings contribute to the scant literature on sustainability of NPHIs in LMICs by identifying essential components of sustainability and types of support needed from various stakeholders. Integrating these components into each step of NPHI development and ensuring sufficient support will be critical to strengthening public health systems and safeguarding their continuity. Our findings offer potential approaches for country leadership to direct efforts to strengthen and sustain NPHIs.
Bigiswun Kid Project: a longitudinal study of adolescents living with high rates of prenatal alcohol exposure, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and early life trauma in remote Australian Aboriginal communities
Authors: Rice Lauren J , Tsang Tracey W , Carter Emily , Hand Marmingee , Davies Jadnah , Thomas Sue , Bedford Eric , Bear Emma , Carter Cheyenne , Cannon Lisa , Elliott Elizabeth J
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The Lililwan Project was the first Australian population-based prevalence study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) using active case ascertainment. Conducted in 2010–2011, the study included 95% of all eligible children aged 7–9 years living in the very remote Aboriginal communities of the Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia. Women from Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, a local Aboriginal-led organisation, are concerned that some participants from the study are struggling in adolescence so partnered with researchers from the University of Sydney to follow up the Lililwan cohort in 2020–2022 at age 17–19 years.

The overarching aim of the Bigiswun Kid Project is to identify adolescents’ needs and build knowledge to inform services to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in remote Aboriginal communities. The specific aims are to: (1) provide a voice to adolescents and their families to understand the health and well-being status of the Lililwan cohort at 17–19 years. (2) Examine relationships between exposures during pregnancy, birth characteristics, and health and neurodevelopment at 7–9 years, and positive/adverse adolescent outcomes at 17–19 years. This information will identify prenatal and early life factors that predict good health and well-being in adolescence. (3) Determine whether management plans provided in the Lililwan Project were followed, and identify past and present service gaps, support needs and barriers to service use. (4) Determine if key physical characteristics of FASD change between childhood and adolescence in this Aboriginal population.

Ethics and dissemination

Approved by the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and relevant ethics committees.
Effect of portable negative pressure units on expelled aerosols in the operating room environment
Authors: Popovic Marko , Beathe Jonathan , Gbaje Ejiro , Sharp Marla , Memtsoudis Stavros G
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Spontaneously breathing patients undergoing procedures under regional anesthesia can expose operating room personnel to infectious agents. The use of localized negative pressure within proximity of a patient’s airway is expected to reduce the amount of bioaerosols dispersed particularly for anesthesia staff who are frequently near the patient’s airway.

Methods

In the experiment, aerosols were produced using a polydisperse aerosol generator with nebulized saline. A portable negative pressure unit was set up at set distances of 10 cm and 30 cm with the aim of reducing aerosol particle counts detected by a laser-based particle counter.

Results

Without the portable negative pressure unit, the median concentration of 0.5 µm aerosols detected was 3128 (1533, 22832) particles/ft3/min. With the portable negative pressure unit 10 cm and 30 cm from the site of aerosol emittance, the median concentration compared with background concentration was −0.5 (−8, 8) particles/ft3/min and 398 (89, 1749) particles/ft3/min, respectively.

Conclusions

For particle concentrations of 0.5 µm, 0.7 µm, and 1.0 µm a significant amount of aerosol reduction was observed (p<0.001). Further experiments are warranted to assess the safety of staff when encountering a potentially infectious patient in the operating room.
Pulse shape analysis in Gerda Phase II
Authors: Agostini M. , Araujo G. , Bakalyarov A. M. , Balata M. , Barabanov I. , Baudis L. , Bauer C. , Bellotti E. , Belogurov S. , Bettini A. , Bezrukov L. , Biancacci V. , Bossio E. , Bothe V. , Brudanin V. , Brugnera R. , Caldwell A. , Cattadori C. , Chernogorov A. , Comellato T. , D’Andrea V. , Demidova E. V. , Marco N. Di , Doroshkevich E. , Fischer F. , Fomina M. , Gangapshev A. , Garfagnini A. , Gooch C. , Grabmayr P. , Gurentsov V. , Gusev K. , Hakenmüller J. , Hemmer S. , Hiller R. , Hofmann W. , Huang J. , Hult M. , Inzhechik L. V. , Csáthy J. Janicskó , Jochum J. , Junker M. , Kazalov V. , Kermaïdic Y. , Khushbakht H. , Kihm T. , Kilgus K. , Kirsch A. , Kirpichnikov I. V. , Klimenko A. , Knöpfle K. T. , Kochetov O. , Kornoukhov V. N. , Krause P. , Kuzminov V. V. , Laubenstein M. , Lazzaro A. , Lindner M. , Lippi I. , Lubashevskiy A. , Lubsandorzhiev B. , Lutter G. , Macolino C. , Majorovits B. , Maneschg W. , Manzanillas L. , Miloradovic M. , Mingazheva R. , Misiaszek M. , Müller Y. , Nemchenok I. , Panas K. , Pandola L. , Pelczar K. , Pertoldi L. , Piseri P. , Pullia A. , Ransom C. , Rauscher L. , Redchuk M. , Riboldi S. , Rumyantseva N. , Sada C. , Salamida F. , Schönert S. , Schreiner J. , Schütt M. , Schütz A. -K. , Schulz O. , Schwarz M. , Schwingenheuer B. , Selivanenko O. , Shevchik E. , Shirchenko M. , Shtembari L. , Simgen H. , Smolnikov A. , Stukov D. , Vasenko A. A. , Veresnikova A. , Vignoli C. , Sturm K. von , Wagner V. , Wester T. , Wiesinger C. , Wojcik M. , Yanovich E. , Zatschler B. , Zhitnikov I. , Zhukov S. V. , Zinatulina D. , Zschocke A. , Zsigmond A. J. , Zuber K. , Zuzel G. ,   GERDA collaboration
Published: April 2022

The GERmanium Detector Array (Gerda) collaboration searched for neutrinoless double-$$\beta $$
β
decay in $$^{76}$$

76

Ge using isotopically enriched high purity germanium detectors at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN. After Phase I (2011–2013), the experiment benefited from several upgrades, including an additional active veto based on LAr instrumentation and a significant increase of mass by point-contact germanium detectors that improved the half-life sensitivity of Phase II (2015–2019) by an order of magnitude. At the core of the background mitigation strategy, the analysis of the time profile of individual pulses provides a powerful topological discrimination of signal-like and background-like events. Data from regular $$^{228}$$

228

Th calibrations and physics data were both considered in the evaluation of the pulse shape discrimination performance. In this work, we describe the various methods applied to the data collected in Gerda Phase II corresponding to an exposure of 103.7 kg year. These methods suppress the background by a factor of about 5 in the region of interest around $$Q_{\beta \beta }= 2039$$

Q

β
β

=
2039

 keV, while preserving $$(81\pm 3)$$

(
81
±
3
)

% of the signal. In addition, an exhaustive list of parameters is provided which were used in the final data analysis.
Explanation-Driven HCI Model to Examine the Mini-Mental State for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Loveleen Gaur , Mohan Bhandari , Shikhar Bhadwal Singh , Nz Jhanjhi , Shorfuzzaman Mohammad , Masud Mehedi
Published: April 2022

Directing research on Alzheimer’s disease toward only early prediction and accuracy cannot be considered a feasible approach toward tackling a ubiquitous degenerative disease today. Applying deep learning (DL), Explainable artificial intelligence, and advancing toward the human-computer interface (HCI) model can be a leap forward in medical research. This research aims to propose a robust explainable HCI model using SHAPley additive explanation, local interpretable model-agnostic explanations, and DL algorithms. The use of DL algorithms—logistic regression (80.87%), support vector machine (85.8%),
k
-nearest neighbor (87.24%), multilayer perceptron (91.94%), and decision tree (100%)—and explainability can help in exploring untapped avenues for research in medical sciences that can mold the future of HCI models. The presented model’s results show improved prediction accuracy by incorporating a user-friendly computer interface into decision-making, implying a high significance level in the context of biomedical and clinical research.