bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
School principals' mental health and well‐being under threat: A longitudinal analysis of workplace demands, resources, burnout, and well‐being
Authors: Marsh Herbert W. , Dicke Theresa , Riley Phil , Parker Philip D. , Guo Jiesi , Basarkod Geetanjali , Martin Andrew J.
Published: December 2022

Schools are critical organisational settings, and school principals face extreme stress levels. However, there are few large‐scale, longitudinal studies of demands and resources that drive principals' health and well‐being. Using the Job Demands‐Resources (JD‐R) framework, we evaluated longitudinal reciprocal effects over 3 years relating to job demands, job resources (resilience), job‐related outcomes (burnout and job satisfaction), and personal outcomes (happiness and physical health) for a nationally representative sample of 3683 Australian school principals. Prior demands and resources led to small changes in subsequent outcomes, beneficial effects of resources, and adverse effects of demands, particularly for job‐related outcomes. Furthermore, we also found reverse‐reciprocal effects, prior outcomes (burnout and job satisfaction) influencing subsequent job characteristics. However, in response to substantively and theoretically important research questions, we found no support for Yerkes–Dodson Law (nonlinear effects of demands) or Nietzsche effects and inoculation effects (that which does not kill you, makes you stronger; manageable levels of demands build resilience). Relating our study to new and evolving issues in JD‐R research, we offer limitations of our research—and JD‐R theory and research more generally—and directions for further research in this essentially unstudied application of JD‐R to school principals' mental health and well‐being.
Generative models for visualizing idiosyncratic impressions
Authors: Todorov Alexander , Uddenberg Stefan , Albohn Daniel
Published: December 2022

In their comprehensive review of research on impressions from faces, Sutherland and Young (this issue) highlight both the remarkable progress and the many challenges facing the field. We focus on two of the challenges: the need for generative, powerful models of impressions and the idiosyncratic nature of complex impressions.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition enhances production of specialized pro‐resolving lipid mediator and promotes macrophage plasticity
Authors: Abdalla Henrique B. , Alvarez Carla , Wu Yu‐Chiao , Rojas Paola , Hammock Bruce D. , Maddipati Krishna R. , Trindade‐da‐Silva Carlos Antonio , Soares Mariana Q. S. , Clemente‐Napimoga Juliana T. , Kantarci Alpdogan , Napimoga Marcelo H. , Van Dyke Thomas E.
Published: December 2022

Background and Purpose

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and other epoxy fatty acids (EpFA) are lipid mediators that are rapidly inactivated by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Uncontrolled and chronic inflammatory disorders fail to sufficiently activate endogenous regulatory pathways, including the production of specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs). Here, we addressed the relationship between SPMs and the EET/sEH axis and explored the effects of sEH inhibition on resolving macrophage phenotype.

Experimental Approach

Mice were treated with a sEH inhibitor, EETs, or sEH inhibitor + EETs (combination) before ligature placement to induce experimental periodontitis. Using RT‐qPCR, gingival samples were used to examine SPM receptors and osteolytic and inflammatory biomarkers. Maxillary alveolar bone loss was quantified by micro‐CT and methylene blue staining. SPM levels were analysed by salivary metabolo‐lipidomics. Gingival macrophage phenotype plasticity was determined by RT‐qPCR and flow cytometry. Effects of sEH inhibition on macrophage polarization and SPM production were assessed with bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs).

Key Results

Pharmacological inhibition of sEH suppressed bone resorption and the inflammatory cytokine storm in experimental periodontitis. Lipidomic analysis revealed that sEH inhibition augmented levels of LXA4, RvE1, RvE2, and 4‐HDoHE, concomitant with up‐regulation of LTB4R1, CMKLR1/ChemR23, and ALX/FPR2 SPM receptors. Notably, there is an impact on gingival macrophage plasticity was affected suggesting an inflammation resolving phenotype with sEH inhibition. In BMDMs, sEH inhibition reduced inflammatory macrophage activation, and resolving macrophages were triggered to produce SPMs.

Conclusion and Implications

Pharmacological sEH inhibition increased SPM synthesis associated with resolving macrophages, suggesting a potential target to control osteolytic inflammatory disorders.
Comparative validity of three simulation platforms for objective assessment of otoscopy skills
Authors: Rotimi Oloruntobi , Haymes Adam , Dodds Isobel , Bhutta Mahmood
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To assess the face, construct and content validity of three different platforms for otoscopy skills assessment, using a traditional otoscope with manikin, digital otoscope (Tympahealth) with manikin, and traditional otoscope with a low‐cost model ear (SimEar).

Design

Prospective mixed methods study.

Setting

Tertiary hospital.

Participants

Postgraduate trainees and expert assessors.

Main Outcome Measures

Face and Content validity based on expert assessor ranking on each model and their feedback from semi‐structured interviews. Construct validity based on Objective Structured Clinical Examination scores.

Results

Each platform differed in face, construct and content validity scores, with no one platform consistently outperforming others. Three main themes were identified during thematic analysis of expert assessor interviews: ability to assess what is seen, anatomical reality, and ease of use. The low‐cost model showed greatest potential, where modification to include a silicone ear could lead to high validity with marginal increase in cost.

Conclusion

Several modalities for assessing otoscopy skills exist, each with advantages and disadvantages. Modifications to a low‐cost model, for use with either a traditional or digital otoscope, could prove to be the best model.
Sensitivity and specificity of 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computed tomographic tenography to identify artificially induced soft tissue lesions in the equine cadaveric digital flexor tendon sheath
Authors: Aßmann Anton D. , Ohlerth Stefanie , Torgerson Paul R. , Bischofberger Andrea S.
Published: December 2022

Background

A common cause of lameness in horses is tenovaginitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS). Ultrasound and contrast tenography have become frequently used diagnostic tools for abnormalities in the DFTS, but are considered insufficiently accurate in describing specific lesions.

Objectives

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomographic tenography (CTT) and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect artificial lesions within the DFTS.

Study design

Blinded laboratory study.

Methods

Using an arthroscopic hook knife, lesions (10–20 mm long and 3–5 mm deep; n = 52) were created tenoscopically in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), manica flexoria (MF) and proximal scutum in 19 distal limb specimens. MRI and CTT were performed and images were reviewed. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each modality and compared.

Results

Computed tomographic tenography and MRI identification of SDFT and MF lesions showed similar sensitivity (75% vs. 85%, respectively; p = 1) and specificity for MF lesions (96% for both). SDFT lesions specificity was similar for CTT versus MRI (85% vs. 77%, respectively; p = 0.88). For DDFT lesions, MRI sensitivity (62%) was higher compared to CTT (38%), although not statistically significant (p = 0.58). MRI specificity (92%) was lower than CTT (96%, p = 1). Lesions in the proximal scutum were more frequently identified by MRI compared to CTT (sensitivity: 93% vs. 57%, p = 0.17; specificity: 96% vs. 100%, p = 1).

Main limitations

Artificial, small lesions were assessed. An incomplete arthroscopic portal seal resulted in pressure loss and contrast leakage.

Conclusions

The sensitivity and specificity of both modalities are good to excellent for the diagnosis of most artificially created lesions. CTT performed similarly to MRI in detecting SDFT and MF lesions. MRI showed a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of DDFT and proximal scutum lesions. The results indicate a future application of CTT for the diagnosis of DFTS pathologies, whenever suspecting MF tears.
Secular trends in the utility of SGLT‐2 inhibitors in heart failure patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus across Metro South Health hospitals in South‐East Queensland
Authors: Lu Zhen Qi , McCourt Elizabeth , Goodhew Karen , Gupta Deepali , Chuan Francine , Mok Leonie , Peters Robyn , Ha Tina , Fowler Daniel , Dobbyn Daniel Michael , Hetherington Justine , Challa Prasad , Kannan Shanthi , Korczyk Dariusz , Russell Anthony , Mugwagwa Augustine Nyasha
Published: December 2022

Background

The 2018 Australian Heart Failure (HF) guidelines strongly recommended commencing sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is) in HF patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The uptake of SGLT‐2is for HF patients with T2DM in our health service is unknown.

Aims

To determine the adoption of the 2018 HF guidelines by assessing the temporal trends of SGLT‐2is' usage in HF patients with T2DM at Metro South Health (MSH) hospitals, in South‐East Queensland.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all HF patients (ejection fraction (EF) < 50%) with T2DM who were managed within MSH hospitals between June 2018 and June 2021.

Results

A total of 666 patients met the inclusion criteria with 918 HF encounters. Mean age was 72 years and 71% were male (473/666). Mean EF was 30% (SD ± 11%), and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 48 mL/min/1.73 m2 (SD ± 25). Fifty‐four per cent (362/666) had contraindications to SGLT‐2is. Among those without contraindications, there was a five‐fold increase in the utility of SGLT‐2is, 7% (2/29) before versus 38% (103/275) after implementation of the HF guidelines (P < 0.001). Patients on SGLT‐2is were younger (64 years vs 69 years, P = 0.002) and had a lower number of HF hospitalisations (1.1 vs 2.1, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

During the study period, 54% of our HF patients with T2DM were not on SGLT‐2is due to prescribing guidelines/limitations in the Australian context. We observed a five‐fold significant increase in the uptake of SGLT‐2is before and after implementation of HF guidelines among patients without contraindications to SGLT‐2is. There were significantly fewer HF hospitalisations among patients on SGLT‐2is compared to those without.
Relationship of hearing impairment, social participation and depressive symptoms to the incidence of frailty in a community cohort
Authors: Ning Hongting , Zhang Hua , Xie Zhihai , Jiang Weihong , Xie Shaobing
Published: December 2022

Background

The mediating effect of social participation and depressive symptoms on the relationship between hearing impairment and frailty remains unclear.

Methods

A total of 3981 participants from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. The outcome was incidental frailty. Hearing impairment, social participation, and depressive symptoms were the main variables. Cox regression models and structural equation models were adopted to examine the relationship between hearing impairment, social participation, depressive symptoms, and the incidence of frailty, with adjustments for demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables at baseline.

Results

Hearing impairment (hazard ratio [HR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 1.74), social participation (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.55, 0.94), and depressive symptoms (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.37, 2.30) were associated with the incidence of frailty. Hearing impairment was associated with frailty not only through social participation (β = 0.015, 95% CI 0.003, 0.037) and depressive symptoms (β = 0.070, 95% CI 0.037, 0.116) separately but also through social participation and depressive symptoms sequentially (β = 0.002, 95% CI 0.001, 0.004). Furthermore, the effect of social participation on frailty occurred in participants with hearing impairment, while the effect of depressive symptoms on frailty occurred in participants with normal hearing status.

Conclusions

Hearing impairment is associated with frailty, in which social participation and depressive symptoms partly mediate the association. The effect of social participation and depressive symptoms on frailty varies across hearing statuses. Integrated and comprehensive intervention measures, including hearing screenings, promoting social participation, and improving depressive symptoms, are suggested to prevent frailty.
Use of metabolic glycoengineering and pharmacological inhibitors to assess lipid and protein sialylation on cells
Authors: Kranaster Petra , Blum Jonathan , Dold Jeremias E. G. A. , Wittmann Valentin , Leist Marcel
Published: December 2022

Metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) has been developed to visualize carbohydrates on live cells. The method allows the fluorescent labeling of sialic acid (Sia) sugar residues on neuronal plasma membranes. For instance, the efficiency of glycosylation along neurite membranes has been characterized as cell health measure in neurotoxicology. Using human dopaminergic neurons as model system, we asked here, whether it was possible to separately label diverse classes of biomolecules and to visualize them selectively on cells. Several approaches suggest that a large proportion of Sia rather incorporated in non‐protein components of cell membranes than into glycoproteins. We made use here of deoxymannojirimycin (dMM), a non‐toxic inhibitor of protein glycosylation, and of N‐butyl‐deoxynojirimycin (NBdNM) a well‐tolerated inhibitor of lipid glycosylation, to develop a method of differential labeling of sialylated membrane lipids (lipid‐Sia) or sialylated N‐glycosylated proteins (protein‐Sia) on live neurons. The time resolution at which Sia modification of lipids/proteins was observable was in the range of few hours. The approach was then extended to several other cell types. Using this technique of target‐specific MGE, we found that in dopaminergic or sensory neurons >60% of Sia is lipid bound, and thus polysialic acid‐neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM) cannot be considered the major sialylated membrane component. Different from neurons, most Sia was bound to protein in HepG2 hepatoma cells or in neural crest cells. Thus, our method allows visualization of cell‐specific sialylation processes for separate classes of membrane constituents.

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What Women Do, Believe in, and Financially Contribute—What Matters More in Couples' Decision Making? Gender Inequality in Ghana's Small‐Scale Fisheries☆
Authors: Adjei Moses , Chan Annie Hau Nung
Published: December 2022

Studies of couple's decision‐making power consistently show that women disproportionately occupy subordinate positions. Using survey data (N = 400) from an ethnographic study on Ghanaian female fisherfolk, we examine the influences of women's financial contributions, ownership of production assets and gender role attitudes, and how they interact with the bodily capacities required to perform different fishery tasks to shape women's decision‐making power. Findings show that financial contributions and ownership of production assets remain salient determinants of women's fishery decision‐making power. However, their participation in strenuous tasks dampens the positive relationship between their financial contributions, gender role attitudes and decision‐making power, such that financial contributions become insignificant. Women's decision‐making power varies according to the sex‐typed division of labor in small‐scale fishing, and those who violate it are ‘punished’—as evident in their decreased decision‐making power. Attention to the co‐implications of socio‐economic forces and material factors such as women's embodied experiences highlights (1) the specificities of occupational sex segregation and decision‐making in agricultural sectors of developing economies and (2) how such entanglements can be reconfigured to enhance women's decision‐making power in such contexts.
Impression technique modification and oral contracture release surgery for orthodontic treatment in a patient with severe microstomia due to recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Véliz Méndez Sebastián , Baeza Mauricio , Krämer Strenger Susanne
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by fragility of the skin and mucosal membranes. Dystrophic EB (DEB) is caused by mutations in the gene coding for type VII collagen. Among the most frequent oral manifestations in Recessive DEB (RDEB) are oral ulcers and blisters, absence of tongue papillae and palatal rugae, ankyloglossia, oral vestibule obliteration, and microstomia. The following report describes a modified impression technique used in a patient with severe RDEB and severe microstomia to obtain models for orthodontic treatment with aligners.

Case Report

A 25‐year‐old female patient with severe RDEB was referred for orthodontic treatment. Severe microstomia (8 mm), hindered the use of conventional trays or intraoral scanners to design the aligners. Therefore, a contracture release surgery in combination with a modified impression technique was performed to obtain an optimal impression and subsequent aligners for orthodontic treatment.

Discussion

This case presents an alternative strategy to provide orthodontic treatment with aligners in patients with severe microstomia due to severe RDEB. Reports of orthodontic treatment in people living with EB, especially in RDEB, are still rare, with few publications about fixed braces, early teeth extraction and removable devices, and none using aligners. Most of the impression techniques reported are aimed at oral rehabilitation. The multidisciplinary approach and impression technique reported should broaden the alternatives of orthodontic techniques provided to patients with EB and severe microstomia.

Conclusions

This article describes an oral contracture release surgery and modified impression technique for obtaining good quality impression for the design of orthodontic aligners in patients with severe microstomia due to severe RDEB.
The Operationalization of Music Teaching in Basic Education: A Documentary Research at the Municipal Education Council of Porto Alegre/Brazil
Authors: Wolffenbüttel Cristina Rolim
Published: December 2022

The teaching of music in Brazilian schools has come a long way, going through insertion and exclusion moments. These processes can be analyzed based on the actions of the education councils that, according to Resolution CNE/CEB No. 2/2016, have an important role, as they are consultative, normative, supervisory and deliberative bodies of the education system. Based on these assumptions, this article presents the research that investigated the performance of the Municipal Council of Education of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on the documents drawn up by it. The methodology was structured in a qualitative approach, using documental research as a method, and in the use of document collection and Internet research as techniques for data collection. Data analysis took place through the use of content analysis, having the theoretical frameworks structured in educational policies, legislation, and concepts of music education. This research is relevant as it is considered appropriate to relate the existing legislation regarding the teaching of music in schools, the need for its consolidation in state and municipal bodies, through education councils, and to connect institutional bodies in this process. It is expected that with the results of this investigation it will be possible to strengthen the current legislation, encourage the elaboration of new laws, as well as to reiterate the importance of education councils for the effective insertion of music in schools.
Exergetic and Economic Evaluation of Natural Gas/Hydrogen Blends for Power Generation
Authors: Olaniyi Oyeniyi , Incer-Valverde Jimena , Tsatsaronis George , Morosuk Tatiana
Published: December 2022

Using pure hydrogen or hydrogen/natural gas blends in gas-fired power plants poses a lower carbon footprint. This paper evaluates replacing natural gas with hydrogen/natural gas blends in existing power plants. Five gas-fired power plants were evaluated. For a comprehensive evaluation, these power plants were selected in different countries: Australia, Denmark, Germany, UK, and US. Energy, exergy, and economic analysis were applied to depict the implications of the various blends. The simulation was performed using EBSILON Professional software. The results demonstrate the following advantages: lower carbon emissions and higher energy and exergy efficiencies keeping the net power output constant. However, NOx emissions and the volumetric flowrate of the fuel (hydrogen/natural gas blends) increased drastically, i.e., by nearly 16% with the introduction of 20 vol%H2. This affects to design parameters of the gas-fired power plants. The introduction of hydrogen into natural gas affects the levelized cost of fuel. However, it depends on the price disparity between hydrogen and natural gas. The main technological and economic constraints of using hydrogen/natural gas blends in existing gas-fired power plants are assessed in this paper as well.
Importance of Temperature-Dependent Non-Newtonian Fluid in Conventional Thermal Processing
Authors: Ramamurthy Thilakavathi , Krishnan Suresh
Published: December 2022

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation provides full-field variables, enabling a better understanding of flow physics and associated heat transfer. However, assumptions involved in CFD simulation should not affect flow and temperature fields and their correspondence to practical situations. Therefore, the present study analyzed the importance of temperature-dependent fluid properties in a sealed container during thermal treatment. We compared the thermal behavior trends of temperature-dependent fluid properties with those obtained from constant properties for two carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) solution concentrations. The results show that natural convection occurs earlier in the temperature-dependent fluid properties, which leads to attaining a desired level of sterility within a shorter time than the constant properties of the fluid. The variations in the viscosity with the shear rate and temperature played essential roles in affecting thermal behavior. So, results indicate that temperature-dependent non-Newtonian fluid must be considered to avoid miscalculating heating time in conventional thermal treatment. Besides, the thermal trends of both cases approach pure conduction when CMC solutions’ apparent viscosity increases.
Activity of ETX0462 toward Some
Burkholderia
spp.
Authors: Zeiser Elise T. , Becka Scott A. , LiPuma John J. , Papp-Wallace Krisztina M.
Published: December 2022

Burkholderia cepacia
complex (Bcc) and
Burkholderia gladioli
are opportunistic human pathogens that are inherently multidrug resistant, limiting treatment options for infections. Here, a novel diazabicyclooctane, ETX0462, was evaluated for activity against Bcc and
B
.
gladioli
.
Nearly Complete Genome Sequences of Type 2 Sabin-Like Polioviruses from Northern Nigerian Poliovirus Surveillance, 2016 to 2018
Authors: Zhao Kun , Schmidt Alexander , Tang Kevin , Castro Christina J. , Liu Hongmei , Pang Hong , Chen Qi , Baba Marycelin , Soji Oderinde Bamidele , Bukbuk David , Akinola Monilade , Adeniji Johnson Adekunle , Marine Rachel L. , Ng Terry Fei Fan , Jorba Jaume , Burns Cara C.
Published: December 2022

We sequenced 109 type 2 Sabin-like poliovirus isolates that had been collected from acute flaccid paralysis patients or healthy children in Nigeria. Understanding the genetic makeup of these viruses may contribute to polio eradication efforts.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain Ant01, from the Rhizosphere of Antarctic Moss
Authors: Hwang Jisub , Lee Hyoungseok , Do Hackwon , Lee Sung Gu , Oh Tae-Jin , Lee Jun Hyuck
Published: December 2022

Pseudomonas fluorescens
Ant01 was isolated as an antibiotic-resistant strain from the rhizosphere of a moss from Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica. The assembled genome size is 6,249,144 bp, with 5,616 protein-coding genes, 69 tRNA genes, and 19 rRNA genes.
Laparoscopic excision of a large adrenal pseudocyst: diagnostic dilemma and technical challenges
Authors: Shettar Ankit , Sasmal Prakash Kumar , Chalamalasetty Venkata Sai Manas , Kumar Pankaj
Published: December 2022

A woman in her 40s attended the hospital with worsening left upper abdominal dull aching pain for the past 6 months. Clinical examination and radiological investigations with ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen confirmed it to be a cystic lesion of the left adrenal of size 13 cm × 12 cm × 11 cm. With the possibility of an incidental malignancy due to large size, laparoscopic cyst excision meticulously without spillage of cyst content was possible due to preoperative planning. It was a difficult task to mobilise the cyst intact due to the thin wall to prevent accidental rupture and gross spillage of the cyst contents. The cyst wall sent for histopathological examination confirmed it to be an adrenal pseudocyst without any malignant focus. Adrenal pseudocysts are rare and mostly benign. However, the index of suspecting a malignancy should be high in large cysts, and meticulous dissection is warranted.
Moxibustion as adjuvant therapy for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lu Lingyun , Wen Qian , Zhang Xin , Lv Jianqin , Zhang Leixiao , Liu Lu , Yu Xijie , Li Ning
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Postmenopausal osteoporosis, caused by ageing and oestrogen deficiency, seriously threatens women’s physical and mental health. Postmenopausal osteopenia is the transition from healthy bone to osteoporosis, and it may be the key period for preventing bone loss. Moxibustion, a physical therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has potential benefits for osteoporosis treatment and prevention, but it has not been adequately studied. This study aims to explore the clinical effects and safety of moxibustion in delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Methods and analysis

In this parallel-design, randomised, patient-blind and assessor-blind, controlled clinical study, 150 women with osteopenia at low fracture risk will be randomly assigned to a moxibustion treatment (MT) group or a placebo-moxibustion control (PMC) group in a 1:1 ratio. In addition to the fundamental measures (vitamin D3 and calcium) as recommended by the guidelines, participants of the two groups will receive MT or PMC treatment for 42 sessions over 12 months. The primary outcome will be the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine at the end of the 12-month treatment, and secondary outcomes will be the BMD of the femoral neck and total hip, T-scores, bone turnover markers, serum calcium levels, serum magnesium levels, serum phosphorus levels, serum parathyroid hormone levels and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, intensity of bone pain, quality of life, incidence of osteoporosis and fractures, usage of emergency drugs or surgery, participant self-evaluation of therapeutic effects and the rate of adverse events. All statistical analyses will be performed based on the intention-to-treat and per-protocol principle.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee on Biomedical Research, West China Hospital of Sichuan University (permission number: 2021-1243). The results are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100053953.
Effect of comprehensive knowledge of HIV on risky sexual behaviours associated with HIV transmission among adult Ugandans: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Izudi Jonathan , Kadengye Damazo T
Published: December 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effect of comprehensive knowledge of HIV on extramarital sexual relationships and consistent condom use.

Design

Quasi-experimental study.

Setting

20 880 households, Uganda.

Participants

Married/cohabiting men and women, aged 15–54 years.

Methods

We applied propensity score-matched analysis and defined comprehensive knowledge of HIV as knowing that consistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse and having just one faithful partner without HIV reduces the chance of getting HIV, knowing that a healthy-looking person can have HIV and rejecting two local misconceptions (HIV can be transmitted by mosquito bites and by sharing food with a person who has HIV). The primary outcome was extramarital sexual relationship defined as involvement in a sexual relationship with a partner other than a spouse or cohabiting partner, within 12 months preceding the survey. The secondary outcome was consistent condom use, defined as using a condom at every sexual intercourse with any non-spouse/non-cohabiting partner over the past 12 months.

Results

Among 18 504 participants matched in a 1:1 ratio, comprehensive knowledge of HIV showed no effect on extramarital sexual relationships (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.11) but improved consistent condom use among married/cohabiting couples in extramarital sexual relationships (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37). Among married/cohabiting men, comprehensive knowledge of HIV had no effect on extramarital sexual relationships (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.08) but improved consistent use of condoms in extramarital sexual relationships (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.66). However, among married/cohabiting females, there was no effect on both outcomes.

Conclusions

Comprehensive knowledge of HIV has no effect on extramarital sexual relationships but increases consistent condom use among those in extramarital sexual relationships. There is a need to consistently provide correct HIV prevention messages among sexually active married/cohabiting couples in Uganda.
Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Savira Feby , Alif Sheikh M , Afroz Afsana , Siddiquea Bodrun Naher , Shetty Aishwarya , Chowdhury Hasina Akhter , Bhattacharya Oashe , Chowdhury Mohammad Rocky Khan , Islam Md Shariful , Ali Liaquat , Billah Baki
Published: December 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in rural Bangladesh.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study conducted between June and November 2021.

Setting

This study was conducted in rural Bangladesh.

Participants

People older than 18 years of age, not pregnant and no history of surgery for the last 3 months were eligible to participate.

Primary and secondary outcomes

The primary outcomes were proportions of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and roll-out participation among the rural population. The secondary outcome was identification of correlates which contributed to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and roll-out participation. Χ2tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify relevant correlates such as sociodemographic factors, clinical conditions and COVID-19-related factors.

Results

A total of 1603 participants were enrolled. The overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was very high (1521/1601, 95%), and half of the participants received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of participants wanted to keep others safe (89%) and agreed to the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines (88%). To fulfil the requirement of online registration for the vaccine at the time, 62% of participants had to visit an internet café and only 31% downloaded the app. Over half (54%) of participants were unaware of countries they knew and trust to produce the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased age, being housewives, underweight and undergraduate education level were associated with vaccine acceptance, while being female, increased age and being overweight/obese were associated with vaccine uptake. Trust in the health department and practical knowledge regarding COVID-19 vaccines were positively associated with both vaccine acceptance and uptake.

Conclusion

This study found a very high COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in rural Bangladesh. Policymakers should support interventions aimed at increasing vaccine and general health literacy and ensure ongoing vaccine supply and improvement of infrastructure in rural areas.
Stakeholder perspectives on current determinants of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis in resource limited settings: a qualitative study
Authors: Doran Jennifer , Hanna Reem , Nyagura-Mangori Tatenda , Mahotra Narayan , Das Santa Kumar , Borok Magaret , Musani Ali , Maw Anna M
Published: December 2022

Objective

Preprocedure pleural fluid localization using bedside ultrasound has been shown to reduce complications related to thoracentesis and is now considered the standard of care. However, ultrasound-guided thoracentesis (USGT) has not been broadly adopted in many low-resource settings. With increasing affordability and portability of ultrasound equipment, barriers to USGT are changing. The aim of this multisite qualitative study is to understand the current barriers to USGT in two resource-limited settings.

Setting

We studied two geographically diverse settings, Harare, Zimbabwe, and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Participants

19 multilevel stakeholders including clinical trainees, attendings, clinical educators and hospital administrators were interviewed. There were no exclusion criteria.

Primary outcome

To understand the current determinants of USGT adoption in these settings.

Results

Three main themes emerged from these interviews: (1) stakeholders perceived multiple advantages of USGT, (2) access to equipment and training were perceived as limited and (3) while an online training approach is feasible, stakeholders expressed scepticism that this was an appropriate modality for procedural training.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that USGT implementation is desired by local stakeholders and that the development of an educational intervention, cocreated with local stakeholders, should be explored to ensure optimal contextual fit.
Understanding the barriers and facilitators that influence access to quality cardiovascular care for rural Indigenous peoples: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Tane Taria , Selak Vanessa , Eggleton Kyle , Harwood Matire
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Māori (the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand) are disproportionately represented in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates, and are less likely to receive evidence-based CVD healthcare. Rural Māori experience additional barriers to treatment access, poorer health outcomes and a more significant burden of CVD risk factors compared with non-Māori and Māori living in urban areas. Importantly, these inequities are similarly experienced by Indigenous peoples in other nations impacted by colonisation. Given the scarcity of available literature, we are conducting a scoping review of literature exploring barriers and facilitators in accessing quality CVD healthcare for rural Māori and other Indigenous peoples in nations impacted by colonisation.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be conducted to identify and map the extent of research available and identify any gaps in the literature. This review will be underpinned by Kaupapa Māori Research methodology and will be conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) methodological framework. A database search of MEDLINE (OVID), PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus, Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre and NZResearch.org will be used to explore empirical research literature. A grey literature search will also be conducted. Two authors will independently review and screen search results in an iterative manner. The New Zealand Ministry of Health Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) Framework principles will be used as a framework to summarise and construct a narrative of existing literature. Existing literature will also be appraised using the CONSolIDated critERia for strengthening the reporting of health research involving Indigenous Peoples (CONSIDER) statement.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has not been sought for this review as we are using publicly available data. We will publish this protocol and the findings of our review in an open-access peer-reviewed journal. This protocol has been registered on Open Science Framework (DOI:10.17605/osf.io/xruhy).
Influence of NaI background and mass on testing the DAMA modulation
Authors: Zurowski Madeleine J. , Barberio Elisabetta
Published: December 2022

We present here the model dependent and independent sensitivity studies for NaI detectors designed to test the DAMA result, and compare the predicted limits from SABRE with the present performance of both ANAIS and COSINE. We find that the strongest discovery and exclusion limits are set by a detector with the lowest background (assuming equal live times), and also note that our method correctly computes the present exclusion limits previously published by ANAIS and COSINE. In particular, with a target mass of 50 kg and background rate of 0.36 cpd/kg/keV (after veto), SABRE will be able to exclude the DAMA signal with 3$$\sigma $$
σ
confidence or ‘discover’ it with 5$$\sigma $$
σ
confidence within 2 years. This strongly motivates the quest for ever lower backgrounds in NaI detectors.
Transformer-Less Novel Hybrid Converter Based Solar PV fed UPS System
Authors: Naveen P. , Baskaran B. , Rao R. V. D. Rama
Published: December 2022

The uninterrupted power supply (UPS) plays a dominant role in domestic appliances and also the growth rate of solar roof top system implementation is massively increasing day by day. To minimize the cost on the converters, solar PV power is directly connected with existing UPS with separate MPPT controller. However, due to the presence of nominal frequency transformer, the size and cost of UPS becomes more. In addition, it consumes the power with poor power quality to charge the battery. Apart this, the current supplied from the battery is much higher due to the lower voltage level of battery, which makes voltage dip during peak load condition and resulting to shorten the battery life and degrades its performances. In order to overcome all these drawbacks, this particular paper proposes a transformer-less novel hybrid converter based solar PV fed UPS system. In the hybrid structure, the gain can be achieved higher with minimum components counts. The novelty of the proposed transformer-less hybrid converter is that the regeneration of switched capacitor voltage is applied to input of switched inductor network in DC–DC converter, due to this hybrid structure the gain has been extended drastically with minimum number of devices. Also the coordinated control algorithm is implemented in solar PV fed UPS to take the decision according to the situation of generation, load and battery back-up. The detailed operation of the proposed coordinated control algorithm has been addressed in this paper. Moreover, the detailed simulation study is carried out for each mode of operation and measured results are obtained and presented in this paper.
Clinical Characteristics, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Outcomes of Patients with Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, 2013–2021
Authors: Tao Jia , Wang Wen , Li Gang , Wang Linlin , Wang Liang , Zhao Zhijun , Jia Wei , Wang Liru
Published: December 2022

Objectives. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features, antibiotic susceptibility profiles, and outcomes of patients with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) at a hospital in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, to provide the basis for improving the clinical treatment effect. Methods. Patients with IPD were retrospectively collected from 2013 to 2021. Clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, antimicrobial susceptibility, antibiotic treatment, and outcomes of the disease were analyzed. Results. In this study, we identified 127 IPD cases, of whom 49 (38.6%) had meningitis and 78 (61.4%) had bacteremia. The median ages of pediatric cases and adult cases were 2 years (IQR: 0–5) and 52.5 years (IQR: 35–62), respectively. There were 27 and 45 males in the pediatric and adult groups, and no significant gender difference in the different age groups (

p
=
0.584

) was found. Of 75 cases with underlying diseases, pneumonia (11%), malignancy (11%), hypertension (9.4%), and hepatic cirrhosis (7.9%) were the most common. The incidence of underlying diseases was even higher in the adult group (67.1%) than in the pediatric group (47.1%) (

p
=
0.028

). The frequency of fever, cough, and seizures was significantly higher in the pediatric group than in the adult group, with

p

-values of 0.004, 0.004, and 0.001, respectively. The percentage of neutrophils in the blood was significantly higher in the adult cases than in the pediatric cases (

p
 
<
 
0.001

). Furthermore, there was a significantly higher WBC count (

p
 
<
 
0.001

), percentage of neutrophils (

p
=
0.012

), and protein level (

p
=
0.019

) in the CSF samples in the adult patients compared to pediatric patients. The susceptibility rates of S. pneumoniae isolates to vancomycin, linezolid, and levofloxacin were 100%. The susceptibility rates of penicillin were 98.7% and 34.1% in bacteremia and meningitis patients, respectively. Most isolates were resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, and azithromycin. The most common antibiotic treatment was β-lactams. Seven (5.5%) patients died during hospitalization, and 38 (29.9%) patients' health deteriorated. Conclusion. These results may provide a reference basis for the diagnosis and empiric treatment of IPD in the region.
Agglomeration and Spatial Distribution of E-Commerce Sector in China: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province
Authors: Yong Fan
Published: December 2022

The research intends to examine the pattern of e-commerce and to investigate the clustering of e-commerce activities in the Jiangsu Province of China. The development of “Taobao villages” has become a new growth pattern for the economy of rural areas in China. This typical model of e-commerce industry agglomeration has generated huge sales, which is not only important for local economic development but also has some implications for other places with underdeveloped e-commerce industries. The proposed study combines theory and empirical evidences based on panel data generated from “Taobao villages” in all 13 regions of Jiangsu Province, China. To explore the spatial distribution and economic returns of e-commerce in the perspectives of economic agglomeration, data of five years—2016 to 2020—is exploited. Samples of regions are selected based on different agglomeration types. The type of e-commerce industry agglomeration in the form of “Taobao villages” is measured by constructing a spatial weight matrix. Using the facts and figures of the five years, a Moran scatterplot and a Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) cluster map are drawn. From the perspective of economic agglomeration, the e-commerce industry in Jiangsu Province presents three basic patterns: High-High cluster, Low-High cluster, and Low-Low cluster. In addition, the Location Quotient (LQ) was used to quantitatively characterize the agglomeration of “Taobao villages.” Findings of the analysis revealed that there is a positive spatial correlation between the clusters of Taobao villages, mainly between the H-H cluster and L-L cluster. The results are summarized and the most useful solutions for promoting the e-commerce industry in China. The empirical model proposed has great significance in e-commerce and may be used to enhance rural economy of China.
New approach for selecting multi-point relays in the optimized link state routing protocol using self-organizing map artificial neural network: OLSR-SOM
Authors: Barki Omar , Guennoun Zouhair , Addaim Adnane
Published: December 2022

In order to improve the selection of multi-point relays (MPRs) by a node node performing the computation (NPC) in the optimized link state routing (OLSR) protocol and therefore to guarantee more security for the routing in the mobile ad hoc network (MANET), we propose new approach that could distinguish between the strong and weak MPRs in the list of MPRs already selected using the standard algorithm described in RFC3626 document. This approach is based on self organizing map (SOM) artificial neural network that processes the collected data and then only selects the strong MPRs using a set of criteria allowing a reliable retransmission and a strong link and therefore better network performances. The obtained results, from the simulations that have been carried out using a customized network simulator 3 (NS3) network simulator, show an improvement in terms of throughput, packets delivery ratio (PDR) and the security of the network compared to the standard approach.
An investigation of wine quality testing using machine learning techniques
Authors: Mani Sathishkumar , Krishnankutty Reshmy Avanavalappil , Swaminathan Sabaria , Theerthagiri Prasannavenkatesan
Published: December 2022

Quality is the most determining factor for any product. Optimal care and best measures are to be taken in assessing the quality of any product. This work deals with determining the quality of wine using intelligence-based learning techniques. In order to estimate the quality of wine, several experiments are performed on wine datasets. The main purpose of our work is to study and discover an efficient machine learning (ML) model that could determine the quality of wine given some Physico-chemical features. This study establishes that selecting important features to evaluate rather than all of them can lead to improved forecasts. According to the results, this approach may provide people who are not wine experts a greater opportunity to choose a fine wine.
Design and implementation of the web (extract, transform, load) process in data warehouse application
Authors: Abd Al-Rahman Seddiq Q. , Hasan Ekram H. , Sagheer Ali Makki
Published: December 2022

Recently, due to an increase size and complexity of data in addition to the management issues, data storage is required a great deal of attention to employ it in realistic applications, so the requirement for designing and implementing a data warehouse system has become an urgent necessity, ETL represents a vital side of data warehouse architecture. This paper, designed data warehouse application contains a web ETL process that divides its work between the input device and server. This system proposed to solve the problem lack of partition of the work between the input device and server. The proposed and designed system can be used and applied in many branches and disciplines for its high performance in adding data, analyzing data using a web server and building queries. The analysis of the results has been proven that a faster time is achieved in cleaning data and transferring it between the remote parts of the system connected to the Internet. Where ETL without Missing for any data took 0.00582 seconds.