bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Study on Dynamic Postural Stability in Youth Competitive Alpine Skiers: Test-Retest Reliability and Reference Values as a Function of Sex, Age and Biological Maturation
Authors: Kiers Kirsten , Ellenberger Lynn , Jermann Julia , Oberle Felix , Frey Walter O. , Spörri Jörg
Published: April 2022

This study aimed 1) to assess the test-retest reliability of dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) assessments using a ski-specific jump protocol that consists of single-leg landings on a three-dimensional force plate after forward-performed double-leg drop jumps from a box over a hurdle (DJSLLs), 2) to provide reference values for female and male youth competitive alpine skiers; 3) to explore their changes in DPSI over 3 years during adolescence; and 4) to investigate potential associations of DPSI with age and biological maturation. Using three-dimensional force plates, 16 healthy subjects were tested on the same day (test-retest reliability experiment; five test-retest assessments of right leg landings), and 76 youth skiers aged 13–15 years were tested 3 times within 2 years (main experiment; average of two trials per leg each time). The test-retest reliability experiment revealed an ICC(3,1) and 95% CI of 0.86 [0.74, 0.94] for absolute DPSI assessment. The within-subject SEM of absolute DPSI was 16.30 N [13.66 N, 20.65 N], and the standardized typical error was moderate (0.39 [0.33, 0.50]). Both absolute and relative DPSI values were comparable between male and female youth competitive alpine skiers. The mean absolute DPSI in year 1 (195.7 ± 40.9 N), year 2 (196.5 ± 38.9 N) and year 3 (211.5 ± 41.3 N) continuously increased (i.e., worsened) (p < 0.001). Mean relative, i.e. body weight force normalized, DPSI values significantly decreased, i.e., improved, from year 1 to 2 (0.42 ± 0.01 vs. 0.36 ± 0.004; p < 0.001) and year 1 to 3 (0.42 ± 0.01 vs. 0.36 ± 0.01; p < 0.001). Absolute DPSI correlated with age and biological maturation, while no such correlations were found for relative DPSI values. Our findings suggest that DPSI is a reliable and sensitive measure of dynamic postural control during DJSLLs and that relative DPSI improves annually in competitive youth skiers when accounting for body weight. Future work should consider biological maturation testing during the growth spurt, and normalizing to body weight force could be a possible solution.
Detailed Analysis of Zebrafish Larval Behaviour in the Light Dark Challenge Assay Shows That Diel Hatching Time Determines Individual Variation
Authors: Rock Sebastian , Rodenburg Frans , Schaaf Marcel J. M. , Tudorache Christian
Published: April 2022

Research on stress coping style, i.e., the response of an organism to adverse conditions, which is constant over time and context, gained momentum in recent years, to better understand behavioural patterns in animal welfare. However, knowledge about the ontogeny of stress coping style is still limited. Here, we performed a detailed analysis of the light dark challenge behavioural assay in zebrafish larvae, where after acclimation in ambient light sudden alternating dark and light phases elicit an anxiety-like response. A principal component analysis on parameters related to locomotion (distance moved, swimming velocity, acceleration, mobility) and directionality (angular velocity, meandering of swimming path) revealed independence between the parameters determined in the light and the dark phases of the assay, indicating unrelated generalised behaviours per phase. However, high collinearity was observed between behavioural parameters within the same phase, indicating a robust response to the stimulus within behavioural phenotypes. Subsequently, this assay was used to determine the correlation between individual hatching time and the behavioural phenotype. The results show that fish that had hatched during daytime have a stronger behavioural response to the dark phase at 5 days post-fertilisation in locomotion related parameters and a weaker response in directionality related parameters, than fish that had hatched during nighttime. These results show that behavioural responses to the light dark challenge assay are robust and can be generalised for the light and the dark phase, and that diel hatching time may determine the behavioural phenotype of an individual.
Low Salicylic Acid Level Improves Pollen Development Under Long-Term Mild Heat Conditions in Tomato
Authors: Jansma Stuart Y. , Sergeeva Lidiya I. , Tikunov Yury M. , Kohlen Wouter , Ligterink Wilco , Rieu Ivo
Published: April 2022

Exposure to high temperatures leads to failure in pollen development, which may have significant implications for food security with ongoing climate change. We hypothesized that the stress response-associated hormone salicylic acid (SA) affects pollen tolerance to long-term mild heat (LTMH) (≥14 days exposure to day-/nighttime temperature of 30–34/24–28°C, depending on the genotype), either positively, by inducing acclimation, or negatively, by reducing investment in reproductive development. Here, we investigated these hypotheses assessing the pollen thermotolerance of a 35S:nahG tomato line, which has low SA levels. We found that reducing the SA level resulted in increased pollen viability of plants grown in LTMH and further characterized this line by transcriptome, carbohydrate, and hormone analyses. Low expression of JAZ genes in 35S:nahG and LTMH hypersensitivity of low-jasmonic acid (JA) genotypes together suggest that the increased pollen thermotolerance in the low-SA line involves enhanced JA signal in developing anthers in LTMH. These findings have potential application in the development of more thermotolerant crops.
Childhood Trauma and Cortisol Reactivity: An Investigation of the Role of Task Appraisals
Authors: Counts Cory J. , Ginty Annie T. , Larsen Jade M. , Kampf Taylor D. , John-Henderson Neha A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Childhood adversity is linked to adverse health in adulthood. One posited mechanistic pathway is through physiological responses to acute stress. Childhood adversity has been previously related to both exaggerated and blunted physiological responses to acute stress, however, less is known about the psychological mechanisms which may contribute to patterns of physiological reactivity linked to childhood adversity.

Objective

In the current work, we investigated the role of challenge and threat stress appraisals in explaining relationships between childhood adversity and cortisol reactivity in response to an acute stressor.

Methods

Undergraduate students (n = 81; 61% female) completed an online survey that included general demographic information and the Risky Families Questionnaire 24 h before a scheduled lab visit. In the lab, a research assistant collected a baseline salivary cortisol sample. Following the baseline period, participants were read instructions for the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a validated psychological lab stressor. Next, they completed a challenge vs. threat task appraisal questionnaire and completed the speech and math portion of the TSST. Twenty minutes following the start of the TSST, a second salivary sample was collected to measure changes in salivary cortisol following the TSST.

Results

Linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, childhood socioeconomic status (SES), and baseline cortisol levels, showed childhood adversity associated with changes in cortisol levels [B = –0.29 t(73) = –2.35, p = 0.02, R2=0.07]. Linear regression analyses controlling for age, sex, and childhood SES showed childhood adversity associated with both challenge [B = –0.52 t(74) = –5.04, p < 0.001, R2=0.24] and threat [B = 0.55 t(74) = 5.40, p < 0.001, R2=0.27] appraisals. Significant indirect effects of childhood trauma on cortisol reactivity were observed through challenge appraisals [B = –0.01 (95% confidence interval = –0.02, –0.003)], and threat appraisals [B = –0.01 (95% confidence interval = –0.01, –0.003)].

Conclusion

Childhood adversity may contribute to blunted cortisol reactivity, a pattern of response which is linked to obesity, addiction, and other behavior-related diseases. Our findings suggest that this relationship is in part a product of stress appraisals.
Piloting the Update: The Use of Therapeutic Relationship for Change – A Free Energy Account
Authors: Hauke Gernot , Lohr Christina
Published: April 2022

We apply the Free Energy Principle (FEP) to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). FEP describes the basic functioning of the brain as a predictive organ and states that any self-organizing system that is in equilibrium with its environment must minimize its free energy. Based on an internal model of the world and the self, predictions—so-called priors—are created, which are matched with the information input. The sum of prediction errors corresponds to the Free Energy, which must be minimized. Internal models can be identified with the cognitive-affective schemas of the individual that has become dysfunctional in patients. The role of CBT in this picture is to help the patient update her/his priors. They have evolved in learning history and no longer provide adaptive predictions. We discuss the process of updating in terms of the exploration-exploitation dilemma. This consists of the extent to which one relies on what one already has, i.e., whether one continues to maintain and “exploit” one’s previous priors (“better safe than sorry”) or whether one does explore new data that lead to an update of priors. Questioning previous priors triggers stress, which is associated with increases in Free Energy in short term. The role of therapeutic relationship is to buffer this increase in Free Energy, thereby increasing the level of perceived safety. The therapeutic relationship is represented in a dual model of affective alliance and goal attainment alliance and is aligned with FEP. Both forms of alliance support exploration and updating of priors. All aspects are illustrated with the help of a clinical case example.
Psychological Capital and Occupational Well-Being: Mediating Effects of Work Engagement Among Chinese Special Education Teachers
Authors: Guo Qiang , Wang Yongli , Liu Qiaoyun , Wang Tingzhao , Zhang Lei , Huang Zhijun , Cao Shuqin
Published: April 2022

This study examines whether psychological capital (PsyCap) indirectly predicts occupational well-being among Chinese special education teachers through work engagement. In total, 615 Chinese special education teachers (female = 567) completed the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, the Special Education Teachers’ Occupational Well-Being Questionnaire, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. The results indicated that PsyCap was positively correlated with occupational well-being and work engagement. Furthermore, work engagement mediated the influence of PsyCap on occupational well-being. Notably, the multiple mediation model indicated that the indirect effects of PsyCap on occupational well-being were mainly due to dedication and absorption. The study’s results illustrate the association between PsyCap, work engagement, and occupational well-being, which may help educational administrators and social workers assist with special education and special education teachers develop and maintain good working conditions.
Somatic Symptoms: Association Among Affective State, Subjective Body Perception, and Spiritual Belief in Japan and Indonesia
Authors: Maulina Venie Viktoria Rondang , Yogo Masao , Ohira Hideki
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to examine differences in the following somatic symptoms: affective state (i.e., health concerns, anxiety, and positive and negative affect), somatosensory amplification, spirituality in Japan and Indonesia, and associations among all variables from each culture. Previous studies and a potential bio-psycho-spiritual model has identified the association of each variable in the development of somatic symptoms. Moreover, they demonstrated that individuals who describe themselves as more religious and spiritual report better physical and mental health. A total of 469 and 437 university students from Japan and Indonesia, respectively, completed the questionnaires for assessing somatic symptoms, health concerns, trait anxiety, positive and negative affect, somatosensory amplification, and spiritual belief. This study found significant differences in health concerns, positive and negative affect, state anxiety, and spiritual belief. Moreover, the difference in somatosensory amplification was negligible. There is a shared association in both cultures among somatic symptoms, affective state, subjective body perception, and spirituality. Health concerns and trait anxiety moderated somatosensory amplification in the development of somatic symptoms. However, the role of spirituality belief in somatic symptoms was observed in the Japanese and Indonesian cultures in relation to positive affect.
Entrepreneurial Capability, Career Development, and Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence From China's HR Survey Data
Authors: Hu Wenxin , Liu Hua , Tian Yuqin , Zhang Xiaohong , Mao Yufei
Published: April 2022

Based on 2018 China's Human Resource Employees Survey Data, this study uses the probit model to examine the impact of entrepreneurial ability and career development on HR's entrepreneurial intention. In terms of entrepreneurial ability, the results show that the educational background of Human Resource Management, cross-disciplinary knowledge, job-hopping experience, and the number of subordinates have significant positive impacts on HR's entrepreneurial intention. In terms of career development, lack of promotion space, skill upgrading opportunities, and lower than expected income have significant positive impacts on HR's entrepreneurial intention, and these impacts are heterogeneous among different enterprises. This study suggests that potential entrepreneurs can be identified from the explicit characteristics, which reflect HR's entrepreneurial abilities, and it is necessary to face up to the influence of career development on HR's entrepreneurial intention and encourage them to participate in on-the-job entrepreneurship. This study suggests that HR's entrepreneurial ability should be regarded as an important starting point for entrepreneurial success, and it is necessary to improve HR's career development system to create more opportunities for on-the-job entrepreneurship, and government should implement differentiated and precise entrepreneurial support policies to encourage HR's entrepreneurship.
Perspective: Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Family-Focused Practice With Parents With Mental Illness and Their Families
Authors: Obradovic Angela , Nicholson Joanne
Published: April 2022

The goal of this perspective piece is to suggest challenges to family-focused practice with parents with mental illness and their children that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss implications for practice, policy, and research that will benefit from rigorous study in the future, as we sift through lessons learned. The impact of the pandemic on the mental health and well-being of people around the world has been documented. Common adaptations in service delivery have included a shift to telehealth and digital tools. The pandemic has posed challenges to practice across the EASE Framework components for family-focused practice (i.e., Engage, Assess, Support, and Educate) for both parents/families and practitioners. Governmental policy and funding responses will be critical to addressing the impact of stresses, disruptions and losses endured during the past months. Pandemic experiences and consequences have implications for research measures, methods, and outcomes, given the dramatic changes in people's lives and the contexts in which they live. The shift to research implementation in virtual environments has resulted in challenges in maintaining confidentiality, and the privacy and security of data. As we move forward, it will be important to acknowledge the remaining uncertainty about the future and accommodate the profound changes in family life, professional practice, and research implementation related to the pandemic in our efforts to demonstrate the effectiveness of positive lessons learned while developing new approaches for dealing with the negative consequences of the pandemic.
Interoception Dysfunction Contributes to the Negative Emotional Bias in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Zhou Hongliang , Zou Haowen , Dai Zhongpeng , Zhao Shuai , Hua Lingling , Xia Yi , Han Yingling , Yan Rui , Tang Hao , Huang Yinghong , Du Yishan , Wang Xiaoqin , Yao Zhijian , Lu Qing
Published: April 2022

Background

Previous research studies have demonstrated that impaired interoception is involved in emotional information processing in major depressive disorder (MDD). Heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP) amplitudes, an index for interoception, could be manipulated by emotional faces in healthy people. Considering negative emotional bias is the core characteristic in MDD, we hypothesized that interoception dysfunction was associated with the negative emotional bias in MDD.

Methods

An electroencephalogram (EEG) study under an emotional faces task was applied to explore the relationship between interoception and emotional bias. HEPs before emotional faces stimuli were used to predict the late positive potential (LPP) amplitudes and it worked as an index of emotional bias. Twenty-seven patients with MDD and 27 healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study. Source analysis gave an auxiliary description for results in sensory level.

Results

Major depressive disorders (MDDs) had poor performance in the heartbeat count task (HCT) and attenuate HEP average amplitudes (455–550 ms). Compared with HCs, cluster-based permutation t-tests revealed that MDDs had attenuated LPP amplitudes (300–1,000 ms) over centroparietal regions and enhanced LPP amplitudes over frontocentral regions. Furthermore, abnormal attenuated HEPs could predict aberrant LPPs under sad face stimuli in MDDs, which could be associated with the dysfunction of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and right insula.

Conclusion

Mediated by ACC and insula, interoception dysfunction contributes to the negative emotional bias of MDD, highlighting the importance of interoception in the disorder.
Increased Anxiety and Depression Among Belgian Sexual Minority Groups During the First COVID-19 Lockdown—Results From an Online Survey
Authors: Reyniers Thijs , Buffel Veerle , Thunnissen Estrelle , Vuylsteke Bea , Siegel Magdalena , Nöstlinger Christiana , Wouters Edwin
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic most likely had a negative impact on mental health. Sexual minorities are at higher risk for adverse mental outcomes such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Such mental health disparities may have exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to restricted real-life social contact. The study aim was to examine changes in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among Belgian sexual minority adults between the periods before and during the first COVID-19 lockdown. We conducted an online survey, which was disseminated by community organizations throughout Belgium in April 2020. The questionnaire included two-item Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder (GAD-2) and Patient-Health-Questionnaire (PHQ-2) measures. To assess how such symptoms and other factors (e.g., loneliness) had changed, we asked to what extent these occurred before and since the lockdown. We included 965 fully completed questionnaires in the analysis. The proportions of participants screening positive for depression and anxiety were significantly higher during the lockdown than before the lockdown, based on their reported symptoms for these periods: 29.3%% vs. 13.5% (p < 0.001), and 37.1% vs. 25.7% (p < 0.001) respectively. Lonely and young participants were more likely to acquire depression. About one in five participants reported suicidal ideation. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already existing mental health disparities between sexual minority adults and the general population. These exacerbations may be the result of increased loneliness and social isolation. The results highlight the need for stimulating and strengthening social connectedness within the LGBTQI community during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for maintaining mental health services for such groups during pandemic restrictions.
Comparison of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Economic Burden on People With Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Korea
Authors: Lee SeungCheor , Kim Moon Jung , Lee Seung Heon , Kim Hae-Young , Kim Hee-Sun , Oh In-Hwan
Published: April 2022

In the future, tuberculosis (TB) will place a heavy burden on the aging population in Korea. To prepare for this crisis, it is important to analyze the disease burden trend of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Measuring disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and economic burden on MDR-TB patients can help reduce the incidence of TB. Accordingly, in this study, we measured the DALYs and economic burden on DS-TB and MDR-TB patients in 2014–2017 using a combination of National Health Insurance claims data, Annual Report on the Notified TB data, and Statistics Korea's mortality data. The incidence-based DALY approach implemented involved the summation of years of life lost and years lived with disability. For measuring economic burden, direct and indirect costs incurred by patients were totaled. From 2014 to 2017, DALYs per 100,000 people with DS-TB were 56, 49, 46, and 40, respectively, and DALYs per 100,000 people with MDR-TB were 3, 2, 2, and 2, respectively. The economic burden for the DS-TB population from 2014 to 2017 was $143.89 million, $136.36 million, $122.85 million, and $116.62 million, respectively, while that for MDR-TB was $413.44 million, $380.25 million, $376.46 million and $408.14 million, respectively. The results showed a decreasing trend in DALYs and economic burden for DS-TB, whereas MDR-TB was still found to be burdensome without a specific trend. With respect to age, the economic burden for both DS-TB and MDR-TB was higher among men than among women till ≤ 79 years. Conversely, the economic burden for women aged ≥80 years was higher as compared to their male counterparts. In conclusion, the incidence and spread of TB in all areas of society must be suppressed through intensive management of MDR-TB in the older population. We hope that the national TB management project will proceed efficiently when the infectious disease management system is biased to one side due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perspectives on Gender in Science, Technology, and Innovation: A Review of Sub-Saharan Africa's Science Granting Councils and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Jackson Jose C. , Payumo Jane G. , Jamison Amy J. , Conteh Michael L. , Chirawu Petronella
Published: April 2022

Africa's focus on science, technology, and innovation (STI) has grown over the last decade, with emerging examples of good practice. There are however numerous challenges to sustainable development in Africa; for example, inequalities within and among African countries are rising and enormous disparities of opportunity, wealth, and power persist. While policy makers and organizations have put increasing emphasis on integrating gender into STI policies and initiatives as a means to achieve gender equality for all women and girls, inequality remains a key challenge to continental sustainable development. STI funders such as the Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in Africa are key players in national innovation systems. They advise and facilitate policy and program development, disburse funds, build research capacity, set and monitor research agendas, manage bilateral and multilateral STI agreements, and assess the communication, uptake, and impact of research. They, therefore, have a major role to play in enabling countries to achieve SDG5. This study assessed the current actions in gender mainstreaming across the SGCs and the status of gender research and collaboration in participating countries. Our findings provide evidence of uneven progress in promoting gender equality in the operations of the SGCs, including funding research and promoting the integration of gender dimensions in research content and curricula. All SGCs emphasized national commitments to gender, and the importance of gender in STI, but acknowledged that at the structural and institutional levels there was a misalignment between policy and practice. As expected, more men than women were employed across most levels at the SGCs and held positions of seniority and decision making. Most of the SGCs had very limited or no gender-related funding programs to promote gender and STI or to eliminate the barriers that women scholars face. This resulted in persistent inequalities in who received funding, the size of the grants they received, and in the knowledge production, collaboration, and the impact on their country's gender-related research. These findings suggest that SGCs need to strengthen their actions to mainstream gender if they are to achieve success with SDG5.
Embodied Digital Technologies: First Insights in the Social and Legal Perception of Robots and Users of Prostheses
Authors: Mandl Sarah , Bretschneider Maximilian , Meyer Stefanie , Gesmann-Nuissl Dagmar , Asbrock Frank , Meyer Bertolt , Strobel Anja
Published: April 2022

New bionic technologies and robots are becoming increasingly common in workspaces and private spheres. It is thus crucial to understand concerns regarding their use in social and legal terms and the qualities they should possess to be accepted as ‘co-workers’. Previous research in these areas used the Stereotype Content Model to investigate, for example, attributions of Warmth and Competence towards people who use bionic prostheses, cyborgs, and robots. In the present study, we propose to differentiate the Warmth dimension into the dimensions of Sociability and Morality to gain deeper insight into how people with or without bionic prostheses are perceived. In addition, we extend our research to the perception of robots. Since legal aspects need to be considered if robots are expected to be ‘co-workers’, for the first time, we also evaluated current perceptions of robots in terms of legal aspects. We conducted two studies: In Study 1, participants rated visual stimuli of individuals with or without disabilities and low- or high-tech prostheses, and robots of different levels of Anthropomorphism in terms of perceived Competence, Sociability, and Morality. In Study 2, participants rated robots of different levels of Anthropomorphism in terms of perceived Competence, Sociability, and Morality, and additionally, Legal Personality, and Decision-Making Authority. We also controlled for participants’ personality. Results showed that attributions of Competence and Morality varied as a function of the technical sophistication of the prostheses. For robots, Competence attributions were negatively related to Anthropomorphism. Perception of Sociability, Morality, Legal Personality, and Decision-Making Authority varied as functions of Anthropomorphism. Overall, this study contributes to technological design, which aims to ensure high acceptance and minimal undesirable side effects, both with regard to the application of bionic instruments and robotics. Additionally, first insights into whether more anthropomorphized robots will need to be considered differently in terms of legal practice are given.
The Multifaceted Impact of COVID-19 on Social Media Users' Wellbeing and Relationship With Urban Nature
Authors: Johnson Michelle L. , Sachdeva Sonya S.
Published: April 2022

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unfolded, the media is increasingly recognizing the value of urban nature, with greenspace use increasing. In cities, where people often lack access to private greenspaces, parks and other urban greenspaces offer opportunities for exercise and physically distanced socializing. Previous research has demonstrated the benefits of urban greenspaces to both physical and mental health, during times of relative stability. Here, we seek to examine how people's responses to greenspace are affected by a global pandemic, which uniquely affects both physical movements and mental wellbeing in the population at large. We compare tweets focused on nature- and greenspace-related keywords and hashtags from March to July 2019 with tweets from the same period in 2020 for metropolitan regions in the United States. We also examine the influence of stay-at-home restrictions in 2020. These posts reinforce findings from conventional survey approaches showing that people's relationship to greenspace is multifaceted. Furthermore, the results of our pre–post analysis of people's outdoor use suggest that the pandemic has had a differential impact on these multifaceted dimensions of people's engagement with nature. By applying a multidimensional construct of wellbeing, we identify Positive emotion, Positive relationships, and Meaning as subfactors of wellbeing that potentially can be increased by urban nature. These findings are important in demonstrating that greenspace in cities played a critical role in individuals' resilience and wellbeing during the early months of the pandemic and highlighting the need for maintaining and expanding access to urban greenspaces in the future, for the benefit of all city residents.
Horizons in Single-Lead ECG Analysis From Devices to Data
Authors: Abdou Abdelrahman , Krishnan Sridhar
Published: April 2022

Single-lead wearable electrocardiographic (ECG) devices for remote monitoring are emerging as critical components of the viability of long-term continuous health and wellness monitoring applications. These sensors make it simple to monitor chronically ill patients and the elderly in long-term care homes, as well as empower users focused on fitness and wellbeing with timely health and lifestyle information and metrics. This article addresses the future developments in single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) wearables, their design concepts, signal processing, machine learning (ML), and emerging healthcare applications. A literature review of multiple wearable ECG remote monitoring devices is first performed; Apple Watch, Kardia, Zio, BioHarness, Bittium Faros and Carnation Ambulatory Monitor. Zio showed the longest wear time with patients wearing the patch for 14 days maximum but required users to mail the device to a processing center for analysis. While the Apple Watch and Kardia showed good quality acquisition of raw ECG but are not continuous monitoring devices. The design considerations for single-lead ECG wearable devices could be classified as follows: power needs, computational complexity, signal quality, and human factors. These dimensions shadow hardware and software characteristics of ECG wearables and can act as a checklist for future single-lead ECG wearable designs. Trends in ECG de-noising, signal processing, feature extraction, compressive sensing (CS), and remote monitoring applications are later followed to show the emerging opportunities and recent innovations in single-lead ECG wearables.
Upgrading or Polarizing? Gendered Patterns of Change in the Occupational Prestige Hierarchy Between 1997 and 2015
Authors: Ulfsdotter Eriksson Ylva , Berglund Tomas , Nordlander Erica
Published: April 2022

This article contributes to the discussion on how the Swedish labor market is changing: is it upgrading or polarizing? Drawing on the Swedish Labor Force Survey the study examines the overall changes in the occupational job structure in Sweden by exploring how women and men were distributed within the occupational prestige hierarchy at two points of time, 1997 and 2015. The results show that changes in the labor market have resulted in different patterns of how women and men are distributed within the occupational prestige hierarchy. Women have an upgrading movement and have entered high-prestige occupations, while men have been subjected to job polarization, with an increase in employment in low-prestige occupations, as well as high-prestige ones.
Surgical Management of a Giant Desmoid Fibromatosis of Abdominal Wall With Vessels Invasion in a Young Man: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zhao Jiming , Cheng Fajuan , Yao Zhigang , Zheng Bin , Niu Zhihong , He Wei
Published: April 2022

Background

Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is a rare clonal proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. It develops in the connective tissues and does not metastasize but may infiltrate adjacent structures. Because of the rarity of these tumors and the unpredictable natural history of the disease, well-defined and precise guidelines of the optimal treatment for DF have not been formulated.

Case Presentation

Here, we present a giant abdominal DF that invaded the right spermatic cord and iliac vessels. The lesion was excised with external iliac artery dissection; however, the vein was sacrificed. The abdominal wall defect was then repaired with a polypropylene mesh. The lesional cells are positive for β-catenin.

Conclusions

In the past decades, there has been a change in the treatment of DF. The “wait and see” policy has been considered initially in most cases. Surgical intervention remains a valid option for symptomatic lesions. The optimal regimes of the tumor should not take the risk of making the patient more symptomatic than the lesion itself.
Identification of Bladder Cancer Subtypes Based on Necroptosis-Related Genes, Construction of a Prognostic Model
Authors: Nie Shiwen , Huili Youlong , He Yadong , Hu Junchao , Kang Shaosan , Cao Fenghong
Published: April 2022

Background

Necroptosis is associated with the development of many tumors but in bladder cancer the tumor microenvironment (TME) and prognosis associated with necroptosis is unclear.

Methods

We classified patients into different necroptosis subtypes by the expression level of NRGS (necroptosis-related genes) and analyzed the relationship between necroptosis subtypes of bladder cancer and TME, then extracted differentially expressed genes (DEGS) of necroptosis subtypes, classified patients into different gene subtypes according to DEGS, and performed univariate COX analysis on DEGS to obtain prognosis-related DEGS. All patients included in the analysis were randomized into the Train and Test groups in a 1:1 ratio, and the prognostic model was obtained using the LASSO algorithm and multivariate COX analysis with the Train group as the sample, and external validation of the model was conducted using the GSE32894.

Results

Two necroptosis subtypes and three gene subtypes were obtained by clustering analysis and the prognosis-related DEGS was subjected to the LASSO algorithm and multivariate COX analysis to determine six predictors to construct the prognostic model using the formula: riskScore = CERCAM × 0.0035 + POLR1H × −0.0294 + KCNJ15 × −0.0172 + GSDMB × −0.0109 + EHBP1 × 0.0295 + TRIM38 × −0.0300. The results of the survival curve, roc curve, and risk curve proved the reliability of the prognostic model by validating the model with the test group and the results of the calibration chart of the Nomogram applicable to the clinic also showed its good accuracy. Necroptosis subtype A with high immune infiltration had a higher risk score than necroptosis subtype B, gene subtype B with low immune infiltration had a lower risk score than gene subtypes A and C, CSC index was negatively correlated with the risk score and drug sensitivity prediction showed that commonly used chemotherapeutic agents were highly sensitive to the high-risk group.

Conclusion

Our analysis of NRGS in bladder cancer reveals their potential role in TME, immunity, and prognosis. These findings may improve our understanding of necroptosis in bladder cancer and provide some reference for predicting prognosis and developing immunotherapies.
A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of Impacts of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances on the Brain and Behavior
Authors: Starnes Hannah M. , Rock Kylie D. , Jackson Thomas W. , Belcher Scott M.
Published: April 2022

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of structurally diverse synthetic organic chemicals that are chemically stable, resistant to degradation, and persistent in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Widespread use of PFAS in industrial processing and manufacturing over the last 70 years has led to global contamination of built and natural environments. The brain is a lipid rich and highly vascularized organ composed of long-lived neurons and glial cells that are especially vulnerable to the impacts of persistent and lipophilic toxicants. Generally, PFAS partition to protein-rich tissues of the body, primarily the liver and blood, but are also detected in the brains of humans, wildlife, and laboratory animals. Here we review factors impacting the absorption, distribution, and accumulation of PFAS in the brain, and currently available evidence for neurotoxic impacts defined by disruption of neurochemical, neurophysiological, and behavioral endpoints. Emphasis is placed on the neurotoxic potential of exposures during critical periods of development and in sensitive populations, and factors that may exacerbate neurotoxicity of PFAS. While limitations and inconsistencies across studies exist, the available body of evidence suggests that the neurobehavioral impacts of long-chain PFAS exposures during development are more pronounced than impacts resulting from exposure during adulthood. There is a paucity of experimental studies evaluating neurobehavioral and molecular mechanisms of short-chain PFAS, and even greater data gaps in the analysis of neurotoxicity for PFAS outside of the perfluoroalkyl acids. Whereas most experimental studies were focused on acute and subchronic impacts resulting from high dose exposures to a single PFAS congener, more realistic exposures for humans and wildlife are mixtures exposures that are relatively chronic and low dose in nature. Our evaluation of the available human epidemiological, experimental, and wildlife data also indicates heightened accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids in the brain after environmental exposure, in comparison to the experimental studies. These findings highlight the need for additional experimental analysis of neurodevelopmental impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations and complex mixtures of PFAS.
Mastitis Control and Intramammary Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: More Simon J. , McAloon Catherine , Silva Boloña Pablo , O'Grady Luke , O'Sullivan Frank , McGrath Michelle , Buckley Willie , Downing Kevin , Kelly Patrick , Ryan Eoin G. , McCoy Finola
Published: April 2022

The Veterinary Medicines Regulation (EU 2019/6) came into force in all EU member states on 28 January 2022. This regulation places particular emphasis on prudent and responsible antimicrobial use in food animal production. Key changes include restrictions on the prophylactic use of antimicrobials in animals, and the possibility to reserve certain antimicrobials for humans only. The Regulation presents challenges to the Irish dairy industry, particularly with respect to current approaches to dry cow therapy. In response, the CellCheck technical working group (TWG, a technical group working in support of CellCheck, the national mastitis control programme) have developed pragmatic national and farm-level recommendations in support of improved mastitis control and intramammary antimicrobial stewardship in the Irish dairy industry. This paper outlines these recommendations, and provides an overview of the evidence considered to inform the TWG during its work (including the Regulation, policy perspectives, international best-practice, international scientific reviews and specific Irish challenges). In many key areas of concern, the TWG recognises the challenges in seeking to shape recommendations in the absence of robust and practical scientific evidence. For this reason, some of the recommended actions are pragmatic in nature, informed by national and international experiences. Periodic programme review will be needed, informed by ongoing monitoring of key performance indicators, to identify those actions that are most effective in an Irish context.
Opportunities for Expanding Access to Veterinary Care: Lessons From COVID-19
Authors: Smith Sage M. , George Zachary , Duncan Colleen G. , Frey Danielle M.
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted people and professions around the world, including veterinary medicine. The epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 broadened the definition of vulnerability in human populations, and the virus' economic impacts exacerbated well-established financial barriers to providing equal access to medical care. The objective of this study was to explore how the pandemic was impacting access to companion animal care in the months March-September of 2020, with a focus on traditionally vulnerable as well as newly vulnerable populations. Additionally, this study sought to identify areas on which the veterinary profession can focus in order to help increase access to veterinary care, including the veterinary school curriculum, continuing education, and telemedicine. We conducted surveys and interviews with animal owners (n= 1009), veterinarians and clinic staff (n= 516), and access to veterinary care organizations (n= 17). Collectively, these responses highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic created new, and amplified existing, issues with accessing and providing veterinary care. Three critical themes arose; (1) opportunities for further learning for the veterinary profession; including curricula around telemedicine, financially resilient business models and understanding health disparities and vulnerable populations; (2) a need for a network of collaboration and communication across veterinary clinics and access to care organizations and (3) future preparedness for health, economic or other crises response. Overall, the pandemic emphasized the complexity of access to care, as well as the role of veterinarians in public health. This information can be used to develop strategies to aid in increased access to veterinary care now and in the face of future disasters.
COVID-19 Risk Perception, Trust in Institutions and Negative Affect Drive Positive COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions
Authors: Musa Sanjin , Cilovic-Lagarija Seila , Kavazovic Ariana , Bosankic-Cmajcanin Nina , Stefanelli Alberto , Scott Nadia Aleyna , Scherzer Martha , Kiss Zsolt , Bach Habersaat Katrine
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To investigate country-specific drivers and barriers of positive COVID-19 vaccine intentions in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), one of the two entities comprising Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, using an online behavioural insights survey tool adapted to the context of FBiH. Three survey waves, each including approximately 1,000 adults, were conducted in July, September and December 2020. Fixed-effects regression analysis was used to explore the drivers, barriers and attitudes towards accepting a future COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: COVID-19 risk perception, trust in health institutions and negative affect were positive predictors of positive COVID-19 vaccine intentions, as were living in urban areas and having a college education (versus having primary or secondary education). Conversely, being female, feeling that the pandemic was overhyped by the media and the country of vaccine production were negative predictors.

Conclusion: This study provided snapshots on the state of attitudes regarding a future COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in 2020. These findings provided useful insights into the efforts to introduce and roll out the COVID-19 vaccines in FBiH. Further efforts should focus on better understanding the demographic, cultural and behavioural contexts of COVID-related vaccination perceptions in FBiH.
Air Pollution and Chronic Kidney Disease Risk in Oil and Gas- Situated Communities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Okoye Ogochukwu Chinedum , Carnegie Elaine , Mora Luca
Published: April 2022

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at synthesising epidemiological data on the association between long-term air pollution and kidney-related outcomes in oil and natural gas (ONG) situated communities.

Methods: We synthesised studies using the PRISMA 2020 guideline. We searched databases including Medline, Cochrane Library, CIHANL, CAB Abstracts, Greenlife, African Journal Online, Google Scholar and Web of Science, from inception to April 2021. Heterogeneity across studies and publication bias were assessed.

Results: Twenty-five studies were systematically reviewed but only 14 were included in the meta-analysis and categorised based on the outcome studied. Residents of exposed communities have increased risk for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.44–2.01), lower eGFR (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.48–0.67) and higher serum creatinine (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.06–1.82) compared to less exposed or unexposed populations. The risks for hypertension and kidney cancer between the two populations were not significantly different.

Conclusion: We report an increased risk for CKD and kidney dysfunction in populations residing near petrochemical plants, although from a limited number of studies. The scientific community needs to explore this environment and non-communicable disease relationship, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Angular-Accelerometer-Based Flexible-State Estimation and Tracking Controller Design for Hypersonic Flight Vehicle
Authors: Zhang Daqiao , Zheng Xiaolong , Xie Yangguang , Hu Xiaoxiang
Published: April 2022

The controller design of hypersonic flight vehicles is a challenging task, especially when its flexible states are immeasurable. Unfortunately, the flexible states are difficult to measure directly. In this paper, an angular-accelerometer-based method for the estimation of flexible states is proposed. By adding a pitch angel angular accelerometer and designing an Extended Kalman Filter-based online estimation method, the flexible states could be obtained in real time. Then, based on the estimated flexible states, a stable inversion-based controller-design method was utilized, and a robust tracking controller was designed for hypersonic flight vehicles. The proposed method provides an effective means of estimating flexible states and conducting the observer-based controller design of hypersonic flight vehicles. Finally, a numeral simulation is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
The Relevance of the Bacterial Microbiome, Archaeome and Mycobiome in Pediatric Asthma and Respiratory Disorders
Authors: Baehren Carolin , Buedding Eleni , Bellm Aliyah , Schult Frank , Pembaur Anton , Wirth Stefan , Ehrhardt Anja , Paulsen Friedrich , Postberg Jan , Aydin Malik
Published: April 2022

Bacteria, as well as eukaryotes, principally fungi, of the upper respiratory tract play key roles in the etiopathogenesis of respiratory diseases, whereas the potential role of archaea remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the contribution of all three domains of cellular life to human naso- and oropharyngeal microbiomes, i.e., bacterial microbiota, eukaryotes (mostly fungi), as well as the archaeome and their relation to respiratory and atopic disorders in infancy and adolescence. With this review, we aim to summarize state-of-the-art contributions to the field published in the last decade. In particular, we intend to build bridges between basic and clinical science.