bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using social network analysis to evaluate relationships among community nutrition education partners
Authors: Kim H , Zahng L , Gold A
Published: October 2021

Background

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education (SNAP-Ed) program is an evidence-based program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides direct education and multi-level interventions for low-income families about nutrition, physical activity, and making healthy choices on a limited budget. Each U.S. state is funded to administer the program. SNAP-Ed works by building partnerships with community organizations. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of Minnesota's community partnership network involved in the SNAP-Ed program from the federal fiscal years 2016 (FY16) to 2020 (FY20). Analysis aims include 1) mapping the growth of SNAP-Ed community partners each year, 2) identifying essential network patterns and thereby highlight potential network gaps, 3) gauging the current level of partner involvement, and 4) enabling a data-driven approach for future collaborative network improvements.

Methods

Social network theory and analysis (SNA) was used to examine changes in partnerships over time. The data was retrieved from Minnesota's SNAP Education Evaluation and Database System (SEEDS) where maintained program and evaluation data; SNA metrics such as size, breadth, density, degree centralization, clusters, and modularity were calculated for each network.

Results

Partners of SNAP-Ed programs expanded from 869 in FY16 to 1032 in FY19. Due to COVID-19, in FY20, the number of partners decreased to 804. The network density decreased over time due to expansion of the number of partners between FY16(.0263) and FY19(.021). In FY20, the network density significantly decreased to .001 since partners were not able to be connected to each other. Network centrality will also be reported.

Conclusions

Our study presents a novel use of social network analysis methods to evaluate the community partnerships involved in the SNAP-Ed program.

Key messages

Using social network analysis to analyze the quantity and quality of the relationship among community nutrition education program partners gives practical policy recommendations. A novel use of social network analysis methods to evaluate the community partnerships involved in the SNAP-Ed program.
Managing protection and surveillance of health workers during COVID-19: German multi-centre survey
Authors: Kuhlmann E , Heinemann S , Bludau A , Kaba H , Scheithauer S
Published: October 2021

Background

Health workers face a higher risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic than the average population, yet we know very little on how protection is managed in daily practice. The aim of this study is to contribute new empirical data on the management of protection in clinical settings with a focus on surveillance, using Germany as case study.

Methods

We draw on material gathered in multi-centre hospital surveillance online surveys in Germany, which are part of a national COVID-19 University Research Network (project B-FAST). Selected indicators include tools, strategies and access to protection, with a focus on the composition of new surveillance teams; n = 100 responses, comprising n = 33/92% of all university medical centres; n = 67/18% of participating hospitals in two German Federal States in March 2021.

Results

Three major strategies of protection were identified: expanding services, information and access for all health workers in the clinical setting; establishing novel surveillance teams to protect hospital employees comprising hotline, testing and tracing teams; creating large-scale in-house vaccination programs in accordance with national vaccination prioritisation policy of health workers. The composition of the surveillance teams showed high variation in relation to professional groups/skills and status. In particular, hospital hygienists (often with a professional background in nursing) were included in all teams, but their share varied from only 24% in testing to 60% in hotline and even 95% in tracing teams.

Conclusions

German hospitals have stepped up efforts to protect health workers primarily through comprehensive surveillance and personal protection including vaccination. Our findings reveal capacity for innovation in the management of protection especially in two areas: improving the skill-mix and leadership of surveillance teams, and strengthening the role of hospital hygienists in surveillance.

Key messages

The building of interdisciplinary hospital surveillance teams plays an important role in innovating surveillance and strengthening protection. The skill-mix and leadership of the surveillance teams need further research and policy investigation to improve efficiency.
Problematic alcohol use in the family and adolescents’ stress-related complaints
Authors: Brolin Låftman S , Magnusson C , Olsson G , Svensson J , Wahlström J , Modin B
Published: October 2021

Background

A non-negligible proportion of children grow up in families where problematic alcohol use is present. From a resilience perspective and for the implementation of effective interventions, it is relevant to examine to what extent favourable conditions in other contexts may buffer against such family adversities. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between problematic familial alcohol use and offspring stress-related complaints. Another aim was to explore whether teacher ratings of the school's degree of student focus can buffer against negative health consequences of problem drinking at home.

Methods

Data were drawn from four cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2014 and in 2016 among 8,728 students (∼15-16 years) and 2,024 teachers in 147 Stockholm senior-level school units, with linked school-level register information. Stress-related complaints were measured from students' reports on the weekly co-occurrence of stomach-ache and headache. Teachers' ratings of the school's student focus were measured by an index based on four items which was aggregated to the school level. Student-level sociodemographic characteristics were included as control variables along with the schools' composition and student-teacher ratio. Two-level binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Problematic familial alcohol use was associated with an increased likelihood of stress-related complaints among students (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.44-2.10). The cross-level interaction revealed that this association was weaker among students in schools with higher levels of student focus.

Conclusions

The study showed that the association between problematic familial alcohol use and students' stress-related complaints was less pronounced in schools with higher teacher ratings of student focus. This finding indicates that favourable conditions in schools can buffer against problematic conditions in the family, thus serving a compensatory role.

Key messages

Students reporting problematic familial alcohol use were more likely to suffer from stress-related complaints. High teacher ratings of the school’s student focus buffered against the association between problematic familial alcohol use and stress-related complaints.
Vegetable intake determinants in disadvantaged adolescents: systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors: Bel-Serrat S , von der Schulenburg A , Marques-Previ M , Mullee A , Murrin C
Published: October 2021

Background

Evidence available on the determinants of vegetable intake in young populations is inconsistent. No review has particularly focused on this topic in disadvantaged adolescents. This systematic review aimed to investigate the determinants of vegetable intake in disadvantaged adolescents reported in qualitative studies.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched until October 2020 using combinations of synonyms for vegetable intake, adolescents, and qualitative methodologies. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals were included if they used qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, etc.), targeted disadvantaged individuals aged 12-18 years, investigated determinants, motivators and barriers to vegetable intake, and were conducted in urban settings of high-income countries. Two reviewers independently and systematically summarized the papers, assessed their quality and synthesized the findings across studies.

Results

Sixteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The synthesis of findings identified the following determinants for vegetable intake: sensory attributes of vegetables; psychosocial factors (nutrition knowledge, preferences/liking, self-efficacy, motivation); lifestyle factors (cost/price, time, convenience); fast food properties (taste, cost, satiety); home environment; parental influence; encouragement/support outside the household; friends' influence; school nutrition education; teachers' support; school food environment; local produce; community nutrition knowledge; and availability and accessibility of vegetables in local stores, restaurants and fast-food outlets.

Conclusions

Multiple determinants of vegetable intake were identified which complement those investigated in quantitative studies. Future large scale quantitative studies should attempt to examine the relative importance of these determinants in order to guide the development of successful interventions in disadvantaged adolescents.

Key messages

Vegetable intake is influenced by multiple factors in disadvantaged adolescents. Main determinants are vegetable attributes, personal factors, friends, family, school and community environment.
Digital devices to assess vaccine hesitancy and promote pertussis vaccination during pregnancy
Authors: Arzilli G , Scardina G , Menicagli D , Lucaccini E , Sironi D , Papini F , Tavoschi L , Lopalco PL , Privitera G
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy is the main strategy to prevent the disease in the first trimester of life of new-borns. Effective communication is essential to successfully engage pregnant women. The use of digital devices within the outpatient setting may be helpful to engage patients before and during the consultation. The aim of this study was to develop and test an e-health tool to assess vaccine hesitancy and to deliver tailored information and education interventions to raise awareness and promote vaccine acceptance.

Methods

One-hundred-and-five participants were recruited in 4 ob-gyn clinics. Participants were invited to complete a self-administered psychometric questionnaire to assess vaccine hesitancy, disease beliefs and self-efficacy perception on health behaviours on a tablet. Participants were randomly allocated to three communication-format types providing equivalent content: 1)a single video simulating a patient-doctor conversation on the topic; 2)an interactive platform with five infographics videos; 3)a paper leaflet followed by a brief consultation with the physician. The intention to get vaccinated during pregnancy was assessed through a specific question before and after the intervention.

Results

In the pre-intervention phase there was no difference observed between groups in terms of the variable “intention” to get vaccinated. After the intervention, participants of groups 1 and 3 showed a higher intention to get vaccinated than group 2 at the Kruskal-Wallis test (H(2)=6.008, p < 0.05). Post-intervention intention to vaccinate correlated with Individual Self-Efficacy (rs(105)=0.30, p < 0.001) and was inversely associated with vaccine hesitancy (rs(105)=0.34, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

We implemented and assessed the impact of different communication strategies to promote vaccine uptake among pregnant women. Our results suggest comparable effect may be obtained using simulated versus live patient-physician communication.

Key messages

The use of digital devices allows an effective and manageable communication about vaccination to pregnant women. In the present study, the implementation of digital forms of communication allowed a comparison with standard procedures of information towards vaccination, demonstrating their equivalence.
Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPACR) among brick kiln workers in Indore, India
Authors: Agarwal S , Verma N , Verma S , Kothiwal K , Mandloi N
Published: October 2021

Background

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPACR), promotes utilization of skilled maternal and neonatal care. Preparing for childbirth reduces delays in seeking care. Brick-kiln workers constitute a vulnerable social group who contribute to city infrastructure by laboring at low wages. 37% of the sample were Scheduled Castes, 49% Scheduled Tribes.

Methods

139 mothers of children < 2 years, residing temporarily in brick kilns of Indore were asked about preparedness for birth of youngest child. Birth preparedness was assessed by enquiring about saving money, arranging transport, identifying health facility for delivery, identified family member to accompany for labor/emergency.

Findings

10% did >3 BPACR practices implying good level of preparedness; 50% did 1-2 BPACR practices; 40% did no birth preparedness. Access to maternity benefit scheme was twice as likely to result in reasonable birth preparedness as compared to no access. Those with primary to class XII were twice as likely to practice birth preparedness as compared to those with no formal education. >3 ANC was associated with 8 percentage points greater practice of reasonable BPACR as compared to < 2 or no ANC. Mothers with knowledge of one danger sign each of pregnancy and delivery were 3 times more likely to practice BPACR than those without this knowledge. FGDs revealed challenges in access to bank account, obtaining required documents to apply for and access state maternity benefit. Lack of family support led to low BPCAR and low institutional delivery.

Conclusions

Brick-kiln women face risk of low utilization of government healthcare services. The health systems should conduct outreach antenatal care sessions in brick-kilns on knowledge of key danger signs and BPACR during health education and ANC counselling can help promote BPACR and hospital delivery. Information on requisite steps to apply for maternity benefit schemes should be shared among brick-kiln workers.

Key messages

It is crucial to promote BPACR among urban vulnerable sections, through NUHM’s outreach sessions by ANMs/ASHAs in brick-kiln, construction workers and similar groups. Access to maternity benefit cash transfer scheme should be enhanced particularly among excluded temporary urban groups such as brick-kiln workers as it is a motivation to avail hospital care.
“Ma sei fuori?”: a path to awareness on mental health and stigma
Authors: Iardino R , Sacchi M , Massari E , Iardino S , Brogonzoli L
Published: October 2021

Mental health issues, frequently associated with weirdness and danger, can easily derail the lives of the people who suffer from them, creating loneliness and isolation. Due to stigma, people with mental health disorders could experience limitation in their economic, social and cultural human rights. In the effort to fight stigma against mental health issues, Fondazione The Bridge promoted a contest called “Ma sei fuori?”, targeted to students from secondary school. “Ma sei fuori?” could be translated as “Are you off your rocker?” or, more simply, as “Are you crazy?”; this phrase has been adopted by our juvenile slang to identify a person who's generally considered “not in line”. To those who answered our public call, we sent the contest regulation and factsheets on schizophrenia and stigma, matched with a brief bibliography/filmography. Students involved had to develop a slogan on stigma linked with music and images; 140 classes competed. The best catchphrase had been voted by a jury composed of influencers, clinicians, policy makers, writers, patient associations and other KOLs; besides the winning class, the jury issued three special mentions. All the results had been broadcasted live on Facebook during a public event. The winning class, as prize, got access to financial resources for didactic use and its slogan will be the core of a TV spot. The project had been backed by a communication campaign on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, with the involvement of the most famous italian tiktokers; just on TikTok the campaign reached 4.8 billion views. The project final scope was to raise young people's awareness about mental health issues and stigma, by stimulating a cultural shift. Students underlined another important result: working together online after school during the pandemic helped them filled the gap caused by the lack of socialization. Projects of this kind, easily replicable in other contests, could help creating a common language on the impact of stigma.

Key messages

Social stigma still has a great impact on the lives of people with mental issues and disorders. Tackling bias and discrimination is the first step to raise awareness and build a stronger community. As a community, we must promote a responsible behavior and a common language to tackle prejudice on mental health issues; starting from young people could be the key to boost a cultural shift.
Depression and anxiety symptoms among Slovenian tertiary students during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Selak Š , Crnkovič N , Šorgo A , Cesar K , Gabrovec B
Published: October 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and the preventive measures associated with it radically affected educational processes in Slovenia. Schools were suspended and teaching was shifted to home-based distance learning models, with higher education institutions carrying this out for the longest period of time. The pandemic has also had an impact on mental health, and tertiary students seem to be particularly vulnerable.

Methods

A cross-sectional internet survey was conducted in February and March 2021. The final sample consisted of 5999 respondents. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among Slovenian tertiary students was assessed using the Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire (GAD-7). Participants with and without more pronounced depressive and anxiety symptoms were dichotomized using a cut-off value of 10 points, with higher scores indicating higher presence of symptoms and categorized into 5 severity levels according to total scale scores. Suicidal ideation was examined using 9th item of the PHQ-9.

Results

Data show that 55% of respondents reported having more pronounced depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10), with 16% reporting severe depressive symptoms. 5.1% of respondents reported having suicidal ideation more than half of the days and 5% reported having them almost every day. 51.3% of respondents reported having more pronounced anxiety symptoms (GAD -7≥10), with 30.7% reporting severe anxiety symptoms. Females reported more depressive and anxiety symptoms than males.

Conclusions

The results of the present study are to some extent consistent with the findings of comparable studies, but show higher proportions of depressive and anxiety symptoms with the highest severity levels. The data suggest that there is a case for tailored public health interventions that respond to the identified mental health needs of tertiary students in Slovenia.

Key messages

55% of respondents reported having depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10), with 16% reporting severe depressive symptoms, and 10.1% reported frequent suicidal ideation. 51.3% of the respondents reported having more pronounced anxiety symptoms (GAD -7≥10), with 30.7% reporting severe anxiety symptoms.
A qualitative study on the consequences of workplace violence in psychiatric settings
Authors: Piras I , Minafra F , Tusconi M , Piras G , Portoghese I , Azara A , Piana A , Contu P , Galletta M
Published: October 2021

Background

Violence against health care workers in psychiatric settings presents worrying data in the literature. Violence effects for healthcare professionals and organizations are absence from work for injury or illness, decreased job satisfaction and lower quality of work. The aim of the study was to identify the consequences of violence on health, work habits and performance of nurses who work with psychiatric patients.

Methods

The study was carried out by using a semi-structured interview with 12 nurses from different hospital and territorial psychiatric settings in Southern Italy. The interviews were conducted from July to October 2020 by telephone and recorded with the consent of the participants. The collected data were transcribed and analyzed.

Results

The data show that 91.7% of the interviewees were assaulted by patients. Eight nurses (66.7%) were aggressed several times and six (50%) suffered physical violence. The narratives revealed that patients mainly suffered from drug addiction and that half of them were on pharmacological treatment. Nurses reported feelings of anger, helplessness, fear and frustration; five nurses experienced health consequences, including low mood, anxiety, stress and nervousness. Some of them described pain from physical injuries and permanent effects caused by the assault. An attacked nurse has been absent from work for injury. The aggressions resulted in a change of nurses' work habits and performances; they were more careful after the aggression and modified their approach to the patient. Some of them developed skills and strategies to protect themselves and avoid aggression, others developed greater faith in the efficacy of the prescribed drug. However, the events also caused job dissatisfaction.

Conclusions

Aggression has a negative impact on nurses' health and work performance. Healthcare organizations should take into account the self-protection strategies identified by professionals and support them to prevent violence.

Key messages

Violence at work compromises nurses' health and work performance in psychiatric settings. Safer work settings could improve nurses' job satisfaction and the quality of patient care.
The long-term mental health outcome of adolescent with depression and alcohol abuse comorbidity
Authors: Brolin Låftman S , Ssegonja R , Alaie I , Jonsson U , Bohman H
Published: October 2021

Background

Alcohol abuse often co-occurs with adolescent depression and about 1-2% suffer from the dual diagnosis in adolescence. This group is often undertreated or receive inadequate treatment for either of the conditions. Both conditions affect the developing brain and poor long-term outcome might be a potential risk. Yet, long-term follow-up studies are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse if adolescent depression and alcohol abuse predict poorer mental health in adulthood compared to individuals without either or both conditions.

Methods

A community-based sample of individuals with adolescent depression in 1991-93 and matched non-depressed peers were followed up using a structured diagnostic interview after 15 years. The participation rate was 65% (depressed n = 227; non-depressed controls n = 155). Information on alcohol abuse in adolescence was collected at baseline with a structured interview. The outcome was mental disorders between the ages 19-31 years; information on depression and alcohol abuse was collected at the follow-up with a structured diagnostic interview. The statistical method used was binary logistic regression.

Results

Adolescents with depression and alcohol abuse had an excess risk of recurrence of depression (OR 2.12, p < 0.05) and alcohol abuse (OR 6.72, p < 0.01) in adulthood, compared with adolescents with depression only, even when adjusted for confounders. Adolescents with alcohol abuse only had not significantly worse long-term outcome compared with their healthy peers.

Conclusions

The co-occurrence of depression and alcohol abuse in adolescence is associated with long-lasting health consequences compared to either condition alone. This finding indicates that there is a need to prioritize this group of patients that is at risk of suboptimal treatment, and to further develop effective treatment adjusted to the co-occurring condition.

Key messages

The co-occurrence of adolescent depression and alcohol abuse has long lasting mental health consequences compared to either condition alone. Improved treatment methods are important for this group of adolescents.
Frequent users of ED’s perspectives about a case management intervention in Western Switzerland
Authors: Schaad L , Graells M , Moullin J , Kasztura M , Schmutz E , Hugli O , Daeppen J-B , Grazioli V , Bodenmann P
Published: October 2021

Background

Management of frequent users of the emergency department (FUED; ≥5 visits/year) is a known challenge. Studies show that case management (CM) improves FUEDs' quality of life while reducing their number of emergency department visits and associated costs. However, little is known about FUEDs' own perspectives on CM.

Methods

This qualitative study was part of a larger study aiming to implement CM for FUED in French-speaking Switzerland. Participants were FUEDs included in the parent study, who had either completed the CM intervention or were still enrolled. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 participants (75% female; mean age=40.55, SD = 12.84), randomly drawn from the parent study sample. Content analysis was performed by two researchers to assess participants' perceptions on the CM intervention.

Results

Most participants endorsed general positive perceptions of CM. CM differed from their usual treatment by two characteristics: its holistic approach and the quality of the relationship with the case manager. Also, moral support was perceived as a main benefit. FUEDs perceived four outcomes: an increase in motivation (e.g., day-to-day life or health-related), better orientation in and interaction with the healthcare system and improved health literacy. Finally, FUEDs identified two negative aspects to the CM: few perceived benefits (e.g., not enough concrete outcomes) and negative consequences (e.g., feeling ashamed to come back to ED). Three obstacles were identified: case manager's lack of time, COVID-19's influence (e.g., less personal contact) and uncertainty around the program (e.g., organization, aims). The personal relationship with their case manager was perceived as the main driver to positive outcomes.

Conclusions

FUED perceived the program as useful and considered the relationship with the case manager as key for positive outcomes. Our findings also suggest ways to improve CM, such as clarifying its organization and aims.

Key messages

In FUEDs’ opinion, the CM intervention had many positive outcomes, often relying on the relationship with the case manager. However, the CM intervention had also some negatives.
Cause-of-death diversity trends from a multiple-cause perspective
Authors: Trias-Llimós S , Permanyer I
Published: October 2021

Background

Recent evidence suggests that the diversity in underlying cause-of-death has increased over the last two decades, especially among old age groups. However, current approaches ignore the presence of comorbidities, which are highly prevalent and complicate the assignation of a single cause of death. We contribute to the debate of cause-of-death diversity by proposing and measuring it in the more general ‘Multiple Causes of Death' (MCOD) settings.

Methods

We use individual-level multiple cause of death mortality data for 2003-18 for the US by age group, sex and educational attainment. Causes of death were grouped into 13 main causes. We examine cause of death diversity using a newly developed approach based on the fractionalization index that accounts for the relative importance of the underlying versus the other causes listed in the death certificate for the whole deaths sample and by educational groups.

Results

Cause-of-death diversity increased in the studied period, and especially up to 2012. These trends were driven by increases in ages 65 and over. Compared to the standard single cause-of-death trends, results including MCOD suggested higher increases over time in all age groups except for men aged 85 years and older, where no differences were observed. Results by educational attainment showed lower diversity among the highest educated groups, and similar increases over time across groups. Interestingly, the educational gradient diminished at ages 65-84 and disappeared (men) or got reverted (women) at ages 85 and over.

Conclusions

The observed increases in cause-of-death diversity in the US could raise new concerns regarding the use of health services and the need to tackle specific groups of causes of death. In low mortality settings, cause of death diversity is a topic of growing public health relevance and further research should study the role of specific sets of causes to cause of death diversity dynamics.

Key messages

Cause-of-death diversity increased in the US in 2003-18. Higher diversity is a growing public health issue with potential implications on the healthcare system as well as in life expectancy dynamics.
Midlife Cardiovascular Health and Robust Versus Frail Late-Life Status: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Palta Priya , Griswold Michael , Ranadive Radhikesh , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Folsom Aaron R , Petruski-Ivleva Natalia , Burgard Sheila , Kucharska-Newton Anna , Windham B Gwen
Published: October 2021

Background

We examined the relationship of midlife cardiovascular health (CVH) with late-life robustness among men and women and the impact of survivorship bias on sex differences in robustness.

Methods

Prospective analysis of 15 744 participants aged 45–64 (visit 1 median age: 54 years, 55% female, 27% Black) in 1987–1989 from the population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. CVH was operationalized according to the Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) metric of health behaviors (smoking, weight, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose); each behavior was scored as ideal (2 points), intermediate (1 point), or poor (0 points) and summed. Late-life robust/prefrail/frailty was defined at visit 5 (2011–2013). Multinomial regression estimated relative prevalence ratios (RPRs) of late-life robustness/prefrailty/frailty/death across overall midlife LS7 score and components, for the full visit 1 sample. Separate analyses considered visit 5 survivors-only.

Results

For each 1-unit greater midlife LS7 score, participants had a 37% higher relative prevalence of being robust versus frail (overall RPR = 1.37 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.30–1.44]; women = 1.45 [1.36–1.54]; men = 1.24 [1.13–1.36]). Among the full visit 1 sample, women had a similar 1-level higher robustness category prevalence (RPR = 1.35 [95% CI: 1.32–1.39]) than men (RPR = 1.31 [95% CI: 1.27–1.35]) for every 1-unit higher midlife LS7 score. Among survivors, men were more likely to be robust than women at lower LS7 levels; differences were attenuated and not statistically different at higher midlife LS7 levels.

Conclusions

Midlife CVH is positively associated with robustness in late life among men and women. Accounting for mortality in part explains documented sex differences in robustness across all levels of LS7.
Bridging the Gap: A Geroscience Primer for Neuroscientists With Potential Collaborative Applications
Authors: Hoffman Jessica M , Hernandez Caesar M , Hernandez Abbi R , Bizon Jennifer L , Burke Sara N , Carter Christy S , Buford Thomas W
Published: October 2021

While neurodegenerative diseases can strike at any age, the majority of afflicted individuals are diagnosed at older ages. Due to the important impact of age in disease diagnosis, the field of neuroscience could greatly benefit from the many of the theories and ideas from the biology of aging—now commonly referred as geroscience. As discussed in our complementary perspective on the topic, there is often a “silo-ing” between geroscientists who work on understanding the mechanisms underlying aging and neuroscientists who are studying neurodegenerative diseases. While there have been some strong collaborations between the biology of aging and neuroscientists, there is still great potential for enhanced collaborative effort between the 2 fields. To this end, here, we review the state of the geroscience field, discuss how neuroscience could benefit from thinking from a geroscience perspective, and close with a brief discussion on some of the “missing links” between geroscience and neuroscience and how to remedy them. Notably, we have a corresponding, concurrent review from the neuroscience perspective. Our overall goal is to “bridge the gap” between geroscience and neuroscience such that more efficient, reproducible research with translational potential can be conducted.
1. Constitutional Law in the United Kingdom
Authors: Thompson Brian , Gordon Michael , Tucker Adam
Published: October 2021

This chapter introduces the idea of a constitution, analyses its various definitions and characteristics, and explores the specific nature of the UK’s constitutional arrangements. It then examines the key concepts of legitimacy, democracy, legal and political constitutionalism, the conditioning of power (via the principles of the separation of powers and responsible government), and the state.
Music-based environmental therapy and training programme: a qualitative evaluation study, Norway
Authors: Batt-Rawden Kari Bjerke , Vegard Berg Geir , Andersson Anders-Petter
Published: October 2021

Various authors have emphasized music’s value as beneficial intervention, with few or hardly any side effects. Further studies are called for on how music-based environmental treatment in nursing homes works in practice. The aims of the study are first to explore the subjective experiences, opinions and attitudes of health personnel from nursing homes participating in the ‘music-based environmental therapy programme (MB programme); and second, to examine why and how this programme impacts on patients and staff, and how it works in practice. It is the first qualitative study to evaluate the impact of the programme on health personnel’s daily practice in nursing homes. The sample was strategically selected by means of convenience sampling, and consisted of 26 (n = 26) nurses, managers, physiotherapists, social workers and carers from 11 nursing homes in the south-east of Norway. Data were collected in autumn 2019 using a methodological triangulation of in-depth interviews, focus groups and passive observation, and the data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. With systematic use of music in daily activities in the nursing homes, users became calmer and less outspoken, and the use of psychotropic drugs was greatly reduced. The MB programme seems to be a successful intervention that provides a unique opportunity to improve patients’ health and well-being with minimal adverse effects. This new focus on non-pharmacological approaches makes investigation of alternatives to medication vital.
The Personality Traits of Populist Leaders and Their Foreign Policies: Hugo Chávez and Donald Trump
Authors: Thiers Consuelo , Wehner Leslie E
Published: October 2021

This paper seeks to advance the study of the nexus of populism and foreign policy by showing the connection between the personality traits of the leader and the foreign policy behavior of the state that they represent. It focuses on the political personality profiles of two populist leaders who can be characterized as antiplural, Hugo Chávez and Donald Trump, as a way to empirically further substantiate the recent research agenda on populism in world politics. The paper builds the two populist leaders’ political profiles through the use of the leader trait analysis approach. It contends that there are patterns in populist leaders’ personalities that can act as key drivers of their noncooperative and conflict-inducing behavior in foreign policy. The results show the characteristics that appear as the strongest predictors of their behavior in the international arena are their low task orientation and high focus on relationships.
It's Ordered Chaos: What Really Makes Polycentrism Work
Authors: Koinova Maria , Deloffre Maryam Zarnegar , Gadinger Frank , Mencutek Zeynep Sahin , Scholte Jan Aart , Steffek Jens
Published: October 2021

This forum reimagines polycentric governance. It develops ideas of “ordered polycentrism” that can help international relations scholarship make fuller sense of contemporary governance of global affairs. How can we theorize the implicit bonding forces that bring deeper order to the surface disorganization of polycentric governance? We offer a key corrective to actor-focused institutionalist understandings by showing how polycentrism also involves deeper relations and structures. Six contributions offer various avenues to theorize deeper order in polycentric governance, each with reference to a substantive issue area. Jens Steffek draws upon constructivist theory of “norms” to argue that standards acquire autonomous ordering power in polycentric governance of global business. Maryam Deloffre adopts a “metagovernance” perspective to identify norms as aspirational visions structuring the regulation of humanitarian assistance. Next, Frank Gadinger explores polycentrism through the lens of “practices” that organize the everyday activities by multiple actors such as negotiating as well as the objects, technologies and expertise they use in these governance efforts. Zeynep Mencutek highlights “techniques” as micro-carriers of ordering practices in polycentric governance of irregular migration, stretching the limits of institutional rules. Maria Koinova discusses “informality” as a deeper structuring force in the governance of transit migration and diasporas, and how it is shaped by state capacities, political regimes, and regional dynamics. Finally, Jan Aart Scholte adds “underlying order” through macro-frameworks and, with illustrations from Internet governance, suggests that polycentrism is structured through a threefold combination of norms, practices, and underlying orders. Together, the six commentaries offer a menu of ways that future research can explore order in what institutionalism has depicted as chaos.
The ongoing French BaMaRa-BNDMR cohort: implementation and deployment of a nationwide information system on rare disease
Authors: Jannot Anne-Sophie , Messiaen Claude , Khatim Ahlem , Pichon Thibaut , Sandrin Arnaud ,   the BNDMR infrastructure team
Published: October 2021

Background

BaMaRa allows the secure collection and deidentified centralization of medical data from all patients followed-up in a rare disease expert network in France, based on a minimum data set (SDM-MR). The present article describes BaMaRa information system implementation and development across the whole national territory as well as data access requests through BNDMR, the data warehouse which centralizes all BaMaRa data, during the 2015–2020 period.

Materials and Methods

SDM-MR is made up of 60 interoperable items and is routinely collected through BaMaRa in rare disease centers as part of care and discharged into BNDMR after deidentification and data reconciliation. Data access is regulated by a scientific committee.

Results

In total, 668 002 affected patients had an SDM-MR recorded in BNDMR by the end of 2020 with a mean value of 3.4 activities per patients. Data access was provided for 66 projects.

Conclusion

The BaMaRa-BNDMR infrastructure provides an administrative and epidemiological resources for rare diseases in France.
Site-specific seismic hazard levels at the economic zone of Duqm, Oman
Authors: Deif Ahmed , Mohamed Adel M E , El-Hussain Issa , Al-Shijbi Yousuf , El-Hady Sherif , Al Habsi Zaid
Published: October 2021

A site-specific probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) was achieved in the area of special economic zone authority of Duqm, involving hazard evaluation at the bedrock conditions and assurance of potential site influence on seismic ground motion at the bedrock. Appropriate source and ground-motion prediction models were selected and seismic hazards were identified by means of 5% damped Uniform Hazard Spectra (UHS) for three return periods of 475, 975, and 2475 years. A logic-tree algorithm was used to study the influence of the epistemic uncertainties on the source models, earthquake recurrency and maximum magnitude, along with ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs). The local geology effects were characterized by fundamental resonance frequency (Fo) using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio technique and the soil amplification factors. The effects of soil were assessed using SHAKE91 for soil parameters defined by 55 geotechnical boreholes in conjunction with surveys of 2D multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) at 90 sites. Scaling was performed for selected strong-motion applying spectral matching technique to be used at the soil column bottom. Selection of such records is based on scenarios characterized by deaggregation of the PSHA results on the bedrock tops. The Duqm area mostly features low amplifications, below 1.3 for the considered spectrum. Surface ground-motion maps show low hazard values with Peak Ground Accelerations (PGA) vary between about 2 and 5% g for a 475-year return period. Although several sites are assessed to be susceptible to liquefy, liquefaction analyses indicate that surface ground motions for a 475-year return period are insufficient to produce liquefaction.
Assessing Genomic Diversity, Connectivity, and Riverscape Genetics Hypotheses in the Endangered Rough Hornsnail,Pleurocera Foremani, Following Habitat Disruption
Authors: Redak Caitlin A , Williams Ashantye’ S , Garner Jeffrey T , Halanych Kenneth M , Whelan Nathan V
Published: October 2021

The southeastern United States is home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world. Over the last 200 years, however, rapid industrialization and urbanization have threatened many natural areas, including freshwater habitats. River impoundments have also rapidly altered freshwater habitats, often resulting in species extirpation or extinction. The Coosa River in Alabama experienced one of the largest faunal declines in modern history after impoundment, making it an ideal system for studying how invertebrate species are affected by reservoir creation. One such species, the Rough Hornsnail, Pleurocera foremani, is an endangered freshwater snail in the family Pleuroceridae. We sampled all known localities of P. foremani and used 2bRAD-seq to measure genetic diversity. We assessed riverscape genomic patterns across the current range of P. foremani and measured gene flow within and between impoundments. We also investigated the degree to which P. foremani displays an isolation by distance pattern and conforms to broad hypotheses that have been put forth for population genetics of riverine species like the Mighty Headwater Hypothesis that predicts greater genetic diversity in headwater reaches compared with mainstem populations. Like most other freshwater species, a pattern of isolation by distance was observed in P. foremani. We also found that Coosa River dams are a barrier to gene flow, and genetic fragmentation of P. foremani is likely to increase. However, gene flow appeared common within reservoirs and tributaries. Additionally, we found that spatial genetic structure of P. foremani deviates from what is expected under the Mighty Headwaters Hypothesis, adding to a growing body of research suggesting that the majority of genetic diversity in low-dispersing gastropods is found in mainstem populations.
Transcriptomic characteristics and impaired immune function of patients who retest positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Authors: Wang Dongyao , Wang Dong , Huang Min , Zheng Xiaohu , Shen Yiqing , Fu Binqing , Zhao Hong , Chen Xianxiang , Peng Peng , Zhu Qi , Zhou Yonggang , Zhang Jinghe , Tian Zhigang , Guan Wuxiang , Wang Guiqiang , Wei Haiming
Published: October 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has become a global public health crisis. Some patients who have recovered from COVID-19 subsequently test positive again for SARS-CoV-2 RNA after discharge from hospital. How such retest-positive (RTP) patients become infected again is not known. In this study, 30 RTP patients, 20 convalescent patients, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled for the analysis of immunological characteristics of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We found that absolute numbers of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer cells were not substantially decreased in RTP patients, but the expression of activation markers on these cells was significantly reduced. The percentage of granzyme B-producing T cells was also lower in RTP patients than in convalescent patients. Through transcriptome sequencing, we demonstrated that high expression of inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) and low expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 10 (IFITM10) were associated with insufficient activation of immune cells and the occurrence of RTP. These findings provide insight into the impaired immune function associated with COVID-19 and the pathogenesis of RTP, which may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying RTP.
Plague Hospitals, Poverty and the Provision of Medical Care in France, c.1450–c.1650
Authors: Murphy Neil
Published: October 2021

This article examines the expansion of plague hospitals in early modern France. It shows that the development of these institutions was an urban initiative and that there was only limited involvement from the crown before the mid-seventeenth century. While there is a typically highly negative view of French plague hospitals, with these institutions being seen as death traps where the infected were simply sent to die, they played a vital role in providing the poor with access to specialist care. Plague hospitals were staffed by physicians, surgeons, nurses, and apothecaries, who provided a range of important medical treatments to the infected. Municipal governments developed these specialist hospitals for the plague sick—and only the plague sick—and sought to provide them with the type of environment early modern medical experts believed to be the most conducive for healing. The article situates the development of these hospitals within the wider context of health care provision in early modern France. Overall, it shows that the development of plague hospitals was a key manifestation of the drive toward providing professional medical care to the poor.
Biomechanics of tendrils and adhesive pads of the climbing passion flowerPassiflora discophora
Authors: Klimm Frederike , Schmier Stefanie , Bohn Holger F , Kleiser Svenja , Thielen Marc , Speck Thomas
Published: October 2021

The climbing passion flower Passiflora discophora features branched tendrils with multiple adhesive pads at their tips allowing it to attach to large-diameter supports and to flat surfaces. We conducted tensile tests to quantify the performance of this attachment system. We found that the force at failure varies with substrate, ontogenetic state (turgescent or senescent), and tendril size (i.e. tendril cross-sectional area and pad area). The tendrils proved to be well balanced in size and to attach firmly to a variety of substrates (force at failure up to 2N). Pull-off tests performed with tendrils grown on either epoxy, plywood, or beech bark revealed that senescent tendrils could still bear 24, 64, or 100% of the force measured for turgescent tendrils, respectively, thus providing long-lasting attachment at minimal physiological costs. The tendril main axis was typically the weakest part of the adhesive system, whereas the pad–substrate interface never failed. This suggests that the plants use the slight oversizing of adhesive pads as a strategy to cope with ‘unpredictable’ substrates. The pads, together with the spring-like main axis, which can, as shown, dissipate a large amount of energy when straightened, thus constitute a fail-safe attachment system.