bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nutritional quality of food parcels provided by food banks and the effectiveness of food banks at reducing food insecurity in developed countries: a mixed‐method systematic review
Authors: Oldroyd Lucy , Eskandari Fatemeh , Pratt Charlotte , Lake Amelia A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Research indicates that food parcels provided by food banks are nutritionally poor. Food insecurity and the use of food banks are both rising, with detrimental effects on the dietary intake and health of users. This mixed‐method systematic review aims to investigate the current nutritional adequacy of pre‐packaged food parcels and whether using food banks reduces the food insecurity and improves the dietary intake of their users.

Methods

A mixed‐method systematic literature review, restricted to articles published from 2015, was conducted using eight electronic databases, four grey literature databases and eight relevant websites. Quantitative findings, investigating the nutritional quality of food parcels and/or their impact on dietary intake or food insecurity, were presented narratively. Qualitative findings reporting the views of food bank users regarding food from food banks underwent thematic synthesis. These independent syntheses were integrated using configurative analysis and presented narratively.

Results

Of 2189 articles, 11 quantitative and 10 qualitative were included. Food parcels were inconsistent at meeting nutritional requirements and often failed to meet individual needs, including cultural and health preferences. Using food banks improved food security and dietary quality of users, allowing otherwise unachievable access to food. However, food insecurity remained, and is explained by limited food variety, quality and choice. The mixed‐method findings support interventions to ensure consistent, adequate nutrition at food banks, including catering for individual needs.

Conclusions

Food banks are a lifeline for those severely food insecure. However when used alone, food banks struggle to eliminate the heightened food insecurity of their users. Efforts to improve the nutritional quality of food parcels could improve the experiences and diet‐related outcomes of those requiring food banks.
The diagnostic value of glycosylated hemoglobin for gestational diabetes mellitus in Asian populations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Jiani , Zhou Fan , Xu Tingting , Xu Jinfeng , Li Yaqian , Lin Li , Cao Qi , Wang Xiaodong
Published: February 2022

Aims

To investigate the role of glycosylated hemoglobin in assisting the oral glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis in Asian populations.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to December 2020. Review Manager was applied to assess the quality of studies and risk of bias. MetaDiSc was used to measure diagnostic odds ratio, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, area under receiving operating characteristic curve, and heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 19 original studies (32 669 women) were retrieved. The diagnostic efficiency of glycosylated hemoglobin was quantified from 4.5% to 6.0%. The pooled sensitivity (0.624, 0.609–0.638) and specificity and (0.624, 0.617–0.631) achieved optimal equilibrium at 5.0%. High sensitivity (0.911, 0.902–0.920) and low negative likelihood ratio (0.431, 0.365–0.508) at 4.6% as the rule‐out cut‐off, while with limited sensitivity, high specificity (0.990, 0.986–0.993) and positive likelihood ratio (8.309, 4.251–16.242) occurred at 5.8% as the rule‐in cut‐off. Heterogeneity was detected in parts of subgroup analyses (I2 > 50%). The diagnostic odds ratio and 95% confidence interval performance were better in the population with risk factors (6.314, 3.543–11.254) than those without (4.178, 2.332–7.488).

Conclusions

Glycosylated hemoglobin is a potential tool in assisting GDM diagnosis in Asian populations, which has a better applicability based on the rule‐out and rule‐in algorithm (4.6%–5.8%), particularly for pregnant women with risk factors.
The first wave of COVID‐19 and concurrent social restrictions were not associated with a negative impact on mental health and psychiatric well‐being
Authors: Love Thorvardur Jon , Wessman Inga , Gislason Gauti Kjartan , Rognvaldsson Saemundur , Thorsteinsdottir Sigrun , Sigurdardottir Gudrun Asta , Thordardottir Asdis Rosa , Eythorsson Elias , Asgeirsdottir Tinna Laufey , Aspelund Thor , Bjornsson Andri Steinthor , Kristinsson Sigurdur Yngvi
Published: February 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and efforts to contain it have substantially affected the daily lives of most of the world's population.

Objective

We describe the impact of the first COVID‐19 wave and associated social restrictions on the mental health of a large adult population.

Methods

We performed a cohort study nested in a prospective randomized clinical trial, comparing responses during the first COVID‐19 wave to previous responses. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) of the population moving up one severity category on validated instruments used to measure stress (PSS‐10), anxiety (GAD‐7), depression (PHQ‐9), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Responses were linked to inpatient and outpatient ICD‐10 codes from registries. Models were adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, and pre‐existing diagnoses of mental illness.

Results

Of 63,848 invited participants, 42,253 (66%) responded. The median age was 60 (inter‐quartile range 53–68) and 19,032 (45%) were male. Responses during the first wave of COVID‐19 did not suggest increased stress (OR 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–1.01; p = 0.28) or anxiety (OR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.05; p = 0.61), but were associated with decreased depression (OR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.85–0.93, p < 0.0001) and increased satisfaction with life (OR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08–1.16, p < 0.0001). A secondary analysis of repeated measures data showed similar results.

Conclusions

Social restrictions were sufficient to contain the pandemic but did not negatively impact validated measures of mental illness or psychiatric well‐being. However, responses to individual questions showed signs of fear and stress. This may represent a normal, rather than pathological, population response to a stressful situation.
Progressive hemispheric atrophy in HIV: A Rasmussen's‐like variant of CD8 encephalitis?
Authors: Thom Maria , Warner Graham , Williamson Marie , Limb Simon , Sheaff Michael , Patodia Smriti , Somani Alyma , Kumar Atul , Gaulard Philippe , Adle‐Biassette Homa
Published: February 2022

We report two cases of progressive lateralising encephalopathy in adult patients with treated HIV in the absence of opportunistic infection or vasculitis.

One case was characterised by CD8 cortical infiltrates and was steroid responsive and may represent a variant of CD8 encephalitis.

The other case presented with focal seizures and episodes of status epilepticus and pathology showed severe cortical atrophy with features reminiscent of the chronic phase of Rasmussen's encephalitis.
Physiological responses of black locust‐rhizobia symbiosis to water stress
Authors: Yuan Hui , Hu Bin , Liu Zhenshan , Sun Hongguang , Zhou Mi , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: February 2022

The present study explores the interaction of water supply and rhizobia inoculation on CO2 and H2O gas exchange characteristics, physiological and biochemical traits in seedlings of Robinia pseudoacacia L. originating from two provenances with contrasting climate and soil backgrounds: the Gansu Province (GS) in northwest China and the Dongbei region (DB) of northeast China. Rhizobia strains were isolated from the 50‐years old Robinia forest sites grown in the coastal region of east China. Robinia seedlings with and without rhizobia inoculation were exposed to normal water supply, moderate drought, and rewatering treatments, respectively. After 2 weeks of drought treatment, photosynthetic and physiological traits (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, stable isotope signature of carbon, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content) of Robinia leaves were significantly altered, but after rewatering, a general recovery was observed. Rhizobia inoculation significantly increased the drought resistance of both Robinia provenances by promoting photosynthesis, increasing the foliar N content and reducing the accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Among the two provenances, DB plants developed more nodules than GS plants, but GS plants were more drought‐tolerant than DB plants, both inoculated or noninoculated, indicated by the foliar gas exchange parameters and biochemical traits studied. Our results also show that inoculation of rhizobia could significantly improve the drought resistance of Robinia in both provenances. The present study contributes to the scientific background for the selection of drought‐resistant varieties of Robinia to ensure the success of future afforestation projects in degraded terrestrial ecosystems under global climate change.
Lifeline Crisis Chat: Coding form development and findings on chatters’ risk status and counselor behaviors
Authors: Lake Alison M. , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas , Aspden Rebecca , Kleinman Marjorie , Hoyte‐Badu Amanda M. , Galfalvy Hanga , Gould Madelyn S.
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aimed to develop a reliable tool for the abstraction of data from crisis chat transcripts; to describe chatters’ suicide risk status and selected counselor behaviors; and to examine the relationship of chatters’ self‐reported pre‐chat suicidal thoughts to counselor behaviors and to chatters’ disclosures of suicide risk during the chat conversation.

Methods

Coders used an instrument developed for this study to abstract data from 1034 crisis chats handled by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Chat network in 2015. The relationship of transcript coding data to data from an automated pre‐chat survey (PCS) was examined.

Results

Lifeline Crisis Chat serves a young (median age = 21), high‐risk population: 84.0% of chats (869/1034) came from chatters endorsing current or recent suicidal thoughts on the PCS. Counselors engaged in rapport‐building on 93.3%, problem‐solving on 70.1%, and suicide risk assessment on 67.7% of these 869 chats. Counselor risk assessment behavior, and the availability of information on suicide risk in the chat transcript, varied significantly by the chatter's PCS response.

Conclusion

Crisis counselors are able to implement keystones of Lifeline's crisis intervention model over the medium of online chat. Additional efforts are needed to ensure that suicide risk is assessed on every chat.
Comparison of success rate and time to obtain venous cannulation by cutdown technique at 3 locations using canine cadavers
Authors: Jones Nadine , Handel Ian G. , Llewellyn Efa
Published: February 2022

Objective

To compare the success rates and time taken to cannulate the jugular, cephalic, and lateral saphenous veins using a cutdown technique by personnel with 4 different levels of experience.

Design

Prospective ex vivo study.

Setting

Veterinary university teaching hospital.

Animals

Eighteen canine cadavers.

Interventions

Recently euthanized canine patients that were donated to the hospital for research purposes between October 2019 and March 2020 were enrolled. Four groups of personnel participated in the study to give 4 varying levels of experience: 8 final year veterinary students, 2 registered veterinary nurses, 1 emergency and critical care intern and 1 ACVECC diplomate. Each cannula placer had 5 minutes to attempt cannulation by venous cutdown at each site. Time to venous cannulation (VC) was compared for each site and group and complications encountered during each attempt recorded.

Measurements and Main Results

The overall success rate for cannulation of the jugular, cephalic, and lateral saphenous veins were 81%, 84%, and 87%, respectively. The median times for venous cutdown for all personnel were as follows: jugular vein 119 s (range 51–280 s), cephalic vein 82 s (range 39–291 s), and lateral saphenous vein 110 s (range 41–294 s). There was no difference in time to VC between veins. When comparing personnel at the 3 cannulation sites, the ACVECC diplomate was faster than the registered veterinary nurses and students (P = 0.042 and P = 0.048, respectively). No differences were found between any other groups. Complications encountered often related to cadaver factors such as hematoma from antemortem venipuncture.

Conclusions

All groups were able to perform venous cutdown at each site with good overall success even without prior experience of the technique. VC by cutdown technique of the jugular, cephalic, or lateral saphenous veins may be considered in an emergency setting by personnel of various skill levels.
Driven quantum harmonic oscillators: A working medium for thermal machines
Authors: Leitch Heather , Piccione Nicolò , Bellomo Bruno , De Chiara Gabriele
Published: February 2022

The study of quantum thermodynamics is key to the development of quantum thermal machines. In contrast to most of the previous proposals based on discrete strokes, here we consider a working substance that is permanently coupled to two or more baths at different temperatures and continuously driven. To this end, we investigate parametrically driven quantum harmonic oscillators coupled to heat baths via a collision model. Using a thermodynamically consistent local master equation, we derive the heat flows and power of the working device, which can operate as an engine, refrigerator, or accelerator, and analyze the instantaneous and average efficiencies and coefficients of performance. Studying the regimes of both slow and fast driving of the system, we find that an increased driving frequency can lead to a change of functioning to a dissipator. Finally, we investigate the effect of squeezing one of the thermal baths: it leads to an apparent higher efficiency compared to the corresponding Carnot value of an equilibrium bath with the same temperature and to sustained entanglement between the working substance oscillators in the limit cycle.
Perception difference for approaching and receding sound sources of a listener in motion in architectural sequential spaces
Authors: Yang Tingting , Kang Jian
Published: February 2022

This study investigates the dynamic auditory perception in large sequential public spaces for listeners in motion with a stationary primary sound source. Virtual soundwalks, involving four music and voice sources and validated with in situ soundwalks, were conducted in an exhibition space. The perception differences between the approaching and receding sound sources were explored, and three major effects were found. The rising sound received a higher rating in each room with a greater perceived change in the loudness than the falling sound despite equal changes in both levels (approach effect). The difference was greater for the room connected to the source room. The loudness in the room connected to the source room receives a sharp drop (plummet effect) for the receding sound source, which was larger for music than for voice. The effect of the background sound impairing the perceptual priority of rising sound was profound in the receiving rooms. The loudness patterns could not be extended to other perceptual attributes, including reverberation. An increasing symmetry of the overall perception between the different sound source types was observed (convergence effect) either by the approaching or receding sound sources. The overall asymmetry of the directional aspects occurring with the noise and voice was not as distinguishable as with music.
Critical assessment of DNA adenine methylation in eukaryotes using quantitative deconvolution
Authors: Kong Yimeng , Cao Lei , Deikus Gintaras , Fan Yu , Mead Edward A. , Lai Weiyi , Zhang Yizhou , Yong Raymund , Sebra Robert , Wang Hailin , Zhang Xue-Song , Fang Gang
Published: February 2022

The discovery of N
6
-methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) across eukaryotes led to a search for additional epigenetic mechanisms. However, some studies have highlighted confounding factors that challenge the prevalence of 6mA in eukaryotes. We developed a metagenomic method to quantitatively deconvolve 6mA events from a genomic DNA sample into species of interest, genomic regions, and sources of contamination. Applying this method, we observed high-resolution 6mA deposition in two protozoa. We found that commensal or soil bacteria explained the vast majority of 6mA in insect and plant samples. We found no evidence of high abundance of 6mA in
Drosophila
,
Arabidopsis
, or humans. Plasmids used for genetic manipulation, even those from Dam methyltransferase mutant
Escherichia coli
, could carry abundant 6mA, confounding the evaluation of candidate 6mA methyltransferases and demethylases. On the basis of this work, we advocate for a reassessment of 6mA in eukaryotes.
Diversification of aliphatic C–H bonds in small molecules and polyolefins through radical chain transfer
Authors: Fazekas Timothy J. , Alty Jill W. , Neidhart Eliza K. , Miller Austin S. , Leibfarth Frank A. , Alexanian Erik J.
Published: February 2022

The ability to selectively introduce diverse functionality onto hydrocarbons is of substantial value in the synthesis of both small molecules and polymers. Herein, we report an approach to aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bond diversification using radical chain transfer featuring an easily prepared
O
-alkenylhydroxamate reagent, which upon mild heating facilitates a range of challenging or previously undeveloped aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bond functionalizations of small molecules and polyolefins. This broad reaction platform enabled the functionalization of postconsumer polyolefins in infrastructure used to process plastic waste. Furthermore, the chemoselective placement of ionic functionality onto a branched polyolefin using carbon–hydrogen bond functionalization upcycled the material from a thermoplastic into a tough elastomer with the tensile properties of high-value polyolefin ionomers.
Probing subthreshold dynamics of hippocampal neurons by pulsed optogenetics
Authors: Valero Manuel , Zutshi Ipshita , Yoon Euisik , Buzsáki György
Published: February 2022

Understanding how excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) inputs are integrated by neurons requires monitoring their subthreshold behavior. We probed the subthreshold dynamics using optogenetic depolarizing pulses in hippocampal neuronal assemblies in freely moving mice. Excitability decreased during sharp-wave ripples coupled with increased I. In contrast to this “negative gain,” optogenetic probing showed increased within-field excitability in place cells by weakening I and unmasked stable place fields in initially non–place cells. Neuronal assemblies active during sharp-wave ripples in the home cage predicted spatial overlap and sequences of place fields of both place cells and unmasked preexisting place fields of non–place cells during track running. Thus, indirect probing of subthreshold dynamics in neuronal populations permits the disclosing of preexisting assemblies and modes of neuronal operations.
Complete Genome Sequences of Three Phocaeicola vulgatus Strains Isolated from a Healthy Japanese Individual
Authors: Vu Hanh , Muto Yoshinori , Hayashi Masahiro , Noguchi Hideki , Tanaka Kaori , Yamamoto Yoshimasa
Published: February 2022

Phocaeicola vulgatus
(formerly
Bacteroides vulgatus
) is a pathogenic anaerobic bacterium frequently involved in human infections. We present the complete genome sequences of three
Phocaeicola vulgatus
strains isolated from the same healthy person, determined by hybrid assembly using Nanopore long-read sequencing and DNBseq short-read sequencing.
Enhanced precipitation in the Gulf of Mexico during the Eocene–Oligocene transition driven by interhemispherical temperature asymmetry
Authors: Hou Mingqiu , Zhuang Guangsheng , Ellwood Brooks B. , Liu Xiao-lei , Wu Minghao
Published: February 2022

Studies reveal that the sea-surface temperature (SST) of the Northern Hemisphere decreased at a smaller amplitude than that of the Southern Hemisphere during the Eocene–Oligocene transition (EOT). This interhemispheric temperature asymmetry has been associated with intensified Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) that may have driven enhanced precipitation and weathering in low latitudes and the subsequent drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, no quantitative constraints on paleo-precipitation have been reported in low latitudes to characterize the AMOC effect across the EOT. Here, we present the results of high-resolution (ca. 6 k.y. per sample) isotopic and biomarker records from the Gulf of Mexico. Reconstructed precipitation using leaf wax carbon isotopes shows an increase of 44% across the EOT (34.1–33.6 Ma), which is accompanied by a secular increase in SST of ~2 °C during the latest Eocene. We attribute the enhanced precipitation in the Gulf of Mexico to the northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone that was driven by an enlarged polar-tropic temperature gradient in the Southern Hemisphere and an invigorated AMOC. Our findings link changes in meridional temperature gradient and large-scale oceanic circulation to the lowlatitude terrestrial hydroclimate and provide paleohydrological evidence that supports CO2-weathering feedback during the EOT “greenhouse” to “icehouse” transition.
Biotite as a recorder of an exsolved Li-rich volatile phase in upper-crustal silicic magma reservoirs
Authors: Ellis B.S. , Neukampf J. , Bachmann O. , Harris C. , Forni F. , Magna T. , Laurent O. , Ulmer P.
Published: February 2022

The magmatic-hydrothermal transition is key in controlling the fate of many economically important elements due to the change in partitioning when melt and magmatic fluid coexist. Despite its increasing economic importance, the behavior of lithium (Li) in such environments remains poorly known. We illustrate how compositionally unusual biotites from the rhyolitic Bishop Tuff (California, USA) and Kos Plateau Tuff (Greece) may contain a magmatic volatile phase trapped between layers of biotite crystals. Despite originating in pristine deposits and showing the expected X-ray diffraction spectra, these biotites return low (<95 wt%) analytical totals via electron microprobe (EMP) consistent with the presence of considerable amounts of light elements (non-measurable by EMP). Lithium contents and isotope ratios in these biotites are remarkable, with abundances reaching >2300 ppm, exceptionally light Li isotopic compositions (δ7Li as low as –27.6‰), and large isotopic fractionation between biotite and corresponding bulk samples (Δ7Libt–bulk as low as –36.5‰). Other mineral phases, groundmass glass, and melt inclusions from the same units do not support an extremely Li-rich melt prior to eruption. Biotites from phonolitic systems (Tenerife [Canary Islands] and Campi Flegrei [Italy]) do not show such extreme compositional differences, with biotite and melt showing roughly equivalent Li contents, underscored by significantly reduced Δ7Libt–bulk to a maximum of –10.9‰. We ascribe the difference in behavior to the near-liquidus appearance of biotite in alkaline magmatic suites, before widespread exsolution of a magmatic volatile phase in the magma reservoir, while in rhyolitic suites, biotite crystallizes at low temperature, trapping the coexisting exsolved fluid phase in the reservoir.
Longitudinal associations of ocular biometric parameters with onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Yifan , Xiong Kun , Gong Xia , Liang Xiaoling , Huang Wenyong
Published: February 2022

Aims

To investigate the associations of ocular biometric parameters with incident diabetic retinopathy (DR), incident vision-threatening DR (VTDR) and DR progression.

Methods

This community-based prospective cohort study recruited participants with type 2 diabetes aged 35–80 years from 2017 to 2019 in Guangzhou, China. Refractive error and ocular biometric parameters were measured at baseline, including axial length (AL), axial length-to-corneal radius (AL/CR) ratio, corneal curvature (CC), lens thickness (LT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens power and corneal diameter (CD).

Results

A total of 1370 participants with a mean age of 64.3±8.1 years were followed up for two consecutive years. During the follow-up period, 342 out of 1195 (28.6%) participants without DR at baseline had incident DR, 15 out of 175 (8.57%) participants with baseline DR had DR progression and 11 of them progressed to VTDR. After multiple adjustments, a longer AL (OR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.86; p<0.001) and a larger AL/CR ratio (OR=0.20; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.55; p=0.002) were associated with significantly reduced risks of incident DR but were not associated with incident VTDR or DR progression. Refractive status and other ocular biometric parameters investigated, including ACD, CC, CD, lens power and LT were not associated with any of the DR outcomes (all p>0.05).

Conclusions

A longer AL and a larger AL/CR ratio are protective against incident DR. These parameters may be incorporated into future DR risk prediction models to individualise the frequency of DR screening and prevention measures.
Investigation of the critical factors required to improve the disclosure and discussion of harm with affected women and families: a study protocol for a qualitative, realist study in NHS maternity services (the DISCERN study)
Authors: Adams Mary , Iedema Rick , Heazell Alexander Edward , Treadwell Maureen , Booker Maria , Bevan Charlotte , Hartley Julie , Sandall Jane
Published: February 2022

Patients and families are entitled to an open disclosure and discussion of healthcare incidents affecting them. This reduces distress and contributes to learning for safety improvement. Complex barriers prevent effective disclosure and continue in the English NHS, despite a legal duty of candour. NHS maternity services are the focus of significant efforts to improve this. There is limited understanding of how, and to what effect, they are achieving this.

Methods and analysis

A 27-month, three-phased realist evaluation identifying the critical factors contributing to improvements in the disclosure and discussion of incidents with affected families. The evaluation asks ‘what works, for whom, in what circumstances, in why respects and why?’.

Phase 1: establish working hypotheses of key factors and outcomes of interventions improving disclosure and discussion, by realist literature review and in-depth realist interviews with key stakeholders (n=approximately 20]

Phase 2: refine or overturn hypotheses, by ethnographic case-study analysis using triangulated qualitative methods (non-participant observation, interviews (n=12) and documentary analysis) in up to 4 purposively sampled NHS trusts.

Phase 3: consider hypotheses and design outputs during seven interpretive forums.

Ethics and dissemination

Phase 1 study approval by King’s College London’s Ethics Panel (BDMRESC 22033) and National Research Ethical Approval for Phases 2–3 (IRASID:262197) (CAG:20/CAG/0121) (REC:20/LO/1152). Study sponsorship by King’s College London (HS&DR 17/99/85).

Findings to be disseminated through tailored management briefings; clinician and family guidance (written and video); lay summaries, academic papers, and report with outputs tailored to maximise academic and societal impact. Views of women/family groups are represented throughout.
Protection motivation theory screening tool for predicting chronic low back pain rehabilitation adherence: analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Owen Patrick J , Main Luana C , Miller Clint T , Ford Jon J , Hahne Andrew J , Belavy Daniel L
Published: February 2022

Objective

To explore a protection motivation theory screening tool for predicting rehabilitation adherence.

Design

Analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Setting

An exercise physiology and physiotherapist clinic.

Participants

Patients with chronic low back pain (n=40).

Interventions

General strength and conditioning (GSC) compared with motor control and manual therapy. Primary and secondary outcome measures: predicting patient adherence to supervised sessions and dropout using the Sports Injury Rehabilitation Beliefs Scale, seven-item barriers checklist and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Sports Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale.

Results

Average attendance was 77% (motor control and manual therapy) and 60% (GSC) with eight dropouts. No Sports Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale values other than 5 across all three components were recorded. Treatment efficacy (p=0.019), self-efficacy (p=0.001), rehabilitation value (p=0.028) and injury severity (p=0.002) positively correlated with susceptibility (the extent of vulnerability to having health problems from not taking action). Rehabilitation value positively correlated with self-efficacy (p=0.005). Injury severity positively correlated with rehabilitation value (p=0.011). The final model for number of cancellations included rehabilitation value only and accounted for approximately 12% of variance (p=0.033).

Conclusions

Perceived value of rehabilitation should be considered by clinicians in the rehabilitation setting to improve treatment adherence in patients with chronic low back pain.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615001270505.
Increase in people’s behavioural risks for contracting COVID-19 during the 2021 New Year holiday season: longitudinal survey of the general population in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Shuko , Yamada Shohei , Sasaki Satoshi , Minato Yoichi , Takahashi Naomi , Kudo Keiichiro , Nohara Masaru , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: February 2022

Objectives

There has been no study in Japan on the predictors of risk for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection based on people’s behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to document changes in risk behaviour during the New Year’s holiday season in 2021 and to identify factors associated with high-risk behaviour for infection using a quantitative assessment tool.

Design

A longitudinal survey.

Setting

Multiphasic health check-ups for the general population in Iwate Prefecture.

Participants

Serial cross-sectional data were obtained using rapid online surveys of residents in Iwate Prefecture from 4 to 7 December 2020 (baseline survey) and from 5 to 7 February 2021 (follow-up survey). The data in those two surveys were available for a total of 9741 participants.

Main outcome measures

We estimated each individual’s risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the microCOVID calculator. We defined four trajectories of individual risk behaviours based on the probabilities of remaining at low risk, increasing to high risk, improving to low risk and persistence of high risk.

Results

Among people in the low-risk group in the first survey, 3.6% increased to high risk, while high risk persisted in 80.0% of people who were in the high-risk group at baseline. While healthcare workers were significantly more likely to be represented in both the increasing risk and persistently high-risk group, workers in the education setting were also associated with persistence of high risk (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.52 to 4.39; p<0.001).

Conclusions

In determining countermeasures against COVID-19 (as well as future outbreaks), health officials should take into account population changes in behaviour during large-scale public events.
Delayed puberty in boys in central Sweden: an observational study on diagnosing and management in clinical practice
Authors: Rodanaki Maria , Rask Eva , Lodefalk Maria
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To compare the usefulness of the classical definition of delayed puberty (DP) in boys with puberty nomograms and to describe the management of DP in boys in a hospital-based setting.

Study design

Observational retrospective multicentre study with a short-term follow-up.

Setting and participants

Boys diagnosed with DP during 2013–2015 at paediatric departments in four counties in central Sweden. The medical records of 165 boys were reviewed.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Number of boys with DP after re-evaluation of the diagnosis according to the classical definition in comparison with puberty nomograms. Description of investigations performed and treatment provided to boys with DP.

Results

In total, 45 and 58 boys were found to have DP according to the classical definition and the nomograms, respectively. Biochemical and/or radiological testing was performed in 91% of the 58 boys, but an underlying disease was only found in 9% of them. Approximately 79% of the boys received testosterone treatment, either as injections of testosterone enanthate or as testosterone undecanoate.

Conclusions

Puberty nomograms may be helpful instruments when diagnosing pubertal disorders in boys as they are not limited to an age close to 14 years and also identify boys with pubertal arrest. The majority of boys with DP undergo biochemical or radiological examinations, but underlying diseases are unusual emphasising the need for structural clinical practice guidelines for this patient group.
Acute stroke imaging selection for mechanical thrombectomy in the extended time window: is it time to go back to basics? A review of current evidence
Authors: Fladt Joachim , d’Esterre Christopher D , Joundi Raed , McDougall Connor , Gensicke Henrik , Barber Philip
Published: February 2022

Treatment with endovascular therapy in the extended time window for acute ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion involves stringent selection criteria based on the two landmark studies DAWN and DEFUSE3. Current protocols typically include the requirement of advanced perfusion imaging which may exclude a substantial proportion of patients from receiving a potentially effective therapy. Efforts to offer endovascular reperfusion therapies to all appropriate candidates may be facilitated by the use of simplified imaging selection paradigms with widely available basic imaging techniques, such as non-contrast CT and CT angiography. Currently available evidence from our literature review suggests that patients meeting simplified imaging selection criteria may benefit as much as those patients selected using advanced imaging techniques (CT perfusion or MRI) from endovascular therapy in the extended time window. A comprehensive understanding of the role of imaging in patient selection is critical to optimising access to endovascular therapy in the extended time window and improving outcomes in acute stroke. This article provides an overview on current developments and future directions in this emerging area.
European Stroke Organisation (ESO)–European Society for Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT) expedited recommendation on indication for intravenous thrombolysis before mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke and anterior circulation large vessel occlusion
Authors: Turc Guillaume , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Audebert Heinrich J , Boogaarts Hieronymus , Bhogal Pervinder , De Marchis Gian Marco , Fonseca Ana Catarina , Khatri Pooja , Mazighi Mikaël , Pérez de la Ossa Natalia , Schellinger Peter D , Strbian Daniel , Toni Danilo , White Philip , Whiteley William , Zini Andrea , van Zwam Wim , Fiehler Jens
Published: February 2022

Six randomized controlled clinical trials have assessed whether mechanical thrombectomy (MT) alone is non-inferior to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plus MT within 4.5 hours of symptom onset in patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic stroke and no contraindication to IVT. An expedited recommendation process was initiated by the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and conducted with the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT) according to ESO standard operating procedure based on the GRADE system. We identified two relevant Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome (PICO) questions, performed systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the literature, assessed the quality of the available evidence, and wrote evidence-based recommendations. Expert opinion was provided if insufficient evidence was available to provide recommendations based on the GRADE approach.

For stroke patients with anterior circulation LVO directly admitted to a MT-capable center (‘mothership’) within 4.5 hours of symptom onset and eligible for both treatments, we recommend IVT plus MT over MT alone (moderate evidence, strong recommendation). MT should not prevent the initiation of IVT, nor should IVT delay MT. In stroke patients with anterior circulation LVO admitted to a center without MT facilities and eligible for IVT ≤4.5 hours and MT, we recommend IVT followed by rapid transfer to a MT capable-center (‘drip-and-ship’) in preference to omitting IVT (low evidence, strong recommendation). Expert consensus statements on ischemic stroke on awakening from sleep are also provided. Patients with anterior circulation LVO stroke should receive IVT in addition to MT if they have no contraindications to either treatment.
Humoral and cellular immune responses on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with anti-CD20 therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 1342 patients
Authors: Schietzel Simeon , Anderegg Manuel , Limacher Andreas , Born Alexander , Horn Michael P , Maurer Britta , Hirzel Cedric , Sidler Daniel , Moor Matthias B
Published: February 2022

Background

Immune responses on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients receiving anti-CD20 therapies are impaired but vary considerably. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induced humoral and cell-mediated immune response in patients previously treated with anti-CD20 antibodies.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Medrxiv and SSRN using variations of search terms ‘anti-CD20’, ‘vaccine’ and ‘COVID’ and included original studies up to 21 August 2021. We excluded studies with missing data on humoral or cell-mediated immune response, unspecified methodology of response testing, unspecified timeframes between vaccination and blood sampling or low number of participants (≤3). We excluded individual patients with prior COVID-19 or incomplete vaccine courses. Primary endpoints were humoral and cell-mediated immune response rates. Subgroup analyses included time since anti-CD20 therapy, B cell depletion and indication for anti-CD20 therapy. We used random-effects models of proportions.

Findings

Ninety studies were assessed. Inclusion criteria were met by 23 studies comprising 1342 patients. Overall rate of humoral response was 0.40 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.47). Overall rate of cell-mediated immune responses was 0.71 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.87). A time interval >6 months since last anti-CD20 therapy was associated with higher humoral response rates with 0.63 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.72) versus <6 months 0.2 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.43); p=0<01. Similarly, patients with circulating B cells more frequently showed humoral responses. Anti-CD20-treated kidney transplant recipients showed lower humoral response rates than patients with haematological malignancies or autoimmune disease.

Interpretation

Patients on anti-CD20 therapies can develop humoral and cell-mediated immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, but subgroups such as kidney transplant recipients or those with very recent therapy and depleted B cell are at high risk for non-seroconversion and should be individually assessed for personalised SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies. Potential limitations are small patient numbers and heterogeneity of studies included.

Funding

This study was funded by Bern University Hospital.
Deep Learning-Based Network Traffic Prediction for Secure Backbone Networks in Internet of Vehicles
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Nie Laisen , Ning Zhaolong , Guo Lei , Wang Guoyin , Gao Xinbo , Kumar Neeraj
Published: February 2022

Internet of Vehicles (IoV), as a special application of Internet of Things (IoT), has been widely used for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), which leads to complex and heterogeneous IoV backbone networks. Network traffic prediction techniques are crucial for efficient and secure network management, such as routing algorithm, network planning, and anomaly and intrusion detection. This article studies the problem of end-to-end network traffic prediction in IoV backbone networks, and proposes a deep learning-based method. The constructed system considers the spatio-temporal feature of network traffic, and can capture the long-range dependence of network traffic. Furthermore, a threshold-based update mechanism is put forward to improve the real-time performance of the designed method by using Q-learning. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by a real network traffic dataset.
Towards Metaheuristic Scheduling Techniques in Cloud and Fog: An Extensive Taxonomic Review
Authors: Singh Raj Mohan , Awasthi Lalit Kumar , Sikka Geeta
Published: February 2022

Task scheduling is a critical issue in distributed computing environments like cloud and fog. The objective is to provide an optimal distribution of tasks among the resources. Several research initiatives to use metaheuristic techniques for finding near-optimal solutions to task scheduling problems are under way. This study presents a comprehensive taxonomic review and analysis of recent metaheuristic scheduling techniques using exhaustive evaluation criteria in the cloud and fog environment. A taxonomy of metaheuristic scheduling algorithms is presented. Besides, we have considered an extensive list of scheduling objectives along with their associated metrics. Rigorous evaluation of existing literature is performed, and limitations highlighted. We have also focused on hybrid algorithms as they tend to improve scheduling performance. We believe that this work will encourage researchers to conduct further research for removing the limitations in existing studies.
Federated Learning for Smart Healthcare: A Survey
Authors: Nguyen Dinh C. , Pham Quoc-Viet , Pathirana Pubudu N. , Ding Ming , Seneviratne Aruna , Lin Zihuai , Dobre Octavia , Hwang Won-Joo
Published: February 2022

Recent advances in communication technologies and the Internet-of-Medical-Things (IOMT) have transformed smart healthcare enabled by artificial intelligence (AI). Traditionally, AI techniques require centralized data collection and processing that may be infeasible in realistic healthcare scenarios due to the high scalability of modern healthcare networks and growing data privacy concerns. Federated Learning (FL), as an emerging distributed collaborative AI paradigm, is particularly attractive for smart healthcare, by coordinating multiple clients (e.g., hospitals) to perform AI training without sharing raw data. Accordingly, we provide a comprehensive survey on the use of FL in smart healthcare. First, we present the recent advances in FL, the motivations, and the requirements of using FL in smart healthcare. The recent FL designs for smart healthcare are then discussed, ranging from resource-aware FL, secure and privacy-aware FL to incentive FL and personalized FL. Subsequently, we provide a state-of-the-art review on the emerging applications of FL in key healthcare domains, including health data management, remote health monitoring, medical imaging, and COVID-19 detection. Several recent FL-based smart healthcare projects are analyzed, and the key lessons learned from the survey are also highlighted. Finally, we discuss interesting research challenges and possible directions for future FL research in smart healthcare.
Web of Digital Twins
Authors: Ricci Alessandro , Croatti Angelo , Mariani Stefano , Montagna Sara , Picone Marco
Published: February 2022

In recent years, digital twins have been pervading different application domains—from manufacturing to healthcare—as an approach for virtualising different kinds of physical entities (things, products, machines). The dominant view developed in the literature so far is about the virtualisation of individual physical assets in a closed-system perspective. In this article, we introduce and explore a broader perspective that we call
Web of Digital Twins
(WoDT), in which the digital twin paradigm is exploited for the pervasive softwarisation of possibly large-scale interrelated physical realities. A WoDT can be conceived as an open, distributed and dynamic ecosystem of connected digital twins, functioning as an interoperable service-oriented layer for applications running on top, especially smart applications and multiagent systems. The article introduces an abstract model and architecture aimed to capture key aspects of the idea not bound to any specific application domains or implementing technologies and discusses their adoption in engineering real-world systems. To this purpose, two concrete case studies are considered, in the context of healthcare and smart mobility. Finally, the article includes a discussion of a selected set of research directions.
Media and Policy Making in the Digital Age
Authors: Grossman Emiliano
Published: February 2022

Do media influence policy making? To what extent can governments or other actors manipulate this influence? Our understanding of the relationship between media and policy making remains limited, as separate research agendas look at parts of the puzzle in public policy, political communication, and related fields. This article tries to bridge these divides, to show how knowledge from different fields may be complementary, and to point to shortcomings and blind spots in existing research. By bringing different strands together, I show that media, old and new, are the main arena for the battle over the scope of policy conflict. The review discusses different factors determining or influencing media coverage of and influence on policy making, before looking at how governments and administrations deal with media coverage of policy making. I explore how ongoing changes in the media landscape are likely to affect the media–policy making nexus. The final section presents future research directions.
Automation, Digitalization, and Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Implications for Political Behavior
Authors: Gallego Aina , Kurer Thomas
Published: February 2022

New technologies have been a key driver of labor market change in recent decades. There are renewed concerns that technological developments in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence will destroy jobs and create political upheaval. This article reviews the vibrant debate about the economic consequences of recent technological change and then discusses research about how digitalization may affect political participation, vote choice, and policy preferences. It is increasingly well established that routine workers have been the main losers of recent technological change and disproportionately support populist parties. However, at the same time, digitalization also creates a large group of economic winners who support the political status quo. The mechanisms connecting technology-related workplace risks to political behavior and policy demands are less well understood. Voters may fail to fully comprehend the relative importance of different causes of structural economic change and misattribute blame to other factors. We conclude with a list of pressing research questions.
3D Self-Supported Binary PtCu Aerogel Boosted Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Tie Xiaoguo , Sun Xiaohan , Li Qiaoxia , Min Yulin , Xu Qunjie
Published: February 2022

Precious metal aerogel has a broad application prospect in the field of fuel cell electrocatalysis because of its unique structure characteristics. In this work, Three-dimensional (3D) self-supporting porous PtCu aerogels have been successfully synthesized via a gelation strategy based on excess NaBH4. The mass activity of optimized PtCu aerogel in acid methanol solution is 6.56 times higher than that of JM-Pt/C. In addition, the optimized PtCu aerogel showed better stability than JM Pt/C. For the methanol oxidation reaction, the optimized PtCu aerogel still maintains the current density of 930 mA mg−1
Pt after 3600 s Chronoamperometric (CA) test. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we demonstrate the electron transfer between Cu and Pt. This would arouse the change of electronic state and atomic spacing on the surface of Pt and endow the PtCu aerogel with both prominent activity and excellent stability due to lattice stress and electron effect. This work provides a strategy for reasonable design high performance fuel cell electrocatalysts.