bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turnover Intention and Its Associated Factors Among Psychiatrists in 41 Tertiary Hospitals in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yang Yating , Zhang Ling , Li Mengdie , Wu Xiaodong , Xia Lei , Liu Daphne Y. , Liu Tingfang , Liu Yuanli , Jiang Feng , Tang Yi-lang , Liu Huanzhong , Kalow Nadine J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Turnover intention, an employee’s intention to voluntarily leave their jobs, affects workforce sustainability. However, scarce data are available about turnover intention and its associated factors among psychiatrists in China, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current research was designed to address this gap.

Methods

An anonymous, nationwide online survey was disseminated to psychiatrists in 41 psychiatric hospitals in China. We collected demographic data, job-related information (duration of employment, history of participation in the frontline work against COVID-19, job satisfaction), and participants’ turnover intention in the next 12 months.

Results

In total, 3,973 psychiatrists completed the survey. The sample was predominantly female (58.8%) and married (79.5%), and nearly three-fourths (73.5%) had children. More than one-third (35.6%) had a master’s or doctoral degree in addition to their medical degree. The overall level of job satisfaction was moderate. The rate of turnover intention was 22.0% and was comparable in males and females (22.9% in males and 21.3% in females, respectively). Psychiatrists who had participated in the frontline work of COVID-19 were more likely to report an intention to leave their current job. Multiple regression analyses suggested that turnover intention was significantly associated with having insomnia, longer working hours, and more working days per week.

Conclusion

During the pandemic period, approximately one-fifth of psychiatrists in China reported turnover intention. Factors associated with turnover intention included high job-related burdens, low job satisfaction, participation in the frontline work against COVID-19, and insomnia. To improve psychiatric workforce sustainability, policymakers and hospital administrators need to be aware of this potential challenge and address the concerns of psychiatrists in China.
Nothingness Is All There Is: An Exploration of Objectless Awareness During Sleep
Authors: Alcaraz-Sánchez Adriana , Demšar Ema , Campillo-Ferrer Teresa , Torres-Platas Susana Gabriela
Published: June 2022

Recent years have seen a heightened focus on the study of minimal forms of awareness during sleep to advance the study of consciousness and understand what makes a state conscious. This focus draws on an increased interest in anecdotical descriptions made by classic Indian philosophical traditions about unusual forms of awareness during sleep. For instance, in the so-called state of witnessing-sleep or luminosity sleep, one is said to reach a state that goes beyond ordinary dreaming and abide in a state of just awareness, a state in which one is not aware of anything else other than one’s own awareness. Moreover, for these traditions, this state is taken to be the essence or background of consciousness. Reports on such a state opens the door to exciting new lines of research in the study of consciousness, such as inquiry into the so-called objectless awareness during sleep—states of awareness that lack an ordinary object of awareness. In this two-staged research project, we attempted to find the phenomenological blueprints of such forms of awareness during sleep in 18 participants by conducting phenomenological interviews, informed by a novel tool in qualitative research, the micro-phenomenological interview (MPI) method. Following a phenomenological analysis, we isolated a similar phase across 12 reported experiences labeled as “nothingness phase” since it described what participants took to be an experience of “nothingness.” This common phase was characterized by minimal sense of self—a bodiless self, yet experienced as being “somewhere”—, the presence of non-modal sensations, relatively pleasant emotions, an absence of visual experience, wide and unfocused attention, and an awareness of the state as it unfolded.
Belief in a Just World and Mental Toughness in Adolescent Athletes: The Mediating Mechanism of Meaning in Life
Authors: Tian Siyu , Chen Si , Cui Yuming
Published: June 2022

Mental toughness is an essential component of adolescent athletes' athletic careers and lives. Evidence supports the positive effect of belief in a just world on individual psychological development, but the relationship between belief in a just world and mental toughness of adolescents has not been tested. In order to determine the influencing factors of mental toughness and explore effective strategies for improving adolescent athletes' mental toughness, this study introduced just world and life meaning theories to explore the relationship between belief in a just world, meaning in life (search for meaning/presence of meaning), and mental toughness. Based on the data of 1,544 adolescent athletes from Yantai and Qingdao in Shandong Province, China, we tested a parallel mediation model that considered the search for meaning and presence of meaning as mediators. The results were predicted as follows: there is a significant positive correlation between belief in a just world and mental toughness, while the relationship between belief in a just world and mental toughness was partially mediated by the search for meaning and the presence of meaning in life. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the presence of meaning played a more influential role than the search for meaning. The results suggest that belief in a just world is connected to the mental toughness of adolescent athletes via the meaning in life. Therefore, maintaining and promoting the level of belief in a just world and enhancing the sense of meaning in life may be an effective strategy to develop the mental toughness of adolescent athletes. The findings of this study can help develop the mental toughness of adolescent athletes and help them maintain a high level of subjective and objective performance under the pressure of training and competition, providing practical guidance for coaches and administrators in the training of adolescent athletes.
The Role of Technology-Based Education and Teacher Professional Development in English as a Foreign Language Classes
Authors: Zhang Weihong
Published: June 2022

The swift development of technology has had a considerable effect on teaching, especially in foreign language classes, and the rising procedure of using creative technology to help teachers’ instruction and learning indicates the growing domination of technology in academic environments. In addition, teacher professional development significantly affects enhancing the teaching quality, especially the quality of educational activities within the class. Nevertheless, the shortage of workshops on professional development education made educators reliant on informal education where they worked and learned collectively with classmates in mini-groups to enhance their technology usage. The functions of technology-based instruction in the process of learning have not been taken into account in the professional development programs in the Chinese context so far, and consequently, this review takes a look at this issue. In a nutshell, this review of literature has suggestions for academics, theoreticians, and experts in search of inspecting the roles of technology in teacher professional development programs.
The Role of Motivation and Commitment in Teachers’ Professional Identity
Authors: Ma Dongmin
Published: June 2022

Teachers’ professional identity is a feature of an educator that must be planned in an extended, steady, and continuing procedure and typically forms in any particular academic and social setting. As the education profession is largely stressful, it calls for consistent commitment and also motivation to help alleviate the difficulties. Indeed, the educators’ efficiency and effectiveness are mediated by these constructs to both school problems as well as the teaching work as a whole. Besides multiple factors affecting teachers’ professional identity, commitment and motivation have important functions that are addressed by this mini-review of literature. Briefly, several implications are proposed for the EFL instructional recipients.
RETRACTED: Association of Self-Leadership With Acute Stress Responses and Acute Stress Disorders in Chinese Medics During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ji Rongjian , Zhang Lan , Ji Yanbo , Li Guangzhao , Wang Renxiu , Xu Cuiping
Published: June 2022

Background

The outbreak of the highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) renders a huge physical and psychological risk to the public, especially to the medics. Additionally, self-leadership has proven to improve self-efficacy and mediate tension, such as nervousness and depression. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore the association of self-leadership with acute stress responses (ASRs) and acute stress disorders (ASDs) in medics during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods

Self-reported online questionnaires were administered, and 627 participants were finally included. The data were analyzed using the univariate analysis and the logistical regression model to identify whether self-leadership and sociodemographic and epidemic characteristics were associated with mental health, including ASRs and ASDs.

Results

Initially, 790 medics responded. Of these, 627 remained after excluding for invalid questionnaires and those with a substantial amount of missing data. Therefore, the participation validity rate was 79.37%. Frontline medical staff (β = 0.338; p < 0.001), possibility of infection among people around the medic being mild (β = 0.141; p < 0.001), subjective estimation of epidemic duration being 3–6 months (β = 0.074; p < 0.05), self-sets (β = −0.022; p < 0.001), self-punishment (β = 0.229; p < 0.001), belief hypothesis and evaluation (β = −0.147; p < 0.05), and successful foresight (β = 0.105; p < 0.05) were statistically significant with ASRs. Marital status [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =1.813; 95% CI (1.141, 2.881); p = 0.012], being a frontline worker [AOR = 25.760; 95% CI (14.220, 46.667); p < 0.001], visiting Hubei in the previous 14 days [AOR = 3.656; 95% CI (1.500, 8.911); p = 0.004], self-punishment [AOR = 1.352; 95% CI (1.180, 1.548); p < 0.001], and self-dialogue [AOR = 1.256; 95% CI (11.063, 1.483); p = 0.007] were the risk factors for ASD. Conversely, having frontline medical staff in one's family [AOR = 0.523; 95% CI (0.297, 0.923); p = 0.025], self-sets [AOR = 0.814; 95% CI (0.715, 0.826); p = 0.002], and belief hypothesis and evaluation [AOR = 0.796; 95% CI (0.672, 0.943); p = 0.038] were the protective factors.

Conclusion

The special working environment of the COVID-19 epidemic resulted in ASR and ASD. Notably, findings revealed a positive association between ASR symptoms and frontline medical staff, the subjective estimation of epidemic duration, self-punishment, and successful foresight. Nevertheless, marital status, having visited Hubei in the previous 14 days, and self-dialogue were the risk factors accounting for ASD symptoms. Surprisingly, having frontline medical staff in one's family, self-sets, and belief hypothesis and evaluation had potential benefits for ASD symptoms.
Affective Responses to Both Climbing and Nordic Walking Exercise Are Associated With Intermediate-Term Increases in Physical Activity in Patients With Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - A Randomized Longitudinal Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial
Authors: Bichler Carina S. , Niedermeier Martin , Hüfner Katharina , Gálffy Mátyás , Sperner-Unterweger Barbara , Kopp Martin
Published: June 2022

Background

Exercise programs have shown anxiolytic effects in psychiatric patients. Adherence to exercise programs and subsequent long-term lifestyle change is influenced by acute affective responses of the exercise programs. This research aimed to assess acute affective responses of two different exercise modalities compared to a non-exercise control program and its effects on persisting physical activity behavior change.

Methods

Sixty-six outpatients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder were randomly allocated to one of three groups in a randomized longitudinal controlled clinical pilot trial: climbing (n= 26), nordic walking (n= 19), social contact control (n= 21). Affective responses were assessed pre, during, and post activity. General physical activity behavior was recorded prior to participation in the program, post program, and at follow-ups three and six months after the program.

Results

Multilevel modeling analyzes of 1,066 individual data points revealed increases in affective valence in the exercise sessions compared to the social contact sessions. State anxiety decreased in the climbing group compared to the social contact group. Physical activity behavior was increased immediately following the program as well as at six months follow-up in both exercise groups. A larger increase in affective valence during and after the sessions was associated with higher physical activity post program.

Conclusions

Climbing and conventional nordic walking exercise sessions revealed positive affective changes in outpatients indicating therapeutic potential of both modalities for acute emotion regulation. In accordance with theoretical models of human behavior change, it was judged that the experience of a more pleasant affective state following the exercise sessions induced more persisting effects on physical activity behavior after the exercise programs.

Trial Registration

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03758599, identifier: NCT03758599.
The Relationship Between Resting Cerebral Blood Flow, Neurometabolites, Cardio-Respiratory Fitness and Aging-Related Cognitive Decline
Authors: Krishnamurthy Venkatagiri , Paredes Spir Isabella , Mammino Kevin M. , Nocera Joe R. , McGregor Keith M. , Crosson Bruce A. , Krishnamurthy Lisa C.
Published: June 2022

Older adults typically experience a decline in cognitive function, but improvements in physical health and lifestyle can be neuroprotective across the human lifespan. The primary objective of this study is to advance our basic understanding of how cardiorespiratory fitness and neurophysiological attributes relate to cognitive decline. While cerebral blood flow (CBF) is critical for the supply of nutrients to the tissue, the brain’s major neurotransmitters (i.e., gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA, and glutamate-glutamine complex, Glx) are closely linked to oxidative metabolism. Within the context of flow-metabolism coupling, the critical question is how these neurophysiological parameters interplay, resulting in cognitive decline. Further, how cardiorespiratory fitness may impact aging neurophysiology and cognition is not well understood. To address these questions, we recruited 10 younger and 12 older cognitively intact participants to collect GABA and Glx using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), CBF using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), VO2max as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness using the YMCA submax test, and cognitive and motor-cognitive measures using a battery of behavioral assessments. We observed expected differences in GABA+, Glx, and CBF between younger and older participants in pre-SMA, a frontal domain-general region. When GABA+ and Glx were related to CBF via multiple linear regression, Glx was identified as the main contributor to the model. For higher-order executive function (i.e., inhibition versus color naming), GABA*Glx*CBF interaction was critical in younger, while only Glx was involved in older participants. For unimanual motor dexterity, GABA*Glx interaction was the common denominator across both groups, but younger participants’ brain also engages CBF. In terms of selective motor inhibition, CBF from younger participants was the only major neurophysiological factor. In terms of fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly related to GABA, Glx, and motor performance when combining cohorts, but no group-specific relationships were observed. Taken together, our results indicate that Glx and CBF coupling decreases with aging, perhaps due to altered glial oxidative metabolism. Our data suggest that GABA, Glx, and CBF are engaged and weighted differently for different cognitive measures sensitized to aging, and higher fitness allows for a more efficient metabolic shift that facilitates improved performance on cognitive-motor tasks.
Maternal Depression and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Care, Southern Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Borie Yacob Abraham , Siyoum Melese , Tsega Aklile , Anbese Gemechu
Published: June 2022

Background

Patients with depressed mental disorders may experience a lack of interest or pleasure, a poor mood, feelings of guilt or unworthiness, sleep and appetite disturbances, and easy fatigability. Based on the degree of the condition, depression is classed as mild, moderate, or severe. Maternal depression is the most common psychiatric condition during pregnancy, and its harmful effects have serious ramifications for both the mother and the fetus. Almost one in every four women will experience depression at some point in her life, the majority of which will occur during her childbearing years. Studies reports showed that antenatal depression is a common maternal problem in Ethiopia and as reported antenatal depression ranges in Ethiopia from 19.04 to 29.92%.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of maternal depression and associated factors among antenatal care attendants at Wolayta Sodo Teaching and Referral hospital, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

Health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted at Wolayta Sodo Teaching and Referral Hospital from May 01 to 30, 2018. Data were collected from through face to face interview at exit from antenatal care unit using structured questionnaire and checklist adopted from patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Data were collected from 309 antenatal attendant mothers using systematic random sampling from each either mother. Binary and multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with maternal depression at P-value <0.05 level of significant.

Result

Depression among pregnant mother was found to be 27.2% (95% Cl: 22, 32%). Women's level of education; being elementary school (AOR = 6.35 95%CL (2.32, 17.38), completing high school and above (AOR = 3.35, 95%CL 1.33, 8.47) were associated with maternal depression whereas having good husband support was protective for maternal depression (AOR = 0.4, 95%CL: 0.19, 0.83) and also not using substance during pregnancy period was protective for maternal depression (AOR = 0.39, 95%CI, 0.19, 0.77).

Conclusion

The frequency of mother depression in this community was greater than in previous Ethiopian studies reported. Maternal depression was linked to a woman's level of education, husband support, and substance usage. This suggested that health care providers regarding pregnant women should emphasize the importance of husband support, substance usage and women level of education.
Implementing Professional Midwife-Led Maternity Care in India for Healthy Pregnant Women: A Community Case Study
Authors: Beckingham Andy , Downe Soo , Fernandez Evita , Reed Becky , Kaur Indie , Aziz Nuzhat , Kingdon Carol
Published: June 2022

More women and neonates die each year in India than in almost every other country of the world. Since 1947, India has in principle provided free medical maternal health care to all pregnant and childbearing women. Although rates of maternal and neonatal deaths have fallen since the 1990s, major inequalities remain. Some Indian States have very high rates of interventions, (e.g., cesarean section), while others have intervention and care rates that are too low. Disrespectful treatment of women in labor and lack of evidence-based practice have also been reported. The World Health Organization and others have strongly recommended that professional midwives (trained in a woman-centered philosophy and to international standards) have a key role for reducing mortality and morbidity, minimizing unnecessary interventions in pregnancy and labor, and improving maternal care quality in low- and medium-income countries. This paper provides a community case-report of the first professional midwifery programme in India designed to international standards, implemented in 2011 in Hyderabad. We describe the design and implementation in the programme's first eleven years, as a basis for further scale-up and testing in India, and in other low- or medium-income countries. The ultimate aim is to improve maternal care quality, choice and outcomes in India and in similar socio-economic and cultural settings.
Determinants of Task-Based Exposures to Alpha-Diketones in Coffee Roasting and Packaging Facilities Using a Bayesian Model Averaging Approach
Authors: Blackley Brie Hawley , Groth Caroline P. , Cox-Ganser Jean M. , Fortner Alyson R. , LeBouf Ryan F. , Liang Xiaoming , Virji Mohammed Abbas
Published: June 2022

Coffee production workers can be exposed to inhalational hazards including alpha-diketones such as diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Exposure to diacetyl is associated with the development of occupational lung disease, including obliterative bronchiolitis, a rare and irreversible lung disease. We aimed to identify determinants contributing to task-based exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione at 17 U.S. coffee production facilities. We collected 606 personal short-term task-based samples including roasting (n = 189), grinding (n = 74), packaging (n = 203), quality control (QC, n = 44), flavoring (n = 15), and miscellaneous production/café tasks (n = 81), and analyzed for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione in accordance with the modified OSHA Method 1013/1016. We also collected instantaneous activity-based (n = 296) and source (n = 312) samples using evacuated canisters. Information on sample-level and process-level determinants relating to production scale, sources of alpha-diketones, and engineering controls was collected. Bayesian mixed-effect regression models accounting for censored data were fit for overall data (all tasks) and specific tasks. Notable determinants identified in univariate analyses were used to fit all plausible models in multiple regression analysis which were summarized using a Bayesian model averaging method. Grinding, flavoring, packaging, and production tasks with ground coffee were associated with the highest short-term and instantaneous-activity exposures for both analytes. Highest instantaneous-sources of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione included ground coffee, flavored coffee, liquid flavorings, and off-gassing coffee bins or packages. Determinants contributing to higher exposures to both analytes in all task models included sum of all open storage sources and average percent of coffee production as ground coffee. Additionally, flavoring ground coffee and flavoring during survey contributed to notably higher exposures for both analytes in most, but not all task groups. Alternatively, general exhaust ventilation contributed to lower exposures in all but two models. Additionally, among facilities that flavored, local exhaust ventilation during flavoring processes contributed to lower 2,3-pentanedione exposures during grinding and packaging tasks. Coffee production facilities can consider implementing additional exposure controls for processes, sources, and task-based determinants associated with higher exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, such as isolating, enclosing, and directly exhausting grinders, flavoring mixers, and open storage of off-gassing whole bean and ground coffee, to reduce exposures and minimize risks for lung disease among workers.
Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Micronutrients as Mediators of the Relationship Between Sleep, Insulin Sensitivity, and Glycosylated Hemoglobin
Authors: Kanagasabai Thirumagal , Riddell Michael C. , Ardern Chris I.
Published: June 2022

Background

Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality contribute to increases in oxidative stress, antioxidant imbalance, and a pro-inflammatory state which may predispose to a higher risk of diabetes. Our objective was to estimate the contributions of C-reactive protein (CRP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and micronutrient antioxidants (bilirubin, carotenoids, uric acid, vitamins A, C–E?) to the relationships between sleep-fasting insulin concentration and -glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Methods

Data from the 2005/06 US National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey were used (N = 1,946; 20 y+). Sleep quality and quantity was assessed by the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, and fasting blood was collected to quantify CRP, GGT, antioxidant micronutrients, insulin concentration, and HbA1c. The bootstrap method was used to estimate the amount of mediation or contribution of these mediators to the sleep–insulin concentration and -HbA1c relationships, which were quantified as large (≥0.25) or moderate (≥0.09).

Results

The sleep duration–fasting insulin relationship was mediated by GGT, carotenoids, uric acid, and vitamins C and D, whereas CRP and bilirubin were non-significant mediators of a moderate effect size. Similarly, the sleep quality–fasting insulin relationship was mediated by CRP, bilirubin and vitamin C, whereas GGT, carotenoids, uric acid, and vitamin D were non-significant large-to-moderate mediators. To a lesser degree, these micronutrients mediated for the relationship between sleep-HbA1c levels.

Conclusion

Several factors related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status were found to lie on the pathway of the sleep–insulin and –glycemic control relationships. Sleep hygiene, reduced systemic inflammation/oxidative stress, and optimal antioxidants intake are potentially beneficial targets for managing diabetes risk.
Association Between Serum Aminotransferases and Risk of New-Onset Cardiometabolic Disease in a Healthy Chinese Population: A Cohort Study
Authors: Lan Qin , Zhang Yuming , Lin Fang , Meng Qingshu , Buys Nicholas Jan , Fan Huimin , Sun Jing
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the association between serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and incident metabolic disease in a cohort of community-based older Chinese people.

Patients and Methods

Five thousand healthy Gaohang residents who attended community health checks at the Shanghai East Hospital in 2013 were recruited. Biological, biochemical, and lifestyle variables were collected. The cohort was followed for new-onset metabolic disease in 2014 and 2017, with a final study population of 3,123 (63%) after follow-up. The study outcome included type-2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.

Results

Baseline AST and ALT were associated with incident type-2 diabetes mellitus (HR 1.019, 95% CI 1.006–1.032, p = 0.003 and HR 1.016, 95% CI 1.008–1.025, p < 0.001 respectively). These associations persisted after adjusting for traditional risk factors including age, sex, income, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL and eGFR. Baseline AST and ALT were associated with incident metabolic syndrome in the crude analysis (HR 0.980, 95% CI 0.965–0.996, p = 0.012 and HR 0.992, 95% CI 0.988–0.997, p = 0.001, respectively). However, the association between AST and ALT with metabolic syndrome was non-significant after adjusting for biochemical parameters such as the lipid profile.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that serum AST and ALT are associated with new-onset type-2 diabetes mellitus, independent of traditional risk factors, in a cohort of older Chinese people. These findings may contribute to disease risk stratification and management in type-2 diabetes.
Impacts of the Internet on Health Inequality and Healthcare Access: A Cross-Country Study
Authors: Yu Jiajie , Meng Shuang
Published: June 2022

Access to information and resources through the Internet has become an increasingly critical aspect of contemporary life. Based on the WHO Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) and cross-country panel data, this paper investigates the effect of Internet access on health inequality across different income groups. The results indicate that access to the Internet significantly improves the average health condition and alleviates health inequality. In addition, employing cross-country data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database, this paper further examines the social and economic determinants of access to healthcare. Specifically, it is found that Internet access significantly facilitates healthcare access and mitigates the negative impact of income inequality on healthcare access. Considered together, these findings shed light on the importance of the Internet in reducing health inequality and improving healthcare access.
Non-linearity of Metabolic Pathways Critically Influences the Choice of Machine Learning Model
Authors: Lo-Thong-Viramoutou Ophélie , Charton Philippe , Cadet Xavier F. , Grondin-Perez Brigitte , Saavedra Emma , Damour Cédric , Cadet Frédéric
Published: June 2022

The use of machine learning (ML) in life sciences has gained wide interest over the past years, as it speeds up the development of high performing models. Important modeling tools in biology have proven their worth for pathway design, such as mechanistic models and metabolic networks, as they allow better understanding of mechanisms involved in the functioning of organisms. However, little has been done on the use of ML to model metabolic pathways, and the degree of non-linearity associated with them is not clear. Here, we report the construction of different metabolic pathways with several linear and non-linear ML models. Different types of data are used; they lead to the prediction of important biological data, such as pathway flux and final product concentration. A comparison reveals that the data features impact model performance and highlight the effectiveness of non-linear models (e.g., QRF: RMSE = 0.021 nmol·min−1 and R2 = 1 vs. Bayesian GLM: RMSE = 1.379 nmol·min−1 R2 = 0.823). It turns out that the greater the degree of non-linearity of the pathway, the better suited a non-linear model will be. Therefore, a decision-making support for pathway modeling is established. These findings generally support the hypothesis that non-linear aspects predominate within the metabolic pathways. This must be taken into account when devising possible applications of these pathways for the identification of biomarkers of diseases (e.g., infections, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases) or the optimization of industrial production processes.
An Overview of Alphafold's Breakthrough
Authors: Marcu Ştefan-Bogdan , Tăbîrcă Sabin , Tangney Mark
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a short summary of the protein folding problem, what it is and why it is significant. Introduces the CASP competition and how accuracy is measured. Looks at different approaches for solving the problem followed by a review of the current breakthroughs in the field introduced by AlphaFold 1 and AlphaFold 2.
Variable Selection and Redundancy in Multivariate Regression Models
Authors: Westad Frank , Marini Federico
Published: June 2022

Variable selection is a topic of interest in many scientific communities. Within chemometrics, where the number of variables for multi-channel instruments like NIR spectroscopy and metabolomics in many situations is larger than the number of samples, the strategy has been to use latent variable regression methods to overcome the challenges with multiple linear regression. Thereby, there is no need to remove variables as such, as the low-rank models handle collinearity and redundancy. In most studies on variable selection, the main objective was to compare the prediction performance (RMSE or accuracy in classification) between various methods. Nevertheless, different methods with the same objective will, in most cases, give results that are not significantly different. In this study, we present three other main objectives: i) to eliminate variables that are not relevant; ii) to return a small subset of variables that has the same or better prediction performance as a model with all original variables; and iii) to investigate the consistency of these small subsets.
Impact of Falls and Fear of Falling on Participation, Autonomy and Life Satisfaction in the First Year After Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Chan Katherine , Habib Perez Olinda , Singh Hardeep , Marinho-Buzelli Andresa R. , Hitzig Sander L. , Musselman Kristin E.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience reduced participation in meaningful activities, leading to reduced social engagement and negative psychological impact. Two factors that may affect participation post-SCI are fall status (e.g., having experienced a fall) and having a fear of falling. Our objective was to examine if and how fall status and fear of falling impact participation, autonomy and life satisfaction in the first year post-injury.

Methods

Adult inpatients of a SCI rehabilitation hospital were recruited. Following discharge, falls were tracked for 6 months and participants who fell at least once were categorized as “fallers”. At the end of the 6-month period, the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire 9 were administered, and participants were asked if they had a fear of falling (i.e., an ongoing concern about falling leading to the avoidance of activities they are capable of doing). Falls were reported using descriptive statistics. Ordinary least squares regression was used to evaluate the relationships between the independent variables (i.e., fall status and fear of falling) and each dependent variable (i.e., questionnaire scores).

Results

Seventy-one individuals were enrolled in the study; however, 11 participants were lost to follow-up. The included participants (n = 60) were 58.4 ± 14.6 years old and 99 ± 60.3 days post-injury. Over one third (38.3%) of participants fell over the 6-month tracking period. Twenty-seven participants (45%) reported a fear of falling and 14 (51.9%) of these participants were fallers. Fear of falling significantly predicted scores of autonomy indoors (β = 3.38, p = 0.04), autonomy outdoors (β = 2.62, p = 0.04) and family role (β = 3.52, p = 0.05).

Conclusion

Individuals with subacute SCI and a fear of falling experienced reduced participation and autonomy, but with no differences in life satisfaction compared to those without a fear of falling. In contrast, having experienced a fall did not impact participation, autonomy or life satisfaction. In the first year after SCI, rehabilitation programs should place specific attention on the presence of fear of falling to help individuals with SCI prepare for everyday mobility challenges.
Qualitative Evaluation of a Comprehensive Online Wellness Program (MENTOR) Among People With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Rimmer James H. , Wilroy Jereme , Young Hui-Ju , Young Raven , Sinha Tanvee , Currie Madison , Lima Carla Rigo , Lai Byron
Published: June 2022

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience a plethora of health conditions that hinder their health and wellness. This qualitative retrospective evaluation describes the perceptions of 14 peoples with SCI, several months after they completed an eight-week telewellness community program (MENTOR—Mindfulness, Exercise and Nutrition To Optimize Resilience). The program offered daily online classes that covered three core wellness domains (mindfulness, exercise, nutrition) and one health coaching session to introduce participants to eight other wellness domains (sleep, self-care, core values, arts & leisure, outdoor time in nature; spiritual practice, relationships, contribution to others). Qualitative analysis resulted in 4 themes related to program benefits, likes, and improvement recommendations. First, participants valued the program for the social support provided by a sense of community and relationship building with peers. Second, self-regulation was facilitated by the comprehensiveness of the program components, easy online access, and shared lifestyle goals for self-improvement among peers. Third, participants reported improved psychological wellbeing and adopted healthy behaviors that were maintained long after the program. Last, future programs should include flexible class times, post-program support, specific exercise adaptations for people with limited arm function, and supplementary in-person meetings. These preliminary findings demonstrate that MENTOR may benefit the wellbeing of people with SCI and warrant further study.
Hafnia Hands: A Multi-Skin Hand Texture Resource for Virtual Reality Research
Authors: Pohl Henning , Mottelson Aske
Published: June 2022

We created a hand texture resource (with different skin tone versions as well as non-human hands) for use in virtual reality studies. This makes it easier to run lab and remote studies where the hand representation is matched to the participants’ own skin tone. We validate that the virtual hands with our textures align with participants’ view of their own real hands and allow to create VR applications where participants have an increased sense of body ownership. These properties are critical for a range of VR studies, such as of immersion.
The Impact of Academic Publication: Inequity for Women in Behavior Analytic Journals
Authors: Krebsbach Jennifer M.
Published: June 2022

The number of women in higher education has increased over the past few decades but are still not at an equal level to their male counterparts, especially at the tenured level. One area of note within the tenure process is research. This area is highly valued by certain universities and could shed light on discrepancies in the number of female faculty as the faculty position becomes more prestigious. The author downloaded 21 years of publication data for seven prestigious behavior analytic journals and used quantitative methods to determine if the rates of publication differed between a previous study and today. There were 8,778 final articles yielding 27,225 authors in total. Data showed that women are represented more frequently overall, across time and all journals, less frequently in prestigious authorship positions, and more often when the sex of the editor at the time of publication was also female. While women's participation has increased over time, and since the original study, there is still disproportionate representation compared to the entirety of the field, in the order of authorship positions, and for editor-in-chief positions.
Predict Postoperative Anemia of Patients: Nomogram Construction and Validation
Authors: Dai Yimin , Han Chang , Weng Xisheng
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The loss of blood is a significant problem in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Anemia often occurs after such surgeries, leading to serious consequences, such as higher postoperative infection rates and longer hospital stays. Tools for predicting possible anemia can provide additional guidance in realizing better blood management of patients.

Methods

2,165 patients who underwent TKA from 2015 to 2019 in the same medical center were divided into training and validation cohorts. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent preoperative risk factors for anemia. Based on these predictors, a nomogram was established using the area under the curve (AUC), calibration curve (AUC), and the area under the curve (AUC). The model was then applied to the validation cohort, and decision curve analyses (DCA) were also plotted.

Results

Through analysis of both univariate and multivariate logistic regression, five independent predictors were found in the training cohort: female, relatively low BMI, low levels of preoperative hemoglobin, abnormally high levels of ESR, and simultaneously two sides of TKA in the same surgery. The AUCs of the nomogram were 74.6% (95% CI, 71.35%–77.89%) and 68.8% (95% CI, 63.37%–74.14%) of training and the validation cohorts separately. Furthermore, the calibration curves of both cohorts illustrated the consistency of the nomogram with the actual condition of anemia of patients after TKA. The DCA curve was higher for both treat-none and treat-all, further indicating the relatively high practicality of the model.

Conclusion

Female, lower BMI, lower levels of preoperative Hb, simultaneous bilateral TKA, and high levels of preoperative ESR were figured out as five independent risk factors for postoperative anemia (<9.0 g/dL) in patients undergoing TKA. Based on the findings, a practical nomogram was constructed to predict risk of postoperative anemia. The evidence level should be level 4 according to guideline.
The Effect of Examined Lymph Nodes and Lymph Node Ratio on Pathological Nodal Classification in the Lung Adenosquamous Carcinoma After Lobectomy
Authors: Feng Shoujie , Liu Xiangming , Huang Bing , Shi Jing , Zhang Hao
Published: June 2022

Objective

The effects of examined lymph nodes (LNs) and lymph node ratio (LNR) on pN classification and the prognosis are unclear in lung adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the significance of LNs and LNR in the prognosis of ASC and the impact of the abovementioned factors on the pN classification.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with pathological stage T1-4N0-2M0 ASC from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database were included in the study. The primary clinical endpoint was cancer-specific survival (CSS). The optimal cutoff values of the LNs and LNR were determined. An LN indicator, including pN0 #LNs ≤9, pN0 #LNs >9, pN+ #LNR ≤0.53, and pN+ #LNR > 0.53, was developed. Concordance index (C-index) was used to compare the prognostic predictive ability between N classification and LN indicator. The univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used in this study.

Results

The cohort of 1,416 patients were included in the study. The level of LNs stratified the patients without metastasis of lymph nodes (pN0 #LNs ≤9 vs. pN0 #LNs >9, unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.255, P = 0.037). Two groups based on the cutoff value of LNR differentiated prognosis of patients with metastasis of lymph nodes (pN+ #LNR >0.53 vs. pN+ #LNR ≤0.53, unadjusted HR = 1.703, P = 0.001). The LN indicator had a much better predictive ability over N classification in this cohort (LN indicator: C-index = 0.615; N classification: C-index = 0.602, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

We explored clinicopathological factors affecting prognosis in resected lung ASC patients. Besides, the LN indicator was confirmed to be played an essential role in affecting the survival rate in ASC patients. The high-level LNs or low-level LNR might be corelated to improved survival outcomes.
Immune Response After Rabies Vaccination in Owned Free-Roaming Domestic Dogs in Flores Island, Indonesia
Authors: Wera Ewaldus , Warembourg Charlotte , Bulu Petrus M. , Siko Maria M. , Dürr Salome
Published: June 2022

Vaccination is the main tool to prevent the circulation of rabies in dog populations. The development of an immune response after vaccination differs between individual dogs and depends on many factors such as dog characteristics, management, or genetics. Here, we first investigated the level of, and associated factors for, the presence of binding antibodies in 130 healthy dogs from Flores Island, Indonesia. Secondly, we identified factors associated with the development of binding antibodies within 30 days after vaccination among a subsample of dogs that had a binding antibody titre <0.5 EU/ml at the day of vaccination (D0, N = 91). Blood samples were collected from the individual dogs immediately before vaccination at D0 and 30 days after vaccination (D30). The rabies antibody titres were determined using ELISAs. Information on potential risk factors such as the dog's age and sex, history of vaccination, type and frequency of feeding, and BCS (body condition score) were gathered during interviews at D0. Regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of binding antibody titre ≥0.5 EU/ml at D0 for the 130 dogs and the development of binding antibody titre ≥0.5EU/ml at D30 for the 91 dogs. The results showed that the proportion of dogs with antibody titre ≥0.5 EU/ml was 30% (39/130) at D0. The only factors found to be significantly influencing the presence of binding antibodies titres ≥0.5 EU/ml was previous vaccination within 1 year before D0 [46.8 vs. 14.7%, Odds ratio (OR) = 3.6, 95%CI 1.5–9.3; p-value = 0.006], although the same trend was found for dogs of higher age and better BCS. Eighty-six percent (79/91) of dogs whose rabies binding antibody level was <0.5 EU/ml at D0 had developed an adequate immune response (≥0.5 EU/ml) at D30. Almost a significantly higher proportion developed an adequate immune response in dogs of good BCS compared to those of poor BCS (95.3% vs. 79.2%, OR = 4.7, 95%CI 1.1–32.5; p-value = 0.057. Twelve (13.2%) dogs retain binding antibody level <0.5 EU/ml at D30, indicating poor immune response after vaccination. A majority of them did not receive vaccine before D0 according to the owner and had poor BCS (83.3%; 10/12). Our findings show the high effectiveness of rabies vaccine in under field conditions to develop measurable immunity and the importance of a good BCS, often achievable by good dog keeping conditions, for developing efficient immunity after parenteral vaccination in dogs.
Vets and Vaccines: A Discursive Analysis of Pet Vaccine Critique
Authors: Hobson-West Pru
Published: June 2022

Critique of vaccination policy and practice has a long history, and social scientists and others have devoted significant efforts to understanding this phenomenon. This attention has only increased in light of the coronavirus pandemic, with public health concerns expressed about opposition to vaccination strategies. However, much less attention has thus far been devoted to understanding veterinary vaccine critique. This is problematic, given the central role of animals in the production and consumption of vaccines, and the existence of veterinary professional anxiety and international media coverage. The lack of existing literature may reflect a wider paucity of research on the veterinary profession; a paucity actively being challenged by new fields of veterinary anthropology and sociology. This short report is based on a discourse analysis of a UK campaign group, which questions aspects of companion animal vaccine policy. Findings suggest that the kinds of discourses used are similar to those made in the human vaccine domain: questions of risk, trust in expertise and imaginaries of science are thus not unique to human medicine. However, the article argues that some of the discourses identified are actually in line with wider social and cultural developments in healthcare. This argument has potential implications for veterinary professionals, as well as scholars interested in animal or human medicine. The article concludes by identifying future research trajectories, focused on further analysis of discursive practice, or the use of ethnographic observation to more fully understand the relationship between humans and non-humans, including animals and vaccine technologies.