bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social influences on mask‐wearing intentions during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Lipsey Nikolette P. , Losee Joy E.
Published: June 2023

Face mask‐wearing is important for reducing COVID‐19 spread. Masking is a publicly visible behavior and thus, social factors such as descriptive and personal norms, risk images, and impression management concerns are salient and likely influential. Study 1 (N = 381) surveyed participants during the early stages of the pandemic, assessing correlational relationships between social factors and masking intentions. Study 2 (N = 778) replicated Study 1 at a later stage in the pandemic and experimentally manipulated the group to which norms and risk images referred—familiar, unfamiliar, or general others. Study 1 findings revealed that perceived descriptive norms, personal norms, and risk images, together strongly related to face mask‐wearing independent of COVID‐19 threat perception. Study 2 results revealed that people's impressions of non‐mask wearers were less negative and their perceptions of mask‐wearing less normative among familiar versus unfamiliar others. People were also less likely to wear masks among familiar versus unfamiliar others. These results indicate that specific care should be taken to develop interventions that will increase masking in the presence of familiar others.
A transcriptome‐based phylogeny of Scarabaeoidea confirms the sister group relationship of dung beetles and phytophagous pleurostict scarabs (Coleoptera)
Authors: Dietz Lars , Seidel Matthias , Eberle Jonas , Misof Bernhard , Pacheco Thaynara L. , Podsiadlowski Lars , Ranasinghe Sasanka , Gunter Nicole L. , Niehuis Oliver , Mayer Christoph , Ahrens Dirk
Published: June 2023

Scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) are a diverse and ecologically important group of angiosperm‐associated insects. As conventionally understood, scarab beetles comprise two major lineages: dung beetles and the phytophagous Pleurosticti. However, previous phylogenetic analyses have not been able to convincingly answer the question whether or not the two lineages form a monophyletic group. Here, we report our results from phylogenetic analyses of more than 4000 genes mined from transcriptomes of more than 50 species of Scarabaeidae and other Scarabaeoidea. Our results provide convincing support for the monophyly of Scarabaeidae, confirming the debated sister group relationship of dung beetles and phytophagous pleurostict scarabs. Supermatrix‐based maximum likelihood and multispecies coalescent phylogenetic analyses strongly imply the subfamily Melolonthinae as currently understood being paraphyletic. We consequently suggest various changes in the systematics of Melolonthinae: Sericinae Kirby, 1837 stat. rest. and sensu n. to include the tribes Ablaberini, Diphucephalini and Sericini, and Sericoidinae Erichson, 1847 stat. rest. and sensu n. to include the tribes Automoliini, Heteronychini, Liparetrini, Maechidiini, Phyllotocini, Scitalini, and Sericoidini. Both subfamilies appear to consistently form a monophyletic sister group to all remaining subfamilies so far included within pleurostict scarabs except Orphninae. Our results represent a major step towards understanding the diversification history of one of the largest angiosperm‐associated radiations of beetles.
HydroWidth: A small‐scale approach to calculate river width and its variability
Authors: Scherelis Victoria , Doering Michael , Laube Patrick
Published: June 2023

Digital map processing techniques have enabled new computational methods to extract geographic features from scanned map sources. These are mainly historical maps and are rich in spatiotemporal information which can be derived by descriptive metrics. River channel width is such a typical ecological metric used to calculate properties such as water discharge rates and, generally, often applied in hydrological and ecological monitoring. Measures of river channel width in previous ecological work have successfully measured width based on in situ measurements or remote sensing efforts, but poorly captured the variability in river width due to simplifications of the river network or due to sparse availability of in situ measurements. As river width can greatly vary and change over space and time, capturing its variability with modern geospatial processing techniques is a key interest in interdisciplinary fields studying spatiotemporal changes of riverine properties. This article proposes HydroWidth, a small‐scale approach to measure river width continuously along a channel, capable of capturing the variability in width in simple as well as complex river structures without the use of river masks. The small‐scale approach is compared to two conventional vector‐based discrete river width measurement techniques to test the robustness of the methods in terms of measuring river width and its variability. Furthermore, this article evaluates the adaptability of HydroWidth by performing three experiments measuring river width variability at rivers of different structure, length, and complexity. The methods are applied on rivers of historical map sources, allowing a novel perspective of applying algorithms measuring river width on non‐airborne data sources. Lastly, the computational performance results of the conventional and HydroWidth methods at each experimental site are presented and discussed.
Effects of storage on quality and function of acid‐treated platelets with reduced HLA Class I surface expression
Authors: Mirlashari Mohammad Reza , Vetlesen Annette , Nissen‐Meyer Lise Sofie H. , Hetland Geir
Published: June 2023

Background

Refractory patients need to be provided with HLA‐matched platelets (PLTs), which require time‐consuming cross‐matching. Treatment of PLTs with citric acid leads to denaturation of the HLA Class I complexes without significant damage to the PLTs. HLA Class I depleted PLTs could alternatively be used to HLA‐matched PLTs for transfusion. These PLTs have verified normal function up to 4–6 h after acid treatment.

Materials and Methods

Buffy coat (BC) PLT concentrates were depleted of HLA Class I complexes by incubation in citric acid. The days after acid‐treatment, surface expression of HLA Class I complexes, CD62P and CD63 were determined by flow cytometry, in addition to viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Thromboelastography (TEG) tested PLT functionality.

Results

Expression of HLA Class I complexes was reduced by 70%–75% in acid‐treated PLTs compared to untreated PLTs from day 1 through day 7. Controls and acid‐treated PLTs showed insignificant loss of MMP stored for 4 days. Analysis of the residual PLT activation and viability showed no significant differences for 4 days of storage. However, the residual PLT activation potential and viability were significantly decreased in acid‐treated PLTs and control PLTs after 7 days of storage. Acid treatment caused a significant decrease in the TEG variable, reaction time (R time), for acid‐treated PLTs as compared to control PLTs from days 1 through day 3.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that extended storage of acid‐treated PLTs is possible and will improve flexibility when planning for transfusion of patients with alloimmune PLT refractoriness caused by anti‐HLA‐antibodies.
Suppression and Memory for Childhood Traumatic Events: Trauma Symptoms and Non‐Disclosure
Authors: Wu Yuerui , Hartman Dana , Wang Yan , Goldfarb Deborah , Goodman Gail S.
Published: June 2023

Self‐reported lost memory of child sexual abuse (CSA) can be mistaken for “repressed memory.” Based on our longitudinal studies of memory and disclosure in child maltreatment victims who are now adults, we discuss findings relevant to “repressed memory cases.” We examined relations between self‐report of temporarily lost memory of CSA (subjective forgetting) and memory accuracy for maltreatment‐related experiences (objective memory). Across two studies involving separate samples, we find evidence for memory suppression rather than repression: (1) Most adults who claimed temporary lost memory of CSA reported memory suppression and clarified that they could have remembered the event if asked; (2) subjective forgetting was positively associated with accurate objective memory for maltreatment‐related experiences. Subjective forgetting was also related to increased adult trauma symptoms and related to childhood non‐disclosure of CSA. Moreover, trauma‐related psychopathology mediated the relation between non‐disclosure and subjective forgetting. Implications for psychological theory and repressed memory cases are discussed.
A comparative study of English in advertising in France and Quebec
Authors: Martin Elizabeth
Published: June 2023

This study seeks to expand our understanding of code‐mixed advertising by comparing the use of English aimed at Francophone consumers in the Expanding Circle and the Inner Circle. Focusing on France and the Canadian province of Quebec, this analysis illustrates how marketing strategies differ across regional and national boundaries while highlighting the shift of English from a foreign to an additional language of use in Europe. Frenglish slogans observed in both contexts indicate that those who design advertising copy for France rely on a much wider gamut of English words and expressions to market products to local consumers. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate how the degree of adherence to language policy is closely linked to language attitudes and other socio‐cultural variables. Although both Quebec and France have a long‐standing tradition of language planning in favor of French, advertising practices differ quite significantly due to their respective socio‐historical and communicative contexts.
Key Determinants of Instagram Usage Among Malaysian Public University Students: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Tian Yang , Zainudin Sharifah Sofiah Syed , Jalis Farhana Muslim Mohd , Chan Tak Jie
Published: June 2023

This research seeks to investigate the influencing factors affecting students’ intention of Instagram usage in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Drawn on the theoretical framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), social influence and self-efficacy were additionally incorporated to extend the TAM. A total of 373 online questionnaires were distributed to the targeted respondents. The PLS-SEM was applied for data analysis and the outcome shows that behavioral intention was positively anticipated by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and social influence, while behavioral intention significantly impacts actual use. Meanwhile, the moderating effect of self-efficacy was found insignificant. The current study brings about empirical evidence in terms of the predictors anticipating students’ intention to use Instagram as an interactive platform by extending the TAM model. The outcome of the paper can serve as guidance for service providers in improving Instagram in the future.
A Case Study of the Ritual Space Construction of the Chinese Festival Series Program
Authors: Lei Ya , Yaakup Hani Salwah , Hasan Nurul Ain Mohd , Zainudin Sharifah Sofiah Syed , Xu Na
Published: June 2023

TV festival gala is one important form of ritual communication of traditional Chinese festivals. The Chinese Festival Series Program innovate the ritual construction path of the program while maintaining the sense of ritual of the traditional festival galas, making the Chinese Festival Series Program a representative work of Chinese festival galas in recent years. This study aims to explore the ritual space construction of the Chinese Festival Series Program. It adopted the case study approach by taking Chinese Festival Series Program as the research object, and analyzed the text of the programs mainly from the physical space, media space, narrative space and the associated space of history and reality. The analysis results demonstrated that breaking the single physical space and building diverse scenes can make the narrative more hierarchical, and allow the audiences to experience a more realistic program space. The addition of new technology also brings richness to the narrative space. The convenient interactivity of the new media platform creates an exclusive media interaction space for the audiences. Through the ritual space construction, the Chinese Festival Series Program associate the past space with the present space, allowing the audiences to develop memory-related activities in the ritual space.
Exploring the self-limiting atomic layer etching of AlGaN: A study of O2-BCl3 and chlorinate-argon systems
Authors: Guan Lulu , Li Xingyu , Guo Chunxiang , Shi Xinying , Xu Kaidong , Zhuang Shiwei
Published: June 2023

GaN/AlGaN, known as the third-generation semiconductor, is widely used in advanced power and RF devices. A precise and low-damage etch process is essential for the preparation of recessed-gate enhancement-mode GaN high electron mobility transistors. Atomic layer etching (ALE) offers novel opportunities during the ultraprecision manufacturing process by splitting etch process into a surface modification step and a modified layer removal step. In this work, two self-limiting AlGaN ALE systems (O2-BCl3 and chlorinate-argon) are reported in detail. The results of the two systems are analyzed and compared. This research provides a deep insight into the ALE mechanism of AlGaN and a broad cognition for applying ALE to engineering problems.
Amorphous carbon thin films: Mechanisms of hydrogen incorporation
during magnetron sputtering and consequences for the secondary electron
emission
Authors: Adame C. F. , Alves E. , Barradas N. P. , Costa Pinto P. , Delaup Y. , Ferreira I. M. M. , Neupert H. , Himmerlich M. , Pfeiffer S. , Rimoldi M. , Taborelli M. , Teodoro O. M. N. D. , Bundaleski N.
Published: June 2023

Amorphous carbon (a-C) films, having low secondary electron yield (SEY), are used at CERN to suppress electron multipacting in the beam pipes of particle accelerators. It was already demonstrated that hydrogen impurities increase the SEY of a-C films. In this work, a systematic characterization of a set of a-C coatings, deliberately contaminated by deuterium during the magnetron sputtering deposition, by scanning electron microscopy, ion beam analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and optical absorption spectroscopy was performed to establish a correlation between the hydrogen content and the secondary electron emission properties. In parallel, the mechanisms of contamination were also investigated. Adding deuterium allows resolving the contributions of intentional and natural contamination. The results enabled us to quantify the relative deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) amounts and relate them with the maximum SEY (SEYmax). The first step of incorporation appears to be formation of D/H atoms in the discharge. An increase in both the flux of deposited carbon atoms and the discharge current with a D2 fraction in the gas discharge can be explained by target poisoning with deuterium species followed by etching of CxDy clusters, mainly by physical sputtering. For overall relative D/H amounts between 11% and 47% in the discharge gas, the SEYmax increases almost linearly from 0.99 to 1.38. An abrupt growth of SEYmax from 1.38 to 2.12 takes place in the narrow range of D/H relative content of 47%–54%, for which the nature of the deposited films changes to a polymer-like layer.
F0 range instead of F0 slope is the primary cue for the falling tone of Mandarin
Authors: Zhang Wei , Gu Wentao
Published: June 2023

It has been well known that rising/falling pitch is employed to distinguish the rising (R) or falling (F) tones from the high-level (H) tone in Mandarin, but whether F0 range or F0 slope is the more critical F0 cue to perception is still inconclusive. To clarify this issue quantitatively, we took the F tone as the test case, and conducted two-alternative forced choice identification tests on two types of two-dimensional high-level–falling (H-F) tonal continua, one of which was manipulated along F0 range and duration (“F0 range continuum”) while the other along F0 slope and duration (“F0 slope continuum”). Experimental results indicated that F0 range was the primary cue because it resulted in a more robust (less duration-dependent) perceptual boundary than F0 slope. Meanwhile, the perceptual boundary in F0 range was not fully independent of but mildly modulated by duration, suggesting that duration (or equivalently, F0 slope) played a supplementary role in identifying the H-F tonal contrast.
Acoustics of thermoviscous fluids: The Kirchhoff–Helmholtz representation in generalized form
Authors: Morfey C. L. , Wright M. C. M.
Published: June 2023

The Kirchhoff–Helmholtz representation of linear acoustics is generalized to thermoviscous fluids, by deriving separate bounded-region equations for the acoustic, entropy, and vorticity modes in a uniform fluid at rest. For the acoustic and entropy modes we introduce modal variables in terms of pressure and entropy perturbations, and develop asymptotic approximations to the mode equations that are valid to specified orders in two thermoviscous parameters. The introduction of spatial windowing for the mode variables leads to surface source and dipole distributions as a way of representing boundary conditions for each mode. For the acoustic mode the boundary source distribution is expressible in terms of the fluid normal velocity, the normal heat flux, and the vector ω×n̂, where ω is the vorticity on the boundary and n̂ is the unit normal; only the first of these is present in the usual lossless-fluid version of the Kirchhoff–Helmholtz representation. Use of the generalized thermoviscous representation to project exterior sound fields from surface data, where the data may contain contributions from all three linear modes, is shown to be robust to cross-modal contamination. The asymptotic limitations of the thermoviscous modal equations are discussed in an appendix.
A directional spectrum evolution model for ship noise
Authors: Brown Michael G.
Published: June 2023

A radiation transport equation that describes the spatiotemporal evolution of the directional spectrum of underwater acoustic noise is presented and applied to ship noise. A ray-based algorithm is used to solve the transport equation and numerically simulate the evolution of the directional noise spectrum produced by a passing ship. The model described accounts for the transient and highly episodic nature of shipping noise, the strong anisotropy of the radiated shipping noise, the directional dependence of the resulting acoustic field, and the critical angle dependence of bottom-reflected energy. The model predicts time histories of sound pressure level and directional spectral energy density at distant locations if the ship track and the ship's radiated noise power are known. Simulations are shown to be in qualitatively good agreement with observations.
The Effect of Information System Quality, Perceived Usability, and Information Quality on User Satisfaction of Finance Management System (FMS) Applications
Authors: Lestari Asih Waris , Mukti Aloysius Harry , Christiningrum M.F
Published: June 2023

Information technology plays an important role in financial system, company need this for quality improvement. The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze the effect of information system quality, perceived benefits, and information quality on user satisfaction at PT. Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk. The number of respondents used as many as 45 employees of PT. Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk. This research is quantitative by using the analysis method with SmartPLS3 program. The results of this study indicate that the influence of information system quality, perceived benefits, and information quality have a positive effect on application user satisfaction.
Strategy for the Development of the Indonesian Halal Industry in the New Normal Era
Authors: Gunawan Aji  , Ummu Najwa  , Akyani Ummu Najwa , Armaelis Arfani  , Elsa Tiara
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on consumer buying patterns. This makes the economic sector receive special attention from the Indonesian government. At present the Indonesian government has implemented a new normal policy to accelerate the handling of COVID-19. This study aims to explain the role of the halal industry in reviving the Indonesian economy in the new normal era, the opportunities for the halal industry in Indonesia, and the possible challenges it faces, and explain what strategies should be followed. This study uses a descriptive qualitative research method. The technique used in this study using a purposive sampling technique. The data used comes from primary data through interviews and secondary data through research, books, other articles, and the official website of the Minister of Finance relevant to the research theme. The results of this study explain that the halal industry has an important role in Indonesia's economic growth in the new normal era. There are economic sectors that are opportunities for the development of the halal industry, namely halal food and beverages, halal fashion, halal cosmetics, halal media and recreation, halal pharmaceuticals, and halal finance. Apart from opportunities, a number of challenges must be faced, such as challenges arising from government, organizations, development, society or consumers, and existing resources. Strategies also need to be carried out to deal with these challenges, one of which is by prioritizing the halal product category.
Quality Performance of Teachers: Work Environment, Work Attitude, and Principal Supervision: Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Kilag Osias Kit T. , Calledo Ma. Felina S. , Uy Francisca T. , Dela Cerna Yolanda T. , Angtud Neil Andrian A. , Villanueva Khen M.
Published: June 2023

One of the most important factors in the face of the educational system is the quality of teachers' performance. The goal of this study is to ascertain whether the teachers' high-quality performance is actually impacted by the work environment, work attitude, and principal supervision. In this qualitative investigation, the Heideggerian Phenomenology design was employed. This study seeks to comprehend the phenomenon from the participant's point of view and through their experiences. In this study, the purposive method was employed, and participants were chosen to expound on their experiences as general education teachers at PAU Excellencia Global Academy Foundation, Inc., teaching in an inclusion classroom. It has been discovered that the key to creating a positive learning environment in the classroom is workgroup encouragement, especially having good relationships with the principal. How frequently teachers must deal with unruly and aggressive students have largely defined teaching obstacles. A teacher's perception of the supportive environment at school improved as he or she gained experience.
Forecasting Dropout Trend at King’s College of The Philippines using ARI-MA Modeling
Authors: Gambulao Ruben Jr.
Published: June 2023

Student drop-outs continue to be one of the perineal problems of educational institutions. Accordingly, institution managers are trying to find ways and means to curb impending issues on drop-outs to satisfy quality education. In this paper, the researcher delved into the different time series modeling methods in order to forecast the rate of college dropouts at King’s College of the Philippines-Benguet. The method considered was the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model.  The data used in this paper was the number of school dropouts from 2005 to 2018 obtained from the school registrar which shows more dropout during the first semester than the second semester.  Initial result obtained from using ARIMA reveals that the best model used is the model ARIMA which is the auto regression (AR 1), then the moving average (MA 1), with first differencing on the second semester.
Predictors of Organizational Commitment among Higher Education Institutions Faculty: Towards A Framework to Enhance Faculty Commitment
Authors: Quiambao Dolores T.
Published: June 2023

This study focused on the predictors of organizational commitment of faculty members in Pampanga so as to serve as inputs for the conception of a framework using a sequential explanatory mixed method approach. The initial phase of the research involved a quantitative analysis to ascertain the factors influencing organizational commitment. These factors were categorized into three groups: personal, professional, and job factors.  The personal factors of the study included age, sex, and civil status. The professional factors were divided into educational attainment, length of teaching at the current school and other school(s), while the job factors comprised of salary, benefits, incentives, and job satisfaction. For the 1st phase, 89 faculty served as respondents, while for the 2nd phase, 11 faculty served as participants. Meanwhile, the second part, which was the qualitative phase, selected participants from the same colleges and universities. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to ascertain the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable as well as to test hypotheses.  The study's results indicate that personal factors and professional factors, namely, length of teaching service and salary, do not have significant effects on organizational commitment. However, incentives and job satisfaction were found to have significant impact on faculty commitment. These results were further confirmed through the qualitative phase, wherein three major themes emerged that connects the results of the quantitative phase namely, job security, organizational self-image, and leadership influence. Higher education institutions may consider the emergent framework as a reference in order to enhance faculty members’ organizational commitment.
Tallapoosa Cane (Arundinaria alabamensis), a new species of temperate bamboo (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from East Central Alabama
Authors: TRIPLETT J.K.
Published: June 2023

Arundinaria alabamensis (Tallapoosa Cane) is described as a new species of North American temperate woody bamboo. Recognition of this species is consistent with molecular genetic data that suggests an origin through hybridization and subsequent diversification, as it bears a unique chloroplast DNA haplotype most similar to A. gigantea (River Cane), nuclear DNA haplotypes that cluster with A. appalachiana (Hill Cane) and A. tecta (Switch Cane), and a distinct AFLP fingerprint. Tallapoosa Cane can be distinguished from the other North American Arundinaria by a combination of vegetative characters including larger leaf size, foliage sheath pubescence, and a distinctive branch complement. This Alabama endemic is currently known from eight populations across four counties: Cleburne (3), Lee (3), Macon (1), and Randolph (1). The new species is described and compared with the related species of Arundinaria, and an identification key is included along with a comparative table based on morphological characters.
New species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) from the Espinhaço Meridional and Septentrional of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: ALMEDA FRANK , PACIFICO RICARDO
Published: June 2023

Microlicia rosanae and M. septentrionalis are described as new species from campo rupestre in the Espinhaço Meridional and Septentrional of Minas Gerais, Brazil, respectively. Diagnostic illustrations, field photographs, a distribution map, recommended conservation assessments, and discussions of putative related species based on morphological similarities are provided. Microlicia rosanae, from Serra do Caraça, can be recognized by its sessile oblong to narrowly oblanceolate 1-nerved leaf blades that are revolute when dry, 5–6-merous solitary flowers, hypanthia that are copiously covered with a mixture of inconspicuous spreading short and longer (some gland-tipped) trichomes that are up to ca. 0.25 mm long, fruiting hypanthia that are conspicuously constricted into a short neck just below the torus, and 5–6-locular ovaries that are ca. ½ inferior. Microlicia septentrionalis, from Pico da Formosa in northern Minas Gerais, is readily recognized by its ovate-lanceolate leaves that are somewhat concave when fresh and have red callose-thickened margins, petals pink throughout with an asymmetrical red band on the abaxial surface, hypanthia (at anthesis) somewhat constricted distally above the ovary just below the torus into a neck 1–2.5 mm long, glabrous basally and distally with a sparse ring (sometimes interrupted) of gland-tipped trichomes mostly 0.5 mm long just below the constricted neck, and 5-locular ovaries that are 2/3 inferior and beset with glandular trichomes (up to 0.5 mm long) apically around the base of the style. Microlicia rosanae is compared to the superficially similar M. pilosa and M. septentrionalis is compared with M. mellobarretoi, M. gentianoides, and M. punctata. Both newly proposed species are known only from their respective type localities.
Heterogeneity and associated factors of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome health behaviors: a latent class analysis
Authors: liu Ying , Guo Yunmei , Ding Rui , Yan Xin , Tan Huiwen , Wang Xueting , Wang Yousha , Wang LianHong
Published: June 2023

Objective

Using latent class to analyze whether there are subtypes of health behaviors in patients with PCOS can be addressed using targeted interventions.

Methods

October 2021 to June 2022, 471 PCOS patients were surveyed using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify subgroups of PCOS patients. Subsequent multinomial latent variable regressions identified factors that were associated with health behaviors.

Results

A three-class subtypes was the optimum grouping classification: (1)High healthy behavior risk; (2)high healthy responsibility and physical activity risk; (3)low healthy behavior risk. The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that (1)Single (OR = 2.061,95% CI = 1.207–3.659), Education level is primary school or below (OR = 4.997,95%CI = 1.732–14.416), participants is student (OR = 0.362,95%=0.138–0.948), participants with pregnancy needs (OR = 1.869,95%=1.009–3.463) were significantly more likely to be in the high healthy behavior risk subtypes; (2)The older the age (OR = 0.953,95%=0.867–1.047) and the larger the WC (OR = 0.954,95%=0.916–0.993), participants is married (OR = 1.126,95%=0.725–1.961), participants is employed ( OR = 1.418,95%=0.667–3.012) were significantly more likely to be in the high health responsibility and physical activity risk subtypes.

Conclusion

Patients with PCOS are a heterogeneous population with potential subtypes that may be suitable for customized multi-level care and targeted interventions.
A first census of skin cancer specialist nurses across UK secondary care trusts
Authors: Rammanohar Jashmitha , Kotecha Deeya , Hodgetts Jackie , Reeken Saskia , Daniels Susanna , Corrie Pippa G
Published: June 2023

Background

Skin cancer specialist nurses (SCSNs) support patients and work alongside healthcare professionals throughout the care pathway. Skin cancer management is rapidly evolving, with increasing and more complex treatment options now available, so the need for patient support is growing. While SCSNs are a major source of that support, the provision of SCSN resource across the UK has never previously been assessed. We therefore undertook a first SCSN census on 1st June 2021.

Methods

An electronic survey was disseminated to UK hospital trusts and registered skin cancer healthcare professionals. Responses were identifiable only by the respective trust name.

Results

112 responses from 87 different secondary care trusts were received; 92% of trusts reporting having at least 1 established SCSN post. Average SCSN staffing per trust was 2.4 (range 0–7) whole time equivalents, managing an average caseload of 83 (range 6–400) patients per week. SCSN workload had increased in 82% hospitals in the previous year and 30% of trusts reported being under-resourced. Most SCSN time was spent managing melanoma (as opposed to non-melanoma skin cancer) patients linked to surgical services. Regional variations existed, particularly associated with provision of lymphoedema services, nurse prescribing skills and patient access to clinical trials. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a marked increase in SCSN-led telemedicine clinics, but loss of training and education opportunities.

Conclusions

SCSNs based in secondary care hospitals play a major role supporting both clinicians and patients throughout the care pathway. This first UK census confirmed that SCSN workload is increasing and in one third of hospital trusts, the work was reported to outstrip the staffing available to manage the volume of work. Regional variations in SCSN resource, workload and job role, as well as availability of certain skin cancer services were identified, providing valuable information to healthcare commissioners concerned with service improvement.
Predictive value of albumin for intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in a large cohort of Kawasaki disease patients
Authors: Zhang Rui , Shuai Shuping , Zhang Hongxi , Cai Jianghui , Cui Na , Tang Mi , Xing Shasha , Gao Yu , Liu Xia , Yang Xiao
Published: June 2023

Background

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been the mainstay of treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD) over the past decades. However, 10–20% of KD patients are resistant to IVIG treatment which puts those patients at high risk of coronary artery lesions (CALs). Therefore, it is important to predict whether patients will be resistant to IVIG before the treatment. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for IVIG non-responsive patients with KD.

Methods

This study enrolled patients diagnosed with KD and divided them into two groups, IVIG responders and IVIG non-responders. We compared the differences in demographics and clinical data between the two groups. Differences among the groups were analyzed by ANOVA and Chi-square analysis. Predictors of IVIG resistance were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

In total, 907 KD patients were reviewed, with 841 IVIG responders and 66 IVIG non-responders. Patients in IVIG responders were younger than IVIG non-responders. The length of hospitalization of the IVIG non-responders was significantly longer than IVIG responders. The neutrophils%, C-reaction protein (CRP), and CRP/albumin ratio in IVIG responders were significantly lower than in IVIG non-responders (P < 0.05). The lymphocyte% and Albumin in IVIG responders were significantly higher than in IVIG non-responders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that albumin (OR = 0.881, 95% CI, 0.781 to 0.994, p-value = 0.039) was an independent risk factor for predicting IVIG resistance. The area under the ROC curve was 0.644, with a cut-off of ≤ 33.4 g/L determined by Youden’s index. The sensitivity and specificity in predicting IVIG resistance were 40.91% and 83.47%, respectively.

Conclusion

Albumin can serve as a potential predicting marker for IVIG resistance in KD. A lower albumin level may be useful for identifying KD patients with a high risk of IVIG resistance to guide further therapy strategies.
Dysregulation of histone modifications in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells during skeletal ageing: roles and therapeutic prospects
Authors: Li Yujue , Hu Mingxing , Xie Jinwei , Li Shuangqing , Dai Lunzhi
Published: June 2023

Age-associated bone diseases such as osteoporosis (OP) are common in the elderly due to skeletal ageing. The process of skeletal ageing can be accelerated by reduced proliferation and osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Senescence of BM-MSCs is a main driver of age-associated bone diseases, and the fate of BM-MSCs is tightly regulated by histone modifications, such as methylation and acetylation. Dysregulation of histone modifications in BM-MSCs may activate the genes related to the pathogenesis of skeletal ageing and age-associated bone diseases. Here we summarize the histone methylation and acetylation marks and their regulatory enzymes that affect BM-MSC self-renewal, differentiation and senescence. This review not only describes the critical roles of histone marks in modulating BM-MSC functions, but also underlines the potential of epigenetic enzymes as targets for treating age-associated bone diseases. In the future, more effective therapeutic approaches based on these epigenetic targets will be developed and will benefit elderly individuals with bone diseases, such as OP.
Mesenchymal progenitor cells from non-inflamed versus inflamed synovium post-ACL injury present with distinct phenotypes and cartilage regeneration capacity
Authors: Krawetz Roman J. , Larijani Leila , Corpuz Jessica May , Ninkovic Nicoletta , Das Nabangshu , Olsen Alexandra , Mohtadi Nicholas , Rezansoff Alexander , Dufour Antoine
Published: June 2023

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic debilitating disease impacting a significant percentage of the global population. While there are numerous surgical and non-invasive interventions that can postpone joint replacement, there are no current treatments which can reverse the joint damage occurring during the pathogenesis of the disease. While many groups are investigating the use of stem cell therapies in the treatment of OA, we still don’t have a clear understanding of the role of these cells in the body, including heterogeneity of tissue resident adult mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs).

Methods

In the current study, we examined MPCs from the synovium and individuals with or without a traumatic knee joint injury and explored the chondrogenic differentiation capacity of these MPCs in vitro and in vivo.

Results

We found that there is heterogeneity of MPCs with the adult synovium and distinct sub-populations of MPCs and the abundancy of these sub-populations change with joint injury. Furthermore, only some of these sub-populations have the ability to effect cartilage repair in vivo. Using an unbiased proteomics approach, we were able to identify cell surface markers that identify this pro-chondrogenic MPC population in normal and injured joints, specifically CD82LowCD59+ synovial MPCs have robust cartilage regenerative properties in vivo.

Conclusions

The results of this study clearly show that cells within the adult human joint can impact cartilage repair and that these sub-populations exist within joints that have undergone a traumatic joint injury. Therefore, these populations can be exploited for the treatment of cartilage injuries and OA in future clinical trials.
Competing risk models to evaluate the factors for time to loss to follow-up among tuberculosis patients at Ambo General Hospital
Authors: Fufa Daba Bulto , Diriba Tadele Akeba , Dame Kenenisa Tadesse , Debusho Legesse Kassa
Published: June 2023

Background

A major challenge for most tuberculosis programs is the inability of tuberculosis patients to complete treatment for one reason or another. Failure to complete the treatment contributes to the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for time to loss to follow-up treatment by considering death as a competing risk event among tuberculosis patients admitted to directly observed treatment short course at Ambo General Hospital, Ambo, Ethiopia.

Methods

Data collected from 457 tuberculosis patients from January 2018 to January 2022 were used for the analysis. The cause-specific hazard and sub-distribution hazard models for competing risks were used to model the outcome of interest and to identify the prognostic factors associated to treatment loss to follow-up. Loss to follow-up was used as an outcome measure and death as a competing event.

Results

Of the 457 tuberculosis patients enrolled, 54 (11.8%) were loss to follow-up their treatment and 33 (7.2%) died during the follow up period. The median time of loss to follow-up starting from the date of treatment initiation was 4.2 months. The cause-specific hazard and sub-distribution hazard models revealed that sex, place of residence, HIV status, contact history, age and baseline weights of patients were significant risk factors associated with time to loss to follow-up treatment. The findings showed that the estimates of the covariates effects were different for the cause specific and sub-distribution hazard models. The maximum relative difference observed for the covariate between the cause specific and sub-distribution hazard ratios was 12.2%.

Conclusions

Patients who were male, rural residents, HIV positive, and aged 41 years or older were at higher risk of loss to follow-up their treatment. This underlines the need that tuberculosis patients, especially those in risk categories, be made aware of the length of the directly observed treatment short course and the effects of discontinuing treatment.
Aftershocks following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake driven by both stress transfer and afterslip
Authors: Ueda Taku , Kato Aitaro
Published: June 2023

Aftershocks are a fundamental characteristic of seismicity, and their generation mechanism is mainly characterized by two physical models, stress transfer from large earthquakes and afterslip-induced stress loading. However, the contribution of each mechanism to aftershock generation remains unclear. Here we investigate the spatiotemporal variations in aftershock activity following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake by applying the Hierarchical Space–Time Epidemic-Type Aftershock Sequence (HIST-ETAS) model to the decade of recorded seismicity since the mainshock. Using the estimated HIST-ETAS model, we categorize the aftershocks into background earthquakes (which are caused by aseismic phenomena) and triggered earthquakes (which are caused by earthquake-to-earthquake interactions). Most of the earthquakes that occurred updip of the large coseismic slip zone along the Japan Trench are triggered earthquakes, consistent with the lack of afterslip in this area. Conversely, background earthquakes are the predominant earthquake type in the long-term downdip of the large coseismic slip zone, and they positively correlate with the afterslip evolution. Our results suggest the importance of combining these two end-member aftershock generation models to explain aftershock activity and thus provide new insights into the relationship between afterslip and spatiotemporal aftershock distribution. Our classifications may also contribute to the monitoring of afterslip in a given region that hosts a large earthquake, particularly where geodetic observation networks are too sparse to evaluate afterslip evolution.
Sex-Specific Accumulated Oxygen Deficit During Short- and Middle-Distance Swimming Performance in Competitive Youth Athletes
Authors: Massini Danilo Alexandre , Almeida Tiago André Freire , Macedo Anderson Geremias , Espada Mário Cunha , Reis Joana Francisca , Alves Francisco José Bessone , Fernandes Ricardo Jorge Pinto , Pessôa Filho Dalton Müller
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Since sex-specific accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD) during high-intensity swimming remains unstudied, this study aimed to assess AOD during 50, 100, and 200 m front-crawl performances to compare the responses between sexes and analyse the effect of lean body mass (LBM).

Methods

Twenty swimmers (16.2 ± 2.8 years, 61.6 ± 7.8 kg, and 48.8 ± 11.2 kg LBM—50% males) performed 50, 100, and 200 m to determine accumulated oxygen uptake (V̇O2Ac). The swimmers also performed an incremental test from which five submaximal steps were selected to estimate the oxygen demand (V̇O2demand) from the V̇O2 versus velocity adjustment. V̇O2 was sampled using a gas analyser coupled with a respiratory snorkel. AOD was the difference between V̇O2demand and V̇O2Ac, and LBM (i.e. lean mass not including bone mineral content) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

A two-way ANOVA evidenced an AOD increase with distance for both sexes: 19.7 ± 2.5 versus 24.9 ± 5.5, 29.8 ± 8.0 versus 36.5 ± 5.8, and 41.5 ± 9.4 versus 5.2 ± 11.9 ml × kg−1, respectively, for 50, 100, and 200 m (with highest values for females, P < 0.01). Inverse correlations were observed between LBM and AOD for 50, 100, and 200 m (r = − 0.60, − 0.38 and − 0.49, P < 0.05). AOD values at 10 and 30 s elapsed times in each trial decreased with distance for both sexes, with values differing when female swimmers were compared to males in the 200 m trial (at 10 s: 2.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.4 ± 0.6; and at 30 s: 7.9 ± 1.7 vs. 10.0 ± 1.8 ml × kg−1, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

LBM differences between sexes influenced AOD values during each trial, suggesting that reduced muscle mass in female swimmers plays a role on the higher AOD (i.e. anaerobic energy) demand than males while performing supramaximal trials.
Supporting students’ self-regulated learning in online learning using artificial intelligence applications
Authors: Jin Sung-Hee , Im Kowoon , Yoo Mina , Roll Ido , Seo Kyoungwon
Published: June 2023

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is crucial for helping students attain high academic performance and achieve their learning objectives in the online learning context. However, learners often face challenges in properly applying SRL in online learning environments. Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) applications have shown promise in supporting learners’ self-regulation in online learning by measuring and augmenting SRL, but research in this area is still in its early stages. The purpose of this study is to explore students’ perceptions of the use of AI applications to support SRL and to identify the pedagogical and psychological aspects that they perceive as necessary for effective utilization of those AI applications. To explore this, a speed dating method using storyboards was employed as an exploratory design method. The study involved the development of 10 AI application storyboards to identify the phases and areas of SRL, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 university students from various majors. The results indicated that learners perceived AI applications as useful for supporting metacognitive, cognitive, and behavioral regulation across different SRL areas, but not for regulating motivation. Next, regarding the use of AI applications to support SRL, learners requested consideration of three pedagogical and psychological aspects: learner identity, learner activeness, and learner position. The findings of this study offer practical implications for the design of AI applications in online learning, with the aim of supporting students’ SRL.