bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of methamphetamine and alcohol among people with opioid use disorder and HIV in Vietnam: a qualitative study
Authors: Edsall Andrew , Hoffman Kim A. , Thuy Dinh Thanh , Mai Pham Phuong , Hang Nguyen Thu , Khuyen Tong Thi , Trang Nguyen Thu , Kunkel Lynn E. , Giang Le Minh , Korthuis P. Todd
Published: September 2021

Background

Heroin use continues to drive HIV transmission in Vietnam, but methamphetamine and alcohol use are growing rapidly and, as in other countries, polysubstance use is widespread. The objective of this study was to understand the interplay between heroin, methamphetamine, and alcohol use among people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV in Vietnam.

Methods

We conducted 44 in-depth, face-to-face qualitative interviews with people with OUD and HIV who participated in the BRAVO trial of buprenorphine versus methadone in five Vietnam HIV clinics. Interviews probed participants’ experiences of heroin, methamphetamine, and alcohol use and their interplay with HIV/OUD treatment. Interviews were professionally transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Of 44 participants interviewed 42 were male, on average 38.8 years of age, with 30 reporting a history of methamphetamine use and 33 reporting a history of alcohol use. Several themes emerged: 1) Methamphetamine and alcohol were perceived to have lower addiction potential than heroin 2) Social settings were key facilitators of alcohol and methamphetamine use 3) Some participants, but not all, used methamphetamine to help quit heroin 4) Consuming alcohol blunted the effects of heroin, while paradoxically serving as a catalyst for heroin use 5) Use of methamphetamine was perceived by many participants to be incompatible with treatment for HIV.

Conclusions

Participant experiences reflected a significant impact of polysubstance use on treatment of HIV and OUD. Patterns of polysubstance use are subject to common preconceptions of alcohol and methamphetamine as having a low addictive potential, and these substances are deeply enmeshed in the social life of many people with OUD in Vietnam. Interventions to address complex social norms and potential harms of polysubstance use are urgently needed as the population of people receiving medication for OUD (MOUD) increases in Vietnam and globally.

Trial registration

BRAVO - NCT01936857, September 2013.
“The system is well intentioned, but complicated and fallible” interviews with caregivers and decision makers about palliative care in Canada
Authors: Luymes Nicole , Williams Nicole , Garrison Liz , Goodridge Donna , Silveira Maria , Guthrie Dawn M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Canadian palliative care (PC) philosophy seeks to support individuals in a person-centered and sensitive manner. Unfortunately, philosophy does not necessarily translate into practice and this divide may leave patients without appropriate care at the end of life, causing distress for some families. The primary goal of the study was to identify key factors affecting perceptions of quality PC from the perspective of informal caregivers and decision makers (e.g., program managers) and to understand how their experiences within the health care system may have influenced their perceptions.

Methods

Nine caregivers and 11 decision makers from Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, & Nova Scotia shared their experiences in PC via interview or focus group. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and qualitatively analyzed for themes.

Results

Three themes emerged, including the Caregiver as Anchor, Bewildering System, and Patient, Caregiver, and Family-Centered Care. While these results resembled other studies on caregivers and individuals receiving PC, the present study also uncovered systemic concerns. There was agreement between the two participant groups across most subthemes, however only caregivers reported feelings of being trapped by the health care system and a general lack of respect from health care professionals. Additionally, caregivers stressed the importance of preserving some sort of normalcy in daily life despite the individual’s illness.

Conclusions

Caregivers are critical. The health care system expects them to help a great deal, but they often do not feel supported or respected and the system is lacking the capacity and resources to meet their needs while they are grieving loss and struggling to meet demands.
How registered nurses balance limited resources in order to maintain competence: a grounded theory study
Authors: Rees Sharon , Farley Helen , Moloney Clint
Published: September 2021

Background

Nurses have limited time outside of work for continuing professional development. Consequently, strategies need to be explored to enable them to better maintain their competence. This article describes recent research investigating if nursing behaviours in the use of mobile technologies could be leveraged to better facilitate mobile learning. It addresses a gap in the existing literature around how nurses resource their own professional development and learning in the absence of appropriate learning resources in the workplace.

Methods

The research employed a classic grounded theory methodology which was conducted with 27 registered nurses from Public and Private Hospitals in Queensland and external postgraduate nursing students from Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory enrolled at the University of Southern Queensland.

Results

The Theory of Economising Learning describes how nurses maintain competence with limited resources. Unfavourable staffing levels and a fast-paced workplace mean that nurses rarely prioritise their professional learning while at work. Instead, it requires the nurse to contribute personal resources including time and money.

Though the research revealed nurses were unconcerned about using mobile technologies, they were concerned about maintaining competence with limited resources. To counter this, nurses economised their learning by balancing personal resources against their motivation to maintain competence. The process of economising learning begins and ends with the development of the nurse’s personal curriculum in response to what they identify as being the most significant knowledge deficits at work that jeopardise their competence. A learning opportunity that addresses the knowledge deficit is sought. Nurses balance the opportunity to address the deficit against the cost of personal resources, to decide if they will engage with the opportunity and update their personal curriculum accordingly.

Conclusions

It is suggested that workplaces need to create reasonable expectations within nurses to address knowledge deficits and provide the resources, including time, to allow them to do so without personal cost. It is also necessary for workplaces to moderate the flow of learning opportunities so as not to overwhelm and demotivate the nurses. Currently, nurses use several strategies to optimise their learning using mobile technologies which could be leveraged in the workplace.
“Saying goodbye all alone with no close support was difficult”- Dying during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey among bereaved relatives about end-of-life care for patients with or without SARS-CoV2 infection
Authors: Schloesser Karlotta , Simon Steffen T , Pauli Berenike , Voltz Raymond , Jung Norma , Leisse Charlotte , van der Heide Agnes , Korfage Ida J , Pralong Anne , Bausewein Claudia , Joshi Melanie , Strupp Julia ,   for PallPan and the CO-LIVE study
Published: September 2021

Background

During the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, protection measures, as well as visiting restrictions, had a severe impact on seriously ill and dying patients and their relatives. The study aims to describe the experiences of bereaved relatives of patients who died during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, regardless of whether patients were infected with SARS-CoV2 or not. As part of this, experiences related to patients’ end-of-life care, saying goodbye, visiting restrictions and communication with the healthcare team were assessed.

Methods

An open observational post-bereavement online survey with free text options was conducted with 81 bereaved relatives from people who died during the pandemic in Germany, with and without SARS-CoV2 diagnosis.

Results

67/81 of the bereaved relatives were female, with a mean age of 57.2 years. 50/81 decedents were women, with a mean age of﻿ 82.4 years. The main underlying diseases causing death were cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Only 7/81 of the patients were infected with SARS-CoV2. 58/81 of the relatives felt burdened by the visiting restrictions and 60/81 suffered from pandemic-related stress. 10 of the patients died alone due to visiting restrictions. The burden for relatives in the hospital setting was higher compared to relatives of patients who died at home. 45/81 and 44/81 relatives respectively reported that physicians and nurses had time to discuss the patient’s condition. Nevertheless, relatives reported a lack of proactive communication from the healthcare professionals.

Conclusions

Visits of relatives play a major role in the care of the dying and have an im﻿pact on the bereavement of relatives. Visits must be facilitated, allowing physical contact. Additionally, virtual contact with the patients and open, empathetic communication on the part of healthcare professionals is needed.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00023552).
Significant differences in FcγRIIa, FcγRIIIa and FcγRIIIb genes polymorphism and anti-malarial IgG subclass pattern are associated with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Saudi children
Authors: Nasr Amre , Aljada Ahmad , Hamid Osama , Elsheikh Hatim A. , Masuadi Emad , Al-Bawab Ahmad , Alenazi Themer H. , Abushouk Amir , Salah Ayman M.
Published: September 2021

Background

The FcγRs genotypes have been reported to play a key role in the defence against malaria parasites through both cellular and humoral immunity. This study aimed to investigate the possible correlation between FcγR (IIa, IIIa, and IIIb) genes polymorphism and the clinical outcome for anti‐malarial antibody response of Plasmodium falciparum infection among Saudi children.

Methods

A total of 600 volunteers were enrolled in this study, including 200 malaria-free control (MFC) subjects, 218 patients with uncomplicated malaria (UM) and 182 patients with severe malaria (SM). The FcγR genotypes were analysed using PCR amplification methods, and measurements of immunoglobulin were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.

Results

The data revealed that the FcγRIIa-R/R131 showed a statistically significant association with SM patients when compared to UM patients. Furthermore, higher levels of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 were associated with the FcγRIIa-H/H131 genotype among UM patients. Although the FcγRIIa-F/V176 genotype was not associated with UM, it showed a significant association with severe malaria. Interestingly, the FcγRIIIa-V/V176 genotype offered protection against SM. Moreover, SM patients carrying the FcγRIIIa-F/F genotype showed higher levels of AMA-1-specific IgG2 and IgG4 antibodies. The FcγRIIIb-NA1/NA1 and FcγRIIIb-NA2/NA2 genotypes did not show significant differences between the UM and the MFC groups. However, the genotype FcγRIIIb-NA2/NA2 was statistically significantly associated with SM patients.

Conclusions

The data presented in this study suggest that the influence of the FcγRIIa-R/R131, FcγRIIIa-F/F176 and FcγRIIIb-NA2/NA2 genotypes are statistically significantly associated with SM patients. However, the FcγRIIa-H/H13 and FcγRIIIa-V/V176 genotypes have demonstrated a protective effect against SM when compared to UM patients. The impact of the FcyR (IIa, IIIa and IIIb) gene variants and anti-malaria IgG subclasses play an important role in susceptibility to malaria infection and disease outcome in Saudi children.
HA-coated collagen nanofibers for urethral regeneration via in situ polarization of M2 macrophages
Authors: Niu Yuqing , Stadler Florian J. , Yang Xu , Deng Fuming , Liu Guochang , Xia Huimin
Published: September 2021

In situ tissue engineering utilizes the regenerative potential of the human body to control cell function for tissue regeneration and has shown considerable prospect in urology. However, many problems are still to be understood, especially the interactions between scaffolds and host macrophages at the wound site and how these interactions direct tissue integration and regeneration. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) functionalized collagen nanofibers in modulating the pro-healing phenotype expression of macrophages for urethral regeneration. Tubular HA-collagen nanofibers with HA-coating were prepared by coaxial electrospinning. The formation of a thin HA-coating atop each collagen nanofiber endowed its nanofibrous mats with higher anisotropic wettability and mechanical softness. The macrophages growing on the surface of HA-collagen nanofibers showed an elongated shape, while collagen nanofibers’ surface exhibited a pancake shape. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analysis showed that elongation could promote the expression of M2 phenotype marker and reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. In vivo experiments showed that tubular HA-collagen nanofibers significantly facilitate male puppy urethral regeneration after injury. In the regenerated urethra bridged by tubular HA-collagen nanofibers, anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages are recruited to the surface of the scaffold, which can promote angiogenesis and endogenous urothelial progenitor cell proliferation.
Can integrated care improve the efficiency of hospitals? Research based on 200 Hospitals in China
Authors: Peng Zixuan , Zhu Li , Wan Guangsheng , Coyte Peter C.
Published: September 2021

Background

The shift towards integrated care (IC) represents a global trend towards more comprehensive and coordinated systems of care, particularly for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. When health systems face fiscal constraints, integrated care has been advanced as a potential solution by simultaneously improving health service effectiveness and efficiency. This paper addresses the latter. There are three study objectives: first, to compare efficiency differences between IC and non-IC hospitals in China; second, to examine variations in efficiency among different types of IC hospitals; and finally, to explore whether the implementation of IC impacts hospital efficiency.

Methods

This study uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to calculate efficiency scores among a sample of 200 hospitals in H Province, China. Tobit regression analysis was performed to explore the influence of IC implementation on hospital efficiency scores after adjustment for potential confounding. Moreover, the association between various input and output variables and the implementation of IC was investigated using regression techniques.

Results

The study has four principal findings: first, IC hospitals, on average, are shown to be more efficient than non-IC hospitals after adjustment for covariates. Holding output constant, IC hospitals are shown to reduce their current input mix by 12% and 4% to achieve optimal efficiency under constant and variable returns-to-scale, respectively, while non-IC hospitals have to reduce their input mix by 26 and 20% to achieve the same level of efficiency; second, with respect to the efficiency of each type of IC, we show that higher efficiency scores are achieved by administrative and virtual IC models over a contractual IC model; third, we demonstrate that IC influences hospitals efficiency by impacting various input and output variables, such as length of stay, inpatient admissions, and staffing; fourth, while bed density per nurse was positively associated with hospital efficiency, the opposite was shown for bed density per physician.

Conclusions

IC has the potential to promote hospital efficiency by influencing an array of input and output variables. Policies designed to facilitate the implementation of IC in hospitals need to be cognizant of the complex way IC impacts hospital efficiency.
Effect of birthweight measurement quality improvement on low birthweight prevalence in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Baye Estifanos , Abate Firehiwot Workneh , Eglovitch Michelle , Shiferie Fisseha , Olson Ingrid E. , Shifraw Tigest , Kidane Workagegnehu Tarekegn , Yibeltal Kalkidan , Tsegaye Sitota , Derebe Mulatu Melese , Isanaka Sheila , Wylie Blair J. , Molina Rose L. , Chan Grace J. , Worku Amare , Mullany Luke C. , Worku Alemayehu , Berhane Yemane , Lee Anne C. C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Low birthweight (LBW) (< 2500 g) is a significant determinant of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In low-income settings, the quality of birthweight data suffers from measurement and recording errors, inconsistent data reporting systems, and missing data from non-facility births. This paper describes birthweight data quality and the prevalence of LBW before and after implementation of a birthweight quality improvement (QI) initiative in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methods

A comparative pre-post study was performed in selected rural health facilities located in West Gojjam and South Gondar zones. At baseline, a retrospective review of delivery records from February to May 2018 was performed in 14 health centers to collect birthweight data. A birthweight QI initiative was introduced in August 2019, which included provision of high-quality digital infant weight scales (precision 5 g), routine calibration, training in birth weighing and data recording, and routine field supervision. After the QI implementation, birthweight data were prospectively collected from late August to early September 2019, and December 2019 to June 2020. Data quality, as measured by heaping (weights at exact multiples of 500 g) and rounding to the nearest 100 g, and the prevalence of LBW were calculated before and after QI implementation.

Results

We retrospectively reviewed 1383 delivery records before the QI implementation and prospectively measured 1371 newborn weights after QI implementation. Heaping was most frequently observed at 3000 g and declined from 26% pre-initiative to 6.7% post-initiative. Heaping at 2500 g decreased from 5.4% pre-QI to 2.2% post-QI. The percentage of rounding to the nearest 100 g was reduced from 100% pre-initiative to 36.5% post-initiative. Before the QI initiative, the prevalence of recognized LBW was 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5–3.1) and after the QI initiative increased to 11.7% (95% CI: 10.1–13.5).

Conclusions

A QI intervention can improve the quality of birthweight measurements, and data measurement quality may substantially affect estimates of LBW prevalence.
FGFR2 alteration as a potential therapeutic target in poorly cohesive gastric carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yue , Shi Tao , Wang Xuan , Hu Jinwei , Yu Lixia , Liu Qin , Wu Nandie , Liu Baorui , Wei Jia
Published: September 2021

Background

Poorly cohesive (PC) is a unique histologic subtype of gastric cancer (GC), with an increasing incidence in recent years. However, the molecular characteristics and therapeutic targets of PC GC are not yet well studied and there are no effective therapies for these patients.

Methods

Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples of 556 GC patients, including 64 PC GC, were collected for next-generation sequencing (NGS). Clinical characteristics and genomic profiling were analyzed. FGFR2 expression was detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). FGFR2 inhibitors response was studied in vitro.

Results

Among 556 GC patients, PC GC patients were younger (P = 0.004), had lower tumor mutation burden (TMB-L) (P = 0.001) than non-PC GC. The top 10 most frequently mutated genes in PC GC were TP53 (48%), CDH1 (31%), ARID1A (14%), FGFR2 (14%), ERBB2 (9%), CDKN2A (9%), FGF3 (8%), LRP1B (9%), FGF19 (8%) and FGF4 (8%). Noticeably, FGFR2 is more frequently mutated than non-PC GC (14% vs. 6%, P = 0.037), including copy number variants (CNVs, 12.5%) and gene rearrangements (3.1%, FGFR2/VTI1A and FGFR2/TACC2). Former studies have confirmed that gain of copy number could increase FGFR2 expression and sensitivity to FGFR2 inhibitors in GC. However, no research has verified the function of FGFR2 rearrangements in GC. Our results showed that cell lines of GC transfected with TACC2-FGFR2 fusion had increased mRNA and protein expression of FGFR2, and were more sensitive to FGFR2 inhibitors. FGFR2 inhibitors might be a new therapeutic target for PC GC. In addition, we found patients of PC GC harboring gene rearrangements (n = 9) had poorer overall survival (OS) in comparison with patients without any gene rearrangement (n = 19) (16.0 months vs 21.0 months, P = 0.043). Gene rearrangement might be an adverse prognostic factor for PC GC patients.

Conclusions

FGFR2 alterations were recurrent in PC GC and FGFR2 inhibitors might be a new therapeutic target for PC GC.
Aging triggers an upregulation of a multitude of cytokines in the male and especially the female rodent hippocampus but more discrete changes in other brain regions
Authors: Porcher Latarsha , Bruckmeier Sophie , Burbano Steven D. , Finnell Julie E. , Gorny Nicole , Klett Jennifer , Wood Susan K. , Kelly Michy P.
Published: September 2021

Background

Despite widespread acceptance that neuroinflammation contributes to age-related cognitive decline, studies comparing protein expression of cytokines in the young versus old brains are surprisingly limited in terms of the number of cytokines and brain regions studied. Complicating matters, discrepancies abound—particularly for interleukin 6 (IL-6)—possibly due to differences in sex, species/strain, and/or the brain regions studied.

Methods

As such, we clarified how cytokine expression changes with age by using a Bioplex and Western blot to measure multiple cytokines across several brain regions of both sexes, using 2 mouse strains bred in-house as well as rats obtained from NIA. Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were used as appropriate.

Results

In the ventral hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice, we found age-related increases in IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, eotaxin, G-CSF, interfeuron δ, KC, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, rantes, and TNFα that are generally more pronounced in females, but no age-related change in IL-5, MCP-1, or GM-CSF. We also find aging is uniquely associated with the emergence of a module (a.k.a. network) of 11 strongly intercorrelated cytokines, as well as an age-related shift from glycosylated to unglycosylated isoforms of IL-10 and IL-1β in the ventral hippocampus. Interestingly, age-related increases in extra-hippocampal cytokine expression are more discreet, with the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum of male and female C57BL/6J mice demonstrating robust age-related increase in IL-6 expression but not IL-1β. Importantly, we found this widespread age-related increase in IL-6 also occurs in BALB/cJ mice and Brown Norway rats, demonstrating conservation across species and rearing environments.

Conclusions

Thus, age-related increases in cytokines are more pronounced in the hippocampus compared to other brain regions and can be more pronounced in females versus males depending on the brain region, genetic background, and cytokine examined.
Pain trajectories and possible predictors of a favourable course of low back pain in patients consulting musculoskeletal physicians in The Netherlands
Authors: Schuller Wouter , Ostelo Raymond W. , Rohrich Daphne C. , Heymans Martijn W. , de Vet Henrica C. W.
Published: September 2021

Background

In The Netherlands, low back pain patients can consult physicians specialized in musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine. Previous studies have reported on the characteristics of patients consulting MSK physicians, and the treatment options used. There are no studies yet reporting on the course of Low Back Pain (LBP) after treatment by musculoskeletal (MSK) physicians in The Netherlands.

Methods

In an observational cohort study MSK physicians recorded data about all low back pain patients presenting for a first consultation. At baseline they recorded age, gender, type and duration of the main complaint, and concomitant complaints. At the end of treatment they recorded the type of treatment and the number of treatment sessions. Patients were recruited to answer questionnaires at baseline, and at 6-weekly intervals during a follow-up period of six months. Patient questionnaires included information about previous medical consumption, together with PROMs measuring the level of pain and functional status. Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) was used to classify patients into different groups according to their pain trajectories. Baseline variables were evaluated as predictors of a favourable trajectory using logistic regression analyses, and treatment variables were evaluated as possible confounders.

Results

A total of 1377 patients were recruited, of whom 1117 patients (81%) answered at least one follow-up measurement. LCGA identified three groups of patients with distinct pain trajectories. A first group (N = 226) with high pain levels showed no improvement, a second group (N = 578) with high pain levels showed strong improvement, and a third group (N = 313) with mild pain levels showed moderate improvement. The two groups of patients presenting with high baseline pain scores were compared, and a multivariable model was constructed with possible predictors of a favourable course. Male gender, previous specialist visit, previous pain clinic visit, having work, a shorter duration of the current episode, and a longer time since the complaints first started were predictors of a favourable course. The multivariable model showed a moderate area under the curve (0.68) and a low explained variance (0.09).

Conclusions

In low back pain patients treated by musculoskeletal physicians in The Netherlands three different pain trajectories were identified. Baseline variables were of limited value in predicting a favourable course.
The influence of the gut microbiome on BCG-induced trained immunity
Authors: Stražar Martin , Mourits Vera P. , Koeken Valerie A. C. M. , de Bree L. Charlotte J. , Moorlag Simone J. C. F. M. , Joosten Leo A. B. , van Crevel Reinout , Vlamakis Hera , Netea Mihai G. , Xavier Ramnik J.
Published: September 2021

Background

The bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine protects against tuberculosis and heterologous infections but elicits high inter-individual variation in specific and nonspecific, or trained, immune responses. While the gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as an important modulator of vaccine responses and immunity in general, its potential role in BCG-induced protection is largely unknown.

Results

Stool and blood were collected from 321 healthy adults before BCG vaccination, followed by blood sampling after 2 weeks and 3 months. Metagenomics based on de novo genome assembly reveals 43 immunomodulatory taxa. The nonspecific, trained immune response is detected by altered production of cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α upon ex vivo blood restimulation withStaphylococcus aureusand negatively correlates with abundance ofRoseburia. The specific response, measured by IFN-γ production uponMycobacterium tuberculosisstimulation, is associated positively withRuminococcusandEggerthella lenta. The identified immunomodulatory taxa also have the strongest effects on circulating metabolites, withRoseburiaaffecting phenylalanine metabolism. This is corroborated by abundances of relevant enzymes, suggesting alternate phenylalanine metabolism modules are activated in aRoseburiaspecies-dependent manner.

Conclusions

Variability in cytokine production after BCG vaccination is associated with the abundance of microbial genomes, which in turn affect or produce metabolites in circulation.Roseburiais found to alter both trained immune responses and phenylalanine metabolism, revealing microbes and microbial products that may alter BCG-induced immunity. Together, our findings contribute to the understanding of specific and trained immune responses after BCG vaccination.
On the existence and stability of two positive solutions of a hybrid differential system of arbitrary fractional order via Avery–Anderson–Henderson criterion on cones
Authors: Matar Mohammed M. , abu Jarad Manar , Ahmad Manzoor , Zada Akbar , Etemad Sina , Rezapour Shahram
Published: September 2021

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the existence, uniqueness, and Ulam–Hyers stability of positive solutions for fractional integro-differential boundary values problem. Uniqueness result is obtained by using the Banach principle. For obtaining two positive solutions, we apply another fixed point criterion due to Avery–Anderson–Henderson on cones by establishing some inequalities. An illustrative example is presented to indicate the validity of the obtained results. The results are new and provide a generalization to some known results in the literature.
Optical measurement of tissue perfusion changes as an alternative to electrocardiography for heart rate monitoring in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Svendsen Eirik , Økland Finn , Føre Martin , Randeberg Lise L. , Finstad Bengt , Olsen Rolf E. , Alfredsen Jo A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Welfare challenges in salmon farming highlights the need to improve understanding of the fish’s response to its environment and rearing operations. This can be achieved by monitoring physiological responses such as heart rate (HR) for individual fish. Existing solutions for heart rate monitoring are typically based on Electrocardiography (ECG) which is sensitive to placement and electrode orientation. These factors are difficult to control and affects the reliability of the principle, prompting the desire to find an alternative to ECG for heart rate monitoring in fish. This study was aimed at adapting an optical photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor for this purpose. An embedded sensor unit measuring both PPG and ECG was developed and tested using anesthetized Atlantic salmon in a series of in-vivo experiments. HR was derived from PPG and compared to the ECG baseline to evaluate its efficacy in estimating heart rate.

Results

The results show that PPG HR was estimated with an accuracy of 0.7 ± 1.0% for 660 nm and 1.1 ± 1.2% for 880 nm wavelengths, respectively, relative to the ECG HR baseline. The results also indicate that PPG should be measured in the anterior part of the peritoneal cavity in the direction of the heart.

Conclusion

A PPG/ECG module was successfully adapted to measure both ECG and PPG in-vivo for anesthetized Atlantic salmon. Using ECG as baseline, PPG analysis results show that that HR can be accurately estimated from PPG. Thus, PPG has the potential to become an alternative to ECG HR measurements in fish.
Effects of household chaos and parental responsiveness on child executive functions: a novel, multi-method approach
Authors: Andrews Krysta , Dunn James R. , Prime Heather , Duku Eric , Atkinson Leslie , Tiwari Ashwini , Gonzalez Andrea
Published: September 2021

Background

Executive functions can be adversely affected by contextual risks in the home environment including chaos and parenting challenges. Furthermore, household chaos negatively influences parenting practices. Few studies, however, have examined the role of parenting in the association between household chaos and child executive functions.

Methods

Using a sample of 128 school-aged children (mean = 61.9 months, SD = 2.0, range 58–68 months) and their mothers, the present study examined direct and indirect effects (via parental responsiveness) of household chaos on child executive functioning. Multi-measures were used including performance-based assessments, behavioural observations, questionnaires, and video-home tours.

Results

Household chaos had both a direct effect on child executive functions (β = − .31, 95% CI [− .58, − .04]) and an indirect effect (β = − .05, 95% [− .13, − .01]) via parental responsiveness. Further, the indirect effect was only significant for household instability.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that parental responsiveness may be compromised by household chaos, with implications for the executive functions of school-aged children. Preventative strategies are needed to improve the stability in the home and strengthen parenting practices.
Biologically active toxin from macroalgae Chaetomorpha antennina Bory, against the lepidopteran Spodoptera litura Fab. and evaluation of toxicity to earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae Kinb
Authors: Chanthini Kanagaraj Muthu-Pandian , Senthil-Nathan Sengottayan , Stanley-Raja Vethamonickam , Karthi Sengodan , Sivanesh Haridoss , Ramasubramanian Ramakrishnan , Abdel-Megeed Ahmed , Maghraby Dahlia M. El , Ghaith Aml , Alwahibi Mona S. , Elshikh Mohamed Soliman , Hunter Wayne Brian
Published: September 2021

Background

Seaweeds harbour a wide array of bioactive compounds shown to be effective in support of sustainable agricultural practices. The green seaweed Chaetomorpha antennina found in abundance in coastal areas of India has been reported with various bioactivities. Owing to the requirement of alternative and economical natural pest control method to be applied in sustainable agronomic strategies, the current study attempts to evaluate the efficacy of chemical toxins from C. antennina, as insecticidal agents, by inspecting their effects on the physiology, biochemistry, immune system, and histology of one of the most important insect pests of agricultural crops in the Asian tropics, the polyphagous lepidopteran Spodoptera litura.

Results

The active fraction 5 isolated from C. antennina using methanol extraction produced significant mortality rates of S. litura among all the other fractions obtained. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of various pesticide compounds. The toxin compounds (active fraction 5) were found to negatively influence the pest’s immune system performance at sub-lethal concentrations (LC50 38.73and LC90 53.60 ppm), affecting insect development, reducing the haemocyte count (69.24%) and reduced the activity of major defence enzyme phenoloxidase decreased post-treatments. Digestive phosphatase enzymes, acid phosphatase, ACP, alkaline phosphatase, ALP, and ATPase were demodulated by 37.5, 39, and 23.9% compared with untreated. Increase in detoxification enzymes coupled with mid-gut collapse are indicative of the toxicity of the compounds. Earthworms exposed to seaweed compounds displayed no debarring effects.

Conclusion

Extracted seaweed compounds produced significant lethal effect on the insect larvae, affecting the immune as well as digestive systems of the pest. However, no such toxicity was observed in earthworms treated with the seaweed fraction supporting their environmentally benign nature. Since the insect immune system is responsible for the development of resurgence against pesticides, suppression of immunological activities by seaweed toxins indicate the long-term applicability of these compounds as prospective pesticides. The results support the potential of chemicals from C. antennina for biopesticide development to manage economically important agricultural pests.
Assessment of logistics service quality dimensions: a qualitative approach
Authors: Arabelen Gamze , Kaya Hasan Tolga
Published: September 2021

Globalization and complex supply chain networks have been affecting Logistics Services Providers’ (LSPs) service delivery and service expectations. Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) is becoming a more important aspect for LSPs and logistics service customers. In recent years, there has been an increase in the studies on service quality in logistics. Researchers have been trying to identify aspects of LSQ and its dimensions in order to create a measurement model that could be used in overall logistics services. However, there is still neither a unified nor agreed LSQ measurement model in the literature and researchers have been debating continuously on the proposed models. This paper targets to investigate and suggest LSQ measurement dimensions obtained from previous studies by analyzing the findings within a systematic approach and improving the findings with semi-structured interviews. In this study, systematic literature analysis has been conducted to research papers published in selected academic databases with specific keyword and keyword cluster searches to identify the related articles published within a specified period. Papers have been selected in accordance with the predefined criteria. As a result, a total of 59 articles have been determined for the search criteria and the findings obtained were analyzed. Most frequently used research trends and methods on service quality in logistics have been identified. In addition, the most frequently used LSQ dimensions and factors have been reviewed. Moreover, the most frequently used service quality approaches and measurement models have been analyzed. The results received from systematic literature review have been composed and dimensions have been identified. Semi-structured interviews with LSPs and customers of LSPs in Germany-based companies have been conducted to strengthen the findings gained from systematic literature review. 5 LSQ dimensions and 24 factors have been formed with the help of semi-structured interviews. This paper represents the basis for further research for empirical studies and can be used as a guideline for quality management practices in logistics applications and transport.
Characterisation of the rumen resistome in Spanish dairy cattle
Authors: López-Catalina Adrián , Atxaerandio Raquel , García-Rodríguez Aser , Goiri Idoia , Gutierrez-Rivas Mónica , Jiménez‐Montero José Antonio , González-Recio Oscar
Published: September 2021

Background

Rumen microorganisms carry antimicrobial resistance genes which pose a threaten to animals and humans in a One Health context. In order to tackle the emergence of antimicrobial resistance it is vital to understand how they appear, their relationship with the host, how they behave as a whole in the ruminal ecosystem or how they spread to the environment or humans. We sequenced ruminal samples from 416 Holstein dairy cows in 14 Spanish farms using nanopore technology, to uncover the presence of resistance genes and their potential effect on human, animal and environmental health.

Results

We found 998 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the cow rumen and studied the 25 most prevalent genes in the 14 dairy cattle farms. The most abundant ARGs were related to the use of antibiotics to treat mastitis, metritis and lameness, the most common diseases in dairy cattle. The relative abundance (RA) of bacteriophages was positively correlated to the ARGs RA.

The heritability of the RA of the more abundant ARGs ranged between 0.10 (mupA) and 0.49 (tetW), similar to the heritability of the RA of microbes that carried those ARGs. Even though these genes are carried by the microorganisms, the host is partially controlling their RA by having a more suitable rumen pH, folds, or other physiological traits that promote the growth of those microorganisms.

Conclusions

We were able to determine the most prevalent ARGs (macB, msbA, parY, rpoB2, tetQ and TaeA) in the ruminal bacteria ecosystem. The rumen is a reservoir of ARGs, and strategies to reduce the ARG load from livestock must be pursued.
Polysomnographic and clinical characteristics of positional obstructive sleep apnea patients
Authors: Beyhan Sagmen Seda , Cömert Sevda
Published: September 2021

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by the complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This study aimed to compare the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of our obstructive sleep apnea patients according to their positional and non-positional features.

Results

Two hundred eighty patients were included in the study. One hundred two patients (36.43%) were female, while 178 patients (63.57%) were male. While 88 (31.43%) of these patients were defined as positional patients, 192 (68.57%) were defined as non-positional patients. The mean age of the positional patients (46.78 ± 9.66) was lower than the mean age of the non-positional patients (50.90 ± 10.96) (p 0.001). Similarly, the mean body mass index of the positional patients (29.39 ± 3.80) was lower than the mean body mass index of the non-positional patients (33.30 ± 6.45) (p < 0.001). Neck circumference values of the positional patients (40.36 ± 2.65) were lower compared to the non-positional patients (43.32 ± 2.54) (p < 0.001).

Sleep values were compared based on the presence of positional sleep apnea. In the positional patients, sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage), duration of stage N3, minimum, and mean saturation values were found to be higher compared to the non-positional patients, while nightlong apnea hypopnea index, apnea index, percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation below 90%, oxygen desaturation index, mean heart rate, and periodic limb movement index values were found to be lower (p < 0.05).

The rate of severe sleep apnea (7.95%) in the positional patients was lower than the non-positional patients (53.65%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In the light of these data, positional OSA is a very important condition presented in 31.43% of OSA patients and it was determined that these patients were younger, had less body mass index, and shorter neck circumference. The rate of severe disease was found to be lower in positional OSA patients
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers: role of oxidative stress
Authors: Saeed Zainab H. , El Hakim Mohamed A. E. Abd , Mohamed Nezar R.
Published: September 2021

Background

A striking feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is its inability to resolve after cigarette smoke exposure has ended, which has contributed to the possibility that the disease could also be driven by other endogenous causes, such as autoimmunity or chronic infection. The objective of this research was to examine oxidative stress in non-smoker and ex-smoker COPD subjects and its relationship to pulmonary functions and sputum cytology.

Results

This case control-study enrolled 40 patients with COPD who are non-smokers or ex-smokers and 30 healthy controls of non-smokers or ex-smokers; oxidative stress markers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were compared in the two groups. All oxidative stress markers are elevated in the COPD group versus the control group. MDA has a negative correlation with FEV1and dyspnea grade.

Conclusion

Blood concentrations of SOD and MDA are consistently higher in patients with non-smokers or ex-smoker COPD when compared to non-smokers or ex-smoker healthy controls.
Joint inversion of the reflectivity and the velocity model
Authors: Cabrales-Vargas Alejandro , Sarkar Rahul , Biondi Biondo L. , Clapp Robert G.
Published: September 2021

During linearized waveform inversion (LWI), the presence of small inaccuracies in the background subsurface model can lead to unfocused seismic events in the final image. The effect on the amplitude can mislead the interpretation. We have developed a joint inversion scheme in the model domain of the reflectivity and the background velocity model. The idea is to unify the inversion of the background and the reflectivity model into a single framework instead of treating them as decoupled problems. We find that, with this method, we can obtain a better estimate of the reflectivity than that obtained with conventional LWI. Conversely, the background model is improved by the joint inversion with the reflectivity in comparison with wave-equation migration velocity analysis. We perform tests on 2D synthetics and 3D field data that demonstrate both benefits.
Convolutional neural networks applied to the interpretation of lineaments in aeromagnetic data
Authors: Naprstek Tomas , Smith Richard S.
Published: September 2021

Parameter estimation in aeromagnetics is an important tool for geologic interpretation. Due to aeromagnetic data being highly prevalent around the world, it can often be used to assist in understanding the geology of an area as a whole or for locating potential areas of further investigation for mineral exploration. Methods that automatically provide information such as the location and depth to the source of anomalies are useful to the interpretation, particularly in areas where a large number of anomalies exist. Unfortunately, many current methods rely on high-order derivatives and are therefore susceptible to noise in the data. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are a subset of machine-learning methods that are well-suited to image processing tasks, and they have been shown to be effective at interpreting other geophysical data, such as seismic sections. Following several similar successful approaches, we have developed a CNN methodology for estimating the location and depth of lineament-type anomalies in aeromagnetic maps. To train the CNN model, we used a synthetic aeromagnetic data modeler to vary the relevant physical parameters, and we developed a representative data set of approximately 1.4 million images. These were then used for training classification CNNs, with each class representing a small range of depth values. We first applied the model to a series of difficult synthetic data sets with varying amounts of noise, comparing the results against the tilt-depth method. We then applied the CNN model to a data set from northeastern Ontario, Canada, that contained a dike with known depth that was correctly estimated. This method is shown to be robust to noise, and it can easily be applied to new data sets using the trained model, which has been made publicly available.
Global optimization with deep-learning-based acceleration surrogate for large-scale seismic acoustic-impedance inversion
Authors: Gao Zhaoqi , Yang Wei , Tian Yajun , Li Chuang , Jiang Xiudi , Gao Jinghuai , Xu Zongben
Published: September 2021

Seismic acoustic-impedance (AI) inversion, which estimates the AI of the reservoir from seismic and other geophysical data, is a type of nonlinear inverse problem that faces the local minima issue during optimization. Without requiring an accurate initial model, global optimization methods have the ability to jump out of local minima and search for the optimal global solution. However, the low-efficiency nature of global optimization methods hinders their practical application, especially in large-scale AI inversion problems (AI inversion with a large number of traces). We have developed a new intelligent seismic AI inversion method based on global optimization and deep learning. In this method, global optimization is used to generate data sets for training a deep-learning network, and it is used to first accelerate and then surrogate global optimization. In other words, for large-scale seismic AI inversion, global optimization only inverts the AI model for a few traces, and the AI models of most traces are obtained by deep learning. The deep-learning architecture that we used to map from the seismic trace to its corresponding AI model is established based on U-Net. Because the time-consuming global optimization inversion procedure can be avoided for most traces, this method has a significant advantage over conventional global optimization methods in efficiency. To verify the effectiveness of our method, we compare its performance with the conventional global optimization method on 3D synthetic and field data examples. Compared to the conventional method, our method only needs approximately one-tenth of the computation time to build AI models with better accuracy.