bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of virtual reality technology as intervention for people with kinesiophobia: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Sun Jiao , Yin Xin , Li Hongyan
Published: June 2022

Aims and Objective

To explore the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Technology in reducing kinesiophobia in people.

Background

Kinesiophobia is an important psychosocial factor affecting the pain experience and has a significant negative impact on rehabilitation. Virtual reality technology has been widely used in the treatment of phobias, mental disorders and anxiety disorders. However, the effect of virtual reality technology on people with kinesiophobia has been reported with inconsistent results.

Design

A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Methods

This study systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, Scopus and four Chinese databases. The standardised mean difference (SMD) was calculated using random‐effects models, and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias in each study. The PRISMA 2020 checklist provided by the EQUATOR network was used.

Results

Eleven randomised controlled trials involving a total of 488 subjects were included. Meta‐analysis showed the effect sizes of virtual reality intervention on kinesiophobia (SMD = −0.53, 95% CI [−0.90, −0.17], p = .004). Virtual reality intervention was more effective in reducing kinesiophobia in people with chronic low back pain (SMD = −1.00, 95% CI [−1.71, −0.29], p = .006). Compared with fully immersive virtual reality (SMD = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.62, 0.05], p = 0.09), non‐immersive virtual reality was more effective in reducing kinesiophobia (SMD = −0.66, 95% CI [−1.24, −0.09], p = 0.02). Compared with virtual reality intervention alone (SMD = −0.35, 95% CI [−1.40, 0.71], p = 0.52), virtual reality combined with exercise was more effective in reducing kinesiophobia (SMD = −0.59, 95% CI [−0.95, −0.22], p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Virtual reality technology has the potential to reduce the degree of kinesiophobia in people. In addition, virtual reality technology was more effective in people with chronic low back pain; non‐immersive virtual reality was more effective in reducing kinesiophobia; and virtual reality technology combined with exercise was more effective in reducing kinesiophobia than virtual reality intervention alone. Clinical nursing staff should be encouraged to use virtual reality to speed up patient recovery. However, to achieve immersion and apply this technology to different diseases, more studies are required to provide clearer suggestions.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study suggests that healthcare staff should pay attention to kinesiophobia, and early identification and intervention of kinesiophobia can help patients recover their health and improve the quality of nursing.
Hospitality in dementia‐friendly environments is significant to caregivers during hospitalisation of their loved ones. A qualitative study
Authors: Kristiansen Susanne , Olsen Lotte Schelde , Beck Malene
Published: June 2022

Aim and objectives

To explore what is meaningful to caregivers in relation to a dementia‐friendly environment during hospitalisation of their loved ones with dementia or cognitive impairment.

Background

Implementation of dementia‐friendly initiatives and person‐centred care approach have shaped the political agenda within Danish society. Patients with dementia or cognitive impairment and their accompanying caregivers are challenged when admitted to hospital. During hospitalisation, caregivers find themselves in a vulnerable state of mind. Thus, the implementation of a dementia‐friendly environment and adherence to person‐centred care in hospital settings leaves room for improvement.

Methods

This study was guided by a qualitative and explorative approach. Data were collected through 17 semi‐structured interviews with caregivers at a subacute neurological ward. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret data. The study reports according to the COREQ checklist.

Results

The following three themes were identified: 1) Being a watchful bystander. 2) Visiting an undefined and foreign environment. 3) Longing for kindness.

Conclusion

Hospitality expressed by staff towards caregivers is significant in allowing caregivers to experience hospital environments as “friendly.” Dementia‐friendly environments embrace existential aspects that go far beyond physical spaces; hence, experiences of kind acts shape caregivers' sense of safety and comfort during hospitalisation. Hospitality is an essential part of nursing in dementia care because caregivers are contextually vulnerable. Our study sheds new light on the provision of person‐centred care to people with dementia and their families in healthcare.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses need to be aware that caregivers experience vulnerability and to involve caregivers in the care provided for patients with dementia. We recommend that a permanent contact person be appointed to follow patients throughout their admission period. Furthermore, systematic interventions focusing on phenomena such as hospitality and kindness may serve to form a person‐centred clinical culture; an issue that warrants further investigation.
Criteria of identity without sortals
Authors: Mooney Justin
Published: June 2022

Many philosophers believe that the criteria of identity over time for ordinary objects entail that such objects are permanent members of certain sortal kinds. The sortal kinds in question have come to be known as substance sortal kinds. But in this article, I defend a criterion of identity that is suited tophasalism, the view that alleged substance sortals are in fact phase sortals. The criterion I defend is a sortal‐weighted version of a change‐minimizing criterion first discussed by Eli Hirsch. I present this criterion and then argue that it withstands attempts to show that it is inferior to non‐phasalist rivals.
Two AT‐Hook proteins regulate A/NINV7 expression to modulate sucrose catabolism for cold tolerance in Poncirus trifoliata
Authors: Dahro Bachar , Wang Yue , Khan Madiha , Zhang Yang , Fang Tian , Ming Ruhong , Li Chunlong , Liu Ji‐Hong
Published: June 2022

Invertase (INV)‐mediated sucrose (Suc) hydrolysis, leading to the irreversible production of glucose (Glc) and fructose (Frc), plays an essential role in abiotic stress tolerance of plants. However, the regulatory network associated with the Suc catabolism in response to cold environment remains largely elusive.

Herein, the cold‐induced alkaline/neutral INV gene PtrA/NINV7 of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) was shown to function in cold tolerance via mediating the Suc hydrolysis. Meanwhile, a nuclear matrix‐associated region containing A/T‐rich sequences within its promoter was indispensable for the cold induction of PtrA/NINV7.

Two AT‐Hook Motif Containing Nuclear Localized (AHL) proteins, PtrAHL14 and PtrAHL17, were identified as upstream transcriptional activators of PtrA/NINV7 by interacting with the A/T‐rich motifs. PtrAHL14 and PtrAHL17 function positively in the cold tolerance by modulating PtrA/NINV7‐mediated Suc catabolism. Furthermore, both PtrAHL14 and PtrAHL17 could form homo‑ and heterodimers between each other, and interacted with two histone acetyltransferases (HATs), GCN5 and TAF1, leading to elevated histone3 acetylation level under the cold stress.

Taken together, our findings unraveled a new cold‐responsive signaling module (AHL14/17‐HATs‐A/NINV7) for orchestration of Suc catabolism and cold tolerance, which shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying Suc catabolism catalyzed by A/NINVs under cold stress.
Lambl's excrescence and the safety of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Zuo Song , Bo Xiaowen , He Liu , Jiang Chao , Dai Tianyi , Cui Jing , Li Xu , Wu Jiahui , Li Xin , Li Songnan , Liu Nian , Jiang Chenxi , Bai Rong , Tang Ribo , Sang Caihua , Long Deyong , Du Xin , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng
Published: June 2022

Background

Lambl's excrescences (LEs) are excrescences with an extremely low incidence, mainly ultrasound diagnosed. Increasingly, LEs are detected by transesophageal echocardiography before catheter ablation, which raises safety concerns on whether LEs were associated with an embolism event during or after ablation, but clinical data are still lacking.

Methods and Results

We consecutively recruited 8081 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from Jan 1, 2017 to Dec 31, 2019. Total 21 patients (0.3%) were diagnosed as LEs with an average age of 70.8 ± 8.9 years, and 38.1% were male. Persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) accounted for 57.1% (12 cases) and 42.9% (nine cases), respectively. LEs were mostly frequently observed on the aortic valve (18 cases, 75%) and mitral valve (six cases, 25%). Precisely, the noncoronary cusp is ranked first in terms of the LEs presence (seven cases, 29.2%), followed by the right coronary cusp (six cases, 25.0%), the left coronary cusp (five cases, 20.8%), the anterior mitral valve (four cases, 16.7%), and the posterior mitral valve (two cases, 8.3%). During the ablation for LEs patients, the average procedure time was 96.0 ± 22.4 min; the average fluoroscopy time was 4.2 ± 0.8 min; the average total ablation time was 20.6 ± 5.6 min; and the mean hospital stay was 3.3 ± 0.6 days. No patients suffered from serious complications during the procedure. Furthermore, no cardiovascular event was observed during a follow‐up of 19.1 ± 11.8 months.

Conclusions

There was no clear association between LEs with intraoperative embolism events or cardiovascular events during the follow‐up period.
Esophageal thermal lesions in radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: A prospective comparative study of thermal sensors
Authors: Arai Shuhei , Watanabe Norikazu , Sugiyama Hiroto , Gokan Toshihiko , Yoshikawa Kosuke , Nakamura Yuya , Inokuchi Koichiro , Chiba Yuta , Onishi Yoshimi , Onuki Tatsuya , Asano Taku , Kobayashi Youichi , Shinke Toshiro
Published: June 2022

Background

Esophageal thermal lesion (ETL) is a complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (RFAF). To prospectively compare the incidence of ETL, we used two linear, five‐ and three‐sensor esophageal thermal monitoring catheters (ETMC5 and ETMC3). We also evaluated the predictors of ETL.

Methods

Patients receiving their first RFAF (n = 106) were randomized into two groups, ETMC5 (n = 52) and ETMC3 (n = 54). Ablation was followed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy within 3 days.

Results

Esophageal thermal lesion was detected in 7/106 (6.6%) patients (ETMC5: 3/52 [5.8%] vs. ETMC3: 4/54 [7.4%]; p = 1.0). The maximum temperature and number of measurements > 39.0°C did not differ between the groups (ETMC5: 40.5°C and 5.4 vs. ETMC3: 40.6°C and 4.9; p = .83 and p = .58, respectively). In ETMC5 group, the catheter had to be moved significantly less often (0.12 vs. 0.42; p = .0014) and fluoroscopy time was significantly shorter (79.2 min vs. 101.7 min; p = .0038) compared with ECMC3 group. The total number of ablations in ETMC5 group was significantly greater (50.2 vs. 37.7; p = .030) and ablation time was significantly longer (52.1 min vs. 40.1 min; p = .0039). Only body mass index (BMI) was significantly different between patients with and without ETL (21.4 ± 2.5 vs. 24.3 ± 3.4; p = .022).

Conclusions

The incidence of ETL was comparable between ETMC5 and ETMC3 groups; however, fluoroscopy time, total ablation time, and total number of ablations differed significantly. Lower BMI may increase the risk of developing ETL.
Neuropathological studies of serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in Lewy body disease patients with delusion or depression
Authors: Mizutani Masashi , Sano Terunori , Ohira Masayuki , Takao Masaki
Published: June 2022

Aim

The association between psychiatric symptoms in Lewy body disease (LBD) and the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems is still controversial. This study investigated the quantitative relationships of depression and delusion with these systems.

Methods

We studied 24 postmortem tissues from individuals with a pathological diagnosis of LBD with sufficient clinical history. The numbers of neurons and Lewy bodies (LBs) in the locus coeruleus (LC) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) were counted, and the density of neurons in the DRN was analyzed. In addition, the densities of tryptophan hydroxylase‐positive neurites and norepinephrine transporter‐positive neurites in the amygdala and dorsal prefrontal cortex were measured. Finally, we divided the cases into two groups: with or without depressive mood, and with or without delusion. Quantitative histological data were compared between the groups.

Results

The group with depressive mood had a significantly smaller number of neurons in the LC compared with the group without depressive mood. The group with delusion had a significantly larger number of LBs in the DRN compared with the group without delusion. The density of norepinephrine transporter‐positive neurites in the dorsal prefrontal cortex was significantly correlated with the number of neurons in the LC.

Conclusions

The accumulation of LBs in the DRN of individuals with LBD was associated with delusion, whereas a decrease in the number of neurons in the LC was associated with depressive mood. These neurodegenerative changes involved the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems and may be associated with the formation of delusion and depression, respectively, in LBD.
George Bernard Dantzig
Authors: Birge John R.
Published: June 2022

George Dantzig introduced the world to the power of optimization, creating trillions of dollars of value and saving countless years of life across the globe. Linear programs and Dantzig's many other contributions to optimization have driven enormous increases in productivity throughout the global economy. Linear programming has also become a vital tool in advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Bronchial thermoplasty: State of the art
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad Daniyal , Khan Asad , Shafiq Majid
Published: June 2022

Since the publication of a sham‐controlled, randomized trial (AIR2) and subsequent marketing approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, we have significantly advanced our understanding of bronchial thermoplasty (BT)'s scientific basis, long‐term safety, clinical efficacy and cost‐effectiveness. In particular, the last 2 years have witnessed multiple research publications on several of these counts. In this review, we critically appraise our evolving understanding of BT's biologic underpinnings and clinical impact, offer an evidence‐based patient workflow guide for the busy pulmonologist and highlight both current challenges as well as potential solutions for the researcher and the clinician.
A new case of the Myth of the Given?
Authors: Kalpokas Daniel E.
Published: June 2022

For some years now, an increasing number of philosophers have been holding that what is given in perception are the physical objects of our surroundings. This is the view called, among others names, “the Relational View”. Basically, this view consists in the claim that experience is not representational, it is not a matter of the subject's taking things in the world to be this or that way; rather, it is just a matter of being presented with things, of being in a certain kind of relation with them, which makes them available to us, nevertheless, to be represented in judgement or belief. The question arises, however, whether this does not imply a new fall into the Myth of the Given. In this article, I argue for an affirmative response to that question.
Radiographic appearance of a caudal vertebral chordoma in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Whittaker Claire PJ , Losada‐Medina Daniela , Desprez Isabelle , Sukut Sally
Published: June 2022

A 7‐year‐old spayed female ferret was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for a slow‐growing mass involving the base of the tail. Radiographs revealed a large, irregularly marginated mineralized mass centered on the fifth to seventh caudal vertebrae with osteolysis of the affected caudal vertebrae. A partial caudectomy was performed, and histopathology was consistent with a chordoma. This is the first case report describing the radiographic appearance of a chordoma in the proximal tail and only the second report to describe radiographic findings in a ferret.
Marine compressed air source array primary acoustic field characterization from at-sea measurements
Authors: Sidorovskaia Natalia , Li Kun
Published: June 2022

The primary acoustic field of a standard seismic survey source array is described based on a calibrated dataset collected in the Gulf of Mexico. Three vertical array moorings were deployed to measure the full dynamic range and bandwidth of the acoustic field emitted by the compressed air source array. The designated source vessel followed a specified set of survey lines to provide a dataset with broad coverage of ranges and departure angles from the array. Acoustic metrics relevant to criteria associated with potential impacts on marine life are calculated from the recorded data. Sound pressure levels from direct arrivals exhibit large variability for a fixed distance between source and receiver; this indicates that the distance cannot be reliably used as a single parameter to derive meaningful exposure levels for a moving source array. The far-field acoustic metrics' variations with distance along the true acoustic path for a narrow angular bin are accurately predicted using a simplified model of the surface-affected source waveform, which is a function of the direction. The presented acoustic metrics can be used for benchmarking existing source/propagation models for predicting acoustic fields of seismic source arrays and developing simplified data-supported models for environmental impact assessments.
Geographic Dispersal Limitation Dominated Assembly Processes of Bacterial Communities on Microplastics Compared to Water and Sediment
Authors: Zhang Weihong , Chen Lu , Chen Haiyang , Liu Wenzhi , Yang Yuyi
Published: June 2022

In river systems, microplastics create new microbial niches that significantly differ from those of the surrounding environment. However, the potential relationships between the biogeographic distribution and assembly processes of microbial communities on microplastics were still not well understood.
Comparison between Perianal Swab and Stool Specimens for Detecting Colonization with Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing and Fluoroquinolone-Resistant
Enterobacterales
Authors: Kubiak Jeffrey M. , Hovan Michael , Davidson Emily , Douglass Claire , Burgos Kevin , Walsh Thomas J. , Westblade Lars F. , Satlin Michael J.
Published: June 2022

Stool specimens are frequently used to detect gastrointestinal tract colonization with antimicrobial-resistant enteric bacteria, but they cannot be rapidly collected. Perianal swab specimens can be collected more quickly and efficiently, but data evaluating their suitability as a specimen type for this purpose are sparse.
Nonstructural Protein NSs Activates Inflammasome and Pyroptosis through Interaction with NLRP3 in Human Microglial Cells Infected with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Bandavirus
Authors: Gao Chengfeng , Yu Yufeng , Wen Chunxia , Li Zhifeng , Ding Haida , Qi Xian , Cardona Carol J. , Xing Zheng
Published: June 2022

Encephalitis or encephalopathy during severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is considered a critical risk factor leading to high mortality, but there have been no studies to date on the pathogenesis of encephalitis or encephalopathy caused by SFTS virus. Here, we report that SFTSV infection can active the NLRP3 inflammasome and induce IL-1β secretion in the brains of infected newborn mice.
Forkhead O Transcription Factor 4 Restricts HBV Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcription and HBV Replication through Genetic Downregulation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha and Epigenetic Suppression of Covalently Closed Circular DNA via Interacting with Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
Authors: Li Yuqi , He Minjing , Gong Ruijie , Wang Ziteng , Lu Lin , Peng Shu , Duan Zhiyun , Feng Ying , Liu Yi , Gao Bo
Published: June 2022

HBV cccDNA is a determining factor for viral persistence and the main obstacle for a cure of chronic hepatitis B. Strategies that target cccDNA directly are therefore of great importance in controlling persistent HBV infection.
Comparison of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus and Aigai Virus in Life Cycle Modeling Systems Reveals a Difference in L Protein Activity
Authors: Pickin Matthew J. , Devignot Stéphanie , Weber Friedemann , Groschup Martin H.
Published: June 2022

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the cause of severe hemorrhagic disease, which is often fatal. Present throughout Africa, Asia, and Southeast Europe, a diverse number of viral genotypes exist.
iTDtest: an Easy-to-Handle and Visual Assay To Detect Tolerant and Persister Cells in an Antibiotic Combination Regimen
Authors: Van Melderen Laurence
Published: June 2022

In a recent article, Balaban and colleagues developed the iTDtest allowing characterization of the type of interactions between different antibiotics at bactericidal concentrations (J.-F. Liu et al., mBio 13:e00004-22, 2022).
A Biological Signature for the Inhibition of Outer Membrane Lipoprotein Biogenesis
Authors: Lehman Kelly M. , Smith Hannah C. , Grabowicz Marcin
Published: June 2022

Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane, which acts as a protective barrier and excludes many antibiotics. The limited number of antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria, along with rising rates of antibiotic resistance, highlights the need for efficient antibiotic discovery efforts.
Potency of Fusion-Inhibitory Lipopeptides against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Authors: Schmitz Katharina S. , Geers Daryl , de Vries Rory D. , Bovier T. Francesca , Mykytyn Anna Z. , Geurts van Kessel Corine H. , Haagmans Bart L. , Porotto Matteo , de Swart Rik L. , Moscona Anne
Published: June 2022

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, continues to spread globally, with waves resulting from new variants that evade immunity generated by vaccines and previous strains and escape available monoclonal antibody therapy. Fusion-inhibitory peptides may provide an intervention strategy that is not similarly affected by this viral evolution.
Failure of Translation Initiation of the Next Gene Decouples Transcription at Intercistronic Sites and the Resultant mRNA Generation
Authors: Jeon Heung Jin , N Monford Paul Abishek , Lee Yonho , Lim Heon M.
Published: June 2022

Transcription of operons is initiated at the promoter of the first gene in the operon, continues through cistron junctions, and terminates at the end of the operon, generating a full-length mRNA. Here, we show that Rho-dependent termination of transcription occurs stochastically at a cistron junction, generating a stable mRNA that is shorter than the full-length mRNA.
Rhythm of the Night (and Day): Predictive Metabolic Modeling of Diurnal Growth in
Chlamydomonas
Authors: Metcalf Alex J. , Boyle Nanette R.
Published: June 2022

We have developed the first transient metabolic model for diurnal growth of algae based on experimental data and capable of predicting phenotype from genotype. This model enables us to evaluate the impact of genetic and environmental changes on the growth, biomass composition and intracellular fluxes of the model green alga,
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
. The availability of this model will enable faster and more efficient design of cells for production of fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Genomic Diversity of Hospital-Acquired Infections Revealed through Prospective Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Surveillance
Authors: Mustapha Mustapha M. , Srinivasa Vatsala R. , Griffith Marissa P. , Cho Shu-Ting , Evans Daniel R. , Waggle Kady , Ezeonwuka Chinelo , Snyder Daniel J. , Marsh Jane W. , Harrison Lee H. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Van Tyne Daria
Published: June 2022

Hospitalized patients are at increased risk of becoming infected with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used whole-genome sequencing to survey and compare over 3,000 clinical bacterial isolates collected from hospitalized patients at a large medical center over a 2-year period.
Composition and Ecological Functionality of Fungal Communities Associated with Smokeless Tobacco Products Mainly Consumed in India
Authors: Sajid Mohammad , Srivastava Sonal , Yadav Ravi Kumar , Singh Harpreet , Singh Shalini , Bharadwaj Mausumi
Published: June 2022

Smokeless tobacco products (STPs) contain complex microbial communities that influence the synthesis of carcinogens, such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Research on STP-associated bacterial populations revealed connections between bacterial metabolism and TSNA synthesis.
Supplemental Material: Mafic magma-driven magmatic processes and compositional variation in granitic pluton construction: The Buya intrusion of West Kunlun, Northwestern China
Authors: Wang C. , al. et
Published: June 2022

Item A: Methods and Figures S1 and S2. Item B: MCS output data and related illustrations. Table S1: LA-ICP-MS U-Th-Pb isotope data of zircon. Table S2: LA-MC-ICPMS Lu-Hf isotope data of zircon. Table S3: Major- and trace-element analytical data of the Buya pluton. Table S4: Major- and trace-element analytical data of the Buya pluton.  
Digital health education: the need for a digitally ready workforce
Authors: Holland Brown Tamsin Mary , Bewick Mike
Published: June 2022

Digital health education develops an understanding of the pragmatic use of digital technologies, including health apps, artificial intelligence and wearables, in the National Health Service (NHS). Staff should feel confident accessing up-to-date, quality-assured digital health solutions.

Digital health is a high priority in government, NHS organisations and Royal Colleges. However, there is a gap between what is expected and the education of staff or medical students to enable implementation.

Digital health education needs to be up to date and universally included within training, continuing professional development activities and medical school curriculums.

During COVID-19, more families across the UK became digitally enabled with school, council, charities and governments providing access to devices, WiFi and mobile data for those that needed it. Improved digital access brings equalities in access to health information and healthcare professionals. Health app use sharply rose during COVID-19, as patients self-managed and took control of their conditions, but most health apps do not reach NHS standards.

Paediatricians are well positioned to advise on appropriate health app use and advocate for improved patient access to solutions.

Many paediatricians adopted remote video consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic but could soon adopt more digital health strategies to remotely track, monitor and manage conditions remotely.

Patient management now includes remote consultations and digital health solutions; therefore, medical histories should capture digital access, environments and literacy.

This article explains the importance of digital health education, lists accessible resources and provides examples of health apps that can be recommended.
Association of direct oral anticoagulant-proton pump inhibitor cotherapy with adverse outcomes: protocol for a population-based cohort study
Authors: Wang Mei , Paterson Michael , Thabane Lehana , Siegal Deborah , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Targownik Laura , Holbrook Anne
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for primary and secondary prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, there remains controversy about the overall net clinical benefit of PPIs (omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole) when coprescribed with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs; dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban). Our objective is to explore the risk of clinically relevant events, including bleeding, thromboembolic events and death, in patients prescribed DOACs while taking PPIs versus no PPI.

Methods and analysis

The protocol describes a retrospective cohort study of all Ontario residents aged 66 years or older with atrial fibrillation and at least one pharmacy dispensation for a DOAC identified using linked administrative healthcare databases covering 2009–2020. Ontario drug benefit dispensation records will be used to ascertain PPI exposure during DOAC therapy. The primary outcome is a composite of clinically relevant bleeding, thrombotic events or all-cause death. A minimum of 520 patients in total with at least one of the components of the composite outcome are needed. Poisson regression with a generalised estimating equation model will be used to calculate the adjusted incidence rate difference, incidence rate ratios 95% CI, adjusting for propensity for PPI use using inverse probability of treatment weights.

Ethics and dissemination

This research is exempt from REB review under section 45 of Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act. We will report our findings in a peer-reviewed biomedical journal and present them at conferences. The study will provide useful evidence to optimise the coprescription of DOACs and PPIs in practice.
Examining endothelial function and carotid artery disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Wu Hao , Hu Tingzi , Xu Meihua , Hao Hong , Hill Michael A , Xu Canxia , Liu Zhenguo
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might be at an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present protocol is developed to review and analyse published data to determine if patients with IBD have an increased CVD burden.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review of all observational studies that examine endothelial function, arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with IBD. Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and study quality will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. If sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. The overall effect sizes will be estimated using both fixed effects models and random effects models. Statistical heterogeneity will be calculated using Higgin’s (I2) tests. Subgroup analyses, conditional number of studies retrieved and their sample size, will be stratified according to participant disease category or gender or disease activity.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethics approval is not required as individual data will not be collected. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and scientific news releases.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021274093.
Modelling the thermal–hydro-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils with a high degree of saturation using an extended precise integration method
Authors: Wang Lujun , Cleall Peter John , Zhu Bin , Chen Yunmin
Published: June 2022

Unsaturated soils with a high degree of saturation (HDS) are commonly encountered in marine and lacustrine sediments. In these soils, the gas phase generally exists in the state of discrete bubbles, which is sensitive to stress and temperature changes and can dramatically change the soil's engineering properties. This paper explores the thermal-induced behaviour of HDS soils using an efficient extended precise integration method (XPIM). Biot poroelasticity theory, extended to include thermal effects and compressibility of gas–water mixture, is employed to analyze the soil behaviour under non-isothermal conditions. Based on the Laplace–Fourier transform and Taylor series expansion, such problems can be solved by XPIM. The robustness of XPIM was confirmed by comparing the present results with analytical solutions and test data. Extensive parametric studies are undertaken to examine both the effects of soil grain thermal expansion and anisotropic permeability on soil behaviour and temperature effects on the degree of saturation ( Sr). The thermal-induced variations in Sr are more pronounced with lower initial values (e.g., 90% compared to 99%). These quantitative results demonstrate the benefits of the proposed method, which proves to be extremely efficient and several orders more precise than conventional numerical approaches, with its precision limited only by the computational effort used.
The transition from the classical to the quantum regime for rubidium-87 (87Rb) vapor in terms of the second virial coefficient and the scattering length
Authors: Ajaleen Abeer A. Al , Sandouqa Ayman S. , Ghassib Humam B.
Published: June 2022

This work focuses on two major properties of 87Rb gas for a very broad temperature range of ∼nK–3000 K. The first is the second virial coefficient B, encompassing both classical ( Bcl) and quantum ( Bq) regimes as well as, in between, the classical coefficient plus the first quantum correction ( Bqcl). The transition from the classical to the quantum regime in this system is explored. The second property is the s-wave scattering length a0 for both singlet [[Formula: see text]] and triplet [[Formula: see text]] states. The medium is incorporated into the picture via the Galitskii–Migdal–Feynman formalism. Its main output is the medium phase shifts for the system, using the “best” available interatomic potential. These are plugged into the Beth–Uhlenbeck formula to give Bq, whereas Bc l and Bqcl are readily calculated from standard expressions, the only input needed being the binary potential. Our results show that Bq exhibits clear demarcation from Bcl, especially at nK temperatures where Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) manifests itself. Comparison to other calculations in the literature is made only for Bcl; Bq for this gas is computed here for the first time, as are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for the medium. It turns out that these scattering lengths are larger than their vacuum counterparts at BEC temperatures.
First-principles study of structural, dynamical, elastic, electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties of Na2ZnSnS4 compound
Authors: Akil Zoheir , Zemouli Mostefa , Boutaleb Habib , Amara Kadda , Khelfaoui Friha , Elkeurti Mohammed
Published: June 2022

The structural, dynamical, elastic, electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties for the Na2ZnSnS4 compound is reported using the density functional theory in the framework of the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the Wu and Cohen generalized gradient and Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson approaches. Calculations shows that Na2ZnSnS4 is more stable in the kesterite phase. Phonon studies indicate that this compound is dynamically stable. The elastic constants are calculated and used to confirm the mechanical stability. Moreover, our compound is thermodynamically stable and the conditions of Sn-rich/Na-poor are necessary to form a single-phase Na2ZnSnS4 crystal. The shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, anisotropy factor, Lamé’s constant, and Pugh indicator have also been calculated. The electronic properties shows that Na2ZnSnS4 has a direct gap (Γ–Γ) of 3.18 eV. The optical properties suggests that Na2ZnSnS4 is a good candidate for nonlinear optical applications. The thermodynamic properties such as Debye temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacities, and entropy are also estimated under temperature and pressure effects.
Securing Smart City Services in Cyber-Physical Systems Using the Computation Annealed Selection Process
Authors: Saad Aldosary , Alharbi Abdullah
Published: June 2022

Cyber-physical systems in a smart city environment offer secure computations in addition to robust resources and secure information exchanges. From the security aspect, the selection of legitimate computing resources is considered the most trustworthy measure for preserving user and data privacy. However, the outlier information results in false computations and time-consuming privacy measures for smart city users. This article introduces the Computation Annealed Selection Process (CASP) for combating outlier information in cyber-physical system networks. This process is assimilated with different infrastructure units in the smart city in an adaptable fashion. The adaptive measure administers information and user privacy through mutual time-key-based authentication. Information privacy is endured until the smart city provider provides a valid service interval. W2The service interval is evaluated for its consistency in maintaining the privacy and is validated using decision-tree learning. The decision tree performs interval classification and key assignment recommendations. Based on the decisions, the privacy is either prolonged or withdrawn for the information exchanged between the users and service providers. This process is repeated until the end of the service interval, identifying the outlier information in legitimate intervals. The proposed process improves detection, legitimacy rate, interval time, and interval rate by 7.57%, 10.4%, 13.15%, and 7.59%, respectively.
Structural, mechanical and electrical properties of sputter-coated copper thin films on polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Abdeltwab E. , Atta A. , Bek A.
Published: June 2022

In this study, ion-beam-sputtering technique is used to prepare nanocomposite films, consisting of deposited copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on polyethyleneterephthalate (PET). The successful formation of the flexible Cu/PET composite films is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology of Cu/PET is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that the surface roughness increased from 22.6 nm for PET to 45.3 nm after 40 min of deposited Cu/PET. The sheet resistance decreases from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] and resistivity decreases from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], as the Cu deposition time increases from 20 min to 60 min. Moreover, Young’s modulus increases from 2.82 GPa to 2.96 GPa and the adhesion force enhances from 14.7 nN to 29.90 nN after 40 min of Cu deposition. The DC electrical conductivity at 300 V is improved from [Formula: see text] S.cm[Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] S.cm[Formula: see text] after 60 min of Cu deposition. The results show the deposited Cu on flexible PET platform clearly exhibits improvement over pristine PET in the mechanical and electrical properties which render it useful for a broad range of dielectric applications.
Photonic spin Hall effect in a one-dimensional photonic crystal with a graphene defect film
Authors: Dong Luzhao , Guo Bin
Published: June 2022

We investigate the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) of a Gaussian beam passing through a one-dimensional photonic crystal with a graphene defect film. We show that an epsilon singularity point and an epsilon-near-zero point of graphene emerge by varying its chemical potential. We find that the chemical potential of graphene significantly alters the transverse shifts of PSHE, while the temperature of graphene has a slight impact on the transverse shifts of PSHE. Moreover, we find that the behavior of PSHE near the singularity point considerably differs from that near the epsilon-near-zero point. Additionally, we further explore the different wavelengths of the incident Gaussian beam on the tunability of PSHE. We show that the considerable transverse shifts can be obtained simultaneously depending on the incident wavelength of the Gaussian beam and the chemical potential of graphene.
Kangaroo: Theory and Practice of Caching Billions of Tiny Objects on Flash
Authors: McAllister Sara , Berg Benjamin , Tutuncu-Macias Julian , Yang Juncheng , Gunasekar Sathya , Lu Jimmy , Berger Daniel S. , Beckmann Nathan , Ganger Gregory R.
Published: June 2022

Many social-media and IoT services have very large working sets consisting of billions of tiny (≈100 B) objects. Large, flash-based caches are important to serving these working sets at acceptable monetary cost. However, caching tiny objects on flash is challenging for two reasons:
(i)
 SSDs can read/write data only in multi-KB “pages” that are much larger than a single object, stressing the limited number of times flash can be written; and
(ii)
 very few bits per cached object can be kept in DRAM without losing flash’s cost advantage. Unfortunately, existing flash-cache designs fall short of addressing these challenges: write-optimized designs require too much DRAM, and DRAM-optimized designs require too many flash writes.

We present
Kangaroo
, a new flash-cache design that optimizes both DRAM usage and flash writes to maximize cache performance while minimizing cost. Kangaroo combines a large, set-associative cache with a small, log-structured cache. The set-associative cache requires minimal DRAM, while the log-structured cache minimizes Kangaroo’s flash writes. Experiments using traces from Meta and Twitter show that Kangaroo achieves DRAM usage close to the best prior DRAM-optimized design, flash writes close to the best prior write-optimized design, and miss ratios better than both. Kangaroo’s design is Pareto-optimal across a range of allowed write rates, DRAM sizes, and flash sizes, reducing misses by 29% over the state of the art. These results are corroborated by analytical models presented herein and with a test deployment of Kangaroo in a production flash cache at Meta.
Semantic Knowledge Graphs for the News: A Review
Authors: Opdahl Andreas L. , Al-Moslmi Tareq , Dang-Nguyen Duc-Tien , Gallofré Ocaña Marc , Tessem Bjørnar , Veres Csaba
Published: June 2022

ICT platforms for news production, distribution, and consumption must exploit the ever-growing availability of digital data. These data originate from different sources and in different formats; they arrive at different velocities and in different volumes. Semantic knowledge graphs (KGs) is an established technique for integrating such heterogeneous information. It is therefore well-aligned with the needs of news producers and distributors, and it is likely to become increasingly important for the news industry. This article reviews the research on using semantic knowledge graphs for production, distribution, and consumption of news. The purpose is to present an overview of the field; to investigate what it means; and to suggest opportunities and needs for further research and development.
Formal Verification of Transcendental Fixed- and Floating-point Algorithms using an Automatic Theorem Prover
Authors: Coward Samuel , Paulson Lawrence , Drane Theo , Morini Emiliano
Published: June 2022

We present a method for formal verification of transcendental hardware and software algorithms that scales to higher precision without suffering an exponential growth in runtimes. A class of implementations using piecewise polynomial approximation to compute the result is verified using MetiTarski, an automated theorem prover, which verifies a range of inputs for each call. The method was applied to commercial implementations from Cadence Design Systems with significant runtime gains over exhaustive testing methods and was successful in proving that the expected accuracy of one implementation was overly optimistic. Reproducing the verification of a sine implementation in software, previously done using an alternative theorem-proving technique, demonstrates that the MetiTarski approach is a viable competitor. Verification of a 52-bit implementation of the square root function highlights the method’s high-precision capabilities.
Oxygen Measurement in Microdevices
Authors: Grist Samantha M. , Bennewith Kevin L. , Cheung Karen C.
Published: June 2022

Oxygen plays a fundamental role in respiration and metabolism, and quantifying oxygen levels is essential in many environmental, industrial, and research settings. Microdevices facilitate the study of dynamic, oxygen-dependent effects in real time. This review is organized around the key needs for oxygen measurement in microdevices, including integrability into microfabricated systems; sensor dynamic range and sensitivity; spatially resolved measurements to map oxygen over two- or three-dimensional regions of interest; and compatibility with multimodal and multianalyte measurements. After a brief overview of biological readouts of oxygen, followed by oxygen sensor types that have been implemented in microscale devices and sensing mechanisms, this review presents select recent applications in organs-on-chip in vitro models and new sensor capabilities enabling oxygen microscopy, bioprocess manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries. With the advancement of multiplexed, interconnected sensors and instruments and integration with industry workflows, intelligent microdevice-sensor systems including oxygen sensors will have further impact in environmental science, manufacturing, and medicine.
The Economics of Aquatic Plants: The Case of Algae and Duckweed
Authors: Hochman Gal , Palatnik Ruslana Rachel
Published: June 2022

This review examines global microalgae, seaweeds, and duckweed (MSD) production status and trends. It focuses on cultivation, recognizing the sector's existing and potential contributions and benefits, highlighting a variety of constraints and barriers over the sector's sustainable development. It also discusses lessons learned and ways forward to unlock the sector's full potential. In contrast to conventional agriculture crops, MSD can rapidly generate large amounts of biomass and carbon sequestration yet does not compete for arable land and potable water, ensuring minimal environmental impacts. Moreover, MSD's applications are ubiquitous and reach almost every industrial sector, including ones essential to meeting the increasing needs of human society, such as foods, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. To this end, the growing public awareness regarding climate change, sustainable food, and animal welfare yields a significant shift in consumer preference and propels the demand for MSD. In addition, once governments usher in durable and stable carbon policies, the markets for MSD are likely to increase severalfold.
Review—Development of Highly Active and Stable Catalyst Supports and Platinum–Free Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Jung Won Suk , Kim Taekeun , Popov Branko N.
Published: June 2022

Metal-free, metal-containing, and template-assisted metal-containing nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts carbon composite supports, and highly active and electrochemically stable hybrid cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction are reviewed in this manuscript. Novel procedures are developed for the synthesis of (i) highly catalytically active PGM-free catalyst and stable carbon composite catalyst supports. The carbon composite catalyst supports are engineered with optimized BET surface area and pore size distribution and with a well-defined kinetic and mass transfer region during the reaction and their performance is dicussed in detail in this review. The surface activation results in increasing carbon graphitization and inclusion of non-metallic active sites on the support surface. The USC catalysts exhibit the initial performance of 0.91 V and a maximum power density of 177 mW cm−2, with well-defined kinetic and mass-transfer regions and ∼2.5% H2O2 production. Activated carbon composite support (ACCS) is modified to optimize its kinetic activity and its electrochemical stability shows excellent thermal stability and support stability under simulated start-up/shut-down operating conditions. The stabilities of various supports developed in this study are compared with those of a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The active sites for the ORR identified with electrochemical and physicochemical methods are pyridinic-N and quaternary-N.