bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shining a light on food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand: Modification of a food security scale for use with individuals who have extreme food security needs
Authors: Robinson Helen , Deane Kelsey L. , Bartley Allen , Alansari Mohamed , Neuwelt-Kearns Caitlin
Published: December 2021

INTRODUCTION: Food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand is a growing concern but quantitative evidence focused on those in most need of support is scarce in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. This limits policy and practice decisions.METHODS: We modified Parnell and Gray’s (2014) Aotearoa New Zealand based food security scale to better capture the severity of food insecurity for individuals living in poverty and used a questionnaire to collect data from a sample of individuals seeking food assistance from foodbanks in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). We used confirmatory factor analysis to assess the psychometric validity of the modified scale. We also tested group differences in food insecurity by gender and ethnicity using analysis of variance and investigated correlations between age, household size and food insecurity.FINDINGS: We found a six-item version of Parnell and Gray’s (2014) scale to be psychometrically robust for use with the study population. The sample participants reported concerning and chronic levels of food insecurity. We did not find any group differences.CONCLUSIONS: At the severe end of the food insecurity continuum, gender and ethnic subgroups appear to suffer at similar levels; however, this does not suggest that different approaches are not required to best meet the needs of different demographic subgroups. Further research is needed to ascertain how similar levels of food insecurity may produce differential effects on wellbeing outcomes for different groups. We recommend more widespread and regular use of the modified scale to assess the experience and impact of food insecurity for individuals living in poverty because it provides a more fine-grained understanding of the severity of food insecurity challenges experienced by individuals seeking food assistance. Fit for purpose measures enable accurate assessments that can better inform policymaking and practice decisions to reduce inequality and promote economic justice.
Human rights and housing unaffordability: Applying policy practice engagement to a wicked problem
Authors: Webster Michael
Published: December 2021

INTRODUCTION: In working with marginalised communities, social workers are confronted with the consequences of housing unaffordability. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by Aotearoa New Zealand, identifies housing deprivation as a human right of relevance to social work. This study explores the application of the Policy Practice Engagement (PPE) framework (Gal & Weiss-Gal, 2015) as a tool by which social workers can contribute to policy-making processes to address the human right to affordable housing.METHOD: The project used a descriptive/exploratory design. Data were collected by semi- structured interviews of eight subject matter experts in housing affordability: two public sector economists; one private sector economist/developer; two public sector urban planners; one public policy advisor; one non-governmental policy analyst; and one private sector housing strategist. Data were analysed thematically, followed by an inter-rater process.FINDINGS: Participants identified human rights as relevant to the wicked problem (Grint, 2005) of housing affordability. Participants also identified political, economic and environmental factors impacting affordable housing. They considered that these factors are found in local body planning regulations, leading to land supply constraints. Some participants considered that housing unaffordability is the price paid to live in liveable cities.CONCLUSIONS: The PPE framework offers a conceptual structure through which social workers can address housing unaffordability. By understanding the factors causing unaffordability, social workers are enabled to examine why and how they should contribute to policy processes.
Can the displacemon device test objective collapse models?
Authors: Kanari-Naish Lydia A. , Clarke Jack , Vanner Michael R. , Laird Edward A.
Published: December 2021

Testing the limits of the applicability of quantum mechanics will deepen our understanding of the universe and may shed light on the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity. At present there is a wide range of approaches for such macroscopic tests spanning from matter-wave interferometry of large molecules to precision measurements of heating rates in the motion of micro-scale cantilevers. The “displacemon” is a proposed electromechanical device consisting of a mechanical resonator flux-coupled to a superconducting qubit enabling generation and readout of mechanical quantum states. In the original proposal, the mechanical resonator was a carbon nanotube, containing 106 nucleons. Here, in order to probe quantum mechanics at a more macroscopic scale, we propose using an aluminum mechanical resonator on two larger mass scales, one inspired by the Marshall–Simon–Penrose–Bouwmeester moving-mirror proposal, and one set by the Planck mass. For such a device, we examine the experimental requirements needed to perform a more macroscopic quantum test and thus feasibly detect the decoherence effects predicted by two objective collapse models: Diósi–Penrose and continuous spontaneous localization. Our protocol for testing these two theories takes advantage of the displacemon architecture to create non-Gaussian mechanical states out of equilibrium with their environment and then analyzes the measurement statistics of a superconducting qubit. We find that with improvements to the fabrication and vibration sensitivities of these electromechanical devices, the displacemon device provides a new route to feasibly test decoherence mechanisms beyond standard quantum theory.
The Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition: A Bifactor Model, Dimensionality, and Measurement Invariance
Authors: Salami Sedigheh , Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Gomes Cristiano Mauro Assis , Dehkordi Parvaneh Shamsipour
Published: December 2021

Aim: To examine the latent structure of the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) with a bifactor modeling approach. In addition, the study examines the dimensionality and model-based reliability of general and specific contributions of the test’s subscales and measurement invariance of the TGMD-3. Methods: A convenience sample of (N = 496; Mage = 7.23 ± 2.03 years; 53.8% female) typically developed children participated in this study. Three alternative measurement models were tested: (a) a unidimensional model, (b) a correlated two-factor model, and (c) a bifactor model. Results: The totality of results, including item loadings, goodness-of-fit indexes, and reliability estimates, all supported the bifactor model and strong evidence of a general factor, namely gross motor competence. Additionally, the reliability of subscale scores was poor, and it is thus contended that scoring, reporting, and interpreting of the subscales scores are probably not justifiable. Conclusions: This study shows the advantages of using bifactor approach to examine the TGMD-3 factor structure and suggests that the two traditionally hypothesized factors are better understood as “grouping” factors rather than as representative of latent constructs. In addition, our findings demonstrate that the bifactor model appears invariant for sex.
Electroferrofluids with nonequilibrium voltage-controlled magnetism, diffuse interfaces, and patterns
Authors: Cherian Tomy , Sohrabi Fereshteh , Rigoni Carlo , Ikkala Olli , Timonen Jaakko V. I.
Published: December 2021

Electrically driven dissipative gradients of superparamagnetic nanoparticles allow voltage-controlled magnetism and patterns.
Climate change and expanding invasive species drive widespread declines of native trout in the northern Rocky Mountains, USA
Authors: Bell Donovan A. , Kovach Ryan P. , Muhlfeld Clint C. , Al-Chokhachy Robert , Cline Timothy J. , Whited Diane C. , Schmetterling David A. , Lukacs Paul M. , Whiteley Andrew R.
Published: December 2021

Climate change drives declines of native trout by reducing stream habitat and facilitating the expansion of invasive species.
Ozone depletion due to dust release of iodine in the free troposphere
Authors: Koenig Theodore K. , Volkamer Rainer , Apel Eric C. , Bresch James F. , Cuevas Carlos A. , Dix Barbara , Eloranta Edwin W. , Fernandez Rafael P. , Hall Samuel R. , Hornbrook Rebecca S. , Pierce R. Bradley , Reeves J. Michael , Saiz-Lopez Alfonso , Ullmann Kirk
Published: December 2021

Iodine released from dust destroys ozone and indicates a missing atmospheric process in the geochemical iodine cycle.
Loss of ATF4 leads to functional aging-like attrition of adult hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Sun Yan , Lin Xiaolin , Liu Bangdong , Zhang Yaxuan , Li Wei , Zhang Sheng , He Falian , Tian Han , Zhu Xun , Liu Ximeng , Wu Jueheng , Cai Junchao , Li Mengfeng
Published: December 2021

Loss of
ATF4
intrinsically leads to functional aging-like attrition of adult hematopoietic stem cells via targeting HIF1α.
Pseudo-atomic orbital behavior in graphene nanoribbons with four-membered rings
Authors: Jacobse Peter H. , Jin Zexin , Jiang Jingwei , Peurifoy Samuel , Yue Ziqin , Wang Ziyi , Rizzo Daniel J. , Louie Steven G. , Nuckolls Colin , Crommie Michael F.
Published: December 2021

A type of nanoribbon with four-membered rings was synthesized and was found to behave like a hologram of atomic orbitals.
Direct gold bonding for flexible integrated electronics
Authors: Takakuwa Masahito , Fukuda Kenjiro , Yokota Tomoyuki , Inoue Daishi , Hashizume Daisuke , Umezu Shinjiro , Someya Takao
Published: December 2021

Water vapor plasma treatment enables direct gold bonding on flexible polymer films in air at ambient temperatures.
A multifunctional electronic skin based on patterned metal films for tactile sensing with a broad linear response range
Authors: Cai Min , Jiao Zhongdong , Nie Shuang , Wang Chengjun , Zou Jun , Song Jizhou
Published: December 2021

An e-skin based on patterned metal films is developed for pressure/temperature sensing with a broad linear response range.
Riboswitch RS

thiT

as a Molecular Tool in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Hernández-Ortega Eduardo P. , van der Meulen Sjoerd , Kuijpers Lucas J. , Kok Jan
Published: December 2021

The capacity of microbes with biotechnological importance to adapt to and survive under quickly changing industrial conditions depends on their ability to adequately control gene expression. Riboswitches are important RNA-based elements involved in rapid and precise gene regulation.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of Chloroform and Dichloromethane with a
Dehalobacter
Enrichment Culture
Authors: Wang Hao , Yu Rong , Webb Jennifer , Dollar Peter , Freedman David L.
Published: December 2021

Chloroform (CF) and dichloromethane (DCM) are among the more commonly identified chlorinated aliphatic compounds found in contaminated soil and groundwater. One way to address this problem is to add microbes to the subsurface that can biodegrade these compounds.
Two LysR Family Transcriptional Regulators, McbH and McbN, Activate the Operons Responsible for the Midstream and Downstream Pathways, Respectively, of Carbaryl Degradation in Pseudomonas sp. Strain XWY-1
Authors: Ke Zhijian , Zhu Qian , Gao Siyuan , Zhang Mingliang , Jiang Mingli , Ren Yijun , Liu Yali , Zhou Yidong , Qiu Jiguo , Hong Qing
Published: December 2021

The enzyme-encoding genes involved in the complete degradation pathway of carbaryl in
Pseudomonas
sp. strain XWY-1 include
mcbABCDEF
,
mcbIJKLM
, and
mcbOPQ
. Previous studies demonstrated that the
mcbA
gene, responsible for hydrolysis of carbaryl to 1-naphthol, is constitutively expressed and that the transcription of
mcbBCDEF
was regulated by McbG.
Genome-Based Characterization of a Plasmid-Associated Micrococcin P1 Biosynthetic Gene Cluster and Virulence Factors in Mammaliicoccus sciuri IMDO-S72
Authors: Van der Veken David , Hollanders Charlie , Verce Marko , Michiels Chris , Ballet Steven , Weckx Stefan , Leroy Frédéric
Published: December 2021

Mammaliicoccus sciuri
has been put forward as an important carrier of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, which can be transmitted to clinically important staphylococcal species such as
Staphylococcus aureus
. As a common inhabitant of mammal skin, this species is believed to have a predominant commensal lifestyle, although it has been reported as an opportunistic pathogen in some cases.
Intradermally Administered Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Vaccine Candidate MecVax Induces Functional Serum Immunoglobulin G Antibodies against Seven Adhesins (CFA/I and CS1 through CS6) and Both Toxins (STa and LT)
Authors: Garcia Carolina Y. , Seo Hyesuk , Sack David A. , Zhang Weiping
Published: December 2021

ETEC is a leading bacterial cause of diarrhea in children living in developing countries and international travelers. Developing an effective vaccine for ETEC diarrhea has been hampered because of the challenges of virulence heterogeneity and the difficulties of inducing neutralizing antibodies against the key toxin STa.
A Panel of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Mutants in the Polycistronic Kaposin Locus for Precise Analysis of Individual Protein Products
Authors: Kleer Mariel , MacNeil Grant , Adam Nancy , Pringle Eric S. , Corcoran Jennifer A.
Published: December 2021

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) expresses high levels of the kaposin transcript during both latent and lytic phases of replication. Due to its repetitive, GC-rich nature and polycistronic coding capacity, until now no reagents existed to permit a methodical analysis of the role of individual kaposin proteins in KSHV replication.
The Betacoronavirus PHEV Replicates and Disrupts the Respiratory Epithelia and Upregulates Key Pattern Recognition Receptor Genes and Downstream Mediators, Including IL-8 and IFN-λ
Authors: Nelli Rahul K. , Mora-Díaz Juan Carlos , Giménez-Lirola Luis G.
Published: December 2021

The neurotropic betacoronavirus porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) primarily infects and replicates in the swine upper respiratory tract, causing vomiting and wasting disease and/or encephalomyelitis in suckling pigs. This study investigated the modulation of key early innate immune genes at the respiratory epitheliain vivo,on tracheal tissue sections from experimentally infected pigs, andin vitro, on air-liquid interface porcine respiratory cell cultures.
Population Dynamics of Escherichia coli Causing Bloodstream Infections over Extended Time Periods
Authors: Pitout Johann D. D.
Published: December 2021

Escherichia coli
is a leading cause of community-acquired and health care-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) worldwide. Limited information is available regarding the changes in population dynamics of human
E. coli
over extended time periods, especially among nonbiased
E. coli
isolates in large well-defined geographical regions.
Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Pathogen Box against Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Kim Haeun , Burkinshaw Brianne J. , Lam Linh G. , Manera Kevin , Dong Tao G.
Published: December 2021

Cholera is a serious infectious disease in tropical regions causing millions of infections annually.
Vibrio cholerae
, the causative agent of cholera, has gained multi-antibiotic resistance over the years, posing greater threat to public health and current treatment strategies. Here we report two compounds that effectively target the growth of
V. cholerae
and have the potential to control cholera infection.
Persistent Anti-
Borrelia
IgM Antibodies without Lyme Borreliosis in the Clinical and Immunological Context
Authors: Markowicz Mateusz , Reiter Michael , Gamper Jutta , Stanek Gerold , Stockinger Hannes
Published: December 2021

The reactivity of human IgM with the outer surface protein C (OspC) of
Borrelia burgdorferi
sensu lato
is frequently used to detect
Borrelia
specific IgM in commercial immunoassays, and such antibodies usually occur in the early phase of the infection. We identified a group of individuals with persistent
Borrelia
IgM without symptoms of Lyme borreliosis.
Cutibacterium acnes Induces the Expression of Immunosuppressive Genes in Macrophages and is Associated with an Increase of Regulatory T-Cells in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Davidsson Sabina , Carlsson Jessica , Greenberg Larry , Wijkander Jonny , Söderquist Bo , Erlandsson Ann
Published: December 2021

In an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment constituted by immunosuppressive cells and immunosuppressive mediators, tumors may improve their ability to give rise to a clinically relevant cancer. In the present study, we found that
C. acnes
might contribute to an immunosuppressive environment by recruiting regulatory T cells and by increasing the expression of immunosuppressive mediators such as PD-L1, CCL17, and CCL 18.
Neutrophil-Mediated Lung Injury Both via TLR2-Dependent Production of IL-1α and IL-12 p40, and TLR2-Independent CARDS Toxin after Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Mice
Authors: Tamiya Shigeyuki , Yoshikawa Eisuke , Ogura Monami , Kuroda Etsushi , Suzuki Koichiro , Yoshioka Yasuo
Published: December 2021

Although Mp-induced pneumonia is usually a self-limiting disease, refractory life-threatening pneumonia is often induced. In addition, the development of alternative therapeutic strategies for Mp is expected because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant Mp.
Comprehensive Genomic Investigation of Tigecycline Resistance Gene
tet
(X4)-Bearing Strains Expanding among Different Settings
Authors: Li Ruichao , Li Yan , Peng Kai , Yin Yi , Liu Yuan , He Tao , Bai Li , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: December 2021

Tigecycline was considered the last-line drug against serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the plasmid-mediated tigecycline resistance gene
tet
(X) has been widely reported in different sources of Enterobacterales and
Acinetobacter
in China.
Enhanced Pathogenesis Caused by Influenza D Virus and Mycoplasma bovis Coinfection in Calves: a Disease Severity Linked with Overexpression of IFN-γ as a Key Player of the Enhanced Innate Immune Response in Lungs
Authors: Lion Adrien , Secula Aurélie , Rançon Camille , Boulesteix Olivier , Pinard Anne , Deslis Alain , Hägglund Sara , Salem Elias , Cassard Hervé , Näslund Katarina , Gaudino Maria , Moreno Ana , Brocchi Emiliana , Delverdier Maxence , Zohari Siamak , Baranowski Eric , Valarcher Jean-François , Ducatez Mariette F. , Meyer Gilles
Published: December 2021

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is among the most prevalent diseases in young cattle. BRD is due to complex interactions between viruses and/or bacteria, most of which have a moderate individual pathogenicity.
Transmission of NDM-5-Producing and OXA-48-Producing Escherichia coli Sequence Type 648 by International Visitors without Previous Medical Exposure
Authors: Harada Sohei , Suzuki Masahiro , Sasaki Toshiharu , Sakurai Aki , Inaba Masato , Takuya Hosoda , Wakuda Mitsutaka , Doi Yohei
Published: December 2021

Although patients with history of international hospitalization are often subject to screening for multidrug-resistant organisms, it is unclear whether patients who reside in countries where carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
(CPE) is endemic but have no history of local hospitalization contribute to the transmission of CPE. In this study, NDM-5-producing and OXA-48-producing
Escherichia coli
sequence type (ST) 648, a recently recognized high-risk, multidrug-resistant clone, were detected from two overseas visitors without previous medical exposure.
Performance of Conventional Urine Culture Compared to 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing in Children with Suspected Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Marshall Christopher W. , Kurs-Lasky Marcia , McElheny Christi L. , Bridwell Sophia , Liu Hui , Shaikh Nader
Published: December 2021

Concordance between conventional culture and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing appears to be high. In children with equivocal culture results, 16S rRNA gene results may provide information that may help clarify the diagnosis.
Hospital utilization for hypoglycemia among patients with type 2 diabetes using pooled data from six health systems
Authors: Pilla Scott J , Kraschnewski Jennifer L , Lehman Erik B , Kong Lan , Francis Erica , Poger Jennifer M , Bryce Cindy L , Maruthur Nisa M , Yeh Hsin-Chieh
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Hypoglycemia is the most common serious adverse effect of diabetes treatment and a major cause of medication-related hospitalization. This study aimed to identify trends and predictors of hospital utilization for hypoglycemia among patients with type 2 diabetes using electronic health record data pooled from six academic health systems.

Research design and methods

This retrospective open cohort study included 549 041 adults with type 2 diabetes receiving regular care from the included health systems between 2009 and 2019. The primary outcome was the yearly event rate for hypoglycemia hospital utilization: emergency department visits, observation visits, or inpatient admissions for hypoglycemia identified using a validated International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD-9) algorithm from 2009 to 2014. After the transition to ICD-10 in 2015, we used two ICD-10 code sets (limited and expanded) for hypoglycemia hospital utilization from prior studies. We identified independent predictors of hypoglycemia hospital utilization using multivariable logistic regression analysis with data from 2014.

Results

Yearly rates of hypoglycemia hospital utilization decreased from 2.7 to 1.6 events per 1000 patients from 2009 to 2014 (p-trend=0.023). From 2016 to 2019, yearly event rates were stable ranging from 5.6 to 6.6, or 6.3 to 7.3, using the limited and expanded ICD-10 code sets, respectively. In 2014, the strongest independent risk factors for hypoglycemia hospital utilization were chronic kidney disease (OR 2.86, 95% CI 2.33 to 3.57), ages 18–39 years (OR 2.43 vs age 40–64 years, 95% CI 1.78 to 3.31), and insulin use (OR 2.13 vs no diabetes medications, 95% CI 1.67 to 2.73).

Conclusions

Rates of hypoglycemia hospital utilization decreased from 2009 to 2014 and varied considerably by clinical risk factors such that younger adults, insulin users, and those with chronic kidney disease were at especially high risk. There is a need to validate hypoglycemia ascertainment using ICD-10 codes, which detect a substantially higher number of events compared with ICD-9.
Comparing McDonald’s food marketing practices on official Instagram accounts across 15 countries
Authors: Cassidy Omni , Shin Hye Won , Song Edmund , Jiang Everett , Harri Ravindra , Cano Catherine , Vedanthan Rajesh , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Bragg Marie
Published: December 2021

Background

Social media advertising by fast food companies continues to increase globally, and exposure to food advertising contributes to poor diet and negative health outcomes (eg, cardiovascular disease). McDonald’s—the largest fast food company in the world—operates in 101 countries, but little is known about their marketing techniques in various regions. The objective of this study was to compare the social media advertising practices of McDonald’s—the largest fast food company in the world—in 15 high-income, upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income countries.

Methods

We randomly selected official McDonald’s Instagram accounts for 15 high-income, upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income countries. We captured all the screenshots that McDonald’s posted on those Instagram accounts from September to December 2019. We quantified the number of followers, ‘likes’, ‘comments’ and video views associated with each account in April 2020. We used content analysis to examine differences in the marketing techniques.

Results

The 15 accounts collectively maintained 10 million followers and generated 3.9 million ‘likes’, 164 816 comments and 38.2 million video views. We identified 849 posts. The three lower-middle-income countries had more posts (n=324; M, SD=108.0, 38.2 posts) than the five upper-middle-income countries (n=227; M, SD=45.4, 37.5 posts) and seven high-income countries (n=298; M, SD=42.6, 28.2 posts). Approximately 12% of the posts in high-income countries included child-targeted themes compared with 22% in lower-middle-income countries. Fourteen per cent of the posts in high-income countries included price promotions and free giveaways compared with 40% in lower-middle-income countries.

Conclusions

Social media advertising has enabled McDonald’s to reach millions of consumers in lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries with disproportionately greater child-targeted ads and price promotions in lower-middle-income countries. Such reach is concerning because of the increased risk of diet-related illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, in these regions.
Impact of public-funded health insurances in India on health care utilisation and financial risk protection: a systematic review
Authors: Reshmi Bhageerathy , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Rajwar Eti , Parsekar Shradha S , Vijayamma Ratheebhai , Venkatesh Bhumika Tumkur
Published: December 2021

Objective

Universal Health Coverage aims to address the challenges posed by healthcare inequalities and inequities by increasing the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for the entire population. This review provides information related to impact of public-funded health insurance (PFHI) on financial risk protection and utilisation of healthcare.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Medline (via PubMed, Web of Science), Scopus, Social Science Research Network and 3ie impact evaluation repository were searched from their inception until 15 July 2020, for English-language publications.

Eligibility criteria

Studies giving information about the different PFHI in India, irrespective of population groups (above 18 years), were included. Cross-sectional studies with comparison, impact evaluations, difference-in-difference design based on before and after implementation of the scheme, pre–post, experimental trials and quasi-randomised trials were eligible for inclusion.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data extraction was performed by three reviewers independently. Due to heterogeneity in population and study design, statistical pooling was not possible; therefore, narrative synthesis was performed.

Outcomes

Utilisation of healthcare, willingness-to-pay (WTP), out-of-pocket expenditure (including outpatient and inpatient), catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment.

Results

The impact of PFHI on financial risk protection reports no conclusive evidence to suggest that the schemes had any impact on financial protection. The impact of PFHIs such as Rashtriya Swasthy Bima Yojana, Vajpayee Arogyashree and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana showed increased access and utilisation of healthcare services. There is a lack of evidence to conclude on WTP an additional amount to the existing monthly financial contribution.

Conclusion

Different central and state PFHIs increased the utilisation of healthcare services by the beneficiaries, but there was no conclusive evidence for reduction in financial risk protection of the beneficiaries.

Registration

Not registered.
Mapping instruments for assessing and stratifying frailty among community-dwelling older people: a scoping review
Authors: Andrade Luiz Eduardo Lima , New York Beatriz Souza de Albuquerque Caciqu , Gonçalves Rafaella Silva dos Santos Aguiar , Fernandes Sabrina Gabrielle Gomes , Maciel Álvaro Campos Cavalcanti
Published: December 2021

Objective

To map in the current literature instruments for the assessment and stratification of frailty in community-dwelling older people, as well as to analyse them from the perspective of the Brazilian context.

Design

Scoping review.

Study selection

The selection of studies took place between March and April 2020. Includes electronic databases: Medline, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Scopus, Web of Science and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Literature Health Alliance, in addition to searching grey literature.

Data extraction

A data extraction spreadsheet was created to collect the main information from the studies involved, from the title to the type of assessment and stratification of frailty.

Results

In summary, 17 frailty assessment and stratification instruments applicable to community-dwelling older people were identified. Among these, the frailty phenotype of Friedet alwas the instrument most present in the studies (45.5%). The physical domain was present in all the instruments analysed, while the social, psychological and environmental domains were present in only 10 instruments.

Conclusions

This review serves as a guideline for primary healthcare professionals, showing 17 instruments applicable to the context of the community-dwelling older people, pointing out advantages and disadvantages that influence the decision of the instrument to be used. Furthermore, this scoping review was a guide for further studies carried out by the same authors, which aim to compare instruments.
Metabolic Surgery Supporting Aftercare via Group-Intervention (MeSSAGES): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Skoda Eva-Maria , Steinbach Jasmin , Robitzsch Anita , Pfeiffer Corinna , Schüren Lynik , Tomaszewski Jörg , Niedergethman Marco , Schweda Adam , Bäuerle Alexander , Teufel Martin
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Obesity is a constantly rising and cost-intensive medical issue worldwide. Severe obesity often needs surgery to promote weight loss, but due to the rapid therapeutic success after the surgery, many patients lack the awareness of the need to consistently maintain the postoperative care. However, therapeutic success and psychological well-being can be increased through group interventions and social support of the group members. Therefore, aftercare via group intervention is a promising approach. In this prospective randomised controlled study, the self-efficacy in a social media-based interactive, psychoeducational intervention is to be tested.

Methods and analysis

The intervention group will complete a social media-supported group intervention for 6 weeks with weekly postings of educative contents and the possibility to exchange in groups via anonymous avatars. The control group will receive treatment as usual (TAU) after the obesity surgery as recommended in the German S3-guidelines Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Surgery. We will examine the effectiveness of a social media-supported intervention group, and therefore, the change in self-efficacy expectation. For the primary outcome, we will perform a mixed analysis of variance with time as the within-subject factor (times of measurement T0–T4) and the group assignment as the between-subject factor (intervention +TAU vs TAU group).

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Medical Association North Rhine (Ärztekammer Nordrhein, 2020031) and the patient enrolment will begin in July 2021.

Trial registration number

DRKS00018089.
Implementation of cancer screening in rural primary care practices after joining an accountable care organisation: a multiple case study
Authors: Nelson-Brantley Heather , Ellerbeck Edward F , McCrea-Robertson Stacy , Brull Jennifer , Bacani McKenney Jennifer , Greiner K Allen , Befort Christie
Published: December 2021

Objective

To describe common strategies and practice-specific barriers, adaptations and determinants of cancer screening implementation in eight rural primary care practices in the Midwestern United States after joining an accountable care organisation (ACO).

Design

This study used a multiple case study design. Purposive sampling was used to identify a diverse group of practices within the ACO. Data were collected from focus group interviews and workflow mapping. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to guide data collection and analysis. Data were cross-analysed by clinic and CFIR domains to identify common themes and practice-specific determinants of cancer screening implementation.

Setting

The study included eight rural primary care practices, defined as Rural-Urban Continuum Codes 5–9, in one ACO in the Midwestern United States.

Participants

Providers, staff and administrators who worked in the primary care practices participated in focus groups. 28 individuals participated including 10 physicians; one doctor of osteopathic medicine; three advanced practice registered nurses; eight registered nurses, quality assurance and licensed practical nurses; one medical assistant; one care coordination manager; and four administrators.

Results

With integration into the ACO, practices adopted four new strategies to support cancer screening: care gap lists, huddle sheets, screening via annual wellness visits and information spread. Cross-case analysis revealed that all practices used both visit-based and population-based cancer screening strategies, although workflows varied widely across practices. Each of the four strategies was adapted for fit to the local context of the practice. Participants shared that joining the ACO provided a strong external incentive for increasing cancer screening rates. Two predominant determinants of cancer screening success at the clinic level were use of the electronic health record (EHR) and fully engaging nurses in the screening process.

Conclusions

Joining an ACO can be a positive driver for increasing cancer screening practices in rural primary care practices. Characteristics of the practice can impact the success of ACO-related cancer screening efforts; engaging nurses to the fullest extent of their education and training and integrating cancer screening into the EHR can optimise the cancer screening workflow.
Continuity of maternal healthcare services utilisation in Indonesia: analysis of determinants from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Andriani Helen , Rachmadani Salma Dhiya , Natasha Valencia , Saptari Adila
Published: December 2021

Objective

WHO recommends that every pregnant woman and newborn receive quality care throughout the pregnancy, delivery and postnatal periods. However, Maternal Mortality Ratio in Indonesia for 2015 reached 305 per 100 000 live births, which exceeds the target of Sustainable Development Goals (<70 per 100 000 live births). Receiving at least four times antenatal care (ANC4+) and skilled birth attendant (SBA) during childbirth is crucial for preventing maternal and neonatal deaths. The study aims to assess the determinants of ANC4 +and SBA independently, evaluate the distribution of utilisation of ANC4 + and SBA services, and further investigate the associations of two levels of continuity of services utilisation in Indonesia

Design

Data from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey, a cross-sectional and large-scale national survey conducted in 2017 were used.

Setting

This study was set in Indonesia.

Participants

The study involved ever-married women of reproductive age (15–49 years) and had given birth in the last 5 years prior to the survey (n=15 288). The dependent variables are the use of ANC4 + and SBA. Individual, family and community factors, such as age, age at first birth, level of education, employment status, parity, autonomy in healthcare decision-making, level of education, employment status of spouses, household income, mass media consumption residence and distance from health facilities were also measured.

Results

Results showed that 11 632 (76.1%) women received ANC4 + and SBA during childbirth. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, age at first birth, and parity have a statistically significant association with continuity of services utilisation. The odds of using continuity of services were higher among women older than 34 years (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.54; 95% CI 1.31 to 1.80) compared with women aged 15–24 years. Women with a favourable distance from health facilities were more likely to receive continuity of services utilisation (aOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.57).

Conclusions

The continuity of services utilisation is associated with age, reproductive status, family influence and accessibility-related factors. Findings demonstrated the importance of enhancing early reproductive health education for men and women. The health system reinforcement, community empowerment and multisectoral engagement enhance accessibility to health facilities, reduce financial and geographical barriers, and produce strong quality care.
Costimulation of γδTCR and TLR7/8 promotes Vδ2 T-cell antitumor activity by modulating mTOR pathway and APC function
Authors: Wang Huaishan , Chen Hui , Liu Shujing , Zhang Jie , Lu Hezhe , Somasundaram Rajasekharan , Choi Robin , Zhang Gao , Ou Lingling , Scholler John , Tian Shifu , Dong Liyun , Yeye Guo , Huang Lili , Connelly Thomas , Li Ling , Huang Alexander , Mitchell Tara C , Fan Yi , June Carl H , Mills Gordon B , Guo Wei , Herlyn Meenhard , Xu Xiaowei
Published: December 2021

Background

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are attractive effector cells for cancer immunotherapy. Vδ2 T cells expanded by zoledronic acid (ZOL) are the most commonly used γδ T cells for adoptive cell therapy. However, adoptive transfer of the expanded Vδ2 T cells has limited clinical efficacy.

Methods

We developed a costimulation method for expansion of Vδ2 T cells in PBMCs by activating γδ T-cell receptor (γδTCR) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 using isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and resiquimod, respectively, and tested the functional markers and antitumoral effects in vitro two-dimensional two-dimensional and three-dimensional spheroid models and in vivo models. Single-cell sequencing dataset analysis and reverse-phase protein array were employed for mechanistic studies.

Results

We find that Vδ2 T cells expanded by IPP plus resiquimod showed significantly increased cytotoxicity to tumor cells with lower programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression than Vδ2 T cells expanded by IPP or ZOL. Mechanistically, the costimulation enhanced the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)–protein kinase B (PKB/Akt)–the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and the TLR7/8–MyD88 pathway. Resiquimod stimulated Vδ2 T-cell expansion in both antigen presenting cell dependent and independent manners. In addition, resiquimod decreased the number of adherent inhibitory antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and suppressed the inhibitory function of APCs by decreasing PD-L1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) expression in these cells during in vitro Vδ2 T-cell expansion. Finally, we showed that human Vδ2 T cells can be expanded from PBMCs and spleen of humanized NSG mice using IPP plus resiquimod or ZOL, demonstrating that humanized mice are a promising preclinical model for studying human γδ T-cell development and function.

Conclusions

Vδ2 T cells expanded by IPP and resiquimod demonstrate improved anti-tumor function and have the potential to increase the efficacy of γδ T cell-based therapies.
Effect of fluoxetine treatment on neurotoxicity induced by lysolecithin in male rats
Authors: Gholami Elham , Gholami Mohammad Reza , Tavakoli Asadollah , Ahmadi Mahdie , Rezaian Jafar , Alipour Maryam , Chehelcheraghi Farzaneh , Khaksarian Mojtaba
Published: December 2021

Demyelination disorder is an unusual pathologic event, which occurs in the central nervous system (CNS). Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the CNS, and it is the leading cause of disability in young adults. Lysolecithin (LPC) is one of the best toxin-induced demyelination models. In this study, a suitable model is created, and the effect of fluoxetine treatment is examined on this model. In this case, it was assumed that daily fluoxetine treatment had increased the endogenous remyelination in the LPC model. This study was focused on investigating the influence of the fluoxetine dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg per day for 1 and 4 weeks on LPC-induced neurotoxicity in the corpus callosum region. It was performed as a demyelinating model in male Wistar rats. After 3 days, fluoxetine was injected intraperitoneally (5 or 10 mg/kg per day) for 1 and 4 weeks in each group. After completing the treatment course, the corpus callosum was removed to examine the gene expression and histological analysis was performed. The results of the histopathological study of hematoxylin and eosin staining of the corpus callosum showed that in 1 and 4-week treatment groups, fluoxetine has reduced the level of inflammation at the LPC injection site (5 and 10 mg/kg per day). Fluoxetine treatment in the luxol fast blue (LFB) staining of the corpus callosum has been led to an increase in myelination capacity in all doses and times. The results of the genetic study showed that the fluoxetine has significantly reduced the expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor κβ, and induced nitric oxide synthase in comparison with the untreated LPC group. Also, the fluoxetine treatment has enhanced the expression level of the forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) gene in comparison with the untreated group. Fluoxetine has increased the expression level of myelination and neurotrophic genes such as myelin basic protein (MBP), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The outcomes demonstrated that fluoxetine reduces inflammation and strengthens the endogenous myelination in the LPC-induced demyelination model; however, supplementary studies are required for specifying the details of its mechanisms.
Exotic final states in the $$\varphi ^8$$ multi-kink collisions
Authors: Gani Vakhid A. , Moradi Marjaneh Aliakbar , Javidan Kurosh
Published: December 2021

We study final states in the scattering of kinks and antikinks of the $$\varphi ^8$$

φ
8

field-theoretic model. We use the initial conditions in the form of two, three or four static or moving kinks. In the numerical experiments we observe a number of different processes such as emergence of static and moving oscillons, change of the kink’s topological sector, scattering of an oscillon by a kink, production of kink–antikink pairs in oscillon–oscillon collisions. In antikink–kink collisions for asymmetric kinks, we found resonance phenomena – escape windows.
Inspiring Movement — Physical Activity in a Virtual Sea as a Driver for Ecological Awareness
Authors: Strassmann Carolin , Arntz Alexander , Eimler Sabrina C.
Published: December 2021

As environmental pollution continues to expand, new ways for raising awareness for the consequences need to be explored. Virtual reality has emerged as an effective tool for behavioral change. This paper investigates if virtual reality applications controlled through physical activity can support an even stronger effect, because they enhance attention and recall performance by stimulating working memory through motor functions. This was tested in an experimental study ([Formula: see text]) using a virtual reality head-mounted display in combination with the ICAROS fitness device enabling participants to explore either a plastic-polluted or a non-polluted sea. Results indicated that using a regular controller elicits more presence and a more intense Flow experience than the ICAROS condition, which people controlled via their physical activity. Moreover, the plastic-polluted stimulus was more effective in inducing people’s stated tendency to change their attitude than a non-polluted sea.
Dynamical behavior of recurrent neural networks with different external inputs
Authors: Achouri Houssem , Aouiti Chaouki
Published: December 2021

The main aim of this paper is to study the dynamics of a recurrent neural networks with different input currents in terms of asymptotic point. Under certain circumstances, we studied the existence, the uniqueness of bounded solutions and their homoclinic and heteroclinic motions of the considered system with rectangular currents input. Moreover, we studied the unpredictable behavior of the continuous high-order recurrent neural networks and the discrete high-order recurrent neural networks. Our method was primarily based on Banach’s fixed-point theorem, topology of uniform convergence on compact sets and Gronwall inequality. For the demonstration of theoretical results, we give examples and their numerical simulations.
Numerical study of Zika model as a mosquito-borne virus with non-singular fractional derivative
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Zeidan Dia
Published: December 2021

Zika virus infection, which is closely related to dengue, is becoming a global threat to human society. The transmission of the Zika virus from one human to another is spread by bites of Aedes mosquitoes. Recent studies also reveal the fact that the Zika virus can be transmitted by sexual interaction. In this paper, we use the fractional derivative with Mittag–Leffler non-singular kernel to study Zika virus transmission dynamics. This fractional is also known as the Atangana–Baleanu Caputo (ABC) derivative which is employed for the resulting system of ordinary differential equations. We investigate the proposed Zika virus model by using the Legendre spectral method. The model parameters are estimated and validated numerically by investigating the effect of fractional order exponent on various cases such as Susceptible human, infected human, asymptomatic carrier, exposed human, and recovered human. Numerical results obtained with the proposed method have been compared with exact solutions, showing in all parameters a very satisfactory agreement.
Smooth Approximation of Lipschitz Maps and Their Subgradients
Authors: Edalat Abbas
Published: December 2021

We derive new representations for the generalised Jacobian of a locally Lipschitz map between finite dimensional real Euclidean spaces as the lower limit (i.e., limit inferior) of the classical derivative of the map where it exists. The new representations lead to significantly shorter proofs for the basic properties of the subgradient and the generalised Jacobian including the chain rule. We establish that a sequence of locally Lipschitz maps between finite dimensional Euclidean spaces converges to a given locally Lipschitz map in the L-topology—that is, the weakest refinement of the sup norm topology on the space of locally Lipschitz maps that makes the generalised Jacobian a continuous functional—if and only if the limit superior of the sequence of directional derivatives of the maps in a given vector direction coincides with the generalised directional derivative of the given map in that direction, with the convergence to the limit superior being uniform for all unit vectors. We then prove our main result that the subspace of Lipschitz C
∞
maps between finite dimensional Euclidean spaces is dense in the space of Lipschitz maps equipped with the L-topology, and, for a given Lipschitz map, we explicitly construct a sequence of Lipschitz C
∞
maps converging to it in the L-topology, allowing global smooth approximation of a Lipschitz map and its differential properties. As an application, we obtain a short proof of the extension of Green’s theorem to interval-valued vector fields. For infinite dimensions, we show that the subgradient of a Lipschitz map on a Banach space is upper continuous, and, for a given real-valued Lipschitz map on a separable Banach space, we construct a sequence of Gateaux differentiable functions that converges to the map in the sup norm topology such that the limit superior of the directional derivatives in any direction coincides with the generalised directional derivative of the Lipschitz map in that direction.