bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and facilitators to uptake and retention of inner-city ethnically diverse women in a postnatal weight management intervention: a mixed-methods process evaluation within a feasibility trial in England
Authors: Taylor Cath , Bhavnani Vanita , Zasada Magdalena , Ussher Michael , Bick Debra
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To understand the barriers and facilitators to uptake and retention of postnatal women randomised to a commercial group weight management intervention using the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) behaviour change model.

Design

Concurrent mixed-methods (qualitative dominant) process evaluation nested within a feasibility randomised controlled trial, comprising questionnaires and interviews at 6 and 12 months postbirth.

Setting

One National Health Service maternity unit in an inner city area in the south of England.

Participants

98 postnatal women with body mass indices>25 kg/m2(overweight/obese) at pregnancy commencement.

Intervention

Twelve-week Slimming World (SW) commercial group weight management programme, commencing anytime from 8 to 16 weeks postnatally.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Data regarding uptake and retention from questionnaires and interviews conducted 6 and 12 months postbirth analysed thematically and mapped to the COM-B model.

Results

Barriers to SW uptake mostly concerned opportunity issues (eg, lack of time or childcare support) though some women also lacked motivation, not feeling that weight reduction was a priority, and a few cited capability issues such as lacking confidence. Weight loss aspirations were also a key factor explaining retention, as were social opportunity issues, particularly in relation to factors such as the extent of group identity and relationship with the group consultant; and physical opportunity such as perceived support from and fit with family lifestyle. In addition, barriers relating to beliefs and expectations about the SW programme were identified, including concerns regarding compatibility with breastfeeding and importance of exercise. Women’s understanding of the SW approach, and capability to implement into their lifestyles, appeared related to level of attendance (dose–response effect).

Conclusions

Uptake and retention in commercial weight management programmes may be enhanced by applying behaviour change techniques to address the barriers impacting on women’s perceived capability, motivation and opportunity to participate.

Trial registration number

NCT39186148.
Evaluation of the For Our Children’s Sake intervention, parental support in prison to influence positive parenting: study protocol for a controlled trial
Authors: Norman Asa , Enebrink Pia
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Children of incarcerated parents comprise a greatly disadvantaged group in society and positive parenting constitutes an important factor for children’s healthy development. Internationally developed parenting interventions for incarcerated parents suggest an impact on parenting outcomes, but no such evaluation has been undertaken in Sweden.

This study aims to investigate the effects of the parenting programme currently offered in prisons in Sweden, For Our Children’s Sake (FOCS), through a controlled trial with a parallel implementation process evaluation.

Methods and analysis

The effectiveness trial is carried out as a non-blinded controlled trial with a parallel investigation of the implementation process using mixed methods. Participants comprise incarcerated parents (men and women) in Swedish prisons with a target sample size of 76 parents. Eligible parents have a child aged 0 to 18 years, no prohibition to contact or committed a crime against the child, or a violent crime against the other parent. The FOCS intervention is carried out in group format over 10 weeks. The primary outcome is closeness in parent-child relationship measured with the Child Parent Relationship Scale. Secondary outcomes comprise parent-child contact, parental criminal attitude and interest in other treatment programmes. Mediators comprise attitude to parenting, and self-efficacy. Outcome data are self-reported and collected over four time points: baseline (September to December 2019), mid and after intervention, and at 3 months follow-up. Implementation data is collected during and after intervention. Intervention fidelity is monitored through audio recordings, dose is registered per participant, reach comprise included versus eligible number of parents and acceptability is investigated through semi-structured interviews. Factors influencing implementation will be investigated using a questionnaire.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical permission has been obtained by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority 2019–04227. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at scientific conferences and presented to participants in writing.

Trial registration number

NCT04101799.
Adaptability to acute stress among women survivors of intimate partner violence: protocol for a mixed-methods cross-sectional study in a laboratory setting (BRAW study)
Authors: Goldberg Ximena , Espelt Carme , Palao Diego , Nadal Roser , Armario Antonio
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common and alarming form of violence against women, affecting around 30% of all women around the world. Using an integrative methodology, we approach IPV as a form of chronic exposure to severe stress that alters the stress-response system of exposed women. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that sustained exposure to IPV in women confers a vulnerability-to-stress profile characterised by higher neuroendocrine and behavioural responsiveness associated with a selective attentional processing bias towards threat.

Methods and analysis

Women between 21 and 50 years old from the area of Barcelona (Spain) will be invited to participate. A sample of 82 women exposed to IPV and 41 women not exposed to IPV will be included and assessed for attentional bias and response to acute stress in a laboratory condition (the Trier Social Stress Task). The study will include quantitative and qualitative measures of cognitive performance, neuroendocrine activity and face-to-face interviews to obtain an integrative description of the stress-response profile of these women. Results are expected to help build resilience strategies with a long-lasting impression on women’s healthy functioning.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has obtained the approval of the local Ethics Committee (‘Comité de Ética de Investigación Parc Taulí de Sabadell’; 2 018 551 V.1.2 June 2018). Besides the communication of results in peer-reviewed papers and scientific congresses, the project will inform guidelines and recommendations through policy-dialogues and workshops with relevant regional and national representatives for future work and prevention strategies. Participants will be invited to be an active part in the dissemination strategy focussed on raising awareness of coping limitations and abilities that women themselves will be able to identify throughout the study.

Trial registration details

The study has been registered at the ClinicalTrails.gov database (Identifier number:NCT03623555).
Impact of a two-way short message service (SMS) to support maternally administered childhood mid-upper arm circumference monitoring and expand malnutrition screening in Kenya: the Mama Aweza trial protocol
Authors: Tickell Kirkby D , Diakhate Mareme M , Goodman Jeanne L , Unger Jennifer A , Richardson Barbra A , Rubin Means Arianna , Ronen Keshet , Levin Carol , Choo Esther M , Achieng Catherine , Masheti Mary , Singa Benson O , McGrath Christine J
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Over 52 million children under 5 years of age become wasted each year, but only 17% of these children receive treatment. Novel methods to identify and deliver treatment to malnourished children are necessary to achieve the sustainable development goals target for child health. Mobile health (mHealth) programmes may provide an opportunity to rapidly identify malnourished children in the community and link them to care.

Methods and analysis

This randomised controlled trial will recruit 1200 children aged 6–12 months at routine vaccine appointments in Migori and Homa Bay Counties, Kenya. Caregiver–infant dyads will be randomised to either a maternally administered malnutrition monitoring system (MAMMS) or standard of care (SOC). Study staff will train all caregivers to measure their child’s mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Caregivers in the MAMMS arm will be given two colour coded and graduated insertion MUAC tapes and be enrolled in a mHealth system that sends weekly short message service (SMS) messages prompting caregivers to measure and report their child’s MUAC by SMS. Caregivers in the SOC arm will receive routine monitoring by community health volunteers coupled with a quarterly visit from study staff to ensure adequate screening coverage. The primary outcome is identification of childhood malnutrition, defined as MUAC <12.5 cm, in the MAMMS arm compared with the SOC arm. Secondary outcomes will assess the accuracy of maternal versus health worker MUAC measurements and determinants of acute malnutrition among children 6–18 months of age. Finally, we will explore the acceptability, fidelity and feasibility of implementing the MAMMS within existing nutrition programmes.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by review boards at the University of Washington and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. A data and safety monitoring board has been convened, and the results of the trial will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presented at appropriate conferences and to key stakeholders.

Trial registration number

NCT03967015.
Protocol of a natural experiment to evaluate a supermarket intervention to improve food purchasing and dietary behaviours of women (WRAPPED study) in England: a prospective matched controlled cluster design
Authors: Vogel Christina , Crozier Sarah , Dhuria Preeti , Shand Calum , Lawrence Wendy , Cade Janet , Moon Graham , Lord Joanne , Ball Kylie , Cooper Cyrus , Baird Janis
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Poor diet is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases and costs the National Health Service £5.8 billion annually. Product placement strategies used extensively in food outlets, like supermarkets, can influence customers’ preferences. Policy-makers, including the UK Government, are considering legislation to ensure placement strategies promote healthier food purchasing and dietary habits. High-quality scientific evidence is needed to inform future policy action. This study will assess whether healthier placement strategies in supermarkets improve household purchasing patterns and the diets of more than one household member.

Methods and analyses

This natural experiment, with a prospective matched controlled cluster design, is set in discount supermarkets across England. The primary objective is to investigate whether enhanced placement of fresh fruit and vegetables improves household-level purchasing of these products after 6 months. Secondary objectives will examine: (1) differences in intervention effects on purchasing by level of educational attainment, (2) intervention effects on the dietary quality of women and their young children, (3) intervention effects on store-level sales of fruit and vegetables and (4) cost-effectiveness of the intervention from individual, retailer and societal perspectives. Up to 810 intervention and 810 control participants will be recruited from 18 intervention and 18 matched control stores. Eligible participants will be women aged 18–45 years, who hold a loyalty card and shop in a study store. Each control store will be matched to an intervention store on: (1) sales profile, (2) neighbourhood deprivation and (3) customer profile. A detailed process evaluation will assess intervention implementation, mechanisms of impact and, social and environmental contexts.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (ID 20986.A5). Primary, secondary and process evaluation results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and shared with policy-makers.

Trial registration number

NCT03573973.
Trial Of Neurostimulation In Conversion Symptoms (TONICS): a feasibility randomised controlled trial of transcranial magnetic stimulation for functional limb weakness
Authors: Pick Susannah , Hodsoll John , Stanton Biba , Eskander Amy , Stavropoulos Ioannis , Samra Kiran , Bottini Julia , Ahmad Hena , David Anthony S , Purves Alistair , Nicholson Timothy R
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used therapeutically for functional (conversion) motor symptoms but there is limited evidence for its efficacy and the optimal protocol. We examined the feasibility of a novel randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocol of TMS to treat functional limb weakness.

Design

A double-blind (patient, outcome assessor) two parallel-arm, controlled RCT.

Setting

Specialist neurology and neuropsychiatry services at a large National Health Service Foundation Trust in London, UK.

Participants

Patients with a diagnosis of functional limb weakness (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition). Exclusion criteria included comorbid neurological or major psychiatric disorder, contraindications to TMS or previous TMS treatment.

Interventions

Patients were randomised to receive either active (single-pulse TMS to primary motor cortex (M1) above resting motor threshold) or inactive treatment (single-pulse TMS to M1 below resting motor threshold). Both groups received two TMS sessions, 4 weeks apart.

Outcome measures

We assessed recruitment, randomisation and retention rates. The primary outcome was patient-rated symptom change (Clinical Global Impression–Improvement scale, CGI-I). Secondary outcomes included clinician-rated symptom change, psychosocial functioning and disability. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, both TMS visits and at 3-month follow-up.

Results

Twenty-two patients were recruited and 21 (96%) were successfully randomised (active=10; inactive=11). Nineteen (91%) patients were included at follow-up (active=9; inactive=10). Completion rates for most outcomes were good (80%–100%). Most patients were satisfied/very satisfied with the trial in both groups, although ratings were higher in the inactive arm (active=60%, inactive=92%). Adverse events were not more common for the active treatment. Treatment effect sizes for patient-rated CGI-I scores were small-moderate (Cliff’s delta=−0.1–0.3, CIs−0.79 to 0.28), reflecting a more positive outcome for the active treatment (67% and 44% of active arm-rated symptoms as ‘much improved’ at session 2 and follow-up, respectively, vs 20% inactive group). Effect sizes for secondary outcomes were variable.

Conclusions

Our protocol is feasible. The findings suggest that supramotor threshold TMS of M1 is safe, acceptable and potentially beneficial as a treatment for functional limb weakness. A larger RCT is warranted.

Trial registration number

NCT51225587.
Rationale and design of a randomised controlled trial testing the effect of personalised diet in individuals with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with metformin
Authors: Htet Thaw D , Godneva Anastasia , Liu Zhixin , Chalmers Eliza , Kolobkov Dmitry , Snaith Jennifer R , Richens Renee , Toth Krisztina , Danta Mark , Hng Tien-Ming , Elinav Eran , Segal Eran , Greenfield Jerry R , Samocha-Bonet Dorit
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Metformin and diets aimed at promoting healthy body weight are the first line in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Clinical practice, backed by clinical trials, suggests that many individuals do not reach glycaemic targets using this approach alone. The primary aim of the Personalised Medicine in Pre-diabetes—Towards Preventing Diabetes in Individuals at Risk (PREDICT) Study is to test the efficacy of personalised diet as adjuvant to metformin in improving glycaemic control in individuals with dysglycaemia.

Methods and analysis

PREDICT is a two-arm, parallel group, single-masked randomised controlled trial in adults with pre-diabetes or early-stage T2DM (with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) up to 8.0% (64 mmol/mol)), not treated with glucose-lowering medication. PREDICT is conducted at the Clinical Research Facility at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Sydney). Enrolment of participants commenced in December 2018 and expected to complete in December 2021. Participants are commenced on metformin (Extended Release, titrated to a target dose of 1500 mg/day) and randomised with equal allocation to either (1) the Personalised Nutrition Project algorithm-based diet or (2) low-fat high-dietary fibre diet, designed to provide caloric restriction (75%) in individuals with body mass index >25 kg/m2. Treatment duration is 6 months and participants visit the Clinical Research Facility five times over approximately 7 months. The primary outcome measure is HbA1c. The secondary outcomes are (1) time of interstitial glucose <7.8 mmol/L and (2) glycaemic variability (continuous glucose monitoring), (3) body weight, (4) fat mass and (5) abdominal visceral fat volume (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), serum (6) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (7) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and (8) triglycerides concentrations, (9) blood pressure, and (10) liver fat (Fibroscan).

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the St Vincent’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (File 17/080, Sydney, Australia) and the Weizmann Institutional Review Board (File 528-3, Rehovot, Israel). The findings will be published in peer-reviewed open access medical journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03558867.
Randomised controlled trial of tailored support to increase physical activity and reduce smoking in smokers not immediately ready to quit: protocol for the Trial of physical Activity-assisted Reduction of Smoking (TARS) Study
Authors: Taylor Adrian , Thompson Tom P , Ussher Michael , Aveyard Paul , Murray Rachael L , Harris Tess , Creanor Siobhan , Green Colin , Streeter Adam Justin , Chynoweth Jade , Ingram Wendy , Greaves Colin J , Hancocks Helen , Snowsill Tristan , Callaghan Lynne , Price Lisa , Horrell Jane , King Jennie , Gude Alex , George Mary , Wahlich Charlotte , Hamilton Louisa , Cheema Kelisha , Campbell Sarah , Preece Dan
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Smoking reduction can lead to increased success in quitting. This study aims to determine if a client-focused motivational support package for smoking reduction (and quitting) and increasing (or otherwise using) physical activity (PA) can help smokers who do not wish to quit immediately to reduce the amount they smoke, and ultimately quit. This paper reports the study design and methods.

Methods and analysis

A pragmatic, multicentred, parallel, two group, randomised controlled superiority clinical trial, with embedded process evaluation and economics evaluation. Participants who wished to reduce smoking with no immediate plans to quit were randomised 1:1 to receive either (1) tailored individual health trainer face-to-face and/or telephone support to reduce smoking and increase PA as an aid to smoking reduction (intervention) or (2) brief written/electronic advice to reduce or quit smoking (control). Participants in both arms of the trial were also signposted to usual local support for smoking reduction and quitting. The primary outcome measure is 6-month carbon monoxide-confirmed floating prolonged abstinence following participant self-reported quitting on a mailed questionnaire at 3 and 9 months post-baseline. Participants confirmed as abstinent at 9 months will be followed up at 15 months.

Ethics and dissemination

Approved by SW Bristol National Health Service Research Committee (17/SW/0223). Dissemination will include publication of findings for the stated outcomes, parallel process evaluation and economic evaluation in peer-reviewed journals. Results will be disseminated to trial participants and healthcare providers.

Trial registration number

NCT47776579.
Study protocol for a pilot trial analysing the usability, validity and safety of an interventional health app programme for the structured prehabilitation of patients before major surgical interventions: the PROTEGO MAXIMA trial
Authors: Faqar-Uz-Zaman Sara Fatima , Sliwinski Svenja , Detemble Charlotte , Filmann Natalie , Zmuc Dora , Mohr Lisa , Dreilich Julia , Bechstein Wolf O , Fleckenstein Johannes , Schnitzbauer Andreas A
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Major surgery is associated with a high risk for postoperative complications, leading to an increase in mortality and morbidity, particularly in frail patients with a reduced cardiopulmonary reserve. Prehabilitation, including aerobic exercise training, aims to improve patients’ physical fitness before major surgery and reduce postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and costs. The purpose of the study is to assess the usability, validity and safety of an app-based endurance exercise software in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation using wrist-worn wearables to measure heart rate (HR) and distance.

Methods and analysis

The PROTEGO MAXIMA trial is a prospective, interventional study with patients undergoing major elective surgery, comprising three tasks. Tasks I and II aim to assess the usability of the app, using evaluation questionnaires and usability scenarios. In Task IIIa, patients will undergo a structured risk assessment by the Patronus App, which will be correlated with the occurrence of postoperative complications after 90 days (non-interventional). In Task IIIb, healthy students and patients will perform a supervised 6 min walking test and a 37 min interval training on a treadmill based on HR reserve, wearing standard ECG limb leads and two smartwatches, which will be driven by the test software. The aim of this task is to assess the accuracy of HR measurement by the wearables and the safety, using specific alarm settings of the devices and lab testing of the participants (interventional).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of the University Hospital of Frankfurt and by the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products (BfArM, reference number 94.1.04-5660-13655) on 7 February 2022. The results from this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and reported at suitable national and international meetings.

Trial registration numbers

European Database on Medical Devices (CIV-21-07-037311) and German Clinical Trial Registry (DRKS00026985).
Joint Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE)–Asian Pacific Society of Digestive Endoscopy (APSDE) clinical practice guidelines on the use of non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia
Authors: Chan Francis K L , Wong Martin C S , Chan Andrew T , East James E , Chiu Han-Mo , Makharia Govind K , Weller David , Ooi Choon Jin , Limsrivilai Julajak , Saito Yutaka , Hang Dao V , Emery Jon D , Makmun Dadang , Wu Kaichun , Ali Raja Affendi Raja , Ng Siew C
Published: April 2023

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is effective in reducing CRC related mortality. Current screening methods include endoscopy based and biomarker based approaches. This guideline is a joint official statement of the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) and the Asian Pacific Society of Digestive Endoscopy (APSDE), developed in response to the increasing use of, and accumulating supportive evidence for the role of, non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of CRC and its precursor lesions. A systematic review of 678 publications and a two stage Delphi consensus process involving 16 clinicians in various disciplines was undertaken to develop 32 evidence based and expert opinion based recommendations for the use of faecal immunochemical tests, faecal based tumour biomarkers or microbial biomarkers, and blood based tumour biomarkers for the detection of CRC and adenoma. Comprehensive up-to-date guidance is provided on indications, patient selection and strengths and limitations of each screening tool. Future research to inform clinical applications are discussed alongside objective measurement of research priorities. This joint APAGE–APSDE practice guideline is intended to provide an up-to-date guide to assist clinicians worldwide in utilising non-invasive biomarkers for CRC screening; it has particular salience for clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aerobic adaptations following two iso-effort training programs: an intense continuous and a high-intensity interval
Authors: Myrkos Aristides , Smilios Ilias , Zafeiridis Andreas , Kokkinou Maria-Eleni , Tzoumanis Apostolos , Douda Helen
Published: April 2023

The intensity of the training stimulus and the effort exerted (regarded as an index of internal load) to complete an exercise session are driving forces for physiological processes and long-term training adaptations. This study compared the aerobic adaptations following two iso-effort, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)-based training programs, an intense continuous (CON) and a high-intensity interval (INT). Young adults were assigned to a CON ( n = 11) or an INT ( n = 13) training group to perform 14 training sessions within 6 weeks. The INT group performed running bouts (9.3 ± 4.4 repetitions) at 90% of peak treadmill velocity (PTV) with bout duration equal to 1/4 of time to exhaustion at this speed (134.2 ± 27.9 s). The CONT group ran (1185.0 ± 487.6 s) at a speed corresponding to −2.5% of critical velocity (CV; 80.1% ± 3.0% of PTV). Training-sessions were executed until RPE attained 17 on the Borg scale. VO2max, PTV, CV, lactate threshold velocity (vLT), and running economy were assessed pre-, mid-, and post-training. Both CONT and INT methods increased ( p < 0.05) VO2max (INT: 57.7 ± 8.1–61.41 ± 9.2; CONT: 58.1 ± 7.5–61.1 ± 6.3 mL kg−1 min−1), PTV (INT: 14.6 ± 1.8–15.7 ± 2.1; CONT: 15.0 ± 1.7–15.7 ± 1.8 km h−1), CV (INT: 11.8 ± 1.4–12.8 ± 1.8; CONT: 12.2 ± 1.6–12.9 ± 1.7 km h−1), and vLT (INT: 9.77 ± 1.1–10.8 ± 1.4; CONT: 10.4 ± 1.4–11.0 ± 1.8 km h−1) with no differences ( p > 0.05) between them; running economy remained unchanged. The continuous training method, when matched for effort and executed at relatively high intensity at the upper boundaries of the heavy-intensity domain (∼80% of PTV), confers comparable aerobic adaptations to those attained after a high-intensity interval protocol following a short-term training period.
Revisiting the coupling reaction between 4-aminoantipyrine and phenols: a potential one-pot reaction pathway to 4,11- and 5,12-naphthoxazepine isomers
Authors: Otim Ochan
Published: April 2023

A while ago, this journal ( Canadian Journal of Chemistry) published a set of seminal studies that revealed the underlying mechanism supporting the widely used 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP)-based analytical technique for detecting phenols at low levels in domestic water supplies. The current paper revisits these studies, but with a primary focus on an aspect of the mechanism that synthesizes a 6- and a 7-membered heterocyclic ring containing both N and O in a single step. Here we report a rather unusual outcome of this aspect in which, while the same naphthoquinonimide product is produced in the oxidative coupling of 4-AAP to 1-naphthol in aqueous solution and in the condensation of 4-AAP with 1,4-naphthoquinone in chloroform, a similar pair of reactions with 2-naphthol and 1,2-naphthoquinone produces two oxazepine isomers instead. In one isomer, the 4-AAP/naphthol C–N and C–O linkages are at positions 1 and 2 of the naphthyl ring, respectively; in the other isomer, these linkages are at positions 2 and 1, respectively. This unexpected difference in a one-pot reaction at ambient temperature is potentially the flexibility needed to synthesize families of pharmaceutically relevant oxazepines. Spectroscopic features useful for identifying 12 heterocyclic compounds synthesized here, nine of which are new, are also provided.
Synthesis, anticancer evaluation, and molecular docking study of some arylidenehydrazono analogues
Authors: Soliman Mohamed H.A. , Mahmoud Nashwa M. , Mohamed Aml B. , Khaled Howayda E.
Published: April 2023

A series of 2-(arylidenehydrazono)-5-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)thiazolidin-4-one derivatives was synthesized, characterized by spectral analyses and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activity. The IC50 determination of compounds was investigated on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Among the series, compounds 3, 6, 10, 16, 17, and 24 showed remarkable anticancer activity with mean IC50 values 2.34, 0.73, 2.69, 3.40, 1.18, and 1.76 µg/mL, respectively, against MCF-7 cancer cells. Compound 16 enhanced the concentration of caspase-9, inhibited the concentration of Ki67 and showed a profound reduction in the amount of MMP9 secreted into the medium of MCF-7-treated cells. Furthermore, compound 16 revealed anti-angiogenic activity through downregulation of the concentration of VEGF in the medium of MCF-7-treated cells. Compound 16 exerted cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 tumor cells via antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and antimetastatic activities. Molecular docking methodology was performed for the most effective anticancer compounds to rationalize the possible interactions with active site of VEGFR-2 enzyme.
Investigating the Rydberg states and photodissociation dynamics of Kr2using velocity map imaging
Authors: Stienstra Cailum M.K. , Coughlan Neville J.A. , Haack Alexander , Carr Patrick J.J. , Crouse Jeff , Featherstone Joshua , Hopkins W. Scott
Published: April 2023

Although the krypton dimer, Kr2, is a prototypical weakly bound van der Waals complex in its ground electronic state, the excited states of Kr2exhibit many and various interactions. Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and velocity map imaging provide an avenue to explore the electronic structure and photofragmentation dynamics of Kr2in the vacuum ultraviolet region. By monitoring photofragmentation product channels and recoil anisotropy distributions, one can gain insights into excited state symmetries and lifetimes, which can aid in interpreting spectroscopy. Here, we study the spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics of Kr2in the 91 000–94 500 cm−1region. We record and assign photofragment product channels for 32 vibronic bands corresponding to seven electronic transitions. We also identify two previously unobserved vibronic band systems, which we assign as the Kr2 5p [5/2]3 [Formula: see text] and 5p [3/2]2[Formula: see text] transitions. Velocity map images show photofragments arising from predissociation of the neutral Rydberg states and from dissociative photoionization at the n > 2 photon level. We also observe variation in branching ratios between the predissociative and dissociative photoionization channels depending on the lifetime of the intermediate; longer lived states favour higher dissociative photoionization yields and exhibit β6anisotropy parameters for predissociation product channels, indicating “rotational smearing” of the product angular distributions.
When is a pyridine not a pyridine? Benzannulated N-heterocyclic ligands in molecular materials chemistry
Authors: Herbert David E.
Published: April 2023

The C═N bond is a critical structural piece of many N-donor ligand scaffolds and is central to the properties and reactivity of important coordination complexes. For example, C═N units play a key role in the “redox non-innocence” of α-diimine complexes and in making charge-transfer excited-state character available to complexes of N-heterocyclic ligands such as bipyridine. In N-heterocycles like pyridine, benzannulation can be used to extend the conjugated C═N-containing π-system to quinoline (2,3-benzopyridine) to acridine (2,3-benzoquinoline). This stabilizes the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the molecule and boosts its electron-accepting properties, but the position of the benzannulation matters. For example, phenanthridine (3,4-benzoquinoline), an asymmetric isomer of acridine, bears a similarly electronically accessible extended π-system but with a more chemically isolated “imine-like” C═N moiety. This award paper presents an overview of our work investigating the impact of such site-selective benzannulation on the chemistry and properties of phenanthridine as a molecule and ligand.
Weaving Indigenous and Western ways of knowing in ecotoxicology and wildlife health: a review of Canadian studies
Authors: Johnson Lydia R. , Wilcox Alana A. E. , Alexander Steven M. , Bowles Ella , Castleden Heather , Henri Dominique A. , Herc Chris , King Lucas , Provencher Jennifer F. , Orihel Diane M.
Published: April 2023

Western-trained, non-Indigenous researchers in Canada have an ethical responsibility to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and to re-envision the scientific research process through the lens of reconciliation. The health of the natural environment has long been a concern to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples, and weaving different ways of knowing could provide a path forward to address critical wildlife health concerns. Here, we conducted a review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature that claims to weave Indigenous and Western ways of knowing in ecotoxicology and wildlife health in Canada, coding for background information, wildlife health stressors, research methods, Indigenous participation, and research outcomes. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were published since 2015 and took place in Canada’s North. Research collaborations were often between First Nations or Inuit knowledge holders (most frequently, active harvesters and Elders) and Western-trained, non-Indigenous academics. Most studies were initiated by mutual agreement between community partners and researchers, but no study was “Indigenous-led” at any stage of research. Studies investigated environmental contaminants and health-related topics in a range of wildlife, usually traditional subsistence species. The most commonly studied disease was avian cholera, and the most studied class of toxicants was metals and trace elements. Indigenous knowledge was primarily collected via interviews. Studies often used multiple methodologies to braid or weave knowledge, but the most frequently used methodology was community-based participatory research. To provide a more holistic understanding of the process of weaving knowledge, we conducted an in-depth examination, applying a decolonizing lens, of two exemplar cases of collaborative research with Indigenous communities. This exploration led to the conclusion that research that weaves ways of knowing must not be approached with a “one-size-fits-all” mindset, but instead should emphasize relationship building, continuous engagement, and ethical practices. By adopting such practices, Western-trained, non-Indigenous academics can better address critical wildlife health concerns while contributing meaningfully to advancing healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Transfer Learning-based Drowsiness Detection System for Driver Assistance and Classification of Traffic Signs Employing a Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Deshpande Abhinav V. , Subashini M. Monica
Published: April 2023

In this research paper, a comparative analysis of various image enhancements in the spatial domain techniques was performed based on three-dimensional image quality statistics such as mean squared error (MSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity for measuring the image quality (SSIM). The conditions for choosing the best method are low mean square error (MSE) and high peak signal-to-noise ratio as well as the structural similarity for measuring the image quality. The pre-processed image was subjected to a classification task using a stepwise version of pre-trained deep convolutional neural networks. The problem of driver drowsiness caused by fatigue, lack of sleep, medication, etc. will have to be solved by improving the efficiency of driver drowsiness detection. Many traffic accidents are largely caused by drowsy drivers. Driver fatigue and distraction can cause a lack of alertness, which can lead to driver inattention. In this paper, we proposed a new deep-learning technique for driver drowsiness detection. Two methods using convolutional deep neural network and GoogleNet transfer learning are compared to achieve a better accuracy of 99%.
FTN–VQA: MULTIMODAL REASONING BY LEVERAGING A FULLY TRANSFORMER-BASED NETWORK FOR VISUAL QUESTION ANSWERING
Authors: WANG RUNMIN , XU WEIXIANG , ZHU YANBIN , ZHU ZHENLIN , CHEN HUA , DING YAJUN , LIU JINPING , GAO CHANGXIN , SANG NONG
Published: April 2023

Visual Question Answering (VQA) is a multimodal task, which requires understanding the information in the natural language questions and paying attention to the useful information in the images. So far, the solution of VQA tasks can be divided into grid-based methods and bottom-up-based methods. The grid-based method directly extracts the semantic features of the image by leveraging the convolution neural network (CNN), so it has a praiseworthy computational efficiency, but the global convolution feature ignores the information of the key area and causes the performance bottleneck. The bottom-up-based method needs to detect potentially problem-related objects by using some object detection frameworks, e.g. Faster RCNN, so it has better performance, but the computational efficiency is reduced due to the computation of Region Proposal Network (RPN) and Non-Maximum Suppression (NMS). Based on the aforementioned reasons, we propose a fully transformer-based network (FTN) that can maintain a balance between computational efficiency and accuracy, which can be trained end-to-end and consists of three components: question module, image module, and fusion module. Meanwhile, the image module and the question module are visualized to explore the operating rules of the transformer. The experiment results demonstrate that the FTN can focus on key information and objects in the question module and the image module, and our single model has reached 69.01% accuracy on the VQA2.0 dataset, which is superior to the grid-based methods. Although FTN fails to surpass a few state-of-the-art bottom-up-based methods, the FTN has obvious advantages in computational efficiency. The code will be released at https://github.com/weixiang-xu/FTN-VQA.git.
AN EFFICIENT HYBRID METHOD TO PREDICT WIND SPEED BASED ON LINEAR REGRESSION AND VMD
Authors: YANG YIMEI , LIU JINPING , YANG YUJUN , XIAO JIANHUA , ALKHATEEB ABDULHAMEED F.
Published: April 2023

To effectively improve the power dispatching, the prediction accuracy of wind power has been the concern of many scholars for many years. The wind power prediction problem is actually equivalent to the wind speed prediction problem. Based on linear regression (LR) and variational mode decomposition (VMD), in this paper, we proposed an efficient hybrid method to predict wind speed. In the proposed method, the VMD is used to decompose the signal of wind speed into several sub-signal. Compared with the original wind-speed series, each sub-signal is a more stable subsequence signal. Then, we used the LR method to predict each subsequence signal. Eventually, we obtain the final prediction results of the original wind speed series merged the forecasting values of all subsequences signal. We selected two data to test our proposed method in our experiment. Compared with several comparison methods, we found that our proposed methods has better prediction performance than other methods from the experimental results.
A DISCRETE MEMRISTOR COUPLED TWO-DIMENSIONAL GENERALIZED SQUARE HYPERCHAOTIC MAPS
Authors: MA YANJIE , MOU JUN , LU JINSHI , BANERJEE SANTO , CAO YINGHONG
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a new discrete chaotic map is constructed by introducing a discrete memristor in two-dimensional generalized square maps to enhance its chaotic performance. First, the fixed points of the new maps are analyzed, and the effects of different parameters on the system performance are investigated by bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponential spectra and phase diagrams. Second, the fixed points of the new maps are analyzed, and the effects of different parameters on the system performance are investigated by bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponential spectra and phase diagrams. The distinctive characteristic of a discrete system is the coexistence of various types of attractors, and there is coexistence of hyperchaos and cycles in the present maps. It is worth mentioning that symmetric chaotic attractors with different positive and negative parameters are found during the study. In addition, the phenomenon of state transition between chaos and cycles is also found. Finally, the discrete maps are designed and implemented using a DSP platform. The results of the study provide a reference for the application of discrete amnesic chaotic maps.
FAULT DETECTION OF WIND TURBINE PITCH CONNECTION BOLTS BASED ON TSDAS-SMOTE WITH XGBOOST
Authors: TANG MINGZHU , MENG CAIHUA , LI LANG , WU HUAWEI , WANG YANG , HE JUNBIN , HUANG YUJIE , YU YU , ALASSAFI MADINI O. , ALSAADI FAWAZ E. , AHMAD ADIL M. , XIONG FUQIANG
Published: April 2023

For the problem of class-imbalance in the operation monitoring data of wind turbine (WT) pitch connecting bolts, an improved Borderline-SMOTE oversampling method based on “two-step decision” with adaptive selection of synthetic instances (TSDAS-SMOTE) is proposed. Then, TSDAS-SMOTE is combined with XGBoost to construct a WT pitch connection bolt fault detection model. TSDAS-SMOTE generates new samples by “two-step decision making” to avoid the problem of class–class boundary blurring that Borderline-SMOTE tends to cause when oversampling. First, the nearest neighbor sample characteristics are perceived by the fault class samples in the first decision step. If the characteristics of this fault class sample are different from the characteristics of all its nearest neighbor samples, the fault class sample is identified as interference and filtered. Second, the faulty class samples in the boundary zone are extracted as synthetic instances to generate new samples adaptively. Finally, the normal class samples in the boundary zone are used to perceive the unqualified new generated samples in the boundary zone based on the minimum Euclidean distance characteristics, and these unqualified samples are eliminated. For the second step of decision making, since the first step decision removes some of the newly generated samples, the remaining fault class samples without interference samples and boundary zone samples are used as synthetic instances to continue adaptively generating new samples. Thus, a balanced data set with clear class–class boundary zone is obtained, which is then used to train a WT pitch connection bolt fault detection model based on the XGBoost algorithm. The experimental results show that compared with six popular oversampling methods such as Borderline-SMOTE, Cluster-SMOTE, [Formula: see text]-means-SMOTE, etc., the fault detection model constructed by the proposed oversampling method is better than the compared fault detection models in terms of missed alarm rate (MAR) and false alarm rate (FAR). Therefore, it can well achieve the fault detection of large WT pitch connection bolts.
A New Information Management Model for Measuring the Institutional Performance
Authors: Al-Hemyari Zuhair A. , Al-Sarmi Abdullah M.
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this paper is to develop a Knowledge Management (KM) model in order to investigate and monitor the performance of HEIs in Oman. In this paper, a KM model of five KM components based on the relative performance factor and a critical set of 22 indicators from an original set of 180 indicators are proposed and outlined; in terms of the use of the KM categories and selected indicators, the performance of 30 Higher Education Institutions was measured and studied. In this paper, the literature and related approaches were studied. A KM model which is based on the five main components of KM, relative performance factor, indicators, weights, and data collection was proposed. Three types of data were collected from institutions to calculate the indicators/the relative performance factor, and several tests were carried out. In addition, the conceptualisation and operationalisation processes of the model are discussed. The proposed KM model was implemented in all the private institutions and the obtained results show the applicability and accuracy of the technique, and the proposed technique was compared with the classical approach. The results of the proposed approach have been tested and analysed comprehensively: these results of the statistical tests of the aforementioned proposed approach show a high level of accuracy of the results, and that the results of institutions differ significantly one from another, and also that the differences between institutions are not due to any random factor. The discussion of the numerical results shows that the performance of HEIs was placed in three categories. The findings of the paper highlight the performance of HEIs and they give significant evidence to individual HEIs and to the stakeholders so as to allow them to act on the findings and distinguish between them in terms of the actual performance.
Hydro-Economic Modeling of Water Resources Management Challenges: Current Applications and Future Directions
Authors: Ortiz-Partida J. Pablo , Fernandez-Bou Angel Santiago , Maskey Mahesh , Rodríguez-Flores José M. , Medellín-Azuara Josué , Sandoval-Solis Samuel , Ermolieva Tatiana , Kanavas Zoe , Sahu Reetik Kumar , Wada Yoshihide , Kahil Taher
Published: April 2023

Hydro-economic modeling (HEM) addresses research and policy questions from socioeconomic and biophysical perspectives under a broad range of water-related topics. Applications of HEM include economic evaluations of existing and new water projects, alternative water management actions or policies, risk assessments from hydro-climatic uncertainty (e.g., climate change), and the costs and benefits of mitigation and/or adaptation to such events. This paper reviews applications of HEM in five different categories: (1) climate change impacts and adaptation, (2) water–food–energy–ecosystems nexus management, (3) capability to link to other models, (4) innovative water management options, and (5) the ability to address and integrate uncertainty. We find that (i) the increasing complexity and heterogeneity of water resource management problems due to the growing demand and competition for water across economic sectors, (ii) limited availability and high costs of developing additional supplies, and (iii) emerging recognition and consideration of environmental water demands and value, have inspired new integrated hydro-economic problems and models to address issues of water–food–energy nexus sustainability, resilience, reliability through water (re)allocation based on the relative “value” of water uses. In the past decade, the field of HEM has improved the integration of ecosystem needs, but their representation is still insufficient and mostly ineffective. HEM studies address how to sustainably manage water resources, including groundwater which has become an area of particular interest in climate change adaptation. The current most used spatial and temporal resolutions (basin-scale and yearly time-step) are appropriate for planning but not for operational decisions and could be underestimating impacts from extreme events (e.g., flood risk) captured only by sub-monthly time scales. In addition, HEM primarily focuses on biophysical and economic indicators but often overlooks preferences and perspectives of stakeholders. Lastly, HEM has been widely used to analyze transboundary cooperation, showing benefits for increasing water security and economic development, particularly as climate change develops. We conclude that the field of HEM would benefit from developing more operational models and enhancing the integration of commonly neglected variables, such as social equity components, ecosystem requirements, and water quality.