bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Is Quality of mHealth Interventions for Cancer Survivors Defined and Described? An Umbrella Review
Authors: Tune Timothy , Goh Shaun , Williams Patricia A.H. , Koczwara Bogda
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Although there are commonly accepted criteria of what defines quality of health care including cancer care, less is known about what defines quality of mHealth interventions in health care. The aim of this review was to identify how quality of mHealth interventions for cancer survivors is described and measured.

METHODS

CINAHL, EmCare, JBI, Medline, SCOPUS, and ProQuest databases from January 2008 to January 2020 were searched. Review papers with search terms related to mobile devices, quality, and cancer relevant to adults with cancer were included. Interventions needed to consist of mHealth technologies, such as mobile applications or short message service, or wearable devices. Title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Reviews were evaluated for coverage of quality according to six metrics defined by the Institute of Medicine: patient-centeredness, equitability, safety, effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency. Any additional quality items were recorded. A Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) was used to rate the quality of the reviews included.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 766 papers with seven systematic reviews meeting the eligibility criteria. Four papers were of AMSTAR moderate quality, with three of low quality. The median number of quality metrics reported in a review was two (the range was 1-4). Efficacy and safety and timeliness and efficiency were most reported (n = 4), followed by usability (n = 3), equitability and access (n = 2), privacy and security (n = 2), and patient-centeredness (n = 2).

CONCLUSION

There is great variability in how quality of mHealth interventions is defined with no reviews addressing all quality metrics. A comprehensive approach to measure quality of mHealth interventions is needed.
Moving Toward a Cure for Myeloma
Authors: Mateos María-Victoria , Nooka Ajay K. , Larson Sarah M.
Published: May 2022

Historically, multiple myeloma has been considered an incurable disease, mainly because of its recurrence after transient control. However, the landscape of multiple myeloma therapeutics has significantly changed over the last 2 decades, with disease remissions lasting much longer. The advent of modern-day induction regimens, usage of high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation, and well-tolerated maintenance regimens has resulted in deeper and durable responses, with less frequent disease recurrences, and patients are living much longer. Moreover, the conventional testing for response assessments in multiple myeloma was developed at least 60 years earlier, and there was a clear need for more sensitive diagnostics to test measurable residual disease at deeper levels. Next-generation sequencing and next-generation flow cytometry are highly sensitive techniques that were refined over the last decade and have a sensitivity of 10−5 to 10−6 (1 cell per 100,000/1 million). More recently, immunotherapy strategies—including the cellular therapies—have allowed us to expand our ability to achieve and maintain measurable residual disease negativity even in the refractory setting. These advances have brought us much closer to a cure for multiple myeloma; clearly, it has become more realistically achievable, challenging the dogma of multiple myeloma as an incurable disease.
Personalizing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Early-Stage Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Pistilli Barbara , Lohrisch Caroline , Sheade Jori , Fleming Gini F.
Published: May 2022

Endocrine therapy has undergone major changes in the past few years, and is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” prescription. This article discussed some of the new developments and directions.
Integration of Palliative and Supportive Care Into the Management of Genitourinary Malignancies
Authors: Saraiya Biren , Dale William , Singer Eric A. , Cella David
Published: May 2022

Patients with genitourinary malignancies are typically cared for by a multidisciplinary team of urologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. For the past decade, integration of palliative and supportive care (PSC) into routine oncological care has been advocated by leading oncology organizations. Despite these recommendations, current evidence suggests that integration of PSC for patients with routine genitourinary malignancies is lacking. In this article, we first review the current evidence for integration of palliative care and the data suggesting an unmet need for people with genitourinary malignancies. We then provide a potential framework that examines the needs of these patients. We show an example of a potential opportunity for integration of PSC into routine multidisciplinary oncologic care that can help improve patient care by meeting these unmet patient needs. Finally, we discuss potential opportunities for integration of PSC that can provide an opportunity to understand the mechanism of benefit of PSC for improving patient-centered care.
Physical and Physiological Characterization of Female Elite Warfighters
Authors: MCCLUNG HOLLY L. , SPIERING BARRY A. , BARTLETT P. MATTHEW , WALKER LEILA A. , LAVOIE ELIZABETH M. , SANFORD DIANA P. , FRIEDL KARL E.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

This study characterized a sample of the first women to complete elite United States (US) military training.

Methods

Twelve female graduates of the US Army Ranger Course and one of the first Marine Corps Infantry Officers Course graduates participated in 3 d of laboratory testing including serum endocrine profiles, aerobic capacity, standing broad jump, common soldiering tasks, Army Combat Fitness Test, and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, three-dimensional body surface scans, and anthropometry).

Results

The women were 6 months to 4 yr postcourse graduation, 30 ± 6 yr (mean ± SD); height, 1.67 ± 0.07 m; body mass, 69.4 ± 8.2 kg; body mass index, 25.0 ± 2.3 kg·m−2. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry relative fat was 20.0% ± 2.0%; fat-free mass, 53.0 ± 5.9 kg; fat-free mass index, 20.0 ± 1.7 kg·m−2; bone mineral content, 2.75 ± 0.28 kg; bone mineral density, 1.24 ± 0.07 g·cm−2; aerobic capacity, 48.2 ± 4.8 mL·kg−1·min−1; total Army Combat Fitness Test score 505 ± 27; standing broad jump 2.0 ± 0.2 m; 123 kg casualty drag 0.70 ± 0.20 m·s−1, and 4 mile 47 kg ruck march 64 ± 6 min. All women were within normal healthy female range for circulating androgens. Physique from three-dimensional scan demonstrated greater circumferences at eight of the 11 sites compared with the standard military female.

Conclusions

These pioneering women possessed high strength and aerobic capacity, low %BF; high fat-free mass, fat-free mass index, and bone mass and density; and they were not virilized based on endocrine measures as compared with other reference groups. This group is larger in body size and leaner than the average Army woman. These elite physical performers seem most comparable to female competitive strength athletes.
Affine models
Authors: Μπισιώτης Κωνσταντίνος
Published: May 2022

Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι η εφαρμογή τεχνικών του Στατιστικού Ελέγχου Ποιότητας, συγκεκριμένα των διαγραμμάτων ελέγχου σε Gaussian affine term structure models (ATSMs). Τα τελευταία χρόνια μεθοδολογίες του Στατιστικού Ελέγχου Ποιότητας δεν είναι μόνο δημοφιλής σε βιομηχανικές εφαρμογές αλλά και σε αρκετές μη- βιομηχανικές εφαρμογές όπως για παράδειγμα στα χρηματοοικονομικά. Τα Gaussian ATSMs χωρίς arbitrage είναι ένα πολύ σημαντικό εργαλείο στην κατηγορία των μοντέλων για τη σχέση επιτοκίων και αποδόσεων των κρατικών ομολόγων. Οι Χρηματοοικονομικές σειρές συχνά υπόκεινται σε αλλαγές σε άγνωστα χρονικά σημεία και ο εντοπισμός αυτών των σημείων είναι μεγάλης σημασίας. Στην παρούσα εργασία προτείνουμε διάφορα διαγράμματα ελέγχου με τα οποία επεκτείνουμε τα ATSMs κάτω από την οπτική των σημείων αλλαγής. Κύριοι στόχοι της διατριβής είναι οι εξής: Πρώτον, να κατασκευάσουμε διαγράμματα ελέγχου για την παρακολούθηση των παραμέτρων ενός ATSM και να εξετάσουμε την ικανότητά τους να εντοπίζουν τις αλλαγές για διαφόρους τύπους μετατοπίσεων στην καμπύλη των αποδόσεων των κρατικών ομολόγων. Επιπλέον, προτείνουμε μια τεχνική για την επανεκτίμηση της διαδικασίας στόχου για τα διαγράμματα ελέγχου σε περίπτωση που το διάγραμμα εντοπίσει ένα σημείο αλλαγής. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι δεν υπάρχει ένα διάγραμμα ελέγχου που να αποδίδει καλά σε όλους τους τύπους των μετατοπίσεων αλλά ένας συνδυασμός από διαγράμματα ελέγχου είναι απαραίτητος. Δεύτερον, να επεκτείνουμε την κατηγορία των ATSM τα οποία εκτιμώνται με τη μέθοδο ελαχίστων χι-τετράγωνο (MCSE), κατασκευάζοντας χαρτοφυλάκια σταθερού εισοδήματος κρατικών ομολόγων. Οι προτεινόμενες στρατηγικές για χαρτοφυλάκια ομολόγων από το ATSM στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις παρουσιάζουν καλύτερα αποτελέσματα από παραδοσιακές τεχνικές κατασκευής χαρτοφυλακίων ομολόγων. Στη συνέχεια τα διαγράμματα ελέγχου εφαρμόζονται για την παρακολούθηση των βέλτιστων βαρών του χαρτοφυλακίου. Τρίτον, να προτείνουμε και κατασκευάσουμε διαγράμματα ελέγχου για την παρακολούθηση αλλαγών σε ένα διανυσματικό αυτοπαλινδρομούμενο μοντέλο κινούμενου μέσου (VARMA) ATSM. Η εκτίμηση του μοντέλου είναι μια διαδικασία με δυο βήματα όπου στο πρώτο βήμα εφαρμόζουμε εκτός από συνηθισμένες μεθόδους στη βιβλιογραφία και μια μέθοδο εκτίμησης ελάχιστής απόστασης βασισμένη στις αιφνίδιες αντιδράσεις (impulse responses) και αναφέρουμε τα πλεονεκτήματα της στην πρόγνωση της καμπύλης αποδόσεων των ομολόγων. Το δεύτερο βήμα περιλαμβάνει την εκτίμηση των market price of risk ελαχιστοποιώντας το άθροισμα των τετραγώνων των σφαλμάτων των αποδόσεων των ομολόγων.
Determinants of unintended pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Authors: Ojuok Rose , Nyamongo Dr. Daniel , Mutai Dr. Joseph
Published: May 2022

Background:  Unintended pregnancy predisposes women of child-bearing age to risk factors like maternal deaths, poor child outcomes, mental illness because of stress, risky abortion, and vertical transmission of HIV. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey in 2014, 34% of the pregnancies were unintended and in the year 2020 it rose to 41.9% (Monitoring, 2020).  Determinants of unintended pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinics in Kenya is diverse and is poorly understood due to no representative information.

The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with unintended pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinic particularly their individual factors, family planning practices and health facility-based factors.

Method:  A cross-sectional study design. Data was collected using a structured administered questionnaire from 227 participants. The proportion and determinants of unintended pregnancy was derived using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regressions. 

Results: In this study, a third (29.9%) of the pregnant women reported that their existing gravidity was unintended. Individual factors such as age less than 25 years [AOR 8.1 (95% CI 1.4-48.6)), p=0.001], use of contraceptive method [AOR 7.9 (95% CI 2.5-25.0), p<0.001] and the woman being the sole decision-maker on when to get pregnant [AOR 3.8 (95% CI 1.3-11.2), p=0.014] were significantly associated with unintended pregnancy.

Conclusion: The study area had quite a significant proportion of unintended pregnancy underscoring the need for health facilities to enhance targeted contraceptive counselling during antenatal and postnatal clinics. Reinforcing effective utilization of family planning services in the pursuit to decrease unintended pregnancy not only in Nairobi but also in Kenya.
Home mechanical ventilation in children with chronic respiratory failure: a narrative review
Authors: Kwak Soyoung
Published: May 2022

Advances in perinatal and pediatric intensive care and recent advances in mechanical ventilation during the last two decades have resulted in an exponential increase in the number of children undergoing home mechanical ventilation (HMV) treatment. Although its efficacy in chronic respiratory failure is well established, HMV in children is more complex than that in adults, and there are more considerations. This review outlines clinical considerations for HMV in children. The goal of HMV in children is not only to correct alveolar hypoventilation but also to maximize development as much as possible. The modes of ventilation and ventilator settings, including ventilation masks, tubing, circuits, humidification, and ventilator parameters, should be tailored to the patient’s individual characteristics. To ensure effective HMV, education for the parent and caregiver is important. HMV continues to change the scope of treatment for chronic respiratory failure in children in that it decreases respiratory morbidity and prolongs life spans. Further studies on this topic with larger scale and systemic approach are required to ensure the better outcomes in this population.
VIBROACOUSTIC MASSAGE SINGING BOWLS BY V.O. OGUI IN THE SPA
Authors:   FlyHands, Ogui Viktor
Published: May 2022

Vibroacoustic massage singing bowls by V.O. Ogui is an effective healing procedure of instrumental (hardware) massage, which belongs to restorative medicine, and can be used to correct anxiety and insomnia disorders, as well as to increase the body's adaptive abilities. This technique goes through the stage of conducting experiments, collecting, processing and analyzing statistical data, as well as preparing research work on the physiological substantiation of the impact of this method on the human body. This manual describes in detail the technology of performing vibroacoustic massage, the manual is illustrated in detail (more than 200 photos, diagrams and drawings), which allows it to be used as the main or additional source of information for students of retraining and advanced training courses. This manual is recommended for publication by the National Federation of Massage Therapists as a educational and methodological manual.
Reconstruction of soft tissue defects caused by spinal surgery using a dorsal intercostal artery perforator flap
Authors: Kim Min-Seok , Roh Si-Gyun , Shin Jin Yong , Lee Nae-Ho
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The reconstruction of defects resulting from spinal surgery poses a challenge to plastic surgeons due to the curved contour and strong skin tension of the back. Implant and metal exposure can also increase the difficulty of covering such defects. This study presents our experiences of covering defects after spinal surgery using dorsal intercostal artery perforator (DICAP) flaps.Methods: From November 2018 to August 2021, 14 patients with spinal soft tissue defects underwent DICAP flap reconstructive surgery at our department. The mean age of the patients was 54.3 years (range, 35–70 years). Age, sex, etiology, the dimensions of the defect and the flap, the site of the defect, surgical technique, and postoperative complications were recorded.Results: All flaps survived, with no major complications such as total flap necrosis. Minor complications were observed in four cases. One patient developed an infection with erythematous changes and another developed partial flap necrosis. Two patients experienced wound dehiscence. These minor complications were all resolved with conservative treatment. No additional complications occurred during the follow-up period.Conclusion: The use of DICAP flaps was successful in all cases. DICAP flaps can adequately cover defects following spinal surgery and have a low complication rate. Thus, DICAP flaps are a good choice for covering defects resulting from spinal surgery.
Popliteal arterial aneurysms
Authors: Rowlands Carlton , Youssef Sofian , Rajagopalan Sriram
Published: May 2022

Aneurysms are associated with significant complications if not diagnosed and managed appropriately. Popliteal arterial aneurysms are the most common peripheral aneurysm, and can cause pain, nerve compression, ischaemia and limb loss. Vascular surgery is an emerging specialty under the remit of general surgery, with the primary objectives of preventing death and limb loss. This article summarises the epidemiology, investigation and management of popliteal arterial aneurysms for vascular and non-vascular trainees.
The appropriateness of abdominal X-ray requests in the acute medical initial admissions unit
Authors: Ananthan Kiruthika , Whitfield Jonathan P
Published: May 2022

Background/Aims

Abdominal X-rays are frequently requested by clinicians in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary acute medical initial assessment unit.

Method

The proportion of indicated abdominal X-rays requested within 24 hours of admission was retrospectively examined. This process was repeated after displaying an educational poster with the Royal College of Radiologists guidelines (cycle 2) and a graded assertive communication poster (cycles 3 and 4); a tool to enable junior doctors to challenge inappropriate requests for abdominal X-rays from seniors.

Results

Only 47.2% of abdominal X-ray requests were deemed appropriate in cycle 1. A 1.54% reduction in abdominal X-ray requests and an 11.5% increase in indicated abdominal X-rays were noted after cycle 2. Cycle 3 led to a statistically significant improvement with 2.6% fewer patients undergoing an abdominal X-ray and a 24.6% increase in indicated abdominal X-rays. This improvement was sustained in cycle 4.

Conclusions

Promoting graded assertive communication is an effective means of helping junior doctors to challenge seniors requesting non-indicated abdominal X-rays.
Transforming public policy with engaged scholarship: better together
Authors: Levac Leah , Cattapan Alana , Haley Tobin LeBlanc , Pin Laura , Tungohan Ethel , Wiebe Sarah Marie
Published: May 2022

Many people remain invisible in all stages of policymaking processes and are re/harmed by policy decisions made in their absence, even where public engagement has occurred. This lack of meaningful engagement affects those experiencing homelessness, migrant workers, northern and Indigenous women, and others with whom we have collaborated. This article demonstrates the transformative potential of recognising these ‘invisible’ actors as legitimate and effective actors in the policy process. In this article, we present a series of Canadian research vignettes, emerging from our empirical research programmes, that illuminate the possibilities for the principles of engaged scholarship to advance transformative, community-driven policymaking. Along with other critical policy scholars, we are concerned about how power circulates and is distributed unequally through public policy. Our focus in on how commitments manifested through engaged scholarship can disrupt these power distributions. Through our vignettes, we demonstrate how principles of engaged scholarship can shape public engagement, the understanding of policy problems, the creation of evidence, and the development of meaningful policy solutions. This article makes an important contribution on how to improve the processes of public engagement in policy development.
Size-dependent optical forces on dielectric microspheres in hollow core photonic crystal fibers
Authors: Kincaid Peter Seigo , Porcelli Alessandro , Neves Antonio Alvaro Ranha , Arimondo Ennio , Camposeo Andrea , Pisignano Dario , Ciampini Donatella
Published: May 2022

Optical forces on microspheres inside hollow core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCFs) are often predicted using a ray optics model, which constrains its validity based on wavelength and microsphere sizes. Here, we introduce a rigorous treatment of the electromagnetic forces based on the Lorenz-Mie theory, which involves analytical determination of beam shape coefficients for the optical modes of a HC-PCF. The method is more practicable than numerical approaches and, in contrast with ray optics models, it is not limited by system size parameters. Time of flight measurements of microspheres flying through the HC-PCF lead to results consistent with the Lorenz-Mie predictions.
Programmable optical real-time processing system for ultra-wide bandwidth electronic reconnaissance
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Wang Duo , Zhang Huanqin , Wang Kaizhi
Published: May 2022

Electronic reconnaissance is to detect signals, extract their parameters, modulation types or direction of arrival and so on from a wide bandwidth range. It is difficult for digital signal processing device to process in real time under an ultra-wide bandwidth environment. This paper proposed a programmable optical system which can process signals from an instantaneous bandwidth up to 40GHz in real time. In the optical system, the signals are reconstructed at wavefront of a laser beam. The laser beam carrying signals passes through an optical system composed by lens, beam splitter, light modulator, etc. Signal processing operation is accomplished when laser beam arrives at a focal plane, and processing results are acquired by a high-speed camera. Typical pulse description words can be yielded from the results. The proposed optical system has a nano-second processing delay due to its meter-length light path.
Metamaterial eigenmodes beyond homogenization
Authors: Günzler Antonio , Schumacher Cedric , Steiner Ullrich , Saba Matthias
Published: May 2022

Metamaterial homogenization theories usually start with crude
approximations that are valid in certain limits in zero order, such as
small frequencies, wave vectors and material fill fractions. In some
cases they remain surprisingly robust exceeding their initial
assumptions, such as the well-established Maxwell-Garnett theory for
elliptical inclusions that can produce reliable results for fill
fractions far above its theoretical limitations. We here present a
rigorous solution of Maxwell’s equations in binary periodic
materials employing a combined Greens-Galerkin procedure to obtain a
low-dimensional eigenproblem for the evanescent Floquet eigenmodes of
the material. In its general form, our method provides an accurate
solution of the multi-valued complex Floquet bandstructure, which
currently cannot be obtained with established solvers. It is thus
shown to be valid in regimes where homogenization theories naturally
break down. For small frequencies and wave numbers in lowest order,
our method simplifies to the Maxwell-Garnett result for 2D cylinder
and 3D sphere packings. It therefore provides the missing explanation
why Maxwell-Garnett works well up to extremely high fill fractions of
approximately 50% depending on the constituent materials,
provided the inclusions are arranged on an isotropic lattice.
Assessing the impact of lateral flow testing strategies on within-school SARS-CoV-2 transmission and absences: A modelling study
Authors: Leng Trystan , Hill Edward M. , Thompson Robin N. , Tildesley Michael J. , Keeling Matt J. , Dyson Louise
Published: May 2022

Rapid testing strategies that replace the isolation of close contacts through the use of lateral flow device tests (LFTs) have been suggested as a way of controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission within schools that maintain low levels of pupil absences. We developed an individual-based model of a secondary school formed of exclusive year group bubbles (five year groups, with 200 pupils per year) to assess the likely impact of strategies using LFTs in secondary schools over the course of a seven-week half-term on transmission, absences, and testing volume, compared to a policy of isolating year group bubbles upon a pupil returning a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. We also considered the sensitivity of results to levels of participation in rapid testing and underlying model assumptions. While repeated testing of year group bubbles following case detection is less effective at reducing infections than a policy of isolating year group bubbles, strategies involving twice weekly mass testing can reduce infections to lower levels than would occur under year group isolation. By combining regular testing with serial contact testing or isolation, infection levels can be reduced further still. At high levels of pupil participation in lateral flow testing, strategies replacing the isolation of year group bubbles with testing substantially reduce absences, but require a high volume of testing. Our results highlight the conflict between the goals of minimising within-school transmission, minimising absences and minimising testing burden. While rapid testing strategies can reduce school transmission and absences, they may lead to a large number of daily tests.
Shade suppresses wound-induced leaf repositioning through a mechanism involving PHYTOCHROME KINASE SUBSTRATE (PKS) genes
Authors: Fiorucci Anne-Sophie , Michaud Olivier , Schmid-Siegert Emanuel , Trevisan Martine , Allenbach Petrolati Laure , Çaka Ince Yetkin , Fankhauser Christian
Published: May 2022

Shaded plants challenged with herbivores or pathogens prioritize growth over defense. However, most experiments have focused on the effect of shading light cues on defense responses. To investigate the potential interaction between shade-avoidance and wounding-induced Jasmonate (JA)-mediated signaling on leaf growth and movement, we used repetitive mechanical wounding of leaf blades to mimic herbivore attacks. Phenotyping experiments with combined treatments on Arabidopsis thaliana rosettes revealed that shade strongly inhibits the wound effect on leaf elevation. By contrast, petiole length is reduced by wounding both in the sun and in the shade. Thus, the relationship between the shade and wounding/JA pathways varies depending on the physiological response, implying that leaf growth and movement can be uncoupled. Using RNA-sequencing, we identified genes with expression patterns matching the hyponastic response (opposite regulation by both stimuli, interaction between treatments with shade dominating the wound signal). Among them were genes from the PKS (Phytochrome Kinase Substrate) family, which was previously studied for its role in phototropism and leaf positioning. Interestingly, we observed reduced shade suppression of the wounding effect in pks2pks4 double mutants while a PKS4 overexpressing line showed constitutively elevated leaves and was less sensitive to wounding. Our results indicate a trait-specific interrelationship between shade and wounding cues on Arabidopsis leaf growth and positioning. Moreover, we identify PKS genes as integrators of external cues in the control of leaf hyponasty further emphasizing the role of these genes in aerial organ positioning.
Hyper-connectivity between the left motor cortex and prefrontal cortex is associated with the severity of dysfunction of the descending pain modulatory system in fibromyalgia
Authors: de Oliveira Franco Álvaro , da Silveira Alves Camila Fernanda , Vicuña Paul , Bandeira Janete , de Aratanha Maria Adelia , Torres Iraci L. S. , Fregni Felipe , Caumo Wolnei
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The association between descending pain modulatory system (DPMS) dysfunction and fibromyalgia has been previously described, but more studies are required on its relationship with aberrant functional connectivity (FC) between the motor and prefrontal cortices.

Objectives

The objective of this cross-sectional observational study was to compare the intra- and interhemispheric FC between the bilateral motor and prefrontal cortices in women with fibromyalgia, comparing responders and nonresponders to the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) test.

Methods

A cross-sectional sample of 37 women (23 responders and 14 nonresponders to the CPM test) with fibromyalgia diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria underwent a standardized clinical assessment and an FC analysis using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. DPMS function was inferred through responses to the CPM test, which were induced by hand immersion in cold water (0–1°C). A multivariate analysis of covariance for main effects between responders and nonresponders was conducted using the diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders and the use of opioid and nonopioid analgesics as covariates. In addition, we analyzed the interaction between the CPM test response and the presence of multiple psychiatric diagnoses.

Results

Nonresponders showed increased FC between the left motor cortex (lMC) and the left prefrontal cortex (lPFC) (t = −2.476, p = 0.01) and right prefrontal cortex (rPFC) (t = −2.363, p = 0.02), even when both were considered as covariates in the regression analysis (lMC–lPFC: β = −0.127, t = −2.425, p = 0.021; lMC–rPFC: β = −0.122, t = −2.222, p = 0.033). Regarding main effects, a significant difference was only observed for lMC–lPFC (p = 0.035). A significant interaction was observed between the psychiatric disorders and nonresponse to the CPM test in lMC−lPFC (β = −0.222, t = −2.275, p = 0.03) and lMC−rPFC (β = −0.211, t = −2.2, p = 0.035). Additionally, a significant interaction was observed between the CPM test and FC in these two region-of-interest combinations, despite the psychiatric diagnoses (lMC−lPFC: β = −0.516, t = −2.447, p = 0.02; lMC−rPFC: β = −0.582, t = −2.805, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Higher FC between the lMC and the bilateral PFC may be a neural marker of DPMS dysfunction in women with fibromyalgia, although its interplay with psychiatric diagnoses also seems to influence this association.
Associations between maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy and offspring growth and cardiometabolic risk outcomes in infancy and childhood
Authors: Petry Clive J. , Olga Laurentya , Hughes Ieuan A. , Ong Ken K.
Published: May 2022

It was previously observed that maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy was associated with increased offspring size and adiposity at birth, possibly mediated through increased risk of gestational diabetes. In this study we investigated potential long-term associations of maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy with offspring growth in infancy, and growth and cardiometabolic risk factors in mid-childhood to seek evidence of nutritional programming. Using a nested case-control format, markers of growth and adiposity were measured at 3, 12 and 24 months of age in 341 infants from the Cambridge Baby Growth Study whose mothers supplemented with iron in pregnancy and 222 infants whose mothers did not. Measures of growth, glucose tolerance (using a 30 minute 1.75 g glucose/kg body weight oral glucose tolerance test), insulin sensitivity (HOMA IR) and blood pressure were collected in 122 and 79 of these children, respectively, at around 9.5 years of age. In infancy adiposity-promoting associations with maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy were evident at 3 months of age (e.g. mean difference in skinfold thickness: β = +0.15 mm, p = 0.02, in n = 341 whose mothers supplemented versus 222 that did not; waist circumference: β = +0.7 cm, p = 0.04, in n = 159 and 78, respectively) but differences lessened after this time (e.g. 3–12 month change in mean difference in skinfold thickness: β = -0.2 mm, p = 0.03, in n = 272 and 178, respectively). At ~9.5 years of age children whose mothers supplemented with iron in pregnancy had lower mean arterial blood pressures (β = -1.0 mmHg, p = 0.03, in n = 119 and 78, respectively). There were no apparent differences in markers of growth or other cardiometabolic factors. These results suggest that most of the associations of maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy on growth and adiposity evident at birth disappear during infancy, but there may be some evidence of long-term nutritional programming of blood pressure in mid-childhood.
Assessment of composition and spatial dynamics of weed communities in agroecosystem under varying edaphic factors
Authors: Yousaf Anum , Khalid Noreen , Aqeel Muhammad , Rizvi Zarrin Fatima , Alhaithloul Haifa A. S. , Sarfraz Wajiha , Al Mutairi Khalid , Albishi Tasahil S. , Alamri Saad , Hashem Mohamed , Noman Ali , Qari Sameer H.
Published: May 2022

Weeds are important components of the agroecosystems due to their role as primary producers within the farming systems, yet they are considered as major constraints to crop production. A phytosociological study was conducted to assess the composition and spatial distribution of existing weed species under the influence of various edaphic factors in the 15 wheat fields. Quadrat method was applied and different phytosociological attributes including abundance, density, and frequency were estimated by randomly laying down 10 square-shaped quadrats of size 1m2 in each wheat field. A total of 34 weed species belonging to 17 families and 30 genera were explored from 150 quadrats. Fabaceae and Asteraceae were ubiquitous plant families. Various edaphic factors such as; soil texture, electrical conductivity, soil pH, total dissolved solids, nitrogen, calcium carbonate, organic matter, NaCl, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and zinc were determined. Pearson’s correlation was employed to correlate weeds and the potential edaphic variables. The results depicted that most of these weed pairs’ associations correlated positively. Simultaneously, the abundant weed species including Trifolium repens, Coronopus didymus, and Urtica dioica showed a positive correlation with most of the investigated ecological variables.
Dairy cows value an open area for lying down
Authors: Shewbridge Carter Laura , Haskell Marie J. , Ball David , Gibbons Jenny , Harris W. Edwin , Rutter S. Mark
Published: May 2022

As dairy cows are being housed for longer periods, with all-year-round housing growing in popularity, it is important to ensure housed environments are meeting the needs of cows. Dairy cows are motivated to access open lying areas, although previous motivation studies on this topic have confounded surface type and location (i.e. pasture outdoors vs cubicles indoors). This study measured cow motivation for lying down on an indoor open mattress (MAT; 9 m x 5 m) compared to indoor mattress-bedded cubicles, thus removing the confounding factor of surface type and location. This was repeated for an identically sized indoor deep-bedded straw yard (ST), to investigate whether surface type affected motivation for an open lying area. Thirty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were housed in groups of 5 (n = 5 x 6) in an indoor robotic milking unit with access to six mattress-bedded cubicles. To assess motivation, cows were required to walk increasing distances via a one-way indoor raceway to access the open lying areas: Short (34.5 m), followed by Medium (80.5 m) and Long (126.5 m). Cows could choose to walk the raceway, leading to the MAT or ST, to lie down or they could lie down on the cubicles for ‘free’. Overall, cows lay down for longer on the open lying areas at each distance compared to the cubicles, with cows lying down slightly longer on ST than MAT, although lying times on the open lying areas did decrease at the Long distance. However, cows were still lying for >60% of their lying time on the open lying areas at the Long distance. This study demonstrates that cows had a high motivation for an open lying area, the provision of which could better cater for the behavioural needs of housed dairy cows and improve housed dairy cow welfare.
Profiles of lateral violence in nursing personnel of the Spanish public health system
Authors: Pina David , Vidal-Alves Maria , Puente-López Esteban , Luna-Maldonado Aurelio , Luna Ruiz-Cabello Aurelio , Magalhães Teresa , Llor-Esteban Bartolomé , Ruiz-Hernández José Antonio , Martínez-Jarreta Begoña
Published: May 2022

Background

Workplace violence in healthcare settings has long been studied in scientific literature, particularly in the nursing profession. Research has explored mostly user violence probably for its high prevalence and impact on health and job satisfaction. Yet this focus may overshadow another dangerous type of workplace violence: coworker violence. Exerted by co-workers with similar status, lateral violence differs from that yielded by a co-worker with a higher rank, known as vertical. This study aims to deepen the knowledge about lateral violence perceived by nurses and its interaction with other variables commonly associated with workplace violence in healthcare: burnout, job satisfaction, and self-perceived health.

Method

A random block sampling was performed, prompting a total sample of 925 nursing professionals from 13 public hospitals located in the southeast of Spain. The sample distribution (mean and standard deviation) and the response percentages according to the study variables of the ad-hoc questionnaire were analyzed and classified with cluster analysis.

Results

Through the cluster analysis, two subgroups were obtained: Cluster 1, composed of 779 participants, with low scores in the variables used for the classification, high levels of both extrinsic and intrinsic satisfaction, low levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and low rates of somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression; and Cluster 2, composed of 115 participants and characterized by moderate-high scores in the variables used for the classification, moderate extrinsic satisfaction, and low intrinsic satisfaction, high emotional exhaustion and cynicism and lower somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression scores. Excluded cases amounted to 31.

Conclusion

Nursing professionals who experience lateral violence reveal a lower intrinsic satisfaction, feeling less self-accomplished in their job, and less positive work experience. Emotional exhaustion rises as a concerning progressive and long-term outcome of experiencing this type of violence.
Local people’s perception of the impacts and importance of ecotourism in Central Nepal
Authors: Upadhaya Suraj , Tiwari Sarada , Poudyal Beeju , Godar Chhetri Sagar , Dhungana Nabin
Published: May 2022

Ecotourism contributes to conserving natural resources and promoting natural and cultural resources stewardship. However, without the strong support and involvement of local people, it is not easy to achieve the stated goals. This study aimed to understand the local people’s perception of the impacts and importance of ecotourism. We conducted a semi-structured interview of 167 respondents from Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal’s prime center for ecotourism. The result revealed that more than 70% of respondents are interested in ecotourism activities, and their interests are significantly affected by their age, academic qualification, and occupation. Local people from the study area perceived that infrastructure development and increase in the knowledge base are significant impacts of ecotourism. The study showed that local people’s socioeconomic and demographic characteristics significantly influenced their perceived impacts of ecotourism. Detailed understanding and consideration of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics can contribute to effective outreach and planning process, potentially resulting in the higher promotion of ecotourism.
Dynamic topic modeling of twitter data during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bogdanowicz Alexander , Guan ChengHe
Published: May 2022

In an effort to gauge the global pandemic’s impact on social thoughts and behavior, it is important to answer the following questions: (1) What kinds of topics are individuals and groups vocalizing in relation to the pandemic? (2) Are there any noticeable topic trends and if so how do these topics change over time and in response to major events? In this paper, through the advanced Sequential Latent Dirichlet Allocation model, we identified twelve of the most popular topics present in a Twitter dataset collected over the period spanning April 3rd to April 13th, 2020 in the United States and discussed their growth and changes over time. These topics were both robust, in that they covered specific domains, not simply events, and dynamic, in that they were able to change over time in response to rising trends in our dataset. They spanned politics, healthcare, community, and the economy, and experienced macro-level growth over time, while also exhibiting micro-level changes in topic composition. Our approach differentiated itself in both scale and scope to study the emerging topics concerning COVID-19 at a scale that few works have been able to achieve. We contributed to the cross-sectional field of urban studies and big data. Whereas we are optimistic towards the future, we also understand that this is an unprecedented time that will have lasting impacts on individuals and society at large, impacting not only the economy or geo-politics, but human behavior and psychology. Therefore, in more ways than one, this research is just beginning to scratch the surface of what will be a concerted research effort into studying the history and repercussions of COVID-19.
Distinct structural groups of histone H3 and H4 residues have divergent effects on chronological lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ngubo Mzwanele , Reid Jessica Laura , Patterton Hugh–George
Published: May 2022

We have performed a comprehensive analysis of the involvement of histone H3 and H4 residues in the regulation of chronological lifespan in yeast and identify four structural groups in the nucleosome that influence lifespan. We also identify residues where substitution with an epigenetic mimic extends lifespan, providing evidence that a simple epigenetic switch, without possible additional background modifications, causes longevity. Residues where substitution result in the most pronounced lifespan extension are all on the exposed face of the nucleosome, with the exception of H3E50, which is present on the lateral surface, between two DNA gyres. Other residues that have a more modest effect on lifespan extension are concentrated at the extremities of the H3-H4 dimer, suggesting a role in stabilizing the dimer in its nucleosome frame. Residues that reduce lifespan are buried in the histone handshake motif, suggesting that these mutations destabilize the octamer structure. All residues exposed on the nucleosome disk face and that cause lifespan extension are known to interact with Sir3. We find that substitution of H4K16 and H4H18 cause Sir3 to redistribute from telomeres and silent mating loci to secondary positions, often enriched for Rap1, Abf1 or Reb1 binding sites, whereas H3E50 does not. The redistribution of Sir3 in the genome can be reproduced by an equilibrium model based on primary and secondary binding sites with different affinities for Sir3. The redistributed Sir3 cause transcriptional repression at most of the new loci, including of genes where null mutants were previously shown to extend chronological lifespan. The transcriptomic profiles of H4K16 and H4H18 mutant strains are very similar, and compatible with a DNA replication stress response. This is distinct from the transcriptomic profile of H3E50, which matches strong induction of oxidative phosphorylation. We propose that the different groups of residues are involved in binding to heterochromatin proteins, in destabilizing the association of the nucleosome DNA, disrupting binding of the H3-H4 dimer in the nucleosome, or disrupting the structural stability of the octamer, each category impacting on chronological lifespan by a different mechanism.
Contagious statistical distributions: k-connections and applications in infectious disease environments
Authors: García–García Victoriano , Martel–Escobar María , Vázquez–Polo Francisco–José
Published: May 2022

Contagious statistical distributions are a valuable resource for managing contagion by means of k–connected chains of distributions. Binomial, hypergeometric, Pólya, uniform distributions with the same values for all parameters except sample size n are known to be strongly associated. This paper describes how the relationship can be obtained via factorial moments, simplifying the process by including novel elements. We describe the properties of these distributions and provide examples of their real–world application, and then define a chain of k–connected distributions, which generalises the relationship among samples of any size for a given population and the Pólya urn model.
A non-invasive biomechanical model of mild TBI in larval zebrafish
Authors: Beppi Carolina , Penner Marco , Straumann Dominik , Bögli Stefan Yu
Published: May 2022

A mild traumatic brain injury is a neurological dysfunction caused by biomechanical forces transmitted to the brain in physical impacts. The current understanding of the neuropathological cascade resulting in the manifested clinical signs and symptoms is limited due to the absence of sensitive brain imaging methods. Zebrafish are established models for the reproduction and study of neurobiological pathologies. However, all available models mostly recreate moderate-to-severe focal injuries in adult zebrafish. The present work has induced a mild brain trauma in larval zebrafish through a non-invasive biomechanical approach. A custom-made apparatus with a commercially available motor was employed to expose larvae to rapidly decelerating linear movements. The neurophysiological changes following concussion were assessed through behavioural quantifications of startle reflex locomotor distance and habituation metrics. Here we show that the injury was followed, within five minutes, by a transient anxiety state and CNS dysfunction manifested by increased startle responsivity with impaired startle habituation, putatively mirroring the human clinical sign of hypersensitivity to noise. Within a day after the injury, chronic effects arose, as evidenced by an overall reduced responsivity to sensory stimulation (lower amplitude and distance travelled along successive stimuli), reflecting the human post-concussive symptomatology. This study represents a step forward towards the establishment of a parsimonious (simple, less ethically concerning, yet sensitive) animal model of mild TBI. Our behavioural findings mimic aspects of acute and chronic effects of human concussion, which warrant further study at molecular, cellular and circuit levels. While our model opens wide avenues for studying the underlying cellular and molecular pathomechanisms, it also enables high-throughput testing of therapeutic interventions to accelerate post-concussive recovery.
Experiences of persons with Multiple Sclerosis with lifestyle adjustment–A qualitative interview study
Authors: Elkhalii-Wilhelm Saskia , Sippel Anna , Riemann-Lorenz Karin , Kofahl Christopher , Scheiderbauer Jutta , Arnade Sigrid , Kleiter Ingo , Schmidt Stephan , Heesen Christoph
Published: May 2022

Background

Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) follow individual strategies to cope with this highly heterogeneous disease. As surveys show, lifestyle habits play an important role in pwMS. However, little is known about individual experiences of pwMS with different lifestyle adjustment strategies.

Objective

This study aims to describe and understand individual experiences of pwMS with lifestyle adjustments.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 pwMS in Germany. Criteria for inclusion were age ≥ 18 years and a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Data were analyzed inductively and deductively according to a six-step thematic analysis.

Results

The three main themes for experience-based lifestyle adjustments were: 1) nutrition and supplements, 2) exercise and physical activity, and 3) stress management. Influencing factors on the decision-making process such as active disease management, information and advice, desire for mental health and social support, and the wish for self-determination were identified. Impacts of starting or maintaining lifestyle habits included, for example, MS-specific, general, and mental health benefits, the development of coping strategies, social support, and barriers that led to a termination of lifestyle adjustments.

Conclusion

This study provides a rich and nuanced amount of experiences of pwMS with lifestyle adjustments and leads to three important conclusions: 1) Further research is warranted to better describe the perceived effects of lifestyle habits on MS symptoms and progression, in particular with regard to nutrition and stress reduction; 2) patient education in MS should include the available evidence on lifestyle management and 3) patients need to be actively supported in changing their lifestyle behavior.