bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of the carotid body to thermally mediated hyperventilation in humans
Authors: Gibbons Travis D. , Dempsey Jerome A. , Thomas Kate N. , Campbell Holly A. , Stothers Tiarna A. M. , Wilson Luke C. , Ainslie Philip N. , Cotter James D.
Published: June 2022

Humans hyperventilate under heat and cold strain. This hyperventilatory response has detrimental consequences including acid–base dysregulation, dyspnoea, decreased cerebral blood flow and accelerated brain heating. The ventilatory response to hypoxia is exaggerated under whole‐body heating and cooling, indicating that altered carotid body function might contribute to thermally mediated hyperventilation. To address whether the carotid body might contribute to heat‐ and cold‐induced hyperventilation, we indirectly measured carotid body tonic activity via hyperoxia, and carotid body sensitivity via hypoxia, under graded heat and cold strain in 13 healthy participants in a repeated‐measures design. We hypothesised that carotid body tonic activity and sensitivity would be elevated in a dose‐dependent manner under graded heat and cold strain, thereby supporting its role in driving thermally mediated hyperventilation. Carotid body tonic activity was increased in a dose‐dependent manner with heating, reaching 175% above baseline (P < 0.0005), and carotid body suppression with hyperoxia removed all of the heat‐induced increase in ventilation (P = 0.9297). Core cooling increased carotid body activity by up to 250% (P < 0.0001), but maximal values were reached with mild cooling and thereafter plateaued. Carotid body sensitivity to hypoxia was profoundly increased by up to 180% with heat stress (P = 0.0097), whereas cooling had no detectable effect on hypoxic sensitivity. In summary, cold stress increased carotid body tonic activity and this effect was saturated with mild cooling, whereas heating had clear dose‐dependent effects on carotid body tonic activity and sensitivity. These dose‐dependent effects with heat strain indicate that the carotid body probably plays a primary role in driving heat‐induced hyperventilation.

image

Key points

Humans over‐breathe (hyperventilate) when under heat and cold stress, and though this has detrimental physiological repercussions, the mechanisms underlying this response are unknown.

The carotid body, a small organ that is responsible for driving hyperventilation in hypoxia, was assessed under incremental heat and cold strain.

The carotid body drive to breathe, as indirectly assessed by transient hyperoxia, increased in a dose‐dependent manner with heating, reaching 175% above baseline; cold stress similarly increased the carotid body drive to breathe, but did not show dose‐dependency.

Carotid body sensitivity, as indirectly assessed by hypoxic ventilatory responses, was profoundly increased by 70–180% with mild and severe heat strain, whereas cooling had no detectable effect.

Carotid body hyperactivity and hypersensitivity are two interrelated mechanisms that probably underlie the increased drive to breathe with heat strain, whereas carotid body hyperactivity during mild cooling may play a subsidiary role in cold‐induced hyperventilation.
La televisión abierta Argentina en el escenario digital
Authors: Carboni Ornela Vanina
Published: June 2022

Los procesos de digitalización y convergencia tecnológica representan un desafío para los medios de comunicación en el siglo XXI. La tradicional industria televisiva debió adaptar la distribución de contenidos audiovisuales a través de diversas pantallas.

De este modo, el estudio de carácter descriptivo y exploratorio observa la distribución de los contenidos a través de Internet por parte de las emisoras televisivas en abierto de Argentina y su adaptación al ecosistema mediático digital con la aparición de competidores emergentes del universo online. El diseño metodológico de tipo cualitativo analiza la distribución de contenidos audiovisuales en la red por parte de las emisoras televisivas en abierto de Argentina (El Trece, Telefe y TV Pública), para ello se procedió a la revisión bibliográfica y a la realización de entrevistas a los responsables de las áreas digitales.
Del cowboy al campesino
Authors: Barreiro Posada Paula Andrea
Published: June 2022

En este artículo, a partir de ejercicios cartográficos, más un análisis comparado y un análisis de contenido, establecimos un canon del wéstern cinematográfico que confrontamos con producciones propias del género en Sudamérica. Hemos encontrado que los realizadores de la región hicieron traducciones estilísticas y narrativas adaptadas a los entornos geográficos y a los procesos sociopolíticos de sus países, agregando capas de sentido a la noción del género. La visualización de 108 wésterns sudamericanos permitió construir un acervo para medir las discrepancias con el canon. El campesino es el personaje seminal del wéstern sudamericano, la fuerte presencia de sus entornos históricos y sociopolíticos evidencian que en Sudamérica no se buscó copiar al referente norteamericano, de ahí que la representación de su patriotismo se considere divergente. Los resultados que presentamos corresponden a los dos países con el mayor número de cintas pertenecientes al género en cuestión: Brasil y Argentina.
La infografía periodística española. Una evaluación de cuatro destacados medios (1994, 2007 y 2018)
Authors: CASTAÑEDA ZUMETA AITOR
Published: June 2022

La infografía periodística en los diarios es una comunicación visual informativa que se ocupa de lo más relevante de un asunto significativo por medios figurativos y convenciones abstractas. Así se ha entendido desde el comienzo de la tecnología informática gráfica, y de ello hay múltiples muestras en algunos de los principales medios españoles de mayor audiencia, con los que podemos comparar el pasado y presente de la infografía periodística.

                Para ello, se ha propuesto el estudio de los periódicos ABC, El País, La Vanguardia y El Periódico, analizando 711 infografías de 19 secciones, desde 1994 (década de oro de la infografía española) hasta 2018 con un método cuantitativo y cualitativo por variables (Valero Sancho, 1999), referidas a la cantidad de infografías en los diarios, días de semana de publicación, características formales (tamaño, proporción y ubicación en página), y su tipología según el citado método.
A novel method of images for solving Laplace's equation and deriving demagnetization factors for spheroidal bodies
Authors: Garg Anupam , Ketterson J. B. , Lim Jinho
Published: June 2022

The method of images is applied to find the field and charge distribution for a conducting prolate spheroid in a uniform electric field via simple one-dimensional integrals. This solution is then repurposed to yield the demagnetization factors for a prolate spheroid.
Oblique angle collisions of two pendulum balls
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: June 2022

Measurements are presented on oblique angle collisions between two identical balls, each suspended as pendulum bobs. If one ball is at rest and is struck by the other ball incident without spin at an oblique angle, then both balls spin in the same direction after the collision. The results can be explained in terms of friction between the balls. At glancing angles, the balls slide throughout the collision. At other angles of incidence, the balls initially slide, then grip, and then slide again when the balls release their grip. The collision can be described in terms of two different coefficients of restitution: one involving the normal incident and post-collision speeds and the other involving the tangential speeds of the contact points before and after the collision. The coefficient of restitution and the collision time vary with the collision speed but remain relatively constant if the speed changes by a factor less than about two.
Singing in different performance spaces: The effect of room acoustics on vibrato and pitch inaccuracy
Authors: Bottalico Pasquale , Łastowiecka Natalia , Glasner Joshua D. , Redman Yvonne Gonzales
Published: June 2022

Previous literature suggests that musical performers may be influenced to some extent by the acoustic environment in which they sing or play. This study investigates the influence of room acoustics on singers' voice production, by analyzing consecutive sung performances of classically trained students in five different performance spaces. The analyzed voice parameters were vibrato rate, extent, and pitch inaccuracy. Nine classically trained student-singers performed the same aria unaccompanied on a variable starting pitch that was consistent between spaces. Variance in vibrato rate and pitch inaccuracy was primarily explained by individual differences between singers. Conversely, the variance attributable to the rooms for the parameter of vibrato extent was larger compared to the variance attributable to the performers. Vibrato extent tended to increase with room clarity (C80) and was inversely associated with early decay time (EDT). Additionally, pitch inaccuracy showed a significant negative association with room support (STv). Singers seem to adjust their vocal production when performing in different acoustic environments. Likewise, the degree to which a singer can hear themself on stage may influence pitch accuracy.
The Utility of Including Regular Sport Team Events in Event Portfolios
Authors: Sobral Vitor , Fairley Sheranne , O’Brien Danny
Published: June 2022

Event portfolios are a useful way for destination managers to holistically manage their community’s collection of events and, through strategic integration and common objectives, more effectively produce benefits. However, regular sport events such as those played by professional sport teams in a sport league have received little attention from event portfolio managers and researchers. Understanding the value and utility of sport team event assets can inform the successful integration of these events into event portfolios. This research used qualitative methods to examine how team asset components can contribute to achieving event portfolio objectives. The results have significance for event tourism researchers and practitioners and demonstrate that contributions are largely founded on the focal professional sport league structure, which provides constant content and regular communications with key target markets. Analysis of the findings led to the development of a model on the utility of including team events in an event portfolio.
Early diagenetic control on the enrichment and fractionation of rare earth elements in deep-sea sediments
Authors: Deng Yinan , Guo Qingjun , Liu Congqiang , He Gaowen , Cao Jun , Liao Jianlin , Liu Chenhui , Wang Haifeng , Zhou Jianhou , Liu Yufei , Wang Fenlian , Zhao Bin , Wei Rongfei , Zhu Jiang , Qiu Haijun
Published: June 2022

The rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in bioapatite from deep-sea sediments are potential proxies for reconstructing paleoenvironmental conditions. However, the REY enrichment mechanism and the reliability of this tracer remain elusive because of the lack of key information from ambient pore water. Here, we report high-resolution geochemical data for pore water, bottom water, and bioapatite from deep-sea sites in the western Pacific. Our results reveal that the benthic flux of REY from the deep sea is less substantial than from the shallow marine realm, resulting in REY-rich sediment. The depth distribution of REY in pore water is opposite to that of bioapatite, and REY patterns and neodymium isotopic compositions are not uniformly distributed within bioapatite. These results indicate alteration of REY and neodymium isotopic compositions during early diagenesis. Therefore, we infer that REY from bioapatite are not robust recorders of the deep marine environment through Earth’s history.
Flexible bioelectronic device fabricated by conductive polymer–based living material
Authors: Wang Zenghao , Bai Haotian , Yu Wen , Gao Zhiqiang , Chen Weijian , Yang Zhiwen , Zhu Chuanwei , Huang Yiming , Lv Fengting , Wang Shu
Published: June 2022

Living materials are worked as an inside collaborative system that could naturally respond to changing environmental conditions. The regulation of bioelectronic processes in living materials could be effective for collecting biological signals and detecting biomarkers. Here, we constructed a living material with conjugated polymers poly[3-(3′-
N
,
N
,
N
-triethylamino-1′-propyloxy)-4-methyl-2,5-thiophene chloride] (PMNT) and
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1 biofilm. In addition, the living material was integrated as a flexible bioelectronic device for lactate detection in physiological fluids (sweat, urine, and plasma). Owing to the electroconductivity of conjugated polymers, PMNT could optimize the bioelectronic process in the living material. The collected electrical signal could be wirelessly transferred to a portable smartphone for reading and analyzing. Because lactate is also a biomarker for cancer treatment, the flexible bioelectronic device was further used to detect and count the cancer cells. The proof of the bioelectronic device using conductive polymer–based living material exhibits promising applications in the next-generation personal health monitoring systems.
Metal-free ferroelectric halide perovskite exhibits visible photoluminescence correlated with local ferroelectricity
Authors: Handa Taketo , Hashimoto Ruito , Yumoto Go , Nakamura Tomoya , Wakamiya Atsushi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko
Published: June 2022

Perovskite materials with tunable electronic and structural characteristics can realize various physical properties including electrical/ionic conduction, ferroelectricity, and luminescence. Integrating and coupling these properties in a single perovskite material offer new possibilities for fundamental research and applications. In particular, coupling ferroelectricity and luminescence would enable novel applications. Here, we report that the metal-free ferroelectric perovskite MDABCO (
N
-methyl-
N
′-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium)–ammonium triiodide exhibits coupled superior ferroelectricity and visible photoluminescence (PL). Besides strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) associated with its ferroelectricity, MDABCO–ammonium triiodide shows long-lifetime PL at room temperature. Remarkably, the PL intensity depends strongly on the polarization of the excitation light. We found that this anisotropy is coupled to the local crystal orientation that was determined by polarization-resolved SHG. Our results suggest that the anisotropic PL property can be tuned in response to its ferroelectric state via an external field and, thereby, presents a previously unobserved functionality in perovskites.
Kinetic diffusion–controlled synthesis of twinned intermetallic nanocrystals for CO-resistant catalysis
Authors: Wang Kun , Wang Lei , Yao Zhen , Zhang Lei , Zhang Luyao , Yang Xusheng , Li Yingbo , Wang Yang-Gang , Li Yan , Yang Feng
Published: June 2022

Intermetallic catalysts are of immense interest, but how heterometals diffuse and related interface structure remain unclear when there exists a strong metal-support interaction. Here, we developed a kinetic diffusion–controlled method and synthesized intermetallic Pt
2
Mo nanocrystals with twin boundaries on mesoporous carbon (Pt
2
Mo/C). The formation of small-sized twinned intermetallic nanocrystals is associated with the strong Mo-C interaction–induced slow Mo diffusion and the heterogeneity of alloying, which is revealed by an in situ aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope (TEM) at high temperature. The twinned Pt
2
Mo/C constitutes a promising CO-resistant catalyst for highly selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes. Theoretical calculations and environmental TEM suggest that the weakened CO adsorption over Pt sites of Pt
2
Mo twin boundaries and their local region endows them with high CO resistance, selectivity, and reusability. The present strategy paves the way for tailoring the interface structure of high–melting point Mo/W-based intermetallic nanocrystals that proved to be important for the industrially viable reactions.
Suvorexant ameliorated sleep disturbance, opioid withdrawal, and craving during a buprenorphine taper
Authors: Huhn Andrew S. , Finan Patrick H. , Gamaldo Charlene E. , Hammond Alexis S. , Umbricht Annie , Bergeria Cecilia L. , Strain Eric C. , Dunn Kelly E.
Published: June 2022

Increased orexin/hypocretin signaling is implicated in opioid withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and drug-seeking behaviors. This study examined whether a dual-orexin receptor antagonist would improve sleep and withdrawal outcomes when compared with placebo during a buprenorphine/naloxone taper. Thirty-eight participants with opioid use disorder were recruited to a clinical research unit and maintained on 8/2 to 16/4 mg of buprenorphine/naloxone treatment for 3 days before being randomized to 20 mg of suvorexant (
n
= 14), 40 mg of suvorexant (
n
= 12), or placebo (
n
= 12); 26 individuals completed the study. After randomization, participants underwent a 4-day buprenorphine/naloxone taper and 4-day post-taper observation period. Total sleep time (TST) was collected nightly with a wireless electroencephalography device and wrist-worn actigraphy; opioid withdrawal symptoms were assessed via the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS); and abuse potential was assessed on a 0- to 100-point visual analog scale of “High” every morning. A priori outcomes included two-group (collapsing suvorexant doses versus placebo) and three-group comparisons of area-under-the-curve (AUC) scores for TST, SOWS, and High. In two-group comparisons, participants receiving suvorexant displayed increased TST during the buprenorphine/naloxone taper and decreased SOWS during the post-taper period. In three-group comparisons, participants receiving 20 mg of suvorexant versus placebo displayed increased AUC for TST during the buprenorphine/naloxone taper, but there was no difference in SOWS among groups. There was no evidence of abuse potential in two- or three-group analyses. The results suggest that suvorexant might be a promising treatment for sleep and opioid withdrawal in individuals undergoing a buprenorphine/naloxone taper.
Molecular signatures of long-term hepatocellular carcinoma risk in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Fujiwara Naoto , Kubota Naoto , Crouchet Emilie , Koneru Bhuvaneswari , Marquez Cesia A. , Jajoriya Arun K. , Panda Gayatri , Qian Tongqi , Zhu Shijia , Goossens Nicolas , Wang Xiaochen , Liang Shuang , Zhong Zhenyu , Lewis Sara , Taouli Bachir , Schwartz Myron E. , Fiel Maria Isabel , Singal Amit G. , Marrero Jorge A. , Fobar Austin J. , Parikh Neehar D. , Raman Indu , Li Quan-Zhen , Taguri Masataka , Ono Atsushi , Aikata Hiroshi , Nakahara Takashi , Nakagawa Hayato , Matsushita Yuki , Tateishi Ryosuke , Koike Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Masahiro , Higashi Takaaki , Nakagawa Shigeki , Yamashita Yo-ichi , Beppu Toru , Baba Hideo , Kumada Hiromitsu , Chayama Kazuaki , Baumert Thomas F. , Hoshida Yujin
Published: June 2022

Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk is an urgent unmet need in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In cohorts of 409 patients with NAFLD from multiple global regions, we defined and validated hepatic transcriptome and serum secretome signatures predictive of long-term HCC risk in patients with NAFLD. A 133-gene signature, prognostic liver signature (PLS)–NAFLD, predicted incident HCC over up to 15 years of longitudinal observation. High-risk PLS-NAFLD was associated with IDO1
+
dendritic cells and dysfunctional CD8
+
T cells in fibrotic portal tracts along with impaired metabolic regulators. PLS-NAFLD was validated in independent cohorts of patients with NAFLD who were HCC naïve (HCC incidence rates at 15 years were 22.7 and 0% in high- and low-risk patients, respectively) or HCC experienced (de novo HCC recurrence rates at 5 years were 71.8 and 42.9% in high- and low-risk patients, respectively). PLS-NAFLD was bioinformatically translated into a four-protein secretome signature, PLSec-NAFLD, which was validated in an independent cohort of HCC-naïve patients with NAFLD and cirrhosis (HCC incidence rates at 15 years were 37.6 and 0% in high- and low-risk patients, respectively). Combination of PLSec-NAFLD with our previously defined etiology-agnostic PLSec-AFP yielded improved HCC risk stratification. PLS-NAFLD was modified by bariatric surgery, lipophilic statin, and IDO1 inhibitor, suggesting that the signature can be used for drug discovery and as a surrogate end point in HCC chemoprevention clinical trials. Collectively, PLS/PLSec-NAFLD may enable NAFLD-specific HCC risk prediction and facilitate clinical translation of NAFLD-directed HCC chemoprevention.
Probiotic Consortia and Their Metabolites Ameliorate the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in a Colitis Mouse Model
Authors: Xu Limin , Liu Bingdong , Huang Liujing , Li Ze , Cheng Yanbo , Tian Ye , Pan Guihua , Li Huijun , Xu Yinlan , Wu Weidong , Cui Zongbin , Xie Liwei
Published: June 2022

IBD is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease. IBD is characterized by a wide range of lesions, often involving the entire colon, and is characterized mainly by ulcers and erosions of the colonic mucosa.
Expression Profile and Localization of SARS-CoV-2 Nonstructural Replicase Proteins in Infected Cells
Authors: Shi Fang-Shu , Yu Yin , Li Ya-Li , Cui Lilan , Zhao Zhuangzhuang , Wang Mi , Wang Bin , Zhang Rong , Huang Yao-Wei
Published: June 2022

The intracellular localization of SARS-CoV-2 replicase nonstructural proteins (nsp) during infection has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we systematically analyzed the expression and subcellular localization of 11 distinct viral nsp and dsRNA over time in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells by using individual antibody against these replicase proteins.
Characterizing the Interplay of Rubisco and Nitrogenase Enzymes in Anaerobic-Photoheterotrophically Grown Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 through a Genome-Scale Metabolic and Expression Model
Authors: Chowdhury Niaz Bahar , Alsiyabi Adil , Saha Rajib
Published: June 2022

In this work, we reconstructed the first ME model for a purple nonsulfur bacterium (PNSB). Using the ME model, different aspects of
R. palustris
metabolism were examined.
Supplemental Material: Late Archean–Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics along the northern margin of the North China craton
Authors: Wu Chen , al. et
Published: June 2022

Table S1: U-Pb zircon geochronology results of late Archean Wuchuan ultramafic-mafic complex and Paleoproterozoic intrusions. Table S2: U-Pb baddeleyite geochronology results of Yongli carbonatite sample. Table S3: Whole-rock geochemistry data for the 21 samples from the Wuchuan ultramafic-mafic complex and Paleoproterozoic intrusions. Table S4: Whole-rock geochemistry data for 7 Yongli carbonatite samples. Table S5: Sr-Nd isotopic data of the Wuchuan ultramafic-mafic complex and Paleoproterozoic intrusion samples, and C-O isotopic data of the Yongli carbonatite samples.
Supplemental Material: Biotic Enhancement of Weathering over the Past 3.7 Billion Years
Authors: Retallack Gregory J.
Published: June 2022

Table S1. Base and phosphorus depletion, and paleoenvironments of 97 well-studied paleosols. 
Hypogammaglobulinaemia and B cell lymphopaenia in Barth syndrome
Authors: Kudlaty Elizabeth , Agnihotri Neha , Khojah Amer
Published: June 2022

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X linked recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the tafazzin (TAZ) gene classically associated with the triad of neutropaenia and cardiac and skeletal myopathies. Here we present a case of BTHS in a 2-month-old male patient found to have a novel variant of the TAZ gene (hemizygous c.639G>A) leading to early termination of the tafazzin protein (p.Trp213Ter) with presumed loss of function. Our patient was found to have dilated cardiomyopathy, cyclic neutropaenia and growth delays, which in combination with genetic work-up confirmed the diagnosis of BTHS. He also experienced repeated bacterial and viral infections, prompting an immunological work-up which revealed persistent B cell lymphopaenia and hypogammaglobulinaemia. He ultimately required subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement and GM-CSF for ongoing hypogammaglobulinaemia and neutropaenia. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of BTHS associated with B cell lymphopaenia and hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Barriers to body temperature monitoring among prehospital personnel: a qualitative study using the modified nominal group technique
Authors: Scott Remi William , Fredriksen Knut
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To identify and explore barriers that healthcare professionals working as prehospital care (PHC) providers at the University Hospital of North Norway experience with temperature monitoring and discover solutions to these problems.

Study design

Qualitative study using the modified nominal group technique.

Materials and methods

14 experienced healthcare professionals working in air and ground emergency medical services were invited to the study. Initially, each participant was asked to suggest through email topics of importance regarding barriers to prehospital thermometry. Afterwards, they received a list of all disparate topics and were asked to individually rank them by importance. The top-ranked topics were discussed in a consensus meeting. The meeting was audio-recorded and a transcript was written and then analysed through an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

13 participants accepted the invitation. 63 suggestions were reduced to 24 disparate topics after removal of duplicates. Twelve highly ranked topics were discussed during the consensus meeting. Thematic analysis revealed 47 codes that were grouped together into six overarching themes, of which four described challenges to monitoring and two described potential solutions: equipment dissatisfaction, little focus on patient temperature, fear of iatrogenic complications, thermometry subordinated, more focus on temperature and simplification of thermometry.

Conclusion

To increase the frequency of temperature measurement on correct indication, we suggest introducing PHC protocols that specify patients and conditions where an accurate temperature measurement should have high priority. Furthermore, there is a profound need for more suitable techniques for temperature monitoring in the prehospital setting.
Clinical efficacy of a virtual reality tool for the treatment of obesity: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Anastasiadou Dimitra , Slater Mel , Spanlang Bernhard , Cano Porras Desiderio , Comas Marta , Ciudin Andreea , Puig Gemma Parramon , Vázquez-De Sebastián Julia , Ramos-Quiroga Jose Antonio , Lusilla-Palacios Pilar
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Previous research has shown that it is feasible to integrate motivational interviewing techniques with behavioural and psychological interventions for the treatment of obesity. Moreover, these combined interventions have the potential to improve health-related outcomes of people living with obesity (PLWO) and to afford maintenance of behavioural changes over time. In addition, the use of virtual reality (VR) embodiment techniques in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity has promising preliminary effectiveness. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy of a VR intervention that uses embodiment and body-swapping techniques and has been specifically developed to cover the needs of PLWO.

Methods and analysis

A randomised control trial will be carried out with an estimated sample of 96 participants with body mass index (BMI)>30. The whole duration of the trial will be 12 months. Participants will be recruited from the external consultations of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and be randomly assigned to three groups. The experimental group 1 will engage in a virtual self-conversation using the ConVRself platform, the experimental group 2 will participate in a ‘pre-established discourse’ provided by the virtual counsellor, who will give psychoeducation advice, and the control group will continue with treatment as usual. Readiness to change, BMI, eating habits and physical activity, psychological well-being, body image satisfaction, quality of life in relation to body image, and weight bias internalisation will be assessed at baseline, post intervention, 1-week and 4-week follow-up. Finally, variables related to adherence and satisfaction with the VR tool will be evaluated for the experimental groups.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Research Projects Committee of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, reports to the funding body, conferences and other events for the scientific and clinical community, and the general public.

Trial registration number

NCT05094557.
Estimating BMI distributions by age and sex for local authorities in England: a small area estimation study
Authors: Amies-Cull Ben , Wolstenholme Jane , Cobiac Linda , Scarborough Peter
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Rates of overweight and obesity vary across England, but local rates have not been estimated for over 10 years. We aimed to produce new small area estimates of body mass index (BMI) by age and sex for each lower tier and unitary local authority in England, to provide up-to-date and more detailed estimates for the use of policy-makers and academics working in non-communicable disease risk and health inequalities.

Design

We used generalised linear modelling to estimate the relationship between BMI with social/demographic markers in a cross-sectional survey, then used this model to impute a BMI for each adult in locally-representative populations. These groups were then disaggregated by 5-year age group, sex and local authority group.

Setting

The Health Survey for England 2018 (cross-sectional BMI data for England) and Census microdata 2011 (locally representative).

Participants

A total of 6174 complete cases aged 16 and over were included.

Outcome measures

Modelled group-level BMI as mean and SD of log-BMI. Extensive internal validation was performed, against the original data and external validation against the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and Active Lives Survey and previous small area estimates.

Results

In 94% of age–sex are groups, mean BMI was in the overweight or obese ranges. Older and more deprived areas had the highest overweight and obesity rates, which were particularly in coastal areas, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber. Validation showed close concordance with previous estimates by local area and demographic groups.

Conclusion

This work updated previous estimates of the distribution of BMI in England and contributes considerable additional detail to our understanding of the local epidemiology of overweight and obesity. Raised BMI now affects the vast majority of demographic groups by age, sex and area in England, regardless of geography or deprivation.
Resident integration with inpatient clinical documentation improvement: a quality improvement project
Authors: Rouse Michael , Jones Matthew , Zogleman Brice , May Rebekah , Ekilah Tanya , Gibson Cheryl
Published: June 2022

Background

Clinical documentation improvement (CDI) is an increasing part of health system quality and patient care with clinical documentation integrity specialists (CDIS) expanding into daily physician workflow. This integration can be especially challenging for resident teams due to increased team size, lack of documentation experience, and misunderstanding of both CDIS and CDI purpose.

Problem

The University of Kansas Health System Internal Medicine residency programme reported challenges with CDIS and resident workflow integration specifically in navigating and understanding CDIS documentation queries, CDIS interruption of interdisciplinary huddles, and general misunderstanding of CDI and the role of CDIS.

Methods

A quality improvement project was undertaken to integrate CDIS more effectively into resident workflow. Combined with a resident debrief session to identify general areas of concern, surveys were administered to internal medicine residents, resident rounding faculty and CDIS team members to identify specific barriers to CDIS–physician integration.

Intervention

A collective group of CDIS member teams, internal medicine chief residents and faculty physicians was formed. Changes made to the CDI process based on survey feedback included (1) improving formatting of CDIS electronic query templates, (2) standardisation of timing for CDIS verbal queries during interdisciplinary huddles, and (3) development of a resident didactic session focused on the role of CDIS and documentation’s impact on quality, safety and outcomes as related to the hospital, provider and patient.

Results

Surveys completed after implementation showed a positive impact on electronic query template changes and perception of CDIS at interdisciplinary huddles. The didactic curriculum was effective in helping residents understand the role and limitations of CDIS and how documentation affects quality of care.

Conclusion

CDIS–physician integration into resident teams can occur through a collaborative focus on specific aspects of physician workflow and improving understanding of the impact of CDI on patient safety and quality of care.
Perceived stigma and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease with additional health conditions
Authors: Islam Samia S , Neargarder Sandy , Kinger Shraddha B , Fox-Fuller Joshua T , Salazar Robert D , Cronin-Golomb Alice
Published: June 2022

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with perceived stigma and affects quality of life (QoL). Additional health conditions may influence these consequences of PD.

Aims

This study assessed the impact of health conditions on perceived stigma and QoL in persons with PD. We hypothesised that individuals with more health conditions would report more stigma and poorer QoL. We also examined the contributions of demographic and clinical characteristics to the correlations between health conditions and perceived stigma/QoL.

Methods

We identified 196 eligible participants from the Boston University Online Survey Study of Parkinson’s Disease and examined their health history, performance on multiple stigma measures, and scores on the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire assessing QoL.

Results

At least one health condition was reported by 79% of the sample, with a median of 2 and a range of 0–7 health conditions. More perceived stigma and poorer QoL were associated with thyroid disease, depression, anxiety, and the total number of health conditions. These correlations were related to younger age, less education, and earlier disease onset. Other health conditions (high blood pressure, back/leg surgery, headache, cancer/tumours, and heart disease) were not significantly correlated with stigma or QoL.

Conclusions

Having more health conditions, or thyroid disease, depression, or anxiety, was associated with more perceived stigma and poorer QoL, with younger age, less education, and earlier disease onset affecting the associations. It is important to consider the burden of health conditions and how they affect persons with PD with specific clinical characteristics.
Collective strategy condensation towards class-separated societies
Authors: Gros Claudius
Published: June 2022

In physics, the wavefunctions of bosonic particles collapse when the system undergoes a Bose–Einstein condensation. In game theory, the strategy of an agent describes the probability to engage in a certain course of action. Strategies are expected to differ in competitive situations, namely when there is a penalty to do the same as somebody else. We study what happens when agents are interested how they fare not only in absolute terms, but also relative to others. This preference, denoted envy, is shown to induce the emergence of distinct social classes via a collective strategy condensation transition. Members of the lower class pursue identical strategies, in analogy to the Bose–Einstein condensation, with the upper class remaining individualistic.

Graphical abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine for COVID-19: A Network Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Ji Zhaochen , Hu Haiyin , Qiang Xiaoyu , Lin Shanshan , Pang Bo , Cao Lujia , Zhang Li , Liu Shigang , Chen Zhe , Zheng Wenke , Liu Chunxiang , Wang Hui , Zhang Junhua
Published: June 2022

To compare the efficacy of different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and provide a higher level of evidence in the form of network meta-analysis (NMA) and systematic review. We searched the studies from the following databases: CNKI, VIP, WanFang, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from the establishment of the respective database until December 2021. Relevant studies were screened according to the pre-established inclusion criteria. The quality of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were assessed using the risk of bias (ROB) tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS), respectively. R software 4.1.1 and Stata 13.1 were used for data analysis and mapping. A total of 34 studies were included in this network meta-analysis that tested 24 TCM interventions and included 3443 patients. Using cluster analysis of time to negative SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the length of hospital stay and composite events, we found that Jinyinhua oral liquid (JYH, 120 mL) + conventional Western medicine (CWM) has the highest SUCRA value at 88.64%, 85.61% and 84.24%. The traditional meta-analysis results revealed that Qingfei Paidu decoction + CWM were significantly different compared with CWM alone for the score of clinical symptoms (MD =-0.75, 95% CI [–1.04, –0.47]). Nine studies reported 57 adverse reactions (ADRs) and 3 adverse events (ADEs) in TCM + CWM groups, and eight studies reported 33 ADRs and 8 ADEs in CWM groups. In conclusion, the combination of TCM and CWM approaches may enhance the efficacy of CWM in COVID-19 patients. Based on the NMA result, JYH (120 mL) + CWM may be a more effective treatment and deserves further investigation. However, the differences in many comparisons between TCM interventions did not reach statistical significance; therefore, further high-quality studies are required to validate these findings.
Safety Knowledge Management Practices in Indian Construction Companies
Authors: Chellappa Vigneshkumar , Salve Urmi Ravindra
Published: June 2022

In the construction industry, safety has always been a persistent issue. The importance of safety knowledge for construction was highlighted by literature and practices. This study aimed to understand safety knowledge management (KM) commitments, strategies, and tools being used in Indian construction organisations. A survey was conducted among safety managers/heads in eight leading Indian construction contractors operating in a global construction market. The results indicated that out of eight companies, safety KM systems were available in seven companies and one was looking to implement it. All the organisations consider safety KM as the strategic assets for their companies and were aware of safety KM’s benefits. Email, Internet, small-group meetings and brainstorming were considered the most important tools to transfer safety knowledge among these organisations. Out of eight, six contracting organisations were aware that costly errors occurred at their companies when safety knowledge was not available when and where it was needed. Hence, safety knowledge sharing culture should be cultivated to enhance the safety performance of contracting companies. The findings may be used to establish standards to facilitate safety KM as an initial point for the government. This study would serve as a foundation for companies to enhance safety performance by improving their safety KM systems.
The Composition of University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Academic Entrepreneurship: A UK Study
Authors: Prokop Daniel
Published: June 2022

This paper examines the link between the composition of university entrepreneurial ecosystems and performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) in academic entrepreneurship, specifically founding academic spinoff companies. The paper studies a sample of 160 UK HEIs and their university entrepreneurial ecosystems related to formation of 784 academic spinoffs. It employs social network analysis (SNA) to inspect the composition and connections between university entrepreneurial ecosystems. It finds that HEIs based in better developed university entrepreneurial ecosystems are associated with formation of greater numbers of academic spinoff companies. The best performing ecosystems are based in the Greater South East region. It is concluded that policymakers need to recognize the importance of the composition of the university entrepreneurial ecosystems and the role it plays in academic entrepreneurship.
Survey on Aspect Category Detection
Authors: Chebolu Siva Uday Sampreeth , Rosso Paolo , Kar Sudipta , Solorio Thamar
Published: June 2022

In recent years, aspect category detection has become popular due to the rapid growth in customer reviews data on e-commerce and other online platforms. Aspect Category Detection, a sub-task of Aspect-based Sentiment Analysis, categorizes the reviews based on the features of a product such as a laptop’s display or an aspect of an entity such as the restaurant’s ambiance. Various methods have been proposed to deal with such a problem. In this article, we first introduce several datasets in the community that deal with this task and take a closer look at them by providing some exploratory analysis. Then, we review a number of representative methods for aspect category detection and classify them into two main groups: (1) supervised learning and (2) unsupervised learning. Next, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of methods, which are expected to benefit both practical applications and future research. Finally, we discuss the challenges, open problems, and future research directions.
Optimal Qubit Assignment and Routing via Integer Programming
Authors: Nannicini Giacomo , Bishop Lev S. , Günlük Oktay , Jurcevic Petar
Published: June 2022

We consider the problem of mapping a logical quantum circuit onto a given hardware with limited 2-qubit connectivity. We model this problem as an integer linear program, using a network flow formulation with binary variables that includes the initial allocation of qubits and their routing. We consider several cost functions: an approximation of the fidelity of the circuit, its total depth, and a measure of cross-talk, all of which can be incorporated in the model. Numerical experiments on synthetic data and different hardware topologies indicate that the error rate and depth can be optimized simultaneously without significant loss. We test our algorithm on a large number of quantum volume circuits, optimizing for error rate and depth; our algorithm significantly reduces the number of CNOTs compared to Qiskit’s default transpiler SABRE [
19
] and produces circuits that, when executed on hardware, exhibit higher fidelity.
Scheduling Hyperparameters to Improve Generalization: From Centralized SGD to Asynchronous SGD
Authors: Sun Jianhui , Yang Ying , Xun Guangxu , Zhang Aidong
Published: June 2022

This paper
1
studies how to schedule hyperparameters to improve generalization of both
centralized
single-machine stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and
distributed
asynchronous SGD (ASGD). SGD augmented with momentum variants (e.g., heavy ball momentum (SHB) and Nesterov’s accelerated gradient (NAG)) has been the default optimizer for many tasks, in both centralized and distributed environments. However, many advanced momentum variants, despite empirical advantage over classical SHB/NAG, introduce extra hyperparameters to tune. The error-prone tuning is the main barrier for AutoML.

Centralized
SGD
: We first focus on
centralized
single-machine SGD and show how to efficiently schedule the hyperparameters of a large class of momentum variants to improve generalization. We propose a unified framework called multistage quasi-hyperbolic momentum (Multistage QHM), which covers a large family of momentum variants as its special cases (e.g. vanilla SGD/SHB/NAG). Existing works mainly focus on only scheduling learning rate
α
’s decay, while multistage QHM allows additional varying hyperparameters (e.g., momentum factor), and demonstrates better generalization than only tuning
α
. We show the convergence of multistage QHM for general nonconvex objectives.

Distributed
SGD
: We then extend our theory to distributed asynchronous SGD (ASGD), in which a parameter server distributes data batches to several worker machines and updates parameters via aggregating batch gradients from workers. We quantify the asynchrony between different workers (i.e., gradient staleness), model the dynamics of asynchronous iterations via a stochastic differential equation (SDE), and then derive a PAC-Bayesian generalization bound for ASGD. As a byproduct, we show how a moderately large learning rate helps ASGD to generalize better.

Our tuning strategies have rigorous justifications rather than a blind trial-and-error as we theoretically prove why our tuning strategies could decrease our derived generalization errors in both cases. Our strategies simplify the tuning process and beat competitive optimizers in test accuracy empirically. Our codes are publicly available https://github.com/jsycsjh/centralized-asynchronous-tuning.
Pharyngeal timing and particle transport defects in Caenorhabditis elegans feeding mutants
Authors: Brenner Isaac Ravi , Raizen David M. , Fang-Yen Christopher
Published: June 2022

The nematode C. elegans uses rhythmic contractions of its pharynx (feeding organ) to filter, transport, and crush food bacteria. Genetic analyses have identified mutants with defective pharyngeal motions, but many details of these movements and how they affect feeding are poorly understood. We use high-speed video microscopy to describe pharyngeal pumping behaviors and particle transport in feeding mutants. We find that multiple deficits in pharyngeal timing or contraction can cause defects in particle transport.
Conservative Management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Sánchez-Prieto Manuel , Puy María Jesús , Barbany Núria , Graupera Betlem , Pascual Maria Angela , Barri-Soldevila Pere
Published: June 2022

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy located in the lower uterine segment. The current increase in the percentage of cesarean sections is accompanied by significant growth in the incidence of CSP, while advances in ultrasound diagnostic techniques have led to a greater number of CSP diagnoses. A misdiagnosed CSP, or one that is diagnosed too late, is life-threatening to the pregnant patient and predisposes her to complications such as uterine bleeding or rupture, which often require hysterectomy and thus result in the irreversible loss of fertility. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman with a history of undiagnosed CSP after multiple consultations for intermittent bleeding and hemorrhage. She was diagnosed by ultrasound and the diagnosis was confirmed by hysteroscopy. She underwent conservative medical treatment that was successful.