bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Sono solo parole’: Facing challenges entailed in developing and applying terminologies to document nursing care
Authors: Malabusini Cecilia
Published: February 2022

Nurses’ need to document activities is urgent. The panorama of available terminologies is heterogeneous. It seems necessary to understand the premises of available tools and their limits and benefits to make conscious choices and shape future development. Taxonomies (e.g., North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) and ‘pure terminologies’ (e.g., International Classification for Nursing Practice), or nursing languages, are available tools to document nurses’ activities and to produce theoretical models or reference systems. These tools respond first to a practical problem: ‘translating’ nursing facts into linguistic descriptions. Taxonomies make reality describable through exhaustive definitions designed inductively. Thus, I argue that their philosophical basis is naïve semantics. Their framework is a closed hierarchy, that is, a system that provides defined levels of concepts, structured through dichotomous rules. This causes the problem of determining boundaries between concepts, and thus between phenomena, which I call the problem of ‘closing the concept enclosure’. Rigid metaphysical structures are unable to cope with the complexity of phenomena that nurses deal with, so they seem to be unable to describe them. I follow Wittgenstein's argument, from Philosophical Investigations, which is useful to understand this challenge: the definition of terms is not a problem of lack of suitable words or an agreed decision, but is achieved by training in practice. Pure terminologies give us another way to address the question. They are usually composed of a glossary of terms, paired with rules to combine them to manage meaning. They are more like natural language and this implies adapting more to phenomena. Then, I argue that their philosophical background is a pragmatic approach to language, and I discuss some consequences and objections. Finally, I find that the development of pure terminologies rather than taxonomies in documenting nursing activities allows us to achieve key objectives, such as improving nursing visibility and measurability in health records, without jeopardising person‐centred care.
Identification of the novel HLA‐C*04:440 allele using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Lee Seung Yeob , Choi Hyun‐Jung
Published: February 2022

The HLA‐C*04:440 allele differs from HLA‐C*04:82:01 by a single non‐synonymous change, c.14C > A.
Role of lncRNAs in cis‐ and trans‐regulatory responses to salt in Populus trichocarpa
Authors: Ye Xiaoxue , Wang Shuo , Zhao Xijuan , Gao Ni , Wang Yao , Yang Yanmei , Wu Ernest , Jiang Cheng , Cheng Yuxiang , Wu Wenwu , Liu Shenkui
Published: February 2022

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as versatile regulators in diverse biological processes. However, little is known about their cis‐ and trans‐regulatory contributions in gene expression under salt stress. Using 27 RNA‐seq data sets from Populus trichocarpa leaves, stems and roots, we identified 2988 high‐confidence lncRNAs, including 1183 salt‐induced differentially expressed lncRNAs. Among them, 301 lncRNAs have potential for positively affecting their neighboring genes, predominantly in a cis‐regulatory manner rather than by co‐transcription. Additionally, a co‐expression network identified six striking salt‐associated modules with a total of 5639 genes, including 426 lncRNAs, and in these lncRNA sequences, the DNA/RNA binding motifs are enriched. This suggests that lncRNAs might contribute to distant gene expression of the salt‐associated modules in a trans‐regulatory manner. Moreover, we found 30 lncRNAs that have potential to simultaneously cis‐ and trans‐regulate salt‐responsive homologous genes, and Ptlinc‐NAC72, significantly induced under long‐term salt stress, was selected for validating its regulation of the expression and functional roles of the homologs PtNAC72.A and PtNAC72.B (PtNAC72.A/B). The transient transformation of Ptlinc‐NAC72 and a dual‐luciferase assay of Ptlinc‐NAC72 and PtNAC72.A/B promoters confirmed that Ptlinc‐NAC72 can directly upregulate PtNAC72.A/B expression, and a presence/absence assay was further conducted to show that the regulation is probably mediated by Ptlinc‐NAC72 recognizing the tandem elements (GAAAAA) in the PtNAC72.A/B 5′ untranslated region (5′‐UTR). Finally, the overexpression of Ptlinc‐NAC72 produces a hypersensitive phenotype under salt stress. Altogether, our results shed light on the cis‐ and trans‐regulation of gene expression by lncRNAs in Populus and provides an example of long‐term salt‐induced Ptlinc‐NAC72 that could be used to mitigate growth costs by conferring plant resilience to salt stress.
The adaptive evolution of Euryale ferox to the aquatic environment through paleo‐hexaploidization
Authors: Wu Peng , Zhang Lingkui , Zhang Kang , Yin Yulai , Liu Ailian , Zhu Yue , Fu Yu , Sun Fangfang , Zhao Shuping , Feng Kai , Xu Xuewen , Chen Xuehao , Cheng Feng , Li Liangjun
Published: February 2022

Occupation of living space is one of the main driving forces of adaptive evolution, especially for aquatic plants whose leaves float on the water surface and thus have limited living space. Euryale ferox, from the angiosperm basal family Nymphaeaceae, develops large, rapidly expanding leaves to compete for space on the water surface. Microscopic observation found that the cell proliferation of leaves is almost completed underwater, while the cell expansion occurs rapidly after they grow above water. To explore the mechanism underlying the specific development of leaves, we performed sequences assembly and analyzed the genome and transcriptome dynamics of E. ferox. Through reconstruction of the three sub‐genomes generated from the paleo‐hexaploidization event in E. ferox, we revealed that one sub‐genome was phylogenetically closer to Victoria cruziana, which also exhibits gigantic floating leaves. Further analysis revealed that while all three sub‐genomes promoted the evolution of the specific leaf development in E. ferox, the genes from the sub‐genome closer to V. cruziana contributed more to this adaptive evolution. Moreover, we found that genes involved in cell proliferation and expansion, photosynthesis, and energy transportation were over‐retained and showed strong expression association with the leaf development stages, such as the expression divergence of SWEET orthologs as energy uploaders and unloaders in the sink and source leaf organs of E. ferox. These findings provide novel insights into the genome evolution through polyploidization, as well as the adaptive evolution regarding the leaf development accomplished through biased gene retention and expression sub‐functionalization of multi‐copy genes in E. ferox.
Ryanodine receptor activity and store‐operated Ca2+ entry: Critical regulators of Ca2+ content and function in skeletal muscle
Authors: Pearce Luke , Meizoso‐Huesca Aldo , Seng Crystal , Lamboley Cedric R. , Singh Daniel P. , Launikonis Bradley S.
Published: February 2022

Store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is critical to cell function. In skeletal muscle, SOCE has evolved alongside excitation–contraction coupling (EC coupling); as a result, it displays unique properties compared to SOCE in other cells. The plasma membrane of skeletal muscle is mostly internalized as the tubular system, with the tubules meeting the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) terminal cisternae, forming junctions where the proteins that regulate EC coupling and SOCE are positioned. In this review, we describe the properties and roles of SOCE based on direct measurements of Ca2+ influx during SR Ca2+ release and leak. SOCE is activated immediately and locally as the [Ca2+] of the junctional SR terminal cisternae ([Ca2+]jSR) depletes. [Ca2+]jSR changes rapidly and steeply with increasing activity of the SR ryanodine receptor isoform 1 (RyR1). The high fidelity of [Ca2+]jSR with RyR1 activity probably depends on the SR Ca2+‐buffer calsequestrin that is located immediately behind RyR1 inside the SR. This arrangement provides in‐phase activation and deactivation of SOCE with a large dynamic range, allowing precise grading of SOCE flux. The in‐phase activation of SOCE as the SR partially depletes traps Ca2+ in the cytoplasm, preventing net Ca2+ loss. Mild presentation of RyR1 leak can occur under physiological conditions, providing fibre Ca2+ redistribution without changing fibre Ca2+ content. This condition preserves normal contractile function at the same time as increasing basal metabolic rate. However, higher RyR1 leak drives excess cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Ca2+ load, setting a deleterious intracellular environment that compromises the function of the skeletal muscle.

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Muscle hypertrophic effect of inhaled beta2‐agonist is associated with augmented insulin‐stimulated whole‐body glucose disposal in young men
Authors: Jessen Søren , Baasch‐Skytte Thomas , Onslev Johan , Eibye Kasper , Backer Vibeke , Bangsbo Jens , Hostrup Morten
Published: February 2022

Rodent studies highlight enhancement of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity as potential clinically relevant effects of chronic beta2‐agonist treatment. However, the doses administered to rodents are not comparable with the therapeutic doses used for humans. Thus, we investigated the physiological effects of prolonged beta2‐agonist treatment at inhaled doses resembling those used in respiratory diseases on insulin‐stimulated whole‐body glucose disposal and putative mechanisms in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of healthy men. Utilizing a randomized placebo‐controlled parallel‐group design, we assigned 21 healthy men to 4 weeks daily inhalation of terbutaline (TER; 4 mg × day−1, n = 13) or placebo (PLA, n = 8). Before and after treatments, we assessed subjects’ whole‐body insulin‐stimulated glucose disposal and body composition, and collected vastus lateralis muscle and abdominal adipose tissue biopsies. Glucose infusion rate increased by 27% (95% CI: 80 to 238 mg × min−1, P = 0.001) in TER, whereas no significant changes occurred in PLA (95% CI: −37 to 195 mg × min−1, P = 0.154). GLUT4 content in muscle or adipose tissue did not change, nor did hexokinase II content or markers of mitochondrial volume in muscle. Change in lean mass was associated with change in glucose infusion rate in TER (r = 0.59, P = 0.03). Beta2‐agonist treatment in close‐to‐therapeutic doses may augment whole‐body insulin‐stimulated glucose disposal in healthy young men and part of the change is likely to be explained by muscle hypertrophy. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of beta2‐agonists for improving insulin sensitivity.

Key points

While studies in rodents have highlighted beta2‐agonists as a means to augment insulin sensitivity, these studies utilized beta2‐agonists at doses inapplicable to humans.

Herein we show that a 4‐week treatment period with daily therapeutic inhalation of beta2‐agonist increases insulin‐stimulated whole‐body glucose disposal in young healthy lean men.

This effect was associated with an increase of lean mass but not with changes in GLUT4 and hexokinase II or basal glycogen content in skeletal muscle nor GLUT4 content in abdominal adipose tissue.

These findings suggest that the enhanced insulin‐stimulated whole‐body glucose disposal induced by a period of beta2‐agonist treatment in humans, at least in part, is attributed to muscle hypertrophy.

Our observations extend findings in rodents and highlight the therapeutic potential of beta2‐agonists to enhance the capacity for glucose disposal and whole‐body insulin sensitivity, providing important knowledge with potential application in insulin resistance.
Phase‐specific pooling of sparse assembly activity by respiration‐related brain oscillations
Authors: Folschweiller Shani , Sauer Jonas‐Frederic
Published: February 2022

Nasal breathing affects cognitive functions, but it has remained largely unclear how respiration‐driven inputs shape information processing in neuronal circuits. Current theories emphasize the role of neuronal assemblies, coalitions of transiently active pyramidal cells, as the core unit of cortical network computations. Here, we show that the phase of respiration‐related oscillations (RROs) influences the likelihood of activation of a subset of neuronal assemblies in the medial prefrontal cortex of awake mice. RROs bias the activation of neuronal assemblies more efficiently than that of individual neurons by entraining the coactivity of assembly neurons. Moreover, the activation of assemblies is moderately biased towards the descending phase of RROs. Despite the enriched activation of assemblies during descending RRO, the overlap between individual assemblies remains constant across RRO phases. Putative GABAergic interneurons are shown to coactivate with assemblies and receive enhanced excitatory drive from assembly neurons during descending RRO, suggesting that the phase‐specific recruitment of putative interneurons might help to keep the activation of different assemblies separated from each other during times of preferred assembly activation. Our results thus identify respiration‐synchronized brain rhythms as drivers of neuronal assemblies and point to a role of RROs in defining time windows of enhanced yet segregated assembly activity.

Key points

Activation of neuronal assemblies is phase‐coupled to ongoing respiration‐related oscillations (RROs) in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice.

The phase coupling strength of assemblies exceeds that of individual neurons.

Assemblies preferentially activate during the descending phase of RRO.

Despite higher assembly frequency during descending RRO, overlap between active assemblies remains constant across RRO phase.

Putative GABAergic interneurons are preferentially recruited by assembly neurons during descending RRO, suggesting that interneurons might contribute to the segregation of active assemblies during the descending phase of RRO.
Bases psicofisiológicas del sistema de clasificación de fumadores Basado en el reflejo asombroso de las tasas relacionadas con el tabaco
Authors: Londoño Pérez Constanza , Pardo Adames Carlos , Velasco Salamanca Marcela
Published: February 2022

Se han descrito los factores psicológicos y socioculturales relacionados con la adicción a la nicotina. El objetivo de este estudio comparativo es obtener bases psicofisiológicas del Sistema de Clasificación de Fumadores a partir de la comparación del reflejo de sobresalto provocado por señales relacionadas con el tabaco en personas con diferentes niveles de consumo de tabaco. El reflejo de sobresalto se registró a partir de una muestra seleccionada de 39 participantes: 16 hombres y 23 mujeres de entre 20 y 29 años con una media de 24,36 y una desviación estándar de 2,88, que fumaban de 5 a 15 cigarrillos al día. Fueron clasificados mediante la evaluación Criterios del Sistema de Clasificación de Fumadores, basado en el cuestionario C4-R, en el que fueron expuestos a 21 imágenes del Sistema Internacional de Imágenes Afectivas y a un estímulo sonoro de sobresalto de 105 dB. Se midió la electromiografía del orbicularis oculi para evaluar la magnitud del reflejo de sobresalto. La topografía del consumo y los resultados de los registros psicofisiológicos se analizaron utilizando estadística comparativa de medias mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Se concluyó que existen diferencias significativas en el grado de implicación fisiológica en los cuatro niveles de consumo del sistema descrito. Finalmente, se analizan las limitaciones y orientaciones futuras de este estudio.
Spanish Adaptation of the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale (GSQS-8)
Authors: Serrano-Fernández María-José , Boada-Grau Joan , Robert-Sentís Lluís , Boada-Cuerva Maria , Vigil-Colet Andreu , Assens-Serra Jordi
Published: February 2022

Professional drivers are a group susceptible to sleep problems or incorrect rest patterns resulting from work stress that causes alterations in biological stress markers, such as cortisol, or in cardiovascular parameters that show a state of physiological hyper-activation. The current research objective was to adapt and validate the Groningen Sleep Scale (Meijman et al., 1990) in a Spanish population. We analysed its internal structure, reliability and evidence of validity. The participants in this study were 372 drivers (93.4% men, 6.6% women), with a mean age of 40.9 (SD = 10.54), obtained through non-probabilistic sampling. The SPSS 23.0 and AMOS (5.0) programs were used. With the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the AMOS program (5.0), the indicators NFI = 0.902; TLI = 0.844; CFI = 0.913; RMSEA = 0.129 were obtained and showed an acceptable adjustment of the unifactorial model with 8 items.  Adequate reliability (0.90) and appropriate evidence of validity with TDS-38, MBI-GS, Irritation, MP-9, DII, and Trans-18. We can conclude that the Groningen Sleep Scale (GSQS-8) is a reliable and valid instrument, suitable in the Spanish language for evaluating the sleep quality of professional drivers.
Barreras y factores de éxito percibidos por el profesorado universitario. Diferencias por género y categorías académicas
Authors: Gallego Morón Nazareth , Matus-López Mauricio , Gálvez Muñoz Lina
Published: February 2022

Este artículo explora en qué medida los factores personales, organizacionales y sociales determinan las trayectorias del profesorado universitario, controlando variables sociodemográficas como sexo y rango académico. Para ello, se desarrolló un estudio de tipo correlacional, en una muestra de profesorado de la Universidad Federico II de Nápoles, en Italia (N = 228, 55.3 % hombres y 44.7 % mujeres), de entre 21 y 67 años (M = 51.7, DE = 9.2), con el empleo de estadística descriptiva y análisis de correspondencia múltiple. Los hallazgos evidencian dos tendencias diferenciadas: (1) la del profesorado masculino y de mayor nivel y (2) la de las mujeres y el profesorado de categorías medias e inferiores. Los primeros perciben menos dificultades y valoran más los factores de éxito personales (Modelo 1, 53.9 % de la varianza) y familiares (Modelo 2, 50.3 % de la varianza). Barreras como la influencia de redes informales de poder (Modelo 3, 42.7 % de la varianza) y cuestiones familiares, como la dificultad de conciliación familiar, personal y laboral (Modelos 4 y 5, 50.2 % y 59.9 % de la varianza), son percibidos con mayor intensidad por el segundo grupo. A raíz de estos datos, se destaca la importancia de medidas en pro de la igualdad de oportunidades en la academia.
Evaluación del sentido de comunidad y su variación según las características del contexto geográfico costarricense
Authors: Von Breymann Helga
Published: February 2022

El constructo sentido de comunidad ha adquirido gran relevancia en los estudios urbanos por su asociación con una mejora en la calidad de vida, eficacia colectiva y satisfacción residencial.  Este estudio buscó evaluar la estabilidad del constructo de sentido de comunidad en un contexto latinoamericano a partir de la escala de MTSOCS (Prezza et al., 2009), al igual que identificar asociaciones potenciales entre las variables que mide la escala y la distribución geográfica. Se realizó un estudio de carácter exploratorio transversal a una muestra de 394 residentes (M Edad = 43.6, DE Edad = 16.1) del cantón Flores, en Costa Rica. La recolección de datos se realizó aplicando un cuestionario en un procedimiento puerta a puerta. Los resultados del Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio aportan evidencias de validez de la escala MTSOCS. Adicionalmente, los resultados de los mapas con la distribución geográfica de los datos muestran la presencia de patrones asociados a las características físico-espaciales del territorio. Lo anterior confirma la asociación de los atributos urbanos con el sentido de comunidad de la población y la importancia de combinar la escala con sistemas de información geográfica para mejorar la comprensión del constructo y su aplicación en la planeación urbana.
Terapias y actividades asistidas con animales para niños con TEA: un estudio de revisión
Authors: Tárraga-Mínguez Raúl , Lacruz-Pérez Irene , Peiró-Estela Rosa , Sanz-Cervera Pilar
Published: February 2022

Este trabajo incluye una revisión de la literatura publicada entre 2010 y 2019 que aborda la efectividad de las Terapias y Actividades Asistidas con Animales como intervención con niños y adolescentes con Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA). Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, ProQuest, ERIC y Google Scholar, empleando los términos [(animal assisted therapy OR animal assisted intervention OR dog-assisted therapy OR equine-assisted therapy OR dolphin-assisted therapy) AND (autism OR ASD)]. Se identificaron 245 estudios, de los cuales se seleccionaron 40 con base en diferentes criterios de inclusión, tales como que las intervenciones descritas tengan un enfoque psicoeducativo y sean evaluadas mediante instrumentos rigurosos. En cada uno de ellos se revisaron las variables analizadas, los instrumentos de evaluación utilizados, las características de cada intervención y los resultados obtenidos. Los resultados sugieren que los animales más utilizados son el caballo y el perro, y que este tipo de intervención tiene efectos positivos para niños con TEA en áreas como la interacción y la comunicación social, el comportamiento y el desarrollo motor, entre otros. Se concluye que es una intervención beneficiosa para niños y adolescentes con autismo, aunque siempre como complemento de otro tipo de tratamientos.
The Genome of Enterobacter hormaechei Strain MG02, a 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Brazilian Soil
Authors: Peckle Barbara Alvarenga , Silva Sheila da , Ribeiro José Roberto de Assis , Oliveira Selma Soares de , Vianez-Júnior João Lídio Silva Gonçalves , Direito Ida Carolina Neves , Macrae Andrew
Published: February 2022

Enterobacter hormaechei
strain MG02 was isolated from a mixed culture collected from soil with a history of pesticide application. This strain degrades 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Here, we report on its genome, which has 4,923,875 bp and 55.4% G+C content.
Respiratory failure due to diaphragm paralysis after brachial plexus injury diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound
Authors: Yajima Wataru , Yoshida Takuo , Kondo Tatsuya , Uzura Masahiko
Published: February 2022

A man in his fifties was injured in a traffic accident and diagnosed with traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, liver injury, and fractures of the rib, right clavicle, right scapula and right femur. He also presented with motor and sensory disturbances of the right upper extremity and was suspected of having a brachial plexus injury. After undergoing mechanical ventilation due to multiple traumas, he was extubated. However, he developed acute respiratory failure and required reintubation. Respiratory symptoms were not clear until just before reintubation. The diagnosis of right diaphragm paralysis was made using point-of-care ultrasound with no other findings that could cause respiratory failure. MRI led to the diagnosis of brachial plexus injury, which likely caused diaphragm paralysis. Point-of-care ultrasound provided a clear visualisation and rapid bedside diagnosis of diaphragm paralysis, which can be challenging to diagnose while ruling out other causes of respiratory failure.
Knowledge and attitude of health extension workers regarding mental health problems in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tesfaye Yonas , Birhanu Zewdie , Agenagnew Liyew , Anand Susan , Yitbarek Kiddus , Ahmed Gutema , Getnet Masrie , Tucho Gudina Terefe
Published: February 2022

Objective

Health extension workers’ (HEWs’) knowledge and attitude regarding mental health problems are vital for integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare services. However, information in this context is scarce in Ethiopia. So, this study aimed to assess HEWs' knowledge and attitude towards mental health problems in Jimma, Ethiopia.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Five districts in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, 2020.

Participants

A total of 259 HEWs working in selected five districts were included in the study.

Outcome

The knowledge and attitude status of HEWs towards mental health problems.

Results

Nearly half of the respondents had inadequate knowledge (122,47.1%) and an unfavourable attitude (125, 48.3%). Most (139, 53.7%) described mental illness as due to evil spirits’ possession. Almost all (240, 92.7%) of the respondents reported talking or laughing alone as a manifestation of mental illness. Almost two-thirds (157, 60.6%) of the respondents reported people with mental illness are dangerous. About a quarter (63, 24.3%) of the participants stated witch doctors should manage mental illnesses.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of the study respondents had poor knowledge and attitude towards mental health problems. Short-term and long-term mental health training is needed to improve their perception level and to provide effective community mental health services.
Assessment of COVID-19-related awareness, knowledge, prevention practices and challenges faced by truck drivers in major transport cities of India: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Sood Ishaana , Chinnakaran Anand , Majumdar Atanu , Sabherwal Shalinder
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess COVID-19-related awareness and knowledge among truck drivers across India and report prevention practices followed, and challenges faced, by them during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata and Bangalore from July to September 2020.

Participants

Data were collected in Hindi using a structured questionnaire via telephonic interviews. Minimum 200 drivers were included from each location.

Outcome measures

Sociodemographic profile, awareness regarding COVID-19, knowledge regarding infection sources, disease spread and vulnerable populations, prevention practices followed and challenges faced. Information sources were also assessed.

Results

Fisher’s exact test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were used to check for significant differences across proportions. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Overall, 1246 drivers were included, with 72% response rate. Of 1246 drivers, 65% were 30–50 years of age. A majority correctly answered knowledge questions regarding communicability (95%) and fatality (66%). Fifty per cent drivers were aware of treatability of the disease, while only 43% and 24% correctly reported all signs and symptoms and routes of transmission, respectively. No driver was aware of all high-risk populations. Overall Knowledge Score is significantly associated with region. Mobile phones were the primary source of information across all regions. Over two-third drivers follow all prevention practices regularly, which differed significantly across regions. Following standard prevention practices was positively correlated with higher knowledge scores and was significantly correlated with mask use. Worry about the disease was common. Less than 40% drivers received full payment for work during this period, while 25% drivers were unable to return home due to the pandemic. Seven per cent and 26% drivers had either limited or no access to food and health services, respectively.

Conclusions

Awareness activities and employer provisioned social security/health insurance might safeguard this vulnerable population till the pandemic fully abates as well as in similar situations in the future.
PERFECTED enhanced recovery pathway (PERFECT-ER) versus standard acute hospital care for people after hip fracture surgery who have cognitive impairment: a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cross Jane L , Hammond Simon P , Shepstone Lee , Poland Fiona , Henderson Catherine , Backhouse Tamara , Penhale Bridget , Donell Simon , Knapp Martin , Lewins Douglas , MacLullich Alasdair , Patel Martyn , Sahota Opinder , Smith Toby O , Waring Justin , Howard Robert , Ballard Clive , Fox Chris
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Assess feasibility of a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) to measure clinical and cost-effectiveness of an enhanced recovery pathway for people with hip fracture and cognitive impairment (CI).

Design

Feasibility trial undertaken between 2016 and 2018.

Setting

Eleven acute hospitals from three UK regions.

Participants

284 participants (208 female:69 male). Inclusion criteria: aged >60 years, confirmed proximal hip fracture requiring surgical fixation and CI; preoperative AMTS ≤8 in England or a 4AT score ≥1 in Scotland; minimum of 5 days on study ward; a ‘suitable informant’ able to provide proxy measures, recruited within 7 days of hip fracture surgery. Exclusion criteria: no hip surgery; not expected to survive beyond 4 weeks; already enrolled in a clinical trial.

Intervention

PERFECT-ER, an enhanced recovery pathway with 15 quality targets supported by a checklist and manual, a service improvement lead a process lead and implemented using a plan–do–study–act model.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Feasibility outcomes: recruitment and attrition, intervention acceptability, completion of participant reported outcome measures, preliminary estimates of potential effectiveness using mortality, EQ-5D-5L, economic and clinical outcome scores.

Results

282 participants were consented and recruited (132, intervention) from a target of 400. Mean recruitment rates were the same in intervention and control sites, (range: 1.2 and 2.7 participants/month). Retention was 230 (86%) at 1 month and 54%(144) at 6 months. At 3 months a relatively small effect (one quarter of an SD) was observed on health-related quality of life of the patient measured with EQ-5D-5L proxy in the intervention group.

Conclusion

This trial design was feasible with modifications to recruitment. Mechanisms for delivering consistency in the PERFECT-ER intervention and participant retention need to be addressed. However, an RCT may be a suboptimal research design to evaluate this intervention due to the complexity of caring for people with CI after hip fracture.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN99336264.
Health professionals’ perspectives of patients’ and family members’ needs in emergency departments and patient pathway improvement: a qualitative study in Denmark
Authors: Østervang Christina , Lassen Annmarie Touborg , Øelund Katrine , Coyne Elisabeth , Dieperink Karin Brochstedt , Jensen Charlotte Myhre
Published: February 2022

Objective

Besides working in a fast-paced environment, healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the emergency department (ED) are required to promptly respond to patients’ needs and simultaneously achieve their organisational goals, which can be challenging. This study investigates how HCPs perceive and support the needs of patients discharged after a brief ED stay, as well as their family members.

Design

The study used focus group discussions. The text material was analysed using systematic text condensation.

Setting

Data were collected from two large EDs in Denmark.

Participants

Sixteen HCPs were sampled purposively to participate in three focus group discussions.

Results

Three main themes were condensed: (1) creating a trustful and reassuring relationship; (2) responding to family members: a bother or a benefit; and (3) working as an interdisciplinary team. The study indicated the need for increased interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce discrepancies in information dissemination, to meet patient and family needs and to deliver a holistic approach. A technical solution was suggested to facilitate collaborative teamwork.

Conclusion

The study highlighted an existing gap between emergency HCPs’ perceptions of patients’ and family members’ needs and the provision of the current patient and family support. Suggestions for future interventions include focusing on interdisciplinary teamwork, facilitated by a technical solution to support a person-centred and family-centred informative approach.
Can an online educational video broaden young women’s contraceptive choice? Outcomes of the PREFER pre-post intervention study
Authors: Mazza Danielle , Buckingham Pip , McCarthy Edwina , Enticott Joanne
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Contraceptive knowledge mediates access and use. We aimed to assess whether an online educational video describing all methods and their benefits, side effects and mode of action increased young women’s contraceptive knowledge and their long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) preference and uptake.

Method

We used Facebook advertising to recruit young women aged 16–25 years. Participants completed the pre-video survey (S1), watched the 11-min video, then completed surveys immediately after (S2) and 6 months later (S3). Outcomes were analysed using McNemar tests and multivariate logistic regression (generalised estimating equations).

Results

A total of 322 participants watched the video, completed S1 and S2, and 88% of those completed S3. At S1 only 6% rated their knowledge about every method as high. Knowledge improved at S2 for all methods (OR 10.0, 95% CI 5.9 to 17.1) and LARC (OR 4.2, 95% CI 3.1 to 5.7). LARC preference increased at S2 (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.1) and S3 (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.7), as did LARC uptake at S3 (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.5). LARC uptake was driven by a 4.3% (n=12) absolute increase in intrauterine device (IUD) use, but there was no change in contraceptive implant use (p=0.8). The use of non-prescription methods such as condoms and withdrawal did not change (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.11).

Conclusions

Many young women in Australia do not feel well informed about their contraceptive options. The contraceptive education video, delivered via social media, increased their self-reported contraceptive knowledge and IUD preference immediately after viewing, and their IUD uptake 6 months later. Focus should be given to how young women navigate contraceptive access after internet-based education, and strategies to increase access to preferred methods.
A new synthesis of (Z,Z)-11,11-dimethoxy-6,9-heneicosadiene and 2-((Z,Z)-1,4-decadienyl)-2-ndecyl-1,3-dioxolane, precursors of (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadien-11-one, a pheromone component of the whitemarked tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)
Authors: Mayo Peter Donald , Abeysekera Sumudu Deepa , Silk Peter J. , MaGee David I.
Published: February 2022

The straightforward synthesis of two long-chain diene ketals, (Z,Z)-11,11-dimethoxy-6,9-heneicosadiene and 2-ndecyl-2-((Z,Z)-1,4-decadienyl)-1,3-dioxolane, is described. These two ketals are synthetic propheromones, or pheromone precursors, of the whitemarked tussock moth (WMTM, Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)), whose unstable female-produced sex pheromone component, (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadien-11-one, lasts only 1–2 days in traps in the field. The two propheromones were synthesized by terminal alkyne/propargylic bromide couplings, facilitated by cesium carbonate, which assembled the 21-carbon chains with skipped diynes. Semi-reduction of the diynes gave the requisite dienes. These two diene ketals were then formulated into lures, which converted them in situ into the attractive (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadien-11-one. The performance of these lures is briefly described.
Hybrid Ideals in an AG-Groupoid
Authors: Porselvi K. , Muhiuddin G. , Elavarasan B. , Jun Y. B. , John J. Catherine Grace
Published: February 2022

In general, models of universe problems in almost all fields, such as engineering, mathematics, medical sciences, computer science, physics, management sciences, artificial intelligence, and operations research, are practically full of complexities and include various types of uncertainties when dealing with them on numerous occasions. Different theories, such as probability, rough sets, fuzzy sets, soft ideals, and so on, have been created to deal with these uncertainties. An algebraic structure, AG-groupoid, is an intermediate structure between two types of structures: commutative semigroup and groupoid. This structure has a very close relationship to a commutative semigroup since a commutative AG-groupoid is always a semigroup. These structures have so many applications in flocks theory, geometry, topology, and many more. We explore several structural properties of an AG-groupoid by using hybrid structures in this paper. The main motivation behind this paper is to present the concepts of hybrid ideals, hybrid bi-ideals and hybrid interior ideals of an AG-groupoid and characterize AG-groupoid in terms of hybrid structures. Also, we show that the hybrid intersection and hybrid product structures will coincide under certain conditions.
Engineering Effects on Efficacy and Toxicity of Manganese Oxide Nanostructures, as a Contrast Agent, in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review
Authors: Hashemzadeh Shabnam , Akbari Mohamad Esmaeil , Astani Seyed Amin , Hashemzadeh Jaber , Hafez Asghar Ashrafi
Published: February 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive, imaging technique of soft tissues, providing the possibility for three-dimensional, high temporal and spatial resolution imaging. Gadolinium complexes are the most frequently used [Formula: see text]-weighted contrast agents (CAs) to enhance the signal intensity of images. The toxicity of released Gd[Formula: see text] has shifted the attention of researchers to manganese (Mn) oxide nanoparticles (NPs) as a [Formula: see text]-weighted CA. Different phases and shapes of Mn oxide nanostructures with various coatings have been investigated to achieve the highest efficacy and lowest toxicity. In this review, engineering effects of Mn oxide nanostructures on image quality, toxicity and targeting have been studied. Switchable, multimodal imaging and theranostic systems, based on Mn oxide nanostructures, were also reviewed.
Wages, Religion and the Great Recession in the United States
Authors: Beck Sedefka V. , Brodersen Donka M.
Published: February 2022

This study examines the relationship between wages and religious affiliation for non-Hispanic whites in the United States before and after the Great Recession, utilising the Panel Study of Income Dynamics 2005 and 2011 data. Wage differentials were estimated at the mean using longitudinal Generalised Least Squares models and along the wage distribution using quantile regressions. The results suggest a strong association between wages and religious affiliation for both men and women during both periods. Before the Recession, wage differentials by religious affiliation followed similar patterns for men and women except that gender differences were apparent for Mormons — women earned lower wages, whereas men earned higher wages than their mainline Protestant counterparts. After the Recession, all groups experienced wage declines at the mean. However, the quantile regression estimates revealed that men at low wages and women at high wages experienced wage decline, while women at low wages and men at median wages experienced wage increases.
Free2Shard
Authors: Rana Ranvir , Kannan Sreeram , Tse David , Viswanath Pramod
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we study a canonical distributed resource allocation problem arising in blockchains. While distributed resource allocation is a well-studied problem in networking, the blockchain setting additionally requires the solution to be resilient to adversarial behavior from a fraction of nodes. Scaling blockchain performance is a basic research topic; a plethora of solutions (under the umbrella of sharding ) have been proposed in recent years. Although the various sharding solutions share a common thread (they cryptographically stitch together multiple parallel chains), architectural differences lead to differing resource allocation problems. In this paper we make three main contributions: (a) we categorize the different sharding proposals under a common architectural framework, allowing for the emergence of a new, uniformly improved, uni-consensus sharding architecture. (b) We formulate and exactly solve a core resource allocation problem in the uni-consensus sharding architecture -- our solution, Free2shard, is adversary-resistant and achieves optimal throughput. The key technical contribution is a mathematical connection to the classical work of Blackwell approachability in dynamic game theory. (c) We implement the sharding architecture atop a full-stack blockchain in 3000 lines of code in Rust -- we achieve a throughput of more than 250,000 transactions per second with 6 shards, a vast improvement over state-of-the-art.
Online Optimization with Feedback Delay and Nonlinear Switching Cost
Authors: Pan Weici , Shi Guanya , Lin Yiheng , Wierman Adam
Published: February 2022

We study a variant of online optimization in which the learner receives k-rounddelayed feedback about hitting cost and there is a multi-step nonlinear switching cost, i.e., costs depend on multiple previous actions in a nonlinear manner. Our main result shows that a novel Iterative Regularized Online Balanced Descent (iROBD) algorithm has a constant, dimension-free competitive ratio that is $O(L^2k )$, where L is the Lipschitz constant of the switching cost. Additionally, we provide lower bounds that illustrate the Lipschitz condition is required and the dependencies on k and L are tight. Finally, via reductions, we show that this setting is closely related to online control problems with delay, nonlinear dynamics, and adversarial disturbances, where iROBD directly offers constant-competitive online policies.
The Costs and Benefits of Plant–Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Interactions
Authors: Bennett Alison E. , Groten Karin
Published: February 2022

The symbiotic interaction between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is often perceived as beneficial for both partners, though a large ecological literature highlights the context dependency of this interaction. Changes in abiotic variables, such as nutrient availability, can drive the interaction along the mutualism-parasitism continuum with variable outcomes for plant growth and fitness. However, AM fungi can benefit plants in more ways than improved phosphorus nutrition and plant growth. For example, AM fungi can promote abiotic and biotic stress tolerance even when considered parasitic from a nutrient provision perspective. Other than being obligate biotrophs, very little is known about the benefits AM fungi gain from plants. In this review, we utilize both molecular biology and ecological approaches to expand our understanding of the plant–AM fungal interaction across disciplines.
Training the Next Generation of Clinical Psychological Scientists: A Data-Driven Call to Action
Authors: Gee Dylan G. , DeYoung Kathryn A. , McLaughlin Katie A. , Tillman Rachael M. , Barch Deanna M. , Forbes Erika E. , Krueger Robert F. , Strauman Timothy J. , Weierich Mariann R. , Shackman Alexander J.
Published: February 2022

The central goal of clinical psychology is to reduce the suffering caused by mental health conditions. Anxiety, mood, psychosis, substance use, personality, and other mental disorders impose an immense burden on global public health and the economy. Tackling this burden will require the development and dissemination of intervention strategies that are more effective, sustainable, and equitable. Clinical psychology is uniquely poised to serve as a transdisciplinary hub for this work. But rising to this challengerequires an honest reckoning with the strengths and weaknesses of current training practices. Building on new data, we identify the most important challenges to training the next generation of clinical scientists. We provide specific recommendations for the full spectrum of stakeholders—from funders, accreditors, and universities to program directors, faculty, and students—with an emphasis on sustainable solutions that promote scientific rigor and discovery and enhance the mental health of clinical scientists and the public alike.
Macrostratigraphy: Insights into Cyclic and Secular Evolution of the Earth-Life System
Authors: Peters Shanan E. , Quinn Daven P. , Husson Jon M. , Gaines Robert R.
Published: February 2022

Rocks in Earth's crust are formed, modified, and destroyed in response to myriad interactions between the solid Earth (tectonics, geodynamics), the fluid Earth (ocean-atmosphere, cryosphere), and the living Earth (evolution, biochemistry). As such, the geological record is an integrator of geological, biological, and climatological processes and their histories. Here we review contrasting perceptions of the processes that govern the formation and destruction of the geological record, beginning with the relationship between macroevolutionary patterns in the fossil and sedimentary rock records and culminating with contrasting models of rock cycling. Using the approach of macrostratigraphy, we present an integrated summary of the quantity-age properties of rocks in continental and oceanic crust. The predominant process signal in the rock quantity-age distribution in continental crust is one of episodic growth, whereas in oceanic crust it is one of continual destruction. Relatively abrupt shifts in the dominant locus of sediment deposition, from fast-cycling oceanic crust to long-term continental reservoirs, and attendant expansions and contractions in the area of crust that is emergent, are correlated in timing and magnitude with shifts in the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere and major macroevolutionary transitions in the biosphere. The most recent of possibly two such first-ordertransitions occurred at the start of the Phanerozoic and is marked by a prominent preserved geomorphic surface known as the Great Unconformity. ▪ Macrostratigraphy uses the bulk characteristics of the rock record to probe the evolution of the Earth system. ▪ Quantifying the creation and destruction of rock units can illuminate the long-term evolution of continents and the life that inhabits them.
The Isotopic Ecology of the Mammoth Steppe
Authors: Drucker Dorothée G.
Published: February 2022

The Mammoth Steppe was the dominant terrestrial biome of the Northern Hemisphere during the late Pleistocene. It encompassed a nonanalog community of animals living in a cold and treeless steppe-tundra landscape. The high diversity of species, including megafauna, could be supported by a productive environment. The carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 abundances in bone collagen confirmed that the coexistence of the large herbivores was facilitated by a pronounced dietary niche partitioning, with some species relatively flexible in the exploitation of browse and graze, while others were more specialized. The isotopic abundances of carbon and nitrogen in carnivores confirm a dietary partitioning, probably based on the size of prey, with an increasingly generalist behavior emerging after the Last Glacial Maximum with notable exceptions. Isotopic investigation reveals dynamic processes of ecological displacement and replacement, shedding new light on the potential niche spectrum of extant species that are now present as relic populations. ▪ The Mammoth Steppe is an extinct nonanalog ecosystem with high productivity and biodiversity despite the cold and dry conditions of the Last Glacial Period. ▪ Stable isotopes reveal that niche partitioning among herbivores and carnivores is a dominant trait of the Mammoth Steppe. ▪ Switches in preferred prey and ecological replacement are observed among carnivores over time, with the few highly specialized predators going extinct. ▪ Warmer and more humid conditions preceding the Holocene impacted large herbivores in most regions of the Mammoth Steppe, driving some of the largest ones to extinction.