bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the service life of bearings in the gearbox of rolling mill transmission system under non-steady lubrication state
Authors: Xu Hai , Zhang Qingqing
Published: September 2024

A rolling bearing plays a key role in the gearbox of the cold rolling mill transmission system. As a result, the degradation and failure of bearings can lead to unplanned shutdowns of the entire rolling mill system. Since on-site cold rolling mills work usually in non-steady lubrication rolling conditions originating form variations of multiple parameters, the uncertainty affecting bearing performance in a cold rolling mill transmission system increases, making it more difficult to assess health status and predict the remaining service life of bearings, Therefore, by establishing a coupling model describing the relationship for the rolling mill and normal /faulty gearboxes under non steady rolling conditions, quantitatively studies the influence of various rolling parameters of a rolling mill on the fatigue service life of bearings in the gearbox of the rolling mill transmission system, and verify the effectiveness of linear cumulative damage theory for bearing fatigue service life through experiments and on-site bearing vibration data. The results indicate that as the thickness of the strip steel inlet, lubricant viscosity, and rolling speed increase, or the thickness of the strip steel outlet and rolling roll radius decrease, the service life of bearings gradually decreases. As the fluctuation amplitude of various rolling parameters in the cold rolling mill increases, the service life of bearings in the gearbox of the rolling mill transmission system gradually shortens. Moreover, when the rolling parameter value or fluctuation amplitude increases to a specific values, the remaining service life of bearings will sharply decrease. Under the same rolling conditions, the service life of bearings in gearboxes with faults decreases more significantly than that in normal gearboxes.
Influence of urea solution condition on NOx reduction in marine diesel engines
Authors: Han Ki-Young , Choi Moon-seok , Kim Jun-Soo
Published: September 2024

This study aims to provide a clear relationship of how the storage status and duration of the urea affect the efficiency and performance of the SCR system. Focusing on the marine environment, the research compares NOx emissions using new urea solution versus urea solution stored for 5 years on ships. The results indicate that using new urea solution reduces NOx emissions by an average of 30%. Additionally, the study confirms that the impact of the SCR system on the combustion process is negligible. These findings the importance of regular urea solution replacement to optimize the performance of SCR systems installed to meet environmental regulations. Currently, there are no detailed procedures or regulatory standards for urea management and replacement on ships. Considering the strict NOx emission regulations and harsh storage conditions in ship, the study proposes the establishment of effective urea replacement cycles and management procedures.
Forced oscillation control with a wearable reaction wheel to assist human periodic arm swing
Authors: Otani Takuya , Kondo Takahisa , Itoh Akira , Sugiyama Soma , Ohta Hina , Takanishi Atsuo
Published: September 2024

Rehabilitation for stroke patients includes periodic arm exercises, but these require assistance by caregivers at the start of the exercise, which is a burden for caregivers. In this study, we have developed a system with three reaction wheel mechanisms, which can generate not only moments in each direction but also a larger moment than the output of a single axis by interlocking the axes. In addition, by using forced oscillation control, it is possible to assist the movement of the wearer's periodic arm swing even if the weight and output moment of the reaction wheel is not large. Although a large torque of 2.65 Nm is required for the system to swing the arm, it was confirmed that the developed device can be used to increase the amplitude of arm oscillation and achieve an oscillation frequency equivalent to that of a human arm swing, even with a single reaction wheel exerting a torque of 0.4 Nm.
When atypical leaders fail to deliver allyship for diversity: The case of an unregulated neoliberal national context
Authors: Baş Türker , Özbilgin Mustafa F , Erbil Cihat , Samdanis Marios
Published: September 2024

Organisations increasingly embrace allyship as a strategy to enhance support for diversity. The rise of atypical leaders offers hope to individuals from marginalised backgrounds, fostering the belief that these leaders would align themselves as allies and actively promote diversity within organisations. However, this assumption remains empirically untested. This paper investigates the tendency of atypical leaders to engage in allyship behaviours in contexts where regulatory and normative support for diversity is absent. Within unregulated neoliberal environments, the significance of atypical leaders is amplified, as diversity initiatives frequently receive limited backing from typical leaders, and the lack of a regulatory framework subjects these initiatives to considerable strain and risk. Through a qualitative study involving 33 atypical leaders from Turkey, we explore whether atypical leaders exhibit allyship towards diversity. Our findings delineate the conditions that enable and limit the effectiveness of atypical leaders’ allyship in a country with a toxic triangle of diversity. This study illuminates the critical influence of the regulatory environment on the allyship behaviours of atypical leaders, underlining the complex interplay between leadership, regulatory contexts, and allyship practices.
Association between history of interparental violence and alcohol abuse among reproductive-age women: Evidence from the Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Zamora-Ramírez Carolain M , Caira-Chuquineyra Brenda , Fernandez-Guzman Daniel , Martinez-Rivera Raisa N , Llamo-Vilcherrez Anita P , Gálvez-Arévalo Ricardo A , Urrunaga-Pastor Diego , Toro-Huamanchumo Carlos J
Published: September 2024

Background:

Exposure to domestic violence by triggering repetitive distress and fear can affect neurodevelopmental and mental health in the short and long term. This, in turn, has been linked to an increased risk of substance abuse, such as alcohol abuse in adulthood.

Objective:

The present study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to violence from the father toward the mother and alcohol abuse in Peruvian women.

Design:

Cross-sectional study

Methods:

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) of 2019. A total of 19,980 reproductive-aged women (15–49 years old) were surveyed using the Health Questionnaire during 2019. The dependent variable of the study was alcohol abuse, collected through self-report, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Intimate partner violence (IPV; violence perpetrated by the father against the mother) was considered as the exposure variable. To assess the association of interest, we only considered observations with complete data and used binary logistic regression models, calculating crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (aOR). For the multivariable model, we adjusted for confounding variables (age, marital status, education level, wealth index, ethnicity, residence, current smoker, depression, and IPV).

Results:

We analyzed a final sample of 9953 women. The prevalence of interparental violence and alcohol abuse was 41.3% and 1.5%, respectively. We found that interparental violence was associated with higher odds of alcohol abuse (aOR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.03–4.28) after adjusting for age, marital status, education level, wealth level, ethnicity, area of residence, current smoking, depression, and IPV.

Conclusion:

We identified that women of reproductive age who have been exposed to interparental violence were at higher odds of experiencing alcohol abuse issues.
Risk analysis of accident-causing evolution in chemical laboratory based on complex network
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Mingguang , Chang Yudie
Published: September 2024

Chemical laboratories usually have many high risks from various dangerous chemicals, dangerous devices, and experimental operators involved in the laboratory. Once a severe accident occurs, the accident consequence will significantly impact scientific research innovation and social progress. Aiming at laboratory safety problems, an accident evolution model is established to reveal the critical accident-causing factors and the most likely evolutionary path of accidents in the process of accident evolution. Firstly, the 24 model is used to identify the cause factors of laboratory accidents and the causal relationship between factors. Then, the complex network model of laboratory accident evolution is constructed with accident-causing factors as nodes and causal relationships between factors as edges. Secondly, using the TOPSIS method, four typical complex network characteristic indexes, including degree centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, and eigenvector centrality, are constructed into a comprehensive evaluation index to reveal the key influencing factors in the accident evolution process. Finally, the fuzzy number is introduced to quantify the uncertainty of the accident evolution path. The most likely evolutionary path is obtained through the Dijkstra and risk entropy theory. Based on the data of 151 laboratory accidents from 2001 to 2022, the accident evolution analysis of chemical laboratories was carried out. The evolution results show that the maximum probability value is the evolution path of fire accidents, and the minimum probability value is the evolution path of electric shock accidents, which accords with the general statistical law of accidents. When applied to the actual laboratory, the safety management level of the laboratory can be effectively improved by controlling the key influencing factors and cutting off the accident evolution path.
Small-sample health indicator construction of rolling bearings with wavelet scattering network: An empirical study from frequency perspective
Authors: Wang Na , Mao Wentao , Zhang Yanna , Zeng Panpan , Zhong Zhidan
Published: September 2024

As a critical issue of diagnostics and health management (PHM), health indicator (HI) construction aims to describe the degradation process of bearings and can provide essential support of domain knowledge for early fault detection and remaining useful life prediction. In recent years, various deep neural networks, with end-to-end modeling capability, have been successfully applied to the HI construction for rolling bearings. In small-sample environment, however, the degradation features would not be extracted well by deep learning techniques, which may raise insufficient tendency and monotonicity characteristics in the obtained HI sequence. To address this concern, this paper proposes a HI construction method based on wavelet scattering network (WSN) and makes an empirical evaluation from frequency perspective. First, degradation features in different frequency bands are extracted from vibration signals by using WSN to expand the feature space with different scales and orientations. Second, the frequency band with the optimal scale and orientation parameters is selected by calculating the dynamic time wrapping (DTW) distance between the feature sequences of each frequency band and the root mean square (RMS) sequence. With the feature subset from the determined frequency band, the HI sequence can be built by means of principal component analysis (PCA). Experimental results on the IEEE PHM Challenge 2012 bearing dataset show that the proposed method can work well with only a small amount of bearing whole-life data in obtaining the HI sequences with high monotonicity and correlation characteristics. More interestingly, the critical frequency band whose information supports decisively the HI construction can be clarified, raising interpretability in a frequency sense and enhancing the credibility of the obtained HI sequence as well.
Is it possible to reform police stops? Politicisation and police change in two European countries
Authors: de Maillard Jacques , O’Neill Megan
Published: September 2024

In several Western countries, police stops have become the object of political controversies on what the objectives and targets of police activities should be. By using the examples of two European countries (France and Scotland) where the issue has been highly politicised over the last 15 years, we will conduct a comparative analysis to show how it has led to significant change in legislation, policy and police practice in Scotland and yet to a policy blockage in France. In both cases, police stops have been politicised through the combination of three interlinked axes: the production of critical scientific evidence, intense media coverage and forceful political attention. Differing national traditions are not sufficient to explain the divergent outcomes. Drawing upon historical institutionalism, we will underline how institutions, understood as stable sets of formal and informal rules, favour certain policy developments rather than others. We will explore how each political context has shaped the balance of constraints and opportunities for reform and we will stress the importance of the respective dynamics of reforms. While both jurisdictions experienced ‘hot’political climates, certain conditions needed to be met in order for significant reform to manifest.
Sjögren disease, new name, new guidelines: Key messages for primary care
Authors: Glennon Peter
Published: September 2024

Sjögren’s syndrome is increasingly renamed Sjögren disease, as in the recent British Society of Rheumatology guidelines. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of adult and juvenile onset Sjögren disease. Sjögren disease is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease (after rheumatoid arthritis), affecting approximately 0.6% of adults, over 90% of whom are women. Sjögren disease can occur as a stand-alone autoimmune disease or overlap with other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or systemic sclerosis. This article aims to highlight the salient features of the guidelines for primary care physicians to improve the early diagnosis of Sjögren disease and inform the day-to-day management of established cases. The two clinical case scenarios featured in this article should help to highlight the importance of early diagnostic pick up whilst minimising false positive diagnosis and to highlight key messages from the new guidelines. A summary sheet of these guidelines is included in the supplementary material.
Metastatic perirectal PEComa treated by checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy and multimodal treatment: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rémond Maxime , Pachev Atanas , Battistella Maxime , Gandon Camille , Mourah Samia , Madelaine Isabelle , Maggiori Léon , Benadon Bethsabée , Hammoudi Nassim , Lourenço Nelson , Aparicio Thomas
Published: September 2024

Malignant PEComas are an extremely rare subtype of soft tissue sarcomas. Here, we report the case of a man presenting with a perirectal PEComa and liver metastasis. Since the tumor harbored a tumor mutational burden of 23/Mb and a programmed death-ligand 1 tumor positivity score of 50%, the patient was treated with pembrolizumab as a second line of systemic therapy, in combination with everolimus. This combined therapy led to a near-complete response of the primary tumor and a partial response of the metastasis. Radioembolization of the liver metastasis was performed due to isolated liver progression, and the pelvic tumor was treated by radiotherapy because of pelvic symptoms. The disease is still stable after 13 months of pembrolizumab plus everolimus and multimodal treatment. This case shows that malignant PEComas can display molecular features associated with sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitors. The use of checkpoint inhibitors may be a relevant therapeutic strategy in these patients. It is also the first report on selective internal radiation therapy in PEComas.
System interoperability and data linkage in the era of health information management: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Costa Tiago , Borges-Tiago Teresa , Martins Francisco , Tiago Flávio
Published: September 2024

Background: Across the world, health data generation is growing exponentially. The continuous rise of new and diversified technology to obtain and handle health data places health information management and governance under pressure. Lack of data linkage and interoperability between systems undermines best efforts to optimise integrated health information technology solutions. Objective: This research aimed to provide a bibliometric overview of the role of interoperability and linkage in health data management and governance. Method: Data were acquired by entering selected search queries into Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases and bibliometric data obtained were then imported to Endnote and checked for duplicates. The refined data were exported to Excel, where several levels of filtration were applied to obtain the final sample. These sample data were analysed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Washington, USA), WORDSTAT (Provalis Research, Montreal, Canada) and VOSviewer software (Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands). Results: The literature sample was retrieved from 3799 unique results and consisted of 63 articles, present in 45 different publications, both evaluated by two specific in-house global impact rankings. Through VOSviewer, three main clusters were identified: (i) e-health information stakeholder needs; (ii) e-health information quality assessment; and (iii) e-health information technological governance trends. A residual correlation between interoperability and linkage studies in the sample was also found. Conclusion: Assessing stakeholders’ needs is crucial for establishing an efficient and effective health information system. Further and diversified research is needed to assess the integrated placement of interoperability and linkage in health information management and governance. Implications: This research has provided valuable managerial and theoretical contributions to optimise system interoperability and data linkage within health information research and information technology solutions.
Reasonable Risk Ratio of Palate Surgery: A New Critical Analysis
Authors: Pang Kenny P. , Wei Lim Joon , Pang Kathleen A. , Vicini Claudio , Montevecchi Filippo , Cheong Ryan C.T. , Pang Edward B. , Siow Jin Keat , Huak Chan Yiong , Rotenberg Brian
Published: September 2024

Objective.

A new critical complication risk analysis, the reasonable risk ratio (RRR or R3) for palate surgeries in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Methods.

Analysis from published meta-analyses, systematic reviews on success rates, and complications encountered for 3 palate surgeries, expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP), barbed repositioning pharyngoplasty (BRP) and modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (mUPPP), over 20 years. The RRR is derived from a ratio of the percentage of each respective complication over the success rate of that particular surgical procedure. The benchmark RRR of tonsillectomy is set at 0.035 to 0.078. An RRR below this benchmark value is more favorable as tonsillectomy is a widely accepted ENT procedure with risks to benefit well accepted.

Results.

The RRR for foreign body (FB) sensation (BRP) ranged from 0.03 to 0.23 (mean RRR of 0.14), FB sensation (ESP) 0.01, FB sensation (mUPPP) ranged from 0.33 to 0.55 (mean RRR of 0.44). The RRR for swallowing difficulties (BRP) ranged from 0.04 to 0.23 (mean RRR of 0.11), mUPPP, was 0.37; no reported swallowing difficulties with the ESP. The RRR for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) (BRP) ranged from 0.009 to 0.18 (mean RRR of 0.07), and RRR VPI (mUPPP) was 0.14. The RRR (BRP) for dry throat was 0.06 and the mUPPP was 0.35, with no reported VPI or dry throat for ESP. The overall RRR for the BRP was 0.09, ESP was 0.01 and mUPPP was 0.29.

Conclusion.

RRR provides a summarized data-driven, statistical guide to aid decision-making, and helps in patient counseling. BRP and ESP have been shown to have less complications compared to mUPPP. Level of evidence: IV.
Exploring the Mechanism of Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid Against Mosquito Bite Dermatitis Through Network Pharmacology and in Vitro Validation
Authors: Ma Kunqin , Xu Xu , Wang Shengdong , Liu Chang , Liu Liping
Published: September 2024

Objective: Traditional Chinese patent medicine Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid (HXZQOL) can be used topical to treat mosquito bite dermatitis (MBD). The study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of HXZQOL in treatment of MBD based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Methods: TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction and PubChem database were used to predict the active compounds and targets of HXZQOL and GeneCards database was utilized to predict the potential targets of MBD. Target interaction analysis was performed using Venn database, PPI and core targets were assessed using String database, and Cytoscape. Enrichment analysis on Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were performed using David online tool. “HXZQOL-compound-target-pathway-MBD” networks were constructed using Cytoscape. Molecular docking was carried out with Autodock vina. The inflammation model of HaCaT cells induced by TNF-a/IFN-γ was established .to validate the mechanism of HXZQOL against MBD, with the levels of inflammatory factors and protein related to IL-7 signaling pathway assessed using Elisa and Western Blot. Results: HXZQOL contained 154 active compounds and shared 88 common targets with MBD. Quercetin, apigenin, ursolic acid and luteolin were identified as potential candidate compounds, while JUN, IL-6, TNF and VEGFA were suggested as main potential targets. HXZQOL was found to act on MBD through multiple pathways including IL-17, AGE-RAGE and TNF signaling pathways. The candidate compounds demonstrated effectively binding to JUN and IL-6 targets, with binding energies below −5 kcal/mol. Western blot experiments confirmed that these compounds could down-regulate the expression of JUN protein in IL-17 signaling pathway, and significantly reduce levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in HaCaT cells. Conclusion: HXZQOL mainly exerts its anti MAD effect by reducing inflammation. The relevant results have laid the foundation for improving the local anti MBD effect of HXZQOL and the secondary development of HXZQOL formulations.
Astragalus Injection Enhances the Sensitivity of Clinical Cancer Patients to Chemotherapy: A Systematic meta-Analysis
Authors: Ye Tingjie , Yan Xiaofeng , Xiu Wenhao , Qin Changtai , Yang Yuxi , Yang Jinzu , Zhu Limin , Wang Xiaoling , Xu Wei , Lu Yanlin
Published: September 2024

Background

Traditional Chinese Medicine Astragalus was commonly used to assist chemo-drug treatment in clinical cancer patients. However, whether Astragalus injection (AGI) reverses drug resistance remains unclear. Therefore, a meta-analysis is necessary to assess the effect of AGI on resistance reversement in cancer patients.

Method

The studies presenting tumor response rates in cancer patients receiving chemo-drugs treatment in combination with AGI were systematically searched from six common scientific databases until February 2024. The relative risks (RRs) indicating the tumor response rate, 1-year survival rate, and quality of life improvement in clinical patients among two groups were calculated in metan package. The pooled RRs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to explore the effect of AGI on enhancing drug sensitivity in terms of tumor response, 1-year survival rate and quality of life improvement in cancer patients.

Result

Fifty-one studies were included for meta-analysis following a thorough screening process that adhered to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 4613 patients were enrolled in all included trials. Results obtained indicated that AGI significantly enhanced the sensitivity of cancers to chemo-drugs with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.25 (1.18, 1.32), prolonged the 1-year survival rate of patients with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.34 (1.14, 1.57), improved the quality of life with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.61 (1.34, 1.93). Similarly, Astragalus's main component, astragaloside polysaccharides (APS), also enhances drug sensitivity in clinical cancer patients.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that AGI had the ability to resensitize cancers to chemo-drugs and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. Therefore, AGI could potentially be used as a drug resistance reversal for resistant cancer treatment.
Blue Space: Extracting the Sensory Characteristics of Waterscapes as a Potential Tool for Anxiety Mitigation
Authors: Lin Connie Y. , Shepley Mardelle McCuskey , Ong Anthony
Published: September 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate if there is a physiological stress response to the visual and auditory characteristics of waterscapes. Background: Biophilic research suggests that the presence of water can reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, and increase circulation. However, water has largely been omitted from healthcare design due to concerns of cost, maintenance, waterborne pathogens, and contamination. Existing research has not yet provided a design methodology to incorporate the healing effects of water without the potential diseases, contamination, and maintenance issues associated with physical water. Given the current technological capabilities, the isolation of the auditory and visual sensory stimuli has potential to re-introduce the healing benefits of water into healthcare design. Methods: Participants were either exposed to a slow-moving or fast-moving waterscape for 20 minutes. Pre- and post-anxiety were measured using the State Trait Anxiety Scale in an online Qualtrics survey (118 participants) and through a salivary cortisol biomarker (in which 26 participants also partook). Results: The overall results demonstrate that the utilization of digital blue space was effective in reducing stress. There was no significant difference between the lake or waterfall environment in both salivary cortisol and state-trait anxiety measures. However, it is suggested that the slow and fast-moving waterscapes may be beneficial in different settings. Conclusion: Design recommendations are made regarding potential biophilic design in healthcare facilities. The utilization of sensory waterscapes can also provide a cost affordable, non-pharmacological, alternative for anxiety mitigation for patients and staff undergoing high-stress situations.
Are Aspiring Principals Prepared to Lead for Equity? An Exploratory Analysis of the Principal Fellows Typology in North Carolina
Authors: Jackson Mario
Published: September 2024

While principals play critical roles in mediating inequitable teaching and learning conditions in their schools, scholars have long argued that some remain unprepared for this responsibility. However, these arguments are often supported by qualitative studies of school leaders, years after their pre-service preparation. Using survey data on two cohorts of Master of School Administration (MSA) graduates, also pre-service principals, across North Carolina, this study analyzes their perceptions about their preparedness to engage in equity-oriented leadership. The study leverages the new Principal Fellows policy in North Carolina, a competitive grant program that awards state funds to principal preparation programs demonstrating exemplary principal program features and a focus on preparing school leaders for equity, as the basis of its evaluation. Overall, MSA graduates reported being very well prepared to enact equity-oriented leadership practices, though this preparedness was significantly higher for graduates across Principal Fellows preparation programs. The main finding from this study is that principal preparation program quality is the most significant predictor of graduates’ preparedness to engage in equity-oriented leadership. The findings from this study offer implications for principal preparation programs, policy, and future research.
Can we estimate which colors our participants see? Comparing results from different gamma correction methods
Authors: Epicoco Déborah , Jonauskaite Domicele , Mohr Christine , Parraga C. Alejandro
Published: September 2024

In experimental color research, one must ensure that color is displayed and described reliably. When monitors are involved, colors are displayed through device-dependent color systems. However, these values must be translated into device-independent color systems to interpret what people perceive, often involving techniques such as gamma correction. We sought to explore the feasibility of estimating gamma instead of relying on direct gamma measurements, which typically require specialized equipment like a chromameter. Potential solutions include a computerized perception-based gamma estimation task or adopting the industry-standard gamma value of 2.2. We compared these two solutions against the chromameter measurements in the context of a color-matching task. Thirty-nine participants visually matched red, yellow, green, and blue physical objects using a computerized color picker. Starting from these color choices, we applied two RGB-to-CIE Lab color conversion methods: one using a perception-based gamma estimation and another using the industry-standard gamma. Color values obtained with the chromameter differed from the other two methods by 6–15 JNDs. Small differences existed between the results obtained using the perception-based task and the industry-standard gamma. Thus, we conclude that when standard viewing conditions cannot be assumed, adopting a gamma value of 2.2 should suffice.
Public health trends in neurologically relevant infections: a global perspective
Authors: Roberts Jackson A. , Kapadia Ronak K. , Pastula Daniel M. , Thakur Kiran T.
Published: September 2024

Neuroinfectious diseases represent a growing threat to public health globally. Infections of the central nervous system remain challenging to diagnose and treat, partially driven by the fact that a high proportion of emerging pathogens are capable of causing neurological disease. Many of the trends driving the emergence of novel pathogens, including climate change, ecological degradation, urbanization, and global travel, have accelerated in recent years. These circumstances raise concern for the potential emergence of additional pathogens of pandemic potential in the coming years, necessitating a stronger understanding of the forces that give rise to the emergence and spread of neuroinvasive pathogens and a commitment to public health infrastructure to identify and treat these diseases. In this review, we discuss the clinical and epidemiological features of three types of emerging neuroinvasive pathogens of significant public health consequences that are emblematic of key ongoing trends in global health. We first discuss dengue viruses in the context of climate change, considering the environmental factors that allow for the expansion of the geographic range and seasonal population of the viruses’ vector. We then review the rising prevalence of fungal meningitis secondary to medical tourism, a trend representative of the highly globalized nature of modern healthcare. Lastly, we discuss the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant neurological infections driven by the intersection of antibiotic overuse in medical and agricultural settings. Taken together, the rising prevalence of these conditions necessitates a recommitment to investment in public health infrastructure focused on local and global infectious disease surveillance coupled with ongoing development of novel therapeutics and vaccines for emerging pathogens. Such emerging threats also obviate the need to address the root causes driving the emergence of novel infectious diseases, including a sustained effort to address anthropogenic climate change and environmental degradation.
Breaking barriers: Navigating the path to successful scientific research publication among faculty members in Egypt
Authors: Hendy Abdelaziz , Soliman Sahar M , Salman Samira , Reshia Fadia Ahmed Abdelkader , Sayed Salwa , Hendy Ahmed , Al-Mugheed Khalid , Alabdullah Amany Anwar Saeed , Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed Farghaly , Zaher Ahmed
Published: September 2024

Background:

In the realm of academia, the publication of scientific research is not merely an act of dissemination; it serves as a pivotal milestone that signifies the culmination of rigorous investigation, critical analysis, and intellectual contribution.

Aim:

To examine the challenges and barriers encountered by faculty members in the process of publishing their work.

Methods:

The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design and was conducted from 1 March to 1 May 2022. A convenience sample of 358 faculty members from eight universities in Egypt, representing a diverse range of faculties. These faculties comprised five practical disciplines, namely, Nursing, Medicine, Science, Pharmacy, and Engineering, as well as three theoretical faculties including Al-Alsun (Languages), Arts, and Commerce. The universities involved in the study included Ain Shams, Cairo, Mansoura, Benha, Assiut, 6th of October, British University in Egypt (BUE), among others. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that included staff characteristics and barriers to scientific research and publishing. Hypothesis testing was conducted using appropriate statistical analysis methods (e.g., Chi-square test) to assess the relationships between faculty members’ characteristics and barriers to publishing.

Results:

The faculty staff in our study reported the highest barriers to publishing scientific research in the domains of the reviewing process (74%), institutional support (67%), and scientific publishing process (60.9%). Conversely, the lowest barriers were found in the domains of frustration after rejection (55.1%), scientific writing barriers (46.1%), and loss of passion and causation of publishing barriers (41.3%).

Conclusions:

The results highlighted the need for increased support and resources to overcome these barriers and foster a positive culture of research and publishing in Egyptian universities.
Use and appreciation of combined computer- and mobile-based physical activity interventions within adults aged 50 years and older: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Collombon Eline H G M , Bolman Catherine A W , de Bruijn Gert-Jan , Peels Denise A , van der Velden Jessie M C , Lechner Lilian
Published: September 2024

Objective

To investigate whether six combined computer- and mobile-based physical activity interventions differ regarding use, attrition, usability and appreciation among adults aged 50 years and older.

Methods

The interventions were studied in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were allocated to the computer-based Active Plus or I Move program including a mobile-based activity tracker, or ecological momentary intervention (EMI), or chatbot, or to a waiting list control group. Use and attrition were investigated via log data gathered within the intervention software. Appreciation was assessed via online evaluation questionnaires. ANOVAs and Chi-squares were performed to test for intervention differences on use, attrition and appreciation ( p ≤ .05).

Results

A total of 954 participants aged 50 years and older with varying health conditions were included. Attrition differed between interventions ( χ2 = 27.121, p < .001) and was the highest in I Move including chatbot (58.4%) and lowest in I Move including activity tracker (33.0%). Appreciation differed between interventions ( p < .001) and was the highest for interventions including activity tracker, followed by interventions including EMI and lowest for interventions including chatbot. Technical issues were primarily faced by EMI- and chatbot-participants. EMI-participants reported mainly that they received no or few text messages. Chatbot-participants reported mainly that the step count application was not working properly.

Conclusions

The integration of mobile-based activity trackers with computer-based interventions has high potential for increasing use and lowering attrition among adults aged 50 years and older. The process evaluation findings can guide future intervention optimization procedures, other eHealth and mHealth developers and practitioners.
Motivation and Use of Telehealth Among People with Depression in the United States
Authors: Bhuyan Soumitra S. , Kalra Saurabh , Mahmood Asos , Rai Akash , Bordoloi Kahuwa , Basu Urmi , O’Callaghan Elizabeth , Gardner Marilyn
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

The global mental health crisis, compounded by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the urgent need for accessible mental health care solutions. Telehealth services have emerged as a promising technology to address barriers to access mental health services. However, population-based studies examining telehealth utilization among individuals with depression are limited.

Methods:

Using data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) of 2022 (n = 4502), we investigated telehealth utilization among individuals diagnosed with depression in the United States. We employed multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association, adjusting for demographics, health behaviors, health status, trust in the medical system, and access to transportation. We also studied the factors that motivated the use of telehealth among individuals diagnosed with depression.

Results:

In the multivariable adjusted logistic regression models, individuals diagnosed with depression (AOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.96-3.42) were significantly more likely to use telehealth services relative to individuals with no depression diagnosis. Other factors associated with increased telehealth use included women (AOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.07-1.72), Hispanic ethnicity (AOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.28-2.48), being married or living with a partner (AOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.05-1.62), frequent healthcare visits (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.71-3.11), health insurance coverage (AOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.04-3.34), confidence in self-care (AOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07-1.78), and lack of reliable transportation (AOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.01-2.42). Major motivation factors that influenced telehealth use among individuals with depression primarily included convenience, such as reduced travel times, as well as clinicians’ recommendations.

Conclusion:

Telehealth is a promising option for accessing mental health care, particularly for those with depression. Further research is needed to understand how well telehealth works and how it can be combined with traditional care, ensuring fair costs and keeping information safe.
Nyakaza-Move-for-Health: A Culturally Tailored Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescents in South Africa Using the Intervention Mapping Protocol
Authors: Zimu Patrick M. , Van Heerden Hendrik J. , Grace Jeanne M.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The Nyakaza-Move-for-Health intervention program was developed in response to the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, in sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa. The rise in NCDs is attributed to the low levels of participation in physical activity (PA) among adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to design a culturally tailored PA intervention for adolescents, guided by the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol. The intervention program aims to address the multifaceted determinants of physical activity behavior, promote healthy lifestyles and improve adolescent fitness levels.

Methods:

The Intervention Mapping protocol was applied to design the intervention program. The IM has 6 steps: (1) Needs assessment, (2) developing a logic model of the problem (LMP), (3) Formulating program outcomes and objectives, (4) Program design and production, (5) Generating implementation plan, and (6) Generating intervention evaluation plan. Participants included (n = 48) adolescent learners recruited from 8 (n = 8) participating schools. Adolescent learners participated in focus group discussions (FGD) to identify personal, interpersonal and environmental determinants of physical inactivity. Twenty-six (n = 26) key informant stakeholders participated in a stakeholder engagement workshop (SEW) to determine the motivators and constraints in implementing physical activity interventions.

Results:

The Nyakaza intervention program’s process development involved extensive stakeholder engagement, capacity development training, and integration of community feedback into the design. The intervention included a social marketing campaign and structured after-school physical activity sessions based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Transtheoretical Model (TTM). Implementation and evaluation plans were created, emphasizing real-time monitoring and adaptations. Strategies to enhance parental and community support were developed to address participation barriers. Although not tested in this study, these plans laid a robust foundation for fostering sustainable behavior change and improving physical activity among adolescents in resource-constrained settings.

Conclusion:

The Nyakaza-Move-for-Health intervention demonstrates a promising framework for promoting adolescent physical activity and addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in a culturally relevant manner. The systematic approach, grounded in the intervention mapping protocol, ensured a robust and replicable intervention design. Future research should focus on long-term follow-up, integrating objective physical activity measures, and expanding the program to include nutrition education. Addressing identified barriers, such as parental involvement, is crucial for enhancing the intervention’s effectiveness and sustainability.
Brief Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Mental Well-Being in Community Adults: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sun Yuying , Ho Sai Yin , Chan Christian S. , Wang Man Ping , Wan Alice N. T. , Xu Yudian , Lai Agnes Y. K. , Lam Tai Hing
Published: September 2024

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief community-based intervention to promote physical activity (PA) and the mental well-being of adults in Hong Kong.

Methods:

A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 15 family service centers. The intervention group (N = 162, 8 centers) received two 2-h interventions uniquely combining “Sharing, Mind and Enjoyment (SME),” Zero-time Exercises (ZTEx), positive psychology, and simple family games. “Sharing” involved promoting PA among families and peers, “Mind” captured positive emotions during PA, and “Enjoyment” assessed engagement of PA. ZTEx are simple PAs to reduce sedentary behaviors and enhancing PA and fitness and require minimal time and no cost or equipment. The control group (N = 152, 7 centers) received interventions unrelated to SME. Primary outcomes were PA-related SME at a 3-month follow-up after completing the baseline questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included subjective happiness, well-being, and family-related outcomes. Participants reported self-perceived changes at 1- and 3-month. Nine focus group discussions with the participants and 4 individual in-depth interviews with community service providers were conducted.

Results:

The retention rate at1 month was 90.1% for the intervention group and 95.4% for the control group, while at 3 months, it was 83.3% and 92.8%, respectively. The intervention group showed significantly greater positive changes in PA-related outcomes than the control group at 3-month follow-up (Cohen’s d = 0.33-0.42, all P < .05). Most secondary outcomes were non-significantly different between the 2 groups. However, more than 90% of participants in the intervention group reported self-perceived positive changes at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. The qualitative data showed that ZTEx was popular with families due to its simplicity.

Conclusions:

Our trial showed the feasibility of implementing the brief interventions and the potential benefits for promoting physical activity in community adults.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:

NCT03332810 (date of registration: November 6, 2017).
Resolution of Severe Ulcerative Colitis Secondary to Nickel Allergy Following Explantation of Amplatzer Septal Occluder Device: A Delayed Presentation
Authors: Subramanian Sujata , Iyer Swati , Johnson Gregory , Agrawal Hitesh , Fraser Charles D.
Published: September 2024

Nickel is a component of nitinol, an alloy used in several medical devices. Allergy to nickel may place patients at a high risk for severe hypersensitivity reactions. We report a rare case of a patient who developed severe ulcerative colitis ten years following closure of an atrial septal defect with the Amplatzer Septal Occluder device.
The Enduring Impact of Shape Following Perfect Coarctation of the Aorta Repair
Authors: Swanson Liam , Sauvage Emilie , Ngoepe Malebogo , Schievano Silvia , Bruse Jan L. , Hsia Tain-Yen
Published: September 2024

Objectives: Aortic arch appearances can be associated with worse cardiac function and chronic hypertension late after coarctation of the aorta (CoA) repair, even without residual obstruction. Statistical shape modeling (SSM) has identified specific 3D arch shapes linked to poorer cardiovascular outcomes. We sought a mechanistic explanation. Methods: From 53 asymptomatic patients late after CoA repair with no residual obstruction (age: 22.3 ± 5.6 years; 12-38 years after operation), eight aortic arch shapes associated with the four best and four worst cardiovascular parameters were obtained from 3D SSM. Four favorable shapes were affiliated with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction +2 standard deviation (SD) values from the mean, and indexed LV end diastolic volume/indexed LV mass/resting systolic blood pressure that were −2SD. Four unfavorable shapes were defined by the reverse. Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling was carried out to assess differences in pressure gradient across the aortic arch and viscous energy loss (VEL) between favorable and unfavorable aortic arches. Results: In all aortic arches, the pressure gradients were clinically insignificant (<8 mm Hg). However, in the four unfavorable aortic arches, VEL were uniformly higher than those in the favorable shapes (VEL difference: 15%-32%). There was increased turbulence and more complex propagation of VEL along with the unfavorable aortic arches. Conclusions: This study reveals the variable flow dynamics that underpin the association of aortic arch shapes with worse cardiovascular outcomes late after successful CoA repair. Higher VEL persists in the unfavorable aortic arch shapes. Further understanding of the mechanism of viscous energy loss in cardiovascular maladaptation may afford mitigating strategies to monitor and modify this unrelenting liability.