bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact in sub-Saharan Africa: prevalence and predictors
Authors: Aboagye Richard Gyan , Boah Michael , Okyere Joshua , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Mwamba Bupe , Yaya Sanni
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Skin-to-skin contact is an evidence-based intervention that signifies a situation whereby a newborn is positioned directly on the mother’s abdomen or chest in order for them to have direct ventral-to-ventral skin contact. The act of skin-to-skin contact begins immediately after delivery to about 23 hours afterwards. Evidence shows that skin-to-skin contact is important in improving child health outcomes. Nevertheless, evidence on its prevalence and predictors in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains sparse. The study, therefore, estimated the prevalence of skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their newborns, as well as its predictors.

Methods

Using data from the recent Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 2015 and 2020 from 17 countries in SSA, we included 131 094 women who gave birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey in the final analysis. We used percentages to summarise the prevalence of skin-to-skin contact. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of skin-to-skin contact. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to present the results of the regression analysis.

Results

Approximately 42% (41.7 to 42.2) of mothers practiced newborn skin-skin contact. The highest prevalence was found in Benin (75.1% (74.1 to 76.0)) and the lowest prevalence in Nigeria (11.7% (11.2 to 12.1)). The likelihood of skin-to-skin contact was higher among women covered by health insurance, those who delivered in health facilities, those in the richest wealth index, women who attended 1–3 antenatal care (ANC) visits and four or more ANC visits, and those with secondary or higher education. The odds of skin-to-skin contact was low among women who delivered by caesarean section (adjusted OR=0.15; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.16).

Conclusion

Considering that less than half of the surveyed women practiced skin-to-skin contact, it is expedient for intensification of advocacy and strict supervision of the practice within the included countries. Informal educational programmes can also be rolled out through various media platforms to sensitise the public and healthcare providers on the need for skin-to-skin contact. These will help maximise the full benefits of skin-to-skin contact and expedite prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets 3.1 and 3.2.
Introducing field digital data collection systems into seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns: opportunities for robust evidence development and national e-health strategies
Authors: Balla Kanda , Malm Kezia , Njie Ousman , Hounto Ogouyemi Aurore , Uhomoibhi Perpetua , Poku-Awuku Abena , Tchouatieu André-Marie , Aikpon Rock , Bah Alieu , Kolley Olimatou , Ogbulafor Nnenna , Oppong Samuel , Adomako Kofi , Houndjo William , Jah Huja , Banerji Jaya , Nikau Jamilu , Affoukou Cyriaque , Egwu Elijah , Houtohossou Camille , Van Hulle Suzanne
Published: March 2022

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a World Health Organization-recommended intervention to protect children under the age of 5 in Africa’s Sahel region. While SMC remains highly effective in decreasing malaria cases, implementing countries face several challenges regarding collecting quality data; monitoring coverage and compliance and overcoming delays in campaigns due to late payment to field distributors.

To address these challenges, the National Malaria Control Programmes of Benin, The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria introduced digital data collection (DDC) tools to support their SMC campaigns. To facilitate cross-country learning, this paper investigates the impact of using DDCs in SMC campaigns by comparing country responses.

Country experience suggests that in comparison to paper-based data collection systems, using DDC tools help to overcome data quality and operational challenges; cloud-based features also made data more accessible. Thus, scaling up DDC tools and linking them with routine national health management systems could help generate robust evidence for malaria policy development and programming. Of note, evidence from Benin showed that using digital tools reduced the time to pay staff and volunteers by 5 weeks. In Benin’s experience, DDC also offered cost benefits (1.5 times cheaper) versus the use of paper-based tools.

The authors note that no application offers greater benefits than the other—countries will select a technology that best suits their needs. Several applications are currently being used and newer ones are also being developed. Another option is to develop in-house applications that can be adjusted to local health programmes.

Cost-effectiveness studies to inform on whether DDCs offer cost advantages would be beneficial. More studies on DDC are needed from SMC-implementing countries to identify additional benefits and drawbacks of digital applications. These will similarly help national malaria policy and programming efforts.
Prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus among individuals aged 18 years and above in Xiaoshan District, China, 2018: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Yurong , Jiang Yuanyuan , Lin Junying , Wang Dongfei , Wang Chunli , Wang Fenjuan
Published: March 2022

Objective

With the rapid development of the Chinese economy, Xiaoshan District, Zhejiang Province has experienced urbanisation, population ageing and significant lifestyle changes, so diabetes mellitus (DM) has attracted more attention. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of DM and its risk factors among individuals aged 18 years and above in the district.

Study design and methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Xiaoshan, China from 1 March to 31 August 2018. A multistage sampling method was used. Sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics were collected using a combination of centralised surveys and household surveys. Anthropometric parameters were measured with standardised techniques and calibrated equipment. Venous blood samples were obtained after at least 8 hours of fasting to determine the level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood lipids. A standard 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was also given if 6.1 mmol/L≤FBG<7.0 mmol/L. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associated factors of DM.

Results

The overall prevalence of DM was 12.47%, and the proportion of previously undiagnosed DM (UDM) was 48.66%. The prevalence of pre-diabetes was 10.92%. Age, family history of DM (FHDM), obesity, abdominal obesity, systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly associated with DM.

Conclusions

This study found a high prevalence of DM and pre-diabetes, especially a high prevalence of UDM among adults. The associated risk factors identified for DM were age, FHDM, obesity, abdominal obesity, SBP, TG and HDL-C.
Patient and practitioner perspectives on the design of a simulated affective touch device to reduce procedural anxiety associated with radiotherapy: a qualitative study
Authors: Hall Hugo , Dhuga Yasmin , Yan Zheng Caroline , Clunie Gemma , Joyce Elizabeth , McNair Helen , McGregor Alison H
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to elicit the views of relevant stakeholders on the design of a device using simulated affective touch to reduce procedural anxiety surrounding radiotherapy and imaging.

Design

This qualitative study collected data from focus groups which were then analysed using inductive thematic analysis in line with Braun and Clarke’s methods.

Participants and setting

Twenty patients and carers were recruited, as well as 10 healthcare practitioners involved in either delivering radiotherapy or imaging procedures.

Results

Patients, carers and healthcare practitioners agreed on some aspects of the device design, such as ensuring the device is warm and flexible in where it can be used on the body. However, patient and healthcare practitioner cohorts had at times differing viewpoints. For example, healthcare practitioners provided professional perspectives and required easy cleaning of the device. Meanwhile patients focused on anxiety-relieving factors, such as the tactile sensation of the device being either a vibration or pulsation. There was no consensus on who should control the device.

Conclusions

The desired features of a simulated affective touch device have been investigated. Different priorities of patients and their carers and healthcare practitioners were evident. Any design must incorporate such features as to appease both groups. Areas where no consensus was reached could be further explored, alongside including further patient and public involvement in the form of a project advisory group.
Prevalence and associated factors of frailty among Southern Chinese Han patients on haemodialysis: a multicentre, observational cross-sectional study
Authors: Gong Wenyu , Yao Lirong , Zhong Xiaoshi , Qin Danping , Huang Chunrong , Yin Lianghong , Liu Fanna
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Frailty has been extensively studied in the general population. However, there is little information on frailty among patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) in China. This study analysed the prevalence and associated factors of frailty among Southern Chinese Han patients on HD.

Design

Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting

Three HD centres in Southern China.

Participants

Three hundred patients who underwent regular HD between June 2019 and October 2019.

Main outcomes and measures

Frailty was assessed using the Tilburg indicator of frailty (TFI) questionnaire, and the psychological status of the respondents was evaluated by the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).

Results

Seventy-five per cent of participants were in the frailty group, and the TFI score of HD patients was 6.89±2.87, with 8.15±2.06 in the frailty group and 2.87±1.31 in the non-frailty group. Frailty patients had higher SDS and SAS scores, and were more likely to suffer depression and anxiety than non-frailty patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis excluding depression and anxiety showed that age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (excluding end-stage renal disease), a nuclear family (compared with living alone), and albumin were independently associated with frailty (all p<0.05). In the model including depression and anxiety, age, diabetes mellitus, living as a couple (compared with living alone), a nuclear family (compared with living alone), an extended family (compared with living alone), low phosphorus, depression and anxiety were associated with frailty by multivariate logistic regression analysis (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

Approximately three-quarters of patients with HD in Southern China are frail, often accompanied with depression and anxiety. Age, diabetes mellitus, family structure, phosphorus, depression and anxiety were associated with frailty.
Cost of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in India: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Barathe Priyanka Chandrakant , Haridas Herosh T , Soni Priya , Kudiya Krithi Kariya , Krishnan Jisha B , Dhyani Vijay Shree , Rajendran Ambigai , Sirur Andria J N , Pundir Prachi
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Breast cancer is the foremost cause for mortality among women. The non-communicable disease imposes significant economic expenses to communities. Its economic impact includes both direct and indirect healthcare costs. This scoping review will map key concepts underpinning the current direct and indirect expenses of breast cancer in India.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will follow ‘Arksey and O'Malley’s’ approach and updated methodological guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute. The Cochrane library, Econ Papers, Embase, ProQuest central, PubMed and SCOPUS will be searched for peer-reviewed scientific journal publications from the year 2000 to 2021. Reference lists of included articles and preprint repositories will be searched for additional and unpublished literature. Independent screening (title, abstract and full text) and data extraction will be carried out against the defined inclusion criteria. The results will be narratively summarised and charted under the conceptual areas of this scoping review. The research gaps and scope for future research on the topic will be identified. Findings will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for Scoping Reviews.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics clearance will not be obligatory because this scoping review will only involve publicly available data. The review’s findings will be disseminated through social media and a presentation in a national or international conference related to economics and healthcare. The findings will be published in a scientific journal that is peer-reviewed.
PAnTher Cub: procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for febrile neutropenia in children and young people with cancer - a single-arm pilot study
Authors: Morgan Jessica Elizabeth , Phillips Bob
Published: March 2022

Background

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common complication of cancer treatment in children and young people, and many episodes are over-treated. Procalcitonin, may be an appropriate tool to guide the stopping of antibiotics in those at low risk of serious bacterial infection. Supportive care trials in this population have proven to be difficult to undertake. This single-arm pilot study aimed to evaluate whether a study using a procalcitonin-guided stopping-rule for antibiotics in paediatric FN is possible.

Methods

Daily procalcitonin levels were performed during episodes of FN and clear guidance given for antibiotic discontinuation. Episode data and quantitative feasibility data were collected alongside interviews with professionals and ethnographic observations. Analysis was descriptive.

Results

Of 32 patients and families approached, 28 patients consented, and 13 had febrile neutropenia. In total, 16 episodes were included in the study. All relevant FN episodes had data captured, with adequate data collection. There were no significant safety events. In 4/8 (50%) of episodes without clear microbiologically documented or clinical infection, antibiotics were reduced in duration or in spectrum. Interviews with professionals revealed the importance of the research, the value of key individuals in the study team, particular challenges of this protocol and suggestions for study improvements.

Conclusions

Studies to evaluate procalcitonin-guided approaches to stopping antibiotics in paediatric FN are possible.
Implementation of prognostic machine learning algorithms in paediatric chronic respiratory conditions: a scoping review
Authors: Filipow Nicole , Main Eleanor , Sebire Neil J , Booth John , Taylor Andrew M , Davies Gwyneth , Stanojevic Sanja
Published: March 2022

Machine learning (ML) holds great potential for predicting clinical outcomes in heterogeneous chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) affecting children, where timely individualised treatments offer opportunities for health optimisation. This paper identifies rate-limiting steps in ML prediction model development that impair clinical translation and discusses regulatory, clinical and ethical considerations for ML implementation. A scoping review of ML prediction models in paediatric CRDs was undertaken using the PRISMA extension scoping review guidelines. From 1209 results, 25 articles published between 2013 and 2021 were evaluated for features of a good clinical prediction model using the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) guidelines.

Most of the studies were in asthma (80%), with few in cystic fibrosis (12%), bronchiolitis (4%) and childhood wheeze (4%). There were inconsistencies in model reporting and studies were limited by a lack of validation, and absence of equations or code for replication. Clinician involvement during ML model development is essential and diversity, equity and inclusion should be assessed at each step of the ML pipeline to ensure algorithms do not promote or amplify health disparities among marginalised groups. As ML prediction studies become more frequent, it is important that models are rigorously developed using published guidelines and take account of regulatory frameworks which depend on model complexity, patient safety, accountability and liability.
Serum folate deficiency and the risks of dementia and all-cause mortality: a national study of old age
Authors: Rotstein Anat , Kodesh Arad , Goldberg Yair , Reichenberg Abraham , Levine Stephen Z
Published: March 2022

Background

The association between serum folate deficiency and the risk of dementia in old age is unclear, perhaps owing to small sample sizes, the competing risk of mortality or reverse causation.

Objective

To examine the associations between serum folate deficiency and the risks of incident dementia and all-cause mortality in a large national sample of older adults.

Methods

A prospective cohort aged 60–75 years (n=27 188) without pre-existing dementia for at least 10 years, was tested for serum concentrations of folate and followed up for dementia or all-cause mortality. Serum folate deficiency was classified as present (<4.4 ng/mL), otherwise absent. HRs and 95% CIs from competing risks Cox models were fitted to quantify the associations between serum folate deficiency and the risks of dementia and all-cause mortality. To examine reverse causation, the analysis was stratified by duration of follow-up.

Findings

The presence compared with the absence of serum folate deficiency was associated with higher risks of dementia (HR=1.68; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.13; p<0.001) and all-cause mortality (HR=2.98; 95% CI 2.52 to 3.52; p<0.001). Evidence for reverse causation were moderate for dementia and mild for all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Serum concentrations of folate may function as a biomarker used to identify those at risk of dementia and mortality; however, reverse causation is likely. Further research is needed to examine the role of serum folate deficiency in dementia aetiology.

Clinical implications

Serum folate deficiency in older adults requires monitoring and treatment for preventative measures and/or as part of implemented therapeutic strategies.
Identifying bereaved grievers with greatest medical or social service needs in Japan
Authors: Becker Carl , Taniyama Yozo , Kondo-Arita Megumi , Sasaki Noriko , Yamada Shinya , Yamamoto Kayoko
Published: March 2022

Objective

Severe grief adversely affects the health of bereaved families, potentially burdening medical and community health services. Interventions for effective community health maintenance must identify the people likely to face severe effects of bereavement. The present study identified characteristics of mourners who experience severe grief within a year of bereavement to confirm whether this grief increased their reliance on Japanese medical and social services.

Design

We conducted a nationwide postal survey of Japanese bereaved within the previous year, to compare those reporting daily or overwhelming ‘heavy’ grief to those with less heavy grief, in terms of demographic and socioeconomic details, daily work and non-work activity, frequency of medical and social service use.

Setting/participants

In 2019, with the support of the Ministry of Education and the All Japan Funeral Co-Operation, we distributed approximately 5500 questionnaires to Japanese who had presided at funerals within the past year for anonymous return. By January of 2020, we received 1078 complete voluntary responses from bereaved Japanese.

Results

Half of the ‘heavy grief’ group (n=143) reported adverse effects on health and daily life, including needs for pharmacological, medical or welfare support. Losses of husbands or children were particularly connected to severe grief; ‘unexpected’ death from cancer caused the greatest shock. Employment (even part-time) buffered against severe grief; grief was greater for the unemployed and substantially worse for those who lost significant income at the same time as they lost loved ones.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that prior counselling should reduce the shock of bereavement and economic loss, which increases subsequent medical dependence. Medical professionals and community health workers can use the above factors to target in advance the family members in greatest danger of heavy grief, to intervene lest grief adversely affect their physical and psychological health after bereavement.
State and city laws governing the use of child restraint systems in rideshare vehicles and taxicabs: requirements and responsibility
Authors: McCourt Alexander Duncan , Hellinger Andrew , Shin Mi Ran , Shields Wendy , McDonald Eileen M , Michael Jeffrey , Ehsani Johnathon P
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To identify, describe and critique state and local policies related to child passenger safety in for-hire motor vehicles including ridesharing and taxis.

Methods

We used standard legal research methods to collect policies governing the use of child restraint systems (CRS) in rideshare and taxi vehicles for all 50 states and the 50 largest cities in the USA. We abstracted the collected policies to determine whether the policy applies to specific vehicles, requires specific safety restraints in those vehicles, lists specific requirements for use of those safety restraints, seeks to enhance compliance and punishes noncompliance.

Results

All 50 states have policies that require the use of CRS for children under a certain age, weight or height. Seven states exempt rideshare vehicles and 28 states exempt taxis from their CRS requirements. Twelve cities have relevant policies with eight requiring CRS in rideshare vehicles, but not taxis, and two cities requiring CRS use in both rideshare vehicles and taxis.

Conclusion

Most states require CRS use in rideshare vehicles, but not as many require CRS use in taxis. Though states describe penalties for drivers who fail to comply with CRS requirements, these penalties do not actually facilitate the use of CRS in rideshare or taxis. Furthermore, there is ambiguity in the laws about who is responsible for the provision and installation of the restraints. To prevent serious or fatal injuries in children, policy-makers should adopt policies that require, incentivise and facilitate the use of CRS in rideshare vehicles and taxis.
Comparing population-level mental health of UK workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study using Understanding Society
Authors: Kromydas Theocharis , Green Michael , Craig Peter , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Leyland Alastair H , Niedzwiedz Claire L , Pearce Anna , Thomson Rachel M , Demou Evangelia
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected workers’ mental health. We investigated changes in UK workers’ mental health by industry, socioeconomic class and occupation and differential effects by UK country of residence, gender and age.

Methods

We used representative Understanding Society data from 6474 adults (41 207 observations) in paid employment who participated in pre-pandemic (2017–2020) and at least one COVID-19 survey. The outcome was General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) caseness (score: ≥4). Exposures were industry, socioeconomic class and occupation and are examined separately. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate relative (OR) and absolute (%) increases in distress before and during pandemic. Differential effects were investigated for UK countries of residence (non-England/England), gender (male/female) and age (younger/older) using three-way interaction effects.

Results

GHQ-12 caseness increased in relative terms most for ‘professional, scientific and technical’ (OR: 3.15, 95% CI 2.17 to 4.59) industry in the pandemic versus pre-pandemic period. Absolute risk increased most in ‘hospitality’ (+11.4%). For socioeconomic class, ‘small employers/self-employed’ were most affected in relative and absolute terms (OR: 3.24, 95% CI 2.28 to 4.63; +10.3%). Across occupations, ‘sales and customer service’ (OR: 3.01, 95% CI 1.61 to 5.62; +10.7%) had the greatest increase. Analysis with three-way interactions showed considerable gender differences, while for UK country of residence and age results are mixed.

Conclusions

GHQ-12 caseness increases during the pandemic were concentrated among ‘professional and technical’ and ‘hospitality’ industries and ‘small employers/self-employed’ and ‘sales and customers service’ workers. Female workers often exhibited greater differences in risk by industry and occupation. Policies supporting these industries and groups are needed.
Cancer cell-intrinsic resistance to BiTE therapy is mediated by loss of CD58 costimulation and modulation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway
Authors: Shen Ye , Eng Jason S , Fajardo Flordeliza , Liang Lingming , Li Cong , Collins Patrick , Tedesco Donato , Nolan-Stevaux Olivier
Published: March 2022

Background

Bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) molecules induce redirected lysis of cancer cells by T cells and are an emerging modality for solid tumor immunotherapy. While signs of clinical activity have been demonstrated, efficacy of T-cell engagers (TCEs) in solid tumors settings, molecular determinants of response, and underlying mechanisms of resistance to BiTE therapy require more investigation.

Methods

To uncover cancer cell-intrinsic genetic modifiers of TCE-mediated cytotoxicity, we performed genome-wide CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) loss-of-function and CRISPRa (CRISPR activation) gain-of-function screens using TCEs against two distinct tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). By using in vitro T-cell cytotoxicity assays and in vivo efficacy studies, we validated the roles of two common pathways identified in our screen, T-cell costimulation pathway and apoptosis pathway, as key modifiers of BiTE activity.

Results

Our genetic screens uncovered TAAs-independent cancer cell-intrinsic genes with functions in autophagy, T-cell costimulation, the apoptosis pathway, chromatin remodeling, and cytokine signaling that altered responsiveness to BiTE-mediated killing. Notably, loss of CD58 (the ligand of the CD2 T-cell costimulatory receptor), a gene frequently altered in cancer, led to decreased TCE-mediated cytotoxicity, T-cell activation and antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the effects of CD58 loss were synergistically compounded by concurrent loss of CD80/CD86 (ligands for the CD28 T-cell costimulatory receptor), whereas joint CD2 and CD28 costimulation additively enhanced TCE-mediated killing, indicating non-redundant costimulatory mechanisms between the two pathways. Additionally, loss ofCFLAR(Caspase-8 and FADD Like Apoptosis Regulator),BCL2L1, andBID(BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist) induced profound changes in sensitivity to TCEs, indicating that key regulators of apoptosis, which are frequently altered in cancer, impact tumor responsiveness to BiTE therapy.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that genetic alterations central to carcinogenesis and commonly detected in cancer samples lead to significant modulation of BiTE antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo, findings with relevance for a better understanding of patient responses to BiTE therapy and novel combinations that enhance TCE efficacy.
Decolonising ‘man’, resituating pandemic: an intervention in the pathogenesis of colonial capitalism
Authors: Jolly Rosemary J
Published: March 2022

This paper brings together fifth-wave public health theory and a decolonised approach to the human informed by the Caribbean thinker, Sylvia Wynter, and the primary exponent of African Humanism, Es’kia Mpahlele. Sub-Saharan indigenous ways of thinking the human as co-constitutive in a subject we might call human-animal-‘environment’, in conjunction with the subcontinent’s experiences of colonial damage in disease ‘prevention’ and ‘treatment’, demonstrate the lack of genuine engagement with Indigenous wisdom in Western medical practice.

The paper offers a decolonial reading of pandemic history, focused primarily on the human immunodefiency virus (HIV), the severe acute respiratory syndrome of 2003 caused by the SARS Covid 1 virus (SARS-CoV1) and COVID-19, caused by the SARS COVID 2 virus (SARS-CoV2) to demonstrate the importance of the co-constitutive subject in understanding the genesis of these pandemics as driven by colonial-capitalism. I emphasise that prevention will indeed take the kinds of massive changes proposed by fifth-wave public health theory. However, I differ from the proponents of that theory in an insistence that the new kind of thinking of the human Hanlonet alcall for, has already been conceived: just not within the confines of the normative human of Western culture.

I illustrate that Western Global Health approaches remain constitutionally ‘deaf’ to approaches that, although the West may not understand this to be the case, arise from fundamentally different—and extra-anthropocentric—notions of the human. In this context, Man as Wynter names Him is a subject ripe for decolonisation, rather than a premier site of capitalist development, including that of healthcare provision.

Recognising that most of us are not individually able to change the structural violence of the colonial capitalist system in which Global Health practices are embedded, I conclude with implications drawn from my argument for quotidian practices that enable healthcare providers see their actions within a harm reduction paradigm, in the context of communities experiencing intergenerational impoverishment consequent on colonial violence.
Association between time to treatment and clinical outcomes in endovascular thrombectomy beyond 6 hours without advanced imaging selection
Authors: Dhillon Permesh Singh , Butt Waleed , Podlasek Anna , McConachie Norman , Lenthall Robert , Nair Sujit , Malik Luqman , Bhogal Pervinder , Makalanda Hegoda Levansri Dilrukshan , Spooner Oliver , Krishnan Kailash , Sprigg Nikola , Mortimer Alex , Booth Thomas Calvert , Lobotesis Kyriakos , White Philip , James Martin A , Bath Philip , Dineen Robert A , England Timothy J
Published: March 2022

Background

The effectiveness and safety of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in the late window (6–24 hours) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients selected without advanced imaging is undetermined. We aimed to assess clinical outcomes and the relationship with time-to-EVT treatment beyond 6 hours of stroke onset without advanced neuroimaging.

Methods

Patients who underwent EVT selected with non-contrast CT/CT angiography (without CT perfusion or MR imaging), between October 2015 and March 2020, were included from a national stroke registry. Functional and safety outcomes were assessed in both early (<6 hours) and late windows with time analyzed as a continuous variable.

Results

Among 3278 patients, 2610 (79.6%) and 668 (20.4%) patients were included in the early and late windows, respectively. In the late window, for every hour delay, there was no significant association with shift towards poorer functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS)) at discharge (adjusted common OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.01, p=0.27) or change in predicted functional independence (mRS ≤2) (24.5% to 23.3% from 6 to 24 hours; aOR 0.99, 95% CI0.94 to 1.04, p=0.85). In contrast, predicted functional independence was time sensitive in the early window: 5.2% reduction per-hour delay (49.4% to 23.5% from 1 to 6 hours, p=0.0001). There were similar rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) (3.4% vs 4.6%, p=0.54) and in-hospital mortality (12.9% vs 14.6%, p=0.33) in the early and late windows, respectively, without a significant association with time.

Conclusion

In this real-world study, there was minimal change in functional disability, sICH and in-hospital mortality within and across the late window. While confirmatory randomized trials are needed, these findings suggest that EVT remains feasible and safe when performed in AIS patients selected without advanced neuroimaging between 6–24 hours from stroke onset.
Coenzyme Q10 deficiency can be expected to compromise Sirt1 activity
Authors: DiNicolantonio James J , McCarty Mark F , O'Keefe James H
Published: March 2022

For reasons that remain unclear, endogenous synthesis and tissue levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) tend to decline with increasing age in at least some tissues. When CoQ10 levels are sufficiently low, this compromises the efficiency of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, such that production of superoxide by site 2 increases and the rate of adenosine triphosphate production declines. Moreover, CoQ10 deficiency can be expected to decrease activities of Sirt1 and Sirt3 deacetylases, believed to be key determinants of health span. Reduction of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial NAD+/NADH ratio consequent to CoQ10 deficit can be expected to decrease the activity of these deacetylases by lessening availability of their obligate substrate NAD+. The increased oxidant production induced by CoQ10 deficiency can decrease the stability of Sirt1 protein by complementary mechanisms. And CoQ10 deficiency has also been found to lower mRNA expression of Sirt1. An analysis of the roles of Sirt1/Sirt3 in modulation of cellular function helps to rationalise clinical benefits of CoQ10 supplementation reported in heart failure, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease. Hence, correction of CoQ10 deficiency joins a growing list of measures that have potential for amplifying health protective Sirt1/Sirt3 activities.
Efficacy of three heat-stable microbial phytases on growth performance and bone development and strength of broilers fed diets deficient in available phosphorus
Authors: Solomon H.S. , Adejoro F.A. , Nkukwana T.T.
Published: March 2022

A total of 2340 as-hatched Cobb500 chicks were allocated to 9 treatments, each with 13 replicate pens to evaluate the effects of either three phytase enzymes in a P-deficient diet. Starter and finisher diets consisted of a positive control (PC) and negative control 1 and 2 (NC1 and NC2, respectively). The PC, NC1, and NC2 diets had Ca:avP (available phosphorus) ratios of 0.50, 0.33, and 0.43 in the starter feed, and 0.46, 0.22, and 0.35 in the finisher feed, respectively; NC1 diets were then supplemented with Phytaverse, Quantum Blue, and Axtra-PHY at 500 and 1000 FTU/kg. Enzyme type had significant effects on body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and production efficiency factor during the 0–7-day period. Interactions between enzyme type and inclusion levels had a significant effect on feed intake (FI) at 1–21-day ( P = 0.02) and 1–35-day ( P = 0.031) age. While FI decreased as Axtra-PHY inclusion levels increased from 500 to 1000 FTU/kg feed, FI increased in birds supplemented with Quantum Blue, but with no effects on Phytaverse-supplemented birds. Increasing the enzyme dose to 1000 FTU/kg feed improved bone-breaking strength but did not affect growth performance, tibia ash, Ca, or P concentration of the birds.
Superabsorbent cellulose fibers for reducing shrinkage and microcracking in concrete
Authors: Hassan Afraa Labiba , Billah A.H.M. Muntasir
Published: March 2022

One of the major durability issues in concrete structures is the cracking resulting from shrinkage. Drying shrinkage contributes a major portion of shrinkage strain in conventional concrete. Controlling the drying shrinkage of concrete can lower the total shrinkage strain and subsequently reduce the extent of cracking and enhance the durability of concrete structures. The objective of this study was to develop a pulp fiber-based concrete to reduce the drying shrinkage and microcracks in concrete. Using superabsorbent cellulose fibers (SCFs) in the concrete mix, this study intended to develop a concrete mix with acceptable properties with reduced shrinkage strain and cracking. Using scanning electron microscope images, crack growth in different concrete specimens with and without SCFs was observed. Free shrinkage tests were conducted to investigate the efficiency of SCFs in controlling concrete shrinkage. The test results indicated significantly reduced crack widths and a lower shrinkage strain in concrete containing SCFs.
Displaced Higgs production in Type-III seesaw at the LHC/FCC, MATHUSLA and muon collider
Authors: Sen Chandrima , Bandyopadhyay Priyotosh , Dutta Saunak , KT Aleesha
Published: March 2022

In this article, we explore the possibility of displaced Higgs production from the decays of the heavy fermions in the Type-III seesaw extension of the Standard Model at the LHC/FCC and the muon collider. The displaced heavy fermions and the Higgs boson can be traced back by measuring the displaced charged tracks of the charged leptons along with the b-jets. A very small Yukawa coupling can lead to two successive displaced decays which makes the phenomenology even more interesting. The prospects of the transverse and longitudinal displaced decay lengths are extensively studied in the context of the boost at the LHC/FCC. Due to the parton distribution function, the longitudinal boosts leads to larger displacement compared to the transverse one, which can reach MATHUSLA and beyond. The longitudinal measurements are indeed possible by the visible part of the finalstate, which captures the complete information about the longitudinal momenta. The comparative studies are made at the LHC/FCC with the centre of mass energies of 14, 27 and 100 TeV, respectively. A futuristic study of the muon collider where the collision happen in the centre of mass frame is analysed for centre of mass energies of 3.5, 14 and 30 TeV. Contrary to LHC/FCC, here the transverse momentum diverges, however, the maximum reach in both the direction are identical due to the constant total momentum in each collision. The reach of the Yukawa couplings and fermion masses are appraised for both the colliders. FCC at 100 TeV can probe a mass of 4.25 TeV and a lowest Yukawa coupling of $${\mathcal {O}}(5 \times 10^{-11})$$

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High-precision QED initial state corrections for e+e−→ γ∗/Z∗ annihilation
Authors: Blümlein J. , Schönwald K.
Published: March 2022

The precise knowledge of the QED initial state corrections is of instrumental importance in studying high-luminosity measurements in [Formula: see text] annihilation at facilities like LEP, the International Linear Collider ILC, CLIC, a Giga-[Formula: see text] facility, and the planned FCC_ee. Logarithmic corrections of up to [Formula: see text] are necessary with various subleading terms taken into account. This applies to both the inclusive measurement of processes like [Formula: see text] and also the forward–backward asymmetry. As has been shown recently, techniques from massive QCD, such as the computation of massive on-shell operator matrix elements, can be used for these calculations. We give an introduction to this topic and present both the calculation methods and the numerical corrections having been reached so far.
Reverse quantum speed limit and minimum Hilbert space norm
Authors: Rubin Mark A.
Published: March 2022

The reverse quantum speed limit (RQSL) gives an upper limit to the time for evolution between initial and final quantum states. We show that, in conjunction with the existence of a minimum time scale, the RQSL implies a lower limit to the norm of the change in a quantum state, and confirm that this limit is satisfied in two-state and ideal-measurement models. Such a lower limit is of relevance for interpretational issues in probability and for understanding the meaning of probability in Everett quantum theory.
Nilpotency and the Hamiltonian property for cancellative residuated lattices
Authors: Colacito Almudena , Tsinakis Constantine
Published: March 2022

This paper studies nilpotent and Hamiltonian cancellative residuated lattices and their relationship with nilpotent and Hamiltonian lattice-ordered groups. In particular, results about lattice-ordered groups are extended to the domain of residuated lattices. The two key ingredients that underlie the considerations of this paper are the categorical equivalence between Ore residuated lattices and lattice-ordered groups endowed with a suitable modal operator; and Malcev’s description of nilpotent groups of a given nilpotency class c in terms of a semigroup equation.
Analogs of Bol operators on superstrings
Authors: Bouarroudj Sofiane , Leites Dimitry , Shchepochkina Irina
Published: March 2022

The Bol operators are unary differential operators between spaces of weighted densities on the 1-dimensional manifold invariant under projective transformations of the manifold. On the [Formula: see text]-dimensional supermanifold (superstring) [Formula: see text], we classify analogs of Bol operators invariant under the simple maximal subalgebra [Formula: see text] of the same rank as its simple ambient superalgebra [Formula: see text] of vector fields on [Formula: see text] and containing all elements of negative degree of [Formula: see text] in a [Formula: see text]-grading. We also consider the Lie superalgebras of vector fields [Formula: see text] preserving a contact structure on the superstring [Formula: see text]. We have discovered many new operators.
Investigating Pull-Entrepreneurship: The Effects of Exogenous Factors on Opportunity Perceptions in OECD Countries
Authors: Gaies Brahim , Maalaoui Adnane , Botti Antonio , Monda Antonella
Published: March 2022

Prior research on pull entrepreneurship sees opportunity perception as dependent on the individual’s cognitive processes and pays relatively less attention to the role of exogenous factors, which influence and shape our belief structures in the first place. To fill this gap, the main aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between exogenous factors, both positive and negative, and individuals’ opportunity perception. A theoretical framework, based on Institutional Theory, is proposed and empirically tested through panel analysis. The data cover 36 OECD countries observed between 2000 and 2014. The results show that opportunity perception is encouraged by positive exogenous factors, e.g., cultural motivation, social recognition; conversely, it is discouraged by negative exogenous factors, e.g. R&D expenditure and female unemployment. The findings also provide new insights into how exogenous factors impact individuals’ perceptions of opportunities for new business creation, highlighting that positive exogenous factors play a more important role than negative exogenous factors in this process. The empirical results confirm the proposed theoretical framework and allow the formulation of interesting theoretical and managerial implications.
On the stability of mean-field stochastic differential equations with irregular expectation functional
Authors: Elbarrimi Oussama
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we consider multidimensional mean-field stochastic differential equations where the coefficients depend on the law in the form of a Lebesgue integral with respect to the measure of the solution. Under the pathwise uniqueness property, we establish various strong stability results. As a consequence, we give an application for optimal control of diffusions. Namely, we propose a result on the approximation of the solution associated to a relaxed control.
Mechanical and Maxwell’s equations relative to an observer and principle of general relativity
Authors: Romano Antonio
Published: March 2022

The principle of general relativity states that every observer has the right to analyze the physical world from his point of view. However, a transcription code is necessary to compare different descriptions. It is just this code that allows to obtain a physics that is universal in the class of observers. First of all, an observer, identified with a frame of reference R, must have procedures not only to attribute coordinates to each event but also to measure any physical quantity. In the literature, formal procedures are proposed to derive physical quantities and equations relative to an observer starting from the absolute ones. In this paper, these formal approaches are shown to be equivalent to entrust the proper inertial frame [Formula: see text] at an event [Formula: see text] to carry out the measure of physical quantities. Then the observer R adopts the results obtained by [Formula: see text] without introducing his own measures. Since these adopted measures are carried out in the absence of gravitation, the obtained relative equations describe how the evolution with respect to R of proper quantities is modified by gravitation. Finally, after determining the transformation of proper quantities in going from R to another frame R’, a principle of general relativity is formulated in an appropriate class of observers.
Hybrid Interior Ideals in Ordered Semigroups
Authors: Porselvi K. , Elavarasan B. , Jun Y. B.
Published: March 2022

We are fully aware that an ordered semigroup has a very close relation with theoretical computer science, especially with the theory of pattern recognition, decision processes, artificial intelligence, information retrieval and so on. We are eager to introduce the new concepts of hybrid interior ideals and hybrid simple in an ordered semigroup in this paper. We discuss characteristic hybrid structures using ideals and interior ideals, and characterize ordered semigroup in terms of different hybrid ideal structures. Further, we establish the equivalent condition for an ordered semigroup to be simple.
On the Search of Speculations
Authors: Trillas Enric , De Soto Adolfo R.
Published: March 2022

This paper concerns the internal structure of reasoning that, basically consisting in conjecturing and refuting, is too often identified with only deducing, abducing and refuting, that is, with just the deductive search of consequences, hypotheses and refutations. With such identification, it is forgotten that in addition to consequences and hypotheses, there is a third class of conjectures, speculations or proper guesses. Speculations are inferentially non-comparable, or orthogonal, with the premise, and generate creativity. It is presented a very simple formal view for the structure of Commonsense Reasoning, a mathematical model allowing to show the importance of speculations, and specially to start with its systematic computational search.
A fractional approach to fluid flow and solute transport within deformable saturated porous media
Authors: Salomoni Valentina A. , De Marchi Nico
Published: March 2022

The non-Darcian flow and solute transport in geometrically nonlinear porous media are modeled with Riesz derivative solved via Simpson’s rule or treated through the Grünwald–Letnikow definition and subsequently discretized via Finite Difference schemes when considering anomalous diffusion, nonlinear diffusion, or anomalous solute advection–dispersion, respectively. Particularly, the standard diffusion and advection–dispersion equations are converted into fractional equations to take into account memory effects as well as non-Fickian dispersion processes. Hence, a 3D hydro-mechanical model accounting for geometric nonlinearities is correspondingly developed including the fractional diffusion–advection–dispersion equations (FRADEs) and a series of one-dimensional analyses are performed with validation purposes.