bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-term, but not long-term, beneficial effects of concomitant benzodiazepine use on clinical course in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Ekinci Okan , Ekinci Asli
Published: January 2022

This study aims to examine possible differences in the effect on the course characteristics of the disease in cases of no use, short-term use and long-term use of benzodiazepines in patients with schizophrenia. In this retrospective observational study, the sample comprised patients with schizophrenia who were admitted to our psychiatric clinics from January 2015 to January 2019. Patients were also retrospectively tracked from the date of the first admission during the specified time until the end of the observation period (24 months) for clinical course characteristics. Data for 1710 patients with schizophrenia were included in the analyses. Patients with short-term benzodiazepines use had fewer psychiatric hospitalizations and shorter lengths of stay at psychiatric services than patients with no use or long-term use. Rates of antipsychotic drug discontinuation and suicidal behavior were also significantly lower among short-term benzodiazepines users than among those with no use or long-term use. In conclusion, our study indicates that short-term benzodiazepines use is associated with a better clinical course in patients with schizophrenia. Future studies should evaluate the effects of different benzodiazepines use patterns on disease prognosis with longer-term follow-up and prospective methodology and should concomitantly examine psychopathological variables.
Modeling and implementation of a novel amphibious robot with multimode motion
Authors: Li Xuelong , Jiang Lei , Liu Xinxin , Dang Ruina , Liu Fusheng , Wei Wang , Zhang Tong , Wang Guoshun
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the modeling and implementation of a novel multimode amphibious robot, which is used for patrol and beach garbage cleaning in the land–water transition zone.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the design idea of multimode motion, the robot innovatively integrates the guiding fin and wheel together, is driven by the same motor and can achieve multimodal motion such as land, water surface and underwater with only six actuated degrees of freedom. The robot dispenses with the transmission mechanism by directly connecting the servo motor with a reducer to the actuator, so it has the characteristics of simplifying the structure and reducing the quality. And to the best of the authors' knowledge, the design of the robot can be considered the minimal configuration of amphibious robots with the same locomotion capabilities.

Findings

Based on the classical assumptions of underwater dynamics analysis, this paper uses basic airfoil theory to analyze the dynamics of the robot’s horizontal and vertical motions and establishes its simplified dynamics model. Also, the underwater motion of the robot is simulated, and the results are in good agreement with the existing research results. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the robot, a prototype is implemented and fully evaluated by experiments. Experimental results show that the robot can reach the maximum speed of 2.5 m/s and 0.3 m/s on land and underwater, respectively, proving the effectiveness of the robot.

Originality/value

The robot has higher work efficiency with the powerful multimode motion, and its simplified structure makes it more stable while costing less.
Incorporating genome‐based phylogeny and functional similarity into diversity assessments helps to resolve a global collection of human gut metagenomes
Authors: Youngblut Nicholas D. , de la Cuesta‐Zuluaga Jacobo , Ley Ruth E.
Published: January 2022

Tree‐based diversity measures incorporate phylogenetic or functional relatedness into comparisons of microbial communities. This can improve the identification of explanatory factors compared to tree‐agnostic diversity measures. However, applying tree‐based diversity measures to metagenome data is more challenging than for single‐locus sequencing (e.g. 16S rRNA gene). Utilizing the Genome Taxonomy Database for species‐level metagenome profiling allows for functional diversity measures based on genomic content or traits inferred from it. Still, it is unclear how metagenome‐based assessments of microbiome diversity benefit from incorporating phylogeny or function into measures of diversity. We assessed this by measuring phylogeny‐based, function‐based and tree‐agnostic diversity measures from a large, global collection of human gut metagenomes composed of 30 studies and 2943 samples. We found tree‐based measures to explain phenotypic variation (e.g. westernization, disease status and gender) better or equivalent to tree‐agnostic measures. Ecophylogenetic and functional diversity measures provided unique insight into how microbiome diversity was partitioned by phenotype. Tree‐based measures greatly improved machine learning model performance for predicting westernization, disease status and gender, relative to models trained solely on tree‐agnostic measures. Our findings illustrate the usefulness of tree‐ and function‐based measures for metagenomic assessments of microbial diversity, which is a fundamental component of microbiome science.
The ecological assembly of bacterial communities in Antarctic wetlands varies across levels of phylogenetic resolution
Authors: Quiroga María V. , Valverde Angel , Mataloni Gabriela , Casa Valeria , Stegen James C. , Cowan Don
Published: January 2022

As functional traits are conserved at different phylogenetic depths, the ability to detect community assembly processes can be conditional on the phylogenetic resolution; yet most previous work quantifying their influence has focused on a single level of phylogenetic resolution. Here, we have studied the ecological assembly of bacterial communities from an Antarctic wetland complex, applying null models across different levels of phylogenetic resolution (i.e. clustering ASVs into OTUs with decreasing sequence identity thresholds). We found that the relative influence of the community assembly processes varies with phylogenetic resolution. More specifically, selection processes seem to impose stronger influence at finer (100% sequence similarity ASV) than at coarser (99%–97% sequence similarity OTUs) resolution. We identified environmental features related with the ecological processes and propose a conceptual model for the bacterial community assembly in this Antarctic ecosystem. Briefly, eco‐evolutionary processes appear to be leading to different but very closely related ASVs in lotic, lentic and terrestrial environments. In all, this study shows that assessing community assembly processes at different phylogenetic resolutions is key to improve our understanding of microbial ecology. More importantly, a failure to detect selection processes at coarser phylogenetic resolution does not imply the absence of such processes at finer resolutions.
Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty for bilateral obturator hernias and left inguinal hernia with emaciation caused by anorexia nervosa: A case report
Authors: Uehara Hiroaki , Kameyama Hitoshi , Iwaya Akira , Yamazaki Toshiyuki , Ishii Shota , Tomizawa Gen , Takamatsu Yuki , Gohda Yousuke , Enoki Yuya , Sudo Natsuru , Katada Tomohiro , Kobayashi Kazuaki , Sato Daisuke , Yokoyama Naoyuki , Kuwabara Shirou , Otani Tetsuya
Published: January 2022

A 55‐year‐old woman receiving treatment for anorexia nervosa presented with abdominal pain and right thigh pain. Her body mass index was 12.9 kg/m2. Computed tomography showed fluid storage in the distal side of the right obturator foramen and revealed a dilated small bowel without a starting point of obstruction. We diagnosed a naturally reduced incarcerated right obturator hernia and performed elective surgery with a laparoscopic approach for hernia repair the next day. Intraperitoneal observation revealed bilateral obturator hernias and a left direct‐type inguinal hernia. Transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty was performed using two self‐gripping polyester meshes for bilateral obturator hernia repair and a lightweight 3D‐shaped mesh for left inguinal hernia repair. Women with emaciation caused by anorexia nervosa may be more likely to have complex hernias, including obturator hernia, and laparoscopic approaches may be useful for preoperatively diagnosed nonstrangulated obturator hernias.
Healing complications and their detrimental effects on bone gain in vertical‐guided bone regeneration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tay John Rong Hao , Ng Ethan , Lu Xiaotong Jacinta , Lai Wei Ming Clement
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) utilizes a barrier membrane to allow osteogenic cells to populate a space by excluding epithelial and connective tissue cells. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the ratio of means (RoM) of vertical bone gained (Outcome) in vertical GBR procedures with healing complications (Intervention) and in vertical GBR procedures without healing complications (Comparison) in patients with vertically resorbed edentulous ridges that require dental implant placement (Population). A further aim was to investigate the incidence of complications after vertical GBR, and the influence of the timing of implant placement and regenerative devices on complications.

Materials and Methods

MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched in duplicate up to, and including, November 2020 for randomized and controlled clinical trials and prospective and retrospective case series. Outcomes included patient‐level and site‐level RoM of vertical bone gain between healing complications and uneventful healing, and incidences of complications that occurred after vertical GBR. Random‐effects and fixed‐effects meta‐analyses were performed where appropriate. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021226432).

Results

A total of 31 publications were selected for the qualitative and quantitative analyses. The RoM of vertical bone gained was 0.65 [95% CI = 0.47, 0.91] and 0.62 [95% CI = 0.45, 0.85] when membrane exposure without suppuration and abscess formation without membrane exposure occurred respectively, in comparison to uneventful healing. The overall incidence proportion of healing complications occurring at the augmented site at a site‐ and patient‐level was 11.0% [95% CI = 7.0, 15.6] and 10.8% [95% CI = 6.6, 15.7]. At a patient‐level, there were no significant differences between a simultaneous or staged approach, or with the regenerative device used. The site‐level incidence proportion of membrane exposure without suppuration, membrane exposure with suppuration, and with abscess formation without membrane exposure was 8.7% [95% CI = 4.2, 14.2], 0.7% [95% CI = 0.0, 2.9], and 0.5% [95% CI = 0.0, 1.7], respectively. The site‐level weighted mean incidence proportion of neurologic complications occurring at the donor site was 0.8% [95% CI = 0.0, 5.3].

Conclusions

There is a significant reduction in bone gain when healing complications occur. However, healing complications are relatively uncommon surgical complications after vertical GBR.
Coccolith Sr/Ca is a robust temperature and growth rate indicator that withstands dynamic microbial interactions
Authors: Eliason Or , Segev Einat
Published: January 2022

Coccolithophores are a diverse group of calcifying microalgae that have left a prominent fossil record on Earth. Various coccolithophore relics, both organic and inorganic, serve as proxies for reconstruction of past oceanic conditions. Emiliania huxleyi is the most widely distributed representative of the coccolithophores in modern oceans and is known to engage in dynamic interactions with bacteria. Algal–bacterial interactions influence various aspects of algal physiology and alter algal alkenone unsaturation (UK’37), a frequently used organic coccolithophore‐derived paleo‐temperature proxy. Whether algal–bacterial interactions influence inorganic coccolithophore‐derived paleo‐proxies is yet unknown. A commonly used inorganic proxy for past productivity and sea surface temperature is the Sr/Ca ratio of the coccolith calcite. Interestingly, during interactions between bacteria and a population of calcifying algae, bacteria were shown to physically attach only to non‐calcified algal cells, suggesting an influence on algal calcification. In this study, we explore the effects of algal–bacterial interactions on calcification and coccolith Sr/Ca ratios. We find that while bacteria attach only to non‐calcified algal cells, coccolith cell coverage and overall calcite production in algal populations with and without bacteria is similar. Furthermore, we find that Sr/Ca values are impacted only by water temperature and algal growth rate, regardless of bacterial influences on algal physiology. Our observations reinforce the robustness of coccolith Sr/Ca ratios as a paleo‐proxy independent of microbial interactions and highlight a fundamental difference between organic and inorganic paleo‐proxies.
Comparison of ablation index versus time‐guided radiofrequency energy dosing using normal and half‐normal saline irrigation in a porcine left ventricular model
Authors: Larsen Timothy , Du‐Fay‐de‐Lavallaz Jeanne M. , Winterfield Jeffrey R. , Ravi Venkatesh , Rhodes Paul , Wasserlauf Jeremiah , Trohman Richard G. , Sharma Parikshit S. , Huang Henry D.
Published: January 2022

Background

Ablation Index (AI) is a multiparametric quality marker to assess the durability of radiofrequency (RF) lesions. The comparative effectiveness and safety of AI versus time‐based energy dosing for ablation of ventricular arrhythmias are unknown.

Objective

We compared AI and time‐based RF dosing strategies in the left ventricles (LVs) of freshly harvested porcine hearts.

Methods

Ablation was performed in vitro with an open‐irrigated ablation catheter (Thermocool ST/SF), 40 W, contact force 10–15 g. Tissue samples were stained in triphenyltetrazolium chloride for the measurement of lesion dimensions.

Results

A total of 560 lesions were performed (AI‐group: [n = 360]; time‐group: [n = 200]). Using normal saline (NS) (n = 280), growth in lesion depth slowed after 30 s and AI > 550 in comparison to width, volume, and magnitude of impedance drops which continued to increase with longer RF duration. Risk of steam pop (SP) was higher for RF > 30 s (RF < 30 s:1 SP [2.5%] vs. RF > 30 s: 15 SP [25%]; p = .002) or AI targets >550 (AI: 350–550: 2 SP [2%] vs. AI 600–750: 15 SP [19%]; p = .001). Using half‐normal saline (HNS) (n = 280), lesion dimension and impedance drops were larger and growth in lesion depth slowed earlier (AI: 500). Risk of SPs was higher above AI 550 (AI: 350–550: 7 [7%] SPs vs. AI 600–750: 28 [35%] SPs; p < .00001). While codependent variables, correlation between AI and time was modest‐to‐strong but decreased with longer RF duration.

Conclusion

In this ex vivo study, AI was a better predictor of lesion dimensions than ablation time and magnitude of impedance drop in the LV using NS and HNS irrigation. AI targets above 550 led to a higher risk of SPs. Future trials are required to verify these findings.
A non‐native C‐terminal extension of the β’ subunit compromises RNA polymerase and Rho functions
Authors: Mittermeier Maura , Wang Bing , Said Nelly , Gjorgjevikj Daniela , Wahl Markus C. , Artsimovitch Irina
Published: January 2022

Escherichia coli RfaH abrogates Rho‐mediated polarity in lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis operons, and ΔrfaH cells are hypersensitive to antibiotics, bile salts, and detergents. Selection for rfaH suppressors that restore growth on SDS identified a temperature‐sensitive mutant in which 46 C‐terminal residues of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) β’ subunit are replaced with 23 residues carrying a net positive charge. Based on similarity to rpoC397, which confers a temperature‐sensitive phenotype and resistance to bacteriophages, we named this mutant rpoC397*. We show that SDS resistance depends on a single nonpolar residue within the C397* tail, whereas basic residues are dispensable. In line with its mimicry of RfaH, C397* RNAP is resistant to Rho but responds to pause signals, NusA, and NusG in vitro similarly to the wild‐type enzyme and binds to Rho and Nus factors in vivo. Strikingly, the deletion of rpoZ, which encodes the ω “chaperone” subunit, restores rpoC397* growth at 42°C but has no effect on SDS sensitivity. Our results suggest that the C397* tail traps the ω subunit in an inhibitory state through direct contacts and hinders Rho‐dependent termination through long‐range interactions. We propose that the dynamic and hypervariable β’•ω module controls RNA synthesis in response to niche‐specific signals.
Assessing effectiveness and side effects of likely “seal safe” pinger sounds to ward off endangered franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei)
Authors: Paitach Renan L. , Amundin Mats , Königson Sara , Cremer Marta J.
Published: January 2022

The franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) is the most endangered dolphin in the western South Atlantic Ocean due to bycatch. Our goal was to test the efficiency of a likely “seal safe” pinger (Banana Pinger, Fishtek Marine Ltd.) to ward off franciscanas, as well as investigating possible side effects of habituation and habitat exclusion. We deployed the pinger within a grid of click detectors (C‐POD, Chelonia Ltd.) in Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil, and the narrow band high frequency sonar click trains were used as a proxy for presence of the franciscanas and response to the pinger. The presence of franciscanas next to the pinger and at 100 m away decreased by 19.4% and 15.4%, respectively, when the pinger was switched on, indicating that the franciscanas avoided the area of the pinger. This avoidance response could not be seen at 400 m away. No habituation effect was noted at any distance. There was a slight gradual decrease in detections over the course of the study at all distances, which is probably related to seasonal variation in the population's habitat use, but this requires attention in future studies. The likely “seal safe” pinger sounds effectively warded off franciscanas and thus has the potential to reduce bycatch.
Localised erythema multiforme‐like reaction confined to a region of clipper burn in a dog
Authors: Tham Heng L. , Lanz Otto I. , Linder Keith E.
Published: January 2022

Localised erythema multiforme (LEM) is only reported to occur in humans and not in domestic species. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological features of LEM‐like reaction in a dog, confined to a region of clipper burn.
La configuración de los riesgos en el seguro marítimo
Authors: Berti de Marinis Giovanni
Published: January 2022

Este trabajo analiza las peculiaridades que surgen en la normativa sectorial específica relativa al seguro marítimo en cuanto a la identificación de los riesgos asegurados. De forma preliminar, se examinan las diferencias que se pueden encontrar entre las reglas generales del contrato de seguro contenidas en el código civil italiano y las expresamente dedicadas al seguro marítimo contenidas en el código de navegación.

La atención se centra, pues, en las cuestiones relativas a la posibilidad de asegurar riesgos putativos y de dar un carácter retroactivo al seguro marítimo. Distinguiendo, entonces, el seguro de buques del seguro de mercancías, se analizan las disposiciones específicas que regulan el tiempo de duración de la cobertura del seguro en cuestión con el fin de verificar en que circunstancias el siniestro está cubierto por la póliza. Finalmente, se examinan las cuestiones relativas al impacto en el contrato de seguro marítimo de eventos que modifiquen el riesgo asegurado.
La responsabilidad civil del asegurador de asistencia sanitaria por negligencias médico-hospitalarias de su cuadro asistencial
Authors: Carbajo Cascón Fernando
Published: January 2022

Los seguros de asistencia sanitaria predominan históricamente en la práctica aseguradora española de los seguros de salud. La expansión de este tipo de seguros entre el conjunto de la población ha dado lugar a una línea jurisprudencial consolidada -pero no por ello menos discutible- que, con la vista puesta en la mayor tutela de los asegurados como consumidores de servicios sanitarios, hace responsable directo al asegurador de los daños y perjuicios derivados de una asistencia sanitaria deficiente por parte de los médicos, sanitarios y hospitales incluidos en su cuadro asistencial.
A new flat mite of the genus Tenuipalpus Donnadieu (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) from Brazil
Authors: Castro Elizeu B. , Feres Reinaldo J.F. , Mesa Nora C. , Moraes Gilberto J.de
Published: January 2022

A new species of flat mite (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), Tenuipalpus bauchani sp. nov., collected on Trichilia casaretti C. de Candolle and T. elegans A. Juss (Meliaceae), is described from the State of São Paulo, Brazil. A key to the Brazilian species of Tenuipalpus based on females is provided.
Tutorials in vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy. I. The foundations
Authors: Pickering James D. , Bregnhøj Mikkel , Chatterley Adam S. , Rasmussen Mette H. , Strunge Kris , Weidner Tobias
Published: January 2022

Interfaces between bulk media are often where critical molecular processes occur that can dictate the chemistry of an entire macroscopic system. Optical spectroscopy such as IR or Raman spectroscopy is often challenging to apply to interfaces due to contributions from bulk phases that dominate the spectra, masking any detail about the interfacial layer. Vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy is a nonlinear spectroscopy that allows vibrational spectra of molecules at interfaces to be directly measured. This Tutorial series is aimed at people entering the VSFG world without a rigorous formal background in optical physics or nonlinear spectroscopy. In this article, we present the fundamental theory of VSFG spectroscopy, with a focus on qualitative, intuitive explanation of the relevant physical phenomena, with minimal mathematics, to enable a newcomer to VSFG spectroscopy to quickly become conversant in the language and fundamental physics of the technique.
Leisure-Time and Transport-Related Physical Activity and the Risk of Mortality: The CRONICAS Cohort Study
Authors: Bernabe-Ortiz Antonio , Carrillo-Larco Rodrigo M. , Gilman Robert H. , Smeeth Liam , Checkley William , Miranda J. Jaime
Published: January 2022

Background: The long-term health association of the leisure-time and transport-related physical activity domains of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire have not been established in Latin American settings. The authors aimed to quantify the 7-year all-cause mortality risk associated with levels of leisure-time and transport-related physical activity. Methods: Ongoing prospective cohort study conducted in 4 sites in Peru. People ≥35 years were randomly selected from the general population in each study site. The exposures were leisure-time and transport-related physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) at baseline. The outcome was all-cause mortality based on information retrieved from national records. Cox regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results: There were 3601 people (mean age 55.8 y, 51.5% women). Greater levels of physical activity were associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, an observation confirmed in sensitivity analyses. Compared with those with low levels of physical activity, leisure-time (≥500 metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week) and transport-related (500–1499 and ≥1500 metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week) physical activity were associated with 70% (95% confidence interval, 3%–90%), 43% (95% confidence interval, 18%–61%), and 42% (95% confidence interval, 8%–63%) lower all-cause mortality, respectively. Conclusions: Greater levels of leisure-time and transport-related physical activity were associated with a strong reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality across different geographical sites.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Halobacterium
sp. Strains KA-4 and KA-6, Two Extremely Halophilic Archaea Isolated from a Triassic Salt Deposit in Northern Ireland
Authors: McMahon Fintan T. , Lonergan Ciaran M. , Gilmore Brendan F. , Megaw Julianne
Published: January 2022

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of
Halobacterium
sp. strains KA-4 and KA-6. These extremely halophilic archaea were isolated from a Triassic halite deposit in Northern Ireland. Based on the 16S sequence identity, they were deemed to be closely related strains of
Halobacterium noricense
but with some notable phenotypic differences.
Findings from the development and implementation of a novel course consisting of both group and individual Alexander Technique lessons for low back pain
Authors: Little Joseph , Geraghty Adam W A , Nicholls Carolyn , Little Paul
Published: January 2022

Objectives

(1) To develop a mixed course of individual and group lessons in the Alexander Technique (AT) for low back pain, and (2) to explore its: (a) effectiveness and (b) acceptability to both participant AT teachers and patients.

Design

Single-centre study, mixed methods.

Setting

Members of the public in the Brighton area (community recruitment), and patients from six Hampshire General Practices (GP) (National Health Service (NHS) recruitment).

Participants

People with chronic or recurrent low back pain; AT teachers.

Interventions

Iterative development and implementation of a 10-lesson (6 group, 4 individual) AT course.

Outcome measures

Perceptions from semistructured interviews analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Descriptive analysis of RMDQ (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) over 12 weeks.

Results

Thirty-nine participants with low back pain were included and 32 AT teachers were interviewed, 7 of whom taught on the course. Some participants had reservations, preferring only individual lessons, but the majority found the sharing of experience and learning in groups helpful. There was also concern regarding group teaching among some AT teachers, but most also found it acceptable. By 12 weeks, RMDQ score among participants fell from 10.38 to 4.39, a change of −5.99. 29 of 39 (74%) participants had a clinically important reduction in RMDQ score of 2.5 or more.

Conclusion

Some patients and practitioners had reservations about group AT lessons, but most found groups helpful. Further development is needed, but the course of individual and group lessons has the potential to cost-effectively deliver clinically important benefits to patients with back pain, who are known to improve little and slowly.
Unpacking the behavioural components and delivery features of early childhood obesity prevention interventions in the TOPCHILD Collaboration: a systematic review and intervention coding protocol
Authors: Johnson Brittany J , Hunter Kylie E , Golley Rebecca K , Chadwick Paul , Barba Angie , Aberoumand Mason , Libesman Sol , Askie Lisa , Taylor Rachael W , Robledo Kristy P , Mihrshahi Seema , O'Connor Denise A , Hayes Alison J , Wolfenden Luke , Wood Charles T , Baur Louise A , Rissel Chris , Staub Lukas P , Taki Sarah , Smith Wendy , Sue-See Michelle , Marschner Ian C , Espinoza David , Thomson Jessica L , Larsen Junilla K , Verbestel Vera , Odar Stough Cathleen , Salvy Sarah-Jeanne , O'Reilly Sharleen L , Karssen Levie T , Rasmussen Finn E , Messito Mary Jo , Gross Rachel S , Bryant Maria , Paul Ian M , Wen Li Ming , Hesketh Kylie D , González Acero Carolina , Campbell Karen , Øverby Nina Cecilie , Linares Ana M , Wasser Heather M , Joshipura Kaumudi J , Palacios Cristina , Maffeis Claudio , Thompson Amanda L , Ghaderi Ata , Lakshman Rajalakshmi , Banna Jinan C , Oken Emily , Campos Rivera Maribel , Pérez-Expósito Ana B , Taylor Barry J , Savage Jennifer S , Røed Margrethe , Goran Michael , de la Haye Kayla , Anzman-Frasca Stephanie , Seidler Anna Lene
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Little is known about how early (eg, commencing antenatally or in the first 12 months after birth) obesity prevention interventions seek to change behaviour and which components are or are not effective. This study aims to (1) characterise early obesity prevention interventions in terms of target behaviours, delivery features and behaviour change techniques (BCTs), (2) explore similarities and differences in BCTs used to target behaviours and (3) explore effectiveness of intervention components in preventing childhood obesity.

Methods and analysis

Annual comprehensive systematic searches will be performed in Epub Ahead of Print/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane (CENTRAL), CINAHL, PsycINFO, as well as clinical trial registries. Eligible randomised controlled trials of behavioural interventions to prevent childhood obesity commencing antenatally or in the first year after birth will be invited to join the Transforming Obesity in CHILDren Collaboration. Standard ontologies will be used to code target behaviours, delivery features and BCTs in both published and unpublished intervention materials provided by trialists. Narrative syntheses will be performed to summarise intervention components and compare applied BCTs by types of target behaviours. Exploratory analyses will be undertaken to assess effectiveness of intervention components.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by The University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (project no. 2020/273) and Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (project no. HREC CIA2133-1). The study’s findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and targeted communication with key stakeholders.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020177408.
How defensive medicine is defined in European medical literature: a systematic review
Authors: Baungaard Nathalie , Skovvang Pia Ladeby , Assing Hvidt Elisabeth , Gerbild Helle , Kirstine Andersen Merethe , Lykkegaard Jesper
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Defensive medicine has originally been defined as motivated by fear of malpractice litigation. However, the term is frequently used in Europe where most countries have a no-fault malpractice system. The objectives of this systematic review were to explore the definition of the term ‘defensive medicine’ in European original medical literature and to identify the motives stated therein.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane, 3 February 2020, with an updated search on 6 March 2021.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, we reviewed all European original peer-reviewed studies fully or partially investigating ‘defensive medicine’.

Results

We identified a total of 50 studies. First, we divided these into two categories: the first category consisting of studies defining defensive medicine by using a narrow definition and the second category comprising studies in which defensive medicine was defined using a broad definition. In 23 of the studies(46%), defensive medicine was defined narrowly as: health professionals’ deviation from sound medical practice motivated by a wish to reduce exposure to malpractice litigation. In 27 studies (54%), a broad definition was applied adding … or other self-protective motives. These self-protective motives, different from fear of malpractice litigation, were grouped into four categories: fear of patient dissatisfaction, fear of overlooking a severe diagnosis, fear of negative publicity and unconscious defensive medicine. Studies applying the narrow and broad definitions of defensive medicine did not differ regarding publication year, country, medical specialty, research quality or number of citations.

Conclusions

In European research, the narrow definition of defensive medicine as exclusively motivated by fear of litigation is often broadened to include other self-protective motives. In order to compare results pertaining to defensive medicine across countries, future studies are recommended to specify whether they are using the narrow or broad definition of defensive medicine.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020167215.
Proportionate translation of study materials and measures in a multinational global health trial: methodology development and implementation
Authors: Charles Ashleigh , Korde Palak , Newby Chris , Grayzman Alina , Hiltensperger Ramona , Mahlke Candelaria , Moran Galia , Nakku Juliet , Niwemuhwezi Jackie , Nixdorf Rebecca , Paul Eva , Puschner Bernd , Ramesh Mary , Ryan Grace Kathryn , Shamba Donat , Kalha Jasmine , Slade Mike
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Current translation guidelines do not include sufficiently flexible translation approaches for different study materials. We aimed to develop a proportionate methodology to inform translation of all types of study materials in global health trials.

Design

The design included three stages: (1) categorisation of study materials, (2) integration of existing translation frameworks and (3) methodology implementation (Germany, India, Israel, Tanzania and Uganda) and refinement.

Participants

The study population comprised 27 mental health service users and 27 mental health workers who were fluent in the local language in stage 7 (pretesting), and 54 bilingual mental health service users, aged 18 years or over, and able to give consent as judged by a clinician for step 9 (psychometric evaluation).

Setting

The study took place in preparation for the Using Peer Support in Developing Empowering Mental Health Services (UPSIDES) randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN26008944).

Primary outcome measure

The primary outcome measure was the Social Inclusion Scale (SIS).

Results

The typology identifies four categories of study materials: local text, study-generated text, secondary measures and primary measure. The UPSIDES Proportionate Translation Methodology comprises ten steps: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back translation, review, harmonisation, pretesting, finalisation, psychometric evaluation and dissemination. The translated primary outcome measure for the UPSIDES Trial (SIS) demonstrated adequate content validity (49.3 vs 48.5, p=0.08), convergent validity and internal consistency (0.73), with minimal floor/ceiling effects.

Conclusion

This methodology can be recommended for translating, cross-culturally adapting and validating all study materials, including standardised measures, in future multisite global trials. The methodology is particularly applicable to multi-national studies involving sites with differing resource levels. The robustness of the psychometric findings is limited by the sample sizes for each site. However, making this limitation explicit is preferable to the typical practice of not reporting adequate details about measure translation and validation.

Trail registration number

ISRCTN26008944
Active-fluidics versus gravity-fluidics system in phacoemulsification for age-related cataract (AGSPC): study protocol for a prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Luo Yu , Li Hongyu , Chen Wenqian , Gao Yi , Ma Tianju , Ye Zi , Li Zhaohui
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The active-fluidics system is a new irrigation system of phacoemulsification that automatically detects and maintains stable intraocular pressure at the set value. This trial is designed to compare the efficacy, visual outcomes, safety and patients’ subjective perceptions of cataract surgery with the active-fluidics system and gravity-fluidics system.

Methods and analysis

This trial will recruit 110 patients with age-related cataract at the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital (Beijing, China) and they will be randomly assigned to the active-fluidics group and gravity-fluidics group in a ratio of 1:1 to have phacoemulsification. Patients will be followed up at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. The primary outcomes are the cumulative dissipated energy and best corrected visual acuity. Secondary outcomes include: estimated fluid usage, U/S time, total aspiration time, intraocular pressure, corneal endothelium parameters, retinal thickness, macular superficial vessel density, pain scores, scores of the Cataract surgery Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Questionnaire and the complication rates. The data will be independently analysed by the statistical team, who will be masked for the allocation information as participants are.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chinese PLA General Hospital (approval no. S2021-068-01). Informed consent will be obtained from each participant. All the results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and used for scholarly communication or technical guidance. Protocol version 1.0.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100044409).
Implications of resource constraints and high workload on speaking up about threats to patient safety: a qualitative study of surgical teams in Ghana
Authors: Mawuena Emmanuel Kwasi , Mannion Russell
Published: January 2022

Background

Although under-resourcing of healthcare facilities and high workload is known to undermine patient safety, there is a dearth of evidence about how these factors affect employee voice and silence about unsafe care. We address this gap in the literature by exploring how resource constraints and high workload influence the willingness of staff to speak up about threats to patient safety in surgical departments in Ghana.

Method

Semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of 91 multidisciplinary professionals drawn from a range of specialities, ranks and surgical teams in two teaching hospitals in Ghana. Conservation of Resources theory was used as a theoretical frame for the study. Data were processed and analysed thematically with the aid of NVivo 12.

Results

Endemic resource constraints and excessive workload generate stress that undermines employee willingness to speak up about unsafe care. The preoccupation with managing scarce resources predisposes managers in surgical units to ignore or downplay concerns raised and not to instigate appropriate remedial actions. Resource constraints lead to rationing and improvising in order to work around problems with inadequate infrastructure and malfunctioning equipment, which in turn creates unsupportive environments for staff to air legitimate concerns. Faced with high workloads, silence was used as a coping strategy by staff to preserve energy and avoid having to take on the burden of additional work.

Conclusion

Under-resourcing and high workload contribute significantly towards undermining employee voice about unsafe care. We highlight the central role that adequate funding and resourcing play in creating safe environments and that supporting ‘hearer’ courage may be as important as supporting speaking up in the first place.
Emitted radiation in superconformal field theories
Authors: Galvagno Francesco
Published: January 2022

The computation of the emitted radiation by an accelerated external particle can be addressed in a gauge theory with the insertion of a Wilson loop. With the addition of conformal symmetry, this problem is consistently formalized in terms of correlation functions in the presence of the Wilson loop, which are constrained by defect CFT techniques. In theories with extended supersymmetry, we can also resort to supersymmetric localization on a four-sphere. By using this set of tools, we review the close relation between the Bremsstrahlung function and the stress energy tensor one-point coefficient in abelian theories and in superconformal field theories. After presenting the state of the art for generic CFTs, we mainly focus on the supersymmetric cases. We discuss the differences between the maximally supersymmetric $${\mathcal {N}}=4$$

N
=
4

case and $${\mathcal {N}}=2$$

N
=
2

SCFTs, and finally, we review the general and exact result for the emitted radiation in terms of a first-order derivative of the Wilson loop expectation value on a squashed sphere.
Mass movements
Authors: Brain Matthew J. , Rosser Nick J.
Published: January 2022

In this chapter, we consider key advances in the understanding of mass movements between
c.
1965 and
c.
2000. This period saw a burgeoning need for a greater level of understanding of mass-movement processes in response to a series of high-impact mass-movement events, and because of the need to develop infrastructure safely. A series of step changes were enabled through hillslope geomorphology (broadly defined) being open to overarching and consolidating concepts, methods and models from cognate disciplines, whilst seizing opportunities to gain insight from rapidly advancing methods increasingly focused at a scale of investigation relevant to landsliding. By
c.
2000, geomorphologists had made significant contributions to our understanding of mass-movement processes and ultimately led many key conceptual advances, notably relating to: bridging across scales of hillslope investigation; linking and developing understanding of process, form and mechanisms of slope stability; and articulating the temporal characteristics of slope stability and mass movement.
Asymptotic Optimality for Decentralised Bandits
Authors: Newton Conor , Ganesh Ayalvadi , Reeve Henry
Published: January 2022

We consider a large number of agents collaborating on a multi-armed bandit problem with a large number of arms. We present an algorithm which improves upon the Gossip- Insert-Eliminate method of Chawla et al. [3]. We provide a regret bound which shows that our algorithm is asymptotically optimal and present empirical results demonstrating lower regret on simulated data.
Aggressive Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting with Metastasis to the Pancreas
Authors: Warda Firas , Ho Sam , Kuo Enoch , Rao Dinesh , Jurado-Flores Marilu
Published: January 2022

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Aggressive forms tend to metastasize to the lungs and bones, but the abdomen is a rare site of metastasis. We present a 46-year-old male patient who presented with a neck mass associated with shortness of breath and hemoptysis. He was found to have a large thyroid mass on imaging. He underwent a total thyroidectomy with bilateral neck dissection, with pathology showing a multifocal tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymphovascular invasion in both thyroid lobes. Due to recurrent findings of residual thyroid tissue on whole-body scan imaging, the patient underwent radioactive iodine ablation therapy twice, with poor response to therapy, suggested by persistently elevated thyroglobulin levels. However, the residual tissue responded to external beam radiation. After the initial response to radiation, thyroglobulin was noted to have increased again, prompting a PET-CT after administration of recombinant TSH. PET showed a focal area of increased uptake in the head of the pancreas. The patient underwent the Whipple procedure for resection of the metastasis. Pathology showed papillary thyroid carcinoma with strong and diffuse staining for TTF-1 and thyroglobulin. The patient was started on lenvatinib in the postoperative period and is currently tolerating treatment well with evidence of decreasing thyroglobulin levels. Intra-abdominal metastasis from a thyroid malignancy source is quite rare and can be challenging as far as diagnosis and treatment. Surgical resection can be curative and can be followed by radioactive iodine ablation therapy if cancer cells show avidity. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used in refractory disease. New research is being conducted on new agents that can reverse the resistance to radioactive iodine therapy.
Study on the Fusion of Oil Painting Art and Digital Media Based on a Visual Sensor
Authors: Gao Nan , Fu Liya
Published: January 2022

Digital media art is a new type of art with rich sensory experience. Nowadays, digitization is flooding many areas of life. Under the sprint of a large amount of information, human beings have once again entered the digital age. This article is aimed at studying the fusion of oil painting art and digital media based on visual sensors, analyzing the application of digital imaging art using sensor technology in various fields, especially in the field of oil painting art, and analyzing the effects of digital media with the support of sensor technology. The artistic characteristics and rich forms of presentation are presented, and then, the key points of digital media design are summarized. This paper proposes to bring advanced sensor technology into the field of art for research, turning boring and difficult technical data into an interesting art form, making human-computer interaction more compact and humane, and creating better works of art, so that more and more people and different fields can enjoy the scientific and technological achievements. The sensor is a kind of bionics in modern science, which enables machinery to perceive the human environment like human or animal sensory organs, through the perception and detection of this environmental change, and writing a certain program, the signal data is converted into electricity or signal, and at the same time transmit these signals to receiving organs or devices, such as device sensors that simulate organs. The art of digital photography requires the intervention of sensor technology to make interaction and virtue more complete. The sensor technology also requires the art of digital photography to provide an external display window, which can better serve mankind and create greater social value. The combination of technology and art makes the presentation of art more distinctive. The experimental results of this paper show that the integration of oil painting art and digital media based on visual sensors has made digital media have an impact on more than 58% of oil painting art works and made many oil painting art works show an unprecedented sense of science and technology, which is important for future oil painting art. The development of the company has positive significance.
Dynamic Response and Fatigue-Life Analysis of High-Speed Railway Tunnel Base with Defects
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Ma Weibin
Published: January 2022

Based on the repeated “tensile-compressive-tensile-compressive” stress characteristics of tunnel-base concrete structure, double scalar damage variables were defined using the concrete stochastic damage mechanics. The elastoplastic Helmholtz free energy was corrected by introducing the hardening parameter. A stochastic dynamic damage constitutive model with the nonlinear and strain-rate effect behavior of concrete was derived via dynamic expansion of damage energy based on the principle of energy dissipation. An “elastic prediction-plastic correction” numerical analysis algorithm was developed based on the solution of the probability density evolution equation. Secondary development of the algorithm was achieved using the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) for numerical calculation of the proposed constitutive model. A comparison was made between the calculation result and the result of laboratory rapid uniaxial compression test to verify the model. Dynamic response and damage features of the tunnel-base structure in three working conditions, i.e., filled layer without seam, filled layer with seam and ground water, and filled layer with seam but without water, were analyzed based on engineering practice. According to the analysis, structural vibration response was intensified in the presence of a seam. With and without groundwater, the vertical dynamic stress attenuation at both sides of the seam was 41.07% and 47.13%, respectively; vertical vibration acceleration was attenuated by 91.17% and 91.73%, respectively; and the acceleration amplitude at the upper structure of the seam increased by 724.67% and 765.02%, respectively. Groundwater in the seam would aggravate damage accumulation. It could be seen from the analysis that the current design parameters satisfied the antifatigue requirements within the design reference period at a train speed of 300 km/h when there was no seam in the tunnel-base concrete structure with IV-class surrounding rocks. When there was a seam in the tunnel-base concrete structure, however, antifatigue life was 56 years in the presence of groundwater and 62 years without groundwater, which suggested that current design parameters failed to satisfy the antifatigue requirements within the design reference period.