bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffraction characteristics of a non-mechanical beam steering system with liquid crystal polarization gratings
Authors: Wang Zishuo , Wang Chunyang , Liang Shuning , Liu Xuelian
Published: January 2022

The non-mechanical beam steering system is composed of multiple liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) cascaded by binary or ternary technologies. However, cascading multiple LCPGs cause the beam from one LCPG to obliquely enter the subsequent LCPGs, changing their diffraction efficiency and working voltage at different steering angles. This paper uses the elastic continuum theory of liquid crystals to simulate the tilt angle of liquid crystal molecules under different voltages. The transmission process of the beam in the system at oblique incidence is described with an extended Jones matrix, and the highest diffraction efficiency and working voltage of each LCPG at different steering angles are calculated using vector diffraction theory. It is convenient to calibrate the LCPGs’ working voltage and analyze the system’s diffraction characteristics. In addition, we used an improved binary cascade technology to design a LCPG non-mechanical beam steering system with a steering angle of ±10° and an angular resolution of 0.67°. Compared with binary cascade, this technology can effectively reduce the number of cascaded devices and increase the system throughput under the same maximum beam steering angle and angular resolution.
Can big data increase our knowledge of local rental markets? A dataset on the rental sector in France
Authors: Chapelle Guillaume , Eyméoud Jean Benoît
Published: January 2022

Social Scientists and policy makers need precise data on market rents. Yet, while housing prices are systematically recorded, few accurate data sets on rents are available. In this paper, we present a new data set describing local rental markets in France based on online ads collected through to webscraping. Comparison with alternate sources reveals that online ads provide a non biased picture of rental markets and allow coverage of the whole territory. We then estimate hedonic models for prices and rents and document the spatial variations in rent-price ratios. We show that rents do not increase as much as prices in the tightest housing markets. We use our dataset to estimate the market rent of each transaction and of social dwellings. In the latter case,this allows us to estimate the in-kind benefit received by social tenants which is mainly driven by the level of private rent in their municipality.
Heuristic algorithms in evolutionary computation and modular organization of biological macromolecules: Applications to in vitro evolution
Authors: Spirov Alexander V. , Myasnikova Ekaterina M.
Published: January 2022

Evolutionary computing (EC) is an area of computer sciences and applied mathematics covering heuristic optimization algorithms inspired by evolution in Nature. EC extensively study all the variety of methods which were originally based on the principles of selectionism. As a result, many new algorithms and approaches, significantly more efficient than classical selectionist schemes, were found. This is especially true for some families of special problems. There are strong arguments to believe that EC approaches are quite suitable for modeling and numerical analysis of those methods of synthetic biology and biotechnology that are known as in vitro evolution. Therefore, it is natural to expect that the new algorithms and approaches developed in EC can be effectively applied in experiments on the directed evolution of biological macromolecules. According to the John Holland’s Schema theorem, the effective evolutionary search in genetic algorithms (GA) is provided by identifying short schemata of high fitness which in the further search recombine into the larger building blocks (BBs) with higher and higher fitness. The multimodularity of functional biological macromolecules and the preservation of already found modules in the evolutionary search have a clear analogy with the BBs in EC. It seems reasonable to try to transfer and introduce the methods of EC, preserving BBs and essentially accelerating the search, into experiments on in vitro evolution. We extend the key instrument of the Holland’s theory, the Royal Roads fitness function, to problems of the in vitro evolution (Biological Royal Staircase, BioRS, functions). The specific version of BioRS developed in this publication arises from the realities of experimental evolutionary search for (DNA-) RNA-devices (aptazymes). Our numerical tests showed that for problems with the BioRS functions, simple heuristic algorithms, which turned out to be very effective for preserving BBs in GA, can be very effective in in vitro evolution approaches. We are convinced that such algorithms can be implemented in modern methods of in vitro evolution to achieve significant savings in time and resources and a significant increase in the efficiency of evolutionary search.
Effects of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator on renal function in ZSF-1 model of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Hu Lufei , Chen Yinhong , Zhou Xiaoyan , Hoek Maarten , Cox Jason , Lin Ken , Liu Yang , Blumenschein Wendy , Grein Jeff , Swaminath Gayathri
Published: January 2022

Background

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, in which the nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-sGC-cGMP) signaling pathway is impaired. We hypothesize that sGC stimulator Compound 1 can enhance NO signaling, reduce proteinuria in a diabetic nephropathy preclinical model with diminished NO bioavailability and increased oxidized sGC. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of sGC stimulator Compound 1 on the renal effect in obese ZSF1 (ZSF1 OB) rats.

Materials and methods

The sGC stimulator Compound 1, the standard of care agent Enalapril, and a combination of Compound 1 and Enalapril were administered chronically to obese ZSF1 rats for 6 months. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, creatinine clearance for glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary protein excretion to creatinine ratio (UPCR), and urinary albumin excretion ratio (UACR) were determined during the study. The histopathology of glomerular and interstitial lesions was assessed at the completion of the study.

Results

While both Compound 1 and Enalapril significantly reduced blood pressure, the combination of Compound 1 and Enalapril normalized blood pressure levels. Compound 1 improved eGFR and reduced UPCR and UACR. A combination of Enalapril and Compound 1 resulted in a marked reduction in UPCR and UACR and improved GFR.

Conclusion

The sGC stimulator Compound 1 as a monotherapy slowed renal disease progression, and a combination of the sGC stimulator with Enalapril provided greater renal protection in a rodent model of diabetic nephropathy.
A diffusion tensor-based method facilitating volumetric assessment of fiber orientations in skeletal muscle
Authors: Secondulfo Laura , Hooijmans Melissa T. , Suskens Joep J. , Mazzoli Valentina , Maas Mario , Tol Johannes L. , Nederveen Aart J. , Strijkers Gustav J.
Published: January 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to develop a DTI-based method to quantitatively assess fiber angles and changes therein in leg muscles in order to facilitate longitudinal studies on muscle fiber architectural adaptations in healthy subjects.

Methods

The upper legs of five volunteers were scanned twice on the same day. The right lower legs of five volunteers were scanned twice with the ankle in three positions, i.e. -15° dorsiflexion, 0° neutral position, and 30° plantarflexion. The MRI protocols consisted of a noise scan, a 3-point mDixon scan and a DTI scan. Fiber-angle color maps were generated for four muscles in the upper legs and two muscles in the lower leg. Voxel-wise fiber angles (θ) were calculated from the angle between the principal eigenvector of the diffusion tensor and a reference line defined between the origo and insertion points of each muscle. Bland-Altman analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV%), minimal detectable change (MDC), standard error (SE) and Friedman test were used for assessing the feasibility of this method and in order to have an indication of the repeatability and the sensitivity.

Results

Bland-Altman analysis showed good repeatability (CV%<10 and 0.7≤ICC≤0.9) with exception of the Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscle in dorsiflexion position(CV%: 12.2) and the Semitendinosus (ST) muscle (left leg) (CV%: 11.4). The best repeatability metrics were found for the SOL muscle in neutral position (CV%: 2.6). Changes in average θ in TA and SOL with ankle positions were observed in accordance with expected agonist and antagonist functions of both muscles. For example, for the anterior left compartment the change in fiber angle Δθ with respect to the neutral position Δθ = -1.6° ± 0.8° and 2.2° ± 2.8° (p = 0.008), for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, respectively.

Conclusion

Our method facilitates fast inspection and quantification of muscle fiber angles in the lower and upper leg muscles in rest and detection of changes in lower-leg muscle fiber angles with varying ankle angles.
Trust in COVID-19 information sources and perceived risk among smokers: A nationally representative survey
Authors: Reynolds Reed M. , Weaver Scott R. , Nyman Amy L. , Eriksen Michael P.
Published: January 2022

Background

Public health officials have classified smoking as a risk factor for COVID-19 disease severity. Smokers generally have less trust in health experts than do nonsmokers, leading to reduced risk perceptions. This study addresses smokers’ trust in information sources about COVID-19 and how trust is associated with perceived COVID-19 susceptibility and severity among smokers.

Methods and findings

A nationally representative sample of 1,223 current smokers were surveyed between October and November 2020, indicating their level of trust in COVID-19 information sources, and their perceptions of risk from COVID-19. Multiple differences in trustworthiness emerged; smokers trusted their personal doctor for information about COVID-19 more than other information sources, while news media were generally distrusted. In addition, the FDA was trusted less than the NIH and CDC. Several “trust gaps” were observed, indicating disparities in levels of trust associated with gender, ethnicity, education, and political orientation, which had the strongest association with trust of all factors. Political orientation was also a significant predictor of COVID-19 risk perceptions, but there was no independent effect of political orientation when accounting for trust, which was predictive of all risk perception outcomes.

Conclusions

Trusted sources, such as personal doctors, may most effectively convey COVID-19 information across political orientations and sociodemographic groups. News media may be ineffective at informing smokers due to their low credibility. The results suggest that trust may explain the apparent effect of political orientation on COVID-19 risk perceptions. Implications for researchers, communication professionals, and policy makers are discussed.
“It’s behaviors, not identity”: Attitudes and beliefs related to HIV risk and pre-exposure prophylaxis among transgender women in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Van Gerwen Olivia T. , Austin Erika L. , Camino Andres F. , Odom L. Victoria , Muzny Christina A.
Published: January 2022

HIV prevalence is high among transgender women (TGW) in the Southeastern U.S. Uptake of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is low among TGW nationwide. We aimed to explore beliefs associated with PrEP among TGW in the Southeastern U.S., framed by the Health Belief Model. HIV-negative TGW ≥18 years old in Alabama participated in virtual focus group discussions. Authors coded and amended transcripts to explore emerging themes. Between July-December 2020, 17 TGW participated in 4 sessions. Mean age was 28.1±8.5 years. Several themes were identified: frustration with conflation of transgender identity and HIV risk, inappropriate transgender representation in PrEP advertising, concerns for interactions between PrEP and hormone therapy, perception that PrEP is meant for cisgender men who have sex with men and limited trans-affirming healthcare. Nuanced messaging is necessary to properly educate and engage TGW in HIV prevention strategies including PrEP given the diversity of this population.
Development and validation of a data quality index for forensic documentation of sexual and gender-based violence in Kenya
Authors: Olson Rose McKeon , Macias-Konstantopoulos Wendy , Muchai Roseline , Johnson Katy , Mishori Ranit , Nelson Brett
Published: January 2022

Introduction

High-quality forensic documentation can improve justice outcomes for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, but there are limited tools to assess documentation data quality. This study aimed to develop and validate a data quality assessment index to objectively assess clinician documentation across the 26 key elements of the standardized forensic evidence forms used in Kenya.

Methods

Informed by prior quality assessment tools, an initial draft of the index was developed. Feedback from Kenya- and U.S.-based clinicians and human rights experts was solicited and incorporated into the draft index in an iterative fashion. Two raters independently employed the finalized Physicians for Human Rights Data Quality Index to assess and score the quality of documentation across 31 clinician-completed forms. Inter-rater reliability was determined using Cohen kappa (к) coefficients.

Results

The Index was found to have substantial overall reliability. Of the 26 documentation items, the Index had a perfect (к = 1.0) and almost perfect (к = 0.81–0.99) level of inter-rater agreement across 17 (65.4%) and 5 (19.2%) items, respectively. On a low-to-high documentation quality scale of 0 to 2, the majority of items (n = 19, 73.1%) had a mean documentation quality score >1.5–2.

Conclusion

Quality assurance of forensic documentation is an essential component of post-sexual assault care. To our knowledge, this is the first validated quality-assessment tool in the peer-reviewed literature for sexual assault documentation and may be a promising strategy to enhance the quality of sexual assault documentation in other settings, locally, regionally, and internationally.
Multi attribute method implementation using a High Resolution Mass Spectrometry platform: From sample preparation to batch analysis
Authors: Carvalho Sofia B. , Gomes Ricardo A. , Pfenninger Anja , Fischer Martina , Strotbek Michaela , Isidro Inês A. , Tugçu Nihal , Gomes-Alves Patrícia
Published: January 2022

Quality control of biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has been evolving and becoming more challenging as the requirements of the regulatory agencies increase due to the demanding complexity of products under evaluation. Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based methods such as the multi-attribute method (MAM) are being explored to achieve a deeper understanding of the attributes critical for the safety, efficacy, and quality of these products. MAM uses high mass accuracy/high-resolution MS data that enables the direct and simultaneous monitoring of relevant product quality attributes (PQAs, in particular, chemical modifications) in a single workflow, replacing several orthogonal methods, reducing time and costs associated with these assays. Here we describe a MAM implementation process using a QTOF high resolution platform. Method implementation was accomplished using NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) mAb reference material and an in-process mAb sample. PQAs as glycosylation profiles, methionine oxidation, tryptophan dioxidation, asparagine deamidation, pyro-Glu at N-terminal and glycation were monitored. Focusing on applications that require batch analysis and high-throughput, sample preparation and LC-MS parameters troubleshooting are discussed. This MAM workflow was successfully explored as reference analytical tool for comprehensive characterization of a downstream processing (DSP) polishing platform and for a comparability study following technology transfer between different laboratories.
Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as affected by NPK fertilization
Authors: Rawal Nabin , Pande Keshab Raj , Shrestha Renuka , Vista Shree Prasad
Published: January 2022

Nutrient use efficiency is crucial for increasing crop yield and quality while reducing fertilizer inputs and minimizing environmental damage. The experiments were carried out in silty clay loam soil of Lalitpur, Nepal, to examine how different amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) influenced crop performance and nutrient efficiency indices in wheat during 2019/20 and 2020/21. The field experiment comprised three factorial randomized complete block designs that were replicated three times. N levels (100, 125, 150 N kg ha-1), P levels (25, 50, 75 P2O5kg ha-1), and K levels (25, 50, 75 K2O kg ha-1) were three factors evaluated, with a total of 27 treatment combinations. Grain yields were significantly increased by N and K levels and were optimum @ 125 kg N ha-1and @ 50 kg K2O ha-1with grain yields of 6.33 t ha-1and 6.30 t ha-1, respectively. Nutrient levels influenced statistically partial factor productivity, internal efficiency, partial nutrient budget, recovery efficiency, agronomic efficiency, and physiological efficiency of NPK for wheat. Nutrient efficiency was found to be higher at lower doses of their respective nutrients. Higher P and K fertilizer rates enhanced wheat N efficiencies, and the case was relevant for P and K efficiencies as well. Wheat was more responsive to N and K fertilizer, and a lower rate of P application reduced N and K fertilizer efficiency. This study recommends to use N @ 125 kg ha-1, P2O5@ 25 kg ha-1and K2O @ 50 kg ha-1as an optimum rate for efficient nutrient management in wheat in mid-hills of Nepal.
Different temporal weight-bearing tendencies of persons with right and left hemiplegia while sitting in a wheelchair
Authors: Kim Hunhee , Lee Taekyeong , Cho Kang Hee , Eom Gwang Moon , Hong Junghwa
Published: January 2022

The tendency of persons with hemiplegia to sit for prolonged periods can cause excessive interface pressure (IP) on their buttocks. Due to the different neuromusculoskeletal conditions, different buttock IP relief methods are required for persons with left hemiplegia (LH) and right hemiplegia (RH). Therefore, this study investigates temporal characteristics of IP on the right and left buttocks for RH, LH, and able-bodied individuals (AB) sitting in a wheelchair for 30 min. Thirty-five males participated in the study: 13 LH, 12 RH, and 10 AB. In the initial adjustment phase, the participants maintained an erect sitting posture for 7 min (2 min for posture and 5 min for creep adjustments). After the adjustments, experiments were conducted for 30 min to measure the IP. In the experiments, significant right-sided asymmetries of the mean IP were found for each group (P < 0.05). The right buttocks of LH exhibited significantly more right-sided asymmetry of the mean IP than that of AB (p < 0.01). Moreover, the right buttocks of RH exhibited insignificant asymmetry of the mean IP compared to that of AB (p >0.21). The peak IPs of RH and LH were significantly higher than those of AB (p <0.05), and temporal changes of the mean and peak IP of hemiplegia were significant (p <0.05) and not significant (p >0.05), respectively. The RH exhibited affected-side weight-bearing based on the mean IP. In contrast, the LH relieved the mean IP on the affected-side buttock. Due to the right-sided asymmetric mean and high peak IP, hemiplegia in acute and recovery stages using wheelchairs can cause ulceration. Therefore, different rehabilitation approaches are required for the RH and LH to reduce the peak IP and avoid an uneven distribution of the mean IP.
COVID-19 disease severity and associated factors among Ethiopian patients: A study of the millennium COVID-19 care center
Authors: Leulseged Tigist W. , Abebe Kindalem G. , Hassen Ishmael S. , Maru Endalkachew H. , Zewde Wuletaw C. , Chamiso Negat W. , Yegele Kalkidan T. , Bayisa Abdi B. , Siyoum Dagne F. , Edo Mesay G. , Mesfin Edmialem G. , Derejie Meskerem N. , Shiferaw Helina K.
Published: January 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic started a little later in Ethiopia than the rest of the world and most of the initial cases were reported to have a milder disease course and a favorable outcome. This changed as the disease spread into the population and the more vulnerable began to develop severe disease. Understanding the risk factors for severe disease in Ethiopia was needed to provide optimal health care services in a resource limited setting.

Objective

The study assessed COVID-19 patients admitted to Millennium COVID-19 Care Center in Ethiopia for characteristics associated with COVID-19 disease severity.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2020 among 686 randomly selected patients. Chi-square test was used to detect the presence of a statistically significant difference in the characteristics of the patients based on disease severity (Mild vs Moderate vs Severe). A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity where Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR), 95% CIs for AOR and P-values were used for significance testing.

Results

Having moderate as compared with mild disease was significantly associated with having hypertension (AOR = 2.30, 95%CI = 1.27,4.18), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 2.61, 95%CI = 1.31,5.19for diabetes mellitus), fever (AOR = 6.12, 95%CI = 2.94,12.72) and headache (AOR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.39,5.22). Similarly, having severe disease as compared with mild disease was associated with age group (AOR = 4.43, 95%CI = 2.49,7.85 for 40–59 years and AOR = 18.07, 95%CI = 9.29,35.14for ≥ 60 years), sex (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.12,3.03), hypertension (AOR = 1.97, 95%CI = 1.08,3.59), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 3.93, 95%CI = 1.96,7.85), fever (AOR = 13.22, 95%CI = 6.11, 28.60) and headache (AOR = 4.82, 95%CI = 2.32, 9.98). In addition, risk factors of severe disease as compared with moderate disease were found to be significantly associated with age group (AOR = 4.87, 95%CI = 2.85, 8.32 for 40–59 years and AOR = 18.91, 95%CI = 9.84,36.331 for ≥ 60 years), fever (AOR = 2.16, 95%CI = 1.29,3.63) and headache (AOR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.03, 3.11).

Conclusions

Significant factors associated with severe COVID-19 in Ethiopia are being older than 60 years old, male, a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the presence of fever and headache. This is consistent with severity indicators identified by WHO and suggests the initial finding of milder disease in Ethiopia may have been because the first people to get COVID-19 in the country were the relatively younger with fewer health problems.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance by Xpert® MTB/RIF assay among presumptive tuberculosis cases at Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Admassu Wasihun , Ayelign Birhanu , Abebe Gemeda , Tadesse Mulualem
Published: January 2022

Background

Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and detection of drug resistance are very important for timely and appropriate management of patients. Xpert MTB/RIF assay is approved for use in TB and rifampicin-resistance diagnosis. However, data are limited on the impact of Xpert MTB/RIF assay under routine clinical settings with a heterogeneous group of patients and sample types in Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out in 2220 presumptive TB cases at Jimma University Medical Center. Data were gathered from the registration logbook using formatted data extraction tools and double entered to epidata version 3.1 and further transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Associations were determined using the Chi-square test and P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of 2220 cases enrolled, 1665 (75%) were adults and the remaining 555 (25%) were children aged less than 14 years. The majority, 1964 (88.46%), had pulmonary manifestation and 256 (11.54%) had extrapulmonary involvements. The overall, frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was 9.3% (206/2220), among this 10.27% (171/1665) and 6.3% (35/555) were adults and children, respectively. M. tuberculosis was detected from 171 (8.75%) of pulmonary patients and 35 (13.28%) of extrapulmonary manifested patients. Out of 206 M. tuberculosis positive cases, 7(3.4%) were rifampicin-resistant: four from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and three from EPTB patients. In the Chi-square test, the age group of 15–24 years, previous history of TB, pus/lymph node sample, and being HIV positive were significantly associated with TB positivity by Xpert MTB/RIF (P-value <0.001).

Conclusion

These data suggest that the overall frequency of M. tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance was found to be relatively low compared to the previous reports in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, better diagnostic tools and approaches are still vital to halt the burden of TB and drug-resistant TB in the country.
Investigation on factors affecting early strength of high-performance concrete by Gaussian Process Regression
Authors: Ly Hai-Bang , Nguyen Thuy-Anh , Pham Binh Thai
Published: January 2022

This study aims to investigate the influence of all the mixture components of high-performance concrete (HPC) on its early compressive strength, ranging from 1 to 14 days. To this purpose, a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) algorithm was first constructed using a database gathered from the available literature. The database included the contents of cement, blast furnace slag (BFS), fly ash (FA), water, superplasticizer, coarse, fine aggregates, and testing age as input variables to predict the output of the problem, which was the early compressive strength. Several standard statistical criteria, such as the Pearson correlation coefficient, root mean square error and mean absolute error, were used to quantify the performance of the GPR model. To analyze the sensitivity and influence of the HPC mixture components, partial dependence plots analysis was conducted with both one-dimensional and two-dimensional. Firstly, the results showed that the GPR performed well in predicting the early strength of HPC. Second, it was determined that the cement content and testing age of HPC were the most sensitive and significant elements affecting the early strength of HPC, followed by the BFS, water, superplasticizer, FA, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate contents. To put it simply, this research might assist engineers select the appropriate amount of mixture components in the HPC production process to obtain the necessary early compressive strength.
The COVID-19 Conundrum: Keeping safe while becoming inactive. A rapid review of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and exercise in adults by gender and age
Authors: Christensen Alex , Bond Suzanne , McKenna James
Published: January 2022

Background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has severely impacted lifestyles worldwide. Responses to COVID-19 have intentionally restricted the factors that encourage regular and frequent PA; opportunity, capability and motivation. However, the effects of these restrictions are likely to have differed by gender and age and different intensities of PA. This rapid review builds on previous evidence by synthesising the global impact of COVID-19 on adult PA through specific intensities and types of PA and evaluating this by gender and age.

Methods

A rapid systematic search of seven electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Academic Search Complete, APA PsycInfo, and APA PsycArticles) was performed from December 2019 to January 2021. Studies investigating adult change in PA, exercise or sedentary behaviour due to COVID-19 were included.

Results

From an initial database search identifying 3,863 articles, 66 remained for synthesis after applying eligibility criteria. Results demonstrate decreases among all intensities and types of PA—walking (6 out of 7 papers), moderate-only (5 out of 6 papers), vigorous-only (5 out of 6 papers) and MVPA (4 out of 5 papers); as well as overall PA (14–72% participants reported a decrease). Reflecting that COVID-19 responses were designed to have universal effects, they also achieved whole-society decreases in PA behaviour, accented in older age groups.

Conclusion

There is a universal need to address the low levels of PA post-COVID-19. The consequences of decreased PA across all intensities has powerful, potentially recoverable, impacts. Universal declines have implications for public health officials and PA advocates for post-COVID-19 initiatives to promote PA.
Acupuncture for emotional symptoms in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ling , Xian Jin , Sun Mi , Wang Xue , Zang Xiaoming , Zhang Xin , Yu Huijuan , Tan Qi-Wen
Published: January 2022

Background

Patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) also often have emotional symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. The main drugs used for the treatment of FGIDs mainly target single gastrointestinal symptoms and are not effective in regulating emotional symptoms. Evidence has shown that acupuncture can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in FGIDs patients, but there is no high-quality evidence to show that acupuncture can relieve psychological symptoms in these patients.

Objectives

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture for emotional symptoms in patients with FGIDs.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception through July 31, 2021, were retrieved from three English-language databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase) and five Chinese-language databases (the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, Chinese Biomedical, and TCM Literature Analysis and Retrieval databases). RCTs that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture and pharmacotherapy were included in this study. The score on the depression or anxiety scale after treatment were considered as primary outcomes. The ‘meta’ package (version 4.19–0) in RStudio 1.1.463 was used to analyse the data.

Results

A total of 2151 patients from 24 RCTs were included in this study. Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture was not significantly better at relieving anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.35, 95% CI −1.05 to 0.33) and depression (SMD -0.32, 95% CI −0.71 to 0.07) symptoms. Compared with pharmacotherapy, acupuncture was significantly better at relieving anxiety (SMD -0.64, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.35) and depression (SMD -0.46, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.22) symptoms.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis found that acupuncture can alleviate emotional symptoms in FGID patients better than pharmacotherapy. However, it is not clear whether this effect is based on the placebo effect, specific effect or nonspecific effect of acupuncture. The evidence should be proven by rigorously designed RCTs in the future.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021271899.
Loot box engagement: A scoping review of primary studies on prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling
Authors: Montiel Irene , Basterra-González Aránzazu , Machimbarrena Juan M. , Ortega-Barón Jéssica , González-Cabrera Joaquín
Published: January 2022

Background

Loot boxes are an increasingly common type of random microtransaction in videogames. There is some concern about their expansion and entailed risks, especially among adolescents. The actual prevalence of engagement with loot boxes among child and adult population is uncertain, and there is still controversy over the nature of their relationship with problematic gaming and gambling.

Objectives

The aims of this scoping review are to summarize the characteristics and findings of published primary empirical studies about the prevalence of engagement with loot boxes and/or their relationship with problematic gaming and gambling, taking in account the type of sample, time frame and measured variables.

Methods

This study follows the Joanna Briggs Institute’s “Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews” and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Three academic databases provided 299 articles.

Results

Sixteen primary empirical studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. All studies used cross-sectional designs, and most used convenience samples. Twelve study samples were comprised exclusively of gamers, and two were comprised of gamers and/or gamblers. Only six studies included adolescents. The annual prevalence rate of loot box purchases was higher for adult gamers than for adolescents (22.7%–44.2% and 20%–33.9%, respectively), but in studies with general population samples, the opposite was true (24.9% for players aged 13–14 versus 7.8% for adults). In general, the studies suggested a significant positive relationship between engagement with loot boxes and problematic gaming and gambling, but this may be related to the type of engagement (open/purchase/sell), and the characteristics of the study participants (male/female, adolescents/adults, gamers/gamers-gamblers/general population).

Conclusions

This scoping review summarizes the results of recent empirical studies on engagement with loot boxes and discusses how methodological issues may affect their results and interpretation. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
Comparative effectiveness of adjunct non-pharmacological interventions on maternal and neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Saha Sumanta
Published: January 2022

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnancy leads to a range of perinatal complications. Although several randomized controlled trials (RCT) have tested the effect of non-pharmacological standard GDM care adjuncts on these outcomes, there is no agglomerated statistical evidence on how their occurrence risk varies across interventions and with placebo. Therefore, a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) protocol is proposed here to address this evidence gap.

Materials and methods

A search for above RCTs published in the English language will transpire in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases irrespective of date and geographic boundary. The RCTs must test nutritional supplementation, digital intervention, structured exercise program, educational program, counseling service, or a combination of these prenatally in GDM patients. These should report ≥1 of the following outcomes- cesarean section, pre-eclampsia, polyhydramnios, preterm birth, macrosomia, prolonged labor, gestational hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, congenital anomaly, Apgar scores, birth weight, birth length, gestational age at birth, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and neonatal Corpulence Index. The risk of bias assessment of the recruited trials will transpire using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Determination of the comparative effectiveness between interventions will occur by the frequentist method NMA for respective outcomes. The categorical and continuous outcomes effect size will get calculated in risk ratio and weighted or standardized mean difference, respectively. For each NMA model, network maps and league tables will show the connections between interventions and effect sizes with their 95% confidence intervals for each intervention pair compared, respectively. The publication bias assessment will occur using comparison-adjusted funnel plots. Best intervention prediction for NMA models with statistically significant intervention effect will happen by determining the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values. Statistical analysis will ensue using Stata software (v16). The statistical significance estimation will happen at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration no: CRD42021271199; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
Dérives: Street photography as post-/Situationist practice
Authors: Mountfort Paul
Published: January 2022

Street photography has hardly lacked for popular cultural currency, as attested by those ubiquitous black framed prints and coffee table tomes. However, it has long been a relatively marginalized genre within photography that has seen relative critical neglect even compared to other demotic forms concerned with the everyday, such as the family portrait (Bourdieu) and snapshot (Barthes). This article seeks to sketch a series of potential intersections between street photography’s antecedent, formative and breakout phases on both sides of the Atlantic and the Situationist International’s (1957–72) embodied practices surrounding the dérive, détournement and psychogeography more generally. Arguably, remediating street photographic practice and composition in relation to these disruptive strategies can provide a kind of corrective to the more formalistic conception of the former, as exemplified in the reification of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s famous dictum of the ‘decisive moment’. I will argue that Situationist discourse helps reframe these moments of the street as ‘situations’ in the Situationist sense, lines of flight that became explicit when the development of street photography in Europe is overlaid with that of the United States, Paris with New York. Such détournement arguably brings into view vectors between street photography and revolutionary art practices often neglected in discussions of these dérives of the street, and gestures towards – at least in potentia – a kind of afterlife of post-/Situationist praxis in the practices of street photographers.
Transphobic tropes in contemporary young adult novels about queer gender
Authors: Bowden Chelsea
Published: January 2022

This article identifies the dominant modes of discourse and critiques the problematic tropes and conventions at work in a selection of contemporary young adult fiction novels about young people with queer gender identities. Beginning with the role of young adult fiction, the importance of resisting models of binary gender, the trope of coming out and the convention of the hero’s journey, this article then analyses transphobic tropes: how the narrative lens of pathos functions in these texts to reduce the queer to a state of victimization, invisibility, mental illness, otherness, isolation and not belonging. This article uses the phrase ‘queer genders’ and the term ‘trans*’ to encompass transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid and other gender non-conforming identities. ‘Trans’ without the asterisk is the shortened form of ‘transgender’.
Beyond sun, sea and sand: Bondi Beach in Australian popular writing
Authors: Brien Donna Lee
Published: January 2022

This article surveys book-length writing for a general readership about one of Australia’s most well-known and popular beaches, Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Having located narratives about Bondi Beach in a range of popular fiction and non-fiction writing, this investigation uses thematic analysis to examine these publications. Ten themes were identified in this analysis, revealing not only the wide range of topics related to Bondi Beach that are of interest to writers but also a series of tensions across these representations, as well as what is missing across these volumes.
‘The filthiest gutter of the realm’?: Negotiating and negotiated Australian identities in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Authors: Beattie Melissa , Mitchell Lesley
Published: January 2022

The series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2011–15) and the film Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears (2020) are examples of female-led transnational quality drama. This article argues that both the characters and the series itself are good examples of the negotiations of identity required both of the postmodern layered (, ) or fractured but functional globalized or transnational self, which can give the series increased emotional resonance to the modern audience at a ‘safe’ temporal remove. This is, of course, critically important to transnational sales. This article analyses the negotiations of identity of the regular characters (and, as space allows, recurring characters) that are evident throughout the three series and subsequent film. It focuses on the negotiations regarding national identity and its intersections, which illustrate how the series negotiates between a patina of ‘authenticity’ and the expectations of a modern audience. Where relevant, the spinoff series Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries (2019–present) is also discussed.
Night of the resurrected pets: The popular monsters of Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie
Authors: McCormack-Clark Jack Alexander
Published: January 2022

Tim Burton’s stop motion-animated remake of his 1984 short film, Frankenweenie was produced and released by Walt Disney Studios. In the film, a young suburban Victor Frankenstein’s dog, Sparky, dies in an accident. In keeping with Burton’s absurd, macabre and Gothic auteurism’s, Frankenstein resurrects his pet. This ultimately leads to a series of chaotic events where the other students discover Frankenstein’s creation and subsequently resurrect of all of their deceased pets which reflect the form of other popular monsters such as, Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, among many others. I will analyse these satirical reflections of popular monsters through the lens of the whimsical Gothic and seek to identify the implications of Burton’s work to Disney’s brand and aesthetic through the popular monster outside of Disney’s popular repertoire of ‘child friendly’ fairy tales.
Monstrous Textualities: Writing the Other in Gothic Narratives of Resistance, Anya Heise-von der Lippe (2021)
Authors: Staite Sophia
Published: January 2022

Review of: Monstrous Textualities: Writing the Other in Gothic Narratives of Resistance, Anya Heise-von der Lippe (2021)

Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 304 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-78683-758-5, hardback, AUD 127

eISBN 978-1-78683-760-8, epub, AUD 127
Nuevas evidencias de Arte Rupestre Postpaleolítico en Las Merindades (Burgos)
Authors: Sainz-Maza Eduardo , Garate Maidagan Diego , García Moreno Alejandro
Published: January 2022

El NO de Las Merindades, Burgos, era un área con poca presencia de Arte Rupestre Postpaleolítico, a diferencia de otras zonas de la parte meridional de la Cordillera Cantábrica, como la vecina comarca de Campoo-Los Valles, Cantabria, y del Complejo Kárstico de Ojo Guareña, en Merindad de Sotoscueva, Burgos, pese a compartir unas características geográficas similares. Así, el principal objetivo de nuestra investigación ha estado encaminado a resolver dicha carencia. Para ello, se ha empleado como método una prospección intensiva, centrada en una serie de áreas definidas a partir de un modelo predictivo de potencialidad arqueológica, creado mediante la aplicación de Sistemas de Información Geográfica –SIG–. Como resultado de ello, se documentaron 14 nuevas estaciones de arte rupestre al aire libre, atribuibles al periodo de la Prehistoria Reciente, las cuales vendrían a sumarse a las 5 estaciones de esta cronología ya conocidas en el sector estudiado. Esto convierte al Alto Ebro en una de las regiones con una mayor concentración de arte postpaleolítico de la Península Ibérica.
El sistema de relación continua en la pintura mural romana de Hispania
Authors: Íñiguez Berrozpe Lara , Guiral Pelegrín Carmen
Published: January 2022

Planteamos en este trabajo el estudio, basado en una metodología descriptiva comparativa, y la puesta al día de un sistema decorativo consistente en la repetición ordenada de un módulo, cuyos motivos suelen representarse de forma independiente, tangente o secante; la trama geométrica resultante puede adornarse con elementos geométricos, vegetales y figurados, o una combinación de los tres. Se estudian en profundidad dos de los motivos ornamentales más repetidos: las cabezas femeninas y las plumas de pavo. Este esquema compositivo es característico de la ornamentación de los techos y de la zona superior de la pared, si bien, y en menor medida, también puede ocupar la totalidad de la zona media. En la pintura hispana aparece en época de Tiberio y perdura hasta el s. VI y gracias al estudio en regiones concretas, se han podido establecer relaciones de taller.
Archaeometric Study of Pictorial Stratigraphies from a Togatus Roman Sculpture found in Salamanca (Spain)
Authors: Souto Jorge , Pinto Javier , Carmelo Prieto Ángel , Barrera Mercedes , Carlos Jiménez Manuel , Salinas Alma
Published: January 2022

The decoration of a togatus Roman sculpture found in Salamanca in 2015 has been examined to identify the applied pigments. The study was performed using environmental scanning electron microscopy –ESEM– with an energy-dispersive X-ray analyser –ESEM-EDX– and Raman spectroscopy –RS– in microscopic mode. The ESEM-EDX analyser allowed the elemental chemical composition of the samples to be established, the concentration and distribution of each element in areas and cross-sections to be determined, and predefined concentration profiles in the pictorial stratum to be obtained. The ionic or molecular phases of the components in the pictorial material were identified by Raman spectroscopy. Therefore, the pigments that make up the pictorial palette of this artwork, such as iron oxides or carbon black, have been ascertained by means of these complementary techniques. The structural substrate, as well as the chemical nature of the dispersing/priming materials for the colourants, have been additionally characterised. Silica and aluminosilicates have been found to be present in combination with both the iron oxides and carbon black.
Enterrarse en comunidad: mecanismos para el análisis y la reconstrucción del paleopaisaje funerario de las necrópolis tartésicas
Authors: Rodríguez González Esther , Paniego Díaz Pablo
Published: January 2022

En la actualidad se conoce un número destacado de necrópolis tartésicas fechadas en la I Edad del Hierro tanto en el valle del Guadalquivir como en el valle del Guadiana. El conocimiento que tenemos de estas deriva del estudio de sus enterramientos y sus ajuares, sin que hasta el momento hayan sido analizadas dentro del paisaje y del modelo de poblamiento del que forman parte. Con el objetivo de reconstruir el paisaje antiguo en el que se ubicaron estas necrópolis y detectar un patrón en la elección de los lugares para su ubicación, proponemos en este trabajo un método de análisis geográfico en el que se combinan los datos LiDAR, la fotografía histórica y los registros de inundaciones. Esta metodología se ha puesto en práctica en el análisis de las necrópolis del valle medio del Guadiana fechadas entre los ss. VII y V a. C. y el resultado nos permite definir la existencia de un patrón que conecta estos espacios funerarios con tradiciones de origen oriental.