bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is wearing high heels a female mating strategy? Revisiting the original study using qualitative methods
Authors: Masaryk Radomír , Synak Nikola , Belišová Michaela
Published: October 2022

The 2020 study entitled ‘Wearing high heels as female mating strategy’ by Pavol Prokop and Jana Švancárová claimed that when females imagined an interaction with an attractive male, their preference for high heels steeply increased, compared with an imagined interaction with an unattractive male. The authors concluded that wearing high heels seem to be a form of sexual signaling by females in intersexual interactions. The present paper revisits this study through a psychological standpoint, rather than a biological one. In addition to proposing hypothetical dating scenarios, as in the original study, we also asked participants about how they went about getting ready to go on a date, the significance of dating to them, and their thinking behind choosing particular outfits for a date. We conducted ten focus groups (N = 50), recruiting from a similar sample of participants to those in the original study. For our study we followed principles of Thematic Analysis to identify the key themes in the narratives related to dating and beautification. We also used the photo elicitation methodology to observe what footwear our participants own. Our data interpretation from these two sources suggests that young women tend to see dates as social events not necessarily leading to sex; that they do not regard high heel shoes as a means of beautification; and that they take account of practical considerations when getting dressed up for a date. Moreover, young women tend to use beautification with caution. We conclude that the relationship between the tendency to use beautification and attractiveness of a potential partner is far from straightforward; and relying on binary responses to hypothetical scenarios does not provide convincing evidence.
Lasting increases in trait mindfulness after psilocybin correlate positively with the mystical-type experience in healthy individuals
Authors: Søndergaard Anna , Madsen Martin Korsbak , Ozenne Brice , Armand Sophia , Knudsen Gitte Moos , Fisher Patrick MacDonald , Stenbæk Dea Siggaard
Published: October 2022

Background

Psilocybin-induced mystical-type experiences are associated with lasting positive psychological outcomes. Recent studies indicate that trait mindfulness is increased 3 months after psilocybin intake, preceded by decreases in neocortical serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) binding. However, the association between psilocybin-induced mystical-type experiences and subsequent changes in trait mindfulness remains unexplored, as does the association between pre-drug trait mindfulness and 5-HT2AR binding in the healthy brain.

Aim

We evaluated whether psilocybin induced lasting increases in trait mindfulness in healthy volunteers, and whether the mystical-type experience was associated with this increase. We further examined the association between pre-drug trait mindfulness and 5-HT2AR binding in neocortex and selected frontolimbic regions.

Materials and methods

Forty-six medium-high dose psilocybin sessions were conducted in 39 healthy individuals. The mystical-type experience was measured with the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) at the end of the session. Trait mindfulness was measured using the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS) at baseline and 3 months after the psilocybin session. Thirty-two of the participants completed pre-drug [11C]-Cimbi-36 positron emission tomography (PET) to assess 5-HT2AR binding in neocortex and, post-hoc, in the frontolimbic regions amygdala, frontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex.

Results

The MAAS score was significantly increased at 3-month follow-up (p = 3.24 × 10–6), a change positively associated with the MEQ score (p = 0.035). Although the association between pre-drug MAAS score and neocortex 5-HT2AR binding was not significant (p = 0.24), post-hoc analyses revealed a significant negative association between MAAS and right amygdala 5-HT2AR binding (pFWER = 0.008).

Conclusion

We here show that lasting changes in trait mindfulness following psilocybin administration are positively associated with intensity of the mystical-type experience, suggesting that the acute phenomenology of psilocybin facilitates a shift in awareness conducive for mindful living. We furthermore show that higher pre-drug trait mindfulness is associated with reduced 5-HT2AR binding in the right amygdala.
Identifying factors affecting willingness to participate in floating population health volunteer services by Chinese volunteers based on the theory of the planned behavior expansion model
Authors: Wu Wei-ling , Yu Hai-Yan , Zhou Hai-Xia
Published: October 2022

China has the world's largest internal migrant population, called the floating population. Compared to local residents, the floating population utilizes different health services and relies heavily on health volunteer services for supplementary services. In this study, the theory of planned behavior model was used to study the willingness of volunteers to participate in floating population health volunteer services. We examined the effects of several factors on willingness to participate and found that attitude and subjective norm, but not perceived behavioral control, have significant predictive effects on willingness to participate in health volunteer services. Furthermore, altruistic values, social incentives, and personality traits not only have significant predictive effects on volunteer participation but also indirectly affect willingness through attitude and subjective norms. These findings help us understand what factors affect volunteers' willingness to provide health services to the floating population and have important implications for mobilizing volunteers for floating population health services.
Depression, anxiety, stress, and physical activity of Australian adults during COVID-19: A combined longitudinal and repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhao Wei , Vandelanotte Corneel , Khalesi Saman , Alley Stephanie J. , Williams Sue L. , Thwaite Tanya L. , Fenning Andrew S. , Stanton Robert , To Quyen G.
Published: October 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a worsening of mental health and health behaviors. While physical activity is positively associated mental health, there is limited understanding of how mental health and physical activity evolve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine changes in depression, anxiety and stress and physical activity, and associations between depression, anxiety, and stress with physical activity in Australian adults across three-time points during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

This study collected both longitudinal and cross-sectional data at three-time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (i.e., April, July/August, and December 2020). Australians aged 18 years and over were invited to complete online surveys hosted on Qualtrics survey platform. Linear mixed models with random subject effect and general linear models were used to analyze the longitudinal and repeated cross-sectional data respectively.

Results

The number of participants in cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal surveys was 1,877 and 849, respectively. There was an overall reduction between time 2 vs. time 3 in depression (d = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.20, 1.85), anxiety (d = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.02, 1.12), and stress (d = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.21, 2.04) scores but no significant differences in physical activity across three-time points. On average, participants who met the physical activity guidelines had lower depression (d = −2.08, 95% CI = −2.90, −1.26), anxiety (d = −0.88, 95% CI = −1.41, −0.34), and stress (d = −1.35, 95% CI = −2.13, −0.56) scores compared to those not meeting the guidelines.

Conclusion

In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both governments and service providers should continue to provide the public with timely mental health support and promote the benefits of physical activity, as a cost-effective strategy to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Prednisone for the prevention of tuberculosis-associated IRIS (randomized controlled trial): Impact on the health-related quality of life
Authors: Wouters Edwin , Stek Cari , Swartz Alison , Buyze Jozefien , Schutz Charlotte , Thienemann Friedrich , Wilkinson Robert J. , Meintjes Graeme , Lynen Lutgarde , Nöstlinger Christiana
Published: October 2022

Background

Tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is an important complication in patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. The PredART-trial recently showed that prophylactic prednisone reduces the incidence of paradoxical TB-IRIS by 30% in a population at high risk. This paper reports the impact of the intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a secondary endpoint of the trial, measured by an amended version of the PROQOL-HIV instrument—the instrument’s validity and reliability is also assessed.

Methods

A total of 240 adult participants (antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve, TB-HIV co-infected with CD4 count ≤100 cells/μL) were recruited and randomized (1:1) to (1) a prednisone arm or (2) a placebo arm. In this sub-study of the PredART-trial we evaluated (1) the performance of an HIV-specific HR-QoL instrument amended for TB-IRIS, i.e., the PROQOL-HIV/TB in patients with HIV-associated TB starting ART (reliability, internal and external construct validity and invariance across time) and (2) the impact of prednisone on self-reported HR-QoL in this population through mixed models.

Results

The PROQOL-HIV/TB scale displayed acceptable internal reliability and good internal and external validity. This instrument, including the factor structure with the eight sub-dimensions, can thus be applied for measuring HR-QoL among HIV-TB patients at high risk for TB-IRIS. Prophylactic prednisone was statistically significantly associated only with the ‘Physical Health and Symptoms’-subscale: a four-week course of prednisone resulted in an earlier improvement in the physical dimension of HR-QoL compared to placebo.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that the PROQOL-HIV/TB scale adequately measures different aspects of self-reported HR-QoL in HIV-TB patients. Although more research is needed to understand how other domains related to HR-QoL can be improved, targeting patients at high risk for developing TB-IRIS with a four-week course of prednisone has a beneficial effect on the physical aspects of patient-reported quality of life.
Underpinning Chinese international students’ stress and anxiety during the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak: The moderating role of wisdom
Authors: English Alexander , Ding Yaxin , Zhang Qionghan , Kulich Steve J.
Published: October 2022

During the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese diaspora, especially Chinese international students, were subjected to greater stress than others, because they were under pressure from both fear of infection and coping with acculturation (e.g., discrimination). Consequently, more research is needed to understand the anxiety induced by COVID-19 stresses on this specific cultural group. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 stress and individuals’ anxiety, and the moderating roles of Acceptance, Reframing, and Striving (ARS) coping, the family support coping strategy, and wise reasoning. To test our predictions, we collected data from 224 Chinese international students (CIS). Results indicated a strong and positive relationship between pandemic stress and anxiety. Surprisingly, both ARS and family support coping did not moderate the association between COVID-19 stress and anxiety. Instead, wise reasoning as a potential reflective coping strategy interacted with COVID-19 stress to predict anxiety. Specifically, wise reasoning predicted more anxiety when individuals perceived a low-level of COVID-19 stress, however, such a relationship disappeared when individuals perceived a high-level of COVID-19 stress. These findings about wise-reasoning extends our understanding of wisdom and how it plays a role in the context of COVID-19.
The in-session discourse of unresolved/disorganized psychotherapy patients: An exploratory study of an attachment classification
Authors: Talia Alessandro , Taubner Svenja , Miller-Bottome Madeleine , Muurholm Signe Dall , Winther Anna , Frandsen Frederik Weischer , Harpøth Tine , Onofri Antonio , Kongerslev Mickey T. , Simonsen Sebastian , Poulsen Stig , Duschinsky Robbie
Published: October 2022

The Unresolved/disorganized (U/d) attachment classification has generated considerable interest among clinicians. This is in part based on its empirical associations with adult mental health, parenting practices, and treatment outcomes. Despite decades of theorizing, however, we have little empirical information regarding how patients with a U/d classification assigned by accredited coders actually behave or speak in psychotherapy sessions. Here, we take a step towards bridging this gap by reporting our observations of the psychotherapy session transcripts of 40 outpatients who were independently classified as U/d on the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), the gold standard measure of adult attachment research. These patients were extracted from a larger sample of 181 and compared to others without a U/d classification. In this paper, we discuss two different discourse styles associated with a U/d classification. Some U/d patients did not seem to sufficiently elicit the therapist’s endorsement of what they said. For example, they did not justify their claims with examples or explanations, or did not consider others’ intentions or experiences. Other U/d patients were credible, but left the listener uncertain as to the underlying point of their discourse, for example, by glaringly omitting the consequences of their experiences, or interrupting their narratives mid-way. In the discussion, we place these observations in the context of recent thinking on attachment and epistemic trust, and discuss how this study may form the basis for future quantitative studies of psychotherapy.
Final validation of the mental health screening tool for depressive disorders: A brief online and offline screening tool for major depressive disorder
Authors: Park Kiho , Yoon Seowon , Cho Surin , Choi Younyoung , Lee Seung-Hwan , Choi Kee-Hong
Published: October 2022

Early screening for depressive disorders is crucial given that major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the main reasons of global burden of disease, and depression is the underlying cause for 60% of suicides. The need for an accurate screening for depression with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in a brief and culturally adapted manner has emerged. This study reports the final stage of a 3-year research project for the development of depression screening tool. The developed Mental Health Screening Tool for Depressive Disorders (MHS:D) was designed to be administered in both online and offline environments with a high level of sensitivity and specificity in screening for major depressive disorder. A total of 527 individuals completed two versions (online/offline) of the MHS:D and existing depression scales, including the BDI-II, CES-D, and PHQ-9. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for diagnostic sensitivity/specificity was also administered to all participants. Internal consistency, convergent validity, factor analysis, item response theory analysis, and receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis were performed. The MHS:D showed an excellent level of internal consistency and convergent validity as well as a one-factor model with a reasonable level of model fit. The MHS:D could screen for major depressive disorder accurately (0.911 sensitivity and 0.878 specificity for both online and paper-pencil versions). Item response theory analysis suggested that items from the MHS:D could provide significantly more information than other existing depression scales. These statistical analyses indicated that the MHS:D is a valid and reliable scale for screening Korean patients with MDD with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, given that the MHS:D is a considerably brief scale that can be administered in either online or paper-pencil versions, it can be used effectively in various contexts, particularly during the pandemic.
The relationship between Internet addiction and childhood trauma in adolescents: The mediating role of social support
Authors: Sheng Xuanlian , Yang Meng , Ge Menglin , Zhang Ling , Huang Cui , Cui Shu , Yuan Qiuyu , Ye Mengting , Zhou Ruochen , Cao Panpan , Peng Ran , Zhang Kai , Zhou Xiaoqin
Published: October 2022

Background

Adolescents are at high risk of Internet addiction (IA). Previous studies have shown that the occurrence of IA may be associated with childhood trauma and social support to varying degrees. This study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of IA in adolescents. Further, to explore the potential mediating role of social support in childhood trauma and IA. This study provides theoretical support for future interventions targeting IA in adolescents.

Methods

This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were used to conduct an anonymous questionnaire survey among randomly selected adolescents aged less than 18 years old in two cities in southern Anhui Province. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to test the correlation between IA and other variables. A binary logistic regression model was used to explore the influencing factors of IA. Multiple regression models were examined with process macro and bootstrapping to confirm significant mediating effects.

Results

A total of 844 adolescents, equally divided between males and females, participated in this study, and the prevalence of IA in the region was 23.0%. Through the mediation test, the direct effect of childhood trauma on IA was 0.20 (95% CI [0.12, 0.27], p < 0.001), and the mediating effect of social support on childhood trauma and IA was 0.09 (95% CI [0.06, 0.14]).

Conclusion

The study showed that childhood trauma significantly affected the incidence of IA in adolescents. Social support had a significant mediating effect on childhood trauma and IA and attenuated its negative effects.
Autoimmune antibodies in first-episode psychosis with red flags: A hospital-based case-control study protocol
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Liu Xuan , Lian Jie , Zheng Haotao , Cai Dongbin , Cai Haobin , Zhou Dan , Lin Songjun , Kong Fanxin , Qin Xiude , Bi Jianqiang
Published: October 2022

Background

Research is increasingly identifying an overlap between psychosis and immunological dysregulation. Certain autoantibodies are being identified in a small but probably relevant subgroup of patients with psychosis. The term “autoimmune psychosis” (AIP) and its corresponding red-flag signs present the opportunity for a new field in psychiatry to promote diagnostic workup and immunomodulating therapy in individual cases.

Objectives

The present protocol aims to determine the seroprevalence of autoantibodies in first-episode psychosis (FEPs) using AIP red flag signs, and to explore the frequency of autoantibody subtypes and potential mediating confounders.

Methods/design

This is a hospital-based case-control study. All participants will be consecutively selected from the main tertiary psychiatric hospital in Shenzhen City, China. Individuals admitted to the psychiatric ward and diagnosed with FEPs will be enrolled. Based on recent consensus, participants with red flags of AIPs will be defined as cases, while the remainder will be matched as controls. Seropositive antibodies will be detected and verified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples based on the fixed cell-based assay (CBA) method. The propensity score-adjusted odds ratios will be determined to investigate the key mediating confounders regarding autoantibody subtypes and red flag subsets.

Discussion

The results of this study will facilitate the early identification of AIPs in FEP patients using the red flag sign and help identify key mediators that improve the accuracy of diagnostic algorithms. It will have clinical significance to focus on serum antibodies that have been verified in CSF samples, due to its consistency with clinical practices in current psychiatry.
Sleep duration and metabolic body size phenotypes among Chinese young workers
Authors: Wang Jiangshui , Xue Dan , Shi Bin , Xia Lu , Chen Weiyi , Liu Li , Liu Junling , Wang Huaiji , Ye Fang
Published: October 2022

The evidence linking sleep duration and metabolic body size phenotypes is limited, especially in young adulthood. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between sleep duration and metabolic body size phenotypes among Chinese young workers and investigate whether discrepancies exist among shift and non-shift workers. A cross-sectional study was performed between 2018 and 2019 in Wuhan, China and 7,376 young adults aged 20–35 years were included. Self-reported sleep duration was coded into four groups: <7, 7–8, 8–9, and ≥9 h per day. Participants were classified into four metabolic body size phenotypes according to their body mass index and metabolic health status: metabolically healthy normal weight, metabolically unhealthy normal weight, metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity (MUO). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between sleep duration and metabolic body phenotypes. Compared with those who slept 7–8 h each night, those with sleep duration <7 h per day had higher odds of MHO (OR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02–1.56) and MUO (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.43), irrespective of multiple confounders. Stratification analyses by shift work showed that the association between short nighttime sleep and increased odds of MUO was only observed in shift workers (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54). Sleep duration is independently associated with metabolic body size phenotypes among Chinese young adults, while shift work could possibly modulate the association. These results may provide evidence for advocating adequate sleep toward favorable metabolic body size phenotypes in young workers.
The relationship between duration of subjective poverty and health among Chinese adults: Evidence from the China Family Panel Study
Authors: Cao Dan , Zhou Zhongliang , Ren Yangling , Deng Qiwei , Zhai Xiaohui , Liu Guanping , Zhao Dantong , Zhao Yaxin , Shen Chi
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The disadvantaged socioeconomic status could have accumulated negative effects on individual. In the Chinese context, studying subjective and relative poverty is more important under the implementation of the Targeted Poverty Alleviation campaign. This study aims to provide evidence of the relationship between the duration of subjective poverty and both physical and mental health among Chinese adults, using nationally longitudinal data from 2010 to 2018.

Materials and methods

Data were extracted from a nationally representative survey database—the China Family Panel Study (CFPS). The total sample size contains 12,003 adults, with 3,532 in the urban area and 8,471 in the rural area. Self-rated health and depressive symptoms were set as indicators of physical health and mental health, respectively. The duration of subjective poverty was measured by self-rated income level in the local area from 2010 to 2016. A series of ordinary least square regression was adopted to measure the relationship between duration of subjective poverty and health.

Results

For the urban residents, the average duration of subjective poverty is 1.99 time points, while 1.98 time points for the rural residents. Net of objective poverty, duration of subjective poverty has a significantly negative association with individual's self-rated health in the rural sample (Coef. = −0.10, p < 0.001). Compared with those who have not experienced subjective poverty, the self-rated health score of people who experienced four time points is likely to decrease by 0.54 in the rural area and 0.30 in the urban area. In terms of mental health, 1 unit increase in the duration of subjective poverty is related to 0.15 unit increase in Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-8 (CES-D8) scores in the urban sample and 0.46 in the rural sample. Compared with those who have not experienced subjective poverty, the CES-D8 scores of people who experienced four time points are likely to increase by 1.47 in the rural area and 0.95 in the urban area.

Conclusion

A longer duration of subjective poverty has a cumulatively negative effect on Chinese residents' physical and mental health, especially in rural area. Our study advocates researchers and policymakers pay more attention to the cumulative effect of subjective poverty on health.
The use of remote video directly observed therapy to improve both inhaler technique and adherence to asthma medications
Authors: McCrossan Paddy , O'Donoghue Dara , McElnay James Charles , Shields Michael D.
Published: October 2022

Incorrect inhaler technique and non-adherence to inhaled preventer therapy often is the cause of poorly controlled asthma. Detecting and correcting non-adherence in asthma therapy has proven difficult. In addition, while patients may be able to demonstrate correct inhaler technique at the clinic recent evidence suggests that critical errors in inhaler technique occur in the home setting. Remote video directly observed therapy (vDOT) has recently been described as a potentially useful tool for addressing non-adherence while also allowing timely correction of inhaler technique errors. In this mini-review we describe the use of vDOT in asthma management.
The use and future perspective of Artificial Intelligence—A survey among German surgeons
Authors: Pecqueux Mathieu , Riediger Carina , Distler Marius , Oehme Florian , Bork Ulrich , Kolbinger Fiona R. , Schöffski Oliver , van Wijngaarden Peter , Weitz Jürgen , Schweipert Johannes , Kahlert Christoph
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Clinical abundance of artificial intelligence has increased significantly in the last decade. This survey aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge and acceptance of AI applications among surgeons in Germany.

Methods

A total of 357 surgeons from German university hospitals, academic teaching hospitals and private practices were contacted by e-mail and asked to participate in the anonymous survey.

Results

A total of 147 physicians completed the survey. The majority of respondents (n = 85, 52.8%) stated that they were familiar with AI applications in medicine. Personal knowledge was self-rated as average (n = 67, 41.6%) or rudimentary (n = 60, 37.3%) by the majority of participants. On the basis of various application scenarios, it became apparent that the respondents have different demands on AI applications in the area of “diagnosis confirmation” as compared to the area of “therapy decision.” For the latter category, the requirements in terms of the error level are significantly higher and more respondents view their application in medical practice rather critically. Accordingly, most of the participants hope that AI systems will primarily improve diagnosis confirmation, while they see their ethical and legal problems with regard to liability as the main obstacle to extensive clinical application.

Conclusion

German surgeons are in principle positively disposed toward AI applications. However, many surgeons see a deficit in their own knowledge and in the implementation of AI applications in their own professional environment. Accordingly, medical education programs targeting both medical students and healthcare professionals should convey basic knowledge about the development and clinical implementation process of AI applications in different medical fields, including surgery.
Biomechanical knee energy harvester: Design optimization and testing
Authors: Gad Moran , Lev-Ari Ben , Shapiro Amir , Ben-David Coral , Riemer Raziel
Published: October 2022

Biomechanical energy harvesters are designed to generate electrical energy from human locomotion (e.g., walking) with minimal or no additional effort by the users. These harvesters aim to carry out the work of the muscles during phases in locomotion where the muscles are acting as brakes. Currently, many harvesters focus on the knee joint during late swing, which is only one of three phases available during the gait cycle. For the device to be successful, there is a need to consider design components such as the motor/generator and the gear ratio. These components influence the amount of electrical energy that could be harvested, metabolic power during harvesting, and more. These various components make it challenging to achieve the optimal design. This paper presents a design of a knee harvester with a direct drive that enables harvesting both in flexion and extension using optimization. Subsequently, two knee devices were built and tested using five different harvesting levels. Results show that the 30% level was the best, harvesting approximately 5 W of electricity and redacting 8 W of metabolic energy compared to walking with the device as a dead weight. Evaluation of the models used in the optimization showed a good match to the system model but less for the metabolic power model. These results could pave the way for an energy harvester that could utilize more of the negative joint power during the gait cycle while reducing metabolic effort.
Large-scale monitoring of Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) using multiple static acoustic sensors
Authors: Caruso Francesco , Giorli Giacomo , Dong Lijun , Zhao Likun , Liu Mingming , Lin Mingli , Li Songhai
Published: October 2022

The distribution of Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (IPFP, Neophocaena phocaenoides) around the Hainan Island (China) is unknown, but evidences for a resident population have recently emerged. Passive acoustic data were collected from 10 locations along the south-west area of the island using static sensors (about 200 km of coastline), over a total period of 476 days from 25th February 2018 to 16th June 2019 (154,884 5-min recordings). A supervised machine learning technique was used to classify IPFP clicks and acoustic features were measured for 2,654 short-narrowband pulses detected within 47 days across the 10 sites. Detections were verified by a trained operator using spectrogram analysis and the detection range of the clicks was estimated using a Transmission Loss (TL) model. The animals were not detected at all locations and the site with the highest number of detections was characterized by low levels of ambient noise, abundance of soniferous fishes and the presence of another marine mammal species, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). The northernmost region had no detections and only two recorded files containing IPFP clicks were found at the two nearby locations (one file each). In general, the low number of detections in the study area are most likely a result of the limited detection range (about 200 m) of IPFP echolocation signals. This is a nationally protected species and the Hainan population is increasingly subject to many threats. The large-scale and long-term monitoring approach provides information regarding the spatial acoustic occurrence of this vulnerable, nearshore and small-size cetacean.
What Is Good About Blood?
Authors: Spier Addie B. , Evans Colin E.
Published: October 2022

Blood is the liquid that looks red when you cut or scrape your skin. People think blood is bad because they see it when they hurt themselves, when people are sick at hospital, and in scary movies. But blood is needed to keep our bodies alive and well. So, what happens when you bleed? And what happens if blood flow is blocked? In this short article, we will explain how and why blood is good. We will also tell you how doctors and scientists can help with problems of the blood.
Enhancing the resilience of food production systems for food and nutritional security under climate change in Nepal
Authors: Neupane Nilhari , Paudel Shishir , Sapkota Regan , Joshi Yadav Prasad , Rijal Yashoda , Chalise Anisha
Published: October 2022

Background

Climate change in Nepal has posed a considerable challenge to agricultural productivity and has threatened food and nutritional security at multiple levels. This study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on national food production and food and nutritional security as well as document issue-based prioritized adaptation options for a resilient food production system.

Methods

This study considers temperature, precipitation, and their anomalies as the key factors affecting food production in Nepal. Nationwide precipitation trends along with their association with the annual production of major cereal crops in Nepal were assessed using data from the last three decades (1990–2018). The annual productions of the major cereal crops were summed and normalized to calculate production index scores in the districts. Scores were plotted and visualized into maps using the R programming. In three ecological regions, the distribution of flood and extreme rainfall events and cases of malnutrition from 2005 to 2018 were plotted. The effects of climate change and highest priority adaptation options at the district level were documented through a review of national policies and literature studies and qualitative research based on Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

Results

Between 1990 and 2018, the overall average production of major cereal crops in Nepal was increased by around 2,245 MT annually. In the district level index analysis, the highest production score was found for Jhapa and Morang while the lowest production score was found for Humla. Cases of malnutrition in some districts coincided with flood and heavy rainfall events, indicating that climate change and extreme climatic events have a role to play in food production and security. Growing drought-tolerant crops, changes in crop cycle, riverbed farming practices, and development of short-term strategies, such as contingency crop planning, changing plantation dates, plantation of short-duration varieties, and evacuation schemes. Similarly, long-term strategies, such as encouraging out-migration of population to safer locations, resettlement programs with transformative livelihood options, and sustainable agricultural practices were found to be key prioritized adaptation measures for a resilient food system.

Conclusion

In Nepal, climate change and the increasing frequency and magnitude of extreme climatic events adversely affect the food production system, which has become a serious threat to food and nutritional security. The implementation of evidence-based practices to build a resilient food system specific to climate-vulnerable hotspots at the district and local levels is the nation's current need.
A predictive nomogram for intradiscal cement leakage in percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures combined with intravertebral cleft
Authors: Fan Ning , Wang Tianyi , Wang Aobo , Yuan Shuo , Du Peng , Si Fangda , Zhu Wenyi , Li Jian , Zang Lei
Published: October 2022

Background

For patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), the occurrence and risk factors of intradiscal cement leakage should be characteristic of the presence of intravertebral cleft (IVC). This study aimed to identify risk factors for intradiscal leakage in individuals with OVCFs combined with IVC treated with PKP and build a powered and well-calibrated predictive nomogram.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent PKP at our center between January 2016 and May 2021. Patients diagnosed with OVCFs combined with IVC were identified, and the incidence of different types of bone cement leakage was recorded. Risk factors for intradiscal leakage among the demographic, perioperative baseline, and radiologic data were identified, following which a nomogram was developed and verified.

Results

A total of 109 eligible patients were included, and the intradiscal leakage rate was 32.1%. Compression rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.025; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.002–0.264; P = 0.002) and cemented vertebral body fraction (OR 44.122; 95% CI 2.790–697.740; P = 0.007) were identified as independent risk factors. A predictive nomogram with good predictive power (C-statistic = 0.786) and fitness of data (Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, P = 0.092) was established to build a quantitative relationship between the risk factors and intradiscal leakage.

Conclusion

The incidence rate of intradiscal leakage in PKP for OVCFs combined with IVC was 32.1%. Compression rate and cemented vertebral body fraction were identified as independent risk factors. A powered and well-calibrated nomogram was established to accurately predict the probability of intradiscal leakage. Further prospective and multicenter studies are required to verify and calibrate our findings.
The outcome of enhanced recovery after surgery vs. a traditional pathway in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: A retrospective comparative study
Authors: Ding Hongtao , Hai Yong , Guan Li , Liu Yuzeng , Pan Aixing , Han Bo
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The optimized enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients has not been comprehensively described. The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility and efficacy of an integral process of ERAS protocol in posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery for AIS patients without three-column osteotomy.

Methods

Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 90 AIS patients who underwent PSF were enrolled in the study. Forty-five patients followed a traditional pathway (TP) perioperative care and 45 were treated with an ERAS protocol designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team. Patient demographic, clinical information, surgical data, and radiographic parameters were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

Results

There is no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin level, Cobb angle, curve type, average correction rate, fusion segments, and screw number between ERAS group and TP group. Regarding the estimated blood loss (EBL), surgical duration, pain intensity, drainage duration, drainage volume, first ambulation time, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and the incidence of blood transfusion, they were significantly less in ERAS group than those of TP group.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, we found that the implementation of a standard ERAS protocol in AIS correction surgery could result in less EBL, lower pain intensity, early ambulation, shorter LOS, and rapid rehabilitation. We recommend the widespread adoption of ERAS protocols in AIS surgery.
Improving farm-level antimicrobial stewardship benchmarks by reporting antimicrobial use within the context of both the magnitude of disease pressure and the outcome of therapy
Authors: Schrag Nora F. D. , Godden Sandra M. , Singer Randall S. , Lombard Jason E. , Wenz John R. , Amrine David E. , Lubbers Brian V. , Apley Michael D.
Published: October 2022

This manuscript explores a method of benchmarking antimicrobial use within the context of farm level therapeutic incidence (a proxy for disease incidence), and the outcome of that therapy. This is reported both within the same farm over time (2016–2019), as well as evaluated across participating farms. Reporting antimicrobial use in this format addresses multiple primary questions necessary for evaluating on farm antimicrobial stewardship: How much disease is recorded? How much antimicrobial use is recorded? How often are antimicrobials included in therapy for each disease? What is the outcome of therapy? The three primary metrics reported are: therapeutic events per 100 cow years (TE/100CY), antimicrobial regimens per 100 cow years (REG/100CY), and the percent therapeutic success (% Success). Success was defined as: the cow remained in the herd and had no further TE recorded within 30 days of the end of the TE being evaluated. These measures identify opportunities for change on an individual farm, such as improvement in disease prevention, or a change in choices about when to include an antimicrobial in the treatment protocol. Therapeutic outcomes provide additional context, in some instances demonstrating differences in recording practices and case definitions, while in other cases serving to safeguard animal welfare as efforts are made to decrease antimicrobial use in the future. Although developed for farm level reporting, the metrics may also be more broadly summarized to meet future reporting requirements for marketing chain or national level antimicrobial use reports. The process outlined here serves as a prototype to be considered when developing antimicrobial use reporting systems where farm level antimicrobial stewardship is the primary objective.
Bovine Anaplasmosis: Will there ever be an almighty effective vaccine?
Authors: Salinas-Estrella Elizabeth , Amaro-Estrada Itzel , Cobaxin-Cárdenas Mayra E. , Preciado de la Torre Jesús F. , Rodríguez Sergio D.
Published: October 2022

Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial disease with a worldwide distribution and the cause of severe economic losses in the livestock industry in many countries, including México. In the present work, we first review the elements of the immune response of the bovine, which allows ameliorating the clinical signs while eliminating the majority of the blood forms and generating an immunologic memory such that future confrontations with the pathogen will not end in disease. On the other hand, many vaccine candidates have been evaluated for the control of bovine anaplasmosis yet without no commercial worldwide effective vaccine. Lastly, the diversity of the pathogen and how this diversity has impaired the many efforts to control the disease are reviewed.
Diagnostic value of full-mouth radiography in horses
Authors: Bishop Ian Tyler
Published: October 2022

In this observational study, oral examinations and full-mouth dental radiographs were performed on 248 horses presented for routine oral health care. The findings were assessed to determine how often disease was diagnosed by radiographs without having related findings on oral examination. In 50 horses (20%), there were radiographic signs of disease that would not have been predicted based upon the oral examination. 113 horses (46%) had oral examination findings that would have prompted dental radiography, according to the criteria of the study. Of these 113 horses, 24 (21%) had radiographic signs of disease that would have been missed if only targeted radiographs had been taken, rather than a full-mouth survey.
Identification of an Oxidative Stress-Related LncRNA Signature for Predicting Prognosis and Chemotherapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhong Zixuan , Xu Minxuan , Tan Jun
Published: October 2022

Background: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in oncogenesis and tumor progression. However, the prognostic role of oxidative stress-related lncRNA in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) has not been fully explored.

Methods: We used the gene expression data and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to identify oxidative stress-related differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) by pearson correlation analysis. A four-oxidative stress-related DElncRNA signature was constructed by LASSO regression and Cox regression analyses. The predictive signature was further validated by Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, nomogram and calibration plots, and principal component analysis (PCA). Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to explore the relationship between the signature and immune status. Finally, the correlation between the signature and chemotherapeutic response of HCC patients was analyzed.

Results: In our study, the four-DElncRNA signature was not only proved to be a robust independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) prediction, but also played a crucial role in the regulation of progression and chemotherapeutic response of HCC. ssGSEA showed that the signature was correlated with the infiltration level of immune cells. HCC patients in high-risk group were more sensitive to the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs including Sorafenib, lapatinib, Nilotinib, Gefitinib, Erlotinib and Dasatinib, which pave the way for targeting DElncRNA-associated treatments for HCC patients.

Conclusion: Our study has originated a prognostic signature for HCC based on oxidative stress-related DElncRNAs, deepened the understanding of the biological role of four key DElncRNAs in HCC and laid a theoretical foundation for the choice of chemotherapy.
Environmental problems of the 21st century and ways to solve them: the dialectic of the individual, the specific and the general
Authors:   Department of Public Administration and Humanitarian Disciplines, Tambov, Trifonov Yuriy Nikolaevich , Shuklinova Marina Valerievna ,   Department of Public Administration and Humanitarian Disciplines, Tambov
Published: October 2022

The article analyzes the environmental problems of the 21st century and highlights their sociophilosophical, political and ethical aspects. The necessity of solving environmental problems at the international, state and regional (municipal) levels is substantiated. The materials of the article can be used within the "Ecology", "Globalistics", and "Economics" disciplines.
Práctica de actividades turísticas antes y después del estado de excepción ocasionado por COVID-19, Ecuador
Authors: Abarca Zaquinaula Manuel Antonio , Mendoza Poma Rodolfo Matius , Alvarez Lema Freddy Anaximandro , Sampedro Arrieta Milton Alberto
Published: October 2022

El presente estudio relacional cumplió el objetivo de analizar el comportamiento de las actividades turísticas en los ecuatorianos antes y después del estado de excepción, a través de la estadística inferencial en una muestra representativa (probabilística–aleatorio simple). Las variables de estudio fueron: actividades turísticas, gasto, frecuencia e integración familiar. La muestra estuvo conformada por 1205 personas. Se aplicaron dos encuestas en dos momentos diferentes, la primera encuesta se aplicó del 10 al 17 de abril del 2020 y la segunda encuesta se aplicó del 11 al 18 de septiembre del 2020. Para el análisis de los datos se usó el programa SPSS (prueba de Wilcoxon). También, se estimó la media poblacional de las cuatro variables de estudio, arribando así a los siguientes resultados y conclusiones; existe el 10,39% de reducción en la práctica de actividades turísticas, el 34% de reducción del gasto promedio, el 43,41% de incremento en la frecuencia con la que practican las nuevas actividades y el 26,46% de reducción en integración familiar en los ecuatorianos después del estado de excepción.