bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a Two-Color Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) Technique for Temperature Mapping
Authors: Kim H. J. , Kihm K. D.
Published: November 2021

Two-color laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technique has been developed and examined to use for full-field temperature mapping of a micro-scale field-of-view in water. The technique uses two fluorescence dyes with different emission characteristics — one is the temperature sensitive dye (Rhodamine-B) and the other is the temperature insensitive dye (Rhodamine-110). The ratio of the two fluorescence emission intensities, therefore, provides a formidable correlation with temperature that does not depend on the laser illumination intensity variation and is free from the possible bias occurring from background noise. In considering the technique for applications to micro-scale field-of-view, the first question that may be asked will be if the technique ensures acceptable accuracy in temperature readings with sufficiently small spatial resolution. In order to explore answers to this question, an extensive calibration for the intensity ratio versus temperature has been performed using a constant-temperature bath and the calibration results have been statistically analyzed to estimate measurement uncertainties. The developed technique measures thermally stratified fields with known temperature distributions that are established inside 10-mm and 1-mm path cuvettes to ensure measurement accuracy and spatial resolution for potential microscale applications.
Measurement of Specific Heat of Biological Tissue Using IR Imaging and Spectroscopy
Authors: Abel Joshua C. , Krishnan S. S. , Xu Lisa X. , Gore Jay P.
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a device for the measurement of the heat capacity of small biological samples in the physiological temperature range (34–40C°) using infrared (IR) thermometry. Conventional calorimetry is unsatisfactory for this purpose due to the relatively large size of the sample required and the changes in the specific heat induced by temperature changes in the measurement process. The present device design and calibration is discussed, along with preliminary experimental results. Auxiliary IR spectroscopy has been used to check the biological samples. Preliminary results show that the present method can be used for the measurement of the thermal properties of small samples.
Processing, Understanding, and Application of Piezoelectric Materials for an Artificial Neural System
Authors: Schulz M. J. , Chattopadhyay S. , Sundaresan M. J. , Ghoshal A. , Martin W. N. , Pratap P. R.
Published: November 2021

Piezoelectric materials are opening the door for the design of large smart structures. To explore what possibilities there might be for building practical smart structures, a review of the characteristics and methods of processing piezoelectric active materials is given. The advantages and limitations of using the different forms of piezoelectric materials for sensors and actuators are then discussed. One area where piezoceramic sensors can have a large impact is structural condition monitoring. Structural condition monitoring refers to using in-situ sensors to monitor the internal loads and the health of a structure in real-time. This will allow a structure to be operated at its maximum performance and efficiency while minimizing the fatigue damage. To achieve this on a large structure, a new highly distributed sensor concept is discussed in which piezoceramic fibers and microelectronic components are used to mimic the biological nervous system. A simplified simulation and experiment are presented to show how this artificial neural system can measure dynamic strains and acoustic emissions caused by damage in structures.
Radiation Beam Modeling and Intelligent Signal Interpretation for Phased Array Ultrasonic Inspection
Authors: Song Sung-Jin , Shin Hyeon Jae , Kwon Jeong-Rock
Published: November 2021

Flaw characterization with ultrasonic phased array technique involves to key issues, such as obtaining the high quality flaw images and determining the quantitative flaw information (such as location, type and size). This paper deals with these two key issues. For obtaining the high quality images, it is necessary to optimize the parameters of array transducers. To address such a need, a very computationally efficient radiation beam model is developed based on the boundary diffraction wave model, and the 3-D radiation beam fields from array transducers were simulated to investigate their characteristics in detail. From the sectorial images provided by the ultrasonic phased array technique, flaw size can be determined very successfully, if the type of the scatters is identified in advance. For the determination of the type of scatters, an intelligent signal interpretation scheme based on ultrasonic pattern recognition approach is studied, and the variation of features according to the steering angle is found to be a very sensitive feature for this purpose. The performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated with the initial experiments.
Design Point Performance Trends for Water Vapor Compressors
Authors: D’Orsi Nicholas C. , Wight Sharon E. , Yoshinaka Tsukasa
Published: November 2021

A design study of various water vapor compressor configurations — including single and multistage centrifugal compressors and multistage axial compressors — is used to determine geometry and performance trends as a function of design speed, compressor configuration, and intercooling method. The intercooled multistage centrifugal machines led to the lowest required power levels, though the large outer diameter of these machines and the addition of an intercooler may reduce their appeal. The non-intercooled multistage axial configurations offered high design point performance and a much smaller outer diameter than the centrifugal machines, though at the expense of large overall axial length and limited flow range. Ultimately, the selection of the right machine for a given application is a tradeoff between the performance and geometry trends illustrated in this paper, as well as the cost of the machine.
Curving Analysis of Modified Designs of Passenger Railway Vehicle Trucks
Authors: Dukkipati Rao V. , Narayanaswamy S.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, modified truck designs were studied with an objective to achieving better compatibility between high speed stability and curving behaviour compared to the conventional truck. The analysis has shown that USD truck can be designed to achieve better over all performance compared to other truck designs. The results of steady state curving program were validated using the commercial software package NUCARS. The comparison of steady state curving behaviour of different truck designs using NUCARS also showed that USD truck has the potential to achieve superior performance compared to other truck designs.

The research reported in this paper has dealt with steady state curving behaviour. To look into the safety implications of the new designs, transient behaviour in curves must be studied. The response of the railway cars in entry and exit spirals should be evaluated. The effects of track irregularities on the response of these modified designs need to be analyzed.
Correspondence between three-dimensional ear depth information derived from two-dimensional images and magnetic resonance imaging: Use of a neural-network model
Authors: Watson Tiernan , Halse Joe , Dula Granit M. , Soni Noorpreet , Wu Yue , Yasin Ifat
Published: November 2021

There is much interest in anthropometric-derived head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for simulating audio for virtual-reality systems. Three-dimensional (3D) anthropometric measures can be measured directly from individuals, or indirectly simulated from two-dimensional (2D) pinna images. The latter often requires additional pinna, head and/or torso measures. This study investigated accuracy with which 3D depth information can be obtained solely from 2D pinna images using an unsupervised monocular-depth estimation neural-network model. Output was compared to depth information obtained from corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) head scans (ground truth). Results show that 3D depth estimates obtained from 2D pinna images corresponded closely with MRI head-scan depth values.
Origins and evolution of extreme life span in Pacific Ocean rockfishes
Authors: Kolora Sree Rohit Raj , Owens Gregory L. , Vazquez Juan Manuel , Stubbs Alexander , Chatla Kamalakar , Jainese Conner , Seeto Katelin , McCrea Merit , Sandel Michael W. , Vianna Juliana A. , Maslenikov Katherine , Bachtrog Doris , Orr James W. , Love Milton , Sudmant Peter H.
Published: November 2021

A fishy tale of long and short life span

Fish have wide variations in life span even within closely related species. One such example are the rockfish species found along North Pacific coasts, which have life spans ranging from 11 to more than 200 years. Kolora
et al
. sequenced and performed a genomic analysis of 88 rockfish species, including long-read sequencing of the genomes of six species (see the Perspective by Lu
et al
.). From this analysis, the authors unmasked the genetic drivers of longevity evolution, including immunity and DNA repair–related pathways. Copy number expansion in the butyrophilin gene family was shown to be positively associated with life span, and population historical dynamics and life histories correlated differently between long- and short-lived species. These results support the idea that inflammation may modulate the aging process in these fish. —LMZ
Stepwise synaptic plasticity events drive the early phase of memory consolidation
Authors: Goto Akihiro , Bota Ayaka , Miya Ken , Wang Jingbo , Tsukamoto Suzune , Jiang Xinzhi , Hirai Daichi , Murayama Masanori , Matsuda Tomoki , McHugh Thomas J. , Nagai Takeharu , Hayashi Yasunori
Published: November 2021

Where and when of memory consolidation

Episodic memory is initially encoded in the hippocampus and later transferred to other brain regions for long-term storage. Synaptic plasticity underlies learning and plays a critical role in memory consolidation. However, it remains largely unknown where and when synaptic plasticity occurs and how it shapes the neuronal representation. Goto
et al
. developed a new tool for controlling early structural long-term potentiation (sLTP). By selectively manipulating sLTP, the authors showed that the local circuitry in hippocampal area CA1 is required for memory formation shortly after the encoding event. The local circuitry is also important for offline memory consolidation within 24 hours. The anterior cingulate cortex, another brain region directly connected with area CA1, is crucial for memory consolidation during sleep on the second night. —PRS
Real-space imaging of anisotropic charge of σ-hole by means of Kelvin probe force microscopy
Authors: Mallada B. , Gallardo A. , Lamanec M. , de la Torre B. , Špirko V. , Hobza P. , Jelinek P.
Published: November 2021

Resolution of the σ-hole

Anisotropic distribution of charges on atoms plays an important role in intermolecular interactions, yet direct experimental imaging remains a long-standing challenge. A good example is the σ-hole, an anisotropic charge distribution on a halogen atom covalently linked to carbon atoms. The σ-hole gives rise to the halogen-bonding mechanism, which is well known in supramolecular chemistry despite its existence being confirmed only indirectly. Mallada
et al
. developed Kelvin probe force microscopy with a specifically functionalized tip and report direct real-space visualization of the σ-hole, revealing its strong anisotropic charge distribution. The authors show that this technique, which relies entirely on electrostatic interactions, may be a powerful tool with which to study anisotropic atomic charge distributions. —YS
Discovery of davemaoite, CaSiO
3
-perovskite, as a mineral from the lower mantle
Authors: Tschauner Oliver , Huang Shichun , Yang Shuying , Humayun Munir , Liu Wenjun , Gilbert Corder Stephanie N , Bechtel Hans A. , Tischler Jon , Rossman George R.
Published: November 2021

Lower mantle “garbage can”

Calcium silicate perovskite has finally been identified in a natural sample and now has the mineral name davemaoite. Tschauner
et al
. discovered the type mineral trapped at high pressure and temperature as a diamond inclusion (see the Perspective by Fei). Structural and chemical analysis of the mineral showed that it is able to host a wide variety of elements, not unlike fitting bulky objects into garbage can. Specifically, it has a large amount of trapped potassium. Davemaoite can thus host three of the major heat-producing elements (uranium and thorium were previously shown experimentally) affecting heat generation in Earth’s lower mantle. —BG
Autoimmunity in neurodegeneration
Authors: Krot Maria , Rolls Asya
Published: November 2021

A signaling axis in adaptive immunity is a potential target in Lewy body dementia
A surprise from the deep
Authors: Keppler Frank
Published: November 2021

Isotope patterns of methoxyl groups reveal the origin an d production potential of methane from coal
Geoengineering: Symmetric precaution
Authors: Parson Edward A.
Published: November 2021

As alarm about climate change and calls for action intensify, solar geoengineering (SG) is seeing increased attention and controversy. Views on whether it should or will ever be used diverge, but the evidentiary basis for these views is thin. On such a high-stakes, knowledge-limited issue, one might expect strong support for research, but even research has met opposition. Opponents’ objections are grounded in valid concerns but impossible to fully address, as they are framed in ways that make rejecting research an axiom, not a conclusion based on evidence.
Antiviral pills could change pandemic’s course
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: November 2021

Strong showing for Pfizer protease inhibitor follows success for Merck’s molnupiravir
New pledges could keep global warming below 2°C target
Authors: O’Grady Cathleen
Published: November 2021

But can nations truly realize ambitious goals and provide developing countries with needed financing?
Is the end in sight for famous dark matter claim?
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: November 2021

Data cast more doubt on DAMA result as an alternative explanation emerges
Draft Genome Sequence of Scheffersomyces spartinae ARV011, a Marine Yeast Isolate
Authors: Villarreal Alex R. , Campbell Danielle E. , Webster Shanice S. , Hunter Ryan C.
Published: November 2021

We report the draft genome sequence of
Scheffersomyces spartinae
ARV011, which was isolated from the Great Sippewissett Marsh in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Sequencing was performed using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, yielding 7,598,030 read pairs 250 bp in length. This resulted in a total draft genome size of 12,132,557 bp.
Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus CI/BAC/25/13/W, Isolated from Contaminated Platelet Concentrates in England
Authors: Paredes Carina , Chi Sylvia Ighem , Flint Annika , Weedmark Kelly , McDonald Carl , Bearne Jennifer , Ramirez-Arcos Sandra , Pagotto Franco
Published: November 2021

We present the genome sequence of
Staphylococcus aureus
CI/BAC/25/13/W, which was isolated in 2013 as a contaminant of a platelet concentrate with abnormal clotting at the National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Assessment of the genome sequence showed the presence of one chromosome (2,719,347 bp) and one plasmid (1,533 bp).
Closed Genome Sequence of Yavru, a Novel Arthrobacter globiformis Phage
Authors: Ulker Meliha , Siddiqui Fardeen A. , Gerton Thomas J. , Anastasi Rachel E. , Conroy Dylan J. , Edwards Ethan G. , Laizure Isabelle E. , Reynolds Joshua D. , Duggan Kelsie , Johnson Kristen C. , MacLea Kyle S.
Published: November 2021

We characterized the complete genome sequence of actinobacteriophage Yavru (
Siphoviridae
), a cluster FE bacteriophage infecting
Arthrobacter globiformis
NRRL B-2979; it was 89.5% identical to cluster FE phage Whytu, with a capsid width of 50 nm and a tail length of 90 nm. The genome was 15,193 bp in length, with 23 predicted protein-coding genes.
Dual extrauterine ectopic pregnancy: double management
Authors: Bhat Chandana S , Reddy N Sanjeeva , Vembu Radha , Pandurangi Monna
Published: November 2021

A 30-year-old nulliparous woman was referred with suspected left ovarian ectopic pregnancy. She had undergone laparoscopic left salpingectomy for ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy 3 weeks earlier, following treatment with medications for ovulation induction. Sonological examination revealed a left ovarian ectopic pregnancy corresponding to 8 0/7 weeks with cardiac activity. She underwent ultrasound-guided intrasac therapy with intrasac instillation of 3 mEq of potassium chloride followed by 50 mg of methotrexate. She was followed with weekly measurements of serum beta human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) which returned to baseline after 65 days of the intrasac therapy. This case not only highlights the need for continued follow-up of the serum beta hCG after definitive management of an ectopic pregnancy in cases with multiple ovulations, but also the option of medical management in cases of advanced ovarian ectopic pregnancy. It also accentuates the necessity for adequate counselling to avoid conception in a multiple ovulation cycle.
Atezolizumab-induced scleroderma: a rare complication
Authors: Grant Christon , Chalasani Varun , Uchin Jeffrey M , Dore Adam
Published: November 2021

Few cases of programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitor-induced scleroderma have been reported and their clinical features remain unpublished. Optimal management is, therefore, unknown and an autoantibody association has yet to be identified. We present the case of a female in her 60s who developed skin thickening after starting atezolizumab for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Skin biopsy 7 months after symptom onset showed histological changes consistent with scleroderma. Anti-PM/SCL-75 antibody was positive. Atezolizumab was discontinued and treatment was started with mycophenolate mofetil. After 5 months, she experienced mild improvement in skin thickening. Earlier identification of this complication may limit morbidity in this disease process, which otherwise has limited treatment options. In suspected cases, obtaining scleroderma-associated autoantibodies may help with earlier diagnosis.
Improvement of hyperadrenergic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) with methylated B vitamins in the setting of a heterozygous COMT Val158Met polymorphism
Authors: Mittal Nikita , Portera Ariel , Taub Pam
Published: November 2021

A middle-aged woman was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome based on her clinical symptoms, elevated norepinephrine levels and positive tilt-table test. The patient was refractory to conventional treatment and improved only after she was treated with methylated B vitamins for her heterozygous catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism.
Cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma in an HIV-negative patient with Crohn’s disease on thiopurine immunosuppression
Authors: Colbert Roghan Donohue , Gaya Daniel , Hale Gordon , Rickaby William
Published: November 2021

We present the rare case of a 61-year-old man with Crohn’s disease who developed a cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma in the setting of long-term treatment with 6-mercaptopurine. Deciding on the best course of management provided a clinical challenge in an ‘evidence-light’ area. Relevant case reports and guidelines were reviewed. In general, the withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy is advised; however, a multidisciplinary, case-by-case approach is also emphasised. The patient’s lesion was removed and, following collaborative discussion, immunosuppression was continued post resection. This is thought to be the first reported case involving a Kaposi’s sarcoma in inflammatory bowel disease where immune therapy was not subsequently discontinued.
Intravitreal dexamethasone implant use as first-line therapy for cancer-associated retinopathy
Authors: Mudri Joel , Phagura Ravinder Singh , Lam Wei-Sen , Wu Xia Ni
Published: November 2021

We present a 65-year-old female smoker who presented with acute bilateral blurred vision. Investigations led to an endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration resulting in an early diagnosis of limited stage small cell lung cancer. Positive recoverin antibodies supported the diagnosis of cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR). CAR was the first manifestation of systemic malignancy in our patient and early diagnosis enabled curative intent systemic treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Ocular-specific treatment is required in CAR, although no standardised treatment exists. Current treatment options include steroids and immunosuppressive agents. Our patient was administered bilateral intravitreal dexamethasone implants, resulting in significant visual field and electroretinogram improvement at 8 weeks post-intervention. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported successful use of intravitreal dexamethasone implants as first-line therapy, in conjunction with chemoradiotherapy. Intravitreal dexamethasone implants therefore may provide an effective and safe treatment for CAR by reducing intraocular inflammation without systemic effects.
Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy: a cause for recurrent third nerve palsy in a child
Authors: Nandana Jayakumari , Nair Sruthi S , Girdhar Sachin , Sundaram Soumya
Published: November 2021

Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON), previously called ophthalmoplegic migraine, is a rare condition characterised by recurrent episodes of headache and ophthalmoplegia. We report a case of 11-year-old girl with recurrent painful ophthalmoplegia due to isolated right oculomotor nerve involvement. MR brain imaging showed enhancing lesion of cisternal segment of right oculomotor nerve. A possibility of Tolosa Hunt syndrome was considered and she was treated with glucocorticoids, followed by azathioprine due to recurrence. In the fourth episode, she developed migraine headache followed by right third nerve palsy, after which the diagnosis was revised to RPON. She was started on flunarizine along with short-term glucocorticoids. At 1-year follow-up, she remained asymptomatic. RPON should be considered in patients with recurrent third nerve palsy to avoid inadvertent long-term exposure to immunosuppressive agents.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour transformation of histological benign vestibular schwannoma after stereotactic radiosurgery in patients without neurofibromatosis
Authors: De Jesus Orlando , Sánchez Jiménez José G , Santiago Quiñones George , Vélez Román
Published: November 2021

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) poses a minimal but important risk for tumour transformation, typically occurring 8–10 years after the treatment. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is the most common tumour arising from a vestibular schwannoma treated with SRS, with only 14 cases previously reported. We present the fifteenth case and describe its evolution and clinical course. A 56-year-old man without a history of neurofibromatosis was diagnosed 9 years prior with a vestibular schwannoma. SRS to the residual tumour was given 3 months later. During the current hospitalisation, he was reoperated where histology confirmed a MPNST. All 15 MPNST cases were analysed, showing a 77% female predominance presenting a malignant transformation at a mean age of 51. The diagnosis was made at a mean time of 74 months after SRS. The mean survival time after diagnosis was 16 months. MPNST arising from benign vestibular schwannoma after SRS treatment is an uncommon but devastating complication.
Access to mental healthcare in the year after first fit note: a longitudinal study of linked clinical records
Authors: Dorrington Sarah , Carr Ewan , Stevelink Sharon , Ashworth Mark , Broadbent Matthew , Madan Ira , Hatch Stephani , Hotopf Matthew
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Sickness absence is strongly associated with poor mental health, and mental disorders often go untreated. In this population-based cohort study, we identified people receiving fit notes from their general practitioner (GP) and determined access to mental health treatment stratified by health complaint and demographic variables.

Design

Longitudinal study of health records.

Setting

Primary care and secondary mental health care in the borough of Lambeth, South London. Forty-five GP practices in Lambeth and the local secondary mental healthcare trust.

Participants

The analytical sample included 293 933 working age adults (16–60 years) registered at a Lambeth GP practice between 1 January 2014 and 30 April 2016.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Three indicators of mental healthcare in the year after first fit note were antidepressant prescription, contact with Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services and contact with secondary mental health services.

Results

75% of people with an identified mental health condition at first fit note had an indicator of mental healthcare in the following year. Black Caribbean and Black African groups presenting with mental disorders were less likely to have a mental healthcare indicator compared with White British groups.

Conclusions

The majority of those with an identified mental health need receive some treatment in the year following a fit note; however, our results suggest Black African and Black Caribbean groups with an identified mental healthcare need have less complete access compared to the White British group.
Deep learning-based facial image analysis in medical research: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Su Zhaohui , Liang Bin , Shi Feng , Gelfond J , Šegalo Sabina , Wang Jing , Jia Peng , Hao Xiaoning
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Deep learning techniques are gaining momentum in medical research. Evidence shows that deep learning has advantages over humans in image identification and classification, such as facial image analysis in detecting people’s medical conditions. While positive findings are available, little is known about the state-of-the-art of deep learning-based facial image analysis in the medical context. For the consideration of patients’ welfare and the development of the practice, a timely understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by research on deep-learning-based facial image analysis is needed. To address this gap, we aim to conduct a systematic review to identify the characteristics and effects of deep learning-based facial image analysis in medical research. Insights gained from this systematic review will provide a much-needed understanding of the characteristics, challenges, as well as opportunities in deep learning-based facial image analysis applied in the contexts of disease detection, diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, IEEEXplore and Scopus will be searched for relevant studies published in English in September, 2021. Titles, abstracts and full-text articles will be screened to identify eligible articles. A manual search of the reference lists of the included articles will also be conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework was adopted to guide the systematic review process. Two reviewers will independently examine the citations and select studies for inclusion. Discrepancies will be resolved by group discussions till a consensus is reached. Data will be extracted based on the research objective and selection criteria adopted in this study.

Ethics and dissemination

As the study is a protocol for a systematic review, ethical approval is not required. The study findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020196473.
What influences people’s responses to public health messages for managing risks and preventing infectious diseases? A rapid systematic review of the evidence and recommendations
Authors: Ghio Daniela , Lawes-Wickwar Sadie , Tang Mei Yee , Epton Tracy , Howlett Neil , Jenkinson Elizabeth , Stanescu Sabina , Westbrook Juliette , Kassianos Angelos P , Watson Daniella , Sutherland Lisa , Stanulewicz Natalia , Guest Ella , Scanlan Daniel , Carr Natalie , Chater Angel , Hotham Sarah , Thorneloe Rachael , Armitage Christopher J. , Arden Madelynne , Hart Jo , Byrne-Davis Lucie , Keyworth Christopher
Published: November 2021

Background

Individual behaviour changes, such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, are required on a population scale to reduce transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, little is known about effective methods of communicating risk reducing information, and how populations might respond.

Objective

To synthesise evidence relating to what (1) characterises effective public health messages for managing risk and preventing infectious disease and (2) influences people’s responses to messages.

Design

A rapid systematic review was conducted. Protocol is published on Prospero CRD42020188704.

Data sources

Electronic databases were searched: Ovid Medline, Ovid PsycINFO and Healthevidence.org, and grey literature (PsyarXiv, OSF Preprints) up to May 2020.

Study selection

All study designs that (1) evaluated public health messaging interventions targeted at adults and (2) concerned a communicable disease spread via primary route of transmission of respiratory and/or touch were included. Outcomes included preventative behaviours, perceptions/awareness and intentions. Non-English language papers were excluded.

Synthesis

Due to high heterogeneity studies were synthesised narratively focusing on determinants of intentions in the absence of measured adherence/preventative behaviours. Themes were developed independently by two researchers and discussed within team to reach consensus. Recommendations were translated from narrative synthesis to provide evidence-based methods in providing effective messaging.

Results

Sixty-eight eligible papers were identified. Characteristics of effective messaging include delivery by credible sources, community engagement, increasing awareness/knowledge, mapping to stage of epidemic/pandemic. To influence intent effectively, public health messages need to be acceptable, increase understanding/perceptions of health threat and perceived susceptibility.

Discussion

There are four key recommendations: (1) engage communities in development of messaging, (2) address uncertainty immediately and with transparency, (3) focus on unifying messages from sources and (4) frame messages aimed at increasing understanding, social responsibility and personal control. Embedding principles of behavioural science into public health messaging is an important step towards more effective health-risk communication during epidemics/pandemics.
Integrating expert knowledge for dementia risk prediction in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a study protocol
Authors: Wang Meng , Smith Eric E , Forkert Nils Daniel , Chekouo Thierry , Ismail Zahinoor , Ganesh Aravind , Sajobi Tolulope
Published: November 2021

Introduction

To date, there is no broadly accepted dementia risk score for use in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), partly because there are few large datasets available for model development. When evidence is limited, the knowledge and experience of experts becomes more crucial for risk stratification and providing MCI patients with prognosis. Structured expert elicitation (SEE) includes formal methods to quantify experts’ beliefs and help experts to express their beliefs in a quantitative form, reducing biases in the process. This study proposes to (1) assess experts’ beliefs about important predictors for 3-year dementia risk in persons with MCI through SEE methodology and (2) to integrate expert knowledge and patient data to derive dementia risk scores in persons with MCI using a Bayesian approach.

Methods and analysis

This study will use a combination of SEE methodology, prospectively collected clinical data, and statistical modelling to derive a dementia risk score in persons with MCI . Clinical expert knowledge will be quantified using SEE methodology that involves the selection and training of the experts, administration of questionnaire for eliciting expert knowledge, discussion meetings and results aggregation. Patient data from the Prospective Registry for Persons with Memory Symptoms of the Cognitive Neurosciences Clinic at the University of Calgary; the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative; and the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set will be used for model training and validation. Bayesian Cox models will be used to incorporate patient data and elicited data to predict 3-year dementia risk.

Discussion

This study will develop a robust dementia risk score that incorporates clinician expert knowledge with patient data for accurate risk stratification, prognosis and management of dementia.
Social inequalities and dynamics of the early COVID-19 epidemic: a prospective cohort study in France
Authors: Bajos Nathalie , Counil Emilie , Franck Jeanna-eve , Jusot Florence , Pailhé Ariane , Spire Alexis , Martin Claude , Lydie Nathalie , Slama Remy , Meyer Laurence , Warszawski Josiane
Published: November 2021

Objective

Although social inequalities in COVID-19 mortality by race, gender and socioeconomic status are well documented, less is known about social disparities in infection rates and their shift over time. We aim to study the evolution of social disparities in infection at the early stage of the epidemic in France with regard to the policies implemented.

Design

Random population-based prospective cohort.

Setting

From May to June 2020 in France.

Participants

Adults included in the Epidémiologie et Conditions de Vie cohort (n=77 588).

Main outcome measures

Self-reported anosmia and/or ageusia in three categories: no symptom, during the first epidemic peak (in March 2020) or thereafter (during lockdown).

Results

In all, 2052 participants (1.53%) reported anosmia/ageusia. The social distribution of exposure factors (density of place of residence, overcrowded housing and working outside the home) was described. Multinomial regressions were used to identify changes in social variables (gender, class and race) associated with symptoms of anosmia/ageusia. Women were more likely to report symptoms during the peak and after. Racialised minorities accumulated more exposure risk factors than the mainstream population and were at higher risk of anosmia/ageusia during the peak and after. By contrast, senior executive professionals were the least exposed to the virus with the lower rate of working outside the home during lockdown. They were more affected than lower social classes at the peak of the epidemic, but this effect disappeared after the peak.

Conclusion

The shift in the social profile of the epidemic was related to a shift in exposure factors under the implementation of a stringent stay-at-home order. Our study shows the importance to consider in a dynamic way the gender, socioeconomic and race direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, notably to implement policies that do not widen health inequalities.
Factors driving CT utilisation in tertiary hospitals: a decomposition analysis using linked administrative data in Western Australia
Authors: Ha Ninh Thi , Maxwell Susannah , Bulsara Max K , Doust Jenny , Mcrobbie Donald , O’Leary Peter , Slavotinek John , Moorin Rachael
Published: November 2021

Objectives

While CT scanning plays a significant role in healthcare, its increasing use has raised concerns about inappropriate use. This study investigated factors driving the changing use of CT among people admitted to tertiary hospitals in Western Australia (WA).

Design and setting

A repeated cross-sectional study of CT use in WA in 2003–2005 and 2013–2015 using linked administrative heath data at the individual patient level.

Participants

A total of 2 375 787 tertiary hospital admissions of people aged 18 years or older.

Main outcome measure

Rate of CT scanning per 1000 hospital admissions.

Methods

A multivariable decomposition model was used to quantify the contribution of changes in patient characteristics and changes in the probability of having a CT over the study period.

Results

The rate of CT scanning increased by 112 CT scans per 1000 admissions over the study period. Changes in the distribution of the observed patient characteristics were accounted for 62.7% of the growth in CT use. However, among unplanned admissions, changes in the distribution of patient characteristics only explained 17% of the growth in CT use, the remainder being explained by changes in the probability of having a CT scan. While the relative probability of having a CT scan generally increased over time across most observed characteristics, it reduced in young adults (−2.8%), people living in the rural/remote areas (−0.8%) and people transferred from secondary hospitals (−0.8%).

Conclusions

Our study highlights potential improvements in practice towards reducing medical radiation exposure in certain high risk population. Since changes in the relative probability of having a CT scan (representing changes in scope) rather than changes in the distribution of the patient characteristics (representing changes in need) explained a major proportion of the growth in CT use, this warrants more in-depth investigations in clinical practices to better inform health policies promoting appropriate use of diagnostic imaging tests.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of mortality in intensive care unit patients: a retrospective analysis of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III Database
Authors: Wu Xie , Luo Qipeng , Su Zhanhao , Li Yinan , Wang Hongbai , Liu Qiao , Yuan Su , Yan Fuxia
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Identifying high-risk patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is important given the high mortality rate. However, existing scoring systems lack easily accessible, low-cost and effective inflammatory markers. We aimed to identify inflammatory markers in routine blood tests to predict mortality in ICU patients and evaluate their predictive power.

Design

Retrospective case–control study.

Setting

Single secondary care centre.

Participants

We analysed data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. A total of 21 822 ICU patients were enrolled and divided into survival and death groups based on in-hospital mortality.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The predictive values of potential inflammatory markers were evaluated and compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. After identifying the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as having the best predictive ability, patients were redivided into low (≤1), medium (1–6) and high (>6) NLR groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the NLR and mortality. The area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to assess whether incorporating the NLR could improve the predictive power of existing scoring systems.

Results

The NLR had the best predictive ability (AUC: 0.609; p<0.001). In-hospital mortality rates were significantly higher in the low (OR (OR): 2.09; 95% CI 1.64 to 2.66) and high (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.50 to 1.80) NLR groups than in the medium NLR group. Adding the NLR to the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II improved the AUC from 0.789 to 0.798, with an NRI and IDI of 16.64% and 0.27%, respectively.

Conclusions

The NLR predicted mortality in ICU patients well. Both low and high NLRs were associated with elevated mortality rates, including the NLR may improve the predictive power of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II.
Neoadjuvant therapy or upfront surgery in advanced endometrial cancer: a systematic review protocol
Authors: McCarthy Amy , Balfour Katharine , El Sayed Iman , Edmondson Richard , Wan Yee-Loi Louise
Published: November 2021

Introduction

There is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for people with advanced endometrial cancer. Neoadjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been employed to try to reduce the morbidity of surgery, improve its feasibility and/or improve functional performance in people considered unfit for primary surgery. The objective of this review is to assess whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy improves health outcomes in people with advanced endometrial cancer when compared with upfront surgery.

Methods and analysis

This review will consider both randomised and non-randomised studies that compare health outcomes associated with the neoadjuvant therapy and upfront surgery in advanced endometrial cancer. Potential studies for inclusion will be collated from electronic searches of OVID Medline, Embase, international trial registries and conference abstract lists. Data collection and extraction will be performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. The methodological quality of the studies will be assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 and Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tools. If appropriate, we will perform a meta-analysis and provide summary statistics for each outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was not required for this study. Once complete, we will publish our findings in peer-reviewed publications, via conference presentations and to update relevant practice guidelines.
Sensor technology to monitor health, well-being and movement among healthcare personnel at workplace: a systematic scoping review protocol
Authors: Välimäki Maritta , Hipp Kirsi , Chen Jiarui , Huang Xiaoting , Guo Jia , Wong Man Sing
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The well-being and health of healthcare personnel is becoming increasingly important in the delivery of high-quality healthcare. The recent developments in technology have provided new opportunities for the objective detection of a wide variety of real-world properties and movement. However, technologies that are used to monitor health, well-being and movement among healthcare personnel have not been fully synthesised. The overall aim of this scoping review is to examine what type of sensor technology is available to monitor the health, well-being and movement of healthcare personnel in healthcare settings. More specifically, we want to explore what types of sensor technology applications, for what purposes and how they have been used to monitor health, well-being and movement among healthcare personnel in different workplace settings.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review protocol will follow Arksey and O’Malley’s methodology, complemented by the approach of the Joanna Briggs Institute to scoping reviews and guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Peer-reviewed literature will be identified using a search strategy developed by a librarian, and a wide range of electronic datasets of medical, computer and information systems disciplines will be used. Eligibility of the articles will be determined using a two-stage screening process consisting of (1) a title and abstract scan, and (2) a full-text review. Extracted data will be thematically analysed and validated by an expert of sensor technology and a group of nurses as stakeholders. Descriptive statistics will be calculated when necessary.

Ethics and dissemination

The results obtained from the review will inform what technology has been used, how it has been used in healthcare settings and what types of technology might still be needed for future innovations. Findings of the scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Registration

This review was submitted in Open Science Framework on 12 December 2020.
What the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about teachers and teaching
Authors: Hargreaves Andy
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that although learning can and sometimes does occur without teaching, on any significant scale, and especially among the most marginalized and vulnerable children, a lot of learning does not occur when children are deprived of teachers and teaching. Any questions of learning loss in the short term and learning transformations in the long run cannot therefore be addressed in any meaningful way without examining the short- and longer-term impacts of the pandemic on losses, gains, and transformations in teachers and teaching. This article analyzes actual and likely pandemic consequences of and insights deriving from remote access, digitally based interactions, and physical distancing in relation to three core characteristics of teaching and teacher quality. These are the development of “teacher expertise”, the nature of teaching as an “emotional practice” in which the well-being of students and teachers is reciprocally interrelated, and the ways in which external changes either enrich or deplete teacher’s “professional capital”, especially their “social capital”. Beyond post-pandemic narratives of educational doom on the one hand and of jubilant celebrations of bright spots and silver linings on the other, the article concludes that the future of teaching after COVID-19 will actually be complex, uncertain, and contingent on the policy decisions and professional directions that are set out in the recommendations to this report.
Polarized Z bosons from the decay of a Higgs boson produced in association with two jets at the LHC
Authors: Maina Ezio , Pelliccioli Giovanni
Published: November 2021

Investigating the polarization of weak bosons provides an important probe of the scalar and gauge sector of the Standard Model. This can be done in the Higgs decay to four leptons, whose Standard-Model leading-order amplitude enables to generate polarized observables from unpolarized ones via a fully-differential reweighting method. We study the $$\text {Z} $$
Z
-boson polarization from the decay of a Higgs boson produced in association with two jets, both in the gluon-fusion and in the vector-boson fusion channel. We also address the possibility of extending the results of this work to higher orders in perturbation theory.
Applications of the Schwarzschild–Finsler–Randers model
Authors: Kapsabelis E. , Triantafyllopoulos A. , Basilakos S. , Stavrinos P. C.
Published: November 2021

In this article, we study further applications of the Schwarzschild–Finsler–Randers (SFR) model which was introduced in a previous work Triantafyllopoulos et al. (Eur Phys J C 80(12):1200, 2020). In this model, we investigate curvatures and the generalized Kretschmann invariant which plays a crucial role for singularities. In addition, the derived path equations are used for the gravitational redshift of the SFR-model and these are compared with the GR model. Finally, we get some results for different values of parameters of the generalized photonsphere of the SFR-model and we find small deviations from the classical results of general relativity (GR) which may be ought to the possible Lorentz violation effects.
Potential Applications and Perspectives of Humanized Mouse Models
Authors: Ye Weijian , Chen Qingfeng
Published: November 2021

As medical and pharmacological technology advances, new and complex modalities of disease treatment that are more personalized and targeted are being developed. Often these modalities must be validated in the presence of critical components of the human biological system. Given the incongruencies between murine and human biology, as well as the human-tropism of certain drugs and pathogens, the selection of animal models that accurately recapitulate the intricacies of the human biological system becomes more salient for disease modeling and preclinical testing. Immunodeficient mice engrafted with functional human tissues (so-called humanized mice), which allow for the study of physiologically relevant disease mechanisms, have thus become an integral aspect of biomedical research. This review discusses the recent advancements and applications of humanized mouse models on human immune system and liver humanization in modeling human diseases, as well as how they can facilitate translational medicine.