bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breathing against suicidal ideation: factors of suicidal attempts in nursing home residents under COVID-19
Authors: TIAN Yinong , ZHANG Dan , SU Yonggang , ZHANG Shuai
Published: April 2022

Background: Suicide ideation is sweeping through the older population. As COVID-19 forced nursing homes to implement the severest restrictions, nursing home residents are particularly at risk of suicide ideation due to several interrelated factors. Methods: This qualitative study investigated the protective and risk factors for suicide among nursing home residents as well as their strategies for suicide prevention under the lockdown of COVID-19. A total of ten semi-structured interviews were carried out. Thereafter, we analyzed the interview content following a thematic approach.Results: The experiences of ten nursing home residents with suicidal ideation were classified into three categories, nine sub-themes and twenty seven theme clusters. The three categories included: (a) protective factors for suicide prevention, (b) risk factors for suicide attempts, and (c) strategies for suicide prevention. These factors and strategies were found to be correlated with their suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Conclusion: Factors and strategies influencing suicide ideation and attempts among nursing home residents displayed some new issues and problems under COVID-19. These factors will help both nursing home staff and other health-care providers to understand their life of nursing home residents who have suicide ideation and suicide attempts and improve intervention strategies.
Screening of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Diagnostic Markers based on Immune-related Genes and Immune Infiltration
Authors: Zhang Chun , Suo Lingge , Dai Wanwei , Qin Xuejiao , Li Guanlin , Zhang Di , Cheng Tian , Yao Taikang
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) continues to be a poorly understood disease. Performing bioinformatics analyses of optic nerve (ON) and trabecular meshwork (TM) gene expression data in order to further elucidate the immune-related genes of POAG and identify candidate target genes for treatment.METHODS. We performed a gene analysis of publicly available microarray data, namely, the GSE27276-GPL2507, GSE2378-GPL8300, GSE9944-GPL8300, GSE9944-GPL571 datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database. The obtained datasets were used as input for parallel pathway analyses. Based on Random Forest and Support vector machine (SVM) analysis to screen the key genes, significantly changed pathways were clustered into functional categories and the results were further investigated. CIBERSORT was used to evaluate infiltration of immune cells in POAG tissues. A network visualizing the differences between the POAG and normal was created. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. We divided the differential mRNA into up-regulated and down-regulated groups, and predicted the drug targeting of the differential genes through the Connectivity Map (CMap) database.RESULTS. A total of 49 differentially expressed genes, including 19 downregulated genes and 30 upregulated genes, were detected. Five genes (KRT14, HBB, ACOX2, HEPH and KRT13) were significantly changed. The results showed that the expression profiles of drug disturbances such as avrainvillamide-analysis-3, cytochalasin-D, NPI-2358, oxymethylone and vinorelbine were negatively correlated with the expression profiles of disease disturbances. It indicated that these drugs may reduce or even reverse the POAG disease state.CONCLUSION. This study provides an overview of the processes involved in the molecular pathogenesis of POAG in the ON and TM. The findings provide a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of POAG from the perspective of immunology.
Resource Management Algorithm of Mobile Edge Computing Based on User Movement Prediction
Authors: Ren Jin , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2022

In view of the uncertainty of users in the process of moving , how to effectively predict and connect stable edge servers (ESs) has become the key to solve the problem. Therefore, this paper proposes a Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) algorithm based on Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) to predict user mobility. Firstly, the ESs with computing resources are placed on the edge or node of the network, while ensuring that the battery energy of the user is sufficient. Secondly , in the process of user motion, the motion state space, estimation model and prediction model are introduced to the distributed execution of UKF. Finally, the proposed method obtains the best prediction scheme by comparing the common prediction user mobility with the linear Kalman filter prediction user mobility. The simulation results show that the proposed method greatly improves the success rate of the task.
Tooth whitening with an experimental toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles
Authors: Shang Ren , Kaisarly Dalia , Kunzelmann Karl-Heinz
Published: April 2022

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the postbrushing tooth-whitening effect of toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HAPs). The impact of the concentration on the whitening performance of nano-HAP toothpaste was also investigated. MethodsTwo concentrations of nano-HAP (10 wt% and 1 wt%) were incorporated in nonabrasive toothpastes. Forty bovine incisors were randomly assigned into four groups: 10 wt% nano-HAP, 1 wt% nano-HAP, toothpaste without nano-HAP as a negative control and water as a blank control. Each tooth was treated with the toothpaste three times and hydrodynamic shear force (HSF) once. The nano-HAP-treated enamel was observed by SEM after each application. Tooth color (L*, a* and b* values) was measured by a spectrophotometer, and color changes (△E, △L, △a and △b values) were calculated. Two-way mixed ANOVA was performed to evaluate the influence of the concentration and repeated application on the tooth-whitening effect of nano-HAP. ResultsWe found that nano-HAP-treated enamel exhibited higher L* values and lower a* and b* values than the control groups (P<0.05). The 10 wt% nano-HAP group showed significantly higher △E values than the 1 wt% nano-HAP group (P<0.05). After three applications, the △E mean value of the 10 wt% nano-HAP group was 4.47. The △E and △L values were slightly reduced after HSF (P<0.05). For both nano-HAP groups, HAP single crystallites and agglomerates were identified, and their sizes grew with nano-HAP reapplication.Conclusion In conclusion, nano-HAP toothpaste has a satisfying postbrushing whitening effect and good resistance to mechanical forces. The whitening effect seemed to be concentration-dependent.
Impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in liver transplant patients after switching to once-daily dosing
Authors: Park Jangho , Lee Kwang-Woong , Oh Seung Cheol , Park Min Young , Lee Jeong-Moo , Hong Su Young , Hong Suk Kyun , Choi YoungRok , Yi Nam-Joon , Suh Kyung-Suk
Published: April 2022

Background: The effects of multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1), ABCC2, and P450 oxidoreductase (POR)*28 gene polymorphisms on tacrolimus metabolism following a switch to once-daily dosing have not been elucidated. We investigated the effects of recipient and donor CYP3A5, MDR1, ABCC2, and POR*28 polymorphisms on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics following a switch to once-daily tacrolimus dosing.Methods: Eighty-seven liver transplant recipients who were switched from twice- to once-daily tacrolimus dosing following living-donor liver transplantation and 81 matched donors were genotyped for CYP3A5, MDR1 (1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, and 3435C>T), ABCC2 (-24C>T, 1249G>A, and 3972C>T), and POR*28. Tacrolimus dose-adjusted trough levels (C0/dose) before and after the switch were determined and calculated based on past medical records. Recipients were divided into two groups, one group constituted of 38 patients with a C0/dose decrease of less than 30% following conversion (group 1) and the other constituted of 49 patients with a C0/dose decrease of ≥30% (group 2).Results: CYP3A5 *1/*3 and *3/*3 were more frequent in recipients in group 1 (60.5% vs. 36.8%), while CYP3A5 *1/*1 was more frequent in group 2 (59.2% vs. 32.7%) (p = 0.016). The proportions of donor ABCC2 1249G>A genotypes AA and AG were higher in group 2 than in group 1 (20.4% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.042). Conclusion: Recipient CYP3A5 polymorphism and donor ABCC2 1249G>A polymorphism affected tacrolimus pharmacokinetics following the switch to once-daily dosing. Dose adjustment to maintain therapeutic tacrolimus levels following the switch to once-daily dosing should be considered based on polymorphisms in both the recipient and donor.
Selecting aggressiveness to improve biological control agents efficiency
Authors: Royer Pierre , Dumont François , Provost Caroline , Lucas Éric
Published: April 2022

In agroecosystems, omnivorous predators are recognized as potential biological control agents because of the numerous species pest species they prey on. Nonetheless, it could be possible to enhance their efficiency through artificial selection on traits of economical or ecological relevance. Aggressiveness is expected to be related to zoophagy, diet preferences and to a higher attack rate. The study aimed to assess the aggressiveness degree of the damsel bug, Nabis americoferus, and estimate its heritability. We hypothesized that a high aggressiveness degree can be selected, and that males are more aggressive than females. Using artificial selection, we reared two separate populations, each composed of nine genetically isolated lines characterized by their different aggressiveness degree (aggressive, docile and non-selected). After five generations, we had efficiently selected aggressive behavior. The realized heritability was 0.16 (± 0.04 S.E.) and 0.27 (± 0.1 S.E.) for aggressiveness and docility in the first population. It was 0.25 (± 0.03) and 0.23 (± 0.08 S.E.) for the second population. Males were more aggressive than females only for the second population. The potential of these individuals as biological control agents and the ecological consequences of aggressiveness is discussed.
The Crosstalk between Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and Macrophages in Tumour Microenvironments, and Its Effects on Inflammasome Activation and Pro- Inflammatory Cytokine Levels
Authors: Chan Wan Ling Elaine , Sivam Hariss G Paremes , Chin Beek Yoke , Gan Sook Yee , Ng Jia Hao , Gwenhure Agnes
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Acute and persistent inflammation plays an important role in the establishment and progression of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Modified macrophages, tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) are key contributors to the survival, growth, and metastatic behaviour of the PDAC cells, by interacting with them. Central to the role of inflammation and TAMs, lies the NLRP3 inflammasome. The crosstalk between PDAC cells and TAMs has been postulated to regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome activity and the subsequent associated inflammation in the tumour microenvironment, which, in turn affects the crosstalk and the survival, proliferation and metastatic potential of PDAC cells. This study investigated the effects of LPS-stimulated inflammation on cell proliferation, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in a co-culture model using PDAC cells and macrophages, in the with or without MCC950, a NLRP3 specific inhibitor.Methods: The effects of LPS-stimulated inflammation were tested on two PDAC cell lines (Panc 10.05 and SW 1990) co-cultured with RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α were determined by ELISA. Western blot analyses were used to examine the expression of NLRP3 in both PDAC cells and macrophages.Results: The crosstalk between PDAC cell lines and macrophages under LPS-stimulation led to pro-inflammatory microenvironment, as evidenced by high levels of secreted IL-1β and TNF-α. The crosstalk was also responsible for regulating the NLRP3 expression in both PDAC cells and macrophages as well as promoting PDAC cell proliferation. Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome by MCC950, counteracted the effects of LPS-stimulation on the crosstalk. However, MCC950 differentially modified the viability of the metastatic vs primary PDAC cells lines. Conclusion: The stimulation by LPS increased PDAC cells viability by modulating the crosstalk between PDAC cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages (in a co-culture model) that results in the activation of NLRP inflammasome. The specific inhibition of NLRP inflammasome by MCC950 effectively counteracted the LPS-stimulated inflammation.
AntigenB drives M1/M2 polarization following Echinococcus granulosus infection in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Bao Jianling , Qi Wenjing , Sun Chang , Tian Mengxiao , Jiao Hongjie , Guo Gang , Guo Baoping , Ren Yuan , Zheng Huanjun , Wang Yuezhu , Yan Mei , Zhang Zhaoxia , McManus Donald P. , Li Jun , Zhang Wenbao
Published: April 2022

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic idiopathic disease characterised by inflammation-related epithelial barrier damage in the intestinal tract. Helminth infection may reduce autoimmune disease symptoms through regulation of inflammatory responses based on hygiene theory. However, the underpinning mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods
In this study, we examined the influence of E. granulosus (E. g) infection on murine dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The mice were challenged with 3.5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days at 100 days post-E.g infection. Weight change and disease activity index (DAI) were evaluated each day, and colon length and histological score (HS) were evaluated after sacrifice. To determine whether Antigen B (AgB, which is the major component of E. granulosus hydatid fluid) has an effect on the symptoms/signs of IBD, we injected AgB into the mouse peritoneal cavity, the steps mentioned above were repeated, and the markers of macrophages in the peritoneal lavage fluid and colon were measured by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then, the genomic DNA from the faeces of mice was sequenced by the MiSeq 300PE sequencing platform. Furthermore, AgB was added to the culture medium of the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line before intervention with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Then, NO in the supernatant was tested, and cytokines associated with macrophages were determined by quantitative (q)RT-PCR.
Results
We found that the symptoms of IBD improved significantly in the E.g infection group. AgB significantly reduced the symptoms of IBD induced by DSS. AgB intervention reduced iNO levels and increased Fizzl expression in the colon, as shown by qRT-PCR. The same result was obtained from flow cytometry. The microbiota of the gastrointestinal duct changed after AgB intervention in IBD mice. In vitro, AgB reversed NO and M1 cytokine expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS.
Conclusions
AgB played the most important roles, inducing an M2-predominant cellular (F4/80 + and CD206+) profile and decreasing type 1 macrophages (F4/80 + CD11c+) in the intestinal lamina propria. In addition, AgB intervention also changed the microbiota condition of the gastrointestinal duct and reversed NO expression. Thus, AgB is a potential target for IBD treatment.
Establishment of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated lncRNAs model to predict prognosis and immunological characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Chunfu , Shen Xingyuan , Yang Zhen
Published: April 2022

Background: The endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways play an essential role in the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma, and activation of the URP pathway is strongly associated with tumor growth. However, the function of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-associated LncRNAs in hepatocellular cancer is less recognized.Methods: We have used TCGA to obtain clinical and transcriptome data for hepatocellular carcinoma patients and the GSEA molecular signature database to get the Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) gene. Risk models for ERS-associated lncRNAs were built using univariate Cox regression study, LASSO-regression study, and multivariate Cox regression study. Subsequent studies included Kaplan-Meier, multi-exponential ROC curve, GSEA, immune-infiltration study, time-dependent ROC curve. We used consensus clustering study to discover novel subgroups of hepatocellular carcinomas in accordance with transcriptome data of ERS-associated lncRNAs in HCC entire samples.Results: To construct the risk model, we chose six ERS-associated lncRNAs from the HCC training samples (containingMKLN1-AS, LINC01224, AL590705.3, AC008622.2, AC145207.5, and AC026412.3). Calculate the risk score for each HCC patient in accordance with the above 6 lncRNAs, patients with HCC were assigned into the groups at a high risk and a low risk. The overall survival rate of patients in the group at a high risk was lower than that of patients in the group at a low risk. In addition, the group at a high risk exhibited a higher infiltration of immune cells. Sensitivity to various chemotherapeutic drugs in the groups at a high risk and a low risk was studied. Our risk model was an independent prognostic factor according to independent predictive study. The risk model high prediction capacity for HCC prognosis was further confirmed using ROC study.Conclusions: In this article, we created an ERS-associated lncRNAs risk model to help prognostic diagnosis and personalized therapy in Hepatocellular carcinoma.
2D Hexagonal Yttrium Doped SnO2 Nanoplatelets for Photocatalytic Degradation
Authors: Vallimeena S , Helina B
Published: April 2022

In this work, two-dimensional hexagonal nanoplatelets were analyzed through a simple morphological and structural evolutions. XRD analysis of SnO2 and Y doped SnO2 has revealed a tetragonal structure and photoluminescence spectra exhibited a visible emission broadband peak around 464 nm and 528 nm. SnO2: Y (7 wt.%) photoluminescence spectra confirm the higher charge separation and which impede the electron-hole recombination. It has been shown that hexagonal SnO2:Y (7 wt.%) nanoplatelets perform better in photocatalytic degradation than conventional spherical nanoparticles. EIS measurements were performed to investigate the charge carrier movement of both undoped and Y doped SnO2 NPs. Our study is the first to illustrate the two-dimensional morphology of SnO2:Y (7 wt.%) hexagonal nanoplatelets and their application integration of photocatalytic materials.
Hidden in the Labyrinth: Visuo-spatial Attention Deficit in Children with Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Franceschini Sandro , Bertoni Sara , Puccio Giovanna , Gori Simone , Termine Cristiano , Facoetti Andrea
Published: April 2022

Although developmental reading disorders (developmental dyslexia) have been mainly associated with auditory-phonological deficits, recent longitudinal and training studies have shown a possible causal role of visuo-attentional skills in reading acquisition. Indeed, visuo-attentional mechanisms could be involved in the orthographic processing of the letter string and the graphemic parsing that precede the grapheme-to-phoneme mapping. Here, we used a simple paper-and-pencil task composed of three labyrinths to measure visuo-spatial attention in a large sample of primary school children (n = 398). In comparison to visual search tasks requiring visual working memory, our labyrinth task mainly measures distributed and focused visuo-spatial attention, also controlling for sensorimotor learning. Compared to typical readers (n = 340), children with reading difficulties (n = 58) showed clear visuo-spatial attention impairments that appear not linked to motor coordination and procedural learning skills implicated in this paper and pencil task. Since visual attention is dysfunctional in about 40% of the children with reading difficulties, an efficient reading remediation program should integrate both auditory-phonological and visuo-attentional interventions.
A novel alternating second-generation cryoballoon or radiofrequency catheter ablation technique strategy for repeat ablation in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation: A two-year follow-up outcome
Authors: Tang Qing-hui , Guo Xiao-Gang , Ma Jian
Published: April 2022

Background
Pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection after radiofrequency ablation (RFC) or 2nd generation cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is common.
Method
We report a single-center experience of 156 patients who underwent an alternating redo procedure-ablation strategy for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after a failed index RFC or CB procedure. During the redo procedure, alternating ablation technique was applied in a reverse sequence: RFC was applied for redo ablation in 60 patients with failed index CB ablation(CB-RFC-redo); 2nd generation CB was used for redo ablation in 96 patients after failed index RFC ablation (RFC-CB redo);
Results
During the redo procedure, the proportion of patients with PV reconnection was lower after index CB PVI procedure compared with the proportion of patients after index RFC PVI (88.3% versus 98.9%, p = 0.01). Additionally, 82.8% of all PVs and left common trunks PV (CTs) isolated by index RFC were reconnected, compared with 42% PVs reconnected after index CB PVI (p = 0.005). A mean number of 1.50 ± 0.8 PVs /patient were reconnected after index CB PVI, compared with 3.36 ± 0.9 PVs /patient after index RFC PVI (p = 0.001). Patients after index RFC PVI frequently presented with ≥ 3 reconnected PVs, compared with index CB PVI(70.8% vs 10%, p < 0.001). A total of 60 patients after index CB PVI underwent RFC-redo ablation, and 96 patients after index RFC PVI underwent CB-redo ablation. At a two year follow-up, 43 patients (27.6%) developed recurrence after redo ablation, with a similar AF- free outcome (CB-RFC redo:73.3% vs RFC-CB redo: 71.9%, p = 0.873). In the multivariate analysis, persistent AF (HR = 2.107, 95% CI: 1.085–4.091, p = 0.028) and early AF recurrence after the initial ablation (HR = 2.431, 95% CI: 1.279–4.618, p = 0.007) were independent predictors of AF recurrence after repeat ablation.
Conclusions
The extent and distribution of PV reconnections were different after index RFC and CB PVI procedures. Alternating CB or RFC ablation technique strategy is effective with a similar long-term outcome, and it may be an appropriate option for repeated AF ablation regardless of index ablation technique used.
An Optimization of Outpatients’ Waiting Time and Health-related Risks
Authors: Onoja Anthony , Ogundare Oluwabunmi Chidinma , Tejuoso Funso Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

The study of optimal queuing systems in healthcare is crucial at such a time as this to help decongest the system, and minimize financial and health-related risks associated with long waiting queues. This study examined a queuing system at an outpatient hospital clinic post intending to minimize waiting time in association with financial cost and healthcare-related risks. We observed the queuing system using the sampling survey information of 200 outpatients that visited the clinic for 4 weeks. We used the initial queuing ground truth parameters as the baseline scenario and further simulated 4 other queuing scenarios using the TORA optimization software. We calculated the total expected cost associated with the server(s) (Doctors) and the patients while in the queuing system for each scenario. We further discretize their health-related complications and calculated the incidence rate of the patients while in the queuing system to evaluate their health-related risks. The findings of our study showed that the system utilization, optimal expected total cost, health-related risks (risk of discomfort and illness/infections developed while in the queue), and waiting time are optimal at the hospital clinic with 5 severs (doctors). The contribution of this study arose from the incorporation of health-related risks incidence that patients could develop while in the queuing system.
Examining Research Productivity in Medical School and Dermatology Residency: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gupta Neha , Tamashumas Nina L , Ramanathan Diya , Erickson Kayley , Xiang Laura , Scott Jeffrey F
Published: April 2022

Research productivity is one criterion used by residency programs to evaluate the academic qualifications of prospective applicants. Our objective was to examine individuals’ research productivity in dermatology residency compared to medical school. A cohort of dermatology residents who graduated from an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) certified Dermatology program in 2019 or 2020. An author search was conducted to identify author publications. Author number, journal name, impact factor, study type, and publication date were collected. Publications were characterized as pre-residency publications (PRPs) if published during intern year, medical school graduating year, or the year before graduating year. Publications were residency publications (RPs) if published during residency. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the average number of PRPs and RPs between individuals. Secondary outcomes were compared using chi-square and t-tests. 5,5159 publications were collected. There was no difference in mean number of PRPs and RPs. However, PRPs were more likely to be first author publications and RPs were more likely to be case reports. Both PRPs and RPs were generally published in the same journals. The differences in PRPs and RPs may stem from changes in mentorship/sponsorship roles during training. Our findings add to the literature on PRPs. Future research should examine continued trends of publications in residency and fellowship.
Boundary criticality of the O(N) model in d = 3 critically revisited
Authors: Metlitski Max
Published: April 2022

It is known that the classical O(N)O(N)
model in dimension d > 3dgt;3
at its bulk critical point admits three boundary universality classes:
the ordinary, the extra-ordinary and the special. For the ordinary
transition the bulk and the boundary order simultaneously; the
extra-ordinary fixed point corresponds to the bulk transition occurring
in the presence of an ordered boundary, while the special fixed point
corresponds to a boundary phase transition between the ordinary and the
extra-ordinary classes. While the ordinary fixed point survives in
d = 3d=3,
it is less clear what happens to the extra-ordinary and special fixed
points when d = 3d=3
and N \ge 2N≥2.
Here we show that formally treating NN
as a continuous parameter, there exists a critical value
N_c > 2Ncgt;2
separating two distinct regimes. For 2 \leq N < N_c2≤N<Nc
the extra-ordinary fixed point survives in
d = 3d=3,
albeit in a modified form: the long-range boundary order is lost,
instead, the order parameter correlation function decays as a power of
\log rlogr.
For N > N_cNgt;Nc
there is no fixed point with order parameter correlations decaying
slower than power law. We discuss several scenarios for the evolution of
the phase diagram past N = N_cN=Nc.
Our findings appear to be consistent with recent Monte Carlo studies of
classical models with N = 2N=2
and N = 3N=3.
We also compare our results to numerical studies of boundary criticality
in 2+1D quantum spin models.
The Influence of the Platinum Weight Percentage in the Catalyst Formulation on the Performance of a High Temperature Ethanol Electroreformer Based on H3PO4‑Doped Polybenzimidazole for Green Hydrogen Production
Authors: Alves Bruno , de Paula Dryade , Crisafully Rudy , Linares José
Published: April 2022

A vapor-fed high temperature proton exchange ethanol electroreformer has been developed based on the use of a H3PO4-doped polybenzimidazole membrane to produce green hydrogen. As a key parameter, this article describes the influence of platinum weight percent (wt.%) in the catalyst formulation from different commercial catalysts (20, 40, 60, 80 wt.% Pt/C and Pt black) on the activity (related to the H2 production), energy consumption, and CO2 yields. The structural and morphological analysis reveal that an increase in Pt wt.% leads to the formation of bigger nanometric Pt particles, resulting in a decrease in the electrochemically active surface area. In terms of the ethanol electro-oxidation activity, the Pt wt.% impacts on the performance of the electroreformer, with the H2 flux that increasing from 0.22 STP (standard pressure and temperature, 273.15 K and 105 Pa) m3 m-2 h-1 for Pt black to 1.47 STP m3 m-2 h-1 for 60 wt.% Pt/C. The Pt wt.% also impacts on the CO2 percentages, increasing from values in the range of 20-40% for the 20 wt.% Pt/C to 45-55% for the optimum 60 wt.% Pt/C and, finally, decreasing to values between 30-45% for Pt black. These values are, in overall, higher than those of low temperature (< 90 °C) ethanol electro-oxidation systems.
Mandatory Vaccination Against COVID-19: Twitter Poll Analysis on Public Health Opinion
Authors: Ritschl Valentin , Eibensteiner Fabian , Mosor Erika , Omara Maisa , Sperl Lisa , Nawaz Faisal A , Siva Sai Chandragiri , Cenanovic Merisa , Devkota Hari Prasad , Hribersek Mojca , De Ronita , Klager Elisabeth , Schaden Eva , Kletecka-Pulker Maria , Völkl-Kernstock Sabine , Willschke Harald , Aufricht Christoph , Atanasov Atanas G , Stamm Tanja
Published: April 2022

Background

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization Emergency Committee declared the rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 a global health emergency. By December 2020, the safety and efficacy of the first COVID-19 vaccines had been demonstrated. However, international vaccination coverage rates have remained below expectations (in Europe at the time of manuscript submission). Controversial mandatory vaccination is currently being discussed and has already been introduced in some countries (Austria, Greece, and Italy). We used the Twitter survey system as a viable method to quickly and comprehensively gather international public health insights on mandatory vaccination against COVID-19.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to better understand the public’s perception of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in real time using Twitter polls.

Methods

Two Twitter polls were developed (in the English language) to seek the public’s opinion on the possibility of mandatory vaccination. The polls were pinned to the Digital Health and Patient Safety Platform’s (based in Vienna, Austria) Twitter timeline for 1 week in mid-November 2021, 3 days after the official public announcement of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in Austria. Twitter users were asked to participate and retweet the polls to reach the largest possible audience.

Results

Our Twitter polls revealed two extremes on the topic of mandatory vaccination against COVID-19. Almost half of the 2545 respondents (n=1246, 49%) favor mandatory vaccination, at least in certain areas. This attitude contrasts with the 45.7% (n=1162) who categorically reject mandatory vaccination. Over one-quarter (n=621, 26.3%) of participating Twitter users said they would never get vaccinated, as reflected by the current Western European and North American vaccination coverage rate. Concatenating interpretation of these two polls should be done cautiously as participating populations might substantially differ.

Conclusions

Mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 (in at least certain areas) is favored by less than 50%, whereas it is opposed by almost half of the surveyed Twitter users. Since (social) media strongly influences public perceptions and views, and social media discussions and surveys are specifically susceptible to the “echo chamber effect,” the results should be interpreted as a momentary snapshot. Therefore, the results of this study need to be complemented by long-term surveys to maintain their validity.
#BingeDrinking—Using Social Media to Understand College Binge Drinking: Qualitative Study
Authors: Cirillo Madison N , Halbert Jennifer P , Smith Jessica Gomez , Alamiri Nour Sami , Ingersoll Karen S
Published: April 2022

Background

Hazardous drinking among college students persists, despite ongoing university alcohol education and alcohol intervention programs. College students often post comments or pictures of drinking episodes on social media platforms.

Objective

This study aimed to understand one university’s student attitudes toward alcohol use by examining student posts about drinking on social media platforms and to identify opportunities to reduce alcohol-related harm and inform novel alcohol interventions.

Methods

We analyzed social media posts from 7 social media platforms using qualitative inductive coding based on grounded theory to identify the contexts of student drinking and the attitudes and behaviors of students and peers during drinking episodes. We reviewed publicly available social media posts that referenced alcohol, collaborating with undergraduate students to select their most used platforms and develop locally relevant search terms; all posts in our data set were generated by students associated with a specific university. From the codes, we derived themes about student culture regarding alcohol use.

Results

In total, 1151 social media posts were included in this study. These included 809 Twitter tweets, 113 Instagram posts, 100 Greekrank posts, 64 Reddit posts, 34 College Confidential posts, 23 Facebook posts, and 8 YouTube posts. Posts included both implicit and explicit portrayals of alcohol use. Across all types of posts reviewed, positive drinking attitudes were most common, followed by negative and then neutral attitudes, but valence varied by platform. Posts that portrayed drinking positively received positive peer feedback and indicate that drinking is viewed by students as an essential and positive part of university student culture.

Conclusions

Social media provide a real-time picture of students’ behavior during their own and others’ heavy drinking. Posts portray heavy drinking as a normal part of student culture, reinforced by peers’ positive feedback on posts. Interventions for college drinking should help students manage alcohol intake in real time, provide safety information during alcohol use episodes, and raise student awareness of web-based privacy concerns and reputation management. Additional interventions for students, alumni, and parents are needed to address positive attitudes about and traditions of drinking.
Physical Activity in Patients With Heart Failure During and After COVID-19 Lockdown: Single-Center Observational Retrospective Study (Preprint)
Authors: Brasca Francesco Maria Angelo , Casale Maria Carla , Canevese Fabio Lorenzo , Tortora Giovanni , Pagano Giulia , Botto Giovanni Luca
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic forced several European governments to impose severe lockdown measures. The reduction of physical activity during the lockdown could have been deleterious.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this observational, retrospective study was to investigate the effect of the lockdown strategy on the physical activity burden and subsequent reassessment in a group of patients with heart failure who were followed by means of remote monitoring.

METHODS

We analyzed remote monitoring transmissions during the 3-month period immediately preceding the lockdown, 69 days of lockdown, and 3-month period after the first lockdown in a cohort of patients with heart failure from a general hospital in Lombardy, Italy. We compared variation of daily physical activity measured by cardiac implantable electrical devices with clinical variables collected in a hospital database.

RESULTS

We enrolled 41 patients with heart failure that sent 176 transmissions. Physical activity decreased during the lockdown period (mean 3.4, SD 1.9 vs mean 2.9, SD 1.8 hours/day; P<.001) but no significant difference was found when comparing the period preceding and following the lockdown (–0.0007 hours/day; P=.99). We found a significant correlation between physical activity reduction during and after the lockdown (R2=0.45, P<.001). The only significant predictor of exercise variation in the postlockdown period was the lockdown to prelockdown physical activity ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

An excessive reduction of exercise in patients with heart failure decreased the tolerance to exercise, especially in patients with more comorbidities. Remote monitoring demonstrated exercise reduction, suggesting its potential utility to encourage patients to maintain their usual physical activity levels.
Barriers to Telemedicine Video Visits for Older Adults in Independent Living Facilities: Mixed Methods Cross-sectional Needs Assessment (Preprint)
Authors: Mao Alice , Tam Lydia , Xu Audrey , Osborn Kim , Sheffrin Meera , Gould Christine , Schillinger Erika , Martin Marina , Mesias Matthew
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing availability of telemedicine video visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have greater challenges in getting care through telemedicine.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to better understand the barriers to telemedicine in community-dwelling older adults to improve the access to and experience of virtual visits.

METHODS

We conducted a mixed methods needs assessment of older adults at two independent living facilities (sites A and B) in Northern California between September 2020 and March 2021. Voluntary surveys were distributed. Semistructured interviews were then conducted with participants who provided contact information. Surveys ascertained participants’ preferred devices as well as comfort level, support, and top barriers regarding telephonic and video visits. Qualitative analysis of transcribed interviews identified key themes.

RESULTS

Survey respondents’ (N=249) average age was 84.6 (SD 6.6) years, and 76.7% (n=191) of the participants were female. At site A, 88.9% (111/125) had a bachelor’s degree or beyond, and 99.2% (124/125) listed English as their preferred language. At site B, 42.9% (51/119) had a bachelor’s degree or beyond, and 13.4% (16/119) preferred English, while 73.1% (87/119) preferred Mandarin. Regarding video visits, 36.5% (91/249) of all participants felt comfortable connecting with their health care team through video visits. Regarding top barriers, participants at site A reported not knowing how to connect to the platform (30/125, 24%), not being familiar with the technology (28/125, 22.4%), and having difficulty hearing (19/125, 15.2%), whereas for site B, the top barriers were not being able to speak English well (65/119, 54.6%), lack of familiarity with technology and the internet (44/119, 36.9%), and lack of interest in seeing providers outside of the clinic (42/119, 35.3%). Three key themes emerged from the follow-up interviews (n=15): (1) the perceived limitations of video visits, (2) the overwhelming process of learning the technology for telemedicine, and (3) the desire for in-person or on-demand help with telemedicine.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial barriers exist for older adults in connecting with their health care team through telemedicine, particularly through video visits. The largest barriers include difficulty with technology or using the video visit platform, hearing difficulty, language barriers, and lack of desire to see providers virtually. Efforts to improve telemedicine access for older adults should take into account patient perspectives.
Social Robot Interventions in Mental Health Care and Their Outcomes, Barriers, and Facilitators: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Guemghar Imane , Pires de Oliveira Padilha Paula , Abdel-Baki Amal , Jutras-Aswad Didier , Paquette Jesseca , Pomey Marie-Pascale
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The use of social robots as innovative therapeutic tools has been increasingly explored in recent years in an effort to address the growing need for alternative intervention modalities in mental health care.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe social robot interventions in mental health facilities and to highlight their outcomes as well as the barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature published since 2015 was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO databases were searched, and 2239 papers were retrieved. The papers included were primary empirical studies published in peer-reviewed literature. Eligible studies were set in mental health facilities and they included participants with a known mental health disorder. The methodological quality of the included papers was also assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

A total of 30 papers met the eligibility criteria for this review. Studies involved participants with dementia, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and an intellectual disability. The outcomes studied included engagement, social interaction, emotional state, agitation, behavior, and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The methodological weaknesses of the studies conducted this far and the lack of diversity in the conditions studied limit the generalizability of the results. However, despite the presence of certain barriers to their implementation (eg, technical problems, unsuitable environment, staff resistance), social robot interventions generally show positive effects on patients with mental health disorders. Studies of stronger methodological quality are needed to further understand the benefits and the place of social robots in mental health care.
Using Digital Media to Improve Dementia Care in India: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Brijnath Bianca , Baruah Upasana , Antoniades Josefine , Varghese Mathew , Cooper Claudia , Dow Briony , Kent Mike , Loganathan Santosh
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

India is undergoing a demographic transition characterized by population aging and is witnessing a high dementia rate. Although nearly 7 million people live with dementia in India, dementia awareness is poor, and current resources addressing dementia care are basic and often incomplete, duplicated, or conflicting. To address this gap, this study aims to use digital media, which has had a massive technological uptake in India, to improve dementia care in India.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to describe an intervention study design that examines the feasibility and acceptability of Moving Pictures India, a digital media resource to improve dementia care in India.

METHODS

This study employs a mixed methods design and is divided into 4 phases: (1) video interviews with Indian caregivers and health professionals; (2) coproduction of resources; (3) pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT); and (4) dissemination and analytics. The pilot RCT will follow an experimental parallel group design with 2 arms aiming to assess the impact, feasibility, and acceptability of the developed resources. The primary outcome measures for the pilot RCT will be feasibility and acceptability, while the secondary outcome measures will be caregiver burden, mood, and quality of life.

RESULTS

This study received funding from the Alzheimer’s Association in the United States in July 2021. In 2023, we will enroll 60 dementia caregivers (40 caregivers in the intervention arm and 20 in the control) for the pilot RCT. The study has been approved by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Ethics Committee (26th IEC (BEH.SC.DIV.)/2020-21 dated November 11, 2020); the Health Ministry's Screening Committee, India (proposal ID 2020-10137); the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number HRE2020-0735); and the NARI Research Governance Office (site-specific approval dated March 17, 2021).

CONCLUSIONS

This protocol is designed to deliver unique, coproduced, and evidence-based media resources to support caregivers of persons with dementia in India and other countries aiming to utilize digital media for dementia care. If the intervention is found feasible and acceptable, postpiloting analytics and qualitative feedback will be used to develop an implementation trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the potential low-risk high-benefit intervention in practice.

CLINICALTRIAL

Clinical Trials Registry-India CTRI/2021/01/030403; http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=50794

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/38456
Validation of a Conceptual framework to Personalize a Mobile Application for Behavioral Change in the Health Domain: protocol for a cross-sectional study (Preprint)
Authors: Gosetto Laetitia , Pittavino Marta , Falquet Gilles , Ehrler Frédéric
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Although mobile health apps (mHealth) has the potential to motivate people to adopt healthier behaviors, many of them fail to maintain these behavior over time. This long-term adherence can be improved by personalizing the proposed interventions. Based on the literature, we have created a conceptual framework guiding the selection of appropriate functionalities according to the user's profile.

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study aims to check if the relationships linking functionalities and profiles proposed in our conceptual framework are confirmed by the preferences of users collected through questionnaires.

METHODS

An online questionnaire lead participants to discover several functionalities of a mobile app aiming to foster healthier behavior. The participants must select the 5 functionalities they consider as the most relevant to motivate a healthier behavior and evaluate them on a score ranging from 0 to 100.

RESULTS

Data collection was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

This protocol will allow us to define the functionalities that are preferred by users according to their profile according to our conceptual framework.
Designing, developing, evaluating, and Implementing a Smartphone-delivered, rule-based COnVERsational agent (DISCOVER): a conceptual framework (Preprint)
Authors: Dhinagaran Dhakshenya Ardhithy , Martinengo Laura , Ho Moon-Ho Ringo , Joty Shafiq , Kowatsch Tobias , Atun Rifat , Tudor Car Lorainne
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Conversational agents (CAs), also known as chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversations using predetermined rule-based responses or employing artificial intelligent algorithms. They are increasingly used in healthcare, particularly via smartphones. There is, at present no conceptual framework guiding the development of smartphone rule-based CAs in healthcare. To fill this gap we propose structured and tailored guidance for their design, development, evaluation, and implementation.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a conceptual framework for the design, evaluation, and implementation of smartphone-delivered, rule-based, goal-oriented, and text-based CAs for healthcare.

METHODS

We followed Jabareen’s approach to develop this conceptual framework. We performed two literature reviews focusing on healthcare CAs and conceptual frameworks for the development of mHealth interventions. We identified, named, categorized, integrated, and synthesized the information retrieved from the literature reviews to develop the conceptual framework. We then applied this framework by developing a CA and testing it in a feasibility study.

RESULTS

The DISCOVER conceptual framework includes eight iterative steps, grouped into three stages: (1) Design, comprising defining the goal, creating an identity, assembling the team, and selecting the delivery interface, (2) Development, including developing the content and building the conversation flow, and (3) Evaluation and implementation of the CA. They were complemented by two cross-cutting considerations, user-centered design, and privacy & security, that were relevant at all stages. The conceptual framework was successfully applied in the development of a CA to support lifestyle changes and prevent type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Drawing on published evidence, the DISCOVER conceptual framework provides a step-by-step guide to developing rule-based, smartphone-delivered CAs. Further evaluation of this framework in diverse healthcare areas, settings, and for a variety of users is needed to demonstrate its validity. Future research should aim to explore the use of CAs to deliver healthcare interventions, including behavior change and potential privacy and safety concerns.

CLINICALTRIAL

NA