bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulating policy responses to multiple economic shocks: An experiment with combined impacts of COVID‐19 and oil price crash on Kuwait
Authors: Gelan Ayele U. , Al‐Qudsi Sulayman , AlAwadhi Ahmad
Published: April 2023

Researchers and policy‐makers are used to measuring impacts of an economic shock. However, multiple economic shocks generate disruption that are challenging, not just analytically but also in the interpretations of results (Pagan & Robinson, European Economic Review, 145, 2022, 104120). The disruptions come through multiple channels whose impacts were trickier to measure than emanating from those of a single shock. This study develops and applies a framework to conduct simulation experiments with multiple economic shocks. Kuwaiti data were used to simulate multiple economic shocks to the economy originating from the Corona Pandemic and the collapse of oil price, which simultaneously happened during the first quarter of 2020. As an oil exporting country, Kuwait is used to dealing with recurrent changes in oil prices in the world market as a single shock. However, unlike the oil shock, COVID‐19 has many demand and supply shocks, each with separate transmission channels. The objective here is to quantify relative contributions to overall adverse effects on GDP, and then identify policy instruments required to implement a successful recovery. A recursive dynamic economy‐wide model was formulated and calibrated. The results indicate that the GDP effects range from 35% to 11% declines from the baseline scenario depending on effectiveness of policy responses.
Making the case for youth participatory action research opportunities to enhance social developmental scholarship
Authors: Kornbluh Mariah
Published: April 2023

Youth are capable agents with the capacity to engage with and shape issues pertinent to their lives. In the field of social development, we are witnessing an exciting increase in children and adolescent involvement in the research process. Youth‐led participatory action research (YPAR) is one such method, encompassing youth participation in identifying pressing issues within their own communities, collectively gathering, and systematically analyzing data to understand the root causes of such issues, and organizing for social change informed by rigorous empirical evidence. YPAR provides an opportunity to strengthen our understanding of social development processes. Using three illustrative case studies from YPAR projects engaging elementary, high school, and college‐age children and adolescents, I discuss the connections between YPAR as a mechanism for enhancing social developmental research designs, an intervention in and of itself fostering key social‐emotional competencies, and a process for facilitating more equity‐oriented scholarship. The paper concludes with strategies for how researchers new to YPAR may incorporate this practice into their research and key training considerations.
Arbovirus surveillance on the Mexico–USA border: West Nile virus identification in various species of field mosquitoes
Authors: Zuñiga David Mejia , Cime‐Castillo Jorge , Hernandez Laura Moncada , Mendoza Francisco Flores , Bueno Janeth Tapia , Moya Ángel Reyes , Aguirre Julia Rodríguez , Avitia Juan Andrew , González‐Acosta Cassandra , Correa‐Morales Fabian , Valeria Vargas , Lanz‐Mendoza Humberto
Published: April 2023

West Nile virus (WNV) has been documented in human and/or mosquito samples near the border with Mexico in El Paso, Texas, and Doña Ana County, New Mexico. However, on the Mexican side of the border, particularly in the State of Chihuahua, no such cases of WNV‐infected mosquitoes have been documented. We tested 367 mosquitoes of four species (Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. tarsalis, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) epactius) and found a high rate of WNV‐positivity, including the first record of Ae. (Ochlerotatus) epactius infection with WNV. These results call for intensifying WNV surveillance efforts on the border between the United States and Mexico, with particular emphasis on vector control and monitoring of the species included in this study.
Import competition and firm productivity: Evidence from German manufacturing
Authors: Bräuer Richard , Mertens Matthias , Slavtchev Viktor
Published: April 2023

We study how different types of import competition affect firm productivity using firm‐product data from German manufacturing (2000–2014). Competition from high‐income countries causes affected domestic firms to increase their productivity and lower their prices. Oppositely, import competition from low‐wage countries does not lead to firm productivity gains. Instead, domestic firms' sales and input usage decline. Our findings confirm the intuition of ladder models that the effect of competition depends on the “closeness” of competitors. They are in line with widespread X‐inefficiencies throughout the economy, which firms reduce in response to competition from high‐income countries.
Seeing Gaslighting
Authors: DREXLER ELIZABETH F.
Published: April 2023

Extending photovoice methodology, I describe a process of seeing structural injustice through photo‐dialogues. In a collective context where state and society collude in normalizing and extending injustice through both law and systemic gaslighting, the problem of exposing injustice with images involves issues of common sense, language, institutions, and access to various forms of power. “Seeing gaslighting” reveals a process that manipulates perception to obscure systemic inequality and injustice and produce complacency and/or inability to perceive complicity in an unjust system. Photo‐dialogues engage the sensory and affective rather than evidentiary aspect of images of injustice.
The effect of flushing of the common bile duct on hepatobiliary markers and short‐term outcomes in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for the management of gall bladder mucocele: A randomized controlled prospective study
Authors: Hernon Tom L. , Friend Ed J. , Chanoit Guillaume , Black Vicki , Meakin Lee B.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To determine the effect of flushing of the common bile duct (CBD) on hepatobiliary markers and short‐term outcome in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for the management of gallbladder mucocele (GBM).

Study design

Randomized, controlled, prospective study.

Animals

Thirty‐two client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Dogs were allocated randomly to either a “flush” group or a “non‐flush group.” Flushing was performed in a normograde fashion, followed by a routine cholecystectomy. Data collected included presenting clinical signs, preoperative and 3‐day postoperative hepatobiliary markers (alkaline phosphatase, ALP; alanine aminotransferase, ALT; gamma glumatyl‐transferase, GGT; bilirubin; cholesterol; triglycerides), duration of hospitalization, and complications. These data were compared between groups.

Results

Sixteen dogs were enrolled in each group. One dog (in the flush group) was excluded following diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma. Border terriers were overrepresented (20/31). Overall, there were marked reductions from preoperative to 3 days postoperative in serum bilirubin (p = .004), ALP (p = .020), ALT (p < .001), GGT (p = .025), and cholesterol (p < .001) values. There was no difference in any marker between groups. Survival to discharge was 90.3% (28/31 dogs).

Conclusion

Cholestatic markers decreased significantly 3 days postcholecystectomy. No short‐term clinical or clinico‐pathological benefits were identified when flushing the CBD in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for GBM.

Clinical significance

The findings of the study do not support routine flushing of the CBD during cholecystectomy for GBM in dogs.
Prioritising environmental invasive weeds of European concern for classical biological control: A reanalysis
Authors: Lesieur Vincent , Sforza René F. H. , Sheppard Andy W. , Shaw Richard H.
Published: April 2023

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) are causing significant negative impacts on agricultural production, threatened native species and ecosystems, the services they provide and public health thereby affecting European biodiversity and its economy. IAPs invade all types of natural and managed habitat and their impacts, through increased numbers and area invaded, are growing exponentially. Current control options in Europe are largely limited to manual and chemical control, which is high cost, short‐term in effectiveness and with regards to chemical control declining in public acceptability. Globally, classical biological control (CBC) is widely and successfully used to manage many IAPs. CBC aims to redress the ecological imbalance caused by the IAPs, generally being released without their natural enemies. The steps are to select, risk assess potential specific natural enemy biocontrol agents of the IAP (from the IAP's native range) and follow regulatory approval prior to releasing them to ecologically suppress their abundance. CBC is not widely used in Europe. Only five active programmes exist. In this paper, we apply an existing framework to develop a ranked list of environmental IAPs named in the EU Regulation on Invasive Species for biocontrol. We used a scoring system based on existing knowledge on the IAPs impacts, the amount of effort needed to deliver a CBC programme targeting them and the feasibility and likelihood of success of such programmes. We identify 16 IAPs in Europe for which CBC has relatively high potential and discuss existing knowledge that can underpin any future investments in such activities against each of these IAPs. The top three species being Pontederia crassipes, Pistia startiotes and Acacia saligna. This research should support decision‐making on the instigation of future CBC programmes against environmental IAPs in Europe. We set this analysis in the context of other operational and regulatory constraints on developing CBC programmes against environmental IAPs in Europe.
Effectiveness of programs that offer individualized, multifactorial support to community-dwelling older people with ongoing health and social care needs: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Moody Elaine , Jenssen Elliot Paus , McDougall Heather , Weeks Lori E. , Macdonald Marilyn , Langman Erin , McArthur Caitlin , Affoo Rebecca
Published: April 2023

Objective:

The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of programs that offer individualized, multifactorial support to community-dwelling older people with ongoing health and social care needs and to report how these programs affect quality of life and health system outcomes.

Introduction:

As people age, they often have multiple chronic conditions and functional impairment, and as a result, they need support to live well. Nursing homes and other residential facilities provide care for people with such needs; however, they can be expensive and older people generally prefer to remain at home, in their community. There is growing interest in programs that offer individualized, multifactorial support in the community for people with complex health and social care needs.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will focus on the effectiveness of programs that offer individualized, multifactorial support in the community for people over the age of 60 who are identified as having ongoing health and social care needs. The review will assess quality of life and health system outcomes, such as hospital admission.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. Ten databases will be searched for published and unpublished studies. Titles, abstracts, and full-text studies will be screened by 2 or more independent reviewers and assessed for methodological validity using the standard JBI critical assessment tools. Relevant data will be extracted using the JBI data extraction tools. The data will then be synthesized and reported using measures of evidence certainty.

Review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42022324061
Inverse Estimation of Effective Thermal Conductivity of Multilayer Materials Considering Thermal Contact Resistance
Authors: Zhang Chunyun , He Zheng , Lv Jun , Liu Kun , Cui Miao
Published: April 2023

Multilayer materials have been widely used in engineering applications, attributed to excellent thermo-mechanical performances. However, the thermal or mechanical properties of multilayer materials remain elusive, owing to contact behaviors etc. factors. In order to address this issue, an innovative method is employed to estimate the effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of multilayer materials considering thermal contact resistance (TCR) between layers, and the equivalence performance is investigated by solving three-dimensional inverse heat conduction problems. First, the equivalence method is validated by available experimental data of a multilayered insulation composite material. Then, the precision of different equivalence methods is compared, and the results indicate that the anisotropic equivalence method has higher accuracy than the isotropic and orthotropic equivalences for the five-layer material in the present work. Finally, the robustness and stability of the anisotropic equivalence method are evaluated in detail. The present work provides a new alternative method for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of multilayer materials.
Instructions Promoting an External Focus Are More Effective for Altering Impact Forces in Female Runners
Authors: Zajac Jacy , Redman Kelsey , Watkins Emily , Gus Almonroeder Thomas
Published: April 2023

Context: Previous studies have found that instructions promoting an external focus (EF) tend to be more effective for movement pattern retraining compared to instructions promoting an internal focus (IF), for a variety of movement tasks. However, few studies have examined how different types of instructions affect running mechanics associated with running-related injury risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of instructions promoting different attentional foci on impact forces during running. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty uninjured female recreational runners ran at a self-selected speed with their typical pattern (no instructions condition) on an instrumented treadmill that measured ground reaction forces. Next, they were given 2 sets of instructions intended to alter their running pattern; one promoted an IF and the other promoted an EF. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare impact peaks and loading rates across the conditions (no instructions, IF, and EF), with post hoc tests conducted in the case of a significant omnibus test. Results: There were differences among the conditions in the impact peaks (P < .001) and loading rates (P < .001). Impact peaks were lower for the IF (P = .002) and EF (P < .001) conditions compared to the no instructions condition. Loading rates were lower for the EF condition compared to the no instructions (P < .001) and IF (P < .001) conditions; there was no difference between the IF and no instructions conditions (P = .24). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that instructions promoting an EF may be more effective at reducing loading rates during running compared to instructions promoting an IF. Clinicians should consider these findings when attempting to retrain a runner’s running pattern.
Creativity Is Contextual: A Narrative Review of Motor Creativity Tests From an Ecological Perspective
Authors: Lee Yi-Shin , Iodice Pierpaolo , Komar John
Published: April 2023

This narrative review seeks to compare the various ways in which motor creativity has been measured and to critically evaluate those methods within the context of our contemporary understanding of motor creativity. Eligible studies included those of any study design, experimental or observational, as long as motor creativity was measured. Three databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) were searched from the earliest possible start dates to December 2021. No risk of bias assessment was performed as the study outcomes were not the focus of the review. After screening for eligibility, 23 articles were included for review, all having measured motor creativity. Of the 23 articles, 16 measured generic motor creativity, while the remaining seven measured task-specific motor creativity. Furthermore, 16 of the studies tested motor creativity with largely static environmental constraints, while the remaining seven were conducted with dynamic environmental constraints. Using a contemporary understanding of motor creativity, most motor creativity tests presently do not possess sufficient task specificity and environmental dynamism, which may not provide an appropriate context for the emergence of creative motor action.
Targeting BRD3 eradicates nuclear TYRO3-induced colorectal cancer metastasis
Authors: Hsu Pei-Ling , Chien Chun-Wei , Tang Yen-An , Lin Bo-Wen , Lin Shih-Chieh , Lin Yi-Syuan , Chen Sih-Yu , Sun H. Sunny , Tsai Shaw-Jenq
Published: April 2023

Metastasis is the main cause of death in many cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for metastatic progression remain largely unknown. We found that nuclear TYRO3 receptor tyrosine kinase is a strong predictor of poor overall survival in patients with CRC. The metastasis-promoting function of nuclear TYRO3 requires its kinase activity and matrix metalloproteinase–2 (MMP-2)–mediated cleavage but is independent of ligand binding. Using proteomic analysis, we identified bromodomain-containing protein 3 (BRD3), an acetyl-lysine reading epigenetic regulator, as one of nuclear TYRO3’s substrates. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing data reveal that TYRO3-phosphorylated BRD3 regulates genes involved in anti-apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Inhibition of MMP-2 or BRD3 activity by selective inhibitors abrogates nuclear TYRO3-induced drug resistance and metastasis in organoid culture and in orthotopic mouse models. These data demonstrate that MMP-2/TYRO3/BRD3 axis promotes the metastasis of CRC, and blocking this signaling cascade is a promising approach to ameliorate CRC malignancy.
Attosecond photoionization delays in the vicinity of molecular Feshbach resonances
Authors: Borràs Vicent J. , González-Vázquez Jesús , Argenti Luca , Martín Fernando
Published: April 2023

Temporal delays extracted from photoionization phases are currently determined with attosecond resolution by using interferometric methods. Such methods require special care when photoionization occurs near Feshbach resonances due to the interference between direct ionization and autoionization. Although theory can accurately handle these interferences in atoms, in molecules, it has to face an additional, so far insurmountable problem: Autoionization is slow, and nuclei move substantially while it happens, i.e., electronic and nuclear motions are coupled. Here, we present a theoretical framework to account for this effect and apply it to evaluate time-resolved and vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra and photoionization phases of N
2
irradiated by a combination of an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) attosecond pulse train and an infrared pulse. We show that Feshbach resonances lead to unusual non–Franck-Condon vibrational progressions and to ionization phases that strongly vary with photoelectron energy irrespective of the vibrational state of the remaining molecular cation.
Milk-derived extracellular vesicles protect intestinal barrier integrity in the gut-liver axis
Authors: Tong Lingjun , Zhang Sitong , Liu Qiqi , Huang Chenyuan , Hao Haining , Tan Michelle Siying , Yu Xiaodong , Lou Charles Kang Liang , Huang Rong , Zhang Zhe , Liu Tongjie , Gong Pimin , Ng Cheng Han , Muthiah Mark , Pastorin Giorgia , Wacker Matthias Gerhard , Chen Xiaoyuan , Storm Gert , Lee Cheun Neng , Zhang Lanwei , Yi Huaxi , Wang Jiong-Wei
Published: April 2023

Milk-derived extracellular vesicles (mEVs) have been proposed as a potential nanomedicine for intestinal disorders; however, their impact on intestinal barrier integrity in gut inflammation and associated metabolic diseases has not been explored yet. Here, mEVs derived from bovine and human breast milk exert similar protective effects on epithelial tight junction functionality in vitro, survive harsh gastrointestinal conditions ex vivo, and reach the colon in vivo. Oral administration of mEVs restores gut barrier integrity at multiple levels, including mucus, epithelial, and immune barriers, and prevents endotoxin translocation into the liver in chemical-induced experimental colitis and diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), thereby alleviating gut disorders, their associated liver inflammation, and NASH. Oral administration of mEVs has potential in the treatment of gut inflammation and gut-liver axis–associated metabolic diseases via protection of intestinal barrier integrity.
Reversible adhesives with controlled wrinkling patterns for programmable integration and discharging
Authors: Zhou Yi , Yang Lunan , Liu Zhen , Sun Yang , Huang Junfei , Liu Bingcheng , Wang Quan , Wang Leyu , Miao Yong , Xing Malcolm , Hu Zhiqi
Published: April 2023

Switchable and minimally invasive tissue adhesives have great potential for medical applications. However, on-demand adherence to and detachment from tissue surfaces remain difficult. We fabricated a switchable hydrogel film adhesive by designing pattern-tunable wrinkles to control adhesion. When adhered to a substrate, the compressive stress generated from the bilayer system leads to self-similar wrinkling patterns at short and long wavelengths, regulating the interfacial adhesion. To verify the concept and explore its application, we established a random skin flap model, which is a crucial strategy for repairing severe or large-scale wounds. Our hydrogel adhesive provides sufficient adhesion for tissue sealing and promotes neovascularization at the first stage, and then gradually detaches from the tissue while a dynamic wrinkling pattern transition happens. The gel film can be progressively ejected out from the side margins after host-guest integration. Our findings provide insights into tunable bioadhesion by manipulating the wrinkling pattern transition.
Soft and lightweight fabric enables powerful and high-range pneumatic actuation
Authors: Zhang Zhuang , Long Yongzhou , Chen Genliang , Wu Qichen , Wang Hao , Jiang Hanqing
Published: April 2023

Soft structures and actuation allow robots, conventionally consisting of rigid components, to perform more compliant, adaptive interactions similar to living creatures. Although numerous functions of these types of actuators have been demonstrated in the literature, their hyperelastic designs generally suffer from limited workspaces and load-carrying capabilities primarily due to their structural stretchability factor. Here, we describe a series of pneumatic actuators based on soft but less stretchable fabric that can simultaneously perform tunable workspace and bear a high payload. The motion mode of the actuator is programmable, combinable, and predictable and is informed by rapid response to low input pressure. A robotic gripper using three fabric actuators is also presented. The gripper demonstrates a grasping force of over 150 N and a grasping range from 70 to 350 millimeters. The design concept and comprehensive guidelines presented would provide design and analysis foundations for applying less stretchable yet soft materials in soft robots to further enhance their practicality.
Haynes-Shockley experiment analogs in surface and optoelectronics: Tunable surface electric field extracting nearly all photocarriers
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Almenabawy Sara , Kherani Nazir P.
Published: April 2023

Photocarriers predominantly recombine at semiconductor surfaces and interfaces, assuming high bulk carrier lifetime. Consequently, understanding the extraction of photocarriers via surfaces is critical to optoelectronics. Here, we propose Haynes-Shockley experiment analogs to investigate photocarrier surface extraction. A Schottky junction is used to tune the silicon near-surface electric field strength that varies over several orders of magnitude and simultaneously observe variations in broadband photocarrier extraction. Schottky barrier height and surface potential are both modulated. Work function tunable indium tin oxide (ITO) is developed to precisely regulate the barrier height and collect photocarriers at 0 V bias, thus avoiding the photocurrent gain effect. All experiments demonstrate >98% broadband internal quantum efficiency. The experiments are further extended to wave interference photonic crystals and random pyramids, paving a way to estimate the photogeneration rate of diverse surface light-trapping topologies by collecting nearly all photocarriers. The insights reported here provide a systematic experimental basis to investigate interfacial effects on photocarrier spatial generation and collection.
Momentum-dependent sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy of bonded interface layer at charged water interfaces
Authors: Hsiao Yao , Chou Ting-Han , Patra Animesh , Wen Yu-Chieh
Published: April 2023

Interface-specific hydrogen (H)–bonding network of water directly controls the energy transfer and chemical reaction pathway at many charged aqueous interfaces, yet to characterize these bonded water layer structures remains a challenge. We now develop a sum-frequency spectroscopic scheme with varying photon momenta as an all-optic solution for retrieving the vibrational spectra of the bonded water layer and the ion diffuse layer and, hence, microscopic structural and charging information about an interface. Application of the method to a model surfactant-water interface reveals a hidden weakly donor H-bonded water species, suggesting an asymmetric hydration-shell structure of fully solvated surfactant headgroups. In another application to a zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine lipid monolayer–water interface, we find a highly polarized bonded water layer structure associating to the phosphatidylcholine headgroup, while the diffuse layer contribution is experimentally proven to be negligible. Our all-optic method offers an in situ microscopic probe of electrochemical and biological interfaces and the route toward future imaging and ultrafast dynamics studies.
Impact of Polymicrobial Infection on Fitness of Streptococcus gordonii
In Vivo
Authors: Pandey Satya D. , Perpich John D. , Stocke Kendall S. , Mansfield Jillian M. , Kikuchi Yuichiro , Yakoumatos Lan , Muszyński Artur , Azadi Parastoo , Tettelin Hervé , Whiteley Marvin , Uriarte Silvia M. , Bagaitkar Juhi , Vickerman Margaret , Lamont Richard J.
Published: April 2023

Bacteria responsible for diseases originating at oral mucosal membranes assemble into polymicrobial communities. However, we know little regarding the fitness determinants of the organisms that initiate community formation.
Genomic Epidemiology of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in New Caledonia
Authors: Tessier Eve , Hennart Melanie , Badell Edgar , Passet Virginie , Toubiana Julie , Biron Antoine , Gourinat Ann-Claire , Merlet Audrey , Colot Julien , Brisse Sylvain
Published: April 2023

The analysis of
C. diphtheriae
from the tropical archipelago of New Caledonia revealed a high genetic diversity with sublineages that may be linked to Polynesia, Australia, or metropolitan France. Genomic typing allowed confirming or excluding suspected transmission events among cases and contacts.
Opening of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean and rifting of the Lhasa terrane from Gondwana: Insights from early Carboniferous magmatism in southern Tibet
Authors: Wang Bin , Xie Chao-Ming , Yakymchuk Chris , Dong Yong-Sheng , Song Yu-Hang , Duan Meng-Long
Published: April 2023

The late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Lhasa terrane and opening of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean remain controversial due to limited data and the ambiguous tectonic significance of Paleozoic magmatism in the southern Lhasa subterrane. Here, we explore the petrogenesis of meta-basalt from the Tangjia area and meta-gabbro from the Sumdo area to provide new constraints on the evolution of the Lhasa terrane. The geochemical characteristics of meta-gabbro are similar to those of oceanic island basalt and have positive whole-rock εNd(t) values (+0.08 to +1.03) and zircon εHf(t) values (+3.4 to +4.9), which suggests that they originated from asthenospheric mantle with minor contributions from lithospheric mantle in an intracontinental rift setting. The meta-basalt yields positive whole-rock εNd(t) values (+6.47 to +6.60) and zircon εHf(t) values (+14.2 to +15.2) and has enriched mid-oceanic-ridge−like geochemical characteristics; we suggest that the meta-basalt was sourced from the depleted mantle and interacted with enriched components in an initial oceanic basin setting. Zircon U−Pb geochronology of meta-basalt and meta-gabbro yielded crystallization ages of ca. 338 Ma and ca. 345 Ma, respectively. We suggest that the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean opened in the early Carboniferous. Negative buoyancy of Paleo-Tethys oceanic slab during subduction toward Eurasia drove the opening of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Given that the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean was a limited oceanic basin, the Lhasa terrane was not completely separated from the northern margin of Gondwana before the Permian.
Supplemental Material: Silica botryoids from chemically oscillating reactions and as Precambrian environmental proxies
Authors: Varkouhi Shahab , Papineau Dominic
Published: April 2023

Materials and methods, Figures S1–S4, and Table S1.  
Mental health issues and illness and substance use disorder (non-)disclosure to a supervisor: a cross-sectional study on beliefs, attitudes and needs of military personnel
Authors: Bogaers Rebecca , Geuze Elbert , van Weeghel Jaap , Leijten Fenna , van de Mheen D , Greenberg N , Rozema A D , Brouwers Evelien
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Research suggests that military personnel frequently delay disclosing mental health issues and illness (MHI), including substance use disorder, to supervisors. This delay causes missed opportunities for support and workplace accommodations which may help to avoid adverse occupational outcomes. The current study aims to examine disclosure-related beliefs, attitudes and needs, to create a better understanding of personnel’s disclosure decision making.

Design

A cross-sectional questionnaire study among military personnel with and without MHI. Beliefs, attitudes and needs regarding the (non-)disclosure decision to a supervisor were examined, including factors associated with (non-)disclosure intentions and decisions. Descriptive and regression (logistic and ordinal) analyses were performed.

Setting

The study took place within the Dutch military.

Participants

Military personnel with MHI (n=324) and without MHI (n=554) were participated in this study.

Outcome measure

(Non-)disclosure intentions and decisions.

Results

Common beliefs and attitudespro non-disclosurewere the preference to solve one’s own problems (68.3%), the preference for privacy (58.9%) and a variety of stigma-related concerns. Common beliefs and attitudespro disclosurewere that personnel wanted to be their true authentic selves (93.3%) and the desire to act responsibly towards work colleagues (84.5%). The most reported need for future disclosure (96.8%) was having a supervisor who shows an understanding for MHI. The following factors were associated both with non-disclosure intentions and decisions: higher preference for privacy (OR (95% CI))=(1.99 (1.50 to 2.65)intention, 2.05 (1.12 to 3.76)decision) and self-management (OR (95% CI))=(1.64 (1.20 to 2.23)intention, 1.79 (1.00 to 3.20)decision), higher stigma-related concerns (OR (95% CI))=(1.76 (1.12 to 2.77)intention, 2.21 (1.02 to 4.79)decision) and lower quality of supervisor–employee relationship (OR (95% CI))=(0.25 (0.15 to 0.42)intention, 0.47 (0.25 to 0.87)decision).

Conclusion

To facilitate (early-)disclosure to a supervisor, creating opportunities for workplace support, interventions should focus on decreasing stigma and discrimination and align with personnels’ preference for self-management. Furthermore, training is needed for supervisors on how to recognise, and effectively communicate with, personnel with MHI. Focus should also be on improving supervisor–employee relationships.
Societal volunteering and COVID-19 mortality in high-income countries: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Schiltz Fritz , Van Remoortel Hans , Scheers Hans , Vandekerckhove Philippe
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This study aims to quantify the relationship between societal volunteering and the impact of COVID-19 in that society.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting, participants and outcome measure

Data on societal volunteering were collected for 32 high-income countries (international analysis) and 50 US states (US analysis). Using regression analysis, the ability of this variable to explain COVID-19 mortality was compared with other variables put forward in the public debate (eg, vaccination rate, obesity, age). COVID-19 mortality was measured as the number of deaths due to COVID-19 per million inhabitants, from January 2020 until January 2022.

Results

Societal volunteering explains 43% (resp. 34%) of observed variation in COVID-19 mortality (R²) in the international (resp. US states) analysis. Compared with other variables, societal volunteering better explains the variation in COVID-19 mortality across countries and US states, with only the prevalence of smokers displaying a higher R² in the international analysis.

Conclusions

Countries and states with more societal volunteering have been less impacted by COVID-19, even after accounting for differences in demographics, gross domestic product, healthcare investments and vaccination rates. Although this evidence is not causal, our findings suggest that factors beyond the public-private debate might impact the resilience of societies to a pandemic, with societal volunteering being one such factor.
Tobacco use by sexual and gender minorities: findings from a Brazilian national survey
Authors: Carvalho Aline Mesquita , Bertoni Neilane , Coutinho Carolina , Bastos Francisco Inacio , Fonseca Vania de Matos
Published: April 2023

Objective

The study aims to identify the prevalence of use of tobacco products by sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in Brazil, the users’ profile and associations between tobacco use and social and behavioural variables.

Methodology

The study used data from a representative nationwide household survey of the Brazilian population aged 12–65 years—the first one to address the issue of sexual orientation/gender identity. The study sample consisted of 15 801 individuals. Social and behavioural characteristics and the use of tobacco products were compared according to sexual orientation/gender identity. A multivariate logistic model was constructed to assess the association between tobacco use and sexual orientation/gender identity, as well as models stratified by SGM and non-SGM.

Results

Prevalence of any tobacco product use was 44.7% among SGM and 17.0% among non-SGM. Water pipe use was ~8 times higher for SGM than for non-SGM (13.5% vs 1.6%). SGM tobacco users were younger and had more schooling than non-SGM tobacco users. After adjusting for social and behavioural variables, the multivariate model showed that SGM were 150% more likely to use tobacco products than non-SGM (adjusted OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.61 to 3.95). In the model for SGM, schooling, alcohol consumption, illicit drug consumption, violence and anxiety/depression were significantly associated with tobacco use.

Conclusion

Prevalence of tobacco use among SGM was higher than among non-SGM, and the profile of tobacco users differed between them. It is urgent to monitor health issues in SGM in Brazil and to adopt tobacco control strategies for this group.
Assessment of the quality of services of reception with risk classification in obstetrics: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Oliveira Dannielly Azevedo de , Medeiros Joyanne de Souza , Cabral Beatriz Tavina Viana , Lira Lisboa Lilian , Nobre Thaiza Teixeira Xavier
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Quality assessment in the context of maternal health services in Brazil has been the object of study due to maternal mortality rates that remain high in the country, in addition to the high costs of healthcare and the increased level of complexity in care. To change this situation, several strategies have been proposed to improve care for women. One of them is the improvement of women’s access to maternal and child services through the Reception with Obstetric Risk Classification (ACCRO).

Objective

To map and synthesise scientific evidence in the literature of studies that assess the quality of ACCRO services from the perspective of users, professionals and managers, as well as map tools that assess the quality of these services and their results.

Method and analysis

It is a scoping protocol that follows the method recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute, other authors and guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The Population, Concept and Context strategy will systematise the search in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, SCOPUS and Web of Science and PsycINFO databases. For the grey literature search: Google Scholar, Theses and Dissertations Bank of the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology, Federated Network of Institutional Repositories of Scientific Publications, Online Theses Electronic Service, Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal, Academic Archive Online. Searches and application of selection criteria will be performed according to the PRISMA-ScR flow approach. The articles will be selected from the Web Rayyan platform, the results will be analysed and presented in a narrative and thematically organised way. This scoping review is expected to contribute to the feasibility of assessing the quality of ACCRO services.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required. Results will be disseminated through professional networks, conference presentations and publication in a scientific journal. This protocol has been registered with OSF (https://osf.io/sp5df).
Examining the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: an international cross-sectional study protocol
Authors: Tanveer Sandila , Schluter Philip J , Porter Richard J , Boden Joseph , Beaglehole Ben , Sulaiman-Hill Ruqayya , Dean Shaystah , Bell Romana , Al-Hussainni Wafaa N , Arshi Maliheh , Amer Nordin Amer Siddiq , Dinç Mehmet , Khan Mussarat Jabeen , Khoshnami Mohammad Sabzi , Majid Al-Masoodi Muthana A , Moghanibashi-Mansourieh Amir , Noruzi Sara , Rahajeng Anggi , Shaikh Shaista , Tanveer Nisa , Topçu Feyza , Yapan Saadet , Yunianto Irfan , Zoellner Lori A , Bell Caroline
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed people to significant and prolonged stress. The psychosocial impacts of the pandemic have been well recognised and reported in high-income countries (HICs) but it is important to understand the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where limited international comparisons have been undertaken. This protocol was therefore devised to study the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in seven LMICs using scales that had been designed for or translated for this purpose.

Methods and analysis

This cross-sectional study uses an online survey to administer a novel COVID Psychosocial Impacts Scale (CPIS) alongside established measures of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, well-being and post-traumatic growth in the appropriate language. Participants will include adults aged 18 years and above, recruited from Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia and Turkey, with a pragmatic target sample size of 500 in each country.

Data will be analysed descriptively on sociodemographic and study variables. In addition, CPIS will be analysed psychometrically (for reliability and validity) to assess the suitability of use in a given context. Finally, within-subjects and between-subjects analyses will be carried out using multi-level mixed-effect models to examine associations between key sociodemographic and study variables.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted by the Human Ethics Committee, University of Otago, New Zealand (Ref. No. 21/102). In addition, international collaborators obtained local authorisation or ethical approval in their respective host universities before data collection commenced.

Participants will give informed consent before taking part. Data will be collected and stored securely on the University of Otago, New Zealand Qualtrics platform using an auto-generated non-identifiable letter-number string. Data will be available on reasonable request. Findings will be disseminated by publications in scientific journals and/or conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT05052333.
Efficacy of dopamine, epinephrine and blood transfusion for treatment of fluid refractory shock in children with severe acute malnutrition or severe underweight and cholera or other dehydrating diarrhoeas: protocol for a randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Sarmin Monira , Shaly Nusrat Jahan , Sultana Tania , Tariqujjaman Md. , Shikha Shamima Sharmin , Mariam Nafisa , Jeorge Didarul Haque , Tabassum Mosharrat , Nahar Baitun , Afroze Farzana , Shahrin Lubaba , Hossain Md. Iqbal , Alam Baharul , Faruque Abu Syed Golam , Islam M Munirul , Osmany Din-E-Mujahid Mohammad Faruqe , Ahmed Chaudhury Meshkat , Manji Karim , Kissoon Niranjan , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of under-5 childhood mortality and accounts for 8% of 5.4 million global under-5 deaths. In severely malnourished children, diarrhoea progresses to shock, where the risk of mortality is even higher. At icddr,b Dhaka Hospital, the fatality rate is as high as 69% in children with severe malnutrition and fluid refractory septic shock. To date, no study has evaluated systematically the effects of inotrope or vasopressor or blood transfusion in children with dehydrating diarrhoea (eg, in cholera) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) or severe underweight who are in shock and unresponsive to WHO-recommended fluid therapy. To reduce the mortality of severely malnourished children presenting with diarrhoea and fluid refractory shock, we aim to compare the efficacy of blood transfusion, dopamine and epinephrine in fluid refractory shock in children who do not respond to WHO-recommended fluid resuscitation.

Methods and analysis

In this randomised, three-arm, controlled, non-masked clinical trial in children 1–59 months old with SAM or severe underweight and fluid refractory shock, we will compare the efficacy of dopamine or epinephrine administration versus blood transfusion in children who failed to respond to WHO-recommended fluid resuscitation. The primary outcome variable is the case fatality rate. The effect of the intervention will be assessed by performing an intention-to-treat analysis. Recruitment and data collection began in July 2021 and are now ongoing. Results are expected by May 2023.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the icddr,b Institutional Review Board. We adhere to the ‘Declaration of Helsinki’ (2000), guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Before enrolment, we collect signed informed consent from the parents or caregivers of the children. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal and will arrange a dissemination seminar.

Trial registration number

NCT04750070.
Syndemic of factors that shape the early lives of women who enter into sex work: a qualitative methods study from Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Shah Pooja , Beattie Tara S , Kabuti Rhoda , Liku Jennifer , Kung'u Mary , Babu Hellen , Jama Zaina ,   The Maisha Fiti Study Champions, Kaul Rupert , Weiss Helen Anne , Kyegombe Nambusi , Medley Graham F , Devries Karen , Gafos Mitzy , Nyariki Emily , Kimani Joshua , Seeley Janet
Published: April 2023

Objective

To explore the structural and social co-factors that shape the early lives of women who enter sex work in Nairobi, Kenya.

Design

Thematic analysis of qualitative data collected as part of the Maisha Fiti study among female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi.

Participants and measures

FSWs aged 18–45 years were randomly selected from seven Sex Workers Outreach Programme clinics in Nairobi and participated in baseline behavioural–biological surveys. Participants in this qualitative study were randomly selected from the Maisha Fiti study cohort and were interviewed between October 2019 and July 2020. Women described their lives from childhood, covering topics including sex work, violence and financial management.

Results

48 out of 1003 Maisha Fiti participants participated in the in-depth qualitative interviews. FSWs described how physical and sexual violence, poverty and incomplete education in their childhood and adolescence intertwined with early pregnancy, marriage, intimate partner violence and relationship breakdown in their adolescence and early adulthood. The data analysis found clear syndemic relationships between these risk factors, particularly childhood violence, poverty and incomplete education and highlighted pathways leading to financial desperation and caring for dependents, and subsequent entry into sex work. Women perceived sex work as risky and most would prefer alternative work if possible, but it provided them with some financial independence and agency.

Conclusions

This is the first study in Kenya to qualitatively explore the early lives of sex workers from a syndemic perspective. This method identified the pivotal points of (1) leaving school early due to poverty or pregnancy, (2) breakdown of early intimate relationships and (3) women caring for dependents on their own. Complex, multi-component structural interventions before these points could help increase school retention, reduce teenage pregnancy, tackle violence, support young mothers and reduce entry into sex work and the risk that it entails by expanding livelihood options.