bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring impacts of microplastic treatments via image recognition on immobilised particles below 100 μm
Authors: Lenz Robin , Enders Kristina , Fischer Franziska , Brandt Josef , Fischer Dieter , Labrenz Matthias 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe treatment of samples for microplastic (MP) analysis requires purification steps that sufficiently reduce the non-MP content while preserving the targeted particles integrity. Besides their macromolecular structure this also encompasses their in situ numbers and sizes. However, any step of sample manipulation will come at a cost: particle loss, fragmentation, coagulation or degradation may lead to distorted results, predominantly in the smaller fraction of the MP size range. Therefore, the evaluation of MP resistivity against applied methods such as chemical digestions is a vital criterion for obtaining meaningful results on MP content of a sample. We developed a framework to test the applicability of MP purification methods and apply it to four protocols commonly used to prepare environmental samples for MP particle identification. The approach was designed for MP particles being too small to be handled manually (i.e. 10–70 μm). The evaluation consists of a two-tiered assay: a simple particle suspension approach is used to confirm a post-treatment qualitative recognisability of the target polymers by the analysis method of choice (here Raman and FTIR). In a following quantitative part, immobilised particles are used to evaluate the preservation of particle numbers and areas after the treatment on an individual particle level. A Python image analysis package was written that identifies, matches and measures particles on pairs of pre- and post-treatment images, and is available as open source software. Our results show that the chemical digestions using hydrogen peroxide, cooled Fenton’s and a combined alkaline / oxidative treatment using potassium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite are suitable methods for preparing MP samples for a microspectroscopic analyses. Also acidic sodium polytungstate solution used for MP density separations and a pentane based protocol for lipid removal were found applicable for small sized MP. Certain degradative effects were found when acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is exposed to acidic treatments, as well as for MP from acrylate and epoxy based paint resins in strong oxidative regimes. Several paint resins tested here were spectroscopically not identifiable by polymer attributed bands even before treatment, indicating that these materials might slip through analyses of environmental samples and consequently being underreported. We conclude that evaluating chemical treatment procedures on MP < 100 μm is feasible, despite limitations of the current methodology which we discuss. Our results provide more certainty on the tested methods for MP studies specifically targeting small sizes and should be extended for more protocols used in MP laboratory practises.
An SR protein is essential for activating DNA repair in malaria parasites
Authors: Goyal Manish , Singh Brajesh Kumar , Simantov Karina , Kaufman Yotam , Eshar Shiri , Dzikowski Ron 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of human malaria, replicates within the erythrocytes of its host, where it encounters numerous pressures that cause extensive DNA damage, which must be repaired efficiently to ensure parasite survival. Malaria parasites, which have lost the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks, have evolved unique mechanisms that enable them to robustly maintain genome integrity under such harsh conditions. However, the nature of these adaptations is unknown. We show that a highly conserved RNA splicing factor, P. falciparum (Pf)SR1, plays an unexpected and crucial role in DNA repair in malaria parasites. Using an inducible and reversible system to manipulate PfSR1 expression, we demonstrate that this protein is recruited to foci of DNA damage. Although loss of PfSR1 does not impair parasite viability, the protein is essential for their recovery from DNA-damaging agents or exposure to artemisinin, the first-line antimalarial drug, demonstrating its necessity for DNA repair. These findings provide key insights into the evolution of DNA repair pathways in malaria parasites as well as the ability of the parasite to recover from antimalarial treatment.
Knowledge and education to inform evidence-based practice in gastrointestinal nursing: a scoping review
Authors: Munnelly Stacey , Howard Victoria , Hall Veronica , Richardson James , Kirkbride Matthew 
Published: July 2021

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) nursing incorporates a plethora of specialisms, involving caring for patients with complex pathologies requiring specialist management and nursing care. GI nurses work across a range of clinical areas and have differing levels of knowledge and skill. However, there are gaps in knowledge specific to GI nursing, and there are barriers to education and evidence-based practice (EBP). Innovative educational strategies and the recent development of competency frameworks, such as those for endoscopy and hepatology nursing, have paved the way for other sub-specialisms, yet the different approaches to upskill the workforce require investigation. Aims: This article aims to identify the breadth and depth of research regarding the knowledge and educational needs of GI nurses and to understand the best approach to education and EBP. Methods: A scoping review was performed using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. A search was conducted in two bibliographic databases and across relevant UK organisations. Findings: The database search identified 31 relevant papers published from 2010 to 2021. The studies varied in purpose, method and recommendations, but all reported consistent results, specifically that GI nurses' knowledge requires attention. Many ways were proposed to assess learning needs and educational strategies to improve knowledge and EBP. Conclusion: GI nurses' knowledge requires development, to improve both the confidence and clinical practice of nurses and the experiences and clinical outcomes of patients. The educational and development requirements of GI nurses vary across a wide spectrum of needs and draw on a vast range of resources and evidence bases. Solutions do not need to be expensive or time consuming and can be practical, making use of existing resources and delivered at local, regional and national levels. At the same time, to deliver true EBP, nurses must develop the critical analysis skills required to locate, appraise and organise evidence, interpreting it into the practicalities for decision making. Future researchers should consider exploration of the instruments used to measure EBP and the competence of GI nurses, to evaluate the effectiveness of different educational models and assist educators in the development and refinement of specialist educational programmes.
Comparative Analysis of the Process of Training Education Managers in Educational Institutions
Authors: Kusainov Askarbek K. , Yessenova Kamchat A. , Kassymova Roza S. , Moldassan Kuanysh S. , Sembayeva Ardak M. 
Published: July 2021

Context: A significant part of future specialists receive only practical skills without formal practical exam situation. In this regard, there is a need to train a manager who can adapt and be ready to carry out his/her activities in a specific profile interaction. The aim of the experimental study was to develop and test the advanced working hypothesis about the possibility of effective formation of readiness for future self-realisation of future education managers.Approach: The work uses mathematical methods for testing the hypothesis of testing the readiness of education managers with verification of competency type.Findings: The novelty of the study is determined by what the authors are considering "the possibility of training a manager in accordance" including not only the standards for the provision of educational services to the population, but also the possibility of introducing world-class training standards. The authors show that the basis for such a development may be the readiness to work in a globalised environment. The dynamics of changes in the indicators of the levels of readiness for professional self-realization of students studying in the control and experimental groups from the first to the fourth year were compiled and recorded. The methodology of vocational training of students for the purpose of their self-realisation during training has been specified. The practical significance of the study is determined by the fact that integration with the global educational environment should be based on international standards for the provision of educational services. Conclusion: The results of this research can be useful and interesting to international readers, as the parameters of educational and methodological support have been developed and tested, which contains a set of situational exercises to form readiness for professional self-realisation for future education managers. Also, the conducted analysis indicated serious problems with the employment of university graduates both in the Republic of Kazakhstan and in the Republic of Lithuania.
Single-frequency integrated laser on erbium-doped lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Xiao Zeyu , Wu Kan , Cai Minglu , Li Tieying , Chen Jianping 
Published: July 2021

The erbium-doped lithium niobate on insulator (Er:LNOI) platform has great promise in the application of telecommunication, microwave photonics, and quantum photonics, due to its excellent electro-optic, piezo-electric, nonlinear nature, as well as the gain characteristics in the telecommunication C-band. Here, we report a single-frequency Er:LNOI integrated laser based on a dual-cavity structure. Facilitated by the Vernier effect and gain competition, the single-frequency laser can operate stably at 1531 nm wavelength with a 1484 nm pump laser. The output laser has a power of 0.31 µW, a linewidth of 1.2 MHz, and a side mode suppression ratio of 31 dB. Our work allows the direct integration of this laser source with existing LNOI components and paves the way for a fully integrated LNOI system.
Effects of diaphragmatic control on multiparametric analysis of the sniff nasal inspiratory pressure test and inspiratory muscle activity in healthy subjects
Authors: Benício Kadja , Resqueti Vanessa R. , Dias Fernando A. L. , Pennati Francesca , Aliverti Andrea , Medeiros da Fonseca Jéssica Danielle , Fregonezi Guilherme A. F. 
Published: July 2021

Background
We investigated the influence of diaphragmatic activation control (diaphC) on the relaxation rate, contractile properties and electrical activity of the inspiratory muscles of healthy subjects. Assessments were performed non-invasively using the sniff inspiratory pressure test (SNIP) and surface electromyography, respectively.

Methods
Twenty-two subjects (10 men and 12 women) performed 10 sniff maneuvers in two different days: with and without diaphC instructions. For the SNIP test with diaphC, the subjects were instructed to perform intense activation of the diaphragm. The tests with the best SNIP values were used for analysis.

Results
The maneuver with diaphC when compared to the maneuver without diaphC exhibited significant lower values for: SNIP (p <0.01), maximum relaxation rate (MRR) (p <0.01), maximum rate of pressure development (MRPD) (p <0.01), contraction times (CT) (p = 0.02) and electrical activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) (p <0.01), scalene (SCL) (p = 0.01) and intercostal (CI) (p = 0.03) muscles. In addition, the decay constant (tau, τ) and relaxation time (½ RT) did not present any changes.

Conclusion
The diaphragmatic control performed during the SNIP test influences the inspiratory pressure and the contractile properties of inspiratory muscles. This occurs due to changes in the pattern of muscle recruitment, which change force velocity characteristics of the test. Thus, instruction on diaphC should be encouraged for better performance of the SNIP test and for evaluation targeting the diaphragm muscle activity.
Electronic patient-reported outcome measures using mobile health technology in rheumatology: A scoping review
Authors: Shelton Jaclyn , Casey Sierra , Puhl Nathan , Buckingham Jeanette , Yacyshyn Elaine 
Published: July 2021

Objective
This scoping review aims to characterize the current literature on electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) in rheumatology and assess the feasibility and utility of ePROMs and mobile health technology in the management of rheumatic disease.

Introduction
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used in rheumatology as they are important markers of disease activity and overall function, encourage shared decision-making, and are associated with high rates of patient satisfaction. With the widespread use of mobile devices, there is increasing interest in the use of mobile health technology to collect electronic PROMs (ePROM).

Inclusion criteria
All primary studies that involve the collection of ePROMs using mobile devices by individuals with a rheumatic disease were included. Articles were excluded if ePROMs were measured during clinic appointments.

Methods
A scoping review was performed using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL with index terms and key words related to “patient-reported outcome measures”, “rheumatic diseases”, and “mobile health technology”.

Results
A total of 462 records were identified after duplicates were removed. Of the 70 studies selected for review, 43% were conference proceedings and 57% were journal articles, with the majority published in 2016 or later. Inflammatory arthritis was the most common rheumatic disease studied. Generic ePROMs were used over three times more often than disease-specific ePROMs. A total of 39 (56%) studies directly evaluated the feasibility of ePROMs in clinical practice, 19 (27%) were clinical trials that used ePROMs as study endpoints, 9 (13%) were focus groups or surveys on smartphone application development, and 3 (4%) did not fit into one defined category.

Conclusion
The use of ePROMs in rheumatology is a growing area of research and shows significant utility in clinical practice, particularly in inflammatory arthritis. Further research is needed to better characterize the feasibility of ePROMs in rheumatology and their impact on patient outcomes.
Hypertension among people living with HIV/AIDS in Cameroon: A cross-sectional analysis from Central Africa International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS
Authors: Dzudie Anastase , Hoover Donald , Kim Hae-Young , Ajeh Rogers , Adedimeji Adebola , Shi Qiuhu , Pefura Yone Walter , Nsame Nforniwe Denis , Thompson Njie Kinge , Pascal Kengne Andre , Ebasone Peter Vanes , Barche Blaise , Bissek Anne Cecile Zoung-Kany , Nash Denis , Yotebieng Marcel , Anastos Kathryn 
Published: July 2021

Background
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) success has led people to live longer with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and thus be exposed to increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Hypertension (HTN), the biggest contributor to CVD burden, is a growing concern among PLWH. The current report describes the prevalence and predictors of HTN among PLWH in care in Cameroon.

Methods
This cross-sectional study included all PLWH aged 20 years and above who received care between 2016 and 2019 at one of the three Central Africa International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (CA-IeDEA) sites in Cameroon (Bamenda, Limbe, and Yaoundé). HTN was defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication. Logistic regressions models examined the relationship between HTN and clinical characteristics, and HIV-related factors.

Results
Among 9,839 eligible PLWH, 66.2% were women and 25.0% had prevalent HTN [age-standardized prevalence 23.9% (95% CI: 22.2–25.6)], among whom 28 (1.1%) were on BP lowering treatment, and 6 of those (21.4%) were at target BP levels. Median age (47.4 vs. 40.5 years), self-reported duration of HIV infection (5.1 vs 2.8 years years), duration of ART exposure (4.7 vs 2.3 years), and CD4 count (408 vs 359 cell/mm3) were higher in hypertensives than non-hypertensives (all p<0.001). Age and body mass index (BMI) were independently associated with higher prevalent HTN risk. PLWH starting ART had a 30% lower risk of prevalent HTN, but this advantage disappeared after a cumulative 2-year exposure to ART. There was no significant association between other HIV predictive characteristics and HTN.

Conclusion
About a quarter of these Cameroonian PLWH had HTN, driven among others by age and adiposity. Appropriate integration of HIV and NCDs services is needed to improve early detection, treatment and control of common comorbid NCD risk factors like hypertension and safeguard cardiovascular health in PLWH.
Pain modulation by your partner: An experimental investigation from a social-affective perspective
Authors: Hillmer Katrin , Kappesser Judith , Hermann Christiane 
Published: July 2021

Background
Social context such as the relationship between a person experiencing pain and a caregiver has been shown to affect the experience of pain, yet, results are not consistent. Possibly, differential effects of interpersonal relationships are modulated by affective states expressed by social partners. Viewing partner pictures in experimental designs is not only associated with lowered perceived pain intensity, but also affects neural responses. However, the role of affective modulation is not clear. The present study aimed to systematically examine the pain modulating effects of stimuli varying in affect and social content including personal relevance using subjective report and psychophysiological measures of facial and autonomic activity.

Methods
Twenty-nine women underwent a tonic heat pain paradigm with simultaneous picture viewing to investigate the influence of their partners’ faces with a neutral facial expression compared to strangers’ happy, angry and neutral facial expressions on pain intensity and accompanying psychophysiological parameters (facial activity: corrugator muscle activity, autonomic activity: skin conductance level, heart rate). In addition to perceived partner support and relationship characteristics, the contribution of the affective value (valence, arousal) of the partner faces to the observed pain modulation was examined.

Results
Partner and happy faces reduced self-reported pain intensity and corrugator activity, the latter being lowest when viewing partner faces as compared to all other picture categories. As corrugator activity is indexing stimulus unpleasantness and a core feature of the facial pain expression, this physiological pattern matches well with the subjective ratings. Neutral objects, neutral and angry faces had no effect on pain self-report, although angry faces were rated as highly negative. Partner faces also led to increased skin conductance, being an index of motivational activation, and heart rate deceleration, possibly reflecting increased sensory intake. Partner-related pain modulation was primarily related to perceived arousal of the partner’s picture, i.e., the intensity of the activation of approach motivation, and pain-related catastrophizing.

Discussion
Our results are partially consistent with emotional pain control models, especially regarding the modulatory influence of valence. Within the context of socially adaptive behavior, they particularly underline the social signal value of emotion and attachment figures. Clinically, our results imply that just looking at pictures of one’s partner when undergoing acute painful procedures can have a robust hypoalgesic effect.
Developing a core outcome set for periodontal trials
Authors: Lamont Thomas J. , Clarkson Jan E. , Ricketts David N. J. , Heasman Peter A. , Ramsay Craig R. , Gillies Katie 
Published: July 2021

Background
There is no agreement which outcomes should be measured when investigating interventions for periodontal diseases. It is difficult to compare or combine studies with different outcomes; resulting in research wastage and uncertainty for patients and healthcare professionals.

Objective
Develop a core outcome set (COS) relevant to key stakeholders for use in effectiveness trials investigating prevention and management of periodontal diseases.

Methods
Mixed method study involving literature review; online Delphi Study; and face-to-face consensus meeting.

Participants
Key stakeholders: patients, dentists, hygienist/therapists, periodontists, researchers.

Results
The literature review identified 37 unique outcomes. Delphi round 1: 20 patients and 51 dental professional and researchers prioritised 25 and suggested an additional 11 outcomes. Delphi round 2: from the resulting 36 outcomes, 13 patients and 39 dental professionals and researchers prioritised 22 outcomes. A face-to-face consensus meeting was hosted in Dundee, Scotland by an independent chair. Eight patients and six dental professional and researchers participated. The final COS contains: Probing depths, Quality of life, Quantified levels of gingivitis, Quantified levels of plaque, Tooth loss.

Conclusions
Implementation of this COS will ensure the results of future effectiveness trials for periodontal diseases are more relevant to patients and dental professionals, reducing research wastage. This could reduce uncertainty for patients and dental professionals by ensuring the evidence used to inform their choices is meaningful to them. It could also strengthen the quality and certainty of the evidence about the relative effectiveness of interventions.

Registration
COMET Database: http://www.comet-initiative.org/studies/details/265?result=true
High regional variation in prostate surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Switzerland
Authors: Wertli Maria M. , Zumbrunn Brigitta , Weber Pascal , Haynes Alan G. , Panczak Radoslaw , Chiolero Arnaud , Rodondi Nicolas , Aujesky Drahomir 
Published: July 2021

Background
Among various treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), surgical therapy is the most invasive. As Switzerland has the highest transurethral prostatectomy rate among OECD countries, we assessed the regional variation in prostate surgery for BPH and explored potential determinants of variation.

Methods
We conducted a population-based analysis using discharge data for men aged ≥40 years with transurethral or simple prostatectomy from all Swiss hospitals during 2013–2018. After excluding patients with genitourinary/prostate cancer, we derived hospital service areas (HSAs) by analyzing patient flows. We calculated age-standardized mean procedure rates and variation indices (extremal quotient [EQ] and systematic component of variation [SCV]). We estimated the reduction in variance across HSAs of prostatectomy rates in multilevel regression models, with incremental adjustment for age, regional cultural and socioeconomic factors, disease burden, density of urologists, and the time since urologists’ graduation.

Results
Overall, 44,253 prostatectomies (42,710 transurethral and 1543 simple) from 44 HSAs were analyzed. The mean age-standardized prostate surgery rate was 314 (range 166–500) per 100,000 men aged ≥40 years per year. The EQ was 3.01 and the SCV 5.53, indicating a high regional variation. In multivariate models, men aged 75–79 years had an 11.6-fold higher prostatectomy rate than those aged 50–54 years. French/Italian language areas had a 21% lower rate than Swiss German speaking areas. Socioeconomic factors, disease burden, and density of urologist/time since graduation were not associated with prostatectomy rates. After full adjustment, 80% of the variance in prostate surgery across HSAs remained unexplained.

Conclusion
We found a remarkably high regional variation in prostate surgery rates for BPH within Switzerland.