bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health professionals’ perspectives on the role of obstetric ultrasonography in maternity care in rural eastern Ethiopia: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Tefera Maleda , Mezmur Haymanot , Jemal Mohammed , Assefa Nega 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThe purpose of this exploratory study was to assess healthcare providers’ perspectives on maternity care following the introduction of ultrasound services in the area.DesignThe qualitative descriptive study.Study settingThis study was carried out in health centres under Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) pregnancy surveillance catchment areas in Kersa, Haramaya and Harar districts in eastern Ethiopia.ParticipantsThe study participants were 14 midwives working in the maternity units and 14 health centre managers in the respective health facilities. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for in-depth interviews using a semistructured interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified one overarching theme "improved perinatal care" and six subthemes. Based on the accounts of the participants, the introduction of ultrasound services has led to a remarkable transformation in the overall provision of maternity care at health centres. The participants have reported a substantial rise in the utilisation of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services. The availability of ultrasound has enabled midwives to deliver comprehensive maternity care.ConclusionUltrasound service utilisation at health centres improves maternity care. The utilisation of ultrasound in healthcare enables providers to closely monitor the growth and development of the fetus, identify potential complications or abnormalities and administer timely interventions. This integration of ultrasound technology translates into enhanced prenatal care, early detection of issues and prompt management, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for both the mother and the baby.
Protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study to address the question whether diabetes and its management is still a risk factor in fast-track joint arthroplasty
Authors: Issa Luma Mahmoud , Kehlet Henrik , Madsbad Sten , Lindberg-Larsen Martin , Varnum Claus , Jakobsen Thomas , Andersen Mikkel Rathsach , Bieder Manuel Josef , Overgaard Søren , Hansen Torben Bæk , Gromov Kirill , Jørgensen Christoffer Calov 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPerioperative glycaemic control is important. However, the complexity of guidelines for perioperative diabetes management is complicated due to different and novel antihyperglycaemic medications, limited procedure-specific data and lack of data from implemented fast-track regimens which otherwise are known to reduce morbidity and glucose homeostasis disturbances. Consequently, outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) after surgery and the influence of perioperative diabetes management on postoperative recovery remains poorly understood.Methods and analysisA prospective observational multicentre study involving 8 arthroplasty centres across Denmark with a documented implemented fast-track programme (median length of hospitalisation (LOS) 1 day). We will collect detailed perioperative data including preoperative haemoglobin A1c and antidiabetic treatment in 1400 unselected consecutive patients with DM undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty from September 2022 to December 2025, enrolled after consent. Follow-up duration is 90 days after surgery. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with DM with LOS >4 days and 90-day readmission rate after fast-track total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The secondary outcome is the association between perioperative diabetes treatment and LOS >2 days, 90-day readmission rate, other patient demographics and Comprehensive Complication Index for patients with DM after THA/TKA/UKA in a fast-track regimen.Ethics and disseminationThe study will follow the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and ICH-Good Clinical Practice guideline. Ethical approval was not necessary as this is a non-interventional observational study on current practice. The trial is registered in the Region of Southern Denmark and on ClinicalTrials.gov. The main results and all substudies of this trial will be published in peer-reviewed international medical journals.Trial registration numberNCT05613439.
Navigating challenges: a socioecological analysis of sexual and reproductive health barriers among Eritrean refugee women in Ethiopia, using a key informant approach
Authors: Zepro Nejimu Biza , Medhanyie Araya Abrha , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Chernet Afona , Tschopp Rea , Abongomera Charles , Paris Daniel H , Merten Sonja 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesThe study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges of Eritrean refugee women in Ethiopia.DesignA qualitative exploratory design with the key informant approach.Setting and participantsThe study was conducted in the Afar regional state, North East, Ethiopia. The study participants were HCP responsible for providing SRH care for refugee women.ResultsEritrean refugee women have worse health outcomes than the host population. The SRH needs were found to be hindered at multiple layers of socioecological model (SEM). High turnover and shortage of HCP, restrictive laws, language issues, cultural inconsistencies and gender inequalities were among the main barriers reported. Complex multistructural factors are needed to improve SRH needs of Eritrean refugee women.ConclusionsA complex set of issues spanning individual needs, social norms, community resources, healthcare limitations and structural mismatches create significant barriers to fulfilling the SRH needs of Eritrean refugee women in Ethiopia. Factors like limited awareness, cultural taboos, lack of safe spaces, inadequate healthcare facilities and restrictive policies all contribute to the severe limitations on SRH services available in refugee settings. The overlap in findings underscores the importance of developing multilevel interventions that are culturally sensitive to the needs of refugee women across all SEM levels. A bilateral collaboration between Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) structures and the Asayta district healthcare system is critically important.
Self-directed digital interventions for the improvement of emotion regulation—effectiveness for mental health and functioning in adolescents: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Thomson Abigail , Lawrence Erin G , Oliver Bonamy R , Wright Ben , Hosang Georgina M 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionResearch suggests that problems with emotion regulation, that is, how a person manages and responds to an emotional experience, are related to a range of psychological disorders (eg, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression). Interventions targeting emotion regulation have been shown to improve mental health in adults, but evidence on related interventions for adolescents is still emerging. Increasingly, self-directed digital interventions (eg, mobile apps) are being developed to target emotion regulation in this population, but questions remain about their effectiveness. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on current self-directed digital interventions available to adolescents (aged 11–18 years) and their effectiveness in addressing emotion regulation, psychopathology and functioning (eg, academic achievement).Methods and analysisSeveral electronic databases will be searched (eg, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library) to identify all studies published any time after January 2010 examining self-directed digital interventions for adolescents, which include an emotion regulation component. This search will be updated periodically to identify any new relevant research from the selected databases. Data on the study characteristics (eg, author(s)) and methodology, participant characteristics (eg, age) and the digital interventions used to address emotion (dys-)regulation (eg, name, focus) will be extracted. A narrative synthesis of all studies will be presented. If feasible, the effectiveness data will be synthesised using appropriate statistical techniques. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this study. Findings will be disseminated widely via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences related to this field.Registration detailsPROSPERO CRD42022385547.
Risk stratification and prognosis prediction using cardiac biomarkers in COVID-19: a single-centre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sano Madoka , Toyota Toshiaki , Morimoto Takeshi , Noguchi Yu , Shigeno Ryo , Murai Ryosuke , Okada Taiji , Sasaki Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Tomohiko , Kim Kitae , Kobori Atsushi , Ehara Natsuhiko , Kinoshita Makoto , Doi Asako , Tomii Keisuke , Kihara Yasuki , Furukawa Yutaka 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThere is a need for a robust tool to stratify the patient’s risk with COVID-19. We assessed the prognostic values of cardiac biomarkers for COVID-19 patients.MethodsThis is a single-centre retrospective cohort study. Consecutive laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital from July 2020 to September 2021 were included. We obtained cardiac biomarker values from electronic health records and institutional blood banks. We stratified patients with cardiac biomarkers as high-sensitive troponin I (hsTnI), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), creatine kinase (CK) and CK myocardial band (CK-MB), using the clinically relevant thresholds. Prespecified primary outcome measure was all-cause death.ResultsA total of 917 patients were included. hsTnI, NT-proBNP, CK and CK-MB were associated with the significantly higher cumulative 30-day incidence of all-cause death (hsTnI: <5.0 ng/L group; 4.3%, 5.0 ng/L–99%ile upper reference limit (URL) group; 8.8% and ≥99% ile URL group; 25.2%, p<0.001. NT-proBNP: <125 pg/mL group; 5.3%, 125–900 pg/mL group; 10.5% and ≥900 pg/mL group; 31.9%, p<0.001. CK: <upper normal limit (UNL) group; 10.6%, UNL to 3 times of UNL group; 16.4% and ≥3 times of UNL group; 23.5%, p<0.001. CK-MB: <UNL group; 7.8%, UNL to 3 times of UNL group; 20.4% and ≥3 times of UNL group; 38.9%, p<0.001). The adjusted risk for all-cause death remained significant for each threshold of cardiac biomarkers.ConclusionsElevation of cardiac biomarkers was associated with poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients.
The Birth and Beyond (BABY) study: protocol for a birth cohort study investigating the social and environmental determinants of pregnancy-related outcomes in Black American families
Authors: Lin Betty , Middleton Rachel R , Terefe Bethlehem , Appleton Allison A , Feingold Beth J , Lynch Tara , Pieterse Alex L , Rogers Rebecca , Armah Annabelle E , Bierce Lydia F , Flagg Amanda M , McCarthy Sarah 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionIn the USA, Black birthing people and infants experience disproportionately worse pregnancy-related health outcomes. The causes for these disparities are unknown, but evidence suggests that they are likely socially and environmentally based. Efforts to identify the determinants of these racial disparities are urgently needed to elucidate the highest priority targets for intervention. The Birth and Beyond (BABY) study evaluates how micro-level (eg, interpersonal and family) and macro-level (eg, neighbourhood and environmental) risk and resiliency factors transact to shape birth person-infant health, and underlying psychobiological mechanisms.Methods and analysisThe BABY study will follow 350 Black families (birthing parents, non-birthing parents and infants) from pregnancy through the first postpartum year, with research visits during pregnancy and at infant ages 6 and 12 months. Research visits comprise a combination of interview about a range of recent and life course stress and resiliency exposures and supports, psychophysiological (sympathetic, parasympathetic and adrenocortical) assessment and behavioural observations of parent–infant coregulatory behaviours. Spatial analyses are completed by mapping parent current and past residential addresses onto archival public data (eg, about neighbourhood quality and racial segregation). Finally, EMRs are abstracted for information about birthing parent relevant medical history, pregnancy conditions and infant birth outcomes. Analyses will evaluate the risk and resiliency mechanisms that contribute to pregnancy and birth-related outcomes for Black birthing people and their infants, and the protective role of individual, familial, cultural, and community supports.Ethics and disseminationThe BABY study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Albany Medical Centre. The study team consulted with local organisations and groups comprised of stakeholders and community leaders and continues to do so throughout the study. Research results will be disseminated with the scientific and local community as appropriate.
Centrifuge study on the uplift behavior of spread foundation for transmission tower in sand
Authors: Gu Kyo-Young , Tran Nghiem Xuan , Han Jayne M. , Kim Kyeong-Sun , Ham Kyung-Won , Kim Sung-Ryul 
Published: April 2024

Realistic simulation of in-situ stresses is an essential consideration in evaluating the bearing capacities of spread foundations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the uplift behavior of large spread foundations by performing a series of centrifuge tests. A total of 12 centrifuge test models were constructed considering the variation in the foundation width (3.5–6.5 m), embedment depth ratio (0.67–1.39), and relative density of dry silica sandy soil (40%, 80%). The measured load–displacement curves indicated that the uplift bearing capacity and the corresponding uplift displacement increased with the foundation width at a certain embedment depth ratio. Two sets of empirical equations were proposed by adopting genetic programming to estimate the uplift resistance factor and uplift displacement with consideration of field stress conditions. The proposed equations reasonably matched these parameters under various conditions reported in the literature. Furthermore, a simplified empirical influence zone was proposed on the basis of the measurement of the ground surface displacement. The empirical influence zone, which was a straight line with an inclination angle of ~0.9 times the soil friction angle measured from vertical, could be considered a significant reference for predicting the failure surface of the shallow foundation under uplift loading.
Improved estimation of drift coefficients using optimal local bandwidths
Authors: Wiedemann Christian , Wächter Matthias , Peinke Joachim , Freund Jan A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStochastic differential equations (SDEs) are commonly used to model various systems. Data-driven methods have been widely used to estimate the drift and diffusion terms of a Langevin equation. Among the most commonly used estimation methods is the Nadaraya–Watson estimator, which is a non-parametric data-driven approach. In this study, we propose a method to improve the estimation of the drift coefficient of a stochastic process using optimal local bandwidths that minimize the error of the approximation of the first conditional moments of a univariate system. This approach is compared to a global bandwidth estimation and an estimation based on a fixed number of nearest neighbors. The proposed method has the potential to reduce the error of the drift estimation, thereby improving the accuracy of the model.
Investigation of $$\Lambda (1405)$$ as a molecular pentaquark state
Authors: Azizi K. , Sarac Y. , Sundu H. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract$$\Lambda (1405)$$Λ(1405)is one of the interesting particles with its unclear structure and distinct properties. It has a light mass compared to its non-strange counterpart, despite the strange quark it carries. This situation puts the investigation of this resonance among the hot topics in hadron physics and collects attention to clarify its properties. In this study, we focus on the calculation of the mass and residue of the$$\Lambda (1405)$$Λ(1405)resonance within the framework of QCD sum rules. We assign a structure in the form of a molecular pentaquark composed from admixture of$$K^-$$K-meson-proton and$$\bar{K}^0$$K¯0meson-neutron. Using an interpolating current in this form, the masses and the current coupling constant are attained as$$m=1406\pm 128~\text {MeV}$$m=1406±128MeVand$$\lambda =(3.35\pm 0.35)\times 10^{-5}~\text {GeV}^6$$λ=(3.35±0.35)×10-5GeV6for "Equation missing"and$$m=1402\pm 141~\text {MeV}$$m=1402±141MeVand$$\lambda =(4.08\pm 1.08)\times 10^{-5}~\text {GeV}^6$$λ=(4.08±1.08)×10-5GeV6forILorentz structures entering the calculations, respectively. The obtained mass values agree well with the experimental data supporting the plausibility of the considered structure.
Structural and optical properties of Eu3+-doped sol–gel silica–soda glasses
Authors: Enrichi Francesco , Mastantuoni Gabriella , Cassetta Michele , Sambugaro Alessia , Daldosso Nicola , Martucci Alessandro , Vomiero Alberto , Cattaruzza Elti , Righini Giancarlo C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRare earths (REs) incorporated in glasses, mostly in the form of RE3+ ions, have several applications such as lasers and optical amplifiers, spectral conversion layers for solar cells, light emitters and sensors. In this context, both the composition and the structural properties of the glass, as well as the dopant concentration play an important role in determining the optical properties and the efficiency of the system. Usually, the concentration of REs is small, below 1 at%, to avoid clustering and optical quenching. In this paper, we report the case of sol–gel Eu-doped silica–soda glass films. The addition of soda to silica can reduce RE clustering and precipitation, according to molecular dynamic simulations, but brings structural instabilities to the network. Here, sodium was varied from 10 to 30 at% and Eu from 0 to 8 at%. It was shown that Eu plays a significant role in the stabilization of the matrix, improving the transparency, the refractive index and the thickness of the films. The increase of Eu concentration provides a decrease of site symmetry and an increase of quantum efficiency (QY), reaching 71% for the highest 8 at% Eu doping, with remarkable absence of concentration quenching.
ASPSCR1::TFE3 Drives Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma by Inducing Targetable Transcriptional Programs
Authors: Sicinska Ewa , Kola Vijaya S.R. , Kerfoot Joseph A. , Taddei Madeleine L. , Al-Ibraheemi Alyaa , Hsieh Yi-Hsuan , Church Alanna J. , Landesman-Bollag Esther , Landesman Yosef , Hemming Matthew L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare mesenchymal malignancy driven by the ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which this oncogenic transcriptional regulator drives cancer growth is needed to help identify potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we characterized the transcriptional and chromatin landscapes of ASPS tumors and preclinical models, identifying the essential role of ASPSCR1::TFE3 in tumor cell viability by regulating core transcriptional programs involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and mitochondrial biology. ASPSCR1::TFE3 directly interacted with key epigenetic regulators at enhancers and promoters to support ASPS-associated transcription. Among the effector programs driven by ASPSCR1::TFE3, cell proliferation was driven by high levels of cyclin D1 expression. Disruption of cyclin D1/CDK4 signaling led to a loss of ASPS proliferative capacity, and combined inhibition of CDK4/6 and angiogenesis halted tumor growth in xenografts. These results define the ASPS oncogenic program, reveal mechanisms by which ASPSCR1::TFE3 controls tumor biology, and identify a strategy for therapeutically targeting tumor cell–intrinsic vulnerabilities.
Significance: The ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion propels the growth of alveolar soft part sarcoma by activating transcriptional programs that regulate proliferation, angiogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and differentiation and can be therapeutically targeted to improve treatment.
Approximating Nonlinear Functions With Latent Boundaries in Low-Rank Excitatory-Inhibitory Spiking Networks
Authors: Podlaski William F. , Machens Christian K. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Deep feedforward and recurrent neural networks have become successful functional models of the brain, but they neglect obvious biological details such as spikes and Dale’s law. Here we argue that these details are crucial in order to understand how real neural circuits operate. Towards this aim, we put forth a new framework for spike-based computation in low-rank excitatory-inhibitory spiking networks. By considering populations with rank-1 connectivity, we cast each neuron’s spiking threshold as a boundary in a low-dimensional input-output space. We then show how the combined thresholds of a population of inhibitory neurons form a stable boundary in this space, and those of a population of excitatory neurons form an unstable boundary. Combining the two boundaries results in a rank-2 excitatory-inhibitory (EI) network with inhibition-stabilized dynamics at the intersection of the two boundaries. The computation of the resulting networks can be understood as the difference of two convex functions and is thereby capable of approximating arbitrary non-linear input-output mappings. We demonstrate several properties of these networks, including noise suppression and amplification, irregular activity and synaptic balance, as well as how they relate to rate network dynamics in the limit that the boundary becomes soft. Finally, while our work focuses on small networks (5-50 neurons), we discuss potential avenues for scaling up to much larger networks. Overall, our work proposes a new perspective on spiking networks that may serve as a starting point for a mechanistic understanding of biological spike-based computation.
The athlete gut microbiota: state of the art and practical guidance
Authors: Pérez-Castillo Í.M. , Sabag-Daigle A. , López-Chicharro J. , Mihic N. , Rueda R. , Bouzamondo H. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The gut microbiota has been proposed to grant the athlete a metabolic advantage that might be key when optimising performance. While a taxonomic core set of microorganisms characterising the athlete’s gut microbiota has not been delineated, some compositional features might be associated with improved metabolic efficiency, which appears to be driven by the production of bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Not only long-term exercise but also dietary patterns associated with high-level sports practice contribute to this microbial environment, yet isolating the impact of individual dietary components is challenging. The present review synthetises the available evidence on the compositional aspects of the athlete’s gut microbiota, discusses mechanisms involved in the bidirectional association between exercise and the gut environment, and evaluates the role of athletes’ diet in this interplay. Additionally, a practical approach to indicators commonly reported in metagenomic and metabolomic analyses is provided to explore how these insights can translate to support dietary protocols.