bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experience and perceptions of mental ill-health in people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Tsigebrhan Ruth , Newton Charles R. , Selamu Medhin , Hanlon Charlotte 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction The high comorbidity of mental health conditions in people with epilepsy (PWE) is associated with poor quality of life and disability. Understanding the lived experience of mental health and illness in people with epilepsy has been little investigated in Africa and yet is essential to inform person-centred care. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mental ill-health in the contexts of the lives of PWE in rural Ethiopia.
Methods A phenomenological approach was employed, using in-depth individual interviews with PWE. Participants were selected purposely based on their mental distress score measured using a culturally validated scale (the Self-Reporting Questionnaire), their gender, and place of residence. The setting was the Gurage Zone in south-central Ethiopia where efforts had been made to expand access to mental health and epilepsy care through integration in primary health care in the Programme for Improving Mental Health carE (PRIME). Thematic analysis was used, supported by Open Code software.
Findings Twenty-two PWE were interviewed (8 women, 14 men). The following themes were identified: expression of ill-health; the essence of emotions; the emotional burden of epilepsy and aspirations and mitigating impacts. Participants reported multiple bodily (e.g. fatigue) and emotional (e.g. irritability, sadness) experiences which were tied up with their experience of epilepsy and not separable into physical vs. mental health. Occupation and social life difficulties were interconnected with emotional and bodily sickness. Emotions were considered inherently concerning, with emotional imbalance spoken of as a cause or trigger for seizures. These emotional burdens resulted in difficulties fulfilling occupational and social life obligations, in turn exacerbating the epilepsy-related stigma experienced from others. Participants sought to mitigate these inter-connected psychosocial impacts through finding spiritual meaning in, or acceptance of, their experiences, drawing on family care and, for some, emotional support from health professionals
Conclusions People living with epilepsy in this rural Ethiopian setting experience various emotional, financial, occupational and interpersonal problems which are crucially interwoven with one another and with the experience of epilepsy. A people-centred approach to supporting recovery of PWE requires consideration of mental health alongside physical health, as well as interventions outside the health system to address poverty and stigma.
Stochastic Nonlinear Model Updating in Structural Dynamics Using a Novel Likelihood Function within the Bayesian-MCMC Framework
Authors: Pandey Pushpa , Khodaparast Hamed Haddad , Friswell Michael Ian , Chatterjee Tanmoy , Madinei Hadi , Deighan Tom 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The study presents a novel approach for stochastic nonlinear model updating in structural dynamics, employing a Bayesian framework integrated with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling for parameter estimation by using an approximated likelihood function. The proposed methodology is applied to both numerical and experimental cases. The paper commences by introducing Bayesian inference and its constituents: the likelihood function, prior distribution, and posterior distribution. The resonant decay method is employed to extract backbone curves, which capture the non-linear behavior of the system. A mathematical model based on a single degree of freedom (SDOF) system is formulated, and backbone curves are obtained from time response data. Subsequently, MCMC sampling is employed to estimate the parameters using both numerical and experimental data. The obtained results demonstrate the convergence of the Markov chain, present parameter trace plots, and provide estimates of posterior distributions of updated parameters along with their uncertainties. Experimental validation is performed on a cantilever beam system equipped with permanent magnets and electromagnets. The proposed methodology demonstrates promising results in estimating parameters of stochastic non-linear dynamical systems. Through the use of the proposed likelihood functions using backbone curves, the probability distributions of both linear and non-linear parameters are simultaneously identified. Based on this view, the necessity to segregate stochastic linear and non-linear model updating is eliminated.
Education spread and economic development: Portugal 1981-2021
Authors: Pontes José Pedro 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We try to rationalize the fact that a positive correlation between higher education attainment and aggregate productivity becomes less clear as a higher share people completes college. For that purpose, we model this situation by means of a coordination (Stag Hunt) game, where a youngster obtains the benefit of higher education only if there is a critical mass of students.
During the initial stage the net reward of higher education is high, so that the Nash equilibrium with general enrolment is selected. As compulsory education is raised, the wage premium of attaining college decreases and furthermore universities that expand to low density regions become less efficient as they face increasing diseconomies of scale in their operation.
The decrease in the net reward of graduates is multiplied by the fact that the strategy of avoiding higher education becomes “risk-dominant” in Harsanyi and Selten (1988)’s terms. This fact likely causes a coordination breakdown, where the share of people with a complete university degree may possibly rise despite the output per worker decreases.
This socially undesirable outcome can be avoided through a policy aimed at enhancing the college network through its geographical concentration. For this purpose, the relocation of a significant share of students appears to be necessary.
JEL codes: C72, I25, 015, R11
Awareness campaign to improve Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices relating to air pollution and its health impact: the case of “Air sain” campaign in Medina (Senegal)
Authors: Daffe Mouhamadou Lamine , NDONG Awa , THIAM Salimata , SYLLA Fatou Kiné , CORREA Ndeye Amy , BAH Fatoumata , LAM Absa , NGOM Cheikh Saliou , Cabral Mathilde , DIOP Cheikh , TOURE Aminata , LO Masse , Faye Adama , FALL Mamadou 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Air pollution is the underlying cause of 7 million premature deaths per year. In Dakar (Senegal), monitoring of air pollution indicators often reveals levels well above the guideline values. This context justified an awareness campaign called “Air Sain” in Medina (Dakar) to improve the Knowledges, Attitudes and Practices relating to air pollution and its health impact. This study aimed to assess the impact of this campaign in order to produce factual data that could motivate its replicability in other localities. It is a before-after study, which compared a baseline situation of KAPs to “Air sain” post-campaign situation. It was measured after Propensity Scores Matching by logistic regression, using R software. The only results pointing in the direction of an improvement concern the knowledge of health risks related to air pollution: the Odds Ratio and its 95% Confidence Interval are in favor of “Air sain” campaign and estimated at 3.31 [1.4–8.34]. As regards to the results, the campaign could be extended to other localities for a better awareness of the health risks related to air pollution. However, it is necessary to adapt the messages conveyed on polluting practices and air degradation factors in order to obtain better results.
Creating more efficiency in malaria program funds: a business case for Connected Diagnostics in Kenya
Authors: Dieteren Charlotte , Millimo Emmanuel , Siteyi Angela , Duijn Shannen van , Stijvers Leon , Dayo Lilyana , Ganda Gregory , de Wit Tobias Rinke 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective
There is a need to reduce inefficient service delivery caused by parallel financing streams. In this paper we aim to assess the opportunities offered by digitalized diagnostics to target and monitor health funds to those in need objectively and transparently.
Methods
In this study we used the malaria case to demonstrate the ConnDx process codeveloped with the local Department of Health of Kisumu, Kenya. We used quantitative data to demonstrate how an ConnDx approach can contribute to manage malaria health funds with markedly increased transparency. We also calculate the costs for ConnDx and standard care to assess potential cost reductions.
Results
ConnDx was rolled out in five private healthcare facilities and detected 2,199 malaria cases among 11,689 patients with fever. ConnDx allowed for the identification of malaria hotspots, semi-real-time assessment of patient health seeking behavior across facilities, and insights in doctor’s prescription behavior, vis a vis National Guidelines. Based on these insights, we demonstrate that a 25% reduction in costs can be realized, while simultaneously better-quality indicators can be monitored and put into quality improvement action.
Conclusion
The concept of ConnDx can in principle be used for any medical condition that can be diagnosed in a digital manner and linked to mobile payment systems. This can help decision makers in LMICs to channel disease-specific funds to the right patients for the right disease at the right time, which can potentially accelerate the way to universal health coverage.
Decoding the Hypertension Care Cascade and Unlocking Influential Factors Among Indian Adolescents: Evidence from Nationally representative Cross-sectional survey
Authors: Basu Saurav , Roy Shubhanjali , Malik Mansi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Adolescent hypertension in India is an emergent public health concern due to a combination of increasing obesity, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and genetics with lack of programmatic focus on regular screening secondary to reduced perceived risk, both amongst individuals and healthcare providers. This study aims assess the hypertension care cascade and their determinants among older adolescents in India. We used data from the demographic and health surveillance (DHS) comprising India’s National Family Health Survey Fifth Round (2019–2021). The hypertension prevalence, proportions of aware, on treatment, and under control among adolescents in the age group of 15–19 years were reported, along with (95% CI) and statistically significance (p < 0.05). The prevalence of hypertension among 204054 older adolescents (15–19 years) was 5.08% (95% CI: 4.94–5.23%) wherein 42.26% (95% CI: 40.69–43.64%) were aware of their condition while 43.70% (95% CI: 41.73–45.70%) of those aware were receiving treatment, and 85.88% (95% CI: 83.83–87.71%) of those achieved blood pressure control. Overall, there were nearly 60% newly diagnosed hypertension cases detected on screening. In conclusion, nearly five in every hundred older adolescents in India are clinically hypertensive with significantly higher odds linked with obesity and male gender. Awareness and utilization of antihypertensive treatment was lower than the classical rule of halves signifying deficiencies in hypertension screening and management strategies for older adolescents within existing public health policy.
Evolutionary sequence and structural basis for the distinct conformational landscapes of Tyr and Ser/Thr kinases
Authors: Levy Ronald , Gizzio Joan , Thakur Abhishek , Haldane Allan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Protein kinases are molecular machines with rich sequence variation that distinguishes the two main evolutionary branches – tyrosine kinases (TKs) from serine/threonine kinases (STKs). Using a sequence co-variation Potts statistical energy model we previously concluded that TK catalytic domains are more likely than STKs to adopt an inactive conformation with the activation loop in an autoinhibitory “folded” conformation, due to intrinsic sequence effects. Here we investigated the structural basis for this phenomenon by integrating the sequence-based model with structure-based molecular dynamics (MD) to determine the effects of mutations on the free energy difference between active and inactive conformations, using a novel thermodynamic cycle involving many (n=108) protein-mutation free energy perturbation (FEP) simulations in the active and inactive conformations. The sequence and structure-based results are consistent and support the hypothesis that the inactive conformation “DFG-out Activation Loop Folded”, is a functional regulatory state that has been stabilized in TKs relative to STKs over the course of their evolution via the accumulation of residue substitutions in the activation loop and catalytic loop that facilitate distinct substrate binding modes in trans and additional modes of regulation in cis for TKs.
Unraveling the Impact of Transactional Leadership on Task Performance: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy among Bank Employees
Authors: Javed Aziz , Ali Sadaqat , Goh Gerald Guan Gan , Saif Naveed , Shaheen Imrab , Khan Sajid Ullah 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The major objective of the current study was to investigate the dynamic relationship between Banking Sector Transactional leadership and employees task performance through mediating role of employee’s self-efficacy based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. For this purpose, data was collected from selected banks in KP Pakistan and data was collected through construct. Results were analysed through CFA via AMOS and Preacher and Hayes mediational modelling. Results indicate that Transactional leadership has significant relationship with employer’s task performance as well as their self-efficacy. Further it was evident that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between employee’s task performance and leader’s transactional behaviour. The current study obtained data from limited employees of banking sector and only selected districts of KP province. The results have practical implication for banking sector to enhance employs task performance capabilities via infusing the feeling of self-efficacy through reward and punishment based leadership.
Time-Optimal Trajectory Planning of Manipulator Based on Terminal Crossover and Steering-based PSO with Disturbance
Authors: Li Lei , Xu JiaWei , Wang Jianhua 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In the contemporary shipbuilding industry, the utilization of manipulator operations has progressively supplanted traditional manual labor. In pursuit of enhancing both efficiency and stability of manipulator operations, this study proposes a trajectory planning methodology. Specifically, a 5-7-5 polynomial interpolation function is devised to accurately map trajectories within the joint space of the manipulator. Subsequently, a constrained optimization model is formulated, aiming to optimize the movement time of the manipulator. To address the optimization challenge, the constrained problem is reformulated into an unconstrained one leveraging the augmented Lagrange multiplier method. To circumvent the risk of local optima, the Terminal Crossover and Steering-based PSO with disturbance (TCSPSO) is adopted for problem-solving. Subsequently, comprehensive simulation experiments are conducted in MATLAB to ascertain the optimal motion time and achieve a smooth motion trajectory for the manipulator. The findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed methodology in significantly reducing the movement time of manipulators while concurrently ensuring their operational stability.
Impact of Discrepant Accumulations Strategy on Collective Cooperation in Multilayer Networks
Authors: He Xi , Ge Xin , Yang Jian , Zhao YiXiang , Liu Yue , Li Lili 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Understanding large-scale cooperation among related individuals has been one of the largest challenges. Since humans are in multiple social networks, the theoretical framework of multilayer networks is perfectly suited for studying this fascinating aspect of our biology. To that effect, we here study the cooperation in evolutionary game on interdependent networks. Importantly, a part of players are set to adopt Discrepant Accumulations Strategy. Players employing this mechanism not only use their payoffs in the multilayer network as the basis for the updating process as in previous experiments, but also take into account the similarities and differences in strategies across different layers. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that considering the similarities and differences in strategies across layers when calculating fitness can significantly enhance the cooperation level in the system. By examining the behavior of different pairing mode within cooperators and defectors, the equilibrium state can be attributed to the evolution of correlated pairing mode between interdependent networks. Our results provide a theoretical analysis of the group cooperation induced by the Discrepant Accumulations Strategy. And we also discuss potential implications of these findings for future human experiments concerning the cooperation on multilayer networks.
Revealing the interface-driven atomic local chemical heterogeneity in bimetallic catalysts in three dimensions
Authors: Zhou Jihan , Xie Jisheng , Xie Zhiheng , Li Zezhou , Dai Yiheng , Zhang Yao , Bu Yifan , Liu Chuhao , Jiang Hong , Li Mufan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Subsurface atomic configurations exert a profound influence on the surface electronic structures, thereby playing a critical role in electrocatalysis. However, an in-depth understanding of intricate three-dimensional surface/subsurface structures in catalysts remain limited due to the weak interfacial signal and the inherent complexity in local structural and compositional nuances. Here, by determining the entirety of surface and subsurface atomic structures in Pd@Pt model catalysts through atomic-resolution electron tomography, our investigation reveals the pivotal role of atomic-scale local chemical heterogeneity, driven by atomic interfacial diffusion at the core-shell interface, in modulating the electronic structures and consequently tuning the catalytic behaviors in electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction. Density functional theory calculations further elucidate that the atomically interfacial diffusion notably enhances OH adsorption energy at Pt sites while decreases CO adsorption energy at Pd sites on the surface by shifting the d-band center. These results broaden the existing paradigm of atomic interplay between surface and subsurface realms in bimetallic catalysts at fundamental level, offering valuable information for efficient catalyst design.
Age-related polygenic effects of Alzheimer's disease on brain structures and cognition in middle aged and elderly adults from UK Biobank
Authors: Ni Shu , Chen Haojie , Dong Xinyi , Wang Kexin , Feng Guozheng , Wang Yichen , Zhang Mingkai , Gan Kaiyu , Huang Weijie , Ma Guolin , Zhang Zhanjun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves multiple genes and their interactions, and the polygenetic risk score for AD (AD-PRS) offers a genome-wide assessment of an individual's risk for developing AD. Despite previous suggestions of the polygenic influences on brain structures in cognitively intact ageing populations, the dynamic effects of the AD-PRS on brain structures and cognition throughout the ageing process have not been sufficiently quantified. Here, we analysed data from 29,645 cognitively intact UK Biobank participants. Using a model-free sliding window approach, we revealed that individuals with high AD-PRS exhibited smaller brain structures compared to those with low AD-PRS, with these differences increasing with age in specific brain regions (|ρ| > 0.8, pFDR<0.001). Notable age-related differences were observed in the volumes of the thalamus and hippocampus, as well as the microstructural integrity of the fornix and cingulum. These differences were observed to emerge around the age of 60 and reach approximately 5% difference after the age of 75. Furthermore, the associations between AD-PRS and cognitive performances were mediated by brain structures, with these mediating effects becoming more pronounced with ageing. Additionally, complex interactions between AD-PRS and age on brain structures were observed for specific apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes. Our findings underscore the involvement of the hippocampal-thalamic regions in the age-related associations between the AD-PRS and cognitive functions among cognitively normal ageing individuals. This study provides insights into the early screening and intervention strategies leveraging AD-PRS.
Polymorphism of Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its population changes in the Sarakhs region of Iran
Authors: Jahangashteh Iman , Ajamhassani Maryam , Shadmehri Ali Derakhshan , Aalaoui Mohamed El 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Ladybirds, as the main predators of aphids, coccids, psyllids, and egg of pests, are considered an important group for polymorphism studies. The ladybird, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) has been identified as a polymorphic species. This study examines the polymorphism of H. variegata in the Sarakhs region, Iran. Sampling was conducted weekly between March and July in 2021 and 2022, collecting ladybirds from various plant species including fruit and fruitless trees, farms, and shrubs. Samples were collected using insect nets and white trays, then transferred to small glasses containing 70% alcohol for laboratory analysis and identification based on external morphological characteristics and male genitalia. Different polymorphisms of H. variegata were isolated based on morphological features such as pattern, number, and size of spots on the elytra, as well as the color of the elytra and pronotum. A total of 22 polymorphisms were identified, categorized into ten groups. The population of H. variegatawas examined in relation to ambient temperature. The peak population of males and females in 2021 was observed on April 30th and May 21st, and on April 8th and May 1st in 2022. The mean temperature at the peak time for males in both years was around 28-33 °C, while for females, it was approximately 35°C. As the temperature increased to 40 °C and higher, the ladybird population trend descended, indicating a direct impact of climatic conditions on the frequency of this species.