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Patterns of postnatal weight gain and its predictors among preterm very low birth weight neonates born in Bahir-Dar city public hospitals, 2022: A cross sectional study
Introduction Postnatal weight gain in very low birth weight infants remains a challenge during the neonatal period in low and middle-income countries like Ethiopia, where no feeding alternatives and follow-up charts are available. Although extrauterine growth retardation is a common problem in preterm very low birth weight infants, there is a lack of evidence in resource-limited countries regarding patterns of postnatal weight gain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the patterns of postnatal weight gain and its predictors among preterm very low birth weight infants in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a randomly selected sample of 412 neonates in Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with Stata version 14.0 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors. Model fitness and assumptions were assessed. Associations were reported using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results In the current study, 14.6% (95% CI: 10.4–20.1) of neonates had adequate postnatal weight gain at discharge. Spontaneous vaginal delivery [AOR: 2.54; 95% CI (1.17, 5.54)], birth Z-score > -1.29 [AOR: 4.51; 95% CI (1.43, 14.16)], early feeding initiation time [AOR: 3.36; 95% CI (1.63, 6.92)], and respiratory distress syndrome [AOR: 0.31; 95% CI (0.12, 0.78)] were significant predictors for postnatal weight gain among very low birth weight neonates in Ethiopia. Conclusion The postnatal weight gain reported in this study was low as compared to the national figure. Mode of delivery, birth z-score, initiation time of the first feeding, and respiratory distress syndrome were associated with postnatal weight gain. The Federal Ministry of Health, stakeholders, national neonatal associations, and non-governmental organizations should work collaboratively to promote vaginal delivery and early initiation of feeding and develop guidelines specifically tailored for this special population. Furthermore, healthcare providers should prioritize and focus on neonates who have respiratory distress and low Z-scores.
International climate adaptation assistance: Assessing public support in Switzerland
Lower-income countries account for a small share of accumulated greenhouse gas emissions but are highly vulnerable to climate-induced events. In response, industrialized higher-income countries, the major contributors to greenhouse gas stock, have pledged policy packages to support developing countries to adapt to climate change. Foreign aid and international migration often figure prominently in such packages. We employ a survey-embedded conjoint experiment to assess public support in Switzerland for international climate assistance packages which consist of six attributes: (1) the country receiving the package (Algeria, Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Philippines); (2) the volume of Swiss bilateral climate aid to this country; (3) the number of climate migrants from this country in Switzerland; (4) types of extreme weather event this country faces; (5) Swiss trade with this country; and (6) the country’s record of voting with Switzerland in the United Nations Security Council. We find that while Swiss respondents are indifferent to aid volume, their support for the policy package diminishes as the number of migrants increases. Respondents support policy packages for countries that trade with and vote alongside Switzerland in the Security Council. Respondents also have country-specific preferences: they support assistance to the Philippines, disfavor Algeria, and are indifferent to Kenya and Bangladesh. Ideology, cultural beliefs, and benchmarking with peer countries of Global North or past Swiss aid and immigration records do not change support for the policy package.
Classification of power quality disturbances in microgrids using a multi-level global convolutional neural network and SDTransformer approach
As the adoption of new energy sources like photovoltaic and wind power increases alongside the influx of advanced power electronic devices, there has been a significant rise in power quality disturbance events (PQDs) within power systems. These disturbances, including harmonics and voltage dips, severely impact the stability of microgrids and the efficiency of power equipment. To enhance the accuracy of identifying power quality disturbances in microgrids, this paper introduces a Multi-level Global Convolutional Neural Network combined with a Simplified double-layer Transformer model (MGCNN-SDTransformer). The model processes the input raw 1D time-series signals of power quality through multi-level convolutional and 1D-Global Attention Mechanism (1D-GAM) operations in MGCNN, which preliminarily extracts and emphasizes the key features and dynamic changes; Subsequently, the model utilizes the Multi-head Self Attention(MSA) and Multi-Layer Perceptron(MLP) components of the enhanced SDTransformer to further explore the transient local and periodic global features of the signals; The classification outcomes are then determined using a fully-connected layer and a Softmax classifier. The model effectively retains the signal’s original one-dimensional temporal attributes while also delving into more complex features. This approach exhibits strong resistance to noise and enhanced generalization skills, markedly improving the detection accuracy of power quality issues within microgrids.
Associations of serum sodium, potassium and chloride levels with the all-cause and cardiovascular diseases mortality among patients with depression
Background Electrolyte disturbances are relatively common in patients with depression, but they are often overlooked, and the relationship between electrolyte changes and adverse outcomes in depression is not yet clear. This study aims to explore the impact of serum electrolyte levels on the all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates in patients with depression. Methods This prospective cohort study included 3127 patients with depression who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 through 2018. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with a PHQ-9 score ≥10 defined as depression. The data were analyzed from April 1 to July 30, 2024. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between serum sodium, potassium, and chloride levels and the CVD risk and all-cause mortality in patients with depression. Three multivariable models were constructed. We further stratified the analysis by age, gender, hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and drinking status. Interaction significance was estimated using P-values for the product terms between serum sodium, potassium, chloride, and stratification factors. Results This cohort study included data from 2946 participants in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 50.13 [16.48] years; 1116 men [37.88]); During a median (IQR) follow-up of 7.2 (3.6–10.5) years, 398 deaths were recorded, of which 117 were attributed to CVD.After multivariable adjustment, compared with participants in the first quartile of serum sodium levels, the HRs of CVD mortality were 0.90(95% CI, 0.53–1.53) in the fourth quartile (p for trend = 0.484). The HRs of all-cause mortality were 0.73(95% CI, 0.55–0.99) for the fourth quartile (p for trend = 0.003). A nonlinear association was observed between serum sodium levels and all-cause mortality in patients with depression (p for overall = 0.003, p for nonlinear = 0.047). Compared with participants in the first quartile of serum potassium levels, the HRs of CVD mortality were and 1.58(95% CI, 0.98–2.54) in the fourth quartile (p for trend = 0.050), the HRs of all-cause mortality were 1.52(95% CI, 1.16–1.99) for the fourth quartile (p for trend <0.001). A nonlinear association was observed between serum potassium levels and all-cause (p for overall<0.001, p for nonlinear = 0.005) and CVD (p for nonlinear = 0.003) mortality in patients with depression. Compared with participants in the first quartile of serum chlorine levels, the HRs of CVD mortality were 0.84(95% CI, 0.49–1.46) in the fourth quartile(p for trend = 0.284). The HRs of all-cause mortality were 0.70(95% CI, 0.51–0.95) for the fourth quartile(p for trend <0.001). A nonlinear association was observed between serum chlorine levels and all-cause (p for nonlinear<0.001) and CVD (p for nonlinear<0.001) mortality in patients with depression. Conclusion and correlations This cohort study found that in patients with depression, higher sodium is significantly correlated with lower all-cause mortality, higher potassium is significantly correlated with higher all-cause and CVD mortality, and higher chloride is significantly correlated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality.
Analysis and early warning management of resource and environmental carrying capacity in agricultural provinces: A case study of Henan Province
Resources and Environmental Carrying Capacity (RECC) is a comprehensive concept that encompasses the interactions between resources, the environment, and human activities, serving as the foundation for social development strategies. To adequately reflect this complex relationship, a multi-level, multi-dimensional evaluation indicator system must be developed. This paper constructs a regional soil environmental evaluation system incorporating PM2.5 indicators, which is in line with relevant environmental protection policies and planning orientations in our country from 2014 to 2023. It analyzes the level and development trend of RECC in Henan Province and proposes measures for effective management. The results indicate the following: (1) The RECC in Henan Province demonstrates a downward trajectory, marked by temporary fluctuations over time. It hit its nadir in 2019, subsequently undergoing a gradual resurgence; (2) Analysis of individual dimension indicators reveals that the natural carrying capacity has declined from a medium to a relatively weaker level. Meanwhile, environmental carrying capacity has shown a slight downward trend but has generally remained stable. In contrast, socio-economic carrying capacity has demonstrated an upward trend, rising from a medium to a relatively strong level. In terms of early warning measures, it is essential to establish a red warning zone, implement a credit record accountability system, and develop a monitoring warning database along with an information technology platform. This paper demonstrates that the indicator system is effective for evaluating RECC across different dimensions and holds significant reference value for assessing RECC in similar regions.
Association between dietary inflammation index and herpes simplex virus I and II: A cross-sectional study
Introduction We aimed to fill the research gap between DII and herpes simplex virus infection among adults in the US by analyzing the association between dietary inflammatory index and herpes simplex virus and to provide new ideas for herpes simplex virus prevention and treatment. Method We used data from 8636 participants in NHANES 2007–2016, which were statistically analyzed by participant baseline study, one-way analysis of variance, multiple regression equations, smoothed curve fitting, and stratified analysis. Result In the fully adjusted model, the DII high concentration group was positively associated with the prevalence of herpes simplex (1.15 (0.89, 1.48), p = 0.0027), and the results of the stratified analyses indicated that the positive association between DII and herpes simplex virus type II was stable in the population. Conclusion This study demonstrates a positive association between DII and herpes simplex virus II in US adults, suggesting that a proinflammatory diet may be an independent risk factor for herpes simplex virus II.
Assessing the efficacy of cash incentive policies in enhancing remittance inflows: Evidence from Bangladesh
The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) first implemented the cash incentive of 2 percent in July 2019 and continued the scheme with some modifications amid the pandemic to enhance remittance inflows through formal channels and ensure macroeconomic stability in the country. This study examines the impact of the cash incentive introduced by the GoB to boost remittance inflow using the Interrupted Time Series (ITS) analysis along with the Chow test for structural stability. While ITS analysis has been employed by numerous studies in the healthcare sector, but this paper uses such analysis for the first time in any type of migration study in Bangladesh. We have used ITS as it is most effective in measuring the impact of policy interventions that are expected to act either quickly after an intervention or within a stipulated time frame. The study is also the first to examine the region wise efficacy of policy intervention in the country. Monthly Remittance Inflow data from July 2013 to December 2021 has been used for the analysis. Chow test results conclude that the policy intervention had a significant impact while the ITS analysis findings demonstrated that the cash intervention significantly increased both aggregated and region-specific remittance inflows, highlighting the significance of the action. The overall findings revealed that the introduction of cash incentive in July 2019 resulted in an immediate, sustained increase of 6.68 percent in remittance inflows, with a further increase of 0.25 percent every month. Region wise analysis shows that the impact was highest in the USA & UK region and lowest in the Middle Eastern region, which signifies issues related to prevalence of hundi market, skillset of migrant workers, average monthly salary, and remittance sending costs. Our research provides policymakers with significant information to implement customized policies that ensure macroeconomic stability by enhancing remittance inflows through formal channels.
School amalgamation and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ students: A scoping review protocol
Introduction School amalgamations, or the merging of two or more pre-existing schools, are typically conducted in response to resource constraints. While merging existing schools can be financially beneficial, the wellbeing of marginalised students, such as those who identify as LGBTQ+ , may be at risk. Evidence on the impact that school amalgamation may have for LGBTQ+ students’ wellbeing has not been consolidated in a review. The proposed scoping review aims to identify empirical studies which measure the impact of school amalgamation on the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ students, to document the methodologies they use, and to identify challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students in amalgamated schools. Methods This review will be conducted in line with the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PCC framework. Searches will be conducted in multidisciplinary databases and relevant citations exported to Covidence. Articles will be screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Results Relevant studies will be charted and synthesised for inclusion in the final scoping review. Particular attention will be given to the scope of existing literature relating to the review question, methodological trends, and areas for further study.
Pilot randomized trial of the effect of antibacterial mouthwash on muscle contractile function in healthy young adults
Antiseptic mouthwash use is widespread due to its oral health benefits. However, its impact on systemic physiological processes, particularly nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and muscle contractility, is not fully understood. We sought to determine the effects of cetylpyridinium (antibacterial) versus sodium chloride (control) mouthwashes on salivary and breath NO markers and muscle contractile function in healthy young adults. Thirty participants (n = 15/group) completed a randomized, parallel-arm, blinded trial, comparing the two mouthwashes before and after 7 d of treatment. NO bioavailability was inferred via measurement of salivary nitrate (NO3−), nitrite (NO2−), and cyclic guanyl monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations and breath NO level. Contractile function of the knee extensor muscles was determined via isokinetic dynamometry. No changes in salivary NO3−, NO2−, or cGMP or in breath NO were observed in response to either treatment. However, cetylpyridinium mouthwash reduced the percentage of NO2− in saliva (17 ± 10% vs. 25 ± 13%; p = 0.0036). Peak torque at velocities of 0–6.28 rad/s was unaffected by mouthwash use. Calculated maximal knee extensor velocity (Vmax) and power (Pmax) were therefore also unchanged. Cetylpyridinium mouthwash reduces the relative abundance of NO2− in the oral cavity but does not significantly diminish overall NO bioavailability or impair muscle contractile function in healthy young adults.
Testing the Interface Hypothesis: Evidence from processing directions of possession transfer in double object constructions by L1-Mandarin Chinese L2-English learners
The Interface Hypothesis postulates that internal interfaces linking domains within the language system are ultimately acquired at a near-native proficiency level in second language (L2) acquisition. While extensive research in the field of L2 acquisition has demonstrated that L2 learners often fail to completely acquire internal interfaces, the present study adds to this line of research by delving into an understudied phenomenon at the syntax-semantics interface, namely, directions of possession transfer in English Double Object Constructions (DOCs). Specifically, this study focuses on the processing of English DOCs containing verbs with varying or opposing directions of possession transfer. Employing a self-paced reading task and a comprehension task, we examined the performance of 30 native English speakers and 63 first language (L1) Mandarin Chinese learners of English. The findings suggest that L2 learners struggle to fully acquire the intricacies of English DOCs. Additionally, this study reveals that learners encounter challenges in processing English DOCs with left-directional verbs such as buy, compared to those with right-directional verbs such as post and non-directional verbs such as build. This points to an indeterminacy in the processing of the syntax-semantics interface constructions by L2 learners at developmental stages. To account for these findings, we propose an interface indeterminacy account, contending that the indeterminacy in the processing of the syntax-semantics interface constructions by L2 learners stems from the inherent indeterminacy in these constructions. Furthermore, this indeterminacy is likely to be vulnerable to a number of variables, including L1 transfer, learners’ L2 proficiency, and processing resources.
Long duration multi-channel surface electromyographic signals during walking at natural pace: Data acquisition and analysis
Variability of myoelectric activity during walking is the result of human capability to adapt to both intrinsic and extrinsic perturbations. The availability of sEMG signals lasting at least some minutes (instead of seconds) is needed to comprehensively analyze the variability of surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals. The current study introduces a dataset of long-lasting sEMG signals recorded during walking sessions of 31 healthy subjects, aged between 20 and 30 years, conducted at the Movement Analysis Lab of Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. The sEMG signals were captured from ten distinct lower-limb muscles (five per leg), including gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF), hamstrings (Ham), and vastus lateralis (VL). Synchronized electrogoniometric and foot-floor-contact signals are also supplied to enable the spatial/temporal analysis of the sEMG signals. The experimental procedure involves subjects walking barefoot on level ground for approximately 5 minutes at their natural speed and pace, following an eight-shaped path featuring linear diagonal segments, curves, accelerations, and decelerations. An advanced analysis of the sEMG signals was performed to test the reliability and usability of the current dataset. The considerable duration of the signals makes this dataset particularly useful for studies where a significant volume of data is crucial, such as machine/deep learning approaches, investigations examining the variability of muscle recruitment during physiological walking, validations of the reliability of novel sEMG-based algorithms, and assembly of reference datasets for pathological condition characterization.
Deep CNN-based detection of cardiac rhythm disorders using PPG signals from wearable devices
Cardiac rhythm disorders can manifest in various ways, such as the heart rate being too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia), irregular heartbeats (like atrial fibrillation-AF, ventricular fibrillation-VF), or the initiation of heartbeats in different areas from the norm (extrasystole). Arrhythmias can disrupt the balanced circulation, leading to serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, and sudden death. Medical devices like electrocardiography (ECG) and Holter monitors are commonly used for diagnosing and monitoring cardiac rhythm disorders. However, in recent years, the development of wearable devices has played a significant role in the detection and diagnosis of rhythm disorders through the use of photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. Wearable devices enable patients to continuously monitor their health status and allow doctors to provide earlier diagnoses and interventions. In this study, a 1D-CNN model is proposed to detect arrhythmias using PPG signals. A dataset prepared by the University of Massachusetts Medical Center (UMMC) containing both ECG and PPG signal data was utilized. In this dataset, ECG signals are filtered with a bandpass filter and raw PPG signals are divided into 30-second segments. Accuracy values were obtained by classifying ECG and PPG signals using a 1D CNN model. ECG signals were used as a reference. The proposed model achieved a 95.17% accuracy rate in detecting normal sinus rhythm (NSR), atrial fibrillation (AF), and premature atrial contractions (PAC) from PPG signals. Datasets are available for download on https://www.synapse.org/pulsewatch. The codes used in this study are available on the https://github.com/miraygunay/PPG-Code.git website.
Comparison on the quality of sterile Aedes aegypti mosquitoes produced by either radiation-based sterile insect technique or Wolbachia-induced incompatible insect technique
Novel and alternative vector control approaches using a sterile male-based release to suppress Aedes aegypti mosquito vectors have recently been tested in the field in many countries. These approaches included the sterile insect technique (SIT), incompatible insect technique (IIT), and a combination of both techniques. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to compare the quality between radiation-based and Wolbachia-induced sterile males in terms of flight ability, sterility, mating competitiveness, survival rate, and longevity. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes irradiated at 50 Gy (SIT) and those trans-infected with wAlbB Wolbachia (IIT) were used for quality comparison. Our results showed that irradiated and Wolbachia trans-infected males were not significantly different in flight ability (p > 0.05) and both could induce sterility in wild-type females. In addition, although irradiation at 50 Gy or Wolbachia trans-infection reduced male mating competitiveness, combined irradiation and Wolbachia wAlbB trans-infection increased male competitiveness at the one-to-one ratio. Increasing the number of sterile males released could compensate for reduced competitiveness but it does not make them more competitive. Irradiation did not affect the survival and longevity of irradiated males, but it showed significant negative impacts on females (p < 0.05); while the opposite was observed in the case of Wolbachia infection, i.e., with significant increase in the survival rate of Wolbachia trans-infected males (p < 0.05), but both survival and longevity were reduced in Wolbachia trans-infected females with no significant impacts (p > 0.05). In conclusion, neither irradiation nor Wolbachia trans-infection significantly affected the quality of sterile males except their mating competitiveness; but this could compensate by increasing the number of sterile males released. Sterility could be induced by either 50 Gy irradiation or wAlbB trans-infection. Mating competitiveness results showed that a higher number of sterile males produced by irradiation need to be released in comparison to those produced by Wolbachia trans-infection. Our results should be useful for planning SIT, IIT, or a combination for Ae. aegypti vector control.
CT imaging biomarkers to predict severity and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension
Purpose To explore whether there are computed tomography (CT) imaging biomarkers that can stratify the severity of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods We retrospectively enrolled 144 consecutive patients with suspected PH who underwent CT pulmonary angiography and right heart catheterization (RHC). CT findings were analyzed by two observers for large vessel size [ascending aorta (A), pulmonary artery (P), inferior vena cava (IVC)], each chamber size, and septal angle. We investigated the associations between CT imaging parameters and the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) from RHC. During a median follow-up of 36 months, we observed major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; all-cause mortality and hospitalization for PH worsening). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) to determine independent predictors of MACE in patients with PH. Results Of 144 patients, 116 (80.2%) were diagnosed with PH based on an mPAP of 20 mmHg. Among CT parameters, P, P/A ratio, right ventricle (RV), and RV/left ventricle (LV) ratio were strongly correlated with mPAP values (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, all r < 0.001). During the follow-up period, 44 (30.6%) patients developed MACE (14 deaths and 30 hospitalizations). Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, the RV/LV ratio (HR 2.32; 95% CI: 1.17–4.59) was the best predictor of MACE, followed by age (HR 1.03, 95% CI;1.00–1.05) (all p < 0.05). Among various CT parameters, A, P, and P/A ratio showed excellent reliability with intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.95. Conclusion Among CT parameters, the RV/LV ratio was the most robust predictor of MACE in patients with PH, while the P and P/A ratios served as reliable indicators reflecting mPAP levels.
Maladaptive perfectionism can explain the inverse relationship between dispositional mindfulness and procrastination
Given the widespread occurrence of procrastination and its adverse association with well-being, investigating the individual variables that influence procrastination is a crucial matter. Previous research has identified dispositional mindfulness to be negatively associated with procrastination, but the underlying mechanisms driving this relationship remain unclear. In this study, the aim was to investigate whether the inverse relationship between dispositional mindfulness and procrastination could be explained by the mediating roles of trait anxiety and maladaptive perfectionism. In a cross-sectional survey, 126 participants (aged 18–33) completed the 15-Item Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Form, the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, and the Pure Procrastination Scale. A parallel mediation model was tested to investigate the mediating role of self-reported maladaptive perfectionism and trait anxiety to explain the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and procrastination with a bootstrapped multivariate technique. The results revealed that maladaptive perfectionism significantly mediated the relationship between mindfulness and procrastination -indicating that dispositional mindfulness has a significant indirect effect on procrastination via decreased levels of maladaptive perfectionism. It was determined that 15% of the variance in procrastination was significantly explained by this model (R2 = .15, β = −.39, B = −.83, 95% CI = [−1.18, −.48], p < .001]. As the study highlights the importance of maladaptive perfectionism to explain the link between mindfulness and procrastination, we suggest that future research could investigate the influence of mindfulness on procrastination via mindfulness-based interventions, and include measurements of both trait anxiety and maladaptive perfectionism across longitudinal or experimental designs to unpack causality with respect to our pattern of observed findings.
Variability of whole and peak match physical performance in highly trained female academy soccer players: A multi-club analysis
Objective Quantify between-match, -player and -team variability and compare whole- and peak-match locomotor characteristics between positions in elite female academy soccer. Method Foot-mounted inertial measurement unit data were collected from 11 Women’s Super League Academy teams (n = 257 players; 171 matches). Differences between positions and variability were analysed using partial least squares correlation analysis (PLSCA) and linear mixed effects. Two latent variables were computed as composite scores of either whole match or peak intensity variables from the PLSCA. Results Between-match variability of whole- and peak-match locomotor characteristics were similar (2 to 24% vs 0.2 to 22%). Between-team and -player variability was higher for whole- than peak-match locomotor characteristics (1 to 20% vs 0.1 to 3%, 8 to 112% vs 0.3 to 77%). From 30 pairwise comparisons, there were two large effect size (ES) differences (p < 0.001), WM had greater whole and peak match composite intensity than CDM. There were 10 moderate ES differences (p < 0.05), with WM greater than CD and CAM, F greater than CD and CDM and WD greater than CDM. All other comparisons were non-significant, trivial or small. Conclusion Whole- and peak- match locomotor characteristics are similar across all outfield positions in elite female academy soccer. Between-match variability was greater for sprint distance than all other locomotor characteristics. Low variability between teams for peak locomotor characteristics means practitioners can be confident using peak reference values from this study and use them to evaluate training drill intensities of tactical-technical drills.
Quality of evidence in the oral health international data: Contributions for a global profile
Introduction The Oral Health Country/Area Profile Project (CAPP) is the largest global database on oral health, compiling information from 205 countries, including 193 members of the World Health Organization (WHO). Although this database is a source of information and provides an overview of global oral health, the extent to which it accurately reflects oral health in specific countries is uncertain. Objective To analyze the quality of evidence underlying the global oral health profile provided by CAPP. Methods The Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) was adapted and used to assess data extracted from the methods section of included records. The results were then analyzed using the Item Response Theory (IRT) to establish the weightings of each dimension. The score was assessed in relation to variables of interest: age group, year of the record, and geographic region. Results The quality of oral health data showed polarization, with The quality of data from included documents varied according to age group analyzed, year of assessment, and geographic region. The Americas and Western Pacific regions demonstrated the highest quality of oral health data. Conclusion The global oral health profile depicted by CAPP may not accurately reflect reality. The process for including data in the database needs to be reviewed to ensure its reliability.
Human capital, gender, institutional environment and research funding: Determinants of research productivity in German psychology
Which academics are more productive? The “sacred spark” theory predicts that some researchers are innately more productive than others, while the theory of cumulative advantage argues that small initial inequalities accumulate to large differences in productivity over time. Using a virtually complete panel dataset of all academic psychologists found in German universities in 2019, including their career information and publications, we examine under what conditions male and female psychologists publish more peer-reviewed articles. The strongest predictor of this is prior experience in publishing peer reviewed journal articles, irrespective of other prior endowments. This relationship between earlier and later productivity is not strongly confounded by career stage, affiliation with elite institutions, receipt of third-party funding, or parenthood. The effect of prior publications on current productivity explains why female academic psychologists publish less than men do. While female psychologists publish 34% less than their male counterparts, this gap diminishes to 17% after controlling for prior publication experience. This lends supports to the theory of cumulative advantage, which explains overall differences in productivity over entire careers by the accumulation of minor initial inequalities to large outcome differences over time.
Nurses’ perception of anticipated nursing care: A qualitative research
Background Anticipated nursing care is provided significantly earlier than expected by nurses, caregivers, and other healthcare staff for patients. This type of care is influenced by many factors and is followed by various positive and negative consequences. Accordingly, the present study sought to explore nurses’ perceptions of anticipated nursing care. Methods This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis on twelve nurses from different internal and surgical wards of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran from November 2022 to September 2023The participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the nurses and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis method. Results Data analysis revealed four main categories and eleven subcategories. The main categories included early and priority care with two subcategories, scope of anticipated care with four subcategories, predictors of anticipated care with three subcategories, and outcomes of anticipated care with two subcategories. Conclusions Based on the findings, it is suggested that nursing managers must focus on the antecedents of anticipated care and address strategies to improve the working conditions of nurses, changing routine procedures for providing care and the doctor-nurse interaction, developing and organizing training programs on clinical reasoning, decision-making and time management for nurses.
Role of Mig-6 in adipose tissue: Implications for glucose metabolism and insulin resistance
Background Insulin resistance is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is associated with metabolic disorders. Adipose tissue plays a crucial role in regulating whole-body energy balance and glucose homeostasis. Mitogen-inducible gene 6 (Mig-6) is a negative feedback regulator of receptor tyrosine kinases, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This study aims to evaluate the role of Mig-6 in white adipose tissue (WAT) and its impact on systemic glucose homeostasis using Mig-6 transgenic mice. Methods Human visceral fat samples were obtained from four obese and three lean women undergoing hysterectomy. Adipocyte-specific Mig-6 knock-in (Mig-6AdKI) mice were generated and maintained on either a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal chow diet (NCD). Glucose tolerance tests (GTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed. We conducted histological examinations to observe tissue morphology and used quantitative PCR to assess adipokine mRNA expression. Results Mig-6 expression was significantly reduced in the adipose tissue of obese mice and humans. Mig-6AdKI mice exhibited improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity under both NCD and HFD conditions, without changes in body weight or fat mass. The improvement in glucose homeostasis under NCD conditions was particularly noteworthy. Increased adiponectin mRNA levels were observed in the WAT of Mig-6AdKI mice. Meanwhile, histological analysis did not observe any changes in adipose tissue morphology that could explain the improvement in systemic glucose homeostasis, although there were tendencies towards increased adipocyte size and inflammation in HFD-fed Mig-6AdKI mice. Conclusion Adipose-specific overexpression of Mig-6 improves systemic glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, suggesting its potential as a target for both the treatment and prevention of diabetes. These findings provide a reference for further research targeting EGFR or Mig-6 in adipose tissue, highlighting the metabolic role of Mig-6 in glucose homeostasis.