Psychometric properties of stigma and discrimination measurement tools for persons living with HIV: a systematic review using the COSMIN methodology.

BACKGROUND: The development of antiretroviral therapy broadly extends the life expectancy of persons living with HIV (PLHIV). However, stigma and discrimination are still great threat to these individuals and the world's public health care system. Accurate and reproducible measures are prerequisites for robust results. Therefore, it is essential to choose an acceptable measure with satisfactory psychometric properties to assess stigma and discrimination. There has been no systematic review of different stigma and discrimination tools in the field of HIV care. Researchers and clinical practitioners do not have a solid reference for selecting stigma and discrimination measurement tools. METHODS: We systematically searched English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, The Cochrane Library, CNKI,, and Wanfang, to obtain literature about stigma and discrimination measurement tools that have been developed and applied in the field of HIV. The search period was from 1st January, 1996 to 22nd November 2021. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guideline (2018 version) was applied to assess the risk of bias for each involved study and summarize the psychometric properties of each tool. The modified version of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and, Evaluation (GRADE) method was used to grade the evidence and develop recommendations. RESULTS: We included 45 studies and 19 PROMs for HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination among PLHIV. All studies had sufficient methodological quality in content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, and the hypothesis testing of structural validity. Limited evidence was found for cross-cultural validity, stability, and criterion validity. No relevant evidence was found concerning measurement error and responsiveness. The Internalized AIDS-related Stigma Scale (IARSS), Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), and Wright's HIV stigma scale (WHSS) are recommended for use. CONCLUSIONS: This study recommends three PROMs for different stigma and discrimination scenarios, including IARSS for its good quality and convenience, IHSS for its broader range of items, higher sensitivity, and greater precision, and WHSS for its comprehensive and quick screening. Researchers should also consider the relevance and feasibility of the measurements before putting them into practice. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022308579.

Identifying care problem clusters and core care problems of older adults with dementia for caregivers: a network analysis.

Background: A shift in research interest from separate care problem to care problem clusters among caregivers of people living with dementia may contribute to a better understanding of dementia care. However, the care problems network among caregivers of people living with dementia are still unknown. This study aimed to identify care problem clusters and core care problems, and explore demographic variables associated with these care problem clusters among caregivers of people living with dementia. Methods: Participants were recruited through memory clinics and WeChat groups. The principal component analysis was applied to identify care problem clusters. The network analysis was conducted to describe the relationships among care problems and clusters. Multiple linear models were used to explore the associated factors for the occurrence of the overall care problems and top three central care problem clusters. Results: A total of 1,012 carer-patient pairs were included in the analysis. Nine care problem clusters were identified. In the entire care problem network, "deterioration in activities of daily living" was the most core care problem cluster across the three centrality indices, followed by "verbal and nonverbal aggression" and "loss of activities of daily living." Variables including marital status, years of dementia diagnosis, number of dementia medication type, and caregiver's educational attainment were associated with the prevalence of these three care problem clusters. Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is a need to evaluate care problem clusters for the improvement of care problem management among people living with dementia. It is particularly important to include assessment and treatment of core care problem as an essential component of the dementia care.

Coulomb potential determining terahertz polarization in a two-color laser field.

The orientation and ellipticity of terahertz (THz) polarization generated by a two-color strong field not only casts light on underlying mechanisms of laser-matter interaction, but also plays an important role for various applications. We develop the Coulomb-corrected classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) method to well reproduce the joint measurements, that the THz polarization generated by the linearly polarized 800 nm and circularly polarized 400 nm fields is independent on two-color phase delay. The trajectory analysis shows that the Coulomb potential twists the THz polarization by deflecting the orientation of asymptotic momentum of electron trajectories. Further, the CTMC calculations predict that, the two-color mid-infrared field can effectively accelerate the electron rapidly away from the parent core to relieve the disturbance of Coulomb potential, and simultaneously create large transverse acceleration of trajectories, leading to the circularly polarized THz radiation.

Patient-reported outcome measures of stigma and discrimination for people living with HIV: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to apply COnsensus-based standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology to review psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of HIV-related stigma and/or discrimination. INTRODUCTION: Due to the development of antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of people living with HIV is similar to the life expectancy of the rest of the population. However, HIV-related stigma and discrimination are still major barriers to improving the quality of life of persons living with HIV. These barriers are a threat to these individuals and the world's public health care systems. Accurate and reproducible PROMs are prerequisites for robust and reliable results. Therefore, it is important to choose acceptable PROMs with satisfactory psychometric properties to assess HIV-related stigma and/or discrimination. However, there has been no systematic review of HIV-related stigma or discrimination PROMs in the field of HIV care. INCLUSION CRITERIA: All studies including adults (age ≥18 years) living with HIV will be eligible for inclusion in this review. The review will consider studies that report 1 or more psychometric properties of HIV-related stigma and/or discrimination PROMs. We will consider studies conducted in any country or setting published in English or Chinese. METHODS: Nine databases will be searched from January 1, 1996, to the present, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang. Assessment of methodological quality, data extraction, data synthesis, and assessing certainty in the findings will be conducted using the COSMIN methodology. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022308579.

Exploring core mental health symptoms among persons living with HIV: A network analysis.

Context: Persons living with HIV (PLWH) commonly experience mental health symptoms. However, little is known about the core mental health symptoms and their relationships. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of various mental health symptoms and to explore their relationships in symptom networks among PLWH. Methods: From April to July 2022, we recruited 518 participants through convenience sampling in Beijing, China, for this cross-sectional study. Forty mental health symptoms, including six dimensions (somatization symptoms, negative affect, cognitive function, interpersonal communication, cognitive processes, and social adaptation), were assessed through paper-based or online questionnaires. Network analysis was performed in Python 3.6.0 to explore the core mental health symptoms and describe the relationships among symptoms and clusters. Results: Of the 40 mental health symptoms, the most common symptoms were fatigue (71.2%), trouble remembering things (65.6%), and uncertainty about the future (64.0%). In the single symptom network, sadness was the most central symptom across the three centrality indices (rS = 0.59, rC = 0.61, rB = 0.06), followed by feeling discouraged about the future (rS = 0.51, rC = 0.57, rB = 0.04) and feelings of worthlessness (rS = 0.54, rC = 0.53, rB = 0.05). In the symptom cluster network, negative affect was the most central symptom cluster across the three centrality indices (rS = 1, rC = 1, rB = 0.43). Conclusion: Our study provides a new perspective on the role of each mental health symptom among PLWH. To alleviate the mental health symptoms of PLWH to the greatest extent possible and comprehensively improve their mental health, we suggest that psychological professionals pay more attention to pessimistic mood and cognitive processes in PLWH. Interventions that apply positive psychology skills and cognitive behavioral therapy may be necessary components for the mental health care of PLWH.

The effectiveness and sustainability of peer support interventions for persons living with HIV: a realist synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Peer support is an important supplement to medical resources for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). However, previous studies have shown mixed results about intervention effects. It is necessary to explain the mechanism of peer support interventions' effectiveness and sustainability to help design more valid peer support interventions. OBJECTIVE: To identify and explain the mechanisms that drive the effectiveness and maintain the sustainability of peer support interventions. METHODS: A preliminary theoretical framework was developed through a scoping review of the grey literature and international project frameworks in five professional websites. We then refined the framework by systematically searching evidence in databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL, CNKI and Wanfang. Qualitative methods were used to generate codes and themes relating to the studies' context, mechanisms and outcomes. We checked chains of inference (connections) across extracted data and themes through an iterative process. RESULTS: A total of 6345 articles were identified, and 52 articles were retained for final synthesis. The refined theoretical framework presents five areas of peer support, including informational support, instrumental support, emotional support, affiliational support and appraisal support; five types of outcomes that peer support can improve for PLHIV, including physiological outcomes, psychological outcomes, behavioural outcomes, cognitive outcomes and social outcomes; the effectiveness mechanism coding system from peer volunteers and the relationship between peer volunteers and PLHIV; and the sustainability mechanism coding system in terms of peer volunteers, PLHIV and study context. CONCLUSIONS: Given that peer support has huge potential human resources, that is, all the qualified PLHIV, irreplaceable advantages in dealing with barriers to HIV-related discrimination and potential comprehensive benefits for PLHIV, it is necessary to develop and organise more peer support projects for PLHIV. Our study highlights that the expansion of peer support projects should be based on their effectiveness and sustainability. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022339079.

Research misconduct knowledge and associated factors among nurses in China: A national cross-sectional survey.

AIM: To measure the knowledge level of research misconduct and explore its associated factors among nurses. BACKGROUND: Engagement in research misconduct by nurses may transfer to professional misconduct in the clinical setting, thereby jeopardizing the quality of patient care. We still know little about the research misconduct situation among nurses. Previous attempts also hardly reflected participants' real knowledge level of research misconduct. METHODS: We applied multistage sampling (province, hospital, and participants) in this cross-sectional survey, and recruited 4112 nurses from 200 tertiary hospitals in 25 provinces. RESULTS: The average knowledge score of the participants was 15.99 ± 5.79. Associated factors of scientific misconduct knowledge score included career situation, educational level, fertility status, research activities index, and perceived consequences for research misconduct. CONCLUSION: It is urgent and necessary to design continuing research integrity training for nurses. Hospital managers and policy-makers should pay more attention to key trainees, including newcomers, nurses from less developed groups and institutions, and those from clinical departments. Training designers should also consider how to help nurses with offspring balance their family and work, and should not neglect the training for nurses with extensive research experience. In addition to conveying knowledge and information, the training can integrate cognitive education of research misconduct to improve the effect.

Trajectory analysis for low-order harmonic generation in two-color strong laser fields.

Focusing two-color laser fields in gas-phase medium produces ultrashort ultra-broadband low-order harmonics spanning from terahertz to extreme ultraviolet regime. The low-order harmonic generation can be explained by both macroscopic photocurrent model and microscopic strong field approximation theory. Here, we analytically build a bridge between the macroscopic and microscopic theories by means of the trajectory method, which manifests correspondences between macroscopic and microscopic theories. And we demonstrate the trajectory analysis to explain phase-dependent terahertz and third-harmonic generations, and contribute the phase-dependent yields and spectral shapes to the coherent superposition of electron trajectories released at distinct ionization instants, reflecting electron interfering with itself in radiation process. The trajectory method readily connects the low-order harmonics characteristics and behaviors of electron wavepacket, which has potential for reconstructing ultrafast electron dynamics by means of low-harmonics observations.

Psychometric properties of measurement tools of active aging: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Active aging has become a global goal under the current aging situation. Accurate and reproducible assessment tools are prerequisites to robust and reliable results for prevalence evaluation, associated factor exploration, and intervention effect assessment. However, there remains no systematic review to summarize all active aging assessment tools and report their psychometric properties. OBJECTIVE: To identify and assess the psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures of active aging in older adults. DESIGN: Systematic review of measurement properties using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology. METHODS: Eight databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane library, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, CNKI, and Wanfang) were searched from January 2002 to February 2022. Studies that aim to validate patient-reported outcome measures of active aging in older adults aged 60 and over and report one or more psychometric properties were eligible for this systematic review. Methodological quality was assessed using the COSMIN Risk of Bias Checklist. We used the COSMIN criteria to summarize and rate the psychometric properties of each patient-reported outcome measure. A modified Grading, Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to assess the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: Twenty studies reported on the psychometric properties of 18 identified patient-reported outcome measures. Of the 20 included studies, seven explored more than five psychometric properties. Limited information was retrieved on cross-cultural validity/measurement invariance, reliability, criterion validity, hypothesis testing for construct validity, measurement error, and responsiveness. High-quality evidence on psychometric properties was provided for the Active Aging Scale and individual-level Active Aging Index. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the included studies highlighted that the Active Aging Scale and individual-level Active Aging Index are strongly recommended to evaluate active aging in research and clinics based on the specific aims of assessment and the response burden for participants. Future studies should also develop or translate more active aging individual-level assessment tools and pay attention to the evaluation of psychometric properties. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42021287395).

Intensity-surged and bandwidth-extended terahertz radiation in two-foci cascading plasmas.

The two-color strong-field mixing in gas medium is a widely used approach to generate bright broadband terahertz (THz) radiation. Here, we present a new, to the best of our knowledge, and counterintuitive method to promote THz performance in the two-color scheme. Beyond our knowledge that the maximum THz generation occurs with two-color foci overlapped, we found that, when the foci of two-color beams are noticeably separated along the propagation axis resulting in cascading plasmas, the THz conversion efficiency is surged by one order of magnitude and the bandwidth is stretched by more than two times, achieving 10-3 conversion efficiency and >100 THz bandwidth under the condition of 800/400 nm, ∼35 fs driving lasers. With the help of the pulse propagation equation and photocurrent model, the observations can be partially understood by the compromise between THz generation and absorption due to the spatial redistribution of laser energy in cascading plasmas. The present method can be extended to a mid-infrared driving laser, and new records of THz peak power and conversion efficiency are expected.

Attention-based neural network for polarimetric image denoising.

In this Letter, we propose an attention-based neural network specially designed for the challenging task of polarimetric image denoising. In particular, the channel attention mechanism is used to effectively extract the features underlying the polarimetric images by rescaling the contributions of channels in the network. In addition, we also design the adaptive polarization loss to make the network focus on the polarization information. Experiments show that our method can well restore the details flooded by serious noise and outperforms previous methods. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of channel attention is revealed visually.

Charge-encoded multi-photoion coincidence for three-body fragmentation of CO2 in the strong laser fields.

The photoion-photoion coincidence (PIPICO) is a simple and effective approach for the selection of correlated fragments in a specific dissociating channel in molecules. We propose here a charge-encoded multi-photoion coincidence (cMUPICO) method, in analogy to traditional PIPICO, however in which the charge of individual fragments is taken into account. The cMUPICO method allows for clearly displaying coincident channels for dissociation channels containing three more fragments with unequal charge states, invisible in the traditional PIPICO. As a demonstration, three-body fragmentation dynamics of CO2 in strong IR laser fields is analyzed, and 11 dissociation channels are effectively identified, five of which are first found with cMUPICO. The present results show that cMUPICO is a powerful and practical tool for distinguishing various dissociation channels with multiply charged multi-photoions.

Frequency interferometric localization microscopy.

We propose a new super-resolution microscopy, named frequency interferometric localization microscopy (FILM). FILM is implemented by incorporating a Michelson interferometer into wide-field fluorescence microscope, which introduces coherence time as a new auxiliary axis to obtain the spectral information of individual fluorophores. After the time-wavelength transformation, the homogeneous linewidth of individual fluorophores can be isolated from the inhomogeneous broadening distribution of the fluorophore ensemble. Thus, the nearby fluorophores with a distinguishable central wavelength can be separated in the frequency domain and localized with accuracy beyond the diffraction limit. The principle of the method, experimental schematics, and reconstruction algorithm are numerically demonstrated. With properly prepared fluorophores, FILM has the potential to reach, in principle, molecular-scale spatial resolution.

Third-order harmonic generation in a bi-chromatic elliptical laser field.

The low-order harmonic generation induced by a strong laser field produces a bright, ultrashort, supercontinuum radiation ranging from the terahertz to ultraviolet band. By controlling the phase-delay and ellipticity of the bi-chromatic laser fields, the third harmonic generation is experimentally and theoretically investigated for elucidating the mechanism of the low-order harmonics. The third harmonic generation is found to be strongly suppressed in the counter-rotating bi-chromatic laser field due to the selection rule for harmonic emissions. The continuum-continuum transition in the strong field approximation is extended to explain the third harmonic generation as a function of the phase delay and ellipticity of the bi-chromatic laser fields. Compared with the semi-classical photocurrent model, the continuum-continuum transition on the basis of quantum-mechanical treatment achieves better agreement with the experimental observations. Our work indicates that the overlapping in continuum states via different quantum paths of a single electron plays a role in low-order harmonics generation under elliptical bi-chromatic laser fields.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride Films: Emerging Paradigm for Versatile Applications.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a well-known two-dimensional conjugated polymer semiconductor that has been broadly applied in photocatalysis-related fields. However, further developments of g-C3N4, especially in device applications, have been constrained by the inherent limitations of its insoluble nature and particulate properties. Recent breakthroughs in fabrication methods of g-C3N4 films have led to innovative and inspiring applications in many fields. In this review, we first summarize the fabrication of continuous and thin films, either supported on substrates or as free-standing membranes. Then, the novel properties and application of g-C3N4 films are the focus of the current review. Finally, some underlying challenges and the future developments of g-C3N4 films are tentatively discussed. This review is expected to provide a comprehensive and timely summary of g-C3N4 film research to the wide audience in the field of conjugated polymer semiconductor-based materials.

Organocatalytic C3-functionalization of indolizines: synthesis of biologically important indolizine derivatives.

A Brønsted acid-catalyzed C3-alkylation of indolizines has been established with different electrophiles such as ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohols, other precursors of para-quinone methides and ortho-quinone methides, and 2-indolylmethanol as well. By using this approach, a series of C3-functionalized indolizines were synthesized in overall good yields (up to 89%). These examples demonstrate that the Brønsted acid-catalyzed C3-alkylation of indolizines has a wide applicability, which can serve as a useful method for synthesizing C3-functionalized indolizine derivatives with structural diversity. This reaction has fulfilled the task of developing organocatalytic C3-functionalization of indolizines for the synthesis of biologically important indolizine derivatives.

Experimental evidence for terahertz emission of continuum electrons in the dual-color laser field.

Terahertz (THz) wave generation (TWG) in a dual-color laser is investigated with joint measurements between THz and third-harmonic generation, where the relative phase delay of dual-color fields is determined in situ in sub-wavelength accuracy, allowing for the clarification of the TWG mechanism in a direct comparison with various theoretical predictions. The delay- and polarization-dependent experiment validates that the continuum-continuum transition within the escaped electron wavepacket in the single atom gives birth to THz emission, while the bound energetic level does not contribute to TWG. TWG from atoms and molecules would provide an all-optical, vacuum-free, and ultrafast tool to record the spatiotemporal evolution of tunneling electron wavepackets.

Calcium overload decreases net free radical emission in cardiac mitochondria.

Elevated calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for the bulk of cell death occurring in a variety of clinical settings that include acute coronary events, cerebrovascular accidents, and acute kidney injury. It is commonly believed that calcium and ROS participate in a viscous cycle during these events. However, the precise feedback mechanisms are unknown. We quantitatively demonstrate in this study that, on the contrary, calcium does not stimulate free radical production but suppresses it. Isolated mitochondria from guinea pig hearts were energized with a variety of substrates and exposed to calcium concentrations designed to induce moderate calcium overload conditions associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury but do not elicit the well-known mitochondrial permeability transition phenomenon. Metabolic function and free radical emission were simultaneously quantified using high-resolution respirometry and fluorimetry. Membrane potential, high amplitude swelling, and calcium dynamics were also quantified in parallel. Our results reveal that calcium overload does not lead to excessive ROS emission but does decrease ADP stimulated respiration rates for NADH-dependent pathways. Moreover, we developed an empirical model of mitochondrial free radical homeostasis to identify the processes that are different for each substrate and calcium condition. In summary, we show that in healthy guinea pig mitochondria, calcium uptake and free radical generation do not contribute to a viscous cycle and that the relationship between net free radical production and oxygen concentration is hyperbolic. Altogether, these results lay out an important foundation necessary to quantitatively determine the role of calcium in IR injury and ROS production.

Sea lamprey cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetics after exposure to TFM and its metabolites.

Population control of invasive sea lamprey relies heavily on lampricide treatment of infested streams. The lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) is thought to impair mitochondrial ATP production through uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. However, the effect of TFM on the entire electron transport chain (complexes I to V) in the mitochondria is not clear. In addition, TFM is reduced in phase I metabolism by sea lamprey at higher levels than in other fish species. The effects of these TFM reductive metabolites on mitochondria have not been explored. In this study, we sought to examine the effects of TFM and its reductive metabolite amino-TFM (TFMa) on cardiac mitochondrial oxygen consumption and membrane potential to delineate potential mechanisms for toxicity. To determine if molecules with similar structure also exhibit similar effects on mitochondria, we used 4-nitro-3-methylphenol (NMP) and its reductive metabolites 4-amino-3-methylphenol (NMPa) and 4-nitroso-3-methylphenol (NMPn) for comparisons. We found that mitochondrial bioenergetics was heavily affected with increasing concentrations of TFM, NMP, and NMPa when complexes I and II of the electron transport chain were examined, indicating that the toxic action of these compounds was exerted not only by uncoupling complex V, but also affecting complexes I and II.

Efficient and synergistic decolourization and nitrate removal using a single-chamber with a coupled biocathode-photoanode system.

With the continuous development of the chemical industries, synergistic removal of carbon and nitrogen contaminants has drawn much attention. In this work, a novel strategy for the synergistic removal of methyl orange (MO) and nitrate was developed in a single reactor by combining a TiO2/g-C3N4 nanosheet/graphene photoanode and denitrifying biofilm cathode. Under xenon light illumination, the photocatalytic MO decolorization rate exceeded 90% (the initial concentration of MO was as high as 100 mg·L-1) with a biocathode potential bias of -0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl; additionally, the decolourization rate apparently followed first-order kinetics with a constant of 0.11 ± 0.02 h-1. The improved MO decolourization rate was mainly because the biocathode effectively enhanced the charge separation of the photogenerated charge at the TiO2/g-C3N4 nanosheet/graphene photoanode interface. In the meantime, the effluent nitrate was lower than 1 mg·N·L-1 at a biocathode potential of -0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl. The results indicated that the coupled biocathode-photoanode system could serve the purpose of simultaneously degrading MO and accomplishing nitrate reduction. Considering the sustainability of sunlight and the use of a biocathode, the coupled biocathode-photoanode system is a promising alternative for the simultaneous removal of biorefractory organics and nitrate.