The Influence of Human Support on the Effectiveness of Digital Mental Health Promotion Interventions for the General Population

Mental wellbeing amongst the general population is languishing—exacerbated by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Digital mental health promotion interventions, that improve mental health literacy and encourage adoption of evidence-informed practical strategies are essential. However, attrition and non-adherence are problematic in digital interventions. Human support is often applied as an antidote; yet, there is a paucity of randomized trials that compare different human support conditions amongst general population cohorts. Limited trials generally indicate that human support has little influence on adherence or outcomes in DMHPIs. However, providing participants autonomy to self-select automated support options may enhance motivation and adherence

Spatial distribution of air-sea heat fluxes over the sub-polar North Atlantic Ocean

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2012. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geophysical Research Letters 39 (2012): L18806, doi:10.1029/2012GL053097.On a variety of spatial and temporal scales, the energy transferred by air-sea heat and moisture fluxes plays an important role in both atmospheric and oceanic circulations. This is particularly true in the sub-polar North Atlantic Ocean, where these fluxes drive water-mass transformations that are an integral component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Here we use the ECMWF Interim Reanalysis to provide a high-resolution view of the spatial structure of the air-sea turbulent heat fluxes over the sub-polar North Atlantic Ocean. As has been previously recognized, the Labrador and Greenland Seas are areas where these fluxes are large during the winter months. Our particular focus is on the Iceland Sea region where, despite the fact that water-mass transformation occurs, the winter-time air-sea heat fluxes are smaller than anywhere else in the sub-polar domain. We attribute this minimum to a saddle point in the sea-level pressure field, that results in a reduction in mean surface wind speed, as well as colder sea surface temperatures associated with the regional ocean circulation. The magnitude of the heat fluxes in this region are modulated by the relative strength of the Icelandic and Lofoten Lows, and this leads to periods of ocean cooling and even ocean warming when, intriguingly, the sensible and latent heat fluxes are of opposite sign. This suggests that the air-sea forcing in this area has large-scale impacts for climate, and that even modest shifts in the atmospheric circulation could potentially impact the AMOC.GWKM was supported by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. IAR was funded in part by NCAS (the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences) and by NERC grant NE/I005293/1. RSP was funded by grant OCE-0959381 fromthe US National Science Foundation.2013-03-2

An exploration of the experiences and utility of functional electrical stimulation for foot drop in people with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is effective in improving walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with foot drop. There is limited research exploring people’s experiences of using this device. This study aims to explore the utility, efficacy, acceptability, and impact on daily life of the device in people with MS. Methods: An interpretative phenomenological approach was employed. Ten participants who had used FES for 12 months were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed, and emergent themes identified. Results: Nine participants continued to use the device. Three relevant super-ordinate themes were identified; impact of functional electrical stimulation, sticking with functional electrical stimulation, and autonomy and control. Participants reported challenges using the device; however, all reported positive physical and psychological benefits. Intrinsic and external influences such as; access to professional help, the influence of others, an individual’s ability to adapt, and experiences using the device, influenced their decisions to continue with the device. A thematic model of these factors was developed. Conclusions: This study has contributed to our understanding of people with MS experiences of using the device and will help inform prescribing decisions and support the continued, appropriate use of FES over the longer term

Photolabile Ru Model Complexes with Chelating Diimine Ligands for Light-Triggered Drug Release

A series of water-soluble photolabile model complexes of the general formula [Ru([9]aneS3)(chel)(py)]Cl2 ([9]aneS3 = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, chel = chelating diimine) was prepared and fully characterized. The photo-triggered release of pyridine with visible light as a function of the nature of the diimine (chel = 2,2\u2032-bipyridine (6) 1,10-phenanthroline (7), 4,7-diphenil-1,10-phenanthroline (8), dipyrido-[3,2-a:2\u2032,3\u2032-c]phenazine (dppz, 9), 2,2\u2032-biquinoline (bq, 10)) was investigated. Our aim is that of establishing if this type of complexes in the future might be realistically used in the photo-uncaging strategy of photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT). Compounds 6 \u2013 9 present a MLCT absorption in the blue region of the visible spectrum. When irradiated with light at 470 nm, they rapidly and quantitatively release the coordinated pyridine. Complex 10 turned out to be quite different from to the others in the series. Structure-wise, in 10 the average plane of coordinated bq \u2013 owing to its steric demand \u2013 is remarkably tilted relative to the equatorial coordination plane (37.43 (4)\ub0, with the \u201cfront\u201d of the ligand pointing towards the axial py) and the orientation of py is ca. orthogonal compared to that found in 6 and 7 for minimizing steric clashes with bq. The low-lying acceptor orbitals of bq induce a red-shift of the MLCT absorption maximum to ca. 500 nm. Contrary to the expectations, complex 10 is more photo-stable compared to 6 \u2013 9 and photo-dissociation of both py and bq, in ca. equal amounts, occurs. A detailed theoretical investigation was performed on 10 (and on 6 for comparison), for explaining its peculiar spectral features and photochemical behavior

DNA charge transport over 34 nm

Molecular wires show promise in nanoscale electronics but the synthesis of uniform, long conductive molecules is a significant challenge. DNA of precise length, by contrast, is easily synthesized, but its conductivity has not been explored over the distances required for nanoscale devices. Here we demonstrate DNA charge transport (CT) over 34 nm in 100-mer monolayers on gold. Multiplexed gold electrodes modified with 100-mer DNA yield sizable electrochemical signals from a distal, covalent Nile Blue redox probe. Significant signal attenuation upon incorporation of a single base pair mismatch demonstrates that CT is DNA-mediated. Efficient cleavage of these 100-mers by a restriction enzyme indicates that the DNA adopts a native conformation that is accessible to protein binding. Similar electron transfer rates are measured through 100-mer and 17-mer monolayers, consistent with rate-limiting electron tunneling through the saturated carbon linker. This DNA-mediated CT distance of 34 nm surpasses most reports of molecular wires

Decreasing intensity of open-ocean convection in the Greenland and Iceland seas

The air–sea transfer of heat and fresh water plays a critical role in the global climate system. This is particularly true for the Greenland and Iceland seas, where these fluxes drive ocean convection that contributes to Denmark Strait overflow water, the densest component of the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Here we show that the wintertime retreat of sea ice in the region, combined with different rates of warming for the atmosphere and sea surface of the Greenland and Iceland seas, has resulted in statistically significant reductions of approximately 20% in the magnitude of the winter air–sea heat fluxes since 1979. We also show that modes of climate variability other than the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are required to fully characterize the regional air–sea interaction. Mixed-layer model simulations imply that further decreases in atmospheric forcing will exceed a threshold for the Greenland Sea whereby convection will become depth limited, reducing the ventilation of mid-depth waters in the Nordic seas. In the Iceland Sea, further reductions have the potential to decrease the supply of the densest overflow waters to the AMOC

Buoy observations from the windiest location in the world ocean, Cape Farewell, Greenland

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2008. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geophysical Research Letters 35 (2008): L18802, doi:10.1029/2008GL034845.Cape Farewell, Greenland's southernmost point, is a region of significant interest in the meteorological and oceanographic communities in that atmospheric flow distortion associated with the high topography of the region leads to a number of high wind speed jets. The resulting large air-sea fluxes of momentum and buoyancy have a dramatic impact on the region's weather and ocean circulation. Here the first in-situ observations of the surface meteorology in the region, collected from an instrumented buoy, are presented. The buoy wind speeds are compared to 10 m wind speeds from the QuikSCAT satellite and the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). We show that the QuikSCAT retrievals have a high wind speed bias that is absent from the NARR winds. The spatial characteristics of the high wind speed events are also presented.The support of the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Science, the support of the National Science Foundation grant OCE-0450658as well as the Natural Environmental Research Council grant NE/C003365/1

The Influence of Three Modes of Human Support on Attrition and Adherence to a Web- and Mobile App–Based Mental Health Promotion Intervention in a Nonclinical Cohort: Randomized Comparative Study

Background: The escalating prevalence of mental health disorders necessitates a greater focus on web- and mobile app–based mental health promotion initiatives for nonclinical groups. However, knowledge is scant regarding the influence of human support on attrition and adherence and participant preferences for support in nonclinical settings. Objective: This study aimed to compare the influence of 3 modes of human support on attrition and adherence to a digital mental health intervention for a nonclinical cohort. It evaluated user preferences for support and assessed whether adherence and outcomes were enhanced when participants received their preferred support mode. Methods: Subjects participated in a 10-week digital mental health promotion intervention and were randomized into 3 comparative groups: standard group with automated emails (S), standard plus personalized SMS (S+pSMS), and standard plus weekly videoconferencing support (S+VCS). Adherence was measured by the number of video lessons viewed, points achieved for weekly experiential challenge activities, and the total number of weeks that participants recorded a score for challenges. In the postquestionnaire, participants ranked their preferred human support mode from 1 to 4 (S, S+pSMS, S+VCS, S+pSMS & VCS combined). Stratified analysis was conducted for those who received their first preference. Preintervention and postintervention questionnaires assessed well-being measures (ie, mental health, vitality, depression, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, and flourishing). Results: Interested individuals (N=605) enrolled on a website and were randomized into 3 groups (S, n=201; S+pSMS, n=202; S+VCS, n=201). Prior to completing the prequestionnaire, a total of 24.3% (147/605) dropped out. Dropout attrition between groups was significantly different (P=.009): 21.9% (44/201) withdrew from the S group, 19.3% (39/202) from the S+pSMS group, and 31.6% (64/202) from the S+VCS group. The remaining 75.7% (458/605) registered and completed the prequestionnaire (S, n=157; S+pSMS, n=163; S+VCS, n=138). Of the registered participants, 30.1% (138/458) failed to complete the postquestionnaire (S, n=54; S+pSMS, n=49; S+VCS, n=35), but there were no between-group differences (P=.24). For the 69.9% (320/458; S, n=103; S+pSMS, n=114; S+VCS, n=103) who completed the postquestionnaire, no between-group differences in adherence were observed for mean number of videos watched (P=.42); mean challenge scores recorded (P=.71); or the number of weeks that challenge scores were logged (P=.66). A total of 56 participants (17.5%, 56/320) received their first preference in human support (S, n=22; S+pSMS, n=26; S+VCS, n=8). No differences were observed between those who received their first preference and those who did not with regard to video adherence (P=.91); challenge score adherence (P=.27); or any of the well-being measures including, mental health (P=.86), vitality (P=.98), depression (P=.09), anxiety (P=.64), stress (P=.55), life satisfaction (P=.50), and flourishing (P=.47). Conclusions: Early dropout attrition may have been influenced by dissatisfaction with the allocated support mode. Human support mode did not impact adherence to the intervention, and receiving the preferred support style did not result in greater adherence or better outcomes. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): 12619001009101; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619001009101.asp

The Effectiveness of an Online Interdisciplinary Intervention for Mental Health Promotion: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background There is an urgent need for efficacious interventions to combat the global mental health crisis, and mental health promotion and primary prevention approaches are paramount. The aim of this study is to examine whether an online interdisciplinary intervention that incorporates evidence-based strategies from the disciplines of Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology improves measures of mental health and emotional wellness. Methods A randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control (N = 425, aged 46.97 ± 14.5, 69.9% females) was conducted in Australia and New Zealand. The intervention group participated in a 10-week online interdisciplinary intervention. Primary outcome measures of mental health and emotional wellness were taken at baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 12), and 12 weeks post-intervention (Week 24). The wait-list control completed the same assessments. Results General Linear Modelling analyses indicated that the intervention group experienced significantly greater improvements than the wait-list control group over time in all outcome measures: mental health (F(319) = 7.326, p = 0.007) and vitality (F(319) = 9.445, p = 0.002) subscales of the Short Form Survey (SF-36); depression (F(319) = 7.841, p = 0.005), anxiety (F(319) = 4.440, p = 0.36) and stress (F(319) = 12.494, p \u3c 0.001) scales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and life satisfaction (F(319) = 8.731, p = 0.003) as measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Within the intervention group, significant improvements were observed from Week 1 to 12 in all outcome measures: mental health (10%, t(167) = − 6.423), p \u3c 0.001, dz = 0.50), vitality (22%, t(167) = − 7.043, p \u3c 0.001, dz = 0.54), depression (− 41%, t(167) = 6.189, p \u3c 0.001, dz = 0.48), anxiety (− 38%, t(167) = 5.030, p \u3c 0.001, dz = 0.39), stress (− 31%, t(167) = 6.702, p \u3c 0.001, dz = 0.52) and life satisfaction (8%, t(167) = − 6.199, p \u3c 0.001, dz = 0.48). Improvements in the outcome measures remained significant in the intervention group at 12 weeks post-intervention. Conclusion The online interdisciplinary intervention improved measures of mental health and emotional wellness suggesting that such interventions may be useful for mental health promotion and prevention