Varying Collimation for Dark-Field Extraction

Although x-ray imaging is widely used in biomedical applications, biological soft tissues have small density changes, leading to low contrast resolution for attenuation-based x-ray imaging. Over the past years, x-ray small-angle scattering was studied as a new contrast mechanism to enhance subtle structural variation within the soft tissue. In this paper, we present a detection method to extract this type of x-ray scattering data, which are also referred to as dark-field signals. The key idea is to acquire an x-ray projection multiple times with varying collimation before an x-ray detector array. The projection data acquired with a collimator of a sufficiently high collimation aspect ratio contain mainly the primary beam with little scattering, while the data acquired with an appropriately reduced collimation aspect ratio include both the primary beam and small-angle scattering signals. Then, analysis of these corresponding datasets will produce desirable dark-field signals; for example, via digitally subtraction. In the numerical experiments, the feasibility of our dark-field detection technology is demonstrated in Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that the acquired dark field signals can clearly reveal the structural information of tissues in terms of Rayleigh scattering characteristics

Self-management education interventions for persons with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis

Although self-management education programs for persons with schizophrenia are being developed and advocated, uncertainty about their overall effectiveness remains. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine outcomes of self-management education interventions in persons with schizophrenia. Six electronic databases were searched. Manual searches were conducted of the reference lists of the identified studies and major psychiatric journals. Randomized controlled trials of self-management education interventions aimed at reducing relapse and hospital readmissions, as well as improving symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and adherence to medication treatment were identified. Data were extracted and the quality of included studies were rated by two authors independently. Finally, 13 studies with 1404 patients were included. Self-management education interventions were associated with a significant reduction of relapse events and re-hospitalizations. Patients who received self-management education were more likely to improve adherence to medication and symptoms compared to patients receiving other care. However, a benefit on psychosocial functioning was not confirmed in the current meta-analysis. The study concludes that self-management education intervention is a feasible and effective method for persons with schizophrenia and should be routinely offered to all persons with schizophrenia

The health related quality of life (HRQOL) of Chinese patients following total joint replacement surgery

abstractpublished_or_final_versionNursing StudiesMasterMaster of Philosoph

Graduate nursing education in China

Despite the relatively long history of nursing education, the development of graduate nursing education in the People’s Republic of China is slow compared to western countries. Yet, rapid social changes call for higher quality nursing care. Consequently, the Chinese government has acknowledged the need to upgrade nursing education in China. The first master of nursing program was established in 1992. Since then graduate programs have grown dramatically in the past 17 years and this growth has had a vital impact on nursing development. However, a number of issues have been raised concerning the focus of graduate programs. This article presents a comprehensive description on the current status, problems, and strategies used in graduate nursing education in mainland China

Self-management in chinese people with schizophrenia and their caregivers: a qualitative study on facilitators and barriers

The purpose of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers of self-management from the viewpoint of Chinese people with schizophrenia and their caregivers. A qualitative study using the individual interview method was used. Twenty-one people with schizophrenia and 14 caregivers were interviewed. Three facilitators were identified: family and peer support, positive relationships with health professionals, and positive attitudes towards self-management. Four barriers were identified: lack of knowledge and skills, financial constraint, social stigma, and uncoordinated mental health services. The findings from this study should help nurses to recognize the factors that influence self-management and provide direction for nurses and other health professionals involved in initiating and implementing family-based self-management programmes for people with schizophrenia. The findings also call for the development of antistigma programmes, which are needed to help reduce prejudice and discrimination towards individuals with schizophrenia in China. The study also provides information for health policy makers in China to help them make potential changes in mental health services, which can better meet the needs of Chinese people with schizophrenia

Global prevalence of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background COVID-19 and its transmission mitigation measures have caused widespread mental health problems. Previous studies have suggested that psychological, economic, behavioral, and psychosocial problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a rise in self-harm. However, little is known about the prevalence of self-harm worldwide during COVID-19. Therefore, a quantitative synthesis is needed to reach an overall conclusion regarding the prevalence of self-harm during the pandemic. Methods By using permutations of COVID-19, self-harm or relevant search terms, we searched the following electronic databases from November 2019 to January 2022: Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and systematically reviewed the evidence according to MOOSE guidelines. We employed Cochran’s chi-squared test (Cochran’s Q), I 2test and subgroup analysis to assess and address the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by eliminating each included study individually and then combining the effects. Results Sixteen studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified, with sample sizes ranging from 228 to 49,227. The methodological quality of the included studies was mostly at the medium level. By using a random effect model, the pooled prevalence of self-harm was 15.8% (95% CI 13.3–18.3). Based on subgroup analysis, the following characteristics of the included studies were more likely to have a higher prevalence of self-harm: studies conducted in Asia or prior to July 2020, cross-sectional studies, samples recruited in hospitals or schools, adolescents, females, the purpose of self-harm (NSSI), mental symptoms and restriction experiences. Conclusions We provided the first meta-analytic estimated prevalence of self-harm based on a large sample from different countries and populations. The prevalence of self-harm during COVID-19 was not encouraging and requires attention and intervention. Further high-quality and prospective research are needed in order to determine the prevalence of self-harm with greater accuracy because to the clear heterogeneity across the included studies. In addition, this study also provides new directions for future research, including the identification of high-risk groups for self-harm, the formulation and implementation of prevention and intervention programs, and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on self-harm

Factors Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Patients with End-stage Renal Disease: a Meta-analysis

Background Cognitive impairment (CI) is highly prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) , which seriously affects the prognosis of patients. Early identification of its associated factors is of great significance, but there is no agreement as to existing relevant research conclusions, and no relevant systematic reviews conducted with Chinese patients with ESRD. Objective To systematically evaluate the factors associated with CI in Chinese patients with ESRD. Methods Databases of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBase, CNKI, WanFangData, CQVIP and CBM were searched from inception to October 2021 for studies (including cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and case-control studies) about associated factors of CI in Chinese ESRD patients (with stage CKD5 defined in the 2002 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative, or treatment with peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis) using subject words in combination with free words as search terms with adjustment by the database feature when necessary. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. Stata 15.0 was employed for Meta-analysis. Results In total, 44 studies were included, including 42 172 patients, among which, the cohort studies and case-control studies were rated as high-quality evidence, and the cross-sectional studies as moderate or high-quality evidence. Meta-analysis revealed that older age〔OR=1.17, 95%CI (1.13, 1.22) , P<0.001〕, long duration of dialysis〔OR=1.02, 95%CI (1.00, 1.03) , P=0.008〕, hypertension〔OR=2.02, 95%CI (1.06, 3.86) , P=0.032〕, stroke〔OR=1.93, 95%CI (1.33, 2.80) , P=0.001〕, diabetes〔OR=1.99, 95%CI (1.62, 2.44) , P<0.001〕, high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) 〔OR=5.28, 95%CI (1.48, 18.82) , P=0.010〕, depression〔OR=2.46, 95%CI (1.61, 3.77) , P<0.001〕, high parathyroid hormone (PTH) 〔OR=1.02, 95%CI (1.00, 1.04) , P=0.034〕, high C-reactive protein (CRP) 〔OR=1.20, 95%CI (1.01, 1.42) , P=0.040〕and high Hcy 〔OR=3.34, 95%CI (2.06, 5.42) , P<0.001〕 were associated with increased risk of CI, while male〔OR=0.55, 95%CI (0.37, 0.82) , P=0.003〕, high education level〔OR=0.45, 95%CI (0.37, 0.55) , P<0.001〕, high Hb〔OR=0.91, 95%CI (0.86, 0.95) , P<0.001〕, high serum ALB〔OR=0.77, 95%CI (0.63, 0.94) , P=0.009〕 and high serum creatinine〔OR=0.997, 95%CI (0.995, 0.999) , P=0.003〕were associated with decreased risk of CI. Conclusion The current evidence proves that the risk of CI in Chinese patients with ESRD may be increased with older age, long duration of dialysis, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, high CCI, depression, high PTH, high CRP and high Hcy, and decreased with male, high education level, and high Hb, ALB and Cr. However, the conclusion needs to be verified by more high-quality studies due to limited number and quality of included studies

Pd-silicalite-1 composite membrane for direct hydroxylation of benzene

Pd membranes of excellent stability and flux were prepared with multi-legged anchors by electroless plating of Pd on a porous support modified by a zeolite barrier layer containing Pd seeds; these membranes provide stable phenol production by direct hydroxylation of benzene

Effects of Erosion Micro-Topographies on Plant Colonization on Weathered Gangue Dumps in Northeast China

Micro-topography has been proved to be beneficial for plant colonization in severe environments. There are numerous micro-topographies caused by erosion of gangue dumps in the Northeast China, which can make plant colonization difficult. To determine how these micro-topographies affect plant colonization, the environment conditions, regeneration characteristics, vegetation characteristics of different erosion micro-topographies, such as bare slope, rill, ephemeral gully and deposit body were studied, and their relationships analyzed. The results showed that the content of particles with a size p 20 mm in the ephemeral gully was 2.24 times higher than that in the deposit body. Except for the substrate water content, the substrate temperature and the surface humidity and temperature of the ephemeral gully were significantly different from those of the deposit body (p p Vdc) were more affected by the regeneration characteristics (Rc) as well as surface humidity and temperature (Sht), while Rc was significantly affected by Sht, which was extremely significantly affected by the soil physical properties and substrate water and temperature (p < 0.01). Different plant species had different responses to the environmental conditions of the erosion micro-topographies. In conclusion, the deposit body and rill are likely to promote plant colonization, which is driven mainly by the seed supply and comfortable growing conditions. The ephemeral gully is not suited to plant colonization because of its unhealthy mechanical composition and strong runoff scouring, and because it is prone to drought, high temperature, and a lack of seeds