bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dissolving Districts: Did Property Values Fall When California Terminated Its Redevelopment Agencies?
Authors: Zheng Huixin , Marantz Nicholas , Kim Jae Hong , Hipp John R.
Published: August 2024

California pioneered the use of tax increment finance (TIF) to promote redevelopment, but in 2012 all redevelopment agencies in the state were simultaneously (and unexpectedly) dissolved, essentially eliminating TIF-supported redevelopment in California. This paper uses hedonic methods to analyze changes in residential property values associated with the dissolution of TIF districts in five cities in northern Orange County. If TIF is necessary for (re)development in the TIF districts, then the unexpected elimination of TIF-funded redevelopment should have reduced property values. The authors find that, within the study area, the elimination of TIF was not associated with decreases in residential values within TIF districts, and quality-adjusted home prices in and near former TIF districts continued to grow at a rate at least comparable to citywide rates in the aftermath of the dissolution. These findings raise the concern that TIF may function as a tool for revenue capture before the TIF districts reach the anticipated expiration dates. In the absence of significant regulatory safeguards, TIF may be used to capture revenue from overlapping governments, instead of serving as an engine of economic development.
The Effect of a Single-Dose Aminoglycoside With a Beta-Lactam for the Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteremia
Authors: Cerenzio John , Andrade Justin , DeAngelis Joanna , Truong James
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Aminoglycosides possess activity against aerobic gram-negative organisms and are often used in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics. Previous studies evaluating combination therapy in gram-negative bacteremia have not shown clear benefits, however antimicrobial resistance was not prevalent in these studies. Our objective is to elucidate potential benefits of adding a single dose of an aminoglycoside to a beta-lactam in patients with gram-negative bacteremia. Methods: This study was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study including patients 18 years old or older and treated for at least 24 hours for a confirmed gram-negative bacteremia. Patients were divided into two groups: receipt of beta-lactam monotherapy (n = 164) and receipt of a beta-lactam in addition to a single dose of an aminoglycoside (n = 79) within 24 hours of bacteremia onset. The primary endpoint was infection-related 30-day mortality per provider documentation. Key secondary outcomes include incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and time to improvement of AKI. Data were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, student’s T test, and descriptive statistics as appropriate. Results: The primary outcome occurred in 13/164 vs 2/79 patients in the monotherapy and combination groups ( P = 0.10). Incidence of AKI (14% vs. 12%) and time to recovery from AKI (90 hours; IQR [50 – 133] vs 78 hours; IQR [42 – 128]) were comparable between groups ( P = 1.00 and P = 0.73, respectively). Conclusions: The addition of a single-dose aminoglycoside was not significantly associated with reduced mortality or increased time to recovery from AKI in our patient population. Larger studies, particularly in more severely ill patient populations, are needed.
Nationwide Survey to Characterize and Compare the Research Experiences of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-Accredited Postgraduate Year One Pharmacy Residency Programs
Authors: Dressler Andrea , Seabury Robert W. , Darko William , Kufel Wesley D. , Steele Jeffrey M. , Kelly Courtney , Andrew Ryan , Hayes Zachary , Miller Christopher D. , Parsels Katie A.
Published: August 2024

Background: Many Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Pharmacy residencies provide research training however, details of this training are not well described. Publication rates have been utilized to assess residency research learning experiences. Higher publication rates have been reported by programs that have implemented a structured research learning experience. Objective: The primary objective was to identify differences in the research learning experiences for American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited PGY1 Pharmacy residencies with reported resident publication rates of ≥20% vs <20%. Methods: This survey was distributed to PGY1 Pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs). Seven sections were analyzed to identify research learning experience differences between programs with reported publication rates of ≥20% vs <20%: (1) program characteristics/research outcomes; (2) involved individuals; (3) requirements; (4) learning experience structure; (5) educational methods; (6) formal education; (7) barriers/RPD perceptions. Variables with P < 0.05 on logistic regression were considered statistically significant. Results: The survey response rate was 31.3% (308/984). Significant positive predictors for reported publication rates of ≥20% were: involved individuals: research director/coordinator, individuals trained in statistics, non-pharmacy medical staff; requirements: Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative training, research seminars/training courses, research manuscript; learning experience structure: research committee; educational methods: didactic residency-led lectures/courses, formal workshops, self-taught online modules; and formal education: manuscript preparation. Conclusion: This study suggests there are differences in the research learning experiences at PGY1 Pharmacy residencies with reported resident publications rates of ≥20% vs <20%. We encourage PGY1 Pharmacy residency programs to consider implementing elements associated with reported resident publication rates of ≥20%.
Passive techniques for the thermal performance enhancement of flat plate solar collector: A comprehensive review
Authors: Singh Abhay Kumar , Verma Suresh Kant
Published: August 2024

One of the most abundantly available non-conventional energy sources is solar energy. The advantages of solar energy are that it is freely available, sustainable, non-exhaustible, pollution-free, etc. Many thermal energy technologies are frequently employed to utilize solar energy for different household, agricultural, residential, and industrial applications. A flat plate solar collector (FPSC) is one of the most popular devices for harvesting solar energy and transforming solar radiation into useful heat. The low thermal performance of FPSC is one of its major disadvantages. The performance of the FPSC can be enhanced using active, passive, and mixed methods. In this article, various thermal performance enhancement techniques of FPSC, including design and modification, use of inserts, selective coating, nanofluid, phase change material, mini/microchannels, and transparent insulation material, are discussed. The use of nanomaterial coatings can reduce the convection and radiation losses from the FPSC. High absorptivity black nickel nanoparticles make them excellent for selective coatings. The performance of FPSC with CuO/water nanofluid was more efficient than that of other metal oxides. The performance of a minichannel integrated FPSC is better than that of conventional type because of its direct contact with water, which enhances the heat transfer rate. The most recent technological development of enhanced FPSC discussed in this article will be very useful to the scientific community.
Research on the transient dynamic characteristics of the low-density polyethylene compressors shaft system with operating pressure exceeding 180 MPa
Authors: Jia Jifeng , Yu Xiaoling , Ye Junchao , Lv Qian , Zhang Xinyue , Lu Changcun , Wang Xiaolin
Published: August 2024

The safe and stable function of hyper-compressors with operating pressures exceeding 180 MPa is a guarantee for the low-density polyethylene production process, and the transient dynamics of the compressor shaft system under stable operating conditions are an important concern for the design, maintenance, and fault detection of such compressors. Therefore, this paper presents a finite-element model of the hyper-compressor shaft system and analyzes the dynamic stress and fatigue life of the crankshaft, the connecting rod, the crosshead, and the plunger. In order to verify the accuracy of the model, all stages of the compressor's plunger stress and the torque of the crankshaft–motor connection end were tested in the field. The dynamic gas pressure of each stage cylinder was obtained by the tested stress of the corresponding plunger, then it was set as the load input of the finite-element model. The results show that: the average errors of the simulated plunger stress at two stages are 0.14% and 0.21%, respectively; the mean, peak, valley, and range errors of the torque at the crankshaft–motor connection end are 3.80%, 12.37%, and 3.49%, respectively; the simulated first-order torsional natural frequency of the shaft system is 78 Hz with an error of 8.3%. In the occurrence of the first-order torsional resonance, the maximum torsional stress appears at the crankshaft–motor connection end. The maximum dynamic stress alternating amplitude of the hyper-compressor shaft system under stable operating conditions is 103.7 MPa with a minimum life of 3.309 × 109, which occurs at the crankshaft–motor connection end and is converted into 31.48 years. The finite-element model, test, and simulation data presented in this paper can provide a reference for the fault detection and optimization design of hyper-compressors.
Entropy generation in a chemically reactive magnetohydrodynamic unsteady micropolar nanofluid flow with activation energy over an inclined stretching sheet: A Buongiorno model approach
Authors: Aarathi T , Subramanyam Reddy Anala , Jagadeshkumar K , Ramachandra Prasad Vallampati , Bég O Anwar
Published: August 2024

The goal of this research is to inspect the heat and mass transfer trends and entropy generation in a time-reliant stagnation point stream of a micropolar fluid across an inclined stretched surface. For this objective, a chemically reactive, electrically conducting fluid exposed to an orthogonal magnetic field is studied. The flow governing equations are modelled using Buongiorno model and are reformed to a system of higher order ordinary differential equations by administering appropriate similarity transformations. This system is quantitatively examined by employing the fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme with shooting approach. The effects of thermal radiation, magnetic field, uniform heat source/sink, Brownian motion, thermophoresis, activation energy, and binary chemical reaction are studied on velocity, microrotation, temperature, and concentration profiles. It is observed that magnetic field and Brownian motion elevate the flow temperature. Increased activation energy spikes the fluid concentration while increase in binary chemical reaction reduces the particle concentration. Later, impact of various parameters on skin friction coefficient and heat and mass transfer rates are tabularised. Increasing values of thermophoretic diffusion parameter, Brownian diffusion parameter, and chemical reaction parameter improve the rate of mass transfer. Unsteadiness parameter triggers the skin friction coefficient 53.2% when the parameter value was increased from 0.7 to 1.0. Viscous dissipation and thermal radiation increase the rate of entropy generation. A comparison of skin friction coefficient with previous studies demonstrates a strong agreement.
Internal flow and vibration characteristics of axial flow check valves based on fluid-structure interaction analysis
Authors: Zhang Guang , Hu Run Hua , Chen De Sheng , Lin Zhe
Published: August 2024

Axial flow check valves are primarily employed to regulate the unidirectional flow of fluids within pipelines, preventing backflow or reverse flow. The design of this type of check valve ensures its opening in the direction of fluid flow and closing in the case of reverse flow, thereby ensuring that fluid within the pipeline system can only move in the predetermined direction. This paper establishes a three-dimensional physical model of the axial flow check valve with the length of 2050 mm, the height of 2200 mm and the inlet/outlet diameter of 1716 mm. Dynamic characteristics of the flow field during the closing process of axial flow check valve under different pressure difference were studied using dynamic mesh technology and User Defined Function. The vibration of the valve stem of the axial flow check valve was predicted and analyzed through fluid-structure coupling. Additionally, a fluid-structure coupled approach is employed to predict and analyze the vibration of the valve stem in axial flow check valves. The results indicate that with an increase in the pressure difference at the inlet and outlet, the time required for the check valve to close decreases, leading to an acceleration in the valve disc’s velocity. Simultaneously, the fluid forces exerted by the flow field on the valve stem the increase, resulting in more significant vibrations. Among these vibrations, the first three natural modes have the most substantial impact on the valve stem. To prevent damage to the valve stem, efforts should be made to minimize the influence of these first three modes on axial flow check valves. This study provides valuable recommendations and support for preventing damage to the valve stem in operational scenarios involving axial flow check valves.
Community recommendations for promoting HIV testing to Black young men who have sex with men in the southern United States
Authors: Budhwani Henna , Outlaw Angulique Y , Oster Robert A , Mugavero Michael J , Johnson Mallory O , Hightow-Weidman Lisa B , Naar Sylvie , Nash Princess , Turan Janet M
Published: August 2024

Background

Considering the need to increase HIV testing among racial minority youth in the southern United States, we conducted an exploratory study in Alabama to elucidate recommendations on improving testing rates among Black young men who have sex with men (BYMSM).

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with BYMSM and prevention and outreach workers. Data collection occurred online and in person between 2020–2022.

Results

Our sample included data from n = 56 BYMSM and n = 12 prevention and outreach workers. BYMSMs’ mean age = 24 years. Among prevention and outreach workers, 58% identified as male with mean age = 39 years; 83% identified as Black. Transcripts were coded thematically; five concurrent themes emerged from both BYMSM and prevention and outreach workers: promoting testing at younger ages, need for visibility and outreach, connecting through shared experiences, value of nonjudgmental approaches, and need to increase HIV knowledge in BYMSM.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that cultivating trust is salient to promoting HIV testing in BYMSM. To end the epidemic in the southern United States, a region that is heavily rural with high rates of HIV, it may be necessary to begin prevention conversations at younger ages and equip prevention and outreach workers with communication skills that leverage de-stigmatizing approaches.
IUSTI Europe position statement on use of DoxyPEP: June 2024
Authors: Sherrard Jackie , Gokengin Deniz , Winter Andrew , Marks Michael , Unemo Magnus , Jensen Jorgen S , Cusini Marco , Mårdh Otilia ,   On behalf of IUSTI Europe Guideline Board
Published: August 2024

This position statement is aimed at front-line clinical practitioners and public health authorities in WHO European Region providing services for people wishing to reduce their risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
BASHH standards for the management of sexual health in UK prisons
Authors: Gohil Jesal , Ross Sophie , Prime Katia , Clarke Emily
Published: August 2024

People in prison often experience risk factors that can lead to poor sexual health which is compounded by social deprivation. In response, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) has published the first national standards in the management of UK prisons, providing recommendations for commissioners, service providers, health care providers and people in prison. Nine standards have been devised which cover aspects of sexual health diagnosis and management, public health measures, and some reproductive health issues. The aim of these standards is to drive improvements in sexual health provision in prisons to ensure access to high quality care that is equitable to that which is provided to the general population.
Green horizons: Synergized green technological innovation and green energy consumption on ecological degradation
Authors: Randhawa Abid Ali , Famanta Mahamane , Nassani Abdelmohsen A. , Radulescu Magdalena
Published: August 2024

The ecological environment is at great risk due to economic activities owing to investments, rapid industrialization, and energy resources depletion, which pose significant environmental challenges globally. Recent research has emphasized on the crucial role of green energy consumption (GEN) and green technology innovation in attaining environmental sustainability. However, there are still areas that need to be addressed. This research study investigates the role of GEN, green technology innovation, and foreign direct investment while controlling the effect of economic growth (EGR) and trade openness level on the ecological footprint (EFP) using data from 1999 to 2022 for Pakistan. We used diverse econometric methodologies to ensure the data consistency. We examine the long-term relationships among the study variables using fully modified ordinary least-squares and canonical co-integrating regression. The results revealed that green technology innovation, and GEN emerge as pivotal in reducing environmental degradation. Conversely, foreign direct investment and EGR increased the EFP, validating the pollution haven hypothesis in Pakistan. These findings highlighted the significance of green technology innovation that increased GEN to address ecological degradation. These findings contribute to more extensive discussions on environmental sustainability and development of the green horizon, particularly in the context of developing countries like Pakistan.
Beyond paraneoplastic neurological syndromes: Anti-neuronal antibodies in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Manikuppam Prathyusha , Prakash John Antony Jude , Yadav Bijesh , Mathew John
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Anti-neuronal antibodies target antigens produced by tumour cells and cells of nervous system. These antibodies are formed as a result of autoimmune response elicited by the underlying malignancy, when proteins restricted to immune privileged neurons are presented by the tumour. Previous studies have shown presence of anti-neuronal antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) but information on individual antibodies and their pathogenic role is lacking.

Aims/Objective

To assess the frequency of anti-neuronal antibodies in our neuropsychiatric lupus cohort and to assess any significant association with specific neurological syndrome and to see if the antibodies were more likely to occur in active rather than inactive neuropsychiatric lupus.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study was conducted in our center from 2019 to 2022. Neuropsychiatric manifestations were defined according to 1999 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) nomenclature and case definitions for neuropsychiatric lupus. Samples were taken from active or inactive NPSLE patients with their informed consent. Testing was done on an anti-neuronal antigen panel which consisted of [Amphiphysin, CV2, GAD 65, PNMA2 (Ma-2/Ta), Ri, Yo, Hu, recoverin, SOX1, titin, Zic, Tr)] by semi-quantitative Line immune assay. Association between the categorical variables and antibody positivity group was established using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test as appropriate.

Results

65 patients were recruited, of which 23 (35%) patients had active NPSLE at the time of sample collection. Anti-neuronal antibodies were positive in 13/65 (20%) patients with anti-Gad 65 antibodies having the highest frequency (6.2%) followed by anti CV 2 (3.1%), anti Sox1 (3.1%), anti Amphiphysin (3.1%) anti recoverin (1.5%), anti Yo (1.5%) and anti Zic (1.5%). The panel of anti-neuronal antibodies did not show any specific association with NPSLE features. However, an interesting finding was that, patients with active disease had higher odds of having anti-neuronal antibodies with an OR = 10 (95% CI:2.38 -42) ( p < 0.001) than inactive disease.

Conclusion

Anti-neuronal antibodies were more likely to be positive in active neuropsychiatric lupus patients, and these antibodies which are commonly used to diagnose paraneoplastic syndromes may have a potential role in the diagnosis of NPSLE.
Meaningfulness and Familiarity Expand Visual Working Memory Capacity
Authors: Chung Yong Hoon , Brady Timothy F. , Störmer Viola S.
Published: August 2024

Visual working memory is traditionally studied using abstract, meaningless stimuli. Although studies using such simplified stimuli have been insightful in understanding the mechanisms of visual working memory, they also potentially limit our ability to understand how people encode and store conceptually rich and meaningful stimuli in the real world. Recent studies have demonstrated that meaningful and familiar visual stimuli that connect to existing knowledge are better remembered than abstract colors or shapes, indicating that meaning can unlock additional working memory capacity. These findings challenge current models of visual working memory and suggest that its capacity is not fixed but depends on the type of information that is being remembered and, in particular, how that information connects to preexisting knowledge.
Hyper-Binding: Older Adults Form Too Many Associations, Not Too Few
Authors: Campbell Karen L. , Davis Emily E.
Published: August 2024

Associative memory declines with age, and this decline is thought to stem from a decreased ability to form new associations or bind information together. However, a growing body of work suggests that (a) the binding process itself remains relatively intact with age when tested implicitly and (b) older adults form excessive associations (or “hyper-bind”) because of a decreased ability to control attention. In this article, we review evidence for the hyper-binding hypothesis. This work shows that older adults form more nontarget associations than younger adults, which leads to increased interference at retrieval and forgetting, an effect that may extend to others with poor attentional control, such as children and people with attention-deficit disorder. We discuss why hyper-binding is apparent only under implicit test conditions and how it affects memory for everyday events. Although hyper-binding likely contributes to forgetting, it may also confer certain advantages when seemingly irrelevant associations later become relevant.
An immigrant Irish contingent in the crowd at the execution of William Burke in Edinburgh in 1829
Authors: Donaldson Ken , Henry Christopher
Published: August 2024

The work of the serial killers William Burke and William Hare, immigrant Ulstermen who came to Scotland in 1818, is well known. When they were finally caught, having murdered 16 people and sold their bodies for dissection, Hare turned King's evidence and after a dramatic trial Burke was hanged in January 1829. The notoriety of the case resulted in a crowd for Burke's public execution that is generally regarded as the largest that ever assembled in Edinburgh for a hanging, being estimated at between 25,000 and 35,000 people. A contemporary journal kept by a medical student named Thomas Hume was recently acquired by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It contains new information regarding a contingent of immigrant Irishmen who were present at the hanging. In the lead-up to the execution, they took up a position in front of the gallows and tried to prevent any non-Irish from approaching the area immediately in front of the gallows, a futile aim given the huge, rapidly accumulating mob. On being questioned by Hume on their motives, they said it was bad enough for Burke, ‘the poor devil’, to be hanged, but they feared he would be mocked and denigrated by the crowd and so they were there to keep the crowd away from him as much as they could. The Irish in Scotland at that time were a marginalised and ghettoised group who saw Burke as one of their own. Therefore, they most likely saw it as their duty to at least try and protect him during, in their view, his final and most harsh mistreatment by a society that had habitually mistreated him and them.
Assessment of the Potential of Modern Diagnostic Tools in Differentiation of Minimum Conscious State from the Vegetative State
Authors: Grabarczyk Lukasz
Published: August 2024

Background

The problem of treatment of patients in coma and persistent disturbances of consciousness is difficult and often neglected.

Purpose

The study validated the effectiveness of functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and isotopic brain perfusion in differentiating vegetative state from minimal conscious state.

Methods

The study was performed in a group of 61 patients with persistent disturbances of consciousness. All patients underwent CRS-R differentiation of consciousness and functional magnetic resonance imaging, EEG, and SPECT/CT studies according to a uniform diagnostic protocol.

Results

Analysis has shown that functional magnetic resonance imaging is an effective tool for detecting of consciousness. Analysis of the EEG showed that the occurrence of primary alpha rhythm in patients with impaired consciousness coincides with the state of minimal conscious and may indicate a favourable prognosis. Sector analysis of isotopic cerebral perfusion allowed to put forward the thesis that the key role in the maintenance of consciousness plays a medial part of the left parietal lobe.

Conclusion

On the basis of these results, diagnostic protocol was developed for patients with disturbances of consciousness.
Bruised and confused: An autoethnography of concussion in rugby union
Authors: Kavanagh Tom
Published: August 2024

In this autoethnography, I explore my experiences with sport-related concussion. I portray the challenges that the symptoms presented, but I also provide a wider social, cultural and political context that includes the normalisation of pain and injury in collision sports and the discourses that contribute to a culture where players minimise the severity of, and play through, concussion. Following my career, this article showcases a ‘culture of knocks’, highlighting how these discourses are learned and reproduced, the complex relationship between teams and medical staff, and anxiety over long-term consequences.
Fatal gastric amebiasis in a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth associated with Naegleria australiensis infection
Authors: Lee Jeongha , Braden Meena , Armien Medianero Anibal Guillermo , Uzal Francisco A. , Li Ganwu , Paulsen Daniel B. , Carossino Mariano
Published: August 2024

Here we describe a case of fatal amebic gastritis associated with Naegleria australiensis infection in an 11-mo-old Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth ( Choloepus didactylus). The sloth had a history of weight loss and intermittent diarrhea for 18 d, and subsequently died despite empirical treatment. Postmortem findings included emaciation, gastric dilation with fluid content, and fibrinonecrotic gastritis with intralesional amebic trophozoites and cysts in the glandular region of the fundus. Transmission electron microscopy ruled out Amoebozoa of the family Entamoebidae based on the presence of mitochondria in the amoeboid organisms. PCR for pan–free-living amebae followed by next-generation sequencing of the PCR product revealed 99% identity with Naegleria australiensis. Gastric amebiasis has been reported sporadically in macropods and in leaf-eating monkeys with a sacculated stomach. To our knowledge, gastric amebiasis has not been reported previously in a sloth, which also has a sacculated and multi-chambered stomach.
Disruption and Improvisation: Experiences of Loneliness for People With Chronic Illness
Authors: Cheung Melissa Mei Yin , Lewis Sophie , Raja Revati , Willis Karen , Dubbin Leslie , Rogers Anne , Moensted Maja Lindegaard , Smith Lorraine
Published: August 2024

Chronic illness can disrupt many aspects of life, including identity, social relationships, and anticipated life trajectories. Despite significant scholarship on chronic illness, we know less about the ways in which chronic illness impacts feelings of loneliness and how people with chronic illness deal with loneliness. Drawing on concepts of biographical disruption and liminality and data from walking and photo-elicitation interviews with 14 people, we aimed to explore how people with chronic illness experience loneliness in their everyday lives. Tracing how past and present illness experiences are implicated in the lived experience of loneliness and the strategies people use to manage loneliness, our findings illustrated that being caught in a liminal state where participants struggled to maintain and adapt to a new normality in life with chronic illness was a central thread woven throughout their experience of loneliness. Although participants drew on their personal agency and adopted strategies to account for, manage, and limit disruptions from chronic illness and loneliness, they found that their strategies were not completely effective or satisfactory. Chronic illness and loneliness continue to be largely considered as an individual’s problem, limiting opportunities for people with chronic illness who experience loneliness to seek support and social connection. Our research highlighted that chronic illness and loneliness need to be acknowledged as both a personal and collective problem, with multi-level responses that involve individuals, communities, and society.
Factors Influencing Discharges to Hospice for Patients With Late-Stage Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Ogilvie Amy C. , Carnahan Ryan M. , Mendizabal Adys , Gilbertson-White Stephanie , Seaman Aaron , Chrischilles Elizabeth , Schultz Jordan L.
Published: August 2024

Background: Hospice services for patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) are likely beneficial in relieving significant burdens and minimizing costly hospitalizations at the end of life, though there has been little study or clinical guidance on hospice enrollment for patients with HD. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to identify clinical, sociodemographic, and system-level factors associated with discharges to hospice compared to other dispositions for hospitalized patients with late-stage HD. Methods: These analyses used data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between the years 2007 and 2011. Weighted logistic regression with a forward selection approach was performed to identify factors associated with discharge to hospice compared to discharge to home, facility, other locations, and death in hospital. Results: These analyses included 6544 hospitalizations of patients with late-stage HD. There was a significant increasing trend in discharges to hospice over the study period ( P < 0.001). After adjustment, multiple clinical, sociodemographic, and system-level variables were identified as being associated with discharges to hospice. Patients with aspiration pneumonia and non-aspiration pneumonias had lower odds of being discharged to hospice compared to dying in the hospital. When comparing to discharges to facilities and home, weight loss and palliative care consultation were associated with greater odds of discharge to hospice. Conclusions: Our findings serve as a foundation for future studies on these factors, and thus help clinician decision-making on when to start advance care planning or end-of-life care for patients with HD. These results also support studies developing hospice referral criteria specific to patients with HD.
Kaleidoscope: Detecting the Tone of the Room
Authors: Choy Kaitlyn , McVay Jennifer , Romero Victoria , Baseri Gillian , Deml Nate , Warner Scott
Published: August 2024

We aimed to develop a software tool that can determine the “tone of a room” in virtual meetings. Our prototype, Kaleidoscope, uses preexisting machine learning and deep learning libraries to analyze the expressed emotions from individuals in an online meeting, and turn that data into an overall analysis of group tone through novel analytic tools. Results from human participants, asked to identify emotions observed from online meeting videos, are used to validate and refine the prototype. The Kaleidoscope prototype currently achieves an overall accuracy greater than 70%, more than double that of human-to-human agreement; and demonstrates the unique capability of identifying the group tone of a meeting. Future extensions could provide facilitators real-time emotion tracking and group tone assessment, paving the way for technology-assisted interventions to combat group polarization and other problematic group dynamics.
Efficacy and Safety of TACE Combined with Regorafenib versus TACE Combined with Camrelizumab in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Untreatable Progression After TACE Combined with Sorafenib Therapy: A Case Control Study
Authors: Ren Yanqiao , Liu Yiming , Song Songlin , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with regorafenib (hereafter, TACE-regorafenib) or camrelizumab (hereafter, TACE-camrelizumab) for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with untreatable progression after TACE and sorafenib therapy.

Methods

The medical records of patients with HCC who received TACE-regorafenib or TACE-camrelizumab between September 2018 and December 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. Therapeutic response, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 76 patients were enrolled in this study, with 41 and 35 patients in the TACE-regorafenib and TACE-camrelizumab groups, respectively. The objective response rates in the TACE-regorafenib and TACE-camrelizumab groups were 9.8% and 8.6%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P = 0.859). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in disease control rates between the two groups (61.0% vs 68.6%, P = 0.838). The median OS was 11 months in the TACE-regorafenib group and 10 months in the TACE-camrelizumab group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( P = 0.348). The TACE-regorafenib group had a median PFS of 7 months, which was significantly longer than that of the TACE-camrelizumab group (4 months, P = 0.004). There was no significant difference in the incidence of AEs between the two groups ( P = 0.544).

Conclusions

TACE-regorafenib was safe, well-tolerated, and showed promising efficacy in patients with sorafenib-refractory advanced HCC, whereas TACE–camrelizumab demonstrated similar survival benefits.
Adaptive distributed fault estimation observer design for nonlinear time-delay multi-agent systems with directed graphs
Authors: Kazerooni Maryam , Moradi Dalini Marzieh
Published: August 2024

This paper focuses the development of an adaptive observer-based distributed fault estimation observer (DFEO) for multi-agent nonlinear time-delay systems under a directed communication topology. The process involves constructing a fault estimation observer for each agent based on their relative output estimation errors. An adaptive DFEO design is proposed for multi-agent systems with a directed communication topology. Furthermore, investigating the effect of faulty agents on the criteria of fault detection on healthy agents. The proposed design is represented with Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) to establish a systematic design procedure. The study also includes simulation results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design techniques.
Modeling of a six-degree-of-freedom magnetic levitation platform actuated by noncontact Lorentz forces
Authors: Li Jinlin , Zeng Sheng , Guo Qiaoying , Zhong Shuncong , Liang Wei , He Wen
Published: August 2024

In this study, the modeling of a six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) magnetic levitation platform actuated by noncontact Lorentz forces was analyzed. First, an analytic model of the actuator forces was studied, and the magnetic flux density in the working gap of the actuators was established using the Image Method, Ampere molecular hypothesis, and Biot–Savart law. The dynamics model of the floater actuated by the actuators was then built using the Newton–Euler method. Moreover, the double-pendulum chaotic nonlinear system of the hoisted floater was simplified as a single-DOF system, in which the interaction effects between two DOFs were considered. Furthermore, modeling of the platform control system was performed, which included an acceleration measuring unit with six uniaxial accelerometers, a position measuring unit with three two-dimensional PSDs, and a control unit that decouples the six-DOF control. Finally, an experimental setup was built to perform ground tests on the platform. The results verified the platform modeling; translational and rotational positioning accuracies were approximately 5 μm and 40 μrad at the six DOFs, respectively, and the vibrational suppression efficiencies were greater than 90% for low frequency disturbances. Moreover, Kalman estimators and disturbance observers were introduced into the controller to estimate the movement of the floater and observe the direct disturbance. Simulation testing demonstrated a significant improvement in the vibration-suppression performance of the platform.
Studying and Imagining Mattering With Black Boys: Mutual Self-Discoveries for Collective Healing and Liberation
Authors: Carey Roderick L. , Vilceus Sophia Sunshine , Polanco Camila , Miller Mark X. , Marianno Latrice , Woelki William
Published: August 2024

Through our school-based research partnership, The Black Boy Mattering Project, we qualitatively explore how adolescent Black boys perceive their inferred significance or “mattering” in schools and society using one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and artistic experiences. However, our research is also collective “me-search” in many ways. Drawing from self-reflections from our racially and ethnically diverse research team, we use a critical reflective methodological approach to discuss how our discernment of Black boys’ mattering intertwines with our positionalities and spurs self-discoveries as researchers. In this article, we highlight how our mutually beneficial research study with adolescent boys fosters our healing from the pain of oppressive forces, inspires us to imagine beyond received realities for Black boys and ourselves, and allows us to make strides toward our own individual and collective liberation. Emergent lessons offer transferable potential to other collectives of diverse critical qualitative researchers who work toward mutual liberation with vulnerable populations.
Optimizing central venous access devices insertion in thrombocytopenic patients: Balancing efficacy and safety
Authors: Farsavian Hossein , Davoodi Mahdi , Najafi Mohammad Javad , Manouchehri Amoli Mahmoud , Zahmatkesh Ahmad , Nazarpour Mahmoud
Published: August 2024

Introduction:

Recently, the rising incidence of trauma, cancer, and critical illnesses has led to a growing necessity for Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs). Inserting CVADs in thrombocytopenic patients is still challenging. This study tries to shed light on the safety and associated risks of CVADs insertion in this high-risk group, with the ultimate goal of informing clinical practice and aiding in decision-making processes.

Methods:

This study was conducted as prospective cohort study from September 2020 to September 2023 in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Individuals aged 18–80 years with a platelet count of less than 50,000/dL included and those designated for subcutaneous port procedures or on anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, excluded. Ultrasound-guided CVAD insertion using the Seldinger technique and SIC/FIC strategies performed for participants. Incidence of hemorrhagic complications post-CVAD insertion, requirement for blood product transfusions to amend platelet counts, frequency of non-bleeding complications, and complications related to blood product transfusions monitored.

Results:

The study comprised 137 participants, 54% of whom were men, with an average age of 46.90 ± 15.70 years. No significant correlation was found between the site of CVAD placement (jugular vs femoral) and the incidence of major or minor bleeding. Femoral catheters were associated with a higher rate of infection. No complications related to transfusion of blood products or mortality seen, indicating that CVAD implantation can be safely performed in patients with thrombocytopenia or coagulation disorders.

Conclusion:

CVAD insertion in thrombocytopenic patients, even with platelet counts below 10 × 109/L, is safe and associated with minimal complications when performed under ultrasound guidance by experienced surgeons. This finding supports the use of a lower platelet count threshold for CVAD insertion than currently recommended in guidelines, potentially reducing the need for platelet transfusions prior to CVAD placement.
Effect of groove textures on wear of friction pair between groove side and scraper under different factor combinations
Authors: Qiao Lindong , Xia Rui , Li Bo , Wang Xuewen , Ma Haozhou
Published: August 2024

Three-body wear is the primary wear mechanism in friction pair between groove side and scraper. This study quantitatively investigates the effect of groove textures on three-body wear under different factor combinations through abrasive wear experiments. The results indicate that groove textures significantly reduce wear of samples. The wear reduction rate of sample reaches 41% under the optimal factor combination. Width, depth, and tilt angle of groove textures significantly influence wear loss. Among these factors, width exhibits a negative effect on the change of wear loss, while depth and tilt angle show positive effects. Additionally, there are interactive effects on the change of wear loss between width and depth, as well as width and tilt angle. The effect process of groove textures to three-body wear was qualitatively analyzed by discrete element method (DEM) simulation. Combined with wear morphologies, the wear-resistant mechanism of groove textures was explored. The results indicate that groove textures can mitigate the severity of three-body abrasive wear, reduce the contact area between particles and samples, alter particles movement and enhance wear resistance. Meanwhile, groove textures can serve as a guiding mechanism to modify particles movement and direction and transform the sliding motion of coal particles into rolling motion, converting the continuous “face-face” contact of three-body wear into intermittent “point-face” and “line-face” contacts. This study provides novel study ideas and theoretical foundations for wear-resistant designs in mining machinery and three-body wear equipment.
Exploring users’ algorithmic knowledge and reflexivity in a music streaming context: A critical realist approach
Authors: Cole Sebastian
Published: August 2024

Digital platforms such as Spotify have specific characteristics and properties that influence, to some extent, how the platform is used. However, users develop their own interpretations of these properties as well as unique ways to engage with the platform. This study applies a critical realist framework to explore how reflexivity modes are practiced in the context of Spotify as an example of algorithmic recommendation systems. From this perspective, reflexivity is a person’s capacity to reflect on their contexts, data, previous experiences, and knowledge, among other elements, before deciding how to act. Findings from interviews with Spotify users suggest that participants practice multiple reflexivity modes when interpreting Spotify’s recommendations and deciding what to listen to. These modes depend on each participant’s concerns and algorithmic knowledge.
Who pays the piper delivers the data: Audience measurement and programming in the crowdfunded radio
Authors: Galuszka Patryk , Chmielewski Piotr
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the functioning of Radio 357 – an Internet radio station financed since 2020, primarily by patrons. The empirical analysis based on in-depth interviews with patrons and radio staff shows how crowdfunded radio conceptualizes its activities, specifically how it acquires the knowledge of listeners and prepares its program offerings for them. In doing so, this study touches on the key differences between commercial terrestrial stations and crowdfunded radio and addresses the issue of ‘audience commodity’, first put forward by Smythe. The research conducted indicates that the shape of Radio 357 reflects the preferences of the majority of patrons and listeners, the observable behavior of patrons and listeners, employees’ beliefs about what good radio is, and the availability of alternative forms of funding (sponsorship). The success of Radio 357 shows that radio co-financed by patrons can become a viable alternative to radio stations funded by advertisers.
A randomised trial of real-time video counselling for smoking cessation among rural and remote residents
Authors: Tzelepis Flora , Wiggers John , Paul Christine L , Mitchell Aimee , Byrnes Emma , Byaruhanga Judith , Wilson Louise , Lecathelinais Christophe , Bowman Jennifer , Campbell Elizabeth , Gillham Karen
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Despite its reach, very limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of real-time video counselling for smoking cessation (e.g. via Skype). This study compared the effectiveness of real-time video counselling for smoking cessation to (a) telephone counselling; and (b) a control among rural and remote residents.

Methods

Between 25 May 2017 and 3 March 2020, a three-arm, parallel group, randomised trial, randomised 1244 rural and remote residents from New South Wales, Australia who smoked tobacco to: video counselling (4–6 video sessions); telephone counselling (4–6 telephone calls); or a control (printed materials). The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 13 months post-baseline. Secondary outcomes were point prevalence abstinence at 4 months and 7-months post-baseline, prolonged abstinence, quit attempts, anxiety and depression.

Results

For the primary outcome of 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 13 months post-baseline, there was no significant difference between video counselling and telephone counselling (14.6% vs 13.3%; (OR = 1.11, 95% CI (0.75–1.64), P = 0.61) or video counselling and control (14.6% vs 13.9%; (OR = 1.06, 95% CI (0.71–1.57), P = 0.77). For secondary outcomes at 4 months post-baseline, the video counselling group had significantly higher odds than the control of 7-day point prevalence abstinence (14.3% vs 8.2%; OR = 1.88, 95% CI (1.20–2.95), P = 0.006) and 3-month prolonged abstinence (4.9% vs 2.2%; OR = 2.28, 95% CI (1.03–5.07), P = 0.04). There were no significant differences for other secondary outcomes.

Discussion

Video counselling increased smoking cessation in the short-term compared to a control although strategies to improve its long-term effectiveness are needed.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, https://www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12617000514303.