bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory symptoms after coalmine fire and pandemic: A longitudinal analysis of the Hazelwood Health Study adult cohort
Authors: Lane Tyler J. , Carroll Matthew , Borg Brigitte M. , McCaffrey Tracy A. , Smith Catherine L. , Gao Caroline X. , Brown David , Johnson Amanda , Poland David , Allgood Shantelle , Ikin Jillian , Abramson Michael J.
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of extreme but discrete PM2.5 exposure from a coal mine fire on respiratory symptoms abated, persisted, or worsened over time, and whether they were exacerbated by COVID-19. We analysed longitudinal survey data from a cohort residing near a 2014 coalmine fire in regional Australia. A 2016/2017 survey included 4,056 participants, of whom 612 were followed-up in 2022. Items included respiratory symptoms, history of COVID-19, and time-location diaries from the mine fire period, which were combined with geospatial and temporal models of fire-related PM2.5. Longitudinal effects of fire-related PM2.5 were examined using a mixed-effects logistic regression model. Exacerbation due to COVID-19 was examined using a logistic regression model. PM2.5 exposure was associated with chronic cough and possibly current wheeze, chest tightness, and current nasal symptoms 2–3 years post-fire, and chronic cough and current wheeze 8.5–9 years post-fire. Further, the association between PM2.5 and chronic cough and possibly current wheeze appeared to increase between the survey periods. While there were no detectable interactions between PM2.5 and COVID-19, PM2.5 exposure was associated with additional respiratory symptoms among participants who reported a history of COVID-19. In summary, medium-duration exposure to extreme levels of fire-related PM2.5 may have increased the long-term risk of chronic cough and current wheeze. While the COVID-19 pandemic started several years after the mine fire, contracting this illness may have exacerbated the effect of fire-related PM2.5 through development of additional respiratory symptoms.
Development of a novel multi-epitope mRNA vaccine candidate to combat SFTSV pandemic
Authors: Zhu Fei , Ma Shiyang , Xu Yizhong , Zhou Ziyou , Zhang Peipei , Peng Wenzhong , Yang Hang , Tan Caixia , Chen Jie , Pan Pinhua
Published: January 2025

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a novel identified pathogen, despite two decades of research on SFTSV, the potential widespread threats pose a significant challenge for researchers in developing new treatment and prevention methods. In this present, we have developed a multi-epitope mRNA vaccine for SFTSV and valid it with in silico methods. We screened 9 immunodominant epitopes for cytotoxic T cells (CTL), 7 for helper T cells (HTL), and 8 for Linear B-cell (LBL) based on promising candidate protein Gn, Gc, Np, and NSs. All predicted epitopes demonstrated strong antigenicity without any potential harm to humans. Additionally, the high conservancy is required to cover different strains. All epitopes as well as adjuvants were constructed into a final vaccine, which was further assesd by calculating of physicochemical properties. Then, we docked the vaccine protein with immune receptors and analyzed the complexes with dynamic simulations to evaluate its affinity to receptors. Finally, the vaccine sequence was constructed into a mRNA sequence. The constructed vaccine is a potential candidate for combating SFTSV by stimulating protective humoral and cellular immune responses.
“The impact of the Little Orange Book on how parents/carers manage symptoms of illness in children: A mixed methods study”
Authors: Johnson Amy , Carruthers Kathryn , Breckons Matthew , Shotton Lynette Harland
Published: January 2025

Background

Previous literature has highlighted the complexity of supporting an acutely unwell child and the unnecessary use of services by parents/carers. The Little Orange Book (LOB) was developed as an information resource for parents/carers of young children to assist in managing symptoms of childhood illness and to encourage the appropriate use of healthcare services.

Objectives

This study aimed to understand parent/carer views and experiences using the Little Orange Book. Specifically, this study focused on barriers and facilitators to use, the impact on parents’ behaviour and the views on improving the LOB.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, including qualitative and quantitative components, was used to collect data regarding parent’s experiences using the LOB. Parents and carers in the North-East of England were invited to participate in an online survey and a subset of these respondents took part in qualitative interviews. One-hundred-and-twenty-eight parents completed the online survey and 16 took part in interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistical analytical methods.

Results

Three themes were identified within the data: Increasing parental empowerment in managing their child’s health, Equality of Access to Health-based Literature and Barriers and Facilitators to using the Little Orange Book.

Conclusions

The Little Orange Book was seen as a valuable form of information to support parents and carers in healthcare decisions. Further development should ensure inclusivity, widen access and view provision of the information as an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with parents.
A scoping review to examine health care professionals’ experiences as family caregivers
Authors: Kokorelias Kristina M. , Rittenberg Nira , Scali Orianna , Smith-Bayley Suzanne , Gignac Monique A. M. , Naglie Gary , Sheirs Jessica , Cameron Jill I.
Published: January 2025

Background

Health and social care systems must confront the challenge of supporting a growing elderly population and their caregivers. Family caregivers who are healthcare professionals are part of this context, but their caregiving experiences remain unclear.

Objective

This scoping review explored the experiences of healthcare professionals who are also family caregivers for older adults.

Methodology

A scoping review methodology identified and summarized pertinent studies. Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and AgeLine. We sought articles published from each journals’ inception to October 19, 2023. Inclusion criteria were English-language studies about healthcare professionals caring for older adult family members. Diverse research designs were included. Data were extracted and synthesized according to key themes.

Results

The review included 19 studies, highlighting four themes. Studies were published between 1994 and 2019, with most studies published before 2017. The overarching theme was "Expectations," where healthcare professional family caregivers faced multifaceted expectations from themselves, their families, and the healthcare system. Expectations also highlights the dual role of participants as both caregivers and healthcare professionals This complex interplay led to a theme related to personal consequences, including stress, guilt, and potential burnout, but also positive aspects of the dual roles. Studies described how dual roles could enhance the quality-of-care healthcare professional caregivers provided to their family members. Finally, support needs were identified, emphasizing the importance of workplace accommodations and support from the healthcare system and peers.

Conclusions

The experiences of healthcare professional family caregivers are shaped by unique expectations, resulting in both positive and negative consequences. The support needs of this group are multifaceted, requiring workplace accommodations and tailored support within the healthcare system. Further research is needed to delve deeper into the nuances of their experiences and develop targeted interventions to alleviate the stress and challenges they face in their dual roles. Understanding the evolving needs of healthcare professional family caregivers over time can inform support strategies along the caregiving trajectory.
Practitioner, patient and public views on the acceptability of mobile stroke units in England and Wales: A mixed methods study
Authors: Moseley Lisa , McMeekin Peter , Price Christopher , Shaw Lisa , Laws Anna , Allen Michael , Ford Gary A. , James Martin , McCarthy Stephen , McClelland Graham , Park Laura J. , Pearn Kerry , Phillips Daniel , White Phil , Wilson David , Scott Jason
Published: January 2025

Background

Evidence for Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) demonstrates that onset to treatment times for intravenous thrombolysis can be reduced and access to mechanical thrombectomy might be improved. Despite growing use of MSUs internationally, to date there have been no studies in NHS England and NHS Wales exploring the acceptability of MSUs to clinicians, patient and public representatives and other key stakeholders, which are important when considering potential feasibility and implementation.

Methods

This study used a mixed methods design with a cross-sectional survey and qualitative workshops and interviews between October 2023 to May 2024. Survey data were collected from clinicians involved in emergency stroke care. Qualitative data involved clinical and non-clinical professionals involved in stroke care alongside patient and public representatives with experience of stroke. Survey data were descriptively analysed while content analysis was used on open-ended questions. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, prior to triangulation using a convergent coding matrix.

Results

The study results, drawn from 25 respondents to the survey and 21 participants in qualitative workshops, found that almost all participants had positive affective attitudes to the concept of MSUs. However, several key areas of concern were identified that need to be addressed prior to implementing MSUs. These concerns included how MSUs would be staffed; whether and how telemedicine could contribute; the types of economic impacts; extent to which triage systems could accurately identify stroke patients for MSUs to attend; where the base location and geographic coverage of MSUs should be, the impact of MSUs on equitable access to stroke care, and how to improve public awareness of MSUs.

Conclusion

Whilst MSUs are mostly acceptable to key stakeholders, numerous areas of concern need to be addressed prior to MSU implementation. We recommend further research to address these issues prior to implementation in the NHS.
Respiratory virus detections in children presenting to an Australian paediatric referral hospital pre-COVID-19 pandemic, January 2014 to December 2019
Authors: Burrell Rebecca , Saravanos Gemma L. , Kesson Alison , Leung Kin-chuen , Outhred Alex C. , Wood Nicholas , Muscatello David , Britton Philip N.
Published: January 2025

Acute respiratory infections cause significant paediatric morbidity, but for pathogens other than influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, systematic monitoring is not commonly performed. This retrospective analysis of six years of routinely collected respiratory pathogen multiplex PCR testing at a major paediatric hospital in New South Wales Australia, describes the epidemiology, year-round seasonality, and co-detection patterns of 15 viral respiratory pathogens. 32,599 respiratory samples from children aged under 16 years were analysed. Most samples were associated with a hospital admission (24,149, 74.1%) and the median age of sampling was 16 months (IQR 5–53). Viruses were detected in 62.9% (20,510) of samples, with single virus detections occurring in 73.5% (15,082) of positive samples. In instances of single virus detection, rhinovirus was most frequent (5125, 40.6%), followed by RSV-B (1394, 9.2%) and RSV-A (1290, 8.6%). Moderate to strong seasonal strength was observed for most viruses with some notable exceptions. Rhinovirus and enterovirus were detected year-round and low seasonal strength was observed for adenovirus and bocavirus. Biennial seasonal patterns were observed for influenza B and parainfluenza virus 2. Co-detections occurred in 5,428 samples, predominantly with two (4284, 79.0%) or three viruses (904, 16.7%). The most common co-detections were rhinovirus-adenovirus (566, 10.4%), rhinovirus-enterovirus (357, 8.3%), and rhinovirus-RSV-B (337, 7.9%). Ongoing pan-pathogen surveillance, integrating both laboratory and clinical data, is necessary to assist in identification of key pathogens and combination of pathogens to support effective preventative public health strategies and reduce the burden of paediatric respiratory infections.
Advancing bat monitoring: Assessing the impact of unmanned aerial systems on bat activity
Authors: Roswag Marc , Roswag Anna , Roswag Matthias Sebastian , Fietz Joanna , Taefi Tessa Touridocht
Published: January 2025

With the increasing height and rotor diameter of wind turbines, bat activity monitoring within the risk area becomes more challenging. This study investigates the impact of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) on bat activity and explores acoustic bat detection via UAS as a new data collection method in the vicinity of wind turbines. We tested two types of UAS, a multicopter and a Lighter Than Air (LTA) UAS, to understand how they may affect acoustically recorded and analyzed bat activity level for three echolocation groups: Pipistrelloid, Myotini, and Nyctaloid. We hypothesized (i) that the LTA UAS will not affect bat activity levels while a multicopter, due to higher noise emission, might have a negative impact. Our results support this hypothesis, because multicopter flights have a highly significant negative impact on bat activity levels with a medium effect size, particularly for the Myotini (P < 0.001, dm = 0.54) and Nyctaloid group (P < 0.001, dn = 0.55) and a small effect size for the Pipistrelloid group (P < 0.001, dp = 0.36). In contrast, the LTA UAS had no significant effect on bat activity for each echolocation group (P > 0.05 for each group), suggesting its suitability for non-intrusive acoustic monitoring. Furthermore, we hypothesized (ii) that larger UAS propellers prevent the deterrent effect on bats. However, despite the use of larger propellers for the multicopter UAS compared to previous studies, we observed a deterrence effect for all echolocation groups. Additionally, we hypothesized that (iii) any initial deterrence or attraction effect might decrease over time. Our results did not support this hypothesis because we did not observe any habituation of bats to UAS within the 15-minute flight period. Our study highlights the potential of UAS for bat monitoring but underscores the critical importance of selecting appropriate UAS types and operating noise levels for successful surveillance efforts.
Optimizing multi label student performance prediction with GNN-TINet: A contextual multidimensional deep learning framework
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyi , Zhang Yakang , Chen Angelina Lilac , Yu Manning , Zhang Lihao
Published: January 2025

As education increasingly relies on data-driven methodologies, accurately predicting student performance is essential for implementing timely and effective interventions. The California Student Performance Dataset offers a distinctive basis for analyzing complex elements that affect educational results, such as student demographics, academic behaviours, and emotional health. This study presents the GNN-Transformer-InceptionNet (GNN-TINet) model to overcome the constraints of prior models that fail to effectively capture intricate interactions in multi-label contexts, where students may display numerous performance categories concurrently. The GNN-TINet utilizes InceptionNet, transformer architectures, and graph neural networks (GNN) to improve precision in multi-label student performance forecasting. Advanced preprocessing approaches, such as Contextual Frequency Encoding (CFI) and Contextual Adaptive Imputation (CAI), were used on a dataset of 97,000 occurrences. The model achieved exceptional outcomes, exceeding current standards with a Predictive Consistency Score (PCS) of 0.92 and an accuracy of 98.5%. Exploratory data analysis revealed significant relationships between GPA, homework completion, and parental involvement, emphasizing the complex nature of academic achievement. The results illustrate the GNN-TINet’s potential to identify at-risk pupils, providing a robust resource for educators and policymakers to improve learning outcomes. This study enhances educational data mining by enabling focused interventions that promote educational equality, tackling significant challenges in the domain.
An anonymized, de-identified registry study protocol to determine the effectiveness and safety of weight loss with enavogliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sang Hyunji , Kim Sunyoung , Hwang Jiyoung , Woo Selin , Kim Jaewon , Yon Dong Keon , Rhee Sang Youl
Published: January 2025

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, such as enavogliflozin, offer promising metabolic benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), including glycemic control and improved cardiac function. Despite the clinical evidence, real-world evidence is needed to validate their safety and effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the effects of weight loss and safety of enavogliflozin administration in patients with T2D in a real-world clinical setting over 24 weeks. This is a large-scale, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional observational study and will be conducted in 12 primary care centers nationwide between 2024 and 2026. Data will be collected at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks in a real-world clinical setting, including demographic details, clinical history, lifestyle habits, medication use, and various health indicators. Eligible participants are adults aged 19 to 80 with T2D and a body mass index (BMI) of ≥23 kg/m2 who are currently receiving treatment with Envlo (enavogliflozin) or Envlomet (enavogliflozin/metformin) tablets or planning to start treatment. The primary outcome is the change in BMI and body weight at 24 weeks from baseline. Secondary outcomes evaluated are changes in BMI and weight at 12 weeks, the proportion of participants achieving significant reductions in BMI and weight at 12 and 24 weeks, and body composition and glycemic improvements at 12 and 24 weeks. The study will analyze shifts in lipid profiles, liver and kidney functions, and body composition at 12 and 24 weeks as exploratory outcomes. For safety outcomes, the trial will prioritize the monitoring of adverse drug reactions and specific events of interest such as hypoglycemia, urinary tract infections, genital infections, polyuria, and polydipsia. This study design enables us to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of enavogliflozin for weight loss in a real-world setting while exploring its potential positive effects on cardiac function and metabolic risk factors in overweight or obese patients with T2D.
Tetracycline and chloramphenicol exposure induce decreased susceptibility to tigecycline and genetic alterations in AcrAB-TolC efflux pump regulators in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Nasralddin Nian Anwar , Haeili Mehri , Karimzadeh Sasan , Alsahlani Fatemeh
Published: January 2025

Tigecycline (Tgc), a third-generation tetracycline is found as the last line of defense against multi-drug resistant bacteria. Recent increased rate of resistance to tgc, a human-restricted agent among animal bacteria poses a significant global health challenge. Overuse of first generation tetracyclines (Tet) and phenicols in animals have been suggested to be associated with Tgc resistance development. In the current study we aimed to determine the effect of tetracycline (Tet) and chloramphenicol (Chl) overexposure on Tgc susceptibility. A Tet and Chl-susceptible isolate of K. pneumoniae and E. coli were exposed to successively increasing concentrations of tetracycline and chloramphenicol separately until a ≥4 times increase in Tet and Chl MICs was observed. Susceptibility changes to several antimicrobial agents were tested using disk diffusion and broth dilution methods. The genetic alterations of genes coding for major AcrAB regulators including acrR (repressor of acrAB), ramR (repressor of ramA), soxR (repressor of soxS) in K. pneumoniae and lon (proteolytic degradation of MarA), marR (repressor of marA), acrR and soxR in E. coli were investigated. The expression level of acrB was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. The excessive exposure (15 to 40 selection cycles) of studied bacteria to both antibiotics significantly decreased susceptibility of Tet-resistant (R) and Chl-R variants of E. coli (n = 6) and K. pneumoniae (n = 6) to several groups of antibiotics including tigecycline (4–16 and 8–64 times respectively) and quinolones. About 58% of variants (n = 7) carried genetic alterations in AcrAB regulators including ramR (frameshift mutations/locus deletion), MarR (L33R, A70T, G15S amino acid substitutions) and Lon (L630F change, frameshift mutation) which were associated with acrB upregulation. Our study demonstrated the capacity of chloramphenicol and tetracycline exposure for selection of mutants which revealed tigecycline resistance/decreased susceptibility mostly mediated by active efflux mechanism. Unaltered acrB expression level in some strains indicates possible contribution of other efflux pumps or non-efflux-based mechanisms in the development of multiple- antibiotic resistance phenotype.
Cohort profile: A prospective cohort study on newlywed couples in rural and poor urban Bangladesh
Authors: Aktar Shaki , Ahmed Shakil , Islam Tanjeena Tahrin , -E-Ferdous Tarana , Ahmed Meftah Uddin , Imtiaz Syed Hassan , Akter Salma , Miah Shathil , Khan Md. Sharful Islam , Naved Ruchira Tabassum , Arifeen Shams El , Nahar Quamrun , Ahmed Anisuddin , Hanifi S. M. Manzoor Ahmed , Huda Fauzia Akhter
Published: January 2025

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) aim to enhance quality of life through safe sexual experiences, reproductive autonomy, and protection against gender-based violence. However, existing SRHR research and interventions in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh predominantly focus on women, often understating men and neglecting the nuanced contextual issues faced by married couples. This study contributes to filling this gap by examining SRHR dynamics among newlyweds in rural and poor urban areas of Bangladesh, especially focusing on marital satisfaction, fertility preferences, and post-marriage adaptation mechanisms. Employing a prospective cohort design across four Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) managed by icddr,b, the study spans from November 2021 to March 2025, with data collection starting in December 2022. Of the 2011 newlywed couples identified, 666 who met eligibility criteria (married for ≤6 months, first marriage, and no pregnancy history) were enrolled. Participants will undergo six quantitative interview sessions over a two-year period. Additionally, 44 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 purposefully selected couples. Demographic data reveal that a significant proportion of husbands (67.3% in rural areas, 71.8% in poor urban areas) are aged 20–29 years, while a majority of wives (67.9% in rural areas, 84.8% in poor urban areas) are adolescents. Education levels varied, with a higher proportion of poor urban husbands lack formal education compared to their rural counterparts (7.2% vs. 3.0%), while no significant variation was observed among wives (0.6% vs 1.0%). Arranged marriages are more common among rural couples (80%) compared to those in poor urban areas (50%). Moreover, poor urban participants tend to marry at a younger age than the rural participants, with poor urban wives marrying earlier than rural wives (60.4% vs 39.7%). This pioneering study provides valuable insights into the SRHR needs of newlywed couples in Bangladesh. The findings will be instrumental for designing targeted interventions aimed at improving SRHR service utilization and enhancing overall well-being, particularly in rural and poor urban areas of the country.
Geographical patterns of intraspecific genetic diversity reflect the adaptive potential of the coral Pocillopora damicornis species complex
Authors: Carr M. , Kratochwill C. , Daly-Engel T. , Crombie T. , van Woesik R.
Published: January 2025

Marine heatwaves are increasing in intensity and frequency however, responses and survival of reef corals vary geographically. Geographical differences in thermal tolerance may be in part a consequence of intraspecific diversity, where high-diversity localities are more likely to support heat-tolerant alleles that promote survival through thermal stress. Here, we assessed geographical patterns of intraspecific genetic diversity in the ubiquitous coral Pocillopora damicornis species complex using 428 sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) region across 44 sites in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. We focused on detecting genetic diversity hotspots, wherein some individuals are likely to possess gene variants that tolerate marine heatwaves. A deep-learning, multi-layer neural-network model showed that geographical location played a major role in intraspecific diversity, with mean sea-surface temperature and oceanic regions being the most influential predictor variables differentiating diversity. The highest estimate of intraspecific variation was recorded in French Polynesia and Southeast Asia. The corals on these reefs are more likely than corals elsewhere to harbor alleles with adaptive potential to survive climate change, so managers should prioritize high-diversity regions when forming conservation goals.
The climate impact and land use of cultivated meat: Evaluating agricultural feedstock production
Authors: Kossmann Hanno , Moess Thorsten , Breunig Peter
Published: January 2025

As global demand for meat continues to rise, alternative and sustainable methods of production are being explored. Cultivated meat (CM) is one such alternative that holds potential for sustainable production with less environmental impact. This study develops an approach to evaluate CM production based on agricultural feedstock. The specific objectives are to determine the minimum land area required to produce a certain amount of cell medium–feedstock for CM production–on agricultural land and to identify potential future land use scenarios assuming that the macro components of the cell medium are solely produced from common agricultural crops in southern Germany. A linear programming model was developed to analyze four different scenarios of CM production, considering factors such as crop rotation, nutrient sourcing, and solar energy use. The results indicate that CM production using plants as raw material for the cell medium cannot improve land use efficiency substantially compared to conventional pork production. Extraction methods, crop choice, and energy sources will strongly influence future pathways for CM. We also find that there is no substantial benefit from CM in terms of climate change mitigation when feedstock is sourced solely from plants. This study provides valuable insights into the limitations of using agricultural feedstock for sustainable CM production. The findings suggest that future research should focus on optimizing the land use efficiency of CM. This includes exploring alternatives such as sourcing cell media from precision fermentation instead of relying solely on crops, and utilizing upcycling possibilities.
A linear tessellation model for the identification of “food desert”: A case study of Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Lu , He Yakun , Yu Zhonghai , Wang Hongrui , Ye Wenjuan , Li Xin , Liu Yingping , Zhang Junxiao
Published: January 2025

The "food desert" problem has been treated under a national strategy in the United States and other countries. At present, there is little research on the phenomenon of "food desert" in China. This study takes Shanghai as the research area and proposes a multiscale analysis method using a linear tessellation model that splits the street network into homogeneous linear units. Firstly, the network kernel density estimation using a linear tessellation model is used to measure the travel-mode-based food accessibility. Considering the actual travel constraints, the GPS trajectory data of four travel modes (walking, bicycle, metro and taxi) are applied to calculate the speed of each linear unit. Secondly, the “food desert” phenomenon in Shanghai are identified combing with the results of the network K-function. Finally, the resident income conditions in different modes are fitted based on the housing price data and the spatial distribution of four "food desert" patterns are detected by the overlay analysis of food accessibility and resident income conditions. The experimental results show that fifty percent of Shanghai is characterized by low food accessibility, and half of these areas are disadvantaged and low-income areas in suburbs, which are the locations experiencing the “food desert” phenomenon. Comparing the results of the proposed method and that of the traditional planar method, the identification results for all modes based on the traditional planar method underestimate the severity of the “food desert”, especially for the bicycle and taxi modes. This study also provides corresponding decision-making reference for the alleviation and resolution of “food desert” issues. Moreover, the proposed method provides a new research perspective for urban research under the street network space.
Construction of the national fitness public service satisfaction model in China based on American Customer Satisfaction Index
Authors: Tian Fengqin , Zhou Jieyou , Liu Fei
Published: January 2025

Objective

The national fitness initiative in China is a strategic priority, public satisfaction is a key metric for evaluating the effectiveness of public services. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) model has proven a robust tool for evaluating satisfaction with public services. The objective of study was to construct a satisfaction model for national fitness public services in China based on the ACSI framework and to explore the complex relationships among its components.

Methods

Evaluation dimensions and an item pool were carefully developed by referencing the ACSI model and relevant academic literature. After a panel of experts assessed the initial items pool, the study formed the questionnaire to distribute the residents in Guangzhou, a total of 1,133 valid responses were collected. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 16.0 software to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement model, the goodness-of-fit of the structural model, and analyze the statistical significance of each path coefficient.

Results

Public expectation does not directly influence satisfaction (path coefficient 0.039, p = 0.103), it exerts a significant and direct influence on perceived quality (path coefficient 0.445, p = 0.003), which in turn demonstrably shapes public satisfaction (path coefficient 0.403, p = 0.005). Perceived quality also directly influences perceived value (path coefficient 0.735, p = 0.006), which in turn significantly impacts public satisfaction (path coefficient 0.554, p = 0.003). Public satisfaction directly and significantly influences both public complaints (path coefficient 0.395, p = 0.003) and public trust (path coefficient 0.699, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Perceived quality is the most critical factor influencing public satisfaction, which subsequently affects public complaints and trust. Fitness service providers should consistently improve service quality, aligning actual service delivery with public expectations, and enhancing the perceived value for the public. These efforts will bolster the public’s satisfaction level.
Effects of stimuli and contralateral noise levels on auditory cortical potentials recorded in school-age children
Authors: Ubiali Thalita , Madruga-Rimoli Camila Colussi , Diniz-Hein Thais Antonelli , Sanfins Milaine Dominici , Masiero Bruno Sanches , Colella-Santos Maria Francisca
Published: January 2025

Background and objective

One of the functions attributed to the auditory efferent system is related to the processing of acoustic stimuli in noise backgrounds. However, clinical implications and the neurophysiological mechanisms of this system are not yet understood, especially on higher regions of the central nervous system. Only a few researchers studied the effects of noise on cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP), but the lack of studies in this area and the contradictory results, especially in children, point to the need to investigate different protocols and parameters that could allow the study of top-down activity in humans. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of varying levels of contralateral noise on efferent activity in children by recording CAEPs with tone burst stimuli. Additionally, we aimed at verifying the effects of contralateral noise on cortical processing of speech stimuli.

Methods

Monaural CAEPs were recorded using tone burst stimuli in quiet and with contralateral white noise at 60 dB and at 70 dB in 65 typically developing school-aged children (experiment 1), and using speech stimuli with contralateral white noise at 60 dB in 41 children (experiment 2).

Results

In experiment 1, noise induced changes were observed only for P1 and P300 components. P1 latency was prolonged at both noise level conditions, P300 latency was prolonged only in the condition with noise at 70 dB, and P300 amplitude was reduced only in the condition with noise at 60 dB. In experiment 2, noise induced latency delays were observed on P1, P2, N2, and P300 components and amplitude reduction was observed only for N1.

Conclusion

The effects of noise stimulation were observed on all CAEP components elicited by speech, but the same was not observed in the experiment with tone bursts.

The study of noise effects on CAEPs can provide electrophysiological evidence on how difficult listening situations affect sound discrimination and stimulus evaluation at thalamocortical regions.
Detectability constraints on meso-scale structure in complex networks
Authors: Arthur Rudy
Published: January 2025

Community, core-periphery, disassortative and other node partitions allow us to understand the organisation and function of large networks. In this work we study common meso-scale structures using the idea of block modularity. We find that the configuration model imposes strong restrictions on core-periphery and related structures in directed and undirected networks. We derive inequalities expressing when such structures can be detected under the configuration model which are closely related to the resolution limit. Nestedness is closely related to core-periphery and is similarly restricted to only be detectable under certain conditions. We then derive a general equivalence between optimising block modularity and maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters of the degree corrected Stochastic Block Model. This allows us to contrast the two approaches, how they formalise the structure detection problem and understand these constraints in inferential versus descriptive approaches to meso-scale structure detection.
Turmeric-black pepper-honey nanoemulsion formulation and antiulcerogenic effect evaluation against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats
Authors: Adlia Amirah , Aslan Cynthiana Christabella , Safitri Lia , Adnyana I. Ketut
Published: January 2025

Gastric ulcer is a common disorder of the digestive system. The combination of turmeric and honey is known to treat stomach ulcers. However, curcumin, an active component in turmeric, has limitations, i.e., poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. Therefore, turmeric and honey were formulated into a nanoemulsion with black pepper to enhance curcumin bioavailability. The study followed a systematic approach to optimize the nanoemulsion formula, determine stability, and evaluate ulcer healing activity in rats with ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Nanoemulsion was prepared using a low-energy emulsification method called emulsion phase inversion (EPI). Two stability evaluations were carried out, i.e., storage and freeze-thaw stability tests. The organoleptic, droplet size, polydispersity index, pH, viscosity, and curcumin content of the nanoemulsion were evaluated. Male Wistar albino rats were induced with 96% ethanol for six days. The rats were divided into six groups, i.e., healthy control, ulcerated control, omeprazole, two different doses of turmeric, honey, and black pepper nanoemulsion (NTBH1 and NTBH2), and turmeric and honey nanoemulsion (NTH). The antiulcer activity was determined by measuring the ulcer area, ulcer index, curative index, ulcer severity score, and histology. The best formula with the smallest droplet size, i.e., 144.6±3.8 nm, was obtained from the nanoemulsion using Tween 80 as surfactant, glycerin as cosolvent, and sodium alginate as viscosity enhancer. The result showed that the nanoemulsion was stable after being stored at 25 and 40°C for four weeks and after six cycles of freeze-thaw test. The ulcer index of the ulcerated rats from the lowest to the highest, i.e., NTBH2, omeprazole, NTH, and NTBH1. In conclusion, the nanoemulsion developed in this study containing turmeric, honey, and black pepper holds promising potential in treating gastric ulcers, offering a hopeful outlook for future treatments.
MMS at ten: Achievements, aspirations and challenges on the horizon
Authors: Varas-Díaz Nelson , Scott Niall , Hagen Ross , Hassan Nedim
Published: January 2025

This editorial reflects on the achievements, challenges and future aspirations of Metal Music Studies (MMS) as it marks a decade of the journal’s contributions to the field. Over the past five years, MMS has significantly expanded its scholarly reach, evidenced by a 25 per cent increase in institutional subscriptions and a tripling of citations. The journal has achieved recognition through indexing in Scopus and the Web of Science, placing it in the top quartile for music studies. Alongside these successes, the outgoing editorial board reflects on emerging challenges, including the risk of academic normalcy and the need to maintain the transgressive ethos of metal studies. The authors also advocate for broadening the scope of metal music research through ‘extremity studies’, which apply metal-derived theoretical frameworks to wider social phenomena.
Novedades en el derecho a la adaptación de la jornada del art. 34.8 ET tras la transposición de la Directiva (UE) 2019/1158 por el Real Decreto-Ley 5/2023
Authors: Milenova Koseva Delyana
Published: January 2025

La Directiva (UE) 2019/1158, transpuesta en España mediante el Real Decreto-Ley 5/2023, introdujo importantes cambios en el derecho de adaptación de jornada (art. 34.8 ET). En primer lugar, amplió los sujetos causantes, permitiendo solicitar adaptaciones no solo para el cuidado de hijos menores, sino también de otros familiares o personas convivientes que necesitan asistencia. En segundo lugar, redujo el plazo de negociación entre trabajador y empresa y fortaleció el derecho al retorno a las condiciones laborales previas a la solicitud de adaptación, al finalizar la adaptación o cuando cambien las circunstancias que la justificaron. Por último, el RD-Ley 5/2023 también incorporó la nulidad objetiva automática del despido en casos de adaptación de jornada, si bien esta medida fue recientemente derogada, debilitando la protección de quienes ejercen este derecho y contraviniendo el espíritu de la Directiva.
El impacto de las tareas de cuidado en la relación laboral: la adaptación del tiempo y la forma de la prestación
Authors: López Balaguer Mercedes
Published: January 2025

El artículo analiza, desde una perspectiva práctica, el derecho de adaptación de la jornada y la forma de la prestación laboral que regula el art. 34.8 ET como derecho de conciliación esencial por su carácter de derecho de presencia. Con este objetivo, se revisan las líneas de tendencia en la interpretación del derecho por parte de nuestros Tribunales. Además, asumiendo que debe ser el acuerdo colectivo la herramienta esencial a utilizar para regular los términos de ejercicio del derecho, se apuntan algunas claves para la negociación de estos protocolos en las empresas. Y se plantean también las diferentes cuestiones que suscita la negociación individual, analizando el papel de la empresa en la misma y el alcance de su poder de decisión sobre la solicitud del derecho de adaptación.
A proposal to measure the resilience of the Andalusian Commnunity Social Services
Authors: Ferri-Fuentevilla Elena , Vallejo-Andrada Ana , Morilla-Luchena Aleix , Muñoz Moreno Rocío
Published: January 2025

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the weaknesses of social services directed towards the most vulnerable populations. A robust social services framework is, thus, necessary to mitigate the impact of the crisis. In this work, a resilience index is advanced based on the capacities of social services to buffer and alleviate the adverse effects of crises, including the recent pandemic. Thus, the study’s objective was to create a resilience index based on accessible data to assess the extent to which Andalusia’s social services were capable of mitigating the effects of the pandemic. Methodology. A novel methodology, the HVCRA (Hazard, Vulnerability, Risk, and Capacity Analysis), is introduced in this paper. Though traditionally used to assess natural disasters, HVCRA was applied here to gauge the pandemic's impact on social services. To develop the index, expert validation was conducted through the Delphi method, stakeholder evaluation, and the calculation of pre- and post-pandemic resilience indices for municipalities in Andalusia (an autonomous region in southern Spain). Results. The study unfolded in three phases: identification of resilience indicators, data selection, and index calculation. High modal values were obtained with the Delphi method, and significant variables were identified in stakeholder focus groups. The applicability of the final index, reduced to 17 indicators, could be improved through ongoing contextualisation efforts. Discussion. Critical indicators to assess social service resilience were put forward, in line with the research conducted by Kruk et al. who propose a resilience index for healthcare. Structural indicators, such as budget allocation and personnel, play pivotal roles, though data availability challenges persist, particularly in municipalities with over 20,000 inhabitants. Despite the study’s limitations, the proposed indicators are promising in terms of offering a comprehensive resilience assessment method directed towards community social service systems. Conclusions. The study establishes a robust framework for evaluating community social service resilience, although data accessibility remains a challenge. While acknowledging the study’s limitations, the proposed indicators lay the groundwork for attaining a comprehensive evaluation in the future, underscoring the imperative of addressing data availability in order to achieve a more nuanced assessment of social service resilience.
Vivir en el limbo, vivir la incertidumbre: la precariedad como forma encarnada de existencia en el trabajo en la política de protección a la infancia en Chile
Authors: Pavez Mena Javiera , Garcia-Meneses Javiera , Faúndez Jorge A.
Published: January 2025

Introducción. La política de protección de la infancia en Chile ha presentado una sistemática crisis de implementación durante los últimos 30 años. Uno de los factores principales de esta crisis ha sido la tercerización de la ejecución de dicha política y el modelo subsidiario mediante el cual se ejecuta. Desde ahí, la política de protección ha sido implementada por organizaciones privadas del tercer sector – como Corporaciones, Fundaciones y Organizaciones No Gubernamentales – las cuales reciben un subsidio estatal que es regulado por la Ley 21.032. Tal como ha señalado el Comité de Derechos del Niño en 2018, la tercerización y financiamiento por subvención han sido elementos claves para el sostenimiento de precariedad dentro del Servicio, impactando en las condiciones en las que se desarrolla el trabajo. En este marco, el presente artículo buscó conocer las experiencias laborales cotidianas de las trabajadoras que ejecutan la política de protección de la infancia en Chile. Metodología. Para ello, se realizó un análisis temático a 18 entrevistas a participantes de dos procesos etnográficos realizados entre el 2018-2020 en programas de la línea ambulatoria del Servicio Nacional de Menores (SENAME). Resultados. Los resultados de esta investigación muestran la generación de una vivencia corporizada de precariedad en las trabajadoras de la política de protección a la infancia chilena. Esta precariedad es traducida en experiencias de duelo, explotación de la vida, enfermedad, opresión física y emocional e imposibilidad de proyección de la vida en las trabajadoras que son posibilitadas y sostenidas por la incorporación de lógicas neoliberales dentro del Servicio de Protección. Discusión. Este estudio provee elementos esenciales a considerar para evaluar el funcionamiento de la política de protección de la infancia chilena en un contexto de profunda precariedad. El elevar y considerar las experiencias de aquellos actores que han sido olvidados en las discusiones parlamentarias – a saber, los trabajadores y las trabajadoras – es hoy primordial, en tanto permite comprender cómo podemos transformar efectivamente un Servicio que, a pesar de las reformas realizadas, no ha logrado proteger ni a los usuarios a los que se dirige, ni a quienes ejecutan la política en el terreno local de acción. Conclusiones. La precariedad no solo conduce al desgaste emocional de las trabajadoras, sino que también compromete su capacidad para realizar intervenciones sensibles y efectivas. El problema no radica en las profesionales en sí, sino en las lógicas neoliberales que sustentan su trabajo. Desde ahí, este artículo plantea la necesidad de cuestionar estas lógicas y construir una política de protección a la infancia que incluya a todos los actores involucrados, con un enfoque en el cuidado y que se oriente a la transformación de las condiciones de vida de la ciudadanía.
Presence and Absence in Margaret Atwood’s Dearly
Authors: Sánchez-Calle Pilar
Published: January 2025

In Morning in the Burned House (1995), Margaret Atwood includes a sequence of elegiac poems mourning the process of her father’s illness and death. Her subsequent collection, The Door (2007), while not explicitly elegiac, explores topics such as memory, aging, death, loss, and decay. These subjects are often central to both traditional and contemporary elegies. Other poems in this volume deal with writing and poetry, examining their capacity to offer consolation in the face of death, a key aspect of elegy. Drawing on critical studies of elegy in contemporary English-language poetry and on the role of elegy in Atwood’s poetry, this essay analyses the elegiac dimension of Dearly (2020), Atwood’s most recent poetry collection. Many of these poems are dedicated to her partner Graeme Gibson, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2017 and passed away in 2019. Through close readings and formal analysis, I aim to demonstrate how these elegiac poems articulate a psychic landscape of mourning where separation after death is rejected and an alternative space for reunion with the deceased is created. Atwood moves beyond simple lamentation, exploring the liminal space between life and death, presence and absence.