bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compass for antibiotic stewardship: using a digital tool to improve guideline adherence and drive clinician behaviour for appendicitis treatment in the emergency department
Authors: Vu Mai Trang , Schwartz Hope , Straube Steven , Pondicherry Neha , Emanuels David , Dhanoa Jaskirat , Bains Jaskaran , Singh Malini , Stark Nicholas , Peabody Christopher
Published: October 2023

Background

Antibiotic stewardship in the ED is important given the increasing prevalence of multidrug resistance associated with poorer patient outcomes. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the ED for infections like appendicitis is common. At baseline, 75% of appendicitis cases at our institution received broad-spectrum ertapenem rather than the recommended narrower-spectrum ceftriaxone/metronidazole combination. We aimed to improve antibiotic stewardship by identifying barriers to guideline adherence and redesigning our appendicitis antibiotic guideline.

Methods

Using the ‘Fit between Individuals, Task and Technology (FITT)’ framework, we identified barriers that prevent

clinicians from adhering to guidelines. We reformatted a clinical guideline and disseminated it using our ED’s clinical decision support system (CDSS), E*Drive. Next, we examined E*Drive’s user data and clinician surveys to assess utilisation and satisfaction. Finally, we conducted a retrospective chart review to measure clinician behaviour change in antibiotic prescription for appendicitis treatment.

Results

Data demonstrated an upward trend in the number of monthly users of E*Drive from 1 April 2021 to 30 April 2022, with an average increase of 46 users per month. Our clinician survey results demonstrated that >95% of users strongly agree/agree that E*Drive improves access to clinical information, makes their job more efficient and that E*Drive is easy to access and navigate, with a Net Promoter Score increase from 26.0 to 78.3. 69.4% of patients treated for appendicitis in the post-intervention group received antibiotics concordant with our institutional guideline compared with 20.0% in the pre-intervention group (OR=9.07, 95% CI (3.84 to 21.41)).

Conclusion

Antibiotic stewardship can be improved by ensuring clinicians have access to convenient and up-to-date guidelines through clinical decision support systems. The FITT model can help guide projects by identifying individual, task and technology barriers. Sustained adherence to clinical guidelines through simplification of guideline content is a potentially powerful tool to influence clinician behaviour in the ED.
What impact would reducing low-acuity attendance have on emergency department length of stay? A discrete event simulation modelling study
Authors: Squires Hazel , Mason Suzanne , O'Keeffe Colin , Croft Susan , Millington George
Published: October 2023

Background

Long waiting times in the ED have been shown to cause negative outcomes for patients. This study aims to assess the effect in reducing length of stay of (1) preventing low-acuity attenders from attending the ED and (2) diverting low-acuity attenders at triage to a colocated general practice (GP) service.

Methods

Discrete event simulation was used to model a large urban teaching hospital in the UK, as a case study, with a colocated GP service. The Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care research database patient-level database (May 2015–April 2016), secondary literature and expert elicitation were used to inform the model. The model predicted length of stay, the percentage of patients being seen within 4 hours and the incremental cost-effectiveness of the colocated GP service.

Results

The model predicted that diverting low-acuity patients to a colocated GP open 9:00 to 17:00 reduces the average time in the system for higher acuity attenders by 29 min at an estimated additional cost of £6.76 per patient on average. The percentage of higher acuity patients being seen within 4 hours increased from 61% to 67% due to the reduction in the length of stay of those who were in the ED for the longest time. However, the model is sensitive to changes in model inputs and there is uncertainty around ED activity durations, for which further primary data collection would be useful.

Conclusion

Reducing the proportion of low-acuity attenders at the ED could have an impact on the time in the ED for higher acuity patients due to their use of shared resources, but is insufficient alone to meet current targets. The simulation model could be adapted for further analyses to understand which other changes would be needed to meet current government targets.
Are we survivors of the sudden past singularity?
Authors: Balcerzak Adam , Denkiewicz Tomasz , Lisaj Mateusz
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we investigate the viability of cosmological models featuring a type II singularity that occurs during the past evolution of the Universe. We construct a scenario in which the singularity arises and then constrain the model parameters using observational data from type Ia supernovae, cosmic chronometers, and gamma ray bursts. We find that the resulting cosmological models based on scenarios with the past type II singularity cannot be excluded by kinematical tests using current observations.
Investigation of thermodynamics characteristics of ternary hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretching sheet
Authors: Shukla Sunendra , Sharma Ram Prakash , Agbaje Titilayo M. , Mondal Sabyasachi
Published: October 2023

This paper considers two-dimensional electrically conducting and incompressible ternary hybrid nanofluid flow on a stretching sheet with the convective boundary condition and heat source effect. Relevant similarity formulas are effectuated in converting the governing equations into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and are further treated numerically using the spectral quasilinearization method (SQLM), with error analysis. The prominent dimensionless parameters controlling the flow, and heat transfer characteristics are discussed. The results of this study show that Eckert number, heat source parameter, and magnetic effect boost the temperature profile. This work expected significant information for the future applications of innovative heat transfer devices, as well as a valuable reference for researchers to study flow behavior under various assumptions.
Spatial Turing Patterns of Periodic Solutions for the Brusselator System with Cross-Diffusion-Like Coupling
Authors: Liu Haicheng , Ge Bin
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we consider the Brusselator system with cross-diffusion-like coupling and study Turing bifurcation of its stable Hopf bifurcating periodic solutions. According to the Brusselator system’s diffusivity, a formula is established to determine the Turing bifurcation of periodic solutions. Additionally, for the Brusselator system with cross-diffusion-like coupling, a proof method for its periodic solutions to generate Turing bifurcation is given. Finally, the theoretical results are further verified by numerical simulations.
One-Dimensional Systems Without Periodic Points
Authors: Naghmouchi Issam , Rezgui Houssem Eddine
Published: October 2023

If [Formula: see text] is a local dendrite and [Formula: see text] is a continuous map without periodic points then we prove that the canonical graph (the minimal subcontinuum containing all simple closed curves) contains one and only one minimal subset and that this minimal subset is circumferential. Furthermore, we show the rigidity of the dynamics of [Formula: see text] when the set of endpoints of [Formula: see text] is closed and countable. However, if we relax either the closedness or countability condition on the set of endpoints then several types of chaos may appear which shows the richness of the dynamics comparing with that of a graph map without periodic points.
Role of Allee Effect, Hunting Cooperation, and Dispersal to Prey–Predator Model
Authors: Akanksha  , Shivam  , Kumar Sunil , Singh Teekam
Published: October 2023

In prey–predator interaction, many factors, such as the fear effect, Allee effect, cooperative hunting, and group behavior, can influence the population dynamics. Hence, studying these factors in prey–predator makes the model more realistic. In this paper, we have proposed the prey–predator model having herd and Allee effect in prey population, where predators follow hunting cooperation. We have employed temporal analysis to examine the role of the Allee effect and hunting cooperation. Furthermore, we have extended the analysis to spatiotemporal analysis to examine the role of dispersal and the type of spatial structure formed by the population due to random movement. We first discuss the proposed model’s existence and positivity, then the stability of the existing equilibrium points through Routh–Hurwitz criteria. The temporal analysis is carried out through Hopf-bifurcation at the coexistence equilibrium point by considering the Allee threshold ([Formula: see text]), hunting cooperation ([Formula: see text]), and attack rate ([Formula: see text]) as controlled parameters. With the addition of diffusion to the model, we examine the spatial model stability and derive the Turing instability condition, which will give rise to various Turing patterns. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to validate the analytical results. The theoretical study and numerical simulation results demonstrate that the Allee effect, hunting cooperation, and diffusion coefficient are sensitive parameters to the model’s stability.
Autonomous Navigation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Investigating Architectures and Techniques for a Flexible Platform
Authors: Olou Hervé B. , Ezin Eugène C. , Dembele Jean Marie , Cambier Christophe
Published: October 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have a significant impact on the aircraft industry and are used for both military and civilian purposes. The partial or full automation of UAVs is an active research domain that is attracting interest from both the industrial and academic sectors. This paper presents a comprehensive review of UAVs, their architectures, and techniques used for autonomous navigation. Autonomous navigation requires the ability to recognize and avoid obstacles, which can be achieved using visual, non-visual, or hybrid techniques. These methods use computer vision and machine learning algorithms and are implemented on a computer system, which may or may not be embedded in the vehicle. After investigating the existing architectures and techniques, a flexible platform is designed. This platform combines the advantages of the existing architectures, materials, and methods. It is based on a compact architecture with the possibility of external communication. This platform is mainly composed of a companion computer for complex tasks like obstacle detection and path planning during mission. When implementing this platform, it is crucial to take into account the capabilities of the companion computer processor and appropriately select techniques. Finally, the paper suggests potential areas for future research in this field.
Organic matter enrichment and palaeo-sedimentary environment reconstruction of lacustrine shale in the second member of the Middle Jurassic Qiketai Formation in the Shengbei Sub-sag, Turpan–Hami Basin, NW China
Authors: Wang Boran , Huang Zhilong , Li Tianjun , Fu Guobin , Yan Jingyi
Published: October 2023

Lacustrine organic-rich shales in the second member of the Jurassic Qiketai Formation (J
2
q
2
) in the Shengbei Sub-sag, Turpan–Hami Basin, NW China exhibit strong heterogeneity due to frequent alternations of sedimentary environments. The distinct shale environments present in both upper and lower units of J
2
q
2
provide an ideal example for studying the enrichment mechanism of organic matter (OM) under a complex sedimentary background. In this study, petrological, mineralogical, major/trace element and isotopic analyses were used to reconstruct the palaeo-environment and reveal the mechanisms of OM enrichment. The results indicate that the J
2
q
2
shale was deposited in a lacustrine mixed carbonate–siliciclastic environment and the palaeo-environment indicators suggesting an oxic–dysoxic, mildly brackish water condition. Based on a comprehensive comparison of both members of J
2
q
2
, an OM enrichment model is established and the main controlling factor of the formation of the organic-rich shale is elucidated. Under the background of a warm-humid climate, the lower unit of J
2
q
2
was deposited in a deeper and more restricted water body with stronger chemical weathering, resulting in limited terrestrial input compared to that of the upper unit. Inorganic geochemical analysis indicates a higher primary productivity in the lower unit of J
2
q
2
with local fluctuations. High primary productivity and favourable preservation conditions domain the OM enrichment in the study area.

Supplementary material:
Raw data of carbon and oxygen isotopic analysis, TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and major and trace element analysis are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6901480
All Light, Everywhere? Photoreceptors at Nonconventional Sites
Authors: Mat Audrey , Vu Hong Ha , Wolf Eva , Tessmar-Raible Kristin
Published: October 2023

One of the biggest environmental alterations we have made to our species is the change in the exposure to light. During the day, we typically sit behind glass windows illuminated by artificial light that is >400 times dimmer and has a very different spectrum than natural daylight. On the opposite end are the nights that are now lit up by several orders of magnitude. This review aims to provide food for thought as to why this matters for humans and other animals. Evidence from behavioral neuroscience, physiology, chronobiology, and molecular biology is increasingly converging on the conclusions that the biological nonvisual functions of light and photosensory molecules are highly complex. The initial work of von Frisch on extraocular photoreceptors in fish, the identification of rhodopsins as the molecular light receptors in animal eyes and eye-like structures and cryptochromes as light sensors in nonmammalian chronobiology, still allowed for the impression that light reception would be a relatively restricted, localized sense in most animals. However, light-sensitive processes and/or sensory proteins have now been localized to many different cell types and tissues. It might be necessary to consider nonlight-responding cells as the exception, rather than the rule.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts of Ehretia cymosa and Evaluation of Its Antibacterial Activity in Cream and Ointment Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Adeleye Olutayo Ademola , Aremu Olatunji Kayode , Iqbal Haroon , Adedokun Musiliu Oluseun , Bamiro Oluyemisi Adebowale , Okunye Olufemi Lionel , Femi-Oyewo Mbang N. , Sodeinde Kehinde Oluseun , Yahaya Zwanden S. , Awolesi Adepero Olubukola
Published: October 2023

Objectives. The use of antibacterial drugs for the treatment of infections has been on for several decades but not without some challenges such as resistance. Research on natural products is on-going to mitigate this challenge. The aim of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (SNPs) with aqueous and methanol extract of Ehretia cymosa leaf and to explore its antibacterial potentials in semisolid dosage delivery system as topical antibacterial cream and ointment. Methods. E. cymosa leaf was extracted by macerating in distilled water and methanol. The extracts were used to synthesize SNPs. SNPs were characterized and confirmed by visual observation, UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. SNPs were used to formulate cream and ointment, and the antibacterial activity of the formulations was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Results. Absorption band was observed at 450 nm for aqueous extract SNPs and 420 nm for methanol extract SNPs due to surface plasmon resonance. SNPs were agglomerated with the irregular size of 55 nm and 90 nm. The formulations had acceptable physicochemical properties with good drug-excipient compatibility. The antibacterial activity of cream formulations had a significantly (

p
<
0.0001

) higher antibacterial activity compared to ointment formulations. Both formulations with SNPs had higher antibacterial activity than ciprofloxacin. Conclusion. Cream and ointment formulations loaded with green synthesized E. cymosa leaf extract SNPs present a potential for a more efficient and effective antibacterial drug delivery to ameliorate the impact of antibacterial drug resistance.
Assessment of Safety Profile of Activated Curcumin C3 Complex (AC3®), Enriched Extract of Bisdemethoxycurcumin from the Rhizomes of Curcuma longa
Authors: Majeed Muhammed , Bani Sarang , Pandey Anjali , Ibrahim A. Muhamad , Thazhathidath Smitha
Published: October 2023

The present work was carried out to investigate the toxic effects of Activated Curcumin C3 Complex (AC3®) through the methods of acute, subacute, subchronic, reproductive/developmental toxicity, and genotoxicity when administered orally in experimental rodents. The studies were carried out in line with OECD principles of good laboratory practice. A single-dose acute oral toxicity study was conducted on female Wistar rats that produced no toxic effects after 14 days (the observation period) of treatment. Subacute, subchronic, and reproductive/developmental studies were conducted in Wistar rats, divided equally into vehicle control, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg dose groups along with recovery groups for vehicle control and high dose. In all the studies, there were no abnormal clinical signs/behavioral changes, reproductive and developmental parameters, or gross and histopathological changes. Likewise, no alteration was found in the body weight, hematology, and other biochemical parameters. Also, it did not show mutagenicity in the in vitro AMES test or clastogenicity and aneugenicity in the in vivo micronucleus test, indicating that AC3® did not induce any genotoxic effects. This revealed that oral administration of AC3® is safe in rodents, nonmutagenic, and had no observed adverse effects under experimental conditions.
AI Trust: Can Explainable AI Enhance Warranted Trust?
Authors: de Brito Duarte Regina , Correia Filipa , Arriaga Patrícia , Paiva Ana
Published: October 2023

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), known to produce explanations so that predictions from AI models can be understood, is commonly used to mitigate possible AI mistrust. The underlying premise is that the explanations of the XAI models enhance AI trust. However, such an increase may depend on many factors. This article examined how trust in an AI recommendation system is affected by the presence of explanations, the performance of the system, and the level of risk. Our experimental study, conducted with 215 participants, has shown that the presence of explanations increases AI trust, but only in certain conditions. AI trust was higher when explanations with feature importance were provided than with counterfactual explanations. Moreover, when the system performance is not guaranteed, the use of explanations seems to lead to an overreliance on the system. Lastly, system performance had a stronger impact on trust, compared to the effects of other factors (explanation and risk).
Based on Sliding Mode and Adaptive Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control for a Magnetic Levitation System
Authors: Wu Ziwei , Fan Kuangang , Zhang Xuetao , Li Weichao
Published: October 2023

The magnetic levitation system has evident advantages in reducing energy consumption, but its nonlinear characteristics increase the difficulty of control. This study proposes a control method that combines the improved particle swarm optimisation algorithm with sliding mode control and adaptive linear active disturbance rejection control (IPSO–SMC–ALADRC) to address the problems of weak anti‐interference ability and stability in the application of traditional control methods in single‐point magnetic levitation ball systems. First, a mathematical model of a single‐point magnetic levitation ball is established. Second, the proportional and differential coefficients of LADRC are adjusted using adaptive laws, and the adaptive LADRC is combined with SMC to achieve stable control of the magnetic levitation ball. Moreover, an improved particle swarm optimisation algorithm is proposed to address the considerable number of adjustable parameters in the controller. The convergence and stability of the control algorithm were demonstrated using the Lyapunov equation. Finally, PID and LADRC are introduced for simulation and experimental comparison to verify the effectiveness of this control method. Results indicate that IPSO–SMC–ALADRC has excellent stability and anti‐interference performance. This study addresses the problem of weak stability and anti‐interference performance in the application of traditional control methods in the maglev system and further promotes the application of active disturbance rejection control in the magnetic levitation system.
Diversity of Fish Species in relation to Climatological Fluctuations in a Coastal River of Bangladesh
Authors: Ullah Md. Rahamat , Hasan Md. Monjurul , Alam Mohammad Ashraful , Neela Jannatun Nayeem , Islam Maksudul , Moniruzzaman Md. , Rahman Md. Arifur , Alam Md. Ariful
Published: October 2023

In the Sandha river of Bangladesh, we investigated the temporal and geographical fluctuation in species of fish composition and diversity. The extent of our understanding of the fish variety in this river varies greatly on both a temporal and a geographical scale. From July 2021 to June 2022, fish specimens were gathered from five stations using various conventional fishing methods. During the study period, 5118 individuals from 67 species were collected which include 8 orders, 24 families, and 54 genera. Cypriniformes made up the majority of the order (32.84%), whereas Beloniformes and Tetraodontiformes made up the least number of species (1.49% each). Six species were listed as endangered (8.96%), seven as vulnerable (10.45%), nine as near threatened (13.43%), forty-three as least concern (64.18%), one with data deficient (1.49%), and one as not evaluated (1.49%) in Bangladesh. In order to quantify the temporal and geographical changes in community composition, diversity indices were calculated and put to use. Three (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) out of the four environmental factors (temperature, humidity, rainfall, and photoperiod) had a big impact on how species were distributed. At a similarity level of 79% and 75.5% separation, 2 substantial clusters were seen in the case of stations and 2 large clusters were detected in the case of months, respectively. However, at a similarity threshold of 20% separation, three different groups of fish species were found. Our research offers the most recent status data on fish distribution in the Sandha river. The knowledge acquired from this research is crucial for creating protection and management plans that will promote the long-term viability of fishery resources in the Sandha river and its nearby coastal tributaries.
Job Satisfaction, Intention to Leave, and Related Factors among Foreign-Educated Nurses in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hua Jing , Kondo Akiko , Wang Congcong , Ganchuluun Sambuu
Published: October 2023

Aims. To examine the association between job satisfaction and the intention to leave and explore the factors associated with job satisfaction or the intention to leave among foreign-educated nurses in Japan. Design. A cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected through an online survey of nurses who were born and received their basic nursing education outside of Japan but are currently working as registered nurses in Japan. Data were analyzed across two phases: the first explored the related factors with intention to leave and job satisfaction using bivariate analysis and regression through IBM SPSS; the second examined the theoretical framework model using a structural equation model through IBM Amos. Results. Data from 180 participants (effective response rate: 87.4%) were analyzed. Overall, foreign-educated nurses reported moderate job satisfaction level in Japan. The final model showed good fit indices, indicating that higher workplace discrimination, lower Japanese language satisfaction, and not receiving orientation were predictors of foreign-educated nurses’ lower job satisfaction. Lower job satisfaction, fewer years of nursing practice in Japan, single status, and higher language satisfaction predicted a higher intention to leave. Conclusion. This study provides incremental evidence of a negative relationship between job satisfaction and intention to leave among foreign-educated nurses in Japan. Workplace discrimination was the main predictor of nurses’ job dissatisfaction and indirectly correlated with their intention to leave, as mediated by job satisfaction. Implications. Our study suggests that managers should provide a supportive and equal work environment, including implementing policies to reduce workplace discrimination and providing adequate support programs to enhance foreign-educated nurses’ job satisfaction and reduce their turnover intention.
Venous Thrombosis in a Pseudohypoparathyroidism Patient with a Novel GNAS Frameshift Mutation and Complete Resolution of Vascular Calcifications with Acetazolamide Treatment
Authors: Seven Menevse Tuba , Iwasaki Yorihiro , Yavas Abali Zehra , Gurpinar Tosun Busra , Helvacioglu Didem , Dogru Ömer , Bugdayci Onur , Cyr Sajin M. , Güran Tulay , Bereket Abdullah , Bastepe Murat , Turan Serap
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Pseudohypoparathyroidism type IA (PHP1A) is characterized by end-organ resistance to multiple hormones and Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO). PHP1A is caused by inactivating mutations of the GNAS gene encoding the α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα). In line with the underlying genetic defect, impaired inhibition of platelet aggregation has been demonstrated in some patients. However, no PHP1A case with thrombotic events has been described. Also, PHP1A cases typically have subcutaneous ossifications, but soft tissue calcifications are another common finding. Treatment options for those and other nonhormonal features of PHP1A are limited. Case Presentation: A female patient presented with short stature, fatigue, and exercise-induced carpopedal spasms at age 117/12 years. Diagnosis of PHP1A was made based on hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevated serum parathyroid hormone, and AHO features, including short stature and brachydactyly. A novel frameshift variant was detected in the last exon of GNAS (c.1065_1068delGCGT, p.R356Tfs*47), showing complete loss of baseline and receptor-stimulated activity in transfected cells. The patient developed venous thrombosis and vascular and subcutaneous calcifications on both forearms after venous puncture on the right and extravasation of calcium gluconate during treatment on the left. The thrombosis and calcifications completely resolved following treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin and acetazolamide for 5 and 8 months, respectively. Conclusions: This case represents the first PHP1A patient displaying thrombosis and the first successful use of acetazolamide for PHP1A-associated soft tissue calcifications, thus providing new insights into the treatment of non-endocrinological features in this disease.
Expression Analyses of C-Terminal-Binding Protein 1 (CtBP1) during Mouse Brain Development
Authors: Hamada Nanako , Matsuki Tohru , Iwamoto Ikuko , Nishijo Takuma , Noda Mariko , Tabata Hidenori , Nakayama Atsuo , Nagata Koh-Ichi
Published: October 2023

Introduction: C-terminal-binding protein 1 (CtBP1) is a multi-functional protein with well-established roles as a transcriptional co-repressor in the nucleus and a regulator of membrane fission in the cytoplasm. Although CtBP1 gene abnormalities have been reported to cause neurodevelopmental disorders, the physiological role and expression profile of CtBP1 remains to be elucidated. Methods: In this study, we used biochemical, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence methods to analyze the expression of CtBP1 during mouse brain development. Results: Western blotting analyses revealed that CtBP1 appeared to be expressed mainly in the central nervous system throughout the developmental process. In immunohistochemical analyses, region-specific nuclear as well as weak cytoplasmic distribution of CtBP1 was observed in telencephalon at embryonic day (E)15 and E17. It is of note that CtBP1 was barely detected in axons but observed in the nucleus of oligodendrocytes in the white matter at E17. As to the cerebellum at postnatal day 30, CtBP1 appeared to be expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of Purkinje cells, the nucleus of granule cells and cells in the molecular layer (ML), and the ML per se, where granule cell axons and Purkinje cell dendrites are enriched. In addition, CtBP1 was detected in the cerebellar nuclei. Conclusion: The obtained results suggest involvement of CtBP1 in brain function.
Cost-Effectiveness of AF Screening With 2-Week Patch Monitors: The mSToPS Study
Authors: Reynolds Matthew R. , Stein Amy B. , Sun Xiaowu , Hytopoulos Evangelos , Steinhubl Steven R. , Cohen David J.
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

The mSToPS study (mHealth Screening to Prevent Strokes) reported screening older Americans at risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke using 2-week patch monitors was associated with increased rates of AF diagnosis and anticoagulant prescription within 1 year and improved clinical outcomes at 3 years relative to matched controls. Cost-effectiveness of this AF screening approach has not been explored.

METHODS:

We conducted a US-based health economic analysis of AF screening using patient-level data from mSToPS. Clinical outcomes, resource use, and costs were obtained through 3 years using claims data. Individual costs, survival, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were projected over a lifetime horizon using regression modeling, US life tables, and external data where needed. Adjustment between groups was performed using propensity score bin bootstrapping.

RESULTS:

Screening participants (mean age, 74 years, 41% female, median CHA
2
DS
2
-VASC score 3) wore on average 1.7 two-week monitors at a mean cost of $614/person. Over 3 years, outpatient visits were more frequent for monitored than unmonitored individuals (difference 190 per 100 patient-years [95% CI, 82–298]), but emergency department visits (−8.3 [95% CI, −12.6 to −4.1]) and hospitalizations (−15.2 [CI, −22 to −8.6]) were less frequent. Total adjusted 3-year costs were slightly higher (mean difference, $1551 [95% CI, −$1047 to $4038]) in the monitoring group. In patient-level projections, the monitoring group had slightly greater quality-adjusted survival (8.81 versus 8.71 QALYs, difference, 0.09 [95% CI, −0.05 to 0.24]) and slightly higher lifetime costs, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $36 100/QALY gained. With bootstrap resampling, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for monitoring was <$50 000/QALY in 64% of study replicates, and <$150 000/QALY in 91%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Using lifetime projections derived from the mSToPS study, we found that AF screening using 2-week patch monitors in older Americans was associated with high economic value. Confirmation of these uncertain findings in a randomized trial is warranted.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02506244.
Children’s Reasoning About Empathy and Social Relationships
Authors: Smith-Flores Alexis S. , Bonamy Gabriel J. , Powell Lindsey J.
Published: October 2023

Across the lifespan, empathic and counter-empathic emotions are shaped by social relationships. Here we test the hypothesis that this connection is encoded in children’s intuitive theory of psychology, allowing them to predict when others will feel empathy versus counter-empathy and to use vicarious emotion information to infer relationships. We asked 4- to 7-year-old children (N = 79) to make emotion predictions or relationship inferences in response to stories featuring two characters, an experiencer and an observer, and either a positive or negative outcome for the experiencer. In the context of positive outcomes, we found that children engaged in robust joint reasoning about relationships and vicarious emotions. When given information about the characters’ relationship, children predicted empathy from a friendly observer and counter-empathy from a rival observer. When given information about the observer’s response to the experiencer, children inferred positive and negative relationships from empathic and counter-empathic responses, respectively. In the context of negative outcomes, children predicted that both friendly and rival observers would feel empathy toward the experiencer, but they still used information about empathic versus counter-empathic responses to infer relationship status. Our results suggest that young children in the US have a blanket expectation of empathic concern in response to negative outcomes, but otherwise expect and infer that vicarious emotions are connected to social relationships. Future research should investigate if children use this understanding to select social partners, evaluate their own relationships, or decide when to express empathy toward others.
Teaching in the Light of Activity Theory Applied to Preschool: Reflections on Brazilian Practice
Authors: de Moraesa Marcela Cristina
Published: October 2023

Background. Activity Theory applied by the teacher to preschool education favors the development of new psychological formations, such as perception, attention, memory, thought, language, and voluntariness, which prepare the child for school. Objective. To highlight the contributions of N.F. Talyzina based on Activity Theory applied to preschool education and to reflect on the theory’s use in the Brazilian education system. Design. This article is theoretically built from research in a sandwich doctorate program in Puebla, Mexico and internship supervision practices for psychologist training at a public university in Brazil’s central-west region. Results. Activity Theory is seldom applied to teaching, including in Brazil, and there is little knowledge about the scientific contributions of one of its practitioners, the late N.F. Talyzina. We chose the preschool stage as the focus of our reflections, and we maintain that the introduction of role-playing as the main activity in early childhood education promotes the development of psychological neoformations and prepares the child for the next stage of school. Finally, we present the internship practices in applied psychology in a Brazilian children’s group, with evidence of advances. Conclusion. There is a need for expansion of the formative experiments reported here to the Brazilian population, for scientific dissemination of the results, and promotion of teacher training and qualification in Activity Theory.
Post-diasporic Resilience to Assimilation via the Heritagisation of the Diasporic Legacy among the Descendants of Lithuanian Exiles to Trans-Volga Russia
Authors: Ciubrinskas Vytis
Published: October 2023

The Trans-Volga Lithuanian diaspora has for more than 150 years traversed the challenges of assimilation into a majoritarian Russian society. However, in the contemporary era, the third- and fourth-generation descendants’ resilience to assimilation is focused on sensitivity to roots and a valorisation of the diasporic past. The role of agency in diasporic memory, place-making and cultural representations is of key importance. The aim of this paper is to focus on the post-diasporic domains of communality by highlighting the shared values and aspirations, strategies and experiences of the reclamation and heritagisation of diasporic legacy. Analysis of fieldwork among the descendants has shown that their resilience to assimilation is grounded in the dominant narrative of the heroic past of the diaspora firstcomers: in terms of—Lithuanians as pioneers of the Kazakh steppe; in the heritagisation of Lithuanian objects and places via collection and museumisation of ethnographic objects, and co-memorising; the re-Lithuanianisation of diaspora places through erecting Catholic chapels and crosses; and in the festive representations of traditional Trans-Volga Lithuanian culture at state-sponsored local multicultural festivals.
Neither Israelisation nor Zionisation
Authors: Hazran Yusri
Published: October 2023

For decades, the Druze community on the Golan Heights has waged a political struggle against Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, demonstrating its loyalty to Syria by refusing to accept Israeli citizenship, ostracizing (religiously and socially) anyone who does so, vetoing service in the idf, not teaching Hebrew in schools, celebrating Syrian national holidays, attending Syrian universities, etc. In the wake of the outbreak of the popular uprising in Syria in 2011, however, it has begun showing clear signs of cracks, most prominently amongst the younger generation. Due first and foremost to utilitarian factors. Characterised by a utilitarian wish to integrate into Israeli economy and society, this trend finds various expressions. Firstly, the number of Druze seeking Israeli citizenship has risen, albeit not dramatically, a clear correlation existing between this fact and the decline of the Ba’ath regime. Secondly, and at the same time, more young adults have begun applying to Israeli universities, the decade between 2011 and 2021 witnessing a significant rise in the number of Golan Druze students studying therein. Thirdly, in continuation of the same trend, the members of the Golan Druze community also began adopting an economic-focused orientation—which Israel met by launching an ambitious plan in 2014 for developing the 1052 Druze settlements in the Golan.
The Veil of Purity: Tropes of Nineteenth-Century Islamic Reform and Ahmad Khan’s naicar
Authors: Burney Fatima
Published: October 2023

Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) was one of the most prominent Indian Muslim reformists of the nineteenth century and was exceptional for the ways in which he proposed that nature and observations of nature were central to Islam. Like many nineteenth-century reformist narratives, Khan’s ideals on naicar (nature) routinely employed a rhetoric of ‘break,’ ‘renewal,’ and ‘purity’ to imply that Indo-Persian culture was in a state of malaise and in need of rejuvenation. Yet despite this outward denunciation, Khan’s reformist project also ironically reflected many qualities of Persianate Islam that had characterized Indo-Muslim culture before the nineteenth century. This article reconsiders Ahmad Khan’s modernism in light of the Persianate modes that he maintained to point out some of the rhetorical inconsistencies of modernist writing, and the historical lacunae which they create.
On some blattisociid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Lasioseius, Cheiroseius) from Slovakia, with notes on the genus Hyattella sensu Krantz, 1962
Authors: MAŠÁN PETER
Published: October 2023

A new mite species of the Blattisociidae, Lasioseius cheiroseioides sp. nov., is described on the basis of females found in association with the galleries of the longhorned beetle Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus in old oaks (Quercus sp.) in southwestern Slovakia. The species is unusual in the genus in that it has modified macrosetae on the tarsi II‒IV, a feature considered typical of Hyattella Krantz, 1962, a genus now considered synonymous with Lasioseius Berlese, 1916. Furthermore, Hyattella Krantz, 1962 is a junior homonym of Hyattella Lendenfeld, 1888 (Porifera). Some amendments were made to the original description of Lasioseius epicrioides (Krantz, 1962), the type species of Hyattella, and of Lasioseius lacunosus Westerboer, 1963, which was first reported from Slovakia and is closely related to the new species of Lasioseius. The following new synonymies are proposed: Lasioseius zerconoides Willmann, 1954 = Lasioseius ometes (Oudemans, 1903) and Lasioseius minor Kalúz, 2009 = Lasioseius diffindatus Christian & Karg, 2006. Another blattisociid mite, Cheiroseius arboricola sp. nov., is introduced as a new species. Mašán (2023a) described this species but did not indicate where the holotype is deposited, so its name is not available from that date.
Nonlocal Controls on Tropical Cyclogenesis: A Trajectory-Based Genesis Potential Index
Authors: Meng Lingwei , Garner Stephen T.
Published: October 2023

Tropical cyclone (TC) genesis is initiated by convective precursors or “seeds” and influenced by environmental conditions along the seed-to-TC trajectories. Genesis potential indices (GPIs) provide a simple way to evaluate TC genesis likelihood from environmental conditions but have two limitations that may introduce bias. First, the globally fixed GPIs fail to represent interbasin differences in the relationship between environments and genesis. Second, existing GPIs are only functions of local environmental conditions, whereas nonlocal factors may have a significant impact. We address the first limitation by constructing basin- and time-scale-specific GPIs (local-GPIs) over the eastern North Pacific (ENP) and North Atlantic (NA) using Poisson regression. A sequential feature selection (SFS) algorithm identifies vertical wind shear and a heating condition as leading factors controlling TC genesis in the ENP and the NA, respectively. However, only a slight improvement in performance is achieved, motivating us to tackle the second limitation with a novel trajectory-based GPI (traj-GPI). We merge adjacent nonlocal environments into each grid point based on observed seed trajectory densities. The seed activity, driven mainly by upward motion, and the transition to TCs, controlled primarily by vertical wind shear or heating conditions, are captured simultaneously in the traj-GPI, yielding a better performance than the original GPIs. This study illustrates the importance of seed activity in modeling TC genesis and identifies key environmental factors that influence the process of TC genesis at different stages.

Significance Statement

The genesis potential index (GPI) is an effective tool for modeling the likelihood of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis for a given time and location. This study reveals that existing GPIs are primarily biased by a lack of information about nonlocal TC seed activity, since they are based only on local large-scale environmental variables. According to our study, upward motion and vertical wind shear are the most influential environmental factors in seed genesis and the transition from seed to TC, respectively. Based on the observed seed trajectories, we build trajectory-based GPIs that include the information from seed activity. Spatiotemporal performances of TC genesis are significantly improved over the original GPIs.
On the Contribution of Transient Diabatic Processes to Ocean Heat Transport and Temperature Variability
Authors: Yung Claire K. , Holmes Ryan M.
Published: October 2023

Time-varying processes contribute to ocean heat transport and are important to understand for accurate climate modeling. While past studies have quantified time-varying contributions to advective transport, less attention has been given to diabatic processes such as surface forcing and mixing. Using a global eddy-permitting ocean model we quantify the contribution of time-variable processes to meridional and diathermal (warm to cold) heat transport at different time scales using a temporal eddy-mean decomposition performed in the temperature–latitude plane. Time-varying contributions to meridional heat transport occur predominantly at mesoscale eddy-dominated midlatitudes and in the tropics, associated with the seasonal cycle and tropical instability waves. The seasonal cycle is a dominant driver of surface flux– and mixing-driven diathermal heat transports. Nonseasonal (and nondiurnal) processes contribute up to about 10% of the total. We show that transient contributions to diathermal heat transport can be interpreted as sources of Eulerian temperature variance. We thus extend recent work on the drivers of temperature variability by evaluating the role of mixing. Mixing dampens seasonal and diurnal temperature variability, except near the equator where it can be a source of seasonal variability. At mesoscale time scales mixing drives variability within and near the base of the boundary layer, the mechanisms of which are explored using a column model. We suggest that climate models that do not resolve the mesoscale may be missing the rectified heat transport associated with high-frequency diabatic processes, in addition to the adiabatic eddy fluxes that are commonly parameterized.

Significance Statement

Ocean heat transport plays a key role in determining how the climate responds to changes in forcing. This transport is influenced by a range of processes that vary with time. Previous research has quantified time-varying sources of lateral heat transport, such as mesoscale eddies and overturning circulation cells. However, time-varying “diabatic processes,” such as surface forcing and unresolved turbulent mixing, have received less attention. Here, we quantify these effects using a global ocean model. We find a dominant role for the seasonal cycle in driving diabatic heat transport, but processes on shorter time scales also contribute. Our results suggest that temporal variations in turbulent mixing are an important contributor to heat transport but may not be resolved in coarse-resolution climate models.
When Are Voluntary Environmental Programs More Effective? A Meta-Analysis of the Role of Program Governance Quality
Authors: Flankova Svetlana , Tashman Peter , Van Essen Marc , Marano Valentina
Published: October 2023

We meta-analyze 103 studies of 23 voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) to assess how their governance quality, or the rigor of their internal institutional mechanisms, drives their ability to improve their participants corporate environmental and financial performance. The goal of VEPs is to incentivize firms to reduce firms’ environmental impacts by bolstering their reputations and helping them learn practices that improve their financial performance. Research on VEP effectiveness, however, is inconclusive, in part, because most studies sampled individual programs, and were unable to analyze how difference in program characteristics drive their effectiveness. We draw on institutional theory to argue that VEP governance quality determines whether they improve participants’ environmental performance, and the natural resource-based view to argue that they improve their financial performance. Results confirm our predictions, and in doing so, help to establish a business case for VEPs with high-quality governance.
Remembering Lived Past: History and Memory in Post-Stalin Azerbaijan
Authors: Mammadova Shalala
Published: October 2023

The data collected during the author's ‘History of Azerbaijan’ class at Baku State University in 2014 showed that both the young and old generations felt great sympathy for the Soviet polity. Social life after Stalin was seen as a period of political stability and social prosperity. However, the official party and government documentation as well as individual memory reject this understanding. This article examines the collective and individual memory of Azerbaijani society in the post-Stalin period to understand why the social grievances and dissatisfaction of the time are discounted by modern-day Azerbaijanis, who see the time as one of social prosperity. The research is based on various primary sources from the Azerbaijan and Russian Federation archives. Data from surveys of 796 respondents, as well as ten interviews, were involved in the research. Mixed methods, a combination of descriptive qualitative and quantitative methods, were used for this research.