bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Taurolidine on the Prevention of Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections in Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Al-Amin Azzam H. , Sarveswaran Janahan , Wood Jonathan M. , Burke Dermot A. , Donnellan Clare F.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of taurolidine (TauroLock™) line locks on the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

Methods

In our unit, any patient with ≥2 CRBSIs in six months is considered for TauroLock™ (2% taurolidine and 4% citrate) line locks. All such patients from May 2007 until January 2012 were identified, along with associated CRBSI rates. CRBSI was defined by differential time to positivity for positive blood cultures. CRBSIs were grouped into pre-taurolidine use and post-taurolidine commencement for each patient and the infection rate per 1000 catheter days calculated. Results were analyzed using Wilcoxon two-sided test.

Results

A total of nine patients were included (two men and seven women) with a median age of 51 (range 43-82) years. Infection rates after commencing taurolidine decreased markedly in all patients studied. The median CRBSI rate prior to taurolidine use was 6.39 per 1000 catheter days. This decreased to a median CRBSI rate of 0 per 1000 catheter days after commencing taurolidine.

Conclusions

Taurolidine is no substitute for careful aseptic technique. However, it is clearly effective at preventing CRBSIs and should be used in patients with recurrent infections to reduce morbidity.
Diagnosis of recurrent deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Schellong S. M.
Published: July 2013

Deep vein thrombosis is a chronic disease with a continuing risk of recurrence. In a patient with recurrence long term prognosis and treatment are significantly altered both carrying their own risks not only in the acute phase but mainly in the long term perspective. Thus, accurate diagnosis of recurrence is of utmost importance for the fate of the patient. Diagnosis of a first DVT episode is well established and follows an algorithm including clinical prediction rules, D-Dimer testing and compression ultrasound. Due to the previous episode the efficiency of all three elements is impaired in a patient with suspected recurrence. This opens up areas of uncertainty which have to be filled by individual clinical judgement. Guidelines reflect this difficulty by providing mainly weak recommendations based on sparse data. The present review summarizes what is known about the performance of tools for DVT diagnosis, discusses recent guidelines, and finally gives personally weighed recommendations how to deal with this peculiar diagnostic situation. In conclusion, it will turn out that the well accepted diagnostic algorithm for a first DVT may be applied as well if the lower efficiency is regarded. Compression ultrasound largely benefits from a baseline assessment at the end of the previous episode. The order of tests may be discussed according to local and regional attitudes.
Evolução das organizações por meio das abordagens institucional, ecologia das organizações e equilíbrio pontuado
Authors: Santos Ana Clarissa
Published: July 2013

DOI: 10.5902/198346592700 Within the functionalist paradigm, characterized by the philosophical objectivism and the sociology of status quo maintenance, the institutional theory and the ecology of organizations theory are thoroughly studied to explain why the organizations can be, paradoxically, so different and so similar. The theory of organizations ecology defends that there is a big difference among organizations and, as time goes by, those most adapt are selected by the environment. This makes the companies more alike, simply by natural selection or by the intention of aligning with the successful ones. This is the core idea of the institutional theory, where the existence of coercive, mimetic, and normative isomorphism standardizes organizations. When an important change occurs in the environment, the cycle restarts, a new selection takes place, and consequently we have the search for isomorphism. Finally, we can observe that one theory complements the other, generating a cycle for the organizations existence, and therefore they can not be considered as exclusive.
Uma análise do ambiente mercadológico de uma empresa do setor metal mecânico sob as perspectivas de Porter
Authors: Lopes Luis Felipe Dias , Machado Fransana Petter , Lopes Fillipe Grando , Lima Mauren Pimentel , Costa Vânia Medianeira Flores , Della Mea da Silva Diana
Published: July 2013

DOI: 10.5902/198346592966 In a highly competitive market where consumers are increasingly demanding, the companies, in order to maintain themselves, seek competitive strategies, bringing as an alternative the differentiation in their products quality. To achieve this goal, companies guide their business strategies for an apropriate quality system, developing a Strategic Quality Planning. This paper presents the observation made in a metallurgical industry from Santa Maria with the purpose to describe how the Strategic Planning is committed to quality, in addition to an observation of its internal and external environments through the development of the SWOT matrix and the perception through the five competitive forces of Porter (1990).  It was observed the cost of poor quality in the company, addressing to the flaws and defects caused by its lack and how much it represented in the company incomes.  It was possible to notice how much the company lost in sales according to the flaws in the operational process. This paper intends to warn the administrators about the costs due to a lack of quality presented by the company and that the implementation of a quality system is seen as a tool to promote improvements and not only as a set of rules to obtain a certificate.
Respostas anunciadas pelas empresas brasileiras participantes do Carbon Disclosure Project para economia de baixo carbono
Authors: Farias Luana Das Graças Queiroz de , Andrade José Célio Silveira
Published: July 2013

DOI: 10.5902/198346595252 Global climate change has emerged as the most important issue of sustainability, since it will negatively affect most biological systems, access to water, the economy and therefore have been of concern to society. The industry response to climate change are quite diverse, with emphasis on economic behavior and political-institutional. At first, the answers emphasize the macro-environment, the microenvironment and internal environment. And the second is to propose new rules for the formation of public-private partnerships such as the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), between 2005 and 2009 for the Low Carbon Economy. It was used for construction of secondary data from literature and reports available on the CDP website. The results point to the evolution of the responses of Brazilian companies participating in the CDP, especially in three performance levels: the macro-environment, the microenvironment and internal environment of organizations. However, the responses are concentrated in the service in the internal environment in which organizations are embedded and linked to environmental performance indicators and GHG emissions. However, the responses are concentrated in the service in the internal environment in which organizations are embedded and linked to environmental performance indicators and GHG.
Um estudo sobre as características do método Delphi e de grupo focal, como técnicas na obtenção de dados em pesquisas exploratórias
Authors: Munaretto Lorimar Francisco , Corrêa Hamilton Luiz , Carneiro da Cunha Júlio Araújo
Published: July 2013

DOI: 10.5902/198346596243 This study aimed to describe the main characteristics of the Delphi method and focus group as data collection techniques in exploratory research. This is a bibliographic study, conducted with materials published in books, magazines, electronic networks etc.., Of primary and secondary sources. The results demonstrate that the focus group technique has no anonymity of the participants, as in Delphi, and that the interaction between the participants is carried out by uncontrolled feedback, unlike what occurs in the Delphi method. The research Delphie accomplished through structured questionnaires applied to experts, intensively and interspersed in several rounds. The main benefits of focus group techniques for exploratory research are: i) to assist in the formulation of hypotheses, since the discussion on specific topic leads to clarity of thought, helping to express research propositions ii) assist in identifying relevant concepts of research, which may be characteristic of a product or a service, working in the operational definition of a concept in the identification and testing of new research ideas. Denotes that both methods, Delphi and focus group contributions have efficient data collection for research of an exploratory nature.
Alfabetização e formação de professores: algumas reflexões sobre a leitura e a escrita
Authors: Antunes Helenise Sangoi
Published: July 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464446661 Este artigo apresenta algumas reflexões sobre a leitura e a escrita, a partir do projeto de pesquisa intitulado “Laboratório de Alfabetização: repensando a formação de professores”, que pretende estabelecer intercâmbio entre as escolas em situação de vulnerabilidade social e a Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Esse trabalho objetiva colaborar no processo de alfabetização de alunos dos anos iniciais, e também contribuir para a formação dos acadêmicos dos cursos de Pedagogia e Educação Especial da UFSM, assim como dos professores das escolas envolvidas. Adotando uma metodologia qualitativa, baseada nos estudos de Bogdan e Bicklen (1994), o projeto busca auxiliar no processo de alfabetização ao propor a reflexão sobre a prática pedagógica vigente nas primeiras séries do ensino fundamental, principalmente nas salas de aula de escolas da periferia de Santa Maria, RS. O presente artigo apresenta ainda algumas reflexões sobre a relação existente entre a formação de professores e a alfabetização, a partir de observações realizadas no âmbito do referido projeto de pesquisa durante os nove anos de sua execução. Os resultados alcançados remetem à existência de práticas no ensino fundamental que ignoram, na maioria das vezes, a capacidade criadora dos alunos no processo de construção da leitura e da escrita. Concluiu-se que este projeto potencializou as relações entre a formação inicial e continuada de professores e as práticas de leitura e escrita, porque permitiu a imersão das acadêmicas da Pedagogia e da Educação Especial na escola durante a realização do curso de graduação e oportunizou trocas de experiência com as professoras que já estão atuando no ensino básico. Palavras-chave: Alfabetização; Leitura e Escrita; Formação de Professores.
Culture and the Principles of Biomedical Ethics
Authors: Abimbola Kola
Published: July 2013

This paper examines the roles of culture in the principles of biomedical ethics.Â  Drawing on examples from African, Navajo and Western cultures, the paper maintains that various elements of culture are indispensable to the application of the principles of biomedical ethics.
Evergreening patents: The Indian Supreme Court rejects patenting of incremental improvements
Authors: Brougher Joanna
Published: July 2013

On April 1, 2013, the Supreme Court in India handed down its decision to dismiss Swiss drug maker Novartis AG's attempt to win patent protection for its cancer drug Glivec. In doing so, the Supreme Court held that incremental improvements or modifications to an existing drug are not patentable under Indiaâ€™s patent laws. While the ruling may have allowed India to maintain its ability to manufacture generic drugs, the ruling has increased the challenges that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies face in obtaining patent protection in India. In the long term, these challenges may prove to have far greater implications for the biotechnology industry that go beyond merely the patentability of one drug product. In view of this recent decision, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are undoubtedly re-evaluating their foreign patent strategies.
Envision: A sustainability guide for water professionals
Authors: Bertera William J.
Published: July 2013

Sustainability in infrastructure has become a public value and expectation, and consequently an objective for the water community; a new assessment tool guides decision‐makers in developing effective strategies.
Epsin Family of Endocytic Adaptor Proteins as Oncogenic Regulators of Cancer Progression
Authors: Kandice L. Tessneer  , Xiaofeng Cai  , Satish Pasula  , Yunzhou Dong  , Xiaolei Liu  , Baojun Chang  , John McManus  , Scott Hahn  , Lili Yu  , Hong Chen
Published: July 2013

Tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, and tumor cell migration result from an accumulation of oncogenic mutations that alter protein expression and the regulation of various signaling cascades. Epsins, a small family of clathrin-mediated endocytic adaptor proteins, are reportedly upregulated in a variety of cancers. Importantly, loss of epsins protects against tumorigenesis, thus supporting an oncogenic role for epsins in cancer. Although a clear relationship between epsins and cancer has evolved, the importance of this relationship with regards to cancer progression and anti-cancer therapies remains unclear. In this review, we summarize epsins’ role as endocytic adaptors that modulate VEGF and Notch signaling through the regulated internalization of VEGFR2 and trans-endocytosis of Notch receptors. As both VEGF and Notch signaling have significant implications in angiogenesis, we focus on the newly identified role for epsins in tumor angiogenesis. In addition to epsins’ canonical role in receptor-mediated endocytosis, and the resulting downstream signaling regulation, we discuss the non-canonical role of epsins as regulators of small GTPases and the implications this has on tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Given epsins’ identified roles in tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, and tumor cell invasion, we predict that the investigative links between epsins and cancer will provide new insights into the importance of endocytic adaptors and their potential use as future therapeutic targets.
The next generation of the World Health Organization's global antiretroviral guidance
Authors: Hirnschall Gottfried , Harries Anthony D , Easterbrook Philippa J , Doherty Meg C , Ball Andrew
Published: July 2013

The 2013 World Health Organization’s (WHO) Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection provide more than 50 new recommendations across the continuum of HIV care, including recommendations on HIV testing, using antiretroviral drugs for prevention, linking individuals to HIV care and treatment services, initiating and maintaining antiretroviral therapy (ART) and monitoring treatment. Guidance is provided across all age groups and populations of adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescents and key populations. The guidelines are based on a public health approach to expanding the use of ARV drugs for HIV treatment and prevention, with a particular focus on resource‐limited settings.

The most important new clinical recommendations include: treating adults, adolescents and older children earlier – starting ART in all individuals with a CD4 cell count of 500 cells/mm3 or less (but giving priority to those with advanced clinical disease or a CD4 cell count less than 350 cells/mm3); starting ART at any CD4 cell count in certain populations, including those with active TB (existing recommendation), Hepatitis B infection and severe chronic liver disease, HIV‐positive partners in serodiscordant couples (existing recommendation), pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children younger than 5 years of age; a preferred first‐line ART regimen of Tenofovir+3TC or FTC+ Efavirenz as a once‐daily fixed‐dose combination for adults, pregnant women, and children aged 3 years and older; and the use of viral load testing as the preferred approach to monitoring the response to ART and to diagnose treatment failure. Guidance is also provided on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of HIV services, including strategies to improve retention in care, and adherence to ART; task‐shifting to address human resource gaps; decentralizing delivery of ART to primary health care, and integrating ART services within maternal and child health, TB or drug dependency clinics. There is additional guidance for programme managers on how to plan HIV programmes and use resources most efficiently.
Effects of Concurrent Low Back Conditions on Depression Outcomes
Authors: Angstman Kurt B. , Bansal Shalu , Chappell Daniel H. , Bock F. Andrew , Rasmussen Norman H.
Published: July 2013

Context: Depression and low back problems are common issues in primary care.

Objective: To compare 6-month depression outcomes (specifically, clinical results and number of outpatient visits) in patients with or without comorbid low back conditions (LBCs). The authors hypothesized that the presence of an LBC within 3 months of the diagnosis of depression would negatively affect clinical outcomes of depression treatment after 6 months.

Design: Retrospective record review.

Setting: Collaborative care management program in a large primary care practice.

Participants: Patients with a diagnosis of depression enrolled in collaborative care management (N=1326), including 172 with and 1154 without evidence of an LBC within 3 months of enrollment.

Main Outcome Measures: Clinical depression outcomes (remission and persistent depressive symptoms) and number of outpatient visits at 6 months.

Results: Regression modeling for clinical remission and persistent depressive symptoms at 6 months demonstrated that LBCs were not an independent factor affecting clinical remission (P=.24) but were associated with persistent depressive symptoms (odds ratio, 1.559; 95% confidence interval, 1.065-2.282; P=.02); LBCs remained an independent predictor of outlier status for outpatient visits (≥8 clinical visits after 6 months of enrollment), with an odds ratio of 1.581 (95% confidence interval, 1.086-2.30; P=.02).

Conclusion: Increased odds of persistent depressive symptoms and increased number of outpatient visits were found in patients with depression and concomitant LBCs 6 months after enrollment into collaborative care management, compared with those in patients with depression and without LBCs. The data suggest that temporally related LBCs could lead to worse outcomes in primary care patients being treated for depression, encouraging closer observation and possible therapeutic changes in this cohort.
A Research Primer: Basic Guidelines for the Novice Researcher
Authors: Brannan Grace D. , Dumsha Jane Z. , Yens David P.
Published: July 2013

Research can achieve many objectives, primarily by establishing a supportable, verifiable basis for clinical decisions. An evidence-based practice can streamline patient care, improving safety through consistency of care and making health care more affordable for patients. By cultivating research skills, osteopathic physicians and trainees can begin to forge a reciprocal relationship with medical literature and current findings, approaching research as active contributors as well as consumers. Many challenges, however, potentially hinder osteopathic physicians, residents, or medical students who wish to develop research skills. In the present article, the authors summarize research concepts and terminology that will enable novice researchers to interact effectively with more experienced researchers, statisticians, and methodologists.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Facial Numbness and Pain After Whiplash Injury
Authors: Genese Josephine Sun
Published: July 2013

Whiplash injury is often caused by rear-end motor vehicle collisions. Symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness or arm pain or numbness are common with whiplash injury. The author reports a case of right facial numbness and right cheek pain after a whiplash injury. Osteopathic manipulative treatment techniques applied at the level of the cervical spine, suboccipital region, and cranial region alleviated the patient's facial symptoms by treating the right-sided strain of the trigeminal nerve. The strain on the trigeminal nerve likely occurred at the upper cervical spine, at the nerve's cauda, and at the brainstem, the nerve's point of origin. The temporal portion of the cranium played a major role in the strain on the maxillary.
Eight additional new records of Philippine Mosses
Authors: Linis Virgilio , Tan Benito
Published: July 2013

Eight new taxa are added to the Philippine moss flora: Acroporium rigens (Broth. ex Dixon) Dixon, Braunfelsia plicata (Sande Lac.) Broth., Brotherella fauriei (Cardot) Broth., Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum (Hedw.) P.C.Chen, Gammiella pterogonoides (Griff.) Broth., Oxyrrhynchium hians (Hedw.) Loeske, Pterogonidium pulchellum Hook. and Vesicularia ferriei (Cardot & Thér.) Broth. The genus Pterogonidium is new to the Philippine flora.
Patient Specific Pre-Treatment QA Verification Using an EPID Approach
Authors: Quino Luis A. Vazquez , Chen Xiaoming , Fitzpatrick Mathew , Shi Chengyu , Stathakis Sotirios , Gutierrez Alonso , Esquivel Carlos , Mavroidis Panayiotis , Alkhatib Hassan , Papanikolaou Niko
Published: July 2013

A software program [MU-EPID], has been developed to perform patient specific pre-treatment quality assurance (QA) verification for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using fluence maps measured with an electronic portal imaging device (EPID). The software converts the EPID acquired images of each IMRT beam, to fluence maps that are equivalent to those calculated by the treatment planning system (TPS). The software has the capability to process Varian, Elekta and Siemens EPID DICOM images. In the present investigation, several IMRT plans for different treatment sites were used to validate the software using the Varian a-Si 1000 EPID with the Pinnacle TPS. A total of 20 IMRT plans of different treatment sites were analyzed. Isodose distributions, dose profiles, dose volume histograms (DVH's) and gamma analysis comparisons were performed to evaluate the accuracy of our method. A gamma index analysis of the isocenter coronal plane was done for each plan and showed an average of 97.44% of gamma passing rate using a 3% and 3 mm gamma criterion. Isodose, DVH and dose profile comparisons were conducted between the original calculated plan and the measured reconstructed plan from the EPID images processed through the MU-EPID software. The results suggest that MU-EPID can be used clinically for patient specific IMRT QA, providing a comprehensive 3D dosimetric evaluation through DVH comparison as well as an option for a 2D gamma analysis.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Benefit of Fiducial Image-Guidance for Prostate Cancer Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Using Daily Dose Volume Histogram Analysis
Authors: Kasaova L. , Sirak I. , Jansa J. , Paluska P. , Petera J.
Published: July 2013

To quantitatively evaluate the extent to which fiducial-based image-guidance improves dose coverage of the target volume and sparing of critical organs for prostate cancer patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and determination of planning margins by original approach of detailed daily dose volume histogram (DVH) and patient's position correction analysis. Sixty-two patients divided in two groups (clinical target volume (CTV) → planning target volume (PTV) margin 10 and 7 mm) were treated with IMRT using implanted fiducial markers. Each patient's treatment fraction was recalculated as it would have been treated without fiducial-guided positioning. For both plans (IGRT and non-IGRT), equivalent uniform doses (EUD), maximal and minimal doses for target volumes, normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), maximum and mean doses for organs at risk and the whole DVH differences were assessed. In the group with 10 mm margins, the only significant difference was worse rectal NTCP by 4.5%, but the CTV dose coverage remained at the same level. Recalculated plans with 7 mm margin could not achieve the prescribed target volume coverage, and the EUD decreased by 3.7 and 0.6 Gy for PTV and CTV, respectively. Desired CTV → PTV margin for non-IGRT plans should be no lower than 12 mm to guarantee 95% instances when delivered dose to CTV maintain as planned, for IGRT plans decrease this requirement to 2 mm. Prostate IMRT strategies involving margin reduction below 7 mm require image-guidance to maintain the planned dose coverage. Using fiducial-based image-guidance and large margins seems to be superfluous.
Outcomes of Single Fraction Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Lung Metastases
Authors: Filippi Andrea R. , Badellino Serena , Guarneri Alessia , Levis Mario , Botticella Angela , Mantovani Cristina , Ragona Riccardo , Racca Patrizia , Buffoni Lucio , Novello Silvia , Ricardi Umberto
Published: July 2013

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) has been previously investigated as an alternative to thoracic surgery in patients with a limited number of pulmonary nodules from different primary tumors. We here report the clinical outcomes of a series of consecutive patients homogenously selected and treated with single dose SABR in our Institution. Eligibility criteria were: 1–5 lung metastases, maximum tumor diameter <50 mm, absent or controlled extra-thoracic disease, adequate pulmonary function, no prior radiotherapy, performance status ECOG 0–1. All patients were treated with a single dose of 26 Gy prescribed to the 80% isodose, by 3D-CRT or by IGRT-VMAT. Follow-up consisted of clinical evaluation and periodic CT scans. Primary endpoints were Local Control (LC), toxicity and Progression-Free Survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were Cancer-Specific Survival (CSS) and Overall Survival (OS). Out of 102 patients treated with SABR between october 2003 and october 2011, we selected 67 patients for a total of 90 lesions. Main primary tumor sites were lung and colon-rectum (37.3% and 43.3% of lesions, respectively). Median follow up time was 24 months. Treated metastasis progression at SABR site was observed in 10 lesions (11.1%), and actuarial LC rates at 1 and 2 years were respectively 93.4% and 88.1%. Systemic failure occurred in 37 patients (55.2%) at a median interval of 8 months after SABR. PFS rates were 72% and 55.4% at 1 and 2 year. Seven patients had grade 1 (10.4%) and 8 grade 2–3 late radiological toxicity (11.9%), while 6 experienced late chest wall toxicity (2 rib fractures, 4 chronic chest pain, 8.9%). CSS rates at 1 and 2 years were 90% and 76%, while OS rates were 85.1% and 70.5%, respectively. Median survival time was 40 months. On multivariate analysis, a disease-free interval longer than 24 months was close to significance for a benefit in CSS ( p = 0.07; HR 0.34 [95% CI 0.1–1.12]). The study includes a cohort of patients treated with single fraction 26 Gy SABR followed for a prolonged time interval. Single fraction SABR appears to be an effective treatment option, with little observed acute toxicity and limited late toxicity (<15%); its advantages also include a high patients' compliance, a short overall treatment time and an easy combination with systemic therapies. These results might provide supportive evidence to the use of single fraction SABR as a valid and acceptable alternative to surgery for pulmonary metastases from different primary tumors.
Screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Survival in Patients With Cirrhosis After Hepatitis C Virus Cure
Authors: Mezzacappa Catherine , Kim Nicole J. , Vutien Philip , Kaplan David E. , Ioannou George N. , Taddei Tamar H.
Published: July 2024

Importance

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) declines over time after hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies. Liver society guidelines recommend continuing HCC screening for these patients, but data on screening outcomes are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the association of HCC screening after HCV cure with overall survival.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study evaluated patients with HCV cirrhosis who achieved DAA-induced HCV cure in the Veterans Affairs health care system between January 2014 and December 2022. Data analysis occurred from October 2023 to January 2024.

Exposures

The percentage of time spent up to date with recommended HCC screening was calculated by year of follow-up and during the 4 years preceding HCC diagnosis (the detectable asymptomatic phase).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was overall survival after HCC diagnosis and was compared by percentage of time spent up to date with screening using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression. Early-stage HCC at diagnosis and curative treatment were secondary outcomes assessed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 16 902 individuals were included (median [IQR] age, 64.0 [60.5-67.4] years; 16 426 male [97.2%]), of whom 1622 developed HCC. The cumulative incidence of HCC declined from 2.4% (409 of 16 902 individuals) to 1.0% (27 of 2833 individuals) from year 1 to year 7 of follow-up. Being up to date with screening for at least 50% of time during the 4 years preceding HCC diagnosis was associated with improved overall survival (log-rank test of equality over strata P = .002). In multivariate analysis, each 10% increase in follow-up spent up to date with screening was associated with a 3.2% decrease in the hazard of death (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99). There was a statistically significant interaction between time since HCV cure and screening, with no association observed among those who received a diagnosis of HCC more than 5 years after HCV cure. Each 10% of time spent up to date with screening was associated with a 10.1% increased likelihood of diagnosis with early-stage HCC (95% CI, 6.3%-14.0%) and a 6.8% increased likelihood of curative treatment (95% CI, 2.8%-11.0%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of persons with HCV-related cirrhosis who achieved HCV cure and subsequently developed HCC, remaining up to date with screening was associated with improved overall survival, supporting the screening of eligible individuals.
Immigration
Authors: Andrejuk Katarzyna
Published: July 2024

The entry discusses the concept of immigration, which can be divided into five main categories: borders (of states and of supranational organizations); legal statuses; privilege or the lack of it; time spent abroad; nomadic or sedentary perspective. It emphasizes that defining and measuring immigration are becoming increasingly challenging because of its intensification and diversity of forms, brought about by globalization processes, technological progress, and the widespread availability of long‐distance mobility. The concept of immigration reveals specific social constructs, ideological contexts, and the conventionality of the key categories of analysis in migration research. Awareness of these limitations makes it possible to analyze migration issues with greater in‐depth understanding of the subject matter, and to become more sensitive to the social context of academic knowledge.
Racist Movements
Authors: Cribbs Sarah E. , Blee Kathleen
Published: July 2024

Racist movements are organized, collective efforts to create, preserve, or extend racial hierarchies of power and privilege. Such movements explicitly espouse the ideologies of white supremacism and/or anti‐Semitism – anti‐Judaism or hatred of Muslims or Arabs – which were consolidated in the western world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Intergroup antagonisms in earlier times, even conflicts that cross what were later regarded as racial lines, are not generally considered racial movements because they were not based in modern ideas of race as an essential, biological, polarized, and unchanging attribute of social groups. Denoting as racist only social movements that take place in western societies is a common practice in sociological research, as most scholars regard white supremacism and anti‐Semitism as the legacy of ideologies by which European colonists sought to justify their brutal conquests and occupations of the Americas and Africa. However, this restriction has been challenged by studies that use the concept of racist (or racial) movements to describe subnational intergroup antagonisms in nonwestern societies, including China, India, Indonesia, and Russia.
Refugees
Authors: Killian Caitlin , Rojas Belen
Published: July 2024

Refugees are people who have fled their country of origin and are residing in another country. They may receive asylum on the basis of their persecution due to political stance or membership in a social group that is targeted because of religion, race, or nationality. While they may not fit the strict definition of persecuted refugee, they may qualify for subsidiary or temporary protected status as a refugee fleeing war or natural disaster by a country or by the United Nations. Most refugees reside in low‐ or middle‐income countries that struggle to support the influx. Many are not allowed to work and therefore have to survive through aid and/or income generated through the informal economy. As climate change and its associated scarcity of resources and natural disasters create more climate refugees, international bodies and individual states will face growing pressure to meet the needs of those who cannot return to the countries they leave.
Revolutions and Movements for Radical Social Change
Authors: Xollo Skye
Published: July 2024

Revolutions and movements for radical social change have defined the contemporary political landscape. They are significant, often inspiring, human‐directed attempts to refashion the social and political world, though they have also typically fallen far short of such aspirations. Whether political or social, violent or nonviolent, the transformation of society by revolution and movements for radical social change have proved a complex and challenging field of study.
Ultra‐Rapidly Responsive Electret‐Based Flexible Pressure Sensor via Functional Polymeric Nanoparticle Synthesis
Authors: Yasuda Tatsuya , Komine Ryutaro , Nojiri Ryoma , Takabe Yoshihito , Nara Kenta , Kaneko Takeru , Horigome Syunsuke , Takeda Yasunori , Wang Yi‐Fei , Kawaguchi Seigou , Sekine Tomohito
Published: July 2024

Flexible electrets can be used to construct eco‐friendly devices that utilize dielectric materials to measure physical parameters without requiring any power supply. By achieving detection capabilities that surpass human tactile abilities, such devices can be employed to create super‐sensing technologies, such as electronic artificial skin, based on solution processes. In this study, electret‐type particles with self‐power‐generating properties are synthesized and applied to flexible pressure sensors. Notably, an ultrafast response is achieved despite the device being flexible and fabricated using a solution process. Moreover, this technology is successfully implemented in both human and robot applications, detecting tactile signals in real‐time and serving as electronic artificial skin—a key super‐sensing aspect. These results showcase the possibilities offered by high‐performance flexible sensing technology and illuminate potential directions for future applications.
Octave‐Spanning Second‐Harmonic Generation in Dispersion‐Engineered Lithium Niobate‐on‐Insulator Microwaveguide
Authors: Tang Yongzhi , Ding Tingting , Zhang Yuting , Ding Wenjun , Huang Yiwen , Wang Jiayu , Li Hao , Liu Shijie , Zheng Yuanlin , Chen Xianfeng
Published: July 2024

Broadband lasers, e.g., ultrashort lasers, optical supercontinuum, and frequency combs, are revolutionary coherent light sources, which enable a plethora of state‐of‐the‐art applications ranging from precision spectroscopy to optical clocks. However, the spectral broadening of these coherent light sources mainly relies on the third‐order nonlinearity () and is difficult to extend to the visible or shorter wavelength regime. Second‐order nonlinearity (), which is orders of magnitude larger than , becomes a powerful tool for the frequency translation if its broadband operation is well addressed. Herein, an octave‐spanning second‐harmonic generation scheme is experimentally demonstrated beyond an extremely large frequency range of 135 THz and high conversion efficiency of 1% for sub‐100 pJ for the near‐infrared picosecond supercontinuum in a fiber–waveguide–fiber configuration. The process relies on ultrabroadband birefringence phase matching in the dispersion‐engineered lithium niobate‐on‐insulator ridge microwaveguide. The mode area of microwaveguide well matches with single‐mode lens fiber, reducing coupling loss and ensuring easy packaging. The method provides a new approach to span the wavelength range of coherent light with ‐based wavelength translation for supercontinuum or frequency combs into the visible regime. The result would find applications in spectroscopy, astrophysics, atomic optics, optical synthesis, etc.
Neural Tissue‐Like, not Supraphysiological, Electrical Conductivity Stimulates Neuronal Lineage Specification through Calcium Signaling and Epigenetic Modification
Authors: Li Yu‐Meng , Ji Yunseong , Meng Yu‐Xuan , Kim Yu‐Jin , Lee Hwalim , Kurian Amal George , Park Jeong‐Hui , Yoon Ji‐Young , Knowles Jonathan C. , Choi Yunkyu , Kim Yoon‐Sik , Yoon Bo‐Eun , Singh Rajendra K. , Lee Hae‐Hyoung , Kim Hae‐Won , Lee Jung‐Hwan
Published: July 2024

Electrical conductivity is a pivotal biophysical factor for neural interfaces, though optimal values remain controversial due to challenges isolating this cue. To address this issue, conductive substrates made of carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide nanoribbons, exhibiting a spectrum of conductivities from 0.02 to 3.2 S m−1, while controlling other surface properties is designed. The focus is to ascertain whether varying conductivity in isolation has any discernable impact on neural lineage specification. Remarkably, neural‐tissue‐like low conductivity (0.02–0.1 S m−1) prompted neural stem/progenitor cells to exhibit a greater propensity toward neuronal lineage specification (neurons and oligodendrocytes, not astrocytes) compared to high supraphysiological conductivity (3.2 S m−1). High conductivity instigated the apoptotic process, characterized by increased apoptotic fraction and decreased neurogenic morphological features, primarily due to calcium overload. Conversely, cells exposed to physiological conductivity displayed epigenetic changes, specifically increased chromatin openness with H3acetylation (H3ac) and neurogenic‐transcription‐factor activation, along with a more balanced intracellular calcium response. The pharmacological inhibition of H3ac further supported the idea that such epigenetic changes might play a key role in driving neuronal specification in response to neural‐tissue‐like, not supraphysiological, conductive cues. These findings underscore the necessity of optimal conductivity when designing neural interfaces and scaffolds to stimulate neuronal differentiation and facilitate the repair process.
Asymmetric Manipulation of Perpendicular Exchange Bias and Programmable Spin Logical Cells by Spin–Orbit Torque in a Ferromagnet/Antiferromagnet System
Authors: Guo Lei , Shi Guopeng , Wang Guocai , Su Hua , Zhang Huaiwu , Tang Xiaoli
Published: July 2024

Antiferromagnets are competitive candidates for the next generation of spintronic devices owing to their superiority in small‐scale and low‐power‐consumption devices. The electrical manipulation of the magnetization and exchange bias (EB) driven by spin‐orbit torque (SOT) in ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) systems has become focused in spintronics. Here, the realization of a large perpendicular EB field in Co/IrMn and the effective manipulation of the magnetic moments of the magnetic Co layer and EB field by SOT in Pt/Co/IrMn system is reported. During the SOT‐driven switching process, an asymmetrically manipulated state is observed. Current pulses with the same amplitude but opposite directions induce different magnetization states. Magneto–optical Kerr measurements reveal that this is due to the coexistence of stable and metastable antiferromagnetic domains in the AFM. Exploiting the asymmetric properties of these FM/AFM structures, five spin logic gates, namely AND, OR, NOR, NAND, and NOT, are realized in a single cell via SOT. This study provides an insight into the special ability of SOT on AFMs and also paves an avenue to construct the logic‐in‐memory and neuromorphic computing cells based on the AFM spintronic system.
Boosted Charge Transfer for Highly Efficient Photosynthesis of H2O2 over Z‐Scheme I−/K+ Co‐Doped g‐C3N4/Metal–Organic‐Frameworks in Pure Water under Visible Light
Authors: Lu Xize , Chen Zongwei , Hu Zhuofeng , Liu Fuyu , Zuo Zhihong , Gao Zixiang , Zhang Haiguang , Zhu Youcai , Liu Runzeng , Yin Yongguang , Cai Yong , Ma Dongling , Zhang Qingzhe
Published: July 2024

Photocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an environmentally friendly and cost‐effective approach for H2O2 synthesis. However, the current photosynthesis system suffers from sluggish kinetics, rapid recombination of photoexcited charge carriers, and weak redox potentials, resulting in unsatisfactory solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency. Herein, a Z‐scheme heterojunction (UiO/IKCN) is constructed through coupling I−/K+ co‐doped g‐C3N4 (IKCN) with NH2‐UiO‐66, a typical metal‐organic framework material. Under visible light irradiation, the optimal UiO/IKCN exhibits exceptional H2O2 production rates in pure water (13.3 mM g−1 h−1) and in isopropanol solution (72.6 mM g−1 h−1), that is 48.4 times higher than pristine CN in isopropanol (1.5 mM g−1 h−1). A high apparent quantum yield of 10.28% at 420 nm is achieved by UiO/IKCN, surpassing most previously reported values. The dominating role of two‐electron ORR in H2O2 photosynthesis is elucidated in detail. The significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the facilitated charge separation and Z‐scheme charge transfer, which are unambiguously verified by stable‐state surface photovoltage, transient photoluminescence, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, in‐situ irradiated X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. This study represents the first exploration of H2O2 production using NH2‐UiO‐66 and provides insights into the rational design of Z‐scheme heterojunction for highly efficient photosynthesis.
Oxidation of Ammonia Catalyzed by a Molecular Iron Complex: Translating Chemical Catalysis to Mediated Electrocatalysis
Authors: Liu Liang , Johnson Samantha I. , Appel Aaron M. , Bullock R. Morris
Published: July 2024

Ammonia is a promising candidate in the quest for sustainable, clean energy. With its capacity to serve as an energy carrier, the oxidation of ammonia opens avenues for carbon‐neutral approaches to address worldwide growing energy needs. We report the catalytic chemical oxidation of ammonia by an Earth‐abundant transition metal complex, trans‐[LFeII(MeCN)2][PF6]2, where L is a macrocyclic ligand bearing four N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) donors. Using triarylaminium radical cations in MeCN, up to 182 turnovers of N2 per Fe were obtained from chemical catalysis with an extremely low loading of the Fe catalyst (0.043 mM, 0.004 mol % catalyst). This chemical catalysis was successfully transitioned to mediated electrocatalysis for the oxidation of ammonia. Molecular electrocatalysis by the Fe catalyst and the mediator (p‐MeOC6H4)3N exhibited a catalytic half‐wave potential (Ecat/2) of 0.18 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0 in MeCN, and achieved 9.3 turnovers of N2 at an applied potential of 0.20 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0 at −20 °C in controlled‐potential electrolysis, with a Faradaic efficiency of 75 %. Based on computational results, the catalyst undergoes sequential oxidation and deprotonation steps to form [LFeIV(NH2)2]2+, and thereafter bimetallic coupling to form an N−N bond.
Cost‐Effective Carbon Quaternization with Redox‐Active Esters and Olefins
Authors: Hota Sudhir Kumar , Murarka Sandip
Published: July 2024

Quaternary carbons are embedded in various natural products, pharmaceuticals, and organic materials. However, constructing this valuable motif is far from trivial. Conventional approaches mainly rely on classical polar disconnections and encounter bottlenecks concerning harsh conditions, functional group tolerance, regioselectivity, and step economy. In this context, Kawamata, Baran, Shenvi, and co‐workers recently demonstrated that two feedstock chemicals, alkyl carboxylic acids and olefins, could be utilized to construct tetrasubstituted carbons in the presence of an inexpensive iron porphyrin catalyst and a suitable reductant combination through quaternization of the radical intermediates. The method enables access to various sterically encumbered quaternary carbons under mild and robust conditions. Taking a complete detour from conventional approaches, the present heteroselective radical–radical coupling simplifies the synthesis of quaternary carbon‐containing molecules through an innovative and distinctive disconnection approach.
Using Porous Liquids to Perform Liquid‐Liquid Separations
Authors: Lai Beibei , Crawford Deborah E. , Wu Haochen , James Stuart L.
Published: July 2024

Porous liquids (PLs) are a new type of fluid sorbent investigated mainly for the separation of gas mixtures. Here, we explore their application to the separation of miscible liquids, using MEG/water (MEG=monoethylene glycol) and EtOH/water as proof‐of‐principle. Recovery of used MEG is industrially important but its extraction into conventional solvents from water is difficult. PLs ZIF‐8@PDMS (PL1, PDMS=polydimethylsilicone) or ZIF‐8@sesame oil (PL2) each consisting of 25 wt % of the hydrophobic microporous material ZIF‐8 dispersed in PDMS or sesame oil respectively, were formulated and found to be exceedingly physically stable to sedimentation. A 5 nm PEEK membrane was used to provide a permeable barrier between the PL and the alcohol/water phase. MEG was selectively extracted through the membrane from approximately 50 : 50 wt % MEG/water mixtures into the PL phase and this procedure could be applied repeatedly. It was effective for MEG/water mixtures as dilute as 3 : 97 wt %. The PL could also be regenerated (80 °C at 0.01 bar) and re‐used, suggesting its potential for continuous, cyclic extraction. Furthermore, PL3 (silicalite‐1@PDMS) was effective in selective alcohol extraction from beverages. It shows potential for lowering the alcohol concentration in gin or wine due to its excellent chemical stability and nontoxicity. Overall, we show that the enhanced adsorption properties of PLs due the presence of empty pores, which provides unusually high gas solubilities, also makes them, in principle, applicable to liquid‐liquid separations.
Modular and Diverse Synthesis of Acrylamides by Palladium‐Catalyzed Hydroaminocarbonylation of Acetylene
Authors: Cao Zhusong , Wang Qiang , Neumann Helfried , Beller Matthias
Published: July 2024

The development of all kinds of covalent drugs had a major impact on the improvement of the human health system. Covalent binding to target proteins is achieved by so‐called electrophilic warheads, which are incorporated in the respective drug molecule. In the last decade, specifically acrylamides emerged as attractive warheads in covalent drug design. Herein, a straightforward palladium‐catalyzed hydroaminocarbonylation of acetylene has been developed, allowing a modular and diverse synthesis of bio‐active acrylamides. This general protocol features high atom efficiency, wide functional group compatibility, high chemoselectivity and proceeds additive free under mild reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of this protocol is showcased in the synthesis of ibrutinib, osimertinib, and other bio‐active compound derivatives.