bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among California Adolescents Before and Immediately After a Statewide Flavor Ban
Authors: Chaffee Benjamin W , Donaldson Candice D , Couch Elizabeth T , Guerra Castillo Claudia , Farooq Omara , Cheng Nancy F , Ameli Niloufar , Wilkinson Monica L , Gansky Stuart A , Zhang Xueying , Hoeft Kristin S
Published: November 2024

Introduction

In December 2022, a California law banned the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products (including e-cigarettes). This investigation evaluates adolescents’ use of flavored tobacco before and after enactment.

Aims and Methods

The Teens Nicotine and Tobacco Project included online surveys of California adolescents (age 12–17) in 2022 (N = 5127) and 2023 (N = 5015) that assessed past 30-day use of various tobacco products, flavored product use, and perceived access to flavored e-cigarettes. Eight focus groups conducted in 2023 and 2024 (total N = 35) queried flavored tobacco experiences and perceptions.

Results

Among participants who used specific products, the prevalence of flavored product use declined for cigarettes (2022: 72.0%; 2023: 57.2%), cigars (2022: 87.2%; 2023: 67.4%), and smokeless tobacco (2022: 93.1%; 2023: 83.1%) but not for e-cigarettes (2022: 91.0%; 2023: 90.7%) or hookah (2022: 88.1%; 2023: 85.6%; the flavor law exempted some hookah sales). In 2023, 10.2% of all participants used any flavored tobacco product (2022: 10.0%), primarily flavored e-cigarettes (2022: 8.6%; 2023: 8.8%). In 2023, 22.0% of all participants were aware of the statewide flavor ban, including 44.1% of participants who reported tobacco use. Few focus group participants were aware of the statewide law or perceived difficulties accessing flavored e-cigarettes.

Conclusions

Shortly following a statewide flavor ban, adolescent use of flavored cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco declined, but flavored e-cigarette use was unchanged. More time for implementation and enforcement may be needed to see full policy impact.

Implications

These findings suggest that a statewide flavored tobacco policy in California was followed shortly by declines in adolescent use of some flavored tobacco products. Additional time for implementation and enforcement, along with potential further actions, such as greater restrictions on online sales, could be necessary to curb youth access to flavored e-cigarettes.
Chemical Analysis and Flavor Distribution of Electronic Cigarettes in Australian Schools
Authors: Jenkins Caitlin , Powrie Fraser , Kelso Celine , Morgan Jody
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Adolescent usage of electronic cigarettes has increased globally. Inconsistent, or absent, labeling of nicotine and other ingredients requires chemical analysis to accurately determine the chemical composition of these products.

Aims and Methods

Electronic cigarettes confiscated from public and private high school students (N = 598) were provided for analysis from three regions in New South Wales, Australia. The products were examined for brand, model, and flavor and a subset was further analyzed for chemical composition (n = 410) quantifying nicotine, synthetic cooling agents, flavoring chemicals, and prohibited ingredients by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

Results

The majority of samples provided were fruit-flavored disposable e-cigarettes across three main brands (IGET, HQD, and Gunnpod). Nicotine was quantified in 97.3% of disposable samples with an average concentration of 40.0 mg/mL, while one refill e-liquid was found to contain nicotine at a low concentration. Almost all samples contained the coolant WS-23 in relatively high concentrations compared to other flavoring chemicals present. Chemicals prohibited under the TGO110 (Australian e-cigarette product standard) were identified in 3.4% of the samples which were chemically analyzed. This included the presence of ethylene glycol in moderately high concentrations (up to 13.2 mg/mL).

Conclusions

Australian students’ preferences for fruity, disposable e-cigarettes were identified regardless of region with the vast majority containing high concentrations of nicotine. WS-23 was found in most disposable e-cigarettes, potentially to reduce throat irritation from nicotine and other flavoring chemicals. The inhalational safety of the samples is of concern due to health risks associated with detected prohibited compounds, particularly ethylene glycol.

Implications

This is the first study to quantify nicotine, coolants, and flavoring chemicals in e-cigarette products seized from Australian high school students and has significant implications for future policy development. Students appear to be almost exclusively using disposable e-cigarettes with high nicotine concentrations and predominately fruity flavors. WS-23 may potentially be added to disposable e-cigarettes to facilitate the uptake of these products by adolescents unaccustomed to the throat irritation from nicotine and intense flavors. The e-cigarette coils were found to have degraded over time, potentially affecting the composition of the aerosol and leaching of metals.
Misperceptions About the Effectiveness of Cutting Down and Low-Rate Daily Smoking for Reducing the Risk of Tobacco-Caused Harm
Authors: Brennan Emily , Nuss Tegan , Haynes Ashleigh , Scollo Michelle , Winnall Wendy R , Wakefield Melanie , Durkin Sarah
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Reducing the amount smoked per day, or smoking at a low rate, confers limited protection from smoking harms. We aimed to quantify the prevalence of misperceptions about cutting down and low-rate smoking among Australian adults who smoke.

Methods

Cross-sectional online survey in April/May 2022 (N = 2740). Participants were asked whether they agreed (misperception) or disagreed that “Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day is an effective way to reduce the risk of experiencing the health harms of smoking.” They were also asked whether the statement “Smoking 1 cigarette per day is about 1/20th as dangerous as smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes per day” sounded about right (misperception) or if it was less dangerous (misperception) or more dangerous than that.

Results

The misperception that reducing the number of cigarettes smoked is an effective way to reduce risk was held by 72.0% of people who smoke overall, but was more common among those who smoked ≤5 cigarettes daily (76.3%; Adj PR = 1.11 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.21]) or only occasionally (79.7%; Adj PR = 1.14 [1.06 to 1.23]) compared with those who smoked >5 cigarettes daily (66.7%). Over two-thirds (67.9%) underestimated the dangers of smoking one cigarette per day, and this misperception was also more common among low-rate smokers (77.6%, Adj PR = 1.14 [95% CI 1.04 to 1.26]) compared to those who smoked >5 cigarettes daily (63.1%).

Conclusions

Misperceptions about the value of cutting down and low-rate smoking for reducing the risk of tobacco-caused harm are pervasive, especially among those who currently smoke at a low rate or only occasionally.

Implications

Recent epidemiological evidence confirms that the risks of harm associated with low-rate smoking and cutting down are much higher than would be expected if the relationship between consumption and harm was linear. Findings from this study indicate that misperceptions about the benefits conferred by these smoking patterns are pervasive among people who smoke, particularly among those who currently smoke at a low rate. Corrective education that explains the mechanisms for the increased risk posed by these behaviors could be delivered via package health warnings and/or public health campaigns and may provide low-rate and occasional smokers with additional reasons to quit.
Impacts of policy-driven public procurement: a methodological review
Authors: Kundu Oishee , Uyarra Elvira , Ortega-Argiles Raquel , Tirado Mayra M , Kitsos Tasos , Yuan Pei-Yu
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we review recent research on the impact of public procurement with a focus on methods and data. The growing interest in mobilizing procurement for strategic purposes, such as innovation, economic growth, social value, and sustainable development, has brought to light significant knowledge gaps on the impact of public procurement on products, solutions, actors, and markets. Using a comprehensive approach to analyse scholarly understandings of procurement, we find several notions of policy-driven public procurement and identify challenges in distinguishing between strategic and ‘regular’ public procurement. We then provide a critical discussion on data, examining the currently available data sources and highlighting the need for greater data integration and linkage at the firm level to enable the causal identification of innovation and other impacts from participation in procurement. To address these gaps, we propose a set of actions for research and practice.
Nursery origin and propagation stage influence the endophytic fungal communities inhabiting grapevine planting stocks
Authors: Garcia Jadran F. , Todd Colin , Rolshausen Philippe E. , Cantu Dario
Published: November 2024

Infection of grapevine trunk disease (GTD) pathogens can occur in nursery and may result in young vine decline in newly established vineyards. We aimed at profiling the causal agents of GTD in California nurseries and explore how the vine propagation processes affect pathogens spread and fungal community dynamics. Plant and environmental samples were collected throughout the plant propagation. For grafted vines, wood tissue samples were collected above the graft union (scion), below the graft union (rootstock) and at the crown (rootstock) and wood necrosis was scored using a 0-3 rating system. We used both a metabarcoding approach using PCR primers custom-designed for GTDs and culturing technique coupled with Sanger sequencing for sample diagnosis. Results showed that mycobiome diversity and composition in vines was significantly influenced by the nursery of origin and the propagation stage. We identified 21 GTD-taxa across all plant samples associated with Petri disease, black foot, Botryosphaeria dieback, Phomopsis dieback and Eutypa dieback. Only 10% of the mother vines cuttings were GTD-pathogens free but co-infection with multiple pathogens became more frequent as the vines progressed through the propagation pipeline. Especially, the incidence of pathogens associated with Petri disease (Phaeoacremonium, Cadophora, Pleurostoma) and Fusarium increased during that time span likely because of high contamination levels in soil and water environments. Wood necrosis at the graft union and crown also increased post grafting and Phaeoacremonium and Fusarium correlated with more necrosis whereas Trichoderma with healthier wood ratings. Our study suggests that nursery practices strongly influence GTD pathogen profile.
Digoxin Loading Doses and Serum Digoxin Concentrations for Rate Control of Atrial Arrhythmias in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Ahuja Tania , Saadi Raghad , Papadopoulos John , Bernard Samuel , Pashun Raymond , Horowitz James , Yuriditsky Eugene , Merchan Cristian
Published: November 2024

Intravenous (IV) digoxin loading dose recommendations for rate control of atrial arrhythmias in critically ill patients are not well studied. When using digoxin in the setting of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL), a loading dose (LD) in either a fixed-dose regimen, weight-based dose, or pharmacokinetic-based calculation to target a serum digoxin concentration (SDC) of 0.8-1.5 ng/mL is recommended. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of digoxin LD used in critically ill patients for rate control of AF/AFL and to assess the SDC achieved. This single center retrospective cohort study included patients who received IV digoxin and had a SDC drawn. The primary endpoint was the median SDC achieved after a digoxin LD. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of SDCs ≥1.5 ng/mL and heart rate (HR) control. A total of 92 patients were included. The median total LD of digoxin for the entire cohort was 11mcg/kg (750 mcg). For 61% of the cohort, the LD was distributed over six-hour intervals. The median SDC after completion of the IV digoxin LD was 1.3 ng/mL (0.9, 1.7). The incidence of supratherapeutic SDC was 36% for the total cohort. A target HR < 110 beats per minute within 24 hours from digoxin LD was achieved in 60% of the cohort. In conclusion, a median total digoxin LD of 750 mcg in critically ill patients with AF/AFL, targeting a SDC < 1.5ng/mL may be considered for acute rate control, taking into account drug-drug interactions in the cardiac intensive care unit. Future studies are necessary to confirm our findings.
Interleukin-1 Blockade in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Across the Spectrum of Coronary Artery Disease Complexity
Authors: Denicolai Martin , Morello Matteo , Golino Michele , Corna Giuliana , Del Buono Marco G. , Agatiello Carla R. , Van Tassell Benjamin W. , Abbate Antonio
Published: November 2024

Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and complex coronary artery disease (CAD) face a poor prognosis, including increased heart failure (HF) risk. Phase 2 clinical trials of anakinra have shown inhibition of the acute inflammatory response and prevention of HF after STEMI, but data on its effects based on CAD complexity are lacking. We performed a pooled secondary analysis of 139 patients with STEMI. The SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery), SYNTAX II and Gensini scores were calculated, and patients were divided into two groups below and above the median. We evaluated the effect of anakinra on the area-under-the-curve of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP-AUC) at 14 days, and the composite endpoint of new-onset HF, HF hospitalization, or all-cause death at 1-year follow-up using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Cox regression analysis for Hazard Ratios (HR), and tested interactions between subgroups. All three CAD complexity scores (SYNTAX, SYNTAX II and Gensini) were associated with an increased risk of adverse events (HR 1.02 to 1.06, all p-values ≤0.025). We found no statistically significant interactions between CAD extent, measured as single-vessel or multi-vessel CAD, SYNTAX score ≤9 or >9, SYNTAX II score ≤24 or >24, Gensini score ≤32 or >32, and treatment effect of anakinra on hsCRP-AUC or the composite clinical endpoint (all p-values for interaction >0.05). In conclusion, among patients with STEMI, IL-1 blockade with anakinra significantly attenuated the acute inflammatory response and reduced the risk of HF-related events regardless of the spectrum of CAD complexity.
Real-world outcomes of everolimus-based treatment in a Taiwanese cohort with metastatic HR+/HER2− breast cancer
Authors: Kao Yun-Chieh , Tsai Yi-Fang , Shen Shih-Che , Dai Ming-Shen , Chen Fang-Ming , Liu Liang-Chih , Chao Ta-Chung , Huang Chi-Cheng , Hou Ming-Feng , Chen Shin-Cheh , Liu Chun-Yu , Tseng Ling-Ming
Published: November 2024

Background:

Everolimus was the first orally targeted therapy for certain cancers. It was introduced before CDK4/6 inhibitors and is widely used to treat advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer. This study presents comprehensive findings including updated data and long-term survival analyses focusing on patients with HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer who received everolimus-based treatment. The objectives were to assess the impact of everolimus on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by treatment line, and to evaluate its role in therapeutic strategies in a real-world setting.

Methods:

We included 299 women aged over 20 years with histologically confirmed HR+/HER2− breast cancer who received everolimus-based treatment from multiple medical centers in Taiwan. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with the log-rank test for comparisons. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Adverse effects were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0.

Results:

The median PFS was 5.6 months, and the median OS was 60.1 months. Patients receiving everolimus treatment in three or more lines and those who underwent chemotherapy before everolimus-based treatment had a significantly shorter PFS but longer OS. Patients with liver and central nervous system metastases had significantly shorter PFS and OS. The disease control rate was 51.5%, and the overall response rate was 8.0%.

Conclusion:

These findings support current guidelines and advocate for the inclusion of everolimus in treatment plans for patients with metastatic HR+/HER2− breast cancer, particularly in late-line treatment, with careful consideration of the benefit-risk profile for each patient.
Retrospective Comparison of Targeted Anticancer Drugs Predicted by the CNS-TAP Tool Versus Those Selected by a Molecularly Driven Tumor Board in Children With DIPG
Authors: Roberts Holly J. , Ravi Karthik , Marini Bernard L. , Schepers Allison , Kline Cassie , Kilburn Lindsay , Prados Michael , Byron Sara A. , Sturza Julie , Mueller Sabine , Koschmann Carl , Franson Andrea T.
Published: November 2024

The recent trial Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium 003 (PNOC003) utilized a molecular tumor board to recommend personalized treatment regimens based on tumor sequencing results in children with DIPG. We separately developed the Central Nervous System Targeted Agent Prediction (CNS-TAP) tool, which numerically scores targeted anticancer agents using preclinical, clinical, and patient-specific data. We hypothesized that highly scored agents from CNS-TAP would overlap with the PNOC003 tumor board’s recommendations. For each of the 28 participants, actionable genetic alterations were derived from PNOC003 genomic reports and input to CNS-TAP to identify the highest scoring agents. These agents were then compared with PNOC003 recommendations, with a resultant concordance percentage calculated. Overall, 38% of the total agents recommended by the tumor board were also selected by CNS-TAP, with higher concordance (63%) in a subanalysis including only targeted anticancer agents. Furthermore, nearly all patients (93%) had at least 1 drug chosen by both methods. We demonstrate overlap between agents recommended by CNS-TAP and PNOC003 tumor board, though this does not appear to improve survival. We do observe some discordance, highlighting strengths and limitations of each method. We propose that a combination of expert opinion and data-driven tools may improve targeted treatment recommendations for children with DIPG.
Hepatoblastoma in a 13-Month-old Male With Oculofaciocardiodental Syndrome
Authors: Kumar Kriti , Prasad Chitra , Masse Diana , Seelisch Jennifer
Published: November 2024

Background:

Oculofaciocardiodental (OFCD) syndrome is an X-linked dominant condition that is typically lethal in males.

Observations:

A 13-month-old male patient with OFCD syndrome presented with hepatoblastoma. He received chemotherapy per standard of care and had a surgical resection with few complications. He received sodium thiosulfate for otoprotection and dexrazoxane for cardioprotection. Five years after diagnosis, he remains well and in remission.

Conclusions:

Malignancies have been reported in patients with OFCD syndrome; however, our patient is the only male with OFCD syndrome described with hepatoblastoma. Given the rarity of this condition, malignancy may be part of the spectrum of disease.
Effects of surgeon specialization on the outcome of emergency colorectal surgery
Authors: Alselaim Nahar A. , AlAamer Ohood H. , Almalki Mohammed M. , Al-osail Abdualziz A. , Bin Gheshayan Sultanah F.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Colonic emergencies remain a major life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Unlike elective colorectal surgical procedures, a large portion of emergency colorectal surgical procedures are performed by noncolorectal surgeons (NCRS). The impact of specialization on the outcome of emergency colorectal surgery has not yet been well described. The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of surgeon specialization on the outcomes of emergency colorectal surgeries.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between July 2008 to July 2020. Patients underwent emergency colorectal surgeries and met study inclusion criteria were identified and grouped according to the specialty of the primary surgeon: colorectal surgeons [CRS] or NCRS. Relevant study data was obtained from patient medical files. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the association between the surgeons’ specialty and outcomes.

Results:

Of 219 included patients, there were 126 men [57.5%] and 93 women [42.4%]. Of all population 128 patients [58%] were operated on by CRS while 91 patients [42%] were operated on by NCRS. Most common procedure performed by CRS was left hemicolectomy [n=45, 67.2%] while the most common procedure performed by NCRS was right hemicolectomy [n=26, 51%]. The most common reason for surgery was malignant pathologies [n=129, 58.9%]. Patients who had their surgeries performed by a CRS had a significant decrease in 30-day mortality [odds ratio [OR] 0.23, 95% CI: 0.065–0.834]. Reoperation also decreased in this group [OR 0.413, 95% CI: 0.179–0.956]. Moreover, both hospital length of stay and ICU length of stay decreased CRS compared with the NCRS [OR 0.636, 95% CI: 0.465–0.869, and OR 0.385, 95% CI: 0.235–0.63, respectively].

Conclusion:

Specialization in colorectal surgery has a significant influence on morbidity and mortality after emergency operations. These findings may in improving emergency services and support remodeling the referral system in the institutions.
Refinements in Gender-Affirming Feminizing Chest Surgery
Authors: Jagasia Puja , Briggs Westby R , Nemani Sriya , Chaya Bachar , Kassis Salam , Assi Patrick
Published: November 2024

Background

Feminizing top surgery, or mammaplasty augmentation, has multiple variables that surgeons can adjust to work synergistically with patient anatomy including plane of implant placement, pocket size, and inframammary fold (IMF) location. In the gender diverse population receiving this procedure to reduce symptoms of gender dysphoria, surgeons should be aware of differing anatomy and surgical approaches for feminizing top surgery.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted using our institution's electronic health record between December 2019 and May 2023 with a minimum follow up period of 12 months. Inclusion criteria included transgender women, nonbinary patients, and all patients who did not identify as cis-gender women and who underwent feminizing top surgery. Demographic data including age, race, ethnicity, and gender were collected. Complication rates were recorded for hematoma, infection, seroma, wound dehiscence, hypertrophic scar, minor contour abnormalities, implant asymmetry, and revision surgery.

Results

Our surgeons' subfascial approach, which uses 2 equations to calculate dissection pocket dimensions and determine placement of pocket and incision based on desired implant base diameter and projection, was performed on 140 gender-diverse patients and resulted in a hematoma rate of 4.29%, an infection rate of 2.86%, and a seroma rate of 1.42% with good cosmetic outcomes, as evidenced by our low rates of minor contour abnormalities (5.71%) and implant asymmetry (1.43%). Only 5 patients (3.57%) required revision surgery.

Conclusions

Bilateral breast augmentation with round implants in a subfascial plane using a concealed IMF incision following equations to determine the dissection pocket size and new IMF position and incision position is a reproducible technique that results in good aesthetic outcomes and minimizes complications.
Epigenetic regulation of neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Authors: Hu Tze-Yun , Hong Yung-Chih , Chen Po-An , Chang Ching-Hsin , Lin Tzu-Ping , Chang Pei-Ching
Published: November 2024

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (PCa), an aggressive subtype of PCa, can arise de novo or from pre-existing castration-resistant PCa, especially after treatment with new-generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs); thus, it is a major cause of resistance to ARSIs. Lineage plasticity drives the transformation of adenocarcinoma cells from the androgen receptor-driven luminal cell program to an alternative neuroendocrine transdifferentiation phenotype, which has been recognized as a key mechanism in neuroendocrine PCa development. Although genetic alterations can promote lineage plasticity, this process is primarily orchestrated through epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and long noncoding RNA. Notably, epigenetic regulators are amenable therapeutic targets, offering the potential not only to address lineage plasticity but, more crucially, also to overcome resistance to ARSIs in PCa. In this review, we aim to elucidate the pivotal epigenetic factors driving the plasticity of the PCa lineage, providing a foundation for the development of treatment strategies to effectively combat resistance to ARSIs driven by lineage plasticity.
Evaluating Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Long COVID
Authors: Bock Jonathan , Kung Simon , Ganesh Ravindra , Hurt Ryan T. , Lapid Maria I.
Published: November 2024

Objective

To describe the immediate clinical outcomes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating long COVID symptoms. Long COVID currently impacts approximately 5.3% of US adults, presenting with persistent fatigue, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, and social function decline. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has improved these symptoms in some studies.

Methods

Five patients (ages 52–63 years, 3 female patients) underwent accelerated rTMS using intermittent theta burst stimulation (600 pulses over 3 minutes 20 seconds, 80%–120% of resting motor threshold) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The treatment consisted of twice-daily sessions over 20–30 treatments. Outcomes were measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement and Information System (PROMIS) questionnaires, assessing fatigue, depression, anxiety, cognitive function, and social function at baseline and immediately posttreatment.

Results

One patient discontinued immediately due to intolerable scalp pain. Posttreatment PROMIS scores showed the following: fatigue decreased from 74.5 to 61.8, depression from 60.3 to 51.5, and anxiety from 62.0 to 54.0. Scores increased for cognitive (26.8 to 32.3) and social (31.0 to 32.5) function. These changes, although not statistically significant, indicate a trend toward symptom reduction. Subjectively, 3 of 4 patients who completed the rTMS course reported improvements.

Conclusion

This case series suggests that rTMS may offer symptomatic relief in long COVID patients. Although the observed improvements in PROMIS were not statistically significant, even minimal improvements are clinically significant for patients enduring prolonged suffering. These preliminary findings are encouraging and underscore the need for further research with larger cohorts to validate the efficacy of rTMS in long COVID symptom relief.
Evaluating the effects of Toronto’s supervised consumption sites on crime: multiple baseline interrupted time series analyses with and without synthetic controls
Authors: Panagiotoglou Dimitra , Lim Jihoon , Ingram Geoff , Sheikh Mariam El , Farhat Imen , Bjornsson Xander , Schaefer Maximilian
Published: November 2024

Background

Between 2017 and 2018, nine overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption sites (OPS/SCS) began operating in Toronto, Canada. This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of the OPS/SCS on incidence and rates of crime (i.e., assault, auto theft, break and enter, robbery, theft over $5000, bicycle theft, and theft from motor vehicle) and mental health act apprehensions.

Methods

Primary analyses used multiple baseline interrupted time series to compare outcome incidences within 100m, 200m and 500m of each OPS/SCS pre- vs. post-implementation. Secondary analyses compared rates of outcomes in treated vs. synthetic control neighbourhoods. We used exclusively publicly available confirmed incidents that occurred within city boundaries between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2024.

Results

Within 100m of OPS/SCS, incidents of assaults (61%, 95%CI: 10 to 134%), robberies (62%, 95%CI: 10 – 138%), and break and enters (47%, 95%CI: 6 – 104%) increased following sites’ implementation; but monthly incident trends for robberies (-2%, 95%CI: -3 – 0%) and break and enters (- 2%, 95%CI: -3 – -1%) declined. At 200m and 500m, there were no observed level effects in incidents of assault or robberies, but level effects persisted for break and enters. Further, thefts from motor vehicles (- 2%, 95%CI: -3% – -1%) declined faster post-implementation. Our secondary analysis revealed rates of assaults increased faster (1%, 95%CI: 0 – 1%;p=0.003) in treated neighbourhoods compared with synthetic controls.

Conclusions and relevance

The effects of Toronto’s OPS/SCS on crime were complex; with immediate effects being attenuated or reversed over time.
Effectiveness of physical therapy for locomotive syndrome: Study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rungruangbaiyok Chadapa , Ohtsuka Hiroyuki , Lektip Charupa , Nawarat Jiraphat , Miyake Eiji , Aoki Keiichiro , Inaba Yasuko , Kagaya Yoshinori
Published: November 2024

Locomotive syndrome, characterized by impaired mobility due to musculoskeletal disorders, poses a significant public health challenge, especially in the aging population. Locomotive syndrome limits physical activity, increases fall risk, leads to dependency, and diminishes quality of life. Effective interventions are urgently required. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy in improving the symptoms of locomotive syndrome. A systematic evaluation of its effectiveness compared with other interventions is crucial for informing clinical practice and policy decisions. This systematic review and meta-analysis follows the PRISMA-P guidelines. Studies involving individuals diagnosed with locomotive syndrome, without restrictions on age, sex, or location, were included. The interventions that are reviewed encompass exercise programs, manual therapy, neuromuscular stimulation, and balance training, which are be compared with no intervention or alternative therapies. The primary outcomes include improvements in functional mobility and physical performance, a reduction in symptoms, and the progression of locomotive syndrome. Secondary outcomes include adherence to therapy, safety, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Randomized controlled and non-randomized controlled trials published in English were searched from PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PEDro, Ichushi Web, and the Thai-Journal Citation Index Center. Independent reviewers performed data extraction and assess the risk of bias. A meta-analyses was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software, with subgroup analyses to address heterogeneity. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. This review aims to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of physical therapy in managing locomotive syndrome and to guide clinical practice and healthcare policy decisions.
Statistical theory of neutron-induced nuclear fission and of heavy-ion fusion
Authors: Weidenmüller Hans A.
Published: November 2024

For both reactions I use an approach similar to that of compound-nucleus reaction theory. For neutron-induced fission, the compound system generated by absorption of the neutron and the nuclear system near the scission point are described as two statistically independent systems governed by random-matrix theory. The systems are connected either by a barrier penetration factor or by a set of transition states above the barrier. Each system is coupled to a different set of channels. An analogous model is used for heavy-ion fusion. Under the assumption that (seen from the entrance channel) the system on the other side of the barrier is in the regime of strongly overlapping resonances, closed-form analytical expressions for the total probability for fission and for fusion are obtained for each value of spin and parity. Parts of these expressions can be calculated reliably within existing compound-nucleus reaction theory. The remaining parts are the probabilities for passage through or over the barrier. These may be determined theoretically from the liquid-drop model or experimentally from total fission or fusion cross sections.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Possible solution to the difficulty in the interpretation of deuteron compositeness
Authors: Yin Zanpeng , Jido Daisuke
Published: November 2024

We study the theoretical structure of compositeness with explicit energy dependency and find a possible explanation for the difficulty in the interpretation of compositeness of deuteron. Many approaches, including the weak-binding limit, calculate the deuteron compositeness as greater than unity, regardless of its interpretation as a proportion. The widely adopted surjective interpretation, which assumes the energy dependency in the interaction always comes from other states, is challenged by our study on deuteron. Based on numerical and perturbative calculations, we conclude that if the energy-dependent part of the interaction contributes to attraction, compositeness is likely to be enhanced from unity. Since the scattering length of the deuteron is insufficient to explain its binding energy, we are forced to use attractive energy-dependent interactions, resulting in unreasonable value of deuteron compositeness. We discuss the implications of this outcome and the model dependency of compositeness. To address this problem, we propose a straightforward extension, though it comes at the expense of model-independent calculations promised by the surjective interpretation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Low-weight high-distance error-correcting fermionic encodings
Authors: IV Fedor Šimkovic , Leib Martin , Pereira Francisco Revson F.
Published: November 2024

We perform an extended numerical search for practical fermion-to-qubit encodings with error-correcting properties. Ideally, encodings should strike a balance between a number of the seemingly incompatible attributes, such as having a high minimum distance, low-weight fermionic logical operators, a small qubit to fermionic mode ratio and a simple qubit connectivity graph including ancilla qubits for the measurement of stabilizers. Our strategy consists of a three-step procedure in which we: First generate encodings with code distances up to d≤4 by a brute-force enumeration technique; subsequently, we use these encodings as starting points and apply Clifford deformations to them which allows us to identify higher-distance codes with d≤7; finally, we optimize the hardware connectivity graphs of resulting encodings in terms of the graph thickness and the number of connections per qubit. We report multiple promising high-distance encodings which significantly improve the weights of stabilizers and logical operators compared to previously reported alternatives.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How consumer perceptions of virtual streamers affect purchase intention in live streaming commerce: based on cognition-affect-behavior model
Authors: Qin Min , Liu Mengmeng
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Despite widespread use of virtual streamers, academic research on this subject remains limited. This study aims to explore the mechanisms by which consumer perceptions of virtual streamers influence consumer purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

We used partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze validated online survey data from 414 consumers watching virtual streamers.

Findings

Consumer perceptions of virtual streamers (perceived competence, perceived interaction quality and perceived warmth) promote the establishment of transactional psychological contract and relational psychological contract between consumers and virtual streamers, which further affects consumers’ purchase intention.

Originality/value

This study enriches the research on virtual streamers, facilitates their adoption and introduces the psychological contract into a new research context by revealing the formation of the psychological contract from the perspective of virtual streamers. Moreover, this study provides a new understanding of the relationship between disembodied artificial intelligence and consumers.
Exploring the use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian supply chain: empirical evidence using user-generated contents
Authors: Shrivastav Santosh Kumar , Sareen Amit
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the various challenges of humanitarian supply chains (HSC) and how these challenges can be addressed using artificial intelligence (AI).

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs exploratory analysis to identify various issues in HSC and the use cases of AI to address these issues through published literature. Subsequently, we collected tweets from Twitter and posts from LinkedIn using relevant keywords over four months. The collected data were cleaned, analyzed and interpreted to gain insights into users' perspectives on the various issues and use cases of AI in HSC.

Findings

The analysis reveals that various issues of HSC such as logistical challenges, security concerns, health and safety, access constraints, information gaps, coordination and collaboration, cultural sensitivity, funding constraints, climate and environmental factors and ethical dilemmas are predominantly discussed in published literature. Meanwhile, user-generated content reveals different levels of prioritization of these issues and AI attributes and offers AI-based solutions.

Research limitations/implications

This study is subject to certain limitations, including a restricted data collection period of only four months and the use of just two social media platforms. These limitations could be addressed by conducting a more comprehensive and extended data collection across additional platforms to produce more conclusive findings. Another limitation is the lack of contextual information, which may have provided more specific insights.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is possibly the first paper to explore both published literature and the collective intelligence of social media users to examine AI attributes, the various challenges of HSC and how AI can address these challenges.
Training managers to ensure employees’ engagement and well-being in a remote working environment
Authors: Nizamidou Christina
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Given the massive increases in remote work, a new need has emerged for managers’ training focused on employees’ engagement and well-being. This viewpoint provides recommendations for this training.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review on the effects of remote work on employees’ engagement and emotions and on the experiences of those in my professional and personal circles who work in a remote environment, this viewpoint argues for the need to train managers to ensure employees’ engagement and well-being in this new mode of remote work.

Findings

In this viewpoint, I provide several solutions that managers can use to address the effects of remote work, aiming to maximize individual and organizational performance.

Originality/value

From an originality perspective, the article combines contradictory research findings about employees’ engagement and emotions in a remote working environment, demonstrating my unbiased position. Based on them, it generates substantial solutions for managers to tackle the negative impacts of remote work on their employees’ well-being and engagement.
Don’t let your customers slip away: exploring the impact of perceived firm innovativeness on customer’s switching intention in transitioning market
Authors: Shanka Mesay Sata , Teklehaimanot Mebrahtu , Amegbe Hayford , Abebe Meskerem Mekasha
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine customer switching behavior in transitioning market structure. Drawing upon stimulus-organism-response theory, this study explores the impact of perceived firm attributes on customer switching intention, examines the mediating role of customer satisfaction in this dynamic and assesses the moderating effects of relationship depth and switching cost.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional research design and a quantitative research approach. Data was collected through surveys from a conveniently selected sample of 380 telecom service users. The collected data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis to validate the measurement model and PROCESS macro models 2, 4 and 10 to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The findings confirmed that perceived firm innovativeness significantly influences customer switching intention. In addition, customer satisfaction mediates the relationship between firm innovativeness and switching intention, while perceived switching costs and relationship depth moderate this relationship.

Practical implications

The findings highlight how perceived firm innovation shapes customer switching intentions, suggesting that firms can reduce switching by investing in innovation and managing switching costs and relationships effectively.

Originality/value

This study provides unique insights by examining firm innovativeness from the customer’s perspective and analyzing its impact on switching behavior within a transitioning market.
Investigation of geometric structure on energy performance and flow characteristics in underwater hydraulic machinery
Authors: Zhang Jinsong , Xi Wenqian , Li Shuopeng , Liu Hewei , Huang Zhenwei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

For underwater hydraulic machinery, the unique structure significantly enhances the three-dimensional non-uniformity of turbulence within the flow domain and high Reynolds number turbulence introduces complex effects on the machinery. Therefore, studying the turbulent flow characteristics in underwater hydraulic machinery is crucial for system stability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts a numerical analysis on a specific type of underwater hydraulic machinery. A numerical calculation model is established under stable inflow conditions to analyze the flow trends and pressure changes at different flow speeds. Subsequently, structural modifications are made to the underwater hydraulic machinery, and the characteristics of the velocity field, pressure field and vorticity distribution under different model parameters are analyzed.

Findings

The results indicate that changes in internal structure have a certain impact on flow characteristics. When the structural changes are significant, the fluid flow becomes more complex and pressure fluctuations become more intense. The research findings provide a scientific basis and theoretical guidance for the structural design of underwater hydraulic machinery and have significant research implications for controlling fluid-induced noise.

Originality/value

Affected by the inherent structural characteristics of the flow channel structure, the flow direction of the high-speed water flow changes drastically in the flow channel, so it is of great significance to study its flow characteristics for the stability of the system.
Exploring the impacts of risk perception and risk management planning on innovation orientation: a PLS-SEM approach
Authors: Nguyen Minh Van
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Although risk and innovation are often linked, current studies exploring the correlation between these terms are scarce. This study empirically examines the relationship between construction firms’ risk perception, risk management planning and innovation orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was formed through the literature and validated by the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, employing the data collected from 182 practitioners working in the Vietnamese construction sector.

Findings

This study highlighted that innovation orientation can be categorized as creation and adoption. The findings indicated that while risk perception can hinder innovation creation, effective risk management planning can mitigate the adverse effects. The findings also highlighted that the focus on innovation adoption will negatively affect innovation creation. Additionally, the findings showed that risk management planning has a positive relationship with innovation creation.

Originality/value

This study fills the research gap by explaining why innovation creation is often prioritized by innovation adoption, as risk perception acts as a deterrent. The results imply that construction firms should balance adopting innovations and fostering an environment conducive to innovation creation. It is recommended that these firms invest organizational resources in forming effective risk management plans to create a more secure environment for innovation creation.