bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐prescription of low‐dose methotrexate and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole and the 30‐day risk of death among older adults: A cohort study
Authors: Sadeghi Hasti , Ahmadi Fatemeh , McArthur Eric , Sontrop Jessica M. , Abdullah Sheikh S. , Urquhart Brad L. , Kim Richard B. , Muanda Flory T.
Published: December 2024

Aims

The aim of this study was to characterize the risk of death in older adults co‐prescribed low‐dose methotrexate and TMP‐SMX vs. low‐dose methotrexate and a cephalosporin.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, population‐based, new‐user cohort study in Ontario, Canada (April 1, 2002–August 1, 2022) using linked administrative healthcare data. Older adults taking low‐dose methotrexate who were newly co‐prescribed TMP‐SMX (n = 1602) were matched 1:1 with those who were newly co‐prescribed a cephalosporin. The primary outcome was death within 30 days of the antibiotic dispensing date. Secondary outcomes included all‐cause hospitalization, a hospital visit with myelosuppression and a hospitalization with persistent infection defined as the main diagnosis. Propensity score matching was used to balance comparison groups on indicators of baseline health. Risk ratios (RR) were obtained using modified Poisson regression.

Results

In a propensity‐score matched cohort of 3204 adults taking low‐dose methotrexate, the 30‐day risk of death was similar in adults co‐prescribed TMP‐SMX vs. a cephalosporin (14/1602 [0.87%] vs. 15/1602 [0.94%]; RR 0.93 [95% CI 0.45–1.93]). The risk of all‐cause hospitalization (RR 1.49 [95% CI 1.13–1.97]) and infection (RR 2.78 [95% CI 1.30–5.95]) was higher in adults treated with TMP‐SMX than those treated with cephalosporins.

Conclusions

In older adults taking low‐dose methotrexate, co‐prescription of TMP‐SMX vs. a cephalosporin was not associated with a higher 30‐day risk of death but was associated with a higher 30‐day risk of all‐cause hospitalization and hospital admission with persistent infection. If verified, these risks should be balanced against the benefits of co‐prescribing TMP‐SMX and low‐dose methotrexate.
Performance of the Implant Disease Risk Assessment in Predicting Peri‐Implantitis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Vilela Nathalia , Gurgel Bruno C. V. , Rostant Christina M. , Schey Karin C. , Vekariya Krishna Mukesh , da Silva Hélio D. P. , Pannuti Claudio M. , Duarte Poliana M.
Published: December 2024

Objective

This university‐based retrospective study aimed to assess the performance of the implant disease risk assessment (IDRA) in predicting peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods

Patients with implants loaded for at least 1 year were included. Peri‐implantitis development was the outcome, while the IDRA score and its eight vectors were the predictors. The IDRA score was calculated using an online tool. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models and ROC curve (AUC).

Results

Among 480 implants in 235 patients, 7.9% of implants and 9.4% of patients developed peri‐implantitis. Implants at high risk for the “number of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm” vector had an increased risk (HR = 9.8, p = 0.004) of peri‐implantitis, compared to those at low risk for this parameter. Implants at moderate (HR = 4.8, p = 0.04) and high (HR = 10.0, p = 0.01) risk for the “distance from the restorative margin (RM) to bone crest (BC)” vector exhibited a higher risk of peri‐implantitis than implants at low risk for this parameter. The IDRA tool demonstrated an AUC of 0.66 (sensitivity = 0.80; specificity = 0.24) when estimated at implant level and an AUC of 0.61 (sensitivity = 0.91; specificity = 0.32) when calculated at patient level. The mixed‐effects Cox model did not reveal a significant association between the overall IDRA score and the development of peri‐implantitis (HR = 7.2, p = 0.18).

Conclusion

IDRA demonstrates good sensitivity but low specificity and suboptimal discriminatory capacity in predicting peri‐implantitis. The “number of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm” and “distance from RM to BC” emerged as the most effective predictors for peri‐implantitis.
Intraoperative Hypotension and Postoperative Newly Developed Cerebral Infarction in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zeng Min , Yin Xueke , Zheng Maoyao , Ren Yue , Li Shu , Chen Xiaolin , Peng Yuming
Published: December 2024

Aims

To investigate the association between intraoperative hypotension and newly developed cerebral infarction in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) undergoing aneurysm clipping or coiling.

Methods

The patients who had emergent clipping/coiling procedures for aSAH under general anesthesia were included. The major exposure was mean arterial pressure (MAP) below different absolute or relative thresholds characterized by area under curve (AUC), duration, and time‐weighted average (TWA) value. The outcome was newly developed cerebral infarction. The associations between MAP and newly developed cerebral infarction were adjusted by other risk factors. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to present the statistical difference.

Results

A total of 1205 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 260 patients (21.6%) developed new cerebral infarctions assessed by computed tomography. Patients with newly developed cerebral infarction had higher incidence of modified Fisher Scale (mFS) score 3 to 4 (80.0 vs. 69.1%, p < 0.01) and longer duration of anesthesia (4.3 vs. 3.9 h, p < 0.01). In the multivariate model, the AUC‐MAP (adjusted odds ratio: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.000 to 1.000, p = 0.02) and the TWA‐MAP (adjusted odds ratio: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.024, p = 0.04) of 20% decrease from baseline were closely associated with the newly developed cerebral infarction.

Conclusions

Mean arterial pressure decreased 20% from baseline value were independently associated with postoperative newly developed cerebral infarction in patients with aSAH.
Perceptions of a Digital Dental Technology Curriculum: A Qualitative Study of Dental Technology Students
Authors: Wang Xiaoxia , Wan Ziqianhong , Feng Xin , Zhu Zhuoli
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Integrating digital dental technology into undergraduate curricula can better prepare dental technology students for a digitally driven workplace. However, students' perspectives on this education are sparse in the literature. This qualitative study explored dental technology students' perceptions of a digital dental technology curriculum.

Materials and Methods

An online questionnaire was administered to third‐year and fourth‐year students, as well as recent graduates from the West China School of Stomatology. It comprised three sections: (1) demographic data, (2) perceptions of learning effectiveness and its impact, and (3) suggestions for curriculum improvements. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a chi‐squared test.

Results

Sixty‐nine valid responses were collected, yielding an effective response rate of 90.79%. Over 80% of respondents thought the courses beneficial for professional learning, career selection and practical work. However, 35% of third‐year students reported being unable to complete digital design independently upon finishing the courses, and 62.50% of fourth‐year students also lacked confidence in this area. While 95% of third‐year students and 87.5% of fourth‐year students intended to pursue digital‐related positions, only 33.33% of employed graduates were engaged in relevant professions, indicating that the demands for digital competence in the workplace significantly exceeded the curriculum content.

Conclusion

This study found that most students had a positive perception of the digital dental technology curriculum. However, a gap remains between curriculum content and professional practice demands. Further research and curriculum shifts driven by skill application and work scenarios are required to support the digital transformation of dental technology education and dentistry.
Analysis of the international classification of occupations for the health informatics and information management workforce
Authors: Butler‐Henderson Kerryn , Fenton Susan H. , Lalani Karima , Marc David T.
Published: December 2024

Background

With the increasing adoption of digital health, health informatics and information management (HIIM) professionals are more essential than ever before. This paper explores the difficulties encountered when trying to classify and track the HIIM workforce internationally.

Methods

A historic document analysis method to explore how the International Standard of Classifications (ISCO) and the available national standards from countries using an alternative classification represent the HIIM workforce.

Results

There is little recognition of the HIIM workforce in the ISCO and national standards. Where an entry did exist, more than 90% were in a non‐health major group. At the major group level, 16.7% (7/42) of entries specified an administrative term, 11.9% (5/42) a professional term, 9.5% (4/42) a technician term and 61.9% (26) including both professional and technician as the description.

Discussion

Most country‐level classification systems classified HIIM as a technical occupation rather than a professional occupation. The term ‘digital health’ did not appear in any classification reviewed.

Conclusion

As the requirement for formal training increases globally in the HIIM occupation, classification systems will need to include or reclassify HIIM to reflect it as a professional occupation, with a clear structure and requiring specific education and specialised skills.
Task Sequencing and L2 Production: A Research Synthesis and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Abdi Tabari Mahmoud , Johnson Mark D. , Farahanynia Mahsa
Published: December 2024

There is a growing focus on examining how the order of tasks impacts oral and written output in a second language, particularly concerning syntactic complexity, accuracy, lexical complexity, and fluency (CALF). Despite previous studies, the findings have been inconsistent. This research synthesis and meta‐analysis, centered around Robinson's (2010) SSARC model of pedagogical task sequencing, aims to: firstly, analyze the types of tasks used in investigating task sequencing and its effects on L2 production; secondly, explore the definitions of task complexity and task sequence in research on task sequencing and its impacts on L2 production; thirdly, examine the metrics of CALF in the study of task sequence and its effect on L2 production; and finally, assess the effects of task sequence on CALF in L2 production. The results show consistencies in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research regarding the manipulation of task sequencing, particularly the progression from simple to complex tasks using features that direct or disperse cognitive resources. Our findings demonstrate positive effects for the sequence of tasks from simple to complex on syntactic complexity and accuracy of L2 production, regardless of the mode of production. In contrast, random task sequencing primarily impacts the accuracy of L2 production, particularly in oral production.
Institutional differences, state ownership and financing decisions: Evidence from Chinese cross‐border mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Xie Siman , Bashir Muhammad Farhan
Published: December 2024

Using data on Chinese cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) from 2002 to 2022, this paper considers the effects of institutional differences and state ownership on the financing decisions of Chinese cross‐border M&As. We find that cultural differences and formal institutional differences have significantly positive effects on internal financing and equity financing. These findings indicate that under the influence of institutional differences, internal financing is the type of financing most favoured by Chinese enterprises engaged in cross‐border M&As, followed by equity financing and, finally, debt financing. We document that the financing decision most favoured by Chinese state‐owned enterprises is debt financing, whereas the least favoured decision is equity financing. In addition, we find a prominent mediating effect of information asymmetry, which implies that information asymmetry serves as a potential channel through which institutional differences impact the financing decisions of Chinese cross‐border M&As.
Analysis of Dental Arch Symmetry of Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Seven‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Jorge Paula Karine , Ambrosio Eloá Cristina Passucci , Pucciarelli Maria Giulia Rezende , Soares Simone , de Carvalho Carrara Cleide Felício , Sforza Chiarella , Machado Maria Aparecida Andrade Moreira , Oliveira Thais Marchini
Published: December 2024

Background

Orofacial cleft is the most common craniofacial deformity, resulting in facial anatomical disorders.

Aim

To evaluate maxillary dental arch symmetry of children with unilateral complete cleft lip, alveolus, and palate before and after primary surgeries.

Design

A total of 27 dental casts were analyzed: (T1) Presurgical; (T2) Postsurgical 1; and (T3) Postsurgical 2. Six linear measurements were analyzed (I–C′, I–C, I–T′, I–T, C′–T′, and C–T). Paired t test, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA, followed by the Tukey test, were conducted (α = 5%).

Results

The asymmetry was confirmed by I–C versus I–C′ across all periods and I–T versus I–T′ (at T1). The Pearson correlation test showed significant values for Δ1×Δ2 and Δ1×Δ3, but not for Δ2×Δ3. The longitudinal analysis showed that the I–C′ mean was greater at T1 than at T2/T3 (p < 0.001). The I–C mean was smaller at T1 than at T2/T3 (p < 0.001). I–T′ was greater only at T3 (p < 0.001). I–T, C′–T′, and C–T means were greater at all periods.

Conclusion

The maxillary asymmetry of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate is inherent to the cleft type, evidenced by the maxillary hypoplasia in the smaller segment, probably higher in the anterior region (I–C′).
HPV Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake: A Conceptual Analysis Using Rodgers' Evolutionary Approach
Authors: Kyei Grace K. , Kyei Evans F. , Ansong Rockson
Published: December 2024

Aim

This study examines the factors contributing to HPV vaccine hesitancy using Rodgers's evolutionary concept analysis, focusing on the impact of uncertainties about the vaccine on HPV‐related diseases despite its availability.

Design

Rodgers's evolutionary concept analysis was applied to explore factors leading to HPV vaccine hesitancy. The analysis included studies published in English over the past 5 years. Exclusions were studies older than 5 years, non‐English publications, and those focusing on other vaccines.

Data Sources

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using key databases such as PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed. Relevant keywords included ‘HPV’ and ‘vaccine hesitancy’ to ensure thoroughness.

Review Methods

Studies were selected based on their relevance to HPV vaccine hesitancy. Factors contributing to hesitancy were analysed, focusing on antecedents, attributes, and consequences.

Results

The analysis identified key antecedents to HPV vaccine hesitancy, including false cultural beliefs, educational level, knowledge, and vaccine availability. Additional factors were insurance/income, perceived risk, and decision‐making processes. Key attributes impacting hesitancy included media coverage, environmental and community influences, social factors, trust in healthcare systems, efficacy rates, and safety concerns. The consequences of hesitancy were reduced vaccine uptake, increased HPV‐related diseases, and the spread of misinformation.

Conclusion

The study highlights the complex interplay of factors contributing to HPV vaccine hesitancy. Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy and developing effective interventions.

Impact

Insights from this analysis can guide public health strategies aimed at improving vaccine uptake and reducing HPV‐related diseases. Targeted interventions can address misinformation and enhance trust in vaccines, ultimately leading to better public health outcomes.

Patient or Public Contribution

This concept analysis was conducted without the involvement of patients, service users, caregivers, or members of the public.
Catheter Ablation of Parahisian Premature Ventricular Complexes From the Right Sinus of Valsalva
Authors: Ghannam Michael , Simpson Jamie , Al‐Sadawi Mohamed , Deshmukh Amrish , Liang Jackson J. , Latchamsetty Rakesh , Crawford Thomas , Jongnarangsin Krit , Oral Hakan , Bogun Frank
Published: December 2024

Background

Cather ablation of parahisian premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) often requires ablation in multiple cardiac chambers, including the sinuses of Valsalva (SoV). The safety and efficacy of ablation within the right SoV to target parahisian arrhythmias has not been widely reported.

Objective

To report on the demographic and procedural characteristics of patients undergoing catheter ablation of PVCs who underwent ablation in the right SoV, and to examine the impact of late‐gadolinium enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE‐CMR) on procedural findings.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing ablation of parahisian PVCs and ablation in the right SoV with preprocedural LGE‐CMR were included.

Results

Eleven patients were included in the study population (11 males (100%), median age: 68 ± 7 years, median ejection fraction: 53% ± 7%, PVC burden 23% ± 13%). Intramural LGE‐CMR scar was present in all patients and involved the basal anteroseptum/outflow tract in nine patients. Ablation within the right SoV eliminated (n = 9) or suppressed (n = 2) PVCs in all patients. The successful SoV site displayed the absolute earliest presystolic activation time or matching pacemaps in only 44% and 55% of patients, respectfully. Transient heart block during right SoV ablation occurred in 1/11(9%) patients. The post procedure PVC burden decreased from 23% ± 13% to 7% ± 6%, procedural success was attained in 10/11(91%) of patients.

Conclusions

Parahisian PVCs ablated from the right SoV are often intramural, may require ablation in multiple chambers, and colocalize with intramural LGE‐CMR scar. Traditional EGM markers of successful ablation sites were less frequently seen at successful site of SoV ablation, long term success was achieved in 91% of patients.
Trophic ecology of groundfishes in nearshore areas of the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Falke Landon P. , Smith Brian E. , Rowe Stacy , Peters Rebecca J. , Sheehan Timothy F.
Published: December 2024

Ecosystem management requires an integrated understanding of ecological interactions. In the Gulf of Maine (GoM), trophic information pertaining to commercially important groundfishes and nearshore prey communities is lacking. We characterized nearshore communities and groundfish diets using data collected from nearshore surveys (864 bottom trawls and 3638 stomach samples of six groundfish species) conducted biannually (spring and fall) in Midcoast Maine and Penobscot Bay from 2012 to 2022. Groundfish diets were dominated by some of the most available nearshore prey (gadiform and clupeiform fishes and pandalid and crangonid shrimps). Shifts in relative prey availability over environmental gradients (e.g., depth and position along the coast), across seasons, and over years corresponded with parallel patterns in prey contributions to groundfish diets in specific predator–prey interactions. Negative trends in the relative availability and diet occurrence of signature GoM prey taxa (Northern shrimp Pandalus borealis, Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, and euphausiids) indicate that broader ecosystem changes, such as steady rises in water temperature and shifts in species distributions, are impacting nearshore trophic dynamics in the GoM. These observations provide timely information on mechanisms that underlie groundfish productivity and warrant inclusion of nearshore trophic dynamics in relevant ecosystem models.
A comparison of super‐resolution microscopy techniques for imaging tightly packed microcolonies of an obligate intracellular bacterium
Authors: North Alison J. , Sharma Ved P. , Pyrgaki Christina , S.Y. John Lim , Atwal Sharanjeet , Saharat Kittirat , Wright Graham D. , Salje Jeanne
Published: December 2024

Conventional optical microscopy imaging of obligate intracellular bacteria is hampered by the small size of bacterial cells, tight clustering exhibited by some bacterial species and challenges relating to labelling such as background from host cells, a lack of validated reagents, and a lack of tools for genetic manipulation. In this study, we imaged intracellular bacteria from the species Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) using five different fluorescence microscopy techniques: standard confocal, Airyscan confocal, instant Structured Illumination Microscopy (iSIM), three‐dimensional Structured Illumination Microscopy (3D‐SIM) and Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy (STED). We compared the ability of each to resolve bacterial cells in intracellular clumps in the lateral (xy) axis, using full width half‐maximum (FWHM) measurements of a labelled outer membrane protein (ScaA) and the ability to detect small, outer membrane vesicles external to the cells. Comparing the techniques readily available to us (above), 3D‐SIM microscopy, in combination with the shortest‐wavelength dyes, was found overall to give the best lateral resolution. We next compared the ability of each technique to sufficiently resolve bacteria in the axial (z) direction and found 3D‐STED to be the most successful method for this. We then combined this 3D‐STED approach with a custom 3D cell segmentation and analysis pipeline using the open‐source, deep learning software, Cellpose to segment the cells and subsequently the commercial software Imaris to analyse their 3D shape and size. Using this combination, we demonstrated differences in bacterial shape, but not their size, when grown in different mammalian cell lines. Overall, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of different super‐resolution microscopy techniques for imaging this cytoplasmic obligate intracellular bacterium based on the specific research question being addressed.
Preserving the Midwifery Model of Care on a High Acuity Labor and Delivery Unit: Midwives’ Perspectives Working in a US Tribal Health System
Authors: Madeira Anjali , Fleming Kimberly , Webb Megan , Wheelock Heather
Published: December 2024

Today nearly 9 out of 10 certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) attend births in hospitals. As the demand for hospital midwifery care has increased over the last quarter century, CNM/CMs' scope of practice has expanded to include care for high‐risk patients. Hospital CNMs/CMs are faced with the challenge of balancing support for physiologic birth with an increasingly complex pregnant population cared for in a medicalized ecosystem. Varied perceptions of patient risk and unique philosophies of care can lead to complex discussions between midwives and physicians on the most appropriate care plan for patients. This article shares the experiences and successes of a hospital midwifery practice in the Alaska Native Tribal Health System and explores strategies for promoting the midwifery model of care (MMOC). Midwives in this Tribal Health System experience robust interprofessional collaboration and an organizational focus on patient‐centered relationship‐based care. Interprofessional collaboration is noted to be among the most critical elements for protecting a MMOC in a hospital setting. Although distinct from one another, the medical and midwifery models can be complementary in the care of high‐risk patients, and the Indigenous concept of Two‐Eyed Seeing is offered as an approach to integrating the 2 models of care to achieve optimal care for birthing people and their families.
Correlates of Borderline Personality Disorder Traits and Internet Gaming Disorder in College Students
Authors: Sevintuna Aidan F. , Bornovalova Marina A. , Salomon Kristen
Published: December 2024

Objective

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently co‐occurs with addictive behaviors. One such behavior that is increasing, especially among college students, is pathological gaming. However, to the best of our knowledge, no prior research has been conducted on BPD in relation to internet gaming disorder (IGD), despite the two sharing correlates such as negative emotionality and impulsivity. We therefore explored the relationship between BPD traits and IGD.

Method

We sampled a large (N = 407) sample of college students using two non‐overlapping measures of BPD traits. We additionally examined the unique relationship of BPD traits with specific motivations for internet game playing and the perceived positive and negative impacts of internet games.

Results

On a bivariate level, BPD traits were associated with IGD, motivations to play internet games, especially for reasons of escapism or coping, and self‐reported negative impact of gaming on participants' lives. However, the associations with IGD for escapism/coping motivations did not remain after controlling for demographics, and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Instead, only depression uniquely predicted IGD and various motives for internet gaming.

Conclusion

The results highlight the robust predictive power of negative effect on IGD, and it is suggested that future studies may benefit from continuing to focus on this relationship.
Training protocol and calibration of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System in a school‐based clinical trial of elementary school‐age children
Authors: Yamal Jose‐Miguel , Mofleh Dania , Chuang Ru‐Jye , Wang Mengxi , Johnson Kila , Garcia‐Quintana Alejandra , Titiloye Tolulope , Nelson Suchitra , Sharma Shreela V.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This paper demonstrates International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) training procedures and inter/intra‐examiner reliability for lesion severity, activity, and filling criteria in an elementary school setting.

Methods

ICDAS training was conducted in December 2021 prior to a school‐based cluster‐randomized controlled trial. A total of 59 children (6–8 years old) in grades 1–2 from one school in Houston, Texas were recruited. Two licensed dentists received a 5‐day training from an ICDAS trainer at the participating school. Thirty‐eight children were evaluated at least once by each dental trainee, and 18 had repeat examinations. The ICDAS criteria were used to classify dental caries lesion severity (0–6), lesion activity (active/inactive), and filling material (0–9) of all visually available primary and permanent tooth surfaces. Inter and intra‐examiner reliability between each dental trainee and the “gold standard” trainer was evaluated using Kappa statistics.

Results

For lesion severity, the examination indicated an inter‐rater weighted Kappa of 0.77 (95% CI 0.71–0.82) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.77–0.87) for each trainee examiner compared to the gold standard examiner. The Kappas increased slightly from the first to second examinations (lesion‐weighted Kappa: 0.76 to 0.84 and 0.82 to 0.84). The intra‐rater reliability indicated excellent reliability for lesion and filling (0.83 to 0.94) and moderate for activity (0.58).

Conclusions

ICDAS training/calibration were essential to ensure accuracy and reliability of dental caries measurements. The study demonstrated that ICDAS training of dentists with no prior criteria experience is feasible in a community setting and can lead to high reliability and repeatability.
Predicting circadian phase in community‐dwelling later‐life adults using actigraphy data
Authors: Mayer Caleb , Kim Dae Wook , Zhang Meina , Lee Minki P. , Forger Daniel B. , Burgess Helen J. , Moon Chooza
Published: December 2024

The accurate estimation of circadian phase in the real‐world has a variety of applications, including chronotherapeutic drug delivery, reduction of fatigue, and optimal jet lag or shift work scheduling. Recent work has developed and adapted algorithms to predict time‐consuming and costly laboratory circadian phase measurements using mathematical models with actigraphy or other wearable data. Here, we validate and extend these results in a home‐based cohort of later‐life adults, ranging in age from 58 to 86 years. Analysis of this population serves as a valuable extension to our understanding of phase prediction, since key features of circadian timekeeping (including circadian amplitude, response to light stimuli, and susceptibility to circadian misalignment) may become altered in older populations and when observed in real‐life settings. We assessed the ability of four models to predict ground truth dim light melatonin onset, and found that all the models could generate predictions with mean absolute errors of approximately 1.4 h or below using actigraph activity data. Simulations of the model with activity performed as well or better than the light‐based modelling predictions, validating previous findings in this novel cohort. Interestingly, the models performed comparably to actigraph‐derived sleep metrics, with the higher‐order and nonphotic activity‐based models in particular demonstrating superior performance. This work provides evidence that circadian rhythms can be reasonably estimated in later‐life adults living in home settings through mathematical modelling of data from wearable devices.
More Policies, More Work? An Epidemiological Assessment of Accumulating Implementation Stress in the Context of German Pension Policy
Authors: Adam Christian
Published: December 2024

Research on policy accumulation established the hypothesis about a creeping divergence between implementation burdens and implementation capacity. This paper revisits this hypothesis using improved measures of implementation burden. Using official data on administration and enforcement costs, it finds that policy accumulation does raise implementation stress within the German Statutory Pension Insurance, analyzed as a least‐likely case to do so. This finding supports the “implementation‐gap hypothesis.” More generally, however, the paper serves as a “prove of concept” of how to adopt an epidemiological perspective within implementation research. This perspective is characterized by systematically capturing the changing prevalence of implementation stress within administrative organizations. It enables future research on how to deal with policy growth more effectively by raising awareness for whether and where implementation burden and capacity diverges strongly, and by helping to identify “best practice” cases able to cope with this divergence successfully.
Exploring the Relationship Between Human–Animal Interactions at Work and Mental Health: Unraveling the Dynamics for Individuals With Higher Neuroticism
Authors: Junça‐Silva Ana , Moço Beatriz
Published: December 2024

Daily interactions typically can be a reflection of a person's mental health. Despite the existing literature emphasizing the importance of social interactions for mental health, few studies have focused on human–animal interactions, particularly in the work context. Thus, this study sought to expand knowledge and relied on the affective events theory to test (1) the mediating role of the daily affect ratio in the relationship between daily human–animal interactions and mental health and (2) the moderating role of neuroticism in the previous indirect relationship. To test the hypotheses, a daily design was used (N = 53 × 5 = 265). The multilevel results revealed that (1) daily human–animal interactions are positively related to mental health through the daily affect ratio; however, (2) the affect ratio depended more on daily human–animal interactions when individuals had higher levels of neuroticism, which means that (3) neuroticism intensified the indirect relationship between daily human–animal interactions and mental health through affect ratio. Overall, opportunities for human–animal interactions under telework settings may be a well‐suited strategy for employees who score higher on neuroticism.
Referee statement
Authors:   Historic England, Oakey Matthew
Published: December 2024

Referee statement on K. Murphy and R. Collins 2024 'WallGIS: A Database and GIS for Hadrian's Wall (Data paper)', Internet Archaeology 67.
Low temperature growth of single-phase and preferentially oriented ɛ-Ga2O3 films on sapphire substrates via atomic layer deposition
Authors: Liu Xiangtai , Wang Jiayang , Jin Lu , Fu Jiao , Lu Qin , Wang Shaoqing , Jia Yifan , Wang Zhan , Guan Yunhe , Chen Haifeng
Published: December 2024

As an ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor, Ga2O3 has promising applications in electronics and optoelectronics. ɛ-Ga2O3 has attracted much attention as it performs the polarization effect, whereas single-phase and preferentially oriented ɛ-Ga2O3 films have not been prepared by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method at low temperatures. In this paper, Ga2O3 films are prepared on sapphire substrates through the ALD method at different substrate temperatures and using different O sources. The x-ray reflectivity measured thicknesses and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra both demonstrate that the Ga source of triethylgallium cannot reacts continuously with the O source of H2O layer-by-layer. The growth rates of Ga2O3 films using O3 or PE-O2 as the O source range from 0.342 to 0.448 Å/cycle. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the as-grown Ga2O3 films at 250 °C are amorphous, no matter using O3 or PE-O2 as the O source. They both crystallize into the single-phase and (−201) preferentially oriented β-Ga2O3 films after a high-temperature annealing of 900 °C. When the growth temperature rises to 350 °C, single-phase and (0002) preferentially oriented ɛ-Ga2O3 films occur if using PE-O2 as the O source. The full width at half maximum for the (0004) plane of ɛ-Ga2O3 from the XRD rocking curve is 0.937° while the atomic force microscopy measured surface roughness RMS is 1.24 nm. The crystal structure of the as-grown ɛ-Ga2O3 films can be maintained at an annealing temperature of 700 °C and they transform into polycrystalline β-Ga2O3 films at 900 °C. The results are beneficial for the applications of Ga2O3-based microelectronic devices.
Modeling of deep ocean ambient noise and sound-ray-arrival-grazing-angle estimation for shallow receivers
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Chao , Da Lianglong , Zhu Rongxin
Published: December 2024

The ambient noise model of isotropic fields is not applicable to shallow-located platforms in the deep ocean, and the conventional methods for estimating the sound-ray-arrival-grazing-angle of targets do not account for the effects of surface noise. Therefore, target parameter estimation methods based on a single vector hydrophone are explored in this study. The approach used in this study integrates the hydroacoustic physical model, signal processing method, and ocean ambient. A time-domain model of the vector field of deep ocean ambient noise was developed for receivers positioned at shallow depths, followed by derivation of the covariance matrix of the single vector hydrophone based on this model. Subsequently, a target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation method using the covariance matrix derived from the single vector hydrophone was formulated. This method effectively addresses the challenge of distinguishing between target signal and noise by transforming the power estimation problem into a covariance matrix solving the task. Finally, a refined approach for estimating the sound-ray-arrival-grazing-angle of target is proposed, aiming to theoretically mitigate the impact of surface noise on the target signal. The experimental data obtained from a deep ocean region in the South China Sea indicate that the findings obtained using the method proposed in this study are consistent with the reference values derived from automatic identification system information. The method also demonstrates reliable estimation results even when the SNR exceeds –5 dB. The conceptual framework developed for SNR and sound-ray-arrival-grazing-angle estimation in this study can be readily applied to other ambient models, indicating potential applications in engineering field. The primary objective of the study was to enhance and augment underwater acoustic signal processing methods for shallow receivers deployed in the deep ocean.
Integrating microbial profiling and machine learning for inference of drowning sites: a forensic investigation in the Northwest River
Authors: Su Qin , Zhang Xiaofeng , Chen Xiaohui , Yu Zhonghao , Wu Weibin , Xiang Qingqing , Yang Chengliang , Zhao Jian , Chen Ling , Xu Quyi , Liu Chao
Published: December 2024

Drowning incidents present significant challenges for forensic investigators in determining the exact site of occurrence. Traditional forensic methods often rely on physical evidence and circumstantial clues, but the emerging field of forensic microbiology offers a promising avenue for enhancing precision and reliability in site inference. Our study investigates the application of microbiome analysis in inferring drowning sites, focusing on microbial diversity in water samples and lung tissues of drowned animals from different sites in the Northwest River. We utilized 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze microbial diversity in water samples and lung tissues, revealing distinct microbial signatures associated with drowning sites. Our findings highlight variations in species richness and diversity across different sampling points, indicating the influence of environmental factors on microbial community structure. Machine learning models trained on microbial data from lung tissues demonstrated high accuracy in predicting drowning sites, with cross-validation accuracy ranging from 83.53% ± 3.99% to 95.07% ± 3.17%. Notably, the Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) method achieved a classification accuracy of 95.07% ± 3.17% for different sampling points at a submersion time of 1 day. Moreover, our cross-species site inference results revealed that utilizing data from drowned mice to predict the drowning sites of rabbits in location W5 achieved an accuracy of 72.22%. In conclusion, our study underscores the potential of microbiome analysis in forensic investigations of drowning incidents. By integrating microbial data with traditional forensic techniques, there is significant potential to enhance the reliability of scene inferences, thereby making substantial contributions to case investigations and judicial trials.

IMPORTANCE

By employing advanced techniques like microbial profiling and machine learning, the study aims to enhance the accuracy of determining drowning sites, which is crucial for both legal proceedings. By analyzing microbial diversity in water samples and drowned animal lung tissues, the study sheds light on how environmental factors and victim-related variables influence microbial communities. The findings not only advance our understanding of forensic microbiology but also offer practical implications for improving investigative techniques in cases of drowning.
Supplemental Material: A new procedure for volcanic glass hydrogen isotope studies of 15 tuffaceous sediments and its application in the North American Cordillera
Authors: Nandy Rijumon , Fan Majie
Published: December 2024

Supplementary document containing the tables for lithofacies analysis, detailed stratigraphic columns, zircon U-Pb data and volcanic glass hydrogen isotope and morphology data.
Emergency clinician perceptions of end-of-life care in Irish emergency departments: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Foley James , Umana Etimbuk , Saeed Saema , Mulcaire Jeffrey , Keane Owen , Browne Leonard , O' Leary Mary Jane , Deasy Conor
Published: December 2024

Background

Patients with end-of-life care (EoLC) needs present to the emergency departments (ED) frequently and at times, it can be difficult to provide a high standard of care. Within the Irish setting, there is limited literature on the provision of EoLC in EDs and this study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the perceptions of emergency medicine (EM) clinicians regarding the provision of EoLC in EDs in Ireland.

Methods

The End-of-Life Care in Emergency Department Study was a cross-sectional electronic survey study of EM doctors working across 23 of the 29 EDs in the Ireland. This study was conducted through the Irish Trainee Emergency Research Network over a 6-week period from 27 September 2021 to 8 November 2021. Analysis of the survey domains regarding knowledge and attitude has been published previously by the present authors, with this current analysis focusing on communication, education and resources for the provision of EoLC in EDs. Descriptive data on outcomes are reported with additional subgroup analysis according to years of experience in EM.

Results

Of the 694 potential respondents, 311 (44.8%) had fully completed surveys. The majority (62% n=193) were between 25 and 35 years of age with 60% (n=186) having <5 years’ experience in EM; 58% (n=180) were men. Experienced respondents (>10 years’ experience) were more likely to agree that they were comfortable discussing EoL with patients and families than those with <5 years’ experience (80% vs 32%) (p<0.001). Questions on ED infrastructure revealed that just 23.5% agreed that appropriate rooms are allocated for EoL patients, with just 11.6% agreeing that the physical environment is conducive to the provision of EoLC.

Conclusion

EM clinicians agree that they are comfortable breaking bad news and discussing EoLC with patients and families, but disagree that adequate resources and infrastructure are in place to provide a high standard of EoLC in Irish EDs. Challenges exist centred on training and infrastructure and addressing these may lead to enhanced EoLC in the future.
Role of grain boundary passivation in the enhancement of efficiency of copper chalcogenides thin film photovoltaic devices: A schematic review
Authors: Gupta Indu , Singla Shivani , Nayak Manas , Jain Rahul
Published: December 2024

Photovoltaic devices are expected to display peak performance if fabricated with perfect single crystals. Since surfaces break the periodicity of a single crystal, there are regions of defects, which give rise to states inside the forbidden energy gap. In polycrystalline thin films, the main structural defect is the grain boundary. The presence of grain boundaries affects the optical absorption, carrier mobility and lifetime of the semiconductor. This review focuses on grain boundary passivation in thin film photovoltaic devices based on copper chalcogenides. Achieving enhanced performance in copper chalcogenide thin film Photovoltaic devices requires effective grain boundary passivation. This approach aims to mitigate the adverse effects of grain boundaries on the optoelectronic properties of the material, leading to improved efficiency and stability in Photovoltaic devices. The abstract discusses recent developments, methodologies and outcomes related to grain boundary passivation strategies, shedding light on their significance in advancing the performance of copper chalcogenide thin film Photovoltaic devices. The exploration of grain boundary passivation in this context contributes valuable insights to the ongoing efforts in optimizing the performance of thin film Photovoltaic technologies.
Sports Image Feature Extraction Based on Machine Learning and Global Search Algorithm
Authors: Li Haiting , Yan Jinghao
Published: December 2024

This study utilizes a combination of machine learning and a global search algorithm to enhance the quality of feature extraction in sports images. A deep residual generative adversarial network is employed to deblur images and sharpen their clarity, while the optimized particle swarm optimization algorithm is utilized to extract image features with precision and identify critical information. According to the experimental results, the research method improves the peak signal-to-noise ratios in ball sports image deblurring by 12.45%, 13.91%, and 17.18%, respectively, and in track and field sports image deblurring by 11.71%, 12.91%, and 21.61%, respectively, when compared with the generative adversarial network, generative adversarial network incorporating the attention mechanism, and multi-scale convolution-based algorithm. The accuracy-recall curve of the particle swarm algorithm that has been optimised for research completely encircles the accuracy-recall curves of the other four algorithms, which verifies the efficacy of the research methodology. The research will offer a more comprehensive perspective on sports image processing.
TmfimCLIP: Text-Driven Multi-Attribute Face Image Manipulation
Authors: Yaermaimaiti Yilihamu , Wang Ruohao , Lou Xudong , Liu Yajie , Xi Linfei
Published: December 2024

Text-to-image conversion has garnered significant research attention, with contemporary methods leveraging the latent space analysis of StyleGAN. However, issues with latent code decoupling, interpretability, and controllability often remain, leading to misaligned image attributes. To address these challenges, we propose a refined approach that segments StyleGAN’s latent code using the Visual Language Model (CLIP). Our method aligns the latent code segments with text embeddings via an image-text alignment module and modulates them through a text injection module. Additionally, we incorporate semantic segmentation loss and mouth loss to constrain operations that affect irrelevant attributes. Compared to previous CLIP-driven techniques, our approach significantly enhances decoupling, interpretability, and controllability. Experiments on the CelebA-HQ and FFHQ datasets validate our model’s efficacy through both qualitative and quantitative comparisons. Our model effectively handles a wide range of style variations, achieving an FID score of 21.15 for facial attributes and an ID metric of 0.88 for hair attributes.
Surface Characteristics and Crystallographic Texture Evolution of Aviation Aluminum Alloy in High-Speed Machining Based on Visco-Plastic Self-Consistent Model
Authors: Lu Wei , Wang Youqiang , Ni Chenbing , Zong Chengguo , Liu Longxiang , Zhang Baoguo
Published: December 2024

The purpose is to investigate the surface characteristics and crystallographic texture evolution of aviation aluminum alloy during high-speed machining (HSM). The influence mechanism of machining parameters on the surface quality of Al 7050 is explored through HSM experiments, and the distribution of cutting temperature, equivalent stress and strain, and the variation trend of variables in the deformation zone on the path is analyzed by finite element (FE) simulation. Combining FE simulation and polycrystalline plasticity theory, a visco-plastic self- consistent (VPSC) model is established to simulate the crystal texture evolution in the machined surface layer, and the validity of the constructed model is confirmed by dynamic impact and EBSD results. The results show that the high-speed machined surface displays tool feed marks, apophysis, cavities, side flow bands and adhered chip debris. The overall trend of temperature and equivalent stress on the path shows a “spoon-like” distribution and an “M-like” distribution, respectively. The cutting temperature, equivalent stress and strain increase in relation to three cutting factors, where the cutting temperature and equivalent stress increase by 3% and 2.9%, respectively. VPSC simulations show the textures of {001}[Formula: see text]100[Formula: see text]Cube, {123}[Formula: see text]634[Formula: see text]S, {110}[Formula: see text]112[Formula: see text]Brass, and {112}[Formula: see text]110[Formula: see text]R-Copper which are present on the machined surfaces, and high feed rate and cutting speed enhance and weaken the strength of the {123}[Formula: see text]634[Formula: see text]S and {001}[Formula: see text]100[Formula: see text]Cube textures. The difference in texture maximum density under different machining parameters is 34%, and the type and intensity of crystal texture are profoundly influenced by the coupling effect of heating/force load, stress, and strain.