bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnic disparities in progression rates for sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in diabetic eye screening: a population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Olvera-Barrios Abraham , Owen Christopher G , Anderson John , Warwick Alasdair N , Chambers Ryan , Bolter Louis , Wu Yue , Welikala Roshan , Fajtl Jiri , Barman Sarah A , Remagnino Paolo , Chew Emily Y , Ferris Frederick L , Hingorani Aroon D , Sofat Reecha , Lee Aaron Y , Egan Catherine , Tufail Adnan , Rudnicka Alicja R
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The English Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) offers people living with diabetes (PLD) annual eye screening. We examined incidence and determinants of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) in a sociodemographically diverse multi-ethnic population.

Research design and methods

North East London DESP cohort data (January 2012 to December 2021) with 137 591 PLD with no retinopathy, or non-STDR at baseline in one/both eyes, were used to calculate STDR incidence rates by sociodemographic factors, diabetes type, and duration. HR from Cox models examined associations with STDR.

Results

There were 16 388 incident STDR cases over a median of 5.4 years (IQR 2.8–8.2; STDR rate 2.214, 95% CI 2.214 to 2.215 per 100 person-years). People with no retinopathy at baseline had a lower risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) compared with those with non-STDR in one eye (HR 3.03, 95% CI 2.91 to 3.15, p<0.001) and both eyes (HR 7.88, 95% CI 7.59 to 8.18, p<0.001). Black and South Asian individuals had higher STDR hazards than white individuals (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.50 to 1.64 and HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.42, respectively). Additionally, every 5-year increase in age at inclusion was associated with an 8% reduction in STDR hazards (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Ethnic disparities exist in a health system limited by capacity rather than patient economic circumstances. Diabetic retinopathy at first screen is a strong determinant of STDR development. By using basic demographic characteristics, screening programmes or clinical practices can stratify risk for sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy development.
A collective autoethnography of coproduction in mental health research by academic researchers and young people in Brazil
Authors: Siston Felipe Rodrigues , Murta Sheila Giardini , Mendes Josimar Antônio de Alcântara , Ferreira Julyana Alves , Santos Victor Hugo de Lima , Seabra Brenda Thallys Rocha , de Souza Rafa Ribeiro Alves , da Cunha Rafaela de Oliveira , Pavarini Gabriela
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Coproduction of mental health research and interventions involving researchers and young people is increasingly common. However, this model raises challenges, related, for instance, to communication, power and control. This paper narrates—from a collective first-person perspective—the lived experience of coproduction of a digital intervention by institutional researchers and young citizen researchers in Brazil.

Method

This study employed a collaborative autoethnographic methodology, utilising autobiographical data such as meeting recordings, individual notes and collective guided reflections on the coproduction process. Our analysis focused on challenges and solutions that arose during the process.

Results

Throughout the project, we created formal and informal mechanisms for accountability, transparency and fair inclusion of multiple voices. We engaged in mutual capacity-building, invested in building interpersonal knowledge, and implemented practices to reduce overload and promote equitable participation. Through ongoing reflection and readjustment in response to challenges, we progressively embraced more democratic and egalitarian values. The collective care invested in the process fostered synergy, trust, and intergroup friendship.

Conclusion

Our experience points to the value of creating a space for multiple research identities: the citizen young person and the institutional researcher, both of whom critically reflect on their roles in the research process. Our focus on coproduced care calls into question participation metaphors that represent the process via a single axis—young people—who linearly progress from minimal participation to full autonomy. Instead, our analysis highlights the importance of a social and caring bond that supports the radical co-production of innovative health solutions in contexts of vulnerability.
Global health reciprocal innovation to address mental health and well-being: strategies used and lessons learnt
Authors: Turan Janet M , Vinikoor Michael J , Su Austin Y , Rangel-Gomez Mauricio , Sweetland Annika , Verhey Ruth , Chibanda Dixon , Paulino-Ramírez Robert , Best Chynere , Masquillier Caroline , van Olmen Josefien , Gaist Paul , Kohrt Brandon A
Published: November 2023

Over the past two decades there have been major advances in the development of interventions promoting mental health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), including delivery of care by non-specialist providers, incorporation of mobile technologies and development of multilevel community-based interventions. Growing inequities in mental health have led to calls to adopt similar strategies in high-income countries (HIC), learning from LMIC. To overcome shared challenges, it is crucial for projects implementing these strategies in different global settings to learn from one another. Our objective was to examine cases in which mental health and well-being interventions originating in or conceived for LMIC were implemented in the USA. The cases included delivery of psychological interventions by non-specialists, HIV-related stigma reduction programmes, substance use mitigation strategies and interventions to promote parenting skills and family functioning. We summarise commonly used strategies, barriers, benefits and lessons learnt for the transfer of these innovative practices among LMIC and HIC. Common strategies included intervention delivery by non-specialists and use of digital modalities to facilitate training and increase reach. Common barriers included lack of reimbursement mechanisms for care delivered by non-specialists and resistance from professional societies. Despite US investigators’ involvement in most of the original research in LMIC, only a few cases directly involved LMIC researchers in US implementation. In order to achieve greater equity in global mental health and well-being, more efforts and targeted funding are needed to develop best practices for global health reciprocal innovation and iterative learning in HIC and LMIC.
Gender disparities, causes and predictors of immediate and short-term cardiovascular readmissions following COVID-19-related hospitalisations in the USA
Authors: Vardar Ufuk , Shaka Hafeez , Kumi Dennis , Gajjar Rohan , Bess Olva , Kanemo Philip , Shaka Abdultawab , Baskaran Naveen
Published: November 2023

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to identify the causes, predictors and gender disparities of 30-day and 90-day cardiovascular readmissions after COVID-19-related hospitalisations using National Readmission Database (NRD) 2020.

Setting

We used the NRD from 2020 to identify hospitalised adults with a principal diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.

Participants

We included subjects who were readmitted within 30 days and 90 days after index admission. We excluded subjects with elective and traumatic admissions. We used a multivariate Cox regression model to identify independent predictors of readmission.

Primary and secondary outcomes measures

Our outcomes were inpatient mortality, 30-day and 90-day cardiovascular readmission rates following COVID-19 infection.

Results

During the study period, there were 1 024 492 index hospitalisations with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the 2020 NRD database, 644 903 (62.9%) were included for 30-day readmission analysis, and 418 122 (40.8%) were included for 90-day readmission analysis. Of patients involved in the 30-day analysis, 7140 (1.1%) patients had a readmission within 30 days; of patients involved in the 90-day analysis, 8379 (2.0%) had a readmission within 90 days due to primarily cardiovascular causes. Cox regression analysis revealed that the female sex (aHR 0.89; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95; p=0.001) was associated with a lower hazard of 30-day cardiovascular readmissions; however, congestive heart failure (aHR 2.45; 95% CI 2.2 to 2.72; p<0.001), arrhythmias (aHR 2.45; 95% CI 2.2 to 2.72; p<0.001) and valvular disease (aHR 2.45; 95% CI 2.2 to 2.72; p<0.001) had a higher hazard. The most common causes of cardiovascular readmissions were heart failure (34.3%), deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (22.5%) and atrial fibrillation (9.5%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that male gender, heart failure, arrhythmias and valvular disease carry higher hazards of 30-day and 90-day cardiovascular readmissions. Identifying risk factors and common causes of readmission may assist with lowering the burden of cardiovascular disease in patients with COVID-19 infection.
Investigating the ability to adhere to cardiometabolic medications with different properties: a retrospective cohort study of >500 000 patients in the USA
Authors: Lauffenburger Julie C , Tesfaye Helen , Solomon Daniel H , Antman Elliott M , Glynn Robert J , Lee Su Been , Tong Angela , Choudhry Niteesh K
Published: November 2023

Objective

Poor medication adherence remains highly prevalent and adversely affects health outcomes. Patients frequently describe properties of the pills themselves, like size and shape, as barriers, but this has not been evaluated objectively. We sought to determine the extent to which oral medication properties thought to be influential translate into lower objectively-measured adherence.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

US nationwide commercial claims database, 2016–2019.

Participants

Among patients initiating first-line hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipidaemia treatment based on clinical guidelines, we measured pill size, shape, colour and flavouring, number of pills/day and fixed-dose combination status as properties.

Outcome measures

Outcomes included discontinuation after the first fill (ie, never filling again over a minimum of 1-year follow-up) and long-term non-adherence (1-year proportion of days covered <0.80). We estimated associations between each property and outcomes, by therapeutic class (eg, statins), with multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Across 604 323 patients, 14.6% discontinued after filling once (ie, were non-persistent), and 54.0% were non-adherent over 1-year follow-up. Large pill size was associated with non-adherence, except for thiazides (eg, metformin adjusted OR (aOR): 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.18). Greater pill burden was associated with a higher risk of non-adherence across all classes (eg, metformin aOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.53 to 1.64 for two pills/day). Taking less than one pill/day was also associated with higher risk of non-adherence and non-persistence (eg, non-persistence statin aOR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.38). Pill shape, colour, flavouring and combination status were associated with mixed effects across classes.

Conclusions

Pill burden and pill size are key properties affecting adherence for almost all classes; others, like size and combination, could modestly affect medication adherence. Clinical interventions could screen patients for potential intolerance to medication and potentially implement more convenient dosing schedules.
Laser and radiofrequency for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Serquiz Nicoli , Sarmento Ayane Cristine Alves , Almeida Natalie Rios , Nobre Maria Luisa , Medeiros Kleyton Santos , Oliveira Ronnier de , Costa Ana Paula Ferreira , Gonçalves Ana Katherine
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience more severe symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) than healthy postmenopausal women. As hormonal therapy with oestrogen should be avoided in BCSs, finding an effective and safe therapy to address vaginal symptoms and sexual dysfunction is urgently needed. Physical methods may be promising alternatives for the specificities of this group of women. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of physical methods (laser and radiofrequency) for treating GSM in BCSs.

Methods and analysis

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov databases will be searched. A search strategy was developed to retrieve clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of any physical method (laser or radiofrequency) used for GSM in BCSs. No date or language restrictions will be imposed. Two authors will independently select studies by title, abstract and full text to meet the inclusion criteria. Data will be extracted, and the risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). Review Manager 5.4.1 will be used for data synthesis. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to assess the strength of the evidence.

Ethics and dissemination

This study reviews the published data; thus, obtaining ethical approval is unnecessary. The findings of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023387680.
Systematic review of the effect of metabolic syndrome on outcomes due to acute respiratory distress syndrome: a protocol
Authors: Stone Gregory , Sisk Andre , Brown Margo , Corder Amy , Tea Kevin , Zu Yuanhao , Shaffer Jeff , Kashyap Rahul , Qadir Nida , Denson Joshua Lee
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition commonly seen in the intensive care unit. COVID-19 has dramatically increased the incidence of ARDS—with this rise in cases comes the ability to detect predisposing factors perhaps not recognised before, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated conditions (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus). In this systematic review, we seek to describe the complex relationship between MetS, its associated conditions and ARDS (including COVID-19 ARDS).

Methods and analysis

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL and Web of Science will be conducted. The population of interest is adults with ARDS and MetS (as defined according to the study author recognising that MetS definitions vary) or any MetS-associated condition. The control group will be adult patients with ARDS without MetS or any individual MetS-associated condition. We will search studies published in English, with a date restriction from the year 2000 to June 2023 and employ the search phrases ‘metabolic syndrome’, ‘acute respiratory distress syndrome’ and related terms. Search terms including ‘dyslipidaemia’, ‘hypertension’, ‘diabetes mellitus’ and ‘obesity’ will also be utilised. Outcomes of interest will include mortality (in-hospital, ICU, 28-day, 60-day and 90-day), days requiring mechanical ventilation and hospital and/or ICU length of stay. Study bias will be assessed using the NIH Bias Scale.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because this study includes previously published and publicly accessible data. Findings from this review will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023405816.
Multidisciplinary tuberculosis care: leveraging the role of hospital pharmacists
Authors: Iskandar Deni , Pradipta Ivan S , Anggriani Ani , Postma Maarten J , van Boven Job F M
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Optimal pharmacological treatment of tuberculosis (TB) requires a multidisciplinary team, yet the hospital pharmacist’s role is unclear. We aimed to analyse hospital pharmacist-provided clinical pharmacy services (CPS) implementation in TB care.

Method

A nationwide survey-based online cross-sectional study was conducted on hospital pharmacists in Indonesia from 1 November 2022 to 22 November 2022. Outcomes were the extent of pharmacists’ involvement in multidisciplinary TB care, TB-related CPS provided and views on TB-related CPS. The probability of pharmacists’ involvement in multidisciplinary TB teams was assessed using logistic regression.

Results

In total, 439 pharmacists (mean age 31.2±6.22 years, 78% female) completed the survey. Thirty-six per cent were part of multidisciplinary TB care, and 23% had TB-related tasks. Adherence monitoring (90%) and drug use evaluation (86%) were the most conducted TB-related CPS. Pharmacists’ views on TB-related CPS implementation were generally positive, except for financial incentives. Work experience (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.61), ever received TB-related training (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.03 to 6.14) and specific assignments to provide TB-related CPS (OR 8.42, 95% CI 4.99 to 14.59) significantly increased pharmacist involvement in multidisciplinary TB care.

Conclusion

Around one-third of hospital pharmacists are part of multidisciplinary TB care, with medication adherence and drug use monitoring as primary tasks. Pharmacists’ experience, training, assignment to provide TB-related CPS and financial incentives are key elements for further implementation in multidisciplinary TB care. Pharmacists should proactively support current TB care and conduct operational research, sharing data with healthcare peers and fostering a collaborative multidisciplinary TB care team.
Local and distant response to intratumoral immunotherapy assessed by immunoPET in mice
Authors: Meyblum Louis , Chevaleyre Céline , Susini Sandrine , Jego Benoit , Deschamps Frederic , Kereselidze Dimitri , Bonnet Baptiste , Marabelle Aurelien , de Baere Thierry , Lebon Vincent , Tselikas Lambros , Truillet Charles
Published: November 2023

Background

Despite the promising efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers (ICB), tumor resistance and immune-related adverse events hinder their success in cancer treatment. To address these challenges, intratumoral delivery of immunotherapies has emerged as a potential solution, aiming to mitigate side effects through reduced systemic exposure while increasing effectiveness by enhancing local bioavailability. However, a comprehensive understanding of the local and systemic distribution of ICBs following intratumoral administration, as well as their impact on distant tumors, remains crucial for optimizing their therapeutic potential.

To comprehensively investigate the distribution patterns following the intratumoral and intravenous administration of radiolabeled anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and to assess its corresponding efficacy in both injected and non-injected tumors, we conducted an immunoPET imaging study.

Methods

CT26 and MC38 syngeneic colorectal tumor cells were implanted subcutaneously on both flanks of Balb/c and C57Bl/6 mice, respectively. Hamster anti-mouse CTLA-4 antibody (9H10) labeled with zirconium-89 ([89Zr]9H10) was intratumorally or intravenously administered. Whole-body distribution of the antibody was monitored by immunoPET imaging (n=12 CT26 Balb/c mice, n=10 MC38 C57Bl/6 mice). Tumorous responses to injected doses (1–10 mg/kg) were correlated with specific uptake of [89Zr]9H10 (n=24). Impacts on the tumor microenvironment were assessed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.

Results

Half of the dose was cleared into the blood 1 hour after intratumoral administration. Despite this, 7 days post-injection, 6–8% of the dose remained in the intratumoral-injected tumors. CT26 tumors with prolonged ICB exposure demonstrated complete responses. Seven days post-injection, the contralateral non-injected tumor uptake of the ICB was comparable to the one achieved through intravenous administration (7.5±1.7% ID.cm–3and 7.6±2.1% ID.cm–3, respectively) at the same dose in the CT26 model. This observation was confirmed in the MC38 model. Consistent intratumoral pharmacodynamic effects were observed in both intratumoral and intravenous treatment groups, as evidenced by a notable increase in CD8+T cells within the CT26 tumors following treatment.

Conclusions

ImmunoPET-derived pharmacokinetics supports intratumoral injection of ICBs to decrease systemic exposure while maintaining efficacy compared with intravenous. Intratumoral-ICBs lead to high local drug exposure while maintaining significant therapeutic exposure in non-injected tumors. This immunoPET approach is applicable for clinical practice to support evidence-based drug development.
Biomechanics in the onset and severity of spondyloarthritis: a force to be reckoned with
Authors: Iyer Priyanka , Hwang Mark , Ridley Lauren , Weisman Michael M
Published: November 2023

Increasing evidence suggests that there is a pivotal role for physical force (mechanotransduction) in the initiation and/or the perpetuation of spondyloarthritis; the review contained herein examines that evidence. Furthermore, we know that damage and inflammation can limit spinal mobility, but is there a cycle created by altered spinal mobility leading to additional damage and inflammation?

Over the past several years, mechanotransduction, the mechanism by which mechanical perturbation influences gene expression and cellular behaviour, has recently gained popularity because of emerging data from both animal models and human studies of the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this review, we provide evidence towards an appreciation of the unsolved paradigm of how biomechanical forces may play a role in the initiation and propagation of AS.
Precision mass measurement of $$^{173}$$Hf for nuclear structure of $$^{173}$$Lu and the $$\gamma $$ process
Authors: Jaries A. , Stryjczyk M. , Kankainen A. , Eronen T. , Ge Z. , Hukkanen M. , Moore I. D. , Mougeot M. , Raggio A. , Rattanasakuldilok W. , Ruotsalainen J.
Published: November 2023

We report on the precise mass measurement of the $$^{173}$$

173

Hf isotope performed at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility using the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer. The new mass-excess value, $${\textrm{ME} = -55390.8(30)}$$

ME
=
-
55390.8
(
30
)

 keV, is in agreement with the literature while being nine times more precise. The newly determined $$^{173}$$

173

Hf electron-capture Q value, $$Q_{EC} = 1490.2(34)$$

Q

EC

=
1490.2

(
34
)

 keV, allows us to firmly reject the population of an excited state at 1578 keV in $$^{173}$$

173

Lu and 11 transitions tentatively assigned to the decay of $$^{173}$$

173

Hf. Our refined mass value of $$^{173}$$

173

Hf reduces mass-related uncertainties in the reaction rate of $$^{174}$$

174

Hf$$(\gamma ,n)^{173}$$

(
γ
,
n
)

173

Hf. Thus, the rate for the main photodisintegration destruction channel of the p nuclide $$^{174}$$

174

Hf in the relevant temperature region for the $$\gamma $$
γ
process is better constrained.
An Efficient Reinforcement Learning Based Framework for Exploring Logic Synthesis
Authors: Qian Yu , Zhou Xuegong , Zhou Hao , Wang Lingli
Published: November 2023

Logic synthesis is a crucial step in electronic design automation tools. The rapid developments of reinforcement learning (RL) have enabled the automated exploration of logic synthesis. Existing RL based methods may lead to data inefficiency, and the exploration approaches for FPGA and ASIC technology mapping in recent works lack the flexibility of the learning process. This work proposes ESE, a reinforcement learning based framework to efficiently learn the logic synthesis process. The framework supports the modeling of logic optimization and technology mapping for FPGA and ASIC. The optimization for the execution time of the synthesis script is also considered. For the modeling of FPGA mapping, the logic optimization and technology mapping are combined to be learned in a flexible way. For the modeling of ASIC mapping, the standard cell based optimization and LUT optimization operations are incorporated into the ASIC synthesis flow. To improve the utilization of samples, the Proximal Policy Optimization model is adopted. Furthermore, the framework is enhanced by supporting MIG based synthesis exploration. Experiments show that for FPGA technology mapping on the VTR benchmark, the average LUT-Level-Product and script runtime are improved by more than 18.3% and 12.4% respectively than previous works. For ASIC mapping on the EPFL benchmark, the average Area-Delay-Product is improved by 14.5%.
Ischemia-reperfusion myocardial infarction induces remodeling of left cardiac-projecting stellate ganglia neurons
Authors: Barrett Madeleine S. , Bauer Temerity C. , Li Ming-Hua , Hegarty Deborah M. , Mota Clarissa M. D. , Amaefuna Chimezie J. , Ingram Susan L. , Habecker Beth A. , Aicher Sue A.
Published: November 2023

Myocardial infarction (MI) causes structural and functional changes specifically in stellate ganglion neurons that project to the heart, but not in cells that project to brown adipose fat tissue.
Manufacturing of Filament for 4D Printing through Polyether-Type TPU/PLA Blend
Authors: Shin Eun Joo , Song Ye Jin , Jung Yang Sook , Jung Imjoo , Lee Sunhee
Published: November 2023

Reversible deformation structure fabricated by 4D printing can be applied in various fields, such as actuators, intelligent mechanisms, and soft robots. In this study, 4D filaments for use in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers were fabricated by melt extrusion process mixing polylactic acid (PLA) and soft actuator grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) 75 Shore A. The morphological (scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy), chemical (Fourier transform infrared), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis), mechanical (Instron), and WAXS properties of the prepared TPU/PLA blend (5 : 5, 7 : 3, 9 : 1) filaments were investigated. Filaments of 4D auxetic reentrant TPU/PLA samples were 3D printed, and their shape-memory characteristics were assessed at temperatures of 60°C (corresponding to the glass transition temperature of PLA), 70°C, 80°C (matching the melting temperature of the soft segment of TPU), and 90°C. The properties of TPU/PLA samples differ based on the PLA to TPU ratio, with an increase in TPU content resulting in a higher shape setting temperature but a shorter shape recovery time. For the TPU/PLA 5 : 5 sample, setting at 70°C and recovering at 85°C is the most suitable condition for shape recovery, whereas for the TPU/PLA 7 : 3 sample the best conditions are setting at 80°C and recovering at 95°C. In the case of TPU/PLA 9 : 1, shape setting is possible at 90°C, and shape recovery is fastest at 95°C. A 4D structure of TPU/PLA could be achieved based on shape memory testing by temperature stimulation of 3D printed auxetic c TPU/PLA samples.
Emotional Intelligence among Nurses and Its Relationship with Their Performance and Work Engagement: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Turjuman Fatimah , Alilyyani Bayan
Published: November 2023

Background. Several studies identified that emotional intelligence skills are important indicators for nurse engagement and performance. Issues related to nursing performance in healthcare organizations have been gaining greater attention because they influence the effectiveness of improvement approaches to maintain high-quality care. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between emotional intelligence and nurses’ work performance and work engagement. Methods. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational design was used to evaluate the relationships between the study variables. Data were gathered from 150 nurses working at Madinah Cardiac Center, Saudi Arabia. Three scales were used to measure the study variables which were Emotional Intelligence Scale, Job Performance Scale, and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in addition to demographics. SPSS was used to analyze data. Results. The results of this study showed that emotional intelligence has a total mean of 3.77 (SD = 0.598), nurses’ performance 3.65 (SD = 0.503), and work engagement 4.29 (SD = 1.04). The results also showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between emotional intelligence and nurses’ work performance (R2 = 0.657,

p
<
0.001

). Also, it was found that emotional intelligence has a positive and significant relationship with nurses’ work engagement (R2 = 0.621,

p
<
0.001

). Conclusions. This paper highlights the influence of emotional intelligence in nurses’ improved performance and engagement in work. The field of nursing is associated with care and compassion; thus, it needs a high level of emotional intelligence. Nurses need to enhance their emotional intelligence skills by attending workshops. Nurse leaders also have a role in that by building a culture for nurses that is driven by applying emotional intelligence in the workplaces.
Passenger Flow Path Prediction Based on Urban Rail Transit AFC Data: An Example of Chengdu, China
Authors: Wang Yu , Qin Qixuan , Chen Jialiang , Wang Jiangbo , Liu Kai
Published: November 2023

The development of the automatic fare collection (AFC) systems provides significant support for predicting passenger flow on urban rail transit. This paper extracts passenger travel patterns using AFC data on urban rail transit in Chengdu, China, over a one-month period. Passengers are divided into two categories based on their travel habits and data mining models, and multinomial logit (MNL) models are separately used to predict their destinations. Furthermore, a two-way search algorithm is developed to search the optimal paths between origin-destination (OD) pairs by considering interchange constraints. Start a path search through the origin point and destination point, respectively, until the shortest path is found. The maximum effectiveness of a path is measured by travel time, interchange time, and the number of interchanges between the OD pairs. Finally, the validity of the proposed passenger flow path prediction method is verified by using the AFC data of Chengdu metropolitan rail transit from April 2018.
Rationally Tunable Phase Change Material Thermal Properties Enabled by Three-Dimensionally Printed Structural Materials and Carbon-Based Functional Additives
Authors: Song Chanho , Lee Jaemin , Lim Dahyun Daniel , Choi Wonjoon
Published: November 2023

Passive cooling using phase change materials (PCMs) is a promising solution to address thermal challenges for modern electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. The high latent heat of PCMs can significantly decrease overheating or thermal shock; however, their low thermal conductivity and unstable shape limit their practical application. Herein, we report a multiscale rational design strategy for tuning the thermal properties of PCM (octadecane), enabled by 3D-printed structural materials and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), serving as PCM reservoirs and thermally functional additives. Octadecane, used as the PCM, was thermally reinforced with MWCNT/GNP functional additives using one- and two-dimensional thermal transport at the micro-/nanoscale, and the developed nanocomposite PCM was incorporated into the 3D-printed grid structures serving two purposes: thermal transport at the macroscale and mechanical support during the liquid–solid phase change. Thus, the fabricated 3D-printed structures with incorporated thermal energy management composites (3DS-TEMCs), with different infill density/MWCNT/GNP parameters, exhibited tunable latent heat/thermophysical properties and outstanding thermal conductivity (~0.45–0.79 W/(m K)) higher than that of pure octadecane (~0.15 W/(m K)). In passive cooling tests implemented in a local heating configuration, the 3DS-TEMCs inhibited overheating and thermal shock under transient thermal loads in the operating temperature ranges of electronic devices and batteries. The proposed 3DS-TEMC offers a tunable and scalable strategy to impart PCMs with advanced thermophysical characteristics compared to conventional PCMs.
Millimeter Wave Wireless Channel Knowledge Map Construction Based on Path Matching and Environment Partitioning
Authors: Li Zeyang , Gao Qidong , Zhang Wence , Bao Xu , Xia Jing , Zheng Zhaowen
Published: November 2023

Key technologies in 5G and future 6G, such as millimeter wave massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), relies accurate channel state information (CSI). However, when the number of base station (BS) antenna increases or the number of users is large, it is rather resource-consuming to obtain the CSI. Channel knowledge map (CKM) is an emerging environment-aware wireless communication technology, which stores the physical coordinates of BS and reference locations together with the corresponding channel path information. This makes it possible to obtain CSI with light or even without pilots, which can significantly reduce the overhead of channel estimation and improve system performance, especially suitable for quasi-static wireless environments with relatively stable channels and communication systems using millimeter waves, terahertz waves, visible light, and so on. The main challenge for CKM is how to construct an accurate CKM based on finite measurement data points at limited reference locations. In this work, we proposed a novel CKM construction method based on path matching and environmental partitioning (PMEP-CC) to address the above issues. Specifically, we first sort the propagation paths between reference locations, map them to a high-dimensional space to establish the path correlation coefficient between two reference locations. Then, the communication region are divided into different subregions based on its spatial correlation. Finally, the path information at locations where no measurements are available are estimated based on the known path information within the subregion to construct CKM. Numerical results are provided to show the performance of the proposed method over related studies.
Microbial Quality of Some Fresh-Cut Ready-to-Eat Fruits Sold in Some Markets and Bus Terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Boampong Kwadwo , Essiaw-Quayson Godwin , Sarpong Vida , Larbi John Asiedu
Published: November 2023

The consumption of fruits is an important source of vitamins and micronutrients. Despite their health benefits, fruits have been linked to food-borne infections, particularly when untreated animal excreta are used in their cultivation and not properly washed before consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the parasitological, fungal, and bacteriological quality of some fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits sold in markets and bus terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. A total of 270 fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits, including pineapples, watermelon, pawpaw, sugarcane, and tiger nuts, were sampled from both stationary vendors and hawkers from six different locations in the Kumasi Metropolis. Samples were analysed for the presence of bacteria, fungi, and intestinal parasites using the Microbial Methods in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) of the United States Food and Drugs Administration (2001). The pour plate technique was used to culture and grow bacteria and fungi, while the most probable number (MPN) table was employed for bacteria and fungi count. The total coliform counts ranged from 2.32 to 3.15 log cfu/g; faecal coliform counts ranged from 1.58 to 2.58 log cfu/g; enterococci count ranged from 1.06 to 1.90 log cfu/g; and fungal count ranged from 2.57 to 3.73 log cfu/g. There was a significant difference in the mean faecal coliform and enterococci counts for all fruit samples. Tiger nut had the most bacteria, while watermelon was the most fungi contaminated fruit. Shigella spp. was the commonest bacteria contaminates of fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits sold in Kumasi. Giardia lamblia was the most abundant parasite detected. Fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables sold in markets and bus terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, are contaminated with bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These findings emphasize the need for public awareness and proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses associated with the consumption of fresh-cut fruits.
Coronary Microcirculatory Dysfunction in People With HIV and Its Association With Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Huck Daniel M. , Weber Brittany , Parks Sean , Divakaran Sanjay , Brown Jenifer M. , Bibbo Courtney F. , Barrett Leanne , Hainer Jon , Bay Camden , Martell Laurel , Kogelman Laura , Triant Virginia A. , Chu Jacqueline , Lin Nina H. , Melbourne Kathleen , Sax Paul E. , Di Carli Marcelo F.
Published: November 2023

Background

HIV infection and abacavir‐containing antiretroviral regimens are associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk. Positron emission tomography (PET)‐derived myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR), the ratio of vasodilator stress to rest myocardial blood flow, is a well‐validated measure of coronary microvascular health and marker of cardiovascular risk. Our objective was to compare MBFR among people with HIV (PWH) with matched non‐HIV controls and to assess whether switching from dolutegravir/lamivudine/abacavir to the non‐abacavir regimen bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) would improve MBFR.

Methods and Results

Thirty‐seven PWH were 1:2 matched on cardiovascular risk factors to 75 people without HIV, and MBFR corrected for differences in resting hemodynamics was compared in a cross‐sectional design. PWH were majority men (68%) with a mean age of 56 years. Mean stress myocardial blood flow (1.83 mL/min per g [95% CI, 1.68–1.98] versus 2.40 mL/min per g [95% CI, 2.25–2.54];
P
<0.001) and MBFR (2.18 [95% CI, 1.96–2.40] versus 2.68 [95% CI, 2.47–2.89];
P
=0.002) was significantly lower in PWH than in people without HIV. In a single‐arm, multicenter trial, a subset of 25 PWH who were virologically suppressed on dolutegravir/lamivudine/abacavir underwent positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging at baseline and after switching to bictegravir/emtricitabine/TAF. MBFR was unchanged after switching to bictegravir/emtricitabine/TAF for a mean of 27 weeks (MBFR, 2.34 to 2.29;
P
=0.61), except in PWH with impaired MBFR at baseline (<2.00; N=6) in whom MBFR increased from 1.58 to 2.02 (
P
=0.02).

Conclusions

PWH had reduced coronary microvascular function compared with controls without HIV. Coronary microvascular function did not improve after switching from dolutegravir/lamivudine/abacavir to bictegravir/emtricitabine/TAF.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; unique identifier: NCT03656783.
The Shahrazād of Sablakh Speaks in Many Tongues
Authors: Green Rachel
Published: November 2023

Shlūmū al-kurdī wa-anā wa-l-zaman (Shlūmū al-Kurdī, Myself and Time) (2004) is the final novel of Iraqi-Jewish author Samīr Naqqāsh. Considering the text in light of the cultural politics of memory and articulation, this article posits the novel as a true fabrication of a fictionalized memoir. By thematizing aspects of speech, movement and scriptural ecumenism within an Islamicate cultural memory, the text simultaneously narrates and mourns the WWI-era social collapse of multiconfessional Sablakh in Iranian Kurdistan. The narration employs a modified, self-amplifying tripartite narrative structure and a self-sustaining momentum born of the looping of prophetic and traumatic temporalities; together, such structural moves enable a cascade of witnessing of a marginal(ized) site of loss. The text thus intervenes in officially sanctioned genealogies of loss and overcoming while crafting an affirmative Eastern Jewish self-in-community beyond the linguistic, geographic, and epistemological confines of Mizrahi identity within the State of Israel.
Important Influence of North Atlantic Oscillation on Interannual Variability of the Boreal Autumn East Siberian–Beaufort Sea Ice
Authors: Liu Li , Zhang Wenjun , Liu Chao , Jiang Feng
Published: November 2023

The East Siberia–Beaufort Sea (EsCB) sea ice during boreal autumn has recently been reported to play important roles in the climate over Eurasia and North America. The EsCB sea ice exhibits remarkable year-to-year fluctuations in autumn (August–October), the season in which its minimum extent usually occurs. However, the physical driver of the autumn EsCB sea ice interannual variability remains unclear, impeding the seasonal prediction of local sea ice. Here we find that the autumn EsCB sea ice variability is largely driven by the preceding summer (May–July) dipolar atmospheric anomalies over the North Atlantic, resembling the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern. During the negative NAO-like phase, the circumpolar anticyclonic anomalies tend to transport the warm air from Greenland toward the EsCB region, which triggers rapid sea ice melt there. The associated EsCB sea ice anomalies can be maintained or even intensified by the local sea ice–albedo positive feedback until autumn. Therefore, the abnormal signals of Arctic sea ice tend to show significant persistence in summer and autumn. The influence of the summer NAO-like atmospheric circulation on the ensuing autumn EsCB sea ice can be realistically reproduced in the historical simulation of the E3SM-1-0 model, supporting our findings based on the observation. This lagged relationship provides a promising pathway for skillful seasonal prediction of the EsCB sea ice and its related climatic impacts.
Probabilistic Convective Initiation Nowcasting Using Himawari-8 AHI with Explainable Deep Learning Models
Authors: Li Yang , Liu Yubao , Shi Yueqin , Chen Baojun , Zeng Fanhui , Huo Zhaoyang , Fan Hang
Published: November 2023

Convective initiation (CI) nowcasting is crucial for reducing loss of human life and property caused by severe convective weather. A novel deep learning method based on the U-Net model (named as CIUnet) was developed for forecasting CI during the warm season with eight interest fields of Himawari-8 Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) and terrain height. The results showed that the CIUnet model produced probability forecasts of CI occurrence location and time with probability of detection (POD) at 93.3% ± 0.3% and false alarm ratio (FAR) at 18.3% ± 0.4% at a lead time of 30 min. Sensitivity and permutation importance experiments on the input fields of the CIUnet model revealed that the differences in brightness temperature for spectral channels were more critical for CI nowcasts than the original infrared channel brightness temperatures. The brightness temperature difference between band 10 (7.3 μm) and band 13 (10.4 μm), which represents the cloud-top height relative to the lower troposphere, is identified as the most important input fields for CI nowcasting. The tri-spectral brightness temperature difference (TTD), which represents cloud-top glaciation, is ranked the second and it significantly reduced the FAR of the CI forecast. Using terrain heights as an extra input feature improved the POD, but slightly overestimated CI over complex terrain. In addition, a layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP) analyses was performed, and confirmed that the CIUnet model can effectively identify the crucial regions and features of the input fields for accurate CI prediction. Therefore, both permutation importance experiments and LPR analyses are useful for improving the CIUnet model and advancing the understanding of CI mechanisms.
Fostering moral resilience through moral case deliberation
Authors: Metselaar Suzanne , Molewijk Bert
Published: November 2023

Moral distress forms a major threat to the well-being of healthcare professionals, and is argued to negatively impact patient care. It is associated with emotions such as anger, frustration, guilt, and anxiety. In order to effectively deal with moral distress, the concept of moral resilience is introduced as the positive capacity of an individual to sustain or restore their integrity in response to moral adversity. Interventions are needed that foster moral resilience among healthcare professionals. Ethics consultation has been proposed as such an intervention. In this paper, we add to this proposition by discussing Moral Case Deliberation (MCD) as a specific form of clinical ethics support that promotes moral resilience. We argue that MCD in general may contribute to the moral resilience of healthcare professionals as it promotes moral agency. In addition, we focus on three specific MCD reflection methods: the Dilemma Method, the Aristotelian moral inquiry into emotions, and CURA, a method consisting of four main steps: Concentrate, Unrush, Reflect, and Act. In practice, all three methods are used by nurse ethicists or by nurses who received training to facilitate reflection sessions with these methods. We maintain that these methods also have specific elements that promote moral resilience. However, the Dilemma Method fosters dealing well with tragedy, the latter two promote moral resilience by including attention to emotions as part of the reflection process. We will end with discussing the importance of future empirical research on the impact of MCD on moral resilience, and of comparing MCD with other interventions that seek to mitigate moral distress and promote moral resilience.
Upregulation of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels as the Potential Mechanism of Cardioprotection and Vasorelaxation Under the Action of Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate in Old Rats
Authors: Strutynskyi Ruslan B. , Strutynska Nataliіa A. , Piven Oksana O. , Mys Lidiia A. , Goshovska Yulia V. , Fedichkina Raisa A. , Okhai Iryna Y. , Strutynskyi Vladyslav R. , Dosenko Victor E. , Dobrzyn Pawel , Sagach Vadim F.
Published: November 2023

Background: The aging process is accompanied by the weakening of the protective systems of the organism, in particular by the decrease in the expression of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and in the synthesis of H2S. The aim of our work was to investigate the role of KATP channels in the cardioprotection induced by pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) in aging. Methods: Experiments were performed on adult and old (aged 24 months) male Wistar rats, which were divided into 3 groups: adults, old, and old PLP-treated rats. PLP was administered orally once a day for 14 days at a dose of 0.7 mg/kg. The levels of mRNA expression of subunits KATP channels were determined by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Protein expression levels were determined by the Western blot. Cardiac tissue morphology was determined using transverse 6 μm deparaffinized sections stained with picrosirius red staining. Vasorelaxation responses of isolated aortic rings and the function of Langendorff-perfused isolated hearts during ischemia-reperfusion, H2S levels, and markers of oxidative stress were also studied. Results: Administration of PLP to old rats reduces cardiac fibrosis and improves cardiac function during ischemia-reperfusion and vasorelaxation responses to KATP channels opening. At the same time, there was a significant increase in mRNA and protein expression of SUR2 and Kir6.1 subunits of KATP channels, H2S production, and reduced markers of oxidative stress. The specific KATP channel inhibitor—glibenclamide prevented the enhancement of vasodilator responses and anti-ischemic protection in PLP-treated animals. Conclusions: We suggest that this potential therapeutic effect of PLP in old animals may be a result of increased expression of KATP channels and H2S production.
Revolution trend investigation of tourism destination image with machine learning
Authors: Dong Xia , Ma Jianfeng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Shaalan Ahmed , Chen Qinyuan , Jia Shengyi
Published: November 2023

In tourism destination image research, topic modeling, mutual relationships among keywords, and image evolution trends have received limited attention. Filling these gaps in the extant literature, based on tourist gaze theory, this study is the first to use Latent Dirichlet Allocation, text visualization, and topic evolution trend methods to explore the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes’ image. Analyzing 22,371 reviews posted on tourism social networks, we find that (1) prominence, uniqueness, a rich culture, convenience, and enormous influence are five dimensions of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes’ image; (2) these dimension keywords display different cooccurrence relationships; and (3) the dimension evolution trends vary in direction and degree. Our study enriches existing literature and provides important practical implications for the destination marketing field.