bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fintech and urban environmental sustainability: Exploring the impact of financial technology on urban carbon emissions
Authors: Li Rongrong , Zhang Siqi , Wang Qiang , Hu Sailan
Published: October 2024

The rapid growth of financial technology (fintech) in China has obtained considerable attention, especially in terms of its effects on carbon emissions. Investigating the link between fintech advancement and emissions is essential for promoting sustainable urban development. This research utilizes panel data from 286 Chinese cities spanning 2000–2021, employing a fixed‐effects model to evaluate fintech's influence on carbon emissions. Additionally, a threshold model is applied to examine how different levels of research expenditure, environmental greening, and fixed asset investment modify this relationship. The results reveal that: (i) fintech expansion is linked to reduced carbon emissions; (ii) threshold effects are significant, with research investment, environmental greening, and fixed asset investment influencing the impact of fintech on emissions. More specifically, the reduction in emissions driven by fintech is strengthened by higher research investment, enhanced environmental greening, and increased fixed asset investment. The study concludes with policy suggestions, emphasizing the need to improve fintech infrastructure, elevate research funding, and focus on environmental greening programs.
A Novel Bayesian Spatio‐Temporal Surveillance Metric to Predict Emerging Infectious Disease Areas of High Disease Risk
Authors: Kim Joanne , Lawson Andrew B. , Neelon Brian , Korte Jeffrey E. , Eberth Jan M. , Chowell Gerardo
Published: October 2024

Identification of areas of high disease risk has been one of the top goals for infectious disease public health surveillance. Accurate prediction of these regions leads to effective resource allocation and faster intervention. This paper proposes a novel prediction surveillance metric based on a Bayesian spatio‐temporal model for infectious disease outbreaks. Exceedance probability, which has been commonly used for cluster detection in statistical epidemiology, was extended to predict areas of high risk. The proposed metric consists of three components: the area's risk profile, temporal risk trend, and spatial neighborhood influence. We also introduce a weighting scheme to balance these three components, which accommodates the characteristics of the infectious disease outbreak, spatial properties, and disease trends. Thorough simulation studies were conducted to identify the optimal weighting scheme and evaluate the performance of the proposed prediction surveillance metric. Results indicate that the area's own risk and the neighborhood influence play an important role in making a highly sensitive metric, and the risk trend term is important for the specificity and accuracy of prediction. The proposed prediction metric was applied to the COVID‐19 case data of South Carolina from March 12, 2020, and the subsequent 30 weeks of data.
Does Remdesivir Lower COVID‐19 Mortality? A Subgroup Analysis of Hospitalized Adults Receiving Supplemental Oxygen
Authors: Potter Gail E. , Proschan Michael A.
Published: October 2024

The first Adaptive COVID‐19 Treatment Trial (ACTT‐1) showed that remdesivir improved COVID‐19 recovery time compared with placebo in hospitalized adults. The secondary outcome of mortality was almost significant overall (p = 0.07) and highly significant for people receiving supplemental oxygen at enrollment (p = 0.002), suggesting a mortality benefit concentrated in this group. We explore analysis methods that are helpful when a single subgroup benefits from treatment and apply them to ACTT‐1, using baseline oxygen use to define subgroups. We consider two questions: (1) is the remdesivir effect for people receiving supplemental oxygen real, and (2) does this effect differ from the overall effect? For Question 1, we apply a Bonferroni adjustment to subgroup‐specific hypothesis tests and the Westfall and Young permutation test, which is valid when small cell counts preclude normally distributed test statistics (a frequently unexamined condition in subgroup analyses). For Question 2, we introduce Qmax, the largest standardized difference between subgroup‐specific effects and the overall effect. Qmax simultaneously tests whether any subgroup effect differs from the overall effect and identifies the subgroup benefitting most. We demonstrate that Qmax strongly controls the familywise error rate (FWER) when test statistics are normally distributed with no mean–variance relationship. We compare Qmax to a related permutation test, SEAMOS, which was previously proposed but not extensively applied or tested. We show that SEAMOS can have inflated Type 1 error under the global null when control arm event rates differ between subgroups. Our results support a mortality benefit from remdesivir in people receiving supplemental oxygen.
Measurement and Analysis of Surface Temperature Gradients on Magnetron Sputtered Thin Film Growth Studied Using NiCr/NiSi Thin Film Thermocouples
Authors: Liu Zhihui , Yang Yumeng , Sun Yi , Guo Tengda , Shen Kai , Cheng Yongjun , Wang Bi , Hu Kai , Zhang Chuanbing , Hao Gang , Zhou Jiankang , Wu Mengxuan , Cui Baoli , Ding Wanyu , Wang Zixi
Published: October 2024

In the general analysis of thin‐film growth processes, it is often assumed that the temperature of the film growth surface is the same as the temperature of the film growth substrate. However, a temperature gradient exists between the film growth surface and film growth substrate. Using the growth surface of TiO2 thin films as an example, the temperature gradient of the film growth surface is tested and analyzed. A NiCr/NiSi thin‐film thermocouple is fabricated using the direct‐current pulse magnetron sputtering method. A three‐layer NiCr/NiSi thin‐film thermocouple temperature measurement system is established to measure the temperature gradient of the film growth surface. The growth surface temperature and substrate temperature of the TiO2 thin films are measured. For a sputtering power density of 0.83 W cm−2, the temperature difference between the first and second layers is 104.79 °C, while the temperature difference between the second and third layers is 39.92 °C. A standard K‐type thermocouple is used to measure the substrate temperature, which is recorded to be 132.05 °C, consistent with common measurements of substrate temperature. The heat conduction on the film growth surface in the vacuum chamber is examined and a model for the temperature measurement device during film growth is constructed.
Short‐length mechanical bond anchorage for reinforcement bars made of FRP: Experimental and numerical investigations
Authors: Hammerl Mathias , Reichenbach Sara , Pressmair Nadine , Kromoser Benjamin
Published: October 2024

The availability of fiber‐reinforced polymers (FRP) as an alternative for conventional steel reinforcement in concrete construction is increasing. To widen the scope of application, for example, in the case of prestressing, and to improve the bond behavior at the bar ends, end anchorages need to be considered. Within this paper, a new short‐length anchor representing a combination between a bond and mechanical anchor is presented using a special inner geometry to increase the load‐bearing capacity due to the mechanical wedge effect, with a bonding length of only 50 mm. Besides giving a short overview of different anchorage systems, the paper focuses on experimental investigations that were performed with mechanical bond anchors with a variation of the inner geometry of the steel anchorage, different FRP bars, and different load transfer media. A numerical investigation completes the study by showing an approach to calculate the presented mechanical bond anchors. It was found that a small thickness of the bonding material is favorable, and a decrease of the bonding length is not necessarily disadvantageous. A tensile failure of the FRP bars was not achieved, although a full exploitation seems promising since a utilization of up to 83% of a basalt FRP bar was reached.
Molecular systematics of Cuscuta subgenus Monogynella (Convolvulaceae) based on plastid and nuclear sequences
Authors: Albal Asawari , Costea Mihai , Stefanović Saša
Published: October 2024

Cuscuta (dodders) consists of ~200 species circumscribed into four subgenera (C. subg. Cuscuta, subg. Grammica, subg. Monogynella, subg. Pachystigma) and is the only parasitic genus in Convolvulaceae (the morning‐glory family). This genus shows a significant diversity in plastid functionality and represents a rare mixotrophic system within parasitic plants, where different trophic modes can be found at a lower phylogenetic level. Cuscuta subg. Monogynella contains chlorophyllous hemiparasitic species distributed primarily across Eurasia, with Central Asia as its center of diversity. Apart from a few placeholders in broad‐scale phylogenies, this group has not been extensively sampled and studied taxonomically, morphologically, or geographically. Our paper presents the first in‐depth phylogeny for C. subg. Monogynella based on plastid trnL‐F and nuclear ITS sequence regions. Our wide taxon sampling included 12 out of the 15 presently recognized species, with specimens from across their geographic distribution. Our analyses show highly congruent trees, forming similar clades using both plastid and nuclear markers, with no indication of hybridization. Most of the species, represented by multiple individuals from various geographic regions, have been found reciprocally monophyletic or paraphyletic. One individual from south‐west China formed its own separate lineage, with substantial branch length subtending it, and given its distinct geographic distribution, likely belongs to a new species.
Quantisation of type IIB superstring theory and the matrix model
Authors: Asano Yuhma
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We discuss the path-integral quantisation of perturbative string theory and show equivalence between the Polyakov-type, Schild-type and Nambu-Goto-type formulations of critical type II superstring theory. Remarkably, we also find that the Minkowskian path integral realises causality in the sense that a string does not propagate between points at space-like separation, by giving careful consideration to the measure of the world-sheet metric. We also discuss matrix regularisation of the path integral for type IIB perturbative superstring theory. The obtained matrix models are the Euclidean IKKT matrix model and a modified Minkowskian IKKT model, depending on how the matrix regularisation is applied.
A new empirical index to track the technological novelty of inventions: A sector-level analysis
Authors: Gao Yuan , Lazarova Emiliya
Published: October 2024

We introduce the Knowledge Origin Re-Combination Index (KORCI) to measure the ex-ante technological novelty of inventions at the sectoral level. The index is developed through the intertemporal comparison of a sequence of networks, which represents the complex connections between the technological components listed in subsequent cohorts of patent applications. This allows us to quantify the intensity of the recombination of components and the introduction of new ones at the frontier of technological knowledge. Using patent data from three sectors – artificial intelligence, computer technology, and pharmaceuticals – we are the first to document the cyclical nature of the evolution of ex-ante technological novelty of inventions across all three sectors. These evolutionary cycles, however, are not synchronized, and therefore it is unlikely that they are driven by a common innovation engine. Further investigation into the correlation between KORCI and patent growth rates reveals other differences among the sectors in both direction and strength. We conjecture that the relation between the degree of ex-ante technological novelty and invention activities depends on the specific innovation environment of the sector – whether these are process-based or product-based. Our new tool opens opportunities for new empirical research into the evolution of innovation at the sectoral level.
Automatic Abelian Complexities of Parikh-Collinear Fixed Points
Authors: Rigo Michel , Stipulanti Manon , Whiteland Markus A.
Published: October 2024

Parikh-collinear morphisms have the property that all the Parikh vectors of the images of letters are collinear, i.e., the associated adjacency matrix has rank 1. In the conference DLT–WORDS 2023 we showed that fixed points of Parikh-collinear morphisms are automatic. We also showed that the abelian complexity function of a binary fixed point of such a morphism is automatic under some assumptions. In this note, we fully generalize the latter result. Namely, we show that the abelian complexity function of a fixed point of an arbitrary, possibly erasing, Parikh-collinear morphism is automatic. Furthermore, a deterministic finite automaton with output generating this abelian complexity function is provided by an effective procedure. To that end, we discuss the constant of recognizability of a morphism and the related cutting set.
Revealing Goal-Directed Neural Control of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing
Authors: Zainaee Shahryar , Archer Brent , Scherer Ronald , Bingman Verner , Ghasemi Mehran
Published: October 2024

Swallowing is considered a three-phase mechanism involving the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases. The pharyngeal phase relies on highly coordinated movements in the pharynx and larynx to move food through the aerodigestive crossing. While the brainstem has been identified as the primary control center for the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, existing evidence suggests that the higher brain regions can contribute to controlling the pharyngeal phase of swallowing to match the motor response to the current context and task at hand. This suggests that the pharyngeal phase of swallowing cannot be exclusively reflexive or voluntary but can be regulated by the two neural controlling systems, goal-directed and non-goal-directed. This capability allows the pharyngeal phase of swallowing to adjust appropriately based on cognitive input, learned knowledge, and predictions. This paper reviews existing evidence and accordingly develops a novel perspective to explain these capabilities of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. This paper aims (1) to integrate and comprehend the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, (2) to explore the reflexive (non-goal-directed) and voluntary (goal-directed) neural systems of controlling the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, (3) to provide a clinical translation regarding the pathologies of these two systems, and (4) to highlight the existing gaps in this area that require attention in future research. This paper, in particular, aims to explore the complex neurophysiology of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, as its breakdown can lead to serious consequences such as aspiration pneumonia or death.
In vivo development of resistance to novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations in KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a case series
Authors: Boattini Matteo , Bianco Gabriele , Comini Sara , Costa Cristina , Gaibani Paolo
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Understanding the dynamics that may characterize the emergence of KPC variants with resistance to novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (βL/βLICs) represents a challenge to be overcome in the appropriate use of recently introduced antibiotics.

Methods

Retrospective case series describing development of multiple resistance to novel βL/βLICs in patients with KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) infections treated with these drugs. Clinical-microbiological investigation and characterization of longitudinal strains by Whole-Genome Sequencing were performed.

Results

Four patients with KPC-Kp bloodstream infections were included. Most frequent clinical features were kidney disease, obesity, cardiac surgery as reason for admission, ICU stay, treatment with ceftazidime/avibactam, and pneumonia and/or acute kidney injury needing renal replacement therapy as KPC-Kp sepsis-associated complications. The development of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam was observed in four longitudinal strains (three of which were co-resistant to aztreonam/avibactam and cefiderocol) following treatments with ceftazidime/avibactam (n = 3) or cefiderocol (n = 1). Resistance to meropenem/vaborbactam and imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam was observed in one case after exposure to ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam. Resistome analysis showed that resistance to novel βL/βLICs was related to specific mutations within blaKPC carbapenemase gene (D179Y mutation [KPC-33]; deletion Δ242-GT-243 [KPC-14]) in three longitudinal strains, while porin loss (truncated OmpK35 and OmpK36 porins) was observed in one case.

Conclusion

Therapy with novel βL/βLICs or cefiderocol may lead to the selection of resistant mutants in the presence of factors influencing the achievement of PK/PD targets. KPC variants are mainly associated with resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam, and some of them (e.g. KPC-14) may also be associated with reduced susceptibility to aztreonam/avibactam and/or cefiderocol. Loss of function of the OmpK35 and OmpK36 porins appears to play a role in the development of resistance to meropenem/vaborbactam and/or imipenem/relebactam, but other mechanisms may also be involved.
The AI-driven classroom: A review of 21st century curriculum trends
Authors: Jaramillo John Jairo , Chiappe Andrés
Published: October 2024

This article describes a systematic literature review focused on identifying substantial drawbacks in the current curricula and on the challenges to developing AI-driven curricula. One hundred thirty articles were read in depth and qualitatively analyzed. The results suggest that educational stakeholders should integrate AI into the curriculum with the aim of developing students’ critical thinking and interdisciplinary and real-world problem-solving in alignment with digital and contemporary educational settings. The study also seeks to catalyze the development of future, related impact studies.
Deal or no deal? Understanding entrepreneurs’ criteria and deal breaker in investor selection processes
Authors: Sturm Tobias , Bican Peter M. , Riar Frederik J. , Guderian Carsten C. , Welz Tobias
Published: October 2024

This study provides insights into the criteria applied by entrepreneurs in selecting venture capital investors. Building upon interviews with entrepreneurs, we outline a framework that categorizes the decision-making process into three principal criteria clusters: (1) financial aspects, with a focus on valuation; (2) value-added services; and (3) personal fit attributes. We identify key factors within these categories, such as valuation, network, expertise, reputation, empathy, trust, and the personal connection between investors and entrepreneurs, as pivotal in guiding entrepreneurs” choices for the “right” investor. Our analysis reveals the interrelatedness of these criteria, notably how they align with the valuation aspect. Entrepreneurs exhibit a readiness to accept lower valuations if compensated with enhanced value-added services. Additionally, we uncover novel insights into deal breakers within the financing, decision-making and negotiation processes. Entrepreneurs predominantly halt negotiations due to perceived unfair valuations, inadequate investor expertise, and overly rigorous control measures, including stringent reporting requirements. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurs’ decision-making paradigms during financing scenarios, offering valuable implications for entrepreneurs, venture capital managers, and policymakers and addressing gaps in existing research on the adverse functions of specific selection criteria.
Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: role of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy
Authors: Rollo Eleonora , Gnoni Valentina , Tamburrino Ludovica , Filardi Marco , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: October 2024

Purpose of Review

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a frequent comorbidity in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This narrative review critically examines current evidence on the relationship between OSA and AD, discussing their shared pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, the review focuses on the rationale, effectiveness, and feasibility of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with comorbid OSA and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia due to AD. Finally, this review provides clinicians with a practical approach for the proper diagnosis, and management of OSA in patients with AD either in the context of memory clinics and sleep medicine centers.

Recent Findings

Chronic intermittent hypoxia, glymphatic system failure and sleep disruption are the most important mechanisms connecting OSA to AD pathophysiology. Randomized clinical trials and observational studies show that OSA treatment with CPAP in patients with AD results in improvement of daytime vigilance, mood and executive functions as well as sleep consolidation. Moreover, it has been shown that CPAP has a mild potential effect on cognitive trajectories over time. Interestingly, adherence rates to CPAP treatment are similar to those reported in the general population.

Patients with MCI and AD dementia should be screened for the presence of OSA as part of the routinary clinical evaluation. Given its proven efficacy and feasibility, treatment with CPAP should be offered in patients with comorbid AD and moderate-severe OSA and a proper follow-up should be established to ensure treatment compliance and tolerability.
Posttraumatic growth trajectories among adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic: the role of time-varying stress reactions and systems’ satisfaction
Authors: Taddei Benedetta , De Luca Lisa , Nocentini Annalaura
Published: October 2024

The study aims to examine longitudinal trajectories of Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 190 (54.70% female) early adolescents with a mean age of 11.34 years (SD = 0.82). The influence of the time-invariant predictor - resilience traits - and time-varying covariates - COVID-19 related stress and systems life satisfaction - on the trajectories was further examined. The latent growth curve analysis showed a significant negative slope, suggesting a linear decline in PTG over time. Pre-pandemic time-invariant predictors did not explain inter-individual variability in PTG, whereas time-varying covariates were significantly associated with short-term PTG variations. In particular, adolescents with higher levels of COVID-19-related stress reported significantly higher PTG scores at each time point, with the effect gradually decreasing over the three waves. In parallel, systems life satisfaction was significantly associated with higher PTG. The findings support the idea of PTG as a potential coping strategy in response to stressful situations and highlight the critical role of stress and systems life resources in triggering growth after a stressful life event.
Multidimensional perfectionism and orthorexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pratt Verity B. , Hill Andrew P. , Madigan Daniel J.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

We provide the first systematic review and meta-analysis of research examining multidimensional perfectionism—perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns—and orthorexia.

Methods

The systematic review and meta-analysis was pre-registered and conducted using a search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Education Abstracts, and Oxford Academic, and ScienceDirect up to April 2023. PRISMA guidelines were also followed. Meta-analysis using random-effects models was used to derive independent and unique effects of perfectionism, as well as total unique effects (TUE), and relative weights. Moderation of effects were examined for age, gender, domain, perfectionism and orthorexia instruments, and methodological quality.

Results

Eighteen studies, including 19 samples (n = 7064), met the eligibility criteria with 12 of these studies (with 13 samples; n = 4984) providing sufficient information for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that perfectionistic strivings (r+  = 0.27, 95% CI [0.21, 0.32]) and perfectionistic concerns (r+  = 0.25, 95% CI [0.18, 0.31]) had positive relationships with orthorexia. After controlling for the relationship between perfectionism dimensions, only perfectionistic strivings predicted orthorexia which also contributed marginally more to an overall positive total unique effect of perfectionism (TUE = 0.35; 95% CI [0.28, 0.42]). There was tentative evidence that orthorexia instrument moderated the perfectionistic concerns-orthorexia relationship.

Discussion

Research has generally found that both dimensions of perfectionism are positively related to orthorexia. More high-quality research is needed to examine explanatory mechanisms while also gathering further evidence on differences in findings due to how orthorexia is measured, as well as other possible moderating factors.

Level of evidence

Level 1, systematic review and meta-analysis.
Considering a Unified Model of Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Social Work: A Systematic Review
Authors: Garkisch Michael , Goldkind Lauri
Published: October 2024

Social work, as a human rights–based profession, is globally recognized as a profession committed to enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are marginalized vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. Artificial intelligence (AI), a sub-discipline of computer science, focuses on developing computers with decision-making capacity. The impacts of these two disciplines on each other and the ecosystems that social work is most concerned with have considerable unrealized potential. This systematic review aims to map the research landscape of social work AI scholarship. The authors analyzed the contents of 67 articles and used a qualitative analytic approach to code the literature, exploring how social work researchers investigate AI. We identified themes consistent with Staub-Bernasconi’s triple mandate, covering profession level, social agency (organizations), and clients. The literature has a striking gap or lack of empirical research about AI implementations or using AI strategies as a research method. We present the emergent themes (possibilities and risks) from the analysis as well as recommendations for future social work researchers. We propose an integrated model of Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Social Work (or “Artificial Social Work”), which proposes a marriage of social work practice and artificial intelligence tools. This model is based on our findings and informed by the triple mandate and the human rights framework.
An inductive bias from quantum mechanics: learning order effects with non-commuting measurements
Authors: Gili Kaitlin , Alonso Guillermo , Schuld Maria
Published: October 2024

There are two major approaches to building good machine learning algorithms: feeding lots of data into large models or picking a model class with an “inductive bias” that suits the structure of the data. When taking the second approach as a starting point to design quantum algorithms for machine learning, it is important to understand how mathematical structures in quantum mechanics can lead to useful inductive biases in quantum models. In this work, we bring a collection of theoretical evidence from the quantum cognition literature to the field of quantum machine learning to investigate how non-commutativity of quantum observables can help to learn data with “order effects,” such as the changes in human answering patterns when swapping the order of questions in a survey. We design a multi-task learning setting in which a generative quantum model consisting of sequential learnable measurements can be adapted to a given task — or question order — by changing the order of observables, and we provide artificial datasets inspired by human psychology to carry out our investigation. Our first experimental simulations show that in some cases the quantum model learns more non-commutativity as the amount of order effect present in the data is increased and that the quantum model can learn to generate better samples for unseen question orders when trained on others — both signs that the model architecture suits the task.
An Energy-Efficient Bio-Inspired Mobility-Aware Cluster p-WOA Algorithm for Intelligent Whale Optimization and Fuzzy-Logic-Based Zonal Clustering Algorithm in FANET
Authors: Karpagalakshmi R. C. , Rani D. Leela , Magendiran N. , Manikandan A.
Published: October 2024

The newest research topic is flight ad hoc network (FANET). The primary obstacles faced by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are their limited flight duration and inefficient routes resulting from their great mobility and low battery power. Compared to MANETs or VANETs, FANETS routing is thought to be more difficult because of these topological restrictions. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based clustering techniques can be applied to resolve intricate routing issues in situations when both static and dynamic routing are ineffective. To overcome these path difficulties, clustering techniques based on evolutionary algorithms, including intelligent, probabilistic, bio-inspired whale optimization algorithms (p-WOAs), we suggest fuzzy-logic-based zonal clustering-based routing algorithms in this study to be used in FANET to build clusters. In addition to requiring fewer cluster heads (CHs) for routing, p-WOA offers good coverage and low energy consumption. The stochastic whale optimization technique, which draws inspiration from nature, is utilized in this paper to build networks and deploy nodes. The next step is to choose cluster heads using a region clustering technique based on fuzzy logic. By selecting the right cluster head, you can decrease routing traffic and increase cluster longevity. Routing overhead is also decreased. The data are then sent to the best path using a reference point group mobility model. The proposed p-WOA was used to test fuzzy integral and fuzzy logic ant optimization, fuzzy integral and neural network interference system, fuzzy integral and whale optimization algorithm (ANFIS-WOA), and fuzzy integral and FL-ALO. An array of indicators, such as cluster count, longevity, cluster configuration time, cluster head consistency, and energy usage, are employed to assess the effectiveness of the suggested methodology. The suggested algorithm works better than the most advanced techniques available today, as demonstrated by the experimental findings presented in this paper.
A randomized trial comparing the intraoperative durability of double-gloving with Biogel® surgical gloves to 3 comparators
Authors: Doll Michelle , Namoos Asmaa , Kang Le , Satpathy Jibanananda , Feldman Michael J. , Cassano Anthony , Bohl Jaime , Aboutanos Michel B. , Cameron Brian , Kim Jason , Asbury Celine , Haque Mahdee , Hess Olivia , Ahlbom Henrik , Bearman Gonzalo
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To determine and compare the intraoperative durability of 4 major surgical glove brands.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

This study is a randomized open-label clinical trial in which surgical gloves from 4 manufacturers are randomized to 5 surgical subspecialty study groups: (1) orthopedic surgery, (2) neurosurgery, (3) colorectal surgery, (4) trauma or acute general surgery, and (5) cardiac and plastic surgeries. The study was divided into 10 periods, with a cross-over design, and was conducted at a tertiary care academic medical center. Participants were licensed and certified physicians, physicians-in-training, scrub nurses, or technicians working within the sterile field.

Interventions:

Participants from each study group were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 surgical glove manufacturer types and subsequently rotated through the other 3 glove brands such that each participant acted as their own control in the sequential cross-over design.

Main Outcomes and Measures:

The primary outcome was to determine and compare the intraoperative failure rate of Biogel® Sterile Surgical undergloves against sterile surgical undergloves from 3 other manufacturers, both as a combined competitor group and individually.

Results:

There were no differences between brands with respect to the primary outcome of underglove intraoperative failures. Brand 1 wearers were slightly more likely to detect glove failures when they occurred.

Conclusion:

The durability of surgical gloves intraoperatively is similar across 4 major glove manufacturers. Detection of intraoperative failures is infrequent, though specific glove characteristics may promote enhanced detection. Recognition of glove perforations intraoperatively is important in the maintenance of a maximally sterile field.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03344354.
Rethinking our future: Describing and enhancing the impacts of dissemination and implementation science for cancer prevention and control
Authors: Cuevas Soulette Vianca , Emmons Karen M. , Luke Douglas A. , Allen Peg , Carothers Bobbi J. , Brownson Ross C.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Researchers generally do an excellent job tracking the scientific impacts of their scholarship in ways that are relevant for academia (e.g., publications, grants) but too often neglect to focus on broader impacts on population health and equity. The National Cancer Institute’s Implementation Science Centers in Cancer Control (ISC3) includes 7 P50 Centers that are interested in broad measures of impact. We provide an overview of the approach underway within the ISC3 consortium to identify health and social impacts.

Methods:

ISC3 adapted and applied the Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) to identify the impact on the discipline of D&I science and to consider dissemination and implementation (D&I) impacts in the four original TSBM domains: (1) clinical; (2) community; (3) economic; and (4) policy. To collect data from all Centers, we: (1) co-developed a set of detailed impact indicators with examples; (2) created a data collection template; and (3) summarized the impact data from each center.

Results:

Based on data from 48 ISC3 pilot studies, cores, or consortium activities, we identified 84 distinct benefits. The most common impacts were shown for implementation science (43%), community (28%), and clinical (18%). Frequent audiences included primary care providers, public health practitioners, and community partners. ISC3 members highlighted the need for product feedback, and storytelling assistance to advance impact.

Conclusions:

The ISC3 consortium is using a participatory approach to successfully apply the TSBM, thus seeking to maximize the real-world impacts of D&I science. The D&I field needs to prioritize ways to more fully document and communicate societal impacts.
The transformative journey of community health workers in implementing a lifestyle intervention in Brazil: A qualitative study
Authors: Schwingel Andiara , Selzer Ana , Felix Deanivea Mendes , Chodzko-Zajko Wojtek , Umpierre Daniel , Reichert Felipe , Hallal Pedro
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

Community health workers (CHWs) stand as critical frontline agents within the Brazilian healthcare system. In this qualitative study, we examined the impact of a community-based behavioral change intervention spearheaded by CHWs.

Methods:

The intervention focused on promoting healthy behaviors – physical activity, nutrition, and emotional well-being – among individuals aged 50 and older living in a rural community in Brazil. The intervention was designed, implemented, and evaluated in close collaboration with CHWs and local administrators. The implementation of the intervention unfolded in two waves, each lasting 12 months. Interviews with CHWs, health administrators, and intervention participants conducted at post-intervention and 6-year follow-up centered on CHWs as delivery agents and examined the implementation of the intervention in primary care contexts around adoption, implementation, and long-term maintenance.

Results:

Inductive analysis revealed four themes that highlight CHWs’ motivation to take active roles in health promotion and overcoming challenges such as unfamiliarity with new roles or limited training. In addition, enhanced community bonds, job satisfaction, and trust in CHWs gained through the intervention, empowered CHWs to realize their potential and importance. Another important area relates to the CHWs’ ability to leverage their deep community ties and cultural insights to enhance the intervention’s significance. CHWs’ participation in the program also led to personal benefits and self-care practices, setting an example for the community they serve.

Conclusions:

This study underscores the positive impact of a community-based intervention led by CHWs. Such programs have the potential for nationwide dissemination, leveraging the CHWs’ widespread presence and deep community integration.
Emerging Vulnerabilities and Risks in Therapy Manufacture: Cell and Gene Therapy Production as an Emerging Domain of Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Bicudo Edison , Brass Irina
Published: October 2024

Cell and gene therapies derive from a substantial manipulation of cells or the application of gene editing techniques. They are promising products because they enable therapy personalisation, are potentially helpful for treating rare or resistant diseases, and may become useful in future epidemics. Because of this strategic worth, the infrastructure needed for manufacturing these therapies is turning into a subdomain within the domain of critical infrastructures (CIs), understood as the structures whose operation is key for the integrity and security of a nation. This paper analyses why cell and gene therapy infrastructure can be considered as an emergent CI domain, stressing three aspects: automated manufacturing equipment; software solutions (including the growing adoption of artificial intelligence and cloud technology); and human expertise. These complex manufacturing systems, which are becoming increasingly automated and digitalised, may be surrounded by new risks and vulnerability points, which requires adequate regulatory solutions and governance initiatives. A comprehensive approach is therefore advanced here, where therapy manufacture has medical and technological relevance, but is equally crucial from the viewpoint of nations’ public health and internal stability.
Up and to the Right: The Development, Diffusion, and Impact of the Casey Life Cycle Model on Venture Capital Policy and Practice
Authors: Sauter M.R.
Published: October 2024

This article contributes an account of a key moment in the development of venture capital. I argue the US Small Business Administration’s Task Force on Venture and Equity Capital for Small Business, established in 1976 and headed by William J. Casey, had an outsized impact on the development of modern venture capital and its close associations with the high technology sector. The Task Force’s 1977 report was influential in establishing both the figure of the venture capitalist and the business model of institutionally supported, limited partnership venture capital in the minds of policymakers, businesspeople, and the general public. This article traces the influence of one part of the Report: a prominently featured schematic model, entitled “Life Cycle of a New Enterprise: Model of a Growing and Successful Company, 1975-1976 Financial Market Conditions.” I trace the influence of the LCM as it spread through the developing high technology sector, as shown by its appearances in business publications, governmental reports, and congressional testimonies offered by industry leaders. The LCM was genericized away from its original authors and intentions, becoming part of the economic imaginary of the technology and innovation sector.
Exeporfinium chloride (XF-73) nasal gel significantly reduces Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in cardiac surgery patients throughout surgery and the early recovery period: results from a randomized placebo-controlled Phase 2 study
Authors: Mangino Julie E. , Firstenberg Michael S. , Rhys-Williams William , Lees James P. , Dane Aaron , Love William G. , Gonzalez Moreno Jesus , Martina Yuri , Barker Debra
Published: October 2024

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers were randomized (1:1) to XF-73 or placebo nasal gel, administered 5x over ∼24hrs pre-cardiac surgery. S. aureus burden rapidly decreased after 2 doses (–2.2log10 CFU/mL; placebo –0.01log10 CFU/mL) and was maintained to 6 days post-surgery. Among XF-73 patients, 46.5% received post-operative anti-staphylococcal antibiotics versus 70% in placebo (P = 0.045).
Antibiotic spectrum coverage scoring as a potential metric for evaluating the antimicrobial stewardship team activity: a single-center study
Authors: Oda Kazutaka , Hayashi Hideyuki , Yamamoto Keiichi , Kondo Shoji , Katanoda Tomomi , Okamoto Shinichiro , Miyakawa Toshikazu , Iwanaga Eisaku , Nosaka Kisato , Kawaguchi Tatsuya , Nakata Hirotomo
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Days of antibiotic spectrum coverage (days of ASC: DASC) is a metric for antibiotic usage calculated by ASC scores for spectrum and addresses limitations of days of therapy (DOT), which does not include spectrum. This study aims to investigate whether ASC-related metrics offer different aspects compared to aggregated DOT for all antibiotics (DOTtotal) and to assess their correlation in evaluating the impact of antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) programs.

Design:

Retrospective.

Setting:

A single center within an 845-bed hospital.

Methods:

Trends in DOTtotal, DASC, and the DASC/DOT ratio, representing the average spectrum coverage per therapy day, were analyzed pre- and post-AST programs (April 2018) from January 2015 to December 2023, using interrupted time series analysis. Independent of the DASC/DOT, we also advocated ASC-stratified DOT (ASDOT), which facilitates comprehensive evaluation of DOT across ASC scores of <6, 6–10, and >10, representing narrow-, intermediate-, and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Results:

Among inpatients, AST programs significantly moderated the increasing trends of these metrics. Specifically, although the rates of increase in DOTtotal and DASC were slowed or plateaued, the DASC/DOT ratio decreased (P < 0.001). ASDOT metrics revealed a decrease and subsequent plateau in DOTtotal for the broad- and intermediate-spectrum antibiotics, with an increase observed for the narrow-spectrum antibiotics (P < 0.001 for each). DASC did not provide additional insights in the outpatient’s population.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrates that ASC-related metrics may yield different and useful conclusions about the effectiveness of AST programs for inpatients.
A sufficient condition for inviscid shear instability: hurdle theorem and its application to alternating jets
Authors: Deguchi K. , Hirota M. , Dowling T.
Published: October 2024

We propose a simple method to identify unstable parameter regions in general inviscid unidirectional shear flow stability problems. The theory is applicable to a wide range of basic flows, including those that are non-monotonic. We illustrate the method using a model of Jupiter's alternating jet streams based on the quasi-geostrophic equation. The main result is that the flow is unstable if there is an interval in the flow domain for which the reciprocal Rossby Mach number (a quantity defined in terms of the zonal flow and potential vorticity distribution), surpasses a certain threshold or ‘hurdle’. The hurdle height approaches unity when we can take the hurdle width to greatly exceed the atmosphere's intrinsic deformation length, as holds on gas giants. In this case, the Kelvin–Arnol’d sufficient condition of stability accurately detects instability. These results improve the theoretical framework for explaining the stable maintenance of Jupiter and Saturn's jets over decadal time scales.
Net flow of charge-asymmetric electrolytes through uncharged channels and over uncharged spheres due to direct-current electroosmosis
Authors: Pandey Doyel , Bhattacharyya Somnath , Hardt Steffen
Published: October 2024

The electroosmotic flow (EOF) fields in the vicinity of solids with high dielectric permittivity are studied for the case of charge-asymmetric electrolyte solutions. Corresponding solutions of the coupled Poisson–Nernst–Planck and Navier–Stokes equations are obtained analytically and numerically. When a direct-current (DC) electric field is applied to a high-permittivity uncharged sphere, a net EOF develops that translates into a non-zero electrophoretic mobility of the sphere, although it does not carry any charge. Similarly, a DC field acting on a channel in a high-permittivity material results in a net flow through the channel, although the solid is uncharged. Such phenomena are expected to occur frequently whenever high-permittivity solids are immersed in charge-asymmetric electrolyte solutions and do not rely on special scenarios such as ion crowding. Also, the net flow velocities are very significant for realistic values of the electric field strength. The derived scaling relationships even predict giant net flow velocities through nanochannels of the order of metres per second for practically relevant scenarios.
A cross-sectional study on online food delivery applications (OFDAs) in the United Arab Emirates: use and perceptions of healthy food availability among university students
Authors: Cheikh Ismail Leila , Osaili Tareq M. , Shanan Bayan , Rashwan Dana , Merie Hulya , Rishan Leen , Al Shamma Salam , AlRamahi Zaina , Saleh Sheima T. , Mohamad Maysm N. , Taybeh Asma’ O. , Al Daour Rameez , Taha Sadi , Stojanovska Lily , Al-Jawaldeh Ayoub , Al Dhahei Ayesha S.
Published: October 2024

Online food delivery applications (OFDAs) have seen a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 Pandemic, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to assess the use of OFDAs and the perception of food healthiness and safety among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in the UAE via snowball sampling (n = 1096). Sociodemographic characteristics, OFDAs usage, and perceptions toward food healthiness and safety were investigated. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association between categorical variables and healthy food choices. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests were used to determine differences between different groups and perception statements. Over half (52%) of the students were frequent users of OFDAs with fast food being the most popular choice (88.4%). Older participants, those living in the university dorms, and those with higher allowances used the OFDAs more frequently (P < 0.05). Price (78.0%) and food appearance (65.7%) had the highest impact on food selection. Most subjects (69.3%) reported looking for healthy food but were worried about affordability (43.1%) and taste (27.1%). Most participants (57.8%) agreed that OFDAs increased their appetite and food intake. Participants believed that having a hygiene rating system in OFDAs would give them the chance to make informed decisions (82.3%). Unhealthy food options were popular among university students. The study highlights the need to provide more affordable and appealing healthy food options and suggests that improved nutrition information and hygiene standards could help to promote healthy food choices among university students.