bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do end‐of‐life outcomes differ by assisted living memory‐care designation?
Authors: Wang Xiao(Joyce) , Cornell Portia Y. , Belanger Emmanuelle , Thomas Kali S.
Published: April 2024

Background

Residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) is an increasingly common place of end‐of‐life care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD), who have unique care needs as their health declines. Approximately 22% of RC/ALs provide specialized memory care (memory‐care RC/AL). Understanding how end‐of‐life outcomes differ by memory care among residents with ADRD could facilitate aging/dying in place for this population. The objective of this paper is to examine if end‐of‐life outcomes (i.e., mortality, hospice use, and number of days receiving hospice in the last month of life) differ between residents with ADRD who moved to memory‐care RC/AL, compared with residents with ADRD who moved to RC/AL without memory care (general RC/AL).

Methods

Prospective cohort of 15,152 fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD who moved to large RC/AL (> = 25 beds) between 2016 and 2018. We used inverse probability treatment weighting to account for observable differences between memory‐care and general RC/AL residents. Two‐part models estimated the difference by memory care in the number of days receiving hospice care in the last months of life among RC/AL decedents.

Results

The unadjusted mortality rates were 13.4% in general RC/AL and 15.8% in memory‐care RC/AL with an adjusted difference of 1.3 percentage points higher mortality among memory‐care RC/AL residents (p = 0.04). Hospice use was 8% and 10.6% among general and memory‐care RC/AL residents, respectively, with an adjusted difference of 1.4 percentage points (p = 0.01) higher in memory care. Two‐part models showed that decedents in memory‐care RC/AL spent about 1.4 more days receiving hospice care in the last month of life (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

We find a higher mortality rate and higher rate of hospice use among memory‐care RC/AL residents. These findings suggest that memory care may attract residents closer to the end of life and/or promote hospice use at the end of life.
The Couples' Closeness–Distance Scale– Observation through joint‐drawing: A pilot dyadic validation study
Authors: Egozi Sharon , Shalev Or , Svorai Lotem , Touch Ruth , Snir Sharon
Published: April 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the Couples' Closeness–Distance Scale (CCDS), an observational assessment reflecting couples' relational dynamics; based on joint‐drawing, it offers measurable dimensions. Forty cohabiting Israeli couples participated in the joint‐drawing task and answered self‐report questionnaires for attachment, differentiation of self, and relationship satisfaction. The paintings were assessed by trained observers on the CCDS scales (too distant, too close, autonomy, engagement) for both the women's and men's experiences. A two‐level‐dyadic model showed that differentiation and relationship satisfaction predicted the CCDS and revealed a “pursue–withdraw cycle”: Women sensed the men as too distant, while men sensed the women as too close. Participants' sense of discomfort from their partners' distance related to less autonomy and engagement during the painting, with a greater effect on the women. The pilot implies that the CCDS enables observing dyadic‐systemic aspects of couple dynamics and may enrich clinical evaluation.
Validation of the intersession alliance measure: Individual, couple, and family versions
Authors: Anderson Shayne R. , Johnson Lee N. , Witting Alyssa Banford , Miller Richard B. , Bradford Angela B. , Hunt Quintin A. , Bean Roy A.
Published: April 2024

Monitoring the therapeutic alliance throughout treatment can improve client outcomes and lead to improved care. The individual, couple, and family versions of the intersession alliance measure (IAM) were developed to facilitate routine monitoring of the expanded therapeutic alliance. Psychometric properties of the three versions of the IAM were examined using a clinical sample. Participants were drawn from clinics in the United States participating in the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network. Using this sample, results indicate that items on each version of the IAM load on one factor, are invariant across sex, and that each version has good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity. The IAM‐C and IAM‐F also have good predictive validity, while the IAM‐I has more limited evidence for its predictive validity. These results suggest that the IAMs are valid and reliable measures that can facilitate the routine monitoring of the expanded therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy.
Spiritual care for clients with mental illness from an Islamic background: Nursing students' perspectives
Authors: Alyahya Norah M. , Alanazi Shahad
Published: April 2024

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Spirituality is an important aspect for clients with mental illness.

Spirituality is essential to holistic care in mental health nursing.

Nurses found an apparent disconnection between the theory and practice of spiritual care.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

Nurses acknowledged that attitudes that allocate blame towards clients with mental illness have the most negative impact on clients' spiritual wellbeing.

The conflicting worldviews between spiritual healing and a biomedical approach impact the provision of care as relationships among the mental health team are disrupted.

The non‐assessment of the client's spirituality hindered nurses from providing spiritual care.

Language differences between nurses and clients impede nurses from providing spiritual care.

What are the implications for practice?

The use of spiritual therapy as an element of nursing care works if clients and nurses are both aware of the importance of spirituality.

Nursing staff must also be aware of several issues that may make it difficult for nurses to provide such therapy, including specific symptoms of mental illness.

Nurses can apply spiritual care effectively when they have significant spirituality.

Nurses with good competency in mental health nursing skills are more likely to provide efficient spiritual care as part of holistic care.

Introduction

Spiritual care is essential to clients with mental illness.

Aim

To explore mental health nursing students' perspectives on spirituality and spiritual care and how this impacts clients with mental illness in an Islamic context (Saudi Arabia).

Method

Thematic analysis is used to analyse data from two focus groups of mental health nursing students (one comprising eight, the other six).

Results

Six themes emerged: factors affecting spirituality in mental illness, the impact of mental illness on spirituality, the use of spiritual healing in mental illness, nurses' use of spiritual healing; challenges in providing spiritual care and recommendations for improving spiritual care.

Discussion

Clients being blamed for having mental illness by health professionals and the community harmed their spirituality. The religious support of peers was a practical approach to spiritual therapy, asserted as a beneficial element of nursing care. However, nurses found providing such therapy challenging because of the language barrier and the lack of any assessment of clients' spirituality. It was also challenging when dealing with specific symptoms of mental illness.

Implications for practice

The study asserts that spiritual therapy in nursing care will work if the client knows its importance. Nurses who have significant spirituality can apply it effectively.
Analysis of changes and correlation in condyle‐fossa relationship after maxillary skeletal expansion
Authors: Qi Yezi , Ding Lingmin , Xue LeiLei , Xu SiYi , Lin Jun
Published: April 2024

Objective

To investigate the changes in condyle‐glenoid fossa relationship after maxillary skeletal expansion (MSE) and to verify the correlation between the condyle positional changes and expansion effect.

Methods

In this study, 20 patients (mean age 21.1 ± 5.7 years, 8 male, 12 female) with maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD) were treated with the MSE appliance, which contained molar bands and a expander with four micro‐implants. The CBCT images were taken before expansion (T0), after expansion (T1) and after 6 months of maintenance (T2). The posterior TMJ space (PS), superior TMJ space (SS), anterior TMJ space, coronal lateral TMJ space (CLS), coronal medial TMJ space (CMS), condyle axis angle, maxillary basal bone width (BWM), inter‐molars width, nasal bone width, molar inclination and molar palatal cusp height (U6H) were measured using Dolphin Imaging.

Results

At T1, compared with T0, the PS and SS significantly increased by 0.41 mm (P = .008) and 0.3 mm (P = .007). But only the SS significantly increased by 0.21 mm (P = .025) at T2. There was a significant difference of 0.37 mm (left–right, P = .014) between the left and right SS at T0, but no significant difference at T1 and T2. The increased BMW showed weak positive correlations with the change of PS (P = .015) and CMS (P = .031), and the decreased U6H showed weak negative correlations with the change of PS (P = .015) and CLS (P = .031) at T1.

Conclusions

The use of MSE led to an increase in the SS and PS, which were weakly correlated with BWM and U6H. But this effect in the TMJ space gradually diminished after 6 months of maintenance, and the symmetry of the condyle‐fossa relationship was preserved.
Differentiation of submandibular sialadenitis based on apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Muraoka Hirotaka , Kaneda Takashi , Kondo Takumi , Hirahara Naohisa , Kohinata Yuta , Tokunaga Satoshi
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to quantify the submandibular gland in suppurative sialadenitis, primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and radiation‐induced sialadenitis using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for differential diagnosis.

Subjects and Methods

This retrospective study included 16 patients with suppurative sialadenitis (n = 9), pSS (n = 3) and radiation‐induced sialadenitis (n = 4) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging between June 2006 and May 2022. The ADC of the submandibular glands in each state was calculated, and the differences were analysed using a one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the ability of the ADC to distinguish each condition. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The mean ADC value (×10−3 mm2/s) ± standard deviation in the control (non‐affected side of the suppurative sialadenitis group), suppurative sialadenitis, pSS and radiation‐induced groups were 0.94 ± 0.16, 1.24 ± 0.16, 1.33 ± 0.13 and 1.5 ± 0.12, respectively (p < 0.001). The diagnostic value for distinguishing each group was ≥0.75.

Conclusion

ADC values are useful for quantitatively assessing and distinguishing submandibular glands in suppurative sialadenitis, primary Sjögren's syndrome and radiation‐induced sialadenitis.
Does political ideology still matter? A meta‐analysis of government contracting decisions
Authors: Chen Yiying , Lu Jiahuan
Published: April 2024

In the field of government contracting research, whether and to what extent political ideology drives government contracting has been a subject of ongoing debate for decades. This study conducts a comprehensive meta‐analysis, incorporating 418 effect sizes drawn from 68 previous studies spanning over three decades. The findings indicate that right‐wing political ideology generally yields a significant, positive effect on driving contracting out. Moreover, meta‐regression analysis suggests that this ideological effect is stronger in government contracting for social services and in non‐Anglo‐American administrative traditions. The results emphasize the enduring relevance of political ideology in government contracting decisions, even though its impact may vary slightly in magnitude and circumstances.
Towards sustainable water disinfection with peracetic acid in aquaculture: A review
Authors: Liu Dibo , Straus David L. , Pedersen Lars‐Flemming , Good Christopher , Lazado Carlo C. , Meinelt Thomas
Published: April 2024

Peracetic acid (PAA) has a long history as an efficacious and eco‐friendly disinfectant. It was first synthesised in 1902, and since then a wide range of applications has been developed in various industries. Aquaculture is a more recent industry wherein the potential of PAA is significant. As the global demand for sustainable development increases, there has likewise been growing interest in using PAA in aquaculture as an alternative to less environmentally friendly practices. PAA has no carcinogenic risk to humans (unlike formalin), has negligible harmful by‐products (unlike chlorine‐based disinfectants) and with appropriate precautions, the risks of causing severe human health damage is easier to control than ozone. Fish show strong physiological recovery and adaptation to PAA, whereas susceptible life stages of pathogens are highly vulnerable, enabling a safe and efficacious disinfection of the entire culture water and not the flow‐restricted disinfection by such processes as ultraviolet radiation or ozone. The effective concentration of PAA against many fish pathogens is usually below 2 mg L−1, which is tolerable for most fish, and it has very low environmental risk due to rapid degradation. However, such degradation and the hydrodynamics in production‐scale aquaculture systems complicate the practical use of PAA. In this review, we summarise key results of safe concentrations of PAA and its effectiveness specifically for fish farmers. We also outline major difficulties and possible solutions for practical uses of PAA. We intend to bring global attention to this compound and inspire future possibilities for its sustainable use as a water disinfectant in aquaculture.
Comprehensive Review on Technical Developments of Methanol-Fuel-Based Spark Ignition Engines to Improve the Performance, Combustion, and Emissions
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Shahid , Baig Abdullah , Wei Yanju , Liu He
Published: April 2024

Methanol (CH3OH) is emerging as a viable alternative to fossil-based fuels, addressing the increasing global energy demand while promoting sustainability. The spark ignition (SI) engines are widely used to run the automobile sector. Methanol as a widely available and cheap source of energy can be strongly replaced with expensive and limited fossil-based fuels to power the SI engines. The prime objective of this study is to evaluate the advancements made in improving the fuel blends, performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of methanol-fueled SI engines. The investigation commences by examining the various technical improvements implemented in methanol-fueled SI engines to optimize their overall performance. These developments include advancements in fuel blends, engine design, combustion strategies, fuel injection systems, ignition systems, engine load, etc. The impacts of these developments on the performance parameters including brake thermal efficiency, power output, torque, fuel efficiency, thermal efficiency, etc., combustion parameters including ignition delay, combustion duration, heat release rate, in-cylinder pressure and temperature, etc., emission parameters including hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, formaldehyde, unburned methanol, etc., is reviewed comprehensively. The effectiveness of emission control techniques and the potential for meeting stringent environmental regulations are explored. The review paper then considers the wider implications of methanol-fueled SI engines by examining their technical, environmental, economic, and renewable applications. The technical aspects cover the compatibility of methanol-fueled SI engines with existing infrastructure and the associated challenges and opportunities. The environmental considerations delve into the potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the overall sustainability of methanol as a renewable fuel. Finally, the research direction of methanol SI engines is discussed, highlighting the emerging trends and prospects in this field. The review paper concludes with recommendations for further research and development, addressing the key areas that require attention to unlock the full potential of methanol as an efficient and sustainable fuel for SI engines.
Robust speed estimation for a moving harmonic acoustic source with a single stationary sensor
Authors: Yang Yixin , Liang Ningning , Zhou Jianbo
Published: April 2024

A noise-insensitive cost function was developed for estimating the speed of harmonic acoustic sources in uniform linear motion. This function weighs and integrates the energy distribution of received tones in the time-frequency plane to enhance the robustness of parameter estimation under low signal-to-noise ratio conditions, where weight values are intentionally combined with the law of observed instantaneous frequency. As the cost function is differentiable, the procedure of parameter estimations also has high computing efficiency. Processing data of SWellEx-96 experiments with real ocean noise confirmed the anti-noise capabilities of this cost function to conventional processing methods.
CSF biomarkers of immune activation and Alzheimer’s disease for predicting cognitive impairment risk in the elderly
Authors: Shue Francis , White Launia J. , Hendrix Rachel , Ulrich Jason , Henson Rachel L. , Knight William , Martens Yuka A. , Wang Ni , Roy Bhaskar , Starling Skylar C. , Ren Yingxue , Xiong Chengjie , Asmann Yan W. , Syrjanen Jeremy A. , Vassilaki Maria , Mielke Michelle M. , Timsina Jigyasha , Sung Yun Ju , Cruchaga Carlos , Holtzman David M. , Bu Guojun , Petersen Ronald C. , Heckman Michael G. , Kanekiyo Takahisa
Published: April 2024

The immune system substantially influences age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression, affected by genetic and environmental factors. In a Mayo Clinic Study of Aging cohort, we examined how risk factors like APOE genotype, age, and sex affect inflammatory molecules and AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Among cognitively unimpaired individuals over 65 (
N
= 298), we measured 365 CSF inflammatory molecules, finding age, sex, and diabetes status predominantly influencing their levels. We observed age-related correlations with AD biomarkers such as total tau, phosphorylated tau-181, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and YKL40. APOE4 was associated with lower Aβ42 and higher SNAP25 in CSF. We explored baseline variables predicting cognitive decline risk, finding age, CSF Aβ42, NfL, and REG4 to be independently correlated. Subjects with older age, lower Aβ42, higher NfL, and higher REG4 at baseline had increased cognitive impairment risk during follow-up. This suggests that assessing CSF inflammatory molecules and AD biomarkers could predict cognitive impairment risk in the elderly.
Magnetic resonance insights into the heterogeneous, fractal-like kinetics of chemically recyclable polymers
Authors: Fricke Sophia N. , Haber Shira , Hua Mutian , Salgado Mia , Helms Brett A. , Reimer Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2024

Moving toward a circular plastics economy is a vital aspect of global resource management. Chemical recycling of plastics ensures that high-value monomers can be recovered from depolymerized plastic waste, thus enabling circular manufacturing. However, to increase chemical recycling throughput in materials recovery facilities, the present understanding of polymer transport, diffusion, swelling, and heterogeneous deconstruction kinetics must be systematized to allow industrial-scale process design, spanning molecular to macroscopic regimes. To develop a framework for designing depolymerization processes, we examined acidolysis of circular polydiketoenamine elastomers. We used magnetic resonance to monitor spatially resolved observables in situ and then evaluated these data with a fractal method that treats nonlinear depolymerization kinetics. This approach delineated the roles played by network architecture and reaction medium on depolymerization outcomes, yielding parameters that facilitate comparisons between bulk processes. These streamlined methods to investigate polymer hydrolysis kinetics portend a general strategy for implementing chemical recycling on an industrial scale.
Potential pre-industrial–like new particle formation induced by pure biogenic organic vapors in Finnish peatland
Authors: Huang Wei , Junninen Heikki , Garmash Olga , Lehtipalo Katrianne , Stolzenburg Dominik , Lampilahti Janne L. P. , Ezhova Ekaterina , Schallhart Simon , Rantala Pekka , Aliaga Diego , Ahonen Lauri , Sulo Juha , Quéléver Lauriane L. J. , Cai Runlong , Alekseychik Pavel , Mazon Stephany B. , Yao Lei , Blichner Sara M. , Zha Qiaozhi , Mammarella Ivan , Kirkby Jasper , Kerminen Veli-Matti , Worsnop Douglas R. , Kulmala Markku , Bianchi Federico
Published: April 2024

Pure biogenic new particle formation (NPF) induced by highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) could be an important mechanism for pre-industrial aerosol formation. However, it has not been unambiguously confirmed in the ambient due to the scarcity of truly pristine continental locations in the present-day atmosphere or the lack of chemical characterization of NPF precursors. Here, we report ambient observations of pure biogenic HOM-driven NPF over a peatland in southern Finland. Meteorological decoupling processes formed an “air pocket” (i.e., a very shallow surface layer) at night and favored NPF initiated entirely by biogenic HOM from this peatland, whose atmospheric environment closely resembles that of the pre-industrial era. Our study sheds light on pre-industrial aerosol formation, which represents the baseline for estimating the impact of present and future aerosol on climate, as well as on future NPF, the features of which may revert toward pre-industrial–like conditions due to air pollution mitigation.
Characterization of
Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus
complex isolates and microbiological outcome for patients treated with sulbactam-durlobactam in a phase 3 trial (ATTACK)
Authors: Miller Alita A. , Moussa Samir H. , McLeod Sarah M.
Published: April 2024

Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticu
s complex (ABC) causes severe, difficult-to-treat infections that are frequently antibiotic resistant. Sulbactam-durlobactam (SUL-DUR) is a targeted β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic designed to treat ABC infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant strains. In a global, pathogen-specific, randomized, controlled phase 3 trial (ATTACK), the efficacy and safety of SUL-DUR were compared to colistin, both dosed with imipenem-cilastatin as background therapy, in patients with serious infections caused by carbapenem-resistant ABC. Results from ATTACK showed that SUL-DUR met the criteria for non-inferiority to colistin for the primary efficacy endpoint of 28-day all-cause mortality with improved clinical and microbiological outcomes compared to colistin. This report describes the characterization of the baseline ABC isolates from patients enrolled in ATTACK, including an analysis of the correlation of microbiological outcomes with SUL-DUR MIC values and the molecular drivers of SUL-DUR resistance.
Unlocking the distinctive enzymatic functions of the early plant biomass deconstructive genes in a brown rot fungus by cell-free protein expression
Authors: Castaño Jesus D. , El Khoury Irina V. , Goering Joshua , Evans James E. , Zhang Jiwei
Published: April 2024

Saprotrophic fungi that cause brown rot of woody biomass evolved a distinctive mechanism that relies on reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kick-start lignocellulosic polymers’ deconstruction. These ROS agents are generated at incipient decay stages through a series of redox relays that shuttle electrons from fungus’s central metabolism to extracellular Fenton chemistry. A list of genes has been suggested encoding the enzyme catalysts of the redox processes involved in ROS’s function. However, navigating the functions of the encoded enzymes has been challenging due to the lack of a rapid method for protein synthesis. Here, we employed cell-free expression system to synthesize four redox or degradative enzymes, which were identified, by transcriptomic data, as conserved players of the ROS oxidation phase across brown rot fungal species. All four enzymes were successfully expressed and showed activities that enable confident assignment of function, namely, benzoquinone reductase (BQR), ferric reductase, α-L-arabinofuranosidase (ABF), and heme-thiolate peroxidase (HTP). Detailed analysis of their catalytic features within the context of brown rot environments allowed us to interpret their roles during ROS-driven wood decomposition. Specifically, we validated the functions of BQR as the driver redox enzyme of Fenton cycles and reconstructed its interactions with the co-occurring HTP or laccase and ABF. Taken together, this research demonstrated that the cell-free expression platform is adequate for synthesizing functional fungal enzymes and provided an alternative route for the rapid characterization of fungal proteins, escalating our understanding of the distinctive biocatalyst system for plant biomass conversion.

IMPORTANCE

Brown rot fungi are efficient wood decomposers in nature, and their unique degradative systems harbor untapped catalysts pursued by the biorefinery and bioremediation industries. While the use of “omics” platforms has recently uncovered the key “oxidative-hydrolytic” mechanisms that allow these fungi to attack lignocellulose, individual protein characterization is lagging behind due to the lack of a robust method for rapid synthesis of crucial fungal enzymes. This work delves into the studies of biochemical functions of brown rot enzymes using a rapid, cell-free expression platform, which allowed the successful depictions of enzymes’ catalytic features, their interactions with Fenton chemistry, and their roles played during the incipient stage of brown rot when fungus sets off the reactive oxygen species for oxidative degradation. We expect this research could illuminate cell-free protein expression system’s use to fulfill the increasing need for functional studies of fungal enzymes, advancing the discoveries of novel biomass-converting catalysts.
Fragile science
Authors: Casadevall Arturo , Fang Ferric C.
Published: April 2024

Science currently faces major external and internal threats. External threats include persistent anti-science attacks, the post-pandemic politicization of public health, and chronic underfunding. Internal threats include a proliferation of low-quality studies, an epidemic of retractions, and questions regarding the reproducibility of important research findings. These threats occur just as humanity faces an unprecedented onslaught of existential challenges including climate change, a failing green revolution, pandemics, and severe environmental degradation of the planet, each of which will require scientific solutions. History shows that science is fragile and vulnerable to theocratic, ideological, and authoritarian forces. In this moment of crisis, it is important for all scientists to become foot soldiers in the defense of science.
Fingerprinting the geochemical signals of episodic arc activity in the Sierra Nevada batholith in space and time
Authors: Ardill Katie , Attia Snir , Memeti Valbone , Paterson Scott R.
Published: April 2024

Although subduction is a continuous process, arc system behavior is non-steady-state, leading to uncertainty surrounding the composite spatial and temporal evolution of transcrustal arc magma plumbing systems. This study integrates field, geochronologic, and geochemical data sets from the central Sierra Nevada arc section to investigate the extent to which spatial inheritance is recorded in arc geochemical compositions, and how these signals may be modified by dynamic arc behaviors through time, from arc-wide flare-ups, migration, and crustal thickening to regional magma focusing. Geochemical patterns across Mesozoic arc rocks characterize persistent spatial signals of inheritance, whereas geochemical trends during Cretaceous arc activity provide the temporal component of simultaneous dynamic processes. Distinct bulk-rock isotopic signals define each of the three Mesozoic magmatic flare-ups, which, during Cretaceous arc magmatism, is coupled with eastward arc migration. Additionally, Cretaceous magmatic and tectonic thickening doubled the thickness of arc crust, and magmatism was focused toward a central zone, culminating in the formation of the ~1100 km2 Tuolumne Intrusive Complex. During magma focusing, temporal signals of magma mixing outweighed the previously pervasive signal of spatial inheritance. Distinct dynamic behaviors effectively primed the arc by the Late Cretaceous, generating transcrustal hot zones of increased magma mixing, recycling, long-term storage, and homogenization. Non-steady-state behavior in the Sierra Nevada resulted in mountain building and voluminous continental crust formation by transforming the physical, thermal, and chemical properties of the lithosphere over tens of millions of years.
Atypical presentation of Lemierre’s syndrome caused by penicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureusin a patient with chronic stomatitis and COVID-19
Authors: Burgdorf Emma , Jensen Janni , Grimm Peter , von Huth Sebastian
Published: April 2024

A healthy man in his late 20s was admitted to the emergency department due to a flare-up in his severe chronic stomatitis, along with flu-like symptoms. CXR showed multiple bilateral consolidations and subsequent CT revealed thrombosis of the left facial and internal jugular vein, together with septic embolism in both lungs. Blood cultures showed penicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus. The patient was diagnosed with Lemierre’s syndrome, despite atypical bacteria and clinical presentation. During hospitalisation, he developed pulmonary empyema as a complication and was admitted for 4 weeks. During hospitalisation and after discharge, the patient was examined for multiple rheumatic, immunological and dermatological diseases, but no underlying cause for Lemierre’s syndrome has been found. We present this case due to the rarity of its nature, with atypical clinical presentation and pathogen for Lemierre’s syndrome, but with classic radiological findings.
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV, malaria and tuberculosis indicators in Togo: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Konu Yao Rodion , Dogo Fall , Dagnra Claver Anoumou , Atcha-Oubou Tinah , Gbeasor-Komlanvi Fifonsi Adjidossi , Afanvi Kossivi Agbelenko , Diallo Fatoumata Binta Tidiane , Teouri Mahmoud , Mijiyawa Moustafa , Ekouevi Didier Koumavi
Published: April 2024

Background

Limited data are available on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related indicators in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on nine indicators of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) in Togo.

Methods

For this interrupted time series analysis, national health information system data from January 2019 to December 2021 and TB programmatic data from the first quarter of 2018 to the fourth quarter of 2022 were analysed. Nine indicators were included. We used Poisson segmented regression to estimate the immediate impact of the pandemic and per-pandemic period trends through incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs.

Results

Overall, there was a decrease in six of the nine indicators, ranging from 19.3% (IRR 0.807, 95% CI 0.682 to 0.955, p=0.024) for the hospitalisation of patients for malaria to 36.9% (IRR 0.631, 95% CI 0.457 to 0.871, p=0.013) for TB diagnosis byMycobacterium tuberculosisXpert immediately after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. A comparison of the observed and predicted trends showed that the trend remained constant between the prepandemic and pandemic periods of COVID-19 for all malaria indicators. A significant downward monthly trend was observed in antiretroviral therapy initiation (IRR 0.909, 95% CI 0.892 to 0.926, p<0.001) and positive TB microscopy (IRR 0.919, 95% CI 0.880 to 0.960, p=0.002).

Conclusion

HIV, malaria and TB services were generally maintained over time in Togo despite the COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the decline in levels immediately after the onset of the pandemic, there is an urgent need to improve the preparedness of the healthcare system.
Enhancing capability for continuous organisational improvement and learning in healthcare organisations: a systematic review of the literature 2013–2022
Authors: Löfqvist Ninni
Published: April 2024

Background

Healthcare organisations strive to meet their current and future challenges and need to increase their capacity for continuous organisational improvement and learning (COIL). A key aspect of this capacity is the development of COIL capability among employees.

Objective

This systematic review aims to explore common attributes of interventions that contribute to the development of COIL capability in healthcare organisations and to explore possible facilitating and hindering factors.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, MEDLINE and Business Source Complete for primary research studies in English or Swedish, in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on organisational improvements and learning in healthcare organisations. Studies were included if they were published between 2013 and 23 November 2022, reported outcomes on COIL capability, included organisations or groups, and were conducted in high-income countries. The included articles were analysed to identify themes related to successful interventions and factors influencing COIL capability.

Results

Thirty-six articles were included, with two studies reporting unsuccessful attempts at increasing COIL capability. The studies were conducted in nine different countries, encompassing diverse units, with the timeframes varying from 15 weeks to 8 years, and they employed quantitative (n=10), qualitative (n=11) and mixed methods (n=15). Analysis of the included articles identified four themes for both attributes of interventions and the factors that facilitated or hindered successful interventions: (1) engaged managers with a strategic approach, (2) external training and guidance to develop internal knowledge, skills and confidence, (3) process and structure to achieve improvements and learning and (4) individuals and teams with autonomy, accountability, and safety.

Conclusion

This review provides insights into the intervention attributes that are associated with increasing COIL capability in healthcare organisations as well as factors that can have hindering or facilitating effects. Strategic management, external support, structured processes and empowered teams emerged as key elements for enhancing COIL capability.
Reporting interhospital neonatal intensive care transport: international five-step Delphi-based template
Authors: Bekkevold Marit , Solvik-Olsen Tone , Heyerdahl Fridtjof , Lang Astri Maria , Hagemo Jostein , Rehn Marius
Published: April 2024

Objective

To develop a general and internationally applicable template of data variables for reporting interhospital neonatal intensive care transports.

Design

A five-step Delphi method.

Setting

A group of experts was guided through a formal consensus process using email.

Subjects

12 experts in neonatal intensive care transports from Canada, Denmark, Norway, the UK and the USA. Four women and eight men. The experts were neonatologists, anaesthesiologists, intensive care nurse, anaesthetic nurse, medical leaders, researchers and a parent representative.

Main outcome measures

37 data variables were included in the final template.

Results

Consensus was achieved on a template of 37 data variables with definitions. 30 variables to be registered for each transport and 7 for annual registration of the system of the transport service. 11 data variables under the category structure, 20 under process and 6 under outcome.

Conclusions

We developed a template with a set of data variables to be registered for neonatal intensive care transports. To register the same data will enable larger datasets and comparing services.
Comparing hospital leadership and front-line workers’ perceptions of patient safety culture: an unbalanced panel study
Authors: Forbes Jayson , Arrieta Alejandro
Published: April 2024

Background/aim

This article examines the relationships between workers’ hospital leadership status, hospital front-line status and patient safety culture in hospitals throughout the USA. By identifying possible disparities in perception, targeted interventions can aim at decreasing differences between the two groups to increase the quality of healthcare.

Method

Data from 1 739 083 individuals, spreading across 1810 hospitals between 2008 and 2017 were collected. 115 228 (6.63%) self-identified as leaders, and 772 505 (44.42%) self-identified as front-line workers. The participants also filled in information describing their demographics in reference to the hospital, such as how long they have worked at the facility, their working unit and their occupation.

Results

Results showed that leaders responded more positively to items that are directly related to management, such as ‘my supervisor/manager says a good word when he/she sees a job done according to established patient safety procedures’ (0.33, p<0.01), where 0.33 signifies that leaders had an average response more positive by 0.33 compared with all other occupations on a Likert scale of 1–5. Based on multiple F-tests, all items have shown a statistical significance between leadership and front-line groups.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a compelling link between leadership roles and patient safety culture in hospitals, as well as between front-line worker status and patient safety culture. Moreover, a pronounced divergence in viewpoints regarding patient safety culture exists between hospital leaders and front-line staff. An in-depth investigation is necessary to comprehend the ramifications of these outcomes.
Effect of pressure on the structural properties of tantalum carbide
Authors: Xiong Lun , Li Bin , Hu Yongqing
Published: April 2024

In this study, tantalum carbide (TaC) samples were placed in a diamond anvil cell to study the equation of state at room temperature and high pressure using synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction. By fitting the data at ambient pressure and up to the highest pressure of 38.5[Formula: see text]GPa, we obtained the bulk modulus and first derivative of TaC as [Formula: see text] (6.8) GPa and [Formula: see text] (0.49), respectively. In addition, we calculated the bulk modulus and band structure of TaC under high pressure using density functional theory. The obtained bulk modulus is 267 (3)[Formula: see text]GPa. TaC is metallic in nature throughout the entire pressure range. We studied the high-pressure deviatoric stress of TaC using linewidth analysis method. We found that TaC can support a maximum differential stress of up to 18.6[Formula: see text]GPa at the highest pressure of 38.5[Formula: see text]GPa.
The quest for high fidelity, accurate geomechanical models and the research leading to it
Authors: Ziegler Moritz , Finkbeiner Thomas , Massiot Cécile , Goteti Rajesh
Published: April 2024

Geomechanics has a marked impact on the safe and sustainable use of the subsurface. This Special Publication contains contributions detailing the latest efforts in present-day
in situ
stress characterization, prediction and modelling from the borehole to plate-tectonic scale. A particular emphasis is on the uncertainties that are often associated with data and models.
Academic Freedom and International Students, Part 5: The gray areas
Authors: Schaefer Robert
Published: April 2024

Computer science and software engineering students and researchers are busy with their courses, in their labs, working on their studies and research - for the most part not really thinking about the impact of politics on their research. However, there are increasing restrictions on the information researchers are allowed to share with their students, and who researchers are allowed to collaborate with respect to national security and increasing concerns with China. To an increasing extent researchers are made aware at grant time. Research institutions must follow federal rules in the grant and hiring process and are conducting workshops and roundtables on issues of national security. The AIP, The American Institute of Physics provides through their mailing list an informative brief on national science policy titled "FYI: Science Policy News from AIP, This Week." The issue for January 23, 2023, invited those interested to join a National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine workshop called a "Meeting of experts," on the topic of "Fundamental Research, Openness, and Protecting the U.S. Technological Advantage: NSDD-189 in the New Global Context."
Column: Is Theory (Still) Welcome in Software Engineering Research?
Authors: Hallé Sylvain
Published: April 2024

Top Software Engineering conferences and journals have long been an important platform for disseminating theoretical and fundamental results. Several signals suggest that this is less and less the case.
Summary of the Eighth International Workshop on CPAchecker(CPAchecker 2023)
Authors: Jakobs Marie-Christine , Lee Nian-Ze
Published: April 2024

The International Workshop on CPAchecker is an annual event. Its goal is to discuss recent and ongoing research (ideas) as well as tool developments in the context of C program verification, thereby having a particular focus on the open-source software analysis framework CPAchecker. In addition, the workshop offers a platform to advance the research community around CPAchecker and to foster collaborations.
Gamify: Gamification in Software Development, Verification,and Validation
Authors: Coppola Riccardo , Ardito Luca , Leotta Maurizio
Published: April 2024

In this paper we report the outcomes of the 1st and 2nd edition of the International Workshop on Gamification in Software Development, Verification, and Validation (Gamify 2022 and Gamify 2023) which were held as part of the 30th and 31st ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC/FSE 2022, in Singapore, November 17, 2022 and ESEC/FSE 2023, online workshop, December 4, 2023).
Ubi-AD: Towards Ubiquitous, Passive Alzheimer Detection using the Smartwatch
Authors: Wu Yuan , Chen Yanjiao , Zhang Jian , Gong Xueluan , Bi Hongliang
Published: April 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an insidious and progressive neurodegenerative disease, and the annual relevant social cost for AD patients can reach about $1 trillion worldwide. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of AD play a vital role in slowing disease progression. However, existing detection methods for cognitive impairment cannot consistently screen the stage of AD. To tackle this challenge, we propose an AD detection system, Ubi-AD, which combines the features of multiple biomarkers to realize passive and accurate AD detection. Unlike existing work, Ubi-AD can passively recognize the AD digital biomarkers during daily smartwatch usage without interfering with the user. At the user end, Ubi-AD first extracts the non-speech sounds (pause words, such as em, ah), which contain no privacy-sensitive content. Then, Ubi-AD recognizes the user’s walking activity, dining activity, and sleep activity from daily activities. Ubi-AD analyzes these data from smartwatch and predicts the AD stages using a multi-modal fusion neural network at the cloud end. We evaluate our model on a collected dataset from 45 volunteers. As a result, Ubi-AD can reach a detection accuracy of 93.4%, which means that Ubi-AD can provide multiple effective biomarkers for ubiquitous and passive detection in daily life.
New Tin (IV) and Organotin (IV) Complexes with a Hybrid Thiosemicarbazone/Hydrazone Ligand: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Blázquez-Tapias Belén , Halder Satyajit , Mendiola M. Antonia , Roy Nivedita , Sahu Nilima , Sinha Chittaranjan , Jana Kuladip , López-Torres Elena
Published: April 2024

Nowadays, the search for new chemotherapeutic agents with low toxicity and high selectivity is a major concern. In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of a hybrid thiosemicarbazone/hydrazone ligand in its neutral form (L1H2) and as the chloride salt ([L1H3]Cl)-, three diorganotin (IV) complexes, and one complex with Sn (IV). The compounds have been fully characterized by IR, mass spectra, 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR, 119Sn CP/MAS NMR, and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The organotin compounds have the empirical formula [SnR2L1] (R = Me, Bu, and Ph), but in the solid state, they are polymeric species with seven coordination number due to weak coordination of the pyridine nitrogen, whereas in solution, the polymeric structure is lost to afford hexacoordinate monomeric species. Reaction with SnI4 yields complex [Sn (L1)2]·EtOH, with the metal in a distorted dodecahedral arrangement. We have evaluated the antiproliferative activity of the two forms of the ligands and the four coordination compounds against MDA-MB-231, HeLa, PC3, and HepG2 cancer cell lines, and WI-38 normal cell line, and all the compounds present higher activity than cisplatin, used as the standard control. To investigate the mode of action, we have selected the most active complex, containing phenyl substituents, and used the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The results show that the complex induces apoptotic cell death promoted by generation of reactive oxygen species and by disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential.
Supplemental Table 1 from The Reach of Calls and Text Messages for Mailed FIT Outreach in the PROMPT Stepped-Wedge Colorectal Cancer Screening Trial
Authors: Coronado Gloria D. , Nyongesa Denis B. , Petrik Amanda F. , Thompson Jamie H. , Escaron Anne L. , Pham Tuan , Leo Michael C.
Published: April 2024

Supplemental Table 1: Patient-centered messages
Supplementary Figure S2 from Patterns of Cancer-Related Healthcare Access across Pennsylvania: Analysis of Novel Census Tract-Level Indicators of Persistent Poverty
Authors: Moss Jennifer L. , Geyer Nathaniel R. , Lengerich Eugene J.
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Figure S2. Spatial autocorrelation of census tract-level persistent poverty in Pennsylvania. Choropleth map depicting Local Moran’s I detecting contiguous census tracts grouped into not significant, high-high, low-low, low-high, and high-low clusters.
Supplementary Table 8 from The Associations between Intakes of One-Carbon Metabolism–Related Vitamins and Breast Density among Young Women
Authors: Han Eunyoung , Van Horn Linda , Snetselaar Linda , Shepherd John A. , Park Yoon Jung , Kim Hyesook , Jung Seungyoun , Dorgan Joanne F.
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Table 8 shows the results of association of ANDBV according to ANDBV according to quartiles of one-carbon metabolism-related vitamin intakes during young adulthood
Supplementary Figure S1 from Patterns of Cancer-Related Healthcare Access across Pennsylvania: Analysis of Novel Census Tract-Level Indicators of Persistent Poverty
Authors: Moss Jennifer L. , Geyer Nathaniel R. , Lengerich Eugene J.
Published: April 2024

Census tract-level persistent poverty and rurality in Pennsylvania. For a higher resolution version of the choropleth map, see https://pennstate.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=628e2c34c795415b98bafeb53323c4ab
Supplementary Table 7 from The Associations between Intakes of One-Carbon Metabolism–Related Vitamins and Breast Density among Young Women
Authors: Han Eunyoung , Van Horn Linda , Snetselaar Linda , Shepherd John A. , Park Yoon Jung , Kim Hyesook , Jung Seungyoun , Dorgan Joanne F.
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Table 7 shows the results of association of ANDBV according to quartiles of one-carbon metabolism-related vitamins intakes during youth and at specific pubertal stages
Supplementary Table 6 from The Associations between Intakes of One-Carbon Metabolism–Related Vitamins and Breast Density among Young Women
Authors: Han Eunyoung , Van Horn Linda , Snetselaar Linda , Shepherd John A. , Park Yoon Jung , Kim Hyesook , Jung Seungyoun , Dorgan Joanne F.
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Table 6 shows the results of association between �V and ADBV according to quartiles of one-carbon metabolism-related vitamin intakes during young adulthood stratified by alcohol consumption