bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes of nurses and nurse managers towards violence risk assessment and management: A cross‐sectional study in psychiatric inpatient settings
Authors: Varpula Jaakko , Ameel Maria , Lantta Tella
Published: June 2024

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject

Workplace violence is a significant challenge in psychiatric hospital care.

Some existing practices of violence risk assessment and management are based on nurses' intuition and clinical experience instead of structured tools.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

Nurses and nurse managers consider violence risk assessment and management their responsibility. Still, nurses and nurse managers have mixed attitudes towards the use of validated risk assessment tools.

The attitudes towards service users' positive risk‐taking in nurses and nurse managers vary, with some nurses and nurse managers supporting its importance.

What are the implications for practice

Change in nurses' and nurse managers' attitudes towards risk assessment tools is required before their implementation into practice.

More profound change in practices towards recovery‐oriented care is required also in risk assessment.

Introduction

Workplace violence is a prevalent issue in psychiatric inpatient care. Prevention efforts require the identification of at‐risk service users using validated violence risk assessment tools. The shift in violence prevention emphasises preventive measures and collaborative risk assessment together with service users. Nurses have a central role in this process. Therefore, their attitudes are crucial when implementing evidence‐based methods.

Aim

To assess the attitudes of nurses and nurse managers towards violence risk assessment and management.

Method

A cross‐sectional online survey in Finnish psychiatric inpatient care. Data analysis was conducted with statistical methods. The STROBE guideline was used in reporting.

Results

Nurses (n = 142) valued risk assessment and felt that it was their responsibility. Attitudes towards service users' risk‐taking as part of their recovery varied. Nurses had mixed attitudes regarding the effectiveness of risk assessment tools. Older participants and nurse managers had more positive attitudes towards risk assessment tools.

Discussion

The study findings highlight a feeling of responsibility of nurses towards violence risk assessment and at the same time their preference towards their own clinical judgement.

Implications for Practice

Understanding nurses' attitudes is crucial in training and implementation processes to address concerns, provide support and enhance positive attitudes.
Reproductive and vegetative remains of an eucalypt (Myrtaceae) from the early Eocene of India
Authors: Patel Raman , Ali Ashif , de Almeida Rafael F. , Rana Rajendra S. , Khan Mahasin A.
Published: June 2024

Eucalypt fossils were widely reported from the Cenozoic deposits across the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina). However, no attached reproductive and vegetative fossil remains of this myrtaceous clade have been discovered till now. We report and describe for the first time a fossil eucalypt twig with attached foliage, flower buds, and mature flowers from the early Eocene (~55–52 Ma) sediments (Palana Formation) of Rajasthan, western India. As both vegetative and reproductive organs are in organic connection, they clearly represent the same species. In addition, here we also introduce fossil materials of isolated leaves, flower buds, inflorescence, and flowers recovered from the same stratigraphic level. Our Eocene fossils and extant members of the eucalypt clade are related morphologically by means of robust, thick petiolate lanceolate‐shaped leaves with intramarginal secondary veins; operculate flower buds consisting of imbricate petals with discernable margins; solitary inflorescence with three flowers per umbellaster, epigynous and bisexual flowers. Based upon combined characteristics of leaf, flower, and bud morphology, these fossils conform to the Eucalypt clade and are recognized as a new fossil genus and species: Hindeucalyptus eocenicus Patel, R.F. Almeida, Ali et Khan gen. nov. et sp. nov. We also compare it with extant and extinct eucalypts using morphological phylogeny and character mapping analyses. In addition, we briefly discuss its phytogeographic and paleoclimatic implications regarding the distribution and habitat of fossil and modern eucalypts.
Cathectic mechanisms of cosmetic surgery: Operation and recovery as a ritual‐like process
Authors: Kurakin Dmitry
Published: June 2024

Cultural sociology undertheorizes the emotional dimension of culture. In this study, I use the case of invasive cosmetic surgery to develop conceptual tools for filling this gap. Cosmetic surgery (i) brings a prominent and complex change in meanings of the self and the social image that goes far beyond mere appearance; and (ii) it involves intensive emotions of suffering, anxiety, and excitement. These two features reveal key similarities that cosmetic surgery shares with Victor Turner's model of the ritual of passage. I apply it to the case at hand and show that these emotions, which are usually either neglected or seen as mere ‘side effects’ of surgery, strongly affect meaning‐making related to cosmetic operations, meanings of the self, and broader aesthetic conventions. To zoom into these hidden processes, I introduce a sketch of a Durkheimian theory of cathexis that enables us to recognize cultural, cognitive, and emotional mechanisms of cosmetic surgery's ‘extraphysical effects.’ I illustrate my approach using open data from Internet forums of cosmetic surgery consumers and other evidence from existing literature.
Growth and population structure of Odaxothrissa mento and Brycinus leuciscus from the lower reaches of the White Volta in Ghana
Authors: Quarshie Evelyn Nhyiraba , Alhassan Elliot Haruna , Abobi Seth Mensah
Published: June 2024

The growth and population structure of two small pelagics: Odaxothrissa mento and Brycinus leuciscus were studied based on 1‐year data collected from the White Volta at Yapei in northern Ghana. The species were assessed using an R package TropFishR. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated with an asymptotic length (L∞) of 13.65 cm TL (CI95%: 11.29–17.29), growth curvature of .32/year (CI: .14–.63) for Odaxothrissa mento and L∞ of 8.85 cm TL (CI95%: 8.17–11.02) and growth curvature of 1.57/year (CI95%: .64–1.57) for Brycinus leuciscus. The computed total mortality (Z) was 2.25/year, the natural mortality (M) was .91/year and fishing mortality (F) was 1.34/year for Odaxothrissa mento while Z = 4.5/year, M = 2.8/year and F = 1.7/year were estimated for Brycinus leuciscus. Results indicate that the stock of Odaxothrissa mento is slightly overexploited with a current exploitation rate (E) of .60/year which is above the optimum exploitation rate (Eopt) of .5. However, the stock of Brycinus leuciscus was found to be underexploited with a current exploitation rate (E) of .38 year−1. The estimated age at 50% capture for Odaxothrissa mento and Brycinus leuciscus were 3.4 years and .65 years, respectively, with their corresponding lengths at 50% capture of 9.14 cm and 5.67 cm, which are close to the mean lengths of the population in the present study. Mean length at first sexual maturity (Lm) for Odaxothrissa mento is estimated as 5.2 and 4.2 cm TL for females and males while Lm of 3.5 cm and 4.5 cm were estimated for females and males of Brycinus leuciscus, respectively. The estimated longevity (tmax) of Odaxothrissa mento and Brycinus leuciscus was 9.7 years and 1.7 years, respectively, indicating that Odaxothrissa mento is a long‐lived species while Brycinus leuciscus is a short‐lived species. This conforms to the exploitation pattern of the species and thus requires species‐specific management interventions.
A crisis of confidence? Intervening in vaccine hesitancy in North Dakota
Authors: Rubinstein Ellen B. , Heinemann Laura L.
Published: June 2024

In November 2020, North Dakota reported a higher number of cases and deaths per capita from COVID‐19 than any other state in the United States. Several months later, it reported one of the country's highest rates of vaccine hesitancy, leading to the development and implementation of the state‐funded and physician‐led “Vaccine Champion” (“VaxChamp”) program. Glossing the primary problem as one of “provider confidence,” the VaxChamp program emphasized a standardized, scalable intervention that targeted healthcare providers directly, and patients only indirectly. Although the program hit its quantitative benchmarks, a qualitative inquiry into the program's history and context reveals multiple crises of confidence, many beyond the bioscientific domain of the program's focus. Drawing from work in medical and linguistic anthropology, we describe and analyze the “multiple levers of vaccine confidence” at play in the intervention and its surrounding context, as well as how these crises of confidence emerged.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with methylene blue and its derivatives in animal studies: Systematic review
Authors: Cardozo Ana Paula Martin , da Silva Daniela de Fátima Teixeira , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Ferreira Rita de Cassia , Lino‐dos‐Santos‐Franco Adriana , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro , Motta Lara Jansiski , Cecatto Rebeca Boltes
Published: June 2024

Background

Infections are complications in the wound healing process, and their treatment can lead to antibiotic overuse and bacterial resistance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is used to treat infectious diseases caused by fungi, viruses, or bacteria. Methylene blue (MB) and its derivatives are commonly used dyes in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT–MB).

Methods

This study is a PRISMA systematic review of animal models used to discuss the usefulness and therapeutic parameters of aPDT–MB or its derivatives for treating infected skin wounds.

Results

After an extensive literature review, 13 controlled trials totaling 261 animals were selected to evaluate skin infection by leishmaniasis and cutaneous bacterial and fungal infections. All studies found results favoring the use of aPDT–MB. Great variability in parameters was found for radiant exposure from 12 to 360 J/cm2, MB diluted in saline solution or distilled water, irradiation time from 40 to 3600 s, irradiance most commonly at a maximum of 100 mW/cm2, and wavelength used mainly in the 630–670 nm range.

Conclusion

MB is a safe and promising agent used as a photosensitizer in aPDT for skin‐infected lesions. There is great variability in the parameters found. Comparisons concerning concentration, irradiation time, and light intensity need to be performed.
Sunproofing from within: A deep dive into oral photoprotection strategies in dermatology
Authors: Hartmann Dan , Valenzuela Fernando
Published: June 2024

Background

Photoprotection is the first measure in the prevention and treatment of the deleterious effects that sunlight can cause on the skin. It is well known that prolonged exposure to solar radiation leads to acute and chronic complications, such as erythema, accelerated skin aging, proinflammatory and procarcinogenic effects, and eye damage, among others.

Methods

A better understanding of the molecules that can protect against ultraviolet radiation and their effects will lead to improvements in skin health.

Results

Most of these effects of the sunlight are modulated by oxidative stress and proinflammatory mechanisms, therefore, the supplementation of substances that can regulate and neutralize reactive oxygen species would be beneficial for skin protection. Current evidence indicates that systemic photoprotection should be used as an adjunctive measure to topical photoprotection.

Conclusion

Oral photoprotectors are a promising option in improving protection against damage induced by UVR, as they contain active ingredients that increase the antioxidant effects of the body, complementing other photoprotection measures. We present a review of oral photoprotectors and their effects.
On the concept of ‘actively working at making a living’
Authors: Okrent Mark
Published: June 2024

Richard Dawkins has suggested that the explananda of Darwinian explanations are the existence and character of entities that actively work at making a living. This paper discusses three issues related to this suggestion. First, it offers an account of what it is to actively work at making a living in terms of counterfactuals. Second, the paper articulates why it is that the existence and character of entities that actively work at making a living might require a different kind of explanation than those on offer in the sciences of physics and chemistry. Finally, it discusses why it is that it seems appropriate to use teleological locutions in the description of the behavior, structure, and metabolism of entities that actively work at making a living.
The flip side of the China syndrome: Local labor market effects in China
Authors: Ouyang Difei , Yuan Weidi
Published: June 2024

US–China trade is widely thought to have contributed significantly to the decline in US manufacturing employment, sometimes called the China syndrome. Flipping the point of view, we examine its impact on Chinese local labor markets between 2000 and 2010. In prefectures most exposed to export growth, there is a pronounced increase in manufacturing employment, primarily among young, low‐educated, rural people and more for blue‐collar workers. Beyond manufacturing, there is a decline in agricultural, yet an expansion in service employment, exhibiting substantial heterogeneity across demographics. The export‐driven structural transformation is profound and long‐lasting out to 2020. Among nonworking people, export growth primarily increases school attendance and the share of people relying on family support, suggesting an income effect.
“To Indulge the Tears of Women and Children”: Masculinity, Violence, and Mercy in the Conquest of the Caucasus
Authors: Campbell Ian W.
Published: June 2024

This article uses campaign reports and memoir literature to explore tsarist officers’ views of masculinity—both their own and that of their opponents—during the conquest of the Caucasus, focusing particularly on the Nicolaevan era. It frames conquest as a form of cultural exchange and argues that tsarist officers’ understandings of the gender order of both their own and combatant societies were a critical component of this cultural exchange. In particular, stereotypically feminine traits like mercy and gentleness were important to the cultural script of conquest in the Caucasus. To offer mercy implied the right to punish, a right which had to constantly be reasserted; the assertion of authority was deeply gendered and necessitated the subordination of local men. A case study of ritual humiliation during the conquest of the Caucasus illustrates how this worked in practice: disrupting the customary gender relations of a combatant society to remove opposing men from their authoritative role and installing an imperial officer at the top of the hierarchy.
Structural empowerment, personal initiative, and job satisfaction in service employees: Exploring the mediating role of psychological empowerment
Authors: Orgambídez Alejandro , Benítez Miryam , León‐Pérez Jose M. , Cantero‐Sánchez Francisco J.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

This study explores how empowering human resource management (HRM) practices based on structural empowerment (access to opportunities, resources, support, and information) affect both personal initiative and job satisfaction of service employees through individual‐level factors (psychological empowerment).

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey study and collected 439 valid responses from service employees in Spain. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) with confidence intervals based on 10,000 resamples (i.e., bootstrapping technique).

Results

Our results showed that psychological empowerment partially mediated the relationship between structural empowerment and job satisfaction. It also fully mediated the relationship between structural empowerment and personal initiative at work.

Conclusion

These findings emphasize the importance of HRM practices that can empower employees as key determinants of job satisfaction and personal initiative at service companies. Furthermore, a structural empowerment approach is a valid theoretical framework for studying and understanding employees' affective evaluations of work and, more specifically, their personal initiative.
What characterizes a well‐functioning person? Perspectives from Scandinavian laypeople and mental health professionals
Authors: Kiel Lennart , Lind Majse , Spindler Helle
Published: June 2024

Functioning describes how well a person handles life, but the constituents of functioning and its measurement remain subjects of debate among researchers. However, approaches investigating how the concept of functioning is understood among laypeople and practitioners have received less attention. The present study uses a bottom‐up approach to explore the concept of functioning among laypeople and mental health professionals in a Scandinavian context. Participants were asked to describe a person doing well in life and a person not doing well in life, resulting in a total of 2,345 statements from 128 laypeople and 78 mental health professionals. Initially, statements were rated according to the meta‐concepts of Agency and Communion. This analysis revealed a dominant prevalence of Agency across groups, with laypeople demonstrating a heightened emphasis on Agency when characterizing an individual not doing well in life, suggesting an intensified focus on personal responsibility and achievement when describing dysfunction. Next, an independent semantic domain analysis was used to elucidate and identify distinctive features of functioning within the statements. This revealed a shared conceptualization of functioning among both laypeople and mental health professionals based on three main domains: (1) thriving; (2) daily activities and social roles; and (3) personality features. The findings underscore the importance of considering subjective experiences of thriving, efficacy in managing daily tasks and roles, and personality traits in attaining a comprehensive understanding of functioning levels.
The existence of the world as an irrational and “rational” fact
Authors: Cimino Andrea
Published: June 2024

This article reconstructs and defends Husserl's argument for the indubitability of the existence of the world as grounded in ultimate principles. Responding to criticisms about the feasibility of a Husserlian‐informed metaphysical cosmology, it offers a systematic account that explores the question of the world's existence at three distinct levels (factual‐empirical, eidetic, and transcendental), leading to a threefold characterization of the world. First, the obviousness of the world's existence serves as our point of departure. The analysis then moves from a conception of the world as (i) an ontic factum and pregiven ground of all theoretical and practical endeavors in the natural attitude, to a priori ontological considerations of (ii) the essence of “world in general.” However, the insufficiency of both factual‐empirical and a priori investigations necessitates a further displacement of the analysis into the transcendental field of pure phenomena. In accordance with the fundamental principle of synthesis, the world is thus reconceived of as (iii) a phenomenological factum. In this context, the clarification of the existence of the world as both an irrational and a “rational” fact provides all the elements necessary to demonstrate the relative apodicticity and empirical indubitability of the world. This justifies our doxic certainty of the world's existence.
Multi‐scale mechanisms driving root regeneration: From regeneration competence to tissue repatterning
Authors: García‐Gómez Monica L. , ten Tusscher Kirsten
Published: June 2024

Plants possess an outstanding capacity to regenerate enabling them to repair damages caused by suboptimal environmental conditions, biotic attacks, or mechanical damages impacting the survival of these sessile organisms. Although the extent of regeneration varies greatly between localized cell damage and whole organ recovery, the process of regeneration can be subdivided into a similar sequence of interlinked regulatory processes. That is, competence to regenerate, cell fate reprogramming, and the repatterning of the tissue. Here, using root tip regeneration as a paradigm system to study plant regeneration, we provide a synthesis of the molecular responses that underlie both regeneration competence and the repatterning of the root stump. Regarding regeneration competence, we discuss the role of wound signaling, hormone responses and synthesis, and rapid changes in gene expression observed in the cells close to the cut. Then, we consider how this rapid response is followed by the tissue repatterning phase, where cells experience cell fate changes in a spatial and temporal order to recreate the lost stem cell niche and columella. Lastly, we argue that a multi‐scale modeling approach is fundamental to uncovering the mechanisms underlying root regeneration, as it allows to integrate knowledge of cell‐level gene expression, cell‐to‐cell transport of hormones and transcription factors, and tissue‐level growth dynamics to reveal how the bi‐directional feedbacks between these processes enable self‐organized repatterning of the root apex.
The interplay of homology‐directed repair pathways in the repair of zebularine‐induced DNA–protein crosslinks in Arabidopsis
Authors: Dvořák Tomaštíková Eva , Vaculíková Jitka , Štenclová Veronika , Kaduchová Kateřina , Pobořilová Zuzana , Paleček Jan J. , Pecinka Ales
Published: June 2024

DNA–protein crosslinks (DPCs) are highly toxic DNA lesions represented by proteins covalently bound to the DNA. Persisting DPCs interfere with fundamental genetic processes such as DNA replication and transcription. Cytidine analog zebularine (ZEB) has been shown to crosslink DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE1 (MET1). Recently, we uncovered a critical role of the SMC5/6‐mediated SUMOylation in the repair of DPCs. In an ongoing genetic screen, we identified two additional candidates, HYPERSENSITIVE TO ZEBULARINE 2 and 3, that were mapped to REGULATOR OF TELOMERE ELONGATION 1 (RTEL1) and polymerase TEBICHI (TEB), respectively. By monitoring the growth of hze2 and hze3 plants in response to zebularine, we show the importance of homologous recombination (HR) factor RTEL1 and microhomology‐mediated end‐joining (MMEJ) polymerase TEB in the repair of MET1‐DPCs. Moreover, genetic interaction and sensitivity assays showed the interdependency of SMC5/6 complex, HR, and MMEJ in the homology‐directed repair of MET1‐DPCs in Arabidopsis. Altogether, we provide evidence that MET1‐DPC repair in plants is more complex than originally expected.
A multicentric intermediate‐size B‐cell lymphoma with epitheliotropism in a Freiberger mare
Authors: Veiga Inês Berenguer , Affolter Verena K. , Moore Peter F. , Maia‐Nussbaumer Päivi de Jesus , Gerber Vincenz , Unger Lucia , Dettwiler Martina
Published: June 2024

This report describes a multicentric intermediate‐size B‐cell lymphoma with epitheliotropism in a Freiberger mare affecting multiple mucous membranes, skin and internal organs. The clonal neoplastic B‐cell population was accompanied by numerous reactive polyclonal small T cells. Differential diagnoses for these unusual findings are discussed.
Dissecting natural hybridisation in longhorned beetles through an integrative approach: Further proof of reticulate evolution in Dorcadionini (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)
Authors: Caba Florina‐Georgiana , Dascălu Maria‐Magdalena
Published: June 2024

This work demonstrates for the first time using molecular markers alongside chromosomes and the intermediate phenotype that a specimen of Dorcadion is an accidental first‐generation hybrid. The analyses were based on two mitochondrial and five nuclear molecular markers. While analysing the putative parental taxa of the hybrid, it was revealed that even Dorcadion lugubre lugubre Kraatz is likely a hybridogenic taxon. Coincidentally, a new lead was discovered concerning the parental taxa of Dorcadion aethiops (Scopoli), already known as a hybridogenic species. This new evidence of hybridisation adds to the recent publications to strengthen the hypothesis that, in Dorcadionini, this phenomenon is relatively frequent, and speciation is often reticulate: New taxa can appear through introgressive hybridisation, explaining in part the extreme species richness of the group.
Comparison of subjective evaluations in virtual and real environments for soundscape research
Authors: Yang Ming , Heimes Anne , Vorländer Michael , Schulte-Fortkamp Brigitte
Published: June 2024

Emerging technologies of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are enhancing soundscape research, potentially producing new insights by enabling controlled conditions while preserving the context of a virtual gestalt within the soundscape concept. This study explored the ecological validity of virtual environments for subjective evaluations in soundscape research, focusing on the authenticity of virtual audio-visual environments for reproducibility. Different technologies for creating and reproducing virtual environments were compared, including field recording, simulated VR, AR, and audio-only presentation, in two audio-visual reproduction settings, a head-mounted display with head-tracked headphones and a VR lab with head-locked headphones. Via a series of soundwalk- and lab-based experiments, the results indicate that field recording technologies provided the most authentic audio-visual environments, followed by AR, simulated VR, and audio-only approaches. The authenticity level influenced subjective evaluations of virtual environments, e.g., arousal/eventfulness and pleasantness. The field recording and AR-based technologies closely matched the on-site soundwalk ratings in arousal, while the other approaches scored lower. All the approaches had significantly lower pleasantness ratings compared to on-site evaluations. The choice of audio-visual reproduction technology did not significantly impact the evaluations. Overall, the results suggest virtual environments with high authenticity can be useful for future soundscape research and design.
Incorporation of a modified temporal cepstrum smoothing in both signal-to-noise ratio and speech presence probability estimation for speech enhancement
Authors: Wang Dahan , Hou Zhongshu , Hu Yuxiang , Zhu Changbao , Lu Jing , Chen Jingdong
Published: June 2024

Numerous advanced and lightweight signal processing methods have been presented for single-channel speech enhancement (SE). It is imperative to carefully explore how to efficiently combine, integrate, and balance these methods. This paper proposes a more effective and less resource-intensive SE system, focused on the integration and adaptation of several approaches, especially the temporal cepstrum smoothing (TCS). First, a more robust fundamental frequency estimator is employed within TCS, mitigating the performance limitations caused by the inaccuracy of the original estimator. Additionally, a harmonic enhancement mechanism is introduced, effectively recovering the weak harmonic components. By incorporation of the modified TCS in the a posteriori speech presence probability estimation, the unbiased minimum mean square error noise power spectral density estimator can be refined. The modified TCS is also utilized for the a priori signal-to-noise ratio estimation. Moreover, this paper enhances the log-spectral amplitude estimator by applying both super-Gaussian speech priors and speech presence uncertainty for further improvement. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that the proposed method yields an improvement in speech quality while maintaining modest computational and storage requirements. Furthermore, the proposed system exhibits comparable performance to several baseline systems based on lightweight deep neural networks.
Validity of Synchronous Online Physical Education Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mariano Janet S. , Macapagal Luisito S.
Published: June 2024

Purpose: Various online physical education activities and methods have been applied to colleges in the Philippines during the COVID-19 confinement. However, much remains unknown about the effects of the physical activity given to students. This study aimed to analyze the validity of online synchronous physical education classes using a progressive cardio workout program among college students. Method: One hundred and ninety-four physical education students enrolled in morning class voluntarily participated. Baseline and posttest measures included resting heart rates, training heart rates, heart rate recovery (HRR), and the YMCA 3-min step test (YMCA 3MST). Results: The progressive cardio workout program over the 8 weeks significantly improved the training heart rate of the participants, X2F(7) = 475.397, p = .001. Also, there is a significant difference between pretest HRR (Mdn = 24) from posttest HRR (Mdn = 16), W = 10,863, p < .001. The pretest HRR was significantly higher than the posttest HRR, the rank–biserial correlation, rB = .586, suggests that this is a large effect size. Further, the pretest YMCA 3MST (Mdn = 120.5) was significantly different from the posttest YMCA 3MST (Mdn = 116), W = 10,946, p < .001, the rank–biserial correlation, rB = .286, suggests that this is a small to medium effect size. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the 8-week progressive cardio workout program significantly improves the participants’ cardiorespiratory fitness based on the pre- and posttraining heart rate, HRR, and YMCA 3MST results.
Unlocking large memory windows and 16-level data per cell memory operations in hafnia-based ferroelectric transistors
Authors: Kim Ik-Jyae , Lee Jang-Sik
Published: June 2024

Ferroelectric transistors based on hafnia-based ferroelectrics exhibit tremendous potential as next-generation memories owing to their high-speed operation and low power consumption. Nevertheless, these transistors face limitations in terms of memory window, which directly affects their ability to support multilevel characteristics in memory devices. Furthermore, the absence of an efficient operational technique capable of achieving multilevel characteristics has hindered their development. To address these challenges, we present a gate stack engineering method and an efficient operational approach for ferroelectric transistors to achieve 16-level data per cell operation. By using the suggested engineering method, we demonstrate the attainment of a substantial memory window of 10 V without increasing the device area. Additionally, we propose a displacement current control method, facilitating one-shot programming to the desired state. Remarkably, we suggest the compatibility of these proposed methods with three-dimensional (3D) structures. This study underscores the potential of ferroelectric transistors for next-generation 3D memory applications.
Development of a vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotyped with herpes B virus glycoproteins and its application in a neutralizing antibody detection assay
Authors: Kinoshita Hitomi , Yamada Souichi , Ogawa Takuma , Nguyen Phu Hoang Anh , Harada Shizuko , Kawahara Madoka , Ishijima Keita , Maeda Ken , Ebihara Hideki , Fukushi Shuetsu
Published: June 2024

Herpes B virus (BV) is a zoonotic virus and belongs to the genus
Simplexvius
, the same genus as human herpes simplex virus (HSV). BV typically establishes asymptomatic infection in its natural hosts, macaque monkeys. However, in humans, BV infection causes serious neurological diseases and death. As such, BV research can only be conducted in a high containment level facility (i.e., biosafety level [BSL] 4), and the mechanisms of BV entry have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we generated a pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing BV glycoproteins using G-complemented VSV∆G system, which we named VSV/BVpv. We found that four BV glycoproteins (i.e., gB, gD, gH, and gL) were required for the production of a high-titer VSV/BVpv. Moreover, VSV/BVpv cell entry was dependent on the binding of gD to its cellular receptor nectin-1. Pretreatment of Vero cells with endosomal acidification inhibitors did not affect the VSV/BVpv infection. The result indicated that VSV/BVpv entry occurred by direct fusion with the plasma membrane of Vero cells and suggested that the entry pathway was similar to that of native HSV. Furthermore, we developed a VSV/BVpv-based chemiluminescence reduction neutralization test (CRNT), which detected the neutralization antibodies against BV in macaque plasma samples with high sensitivity and specificity. Crucially, the VSV/BVpv generated in this study can be used under BSL-2 condition to study the initial entry process through gD–nectin-1 interaction and the direct fusion of BV with the plasma membrane of Vero cells.

IMPORTANCE

Herpes B virus (BV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus against humans. BV belongs to the genus
Simplexvius
, the same genus as human herpes simplex virus (HSV). By contrast to HSV, cell entry mechanisms of BV are not fully understood. The research procedures to manipulate infectious BV should be conducted in biosafety level (BSL)-4 facilities. As pseudotyped viruses provide a safe viral entry model because of their inability to produce infectious progeny virus, we tried to generate a pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus bearing BV glycoproteins (VSV/BVpv) by modification of expression constructs of BV glycoproteins, and successfully obtained VSV/BVpv with a high titer. This study has provided novel information for constructing VSV/BVpv and its usefulness to study BV infection.
Risk factors and molecular epidemiology of intestinal colonization by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in patients with hematological diseases: a multicenter case‒control study
Authors: Hu Huangdu , Wang Yinping , Sun Jian , Wang Yuting , Zhou Junxin , Shi Qiucheng , Han Xinhong , Jiang Yan , Wu Depei , Huang Xiaojun , Yu Yunsong
Published: June 2024

Patients with hematological diseases are considered to be at high risk for intestinal colonization by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB). However, the epidemiological data regarding risk factors and molecular characteristics of intestinal colonized CR-GNB isolates in this population are insufficient in China. A multicenter case‒control study involving 4,641 adult patients with hematological diseases from 92 hospitals across China was conducted. Following culture of collected rectal swabs, mass spectrometry and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed to identify GNB species and CR phenotype. Risk factors were assessed through retrospective clinical information. Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze the molecular characteristics of CR-GNB isolates. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05002582. Our results demonstrated that among 4,641 adult patients, 10.8% had intestinal colonization by CR-GNB. Of these, 8.1% were colonized by carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacterales
(CRE), 2.6% were colonized by carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(CRPA), and 0.3% were colonized by carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(CRAB). The risk factors for CR-GNB colonization include male gender, acute leukemia, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, β-lactam antibiotic usage, and the presence of non-perianal infections within 1 week. Compared with CRPA-colonized patients, patients using carbapenems were more likely to be colonized with CRE. NDM was the predominant carbapenemase in colonized CRE. This study revealed a high CR-GNB intestinal colonization rate among adult patients with hematological diseases in China, with CRE being the predominant one. Notably, a significant proportion of CRE exhibited metallo-β-lactamase production, indicating a concerning trend. These findings emphasize the importance of active screening for CR-GNB colonization in patients with hematological diseases.

IMPORTANCE

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) has emerged as a significant threat to public health. Patients with hematological diseases are at high risk of CR-GNB infections due to their immunosuppressed state. CR-GNB colonization is an independent risk factor for subsequent infection. Understanding the risk factors and molecular characteristics of CR-GNB associated with intestinal colonization in patients with hematological diseases is crucial for empirical treatment, particularly in patients with febrile neutropenia. However, the epidemiology data are still insufficient, and our study aims to determine the intestinal colonization rate of CR-GNB, identify colonization risk factors, and analyze the molecular characteristics of colonized CR-GNB isolates.
Successful management of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an adolescent with newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS and histoplasmosis
Authors: Akiska Yagiz Matthew , Koay Wei Li Adeline , Unternaher Justin , Rakhmanina Natella Y
Published: June 2024

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome characterised by persistent fevers, cytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly and systemic inflammation. Secondary HLH can be triggered by various aetiologies including infections, malignancies and autoimmune conditions. We highlight the complexity of HLH diagnosis and management by describing a case of an adolescent Salvadoran immigrant with HLH, newly diagnosed HIV,Streptococcal bacteraemiaand disseminated histoplasmosis. The patient presented with neurological and ocular findings along with persistent fevers and cytopenia. He was diagnosed with HLH and treated with anakinra in addition to receiving treatment for HIV,Streptococcal bacteraemiaand histoplasmosis. The patient’s HLH resolved without corticosteroids or chemotherapy, which are considered the mainstays for HLH treatment. This case underscores the need for the evaluation and management of multiple infections and individualised management in patients presenting with HLH to achieve favourable outcomes.
Massive arterial and venous thrombosis from smouldering multiple myeloma: further evidence for monoclonal gammopathy of thrombotic significance
Authors: Kun Jolie , Hunter Jonathan
Published: June 2024

A man in his 40s presented to the emergency department after 2 weeks of abdominal pain and bloating. Radiological investigations revealed multiple unusual sites of thrombosis, including large thrombi in his portal and mesenteric veins, and a left ventricular thrombus with resultant embolic infarcts to his spleen, kidneys, coronary arteries and brain. Standard causes of underlying thrombophilia were excluded. A serum protein electrophoresis and serum-free light chains, with subsequent bone marrow biopsy, lead to the diagnosis of smouldering multiple myeloma (sMM), albeit an unusual presentation with severe clinical sequelae. Although sMM is known to be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, it is not recognised to cause thrombosis in both venous and arterial vascular beds simultaneously. Physicians encountering patients with multiple thrombi in unusual vascular beds without clear aetiology should consider an underlying monoclonal gammopathy in their list of differentials.
Cohort profile: BioMD-Y (biopsychosocial factors of major depression in youth) – a biobank study on the molecular genetics and environmental factors of depression in children and adolescents in Munich
Authors: Scherff Aline Doreen , Feldmann Lisa , Piechaczek Charlotte , Pehl Verena , Wagenbüchler Petra , Wermuth Inga , Ghotbi Neda , Allgaier Antje-Kathrin , Freisleder Franz Joseph , Beins Eva C , Forstner Andreas J , Nöthen Markus M , Czamara Darina , Rex-Haffner Monika , Ising Marcus , Binder Elisabeth , Greimel Ellen , Schulte-Körne Gerd
Published: June 2024

Purpose

BioMD-Y is a comprehensive biobank study of children and adolescents with major depression (MD) and their healthy peers in Germany, collecting a host of both biological and psychosocial information from the participants and their parents with the aim of exploring genetic and environmental risk and protective factors for MD in children and adolescents.

Participants

Children and adolescents aged 8–18 years are recruited to either the clinical case group (MD, diagnosis of MD disorder) or the typically developing control group (absence of any psychiatric condition).

Findings to date

To date, four publications on both genetic and environmental risk and resilience factors (includingFKBP5, glucocorticoid receptor activation, polygenic risk scores, psychosocial and sociodemographic risk and resilience factors) have been published based on the BioMD-Y sample.

Future plans

Data collection is currently scheduled to continue into 2026. Research questions will be further addressed using available measures.
Self-reported gastrointestinal adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in female students with dysmenorrhoea at Makerere University: prevalence, discontinuation and associated factors. a cross sectional study
Authors: Gobba Solomon , Kibone Winnie , Kiguba Ronald
Published: June 2024

Background

Primary dysmenorrhoea occurs in up to 50% of menstruating females. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used therapeutic remedies for dysmenorrhoea in Uganda. However, NSAIDs are associated with a 3–5 fold increase in the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse drug effects.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of self-reported NSAID-related GI adverse effects in female students who use NSAIDs in managing dysmenorrhoea-associated pain at Makerere University.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Makerere University’s main campus, situated North of Kampala, Uganda.

Participants

314 female students pursuing an undergraduate programme at Makerere University and residing in different halls of residence and hostels.

Outcomes

Social demographic data, menstrual history and treatment data.

Results

Overall, 314 valid responses were received from female students with a median age of 22 years (IQR: 18–29 years). The median age at menarche was 13 years (IQR: 9–18 years). 41% (n=129/314) of the respondents had used medication for dysmenorrhoea and 32% (n=41/129) of whom reported NSAID-associated GI adverse effects with nausea being the most frequently reported (44%, n=18/41)

Factors independently associated with GI adverse effects were: age at menarche (p=0.026), duration of menstruation (p=0.030) and use of ibuprofen (p=0.005). Females taking ibuprofen for dysmenorrhoea were about four times as likely to have NSAID-associated GI adverse effects (adjusted OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.51 to 9.91) than those who did not receive ibuprofen. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with self-reported adverse effects of NSAIDs among the female students. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Conclusion

We found a considerably high prevalence of NSAID-related GI adverse effects driven by factors such as age at menarche and ibuprofen use.
COVID-19 profiles in general practice: a latent class analysis
Authors: Ferrat Emilie , Mirat William , Boutin Emmanuelle , Maroto Emilie , Brossier Sophie , Hoonakker Jean-Denis , Audureau Etienne , Phan Tan-Trung , Bastuji-Garin Sylvie
Published: June 2024

Background

General practitioners (GPs) were on the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak. Identifying clinical profiles in COVID-19 might improve patient care and enable closer monitoring of at-risk profiles.

Objectives

To identify COVID-19 profiles in a population of adult primary care patients, and to determine whether the profiles were associated with negative outcomes and persistent symptoms.

Design, setting and participants

In a prospective multicentre study, 44 GPs from multiprofessional primary care practices in the Paris area of France recruited 340 consecutive adult patients (median age: 47 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during the first two waves of the epidemic.

Method and outcome

A latent class (LC) analysis with 11 indicators (clinical signs and symptoms) was performed. The resulting profiles were characterised by a 3-month composite outcome (COVID-19-related hospital admission and/or death) and persistent symptoms three and 6 months after inclusion.

Results

We identified six profiles: ‘paucisymptomatic’ (LC1, 9%), ‘anosmia and/or ageusia’ (LC2, 12.9%), ‘influenza-like syndrome with anosmia and ageusia’ (LC3, 15.5%), ‘influenza-like syndrome without anosmia or ageusia’ (LC4, 24.5%), ‘influenza-like syndrome with respiratory impairment’ (LC5) and a ‘complete form’ (LC6, 17.7%). At 3 months, 7.4% of the patients were hospitalised (with higher rates in LC5), and 18% had persistent symptoms (with higher rates in LC5 and LC6). At 6 months, 6.4% of the patients had persistent symptoms, with no differences between LCs.

Conclusion

Our findings might help GPs to identify patients at risk of persistent COVID-19 symptoms and hospital admission and then set up procedures for closer monitoring.
Facilitators and barriers to codesigning social robots with older adults with dementia: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hung Lillian , Chen Irene , Wong Karen Lok Yi , Jackson Lynn , Lou Vivian W Q
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Social robots including telepresence robots have emerged as potential support in dementia care. However, the effectiveness of these robots hinges significantly on their design and utility. These elements are often best understood by their end-users. Codesign involves collaborating directly with the end-users of a product during its development process. Engaging people with dementia in the design of social robots ensures that the products cater to their unique requirements, preferences, challenges, and needs. The objective of this scoping review is to understand the facilitators, barriers, and strategies in codesigning social robots with older adults with dementia.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and will be conducted from November 2023 to April 2024. The steps of search strategy will involve identifying keywords and index terms from CINAHL and PubMed, completing search using identified keywords and index terms across selected databases (Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, AgeLine, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, IEEE, and Google Scholar), and hand-searching the reference lists from chosen literature for additional literature. The grey literature will be searched using Google. Three research assistants will screen the titles and abstracts independently by referring to the inclusion criteria. Three researchers will independently assess the full text of literature following to the inclusion criteria. The data will be presented in a table with narratives that answers the questions of the scoping review.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review does not require ethics approval because it collects data from publicly available resources. The findings will offer insights to inform future research and development of robots through collaboration with older people with dementia. In addition, the scoping review results will be disseminated through conference presentations and an open-access publication in a peer-reviewed journal.