bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medicaid Waivers and Tenancy Supports for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Implementation Challenges in Four States
Authors: THOMPSON FRANK J. , FARNHAM JENNIFER , TIDERINGTON EMMY , GUSMANO MICHAEL K. , CANTOR JOEL C. 
Published: April 2021

Policy Points
Medicaid policymakers have a growing interest in addressing homelessness as a social determinant of health and driver of the potentially avoidable use of expensive medical services.
Drawing on extensive document reviews and in‐depth interviews in four early‐adopter states, we examined the implementation of Medicaid's Section 1115 demonstration waivers to test strategies to finance tenancy support services for persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
ContextThe Affordable Care Act extended Medicaid eligibility to large numbers of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This legislative development and the growing recognition of homelessness as a significant social determinant of health have encouraged advocates and policymakers to seek new ways to use Medicaid to provide housing supports.MethodsWe conducted 28 semistructured interviews with 36 stakeholders in four states. The stakeholders were government administrators, health care providers, nonprofit housing staff, and consultants. We supplemented these interviews with extensive reviews of public documents, media accounts, think‐tank reports, and published literature. We also conducted a systematic inductive qualitative analysis.FindingsWe identified seven challenges to the successful implementation of tenancy support demonstration projects: resolving the housing supply and NIMBY, removing silos between health care and homeless services providers, enrolling and retaining the target populations in Medicaid, contracting with and paying tenancy support providers, recruiting and retaining key workers, ensuring Medicaid's waiver durability, and reducing administrative crowd‐out and waiver burden.ConclusionsNotwithstanding these challenges, three of the four states have made significant progress in launching their initiatives. At this point, the fourth state has delayed its start‐up to consider alternatives to a Medicaid demonstration waiver to provide tenancy supports. The experience of the four states suggests lessons for Medicaid officials in other jurisdictions that are interested in pursuing tenancy support initiatives. Nevertheless, the limitations of tenancy support waiver programs suggest that federal policymakers should consider allowing states to more directly subsidize housing costs for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness as an optional Medicaid benefit.
Dielectric spectroscopy of Baijiu over 2–20 GHz using an open‐ended coaxial probe
Authors: Li Zhen , Haigh Arthur , Wang Ping , Soutis Constantinos , Gibson Andrew 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe complex electric permittivity of Baijiu (one of the most consumed beverages) is measured over a frequency range of 2 to 20 GHz using a low‐cost open‐ended coaxial probe and a portable microwave analyzer. The Cole—Cole equation is used to fit the permittivity data, and the parameter values related are extracted using the particle swarm optimization. A linear relationship is obtained between these parameters and the alcohol by volume. A strong dependence of the permittivity on the alcohol content is also observed for other alcoholic drinks, including brandy and whisky. The study demonstrates that the microwave technique provides an efficient solution in the effort to determine the alcohol content and the principal component analysis is a powerful tool for the quick estimation of the dielectric properties. The sensor presented can contribute to efficient on‐site quality control of alcoholic drinks.Practical ApplicationThe microwave approach presented could offer an economical approach for the characterization of Baijiu and a general solution to the alcohol content determination for the alcoholic drinks industry.
Victoria (Australia) radiotherapy response to working through the first and second wave of COVID‐19: Strategies and staffing
Authors: Rykers Kym , Tacey Mark , Bowes Jack , Brown Kerryn , Yuen Eva , Wilson Carlene , Khor Richard , Foroudi Farshad 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe COVID‐19 pandemic demanded a rapid response within Radiation Oncology services to minimise the risk of infection to patients and workforce. This study aimed to assess whether the operational changes put in place to reduce infection risks were effective in engaging and supporting staff.MethodsOur service’s response saw staff and patients split into morning or afternoon shifts without overlap. Changes included extended clinic hours, modified treatment regimens, expanded online/electronic communication and remote working. Staff were invited to respond to an electronic questionnaire in September 2020, just after the peak of the second COVID‐19 wave in Victoria. Responses captured demographic data, parental status, profession, happiness levels, fear of COVID‐19 and e‐communication efficacy.ResultsA 57% response rate was achieved. 69% of respondents were female; 40% were aged 45+ and 35% had school‐aged children. Staff aged 45+ showed a significantly greater fear of COVID‐19 than younger staff. 36% of respondents reported feeling nervous or anxious watching news reports about COVID‐19. 92% of staff were happy with their work arrangements; staff with children were happier than staff without children with their shifts. Online chat/channels were reported as the preferred e‐communication method between colleagues.ConclusionStaff provided predominantly positive feedback to the changes made in response to the pandemic, reporting high levels of happiness and willingness to continue with the changes implemented during COVID‐19. The strategies adopted worked well and the overall high levels of staff satisfaction will allow our service to quickly pivot should further surges, or another pandemic, arise.
Safety of the standardized quality tree sublingual immunotherapy tablet: Pooled safety analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Biedermann Tilo , Couroux Peter , Greve Tina Maria , Mäkelä Mika 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe standardized quality (SQ) tree sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)‐tablet has recently been approved for treatment of tree pollen allergy. Healthcare workers should be provided with detailed safety data for clinical use.ObjectiveTo assess the tolerability and safety of the SQ tree SLIT‐tablet (12 SQ‐Bet) in adults and adolescents.MethodsSafety data were pooled from three double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (2 phase‐II/1 phase‐III) including adults and adolescents 12–65 years with allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis treated before and during one pollen season once‐daily with 12 SQ‐Bet (n = 471) or placebo (n = 458): EudraCT no: 2012‐000031‐59; NCT02481856; EudraCT 2015‐004821‐15.ResultsThe most frequently reported investigational medicinal product (IMP)‐related AEs with 12 SQ‐Bet were oral pruritis (39% of subjects) and throat irritation (29%). IMP‐related AEs were mainly mild or moderate in severity, and the majority resolved without treatment and did not lead to treatment interruption/discontinuation. With 12 SQ‐Bet, oral pruritus was more frequent among subjects with pollen food syndrome (PFS) (45%) than without PFS (29%). The 12 SQ‐Bet did not seem to induce an increased risk of asthma: 7 events were reported in 7 subjects with 12 SQ‐Bet and 11 in 10 subjects with placebo. No differences were seen in the risk of moderate‐to‐severe IMP‐related AEs regardless of age, PFS status and asthma medical history.ConclusionsThe 12 SQ tree SLIT‐tablet was well tolerated in tree pollen allergic subjects with no major safety concerns detected. This safety profile supports daily at‐home sublingual administration once the first dose is tolerated when administered under medical supervision.
Variation in treatment and outcomes for patients with chronic limb‐threatening ischaemia in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Choy Oh Sung , Manewell Sarah , Rajendran Saissan , Aitken Sarah J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundChronic limb‐threatening ischaemia (CLTI) carries significant amputation and mortality risks. Australian population‐based outcomes for CLTI are inadequately known. This study aimed to distinguish factors associated with outcomes in the first 2 years after CLTI surgery.MethodsBy linking routinely collected health administrative and mortality data from New South Wales, this population‐based cohort study identified patients with ischaemic rest pain, gangrene or ulceration undergoing vascular surgery in public hospitals between 2010 and 2012. The primary outcome was 2‐year amputation‐free survival (AFS), and secondary outcomes included readmission and reoperation rates. Multivariable regression analysis identified prognostic factors adjusted for patient, hospital and geographic factors.ResultsPrimary CLTI surgery was performed on 4898 patients. Almost half the cohort had minor amputations without concurrent revascularization (2398, 49%), and the remaining patients had open (652, 13%) or endovascular (1848, 38%) surgery. At 2‐years, the AFS rate was 72%. Significant disparity was seen between age groups, with the 2‐year AFS 71% in patients aged 75 years or older, compared to 95% in patients aged less than 75 years (P < 0.001). Place of residence or hospital training status did not significantly influence AFS or readmission, but non‐training hospitals had higher rates of reoperation.ConclusionThis population‐based cohort study demonstrated variable outcomes for patients with CLTI, particularly with respect to older age, admission acuity and comorbidity. Results may guide service improvements however further research is needed into how population‐wide health initiatives can address age‐related disparities in CLTI.
An improved method to estimate absolute blood volume based on dialysate dilution
Authors: Kron Susanne , Schneditz Daniel , Keane David F. , Leimbach Til , Kron Joachim 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOnline hemodiafiltration machines equipped with a blood volume monitor and the possibility to rapidly infuse exact amounts of ultrapure dialysate into the extracorporeal circulation can be used to determine absolute blood volume in clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of such measurements. Intra‐individual reproducibility was evaluated in four measurements taken in hourly intervals within the same dialysis treatment. Ten patients were studied. Absolute blood volumes measured at the beginning and after 1 hour of dialysis were significantly different (80.6 ± 14.5 and 63.9 ± 14.3 mL/kg, P < .001) and highly reproducible between the last three measurements (63.9 ± 14.3, 61.4 ± 13.8, and 60.9 ± 13.9 mL/kg, P = n.s.). Measurement of absolute blood volume after 1 hour of treatment is more precise than earlier measurements and might be better suited for guidance of ultrafiltration.
Dry matter intake and milk production of grazing dairy cows supplemented with corn silage or a total mixed ration offered ad libitum in a subtropical area
Authors: Ribeiro‐Filho Henrique M.N. , Dall‐Orsoletta Aline C. , Mendes Diego , Delagarde Rémy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the feeding choice, dry matter (DM) intake, and milk production of dairy cows that strip grazed on a mixed perennial species pasture receiving different supplementation strategies. The treatments were without supplementation (WS) or with supplementation of either corn silage (CS) or a total mixed ration (TMR) based on CS and concentrates, in a subtropical area. The supplements were provided ad libitum after the afternoon milking. Twelve Holstein × Jersey cows in mid‐lactation (133 ± 43 days in milk) were divided into six groups (two cows/group) and distributed in accordance with a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, with three 21 day periods (15 adaptation days and 6 evaluation days). The total DM intake, milk production, milk fat, and milk protein production were greater in the TMR treatment than in the WS and CS treatments and were similar between the WS and CS treatments. The herbage DM intake and proportion of time spent grazing were greater in the CS treatment than in the TMR treatment. CS supplementation did not affect the total DM intake or milk production/cow, whereas TMR supplementation greatly improved the total DM intake and milk production of the dairy cows grazing on mixed perennial species.
Presumptive neural microsporidiosis in a young adult German Shepherd dog from rural Australia
Authors: Birckhead A , Combs M , Croser E , Montgomery A , Peters A , Stark D , Malik R 
Published: April 2021

Case reportA 1‐year‐old, neutered male German Shepherd was presented with a 5‐month history of episodic lethargy, intermittent fever, weight loss and a hunched posture. The dog was diagnosed with presumptive microsporidian meningoencephalitis based on cytological findings on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and a positive PCR test. The dog initially responded favourably to a 4‐week course of trimethoprim‐sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine and fenbendazole, and remained well for 12 weeks following cessation of treatment. Disease then recurred, and despite an initial positive response to treatment, he deteriorated and was euthanased 11 weeks later, 7.5 months after definitive diagnosis and 13 months after clinical signs were first reported.ConclusionTo the authors knowledge, this is the first case of canine microsporidiosis in Australia.
Cerebroprotection by dioscin after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome through SIRT1‐dependent pathway
Authors: Zhang Xiang‐Sheng , Lu Yue , Li Wen , Tao Tao , Wang Wei‐Han , Gao Sen , Zhou Yan , Guo Yi‐Ting , Liu Cang , Zhuang Zong , Hang Chun‐Hua , Li Wei 
Published: April 2021

Background and PurposeDioscin has multiple biological activities and is beneficial for cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases. Here, we investigated the protective effects of dioscin against subarachnoid haemorrhage and the molecular mechanisms involved.Experimental ApproachDioscin was administered after subarachnoid haemorrhage induced in rats. MCC950, a potent selective nod‐like receptor pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inhibitor, was used to suppress NLRP3 and EX527 (selisistat) was used to inhibit sirtuin 1 (SIRT1).Key ResultsIn vivo, dioscin inhibited acute inflammatory response, oxidative damage, neurological impairment and neural cell degeneration after subarachnoid haemorrhage along with dramatically suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. While pretreatment with MCC950 reduced the inflammatory response and improved neurological outcomes it did not lessen ROS production. However, giving dioscin after MCC950 reduced acute brain damage and ROS production. Dioscin increased SIRT1 expression after subarachnoid haemorrhage, whereas EX527 abolished the up‐regulation of SIRT1 induced by dioscin and offset the inhibitory effects of dioscin on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. EX527 pretreatment also reversed the neuroprotective effects of dioscin against subarachnoid haemorrhage. Similarly, in vitro, dioscin dose‐dependently suppressed inflammatory response, oxidative damage and neuronal degeneration and improved cell viability in neurons and microglia co‐culture system. These effects were associated with inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome and stimulation of SIRT1 signalling, which could be inhibited by EX527 pretreatment.Conclusion and ImplicationsDioscin provides protection against subarachnoid haemorrhage via the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation through SIRT1‐dependent pathway. Dioscin may be a new candidate to ameliorate early brain injury after subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Quercetin relieves D‐amphetamine‐induced manic‐like behaviour through activating TREK‐1 potassium channels in mice
Authors: Ren Keke , Liu Haiying , Guo Baolin , Li Rui , Mao Honghui , Xue Qian , Yao Han , Wu Shengxi , Bai Zhantao , Wang Wenting 
Published: April 2021

Background and PurposeQuercetin is a well‐known plant flavonoid with neuroprotective properties. Earlier work suggested it may relieve psychiatric disorders, cognition deficits and memory dysfunction through anti‐oxidant and/or radical scavenging mechanisms. In addition, quercetin modulated the physiological function of some ion channels. However, the detailed ionic mechanisms of the bioeffects of quercetin remain unknown.Experimental ApproachEffects of quercetin on neuronal activities in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its ionic mechanisms were analysed by calcium imaging using mice bearing a green fluorescent protein, calmodulin, and M13 fusion protein and patch clamp in acute brain slices from C57BL/6 J mice and in HEK 293 cells. The possible ionic mechanism of action of quercetin on D‐amphetamine‐induced manic‐like effects in mice was explored with c‐fos staining and the open field behaviour test.Key ResultsQuercetin reduced calcium influx triggered by PFC pyramidal neuronal activity. This effect involved increasing the rheobase of neuronal firing through decreasing membrane resistance following quercetin treatment. Spadin, a blocker of TREK‐1 potassium channels, also blocked the effect of quercetin on the membrane resistance and neuronal firing. Further, spadin blocked the neuroprotective effects of quercetin. The effects of quercetin on TREK‐1 channels could be mimicked by GF109203X, a protein kinase C inhibitor. In vivo, injection of quercetin relieved the manic hyperlocomotion in mice, induced by D‐amphetamine. This action was partly alleviated by spadin.Conclusion and ImplicationsTREK‐1 channels are a novel target for quercetin, by inhibiting PKC. This action could contribute to both the neuroprotective and anti‐manic‐like effects.
Biomarkers for predicting response to aspirin therapy in aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Tyrak Katarzyna E. , Pajdzik Kinga , Jakieła Bogdan , Kupryś‐Lipińska Izabela , Ćmiel Adam , Kacorzyk Radosław , Trąd Gabriela , Kuna Piotr , Sanak Marek , Mastalerz Lucyna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAspirin desensitization followed by daily aspirin use is an effective treatment for aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).ObjectiveTo assess clinical features as well as genetic, immune, cytological and biochemical biomarkers that might predict a positive response to high‐dose aspirin therapy in AERD.MethodsWe enrolled 34 AERD patients with severe asthma who underwent aspirin desensitization followed by 52‐week aspirin treatment (650 mg/d). At baseline and at 52 weeks, clinical assessment was performed; phenotypes based on induced sputum cells were identified; eicosanoid, cytokine and chemokine levels in induced sputum supernatant were determined; and induced sputum expression of 94 genes was assessed. Responders to high‐dose aspirin were defined as patients with improvement in 5‐item Asthma Control Questionnaire score, 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) score and forced expiratory volume in 1 second at 52 weeks.ResultsThere were 28 responders (82%). Positive baseline predictors of response included female sex (p = .002), higher SNOT‐22 score (p = .03), higher blood eosinophil count (p = .01), lower neutrophil percentage in induced sputum (p = .003), higher expression of the hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase gene, HPGD (p = .004) and lower expression of the proteoglycan 2 gene, PRG2 (p = .01). The best prediction model included Asthma Control Test and SNOT‐22 scores, blood eosinophils and total serum immunoglobulin E. Responders showed a marked decrease in sputum eosinophils but no changes in eicosanoid levels.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceFemale sex, high blood eosinophil count, low sputum neutrophil percentage, severe nasal symptoms, high HPGD expression and low PRG2 expression may predict a positive response to long‐term high‐dose aspirin therapy in patients with AERD.
Listening to the opinista? Relational understandings of voice and silence in a multiperspective narrative study of child psychotherapy
Authors: Capella Claudia , Boddy Janet 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe concept of ‘child voice’ is examined through a longitudinal narrative case‐based analysis of interviews and drawings with an 8‐year‐old Chilean girl, who was in psychotherapy following sexual abuse, alongside interviews with her mother and therapists. Prompted by the child's description of herself through the neologism of the opinista—one who has opinions—the analysis encompasses diverse narratives of a critical moment in therapy, illuminating the complexity and entangled relationality of ‘child voice’. Moving beyond an individualizsed conception of ‘voice’ makes it possible to account for relationality without privileging adult articulations of children's experiences—allowing the opinista to be heard.
COVID‐19 and food processing in Canada
Authors: Hailu Getu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, I explore the economic activities of the food processing industry during the coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. One of the key lessons from food processing and related industries is that without being designated as an essential service and targeted stimulus packages, the food industry could have fallen victim to the COVID‐19 crisis. Although the social and economic impacts of the interventions are not clear, being designated as an essential service was likely far more important to the food industry than the targeted stimulus packages. The pandemic and shutdown orders had a considerable production reallocation effect. Some processors have seen temporary closure and reduced capacity utilization. On the upside, disruptions in the food processing sector have not been as severe as in non‐essential sectors. The food processing sector has proven to be relatively stable during the pandemic – food was still processed and delivered to consumers and food price increases were minimal in most cases given the scale of the shock. Moving forward, because COVID‐19 is a global crisis, internationally targeted and coordinated efforts to tackle the virus could place the industry on a strong trajectory towards economic recovery and growth.RésuméDans cet article, j'explore les activités économiques de l'industrie de la transformation des aliments pendant la pandémie COVID‐19. L'une des principales leçons tirées de la transformation des aliments et des industries connexes est que sans être désignée comme un service essentiel et visée par des plans de relance ciblés, l'industrie alimentaire aurait pu être victime de la crise du COVID‐19. Bien que les impacts sociaux et économiques des interventions ne soient pas clairs, être désigné comme un service essentiel était probablement beaucoup plus important pour l'industrie alimentaire que les plans de relance ciblés. La pandémie et les ordres d'arrêt ont eu un effet considérable de réallocation de la production. Certains transformateurs ont connu des fermetures temporaires et une utilisation réduite de leurs capacités. Les perturbations dans le secteur de la transformation des aliments n'ont pas été aussi graves que dans les secteurs non essentiels. Le secteur de la transformation des aliments s'est avéré relativement stable pendant la pandémie ‐ les aliments étaient encore
transformés et livrés aux consommateurs et les augmentations des prix des denrées alimentaires ont été minimes dans la plupart des cas compte tenu de l'ampleur du choc. À l'avenir, parce que le COVID‐19 est une crise mondiale, des efforts coordonnés et ciblés au niveau international pour lutter contre le virus pourraient placer l'industrie sur une trajectoire solide vers la reprise économique et la croissance.