bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intimacy for older adults in long-term care: a need, a right, a privilege—or a kind of care?
Authors: Schouten Vanessa , Henrickson Mark , Cook Catherine M , McDonald Sandra , Atefi Nilo 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundTo investigate attitudes of staff, residents and family members in long-term care towards sex and intimacy among older adults, specifically the extent to which they conceptualise sex and intimacy as a need, a right, a privilege or as a component of overall well-being.MethodsThe present study was a part of a two-arm mixed-methods cross-sectional study using a concurrent triangulation design. A validated survey tool was developed; 433 staff surveys were collected from 35 facilities across the country. Interviews were conducted with 75 staff, residents and family members.ResultsIt was common for staff, residents and family members to talk about intimacy and sexuality in terms of rights and needs. As well as using the language of needs and rights, it was common for participants to use terms related to well-being, such as fun, happiness or being miserable. One participant in particular (a staff member) described receiving intimate touch as a ‘kind of care’—a particularly useful way of framing the conversation.ConclusionWhile staff, residents and family frequently used the familiar language of needs and rights to discuss access to intimate touch, they also used the language of well-being and care. Reframing the conversation in this way serves a useful purpose: it shifts the focus from simply meeting minimum obligations to a salutogenic approach—one that focuses on caring for the whole person in order to improve overall well-being and quality of life.
Farming, pesticide exposure and respiratory health: a cross-sectional study in Thailand
Authors: Ratanachina Jate , Amaral Andre , De Matteis Sara , Cullinan Paul , Burney Peter 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo assess the association of lung function and respiratory symptoms with farming, particularly pesticide use, in an agricultural province in Thailand.MethodsWe undertook a cross-sectional survey of adults aged 40–65 in Nan province, Thailand, between May and August 2019. We randomly recruited 345 villagers and enriched the sample with 82 government employees. All participants performed post-bronchodilator spirometry and completed a questionnaire covering information on respiratory symptoms, farming activities, pesticide use and known risk factors for respiratory disease. Associations of respiratory outcomes with farming and pesticide exposures were examined by multivariable regression analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 94%. The prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction among villagers was 5.5%. Villagers had, on average, a lower percent predicted post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) than government employees (98.3% vs 100.3%; p=0.04). There was no evidence of association of lung function with farming activities, the use of specific herbicides (glyphosate and paraquat), insecticides (organophosphates and pyrethroids) or fungicides. The exceptions were poultry farming, associated with chronic cough and an increase of FEV1/FVC, and atrazine, for which duration (p-trend <0.01), intensity (p-trend <0.01) and cumulative hours (p-trend=0.01) of use were all associated with higher FEV1/FVC in an exposure–response manner. Cumulative hours (−280 mL/hour), low duration (−270 mL/year) and intensity (−270 mL/hour/year) of atrazine use were associated with lower FVC.ConclusionsChronic airflow obstruction is uncommon among villagers of an agricultural province in Nan, Thailand. Farming and pesticide use are unlikely to be major causes of respiratory problems there.
Ab initio study of structural, opto-electronic, elastic, and thermal properties of KZnF3
Authors: Erum Nazia , Iqbal Muhammad Azhar 
Published: June 2021

In the present study, a theoretical model of potassium-based zinc perovskite (KZnF3) is investigated via structural, electronic, elastic, mechanical, optical, and thermal properties. In addition, lattice dynamics and effect of pressure variation on structural and electronic properties have also been observed. All said calculations are done within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). To authenticate our work we use several exchange correlation functionals. The calculated structural parameters, including cohesive energy, are in accordance with previous experimental and available theoretical studies. The decrease in lattice constant as well as bond lengths is noted with increase in pressure from 0 to 50 GPa. Electronic properties reveal that this material possess an indirect (R–Γ) bandgap while increase in pressure reveals widening of the bandgap. The elastic and mechanical properties show that (KZnF3) is mechanically stable in the cubic phase with predominantly ionic character. The evaluated optical responses of the KZnF3 compound are studied in terms of imaginary and the real parts of the dielectric function ε(ω), refractive index n(ω), reflectivity R(ω), and absorption coefficient α(ω). All of the optical parameters are in good accordance with electronic aspects. Finally, several thermal parameters are calculated, such as unit cell volume, entropy, and heat capacity (Cv) using the quasi-harmonic Debye model.
Do supernovae indicate an accelerating universe?
Authors: Mohayaee Roya , Rameez Mohamed , Sarkar Subir 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the late 1990’s, observations of two directionally-skewed samples of, in total, 93 Type Ia supernovae were analysed in the framework of the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) cosmology. Assuming these to be ‘standard(isable) candles’ it was inferred that the Hubble expansion rate is accelerating as if driven by a positive Cosmological Constant $$\varLambda $$
Λ
in Einstein’s theory of gravity. This is still the only direct evidence for the ‘dark energy’ that is the dominant component of today’s standard $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM cosmological model. Other data such as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in the large-scale distribution of galaxies, temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), measurement of stellar ages, the rate of growth of structure, etc are all ‘concordant’ with this model but do not provide independent evidence for accelerated expansion. The recent discussions about whether the inferred acceleration is real rests on analysis of a larger sample of 740 SNe Ia which shows that these are not quite standard candles, and more importantly highlights the ‘corrections’ that are applied to analyse the data in the FLRW framework. The latter holds in the reference frame in which the CMB is isotropic, whereas observations are carried out in our heliocentric frame in which the CMB has a large dipole anisotropy. This is assumed to be of kinematic origin i.e. due to our non-Hubble motion driven by local inhomogeneity in the matter distribution which has grown under gravity from primordial density perturbations traced by the CMB fluctuations. The $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM model predicts how this peculiar velocity should fall off as the averaging scale is raised and the universe becomes sensibly homogeneous. However observations of the local ‘bulk flow’ are inconsistent with this expectation and convergence to the CMB frame is not seen. Moreover, the kinematic interpretation implies a corresponding dipole in the sky distribution of high redshift quasars, which is rejected by observations at $$4.9\sigma $$

4.9
σ

. Hence the peculiar velocity corrections employed in supernova cosmology are inconsistent and discontinuous within the data. The acceleration of the Hubble expansion rate is in fact anisotropic at $$3.9\sigma $$

3.9
σ

and aligned with the bulk flow. Thus dark energy could be an artefact of analysing data assuming that we are idealised observers in an FLRW universe, when in fact the real universe is inhomogeneous and anisotropic out to distances large enough to impact on cosmological analyses.
Multiscalar B − L model with Σ(18) symmetry for neutrino mass and mixing
Authors: Vien V. V. 
Published: June 2021

We construct a non-renormalizable [Formula: see text] model based on [Formula: see text] symmetry, whereby, neutrino mass ordering and the tiny neutrino masses are explained at tree level via type I seesaw mechanism. The model can reproduce the recent observed neutrino oscillation data in which neutrino oscillation parameters including three mixing angles [Formula: see text], Dirac CP phase plus neutrino squared-mass splittings [Formula: see text] get the best-fit values for both Normal ordering (NO) and Inverted ordering (IO). The Majorana phases are predicted to be [Formula: see text] for NO, [Formula: see text] for IO and [Formula: see text] for both NH and IO. The sum of neutrino mass and the effective neutrino mass are, respectively, predicted to be [Formula: see text] for NO while [Formula: see text] for IO and [Formula: see text] for NO while [Formula: see text] for IO which are well compatible with the most recent experimental constraints.
Dielectric permittivity and relaxation process investigation of C-doped TlInS2 crystals
Authors: Samedov O. A. , Alekperov O. Z. , Orujova Kh. B. , Nadjafov A. İ. , Huseynov E. M. , Samedov S. F. , Gabulov İ. A. , Mekhtiyev N. M. 
Published: June 2021

In this work, permittivity of TlInS2 and TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals has been investigated at the AC field with 100–500 K temperatures ranges. [Formula: see text] temperature dependencies of TlInS2 and TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals are studied at the frequency range of 25–106 Hz. Activation energy and ionic conductivity nature of sample were analyzed. Moreover, permittivity of these samples was studied at the perpendicular direction of axis “[Formula: see text]” of TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals. The jumping process in the TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals was studied using [Formula: see text] temperature dependencies.
Identification of a Locus Near ULK1 Associated With Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Quinn Michael C.J. , McCue Karen , Shi Wei , Johnatty Sharon E. , Beesley Jonathan , Civitarese Andrew , O'Mara Tracy A. , Glubb Dylan M. , Tyrer Jonathan P. , Armasu Sebastian M. , Ong Jue-Sheng , Gharahkhani Puya , Lu Yi , Gao Bo , Patch Ann-Marie , Fasching Peter A. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Lambrechts Diether , Vergote Ignace , Velez Edwards Digna R. , Beeghly-Fadiel Alicia , Benitez Javier , Garcia Maria J. , Goodman Marc T. , Dörk Thilo , Dürst Matthias , Modugno Francesmary , Moysich Kirsten , du Bois Andreas , Pfisterer Jacobus , Bauman Klaus , Karlan Beth Y. , Lester Jenny , Cunningham Julie M. , Larson Melissa C. , McCauley Bryan M. , Kjaer Susanne K. , Jensen Allan , Hogdall Claus K. , Hogdall Estrid , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Riggan Marjorie J. , Berchuck Andrew , Cramer Daniel W. , Terry Kathryn L. , Bjorge Line , Webb Penelope M. , Friedlander Michael , Pejovic Tanja , Moffitt Melissa , Glasspool Rosalind , May Taymaa , Ene Gabrielle E.V. , Huntsman David G. , Woo Michelle , Carney Michael E. , Hinsley Samantha , Heitz Florian , Fereday Sian , Kennedy Catherine J. , Edwards Stacey L. , Winham Stacey J. , deFazio Anna , Pharoah Paul D.P. , Goode Ellen L. , MacGregor Stuart , Chenevix-Trench Georgia 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background:
Many loci have been found to be associated with risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, although there is considerable variation in progression-free survival (PFS), no loci have been found to be associated with outcome at genome-wide levels of significance.

Methods:
We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PFS in 2,352 women with EOC who had undergone cytoreductive surgery and standard carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Results:
We found seven SNPs at 12q24.33 associated with PFS (P &lt; 5 × 10–8), the top SNP being rs10794418 (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.15–1.34; P = 1.47 × 10–8). High expression of a nearby gene, ULK1, is associated with shorter PFS in EOC, and with poor prognosis in other cancers. SNP rs10794418 is also associated with expression of ULK1 in ovarian tumors, with the allele associated with shorter PFS being associated with higher expression, and chromatin interactions were detected between the ULK1 promoter and associated SNPs in serous and endometrioid EOC cell lines. ULK1 knockout ovarian cancer cell lines showed significantly increased sensitivity to carboplatin in vitro.

Conclusions:
The locus at 12q24.33 represents one of the first genome-wide significant loci for survival for any cancer. ULK1 is a plausible candidate for the target of this association.

Impact:
This finding provides insight into genetic markers associated with EOC outcome and potential treatment options.
See related commentary by Peres and Monteiro, p. 1604
Anti-TGFβ (Transforming Growth Factor β) Therapy With Betaglycan-Derived P144 Peptide Gene Delivery Prevents the Formation of Aortic Aneurysm in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Arce Cristina , Rodríguez-Rovira Isaac , De Rycke Karo , Durán Karina , Campuzano Victoria , Fabregat Isabel , Jiménez-Altayó Francesc , Berraondo Pedro , Egea Gustavo 
Published: June 2021

Objective:
We investigated the effect of a potent TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) inhibitor peptide (P144) from the betaglycan/TGFβ receptor III on aortic aneurysm development in a Marfan syndrome mouse model.

Approach and Results:

We used a chimeric gene encoding the P144 peptide linked to apolipoprotein A-I via a flexible linker expressed by a hepatotropic adeno-associated vector. Two experimental approaches were performed: (1) a preventive treatment where the vector was injected before the onset of the aortic aneurysm (aged 4 weeks) and followed-up for 4 and 20 weeks and (2) a palliative treatment where the vector was injected once the aneurysm was formed (8 weeks old) and followed-up for 16 weeks. We evaluated the aortic root diameter by echocardiography, the aortic wall architecture and TGFβ signaling downstream effector expression of pSMAD2 and pERK1/2 by immunohistomorphometry, and
Tgfβ1
and
Tgfβ2
mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Marfan syndrome mice subjected to the preventive approach showed no aortic dilation in contrast to untreated Marfan syndrome mice, which at the same end point age already presented the aneurysm. In contrast, the palliative treatment with P144 did not halt aneurysm progression. In all cases, P144 improved elastic fiber morphology and normalized pERK1/2-mediated TGFβ signaling. Unlike the palliative treatment, the preventive treatment reduced
Tgfβ1
and
Tgfβ2
mRNA levels.

Conclusions:
P144 prevents the onset of aortic aneurysm but not its progression. Results indicate the importance of reducing the excess of active TGFβ signaling during the early stages of aortic disease progression.
Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor by ITE Improves Cardiac Function in Mice After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Seong Eunhwa , Lee Jun‐Ho , Lim Sungmin , Park Eun‐Hye , Kim Eunmin , Kim Chan Woo , Lee Eunmi , Oh Gyu‐Chul , Choo Eun Ho , Hwang Byung‐Hee , Kim Chan Joon , Ihm Sang Hyun , Youn Ho Joong , Chung Wook Sung , Chang Kiyuk 
Published: June 2021

Background
The immune and inflammatory responses play a considerable role in left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Binding of AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) to its ligands modulates immune and inflammatory responses; however, the effects of AhR in the context of MI are unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the potential association between AhR and MI by treating mice with a nontoxic endogenous AhR ligand, ITE (2‐[1’H‐indole‐3’‐carbonyl]‐thiazole‐4‐carboxylic acid methyl ester). We hypothesized that activation of AhR by ITE in MI mice would boost regulatory T‐cell differentiation, modulate macrophage activity, and facilitate infarct healing.

Methods and Results

Acute MI was induced in C57BL/6 mice by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Then, the mice were randomized to daily intraperitoneal injection of ITE (200 µg/mouse, n=19) or vehicle (n=16) to examine the therapeutic effects of ITE during the postinfarct healing process. Echocardiographic and histopathological analyses revealed that ITE‐treated mice exhibited significantly improved systolic function (
P
<0.001) and reduced infarct size compared with control mice (
P
<0.001). In addition, we found that ITE increased regulatory T cells in the mediastinal lymph node, spleen, and infarcted myocardium, and shifted the M1/M2 macrophage balance toward the M2 phenotype in vivo, which plays vital roles in the induction and resolution of inflammation after acute MI. In vitro, ITE expanded the Foxp3
+
(forkhead box protein P3‐positive) regulatory T cells and tolerogenic dendritic cell populations.

Conclusions
Activation of AhR by a nontoxic endogenous ligand, ITE, improves cardiac function after MI. Post‐MI mice treated with ITE have a significantly lower risk of developing advanced left ventricular systolic dysfunction than nontreated mice. Thus, the results imply that ITE has a potential as a stimulator of cardiac repair after MI to prevent heart failure.
Evaluation of the Modified Barium Swallow Study Conducted With and Without Radiologist Supervision: A Pre- and Post-Observational Study
Authors: Yang Luhe , Leswick David , Butler Michael , Ellchuk Tasha 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Assess quality metrics of modified barium swallow studies (MBSS) with and without a radiologist present during the procedure. Methods: Retrospective review of MBSS performed on adult inpatients at a tertiary care hospital 6-months pre- and post-institutional change from having to not having a radiologist present during the examination. Factors assessed included: fluoroscopy time; study duration; number of cine loops; number of images; efficiency of collimation (using a 5-point scoring system); time to final report; radiologist-speech language pathologist report disagreement; and recalls for inadequate studies. Statistical analysis was via Welch’s t-test and a test of proportions for continuous and count data under the normal approximation. Results: 106 and 119 MBSS were analyzed from the radiologist present and radiologist absent periods, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found for: average fluoroscopy time (116.1 s vs. 126.9 s; P = 0.161); study duration (400.4 s vs. 417.3 s; P = 0.453); number of cine loops (9.3 vs. 10.2; P = 0.075); number of images (620.5 vs. 581.1; P = 0.350); or report disagreement. There was improved performance without the radiologist present for collimation (1.92 vs. 1.43; P = 0.003) and fewer non-diagnostic images (6.5 vs. 4.5; P = 0.001). Time to final report was longer with the radiologist absent due to more reports with significant delays. There were no repeated studies because of inadequate technique in either group. Conclusion: MBSS performed by technologists without radiologist supervision is not inferior to those performed with radiologist supervision on multiple performance measures. This supports technologist operated MBSS without radiologist supervision, while acknowledging a need to further address radiologist report time delay.
Evaluation of a Quality Improvement Intervention to Improve Pediatric Palliative Care Consultation Processes
Authors: Stoyell Jennifer Forsman , Jordan Megan , Derouin Anne , Thompson Julie , Gall Sarah , Jooste Karen R. , Keskinyan Vahakn Shant , Lakis Kristen Register , Lee Yu-Lin Amy , Docherty Sharron 
Published: June 2021

Background: A critical aspect of pediatric palliative care consultations is the assessment and documentation of patient and family needs. While these assessments usually include a focus on physical pain, there is less standardization of assessments of other physical symptoms and psychosocial, emotional, or spiritual needs. Aims: To improve the breadth of assessment of psychosocial and emotional needs, screen for symptoms other than pain among pediatric patients utilizing palliative care services, and to increase documentation of assessment data from 30%-40% to 80% through practice changes implemented in 2 Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. Methods: This quality improvement project involved implementing provider education and adapting the palliative care consultation template in the electronic health record to improve breadth and consistency of assessment and documentation during consultations by the interdisciplinary pediatric palliative care team. Two PDSA cycles were performed. Chi squared tests and statistical control charts were used for data analysis. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in the inclusion of documentation of a pediatric palliative care social work note from baseline (32%) to Cycle 2 (57%). Physical symptom screening declined slightly, but not significantly (p = .32) and socio-emotional discussions also declined but not significantly (p = .05). Conclusions: Screening for physical symptoms and discussions with patients and families about psychosocial/emotional needs during the initial palliative care consultations are extremely important in providing effective, holistic, patient-centered care. There is a need for development of pediatric-centric guidelines and quality measures to evaluate pediatric palliative care programs; further research is indicated to determine methods for evaluating compliance with these guidelines.
Systematic Review of Prediction Models for Preterm Birth Using CHARMS
Authors: Kim Jeung-Im , Lee Joo Yun 
Published: June 2021

Objective: This study sought to evaluate prediction models for preterm birth (PTB) and to explore predictors frequently used in PTB prediction models. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. We selected studies according to the PRISMA, classified studies according to TRIPOD, appraised studies according to the PROBAST, and extracted and synthesized the data narratively according to the CHARMS. We classified the predictors in the models into socio-economic factors with demographic, psychosocial, biomedical, and health behavioral factors. Results: Twenty-one studies with 27 prediction models were selected for the analysis. Only 16 models (59.3%) defined PTB outcomes as 37 weeks or less, and seven models (25.9%) defined PTB as 32 weeks or less. The PTB rates varied according to whether high-risk pregnant women were included and according to the outcome definition used. The most frequently included predictors were age (among demographic factors), height, weight, body mass index, and chronic disease (among biomedical factors), and smoking (among behavioral factors). Conclusion: When using the PTB prediction model, one must pay attention to the outcome definition and inclusion criteria to select a model that fits the case. Many studies use the sub-categories of PTB; however, some of these sub-categories are not correctly indicated, and they can be misunderstood as PTB (≤ 37 weeks). To develop further PTB prediction models, it is necessary to set the target population and identify the outcomes to predict.