bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the asymptotic normality of persistent Betti numbers
Authors: Krebs Johannes , Polonik Wolfgang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Persistent Betti numbers are a major tool in persistent homology, a subfield of topological data analysis. Many tools in persistent homology rely on the properties of persistent Betti numbers considered as a two-dimensional stochastic process

$ (r,s) \mapsto n^{-1/2} (\beta^{r,s}_q ( \mathcal{K}(n^{1/d} \mathcal{X}_n))-\mathbb{E}[\beta^{r,s}_q ( \mathcal{K}( n^{1/d} \mathcal{X}_n))])$

. So far, pointwise limit theorems have been established in various settings. In particular, the pointwise asymptotic normality of (persistent) Betti numbers has been established for stationary Poisson processes and binomial processes with constant intensity function in the so-called critical (or thermodynamic) regime; see Yogeshwaran et al. (Prob. Theory Relat. Fields167, 2017) and Hiraoka et al. (Ann. Appl. Prob.28, 2018).
In this contribution, we derive a strong stabilization property (in the spirit of Penrose and Yukich, Ann. Appl. Prob.11, 2001) of persistent Betti numbers, and we generalize the existing results on their asymptotic normality to the multivariate case and to a broader class of underlying Poisson and binomial processes. Most importantly, we show that multivariate asymptotic normality holds for all pairs (r, s),

$0\le r\le s<\infty$

, and that it is not affected by percolation effects in the underlying random geometric graph.
Measuring the effectiveness of programmed instructions (PI) to learn design thinking concepts for secondary school students
Authors: Bhatt Apoorv Naresh , Chakrabarti Amaresh 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Self-instructional media in education has the potential to address educational challenges such as accessibility, flexible and personalised learning, real-time assessment and resource efficiency. The objectives of this study are to (1) develop programmed instructions to teach design thinking concepts and (2) investigate its effects on secondary school students’ understanding of these concepts. A design thinking workshop was conducted with secondary school students; subsequently, their understanding of design thinking concepts gained through digital programmed instructions was evaluated. The study involved 33 novice secondary school students from grades 6 to 9 in India, who worked in teams to find and solve real-life, open-ended, complex problems during the workshop using the design thinking process. Data on (i) the individual performance in understanding design thinking concepts and (ii) team performance in design problem finding and solving were collected using individual tests and teams’ outcome evaluations, respectively. Students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the programmed instructions for supporting understanding of the concepts were also captured. Results show the positive effects on students’ understanding of design thinking concepts as well as on their problem-finding and solving skills. The results justify the use of programmed instructions in secondary school curricula to advance design thinking concepts. The current version of programmed instruction has limitations, including the absence of branching mechanisms, a detailed feedback system, multimodal content and backend functionalities. Future work will aim to address these issues and overcome these shortcomings.
Long-term trends in the incidence of hospital-acquired carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and antimicrobial utilization in a network of community hospitals in the Southeastern United States from 2013 to 2023
Authors: Kim Tark , Moehring Rebekah W. , Turner Nicholas A. , Ashley Elizabeth Dodds , Crane Linda , Padgette Polly , Payne Valerie C. , Roach Linda , Wood Brittain , Anderson Deverick J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackground:Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are an urgent threat to healthcare, but the epidemiology of these antimicrobial-resistant organisms may be evolving in some settings since the COVID-19 pandemic. An updated analysis of hospital-acquired CRE (HA-CRE) incidence in community hospitals is needed.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed data on HA-CRE cases and antimicrobial utilization (AU) from two community hospital networks, the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) and the Duke Antimicrobial Stewardship Outreach Network (DASON) from January 2013 to June 2023. The zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was used owing to excess zeros.Results:126 HA-CRE cases from 36 hospitals were included in the longitudinal analysis. The pooled incidence of HA CRE was 0.69 per 100,000 patient days (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.57–0.82 HA-CRE rate significantly decreased over time before COVID-19 (rate ratio [RR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.89–0.99]; p = 0.02), but there was a significant slope change indicating a trend increase in HA-CRE after COVID-19 (RR, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.06–1.66]; p = 0.01). In 21 hospitals participating in both DICON and DASON from January 2018 to June 2023, there was a correlation between HA-CRE rates and AU for CRE treatment (Spearman’s coefficient = 0.176; p < 0.01). Anti-CRE AU did not change over time, and there was no level or slope change after COVID.Conclusions:The incidence of HA-CRE decreased before COVID-19 in a network of community hospitals in the southeastern United States, but this trend was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Utility of post-admission SARS-CoV-2 serial testing in hospitalized patients with cancer
Authors: Usiak Shauna , Aslam Anoshe , Yan Judy , Madhavappallil Jerin , Bokhari Marissa , Romero Tiffany , Bubb Tania N. , Kodama Rich , Babady Esther , Kamboj Mini 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackground:SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic surveillance testing (AST) is a common strategy to minimize the risk of nosocomial infection in patients and healthcare personnel. In contrast to admission screening, post-admission AST was less widely adopted.Objective:This study describes the diagnostic yield of post-admission serial SARS-COV-2 testing in hospitalized patients at a large cancer center with mostly double-occupancy rooms.Design:Retrospective cohort study design. Post-admission SARS-CoV-2 tests were examined over a 18 month study period. Positive results were reviewed to determine true hospital-onset infections using a combination criteria of screening all sample cycle threshold (Ct) values >30, results of non-concordant repeat testing, and clinical symptoms.Results:Post-admission serial testing of 15,048 hospitalized patients during an 18-month study period at a tertiary care cancer center detected hospital-onset infection in 1.6% (n = 245 patients). Among all hospital-onset positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests, 13% were clinically false positive. Most true infections were mild to moderate in severity.Conclusions:In summary, post-admission serial testing in a high-risk setting is a low-yield strategy with several unfavorable effects and should no longer be routinely applied.
Say it ain’t Steno: a microbiology nudge comment leads to less treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia respiratory colonization
Authors: Boettcher Stormmy R. , Kenney Rachel M. , Arena Christen J. , Beaulac Amy E. , Tibbetts Robert J. , Shallal Anita B. , Suleyman Geehan , Veve Michael P. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjective:To describe the effect of a Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) respiratory culture nudge on antibiotic use in colonized patients.Design:IRB-approved quasi-experiment.Setting:Five acute-care hospitals in Michigan.Patients:Adult patients with SM respiratory culture between 01/01/2022 and 01/27/2023 (pre-nudge) and 03/27/2023–12/31/2023 (post-nudge). Patients with active community/hospital/ventilator-acquired pneumonia or who received SM-targeted antibiotics at the time of culture were excluded.Methods:A nudge comment was implemented 02/2023 stating: “S. maltophilia is a frequent colonizer of the respiratory tract. Clinical correlation for infection is required. Colonizers do not require antibiotic treatment.” The primary outcome was no treatment with SM-therapy; secondary outcomes were treatment with SM-therapy ≥72 hrs, length of stay, and in-hospital, all-cause mortality. Safety outcomes included antibiotic-associated adverse drug events (ADEs).Results:94 patients were included: 53 (56.4%) pre- and 41 (43.6%) post-nudge. Most patients were men (53, 56.4%), had underlying lung disease (61, 64.8%), and required invasive ventilatory support (70, 74.5%). Eleven (11.7%) patients resided in a long-term care facility. No treatment with SM therapy was observed in 13 (23.1%) pre- versus 32 (78.0%) post-nudge patients (P <0.001). There were no differences in secondary outcomes. Antibiotic-associated ADEs were common (33/41, 76%) in patients who received ≥72hrs of SM-therapy: fluid overload (18, 44%), hyponatremia (17, 42%), elevated SCr (12, 29%), hyperkalemia (5, 12%). After adjustment for confounders, post-nudge was associated with 11-fold increased odds of no treatment with SM-therapy (adjOR, 11.72; 95%CI, 4.18–32.83).Conclusions:A targeted SM nudge was associated with a significant reduction in treatment of colonization, with similar patient outcomes. SM-treated patients frequently developed antibiotic-associated ADEs.
About Your Child’s Eating scale: a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the questionnaire in the Greek language
Authors: Papaleontiou Andri , Voniati Louiza , Gryparis Alexandros , Georgiou Rafaella , Siafaka Vassiliki , Tafiadis Dionysios 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Feeding is an interactive process between parents and children and is related to children’s healthy nutrition, growth, and feelings about the child or parent. The effectiveness of the interaction between feeding and behaviour is strongly influenced by how well this reciprocal procedure is stimulated and supported.
The current study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the About Your Child’s Eating (AYCE) questionnaire in its Greek language version for Greek-Cypriot parents and caregivers of children aged six months to 16 years with or without feeding and swallowing problems.
One hundred Greek-Cypriot parents/caregivers of children with feeding and swallowing difficulties and 100 Greek-Cypriot parents/caregivers of children without feeding and swallowing difficulties participated in this study. This study was conducted at mainstream schools and private speech-language therapy clinics in Cyprus. According to WHO, the AYCE questionnaire was translated and culturally tailored for Greek speakers.
The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the AYCE total mean scores of parents in the Typical Development of Feeding Behaviors group (c-TDFB) (M = 44.03, SD = 11.18) and parents in the Atypical Development of Feeding Behaviors group (c-ADFB) (M = 63.56, SD: 16.22) (P < 0.001), with c-ADFB scoring significantly higher. The overall evaluation of the scale yielded a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.916.
The validity of the AYCE questionnaire in Cyprus was also assessed. The findings demonstrate that the AYCE can be a beneficial tool for determining critical facets of the feeding parent–child interaction for preschool- and school-aged Greek-Cypriot children in Cyprus.
Second language learning of degree expressions: A computational approach
Authors: Cong Yan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Degrees, unlike entities or events, refer to comparative qualities and are closely tied to gradable adjectives such as “tall.” Degree expressions have been explored in second language (L2) research, covering areas such as learnability, first language (L1) transfer, contrastive analysis, and acquisition difficulty. However, a computational approach to the learning of degree expressions in L2 contexts, particularly for L1 Chinese learners of English, has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to fill this gap by utilizing natural language processing (NLP) methods, drawing insights from recent advancements in large language models (LLMs). This study extends Cong (2024)’s general-purpose assessment pipeline to specifically analyze degree expressions, predicting that surprisal metrics will correlate with proficiency levels and distinct developmental stages of L2 learners. Crucially, we address the limitations of surprisal metrics in capturing underuse or avoidance—common in L2 development—by integrating frequency-based analyses. Using an NLP pipeline developed with Stanza, we automatically identified and analyzed degree expressions, constructing linear mixed-effects models to track L2 development trajectories. Our findings reveal that as proficiency increases, learners use complex degree expressions more frequently, supporting theories linking difficulty and learnability. Higher surprisal values are associated with lower proficiency in using degree expressions, and these surprisals are more predictive of degree expressions proficiency than classic NLP measures. These results add further evidence that LLMs and NLP tools provide valuable insights into L2 development, specifically in the domain of degree expressions, expanding upon previous research and offering new approaches for understanding L2 learning processes.
European Institutional Integration and the Educational Divide in Support for the European Union
Authors: Baute Sharon , Tober Tobias 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSince the 1950s, the history of European integration unfolds as a unique social experiment, witnessing the transformation of a non-existent entity into an increasingly institutionalized force. This article delves into the consequences of this ongoing institutionalization on public attitudes towards the institution itself: the European Union (EU). We argue that as European institutional integration advanced, a divide in EU support between more and less educated individuals emerged, with the latter becoming progressively less supportive. Drawing on data from eighty-five waves of the Eurobarometer survey across fifteen countries and over 820,000 individuals from 1976 to 2014, a Bayesian mixed-effects analysis reveals that the gap in support between the more and less educated significantly widened with a country's level of institutional integration. This study emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing institutional effects from temporal patterns in order to enhance our understanding of EU-related public opinion dynamics.
Occurrence of Trichinella spiralis in farmed wild boars (Sus scrofa): an underrated risk in China
Authors: Zhang Nian-Zhang , Wang Meng , Chen Wei-Gang , Gai Wen-Yan , Dao Thanh Thi Ha , Li Ting-Ting , Li Wen-Hui , Zhang Hai-Rui , Yin Hong , Thuy Nguyen Thi Bich , Fu Bao-Quan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Natural infection by Trichinella sp. has been reported in humans and more than 150 species of animals, especially carnivorous and omnivorous mammals. Although the presence of Trichinella sp. infection in wild boars (Sus scrofa) has been documented worldwide, limited information is known about Trichinella circulation in farmed wild boars in China. This study intends to investigate the prevalence of Trichinella sp. in farmed wild boars in China. Seven hundred and sixty-one (761) muscle samples from farmed wild boars were collected in Jilin Province of China from 2017 to 2020. The diaphragm muscles were examined by artificial digestion method. The overall prevalence of Trichinella in farmed wild boars was 0.53% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51–0.55]. The average parasite loading was 0.076 ± 0.025 larvae per gram (lpg), and the highest burden was 0.21 lpg in a wild boar from Fusong city. Trichinella spiralis was the only species identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The 5S rDNA inter-genic spacer region of Trichinella was amplified and sequenced. The results showed that the obtained sequence (GenBank accession number: OQ725583) shared 100% identity with the T. spiralis HLJ isolate (GenBank accession number: MH289505). Since the consumption of farmed wild boars is expected to increase in the future, these findings highlight the significance of developing exclusive guidelines for the processing of slaughtered farmed wild boar meat in China.
Links between accuracy and effectiveness of laboratory medicine equipment: use of the EUnetHTA core model to compare two analyzers by measuring HbA1c
Authors: Di Resta Chiara , Sacco Chiara , Trbos Mladen , Locatelli Massimo , Banfi Giuseppe , Tomaiuolo Rossella 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives
In the field of Laboratory Medicine, the evolution of knowledge and the innovation of technologies are the basis of analytical and diagnostic progress, leading to the development of new solutions based on innovative technologies. However, these advances must be accompanied by evidence of appropriateness, diagnostic effectiveness, and organizational efficiency, considering the test’s first impact on patient outcomes.

Methods
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a valid management tool to support Laboratory Medicine professionals in assessing technologies and which is the most appropriate to adopt. This study is an illustrative case of the application of HTA, exploiting the EUnetHTA Core Model, on two analyzers able to determine the glycated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c), the Capillarys 2 Flex piercing analyzer and the HLC-723G11 analyzer in the Laboratory Medicine Service of the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, IT). The main focus is related to potential differences in methods, organizational aspects, and clinical effectiveness of these approaches for measuring HbA1c.

Results
The EUnetHTA Core Model has proven to be the optimal method for HTA in the field of Laboratory Medicine, as it allows to highlight both the peculiarities of the methods on which the analyzers are based and the clinical efficacy of the laboratory test on specific patient populations, considering individual variations in treatment responses, assessing the potential benefits for individual patients or small groups.

Conclusions
This granular analysis helps provide insights into the effectiveness and value of healthcare interventions at the patient level, contributing to evidence-based decision-making in clinical practice and healthcare policy.
On the existence of solutions to adversarial training in multiclass classification
Authors: García Trillos Nicolás , Jacobs Matt , Kim Jakwang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Adversarial training is a min-max optimization problem that is designed to construct robust classifiers against adversarial perturbations of data. We study three models of adversarial training in the multiclass agnostic-classifier setting. We prove the existence of Borel measurable robust classifiers in each model and provide a unified perspective of the adversarial training problem, expanding the connections with optimal transport initiated by the authors in their previous work [21]. In addition, we develop new connections between adversarial training in the multiclass setting and total variation regularization. As a corollary of our results, we provide an alternative proof of the existence of Borel measurable solutions to the agnostic adversarial training problem in the binary classification setting.
Longitudinal analysis of lifestyle risk factors, nutrition status and drivers of food choice among urban migrants in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Almaty, Kazakhstan: a formative study
Authors: Bromage Sabri , Tazhibayev Shamil , Zhou Xin , Liu Chang , Tserenkhuu Enkhtsetseg , Dolmatova Oksana , Khishignemekh Munkhbat , Musurepova Leyla , Wusigale  , Tsolmon Soninkhishig , Tsendjav Enkhjargal , Enkhmaa Davaasambuu , Rai Rajesh Kumar , Enkhbat Bayarmaa , Menghe Bilige , Ganmaa Davaasambuu 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objective:
To quantify and compare concurrent within-person trends in lifestyle risks, nutrition status and drivers of food choice among urban migrants in Central Asia.

Design:
We collected panel data on household structure, drivers of food choice, nutrition knowledge and diverse measures of nutrition status and lifestyle risk from urban migrants at 0, 3, 6 and 9 months using harmonised methodology in two cities. Trends were analysed using mixed-effects models and qualitatively compared within and between cities.

Setting:
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Participants:
200 adults (22–55 years) who migrated to these cities within the past 2 years.

Results:
Adjusting for age and sex, each month since migration was positively associated with fasting TAG in Almaty (0·55 mg/dl; 95 % CI: 0·13, 0·94) and BMI (0·04 kg/m2; 95 % CI: 0·01, 0·07), body fat (0·14 %; 95 % CI: 0·01, 0·26) and fasting glucose (0·04 mmol/l; 95 % CI: 0·02, 0·05) and lipids in Ulaanbaatar (P < 0·05). In Almaty, nutrition knowledge (measured using an objective 20-point scale) declined despite improvements in diet quality (measured by Prime Diet Quality Score). The influence of food availability, price and taste on food choice increased in Almaty (P < 0·05). Upon multivariable adjustment, nutrition knowledge was positively associated with diet quality in Almaty and adherence to ‘acculturated’ diet patterns in both cities (P < 0·05). Different trends in smoking, sleep quality and generalised anxiety were observed between cities.

Conclusions:
Findings indicate heterogeneous shifts in nutrition, lifestyles and drivers of food choice among urban migrants in Central Asia and provide an evidence base for focused research and advocacy to promote healthy diets and enable nutrition-sensitive food environments.
Design and analysis of response threshold of energy selective surface based on serial LC circuits
Authors: Hu Ning , Zhu Xi , Wang He , Yin Haojie , Xu Yanlin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis paper presents a method to design the response threshold (RT) of energy selective surface (ESS) based on series LC circuits (SLC_based_ESS). A simple SLC_based_ESS structure composed of metal strips and PIN diodes is used for demonstration. According to our research, the RT is rarely related to the geometry parameters of unit cells. By contrast, the RT could be designed by introducing auxiliary structures (ASs) to SLC_based_ESS arrays. With the AS, the induced currents on diodes are enhanced and thus RT is greatly reduced. Prototypes are fabricated and measured under different power levels. The results agree well with simulations, proving an effective design of RT by the proposed method.