bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Influenza A(H3N2) Viruses in Bhutan for Two Consecutive Years, 2022 and 2023
Authors: Dorji Tshering , Dorji Kunzang , Gyeltshen Sonam 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundInfluenza A viruses pose a significant public health threat globally and are characterized by rapid evolution of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene causing seasonal epidemics. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolutionary dynamics of A(H3N2) circulating in Bhutan during 2022 and 2023.MethodsWe analysed 166 whole‐genome sequences of influenza A(H3N2) from Bhutan, obtained from the GISAID database. We employed a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) framework, with a curated global dataset of HA sequences from regions with significant migration links to Bhutan. Phylogenetic, temporal, and phylogeographic analyses were conducted to elucidate the evolutionary dynamics and spatial dissemination of the viruses.ResultsOur phylogenetic analysis identified the circulation of influenza A(H3N2) Clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2 in Bhutan during 2022 and 2023, with viruses further classified into three subclades: 2a.3 (39/166), 2a.3a.1 (58/166) and 2a.3b (69/166). The TMRCA estimates suggest that these viral lineages originated approximately 1.93 years prior to their detection. Phylogeographic analysis indicates introductions from the United States in 2022 and Australia in 2023. The mean evolutionary rate across all gene segments was calculated to be 4.42 × 10−3 substitutions per site per year (95% HPD: 3.19 × 10−3 to 5.84 × 10−3), with evidence of purifying selection and limited genetic diversity. Furthermore, reassortment events were rare, with an estimated rate of 0.045 events per lineage per year.ConclusionOur findings show that primary forces shaping the local evolution of the influenza A(H3N2) in Bhutan are largely stochastic, with only sporadic instances of adaptive change, and thus underscore the importance of continuous surveillance to mitigate the impact of evolving strains.
No Backstage: The Relentless Emotional Management of Acute Nursing Through the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Grant Aileen , O'Brien Rosaleen , Douglas Flora , Kennedy Catriona , Baldie Debbie , Torrance Nicola 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAim(s)To explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on nurse's well‐being, experiences of delivering healthcare within acute settings and their emotional management.DesignSequential mixed methods.MethodsFebruary to July 2021 an online well‐being survey was disseminated to nurses working in acute settings within one Scottish health board. In‐depth interviews with a purposive sample of respondents were conducted. Survey data were analysed descriptively, and interview data using Framework analysis and emotional management as the theoretical framework.ResultsWell‐being was poor overall. Infection control measures impeded interactions, with loss of connection between patients, families and nurses. Emotional work was extended in caring for patients and families when visits were forbidden or restricted. Disconnect between colleagues was intensely felt. On COVID and non‐COVID wards, nurses were caring for patients with a significantly reduced workforce and often outside their clinical speciality. Nurses masked their own anxieties, fears, moral distress and exhaustion on the ward. Communal ‘backstage’ spaces, were reduced to enable more infection‐control space but reduced opportunity for collegial support. Formal psychological intervention required access after shift, and/or nurses feared they could not contain their emotions afterwards.ConclusionWorking during the pandemic was emotionally and physically demanding for those in COVID a.nd non‐COVID wards. Unintended consequences of infection control measures significantly extended nurses' emotional management, by caring for isolated patients and families but impeding opportunities to care for each other, compounding their emotions.Implications for the ProfessionThere is a need to value emotional work in nursing to better support mental well‐being.ImpactWe advance the nursing emotional management literature by addressing the gap of exploration in challenging conditions. The importance of emotional management on nurses' mental well‐being has been overlooked but focusing on this in the next crisis could improve nurse's well‐being.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.Reporting MethodGRAMMS.
Smart Home Technologies for Enhancing Independence of Living and Reducing Care Dependence in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Yulong , Sun Huabei , Xu Shuxin , Xia Qiujie , Ge Song , Li Mei , Tang Xianping 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAimTo systematically review the potential of smart home technology to enhance the independence of older adults and reduce their dependence on care. Additionally, it sought to examine the positive impacts of such technology on their golden years.DesignA systematic review based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA).Data SourcesThe search was conducted on 8 April 2024. Peer‐reviewed studies in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, WANFANG DATA and VIP from 1 January 2000 to 8 April 2024 were searched.MethodsThe methodological quality assessment used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Positive findings relevant to this study were extracted from the literature and analysed using thematic synthesis.ResultsAfter meticulously examining 3404 studies, we identified 21 relevant sources for in‐depth analysis, including qualitative studies (n = 10), experimental studies (n = 9) and mixed method studies (n = 2). These sources were grouped into five core themes based on the pivotal role of smart home technologies in enabling ageing in place: daily monitoring, assisted living activities, life reminders, functional improvement and emotional companionship. The study found that smart home technology offers numerous benefits to the lives of older adults, including increased independence, psychological support, improved cognitive functioning, enhanced self‐management, increased mobility, support for caregivers, promoted social engagement and enhanced quality of life.ConclusionSmart home technology can enhance the independence of older adults' lives, reduce their dependence on care, alleviate the burden on caregivers and promote home‐based elderly care.ImpactThis systematic review contributes to understanding the capability of smart home technology to promote elderly care at home and help better utilise smart home technology to benefit older adults. Older adults and their caregivers should be encouraged to adopt this technology to improve older adults' quality of life.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
Resistance for Disrupting Inequities and Fostering Social Justice in Nursing: A Discussion
Authors: Younas Ahtisham , Kvist Tarja 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAimsThe purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual overview of resistance and argue for the need to embrace resistance as a part of nurses' professional repertoire for disrupting inequities and fostering social justice in both nursing education and practice.DesignDiscursive article.Data SourcesPublished peer reviewed literature on ‘resistance’ and ‘professional resistance’ in nursing, medicine, social work and other allied health care professions.ResultsEnhancing critical consciousness and engaging in intersectional collaboration are promising strategies to embrace resistance for collective action towards disrupting inequities and injustices in nursing education and practice.ConclusionEmbracing and legitimising resistance in everyday individual and social interactions in educational and practice settings is instrumental to fostering social justice in nursing. Without resistance, nurses may risk jeopardising enactment of moral and ethical responsibilities and suppressing their professional values of caring and compassion.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareNurses can embrace resistance in practice to counteract social injustice and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and antiracism in clinical and educational settings.ImpactResearch demonstrated that perceived and real inequities and injustices are common in nursing in the form of individual and structural racism, sex and gender discrimination, power imbalances and incivility. Nurses' engagement in resistance and increased capacity to resist injustices and incivilities can play an instrumental role in disrupting professional inequities in clinical practice and education.Patient and Public ContributionThere was no patient or public involvement in the design or writing of this discursive article.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Apricot Drying Methods via Multi‐Criteria Decision Making Techniques
Authors: Abdulvahitoglu Aslı , Abdulvahitoglu Adnan , Cengiz Nurten 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTFood and food safety have been among the most important issues for people throughout history. Societies have always tried to be self‐sufficient in food and have avoided becoming dependent on foreign sources. However, the fact that most foods are seasonal and the increasing population's food consumption have revealed the need to preserve foodstuffs for a long time. The old and well‐known method used today for extending shelf life is the drying process. The drying process is preferred over other preservation methods for reasons such as being more economical, easier to transport, having a longer shelf life, more concentrated nutritional value, and containing fewer additives. This ensures that dried foods are of higher quality in terms of physical, chemical, microbial properties, and nutritional values compared to other packaged foods. While the drying process was traditionally done over a long period, technological advancements have led to the production of higher quality and more valuable commercial products in a shorter time. In this study, traditional and technological methods used in drying apricots were compared according to the parameters determined by experts in the field. Since multiple parameters are effective in the comparison, Multi‐Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques were used. The optimum apricot drying method was determined by combining the results obtained from different MCDM techniques with the Borda rule.
Why do older adults stop cancer screening? Findings from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey
Authors: Belliveau Olivia H. , Richman Ilana B. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundProstate and breast cancer screening are prevalent among older adults, even among those unlikely to benefit. We aimed to evaluate why older adults stop cancer screening, including the role of physician recommendations.MethodsWe used nationally representative data from the 2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). We included women aged 76 and older without a history of breast cancer and men aged 71 and older without a history of prostate cancer. The primary outcome was reason for discontinuing screening, categorized as follows: (1) physician recommendation against screening; (2) absence of a recommendation to screen; and (3) patient‐driven reason, such as patient preferences or beliefs. We evaluated reasons for screening discontinuation by health status and educational attainment using age‐stratified multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThe sample included 7350 participants representing a weighted population of 22,498,715. Overall, 53% of women underwent screening mammography in the past year or intended to continue screening. Among those who stopped screening, 5% reported a recommendation to stop screening from their doctor, 48% reported no recommendation, and 32% reported a patient‐driven reason for cessation. Findings did not differ by educational attainment or health status, including among the oldest patients. For men, 61% were screened with PSA in the past year or intended to continue. Among those who stopped, 3% reported a recommendation against screening, 54% reported no recommendation, and 27% reported a patient‐driven reason for cessation. Men with higher educational attainment were more likely to report that their physician recommended against screening (4% vs. 1%, p = 0.01) and that their doctor did not recommend screening (58% vs. 47%, p = 0.01). Reasons for screening cessation did not differ by health status, including among the oldest patients.ConclusionsCancer screening remains common, even among those with limited potential for benefit, but discussions around screening cessation are rare. Improving communication between patients and physicians may improve screening decision quality.
Comparison of outcomes in dogs undergoing hiatal hernia repair with and without use of a gastropexy: 41 cases (2012‐2022)
Authors: Watkins M. , Shales C. , Thomas G. , Rossanese M. , Sparks T. , White R. 
Published: October 2024

ObjectivesTo determine the difference in complication rate, gastrointestinal grade and requirement for ongoing medical and/or surgical management following hiatal hernia repair in dogs with and without gastropexy.Materials and MethodsClinical records were reviewed retrospectively for dogs that had undergone surgical hiatal hernia repair at two veterinary referral centres between April 2012 and March 2022. Pre‐operative grading of gastrointestinal signs and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome was performed. All dogs had an oesophagopexy and phrenoplasty. Referring primary veterinary practices and clients were contacted to obtain follow‐up information. Fisher's exact tests and Mann Whitney tests were used to assess pre‐ and intra‐operative similarities between groups. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to determine the changes in gastrointestinal grade at short‐ (<6 months) and long‐term (>6 months) follow‐up.ResultsForty‐one dogs which underwent oesophagopexy and phrenoplasty were included. Fifteen dogs had no gastropexy performed and 26 dogs had left‐sided gastropexy performed. Dogs that underwent gastropexy (n=8, 29%, 95% CI: 13 to 51%) were significantly more likely to require further surgery related to the initial surgery or persistence of gastrointestinal signs compared to dogs that had no gastropexy (n=0, 0%, 95% CI: 0 to 18%) . This difference was not significant when dogs which had further surgery to address brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome were excluded. Gastrointestinal grade significantly improved for both groups at both short‐ and long‐term follow‐up. There was no significant difference in overall complication rate, gastrointestinal grade or requirement for further medical treatment between groups.Clinical SignificanceA left‐sided gastropexy is not required for successful surgical repair of hiatal hernia in dogs provided oesophagopexy and phrenoplasty are performed.
Threshold‐dependent association between non‐rapid eye movement obstructive sleep apnea and interictal epileptiform discharges: A hospital study
Authors: Wu Meina , Xue Pei , Yan Jinzhu , Benedict Christian 
Published: October 2024

SummaryObstructive sleep apnea frequently coexists with epilepsy, potentially influencing its pathophysiology. However, the effect of obstructive sleep apnea severity on interictal epileptiform discharges is not well understood. To explore this, we studied 108 Asian patients with epilepsy who underwent single‐night polysomnography. We utilized generalized linear models, adjusting for age, sex, epilepsy type (focal versus generalized), antiepileptic medication use and disease duration, to analyse the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea severity, as measured by the apnea–hypopnea index, and interictal epileptiform discharge frequency during non‐rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep. Our analysis revealed that severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 30) was associated with a higher frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges during non‐rapid eye movement sleep (p = 0.04), but no such association was observed during rapid eye movement sleep. Additionally, the frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges in non‐rapid eye movement sleep was positively correlated with the wake time between sleep onset and offset (p = 0.03). Further studies are warranted to validate our findings across diverse ethnicities, and over multiple nights of sleep and interictal epileptiform discharge recordings.
Gravitropic Gene Expression Divergence Associated With Adaptation to Contrasting Environments in an Australian Wildflower
Authors: Broad Zoe , Lefevre James , Wilkinson Melanie J. , Barton Samuel , Barbier Francois , Jung Hyungtaek , Donovan Diane , Ortiz‐Barrientos Daniel 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTPlants adapt to their local environment through complex interactions between genes, gene networks and hormones. Although the impact of gene expression on trait regulation and evolution has been recognised for many decades, its role in the evolution of adaptation is still a subject of intense exploration. We used a Multi‐parent Advanced Generation Inter‐Cross (MAGIC) population, which we derived from crossing multiple parents from two distinct coastal ecotypes of an Australia wildflower, Senecio lautus. We focused on studying the contrasting gravitropic behaviours of these ecotypes, which have evolved independently multiple times and show strong responses to natural selection in field experiments, emphasising the role of natural selection in their evolution. Here, we investigated how gene expression differences have contributed to the adaptive evolution of gravitropism. We studied gene expression in 60 pools at five time points (30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 min) after rotating half of the pools 90°. We found 428 genes with differential expression in response to the 90° rotation treatment. Of these, 81 genes (~19%) have predicted functions related to the plant hormones auxin and ethylene, which are crucial for the gravitropic response. By combining insights from Arabidopsis mutant studies and analysing our gene networks, we propose a preliminary model to explain the differences in gravitropism between ecotypes. This model suggests that the differences arise from changes in the transport and availability of the two hormones auxin and ethylene. Our findings indicate that the genetic basis of adaptation involves interconnected signalling pathways that work together to give rise to new ecotypes.
Asynchronous decentralized traffic signal coordinated control in urban road network
Authors: Zhu Jichen , Ma Chengyuan , Shi Yuqi , Yang Yanqing , Guo Yuzheng , Yang Xiaoguang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study introduces an asynchronous decentralized coordinated signal control (ADCSC) framework for multi‐agent traffic signal control in the urban road network. The controller at each intersection in the network optimizes its signal control decisions based on a prediction of the future traffic demand as an independent agent. The asynchronous framework decouples the entangled interdependence between decision‐making and state prediction among different agents in decentralized coordinated decision‐making problems, enabling agents to proceed with collaborative decision‐making without waiting for other agents’ decisions. Within the proposed ADCSC framework, each controller dynamically optimizes its signal timing strategy with a unique rolling horizon scheme. The scheme's individualized parameters for each controller are determined based on the vehicle travel time between the adjacent intersections, ensuring that controllers can make informed control decisions with accurate arrival flow information from upstream intersections. The signal optimization problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear program model, which adopts a flexible signal scheme without a fixed phase structure and sequence. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed ADCSC strategy significantly outperforms the benchmark signal coordination methods in terms of average delay, travel speed, stop numbers, and energy consumption. Experimental analysis on computation time validates the applicability of the proposed optimization model for real‐time implementation. Sensitivity analysis on key parameters in the framework is conducted, offering insights for parameter selection in practice. Furthermore, the ADCSC framework is extended to a road network in Qinzhou City, China, with 45 signalized intersections, demonstrating its effectiveness and scalability in the real‐world road network.
Functional Ventricular Undersensing After Ventricular Ectopic Beats Due to ICD Dynamic Sensitivity
Authors: Micari Antonino , Bellocchi Paolo , Crea Pasquale 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAn 80‐year‐old patient, previously implanted for idiopathic sustained ventricular tachycardia with a Rivacor VR‐T DX implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD Biotronik, Berlin, Germany), came to our pacemaker clinic for palpitations. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus bradycardia with interpolated ventricular ectopic beats. A ventricular‐paced event occurred with a coupling interval shorter than the expected one suggesting ventricular undersensing. The phenomenon can be explained by the default ICD sensitivity setting proposed by the manufacturer.
Longitudinal transcriptional immune profiles and persistent wheezing in moderate‐to‐late preterm infants
Authors: Rodriguez‐Fernandez Rosa , Xu Zhaohui , Moreno‐Galdó Antonio , Sardón Olaia , Rubi Teresa , Castillo‐Corullón Silvia , Torres Antonio , Corcuera Paula , Callejón Callejón Alicia , Perez Guadalupe , Cortell Isidoro , Rovira‐Amigo Sandra , Pastor‐Vivero Maria D. , Mondejar‐Lopez Pedro , Perez‐Frias Javier , Velasco Valle , Torres‐Borrego Javier , Figuerola Joan , de la Serna Blázquez Olga , Garcia‐Hernandez Gloria , Tang Li , Mejias Asuncion , Ramilo Octavio ,   the SAREPREM 3235 investigators
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrematurity is associated with an increased risk of persistent wheezing but the underlying mechanisms are not well defined. The aim of this study was to identify blood transcriptional profiles associated with the development of wheezing in a cohort of moderate to late preterm infants and to define immune gene expression changes associated with wheezing.Materials and MethodsA convenience sample of a multicenter birth cohort (SAREPREM) of moderate‐late preterm children followed during the first 3 years of life was analyzed. Children were enrolled in the first 2 weeks of life (Y0) and longitudinally evaluated at 1 (Y1), 2 (Y2), and 3 years (Y3) of age, for the presence of wheezing and to obtain samples for transcriptional profile analysis. Samples were processed on Illumina HT12 chips and genomic expression analyses performed with R programming, modular analysis for biological function, and QuSAGE for quantitative gene expression.ResultsSeventy‐six children were included in the study; 33 were classified as non‐wheezing and 43 (56.6%) in the wheezing group. At Y0, children who developed wheezing had decreased expression of interferon genes and increased expression of B cell genes compared with the non‐wheezing group. These changes in IFN and B cell gene expression were especially significant in children with late/persistent wheezing compared with transient wheezers.ConclusionsChanges in IFN and B lymphocyte gene expression identified in early life suggest the existence of specific immunological mechanisms that play an important role in the development of wheezing in late‐preterm infants.