bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exeporfinium chloride (XF-73) nasal gel significantly reduces Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in cardiac surgery patients throughout surgery and the early recovery period: results from a randomized placebo-controlled Phase 2 study
Authors: Mangino Julie E. , Firstenberg Michael S. , Rhys-Williams William , Lees James P. , Dane Aaron , Love William G. , Gonzalez Moreno Jesus , Martina Yuri , Barker Debra 
Published: October 2024

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus nasal carriers were randomized (1:1) to XF-73 or placebo nasal gel, administered 5x over ∼24hrs pre-cardiac surgery. S. aureus burden rapidly decreased after 2 doses (–2.2log10 CFU/mL; placebo –0.01log10 CFU/mL) and was maintained to 6 days post-surgery. Among XF-73 patients, 46.5% received post-operative anti-staphylococcal antibiotics versus 70% in placebo (P = 0.045).
Antibiotic spectrum coverage scoring as a potential metric for evaluating the antimicrobial stewardship team activity: a single-center study
Authors: Oda Kazutaka , Hayashi Hideyuki , Yamamoto Keiichi , Kondo Shoji , Katanoda Tomomi , Okamoto Shinichiro , Miyakawa Toshikazu , Iwanaga Eisaku , Nosaka Kisato , Kawaguchi Tatsuya , Nakata Hirotomo 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjective:Days of antibiotic spectrum coverage (days of ASC: DASC) is a metric for antibiotic usage calculated by ASC scores for spectrum and addresses limitations of days of therapy (DOT), which does not include spectrum. This study aims to investigate whether ASC-related metrics offer different aspects compared to aggregated DOT for all antibiotics (DOTtotal) and to assess their correlation in evaluating the impact of antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) programs.Design:Retrospective.Setting:A single center within an 845-bed hospital.Methods:Trends in DOTtotal, DASC, and the DASC/DOT ratio, representing the average spectrum coverage per therapy day, were analyzed pre- and post-AST programs (April 2018) from January 2015 to December 2023, using interrupted time series analysis. Independent of the DASC/DOT, we also advocated ASC-stratified DOT (ASDOT), which facilitates comprehensive evaluation of DOT across ASC scores of <6, 6–10, and >10, representing narrow-, intermediate-, and broad-spectrum antibiotics.Results:Among inpatients, AST programs significantly moderated the increasing trends of these metrics. Specifically, although the rates of increase in DOTtotal and DASC were slowed or plateaued, the DASC/DOT ratio decreased (P < 0.001). ASDOT metrics revealed a decrease and subsequent plateau in DOTtotal for the broad- and intermediate-spectrum antibiotics, with an increase observed for the narrow-spectrum antibiotics (P < 0.001 for each). DASC did not provide additional insights in the outpatient’s population.Conclusions:The study demonstrates that ASC-related metrics may yield different and useful conclusions about the effectiveness of AST programs for inpatients.
A cross-sectional study on online food delivery applications (OFDAs) in the United Arab Emirates: use and perceptions of healthy food availability among university students
Authors: Cheikh Ismail Leila , Osaili Tareq M. , Shanan Bayan , Rashwan Dana , Merie Hulya , Rishan Leen , Al Shamma Salam , AlRamahi Zaina , Saleh Sheima T. , Mohamad Maysm N. , Taybeh Asma’ O. , Al Daour Rameez , Taha Sadi , Stojanovska Lily , Al-Jawaldeh Ayoub , Al Dhahei Ayesha S. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Online food delivery applications (OFDAs) have seen a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 Pandemic, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to assess the use of OFDAs and the perception of food healthiness and safety among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in the UAE via snowball sampling (n = 1096). Sociodemographic characteristics, OFDAs usage, and perceptions toward food healthiness and safety were investigated. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association between categorical variables and healthy food choices. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests were used to determine differences between different groups and perception statements. Over half (52%) of the students were frequent users of OFDAs with fast food being the most popular choice (88.4%). Older participants, those living in the university dorms, and those with higher allowances used the OFDAs more frequently (P < 0.05). Price (78.0%) and food appearance (65.7%) had the highest impact on food selection. Most subjects (69.3%) reported looking for healthy food but were worried about affordability (43.1%) and taste (27.1%). Most participants (57.8%) agreed that OFDAs increased their appetite and food intake. Participants believed that having a hygiene rating system in OFDAs would give them the chance to make informed decisions (82.3%). Unhealthy food options were popular among university students. The study highlights the need to provide more affordable and appealing healthy food options and suggests that improved nutrition information and hygiene standards could help to promote healthy food choices among university students.
Inequalities in diet quality by socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, and weight status in a large UK-based cohort using a new UK diet quality questionnaire-UKDQQ
Authors: Roberts Kath , Stephenson John , Holdsworth Michelle , Relton Clare , Williams Elizabeth A. , Cade Janet Elizabeth 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the associations between diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status in a large, cross-sectional cohort of adults living in Yorkshire and Humber, UK. Data from 43, 023 participants aged over 16 years in the Yorkshire Health Survey, 2nd wave (2013–2015) were collected on diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status. Diet quality was assessed using a brief, validated tool. Associations between these variables were assessed using multiple regression methods. Split-sample cross-validation was utilised to establish model portability. Observed patterns in the sample showed that the greatest substantive differences in diet quality were between females and males (3.94 points; P < 0.001) and non-smokers vs smokers (4.24 points; P < 0.001), with higher diet quality scores observed in females and non-smokers. Deprivation, employment status, age, and weight status categories were also associated with diet quality. Greater diet quality scores were observed in those with lower levels of deprivation, those engaged in sedentary occupations, older people, and those in a healthy weight category. Cross-validation procedures revealed that the model exhibited good transferability properties. Inequalities in patterns of diet quality in the cohort were consistent with those indicated by the findings of other observational studies. The findings indicate population subgroups that are at higher risk of dietary-related ill health due to poor quality diet and provide evidence for the design of targeted national policy and interventions to prevent dietary-related ill health in these groups. The findings support further research exploring inequalities in diet quality in the population.
The neutropenic diet and its impacts on clinical, nutritional, and lifestyle outcomes for people with cancer: a scoping review
Authors: Gulliver Trinity , Hewett Melissa , Konstantopoulos Panagiotis , Tran Lisa , Mantzioris Evangeline 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The neutropenic diet (ND) is often recommended to people with cancer to reduce infection risk despite recommendations of clinical guidelines advising against its use. While recent literature suggests the ND does not reduce infection risk, other outcomes related to health, nutrition, and lifestyle are unknown. The aim of this review is to systematically scope the literature on the ND in people with cancer for all outcomes related to clinical health, nutrition, and lifestyle. Scientific databases were systematically searched. Eligible studies were in English, people with any cancer type, consuming an ND, any age group, date, or setting. Eligible study types were randomised control trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Outcomes of interest found were infection rates, fever, mortality, antibiotic use, gastrointestinal side effects, comorbidities, biochemistry, hospitalisation, nutritional status, quality of life (QoL), well-being, and financial costs. Most research has focused on infection and mortality rates with few assessing hospitalisation rates, nutritional status, financial costs, and QoL. Most included studies found no significant differences between ND and comparator diet for mortality, antibiotics use, comorbidities, and QoL; however, several studies reported the ND significantly increased the risk of infection. Gaps in the literature included effect of ND on QoL in an adult population, microbiome, lifestyle changes, and financial burden. Further research is needed regarding how the ND affects the microbiome and QoL of its consumers, but in the interim, it is important for hospitals providing an ND to their patients to liberalise the ND wherever possible.
Dynamic, Regressive, or Obstructionist Courts? What Kinds of Hopes for Judicial Review
Authors: Dixon Rosalind 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThere has long been debate about the capacity of the US Supreme Court to achieve “progressive” social change. Recent decisions of the court also point to a new worry for American progressives: the court may not only have a limited capacity to drive such change. In some cases, it may actively stand in the way of such change or help reverse it. This invites us to rethink when, or under what conditions, courts are likely to be effective in driving change—whether in a positive, dynamic, or else more obstructionist or regressive direction.
Prompt tuning discriminative language models for hierarchical text classification
Authors: du Toit Jaco , Dunaiski Marcel 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Hierarchical text classification (HTC) is a natural language processing task which aims to categorise a text document into a set of classes from a hierarchical class structure. Recent approaches to solve HTC tasks focus on leveraging pre-trained language models (PLMs) and the hierarchical class structure by allowing these components to interact in various ways. Specifically, the Hierarchy-aware Prompt Tuning (HPT) method has proven to be effective in applying the prompt tuning paradigm to Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) models for HTC tasks. Prompt tuning aims to reduce the gap between the pre-training and fine-tuning phases by transforming the downstream task into the pre-training task of the PLM. Discriminative PLMs, which use a replaced token detection (RTD) pre-training task, have also shown to perform better on flat text classification tasks when using prompt tuning instead of vanilla fine-tuning. In this paper, we propose the Hierarchy-aware Prompt Tuning for Discriminative PLMs (HPTD) approach which injects the HTC task into the RTD task used to pre-train discriminative PLMs. Furthermore, we make several improvements to the prompt tuning approach of discriminative PLMs that enable HTC tasks to scale to much larger hierarchical class structures. Through comprehensive experiments, we show that our method is robust and outperforms current state-of-the-art approaches on two out of three HTC benchmark datasets.
The good, the bad and the ugly: Critical insights on the applications of microbes in microplastic degradation
Authors: Talukdar Avishek , Banerjee Ayantika , Dey Satarupa , Bhattacharya Sayan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental challenge, with significant impacts on ecosystems and human health. Microbes have emerged as a promising tool in the combating against microplastic contamination. However, the complex relationship between microbes and microplastics presents both opportunities and challenges, leading to a nuanced understanding of their applications in degradation. This paper provides critical insights into the multifaceted roles of different microorganisms in microplastic degradation. It begins by highlighting the ‘good’ aspects, where several strains of microorganisms show the potential to break down microplastics through enzymatic activities and the formation of biofilms. Conversely, the ‘bad’ aspects of microbial involvement in microplastic degradation are examined. Microorganisms can facilitate the transport and bioaccumulation of microplastics in various ecosystems, potentially exacerbating their harmful effects. The ‘ugly’ side of microplastic degradation includes the production of harmful byproducts during microbial breakdown, raising concerns about secondary pollution and toxicity. The concept of plastisphere is discussed in this context, focusing on the phototrophs, photoheterotrophs and heterotrophs. Novel technologies involving microbial degradation of microplastics are also explained. The work emphasises the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach regarding the application of microorganisms in microplastic degradation and remediation.
(Mis)perception of party congruence and satisfaction with democracy
Authors: Carroll Royce , Liao Yen-Chieh , Tang Li 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This study examines how voters’ perceptions of ideological incongruence with political parties affect their satisfaction with democracy. Using panel data from the British Election Study, we first demonstrate that greater misperception of party positions correlates with higher perceived ideological distance from one's preferred party. We then show that this increased perceived incongruence is associated with lower satisfaction with democracy when controlling for objective measures of incongruence. These findings are consistent across several alternative measures and specifications, and similar results are found in cross-sectional data from Europe. The results suggest that subjective perceptions of representation, potentially distorted by misperceptions, play a role in shaping citizens’ attitudes toward the political system. While the limitations of the study warrant caution in interpretation, the study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of perceived ideological congruence for understanding the link between representation and satisfaction with democracy.
Perturbations of norm-additive maps between continuous function spaces
Authors: Sun Longfa , Sun Yinghua 
Published: October 2024

AbstractLet $X, Y$ be two locally compact Hausdorff spaces and $T:C_0(X)\rightarrow C_0(Y)$ be a standard surjective ɛ-norm-additive map, i.e.
\begin{equation*}
\big|\|T(f)+T(g)\|-\|f+g\|\big|\leq \varepsilon,\;{\rm for\;all}\; f, g\in C_0(X).
\end{equation*}Then there exist a homeomorphism $\varphi:Y\rightarrow X$ and a continuous function $\lambda:Y\rightarrow\lbrace\pm1\rbrace$ such that
\begin{equation*}
|T(f)(y)-\lambda(y)f(\varphi(y))|\leq\frac{3}{2}\varepsilon,\;{\rm for\;all}\;y\in Y,\;f\in C_0(X).
\end{equation*}The estimate ‘$\frac{3}{2}\varepsilon$’ is optimal. And this result can be regarded as a new nonlinear extension of the Banach–Stone theorem.
Lichen recovery in a formerly polluted area: the importance of bark properties for soredia survival
Authors: Mikhailova Irina , Mikryukov Vladimir 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAn experiment was conducted on the development of Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. from soredia to branched lobes near the copper smelter in the Middle Urals 10 years after emission cessation. Soredia were cultivated in fir-spruce forests in heavily polluted and unpolluted areas. In both areas, soredia development was examined on fir bark collected from both the heavily polluted and unpolluted areas. The probability of lobe formation was lower in the polluted area even when soredia were cultivated on bark from the unpolluted area. Bark from the polluted area negatively impacted the success of soredia development, irrespective of the cultivation area. The lowest success of early development occurred when soredia were cultivated on polluted bark in the heavily polluted area, where the already low probability of lobe formation was accompanied by high mortality of the developed lobes. This study underscores the enduring impact of industrial pollution on H. physodes development, highlighting the need for ongoing environmental restoration and monitoring efforts in post-industrial areas to support biodiversity conservation.
Grooved razor clam (Solen marginatus) in the mid-Atlantic Azores: unravelling ecology, phylogeny, and population biology of a new population
Authors: Machado Alberto , Machado Daniel , Castilho Rita , Corona Luana S. , Dionísio Gisela , Gomes-Pereira José Nuno 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The first insights on habitat and phylogenetic origin of a newly found population of Solen marginatus are provided in the mid-North Atlantic Azores archipelago, in the bay of Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island. Distribution is confined to the northern portion and most sheltered part of the bay down to 14.2 m depth. Densities with an average of 12.69 individuals/m2 were found at 8.4 m depth, using 4 × 20 sqm visual transects. Sizes of shell length between 10 and 12 cm comprised 60% of collected specimens (n = 118), ranging between 8.79 and 15.4 cm and averaging 11.28 cm. Considering shell length, the high densities and dispersion area, a settlement period above 20 years is estimated. Greater genetic affinity was found in the Ria de Aveiro (North of Portugal) and the Asturias populations (North of Spain). The source origin remains undetermined, with intentional or non-intentional anthropogenic introduction, as well as natural dispersion remaining possible, although more unlikely. Due to the commercial value of this species, a new clam fishery is likely to develop in the area, requiring further studies and immediate conservation measures.
Recolonisation of former habitat by harbour seals in southern Denmark despite intense anthropogenic activity
Authors: Galatius Anders , Dietz Rune , Olsen Morten Tange , Teilmann Jonas 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Harbour seals were extensively hunted in Denmark, but have only been driven to local extinction in one larger area, the South Funen Archipelago and Little Belt, where the species has been absent throughout the 20th century. Despite high growth rates of the Danish harbour seal populations after protection from hunting in 1976, seals have only been observed sporadically in the South Funen Archipelago and Little Belt until recent years, where recolonisation now causes conflicts with fisheries. Here, we review historical sources documenting the local extinction of harbour seals in the area during the 19th century and report the results of aerial surveys of haul-out sites during moulting seasons of 2021–2023 and pupping seasons of 2022 and 2023. Historical sources reveal that seal hunting was a common practice in southern Denmark, but catches dwindled to rarities during the 19th century. During recent surveys, seals were detected at six of the identified potential haul-out sites. Around Aarø Island, an average of 141 (range: 92–186) harbour seals were recorded over four moulting season surveys, constituting the majority (90%) of the total counts of the surveyed area. During the pupping seasons, a total of five pups was encountered at two different haulouts. As none of the haulouts are protected during the pupping and breeding seasons, protective measures may support this recolonisation of the historic harbour seal breeding range.
Distributed agency in financial tasks of older people with long-term care needs
Authors: Pulkki Jutta , Aaltonen Mari , Teräväinen Pia , Forma Leena 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The ability and knowledge to manage financial tasks may be compromised in old age, especially when the need to navigate the care and social benefit systems increases. Managing financial tasks may consist of a variety of actions of both the older people themselves and their representatives, often family members. This study explored how financial tasks related to the care and everyday life of older people who need long-term care are managed by using the ideas of modalities of agency and distributed agency. We analysed interviews of 19 older persons and their family members with a qualitative case analysis. All the older persons who participated in the study distributed the agency in financial tasks among their family members, but to different levels and for different reasons. We identified three types of distributed agency – inevitable, assimilated and minimal distributed agency – in which the older persons’ knowledge about financial tasks and their ability to manage financial tasks differed. Within these types, the cases differed in terms of the know-how of the family members and the reasons why the older people’s knowledge about financial tasks or their ability to manage their financial tasks were diminished. We conclude that older persons with long-term care needs require help in regard to financial tasks, and the older people’s and their family members’ ability to manage financial tasks could be enhanced by making the benefit systems and online banking more user-friendly and by improving the help from care staff.
Trade, Piecework, and the Liberty Principle
Authors: Riley Jonathan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractJohn Stuart Mill does not contradict himself in On Liberty with respect to the issue of piecework, contrary to Dale E. Miller's charge that he does. Miller fails to understand that the liberty principle (LP) limits society's authority to regulate trade in that society has no legitimate authority to prohibit or make unduly expensive a buyer's post-trade use of his purchased product in self-regarding ways. LP gives an employer who has purchased labor under a trade contract in a free and fair competitive labor market a right to conclude a separate mutually consensual self-regarding piecework contract with any skilled worker already in his employ.
Food choice, embodied knowledge and circumscribed agency: factors influencing adolescent girls’ and boys’ dietary practices in three states in northern Nigeria
Authors: Conrad Abigail , Singh Akriti , Mysore Sharmila , Nwosu Stanley , Eveshoyan Michael Daniel , Ibraheem Usman 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objective:
The objective of this study was to explore adolescent dietary practices, related norms and acceptable communication platforms in northern Nigeria to inform future nutrition project design.

Design:
This was a qualitative formative research study. We used purposive sampling and conducted thirty focus group discussions with male and female adolescents aged 10–14 and 15–19 years (n 180) and six with adult influencers (n 36). We also administered a 24-h dietary recall with the adolescents using the Diet Quality Questionnaire.

Setting:
The study was conducted in urban and rural areas in three states in northern Nigeria.

Results:
Adolescents reported consuming six nutritious food groups the previous day on average. However, there was a wide disparity and only half consumed all five recommended food groups. Adolescents’ food choices were influenced by perceptions of the functional and physical benefits of nutritious foods and preferences for satisfying foods. Diverse foods were available in the food environment, but affordability constrained access to nutritious foods. Limited access to income and gender norms constrained adolescent agency over food choice. Girls, particularly those who were pregnant, had less agency related to food than boys. Adolescents thought that peers should be reached through group discussions, radio and phones, among other communication platforms.

Conclusions:
Adolescents consumed relatively diverse diets. Adolescent food choice was influenced by their embodied experience and knowledge related to nutrition and taste, home food environment and circumscribed agency. Opportunities exist to support healthy diets for adolescents by strengthening adolescents’ embodied knowledge, food environments and social support.