bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nosocomial Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an Oncological Setting
Authors: Murray Sarah , Mustafa Mery , Usiak Shauna , Kamboj Mini 
Published: September 2024

Objective: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a contagious airborne disease that is spread from person to person via particles in the air which are expelled when speaking or coughing1. This retrospective observational study aims to assess the nosocomial transmission of pulmonary MTB among inpatient roommates in a high-risk oncological population over a 14-year period. With limited studies on the transmissibility of MTB in such environments, the investigation focuses on evaluating the risk of nosocomial transmission and implementation of appropriate infection control measures. Design: A retrospective analysis from 2010 – April 2023 was conducted in an acute care, 500-bed oncological center. Following exposure workups performed by the Department of Infection Prevention and Control, 17 of 57 identified patients with active pulmonary MTB had inpatient stays with roommates. Source infectivity showed 7 AFB smear positive results, 4 MTB PCR positive results, and 14 MTB culture positive results. Some index patients had a combination of AFB, PCR and/or culture positivity. A high-risk exposure is defined as any patient who shared a room with an index patient for >4 cumulative hours during the infectious period. Infectious period was determined for each index patient based on the onset of symptoms and laboratory results. Workups identified 33 exposed roommates who were notified and advised to undergo testing, employing QuantifERON (QFT-GIT) serum test or Tuberculin skin (TST) PPD test at least 8 weeks following their last day of exposure. The overlap between inpatient roommates and index patients ranged from 1 to 4 days, averaging 1.5 days. Results: Of the 33 high-risk roommates, 14 (42%) patients were unable to provide follow-up testing for various reasons including: patient expiration prior to testing, patient transfer to hospice, and being lost to follow up. Nineteen (58%) patients completed post-exposure testing. 12 patients underwent PPD testing (63%) and 7 patients underwent QuantifERON testing (37%). Zero (0%) were found to have a positive QuantifERON or PPD following their exposure. 15.8% (N=3) of exposed patients had hematologic malignancies, and 84.2% (N=16) of exposed patients had solid tumor malignancies. Conclusion: The risk of active pulmonary MTB transmission in an oncological, inpatient setting was determined to be low. The absence of positive conversions among roommates of confirmed MTB patients underscores the effectiveness of infection control measures, emphasizing the importance of isolating confirmed or suspected cases promptly. Ongoing efforts should continue to focus on these preventive measures to mitigate the risk of MTB transmission in similar high-risk settings.References: 1. How TB Spreads. CDC, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/howtbspreads.htm
Candida auris cluster in a center with no previous infections associated with a single organ donor
Authors: Rivere Evan , Meissner Eric , Mills Alexandra , Harris Courtney , Lorek Adrienne , Curry Scott 
Published: September 2024

Background: Candida auris is an opportunistic pathogen reported in the US since 2016. C. auris infections (CAI) are frequently healthcare-associated, but only one case of donor-derived CAI in a lung transplant recipient has been reported (PMID 28520901). We describe a cluster of two CAIs at a single center in South Carolina occurring in 2 different recipients from the same solid organ transplant donor. Methods: We describe two cases of invasive CAIs occurring in an academic medical center without prior CAI in Charleston, SC in October 2023. C. auris was identified using Bruker MALDI-TOF and confirmed by the state health department. Results: Patient 1: 40-49 year-old male underwent heart transplantation on day 19 from admission complicated by growth of C. auris on post-op day #15 from a drain. He was readmitted post-op days 22-63 with positive blood cultures for C. auris and underwent re-operation with debridement and hardware removal. C. auris pericarditis required multiple returns to the OR (Figure). He was discharged on micafungin/posaconazole with plans for long-term antifungal therapy. Patient 2: 50-59 year-old male underwent liver and kidney transplantation on day 25 from admission from the same donor as Patient 1 in a separate hospital complex. His course was complicated by possible infected biloma not amendable to drainage and C. auris/C. glabrata fungemia, which was further complicated by abdominal wall collection cultures growing C. auris on post-operative day 35 on washout. He was managed with dual micafungin/posaconazole however, he died of unrelated causes at 93 days after transplant (Figure). Investigation: The donor for both recipients was a 10-19 year-old male who suffered brain death after trauma and was hospitalized for 56 days prior to procurement in Atlanta, GA without known CAI. Airway cultures at the time of organ procurement were positive for rare Pseudomonas and light unidentified yeast of multiple morphologies; urine cultures also grew 40,000 cfu/ml un-identified yeast. Screening of 35 and 4 inpatients in units exposed to patients 1 & 2, respectively, with axilla/groin PCR was negative (Figure). A third organ recipient for this donor (kidney) at our center was identified and had negative urine fungus cultures. Conclusions: Despite no definitive link to a known donor infection, this cluster of CAI occurring simultaneously in 2 patients in separate hospitals/units at a single center with no known prior cases represents likely donor-derived CAI. Our experience suggests that organ procurement organizations should consider improved screening techniques for C. auris in donor cultures.Disclosure: Scott Curry: Consultant- Ferring; Abbott Diagnostics- Speaker honorarium
Diagnostic utility of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus polymerase chain reaction testing in head and neck infection
Authors: Smith Jake , Cummings Bailee , Dare Ryan K. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
In this retrospective study of adult inpatients who underwent an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery with operative cultures and collection of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we found that MRSA nasal PCR demonstrated 100% sensitivity and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% when compared to operative cultures.
Neutralisation techniques used by defendants charged with animal welfare offences in Finland
Authors: Valtonen Elli , Hänninen Laura , Valros Anna , Koskela Tarja 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Animal welfare offences encompass a heterogeneous range of crimes, including violence and various forms of negligence toward animals’ needs. However, there is limited understanding of the offenders’ rationalisations concerning their criminal behaviour against animals, despite this information being essential for enhancing the prevention of these crimes. Our data comprised 1,443 judgements in animal welfare offences in Finland between January 2011 and May 2021. We categorised the rationalisations used by defendants and identified differences between offender profiles according to the offence type. Nearly all defendants responded to the charges. Overall, defendants appealed most often to their challenging circumstances, e.g. a lack of resources. Defendants charged with offences against production animals offered more explanations than the other defendants and often denied their responsibility for the animals, or having caused them any harm, and appealed to financial problems, weather conditions, and having too many animals. Moreover, they frequently challenged the norms, appealing in particular to the immorality of the authorities, who were mostly official veterinarians. Defendants charged with animal hoarding offences rationalised their actions similarly to animal farmers, whereas those charged with violent crimes against animals more often cited provocative or otherwise problematic behaviour of the animal victim. Our results support the observation that farmers may perceive official animal welfare supervision negatively. Violent animal welfare crimes and animal hoarding stand out as distinctive types of crime at the level of rationalisations. The differences between offence types and offenders’ underlying motivations should be considered when developing animal welfare control, agricultural support systems, and crime prevention.
Factors associated with clinician willingness to adopt HPV self-sampling and self-testing for cervical cancer screening
Authors: Brennan Luke , Adekunle Tiwaladeoluwa , Kasting Monica , Forman Michele R. , Champion Victoria , Rodriguez Natalia M. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Cervical cancer screening rates in the USA fall behind national targets, requiring innovation to circumvent screening barriers. Cervical cancer screening where human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is performed on vaginal samples collected by the patients themselves (self-sampling) are effective and acceptable, and patient-operated rapid HPV tests (self-testing) are currently under development. It is unclear why there is ambivalence toward HPV self-sampling and self-testing among clinicians, an important stakeholder group. We conducted a mixed convergent quantitative and qualitative study to identify the factors influencing clinicians’ attitudes toward self-sampling and self-testing.

Methods:
A survey of Midwest clinicians distributed by professional group media and a market research firm between May and November 2021 was analyzed (n = 248) alongside in-depth interviews with Midwest clinicians from professional groups (n = 23). Logistic regression models examined willingness to support self-sampling and self-testing across respondent characteristics.

Results:
We report that family practice physicians and those in rural areas were more willing to adopt HPV self-sampling (adjusted OR (aOR) = 3.16 [1.43–6.99]; aOR = 2.17 [1.01–4.68]). Clinician willingness to support self-testing was positively associated with current use of self-testing for other conditions and negatively associated with performing 10 or more monthly cervical cancer screenings (aOR = 2.02 [1.03–3.95], aOR = 0.42 [0.23–0.78]). Qualitative data contextualize how clinical specialty and experience with self-sampling and self-testing for other conditions inform clinician perspectives.

Conclusion:
These data suggest clinician populations most accepting of initiatives to implement self-sampling and self-testing for cervical cancer screening and highlight that experience with other forms of self-testing could facilitate more widespread adoption for cervical cancer.
The association between the timing of initial hepatitis B vaccination and seropositivity in healthcare personnel
Authors: Lees Elizabeth H. , Murad M. Hassan , Breeher Laura E. , Swift Melanie D. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study reports on the relationship between timing of initial hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine series and HBV antibody immunity in healthcare personnel (HCP) screened prior to employment. HCPs vaccinated as neonates were significantly more likely to have negative or indeterminate antibodies. An alternative screening approach is considered.
Development and implementation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Scoring Tool at a single pediatric institution
Authors: Wirtz Ann L. , Burns Alaina N. , Monsees Elizabeth , Lee Brian R. , Herigon Joshua C. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjective:The primary objective was to grade the potential impact of antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) interventions on patient safety at a single center using a newly developed scoring tool, the Antimicrobial Stewardship Impact Scoring Tool (ASIST).Design:Retrospective descriptive study.Setting:A 367-bed free-standing, pediatric academic medical center.Methods:The ASP team developed the ASIST which scored each intervention on an impact level (low, moderate, high) based on patient harm avoidance and degree of antibiotic optimization. Intervention frequency and characteristics were collected between May 1, 2022 and October 31, 2023. Intervention rates per impact level were calculated monthly.Results:The ASP team made 1024 interventions further classified as low (45.1%), moderate (47%), and high impact (7.9%). The interventions for general pediatrics (53.9%) and those to modify formulation (62.2%), dose/frequency (58.1%), and duration (57.5%) were frequently low impact. Hematology/oncology (12.5%), sub-specialty (11.7%), and surgical services (11.3%) had the greatest rate of high-impact interventions. Interventions to broaden antibiotics (40.8%) and those associated with antibiotics used to treat bacteremia (20.6%) were frequently classified as high-impact.Conclusion:The ASIST is an effective tool to link ASP interventions to prevention of antimicrobial-associated patient harm. For our ASP team, it provided meaningful data to present to hospital leadership and identified opportunities to prevent future harm and reduce ASP team workload.
Mechanical properties of pressure-frozen ice under triaxial compressive stress
Authors: Sun Peixin , Yang Weihao , Tuhkuri Jukka 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Artificial ground freezing is an effective method for underground constructions in deep alluvium. To study the compressive strength of frozen soil under high ground pressure and high hydraulic pressure, it is necessary to understand the mechanical behaviour of ice that is formed under triaxial compressive stress. A low-temperature triaxial test system was developed and used to study both formation and deformation of columnar ice under hydrostatic pressure. Cylindrical ice specimens 125 mm in height and 61.8 mm in diameter were prepared and tested under constant strain rates. At a strain rate of 5 × 10−5 s−1, the peak axial stress showed a linear increase as the confining pressure increased from 2 to 30 MPa, while the peak deviatoric stress exhibited a slight decrease. At a confining pressure of 30 MPa, the peak deviatoric stress showed a logarithmic increase with the strain rate increasing from 5 × 10−6 to 5 × 10−4 s−1, and the failure strain nearly doubled. A power law relationship between the time to failure and the strain rate was also observed. In this study, each test consistently demonstrated a ductile failure mode, with a noticeable reduction in cracking as the confining pressure increased. Due to the effect of the high confining pressure, crack propagation was suppressed, and an apparent recrystallization after peak stress was observed.
An algorithm to construct coherent systems using signatures
Authors: Rao T. V. , Naqvi Sameen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe system signature is a useful tool for studying coherent systems. For a given coherent system, various methods have been proposed in the literature to compute its signature. However, when any system signature is given, the literature does not address how to construct the corresponding coherent system(s). In this article we propose an algorithm to address this research gap. This algorithm enables the validation of whether a provided probability vector qualifies as a signature. If it does, the algorithm proceeds to generate the corresponding coherent system(s). To illustrate the applicability of this algorithm, we consider all three and four-dimensional probability vectors, verify if they are signatures, and finally obtain 5 and 20 coherent systems, respectively, which coincides with the literature (Shaked and Suarez-Llorens 2003).
Teachers’ Perceptions of Formative Assessment for Students With Disability: A Case Study From India
Authors: Chakraborty Anannya , Kaushik Amit , Ramachandran Vimala 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIndia has made significant progress in improving the enrolment of students with disability but still has a long way to go before schools can be called inclusive. Despite the widely acknowledged relevance of assessments in shaping teaching and learning practices, little research has been done in disability-inclusive assessment in the Indian setting. In this paper, we explore teachers’ perceptions of disability inclusion in formative assessments, including the use of various kinds of accommodations and adaptations, factors that affect the implementation of disability-inclusive formative assessments, and challenges. It is argued that teacher professional development and teacher–parent partnerships are essential for ensuring the inclusion of students with disability in formative assessments. Unless assessment is given its due importance in disability-inclusive education, achievement gaps between children with and without disability may widen due to the unavailability of learning data and its use.
Playful images: Visual Holocaust memory, digital media, and the visual walkthrough method
Authors: Henig Lital , Ventura Shir , Ebbrecht-Hartmann Tobias 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This article presents a conceptual and methodological framework that focuses on the interactivity, creativity, and variability of Holocaust images in digital media. Our argument unfolds in three stages. First, we introduce the concept of playful images: historical images that undergo recontextualisation, serving memetic, personal, and interactive engagements in and by digital media. Secondly, drawing on pivotal scholarship in digital methods, anthropology, sociology, and visual analysis, we identify a lacuna in contemporary methodologies and provide a rationale for an innovative approach to visual memory analysis in digital media that considers both digital media affordances and the appropriation of visual and historical materials in digital media. For that purpose, we thirdly outline a visual walkthrough method (VWM), a pragmatic performance of our approach tailored for analysing interactive digital experiences featuring playful images. By examining the playful appropriation of historical images in the video game Call of Duty: WWII (2017), we demonstrate how the interactive experience of playful images can be analysed with the help of the VWM. We conclude by discussing the position of our proposed conceptual and methodological framework within media and memory studies in the digital age.
The policy basis of group sentiments
Authors: Clifford Scott , Simas Elizabeth , Suh JeongKyu 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Although influential models of public opinion hold that group sentiments play an important role in shaping political beliefs, they often assume that group attitudes stem from socialization and are thus exogenous to politics. We challenge this assumption, arguing that group attitudes may themselves be the consequence of political views. Across three survey experiments that each uses a unique social group–issue pair, we consistently demonstrate that attitudes toward groups are influenced by information about the groups' policy views. These findings persist even when accounting for potential partisan signaling. Altogether, these results show that group sentiments should not be regarded as wholly exogenous to policy concerns and suggest that the use of group-based heuristics can be consistent with instrumental models of public opinion.
Congressional support for democratic norms on January 6th
Authors: Craig Alison , Albertson Bethany 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Increasing partisan polarization has characterized American politics for decades. On January 6, 2021, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress expressed their horror at the violent invasion of the US Capitol, leading to the popular perception—emphasized by media accounts—that the attack generated a rare moment of bipartisan unity. We argue that while members of both parties condemned the attack, a marked partisan divide characterized their messaging even as events unfolded. We analyze all 1861 tweets by members of Congress on January 6th and find that Republicans were significantly more likely to characterize the invasion as a protest grown out of hand, while Democrats described it as an attack on democracy. The results strongly indicate that partisan polarization was alive and well on January 6th and may help to account for Republicans’ shift toward normatively positive portrayals of the day in subsequent months.
Consistent effect of eating rate on food and energy intake across twenty-four ad libitum meals
Authors: Heuven Lise A. J. , van Bruinessen Marieke , Tang Claudia S. , Stieger Markus , Lasschuijt Marlou P. , Forde Ciarán G. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractFoods consumed at lower eating rates (ER) lead to reductions in energy intake. Previous research has shown that texture-based differences in eating rateER can reduce meal size. The effect size and consistency of these effects across a wide range of composite and complex meals differing considerably in texture and varying in meal occasion have not been reported. We determined how consistently texture-based differences in ER can influence food and energy intake across a wide variety of meals. In a crossover design, healthy participants consumed twelve breakfast and twelve lunch meals that differed in texture to produce a fast or slow ER. A breakfast group (n = 15) and lunch group (n = 15) completed twelve ad libitum meal sessions each (six ‘fast’ and six ‘slow’ meals), where intake was measured and behavioural video annotation was used to characterise eating behaviour. Liking did not differ significantly between fast and slow breakfasts (P = 0·44) or lunches (P = 0·76). The slow meals were consumed on average 39 % ± 9 % (breakfast) and 45 % ± 7 % (lunch) slower than the fast meals (both P < 0·001). Participants consumed on average 22 % ± 5 % less food (84 g) and 13 % ± 6 % less energy (71 kcal) from slow compared with fast meals (mean ± SE; P < 0·001). Consuming meals with a slower ER led to a reduction in food intake, where an average decrease of 20 % in ER produced an 11 % ± 1 % decrease in food intake (mean ± SE). These findings add to the growing body of evidence showing that ER can be manipulated using food texture and that this has aits consistent effect on food and energy intake across a wide variety of Hedonically equivalent meals.