bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cultural Sensitivity in the ICU: Experiences of International Nurses with End-of-Life Care in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mani Zakaria 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Providing culturally sensitive end-of-life care is essential, particularly in diverse settings like Saudi Arabia, where Islamic beliefs significantly influence healthcare practices. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of international intensive care unit charge nurses regarding end-of-life care for Muslim patients in Saudi Arabia.
Method
A qualitative descriptive design was employed, using semi-structured interviews to gather data from eight international ICU charge nurses working in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts.
Results
Four major themes emerged: 1) Family as Central to End-of-Life Care, highlighting the paramount importance of family presence and involvement in decision-making; 2) Navigating Cultural and Religious Beliefs, emphasizing the nurses' efforts to provide culturally sensitive care aligned with Islamic practices; 3) Balancing Compassionate Care and Medical Practices, illustrating the complexities of navigating cultural beliefs and medical practices; and 4) Emotional and Spiritual Support, underscoring the nurses' commitment to providing holistic care that addresses emotional and spiritual needs.
Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into the cultural nuances of end-of-life care in Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive practices that respect Islamic beliefs, prioritize family involvement, and address the holistic needs of patients and their families.
Implications:
This study underscores the need for culturally sensitive communication training for healthcare providers working with diverse patient populations. Hospitals and healthcare institutions should prioritize educational initiatives that equip staff with the skills to engage in open dialogues about death and dying, navigate cultural differences in end-of-life preferences, and address the use of traditional healing practices. By fostering greater cultural understanding and communication competency, healthcare systems can better support both patients and families in navigating the complexities of end-of-life care.
Comparison of plaque control efficacy of a chewing gum containing Ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA), methyl sulfonyl methane(MSM) and Xylitol with Chlorehexidine mouthrinse: A randomized cross-over clinial trial
Authors: Niaee Morteza Shakhsi , Hedayatipanah Morad , Torkzaban Parviz , Mohammadi Tayyeb 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Dental plaque provides a proper environment for the growth and activity of bacteria responsible for periodontal diseases and caries. As a result, it should be removed by individuals to prevent periodontal diseases and caries.
Background Data:
There are different mechanical and chemical plaque control methods. In one study is shown that dental plaque removal efficacy of dentifrice containing EDTA/MSM was nearly five times that of commercially available Colgate Total® toothpaste. In another study, authors found that xylitol-containing chewing gums caused a marked reduction in the count of Streptococcus Mutans compared to conventional ones. This difference was highly prominent in individuals with poor oral hygiene. In this study we assessed the synergic effects of Xylitol, EDTA and MSM in a chewing gum in comparison with chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Methods
This study was a crossover, randomized clinical trial. 24 patients were divided in 2 groups randomly. Group1 used CHX mouthwash twice a day. Group2 used novel chewing gum for 15 minutes twice a day. After 14 days, for every patient O’leary plaque index, Gingival index and Sulcus bleeding index were reevaluated and recorded. Professional brushing was done for patients. Two weeks were considered as wash-out period. After that, method of plaque control of groups was changed. After 14 days, all patients were reevaluated and recorded and were compared with previous data.
Results
Samples in 2 groups had no significant difference in age and sex. Paired sample t test revealed that there were significant differences between first and second period for O’leary plaque index, gingival index and sulcus bleeding index in Group1 (P < 0.05). But in group2 there were no differences between first and second period for all indexes. Also independent sample t test showed that there were no significant differences between baseline, after first treatment and after second one for all indexes in both groups (P > 0.05). According to regression model results, type of treatment had no effect on mean of all indexes.
Conclusion
According to our findings which showed the similar efficiency of novel chewing gum and CHX mouthwash in improving and reducing plaque and gingival indexes, we can conclude that novel chewing gum can be introduced as an effective, Cheap and accessible tool for dental plaque control.
Towards understanding the influence of process parameters during the abrasive jet machining of cemented carbides via response surface method
Authors: Hu Yan , Zhang Jincheng , Liu Youyu , Pan Jiabao 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Mechanical seals can benefit from surface texturing. However, array textures with high surface quality are difficult to efficiently fabricate on seal ring made from cemented carbides (WC-6Co) using the conventional machining processes due to the material with high hardness and non-uniform structure. This paper attempted using abrasive jet machining (AJM) method to address this challenge. The influences of AJM parameters on the machinability and material removal mechanism of this two-phase WC-6Co were highlighted. Some main parameters such as jet angle, nozzle motion rat, abrasive concentration, air pressure and jet distance were considered, and their influencing mechanisms on machining depth (Hg) and attainable surface roughness (Sa) were analyzed using the response surface method (RSM). A three-level five-factor quadratic model was yielded to accurately predict Hg and Sa. The significance of key process parameters and their interactions were visibly compared and analyzed. The process parameters were synchronously optimized by the desirable function of RSM. Average errors for Hg and Sa between experimental and predicted values were within 5.2%, which indicates that the established prediction models could be used to well and truly predict Hg and Sa. This paper is expected to provide theoretical guidance for the selection of AJM processing parameters of WC-6Co in actual production.
Study on the Influence Mechanism of the Shrinkage of Rural Employment Population on Regional Economic Development——Evidence from Panel Data of H Province
Authors: Zhang Changping , Chang Jiyuan , Wang Jie , Chen Shumeng , Chen Wen 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the influence ofthe population shrinkage in rural employment on economic development in the region, based on the short panel data of all the prefecture-level cities in H province in the past 2013-2019 years, this paper studies the effect and mechanism of the population shrinkage in rural employment the economic development of the prefecture-level cities from a macro perspective. On the basis of previous studies, this paper empirically examines the influence of the population shrinkage of rural employment on regional economic development by using the short-panel regression model, and constructs the intermediary mechanism model of it. The results show that the impact of rural employment loss on regional economic development is realized through a complete intermediary effect.
Effects of physical exercise on body esteem among females: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wen Zehui , Zhu Yingbo , Guan Guofeng 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Object: Females’ body anxiety is becoming more and more serious, and the levels of their body esteem gradually declines, which have a negative impact on their physical and mental health. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a quantitative analysis of physical exercise to improve females’ physical self-esteem.
Methods: Randomized controlled trials about the effects of physical exercise on body esteem among females were searched by PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases. The search period was from the creation of the database to July 1, 2024. The Stata 17.0 software was used for meta-analysis.
Results: The results are shown that physical exercise have a significant overall effect on promoting females’ self-esteem (g = 0.35, P < 0.001), and physical exercise can effectively improve PC (g = 0.66, P < 0.01) and PS (g = 0.27, P < 0. 01) of females, but there is no statistically significant in females’ PSW (g = 0.32, P > 0.05), SC (g = 0.42, P > 0.05) and AB (g = -0.20, P > 0.05).
Conclusions: Physical exercise can effectively improve body esteem of females, but it mainly affects the PC and PS in body esteem of females.
PR-DRA: PageRank-based Defense Resource Allocation Methods for Securing Interdependent Systems Modeled by Attack Graphs
Authors: Aleiadeh Mohammad , Abdallah Mustafa 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Interdependent systems confront rapidly growing cybersecurity threats. This paper delves into the realm of security decision-making within these complex interdependent systems. We design a resource allocation framework to improve the security of interdependent systems managed by a single rational (logical) defender. Our framework models these systems and their potential attack vulnerabilities using the notion of cyber attack graphs. We propose four defense mechanisms, incorporating a popular network analysis algorithm called PageRank which is used to identify the importance of different critical assets in the system. These mechanisms stem from existing graph theories widely used in graphical models (including Adjacent Nodes, In-degree Nodes, Min-Cut Edges, and Markov Blanket). We adopt two versions of the PageRank algorithm to extract useful information about the attack graphs we use. Our approaches show low sensitivity to the number of concurrent attacks launched over interdependent systems. We evaluate our decision-making framework via ten attack graphs, which include multiple real-world interdependent systems. We quantify the level of security improvement under our defense methods compared to four well-known resource allocation algorithms and other proposed approaches. Our proposed framework leads to better resource allocations compared to these algorithms in most test cases. According to our results and statistical tests, our defense resource allocation approach’s outcomes are superior. Our framework enhances security decision-making under various circumstances. Moreover, We release the full implementation of our framework for the research community to leverage it and build on it with new methods and datasets.
Methodology for validating autonomous and direct photovoltaic pumping in drip irrigation
Authors: Cossich Vinicius , Boas Marcio Antonio Vilas , Kepp Naila Cristina , Lopes Allan Remor , Junior Dario Machado 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Current solar pumping technology uses electronic systems that increase the output power, performance and overall efficiency of the system. However, even with reduced efficiency, the system with the motor pump coupled directly to the photovoltaic panel is clearly suitable for regions where access to water is more of a priority than access to technology, for irrigation in areas not connected to the electricity grid, and for populations without access to irrigation equipment and technical support. This paper therefore describes a methodology for validating an autonomous direct photovoltaic pumping system applied to drip irrigation by mapping its performance and limitations. The system's behavior was monitored under different irradiances in a project consisting of four 10-meter lateral lines, a 1.5 kWp photovoltaic panel, a DC converter and a centrifugal pump driven by a DC motor with a nominal flow rate of 31 L.𝑚𝑖𝑛−1. The study showed that the use of a DC converter brings more flexibility and safety to photovoltaic pumping, however autonomous pumping with direct application to irrigation can be considered viable if the photovoltaic arrangement respects the voltage and current limits of the motor pump and if the distribution uniformity of the applied blade is above 90% for irradiance values below 300 W.𝑚−2.
Defining and Characterising a Model of Care for the Assessment, Diagnosis and Management of Tic Disorders in Children and Young People: A Delphi Study
Authors: Kramer Jaxon , Mehta Kaajal , Jackson Mike 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of Tic Disorders (TD) in Children and Young People (CYP) approaches 3%, indicating TD to be more common than previously believed. However, in the United Kingdom, access to National Healthcare Services (NHS) with a remit for the assessment, diagnosis and management of TD in CYP remains severely limited. The present study aimed to build consensus among healthcare experts to define and characterise a realistic service model of care with a remit of assessing, diagnosing, and treating TD in CYP; and to identify potential obstacles and facilitators to establishing and implementing this service model.
Methods
A panel of experts (N = 10) participated in a three-round e-Delphi study. All surveys were completed online. In Round 1, experts provided free-text responses to 7 open-ended questions. Researchers qualitatively processed responses and generated 28 statements which comprised the Round 2 survey. Participants rated statements on relative agreement and/or importance, items that reached consensus were not included in subsequent survey. Controlled feedback of individual and group responses was displayed for participants in Round 3.
Results
Expert consensus was gained on statements pertaining to; service configuration, constraints and obstacles to service development and delivery, age-range and duration of service input, and interventions for service to offer. A ranking hierarchy identifying prioritised professional roles for newly commissioned services was created.
Conclusions
The present study successfully built consensus among healthcare experts for a specialised NHS service model of care for the treatment of TD in CYP. Findings included identifying potential aids and barriers for implementation and highlight the importance of multi-disciplinary team-working and integrated care. Importantly, the present study further emphasises the need for the systematic development of clinical guidelines for TD by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).
A Harsh Environment: Factors Affecting the Distribution and Temporal Patterns of a Salt Marsh Endemic Mammal
Authors: Smith Lisa , Schueller Paul , Gore Jeffery 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The salt marsh ecosystem, one of the world's most biologically productive natural communities, integrates characteristics of both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Despite its high productivity, few terrestrial mammals have adapted to this harsh environment with its fluctuating water levels and salinity. The Gulf salt marsh mink (Neogale vison halilimnetes) is endemic to the west coast of Florida, specifically restricted to salt marsh. However, little is known about the mink’s distribution, habitat use, activity patterns, and interactions with other mammals. From September 2014 to May 2016, we placed cameras on 513 floating platforms at 94 survey units. Using multi-species occupancy models, we studied the effects of environmental covariates and species interactions on the occupancy probability of Gulf salt marsh mink, raccoon (Procyon lotor), and marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris). We also used negative binomial regression to evaluate the effect of tide height and time of day on the activity of each species. Gulf salt marsh mink use of salt marsh was greater near oyster reefs, further from the forest edge, and closer to a major river. Raccoons were also detected near oyster reefs and in areas with a higher percentage of low marsh, while marsh rice rats were detected near the forest edge and farther from a major river. Time of day and tide height influenced activity patterns of raccoons and marsh rice rats but not the cathemeral Gulf salt marsh mink. Overall, the restricted range of the Gulf salt marsh mink suggests further investigation into their conservation status is warranted.
Conservation-led palaeolimnology – A review of applied palaeolimnology and lessons to improve accessibility and value to conservation practice
Authors: Siggery Ben , Bennion Helen , Murphy Richard , Morse Stephen , Waite Mike 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The integration of palaeolimnology into conservation practice is crucial for effective ecosystem management and restoration, yet there exist well-recognised accessibility issues and a clear research-implementation gap. This study evaluates the accessibility and value of palaeolimnological research to conservation practice by interrogating 60 key applied research papers, assessing the use of best practice accessibility criteria and gathering practitioner feedback on the value of conservation recommendations. Despite widespread recognition of the importance of accessible research, our review reveals that essential accessibility criteria are inconsistently applied. Although there has been an increase in accessibility practices over time, co-production practices (including co-authorship, co-design, and legislative tie-in) showed no significant increase, despite being advocated for by the research community. Practitioner review highlighted the need for research to provide clear, actionable recommendations, and papers that detailed specific management or restoration guidance were particularly well-received, as were those that considered financial implications and summarised their findings in a simple manner. Equally, many papers were criticized for overly technical language and poor expression, generic suggestions, and a lack of practical consideration for implementation of their recommendations. The study highlights the importance of improving accessibility and of co-production of knowledge to ensure that research outputs are accessible, relevant, and feasible to guide conservation efforts. To enhance the relevance and impact of applied palaeolimnology, we propose five key recommendations: i) situate recommendations within existing practice and knowledge; ii) consider the practicalities for practitioners, including material and socio-economic aspects; iii) use clear and simple language; iv) employ easy-to-interpret diagrams and bullet points for recommendations; and v) improve accessibility of older work. These recommendations are key in helping palaeolimnology progress towards a ‘gold standard’ of applied research, where it can be employed most effectively support conservation practice.
Bimetallic nanocolloidal plasmonic array for polyphenols characterization and calibration-free antioxidant capacity evaluation
Authors: Scroccarello Annalisa , Pelle Flavio Della , Giulio Tiziano , Mazzotta Elisabetta , Mancini Alessandra , Mascini Marcello , Oliva Eleonora , Malitesta Cosimino , Compagnone Dario 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Phenolic compounds (PC) are natural molecules with antioxidant capacity (AoC) with recognized technological and health properties; rapid and easy-to-use approaches for PC class and AoC evaluation are highly required. Herein, a bimetallic plasmonic nanoparticles-based approach for the untargeted evaluation of PC-pattern and AoC is proposed. The rationale relies on the PC's ability to drive the formation of bimetallic silver/gold nanocolloidal ‘probes’ with different conformations. Ag/Au bimetallic nanostructures, according to the PCs’ amount and class, return characteristic plasmonic and colorimetric tags. Plasmonic indexes are proposed to assess the dominant PC classes, while the colorimetric response, analyzed simply by a smartphone, is employed to obtain an AoC score, with no calibration. The methods were tested with PCs belonging to different chemical classes, and challenged to classify different food samples; the proposed approach allows PC-dominant class identification and AoC-evaluation consistent with HPLC-MS/MS and conventional photometric assays.
Stall cells organisation on an aerofoil with leading-edge tubercles
Authors: Li Mogeng , Scarano Fulvio 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The three-dimensional flow structure of an aerofoil with leading-edge tubercles at angles of attack (AoA) up to the post-stall regime is studied in this work. The three-dimensional distribution of instantaneous and time-averaged velocity and vorticity at the suction side is characterised by large-scale high-speed particle tracking, using helium-filled soap bubbles as tracers. The tubercles generate a periodic system of counter-rotating vortices, strongly altering the boundary layer from its inception and developing along the aerofoil. At mild incidence (AoA ≤ 5°), counter-rotating streamwise vortices adhere to the aerofoil profile, modulating the shear layer by creating regions of downwash and upwash motions. In the stall regime, the flow organisation is profoundly altered, with large-scale separation cells (stall-cell like structures, SCLS) forming on the aerofoil with no apparent the spanwise periodicity. Furthermore, the flow pattern becomes highly unsteady. Before stall (AoA= 10°), SCLS appear intermittently and the separated region is not sustained. In contrast, at AoA≳ 25°, the unsteadiness is ascribed to the competing effects of separation bubbles growth and SCLS. These observations clarify the role of tubercles in the process of aerofoil stall, which introduces a more gradual decrease of aerodynamic lift in the separated regime.
The birth, death, and evolutionary compensation of uORFs in Drosophila
Authors: Lu Jian , Liu Chenlu , Jin Wanting , Sun Yuanqiang , Duan Yuange , Tang Xiao-lu 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) play crucial roles in regulating mRNA translation; however, the evolutionary dynamics of uORFs and the potential coevolution of uORF gain and loss remain largely unexplored. Here, we comprehensively analyze the evolutionary landscape of uORFs across Drosophila species, revealing a complex pattern of birth and death events throughout the phylogeny, with a net gain trend dominating the overall pattern. We identified instances of evolutionary compensation in which the loss of a uORF was accompanied by the gain of another within the same gene, or vice versa. Surprisingly, a significant proportion of fixed uORF loss events in D. melanogaster were driven by positive selection. Dual-luciferase assays revealed that approximately 75% of the tested uORF gains or losses altered translational regulation, with some exhibiting condition-specific effects. Surveying uORF-related variants across 1,356 D. melanogaster genomes revealed strong purifying selection, with some variants potentially contributing to local adaptation. Our findings highlight the crucial role of natural selection in shaping the evolutionary landscape of uORFs in Drosophila and provide novel insights into the complex interplay between the evolution of coding and regulatory elements.