bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilot evaluation of a Psychological First Aid online training for COVID-19 frontline workers in American Indian/Alaska Native communities
Authors: O'Keefe Victoria M. , Grubin Fiona , Vaidya Nainika , Maudrie Tara L. , Conrad Maisie , Neuner Sophie , Jridi Shardai , Cook Mary Ann , Carson Kathryn A. , Barlow Allison , Haroz Emily E. 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health concerns and stress among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in the United States, as well as among frontline workers responding to the pandemic. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a promising intervention to support mental wellbeing and coping skills during and after traumatic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Since PFA is often implemented rapidly in the wake of a disaster or traumatic event, evidence evaluating its impact is lacking. This paper reports pilot evaluation results from a culturally adapted PFA training designed to support COVID-19 frontline workers and the AI/AN communities they serve during the pandemic.MethodsThis study was designed and implemented in partnership with a collaborative work group of public health experts and frontline workers in AI/AN communities. We conducted a pre-post, online pilot evaluation of a culturally adapted online PFA training with COVID-19 frontline workers serving AI/AN communities. Participants completed a baseline survey and two follow-up surveys 1 week and 3 months after completing the PFA training. Surveys included demographic questions and measures of anxiety, burnout, stress, positive mental health, communal mastery, coping skills, PFA knowledge, confidence in PFA skills, and satisfaction with the PFA training.ResultsParticipants included N = 56 COVID-19 frontline workers in AI/AN communities, 75% were AI/AN, 87% were female, and most (82%) were between the ages of 30–59. Participants reported high satisfaction with the training and knowledge of PFA skills. Pilot results showed significant increases in positive mental health and social wellbeing and reductions in burnout from baseline to 3 months after completing the PFA training among frontline workers. There were no changes in communal mastery, coping skills, stress, or anxiety symptoms during the study period.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this is the first pilot evaluation of a PFA training designed and culturally adapted with and for AI/AN communities. Given that many AI/AN communities were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and prior mental health inequities, addressing acute and chronic stress is of crucial importance. Addressing traumatic stress through culturally adapted interventions, including Indigenous PFA, is crucial to advancing holistic wellbeing for AI/AN communities.
Implementation of basic life support education for the lay public in China: barriers, enablers, and possible solutions
Authors: Dong Xuejie , Zhang Lin , Wang Zongbin , Zheng Zhi-jie 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundEducation for the lay public in basic life support (BLS) is critical for increasing bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rates and improving survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Despite years of implementation, the BLS training rate in China has remained modest. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the implementation of BLS training programs in emergency medical service (EMS) centers in China and to identify specific barriers and enablers.MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with key informants from 40 EMS centers in Chinese cities. The participants included 11 directors/deputy directors, 24 training department leaders, and 5 senior trainers. The interview guide was based on the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Thematic content analysis was used to identify themes and patterns across the interviews.ResultsWe identified 16 factors influencing the implementation of BLS training programs encompassing the outer content, inner context, innovation and bridging factors. Some factors acted as either barriers or enablers at different EPIS stages. The main implementation barriers included limited external leadership, insufficient government investment, low public awareness, a shortage of trainers, an absence of incentives, an absence of authoritative courses and guidelines, a lack of qualification to issue certificates, limited academic involvement, and insufficient publicity. The main enablers were found to be supportive government leaders, strong public demand, adequate resources, program champions, available high-quality courses of high fitness within the local context, the involvement of diverse institutions, and effective publicity and promotion.ConclusionOur findings emphasize the diversity of stakeholders, the complexity of implementation, and the need for localization and co-construction when conducting BLS training for lay public in city EMS centers. Improvements can be made at the national level, city level, and EMS institutional level to boost priority and awareness, promote legislation and policies, raise sustainable resources, and enhance the technology of BLS courses.
The determinants of COVID-19 case reporting across Africa
Authors: Han Qing , Rutayisire Ghislain , Mbogning Fonkou Maxime Descartes , Avusuglo Wisdom Stallone , Ahmadi Ali , Asgary Ali , Orbinski James , Wu Jianhong , Kong Jude Dzevela 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundAccording to study on the under-estimation of COVID-19 cases in African countries, the average daily case reporting rate was only 5.37% in the initial phase of the outbreak when there was little or no control measures. In this work, we aimed to identify the determinants of the case reporting and classify the African countries using the case reporting rates and the significant determinants.MethodsWe used the COVID-19 daily case reporting rate estimated in the previous paper for 54 African countries as the response variable and 34 variables from demographics, socioeconomic, religion, education, and public health categories as the predictors. We adopted a generalized additive model with cubic spline for continuous predictors and linear relationship for categorical predictors to identify the significant covariates. In addition, we performed Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components (HCPC) analysis on the reporting rates and significant continuous covariates of all countries.Results21 covariates were identified as significantly associated with COVID-19 case detection: total population, urban population, median age, life expectancy, GDP, democracy index, corruption, voice accountability, social media, internet filtering, air transport, human development index, literacy, Islam population, number of physicians, number of nurses, global health security, malaria incidence, diabetes incidence, lower respiratory and cardiovascular diseases prevalence. HCPC resulted in three major clusters for the 54 African countries: northern, southern and central essentially, with the northern having the best early case detection, followed by the southern and the central.ConclusionOverall, northern and southern Africa had better early COVID-19 case identification compared to the central. There are a number of demographics, socioeconomic, public health factors that exhibited significant association with the early case detection.
The association between SII and aging: evidence from NHANES 1999–2018
Authors: Wang Nanbu , Ren Lian , Li Ziyuan , Hu Yunhao , Zhou Jingpei , Sun Quan , Pei Bin , Li Xinyu , Peng Wanqing , Yu Jinyan , Zhao Renhui , Huang Ziting , Chen Zhenhu , Huang Guoxin 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundThe study aimed to examine the association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a contemporary metric of systemic inflammatory response, and biological aging, which are closely interconnected processes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized 10 cycles of data from the NHANES database spanning from 1990 to 2018. The study examined the relationship between the SII index, calculated as P * N/L, where P represents preoperative peripheral platelet count, N represents neutrophil count, and L represents lymphocyte count, and biological aging. Biological aging was assessed through various methods, such as phenotypic age, phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), biological age, and biological age acceleration (BioAgeAccel). Correlations were analyzed using weighted linear regression and subgroup analysis.ResultsAmong the 7,491 participants analyzed, the average age was 45.26 ± 0.34 years, with 52.16% being female. The average phenotypic and biological ages were 40.06 ± 0.36 and 45.89 ± 0.32 years, respectively. Following adjustment for potential confounders, elevated SII scores were linked to increased phenotypic age, biological age, Phenotypic age acceleration, and Biological age acceleration. Positive correlations were observed between health behavior and health factor scores and biological aging, with stronger associations seen for health factors. In health factor-specific analyses, the β coefficient was notably higher for high BMI. The robust positive associations between SII scores and both phenotypic age and biological age in the stratified analyses were consistently observed across all strata.ConclusionThe evidence from the NHANES data indicate that SII may serve as a valuable marker for assessing different facets of aging and health outcomes, such as mortality and the aging process. Additional research is warranted to comprehensively elucidate the implications of SII in the aging process and its utility as a clinical instrument for evaluating and addressing age-related ailments.
Identification of formation mechanism and key elements of quality geriatric care behavior of nursing assistants in nursing homes: a grounded theory study
Authors: Liao Lulu , Bai Xue , He Xiaoxiao , Tan Lei , Yang Linghua , Long Huan , Huang Shenglan , Li Xia , Han Ying , Peng Xiao , Chen Huijing , Yang Xiufen , Li Hui , Wang Shuang , Liu Yilan 
Published: June 2024

Objective(s)This study aimed to identify the key elements and develop a formation mechanism model of quality geriatric care behavior for nursing assistants.MethodsThis qualitative research employed the strategy of grounded theory proposed by Strauss and Corbin. Furthermore, the data was collected by participatory observation and semi-structured interviews. A total of 12 nursing managers, 63 nursing assistants, and 36 older people from 9 nursing homes in 6 cities were interviewed, whereas for the observatory survey, participants were recruited from 2 nursing homes.ResultsThe comparative and analysis process revealed 5 key elements of quality geriatric care behavior, including holistic care, personalized care, respect, positive interaction, and empowerment. Based on the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model, key elements and the 3 stages of quality geriatric care behavior (negative behavior cognition stage, practice exchange run-in stage, and positive behavior reinforcement stage), the theoretical framework of the formation mechanism was established.ConclusionThe results indicated that nursing assistants’ capabilities, motivation, and organizational and environmental support are vital for quality care behaviors. The theoretical framework established in this study provides theoretical support and practical reference to policymakers, institutional administrators, and healthcare professionals for improving nursing assistant’s care behaviors.
Biochemical and Functional Profiling of Thioredoxin-Dependent Cytosolic GPX-like Proteins in Euglena gracilis
Authors: Raihan Md Topu , Ishikawa Takahiro 
Published: June 2024

Unlike plants and animals, the phytoflagellate Euglena gracilis lacks catalase and contains a non-selenocysteine glutathione peroxidase-like protein (EgGPXL), two peroxiredoxins (EgPrx1 and EgPrx4), and one ascorbate peroxidase in the cytosol to maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. In the present study, the full-length cDNA of three cytosolic EgGPXLs was obtained and further characterized biochemically and functionally. These EgGPXLs used thioredoxin instead of glutathione as an electron donor to reduce the levels of H2O2 and t-BOOH. The specific peroxidase activities of these enzymes for H2O2 and t-BOOH were 1.3 to 4.9 and 0.79 to 3.5 µmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Cytosolic EgGPXLs and EgPrx1/EgPrx4 were silenced simultaneously to investigate the synergistic effects of these genes on the physiological function of E. gracilis. The suppression of cytosolic EgGPXL genes was unable to induce any critical phenomena in Euglena under normal (100 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and high-light conditions (350 μmol photons m−2 s−1) at both autotrophic and heterotrophic states. Unexpectedly, the suppression of EgGPXL genes was able to rescue the EgPrx1/EgPrx4-silenced cell line from a critical situation. This study explored the potential resilience of Euglena to ROS, even with restriction of the cytosolic antioxidant system, indicating the involvement of some compensatory mechanisms.
A Fractional Magnetic System with Critical Nonlinearities
Authors: Yang Libo , Heidarkhani Shapour , Zuo Jiabin 
Published: June 2024

In the present paper, we investigate a fractional magnetic system involving critical concave–convex nonlinearities with Laplace operators. Specifically, (−Δ)Asu1=λ1|u1|q−2u1 + 2α1α1+β1|u1|α1−2u1|u2|β1 in Ω, (−Δ)Asu2=λ2|u2|q−2u2+2β1α1+β1|u2|β1−2u2|u1|α1 in Ω, u1=u2=0 in Rn∖Ω, where Ω is a bounded set with Lipschitz boundary ∂Ω in Rn, 1<q<2<ns with s∈(0,1), λ1, λ2 are two real positive parameters, α1>1,β1>1, α1+β1=2s∗=2nn−2s, 2s∗ is the fractional critical Sobolev exponent, and (−Δ)As is a fractional magnetic Laplace operator. By using Lusternik–Schnirelmann’s theory, we prove the existence result of infinitely many solutions for the magnetic fractional system.
Minimization over Nonconvex Sets
Authors: Vilchez Membrilla José Antonio , Salas Moreno Víctor , Moreno-Pulido Soledad , Sánchez-Alzola Alberto , Cobos Sánchez Clemente , García-Pacheco Francisco Javier 
Published: June 2024

Minimum norm problems consist of finding the distance of a closed subset of a normed space to the origin. Usually, the given closed subset is also asked to be convex, thus resulting in a convex minimum norm problem. There are plenty of techniques and algorithms to compute the distance of a closed convex set to the origin, which mostly exist in the Hilbert space setting. In this manuscript, we consider nonconvex minimum norm problems that arise from Bioengineering and reformulate them in such a way that the solution to their reformulation is already known. In particular, we tackle the problem of min∥x∥ subject to ∥Rk(x)∥ ≥ ak for k = 1,…,l, where x∈X and Rk:X→Y are continuous linear operators between real normed spaces X,Y, and ak > 0 for k = 1,…,l. Notice that the region of constraints of the previous problem is neither convex nor balanced. However, it is additively symmetric, which is also the case for the objective function, due to the properties satisfied by norms, which makes possible the analytic resolution of such a nonconvex minimization. The recent literature shows that the design of optimal coils for electronics applications can be achieved by solving problems like this. However, in this work, we apply our analytical solutions to design an optimal coil for an electromagnetic sensor.
Promoting Rural-Residing Parents’ Receptivity to HPV Vaccination: Targeting Messages and Mobile Clinic Implementation
Authors: Fisher Carla L. , Mullis M. Devyn , McFarlane Antionette , Hansen Marta D. , Vilaro Melissa J. , Bylund Carma L. , Wiggins Lori , Corbitt Halie , Staras Stephanie A. S. 
Published: June 2024

Interventions are needed to increase low HPV vaccination rates within rural areas in the United States, particularly in the state of Florida, which has the seventh highest number of HPV-related cancers. Florida also ranks low compared to other states in terms of HPV vaccination. Rural-residing parents may benefit from two evidence-based strategies to increase vaccination rates: reminder messages informing and prompting vaccination appointments and mobile clinics to reduce transportation barriers. We sought to identify parental attitudes towards (1) message features that promote rural-residing parents’ receptivity to HPV vaccination; (2) parents’ acceptability of three reminder message modalities (text, postcard, phone); and (3) implementation factors that promote parents’ acceptability of using a mobile clinic for vaccination. We recruited 28 rural-residing parents of 9- to 12-year-old children (unvaccinated for HPV) for focus group and individual interviews and thematically analyzed transcripts. Three features promoted parents’ receptivity to HPV vaccination messages: source credibility, specific information coverage, and personalization (name and birthday wishes). Parents most preferred text messages and identified three factors promoting parents’ mobile clinic use: convenience and feasibility, trustworthiness, and detailed information. The findings indicate rural-residing parents’ acceptability of reminder messages and mobile clinics as well as the importance of trust and feasibility when implementing these evidence-based strategies for rural-residing parents.
Reimagining how the Critical Realist Ways of Methodological Triangulation Might Allow for Resolving Paradigm In/Commensurability in Research Methodologies
Authors: Dwayi Valindawo Valile M 
Published: June 2024

For a long time research methodology scholars have tended to adopt the diverse and non-convergent positions when it comes to the possibility of the paradigm in/commensurability. However, not much is well researched and thus evidenced in practice, about the potential ways of addressing the binaries. This paper will report on the recently completed project where the reviewers seemed to take contrasting positions on the particular case of research methods. While in practice, the research could have been declared as anchored on mixed methods and the power of methodological triangulation, it seemed that the positionality of the reviewers conditioned the ways they would assess the final research report and thus make them differ in ways that would call for the external assessor/adjudicator beyond the review stage. The case, as it were, seemed to pose risk to the project itself. This would be the case of a raw deal for the project and from the reviewers comments, which indicated their limited understanding about the philosophical or social basis for one's work. Based on this experience, the paper then suggests how engaging research as the idea of being/ontology and becoming/epistemology might allow for the potential resolution points about research especially from the perspective of educational management and development fields of study and of practice.
Pengaruh Nilai Perkiraan dan Kredit Terhadap Profitabilitas Pada PT Pegadaian (Persero) Cabang Pasar Rumput Jakarta
Authors: Jaelani Achmad , Apriliana  
Published: June 2024

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menilai dampak dari nilai perkiraan dan kredit terhadap profitabilitas pada PT Pegadaian (Persero) Cabang Pasar Rumput Jakarta. Penelitian ini menggunakan metodologi kuantitatif dengan data dan informasi berupa laporan keuangan PT Pegadaian (Persero) Pasar Rumput cabang Jakarta selama periode 2018-2020. Pengumpulan data menggunakan data primer serta wawancara. Alat analisa penelitian ini menggunakan SPSS dengan melakukan beberapa uji seperti regresi berganda, uji koefisien determinasi, uji parsial dan uji simultan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa variabel nilai perkiraan secara parsial tidak memberikan efek positif signifikan terhadap profitabilitas perusahaan dengan nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,117. Sementara variabel kredit secara parsial memberikan efek positif signifikan terhadap profitablitas dengan nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,004. Secara simultan variabel nilai perkiraan maupun kredit memberikan efek positif signifikan dengan nilai signifikansi 0,000. Nilai koefisien determinasi yang mencapai 50 persen telah membuktikan bahwa kedua variabel dependen cukup mempresentasikan model penelitian terhadap profitabilitas perusahaan. Nilai kredit yang berpengaruh secara parsial memberikan rekomendasi bahwa perusahaan harus memfokuskan diri kepada nilai kredit untuk memberikan value bagi perusahaan. Value tersebut diinterpretasikan sebagai profit bagi perusahaan. Untuk riset berikutnya dapat memperluas jumlah sampel serta menambah jumlah data serta variabel penelitian agar hasil penelitian lebih bisa digeneralisir untuk bisa diimplementasi bagi perusahaan lain secara luas.
Performance Estimation Of A Sip Based Push-to-talk Service For 3g Wireless Networks
Authors:   ,   Cork Institute of Technology, O'Regan Eoin 
Published: June 2024

Push To Talk (PTT) services have been in existence for several decades providing dispatch services via two-way radio such as walkie-talkies. For a number of years now PTT services have been available for use over mobile phone networks. These mobile PTT services have occupied a niche market with business users and have been provided on proprietary networks that do not enable roaming. Over the past year there has been an explosion of interest in the concept of PTT provided over mobile networks using Internet Protocol (IP) technology. This service uses cellular access and radio resources more efficiently than circuit-switched cellular services as network resources are reserved only for the duration of talk-spurts instead of for an entire call session. This also allows for the potential of monetary savings for the user. Currently, a number of major network operators are developing a Push-To-Talk Over Cellular (PoC) specification, based on the All-IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) core-network subsystem for the provision of multimedia services. The PoC specification complies with 3"^^ Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards and enables roaming between different voice networks. This PTT service is targeted at a youth orientated market and is viewed as being a supplementary service to and possibly as a replacement for SMS text messaging. This study presents a PTT service architecture for 3G networks and evaluates two possible implementations of this architecture within the 3GPP UMTS Rel.5/6 specification. For the first implementation the PTT service is located within the IMS. For the second implementation the service is located outside of the IMS and connects to the UMTS core-network through the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is used for PTT Call Setup and Teardown and the Real-Time Transmission Protocol (RTP) is used for the transmission of Talker Arbitration messages and voice data. The IMS implementation conforms to 3GPP standards and therefore minimises the possibility of interoperability problems and also the PTT framework could be easily adapted to support other multimedia services. The non-IMS implementation is built on the already existing 2.5G GSM/GPRS network, thus enabling a fast service rollout. It was found that for both the IMS and non-IMS implementations the Call Setup and Teardown times as well as the TA message time were very satisfactory considering the type of service, in both cases it was found that the call establishment times were much faster than a SIP based call establishment for VoIP as per 3GPP.