bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilization of at-home tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers in Chicago
Authors: Valdivia Nathaly , Hirschhorn Lisa R. , Vu Thanh-Huyen , Dubois Cerina , Moskowitz Judith T. , Wilkins John T. , Evans Charlesnika T. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective:
To describe utilization of at-home coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing among healthcare workers (HCW).

Design:
Serial cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants:
HCWs in the Chicago area.

Methods:
Serial surveys were conducted from the Northwestern Medicine (NM HCW SARS-CoV-2) Serology Cohort Study. In April 2022, participants reflected on the past 30 days to complete an online survey regarding COVID-19 home testing. Surveys were repeated in June and November 2022. The percentage of completed home tests and ever-positive tests were reported. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence rate ratios (PRR) and univariate analysis was used for association between participant characteristics with home testing and positivity.

Results:
Overall, 2,226 (62.4%) of 3,569 responded to the survey in April. Home testing was reported by 26.6% of respondents and 5.9% reported having at least one positive home test. Testing was highest among those 30–39 years old (35.9%) and nurses (28.3%). A positive test was associated (P < .001) with exposure to people, other than patients with known or suspected COVID-19. Home testing increased in June to 36.4% (positivity 19.9%) and decreased to 25% (positivity 13.5%) by November.

Conclusion:
Our cohort findings show the overall increase in both home testing and ever positivity from April to November – a period where changes in variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 were reported nationwide. Having an exposure to people, other than patients with known or suspected COVID-19 was significantly associated with both, higher home testing frequency and ever-test positivity.
Impact of time to treatment in first occurrence, non-severe Clostridioides difficile infection for elderly patients: are we waiting too long to treat?
Authors: Vandervelde Rhett , Mlynarek Mark E. , Ramesh Mayur , Patel Nimish , Veve Michael P. , August Benjamin A. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective:
Data evaluating timeliness of antibiotic therapy in Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) are not well established. The study’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of time-to-CDI treatment on disease progression.

Methods:
A case–control study was performed among hospitalized patients with CDI from 1/2018 to 2/2022. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years, first occurrence, non-severe CDI at symptom onset, and CDI treatment for ≥72 hours. Cases included patients who progressed to severe or fulminant CDI; controls were patients without CDI progression. Time to CDI treatment was evaluated in three ways: a classification and regression tree (CART)-defined threshold, time as a continuous variable, and time as a categorical variable.

Results:
272 patients were included; 136 with CDI progression, 136 patients without. The median (IQR) age was 74 (69–81) years, 167 (61%) were women, and 108 (40%) were immunosuppressed. CDI progression patients more commonly were toxin positive (66 [49%] vs 52 [38%], P = .087) with hospital-acquired disease (57 [42%] vs 29 [21%], P < 0.001). A CART-derived breakpoint for optimal time-to-CDI treatment of 64 hours established early (184, 68%) and delayed treatment (88, 32%). When accounting for confounding variables, delayed CDI treatment was associated with disease progression (adjOR, 4.6; 95%CI, 2.6–8.2); this was observed regardless of how time-to-CDI-active therapy was evaluated (continuous adjOR, 1.02; categorical adjOR, 2.11).

Conclusion:
Delayed CDI treatment was associated with disease progression and could represent an important antimicrobial stewardship measure with future evaluation.
Jordanian Nurses’ Perceptions of Disaster Preparedness and Core Competencies
Authors: Alfuqaha Alia N. , Alosta Mohammad R. , Khalifeh Anas H. , Oweidat Islam Ali 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective:
This study aims to identify the Jordanian nurses’ perception of their disaster preparedness and core competencies.

Methods:
A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used. The data was collected via an online self-reported questionnaire using the disaster preparedness evaluation tool and the core disaster competencies tool.

Results:
A total of 126 nurses participated in the study. Jordanian nurses had moderate to high levels of core disaster competencies and moderate levels of disaster preparedness. Core disaster competencies and disaster preparedness levels differed based on previous training on disaster preparedness, and the availability of an established emergency plan in their hospitals. Lastly, a previous training on disaster preparedness and core disaster competencies were statistically significant predictors of disaster preparedness among Jordanian nurses.

Conclusions:
Organizational factors and environmental contexts play a role in the development of such capabilities. Future research should focus on understanding the barriers and facilitators of developing core disaster competencies and disaster preparedness among nurses.
Philosophical Intuitions about Socially Significant Language
Authors: Hesni Samia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
As we theorize about philosophy of language that bears on social and political issues, it is worth revisiting the methodological question of how we as theorists rely on our philosophical and linguistic intuitions, and what assumptions underlie our justification of such a reliance. Two threads in the philosophical literature are relevant to this question: the discussion of situatedness in feminist epistemology and the debate about philosophical expertise and philosophical intuitions. I argue that philosophers examining social and political philosophy of language should be careful—perhaps more careful than we have been—when we rely on our intuitions to draw conclusions about socially significant language, such as racist, sexist, homophobic, and other derogatory speech. I don’t claim we should give up relying on our intuitions. Instead, I argue that we should be more explicit that our intuitions are limited, and open to the possibility that they might not align with the intuitions of those who have more experience with the kinds of speech we are analyzing. As a result, we might find that the conclusions we draw from our intuitions have to be revised or qualified.
Practices to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infection: A 2021 survey of infection preventionists in US hospitals
Authors: Pisney Larissa , Camplese Lisa , Greene M. Todd , Saint Sanjay , Fowler Karen E. , Chopra Vineet 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjective:To determine prevalence of technical and behavioral interventions aimed at preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) following the COVID19 pandemic.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Setting:US acute care hospitals.Participants:Infection preventionists at participating hospitals.Methods:Surveys were sent to infection preventionists from a national random sample of 881 US acute care hospitals. Questions covered use of technical interventions to prevent CLABSI (eg, alcohol-containing chlorhexidine gluconate [CHG] for skin antisepsis, use of coated catheters), socio-adaptive interventions (eg, feedback of CLABSI rates, use of appropriateness criteria), and leadership support for CLABSI prevention.Results:Survey response rate was 47% (415/881). Technical interventions such as maximal sterile barriers (99%) or CHG-impregnated dressings (92%) were highly prevalent, but routine use of CHG bathing was less common (68% indicated regular use in intensive care unit [ICU] vs 18% in non-ICU settings). Although 97% of respondents indicated use of systems to monitor CLABSI, feedback to providers on CLABSI events was reported by 89%. Only 53% of respondents indicated regular use of tools to determine appropriateness of central venous catheters (CVC). Three-quarters of respondents indicated their hospital assessed CVC necessity daily, but only 23% reported strategies to reduce routine blood cultures. CLABSI prevention was extremely important to hospital leadership at 82% of responding hospitals.Conclusions:Most US hospitals continue to use evidence-based methods to prevent CLABSI as recommended by leading organizations. Opportunities to focus on socio-adaptive interventions such as feedback of infection rates, use of appropriateness criteria for CVC placement, and improving the “culture of pan-culturing” remain.
Short-term calving front dynamics and mass loss at Sálajiegna glacier, northern Sweden, assessed by uncrewed surface and aerial vehicles
Authors: Vacek Florian , Deutsch Clemens , Kuttenkeuler Jakob , Kirchner Nina 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are frequently used in glaciological applications, among other things, for photogrammetric assessments of calving dynamics at glacier termini. However, UAVs are often limited by battery endurance and weight constraints on the scientific payload that can be added. At Sálajiegna, the largest freshwater calving glacier in Sweden, we explored the combined use of a versatile maritime robot (uncrewed surface vehicle, USV) and a UAV to characterise Sálajiegna's short-term and seasonal calving front dynamics and mass loss. For this, a photogrammetric payload suite was integrated into the USV. Consecutive USV surveys of Sálajiegna's front, followed by point cloud based calving detection and surface-reconstruction based volume quantification, allowed for a detailed description of calving-induced terminus changes and is hence suggested as a viable alternative to the differencing of digital elevation models. By combining USV and UAV measurements, we identify sectors of high and low calving activity, a calving front retreat of up to 56 m and a thinning rate in the terminus region of 5.4 cm d−1 during the summer of 2022.
La experimentación como herramienta para el estudio de la alfarería de la transición pampeano-patagónica oriental (Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Borges Vaz Erika , Martínez Gustavo , Domingorena Lucas Pereyra 
Published: April 2024

Resumen
En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de estudios experimentales realizados en pastas cerámicas con el objetivo de comprender las elecciones técnicas realizadas por los grupos cazadores-recolectores que habitaron el curso inferior del Río Colorado (transición pampeano-patagónica oriental) en los últimos 2000 años aP aproximadamente. A tal efecto, con la guía de ceramistas locales, se realizaron ensayos tanto en el campo como en el laboratorio, empleando materias primas (arcillas y arenas) obtenidas del área de estudio. Durante las tareas de campo se realizó el testeo inicial y la cocción de las materias primas, actividades que se repitieron en el laboratorio. A esto se agregó una batería de estudios arqueométricos (e.g., petrografías, DRX, FTIR, SEM-EDAX) cuyos resultados fueron comparados con la información arqueológica del área. En este sentido, la composición de las materias primas, las temperaturas y condiciones de quema, así como los patrones tecnológicos de las pastas experimentales, son concordantes con las registradas en las cerámicas arqueológicas. La integración de estos datos indicaría la producción preponderantemente local de las vasijas como también la transmisión de una práctica alfarera a lo largo del Holoceno tardío.
Case report: Prinzmetal angina in adolescent
Authors: Rahmadhany Anisa , Karim Birry , Amal Mohamad Yanuar 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPrinzmetal angina is a rare condition more likely to be reported in adults. Vasospasm is by far notable for causing this condition. We present a case of Prinzmetal angina in a 17-year-old male who experienced unexplained resting chest pain for 2 days.
Oncology social workers’ involvement in palliative care: Secondary data analysis from nationwide oncology social workers survey
Authors: Guan Ting , BrintzenhofeSzoc Karlynn , Middleton Alyssa , Otis-Green Shirley , Schapmire Tara , Rayton Makeeta , Nelson Krista , Grignon Michael L. , Zebrack Brad 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesSocial workers are vital in delivering psychosocial services in palliative care, yet their specific roles in palliative oncology remain undefined. This study aimed to delineate the current practice role of oncology social workers involvement in palliative care in the United States.MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional design and involved secondary analysis of data from a nationwide survey focused on workforce conditions for oncology social workers. The participants were social workers who were directly involved in providing care to cancer patients and delivering palliative care services. They completed an online survey in which they indicated the relevance of 91 tasks related to their practice. The survey also collected individual demographic and work-related characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis was used to achieve the study objective.ResultsResponses from a secondary data set of 243 oncology social workers involved in palliative care results in a 6-factor solution comprising 34 tasks. These factors were identified as: Therapeutic Interventions for Individuals, Couples, and Families; Facilitate Patient Care Decision-making; Care Coordination; Assessment and Emotional Support; Organization and Community Service; and Equity and Justice. All 6 factors demonstrated good internal reliability, as indicated by Cronbach’s alpha scores above 0.70.Significance of resultsThe findings can be used to develop job descriptions and education for social workers employed in palliative cancer care. The clear role descriptions also make social work visible to other professionals in palliative oncology. By clarifying the roles of oncology social workers, this study contributes to the improvement of palliative care delivery and enhances interprofessional collaboration within cancer care teams.
Drying Over Eastern China Driven by the Depletion of Arctic Stratospheric Ozone During Boreal Spring
Authors: Hu Dingzhu , Zhang Zhuohua , Guan Zhaoyong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGiven the significant importance of spring precipitation for agricultural production in China and the presence of the spring predictability barrier, scientists have dedicated extensive efforts to understand the factors influencing spring precipitation variability and explore new predictors. However, the effects of Arctic stratospheric ozone (ASO) on precipitation in China during boreal spring, if any, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We found the robust influences of March ASO on the differences in the precipitation and evaporation in April over Eastern China during 1980–2020. When ASO decreases in March, it tends to result in a higher and colder tropopause in the polar, a stronger subtropical jet stream, an intensified local Hadley circulation accompanied by anomalous downward motion over Eastern China, and consequently, drying in this region, and vice versa. These findings suggest that the likelihood of April moistening over East Asia may be potentially predicted by employing the ASO index.
Estimation of Nighttime Aerosol Optical Depths Using Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Longwave Radiances
Authors: Liu Guanyu , Li Jing , Li Jun , Yue Sheng , Zhou Ronglian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAerosol remote sensing typically relies on reflected shortwave radiation and thus lacks nighttime retrievals. Here we made an original attempt to retrieve nighttime aerosol optical depth (AOD) by utilizing longwave measurements in the atmospheric window region from the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) instrument. A machine‐learning based algorithm is developed using AIRS longwave radiance and auxiliary data as the input and AOD from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as well as reanalysis surface temperature as the output. Independent validation indicates good agreement with lunar AOD derived from surface photometers. An overall increase in nighttime AOD compared to daytime is also uncovered, which is further corroborated by surface and space lidar measurements. The theoretical basis of the algorithm is further verified using radiative transfer simulations. Our approach substantially extends the potential of hyperspectral longwave measurements and offers valuable insights into nighttime aerosol properties.
Paleoenvironmental Controls on the Abundances of Magnetofossils in the Southwestern Iberian Margin
Authors: He Kuang , Zhao Xiangyu , Jiang Zhaoxia , Li Sanzhong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMagnetofossils are nanosized magnetic fossil remnants of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) that are widely distributed in marine and freshwater sediments. Past studies have revealed that changes in the morphology and abundance of magnetofossils are linked with diverse paleoenvironmental changes, such as glacial‐interglacial variation, redox conditions associated with primary productivity and organic matter supply, chemical weathering and diagenesis. Besides, it has long been speculated that changes in geomagnetic field intensity could also affect the abundance of magnetofossils. However, it is not yet clear, how these environmental factors controlled past MTB populations in combination. To answer this question, we studied magnetofossils‐rich sediments from cores MD01‐2443 and 2444 off the Southwest Iberian Margin. The paleomagnetic records of our samples reveal geomagnetic excursions corresponding to the Laschamp, Blake, Iceland Basin, and Pringle Falls events. We estimated the relative abundance of magnetofossils in the samples based on isothermal remanent magnetization unmixing and found it to increase during warmer periods and decrease during colder periods, while not covary with changes in the geomagnetic field intensity. To further distinguish the role of different paleoenvironmental factors, we compared magnetofossil abundance with planktonic δ18O, δ13C of organic matter, K/Al and Si/Al, which indicate continental ice volume (paleotemperature), organic matter origin, run‐off intensity and productivity, respectively. The results indicate that less continental ice volume (higher paleotemperature), enhanced productivity and run‐off intensity are closely related and jointly promoted magnetofossil production and preservation. Our study offers a comprehensive approach to understanding how magnetofossil assemblages relate to paleoenvironmental changes off the SW Iberian Margin.
Alternative splicing in prostate cancer progression and therapeutic resistance
Authors: Rawat Chitra , Heemers Hannelore V. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProstate cancer (CaP) remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in western men. CaP mortality results from diverse molecular mechanisms that mediate resistance to the standard of care treatments for metastatic disease. Recently, alternative splicing has been recognized as a hallmark of CaP aggressiveness. Alternative splicing events cause treatment resistance and aggressive CaP behavior and are determinants of the emergence of the two major types of late-stage treatment-resistant CaP, namely castration-resistant CaP (CRPC) and neuroendocrine CaP (NEPC). Here, we review recent multi-omics data that are uncovering the complicated landscape of alternative splicing events during CaP progression and the impact that different gene transcript isoforms can have on CaP cell biology and behavior. We discuss renewed insights in the molecular machinery by which alternative splicing occurs and contributes to the failure of systemic CaP therapies. The potential for alternative splicing events to serve as diagnostic markers and/or therapeutic targets is explored. We conclude by considering current challenges and promises associated with splicing-modulating therapies, and their potential for clinical translation into CaP patient care.
ATF3 characterizes aggressive drug-tolerant persister cells in HGSOC
Authors: Böpple Kathrin , Oren Yaara , Henry Whitney S. , Dong Meng , Weller Sandra , Thiel Julia , Kleih Markus , Gaißler Andrea , Zipperer Damaris , Kopp Hans-Georg , Aylon Yael , Oren Moshe , Essmann Frank , Liang Chunguang , Aulitzky Walter E. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHigh-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) represents the most common and lethal subtype of ovarian cancer. Despite initial response to platinum-based standard therapy, patients commonly suffer from relapse that likely originates from drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells. We generated isogenic clones of treatment-naïve and cisplatin-tolerant persister HGSOC cells. In addition, single-cell RNA sequencing of barcoded cells was performed in a xenograft model with HGSOC cell lines after platinum-based therapy. Published single-cell RNA-sequencing data from neo-adjuvant and non-treated HGSOC patients and patient data from TCGA were analyzed. DTP-derived cells exhibited morphological alterations and upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. An aggressive subpopulation of DTP-derived cells showed high expression of the stress marker ATF3. Knockdown of ATF3 enhanced the sensitivity of aggressive DTP-derived cells to cisplatin-induced cell death, implying a role for ATF3 stress response in promoting a drug tolerant persister cell state. Furthermore, single cell lineage tracing to detect transcriptional changes in a HGSOC cell line-derived xenograft relapse model showed that cells derived from relapsed solid tumors express increased levels of EMT and multiple endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, including ATF3. Single cell RNA sequencing of epithelial cells from four HGSOC patients also identified a small cell population resembling DTP cells in all samples. Moreover, analysis of TCGA data from 259 HGSOC patients revealed a significant progression-free survival advantage for patients with low expression of the ATF3-associated partial EMT genes. These findings suggest that increased ATF3 expression together with partial EMT promote the development of aggressive DTP, and thereby relapse in HGSOC patients.
Functional synergy of a human-specific and an ape-specific metabolic regulator in human neocortex development
Authors: Xing Lei , Gkini Vasiliki , Nieminen Anni I. , Zhou Hui-Chao , Aquilino Matilde , Naumann Ronald , Reppe Katrin , Tanaka Kohichi , Carmeliet Peter , Heikinheimo Oskari , Pääbo Svante , Huttner Wieland B. , Namba Takashi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMetabolism has recently emerged as a major target of genes implicated in the evolutionary expansion of human neocortex. One such gene is the human-specific gene ARHGAP11B. During human neocortex development, ARHGAP11B increases the abundance of basal radial glia, key progenitors for neocortex expansion, by stimulating glutaminolysis (glutamine-to-glutamate-to-alpha-ketoglutarate) in mitochondria. Here we show that the ape-specific protein GLUD2 (glutamate dehydrogenase 2), which also operates in mitochondria and converts glutamate-to-αKG, enhances ARHGAP11B’s ability to increase basal radial glia abundance. ARHGAP11B + GLUD2 double-transgenic bRG show increased production of aspartate, a metabolite essential for cell proliferation, from glutamate via alpha-ketoglutarate and the TCA cycle. Hence, during human evolution, a human-specific gene exploited the existence of another gene that emerged during ape evolution, to increase, via concerted changes in metabolism, progenitor abundance and neocortex size.