bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring physical and digital architectures in magnetic nanoring array reservoir computers
Authors: Venkat G , Vidamour I T , Swindells C , Fry P W , Rosamond M C , Foerster M , Niño M A , Griffin D , Stepney S , Allwood D A , Hayward T J 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Physical reservoir computing (RC) is a machine learning technique that is ideal for processing of time dependent data series. It is also uniquely well-aligned to in materio computing realisations that allow the inherent memory and non-linear responses of functional materials to be directly exploited for computation. We have previously shown that square arrays of interconnected magnetic nanorings are attractive candidates for in materio RC, and experimentally demonstrated their strong performance in a range of benchmark tasks (Dawidek et al 2021 Adv. Funct. Mater.
31 2008389, Vidamour et al 2022 Nanotechnology
33 485203, Vidamour et al 2023 Commun. Phys.
6 230). Here, we extend these studies to other lattice arrangements of rings, including trigonal and Kagome grids, to explore how these affect both the magnetic behaviours of the arrays, and their computational properties. We show that while lattice geometry substantially affects the microstate behaviour of the arrays, these differences manifest less profoundly when averaging magnetic behaviour across the arrays. Consequently the computational properties (as measured using task agnostic metrics) of devices with a single electrical readout are found to be only subtly different, with the approach used to time-multiplex data into and out of the arrays having a stronger effect on properties than the lattice geometry. However, we also find that hybrid reservoirs that combine the outputs from arrays with different lattice geometries show enhanced computational properties compared to any single array.
North American cooling signature of strong stratospheric wave events depends on the QBO phase
Authors: Ding Xiuyuan , Chen Gang , Magnusdottir Gudrun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Extreme stratospheric wave activity has been linked to surface cold extremes over North America, but little is known whether the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) plays a role in this linkage. Here, by comparing strong stratospheric wave events during the westerly phase (wQBO) with those during the easterly phase (eQBO), we show that the cooling signature following strong wave events depends on the QBO phase in observations. During wQBO, strong wave events are followed by an increased risk of North American cold extremes and a vertical structure shift from a westward phase tilt to an eastward tilt. However, strong wave events under eQBO do not change the cold risk nor alter the vertical tilt. We further examine this dependence on QBO in QBO-resolving climate models, finding that the cooling signature of strong wave events in models is largely insensitive to QBO phases. This insensitivity is suggested to be linked to model biases in the stratospheric wave representation.
Nature based solutions in cities of the global South—The ‘where, who and how’ of implementation
Authors: Lakshmisha Arvind , Nazar Abdul Fathah , Nagendra Harini 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Nature-based solutions have gained popularity as an approach to reduce the impacts of climate and environmental change, providing multi-fold and multi-sectoral benefits especially in cities. Yet there has been growing concern about their utility for cities of the Global South, a concern fuelled by the paucity of studies, including scientific peer reviewed and gray literature. In this paper, we contribute to this knowledge gap, based on an analysis of 120 case studies of NBS in Global South cities, documented in two databases (Urban Natural Atlas and Oppla). These cases fall largely under categories of blue and green infrastructure, with a few cases also focusing on grey infrastructure (in buildings or campuses). While most cases are in Asia, several have also been documented in Africa and Central/South America. Two-third of documented NBS cases are aligned towards either national, or lower-level (regional and local) policies indicating the importance of policy mechanisms for driving their implementation. Institutional arrangements are usually non-government, government or collaborative arrangements, with the goal of climate resilience, biodiversity support and ecosystem restoration—along with social goals of creating public spaces. However, when private players take on the mandate for NBS, they focus primarily on grey infrastructure (in buildings and campuses), primarily meant for private or employee benefits, and not for the public. In cases where public engagement is a stated priority, we find tokenistic approaches deployed, primarily seeking engagement through information dissemination and consultation predominate. Despite the stated importance for participation and engagement, only a few cases focused on empowerment and co-creation of NBS with local communities. We suggest that there is a greater need for documentation regarding the modes of participation especially on roles and levels of actors involved, to enrich our understanding of the impact of NBS on values of justice and equity in the cities of the global South.
Resveratrol and piceid enhance efferocytosis by increasing the secretion of MFG-E8 in human THP-1 macrophages
Authors: Wang Jing , Hashimoto Yuki , Hiemori-Kondo Miki , Nakamoto Akiko , Sakai Tohru , Ye Wenxiu , Abe-Kanoh Naomi 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT
The process of apoptotic cell clearance by phagocytes, known as efferocytosis, plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis. Defects in efferocytosis can lead to inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, the maintenance and promotion of efferocytosis are considered crucial for preventing these diseases. In this study, we observed that resveratrol, a representative functional food ingredient, and its glycoside, piceid, promoted efferocytosis in both human THP-1 macrophages differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and peritoneal macrophages from thioglycolate-elicited mice. Resveratrol and piceid significantly increased mRNA expression and protein secretion of MFG-E8 in THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, the activation of efferocytosis and the increment in MFG-E8 protein secretion caused by resveratrol or piceid treatment were canceled by MFG-E8 knockdown in THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time that resveratrol and piceid promote efferocytosis through the upregulation of MFG-E8 excretion in human THP-1 macrophages.
Epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Adults and Children With Medically Attended Acute Respiratory Illness Over Three Seasons
Authors: Begley Katherine M , Leis Aleda M , Petrie Joshua G , Truscon Rachel , Johnson Emileigh , Lamerato Lois E , Wei Melissa , Monto Arnold S , Martin Emily T 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Data on the true prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among medically attended acute respiratory illnesses (MAARI) has been limited by the lack of regular clinical testing of mild to moderate illnesses. Here we present a prospective evaluation of the epidemiology of RSV-associated MAARI across age groups and multimorbidity status over 3 seasons, which is informative in light of the recommendations for shared decision making for vaccination in older adults.

Methods
Ambulatory patients ≥6 months of age meeting a common MAARI case definition were prospectively enrolled in the Michigan Ford Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (MFIVE) study, a subsite of the US Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network. All participants were tested by nasal-throat swab for RSV and influenza, including subtype, independently from clinician-directed testing. Participant illness characteristics and calculated multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI) were collected by in-person survey and electronic medical record review.

Results
Over 3 surveillance seasons (fall 2017 to spring 2020), 9.9% (n = 441) of 4442 participants had RSV detected. RSV-associated MAARI was more prevalent than influenza for participants 6 months to 4 years of age. Adults with RSV-MAARI had higher median MWI scores overall compared to influenza-MAARI and controls with neither virus (1.62, 0.40, and 0.64, respectively).

Conclusions
RSV is a significant, underrecognized cause of MAARI in both children and adults presenting for ambulatory care. Multimorbidity is an important contributor to RSV-associated MAARI in outpatient adults, providing information to support shared clinical decision making for vaccination.
Pharmacological management of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a scoping review
Authors: Rehman Shafi , Masthan Shameera Shaik , Ibrahim Ramzi , Pham Hoang Nhat , Hassan Danial , Ahmad Fahad , Asif Mohammad Shahzad , Safdar Ahmad , Anwar Zain , Raza Shahzad , William Preethi 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Aims
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is characterized by the accumulation of transthyretin (TTR) protein in the myocardium. The aim of this scoping review is to provide a descriptive summary of the clinical trials and observational studies that evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of various agents used in ATTR-CM, with a goal of identifying the contemporary gaps in literature and to reveal future research opportunities.

Methods and results
The search was performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search using several databases for observational and clinical trials investigating the treatment modalities for ATTR-CM was undertaken. We extracted data including study characteristics, primary endpoints, and adverse events from each study. A total of 19 studies were included in our scoping review. Out of which, 8 were clinical trials and 11 were observational analyses. The drugs evaluated included tafamadis, acoramidis, revusiran, doxycycline and tauroursodeoxycholic acid and doxycycline, diflusinil, inotersan, eplontersen, and patisiran. Tafamidis has shown to be efficacious in the management of ATTR-CM, particularly when initiated at earlier stages. RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotide drugs have shown promising impacts on quality of life. Additionally, this review identified gaps in the literature, particularly among long-term outcomes, comparative effectiveness, and the translation of research into economic contexts.

Conclusion
Multiple pharmacological options are potential disease-modifying therapies for ATTR-CM. However, many gaps exist in the understanding of these various drug therapies, warranting further research. The future directions for management of ATTR-CM are promising in regard to improving prognostic implications.
Methodological quality and clinical recommendations of guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias for cardiovascular disease risk reduction: a systematic review and an appraisal through AGREE II and AGREE REX tools
Authors: Deffert Flávia , Vilela Ana Paula Oliveira , Cobre Alexandre de Fátima , Furlan Luiz Henrique Picolo , Tonin Fernanda Stumpf , Fernandez-Llimos Fernando , Pontarolo Roberto 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are statements to assist practitioners and stakeholders in decisions about healthcare. Low methodological quality guidelines may prejudice decision-making and negatively affect clinical outcomes in non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases worsted by poor lipid management. We appraised the quality of CPGs on dyslipidemia management and synthesized the most updated pharmacological recommendations.

Methods
A systematic review following international recommendations was performed. Searches to retrieve CPG on pharmacological treatments in adults with dyslipidaemia were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Trip databases. Eligible articles were assessed using AGREE II (methodological quality) and AGREE-REX (recommendation excellence) tools. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. The most updated guidelines (published after 2019) had their recommendations qualitatively synthesized in an exploratory analysis.

Results
Overall, 66 guidelines authored by professional societies (75%) and targeting clinicians as primary users were selected. The AGREE II domains Scope and Purpose (89%) and Clarity of Presentation (97%), and the AGREE-REX item Clinical Applicability (77.0%) obtained the highest values. Conversely, guidelines were methodologically poorly performed/documented (46%) and scarcely provided data on the implementability of practical recommendations (38%). Recommendations on pharmacological treatments are overall similar, with slight differences concerning the use of supplements and the availability of drugs.

Conclusion
High-quality dyslipidaemia CPG, especially outside North America and Europe, and strictly addressing evidence synthesis, appraisal, and recommendations are needed, especially to guide primary care decisions. CPG developers should consider stakeholders’ values and preferences and adapt existing statements to individual populations and healthcare systems to ensure successful implementation interventions.
Development of an online food safety toolbox based on the Codex Alimentarius General Principles of Food Hygiene: engaging users through mapping, chunking, and learning-by-asking
Authors: Hasani Mahdiyeh , Camacho-Martinez S Vanessa , Zai Brenda , Warriner Lara J , Boesch Cornelia , Kopko Christine , Marafiotti Fabiana , Warriner Keith 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The paper describes designing and developing an online food safety toolbox that aims to elevate the food safety knowledge of food business operators, competent authorities, and trainers.

Materials and Methods
The material within the food safety toolbox was based on the Codex Alimentarius (Codex) General Principles of Food Hygiene (GPFH), an internationally recognized primary food safety standard. The GPFH provides a guide to elements that should be considered when establishing good hygienic practices (GHPs), which are subsequently managed through hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP). To support the understanding of how to apply the principles of GHPs and HACCP, the online food safety toolbox was developed. This toolbox was designed to enable users to access the principles quickly as a reminder for better understanding of more complex matters and conceptualizing, building, and maintaining food safety management systems. The learning approaches applied in the design of the toolbox were mapping, chunking (grouping topics into a logic sequence to enable an incremental approach to learning), and learning-by-asking. The self-directed learning approach collectively enables the user to understand, categorize, and contextualize food safety information for practical use. Mapping was performed to identify the different elements within the GPFH that formed the basis of the online platform and the categories in which basic information was provided for each.

Results
The material progresses into greater depth in the final toolbox platform and includes links to detailed descriptions of the underlying science. This user-centric design was chosen to address different users’ needs and reduce the entry barrier for contextually applying the presented GHPs and HACCP.

Conclusions
The GHP and HACCP Toolbox for Food Safety should be regarded as a reference resource rather than a training program to empower the user and ultimately enhance food safety practices.
Change in Healthy Lifestyle and Subsequent Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Chinese Older Adults: A National Community-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hu Chengxiang , Jiang Kexin , Sun Xiaoyue , He Yue , Li Runhong , Chen Yana , Zhang Yuan , Tao Yuchun , Jin Lina 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
The association between change in lifestyle and cognitive impairment remains uncertain.

Objectives
To investigate the association of change in lifestyle with cognitive impairment.

Methods
In this study, 4 938 participants aged 65 or older were involved from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey for years 2008–2018. A weighted healthy lifestyle score was derived from 4 lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to investigate the associations between 3-year changes in healthy lifestyle (2008–2011) and cognitive impairment (2011–2018).

Results
Researchers documented 833 new-onset of cognitive impairments more than 20 097 person-years of follow up. Compared with those in the persistently unhealthy group, those in the improved and persistently healthy groups had a lower risk of cognitive impairment, with the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55, 0.83) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.71), respectively. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between change in lifestyle and sex (p-interaction = .032); the HRs were 0.48 (95% CI, 0.34, 0.69) for the improved group and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.64) for persistently healthy group among male vs 0.81 (95% CI, 0.63, 1.04) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.44, 0.92) among female, respectively.

Conclusions
This study suggests that improving or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly mitigate the risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults. Additionally, researcher's findings emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and highlights the potential positive impact of improving previous unhealthy habits, especially for older women.
Promoting Late-Life Volunteering With Timebanking: A Quasi-Experimental Mixed-Methods Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Lu Shiyu , Chui Cheryl , Lum Terry , Liu Tianyin , Wong Gloria , Chan Wai 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background and Objectives
This study explores the impact of timebanking, where individuals earn time credits, nonmonetary currency, on promoting volunteerism among older adults.

Research Design and Methods
This study employed a quasi-experimental design with 116 timebank group (TBG) participants and 114 comparison group (CG) participants from 2021 to 2022. TBG received time credits to exchange for rewards, while CG received no time credits (i.e., volunteering as usual). The intervention of timebanking lasted for 1 year. Volunteering behaviors were tracked via an app, and intentions to volunteer were assessed at baseline (T0), after 6 months (the midpoint of the intervention, T1), and after 12 months (the endpoint of the intervention, T2). The use of rewards by TBG participants was also recorded (e.g., for personal use or sharing with others). Furthermore, focus group interviews were conducted to understand how rewards influenced participants’ volunteerism.

Results
TBG had significantly higher weekly volunteer hours at T2 (β = 1.37, p = .021) and increased intent to volunteer at T1 (β = 0.54, p = .001) and T2 (β = 0.51, p = .001) compared with CG. Participants using rewards personally volunteered more at T2 (β = 2.09, p = .014), although sharing rewards with family and friends or donating rewards to others did not yield the same effect. The qualitative study suggested that a sense of feeling recognized generated by timebanking may encourage increased volunteering and that personal reward use enriched the volunteer experience, and individuals sharing rewards with family and friends experienced a sense of fulfillment and reinforcement of their prosociality.

Discussion and Implications
Timebanking effectively encourages late-life volunteering. The study provides practical implications for promoting volunteering among older people.
Inaccuracies in provider directories persist for long periods of time
Authors: Haeder Simon F , Zhu Jane M 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A growing literature has identified substantial inaccuracies in consumer-facing provider directories, but it is unclear how long these inaccuracies persist. We re-surveyed inaccurately listed Pennsylvania providers (n = 5170) between 117 to 280 days after a previous secret-shopper survey. Overall, 19.0% (n = 983) of provider directory listings that had been identified as inaccurate were subsequently removed, 44.8% (n = 2316) of provider listings continued to show at least 1 inaccuracy, and 11.6% (n = 600) were accurate at follow-up. We were unable to reach 24.6% (n = 1271) of providers. Longer passage of time was associated with reductions in directory inaccuracies, particularly related to contact information, and to a lesser degree, with removal of inaccurate listings. We found substantial differences in corrective action by carrier. Together, these findings suggest persistent barriers to maintaining and updating provider directories, with implications for how well these tools can help consumers select health plans and access care.
Synergistic bactericidal activity of a novel dual β-lactam combination against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Altarawneh Hala , Alhomra Turki , Alharbi Mohanned , Fan Yaxin , Derrick Jeremy P , Xia Guoqing 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
MRSA is a major cause of hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections. Treatment options for MRSA are limited because of the rapid development of β-lactam resistance. Combining antibiotics offers an affordable, time-saving, viable and efficient approach for developing novel antimicrobial therapies. Both amoxicillin and cefdinir are oral β-lactams with indications for a wide range of bacterial infections and mild side effects. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of combining these two β-lactams against MRSA strains.

Methods
Fourteen representative prevalent MRSA strains with diverse sequence types (STs) were tested with a combination of amoxicillin and cefdinir, using chequerboard and time–kill assays. The Galleria mellonella larvae infection model was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of this dual combination against the community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strain USA300 and the hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) strain COL.

Results
The chequerboard assay revealed a synergistic activity of the dual amoxicillin/cefdinir combination against all tested MRSA strains, with fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values below 0.5 and at least a 4-fold reduction in the MICs of both antibiotics. Time–kill assays demonstrated synergistic bactericidal activity of this dual combination against the MRSA strain USA300 and strain COL. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that the administration of amoxicillin/cefdinir combination to G. mellonella larvae infected with MRSA strains significantly improved the survival rate up to 82%, which was comparable to the efficacy of vancomycin.

Conclusions
In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the dual combination of amoxicillin/cefdinir demonstrates a synergistic bactericidal efficacy against MRSA strains of various STs. Further research is needed to explore its potential as a treatment option for MRSA infections.