bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health economics in nursing research: what you need to know to include economic evaluation methodology in your research
Authors: Bulamu Norma B , Kaambwa Billingsley , Beks Hannah , Versace Vincent L , Clark Robyn A 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Due to limited resources and constant, ever-changing healthcare challenges, health economics is essential to support healthcare decisions while improving health outcomes. Economic evaluation methodology facilitates informed decision-making related to the efficient allocation of resources while positively impacting clinical practice. In this paper, we provide an overview of economic evaluation methods and a real-world example applying one method of economic evaluation (cost-utility analysis) in nursing research.
Advanced metabolic engineering strategies for increasing artemisinin yield in Artemisia annua L.
Authors: Li Yongpeng , Yang Yinkai , Li Ling , Tang Kexuan , Hao Xiaolong , Kai Guoyin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Artemisinin, also known as ‘Qinghaosu’, is a chemically sesquiterpene lactone containing an endoperoxide bridge. Due to the high activity to kill Plasmodium parasites, artemisinin and its derivatives have continuously served as the foundation for antimalarial therapies. Natural artemisinin is unique to the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua L., and its content in this plant is low. This has motivated the synthesis of this bioactive compound using yeast, tobacco, and Physcomitrium patens systems. However, the artemisinin production in these heterologous hosts is low and cannot fulfil its increasing clinical demand. Therefore, A. annua plants remain the major source of this bioactive component. Recently, the transcriptional regulatory networks related to artemisinin biosynthesis and glandular trichome formation have been extensively studied in A. annua. Various strategies including (i) enhancing the metabolic flux in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway; (ii) blocking competition branch pathways; (iii) using transcription factors (TFs); (iv) increasing peltate glandular secretory trichome (GST) density; (v) applying exogenous factors; and (vi) phytohormones have been used to improve artemisinin yields. Here we summarize recent scientific advances and achievements in artemisinin metabolic engineering, and discuss prospects in the development of high-artemisinin yielding A. annua varieties. This review provides new insights into revealing the transcriptional regulatory networks of other high-value plant-derived natural compounds (e.g., taxol, vinblastine, and camptothecin), as well as glandular trichome formation. It is also helpful for the researchers who intend to promote natural compounds production in other plants species.
Non-asymptotic analysis of ensemble Kalman updates: effective dimension and localization
Authors: Al-Ghattas Omar , Sanz-Alonso Daniel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Many modern algorithms for inverse problems and data assimilation rely on ensemble Kalman updates to blend prior predictions with observed data. Ensemble Kalman methods often perform well with a small ensemble size, which is essential in applications where generating each particle is costly. This paper develops a non-asymptotic analysis of ensemble Kalman updates, which rigorously explains why a small ensemble size suffices if the prior covariance has moderate effective dimension due to fast spectrum decay or approximate sparsity. We present our theory in a unified framework, comparing several implementations of ensemble Kalman updates that use perturbed observations, square root filtering and localization. As part of our analysis, we develop new dimension-free covariance estimation bounds for approximately sparse matrices that may be of independent interest.
A unified recovery of structured signals using atomic norm
Authors: Chen Xuemei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In many applications, we seek to recover signals from linear measurements far fewer than the ambient dimension, given the signals have exploitable structures such as sparse vectors or low rank matrices. In this paper, we work in a general setting where signals are approximately sparse in a so-called atomic set. We provide general recovery results stating that a convex programming can stably and robustly recover signals if the null space of the sensing map satisfies certain properties. Moreover, we argue that such null space property can be satisfied with high probability if each measurement is sub-Gaussian even when the number of measurements are very few. Some new results for recovering signals sparse in a frame, and recovering low rank matrices are also derived as a result.
Sigma-Delta and distributed noise-shaping quantization methods for random Fourier features
Authors: Zhang Jinjie , Kannan Harish , Cloninger Alexander , Saab Rayan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We propose the use of low bit-depth Sigma-Delta and distributed noise-shaping methods for quantizing the random Fourier features (RFFs) associated with shift-invariant kernels. We prove that our quantized RFFs—even in the case of $1$-bit quantization—allow a high-accuracy approximation of the underlying kernels, and the approximation error decays at least polynomially fast as the dimension of the RFFs increases. We also show that the quantized RFFs can be further compressed, yielding an excellent trade-off between memory use and accuracy. Namely, the approximation error now decays exponentially as a function of the bits used. The quantization algorithms we propose are intended for digitizing RFFs without explicit knowledge of the application for which they will be used. Nevertheless, as we empirically show by testing the performance of our methods on several machine learning tasks, our method compares favourably with other state-of-the-art quantization methods.
P01 Who’s counting? How many IV antibiotic administrations are given daily at four Midlands trusts
Authors: Jenkins Abi , Hussain Sadiya , Gilani Syed , Ashton Corrine 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Up to 80% of patients admitted to hospital receive IV therapy during their stay.1 In the UK, the NHS England Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) audit for quarter 1 of 2023–24 in the Midlands shows that 9.1%–35.0% of patients prescribed IV antibiotics are appropriate for a switch to oral therapy. A recent time and motion study demonstrated that IV medicine administration takes 20 min longer to give than an oral preparation.2 Consequently, an appropriate IV to oral switch releases 20 min of nurse time per dose administered. The unknown parameter is ‘how many antibiotic injections are given daily in hospitals’. Quantifying this parameter would enable Trusts to calculate the workforce capacity that could be realized on implementing an effective IVOS pathway.

Methods
The number of IV antibiotics administered to inpatients was determined on one day for seven consecutive weeks at four Midlands trusts. In Week 1, data were collected on Sunday, Week 2 on Monday and so on until Week 7 on Saturday. Finally, the ratio of number of IV antibiotics doses per number of occupied beds was determined.

Results
The range of the number of doses administered per occupied beds was between 0.92 and 1.18; it would be reasonable therefore to use the approximation of the number of antibiotic injections given daily at the four trusts as one injection per occupied bed. Taking a pragmatic approach that 20% of IV doses could be given orally with each change to oral releasing 20 min per administration we are proposing a calculation for the potential workforce released if an effective IVOS pathway is implemented: number of workforce hours released/day=number of trust beds/15.

Conclusions
Implementation of an effective IVOS pathway has the potential to release a significant number of hours each day to nurses to undertake other tasks.
P11 Spectrum of ceftriaxone/levofloxacin use by Ukrainians and foreigners settled in Ukraine
Authors: Myroniuk-Konstantynovych Kiarina , Bondaruk Iryna , Bevz Tetiana , Demchyshyn Yaroslav , Konstantynovych Tetyana 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
The use of multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics (such as ceftriaxone and levofloxacin) is not evidence-based, nor recommended in high-quality international guidelines. Therefore, WHO does not recommend their use in clinical practice (AWaRe classification of antibiotics for evaluation and monitoring of use, 2023). It created the necessity of an order of the Ministry of Health (dated 23 August 2023) in Ukraine. Therefore, the studying of prohibited antibiotic use is quite relevant.

Objectives
To investigate the frequency and expediency of using ceftriaxone and levofloxacin among Ukrainian and foreigners settled in Ukraine.

Subjects and methods
A total of 180 responders (63.9% female, 36.1% male; average age 18–25 years) were tested by self-administered questionnaire according to national/geographical and comorbid anamnesis and ceftriaxone/levofloxacin (C/L) use anamnesis over a 1 year period. The incidence, intensity and efficacy of antibiotic use were evaluated.

Results
The sample included 56.1% Ukrainians and 43.9% international citizens, predominantly from the African continent and India. Both groups were not significantly different according to age, gender and comorbid pathology distributions (P&gt;0.05). Anamnesis of C/L separate or combined use was identified in 12.74% Ukrainians and 58.97% foreigners (P&lt;0.001). The multiplicity of antibiotic use &gt;2 courses/year was determined more often among foreigners (P&lt;0.05). The inefficacy of antibiotic therapy among foreigners was 67.4% versus 33.1% among Ukrainians (P&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
Despite C/L not being recommended according to AWaRe (2023), the frequency of use is still significantly high among foreigners. Therefore, causal relationships need to be studied further.
P12 Unjustified use of antibiotics in wartime conditions in Ukraine
Authors: Myroniuk-Konstantynovych Kiarina , Bondaruk Iryna , Bevz Tetiana , Demchyshyn Yaroslav , Konstantynovych Tetyana 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported that every second patient who takes antibiotics does not need such treatment, and every third uses them for viral diseases. In Ukraine, during the war, there has formed a resonance between the availability of broad-spectrum antibiotics and their belonging to the non-recommended category according to the AWaRe classification 2023. Therefore, the fight against antibiotic resistance continues to be a leading task of modern medicine.

Objectives
To investigate the expediency of use of ceftriaxone/levofloxacin among Ukrainian and foreigners settled in Ukraine.

Subjects and methods
A total of 180 (55% Ukrainians, 45% foreigners) responders were examined by questionnaire for ceftriaxone/levofloxacin use over 1 year with specification of reasons, expediency of use, possible reason for cancellation/replacement of antibiotic therapy and preventable usage cases.

Results
The sample included 63.9% women, 36.1% men, average age 18–25 years. The incidence of ceftriaxone/levofloxacin use was 58.97% among foreigners versus 12.74% among Ukrainians (P&lt;0.001). The antibiotic use by physician’s prescription occurred among 28.3% foreigners and 92.3% Ukrainians (P &lt; 0.05). The frequency of antibiotic use due to microbiological confirmation was significantly lower among foreign responders: 13.05% versus 76.9% in Ukrainians (P &lt; 0.01). The reasons for choice of ceftriaxone/levofloxacin in the Ukrainian sample were acute respiratory infections 46%, fever 7.8% and diseases of bacterial origin 84.6%. At the same time foreigners used antibiotics for acute respiratory infections 41.3%, fever 19.7% and diseases of bacterial origin 63.1%. The analysis found that antibiotic use for ‘prophylaxis’ (mainly for viral diseases) was 2.95% among Ukrainians and 32.05% among foreigners (P&lt;0.05). The predominant reasons for cancellation/replacement of antibiotic therapy, such as allergic reactions and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, were found in 67.4% of foreigners and 7.69% of Ukrainians (P&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
The lack of antibiotic prescription on the basis of microbiological confirmation, self-limited choice of antibiotics and unreasonable use for diseases of non-bacterial origin can be factors that promote multiple resistance in future and complicate the natural clinical course of most common infectious diseases.
P25 Nowhere to hide: broad-spectrum antimicrobial guideline adherence in outpatients
Authors: Razaq Shahzad , Raza Waqar , Jenkins Abigail 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
The NHS Acute Trusts Standard1 contract requires a 10% reduction in broad-spectrum antibiotics by 10% by March 2024 from a 2017 baseline. Co-amoxiclav is a broad-spectrum antibacterial that comprises 30% of broad-spectrum consumption at University Hospitals Birmingham. It is widely used across all specialities and is a perfect candidate to review to influence downward trend in consumption. Outpatient prescriptions do not receive the same level of scrutiny from pharmacy or antimicrobial stewardship team as inpatient prescriptions. If deviations from guidelines are identified, then this could be a potential area to address to reduce consumption.

Methods
Sixty outpatient co-amoxiclav prescriptions were reviewed to assess appropriateness of prescribing during December 2022. Parameters assessed included the indication and duration of co-amoxiclav therapy and adherence to Trust antimicrobial guidelines. The speciality prescribing outpatient co-amoxiclav was also documented to identify whether prescribing trends could be identified.

Results
Of 60 reviewed outpatient prescriptions written in December 2022, 54 were issued by acute medicine with other specialities including cardiothoracic, renal medicine, elderly care, ENT, urology and cardiology. All prescriptions had a documented indication and duration, however only three were adherent to Trust antimicrobial guidelines. The graph below represents the different indications co-amoxiclav was prescribed for to outpatients across all three hospital sites. Co-amoxiclav was most frequently prescribed for respiratory tract infections, followed by skin and then urinary tract infections.

Conclusions
This audit has highlighted that outpatient co-amoxiclav is commonly prescribed inappropriately and does not comply with Trust antimicrobial guidelines. The speciality most frequently prescribing outpatient co-amoxiclav inappropriately was acute and emergency medicine. The lack of clarity regarding the infection indication is a potentially important factor in this setting, resulting in broad-spectrum antimicrobial use to cover multiple potential bacterial infections. A limitation of this audit is it was carried out over a short and busy winter period.
Applications of Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) in Molecular and Clinical Testing
Authors: Wainman Lauren M , Sathyanarayana Shivaprasad H , Lefferts Joel A 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) is an accurate and sensitive molecular method that can be used in clinical diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive tests. The key component of the dPCR method is the partitioning of a single reaction into many thousands of droplets, nanochannels or other nano- or picoliter-sized reactions. This results in high enough sensitivity to detect rare nucleic acid targets and provides an absolute quantification of target sequences or alleles compared to other PCR-based methods.

Content
An increasing number of dPCR platforms have been introduced commercially in recent years and more are being developed. These platforms differ in the method of partitioning, degree of automation, and multiplexing capabilities but all can be used in similar ways for sensitive and highly accurate quantification of a variety of nucleic acid targets. Currently, clinical applications of dPCR include oncology, microbiology and infectious disease, genetics, and prenatal/newborn screening. Commercially available tests for clinical applications are being developed for variants with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance in specific disease types.

Summary
The power of dPCR technology relies on the partitioning of the reactions and results in increased sensitivity and accuracy compared to qPCR. More recently, the sensitivity of dPCR has been applied to the detection of known variants in cell-free DNA and circulating tumor DNA. Future clinical applications of dPCR include liquid biopsy, treatment resistance detection, screening for minimal residual disease, and monitoring allograft engraftment in transplanted patients.
Protection against unfair competition in the Andean Community—an analysis of recent trends and developments
Authors: Bermeo Andrade Rodrigo V 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The general concepts of free trade and unfair competition are regulated by Andean Community decisions. National legislation provides more detailed regulations. Andean Community Decision 608 promotes and protects free competition across the region. The scope of application of this Decision is limited to practices that have origin and effects in one or more Andean Community countries. Local transactions within the country must observe internal legislation. While Andean law covers cross-border transactions, intra-country operations are governed by local bodies of law. There are yet not many decisions at the Andean level, but the local agencies in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have issued several decisions that dig into the different elements of unfair acts. The following analysis provides an overview of protection against unfair competition in the region and sheds light on current developments.
Increasing radiation therapy and lower survival for human papillomavirus–related oropharynx cancer associated with a shift to community cancer center care
Authors: Trakimas Danielle R , Mydlarz Wojtek , Mady Leila J , Koch Wayne , Quon Harry , London Nyall R , Fakhry Carole 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Studies have shown lower overall survival for patients with head and neck cancer treated at low-volume or community cancer centers. As the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)–related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma steadily rises in the United States, we hypothesized that a greater proportion of patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is being treated at community cancer centers, with a shift toward primary nonsurgical treatment.

Methods
This cohort study included patients from the US National Cancer Database who received a diagnosis of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from 2010 to 2019 and underwent treatment at a community cancer center or academic cancer center. The proportion of patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated at community cancer centers and receiving primary nonsurgical treatment was analyzed over time. Four-year overall survival was compared between community cancer centers and academic cancer centers.

Results
The majority (67.4%) of 20 298 patients were treated at an academic cancer center, yet the proportion of patients treated at community cancer centers increased by 10% from 2010 to 2019 (P &lt; .01 for trend). The proportion of patients undergoing primary nonsurgical treatment increased from 62.1% to 73.7% from 2010 to 2019 (P &lt; .01 for trend), and patients were statistically significantly more likely to undergo nonsurgical treatment at community cancer centers than at academic cancer centers (adjusted odds ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval = 1.18 to 1.22). Treatment at community cancer centers was associated with worse survival overall (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.09 to 1.31), specifically for patients receiving primary nonsurgical treatment (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.11 to 1.34).

Conclusions
Treatment of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has recently shifted to community cancer centers, with an increase in the proportion of nonsurgical treatment and worse overall survival at these centers compared with academic cancer centers. Concentration of care for HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma at academic cancer centers and dedicated head and neck cancer centers may increase access to all available treatment modalities and improve survival.
Evaluation of the mannan antigen assay in neonates with or without Candida albicans colonization
Authors: Bourika Vasiliki , Siahanidou Tania , Theodoridou Kalliopi , Tsakris Athanasios , Vrioni Georgia , Michos Athanasios 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Mannan antigen (MA) in neonates as a marker of invasive candidemia is not well studied, although 4% of all neonatal intensive care unit admissions are attributed to Candida spp. infections. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the performance of MA (Platelia™ Candida AgPluskit, Bio-Rad) in neonates who had rectal Candida colonization or in non-colonized controls. We cultured 340 rectal swabs of neonates and MA was negative in 24/25 C. albicans colonized (96% specificity) and in 30/30 non-colonized neonates (100% specificity). The results indicate a high specificity of the assay, which could be useful in neonates with possible candidemia.
Characterization of the repeating FRB 20220912A with the Allen Telescope Array
Authors: Sheikh Sofia Z , Farah Wael , Pollak Alexander W , Siemion Andrew P V , Chamma Mohammed A , Cruz Luigi F , Davis Roy H , DeBoer David R , Gajjar Vishal , Karn Phil , Kittling Jamar , Lu Wenbin , Masters Mark , Premnath Pranav , Schoultz Sarah , Shumaker Carol , Singh Gurmehar , Snodgrass Michael 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
FRB 20220912A is a repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB) that was discovered in Fall 2022 and remained highly active for several months. We report the detection of 35 FRBs from 541 h of follow-up observations of this source using the recently refurbished Allen Telescope Array, covering 1344 MHz of bandwidth primarily centred at 1572 MHz. All 35 FRBs were detected in the lower half of the band with non-detections in the upper half and covered fluences from 4–431 Jy-ms (median = 48.27 Jy-ms). We find consistency with previous repeater studies for a range of spectrotemporal features including: bursts with downward frequency drifting over time; a positive correlation between bandwidth and centre frequency; and a decrease in sub-burst duration over time. We report an apparent decrease in the centre frequency of observed bursts over the two months of the observing campaign (corresponding to a drop of 6.21 ± 0.76 MHz per d). We predict a cut-off fluence for FRB 20220912A of Fmax ≲ 104 Jy-ms, for this source to be consistent with the all-sky rate, and find that FRB 20220912A significantly contributed to the all-sky FRB rate at a level of a few per cent for fluences of ∼100 Jy-ms. Finally, we investigate characteristic time-scales and sub-burst periodicities and find (a) a median inter-subburst time-scale of 5.82 ± 1.16 ms in the multi-component bursts and (b) no evidence of strict periodicity even in the most evenly spaced multi-component burst in the sample. Our results demonstrate the importance of wideband observations of FRBs, and provide an important set of observational parameters against which to compare FRB progenitor and emission mechanism models.