bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post–COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey
Authors: Howard-Anderson Jessica R. , Gottlieb Lindsey B. , Beekmann Susan E. , Polgreen Philip M. , Jacob Jesse T. , Uslan Daniel Z. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjective:To understand how healthcare facilities employ contact precautions for patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the post–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era and explore changes since 2014.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Participants:Emerging Infections Network (EIN) physicians involved in infection prevention or hospital epidemiology.Methods:In September 2022, we sent via email an 8-question survey on contact precautions and adjunctive measures to reduce MDRO transmission in inpatient facilities. We also asked about changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. We used descriptive statistics to summarize data and compared results to a similar survey administered in 2014.Results:Of 708 EIN members, 283 (40%) responded to the survey and 201 reported working in infection prevention. A majority of facilities (66% and 69%) routinely use contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) respectively, compared to 93% and 92% in 2014. Nearly all (>90%) use contact precautions for Candida auris, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. More variability was reported for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing gram-negative organisms. Compared to 2014, fewer hospitals perform active surveillance for MRSA and VRE. Overall, 90% of facilities used chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in all or select inpatients, and 53% used ultraviolet light or hydrogen peroxide vapor disinfection at discharge. Many respondents (44%) reported changes to contact precautions since COVID-19 that remain in place.Conclusions:Heterogeneity exists in the use of transmission-based precautions and adjunctive infection prevention measures aimed at reducing MDRO transmission. This variation reflects a need for updated and specific guidance, as well as further research on the use of contact precautions in healthcare facilities.
Incidence and transmission associated with respiratory viruses in an acute care facility: An observational study
Authors: Valek Abby L. , Srinivasa Vatsala Rangachar , Ayres Ashley M. , Cheung Steven , Harrison Lee H. , Snyder Graham M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe estimated the extent of respiratory virus transmission over three pre-COVID-19 seasons. Of 16,273 assays, 22.9% (3,726) detected ≥1 respiratory virus. The frequency of putatively hospital-acquired infection ranged from 6.9% (influenza A/B) to 24.7% (adenovirus). The 176 clusters were most commonly associated with rhinovirus/enterovirus (70) and influenza A/B (62).
SAMPLE SELECTION, CHARACTERIZATION AND CHOICE OF TREATMENT FOR ACCURATE RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS—INSIGHTS FROM THE ETH LABORATORY
Authors: Hajdas Irka , Guidobaldi Giulia , Haghipour Negar , Wyss Karin 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTAccurate radiocarbon (14C) analysis depends on a successful carbon separation relevant to the studied object. The process of 14C dating involves the following steps: characterization and sample choice, sample treatment, measurements, and evaluation of the results. Here, we provide an overview of conventional approaches to macromolecular samples and address specific issues such as detecting and removing contamination with roots, dolomite, and conservation products. We discuss the application of elemental analysis (%N, %C) in the preparation of bones and the infrared analysis in monitoring the contamination of samples. Our observations provide the basis for the discussions of the existing results and for planning the future sampling.
14C MEASUREMENT OF SAMPLES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE APPLICATIONS AT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPE FACILITY (NEIF) RADIOCARBON LABORATORY, SUERC, UK
Authors: Ascough P , Bompard N , Garnett M H , Gulliver P , Murray C , Newton J-A , Taylor C 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTThe National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) Radiocarbon Laboratory at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) performs radiocarbon measurement of a wide range of sample matrices for applications in environmental research. Radiocarbon is applied to palaeoenvironmental, palaeoceanographic, and palaeoclimatic investigations, as well as work to understand the source, fate, turnover, and age of carbon in the modern carbon cycle. The NEIF Radiocarbon Laboratory supports users in the development and deployment of novel sampling techniques and laboratory approaches. Here, we give an overview of methods and procedures used by the laboratory to support the field collection, laboratory processing, and measurement of samples. This includes in-house development of novel and/or specialized methods and approaches, such as field collection of CO2 and CH4, hydropyrolysis, and ramped oxidation. The sample types covered include organic remains (e.g., plant material, peat, wood, charcoal, proteins), carbonates (e.g., speleothems, foraminifera, mollusc shell, travertine), waters (dissolved organic and inorganic carbon), gases (CO2 and CH4), soils and sediments (including sub-fractions).
A randomized controlled trial of a digital cognitive-behavioral therapy program (COMPASS) for managing depression and anxiety related to living with a long-term physical health condition
Authors: Picariello Federica , Hulme Katrin , Seaton Natasha , Hudson Joanna L , Norton Sam , Wroe Abigail , Moss-Morris Rona 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of COMPASS, a therapist-supported digital therapeutic for reducing psychological distress (anxiety/depression) in people living with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs).MethodsA two-armed randomized-controlled trial recruiting from LTC charities. Participants with anxiety and/or depression symptoms related to their LTC(s) were randomized (concealed allocation via independent administrator) to COMPASS (access to 11 tailored modules plus five thirty-minute therapist support sessions) or standard charity support (SCS). Assessments were completed online pre-randomization, at 6- and 12-weeks post-randomization. Primary outcome was Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale; PHQ-ADS measured at 12-weeks. Analysis used intention-to-treat principles with adjusted mean differences estimated using linear mixed-effects models. Data-analyst was blinded to group allocation.Results194 participants were randomized to COMPASS (N = 94) or SCS (N = 100). At 12-weeks, mean level of psychological distress was 6.82 (95% confidence interval; CI 4.55–9.10) points lower (p < 0.001) in the COMPASS arm compared with SCS (standardized mean difference of 0.71 (95% CI 0.48–0.95)). The COMPASS arm also showed moderate significant treatment effects on secondary outcomes including depression, anxiety and illness-related distress and small significant effects on functioning and quality-of-life. Rates of adverse events were comparable across the arms. Deterioration in distress at 12-weeks was observed in 2.2% of the SCS arm, and no participants in the COMPASS arm.ConclusionCompared with SCS, COMPASS digital therapeutic with minimal therapist input reduces psychological distress at post-treatment (12-weeks). COMPASS offers a potentially scalable implementation model for health services but its translation to these contexts needs further evaluating.Trial RegistrationNCT04535778
Old Patronage during the New Deal: Did Urban Machines Use Work Relief Programs to Benefit the National Democratic Party?
Authors: Ternullo Stephanie , Shachter Simon Y. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWhat role did urban machines play in national politics during the New Deal? To what extent did they serve as facilitators in a local-national patronage system, converting the flow of federal funds into their cities into votes for federal Democratic candidates? To answer these questions, we bring together data on urban machines and work relief spending, the New Deal programs that received the most public and political scorn for their supposed patronage uses. Despite long-standing claims that Franklin D. Roosevelt and other New Dealers funneled extra work relief funds to urban machines, and that machines converted those funds into votes for the national Democratic Party, we find little evidence of this exchange relationship. Machines did not receive a disproportionate share of work relief funds, but they did see large influxes of federal funds, just like other cities with high levels of economic need. And yet, based on two-way fixed effects models and synthetic control analyses, we find no evidence that they succeeded at using those funds to turn out votes for President Roosevelt. We find evidence for just one dimension of a local-national patronage system: Democratic Senate candidates did see larger increases in vote share in machine counties versus non-machine counties with similar increases in work relief expenditures.
A review of records and research actions for the poorly known Vanuatu Petrel Pterodroma [cervicalis] occulta
Authors: Vaughan Peter M. , Bird Jeremy P. , Bretagnolle Vincent , Shirihai Hadoram , Tennyson Alan J. D. , Miskelly Colin M. , Clarke Rohan H. 
Published: February 2024

Summary
Gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. are among the most threatened bird taxa. Conservation interventions have been successfully developed and applied for some gadfly petrel species, but a substantial gap remains in conservation science for this group in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The Vanuatu Petrel Pterodroma [cervicalis] occulta is an ideal exemplar to develop a pipeline for conservation science in tropical Pacific gadfly petrels as it is subject to many of the challenges facing other gadfly petrel taxa in the region. We review over 40 pelagic Vanuatu Petrel records and five research expeditions to the only known colony on the island of Vanua Lava, Vanuatu. These records provide a baseline from which to recommend conservation research actions for the taxon. The population status, taxonomy, distribution, and threat profile of the taxon are all poorly known, and these areas are high priorities for future research.
Managed competition in Aotearoa New Zealand: past experiences and future prospects
Authors: Cumming Jacqueline 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper considers whether and how managed competition arrangements could be introduced into the Aotearoa health and disability system. The paper describes the key features of the system, including new organisational arrangements established from 1 July 2022. It discusses major reforms and managed competition plans that were developed in the 1990s, with the managed competition plans abandoned fairly early on, as a result of major issues with the reforms that had been implemented and with problems in designing a fair payment system for competing health plans. The paper goes on to argue that the development of capitated, risk-bearing and competing Primary Health Organisations set up in the 2000s should be considered in terms of managed competition, and the paper points to the issues that have arisen in Aotearoa due to a lack of regulations that would have better supported the better achievement of effectiveness, efficiency, and equity goals over the past 20 years. Finally, the paper also looks ahead to whether and how managed competition might again be considered in Aotearoa and the extent to which the system currently includes key pre-conditions to support such arrangements.
Design of dual-band tunable bandpass filter with constant absolute bandwidth based on triple transmission path
Authors: Guo Jing , Qian Lirong , Wang Litian , Li Cuiping , Tian Yahui , Li Honglang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a novel tunable dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) with independently controlled passbands and constant absolute bandwidth (CABW) is proposed. The CABW passbands of designed dual-band BPF are obtained using manageable electric and magnetic mix coupling. Furthermore, the multiple transmission paths from the input port to the output port are extended for extra transmission zeros, which results in modified selectivity of the proposed dual-band BPF. The tunability and switchability of the developed filter can be implemented by introducing a single bias voltage of varactors for each band. For the tunable dual-band BPF, the simulated results show that the center frequency (CF) of the first passband varies from 2.38 to 2.68 GHz, and the CF of the second passband varies from 3.28 to 3.88 GHz, while 3-dB absolute bandwidths are 101 ± 7 MHz and 98 ± 4 MHz, respectively. Moreover, the two passbands of the filter can also be independently switched by removing the voltage imposed on the varactor CV1 and CV2. The measured results agree well with simulated results, which verify the design theory.
Minimal Impact of Late‐Season Melt Events on Greenland Ice Sheet Annual Motion
Authors: Ing Ryan N. , Nienow Peter W. , Sole Andrew J. , Tedstone Andrew J. , Mankoff Kenneth D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractExtreme melt and rainfall events can induce temporary acceleration of Greenland Ice Sheet motion, leading to increased advection of ice to lower elevations where melt rates are higher. In a warmer climate, these events are likely to become more frequent. In September 2022, seasonally unprecedented air temperatures caused multiple melt events over the Greenland Ice Sheet, generating the highest melt rates of the year. The scale and timing of the largest event overwhelmed the subglacial drainage system, enhancing basal sliding and increasing ice velocities by up to ∼240% relative to pre‐event velocities. However, ice motion returned rapidly to pre‐event levels, and the speed‐ups caused a regional increase in annual ice discharge of only ∼2% compared to when the effects of the speed‐ups were excluded. Therefore, although late melt‐season events are forecast to become more frequent and drive significant runoff, their impact on net mass loss via ice discharge is minimal.
The Measured Impact of Wildfires on Ozone in Western Canada From 2001 to 2019
Authors: Schneider Stephanie R. , Shi Buai , Abbatt Jonathan P. D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe impacts on atmospheric ozone (O3) due to wildfires are difficult to characterize due to the many factors that affect O3's formation rate and the episodic nature of fire events. This study uses a very large set of air quality data (518,987 6‐hr data points) collected in Western Canada from 2001 to 2019 to determine the prevalence and severity of fire‐driven increases to measured O3 values. Wildfire events are identified using the automated Trajectory‐Fire Interception Method (TFIM), looking for interceptions between HYSPLIT back‐trajectories and wildfire hotspots. As with other studies, which have used more restricted sets of measurements, the results from this large‐scale, data‐driven approach indicate increases in the O3 mixing ratio with wildfire impact, on average ∼2 ppbv across all wildfire time periods. To understand the factors which lead to the largest increases, and to better compare to other studies looking at individual fire events, wildfire events are classified using their distance from the air quality measurement location, time of measurement, and corresponding PM2.5 value. Increases to O3 are largest during the daytime, when fires occur close to the air quality measurement, and with corresponding measurements of PM2.5 > 25 μg/m3. When an upper‐limit correction for the bias in UV photometric detection of ozone with MnCl2 scrubbers is applied, the analysis still yields a persistent increase in O3 during wildfires except for the highest PM2.5 levels. However, a more accurate correction to the potential bias is needed to fully understand the magnitude of the impact of wildfires on O3.
Institutional Dynamics Impact the Response of Urban Socio‐Hydrologic Systems to Supply Challenges
Authors: Wiechman Adam , Alonso Vicario Sara , Anderies John M. , Garcia Margaret , Azizi Koorosh , Hornberger George 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDesigning urban water systems to respond to the accelerating and unpredictable changes of the Anthropocene will require changes not only to built infrastructure and operating rules, but also to the governance arrangements responsible for investing in them. Yet, inclusion of this political‐economic feedback in dynamic models of infrastructure systems and socio‐hydrology has lagged behind operational feedback concerns. We address this gap through a dynamical systems application of the Coupled Infrastructure Systems (CIS) Framework, which provides the conceptual building blocks for analyzing social‐ecological systems through various classes of infrastructure and the flows of material and information among them. In the model, political‐economic feedback involves three decisions—infrastructure investment, rate‐setting, and short‐term demand curtailment—and each decision is constrained by institutional friction, the aggregation of decision and transaction costs associated with taking action. We apply the model to three cities in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area to compare how institutional friction interacts with a city's water resource portfolio and financial position to determine its sensitivity, or the degree to which its performance (e.g., providing sufficient supply to meet demand) changes given reductions in Colorado River water availability. We find that the slowing effect of institutional friction on investment and rate‐setting decisions can increase the sensitivity of a city's supply, but it can also promote objectives that compete with over‐response (e.g., rate burden). The effect is dependent on the initial operating capacity of the CIS and flexibility within the institutions, highlighting the need to consider political‐economic and operational feedback together when evaluating infrastructure systems.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 interaction increases carbohydrate sulfotransferases and reduces N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase by p38 MAPK
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sumit , Tobacman Joanne K. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractImmunostaining in lungs of patients who died with COVID-19 infection showed increased intensity and distribution of chondroitin sulfate and decline in N-acetylgalactostamine-4-sulfatase (Arylsulfatase B; ARSB). To explain these findings, human small airway epithelial cells were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (SPRBD) and transcriptional mechanisms were investigated. Phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-SMAD3 increased following exposure to the SPRBD, and their inhibition suppressed the promoter activation of the carbohydrate sulfotransferases CHST15 and CHST11, which contributed to chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis. Decline in ARSB was mediated by phospho-38 MAPK-induced N-terminal Rb phosphorylation and an associated increase in Rb-E2F1 binding and decline in E2F1 binding to the ARSB promoter. The increases in chondroitin sulfotransferases were inhibited when treated with phospho-p38-MAPK inhibitors, SMAD3 (SIS3) inhibitors, as well as antihistamine desloratadine and antibiotic monensin. In the mouse model of carrageenan-induced systemic inflammation, increases in phospho-p38 MAPK and expression of CHST15 and CHST11 and declines in DNA-E2F binding and ARSB expression occurred in the lung, similar to the observed effects in this SPRBD model of COVID-19 infection. Since accumulation of chondroitin sulfates is associated with fibrotic lung conditions and diffuse alveolar damage, increased attention to p38-MAPK inhibition may be beneficial in ameliorating Covid-19 infections.
Docking protein 6 (DOK6) selectively docks the neurotrophic signaling transduction to restrain peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Guo Yan , Xiang Pan , Sun Xiaojiao , Liu Wei , Zhou Jiafeng , Yin Bin , Hou Lin , Qiang Boqin , Li Huiliang , Shu Pengcheng , Peng Xiaozhong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe appropriate and specific response of nerve cells to various external cues is essential for the establishment and maintenance of neural circuits, and this process requires the proper recruitment of adaptor molecules to selectively activate downstream pathways. Here, we identified that DOK6, a member of the Dok (downstream of tyrosine kinases) family, is required for the maintenance of peripheral axons, and that loss of Dok6 can cause typical peripheral neuropathy symptoms in mice, manifested as impaired sensory, abnormal posture, paw deformities, blocked nerve conduction, and dysmyelination. Furthermore, Dok6 is highly expressed in peripheral neurons but not in Schwann cells, and genetic deletion of Dok6 in peripheral neurons led to typical peripheral myelin outfolding, axon destruction, and hindered retrograde axonal transport. Specifically, DOK6 acts as an adaptor protein for selectivity-mediated neurotrophic signal transduction and retrograde transport for TrkC and Ret but not for TrkA and TrkB. DOK6 interacts with certain proteins in the trafficking machinery and controls their phosphorylation, including MAP1B, Tau and Dynein for axonal transport, and specifically activates the downstream ERK1/2 kinase pathway to maintain axonal survival and homeostasis. This finding provides new clues to potential insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of hereditary peripheral neuropathies and other degenerative diseases.
Aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein exhibit potential anti pan-coronavirus activity
Authors: Yang Minghui , Li Chunhui , Ye Guoguo , Shen Chenguang , Shi Huiping , Zhong Liping , Tian Yuxin , Zhao Mengyuan , Wu Pengfei , Hussain Abid , Zhang Tian , Yang Haiyin , Yang Jun , Weng Yuhua , Liu Xinyue , Wang Zhimin , Gan Lu , Zhang Qianyu , Liu Yingxia , Yang Ge , Huang Yuanyu , Zhao Yongxiang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEmerging and recurrent infectious diseases caused by human coronaviruses (HCoVs) continue to pose a significant threat to global public health security. In light of this ongoing threat, the development of a broad-spectrum drug to combat HCoVs is an urgently priority. Herein, we report a series of anti-pan-coronavirus ssDNA aptamers screened using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). These aptamers have nanomolar affinity with the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and also show excellent binding efficiency to the N proteins of both SARS, MERS, HCoV-OC43 and -NL63 with affinity KD values of 1.31 to 135.36 nM. Such aptamer-based therapeutics exhibited potent antiviral activity against both the authentic SARS-CoV-2 prototype strain and the Omicron variant (BA.5) with EC50 values at 2.00 nM and 41.08 nM, respectively. The protein docking analysis also evidenced that these aptamers exhibit strong affinities for N proteins of pan-coronavirus and other HCoVs (−229E and -HKU1). In conclusion, we have identified six aptamers with a high pan-coronavirus antiviral activity, which could potentially serve as an effective strategy for preventing infections by unknown coronaviruses and addressing the ongoing global health threat.