bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Malaria sporozoites evade host complement attack
Authors: Jiao Shiming , Tan Nie , Zhu Chengyu , Ding Yan , Xu Wenyue 
Published: October 2023

AbstractComplement is the first line of the host innate immune response against bacterial and viral infections; however, its role in the development of the malaria liver stage remains undefined. We found that sporozoite infection by either a mosquito bite or intravenous injection activated systemic complement, but neither depletion of C3 nor knockout of C3 had a significant effect on malaria liver stage development. Incubation of mouse serum with trypsin‐treated sporozoites, but not naive sporozoites, led to the deposition of a membrane attack complex (MAC) on the surface of sporozoites and greatly reduced the number of exo‐erythrocytic forms (EEF). Further studies have shown that the recruitment of complement H factor (CFH) may be associated with the prevention of MAC deposition on the surface of naïve sporozoites. Our data strongly suggest that sporozoites can escape complement attacks and provide us with a novel strategy to prevent malaria infection.
Acoustic properties of the monophthongs of Assamese Indian English speakers
Authors: Sarmah Priyankoo , Wiltshire Caroline R. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study investigates acoustic properties of the monophthongal vowels of English as spoken by 20 Assamese speakers in North East India, based on their medium of education being English or Assamese. Research suggests that English in India may be converging to a more homogenous standard, at least among educated speakers, despite common first language (L1) differences (Maxwell & Fletcher, 2009; Sirsa & Redford, 2013; Wiltshire, 2020). Assamese, a member of the Indo‐Aryan language family, shares phonological characteristics with surrounding languages from the Tibeto‐Burman family. We find that the vowels of Assamese Indian English speakers maintain characteristics reflecting their L1, especially those similar to local Englishes spoken by L1 Tibeto‐Burman speakers. However, English‐medium educated speakers do more closely approximate the norms of the central Indian standard, suggesting that although North East Indian English norms diverge from those of central India, there is some convergence across India among English‐medium educated speakers, regardless of L1s.
Vector Field-Based Volume Peeling for Multi-Axis Machining
Authors: Dutta Neelotpal , Zhang Tianyu , Fang Guoxin , Yigit Ismail E. , Wang Charlie C. L. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This paper presents an easy-to-control volume peeling method for multi-axis machining based on the computation taken on vector fields. The current scalar field-based methods are not flexible and the vector field-based methods do not guarantee the satisfaction of the constraints in the final results. We first conduct an optimization formulation to compute an initial vector field that is well aligned with those anchor vectors specified by users according to different manufacturing requirements. The vector field is further optimized to be an irrotational field so that it can be completely realized by a scalar field’s gradients. Iso-surfaces of the scalar field will be employed as the layers of working surfaces for multi-axis volume peeling in the rough machining. Algorithms are also developed to remove and process singularities of the fields. Our method has been tested on a variety of models and verified by physical experimental machining.
Polyamines and hypusination are important for
Clostridioides difficile
toxin B (TcdB)-mediated activation of group 3 innate lymphocytes (ILC3s)
Authors: Sah Prakash , Knighten Bailey A. , Reidy Megan A. , Zenewicz Lauren A. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Clostridioides difficile
is the most common cause of nosocomial gastrointestinal tract bacterial infections. We lack fully effective reliable treatments for this pathogen, and there is a critical need to better understand how
C. difficile
interacts with our immune system. Group 3 innate lymphocytes (ILC3s) are rare immune cells localized within mucosal tissues that protect against bacterial infections. Upon activation, ILC3s secrete high levels of the cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22), which is a critical regulator of tissue responses during infection.
C. difficile
toxin B (TcdB), the major virulence factor, directly activates ILC3s, resulting in high IL-22 levels. We previously reported that polyamines are important in the activation of ILC3s by the innate cytokine interleukin-23 (IL-23) but did not identify a specific mechanism. In this study, we examine how a pathogen impacts a metabolic pathway important for immune cell function and hypothesized that polyamines are important in TcdB-mediated ILC3 activation. We show that TcdB upregulates the polyamine biosynthesis pathway, and the inhibition of the pathway decreases TcdB-mediated ILC3 activation. Two polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, are involved. Spermidine is the key polyamine in the hypusination of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), and the inhibition of eIF5A reduced ILC3 activation. Thus, there is potential to leverage polyamines in ILC3s to promote activation of ILC3s during
C. difficile
infection and other bacterial infections where ILC3s serve a protective role.
Cross-sectional study of rapid tapering of opioid prescriptions following medical regulatory intervention in Alberta from 2013 to 2020
Authors: Hernandez-Ceron Nancy , Gilani Fizza , Hurava Iryna , Kain Nicole Allison , Ashworth Nigel 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveTo determine if inappropriate tapering/discontinuation of opioids to Alberta patients occurred from mid-2013–2020, as unintended consequences of prescribing guidelines, regulations and policies in response to the North American opioid crisis.DesignA population-based, repeated cross-sectional time-series study.SettingAlberta, Canada.ParticipantsResidents of Alberta, Canada aged 18 and older who received an opioid dispense from a community pharmacy from 2013 to 2020.Main outcome measuresThe prevalence of potential rapid tapering was measured at a given date (reference day), enveloped by a data window. Dose changes were measured as oral morphine equivalents (OME) per patient, at multiple time points (‘data window’ around a reference day). Chronic recipients were identified, and their prescriptions were contrasted 90 days before and after the reference day to measure OME/day changes.ResultsApproximately 9000 dispenses (totalling ~6 million OME) per day were analysed from 2013 to 2020. The total number of opioid recipients was highly cyclic in nature (peaking in winter). The number of chronic opioid recipients remained somewhat stable from ~70K in 2013 to ~86K at the end of 2020. The number of chronic high and very high dose recipients presented a significant decrease after 2017. Approximately 11%–12% of chronic high-dose recipients experienced potential rapid dose tapering at a rate of 50% or more prereference to postreference day at any given point of time. For chronic very high dose recipients, approximately 11.5% experience potential rapid dose tapering at a rate of 50% or more prereference to postreference day at any given point of time. Potential discontinuation remained constant and the interventions did not have a significant impact on the trend.ConclusionThe evidence suggests that changes in prescribing guidelines were not associated with an increase of rapid opioid tapering/discontinuation in Alberta.
Pre–post analysis of the impact of British Columbia nurse practitioner primary care clinics on patient health and care experience
Authors: Contandriopoulos Damien , Bertoni Katherine , Duhoux Arnaud , Randhawa Gurprit K 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the impact of a primary care nurse practitioner (NP)-led clinic model piloted in British Columbia (Canada) on patients’ health and care experience.DesignThe study relies on a quasi-experimental longitudinal design based on a pre-and-post survey of patients receiving care in NP-led clinics. The prerostering survey (T0) was focused on patients’ health status and care experiences preceding being rostered to the NP clinic. One year later, patients were asked to complete a similar survey (T1) focused on the care experiences with the NP clinic.SettingTo solve recurring problems related to poor primary care accessibility, British Columbia opened four pilot NP-led clinics in 2020. Each clinic has the equivalent of approximately six full-time NPs, four other clinicians plus support staff. Clinics are located in four cities ranging from urban to suburban.ParticipantsRecruitment was conducted by the clinic’s clerical staff or by their care provider. A total of 437 usable T0 surveys and 254 matched and usable T1 surveys were collected.Primary outcome measuresThe survey instrument was focused on five core dimensions of patients’ primary care experience (accessibility, continuity, comprehensiveness, responsiveness and outcomes of care) as well as on the SF-12 Short-form Health Survey.ResultsScores for all dimensions of patients’ primary care experience increased significantly: accessibility (T0=5.9, T1=7.9, p<0.001), continuity (T0=5.5, T1=8.8, p<0.001), comprehensiveness (T0=5.6, T1=8.4, p<0.001), responsiveness (T0=7.2, T1=9.5, p<0.001), outcomes of care (T0=5.0, T1=8.3, p<0.001). SF-12 Physical health T-scores also rose significantly (T0=44.8, T1=47.6, p<0.001) but no changes we found in the mental health T scores (T0=45.8, T1=46.3 p=0.709).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the NP-led primary care model studied here likely constitutes an effective approach to improve primary care accessibility and quality.
A comprehensive study on electronic properties of monolayer MOS2 with spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Khan MD Niloy , Ferdous Naim , Al Asad MD. Abdullah , Chowdhury Shahbaz Kamal , Rabbi Fazle 
Published: October 2023

Monolayer Molybdenum disulfide (ML-MoS2) has emerged as a promising two-dimensional (2D) material with unique electronic, optical and mechanical properties. In this paper, with the aid of first-principles calculations, we explain the optimization of the structural and computational parameters and discuss the electrical properties of ML-MoS2. The electronic properties were studied comparatively with and without considering the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect that shows, ML-MoS2 has a direct bandgap. A decrease in bandgap energy by 100 meV and a [Formula: see text]-valley splitting of 100 mV were observed with the inclusion of SOC. The electronic properties were further analyzed using fat band structures and projected density of states (PDOS), which depict the predominant contribution of Mo [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] and Mo [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2 orbital to the valence band maximum (VBM) and conduction band minimum (CBM), respectively. Strain-induced bandgap variation was also observed due to the deformation of the crystal structures by shifting and splitting of the energy levels.
Xenorhabdus bakwenae sp. n., associated with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema bakwenae
Authors: Ritter Carla L. , Malan Antoinette P. , Dicks Leon M.T. 
Published: October 2023

Summary
The bacterial strain SF857 was isolated from the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema bakwenae SF857, found in soil samples of St Lucie cherry, a species of cherry tree, from the Muriti farm, close to Kroondal (25°44′E, 59°99′S) in the northwest province of South Africa. Strain SF857 is Gram-negative, catalase and oxidase-negative, and lecithinase-positive. Strain SF857 shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.7%) with the type strain of Xenorhabdus ishibashii. However, a comparison of housekeeping gene sequences showed that strain SF857 grouped closer to X. griffiniae, X. ehlersii and X. thuongxuanensis than to X. ishibashii. Digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) between strain SF857 and all Xenorhabdus spp. is less than the 70% species threshold, confirming that the strain belongs to a separate species. Furthermore, the biochemical characteristics of strain SF857 differ from other Xenorhabdus spp. Based on these findings, strain SF857 represents a novel species within the genus Xenorhabdus, for which the name Xenorhabdus bakwenae sp. n. (type strain SF857T) is proposed. Pathogenicity bioassays with last-instar Cydia pomonella showed S. bakwenae to be highly virulent, with potential use as a biocontrol agent in apple orchards.
Tackling potentially inappropriate prescriptions in older adults: development of deprescribing criteria by consensus from experts in Colombia, Argentina, and Spain
Authors: De las salas Roxana , Vaca-González Claudia , Eslava-Schmalbach Javier , Torres-Espinosa Catalina , Figueras Albert 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Potentially inappropriate medication use is prevalent among older adults in primary care, leading to increased morbidity, adverse drug reactions, hospitalizations, and mortality. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool for identifying PIMs in older adults within the primary care setting. The tool is composed of a list of criteria and was created based on consensus among experts from three Spanish-speaking countries, including two from Latin America.

Methods
A literature review was conducted to identify existing tools, and prescription patterns were evaluated in a cohort of 36,111 older adults. An electronic Delphi method, consisting of two rounds, was used to reach a formal expert consensus. The panel included 18 experts from Spain, Colombia, and Argentina. The content validity index, validity of each content item, and Kappa Fleiss statistical measure were used to establish reliability.

Results
Round one did not yield a consensus, but a definitive consensus was reached in round two. The resulting tool consisted of a list of 5 general recommendations per disease, along with 33 criteria related to potential problems, recommendations, and alternative therapeutic options. The overall content validity of the tool was 0.87, with a Kappa value of 0.69 (95% CI 0.64—0.73; Substantial).

Conclusions
The developed criteria provide a novel list that allows for a comprehensive approach to pharmacotherapy in older adults, intending to reduce inappropriate medication use, ineffective treatments, prophylactic therapies, and treatments with an unfavorable risk–benefit ratio for the given condition. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of these criteria on health outcomes.
Screening for developmental delay in urban Rwandan children: a cross sectional study
Authors: Tuyisenge Victoire , Mushimiyimana Febronie , Kanyamuhunga Aimable , Rukabyarwema Jean Paul , Patel Archana A. , O’Callahan Cliff 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Systematic or targeted screening for developmental delay (DD) is critical to the early identification of developmental disabilities. With limited available information for urban Rwandan children, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of DD and associated risk factors in infants aged 9 to 16 months living in the urban Rwandan city of Kigali.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rwanda from August to November 2019. A convenience sample of 376 Rwandan parents/caregivers and their children attending urban health centers for their routine immunization visits at 9 and 15 months of age was studied. Parents/caregivers completed the official Kinyarwandan version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and established cutoffs were used to identify DD. Frequency and percentages were used to summarise the data. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DD.

Results
Of the 358 children screened using the ASQ-3, the overall prevalence of DD was 24.6%, with a 27.2% prevalence among 9–10-month old children and 22.4% prevalence among 15–16-month old children. Delays in the combined group among the domains of gross motor, communication, fine motor, personal social, and problem solving were 12.8%, 2.5%, 8.4%, 1.7% and 7.5%, respectively. Gestational age at delivery and district of origin were most highly associated with DD, with preterm children at significantly higher risk of having DD compared to term children (Adjusted Odd Ratio AOR = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.5–27.4) and children from Nyarugenge District at high risk of DD compared to children from Gasabo district (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.2–3.9).

Conclusions
The prevalence of ASQ-detectable DD among urban Rwandan children between 9 and 16 months of age was 24.6%, with a high correlation to a history of prematurity and district of origin. This study demonstrates the need for thoughtful health planning regarding integrated developmental surveillance for children, particularly those at high risk, to allow for earlier identification and intervention in the urban area of Kigali, Rwanda.
Bayesian spatial modelling of intimate partner violence and associated factors among adult women and men: evidence from 2019/2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Maposa Innocent , Twabi Halima S. , Matsena-Zingoni Zvifadzo , Batidzirai Jesca M , Singini Geoffrey , Mohammed Mohanad , Bere Alphonce , Kgarosi Kabelo , Mchunu Nobuhle , Nevhungoni Portia , Moyo-Chilufya Maureen , Ojifinni Oludoyinmola , Musekiwa Alfred 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a global public health concern for both men and women. Spatial mapping and clustering analysis can reveal subtle patterns in IPV occurrences but are yet to be explored in Rwanda, especially at a lower small-area scale. This study seeks to examine the spatial distribution, patterns, and associated factors of IPV among men and women in Rwanda.

Methods
This was a secondary data analysis of the 2019/2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) individual-level data set for 1947 women aged 15–49 years and 1371 men aged 15–59 years. A spatially structured additive logistic regression model was used to assess risk factors for IPV while adjusting for spatial effects. The district-level spatial model was adjusted for fixed covariate effects and was implemented using a fully Bayesian inference within the generalized additive mixed effects framework.

Results
IPV prevalence amongst women was 45.9% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 43.4–48.5%) while that for men was 18.4% (95% CI: 16.2–20.9%). Using a bivariate choropleth, IPV perpetrated against women was higher in the North-Western districts of Rwanda whereas for men it was shown to be more prevalent in the Southern districts. A few districts presented high IPV for both men and women. The spatial structured additive logistic model revealed higher odds for IPV against women mainly in the North-western districts and the spatial effects were dominated by spatially structured effects contributing 64%. Higher odds of IPV were observed for men in the Southern districts of Rwanda and spatial effects were dominated by district heterogeneity accounting for 62%. There were no statistically significant district clusters for IPV in both men or women. Women with partners who consume alcohol, and with controlling partners were at significantly higher odds of IPV while those in rich households and making financial decisions together with partners were at lower odds of experiencing IPV.

Conclusion
Campaigns against IPV should be strengthened, especially in the North-Western and Southern parts of Rwanda. In addition, the promotion of girl-child education and empowerment of women can potentially reduce IPV against women and girls. Furthermore, couples should be trained on making financial decisions together. In conclusion, the implementation of policies and interventions that discourage alcohol consumption and control behaviour, especially among men, should be rolled out.
Development and psychometric evaluation of perceived clinical nurses’ professional dignity scale: a sequential-exploratory mixed-method study
Authors: Khachian Alice , Ebadi Abbas , Mardani-Hamooleh Marjan , Bagheri Hosein , Abbasi Ali 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
In recent years, one of the concepts that has received attention in the nursing profession is professional dignity. On the other hand, there was no proper scale to evaluate this concept. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of perceived clinical nurses’ professional dignity scale (PCNPDS).

Methods
This exploratory sequential mixed method was developed and implemented in Iran. The study was conducted in two phases; (a) item generation by hybrid concept analysis and (b) item reduction by psychometric evaluation including validity and reliability of the developed scale. Also, the interpretability (ceiling and floor effect), stability (intraclass correlation coefficient), and absolute stability (standard error of measurement) were calculated.

Results
68 items in the primary item pool were finally reduced to 22 items after evaluating the validity (face, content, and construct validity) and reliability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors (organizational dignity, dignity-based competency, and dignity-based appreciation) and explained 47.55% of the total extracted variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model had a good fit. Finally, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, McDonald’s omega, ICC, and SEM were calculated as 0.90, 0.89, 0.96, and 1.91, respectively.

Conclusion
The 22-item developed scale is valid and reliable for professional dignity measurement among Iranian clinical nurses.