bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Talent Management Systems and Employee Retention in Devolved Health Care Service Delivery in Kenya
Authors: Muriithi James Gitari , Charles Muo 
Published: November 2023

Employee retention and talent management concerns are quickly becoming the most pressing workforce management challenges of the near future as human resource management paradigms shift. This study was on Private hospitals which are health organizations formed and owned by individuals or organizations to provide health services to citizens. The general objective of this study was to establish the influence of talent management on employees’ retention in devolved health care service delivery in Kenya. Specifically, the objectives were to establish whether talent acquisition, and talent development influence employee retention in devolved health care service delivery in Kenya. The study adopted cross sectional research design where the target population comprising of all the employees in the hospital was used. The study population targeted administrators and doctors from all counties. These included County Executive Committee (CEC) Members - Health, Level 5 chief executive officers and Level 4 doctors-in-charge. This study employed both purposive and simple stratified random sampling technique to choose its sample. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, which were distributed to the officers selected to participate in the study. Questionnaires were the main data collection tool from the respondents. Multiple regression models were used for the purpose of analysing data (descriptive and inferential statistics) using SPSS Version 23 software. The findings from these statistics were presented in the form of tables. Inferential statistics in the form of factor and principal component analysis was also conducted. The inferences made were used to tell apart the major factors that influenced employee turnover in devolved health care service delivery in Kenya. The findings found out that, talent acquisition, and talent development significantly influenced employee retention in devolved health care service delivery in Kenya but to moderate extent. Therefore, recommendations focused on working on the maturity of employees, improving the working conditions as well as fostering the leadership. Future research should focus on determining specific factors that influence retention in institutions to assist companies deal with similar situations
Asociación entre virus respiratorios y la exacerbación de asma en niños. Trujillo-Perú
Authors: Romero Goicochea Cecilia , Benites Castillo Santiago , Chávez Castillo Milciades 
Published: November 2023

Objetivo: Los virus respiratorios son la principal causa de morbilidad en niños y el asma que afecta a todos los grupos de edad constituye el objetivo de diversas intervenciones clínicas y de salud pública. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar si existe asociación entre virus respiratorios y la exacerbación del asma en niños menores de 14 años atendidos en el Hospital Florencia de Mora, Trujillo, Perú. Material y métodos: Se estudió 167 secreciones nasofaríngeas de niños con asma. El estudio virológico comprendió la detección de virus respiratorios con el sistema inmunocromatográfico Coris BioConcept- Bélgica, detectándose virus sincicial respiratorio, adenovirus, influenza virus A y B. Para el estudio de la exacerbación de asma se midió el flujo espiratorio pico basal y el puntaje de Bierman y Pierson modificado por Tal.
Resultados: El virus con mayor frecuencia fue el de influenza A en un 46.7%, seguido de influenza B con 19.2%. Se observó que la exacerbación más importante fue la de tipo leve en ambos sexos. La presencia de sibilancias fue el síntoma más frecuente (100%), seguido de fiebre (97.0%) y cefalea (95.8%).
Conclusiones: Se determinó que existe asociación entre la presencia de virus respiratorios y la exacerbación del asma, siendo los virus influenza los de presentación más frecuente.
Les pieds sur terre et la tête dans les étoiles : l’ingenium en acte.
Entretien avec Thierry Ardouin
Authors: Renier Samuel , Guillaumin Catherine 
Published: November 2023

L’entretien retranscrit dans cet article a été réalisé avec Thierry Ardouin,
grand témoin et acteur de l’histoire de l’ingénierie de formation en France. À travers
l’évocation de son parcours et de ses réflexions, il s’agit ici de rendre compte à la fois
d’un trajet singulier, mais aussi du saisissement opportun de l’ingénium comme dynamique
d’analyse et d’action dans le champ des Sciences de l’éducation et de la formation. « Les
pieds sur terre et la tête dans les étoiles », telle est la démarche qu’il nous propose,
afin de relier cette histoire aux perspectives actuelles et futures d’une réflexion toujours
en construction sur l’ingénierie de formation, animée par une vigilance éthique vis-à-vis
des mouvements du monde.
A multimodal prediction model for suicidal attempter in major depressive disorder
Authors: Li Qiaojun , Liao Kun 
Published: November 2023

Background
Suicidal attempts in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have become an important challenge in global mental health affairs. To correctly distinguish MDD patients with and without suicidal attempts, a multimodal prediction model was developed in this study using multimodality data, including demographic, depressive symptoms, and brain structural imaging data. This model will be very helpful in the early intervention of MDD patients with suicidal attempts.

Methods
Two feature selection methods, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) and random forest (RF) algorithms, were merged for feature selection in 208 MDD patients. SVM was then used as a classification model to distinguish MDD patients with suicidal attempts or not.

Results
The multimodal predictive model was found to correctly distinguish MDD patients with and without suicidal attempts using integrated features derived from SVM-RFE and RF, with a balanced accuracy of 77.78%, sensitivity of 83.33%, specificity of 70.37%, positive predictive value of 78.95%, and negative predictive value of 76.00%. The strategy of merging the features from two selection methods outperformed traditional methods in the prediction of suicidal attempts in MDD patients, with hippocampal volume, cerebellar vermis volume, and supracalcarine volume being the top three features in the prediction model.

Conclusions
This study not only developed a new multimodal prediction model but also found three important brain structural phenotypes for the prediction of suicidal attempters in MDD patients. This prediction model is a powerful tool for early intervention in MDD patients, which offers neuroimaging biomarker targets for treatment in MDD patients with suicidal attempts.
Predisposing Factors that Promote Prevalence of Heavy Metals Assimilation and Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Medium and amongst Fishes
Authors: Ajah Paul. O.  , Allison, Nneka L.  , Sylvester Igbang Lucky , Augustine Moses Miracle , Vinatius Efuneshi Chima 
Published: November 2023

The degree of heavy metals assimilation and bioaccumulation in fish tissues (muscles, gills, liver, and kidneys), amongst scale-less fishes- Chrysichthys macrotis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus longifilis, -scaly fishes- Cynoglossus senegalensis, Oreochromis aureus, O. niloticus, Lutjanus fulgens, Pomadasys rogeri, and Tilapia galilea, water columns and sediments, were investigated. Heavy metals assimilation and bioaccumulation varied among organisms with or without scales, tissue types, and fish location (water column & sediments) and pollution level. Fishes with scales had lower concentrations of heavy metals than scale- less fishes. The scalier the fish, the lower the metal assimilation and bioaccumulation. As expected, trace metals were generally lower in muscles than liver, and kidney. Liver had highest followed by kidney, gills and then muscles. Fish trophic level (water column or sediments) and water pollution levels affected heavy metal concentrations. Concentrations were always more in sediments than water column or tissues. The more polluted the water, the more the assimilation and accumulation of trace metals.
Reduction of Financial Health Incentives and Changes in Physical Activity
Authors: Spilsbury Sean , Wilk Piotr , Taylor Carolyn , Prapavessis Harry , Mitchell Marc 
Published: November 2023

ImportanceGovernments and others continue to use financial incentives to influence citizen health behaviors like physical activity. However, when delivered on a population scale they can be prohibitively costly, suggesting more sustainable models are needed.ObjectivesTo evaluate the association of incomplete financial incentive withdrawal (“schedule thinning”) with physical activity after more than a year of incentive intervention and to explore whether participant characteristics (eg, app engagement and physical activity) are associated with withdrawal outcomes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis case-control study with a pre-post quasi-experimental design included users of a government-funded health app focused on financial incentives. Eligible participants were residents in 3 Canadian provinces over 25 weeks in 2018 and 2019. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to December 2022.ExposureDue to fiscal constraints, financial incentives for daily physical activity goals were withdrawn in Ontario in December 2018 (case)—representing a 90% reduction in incentive earnings—but not in British Columbia or Newfoundland and Labrador (controls).Main Outcome and MeasuresThe primary outcome was objectively assessed weekly mean daily step count. Linear regression models were used to compare pre-post changes in daily step counts between provinces (a difference-in-differences approach). Separate models were developed to examine factors associated with changes in daily step count (eg, app engagement and physical activity). Clinically meaningful initial effect sizes were previously reported (approximately 900 steps/d overall and 1800 steps/d among the physically inactive).ResultsIn total there were 584 760 study participants (mean [SD] age, 34.3 [15.5] years; 220 388 women [63.5%]), including 438 731 from Ontario, 124 101 from British Columbia, and 21 928 from Newfoundland and Labrador. Significant physical activity declines were observed when comparing pre-post changes in Ontario to British Columbia (−198 steps/d; 95% CI, −224 to −172 steps/d) and Newfoundland and Labrador (−274 steps/d; 95% CI, −323 to −225 steps/d). The decrease was most pronounced for highly engaged Ontario users (−328 steps/d; 95% CI, −343 to −313 steps/d). Among physically inactive Ontario users, physical activity did not decline following withdrawal (107 steps/d; 95% CI, 90 to 124 steps/d).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this case-control study of incomplete financial incentive withdrawal, statistically significant daily step count reductions were observed in Ontario; however, these declines were modest and not clinically meaningful. Amidst substantial program savings, the physical activity reductions observed here may be acceptable to decision-makers working within finite budgets.
Age at Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation and Incident Dementia
Authors: Zhang Wenya , Liang Jie , Li Chenglong , Gao Darui , Ma Qian , Pan Yang , Wang Yongqian , Xie Wuxiang , Zheng Fanfan 
Published: November 2023

ImportanceEpidemiological evidence regarding the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) onset age and risk of incident dementia remains unexplored.ObjectiveTo examine whether age at AF diagnosis is associated with risk of incident dementia and its subtypes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis prospective, population-based cohort study used data from UK Biobank, a public, open-access database in the UK with baseline information collected from 2006 to 2010. A total of 433 746 participants were included in the main analysis after excluding participants with a diagnosis of dementia or AF at baseline, missing data on covariates, or having dementia before AF onset during a median follow-up of 12.6 years. Data were analyzed from October to December 2022.ExposuresAF diagnosis and age at AF diagnosis according to age groups (&amp;lt;65 years, 65-74 years, or ≥75 years).Main Outcomes and MeasuresIncident dementia, ascertained through linkage from multiple databases until December 31, 2021. Cox proportional hazards models and the propensity score matching method were adopted to estimate the association between AF onset age and incident dementia.ResultsOf 433 746 included participants, 236 253 (54.5%) were female, the mean (SD) age was 56.9 (8.1) years, and 409 990 (94.5%) were White. Compared with individuals without AF, 30 601 individuals with AF had a higher risk of developing all-cause dementia (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.42; 95% CI, 1.32-1.52) and vascular dementia (VD; adjusted HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.80-2.36), but not Alzheimer disease (AD; adjusted HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.96-1.21). Among participants with AF, younger age at AF onset was associated with higher risks of developing all-cause dementia (adjusted HR per 10-year decrease, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16-1.32), AD (adjusted HR per 10-year decrease, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.42), and VD (adjusted HR per 10-year decrease, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.20-1.51). After propensity score matching, individuals with AF diagnosed before age 65 years had the highest HR of developing all-cause dementia (adjusted HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.54-2.15), followed by AF diagnosed at age 65 to 74 years (adjusted HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.31-1.65) and diagnosed at age 75 years or older (adjusted HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.96-1.28). Similar results can be seen in AD and VD.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this prospective cohort study, earlier onset of AF was associated with an elevated risk of subsequent all-cause dementia, AD, and VD, highlighting the importance of monitoring cognitive function among patients with AF, especially those younger than 65 years at diagnosis.
Near‐Infrared‐II Nanoparticles for Vascular Normalization Combined with Immune Checkpoint Blockade via Photodynamic Immunotherapy Inhibit Uveal Melanoma Growth and Metastasis
Authors: Zheng Xiaoqin , Shi Yunyi , Tang Dongsheng , Xiao Haihua , Shang Kun , Zhou Xuezhi , Tan Gang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely employed in tumor treatment due to its effectiveness. However, the tumor hypoxic microenvironment which is caused by abnormal vasculature severely limits the efficacy of PDT. Furthermore, the abnormal vasculature has been implicated in the failure of immunotherapy. In this study, a novel nanoparticle denoted as Combo‐NP is introduced, composed of a biodegradable NIR II fluorescent pseudo‐conjugate polymer featuring disulfide bonds within its main chain, designated as TPA‐BD, and the vascular inhibitor Lenvatinib. Combo‐NP exhibits dual functionality by not only inducing cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to directly eliminate tumor cells but also eliciting immunogenic cell death (ICD). This ICD response, in turn, initiates a robust cascade of immune reactions, thereby augmenting the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In addition, Combo‐NP addresses the issue of tumor hypoxia by normalizing the tumor vasculature. This normalization process enhances the efficacy of PDT while concurrently fostering increased CTLs infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. These synergistic effects synergize to potentiate the photodynamic‐immunotherapeutic properties of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, when combined with anti‐programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), they showcase notable inhibitory effects on tumor metastasis. The findings in this study introduce an innovative nanomedicine strategy aimed at triggering systemic anti‐tumor immune responses for the treatment of Uveal melanoma.
Surfactant‐Free Synthesis of Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides by a Seeds/ NaCl‐Mediated Growth Strategy
Authors: Shu Yuan , Liu Qian , Shi Meiyu , Zhang Zequn , Xie Chengmin , Bi Shuxian , Zhang Pengfei 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTransitional metal oxides (TMOs) with ultra‐high specific surface areas (SSAs), large pore volume, and tailored exposed facets appeal to significant interests in heterogeneous catalysis. Nevertheless, synthesizing the metal oxides with all the above features is challenging. Herein, the so‐called seeds/NaCl‐mediated growth method is successfully developed based on a bottom‐up route. First, the (Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller) BET SSAs of TMOs prepared with this method are significantly higher, where the BET SSAs of CeO2, SnO2, Nb2O5, Fe3O4, Mn3O4, Mg(OH)2, and ZrO2 reached 187, 275, 518, 212, 147, 186, and 332 m2 g−1, respectively. Second, these TMOs exhibit unique mesoporous structures, generated mainly by the aggregation of rod‐like or other aspherical primary nanoparticles. More importantly, no environmental‐unfriendly organic surfactants or expensive metal alkoxides are involved in this method. Therefore, the entire synthesis protocol fully fitted the “green synthesis” definition, and the corresponding TMOs prepares displayed excellent catalytic performance.
A Magnetically Driven Tandem Chip Enables Rapid Isolation and Multiplexed Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Zhang Guihua , Wang Yaohui , Zhou Weihang , Lei Yanmei , Lu Jinsong , Yin Wenjin , Zhu Zhi , Yang Chaoyong , Zhang Peng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe protein phenotypes of extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. However, the technical challenges in rapid isolation and multiplexed molecular detection of EVs have limited their clinical practice. Herein, we developed a magnetically driven tandem chip to achieve streamlined rapid isolation and multiplexed profiling of surface protein biomarkers of EVs. Driven by magnetic force, the magnetic nanomixers not only act as tiny stir bars to promote mass transfer and enhance reaction efficiency of EVs, but also transport on communicating vessels of the tandem chip continuously and expedite the assay workflow. We designed cyclic surface enhancement of Raman scattering (SERS) tags to bind with target EVs and then release them by exonuclease I, eliminating steric hindrance and amplifying the SERS signal of multiple protein biomarkers on EVs. Due to the excellent assay performance, six breast cancer biomarkers were detected simultaneously on EVs using only 10 μL plasma within 1.5 h. The unweighted SUM signature offers great accuracy in discriminating breast cancer patients from healthy donors. Overall, the dynamic magnetic driving tandem chip offers a new avenue to advance the clinical application of EV‐based liquid biopsy.
Lightweight hydrophobic cellulose foam material with low density and high porosity applications in Cu (II) adsorption
Authors: Wu Ju , Wang Liqiang , Wang Feijie , Ma Shufeng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCellulose foam, renowned for its lightweight properties and exceptional adsorption capacity, has emerged as a significant material of interest. In our study, a distinct functionalized cellulose foam adsorbent was developed using N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross‐linker. This foam was further chemically tailored with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and tannic acid (TA) to optimize its affinity for Cu (II). Utilizing a green and efficient procedure at ambient temperature, MBA was directly crosslinked with MCC sol, the resultant foam features a distinguished three‐dimensional, multi‐walled porous configuration, marked by a strikingly low average density of 0.0306 g/cm3 and an impressive average porosity surpassing 97%. Subsequently, more amino and oxygen‐containing groups were introduced by simple impregnation. The rich functional groups and unique structure enabled the adsorption of Cu (II) up to 93 mg/g, demonstrating an increasing trend in line with rising Cu (II) concentrations. Furthermore, this composite cellulose foam displayed commendable hydrophobic characteristics, evident from a hydrophobic angle surpassing 120°. From both environmental and economic perspectives, this chemically‐modified cellulose material epitomizes an ideal adsorbent, showcasing unparalleled adsorption capacity coupled with robust chemical and structural integrity. As such, it presents a viable option for the efficient sequestration of Cu (II) in wastewater treatments.
Tough, self‐healing, and recyclable cross‐linked polyurethane elastomers via synergistic effect of dual dynamic covalent bonds
Authors: Liu Xiaochun , Wu Jianyu , Wu Jianxin , Huang Zhiyi , Shen Wei , Yin Xingshan , Sun Yingjuan , Lin Xiaofeng , Lin Wenjing , Yi Guobin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBased on the irresistible inherent trade‐off between the mechanical and self‐healing performances of cross‐linked polyurethane materials, there is still an intractable challenge to design efficient self‐healing and tough elastomers, especially in flexible sensors. Herein, a tough, efficient self‐healing, and recyclable cross‐linked polyurethane elastomer (DTPU) was prepared by integrating oxime‐carbamate bonds and thiourethane bonds into the network. The extraordinary mechanical properties and self‐healing performances of DTPU elastomers were related to the synergistic effect of oxime‐carbamate bonds in the main chain and thiourethane bonds in the chemical cross‐linked sites. The existence of dynamic cross‐linked points not only optimized the mechanical properties of DTPU but also provided support for the reversible cleavage and formation of oxime carbamate bond, thus endowing DTPU with efficient self‐healing performance and recyclability. After self‐healing at mild temperatures for 6 h, the self‐healed DTPU elastomers had a tensile strength of 30.27 MPa and a self‐healing efficiency of 95.5%. After multiple hot‐pressing, the original mechanical strength of DTPU was restored to over 100%, exhibiting excellent recyclable characteristics. Additionally, strain sensors based on self‐healing flexible elastomers were fabricated by introducing conductive carbon nanotubes. The strain sensors maintained their electrical conductivity after 3 times self‐healing, demonstrating great potential in healable flexible electronics.
Molecular design and properties of intrinsic flame‐retardant P‐N synergistic epoxy resin
Authors: Cheng Hengxing , Guo Junhong , Ye Yuan , Zhao Tianjing , Cui Jinfeng , Yang Baoping , Mu Bo , Tian Li , Bao Xuemei , Zhang Xiujun , Zhou Yingping 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn recent years, the poor weather resistance and aging resistance of additive flame retardants have caused researchers to pay attention to reactive flame retardants. A novel P‐N coacting epoxy curing agent with intrinsic flame retardancy was designed and synthesized. The mechanical properties, crosslinking curing properties and flame‐retardant properties of intrinsic flame‐retardant epoxy resin were characterized. The results show that the cross‐linking curing performance of hexa (3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4 triazolyl)‐cyclotriphosphonitrile) (VCP) is lower than that of DDM. This is due to the decrease in cross‐linking density caused by the VCP ring molecular structure. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the epoxy resin cured with VCP decreased, but the flame‐retardant properties of the material significantly improved. The limiting oxygen index of the VCP/EP flame retardant epoxy thermosets was 27.3%, reaching the UL 94 V‐1 level. The peak heat release rate and total heat release rate of the VCP/EP flame retardant epoxy thermosets were significantly reduced. The flame retardancy mechanism was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the intrinsic flame‐retardant P‐N coacting epoxy resin has excellent curing and flame‐retardant properties.