bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan benefit re-evaluation on SNAP participants’ short-term food security and health outcomes
Authors: Leung Cindy W. , Wolfson Julia A. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and played a critical role in mitigating food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the updated Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which provides the basis of SNAP benefit allotments, led to a 21% monthly benefit increase for SNAP participants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health using a natural experiment design.MethodsA longitudinal, web-based study was conducted among 1,004 United States adults with incomes at or below $65,000 in September 2021 (prior to the policy change) and February 2022 (after the policy change). Outcomes of interest included household food security, diet quality, perceived stress, and anxiety/depression, assessed using validated instruments. We used difference-in-differences regression modeling to assess the effects of the policy change on participants’ outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions about the policy change were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsPrior to the policy change, SNAP participants had significantly worse food insecurity, lower diet quality scores, and higher perceived stress and anxiety/depression when compared to non-participants (all Ps &lt; 0.05). After adjustment for differences in sociodemographic characteristics, there were no significant effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health outcomes among SNAP participants relative to non-participants (all Ps &gt; 0.05). Qualitative responses suggested that rising food prices and growing inflation potentially negated the benefits of the policy change; however, most SNAP participants described the added benefits as helpful in purchasing additional food supplies and offsetting other household costs during this period.DiscussionThe TFP benefit increase may have helped to prevent inflation-related disparities in food insecurity and health outcomes from widening among SNAP participants and non-participants. Further research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of this policy change.
Association of grip strength and comorbidities with all-cause mortality in the older hypertensive adults
Authors: Wang Ying , Meng Tianyu , Yang Wei , Yan Miaojia , Su Xianming , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Lihong , Ren Yanping 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundWith growing concerns about global population aging, comorbidity, and disability have emerged as key variables that influence the health of the older adults in terms of disease and function. This study sought to examine the impact of comorbidity and impairment using disease and functional status indicators of all-cause mortality in the older adults. Hypertension, which was chosen as the indicator chosen for disease, has the greatest prevalence in the older population. A total of 15 self-reported chronic conditions were added as indicators of comorbidity, and grip strength was chosen as a measure of functional status. The study also evaluated the association between grip strength and comorbidity, as well as its consequences on all-cause death and survival in a hypertensive senior population.MethodsWe chose a total of 2,990 hypertensive participants aged ≥60 years whose data for grip strength were collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2011 and 2014. The association of all-cause death with grip strength and comorbidity was examined using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The interaction between comorbidity and all-cause mortality, as well as its association with grip strength, was also examined.ResultsThe hazard ratio [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for all-cause mortality in the highest grip strength tertile was 0.266 (0.168–0.419), compared to the lowest grip strength tertile. The all-cause mortality decreased with an increase in the number of co-morbidities [2.677 (1.557–4.603) in the group with ≥3 chronic diseases]. The weighted generalized model revealed a negative correlation between grip strength and comorbidities in more than three groups after accounting for all possible variables (β = −2.219, −3.178 ~ −1.260, p &lt; 0.001). The risk of mortality reduced with increasing grip strength in patients with ≥3 comorbidities (p-value for trend &lt;0.05), but no meaningful difference was found in the interaction between comorbidities and grip strength (p-value for interaction &gt;0.05).ConclusionIn older hypertension patients, grip strength and comorbidities were correlated with all-cause death, and there was a negative correlation between grip strength and comorbidities. Higher grip strength was associated with fewer fatalities in patients with ≥3 comorbidities, suggesting that functional exercise can improve the prognosis of comorbidities.
Hospital response challenges and strategies during COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Authors: Mohammadinia Leila , Saadatmand Vahid , Khaledi Sardashti Hassan , Darabi Saeid , Esfandiary Bayat Fahimeh , Rejeh Nahid , Vaismoradi Mojtaba 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAt the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare managers at hospitals did not have sufficient experiences to appropriately respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to a lack of preparedness, many challenges arose in the healthcare system, and each country developed and implemented strategies depending on national policies. This study aimed to understand challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies used in Iranian hospitals.MethodsA qualitative research was conducted in four hospitals in an urban area of Iran. In-depth semi-structured interviews were performed with 32 participants including healthcare managers, nurses, and medical doctors. Data underwent qualitative content analysis.ResultsFour categories were developed: ‘capacity expansion’, ‘management affairs’, ‘diagnostic services,” and therapeutic services’. Each category consisted of 2–3 subcategories.ConclusionHospitals should be prepared to intelligently respond to future epidemics. It is necessary to develop a comprehensive epidemic plan for the management of disasters to reduce the impact of the epidemic and minimize the risk to public health and ensure that resources are allocated in an efficient and effective manner.
Factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults: the APPCARE study
Authors: Bally Esmée L. S. , Ye Lizhen , van Grieken Amy , Tan Siok Swan , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Procaccini Elena , Alhambra-Borrás Tamara , Raat Hein 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundFalls are a leading cause of disability. Previous studies have identified various risk factors for falls. However, contemporary novel research is needed to explore these and other factors associated with falls among a diverse older adult population. This study aims to identify the factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults.MethodsCross-sectional data from the ‘Appropriate care paths for frail elderly people: a comprehensive model’ (APPCARE) study were analyzed. The study sample consisted of hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults. Falling was assessed by asking whether the participant had fallen within the last 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic characteristics, potential fall risk factors and falls.ResultsThe sample included 113 hospitalized (mean age = 84.2 years; 58% female) and 777 community-dwelling (mean age = 77.8 years; 49% female) older adults. Among hospitalized older adults, loneliness was associated with an increased risk of falls. Associations between female sex, secondary education lever or lower, multimorbidity, a higher score on limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), high risk of malnutrition and falling were found among community-dwelling participants.ConclusionThe results of this study confirm the multi-factorial nature of falling and the complex interaction of risk factors. Future fall prevention programs could be tailored to the needs of vulnerable subpopulations at high risk for falls.
Risk assessment and disease burden of extreme precipitation on hospitalizations for acute aortic dissection in a subtropical coastal Chinese city
Authors: Ji Yanhu , Xiong Jianping , Yuan Zhongjia , Huang Zepeng , Li Liping 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundExtreme precipitation events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. The present study aimed to explore the impacts of extreme precipitation on hospitalizations for acute aortic dissection (AAD) and to identify susceptible populations and quantify the corresponding disease burden.MethodsThe present study used a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) with a quasi-Poisson function to investigate the association between extreme precipitation (≥95th percentile) and the risk of hospitalizations for AAD from 2015 to 2020 in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China.ResultsThe significant adverse effects of extreme precipitation (relative to no precipitation) on daily AAD hospitalizations lasted from lag 5 [relative risk (RR): 1.0318, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0067–1.0575] to lag 9 (RR: 1.0297, 95% CI: 1.0045–1.0555) and reached its maximum at lag 7 (RR: 1.0382, 95% CI: 1.0105–1.0665). Males and older adult individuals (≥60 years) were more susceptible to extreme precipitation. A total of 3.68% (118 cases) of AAD hospitalizations were due to extreme precipitation.ConclusionExtreme precipitation was significantly correlated with AAD hospitalizations. Government departments should actively implement extreme precipitation intervention measures to strengthen the protection of males and the older adult (≥60 years) and effectively reduce AAD hospitalizations.
Contribution of life course cardiovascular risk factors to racial disparities in dementia incidence
Authors: Ferguson Erin L. , Vittinghoff Eric , Zeki Al Hazzouri Adina , Allen Norrina , Fitzpatrick Annette , Yaffe Kristine 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundRacial disparities in dementia outcomes persist in the United States. Targeting modifiable risk factors, including cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), is a conceivable way to reduce health disparities. Life course CVRFs are often higher in non-White adults and are associated with risk of dementia, but it is unknown whether they contribute to racial disparities in dementia and cognition.MethodsUsing a pooled cohort of 4,159 White and 939 Black participants aged 65–95 years, we conducted a mediation analysis to estimate the proportional effect of race on dementia that is explained by four CVRFs imputed over the life course (20–49, 50–69, and 70–89 years of age): body mass index, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.ResultsCompared to White participants, Black participants had greater risk of dementia (adjusted OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.17–1.60). BMI and fasting glucose over the life course were significant mediators of the effect of race on dementia risk, mediating 39.1% (95% CI: 10.5–67.8%) and 8.2% (95% CI: 0.1–16.2%) of the effect, adjusted for sex and age. All four CVRFs together were also significant mediators of the effect of race on scores on global cognition and processing speed, accounting for approximately 11% of the effect.ConclusionsWe found that CVRFs across the life course partially explain disparities in dementia risk and cognition in late-life. Improved prevention and treatment of CVRFs across the life course may be important to reduce health disparities for dementia.
Case report: Vulval sebaceous carcinoma: a report of two cases and literature review focus on treatment and survival
Authors: Wang Xiaoxue , Wei Xin 
Published: June 2023

Background: Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma (SC) arising in the vulva is extremely rare that no treatment consensus has been well-defined.Case presentation: We here presented two cases of vulval SC in a 31-year-old and a 62-year-old woman, respectively. Radical wide local excision was performed with free margin and they received no postoperative adjuvant therapy. No evidence of disease was detected after follow-ups for 12 months and 49 months, respectively. A comprehensive literature review of vulval SC was further conducted and other ten cases were included. The mean age was 55.9 years, nine patients were diagnosed with FIGO stage I diseases while the remaining three patients had metastatic lesions at initial diagnosis. Surgery was the mainstay treatment option that 11 (91.7%) underwent surgical resection, of which 5 patients received inguinal lymphadenectomy and 2 patients showed lymph nodes involved. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given in 2 and 1 patient, respectively. Two patients experienced recurrence within 1 year after initial therapy. At the final follow-up, ten patients had no evidence of disease, one patient was alive with the disease, and only one died of the disease.Conclusion: Radical wide local excision may be preferred in early-stage vulval SC and utilization of sentinel lymph node sampling should be recommended. Postoperative adjuvant therapy may be spared in patients with negative surgical margin and absence of lymph node involvement. Treatment of vulval SC referring to the guidelines of vulvar cancer should be administered in case of positive margins or metastatic disease.
Characterization of the Antibacterial Activity of Quinone-Based Compounds Originating from the Alnumycin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster of a Streptomyces Isolate
Authors: Sagurna Leonie , Heinrich Sascha , Kaufmann Lara-Sophie , Rückert-Reed Christian , Busche Tobias , Wolf Alexander , Eickhoff Jan , Klebl Bert , Kalinowski Jörn , Bandow Julia E. 
Published: June 2023

Bacteria of the genus Streptomyces produce various specialized metabolites. Single biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) can give rise to different products that can vary in terms of their biological activities. For example, for alnumycin and the shunt product K115, antimicrobial activity was described, while no antimicrobial activity was detected for the shunt product 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone. To investigate the antibacterial activity of 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone, we produced alnumycin and 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone from a Streptomyces isolate containing the alnumycin BGC. The strain was cultivated in liquid glycerol–nitrate–casein medium (GN), and both compounds were isolated using an activity and mass spectrometry-guided purification. The structures were validated via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test revealed that 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone exhibits antimicrobial activity against E. coli ΔtolC, B. subtilis, an S. aureus type strain, and a vancomycin intermediate-resistance S. aureus strain (VISA). Activity of 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone against E. coli ΔtolC was approximately 10-fold higher than that of alnumycin. We were unable to confirm gyrase inhibition for either compound and believe that the modes of action of both compounds are worth reinvestigating.
Prediction and Global Sensitivity Analysis of Long-Term Deflections in Reinforced Concrete Flexural Structures Using Surrogate Models
Authors: Dan Wenjiao , Yue Xinxin , Yu Min , Li Tongjie , Zhang Jian 
Published: June 2023

Reinforced concrete (RC) is the result of a combination of steel reinforcing rods (which have high tensile) and concrete (which has high compressive strength). Additionally, the prediction of long-term deformations of RC flexural structures and the magnitude of the influence of the relevant material and geometric parameters are important for evaluating their serviceability and safety throughout their life cycles. Empirical methods for predicting the long-term deformation of RC structures are limited due to the difficulty of considering all the influencing factors. In this study, four popular surrogate models, i.e., polynomial chaos expansion (PCE), support vector regression (SVR), Kriging, and radial basis function (RBF), are used to predict the long-term deformation of RC structures. The surrogate models were developed and evaluated using RC simply supported beam examples, and experimental datasets were collected for comparison with common machine learning models (back propagation neural network (BP), multilayer perceptron (MLP), decision tree (DT) and linear regression (LR)). The models were tested using the statistical metrics R2, RAAE, RMAE, RMSE, VAF, PI, A10−index and U95. The results show that all four proposed models can effectively predict the deformation of RC structures, with PCE and SVR having the best accuracy, followed by the Kriging model and RBF. Moreover, the prediction accuracy of the surrogate model is much lower than that of the empirical method and the machine learning model in terms of the RMSE. Furthermore, a global sensitivity analysis of the material and geometric parameters affecting structural deflection using PCE is proposed. It was found that the geometric parameters are more influential than the material parameters. Additionally, there is a coupling effect between material and geometric parameters that works together to influence the long-term deflection of RC structures.
SARS-CoV-2 T Cell Immunity Responses following Natural Infection and Vaccination
Authors: Pitiriga Vassiliki C. , Papamentzelopoulou Myrto , Konstantinakou Kanella E. , Theodoridou Kalliopi , Vasileiou Irene V. , Tsakris Athanasios 
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity is rapidly activated following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination and is crucial for controlling infection progression and severity. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 between cohorts of subjects with hybrid immunity (convalescent and vaccinated), vaccinated naïve (non-exposed) and convalescent unvaccinated subjects. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive analysis of data collected from the medical records of adult individuals who were consecutively examined at a large, private Medical Center of Attica from September 2021 to September 2022 in order to be examined on their own initiative for SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity response. They were divided into three groups: Group A: SARS-CoV-2 convalescent and vaccinated subjects; Group B: SARS-CoV-2 naïve vaccinated subjects; Group C: SARS-CoV-2 convalescent unvaccinated subjects. The SARS-CoV-2 T cell response was estimated against spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) structural proteins by performing the methodology T-SPOT.COVID test. (3) Results: A total of 530 subjects were retrospectively included in the study, 252 females (47.5%) and 278 (52.5%) males ranging from 13 to 92 years old (mean 55.68 ± 17.0 years). Among them, 66 (12.5%) were included in Group A, 284 (53.6%) in Group B and 180 (34.0%) in Group C. Among the three groups, a reaction against S antigen was reported in 58/66 (87.8%) of Group A, 175/284 (61.6%) of Group B and 146/180 (81.1%) of Group C (chi-square, p < 0.001). Reaction against N antigen was present in 49/66 (74.2%) of Group A and in 140/180 (77.7%) of Group C (chi-square, p = 0.841). The median SFC count for S antigen was 24 (range from 0–218) in Group A, 12 (range from 0–275) in Group B and 18 (range from 0–160) in Group C (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001; pairwise comparisons: groups A–B, p < 0.001; groups A–C, p = 0.147; groups B–C, p < 0.001). The median SFCs count for N antigen was 13 (range 0–82) for Group A and 18 (range 0–168) for Group C (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.27 for A–C groups). (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that natural cellular immunity, either alone or combined with vaccination, confers stronger and more durable protection compared to vaccine-induced cellular immunity.
KOMPETENSI DIGITAL GURU DALAM MENINGKATKAN MINAT BELAJAR SISWA SMK DI KABUPATEN SEKADAU
Authors: Dwi Maria Ana , Afandi Afandi , Astuti Indri 
Published: June 2023

Digital learning provides various benefits to students, from easy access to materials to giving assignments and quizzes. However, the use of digital learning is influenced by a teacher's decision to use it. Therefore, this factor becomes an obstacle in the transformation of digital learning. This study aims to evaluate the digital competence of teachers at SMKN 1 Kab. Sekadau This research was conducted to determine the awareness of SMK vocational subject teachers in Sekadau in using digital learning, this study analyzed six dimensions of Teacher Digital Competence Belief (TDCB). Data collection involved administering a questionnaire to 25 vocational subject teachers at SMK schools in Sekadau Regency. The results indicated that the average score
for the six TDCB dimensions was 71.28, falling into the "good" category. This suggests that vocational school teachers in Sekadau Regency recognize the importance of using digital technology in education
EFEKTIVITAS PENGGUNAAN MEDIA E-LEARNING BERBASIS GOOGLE SITES DALAM PEMBELAJARAN FOTOGRAFI
Authors: Noviano First Gerald , Riyanto Yatim , Setyaedhi Hari Sugiharto 
Published: June 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas penggunaan media E-Learning berbasis Google Sites dalam pembelajaran fotografi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian kuantitatif dengan desain penelitian eksperimen satu kelompok pretes dan posttes. Peneliti mengumpulkan data melalui dengan tes kepada 24 peserta didik kelas XI Multimedia di SMK Wijaya Putra. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan Uji t. Berdasarkan hasil uji t pada tabel output paired samples test, ditemukan bahwa nilai Sig. (2-tailed) sebesar 0.000 < 0.05. Hal ini menunjukkan adanya perbedaan yang signifikan antara hasil belajar pada nilai pretes dan posttes setelah menggunakan media E-learning berbasis Google Sites. Sebagai saran untuk penelitian selanjutnya, selain menguji variabel hasil belajar peserta didik, penelitian dapat mempertimbangkan penerapan Google Sites dalam meningkatkan motivasi dan kemandirian belajar peserta didik.
Description of Adolescent Knowledge Level About the Effect of Smoking on Dental and Oral Health in Kp. Cipadati Kabupaten Bandung
Authors: Amini Nur aisyah , Nurnaningsih Hera , Putri Megananda Hiranya , Heriyanto Yonan 
Published: June 2023

Smoking is dangerous for health. Smoking is a habit that is often done by people, both at the age of teenagers and adults. Factors behind smoking habits in adolescence are the lack of knowledge of adolescents about the dangers of smoking for health, including dental and oral health. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge of adolescent smokers about the impact of smoking on dental and oral health in Kp. Cipadati RT.03 RW.03 Cinunuk Village, Bandung Regency. This type of research is descriptive by distributing questionnaires. The number of respondents in this study were 32 teenage boys aged 13 to 19 years who smoked and lived in Kp. Cipadati RT.03 RW.01 Cinunuk Village, Bandung Regency.
The results of the study from 32 respondents, showed the level of knowledge of adolescents about the effect of smoking on dental and oral health in Kp. Cipadati RT.03 RW.01 Cinunuk Village, Bandung Regency, 50.0% of respondents are in the category of a good level of knowledge, and for knowledge of adolescent smoking prevention efforts for dental and oral health, 40.6% of respondents are in the category of poor knowledge level. Conclusion: the level of knowledge of adolescents is good, but preventive efforts for adolescent smokers are still lacking.