Complete Form Research Articles

Vibration-rotational alternating-parity spectra of even–even nuclei with effective triaxiality

In the present work, a model combining vibration-rotational motion and effective triaxiality is developed for even–even nuclei with quadrupole and octupole deformations. The Davidson potential is used to solve the radial part of the vibration-rotational Schrödinger equation in the axial quadrupole and octupole variables. In an adiabatic approximation the contribution of the angular variable in the components of the moments of inertia is taken as a constant after which the triaxial-rotor energy is obtained. As a result the alternating-parity spectrum and wave functions of the nucleus with quadrupole-octupole degrees of freedom are obtained. The proposed model is used to describe the yrast and first-non-yrast alternating-parity bands of the even–even nuclei 150Nd, 154Sm, 154,160Gd, 156Dy, 162,164Er, 172Yb, 230,232Th, 230,232,234,236,238U and 238,240Pu. The relevance of the model for taking into account the collective quadrupole-octupole modes in a rather complete form is pointed out.

Effect of Fe2O3 addition on synthesis of diamond single crystal under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions

The influence of Fe2O3 addition on the growth characteristics of synthetic diamonds under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions was systematically investigated in this work. Utilizing Fe2O3 as an oxygen source within the Fe-Ni-C-O system, oxygen-containing diamond single crystals were synthesized. The role of the oxygen atoms during the growth of large-sized diamonds with the {111} face as the growth surface was also analyzed. In addition, the morphology, growth rate, internal nitrogen content, and crystal quality of the crystals were examined. From our analysis, it was demonstrated that an increase in Fe2O3 addition leads to a reduction in the size of the synthetic crystals and a gradual decrease in the growth rate. The diamonds with complete crystal forms exhibited no significant change in color, and all appeared yellow. When the addition exceeded a threshold, cracks appeared around the seed crystal at about 0.3 mm, resulting in a cracked crystal phenomenon. A further increase in the Fe2O3 addition resulted in the skeleton crystal, and the crystal color turned black. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements were also conducted, indicating that the introduction of oxygen atoms increases the nitrogen content in the crystals, which in turn aggregates in the form of C-centered nitrogen. The Raman spectroscopy results showed that as Fe2O3 addition in the crystals increases, more impurities are introduced, leading to an increase in the diamond stress and a shift in the diamond Raman peak, along with an increase in the full width at half maximum. The photoluminescence (PL) characterization results indicated that with the increase of the Fe2O3 addition, the intensity of the photoluminescence peaks of NV− centers and W8 centers was enhanced, which is related to the increase in the internal C-centered nitrogen content of the crystals. From the acquired results, it was proven that Fe2O3 addition has a significant impact on the synthesis of diamond single crystals. Our work provides valuable pieces of experimental evidence for exploring the formation mechanism of natural diamonds.

Antagonist anti-LIF antibody derived from naive human scFv phage library inhibited tumor growth in mice

BackgroundLeukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a multifunctional member of the IL-6 cytokine family that activates downstream signaling pathways by binding to the heterodimer consisting of LIFR and gp130 on the cell surface. Previous research has shown that LIF is highly expressed in various tumor tissues (e.g. pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer) and promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and differentiation. Moreover, the overexpression of LIF correlates with poor clinicopathological characteristics. Therefore, we hypothesized that LIF could be a promising target for the treatment of cancer. In this work, we developed the antagonist antibody 1G11 against LIF and investigated its anti-tumor mechanism and its therapeutic efficacy in mouse models.ResultsA series of single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) targeting LIF were screened from a naive human scFv phage library. These scFvs were reconstructed in complete IgG form and produced by the mammalian transient expression system. Among the antibodies, 1G11 exhibited the excellent binding activity to human, cynomolgus monkey and mouse LIF. Functional analysis demonstrated 1G11 could block LIF binding to LIFR and inhibit the intracellular STAT3 phosphorylation signal. Interestingly, 1G11 did not block LIF binding to gp130, another LIF receptor that is involved in forming the receptor complex together with LIFR. In vivo, intraperitoneal administration of 1G11 inhibited tumor growth in CT26 and MC38 models of colorectal cancer. IHC analysis demonstrated that p-STAT3 and Ki67 were decreased in tumor tissue, while c-caspase 3 was increased. Furthermore, 1G11 treatment improves CD3+, CD4 + and CD8 + T cell infiltration in tumor tissue.ConclusionsWe developed antagonist antibodies targeting LIF/LIFR signaling pathway from a naive human scFv phage library. Antagonist anti-LIF antibody exerts antitumor effects by specifically reducing p-STAT3. Further studies revealed that anti-LIF antibody 1G11 increased immune cell infiltration in tumor tissues.

Real-world evaluation of treatment utilization by women experiencing vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause in the United States and Europe: Findings from the REALISE study

ObjectivesDespite the profound impact of menopausal symptoms on women, treatment utilization is low, and many seek alternative therapies. The REALISE study aimed to evaluate the treatment landscape – that is, pharmacological treatment, lifestyle changes (LC), and use of over-the-counter (OTC) products – for women from six high-income countries experiencing vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and receiving healthcare. Study designAnalysis of a secondary dataset, the Adelphi Real World Disease Specific Programme™, a large, cross-sectional, point-in-time survey conducted in the United States and five European countries (February–October 2020). Physicians provided demographic, clinical, and treatment data; women were stratified by VMS severity (mild; moderate-severe) and presence of concomitant sleep/mood symptoms. Women completed forms on VMS severity, concomitant symptoms, LC, and OTC product use. Two subgroups were identified: VMS-only and VMS + sleep/mood. Main outcome measuresPrescription treatment, LC, and OTC product utilization. ResultsPhysicians (n = 233) provided data on 1767 women; 825 (46.7 %) completed a self-completion form. Physicians rated 60 % of women with moderate-severe VMS, of whom 709 (66.8 %) were currently prescribed pharmacological treatment; 27.1 % had never been prescribed. Hormone therapy was most frequently prescribed in the moderate-severe group (overall, 49.8 %; VMS-only, 57.4 %; VMS + sleep/mood, 47.3 %), followed by serotonergic antidepressants (15.7 %; 9.7 %; 17.6 %, respectively). Most women (78.3 %) with moderate-severe VMS adopted LC, and 57.6 % used at least one OTC product for VMS relief. ConclusionsNearly a third of women with moderate-severe VMS had never received treatment despite access to healthcare. This, combined with the prevalent use of LC/OTC products, suggests an unmet need for new treatment options to manage VMS and concomitant sleep/mood symptoms.

Theoretical and numerical analysis on buckling instability in a thin film sandwiched between two finite-thickness substrates under in-plane compression

Capturing the buckling instability mechanics of multi-layered film/substrate structures is essential for providing theoretical guidelines for designing flexible electronics (e.g., stretchable interconnects and strain-limiting structures) and understanding the morphogenesis in biology and geology. Previous buckling models of tri-layer substrate/film/substrate structures usually assumed infinite substrate thickness and incomplete forms of interfacial shear stress, failing to distinguish between local wrinkling and global buckling. In this work, we extend our previous model (Yuan et al., 2023) by accounting for both finite substrate thickness and a complete form of interfacial shear stress, without assuming uniform membrane strain in the film, to study the buckling instability of tri-layer structures. The local wrinkling versus global buckling is distinguished through energy analysis, yielding phase diagrams for a wide range of geometric parameters and material properties. The effects of finite substrate thickness and moduli on the critical compressive strain and wavelength for the onset of local wrinkling are thoroughly investigated. The high accuracy of current model is demonstrated by the excellent agreement between analytical predictions and finite element analysis. This study provides new insights into the stability analysis of substrate/film/substrate systems, and will aid in the design of flexible electronics.

Orbifolded elliptic genera of non-compact models

We revisit the flavored elliptic genus of the N=2 superconformal cigar model and generalize the analysis of the path integral result to the case of real central charge. It gives rise to a non-holomorphic modular covariant function generalizing completed mock modular forms. We also compute the genus for angular orbifolds of the cigar and Liouville theory and decompose it in terms of discrete and continuous contributions. The orbifolded elliptic genus at fractional level is a completed mock modular form with a shadow related to U(1) modular invariants at rational radius squared. We take the limit of the orbifolded genera towards a weighted ground state index and carefully interpret the contributions. We stress that the orbifold cigar and Liouville theories have a maximal and a minimal radius, respectively.

Issues and implications of the life-sustaining treatment decision act: comparing the data from the survey and clinical data of inpatients at the end-of-life process

BackgroundHealth professionals had difficulty choosing the right time to discuss life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) since the Korean Act was passed in 2018.ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand how patients decide to undergo LSTs in clinical practice and to compare the perceptions of these decisions among health professionals, patients, and families with suggestions to support the self-directed decisions of patients.Research designA retrospective observational study with electronic medical records (EMRs) and a descriptive survey was used.MethodsThe data obtained from the EMRs included all adult patients who died in end-of-life care at a university hospital in 2021. We also conducted a survey of 214 health professionals and 100 patients and their families (CNUH IRB approval no. 2022-07-006).ResultsBased on the EMR data of 916 patients in end-of-life care, 78.4% signed do-not-attempt-resuscitation consents, 5.6% completed the documents for LSTs, and 10.2% completed both forms. LST decisions were mostly made by family members (81.5%). Most survey participants agreed that meaningless LSTs should be suspended, and the decision should be made by patients. Patients and family members (42–56%) and health professionals (56–58%) recommended discussing LST suspension when the patient is still conscious but with predicted deterioration of their condition. The suffering experienced by the patient was considered to be a priority by most patients (58%) and families (54%) during the decision-making process, while health professionals considered “the possibility of the patient’s recovery” to be the highest priority (43–55%).ConclusionsThere is still a significant discrepancy in the perceptions of LST decisions among health professionals, patients, and their families despite high awareness of the Act. This situation makes it challenging to implement the Act to ensure respect for the rights of patients to self-determination and dignified end-of-life. Further effort is needed to improve the awareness of LSTs and to clarify the ambiguity of document preparation timing.

A unified FFT framework with coupled gradient damage model and phase-field method for the failure analysis of composites

A unified FFT framework coupling the Gradient Damage Model (GDM) and the Variational Phase-Field Model (PFM) for failure analysis of composites is proposed. GDM and PFM are used to simulate the failure of the matrix and the interphase, respectively. Based on the similarity of the damage evolution equations (elliptic partial differential equations) of GDM and PFM, a unified iterative solution and numerical implementation based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) are derived, and simultaneously applied to a computational model. In addition, the high computational efficiency of the FFT method is used to solve the mechanical equilibrium problem. The complete form of the PFM is introduced to avoid erroneous damage diffusion at the different phase interfaces of the composites, and a stress decomposition-based PFM is formulated. 2D and 3D computational examples are established to investigate the mesh insensitivity of the damage models used and the erroneous damage diffusion at interfaces. The applicability of the stress decomposition-based PFM at interphase is discussed in the context of single-edge notched specimens under tension and fiber-reinforced composites with interfacial phases under transverse tension. Finally, the performance of the unified computational framework is evaluated using two simple numerical examples, and the mechanical behavior of unidirectional CF/PEEK composites under transverse tensile loading is simulated based on the unified framework. The results are compared with experiments to evaluate the computational accuracy and practical applicability of the proposed framework.

Educational Technology in Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Literature Review

The development of science and technology in the 21st century is currently digital-based. In line with technological progress and innovation, it also impacts the world of education, such as changes in pedagogy and approaches to facilitating and delivering learning content. The advantages and ease of use of technology in education also have great potential to modernize the methodology of traditional teaching and learning systems. Early Childhood Education is vital in becoming the foundation for children's growth and development towards a successful and highly competitive future so that they continue to develop. Educational technology is an inseparable component in supporting the learning process of early childhood. This research uses Systematic Literature Review (SLR) analysis. This research aims to thoroughly explore how technology is used in Early Childhood Education and what aspects of development occur in children who use EdTech in Early Childhood Education. The data source in this research is the Scopus database of 174 documents published in 2018-2022, screened by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria in three different rounds, 13 articles were analyzed in complete text form. This research shows that technology is used in early childhood education to improve cognitive aspects, language, arts, students' interest in learning, and preschool preparation for children. Types of technology that can be applied include PowerPoint, video, digital storytelling, drawing, digital stories, and so on. This research also explains that the use of technology must be adjusted to the age, education level and targets of students. Improper use of technology can cause problems such as children losing their ability to mingle with society and tend to be comfortable with online life. Aspects of development in children that make good use of technology are cognitive aspects, language, art, and increasing knowledge in children, as well as motivation to learn.

Utilization of Chiropractic Care at The World Games 2017: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to report utilization of chiropractic care during The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on treatment records. Thirty-five chiropractors trained in sports injuries provided care for athletes and non-athletes (support personnel) who voluntarily sought chiropractic care. Data included demographics (age, sex, role, country, and sport), category of anatomical regions treated, treatment modality (manipulation, myotherapy, mobilization, taping, and other), and participants’ self-reported pain ratings. ResultsA total of 1902 completed treatment forms representing 1902 encounters were included for athletes (n = 1238, 65%) and non-athletes (n = 664, 35%). There were 9385 individuals (athlete or non-athlete). Five hundred ninety of 3666 (16%) athletes and 422 of 5719 (7%) non-athletes received chiropractic treatment. Athletes represented 28 of 31 (90%) sports and 79 of 108 (73%) countries present. The thoracic spine was the most frequently treated spinal region (n = 846, 44%), followed by lumbar spine (n = 831, 44%) and cervical spine (n = 725, 38%). Frequency of treatment modalities was manipulation (n = 1610, 82%), myotherapy (n = 1522, 80%), mobilization (n = 607, 32%), and taping (n = 380, 20%). Acute injuries were more prevalent for athletes (61%) than non-athletes (35%), and athletes sought follow-up care (54%) more than non-athletes (36%). Overall, 89% of participants reported pain reduction immediately after treatment. ConclusionThis article describes chiropractic care utilization at a multisport event as part of a health care team. The range of treatments included manipulation myotherapy, mobilization, and taping. Although a minority of athletes and non-athletes received chiropractic treatment, many participants reported pain reduction immediately after treatment.

Construct validity of PROMIS pain interference, fatigue, and physical function as patient-reported outcomes in adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: An international study from the OMERACT myositis working group

BackgroundValidated patient-reported outcome measures to assess disease impact in patients with adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are needed. The objective of this study was to assess the construct validity of PROMIS Pain Interference, Fatigue, and Physical Function measures in comparison with core disease activity measures. MethodsAdults with IIM, excluding inclusion body myositis, from OMERACT Myositis Working Group (MWG) clinic sites completed PROMIS Short Form v1.0—Pain Interference 6a, PROMIS Short Form v1.0—Fatigue 7a, and PROMIS Short Form v2.0—Physical Function 8b measures. Core disease activity measures including patient and physician global disease activity assessments, manual muscle testing, serum creatine kinase activity, and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) were simultaneously assessed. To evaluate construct validity, a priori hypotheses for the expected correlations between PROMIS measures, age, and core disease measures were determined by >70 % agreement among MWG members and were compared against observed Pearson's correlations. Internal consistency of items and floor or ceiling effects for the PROMIS measures were also assessed. Subgroup analysis according to IIM subtype (dermatomyositis vs. non-dermatomyositis IIM) was performed. Results135 adults with IIM from 5 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia were included. For construct validity, a priori hypotheses were confirmed for 5 of 6 (83 %) PROMIS Pain Interference, 4 of 5 (80 %) PROMIS Fatigue, and 3 of 4 (75 %) PROMIS Physical Function correlations. Internal consistency was high for each PROMIS measure (Cronbach's alpha >0.9). Ceiling effects were observed only for PROMIS Pain Interference, with low/no pain in 29 % of patients. Subgroup analysis between dermatomyositis (n = 65) and non-dermatomyositis (n = 70) subtypes demonstrated similar correlations between PROMIS measures and disease activity measures. ConclusionsPROMIS Short Form v1.0—Pain Interference 6a, PROMIS Short Form v1.0—Fatigue 7a, and PROMIS Short Form v2.0—Physical Function 8b measures demonstrate strong construct validity when compared to core disease activity measures in IIM, with consistent results across IIM subtypes. These findings support the use of these selected PROMIS measures to assess core domains of interest for measuring life impact in IIMs.

Comparative Effectiveness of Developed Serious Game Versus Standardized Patients' Simulation in Nursing Education.

Background: Serious games provide a realistic environment in nursing education, a stimulating and experiential learning environment for developing skills necessary for learning, recognizing, analyzing, selecting, and applying information. Methods: This study aims to determine the impact of serious games and standard patient practices developed for nursing education on students' knowledge levels, satisfaction, self-confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. A serious game was designed using the educational principles of the diabetes course and developed using the 3D interactive content creation platform UNITY. One group played the game online, whereas another had a face-to-face experience. Both groups completed forms before, after, and 4 weeks later via Google Forms. Results: Quantitative analysis showed significant improvements in knowledge and increases in student satisfaction and confidence in learning in both the serious game and standardized patient groups. The groups had no significant differences in problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities (P > 0.005). Conclusion: Developing advanced clinical proficiencies in nursing students requires an engaging and reliable educational environment. Using serious games and standardized patient simulations in nursing instruction highlights the need for diverse digital teaching tools. Therefore, it is essential to support the professional development of nursing educators in these innovative modalities.

Impact of COVID-19 on Sleep, Anxiety, and Depression Among Medical Call Center Staff: Insights from a January 2021 Study.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 outbreak emerged as a dual threat, effecting both the physical and mental well-being of healthcare staff. This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), levels of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and the significant influencing factors during COVID-19 pandemic in 284 workers in a medical call center in January 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS Out of 443 pre-hospital care providers, 284 consented to participate. Data collection was done using an introductory information form, the PSQI for sleep quality, and the HADS for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D). Surveys were hosted on an online survey website and distributed via WhatsApp, with completed forms retrieved from the website. RESULTS Male sex (P=0.0001) and extended working hours in current workplace (P=0.017) were associated with higher HADS-A scores. Health problems, increased need for mental support, and poor job satisfaction correlated with lower HADS-D scores (P=0.025, P=0.005, P=0.0001, respectively) and higher PSQI scores (P=0.008, P=0.009, P=0.008, respectively). A moderately significant positive correlation was found between overall sleep quality and HADS-A (P=0.001, r=0.538) and HADS-D scores (P=0.001, r=0.493). CONCLUSIONS The pandemic significantly impacted the mental health and sleep quality of frontline healthcare personnel, necessitating the identification and mitigation of adverse psychosocial factors. Implementing and evaluating psychoeducational programs and establishing multidisciplinary mental health teams can provide for essential support and counseling, promoting the well-being of healthcare staff and ensuring effective emergency care.

An Analysis of Written and Spoken Discourse in English Assignment and Classroom Discussion

This study analyzed the students’ written and spoken discourse in English class about the material of congratulating people. In daily conversation, students have informal conversations. However, when it turns to discussion, they sometimes use formal forms of language even when talking to other students. Therefore, this study aims to find the types of formal language forms used by students during the discussion and the purposes of the use. The participants of this study are the eighth-grade students divided into four groups. A qualitative descriptive approach is applied in this study, and the data are analyzed with IRF. From the analysis, the students used formal forms of language in four types: neutral lexis, complete form, politeness, and turn-taking. This study observes the discussion between the students and how the students interact with each other, as well as whether there is some social problem within the class. Another perception from the researchers is that students need to be motivated to speak English more during English class, even if they are discussing with their friends or when they ask questions to the teacher

Treatment utilization and non-drug interventions for vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer survivors taking endocrine therapy: Real-world findings from the United States and Europe

ObjectivesVasomotor symptoms induced by endocrine therapy are common in breast cancer survivors and a risk factor for therapy discontinuation and lower quality of life. The REALISE study evaluated the real-world treatment landscape in breast cancer survivors with vasomotor symptoms taking endocrine therapy, including pharmaceuticals, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter products. Study designSecondary analysis of the Adelphi Vasomotor Disease Specific Programme™, a large cross-sectional point-in-time survey and chart review conducted in the US and five European countries (February–October 2020). Oncologists provided demographic, clinical, and treatment data for adult breast cancer survivors with induced vasomotor symptoms taking endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors); patients voluntarily completed self-report surveys on their symptom severity, concomitant sleep and/or mood symptoms, lifestyle changes, and use of over-the-counter products. Main outcome measuresPatient characteristics; vasomotor symptom severity; use of pharmaceuticals, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter products (from pre-defined lists); lines of treatment. ResultsOverall, 77 oncologists reported data for 618 breast cancer survivors, of whom 183 (29.6 %) completed self-report forms. Physicians classified 420 (68.0 %) women as experiencing moderate-severe vasomotor symptoms, of whom 66.9 % were receiving treatment. In total, 15.2 % of all breast cancer survivors were prescribed systemic hormone therapy. Venlafaxine (24.7 %), citalopram (16.5 %), and paroxetine (13.6 %) were the most commonly prescribed nonhormonal medications. Lifestyle changes (77.8 %) and over-the-counter products (61.6 %) were common, especially in patients with concomitant sleep and/or mood symptoms. ConclusionsDespite contraindications, a relatively large proportion of treatment-seeking breast cancer survivors with vasomotor symptoms were prescribed systemic hormone therapy. This, combined with high patient-reported use of lifestyle changes and over-the-counter products, suggests a need for symptomatic relief and demand for new nonhormonal alternatives with established safety profiles in this population.

Comparison of Medicare Claims-based Clostridioides difficile infection classification to chart review using a linked cohort

Background: Medicare claims are frequently used to study Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) epidemiology. Categorizing CDI based on location of onset and potential exposure is critical in understanding transmission patterns and prevention strategies. While claims data are well-suited for identifying prior healthcare utilization exposures, they lack specimen collection and diagnosis dates to assign likely location of onset. Algorithms to classify CDI onset and healthcare association using claims data have been published, but the degree of misclassification is unknown. Methods: We linked patients with laboratory-confirmed CDI reported to four Emerging Infections Program (EIP) sites from 2016-2020 to Medicare beneficiaries using residence, birth date, sex, and hospitalization and/or healthcare exposure dates. Uniquely linked patients with fee-for-service Medicare A/B coverage and complete EIP case report forms were included. Patients with a claims CDI diagnosis code within ±28 days of a positive CDI test reported to EIP were categorized as hospital-onset (HO), long-term care facility onset (LTCFO), or community-onset (CO, either healthcare facility-associated [COHCFA] or community-associated [CA]) using a previously published algorithm based on claim type, ICD-10-CM code position, and duration of hospitalization (if applicable). EIP classifies CDI into these categories using positive specimen collection date and other information from chart review (e.g. admit/discharge dates). We assessed concordance of EIP and claims case classifications using Cohen’s kappa. Results: Of 10,002 eligible EIP-identified CDI cases, 7,064 were linked to a unique beneficiary; 3,451 met Medicare A/B fee-for-service coverage inclusion criteria. Of these, 650 (19%) did not have a claims diagnosis code ±28 days of the EIP specimen collection date (Table); 48% (313/650) of those without a claims diagnosis code were categorized by EIP as CA CDI. Among those with a CDI diagnosis code, concurrence of claims-based and EIP CDI classification was 68% (κ=0.56). Concurrence was highest for HO and lowest for COHCFA CDI. A substantial number of EIP-classified CO CDIs (30%, Figure) were misclassified as HO using the claims-based algorithm; half of these had a primary ICD-10 diagnosis code of sepsis (226/454; 50%). Conclusions: Evidence of CDI in claims data was found for 81% of EIP-reported CDI cases. Medicare classification algorithms concurred with the EIP classification in 68% of cases. Discordance was most common for community-onset CDI patients, many of whom were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of sepsis. Misclassification of CO-CDI as HO may bias findings of claims-based CDI studies.

SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN RUSSIA IN THE 1990S: PROBLEMS AND PERIODIZATION OF THE FORMATION OF SOCIAL POLICY

The article analyzes the problems and periodization of the formation of social policy in Russia in the 1990s. After the collapse of the USSR, the abandonment of the socialist path of development and a sharp turn towards the capitalist path, expressed in radical market reforms, the Russian state, which began to copy and transfer the experience of developed Western countries to Russian realities, faced a dual task - to form an economic policy based on market principles and, again based on the experience of Western countries, a new social policy. Western states are not unanimous on social issues, but social policies are formed and implemented by all. There are three basic models of it, in which the participation of the state in the implementation of social tasks is outlined in different ways. However, the Russian authorities are faced not so much with the problem of choosing an appropriate model, but with the problem of adapting the state’s social obligations to the consequences of market transformations. The term “transformational model of social policy” even appeared in the scientific literature, indicating a state of transition, but it was not possible to unambiguously describe this term, since approaches to social transformation in different countries did not repeat each other. Moreover, the practice of transition to a market in Russia and other countries with a socialist background has shown different reactions to universal market laws and mechanisms. The Russian scenario turned out to be painful for the economy and social sphere. It was established that the social sphere was transformed in three stages, but none of them had a systematic and complete form. On this basis, we concluded that in Russia in the 1990s, social transformation laid some of the foundations for social policy. But it did not lead to the formation of social policy itself, which is incorrect to interpret as a certain sum of social measures, because any policy, including social policy, is usually understood as a mechanism developed by the state for regulating social relations, aimed at their harmonization.

Retrospective evaluation of ponticulus posticus prevalence, sella turcica types, and stylohyoid complex calcifications in a group of Turkish population.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess the incidence of ponticulus posticus and stylohyoid ligament calcification and to evaluate the morphological variations of the sella turcica within the Turkish demographic using CBCT scans. Involving a retrospective review of 460 CBCT scans and utilizing the NewTom 3G system, the study analyzed high-quality CBCT images to investigate ponticulus posticus, stylohyoid ligament calcifications, and sella turcica morphology. The ponticulus posticus was examined for complete or partial formations, while the stylohyoid ligament was classified according to its elongation and calcification patterns. The sella turcica was categorized into six distinct morphological types, enhancing the understanding of structural variations in the context of the Turkish population. The calcification patterns of the styloid processes were examined on both sides of 380 individuals, revealing the highest prevalence in the 'd' and 'e' categories on the right, and similar findings on the left among 373 individuals. Symmetric calcification patterns were more common, with 68.4% symmetry observed. For the sella turcica, category 'a' was the most frequent among 363 individuals. Analysis of ponticulus posticus absence and presence showed a majority lacking this feature on both sides, with complete and partial forms less common. The study highlights the anatomical variability and bilateral symmetry of the styloid processes, sella turcica, and ponticulus posticus, illustrating that these structures do not significantly vary with gender or age. These results hold clinical significance for the diagnosis and treatment of related conditions, prompting further investigation into their impact on patient care.

General practitioner and patient perspectives on intranasal corticosteroids for allergic rhinitis: Treatment duration and obstacles to adherence, findings from a recent survey

Background and objectiveCurrently, there are no guideline recommendations for the duration of intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR). We aimed to catalogue real-world AR-INCS prescription patterns. Materials and methodsThis multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study used online general practitioner (GP) and patient surveys from 4 countries. Eligible GPs had 3–35 years of practical experience, regularly prescribed INCSs for AR treatment, and had managed ≥5 patients with AR per month according to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines in the previous year. Eligible patients with AR were non-pregnant females or males, aged 18–65 years, previous AR-INCS users (≥12 months), and receiving GP-prescribed AR therapy. Survey participants were from countries with 15–50% AR prevalence and mostly prescription-only INCS use of ≥100 million units annually (Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Thailand). GP surveys and GP-completed patient record forms (PRFs) gathered AR-care and INCS-use data over 10 months; each GP completed patient record forms (PRFs) for 3 patients with AR under their care. The patient survey reflected actual AR-INCS experience, treatment duration, and adherence factors from patient perspectives. The target sample size was 75 GPs, 75 patients, and ≥30 respondents per country. ResultsFrom 900 GP-PRFs, the mean GP-recommended AR-INCS durations reported were 8.4 (Brazil), 8.3 (Mexico), 5.4 (Spain), and 6.4 (Thailand) weeks. From 300 patient surveys, mean reported INCS recommended durations were 6.4 (Brazil), 5.1 (Mexico), 4.0 (Spain), and 4.9 (Thailand) weeks; reported actual use durations were 6.2, 4.8, 3.6, and 6.4 weeks, respectively. The most frequent GP-PRF-reported factors influencing AR-INCS treatment duration were symptom severity (76–85%), symptom recurrence (49–73%), and existing comorbidities (33–57%). The most frequent GP-PRF-reported obstacles to adherence included forgetting to take medication regularly (54–100%), subsiding symptoms (42–91%), and being unable to continue activities (33–51%). Subsiding symptoms (36–53%) and reaching the prescription duration end (20–51%) were most frequent obstacles reported by the patient survey. Patients from all surveyed countries indicated that they visited the GP, a different physician, or a pharmacy for assistance with symptom recurrence; some patients also self-medicated. ConclusionsReal-world AR-INCS prescription durations vary between countries and actual use tends to be shorter than prescribed. Understanding underlying factors may support appropriate AR-INCS use. The study was not powered to statistically compare intercountry differences; hence, comparisons have not been drawn, and the small sample may not reflect a complete picture of clinical practice and patients with AR in each country.

New insights of selective rupture of synthetic sample under high voltage pulse discharge: A numerical simulation of electric field distribution

Herein, COMSOL Multiphysics is proposed to discuss the electric field distribution of synthetic sample during the high voltage pulse discharge crushing. The pulses number required for high voltage pulse discharge to crush the synthetic sample filled with magnetite is lower than that required for quartz-filled samples. The embedding mode that the magnetite is located on the central line between the high voltage electrode and the grounding electrode of the synthetic sample is most conducive to electrical breakdown of synthetic sample. The discharge channel developed along the magnetite edge and retains the complete crystal form of magnetite. Differences in dielectric constants are responsible for variations in electric field distribution. Magnetite alters the distribution state of electric field within synthetic samples to derive higher electric field intensity and more extensive areas with high electric field intensity. The peak electric field intensity at the interface of magnetite particles is higher than that of quartz. The presence of quartz particles hinders the development of certain discharge channels.