Identical Rates Research Articles

The Three-Class Annotation Method Improves the AI Detection of Early-Stage Osteosarcoma on Plain Radiographs: A Novel Approach for Rare Cancer Diagnosis

Background/Objectives: Developing high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) models for rare diseases is challenging owing to limited data availability. This study aimed to evaluate whether a novel three-class annotation method for preparing training data could enhance AI model performance in detecting osteosarcoma on plain radiographs compared to conventional single-class annotation. Methods: We developed two annotation methods for the same dataset of 468 osteosarcoma X-rays and 378 normal radiographs: a conventional single-class annotation (1C model) and a novel three-class annotation method (3C model) that separately labeled intramedullary, cortical, and extramedullary tumor components. Both models used identical U-Net-based architectures, differing only in their annotation approaches. Performance was evaluated using an independent validation dataset. Results: Although both models achieved high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.99 vs. 0.98), the 3C model demonstrated superior operational characteristics. At a standardized cutoff value of 0.2, the 3C model maintained balanced performance (sensitivity: 93.28%, specificity: 92.21%), whereas the 1C model showed compromised specificity (83.58%) despite high sensitivity (98.88%). Notably, at the 25th percentile threshold, both models showed identical false-negative rates despite significantly different cutoff values (3C: 0.661 vs. 1C: 0.985), indicating the ability of the 3C model to maintain diagnostic accuracy at substantially lower thresholds. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that anatomically informed three-class annotation can enhance AI model performance for rare disease detection without requiring additional training data. The improved stability at lower thresholds suggests that thoughtful annotation strategies can optimize the AI model training, particularly in contexts where training data are limited.

Accuracy of the Financial Distress Model in Transportation Firms: Altman, Springate and Grover Model

This study analyzes the comparison of financial distress prediction models in transportation firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2018–2020. Using a quantitative approach and secondary data, the study focuses on a sample of 7 firms selected through purposive sampling from a population of 27 firms. The analysis evaluates the Altman, Springate, and Grover models for their accuracy and error rates. Results show that the Altman and Springate models exhibit identical accuracy and error rates, with an accuracy level of 42.56% and an error rate of 57.14%. In contrast, the Grover model demonstrates superior performance with an accuracy level of 85.71% and an error rate of 14.29%. These findings establish the Grover model as the most accurate tool for predicting financial distress among the models tested. Managerial implications highlight the importance of utilizing accurate financial distress prediction models to identify potential financial issues early. This can aid transportation firms in improving financial management and ensuring operational sustainability. By adopting effective prediction models like the Grover model, firms can strengthen their capacity to mitigate risks associated with financial instability

An approach to select between the plausible kinetic models of a heterogeneous catalytic process using intraparticle diffusion with external mass transfer resistance

The reaction rate is sometimes thoroughly described by several kinetic models simultaneously. In this case, the discrimination of the particular model may be challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that a change in the rate-limiting step of a reaction mechanism may result in a significant deviation of the effectiveness factor even if the kinetic rate equations provide nearly identical reaction rates. On this basis, the comparison of the experimental effectiveness factor and the effectiveness factor calculated theoretically using the corresponding rate equations may shed light on the true reaction mechanism. Since many industrial processes operate under internal and external mass transfer limitations, the effectiveness factor is obtained by accounting for pore diffusion resistance and diffusion resistance at the outer surface of a catalyst particle. Verification of the obtained formalism is performed using the kinetic constants for the commercially available process of the methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether over γ-alumina catalyst.

Do migrants better in reintegration? A multicenter follow-up study on re-delinquency, addiction-related behavior and resocialization after German Forensic Addiction Treatment

In Germany, Forensic Addiction Treatment serves the purpose of reintegration into society. Patients with a migration background are over-represented, show slightly higher rates of premature termination and exhibit less successful outcomes. However, outcome research was often limited by conceptual ambiguities and insufficient control for confounding variables. In the present article, we defined reintegration as a comprehensive concept comprising three domains (re-delinquency, addiction-related behavior, resocialization). In a multicenter approach, 466 migrant patients were compared on 35 catamnestic variables to a group of non-migrants matched on the variables sex, main offense, main diagnostic group and age at discharge. For to seek evidence for and against interrelation, we applied both inferential and Bayesian statistics. Both groups show almost the same substance use behaviors and identical re-delinquency rates, with some tendency toward more serious re-offenses among non-migrants. The migrant-group combines more favorable patterns on relevant indicators of resocialization. However, while treatment is proving equally successful in terms of its core purpose of reintegration, it does not succeed in overcoming systemic barriers to accessing the general health care system, as migrants show more reluctant help-seeking behaviors. This, in turn, could increase the risk of long-term re-delinquency due to a lack of adequate post-forensic support. Hence, barriers should be reduced and treatment offers should be adapted to migrants’ needs.

Quantifying treatment burden: the patient burden score a study of 758 patients across three clinical urologic scenarios

ObjectivesTo develop a comprehensive scale that measures the three burden types of any treatment, including expected, unexpected (complications), and need for ancillary procedures.MethodsA panel of experts created a scale that assessed the burden of all aspects of treatment, including hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, and follow-up. The total score is defined as the burden score (BS). BS was calculated retrospectively for patients in three clinical scenarios in urology, each with two acceptable treatment options: patients with a small renal mass (T1a) treated with either partial nephrectomy (PN, 139 patients) or percutaneous ablation (PA, 83 patients), patients with bladder cancer (stages T2-4a, N0, M0) treated with radical cystectomy (RC, 162 patients) or trimodal therapy (TMT, 88 patients), and patients with upper ureteral stones ≤ 10 mm treated with either ureteroscopy (137 patients) or extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL, 150 patients).ResultsBoth PN and PA provided excellent oncological results (5-year recurrence-free survival ≥ 97%) and low complication rates. However, the BS of PN was more than twice that of PA (27.3 ± 7.7 vs. 12.5 ± 6.4, p < 0.01). RC and TMT showed identical 3-year disease-specific survival rates (73%), but the BS of TMT was significantly lower (53.8 ± 11.1 vs. 42.0 ± 11.6, p < 0.01). Both ureteroscopy and SWL have achieved high stone-free rates (≥ 97%) and low complication rates. However, the BS of ureteroscopy was significantly lower (7.8 ± 3 vs. 9.0 ± 3.5, p < 0.01).ConclusionPA treatment for small renal masses, TMT for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and ureteroscopy for upper ureteral stones provided similar success rates to those of PN, RC, and SWL, but with significantly lower BS. This tool can assist in patient consultation when multiple treatment options are available. The concept of BS can be extended to other fields of medicine.

Effect of Carrot Callus Cells on the Mechanical, Rheological, and Sensory Properties of Hydrogels Based on Xanthan and Konjac Gums.

The study aims to develop a plant-based food gel with a unique texture using callus cells and a mixture of xanthan (X) and konjac (K) gums. The effect of encapsulation of carrot callus cells (0.1 and 0.2 g/mL) on properties of X-K hydrogels was studied using the mechanical and rheological analysis with a one-way ANOVA and Student's t-test used for statistical analysis. Hedonic evaluation and textural features were obtained from 35 volunteers using a nine-point hedonic scale and a 100 mm visual analog scale with the Friedman's test and the Durbin post hoc test used for statistical analysis. Mechanical hardness, gumminess, and elasticity increased by 1.1-1.3 and 1.1-1.8 times as a result of encapsulation 0.1 and 0.2 g/mL cells, respectively. The addition of cells to the hydrogels resulted in an increase in the complex viscosity, strength, and number of linkages in the gel. The hydrogel samples received identical ratings for overall and consistency liking, as well as taste, aroma, and texture features. However, the callus cell-containing hydrogel had a graininess score that was 82% higher than the callus cell-free hydrogel. The obtained hydrogels based on gums and immobilized carrot callus cells with unique textures may be useful for the development of diverse food textures and the production of innovative functional foods.

Octane Response of Gasoline Fuels to Different Anti-knock Oxygenates Addition

Abstract A series of renewable and clean oxygenated compounds possessing high octane numbers, including alcohols, ethers, esters and furans, were used as octane boosters for gasoline fuels, and the octane responses of the gasoline fuels to these oxygenates addition were evaluated. Gasoline model fuels of different typical hydrocarbon compounds, including iso-octane, n-heptane, toluene, diisobutylene, and cyclohexane, were designed to have the identical octane rating. The research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) of the gasoline model fuels with anti-knock oxygenates addition were experimentally measured on a standard cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine. The results highlight the varied impact of anti-knock oxygenates on the octane enhancement of gasoline fuels, with 2-methylfuran exhibiting the most pronounced RON boost effect and ethanol demonstrating the strongest MON enhancement effects, and isopropyl ether and dimethyl carbonate shows the weakest RON and MON boost effects, respectively. The anti-knock enhancement effects of the oxygenated additives are dependent on gasoline fuel compositions. With the anti-knock oxygenates addition, PRF model fuel shows more significant octane enhancements, and the octane boosting effects are reduced for the gasoline model fuels containing toluene or diisobutylene, indicating an antagonistic interaction between the oxygenates and toluene/diisobutylene. By comparing the octane enhancement effects of the tested anti-knock additives, it is evident that 2-methylfuran and ethanol are the more superior anti-knock candidates for gasoline fuels.

Abstract 4123814: Long-term Incidence of Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients with and without Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery in the Swedish Obese Subjects Study

Background: Obesity shortens life expectancy, while bariatric surgery causes large weight loss and increases median life expectancy by approximately 3 years. However, weight regain after bariatric surgery is common, and its impact on health remains uncertain. In this study, we examined whether weight regain following bariatric surgery is associated with long-term cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Methods: We analyzed patients undergoing bariatric surgery in the prospective Swedish Obese Subjects study, aged 37-60 with a BMI≥34 (men) or ≥38 (women), recruited 1987-2001. Patients who regained ≥20% of their 1-year weight loss after 4 years (regain group; n=715) were compared to those who regained less (maintenance group; n=631). Information on cardiovascular disease as well as overall and cardiovascular mortality was obtained from the Swedish Population and Address Register, the Swedish Cause of Death Register, and the Swedish National Patient Register. Median follow-up was 27 years. Results: Average weight change from year 1 to year 4 was +12.8 kg and -0.2 kg in the regain and maintenance groups, respectively. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure) was similar between the groups, with 185 events in the regain group and 137 in the maintenance group. This corresponds to 11.6 events per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 10.1-13.5) for the regain group, and 10.0 events per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 8.3-12.4) for the maintenance group. The adjusted HR was 1.16 (95% CI: 0.92-1.46), p=0.213. During follow-up, there were 216 deaths in the regain group and 184 in the maintenance group, resulting in nearly identical overall mortality rates of 12.4 per 1000 person-years for both groups (95% CI for regain: 10.9-14.2, maintenance: 10.9-14.3). The number of deaths from cardiovascular disease was 77 in the regain group and 57 in the maintenance group, corresponding to similar incidence rates of 4.4 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 3.5-5.5) and 3.8 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 3.0-5.0), respectively (p=0.550). Conclusions: The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events, as well as total and cardiovascular mortality, was similar between the weight regain and maintenance groups. This suggests that the beneficial association between bariatric surgery and reduced cardiovascular events persists despite weight regain.

Abdominal Fascial Plication and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Abdominoplasty Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Repair of the abdominal fascia at the time of abdominoplasty is a valuable method to improve the contour of the abdomen. However, this maneuver has been linked to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This review was undertaken to evaluate the evidence. An electronic literature review was conducted to identify publications on the subject of abdominal fascial repair during abdominoplasty and VTE risk. Key words included abdominoplasty, fascial plication, intra-abdominal pressure, and venous thrombosis. Three large clinical studies were identified. One retrospective study using matched comparisons reported nearly identical VTE rates for patients treated with and without abdominal fascial plication (1.5% vs 1.7%). Another retrospective study reported significantly more VTEs (2.3%) in abdominoplasty patients undergoing fascial repair compared with panniculectomy patients who did not undergo fascial plication (0.36%). The author also recommended a modified Caprini score, adding fascial repair as a risk factor. Only 1 prospective study reported a large number of consecutive plastic surgery outpatients evaluated with Doppler ultrasound. This group included 188 abdominoplasty patients, all treated with fascial plication and without muscle paralysis. Only 1 VTE was diagnosed on the day after abdominoplasty (0.5%). Retrospective studies are susceptible to confounders and confirmation bias. Caprini scores do not have a scientific foundation. Chemoprophylaxis increases the risk of bleeding without reducing the risk of VTE. The best available evidence supports performing a fascial repair. An effective and safe alternative to Caprini scores and chemoprophylaxis is avoidance of muscle paralysis and early detection of VTEs using ultrasound screening.

Molecular evolution of toothed whale genes reveals adaptations to echolocating in different environments

BackgroundEcholocation was a key development in toothed whale evolution, enabling their adaptation and diversification across various environments. Previous bioacoustic and morphological studies suggest that environmental pressures have influenced the evolution of echolocation in toothed whales. This hypothesis demands further investigation, especially regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the adaptive radiation of toothed whales across multiple habitats. Here we show that the coding sequences of four hearing genes involved in echolocation (CDH23, prestin, TMC1, and CLDN14) have different signatures of molecular evolution among riverine, coastal, and oceanic dolphins, suggesting that the evolutionary constraints of these habitats shaped the underlying genetic diversity of the toothed whale sonar.ResultsOur comparative analysis across 37 odontocete species revealed patterns of accelerated evolution within coastal and riverine lineages, supporting the hypothesis that shallow habitats pose specific selective pressures to sonar propagation, which are not found in the deep ocean. All toothed whales with genes evolving under positive selection are shallow coastal species, including three species that have recently diverged from freshwater lineages (Cephalorhynchus commersonii, Sotalia guianensis, and Orcaella heinsohni - CDH23), and three species that operate specialized Narrow Band High Frequency (NBHF) Sonars (Phocoena sinus - prestin, Neophocaena phocaenoides - TMC1 and Cephalorhynchus commersonii - CDH23). For river dolphins and deep-diving toothed whales, we found signatures of positive selection and molecular convergence affecting specific sites on CDH23, TMC1, and prestin. Positively selected sites (PSS) were different in number, identity, and substitution rates (dN/dS) across riverine, coastal, and oceanic toothed whales.ConclusionHere we shed light on potential molecular mechanisms underlying the diversification of toothed whale echolocation. Our results suggest that toothed whale hearing genes changed under different selective pressures in coastal, riverine, and oceanic environments.

Nevedben a sorsod – globalizációs trend és helyi identitás tükröződése az Abaúji kistérség általános iskolásainak keresztneveiben

The purpose of the study is twofold: on the one hand, it examines the expression of trends in globalisation and local identity in the Christian names of grade 5–8 pupils at three research points in the Abaúj micro-region: Baktakék, Forró and Krasznokvajda. On the other hand, it presents a special Hungarian lesson organised in the primary schools of the settlements entitled Your destiny is in your name, in order to support education based on local values, to promote knowledge on onomastics, and to raise awareness of names as tools expressing ethnic and religious identity. The first part of the study explains the choice of the title Your destiny is in your name, while the second part summarises the objectives of the Creative Region Projects, which provide the framework for the lessons; it then presents the ethnic and religious diversity of the selected settlements. According to census data, these settlements have a dual identity rate of 37–39%, making the support of local identity through education a key objective. The third part analyses the Christian names of 121 pupils, followed by the fourth part, which presents the special lessons. Finally, the study concludes that the pupils’ Christian names mainly reflect globalisation trends instead of viewing their names as a way of expressing local identity. National and international celebrities have a strong influence on the choice of names, especially in this region, where rare, special names offer uniqueness against the uncertainty of social prominence. The lessons also pointed out that pupils generally associate the origin of a name with the background of its ‘iconic’ name-bearer which further directs the name stock in the direction of choosing international names, as these name-bearers represent high prestige. Among the names of foreign origin conveyed by the media, there are also names preferred by the community’s religious affiliation (e.g., Anastasia, Helena), but the modern name-bearers do not see them as expressions of religious identity. The use of Hungarian names is not only an expression of the sense of Hungarian identity either, since some of these names are hereditary in the families, while others are also common or popular names. The development of religious identity is hindered by the fact that the churches of the small settlements lack permanent service, and the schools in the study are maintained by the school district authorities, thus the names conveyed by the liturgy are becoming increasingly distant from the pupils. The experience from the special lessons indicates that pupils were unable to identify names preferred by religious affiliation. Due to their openness to unique names or a commitment to tradition, the pupils would be willing to reintroduce names that express local identity especially if those names belonged to historically significant figures with high prestige.

Abstract 231: Comparison of Device Costs and Recanalization Results for Mechanical Thrombectomy performed with the Monopoint Aspiration System, Conventional Contact Aspiration, or Combined Stentreiver/Aspiration

Introduction/Purpose As endovascular therapy for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has become standard of care, devices and techniques have evolved rapidly. Variability in options is accompanied by variability in device costs. This analysis examines device costs for the Route 92 0.088” Monopoint system compared to contact aspiration (CA) with previously available 0.060‐0.072” devices or combination stentriever/aspiration (SA) MT. Materials/Methods According to an IRB‐approved protocol, retrospective analysis was performed of AIS patients treated with MT across four high‐volume stroke centers in a regional health system. Querying prospectively maintained treatment records, patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) of the ICA terminus or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery were identified. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, LVO location, and technique and equipment utilized were noted. Patients treated with first‐line technique using the 0.088” Monopoint system for off‐label performance of mechanical thrombectomy were identified. For comparator groups, patients treated before the availability of the Monopoint system were identified and categorized as CA or SA based on the first‐line technique performed for MT. Patients with tandem occlusions, patients requiring rescue/bailout stenting for atherosclerosis, and patients treated with a first‐line technique not clearly within one of the three above‐described cohorts were excluded to limit confounding. All devices used in the procedure were then noted, and total costs were tabulated using uniform system‐wide prices in August 2024 regardless of procedure date to ensure effective cost comparisons. To compare device costs and MT passes among treatment groups, paired t‐tests were performed. Fisher's exact test was performed to assess crossover to a different technique, first pass effect (FPE) rates, and rates of final mTICI 2c/3 among the three groups. Results 58 patients met inclusion criteria with sufficient data for analysis. 20 were identified in the Monopoint group, 20 in CA, and 18 in SA. Monopoint and CA groups had identical FPE rates (60%), while Monopoint had a higher rate of final mTICI 2c/3 (95.0%) compared to CA (80.0%). For SA, FPE was 38.9% and mTICI 2c/3 83.3%. These differences were not significant for FPE (0.367) or final mTICI (p=0.374). Mean number of passes was 1.80 for Monopoint, 1.85 for CA, and 2.50 for SA (p=0.765). No crossover occurred in the Monopoint group (p&lt;0.001). Crossover rates were 30.0% in the CA group and 16.7% for SA. Smaller devices for distal occlusions were required in 30.0% of cases in the Monopoint group; such devices were needed in 30.0% of CA cases and 22.2% of SA cases. Total device costs were lowest in the Monopoint group ($7632, p&lt;0.001), compared to the CA group ($10,013) and SA group ($22,103). Conclusion Mechanical thrombectomy for occlusions of the ICA terminus or M1 had lower total costs of devices used when performed with the Monopoint system compared to contact aspiration performed with other devices or combination of stentriever and aspiration. The Monopoint group required no crossover to other techniques and resulted in FPE mTICI 2c/3 rates comparable to CA and superior to SA.

Implementation of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State in Pediatric Rheumatology Care: The Role of the Visual Analog Scale.

We compared the measurement properties of a traditional physician global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) 10-cm visual analog scale (PhGA0-10) with that of the three-point numeric scale (PhGA0-3) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) as part of the childhood Lupus Low Disease Activity State (cLLDAS). We used a secondary data analysis from a convenience sample of 100 patients with cSLE followed every three months for up to seven visits. Ratings of PhGA0-10, PhGA0-3, parent assessment of patient well-being (ParGA) (range: 0= very poorly, 10 = very well), disease activity as measured by the SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2k), Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) SLEDAI, and the British Isles International Lupus Activity Group index (BILAG; A = 9, B = 3, C = 1, D/E = 0) were compared. After linear transformation of PhGA0-10 to a 0 to 3 range (tPhGA0-10), the frequency of PhGA0-3 ≤1 was assessed to estimate the impact of scale type on the scoring of the cLLDAS. In 600 visits, the median (range) scores of PhGA0-10, PhGA0-3, SLEDAI-2k, SELENA-SLEDAI, and BILAG were 2 (0-10), 1(0-3), 4 (0-28), 4 (0-32), and 2 (0-28), respectively. PhGA0-10 and PhGA0-3 ratings were strong to moderately correlated with (r = 0.73; P < 0.0001) and with more variability for PhGA0-3 ≥2. SELENA-SLEDAI and SLEDAI-2k scores were moderately correlated with PhGA0-10 (r = 0.56/0.54; P < 0.0001). ParGA values were weakly correlated with all other measures considered (all r = -0.19 to -0.34). There were 490 of 600 visits with PhGA0-3 ≤1 and 497 of 600 visits with tPhGA0-10 ≤1 (κ (SE) =0.59 (0.04), McNemar P = 0.4). PhGA0-3 and PhGA0-10 have comparable measurement properties and yield almost identical cLLDAS rates when used in cSLE.

Phase 2 trial of PSMA PET CT versus planar bone scan and CT in prostate cancer patients progressing while on androgen deprivation therapy

For prostate cancer patients who experience biochemical progression during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) has not been prospectively compared to planar bone scan plus CT. This was a single-arm, head-to-head, prospective phase II trial (NCT04928820) designed to enroll 102 men with prostate cancer who experienced biochemical progression (rising prostate-specific antigen [PSA] ≥ 1 ng/mL) during ADT. All patients received 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP planar bone scans. Each scan was interpreted by three central independent readers. The primary endpoint was the per-patient bone metastasis detection rate of PSMA PET/CT versus planar bone scan and CT. Secondary endpoints compared the number of bone metastases detected per patient and the inter-reader agreement of each imaging modality. Twenty-two men were enrolled between July 2021 and June 2022. Due to slow accrual following approval of PSMA PET radiotracers in the U.S. and a lack of a statistical signal between the two imaging modalities on interim analysis, this trial was closed early on October 2022. Median PSA was 8.5 ng/mL (interquartile range: 1.6–77.6). There was 100% agreement between the two scans. Six patients (27%) had negative findings and 16 patients (73%) had positive findings on both scans. PSMA PET/CT and bone scan plus CT detected an equal number of bone lesions for 14 patients (64%), PSMA PET/CT detected more bone lesions for six patients (27%), and bone scan plus CT detected more bone lesions for two patients (9.1%) (p = 0.092). The inter-reader agreement rates of PSMA PET/CT and bone scan plus CT were 96% and 82%, respectively (p = 0.25). In men with biochemical progression during ADT, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP planar bone scan plus CT had identical bone metastasis detection rates. Bone scan plus CT can continue to serve as a cost-effective and readily accessible restaging modality in patients with biochemical progression. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04928820. Registered 16/06/2021.

The effects of work readiness, organizational justice and professional identity on the work performance of new nurses: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundWith the evolution of disease patterns and the continuous pursuit of persons for high-quality nursing services, new nurses are the reserve talents of the nursing team and shoulder a major mission. However, due to their low work performance and high turnover rate, this is not conducive to the stable development of nursing teams, and it is urgent to solve this problem. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of work readiness on the work performance of new nurses, focusing on the mediating role of organizational justice and professional identity.MethodA cross-sectional design was employed. Using convenience sampling methods, 607 new nurses were surveyed in 5 hospitals in Henan Province, China, from January to February 2023. Data were collected using demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Work Performance Scale, the Work Readiness Scale for Graduate Nurses, the Organizational Justice Scale, and the Professional Identity Rating Scale for Nurses. AMOS 26.0 was used for model drawing and mediation path testing, and SPSS 25.0 was used for data analysis.ResultsThe mediation model shows a good fit (χ2 /df = 2.747, CFI = 0.987, GFI = 0.948, AGFI = 0.926, TLI = 0.984, IFI = 0.987, and RMSEA = 0.054). In this study, we found professional identity is a mediating variable between work readiness and the work performance of new nurses (β = 0.113, P<0.01), organizational justice is a mediating variable between work readiness and the work performance of new nurses (β = 0.269, P<0.01) and Organizational justice and professional identity play a chain mediating role in work readiness and work performance (β = 0.066, P<0.01).ConclusionsThe study highlights the importance of improving the work performance of new nurses. To improve work performance, managers should create a fair atmosphere, formulate transparent policies, improve the organizational justice of new nurses, and promote the professional identity and work readiness of new nurses by holding activities or conducting lectures. This will help stabilize the nursing team, improve the medical environment, stimulate the work enthusiasm of new nurses, and contribute to the development of the hospital.

Coastal Dune Erosion and Slumping Processes in the Swash‐Dune Collision Regime Based on Field Measurements

AbstractThis paper studies hydrodynamic and morphodynamic field measurements of two storms with dune erosion in the swash‐dune collision regime. It analyses (a) the behavior and change of the total dune profile over the course of both storms (b) the erosion rate at the dune base, (c) the slumping frequency, and (d) the volumes of individual slumps. The erosion rate at the dune base shows a strong positive correlation with the square of the total water levels that were exceeded for 2% of the time, recorded approximately 5–6 m in front of the dune face (r = 0.91). Individual slumping events occurred when nearly all sediments from previous slumps at the dune base were transported away from the dune. A strong positive correlation was found between the time between two consecutive slumps, and the volume of the first slump divided by the mean erosion rate between the two slumps (r = 0.90). As a consequence, smaller slumps were followed more rapidly by a new slump than larger slumps, under identical erosion rates. The majority of the slumping events occurred after the last wave impact before a slumping event, when the instantaneous water level in front of the dune was still retreating. No clear process based on the incident hydrodynamics could be identified that determined the size of individual slumps. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the morphodynamic behavior of the upper dune face and dune crest is primarily steered by the erosion at the dune base.

Misinformation spreading on activity-driven networks with heterogeneous spreading rates.

The spread of misinformation on social media is inextricably related to each user's forwarding habits. In this paper, given that users have heterogeneous forwarding probabilities to their neighbors with varied relationships when they receive misinformation, we present a novel ignorant-spreader-refractory (ISR) spreading model with heterogeneous spreading rates on activity-driven networks with various types of links that encode these differential relationships. More exactly, in this model, the same type of links has an identical spreading rate, while different types of links have distinct ones. Using a mean-field approach and Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate how the heterogeneity of spreading rates affects the outbreak threshold and final prevalence of misinformation. It is demonstrated that the heterogeneity of spreading rates has no effect on the threshold when the type of link follows a uniform distribution. However, it has a significant impact on the threshold for non-uniform distributions. For example, the heterogeneity of spreading rates increases the threshold for normal distribution while it lowers the threshold for an exponent distribution. In comparison to the situation of a homogeneous spreading rate, whether the heterogeneity of spreading rates improves or decreases the final prevalence of misinformation is also determined by the distributions of the type of links.

Beta-Blocker in Heart Rate Control and Cardio Protection: The Role of ADRB1 Variants and HCN4 Regulation – A Systematic Review

Elevated heart rate is linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Sinoatrial (SA) nodes, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated-4 (HCN4) channels, and beta1-adrenergic receptor (ADRB1) are responsible for generating the heart rate. Beta-blockers have a cardioprotective effect on heart failure, including controlling heart rate. However, the responses to beta-blockers can vary among individuals. ADRB1 genetic variability may be contributed to the differential beta-blocker effect in heart failure. HCN4 also performs a crucial function in the pacemaker cells of the heart. Exploring the effect of beta-blockers in pacemaker cells is expanding the view of their role and their therapeutic response in heart failure. The objectives of this study were to identify ADRB1 genetic variants affecting heart rate response in heart failure subjects with beta-blocker treatment and to explore the effect of beta-blockers on HCN4 channels and SA nodes. A systematic review was performed using three databases. Eight of 668 manuscripts were selected. The systematic review found that ADRB1 genetic variants (A145G (Ser49Gly) and C1165G (Arg389Gly)) can affect heart rate response in beta-blocker-treated heart failure. The study also found that the percentage of patients with the Ser49Ser-Gly389X haplotype achieved a heart rate target was higher than other haplotypes. Individuals with the Arg389Arg genotype necessitated a markedly increased amount of beta-blocker dose to reach the identical heart rate target compared to those with the Gly389X gene variation. In addition, the review found that carvedilol, a beta-blocker derivative, demonstrated beneficial effects in inhibiting HCN-gated channels. Bisoprolol and carvedilol improved channel regulation in the SA Node by reversing the downregulation of HCN4 and sodium channels. In general, this systematic review provides important insights into beta-blockers in treating heart failure, specifically concerning the genetic variability of ADRB1 and the beta-blockers effect on the SA node and HCN4 channels.

Methodological proposal to approximate the sectoral impacts of a carbon tax at the regional level – the case of Chile

This study proposes a methodological approach to approximate the sectoral impacts of carbon taxes in the different regions of Chile through the environmental extension of intraregional input – output models. These models are calibrated by regionalizing technical coefficients using an indirect method called Industry-Specific Flegg Location Quotient. Carbon dioxide emissions at the regional and sectoral levels are obtained mainly from regional inventories of greenhouse gases, although in some sectors, they are calculated indirectly from fuel consumption. Then, tax scenarios are proposed that allow simulation of the effects on sectoral prices, levels of production, and emissions at the regional level. The results show that implementing an identical tax rate at the national level has a very heterogeneous impact on the country’s regions, with the regions of Atacama, Antofagasta, Valparaíso, and Biobío being the most affected economies in relative terms since most of the large thermoelectric power plants are located there.

Valorization of ashes from different wood species in cementitious materials

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential use of wood ash as a cement additive. Four wood specimens from Yaoundé city of (Cameroon) were used namely: Sapelli, Iroko, Movingui and Padouk. Five mortar were produced, with cement substitutions of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The fresh rheological, mechanical and hardened durability properties of various mortar were obtained after 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. The results showed that cement paste consistency and the cuing time increases with the addition of ash. At 28 days, the mortars obtained from the 5% and 15% Padouk and Movingui ash substitutes, respectively, showed optimum compressive strength (9%, 6%) and flexural strength (5%, 3%) compared with the control mortar. Due to continuous pozzolanic activity, this flexural gain is multiplied by 3 for Movingui mortar (9%) at 56 days. Compared with the 28-day and 56-day compressive strength results, there were increases of 5% and 4% respectively for the 5% and 15% ash substitutions in Padouk and Movingui mortars. Durability results were evaluated through absorption, which showed relatively identical rates in mortars containing ash from Padouk and Movingui wood, due to their water content for normal consistency. Chemical attack with H2SO2 and NaCl proved that the incorporation of ash improved the mortars' resistance to chemical attack. Thermal analyses and microscopic observations were performed with the optimum.