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This study examined nationally televised marathon coverage of three major U.S. marathons (the Boston Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the Tata Consultancy Services New York City Marathon) to understand how able-bodied men and women, and men and women using wheelchairs were represented. Just under 8 hr of coverage was analyzed for clock time and the descriptions of athletes divided by divisions of able-bodied men and women and wheelchair athlete men and women. Able-bodied women received the majority of clock time in Boston and Chicago, while able-bodied men received the majority of clock time in New York City. Athletes using wheelchairs, both men and women, received much smaller amounts of coverage, especially in New York City. Women received more announcer mentions in all three races, with a heavier focus on their background, coaching, and emotion, although the only statistically significant category was emotion. Experience and race strategy/training were heavily emphasized for all divisions. Through this analysis, race producers have more guidance on how to cover future marathons in a more equitable and appropriate manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Points: Question: Among low-income individuals, how does a cash benefit affect use of the emergency department and outpatient care? Findings: In this study of 2880 randomized participants, there were significantly fewer emergency department visits among those assigned to receive a monthly cash benefit compared with the control group (217.1 vs 317.5 emergency department visits per 1000 persons), including fewer emergency department visits leading to hospital admission and fewer emergency department visits related to behavioral health and substance use. There were more outpatient visits to subspecialists, particularly for individuals without a car. Meaning: Cash benefits changed patterns of health care utilization in ways that suggest policies to alleviate poverty may improve health and access to health care. Importance: Poverty is associated with greater barriers to health care and worse health outcomes, but it remains unclear whether income support can improve health. Objective: To examine the effect of cash benefits on health care utilization and health. Design, Setting, and Participants: The City of Chelsea, Massachusetts, a low-income community near Boston, randomly assigned individuals by lottery to receive cash benefits. Participants' medical records were linked across multiple health systems. Outcomes were assessed during the intervention period from November 24, 2020, to August 31, 2021. Intervention: Cash benefits via debit card of up to $400 per month for 9 months. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was emergency department visits. Secondary outcomes included specific types of emergency department visits, outpatient use overall and by specialty, COVID-19 vaccination, and biomarkers such as cholesterol levels. Results: Among 2880 individuals who applied for the lottery, mean age was 45.1 years and 77% were female. The 1746 participants randomized to receive the cash benefits had significantly fewer emergency department visits compared with the control group (217.1 vs 317.5 emergency department visits per 1000 persons; adjusted difference, −87.0 per 1000 persons [95% CI, −160.2 to −13.8]). This included reductions in emergency department visits related to behavioral health (−21.6 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, −40.2 to −3.1]) and substance use (−12.8 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, −25.0 to −0.6]) as well as those that resulted in a hospitalization (−27.3 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, −53.6 to −1.1]). The cash benefit had no statistically significant effect on total outpatient visits (424.3 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, −118.6 to 967.2]), visits to primary care (−90.4 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, −308.1 to 127.2]), or outpatient behavioral health (83.5 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, −182.9 to 349.9]). Outpatient visits to other subspecialties were higher in the cash benefit group compared with the control group (303.1 visits per 1000 persons [95% CI, 32.9 to 573.2]), particularly for individuals without a car. The cash benefit had no statistically significant effect on COVID-19 vaccination, blood pressure, body weight, glycated hemoglobin, or cholesterol level. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized study, individuals who received a cash benefit had significantly fewer emergency department visits, including those related to behavioral health and substance use, fewer admissions to the hospital from the emergency department, and increased use of outpatient subspecialty care. Study results suggest that policies that seek to alleviate poverty by providing income support may have important benefits for health and access to care. This randomized study uses electronic health record data to investigate how a monthly cash benefit delivered to low-income individuals affects emergency department and outpatient care utilization in a low-income US city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contains the description, translation, and discussion of Boston MFA 38-2-5, a limestone block found during excavation works at mastaba G(iza) 1203 carried out in 1938 under the supervision of G. A. Reisner. The object bears a dated hieratic inscription in red paint that for the first time is comprehensively translated and analysed. Using up-to-date digital image-enhancement processes, the reading of the date is improved, and certain lexical and grammatical features (the apparent use of a cardinal number instead of an ordinal, names of workforce units, etc.) are discussed. It is argued that the object had been deposited intentionally within the filling of the mastaba during its construction. The article contains a small palaeographic overview of the hieratic signs employed in the inscription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Endocrine Society formally addressed the issue of retirement for its members for the first time in a Workshop held on June 4 at ENDO 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Preparation for the workshop included 4 steps: (1) completion of a survey; (2) advice from a retirement expert; (3) extensive literature review; and (4) multiple pre-workshop discussions among the presenters. The survey found that retired endocrinologists are involved in a wide variety of professional and nonprofessional activities. The retirement expert and the literature review outlined several concepts underlying a successful retirement and the questions and decisions needed during the planning process. The presenters described several illustrative examples of retirement activities. A "Piece of My Mind" essay in the Journal of the American Medical Association written by the moderator (C.B.) expressed ethical considerations made feasible by the independence of her retirement status. The first presenter (A.R.) noted that the time available during retirement allowed mentorship, teaching in foreign countries and other institutions, and participation on international committees. The second speaker (K.F.) commented that expertise gained during practice of Endocrinology can be used for expert legal, pharmaceutical, and financial opinions. She also noted that volunteering for professional or nonprofessional groups provides an avenue for "giving back" to others. The final presenter (R.S.) stated that retirement provides an opportunity to embark on new clinical endeavors, such as managing patients via telemedicine in rural underserved areas. In summary, retirement is an important phase of a career and can be highly rewarding and enjoyable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mesulam Cancellation Test is a low cost, quick measure used to screen for hemispatial inattention. The task is also useful for observing a patient's organizational approach. We developed a method to quantify the organizational strategy used by patients in completing this visual scanning task. In this study, we evaluated the reliability of the new method. Participants were 40 patients seen in an outpatient neuropsychology clinic. The 34 men, 5 women, and 1 transitioning individual had a mean age of 49 (SD = 13.94), and mean education of 13.59 years (SD = 2.15). Two raters blinded to patient information provided independent ratings of organization using our new scoring method. Scores ranged from 1 to 5 based on increasing organization. Cohen's weighted Kappa and Spearman's rank order correlation indicated good interrater reliability (Κ(weighted) =.84; rs =.89). The average absolute difference between the raters was.25 (SD =.54). We also found preliminary evidence for the validity of the organizational measure. This study supports the reliability of this new embedded measure of organization. A next step will be to gather normative data, to further establish its validity, and to assess the reliability of the scoring system with other cancellation tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs quantitative and qualitative data from a large diverse sample of scientists and professionals active in Greater Boston's environmental and community development movements to pursue two lines of inquiry regarding experts and expertise in social movements. Statistical analysis and supporting qualitative analysis investigate, first, the extent to which expert's professional training and employment predict their mobilization into different social movements (a measure of embodied expertise) and, second, the more specific ways that experts' embeddedness in Boston-area businesses, law firms, and colleges and universities provide distinct mobilization pathways. Finding support for both, our conclusions emphasize the strategic value and heterogeneity of expert activists as a group and the importance of institutional analysis in understanding the dynamics and impacts of expert activism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Port operators and liner shipping companies attempt to gain cost and competitive advantages by providing services in complementary maritime-related areas. In line with this purpose, companies undertake a task known as Global Terminal Operator (GTO). Substantially, there are more than 21 GTOs of various sizes involved in container terminal operations worldwide, handling 80% of the total containerized cargo traffic. In recent years, there have been drastic changes in the GTO market with numerous mergers, acquisitions, and concessions. However, academic and sectoral studies have fallen short of keeping up with these changes. To fill the gap in research, a dynamic portfolio analysis has been carried out within the scope of this novel study for the first time for the GTOs with the help of BCG Matrix analyses. Findings reveal that GTOs followed different development paths with respect to their distinctive characteristics. Major operators maintained their market dominance, unlike the minors who followed an unsteady path of development. This paper contributes to the academic literature by conducting a comprehensive market analysis for the GTO sector and revealing the dynamic development courses as well as strategic competitive positions of the operators from a managerial perspective toward shaping future strategic plans of the industry stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of health program implementors and research analysts across seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) alongside Boston-based collaborators convened to implement data-driven approaches for public health response. An intensive statistics and data science training short course was developed to ensure that in-country researchers could implement the necessary statistical methods for COVID-19 surveillance. The main goal of the course was to enable interpretation of findings from time series analyses and flag potential data issues. This manuscript summarizes our experience teaching this course, including a detailed course overview, participant feedback, and thoughts on how targeted, online courses can be used to support statistical capacity building in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities of color have been historically excluded and marginalized in the ongoing conversations about climate preparedness and resilience at local, national, and global levels. Using focus groups composed of Boston communities of color (Asian American, Black, Latino, and Native American), this study aimed to understand their perspectives on climate change, providing in-depth knowledge of its impact and their views on preparedness and resilience. Research shows that these communities have long been concerned about climate change and emphasize the urgent need to improve climate preparedness. A multi-pronged approach is crucial: listening to communities of color to leverage local knowledge and leadership, engaging in community organizing, advocating for policy change, redirecting attention to institutional resources, and addressing systemic inequalities that exacerbate vulnerabilities. The findings of this study highlight the need for policy changes driven by collaboration and collective action, which can benefit those most negatively impacted by climate change and the lack of preparedness and resilience in Boston and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding to the polarized view of artists either being displaced or co-opted in urban regeneration, this paper unveils a middle ground in which artists also act as partners or co-producers in these processes. We illustrate this intermediary role in property development processes with reference to a case study of the Seaport Innovation District in Boston by drawing upon a survey of resident artists and interviews with artists, planners, architects and economic development specialists. The paper makes two contributions to the literature. It offers a fresh look at the dialectical relationship between cultural and economic modes of production by more fully integrating consideration of artists’ sensibilities and practice with those of a host of built environment disciplinary practices including architects, planners and real estate developers. As a result, it extends extant analysis of urban regeneration-led gentrification from its urban planning, geography and sociology disciplinary roots into the disciplines of architecture and real estate. Our findings lead onto a research agenda centered on consideration of the intermediary roles played by creative and cultural sector actors and how creativity might be captured to positive effect, in the production of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Points: Question: Is stepped care, with palliative care visits occurring only at key points in patients' cancer trajectories and using a decrement in quality of life (QOL) to trigger more intensive palliative care, an effective model for delivering palliative care to patients with advanced cancer? Findings: In this randomized trial of 507 adults with advanced lung cancer, patients assigned to stepped palliative care had significantly fewer palliative care visits and reported QOL scores at week 24 that were noninferior (adjusted mean, 100.6 vs 97.8; P <.001) to the QOL scores of patients assigned to an early palliative care model with monthly visits after diagnosis. Meaning: Stepped palliative care is an effective and more scalable means to deliver palliative care to improve QOL for patients with advanced lung cancer. Importance: Despite the evidence for early palliative care improving outcomes, it has not been widely implemented in part due to palliative care workforce limitations. Objective: To evaluate a stepped-care model to deliver less resource-intensive and more patient-centered palliative care for patients with advanced cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, nonblinded, noninferiority trial of stepped vs early palliative care conducted between February 12, 2018, and December 15, 2022, at 3 academic medical centers in Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Durham, North Carolina, among 507 patients who had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer within the past 12 weeks. Intervention: Step 1 of the intervention was an initial palliative care visit within 4 weeks of enrollment and subsequent visits only at the time of a change in cancer treatment or after a hospitalization. During step 1, patients completed a measure of quality of life (QOL; Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Lung [FACT-L]; range, 0-136, with higher scores indicating better QOL) every 6 weeks, and those with a 10-point or greater decrease from baseline were stepped up to meet with the palliative care clinician every 4 weeks (intervention step 2). Patients assigned to early palliative care had palliative care visits every 4 weeks after enrollment. Main Outcomes and Measures: Noninferiority (margin = −4.5) of the effect of stepped vs early palliative care on patient-reported QOL on the FACT-L at week 24. Results: The sample (n = 507) mostly included patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (78.3%; mean age, 66.5 years; 51.4% female; 84.6% White). The mean number of palliative care visits by week 24 was 2.4 for stepped palliative care and 4.7 for early palliative care (adjusted mean difference, −2.3; P <.001). FACT-L scores at week 24 for the stepped palliative care group were noninferior to scores among those receiving early palliative care (adjusted FACT-L mean score, 100.6 vs 97.8, respectively; difference, 2.9; lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit, −0.1; P <.001 for noninferiority). Although the rate of end-of-life care communication was also noninferior between groups, noninferiority was not demonstrated for days in hospice (adjusted mean, 19.5 with stepped palliative care vs 34.6 with early palliative care; P =.91). Conclusions and Relevance: A stepped-care model, with palliative care visits occurring only at key points in patients' cancer trajectories and using a decrement in QOL to trigger more intensive palliative care exposure, resulted in fewer palliative care visits without diminishing the benefits for patients' QOL. While stepped palliative care was associated with fewer days in hospice, it is a more scalable way to deliver early palliative care to enhance patient-reported outcomes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03337399 This randomized clinical trial assesses whether a stepped-care model of palliative care is noninferior to early integrated palliative care based on patient-reported quality of life among patients with advanced lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Physical activity is recommended as part of guideline-based care for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at all stages of the disease. However, physical activity interventions are less effective in individuals with co-occurring emotional distress (i.e. depression and/or anxiety symptoms). Interventions that dually promote improved physical and mental health in COPD are needed. The first step for intervention development is understanding individuals' experience of these factors. Purpose To understand the experience of emotional distress in U.S. Veterans diagnosed with COPD and to explore how emotional distress impacts physical activity engagement. Methods Structured interviews informed by the cognitive and behavioral models of psychopathology were conducted with 29 United States Veterans with COPD (89.66% male, age 67.72 ± 6.55 years, 93.10% White) at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and underwent thematic analysis. Results Three major themes encapsulating 17 codes emerged through thematic analysis: (i) the experience of emotional distress in Veterans with COPD; (ii) the complex relationship between emotional distress, physical activity engagement, and COPD; (iii) contextual and personal factors. Conclusions Veterans' interpretation of their COPD symptoms as unpredictable and uncontrollable and COPD-related physical limitations influenced their experience of emotional distress, while the experience of emotional distress both promoted and deterred physical activity engagement. Veterans were motivated to engage in physical activity despite experiencing emotional distress when they faced a responsibility in daily life. They identified motivational strategies and self-regulation techniques to manage emotional distress and to foster physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a debilitating multisymptom condition that affects nearly a third of 1990–91 Gulf War (GW) veterans. Symptoms include pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive decrements. Our work has shown that GWI rates and potential causes for symptoms vary between men and women veterans. Studies have documented neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings mostly in men or combined sex datasets. Data are lacking for women veterans due to lack of power and repositories of women veteran samples. Methods: We characterized GW women veterans in terms of demographics, exposures, neuropsychological and neuroimaging outcomes from the newly collated Boston, Biorepository and Integrative Network (BBRAIN) for GWI. Results: BBRAIN women veterans are highly educated with an average age of 54 years. 81% met GWI criteria, 25% met criteria for current PTSD, 78% were white, and 81% served in the Army. Exposure to combined acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEi) including skin pesticides, fogs/sprays and/or pyridostigmine bromide (PB) anti-nerve gas pill exposure resulted in slower processing speed on attentional tasks and a trend for executive impairment compared with non-exposed women. Brain imaging outcomes showed lower gray matter volumes and smaller caudate in exposed women. Conclusions: Although subtle and limited findings were present in this group of women veterans, it suggests that continued follow-up of GW women veterans is warranted. Future research should continue to evaluate differences between men and women in GW veteran samples. The BBRAIN women sub-repository is recruiting and these data are available to the research community for studies of women veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the impact of prior therapies on outcomes with selinexor, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (SVd) versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) in 402 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the phase 3 BOSTON trial. Methods: Post hoc analysis of progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety for lenalidomide‐refractory, proteasome inhibitor (PI)‐naïve, bortezomib‐naïve, and one prior line of therapy (1LOT) patient subgroups. Results: At a median follow‐up of over 28 months, clinically meaningful improvements in PFS were noted across all groups with SVd. The median SVd PFS was longer in all subgroups (lenalidomide‐refractory: 10.2 vs. 7.1 months, PI‐naïve: 29.5 vs. 9.7; bortezomib‐naïve: 29.5 vs. 9.7; 1LOT: 21.0 vs. 10.7; p <.05). The lenalidomide‐refractory subgroup had longer OS with SVd (26.7 vs. 18.6 months; HR 0.53; p =.015). In all subgroups, overall response and ≥very good partial response rates were higher with SVd. The manageable safety profile of SVd was similar to the overall patient population. Conclusions: With over 2 years of follow‐up, these clinically meaningful outcomes further support the use of SVd in patients who are lenalidomide‐refractory, PI‐naïve, bortezomib‐naïve, or who received 1LOT (including a monoclonal antibody) and underscore the observed synergy between selinexor and bortezomib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the context, precedents, contents, distribution, and socio-economic ramifications of deed restrictions in early-nineteenth century Boston, reviewing examples of restrictions' use and a comprehensive survey of the 1800–1839 deeds of five grantors. It shows how Boston's government and then private land developers began using deed restrictions in regards to building use, materials, height, and bulk in select geographies during this period. They did so to guarantee prestigious and stable home and work environments to wealthy consumers in the fast-changing urban context, in turn bringing into existence a prized and exclusive stratum of urban residential and commercial property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we prove the compressible Euler limit from the Boltzmann equation with hard sphere collisional kernel and complete diffusive boundary condition in half-space by employing the Hilbert expansion which includes interior and Knudsen layers. This rigorously justifies the corresponding formal analysis in Sone's book [ Molecular gas dynamics , Birkhäuser Boston, Inc., Boston, MA, 2007] in the context of short time smooth solutions, and also generalizes the classic Caflisch's result [Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 33 (1980), pp. 651–666] to initial-boundary problem case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess incidence, risk factors, and treatment of retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) formation in eyes following Boston keratoprosthesis (Kpro) implantation and their correlation with glaucoma drainage device placement (GDD). Methods: A retrospective review was performed on eyes that underwent Kpro type I or II implantation between 2005 and 2020 at a tertiary academic center. Multiple variables were collected including preoperative characteristics, presence of RPM, management of RPM, and outcomes including corrected visual acuity (VA). A Fischer's exact test was used to evaluate the significance of risk factors of RPM formation and an odds ratio was calculated for each possible risk factor. A Mann–Whitney U test was used to evaluate comparisons between outcomes and qualitative analyses. Results: Of the 87 eyes identified, 37 (43%) developed an RPM within an average of 1.5 years (range, 31 days–7.5 years) following Kpro implantation. Mean follow-up duration was 4.3 years. Eyes that developed RPM had significantly worse preoperative VA compared to those that did not (logMAR 2.55 vs. 2.28, p = 0.022). The mean number of prior penetrating keratoplasty procedures trended higher in eyes that developed RPM (2.46 vs. 2.18, p = 0.44) but was not significant. GDD placement after Kpro implantation was associated with an increased risk of RPM formation (RR = 1.69 p = 0.026). Of the 37 eyes that developed an RPM following Kpro, 17 (47%) were treated with Nd:YAG laser, and four of those 17 (21%) also underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Seven of 37 eyes (19%) underwent PPV without Nd:YAG. Comparisons between RPM occurrence and final VA were not significant. Conclusions: The incidence of RPM formation following Kpro implantation was 43%. Eyes that developed RPM had significantly worse preoperative VA. GDD placement after Kpro implantation increased the risk of developing RPM. Final VA and occurrence of RPM were not significantly different between the Nd:YAG and PPV treatment groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are prone to skin cancer due to the immunosuppression required to maintain graft function. Existing studies of skin cancer in RTRs focus on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I‐II, with limited documentation of incidence in skin types III‐VI. This study seeks to better characterize skin cancers in RTRs with skin types III‐VI. Primary aims: Compare the incidence of skin cancer in RTRs of skin types I‐II with skin types III‐VI. Secondary aims: Explore the association between the development of skin cancer and other contributing factors in RTRs of skin types I‐VI. Methods: Retrospective chart review of RTRs at a single institution between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2022. Patients were followed from the date of transplant to the last clinical follow‐up or death. 777 RTRs were included in the study, including 245 patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I‐II and 532 with skin types III‐VI. A total of 48 patients developed NMSCs, 2 patients developed melanoma, and 3 patients developed Kaposi sarcoma. Results and conclusions: There is a higher incidence of skin cancer in RTRs with Fitzpatrick skin types III‐VI compared to the reported incidence among non‐transplant recipients of the same skin types, but the incidence remains considerably lower compared to RTR of skin types I‐II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores a novel high-dimensional sparse multiplicative model, which deal with data with positive responses, particularly in economical and biomedical researches. The proposed regularized method is conducted on the least product relative error (LPRE), and can be applied on various penalties including adaptive Lasso, SCAD, and MCP. An adjusted ADMM algorithm is adopted to obtain the estimators based on LPRE loss. Additionally, we prove the consistency and compute the convergence rates of the estimator. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conduct extensive numerical studies and real data analysis, yielding valuable insights and practical applications, utilizing well-known datasets of the Boston housing data and gold price data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asians and Asian Americans have the lowest rate of mental health service utilization (25%) in the US compared to other racial/ethnic groups (39 − 52%), despite high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The lack of culturally-responsive mental health trainings hinders access to mental health services for these populations. We assessed the mental health priorities of Asian communities in Greater Boston and evaluated cultural responsiveness of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a first-responder training teaching participants skills to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and how to appropriately respond. Methods: This is community-based participatory research with the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), Asian Women For Health (AWFH), and the Addressing Disparities in Asian Populations through Translational Research (ADAPT) Coalition. We conducted focus groups with community-based organization staff and community members to assess mental health priorities of Asian populations in Boston, MA. We then evaluated the utility and cultural-responsiveness of the English-language MHFA for Asian populations through pre- and post-training questionnaires and focus groups with community participants. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate questionnaire responses. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews. Results: In total, ten staff and eight community members participated in focus groups, and 24 community members completed the MHFA and pre- and post-training questionnaires. Common mental health challenges in the Asian communities reported by participants were loneliness, high stigma around mental illnesses, academic pressure, and acculturation stress. Compared to pre-training, MHFA participants demonstrated lower personal mental health stigma (p < 0.001) and higher mental health literacy (p = 0.04) post-training. Participants also noted the lack of data statistics and case studies relevant to Asian populations in the training, and desired the training be offered in languages spoken by Asian ethnic subgroups (e.g., Chinese, Vietnamese). Conclusion: Cultural-responsiveness of the MHFA for Asian populations could be improved with the inclusion of data and case studies that capture common mental health challenges in the Asian communities and with translation of the MHFA to non-English languages predominant in Asian communities. Increasing the cultural relevance and language accessibility of the MHFA could facilitate wider adoption of these trainings across communities and help to reduce mental health stigma and gaps in literacy and service utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social needs inhibit receipt of timely medical care. Social needs screening is a vital part of comprehensive cancer care, and patient navigators are well-positioned to screen for and address social needs. This mixed methods project describes social needs screening implementation in a prospective pragmatic patient navigation intervention trial for minoritized women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) was conducted at five cancer care sites in Boston, MA from 2018 to 2022. The patient navigation intervention protocol included completion of a social needs screening survey covering 9 domains (e.g., food, transportation) within 90 days of intake. We estimated the proportion of patients who received a social needs screening within 90 days of navigation intake. A multivariable log binomial regression model estimated the adjusted rate ratios (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of patient socio-demographic characteristics and screening delivery. Key informant interviews with navigators (n = 8) and patients (n = 21) assessed screening acceptability and factors that facilitate and impede implementation. Using a convergent, parallel mixed methods approach, findings from each data source were integrated to interpret study results. Results: Patients' (n = 588) mean age was 59 (SD = 13); 45% were non-Hispanic Black and 27% were Hispanic. Sixty-nine percent of patients in the navigators' caseloads received social needs screening. Patients of non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (aRR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.06–1.48) and those with Medicare insurance (aRR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.04–1.23) were more likely to be screened. Screening was universally acceptable to navigators and generally acceptable to patients. Systems-based supports for improving implementation were identified. Conclusions: Social needs screening was acceptable, yet with modest implementation. Continued systems-based efforts to integrate social needs screening in medical care are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inform clinical trial design and real-world precision pediatric oncology practice, we classified diagnoses, assessed the landscape of mutations, and identified genomic variants matching trials in a large unselected institutional cohort of solid tumors patients sequenced at Dana-Farber / Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Tumors were sequenced with OncoPanel, a targeted next-generation DNA sequencing panel. Diagnoses were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O-3.2). Over 6.5 years, 888 pediatric cancer patients with 95 distinct diagnoses had successful tumor sequencing. Overall, 33% (n = 289/888) of patients had at least 1 variant matching a precision oncology trial protocol, and 14% (41/289) were treated with molecularly targeted therapy. This study highlights opportunities to use genomic data from hospital-based sequencing performed either for research or clinical care to inform ongoing and future precision oncology clinical trials. Furthermore, the study results emphasize the importance of data sharing to define the genomic landscape and targeted treatment opportunities for the large group of rare pediatric cancers we encounter in clinical practice. Mutation profiling of pediatric cancers can help determine treatment options, however, large-scale datasets are rare. Here, the authors describe an institutional application of targeted sequencing to pediatric solid tumours, and identify potential therapeutic implications for identified mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communitarians argue that social identity is formed through the connection between individuals and their communities. The purpose of this study is to examine how the institution of journalism functions as part of a larger community. Media influence and are influenced by the larger social, cultural, legal, political, and economic systems in which they operate. This textual analysis focused on the breakdown of four Boston institutions—the Catholic Church, the police force, the justice system, and the daily newspaper—depicted in the film Spotlight. These institutions failed their community, allowing decades of sexual abuse to go unrecognized and unpunished—at least until the Spotlight team investigated allegations against Catholic priests. Through the lens of communitarian ethics, the researchers argue that stakeholders must recognize the need for a strong community from which the press can report, explain, correct, and connect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first of its kind experimental verification of dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LET d) optimized treatment plans for proton therapy has been carried out using a silicon-on-insulator microdosimeter at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA. Three clinical treatment plans of a typical ependymoma structure set were designed using the standard clinical approach, the proposed protocol approach, and a one-field approach. The plans were then reoptimized to reduce the LET d -weighted dose in the brain stem. All six plans were delivered in a solid water phantom and the experimental y D ‾ measured. After LET d optimization, a reduction in y D ‾ was found within the brain stem by an average of 12%, 19%, and 4% for the clinical, protocol, and one-field plans, respectively, while maintaining adequate coverage of the tumor structure. The experimental LET d -weighted doses were in agreement with the treatment planning system calculations and Monte Carlo simulations and reinforced the improvement of the optimization. This work demonstrates the first experimental verification of the clinical implementation of LET d optimization for patient treatment with proton therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sloyd Training School, an early twentieth-century private school for teachers in Boston, attempted to legitimize the Sloyd method of handiwork. Specifically, its Alumni Association's publication Sloyd Record brought together educators across the country to make a case for Sloyd's relevancy and impact on the academic and professional development of students, particularly students who were working poor or receiving educations in non-traditional settings. Its contributors painted Sloyd as a form of knowledge and a resource, as a literacy, and their rhetorical effectiveness was predicated upon Sloyd's ability to be painted as such in its far-reaching effects and comprehensiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), conservative management did not show satisfactory results, and some patients required revision surgery due to persistent or recurrent symptoms. Ultrasound (USG)-guided median nerve (MN) hydrodissection with a 5% dextrose injection is an advanced approach for treating symptoms of CTS. We prospectively investigated the patients to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of this approach. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of USG-guided nerve hydrodissection using single injection of 5% dextrose on pain, MN conduction parameters, and functional status in patients with CTS of mild–to-moderate grade. The study also predicts about the safety of the procedure. Materials and Methods: A study was performed in the pain clinic of the tertiary care teaching institute of India for one year. The study included 15 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate CTS. The diagnosis was done on the basis of history, physical examination, and a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) study. Patients were given analgesics and NSAIDS and enrolled in the procedure. Parameters used for statistical analysis were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, NCV study data (sensory conduction velocity [SNCV] and distal motor latency [DML]), and Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ) scores. Pre-injection parameters were compared with parameters 3 months after the injection to show the usefulness of this procedure. Results: A statistically significant reduction in VAS score was found in 74% of the cases (P<0.05). The nerve conduction study parameters have shown significantly higher SNCV and lower DML latency in 60% of cases (P=0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). Improved BCTQ scores were found in 80% of cases (for the symptom severity scale, P=0.001 and for the functional status scale, P<0.01). No complications such as allergic reactions, sensory loss, or paresis were recorded post-injection. However, transient injection site pain was present in all patients which did not last for more than 24 h. Conclusion: MN hydrodissection using a single injection of 5% dextrose under USG is a safe and effective approach offering pain relief, better MN conduction, and improved functional status in patients with CTS of mild-to-moderate grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hospital patient‐care workers have high occupational injury rates. While physical hazards within hospital work environments are established determinants of injury, social exposures may also contribute. This study examined how reports of unfair treatment at work, a dimension of work‐related experiences of discrimination, were associated with injury among hospital‐based patient‐care workers. Methods: We used data from the Boston Hospital Workers Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of nurses and nursing assistants at two Boston‐area hospitals. In 2018, we conducted a worker survey asking about three types of unfair treatment at work and occupational injuries during the past year. We used mixed‐effects logistic regression models to evaluate associations between specific types, total load, and high‐frequency exposure of unfair treatment with injury, adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, job title, and unit type. Results: Among 1001 respondents, 21% reported being humiliated in front of others at work, 28% reported being watched more closely than other workers, and 47% reported having to work twice as hard as others for the same treatment. For each type of unfair treatment, we observed a monotonic relationship with occupational injury wherein increasing frequency of exposure was associated with increased odds of injury. We also observed monotonic relationships between total load and high‐frequency exposure to unfair treatment and odds of injury. Conclusions: Work‐related unfair treatment is associated with injury among hospital workers. Programs and policies that focus on preventing unfair treatment may lessen injury burden in hospital workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban radio‐frequency (RF) noise generated by our cities continues to change with time. Although models exist to describe the RF noise as functions of frequency and urban land use types, very few models describe the spatial character or structure of the noise on the scales of city blocks (50–150 m). The goal of this work is to investigate the connection between urban morphology and the higher‐order spatial statistics of the noise field. To achieve this goal, a large measurement campaign was conducted in Boston, Massachusetts. Many spatial measurements allowed for calculation of spatial correlation functions of noise power in three different neighborhoods, which were used to quantify the spatial structure of the fields. A statistical point source model is then developed, with adjustable parameters relating to urban morphology. Good agreement between the model and the experimental correlation functions suggests the 25 MHz urban noise field is well described by a random network of fixed point sources, radiating with a 1/r power law behavior. Plain Language Summary: Our modern cities are filled with electronic devices. Each device can emit radiation and contribute to what is called the urban radio‐frequency noise field. The noise field is the combined effect from all these devices. If the noise field is strong enough it can negatively impact wireless communication, and the use of other electric devices. It is important to better understand the nature of the noise field in order to mitigate and plan for its negative effects. This paper describes in detail how the noise field is distributed in space, or its spatial structure. A theoretical model or tool is developed to help predict how the noise field looks spatially. Key Points: Radio‐frequency noise spatial correlation functions were calculated for three different neighborhoods in Boston, MassachusettsGood theoretical agreement suggests the noise field is well described by a random network of point sources radiating with a 1/r behavior [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between education and voting, specifically focusing on students attending charter schools in Boston. The research indicates that higher levels of education are associated with higher rates of voting, particularly for girls. The study suggests that noncognitive attributes such as grit and self-control, which are developed through education, may contribute to this trend. The findings also highlight widening gender gaps in educational attainment and political participation. The article concludes by raising the question of how schools can enhance non-cognitive skills development in boys and increase civic participation among young men. Additionally, the article discusses the impact of attending charter schools on voter turnout among students. The study finds that charter school students are more likely to vote than non-charter students, with the most significant difference observed in the first presidential election after they turn 18. Female charter students experience significant gains in voting, as do students who receive free or reduced-price school lunch, English language learners, and students with higher scores on state tests. The study suggests that noncognitive skills, rather than cognitive skills, may be the key factor in explaining the increased civic participation among charter school graduates. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the advantages of student debate leagues in Boston, specifically focusing on their ability to enhance public speaking, critical thinking, and communication skills. A study conducted by the University of Virginia and Harvard reveals that Boston Public School students who participate in policy debate experience improved academic performance, including higher English language arts scores, increased graduation rates, and enrollment in four-year colleges and universities. The Boston Debate League (BDL) supports debate teams in Boston Public Schools, particularly those with low-income students of color who may lack the resources to form their own debate teams. The BDL strives to create an inclusive debate culture that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and academic levels. The article also features personal testimonies from participants, highlighting the positive impact of debate on individual students. The BDL organizes tournaments and provides opportunities for students to compete, learn, and receive feedback from judges and opponents. Overall, the article emphasizes the benefits of debate participation for students in Boston, including improved self-confidence, critical thinking abilities, and academic performance, as well as the sense of community and personal growth fostered by debate. [Extracted from the article]

Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arcs are enhanced OI 630.0 nm emissions formed due to an increased electron temperature (Te) near the equatorward wall of mid‐latitude trough during geomagnetic disturbances. The Te enhancement associated with SAR arcs is driven by electron heating through heat flux precipitation from near plasmapause region to ionospheric F‐region via heat conduction. Although Te enhancements have been reported by radar/satellite measurements along with increased 630.0 nm brightness during SAR arc events, measurements of corresponding heat flux are sparse, and almost none in the daytime. This work presents the results on the estimation of electron heat flux incident during SAR arcs formed during daytime obtained by a comprehensive suite of measurements, and forward modeling. We present observations of several SAR arc events when the ground‐based OI 630.0 nm emissions were larger than the model values during disturbed periods and were found to be existing in conjunction with increased Te at the altitude of DMSP (∼840 km). Forward modeling was carried out to determine the values of Te that would cause an enhancement in these emissions during daytime at much lower altitudes (∼400–500 km). These values of Te were used to estimate the required electron heat flux varying in the range of ∼1.0–4.6 × 1010 eV‐cm−2‐s−1. These results present the first estimates of F‐region heat flux enabled using ground‐based OI 630.0 nm emissions and open a new approach in the investigations of energy released into the ionosphere through heat conduction for daytime conditions during geomagnetically disturbed periods. Plain Language Summary: Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arcs are atomic oxygen redline (630.0 nm) emissions observed in the mid‐latitude ionosphere. These are optical manifestations of direct energy transfer from high‐altitude regions of inner‐magnetosphere to the ionospheric altitudes. The process of energy transfer occurs in the form of electron heat flux or soft particle precipitation (<10 eV) along closed geomagnetic field lines. Downward heat flux increases the ambient electron temperature in the topside ionosphere, which contributes in imparting energy to the Oxygen atoms and exciting them to higher energy states. The return of excited atoms to ground‐state results in the formation of SAR arcs. Although the electron temperature can be measured at high‐altitudes by satellites during SAR arc events, the corresponding electron heat flux cannot be measured directly using existing experimental space plasma techniques. Therefore, model calculations are preferred. Important to this study is the estimation of required heat flux that caused enhancements in the measured daytime redline emissions from the ground, which were beyond the model estimates. This study finds the daytime energy flux required for producing SAR arcs is larger than that for the nighttime SAR arcs. Such findings are being reported for the first time. Key Points: Enhancements were observed in daytime O(1D) red‐line emissions during geomagnetically disturbed days over Boston, a mid‐latitude locationDirect measurement of electron temperature (Te) by DMSP showed increased brightness accompanied by increased Te at mid‐latitudesThe downward heat flux associated with larger Te in the daytime using O(1D) emissions has been obtained for the first time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the characteristics and marketing tactics of double-roll coal crushers. Coal processing is in high demand in the mining market in China. To empower the mining market's competitiveness, product quality and technical level should be improved persistently. According to the absolute advantage compared with other mining corporations and analysis based on the Boston Matrix, the marketing strategy that should be adopted by the company can be described as 'the missionary selling method' which is very aggressive. In addition to adopting these marketing strategies, there is an opportunity for the interaction between current technological progress and current market demand, which can be seized by the company. We aim to illustrate the advantages and marketing opportunities of double-roll coal crushers and what kind of marketing tactic is suitable for this mining equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The piezocone (CPTu) dissipation test is used to characterize how the applied load from the penetrating cone is distributed between the soil and pore fluid during both penetrometer advancement and when penetration is paused. The coefficient of consolidation is often estimated from CPTu dissipation tests by interpreting the rate of excess porewater pressure (Au) decay to static conditions during a pause in cone penetration. Most CPTu dissipation test interpretation methods are based on Terzaghi consolidation theory for Au dissipation at the cone shoulder (u2 position) or cone face (u1 position) and assume that radial Au dissipation dominates the response. However, several recent studies show that vertical Au migration does contribute to the response. This study uses a large deformation direct axisymmetric cone penetration model to characterize the soil-water mechanical response during CPTu dissipation tests, and in particular, the role of vertical Au dissipation on the response at the u1 and u2 positions. Large deformations around the penetrating cone are accommodated with an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian approach. Soil behavior is modeled with the MIT-S1 constitutive model calibrated for Boston blue clay (BBC) soil behavior. Au dissipation following undrained cone penetration is simulated with coupled consolidation for BBC with over-consolidation ratios (OCR) of 1, 2, and 4 and a range of hydraulic conductivity anisotropy. The simulated u1 and u2 dissipation responses are presented to study how they are affected by OCR and hydraulic conductivity anisotropy. A correction factor is recommended to account for hydraulic conductivity anisotropy when interpreting the horizontal coefficient of consolidation from CPTu dissipation tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People experiencing homelessness are more likely to utilize emergency departments than their non-homeless counterparts. However, obtaining a bed in a homeless shelter for patients can be complex. To better understand the challenges of finding a safe discharge plan for homeless patients in the emergency department, our team conducted interviews with emergency department social workers and homeless shelter case managers in the Boston area. We identified and mapped the stages in the processes performed by both parties, identifying challenges with successful placement into a shelter. Furthermore, we assembled a data dictionary of key factors considered when assessing a patient's fit for a homeless shelter. By identifying bottlenecks and areas of opportunity, this study serves as a first step in enabling homeless individuals to receive the post-discharge assistance they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of Boston's residents are minorities. These minority residents confront the ongoing effects of racism, including the "hard histories" of enslavement, the civil-rights movement, and community displacement. Some white Bostonians are unaware of these hard histories or see them as an unnecessary and uncomfortable politicizing of the past, while others are aware, but not personally impacted. Public community cultural-resource management archaeological surveys by Boston's City Archaeology Program seek to confront these hard histories through recent surveys in Boston's Chinatown, the Boston Latin School site, and the Malcolm X-Ella Little-Collins House. The hard and often entangled histories encountered at these sites challenge public perceptions of archaeology by seeking extensive public engagement through community archaeology. This article explores the economic and social issues created by the hard histories at these sites through the reflections of individuals both personally and professionally connected to these community archaeological surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The story of how the Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired its Southworth & Hawes daguerreotypes demonstrates the surprising role that the subjective opinions of owners and curators have had in the canonization of photography. In the case of the Southworth & Hawes collection, provenance and their role as historical precedent led to the acceptance of these daguerreotypes as canonical examples of the earliest photographic process. Through the history of this particular collection's cultural elevation, this essay addresses provenance itself in terms of the influence that owners have over the social, cultural, and economic evaluation of museum-quality objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transitions of patient care from the inpatient to outpatient setting is a high‐risk time often resulting in medical errors and adverse events. Transitions of care programmes have been demonstrated to reduce negative outcomes. Several professional societies have highlighted care transitions as a central pillar of patient care and therefore a crucial aspect of health professional education; however, little data exist on medical student education in this area. Approach: The Transitions of Care Curriculum was developed and delivered to all Harvard Medical School Core I Internal Medicine Clerkship students at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA between January 2017 and March 2019, where 12–14 students participated each quarter and included didactic teaching followed by experiential learning. Student data were collected via postclerkship survey. Patient data were collected via chart review. Student self‐reported comfort level with transitions in care skills and medical errors were analysed. Evaluation: All student measures related to comfort with transitions in care skills demonstrated statistically significant improvement after curriculum participation(p < 0.001). Of the patients with a completed postdischarge note, students identified ≥1 postdischarge related issue in 33 of 70 patients, with multiple issues identified in many of these patients. Seventy‐six total issues were identified. Implications: The Transitions of Care Curriculum demonstrated promising student and patient outcomes, suggesting that students can successfully learn and advance clinical skills while having a positive impact on a highly needed and important aspect of patient care by reducing postdischarge errors and adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endovascular treatment of lower-extremity peripheral disease (PAD) is associated with higher complication rates and suboptimal outcomes in women. Atherectomy has shown favourable outcomes in calcified lesions, minimising the incidence of stent placement caused by recoil or flow-limiting dissection. To date, there are no published mid-term outcomes evaluating the performance of atherectomy differentiated by sex. This study aims to evaluate sex-specific outcomes and prognostic factors affecting the results of atherectomy-assisted endovascular treatment in severe PAD. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at a single centre in Germany, initiated by physicians and not sponsored by industry, on patients presenting with Rutherford categories ranging from III to V and featuring de novo occlusive or stenotic lesions of the superficial femoral (SFA) and/or popliteal arteries. The intervention involved rotational atherectomy-assisted angioplasty utilising the Jetstream (Boston, US®) device. The point of interest of this study was postinterventional clinical improvement as well as mid-term outcomes, including primary patency, over a targeted 2-year follow-up period. Statistical analysis utilised Cox regression (survival analysis) to calculate hazard ratios according to sex category. Comparative survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test and visually represented through Kaplan–Meier curves. Risk factors associated with absence of clinical improvement were examined across both sex groups utilising the chi-square or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Results: A total of 98 patients (103 limbs) were initially included, with >75% having moderate-to-severe lesion calcification (>50%). A total of 84 patients (97 limbs, 62 male and 35 female) proceeded to a 2-year follow-up (mean 16.4 months for males and 16.1 for females) after a successful index procedure. Age distribution, Rutherford class, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), target vessel, lesion type, and length were balanced among both groups. Similar primary patency rates, of 89% among female and 91% among male limbs, were observed (p = 0.471). Female patients exhibited a lower rate of clinical improvement based on the Rutherford scale in comparison to males (80.6% vs. 94.5%, p = 0.048). CDK was the only significant prognostic factor across pooled data (odds ratio for CKD: 15.15, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Rotational atherectomy showed comparably high rates of mid-term primary patency, with low rates of bailout stent placement. These findings highlight the beneficial use of atherectomy in female patients who are per se at risk for higher rates of complications during and after endovascular interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper presents the results of two studies investigating human mobility patterns in the 15 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the United States. It studied 14 daily mobility parameters aggregated at the MSA level, derived from four primary mobility parameters: Number of Visited Locations (N_LOC), Number of Unique Visited Locations (N_ULOC), Radius of Gyration (R_GYR), and Distance Traveled (D_TRAV) over a 30-day period. The first study was conducted on data from two large MSAs, one coastal and one inland (Boston and Atlanta, respectively). The aim was to examine associations between daily values of mobility parameters aggregated at the MSA level and identify those carrying similar or identical information. Results of factor analysis showed that these could be adequately described by two independent factors, pointing to one or two of the mobility parameters as sufficient to represent the whole set in analyses based on associations. These could either be D_TRAV, as it had high loadings on both factors, or N_LOC and R_GYR due to their high loadings on the two extracted factors. The second study was conducted on daily mobility datasets from the 15 MSAs. The aim was to compare daily mobility patterns of these MSAs and group them based on their mobility pattern similarities. Factor analysis of the aggregated mean daily distances (D_TRAV) across different MSAs over the studied period classified them into two distinct groups: one predominantly composed of inland MSAs and the other primarily of coastal MSAs. Strong weekly cycle trends emerged in these groups. Specifically, individuals from the inland MSA group tended to travel the furthest on Fridays and the least on Sundays, whereas those from the coastal MSA group traveled the most on Saturdays and the least on Mondays. This weekly pattern was robust, with 7-day lag autocorrelations of mean daily parameter values ranging between 0.81 to 0.99, excluding the mean daily N_LOC. These findings offer a foundational understanding of MSA mobility patterns, paving the way for more detailed studies on the nuances of these patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between travel distance and postoperative length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition among veterans undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Data Sources/Study Setting: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing SAVR, with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at VA Boston Healthcare (January 1, 2005–December 31, 2015). Study Design: Postoperative LOS and discharge disposition were compared for SAVR patients based on travel distance to the facility: <100 miles or ≥100 miles. Multivariable regression was performed to ascertain factors associated with LOS and home discharge. Data Collection/Extraction Methods: Data were collected via chart review. All patients undergoing SAVR at our institution who primarily resided within the defined region were included. Principal Findings: Of 597 patients studied, 327 patients underwent isolated SAVR; 270 patients underwent SAVR/CABG. Overall median (IQR) distance between the patient's residence and the hospital was 49.95 miles (27.41–129.94 miles); 190 patients (32%) resided further than 100 miles away. There were no differences in the proportion of patients with diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, or prior myocardial infarction between groups. Overall LOS (IQR) was 9 (7–13) days and did not differ between groups (p = 0.18). The proportion of patients discharged home was higher among patients who resided more than 100 miles from the hospital (71% vs. 58%, p = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, residing further than 100 miles from the hospital was independently associated with home discharge (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.09–2.48). Travel distance was not associated with LOS. Conclusions: Based on our institutional experience, potential concerns of longer hospital stay or discharge to other inpatient facilities for geographically distanced patients undergoing SAVR do not appear supported. Continued examination of the drivers underlying the marked shift of veterans to the private sector appears warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a new class of heterogeneous spatial autoregressive models (heterogeneous SAR models) where the variance parameters are modeled in terms of covariates. In order to estimate the model parameters, as well as their corresponding standard error estimates, we proposed a computational efficient MCMC method which combines the Gibbs sampler with Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. The proposed estimate method is illustrated through numerous simulations and is applied to the Boston housing data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacterial vaginitis (BV) is a common vaginal disease. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce BV by enhancing immune function, but no studies have analyzed the relationship between vitamin E and BV at different BMIs and ages. Method: This study used 2242 participants from four cycles of NHANES 1999–2006 in American. Participants' vitamin E levels were divided into four groups, and analyses such as study population description, stratified analysis, multiple logistic regression analysis, and curve fitting were performed. To perform data processing, the researchers used the statistical package R (The R Foundation; http://www.r-project.org; version 3.6.3) and Empower Stats software (www.empowerstats.net, X&Y solutions, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts). Result: The concentrations of serum vitamin E were negatively correlated with the risk of BV, especially when vitamin E were at 1198-5459ug/dL with (OR = -0.443, 95%CI = 0.447–0.923, P = 0.032) or without (OR = -0.521, 95%CI = 0.421–0.837, P = 0.006) adjustment for variables. At the same time, at lower levels, there was no significant association. Vitamin E supplementation may significantly reduce the risk of BV (p < 0.001). In addition, the risk of having BV decreased and then increased with increasing vitamin E concentrations at high BMI levels (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Vitamin E at moderate to high concentrations may significantly reduce BV risk, says the study, providing clinical evidence for the prevention and the treatment of BV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) presents with symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness along the median nerve pathway. Risk factors include prolonged wrist positions, repetitive muscle contractions, and exposure to vibrations. Aim: To determine the prevalence of CTS among healthcare practitioners at vaccine facilities in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on a total of 150 healthcare practitioners (aged 25-30 years) working in vaccination centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were recruited. The study was conducted from November 2021 to March 2022. The authors collected demographic data, Body Mass Index (BMI) and work shift information, and administered two validated questionnaires, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) and the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI). CTS symptoms were diagnosed using Phalen's and Arm Raising Test (ART). Results: Of the 150 practitioners (aged 25-45 years), predominantly in the 25-30 age group, n=65 (44.0%) tested positive on the Phalen's test, and n=65 (43.5%) on the ART. Females had higher BCTSQ scores, while DHI scores were similar across genders. Spearman's correlation analysis showed positive correlations between BCTSQ and DHI, and a moderate negative correlation between ART and DHI. Logistic regression analysed factors affecting the likelihood of CTS diagnosed by ART and Phalen's Test. Higher BCTSQ and DHI scores increased the likelihood of CTS (ART: BCTSQ OR=0.843, DHI OR=1.064; Phalen's Test: BCTSQ OR=0.830, DHI OR=1.069). Conclusion: During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence of CTS among healthcare practitioners at vaccine centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reached up to 43-44%. The present study highlights that day shift workers face a higher risk of CTS compared to night shift workers, likely due to heavier daytime workloads. This underscores the need for ergonomic interventions and workload management, especially during high-demand periods like the vaccination campaign, to safeguard healthcare workers' health and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show the invalidity of finitary counterparts for three classification theorems: The preservation of being a Bernoulli shift through factors, Sinai's factor theorem, and the weak Pinsker property. We construct a finitary factor of an i.i.d. process which is not finitarily isomorphic to an i.i.d. process, showing that being finitarily Bernoulli is not preserved through finitary factors. This refutes a conjecture of M. Smorodinsky [ Finitary isomorphism of m-dependent processes , Amer. Math. Soc., Birkhauser, Providence, RI, 1992, pp. 373–376], which was first suggested by D. Rudolph [ A characterization of those processes finitarily isomorphic to a Bernoulli shift , Birkhäuser, Boston, Mass., 1981, pp. 1–64]. We further show that any ergodic system is isomorphic to a process none of whose finitary factors are i.i.d. processes, and in particular, there is no general finitary Sinai's factor theorem for ergodic processes. Another consequence of this result is the invalidity of a finitary weak Pinsker property, answering a question of G. Pete and T. Austin [Math. Inst. Hautes Études Sci. 128 (2018), 1–119]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]