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Liquid crystal oligomers, namely dimers, trimers and tetramers, consisting of cyanobiphenyl and benzylideneaniline-based mesogenic units connected by either linear or bent alkoxy or alkyl spacers are reported. These materials, although built from achiral molecules, show the spontaneously chiral heliconical twist-bend nematic (NTB) phase. We report the relationships between the shape of the oligomer, and the NTB phase stability, the temperature dependence of the helical pitch length and tilt angle, birefringence, and elastic constants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Improving children’s diets from 6 to 24 months can support children’s survival, growth, and development, but progress toward this goal has stalled globally. Human-centered design offers a new approach to resolving program challenges, especially when integrated with social and behavior change (SBC) theory and rigorous evaluation. Method. Two human-centered design processes were conducted. In Ebonyi state, Federal Capital Territory, and Sokoto state a combined high-fidelity prototype, drawn from three low-fidelity prototypes, focusing on improving dietary diversity was developed and tested. In Kebbi state eight low-fidelity prototypes focused on developing tools to improve community health worker (CHW) nutrition counseling were developed and tested. High-fidelity prototype testing combined design and behavior change indicators and qualitative and quantitative methods. Prototype Testing Results. Seven of the eight prototypes in Kebbi state tested well. Prototypes that integrated SBC theory and encouraged two-way conversations between CHWs and caregivers were most successful. The high-fidelity prototype tested in Sokoto demonstrated improved knowledge and efficacy regarding dietary diversity and increased self-reported dietary diversity. Three low-fidelity prototypes in Kebbi will be combined into a counseling package for CHWs. The implementation of the high-fidelity nutrition prototype will be expanded. Discussion. Human-centered design is a promising approach to address complex global health challenges and can be strengthened through the integration of SBC theory and traditional monitoring and evaluation approaches, but this is challenging. Implications for Practice. It is essential to establish a foundation of human-centered design and SBC knowledge among all implementers, incorporate both knowledge bases throughout the process, and center in-country expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Leadless pacemakers offer a safe and effective alternative pacing strategy. However, limited data are available for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a population of significant relevance. Methods: Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we extracted data from all adult patients with ESRD who underwent traditional transvenous or leadless pacemaker implantation between 2016 and 2021. We compared in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rates, complication rates, and healthcare resource utilization between the two cohorts. Results: A total of 6384 (81.2%) patients were included in the transvenous pacemaker cohort, and 1481(18.8%) patients were included in the leadless pacemaker cohort. In patients with ESRD, leadless pacemaker implantation was linked to higher in-hospital complications when compared to transvenous pacemakers. These included the need for blood transfusion (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.32-2.60, p < 0.01), vascular complications (aOR 3.6, CI 1.40-9.26, p = 0.01), and cardiac complications (aOR 4.12, CI 1.70-9.98, p < 0.01). However, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rates. The median length of stay was longer for leadless pacemaker implantation than transvenous pacemaker implantation (5 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). The total hospitalization charges were also higher ($139,826 vs. $93,919, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Although previous studies have demonstrated lower long-term complication rates with leadless pacemakers than transvenous pacemakers, our analysis shows a higher risk of short-term in-hospital complications in ESRD patients, though no differences in in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmissions.

This publication presents an annotated accident dataset which fuses traffic data from radar detection sensors, weather condition data, and light condition data with traffic accident data (as illustrated in Fig. 1) in a format that is easy to process using machine learning tools, databases, or data workflows. The purpose of this data is to analyze, predict, and detect traffic patterns when accidents occur. Each file contains a timeseries of traffic speeds, flows, and occupancies at the sensor nearest to the accident, as well as 5 neighboring sensors upstream and downstream. It also contains information about the accident type, date, and time. In addition to the accident data, we provide baseline data for typical traffic patterns during a given time of day. Overall, the dataset contains 6 months of annotated traffic data from November 2020 to April 2021. During this timeframe, and 361 accidents occurred in the monitored area around Chattanooga, Tennessee. This dataset served as the basis for a study on topology-aware automated accident detection for a companion publication [1]., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This noninvasive alternative to the diagnostic gold standard may cut risk and expense for adult patients.

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: to produce a mega-map which identifies, maps and provides a visual interactive display, based on systematic reviews on all the main aspects of elder abuse in both the community and in institutions, such as residential and long-term care institutions., (© 2022 The Authors. Campbell Systematic Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Campbell Collaboration.)