bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and facilitators to implementing polypharmacy management frameworks: a theory based qualitative exploration of key stakeholders
Authors: Al Bulushi S. , McIntosh T. , Talkhan H. , Grant A. , Stewart D. , Al Famy M. , Cunningham S.
Published: December 2024

Background

Inappropriate polypharmacy arises through many factors including deficiencies in prescribing processes. Most research has focused on solutions at the clinician/patient levels with less at the organisational level.

Aim

To explore key stakeholder identified barriers and facilitators to implementation of an organisational level polypharmacy management framework.

Method

Qualitative data were collected within the Ministry of Health in Oman. Key stakeholders were purposively sampled encompassing senior representatives of pharmacy, medicine, and nursing directors; healthcare policymakers; patient safety leaders; and academic leaders. A semi-structured interview schedule was developed informed by a recent scoping review and underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interviews, which continued until data saturation, were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using the Framework Approach.

Results

Thirteen key stakeholders were interviewed, with representation of each target group. Facilitators largely mapped to the CFIR domain of inner setting (i.e., aspects of stakeholder awareness, the electronic health system and national leadership), intervention characteristic (evidence gaps), characteristics of individuals (stakeholders and champions) and process (change strategy). Barriers also largely mapped to the inner setting (policy absence, communication and health professional practice) and outer setting (resource needs).

Conclusion

This study has illuminated the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of an organisational level polypharmacy management framework. Further work is required to translate these themes into an actionable plan to implement the framework. Particular attention is required for aspects of the CFIR domain of inner setting (i.e., the internal context within which implementation occurs) as most barriers mapped to this domain.
Demanding financial self-sufficiency after divorce: understanding the consequences of the 2008 Alimony Reform
Authors: Schaubert Marianna , Köckeis Johannes
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we examine whether and to what extent the 2008 Alimony Reform in Germany had an impact on alimony, its likelihood of payment, and cooperation between former spouses. In 2008, financial self-responsibility was imposed on divorcees by limiting post-marital alimony. By estimating panel event models and exploiting the German Tax Payer Panel, we show a significant decline in the likelihood of alimony payment and cooperation for tax purposes after separation. Moreover, the alimony amount was significantly reduced, thus, demonstrating an important redistribution effect of the 2008 Reform. The financially better-off individuals – mainly men – significantly benefited at the expense of their former spouses.
Treatment trends and risks of corticosteroid use in adult primary immune thrombocytopenia: a claims database study in Japan
Authors: Kashiwagi Hirokazu , Miura Isao , Terasawa Naohiko , Iwayama Ken-ichi , Furukawa Yuka , Kanenishi Makoto
Published: December 2024

Recent trends in the treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) were investigated using a claims database that included data from 16,161 Japanese patients with ITP collected from April 2014 to August 2022. Of the 4144 adult patients analyzed, 1276 received corticosteroids. The mean and median durations of corticosteroid use were 115.31 and 41 days, respectively. The time to withdrawal of corticosteroids was significantly shorter in 2020 to 2021 than in 2015 to 2019. Additionally, the number of prescriptions for thrombopoietin receptor agonists increased from 2015 to 2021 and exceeded that of corticosteroids in 2021. While these results suggest a trend towards reduction in corticosteroid use in real-world settings in Japan, 12.00% of patients received a corticosteroid dose of ≥ 10 mg/day at Week 12. Furthermore, 23.05% of patients continued to receive corticosteroids at Week 24, indicating that some patients were still receiving long-term corticosteroid treatment. The risk of adverse outcomes was significantly associated with corticosteroid use. In conclusion, new treatment options may lead to more sophisticated ITP management with less corticosteroid use, although further research and reconsideration of clinical practice guidelines is needed.
Recording Fast Ion Channel Kinetics Using Non-invasive Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Cao Yuan , Cheng Linhan , Schmalzing Günther , Hausmann Ralf , Schnakenberg Uwe
Published: December 2024

Ligand-gated ion channels are involved in numerous pathophysiological processes and are, therefore, important targets for drug discovery. We describe a new microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device that allows the recording of fast ligand-gated ion channel kinetics in Xenopus laevis oocytes by non-invasive electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The device, designated as Aachen Fast Ion Channel Sensor (AFIS) system, consists of two chambers separated by an orifice for capturing an oocyte by applying suction to the lower chamber. For channel recordings, annular electrodes are placed above and below the orifice. As a proof of concept, we recorded the EIS responses of the X. laevis oocyte-expressed human P2X2 receptor (hP2X2R), which functions as a non-desensitizing adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated cation-selective channel. The impedance data were fitted with an appropriate equivalent electrical circuit model. After ATP application, both EIS and TEVC recordings showed similar fast responses, which reflected the rapid solution exchange. Concentration–response curves determined by EIS or TEVC were virtually similar, indicating that agonist potency can be reliably determined by EIS. The oocytes survived the EIS measurements intact and can be reused for further electrophysiological or other purposes. The AFIS system can be used with the noticeable electrical leakage between the oocyte and the orifice. This feature significantly reduces the amount of preparation time required to create a high-resistance seal. Therefore, the system offers the possibility to easy perform high-throughput drug screening, especially when multiple measurement sites are placed on one chip and a multiplexer is connected for simultaneous EIS measurements.
Adsorptive removal of emulsified crude oil from produced water using modified biowaste; its kinetics and thermodynamic study
Authors: Al-Muhtaseb R. , Bhagyaraj S. , Chehimi M. M. , Krupa I.
Published: December 2024

The recycling and reuse of a naturally occurring biowaste (Cuttlefish-bone, CB) for the active removal of organic moieties originating from crude oil contaminants from low-saline-produced water is investigated in this study. Cuttlefish bone powder, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, was prepared, characterized, and modified for use in the tertiary treatment of emulsified oil/water mixtures with low oil content (around 100 ppm). The aim was to assess its potential as an adsorbent material for removing residual oil from water during the final stage of wastewater treatment. Alkaline treatment was done to improve the surface charge and porosity of the adsorbent. The surface area and the surface volume of the treated CB increased from 3.4 m2/g to 11.8 m2/g and 6.8 nm to 15.1 nm respectively. Batch adsorption analysis of the adsorbents for the adsorption of oil from produced water showed an increased oil adsorption efficiency from 52.7% to 71% for the alkali-treated CB. The kinetic study showed that during the first 60 min of the adsorption process, maximum adsorption occurred following the pseudo-first-order kinetics with a correlation coefficient R2 > 0.99, indicating the dominance of physical interaction. The results reveal that cuttlefish bone biowaste can be recycled as an effective adsorbent for produced water treatment.

Graphical Abstract
Capsular Bag Performance of a Novel Hydrophobic Single-Piece Intraocular Lens
Authors: Waser Klemens , Straßmair Klaus , Pomberger Leon , Khalil Haidar , Laubichler Peter , Bolz Matthias , Hirnschall Nino
Published: December 2024

Introduction

We conducted an evaluation of capsular bag performance of the Clareon CNA0T0 intraocular lens (IOL), focusing on postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD), IOL tilt, and IOL decentration.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were bilateral age-related cataract and the ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria were prior surgeries, combined surgeries, and conditions posing a risk for postoperative capsular bag instability. Preoperative and 8-week postoperative assessments included optical biometry and high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT). Subjective refraction was conducted only at 8 weeks postoperative visit.

Results

In the first analysis, 49 right eyes of 49 patients were included. Mean preoperative and postoperative ACD were 3.10 and 4.69 mm, respectively. Mean preoperative tilt was 4.77°, increasing to 5.06° postoperatively. Preoperative decentration was 0.16 mm, increasing to 0.26 mm postoperatively. Absolute refractive error (ARE) was + 0.31D, with 81% of eyes within ± 0.5D limits. In analysis II (98 eyes of 49 patients), both eyes showed a moderate correlation in IOL tilt (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.27, p = 0.061) and a low correlation in IOL decentration (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.02, p = 0.892) and ARE (Spearman: 0.15, p = 305) between right and left eyes of the same patient.

Conclusions

The Clareon CNA0T0 IOL demonstrated high mechanical stability, with low postoperative tilt and decentration values, resulting in excellent refractive outcomes and visual acuity. These findings confirm the IOL’s high stability within the capsular bag and effectiveness in minimizing postoperative refractive error, requiring only minor A-constant adjustments for optimal cataract surgery outcomes.

Trial Registration

NCT06595693.
An enhanced hybrid interval slacks-based DEA model with super-efficiency and application
Authors: Arana-Jiménez Manuel , Sánchez-Gil M. Carmen , Younesi Atefeh , Lozano-Ramírez Julio
Published: December 2024

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) models play a significant role in evaluating the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) among multiple input and output variables in many fields, such as industry or economy. This method establishes a production possibility set (PPS) that defines the efficient ones, the efficiency boundary or frontier, and provides the projection into the latter, or targets, for the inefficient ones. This paper introduces an enhanced hybrid interval slacks-based DEA when information on inputs and outputs can be discrete (integer) or continuous (real) and presents uncertainty, which can be modeled using intervals (integer or continuous). To this matter, we propose a novel approach that calculates crisp inefficiency scores, interval slacks, and interval targets using interval arithmetic and LU-partial orders on intervals. Mainly, the novelty is based on a reduction and simplicity of the model with respect to others existing, as well as the inclusion of integer interval-valued information with the corresponding mathematical tools and previous results. A super-efficiency slacks-based model is also provided to distinguish among the efficient DMUs and provide a full rank for the set of DMUs. We finally present the practical application of our method in tourism, an essential economic sector in Spain, focusing on different coastal areas.
Improving the Utilization of Legacy P in Animal Manured Soils Using Transgenic Plants that Express a Microbial Phytase
Authors: George TS , Brown LK , Brown MM , Gregory PJ , Richardson AE
Published: December 2024

Sustainability of P is a major global issue with the combined effects of variability in costs for mineral fertilisers and their profligate use leading to both limitations and excess of P across different agricultural systems. Systems where animal manures are used for fertilisation often accumulate P to a point beyond where excess P contributes to eutrophication. Increasing the availability of organic forms of P, such as inositol phosphates that can be a significant component of the organic P present in manure and soil, should be an important research target. Here we tested whether transgenic N. tabacum plants which express a fungal phytase gene (phyA from Aspergilus niger), either constitutively or under control of a root-hair P-inducible promoter, were able to acquire more P from soils with long-term supplementation with manures. Plants that constitutively expressed phytase had enhanced root phytase activity and ability to accumulate up to 4.2-fold more P than control plants when grown in soils supplemented with monogastric animal manures. In contrast, the same plants did not accumulate more P in soils supplemented with ruminant manure. These results suggest that P-use efficiency could be improved in systems fertilised with monogastric animal manure by increased phytase activity in the rhizosphere enhancing the use of legacy P and reducing the need for continued addition of inorganic fertilisers.
3D Non-separable Moment Invariants and Their Use in Neural Networks
Authors: Karella Tomáš , Suk Tomáš , Košík Václav , Bedratyuk Leonid , Kerepecký Tomáš , Flusser Jan
Published: December 2024

Recognition of 3D objects is an important task in many bio-medical and industrial applications. The recognition algorithms should work regardless of a particular orientation of the object in the space. In this paper, we introduce new 3D rotation moment invariants, which are composed of non-separable Appell moments. We show that non-separable moments may outperform the separable ones in terms of recognition power and robustness thanks to a better distribution of their zero surfaces over the image space. We test the numerical properties and discrimination power of the proposed invariants on three real datasets—MRI images of human brain, 3D scans of statues, and confocal microscope images of worms. We show the robustness to resampling errors improved more than twice and the recognition rate increased by 2–10 % comparing to most common descriptors. In the last section, we show how these invariants can be used in state-of-the-art neural networks for image recognition. The proposed H-NeXtA architecture improved the recognition rate by 2–5 % over the current networks.
An algebra structure for reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces
Authors: Montgomery Michael , Giannakis Dimitrios
Published: December 2024

Reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHSs) are Hilbert spaces of functions where pointwise evaluation is continuous. There are known examples of RKHSs that are Banach algebras under pointwise multiplication. These examples are built from weights on the dual of a locally compact abelian group. In this paper we define an algebra structure on an RKHS that is equivalent to subconvolutivity of the weight for known examples (referred to as reproducing kernel Hilbert algebras, or RKHAs). We show that the class of RKHAs is closed under the Hilbert space tensor product and the pullback construction on the category of RKHSs. The subcategory of RKHAs becomes a monoidal category with the spectrum as a monoidal functor to the category of topological spaces. The image of this functor is shown to contain all compact subspaces of $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

for $$n>0$$

n
>
0

.
Mobile device-based 3D scanning is superior to scoliometer in assessment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Oquendo Yousi , Hollyer Ian , Maschhoff Clayton , Calderon Christian , DeBaun Malcolm , Langner Joanna , Javier Nadine , Bryson Xochitl , Richey Ann , Naz Hiba , Tileston Kali , Gardner Michael , Vorhies John S.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) currently relies on clinical evaluations by trained practitioners, most commonly using a scoliometer. Modern structured light 3D scanning can generate high-quality 3D representations of surface anatomy using a mobile device. We hypothesized that a mobile-based 3D scanning system would provide accurate deformity assessments compared to a scoliometer.

Methods

Between August 2020 and June 2022, patients 10–18 years being evaluated for AIS in our clinic with a scoliosis radiograph obtained within 30 days of clinic evaluation and no history of spinal surgery were enrolled. Patients had 3D scans taken in the upright and forward bend positions, and the largest angle of trunk rotation (ATR) was measured by a scoliometer. Image processing software was used to analyze trunk shift (TS), coronal balance (CB), and clavicle angle (CL) in the upright position and the largest ATR in the forward bend position. 3D and scoliometer measurements were correlated to major curve magnitude. Multiple logistic regression models were created based on 3D and scoliometer measurements, controlling for demographic covariates.

Results

Two hundred and fifty-eight patients were included in this study. Mean coronal major curve magnitude was 25.7° (range 0–100), and 59% had a thoracic major curve. There were good-to-excellent correlations between 3D and radiographic measures of TS, CB, and CL (r = 0.79, rs = 0.80, and r = 0.64, respectively, p < 0.001). Correlations between 3D and radiographic measures of largest lumbar and thoracic ATR also demonstrated good correlations (r = 0.64 for both, p < 0.001). Using Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC), a multivariable logistic regression model based on 3D scanning outperformed a scoliometer model.

Conclusions

Mobile device-based 3D scanning of TS, CB, and TS identifies clinically relevant scoliotic deformity and is more predictive of radiographic curve magnitude than scoliometer in this population. This new modality may facilitate scoliosis screening by decreasing the need for trained personnel or dedicated equipment and clinical space to perform screening tests.

Level of evidence

II.
Tackling Modern Slavery or Worsening Vulnerability? UK’s Modern Slavery Agenda in Nigeria
Authors: Olayiwola Peter
Published: December 2024

Nigeria is said to be one of the largest source countries for victims of modern slavery in the UK (Throughout this paper, I use the terms ‘modern slavery’, ‘slavery’ and ‘human trafficking’ loosely and interchangeably to refer to extreme exploitation as often described in many international documents as well as in the UK’s MSA which is the focus of this paper). Thus, the UK government has often lauded its partnership with the Nigerian government in tackling the problem of modern slavery, often presented as a problem of irregular migration. At the same time, legal migration channels into the UK are increasingly being tightened, and Nigerians are among those who suffer the consequences of such. This paper reviews the UK government policies, partnerships and activities in Nigeria in the light of the Modern Slavery Act. It argues that the emphasis on deterring migration and sex trafficking has meant that the UK government agenda is being promoted to the detriment of key structural factors contributing to other dimensions of vulnerability and exploitation in Nigeria.
Insect‒microbe symbiosis-based strategies offer a new avenue for the management of insect pests and their transmitted pathogens
Authors: Lv Chao , Huang Yan-Zhen , Luan Jun-Bo
Published: December 2024

With the continuous growth of global agricultural production, pest control has become a critical factor in ensuring crop health and increasing agricultural output. In view of the safety of food and ecology, the development of more environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches for pest management is desirable. All insects are colonized by microorganisms on the insect cuticle or in the body. These resident microorganisms can promote insect fitness, impact the transmission of plant pathogens, or protect insects against natural enemies and adverse environments. Thus, insect‒microbe symbiosis-based strategies provide a new avenue for the management of insect pests and their transmitted pathogens. This review summarizes developments in the field of pest control approaches based on insect‒microbe symbiosis and proposes future directions. First, we introduce insect symbiotic microorganisms and their functions. This review discusses the application of insect-microbe symbiosis-based pest control strategies, including the application of native or engineered symbionts, the utilization of bioactive substances produced by symbiotic microorganisms, and the development of an insect symbiosis disruption strategy. Despite the great potential of this novel pest-control strategy, many challenges remain, such as the stability of symbiotic bacteria, their environmental adaptability, and their impact on non-target organisms. Finally, the review concludes by suggesting future directions, including improving the targeting specificity of symbiotic bacteria, enhancing their environmental adaptability, and developing integrated pest management strategies that combine this means with others to achieve more sustainable and effective pest control.
The Environmental Poetry of Augustan Rome
Authors: Fredericksen Erik Pugh
Published: December 2024

This book reveals central texts of Augustan poetry-Vergil's Eclogues and Georgics, and Horace's Odes-to be environmental poetry. In contrast to readings that assume forms of nature poetry are mere Romantic projections, that suggest Roman authors did not care about the environment, or that relegate place to the status of background and setting, it uses both ecocritical theory and close, contextualized readings to show how Horace and Vergil make issues of place, environment, and ecology central to their poetry. As the book argues, each work also creates a distinctive environmental poetics, in which the nonhuman world and particular local environments help shape the specific qualities of its poetry. By attending to the environmental and place-based poetics of these works, the book generates new readings of Vergil and Horace while deepening and complicating how we understand the traditions and concepts of environmental literature.
Through the lens of Good Participatory Practice: Findings and lessons learned from the healthcare worker subcommittee of the COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes Registry
Authors: Chen-Lim Mei Lin , Koellhoffer Jayne F. , Turner Kisha Batey , Summerlin Martha , George Anoop , Handberg Eileen , Lawrence Daryl , Naqvi Syed Hasan , O’Brien Emily , Cohen Lauren , McAdams Patty , Webb Laura , Leverty Renee
Published: December 2024

Participant representation, including the Good Participatory Practice guidelines, in the design and execution of clinical research can profoundly affect research structure and process. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, an online registry called the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes (HERO) Registry, was launched to capture the experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) on the pandemic frontlines. It evolved into a program that distributed COVID-19-related information and connected participants with COVID-19-related research opportunities. Furthermore, a subcommittee of HCWs was created to inform the COVID-19-related clinical research, engagement, and communication efforts. This paper, coauthored by the HERO HCW subcommittee, describes how it was formed, the impact of community participation on the HERO Registry and Research Program, reflections on lessons learned, and implications for future research. Engagement of the HCW Subcommittee resulted in representing their lived experience and ensured that their perspectives as HCWs were incorporated into the HERO Research. The strategies not only supported recruitment and retention efforts but also influenced the HERO research team in framing research questions and data collection pertinent to the participant community. This experience demonstrated the importance of having participants’ input as expert advisors to an investigative team in their research efforts during a global health emergency.
Electronic evaluation of infection risk from room environment and prior room occupants: the transmission from room environment events (TREE) measure
Authors: Rock Clare , Hsu Yea-Jen , Milstone Aaron M. , Salinas Alejandra B. , Maragakis Lisa , Kwon Nathan , Cosgrove Sara E. , Simner Patricia J. , Virk Zunaira , Vorsteg Abigail H. , Klein Eili ,   For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Prevention Epicenters and MInD Programs
Published: December 2024

Over a 2-year period, we identified Transmission from Room Environment Events (TREE) across the Johns Hopkins Health System, where the subsequent room occupant developed the same organism with the same antimicrobial susceptibilities as the patient who had previously occupied that room. Overall, the TREE rate was 50/100,000 inpatient days.
Large-eddy simulation-based shape optimization for mitigating turbulent wakes of a bluff body using the regularized ensemble Kalman method
Authors: Zhang Xin-Lei , Zhang Fengshun , Li Zhaobin , Yang Xiaolei , He Guowei
Published: December 2024

In this work, the shape of a bluff body is optimized to mitigate velocity fluctuations of turbulent wake flows based on large-eddy simulations (LES). The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes method fails to capture velocity fluctuations, while direct numerical simulations are computationally prohibitive. This necessitates using the LES method for shape optimization given its scale-resolving capability and relatively affordable computational cost. However, using LES for optimization faces challenges in sensitivity estimation as the chaotic nature of turbulent flows can lead to the blowup of the conventional adjoint-based gradient. Here, we propose using the regularized ensemble Kalman method for the LES-based optimization. The method is a statistical optimization approach that uses the sample covariance between geometric parameters and LES predictions to estimate the model gradient, circumventing the blowup issue of the adjoint method for chaotic systems. Moreover, the method allows for the imposition of smoothness constraints with one additional regularization step. The ensemble-based gradient is first evaluated for the Lorenz system, demonstrating its accuracy in the gradient calculation of the chaotic problem. Further, with the proposed method, the cylinder is optimized to be an asymmetric oval, which significantly reduces turbulent kinetic energy and meander amplitudes in the wake flows. The spectral analysis methods are used to characterize the flow field around the optimized shape, identifying large-scale flow structures responsible for the reduction in velocity fluctuations. Furthermore, it is found that the velocity difference in the shear layer is decreased with the shape change, which alleviates the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and the wake meandering.
Turbulent flow over random sphere packs – an investigation by pore-resolved direct numerical simulation
Authors: v.Wenczowski S. , Manhart M.
Published: December 2024

Pore-resolved direct numerical simulations have been performed to investigate the turbulent open-channel flow over a rough and permeable sediment bed, represented by a mono-disperse random sphere pack. After a careful validation, eleven cases were simulated to systemically sample a parameter space spanned by a friction Reynolds number

$Re_\tau \in [150, 500]$

and a permeability Reynolds number

$Re_K \in [0, 2.8]$

. By varying the ratio of flow depth to sphere diameter within a range of

$h/D \in \{ 3,5,10,\infty \}$

, the influence of both Reynolds numbers on the flow field and the turbulence structure could be investigated independently. The simulation results are analysed within a time–space double-averaging framework, whereas flow visualizations provide insight into instantaneous fields. Based on the drag distribution, we propose a consistent interface description, which can be used to define both near-interface and outer-flow coordinates. In these near-interface coordinates, the profiles of the mean velocity and the total shear stress collapse. Furthermore, the proposed interface definition yields outer-layer coordinates, in which the flow and turbulence statistics over a rough and permeable bed reveal similarity to a smooth-wall flow at a similar

$Re_\tau$

. Within the parameter space,

$Re_\tau$

has a strong influence on the wake region of the velocity profile. In contrast,

$Re_K$

changes the wall-blocking effect and the shear intensity, which is reflected by the turbulence structure and vortex orientation in the near-interface region. As streamwise velocity streaks disappear and the vortex inclination increases with higher

$Re_K$

, differences between near-interface and outer-layer turbulence structure are reduced.
Visualizing usnic acid with anisaldehyde reagent
Authors: McCune Bruce , Perera Wilmer H. , Yu Xinhui , McPhail Kerry
Published: December 2024

The pale yellowish tint of usnic acid in a lichen thallus itself is a commonly used character in identification keys, particularly in the genus Cladonia. Furthermore, the presence of usnic acid is phylogenetically significant in numerous groups of lichens. While the distinctive colour of usnic acid is readily visible when present in high concentrations, it is commonly problematic to discern when in low to moderate concentrations. We explored the use of an anisaldehyde reagent for visualizing usnic acid. Using both usnic acid-containing Cladonia samples and pure usnic acid, this reaction quickly yields a bright magenta colour on HPTLC and TLC plates after heating and directly with crude acetone extracts on glass slides heated with a lighter. The same magenta product was observed whether or not the usnic acid was accompanied by barbatic, fumarprotocetraric, psoromic, squamatic or thamnolic acids, each of which alone did not produce any colour with anisaldehyde reagent. However, the merochlorophaeic acids in C. albonigra also produced a red reaction. Analysis by high resolution LC-MS of the reaction mixture between anisaldehyde and usnic acid revealed several ions at m/z 477.1586 ([M+H]+, C27H25O8) and 463.1385 ([M+H]+, C26H23O8), respectively, consistent with aldol condensation of usnic acid and p-anisaldehyde.
Steep increase in red-listed lichens of Estonia
Authors: Randlane Tiina , Jüriado Inga , Mark Kristiina , Marmor-Ohtla Liis , Oja Ede , Saag Andres , Savchenko Anton , Degtjarenko Polina
Published: December 2024

National Red Lists are useful tools in establishing local conservation priorities. The threat status of Estonian lichens based on the IUCN system has been assessed twice, in 2008 and 2023. In the latest Red List, the proportion of species of elevated conservation concern, that is taxa belonging to the Near Threatened and threatened categories or having become regionally extinct in Estonia, was high (58%) while Least Concern (LC) species represented one-third (36%) of all taxa. Macrolichens were more threatened than microlichens. The Red List Index (RLI), illustrating the trends of species in their projected extinction risk, was calculated. The values were low (< 0.7 in 2023), thus indicating a heightened risk both for the set of all species and for macrolichens. More than half of all Estonian lichens are associated with woodlands and 54% of these species are of elevated conservation concern. Lichens preferring broad-leaved deciduous trees included more threatened than LC species, while among lichens preferring other deciduous or coniferous trees the proportion of LC species was higher than that of threatened taxa. Lichens inhabiting calcareous grasslands had the highest share (69%) of taxa of elevated conservation concern. Comparisons of national red-listed data with four selected countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland and Sweden) revealed that the biggest overlaps of Estonian taxa of elevated conservation concern were with the Czech Republic and Finland.
Umbilicaria ahtii – a new species of Umbilicaria subg. Papillophora from the vicinity of Helsinki with remarks on species of the Umbilicaria vellea group
Authors: Davydov Evgeny A. , Ohmura Yoshihito , Yakovchenko Lidia S.
Published: December 2024

Umbilicaria ahtii sp. nov. is described based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species resembles Umbilicaria vellea but the former has larger and submuriform ascospores, a darker lower surface, longer dark brown to black rhizinomorphs, and lacks thalloconidia directly on the lower surface and basal part of the rhizinomorphs. Phylogenetic analyses (ITS, mtLSU and RPB2) confirmed the distinctness of U. ahtii and indicated its sister relationship to U. meizospora. Umbilicaria ahtii is described from Finland and is currently known from several localities in Northern Europe (Svalbard, Norway, Finland, Kola Peninsula in Russia), Asia (Kodar Range, Siberia) and North America (Alaska). Within the U. vellea group, new molecular data confirmed U. koidzumii as a widespread, separate species sister to U. cinereorufescens. Diagnostic traits and variability of species, as well as their distribution patterns and nomenclature, are discussed.
A new Calicium on Ramboldia
Authors: Tibell Leif , Clayden Stephen R. , Prieto Maria , Wedin Mats
Published: December 2024

A lichenicolous species, Calicium ramboldiicola, growing on Ramboldia elabens is described. In phylogenetic analyses with 22 Calicium taxa, based on 121 sequences from five DNA regions (mtSSU, Mcm7, nuITS, nuLSU, β-tubulin), the new species formed a strongly supported clade with C. abietinum and C. verrucosum. Although the ascomata of the new species resemble miniatures of those of C. abietinum, no morphological synapomorphies for this clade were found. Calicium ramboldiicola is known from boreal and hemiboreal areas of northern Europe and north-eastern North America. It is the second known lichenicolous species of Calicium and the first found on a lichen in the Lecanorales.
Mixed strongyle parasite infections vary across host age and space in a population of feral horses
Authors: Ahn Sangwook , Redman Elizabeth M. , Gavriliuc Stefan , Bellaw Jennifer , Gilleard John S. , McLoughlin Philip D. , Poissant Jocelyn
Published: December 2024

Identifying factors that drive among-individual variation in mixed parasitic infections is fundamental to understanding the ecology and evolution of host–parasite interactions. However, a lack of non-invasive diagnostic tools to quantify mixed infections has restricted their investigation for host populations in the wild. This study applied DNA metabarcoding on parasite larvae cultured from faecal samples to characterize mixed strongyle infections of 320 feral horses on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2014 to test for the influence of host (age, sex and reproductive/social status) and environmental (location, local density and social group membership) factors on variation. Twenty-five strongyle species were identified, with individual infections ranging from 3 to 18 species with a mean richness (±1 s.d.) of 10.8 ± 3.1. Strongyle eggs shed in faeces were dominated by small strongyle (cyathostomins) species in young individuals, transitioning to large strongyles (Strongylus spp.) in adults. Egg counts were highest in young individuals and in the west or centre of the island for most species. Individuals in the same social group had similar parasite communities, supporting the hypothesis that shared environment may drive parasite assemblages. Other factors such as local horse density, sex, date and reproductive/social status had minimal impacts on infection patterns. This study demonstrates that mixed infections can be dynamic across host ontogeny and space and emphasizes the need to consider species-specific infection patterns when investigating mixed infections.
‘NAOUIEDCT’ and ‘RCSSEOEUR’: harmonising complexity in the South African landscape of music literacy education in secondary schools
Authors: van Rensburg Ronella Jansen , De Villiers Ronel
Published: December 2024

This article explores the multifaceted landscape of music literacy education in South African secondary schools through an anagrammatic lens. Music literacy education is symbolised by the anagrams ‘NAOUIEDCT’ and ‘RCSSEOEUR’, encapsulating resource-related, cultural and pedagogical complexities. This comparison of music literacy education to anagrams creates an interesting analogy that can shed light on the complexity and challenges inherent in the situation. It aims to unravel these complexities, like solving a multifaceted puzzle. Thus, the result of this qualitative interpretive research project is the transformation of a complex challenge (conundrum) into symbolic puzzles (anagrams), aiming to decipher the intricacies of music literacy education. This methodology offers an approach to foster engagement and collaborative work toward future solutions. Through a comprehensive exploration, this research aims to unravel the layers of challenges inherent in Music Education, offering insights and recommendations for a nuanced and enriched educational experience. The data for this research project were collected through semi-structured interviews and, consequently, a thematic content analysis was carried out, first in a descriptive level of analysis, followed by a conceptual level of analysis. Computer-aided qualitative analysis software, namely ATLAS.tiTM23, played a valuable and significant role in both the literature review and thematic content analysis phases of this study.
Food for thought: more explicit guidance for inclusion of caregiver perspectives in health technology assessment
Authors: Bourke Siobhan , Skedgel Chris , Martí-Gil Yasmina , Neumann Peter J. , Garrison Louis P. , Benham-Hermetz Samantha , Becker Frauke , João Garcia Maria
Published: December 2024

Caregivers can play an important role in supporting and caring for people with progressive, life-threatening, or debilitating conditions. However, this supportive role can expose caregivers to various detrimental financial, physical, and psychosocial issues. When evaluating medical technologies for reimbursement decisions, health technology assessment (HTA) agencies typically focus on the treatment’s impact on patients and ignore or downplay the impact on caregivers. Including caregiver impacts within a wider societal perspective may better enable health systems to maximize health benefits from available resources. However, the lack of clear guidance or methodological recommendations from decision makers on the inclusion of caregiver impacts limits the number of HTA submissions that consider these effects. We outline a conceptual framework based on intensity and duration of caregiving to guide researchers, industry, and decision makers when developing policies for the inclusion of caregiver outcomes and justify their inclusion based on expected caregiver burden in identified circumstances.
Frequency, redundancy, and context in bilingual acquisition
Authors: Ibbotson Paul , Hartmann Stefan , Koch Nikolas , Endesfelder Quick Antje
Published: December 2024

We report findings from a corpus-based investigation of three young children growing up in German-English bilingual environments (M = 3;0, Range = 2;3–3;11). Based on 2,146,179 single words and two-word combinations in naturalistic child speech (CS) and child-directed speech (CDS), we assessed the degree to which the frequency distribution of CDS predicted CS usage over time, and systematically identified CS that was over- or underrepresented in the corpus with respect to matched CDS baselines. Results showed that CDS explained 61% of the variance in CS single-word use and 19.3% of the variance in two-word combinations. Furthermore, the bilingual nature of the over or -underrepresented CS was partially attributable to factors beyond the corpus statistics, namely individual differences between children in their bilingual learning environment. In two out of the three children, overrepresented two-word combinations contained higher levels of syntactic slot redundancy than underrepresented CS. These results are discussed with respect to the role that redundancy plays in producing semiformulaic slot-and-frame patterns in CS.
Common Challenges in the Prehospital Management of Mass-Casualty Incidents: A Systematic Integrative Review
Authors: Hugelius Karin , Becker Julia
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) place extraordinary demands on prehospital medical response. However, there remains limited evidence on best practices in managing MCIs, and therefore, there is a need to systematically synthetize experiences from them to build further evidence.

Study Objective:

This study aimed to analyze common challenges in prehospital MCI management.

Methods:

Seventeen case studies or reports describing 15 MCIs (ie, terrorist attacks, chemical incidents, traffic accidents, weather-related incidents, and fires) were subject to a systematic integrative review.

Results:

Common challenges in prehospital MCI management include victim and responder safety- and security-related issues; the need to develop and communicate situational awareness; to develop and apply a prehospital response plan; the ability to deliver care under severe circumstances; and the need for an extended prehospital medical response management strategy.

Conclusion:

Resilient prehospital MCI response demands both a clear strategy and improvisation and should be integrated into the overall medical response strategy. Responders must understand the main concepts of prehospital MCI management, have a situational awareness that foresees the event’s medical consequences, and have the experience required to interpret the situation. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and medical incident commanders require specific training and mental preparation to be able to provide care under severe security threats, to improvise beyond routines and guidelines, and to provide care in ways different from their everyday work.
Coseismic Shallow Slip Deficit Accounted for by Diffuse Off‐Fault Deformation
Authors: Antoine Solène L. , Klinger Yann , Wang Kang , Bürgmann Roland
Published: December 2024

Earthquake ruptures produce fault slip and kilometer‐wide diffuse deformation of the host rocks. However, the origin of the diffuse deformation and its role in the rupture process are debated. We produce a refined slip model for the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquakes, and analyze the relations between down‐dip rupture process, and surface diffuse deformation. We show that the decrease in coseismic slip toward the ground surface, also known as shallow slip deficit (SSD), correlates with the occurrence of diffuse deformation at the surface, which is not accounted for by models assuming elastic host rocks. Hence, we suggest that a significant part of the SSD in earthquake source models could be interpreted as a proxy for shallow diffuse inelastic deformation around faults. Revisiting earthquake source models for 28 continental earthquakes, we discuss the controlling parameters of the SSD and diffuse deformation, and propose a conceptual model of the near‐field coseismic surface deformation.
Near‐Earth Reconnection Contributing to Recovery Phase of Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Liu Terry Z. , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Nishimura Yukitoshi , Shen Yangyang , Shi Xueling , Hartinger Michael D.
Published: December 2024

Recent observations show very near‐Earth reconnection (∼8–13RE) could efficiently power the ring current during the main phase of geomagnetic storms, but whether the recovery phase might be contributed remains unclear. During the recovery phase of the May 2024 major geomagnetic storm, intense auroral brightening and geomagnetic disturbances were observed at midnight, indicative of particle injections. Current wedges observed by mid‐latitude ground magnetometers around midnight suggest dipolarizing flux bundles (DFBs). The latitude of the auroral brightening was clearly lower than usual, suggesting near‐Earth reconnection (NERX) was closer to Earth than during substorms (∼20–30RE). GOES‐18 at midnight detected magnetic field and plasma signatures consistent with DFBs, following an extremely thin current sheet likely compressed by strong upstream dynamic pressure. These results indicate NERX could have been close enough for resultant DFBs to penetrate geosynchronous orbit and contribute to the ring current during the recovery phase. This scenario deserves further examination in future.
Can XMM‐Newton Be Used to Track Compositional Changes in the Solar Wind?
Authors: Nitti S. , Carter J. A. , Sembay S. F. , Milan S. E. , Zhao L. , Lepri S. T. , Kuntz K. D.
Published: December 2024

Geocoronal Solar Wind Charge Exchange (SWCX) is the process by which heavy ions from the solar wind undergo charge exchange with neutral hydrogen atoms from the Earth's exosphere, releasing photons at discrete energies characteristic of the solar wind ions. This paper investigates the solar wind types driving geocoronal SWCX. We find that during periods of time‐variable SWCX, higher fractions of every ion species are recorded by ACE compared to the averages. Notably, a subset of the slow solar wind characterized by a systematic lower temperature and higher proton flux is surprisingly effective for producing SWCX. Given the degradation of the solar wind composition spectrometer on ACE in 2011, we explore the capabilities of XMM‐Newton as an alternative sensor to monitor heavy ion composition in the solar wind. Unlike the distributions of other ion line fluxes analyzed, only OVIII, extracted via spectral analysis of XMM‐Newton observations, display patterns similar to the corresponding parent ion abundances from ACE . Finally, we employ a Random Forest Classifier model to predict solar wind types based on literature results. When combining proton data with XMM‐Newton features, the model performance improves significantly, achieving a macro‐averaged F1 score of 0.80 (with a standard deviation of 0.06).
Faith, Medical Decision Making, and Coping: Bioethics Considerations for Pediatric Psychologists
Authors: Canavera Kristin , Eshleman Kate , Crochet Emily , Ciesielski Heather
Published: December 2024

Objective: The intersection of bioethics, religion, faith, spirituality, and clinical care is frequently encountered in the work of pediatric psychologists. This article provides psychologists with bioethics principles to consider when they encounter ethical issues that may arise due to religious, spiritual, or faith-based beliefs of patients and their families. Method: We present a case series to highlight the multifaceted roles of pediatric psychologists within medical care teams when faith-based bioethics issues arise. Results: The cases each provide in-depth analysis of the ethical issues involved for (a) families who discontinue medically advised care due to religious reasons, (b) families who seek care not medically indicated due to their faith and the concept of hope, and (c) ethical considerations made within the context of coping and discussing treatment options and outcomes, including death, with families due to their religious beliefs. Conclusions: Ethics issues encountered within these roles are discussed, and bioethics principles are provided to support readers in their interactions with colleagues, ethics committees, and families around these issues related to faith.

Implications for Impact Statement

This article provides psychologists with bioethics principles to consider when ethical issues and cultural differences may arise due to religious, spiritual, or faith-based beliefs of patients and their families. Psychologists often play several important roles on interdisciplinary care teams in navigating this complex intersection of faith, spirituality, religion, and medical decision making and coping.