bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Filovirus helical nucleocapsid structures
Authors: Hu Shangfan , Noda Takeshi
Published: October 2022

Filoviruses are filamentous enveloped viruses belonging to the family Filoviridae, in the order Mononegavirales. Some filovirus members, such as Ebola virus and Marburg virus, cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. The filovirus ribonucleoprotein complex, called the nucleocapsid, forms a double-layered helical structure in which a non-segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome is encapsidated by the nucleoprotein (NP), viral protein 35 (VP35), VP24, VP30 and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). The inner layer consists of the helical NP–RNA complex, acting as a scaffold for the binding of VP35 and VP24 that constitute the outer layer. Recent structural studies using cryo-electron microscopy have advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanism of filovirus nucleocapsid formation. Here, we review the key characteristics of the Ebola virus and Marburg virus nucleocapsid structures, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two viruses. In particular, we focus on the structure of the helical NP–RNA complex, the RNA binding mechanism and the NP–NP interactions in the helix. The structural analyses reveal a possible mechanism of nucleocapsid assembly and provide potential targets for the anti-filovirus drug design.
Attention-guided multi-scale deep object detection framework for lymphocyte analysis in IHC histological images
Authors: Rauf Zunaira , Sohail Anabia , Khan Saddam Hussain , Khan Asifullah , Gwak Jeonghwan , Maqbool Muhammad
Published: October 2022

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are specialized lymphocytes that can detect and kill cancerous cells. Their detection poses many challenges due to significant morphological variations, overlapping occurrence, artifact regions and high-class resemblance between clustered areas and artifacts. In this regard, a Lymphocyte Analysis Framework based on Deep Convolutional neural network (DC-Lym-AF) is proposed to analyze lymphocytes in immunohistochemistry images. The proposed framework comprises (i) pre-processing, (ii) screening phase, (iii) localization phase and (iv) post-processing. In the screening phase, a custom convolutional neural network architecture (lymphocyte dilated network) is developed to screen lymphocytic regions by performing a patch-level classification. This proposed architecture uses dilated convolutions and shortcut connections to capture multi-level variations and ensure reference-based learning. In contrast, the localization phase utilizes an attention-guided multi-scale lymphocyte detector to detect lymphocytes. The proposed detector extracts refined and multi-scale features by exploiting dilated convolutions, attention mechanism and feature pyramid network (FPN) using its custom attention-aware backbone. The proposed DC-Lym-AF shows exemplary performance on the NuClick dataset compared with the existing detection models, with an F-score and precision of 0.84 and 0.83, respectively. We verified the generalizability of our proposed framework by participating in a publically open LYON’19 challenge. Results in terms of detection rate (0.76) and F-score (0.73) suggest that the proposed DC-Lym-AF can effectively detect lymphocytes in immunohistochemistry-stained images collected from different laboratories. In addition, its promising generalization on several datasets implies that it can be turned into a medical diagnostic tool to investigate various histopathological problems.

Graphical Abstract
Vibration of two in-plane simply supported bending cables interconnected by a flexible cross-link
Authors: Wang Chung-Yue , Nguyen Van-Son , Syamsi M I , Wang Hao-Lin
Published: October 2022

Most of the existing analytical solutions to the vibration of cable networks interconnected by cross-ties are developed based on string theory, where the effect of cable bending rigidity on cable vibration is ignored. However, the bending rigidity of cables strongly influences the natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes of short and stout cables and long cables at higher modes. Hence, this paper considers cable bending rigidity to form a closed-form solution that can be used in determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes of cable networks. The analytical solution of the cable network model with hinged-end boundary conditions is derived. It can be combined with other existing techniques to analyze the dynamic behaviors of a two-cable network with partly fixed supports. The analytical solution derived from this paper can be degenerated to the same solution without considering the cable bending rigidity in previous studies. The accuracy of this analytical solution considering cable bending rigidity is verified by finite element analysis. The effects of bending rigidity on the vibration frequencies and modes of the cable network with inclined and flexible cross-link are investigated in detail. This analytical solution can be applied to backward analysis to identify the cable tension of a two-cable network with partly fixed supports.
The use of complementary and alternative medicine in fertility and gynaecological disorders in Jordan: a mixed-method descriptive study
Authors: Al-Nimri Rana , Akour Amal , Kasabri Violet , Al-Samydai Ali
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The aim of the study is to assess the extent of CAM use, with emphasis on herbs, in treating gynecological disorders, and their perceived efficacy and safety.

Methods

This was a mixed-method study of two parts (cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative study) of 338 women suffering from gynecological disorders during the last 3 months. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire of three parts: demographics, medical history and the CAM use patterns. Qualitative part was conducted by a 20-min verbal face-to-face interview.

Key findings

During the last 3 months, 232 (68.64%) of participants had used CAM for various gynaecological conditions, of which, 135 (58.19%) used herbal remedies. Almost half of participants have a good awareness about CAM definition, and they mainly used CAM before or concurrently with traditional medicines.

Conclusions

This study provides an overview of various CAM remedies used to treat gynaecological disorders in the Jordanian society, which would draw attention to the necessity of conducting interventional studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CAM in treating gynaecological disorders, either as stand-alone or adjuvant treatment.
Assessment of measurement invariance of psychometric tool for pharmaceutical sales executives: implications for social and behavioural pharmacy research
Authors: Oamen Theophilus Ehidiamen , Idiake Joshua , Omorenuwa Oamen Sophia
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To assess the measurement invariance quality of a short-item employee work assessment questionnaire across key subgroups of pharmaceutical executives.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with data collected using a nine-item structured questionnaire randomly administered to 406 pharmaceutical executives in Nigeria. Structural equation modelling using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 24, and criteria for invariance were absolute change in goodness-of-fit criteria and chi-square test at P < 0.05.

Key findings

Results showed gender [men (n = 293, 72%), women (n = 113, 28%)], [pharmacist (n = 117, 28.8%, non-pharmacist (n = 289, 71.2%)], company type [indigenous (n = 249, 61%), multinational (n = 157, 39%)], and industry experience [low experience; ≤10 years (n = 363, 89%), high experience: ≥10 years (n = 43, 11%)]. Model-fit and construct validity of the instrument were satisfactory. Configural, metric, scalar, and residual invariance of the instrument were confirmed across gender, professional training, and experience levels. Only configural and metric invariance were attained for company type.

Conclusions

The developed questionnaire is adequate for assessing pharmacy workforce perception across multiple demographic groups. Invariance testing and reporting are beneficial in social, administrative, and behavioural pharmacy research.
Decoupling between leaf nitrogen and radiation-use efficiency in vegetative and early reproductive stages in high-yielding soybean
Authors: Menza Nicolás Cafaro La , Arkebauer Timothy J , Lindquist John L , Monzon Juan Pablo , Knops Johannes M H , Graef George , Scoby David , Howard Réka , Rees Jennifer , Specht James E , Grassini Patricio
Published: October 2022

Ontogenic changes in soybean radiation-use efficiency (RUE) have been attributed to variation in specific leaf nitrogen (SLN) based only on data collected during seed filling. We evaluated this hypothesis using data on leaf area, absorbed radiation (ARAD), aboveground dry matter (ADM), and plant nitrogen (N) concentration collected during the entire crop season from seven field experiments conducted in a stress-free environment. Each experiment included a full N treatment that received ample N fertilizer and a zero N treatment that relied on N fixation and soil N mineralization. We estimated RUE based on changes in ADM between sampling times and associated ARAD, accounting for changes in biomass composition. The RUE and SLN exhibited different seasonal patterns: a bell-shaped pattern with a peak around the beginning of seed filling, and a convex pattern followed by an abrupt decline during late seed filling, respectively. Changes in SLN explained the decline in RUE during seed filling but failed to predict changes in RUE in earlier stages and underestimated the maximum RUE observed during pod setting. Comparison between observed and simulated RUE using a process-based crop simulation model revealed similar discrepancies. The decoupling between RUE and SLN during early crop stages suggests that leaf N is above that needed to maximize crop growth but may play a role in storing N that can be used in later reproductive stages to meet the large seed N demand associated with high-yielding crops.
Validation of Two Revised, Simplified Criteria for Assessing Sepsis-Associated Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in ICU Patients with Sepsis-3: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhang Bo , Shen Ying , Li Jiaoyuan , Yuan Xu , Tang Ning
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aimed to validate the performance of modified Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (m-JAAM) and simplified Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (s-JSTH) criteria in diagnosing coagulation disorders in sepsis and examine their prognostic value compared with sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) criteria.

Methods

This retrospective study included subjects diagnosed with sepsis (August 2020 to February 2021, n = 296). The m-JAAM, s-JSTH, SIC, and ISTH criteria were evaluated and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under the curve (AUCs).

Results

There was no significant difference in AUC for predicting in-hospital 28-day mortality by m-JAAM, s-JSTH, SCI, and ISTH criteria (0.745, 0.763, 0.760, and 0.730, respectively). The proportion of patients fulfilling the m-JAAM and SIC criteria was higher than that of the s-JSTH and ISTH criteria (43.2%, 56.1% vs. 25.0%, 22.6%, P < .05).

Conclusion

The m-JAAM criteria might be more suitable for early-stage disseminated intravascular coagulation of sepsis than s-JSTH criteria.
Cancer Incidence and Etiology in the Active Duty Population of U.S. Military
Authors: Lovejoy Leann A , Shriver Craig D , Ellsworth Rachel E
Published: October 2022

Introduction

As members of the military, all active duty service members (ADS) must meet physical fitness requirements and are provided with equal-access healthcare through the DoD. In addition, 92% of ADS are ≤40 years of age. Together, these characteristics suggest that ADS represent a healthy population that may have a low risk of cancer. Each year, however, >800 ADS are diagnosed with cancer and the resulting in time off for treatment, reassignment, or medical retirement may significantly impact force readiness.

Material and Methods

Relevant literature was identified by searching the PubMed database using search terms ACTIVE DUTY and CANCER. Only articles written in English were included.

Results

Melanoma is the most common cancer in ADS, while testicular cancer is the most common cancer in males and breast cancer is the most common in females. Cancer incidence patterns in ADS differ from those in the general U.S. population and from military veterans. Tumor etiology in ADS may be influenced by military-enriched exposures such as prolonged use of oral contraceptives, suboptimal use of sunscreen, exposure to volatile organic compounds, or germline predisposition/family history.

Conclusions

The etiology of cancer within ADS remains largely unknown. A number of new research programs may provide the means to improve understanding of the etiology of cancer in ADS. Together, these efforts will improve prevention, early detection, and clinical management, thus improving the outcomes of ADS and preserving force readiness.
The RNA helicase Ski2 in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans highlights key roles in azoles resistance and stress tolerance
Authors: Li Chenxi , Ma Xiaoyu , Ma Lan , Zhen Sihui , Na Yinan , Zhang Ping , Zhu Xudong
Published: October 2022

The yeast SKI (superkiller) complex was originally identified from cells that were infected by the M ‘killer’ virus. Ski2, as the core of the SKI complex, is a cytoplasmic cofactor and regulator of RNA-degrading exosome. The putative RNA helicase Ski2 was highly conserved from yeast to animals and has been demonstrated to play a key role in the regulation of RNA surveillance, temperature sensitivity, and growth in several yeasts but not yet in Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans). Here, we report the identification of a gene encoding an equivalent Ski2 protein, named SKI2, in the fungal pathogen C. neoformans. To obtain insights into the function of Ski2, we created a mutant strain, ski2Δ, with the CRISPR–Cas9 editing tool. Disruption of SKI2 impaired cell wall integrity. Further investigations revealed the defects of the ski2Δ mutant in resistance to osmotic stresses and extreme growth temperatures. However, significantly, the ability to undergo invasive growth under nutrient-depleted conditions was increased in the ski2Δ mutant. More importantly, our results showed that the ski2Δ mutant exhibited slightly lower virulence and severe susceptibility to anti-ribosomal drugs by comparison to the wild type, but it developed multidrug resistance to azoles and flucytosine. By constructing the double deletion strain ski2Δafr1Δ, we verified that increased Afr1 in ski2Δ contributed to the azole resistance, which might be influenced by nonclassical small interfering RNA. Our work suggests that Ski2 plays critical roles in drug resistance and regulation of gene transcription in the yeast pathogen C. neoformans.
The luminous type IIn supernova SN 2017hcc: Infrared bright, X-ray, and radio faint
Authors: Chandra Poonam , Chevalier Roger A , James Nicholas J H , Fox Ori D
Published: October 2022

We present multiwavelength observations of supernova (SN) 2017hcc with the Chandra X-ray telescope and the X-ray telescope onboard Swift (Swift-XRT) in X-ray bands, with the Spitzer and the TripleSpec spectrometer in near-infrared (IR) and mid-IR bands and with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) for radio bands. The X-ray observations cover a period of 29 to 1310 d, with the first X-ray detection on day 727 with the Chandra. The SN was subsequently detected in the VLA radio bands from day 1000 onwards. While the radio data are sparse, synchrotron-self absorption is clearly ruled out as the radio absorption mechanism. The near- and the mid-IR observations showed that late time IR emission dominates the spectral energy distribution. The early properties of SN 2017hcc are consistent with shock breakout into a dense mass-loss region, with $\dot{M} \sim 0.1$ M⊙ yr−1 for a decade. At few 100 d, the mass-loss rate declined to ∼0.02 M⊙ yr−1, as determined from the dominant IR luminosity. In addition, radio data also allowed us to calculate a mass-loss rate at around day 1000, which is two orders of magnitude smaller than the mass-loss rate estimates around the bolometric peak. These values indicate that the SN progenitor underwent an enhanced mass-loss event a decade before the explosion. The high ratio of IR to X-ray luminosity is not expected in simple models and is possible evidence for an asymmetric circumstellar region.
Gaia spectroscopic orbits validated with LAMOST and GALAH radial velocities
Authors: Bashi D , Shahaf S , Mazeh T , Faigler S , Dong S , El-Badry K , Rix H W , Jorissen A
Published: October 2022

The recently published Gaia DR3 catalogue of $181\, 327$ spectroscopic binaries (SB) includes the Keplerian elements of each orbit but not the measured radial velocities (RVs) and their epochs. Instead, the catalogue lists a few parameters that characterize the robustness of each solution. In this work, we use two external sources to validate the orbits – $17\, 563$ LAMOST DR6 and $6 018$ GALAH DR3 stars with measured RVs that have Gaia-SB orbits. We compare the expected RVs, based on the Gaia orbits, with the LAMOST and GALAH measurements. Finding some orbits that are inconsistent with these measurements, we constructed a function that estimates the probability of each of the Gaia orbits to be correct, using the published robust parameters. We devise a clean but still very large Gaia single-lined spectroscopic binaries (SB1) sample of $91\, 740~$ orbits. The sample differs from the parent sample by the absence of – physically unlikely and hence presumably spurious – short-period binaries with high eccentricity. The clean SB1 sample offers the prospect of thorough statistical studies of the binary population after carefully modelling the remaining selection effects. At the first look, two possible features emerge from the clean sample – a paucity of short-period binaries with low-mass primaries, which might be a result of some observational bias, and a subsample of main-sequence binaries on circular orbits, probable evidence for circularization processes.
Galaxy–halo size relation from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 and the ELUCID simulation
Authors: Zhang Youcai , Yang Xiaohu , Guo Hong
Published: October 2022

Based on galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 and dark matter haloes in the dark matter only, cosmological, and constrained ELUCID simulation, we investigate the relation between the observed radii of central galaxies with stellar mass $\gtrsim\!{10}^{8} \, h^{-2}\, {\rm M}_\odot$ and the virial radii of their host dark matter haloes with virial mass $\gtrsim\!{10}^{10.5} \, h^{-1}\, {\rm M}_\odot$, and the dependence of galaxy–halo size relation on the halo spin and concentration. Galaxies in observation are matched to dark matter (sub)haloes in the ELUCID simulation using a novel neighbourhood subhalo abundance matching method. For galaxy two-dimensional (2D) half-light radii R50, we find that early- and late-type galaxies have the same power-law index 0.55 with $R_{50} \propto R_{\rm vir}^{0.55}$, although early-type galaxies have smaller 2D half-light radii than late-type galaxies at fixed halo virial radii. When converting the 2D half-light radii R50 to 3D half-mass radii r1/2, both early- and late-type galaxies display similar galaxy–halo size relations with $\log r_{1/2} = 0.55 \log (R_{\rm vir}/210 \, h^{-1}\, {\rm kpc}) + 0.39$. We find that the galaxy–halo size ratio r1/2/Rvir decreases with increasing halo mass. At fixed halo mass, there is no significant dependence of galaxy–halo size ratio on the halo spin or concentration.
The recent star formation history of NGC 628 on resolved scales
Authors: Lomaeva Maria , De Looze Ilse , Saintonge Amélie , Decleir Marjorie
Published: October 2022

Star formation histories (SFHs) are integral to our understanding of galaxy evolution. We can study recent SFHs by comparing the star formation rate (SFR) calculated using different tracers, as each probes a different time-scale. We aim to calibrate a proxy for the present-day rate of change in SFR, dSFR/dt, which does not require full spectral energy distribution (SED) modelling and depends on as few observables as possible, to guarantee its broad applicability. To achieve this, we create a set of models in cigale and define an SFR change diagnostic as the ratio of the SFR averaged over the past 5 and 200 Myr, $\langle SFR_{\rm {5}} \rangle \big / \langle SFR_{\rm {200}} \rangle$, probed by the H α–FUV colour. We apply $\langle SFR_{\rm {5}} \rangle \big / \langle SFR_{\rm {200}} \rangle$ to the nearby spiral NGC 628 and find that its star formation activity has overall been declining in the recent past, with the spiral arms, however, maintaining a higher level of activity. The impact of the spiral arm structure is observed to be stronger on $\langle SFR_{\rm {5}} \rangle \big / \langle SFR_{\rm {200}} \rangle$ than on the star formation efficiency. In addition, increasing disc pressure tends to increase recent star formation, and consequently $\langle SFR_{\rm {5}} \rangle \big / \langle SFR_{\rm {200}} \rangle$. We conclude that $\langle SFR_{\rm {5}} \rangle \big / \langle SFR_{\rm {200}} \rangle$ is sensitive to the molecular gas content, spiral arm structure, and disc pressure. The $\langle SFR_{\rm {5}} \rangle \big / \langle SFR_{\rm {200}} \rangle$ indicator is general and can be used to reconstruct the recent SFH of any star-forming galaxy for which H α, FUV, and either mid- or far-IR photometry is available, without the need of detailed modelling.
Decarboxylation of glycine on icy grain surfaces: a first-principle investigation
Authors: Xavier Neubi F , da Silva Antonio M , Sacchi Marco , Bauerfeldt Glauco F
Published: October 2022

Much effort has been devoted to the investigation of the reactivity of glycine, the smallest amino acid, in different environments in the interstellar medium (ISM). While the formation paths are expected to follow a gas-solid mechanism, the full picture of glycine survival in the ISM remains yet unrevealed. In this work, we have adopted density functional theory under periodic boundary conditions to simulate mechanisms for the decarboxylation of glycine on a water-rich surface and on a glycine ice. We have performed calculations at the PBE-D3/USPP level, from which several adsorption modes of glycine on each surface were investigated and decomposition mechanisms into CO2 and CH3NH2 on the different interfaces were suggested. Most favourable adsorption sites of glycine have adsorption energies of −106.54 and −98.52 kJ mol−1 on the water ice and glycine ice, respectively. Glycine decomposes into CO2 and CH3NH2 through a two-step mechanism on the water ice and four-step mechanism on the glycine surface, from which the barrier heights of the determinant steps were of 288.98 and 111.58 kJ mol−1, respectively. At temperatures of 50 K, decomposition of glycine into CO2 and CH3NH2 is an exergonic reaction, pointing to a thermodynamically controlled reaction in specific interstellar regions, such as hot-cores. Compared with reported glycine gas-phase reaction, much lower barrier heights for glycine formation were found in the surface models studied here.
Ionizing feedback from an O star formed in a shock-compressed layer
Authors: Whitworth A P , Priestley F D , Geen S T
Published: October 2022

We develop a simple analytical model for what happens when an O star (or compact cluster of OB stars) forms in a shock-compressed layer and carves out an approximately circular hole in the layer, at the waist of a bipolar H ii region (H iiR). The model is characterized by three parameters: the half-thickness of the undisturbed layer, $Z_{_{\rm LAYER}}$, the mean number density of hydrogen molecules in the undisturbed layer, $n_{_{\rm LAYER}}$, and the (collective) ionizing output of the star(s), $\dot{\cal N}_{_{\rm LyC}}$. The radius of the circular hole is given by $W_{_{\rm IF}}(t)\sim 3.8\, {\rm pc}\, [Z_{_{\rm LAYER}}/0.1\,{\rm pc}]^{-1/6}[n_{_{\rm LAYER}}/10^4\,{\rm cm^{-3}}]^{-1/3}[\dot{\cal N}_{_{\rm LyC}}/10^{49}\,{\rm s^{-1}}]^{1/6}[t/{\rm Myr}]^{2/3}$. Similar power-law expressions are obtained for the rate at which ionized gas is fed into the bipolar lobes, the rate at which molecular gas is swept up into a dense ring by the shock front that precedes the ionization front, and the density in this dense ring. We suggest that our model might be a useful zeroth-order representation of many observed H iiRs. From viewing directions close to the mid-plane of the layer, the H iiR will appear bipolar. From viewing directions approximately normal to the layer, it will appear to be a limb-brightened shell but too faint through the centre to be a spherically symmetric bubble. From intermediate viewing angles, more complicated morphologies can be expected.
Single-cell image analysis reveals over-expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) in human glioblastoma tissue
Authors: Cooper Elizabeth , Woolf Zoe , Swanson Molly E V , Correia Jason , Schweder Patrick , Mee Edward , Heppner Peter , Turner Clinton , Faull Richard L M , Scotter Emma L , Denny William A , Choi Peter J , Dragunow Mike , Jose Jiney , Park Thomas I-H
Published: October 2022

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Whilst the role of the efflux transporters are well established in GBM, the expression and function of uptake transporters, such as the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) family, are not well understood. OATPs possess broad substrate specificity that includes anti-cancer agents; therefore, we sought to investigate the expression of four OATP isoforms in human GBM cell types using patient tumor tissue.

Methods

We used fluorescent immunohistochemical labeling of paraffin-embedded surgically resected tissues and single-cell image analysis methods to explore the expression of the OATP isoforms in different tumor cell types through co-labeling with cell-type specific markers, such as IBA1 (pan-myeloid), GFAP (tumor cell), PDGFRβ (stromal cell), and UEA-1-lectin (endothelial).

Results

We found significant over-expression of all the OATP isoforms (OATP1A2, 2B1, 1C1 and 4A1) in GBM tumor sections when compared to non-neoplastic brain. A single-cell image analysis revealed that OATPs were significantly upregulated throughout the tumor parenchyma, with significantly higher expression found on lectin-positive blood vessels and IBA1-positive myeloid cells in GBM compared to non-tumor brain tissue. Qualitative analysis of the four OATP isoforms demonstrated greater expression of OATP4A1 in peri-necrotic regions of GBM tissue, which correlated with hypoxia-related markers within the Ivy GAP RNAseq dataset.

Conclusion

Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, the protein expression of four OATPs in human GBM tissue, including upregulation within the tumor microenvironment by myeloid cells and tumor vasculature, and isoform-specific upregulation within hypoxic niches.
A Pilot E-Cigarette Voucher Scheme in a Rural County of the United Kingdom
Authors: Notley Caitlin , Belderson Pippa , Ward Emma , Wade James , Clarke Hannah
Published: October 2022

Introduction

E-Cigarette voucher schemes have been piloted across the UK to support populations to quit smoking. This short report evaluates a scheme that targets vulnerable and disadvantaged smokers who had failed to quit smoking by other means.

Methods

Descriptive summary evaluation of service data on smoking outcomes and qualitative data from selected participants, as “key-informants” (n = 4) and key stakeholders (stop smoking staff, vape shop staff, and general practitioners [GPs]).

Results

In total, 668 participants were referred to the scheme, and 340 participants redeemed a voucher. By intention to treat analysis (ITT) 143/668 (21%) were recorded as quit smoking at 4 weeks. At 12 weeks, 7.5% of participants had quit, by ITT. Overall, the pilot project was well received by clients as it offered an affordable route into vaping for smoking cessation. GPs supported the scheme and appreciated being able to offer an alternative to entrenched smokers.

Conclusions

The scheme shows promise in supporting entrenched smokers to quit smoking. The offer of similar voucher schemes across the UK suggests the potential to reduce overall smoking prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality.

Implications

Working with GPs in a deprived area, it was possible to set-up a vape shop voucher scheme for smoking cessation. Patients with comorbidities who had tried and failed to quit smoking previously were referred to receive a vape shop voucher to be redeemed for an initial starter kit, alongside support from the stop smoking service. This innovative scheme enabled 42% of entrenched smokers who redeemed a voucher to successfully quit smoking within 4 weeks.
Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behaviors Related to Secondhand Smoke and Smoking in the Home: A Qualitative Study With Men in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Mutalib Raisya Nur Syazmeen , Abd Rani Nurul Latiffah , Zulkifli Aziemah , Abd Latif Norul Hernani , Dobson Ruaraidh , Engku Ibrahim Tengku Azmina , Semple Sean , Abidin Emilia Zainal , Uny Isabelle , O’Donnell Rachel
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Despite the health risks associated with secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, smoking in the home is common in Malaysia, and almost exclusively a male behavior.

Aims and Methods

This study explored male smokers’ knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors related to SHS exposure and smoking in the home, to guide future intervention development. Twenty-four men who smoked and lived in Klang Valley, Kuantan, or Kuala Terengganu took part in semi-structured interviews which explored knowledge and beliefs regarding SHS in the home, and associated home-smoking behaviors. Data were managed and analyzed using the framework approach.

Results

There was limited knowledge regarding the health risks associated with SHS: the smell of SHS in the home was a more prominent concern in most cases. Many had no rules in place restricting home smoking, and some suggested that smoking in specific rooms and/or near windows meant SHS was not “shared” with other household members. A few fathers had created but not maintained a smoke-free home prior to and/or after their children were born. Desire to smoke in the home conflicted with men’s sense of responsibility as the head of the household to protect others and set a good example for their children.

Conclusions

Men’s home-smoking behaviors are shaped by a lack of understanding of the health risks associated with SHS exposure. Gaining a broader understanding of the factors that shape men’s decisions to create a smoke-free home is important to facilitate the development of culturally appropriate interventions that address their responsibility to protect other household members from SHS exposure.

Implications

Our findings highlight the need for public information campaigns in Malaysia to educate men who smoke regarding the health harms associated with SHS in the home and the ways in which SHS travels and lingers in household air. This is important given men’s concerns about SHS often focus on the smell of cigarette smoke in the home. Our findings suggest a number of potential avenues for future intervention development, including household and community-level initiatives that could build on men’s sense of responsibility as the head of the household and/or their general desire to protect their families.
Forty-Year Trends in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Hernández-Meneses Marta , Llopis Jaume , Sandoval Elena , Ninot Salvador , Almela Manel , Falces Carlos , Pericàs Juan M , Vidal Bárbara , Perissinotti Andrés , Marco Francesc , Mestres Carlos A , Paré Carlos , García de la María Cristina , Cuervo Guillermo , Quintana Eduard , Tolosana José M , Moreno Asunción , Miró José M ,   for the Hospital Clinic Infective Endocarditis Team Investigators
Published: October 2022

Background

Studies investigating cardiac implantable electronic device infective endocarditis (CIED-IE) epidemiological changes and prognosis over long periods of time are lacking.

Methods

Retrospective single cardiovascular surgery center cohort study of definite CIED-IE episodes between 1981–2020. A comparative analysis of two periods (1981–2000 vs 2001–2020) was conducted to analyze changes in epidemiology and outcome over time.

Results

One-hundred and thirty-eight CIED-IE episodes were diagnosed: 25 (18%) first period and 113 (82%) second. CIED-IE was 4.5 times more frequent in the second period, especially in implantable cardiac defibrillators. Age (63 [53-70] vs 71 [63–76] years, P < .01), comorbidities (CCI 3.0 [2–4] vs 4.5 [3–6], P > .01), nosocomial infections (4% vs 15.9%, P = .02) and transfers from other centers (8% vs 41.6%, P < .01) were significantly more frequent in the second period, as were methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcal (MR-CoNS) (0% vs 13.3%, P < .01) and Enterococcus spp. (0% vs 5.3%, P = .01) infections, pulmonary embolism (0% vs 10.6%, P < .01) and heart failure (12% vs 28.3%, p < .01). Second period surgery rates were lower (96% vs 87.6%, P = .09), and there were no differences in in-hospital (20% vs 11.5%, P = .11) and one-year mortalities (24% vs 15%, P = .33), or relapses (8% vs 5.3%, P = 0.65). Multivariate analysis showed Charlson index (hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals]; 1.5 [1.16–1.94]) and septic shock (23.09 [4.57–116.67]) were associated with a worse prognosis, whereas device removal (0.11 [.02–.57]), transfers (0.13 [.02–0.95]), and second-period diagnosis (0.13 [.02–.71]) were associated with better one-year outcomes.

Conclusions

CIED-IE episodes increased more than four-fold during last 40 years. Despite CIED-IE involved an older population with more comorbidities, antibiotic-resistant MR-CoNS, and complex devices, one-year survival improved.
The Zapatista Movement, Autonomous Education, and Indigenous Cultural Survival in Southern Mexico
Authors: Inclán María
Published: October 2022

This chapter describes the role of the 1990s Zapatista movement in the cultural survival of Indigenous communities supporting the movement’s agenda in southern Mexico. It discusses how the Zapatista movement has facilitated transnational solidarity to its supportive Indigenous communities to sustain their autonomous authority and their education, health, and sustainable projects, while considering the role of archaeological sites in this process. The chapter argues that the survival of the Zapatista movement and the survival of Indigenous communities adhering to the movement’s ideals can be traced to two factors. First, over time Zapatistas have remained relevant social movement actors because of their ability to frame the movement’s discourse around various transnational mobilizing causes. Second, the survival of Zapatista-supporting Indigenous communities has been possible due to their relative success in sustaining their independent education, health, and sustainable projects. In some cases, by controlling public access to territories and archaeological sites Zapatista and non-Zapatista Indigenous communities have launched eco-tourism projects that sustain their continued autonomy. Nevertheless, granting Indigenous control over archaeological patrimony requires reforms at the constitutional level. Still, legal battles may only be possible over land tenure rights where heritage sites are located, because by law archaeological patrimony is property of the Mexican state. Being able to stop ongoing development projects that threaten Maya cultural sites and ecosystems of the Yucatán peninsula will assert Indigenous political power in the region and vis-à-vis the Mexican state, but the outcomes of current legal battles hang in the balance.
Virtues in the Digital Age
Authors: Vallor Shannon
Published: October 2022

As a framework for thinking about digital ethics, scholars have drawn upon virtue traditions from Aristotle and the Stoics to Thomist, Confucian, Buddhist, Humean, and Nietzschean conceptions of virtue and character. This chapter first outlines what virtue ethics brings to the study of the good life in the digital age and the many contexts in which it gets applied, from professional computing ethics to studies of the ethics of digital media, robotics, and artificial intelligence. It also responds to common critiques levied against virtue ethics. The core of the chapter, however, explores an acute challenge to virtue ethics presented by two diverging norms of global digital culture: the liberal ideal of ethical digital practices as enabling individual self-determination of character and its antagonist, a communitarian ideal in which ethical digital practices sustain a shared life of social harmony and unity. This chapter asks whether and how this divide can be overcome.
Fast and slow light-induced changes in murine outer retina optical coherence tomography: complementary high spatial resolution functional biomarkers
Authors: Gao Shasha , Zeng Yong , Li Yichao , Cohen Ethan D , Berkowitz Bruce A , Qian Haohua
Published: October 2022

Fast (seconds) and slow (minutes to hours) optical coherence tomography (OCT) responses to light stimulation have been developed to probe outer retinal function with higher spatial resolution than the classical full-field electroretinogram (ERG). However, the relationships between functional information revealed by OCT and ERG are largely unexplored. In this study, we directly compared the fast and slow OCT responses with the ERG. Fast responses [i.e. the optoretinogram (ORG)] are dominated by reflectance changes in the outer segment (OS) and the inner segment ellipsoid zone (ISez). The ORG OS response has faster kinetics and a higher light sensitivity than the ISez response, and both differ significantly with ERG parameters. Sildenafil-inhibition of phototransduction reduced the ORG light sensitivity, suggesting a complete phototransduction pathway is needed for ORG responses. Slower OCT responses were dominated by light-induced changes in the external limiting membrane to retinal pigment epithelium (ELM-RPE) thickness and photoreceptor-tip hyporeflective band (HB) magnitudes, with the biggest changes occurring after prolonged light stimulation. Mice with high (129S6/ev) vs. low (C57BL/6 J) ATP(adenosine triphosphate) synthesis efficiency show similar fast ORG, but dissimilar slow OCT responses. We propose that the ORG reflects passive physiology, such as water movement from photoreceptors, in response to the photocurrent response (measurable by ERG), whereas the slow OCT responses measure mitochondria-driven physiology in the outer retina, such as dark-provoked water removal from the subretinal space.
Dialogue intervention for youth amidst intractable conflict attenuates neural prejudice response and promotes adults’ peacemaking
Authors: Levy Jonathan , Influs Moran , Masalha Shafiq , Goldstein Abraham , Feldman Ruth
Published: October 2022

Humans’ dependence on group living has led to the formation of tenacious, often nonconscious negative perceptions of other social groups, a phenomenon termed “intergroup bias” that sustains one of the world’s most imminent problem: intergroup conflicts. Adolescents’ participation in intergroup conflicts has been continuously on the rise, rendering the need to devise interventions that can mitigate some of their deleterious effects on youth an urgent societal priority. Framed within the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and targeting youth, we implemented a dialogue-enhancing intervention for adolescents (16 to 18 years) reared amidst intractable conflict that builds on social synchrony and the neurobiology of affiliation. Implementing a randomized controlled trial design, before and after the 8-week intervention adolescents underwent magnetoencephalography to assess a neural marker of implicit prejudice and interviewed on their attitudes toward the conflict. Adolescents who received the intervention showed attenuation of the neural prejudice response, as indexed by sustained occipital alpha that was significantly reduced at post-intervention and adopted attitudes of peacemaking. Change in the neural prejudice response predicted attitudes of compromise and support in peacebuilding 7 years later, when young adults can already engage in active civil duties and responsibilities. These results underscore adolescence as a window of opportunity for enhancing inter-group dialogue and demonstrate the long-term associations between the neural evaluation of prejudice and self-reported measures of proclivity for compromise and peace in the context of an intractable century-long conflict.
Sur le nombre d’idéaux dont la norme est la valeur d’une forme binaire de degré 3
Authors: Lartaux Alexandre
Published: October 2022

Let $\mathbb{K}$ be a cyclic extension of degree 3 of $\mathbb{Q}$. Take $G={\rm Gal}(\mathbb{K}/ \mathbb{Q})$ and χ the character of a non trivial representation of G. In this case, χ is a non-principal Dirichlet character of degree 3 and the quantity $r_3(n)$ defined by

$$r_3(n):=\big(1*\chi*\chi^2\big)(n)$$

counts the number of ideals of $O_{\mathbb{K}}$ of norm n. In this paper, using a new result on Hooley’s Delta function from [11], we prove an asymptotic estimate, in ξ, of the quantity

$$Q(\xi,\mathcal{R},F):=\sum\limits_{\boldsymbol{x} \in \mathcal{R}(\xi)}{r_3\big(F(\boldsymbol{x})\big)}{\rm ,}$$

for a binary form F of degree 3 irreducible over $\mathbb{K}$ and $\mathcal{R}$ a good domain of $\mathbb{R}^2$, with

$$\mathcal{R}(\xi):=\Big\{\boldsymbol{x} \in \mathbb{R}^2\;:\: \frac{\boldsymbol{x}}{\xi} \in \mathcal{R}\Big\}{\rm .}$$

We also give a geometric interpretation of the main constant of the asymptotic estimate when the ring $O_{\mathbb{K}}$ is principal.
Method to observe Jupiter’s radio emissions at high resolution using multiple LOFAR stations: a first case study of the Io-decametric emission using the Irish IE613, French FR606, and German DE604 stations
Authors: Louis Corentin K , Jackman C M , Grießmeier J-M , Wucknitz O , McKenna D J , Murphy P C , Gallagher P T , Carley E P , Ó Fionnagáin D , Golden A , McCauley J , Callanan P , Redman M , Vocks C
Published: October 2022

The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) is an international radio telescope array, consisting of 38 stations in the Netherlands and 14 international stations spread over Europe. Here, we present an observation method to study the Jovian decametric radio emissions from several LOFAR stations (here Birr Castle in Ireland, Nançay in France, and Postdam in Germany), at high temporal and spectral resolution. This method is based on prediction tools, such as radio emission simulations and probability maps, and data processing. We report an observation of Io-induced decametric emission from 2021 June, and a first case study of the substructures that compose the macroscopic emissions (called millisecond bursts). The study of these bursts makes it possible to determine the electron populations at the origin of these emissions. We then present several possible future avenues for study based on these observations. The methodology and study perspectives described in this paper can be applied to new observations of Jovian radio emissions induced by Io, but also by Ganymede or Europa, or Jovian auroral radio emissions.
The Dynamics of Disagreement
Authors: Daniel Kent , Klos Alexander , Rottke Simon
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we infer how the estimates of firm value by “optimists” and “pessimists” evolve in response to information shocks. Specifically, we examine returns and disagreement measures for portfolios of short-sale-constrained stocks that have experienced large gains or large losses. Our analysis suggests the presence of two groups, one of which overreacts to new information and remains biased over about 5 years, and a second group, which underreacts and whose expectations are unbiased after about 1 year. Our results have implications for the belief dynamics that underlie the momentum and long-term reversal effect.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Design Thinking in Nursing Education and Health Sciences Education
Authors: Bravo Katherine
Published: October 2022

AIM

The aim of the study was to answer the research question: What is known from the existing literature about the use of design thinking in nursing education and health sciences education?

BACKGROUND

Nursing education should be ready for an enhanced focus on innovation and the potential to influence future practice.

METHOD

Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping framework was used to identify and summarize findings from related literature.

RESULTS

Of 16 publications included, seven were nursing focused references. They consisted mostly of opinion pieces recommending future uses of design thinking. Two were examples of undergraduate nursing courses that incorporated design thinking into courses on innovation and research. Nine publications from multidisciplinary, interprofessional, or medical education with potential application to nursing education were included.

CONCLUSION

A broader effort by educational experts is necessary to increase the visibility and applicability of this human-centered problem-solving technique to move innovation forward in nursing education.
Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge Retention Among Nurse Practitioner Students
Authors: Young Cara C. , Danesh Valerie , De Main Atami S. , Sales Adam C.
Published: October 2022

The mastery of clinical scholarship and analytic methods for evidence-based practice (EBP) is a published essential for nurse practitioner (NP) education; however, retention of EBP-related knowledge during NP education remains unknown. We assessed EBP knowledge during a first-semester research course and again during the last semester using an item response model. We found that changes depended on the exam item, with performance dropping on a third of the items. Our findings suggest a need to integrate EBP concepts across curricula (e.g., feedback loops in courses other than the research course) to retain these essential skills.