bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depletion of SASP senescent cardiomyocytes with senolytic drugs confers therapeutic effects in doxorubicin‐related cardiotoxicity
Authors: Xia Wenzheng , Chen Hanbin , Yang Han , Zhu Liaoxiang , Xie Congying , Hou Meng
Published: June 2024

Doxorubicin (Dox), an anthracycline antibiotic, is widely used in cancer treatment. Although its antitumor efficacy appears significant, its clinical use is greatly restricted by its induction of cardiotoxicity. Cardiac senescence drives the Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity, but whether diminishing these senescent cardiomyocytes could alleviate the cardiotoxicity remains unclear. Here, we assessed whether senescent cardiomyocytes have a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that affects healthy non‐senescent cardiomyocytes, rendering them senescent via the delivery of exosomes. Additionally, we explored whether targeting SASP senescent cardiomyocytes using a Bcl‐2 inhibitor could alleviate cardiotoxicity. Cardiac damage was induced in a mouse model of continuous Dox treatment in vivo, and cardiomyocytes in vitro. Immunofluorescence of the senescence markers of Cdkn2a, Cdkn1a and γ‐H2A.X was used to assess the SASP in the Dox‐treated heart. To explore the molecular mechanisms involved, the Bcl‐2 inhibitor ABT‐199 was employed to eliminate SASP senescent cardiomyocytes. We show that the cardiomyocytes acquire a SASP during Dox treatment. The senescent cardiomyocytes upregulated Bcl‐2, although treatment of mice with ABT‐199 selectively eliminated SASP senescent cardiomyocytes involved in Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity, thus leading to partial alleviation of Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity. Moreover, we concluded that SASP factors secreted by senescent cardiomyocytes induced by Dox renders otherwise healthy cardiomyocytes senescent through exosome delivery. Our findings suggest that SASP senescent cardiomyocytes are a significant component of the pathogenesis of Dox‐dependent cardiotoxicity and indicate that targeting the clearance of SASP senescent cardiomyocytes could be a new therapeutic approach for Dox‐induced cardiac injury.
VALIDATING HISTORICAL INTERPRETATIONS: AN APPROACH FROM CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Authors: ROSEN LAWRENCE
Published: June 2024

Historians and anthropologists share a common problem of setting criteria for the validation of their interpretations. While many features are shared and explicit—for example, that a full range of data needs to be considered and that information should be reliably sourced—the actual criteria for assessing supportable interpretations are frequently left unexamined. Following consideration of schemes that have been put forth for validating interpretation in literature, this article considers the criteria applied to the history of an Indonesian town and those employed when scholars have revisited the site of a predecessor's research. Because no interpretation is without some theoretical backdrop, this article considers a particular theory of culture that may facilitate the refinement of standards. The criteria that are then suggested—conjuncture, scope, intersection, comparability, and self‐accounting—may help to pinpoint not uniquely correct interpretations but better or worse ones. To test these criteria, this article briefly analyzes two case studies of both historical and anthropological concern: one relates to the history and organization of tribal‐based polities and the other concerns the dispute over the circumstances surrounding the death of Captain James Cook. The article concludes that reinvigorating a conversation about such criteria can reinforce the shared interests of historians and anthropologists that have proven so fruitful to recent scholarship.
Flowering areas enhance insect pollinators and biological control agents in wheat intensive agro‐ecosystems
Authors: Magagnoli Serena , Bosi Sara , Negri Lorenzo , Dinelli Giovanni , Burgio Giovanni , Masetti Antonio
Published: June 2024

This 4‐year study (2018–2021) aimed at investigating the effects of flowering areas inserted at the margin of soft wheat fields (Triticum aestivum L.) in comparison with spontaneous field margins. The action formed part of a multidisciplinary initiative promoted by the Barilla food company, aimed at promoting the sustainable production of soft wheat.

Specific aims were to study the effects of flowering areas on (i) the abundance and species richness of insect pollinators, including wild bees, syrphids and butterflies; (ii) the levels of wheat aphid and bug infestations and (iii) the assemblages of biological control agents of aphids (coccinellids and aphid mummies as a result of parasitization).

Insect surveys were carried out on 61 wheat‐growing farms located in Northern Italy. Insect pollinators were sampled on all farms, whereas wheat aphids, wheat bugs and aphid biological control agents were investigated in a sub‐sample of 20 farms.

Results generally indicated a positive impact of flowering areas on multiple taxa in comparison with spontaneous field margins. The abundance of pollinators and coccinellids was significantly enhanced by the flowering areas. Aphid mummies showed an interaction between strategies and distances with more mummies at 5 m in wheat plots close to flowering areas and at 50 m in the plots close to spontaneous field margin (control).

Flowering areas were validated as an important tool for promoting beneficial taxa in agro‐ecosystems. However, the successful establishment of this ecological infrastructure was suggested to rely on several factors, which included both the selection of suitable flowering plant species and the implementation of appropriate management practices.
Treatment of sebaceous carcinoma with Mohs micrographic surgery versus wide local excision: a systematic review
Authors: Yadlapati Sujitha , Rosa‐Nieves Priscilla M. , Mehta Nina , Merritt Bradley G. , Carrasquillo Osward Y.
Published: June 2024

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare neoplasm affecting periocular and extraocular sites. If inadequately treated, it can recur and cause morbidity. Specific management guidelines have not been established. Wide local excision (WLE) has been traditionally used; however, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) can be advantageous because of complete margin assessment and tissue‐sparing nature. This analysis aims to systematically review the surgical modalities used for the management of SC. Articles meeting eligibility criteria were identified using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. All studies investigating surgical management of SC with WLE or MMS were considered. Seventy studies met inclusion criteria, including retrospective cohort studies, case series, and case reports. WLE was used in 32 studies, MMS in 29, and MMS and WLE in 9. Subgroup analysis showed that MMS has lower recurrence rates. For WLE, local, regional, and distant recurrence rates were 23.4%, 13.3%, and 11.0%, respectively, and for MMS, 6.8%, 4.3%, and 4.6%, respectively. Patients treated with WLE were more likely to have local recurrence than patients treated with MMS (P = 0.001). WLE cases were more likely to have a regional (P = 0.05) and distant recurrence (P = 0.001). Limitations of the study include heterogeneity of case reports, case series, and retrospective studies, variable follow‐up times between the two groups, and large tumors included in the WLE category. In addition, disease‐specific survival was not evaluated. MMS cases showed a superior outcome for local, regional, and distant recurrence, making it a good option for the management of SC.
Own or public? Later livelihoods of Ukrainian war migrant households in Poland
Authors: Kochaniak Katarzyna , Korzeniowska Anna M. , Pietrzak Michał Bernard
Published: June 2024

This paper presents empirical research on the livelihood resources of Ukrainian households that fled to Poland due to the Russian invasion and reside there long term. Using a nationwide sample of these households and an accurate econometric framework, we investigate the factors influencing the role of income from work, other private resources and public assistance in covering their living costs in exile. Our findings confirm the importance of public assistance addressed to professional activation and childcare for households' self‐reliance. Assistance from employers, housing conditions, intentions to settle permanently in Poland and financial responsibility for relatives in Ukraine are also among the decisive factors. However, sufficient monetary aid hinders households' self‐reliance, along with health problems, language barriers and a lack of professional qualifications. Household composition is also significant, as those with children face the most adverse outcomes. Based on our results, we provide recommendations for public authorities responsible for migration policy.
Evo‐devo in the ophiuroid family Ophiocomidae
Authors: Byrne Maria , Cisternas Paula , O'Hara Timothy , Selvakumaraswamy Paulina
Published: June 2024

The Ophiuroidea, the most diverse echinoderm class, exhibits an array of life history patterns and larval forms, the evolution of which is poorly understood. With a robust phylogeny available for the major family, the Ophiocomidae, we undertook an assessment of the evolution of development in these ophiuroids. We spawned 15 species and documented larval development in 14 of these. In total, data on egg size or larval development were available for 27 species across the four recognized genera (Breviturma, Ophiocoma, Ophiocomella, and Ophiomastix). Ophiocomids have a bimodal egg size distribution. Species with small eggs (x̄ = 82 μm diameter, range 55–100 μm diameter) and large eggs (x̄ = 424 μm diameter, range 335–550 μm diameter) have planktotrophic ophioplutei and lecithotrophic vitellariae, respectively. The advanced ophiopluteus transforms into an armless vitellaria prior to metamorphosis through resorption of the larval arms and rearrangement of the ciliary tracts into series of transverse bands. Thus, the Type II pattern of development (which includes both the ophiopluteus and vitellaria) may be characteristic of the Ophiocomidae. This is not seen in other ophiuroid families. Evolution of nonfeeding (lecithotrophic) development through a vitellaria larva appears to have occurred only once in this family, in the genus Ophiomastix. Several traits appear to be specific to some species or genera, including an ornate fertilization envelope (Ophiocoma species), the presence of an early barrel‐shaped larva (Breviturma species), and the presence of vibratile lobes in advanced ophioplutei (Breviturma, Ophiocomella). In species with lecithotrophic development, the vitellaria is distinct, with prominent ciliated lobes around the developing juvenile rudiment. Larval form may assist with identification of ophiocomid larvae in plankton samples.
Overexpression of olfactory receptor 78 ameliorates brain injury in cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion rats by activating Prkaca‐mediated cAMP/PKA‐MAPK pathway
Authors: Kang Tao , Zhu Lijuan , Xue Yanli , Yang Qian , Lei Qi , Wang Qianqian
Published: June 2024

Ischemic stroke is one of the main causes of disability and death. However, recanalization of occluded cerebral arteries is effective only within a very narrow time window. Therefore, it is particularly important to find neuroprotective biological targets for cerebral artery recanalization. Here, gene expression profiles of datasets GSE160500 and GSE97537 were downloaded from the GEO database, which were related to ischemic stroke in rats. Olfactory receptor 78 (Olfr78) was screened, and which highly associated with Calcium signalling pathway and MAPK pathway. Interacting protein of Olfr78, Prkaca, was predicted by STRING, and their interaction was validated by Co‐IP analysis. Then, a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and a neuronal cell model stimulated by oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were constructed, and the results showed that expression of Olfr78 and Prkaca was downregulated in MCAO rats and OGD/R‐stimulated neurons. Overexpression of Olfr78 or Prkaca inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors, Ca2+ overload, and OGD/R‐induced neuronal apoptosis. Moreover, Overexpression of Prkaca increased protein levels of cAMP, PKA and phosphorylated p38 in OGD/R‐stimulated neurons, while SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, treatment inhibited activation of the cAMP/PKA‐MAPK pathway and counteracted the effect of Olfr78 overexpression on improvement of neuronal functions. Meanwhile, overexpression of Olfr78 or Prkaca markedly inhibited neuronal apoptosis and improved brain injury in MCAO/R rats. In conclusion, overexpression of Olfr78 inhibited Ca2+ overload and reduced neuronal apoptosis in MCAO/R rats by promoting Prkaca‐mediated activation of the cAMP/PKA‐MAPK pathway, thereby improving brain injury in cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion.
Troponin T1 in tumorigenesis and immune modulation: Insights into multiple cancers and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Qianjin , Hao Lin , Wang Fengye , Yu Quansheng , Wu Shaoyuan , Han Conghui
Published: June 2024

Troponin T1 (TNNT1) plays a crucial role in muscle contraction but its role in cancer, particularly in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), is not well‐understood. This study explores the expression, clinical significance and biological functions of TNNT1 in various cancers, with an emphasis on its involvement in KIRC. We analysed TNNT1 expression in cancers using databases like TCGA and GTEx, assessing its prognostic value, mutation patterns, methylation status and functional implications. The study also examined TNNT1's effect on the tumour microenvironment and drug sensitivity in KIRC, complemented by in vitro TNNT1 knockdown experiments in KIRC cells. TNNT1 is overexpressed in several cancers and linked to adverse outcomes, showing frequent upregulation mutations and abnormal methylation. Functionally, TNNT1 connects to muscle and cancer pathways, affects immune infiltration and drug responses, and its overexpression in KIRC is associated with advanced disease and reduced survival. Knocking down TNNT1 curbed KIRC cell growth. TNNT1's aberrant expression plays a significant role in tumorigenesis and immune modulation, highlighting its value as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in KIRC and other cancers. Further studies are essential to understand TNNT1's oncogenic mechanisms in KIRC.
How Do Crises Affect Policy Subsystems? The Evolution of Policy Core Beliefs in the EU Asylum Policy
Authors: Mastroianni Laura
Published: June 2024

Crises, shocks, and perturbations are frequently considered turning points in public policy literature. The Advocacy Coalition Framework has become one of the most employed policy process frameworks, focusing on policy subsystems, belief systems and shocks as one of the drivers of policy change. Relying on a network approach, this article aims at analysing the EU asylum policy by exploring the prioritisation of policy core beliefs before, during and after the so‐called refugee crisis. From a methodological perspective, discourse network analysis (DNA) is employed. The results show that the system of policy core beliefs has not stabilised in the aftermath of the crisis, implying a ‘conservative’ crisis response approach and short‐term effects on the policy subsystem. The innovation of this article stands on the theoretical–analytical elaborations of some crisis management and public policy literature core concepts and the empirical testing of said concepts through an original dataset with DNA.
Attraction of microarthropods to dung of invasive mammals in meadows of northwestern Patagonia
Authors: Kun Marcelo E. , Galende Gladys I.
Published: June 2024

The attractive effect of dung on coprophagous beetle communities and their role in dung degradation are well‐known phenomena. However, little research has been conducted on the recruitment capacity of this substrate for other arthropods, especially those inhabiting the soil. With the aim of beginning to recognize general patterns in these relationships, the influence of the structure and origin of dung from invasive exotic mammals on the recruitment of microarthropods was investigated in two meadows within Nahuel Huapi National Park in southwestern Argentina. Abundance, richness and diversity of microarthropod communities collected on invasive mammal dung were studied. A total of 2478 microarthropods were collected and 52 species were identified. Recruitment of microarthropods on dung of two invasive coprophagic herbivores, the rabbit,Oryctolagus cuniculusand the hare,Lepus europaeus, were compared with two invasive non‐coprophagic mammals, one herbivorous, the red deer,Cervus elaphusand one omnivorous, the wild boar,Sus scrofa. Pellets ofS. scrofashowed the highest microarthropod abundance and richness while diversity was greatest on pellets ofC. elaphus. Pygmephorid and oribatid mites and springtails were the most abundant.Liposcelispsocopterans and oribatid mites were more abundant onS. scrofadung. Low similarity was observed when comparing dung of invasive mammals from different sites revealing spatial variability regarding species composition. Based on its more diverse diet, we conclude thatS. scrofadung exerts a strong influence on microarthropod communities by recruiting a greater number of individuals and species than the dung of the remaining invasive mammals.
Residual toxicity of pesticide active substance commonly used in tomato crop on the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae)
Authors: Nikolakakis Antonios , Bitsakis Dimitrios , Skarakis Zacharias , Ilias Aris , Antonios Thomadakis , Varikou Kiki
Published: June 2024

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera Miridae) is a key biological control agent of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). However, in cases of prey scarcity, this predator switches into a phytophagous pest causing ring injuries in stems of tomato plants. The aim of this study was to assess the side effects of dry residues and explore the presence of target site resistance mutations of 10 insecticides, two bioinsecticides, an acaricide and a fungicide widely applied in IPM, on adults of N. tenuis collected from two different regions of Crete; the Western and the Eastern side of the island during two successive years. Lethal toxicity trials were performed on sprayed tomato stems and toxicity of adults of N. tenuis was recorded 2 h, 7 and 14 days after exposure. At both populations, chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam were moderately harmful at the application day and slightly harmful 7 days after the application. Only chlorpyrifos maintained its toxicity for more than 7 days. All the rest tested pesticides (emamectin benzoate, abamectin, chlorantraniliprole+abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, tebufenpyrad, spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki, metaflumizone and myclobutanil) were classified as harmless. Additionally, analysis of insecticide target site sequences indicated the absence of resistance mutations in both populations. Overall, our findings illustrate the impact of 15 pesticides and their residual toxicity on the mortality rates of N. tenuis adults.
Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas in zoo‐managed Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)
Authors: Rich Andrew F. , Payne Imogen L. , Killick Rowena , Denk Daniela , Wissink‐Argilaga Nathalie
Published: June 2024

Background

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCCs) are relatively common in multiple non‐human primate species but are poorly documented in Goeldi's monkeys.

Methods

Four Goeldi's monkeys with OCSCC, from three zoological collections, underwent necropsy with cytology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and pan‐herpesvirus PCR analysis.

Results

All animals were euthanised and exhibited poor‐to‐emaciated body condition. Three OCSCCs arose from the maxillary oral mucosa and a single OCSCC was primarily mandibular, with bone invasion evident in three cases. Histologically, one OCSCC in situ was diagnosed, whilst the rest were typically invasive OCSCCs. Neoplastic cells were immunopositive for pancytokeratin and E‐cadherin. All examined cases were negative for regional lymph node (RLN) and/or distant metastases, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) immunoexpression, and panherpesvirus PCR expression.

Conclusions

OCSCCs in Goeldi's monkeys may be deeply invasive, but not readily metastatic. No herpesvirus‐association or COX‐2 expression was evident; the latter suggesting that NSAIDs are unlikely to be a viable chemotherapeutic treatment.
Elevated hepatitis B virus RNA levels in HBeAg‐positive patients with low‐level viraemia or previous low‐level viraemia
Authors: Li Tao , Chen Yan , Zhang Yushuang , Wu Shuo , Zhang Lixin , Wang Lei
Published: June 2024

The understanding of viral transcription and replication activity in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with low‐level viraemia (LLV) or previous low‐level viraemia (pre‐LLV) remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate and compare circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA levels in these patient groups with those achieving maintained virological response (MVR). This cross‐sectional study included 147 patients: 43 in the LLV group, 25 in the pre‐LLV group and 79 in the MVR group. Serum HBV RNA levels were assessed using specific RNA target capture combined with simultaneous amplification and testing method. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics between groups. Median HBV RNA levels were 6.9 copies/mL in the LLV group, 6.1 copies/mL in the pre‐LLV group and 3.8 copies/mL in the MVR group. After PSM, significantly higher HBV RNA levels were observed in the LLV group compared to the MVR group (p < .001), and the pre‐LLV group also showed higher HBV RNA levels than the MVR group (p < .001). Both LLV and pre‐LLV HBeAg‐positive CHB patients exhibited elevated circulating HBV RNA levels compared to those achieving MVR.
Vergence and accommodation deficits in paediatric and adolescent patients during sub‐acute and chronic phases of concussion recovery
Authors: Marusic Sophia , Vyas Neerali , Chinn Ryan N. , O'Brien Michael J. , Roberts Tawna L. , Raghuram Aparna
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Visual function deficits have been reported in adolescents following concussion. We compared vergence and accommodation deficits in paediatric and adolescent patients at a tertiary medical centre in the sub‐acute (15 days to 12 weeks) and chronic (12 weeks to 1 year) phases of concussion recovery.

Methods

The study included patients aged 7 to <18 years seen between 2014 and 2021, who had a binocular vision (BV) examination conducted within 15 days and 1 year of their concussion injury. Included patients had to have 0.10 logMAR monocular best‐corrected vision or better in both eyes and be wearing a habitual refractive correction. BV examinations at near included measurements of near point of convergence, convergence and divergence amplitudes, vergence facility, monocular accommodative amplitude and monocular accommodative facility. Vergence and accommodation deficits were diagnosed using established clinical criteria. Group differences were assessed using nonparametric statistics and ANCOVA modelling.

Results

A total of 259 patients were included with 111 in the sub‐acute phase and 148 in the chronic phase of concussion recovery. There was no significant difference in the rates of vergence deficits between the two phases of concussion recovery (sub‐acute = 48.6%; chronic = 49.3%). There was also no significant difference in the rates of accommodation deficits between the two phases of concussion recovery (sub‐acute = 82.0%; chronic = 77.0%).

Conclusion

Patients in both the sub‐acute and chronic phases of concussion recovery exhibited a high frequency of vergence and accommodation deficits, with no significant differences between groups. Results indicate that patients exhibiting vision deficits in the sub‐acute phase may not resolve without intervention, though a prospective, longitudinal study is required to test the hypothesis.
Children's surgery and the emergency, critical, and operative care resolution: Immediate actions to eliminate disparities in surgery, anesthesia, and perioperative care for all children
Authors: Stephens Caroline Q. , Butler Marilyn W. , Samad Lubna , Seyi‐Olajide Justina O. , Evans Faye M. , Gathuya Zipporah , McLeod Elizabeth ,   the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery
Published: June 2024

Around 1.7 billion children lack access to surgical care worldwide. To reinvigorate the efforts to address these disparities and support work to address global challenges in surgery, anesthesia, emergency, and critical care, the World Health Assembly passed World Health Organization Resolution World Health Assembly 76.2: Integrated emergency, critical and operative care for universal health coverage and protection from health emergencies (ECO) in 2023. This resolution highlights the integral role of surgery, anesthesia, and perioperative care in health systems. However, understanding how best to operationalize this resolution is challenging. We review the ECO resolution and highlight points that the pediatric surgical and anesthesia community can leverage to advocate for its recommendations for operative care.
The disappearance of Allan Bloom
Authors: Evans K. L.
Published: June 2024

In humanities departments across the country Allan Bloom is condemned and reviled—but for what misconduct? The present investigation into our distorted view of Bloom begins by reframing his transgressions. Bloom has offended eminent philosophy professors by boosting students' desire for a philosophic education. He has emboldened promising young people by teaching them to bear up under the deforming forces of convention and corruption and edge their way towards the question, ‘How should I live my life?’ A philosophic education as Bloom sees it ‘means precisely helping students to pose this question to themselves, to become aware that the answer is neither obvious nor simply unavailable, and that there is no serious life in which this question is not a continuous concern’. The philosopher's interests are not shared by most people. Hostility to philosophy is the natural condition of man. This surprising fact, plainly stated, invites so much anger that Bloom—standing in for the philosopher—is forced to defend himself. The story of Bloom, like Socrates', gives an account of philosophy's emergence, distinctive features and always imaginable suppression. Plato's artful writing captured Socrates' way of life for posterity. This essay explores the nature and function of Bloom's bestselling book The Closing of the American Mind (1987), as well as the purpose of Saul Bellow's final novel, Ravelstein (2000), a fictive account of Bloom's life and death. Together these books amount to the true Apology of Allan Bloom.
Breaking the bank: Personal financial interests of Supreme Court justices and institutional legitimacy
Authors: Giallouri Thora , Menounou Elli
Published: June 2024

Objective

We study the relationship between lack of recusals by Supreme Court justices in cases where they have a direct or indirect personal financial interest and diffuse support for the Court. Justices should recuse when they have a personal stake in a case; otherwise, decisions are perceived as biased and violating the rule of law. Despite popular interest in this behavior and significant consequences for societal acquiescence, there are no empirical studies assessing this relationship.

Methods

We construct a survey experiment with four conditions and a control. Each condition displays an article discussing the failure of different justices to recuse from a case involving a direct (stocks owned in the litigant party) or an indirect (stocks owned in the industry of the litigant party) personal financial interest.

Results

We find that not recusing from a case where direct personal financial interests exist negatively affects institutional legitimacy, but indirect conflicts of interest show no effect on diffuse support. Additionally, ideological congruence between the public and justice involved in the scenario not only does not mitigate negative effects but rather enhances harm toward diffuse support.

Conclusion

Non‐recusals in cases where a justice has a direct financial conflict of interest negatively affect Court legitimacy.
Analytical Solution for Transient Thermal Behavior of Two Semisolids With Contact Resistance and Interfacial Heat Generation
Authors: Baker William P. , Rutledge James L.
Published: June 2024

The problem of two dissimilar semi-infinite solids at different initial temperatures brought into contact has a well-known simple analytical solution. In this work, this problem is reexamined with the additional simultaneous complications of both contact resistance and surface heat generation. While contact resistance is always present to some degree due to surface asperities or oxidation layers, heat generation at the contact interface can also occur in certain situations. These situations can occur in applications such as ultrasonic welding or arise in situations involving electromagnetic radiation passing through an optically transparent medium, but dissipating as heat at an interface with an opaque material that is in contact with the transparent material. In this paper, an analytical solution to the unsteady conduction problem is developed that accounts for both contact resistance and interfacial heat generation. The solution confirms that the initially warmer object rapidly decreases in temperature in the vicinity of the interface as heat flows into the cooler object and the heat generated at the interface preferentially flows to the cooler material. After a short time, however, the temperatures of both materials at the interface increase in temperature above even the initial temperature of the initially hotter material. An experiment was performed that verified the analytical solution.
Design Optimization of a Novel Flush Boundary Layer Diverter
Authors: Küçük Umut Can , Tuncer İsmail Hakkı
Published: June 2024

A novel boundary layer diverter is designed and optimized for increasing the performance of a typical semi-submerged inlet ingesting large amounts of boundary layer flow. A conceptual diverter configuration based on the prior optimization study is first parametrized with seven design variables. A response surface model is constructed for the pressure recovery at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP). The flow fields over the diverter and through the inlet duct are computed with SU2 and a baseline diverter is constructed from the response surface model for maximum pressure recovery. The baseline diverter is then placed in a free-form deformation box and shape optimized using the adjoint solver of SU2 with hundreds of design parameters. The optimum configuration provides 2.4% and 7.93% increase in the pressure recovery and the mass flow rate, respectively, together with a significant reduction in flow distortion. The novel diverter is then shape optimized together with the inlet duct. Together with all the performance parameters, the pressure recovery is improved by more than 3%. It is shown that the novel boundary layer diverter by being flush to the inlet surface induces a much smaller drag compared to the conventional diverters.
Rapid Modeling of Photopolymerization in Projection Two-Photon Lithography Via an Operator Splitting Finite Difference Method
Authors: Pingali Rushil , Saha Sourabh K.
Published: June 2024

Two-photon lithography (TPL) is an attractive technique for nanoscale additive manufacturing of functional three-dimensional (3D) structures due to its ability to print subdiffraction features with light. Despite its advantages, it has not been widely adopted due to its slow point-by-point writing mechanism. Projection TPL (P-TPL) is a high-throughput variant that overcomes this limitation by enabling the printing of entire two-dimensional (2D) layers at once. However, printing the desired 3D structures is challenging due to the lack of fast and accurate process models. Here, we present a fast and accurate physics-based model of P-TPL to predict the printed geometry and the degree of curing. Our model implements a finite difference method (FDM) enabled by operator splitting to solve the reaction–diffusion rate equations that govern photopolymerization. When compared with finite element simulations, our model is at least a hundred times faster and its predictions lie within 5% of the predictions of the finite element simulations. This rapid modeling capability enabled performing high-fidelity simulations of printing of arbitrarily complex 3D structures for the first time. We demonstrate how these 3D simulations can predict those aspects of the 3D printing behavior that cannot be captured by simulating the printing of individual 2D layers. Thus, our models provide a resource-efficient and knowledge-based predictive capability that can significantly reduce the need for guesswork-based iterations during process planning and optimization.
Use of a diagnostic Puumala virus real-time RT-PCR in an orthohantavirus endemic region in the Netherlands
Authors: Geeraedts Felix , Wevers Mariska , Bosma Froukje , Boer Maria de , Brinkman J. N. , Delsing Corine , GeurtsvanKessel Corine , Rockx Barry , van der Zanden Adri , Laverman Gozewijn D.
Published: June 2024

Laboratory diagnosis of orthohantavirus infection is primarily based on serology. However, for a confirmed serological diagnosis, evaluation of a follow-up serum sample is essential, which is time consuming and causes delay. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, if positive, provide an immediate and definitive diagnosis, and accurately identify the causative agent, where the discriminative nature of serology is suboptimal. We re-evaluated sera from orthohantavirus-suspected clinical cases in the Dutch regions of
Twente
and
Achterhoek
from July 2014 to April 2016 for the presence of Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV), Tula orthohantavirus (TULV), and Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) RNA. PUUV RNA was detected in 11% of the total number (
n
= 85) of sera tested, in 50% of sera positive for anti-PUUV/TULV IgM (
n
= 16), and in 1.4% of sera negative or indeterminate for anti-PUUV/TULV IgM (
n
= 69). No evidence was found for the presence of TULV or SEOV viral RNA. Based on these findings, we propose two algorithms to implement real-time RT-PCR testing in routine orthohantavirus diagnostics, which optimally provide clinicians with early confirmed diagnoses and could prevent possible further invasive testing and treatment.

IMPORTANCE

The addition of a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test to routine orthohantavirus diagnostics may better aid clinical decision making than the use of standard serology tests alone. Awareness by clinicians and clinical microbiologists of this advantage may ultimately lead to a reduction in over-hospitalization and unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.
Development of a novel rapid response event review process for quality improvement
Authors: Osnard Michael , Meredith Rebecca R , Leventhal Kara Grace , Dalal Sonia P , Niessen Timothy M , Liu Gigi , Engels Rebecca , Lehet Cora , Cox Michael R , Silbak Crystal , Haas Ashley , Proffen Marissa , Chan Maggie , Bodnar Benjamin E
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Rapid response team (RRT) and code activation events occur relatively commonly in inpatient settings. RRT systems have been the subject of a significant amount of analysis, although this has been largely focused on the impact of RRT system implementation and RRT events on patient outcomes. There is reason to believe that the structured assessment of RRT and code events may be an effective way to identify opportunities for system improvement, although no standardised approach to event analysis is widely accepted. We developed and refined a protocolised system of RRT and code event review, focused on sustainable, timely and high value event analysis meant to inform ongoing improvement activities.

Methods

A group of clinicians with expertise in process and quality improvement created a protocolised analytic plan for rapid response event review, piloted and then iteratively optimised a systematic process which was applied to all subsequent cases to be reviewed.

Results

Hospitalist reviewers were recruited and trained in a methodical approach. Each reviewer performed a chart review to summarise RRT events, and collect specific variables for each case (coding). Coding was then reviewed for concordance, at monthly interdisciplinary group meetings and ‘Action Items’ were identified and considered for implementation. In any 12-month period starting in 2021, approximately 12–15 distinct cases per month were reviewed and coded, offering ample opportunities to identify trends and patterns.

Conclusion

We have developed an innovative process for ongoing review of RRT-Code events. The review process is easy to implement and has allowed for the timely identification of high value improvement opportunities.
Codesign and refinement of an optimised antenatal education session to better inform women and prepare them for labour and birth
Authors: Merriel Abi , Toolan Miriam , Lynch Mary , Clayton Gemma , Demetri Andrew , Willis Lucy , Mampitiya Narendra , Clarke Alice , Birchenall Katherine , de Souza Chloe , Harvey Emma , Russell-Webster Tamarind , Larkai Eva , Grzeda Mariusz , Rawling Kate , Barnfield Sonia , Smith Margaret , Plachcinski Rachel , Burden Christy , Fraser Abigail , Larkin Michael , Davies Anna
Published: June 2024

Objective

Our objective was to codesign, implement, evaluate acceptability and refine an optimised antenatal education session to improve birth preparedness.

Design

There were four distinct phases: codesign (focus groups and codesign workshops with parents and staff); implementation of intervention; evaluation (interviews, questionnaires, structured feedback forms) and systematic refinement.

Setting

The study was set in a single maternity unit with approximately 5500 births annually.

Participants

Postnatal and antenatal women/birthing people and birth partners were invited to participate in the intervention, and midwives were invited to deliver it. Both groups participated in feedback.

Outcome measures

We report on whether the optimised session is deliverable, acceptable, meets the needs of women/birthing people and partners, and explain how the intervention was refined with input from parents, clinicians and researchers.

Results

The codesign was undertaken by 35 women, partners and clinicians. Five midwives were trained and delivered 19 antenatal education (ACE) sessions to 142 women and 94 partners. 121 women and 33 birth partners completed the feedback questionnaire. Women/birthing people (79%) and birth partners (82%) felt more prepared after the class with most participants finding the content very helpful or helpful. Women/birthing people perceived classes were more useful and engaging than their partners. Interviews with 21 parents, a midwife focus group and a structured feedback form resulted in 38 recommended changes: 22 by parents, 5 by midwives and 11 by both. Suggested changes have been incorporated in the training resources to achieve an optimised intervention.

Conclusions

Engaging stakeholders (women and staff) in codesigning an evidence-informed curriculum resulted in an antenatal class designed to improve preparedness for birth, including assisted birth, that is acceptable to women and their birthing partners, and has been refined to address feedback and is deliverable within National Health Service resource constraints. A nationally mandated antenatal education curriculum is needed to ensure parents receive high-quality antenatal education that targets birth preparedness.
Effectiveness of multimethod, community-based educational interventions on the knowledge and attitude to birth preparedness and complications readiness among women in southwest Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Ifeoma P , Balogun Mobolanle R , Sekoni Adekemi O , Dolapo Duro C , Hawkins Claudia A , Afolabi Bosede B
Published: June 2024

Background

Birth preparedness and complications readiness (BP/CR) is an effective strategy to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.

Aim

To assess the effect of educational interventions on women’s knowledge and attitude regarding BP/CR in southwest Nigeria.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was carried out over 1 year (May 2019–April 2020) in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Intervention was delivered using multiple educational methods: health education sessions, information, education, and communication materials, and mHealth. A total of 2600 women were recruited by multistage sampling. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and analysed with Epi Info and SPSS V.25 software. Summary and inferential statistics were done involving four-way analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Regression analysis applied to intervention group (IG). A 50% cut-off was used to categorise respondents into adequate and inadequate knowledge of BP/CR.

Results

Mean age of the respondents: 31.2±5.4 years for the IG, 30.4±6.0 years for the control group (CG); p=0.007. Most women in both groups had formal education, were employed and had their last antenatal care in health facilities. At baseline, both groups had overall inadequate knowledge of BP/CR which improved significantly post intervention only in the IG. For the IG: 9.4% (pre), 52% (post), (p<0.001); CG: 0.2% (pre), 0.5% (post), (Fisher’s exact p=0.624). Most respondents in both groups had a positive attitude to BP/CR, the intervention had no significant influence on this in the IG (p=0.504).

Predictors of adequate knowledge of BP/CR included being of Yoruba tribe, (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.83, 95% CI 1.06 to 7.54), being employed, (AOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.04 to 5.87) and having a baby 6 months prior to the study (AOR 2.62; 95% CI 1.31 to 5.24).

Conclusion

Findings have implications for the design and implementation of relevant policy and community interventions to reduce maternal mortality. Further research can examine the role of financial exclusion in inadequate knowledge.
Purpose-oriented review of public health surveillance systems: use of surveillance systems and recent advances
Authors: Shah Hurmat Ali , Househ Mowafa
Published: June 2024

Public health surveillance systems are an important tool for disease distribution and burden of disease as well as enable efficient distribution of resources to fight a disease. The surveillance systems are used to detect, report, track a disease as well as assess the response to the disease and people’s attitudes. This paper provides a framework of review for purpose-oriented categorisation of public health surveillance systems. The framework for review of surveillance systems divides the systems into distribution or monitoring or prediction oriented. While there can be other categorisation based on data sources and data types used, the framework for review in this paper provides a cohesive system which can engulf such categories. The framework of review in this paper is purpose oriented, which categorises the surveillance system according to their stated objectives, which are the most important aspect of any public health surveillance system. This review and the framework of categorisation provide comprehensive details of the surveillance systems in terms of data types used, source of data and purpose of the surveillance system.
Development and validation of the Chinese Rural Middle-aged and Elderly Health Literacy Scale
Authors: Wu Zhengyu , Gong Wenjuan , Koki Yoshida , Wang Fei , Chiang Yi-Chen , Jiang Maoming , Ma Jiannan , Huang Jie , Li Rui , Liu Zhengkui , Wang Dewen
Published: June 2024

Introduction

A notable deficiency lies in the absence of tailored instruments for comprehensively evaluating the health literacy of middle-aged and elderly residents in rural areas of China. Given the context of China’s ageing demographic and the increasing urban–rural disparities, it becomes imperative to formulate a dedicated assessment tool for appraising the health literacy of rural middle-aged and elderly populations.

Methods

A systematic and rigorously structured development approach was used. First, the concept of health literacy was used to create a pool of items. Second, the Delphi method was used to revise and finalise the initial version of the Chinese Rural Middle-aged and Elderly Health Literacy Scale (CREHLS). Third, pretesting was used to assess the rationality of the item settings within the CREHLS. Finally, a large-sample survey was used to assess the reliability and validity of the finalisation CREHLS.

Results

The CREHLS, which comprises 26 items distributed across four dimensions, is designed to evaluate the capacity to access, comprehend, assess and apply pertinent health information related to disease treatment, disease prevention, health promotion and environmental health. Multiple test results affirm the robust reliability and validity of the CREHLS, adhering to the established development standards.

Conclusions

This study expects that the CREHLS will be validated in different rural regions of China and will be a reference for assessing the health literacy of rural middle-aged and elderly people in other countries, thereby increasing our attention to the health literacy of rural people.
Demanding doctorability for abortion on request: a conversation analysis of pre-abortion counselling in public hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: du Toit Ryan , Macleod Catriona Ida
Published: June 2024

Background

Research on abortion counselling generally uses retrospective interviewing regarding providers’ and users’ experiences. In this article we explore how requests for abortion are made and received in real time in (officially non-mandatory) pre-abortion counselling conducted by nurses and counsellors in South African public abortion clinics.

Methods

To capture turn-by-turn interactions, we recorded, using consecutive sampling, 28 sessions at three abortion clinics in 2017/2018. No researcher was present. Conversation analysis, based on an ethnomethodological paradigm, was used to understand the conversational projects of the sessions and to outline how the provider and user oriented to the request for an abortion as a conversational task.

Results

Establishing reasons for the abortion featured in most individual counselling sessions. Through posing directive questions, providers required users to justify their request to access abortion. Users complied by providing multiple reasons. These reasons were often followed by a provider question demanding accountability in relation to contraceptive (non)use, thus establishing poor usage as therealreason.

Conclusions

As abortion is legalon requestin the first trimester in South Africa, no reason for presenting for an abortion is needed. The demand for users to perform ‘doctorability’ – that is, to present their situation as worthy of a health professional’s (in this case abortion provider’s) time – served as a precursor to discipline the abortion seeker for assumed poor contraceptive usage. Providers should be trained in user-centred care that supports pregnant people’s autonomy in accessing legally induced abortion. A limitation of this study is its restriction to three abortion clinics in one region of South Africa.