bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of bird‐borne radar to examine shearwater interactions with legal and illegal fisheries
Authors: Navarro‐Herrero Leia , Saldanha Sarah , Militão Teresa , Vicente‐Sastre Diego , March David , González‐Solís Jacob
Published: December 2023

Seabirds interact with fishing vessels to consume fishing discards and baits, sometimes resulting in incidental capture (bycatch) and the death of the bird, which has clear conservation implications. To understand seabird–fishery interactions at large spatiotemporal scales, researchers are increasing their use of simultaneous seabird and fishing vessel tracking. However, vessel tracking data can contain gaps due to technical problems, illicit manipulation, or lack of adoption of tracking monitoring systems. These gaps might lead to underestimating the fishing effort and bycatch rates and jeopardize the effectiveness of marine conservation. We deployed bird‐borne radar detector tags capable of recording radar signals from vessels. We placed tags on 88 shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea, Calonectris borealis, and Calonectris edwardsii) that forage in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem. We modeled vessel radar detections registered by the tags in relation to gridded automatic identification system (AIS) vessel tracking data to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of seabird–vessel interactions and identify unreported fishing activity areas. Our models showed a moderate fit (area under the curve >0.7) to vessel tracking data, indicating a strong association of shearwaters to fishing vessels in major fishing grounds. Although in high‐marine‐traffic regions, radar detections were also driven by nonfishing vessels. The tags registered the presence of potential unregulated and unreported fishing vessels in West African waters, where merchant shipping is unusual but fishing activity is intense. Overall, bird‐borne radar detectors showed areas and periods when the association of seabirds with legal and illegal fishing vessels was high. Bird‐borne radar detectors could improve the focus of conservation efforts.
Prevalence of cognitive impairment in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Berry Kacey , Ruck Jessica M. , Barry Fawzy , Shui Amy M. , Cortella Aly , Kent Dorothea , Seetharaman Srilakshmi , Wong Randi , VandeVrede Lawren , Lai Jennifer C.
Published: December 2023

Liver transplant (LT) recipients have a high burden of cognitive impairment risk factors identified in other populations, yet little work has explored cognition in the United States LT population. We characterized prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) in LT recipients pre‐LT and ≥3 months post‐LT. Adult LT recipients with cirrhosis but without active pre‐LT hepatic encephalopathy (HE) were screened for CI using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for CI (MoCA <24) both pre‐LT and ≥3 months post‐LT. The association between cognitive performance and recipient characteristics was assessed using logistic regression. Of 107 LT recipients, 36% had pre‐LT CI and 27% had post‐LT CI [median (Q1–Q3) MoCA 26 (23–28)]. Each 1‐point increase in pre‐LT MoCA was associated with 26% lower odds of post‐LT cognitive impairment (aOR .74, 95% CI .63–.87, p < .001), after adjusting for recipient age, history of HE, and time since LT. In this study of cirrhosis recipients without active pre‐LT HE, cognitive impairment was prevalent before LT and remained prevalent ≥3 months after LT (27%), long after effects of portal hypertension on cognition would be expected to have resolved. Our data expose an urgent need for more comprehensive neurologic examination of LT recipients to better identify, characterize, and address predictors of post‐LT cognitive impairment.
Neonatal well‐being and timing of brain injury in persons with cerebral palsy born at term or late preterm
Authors: Reid Susan M. , Hinwood Gina L. , Guzys Angela T. , Hunt Rod W. , Reddihough Dinah S.
Published: December 2023

Aim

To describe the distribution of neuroimaging patterns in a term/late preterm population‐based cohort with cerebral palsy (CP), ascertain associations between neuroimaging patterns and neonatal well‐being, estimate the proportion with antenatal or perinatal timing of neuropathology, and apply this information to the understanding of common mechanisms of brain injury and causal pathways.

Method

The cohort for this observational study comprised 1348 persons born between 1999 and 2017 in Victoria, Australia. Using algorithms designed for the study, neonatal well‐being and timing of brain injury were tabulated for the whole cohort and across neuroimaging patterns and birth epochs.

Results

Clinical and demographic profiles, neonatal well‐being, and timing of brain injury differed across neuroimaging patterns. An estimated 57% of the cohort had a complicated neonatal period. Timing of brain injury was antenatal in 57% and perinatal in 41%. A decrease in the relative proportions of perinatal timing of brain injury was observed over a period when the rates of CP in live births at term decreased.

Interpretation

This study begins to bridge the knowledge gap about causation in CP, moving towards better description of the main mechanisms of brain injury and their contribution within CP cohorts, and facilitating the ability to monitor changes over time and the success of preventive measures.

What this paper adds

In a population‐based, term/late preterm cohort with cerebral palsy, 57% had a complicated neonatal period.

In the same cohort, 57% had presumed antenatal timing of brain injury.

The relative proportion with perinatal injury decreased over time.
Circulating immune cell populations at rest and in response to acute endurance exercise in young adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Kruse Annika , Imery Ian , Corell Linnéa , Hjalmarsson Emma , Fernandez‐Gonzalo Rodrigo , Von Walden Ferdinand , Reitzner Stefan M.
Published: December 2023

Aim

The aim of this observational study was to determine the immune status and function in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison to typically developing individuals.

Method

Blood samples from 12 individuals with CP (five males, seven females; mean age: 25 years 1 month (5 years 9 months); age range: 19–38 years) and 17 typically developing individuals (eight males, nine females; mean age: 31 years 4 months (6 years 2 months); age range: 20–40 years) were collected before, immediately after, and 1 hour after 45 minutes of frame running or running respectively. Independent t‐tests were used to compare heart rate, level of exertion, and baseline cell proportions between groups. Mixed model analysis of variance was utilized to investigate immune cell responses to exercise across groups.

Results

Baseline levels of gamma delta (TCRγδ+) T‐cells were significantly higher (absolute percentage: +2.65, p = 0.028) in the individuals with CP. Several cell populations showed similar significant changes after exercise in both CP and typically developing groups. Cytotoxic (CD8+) T‐cells were only significantly elevated immediately after exercise in the typically developing participants (p < 0.01). Individuals with CP exhibited significantly lower heart rates (−11.1%, p < 0.01), despite similar ratings of perceived exertion.

Interpretation

Elevated baseline TCRγδ+ T‐cells may indicate low‐grade inflammation in adults with CP. Although most of the cell populations showed typical responses to endurance exercise, the absence of response in CD8+ T‐cells in individuals with CP may indicate the need for higher intensity during exercise.

What this paper adds

TCRγδ+ T‐cell baseline levels are elevated in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).

The CD8+ T‐cell response to exercise was blunted in adults with CP.

Exercise intensity is decisive for CD8+ T‐cell responses in individuals with CP.
The Haemato‐Oncology Frailty (HOF) score to assess frailty in lymphoma
Authors: Ramdany Hena , Lofaro Thomas , Deplano Simona
Published: December 2023

Morbidity and mortality during chemotherapy in older adults with haematological malignancy can be unpredictable. The Haemato‐Oncology Frailty (HOF) score was previously found to predict outcomes in a cohort of patients with plasma cell myeloma. In this study, we assess its utility in assessing frailty in patients with lymphoma, and compare its performance to that of two other frailty scores. The HOF score was able to predict progression‐free survival in this population, and was also shown to have potential in assessing the dynamism of frailty during chemotherapy. It performed well when compared to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and the Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation‐Specific Comorbidity Index (HCTCI), although the study was not powered to assess for non‐inferiority. The HOF score is a new score with the potential for application in different haematological malignancies.
Aspen recovery in northern Yellowstone: A comment on Brice et al. (2021)
Authors: Painter Luke E. , Beschta Robert L. , Ripple William J.
Published: December 2023

Aspen sapling recruitment increased as browsing by elk decreased, following the 1995–96 reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. We address claims by Brice et al. (2021) that previous studies exaggerated recent aspen recovery. We conclude that their results actually supported previous work showing a trophic cascade benefiting aspen.
Thermal tolerance in Pacific salmon: A systematic review of species, populations, life stages and methodologies
Authors: Mayer Noa B. , Hinch Scott G. , Eliason Erika J.
Published: December 2023

Aquatic systems are warming and exceeding upper thermal limits (UTLs) for many fish species, yet understanding how they inform resilience to climate change is challenging. Using Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) as a model, we conducted a systematic review involving 168 papers investigating UTL in five species. We found considerable variation in UTL among species, within species and across life stages; largely attributed to methodological approaches (e.g. CTmax/UILT, Aerobic/Cardiac Scope, Thermal Migration Barriers, Rearing Mortality, Thermal Preference/Avoidance). Given that each method has strengths and weaknesses owing to logistics, time scale and ecological realism, we offer a new framework for assessing vulnerability to warming that stresses the importance of considering UTL metrics in the context of intended use (i.e. the development of management guidelines, projections of future persistence and survival) and what aspect (physiological or behavioural) of thermal response a metric investigates. Comparing studies with identical UTL approaches revealed that within species, UTL was higher for populations historically encountering higher temperatures—suggesting local thermal adaptation. Within populations, UTL differed across the lifecycle, being highest in fry and lowest in embryo and migrating adults, but this was not universal. For spawning Pacific salmon, UTL has not been assessed and few studies have examined estuarine and marine stages. Ultimately, this data gap limits the life‐history thermal perspectives that can be drawn and may indicate a broader gap for all fishes, given that Pacific salmon are among the most well‐studied species. Our framework illustrates the inherent and methodological inconsistencies in UTL and offers a guide for how thermal limits can best be used to assess the warming tolerance and vulnerability of fishes.
Co‐occurring trajectory of housing stability and parenting stress with child behavior problems: A randomized trial of a housing intervention for young mothers experiencing homelessness
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wu Qiong , Feng Xin , Ford Jodi , Famelia Ruri , Slesnick Natasha
Published: December 2023

This study examined the effects of an integrative housing intervention (Ecologically Based Treatment, EBT – independent housing and supportive services) on the co‐occurring pattern of housing stability and parenting stress among a sample of substance‐using mothers who experience homelessness and have young children in their care. The association between the co‐occurring patterns of housing stability and parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors was also examined. Mothers were randomized to one of the three conditions: EBT (n = 80), Housing‐only (HOU; n = 80), or Services as Usual (SAU; n = 80). Follow‐up assessments were completed at 3‐, 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐months post‐baseline. The dual‐trajectory latent class growth analyses identified five subgroups of co‐occurring patterns: low‐greatly improved housing paired with moderate‐improved parenting stress, low‐greatly improved housing paired with high‐improved parenting stress, low‐moderately improved housing paired with moderate‐static parenting stress, low‐worse housing paired with moderate‐improved parenting stress, and low‐worse housing paired with high‐static parenting stress. Findings showed that EBT was more effective in improving housing stability and reducing parenting stress compared to HOU and SAU conditions, and further, HOU was more effective than SAU. Additionally, children whose mothers reported increased housing stability together with improved parenting stress had lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. The findings provide support to the efficacy of EBT in increasing housing stability and reducing parenting stress. The observed improvements subsequently benefited children's behavioral outcomes.
“Working in the emergency department is not a job; it's like a war” A narrative inquiry and interpretive phenomenology of the violence experienced by emergency nurses in Turkey
Authors: Bilgin Aylin , Kovanci Mustafa Sabri , Öcalan Sinem
Published: December 2023

Aims

This study aims to reveal the violent experiences of nurses working in the emergency department and the meanings they attribute to them.

Methods

This research was conducted as narrative inquiry and interpretive phenomenology and recruited 15 nurses. Interviews with nurses actively working in the emergency department and who had been exposed to violence by patients or their relatives were conducted with a semi‐structured interview form. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used.

Results

In the study, three themes were determined (1) Unpredictable event, (2) Interminable effects of violence, and (3) Like a bottomless pit. With seven sub‐themes.

Conclusions

This study underlined that violence applied to nurses by patients or relatives of patients in the emergency department is an unexpected situation that causes negative emotions. Violence affects all aspects of life and limits communication with the patient. Coping with a violent situation is challenging for nurses, and they demand support from the management.
Real world evidence of enfortumab vedotin in patients with advanced urothelial cancer: A multicenter observational study
Authors: Fukuokaya Wataru , Koike Yuhei , Yata Yuji , Komura Kazumasa , Uchimoto Taizo , Tsujino Takuya , Saruta Masanobu , Takahara Kiyoshi , Fujita Kazutoshi , Minami Takafumi , Adachi Takahiro , Hirasawa Yosuke , Hashimoto Takeshi , Ohno Yoshio , Uemura Hirotsugu , Shiroki Ryoichi , Azuma Haruhito , Kimura Takahiro
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To explore the characteristics of patients and assess the effectiveness of enfortumab vedotin (EV) in those with treatment‐resistant advanced urothelial cancer in a real‐world setting.

Patients and Methods

A multicenter observational study was conducted on 103 evaluable patients with advanced urothelial cancer who received EV. Outcomes were assessed by radiographic response, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), with treatment‐related adverse events (trAEs). Radiographic response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, while trAEs were studied in line with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0.

Results

The median follow‐up was 8.9 months (range, 0.1–16.4). The observed objective response rate was 50.5%. The median PFS was 6.0 months (95% CI: 4.7–9.8), and the median OS was 14.5 months (95% CI: 12.4–not reached). Out of the 103 patients, 19 (18.4%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or more, 14 (14.7%) had an non‐urothelial carcinoma histology, and 40 (38.3%) had at least one pre‐existing comorbidity. There were 26 (25.2%) patients who reported 49 trAEs, with 9 (18.3%) being grade 3 or higher. The most common trAEs included rash, occurring in 18.4%.

Conclusions

This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of patients with previously treated advanced urothelial cancer receiving EV. The findings demonstrate that EV showed robust anti‐tumor activity and had manageable safety profiles outside the clinical trial setting.
Improved clinical effectiveness of adalimumab when initiated with clindamycin and rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Aarts P. , van Huijstee J. C. , van der Zee H. H. , van Straalen K. R. , Prens E. P.
Published: December 2023

Background

Adalimumab monotherapy for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is often insufficient with a maximum clinical efficacy of 60% in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) and limited effect on draining tunnels. Data suggest that adalimumab therapy could be improved by concomitant antibiotics.

Objective

To compare the clinical effectiveness of adalimumab with clindamycin and rifampicin versus adalimumab monotherapy after 12 weeks.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who started adalimumab with additional clindamycin and rifampicin and patients treated with adalimumab monotherapy, matched on sex and refined Hurley score. The primary outcome measure was the difference in change in the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4) at 12 weeks.

Results

In total, 62 patients were included in the combination therapy group (n = 31) and adalimumab monotherapy group (n = 31), showing comparable IHS4 scores; 32.5 versus 29, p = 0.87 at baseline respectively. The combination therapy demonstrated greater clinical effectiveness expressed in median IHS4 improvement (−20 vs. −9, p < 0.001), IHS4‐55 (74% vs. 36%, p = 0.002), median draining tunnel reduction (−4 vs. −2, p < 0.001) and pain response (47% vs. 27%, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Adalimumab initiated with clindamycin and rifampicin shows greater clinical effectiveness than adalimumab monotherapy. An important difference in effect was observed in the decrease of draining tunnels, addressing a serious limitation of adalimumab monotherapy.
Routines and child development: A systematic review
Authors: Selman Saliha B. , Dilworth‐Bart Janean E.
Published: December 2023

Research has shown the importance of routines for optimal child development. A systematic review can offer a detailed overview of the evidence linking routines to child outcomes, particularly in high‐risk settings. This review aimed to elucidate the association between daily routines and child development and to pinpoint the protective role of routines in high‐risk environments. A search of PubMed and PsycINFO databases yielded literature from 1950 to June 2020. Out of 4297 initial hits, 170 studies met the selection criteria. Findings mainly indicate that routines are associated with positive developmental outcomes in children, covering cognitive, self‐regulation, social–emotional, academic skills, and overall mental and physical health. The results also underline the protective power of routines in challenging environments. The study suggests possible mechanisms through which routines influence child outcomes and recommends avenues for future research, supporting evidence‐based strategies to encourage parental use of routines.
Prophylactic common iliac artery temporary clamping versus balloon occlusion for management of placenta accreta spectrum disorders: A prospective clinical trial
Authors: Bessar Ahmed Awad , Heraiz Ahmed Ismail , Ibrahim Ahmed Gamil , Salem Mahmoud M. A. , Zaitoun Mohamed Moustafa , Aboelfateh Amr Mostafa Kamel , Gad Abdalla Hassan
Published: December 2023

Objective

The present study aims to compare prophylactic common iliac artery (CIA) temporary clamping and preoperative balloon occlusion for managing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders.

Study Design

Between January 2019 and June 2020, 46 patients with PAS disorders were included. Of them, 26 patients were offered CIA balloon occlusion (Group A), while temporary CIA clamping was done for the other 20 patients (Group B). Primary outcomes were procedure‐related complications, and secondary outcomes included intraoperative and postoperative complications, reoperation rates, total procedure time, blood loss, and amount of blood transfusion.

Results

Blood loss was statistically non‐significant higher in group B than in group A (p‐value = 0.143). Only one patient in group A and three in group B needed reoperation. The bleeding continued for a mean of 1.6 days in group A and 1.7 days in group B, with non‐significant statistical differences between both groups p value = 0.71. Nine patients in group A (34.6%) and four in group B (20%) required ICU admission. The mean Apgar score was 7 and 6.6 in babies of group A and group B patients, respectively. The median number of allogeneic blood transfusions performed was two in patients in group A and 1 in group B (p‐value = 0.001).

Conclusion

Both techniques offer good choices for patients with PAS to decrease mortality and morbidity rates. The selection of a better technique depends on institutional references and physicians' experience.
Rituximab use in paediatric nephrology practice in Türkiye: TRTX
Authors: Ünal Ahmet , Leventoğlu Emre , Bakkaloğlu Sevcan A.
Published: December 2023

Aim

Rituximab (RTX) is a genetically engineered chimeric monoclonal antibody which binds directly to CD20 antigen and mediates inhibition of B cell development. Although RTX has been widely used in paediatric nephrology, there is no routine protocol for its use. In this study, paediatric nephrologists in Türkiye were asked to fill out a questionnaire to understand their practice in using RTX. This study aimed to determine common practices and clarify the uncertainties regarding the use of RTX in paediatric nephrology.

Methods

This was a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on data evaluating the use of RTX in paediatric nephrology practice. An online questionnaire was sent to all paediatric nephrology centers in Türkiye. The questionnaire forms included information about how many patients in total applied RTX treatment, for which indications they use RTX, and whether they made any preparations before using RTX.

Results

According to this survey on RTX use in Türkiye, paediatric nephrologists use it most commonly in SSNS and followed by SRNS, ABMR, SLE and AAV, respectively. Dosing was highly standard but there is significant heterogeneity in pre‐exposure tests and patient monitoring in the clinical practice of RTX. Also, the rate of encountering RTX‐related allergic and infectious side effects at least once during the professional experience of our physicians can be quite high.

Conclusion

There is an increasing need for the preparation of a guideline on the indications for RTX use for each diagnosis, posology, and the practices to be performed before and after infusion.

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Comprehensive physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis of the key metabolic pathways in millet seedling adaptation to drought stress
Authors: Cui Xiaomeng , Wang Bianyin , Chen Zhaoyang , Guo Jixun , Zhang Tao , Zhang Wenying , Shi Lianxuan
Published: December 2023

Drought is one of the leading environmental constraints that affect the growth and development of plants and, ultimately, their yield and quality. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is a natural stress‐resistant plant and an ideal model for studying plant drought resistance. In this study, two varieties of foxtail millet with different levels of drought resistance were used as the experimental material. The soil weighing method was used to simulate drought stress, and the differences in growth, photosynthetic physiology, metabolite metabolism, and gene transcriptional expression under drought stress were compared and analyzed. We aimed to determine the physiological and key metabolic regulation pathways of the drought‐tolerant millet in resistance to drought stress. The results showed that drought‐tolerant millet exhibited relatively stable growth and photosynthetic parameters under drought stress while maintaining a relatively stable level of photosynthetic pigments. The metabolomic, transcriptomic, and gene co‐expression network analysis confirmed that the key to adaptation to drought by millet was to enhance lignin metabolism, promote the metabolism of fatty acids to be transformed into cutin and wax, and improve ascorbic acid circulation. These findings provided new insights into the metabolic regulatory network of millet adaptation to drought stress.
A Billion‐Euro Industry? (De‐)territorialisation Processes of Norway's Seaweed Farming Assemblage
Authors: Albrecht Moritz
Published: December 2023

Seaweed farming is a rising sector in European policy narratives and is increasingly integrated in coastal countries' bioeconomy strategies. Norway aims to lead this European ‘Seaweed Revolution’. Envisioned as a ‘billion‐euro industry’, its development is in its infancy yet contains ambitions for upscaling and socio‐economic credentials that promote it as a sector for sustainable finance and investments. Through assemblage conceptualisation, the paper unfolds the relations that connect the fluid materialities of seaweed with ambitious business plans, coastal localities, calls for upscaling, complex markets and assesses the trajectories potentials for sector development. Instead of forecasting the future of seaweed farming in Norway, it displays how the sociospatial complexities of the Norwegian seaweed farming assemblages' components enable or disperse currently dominant and optimistic sectoral narratives, providing a critical window to highlight the underlying and partially contradictory processes that shape the development trajectories of a sector promoted as a beacon of sustainable transformation.
Healing rates and outcomes following closed transmetatarsal amputations: A systematic review and random effects meta‐analysis of proportions
Authors: Coye Tyler , Ansert Elizabeth , Suludere Mehmet A. , Chung Jayer , Kang Gu Eon , Lavery Lawrence A.
Published: December 2023

Transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is a common surgical procedure for addressing severe forefoot pathologies, such as peripheral vascular disease and diabetic foot infections. Variability in research methodologies and findings within the existing literature has hindered a comprehensive understanding of healing rates and complications following TMA. This meta‐analysis and systematic review aims to consolidate available evidence, synthesising data from multiple studies to assess healing rates and complications associated with closed TMA procedures. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted for articles published from January 1st, 1988, to June 1st, 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised studies reporting healing rates in non‐traumatic transmetatarsal amputation patients with more than 10 participants, excluding open TMAs. Two independent reviewers selected relevant studies, with disagreements resolved through discussion. Data extracted from eligible studies included patient demographics, healing rates, complications, and study quality. Among 22 studies encompassing 1569 transmetatarsal amputations, the pooled healing rate was 67.3%. Major amputation rates ranged from 0% to 55.6%, with a random‐effects pooled rate of 23.9%. Revision rates varied from 0% to 36.4%, resulting in a pooled rate of 14.8%. 30‐day mortality ranged from 0% to 9%, with a fixed‐effects pooled rate of 2.6%. Post‐operative infection rates ranged from 3.0% to 30.7%, yielding a random‐effects pooled rate of 16.7%. Dehiscence rates ranged from 1.7% to 60.0%, resulting in a random‐effects pooled rate of 28.8%. Future studies should aim for standardised reporting and assess the physiological and treatment factors influencing healing and complications.
EFFECT OF ELECTROPHORETIC DEPOSITION PARAMETERS ON COATING THICKNESS AND DEPOSIT YIELD OF NON-COLLOIDAL GRAPHITE PARTICLES
Authors: Lau Kok-Tee , Sorrell C. C.
Published: December 2023

Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) has become a method for fabricating and enhancing electrodes for electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices. This article explores the impact of dominant EPD parameters on the deposit yield and coating thickness of graphite produced from an organic-based graphite particle suspension. The deposit yield follows a linear Hamaker's law at voltages below 50 V, with a deposition time of up to 5 minutes and solid loading between 2.5 to 12.5 mg/mL. The study also demonstrates the successful deposition of negatively charged and non-colloidal sized graphite particles, which are previously dispersed in n-butylamine-acetone without the use of charging or binding additives. This later forms a coating with a relatively strong binding strength of graphite particles on the steel anode. EPD of graphite suspension with a concentration of 5 mg/mL at a deposition voltage of 10 V and 5 minutes deposition time is capable of producing a graphite coating thickness of 70 mm. This research demonstrates the high-yield capability of EPD of organic-based graphite particles on metal anode and provides valuable insight for future investigations into application of binderless graphite suspension particles for electrode materials in energy storage systems.
Reading for refusal in UK maternity care: entangling struggles for border and reproductive justice
Authors: Cassidy Kathryn , Amiri Rana , Davidson Gill
Published: December 2023

Research has shown that women with insecure immigration statuses in the United Kingdom (UK) are more likely to register later in their pregnancy with National Health Service (NHS) maternity care providers. This late engagement with healthcare services is framed in academic debates as one of the key reasons for poor outcomes for these women and their children during and after birth. Interventions, therefore, have focused on how to remove barriers to accessing maternity care for these women. In this paper, we argue that this approach fails to account for the agency of the women adequately, which needs to be understood in the context of state harms and violence towards women with insecure immigration statuses and, in particular, their reproductive lives.
We seek to shift these debates by framing this lack of early engagement with state-provided maternity services as a form of refusal that denotes an active disengagement by bordered women from intersecting structures of harm and oppression that are embedded in the UK’s National Health Service, particularly through the charging regime. We argue that the politics of refusal in this case are embedded in struggles not only for border but also reproductive justice. Drawing on participant observation and data from secondary sources, we illustrate how refusal of early antenatal care opens pathways for bordered women to seek the care-ful conditions they need and want during pregnancy.
Experimental Analysis of Additively Manufactured Latticework Coupons
Authors: Castelli Niccolò , Sandri Umberto , Picchi Alessio , Facchini Bruno , Morante Francesco , Cubeda Simone
Published: December 2023

The capabilities and the precision of additive manufacturing processes have been tremendously increased in the last years, and this trend is not expected to be close to an end. Researchers, in the gas turbine industry, are focusing on the technology implementation on cooling systems. The aim of the present work is to investigate the performances of eight different geometries in order to exploit the cooling potential of some challenging latticework schemes with respect to traditional ones such as smooth channel, dimples, and pin fins. Test coupons consisting of those cooling structures embedded inside a rectangular cooling channel with dimensions of 56 mm width, 5 mm height, and 68 mm length were fabricated by means of direct metal laser melting technique. Since an aim of the present work is to evaluate the shape deformation associated with this additive process, the results of the CT scan imaging technique are presented. The performances are characterized both in terms of averaged heat transfer and friction factor values inside the test coupons by means of steady-state technique with a constant wall temperature boundary condition. The investigated flow Reynolds numbers range from 18, 000 to 40, 000. These values allow the authors to provide a deeper understanding of the latticework structures performances at Reynolds numbers beyond the range typically investigated in the literature. An efficiency index is employed to compare the performances of each geometry. Although the obtained results reveal that none of the tested geometries outperforms the other ones, the latticework arrangements show a heat transfer enhancement with respect to a porosity decrease. In addition, the good capability in terms of heat transfer of the lattice structures measured in the present work suggests the use of such technologies for twofold optimization process based on mechanical resistance and heat transfer characteristics.
Complete genome sequences of
Streptomyces griseus
phages Spelly and Phredrick
Authors: Stamm Joyce , Merkle Julie A. , Abernathy Ava , Ackerman Elizabeth , Brown John , Harris Abbey , Hoffman Kayli , Hoskins Ashleigh , Jahn Abbie , Jones Nathan , Kitch Ashley , Mathavan Nandini , Rose Nat , Taylor Joey
Published: December 2023

We present the complete genome sequences of two viruses with siphovirus morphology, isolated from soils collected in Southwestern Indiana using the host
Streptomyces griseus
. Spelly is a BE2 cluster phage with a 131,347-bp genome. Phredrick is a BK1 cluster phage with a 128,873-bp genome.
Investing in school systems: conceptualising returns on investment across the health, education and social protection sectors
Authors: Verguet Stéphane , Gautam Pratibha , Ali Iman , Husain Arif , Meyer Stefan , Burbano Carmen , Lloyd-Evans Edward , Coco Margherita , Mphangwe Martin , Saka Albert , Zelalem Meseret , Giyose Boitshepo Bibi , Li Zhihui , Erzse Agnes , Hofman Karen , Giner Céline , Avallone Sylvie , Kuusipalo Heli , Kristjansson Elizabeth , Schultz Linda , Bundy Donald A P , Angrist Noam
Published: December 2023

Public policies often aim to improve welfare, economic injustice and reduce inequality, particularly in the social protection, labour, health and education sectors. While these policies frequently operate in silos, the education sphere can operate as a cross-sectoral link. Schools represent a unique locus, with globally hundreds of millions of children attending class every day. A high-profile policy example is school feeding, with over 400 million students worldwide receiving meals in schools. The benefits of harmonising interventions across sectors with a common delivery platform include economies of scale. Moreover, economic evaluation frameworks commonly used to assess policies rarely account for impact across sectors besides their primary intent. For example, school meals are often evaluated for their impact on nutrition, but they also have educational benefits, including increasing attendance and learning and incorporating smallholder farmers into corporate value chains. To address these gaps, we propose the introduction of a comprehensive value-for-money framework for investments toward school systems that acknowledges the return to a common delivery platform—schools—and the multisectoral returns (eg, education, health and nutrition, labour, social protection) emerging from the rollout of school-based programmes. Directly building on benefit-cost analysis methods, this framework could help identify interventions that yield the highest gains in human capital per budget expenditure, with direct implications for finance ministries. Given the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on schoolchildren and human capital, it is urgent to build back stronger and more sustainable welfare systems.
China’s hidden role in malaria control and elimination in Africa
Authors: Odhiambo Julius Nyerere , Dolan Carrie , Malik Ammar A , Tavel Aaron
Published: December 2023

Background

Insufficient funding is hindering the achievement of malaria elimination targets in Africa, despite the pressing need for increased investment in malaria control. While Western donors attribute their inaction to financial constraints, the global health community has limited knowledge of China’s expanding role in malaria prevention. This knowledge gap arises from the fact that China does not consistently report its foreign development assistance activities to established aid transparency initiatives. Our work focuses on identifying Chinese-funded malaria control projects throughout Africa and linking them to official data on malaria prevalence. By doing so, we aim to shed light on China’s contributions to malaria control efforts, analysing their investments and assessing their impact. This would provide valuable insights into the development of effective financing mechanisms for future malaria control in Africa.

Methods

Our research used AidData’ s recently released Global Chinese Development Finance Dataset V.2.0 providing comprehensive coverage of all official sector Chinese development financing across Africa, from which we identify 224 Chinese-funded malaria projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) committed between 2002 and 2017. We conducted an analysis of the spending patterns by year, country and regions within Africa and compared it with data on population-adjusted malaria prevalence, sourced from the Malaria Atlas Project.

Results

Chinese-financed malaria projects Africa mainly focused on three areas: the provision of medical supplies (72.32%), the construction of basic health infrastructure (17.86%) and the deployment of anti-malaria experts (3.57%). Moreover, nearly 39% of the initiatives were concentrated in just four countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Uganda and Liberia. Additionally, China’s development financing amount showed a weak negative correlation (−0.2393) with population-weighted malaria prevalence. We concluded that the extent and direction of China’s support are not adequately tailored to address malaria challenges in different countries.

Conclusion

With China’s increasing engagement in global health, it is anticipated that malaria control will continue to be a prominent priority on its development assistance agenda. This is attributed to China’s vast expertise in malaria elimination, coupled with its substantial contribution as a major producer of malaria diagnostics and treatments.
Nurse-led sustainable plastic surgery trauma service transformation: a positive COVID-19 legacy
Authors: Flanagan Carolyn , Janes Gillian
Published: December 2023

The aim of this quality improvement was to develop a sustainable nurse-led ‘See and Treat’ service in a regional plastic surgery unit in England for patients requiring plastic surgery under local anaesthetic following traumatic injury.

Trauma-related injuries are a substantial part of the workload in the plastic surgery department in question; with people with the most minor injuries requiring surgery under local anaesthetic accounting for 17%. COVID-19 threatened the continuation of any minor surgery service, but the initial crisis-driven response to the pandemic provided the opportunity to develop a new, more effective, nurse-led service for this patient group.

The Model for Improvement was used and four ‘Plan, Do, Study, Act’ cycles deployed over an 8-week period, involving 102 patients. Routine quantitative and qualitative data in the form of a semistructured patient feedback proforma were used to guide the improvement process, optimising the new service design and delivery.

The results demonstrated that 98% (n=100) of patients received same-day surgery via the new ‘See and Treat’ service. Staff and patient satisfaction remained high throughout; all patients preferred same-day surgery. No negative unintended consequences, for example, postoperative infections, were identified. One positive unintended consequence was the reduction in carbon footprint achieved by decreasing clinical waste and patient travel.

Improvement methodology was successfully used by a nurse-led team to enable the continuation and enhancement of surgical services for trauma patients during COVID-19-driven service disruption. This service transformation has resulted in the retention of the revised service delivery model as the ‘new normal’ approximately 2 years later. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the resilience of the trauma surgery service but led to a positive long-term legacy that sustainably improved waiting times and patient experience while maintaining safety.
Implementing a medication lubricant for pill dysphagia on an acute care ward using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles
Authors: O'Brien Emma , Johnston Sandra , Douglas Clint
Published: December 2023

Background

Pill dysphagia, the difficulty in swallowing solid oral medications, is a common problem that can affect medication adherence and increase pill modifications. Current practices of crushing medications or using food vehicles have limitations and potential risks. This report describes the implementation of a medication lubricant, Gloup, for pill dysphagia on an acute care ward using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.

Objective

The objective of this project was to evaluate the implementation of Gloup in the acute care ward setting and assess its acceptability and uptake by patients and ward nurses during medication administration.

Methods

The project involved chart audits of medication administration records, collection of patient feedback, and staff feedback through meetings. Patient characteristics and medication administration practices were documented. The implementation process included education and training sessions for staff, development of a medication chart sticker for evaluation data collection and small-scale testing of Gloup with patients before ward-level implementation.

Results

The implementation of Gloup on the acute care ward showed high uptake and acceptability. The majority of patients using Gloup had crushed medications, and the use of Gloup varied based on patient needs.

Conclusion

The implementation of Gloup as a medication lubricant for pill dysphagia on an acute care ward was successful and well received by patients and staff. The use of Gloup appeared to improve medication administration practices and reduce the need for crushing medications or using food vehicles. This project highlights the importance of addressing pill dysphagia in acute care settings and provides insights for other wards considering similar interventions.
Risk factors for unplanned readmissions in paediatric neurosurgery: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Sese Lance Vincent Caburian , Guillermo Ma Celina Legaspi
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Unplanned hospital readmission (UHR) following surgical procedures reflects patient outcomes. While adult readmission studies are abundant, limited research exists in paediatric populations, especially in the context of neurosurgery.

Methods and analysis

This protocol outlines a systematic review aimed at identifying reasons for unplanned readmissions (30-day and 90-day readmissions) and risk factors following paediatric neurosurgical procedures. Narrative synthesis, sensitivity analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-analysis, when appropriate, will be done.

Ethics and dissemination

There are no primary data involved and no access to confidential patient information. The findings aim to contribute to refining clinical practice, enhance patient counselling, and optimise healthcare resource utilisation in paediatric neurosurgical care.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023455779.
Predictive value of the National Early Warning Score 2 for hospitalised patients with viral respiratory illness is improved by the addition of inspired oxygen fraction as a weighted variable
Authors: Clarke Jonathan , Gallifant Jack , Grant David , Desai Nishita , Glover Guy
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) is validated for predicting acute deterioration, however, the binary grading of inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) may limit performance. We evaluated the incorporation of FiO2as a weighted categorical variable on NEWS2 prediction of patient deterioration.

Setting

Two hospitals at a single medical centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Design

Retrospective cohort of all ward admissions, with a viral respiratory infection (SARS-CoV-2/influenza).

Participants

3704 adult ward admissions were analysed between 01 January 2017 and 31 December 2021.

Methods

The NEWS-FiO2score transformed FiO2into a weighted categorical variable, from 0 to 3 points, substituting the original 0/2 points. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac arrest, unplanned critical care admission or death within 24 hours of the observation. Sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), number needed to evaluate (NNE) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated. Failure analysis for the time from trigger to outcome was compared by log-rank test.

Results

The mean age was 60.4±19.4 years, 52.6% were men, with a median Charlson Comorbidity of 0 (IQR 3). The primary outcome occurred in 493 (13.3%) patients, and the weighted FiO2score was strongly associated with the outcome (p=<0.001). In patients receiving supplemental oxygen, 78.5% of scores were reclassified correctly and the AUROC was 0.81 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.81) for NEWS-FiO2versus 0.77 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.77) for NEWS2. This improvement persisted in the whole cohort with a significantly higher failure rate for NEWS-FiO2 (p=<0.001). At the 5-point threshold, the PPV increased by 22.0% (NNE 6.7) for only a 3.9% decrease in sensitivity.

Conclusion

Transforming FiO2into a weighted categorical variable improved NEWS2 prediction for patient deterioration, significantly improving the PPV. Prospective external validation is required before institutional implementation.
On physical processes controlling nerve signalling
Authors: Mareš Jiří J. , Špička Václav , Hubík Pavel
Published: December 2023

The intensive experimental and theoretical research into the nerve signalling, which lasts for more than 230 years, has provided many valuable pieces of knowledge but no definite, really satisfying solution. Such an unfavourable state is due to the extraordinary complexity of this phenomenon and enormous technical difficulties encountered by experiments. Therefore, the problem till now persists as a challenging subject of research, being opened to various approaches. In the present contribution we are thus trying to summarize the accessible experimental findings and compare them critically with existing alternative theories. Finally, we attempt to compile a minimal model of the signal transmission in nerves, intentionally based only on well turned-out physically transparent arguments. The model combines two types of diffusion processes, microscopic and macroscopic ones, which act simultaneously and ensure nerve signalling. The full-time evolution of the corresponding action potential, from its emergence, increase, decrease and recovery phase, is controlled by the two types of membrane channels: by dissipative protein-based channels of Hodgkin–Huxley type and randomly created non-dissipative fissures in membranes. This approach could be useful for the efforts aiming to the improvement of the current models.