bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monks and Friars as University Students in the Late Middle Ages
Authors: Romhányi Beatrix F.
Published: August 2023

Universities played a special role in late medieval Europe, providing possibilities to acquire knowledge, to make acquaintances, and to start careers. Within the increasing group of students, monks and friars represented a tiny minority. However, the attitudes of the orders concerning higher education, the financial background to support foreign studies, and the directions the monks and friars chose when they went to study abroad reveal not only the internal needs and conditions of the orders and the monasteries themselves. The analysis of the data, even if they are limited in number, sheds light on the expectations of the surrounding society, especially of the elite, and it can also contribute to the investigation of European networks and information flow. The present paper aims to give an overview about these issues based on the data connected to the late medieval Kingdom of Hungary.
„Abbas de Czirzicz”. O chronologii i ścieżkach karier opatów szczyrzyckich w XV w.
Authors: Zdanek Maciej
Published: August 2023

The Cistercian Abbey in Szczyrzyc was founded in the thirteenth century. It was the youngest andsmallest monastery of this order in Lesser Poland. A catalogue of abbots has been compiled byProf. Jolanta Marszalska and Prof. Waldemar Graczyk, but it requires some amendments. The aimof the article is to correct this catalogue, to establish a strict chronology, and to collect basic biographical data of the abbots in the fifteenth century. The author draws attention to the more precisecriticism of Szczyrzyc historiographical sources and importance of overlooked information from the Chronicle of Koprzywnica Abbey. Above all, he calls for extending the research to include land,castle and church (consistory and bishop’s) court books. These are massive sources that have notyet been used to study the history of the abbey. The article attempts to provide a collective portrait of the abbots: their social background, their education, their careers in the order, the links betweenthe monasteries of the Morimond branch in Lesser Poland and especially with the mother Abbeyin Jędrzejów. The appendix contains an updated list of the ten abbots of Szczyrzyc in the fifteenthcentury: Mikołaj Suchorabski (after 1401–1419), Piotr Borek of Trzciniec (1419–1422), Piotr Kulka(Kula?) (before 1424–1431), Grzegorz II (before 1433–1435), Mikołaj III (before 1439–1467),Stanisław I (1467–1478), Jan I (before 1480–1485), Stanisław II (before 1489–1490), Maciej (before1491–1493), Wawrzyniec (1493–1498, before 1502).
« … elle inventa un nouveau mode de vie… ». Colette de Corbie vue par Nicolas Glassberger. Note d’histoire franciscaine, entre France et Europe centrale
Authors: Viallet Ludovic
Published: August 2023

In his famous chronicle, the Franciscan Nicolas Glassberger devotes less than ten lines to the death(in 1447) of Colette of Corbie, “living saint” and reformer of the Poor Clares. She was also closelylinked to a Franciscan reform movement that had chosen the obedience to ministers (i.e. sub ministris)rather than the adherence to the autonomous institutional structures set up by the Observancesub vicariis. The paper seeks to explain the severity of Glassberger’s judgement by examiningwhat it says about the Franciscan Observance – what it claimed to be on the eve of the split in theOrder (in 1517), but also what it had been, in its plurality, over the preceding decades.
Players of the Other World. The Genuine Mendicant Orders
Authors: Landi Fiorenzo
Published: August 2023

The role of religious almsgiving in the economies of self-consumption and the market of pre-industrial economies. Reality and fiction in the evolution of mendicant orders from absolute poverty to patrimonial accumulation.
« Currendum et agendum est modo quod in perpetuo nobis expediat ». De deux mentalités confessionnelles à deux manières d’agir ? Monachisme catholique et monachisme orthodoxe de la Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów face aux défis du XVIe siècle
Authors: Dmitriev Mikhail V.
Published: August 2023

This article concerns the issue of differences between how Catholic and Orthodox monks of thePolish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów) responded, in the sixteenth century, to the challenges of religious crisis caused by Reformation. After a period of mobilization,Catholic monasteries responded actively, making reforms, fighting against Protestantism, engaging in missionary activities at home and developing propaganda. Orthodox monks chose to retreat, remaining rather passive ’onlookers’ in the ongoing crisis. A hypothesis has been advanced thatthese differences were correlated to two divergent types of Christian ethos, expressed, in particular,by differing monastic rules and ascetic traditions Eastern and Western Christian monasticism.
Pijarzy w Nowej Jerozolimie. Pierwsze ćwierćwiecze Szkół Pobożnych w Górze (1675–1700)
Authors: Mączyński Ryszard
Published: August 2023

In 1670, the Mazovian village of Góra (now Góra Kalwaria) was renamed to New Jerusalem dueto the foundation made by the Poznań bishop Stefan Wierzbowski (1620–1687). There was a planto shape it in imitation of Jerusalem in the Holy Land which was under the rule of the OttomanEmpire at that time. In this way, the holy city was closer presented to believers living in the centreof Europe and a new purpose of religious pilgrimages was created, which contributed to thegrowth of devotion of the Republic’s society. The Piarists order was one of the orders located inGóra. The official act of the foundation was signed – as the printed source Vinea Christi states – on13 November 1675.However, knowledge about the beginnings of the order – its assets, fathers and brothers, theoldest buildings or schools – has been very scanty until now. This lack resulted from the fact thatthe unit was abolished relatively early – already at the beginning of the nineteenth century – andonly remnants of the source documents concerning it have survived in Polish collections. On theother hand, documentation collected in the General Archive of Religious Schools (Archivio Generaledelle Scuole Pie) in Rome was used for the first time in order to prepare the article. Thissource is rich with information especially on the last quarter of the seventeenth century.
Rate-Optimal Bayesian Simple Regret in Best Arm Identification
Authors: Komiyama Junpei , Ariu Kaito , Kato Masahiro , Qin Chao
Published: August 2023

We consider best arm identification in the multiarmed bandit problem. Assuming certain continuity conditions of the prior, we characterize the rate of the Bayesian simple regret. Differing from Bayesian regret minimization, the leading term in the Bayesian simple regret derives from the region in which the gap between optimal and suboptimal arms is smaller than [Formula: see text]. We propose a simple and easy-to-compute algorithm with its leading term matching with the lower bound up to a constant factor; simulation results support our theoretical findings.
Role playing and interdependence among husbands of Iranian women after a mastectomy
Authors: Shamloo Marzieh Beigom Bigdeli , Elahi Nasrin , Zaker Marziyeh Asadi , Zarea Kourosh , Zareiyan Armin
Published: August 2023

Background:

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women.

Aim:

To investigate the impact of breast cancer on the husbands of Iranian women.

Methods:

A content analysis based on a Callista-Roy adaptation model was conducted on 23 patients with breast cancer and their husbands and therapists. After asking questions about coping with cancer through telephone interviews, the following subcategories were obtained: role play and interdependence. Data analysis was completed via the Elo and Kyngas approach.

Results:

Data analysis led to the production of 51 initial codes from participants' experiences. The category role-playing included three further sub-categories: primary role, secondary role and tertiary role. Independence/dependence problems included seven sub-categories: personal beliefs, love and heartfelt attachment, organised support, non-organised support, support failure, economic problems and dependence problems/independence.

Conclusions:

Husbands of women who have had a mastectomy have to take on new roles in their life in order to care for their wife. Also, despite the financial, spiritual, psychological, and medical support that they receive, husbands still felt that the support was insufficient.
Palliative care programmes for people with conditions other than cancer in Thailand: a literature review
Authors: Suratako Savitree , Matchim Yaowarat
Published: August 2023

Background:

Thailand has few studies on palliative care programmes for people with conditions other than cancer.

Objective:

The objective of this review was to investigate and discuss existing studies of palliative care programmes for non-cancer patients in Thailand.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar to find research conducted from 2000 to 2020. The search found 29 articles, eight of which met the inclusion criteria.

Results:

The eight articles included in this review were focused on four end-stage renal disease (ESRD) programmes, two congestive heart failure (CHF) programmes, one chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) programme and one stroke programme.

Conclusions:

There have been few studies of existing palliative care programmes for non-cancer patients in Thailand. These programmes were developed for persons with ESRD, CHF, COPD and stroke, whereas none were available for people with dementia. More palliative care programmes are needed for non-cancer patients.
The relationship between caregiver burden and anger level of informal caregivers of patients in palliative care centre
Authors: Çatıker Aslıhan , Uğur Hacer Gök , Bülbül İlkay , Koçer Elif
Published: August 2023

Background:

Palliative care is a comprehensive service that includes not only the patient but also the caregivers.

Aims:

This research was carried out to determine the relationship and factors affecting the burden and anger level of informal caregivers of patients.

Methods:

This descriptive study was conducted with caregivers (n=206) of patients hospitalised in two Palliative Care Centers in Ordu, Türkiye.

Findings:

In the research, it was determined that there was a statistically significant relationship between the burden of caregivers and the trait anger level, anger-in, anger-out sub-dimension scores of The Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale, but a negative relationship was found between the burden of caregivers and anger control sub-dimension scores of The Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale.

Conclusions:

The burden of a caregiving process has a positive impact on the trait anger level, anger-in, anger-out but has a negative impact on anger control. Nurses should monitor a caregiver's level of anger and burden and develop programmes required to decrease the caregiver's anger level and burden.
Managing intractable pain with neuraxial infusion at home
Authors: Jones Shirley E , Bird Katherine , Maynard Linda
Published: August 2023

A case study of a 9-year-old child with complex pain secondary to metastatic liver cancer, who eventually required intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) of analgesia. Multi-modal symptom control strategies were deployed to achieve the child's and parental wishes for end-of-life care (EoLC) at home using ITDD. The following recommendations are made for nursing practice in paediatric palliative care (PPC); rigorous risk assessment, exemplary communication with the identification of a coordinating team, timely training needs assessment and the delivery of training from hospital based experts in ITDD practice, comprehensive symptom management plan and 24/7 access to specialist palliative care teams were essential for safe nursing practice. In this case, robust risk assessment and mitigations enabled challenges to be safely addressed with a successful outcome, extending the boundaries of PPC home care.
Contemporary portrait of the working lives of ambulance services staff in Wales
Authors: Hunt Julian , Gammon John , Williams Sharon , Holland Peter , Tham Tse Leng , Humphreys Ioan
Published: August 2023

Background:

Ambulance services staff are under more pressure than ever. Inadequate numbers face unmanageable workloads. For the first time in more than three decades, these employees in England and Wales have taken industrial action over wages and working conditions.

Aims:

This study aimed to understand the wellbeing and working environment of ambulance services staff in Wales.

Methods:

An online survey of 594 ambulance services staff was carried out. Data were analysed using standard quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Findings:

Key factors impacting wellbeing include work intensification, burnout and a lack of trust in management, which were increasing intentions to leave the profession.

Conclusion:

Ambulance services in Wales are reaching a critical tipping point. If the issues raised in this study are not addressed, the outcome will most likely be an accelerating departure from the profession of highly skilled people who are expensive and difficult to replace.
Raised levels of depression and PTSD in ambulance staff: causes and solutions
Authors: Crawford-Clark Louise
Published: August 2023

Background:

Ambulance staff are reported to have higher levels of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), than the general population. Vicarious trauma has been attributed to the increased prevalence of depression and PTSD in ambulance service staff.

Aims:

This literature review explores the causes of the greater prevalence of PTSD and discusses interventions to lower these high rates.

Methods:

A literature review was carried out and four relevant studies were selected. A critical appraisal tool was then used to produce a systematic analysis.

Findings:

PTSD in the ambulance service is up to 10 times greater than in the general public, higher than in both the police and fire services and equal to that in the military. The cause of this higher prevalence of PTSD lies not only in vicarious trauma but also in the toll of shift work and in biological predisposition.

Conclusion:

There is a paucity of research on PTSD in ambulance staff; research is needed into post-exposure treatments as well as into pre-exposure interventions.
Prehospital use of the paediatric observation priority score
Authors: Morgan Rebecca , Cutter Jayne
Published: August 2023

Background:

In the prehospital setting, the incidence of seriously unwell children is low and emergency medical staff have repeatedly expressed concerns about their confidence and knowledge with regard to assessing children. The paediatric observation priority score (POPS) was designed in response to concerns about the identification of seriously unwell children. The ambulance service in this study began to implement POPS in 2018.

Aim:

To examine the use and documentation of POPS by ambulance staff in a Welsh health board.

Methods:

A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out, covering 121 paediatric patients over 3 months with data collected from patient clinical records.

Findings:

Patient observations were well documented (77.7%), score accuracy was high (82%) and the majority of patients were pre-alerted appropriately (80% of POPS 7). Statistically significant associations were drawn between patient age and observations as well as between POPS and patient outcomes. However, compliance with POPS was only 32.3%.

Conclusion:

Although the use of POPS is relatively low, children mainly did have relevant observations recorded and when POPS was used, it was accurate. Education and training would improve compliance. Future research recommendations include investigating the education and confidence of emergency medical staff regarding paediatric patients.
Anterior Dislocation of Elbow with Fracture of Medial Epicondyle: A Rare Injury Case Report
Authors: Dalei Tushar Ranjan , Swain Subhamya Chinmaya , Meher Deepak Kumar
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Anterior elbow dislocation is a rare occurrence, mostly produced by direct trauma to elbow in flexion attitude following fall from height. Posterior dislocation is the commoner entity at the elbow joint, thus rarity of this case incites reporting. Case Report: A 53-year-old male presented to our outpatient department with complaints of pain, swelling, and inability to move his right upper limb, following fall from height. On examination, no associated neurovascular deficit was found. Radiological investigations confirmed anterior dislocation of elbow joint with medial epicondyle fracture of the right humerus. Dislocation was reduced under general anesthesia with ulnohumeral K-wire and fracture of the medial epicondyle was stabilized by open reduction and internal fixation with K-wire. Conclusion: Anterior dislocation is a rare occurrence with frequent association of neurovascular injury. Therefore, a careful assessment followed by the early proper reduction and management of neurovascular injury if any would lead to better functional outcome. Keywords: Elbow joint, anterior dislocation, medial epicondyle.
A Case Report Of “Synovial Chondromatosis Of Elbow” Treated With Synovectomy
Authors: Reddy Rajlaxmi , Reddy Vijay Narasimman , Kiran Venkat
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Synovial chondromatosis is a rare non- malignant bone tumor. Most commonly middle aged people are affected . This condition most commonly occurs in knee joints, and rarely, it may occur in other joints. Patient usually complaints of pain, swelling and restrictions of movements at the affected joint. Diagnosis is made through thorough clinical examination and Radiological investigation. Condition is treated with open synovectomy with the removal of loose bodies. If not treated in time the patient might develop early osteoarthritic changes and rarely develop into malignancy in few cases. Case Report: A 43 year old female came with complaints of pain and stiffness over the right elbow which aggravates on movements without alleged history of trauma. The patient was diagnosed with synovial chondromatosis after appropriate radiological investigation. The patient underwent open synovectomy and post operatively adequate physiotherapy was initiated at the operated elbow. After 6 months of follow-up, the patient improved clinically and functionally. Conclusion: Synovial chondromatosis of the elbow is a rare benign orthopedic condition that appears as multiple hyaline cartilage nodules within sub synovial connective tissue. Complete excision of synovium is necessary to prevent the recurrence and for better clinical outcome Keywords: Synovial chondromatosis of the elbow , benign tumor , synovectomy
Tailored Precision: A Unique Case of Pelvic Osteosarcoma Management
Authors: Sauhta Ravi , Makkar Dheeraj
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Osteosarcoma of the pelvis poses challenges in surgical resection due to its anatomical location and extensive nature. This case report focuses on the clinical presentation and therapeutic outcomes of a 20-year-old patient with osteosarcoma of the right iliac bone. The study highlights the efficacy of 3D printing technology in creating customized implants for improved surgical outcomes. Case Report: The case report presents the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of a patient with osteosarcoma of the right iliac bone. It emphasizes the impact of surgical resection extent and endoprosthetic reconstruction. The study highlights the advantages of 3D printing technology in creating customized implants that accurately fit the remaining bone. Limb-sparing surgery is advocated for better functional and psychological outcomes compared to amputation. The report also emphasizes the need for further research on alternative composite materials and discusses the limitations of 3D printing technology in orthopedics. The limitations of 3D printing, such as mechanical safety and material restrictions, are discussed, calling for future advancements to improve the reliability and effectiveness of 3D-printed implants in orthopedics. Conclusion: The present case report provides valuable perspectives into the efficacious management of pelvic osteosarcoma and underscores the distinctive advantages of 3D printing technology in improving surgical results. Limb-sparing surgery demonstrates enhanced functional and psychological outcomes compared to amputation. Utilizing 3D custom-made implants, significantly reduces the likelihood of revision surgeries attributed to implant failure, improves the surgical outcome and precision. Keywords: Osteosarcoma, pelvis, 3D printing, endoprosthesis, titanium.
Compartment Syndrome Due to Reperfusion Injury from an Axillary Artery Occlusion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Markowitz Moses , Donato Zachary , Huntley Samuel , Syros Alina , Rizzo Michael , Boomsma Shawn
Published: August 2023

Introduction: While commonly caused by traumatic injury and fracture, compartment syndrome can also result from reperfusion injury. Very few cases of prophylactic fasciotomy are mentioned when considering time to revascularization after prolonged vascular ischemia. We present a case of a patient who underwent multiple compartment prophylactic fasciotomies following reperfusion injury in the upper extremity. Case Report: We report a 72-year-old male that suffered from an anterior shoulder dislocation after a ground-level fall. After reduction, pulses were not measurable, and angiography indicated an axillary artery occlusion. Immediately after operative reperfusion, compartments became tense. Orthopedic surgeons subsequently performed arm anterior, posterior, and forearm volar and mobile wad compartment fasciotomies, after 13 h of ischemia. The patient tolerated the procedure, and at the latest follow-up, was working to improve strength in the extremity. Conclusion: Even when the circumstances of injury seem to be less traumatic as in this case of a ground-level fall, we document the importance of prompt recognition and intervention of suspected compartment syndrome following prolonged ischemia and revascularization of the upper extremity. Keywords: Compartment syndrome, reperfusion injury, shoulder dislocation, axillary artery occlusion, fasciotomy.
Case of Infected Non-Union of Distal Femur Treated with Ilizarov Fixator Assisted Knee Arthrodesis and Limb Lengthening Surgery
Authors: Chalak Ajit , Kale Sachin , Mehra Shivam , Gunjotikar Aditya , Singh Sushmit , Sawant Raj
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Femoral fractures in adults are around 3 –6% and 0.4% of all the fractures are usually distal femoral fractures, frequently consisting of high-energy injuries which are associated with compound trauma. Conventionally, femoral–tibial fusion remains one of the last treatment choices for the recurrent septic failure. Case Report: We report a unique case where a 52-year-old male had presented with a post-operative infected non-union of distal femur and patella with discharging sinus and distal femur plate in situ. The patient presented to our outpatient department with complaints of pain and swelling over right knee with discharging sinus with fixed flexion deformity of 20° for 1-year post trauma and post-surgery. The discharging sinus was over lateral aspect of knee with purulent discharge. His blood parameters were suggestive of high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels and a Gram staining were suggestive of Gram-negative bacilli. X-ray showed non-union of distal femur and osteomyelitic changes and knee subluxation with distal femur plate and encirclage with K-wire for patella in situ. The patient underwents three-stage procedure of debridement with implant removal, followed by knee arthrodesis and ultimately limb lengthening surgery. Conclusion: Our case report is unique and distinctive as it shows that, when a case of infected non-union of distal femur comes with stiff and non-salvageable knee with severe arthritic changes and financial constraints, we should consider for knee arthrodesis with ilizarov ring fixator and limb lengthening surgery. Although it yielded stiff knee but with functioning limb without limb length discrepancy. Keywords: Osteomyelitis, distal femur, knee arthrodesis, limb lengthening, ilizarov ring fixator.
Evaluating punctuated equilibrium dynamics within a crisis context
Authors: Shafi Saahir , Mallinson Daniel J.
Published: August 2023

The theoretical evolution of punctuated equilibrium theory (PET) and empirical expansion of its research agenda to non-democratic countries, demonstrate that democratic nations feature less punctuated policymaking than autocracies, owing to informational advantages. However, can these differences be identified cross-sectionally across numerous political systems facing a common policy problem? To assess this, we present a broad and robust empirical analysis of PET dynamics across 166 countries over three years for a single policy issue that affected all nations: the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we theoretically link PET with the concepts of policy learning and bounded emulation and propose the emergence of mini cycles of punctuated equilibrium during a crisis. Then, using weekly data, we examine univariate distributions of COVID-19-related policy changes to better understand how punctuated policy dynamics have differed between political systems. Using multiple approaches, we demonstrate (1) the emergence of PET mini cycles during crises and (2) an absence of macro-level differences in PET dynamics across democratic, partially democratic and autocratic countries. Our evaluation of policy change distributions across a wide range of political systems in a crisis context offers notable insights into the generalisability of PET dynamics. Thus, our article offers novel advancements to PET scholarship both theoretically and empirically.
Eusebius's Four Tempora: A Brief Survey of Christian Chronological Traditions through Their Reception in Byzantine Supputationes
Authors: Varona Patricia
Published: August 2023

Abstract: No one would deny that Eusebius of Caesarea's chronicle exerted an enormous influence on later Greek chronicle writing, but there is still much to be said about the concrete characteristics of this influence and its extent, which is difficult to assess due to the loss of many sources and the precarious state of preservation of others. This article examines several supputationes —a basic element of chronological writing that can be defined as chronological summaries in the form of lists of temporal intervals between relevant events—embedded in works of different historiographical or chronological genre or transmitted independently, composed in Greek between the fourth and tenth centuries. It analyses these chronological lists as evidence of the reception of Eusebius's chronicle in Byzantine chronological literature or in the chronological sources of Byzantine historiography, and, in particular, of its influence on the construction of the periodization of history. The result of this analysis shows considerable uniformity with regard to the elements ( epochai and intervals) concerning the biblical period of history—between the creation and the incarnation—regardless of their origin or context, which points to a tradition that has as its basis the revision of Eusebius's chronicle.
Equality and Corporal Punishment: Wage Labor's Crisis of Legitimation, 1795–1835
Authors: Young Mark L.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: In the decades following the Revolution, American culture enthusiastically embraced the classical-republican ideals of equality and personal freedom from domination. But as nascent industrialism took hold in America, a wage-labor paradigm began to emerge which conflicted violently with these principles. Supported by a legal framework, transferred from England's feudal past, known as the doctrine of master and servant, wage labor demanded inequality, subordination, and fostered dependency. The most dramatic conflict, however, arose from the doctrine's disciplinary cornerstone—the sanctioning of brutal corporal punishment to enforce employer authority. This created a crisis of legitimation for the wage system. And because the doctrine of master and servant was clearly at odds with republican ideology, wage labor's crisis became law's crisis. This article argues that the abandonment of corporal punishment in favor of more subtle forms of coercion was accompanied by a legal discourse that contributed to the legitimation of an emerging wage-labor regime. This discourse transcended its legal origins to support a broader legal-moral ideology of opportunity that rationalized and, paradoxically, underpinned domination, dependency, and inequality amid strenuous assertions of justice.
Monolithic integrated all-GaN-based µLED display by selective area regrowth
Authors: Liu Yaying , Liu Zhaojun , Lau Kei May
Published: August 2023

This work demonstrates an all-GaN-based µLED display with monolithic integrated HEMT and µLED pixels using the selective area regrowth method. The monochrome µLED-HEMT display has a resolution of 20 × 20 and a pixel pitch of 80 µm. With the optimized regrowth pattern, the µLED-HEMT achieves a maximum light output power of 36.2 W/cm2 and a peak EQE of 3.36%, mainly due to the improved crystal quality of regrown µLED. TMAH treatment and Al2O3 surface passivation are also performed to minimize the impact of nonradiative recombination caused by the dry etching damage. With a custom-designed driving circuit board, images of “HKUST” are successfully shown on the µLED-HEMT display.
Counting (on) blue carbon—Challenges and ways forward for carbon accounting of ecosystem-based carbon removal in marine environments
Authors: Mengis Nadine , Paul Allanah , Fernández-Méndez Mar
Published: August 2023

The latest IPCC assessment report highlights once more the need for negative emissions via carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures to reach ambitious mitigation goals. In particular ecosystem-based CDR measures are currently the focus of national net-zero strategies and novel carbon crediting efforts. Blue carbon dioxide removal (blueCDR) options are anthropogenic activities that aim to enhance such ecosystem-based carbon sinks in the marine environment. The protection and conservation of existing marine ecosystems that naturally sequester carbon, does not qualify as CDR. Using blueCDR as an example, we highlight key challenges concerning the monitoring and evaluation of marine carbon fluxes for carbon crediting. Challenges specific to ecosystem-based CDR measures are i) the definition of baseline natural carbon fluxes, which is necessary for ii) clear anthropogenic CDR signal attribution, as well as iii) accounting for possible natural or anthropogenic disturbances of the carbon stock and hence an assessment for the durability of the carbon storage. In addition, the marine environment poses further monitoring and evaluation challenges due to i) temporal and spatial decoupling of the carbon capturing and sequestration processes, combined with ii) signal dilution due to high ecosystem connectivity, and iii) large pre-existing carbon stocks which makes any human-made increase in carbon stocks even harder to quantify. To increase the scientific rigour and ensure additionality behind issued carbon credits, we support the current trend of focusing monitoring efforts on carbon sequestration rather than on capturing processes, and on establishing a baseline for natural carbon sequestration in diverse marine ecosystems. Finally, we believe that making carbon credits subject to dynamic adjustments over time, will increase their credibility.
High diversity and sharing of strongylid nematodes in humans and great apes co-habiting an unprotected area in Cameroon
Authors: Ilík Vladislav , Kreisinger Jakub , Modrý David , Schwarz Erich Marquard , Tagg Nikki , Mbohli Donald , Nkombou Irène Charmance , Petrželková Klára Judita , Pafčo Barbora
Published: August 2023

Rapid increases in human populations and environmental changes of past decades have led to changes in rates of contact and spatial overlap with wildlife. Together with other historical, social and environmental processes, this has significantly contributed to pathogen transmission in both directions, especially between humans and non-human primates, whose close phylogenetic relationship facilitates cross-infections. Using high-throughput amplicon sequencing, we studied strongylid communities in sympatric western lowland gorillas, central chimpanzees and humans co-occurring in an unprotected area in the northern periphery of the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. At the genus level, we classified 65 strongylid ITS-2 amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs) in humans and great apes. Great apes exhibited higher strongylid diversity than humans. Necator and Oesophagostomum were the most prevalent genera, and we commonly observed mixed infections of more than one strongylid species. Human strongylid communities were dominated by the human hookworm N. americanus, while great apes were mainly infected with N. gorillae, O. stephanostomum and trichostrongylids. We were also able to detect rare strongylid taxa (such as Ancylostoma and Ternidens). We detected eight ASVs shared between humans and great apes (four N. americanus variants, two N. gorillae variants, one O. stephanostomum type I and one Trichostrongylus sp. type II variant). Our results show that knowledge of strongylid communities in primates, including humans, is still limited. Sharing the same habitat, especially outside protected areas (where access to the forest is not restricted), can enable mutual parasite exchange and can even override host phylogeny or conserved patterns. Such studies are critical for assessing the threats posed to all hosts by increasing human-wildlife spatial overlap. In this study, the term "contact" refers to physical contact, while "spatial overlap" refers to environmental contact.
Evaluation of “Caserotek” a low cost and effective artificial blood-feeding device for mosquitoes
Authors: Astete Helvio , Briesemeister Verónica , Campos Cesar , Puertas Angel , Scott Thomas W. , López-Sifuentes Víctor , Larson Ryan , Fisher Michael , Vásquez Gissella M. , Escobedo-Vargas Karin , Morrison Amy C.
Published: August 2023

Entomological research studies on mosquito vector biology, vector competence, insecticide resistance, dispersal, and survival (using mark-release-recapture techniques) often rely on laboratory-reared mosquito colonies to produce large numbers of consistently reared, aged, and sized mosquitoes. We developed a low-cost blood feeding apparatus that supports temperatures consistent with warm blooded animals, using commonly available materials found in low resource environments. We compare our system (“Caserotek”) to Hemotek and glass/membrane feeding methods. Two experiments were conducted with Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) and one with Anopheles darlingi (Root 1926) (Diptera: Culicidae); 3 replicates were conducted for each experiment. Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes were provided chicken blood once per week for 30 min (Experiment #1) for 14 days or 1 hour (Experiment #2) for 21 days. Anopheles darlingi were fed once for 1 hour (Experiment #3). Blood-feeding rates, survival rates, and egg production were calculated across replicates. Caserotek had a significantly higher 30-min engorgement rate (91.1%) than Hemotek (47.7%), and the glass feeder (29.3%) whereas for 1-hour feeding, Hemotek had a significantly lower engorgement rate than either of the other two devices (78% versus 91%). Thirty-day survival was similar among the feeding devices, ranging from 86% to 99%. Mean egg production was highest for the Caserotek feeder (32 eggs per female) compared to the glass feeder and Hemotek device (21–22 eggs per female). Our new artificial feeding system had significantly higher blood feeding rates than for more expensive artificial systems and was equivalent to other fitness parameters. Caserotek only requires the ability to boil water to maintain blood temperatures using a Styrofoam liner. It can be easily scaled up to large production facilities and used under austere conditions.
Acoustic and perceptual impact of face masks on speech: A scoping review
Authors: Badh Gursharan , Knowles Thea
Published: August 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment such as facial masks and coverings were mandated all over the globe to protect against the virus. Although the primary aim of wearing face masks is to protect against viral transmission, they pose a potential burden on communication. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the state of the evidence of the effect of facial coverings on acoustic and perceptual speech outcomes. The scoping review followed the framework created by Arksey & O’Malley (2005) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines (PRISMA-ScR; Tricco et al., 2018). The search was completed in May 2021 across the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. A total of 3,846 records were retrieved from the database search. Following the removal of duplicates, 3,479 remained for the title/abstract screen and 149 were selected for the full-text review. Of these, 52 were included in the final review and relevant data were extracted. The 52 articles included in the final review consisted of; 11 studied perceptual outcomes only, 16 studied acoustic outcomes only, and 14 studied both perceptual and acoustic outcomes. 13 of these investigated acoustic features that could be used for mask classification. Although the findings varied from article to article, many trends stood out. Many articles revealed that face masks act as a low pass filter, dampening sounds at higher frequencies; however, the frequency range and the degree of attenuation varied based on face mask type. All but five articles that reported on perceptual outcomes showed a common trend that wearing a face mask was associated with poorer speech intelligibility. The findings of the scoping review provided evidence that facial coverings negatively impacted speech intelligibility, which is likely due to a combination of auditory and visual cue degradation. Due to the continued prevalence of mask use, how facial coverings affect a wider variety of speaker populations, such as those with communication impairments, and strategies for overcoming communication challenges should be explored.
Helicase-like transcription factor (Hltf)-deletion activates Hmgb1-Rage axis and granzyme A-mediated killing of pancreatic β cells resulting in neonatal lethality
Authors: Kaur Gurvinder , Helmer Rebecca A. , Martinez-Marin Dalia , Sennoune Souad R. , Washburn Rachel L. , Martinez-Zaguilan Raul , Dufour Jannette M. , Chilton Beverly S.
Published: August 2023

Epigenetic mechanisms are integral to pancreatic β cell function. Promoter hypermethylation of the helicase like-transcription factor (HLTF) gene—a component of the cellular DNA damage response that contributes to genome stability—has been implicated in age-associated changes in β cells. To study HLTF, we generated global and β cell-specific (β) Hltf knockout (KO) immune competent (IC) and immune deficient (ID) Rag2-/IL2- mice. IC global and β Hltf KO mice were neonatal lethal whereas ID global and β Hltf KO newborn mice had normal survival. This focused our investigation on the effects of Rag2 interruption with common gamma chain interruption on β cell function/survival. Three-way transcriptomic (RNAseq) analyses of whole pancreata from IC and ID newborn β Hltf KO and wild type (Hltf +/+) controls combined with spatially resolved transcriptomic analysis of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue, immunohistochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed DNA damage caused by β Hltf KO in IC mice upregulated the Hmgb1-Rage axis and a gene signature for innate immune cells. Perforin-delivered granzyme A (GzmA) activation of DNase, Nme1, showed damaged nuclear single-stranded DNA (γH2AX immunostaining). This caspase-independent method of cell death was supported by transcriptional downregulation of Serpinc1 gene that encodes a serine protease inhibitor of GzmA. Increased transcriptional availability of complement receptors C3ar1 and C5ar1 likely invited crosstalk with Hmgb1 to amplify inflammation. This study explores the complex dialog between β cells and immune cells during development. It has implications for the initiation of type I diabetes in utero when altered gene expression that compromises genome stability invokes a localized inflammatory response.
Archaeology demonstrates sustainable ancestral Coast Salish salmon stewardship over thousands of years
Authors: Efford Meaghan , Taft Spencer , Morin Jesse , George Micheal , George Michelle , Cavers Hannah , Hilsden Jay , Paskulin Lindsey , Loewen Doris , Zhu Jennifer , Christensen Villy , Speller Camilla
Published: August 2023

Salmon are an essential component of the ecosystem in Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s traditional, ancestral, and contemporary unceded territory, centred on present-day Burrard Inlet, BC, Canada, where Tsleil-Waututh people have been harvesting salmon, along with a wide variety of other fishes, for millennia. Tsleil-Waututh Nation is a Coast Salish community that has called the Inlet home since time immemorial. This research assesses the continuity and sustainability of the salmon fishery at təmtəmíxʷtən, an ancestral Tsleil-Waututh settlement in the Inlet, over thousands of years before European contact (1792 CE). We apply Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) analysis to 245 archaeological salmon vertebrae to identify the species that were harvested by the ancestral Tsleil-Waututh community that lived at təmtəmíxʷtən. The results demonstrate that Tsleil-Waututh communities consistently and preferentially fished for chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) over the period of almost 3,000 years. The consistent abundance indicates a sustainable chum salmon fishery over that time, and a strong salmon-to-people relationship through perhaps 100 generations. This research supports Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s stewardship obligations under their ancestral legal principles to maintain conditions that uphold the Nation’s way of life.
Identifying high risk clinical phenogroups of pulmonary hypertension through a clustering analysis
Authors: Rambarat Paula , Zern Emily K. , Wang Dongyu , Roshandelpoor Athar , Zarbafian Shahrooz , Liu Elizabeth E. , Wang Jessica K. , McNeill Jenna N. , Andrews Carl T. , Pomerantsev Eugene V. , Diamant Nathaniel , Batra Puneet , Lubitz Steven A. , Picard Michael H. , Ho Jennifer E.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The classification and management of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is challenging due to clinical heterogeneity of patients. We sought to identify distinct multimorbid phenogroups of patients with PH that are at particularly high-risk for adverse events.

Methods

A hospital-based cohort of patients referred for right heart catheterization between 2005–2016 with PH were included. Key exclusion criteria were shock, cardiac arrest, cardiac transplant, or valvular surgery. K-prototypes was used to cluster patients into phenogroups based on 12 clinical covariates.

Results

Among 5208 patients with mean age 64±12 years, 39% women, we identified 5 distinct multimorbid PH phenogroups with similar hemodynamic measures yet differing clinical outcomes: (1) “young men with obesity”, (2) “women with hypertension”, (3) “men with overweight”, (4) “men with cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disease”, and (5) “men with structural heart disease and atrial fibrillation.” Over a median follow-up of 6.3 years, we observed 2182 deaths and 2002 major cardiovascular events (MACE). In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, phenogroups 4 and 5 had higher risk of MACE (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.41–2.00 and HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.24–1.87, respectively, compared to the lowest risk phenogroup 1). Phenogroup 4 had the highest risk of mortality (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.52, relative to phenogroup 1).

Conclusions

Cluster-based analyses identify patients with PH and specific comorbid cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disease burden that are at highest risk for adverse clinical outcomes. Interestingly, cardiopulmonary hemodynamics were similar across phenogroups, highlighting the importance of multimorbidity on clinical trajectory. Further studies are needed to better understand comorbid heterogeneity among patients with PH.
Gulliksen’s pool: A quick tool for preliminary detection of problematic items in item factor analysis
Authors: Ferrando Pere J. , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano , Bargalló-Escrivà M. Teresa
Published: August 2023

Exploratory factor analysis is widely used for item analysis in the earlier stages of scale development, usually with large pools of items. In this scenario, the presence of inappropriate or ineffective items can hamper the process of analysis, making it very difficult to correctly assess dimensionality and structure. To minimize, this (quite frequent) problem, we propose and implement a simple procedure designed to flag potentially problematic items before we specify any particular factorial solution. The procedure defines regions of item appropriateness and efficiency based on the combined impact of two prior item features: extremeness and consistency. The general proposal is related to the most widely used frameworks for item analysis. The limits of the appropriateness regions are obtained by extensive simulation in conditions that mimic those found in applications. An Item Response Theory index of prior item efficiency is then defined, and a combined approach for selecting the most effective and problem-free item sub-set is proposed. The proposal is useful to normal-range measures, such as questionnaire surveys that elicit reports about non-extreme attitudes, facts, beliefs or states, or personality questionnaires that measure normal-range constructs. The procedure is implemented in a freeware software.
Assessing the reliability of pediatric emergency medicine billing code assignment for future consideration as a proxy workload measure
Authors: Park Justin M. , McDonald Erica , Buren Yijinmide , McInnes Gord , Doan Quynh
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Prediction of pediatric emergency department (PED) workload can allow for optimized allocation of resources to improve patient care and reduce physician burnout. A measure of PED workload is thus required, but to date no variable has been consistently used or could be validated against for this purpose. Billing codes, a variable assigned by physicians to reflect the complexity of medical decision making, have the potential to be a proxy measure of PED workload but must be assessed for reliability. In this study, we investigated how reliably billing codes are assigned by PED physicians, and factors that affect the inter-rater reliability of billing code assignment.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was completed to determine the reliability of billing code assigned by physicians (n = 150) at a quaternary-level PED between January 2018 and December 2018. Clinical visit information was extracted from health records and presented to a billing auditor, who independently assigned a billing code–considered as the criterion standard. Inter-rater reliability was calculated to assess agreement between the physician-assigned versus billing auditor-assigned billing codes. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between covariables of interest and inter-rater reliability.

Results

Overall, we found substantial inter-rater reliability (AC2 0.72 [95% CI 0.64–0.8]) between the billing codes assigned by physicians compared to those assigned by the billing auditor. Adjusted logistic regression models controlling for Pediatric Canadian Triage and Acuity scores, disposition, and time of day suggest that clinical trainee involvement is significantly associated with increased inter-rater reliability.

Conclusions

Our work identified that there is substantial agreement between PED physician and a billing auditor assigned billing codes, and thus are reliably assigned by PED physicians. This is a crucial step in validating billing codes as a potential proxy measure of pediatric emergency physician workload.