bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Maternal Perspectives of Breastfeeding Support Targeted Towards Fathers in the Milk Man Mobile App Intervention
Authors: White Becky K , Giglia Roslyn C , Burns Sharyn K , Scott Jane A
Published: March 2023

Background

The support of her infant’s father is one of the most important factors influencing a mother’s breastfeeding success, and an increasing number of interventions are targeted towards fathers. Engaging fathers as agents to influence a maternal behavior is potentially problematic, yet few studies report on maternal experiences.

Objective

This study aims to explore mothers’ perspectives of their partners’ use of Milk Man, a father-focused breastfeeding smartphone app, and the acceptability of this approach.

Materials and methods

New mothers (N = 459) whose partners had access to the app completed a questionnaire at six weeks postpartum. These data were used to determine knowledge, use and perspectives of the app. A sentiment analysis was conducted on responses to an open-ended question seeking maternal perspectives of the app.

Results

Just over a quarter of mothers (28%) had been shown something from the app, and 37% had discussed something from Milk Man with their partner. There were 162 open-ended responses related to mothers’ perspectives of the app. Relevant responses (n = 129) were coded to an overall sentiment node and then to a total of 23 child nodes (sub-nodes). Most comments were positive (94), with a smaller number either negative (25) or neutral (21). Negative comments related to the usability of the app and not its intent or content.

Conclusion

Mothers found the father-focussed breastfeeding app to be acceptable. When designing interventions targeting one group to affect the behaviour of another, inclusion of measures to gain the perspectives of both should be seen as an imperative.
The independence solution to grue
Authors: Warren Jared
Published: March 2023

The paper presents a comprehensive solution to the new riddle of induction. Gruesome induction is blocked because “grue” is not independent of our sampling and observation methods. Before presenting my theory, I critically survey previous versions of what I call the “independence strategy”, tracing the strategy to three different papers from 1970s by (respectively) Wilkerson, Moreland, and Jackson. Next I critically examine recent approaches by Okasha, Godfrey-Smith, Schramm, and Freitag. All of these approaches have their virtues, but none of them rules out every problem case. Nor do any of them alone explain exactly what goes wrong in all types of gruesome reasoning. My account aims to do both. Learning lessons from my criticisms of previous theories, I argue that there are several crucial types of independence. Correct characterizations of all of them are needed to rule out every problem case. I close by suggesting that the independence solution can be adopted by other approaches—Bayesians, fans of natural kinds, and pragmatists.
Comparison of stability regions for a line distribution network with stochastic load demands
Authors: Christianen M. H. M. , Cruise J. , Janssen A. J. E. M. , Shneer S. , Vlasiou M. , Zwart B.
Published: March 2023

We compare stability regions for different power flow models in the process of charging electric vehicles (EVs) by considering their random arrivals, their stochastic demand for energy at charging stations, and the characteristics of the electricity distribution network. We assume the distribution network is a line with charging stations located on it. We consider theDistflowand theLinearized Distflowmodels, and we assume that EVs have an exponential charging requirement, that voltage drops on the distribution network stay under control, and that the number of charging stationsNgoes to infinity. We investigate the stability of utility-optimizing power allocations in large distribution networks for both power flow models by controlling the arrival rate of EVs to charging stations. For both power flow models, we show that, to obtain stability, the maximum feasible arrival rate, i.e., stability region of vehicles, is decaying as$$1/N^2$$1/N2, and the difference between those arrival rates is up to constants, which we compare explicitly.
Internalist priorities in a philosophy of words
Authors: Collins John
Published: March 2023

Words appear to be denizens of the external world or, at any rate, not wholly mental, unlike our pains. It is the norm for philosophical accounts of words to reflect this appearance by offering various socio-cultural conditions to which an adequate account of wordhood must cleave. The paper argues, to the contrary, that an adequate account of word phenomena need avert to nothing other than individual psychology along with potential external factors that in-themselves do not count as linguistic. My principal leverage will be that, by everyone’s lights, whatever words are, they are syntactically combinable and possess structural properties. But such conditions cannot be externally realised; instead, they are aspects of our internally realised cognitive capacity. It will also be argued, however, that the position is consistent with much of our common lore about words, albeit sans an externalist linguistic ontology.
Clinical impact of high platelet reactivity in patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention on dual or triple antithrombotic therapy
Authors: Berteotti M. , Gori A. M. , Giusti B. , Fortini A. , Grossi G. , Ciardetti N. , Migliorini A. , Lotti E. , Valenti R. , Di Mario C. , Marchionni N. , Marcucci R.
Published: March 2023

High platelet reactivity (HPR) on clopidogrel is an established thrombotic risk factor after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The introduction of more potent antiplatelet drugs has partially surpassed this issue. However, in the setting of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) and PCI clopidogrel is still the most adopted P2Y12 inhibitor. In the present study all consecutive patients with history of AF discharged from our cardiology ward with dual (DAT) or triple (TAT) antithrombotic therapy after a PCI from April 2018 to March 2021 were enrolled in an observational registry. For all subjects, blood serum samples were collected and tested for platelet reactivity by arachidonic acid and ADP (VerifyNow system) and genotyping of the CYP2C19*2 loss-of-function polymorphism. We recorded at 3 and 12-months follow-up: (1) major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), (2) major hemorrhagic or clinically relevant non-major bleeding and (3) all-cause mortality. A total of 147 patients were included (91, 62% on TAT). In 93.4% of patients, clopidogrel was chosen as P2Y12 inhibitor. P2Y12 dependent HPR resulted an independent predictor of MACCE both at 3 and 12 months (HR 2.93, 95% C.I. 1.03 to 7.56, p = 0.027 and HR 1.67, 95% C.I. 1.20 to 2.34, p = 0.003, respectively). At 3-months follow-up the presence of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism was independently associated with MACCE (HR 5.21, 95% C.I. 1.03 to 26.28, p = 0.045). In conclusion, in a real-world unselected population on TAT or DAT, the entity of platelet inhibition on P2Y12 inhibitor is a potent predictor of thrombotic risk, suggesting the clinical utility of this laboratory evaluation for a tailored antithrombotic therapy in this high-risk clinical scenario.

Graphical abstract

The present analysis was performed in patients with AF undergoing PCI on dual or triple antithrombotic therapy. At 1 year follow-up MACCE incidence was consistent, and it was not different in different antithrombotic pattern groups. P2Y12 dependent HPR was a potent independent predictor of MACCE both at 3- and 12-months follow-up. In the first 3 months after stenting the carriage of CYP2C19*2 allele was similarly associated with MACCE. Abbreviation: DAT, dual antithrombotic therapy; HPR, high platelet reactivity; MACCE, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events; PRU, P2Y12 reactive unit; TAT, triple antithrombotic therapy. Created with BioRender.com.
Regulatory and policy considerations for the implementation of gene drive-modified mosquitoes to prevent malaria transmission
Authors: James Stephanie L. , Dass Brinda , Quemada Hector
Published: March 2023

Gene drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMMs) are being developed as possible new tools to prevent transmission of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. To date no GDMMs have yet undergone field testing. This early stage is an opportune time for developers, supporters, and possible users to begin to consider the potential regulatory requirements for eventual implementation of these technologies in national or regional public health programs, especially as some of the practical implications of these requirements may take considerable planning, time and coordination to address. Several currently unresolved regulatory questions pertinent to the implementation of GDMMs are examined, including: how the product will be defined; what the registration/approval process will be for placing new GDMM products on the market; how the potential for transboundary movement of GDMMs can be addressed; and what role might be played by existing multinational bodies and agreements in authorization decisions. Regulation and policies applied for registration of other genetically modified organisms or other living mosquito products are assessed for relevance to the use case of GDMMs to prevent malaria in Africa. Multiple national authorities are likely to be involved in decision-making, according to existing laws in place within each country for certain product classes. Requirements under the Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity will be considered relevant in most countries, as may existing regulatory frameworks for conventional pesticide, medical, and biocontrol products. Experience suggests that standard regulatory processes, evidence requirements, and liability laws differ from country to country. Regional mechanisms will be useful to address some of the important challenges.
Adaptive servo-ventilation and mortality in patients with systolic heart failure and central sleep apnea: a single-center experience
Authors: Sun Paulina , Porter Kyle , Randerath Winfried , Jarjoura David , Khayat Rami
Published: March 2023

Background

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Treatment of CSA with a certain type of adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) device that targets minute ventilation (ASVmv) was found to be harmful in these patients. A newer generation of ASV devices that target peak flow (ASVpf) is presumed to have different effects on ventilation and airway patency. We analyzed our registry of patients with HFrEF-CSA to examine the effect of exposure to ASV and role of each type of ASV device on mortality.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study in patients with HFrEF and CSA who were treated with ASV devices between 2008 and 2015 at a single institution. Mortality data were collected through the institutional data honest broker. Usage data were obtained from vendors’ and manufacturers’ servers. Median follow-up was 64 months.

Results

The registry included 90 patients with HFrEF-CSA who were prescribed ASV devices. Applying a 3-h-per-night usage cutoff, we found a survival advantage at 64 months for those who used the ASV device above the cutoff (n = 59; survival 76%) compared to those who did not (n = 31; survival 49%; hazard ratio 0.44; CI 95%, 0.20 to 0.97; P = 0.04). The majority (n = 77) of patients received ASVpf devices with automatically adjusting end-expiratory pressure (EPAP) and the remainder (n = 13) received ASVmv devices mostly with fixed EPAP (n = 12). There was a trend towards a negative correlation between ASVmv with fixed EPAP and survival.

Conclusion

In this population of patients with HFrEF and CSA, there was no evidence that usage of ASV devices was associated with increased mortality. However, there was evidence of differential effects of type of ASV technology on mortality.
Coupling ANFIS with ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm for 1-, 2-, and 3-days ahead forecasting of daily streamflow, a case study in Poland
Authors: Aghelpour Pouya , Graf Renata , Tomaszewski Edmund
Published: March 2023

Finding an efficient and reliable streamflow forecasting model has always been an important challenge for managers and planners of freshwater resources. The current study, based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model, was designed to predict the Warta river (Poland) streamflow for 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days ahead for a data set from the period of 1993–2013. The ANFIS was additionally combined with the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm and employed as a meta-heuristic ANFIS-ACO model, which is a novelty in streamflow prediction studies. The investigations showed that on a daily scale, precipitation had a very weak and insignificant effect on the river’s flow variation, so it was not considered as a predictor input. The predictor inputs were selected by the autocorrelation function from among the daily streamflow time lags for all stations. The predictions were evaluated with the actual streamflow data, using such criteria as root mean square error (RMSE), normalized RMSE (NRMSE), and R2. According to the NRMSE values, which ranged between 0.016–0.006, 0.030–0.013, and 0.038–0.020 for the 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day lead times, respectively, all predictions were classified as excellent in terms of accuracy (prediction quality). The best RMSE value was 1.551 m3/s and the highest R2 value was equal to 0.998, forecast for 1-day lead time. The combination of ANFIS with the ACO algorithm enabled to significantly improve streamflow prediction. The use of this coupling can averagely increase the prediction accuracies of ANFIS by 12.1%, 12.91%, and 13.66%, for 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day lead times, respectively. The current satisfactory results suggest that the employed hybrid approach could be successfully applied for daily streamflow prediction in other catchment areas.
New Work oder Die Dimensionen des Organisierens
Authors: Bachmann Thomas , Jung Jenny
Published: March 2023

Im folgenden Beitrag werden die Veränderungen der Arbeitswelt durch die New Work-Bewegung aus einer gruppendynamischen Perspektive untersucht. Dazu werden auf den Dimensionen Hierarchie, Zugehörigkeit und Intimität, Vorteile und Folgen der Veränderungen durch New Work sowohl aus der Personensicht als auch aus der Perspektive der Organisation aufgezeigt und anhand von Fallbeispielen illustriert.
Quantum Permutation Matrices
Authors: Weber Moritz
Published: March 2023

Quantum permutations arise in many aspects of modern “quantum mathematics”. However, the aim of this article is to detach these objects from their context and to give a friendly introduction purely within operator theory. We define quantum permutation matrices as matrices whose entries are operators on Hilbert spaces; they obey certain assumptions generalizing classical permutation matrices. We give a number of examples and we list many open problems. We then put them back in their original context and give an overview of their use in several branches of mathematics, such as quantum groups, quantum information theory, graph theory and free probability theory.
The impact of coal trains on PM2.5 in the San Francisco Bay area
Authors: Ostro Bart , Spada Nicholas , Kuiper Heather
Published: March 2023

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with adverse health effects, including mortality, even at low concentrations. Rail conveyance of coal, accounting for one-third of American rail freight tonnage, is a source of PM2.5. However, there are limited studies of its contribution to PM2.5, especially in urban settings where residents experience higher exposure and vulnerability to air pollution. We developed a novel artificial intelligence-driven monitoring system to quantify average and maximum PM2.5 concentrations of full and empty (unloaded) coal trains compared to freight and passenger trains. The monitor was close to the train tracks in Richmond, California, a city with a racially diverse population of 115,000 and high rates of asthma and heart disease. We used multiple linear regression models controlling for diurnal patterns and meteorology. The results indicate coal trains add on average 8.32 µg/m3 (95% CI = 6.37, 10.28; p < 0.01) to ambient PM2.5, while sensitivity analysis produced midpoints ranging from 5 to 12 µg/m3. Coal trains contributed 2 to 3 µg/m3 more of PM2.5 than freight trains, and 7 µg/m3 more under calm wind conditions, suggesting our study underestimates emissions and subsequent concentrations of coal train dust. Empty coal cars tended to add 2 µg/m3. Regarding peak concentrations of PM2.5, our models suggest an increase of 17.4 µg/m3 (95% CI = 6.2, 28.5; p < 0.01) from coal trains, about 3 µg/m3 more than freight trains. Given rail shipment of coal occurs globally, including in populous areas, it is likely to have adverse effects on health and environmental justice.
A Review of RRx-001: A Late-Stage Multi-Indication Inhibitor of NLRP3 Activation and Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Jayabalan Nanthini , Oronsky Bryan , Cabrales Pedro , Reid Tony , Caroen Scott , Johnson Aishwarya M. , Birch Natalia A. , O’Sullivan John D. , Gordon Richard
Published: March 2023

Chronic unresolving inflammation is emerging as a key underlying pathological feature of many if not most diseases ranging from autoimmune conditions to cardiometabolic and neurological disorders. Dysregulated immune and inflammasome activation is thought to be the central driver of unresolving inflammation, which in some ways provides a unified theory of disease pathology and progression. Inflammasomes are a group of large cytosolic protein complexes that, in response to infection- or stress-associated stimuli, oligomerize and assemble to generate a platform for driving inflammation. This occurs through proteolytic activation of caspase-1-mediated inflammatory responses, including cleavage and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and initiation of pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of cell death. Several inflammasomes have been characterized. The most well-studied is the nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, so named because the NLRP3 protein in the complex, which is primarily present in immune and inflammatory cells following activation by inflammatory stimuli, belongs to the family of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (Nod) receptor proteins. Several NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors are in development, all with multi-indication activity. This review discusses the current status, known mechanisms of action, and disease-modifying therapeutic potential of RRx-001, a direct NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor under investigation in several late-stage anticancer clinical trials, including a phase 3 trial for the treatment of third-line and beyond small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an indication with no treatment, in which RRx-001 is combined with reintroduced chemotherapy from the first line, carboplatin/cisplatin and etoposide (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03699956). Studies from multiple independent groups have now confirmed that RRx-001 is safe and well tolerated in humans. Additionally, emerging evidence in preclinical animal models suggests that RRx-001 could be effective in a wide range of diseases where immune and inflammasome activation drives disease pathology.
Maritime Rule of Law: Some Preliminaries
Authors: Sevel Michael
Published: March 2023

Can there be rule of law at sea? In extending the traditionally terrene ideal seaward, there are a range of conceptual difficulties. These difficulties are outlined, and a recurring thought pattern is set out that is found in the traditions of thought about the rule of law as protecting members of a community from the abuse of power. Drawing on Jeremy Bentham’s scattered remarks about maritime governance, three assumptions underlying this thought pattern, regarding territoriality, community, and protective function, are identified as requiring modification in the maritime context. Achievement of the rule of law at sea is possible, but reflects a number of limitations as compared to its terrene counterpart, limitations related to these three traditional assumptions.
Covid-19 Measures in Switzerland—Considerations from a Practice Perspective
Authors: Jagmetti Luca
Published: March 2023

This paper offers some observations from a practitioner perspective on Swiss measures to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a complement to the paper ‘Governmental measures in Switzerland against mass bankruptcies during the Covid-19 pandemic’ by Rodriguez and Ulli in this volume. A brief overview of the main fiscal and non-fiscal measures is followed by analysis of the reasons for non-use of a major non-fiscal measure (a new moratorium), and some suggestions as to the lessons that can be learned from this for the design of analogous relief policies in future crises.
Wood-based 3D printing: potential and limitation to 3D print building elements with cellulose & lignin
Authors: Bierach Christopher , Coelho Alexsander Alberts , Turrin Michela , Asut Serdar , Knaack Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Under urgent sustainability targets, the building industry craves for renewable and recyclable biomaterials as cellulose is a fiber; Lignin is a plant-derived low-cost polymer with remarkable properties, yet its valorization is in its infancy. Recent studies have shown potentials to combine cellulose and lignin into a renewable bio-based material for the built environment, with the use of additive manufacturing to allow geometric customization and local control of material. However, previous studies also highlighted crucial issues to be solved. One main challenge is the lack of knowledge on combinations of lignin and cellulose with different binders to achieve a paste suitable for 3D printing, leading to a material applicable in the built environment. To contribute overcoming the challenge, this research aimed to explore various combinations of cellulose, lignin, and binders and to study the extrudability of the resulting paste using a clay extruder installed on a robotic arm. Several combinations were explored, evaluated, and compared. The four recipes with the highest scores were used to produce samples for tensile and three-point bending tests, water absorption and retention tests, and microscope analysis. The overall outcome has shown similarities between the mechanical properties of the mixture developed using methylcellulose as the binding agent and rigid polymer foams, such as the ones commonly used as insulation panels. Moreover, the material mix with the highest score in the preliminary assessment was further applied to fabricate samples with varied geometries to assess its potential and limitations combined with the fabrication process. Finally, two demonstrators were produced to explore the printing process for different geometric configurations: conceptual window frame and structural node were designed, and 3D printed as proof of concept.
Nasopharyngeal rapid diagnostic testing to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and individualize management of acute otitis media
Authors: Sebastian Thresia , Toseef Mohammad Usama , Kurtz Melanie , Frost Holly M.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common indication for antibiotics in children. The associated organism can influence the likelihood of antibiotic benefit and optimal treatment. Nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction can effectively exclude the presence of organisms in middle-ear fluid. We explored the potential cost-effectiveness and reduction in antibiotics with nasopharyngeal rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) to direct AOM management.

Methods:

We developed 2 algorithms for AOM management based on nasopharyngeal bacterial otopathogens. The algorithms provide recommendations on prescribing strategy (ie, immediate, delayed, or observation) and antimicrobial agent. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life day (QALD) gained. We used a decision-analytic model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the RDT algorithms compared to usual care from a societal perspective and the potential reduction in annual antibiotics used.

Results:

An RDT algorithm that used immediate prescribing, delayed prescribing, and observation based on pathogen (RDT-DP) had an ICER of $1,336.15 per QALD compared with usual care. At an RDT cost of $278.56, the ICER for RDT-DP exceeded the willingness to pay threshold; however, if the RDT cost was <$212.10, the ICER was below the threshold. The use of RDT was estimated to reduced annual antibiotic use, including broad-spectrum antimicrobial use, by 55.7% ($4.7 million for RDT vs $10.5 million for usual care).

Conclusion:

The use of a nasopharyngeal RDT for AOM could be cost-effective and substantially reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. These iterative algorithms could be modified to guide management of AOM as pathogen epidemiology and resistance evolve.
Telomerase inhibition in malignant gliomas: a systematic review
Authors: D'Alessandris Quintino Giorgio , Battistelli Marco , Pennisi Giovanni , Offi Martina , Martini Maurizio , Cenci Tonia , Falchetti Maria Laura , Lauretti Liverana , Olivi Alessandro , Pallini Roberto , Montano Nicola
Published: March 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent adult malignant brain tumour and despite different therapeutic efforts, the median overall survival still ranges from 14 to 18 months. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. However, the identification of cancer-specific targets is particularly challenging in GBM, due to the high heterogeneity of this tumour in terms of histopathological, molecular, genetic and epigenetic features. Telomerase reactivation is a hallmark of malignant glioma. An activating mutation of the hTERT gene, encoding for the active subunit of telomerase, is one of the molecular criteria to establish a diagnosis of GBM, IDH-wildtype, in the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system tumours. Telomerase inhibition therefore represents, at least theoretically, a promising strategy for GBM therapy: pharmacological compounds, as well as direct gene expression modulation therapies, have been successfully employed in in vitro and in vivo settings. Unfortunately, the clinical applications of telomerase inhibition in GBM are currently scarce. The aim of the present systematic review is to provide an up-to-date report on the studies investigating telomerase inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for malignant glioma in order to foster the future translational and clinical research on this topic.
Optimizing cognitive and behavioral approaches for perinatal depression: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Authors: Waqas Ahmed , Zafar Syeda Wajeeha , Akhtar Parveen , Naveed Sadiq , Rahman Atif
Published: March 2023

Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) have been demonstrated efficacious in treating perinatal depression (PND). This has been demonstrated in several meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. However, there is a need for up-to-date meta-analytical evidence providing reliable estimates for CBT’s effectiveness in treating and preventing PND. Furthermore, with the world moving toward precision medicine, approaches require a critical synthesis of psychotherapies, especially to unpack their mechanisms of action and to understand what approaches work best for whom. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-regression analyses aim to answer these research questions.

We searched six academic databases through February 2022 and identified 56 studies for an in-depth review. Using pretested data extraction sheets, we extracted patient-level and intervention-level characteristics and effect size data from each study. Random-effects meta-analyses and mixed-effect subgroup analyses were run to delineate the effectiveness and moderators of CBT interventions for PND, respectively. CBT-based interventions yielded a strong effect size (SMD = −0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.91 to −0.56,n = 9,722) in alleviating depressive symptoms. These interventions were effective across different delivery formats (individual, group, and electronic) and could be delivered effectively by specialists and nonspecialists. Longer duration CBT interventions may not necessarily be more effective than shorter ones. Moreover, CBT-based interventions should consider including various behavioral ingredients to maximize intervention benefits.
A low-cost prosthetic orbital simulation model for endoscopic anterior ethmoid artery ligation
Authors: Yapp J , Sebastian R , Khwaja S
Published: March 2023

Objective

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a low-cost orbital prosthesis for simulation of endoscopically assisted intra-orbital anterior ethmoidal artery ligation.

Methods

A low-cost orbital prosthesis was built and evaluated by ENT surgical trainees. Feedback was given following the assessment in the form of a face validity questionnaire.

Results

Results were scored on a Likert scale of 1–7 (low to high). Trainees had limited exposure to the procedure (40 per cent) and predominantly low levels of confidence (mean, 3.67) that correlated with a lack of first-hand experience. The anatomy and likeness to human tissue of the prosthesis were both ranked highly, with mean scores of 5.0 and 4.93, respectively.

Conclusion

The results of this study support the idea that a simple anatomical prosthesis for the simulation of endoscopic anterior ethmoidal artery ligation can be created with potential value to otolaryngology surgical training. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first documentation of simulated surgical epistaxis management using an artificial anatomical model.
Population parameters, performance and insights into factors influencing the reproduction of the black rhinocerosDiceros bicornisin Namibia
Authors: Muntifering Jeff R. , Guerier Abigail , Beytell Piet , Stratford Ken
Published: March 2023

Estimating the population parameters, performance and factors that influence reproduction from long-term, individual-based monitoring data is the gold standard for effective wildlife management and conservation. Yet this information is often difficult and costly to collect or inaccessible to managers. We synthesized a 20-year set of individual-based monitoring data from a subset of black rhinocerosDiceros bicornissubpopulations across a range of environmental conditions in Namibia. Our findings demonstrate that despite the relatively arid landscape in Namibia, the black rhinoceros metapopulation is performing well, measured by age at first reproduction, inter-birth interval, population growth and survivorship. Information-theoretic modelling revealed that a univariate model including normalized differential vegetative index had a greater influence upon age at first reproduction than population density. The inter-birth interval model set identified cumulative rainfall during the 15 months prior to the birth month as the top model, although the mean normalized differential vegetative index during the inter-birth interval was comparable. There was little evidence for density-dependence effects on reproduction. These findings suggest that although browse quality could have a greater impact on parameters spanning multiple years, shorter-term parameters could be more influenced by rainfall. Our analysis also revealed a synchronous pattern of conceptions occurring in the rainy season. Our study provides a set of population parameter estimates for Namibian black rhinoceros subpopulations and preliminary insights on factors driving their reproduction. These expand our collective knowledge of global black rhinoceros population dynamics and improve our confidence and capability to adaptively manage the black rhinoceros metapopulation of Namibia.
Diversifying language acquisition research can be (partly) achieved in urban societies and with simplified methodologies: Insights from multilingual Ghana
Authors: OMANE Paul Okyere , BENDERS Titia , DUAH Reginald Akuoko , BOLL-AVETISYAN Natalie
Published: March 2023

There is a large consensus (e.g., Cristia, Foushee, Aravena-Bravo, Cychosz, Scaff & Casillas, 2023; Kidd & Garcia, 2022) that diversification in language acquisition research is needed. Cristia et al. (2023) convincingly argue for studying language acquisition in rural populations and recommend combining observational and experimental approaches in doing so. In this commentary, we identify that diversification efforts must also include children growing up in non-western urban societies and that combining experiments with more easy-to-obtain data on language exposure can be a solid method to start with.
Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of ureteral tuberculosis from ureteral malignant tumour in women
Authors: Zhang Wenzhi , Yang Gaoyi , Xu Jianping , Wang Dali , Ni Tu
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of ureteral tuberculosis (UTB) and ureteral malignant tumour and to explore its application value in the differentiation of UTB from ureteral tumour. The ultrasound (US) and CEUS imaging features of 33 and 12 cases of pathologically confirmed UTB and ureteral malignant tumour, respectively, were retrospectively evaluated, and echo of the ureteral wall, abnormal echo of the lumen, degree of ureteral dilation and CEUS patterns of the two diseases were statistically analysed. The results revealed that the lumen echo of UTB was hyperechoic or anechoic, whereas that of ureteral tumour lesions was hypoechoic (χ2 = 28.22, P < 0.001). The wall echo of the obstruction site differed between the two diseases; in UTB, the ureteral wall was thickened but the outer wall remained intact, whereas in ureteral tumour, both the malignant tumour wall and outer wall were irregular (χ2 = 30.25, P < 0.001). CEUS of UTB revealed nonenhancement or heterogeneous enhancement in the lumen, whereas that of ureteral tumours revealed significant homogeneous enhancement (χ2 = 30.25, P < 0.001). Thus, CEUS can reveal lesion microcirculation and be used to evaluate blood supply characteristics in the lesion, indicating that it has high potential for differentiating the two diseases.
DiD IT?: a differences-in-differences investigation tool to quantify the impact of local incidents on public health using real-time syndromic surveillance health data
Authors: Morbey Roger , Todkill Dan , DeAngelis Daniella , Charlett Andre , Elliot Alex
Published: March 2023

Syndromic surveillance was originally developed to provide early warning compared to laboratory surveillance, but it is increasing used for real-time situational awareness. When a potential threat to public health is identified, a rapid assessment of its impact is required for public health management. When threats are localised, analysis is more complex as local trends need to be separated from national trends and differences compared to unaffected areas may be due to confounding factors such as deprivation or age distributions. Accounting for confounding factors usually requires an in-depth study, which takes time. Therefore, a tool is required which can provide a rapid estimate of local incidents using syndromic surveillance data.

Here, we present ‘DiD IT?’, a new investigation tool designed to measure the impact of local threats to public health. ‘DiD IT?’ uses a difference-in-differences statistical approach to account for temporal and spatial confounding and provide a direct estimate of impact due to incidents. Temporal confounding differences are estimated by comparing unaffected locations during and outside of exposure periods. Whilst spatial confounding differences are estimated by comparing unaffected and exposed locations outside of the exposure period. Any remaining differences can be considered to be the direct effect of the local incident.

We illustrate the potential utility of the tool through four examples of localised health protection incidents in England. The examples cover a range of data sources including general practitioner (GP) consultations, emergency department (ED) attendances and a telehealth call and online health symptom checker; and different types of incidents including, infectious disease outbreak, mass-gathering, extreme weather and an industrial fire. The examples use the UK Health Security Agency's ongoing real-time syndromic surveillance systems to show how results can be obtained in near real-time.

The tool identified 700 additional online difficulty breathing assessments associated with a severe thunderstorm, 53 additional GP consultations during a mumps outbreak, 2–3 telehealth line calls following an industrial fire and that there was no significant increase in ED attendances during the G7 summit in 2021.

DiD IT? can provide estimates for the direct impact of localised events in real-time as part of a syndromic surveillance system. Thus, it has the potential for enhancing surveillance and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of extending national surveillance to a more granular local surveillance.
Department Research Productivity in 19 Scholarly Political Science Journals (1990–2018)
Authors: Garand James C. , Qi Dan , Magaña Max
Published: March 2023

This article reports new rankings of journal research productivity for PhD-granting political science departments during the past three decades. Using data on all authors and articles published in 19 leading general and subfield political science journals from 1990 to 2018, we compiled a count of department publications in these journals, weighted by the number of authors, department faculty size, and journal impact measures reported by Garand et al. (2009). We find that there is a discernible ranking of political science departments in terms of journal research productivity. The observed rankings are strongly but imperfectly related to the U.S. News & World Report (2022) reputational rankings of political science departments. We do find, however, that some political science departments have higher or lower levels of research productivity than would be suggested by their reputational rankings.
Deicticthisand speaker containment
Authors: MILLER PHILIP
Published: March 2023

This article examines a hitherto unnoticed set of deictic uses of the English proximal demonstrativethis, namely those where the speaker is contained in the referent of the demonstrative NP. The usual case, where the speaker is not contained in the referent, has been extensively studied and the choice between proximal and distal has been argued to be based on a combination of physical (proximity of the referent to the speaker) and psychological/subjective factors. The present article focuses on those cases where the speaker is contained in the referent, arguing that this leads to a categorical choice in deictic uses, with only proximalthisbeing possible. The article further shows that there are four relevant types of containment. First, spatial containment, where the speaker is physically located in the referent (e.g.this room); second, situational containment, where the referent is an event or state and the speaker is a participant in it (e.g.this conversation); third, set containment, where the referent is a group of people of which the speaker is a member (e.g.in this family); and fourth, temporal containment, where the speaker (or more precisely the time of utterance) is contained in the referent (e.g.this week).
The combined consumption of fresh/minimally processed food and ultra-processed food on food insecurity: COVID Inconfidentes, a population-based survey
Authors: Coletro Hillary Nascimento , Menezes-Júnior Luiz Antônio Alves de , Mendonça Raquel de Deus , Meireles Adriana Lúcia , Machado-Coelho George Luiz Lins , Menezes Mariana Carvalho de
Published: March 2023

Objective:

To investigate whether the combined consumption of fresh/minimally processed and ultra-processed food is associated with food insecurity (FI) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design:

Cross-sectional observational study was derived from a survey using a population-based search of a complex sample. FI was assessed using the validated Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Food consumption was assessed using a qualitative FFQ and the NOVA classification for fresh/minimally processed food and ultra-processed food. A scoring system was used to evaluate combined food consumption according to the extent and purpose of processing, considering the weekly consumption of the two groups (according to the NOVA classification). Higher punctuation reflects worse diet quality (higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and lower consumption of fresh/minimally processed foods). A theoretical causality model was constructed using a directed acyclic graph, and multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression to test the association between FI and food consumption.

Setting:

Ouro Preto and Mariana, Brazil, between October and December 2020.

Participants:

An epidemiological household survey was conducted with 1753 individuals selected through a stratified and clustered sampling design in three stages.

Results:

Those with food consumption scores in the fourth quartile had a 60 % higher prevalence ratio (PR) for FI (PR: 1·60 and 95 % CI: 1·06 - 2·40). Also, the increased consumption of fresh/minimally processed foods and low consumption of ultra-processed foods presented a 45 % lower prevalence ratio of FI (PR: 0·55 and 95 % CI: 0·40 – 0·80).

Conclusion:

These results indicate an inverse association between FI and diet quality.
Sister Space: Collective Descriptive Representation and Black Women in Legislative Caucuses
Authors: Brown Nadia E. , Clark Christopher J. , Mahoney Anna Mitchell , Strawbridge Michael
Published: March 2023

Black women in elective office in the United States have demonstrated how descriptive representative transforms democratic institutions. This transformation is most evident in previously uncrystallized interests, those new to the agenda or not yet owned by specific political groups (Mansbridge 1999), articulated in legislative communication and action. For instance, Black maternal health is an issue that addresses the disproportionately poor health outcomes among Black women, who face systemic barriers to equitable care (Crear-Perry et al. 2021). Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s (D-IL) 2021 Momnibus legislation included 12 bipartisan bills to address racial and ethnic disparities faced by mothers, children, and individuals who birth. Indeed, the creation of the Black Maternal Health Caucus (BMHC) demonstrates the legislative agency of Black women to form identity- and issue-based coalitions that suit the needs of Black women—needs often overlooked by Black men and white women.
Exclusion by Design: Locating Power in Mansbridge’s Account of Descriptive Representation
Authors: Clayton Amanda , O’Brien Diana Z. , Piscopo Jennifer M.
Published: March 2023

A much-circulated image during the Donald Trump administration showed Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Republican House Freedom Caucus discussing the removal of maternity coverage from the Affordable Care Act—with not a single woman or person of color among them. In another image, white men watched approvingly as Trump signed an executive order reinstating the global gag rule, which bans foreign nongovernmental organizations that receive American aid from supporting abortion access. These images contrast with one from early in Joe Biden’s presidency. In his first address to Congress, Biden was backed by two women occupying the second- and third-most-powerful positions in the country, Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, respectively. After acknowledging “Madame Speaker, Madame Vice President,” Biden said, “No president ever said those words and it is about time.”
An Analysis of Intrusive Morbid Imagery in Rorschach	Responses
Authors: Hwang Chang Ui , Kim Eun Young , Lee Hae Joon , Park Min Ju , Lee Mi Sun , Kim Tae Hwan , Kim Ju Kyeong
Published: March 2023

Abstract: First responders are generally a high-risk group, repeatedly exposed to traumatic and distressing scenes and events on their daily duties. Identification of detailed features and recurring patterns of intrusive visual imagery for first responders with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can uncover the psychological difficulties, defenses, and further adjustment issues of occupational groups exposed to repetitive trauma. To this end, 20 Rorschach protocols for Korean first responders with PTSD symptoms were collected and analyzed. The analysis of the Rorschach records was twofold. First, the structural features of the Rorschach responses, including R and the Trauma Content Index, were examined quantitatively. Second, the detailed features of the morbid content, such as thematic classification, trauma memory responses, and emotional reactions, were qualitatively reviewed. Both analyses identified a biphasic pattern between constricted and flooded responses, showing the participants’ unsuccessful endeavors to defend against intrusive trauma-related imagery, which resulted in significant disorganization in thought and affect.
Understanding Complexity as a Construct and as a Formally Scored	Variable
Authors: Meyer Gregory J.
Published: March 2023

Abstract: This article serves three goals. First, I review complexity in Rorschach responding. As a construct, complexity illuminates ways people differentially register experiences, which produces distinct patterns of expressed behavior when completing the task. Rorschach first described this dimension, creating novel terminology for it, and it was central to Rapaport, Gill, and Schafer’s system and Schachtel’s classic text. As a scored variable, Viglione and Meyer defined it when they were brought together by Exner to work on advancing the Comprehensive System (CS) through his Rorschach Research Council; later it was adopted in the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS). Second, I review early factor analytic research identifying complexity and provide new data to document how Complexity as a scored variable is an excellent index of the first unrotated principal component when factoring individually assigned Rorschach scores. Third, I document a number of assertions published about Complexity by Fontan and Andronikof that are incorrect and misleading. I correct those assertions by means of explanation and also statistical results from two data sets. I close by offering 10 basic conclusions about complexity.
Leroy L. Cogger: A Pioneer in Optical Observations From Space
Authors: Yau Andrew W. , Howarth Andrew D. , Knudsen David J. , Murphree J. Sandy , Trondsen Trond S.
Published: March 2023

This perspective is in memory of Leroy Leonard Cogger, a pioneer in optical imaging of the aurora and the airglow, who passed away in October 2022 in Canada at the age of 85. In his 40‐plus‐year career, which spans both space and ground‐based optical instrumentation and observations, Dr. Cogger has made significant contributions to the development of instruments for several space missions and ground observatories, including the world's first truly digital (charge‐coupled device) camera to be used in the field, the UV auroral imagers for the Swedish Viking and Freja satellites, the NASA IMAGE satellite, and the Russian INTERBALL‐2 satellite, respectively, and the fast near‐infrared auroral imager on the Canadian CASSIOPE/Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe satellite. He has also collaborated and mentored the next generation of space scientists in Canada and Europe in many areas of auroral and airglow research; he was particularly adept at combining diverse observations to provide insight into a wide array of atmospheric phenomena. His legacies go well beyond his contributions in the peer‐reviewed literature and innovative instrumentation: his scientific vision and leadership played an indispensable role in the Canadian space science research agenda, and his commitment to mentoring has left an indelible mark on many of his students and associates. He exemplified AGU's motto of “Unselfish cooperation in research.” His gentle and quiet spirit, his passion for research and in making a difference in life will be very much missed by his many friends and colleagues in Canada and abroad alike, as will his great sense of humor.