bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How doctors make themselves understood in primary care consultations: A mixed methods analysis of video data applying health literacy universal precautions
Authors: Byrne Jennifer V. , Whitaker Katriina L. , Black Georgia B.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To mitigate the health risks that result from low health literacy and difficulty identifying patients with insufficient health literacy, health organizations recommend physicians apply health literacy universal precaution communication skills when communicating with all patients. Our aim was to assess how health literacy universal precautions are delivered in routine GP consultations, and explore whether there were differences in how GPs used universal precaution approaches according to areas of deprivation in England.

Methods

This was a mixed methods study using video and interview data. Ten physicians conducted 217 consultations in primary care settings with adults over 50 years old between July 2017 and March 2018 in England. Eighty consultations (N = 80) met the inclusion criteria of new or persisting problems. Descriptive quantitative analysis of video-recorded consultations using an observation tool and qualitative thematic analysis of transcribed scripts. Meta-themes explored differences in physicians’ communication by areas of deprivation.

Results

Descriptive statistics showed physicians used a caring tone of voice and attitude (n = 73, 91.3%) and displayed comfortable body language (n = 69, 86.3%) but infrequently demonstrated profession-specific health literacy universal precaution communication skills, such as the teach-back technique (n = 3, 3.8%). Inferences about physicians’ communication from qualitative analysis converged with the quantitative findings. Differences in physicians’ communication varied according to areas of deprivation.

Conclusions

Physicians need health literacy universal precautions communication skills to improve population health.
We shape our buildings, but do they then shape us? A longitudinal analysis of pedestrian flows and development activity in Melbourne
Authors: Sevtsuk Andres , Basu Rounaq , Chancey Bahij
Published: September 2021

Cities are increasingly promoting walkability to tackle climate change, improve urban quality of life, and address socioeconomic inequities that auto-oriented development tends to exacerbate, prompting a need for predictive pedestrian flow models. This paper implements a novel network-based pedestrian flow model at a property-level resolution in the City of Melbourne. Data on Melbourne’s urban form, land-uses, amenities, and pedestrian walkways as well as weather conditions are used to predict pedestrian flows between different land-use pairs, which are subsequently calibrated against hourly observed pedestrian counts from automated sensors. Calibration allows the model extrapolate pedestrian flows on all streets throughout the city center based on reliable baseline observations, and to forecast how new development projects will change existing pedestrian flows. Longitudinal data availability also allows us to validate how accurate such predictions are by comparing model results to actual pedestrian counts observed in following years. Updating the built-environment data annually, we (1) test the accuracy of different calibration techniques for predicting foot-traffic on the city’s streets in subsequent years; (2) assess how changes in the built environment affect changes in foot-traffic; (3) analyze which pedestrian origin-destination flows explain observed foot-traffic during three peak weekday periods; and (4) assess the stability of model predictions over time. We find that annual changes in the built environment have a significant and measurable impact on the spatial distribution of Melbourne’s pedestrian flows. We hope this novel framework can be used by planners to implement “pedestrian impact assessments” for newly planned developments, which can complement traditional vehicular “traffic impact assessments”.
Health expenditures of asthma-COPD overlap in Northern Jordan
Authors: Altawalbeh Shoroq M. , Hijazi Bushra , Kufoof Lara , Basheti Iman A.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To investigate the characteristics and medical expenditures of patients with Asthma- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) compared to asthma and COPD patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with ACO, asthma or COPD as of January 2016. Medical records for patients attending King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH), in northern Jordan, during the years 2015–2016 were used to identify eligible patients and all relevant clinical characteristics. Both respiratory and all-cause charges were extracted from KAUH billing system during the year 2016. Total, inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy charges were described and compared across the three disease categories. Charges were measured in Jordanian Dinar (JOD, equal to 1.41 US Dollar).

Results

Of a total of 761, 87 ACO patients, 494 asthmatic patients and 180 COPD patients were identified and included in this study. The average total respiratory-related charges were significantly higher in patients with ACO compared to patients with asthma (601.4 versus 354.3 JODs; P value < 0.001). Average all-cause charges were higher in case of ACO and COPD compared to patients with asthma (1830.8 and 1705.4 versus 1251.7 JODs; P value < 0.001). ACO was a significant predictor of higher respiratory and all-cause related charges. Respiratory charges were also higher in older patients and those with higher disease severity.

Conclusions

ACO is a risk factor for incurring higher health expenditures in Jordan. Higher respiratory expenditures are also associated with older ages and higher disease severity.
Population level differences in overwintering survivorship of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus): A caution on extrapolating climate sensitivities along latitudinal gradients
Authors: Molina Adelle I. , Cerrato Robert M. , Nye Janet A.
Published: September 2021

Winter mortality can strongly affect the population dynamics of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)near poleward range limits. We simulated winter in the lab to test the effects of temperature, salinity, and estuary of origin on blue crab winter mortality over three years using a broad range of crab sizes from both Great South Bay and Chesapeake Bay. We fit accelerated failure time models to our data and to data from prior blue crab winter mortality experiments, illustrating that, in a widely distributed, commercially valuable marine decapod, temperature, salinity, size, estuary of origin, and winter duration were important predictors of winter mortality. Furthermore, our results suggest that extrapolation of a Chesapeake Bay based survivorship model to crabs from New York estuaries yielded poor fits. As such, the severity and duration of winter can impact northern blue crab populations differently along latitudinal gradients. In the context of climate change, future warming could possibility confer a benefit to crab populations near the range edge that are currently limited by temperature-induced winter mortality by shifting their range edge poleward, but care must be taken in generalizing from models that are developed based on populations from one part of the range to populations near the edges, especially for species that occupy large geographical areas.
Drivers of exit and outcomes for Thoroughbred racehorses participating in the 2017–2018 Australian racing season
Authors: Shrestha Kshitiz , Gilkerson James R. , Stevenson Mark A. , Flash Meredith L.
Published: September 2021

The destinations of Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses exiting the racing industry is a high-profile issue with ethical and welfare implications of interest to both animal welfare groups and racing regulators. This cross-sectional study investigated the reasons that TBs temporarily or permanently exited racing and training in Australia in the 2017–2018 racing season and the outcomes for these horses post-racing. An online questionnaire was sent to the last registered trainers of a representative sample of 2,509 ‘inactive’ TBs. Inactive horses were defined as those horses that were recorded as ‘active’ but had not trialled or raced in the last 6 months of the racing season or had an inactive status recorded in the Racing Australia database. Of the 1,750 responses received, the largest group of inactive TBs had permanently exited the racing industry (45% retired, 5.3% deceased). A relatively large group exited racing temporarily (43%) but participated in the racing industry in the following season. The reasons for retirement were predominantly voluntary, such as poor performance or owner’s request. Almost one third of retirements were due to injuries with tendon or ligament problems the most frequently conditions listed. The median age at retirement was five (Q1 4; Q3 7) years. Extrapolation of the survey results to the population of horses racing or training in Australia in 2017–2018 (n= 37,750) show that that 17% of the population retire each year and 2.1% die. These estimates provide benchmarks for industry and animal welfare organisations to resource and measure the effectiveness of interventions.
Cyclic connectivity index of fuzzy incidence graphs with applications in the highway system of different cities to minimize road accidents and in a network of different computers
Authors: Nazeer Irfan , Rashid Tabasam , Hussain Muhammad Tanveer
Published: September 2021

A parameter is a numerical factor whose values help us to identify a system. Connectivity parameters are essential in the analysis of connectivity of various kinds of networks. In graphs, the strength of a cycle is always one. But, in a fuzzy incidence graph (FIG), the strengths of cycles may vary even for a given pair of vertices. Cyclic reachability is an attribute that decides the overall connectedness of any network. In graph the cycle connectivity (CC) from vertex a to vertex b and from vertex b to vertex a is always one. In fuzzy graph (FG) the CC from vertex a to vertex b and from vertex b to vertex a is always same. But if someone is interested in finding CC from vertex a to an edge ab, then graphs and FGs cannot answer this question. Therefore, in this research article, we proposed the idea of CC for FIG. Because in FIG, we can find CC from vertex a to vertex b and also from vertex a to an edge ab. Also, we proposed the idea of CC of fuzzy incidence cycles (FICs) and complete fuzzy incidence graphs (CFIGs). The fuzzy incidence cyclic cut-vertex, fuzzy incidence cyclic bridge, and fuzzy incidence cyclic cut pair are established. A condition for CFIG to have fuzzy incidence cyclic cut-vertex is examined. Cyclic connectivity index and average cyclic connectivity index of FIG are also investigated. Three different types of vertices, such as cyclic connectivity increasing vertex, cyclically neutral vertex and, cyclic connectivity decreasing vertex, are also defined. The real-life applications of CC of FIG in a highway system of different cities to minimize road accidents and a computer network to find the best computers among all other computers are also provided.
Individual differences in COVID-19 mitigation behaviors: The roles of age, gender, psychological state, and financial status
Authors: Myerson Joel , Strube Michael J. , Green Leonard , Hale Sandra
Published: September 2021

The present study examined individual characteristics potentially associated with changes in mitigation behaviors (social distancing and hygiene) recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analysis of online survey responses from 361 adults, ages 20–78, with US IP addresses, identified significant correlates of adaptive behavioral changes, with implications for preventive strategies and mental health needs. The extent to which individuals changed their mitigation behaviors was unrelated to self-rated health or concern regarding the personal effects of COVID-19 but was related to concern regarding the effects of the pandemic on others. Thus, mitigation behaviors do not appear to be primarily motivated by self-protection. Importantly, adaptive changes in mitigation behaviors increased with age. However, these changes, particularly those related to the frequency of close proximity encounters, appear to be due to age-related decreases in anxiety and depression. Taken together, the present results argue against over-reliance on ‘fear appeals’ in public health messages as they may increase anxiety and depression. Instead, the present findings argue for more appeals to people’s concern for others to motivate mitigation as well as indicating an immediate need to address individual mental health concerns for the sake of society as a whole.
Teaching a new mouse old tricks: Humanized mice as an infection model for Variola virus
Authors: Hutson Christina L. , Kondas Ashley V. , Ritter Jana M. , Reed Zachary , Ostergaard Sharon Dietz , Morgan Clint N. , Gallardo-Romero Nadia , Tansey Cassandra , Mauldin Matthew R. , Salzer Johanna S. , Hughes Christine M. , Goldsmith Cynthia S. , Carroll Darin , Olson Victoria A.
Published: September 2021

Smallpox, caused by the solely human pathogen Variola virus (VARV), was declared eradicated in 1980. While known VARV stocks are secure, smallpox remains a bioterrorist threat agent. Recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the first smallpox anti-viral (tecovirimat) therapeutic was a successful step forward in smallpox preparedness; however, orthopoxviruses can become resistant to treatment, suggesting a multi-therapeutic approach is necessary. Animal models are required for testing medical countermeasures (MCMs) and ideally MCMs are tested directly against the pathogen of interest. Since VARV only infects humans, a representative animal model for testing therapeutics directly against VARV remains a challenge. Here we show that three different humanized mice strains are highly susceptible to VARV infection, establishing the first small animal model using VARV. In comparison, the non-humanized, immunosuppressed background mouse was not susceptible to systemic VARV infection. Following an intranasal VARV challenge that mimics the natural route for human smallpox transmission, the virus spread systemically within the humanized mouse before mortality (~ 13 days post infection), similar to the time from exposure to symptom onset for ordinary human smallpox. Our identification of a permissive/representative VARV animal model can facilitate testing of MCMs in a manner consistent with their intended use.
A 3,000-year-old, basal S. enterica lineage from Bronze Age Xinjiang suggests spread along the Proto-Silk Road
Authors: Wu Xiyan , Ning Chao , Key Felix M. , Andrades Valtueña Aida , Lankapalli Aditya Kumar , Gao Shizhu , Yang Xuan , Zhang Fan , Liu Linlin , Nie Zhongzhi , Ma Jian , Krause Johannes , Herbig Alexander , Cui Yinqiu
Published: September 2021

Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) has infected humans for a long time, but its evolutionary history and geographic spread across Eurasia is still poorly understood. Here, we screened for pathogen DNA in 14 ancient individuals from the Bronze Age Quanergou cemetery (XBQ), Xinjiang, China. In 6 individuals we detected S. enterica. We reconstructed S. enterica genomes from those individuals, which form a previously undetected phylogenetic branch basal to Paratyphi C, Typhisuis and Choleraesuis–the so-called Para C lineage. Based on pseudogene frequency, our analysis suggests that the ancient S. enterica strains were not host adapted. One genome, however, harbors the Salmonella pathogenicity island 7 (SPI-7), which is thought to be involved in (para)typhoid disease in humans. This offers first evidence that SPI-7 was acquired prior to the emergence of human-adapted Paratyphi C around 1,000 years ago. Altogether, our results show that Salmonella enterica infected humans in Eastern Eurasia at least 3,000 years ago, and provide the first ancient DNA evidence for the spread of a pathogen along the Proto-Silk Road.
AIDS symptoms in America: Close-ups from the underground
Authors: Ferrari Anna
Published: September 2021

After the explosion of the AIDS epidemic in the United States was virtually ignored because it was mostly hitting the gay community, gay authors started to employ their work for two main purposes: to protest the situation and, particularly in the beginning, to spread information about the virus. The portrayal of physical details is one of the most interesting devices employed in AIDS texts. In the early AIDS years, when the cause of the epidemic was unknown, literary tools such as the list of symptoms were widely used: authors were addressing their own community, and gave people a way to recognize the early signs of illness, such as the night sweats and the Kaposi’s sarcoma lesions. Even after the discovery of HIV, when there was not a cure yet, AIDS texts represented a crucial source of information: the first official leaflet was provided by Surgeon General Koop in 1986. The act of incorporating medical information in literary texts was considered an act of service within the community: authors such as Paul Monette and Larry Kramer regarded the gay underground as a more credible source of information, since in the beginning people who had gotten through it often knew more than the doctors. Later on, as information became more available, the display of those same physical manifestations of the disease and of AIDS-ridden bodies became an effective way to denounce the persisting silence from the government, with works such as Kushner’s Angels in America and Wojnarowicz’s portraits of Peter Hujar’s body. This article focuses on how the display of symptoms and other physical manifestations of the epidemic turned the cultural production into a key element in shaping the discourse around AIDS, highlighting the evolution in the use of physical medical evidence – from information to outcry.
The symphony of cells and skin
Authors: Naidu Vayu
Published: September 2021

Climate change and migration occupy our daily diet of news today. It does and must fuel our contemporary consciousness. The following is an attempt to share the story of an epiphany about a rooted and constant connection that expands across plant life and human existence. This story’s sap is derived from oral traditions, ancestors and our collective modern botanical knowledge. It takes the form of a walk in live time across the geography of a microclimate where the epiphany occurred. The walk endeavours to awaken a conscious kinship between human and plant cells, through a story’s language, towards a daily worldwide response to consciousness about climate change.
Ecocritical Perspectives on Children’s Texts and Cultures: Nordic Dialogues, Nina Goga, Lykke Guanio-Uluru, Bjørg Oddrun Hallås and Aslaug Nyrnes (eds) (2018)
Authors: Tønnessen Elise Seip
Published: September 2021

Review of: Ecocritical Perspectives on Children’s Texts and Cultures: Nordic Dialogues, Nina Goga, Lykke Guanio-Uluru, Bjørg Oddrun Hallås and Aslaug Nyrnes (eds) (2018)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature series, 299 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-319-90496-2, h/bk, €129.99, p/bk, €89.99

ISBN 978-3-319-90497-9, eBook, €74.89
Children’s Literature, Carrie Hintz (2019)
Authors: Hillel Margot
Published: September 2021

Review of: Children’s Literature, Carrie Hintz (2019)

Abingdon, Oxford and New York: Routledge, 188 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-13866-794-5, h/bk, $143.20

ISBN 978-1-13866-795-2, p/bk, $29.99

ISBN 978-1-31561-883-8, e-book, $21.59
Plankton community in the western waters of North-Sumatera during the onset monsoon of Asian winter
Authors: Firdaus Mochamad Ramdhan , Fitriya Nurul , Avianto Praditya , Prayitno Hanif Budi , Wahyudi A'an Johan
Published: September 2021

The western waters of North-Sumatera experience dynamic environmental changes during the onset monsoon of the Asian winter. Those changes certainly will affect the distribution of marine organisms, especially the plankton. Plankton is the foundation of the aquatic food chain and plays an important role as the entry gate of solar energy to the water trophic systems. This study aims to investigate the plankton community and its correlation with the environmental factors during the onset monsoon of the Asian winter. Plankton samples were collected, along with water samples and in-situ measurement for environmental parameters determination from western waters of North-Sumatera (95°E – 93°N) in November-December 2017. Plankton samples were taken by vertically hauling (500 m) using Modified Twin Plankton Net with 80 µm mesh size for phytoplankton and 300 µm for zooplankton. Temperature, salinity, and density of waters were measured using CTD SBE 911 – Plus. The nutrients, including orthophosphate, nitrate, and silicate, measured using autoanalyzer Skalar SAN++. Thirty genera of phytoplankton and 44 taxa groups of zooplankton were found. The phytoplankton community dominated by Thallassionema, while the zooplankton dominated by Calanoida. There was a difference in the composition of plankton communities between the north and south parts of the study area. It was probably influenced by different water masses between those two regions indicated by the dissimilarity of their water characteristics. Based on the analysis of the T-S diagram, it is likely that the north community influenced by Bengal Bay Water while the south community influenced by the Indian Equatorial Water.
MRI Evaluation of Patients with Empty Sella - A Retrospective Study K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore
Authors: Asokan Mourish , Avantsa Rohini , Anchan Alan
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Empty Sella is often an incidental finding in brain imaging studies. However, in the recent past, its association with hormonal and intracranial hypertension has been researched by various authors. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the MRI features of patients with empty sella presented for routine MRI brain imaging. METHODS This is a single-centre, hospital-based, observational, and retrospective study. MRI brain of 67 patients with empty sella was retrospectively reviewed from January 2012 to October 2020. All patients had been referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis with clinical suspicion of intracranial pathology. The various manifestations and their complications were evaluated. RESULTS This present study comprised 39 males (58 %) and 28 females (42 %). The most common age group was 41 - 60 years with a mean age of 49 years. The most common presenting symptom was headache (34 %). In MRI brain study, 93 % of the cases of empty sella was an incidental finding. In 24 % of the patients, empty sella was associated with MRI features of intracranial hypertension and 13 % with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. 62.5 % of the patients with intracranial hypertension had complete empty sella compared to 82 % of the patients with no features of intracranial hypertension and had partial empty sella even though the association was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The significance of the MRI finding of an empty sella turcica can be determined using a combination of clinical and imaging findings. KEY WORDS Empty Sella, MRI, Intracranial Hypertension.
Soft Tissue Healing and IL-6 Cytokine Levels in Microsurgical and Conventional Open Flap Debridement in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis - A Randomized Clinico-Biochemical Trial
Authors: Bhavani Peddireddy
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND The present study was conducted to compare clinical outcomes and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) interleukin (IL)-6 cytokine levels in microsurgical and conventional open flap debridement procedure. METHODS Thirty sites in chronic periodontitis patients were randomly assigned into Group I (microsurgical) and Group II (conventional) open flap debridement in a split-mouth design. Gingival bleeding index (GBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), relative attachment level (RAL) were recorded at baseline and 3 months. GCF IL-6 cytokine levels were assessed at baseline and on 3rd day postoperatively. Pain perception using visual analog score (VAS) and soft tissue healing using early healing index (EHI) were assessed after on 7th day post-surgery. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in gingival bleeding index, probing pocket depth, relative attachment level within both the groups. Intergroup gingival bleeding index scores were statistically significant at the end of 3 months. The difference in visual analog scores between the two groups was found to be statistically insignificant whereas early healing index scores between the groups was found to be statistically significant. Group I showed lower levels of IL-6 on 3rd day postoperatively. It was also found that there was positive correlation of IL-6 levels with clinical parameters such as PPD and RAL. CONCLUSIONS Open flap debridement using microsurgical approach can substantially improve clinical parameters and wound healing compared with conventional macrosurgical approach. IL-6 levels were lower in microsurgical group indicating less invasive surgical approach. KEY WORDS Open Flap Debridement, Periodontal Microsurgery, Wound Healing, IL-6, Cytokine, GCF.
Primary Cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma Presenting as an Unusually Large Lesion - A Rare Case Report
Authors: Ninan Jiby Soosen , K. Ajithakumari , Mathew Tony
Published: September 2021

Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) also known as primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin (PMCS) or primary mucinous eccrine carcinoma (PMEC) is a rare malignant adnexal tumour of eccrine origin. Many visceral mucinous carcinomas especially of the breast and gastrointestinal tract can metastasize to the skin mimicking PCMC. Hence it is very important to rule out metastatic mucinous carcinomas before making a diagnosis of PCMC. Usually, PCMC presents as a slowgrowing tumour of considerably smaller size compared to our case. The large size and shorter duration are the key features of this case report. Here we report an unusually large-sized rare malignant tumour of skin appendage. Our patient was a 54-year-old lady who presented with progressive swelling of one year duration in the right frontoparietal area. Ultrasonography showed an ill-defined lesion in the subcutaneous plane with multiple cystic spaces within it. No bone involvement was noted. The excised lesion measured 13 x 7 x 2 cms and was diagnosed as primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma on histopathological examination. The possibility of cutaneous secondaries from elsewhere was ruled out by detailed clinical and radiological investigations. The case is reported considering the unusually bigger size and shorter duration of this rare entity.
Efficacy of Intraoperative Administration of Topical Tranexamic Acid Solution on Blood Loss During Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar
Authors: Ramasubbu Subhashini , Gaur Shivangi , PU Abdul Wahab , Marimuthu Madhulaxmi
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Perioperative haemorrhage is an important concern during any surgical procedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) irrigation on perioperative haemorrhage during the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, 120 participants who underwent surgical removal of horizontally impacted mandibular third molar were divided into 2 groups. The patients in the Group 1 received 0.9 % normal saline for irrigation during the procedure and the patients in the Group 2 received TXA irrigation with normal saline (1 mg / mL), age, gender, operation duration, amount of blood loss and visual assessment of surgical field were the variables that were studied. The use of TXA solution for irrigation was the predictive factor of the study. RESULTS Each group consisted of 60 patients. Group 1 consisted of 31 male patients (51.7 %) and 29 female patients (48.3 %) and group 2 consisted of 30 male patients (50 %) and 30 female patients (50 %). There was no difference in the distribution of the variables between the 2 groups, except for the duration of the operation. The mean operative time was 20.94 ± 0.61 minutes in group 1 and 26.17 ± 0.98 minutes in group 2 (P > .05) which was not statistically significant. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 44.47 ± 6.416 mL in group 1 and 84.73 ± 7.861 in group 2 (P < .05). The mean volume of irrigation was 100.08 ± 7.658 mL in group 1 and 140.33 ± 12.332 mL in group 2 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS TXA is effective in reducing the risk of intraoperative blood loss in patients for whom substantial blood loss is anticipated. KEY WORDS Tranexamic Acid, TXA, Blood Loss, Third Molar Surgery, Impacted Tooth Removal.
Auricular Prosthesis for Congenitally Deformed Ear with Acrylic Template for Colour Depiction - A Case Report
Authors: Shaikh Almas , Mahule Aushili , Motwani Divyakshi , Shirbhate Ashwini , Saraf Shakun
Published: September 2021

Prosthodontists usually stick to the dictum by MM Devan, “preservation of what remains than meticulous replacement of what has been lost.1” “Microtia” is a term used to describe congenital anomaly of the external ear. It is a combination of the words “micro” and “otia” each of the term denoting small and ear respectively. It includes a range of deformities which may consist of presence of a rudimentary ear, a grossly normal or smaller ear or complete absence of the entire external ear. These deformities usually account for 3 in every ten thousand births, with less than 10 % of all the cases showing bilaterally missing ears.2-4 Facial deformities are common for the microtia patient as the auricle develops from tissues of the branchial arches. Figure 1 describes the patient having congenitally missing unilateral ear. Maxillofacial prosthodontics deals with prosthetic rehabilitation of disfigured or missing parts of head and neck. Prosthetic replacement of the exterior part (Epithesis) can be related to as old as civilization. References to it are available in Indian, Greek, Roman, Egyptian Civilizations.5 Ambroise Pare is credited with making various contributions to the materials and techniques in facial prosthetics. Fabrication of an extra-oral prosthesis is probably more of an art than science. Throughout the recorded history, humans have attempted to restore missing parts of the body by using various artificial materials. MPF materials have evolved since centuries right from metals, ivory, porcelain, waxes, natural rubber, gelatin, and latex to modern day materials such as methacrylate or acrylic resins, polyurethane elastomers, and silicone elastomers each having their own set of advantages and disadvantages. But silicone is most commonly used because of its assorted benefits over other MFP materials. This case report describes an auricular prosthesis for the patient with congenital ear deformity using an acrylic template for colour depiction and room temperature volcanizing (RTV) silicone.6
Future Places Toolkit: Engaging communities through augmented reality and performance
Authors: Clarke Paul
Published: September 2021

This article shares processes of engagement with practice-as-research in place-based performance and creative technology, specifically mobile augmented reality (AR). It addresses the application of methodologies from an AR performance, Uninvited Guests and Duncan Speakman’s Billennium (2018), in Future Places Toolkit (Clarke et al., 2020), an engagement activity for neighbourhood visioning and planning consultation. It outlines the steps taken to evolve Billennium beyond an artwork into a tool for use in citizen-led design, and to transfer practice-as-research in performance and technology to a professional architecture and community context, specifically Knowle West in Bristol, UK. By detailing the stages of this research and development process, key learnings will be shared with other researchers seeking to apply their practices to social and civic challenges, and to do so through working in partnership with creative industries and community-based organizations. Future Places Toolkit will be used as a case study to demonstrate the potential of applying approaches from practice-as-research to real-world problems and developing arts practices into products or services. Documenting and reflecting on the process of prototyping the AR toolkit disseminates procedures for commercializing creative research and leads to a critique of the drive to scale up. Future Places Toolkit is considered as a framework for co-creation with communities and interprofessional partners, and methods for responsible innovation are shared. While these are drawn from responsible technology development, they are transferrable to other professional fields and academic engagement, or to commercialization in different disciplines.
‘Bottoms up’: A case study on integrating public engagement within a university culture
Authors: Ní Shúilleabháin Aoibhinn , McAuliffe Fergus , Ní Shé Éidín
Published: September 2021

This study tracks the integration of public engagement within the systems, structures and culture of a university in Ireland. Public engagement, as an activity of research institutes, is gaining increased attention from policy and funding sources across Europe. However, little has been heard on the processes and practices which bring public engagement to the fore of conversations and activities in such institutions. In this practice case study, we track the evolution of a community of practice of public engagement in an Irish university over three years, through a bottom-up approach taken by a small group of faculty and staff, and organized through collective leadership to maintain momentum over the time period. With the support of key leadership figures, who provided top-down financial and structural support, we trace the narrative of defining public engagement within the university through stakeholder workshops, recording relevant activities with an institution-wide census, updating university public engagement reporting metrics, and establishing an active community of practice. Four key learnings are identified from this collective narrative: (1) the need for patience in attempting to instigate change within an institution; (2) the importance of establishing a shared understanding; (3) the importance of enacting collective leadership as a community; and (4) the necessity of leadership support with grass-roots activity. Reflection on these learnings suggests that the embedding of public engagement in institutions requires both personal and institutional investment.
Meeting the challenges of public engagement, research impact and research participation as a baby and child lab
Authors: Salter Gideon , Altdörfer Tina , Brown Geraldine , Carpenter Malinda
Published: September 2021

As well as conducting research in developmental science, baby and child labs face additional pressures. They must demonstrate public engagement and research impact, while also recruiting enough participants to conduct research, something that can be particularly challenging with infants and young children. These different pressures compete for time and resources, leaving researchers struggling to engage effectively in all such activities. Here we describe a low-cost, easy-to-implement, enjoyable and effective means of simultaneously addressing the challenges of recruitment, public engagement and research impact. It started with a process of listening and knowledge exchange with relevant local stakeholders to discern the interests and needs of the local infant community (including families, health professionals and businesses). This process led to the establishment of a fortnightly educational and support group for pregnant women and mothers of young infants, which met in the lab. This group combined peer discussion, presentations on developmental psychology, and ‘taster’ activities for mothers and infants from local businesses. Data collected from questionnaires from the first and final sessions indicated significant improvements in participants’ understanding of relevant concepts in developmental psychology, and showed that participants found this information helpful and reported using it at home. Participants also reported feeling more socially connected and more confident as mothers as a result of the group. The group also served to boost research participation, with 94 per cent of participants subsequently taking part in lab research or signing up to be contacted about future research. This approach can be employed by baby and child labs looking for ways to effectively and enjoyably promote public engagement and research impact, and for those looking to establish strong relationships with local stakeholders. The success of this strategy demonstrates that the aims of recruitment, public engagement and research impact need not be competing pressures on researchers’ time, but can be mutually supporting aspects of the research process.
Noninvasive Fluid Identification: Potential of Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Cersoy S. , Rouchon V. , Belhadj O. , Cuisin J. , Herbin M.
Published: September 2021

Conservation of the preserving medium is an essential element for the proper preservation of specimens in fluid collections. However, the preservatives can become chemically altered over time or be lost by processes such as evaporation. To combat such changes and properly care for and maintain immersed specimens, it is therefore necessary to know what preservative fluid was initially chosen and how its chemistry may have evolved with time. The present work explores the possibilities offered by Raman spectrometry for a rapid, nondestructive, noninvasive alternative to commonly employed chemical identification tests, which are often limited to the identification of simple fluids. In a first step, fluids were reconstituted and analyzed in small standard glass containers to evaluate the potential of the technique. Then we successfully applied the procedure to real cases and considered its possible use to estimate the concentration of ethanol and to detect small quantities of formaldehyde (down to 1%). The results demonstrate the power of this technique, which opens up new possibilities for the management of fluid collections.
The alchemical work of Khālid b. Yazīd b. Muʿāwiya (d. c. 85/704)
Authors: Dapsens Marion
Published: September 2021

This article provides a study and a descriptive list of alchemical works attributed to Prince Khālid b. Yazīd b. Muʿāwiya, both in prose and poetry, which are found in Arabic manuscripts. This list is compared to medieval biographers’ accounts. A first appendix describes all the manuscripts containing works of Khālid that have been identified so far. A second appendix provides a catalogue of the first verses of all alchemical poems attributed to Khālid, as well as the manuscripts that transmit them.
Justinian, Vitiges and the peace treaty of 540 (Proc. Bell. Goth. 2.29.2)
Authors: Cristini Marco
Published: September 2021

The proposed peace treaty of 540 between Justinian and Vitiges ‒ according to most interpretations of Proc. Bell. Goth. 2.29.2 ‒ included a partition of Italy into two areas, one located south of the river Po and controlled by Justinian and the other located north of the Po and controlled by the Goths. However, a closer examination of Procopius’ wording and of similar passages indicates that Justinian aimed to receive only the tax revenues of southern and central Italy, with the provinces themselves remaining in the hands of the Goths.
The structural chemistry of zinc(ii) and nickel(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes
Authors: Saiyed Tanzimjahan A. , Adeyemi Jerry O. , Onwudiwe Damian C.
Published: September 2021

Dithiocarbamate complexes are of immense interest due to their diverse structural properties and extensive application in various areas. They possess two sulfur atoms that often act as the binding sites for metal coordination in a monodentate, bidentate, or anisodentate fashion. These different coordination modes enhance the possibility for complex formation and make them useful in different areas especially in biomedical fields. A synergy exists in the metal ions and dithiocarbamate moieties, which tends to exert better properties than the respective individual components of the complex. These improved properties have also been attributed to the presence of the C–S bonds. Zinc and nickel ions have been majorly found to bind to the dithiocarbamate in bidentate modes, and consequently different geometries have resulted from this interaction. The aim of this review is to present some studies on the synthesis, structural chemistry, and the relevance of zinc and nickel dithiocarbamates complexes especially in biological systems.
Go Preventive or Go Home – The Double Nature of MREL
Authors: Martino Edoardo D. , Parchimowicz Katarzyna M.
Published: September 2021

Bank Resolution is considered a cornerstone of the post-crisis financial regulation; however, it is also widely considered ineffective and inefficient in handling bank failures. This article analyses the preventive potential of the resolution framework, specifically focusing on the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL). We argue that MREL has a double nature. On the one hand, it should ensure the feasibility of resolution in case of a bank failure. On the other hand, it aims at restricting the funding model of banks, similarly to the other (preventive) capital requirements. By analysing the 2019 reform of the EU banking regulation, we contend that MREL represents an important complement to the rest of the preventive regulatory framework and that the latest reform unleashes such potential. We demonstrate that the new rules on MREL determination and enforcement allow the resolution authority to look after the build-up of systemic risk. The analysis reveals that MREL can serve both micro- and macro-prudential purposes. Finally, we argue that the current institutional architecture represents the main impeding factor for the new regulation to efficiently work, curbing the positive preventive potential of MREL.
Geothermal resource potential assessment of Erdaobaihe, Changbaishan volcanic field: Constraints from geophysics
Authors: Xu Zhi-He , Sun Zhen-Jun , Xin Wei , Zhong Liping
Published: September 2021

Geothermal resources occurring in the Changbaishan volcanic field are directly or indirectly controlled by volcanic activity and exhibit a close correlation with deep-seated faults. Energy and thermal transfer are generally controlled by groundwater circulation and hot gas emission. This article considers the detectability of hot water and gas by geophysical methods. The controlled source acoustic magnetotelluric (CSAMT) and radon (222Rn) gas methods give straightforward information on electrical resistivity and natural radon emissions, respectively, to assess the geothermal condition. The CSAMT method detected five-banded low-apparent resistivity bodies (decreasing from 3,000 to 300 Ωm), indicating that there exists a high degree of water-bearing capacities in the subsurface. The radon (222Rn) gas concentrations were monitored in two rapid growth zones: one zone showing values ranging from 3,000 to 23,000 Bq/m3, and the other with values from 4,000 to 24,000 Bq/m3. These changes demonstrate that the heat energies available in these areas were very high and that there is potential for geothermal resources in those zones. Combining with previously published data from geothermometry and geothermal drilling, we argue that there is great potential in Erdaobaihe for geothermal exploitation and that the geothermal resource type should be classified into uplift mountain geothermal system no magma type.
Demonstration of on-chip gigahertz acousto-optic modulation at near-visible wavelengths
Authors: Yu Yue , Wang Lai , Sun Xiankai
Published: September 2021

Lithium niobate integrated photonics has recently received significant attention because it exploits the attractive properties of lithium niobate on an integrated platform which provides strong optical confinement as well as high photonic integration density. Although many optical functionalities of lithium niobate have been demonstrated on a chip in the telecom band, the visible and near-visible regimes are less explored. This is mainly because devices with a relatively smaller feature size are required which increases fabrication difficulty. Here, we explored the acousto-optic effect of lithium niobate on a chip at near-visible wavelengths (765–781 nm) and demonstrated acousto-optic modulation with the modulation frequency up to 2.44 GHz. We adopted an etchless process for the device fabrication and applied the principle of bound states in the continuum to optimize the device performance. By demonstrating functionality at near-visible wavelengths, our devices will enable many on-chip applications ranging from frequency metrology to quantum information processing.
Fourier-component engineering to control light diffraction beyond subwavelength limit
Authors: Lee Sun-Goo , Kim Seong-Han , Kee Chul-Sik
Published: September 2021

Resonant physical phenomena in planar photonic lattices, such as bound states in the continuum (BICs) and Fano resonances with 100% diffraction efficiency, have garnered significant scientific interest in recent years owing to their great ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves. In conventional diffraction theory, a subwavelength period is considered a prerequisite to achieving the highly efficient resonant physical phenomena. Indeed, most of the previous studies, that treat anomalous resonance effects, utilize quasiguided Bloch modes at the second stop bands open in the subwavelength region. Higher (beyond the second) stop bands open beyond the subwavelength limit have attracted little attention thus far. In principle, resonant diffraction phenomena are governed by the superposition of scattering processes, owing to higher Fourier harmonic components of periodic modulations in lattice parameters. But only some of Fourier components are dominant at band edges with Bragg conditions. Here, we present new principles of light diffraction, that enable identification of the dominant Fourier components causing multiple diffraction orders at the higher stopbands, and show that unwanted diffraction orders can be suppressed by engineering the dominant Fourier components. Based on the new diffraction principles, novel Fourier-component-engineered (FCE) metasurfaces are introduced and analyzed. It is demonstrated that these FCE metasurfaces with appropriately engineered spatial dielectric functions can exhibit BICs and highly efficient Fano resonances even beyond the subwavelength limit.
Tuning in on the Becoming of Music
Authors: Østergaard Edvin
Published: September 2021

In this article, I explore the music-in-becoming as a dialogue. The thesis of my inquiry is that during musical composition, the composer’s listening is marked by both activeness and receptiveness; actively structuring the sounding work, and receptively letting the work express itself as it takes its form. Composer and work merge in sudden moments of attunement, the sensation of coherence between the so-fare completed and the anticipation of the as-of-yet unformed work. Composition is all about balancing writing as a handicraft with those rare, unexpected moments of attunement. I discuss the emerging work’s invitational character and the fact that during composition, the piece seems to request the composer’s attention. The audibility of the work’s voice depends on the composer’s ability to listen. Finally, the methodological considerations concerning sonic-artistic research show that researching sonic experiences requires competencies of being attentive, responsive, and reflective. Attentiveness is related to thorough listening experiences of the emerging music, responsiveness appears as a vital skill in a composer’s dialoguing with the music-in-becoming, and reflectiveness is associated with empirically documenting the processes. At the heart of this sonic research project, I place my lived experience of composing and the intimate relation between sound and listening.