bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Security in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Chung Jinho , Lee Na Young
Published: June 2023

Making efforts to strengthen nuclear security is a prerequisite for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. With this in mind, the Republic of Korea (ROK) has established and effectively maintained its national nuclear security regime in response to emerging threats in a rapidly changing environment. As a nuclear supplier, the ROK also shares responsibility with other countries worldwide to build a robust and sustainable global nuclear security regime. The ROK stakeholders—including the regulatory body, operators, and other competent authorities—have paid careful attention to the various elements comprising the national security regime, systems, and measures. The country’s legal and regulatory framework has been improved by embracing international requirements, recommendations, and guidance. The ROK also stresses the importance of ensuring the effective design, operation, and maintenance of nuclear security systems and measures. Research and development have meanwhile played a role as a powerful force to counter emerging threats in a timely manner.
Securing Nuclear Materials during Transport
Authors: Dewey Karl , Officer Bob , Whittard Ben
Published: June 2023

Nuclear and radiological materials are integral parts of the global economy and to enable their use across the world, they must be routinely transported both between and within states. However, protecting nuclear and radiological materials during transport is more complex than at licensed sites, and is widely considered one of the most challenging areas of nuclear security. Although the intricacies of mobility and the need to work with multiple stakeholders increase the complexities of transport operations, the transportation industry remains a highly regulated environment. Indeed, international standards clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of states, competent authorities, and operators to form a comprehensive system within the global nuclear security regime. Although most transport takes place domestically via various national carriers, a small pool of carriers is also licensed to carry Category I nuclear materials internationally. By systematically analysing threat landscapes and using intelligence-led threat solutions and risk-based practices, these carriers can design and implement effective physical and cyber protection solutions. When combined with quality assurance and regulatory oversight, carriers are able to conduct secure and accountable operations that mitigate the threat posed by potential adversaries.
Radiological Source Security
Authors: Abdul Rahman Irman , Chapman Geoffrey , Mohamed Faizal
Published: June 2023

While radiological sources can be used for a variety of beneficial purposes, their misuse poses an ongoing security risk. This threat is set to increase due to the persistent growth in the legitimate uses of radiological sources. Although there has been limited non-state actor interest in radiological material, the potential tragic consequences of radiological material falling out of regulatory control have already been demonstrated by radiological accidents, when no harm was intended. To avoid such incidents, non-legitimate access to radiological material must be denied through the development of security systems. The chapter covers the essential elements of radiological source security, with a focus on how the international community has attempted to improve the effective implementation of these principles through a range of initiatives. Maintaining an effective radiological security regime will always be challenging in practice due to the range of actors involved, their limited capacities to focus on security issues compared to nuclear facilities, the often public-facing nature of the institutions hosting radiological sources, and the number and diversity of radiological materials in need of securing around the world. The chapter focuses on how states can cooperate in sharing best practices of implementing and improving radiological source security through legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms. The chapter also draws on efforts undertaken in various national contexts, specifically Malaysia and the United Kingdom, as case studies to demonstrate how to improve radiological source security in a sustainable way.
Radiation Detection for Border Monitoring
Authors: Marianno Craig
Published: June 2023

Since 1993, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has tracked reported incidents of illicit radioactive material trafficking in their Incident and Trafficking Database. Between 1993 and 2021 there have been 320 recorded incidents of malicious trafficking that included industrial radioactive sources, special nuclear material, and scam/fraudulent material. In order to detect and intercept the illicit movement of radioactive material, countries have developed radiation detection regimes at border crossings and at ports of entry. The chapter discusses the key concepts behind radiation detection at borders, highlighting the commonly deployed defence-in-depth security strategy that utilizes multiple different types of detectors. These detection systems range in size from large, fixed-location radiation portal monitors (RPMs) to hand-held instruments such as personal radiation detectors and radioisotope identification devices. Typically, RPMs monitor moving vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the hand-held systems are employed to isolate and identify radioactive sources registered by the larger systems. With a properly trained force, these radiation detection systems can be effective at detecting the illicit transport of radioactive material across points of entry at borders.
Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response
Authors: Leek Angela E. , Semancik Jeffrey D.
Published: June 2023

Nuclear power plants are designed to operate safely for decades. Contingency plans have been developed to manage the energy, heat, and radiation unique to nuclear emergencies. As world threats emerge and evolve, these plans must also be robust, resilient, and agile enough to protect the public and the environment. Effective nuclear emergency preparedness requires the deliberate integration of security considerations and radiological protection into contingency response plans and security protocols. This document first provides an overview of emergency preparedness. It then explores how world trends have increasingly shifted focus to security, particularly on hostile-based events. The next part systematically examines the inter-relation of security and radiological emergency preparedness (REP) considerations in developing sound plans and protocols. The discussion concludes with examples of best practices and the future trajectory of nuclear emergency preparedness.
Responding to Radiological Terrorism
Authors: Pearce Julia M.
Published: June 2023

Public reactions play a key role in determining the overall economic, social, physical, and psychological impacts of radiological terrorism. Even incidents with low casualty rates can produce widespread anxiety and behaviour change, as radiation scores highly on psychometric measures of fear and dread, related to lack of control, unfamiliarity, potentially fatal consequences, and high risk to future generations. The chapter argues that understanding and informing public reactions is central to the success or failure of radiological terrorism response. Specifically, it draws on risk theory and real-world case studies to explore psychological and behavioural responses to radiological terrorism. The chapter also discusses data from two projects that developed and tested communication interventions for use in ‘dirty bomb’ and covert radiation release scenarios. In so doing, it establishes core principles for effective risk and crisis communication that are crucial for a successful response to radiological terrorism.
Nuclear Security in the Wake of the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Authors: Roth Nickolas , Salisbury Daniel
Published: June 2023

In March 2011, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan and a resultant tsunami destroyed large swathes of the Japanese coastline, killed thousands, and caused billions of dollars in damage. The nuclear power plant at Fukushima Daiichi was badly damaged by the tsunami, losing power and back-up generators, leading to a radioactive release. The chapter considers nuclear security in Japan before and after the Fukushima disaster. It provides background on the nuclear sector in Japan and considers the Fukushima disaster and its implications for nuclear security. While a safety incident, the Fukushima accident had consequential implications for nuclear security in Japan. Rather than focusing on the potential for a non-state actor to maliciously cause a Fukushima-style accident, the chapter centres on maintaining nuclear security during times of crisis. The chapter goes on to discuss nuclear security issues in Japan since the disaster and concludes by considering the future of the country’s nuclear security. It argues that nuclear security in Japan has improved significantly over the past decades, especially since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, but with Fukushima having significant enduring influence. At the time of writing, however, the future of nuclear security—like the future of nuclear power in Japan more generally—remains unclear, largely a result of the disaster a decade ago.
The Risk of Nuclear Terrorism
Authors: Mueller John
Published: June 2023

Terrorist groups seem to have exhibited only limited desire and have made even less progress in going atomic. The risk may be low because they, unlike generations of ‘alarmists’, have discovered that the effort required is scarcely likely to be successful. It is highly improbable that a would-be atomic terrorist would be given or sold a bomb by a like-minded nuclear state, because the donor would not be able to control its use and because the weapon’s source might be discovered. Moreover, neither ‘loose nukes’ nor a market in illicit nuclear materials seem to exist. To manufacture the device themselves would be very costly and would require a series of difficult hurdles being conquered in sequence, including the effective recruitment of corrupted co-conspirators. The difficulties are likely to increase due to enhanced protective and policing efforts by self-interested governments.
Social Stratification by Gender and Parenthood
Authors: Evertsson Marie , Magnusson Charlotta , van der Vleuten Maaike
Published: June 2023

This chapter discusses theories and research on social stratification by gender, focusing on wage and earnings inequalities. The first part describes changes over time in gendered economic inequalities and discusses the various theories used to account for the gender pay gap from demand-side and supply-side perspectives. The division of paid and unpaid work changes considerably when couples have children. The second part of the chapter discusses research on the earnings gap and the theories aimed at explaining why the majority of women, and rarely men, take the majority of parental leave and reduce their work hours when children are young. Finally, the chapter teases out the relevance of these theories by comparing how the transition to parenthood links to relative income development in female same-sex and different-sex couples in the Nordic countries. Findings suggest that the doing of gender and identity formation may be the most important factors explaining birth mothers’ relative earnings development.
The Ḍākinī in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
Authors: Simmer-Brown Judith
Published: June 2023

Research on the Vajrayāna ḍākinī has required diverse methods to untangle the gendered and nongendered interrelated meanings attributed to her. When in female form, she can be a visionary messenger, a Tantric meditational yidam (yi dam) deity, or a realized woman susceptible to orientalist and New Age interpretations. But she is also a nongendered emblem of embodied realization, employing the dynamic energy of the subtle body, the nature of mind, and unified symbol of enlightenment in the Tantric sense, considered a powerful influence in Tibetan spiritual culture. Reversing the quadruple androcentrism of Tibetan Buddhism, current research has uncovered the biographies, sādhanas, writings, and liturgies authored by and about ḍākinīs while employing them for new purposes of healing and regeneration in post-Mao Tibet.
The Neurobiology of Opioid Use
Authors: Khatri Shailesh N. , Maher Erin E. , Bondy Emma O. , Gipson Cassandra D.
Published: June 2023

The endogenous opioid system consists of opioid receptors and endogenous opioid peptide ligands, and it is the body’s internal system that contributes to survival by regulating pain and mood states, and by promoting reward by natural stimuli (like food, sex, and social interaction). Mu-opioid receptors are the primary targets of harmfully used opioids, making them one of the best characterized opioid receptors. More than 20 endogenous peptides have been identified for opioid receptors, all derived from 3 precursors: proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proenkephalin, and prodynorphin. Overall, it is thought that opioid use disorder (OUD) induces a dysregulation of brain pathways involved in reward and cognition in which reward–stress pathways are strengthened, and connectivity associated with cognitive control is weakened. This chapter outlines detailed information about the neurobiology of these systems and the neural circuitry of opioid use disorder, including a discussion of the neural circuit, opioid-induced alterations in neurotransmitter systems due to opioids, and specific neurotransmitter contributions to opioid effects. The impact of sex on these systems is also discussed. Finally, a neurobiological understanding of medications and treatments for opioid use disorder is presented.
The Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Authors: Dunn Kelly E. , Bergeria Cecilia L. , Ware Orrin D. , Strain Eric C.
Published: June 2023

The opioid withdrawal syndrome is a collection of self-reported symptoms and observable physiological signs that an individual who is physically dependent on opioids is undergoing after an episode of acute or protracted abstinence from opioids. The acute syndrome onsets generally within a few hours of the last dose and a full resolution of the acute syndrome may take up to 14 days. The protracted syndrome follows the acute syndrome and can take several months to fully remit. Opioid withdrawal is extremely aversive, and its avoidance is often cited by patients as a primary reason for continuing to use opioids. The opioid treatment infrastructure is largely organized around the management of opioid withdrawal, through provision of medications meant to lessen or suppress its severity. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of opioid withdrawal, including its historical understanding and characterization, the presentation of individual symptoms, and the scales on which it is measured. It also discusses individual variation in its presentation and time course, and the importance of withdrawal in the context of treatment. Finally, special contributors to withdrawal severity, including non-opioid brain systems, context-specific cues, peripheral mechanisms, and demographic level factors associated with withdrawal severity, are presented. The reader will understand the experience of withdrawal, how it can be assessed, and its contribution to opioid use disorder treatment.
Land from Poststructuralist/Postdevelopment Perspectives
Authors: Gutiérrez-Escobar Laura
Published: June 2023

This chapter analyzes how poststructuralist and postdevelopment studies complicate and destabilize hegemonic meanings of land as an “inert” natural resource, a means of production, and a commodity to be exploited. In doing so, these theoretical frameworks reframe land in terms of the culturally mediated articulations of biology and sociopolitical history. The analysis centers on three pivotal concepts in relation to land: territory, the “more than human,” and sovereignty, mainly bringing in examples from Latin America. The chapter ends by suggesting poststructuralist and postdevelopment theories need to envision future trajectories and research agendas toward further understanding how the socioecological crisis and the current shifting geopolitical order emerging from the rise of China are transforming the way we understand land.
Land and Ecosocialism
Authors: Holleman Hannah
Published: June 2023

This chapter draws connections between classical articulations of ecosocialism and movements of our era that reveal a living tradition and a path forward, not just in theory, but in practice, for a world that is in crisis. The chapter focuses on intersectional ecosocialist perspectives with respect to the land, wherein links between diverse struggles are forged and recognized as the basis for the broad socioecological solidarity that is needed to work toward a world “in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all” and wherein we may “govern the human metabolism with nature in a rational way.”
International Legal Positivism and the European Quest for Scientificity
Authors: d’Aspremont Jean
Published: June 2023

This chapter makes the claim that, although the embrace of a scientific project for international law did not systematically translate itself with a representation of international law as a positivist discipline, international legal positivism was, most of the time, invoked to vindicate the idea of an international legal science. In that sense, this chapter argues that the European portrayal of international law as a positivist discipline mainly boiled down to a project of endowing international law with scientificity, that is, a project to elevate international law into a discipline grounded in the real and geared towards discoursing the real. It simultaneously shows that, although Europeans themselves later came to contest their earlier project of scientifization of international law and even though that project eventually collapsed, the scientistic ambitions that accompanied the positivist representation of international law have proved resilient and still bear important marks on international legal thought and practice today.
Turkey
Authors: Akbulut Olgun , Karakaş Işıl Ergüvenç
Published: June 2023

This chapter presents an overview of the relationship between the Republic of Turkey and international law since the early 20th century. The chapter examines the relationship in three aspects: (1) The first international law engagement of modern Turkey in the 1920s and the main motive behind it, and (2) Turkey’s positioning with the Western world through international law commitments in the post-WWII period, and (3) specific relationships with European human rights institutions and NATO through international legal instruments. While discussing the legal and political rationale of Turkey’s generally positive stand in relation to international law, the chapter also considers whether the country’s shortfalls in implementing the basic rules of the post-WWII IL as well as zigzags in complying with certain universal principles of human rights would keep the country in the desired liberal, democratic world.
Soluble and insoluble α-glucan synthesis in yeast by enzyme suites derived exclusively from maize endosperm
Authors: Boehlein Susan K , Pfister Barbara , Hennen-Bierwagen Tracie A , Liu Chun , Ritter Maximilian , Hannah L Curtis , Zeeman Samuel C , Resende Marcio F R , Myers Alan M
Published: June 2023

Molecular mechanisms that distinguish the synthesis of semi-crystalline α-glucan polymers found in plant starch granules from the synthesis of water-soluble polymers by nonplant species are not well understood. To address this, starch biosynthetic enzymes from maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm were isolated in a reconstituted environment using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a test bed. Ninety strains were constructed containing unique combinations of 11 synthetic transcription units specifying maize starch synthase (SS), starch phosphorylase (PHO), starch branching enzyme (SBE), or isoamylase-type starch debranching enzyme (ISA). Soluble and insoluble branched α-glucans accumulated in varying proportions depending on the enzyme suite, with ISA function stimulating distribution into the insoluble form. Among the SS isoforms, SSIIa, SSIII, and SSIV individually supported the accumulation of glucan polymer. Neither SSI nor SSV alone produced polymers; however, synergistic effects demonstrated that both isoforms can stimulate α-glucan accumulation. PHO did not support α-glucan production by itself, but it had either positive or negative effects on polymer content depending on which SS or a combination thereof was present. The complete suite of maize enzymes generated insoluble particles resembling native starch granules in size, shape, and crystallinity. Ultrastructural analysis revealed a hierarchical assembly starting with subparticles of approximately 50 nm diameter that coalesce into discrete structures of approximately 200 nm diameter. These are assembled into semi-crystalline α-glucan superstructures up to 4 μm in length filling most of the yeast cytosol. ISA was not essential for the formation of such particles, but their abundance was increased dramatically by ISA presence.
Moral reframing increases support for economically progressive candidates
Authors: Voelkel Jan G , Mernyk Joseph S , Willer Robb
Published: June 2023

Economically progressive candidates—candidates who champion redistributive policies designed to reduce inequality—rarely win elections in the United States. Here, we propose that progressive candidates achieve greater support by framing their policy platforms in terms of values that resonate beyond their progressive base. In two experiments (total N = 4,138), including one preregistered experiment conducted on a nationally representative probability sample, we found that a presidential candidate who framed his progressive economic platform using values consistent with the “binding” moral foundations—e.g. patriotism, family, and respect for tradition—as opposed to values consistent with the “individualizing” foundations, e.g. equality and social justice, received significantly stronger support. This effect was driven by increased support among conservatives and, unexpectedly, moderates as well. By comparison, a manipulation of how progressive the candidate's platform was had small and inconsistent effects. Despite the potential gains associated with binding framing, analyses using presidential candidates’ debate speeches reveal that appeals to binding values are least common among progressive candidates. These findings show, however, that the alignment between values and candidate support is malleable, suggesting economically progressive candidates can build broader coalitions by reframing the values they associate with their platforms.
Explaining human interactions on the road by large-scale integration of computational psychological theory
Authors: Markkula Gustav , Lin Yi-Shin , Srinivasan Aravinda Ramakrishnan , Billington Jac , Leonetti Matteo , Kalantari Amir Hossein , Yang Yue , Lee Yee Mun , Madigan Ruth , Merat Natasha
Published: June 2023

When humans share space in road traffic, as drivers or as vulnerable road users, they draw on their full range of communicative and interactive capabilities. Much remains unknown about these behaviors, but they need to be captured in models if automated vehicles are to coexist successfully with human road users. Empirical studies of human road user behavior implicate a large number of underlying cognitive mechanisms, which taken together are well beyond the scope of existing computational models. Here, we note that for all of these putative mechanisms, computational theories exist in different subdisciplines of psychology, for more constrained tasks. We demonstrate how these separate theories can be generalized from abstract laboratory paradigms and integrated into a computational framework for modeling human road user interaction, combining Bayesian perception, a theory of mind regarding others’ intentions, behavioral game theory, long-term valuation of action alternatives, and evidence accumulation decision-making. We show that a model with these assumptions—but not simpler versions of the same model—can account for a number of previously unexplained phenomena in naturalistic driver–pedestrian road-crossing interactions, and successfully predicts interaction outcomes in an unseen data set. Our modeling results contribute to demonstrating the real-world value of the theories from which we draw, and address calls in psychology for cumulative theory-building, presenting human road use as a suitable setting for work of this nature. Our findings also underscore the formidable complexity of human interaction in road traffic, with strong implications for the requirements to set on development and testing of vehicle automation.
Lupus activity and outcomes in lupus patients undergoing maintenance dialysis
Authors: Gaillard François , Bachelet Delphine , Couchoud Cécile , Laouenan Cédric , Peoc’h Katell , Simon Quentin , Charles Nicolas , Jourde-Chiche Noémie , Daugas Eric
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Lupus activity has long been considered to decline after initiation of maintenance dialysis (MD). This assumption is based on limited historical data. We aimed to describe the natural history of lupus in patients undergoing MD.

Methods

We assembled a national retrospective cohort of lupus patients who started dialysis between 2008 and 2011, included in the REIN registry with a 5-year follow-up. We analysed healthcare consumption from the National Health Data System. We evaluated the proportion of patients ‘off-treatment’ (i.e. receiving 0–5 mg/d of corticosteroids, without any immunosuppressive therapy) after the start of MD. We describe the cumulative incidences of non-severe and severe lupus flares, cardiovascular events, severe infections, kidney transplantation and survival.

Results

We included 137 patients (121 females and 16 males), with a median age of 42 years. The proportion of patients ‘off-treatment’ at dialysis initiation was 67.7% (95% CI: 61.8, 73.8%), and increased to 76.0% (95% CI: 73.3, 78.8) at 1 year and 83.4% (95% CI: 81.0, 85.9%) at 3 years, with a lower proportion in younger patients. Lupus flares mainly occurred in the first year after MD initiation, and at 12 months 51.6% of patients had presented a non-severe lupus flare and 11.6% a severe lupus flare. In addition, 42.2% (95% CI: 32.9, 50.3%) and 23.7% (95% CI: 16.0, 30.7%) of patients at 12 months had been hospitalized for cardiovascular events or infections, respectively.

Conclusion

The proportion of lupus patients off-treatment increases after MD initiation, but non-severe and severe lupus flares continue to occur, mainly during the first year. This calls for the continued follow-up of lupus patients by lupus specialists after dialysis initiation.
Cold season dose rate contributions from gamma, radon, thoron or progeny in legacy mines with high natural background radiation
Authors: Haanes Hallvard , Dahlgren Sven , Rudjord Anne Liv
Published: June 2023

In areas with high natural background radiation, underground cavities tend to have high levels of airborne radionuclides. Within mines, occupancy may involve significant exposure to airborne radionuclides like radon (222Rn), thoron (220Rn) and progeny. The Fen carbonatite complex in Norway has legacy mines going through bedrock with significantly elevated levels of uranium (238U) and especially thorium (232Th), and significant levels of their progeny 222Rn and 220Rn. There are also significantly elevated levels of gamma radiation in these mines. These mines are naturally chimney ventilated and release large volumes of air to the outdoors giving a large local outdoor impact. We placed alpha track detectors at several localities within these mines to measure airborne radionuclides and measured gamma radiation of bedrock at each locality. The bedrock within the mines shows levels up to 1900 Bq kg−1 for 238U, 12 000 Bq kg−1 for 232Th and gamma dose rates up to 11 μSv h−1. Maximum levels of airborne radionuclides were 45 000 Bq m−3 for 220Rn and 6900 Bq m−3 for 222Rn. In addition, we measured levels of thoron progeny (TnP). In order to estimate radiation dose contribution, TnP should be assessed rather than 220Rn, but deposition-based detectors may be biased by the airflow of mine-draft. We present dose rate contributions using UNSCEAR dose conversion factors, and correcting for airflow bias, finding a combined cold season dose rate within these mines of 17–24 μSv h−1. Interestingly, fractional dose rate contributions vary from 0.02 to 0.6 for gamma, 0.33 to 0.95 for radon and 0.1 to 0.25 for TnP.
Exploring associations among morphometric measurements, genetic group of sire, and performance of beef on dairy calves
Authors: Menezes Guilherme L , Bresolin Tiago , Halfman William , Sterry Ryan , Cauffman Amanda , Stuttgen Sandy , Schlesser Heather , Nelson Megan A , Bjurstrom Aerica , Rosa Guilherme J M , Dorea Joao R R
Published: June 2023

Sire selection for beef on dairy crosses plays an important role in livestock systems as it may affect future performance and carcass traits of growing and finishing crossbred cattle. The phenotypic variation found in beef on dairy crosses has raised concerns from meat packers due to animals with dairy-type carcass characteristics. The use of morphometric measurements may help to understand the phenotypic structures of sire progeny for selecting animals with greater performance. In addition, due to the relationship with growth, these measurements could be used to early predict the performance until the transition from dairy farms to sales. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the effect of different beef sires and breeds on the morphometric measurements of crossbred calves including cannon bone (CB), forearm (FA), hip height (HH), face length (FL), face width (FW) and growth performance; and (2) to predict the weight gain from birth to transition from dairy farms to sale (WG) and the body weight at sale (BW) using such morphometric measurements obtained at first days of animals’ life. CB, FA, HH, FL, FW, and weight at 7 ± 5 d (BW7) (Table 1) were measured on 206 calves, from four different sire breeds [Angus (AN), SimAngus (SA), Simmental (SI), and Limousin (LI)], from five farms. To evaluate the morphometric measurements at the transition from dairy farms to sale and animal performance 91 out of 206 calves sourced from four farms, and offspring of two different sires (AN and SA) were used. To predict the WG and BW, 97 calves, and offspring of three different sires (AN, SA, and LI) were used. The data were analyzed using a mixed model, considering farm and sire as random effects. To predict WG and BW, two linear models (including or not the morphometric measurements) were used, and a leave-one-out cross-validation strategy was used to evaluate their predictive quality. The HH and BW7 were 7.67% and 10.7% higher (P < 0.05) in SA crossbred calves compared to AN, respectively. However, the ADG and adjusted body weight to 120 d were 14.3% and 9.46% greater (P < 0.05) in AN compared to SA. The morphometric measurements improved the model’s predictive performance for WG and BW. In conclusion, morphometric measurements at the first days of calves’ life can be used to predict animals’ performance in beef on dairy. Such a strategy could lead to optimized management decisions and greater profitability in dairy farms.
VIThe Sixteenth Century: Excluding Drama after 1550
Authors: Montori Irene , Grogan Tess
Published: June 2023

This chapter has three sections: 1. General; 2. Sidney; 3. Spenser. Section 1 is by Irene Montori; sections 2 and 3 are by Tess Grogan.
Effects of Temperature, Moisture, and Ultraviolet Light on Germination, Infection, and Survival of Gymnosporangium yamadae Teliospores and Basidiospores
Authors: Zhang Li-Jie , Li Si-Zhu , Li You-De , Li Bao-Hua , Liu Na , Ren Wei-Chao , Lian Sen , Dong Xiang-Li
Published: June 2023

Apple rust caused by Gymnosporangium yamadae is a significant disease in China’s main apple production areas. We evaluated the effects of temperature, moisture, and ultraviolet (UV) light on the germination, infection, and survival of teliospore horns and basidiospores under artificially controlled environmental conditions. The temperature required for the germination and infection of teliospores and basidiospores of G. yamadae ranged from 5 to 25°C, with an optimum temperature of approximately 17°C. The teliospore horns germinated after soaking in distilled water for 5 min and required at least 2.3 h of development to produce basidiospores under the most favorable conditions. The basidiospores germinated only in free water and produced germ tubes 0.8 h after being placed in the water. The half-life of the basidiospore was 72.5 h in the dark and only 9.5 h when exposed to intense UV light. The basidiospores inoculated on the host leaves required at least 2.3 h of water exposure to cause rust lesions. A revised Weibull model could describe the relationships between the germination and infection of teliospore horns and basidiospores with temperature and wetness duration. Collectively, these results can serve as a valuable guide for developing a model to predict future apple rust epidemics and establish a method for effective control strategies.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pullen Richard L. , Hammond Lori
Published: June 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that requires an interprofessional team, including the nurse, to manage the patient's overall quality of life.
Total intravenous anesthesia versus inhalation anesthesia: how do outcomes compare?
Authors: Ramirez Maria F. , Gan Tong J.
Published: June 2023

Recent findings

Surgical procedures that involve general anesthesia are performed with either volatile anesthetics or propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia. Both techniques are safe and provide appropriate conditions for surgery. Despite being a well established anesthetic, the use of propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) remains low. Possible explanations include the perceived increase risk of awareness, lack of target controlled infusion devices, increased turnover time for device set up and individual preference.

There are some scenarios where patients could potentially benefit from propofol-based TIVA rather than a volatile anesthetic (e.g. postoperative nausea and vomiting) and some other clinical scenarios where the use of propofol-based anesthesia remains controversial since the strength of the evidence remains low.

Purpose

In this review we will summarize the clinical evidence comparing the effect of propofol-based TIVA and volatile anesthetic on postoperative outcomes such as postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain, quality of recovery, postoperative cognitive dysfunction and cancer outcomes.
Advances in the management of persistent pain after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Dembek Dennis J. , Bicket Mark C.
Published: June 2023

Purpose of review

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, with additional growth anticipated as the US population ages. Because the prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain ranges from 15 to 25%, identifying persons at risk for persistent pain following surgery allows for preoperative optimization of risk factors as well as early identification and intervention in the postsurgical period.

Recent findings

Clinical understanding of available management techniques is critical to management, which should focus on improving patient mobility and satisfaction while reducing patient disability and healthcare costs. Current evidence supports a multimodal management strategy. This includes pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, procedural techniques, and identification and optimization of psychosocial and behavioral contributors to chronic pain. Procedural techniques known to confer analgesia include radiofrequency and watercooled neurotomy techniques. More recently, case reports have been published describing analgesic benefit with central or peripheral neuromodulation as a novel, though more invasive analgesic therapy.

Identification and early intervention to address persistent pain after TKA is important to optimize patient outcomes. The anticipated growth in TKA underscores the need for future investigations to more fully define potential therapies for chronic pain following TKA.
The impact of dietary interventions in psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Maharaj Ajesh B. , Eder Lihi , Ogdie Alexis
Published: June 2023

Purpose of review

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. Both psoriasis and PsA are associated with metabolic diseases including obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction. Dietary interventions for psoriatic disease have been of great interest, particularly among patients with PsA.

Recent findings

Herein, we review the evidence for dietary intervention in psoriatic arthritis. To date, weight loss among patients who are obese has the greatest evidence for benefit. We also examine the evidence for fasting, nutrient supplementation, and specific diets as adjunct therapeutic strategies.

While the data do not clearly support a single dietary intervention across the disease, weight loss among those who are obese results in improved PsA disease activity and physical function. Additional studies are needed to better understand the impact of diet on psoriatic arthritis.
SLIM
Authors: Sarwahi Vishal , Visahan Keshin , Hasan Sayyida , Patil Aravind , Grunfeld Matan , Atlas Aaron , Galina Jesse , Ansorge Alexandre , Lo Yungtai , Amaral Terry D. , Dayer Romain
Published: June 2023

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort studys

Objective.

The objective of this study is to determine differences in outcomes in AIS patients undergoing spinal deformity correction surgery using a posterior spinal fusion approach versus single- and triple-incision minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

Summary of Background Data.

MIS increased in popularity as surgeons focus moved towards soft tissue preservation, but carries technical demands and increased surgical time compared to PSF.

Methods.

Surgeries performed over 2016-2020 were included. Cohorts were formed based upon surgical approach: PSF versus single incision MIS (SLIM) versus traditional MIS (3MIS). There were a total of seven sub-analyses. Demographic, radiographic, and perioperative data were collected for the 3 groups. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests were used for continuous and categorical variables respectively.

Results.

532 patients met our inclusion criteria, 296 PSF, 179 3MIS, and 59 SLIM.

EBL (mL) (P<0.00001) and LOS (P<0.00001) was significantly higher in PSF than in SLIM and 3MIS. Surgical time was significantly higher in 3MIS than PSF and SLIM (P=0.0012).

PSF patients had significantly lower postop T5-T12 kyphosis (P<0.00001) and percent kyphosis change (P<0.00001). Morphine equivalence was significantly higher in the PSF group during total hospital stay (P=0.0042).

SLIM and 3MIS patients were more likely to return to non-contact (P=0.0096) and contact sports (P=0.0095) within six months and reported lower pain scores (P<0.001) at six months post operation.

Conclusion.

SLIM has similar operative time to PSF and is technically similar to PSF, while maintaining the surgical and post-operative outcome advantages of 3MIS.
The Relationship Between Hospital Capability and Mortality in Sepsis: Development of a Sepsis-Related Hospital Capability Index*
Authors: Ofoma Uchenna R. , Deych Elena , Mohr Nicholas M. , Walkey Allan , Kollef Marin , Wan Fei , Joynt Maddox Karen E.
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVES:

Regionalized sepsis care could improve sepsis outcomes by facilitating the interhospital transfer of patients to higher-capability hospitals. There are no measures of sepsis capability to guide the identification of such hospitals, although hospital case volume of sepsis has been used as a proxy. We evaluated the performance of a novel hospital sepsis-related capability (SRC) index as compared with sepsis case volume.

DESIGN:

Principal component analysis (PCA) and retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

A total of 182 New York (derivation) and 274 Florida and Massachusetts (validation) nonfederal hospitals, 2018.

PATIENTS:

A total of 89,069 and 139,977 adult patients (≥ 18 yr) with sepsis were directly admitted into the derivation and validation cohort hospitals, respectively.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

We derived SRC scores by PCA of six hospital resource use characteristics (bed capacity, annual volumes of sepsis, major diagnostic procedures, renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and major therapeutic procedures) and classified hospitals into capability score tertiles: high, intermediate, and low. High-capability hospitals were mostly urban teaching hospitals. Compared with sepsis volume, the SRC score explained more variation in hospital-level sepsis mortality in the derivation (unadjusted coefficient of determination [R
2]: 0.25 vs 0.12, p < 0.001 for both) and validation (0.18 vs 0.05, p < 0.001 for both) cohorts; and demonstrated stronger correlation with outward transfer rates for sepsis in the derivation (Spearman coefficient [r]: 0.60 vs 0.50) and validation (0.51 vs 0.45) cohorts. Compared with low-capability hospitals, patients with sepsis directly admitted into high-capability hospitals had a greater number of acute organ dysfunctions, a higher proportion of surgical hospitalizations, and higher adjusted mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.25–1.92). In stratified analysis, worse mortality associated with higher hospital capability was only evident among patients with three or more organ dysfunctions (OR, 1.88 [1.50–2.34]).

CONCLUSIONS:

The SRC score has face validity for capability-based groupings of hospitals. Sepsis care may already be de facto regionalized at high-capability hospitals. Low-capability hospitals may have become more adept at treating less complicated sepsis.
Efficacy and Safety Profile of PD-1 Inhibitors Versus Chemotherapy in the Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Jin Zhao , Zhao Minghe
Published: June 2023

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors have emerged as the new standard of care for the second-line treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There have been lots of research lately concerning the topic. A comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety profile between PD-1 inhibitors and chemotherapy is warranted. Hence, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to illustrate this issue. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched systematically until May 1, 2022. We extracted data on efficacy and safety and calculated the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and relative ratios (RRs) with 95% CI using randomized-effect or fixed-effect models. A subgroup analysis was applied to explore the factors modifying the response to PD-1 inhibitors. Ultimately, a total of 5 studies involving 1970 patients were included in our meta-analysis. PD-1 inhibitors group could attain greater overall survival (OS) benefit (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.66–0.81, P < 0.001) and nearly favorable progression-free survival (HR = 0.89, 0.76–1.04, P = 0.13). Treatment-related adverse events (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.91, P = 0.004) and level 3–5 treatment-related adverse events (RR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.32–0.49, P < 0.001) were significantly diminished in PD-1 inhibitors groups. Among all modifying factors, programmed death ligand 1 combined positive score was positively associated with the patient’s OS. The analysis suggests that PD-1 inhibitors exhibited better survival outcomes and safety profiles than standard-of-care chemotherapy. High levels of programmed death ligand 1 combined positive scores were associated with an enhanced response to PD-1 immunotherapies concerning OS.
Blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and cardiovascular risk profiles in 8–12-year-old children following preeclampsia (FINNCARE-study)
Authors: Renlund Michelle A.-K. , Jääskeläinen Tiina J. , Kivelä Anni S.E. , Heinonen Seppo T. , Laivuori Hannele M. , Sarkola Taisto A.
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

The aim was to study if children following preeclampsia (PE) develop alterations in blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness already early in life, and how this is associated with gestational, perinatal and child cardiovascular risk profiles.

Methods:

One hundred eighty-two PE (46 early-onset with diagnosis before 34 gestational weeks, and 136 late-onset) and 85 non-PE children were assessed 8–12 years from delivery. Office and 24-h ambulatory BP, body composition, anthropometrics, lipids, glucose, inflammatory markers, and tonometry-derived pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central BPs were assessed.

Results:

Office BP, central BPs, 24-h systolic BP (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) were higher in PE compared with non-PE. Early-onset PE children had the highest SBP, SBP-loads, and PP. SBP nondipping during night-time was common among PE. The higher child 24-h mean SBP among PE was explained by maternal SBP at first antenatal visit and prematurity (birth weight or gestational weeks), but child 24-h mean PP remained related with PE and child adiposity after adjustments. Central and peripheral PWVs were elevated in late-onset PE subgroup only and attributed to child age and anthropometrics, child and maternal office SBP at follow-up, but relations with maternal antenatal SBPs and prematurity were not found. There were no differences in body anthropometrics, composition, or blood parameters.

Conclusions:

PE children develop an adverse BP profile and arterial stiffness early in life. PE-related BP is related with maternal gestational BP and prematurity, whereas arterial stiffness is determined by child characteristics at follow-up. The alterations in BP are pronounced in early-onset PE.

Clinical Trial Registration information: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04676295

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04676295
Primary Cutaneous Follicle Center Lymphoma of the Eyelid in a Young Man
Authors: Cárdenas-Belaunzarán Jorge , Sánchez Castro Oscar E. , Mendoza Torres Moisés L. , Cuevas Martínez José L.
Published: June 2023

A 20-year-old male presented with a fast-growing nodule in his right inferior eyelid, no relevant history was obtained. Final histopathologic diagnosis of primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (CD20+, CD10+, bcl6+, bcl10+, mum1+, PAX5+, and bcl2-) was determined. The patient had a complete negative systemic work-up, and 3 cycles of consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy were completed. The initial histopathologic diagnosis had been a non-Hodgkin diffuse large B-cell lymphoma which is an infrequent lymphoma type for this location too. To our knowledge, this is the youngest person reported presenting with an eyelid primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma.