bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safer opioid supply: qualitative program evaluation
Authors: Haines Marlene , O’Byrne Patrick
Published: April 2023

Background

As the overdose crisis in Canada continues to escalate in severity, novel interventions and programs are required. Safer Supply programs offer pharmaceutical-grade medication to people who use drugs to replace and decrease harms related to the toxic illicit drug supply. Given the paucity of research surrounding these programs, we sought to better understand the experience of being part of a Safer Supply program from the perspective of current participants.

Methods

We completed semi-structured interviews and surveys with Safer Supply participants in Ottawa, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Descriptive statistics were used to report survey data.

Results

Participants most commonly discussed Safer Supply benefits. This included programs offering a sense of community, connection, hope for the future, and increased autonomy. Participants also described program concerns, such as restrictive protocols, inadequate drugs, and diversion.

Conclusions

Our research demonstrated that participants found Safer Supply to be effective and impactful for their substance use goals. While participants did discuss concerns about the program, overall, we found that this is an important harm reduction-based program for people who use drugs in the midst of the overdose crisis.
Venous anomalies and thromboembolism
Authors: Dix Caroline , Clements Warren , Gibbs Harry , So Joanne , A Tran Huyen , D McFadyen James
Published: April 2023

Patients with venous anomalies are at increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) and subsequent complications, but they are often under-recognised. While unprovoked VTE may trigger testing for inherited thrombophilias and malignancy screening, anatomic variants are considered less often. Venous anomalies increase the risk due to venous flow disturbance, resulting in hypertension, reduced flow velocity and turbulence. Recognition is important as endovascular or surgical intervention may be appropriate, these patients have a high rate of VTE recurrence if anticoagulation is ceased, and the anomalies can predispose to extensive VTE and severe post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). In this case series, we present representative cases and radiological images of May-Thurner syndrome (MTS), inferior vena cava (IVC) variants and venous aneurysms, and review the available literature regarding optimal diagnosis and management in each condition.
Considering depression as a secondary outcome in the optimization of physical activity interventions for breast cancer survivors in the PACES trial: a factorial randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rethorst Chad D. , Carmody Thomas J. , Argenbright Keith E. , Mayes Taryn L. , Hamann Heidi A. , Trivedi Madhukar H.
Published: April 2023

Background

Depressive symptoms result in considerable burden for breast cancer survivors. Increased physical activity may reduce these burdens but existing evidence from physical activity interventions in equivocal. Furthermore, physical activity intervention strategies may differentially impact depressive symptoms, which should be considered in designing and optimizing behavioral interventions for breast cancer survivors.

Methods

The Physical Activity for Cancer Survivors (PACES) trial enrolled 336 participants breast cancer survivors, who were 3 months to 10 years post-treatment, and insufficiently active (< 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week). Participants were randomly assigned to a combination of 4 intervention strategies in a full-factorial design: 1) supervised exercise sessions, 2) facility access, 3) Active Living Every Day, and 4) Fitbit self-monitoring. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (3 months), and post-intervention (6 months) using the Quick Inventory for Depressive Symptoms. Change in depressive symptoms were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model.

Results

Results from the linear mixed-effects model indicated that depressive symptoms decreased significantly across the entire study sample over the 6-month intervention (F = 4.09, p = 0.044). A significant ALED x time interaction indicated participants who received the ALED intervention experienced greater reductions in depressive symptoms (F = 5.29, p = 0.022). No other intervention strategy significantly impacted depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The ALED intervention consists of strategies (i.e., goal setting, social support) that may have a beneficial impact on depressive symptoms above and beyond the effect of increased physical activity. Our findings highlight the need to consider secondary outcomes when designing and optimizing physical activity interventions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03060941. Posted February 23, 2017.
Play Active physical activity policy intervention and implementation support in early childhood education and care: results from a pragmatic cluster randomised trial
Authors: Adams Emma K. , Nathan Andrea , Trost Stewart G. , Schipperijn Jasper , Shilton Trevor , Trapp Georgina , Maitland Clover , Thornton Ashleigh , Mclaughlin Matthew , George Phoebe , Wenden Elizabeth , Christian Hayley
Published: April 2023

Background

Policy interventions to increase physical activity in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are effective in increasing physical activity among young children. However, a large proportion of ECEC services do not have nor implement a physical activity policy. Play Active is an evidence-informed physical activity policy intervention with implementation support strategies to enable ECEC services to successfully implement their policy. This study examined the effectiveness, implementation, and process outcomes of Play Active.

Methods

A pragmatic cluster randomised trial in 81 ECEC services in Perth, Western Australia was conducted in 2021. Services implemented their physical activity policy over a minimum of three months. The effectiveness outcomes were changes in educator practices related to daily time provided for total physical activity and energetic play. Implementation outcomes included changes in director- and educator-reported uptake of policy practices and director-reported uptake of high impact and low effort policy practices. Process evaluation outcomes included awareness, fidelity, reach, and acceptability of the intervention and implementation strategies. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and generalised linear mixed effects models.

Results

There was a significant increase in the uptake of director-reported policy practices (p = 0.034), but no change in the uptake of the subset of high impact and low effort policy practices. Intervention group educators reported high awareness of the Play Active policy recommendations (90%). Play Active acceptability was high among educators (83%) and directors (78%). Fidelity and reach were high for most implementation support strategies (> 75%). There were no significant changes in the amount of physical activity or energetic play educators provided to children or in the proportion of educators providing the policy recommended ≥ 180 min of physical activity/day or ≥ 30 min of energetic play/day for intervention compared to wait-listed comparison services.

Conclusions

Play Active resulted in significantly higher uptake of physical activity practices. However, there was no change in the amount of physical activity provided to children, which may be explained by the relatively short policy implementation period. Importantly, Play Active had high awareness, fidelity, reach, and acceptability. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of Play Active over longer implementation periods and its scalability potential.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (reference number 12620001206910, registered 13/11/2020, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378304&isReview=true).
Socio-ecological factors associated with probable depression among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls: findings from a cross-sectional study in Burkina Faso and Malawi
Authors: Ajayi Anthony Idowu , Chamdimba Elita , Sawadogo Nathalie , Gitahi Nyawira , Tarnagda Abdoul Moumini , Ilboudo Abdoul Kader , Munthali Alister , Thakwalakwa Chrissie , Otukpa Emmanuel Oloche , Ushie Boniface Ayanbekongshie , Kabiru Caroline W.
Published: April 2023

Background

Pregnant and parenting adolescent girls are at risk of poor mental health because of stigma and social exclusion. Despite one in four girls starting childbearing by the age of 19 in Africa, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has examined the multi-layered factors (individual, family, friends, and neighborhood-related factors) associated with depressive symptoms among pregnant and parenting girls in Africa. Our study contributes to addressing this gap by examining the socio-ecological factors associated with depression symptoms among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls.

Methods

Our study adopted a cross-sectional design. Between March and September 2021, we interviewed 980 pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and 669 in Blantyre, Malawi. We recruited pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in randomly selected urban and rural enumeration areas in Burkina Faso (n = 71) and Malawi (n = 66). We assessed depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which generated an overall score of 27. We considered a score of 10 or more as probable depression. We also obtained information on individual, family, friends, and neighborhood characteristics. We employed logistic regression models to examine the significant factors associated with probable depression among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls.

Results

The prevalence of probable depression was 18.8% and 14.5% in Burkina Faso and Malawi, respectively. At the individual level, having secondary education was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of probable depression in Malawi (AOR: 0.47; 95% CI 0.27–0.82) but not in Burkina Faso. At the family level, denying paternity (AOR: 3.14; 95% CI 1.34–7.11 in Malawi) and no parental support (AOR: 2.08; 95% CI 1.22–3.55 in Burkina Faso) were associated with higher odds of probable depression. At the community level, perceived neighborhood safety was associated with a lower likelihood of probable depression in Malawi (AOR: 0.74; 95% CI 0.61–0.89) and Burkina Faso (AOR: 0.81; 95% CI 0.73–0.90). Having a safety net within the community was associated with lower odds of probable depression in Burkina Faso (AOR: 0.87; 95% CI 0.78–0.96) but not in Malawi.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms are common among pregnant and parenting adolescents, suggesting the need to screen them regularly for depression during antenatal and postnatal visits. Factors associated with depression among pregnant and parenting girls operate at multiple levels suggesting a need for multilevel interventions that address all areas of vulnerabilities.
Carriers of the p.P522R variant in PLCγ2 have a slightly more responsive immune system
Authors: Diks Annieck M. , Teodosio Cristina , de Mooij Bas , Groenland Rick J. , Naber Brigitta A. E. , de Laat Inge F. , Vloemans Sandra A. , Rohde Susan , de Jonge Marien I. , Lorenz Linda , Horsten Debbie , van Dongen Jacques J. M. , Berkowska Magdalena A. , Holstege Henne
Published: April 2023

Background

The rs72824905 single-nucleotide polymorphism in the PLCG2 gene, encoding the p.P522R residue change in Phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCγ2), associates with protection against several dementia subtypes and with increased likelihood of longevity. Cell lines and animal models indicated that p.P522R is a functional hypermorph. We aimed to confirm this in human circulating peripheral immune cells.

Methods

We compared effects of p.P522R on immune system function between carriers and non-carriers (aged 59-103y), using in-depth immunophenotyping, functional B-cell and myeloid cell assays, and in vivo SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Results

In line with expectations, p.P522R impacts immune cell function only slightly, but it does so across a wide array of immune cell types. Upon B-cell stimulation, we observed increased PLCγ2 phosphorylation and calcium release, suggesting increased B-cell sensitivity upon antigen recognition. Further, p.P522R-carriers had higher numbers of CD20++CD21-CD24+ naive B cells and IgG1+ memory B cells. In myeloid cells, normalized ROS production was higher upon PLCγ2-dependent stimulation. On classical monocytes, CD33 levels were elevated. Furthermore, carriers expressed lower levels of allergy-related FcεRI on several immune cell subsets. Nevertheless, carriers and non-carriers had similar serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Conclusion

The immune system from p.P522R-carriers is slightly more responsive to stimulation than in non-carriers.
Quantitative prediction of radiographic progression in patients with axial spondyloarthritis using neural network model in a real-world setting
Authors: Baek In-Woon , Jung Seung Min , Park Yune-Jung , Park Kyung-Su , Kim Ki-Jo
Published: April 2023

Background

Predicting radiographic progression in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains limited because of the complex interaction between multiple associated factors and individual variability in real-world settings. Hence, we tested the feasibility of artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict radiographic progression in axSpA.

Methods

In total, 555 patients with axSpA were split into training and testing datasets at a 3:1 ratio. A generalized linear model (GLM) and ANN models were fitted based on the baseline clinical characteristics and treatment-dependent variables for the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) of the radiographs at follow-up time points. The mSASSS prediction was evaluated, and explainable machine learning methods were used to provide insights into the model outcome or prediction.

Results

TheR2values of the fitted models were in the range of 0.90–0.95 and ANN with an input of mSASSS as the number of each score performed better (root mean squared error (RMSE) = 2.83) than GLM or input of mSASSS as a total score (RMSE = 2.99–3.57). The ANN also effectively captured complex interactions among variables and their contributions to the transition of mSASSS over time in the fitted models. Structural changes constituting the mSASSS scoring systems were the most important contributing factors, and no detectable structural abnormalities at baseline were the most significant factors suppressing mSASSS change.

Conclusions

Clinical and radiographic data-driven ANN allows precise mSASSS prediction in real-world settings. Correct evaluation and prediction of spinal structural changes could be beneficial for monitoring patients with axSpA and developing a treatment plan.
Hemolysis and acquired methemoglobinemia associated with lidocaine and benzocaine topical application: a case report
Authors: Khajavirad Nasim , Daftari Ghazal , Jelodar Mehrasa Raisi
Published: April 2023

Background

Topical anesthetics are commonly used over the counter, and one of the adverse effects of these medications is methemoglobinemia, which is a serious and life-threatening condition.

Case presentation

We describe a 25-year-old Persian male presenting with generalized weakness, dizziness, headache, and cyanosis. In addition, he had genital warts starting 3 weeks ago, which were self-treated with podophyllin, resulting in itching and pain. He used over-the-counter topical anesthetics, including benzocaine and lidocaine, to reduce the symptoms. According to the lab data, signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia and hemolysis were diagnosed. Considering the hemolysis, ascorbic acid was used for treatment. The patient was discharged after 5 days with normal arterial blood gas and pulse oximetry and no signs and symptoms.

Conclusion

This case highlights that self-administration of some topical anesthetics may lead to potentially fatal conditions.
Delayed reversal of methanol-induced blindness in an adult by a combination of erythropoietin and a high dose of methylprednisolone: a case report
Authors: Vafapour Fatemeh , Jahangiri-Mehr Sajad , Hassanzadeh Sajad
Published: April 2023

Background

The clinical manifestation following methanol toxicity accounts for a life-threatening problem that contributes to metabolic disorders, neurological complications, blindness, and even death. There is no completely effective treatment to retain the patient’s vision. Herein, we apply a new therapeutic strategy for the recovery of bilateral blindness in a patient who had ingested methanol.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old Iranian man with complete bilateral blindness was referred 3 days after accidental ingestion of methanol to the poisoning center at Jalil Hospital, Yasuj, Iran, in 2022. After taking his medical history, performing neurologic and ophthalmologic examinations, and routine laboratory tests, ordinary management was undertaken and counterpoisons were given for 4–5 days; however, the blindness did not reverse. Following the 4–5 days of unsuccessful standard management, he was given ten doses of subcutaneous erythropoietin 10,000 IU/12 hours twice daily, folinic acid 50 mg/12 hours, and methylprednisolone 250 mg/6 hours for 5 days. After five days, vision of both eyes recovered, reaching 1/10 in the left and 7/10 in the right eye. He remained under daily supervision until his release from the hospital, and he was discharged from the hospital 15 days post admission. In outpatient follow-up, his visual acuity was improved without having any side effects at 2 weeks after discharge.

Conclusion

A combination of erythropoietin and a high dose of methylprednisolone were useful for relieving the critical optic neuropathy and improved the optical neurological disorder following methanol toxicity.
Analysis of rural–urban vegetable market dynamics in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Adugna Marelign , Tilahun Assefa , Petros Tigist , Adino Kibrom
Published: April 2023

Background

Vegetable crops are among most perishable agricultural products which require efficient marketing system to reach them fresh to consumers. Weak market integration and sluggish price transmission of such perishable products can lead to suboptimal allocation of resources. This study was aimed to identify the degree of vegetable price integration and speed of price transmission between urban and rural vegetable markets.

Methods

Two rural markets (Maksegnit and Koladiba) and one central urban market (Gondar) were selected for the purpose of the analysis based on their strong relationship as supply and destination market for vegetable crops. Price data of vegetable crops were collected from September 2013 to December 2018 from each market areas trade and revenue department offices. Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, Granger causality test and error correction model were utilized in the process of the analysis.

Results

The result shows that both rural markets were integrated with urban market for garlic crop. In addition, the rural markets caused the urban market to change not in the reverse direction. Moreover, urban market is adjusted by about 30% per month when there were a 1% price shock in rural markets for garlic crop. This speed of price transmission is sluggish for perishable crops and seasonally flexible prices.

Conclusion

This study concluded that vegetable prices are determined from demand side and it should be the target for any planned policy modification.
Anaerobic degradation of organic carbon supports uncultured microbial populations in estuarine sediments
Authors: Yu Tiantian , Wu Weichao , Liang Wenyue , Wang Yinzhao , Hou Jialin , Chen Yunru , Elvert Marcus , Hinrichs Kai-Uwe , Wang Fengping
Published: April 2023

Background

A large proportion of prokaryotic microbes in marine sediments remains uncultured, hindering our understanding of their ecological functions and metabolic features. Recent environmental metagenomic studies suggested that many of these uncultured microbes contribute to the degradation of organic matter, accompanied by acetogenesis, but the supporting experimental evidence is limited.

Results

Estuarine sediments were incubated with different types of organic matters under anaerobic conditions, and the increase of uncultured bacterial populations was monitored. We found that (1) lignin stimulated the increase of uncultured bacteria within the class Dehalococcoidia. Their ability to metabolize lignin was further supported by the presence of genes associated with a nearly complete degradation pathway of phenolic monomers in the Dehalococcoidia metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). (2) The addition of cellulose stimulated the increase of bacteria in the phylum Ca. Fermentibacterota and family Fibrobacterales, a high copy number of genes encoding extracellular endoglucanase or/and 1,4-beta-cellobiosidase for cellulose decomposition and multiple sugar transporters were present in their MAGs. (3) Uncultured lineages in the order Bacteroidales and the family Leptospiraceae were enriched by the addition of casein and oleic acid, respectively, a high copy number of genes encoding extracellular peptidases, and the complete β-oxidation pathway were found in those MAGs of Bacteroidales and Leptospiraceae, respectively. (4) The growth of unclassified bacteria of the order Clostridiales was found after the addition of both casein and cellulose. Their MAGs contained multiple copies of genes for extracellular peptidases and endoglucanase. Additionally, 13C-labeled acetate was produced in the incubations when 13C-labeled dissolved inorganic carbon was provided.

Conclusions

Our results provide new insights into the roles of microorganisms during organic carbon degradation in anaerobic estuarine sediments and suggest that these macro and single molecular organic carbons support the persistence and increase of uncultivated bacteria. Acetogenesis is an additional important microbial process alongside organic carbon degradation.
Characterisation of a new lightweight LoRaWAN GPS bio-logger and deployment on griffon vultures Gyps fulvus
Authors: Gauld Jethro , Atkinson Philip W. , Silva João P. , Senn Andreas , Franco Aldina M. A.
Published: April 2023

1. Information provided by tracking studies using remote telemetry is providing ecologists with invaluable new insights into animal behaviour and movement strategies. Here we describe a new type of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking device currently under development and nearing commercialisation, which transmits data via LoRaWAN (long range wide area network) gateways. These tags have the potential to be a low weight and power consumption solution for tracking the movement of animals at high resolution. 2. We characterise the position accuracy and data transmission range, including uplinks and downlinks, for the tracker using a series of ground-based field tests. Data transmission range was tested by visiting locations with line of sight to the LoRaWAN Gateway at distances up to 75 km and recording whether data transmission was completed successfully from each location. These tests were complemented by a trial deployment of six devices on griffon vulturesGyps fulvus. 3. These LoRa tags reliably provided accurate position estimates, particularly on more frequent acquisition cycles. At 1-min intervals the GNSS location bias was 4.71 m in the horizontal plane and 5 m in the vertical plane while precision, measured by standard deviation, was 3.9 m in horizontal space and 7.7 m in vertical space. Ground-based range tests confirmed data transmission from a maximum distance of 40.7 km. Initial results from a deployment on griffon vultures yielded useful information about flight speeds, altitude, and transmission range (up to 53.4 km). 4. With consistent GNSS position accuracy and the ability to transmit data over tens of kilometres, the LoRa tags demonstrated potential for monitoring animal movement over large areas. The small size and power needs of the device allow for flexibility in which combination of battery, solar panel, and housing they are paired with. The tags can be assembled in housing formats ranging in size from less than 5 g for deployment on Kestrel sized birds to 80 g for deployment on large birds such as vultures. The devices are particularly suitable for philopatric (site-faithful) species because LoRa gateways can be installed near breeding sites to maximise opportunities for data transmission. Our findings are informative for studies seeking to use LoRa for tracking birds and other animals using the miro-Nomad or a different type of GPS-LoRa logger.
Implementing evidence-based eating disorder guidelines at a small metro hospital: current practice and staff perceptions of caring for eating disorder patients
Authors: O’Donnell Stacey L. , Meloncelli Nina J. L.
Published: April 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to understand current clinical practice, adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of the multidisciplinary team caring for inpatients with an eating disorder at a small metro hospital.

Methods

This mixed methods study involved a retrospective audit of eating disorder patient care and a semi-qualitative staff survey. The audit was undertaken at a small metro hospital from 2018 to 2019. Documented practices were compared to state-wide best-practice guidelines. A staff survey was designed to understand health care professional’s knowledge and use of evidence-based practice guidelines, as well their perception of caring for this patient population and areas for improvement.

Results

Twenty-three discrete admissions (18 individuals) were included in the audit. Findings highlighted several evidence-practice gaps including delayed nutrition initiation and inconsistent medical refeeding and management of refeeding risk. Survey themes (from 60 hospital staff) included: lack of confidence with providing eating disorder care; uncertainty about professional roles/responsibilities; and lack of clear processes/guidelines to inform clinical care.

Conclusions

Gaps exist between evidence-based practice and eating disorder patient care. Staff lack confidence providing care to this patient group. These findings will allow for targeted implementation strategies to improve patient care and the uptake of research into practice.
Experiences that matter in bipolar disorder: a qualitative study using the capability, comfort and calm framework
Authors: Siegel-Ramsay J. E. , Sharp S. J. , Ulack C. J. , Chiang K. S. , Lanza di Scalea T. , O’Hara S. , Carberry K. , Strakowski S. M. , Suarez J. , Teisberg E. , Wallace S. , Almeida J. R. C.
Published: April 2023

Background

When assessing the value of an intervention in bipolar disorder, researchers and clinicians often focus on metrics that quantify improvements to core diagnostic symptoms (e.g., mania). Providers often overlook or misunderstand the impact of treatment on life quality and function. We wanted to better characterize the shared experiences and obstacles of bipolar disorder within the United States from the patient’s perspective.

Methods

We recruited 24 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder and six caretakers supporting someone with the condition. Participants were involved in treatment or support services for bipolar disorder in central Texas. As part of this qualitative study, participants discussed their everyday successes and obstacles related to living with bipolar disorder during personalized, open-ended interviews. Audio files were transcribed, and Nvivo software processed an initial thematic analysis. We then categorized themes into bipolar disorder-related obstacles that limit the patient’s capability (i.e., function), comfort (i.e., relief from suffering) and calm (i.e., life disruption) (Liu et al., FebClin Orthop 475:315–317, 2017; Teisberg et al., MayAcad Med 95:682–685, 2020). We then discuss themes and suggest practical strategies that might improve the value of care for patients and their families.

Results

Issues regarding capability included the struggle to maintain identity, disruptions to meaningful employment, relationship loss and the unpredictable nature of bipolar disorder. Comfort related themes included the personal perception of diagnosis, social stigma and medication issues. Calm themes included managing dismissive doctors, finding the right psychotherapist and navigating financial burdens.

Conclusions

Qualitative data from patients with bipolar disorder helps identify gaps in care or practical limitations to treatment. When we listen to these individuals, it is clear that treatments must also address the unmet psychosocial impacts of the condition to improve patient care, capability and calm.
Resource predictability modulates spatial-use networks in an endangered scavenger species
Authors: Cerecedo-Iglesias Catuxa , Bartumeus Frederic , Cortés-Avizanda Ainara , Pretus Joan Ll. , Hernández-Matías Antonio , Real Joan
Published: April 2023

Background

Changes in human-induced resource availability can alter the behaviour of free-living species and affect their foraging strategies. The future European Landfill Waste Directive and Circular Economy Action Plan will reduce the number of predictable anthropogenic food subsidies (PAFS), above all, by closing landfills to preclude negative effects on human health. Obligate avian scavengers, the most threatened group of birds worldwide, are the most likely group of species that will be forced to change their behaviour and use of space in response to landfill site closures. Here, we examine the possible consequences of these management decisions on the foraging patterns of Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in an expanding population in the Iberian Peninsula.

Methods

We tracked 16 individuals in 2018–2021, including breeders and non-breeders, and, using a combination of spatial-use and spatial-network modelling, assessed landscape connectivity between key resources based on movement patterns. We then carried out simulations of future scenarios based on the loss of PAFS to predict likely changes in the movement patterns of both non-breeders and breeders.

Results

Our results show that foraging strategies in non-breeders and breeders differ significantly: non-breeders performed more dispersal movements than breeding birds across a spatial-use network. Non-breeding and breeding networks were found to be vulnerable to the removal of central foraging areas containing landfill sites, a highly predictable resource, while perturbation analysis showed dissimilar foraging responses to the gradual reduction of other predictable resources. Under a context of the non-availability of landfills for breeders and non-breeders, vultures will increase their use of extensive livestock as a trophic resource.

Conclusions

Future environmental policies should thus extend the areas used by scavengers in which livestock carcasses are allowed to remain in the wild, a strategy that will also mitigate the lack of food caused by any reduction in available waste if landfills close. In general, our results emphasize the capabilities of a spatial network approaches to address questions on movement ecology. They can be used to infer the behavioural response of animal species and, also demonstrate the importance of applying such approaches to endangered species conservation within a context of changing humanized scenarios.
Radiological assessment of facial recess and correlation with surgical measurement in cochlear implantation
Authors: Behairy Essam Abdel Wanees , Hamad Mohamed Hisham , Shawky Mohamed , Aboshady Sohair Reda , Eldemerdash Ashraf Ali
Published: April 2023

Background

The facial recess (FR) is the crucial landmark in posterior tympanotomy approach which is the conventional approach for cochlear implantation surgery. This work aimed to measure the facial recess width and length radiologically and correlate these measurements with the surgical measurements in cochlear implantation procedure. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on one hundred patients with sensorineural hearing loss prepared for cochlear implantation according to health insurance regulations. Patients included in the study were subjected to the following protocol: a routine ENT examination formed the initial part of the evaluation, audiological tests for adults and children were done, and the radiological evaluation for the patients included high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning [axial plane, oblique sagittal plane, and curved multiplanar reconstruction (MPR CT)]. These HRCT images were used to measure the facial recess width and length. Measurement of the FR width and length was done intraoperative by using a sterile ruler. Radiological measurements were correlated with the surgical measurements.

Results

There was a statistically significant correlation between FR width surgically and FR width radiologically (p-value < 0.001). FR width measured in CT axial cuts, curved MPR images, and oblique sagittal cuts could predict FR width surgically. There was a statistically significant correlation between FR length surgically and FR length radiologically (p-value < 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between age and sex on one hand and surgical and radiological measurements on the other hand.

Conclusion

Preoperative HRCT axial plane, oblique sagittal plane, and curved MPR CT can predict actual facial recess width and length.
Stationary time correlations for fermions after a quench in the presence of an impurity
Authors: Gouraud G. , Le Doussal P. , Schehr G.
Published: April 2023

We consider the quench dynamics of non-interacting fermions in one dimension in the presence of a finite-size impurity at the origin. This impurity is characterized by general momentum-dependent reflection and transmission coefficients which are changed from

to

at time t = 0. The initial state is at equilibrium with

such that the system is cut in two independent halves with

,

, respectively, to the right and to the left of the impurity. We obtain the exact large time limit of the multi-time correlations. These correlations become time translationally invariant, and are non-zero in two different regimes: i) for

where the system reaches a non-equilibrium steady state (NESS), ii) for

, i.e., the ray regime. For a repulsive impurity these correlations are independent of

,

, while in the presence of bound states they oscillate and memory effects persist. We show that these nontrivial relaxational properties can be retrieved in a simple manner from the large time behaviour of the single particle wave functions.
Double power-law distribution in spatial network induced by cost constraints
Authors: Qian Jiang-Hai , Li Hui-Fang , Yang Chao , Han Ding-Ding
Published: April 2023

We investigate the scaling laws of the degree distribution in an evolving spatial network where the long-range links of a node are subject to a cost constraint. The constraint can cause a discontinuous reduction in the length of the links to be attached to the node once the node reaches some critical degree k

c
. We show that this effect can result in an abrupt change in the attachment probability and consequently induces a double power-law degree distribution. We derive the distribution analytically for the homogeneous constraint and demonstrate a consistent result for the heterogeneous one. Our model finds a robust connection between the double power law and the spatial constraint and offers a plausible explanation of the common occurrence of the distribution in airline networks.
Reward Processing During Monetary Incentive Delay Task After Leptin Substitution in Lipodystrophy—an fMRI Case Series
Authors: Schlögl Haiko , Janssen Lieneke , Fasshauer Mathias , Miehle Konstanze , Villringer Arno , Stumvoll Michael , Mueller Karsten
Published: April 2023

Context

Behaviorally, the most pronounced effects of leptin substitution in leptin deficiency are the hunger-decreasing and postprandial satiety-prolonging effects of the adipokine. Previously, with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we and others showed that eating behavior–controlling effects are at least in part conveyed by the reward system. However, to date, it is unclear if leptin only modulates eating behavior specific brain reward action or if it also alters the reward function of the brain unrelated to eating behavior.

Objective

We investigated with functional MRI the effects of metreleptin on the reward system in a reward task unrelated to eating behavior, the monetary incentive delay task.

Design

Measurements in 4 patients with the very rare disease of lipodystrophy (LD), resulting in leptin deficiency, and 3 untreated healthy control persons were performed at 4 different time points: before start and over 12 weeks of metreleptin treatment. Inside the MRI scanner, participants performed the monetary incentive delay task and brain activity during the reward receipt phase of the trial was analyzed.

Results

We found a reward-related brain activity decrease in our 4 patients with LD over the 12 weeks of metreleptin treatment in the subgenual region, a brain area associated with the reward network, which was not observed in our 3 untreated healthy control persons.

Conclusions

These results suggest that leptin replacement in LD induces changes of brain activity during reward reception processing completely unrelated to eating behavior or food stimuli. This could suggest eating behavior-unrelated functions of leptin in the human reward system.

Trial registration

The trial is registered as trial No. 147/10-ek at the ethics committee of the University of Leipzig and at the State Directorate of Saxony (Landesdirektion Sachsen).
Improved Mechanical Characterization of LiCoO2 Cathode Material by Ab-Initio Calculations Using Density Functional Theory
Authors: Torii Masato , Kawakami Takashi , Yamanaka Shusuke , Okumura Mitsutaka
Published: April 2023

In the application of density functional theory (DFT) calculations to LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode material of lithium-ion batteries, this study investigates the differences between the obtained values for lattice constants, elastic constants, and stress-strain curves using different calculation condition such as exchange-correlation energy functionals; additionally, it attempts to improve the accuracy of the mechanical characterization of the DFT calculation. The results reveal that the adoption of Perdew-Wang (PW91) functional with dispersion corrections is better in the structural optimization of the DFT calculation for the LCO cathode compared with other calculation conditions, such as the adoption of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) and revised PBE for solids (PBE-solid), which have been used in previous studies. The high accuracy of the lattice constant calculations in the structural optimization using PW91 results in a relatively high evaluation accuracy of the mechanical properties of these cathode materials. Additionally, a strong correlation between the lattice (or lattice volumes) and elastic constants is observed; evidently, a slight deviation in the lattice constants causes a relatively significant change in the elastic constants. In some of the calculation results for stress-strain curves, differences in the elastic limits (elastic regions) dependent on the selected exchange-correlation functionals are clearly observed.
The Ultimate Guide for Selecting Repetition Tempos
Authors: Mang Zachary , Ronai Peter , Kravitz Len
Published: April 2023

Apply it!

By reading this article, you will learn:

• Repetition tempo, which is sometimes referred to as repetition duration, describes movement velocity during eccentric, isometric, and concentric phases of one repetition. Thus, repetition tempo plays a major role in set duration, which is commonly referred to as time under tension (TUT).

• When a general population client is training for hypertrophy, the effective duration range for one repetition is 0.5 to 8 seconds. The key is making sure your client is training close to momentary muscular failure. When strength is the primary goal, there is evidence that repetition durations of less than 1 to 20 seconds are effective. Although power can be improved with a variety of tempos, a 2-second eccentric duration followed by a maximal speed concentric duration (i.e., “X”) is the most effective.

• For those working with elderly patients, strength, power, and physical function can be improved with 3/3- and 3/X-second tempos, but the latter is most effective.

• For those working with patients in cardiac rehabilitation or patients with cardiovascular disease, it is important to keep TUT short, which is accomplished by using faster repetition tempos (e.g., 1/1 vs. 2/2 seconds).
Building the New Socialist Person
Authors: Papastefanaki Eleftheria , Papathanasiou Christos , Vafeas Nikos , Athanasiades Harris
Published: April 2023

This study explores the concept of the new socialist person as it emerges from the pages of interwar Soviet readers for Grecophone populations. It focuses on the modifications the concept underwent to meet conjunctural needs and in the context of the social, political, ideological and economic changes in the USSR and the politics of the communist parties. The building of the new socialist person involved a renegotiation of identity markers such as gender and nationality, which were subordinated to a labour-centred picture. Accordingly, the new citizen identity was defined in terms of participation in the fulfilment of production targets, socialist emulation, defence of the socialist homeland and political participation in Communist Party organisations as mediated by the personality cult and total respect for hierarchy.
Οι απόψεις των εκπαιδευτικών της Δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης ως προς την εφαρμογή του μοντέλου «Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)» στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία
Authors: ΣΑΚΑΛΗΣ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΟΣ
Published: April 2023

Η τεχνολογία έχει πλέον εισβάλει σε κάθε πτυχή της προσωπικής καθώς και της επαγγελματικής μας καθημερινότητας. Η εκπαίδευση δεν συνιστά εξαίρεση αφού ο ρόλος των Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών (ΤΠΕ) αναγνωρίζεται από την πολιτεία η οποία και έχει υλοποιήσει έργα επιμόρφωσης των εκπαιδευτικών με στόχο την αξιοποίησή τους στη εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία. Στο πλαίσιο εφαρμογής των ΤΠΕ στην εκπαιδευτική πρακτική εμφανίστηκε η λεγόμενη «φορητή μάθηση», μια μορφή μάθησης η οποία είναι δυνατή ανά πάσα στιγμή και σε οποιοδήποτε χώρο και προκύπτει με τη χρήση φορητών συσκευών τεχνολογίας. Η φορητή μάθηση είναι συνυφασμένη με την εφαρμογή του μοντέλου «Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)» ή «Φέρτε τη δική σας συσκευή», μοντέλο κατά το οποίο οι εκπαιδευτικοί όπως και οι μαθητές μπορούν να φέρνουν και να χρησιμοποιούν τις προσωπικές τους φορητές συσκευές τεχνολογίας (όπως Smartphones, Tablets κ.ά.) για τις ανάγκες της διδασκαλίας, μέσα στη σχολική τάξη. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι να διερευνήσει και να παρουσιάσει τις απόψεις των εκπαιδευτικών της Δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης σχετικά με την εφαρμογή του μοντέλου BYOD στη εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία. Μία πρακτική η οποία εφαρμόζεται εδώ και χρόνια σε πολλές χώρες του κόσμου αλλά στην ελληνική εκπαίδευση η εφαρμογή της περιορίζεται σε μεμονωμένες προσπάθειες εκπαιδευτικών κυρίως μέσω της συμμετοχής τους σε ευρωπαϊκά προγράμματα ή μέσω εφαρμογής πειραματικών και καινοτόμων δράσεων. Για την υλοποίηση της έρευνας χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως προσέγγιση η βολική δειγματοληψία και ως εργαλείο το ερωτηματολόγιο. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας είναι αρκετά ελπιδοφόρα αφού σύμφωνα με τη γνώμη των εκπαιδευτικών φαίνεται να υπάρχει εκ’ μέρους τους ένας καλός βαθμός εξοικείωσης με τις φορητές συσκευές και η προθυμία εφαρμογής του μοντέλου από τους ίδιους δείχνει να έχει θετικό πρόσημο αρκεί να συνοδεύεται με την κατάλληλη επιμόρφωση και τεχνική υποστήριξη. Θετική αλλά ως ένα βαθμό επιφυλακτική δείχνει να είναι η πρόθεσή τους σχετικά με την εφαρμογή του μοντέλου BYOD από τους μαθητές, εάν βέβαια η νομοθεσία το επιτρέψει.
Απόψεις και αντιλήψεις των μαθητών/τριών της δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης για την πυρηνική ενέργεια και τη ραδιενέργεια
Authors: Καλαμαρά Χρυσαφένια Αναγνώστης
Published: April 2023

Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι να διερευνηθούν οι απόψεις και οι αντιλήψεις των μαθητών/τριών του Γυμνασίου και της Α Λυκείου σχετικά με την Πυρηνική Ενέργεια και τη Ραδιενέργεια. Συγκεκριμένα, μελετά τον βαθμό ενημέρωσης των μαθητών/τριών σε σχέση με τα θέματα αυτά, καθώς και τα αποτελέσματα, θετικά ή αρνητικά, που συνεπάγεται η χρήση και η επαφή τους. Επίσης, εξετάζεται κατά πόσο διαφοροποιούνται τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας έρευνας σε σχέση με αντίστοιχες προηγούμενες μελέτες.Θεωρήθηκε σημαντικό να διεξαχθεί η παρούσα έρευνα, καθώς παρατηρήθηκε αντίστοιχο κενό στη διδακτέα ύλη του Γυμνασίου και του Λυκείου. Το ερευνητικό εργαλείο που χρησιμοποιήθηκε για τη συλλογή των δεδομένων ήταν ερωτηματολόγιο με ερωτήσεις ανοικτού και κλειστού τύπου. Το δείγμα της έρευνας αποτελείται από 100 μαθητές και μαθήτριες σχολείων που ανήκουν στον περιοχή των Δήμων Ορεστιάδας και Διδυμοτείχου του Νομού Έβρου και Προσοτσάνης και Δράμας του Νομού Δράμας.Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν αρκετές παρανοήσεις από πλευράς των μαθητών/τριών, όσον αφορά το διαπραγματευόμενο από την εργασία θέμα καθώς και έλλειμμα γνώσης, τα οποία μπορούν να ληφθούν υπόψη από τους εκπαιδευτικούς ώστε να προσαρμόσουν αναλόγως στη διδασκαλία τους.Διδακτική παρέμβαση κρίνεται απαραίτητη στο βαθμό που θα βοηθήσει τους μαθητές/τριες να αποκτήσουν γνώσεις, οι οποίες θα τους καταστήσουν ικανούς να παίρνουν σωστές αποφάσεις τόσο για τους ίδιους όσο και για την κοινωνία αλλά και το περιβάλλον γενικότερα.Λέξεις κλειδιά: αντιλήψεις μαθητών, ραδιενέργεια, πυρηνική ενέργεια, ραδόνιο
Η επαγγελματική ανάπτυξη των εκπαιδευτικών μέσα από τις σχολικές συμπράξεις Erasmus+ KA2
Authors: ΑΘΑΝΑΣΑΚΟΥ ΠΗΝΕΛΟΠΗ
Published: April 2023

Η εργασία διερευνά τη συμβολή του Προγράμματος Erasmus+:ΚΑ2 της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής της Ευρώπης στους εκπαιδευτικούς της Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης στην επαγγελματική και την προσωπική τους ανάπτυξη. Σκοπός της έρευνας είναι να εξετάσει τις αντιλήψεις των εκπαιδευτικών που συμμετείχαν σε ένα τέτοιο πρόγραμμα σχετικά με το πως και αν ωφελήθηκαν επαγγελματικά και προσωπικά. Η μεθοδολογία της έρευνας είναι ποιοτική και διενεργήθηκαν συνεντεύξεις σε δέκα εκπαιδευτικούς  Γυμνασίου και Λυκείου του Νομού Έβρου με βολική δειγματοληψία. Οι διαπιστώσεις που προέκυψαν από την έρευνα έδειξαν ότι το πρόγραμμα Erasmus+:ΚΑ2 (σχολικές συμπράξεις) αποτελεί σημαντικό εργαλείο για τη επαγγελματική και προσωπική ανάπτυξη των εκπαιδευτικών της Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης και ότι χρειάζονται και κάποιες βελτιώσεις ως προς το υλικοτεχνικό κομμάτι του προγράμματος. Επιπλέον, εμφανίζονται και κάποιοι προβληματισμοί των εκπαιδευτικών σε επίπεδο συνεργασιών τόσο ενδοσχολικά όσο και εξωσχολικά.