bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descriptive analysis of long-term survival after aortic valve replacement for dialysis patients: importance of renal pathologies and age
Authors: Matsuura Kaoru , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Matsumiya Goro , Motomura Noboru
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study analyzed the long-term survival of dialysis patients undergoing AVR using the Japanese National Clinical Database with additional survival data.

Methods

De-novo AVR for dialysis-dependent patients between 2010 and 2012 who were registered in the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database were included. Concomitant aortic surgery and transcatheter aortic valve replacement were excluded. An additional questionnaire was sent to each hospital regarding the underlying kidney disease, the duration of dialysis initiation to the surgery, and clinical outcomes. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve was descriptively shown for all cohorts and each renal pathology. Furthermore, we compared the incidence of bioprosthetic valve failure in patients who were < 65 years old (group Y) and ≧65 years old (group O).

Results

Of these 1529 patients, diabetic nephropathy was 517, chronic glomerulonephritis was 437, and renal sclerosis was 210, regarding renal pathology. 1, 3, and 5-year survival in each pathology was 78.4%, 58.6%, 45.9% in diabetic nephritis, 78.8%, 68.4%, 58.2% in chronic glomerulonephritis, 79.0%, 67.8%, 52.1% in renal sclerosis, and 74.4%, 62.6%, 49.2% in others. Active infectious endocarditis was more prevalent in group Y (O 2.7% vs. Y 9.6%). The incidence of bioprosthetic valve failure requiring re-hospitalization was too small to analyze. 1, 3, and 5-year survival was 76.0%, 63.4%, 49.2% in group O and 74.3%, 64.2%, and 47.7% in group Y.

Conclusions

Long-term survival of AVR for dialysis-dependent was higher in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and lower in patients with diabetic nephritis than in other pathologies.
Known and Unknown Stone: Papuan Petrology and Reciprocity
Authors: Sillitoe Paul
Published: March 2024

What is knowable about stone tool users’ knowledge? The people of the New Guinea Highlands were among the last to use stone implements routinely in their daily lives. These comprised both lithic flake tools and polished stone axes. Their classification of these objects challenges our notion of taxonomic knowledge, which involves agreement over defined classes, whereas they evidence considerable disagreement with unclear categories. It is necessary to situate stone within the egalitarian acephalous cultures where reciprocity features centrally to appreciate the ontological status of stone.
Protocol for a prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, open-label randomized controlled trial comparing standard care with Closed lOoP In chiLdren and yOuth with Type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control: the CO-PILOT trial
Authors: Boucsein Alisa , Zhou Yongwen , Haszard Jillian J. , Jefferies Craig A. , Wiltshire Esko J. , Styles Sara E. , Crocket Hamish R. , Galland Barbara C. , Pasha Maheen , Petrovski Goran , Paul Ryan G. , de Bock Martin I. , Wheeler Benjamin J.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Advanced hybrid closed loop (AHCL) systems have the potential to improve glycemia and reduce burden for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Children and youth, who are at particular risk for out-of-target glycemia, may have the most to gain from AHCL. However, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) specifically targeting this age group with very high HbA1c has previously been attempted. Therefore, the CO-PILOT trial (Closed lOoP In chiLdren and yOuth with Type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control) aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AHCL in this group.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, open-label RCT, comparing MiniMed™ 780G AHCL to standard care (multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion). Eighty participants aged 7–25 years with T1D, a current HbA1c ≥ 8.5% (69 mmol/mol), and naïve to automated insulin delivery will be randomly allocated to AHCL or control (standard care) for 13 weeks. The primary outcome is change in HbA1c between baseline and 13 weeks. Secondary outcomes include standard continuous glucose monitor glycemic metrics, psychosocial factors, sleep, platform performance, safety, and user experience. This RCT will be followed by a continuation phase where the control arm crosses over to AHCL and all participants use AHCL for a further 39 weeks to assess longer term outcomes.

Conclusion

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of AHCL in this population and has the potential to demonstrate that AHCL is the gold standard for children and youth with T1D experiencing out-of-target glucose control and considerable diabetes burden.

Trial registration

This trial was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 14 November 2022 (ACTRN12622001454763) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (Universal Trial Number U1111-1284-8452).
Validity and reliability of a ruler drop test to measure dual-task reaction time, choice reaction time and discrimination reaction time
Authors: Ferreira Soraia , Raimundo Armando , del Pozo-Cruz Jesus , Leite Nilton , Pinto Ana , Marmeleira José
Published: March 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the absolute and relative reliability of the Ruler Drop Test (RDT) for assessing dual-task, choice, and discrimination reaction time. In addition, the construct validity of the RDT is examined in comparison to the Deary-Liewald reaction time (DLRT).

Methods

Tests were administered by the same evaluator, one week apart. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC3.1) was used to measure relative reliability, and the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC95) were used to measure absolute reliability. Spearman correlation test was used to measure construct validity.

Results

The results showed that the relative reliability was good for the choice ruler drop (ICC = 0.81), moderate for the dual-task ruler drop test (ICC = 0.70) and discrimination ruler drop test (ICC = 0.72), and good for simple ruler drop test. However, the simple ruler drop test had poor reliability (ICC = 0.57). The RDT shows construct validity compared to the DLRT.

Conclusion

We conclude that the RDT is a suitable instrument for measuring dual-task, choice and discrimination reaction time. Future studies should explore the reliability of these measures in other populations.
Bile acid profile associated with CSF and PET biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Nabizadeh Fardin , Valizadeh Parya , Fallahi Mohammad Sadegh ,   Alzheimer’s disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2024

Background

Recent studies have shown that gut microbiota can affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through various mechanisms. Bile acids (BAs), which are the final byproducts of cholesterol metabolism created through both the human body and gut microbiome, appear to be influenced by gut microbiota and may impact AD pathological characteristics such as the accumulation of tau and amyloid-β. We aimed to investigate the associations between various serum BAs and CSF biomarkers (including Aβ, total tau, and p-tau). Additionally, we sought to examine the longitudinal changes in brain Aβ and tau through PET imaging in relation to BAs profile.

Methods

The data of 828 subjects including 491 diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 119 patients diagnosed with AD, and 267 cognitively normal (CN) participants were obtained from ADNI. The baseline and longitudinal [18F] florbetapir and [18F] flortaucipir PET standard uptake value ratios (SUVR) measures were obtained to assess the accumulation of tau and Aβ. Moreover, baseline levels of serum BAs and CSF Aβ1–42, tau, and p-tau were used.

Results

After FDR correction we observed that five BAs level and relevant calculated ratios were associated with CSF p-tau and tau, three with CSF Aβ1–42. Furthermore, three BAs level and relevant calculated ratios were associated with the tau-PET rate of change, and two with the Aβ rate of change.

Conclusion

The findings from our study suggest a correlation between altered profiles of BAs and CSF and imaging biomarkers associated with AD. These results provide supporting evidence for the link between the gut microbiome and the pathological features of AD.
Forgetting how we ate: personalised nutrition and the strategic uses of history
Authors: Mayes Christopher , Meloni Maurizio
Published: March 2024

Personalised nutrition (PN) has emerged over the past twenty years as a promising area of research in the postgenomic era and has been popularized as the new big thing out of molecular biology. Advocates of PN claim that previous approaches to nutrition sought general and universal guidance that applied to all people. In contrast, they contend that PN operates with the principle that “one size does not fit all” when it comes to dietary guidance. While the molecular mechanisms studied within PN are new, the notion of a personal dietary regime guided by medical advice has a much longer history that can be traced back to Galen’s “On Food and Diet” or Ibn Sina’s (westernized as Avicenna) “Canon of Medicine”. Yet this history is either wholly ignored or misleadingly appropriated by PN proponents. This (mis)use of history, we argue helps to sustain the hype of the novelty of the proposed field and potential commodification of molecular advice that undermines longer histories of food management in premodern and non-Western cultures. Moreover, it elides how the longer history of nutritional advice always happened in a heavily moralized, gendered, and racialized context deeply entwined with collective technologies of power, not just individual advice. This article aims at offering a wider appreciation of this longer history to nuance the hype and exceptionalism surrounding contemporary claims.
Piloting a T-Shaped Approach to Develop Primary Students’ Close Reading and Writing of Literary Texts
Authors: Wilson Aaron , Rosedale Naomi , Meiklejohn-Whiu Selena
Published: March 2024

The study was a pilot intervention to develop Year 5–8 students’ close reading and writing of literary texts using the T-Shape Literacy Model (Wilson and Jesson in Set Res Inf Teach 1:15–22, 2019). Students analysed text sets to explore how different authors use language to engender mood and atmosphere. The study used a single-subject design logic for repeated researcher-designed and a quasi-experimental, matched control group design for repeated standardised measures of reading and writing. Nine teachers and their classes participated. The schools were part of a large school improvement programme using digital tools and pedagogy to accelerate students’ learning participated that the authors were research-practice partners in. The schools all served low socio-economic status communities and the majority of students were Māori (51%) and Pacific (28%). There was a large effect size on the overall score for the researcher-designed measure (effect size = 1.00) and for the close reading of single texts sub-score (effect size = 0.90). There was a moderate-to-high effect for students’ identification of language features (effect size = 0.75) but no significant effect on their synthesis scores. Students in the intervention significantly outperformed matched control group students in the standardised writing post-test (effect size = 0.65) but differences for the standardized reading comprehension test were not significant (effect size = 0.15). Results overall suggest the approach has promise for improving the metalinguistic knowledge, literary analysis and creative writing of younger and historically underserved groups of students.
Beratung für lebensentfaltende Bildung
Authors: Lerch Sebastian , Weitzel Henrik
Published: March 2024

Beratung ist für Bildung, Beruf und Beschäftigung grundlegend, aber auch für individuelle, gemeinschaftliche und politische Zusammenhänge zunehmend wirkmächtig. Gleichzeitig benötigt eine lebensumspannende und offene Beratung zu Inhalten und Formaten gerade vor dem Hintergrund gesellschaftlicher Umbrüche und individueller Komplexität von Berufs- und Bildungsbiografien Gehör in Disziplin und Praxis der Erwachsenenbildung. Der Beitrag möchte die Notwendigkeit und Tragfähigkeit einer lebensumspannenden Beratung unter Berücksichtigung von Peter Faulstichs Begriff der „lebensentfaltenden Bildung“ skizzieren.
Classification of data with a qudit, a geometric approach
Authors: Mandilara Aikaterini , Dellen Babette , Jaekel Uwe , Valtinos Themistoklis , Syvridis Dimitris
Published: March 2024

We propose a model for data classification using isolated quantum $$\varvec{d}$$

d

-level systems or else qudits. The procedure consists of an encoding phase where classical data are mapped on the surface of the qudit’s Bloch hyper-sphere via rotation encoding, followed by a rotation of the sphere and a projective measurement. The rotation is adjustable in order to control the operator to be measured, while additional weights are introduced in the encoding phase adjusting the mapping on the Bloch’s hyper-surface. During the training phase, a cost function based on the average expectation value of the observable is minimized using gradient descent thereby adjusting the weights. Using examples and performing a numerical estimation of lossless memory dimension, we demonstrate that this geometrically inspired qudit model for classification is able to solve nonlinear classification problems using a small number of parameters only and without requiring entangling operations.
Shedding of Syncytiotrophoblast-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Is Increased in Placenta Previa and Accreta Spectrum
Authors: Tersigni Chiara , Di Simone Nicoletta , Lucchetti Donatella , Colella Filomena , Onori Marianna , Perossini Silvia , Vidiri Annalisa , Franco Rita , Sgambato Alessandro , Vatish Manu , Lanzone Antonio , Scambia Giovanni , Cavaliere Anna Franca
Published: March 2024

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) refers to excessive placental invasion into the maternal uterus and it is associated with high risk of obstetric haemorrhage and adverse maternal-neonatal outcomes. Currently, no specific circulating biomarkers of PAS have been identified. Given that in PAS disorders, the depth and the extension of placental invasion into the uterus are expected to be increased, in this study, we analysed plasma levels of syncytiotrophoblast-derived extracellular vesicles (STBEVs) in women with placenta previa (PP), at a high risk of PAS disorders, and pregnant women with normal placentation. Venous blood samples were collected from 35 women with ultrasonographic diagnosis of PP and 35 women with normal placentation, matched for gestational age. Plasma samples were ultracentrifuged at 120.000 g to collect extracellular vesicles (EVs). To identify and quantify plasma placenta–derived EVs (or STBEVs), EVs were analysed by flow cytometry using a monoclonal antibody against placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP). Plasma levels of STBEVs were significantly higher in PP patients compared to controls. Plasma levels of STBEVs in women with PP and PAS showed a trend to a higher concentration compared to women with PP without PAS, although not reaching a statistical significance. Circulating STBEVs are potential candidates as biological markers to be integrated to ultrasonography in the antenatal screening programme for PAS. More studies are needed to confirm our observation in a larger cohort of patients and to analyse a possible association between high circulating levels of STBEVs and PAS.
Looking back thinking ahead towards the vernacular architecture of Gurage, Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Ashenafi , Amsalu Desalegn , Yosef Dawit
Published: March 2024

In accordance with the culture and environment, vernacular architecture has provided suitable solutions. People are looking for more environmentally friendly structures in today's globalized world. To comprehend the sustainable qualities of indigenous housing tradition, thus it is important to look back in time. This article has used the idea of sustainable development to evaluate the worth of Gurage, an Ethiopian traditional architecture. The indigenous architecture of the Gurage communities is constructed in line with the community's history, culture, and surroundings. In light of this, the research investigates traditional houses and the socio-cultural practices of the locals that promote resilience. In order to find a scientific basis and encourage its implementation in the future, this paper analyzes the architectural expression in Gurage, holistically in light of the knowledge and experience of the local populace. Using a phenomenological research design and a qualitative research approach that involves observation, key informant interviews (20), and focused group discussions (3) with carefully chosen participants, an explanation for the vernacular architecture of the study areas was established. The outcome of the paper reveals how much the rich vernacular traditions of the study site are still relevant today in creating an environmentally and culturally sustainable settlement. It implies that the traditional building practices and cultural heritage of the Gurage people can contribute to the development of a sustainable settlement that is both environmentally friendly and culturally appropriate. By expressing concern about these issues, it highlights the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Chilling results: how explicit warm glow appeals fail to boost pro-environmental behaviour
Authors: Lohmann Paul M. , Gsottbauer Elisabeth , van der Linden Sander , Kontoleon Andreas
Published: March 2024

We conducted a large-scale online experiment to examine whether climate change messaging can induce emotions and motivate pro-environmental action. We study how exposure to explicit positive (‘warm glow’) and negative (‘cold prickle’) emotional appeals as well as a traditional social norm communication affects pro-environmental action. We find that a simple call to take action to mitigate climate change is at least as affective as social norm message framing and emotional appeals. Our results highlight the difficulty of designing messaging interventions that effectively harness emotional incentives to promote pro-environmental action. Messages that explicitly emphasise the personal emotional benefits of contributing to environmental causes or the adverse emotional effects of not doing so seem to fall short of motivating pro-environmental effort. Our findings underscore the need for caution when incorporating emotive appeals into policy interventions.
International Standards for Regulatory Deference Relating to National Food Control Systems: More to Do?
Authors: Wearne Steve , Hinder Nicola , Heilandt Tom
Published: March 2024

This paper describes how the development of texts on regulatory deference by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) addresses relevant recommendations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and supports Member countries of CAC in their negotiation and implementation of equivalence agreements. We consider the role and function of CAC within a rules-based multilateral framework, particularly in relation to the development and implementation of equivalence concepts. We then consider whether, through use of equivalence agreements, trade facilitation outcomes have been realised. Our hypothesis is that international standards on regulatory deference promote fair but aspirational standards and support fair practices in the trade of safe food – both vital outcomes for global food security and the achievement of many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We test this hypothesis against the framework provided by decisions of the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee. We argue that the equivalence concepts and guidelines developed by CAC are appropriate but underutilised tools available for Member countries to strike a balance between their right to regulate to protect human, animal or plant life and health and to fulfil legitimate objectives whilst meeting their WTO obligations to avoid measures that constitute unnecessary barriers to trade.
Sexual Fluency: Embedded Imaginaries and Unjust Sex
Authors: Churcher Millicent Sarah
Published: March 2024

In this paper I argue that the pervasive reality of unjust heterosex necessitates greater attention to the concept of “sexual fluency” (Cahill 2014). This paper elaborates on what it means to be a sexually fluent and disfluent subject, and its broader ethical and political significance. As part of this discussion, I explore the relationship between sexual (dis)fluency and embedded imaginaries, and critically reflect on the promise and limitations of particular interventions to disrupt patterns of sexual disfluency among sexual actors.
Patchwork Protection: The Politics of Prisoners’ Rights Accountability in the United States
Authors: Schoenfeld Heather , Rhoten Kimberly , Campbell Michael C.
Published: March 2024

In recent years US prisons have failed to meet legally required minimum standards of care and protection of incarcerated people. Explanations for the failure to protect prisoners in the United States focus on the effects of the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) and lack of adequate external oversight. However, very little scholarship empirically examines how different systems of accountability for prisoners’ rights work (or do not work) together. In this article, we introduce an accountability framework that helps us examine the prisoners’ rights “accountability environment” in the United States. We then compare two post-PLRA case studies of failure to protect incarcerated women from sexual assault in two different states. We find that the prisoners’ rights accountability environment is a patchwork of legal, bureaucratic, professional, and political systems. The patchwork accountability environment consists of a web of hierarchical and interdependent relationships that constrain or enable accountability. We argue that ultimately the effectiveness of prisoners’ rights accountability environments depends on whether protecting prisoners’ rights aligns with the priorities of dominant political officials. Our argument has implications for efforts to improve prison conditions and incarcerated people’s well-being.
The making of the boy who cried wolf: fake news and media skepticism
Authors: Kang Myunghoon , Sheen Greg Chih-Hsin
Published: March 2024

Deceiving citizens is typically considered the main political motive behind the spread of fake news. Accordingly, strategies to debunk fake news, such as fact-checking, have been suggested to combat it. However, the spread of fake news persists despite these debunking strategies. We propose an alternative but underexplored motive behind the spread of fake news: Fake news aims not only to deceive citizens but also to induce media skepticism. To support our claim, we present a stylized formal model of media skepticism and demonstrate that the incentive to spread fake news persists even if citizens are not deceived by disinformation coming from fake news. Our model highlights the dilemma embedded in fact-checking.
Structure of generalized Yamabe solitons and its applications
Authors: Maeta Shun
Published: March 2024

We consider the broadest concept of the gradient Yamabe soliton, the conformal gradient soliton. In this paper, we elucidate the structure of complete gradient conformal solitons under some assumption, and provide some applications to gradient Yamabe solitons. These results enhance the understanding gained from previous research. Furthermore, we give an affirmative partial answer to the Yamabe soliton version of Perelman’s conjecture.
SEA BROUGHT ONTO LAND: SEASCAPE IMAGERY IN THE CYCLADIC POTTERY FROM PHYLAKOPI (MELOS) IN THE NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, ATHENS
Authors: Nuttall Christopher
Published: March 2024

This study examines seascape depictions on pottery, including seafaring and sea creature scenes, from the 1896–9 excavations at Phylakopi on Melos, held in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. This analysis demonstrates that seascape scenes varied in character through time and were typically associated with vessel shapes connected to the pouring of liquids between Early Cycladic (EC) III and Middle Cycladic late and were later focused on basins. A focus on seafaring is evident in EC III, while later the iconographic focus on the sea concentrates on sea creatures. An iconographic interest in the sea, alongside that of birds and floral depictions, is suggestive of an interest in living forms that inhabit different places to humans (i.e., non-domestic) with different corporeality to humans. This research contributes further to the growing debate on human–animal/plant relationships and ontologies in the Aegean Bronze Age.
Analysis of haemodynamics surrounding blood transfusions after the arterial switch operation: a pilot study utilising real-time telemetry high-frequency data capture
Authors: Mikulski Matthew F. , Linero Antonio , Stromberg Daniel , Affolter Jeremy T. , Fraser Charles D. , Mery Carlos M. , Lion Richard P.
Published: March 2024

Background:

Packed red blood cell transfusions occur frequently after congenital heart surgery to augment haemodynamics, with limited understanding of efficacy. The goal of this study was to analyse the hemodynamic response to packed red blood cell transfusions in a single cohort, as “proof-of-concept” utilising high-frequency data capture of real-time telemetry monitoring.

Methods:

Retrospective review of patients after the arterial switch operation receiving packed red blood cell transfusions from 15 July 2020 to 15 July 2021. Hemodynamic parameters were collected from a high-frequency data capture system (SickbayTM) continuously recording vital signs from bedside monitors and analysed in 5-minute intervals up to 6 hours before, 4 hours during, and 6 hours after packed red blood cell transfusions—up to 57,600 vital signs per packed red blood cell transfusions. Variables related to oxygen balance included blood gas co-oximetry, lactate levels, near-infrared spectroscopy, and ventilator settings. Analgesic, sedative, and vasoactive infusions were also collected.

Results:

Six patients, at 8.5[IQR:5-22] days old and weighing 3.1[IQR:2.8-3.2]kg, received transfusions following the arterial switch operation. There were 10 packed red blood cell transfusions administered with a median dose of 10[IQR:10-15]mL/kg over 169[IQR:110-190]min; at median post-operative hour 36[IQR:10-40]. Significant increases in systolic and mean arterial blood pressures by 5-12.5% at 3 hours after packed red blood cell transfusions were observed, while renal near-infrared spectroscopy increased by 6.2% post-transfusion. No significant changes in ventilation, vasoactive support, or laboratory values related to oxygen balance were observed.

Conclusions:

Packed red blood cell transfusions given after the arterial switch operation increased arterial blood pressure by 5-12.5% for 3 hours and renal near-infrared spectroscopy by 6.2%. High-frequency data capture systems can be leveraged to provide novel insights into the hemodynamic response to commonly used therapies such as packed red blood cell transfusions after paediatric cardiac surgery.
Adverse Effects After Prehospital Administration of Naloxone by Bystanders: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Du Pont Daniel , Fenderson Rebecca , Hunter Krystal , Kuc Alexander , Carroll Gerard
Published: March 2024

Objective:

Opioid use disorder is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. In order to reverse opioid overdose as quickly as possible, many institutions and municipalities have encouraged people with no professional medical training to carry and administer naloxone. This study sought to provide preliminary data for research into the rates of adverse effects of naloxone when administered by bystanders compared to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, since this question has not been studied previously.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study performed at an urban, tertiary, academic medical center that operates its own EMS service. A consecutive sample of patients presenting to EMS with opioid overdose requiring naloxone was separated into two groups based on whether naloxone was administered by bystanders or by EMS personnel. Each group was analyzed to determine the incidence of four pre-specified adverse events.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events between the bystander (19%) and EMS (16%) groups (OR = 1.23; 95% CI, 0.63 - 2.32; P = .499) in this small sample. Based on these initial results, a study would need a sample size of 6,188 in order to reach this conclusion with 80% power. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the rates of any of the individual adverse events. Secondary analysis of patients’ demographics showed differences between the two groups which generate hypotheses for further investigation of disparities in naloxone administration.

Conclusions:

This preliminary study provides foundational data for further investigation of naloxone administration by bystanders. Adverse events after the prehospital administration of naloxone are rare, and future studies will require large sample sizes. These preliminary data did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in adverse event rates when comparing naloxone administration by bystanders and EMS clinicians. This study provides data that will be useful for conducting further research on multiple facets of this topic.
Utilization of medical interventions in hospitalized Mexican adults with cancer at the end of life in a referral hospital: The importance of early palliative care
Authors: Allende-Pérez Silvia Rosa , Sandoval-Carrera Nadia Cristina , Asencio-Huertas Leticia , Rodríguez-Mayoral Oscar , Cruz-Sánchez Jacob Jonatan , Verástegui-Avilés Emma
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To investigate the impact of early vs. late palliative care (PC) on the frequency of admissions to acute hospital settings and the utilization of end-of-life (EoL) interventions in cancer decedents.

Methods

In this single-center, cross-sectional study, we examined the frequency of intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department (ED) admissions among adult cancer decedents between 2018 and 2022 in a referral hospital in México. Additionally, we assessed EoL medical interventions, categorizing patients into 3 groups: those who received early PC (EPC), late PC (LPC), and those who did not receive PC (NPC).

Results

We analyzed data from 1762 patients, averaging 56 ± 16.3 years old, with a predominant representation of women (56.8%). PC was administered to 45.2% of patients, but EPC was limited to only 12.3%. The median time from the initiation of PC to death was 5 days (interquartile range: 2.0–31.5). Hematological malignancies were the most prevalent, affecting 21.5% of patients. EPC recipients demonstrated notable reductions in ICU and ED admissions, as well as diminished utilization of chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), antibiotics, blood transfusions, and surgery when compared to both LPC and NPC groups. EPC also exhibited fewer medical interventions in the last 14 days of life, except for RT.

Significance of results

The findings of this study indicate that a significant proportion of EoL cancer patients receive PC; however, few receive EPC, emphasizing the need to improve accessibility to these services. Moreover, the results underscore the importance of thoughtful deliberation regarding the application of EoL medical interventions in cancer patients.
Structural Controls of the Expansion of Small‐Scale Artisanal Gold of Bouda Area (Kaya‐Goren Green Belt, Burkina Faso) From Remote Sensing
Authors: Dao R. A. I. , Ilboudo H. , Baratoux D.
Published: March 2024

Small‐scale artisanal mining is a vital sector of the economy of Burkina Faso. This activity, correctly regulated, remains essential for the population despite security issues since 2015. Exploration of new areas for gold mining in this condition is difficult but essential to continue extractive activities. It is, therefore, important to define viable corridors, with science‐based evidence for the good prospects, to support artisanal miners’ activities in a way that minimizes the environmental impact. We describe a remote sensing approach to study the structural control of expanding small‐scale artisanal gold activity at the Bouda site and define future mining corridors. This remote sensing approach can also mitigate and remedy environmental impacts. The Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) is applied to Landsat images (7‐ETM+, 5‐TM, and 8‐OLI, respectively, for 2000, 2011, and 2022) to detect extraction sites and perform a spatiotemporal analysis of the expansion of areas affected by gold extraction. The near‐infrared and mid‐infrared bands of Landsat images significantly contribute to detecting extraction areas. A morphological study of the site over time and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on Landsat 8‐OLI enable us to perform a lineament analysis. The expansion of mining activity is structurally controlled, as revealed by the correlation between gold occurrences and high lineament densities, especially in the dominant NE‐SW direction. These analyses suggest five potential prospecting corridors in the Bouda site.
Metamorphic Inheritance, Lower‐Crustal Earthquakes, and Continental Rifting
Authors: Fagereng Å. , Diener J. F. A. , Tulley C. J. , Manda B.
Published: March 2024

The Malawi Rift is localized within Precambrian amphibolite‐granulite facies metamorphic belts, bounded by up to 150 km long border faults, and generates earthquakes throughout ∼40 km thick crust. Rift‐related faults are inferred to exploit pre‐existing weaknesses that allow rifting of otherwise dry and strong crust. It is unclear what these weaknesses are, and how localization into weak zones can be reconciled with strength required for lower crustal seismicity. We present results of mineral equilibria modeling, which indicate that Proterozoic metamorphism generated dry crust dominated by a quartz‐feldspar assemblage that is metastable at current conditions. For rift propagation to be possible at current cool thermal gradients and in mechanically strong, dry quartzofeldspathic rocks, mid‐ to lower‐crustal strain must be localized into relatively weak, inherited shear zones that deform primarily by aseismic, viscous creep. These shear zones are embedded within high‐strength crust, and interaction between creeping shear zones and enveloped or surrounding rocks may locally increase stress and trigger frictional, seismic slip at mid‐ to lower‐crustal depths. Over time, this interaction may produce a fracture network that allows infiltration of fluids. We therefore suggest that during rifting of previously deformed and metamorphosed crust, major faults are most likely to grow from below, with their location and orientation prescribed by underlying inherited viscous shear zones. In this case, fluids may infiltrate and locally weaken metastable lower crust, including allowing time‐dependent fluid‐driven seismicity and local partial melting, but length‐scales of this weakening is limited by the scale of the permeability network.
Advancing Understanding on Greenspace and Mental Health in Young People
Authors: Ryan Sophia C. , Sugg Margaret M. , Runkle Jennifer D. , Thapa Bhuwan
Published: March 2024

Mental distress among young people has increased in recent years. Research suggests that greenspace may benefit mental health. The objective of this exploratory study is to further understanding of place‐based differences (i.e., urbanity) in the greenspace‐mental health association. We leverage publicly available greenspace data sets to operationalize greenspace quantity, quality, and accessibility metrics at the community‐level. Emergency department visits for young people (ages 24 and under) were coded for: anxiety, depression, mood disorders, mental and behavioral disorders, and substance use disorders. Generalized linear models investigated the association between greenspace metrics and community‐level mental health burden; results are reported as prevalence rate ratios (PRR). Urban and suburban communities with the lowest quantities of greenspace had the highest prevalence of poor mental health outcomes, particularly for mood disorders in urban areas (PRR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.16–1.21), and substance use disorders in suburban areas (PRR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.28–1.43). In urban, micropolitan, and rural/isolated areas further distance to greenspace was associated with a higher prevalence of poor mental health outcomes; this association was most pronounced for substance use disorders (PRRUrban: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.29–1.32; PRRMicropolitan: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.43–1.51; PRRRural 2.38: 95% CI: 2.19–2.58). In small towns and rural/isolated communities, poor mental health outcomes were more prevalent in communities with the worst greenspace quality; this association was most pronounced for mental and behavioral disorders in small towns (PRR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.24–1.35), and for anxiety disorders in rural/isolated communities (PRR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.43–1.82). The association between greenspace metrics and mental health outcomes among young people is place‐based with variations across the rural‐urban continuum.
The Role of Rapid Changes in Weather on Phytoplankton Spring Bloom Dynamics From Mid‐Norway Using Multiple Observational Platforms
Authors: Fragoso G. M. , Dallolio A. , Grant S. , Garrett J. L. , Ellingsen I. , Johnsen G. , Johansen T. A.
Published: March 2024

The spring phytoplankton bloom plays a major role in pelagic ecosystems; however, its dynamics are not well understood due to insufficient, highly resolved observational data. Here we investigate the start, peak, and decline of a 2‐week phytoplankton spring bloom in Frohavet located in a biological hotspot of the coast of mid‐Norway. We used observations from an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) combined with buoy measurements, satellite images, discrete water sampling and modeling approaches. The spring bloom (March–June 2022) consisted of multiple peaks (up to 5 mg Chla m−3), with a long peak in April dominated by the diatom Skeletonema, coincident with the period when the USV captured the temporal and spatial dynamics of the bloom. Short‐term episode of calm weather in spring, such as clear skies and consistent low wind speed (<7 m s−1) shoaled the mixed layer depth (<15 m) and promoted the rapid development of the spring bloom ‐ from 1 to 5 mg Chla m−3 in 5 days. Likewise, the collapse of the bloom was rather quick, 1–2 days and coincides with low nitrate values and rapid increase in wind speed (>10 m s−1), suggesting strong influence of the environment on phytoplankton dynamics. Understanding the dynamics of the spring bloom is crucial for predicting its impact on marine trophic web and biogeochemical cycles. Integration of distinct observational platforms has the potential to unveil the environmental factors underlying phytoplankton bloom dynamics.
UQAM‐TCW: A Global Hybrid Tropical Cyclone Wind Model Based Upon Statistical and Coupled Climate Models
Authors: Carozza David A. , Boudreault Mathieu , Grenier Manuel , Caron Louis‐Philippe
Published: March 2024

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the most destructive natural hazards and yet, quantifying their financial impacts remains a significant methodological challenge. It is therefore of high societal value to synthetically simulate TC tracks and winds to assess potential impacts along with their probability distributions for example, land use planning and financial risk management. A common approach to generate TC tracks is to apply storm detection methodologies to climate model output, but such an approach is sensitive to the method and parameterization used and tends to underestimate intense TCs. We present a global TC model (the UQAM‐TCW model thereafter) that melds statistical modeling, to capture historical risk features, with a climate model large ensemble, to generate large samples of physically coherent TC seasons. Integrating statistical and physical methods, the model is probabilistic and consistent with the physics of how TCs develop. The model includes frequency and location of cyclogenesis, full trajectories with maximum sustained winds and the entire wind structure along each track for the six typical cyclogenesis basins from IBTrACS. Being an important driver of TCs globally, we also integrate ENSO effects in key components of the model. The global TC model thus belongs to a recent strand of literature that combines probabilistic and physical approaches to TC track generation. As an application of the model, we show global hazard maps for direct and indirect hits expressed in terms of return periods. The global TC model can be of interest to climate and environmental scientists, economists and financial risk managers.
Hydro‐Sedimentary Processes of a Plunging Hyperpycnal River Plume Revealed by Synchronized Remote Imagery and Gridded Current Measurements
Authors: Thorez Stan , Lemmin Ulrich , Barry D. Andrew , Blanckaert Koen
Published: March 2024

The present knowledge of plunging hyperpycnal river plumes is mainly based on two‐dimensional (confined) laboratory experiments. Several hypotheses on three‐dimensional (unconfined) flow processes have been made, but not tested in situ. In this field study, the dominant three‐dimensional hydro‐sedimentary processes related to unconfined plunging were elucidated by synchronizing autonomous time‐lapse camera images with boat‐towed acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements. It was found that the flow field complies with two‐dimensional conceptualizations along the plume centerline. Perpendicular to the centerline, the plume slumped laterally due to its density excess and simultaneously converged laterally due to its vertical divergence. This combination led to a narrowing of the plume near the surface, resulting in a sediment‐rich triangle‐shaped pattern on the surface near the inflow, and a rather stable width near the bed. The formation of secondary flow cells transporting riverine water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) away from the plume near the bed, up toward the surface and back toward the plume near the surface, was revealed. An increase of the average SPM concentration and the SPM flux in the main flow direction indicates net sediment erosion under the investigated conditions of high discharge and sediment load. This suggests transient storage of sediment during conditions of lower discharge and sediment load, and high morphological activity in the plunging area. These findings allowed extending a classical conceptual plunging model to laterally unconfined sediment‐laden plunging inflows for conditions of well‐mixed ambient water in the plunging region and inflow densimetric Froude numbers exceeding 1, common in nature.
A 3D-printed microhemispherical shell resonator with electrostatic tuning for a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope
Authors: Hou Baoyin , Zhu Ye , He Chaofan , Wang Weidong , Ding Zhi , He Wen , He Yong , Che Lufeng
Published: March 2024

The emergence of microhemispherical resonant gyroscopes, which integrate the advantages of exceptional stability and long lifetime with miniaturization, has afforded new possibilities for the development of whole-angle gyroscopes. However, existing methods used for manufacturing microhemispherical resonant gyroscopes based on MEMS technology face the primary drawback of intricate and costly processing. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and characterization of the first 3D-printable microhemispherical shell resonator for a Coriolis vibrating gyroscope. We remarkably achieve fabrication in just two steps bypassing the dozen or so steps required in traditional micromachining. By utilizing the intricate shaping capability and ultrahigh precision offered by projection microstereolithography, we fabricate 3D high-aspect-ratio resonant structures and controllable capacitive air gaps, both of which are extremely difficult to obtain via MEMS technology. In addition, the resonance frequency of the fabricated resonators can be tuned by electrostatic forces, and the fabricated resonators exhibit a higher quality factor in air than do typical MEMS microhemispherical resonators. This work demonstrates the feasibility of rapidly batch-manufacturing microhemispherical shell resonators, paving the way for the development of microhemispherical resonator gyroscopes for portable inertial navigation. Moreover, this particular design concept could be further applied to increase uptake of resonator tools in the MEMS community.
Reactivation of encoding ensembles in the prelimbic cortex supports temporal associations
Authors: Santos Thays Brenner , de Oliveira Coelho Cesar Augusto , Kramer-Soares Juliana Carlota , Frankland Paul W. , Oliveira Maria Gabriela Menezes
Published: March 2024

Fear conditioning is encoded by strengthening synaptic connections between the neurons activated by a conditioned stimulus (CS) and those activated by an unconditioned stimulus (US), forming a memory engram, which is reactivated during memory retrieval. In temporal associations, activity within the prelimbic cortex (PL) plays a role in sustaining a short-term, transient memory of the CS, which is associated with the US after a temporal gap. However, it is unknown whether the PL has only a temporary role, transiently representing the CS, or is part of the neuronal ensembles that support the retrieval, i.e., whether PL neurons support both transient, short-term memories and stable, long-term memories. We investigated neuronal ensembles underlying temporal associations using fear conditioning with a 5-s interval between the CS and US (CFC-5s). Controls were trained in contextual fear conditioning (CFC), in which the CS-US overlaps. We used Robust Activity Marking (RAM) to selectively manipulate PL neurons activated by CFC-5s learning and Targeted Recombination in Active Populations (TRAP2) mice to label neurons activated by CFC-5s learning and reactivated by memory retrieval in the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, perirhinal cortices (PER) and subiculum. We also computed their co-reactivation to generate correlation-based networks. The optogenetic reactivation or silencing of PL encoding ensembles either promoted or impaired the retrieval of CFC-5s but not CFC. CFC-5s retrieval reactivated encoding ensembles in the PL, PER, and basolateral amygdala. The engram network of CFC-5s had higher amygdala and PER centralities and interconnectivity. The same PL neurons support learning and stable associative memories.
Detecting and understanding meaningful cancerous mutations based on computational models of mRNA splicing
Authors: Lynn Nicolas , Tuller Tamir
Published: March 2024

Cancer research has long relied on non-silent mutations. Yet, it has become overwhelmingly clear that silent mutations can affect gene expression and cancer cell fitness. One fundamental mechanism that apparently silent mutations can severely disrupt is alternative splicing. Here we introduce Oncosplice, a tool that scores mutations based on models of proteomes generated using aberrant splicing predictions. Oncosplice leverages a highly accurate neural network that predicts splice sites within arbitrary mRNA sequences, a greedy transcript constructor that considers alternate arrangements of splicing blueprints, and an algorithm that grades the functional divergence between proteins based on evolutionary conservation. By applying this tool to 12M somatic mutations we identify 8K deleterious variants that are significantly depleted within the healthy population; we demonstrate the tool’s ability to identify clinically validated pathogenic variants with a positive predictive value of 94%; we show strong enrichment of predicted deleterious mutations across pan-cancer drivers. We also achieve improved patient survival estimation using a proposed set of novel cancer-involved genes. Ultimately, this pipeline enables accelerated insight-gathering of sequence-specific consequences for a class of understudied mutations and provides an efficient way of filtering through massive variant datasets – functionalities with immediate experimental and clinical applications.