bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel inductively coupled capacitor wireless sensor system for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing
Authors: Xu Yikang , Ren Dacheng
Published: August 2023

Background

The increasing prevalence and severity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present a major challenge to our healthcare system. Rapid detection of AMR is essential for lifesaving under emergent conditions such as sepsis. The current gold standard phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) takes more than a day to obtain results. Genotypic ASTs are faster (hours) in detecting the presence of resistance genes but require specific probes/knowledge of each AMR gene and do not provide specific information at the phenotype level. To address this unmet challenge, we developed a new rapid phenotypic AST.

Result

We designed a new electrochemical biosensor based on the concept of magnetically coupled LC sensors. The engineered LC sensors can be placed in 96-well plates and communicate the reading remotely with a receiver coil for signal analysis. The sensors were validated by monitoring the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence and absence of different antibiotics. Drug-resistant strains were used as controls. Bacterial growth was detected within 30 min after inoculation, allowing rapid determination of antibiotic susceptibility at the phenotype level. The sensor also functions in the presence of host proteins when tested with 2% FBS in growth media.

Conclusions

With the compatibility with 96-well plates, this label-free rapid 30-min AST has the potential for low-cost applications with simple integration into the existing workflow in clinical settings.
Challenges and new technologies in adoptive cell therapy
Authors: Zhang Pengchao , Zhang Guizhong , Wan Xiaochun
Published: August 2023

Adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) have existed for decades. From the initial infusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to the subsequent specific enhanced T cell receptor (TCR)-T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies, many novel strategies for cancer treatment have been developed. Owing to its promising outcomes, CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the field of ACTs, particularly for hematologic malignancies. Despite these advances, CAR-T cell therapy still has limitations in both autologous and allogeneic settings, including practicality and toxicity issues. To overcome these challenges, researchers have focused on the application of CAR engineering technology to other types of immune cell engineering. Consequently, several new cell therapies based on CAR technology have been developed, including CAR-NK, CAR-macrophage, CAR-γδT, and CAR-NKT. In this review, we describe the development, advantages, and possible challenges of the aforementioned ACTs and discuss current strategies aimed at maximizing the therapeutic potential of ACTs. We also provide an overview of the various gene transduction strategies employed in immunotherapy given their importance in immune cell engineering. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that strategies capable of creating a positive feedback immune circuit, as healthy immune systems do, could address the flaw of a single type of ACT, and thus serve as key players in future cancer immunotherapy.
Breast cancer patient-derived microtumors resemble tumor heterogeneity and enable protein-based stratification and functional validation of individualized drug treatment
Authors: Anderle Nicole , Schäfer-Ruoff Felix , Staebler Annette , Kersten Nicolas , Koch André , Önder Cansu , Keller Anna-Lena , Liebscher Simone , Hartkopf Andreas , Hahn Markus , Templin Markus , Brucker Sara Y. , Schenke-Layland Katja , Schmees Christian
Published: August 2023

Despite tremendous progress in deciphering breast cancer at the genomic level, the pronounced intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity remains a major obstacle to the advancement of novel and more effective treatment approaches. Frequent treatment failure and the development of treatment resistance highlight the need for patient-derived tumor models that reflect the individual tumors of breast cancer patients and allow a comprehensive analyses and parallel functional validation of individualized and therapeutically targetable vulnerabilities in protein signal transduction pathways. Here, we introduce the generation and application of breast cancer patient-derived 3D microtumors (BC-PDMs). Residual fresh tumor tissue specimens were collected from n = 102 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and subjected to BC-PDM isolation. BC-PDMs retained histopathological characteristics, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components together with key protein signaling pathway signatures of the corresponding primary tumor tissue. Accordingly, BC-PDMs reflect the inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity of breast cancer and its key signal transduction properties. DigiWest®-based protein expression profiling of identified treatment responder and non-responder BC-PDMs enabled the identification of potential resistance and sensitivity markers of individual drug treatments, including markers previously associated with treatment response and yet undescribed proteins. The combination of individualized drug testing with comprehensive protein profiling analyses of BC-PDMs may provide a valuable complement for personalized treatment stratification and response prediction for breast cancer.
Association between acetaminophen metabolites and CYP2E1 DNA methylation level in neonate cord blood in the Boston Birth Cohort
Authors: Li Yijun , Hong Xiumei , Liang Liming , Wang Xiaobin , Ladd-Acosta Christine
Published: August 2023

Background

Acetaminophen is a commonly used medication by pregnant women and is known to cross the placenta. However, little is known about the biological mechanisms that regulate acetaminophen in the developing offspring. Cytochrome 2E1 (CYP2E1) is the primary enzyme responsible for the conversion of acetaminophen to its toxic metabolite. Ex vivo studies have shown that the CYP2E1 gene expression in human fetal liver and placenta is largely controlled by DNA methylation (DNAm) at CpG sites located in the gene body of CYP2E1 at the 5’ end. To date, no population studies have examined the association between acetaminophen metabolite and fetal DNAm of CYP2E1 at birth.

Methods

We utilized data from the Boston Birth Cohort (BBC) which represents an urban, low-income, racially and ethnically diverse population in Boston, Massachusetts. Acetaminophen metabolites were measured in the cord plasma of newborns enrolled in BBC between 2003 and 2013 using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. DNAm at 28 CpG sites of CYP2E1 was measured by Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. We used linear regression to identify differentially methylated CpG sites and the “DiffVar” method to identify differences in methylation variation associated with the detection of acetaminophen, adjusting for cell heterogeneity and batch effects. The false discovery rate (FDR) was calculated to account for multiple comparisons.

Results

Among the 570 newborns included in this study, 96 (17%) had detectable acetaminophen in cord plasma. We identified 7 differentially methylated CpGs (FDR < 0.05) associated with the detection of acetaminophen and additional 4 CpGs showing a difference in the variation of methylation (FDR < 0.05). These CpGs were all located in the gene body of CYP2E1 at the 5’ end and had a 3–6% lower average methylation level among participants with detectable acetaminophen compared to participants without. The CpG sites we identified overlap with previously identified DNase hypersensitivity and open chromatin regions in the ENCODE project, suggesting potential regulatory functions.

Conclusions

In a US birth cohort, we found detection of cord biomarkers of acetaminophen was associated with DNAm level of CYP2E1 in cord blood. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation of CYP2E1 may be an important regulator of acetaminophen levels in newborns.
A BPM-based approach for ensuring an agile and adaptive learning process
Authors: Bergaoui Nisseb , Ghannouchi Sonia Ayachi
Published: August 2023

Agility is a contemporary approach to IT project management, which we can also use in education. Students learn through the gradual implementation of iterative projects with information exchange between team members. Agility is above all a mindset. Being agile is quite simply being able to adapt to an environment that changes. Furthermore, various research works focused on the assessment of innovative teaching methods to promote the acquisition of new professional skills (e.g. project-based learning, active and collaborative learning, smart learning, etc.). In addition, adaptive learning is a pedagogical method favoring tailor-made e-learning to respond to the acquisition of certain skills, through the adaptation of pedagogical resources according to the learners’ needs. Therefore, to establish a model based on these different methods to benefit from their advantages, we based our work on the Business Process Management approach, which constitutes the means of implementing thedesired agility in the learning process. Thanks to such a cyclical and continuous improvement approach, the learning process will evolve and take into account both the needs and the specificities of the involved actors (learners or teachers). We implemented our learning process and applied Process Mining techniques to foster the adoption of “Smart Education”. We also attempted to ensure learning process adaptability based on the scrutiny of the log files obtained throughprevious executions of our learning process.
Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Physical Performance in Female Team Sports: A Systematic Review
Authors: Stankovic Mima , Djordjevic Dusan , Trajkovic Nebojsa , Milanovic Zoran
Published: August 2023

Background

There is limited information regarding adaptation of HIIT in female athletes which is important since the adaptation to HIIT may be different compared to male athletes. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize the effects of HIIT on physical performance in female team sports athletes.

Methods

The following databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest and Science Direct were searched prior to September 2nd, 2022. The inclusion criteria were longitudinal studies written in English, elite, sub-elite or college female team sports participants, and HIIT intensity had to be at 80–100% maximal heart rate. There were no exclusion criteria regarding the age of the participants or their training experience. The primary outcome measures were maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), repeated sprint ability (RSA), change of direction speed, speed, explosive strength and body composition.

Results

A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 230 participants. HIIT improved VO2max in five studies (ES from 0.19 to 1.08), while three studies showed improvement in their RSA (ES from 0.32 to 0.64). In addition, change of direction speed was improved in five studies (ES from 0.34 to 0.88), while speed improved in four studies (ES from 0.12 to 0.88). Explosive strength results varied (ES from 0.39 to 1.05), while in terms of body composition, the results were inconsistent through observed team sports.

Conclusion

HIIT has significant effects on VO2max, RSA, change of direction speed, speed and explosive strength in female team sports, regardless of the competition level.
Large-scale solar system design, optimal sizing and techno-economic-environmental assessment
Authors: Thadani Hashwini Lalchand , Go Yun Ii
Published: August 2023

Malaysia targets to achieve an energy mix that is inclusive of at least 20% of renewable energies by the year 2025. Large-scale solar photovoltaic system (LSS-PV) emerged as the most preferable choice in Malaysia. Energy Commission (EC) Malaysia has launched competitive bidding on LSS since 2016 with a capacity of 500 MW in Peninsular Malaysia and targets to add the solar capacity in Peninsula Malaysia to 500 MW by 2021. Solar energy is a very intermittent source which causes voltage variation. This project aims to overcome the shortcomings of the intermittency of solar energy by identifying an optimum PV panel sizing and configuration that reduces the intermittency of the supply. The project was carried out in three distinctive stages; first suitable sites were selected based on the EC proposed locations and further scrutinized to locations near the Main Transmission intake. The second stage was to size of PV panels and the inverters. The optimization was carried out at the PV module level. Suitable inverters for the said configuration was identified with a tool that evaluates the technical aspects of renewable energy power systems. The final stage was the economic analysis and environmental assessment. The optimization method has shown improvement in the system production from a range of 1.7–3.9% in the 30 MW plants. Countries with similar climates as Malaysia like Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand can adopt this optimizing method to size PV farms.
Interdependence of social-ecological-technological systems in Phoenix, Arizona: consequences of an extreme precipitation event
Authors: Helmrich Alysha , Kuhn Amanda , Roque Anaís , Santibanez Ameyalli , Kim Yeowon , Grimm Nancy B. , Chester Mikhail
Published: August 2023

Complex adaptive systems – such as critical infrastructures (CI) – are defined by their vast, multi-level interactions and emergent behaviors, but this elaborate web of interactions often conceals relationships. For instance, CI is often reduced to technological components, ignoring that social and ecological components are also embedded, leading to unintentional consequences from disturbance events. Analysis of CI as social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) can support integrated decision-making and increase infrastructure’s capacity for resilience to climate change. We assess the impacts of an extreme precipitation event in Phoenix, AZ to identify pathways of disruption and feedback loops across SETS as presented in an illustrative causal loop diagram, developed through semi-structured interviews with researchers and practitioners and cross-validated with a literature review. The causal loop diagram consists of 19 components resulting in hundreds of feedback loops and cascading failures, with surface runoff, infiltration, and water bodies as well as power, water, and transportation infrastructures appearing to have critical roles in maintaining system services. We found that pathways of disruptions highlight potential weak spots within the system that could benefit from climate adaptation, and feedback loops may serve as potential tools to divert failure at the root cause. This method of convergence research shows potential as a useful tool to illustrate a broader perspective of urban systems and address the increasing complexity and uncertainty of the Anthropocene.
Agranulocytosis: a rare complication of the thionamides
Authors: El-Shareif Hawa Juma
Published: August 2023

Agranulocytosis is a rare and life-threatening side effect of antithyroid drugs (ATD); it has been reported in < 0.2% of patients, usually within the first 3 months after starting ATD. We present a 62-year-old Libyan female patient who developed agranulocytosis 3 months after starting treatment with methimazole for hyperthyroidism. After 1 month of doubling her ATD dose, she developed a fever, sore throat, and generalized weakness for several days. Laboratory examinations revealed agranulocytosis (total leukocyte count was 1.14 × 103/µL, with granulocytes at 2.99% and lymphocytes at 93.21%). She was hospitalized, ATD was discontinued, and empirical antibiotic treatment was given. She was started on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Her cell counts improved, and she was discharged. The present case report aims to increase awareness of this potentially lethal adverse effect of ATD treatment. Patient education and close monitoring of high-risk patients are the key to reduce its morbidity and mortality.
Vascular graft infection with duodenal fistulization 10 years after hybrid endovascular aortic repair with renovisceral debranching: a case report
Authors: Osada Hiroaki , Yamazaki Kazuhiro , Takeda Takahide , Minatoya Kenji
Published: August 2023

Background

A secondary aortoenteric fistula after an aortic graft replacement or endovascular aortic repair is a rare but devastating complication that leads to extremely high morbidity and mortality. Because reports of vascular graft infection with enteric fistulization complicating in a hybrid aortic repair with renovisceral debranching are limited, the management method such as the extent of removal of the infected graft, reconstruction procedures, and the ideal type of graft are still debatable.

Case presentation

We report a successful case of a 73-year-old man presenting a vascular graft infection with duodenal fistulization, 10 years after hybrid endovascular aortic repair with renovisceral debranching for a 60-mm diameter of supra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient had a history of polymyalgia rheumatica on oral prednisolone, perigraft seroma, deep vein thrombosis, and an allergy to rifampicin. The patient eventually recovered after partial removal of the grafts, in situ reconstruction using Fusion Bioline vascular prosthesis, primary duodenal repair, application of omental flap, and antibiotics without any evidence of re-infection after 1.5 years.

Conclusions

Although hybrid endovascular aortic repair is considered advantageous, especially for the elderly and high-risk patients, due to the avoidance of extracorporeal circulation and thoracotomy; once a devastating complication happens, an optimal treatment method should be considered for patients with several comorbidities. Although our procedures provided favorable results, careful monitoring to avoid re-infection is mandatory.
Seismic differential semblance-oriented migration velocity analysis — Status and the way forward
Authors: Chauris Hervé , Farshad Milad
Published: August 2023

Differential semblance optimization (DSO) is a seismic waveform inversion approach. It has been developed to remove the limitation of conventional full-waveform inversion as a velocity model building tool when only reflected waves are available. It has connections with migration velocity analysis (MVA) techniques defined in the image domain to build macrovelocity models, with a split between the macromodel and the small-scale heterogeneities. Among the various DSO approaches, DSO-MVA has unique characteristics for velocity model building of complex structures, while ensuring the convergence to the global minimum in a local optimization approach: the wavefields are computed with the two-way wave equation operators, focusing panels are built in a survey-sinking mode, and the quality of the macrovelocity model is evaluated on common-image gathers in the subsurface-offset domain through a differential annihilator. We review the significant aspects that have been better understood over the past 15 years and discuss the way forward. The first identified issue has been the imprint of the small-scale heterogeneities on the macromodel update that is revealed with the use of wave equation-based Green’s functions and an ad hoc solution is subsequently developed by slightly modifying the definition of the objective function. A second important aspect has been the development of efficient approaches to compute the required quantitative migration based on approximate inverses to replace the previously used migrations. The issue of correctly interpreting the amplitudes has also moved into one of an improved model parameterization, i.e., from constant-density acoustics media to full acoustic media as a path toward fully viscoelastic media. Finally, we discuss the way forward with the challenges of extending DSO-MVA beyond the single scattering approximation, for processing diving waves and multiples, and also the challenge of numerical implementation, which remains critical even in two dimensions, for applicability to large-scale real data.
Observation of a Pressure Effect on an Al-substituted λ-Ti3O5 Heat-storage Material
Authors: Jia Fangda , Yoshikiyo Marie , Makuta Ryo , Kawakami Koutarou , Tokoro Hiroko , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi
Published: August 2023

We report a pressure effect on a heat-storage material, Al-substituted lambda-trititanium-pentoxide (λ-AlxTi3−xO5, 0 < x ≤ 0.29), showing a phase transition to β-AlxTi3−xO5 by pressure application. The transition pressure is 23 MPa and 43 MPa for x = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively, which are available pressures for practical applications. First-principles electronic structure calculations of λ-Al0.25Ti2.75O5 were conducted to investigate the substitution site selectivity of the Al3+ ion and the substitution effect on the pressure-induced phase transition.
Drying out fish ponds, for an entire growth season, as an agroecological practice: maintaining primary producers for fish production and biodiversity conservation
Authors: GIRARD Léo , WEZEL Alexander , ROBIN Joël
Published: August 2023

Agroecology largely focusses on terrestrial agroecosystems, but it can also be applied to fish farming. Indeed, ponds are typically used for fish production in Europe, but are also important reservoirs of biodiversity. Numerous studies demonstrate that both fish production and biodiversity are strongly determined by human management. One key practice in extensive fish farming, although more rare in Europe, is to dry out ponds. They are left dry for a complete year after several years of fish production. However, the extent to which this practice affects the functioning of the ecosystem, its biodiversity and fish production remain unclear.

We investigated data from 85 fish ponds in the Dombes region, France, sampled between 2007 and 2014. We related variation in key abiotic characteristics to the time since last dry out. The dataset included organic matter content in pond sediments and concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the water column, and biotic components such as macrophytes cover and richness, phytoplankton concentration and richness, macroinvertebrates density, and fish yield.

Our results show that drying out facilitates the mineralization of organic matter in sediments and results in higher concentrations of inorganic nitrogen in the water column. Macrophytes cover is highest during the first year after drying out, and gradually declines after at the expense of increasing phytoplankton concentration. The diversity of both is highest in the first year after drying out and declines rapidly, especially for macrophytes. Fish yield is at its maximum in the second year.

Drying out fish ponds appears to be an important agroecological practice in extensive fish farming with an application every three to four years. By nutrient recycling, this practice has a positive impact on the balance between primary producers and indirectly on the whole food web during two years. It optimizes fish production and allows biodiversity conservation.
MEMÓRIA HISTÓRICA DO PROF. DR. ANTÔNIO AUGUSTO CANÇADO TRINDADE: UM INSPIRADOR JURISTA HUMANISTA QUE FEZ DA SUA PRÁTICA SUA DOUTRINA E SE DEDICOU AO PROGRESSO DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS NO MUNDO - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p33
Authors: de Menezes Soares Fabiana , Maria Silveira Loureiro Silvia
Published: August 2023

O fundamento da liberdade, da justiça e da paz no mundo está no reconhecimento da dignidade inerente e dos direitos iguais e inalienáveis de todos os membros da família humana, afirma a Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos de 1948, documento que define os direitos fundamentais ser universalmente protegido. Mas a Declaração poderia ser facilmente esquecida se suas aspirações não fossem convertidas em ações. O Prof. Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade dedicou sua vida à conquista dos direitos humanos. Suas contribuições vão muito além de uma sólida produção acadêmica voltada para uma visão humanística do Direito Internacional. Como conselheiro jurídico e juiz, ele não apenas acompanhou a evolução dos grandes temas de nosso tempo, mas também trabalhou diretamente sobre eles. Como Juiz da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos, comprometeu-se resolutamente com a defesa dos direitos humanos. Ele influenciou diretamente mudanças fundamentais no Regulamento da Corte para permitir que as vítimas expressassem autonomamente suas alegações à Corte. Graças a suas posições firmes, a Corte ampliou o rol de direitos que não podem ser revogados pelos Estados, anulou leis de anistia que perdoavam atrocidades cometidas por ditaduras e incorporou a cosmovisão indígena à sua jurisprudência. Dezenas de pessoas tiveram suas vidas protegidas por medidas urgentes ordenadas por ele. No final do seu mandato, o papel do Tribunal foi reforçado e foi reconhecido como um tribunal onde pessoas vulneráveis poderiam encontrar Justiça.
DESAFIOS À HUMANIZAÇÃO DO DIREITO INTERNACIONAL E OS DIREITOS DOS TRABALHADORES MIGRANTES - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p449
Authors: Coimbra Rodrigo , Strauch Aveline Ricardo
Published: August 2023

O presente artigo investiga se o Direito Internacional, no que tange à proteção dos trabalhadores migrantes, está dando continuidade ou não ao processo histórico de humanização. Analisa-se, de início, a migração e seus fatores de impulso e atração, assim como, as vulnerabilidades e violações de direitos humanos à luz da teoria de Cançado Trindade. Em seguida, analisa-se as normas internacionais para proteção dos trabalhadores migrantes. Utiliza-se o método dedutivo. Conclui-se que o Direito Internacional está dando continuidade ao processo histórico de humanização na elaboração de normas internacionais, por meio de normas como o Pacto Global para uma Migração Segura, Ordenada e Regular, mas tem sido insuficiente para lidar com políticas governamentais crescentemente hostis em relação aos trabalhadores migrantes.
UMA BREVE REFLEXÃO SOBRE AS NOÇÕES DE TEMPO E REPARAÇÃO NO DIREITO INTERNACIONAL - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p61
Authors: Lopes Fabris Alice
Published: August 2023

O texto propõe uma reflexão sobre a influência da noção de tempo na determinação de uma reparação adequada. A partir de um novo paradigma defendido pelo Professor Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade, temos a defesa de uma humanização no direito internacional. Desta humanização, uma nova problemática surge: se o tempo do Estado é diferente do tempo do indivíduo, devemos repensar o tempo da reparação. Analisa-se, assim, como a temporalidade pode impactar os modos de reparação reconhecidos pelo direito internacional clássico: a restituição, a indenização e a satisfação, que pode incluir a reabilitação e as garantias de não repetição. Nesta releitura, identifica-se novos princípios que devem guiar a reparação.
CANÇADO TRINDADE E O SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL: A EXTRADIÇÃO N. 1.362 E O NOVO DIREITO INTERNACIONAL PARA A HUMANIDADE - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p79
Authors: de Carvalho Ramos André , Neves Abade Denise
Published: August 2023

O artigo tem como objetivo o estudo do potencial de incidência do pensamento de Antô- nio Augusto Cançado Trindade na sua defesa do Direito Internacional para a Humanidade na jurisprudência do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), com foco na proteção de direitos humanos. Escolheu-se a extradição n. 1.362 pela variedade de temas envolvendo normas internacionais e normas de direitos humanos lá tratados. O método escolhido foi o de estudo de caso, usando técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, Como conclusão, foi confirmado o potencial imenso do uso da obra de Cançado Trindade para escrutinizar e, eventualmente, servir de fundamento ou apoio a novos precedentes do STF que manejem normas internacionais de direitos humanos.
Exploration and Incentives in Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Simchowitz Max , Slivkins Aleksandrs
Published: August 2023

How do you incentivize self-interested agents to explore when they prefer to exploit? We consider complex exploration problems, where each agent faces the same (but unknown) Markov decision process (MDP). In contrast with traditional formulations of reinforcement learning (RL), agents control the choice of policies, whereas an algorithm can only issue recommendations. However, the algorithm controls the flow of information, and can incentivize the agents to explore via information asymmetry. We design an algorithm which explores all reachable states in the MDP. We achieve provable guarantees similar to those for incentivizing exploration in static, stateless exploration problems studied previously. From the RL perspective, we design RL mechanisms, that is, RL algorithms that interact with self-interested agents and are compatible with their incentives. This is the first paper on RL mechanisms, that is, the first paper on any scenario that combines RL and incentives, to the best of our knowledge.
Can multiple sclerosis nurses help reduce non-elective admissions? Revisiting the question 2 years on from an analysis of a service delivery audit
Authors: Metcalfe Gale , Owen Audrey
Published: August 2023

Background:

The results of a 2019/20 audit exploring the reasons for emergency hospital admissions among people with MS, identified urinary tract infections (UTIs) as a major reason. Consequently, the authors implemented several interventions with the aim of reducing non-elective admissions coded to UTI. This article disseminates whether the interventions implemented by the authors resulted in a reduction in non-elective UTI associated hospital admissions.

Methods:

The authors conducted a 12-month audit of non-elective admissions across two NHS Trusts, comparing and contrasting the data from the 2019/20 audit and national and local Hospital Episode Statistics.

Findings:

A reduction in non-elective admissions coded to UTI has significantly reduced across both sites, which is thought to be a consequence of the authors' proposed recommendations from the 2019/20 audit. Local data now identifies the main reasons for MS non-elective hospital admissions as respiratory issues and falls.

Conclusions:

Having raised awareness of the need to focus on improved bladder management, data now reveals further reduction in MS bladder and UTI related admissions. Further recommendations have been made, as there needs to be an increased focus on addressing improvements in both respiratory management and falls prevention.
The multiple sclerosis bladder consensus guidelines and pathway. One year on: where are we now?
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: August 2023

The multiple sclerosis (MS) bladder is associated with an increased risk of neurogenic problems that are distressing for people with MS (PwMS), as well as being a leading cause of hospital admissions. Almost all PwMS will have bladder symptoms after 10 years of living with the disease, which impacts their quality of life and has a huge economic burden on the NHS for problems including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Following the publication of updated MS bladder management guidelines and the development of MS bladder pathways, Sue Thomas outlines the implementation progress that has been made within the past year.
ISWCAP supplement
Authors: Sandy-Hodgetts Kylie
Published: August 2023

To maximise the benefit to society, you need to not just do research, but do it well.

Doug Altman statistician, pioneer, luminary (1948–2018)
Revisionary Texts: Examining the Editors' Proofs of OED1
Authors: Mugglestone Lynda
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT: In 2021, the final Editors' Proofs of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary were a surprise discovery in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Signed, dated, and liberally annotated by all four editors, as well as by the press-room workers at Oxford University Press, these proofs document a liminal stage immediately before publication, detailing the editors' final cuts and the challenges (and compromises) that latestage editing can reveal. As this article explores, the Proofs represent a substantial contribution to the material history of the OED and of the constraints of lexicography in the age of hot metal. Shedding new light on the ways in which, under pressures of space, key questions about expendability and inclusion were negotiated between different communities of practice, the Proofs present a visible testimony of change, substitution, and loss.
Boz, New York and a Temperance Aphorism
Authors: Long William F.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Visiting America in 1842, Dickens found the problem of drunkenness in the process of being vigorously addressed. He was questioned about the prevalence of alcohol consumption in his fiction and criticized for an inferred less than totally serious regard for America’s efforts to confront the problem by promoting abstinence. His response was to question the logic and potential effectiveness of that approach. He reacted similarly to such an approach at home, consistently reiterating the view that there was “such a thing as Use without Abuse” in personal correspondence, and, sometimes coupled to arguments for moderation in other matters, in his journalism. During his 1842 visit, declining in a previously uncollected letter an invitation to attend a temperance-observing event in New York, he instead sent a striking aphorism, which thereafter appeared in temperance-promoting literature.
Beyond Church and State: Contentions of Minority Citizenship in Egypt
Authors: Lukasik Candace
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT: This article attends to the entanglement of Coptic Christians and the Coptic Orthodox Church with a national politics centered around the citizenship concept and fraught with sectarianism. Since the early 1980s, the Coptic Orthodox Church has institutionally incorporated youth politics, pedagogy, and education through its Youth Bishopric. Following the 2011 Egyptian revolution, the rise of Coptic political movements that challenged the Church’s authority were portrayed by scholars as working in opposition to the Church’s politics and pedagogy. By weaving together accounts of the historical and contemporary programming of the Church’s Youth Bishopric and conversations around the discourse of citizenship in post-2011 Egypt among Coptic youth activists from the Maspero Youth Union, this article tracks Coptic contradictions of secular citizenship and debate over minority status. It specifically shows how Copts are engaging these contradictions in debate and ultimately parses out how the social conditions of such debate in itself may answer a call for an “ethical thematization” of religious difference.
Crowdsourcing air temperature data for the evaluation of the urban microscale model PALM—A case study in central Europe
Authors: van der Linden Lara , Hogan Patrick , Maronga Björn , Hagemann Rowell , Bechtel Benjamin
Published: August 2023

In summertime and during heat events the urban heat island can negatively impact human health in urban areas. In the context of climate change, climate adaptation receives more attention in urban planning. Microscale urban climate modelling can identify risk areas and evaluate adaptation strategies. Concurrently, evaluating the model results with observational data is essential. So far, model evaluation is mostly limited to short-term field campaigns or a small number of stations. This study uses novel crowdsourcing data from Netatmo citizen weather stations (CWS) to evaluate the urban microscale model PALM for a hot day (Tmax ≥ 30°C) in Bochum in western Germany with anticyclonic atmospheric conditions. Urban-rural air temperature differences are represented by the model. A quality control procedure is applied to the crowdsourced data prior to evaluation. The comparison between the model and the crowdsourced air temperature data reveals a good model performance with a high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.86 to 0.88 and a root mean squared error (RMSE) around 2 K. Model accuracy shows a temporal pattern and night-time air temperatures during the night are underestimated by the model, likely due to unresolved cloud cover. The crowdsourced air temperature data proved valuable for model evaluation due to the high number of stations within urban areas. Nevertheless, weaknesses related to data quality such as radiation errors must be considered during model evaluation and only the information derived from multiple stations is suitable for model evaluation. The procedure presented here can easily be transferred to planning processes as the model and the crowdsourced air temperature data are freely available. This can contribute to making informed decisions for climate adaptation in urban areas.
Hidden in plain sight: A systematic review of coercion and Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive methods (LARC)
Authors: Boydell Victoria , Smith Robert Dean ,   Global LARC Collaborative (GLC)
Published: August 2023

In recent years there has been extensive promotion of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) globally to increase access to what is widely considered a highly effective contraceptive method. Yet, despite these efforts, evidence points towards the worrying propensity for LARCS to be associated with coercion. Hence, we undertook a meta-narrative review across nine databases to draw together the heterogeneous and complex evidence on the coercive practices associated with LARC programs. A total of 92 papers were grouped into three metanarratives: (1) law, (2) public health and medicine, and (3) the social sciences. Across disciplines, the evidence supports the conclusion that coercive practices surrounding LARC programs always target marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded population(s). Looking at coercion across disciplines reveals its many forms, and we present a continuum of coercive practices associated with LARC programming. We found that each discipline provides only a partial picture of coercion, and this fragmentation is a knowledge practice that prevents us from collecting accurate information on this subject and may contribute to the perpetuation of these suspect practices. We present this review to address longstanding silences around coercion and LARCs, and to encourage the development of clinical and programmatic guidance to actively safeguard against coercion and uphold reproductive rights and justice.
Mechanical ventilation in acute myocardial infarction: Outcomes from a prospective audit at a cardiovascular hospital in Pakistan
Authors: Ansari Muhammad Imran , Umair Madiha , Taimoor Lalarukh , Memon Aziz-ur Rehman , Abubaker Zohaib , Arif Muhammad Sohaib , Qamar Nadeem , Karim Musa , Abubaker Jawed
Published: August 2023

Background

This clinical audit aims to evaluate the clinical data regarding the management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients requiring mechanical ventilator (MV) support, along with identifying factors associated with prolonged MV support and 180-day mortality.

Materials and methods

In this study, we audited clinical data regarding management, in-hospital and short-term outcomes of adult patients with AMI required MV support. Patients with prolonged MV duration (>24h) and/or 180-day mortality were compared with their counterparts, and associated factors were identified. The binary logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of prolonged MV duration and 180-day mortality.

Results

In a sample of 312 patients, 72.8% were male, and the mean age was 60.3±11.5 years. The median MV duration was 24 [24–48] hours, with 48.7% prolonged MV duration. The admission albumin level was found to be the independent predictor of prolonged MV duration with an adjusted OR of 0.42 [0.22–0.82]. Overall 7.4% were re-intubated, 6.7% needed renal replacement therapy, 17.6% required intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement, and 16.7% required temporary pacemaker placement. The survival rate was 80.4% at the time of hospital discharge, 74.7% at 30-day, 71.2% at 90-day, and 68.6% at 180-day follow-up. Age, prolonged MV duration, and ejection fraction were found to be the independent predictors of cumulative 180-day mortality with adjusted HR of 1.04 [1.02–1.07], 1.02 [1.01–1.03], and 0.95 [0.92–0.98], respectively.

Conclusions

Prolonged ventilator duration has significant prognostic implications; hence, tailored early recognition of high-risk patients needing more aggressive care can improve the outcomes.
Reflective journals in music production pedagogy: A case study
Authors: Coghlan Niall
Published: August 2023

Record-keeping, reflective practice and thinking have been identified as key facets of music production activities. This exploratory, qualitative study explores the keeping of reflective journals as part of a third level music production training programme. Semi-structured interview techniques, followed by thematic analysis, were used to gather the perspectives of students and lecturers on journal-keeping and roles that might play in professional practice. Two implementations of online journaling are contrasted with participants preferring a peer-facing Instagram implementation, shown to have an effect on record-keeping practice and indications of promoting reflective learning and practice. There are strong indications that reflective journaling has significant benefits to music production pedagogical practice, in particular for components that focus on complex practical music production projects.
Qualidade dos poços de águas subterrâneas no município de Farroupilha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
Authors: Barbosa Francis André Triches , Maffessoni Daiana
Published: August 2023

A água é um recurso natural imprescindível para a vida no planeta e pode ser de forma superficial ou subterrânea. A perfuração de poços de águas subterrâneas aumentou nos últimos anos no Brasil, e isso traz preocupação quanto a qualidade do meio hídrico. O presente trabalho avaliou as informações técnicas e os parâmetros físico-químicos de 95 poços de águas subterrâneas localizados no município de Farroupilha/RS, onde foi utilizada a base de dados do SIAGAS, com o objetivo de traçar um panorama da potabilidade destes poços, a partir da Portaria 888/2021 do Ministério da Saúde. Dos resultados encontrados, pode-se observar que 47,4% dos poços apresentaram informações completas, sendo 29,5% dos poços caracterizados como de abastecimento industrial. Do total de poços avaliados, 20% estavam fora dos limites de potabilidade e, dentre os poços industriais, 10,7% dos poços apresentaram valores de parâmetros físico-químico acima dos limites. É importante observar que no panorama geral da qualidade do meio hídrico subterrâneo do município de Farroupilha, revelou bons resultados quanto a potabilidade humana. Contudo, a pesquisa buscou contribuir com informações importantes para as perspectivas futuras no gerenciamento das águas subterrâneas locais, visando proporcionar melhorias no processo de uso e captação da água do subterrâneo.
The situation of vulnerability and the impact of the pandemic on climate refugees
Authors: Ferrero Albero Ofelia , Téllez Guzmán Felipe , Gallo Aponte William Ivan
Published: August 2023

The climate crisis brings with it environmental, social, and economic impacts, in addition to environmental ones. Within these social and economic impacts, the shelter context is one of the most alarming. Additionally, this crisis was coupled with the advent of the pandemic, which, in addition to the health crisis, widened the inequality gaps, harming the most vulnerable people. Faced with this situation, this article aims to analyze whether the current international legal framework offers straightforward solutions to the distress of climate migrants. In the end, it concludes that it is necessary to establish legal status for the environmental refugee. Such a status can combine the international human rights regime and experiences adopted in regional environmental protection systems. Environmental refugees are a reality and require a concrete response.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Parfenov V. A. , Antonenko L. M. , Silina E. V.
Published: August 2023

Data on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are presented: prevalence, etiology and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. Clinical observations demonstrating successful recognition and treatment of BPPV are presented.
The Policies of DeNubianization in Egypt and Sudan: An Ancient People on the Brink of Extinction
Authors: Hashim M.J
Published: August 2023

The Policies of DeNubianization in Egypt and Sudan: An Ancient People on the Brink of Extinction
Marothodi: The Historical Archaeology of an African Capital
Authors:   University of Botswana, Chebanne Andy
Published: August 2023

Marothodi: The Historical Archaeology of an African Capital
Book Review
Authors: Edman Bridget
Published: August 2023

Book Review: Subaltern Women Subvert Dominant Discourse in Njabulo Ndebele's Novel Cry Of Winnie Mandela
Short complete diagnostic tests for circuits with two additional inputs in some basis
Authors: Popkov Kirill A.
Published: August 2023

We prove that any Boolean function in n variables can be modeled by a testable Boolean circuit with two additional inputs in the basis “conjunction, oblique conjunction, disjunction, negation” so that the circuit admits a complete diagnostic test of the length at most 2n + 3 with respect to stuck-at faults of the type 1 at gate outputs.
A power source for E-devices based on green energy
Authors: Shafiq Raghda R. G. , ElHalawany Basem M. , Ali Noura , Elsherbini Moataz M.
Published: August 2023

Mobile and wearable devices are now the main part of our lives. The power consumed by these devices is usually in the range of μW or mW. Due to the requirement of periodic recharging, this work tries to present an economic renewable energy harvesting source for the process of charging. In this paper, authors exploit a huge amount of energy dissipated daily in the form of loud noise through streets up to 85 dB to generate a sufficient rate of energy to recharge the lithium batteries of wearable and mobile devices (more than 4.01 V). The piezoelectric model 7BB-27-4 was used in this work through a proposed design circuit. Suitable software was used to simulate the design. In comparison to previous research findings, the authors’ findings are sufficiently satisfactory.
Ultraviolet-B radiation from Gd (III) doped hardystonite
Authors: Singh Vijay , Annapurna Devi Ch. B , Rao A. S. , Joo Ji Bong
Published: August 2023

Trivalent gadolinium (Gd3+)-doped calcium zinc silicate (Ca2ZnSi2O7/hardystonite) with a molar composition of Ca2−x
ZnSi2O7:xGd3+ (x = 0.09 mol) was produced using a sol–gel system. The hardystonite was characterized using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that the prepared sample contained a tetragonal phase of Ca2ZnSi2O7. The vibrational structures of the sample were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. The photoluminescence emission spectrum of the Ca1.91ZnSi2O7:0.09Gd3+ phosphor narrow band was optimized at 312 nm in the Ultraviolet-B region under excitation at 273 nm wavelength. Electron paramagnetic resonance study authenticates the presence of gadolinium (Gd) ions within the trivalent state in the Ca1.91ZnSi2O7:0.09Gd3+ host.
Crystal structure of poly[chlorido-μ2-chlorido-(μ2-1-[(2-ethyl-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzotriazole-κN:N’)cadmium(II)], C13H15CdN5Cl2
Authors: Du Jun-Ya , Zhou Tan-peng , Yang Jing , Wang Xia
Published: August 2023

C13H15CdN5Cl2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.5514(4) Å, b = 16.7843(5) Å, c = 8.9691(3) Å, β = 101.927(3)∘, Z = 4, V = 1701.41(10) Å3, Rgt
(F) = 0.0379, wRref
(F
2) = 0.1020, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ammonium) tetrafluoroterephthate, 2[C5H10N3][C8F4O4]
Authors: Fujisawa Kiyoshi , Harakuni Seigo , Ageishi Keigo , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: August 2023

2[C5H10N3][C8F4O4], monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 6.1490(2) Å, b = 11.0063(3) Å, c = 14.0214(3) Å, β = 94.386(5)∘, V = 946.16(5) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0371, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1127, T = 178 K.