bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrative Review of Kratom, an Emerging Psychoactive Substance With Perianesthetic Implications
Authors: Garmon Emily H. , Olson Kandice
Published: August 2022

Opioid overprescribing, with resultant overdose and death, has led to a national focus on alternative treatments for pain. With the decline in legal access to opioids, kratom has gained popularity as a legal, “natural,” and easily accessible nonprescription analgesic for consumers wishing to self-medicate for pain, opioid use disorder, and other mental health conditions. While implications of kratom use in patients with chronic pain and/or opioid use disorder have been published, information on perianesthetic implications is lacking. Anesthesiologists should be informed about kratom, including the potential for unexpected physiologic derangements and adverse drug interactions resulting from complex pharmacologic activity, cytochrome P450 interactions, and common adulterations of the drug that may result in unpredictable clinical effects. This article explores the relevance of kratom to perioperative anesthetic care, including suggestions for anesthesiologists extrapolated from published information in nonoperative settings that may improve patient safety in individuals using kratom.
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Administration Is Associated With Adverse Postoperative Outcomes in Older Surgical Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Burfeind Kevin G. , Zarnegarnia Yalda , Tekkali Praveen , O’Glasser Avital Y. , Quinn Joseph F. , Schenning Katie J.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria is an explicit list of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) best avoided in adults ≥65 years of age. Cognitively impaired and frail surgical patients often experience poor outcomes after surgery, but the impacts of PIMs on these patients are unclear. Our objective was to assess whether perioperative PIM administration was associated with poor outcomes in geriatric surgical patients. We then evaluated the association between PIM administration and postoperative outcomes in subgroups of patients who were frail or cognitively impaired.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥65 years of age who underwent elective inpatient surgery at a large academic medical center from February 2018 to January 2020. Edmonton Frail Scale and Mini-Cog screening tools were administered to all patients at their preoperative clinic visit. A Mini-Cog score of 0 to 2 was considered cognitive impairment, and frailty was defined by an Edmonton Frail Scale score of ≥8. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether they received at least 1 PIM (PIM+), based on the 2019 AGS Beers Criteria, in the perioperative period or none (PIM−). We assessed the association of preoperative frailty, cognitive impairment, and perioperative PIM administration with the length of hospital stay and discharge disposition using multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, ASA physical status, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

RESULTS:

Of the 1627 included patients (mean age, 73.7 years), 69.3% (n = 1128) received at least 1 PIM. A total of 12.7% of patients were frail, and 11.1% of patients were cognitively impaired; 64% of the frail patients and 58% of the cognitively impaired patients received at least 1 PIM. Perioperative PIM administration was associated with longer hospital stay after surgery (PIM−, 3.56 ± 5.2 vs PIM+, 4.93 ± 5.66 days; P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.360–0.546). Frail patients who received PIMs had an average length of stay (LOS) that was nearly 2 days longer than frail patients who did not receive PIMs (PIM−, 4.48 ± 5.04 vs PIM+, 6.33 ± 5.89 days; P = .02). Multiple regression analysis revealed no significant association between PIM administration and proportion of patients discharged to a care facility (PIM+, 26.3% vs PIM−, 28.7%; P = .87; 95% CI, −0.046 to 0.054).

CONCLUSIONS:

Perioperative PIM administration was common in older surgical patients, including cognitively impaired and frail patients. PIM administration was associated with an increased hospital LOS, particularly in frail patients. There was no association found between PIM administration and discharge disposition.
Rapid cardiac thermal acclimation in wild anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)
Authors: Gilbert Matthew J. H. , Middleton Ella K. , Kanayok Kevin , Harris Les N. , Moore Jean-Sébastien , Farrell Anthony P. , Speers-Roesch Ben
Published: August 2022

Migratory fishes commonly encounter large and rapid thermal variation, which has the potential to disrupt essential physiological functions. Thus, we acclimated wild, migratory Arctic char to 13°C (∼7°C above a summer average) for an ecologically relevant period (3 days) and measured maximum heart rate (ƒH,max) during acute warming to determine their ability to rapidly improve cardiac function at high temperatures. Arctic char exhibited rapid compensatory cardiac plasticity similar to past observations following prolonged warm acclimation: they reduced ƒH,max over intermediate temperatures (−8%), improved their ability to increase ƒH,max during warming (+10%), and increased (+1.3°C) the temperature at the onset of an arrhythmic heartbeat, a sign of cardiac failure. This rapid cardiac plasticity may help migrating fishes such as Arctic char mitigate short-term thermal challenges. Furthermore, by using mobile Arctic research infrastructure in a remote field location, the present study illustrates the potential for field-based, experimental physiology in such locations.
Covered stent placement for gastroduodenal artery stump hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy: long-term patency and risk factor of stent failure
Authors: Min Hooney , Yoon Chang Jin , Lee Jae Hwan , Choi Won Seok , Yeo Joon Bum , Yoon Yoo-Seok , Cho Jai Young , Lee Hae Won , Lee Jun Suh
Published: August 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of covered stent placement in patients with gastroduodenal artery (GDA) stump hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to identify risk factors of stent failure.

Methods and materials:

Covered stent was placed in total of 21 patients for GDA stump hemorrhage after PD from September 2012 to March 2021. Technical and clinical success, complications, and stent patency were retrospectively evaluated. Nine relevant variables were analyzed to determine risk factors for stent failure.

Results:

In 20 of 21 patients (95.2%), the GDA stump was completely excluded with covered stent placement. Immediate hemostasis was achieved in the 20 patients and rebleeding from jejunal artery occurred in one patient which was successfully embolized one day after the stent placement. There was no procedure-related complication or early mortality (<30 days). During follow-up period (median 655.5 days), stent thrombosis was found on CT in 10 patients (50.0%, 10/20) without any laboratory or CT abnormalities. One thrombosed stent migrated into the jejunum 20 months after placement. The six-month, one-year, and two-year stent patency were 81.9%, 52.9%, and 37.8%, respectively (median 620 days). The recurrence of primary malignancy was associated with stent failure (HR 5.70; 95% CI 1.18–27.76, p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

Covered stent placement is an effective and safe management of postoperative GDA stump hemorrhage. Stent failure occurred frequently (50%) but did not cause liver ischemia. Stent failure was associated with recurrence of primary malignancy.

Advances in knowledge

1. Covered stent placement is an effective and safe management of postoperative GDA stump hemorrhage. 2. Stent failure occurred frequently (50%) but did not cause liver ischemia. 3. Stent failure was associated with recurrence of primary malignancy.
The spectrum of Self-directed learning perceptions among faculty members and students of Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences
Authors: Mehboob Mukhtar
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To analyze the perception of students and faculty regarding self-directed learning (SDL).

Methods: This mixed method study design (pragmatic) with both positivist and interpretive approaches was conducted on faculty members and students of Bolan Medical College Quetta from 1st April 2021 to 31st Aug 2021 on 246 medical and dental students and 12 faculty members. The research question was about the role of SDL in undergraduate medical students and faculty members. The inclusion criteria were any registered student and permanent faculty member, while exclusion criteria were any selected student and faculty member who not consented to participate in study. Data on self-directed learning instruments from medical students on 5 points Likert scale was collected by regular interval method and faculty members on an open narrative questionnaire by purposive sampling. The data were analyzed by the SPSS version 26, framework method of content analysis, and constant comparison technique.

Results: The mean age of students was 21.45 + 2.01 years. There were 114 males and 132 females (ratio 1: 1.15). The maximum mean score (4.35) is 91.1% followed by (4.32) 84.0% of students’ percept that SDL constantly improves & excels in learning and successes and failures inspire SDL. The minimum mean score (3.32) 49.2% revealed that students felt difficulty in arranging and controlling their learning time. The faculty perception that SDL leads to professional identity (confidence & self-identity), improved technical skill (better expression & enhanced cognition), professionalism (focused learning, effective reflection, time management & self-satisfaction), collaboration, communicator, and leadership qualities.

Conclusion: The students strongly believed that SDL will improve and excel but they need time management. Faculty members concluded that leadership, communication, collaboration, and professionalism are related to SDL.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6517

How to cite this:Mehboob M. The spectrum of Self-directed learning perceptions among faculty members and students of Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6517

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Anti-seizures therapeutics in patients with epilepsy: an approach to levetiracetam – review
Authors: Rusinowska Barbara
Published: August 2022

Epilepsy is a chronic condition that consists of a transient disorder of brain function manifested by recurrent and unprovoked seizures affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. Antiepileptic treatment is aimed at possible improvement the quality of life by reducing epilepsy seizures with the lowest possible side effects. One of the newest broad spectrum antiepileptic drug (AED) for the treatment of wide range of epilepsies – focal, partial, myoclonic, tonic-clonic and primary generalized seizures that can be used in both children and adults is levetiracetam. Levetiracetam is believed to bind to SV2A (synaptic vesicle protein 2A) in the brain, prevent the release of calcium stores from neurons and inhibit GABA and glycine activity. Due to the unique mechanism of action, high bioavailability (in both oral and intravenous administration), rapid absorption, metabolism based on the hydrolysis of acetamide groups in the blood (independent of the liver) and the lack of activity of the resulting metabolites, the drug is considered to be safe and effective in reducing and stopping seizures. In this review, we present the latest reports on the effectiveness of levetiracetam and its potential in the treatment of epilepsy in children and adults.
Association between the dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system and the disorders in the statics of the body
Authors: Odzimek Martyna
Published: August 2022

INTRODUCTION The stomatognathic system is a group of tissues and organs consisting of: the mandible, teeth (upper and lower), two temporomandibular joints, muscles, ligaments and numerous vessels: nerve, blood and lymph. We define the body posture as an individual, individual feature of each person, which is expressed by the figure. A defect of posture or a disorder of the body statics is any anomaly from the correct posture that may be congenital or acquired.

OBJECTIVE The main aim of the study was to assess the relationship between dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system and disturbances in body statics. The research was conducted from January to February 2022 using the proprietary questionnaire, which was made available online (Google Forms).

RESULTS At least one symptom of body statics disorders was noticeable in 77 people from the group of people with problems within the stomatognathic system (88,51%). Only 10 people with disorders of the masticatory system motor system did not report any postural abnormalities (11,49%). The results of the research show that there is a statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of dysfunctions within the stomatognathic system and disturbances in body statics (x2 = 28,11 > x2 = 22,4570,001;6 - statistically significant relationship, rc = 0,304 - average strength of the relationship).

CONCLUSIONS The complexity of the issue shows that focusing on only one problem may not produce the measured therapeutic effects. Only comprehensive and properly planned treatment brings the maximum therapeutic effect.
Cognitive and psychomotor performance of Polish and Ukrainian drivers
Authors: Horoszkiewicz Krzysztof , Horoszkiewicz Bartosz
Published: August 2022

Introduction. Recent years have seen a dynamic increase in people from eastern countries employed in Polish road transport.

The aim of the study was to compare the cognitive and psychomotor performance of Polish and Ukrainian drivers.

 

Material and Methods. The results of 336 male truck drivers aged between 22 and 64 years were analysed. There were 174 respondents in the Polish sample (M = 38.6 years; SD = 10.3) and 162 respondents in the Ukrainian sample (M = 36.8 years; SD = 8.3). The level of intellectual performance was assessed using the Raven's Matrix Test (TMS) and the Precision of Movement and Quick Thinking (PIM) Index. Psychomotor performance was verified using computer tests belonging to the SDP System.

 

Results. Ukrainian drivers, compared to Polish drivers, were characterised by analogous results in terms of cognitive processes and psychomotor performance. The mean scores of the Raven's test, PIM index and also coordination tests were comparable in both groups. A strong positive correlation was found between TMS and PIM.

 

Conclusions. 1. Drivers from Ukraine and Poland have similar intellectual and psychomotor abilities. 2. The PIM index correlates strongly positively with TMS and can be a reliable tool in intelligence screening. 3. The presented methods of the SDP System are not culturally loaded. Standardised scales addressed to the Polish driver population should be used to assess these areas in Ukrainian subjects.
Sensory quality of selected natural yoghurts available on the Polish market
Authors: Kiciak Agata , Orzycki Marcin , Staśkiewicz Wiktoria , Bielaszka Agnieszka , Kardas Marek
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The fermented milk drinks include: yogurt, kefir, fermented milk, acidophilic milk, koumiss and new generation dairy products. The high nutrient content of yogurt is related to the composition of the milk it is made of. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the sensory quality of selected natural yoghurts available on the Polish market.Material and methods: The research material consisted of 8 natural yoghurts available on the Polish market. Natural yoghurts were purchased in supermarkets in the Silesian Voivodeship. The intensity of the examined features (color, taste, smell, consistency, general appearance) was assessed using a proprietary card for evaluation on a five-point scale (5 - very good quality, 1 - disqualifying quality). Results: The results of the sensory evaluation using the 5-point method: The highest mean was obtained by the yoghurt code: 125 - 4.34 (± 0.47) and the worst by the respondents was the yogurt with the code: 596 - 3.54 (± 0.77). The results of the sensory evaluation carried out by the scheduling method: the highest scores were obtained for natural yoghurts with the codes 133 and 189.Conclusions: The evaluation of the sensory quality of selected natural yoghurts carried out using the five-point method showed that the highest overall score was obtained by yogurt containing: milk, powdered milk, milk proteins, calcium, live cultures of yoghurt fermentation bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5® i Bifidobacterium BB-12®.The evaluation carried out by the ranking method showed that yoghurts with the following compositions were best evaluated by the respondents: milk, milk proteins, live yoghurt bacteria cultures and milk, live bacteria cultures, selected lactic acid strains of Bifidobacterium BB-12®, 0% fat.The lowest score of respondents in the sensory evaluation with the use of both methods was obtained by natural yoghurt with the following composition: milk, live bacteria cultures.
Integrated Optimization of Planning and Operations for Shared Autonomous Electric Vehicle Systems
Authors: Chen Yao , Liu Yang
Published: August 2022

Shared autonomous electric vehicle systems will be a promising alternative for sustainable urban mobility. This study investigates an integrated optimization problem for shared autonomous electric vehicle systems that determines the long-term charging facility deployment at the planning level (e.g., the sizing and configurations of charging facilities), while the vehicle assignment, relocation, and charging decisions in the short term are also optimized at the operational level. A two-stage stochastic integer program is formulated to capture the demand uncertainty, in which an event-activity space-time-battery network is proposed for tracking the charging choices and battery states of vehicles and determining the optimal operational decisions. For dealing with a large number of scenarios in the stochastic program, the sample average approximation scheme is applied as the sampling strategy. An accelerated two-phase Benders decomposition-based algorithm is proposed for solving the two-stage program. The modeling and algorithm approach is tested on a large-scale case in Shanghai City in China. Extensive experiments show that the proposed approach can always find high-quality solutions in an efficient way. Numerical results indicate that deployment of both normal- and fast-charging infrastructure can increase the system profit and improve its operational performance.

Funding: This work was supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 1 [Grant R-266-000-135-114] and by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 71971021 and 72101019].

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.1156 .
Compatibility and companions for Leonard pairs
Authors: Nomura Kazumasa , Terwilliger Paul
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we introduce the concepts of compatibility and companion for Leonard pairs. These concepts are roughly described as follows. Let $\mathbb{F}$ denote a field, and let $V$ denote a vector space over $\mathbb{F}$ with finite positive dimension.A Leonard pair on $V$ is an ordered pair of diagonalizable $\mathbb{F}$-linear maps $A : V \to V$ and $A^* : V \to V$ that each act in an irreducible tridiagonal fashion on an eigenbasis for the other one. Leonard pairs $A,A^*$ and $B,B^*$ on $V$ are said to be compatible whenever $A^* = B^*$ and $[A,A^*] = [B,B^*]$, where $[r,s] = r s - s r$. For a Leonard pair $A,A^*$ on $V$, by a companion of $A,A^*$ we mean an $\mathbb{F}$-linear map $K: V \to V$ such that $K$ is a polynomial in $A^*$ and $A-K, A^*$ is a Leonard pair on $V$. The concepts of compatibility and companion are related as follows. For compatible Leonard pairs $A,A^*$ and $B,B^*$ on $V$, define $K = A-B$. Then $K$ is a companion of $A,A^*$. For a Leonard pair $A,A^*$ on $V$ and a companion $K$ of $A,A^*$,define $B = A-K$ and $B^* = A^*$. Then $B,B^*$ is a Leonard pair on $V$ that is compatible with $A,A^*$. Let $A,A^*$ denote a Leonard pair on $V$. We find all the Leonard pairs $B, B^*$ on $V$ that are compatible with $A,A^*$.For each solution $B, B^*$, we describe the corresponding companion $K = A-B$.
Broadband coherent perfect absorption employing an inverse-designed metasurface via genetic algorithm
Authors: Luo Peng , Lan Guilian , Nong Jinpeng , Zhang Xiaojian , Xu Ting , Wei Wei
Published: August 2022

Coherent perfect absorption (CPA) possesses the unique characteristics of flexibly and actively molding the flow of light. However, restricted by the low design efficiency and limited geometry variety of metamaterial structures, the common CPA metamaterial absorbers based on artificial design show poor performance in bandwidth operation. Here, we proposed a tungsten-based metamaterial absorber to achieve broadband CPA via employing genetic algorithm inverse design. Under the irradiation of two coherent beams, the high coherent absorption (>90%) can be achieved within a wide range from 1.32 to 3.28 µm. By simply adjusting the relative intensity or phase difference of the two coherent beams, the absorption intensity can be continuously modulated to realize the transition between coherent perfect absorption and coherent perfect transparency. Moreover, the coherent absorption maintains greater than 90% over a broad range of incident angles for both TM and TE polarizations. The scattering matrix theorem is applied to explain the physical mechanism of CPA, and the analytical results exhibit good consistency with the numerical calculations. Such a tungsten-based CPA metamaterial absorber with broadband tunability and exceptional angular stability is expected to be utilized in optical signal processing chips, all-optical modulators, and optical switchers.
Integrated denoising and extraction of both temperature and strain based on a single CNN framework for a BOTDA sensing system
Authors: Yang Guijiang , Zeng Keyan , Wang Liang , Tang Ming , Liu Deming
Published: August 2022

We have proposed and demonstrated a denoising and extraction convolutional neural network (DECNN) composed of 1D denoising convolutional autoencoder (DCAE) and 1D residual attention network (RANet) modules to extract temperature and strain simultaneously in a Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) system. With DCAE for high-fidelity denoising and RANet for accurate and robust information extraction, integrated denoising and extraction of both temperature and strain have been realized for the first time under a single CNN framework. Both simulation and experiment have been conducted to statistically analyze the performance of the proposed scheme and compare it with the conventional equation solving method (CESM), which show that DECNN has large noise tolerance and robustness over a wide range of temperature/strain and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. The mean standard deviation (SD) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the temperature/strain extracted by DECNN over a wide range of SNRs are only 0.2°C/9.7µɛ and 2°C/32.3µɛ at the end of 19.38 km long sensing fiber, respectively. At a relatively low SNR of 8.8 dB, DECNN shows 196 times better temperature/strain uncertainty and 146 times faster processing speed when compared with CESM.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of valproic acid among Pakistani and South Korean patients: A population pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Shaukat Qurrat-ul-Ain , Khokhar Muhammad Imran , Bilal Rabiea , Khan Rizwan Rasul , Saeed Hafiz Asad , Ali Mohsin , Khan Humaira Majeed
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The pharmacokinetics of valproic acid have been evaluated in a variety of populations however, the comparison in two different populations was yet to be reported. This study is aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics of valproic acid in Pakistani and South Korean patients.

Method

The therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data of valproic acid from 92 Pakistani patients with 218 samples was combined with the data of 99 South Korean patients with 335 samples in order to form a pooled dataset of 191 patients with 553 samples. Population pharmacokinetic model was developed on NONMEM® software by using first order conditional estimation method for estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters. The influence of different covariates including ethnicity was evaluated the stepwise covariate modelling. The final model was evaluated for predictive performance and robustness by using goodness of fit plots and bootstrap analysis respectively.

Results

The data was better described by one compartment model with first order elimination. The value for clearance (CL) of valproic in pooled data was 0.931 L/h with 43.4% interindividual variability (IIV) while volume of distribution (Vd) was 16.6 L with 22.3% IIV. In covariate analysis, ethnicity and body weight were significant covariates for CL while body weight was also significant for Vd.

Conclusion

A significant difference in CL of valproic acid among Pakistani and South Korean patients was observed. The model can be used for the dose tailoring of valproic acid based on ethnicity and body weight of Pakistani and South Korean patients.
The effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing PTSD and psychological distress in first responders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alshahrani Khalid M. , Johnson Judith , Prudenzi Arianna , O’Connor Daryl B.
Published: August 2022

Background

First responders are faced with stressful and traumatic events in their work that may affect their psychological health. The current review examined the effectiveness of psychological interventions to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, stress and burnout in first responders.

Methods

Four databases were searched to identify controlled studies that examined the efficacy of psychological interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms (primary outcome) in first responders (including firefighters, police/law enforcement officers, search and rescue personnel, emergency and paramedics teams). Secondary outcomes were anxiety, depression, burnout, and stress.

Results

15 studies were identified, including 10 studies that measured PTSD, 7 studies for anxiety, 10 studies for depression, 7 studies for stress and 1 for burnout. Interventions were associated with a significant reduction in PTSD (SDM = -0.86; 95% CI = -1.34 –- 0.39), depression (SDM = -0.63; 95% CI = -0.94 –-0.32), and anxiety (SDM = -0.38; 95% CI = -0.71 –-0.05) but not stress (SDM = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.51–0.25). CBT-based and clinician-delivered interventions were associated with significantly greater reductions in PTSD than other types of interventions and non-clinician interventions, but no differences were found for depression. There was evidence of moderate to high risk of bias across all studies.

Conclusions

Psychological interventions are effective in reducing PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms but not stress in first responders. Further research is needed using high quality randomised designs over longer periods of follow-up.
Prediction of air quality in Sydney, Australia as a function of forest fire load and weather using Bayesian statistics
Authors: Storey Michael Anthony , Price Owen F.
Published: August 2022

Smoke from Hazard Reduction Burns (HRBs) and wildfires contains pollutants that are harmful to human health. This includes particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), which affects human cardiovascular and respiratory systems and can lead to increased hospitalisations and premature deaths. Better models are needed to predict PM2.5 levels associated with HRBs so that agencies can properly assess smoke pollution risk and balance smoke risk with the wildfire mitigation benefits of HRBs. Given this need, our aim was to develop a probabilistic model of daily PM2.5 using Bayesian regression. We focused on the region around Sydney, Australia, which regularly has hazard reduction burning, wildfires and associated smoke. We developed two regional models (mean daily and maximum daily) from observed PM2.5, weather reanalysis and satellite fire hotspot data. The models predict that the worst PM2.5 in Sydney occurs when PM2.5 was high the previous day, there is low ventilation index (i.e. the product of wind speed and planetary boundary layer height), low temperature, west to northwest winds in the Blue Mountains, an afternoon sea breeze and large areas of HRBs are being conducted, particularly to the west and north of Sydney. A major benefit of our approach is that models are fast to run, require simple inputs and Bayesian predictions convey both predicted PM2.5 and associated prediction uncertainty. Future research could include the application of similar methods to other regions, collecting more data to improve model precision and developing Bayesian PM2.5 models for wildfires.
Coastal dynamism in Southern Thailand: An application of the CoastSat toolkit
Authors: Curoy Jerome , Ward Raymond D. , Barlow John , Moses Cherith , Nakhapakorn Kanchana
Published: August 2022

In Thailand, 17% of the population lives by the coast, approximately 11 million people. A combination of coastal erosion, sea level rise and coastal land subsidence are critical issues threatening the livelihoods of coastal communities. Thailand has invested a lot of money and installed conservation policies to restore and protect coastal mangroves and realign or replenish their beaches. This study assessed the use of the toolkit Coastsat to digitise a time series of shoreline positions from open access satellite images between 1990 and 2019 along 560 km of coastline in the provinces of Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST). Based on these digitised shorelines and the use of the software Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), it was possible to identify shoreline change, which varied between -66 to +16.4 m/y in the mangroves of NST and -22.2 to +10.6 m/year on its sandy beaches. Shoreline change rates along the Krabi coast varied -34.5 to +21.7 m/year in the mangroves and -4.1 to +4 m/year on sandy beaches. Analysis of the spatial and temporal variations of the shoreline position during the survey period reveals a linkage between extreme weather conditions and coastal erosion along the NST coast while that linkage is less clear along the Krabi coast. CoastSat delivers crucial and accurate time series shoreline data over extensive areas that are vital to coastal managers and researchers in a completely remote manner, which is key with the presence of COVID-19 travel bans.
Development of an intervention to facilitate dissemination of community-based training to respond to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: FirstCPR
Authors: Munot Sonali , Bray Janet , Bauman Adrian , Rugel Emily J. , Bezerra Giordan Leticia , Marschner Simone , Chow Clara K. , Redfern Julie
Published: August 2022

Background and aim

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant public health issue with low survival rates. Prompt bystander action can more than double survival odds. OHCA response training is primarily pursued due to work-related mandates, with few programs targeting communities with lower training levels. The aim of this research was to describe the development process of a targeted multicomponent intervention package designed to enhance confidence and training among laypeople in responding to an OHCA.

Methods

An iterative, three-phase program development process was employed using a mixed methods approach. The initial phase involved establishment of a multidisciplinary panel that informed decisions on key messages, program content, format, and delivery modes. These decisions were based on scientific evidence and guided by behavioural theories. The second phase comprised the development of the intervention package, identifying existing information and developing new material to fill identified gaps. The third phase involved refining and finalising the material via feedback from panel members, stakeholders, and community members.

Results

Through this approach, we collaboratively developed a comprehensive evidence-based education and training package consisting of a digital intervention supplemented with free access to in-person education and training. The package was designed to teach community members the specific steps in recognising and responding to a cardiac arrest, while addressing commonly known barriers and fears related to bystander response. The tailored program and delivery format addressed the needs of individuals of diverse ages, cultural backgrounds, and varied training needs and preferences.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of community engagement in intervention development and demonstrates the need of evidence-based and collaborative approaches in creating a comprehensive, localised, relatively low-cost intervention package to improve bystander response to OHCA.
Diversity and sex differences in rectal gland volatiles of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Castro-Vargas Cynthia , Pandey Gunjan , Yeap Heng Lin , Lacey Michael J. , Lee Siu Fai , Park Soo J. , Taylor Phillip W. , Oakeshott John G.
Published: August 2022

Rectal gland volatiles are key mediators of sexual interactions in tephritid fruit flies. We used solid-phase microextraction (SPME) plus gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to substantially expand rectal gland chemical characterisation of the Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni(Diptera: Tephritidae); Qfly). The SPME GC-MS analysis identified 24 of the 30 compounds previously recorded from Qfly rectal glands, plus another 21 compounds that had not previously been reported. A few amides and fatty acid esters dominated the chromatograms of males and females respectively, but we also found other esters, alcohols and aldehydes and a ketone. The GC-FID analyses also revealed over 150 others, as yet unidentified, volatiles, generally in lesser amounts. The GC-FID analyses also showed 49 and 12 compounds were male- and female-specific, respectively, both in single sex (virgin) and mixed sex (mostly mated) groups. Another ten compounds were male-specific among virgins but undetected in mixed sex groups, and 29 were undetected in virgins but male-specific in mixed sex groups. The corresponding figures for females were four and zero, respectively. Most short retention time peaks (including a ketone and an ester) were male-specific, whereas most female-biased peaks (including five fatty acid esters) had long retention times. Our results indicate previously unsuspected diversity of rectal gland volatiles that might have pheromone functions in males, but far fewer in females.
Meeting demand—Obstetric hemorrhage and blood availability in Malawi, a qualitative study
Authors: Njolomole Stephen E. , Sachidanandan Ridhaa Fatima , Mandere George , Jenny Alisa , Muula Adamson S. , M’baya Bridon , John Ben Malinga , Gadama Luis , Bonongwe Phylos , Chabunya Sylvester , Storey Evance , Walker Dilys
Published: August 2022

Background

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in Malawi. Despite the presence of a centralized institution supplying blood and blood products for hospitals across the country, a lack of timely blood transfusion has been identified as a critical barrier to successful PPH management. This study aims to understand the factors that affect the blood delivery pipeline and adequate access to blood products for postpartum haemorrhage patients.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders across the blood delivery pipeline. Interviews were conducted from July 2020 to January 2021 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Mulanje District Hospital, a referral and district hospital respectively, as well as the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service. Line by line, open coding was used to perform a thematic analysis of the data using Nvivo and Atlas.ti software.

Results

Five key themes were identified: 1) Lack of blood availability due to an inadequate donor pool, 2) Transportation of blood products and PPH patients is impeded by distance to target sites and competing interests for blood delivery vehicles, 3) The Malawi Blood Transfusion Service has difficulty meeting demand for blood products due to inadequate funding and difficulty retaining blood donors, 4) Current PPH management protocols and practices lead to delays due to inconsistent guidelines on delivery and analysis of patient samples, and 5) Communication between health cadres is inconsistent and affected by a lack of adequate resources.

Conclusions

Barriers to timely blood transfusion for PPH patients exist across the blood delivery pipeline. While an investment of infrastructure would alleviate many obstacles, several solutions identified in this study can be implemented without additional resources, such as establishing joint department meetings to improve communication between health cadres. Ultimately, given a resource limited setting, it may be worth considering de-centralizing the blood supply.
No evidence of Rift Valley fever antibodies in veterinarians and sheep in Northern Palestine
Authors: Alzuheir Ibrahim , Helal Belal Abu , Helal Mohammad Abu , Fayyad Adnan , Jalboush Nasr
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a vector-borne virus that causes RVF in humans and ruminants. The clinical symptoms in humans and animals are non-specific and often misdiagnosed, but abortions in ruminants and high mortality in young animals are characteristic. Since the initial outbreak in the Rift Valley area in Kenya, the disease has spread to most African countries and the Middle East. The presence and epidemiological status of RVFV in humans and animals in Palestine are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the presence and risk factors for RVF seroprevalence in veterinarians, as occupational hazard professionals, and sheep, as highly susceptible animals, in Northern Palestine.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data and blood samples of 280 Assaf sheep and 100 veterinarians in close occupational contact with sheep were collected between August and September 2020 using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: No evidence of RVF antibodies was found in any human or animal sample.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that RVFV has not circulated in livestock in Northern Palestine, yet. Surveillance and response capabilities and cooperation with the nearby endemic regions are recommended. The distribution of competent vectors in Palestine, associated with global climate change and the role of wild animals, might be a possible route for RVF spreading to Palestine from neighboring countries.
Detecting common allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis in South Korean Provinces using a serological immunoglobulin E-specific allergen test
Authors: Adam Gareeballah Osman , Park Yang-Gyu , Cho Jeong-Hwi , Choi Jinyoung , Oh Hong-Geun
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a hereditary susceptibility to the development of allergic symptoms in response to repeated exposure to generally innocuous substances known as "allergens." Allergens can be plants, animals, mold, mites, or milk. At present, serological enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kits are used for immunoglobulin E (IgE)-specific allergen detection due to their simplicity and accuracy. This study aimed to detect allergens in dogs with CAD and determine how they differ according to season, breed, age, and sex using a serological test in six provinces in South Korea for 12 months. This will allow practitioners to easily understand the risk factors related to CAD.

Materials and Methods: In this study, IgE allergen-specific ELISA kits were used. The allergens were detected in serum samples collected from different regions considering season, sex, breed, and age. Allergens were divided into the following Ten categories: 1. Dairy, yeast, and egg, 2. grains, 3. vegetables, 4. meat, 5. seafood, 6. animals, 7. mold, 8. insects, 9. mites, and 10. trees.

Results: The percentage of allergens detected in males (54.8%) was higher than that of females (45.2%); 54.2% of allergens occurred in 3-year-old dogs or older. Moreover, regarding frequency, 65.6% of overall allergens occur during autumn; Chungcheongnam-do and Jeollabuk-do showed 20.7% and 20.9%, respectively. Additionally, among allergens categories, notable allergen occurrence was as follows: 38.3% corn; 28.7% potatoes; 22.7% duck; 24.4%,codfish; 31.2% animal wool; 95.6% Aspergillus fumigatus; 31.9% flea; 41.8% oak; and 25.0% sheep's sorrel grass.

Conclusion: This study showcases the frequency of 60 allergens in six provinces detected in dogs with CAD; most likely from food or the environment using serological ELISA kits. Environmental sensitizer results can be considered for humans suffering from allergies to avoid a similar environment. A large-scale study can be performed to evaluate the allergens in the state. However, neither a skin test nor feed analysis was conducted, which is a limitation of this study.
EVALUATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PANCREATOBILIARY FISH POLYSOMY ON PROGNOSIS IN DE NOVO CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA
Authors: Ji Hyun , Barr Fritcher Emily G , Yin Jun , Bainter Tiffany M , Zemla Tyler J , Gores Gregory J , Halling Kevin C , Kipp Benjamin R , Roberts Lewis R
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

We recently developed a fluorescence in situ hybridization probe set for evaluating suspicious biliary and pancreatic duct strictures (PB-FISH). We aimed to determine whether PB-FISH results in biliary brush cytology specimens are associated with outcomes of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective study of CCA patients tested by PB-FISH from January 2015 to August 2018. CCA were stratified by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) into those with (PSC CCA) or without PSC (de novo CCA). PB-FISH results were categorized as polysomy (gain of multiple loci), non-polysomy (single locus gain, single locus gain with 9p21 loss, homozygous 9p21 loss, tetrasomy), and disomy (no abnormalities). Overall survival (OS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods, and compared between the PB-FISH results using log-rank tests. Cox models adjusted for age, sex, CA 19-9, cytology results, source of brushing sample, and treatments.

RESULTS:

Characteristics of the 264 eligible patients (median age 60.4; range 18-92) were comparable for patients with PB-FISH polysomy vs. non-polysomy vs. disomy. Median OS was similar between disomy, non-polysomy and polysomy in overall population (22.7 vs 22.7 vs 20.3 months, respectively). For de novo CCA, both polysomy and non-polysomy were associated with worse OS compared to disomy (polysomy: HR=2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.14-3.83; non-polysomy: HR=2.4, 95% CI=0.54-2.46; P =0.027). For PSC CCA, neither polysomy nor non-polysomy were significantly associated with worse OS (polysomy: 0.90, 95% CI=0.47-1.75; non-polysomy: HR=1.78, CI=0.71-4.49; P =0.27).

CONCLUSION:

PB-FISH alterations are associated with worse survival in de novo CCA, though statistical significance was lost when adjusting for confounding variables.
Moisture Buffering and Mold Growth Characteristics of Naturally Ventilated Lime Plastered Houses.
Authors: Paralkar Vismaya , Damle Rashmin
Published: August 2022

Lime plaster is well known for its moisture buffering capabilities but is also susceptible to mould growth. This work focusses on the hygrothermal performance of lime plaster in naturally ventilated residential spaces. Surveys are carried out for 45 traditional buildings of Ahmedabad in India with measurements of ambient variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, wall moisture content, etc. Mould growth patterns of these spaces are related to the measured variables and wall characteristics. Hygrothermal simulations of some spaces are also carried out to observe the moisture buffering of lime plaster. Experimental observations are contrasted with simulation results to see if numerical predictions are realistic.
Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Static Postures and Repetitive Tasks using Rapid Entire Body Assessment and Strain Idex
Authors: Le Anh
Published: August 2022

This study aims to assess the risk levels of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of Vietnamese female workers performing repetitive tasks and static postures. The workers perform the repetitive tasks which are printed circuit board assembly and printing on housing in a factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The risk assessment tools are used consisting of Rapid Entire Body Assessment and Strain Index. The result shows that the risk levels of WMSDs of workers are from medium to high levels. Therefore, ergonomic measures are needed to reduce the risk levels and improve the working conditions. The suggestions of ergonomic interventions are ergonomic workstation redesign considering anthropometric data of Vietnamese female workers, appropriate work methods and training for workers.
PRODUCTION PROCESS WASTE ANALYSIS WITH LEAN MANUFACTURING APPROACH IN COPPER CRAFTS INDUSTRY
Authors: Darsini Darsini
Published: August 2022

Competition in the industrial world is increasingly making manufacturing companies to continue to improve continuously the quality, price, quantity of production and timely delivery of their products to provide satisfaction to consumers/customers. In the research analyzed, namely the waste that occurs in the copper craft industry UD. Setya Budhi, and this study aims to analyze waste and what are the factors causing it. This study uses a Lean Manufacturing approach with data processing using the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Failure Mode And Effect Analysis (FMEA) methods. The data needed for this research starts from observations of the work environment, facility layout, production flow and production time. As well as the stages of interviews and questionnaires to complete the required data. From the analysis using the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) method, the results obtained are 71.60% value added, 7.39% non value added, and necessary but non value added 21.01%, then the analysis uses the Failure Mode And Effect method. Analysis (FMEA) obtained the highest RPN value from Waste Defect of 252 points, Waste Waiting 590 points, Waste Transportation 600 points, and Waste Motion 700 points, which means that there is still waste that occurs in the company. So it is necessary to have a significant evaluation of the layout of the facility or production layout and the provision of SOP classification in each department.