bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A clinical audit on longer-term stroke management as a specific service in a primary care setting: Assessing adherence of service and clinical parameters
Authors: Mostapha Gadaffi , Aziz Noor Azah Abd , Ali Mohd Fairuz
Published: December 2024

Primary-care long-term stroke care service offers comprehensive management at the community level. A clinical audit was carried out to assess the services of this clinic as compared to the established standardized criteria for longer-term stroke care.A retrospective audit was performed to evaluate the adherence to service parameters based on eleven criteria adapted from the Canadian Post-Stroke Checklist. The following clinical parameters were audited using the Malaysian CPG on Cardiovascular Disease 2017 and Malaysian CPG on Ischemic Stroke 2020: systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HbA1c, and weight, and smoking status. 113 registered patients from the 2022 clinic census were audited using paired Student’s t-test and McNemar’s test.Overall, only 2 out of 11 criteria for service parameters did not meet the standard: inquiring about patient fatigue (43.4%) and access to community resources (26.5%). The attainment of the target for BP and HbA1c meets the standards set for this audit. Patients experienced reduced SBP, DBP, LDL-C, and HbA1c levels, and a statistically significant reduction was observed in DBP (4.15 mmHg, p<0.05) and LDL-C (0.30 mmol/L, p<0.05). A notable reduction in the percentage of smokers (p<0.05) was also seen.Post-stroke patients at a specific-service clinic within the primary care setting benefited from clinicians’ high adherence to clinical guidelines, observed from improved clinical parameters. These may serve as an impetus for clinicians to include long-term stroke service as a specialized service within primary care specialties.
ImpENSA eHealthy Conversation Skills training for healthcare professionals aimed at improving micronutrient status during the first 1000 days in South Africa
Authors: Patro-Golab Bernadeta , Choi Sunhea , Lukasik Jan , Walsh Corinna , Kolodziej Maciej , Havemann-Nel Lize , Venter Estelle , Sexton Kerry , Omer Selma , Goddard Liz , Godfrey Keith M. , Lawrence Wendy , Koletzko Berthold ,   ImpENSA Study Group
Published: December 2024

Individuals’ lifestyle behaviours determine health. Improving Early Nutrition and Health in South Africa (“ImpENSA”), an EU Erasmus+ co-funded project, aims to tackle the triple burden of malnutrition in South Africa through equipping healthcare professionals (HCPs) with knowledge and skills to effectively support healthy nutritional choices among pregnant women and mothers/infant caregivers. Healthy Conversation Skills (HCS) is a behaviour change intervention utilising open discovery questions, active listening, reflection on practice and goal-setting support through SMARTER (Specific, Measured, Action-oriented, Realistic, Timed, Evaluated and Reviewed) planning as core competences. We integrated HCS training delivered online (eHCS training) as practical skills training for HCPs following two eLearning modules on micronutrient nutrition and person-centred behaviour change support. In a programme pilot (2021–22) we investigated participant training experiences, application of HCS and changes in clinical practice using assessments, questionnaires, and interviews at baseline, pre- and post-training and at 3-month follow-up. Of 36 participants (mainly dietitians) initially enrolled, 27 completed eHCS training and 24 participated in the follow-up evaluation. All applied open discovery questions and listened to their patients more actively (spending less time giving information) during consultations. Many participants (63%) reported that they frequently supported their patients using SMARTER planning for a behaviour change. All reflected on their practice and how they consulted their patients. Participants gave very positive feedback on eHCS training, finding it relevant and enjoyable. Contextual (micronutrient nutrition) and theoretical (person-centred behaviour change and HCS) knowledge established prior to eHCS training enabled participants to focus during the training on practising and mastering HCS and observing others. This facilitated reflection, deepened understanding of patient-centred care and accelerated the application of HCS to implement person-centred care in their practice. We conclude that eHCS training delivered online, integrated with knowledge-based modules, can effectively enhance the way HCPs support their patients to ultimately optimise early life nutrition.
Assessing the impact of acute severe hypertension in the emergency department: A prospective cohort study in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Razzak Junaid A. , Ali Noman , Khan Uzma , Ismail Madiha , Khan Badar Afzal , Raheem Ahmed , Agrawal Priyanka , Bhatti Junaid
Published: December 2024

Acute Severe Hypertension (ASH), presenting as a Hypertensive Emergency (HE) or Hypertensive Urgency (HU), is a frequent reason for emergency department (ED) admissions. This study sought to assess the prevalence of ASH among adult ED patients in Pakistan and investigate all-cause mortality and hospitalization rates over six months. We conducted a prospective single-center cohort study in Karachi, Pakistan, from June 3, 2019, to September 22, 2020. We enrolled all adult male and non-pregnant female patients presenting to the emergency department with a systolic blood pressure of ≥180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥120 mm Hg. Telephonic follow-ups were conducted at one, three-, and six months post-discharge from the hospital. The Cox Regression Model was used to identify the risk factors for mortality. Of 49,431 ED visits during the study period, 1,525 (3.1%) met the inclusion criteria, and 1,161 (76.2%) were enrolled. A total of 356 patients (30.6%) were diagnosed with HE, and 805 (69.2%) with HU. Among follow-up patients, 14.6% with HE and 4.7% with HU experienced mortality within six months. Notably, the risk of mortality was higher in patients aged >65 years (aRR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.20 to 3.02) and those suffering from stroke (aRR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.21 to 3.61) or acute kidney injury (aRR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.09 to 3.04). Conversely, regular blood pressure monitoring (aRR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.03-0.19) and adherence to antihypertensive medications (aRR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09-0.56) significantly lowered the risk HE resulted in heightened mortality at six months, while HU, traditionally deemed benign, also led to substantial morbidity and mortality. This underscores the ED visit for ASH as a crucial opportunity for preventing short-term and longer-term health complications.
Differences in suicide acceptability by farming-related occupation, demographic, and religiosity factors, general social survey 2000–2022
Authors: Ward Jeanne M. , Blosnich John R.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Suicide acceptability beliefs must be considered when evaluating interventions to prevent suicide, as such beliefs can reveal cultural sanctions associated with suicide and suicidal behaviors and thoughts. Compared to the general US population, farmers/ranchers have an elevated suicide rate, requiring culturally competent interventions. This analysis investigated whether farmers and workers in agricultural-related industries differ from the general U.S. population in suicide acceptability levels.

Methods

Cross-sectional General Social Survey (GSS) data were combined from years 2000 to 2022. Four yes/no items assessing whether respondents thought an individual should be able to decide to end their life amid four negative life scenarios were used to define suicide acceptability or endorsement. U.S. Census Bureau industry and occupational codes were used to delineate occupations. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, educational level, survey administration year, and religiosity level were covariates for multiple logistic regression analyses. Among 18,191 respondents to the GSS, 167 people worked in farming/ranching roles, including 74 farmers/ranch operators and 93 farm/ranch workers.

Results

In unadjusted models, individuals in farm-related occupations had a lower prevalence than the general US adult population of sanctioning suicide if facing an incurable disease. Yet, suicide endorsement beliefs showed no statistically significant differences between farmers/ranchers and the general population after demographic factors were included in the model. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education were significant predictors of suicide acceptability, p < 0.01. The prevalence of farmer/ranch operators identifying as very or moderately religious was significantly higher than that of farm/ranch workers and the general population, p < 0.05. The sample identifying as non-religious had higher odds of sanctioning suicide when faced with an incurable disease (aOR 5.980, 95%CI 5.235–6.829), bankruptcy (aOR 3.281, 95%CI 2.791–3.857), having dishonored their family (aOR 3.215, 95%CI 2.732–3.784), or becoming tired of living (aOR 3.660, 95%CI 3.209–4.175).

Conclusion

The present results showed that farmers’/ranchers’ acceptability of suicide was not distinct from the general US population in multivariable models. However, given their disproportionately high suicide rate, they require customized outreach and interventions. Further research may elucidate how religiosity, demographic factors, and beliefs about suicide and religion impact interventions to prevent suicide for individuals working in farming/ranching.
Cortical evoked activity is modulated by the sleep state in a ferret model of tinnitus. A cross-case study
Authors: Milinski Linus , Nodal Fernando R. , Emmerson Matthew K. J. , King Andrew J. , Vyazovskiy Vladyslav V. , Bajo Victoria M.
Published: December 2024

Subjective tinnitus is a phantom auditory perception in the absence of an actual acoustic stimulus that affects 15% of the global population. In humans, tinnitus is often associated with disturbed sleep and, interestingly, there is an overlap between the brain areas involved in tinnitus and regulation of NREM sleep. We used eight adult ferrets exposed to mild noise trauma as an animal model of tinnitus. We assessed the phantom percept using two operant paradigms sensitive to tinnitus, silent gap detection and silence detection, before and, in a subset of animals, up to six months after the mild acoustic trauma. The integrity of the auditory brainstem was assessed over the same period using auditory brainstem response recordings. Following noise overexposure, ferrets developed lasting, frequency–specific impairments in operant behaviour and evoked brainstem activity. To explore the interaction between sleep and tinnitus, in addition to tracking the behavioural markers of noise–induced tinnitus and hearing impairment after noise overexposure, we evaluated sleep–wake architecture and spontaneous and auditory–evoked EEG activity across vigilance states. Behavioural performance and auditory–evoked activity measurements after noise overexposure suggested distinct degrees of tinnitus and hearing impairment between individuals. Animals that developed signs of tinnitus consistently developed sleep impairments, suggesting a link between the emergence of noise–induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus and sleep disruption. However, neural markers of tinnitus were reduced during sleep, suggesting that sleep may transiently mitigate tinnitus. These results reveal the importance of sleep–wake states in tinnitus and suggest that understanding the neurophysiological link between sleep and tinnitus may provide a new angle for research into the causes of phantom percepts and inform future treatments.
The effect of virtual visual scene inclination transitions on gait modulation in healthy older versus young adults—A virtual reality study
Authors: Benady Amit , Zadik Sean , Lustig Adi , Gilaie-Dotan Sharon , Plotnik Meir
Published: December 2024

Bipedal locomotion requires body adaptation to maintain stability after encountering a transition to incline walking. A major part of this adaptation is reflected by adjusting walking speed. When transitioning to uphill walking, people exert more energy to counteract gravitational forces pulling them backward, while when transitioning to downhill walking people break to avoid uncontrolled acceleration. These behaviors are affected by body-based (proprioception and vestibular) cues as well as by visual cues. Since older age adversely affects walking, it is unclear whether older adults rely on vision during locomotion in a similar manner to younger individuals. In this study, we tested whether the influence of visual cues on these walking speed modulations in healthy older adults (60–75 years old, N = 15) were comparable to those found in healthy young adults (20–40 years old, N = 12). Using a fully immersive virtual-reality system embedded with a self-paced treadmill and projected visual scene, we manipulated the inclinations of both the treadmill and the visual scene in an independent manner, and measured participants walking speed. In addition, we also measured individual visual field dependency using the rod and frame test. The older adults presented the expected braking (decelerating) and exertion (accelerating) effects, in response to downhill and uphill visual illusions, respectively, in a similar manner to the young group. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the magnitude of walking speed modulation and visual field dependency in each of the groups with significantly higher visual field dependency in older adults. These results suggest that with aging individuals maintain their reliance on the visual system to modulate their gait in accordance with surface inclination in a manner similar to that of younger adults.
Exploring preferences to accessing sexual and reproductive health services: A qualitative study of adolescents’ and service provider perspectives
Authors: Sidamo Negussie Boti , Kerbo Amene Abebe , Gidebo Kassa Daka , Wado Yohannes Dibaba
Published: December 2024

Background

Understanding what adolescents want and how preferences are likely to vary among different groups is important to make the healthcare system responsive to the needs of adolescents and to maximize service utilization. Despite this, evidence is scarce in this aspect. Therefore, this study aimed to explore preferences for accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services from the perspective of adolescents and health care providers in the South Ethiopia Regional State.

Methods

A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted from September 04 to October 15, 2023. Seven Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and ten Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with purposively selected seventy-five adolescents and ten healthcare providers respectively. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore their lived experiences. All interviews and discussions were audio-recorded. The research team transcribed the collected data verbatim and translated it into English. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

In this study, five main themes were identified. The identified main themes were preferred SRH services provider, preferred SRH services venue, preferred SRH services provision time, preferred SRH services information sources, and preferred strategies to improve access to SRH services. Regarding preferred SRH service providers, adolescents prefer males by sex, younger health care providers by age, and not neighborhood health providers by residence. Concerning preferred SRH services venue, adolescents prefer pharmacies as a venue to access condoms and emergency pills, while they prefer traditional medical centers as a source of abortion services. Besides this, schools are a preferred venue for adolescents to access SRH information. Moreover, sexual partners, close friends, and peers who experienced similar problems are the preferred sources of SRH information for adolescents. Furthermore, engagement of private health facilities, strengthening engagement of faith-based organization, and strengthening community-based SRH services provision were identified as preferred strategies to improve access to SRH services.

Conclusion

Improving access to sexual and reproductive health services necessitates the implementation of innovative and responsive strategies that address the diverse preferences and needs of adolescents. Prioritizing adolescent engagement in healthcare is vital, as it fosters a better understanding of their unique perspectives and ultimately enhances the accessibility and utilization of these essential services.
Cost-effectiveness of Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) as destination therapy in the UK: An economic modelling study
Authors: Saygın Avşar Tuba , Jackson Louise , Barton Pelham , Beese Sophie , Lim Hoong S. , Quinn David , Price Malcolm , Moor David J.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) for destination therapy (DT) are used in many countries but in some, like the UK, LVADs are not commissioned due to uncertainty around their cost-effectiveness. Existing economic evaluations of LVADs for these patients have limitations. This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of LVADs as destination therapy, compared to optimal medical therapy, in the UK.

Methods

A cost-utility analysis from a UK healthcare perspective was conducted, using a Markov model. The model incorporated the impact of major events and complications. Sub-group analyses considered different severities of heart failure on cost-effectiveness. Uncertainty was measured in deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

Results

LVAD produced additional 2.78 (95% CI 2.46–3.14) QALYs at an incremental cost of £152,329 (95% CI £125,665 - £181,812) compared to medical management, giving an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £54,748 per QALY. The ICER remained above the accepted thresholds of cost-effectiveness in the UK if a small proportion of patients receiving LVAD becomes eligible for a heart transplant and for all subgroups based on heart failure severity. The deterministic sensitivity analysis showed that the ongoing outpatient costs had a significant impact on the results.

Conclusions

Our analysis found that LVADs are not cost-effective as destination therapy in the UK if a willingness to pay threshold of £50,000 per QALY gained or disease severity modifiers, were applied. Robust data on ongoing costs for LVAD and medical management are needed.
I struggle with your fidgeting: A qualitative study of the personal and social impacts of misokinesia
Authors: Jaswal Sumeet M. , Levere Drake , Handy Todd C.
Published: December 2024

Misokinesia, the reduced tolerance to others’ repetitive bodily movements, impacts individuals’ personal, social, and professional lives. The present study aimed to elucidate the factors contributing to Misokinesia Sensitivity (MKS) by exploring the subjective experiences of affected individuals, thereby guiding future empirical research and informing clinical awareness. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 participants from an online support group on Facebook. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis to uncover patterns and themes in their lived experiences. The thematic analysis revealed three main themes: internal cognitive and affective impacts, external social impacts, and pragmatic factors related to MKS triggers and responses. These findings provide a foundational understanding of MKS, highlighting its significant personal and social consequences and suggesting areas for targeted interventions. The insights gained aim to enhance clinical recognition and support the development of effective management strategies for those affected by MKS.
“Maybe we should think outside the box?” prioritisation of issues with UK not-for-profit canine health and welfare research funding using Delphi expert consensus and gap analysis
Authors: Skipper Alison M. , Packer Rowena M. A. , O’Neill Dan G.
Published: December 2024

Over fifty participants, who together possessed broad research, veterinary and front-line expertise from across the canine health and welfare sector, contributed to a modified Delphi study to identify the highest priority research topics in UK canine health and welfare, the highest priorities for future research approaches, and the highest priorities for future reform in research processes and infrastructure, through group consensus. Further analysis also compared the prioritisation of selected research topics to the actual levels of research funding they previously received, through comparison with historical data. Most of the identified highest priority issues relating to canine health and welfare and its research concerned various aspects of the human-canine relationship, such as ownership or behavioural issues. Participants strongly emphasised the complexity of interrelated factors that impact the welfare of both dogs and people. Research topics identified as previously ‘most underfunded’ all concerned real-world canine welfare issues, particularly emphasising the breeding and supply of dogs. A supplementary analysis of historical research funding (2012–2022) for common chronic disorders in primary care practice, another identified highest priority topic, identified periodontal disease, anal sac disorders, overgrown nails and patellar luxation as the ‘most underfunded’ conditions. Most of the identified highest priority research approaches and methodologies concerned real-world design and execution aspects of canine health and welfare research, such as impact and engagement, with a strong focus on research investigating the human factors in canine welfare. Aspects of research funding infrastructure that were considered highest priority for future change mostly concerned increased transparency of funding processes and increased collaboration between stakeholder groups throughout the funding sector, which was strongly supported. Overall, these findings emphasise the importance of considering and including human factors and real-world impact, where appropriate, as key elements for optimising the relevance of canine health and welfare research.
Parental considerations about their childs’ mental health: Validating the German adaptation of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire
Authors: Wildner Andreas S. , Küçükakyüz Su Mevsim , Marx Anton K. G. , Nolte Tobias , Reck Corinna , Fonagy Peter , Luyten Patrick , von Tettenborn Alexandra , Müller Mitho , Zietlow Anna-Lena , Woll-Weber Christian F. J.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Parental Reflective Functioning describes the parents’ ability to view their child as motivated by mental states. The Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) represents an 18-item and three-factor self-report measure. Our goal was to conduct the first German validation study.

Method

In a community sample of 378 mothers of children aged 10.2–78.6 months, we used Confirmatory Factor Analysis with a cross-validation approach to assess model fit. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω. Concurrent validity was assessed using correlations with relevant constructs.

Results

The three-factor structure of the original validation could be confirmed. The German model only needed minor modifications: two items had to be removed, and one error covariance was added. The resulting 16-item questionnaire with the three subscales “Pre-mentalizing”, “Interest and Curiosity about Mental States”, and “Certainty about Mental States” was successfully cross-validated (CFI = .94, TLI = .93, SRMR = .07, RMSEA = .04 (CI [.01, .06])). These factors were related in theoretically expected ways to parental attachment dimensions, emotional availability, parenting stress, and infant attachment status.

Conclusion

While reliability could still be improved, the German 16-item version of the PRFQ represents a valid measure of parental reflective functioning.
Developing a short form of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-SF) in psychedelic samples
Authors: Graziosi Marianna , Rohde Julia Sarah , Lake Stephanie , Lucas Philippe , Kaufman Scott Barry , Yaden David Bryce
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to develop and validate a short-form version of the AWE-S (AWE-SF) within psychedelic samples, to reduce participant burden while maintaining psychometric integrity. Across five studies, we first replicated the original six-factor structure of the AWE-S through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (Study 1), leading to the creation of the 12-item AWE-SF (Study 2–3). We then established the AWE-SF’s initial and predictive validity by correlating it with relevant emotional, psychedelic, and well-being outcomes (Study 4–6). The AWE-SF demonstrated strong positive associations with positive emotions and was also linked to openness to experience. Moreover, the AWE-SF effectively predicted both mystical-type and challenging psychedelic experiences, as well as long-term well-being outcomes such as life satisfaction and psychological richness. In particular, the facets of connection and vastness were associated with positive emotional states and mystical-type experience, while accommodation and self-loss were associated with negative emotional states and challenging psychedelic experience. These findings suggest that the AWE-SF is a robust, reliable, and accessible tool for measuring awe experience.
Care for patients living with chronic conditions using the ICAN Discussion Aid: A mixed methods cluster-randomized trial
Authors: Boehmer Kasey R. , Thota Anjali , Organick-Lee Paige , Branda Megan , Lee Alex , Giblon Rachel , Behnken Emma , Tapp Hazel , May Carl , Montori Victor
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of the ICAN Discussion Aid in improving patients’ experience of receiving care for their chronic conditions and health professionals’ experience of providing their care.

Methods

We conducted a pragmatic, mixed-methods, cluster-randomized trial of the ICAN Discussion Aid at 8 clinics in 4 independent health systems in the US from January 2017 and to August 2018. Sites were randomized 1:1 in pairs. Participants were primary care health professionals and their adult patients with ≥1 chronic condition. Quantitative outcomes were health professional assessment of chronic illness care and relational coordination and patient-reported self-efficacy to manage chronic disease, self-efficacy to communicate with clinician, treatment burden, assessment of chronic illness care, general health, and disruption from illness and treatment. Uptake of ICAN was assessed with patient qualitative interviews, clinician focus groups/interviews, visit video recordings, and chart review.

Results

98 clinicians and 1733 patients participated. We found no significant differences between ICAN and usual care sites in mixed effect models on main outcome measures. In adjusted difference-in-differences analyses, we found patient self-efficacy to manage chronic disease (mean difference 0.61 (SE 0.27), p = 0.023), patient self-efficacy to communicate with their clinician (mean difference 0.31 (SE 0.14), p = 0.032), and health professional assessment of chronic illness care (1.42 (SE 0.52), p = 0.007) were significantly better at ICAN sites. Chart review indicated the aid was implemented in 19% of eligible encounters. Qualitative analyses highlighted limited implementation of ICAN as intended overall due to varying clinic challenges but showed that ICAN use as intended was a valued addition to the visit.

Conclusions

When patients and clinicians use ICAN as intended, which seldom occurred, important conversations emerge. This qualitative finding did not parlay into statistically significant effects on most outcomes of interest.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (# NCT03017196).
Development and validation of a predictive nomogram for vascular crises in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients undergoing free flap surgery
Authors: Zheng Ying , Yu Jingya , Zhou Yunyu , Lu Qian , Zhang Yu , Bi Xiaoqin
Published: December 2024

Objective

To develop and validate a predictive model for identifying vascular crises following free tissue flap transplantation in patients undergoing surgery for oral and maxillofacial tumors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study utilized medical records from the Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, covering the period from January 2014 to December 2021. The analysis included 1,786 cases, divided into a training group (n = 1,251) and a validation group (n = 535). Variables included demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and surgical details. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors, which were then incorporated into a nomogram. The model’s performance was assessed using the concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The incidence of vascular crisis was 5.8% in the training group and 4.9% in the validation group. Significant predictors included tissue flap width, D-dimer levels, preoperative hemoglobin, hemoglobin difference before and after surgery, and type of venous anastomosis. The nomogram showed strong predictive performance with an AUC of 0.780 in the training group and 0.701 in the validation group. Calibration curves indicated excellent fit, and DCA demonstrated clinical applicability.

Conclusion

A user-friendly model was developed for detecting vascular crises in oral and maxillofacial tumor patients. This model exhibits robust discriminative ability, precise calibration, high specificity, and significant clinical applicability, effectively identifying high-risk patients prone to vascular crises.
Feedback, Fugitivity, and Overexposure: Monique Walton’s Dark Matters and the Criterion Channel’s Afrofuturism Collection
Authors: DiBona Francesca C.
Published: December 2024

Monique Walton’s 2010 film Dark Matters paradoxically masters the sounds and images of fugitivity through the use of overexposure, feedback, and static. This work approaches Walton’s fugitive practices through an Afrofuturist lens, and critiques the formalities and codification of its inclusion in Criterion’s Afrofuturism collection. To analyze Afrofuturism from a fugitive perspective is not just to analyze storylines that focus on African diasporic subjects, but also how the filmmakers surpass the limitations of filmic strategy to approach the uncommunicable aspects of Black experience. Afrofuturism can bring a new, fugitive imagination to an audience often fed settler singularities. And, as we see in Dark Matters, new futures can be formally imagined, allowing filmmakers to depict Black experiences not as visual truths that can be neatly packaged, but as something that exists outside the containments of traditional imaging modes.
The Fictional Reality of Abbas Kiarostami
Authors: Burns Jackson
Published: December 2024

Review of: The Fictional Reality of Abbas Kiarostami

Abbas Kiarostami Interviews, Monika Raesch, ed. (2023)

Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 166pp., ISBN: 9781496844873 (pbk), $25.00
Would you look at him: A conversation with Goran Stolevski
Authors: Kramer Gary M.
Published: December 2024

Openly gay filmmaker Goran Stolevski was born in Macedonia and emigrated in his youth to Australia. Between 2007 and 2023, he directed nine short films and three features, as well as three episodes of television. His films frequently depict characters at the margins of society grappling with issues of identity. Two of his best-known shorts, You Deserve Everything (2015) and Would You Look at Her (2017), portray queer characters who are forced to navigate difficult situations in an oppressive society. Stolevski won the Rouben Mamoulian Award for You Deserve Everything at the 2016 Sydney Film Festival, and received the Short Filmmaking Award, International at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival for Would You Look at Her.
Fireworks and Scorpio Rising in the courtroom: The struggle between part and whole in the obscenity trials of Kenneth Anger’s short films
Authors: Ko Emily Su Bin
Published: December 2024

This article examines the obscenity trials against Kenneth Anger’s short films Fireworks and Scorpio Rising. I offer an analytical framework, undergirded by an iteration of Edgar Allan Poe’s concept of ‘unity of effect’, to understand the claims the prosecution and defence made about Anger’s films. I explore the interpretative difficulties the films, as short queer films, posed for the legal actors as they grappled with the ‘taken-as-a-whole’ stipulation of obscenity law.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: December 2024
Authors: Fawley Ryan K.
Published: December 2024

Article Title: Clinical and Biological Perspectives on Noncanonical Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Rare Subtypes
El estatuto jurídico-procesal de la víctima: la víctima como parte procesal en el proceso penal canónico
Authors: Morán Bustos Carlos
Published: December 2024

La Iglesia ha participado de una tradición del derecho penal que veía la relación jurídico penal de manera bipolar, esto es, entre el Estado y el presunto delincuente, de hecho, la acción penal queda reservada al promotor de justicia, de manera que a la víctima le queda sólo la posición procesal de «tercero» o, simplemente, la de testigo, algo que no se adecúa a la realidad de los hechos, y que es difícil de encuadrar en la naturaleza misma de la condición de testigo o de tercero. En este sentido, dar a la víctima la condición de testigo desnaturaliza su verdadera posición respecto de los hechos históricos, hechos vitales y biográficos que le afectan directa e inmediatamente; igualmente, negarle la condición de parte procesal limita muchos derechos, entre ellos, el derecho de defensa y contradicción procesal, el derecho de información, el derecho al doble grado de jurisdicción. La tesis que defiende el artículo es la de ir más allá de la norma y proponer una configuración jurídico-procesal que sea acorde a la centralidad del menor defendida por el magisterio pontificio; el estudio del derecho comparado, de manera
An organotypic model for investigating drug-radiation responses in the lung
Authors: Alkadhimi Maryam , Helen Manne Anuradha , Jiang Yanyan , Green Marcus , Joseph Ryan Anderson
Published: December 2024

Background: Established in vivo radiobiological models are commonly used to assess anti-tumor effects and normal tissue toxicity. However, these models have notable limitations, and additional models are necessary to gain a deeper insights into drug-radiation interactions. Objective: This study aimed to develop an organotypic ex vivo model by using precision-cut lung slices (PCLSs) to evaluate radiation-induced residual deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, both alone and in combination with a pharmacological inhibitor of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Methods: Left lungs from female C57BL/6 mice were dissected, perfused with 4% low-gelling-temperature agarose, and sliced into 250 μm sections. Lung slices were then incubated ex vivo for up to 7 days. The slices were irradiated using 137Cs, either with or without a DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitor (NU7441). Tissue sections were subsequently fixed and stained for γH2AX and 53BP1, which serve as histological markers of DNA DSBs. Results: The established conditions preserved tissue viability for up to 7 days and maintained structural integrity for 2 days. DNA damage, detected through γH2AX and 53BP1 staining, was consistent between lungs irradiated ex vivo and their counterparts irradiated in vivo. In the organotypic model, radiation alone in DNA-PK-deficient SCID mice and radiation combined with DNA-PK inhibition in C57BL/6 mice led to increased residual γH2AX and 53BP1 staining. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that residual DNA damage levels following ionizing radiation in lung tissue are comparable between in vivo and ex vivo tissue slices, suggesting that PCLSs serve as a valuable organotypic model for investigating the effects of drug-radiation combinations.
Simulação de eventos discretos na intralogística automotiva
Authors: Pereira José Sávio Gonçalves Antunes , Ricci Marco Túlio Ribeiro , Rodríguez Elias Carlos Aguirre , Silva Aneirson Francisco da , Silva Marins Fernando Augusto
Published: December 2024

Neste estudo, foi aplicada a Simulação a Eventos Discretos na área de intralogística para abastecer uma linha de montagem de chassis em uma indústria multinacional durante a fase denominada de try-out (ou "fase de testes"). O principal objetivo do estudo foi desenvolver uma ferramenta gerencial que permitisse a identificação antecipada de possíveis gargalos na linha de montagem, que poderiam surgir quando ela fosse implementada em regime de produção. Para isso, o escopo do trabalho foi limitado a simular os tamanhos de lotes de peças que abastecem as células robotizadas de solda dos subconjuntos dos chassis, utilizando dados de uma linha de montagem similar já existente. Na criação da ferramenta gerencial, foi empregada uma técnica de modelagem dedicada a projetos de simulação e um software comercial de simulação. Além disso, o modelo de simulação foi validado por meio de testes estatísticos não paramétricos. Os resultados da simulação demonstraram que o modelo simulado apresenta capacidade de atendimento à linha de montagem, com oportunidades de otimização e melhoria no balanceamento da mão de obra. Essas descobertas geraram sugestões que aprimoram o processo de intralogística, destacando a importância da simulação como uma ferramenta estratégica na indústria automotiva.
Analisis Struktur Anatomi dan Histokimia Daun Buah Makasar (Brucea javanica (L.) Merr.)
Authors: Azlina Rosi , Iriani Dyah
Published: December 2024

Buah Makasar merupakan spesies dari famili Simaroubaceae yang memiliki habitus perdu dan berdaun majemuk. Daun Buah Makasar memiliki potensi sebagai tanaman obat. Oleh karena itu penting dilakukan kajian struktur anatomi untuk mengetahui struktur pada organ daun Buah Makasar dan uji histokimia untuk mengetahui keberadaan metabolit sekunder pada daun Buah Makasar yang berpotensi sebagai obat.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkarakterisasi anatomi dan histokimia daun Buah Makasar dan menganalisis potensinya sebagai tanaman obat. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode parafin, metode paradermal, dan histokimia. Struktur anatomi diamati mulai dari ibu tulang daun, intercostal, tepi daun melalui sinus dan angulus, dan tangkai daun. Hasil kajian anatomi menunjukkan karakteristik pada setiap jaringan, yaitu epidermis, jaringan dasar, dan berkas pengangkut tipe kolateral. Tepi anak daun tersusun oleh Jaringan mesofil yang terdiferensiasi menjadi jaringan palisade dan jaringan bunga karang. Ibu tulang daun dan tangkai daun memiliki berkas pengangkut utama juga berkas pengangkut tambahan (accessory vascular bundle) berukuran kecil berada pada bagian adaksial. Stomata hipostomatik dengan tipe parasitik dengan kerapatan stomata 26,31±2,64/mm2. Trikoma dijumpai pada bagian adaksial dengan kerapatan trikoma non glandular lebih tinggi 30,97±16,22/mm2 dibandingkan trikoma glandular 1,27±1,27/mm2. Analisis histokimia menunjukkan hasil positif terhadap senyawa alkaloid, flavonoid, tanin, lipofilik, dan terpenoid pada setiap organ yang diuji, namun kepekatan warna setiap senyawa pada jaringan yang diamati berbeda-beda. Buah Makasar is a species of the Simaroubaceae family that has a shrub habitus and compound leaves. Buah Makasar’s leaf have potential as medicinal plants. Therefore, it is important to study the anatomical structure to determine the structure of the leaf organs of Buah Makasar and histochemical test to determine the presence of secondary metabolites in the leaves of Buah Makasar that have potential as drugs. The methods used were paraffin, paradermal, and histochemical method. Anatomical structures were observed on midrib, intercostal, margin through sinus and angulus, and petiole. The results of the anatomical study showed characteristics in each tissue, namely the epidermis, ground tissue, and collateral-type transport bundles. Anatomical structure of leaf margin is composed of mesophyll tissue which is differentiated into palisade tissue and spongy tissue. Midrib and petiole have main transport bundles as well as small accessory vascular bundles in the adaxial part. Stomata are hypostomatic with parasitic type with stomatal density of 26.31±2.64/mm2. Trichomes were found in the adaxial part with a higher density of non-glandular trichomes 30.97±16.22/mm2 compared to glandular trichomes 1.27±1.27/mm2. Histochemical analysis showed positive results for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, lipophytes, and other compounds.
Reduksi Kadar Tembaga (Cu) pada Limbah Cair Proses Etching PCB di Laboratorium Fisika Menggunakan Metode Elektrolisis
Authors: Suwardi Suwardi , Lidiawati Liza , Haidul Haidul
Published: December 2024

Limbah cair di Laboratorium Fisika FMIPA Universitas Bengkulu berasal dari proses pelarutan PCB dalam Praktikum Elektronika Dasar II yang mengandung tembaga dan bersifat asam. Bila limbah ini langsung dilepas ke lingkungan, akan mengakibatkan pencemaran lingkungan. Untuk mereduksi kadar tembaga dalam limbah, perlu dilakukan pengolahan limbah dalam skala laboratorium yang dapat mengurangi bahaya di atas. Penelitian ini menawarkan metode elektrolisis untuk pengolahan limbah cair secara sederhana, mudah, dan murah. Metode elektrolisis adalah metode yang mengubah energi listrik menjadi energi kimia. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada Mei – Oktober 2022 di Laboratorium Fisika FMIPA Universitas Bengkulu dengan lima tahapan, yaitu preparasi sampel, merangkai peralatan elektrolisis, proses elektrolisis, analisis spektrofotometer, dan interpretasi data. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mereduksi kadar tembaga pada limbah cair proses pelarutan PCB dan menentukan parameter elektrolisis (waktu, jarak elektroda, dan tegangan listrik) yang optimum dalam mereduksi kadar tembaga limbah cair. Manfaat penelitian adalah untuk memahami mekanisme metode elektrolisis dalam mereduksi kadar tembaga pada limbah cair proses pelarutan PCB dan mengurangi tingkat bahayanya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa elektrolisis berhasil menurunkan kadar tembaga dalam limbah cair dari 3,49 mg/l menjadi 2,87 mg/l dengan efisiensi sebesar 17,76%. Proses elektrolisis juga berhasil mengurangi tingkat keasaman (pH) limbah cair dari 1,21 menjadi 2,53. Kata kunci: limbah cair laboratorium, metode elektrolisis, proses pelarutan PCB
O sztuce rysowania krajobrazu
Authors: Frydryczak Beata
Published: December 2024

Przekład Beaty Frydryczak na język polski tekstu Williama Gilpina pt. O sztuce rysowania krajobrazu. Esej trzeci (1792)
Point-of-care testing improves care timeliness in the emergency department. A multicenter randomized clinical trial (study POCTUR)
Authors: Leon-Justel Antonio , Navarro Bustos Carmen , Noval-Padillo Jose Angel , Martin Perez Salomon , Aviles Gomez Maria Dolores , Jimenez Valencia Nelia , Garrido Castilla Jose M. , Diaz Muñoz Miguel , Rivera Vizcaino Maria A. , Alvarez Heredia Laura , Gracia Moreno Emilia , Roldan Fontan Maria Esther , Bueno Mariscal Caludio , Guerrero Montavez Juan Miguel , Sanchez-Mora Catalina
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) crowding is a widespread problem that positions patients at risk. The desire to improve the ED throughput requires novel approaches. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as useful technology that could contribute to create more efficient patient flow and better timeliness in the ED. The main objective of our study is to demonstrate, in a multicenter study, that POCT benefits care timeliness in the ED.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter and cluster randomized study. A total of 3,200 patients. We randomly assigned patients to a POCT group or Central Laboratory Group. The primary outcome was the ED time to clinical decision. The secondary outcome included the length of stay and the laboratory turnaround time. Readmission within the seven after discharge was also calculated.

Results

The primary finding of this study is a strategy based on POCT that aims to significantly improve care timeliness in the ED. We found significant reductions in all outcomes regardless of presentation reason, patient disposition or hospital type. Time to clinical decision decreased by 75.2 min (205–129.8), length of stay by 77.5 min (273.1–195.6) and laboratory turnaround time by 56.2 min (82.2–26) in the POCT group. No increase in readmission was found.

Conclusions

Our strategy represents a good approach to optimize timeliness in the ED. It should be seen as a starting point for further operational research focusing on POCT for improving throughput and reducing crowding in the ED.
Numerical study on characteristics of flow accelerated corrosion in a globe valve under different working conditions
Authors: Zhang Guang , Cheng Jinghui , Suryan Abhilash , Wang Hanguang , Lin Zhe
Published: December 2024

As a part of pipeline systems, globe valves play an important role in cutting off and regulating fluid transmission in fields such as petrochemicals, coal chemicals, and metallurgy. During the transportation of corrosive fluid media, flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) caused by internal flow is the main form of valve failure, which seriously affects the safe and reliable operation of the entire transmission system. In this study, the effects of different valve openings and inlet velocities on characteristics of internal flows and corrosion were investigated by numerical simulations in globe valve. The distributions of velocity, pressure, and wall shear stress were obtained and discussed in detail. The corrosion rate of key components of globe valve was obtained and analyzed to reveal characteristics of FAC. Results show that the FAC is more serious with the increase of inlet velocity while it becomes the more serious at moderate valve opening degree. In addition, wall shear stress was verified to be able to describe FAC in globe valve. The obtained results were quite meaningful for guiding the structural design of globe valves in corrosion suppression, which extends the service life of globe valves and ensures the safety of conveying systems.
367Delisting Costs and Corporate Mobility in Europe
Authors: Chan Jonathan , Gerner-Beuerle Carsten
Published: December 2024

There is considerable variation among capital markets in the frequency of voluntary and involuntary delistings, which has been attributed by some commentators to differences in the regulatory framework governing delisting decisions. However, there have been few systematic attempts to map these differences across legal systems and quantify the regulatory costs of delistings. This article analyses delisting regimes of major EU jurisdictions and several non-EU countries and develops indices that capture delisting costs. It shows that the delisting regimes of some EU Member States are prohibitively costly. The article then considers whether such delisting regimes are consistent with EU free movement rights. It concludes by critically evaluating a menu of policy options to ensure that delisting rules facilitate corporate mobility and an efficient allocation of capital in the EU.