bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of black tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) hatchery in UPT-Perikanan Budidaya Air Tawar (PBAT) Sukorejo, Malang
Authors: Kurniawati L , Elida L , Kholissotin S N , Bayu K , Samara S H
Published: September 2024

Black tilapia is a freshwater fish that has become a leading commodity in the UPT-PBAT (Unit Pelayanan Teknis-Pengembangan Budidaya Air Tawar) Sukorejo Freshwater Aquaculture Fisheries with an optimal selling price. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hatcheries activity performance in UPT-PBAT Sukorejo. The method in this research used active participation and descriptive methods. The data collection method used was from primary and secondary data. Primary data taken in this study were fertilization rate, hatching rate, and survival rate while secondary data was from literature comparison and asking directly to the staffs of UPT-PBAT Sukorejo. The results of hatchery performance showed fertilization rate of 95%, hatching rate of 98.6%, and survival rate of 93%. Hatching was carried out naturally using a 1:3 ratio (50 male fish and 150 female fish per pond). The research results indicated that hatchery activity in UPT-Freshwater Aquaculture (PBAT) Sukorejo, Malang showed good performance. However, water quality (ammonia) needs more attention to prevent negative effect in the next aquaculture cycle activity since this study found the ammonia value reached minimum tolerable value. Ammonia that exceeds the limit can cause mortality to black tilapia. Changing water is important to avoid mortality due to high ammonia content.
Study of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals Mercury (Hg) and Tin (Sn) in Traditional Seaweed (Caulerpa racemosa) Cultivation in Brondong, Lamongan
Authors: Dimar Herfano Akbar R , Andriyono Sapto
Published: September 2024

Organisms such as Caulerpa racemosa seaweed, which play a pivotal role as primary producers in marine ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of heavy metal exposure. Thus, comprehending the levels of heavy metals, in conjunction with parameters such as the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pertaining to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) within the sediment and C. racemosa seaweed in Brondong, Lamongan is imperative for safeguarding the safety of seaweed-derived food products. Sampling of C. racemosa was conducted within traditional seawater ponds utilized for the cultivation of giant groupers, alongside other varieties of seaweed. The concentrations of heavy metals in various anatomical components of the seaweed (ramuli, stolons, rhizoids) and sediment were determined through spectrophotometric analysis utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Laboratory analyses disclosed mercury (Hg) concentrations in C. racemosa ranging from 0.0212 ppm in rhizoids to 0.00437 ppm in ramuli, whereas tin (Sn) concentrations exhibited variability from 0.0392 ppm in rhizoids to 0.0390 ppm in ramuli. While mercury remained undetectable in sediment samples, moderate concentrations of tin were observed at approximately 2.10 ppm. The calculated bioconcentration factors (BCF) for tin in different segments of C. racemosa ranged from 0.0187 ppm to 0.0114 ppm, suggesting a low degree of bioaccumulation. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values spanned from -4.1876 to -4.2186 across distinct segments of C. racemosa, indicating marginal accumulation of heavy metals.
The effect of salt differences on the production of toothpaste enriched through baking soda (NaHCO3) and ascorbic acid (C6H8O6)
Authors: Andini R A R P , Alamsjah M A , Saputra E
Published: September 2024

Salt is a compound with the main composition in the form of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) which has antibacterial properties. The antibacterial properties of salt can be utilized in toothpaste. Toothpaste with the addition of salt can also be enriched with baking soda (NaHCO3) and ascorbic acid/vitamin C (C6H8O6). This study aims to determine the effect of salt differences in toothpaste enriched through baking soda (NaCHO3) and ascorbic acid (C6H8O6). The salt addition treatment used is 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%. The addition of salt to toothpaste enriched through baking soda (NaHCO3) affects organoleptic, antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans is included in the category of weak to moderate inhibitory, homogeneous results, viscosity values that have been in accordance with SNI 12-3524-1995, pH values with a range of 10.33-10.41, and foam formation values with a range of 0.6-1.70 cm. The addition of salt to toothpaste enriched through ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) affects organoleptic, antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans which is included in the category of weak inhibitory, homogeneous results, viscosity values close to SNI 12-3524-1995, pH values with a range of 9.1-10, and foam formation values of 0.8-1.55 cm.
Electromagnetically induced grating via amplitude and phase modulations in a three-level V-type atomic medium
Authors: Hien Nguyen Thi Thu , Bang Nguyen Huy , Cuong Bui Van , Anh Nguyen Thi Quynh , Khoa Dinh Xuan , Nga Luong Thi Yen , Dong Hoang Minh , Anh Nguyen Tuan , Ai Nguyen Van , Thuan Phan Van , Mai Anh Le Nguyen , Doai Le Van
Published: September 2024

A probe laser beam can be completely absorbed in an atomic resonance frequency region, however, if a coupling laser beam is further applied to the atom, the atomic medium can exhibit electromagnetically induced transparency, i.e the probe beam can be completely transmitted through the atomic medium. Thus, if the coupling beam is a standing wave field with nodes and antinodes, it will cause in space a periodic modulation of the transmitted spectrum of the probe field. This means that the probe field propagates through the atomic medium just as it passes through a diffraction grating which is called electromagnetically induced grating. Based on amplitude or phase modulation of transmission function, the absorption grating or the phase grating can be formed, respectively. In this work, based on controllable absorption and dispersion properties of a three-level V-type atomic system, we study the control of the absorption grating and the phase grating with respect to the intensity and the frequency of the laser fields. The absorption diffraction pattern at the two-photon resonance is obtained, while the phase diffraction pattern appears when there is a frequency shift of either the coupling frequency or the probe frequency compared to the corresponding atomic resonance frequency. By adjusting the coupling or/and probe laser frequency, the absorption grating can be converted into the phase grating and the high-order diffraction efficiency can also be improved.
Sharp quantitative stability of the Möbius group among sphere-valued maps in arbitrary dimension
Authors: Guerra André , Lamy Xavier , Zemas Konstantinos
Published: September 2024

In this work we prove a sharp quantitative form of Liouville’s theorem, which asserts that, for all

n
≥
3

n\geq 3

, the weakly conformal maps of

S

n
−
1

\mathbb S^{n-1}

with degree

±
1

\pm 1

are Möbius transformations. In the case

n
=
3

n=3

this estimate was first obtained by Bernand-Mantel, Muratov and Simon [Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 239 (2021), pp. 219-299], with different proofs given later on by Topping, and by Hirsch and the third author. The higher-dimensional case

n
≥
4

n\geq 4

requires new arguments because it is genuinely nonlinear: the linearized version of the estimate involves quantities which cannot control the distance to Möbius transformations in the conformally invariant Sobolev norm. Our main tool to circumvent this difficulty is an inequality introduced by Figalli and Zhang in their proof of a sharp stability estimate for the Sobolev inequality.
Security in Crisis
Authors: Peoples Columba
Published: September 2024

The concept of crisis is a recurrent staple in representations of modern forms of insecurity—from nuclear proliferation to cyber-security, armed conflict, the instability of political institutions, from pandemics to risks of social and financial collapse. Amidst this seeming ubiquity and ever-presence, the onset of climate and ecological emergencies as potential planetary-scale threats to the habitability of the Earth raise particularly urgent questions for how we conceive of and deal with crisis insecurity. How these forms of planetary insecurity come to be known, understood, and managed is thus of pressing importance. This book consequently seeks to provide an analysis of the complex combinations of political and technological understandings entailed in what it terms as ‘planetary crisis management’. Arguing that the emergence, scope, and scale of planetary insecurity and crisis management challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries of the study of International Relations and security, the book adopts an interdisciplinary outlook that integrates ideas and approaches from across political theory and anthropology (on conceptions of crisis); climate science and the wider study of environment and ecology in the ‘Anthropocene’ (on planetary insecurities and ideas of geoengineering); Science and Technology Studies (on the ‘technopolitics’ of crisis management and the ‘sociotechnical imagination’ of planetary futures); and critical security studies (on critical approaches to the international and to security). In the process, the book considers how technopolitical ‘fixes’ for planetary crisis and emergency are often bound up with vexed questions of who ‘we’ are, and what it means to imagine and secure a planetary future.
Crisis, Critique, and International Insecurity
Authors: Peoples Columba
Published: September 2024

Crisis framings are commonly invoked, in various ways, within International Relations (IR) and security studies. This chapter makes the case that crisis matters not just because it has become a commonplace and recurring term in modern political discourse, but because it, ostensibly, serves as a marker of pivotal moments at which time the existing order of things is threatened, open to question, and potentially subject to radical change. Analysed in this way, conceptions of crisis involve determinations of the current status quo, the ways in which it is threatened, and how those threats might be managed with a view to future outcomes. Developing this as an analytical framework in relation to IR debates and scholarship on the ‘crisis of the liberal international order’ and of ‘The Anthropocene’, this chapter provides the foundations for more specific discussions and analysis of ‘planetary crisis management’ to come later in the book.
Bounding Planetary Insecurities
Authors: Peoples Columba
Published: September 2024

What sort of boundary work is done (or undone) when concepts such as ‘planetary boundaries’, related calls for ‘planetary stewardship’, and goals of the preservation of Earth as a ‘safe operating space for humanity’ are interpolated into IR and security studies? In part, this chapter suggests, addressing that kind of question invites prior consideration and investigation of what binding or un-binding concepts of security to particular scales and spaces of politics might entail. Via specific engagement with the work of Jef Huysmans and Daniel Deudney, the chapter moves to consider the broader technopolitics of planetary boundary disputes and, especially, the implications and provocations arising from scholarship citing the ‘technosphere’ as a defining feature of the modern planetary condition.
Planetary Crisis at the Limits of Sociotechnical Imagination
Authors: Peoples Columba
Published: September 2024

A key aspect of the technopolitics of planetary crisis management, this chapter seeks to argue, is the existence of different associated forms of sociotechnical imagination: of how ‘we’ might manage to secure a planetary future. These range, as the chapter details, from apocalyptic visions of ecological disaster and an uninhabitable Earth to ‘ecomodernist’ proposals for the extension of human flourishing into the future via progressive, technologically enabled ‘decoupling’ of humanity from nature. Reviewing such arguments, the chapter also engages with how they have been transposed and incorporated into IR and discussions of (ecological) security. Relative to the latter, ‘the international’ is often conceived of as limiting and preventing a full emergence of planetary governance: with the international as a recurrent source of crisis in efforts to secure a planetary future, and as obstructing the motions of what could otherwise be imagined as a fully functioning, geoengineered Earth machine.
Association between dizziness and future falls and fall-related injuries in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yuxiao , Smith Rebecca M , Whitney Susan L , Seemungal Barry M , Ellmers Toby J
Published: September 2024

Background

Dizziness is common in older adults, especially in those attending falls services. Yet, the extent to which dizziness is associated with future falls has not been reviewed. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the association between dizziness and future falls and related injuries in older adults.

Methods

EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to 5 February 2024. The review was registered on PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42022371839). Meta-analyses were conducted for the associations of dizziness with future falls (including recurrent and injurious falls). Three meta-analyses were performed on different outcomes: any-type falls (≥1 falls), recurrent falls (≥2 falls) and injurious falls.

Results

Twenty-nine articles were included in the systematic review (N = 103 306 participants). In a meta-analysis of 14 articles (N = 46 795 participants), dizziness was associated with significantly higher odds of any-type future falls (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.44–1.84). In another meta-analysis involving seven articles (N = 5630 participants), individuals with dizziness also had significantly higher odds of future recurrent falls (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.62–2.42). For both meta-analyses, significant overall associations were observed even when adjusted for important confounding variables. In contrast, a meta-analysis (three articles, N = 46 631 participants) revealed a lack of significant association between dizziness and future injurious falls (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.87–1.45).

Conclusions

Dizziness is an independent predictor of future falls in older adults. These findings emphasise the importance of recognising dizziness as a risk factor for falls and implementing appropriate interventions.
New beginnings for dead ends: polyploidy, -SSE models and the dead-end hypothesis
Authors: Hagen Eric R , Beaulieu Jeremy M
Published: September 2024

Background

Since the mid-20th century, it has been argued by some that the transition from diploidy to polyploidy is an ‘evolutionary dead end’ in plants. Although this point has been debated ever since, multiple definitions of ‘dead end’ have been used in the polyploidy literature, without sufficient differentiation between alternative uses.

Scope

Here, we focus on the two most common conceptions of the dead-end hypothesis currently discussed: the ‘lowering diversification’ hypothesis and the ‘rarely successful’ hypothesis. We discuss the evidence for both hypotheses, and we use a recently developed method of inferring tip diversification rates to demonstrate tests for the effect of ploidy on diversification in Solanaceae.

Conclusions

We find that diversification rates in the family are not strongly correlated with ploidy or with the closely related trait of breeding system. We also outline recent work in the field that moves beyond the relatively simple question of whether polyploidy increases, decreases or does not significantly affect diversification rates in plants.
Flash behaviors protect prey from avian predators
Authors: No Seongsoo , Yang Hyeon-Mo , Sherratt Thomas N , Kang Changku
Published: September 2024

It has been proposed that flash behaviors, defined as the transient display of conspicuous color patches during the escape, serve as an antipredator defense in camouflaged prey. While recent studies in humans have demonstrated the effectiveness of flash behaviors in improving the survival of artificial prey, it remains unclear whether these benefits also arise in more natural systems involving nonhuman predators. This study investigated the adaptive significance of flash behaviors using chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) as predators and virtual prey. Our experiments revealed that prey employing flash behaviors consistently enhanced their survival rate compared with nonflashing prey. Additionally, prey with nonconspicuous escape colors, though distinct from their resting colors, also showed a higher survival rate than nonflashing prey, challenging the conventional belief that conspicuous colors are required for search interference. An interplay between prey size and flash behaviors in enhancing survival was evident, with larger prey benefiting more than smaller prey. We found no evidence to suggest that being hidden before initiating an escape confers a survival advantage to flashing prey compared with being visible before the escape. This study sheds light on the adaptive benefits of flash behaviors against natural predators and contributes to our understanding of the widespread occurrence of hidden color signals in camouflaged prey. We encourage further studies to explore the effectiveness of remaining hidden in flashing prey when confronted with natural predators, as well as how predators might learn to overcome the deception of flash behaviors.
Use of game-based learning strategies for dermatology and dermoscopy education: a cross-sectional survey of members of the International Dermoscopy Society
Authors: Donoso Francisca , Peirano Dominga , Agüero Rosario , Longo Caterina , Apalla Zoe , Lallas Aimilios , Jaimes Natalia , Navarrete-Dechent Cristian
Published: September 2024

Background

Dermoscopy is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of various skin conditions. It increases sensitivity and specificity in skin cancer diagnosis, as well as in infectious, inflammatory and hair diseases. However, mastering the intricacies of dermoscopy can be challenging. In this context, innovative educational methods are sought, including game-based learning (GBL) strategies.

Objectives

To describe current perceptions, knowledge and use of GBL strategies in dermoscopy education, and identify strengths and challenges to enhance their use.

Methods

A web-based cross-sectional survey with 25 questions was distributed to members of the International Dermoscopy Society ­between October 2022 and April 2023. Responses were collected and analysed using frequency analysis and graphical representation.

Results

In total, 801 responses were received. Of these, 46.6% of respondents were unfamiliar with gamification and serious games. Among those acquainted with these concepts, 56.3% reported using GBL strategies for education. Younger participants were more likely to use GBL strategies (P = 0.02). Participants familiar with GBL believed it enhanced medical education (78.5%) but should not entirely replace traditional teaching methods (96.0%). For dermoscopy education specifically, 22.1% of respondents had used GBL strategies, with Kahoot! (35.5%) and YOUdermoscopy (24.1%) being the most commonly used platforms. Respondents found gaming strategies to be fun (95.5%), motivating (91.0%) and valuable for e-learning (94.4%).

Conclusions

Results from this survey demonstrate a favourable perception of GBL strategies in dermatology education, including dermoscopy. While there are ongoing challenges in validation, GBL strategies are promising and valuable tools that can aid the learning and teaching experience. Addressing implementation barriers and validating existing games could optimize the impact of GBL on dermatology education.
Congenital ichthyosis is associated with cutaneous infections in a case–control study of 2260 patients
Authors: Curtis Kaya L , Zeldin Steven , Lipner Shari R
Published: September 2024

Teaser text

Evidence of congenital ichthyosis association with cutaneous infections is limited to case reports. We conducted a nested case–control study assessing congenital ichthyosis associations with cutaneous infections using a large national database. Compared with controls, patients with congenital ichthyosis had higher odds of onychomycosis, tinea corporis, verruca vulgaris, and tinea pedis.
Functional interactions underlying visuospatial orthographic processes in Chinese reading
Authors: Wei Yanjun , Wang Jianqin , Wang Huiping , Paz-Alonso Pedro M
Published: September 2024

As a logographic writing system, Chinese reading involves the processing of visuospatial orthographic (ORT) properties. However, this aspect has received relatively less attention in neuroimaging research, which has tended to emphasize phonological (PHO) and semantic (SEM) aspects in processing Chinese characters. Here, we compared the functional correlates supporting all these three processes in a functional MRI single-character reading study, in which 35 native Chinese adults were asked to make ORT, PHO, and SEM judgments in separate task-specific activation blocks. Our findings revealed increased involvement of the right hemisphere in processing Chinese visuospatial orthography, particularly evident in the right ventral occipito-temporal cortex (vOTC). Additionally, time course analysis revealed that the left superior parietal gyrus (SPG) was initially involved in SEM processing but contributed to the visuospatial processing of words in a later time window. Finally, ORT processing demonstrated stronger recruitment of left vOTC-SPG-middle frontal gyrus (MFG) functional connectivity compared to SEM processing. This functional coupling correlated with reduced regional engagement of the left vOTC and MFG, highlighting that visuospatial ORT processes in reading Chinese rely on functional interactions among key regions rather than local regional processes. In conclusion, these findings underscore visuospatial ORT processes as a distinctive feature of reading logographic characters.
Influenza sequence validation and annotation using VADR
Authors: Calhoun Vincent C , Hatcher Eneida L , Yankie Linda , Nawrocki Eric P
Published: September 2024

Tens of thousands of influenza sequences are deposited into the GenBank database each year. The software tool FLu ANnotation tool (FLAN) has been used by GenBank since 2007 to validate and annotate incoming influenza sequence submissions and has been publicly available as a webserver but not as a standalone tool. Viral Annotation DefineR (VADR) is a general sequence validation and annotation software package used by GenBank for norovirus, dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 virus sequence processing that is available as a standalone tool. We have created VADR influenza models based on the FLAN reference sequences and adapted VADR to accurately annotate influenza sequences. VADR and FLAN show consistent results on the vast majority of influenza sequences, and when they disagree, VADR is usually correct. VADR can also accurately process influenza D sequences as well as influenza A H17, H18, H19, N10 and N11 subtype sequences, which FLAN cannot. VADR 1.6.3 and the associated influenza models are now freely available for users to download and use.

Database URL: https://bitbucket.org/nawrockie/vadr-models-flu.
Cardiogenic shock in general intensive care unit: a nationwide prospective analysis of epidemiology and outcome
Authors: Guido Tavazzi , Giovanni Tricella , Elena Garbero , Anna Zamperoni , Michele Zanetti , Stefano Finazzi
Published: September 2024

Aims

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life-threatening disease burdened by a mortality up to 50%. The epidemiology has changed with non-ischaemic aetiologies being predominant, although data were mainly derived from patients admitted to dedicated acute cardiac care. We report the epidemiology and outcome of patients with CS admitted to general intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods and results

Prospective multicentric epidemiological study including 314 general ICU adhering to the GiViTI nationwide registry from 2011 to 2018, excluding cardiac arrest. The primary endpoint of the study was mortality. The association between clinical factors and mortality was evaluated using a logistic regression model. The odds ratios (ORs) of the covariates quantify their association with mortality during hospitalization. A total of 11 052 patients admitted to general ICU {incidence 2.17%; median age 72 [interquartile range (66–81)], 38.7% were women} with CS were included. Forty-seven per cent of patients had more than three organ insufficiency at the time of admission. The most common CS aetiologies were left heart failure (LHF, 5247—47.5%); acute myocardial infarction (3612—32.6%); right heart failure (RHF, 515—4.6%); and biventricular failure (532—4.8%). A total of 85.5% were mechanically ventilated during the ICU hospitalization. The overall ICU mortality was 44.8%, increasing to 53.4% during the hospitalization in the index hospital and to 54.3% at the latest hospital. Right heart failure–cardiogenic shock patients exhibited the highest mortality risk [OR: 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.94–1.50); P < 0.001], followed by biventricular CS [OR 1.04, 95% CI (0.82–1.32)]. Respiratory failure [OR 1.13 (95% CI 1.08–1.19)], coagulation disorder [1.17 (95% CI 1.1–1.24)], renal dysfunction [OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.50–1.61)], and neurological alteration [OR 1.45 (95% CI 1.39–1.50)] were associated with worsen outcome along with severe hypotension [systolic blood pressure < 70 mmHg—OR 2.35, 95% CI (2.06–2.67)], increasing age [OR 2.21 95% CI (2.01–2.42)], and longer ICU stay prior to admission (two-fold increase for each 4.7 days).

Conclusion

In the general ICU, the aetiology of CS, excluding cardiac arrest, remains characterized mostly by LHF with RHF–CS burdened by higher mortality. Multiorgan failure at admission and longer hospital stay before ICU admission predispose to worsen outcome.
Real-world evaluation of multimodal treatment practice in older oesophageal cancer patients
Authors: Shen Tianzheng , Zhang Yajie , Cao Yuqin , Zhang Jie , Li Hecheng
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

Elderly-specific data for multimodal treatment of oesophageal cancer (EC) is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of multimodal treatment in older EC patients and to compare the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma who received NCT/NCRT were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB, 2004–2015). First, we compared baseline and post-treatment characteristics between younger (<70 years) and older patients (≥70 years). Logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors of postoperative mortality. Second, we evaluated the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative mortality and overall survival in the older cohort. Inverse probability of treatment weights and multivariable analyses were used to compensate for differences in baseline covariates.

RESULTS

We 1st compared outcomes of neoadjuvant therapy plus oesophagectomy in 14 778 eligible EC patients. The older group experienced higher rates of postoperative mortality at 30 days (5.8%) and 90 days (13.5%) compared to younger patients. Postoperative mortality was significantly related to the Charlson–Deyo score and treatment-related factors including neoadjuvant therapy type and minimally invasive technique. Second, among the 3141 older patients (with a median follow-up of 57.8 months and 2029 deaths), those receiving NCT obtained significantly lower postoperative mortality and improved overall survival compared with NCRT (inverse probability of treatment weights-adjusted P = 0.05; hazard ratio 0.85; 95% Cl 0.72–0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant therapy plus oesophagectomy carries increased short-term mortality risk in older EC patients. NCT in older EC patients showed lower postoperative mortality but no statistically significant differences in overall survival, with a point estimate favouring NCT compared to the NCRT group, making NCT a potential option for consideration in specific cases.
Interviewing people on sensitive topics: challenges and strategies
Authors: Westland Heleen , Vervoort Sigrid , Kars Marijke , Jaarsma Tiny
Published: September 2024

Interviewing participants on sensitive topics is challenging and requires carefully planned and executed strategies throughout the research process. Sensitive topics have the potential to cause distress to participants or researchers. In this methods paper, strategies for conducting interviews on sensitive topics are described, including choosing the appropriate interview approach, creating a safe and comfortable environment, building rapport, utilizing sensitive and open questioning, reflexivity of the researcher, and awareness of the potential therapeutic effect of the interviews on participants. The strategies are illustrated with experiences from research on sensitive topics.
Clinical effects of accreditation in general practice: a pragmatic randomized controlled study
Authors: Pedersen Line B , Andersen Merethe K , Wehberg Sonja , Siersma Volkert , Søndergaard Jens , Kousgaard Marius B , Due Tina D , Reventlow Susanne , Bro Flemming , Waldorff Frans B
Published: September 2024

Background

Accreditation has been implemented in general practice in many countries as a tool for quality improvement. Evidence of the effects of accreditation is, however, lacking.

Aim

To investigate the clinical effects of accreditation in general practice.

Design and setting

A mandatory national accreditation programme in Danish general practice was rolled out from 2016 to 2018. General practices were randomized to year of accreditation at the municipality level.

Methods

We conducted a pragmatic randomized controlled study with general practices randomized to accreditation in 2016 (intervention group) and 2018 (control group). Data on patients enlisted with these practices were collected at baseline in 2014 (before randomization) and at follow-up in 2017. We use linear and logistic regression models to compare differences in changes in outcomes from baseline to follow-up between the intervention and control groups. The primary outcome was the number of redeemed medications. Secondary outcomes were polypharmacy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without proton pump inhibitors, sleeping medicine, preventive home visits, annual controls, spirometry tests, and mortality.

Results

We found statistically significant effects of accreditation on the primary outcome, the number of redeemed medications, and the secondary outcome, polypharmacy. No other effects were detected.

Conclusion

In this first randomized study exploring the effects of accreditation in a primary care context, accreditation was found to reduce the number of redeemed medications and polypharmacy. We conclude that accreditation can be effective in changing behaviour, but the identified effects are small and limited to certain outcomes. Evaluations on the cost-effectiveness of accreditation are therefore warranted.
Spillover and competitive exclusion in the crustacean community following the implementation of a marine reserve
Authors: Amelot Morgane , Normand Julien , Schlaich Ivan , Ernande Bruno
Published: September 2024

Flamanville marine protected area (MPA) located in Normandy, France, was created in 2000 to sustain the local crustacean fishery. In 1985, an annual survey targeting crustacean populations (e.g. European lobster Homarus gammarus, edible crab Cancer pagurus, and European spider crab Maja brachydactyla) that include the future MPA started. The MPA implementation effects were investigated in this study. The sampling design allowed the integration of spatial and temporal covariances to estimate the MPA effects. With respect to the initial objective, the MPA significantly improves the most economically valuable species, H. gammarus, abundance. Lobster catch per unit effort increased by 597% in the MPA, whereas outside it only increased by 156%. The MPA creation also led to an increase in lobster size inside the protected area. Furthermore, a few years after the MPA implementation, lobster catches showed a significant non-linear decline with distance from the centre of the reserve, suggesting a spillover effect. However, the edible crab catches were halved following the MPA implementation suggesting an opposite effect. Spider crab abundance seemed unaffected. Finally, the MPA implementation had no effect on edible crab and spider crab sizes. These differential responses appear to result from these species’ variable movement and competitive abilities.
Carbon footprint of expressway bridges based on LCA
Authors: Cao Jian , Wang Danshen , Han Ziyang , Li Shengwei , Zhao Hong , Liu Xu
Published: September 2024

Based on the whole life cycle theory, the research stage of an expressway bridge is divided into six stages: preliminary preparation design stage, production and processing stage of bridge structural materials, transportation stage of materials, on-site construction stage, operation stage and waste recycling stage, and the calculation model of expressway bridge carbon footprint is constructed. Two bridges along the Pingxiang Expressway in Jiangxi Province were chosen as case studies. Their carbon emissions across the entire life cycle were computed using the bill of quantities. Findings indicate that the material production stage accounts for the highest proportion of carbon emissions throughout the life cycle, whereas the construction stage registers the lowest proportion. Lastly, the results are compared with existing research to validate the feasibility and accuracy of the calculation model.
Application research of deep learning-based BIM Technology in Intelligent Construction
Authors: Tao Liang , Zou Leirong , Gao Zhaohong
Published: September 2024

With the increasing importance of energy-efficient renovations in architecture, the pressing issue of how to enhance the effectiveness of such renovations through advanced technology has come to the forefront. This article affirms the significance of building information modeling (BIM) technology in energy consumption renovations. It introduces a BIM-based building energy monitoring system, which not only provides comprehensive and effective static information for energy consumption analysis but also offers real-time visualization of energy consumption status for daily management. By collecting all necessary data for energy management and storing it in the cloud, this system greatly facilitates data analysis. Moreover, the article proposes a short-term electricity load forecasting method for community buildings based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD)-gated recurrent unit (GRU). The EMD-GRU method proposed in this article exhibits superior accuracy compared to other methods, with a mean absolute percentage error value of 14.43%. By considering factors such as historical load, weather, and date, this method accurately predicts short-term electricity loads for communities. This research provides a robust framework for improving energy management in buildings through advanced technologies, ultimately leading to more effective energy-saving renovations and optimizations.
Evolving strategies in microbe identification—a comprehensive review of biochemical, MALDI-TOF MS and molecular testing methods
Authors: Arbefeville Sophie S , Timbrook Tristan T , Garner Cherilyn D
Published: September 2024

Detection and identification of microorganisms are the first steps to guide susceptibility testing and enable clinicians to confirm diseases and guide therapy. The faster the pathogen identification is determined, the quicker the appropriate treatment can be started. In the clinical microbiology laboratory, multiple methodologies can be used to identify organisms, such as traditional biochemical testing or more recent methods like MALDI TOF MS and nucleic acid detection/identification assays. Each of these techniques has advantages and limitations, and clinical laboratories need to determine which methodology is best suited to their particular setting in terms of clinical needs, availability of technical expertise and cost. This article presents a concise review of the history, utilization, advantages and limitations of the main methods used for identifying microorganisms in microbiology laboratories.
Barriers to implementation of rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing technologies in the clinical microbiology laboratory: an American perspective
Authors: Simons Corrie C , Capraro Gerald A
Published: September 2024

Clinical microbiology laboratories are responsible for confirming the aetiology of infectious diseases and providing antimicrobial susceptibility testing results. Traditional culture-based testing can be augmented by more rapid testing modalities to provide clinically actionable information as quickly as possible. Despite improvements in patient outcomes, many clinical microbiology laboratories are facing challenges to in-sourcing these technologies. Depending on a multitude of factors, including size, location and patient population served, these barriers may affect some laboratories and hospital systems to greater or lesser extents than others. It will be up to each individual facility to ascertain its ability to overcome barriers. To aid in this self-assessment, we present for thoughtful consideration a discussion of the barriers to implementation of rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing technologies, with specific attention to matters of financial cost, staff expertise, operational issues and stakeholder buy-in.
The United Nations’ General Assembly High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance: a joint statement from the Heads of Government and Chief Medical Officers of the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories
Authors: Dryden Matthew , Corley Michael , Wright Natalie , Andrewin Aisha , Georges Ronald , Ramroop Shaun , Greenaway Sharra , Gent Nicholas , Astwood Nadia , Hardy William , Carter Helen , Moss Peter , Edwards Rebecca , Wonner Alex , Oyinloye Ayo , Donovan Kevin
Published: September 2024

The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are small, often remote territories with historical and territorial links to the UK. They range from densely populated areas (Cayman, Bermuda, Gibraltar) to land with no permanent inhabitants (British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia). However, they are linked by ecosystem instability (the permacrisis) including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate change and biodiversity disruption. The Chief Medical Officers of the UKOTs met in June 2024 and were unanimous in their concerns about the threat of global AMR. They have issued this statement on their hopes and expectations for the United Nations’ General Assembly High-Level Meeting, in September 2024. These may be summarized by the hope of achieving united and sustained global political will to reduce the threat of AMR by equitable access to treatments, prevention of AMR by sanitation and accurate diagnostics, and education in health care and the public.
Japan’s cancer survivorship guidelines for exercise and physical activity
Authors: Tsuji Katsunori , Sasai Hiroyuki , Kiyohara Kosuke , Nakata Yoshio , Nishiwaki Hiroki , Ohta Takahisa , Ochi Eisuke , Takano Toshimi , Tatematsu Noriatsu , Matsuoka Yutaka J
Published: September 2024

Objective

This research aimed to establish the inaugural evidence-based cancer survivorship guidelines for Japan, with a particular focus on exercise and physical activity, in order to enhance health outcomes for cancer survivors.

Methods

A panel of experts, including oncologists, physicians, exercise scientists, epidemiologists and patient advocates, utilized a modified Delphi process and systematic reviews to establish consensus on exercise recommendations for cancer survivors. The panel focused on setting the objectives of the Clinical Practice Guidelines and addressing crucial clinical issues in Japan. Recommendations were formulated based on the strength and certainty of evidence, the benefit–harm balance and patient values and preferences.

Results

The panel formulated exercise recommendations for cancer survivors of two age groups: 18–64 years and ≥65 years. The recommendations for both age groups are consistent, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise and physical activity tailored to individual capabilities and health conditions. The guidelines underline the benefits of exercise in improving the overall health and quality of life of cancer survivors. This consensus on exercise recommendations marks a significant step in the development of comprehensive cancer survivorship guidelines in Japan, with potential implications for improving clinical outcomes and advancing research in cancer survivorship.

Conclusions

These guidelines will serve as a critical resource for cancer survivors, highlighting exercise as a key component of survivorship care, and for clinicians, in recommending appropriate physical activities to improve survivor health and well-being.
A longitudinal test of relational turbulence theory and serial arguments in romantic relationships
Authors: Solomon Denise Haunani , Li Yuwei , Brisini Kellie StCyr , Vanderbilt Rachel Reymann
Published: September 2024

Relational turbulence theory (RTT) suggests that people perceive their romantic relationships as turbulent when they experience interactions that manifest the deleterious effects of relational uncertainty and altered patterns of interdependence. RTT also positions communication in these episodes as associated with subsequent relational uncertainty and qualities of interdependence. Using three-wave panel data collected at three-week intervals, this study evaluates (a) how communication in serial argument episodes predict relationship parameters (i.e., relational uncertainty and qualities of interdependence), (b) how relationship parameters predict serial argument occurrence, directness, and valence, and (c) whether over time variability in qualities of serial argument communication predict subsequent relational turbulence. Results indicated limited support for reciprocal, between-wave associations between relationship qualities and serial argument communication; however, over time variability in the valence of serial argument communication was associated with higher levels of relational turbulence after 6 weeks. Implications for RTT and research on serial arguments are discussed.
Inflation of crisis coverage? Tracking and explaining the changes in crisis labeling and crisis news wave salience 1785–2020
Authors: Geiß Stefan , Viehmann Christina , Kelly Conor A
Published: September 2024

Has there been an inflation in crisis coverage in newspapers over the last centuries, and if so, what structural factors drive this change? We utilize computational text analyses along with our own signal detection algorithm to measure the presence of crisis keywords and the emergence of crisis news waves. An analysis of crisis coverage in The Times (U.K., 1785–2020, 183,239 news stories) shows that the share of coverage that uses crisis keywords has increased, though not steadily. The number and salience of crisis news waves tied to discernible events has increased at a slower pace. The hypothesized driving forces—government expansion, mediatization of politics, and the activity of crisis frame sponsors—explain the development well and allow accurate predictions even when ignoring time in the forecasting model. Crisis coverage seems to reflect not so much the problems society faces, but society’s identity, priorities, and outlook on the world.
Kinematic study of the Orion Complex: analysing the young stellar clusters from big and small structures
Authors: Sánchez-Sanjuán Sergio , Hernández Jesús , Pérez-Villegas Ángeles , Román-Zúñiga Carlos , Aguilar Luis , Ballesteros-Paredes Javier , Bonilla-Barroso Andrea
Published: September 2024

In this work, we analysed young stellar clusters with spatial and kinematic coherence in the Orion star-forming complex. For this study, we selected a sample of pre-main-sequence candidates using parallaxes, proper motions, and positions on the colour–magnitude diagram. After applying a hierarchical clustering algorithm in the 5D parameter space provided by Gaia DR3, we divided the recovered clusters into two regimes: Big Structures and Small Structures, defined by the number of detected stars per cluster. In the first regime, we found 13 stellar groups distributed along the declination axis in the regions where there is a high density of stars. In the second regime, we recovered 34 clusters classified into two types: 14 as small groups completely independent from the larger structures, including four candidates of new clusters, and 12 classified as sub-structures embedded within 5 larger clusters. Additionally, radial velocity data from APOGEE-2 and GALAH DR3 was included to study the phase space in some regions of the Orion Complex. From the Big Structure regime, we found evidence of a general expansion in the Orion OB1 association over a common centre, giving a clue about the dynamical effects the region is undergoing. Likewise, in the Small Structure regime, the projected kinematics shows the ballistic expansion in the $\lambda$ Orionis association and the detection of likely events of clusters’ close encounters in the OB1 association.
The Audience Chimera: On Platforms, Publics, and Power
Authors: Arnold Cory
Published: September 2024

A central question in recent scholarship on public music theory has been understanding its purpose and its relationship to traditional academic theory. However, one recurring weakness of these sorts of analyses is a tendency to view public music theory as a monolithic entity with a coherent identity and a singular purpose. In this paper, I argue that public music theory is better viewed as a decentralized collection of individual actors and communities whose actions must be understood in reference to the specific audiences they serve and the specific platforms through which they distribute their work, rather than to each other or to the academic world. I explore the power structures that shape the goals (and membership) of these various communities as they relate to their various publics, and I develop a framework to describe the flow of consumptive power in order to explain the observable differences between most forms of public music theory and the academic discipline they represent.
Andrea Cornaro’s World
Authors: Barber Charles
Published: September 2024

Chapter 1, “Andrea Cornaro’s World,” introduces the reader to the culture of late sixteenth-century Crete through the will of a leading Veneto-Cretan aristocrat. Engaging more fully with the unique context of the island may help to approach Cretan painting in a manner that is open to its particular dynamism and less fettered by presumptive and nostalgic categories. The chapter discusses Cornaro’s funerary rites, his possessions, and his intellectual network. The island’s complex colonial society, with its Venetian and Greek aspects, is described. Particular attention is paid to the intellectual climate of elite society. Responses to the threat of invasion by the Ottoman Turks are also discussed.