bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolism and retention of verapamil dictate microneedle-based drug delivery: analytical and numerical study
Authors: Bhuimali Tanmoy , Sarifuddin  , Mandal Prashanta Kumar
Published: December 2024

This study systematically investigates, both analytically and numerically, transdermal drug delivery using a microneedle (MN) array. The drug released from the MN tip disperses through the viable skin before being absorbed in the blood compartment. Reversible uptake kinetics between the blood and tissue compartments, together with reversible specific binding of the drug with its receptors in the tissue, have been taken into account. The governing equations are solved analytically and numerically in an explicit manner. Simulations predict that the metabolism in the viable skin, irreversible uptake and specific binding have a stabilizing effect on the free and bound verapamil concentrations. In addition, a longer MN and a larger skin–blood interface area contribute to higher concentrations of all drug forms in the blood and tissue compartments. The results suggest that the lack of binding in the tissue compartment might overestimate the transdermal delivery of verapamil. A thorough sensitivity analysis has been performed to account for uncertainties in some of the parameters involved. The analysis of verapamil retention in the tissue and its relationship to the length of the MN, the time of application, the area of the skin–blood interface, the rate of metabolism and the reversible uptake kinetics between compartments constitute the novel aspect of this analytical and numerical work. Our reduced model is in excellent agreement with the results available in the literature.
Stimulus-dependent emergence of understanding the ‘same–different’ concept in budgerigars
Authors: Song Jingshu , Luo Fangyuan , ten Cate Carel , Yan Chuan , Que Pinjia , Zhan Xiangjiang , Chen Jiani
Published: December 2024

The ability to understand relational concepts, such as ‘same’ and ‘different’, is a critical feature of human cognition. To what extent non-human animals can acquire such concepts and which factors influence their learning are still unclear. We examined the acquisition and the breadth of understanding the ‘same–different’ concept in budgerigars (
Melopsittacus undulatus
). Budgerigars trained to discriminate stimulus pairs in which two identical figures were either the same or different size (Experiment 1) successfully generalized the discrimination to novel stimuli belonging to various categories (size, colour, shape, geometric type and number of dots). The results of Experiment 1 thus demonstrate that budgerigars can perceive and generalize the same–different concept across dimensions after training with a limited set of stimuli differing along a single dimension. In contrast, while most budgerigars trained to discriminate two pairs of discs that were either the same or different in colour (Experiment 2) could generalize the discrimination to novel stimuli within the training category (colour), only few generalized the discrimination to another category suggesting a generalization based on perceptual similarity. The results thus show that whether budgerigars generalize a relationship by conceptual or perceptual similarity depends on the nature of the training stimuli.
A human working memory advantage for social network information
Authors: Andrews Jack L. , Grunewald Karina , Schweizer Susanne
Published: December 2024

As a social species, humans live in complexly bounded social groups. In order to navigate these networks, humans rely on a set of social–cognitive processes, including social working memory. Here, we designed a novel network memory task to study working memory for social versus non-social network information across 241 participants (18–65 years) in a tightly controlled, preregistered study. We show that humans demonstrate a working memory advantage for social, relative to non-social, network information. We also observed a self-relevant positivity bias, but an ‘other’ negativity bias. These findings are interpreted in the context of an evolutionary need to belong to one’s social group, to identify risks to one’s social safety and to appropriately track one’s social status within a complex network of social relationships.
Humans exploit the trade-off between lateral stability and manoeuvrability during walking
Authors: Kulkarni Rucha , Grover Francis M. , Shafer Anna , Schmitz Xenia , Gordon Keith E.
Published: December 2024

People use the mechanical interplay between stability and manoeuvrability to successfully walk. During single-limb support, body states (position and velocity) that increase in lateral stability will inherently resist lateral manoeuvres, decrease medial stability and facilitate medial manoeuvres. Although not well understood, people can make behavioural decisions exploiting this relationship in anticipation of perturbations or direction changes. To characterize the behavioural component of the stability–manoeuvrability relationship, 24 participants performed many repetitions of a discrete stepping task involving mid-trial reactive manoeuvres (medial or lateral direction) in a Baseline (no external perturbations) and Perturbed (random mediolateral perturbations applied to their pelvis) environment. We hypothesized people would make systematic changes in lateral stability dependent on both environment (increasing lateral stability in the Perturbed environment) and anticipated manoeuvre direction (reducing lateral stability to facilitate lateral manoeuvres). Participants increased lateral stability in the Perturbed environment, coinciding with an increase in manoeuvre reaction time for laterally but not medially directed manoeuvres. Moreover, we observed lower lateral stability in both environments when people anticipated making a lateral manoeuvre when compared to medial manoeuvres. These results support the hypothesis that people behaviourally exploit the mechanical relationship between lateral stability and manoeuvrability depending on walk task goals and external environment.
Cell culture co- and superinfection experiments suggest that transmission during captivity contributes to the presence of reptarenavirus S and L segment swarms in boid inclusion body disease-positive snakes
Authors: Lintala Annika , Szirovicza Leonóra , Sander Willem , Ekström Eveliina , Kipar Anja , Hetzel Udo , Hepojoki Jussi
Published: December 2024

Boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) caused by reptarenaviruses affects captive constrictor snake collections worldwide. The disease manifests by the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in various tissues. Curiously, a snake with BIBD nearly always carries a swarm of reptarenavirus small and large segments rather than a single pair, and the composition of the swarm can vary between tissues. The role of reptarenavirus coinfections in BIBD pathogenesis remains unknown, and it is unclear whether reptarenavirus infection affects the susceptibility to superinfection or to secondary infections. For mammarenaviruses, co- and/or superinfection can occur if the infecting viruses are genetically divergent enough, and we hypothesized reptarenaviruses to behave similarly. To study this hypothesis, we employed boa constrictor kidney- and brain-derived cell cultures to perform a set of co- and superinfection experiments with one hartmanivirus and five reptarenavirus isolates. While all tested viruses replicated well in the boid kidney cells, experiments on the brain-derived cells showed differences in the replication efficacy between the viruses, suggesting that reptarenaviruses could differ in their target cell spectra. The quantification of viral RNA released from infected cells as a proxy for virus replication did not reveal overt differences between mono- and coinfections. Passaging of coinfected cell cultures revealed that one of the reptarenavirus isolates requires a coinfecting reptarena- or hartmanivirus to establish a persistent infection. Superinfection experiments on persistently reptarenavirus-infected cell lines suggested some interference between genetically similar viruses. We hypothesized that such interference would be mediated by the viral Z protein (ZP) specifically locking the genetically similar viral polymerase in a catalytically inactive state. Curiously, experiments on ZP-expressing cell lines indicated ZP overexpression not to significantly affect the amount of released viral RNA. Our experiments showed very little co- or superinfection interference between genetically dissimilar reptarenaviruses, reflecting the naturally occurring reptarenavirus coinfections in snakes with BIBD.
Primordial black holes from bubble collisions during a first-order phase transition
Authors: Jung Tae Hyun , Okui Takemichi
Published: December 2024

We study the possibility of production of primordial black holes (PBHs) from bubble collisions during a first-order phase transition. While typical colliding bubbles are small and irrelevant for PBH production, we find that those that can produce PBHs must have a macroscopically thick fluid shell and have been born much before the typical nucleation time. Particularly large uncertainties arise from an exponential sensitivity of the nucleation rate on the required duration of bubble growth which depends on the details of the collisions and the evolution of the spacetime metric toward the end of the phase transition. We introduce a few parameters to be obtained from future numerical simulation to represent those unknowns, and estimate the PBH abundance in an Abelian Higgs benchmark model and show that it can be significant. We predict an approximately monochromatic PBH mass spectrum, and find regions in the parameter space where the PBHs can constitute entire dark matter or even overclose the Universe. Our result thus shows that models with a first-order phase transition can be constrained by overabundant PBHs or null results of other PBH searches.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Critical reassessment of the restricted Weyl symmetry
Authors: Glavan Dražen , Noris Ruggero , Zlosnik Tom
Published: December 2024

A class of globally scale-invariant scalar-tensor theories have been proposed to be invariant under a larger class of transformations that take the form of local Weyl transformations supplemented by a restriction that the conformal factor satisfies a covariant Klein-Gordon equation. The action of these theories indeed seems to be invariant under such transformations up to boundary terms, this property being referred to as “restricted Weyl symmetry.” However, we find that corresponding equations of motion are not invariant under these transformations. This is a paradox, that is explained by realizing that the restriction condition on the conformal factor forces the restricted Weyl transformation to be a transformation. For nonlocal transformations would-be boundary terms cannot in general be discarded from the action. Moreover, variations of trajectories cannot be assumed to vanish at boundaries of the action when deriving equations of motion. We illustrate both of these less known properties by considering a series of simple examples. Finally, we apply these observations to the case of globally scale-invariant scalar-tensor theories to demonstrate that restricted Weyl transformations are, in fact, not symmetries of the full system.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Predicting effective quenching of stable pulses in slow-fast excitable media
Authors: Marcotte Christopher D.
Published: December 2024

We develop a linear theory for the prediction of excitation wave quenching—the construction of minimal perturbations which return stable excitations to quiescence—for localized pulse solutions in models of excitable media. The theory accounts for an additional equivariance compared to the homogeneous ignition problem, and thus requires a reconsideration of heuristics for choosing optimal reference states from their group representation. We compare predictions made with the linear theory to direct numerical simulations across a family of perturbations and assess their accuracy for several models with distinct stable excitation structures. We find that the theory achieves qualitative predictive power with only the effort of continuing a scalar root, and achieves quantitative predictive power in many circumstances. Finally, we compare the computational cost of our prediction technique to other numerical methods for the determination of transitions in extended excitable systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Classifying Two-Body Hamiltonians for Quantum Darwinism
Authors: Doucet Emery , Deffner Sebastian
Published: December 2024

Quantum Darwinism is a paradigm to understand how classically objective reality emerges from within a fundamentally quantum universe. Despite the growing attention that this field of research has been enjoying, it is currently not known what specific properties a given Hamiltonian describing a generic quantum system must have to allow the emergence of classicality. Therefore, in the present work, we consider a broadly applicable generic model of an arbitrary finite-dimensional system interacting with an environment formed from an arbitrary collection of finite-dimensional degrees of freedom via an unspecified, potentially time-dependent Hamiltonian containing at most two-body interaction terms. We show that such models support quantum Darwinism if the set of operators acting on the system which enter the Hamiltonian satisfy a set of commutation relations with a pointer observable and with one other. We demonstrate our results by analyzing a wide range of example systems: a qutrit interacting with a qubit environment, a qubit-qubit model with interactions alternating in time, and a series of collision models including a minimal model of a quantum Maxwell demon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Evaluating buyer performance through supplier satisfaction: a balanced scorecard and fuzzy logic approach
Authors: Meena Purushottam L , Tibrewala Rajen
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study develops and validates a comprehensive framework integrating the balanced scorecard (BSC) and fuzzy logic to evaluate supplier satisfaction in the Indian power sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach, including the literature review, expert consultations and a survey of 300 suppliers, was employed. The BSC categorized supplier satisfaction across financial, purchasing, coordination and corporate perspectives. Fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic converted qualitative data into quantitative measures.

Findings

Key areas for improvement across financial, purchasing, coordination and corporate perspectives were identified. The developed Supplier Satisfaction Index offers a nuanced tool for benchmarking and enhancing supplier relationships.

Research limitations/implications

While the study provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating supplier satisfaction, it is limited to the context of the Indian power sector. Future research could extend the application of this framework to different industries and geographical contexts to assess its generalizability.

Practical implications

The findings offer actionable insights for practitioners to improve supplier satisfaction through targeted strategies in financial interactions, purchasing clarity, coordination efficiency and corporate practices. Implementing these strategies can enhance supplier relationships and overall supply chain performance.

Originality/value

This research extends the BSC’s applicability to external supplier relationships. It demonstrates robustness when integrated with fuzzy logic and offers a multidimensional approach to supplier satisfaction evaluation, addressing the inherent ambiguities and subjectivities in traditional assessments.
Exploring the evolution of ergonomic practices on construction sites in Nigeria
Authors: Ilesanmi Oluwadamilare Olamide , Moyanga Dorcas T.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Ergonomic practices significantly enhance productivity, reduce injuries and improve worker satisfaction in construction sites. However, a key issue in the Nigerian construction industry is the limited awareness and implementation of these practices. This study addresses this issue by raising awareness and driving ergonomic improvements to advance occupational health and safety standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method was employed, using close-ended questionnaires distributed to construction professionals, including architects, builders, engineers and quantity surveyors. The data collected were analyzed through statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies and mean scores. The Kruskal–Wallis H-test was used to determine significant differences in respondents’ opinions.

Findings

The study found that construction professionals have limited knowledge of ergonomic practices, and the implementation of these practices within the industry is minimal, raising concerns about occupational health and safety.

Practical implications

This article provides a comprehensive roadmap for developing economies like Nigeria to improve the understanding of ergonomic practices among construction professionals. It also outlines how collaborative efforts among key stakeholders, including higher education institutions, government, policymakers, lawmakers, financial institutions and professional bodies, can enhance the awareness and implementation of these innovative practices.

Originality/value

While extensive research has been conducted on ergonomic practices in developed countries, few studies have examined their awareness and implementation in developing nations, particularly Nigeria. This study addresses this gap from the perspective of construction professionals.
Artificial intelligence in agile human resource practices: systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Panda Gayatri , Aggarwal Shilpee , Kaswan Mahender Singh , Dhillon Kavisha
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to review and synthesize existing research in the field. Additionally, this study identifies emerging themes and future research opportunities based on the discussions within these studies. This research also develops a model to integrate artificial intelligence with agile human resource (AHR) practices and strives to outline potential directions for future researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis followed by content analysis through bibliographic coupling to analyze the identified literature. The SCOPUS database was used in this study, using a search string of keywords to identify the relevant research literature. The initial extraction resulted in 151 articles after adopting a series of inclusion–exclusion criteria, which led to the final attainment of 73 articles to be included for further analysis and discussion.

Findings

This study through the extant literature identified five themes and foundations of artificial intelligence in AHR practices research and developed a model for future investigation by future researchers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of a kind that explores artificial intelligence within AHR practices for improved employee and organizational well-being. Thus, developing a synthesized work provides a comprehensive picture of the research domain.
Network governance in healthcare systems: a systematic review of the network-level factors
Authors: Aalikhani Reza , Rasouli Mohammad Reza , Ghanbari Hossein , Fathian Mohammad , Ali ahmadi Alireza
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Interorganizational collaborations are crucial for delivering high-quality, integrated healthcare services. To maximize the benefits of these collaborative networks, effective governance structures and mechanisms must be in place. While previous studies have extensively examined organizational-level factors, such as partner capabilities and backgrounds, this study focuses on network-level factors, including collaboration structures and tie characteristics that shape effective network governance.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify and synthesize the key network-level factors influencing governance structures and mechanisms in healthcare networks.

Findings

The review identified 22 critical factors, categorized into three primary groups that impact network governance. These findings offer a robust foundation for developing context-sensitive governance models tailored to healthcare systems.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, policymakers and researchers by highlighting key factors that can improve interorganizational collaboration within healthcare systems. The findings contribute to both theory and practice, with the potential to enhance healthcare service delivery and patient outcomes.

Originality/value

This study is the first to systematically identify and categorize the network-level factors that influence governance structures and mechanisms in healthcare networks, providing a comprehensive and novel contribution to the field.
Temporal changes in smoking prevalence among adolescents across 23 countries
Authors: Hong Seohyun , Son Yejun , Lee Myeongcheol , Park Jaeyu , Lee Hayeon , Lee Hyeri , Lee Hojae , Kim Hyejun , Dragioti Elena , Fond Guillaume , Boyer Laurent , López Sánchez Guillermo F. , Tully Mark A. , Rahmati Masoud , Woo Selin , Yon Dong Keon , Smith Lee
Published: December 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate temporal changes in smoking prevalence among adolescents aged 13–15 across 23 countries and to assess individual and country‐level factors influencing smoking behaviour.

Methods

This study used data from 168 286 young adolescents aged 13–15 years obtained from the Global School‐based Student Health, 2003–2021. Linear regression models and meta‐analyses were conducted to analyse the changes in current smoking prevalence among young adolescents.

Results

Among the 23 countries, smoking prevalence decreased in six countries, including Argentina, Fiji, Jamaica, Samoa, Tonga and Uruguay, while it increased in four countries, namely Guyana, Morocco, Thailand and Vanuatu. The prevalence of smoking was higher among male adolescents at 15.5% (95% CI 13.8%–17.2%) compared to females at 8.0% (95% CI 6.7%–9.3%). Adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke had a prevalence of 16.3% (95% CI 14.5%–18.2%), significantly higher than 4.2% (95% CI 3.7–4.6) in those not exposed. Smoking prevalence was 16.5% (95% CI 14.8%–18.2%) among those with smoking parents or guardians, compared to 8.1% (95% CI 7.1%–9.1%) among those without.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the need for tailored tobacco control measures to reduce adolescent smoking globally. Strengthening policy enforcement and addressing social determinants of smoking are critical to achieving further reductions.
Reasons for seeking internet‐delivered treatment for individuals with obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Melkonian Maral , McDonald Sarah , Karin Eyal , Titov Nickolai , Dear Blake F. , Wootton Bethany M.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) face multiple barriers when accessing treatment and rarely receive best‐practice cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) when they seek help. Remote treatments, such as internet‐delivered CBT (ICBT), enhance access to evidence‐based treatments. To date, no known studies have examined the reasons individuals seek remote treatment over traditional in‐person treatment for OCD. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the treatment histories of individuals who completed ICBT for OCD and their reasons for seeking ICBT.

Methods

One hundred and sixty‐six participants (Mage = 33.88; SD = 13.41, 71.7% female) were included in the study.

Results

Almost three‐quarters of the sample had previously spoken to a health professional about their OCD symptoms. General practitioners were the most frequently consulted health professionals initially (41.7%), while psychologists were the most frequently consulted overall (81.7%). Supportive counselling (74.2%) and medication (72.5%) were the most common forms of treatment ever received. Of those who had received CBT for OCD, only 20.0% (12.5% of the overall sample) likely received best‐practice CBT. The most frequently endorsed reasons for seeking ICBT over in‐person treatment related to having no access to face‐to‐face treatment in the community (25.9%) and having found previous face‐to‐face treatment unhelpful (24.1%). Group differences in reasons for seeking ICBT over face‐to‐face treatment emerged based on geographical location, OCD severity and presence of comorbid depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Evidence‐based treatment for OCD is underutilized in the community highlighting the need to develop and disseminate evidence‐based remote treatments for OCD.
Youth experiences in gender–sexuality alliances predict academic engagement but not disaffection through social–emotional wellbeing
Authors: Poteat V. Paul , Calzo Jerel P. , Yoshikawa Hirokazu , Kellogg Daniel , Marx Robert A. , Richburg Abigail , Lipkin Arthur
Published: December 2024

Experiences in gender–sexuality alliances (GSAs) could predict youth's academic engagement through improved social–emotional wellbeing (indicated by school belonging, hope, and positive and negative affect). This study utilized three waves of data, each spaced 2–3 months apart, among 627 youth (87% LGBQ+, 45% trans/nonbinary, 48% youth of color) ages 11–22 (Mage = 15.13) in 51 GSAs in the United States in 2021–2022. Greater peer responsiveness in the GSA predicted increased academic engagement through increased wellbeing overall and specifically through hope and decreased negative affect. Advisor responsiveness and GSA leadership correlated with wellbeing and academic engagement in bivariate analyses but were not predictive in the comprehensive model. GSA experiences were uncorrelated with academic disaffection. Findings suggest how GSAs promote youth's wellbeing and academic engagement.
Dual‐use research assessment in emerging medical biotechnology: An ethical perspective from China
Authors: Wang Xiaonan , Zhai Xiaomei
Published: December 2024

Emerging medical biotechnology, with its dual‐use nature, presents both unprecedented opportunities and challenges for human society. As we benefit from technological innovation, it is crucial for Chinese academics and policymakers to effectively identify and address potential risks. However, the current framework for evaluating dual‐use research faces multiple challenges, including difficulties in identifying dual‐use issues, a lack of consideration for broader impacts in assessments, and a lack of consensus on balancing benefits and risks. Furthermore, inadequacies in the review mechanism, such as uneven progress among institutions, insufficient review capabilities, and lacking specialized knowledge among assessment personnel, hamper the effectiveness of evaluation efforts. This article aims to explore these challenges and propose practical recommendations for strengthening the evaluation and governance mechanisms of dual‐use research. By effectively mitigating the risks associated with dual‐use research, it facilitates the promotion of responsible scientific progress in emerging medical biotechnologies in China and internationally.
Opportunity to Leverage Tactics Used by Skilled Fishers to Address Persistent Bycatch Challenges
Authors: Roberson Leslie A. , Brown Christopher J. , Klein Carissa J. , Game Edward T. , Wilcox Chris
Published: December 2024

Effective management of shark bycatch is urgently needed to reverse widespread population declines, especially in longline fisheries that are estimated to be responsible for half of global shark catch. Management of shark catch typically focuses on the safe release of landed sharks, with limited attention to reducing the initial catch. Where controls on fishing effort or catch do exist, management frameworks tend to treat fishing fleets as homogeneous units. The underlying assumption is that fishers have similar abilities to catch target species and avoid bycatch. We test this assumption by analysing variability in shark bycatch rates among individual vessels in an industrial tuna longline fleet operating in the Western Pacific. Controlling for factors such as geographic location, time of day and gear depth, we find that individual vessels drive highly variable bycatch rates of blue (Prionace glauca) and silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) – two shark species with the highest global catch volumes. Additionally, we found that the operating company can influence fisher performance. As countries and regional organisations increasingly adopt shark conservation plans and make international conservation commitments, it is crucial to identify viable new strategies that do not unduly burden the industry or penalise good actors. Tailoring management actions to individual fishers and companies – holding high‐bycatch fishers accountable and incentivising low‐bycatch fishers to continuously improve – presents a crucial opportunity to address the overfishing of sharks and other global bycatch challenges.
Getting Scarce and Lure Shy: Impacts of Recreational Fishing on Coastal Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Abundance, Size Structure and Vulnerability to Angling
Authors: Roser Phillip , Radinger Johannes , Feldhege Fritz , Braun Marlon , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: December 2024

Controlled experiments have shown that northern pike (Esox lucius) is able to develop lure avoidance, but whether such patterns exist in the wild is unknown. We assessed the impact of recreational fishing on a natural population of pike in the southern Baltic Sea, from samples of three pairs of partially protected areas (pMPA) and nearby unprotected sites. Pike were 2–4 times more abundant inside pMPAs than outside in sites open to fishing. The mean size of pike was not greater in pMPAs, but protected sites hosted more exceptionally large fish than sites open to fishing. Pike in sites with reduced recreational fishing effort were more aggressive to artificial lures. About one‐third of the catch rate differences among pMPAs and open sites could be attributed to lure shyness. Collectively, our work shows that recreational fisheries exploitation of coastal pike reduced abundance, truncated the size structure of the largest individuals, and contributed to fisheries‐induced timidity through reduced reactivity to lures.
The same, but different: The interactive effect of attributes of judges on judicial decision making and sentencing outcomes
Authors: Gansen Sarah
Published: December 2024

In this article, I consider whether certain attributes of a judge and, most importantly, the interaction effects of these characteristics affect the way judges decide cases and can explain disparities in sentencing outcomes. Using a supervised machine learning technique, the analysis uncovers some important effects not previously discussed in the extant literature. The results suggest that judges appointed by Republican Governors are most likely to give harsher sentences for all crimes but especially for felony and violent offences. Concerning crimes involving a high level of moral turpitude, judges get harsher as they age and men much more so than women.
Using age‐ratios to investigate the status of two Siberian Phylloscopus species in Europe
Authors: Dufour Paul , Hellström Magnus , Franceschi Christophe de , Illa Marc , Norevik Gabriel , Cuchot Paul , Tillo Stephan , Bolton Mark , Parnaby David , Penn Alex , Spek Vincent van der , Knijff Peter de ,   VRS Castricum, Damian‐Picollet Sophie , Raitiere Willy , Lavergne Sebastien , Crochet Pierre‐Andre , Doniol‐Valcroze Paul
Published: December 2024

Distinguishing between vagrancy and regular migration has proved to be challenging as vagrants may, in theory, act as pioneers in the establishment of new migration routes. Because migratory songbirds tend to follow the same orientation and migration route throughout their lives, age assessment can help to distinguish individuals which have already used a route (i.e. adults) from those using it for the first time (i.e. juveniles). The presence of a significant proportion of adult individuals would suggest the presence of regular migrants in a vagrancy context. To decipher the status of two species of Siberian warblers in Europe, the Yellow‐browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus and the Siberian Chiffchaff P. tristis, we assessed the age‐ratios of (respectively) 324 and 117 individuals captured at different sites during the last decade. We compared whether the estimated age‐ratios differed from those estimated in Common Chiffchaff P. collybita, a common and widespread breeding and migrating species in Europe, used here as a control species. With 1.8% of birds being adult (one confirmed, five probable), the vast majority of Yellow‐browed Warblers occurring in Europe each autumn appear to be mostly, if not only, vagrants, implying that the species does not migrate regularly in Europe. These results are consistent with the very few spring records but still invite further research to unravel this remarkable phenomenon of large‐scale vagrancy. Conversely, we estimated that 9.4% and 29.7% of Siberian Chiffchaffs captured, respectively, during migration in Sweden and on regular wintering sites in southern France are adult birds, suggesting that the species could migrate towards southern Europe to winter, using a migration route in a markedly different direction from those known previously. These results urge more research to explore the origin, selection and causes of orientation variability in songbird species at the start of their first migration.
Playing the Admission Game: Young People and Their Parents Negotiating Access or Discharge to Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Services
Authors: Sydor Anna , Lane Rhiannon , Evans Nicola
Published: December 2024

Background

Only children and young people with the highest need for mental health care or support are admitted to an inpatient setting. There has been a recent shift in emphasis with the aim of inpatient care being short and focussed, care is transferred back to the community on discharge. Little is known about what young people and their parents understand about admission and discharge criteria to these inpatient facilities.

Purpose

This exploratory study aimed to explore the perspectives of young people (aged 18–25) and parents of young people regarding the reasons for their past admissions (or nonadmission) to inpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), including beliefs concerning the reasons for subsequent discharge.

Methodology

Data were conducted in various ways according to participant preference either in person telephone or written interview. Participants were young people (n = 5) or parents of young people (n = 5). Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes collaboratively.

Results

Based on the three themes that were identified: power control and choice, seeking knowledge and taking control, and conflicting notions of recovery and health we found that young people and their patents were engaged in a complex interaction in which they played the admission game; negotiating admission or discharge through behaviors and counterbalancing risks and benefits.

Conclusion

Understanding the complexity of this interaction may help professionals, including nurses to support patients and their families during the admission, care planning or discharge process and to recognize risks to prevent them escalating.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Icelandic Version of the Modified Dynamic Gait Index for Community‐Dwelling Older Adults With Balance Impairments
Authors: Arnadottir Solveig A. , Gustafsson Ragnar F. , Oskarsdottir Nina D. , Sigurdardottir Holmfridur H. , Agustsson Atli
Published: December 2024

Rationale

Optimal mobility is crucial for healthy aging, particularly among older adults with balance impairments. This research examines the psychometric properties of the modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI) translated into Icelandic, highlighting its suitability for evaluating mobility in this demographic group and within the context of healthy aging. Addressing the scarcity of international psychometric research on the mDGI, this study contributes to the translation of geriatric outcome measures into different languages, enhancing clinical applications and international research.

Aim

To assess the reliability and validity of the mDGI among Icelandic older adults experiencing balance impairments.

Methods

This methodological study included 30 participants, aged 67–91 years, receiving outpatient physical therapy for balance impairments. The participants completed two mDGI assessments 4–7 days apart, and additional assessments using the 10‐meter walking test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Activities‐specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, and Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) subscales. Analysis included evaluating the mDGI's total scale and subscales' reliability and validity using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC3,1), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Cronbach's alpha, and Spearman's rho.

Results

The mDGI demonstrated high relative reliability (ICC3,1 = 0.95 for total mDGI; 0.73–0.92 for all subscales) and strong absolute reliability (SEM for total mDGI = 1.32; two subscales = 1.17–1.43). Internal consistency was robust (alpha for total mDGI = 0.9; two subscales = 0.86–0.89). Construct validity was confirmed by mDGI's correlations with 10MWT, TUG, and SF‐36 social and physical functioning subscales. No floor or ceiling effects were observed in mDGI total scores.

Conclusion

The Icelandic version of the mDGI provides reliable and valid measures for evaluating balance and gait in older adults with balance impairments. Its sound psychometric properties support its use in similar demographic settings globally, providing a reliable tool for geriatric care practitioners and researchers worldwide.
The Effect of Two Types of Subcutaneous Heparin Injections on Pain, Ecchymosis, Hematoma and Drug Absorption: A Quasi‐Experimental Study
Authors: Bayram Sule Biyik , Gulnar Emel , Calıskan Nurcan , Kosucu Polat , Bektas Onur , Bayram Aysun , Aksoy Fatma
Published: December 2024

Background

Subcutaneous heparin injections sometimes cause pain, ecchymosis, and hematoma. The prevalence of complications depends on the injection site, technique, and drug absorption. This study investigated the effect of two types of subcutaneous heparin injections on pain, ecchymosis, and hematoma as well as drug absorption rates.

Methods

The study is a quasi‐experimental. The research was conducted between September 2021 and May 2022. The sample consisted of 122 patients treated in the general surgery clinic of a university hospital in the Black Sea region of Türkiye. We used ultrasonography (USG) to measure the subcutaneous tissue thicknesses of the sites before heparin injections. We used the tissue‐releasing technique (TRT) to administer heparin injections to 68 participants (Group TRT). We used the tissue‐pinching technique (TPT) to administer heparin injections to 54 participants (Group TPT). We administered all injections into the arm or abdomen. We used a “Subcutaneous Injection Form” to collect data. We monitored all participants for the injection site, drug absorption after 1 day, pain, ecchymosis, and hematoma for 3 days.

Results

There was no significant difference in the prevalence of pain, ecchymosis, and hematoma between the groups (p > 0.05). Most injections into the arm and abdomen resulted in drug absorption. However, one in ten injections into the arm resulted in the needle reaching the muscle rather than the subcutaneous tissue (11.7%). Abdominal injections caused no complications. The drug was administered in the right place in abdominal injections.

Conclusion

The tissue‐releasing and TPTs are not superior to each other as far as drug absorption, pain, ecchymosis, and hematoma are concerned. In this study recommend pinching the tissue or using the abdominal region in cases where the subcutaneous tissue thickness is less than 15.96 mm. The nurse should consider Body Mass Index before choosing the right subcutaneous heparin injection site and the correct injection technique.
A scoping review of hospital‐based geriatric‐centered interventions on trauma surgery services
Authors: Dhanani Hiba , Tabata‐Kelly Masami , Jarman Molly , Cooper Zara
Published: December 2024

Background

Millions of older adults (≥65) present to emergency departments for injury annually. As the population increases, so will the number of older adults admitted for trauma. Although treatment guidelines for older adults who sustain trauma exist, the evidence for quality improvement is limited. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify hospital‐based geriatric‐centered interventions that improve care for older adults admitted to trauma services.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL to identify studies related to geriatric‐centered interventions on trauma surgery services (1993–2023). Five reviewers screened studies for full‐text review based on these inclusion criteria: (1) older injured adults and/or their caregivers; (2) hospital‐based clinical interventions directed to geriatric trauma patients (e.g., frailty assessments, geriatric co‐management, triage criteria); and (3) measuring outcomes associated with geriatric trauma. We used the Donabedian quality improvement framework to categorize interventions as structures or processes.

Results

Of 2243 abstracts, 66 studies met the criteria for full‐text review, and 47 were included in the analysis. Most (64%) were single‐site retrospective cohort studies at Level 1 trauma centers. The most frequent interventions (not mutually exclusive) included geriatric‐centered teams (26%), geriatric consultation (23%), interdisciplinary rounds (17%), and medication review (11%). The most frequently measured clinical outcomes were length of stay (47%), discharge location (26%), and in‐hospital mortality (21%). Two studies (4%) measured outcomes beyond 3 months. Patient‐reported outcomes were rarely included (4%), and caregiver‐specific outcomes were not measured.

Conclusions

This scoping review demonstrates the variability in the types of geriatric‐centered interventions on trauma surgery services and their associated outcome measures. Furthermore, this review highlights evidence gaps in existing long‐term, post‐discharge outcomes and patient‐/caregiver‐reported outcomes. Given the increasing demand for high‐quality geriatric trauma care, our findings emphasize the need for evidence‐based national standards for geriatric trauma care and targeted study of outcomes germane to older adults and their caregivers.
TriHex 2.0—Advancing Skin Health Science and the TriHex Technology
Authors: Widgerow Alan D. , Ziegler Mary E. , Shafiq Faiza
Published: December 2024

Background

The original TriHex combination—Tripeptide‐1 and Hexapeptide‐12 (TriHex) encompasses a peptide combination selected for its ability to modulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) by progressively eliminating clumped collagen and elastin fragments and then stimulating replacement with new collagen and elastin. Incorporation of a proprietary, patent‐pending Octapeptide‐45 (Octa) to the TriHex original provides potential for added benefit based on the peptide's capacity to stimulate hyaluronic acid (HA) and its anticipated added benefit in wound healing. This is named TriHex 2.0 in the paper.

Materials and Methods

A full‐scale validation process was structured to assess Octa synergy with TriHex using an ex vivo model, assessing ECM changes histologically in relation to elastin, HA and basement membrane components. In addition, gene expression studies were undertaken, including bulk and single cell sequencing analysis to assess the particular changes that occurred by adding Octa to the TriHex. Following the gene expression analysis, a further round of ex vivo studies was conducted to assess protein expression of the defined differentially expressed genes using histological staining.

Results

Octa synergized with TriHex as demonstrated by significantly upregulated genes (p < 0.05) affecting the ECM and basement membrane. A histological assessment using the ex vivo model demonstrated tropoelastin intensity significantly increasing with TriHex (43%) and 2.0 (42%) (p < 0.05 for both) compared to untreated explants. HA levels (CD44 intensity) significantly increased with TriHex (69%; p < 0.01), while TriHex 2.0 demonstrated HA levels 160% greater (p < 0.001) than the untreated tissue. Single cell sequencing identified a gene expression profile upregulation relating to ECM modulation and wound healing in both TriHex and 2.0, but TriHex 2.0 showed additional activities in basement membrane physiology, stem cell recruitment, and protection of fibroblasts against cellular senescence.

Conclusion

The addition of Octapeptide‐45 to TriHex technology in the form of TriHex 2.0 is a significant advance to TriHex technology science. Both forms demonstrate ECM remodeling and positive wound healing, but supplementary benefits are evident including increased elastin and hyaluronic acid stimulation, added effects on the basement membrane, additional wound healing capacity in basal keratinocytes and anti‐senescent effects in fibroblasts. This is helpful for pre‐conditioning of the skin prior to procedures and post procedure related to additional ECM remodeling, wound healing advantages, senescent cell targeting and DEJ strengthening. Clinical studies to follow.
Detection frequency, sonoanatomy and reference values of the duodenal papillae and connected anatomical structures in cats
Authors: Leppin R.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To describe the detection frequency, sonoanatomy and reference values of the duodenal papillae and connected anatomical structures in cats, with reference to gross anatomical and histopathological nomenclature.

Materials and Methods

A prospective, case‐controlled study of sonographic examinations of the duodenal papillae in 50 client‐owned cats using an ultrasound device (Logiq E9, GE Healthcare) with a 15 MHz linear transducer.

Results

The major duodenal papilla was found in 100% of cases, the minor duodenal papilla in 10%. The common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct could be traced to the duodenum in all of the cats. After an extramural part, in which the two ducts extend in a parallel fashion, they entered the duodenal wall. The subsequent intramural part was divided into three sections: the portio infundibularis, the portio submucosa and the major duodenal papilla. The 27 clinically healthy cats had a mean portio infundibularis length, width, and height in mm of 3.7, 2.5 and 2.2, respectively. These dimensions were 3.5, 2.1, 2.9 for the portio submucosa and 0.5, 2.1, 2.9 for the major duodenal papilla. Calculi in the major duodenal papilla were found in 12% of the cats. The course of the accessory pancreatic duct from the pancreas through the MIDP into the duodenum was documented.

Clinical Significance

The ultrasonographic examination of the duodenal papillae is easy to perform and it can be considered part of the routine examination for feline patients presenting with relevant clinical signs, in some cases to help establish a diagnosis and plan treatment.