bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telephone-based aftercare groups for family carers of people with dementia – results of a mixed-methods process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lessing Susanne , Deck Ruth , Berwig Martin
Published: June 2023

Background

Caring for a relative with dementia can be demanding and time-consuming. It is not uncommon for them to be overburdened and overworked, which can lead to symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders in 2/3 of cases. One possibility for treating family carers who have these issues is special medical rehabilitation (rehab). However, studies have shown that while such rehab is effective, it is not sustainable.

To increase the sustainability of rehab for this target group, structured telephone-based aftercare groups were implemented in the present study. A process evaluation was conducted focusing on the acceptability of the aftercare programme and its perceived benefits by the participating family carers and group moderators.

Methods

The process evaluation was embedded in a longitudinal randomized controlled trial and followed a mixed methods approach. Quantitative process data were collected using protocols and structured brief evaluations regarding the telephone-based aftercare groups. To assess the acceptability of the aftercare groups as well as their subjective evaluation by the participants, qualitative process data were collected through two longitudinal telephone-based interviews with a subsample of family carers as well as a focus group interview with the group moderators.

Results

Telephone-based aftercare groups provide acceptable and supportive experiences, and they are shown to be practicable. The content structure and the procedure of the group sessions could be easily implemented in everyday life after inpatient rehab. The topics addressed with each patient were met with a consistently positive response. Learning from the other group members and sharing a bond based on the experience of caring for a relative with dementia were evaluated as positive outcomes in the group. The universality of suffering as a central effective factor of group psychotherapy also played a decisive role in this telephone-based support group format for a shared bonding and strengthening experience in the groups and thus for their effectiveness.

Conclusion

Telephone-based aftercare groups for family carers of people with dementia are a useful and acceptable tool in the context of rehab aftercare. This location-independent aftercare programme could be adapted for other indications, focuses or topics in everyday care.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00013736, 14/05/2018.
In-office needle arthroscopy is a cost-effective alternative for operating room diversion in medial meniscectomy: a financial analysis
Authors: Abbas Aazad , Shah Ajay , Lex Johnathan R. , Abouali Jihad , Toor Jay
Published: June 2023

Background

In-office needle arthroscopy (IONA) has been described as a diagnostic alternative to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for intra-articular pathology. However, few studies have analyzed its impact on cost and wait times when used as a therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact on cost and wait times associated with offering IONA for partial medial meniscectomy as an alternative to traditional operating room (OR) arthroscopy for patients with irreparable medial meniscus tears on MRI.

Methods

Two models were created comparing the existing care pathway (current state) to a proposed future state utilizing IONA. Data sources were accounting data from an academically affiliated hospital in Canada and supplemented with literature values. A Monte Carlo simulation combined with DuPont analysis running 10,000 simulations was conducted to calculate the revenue, expenses, profits, and effect on surgical waitlists (i.e., throughput) between the states. Sensitivity analyses examined the influence of patient preference and revision rates on profit and throughput. Two-sample Student’s t test was performed (p < .05).

Results

An average of 198 (standard deviation (SD) 31) patients underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy or repair each year from 2016 to 2020. The IONA revision rate was calculated as 20.3%. Compared to the current state, annual expenses in the IONA pathway were significantly reduced ($266,912.68 versus $281,415.23, p < .0001), while improving throughput by 21.2% (3.54%). Sensitivity analysis revealed 10% of patients need to select IONA over traditional OR arthroscopy with the revision rate remaining below 40% for the proposed state profit to be higher than the current state.

Conclusions

IONA is a cost-effective alternative to traditional OR arthroscopy in patients undergoing partial medial meniscectomy. The next steps are to assess patients’ perceptions of IONA as an alternative to traditional OR arthroscopy, and to carry out clinical trials to determine the efficacy, patient-reported outcome metrics, and complications of IONA.
LncRNA5251 inhibits spermatogenesis via modification of cell-cell junctions
Authors: Zhang Cong , Lu Dongxin , Niu Tong , Sun Zhongyi , Wang Yandi , Han Xiao , Xiong Bohui , Shen Wei , Sun Qingyuan , Zhao Yong , Zhang Weidong , Feng Yanni
Published: June 2023

Background

Male factors-caused decline in total fertility has raised significant concern worldwide. LncRNAs have been identified to play various roles in biological systems, including spermatogenesis. This study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA5251 in mouse spermatogenesis.

Methods

The expression of lncRNA5251 was modulated in mouse testes in vivo or spermatogonial stem cells (C18-4 cells) in vitro by shRNA.

Results

The sperm motility in two generations mice after modulation of lncRNA5251 (muF0 and muF1) was decreased significantly after overexpression of lncRNA5251. GO enrichment analysis found that knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes related to cell junctions, and genes important for spermatogenesis in mouse testes. Meanwhile, overexpressing lncRNA5251 decreased the gene and/or protein expression of important genes for spermatogenesis and immune pathways in mouse testes. In vitro, knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes for cell junction, and the protein levels of some cell junction proteins such as CX37, OCLN, JAM1, VCAM1 and CADM2 in C18-4 cells. LncRNA5251 is involved in spermatogenesis by modulation of cell junctions.

Conclusion

This will provide a theoretical basis for improving male reproductive ability via lncRNA.
Thermodynamic parameters of phenylglycine interaction with UO22+, La3+ and Zr4+
Authors: El-Dossoki Farid I. , Mohamed AbdAllah AbdEl-Wahab
Published: June 2023

Phenylglycine interactions with (UO22+, La3+and Zr4+) transition metal ions were studied at different ionic strengths and different temperature degrees applying Bjerrum’s method. The work determine and discuss both the thermodynamic stabilities and the degree of interactions$$\left(\acute{{\text{n}}}\right)$$n´. Also the work calculate and discuss the thermodynamic parameters of interactions of phenylglycine with (UO22+, La3+and Zr4+). The variables that govern the interaction between phenylglycine and the metal ions under investigation were related to the nature of the amino acid reactive species as well as to the nature of M+such as the valence and radius of the ion. It was observed that reactions between the M+and L−were the most likely to occur. It was determined that the pH values affect the degree of complex formation$$\overline{{\text{n}}}$$n¯as well as the production of various reactive spices. When the range of degree of interaction was more than 0.5 and less than 1.15, forming 1:1 stoichiometric complex. Additionally, it was shown that the stability of the complexes produced between phenylglycine and MZ+increased in the subsequent order, which was in good accord with the Irving–Williams order.
Prevalence and Persistence of Prescription Opioid Use Following Hospital Discharge After Childbirth: An Australian Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Varney Bianca , Zoega Helga , Gillies Malcolm Bjørn , Gisev Natasa , Weston Shand Antonia , Pearson Sallie-Anne , Havard Alys
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND:

Opioid analgesics are used for acute postpartum pain relief but carry risks, including persistent long-term opioid use. Our primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of persistent use following hospital discharge after childbirth.

METHODS:

We conducted a population-based cohort study of women discharged from public or private hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, between 2012 and 2018 following vaginal birth (VB) or cesarean delivery (CD). We used linked hospitalization and medicine dispensing data to calculate the prevalence of opioid use within 14 days of hospital discharge for childbirth using an external estimate of the total number of hospital admissions for childbirth per year as the denominator. Among women dispensed an opioid postdischarge, we estimated the prevalence of persistent use defined as ≥3 dispensings between 30- and 365-days postdischarge. To calculate the odds of persistent opioid use, we performed a series of logistic regressions each including a single characteristic of interest. Included characteristics were maternal and birth characteristics, maternal medical conditions, prior use of certain medicines, and the initial opioid dispensed following discharge for childbirth.

RESULTS:

The final cohort comprised of 38,832 women who were dispensed an opioid in the 14 days following discharge after childbirth. Between 2012 and 2018, the prevalence of opioid use was increased following CD (public hospital 16.6%–21.0%; private hospital 9.8%–19.5%) compared with VB (public hospital 1.5%–1.5%; private hospital 1.2%–1.4%) and was higher following discharge from public hospitals compared with private. The most commonly dispensed opioids following discharge for childbirth were oxycodone (44.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 44.3–45.3), codeine (42.1%; 95% CI, 41.6–42.6), and tramadol (12.9%; 95% CI, 12.6–13.2). Among women dispensed an opioid, the prevalence of persistent opioid use was 5.4% (95% CI, 5.1–5.6). This prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI, 10.5–12.3) following a VB as compared with 4.3% (95% CI, 4.1–4.6) among those who underwent a CD (P < .001). Characteristics associated with persistent opioid use included smoking during pregnancy, age <25 years, living in remote areas, discharged from a public hospital, history of opioid use disorder, other substance use disorder, mental health diagnosis, or prior use of prescription opioids, nonopioid analgesics, or benzodiazepines.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this cohort study indicate that Australian women have a higher prevalence of opioid use following CD compared to VB. One in 19 women dispensed an opioid postdischarge used opioids persistently. Careful monitoring of opioid therapy following childbirth is warranted, particularly among women with characteristics we identified as high risk for persistent opioid use.
Decellularized Graft for Repairing Severe Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Sheep
Authors: Contreras Estefanía , Traserra Sara , Bolívar Sara , Nieto-Nicolau Núria , Jaramillo Jessica , Forés Joaquim , Jose-Cunilleras Eduard , Moll Xavier , García Félix , Delgado-Martínez Ignacio , Fariñas Oscar , López-Chicón Patrícia , Vilarrodona Anna , Udina Esther , Navarro Xavier
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Peripheral nerve injuries resulting in a nerve defect require surgical repair. The gold standard of autograft (AG) has several limitations, and therefore, new alternatives must be developed. The main objective of this study was to assess nerve regeneration through a long gap nerve injury (50 mm) in the peroneal nerve of sheep with a decellularized nerve allograft (DCA).

METHODS:

A 5-cm long nerve gap was made in the peroneal nerve of sheep and repaired using an AG or using a DCA. Functional tests were performed once a month and electrophysiology and echography evaluations at 6.5 and 9 months postsurgery. Nerve grafts were harvested at 9 months for immunohistochemical and morphological analyses.

RESULTS:

The decellularization protocol completely eliminated the cells while preserving the extracellular matrix of the nerve. No significant differences were observed in functional tests of locomotion and pain response. Reinnervation of the tibialis anterior muscles occurred in all animals, with some delay in the DCA group compared with the AG group. Histology showed a preserved fascicular structure in both AG and DCA; however, the number of axons distal to the nerve graft was higher in AG than in DCA.

CONCLUSION:

The decellularized graft assayed supported effective axonal regeneration when used to repair a 5-cm long gap in the sheep. As expected, a delay in functional recovery was observed compared with the AG because of the lack of Schwann cells.
Aortic Diameters and Calcifications in Former World-Class Cyclists
Authors: VALENZUELA PEDRO L. , MACEIRA ALICIA , SANTOS-LOZANO ALEJANDRO , GARCÍA-GONZÁLEZ MARÍA P. , HIGUERAS ORTEGA LAURA , DÍAZ-GONZALEZ LEONEL , BORAITA ARACELI , BARRANCO-GIL DAVID , LUCIA ALEJANDRO
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Concerns on whether athletes––particularly older ones––are at an increased risk of pathological aortic dilation exist, and the prevalence of aortic calcifications in these individuals is unknown. We aimed to compare the dimensions, distensibility, and prevalence of calcifications in the thoracic aorta between former male professional cyclists (cases) and sex/age-matched controls.

Methods

We used a retrospective cohort design, where cases were former finishers of at least one Grand Tour (Tour de France, Giro d’ Italia or Vuelta a España) and controls were untrained individuals with no previous sports history and free of cardiovascular risk. All participants underwent magnetic resonance and computer tomography assessments for the measurement of aortic dimensions and calcifications, respectively.

Results

Cases showed larger (P < 0.05) dimensions than controls for aortic annulus, sinus, and arch, as well as for ascending and descending aorta. However, none of the participants presented with pathological aortic dilation (all diameters <40 mm). A slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta was observed in cases (13% vs 0% in controls, P = 0.020). Subanalyses confirmed that cases who were still competing (masters category, n = 8) had larger aortic diameters (P < 0.05) and a greater presence of calcifications in the ascending/descending aorta (38% vs 0% for both segments, P = 0.032) than those who had become inactive (n = 15). No between-group differences were found for aortic distensibility.

Conclusions

Former professional cyclists, particularly those who are still competing after retirement, show enlarged aortic diameters (albeit without exceeding upper limits of normality). Former professional cyclists also showed a slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta than controls, although aortic distensibility was not compromised. The clinical relevance of these findings should be the subject of future studies.
Investigation of the structure and hardness properties of Anodonta anatina mussel shells
Authors: Öksüz Kerim Emre , Şereflişan Hülya
Published: June 2023

In this study, the shell structure of the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758) which has a widespread population in Gölbaşı Lake (Hatay) and is not economically exploited, was microscopically examined at a morphological level. It was determined that the shells of Anodonta anatina, which are not under significant fishing pressure, are mostly found discarded along the shores of the lake. This mussel species is important as a composite biological material with multifunctional roles in freshwater ecology. Considering the potential use of freshwater mussel shells as a biological material, an assessment of the shell structure, physical properties, mechanical strength, shell microstructure, and morphological characteristics of A. anatina was conducted. When cross-sections of the shell taken from the umbo, middle periostracum, and the region close to the pallial edge were examined in the dorsal-ventral direction, it was determined that the periostracum layer in the umbo region had a more prismatic and polygonal structure. The interior of the shell was found to consist of a shiny nacreous layer. In nacreous shell sections, it was observed that the nacreous layer contained more distinct layers near the pallial edge. Vickers microhardness tests were performed on individual shells, and it was found that the hardness value of the inner layer was the highest (625.5 ±172.7 HV), while the outer layer had a lower hardness value (531.5 ±110.7 HV). Based on XRF data, it was shown that the seashell powder is mainly composed of calcium oxide (98.8% wt., CaO) as a biological material.
Doctrinal foundations of the practice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation
Authors: Khabriyeva Taliya
Published: June 2023

The monograph analyzes the impact of scientific research and legal and doctrinal assessments on the practice of law enforcement of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Special attention is paid to the scientific works of the judges of the highest judicial instance, the analysis of the rulings of the Supreme Court, the decisions of the Plenum and the Presidium of the Supreme Court, which address controversial issues of legal science and judicial practice.
The problems of application of both substantive and procedural law are revealed. The intersectoral features of judicial activity, issues of application of the provisions of international public
and private law are analyzed.
For lawyers, scientists and practitioners, representatives of human rights organizations, teachers, students, undergraduates and postgraduates of law schools and faculties, as well as for a wide range of readers interested in the development of modern justice.
ℓ0 Trend Filtering
Authors: Wen Canhong , Wang Xueqin , Zhang Aijun
Published: June 2023

The [Formula: see text] trend filtering ([Formula: see text]-TF) is a new effective tool for nonparametric regression with the power of automatic knot detection in function values or derivatives. It overcomes the drawback of [Formula: see text]-TF that is known to have bias issues. To solve the [Formula: see text]-TF problem, we propose an alternating minimization induced active set (AMIAS) search method based on the necessary optimality conditions derived from an augmented Lagrangian framework. The proposed method takes full advantage of the primal and dual variables with complementary supports, and decouples the high-dimensional problem into two subsystems on the active and inactive sets, respectively. A sequential AMIAS algorithm with warm start initialization is developed for efficient determination of the cardinality parameter, along with the output of solution paths. Theoretically, the oracle estimator of [Formula: see text]-TF is justified to behave like regression splines under the continuous time setting with mild conditions. Our numerical experiments include simulation studies for comparing [Formula: see text]-TF to [Formula: see text]-TF and free-knot splines on several synthetic examples, and a real data application of time series segmentation on Hong Kong PM2.5 indexes.

History: Accepted by Antonio Frangioni, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms – Continuous.

Funding: This work was supported in part by Hong Kong General Research Fund [No. 17306519]. C. Wen’s research is partially supported by National Science Foundation of China [12171449] and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [WK3470000027, YD2040002019]. X. Wang’s research is partially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72171216, 12231017, 71921001, and 71991474], and the National Key R&D Program of China [No. 2022YFA1003803].

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2021.0313 . The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2021.0313 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2021.0313 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
Analysis of Linear Equating of Senior School Certificate Multiple-Choice Examination Papers in Economics
Authors: Daramola Dorcas Sola , Olutola Adekunle Thomas , Jimoh Mohammed Idris
Published: June 2023

Background: Test equating methods are statistical tools used to produce exchangeable scores across different test forms. However, people believe that it is impossible to develop multiple forms of tests that have the same psychometric properties.
Contribution: The study therefore analyzed the linear equating of senior school certificate multiple-choice examination papers in Economics.
Method: A Non-equivalent Groups Anchor Test (NEAT) design was adopted for the study. The sample for the study consisted of 1,119 senior secondary three students. The 2009 WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB SSCE multiple-choice Economics papers were adapted and used for data collection with 0.67, 0.64, and 0.60 coefficients of content validity as well as 0.79, 0.76, and 0.70 reliability coefficients. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-scores, and Analysis of Variance. 
Results: Findings revealed that there was no difference in examinees’ ability, thus equating process could take place. The finding also revealed an F-value of 1.953, which was not significant at the 0.05 alpha level since the p-value (0.142) was greater than 0.05. It showed a score of 41 in WAEC and NECO was equivalent to 42 in NABTEB. It also showed a score of 45 in WAEC was equivalent to 46 and 50 in NECO and NABTEB respectively.
Conclusion: The researchers therefore concluded that the 2009 WAEC and NECO SSCE Economics multiple-choice items tended to be equivalent while that of NABTEB was different. It was recommended among others that a regulatory body could be established to monitor and standardize these examinations conducted in Nigeria
Empowering Tourism Awareness Group Based on Sapta Pesona Concept to Actualize Agro-Tourism Villages in West Bangka
Authors: Arif Maulana , Haiyudi Haiyudi , Teu Teng
Published: June 2023

Background: To be financially independent village seems to be a must to support the local economic freedom. Tourism becomes one among some promising sectors. However, the low level of local understanding towards the concept of agro-tourism is much needed to support the local government development, especially in Tebing Village, West Bangka.
Contribution: The purpose of this program is to support the actualization of an agro-tourism village based on green rice fields through the formation of a tourism awareness group and counseling on the concept, role and function of it in Tebing village, Sub-district of Kelapa, West Bangka Regency.
Method: The method employed is by assisting, mapping and giving a lecture on the concept of tourism awareness groups to actualize the agro-tourism village in Tebing Village, West Bangka.
Results: The result is proved by the formation of a tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis) in Tebing village. Besides, the growth of awareness and understanding related to the Sapta Pesona was well comprehend as qualitatively evaluated by interviewing the community. Finally, the mapping process of the location of agro-tourism was done using DJI Phantom 4 Pro.
Conclusion: Existing natural resources can be utilized to increase income financially through agro-tourism villages. In addition, the happiness index can also be increased by the presence of green open space or agro-tourism nearby as a rest area from Pangkalpinang to Muntok or vice versa, as the village is located in the main route of it. Finally, this service still requires further assistance until the agro-tourism village can be established and support the village's independent income and the welfare of the local community
Non-invasive Evaluation of Liver Involvement of Children with Cystic Fibrosis by Shear-Wave Elastography
Authors: ERYILMAZ POLAT Sanem , HIZAL Mina , ÖZSEZEN Beste , TUĞCU Gökçen Dilşa , ALIMLI Ayşe Gül , CİNEL Güzin
Published: June 2023

Objectives: Hepatobiliary complications commonly occur in cystic fibrosis with increasing prevalence due to longer life expectancies and widespread screening efforts. Shear-wave elastography is a novel noninvasive method that involves application of local mechanical compression on soft tissue using focused ultrasonography and acquiring strain images that show tissue response. We aimed to compare abdominal ultrasonography and Shear-wave elastography and also clinical and laboratory findings of children with cystic fibrosis prospectively.
Methods: This study is a prospective study conducted in 13 cystic fibrosis patients followed between February 2018 and March 2019. The severity of cystic fibrosis-related liver disease was categorized according to international criteria. Elastography measurement was performed in the same session with the evaluation of the liver by abdominal ultrasonography in the patients. The liver stiffness measurements were compared with clinical data, biochemistry parameters and ultrasound findings.
Results: Measurements were performed in 13 cystic fibrosis children (3 boys, 10 girls). The mean kiloPascal values of liver stiffness measurements with shear-wave elastography were 8.68 (4.1-20.2). The median liver stiffness measurement in subjects without cystic fibrosis-related liver disease was 7.79 kiloPascals (n=5); The median liver stiffness measurement in subjects with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease was 9.23 kiloPascals.
Conclusion: Cystic fibrosis-related liver disease has a significantly varying disease burden, its prevalence is increasing, and its early recognition is crucial for treatment and follow-up. Although there are no clear range values determined for children in tissue stiffness measurements in Shear-wave elastography, clinical and other laboratory and imaging methods and follow-up and evaluation are important.
Meeting the Needs of Employers
Authors: Grylls Bethan
Published: June 2023

Could the roll-out of the T-Level help to change the face of technical education in the UK?
Making a Difference
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

The ‘Maker movement’ has been described as a ‘disruptor’ and was thought likely to transform the commercial landscape, but has it lived up to expectations?
An integrative review of facilitators and barriers to resilience among informal unpaid caregivers
Authors: Halim Nicole , Comi Rosa , Mitchell Rebecca J.
Published: June 2023

Despite widespread acknowledgement of challenges endured by unpaid caregivers, there is still a paucity of studies attempting to elucidate factors that necessitate resilience in caregiving. This integrative review aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to unpaid caregivers’ resilience. Four databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL] and Scopus) were searched for English-language articles (January 2000–August 2021) that considered facilitators and barriers to caregiving resilience among the carer population. A total of 22 articles were identified. Facilitators included carers receiving adequate social support and personal time, and remaining positive; barriers included lack of social support, adopting a negative outlook, experiencing family conflict and financial instability.
Anti-gender politics in Finland and Romania
Authors: Norocel Ov Cristian , Pettersson Katarina
Published: June 2023

This study examines the articulation of anti-gender politics in the parliamentary debates centred on two citizens’ initiatives in Finland and Romania. Although different in their endeavours (in Finland, supporting equal marriage rights; in Romania, attempting to legislate pre-emptively against them), these citizens’ initiatives resulted in significant defeats for the wider anti-gender campaigns in these countries. Examining closely the parliamentary debates ensuing these proposals, we evidence how anti-gender politics developed in ways specific to each examined polity and served as a key vehicle for different manners of retrogressive mobilisation, which bypassed left–right ideological cleavages and party loyalty. We scrutinise critically the discursive scenarios that coalesce in anti-gender politics in the two countries, and we map out both the commonalities and differences between the antithetic narrative scenarios, which hinge on the position of the child within a heteronormative nuclear family and the depiction of marriage equality as a harbinger of an impending societal collapse.
Protecting people and wildlife from the potential harms of drone use in biodiversity conservation: interdisciplinary dialogues
Authors: Jackman Anna , Millner Naomi , Cunliffe Andrew M. , Laumonier Yves , Lunstrum Elizabeth , Paneque-Gálvez Jaime , Wich Serge A.
Published: June 2023

In this policy intervention, we recount the process of producing a policy briefing targeting researchers and practitioners who use drones in biodiversity conservation. We use the writing process as a springboard to think through the ways that interdisciplinary exchange has and might further inform the ethical use of new technologies, such as drones. This approach is vital, we argue, because while drones may be deployed as tools that enable or empower forest, wildlife or habitat monitoring practices, so too can they be variously disruptive, repurposed and/or exceed these applications in significant ways. From questions of surveillance and capture, data ownership and security, to noise disruption, drone use requires careful and critical reflection, particularly in sensitive contexts. Yet, interdisciplinary exchange attentive to the ethical, social and experiential dimensions of drone use remains patchy and thin. To this end, this intervention reflects on the process of a group of scholars from ecological, environmental and social science backgrounds coming together in an interdisciplinary project grappling with diverse issues around responsible conservation drone use. After recounting our methodology, including the surprises and learning that emerged in practice, we contextualise the key themes we chose to foreground in our published policy briefing. We conclude by connecting our collaboration with wider actions and energies in the context of existing (conservation) drone policy and practice, while underscoring our contributions to existing work.
La maternitat subrogada: Estudi de revisió
Authors: Ródenas Buiza Paula , Blanco García Francisco , Farré Pinillos Laura , Abellán Valle Carla , Carnota Sánchez Clàudia , Montoro Acosta Alba
Published: June 2023

Introducció. La maternitat subrogada esdevé un fenomen social caracteritzat per la formalització d’un contracte pel qual es declara que una dona s’encarregarà de gestar el fill per a unes altres persones, renunciant, per tant, al seu dret com a mare. Aquesta es pot donar sota un ampli ventall de situacions segons el motiu que origini aquesta pràctica, com poden ser l’econòmic o l’altruista. Això pot donar lloc a pràctiques com el turisme reproductiu segons les lleis que es troben establertes en cada nació. Objectiu. Analitzar la maternitat subrogada a través de la literatura científica. Metodologia. S’ha realitzat una revisió bibliogràfica a través de les bases de dades de PubMed i SciELO. Resultats. S’analitzen onze articles i es troben diverses perspectives envers la maternitat subrogada: autors que estan a favor d’aquesta pràctica i la seva legalització, autors en contra, i finalment, autors a favor d’una regularització. Conclusions. La maternitat subrogada es pot aproximar des de dos punts de mira, l’ètic i el pragmàtic. Des de l’ètica, s’afirma que és una cosificació de la dona que no té en compte els riscos i aspectes emocionals que comporta l’embaràs. Per altra banda, des d’una visió pragmàtica, la gestació subrogada és un tema de gran controvèrsia que genera un problema internacional de difícil regularització. Finalment, tenint en compte la visió infermera, és imprescindible formar a tot l’equip interdisciplinari i crear protocols d’actuació per tal d’oferir una atenció integral i de qualitat.
Towards Synthetic Light-in-Flight
Authors: Cornwall Patrick , Matito Manuel Ballester , Wang Heming , Willomitzer Florian
Published: June 2023

We present a method for the computational synthesis of a shaped, synthetic
light pulse from interferometric measurements under CW illumination. The pulse can be manipulated to travel through a captured scene, demonstrating synthetic light-in-flight videos
Occurrence of shigellosis in pediatric diarrheal patients in Chattogram, Bangladesh: A molecular based approach
Authors: Zakir Hossain A. K. M. , Zahid Hasan Md. , Mina Sohana Akter , Sultana Nahid , Chowdhury A. M. Masudul Azad
Published: June 2023

Shigellaa Gram-negative, non-motile bacillus, is the primary causative agent of the infectious disease shigellosis, which kills 1.1 million people worldwideevery year. The children under the age of five are primarily the victims of this disease. This study has been conducted to assess the prevalence of shigellosis through selective plating, biochemical test and conventional PCR assays, where the samples were collected from suspected diarrheoal patients. Invasive plasmid antigen H (ipaH) and O-antigenic rfc gene were used to identify Shigella spp. and S. flexneri respectively. For validation of these identification, PCR product of ipaH gene of a sample (Shigella flexneri MZS 191) has been sequenced and submitted to NCBI database (GenBank accession no- MW774908.1). Further this strain has been used as positive control. Out of 204, around 14.2% (n = 29)(P> 0.01) pediatric diarrheoal cases were screened as shigellosis. Another interesting finding was that most of shigellosis affected children were 7 months to 1 year (P> 0.01).The significance of this study lies in the analyses of the occurrenceand the molecular identification of Shigellaspp. and S. flexneri that can be utilized in improving the accurate identification and the treatment of the most severe and alarming shigellosis.
Genome characterization based on the Spike-614 and NS8-84 loci of SARS-CoV-2 reveals two major possible onsets of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hu Xiaowen , Mu Yaojia , Deng Ruru , Yi Guohui , Yao Lei , Zhang Jiaming
Published: June 2023

The global COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for 3 years since its outbreak, however its origin is still unknown. Here, we analyzed the genotypes of 3.14 million SARS-CoV-2 genomes based on the amino acid 614 of the Spike (S) and the amino acid 84 of NS8 (nonstructural protein 8), and identified 16 linkage haplotypes. The GL haplotype (S_614G and NS8_84L) was the major haplotype driving the global pandemic and accounted for 99.2% of the sequenced genomes, while the DL haplotype (S_614D and NS8_84L) caused the pandemic in China in the spring of 2020 and accounted for approximately 60% of the genomes in China and 0.45% of the global genomes. The GS (S_614G and NS8_84S), DS (S_614D and NS8_84S), and NS (S_614N and NS8_84S) haplotypes accounted for 0.26%, 0.06%, and 0.0067% of the genomes, respectively. The main evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 is DS→DL→GL, whereas the other haplotypes are minor byproducts in the evolution. Surprisingly, the newest haplotype GL had the oldest time of most recent common ancestor (tMRCA), which was May 1 2019 by mean, while the oldest haplotype DS had the newest tMRCA with a mean of October 17, indicating that the ancestral strains that gave birth to GL had been extinct and replaced by the more adapted newcomer at the place of its origin, just like the sequential rise and fall of the delta and omicron variants. However, the haplotype DL arrived and evolved into toxic strains and ignited a pandemic in China where the GL strains had not arrived in by the end of 2019. The GL strains had spread all over the world before they were discovered, and ignited the global pandemic, which had not been noticed until the virus was declared in China. However, the GL haplotype had little influence in China during the early phase of the pandemic due to its late arrival as well as the strict transmission controls in China. Therefore, we propose two major onsets of the COVID-19 pandemic, one was mainly driven by the haplotype DL in China, the other was driven by the haplotype GL globally.
Combined severe-to-profound hearing and vision impairment—Experiences of daily life and need of support, an interview study
Authors: Turunen-Taheri Satu , Hagerman Sirelius Annica , Hellström Sten , Skjönsberg Åsa , Backenroth Gunnel
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to describe experiences of disabilities and factors affecting daily life from the perspective of adult persons with severe-to-profound hearing impairment in combination with severe vision impairment. Furthermore, the study also investigated which kind of support individuals with dual sensory loss received, and their experiences as citizens in the society.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed, analyzed, and categorized using content analysis.

Results

Fourteen interviews were performed, with equal number of both sexes. Mean age was 70.1 years (47–81 years). Analysis of the data resulted in 22 categories, six sub-themes and two main themes. Two main themes emerged as Isolation and The Ability to control one’s own daily life. Surprisingly, most of the participants did not think of their vision and hearing impairment as a combined disability. The interviews showed various kind of strategies to handle daily life. The Deafblind-team unit was reported to offer excellent health care. Companion services for persons with disabilities proved to have become more difficult to get support from and created lack of independence and control over their own lives. However, it was also obvious that the participants felt a positive outlook on life and were more solution-oriented in order to adjust their everyday life to their life-situation.

Conclusions

The combination of vision and hearing impairment demonstrated isolation, and the respondents in the study have a need of support in everyday lives. At the same time, they struggle to have the ability to control their own lives.
The integration of technology into a home-based visuo-cognitive training intervention for people with Parkinson’s: Is the future digital?
Authors: Das Julia , Barry Gill , Walker Richard , Vitorio Rodrigo , Morris Rosie , Stuart Samuel
Published: June 2023

Background

Mobile applications and technology (e.g., stroboscopic glasses) are increasingly being used to deliver combined visual and cognitive (termed visuo-cognitive) training that replaces standard pen and paper-based interventions. These ‘technological visuo-cognitive training’ (TVT) interventions could help address the complex problems associated with visuo-cognitive dysfunction in people with long term neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. As data emerges to support the effectiveness of these technologies, patient perspectives offer an insight into how novel TVT is received by people living with long term neurological conditions.

Objective

To explore experiences of people with Parkinson’s in using technology as part of a home-based visuo-cognitive training programme compared to traditional approaches to rehabilitation.

Methods

Eight people with Parkinson’s who took part in a pilot randomised cross-over trial, investigating the efficacy and feasibility of TVT compared to standard care, were interviewed to explore their experiences of each arm of the training they received. Integration of Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) into the analysis enabled examination of the potential to embed novel TVT into a home-based rehabilitation intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Results

Three key themes emerged from the thematic analysis as factors influencing the implementation potential of TVT for people with Parkinson’s disease: perceived value of technology, perceived ease of use and support mechanisms. Further examination of the data through the lens of NPT revealed that the implantation and embedding of novel technology was dependent on positive user experience, individual disease manifestation and engagement with a professional.

Conclusions

Our findings provide insights into the challenges of engaging with technology-based interventions while living with a progressive and fluctuating disease. When implementing technology-based interventions for people with Parkinson’s, we recommend that patients and clinicians collaborate to determine whether the technology fits the capacity, preference, and treatment needs of the individual patient.
Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Enhancement-Constrained Acceleration (ECA) reconstruction-based high temporal resolution breast DCE-MRI
Authors: Ren Zhen , Easley Ty O. , Pineda Federico D. , Guo Xiaodong , Barber Rina F. , Karczmar Gregory S.
Published: June 2023

The high spatial and temporal resolution of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) can improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer screening in patients who have dense breasts or are at high risk of breast cancer. However, the spatiotemporal resolution of DCE-MRI is limited by technical issues in clinical practice. Our earlier work demonstrated the use of image reconstruction with enhancement-constrained acceleration (ECA) to increase temporal resolution. ECA exploits the correlation in k-space between successive image acquisitions. Because of this correlation, and due to the very sparse enhancement at early times after contrast media injection, we can reconstruct images from highly under-sampled k-space data. Our previous results showed that ECA reconstruction at 0.25 seconds per image (4 Hz) can estimate bolus arrival time (BAT) and initial enhancement slope (iSlope) more accurately than a standard inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) when k-space data is sampled following a Cartesian based sampling trajectory with adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this follow-up study, we investigated the effect of different Cartesian based sampling trajectories, SNRs and acceleration rates on the performance of ECA reconstruction in estimating contrast media kinetics in lesions (BAT, iSlope and Ktrans) and in arteries (Peak signal intensity of first pass, time to peak, and BAT). We further validated ECA reconstruction with a flow phantom experiment. Our results show that ECA reconstruction of k-space data acquired with ‘Under-sampling with Repeated Advancing Phase’ (UnWRAP) trajectories with an acceleration factor of 14, and temporal resolution of 0.5 s/image and high SNR (SNR ≥ 30 dB, noise standard deviation (std) < 3%) ensures minor errors (5% or 1 s error) in lesion kinetics. Medium SNR (SNR ≥ 20 dB, noise std ≤ 10%) was needed to accurately measure arterial enhancement kinetics. Our results also suggest that accelerated temporal resolution with ECA with 0.5 s/image is practical.
Gulf war illness inflammation reduction trial: A phase 2 randomized controlled trial of low-dose prednisone chronotherapy, effects on health-related quality of life
Authors: Bach Ronald R. , Rudquist Rebecca R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Gulf War illness (GWI) is a deployment-related chronic multisymptom illness impacting the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of many U.S. Military Veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf War. A proinflammatory blood biomarker fingerprint was discovered in our initial study of GWI. This led to the hypothesis that chronic inflammation is a component of GWI pathophysiology.

Objectives

The GWI inflammation hypothesis was tested in this Phase 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT) by measuring the effects of an anti-inflammatory drug and placebo on the HRQOL of Veterans with GWI. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02506192.

RCT design and methods

Gulf War Veterans meeting the Kansas case definition for GWI were randomized to receive either 10 mg modified-release prednisone or matching placebo. The Veterans RAND 36-Item Health Survey was used to assess HRQOL. The primary outcome was a change from baseline in the physical component summary (PCS) score, a measure of physical functioning and symptoms. A PCS increase indicates improved physical HRQOL.

Results

For subjects with a baseline PCS <40, there was a 15.2% increase in the mean PCS score from 32.9±6.0 at baseline to 37.9±9.0 after 8 weeks on modified-release prednisone. Paired t-test analysis determined the change was statistically significant (p = 0.004). Eight weeks after cessation of the treatment, the mean PCS score declined to 32.7±5.8.

Conclusions

The prednisone-associated improvement in physical HRQOL supports the GWI inflammation hypothesis. Determining the efficacy of prednisone as a treatment for GWI will require a Phase 3 RCT.
Borrelia burgdorferi-mediated induction of miR146a-5p fine tunes the inflammatory response in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Victoria Berta , Noureddine Sarah A. , Shehat Michael G. , Jewett Travis J. , Jewett Mollie W.
Published: June 2023

Colonization of a localized area of human skin by Borrelia burgdorferi after a bite from an infected tick is the first step in the development of Lyme disease. The initial interaction between the pathogen and the human host cells is suggested to impact later outcomes of the infection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well known to be important regulators of host inflammatory and immune responses. While miRNAs have been shown to play a role in the inflammatory response to B. burgdorferi at late stages of infection in the joints, the contributions of miRNAs to early B. burgdorferi infection have yet to be explored. To address this knowledge gap, we used the published host transcriptional responses to B. burgdorferi in erythema migrans skin lesions of early Lyme disease patients and a human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs)/B. burgdorferi co-culture model to predict putative upstream regulator miRNAs. This analysis predicted a role for miR146a-5p in both, B. burgdorferi-infected skin and -stimulated HDFs. miR146a-5p was confirmed to be significantly upregulated in HDF stimulated with B. burgdorferi for 24 hours compared to uninfected control cells. Furthermore, manipulation of miR146a-5p expression (overexpression or inhibition) altered the B. burgdorferi driven inflammatory profile of HDF cells. Our results suggest that miR146a-5p is an important upstream regulator of the transcriptional and immune early response to early B. burgdorferi infection.
Effect of flanged diffuser divergence angle on wind turbine: A numerical investigation
Authors: Jauhar Tahir Abbas , Hussain Muhammad Imtiaz , Kiren Tayybah , Arif Waseem , Miran Sajjad , Lee Gwi Hyun
Published: June 2023

Power augmentation in a small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine, with its rotor encased in a flanged diffuser is explored. The power output of the wind turbine varies with changes in the diffuser design and the resulting back pressure. Reduction in this back pressure also results in early flow separation at the diffuser surface, which hinders turbine performance. The main aim of this study is to numerically investigate the local configuration of the wind turbine location inside the diffuser by varying diffuser angles and wind speeds. Therefore, shroud and flange were modeled and analyzed using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses and experiments were performed at two wind speeds 6 m/s and 8 m/s with and without the diffuser for model validation. The divergence angle of 4° was found to have no flow separation, thus maximizing flow rate. The proposed design shows wind speed improvement of up to 1.68 times compared to the baseline configuration. The corresponding optimum flange height was found to be 250 mm. However, increasing the divergence angle had a similar output. The dimensionless location of wind turbine was found to be between 0.45 and 0.5 for 2° and 4° divergence angle respectively. Furthermore, the maximum augmentation location varies with wind speed and diffuser’s divergence angle as described by dimensionless location of wind turbine, thus presenting a noteworthy contribution to the horizontal axis wind turbine area with the flanged diffuser.