bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High temperature short time blanching enhances the antioxidative properties of sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) powder
Authors: Windrayani E , Budhiyanti S A , Ekantari N
Published: December 2023

Green alga sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) were consumed by Asian and Pacific Island people. It contains antioxidant compounds, such as phenols and caulerpin (CAU) that can potentially prevent disease. These sea grapes need to be blanched before drying to minimize oxidation damage. This research aims to understand the effect of temperature during hot water blanching (HWB) on the antioxidant activities, TPC, CAU, color, and moisture content of sea grapes powder. HWB temperatures used 70, 80, 90, and 100 °C at 20 seconds. The HWB had a more significant increase in antioxidant activity than control of sea grapes powder. The 100 °C had the highest value on ABTS, FRAP, and TPC, respectively 13.18 ± 0.13 (μg TE/g), 1.52 ± 0.03 (mg Ferro E/g), 0.96 ± 0,01(mg GAE/100 g). It is increasing its value because enzyme deactivation is better in high temperatures. Short time with high-temperature blanching can prevent the loss of bioactive compounds. CAU has specific aromatic rings, -NH, C=O, and -O-; all samples have peaks at these frequencies. Blanching has an intense green color (-a*) because it can increase color quality but has no significant result in moisture content. This study suggested blanching sea grapes can be done at 100°C for 20 seconds.
Effect of carrageenan addition on the characteristic of chitosan-based bioplastic
Authors: Favian E , Nugraheni P S
Published: December 2023

Synthetic plastic is a product that widely used in daily life. However, the use of plastic has a negative impact that is very difficult to decompose by nature, so it is necessary to find other alternatives by switching to bioplastics. Chitosan is a polysaccharide that can be used as raw material for bioplastics because of its good plastic-forming ability. On the other hand, it has poor elasticity so it is necessary to add carrageenan which can improve the mechanical properties of bioplastics. The purpose of this research is to determine the characteristics of bioplastics made from a mixture of chitosan and carrageenan. The concentration of chitosan used was 2%, glycerol was 0.5%, and carrageenan concentrations were varied from 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%. Characteristic tests carried out were film thickness, density, moisture content, solubility, tensile strength, elongation, FTIR, and antibacterial activity. The result showed that the addition of 0.5% of carrageenan resulted in better bioplastic with film thickness of 0.06 mm, density of 0.85 g/cm3, water content of 17.27%, solubility of 36.89%, the tensile strength of 13.72 mPa, the elongation of 46.03%, inhibition zone of the antibacterial activity of 2.66 mm and a new group is formed in the FTIR test.
Quantifying photoluminescence variability in monolayer molybdenum disulfide films grown by chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Healy Brendan F M , Pain Sophie L , Lloyd-Hughes James , Grant Nicholas E , Murphy John D
Published: December 2023

Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising candidate for inclusion in optoelectronic technologies, owing to its two-dimensional (2D) nature and resultant novel photoluminescence (PL). Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is an important method for the preparation of large-area films of monolayer MoS2. The PL character of as-prepared monolayer MoS2 must be well understood to facilitate detailed evaluation of any process-induced effects during device fabrication. We comparatively explore the PL emission from four different commercially available CVD-grown MoS2 monolayer films. We characterize the samples via Raman and PL spectroscopy, using both single-spot and mapping techniques, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) is applied to map the surface structure. Via multipeak fitting, we decompose the PL spectra into constituent exciton and trion contributions, enabling an assessment of the quality of the MoS2 monolayers. We find that the PL character varies significantly from sample to sample. We also reveal substantial inhomogeneity of the PL signal across each individual MoS2 film. We attribute the PL variation to non-uniform MoS2 film morphologies that result from the nucleation and coalescence processes during the CVD film development. Understanding the large variability in starting PL behaviour is vital to optimize the optoelectronic properties for MoS2-based devices.
Non-quasistatic response coefficients and dissipated availability for macroscopic thermodynamic systems
Authors: Izumida Yuki
Published: December 2023

The characterization of finite-time thermodynamic processes is of crucial importance for extending equilibrium thermodynamics to nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The central issue is to quantify responses of thermodynamic variables and irreversible dissipation associated with non-quasistatic changes of thermodynamic forces applied to the system. In this study, we derive a simple formula that incorporates the non-quasistatic response coefficients with Onsager’s kinetic coefficients, where the Onsager coefficients characterize the relaxation dynamics of fluctuation of extensive thermodynamic variables of semi-macroscopic systems. Moreover, the thermodynamic length and the dissipated availability that quantifies the efficiency of irreversible thermodynamic processes are formulated in terms of the derived non-quasistatic response coefficients. The present results are demonstrated by using an ideal gas model. The present results are, in principle, verifiable through experiments and are thus expected to provide a guiding principle for the nonequilibrium control of macroscopic thermodynamic systems.
CO2 to solar fuel: design and reactivity of inorganic perovskites
Authors: Len Thomas , Chhabra Tripti , Rusanen Annu , Estrada-Pomares Jose , de Miguel Gustavo , Luque Rafael
Published: December 2023

Carbon dioxide release by human activity is the major cause of global warming. Decreasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is a challenge that needs to be addressed. In addition to their negative impact on the environment, the availability of petroleum-based fuel is decreasing. The photoconversion of CO2 into so-called green solar fuel is a possible alternative to reduce the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere aiming the limitation of greenhouse effect. Among the photocatalyst studied for these reactions, the perovskite-based appeared as one of the most promising class of materials. These materials possess unique optoelectronic properties and exhibit significant variability in terms of their dimensionality, structure, morphology, grain size, and tunable band gap, as well as the position of their valence band and conduction band. This review discusses both the classics and innovative perovskite synthesis methods such as solid-state reaction, hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis, hot injection or chemical precipitation. Then, the use of these materials for the photoreduction of CO2 into fuel such as formic acid, methanol and methane is detailed.
Role of multifidelity data in sequential active learning materials discovery campaigns: case study of electronic bandgap
Authors: Jacobs Ryan , Goins Philip E , Morgan Dane
Published: December 2023

Materials discovery and design typically proceeds through iterative evaluation (both experimental and computational) to obtain data, generally targeting improvement of one or more properties under one or more constraints (e.g. time or budget). However, there can be great variation in the quality and cost of different data, and when they are mixed together in what we here call multifidelity data, the optimal approaches to their utilization are not established. It is therefore important to develop strategies to acquire and use multifidelity data to realize the most efficient iterative materials exploration. In this work, we assess the impact of using multifidelity data through mock demonstration of designing solar cell materials, using the electronic bandgap as the target property. We propose a new approach of using multifidelity data through leveraging machine learning models of both low- and high-fidelity data, where using predicted low-fidelity data as an input feature in the high-fidelity model can improve the impact of a multifidelity data approach. We show how tradeoffs of low- versus high-fidelity measurement cost and acquisition can impact the materials discovery process. We find that the use of multifidelity data has maximal impact on the materials discovery campaign when approximately five low-fidelity measurements per high-fidelity measurement are performed, and when the cost of low-fidelity measurements is approximately 5% or less than that of high-fidelity measurements. This work provides practical guidance and useful qualitative measures for improving materials discovery campaigns that involve multifidelity data.
Comparison of Home and Office Blood Pressure Devices in the Clinical Setting
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P , Vyavahare Medha , Cluett Jennifer L , Turkson-Ocran Ruth-Alma , Mukamal Kenneth J , Ishak Anthony M
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring is increasingly used for remote hypertension management, but the real-world performance of home blood pressure (BP) devices is unknown. We examined BP measurements from patients’ home devices using the American Medical Association’s (AMA) SMBP Device Accuracy Test tool.

METHODS

Patients at a single internal medicine clinic underwent up to five seated, same-arm BP readings using a home device and an automated BP device (Omron HEM-907XL). Following the AMA’s three-step protocol, we used the patient’s home device for the first, second, and fourth measurements and the office device for the third and fifth (if needed) measurements. Device agreement failure was defined as an absolute difference in systolic BP >10 mm Hg between the home and office devices in either of two confirmatory steps. Performance was examined by brand (Omron vs. non-Omron). Moreover, we examined patient factors associated with agreement failure via logistic regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

We evaluated 152 patients (mean age 60 ± 15 years, 58% women, 31% Black) seen between October 2020 and November 2021. Device agreement failure occurred in 22.4% (95% CI: 16.4%, 29.7%) of devices tested, including 19.1% among Omron devices and 27.6% among non-Omron devices (P = 0.23). No patient characteristics were associated with agreement failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Over one-fifth of home devices did not agree based on the AMA SMBP device accuracy protocol. These findings confirm the importance of office-based device comparisons to ensure the accuracy of home BP monitoring.
How New Developments in Pharmacology Receptor Theory Are Changing (Our Understanding of) Hypertension Therapy
Authors: Watts Stephanie W , Townsend Raymond R , Neubig Richard R
Published: December 2023

Background

Many hypertension therapeutics were developed prior to major advances in drug receptor theory. Moreover, newer drugs may take advantage of some of the newly understood modalities of receptor function.

Goal

The goal of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of drug receptor theory. This is followed by a discussion of the drug classes recognized for treating hypertension to which new concepts in receptor theory apply.

Results

We raise ideas for mechanisms of potential new antihypertensive drugs and whether they may take advantage of new theories in drug–receptor interaction.
The risk of brood parasitism does not affect levels of extrapair paternity in a cuckoo host
Authors: Zhang Jinggang , Santema Peter , Wang Hui , Lin Zixuan , Yang Lixing , Yan Denghui , Li Jianqiang , Deng Wenhong , Kempenaers Bart
Published: December 2023

In socially monogamous bird species, extrapair paternity is common, but its level varies considerably within and among species. For hosts of brood parasites, the risk of brood parasitism may influence the costs of engaging in extrapair copulations (e.g., leaving the nest undefended) and the benefits of having extrapair young (e.g., spreading the risk of nest predation). However, whether brood parasitism risk affects extrapair behavior in host species has rarely been tested. We investigated whether variation in the risk of brood parasitism affected levels of extrapair paternity in Daurian redstarts, a socially monogamous passerine. As a common host of the common cuckoo, the redstart is unique in that its first clutch of the year takes place before the arrival of cuckoos. As a consequence, redstarts experience large seasonal variation in cuckoo parasitism risk, with no parasitism in the first egg-laying period and a high risk in the second period. We genotyped 995 nestlings (and unhatched eggs) from 181 broods and found moderate levels of extrapair paternity, with 34.8% of broods containing at least one extrapair young and 11.7% of all offspring being sired by an extrapair male. However, levels of extrapair paternity did not differ between the first and the second egg-laying period. Also, experimentally simulating parasitism risk during the first egg-laying period by broadcasting cuckoo vocalizations and presenting taxidermic models of cuckoos did not affect levels of extrapair paternity in redstarts. Our results, therefore, suggest that the risk of brood parasitism does not affect host extrapair paternity.
A review of genetic variant databases and machine learning tools for predicting the pathogenicity of breast cancer
Authors: Ahmad Rahaf M , Ali Bassam R , Al-Jasmi Fatma , Sinnott Richard O , Al Dhaheri Noura , Mohamad Mohd Saberi
Published: December 2023

Studies continue to uncover contributing risk factors for breast cancer (BC) development including genetic variants. Advances in machine learning and big data generated from genetic sequencing can now be used for predicting BC pathogenicity. However, it is unclear which tool developed for pathogenicity prediction is most suited for predicting the impact and pathogenicity of variant effects. A significant challenge is to determine the most suitable data source for each tool since different tools can yield different prediction results with different data inputs. To this end, this work reviews genetic variant databases and tools used specifically for the prediction of BC pathogenicity. We provide a description of existing genetic variants databases and, where appropriate, the diseases for which they have been established. Through example, we illustrate how they can be used for prediction of BC pathogenicity and discuss their associated advantages and disadvantages. We conclude that the tools that are specialized by training on multiple diverse datasets from different databases for the same disease have enhanced accuracy and specificity and are thereby more helpful to the clinicians in predicting and diagnosing BC as early as possible.
‘Listen Very Carefully, We Will Say This Only Once (Again)’ Dead Ends to Politicisation in Social Work
Authors: Naert Jan , Debruyne Pascal , Van Bouchaute Bart , Roose Rudi
Published: December 2023

This article explores the significance of politicisation in social work and its role in challenging power dynamics and promoting transformative change. It is viewed as a means to challenge established power structures, raise awareness of issues and engage in political action. Three pitfalls are identified in the way politicisation is conceptualised and used. First, there is a tendency to define politicisation too broadly. The authors assert that politicisation should involve challenging the existing system rather than merely making modifications. Secondly, the belief in consensus thinking about democracy is criticised, as it overlooks power imbalances inherent in politics. The authors advocate for an agonistic politics approach, where ideological opponents engage in a struggle over competing values and interests within a shared democratic space. Lastly, the adoption of subpolitics as a politicising strategy, which focuses on individual actions, is deemed inadequate as it often fails to address structural inequalities. Instead, the authors propose prefigurative politics, which involves creating concrete collective interventions that anticipate and embody a different society in the present. In conclusion, this article underscores the importance of understanding its distinct meaning and strategies. The authors suggest agonistic and prefigurative politics as a promising framework for politicising practices in social work.
Translanguaging: a paradigm shift for ELT theory and practice
Authors: Anderson Jason
Published: December 2023

Translanguaging theory and pedagogy have emerged as central to the recent multilingual turn in educational linguistics and language teaching, including ELT. This article will explore translanguaging from theoretical and practical perspectives, aiming to clarify what it is and is not claiming, and what types of pedagogic practice it advocates, both in its stronger and weaker forms. I argue that a paradigm shift is occurring in the field, parallel with the shift in understanding of the nature of language itself that underpins both translanguaging theory and integrationism in linguistics. Implications for practice in ELT are also explored, including a reorientation concerning the goals of language teaching, a recognition of English as a social construct with traditions of use rather than immutable rules, and a repositioning of the many translingual teachers around the world as the experts at the centre of the multilingual turn that is defining early twenty-first century language pedagogy.
Contrasting the form and strength of pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection in a flatworm
Authors: Marie-Orleach Lucas , Hall Matthew D , Schärer Lukas
Published: December 2023

Sexual traits may be selected during multiple consecutive episodes of selection, occurring before, during, or after copulation. The overall strength and form of selection acting on traits may thus be determined by how selection (co-)varies along different episodes. However, it is challenging to measure pre- and postcopulatory phenotypic traits alongside variation in fitness components at each different episode. Here, we used a transgenic line of the transparent flatworm Macrostomum lignano expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in all cell types, including sperm cells, enabling in vivo sperm tracking. We assessed the mating success, sperm-transfer efficiency, and sperm fertilizing efficiency of GFP(+) focal worms in which we measured 13 morphological traits. We found linear selection on sperm production rate arising from pre- and postcopulatory components and on copulatory organ shape arising from sperm fertilizing efficiency. We further found nonlinear (mostly concave) selection on combinations of copulatory organ and sperm morphology traits arising mostly from sperm-transfer efficiency and sperm fertilizing efficiency. Our study provides a fine-scale quantification of sexual selection, showing that both the form and strength of selection can change across fitness components. Quantifying how sexual selection builds up along episodes of selection allows us to better understand the evolution of sexually selected traits.
The evolution of ontogenetic “decision-making” in the wood of a clade of tropical plants
Authors: Petrone-Mendoza Emilio , Benítez Mariana , Lárraga María E , Olson Mark E
Published: December 2023

Greater diversity in functional morphology should be associated with the evolution of greater ontogenetic diversity, an expectation difficult to test in most long-lived wild organisms. In the cells derived from the wood meristem (vascular cambium), plants provide extraordinary systems for reconstructing ontogenies in often long-lived organisms. The vascular cambium produces files of cells from the stem center to the periphery, with each cambial derivative “deciding” which of four cell types it differentiates into. Wood cell files remain in place, allowing tracing of the ontogenetic “decisions” taken throughout the life of a stem. We compared cell files from the Pedilanthus clade (genus Euphorbia), which span a range of growth forms from small trees and shrubs of tropical habitats to desert succulents. Using language theory, we represented wood cell types as “letters” and combinations of cell types in cell files as “words,” allowing us to measure the diversity of decisions based on word frequency matrices. We also used information content metrics to compare levels of predictability in “decision-making.” Our analyses identified a wider array of developmental decisions in woody trees as compared to succulent shrubs, illustrating ways that woody plants provide unparalleled systems for studying the evolution of ontogeny in long-lived, non-model species.
Centromere-proximal suppression of meiotic crossovers in Drosophila is robust to changes in centromere number, repetitive DNA content, and centromere-clustering
Authors: Pazhayam Nila M , Frazier Leah K , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: December 2023

Accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis depends on both the presence and the regulated placement of crossovers (COs). The centromere effect, or CO exclusion in pericentromeric regions of the chromosome, is a meiotic CO patterning phenomenon that helps prevent nondisjunction, thereby protecting against chromosomal disorders and other meiotic defects. Despite being identified nearly a century ago, the mechanisms behind this fundamental cellular process remain unknown, with most studies of the Drosophila centromere effect focusing on local influences of the centromere and pericentric heterochromatin. In this study, we sought to investigate whether dosage changes in centromere number and repetitive DNA content affect the strength of the centromere effect, using phenotypic recombination mapping. Additionally, we studied the effects of repetitive DNA function on centromere effect strength using satellite DNA–binding protein mutants displaying defective centromere-clustering in meiotic nuclei. Despite what previous studies suggest, our results show that the Drosophila centromere effect is robust to changes in centromere number, repetitive DNA content, as well as repetitive DNA function. Our study suggests that the centromere effect is unlikely to be spatially controlled, providing novel insight into the mechanisms behind the Drosophila centromere effect.
Skeletal Muscle Energetics Explain the Sex Disparity in Mobility Impairment in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging
Authors: Kramer Philip A , Coen Paul M , Cawthon Peggy M , Distefano Giovanna , Cummings Steven R , Goodpaster Bret H , Hepple Russell T , Kritchevsky Stephen B , Shankland Eric G , Marcinek David J , Toledo Frederico G S , Duchowny Kate A , Ramos Sofhia V , Harrison Stephanie , Newman Anne B , Molina Anthony J A
Published: December 2023

The age-related decline in muscle mitochondrial energetics contributes to the loss of mobility in older adults. Women experience a higher prevalence of mobility impairment compared to men, but it is unknown whether sex-specific differences in muscle energetics underlie this disparity. In the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA), muscle energetics were characterized using in vivo phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution respirometry of vastus lateralis biopsies in 773 participants (56.4% women, age 70–94 years). A Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score ≤8 was used to define lower-extremity mobility impairment. Muscle mitochondrial energetics were lower in women compared to men (eg, Maximal Complex I&II OXPHOS: Women = 55.06 ± 15.95; Men = 65.80 ± 19.74; p < .001) and in individuals with mobility impairment compared to those without (eg, Maximal Complex I&II OXPHOS in women: SPPB ≥ 9 = 56.59 ± 16.22; SPPB ≤ 8 = 47.37 ± 11.85; p < .001). Muscle energetics were negatively associated with age only in men (eg, Maximal ETS capacity: R = −0.15, p = .02; age/sex interaction, p = .04), resulting in muscle energetics measures that were significantly lower in women than men in the 70–79 age group but not the 80+ age group. Similarly, the odds of mobility impairment were greater in women than men only in the 70–79 age group (70–79 age group, odds ratio [OR]age-adjusted = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 3.08, p = .038; 80+ age group, ORage-adjusted = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.52, 2.15, p = .89). Accounting for muscle energetics attenuated up to 75% of the greater odds of mobility impairment in women. Women had lower muscle mitochondrial energetics compared to men, which largely explain their greater odds of lower-extremity mobility impairment.
Systematic Literature Review: Ability of the IBDQ-32 to Detect Meaningful Change in Ulcerative Colitis Health Indicators
Authors: Dubinsky Marla , Rice Alexander , Yarlas Aaron , Hur Peter , Cappelleri Joseph C , Kulisek Nicole , Fahrny Audrey , Bushmakin Andrew , Biedermann Luc
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Previous reviews produced weak evidence regarding the responsiveness of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ-32) to changes in ulcerative colitis (UC) health indicators. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an updated synthesis on IBDQ-32 responsiveness.

Methods

A systematic literature review identified 11 articles reporting IBDQ-32 responder analyses in randomized control trials, which were included in a random effects meta-analysis, and 15 articles linking IBDQ-32 change to change in UC health indicators, which were summarized narratively. Meta-analysis compared differences between IBDQ-32 responder proportions in efficacious and nonefficacious treatment arms relative to placebo. Linear meta-regression examined the association of treatment efficacy and proportions of IBDQ-32 responders in active treatment compared with placebo.

Results

Meta-analysis showed larger differences in IBDQ-32 response proportions between active treatment and placebo for efficacious treatments (pooled OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.83-2.63) than nonefficacious treatments (pooled OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.84-1.74; Cochran’s Q[df = 1] = 8.26, P = .004). Meta-regression showed that the magnitude of treatment efficacy positively predicted IBDQ-32 response in active treatments relative to placebo (β = 0.21, P < .001). Moderate to strong correlations were found between change in IBDQ-32 and change in health indicators (eg, patient-reported measures, disease activity, endoscopic indices; correlations, 0.37-0.64 in absolute values). Patients achieving clinical response or remission showed greater change in IBDQ-32 total scores (range, 22.3-50.1 points) and more frequently met clinically meaningful thresholds on the IBDQ-32 than those not achieving clinical response or remission (all P < .05).

Conclusions

The IBDQ-32 is responsive to changes in UC health indicators and disease activity, including in response to efficacious treatment (relative to placebo).
Oral vs Intravenous Discharge Antibiotic Regimens in the Management of Intra-abdominal Abscesses in Penetrating Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Fansiwala Kush , Rusher Alison , Shore Brandon , Herfarth Hans H , Barnes Edward , Kochar Bharati , Chang Shannon
Published: December 2023

Background

Antibiotics are a cornerstone in management of intra-abdominal abscesses in Crohn’s disease (CD). Yet, the optimal route of antibiotic administration is poorly studied. We aimed to compare surgical and nonsurgical readmission outcomes for patients hospitalized for intra-abdominal abscesses from CD discharged on oral (PO) or intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

Methods

Data for patients with CD hospitalized for an intra-abdominal abscess were obtained from 3 institutions from January 2010 to December 2020. Baseline patient characteristics were obtained. Primary outcomes of interest included need for surgery and hospital readmission within 1 year from hospital discharge. We used multivariable logistic regression models and Cox regression analysis to adjust for abscess size, history of prior surgery, history of penetrating disease, and age.

Results

We identified 99 patients discharged on antibiotics (PO = 74, IV = 25). Readmissions related to CD at 12 months were less likely in the IV group (40% vs 77% PO, P = .01), with the IV group demonstrating a decreased risk for nonsurgical readmissions over time (hazard ratio, 0.376; 95% confidence interval, 0.176-0.802). Requirement for surgery was similar between the groups. There were no differences in time to surgery between groups.

Conclusions

In this retrospective, multicenter cohort of CD patients with intra-abdominal abscess, surgical outcomes were similar between patients receiving PO vs IV antibiotics at discharge. Patients treated with IV antibiotics demonstrated a decreased risk for nonsurgical readmission. Further prospective trials are needed to better delineate optimal route of antibiotic administration in patients with penetrating CD.
Factors influencing pharmacists’ roles in preventing prescription and over-the-counter opioid misuse: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Offu Ogochukwu Fidelia , Visram Shelina , Rathbone Adam Pattison , Lindsey Laura
Published: December 2023

Background

The prescribing rate of opioids is increasing and is a main contributor to opioid misuse. Community pharmacists can help reduce opioid misuse rates by carrying out prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) opioid misuse prevention services. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to community pharmacists’ involvement has the potential to improve these services.

Objective

To review the literature on the barriers and facilitators of community pharmacists’ involvement in prescription and OTC opioid misuse prevention.

Methods

A systematic review of primary research was carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and APA PsycINFO from January 2022 to March 2022. Narrative synthesis underpinned by the COM-B model was used to analyse findings from the included articles. Studies were included if they used qualitative or mixed methods; published in English and focussed on OTC or prescription opioids.

Results

Ten studies were included in the review. Barriers and facilitators were grouped into individual, environmental, and system-level factors. Based on the COM-B model, these factors were classified as capabilities (knowledge and skill), opportunities (e.g. relationship with prescribers, time), and motivation (pharmacists’ attitude).

Conclusion

Improving pharmacists’ capabilities and opportunities might improve pharmacists’ motivation to offer opioid misuse services. This could improve pharmacists’ behaviour, that is, their role in preventing prescription and OTC opioid misuse. The findings of this review were based on information obtained from primary evidence from qualitative studies; However. further empirical work is needed to identify how pharmacists can be supported.
Debt Crises, Fast and Slow
Authors: Corsetti Giancarlo , Maeng Fred Seunghyun
Published: December 2023

We build a dynamic model where the economy is vulnerable to belief-driven slow-moving debt crises at intermediate debt levels, and rollover crises at both low and high debt levels. Vis-à-vis the threat of slow-moving crises, countercyclical deficits generally welfare-dominate debt reduction policies. In a recession, optimizing governments only deleverage if debt is close to the threshold below which belief-driven slow-moving crises can no longer occur. The welfare benefits from deleveraging instead dominate if governments are concerned with losing market access even at low debt levels. Long bond maturities may fully eliminate belief-driven rollover crises but not slow-moving ones.
Are local retail services an amenity or a nuisance?
Authors: Ghorbani Pooya , Meltzer Rachel
Published: December 2023

We test whether local retail services are considered a nuisance or an amenity and how this distinction is capitalized into residential property values. Using a rich, micro-spatial dataset on property sales transactions and business activity in New York City, we estimate the impact of access to neighborhood retail services on residential sales prices. We construct two instruments to channel supply-side drivers of retail change and to address concerns of endogeneity between changes in retail activity and property values. Results show that retail services that are more frequently consumed and experiential, and are located in relatively more mixed-use neighborhoods are positively capitalized into property values. Residents also pay more to be closer to more diverse retail clusters, and relatively less to be closer to chains. This is true across smaller 1-to-4 family homes as well as larger condos/coops and multi-family rental buildings. The price effects from certain classifications of retail, like restaurants and personal services, are mixed depending on the kind of residential property and the local concentration of the retail. Therefore, the relative strength of the amenity or nuisance effect is very much conditioned on the type of service and the localized neighborhood context.
Stress interactions in cracked media during the closure of prestressed cracks
Authors: Hu Jun-Hua , Li Song-Hui , Cao Cheng-Hao , Cui Rui
Published: December 2023

With the increasing pressure, a crack in a medium will be gradually closed, which is affected by stress interactions. The closing process of parallel cracks under vertical stress is simulated here. The coplanar and stacked cracked models are constructed to analyze the influence of two types of stress interaction on the closing process. The spatial distribution of cracks, demonstrated by numerical experiments, has a significant impact on stress interactions and thus the process of crack closure. The mechanisms underlying the delay of crack closure caused by stress interactions are different for the two models. Furthermore, according to the stress dependence of crack microscopic parameters (crack porosity, aperture, and length of major axis), the process of crack closure can be divided into three stages: the linear deformation stage, the contact stage, and the closure stage. In the first stage, no contact is permitted inside the crack. The shielding effect directly leads to a closure lag, and thus a linear stress dependence of the microscopic crack parameter. In the second stage, the shielding effect determines the increasing rate for the stress dependence of microscopic crack parameters in regularly distributed cracked models. However, for the randomly distributed cracked model, local stress interactions result in the eccentric closure of cracks, and thus the crack closure lag. In the last stage, the crack is closed and stress interactions disappear both in the regularly and randomly distributed models.
The stunted development of unfair competition law in the United States and Canada
Authors: Farley Christine Haight
Published: December 2023

Both the United States and Canada present unfair competition law in a way that is complex and indicative of their kindred beginnings. Sharing a closely paralleled history in the development of unfair competition law, these countries exhibit unique similarities in both substance and approach, likely not found in any other jurisdiction. Born out of English common law, the early trajectory of unfair competition was inextricably linked to trade mark law. Both countries’ legislatures passed ambitious trade mark statutes that created federal regulation of certain areas of unfair competition, while also reserving large areas for the state or provincial legislatures to regulate. Claimants therefore navigate substantial variety in unfair competition protections depending on the cause of action. Even so, obligations under international agreements such as the Paris Convention and interaction with other bodies of law further extend the unfair competition legal landscape. Despite its complexity, the United States and Canada share remarkably similar paths to unfair competition protection. Understanding their history, limited national legislative powers, policy rationales, obligations under international agreements and the interplay between federal and state or provincial law create a rich and multifaceted unfair competition landscape.
Intangible cultural heritage in industrial design
Authors: Shen Yu , Cai Yang-chao , Wang Xin-yue
Published: December 2023

The research aims to develop an original product design using elements of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). It attempts to evaluate the attractiveness of design with elements of ICH in individual countries and on the world stage. A Master of Art History from Korea National University of Arts participated in the analysis and research of ICH objects. Based on the Gmarket online store, the authors conducted fake door testing to determine the attractiveness of this design for consumers. The method of paired comparisons allowed the authors to assess the attractiveness of a design with the ICH elements on the world stage. Following the project’s objectives, the study demonstrated 211 thousand views of the product page with the developed design and 767 thousand views of pages with similar products during one calendar month.
Subcutaneous Anti-inflammatory Therapies to Prevent Burn Progression in a Swine Model of Contact Burn Injury
Authors: Thompson Marc A , Shaffer Lucy , Larson David A , Stavena-Holik Michelle , Nail Carole , Leatherman Logan , Tomblyn Seth , Burnett Luke , Rizzo Julie , Christy Robert J , Kowalczewski Christine J
Published: December 2023

Introduction

If left untreated, burn injuries can deepen or progress in depth within the first 72 hours after injury as a result of increased wound inflammation, subsequently worsening healing outcomes. This can be especially detrimental to warfighters who are constrained to resource-limited environments with delayed evacuation times to higher roles of care and more effective treatment. Preventing this burn progression at the point of injury has the potential to improve healing outcomes but requires a field-deployable therapy and delivery system. Subcutaneous therapies known to treat inflammation delivered local to the wound site may prove to be one such avenue for success.

Materials and Methods

Seven Yorkshire-cross swine received partial-thickness burn injuries using a previously established contact burn model. Each animal received one of the seven therapies: (1) saline, (2) heparin, (3) ibuprofen, (4) erythropoietin, (5) resolvin, (6) rapamycin, and (7) placental extract, all of which are either currently employed or are experimental in field use and indicated to treat inflammation. Treatments were delivered subcutaneously on the day of injury and 24 hours post-injury to simulate a prolonged field care scenario, before potential evacuation. Animals and wound development were observed for 28 days before euthanasia. Throughout the course of the study, wounds were observed macroscopically via non-invasive imaging. Histological analyses provided the critical metric of burn progression. Treatment success criteria were designated as the ability to prevent burn progression past 80% of the dermal depth in two of the three treated wounds, a clinically relevant metric of burn progression.

Results

It was determined that the applied model successfully created reproducible partial-thickness burn injuries in this porcine study. No significant differences with regard to lateral wound size or the rate of lateral wound closure were observed in any treatments. Several treatments including resolvin, rapamycin, ibuprofen, and erythropoietin successfully reduced burn progression to less than 80% of the dermal depth in two of the three wounds, 24 hours after injury.

Conclusions

This report employs an established model of porcine contact burn injury in order to test the ability of local subcutaneous delivery of therapeutics to prevent burn progression at the point of injury, via what is believed to be the inhibition of inflammation. Several treatments successfully prevented burn progression to a full-thickness injury, potentially improving wound healing outcomes in a simulated battlefield scenario. Subcutaneously administered therapies combating burn-induced inflammation at the point of injury may serve as a field-deployable treatment modality to improve warfighter recovery and return to duty.
Comparison of volumetric and 2D-based response methods in the PNOC-001 pediatric low-grade glioma clinical trial
Authors: von Reppert Marc , Ramakrishnan Divya , Brüningk Sarah C , Memon Fatima , Abi Fadel Sandra , Maleki Nazanin , Bahar Ryan , Avesta Arman E , Jekel Leon , Sala Matthew , Lost Jan , Tillmanns Niklas , Kaur Manpreet , Aneja Sanjay , Fathi Kazerooni Anahita , Nabavizadeh Ali , Lin MingDe , Hoffmann Karl-Titus , Bousabarah Khaled , Swanson Kristin R , Haas-Kogan Daphne , Mueller Sabine , Aboian Mariam S
Published: December 2023

Background

Although response in pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) includes volumetric assessment, more simplified 2D-based methods are often used in clinical trials. The study’s purpose was to compare volumetric to 2D methods.

Methods

An expert neuroradiologist performed solid and whole tumor (including cyst and edema) volumetric measurements on MR images using a PACS-based manual segmentation tool in 43 pLGG participants (213 total follow-up images) from the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC-001) trial. Classification based on changes in volumetric and 2D measurements of solid tumor were compared to neuroradiologist visual response assessment using the Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System (BT-RADS) criteria for a subset of 65 images using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Longitudinal modeling of solid tumor volume was used to predict BT-RADS classification in 54 of the 65 images.

Results

There was a significant difference in ROC area under the curve between 3D solid tumor volume and 2D area (0.96 vs 0.78, P = .005) and between 3D solid and 3D whole volume (0.96 vs 0.84, P = .006) when classifying BT-RADS progressive disease (PD). Thresholds of 15–25% increase in 3D solid tumor volume had an 80% sensitivity in classifying BT-RADS PD included in their 95% confidence intervals. The longitudinal model of solid volume response had a sensitivity of 82% and a positive predictive value of 67% for detecting BT-RADS PD.

Conclusions

Volumetric analysis of solid tumor was significantly better than 2D measurements in classifying tumor progression as determined by BT-RADS criteria and will enable more comprehensive clinical management.
Automation of Functional Mobility Assessments at Home Using a Multimodal Sensor System Integrating Inertial Measurement Units and Computer Vision (IMU-Vision)
Authors: Spangler Johanna , Mitjans Marc , Collimore Ashley , Gomes-Pires Aysha , Levine David M , Tron Roberto , Awad Louis N
Published: December 2023

Objective

Functional movement assessments are routinely used to evaluate and track changes in mobility. The objective of this study was to evaluate a multimodal movement monitoring system developed for autonomous, home-based, functional movement assessment.

Methods

Fifty frail and prefrail adults were recruited from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Home program to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of applying the multimodal movement monitoring system to autonomously recognize and score functional activities collected in the home. Study subjects completed sit-to-stand, standing balance (Romberg, semitandem, and tandem), and walking test activities in likeness to the Short Physical Performance Battery. Test activities were identified and scored manually and by the multimodal movement monitoring system’s activity recognition and scoring algorithms, which were previously trained on lab-based biomechanical data to integrate wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) and external red–blue–green-depth vision data. Feasibility was quantified as the proportion of completed tests that were analyzable. Accuracy was quantified as the degree of agreement between the actual and system-identified activities. In an exploratory analysis of a subset of functional activity data, the accuracy of a preliminary activity-scoring algorithm was also evaluated.

Results

Activity recognition by the IMU-vision system had good feasibility and high accuracy. Of 271 test activities collected in the home, 217 (80%) were analyzable by the activity-recognition algorithm, which overall correctly identified 206 (95%) of the analyzable activities: 100% of walking, 97% of balance, and 82% of sit-to-stand activities (χ2(2) = 19.9). In the subset of 152 tests suitable for activity scoring, automatic and manual scores showed substantial agreement (Kw = 0.76 [0.69, 0.83]).

Conclusions

Autonomous recognition and scoring of home-based functional activities is enabled by a multimodal movement monitoring system that integrates inertial measurement unit and vision data. Further algorithm training with ecologically valid data and a kitted system that is independently usable by patients are needed before fully autonomous, functional movement assessment is realizable.

Impact

Functional movement assessments that can be administered in the home without a clinician present have the potential to democratize these evaluations and improve care access.
The moral embeddedness of cryptomarkets: text mining feedback on economic exchanges on the dark web
Authors: Macanovic Ana , Przepiorka Wojtek
Published: December 2023

Reputation systems promote cooperation in large-scale online markets for illegal goods. These so-called cryptomarkets operate on the Dark Web, where legal, social, and moral trust-building mechanisms are difficult to establish. However, for the reputation mechanism to be effective in promoting cooperation, traders have to leave feedback after completed transactions in the form of ratings and short texts. Here we investigate the motivational landscape of the reputation systems of three large cryptomarkets. We employ manual and automatic text mining methods to code 2 million feedback texts for a range of motives for leaving feedback. We find that next to self-regarding motives and reciprocity, moral norms (i.e. unconditional considerations for others’ outcomes) drive traders’ voluntary supply of information to reputation systems. Our results show how psychological mechanisms interact with organizational features of markets to provide a collective good that promotes mutually beneficial economic exchange.