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Deepfakes raise various concerns: risks of political destabilization, depictions of persons without consent and causing them harms, erosion of trust in video and audio as reliable sources of evidence, and more. These concerns have been the focus of recent work in the philosophical literature on deepfakes. However, there has been almost no sustained philosophical analysis of deepfakes from the perspective of concerns about honesty and dishonesty. That deepfakes are potentially deceptive is unsurprising and has been noted. But under what conditions does the use of deepfakes fail to be honest? And which human agents, involved in one way or another in a deepfake, fail to be honest, and in what ways? If we are to understand better the morality of deepfakes, these questions need answering. Our first goal in this paper, therefore, is to offer an analysis of paradigmatic cases of deepfakes in light of the philosophy of honesty. While it is clear that many deepfakes are morally problematic, there has been a rising counter-chorus claiming that deepfakes are not essentially morally bad, since there might be uses of deepfakes that are not morally wrong, or even that are morally salutary, for instance, in education, entertainment, activism, and other areas. However, while there are reasons to think that deepfakes can supply or support moral goods, it is nevertheless possible that even these uses of deepfakes are dishonest. Our second goal in this paper, therefore, is to apply our analysis of deepfakes and honesty to the sorts of deepfakes hoped to be morally good or at least neutral. We conclude that, perhaps surprisingly, in many of these cases the use of deepfakes will be dishonest in some respects. Of course, there will be cases of deepfakes for which verdicts about honesty and moral permissibility do not line up. While we will sometimes suggest reasons why moral permissibility verdicts might diverge from honesty verdicts, we will not aim to settle matters of moral permissibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies suggest the transplantation of Hepatitis C (HCV) hearts from viremic donors is associated with comparable 1 year survival to nonviremic donors. Though HCV viremia is a known risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis, data on cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) outcomes are limited. We compared the incidence of CAV in heart transplant recipients from HCV viremic donors (nucleic acid amplification test positive; NAT+) compared to non‐HCV infected donors (NAT−). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed annual coronary angiograms with intravascular ultrasound from April 2017 to August 2020 at two large cardiac transplant centers. CAV was graded according to ISHLT guidelines. Maximal intimal thickness (MIT) ≥ 0.5 mm was considered significant for subclinical disease. Results: Among 270 heart transplant recipients (mean age 54; 77% male), 62 patients were transplanted from NAT+ donors. CAV ≥ grade 1 was present in 8.8% of the NAT+ versus 16.8% of the NAT‐ group at 1 year, 20% versus 28.8% at 2 years, and 33.3% versus 41.5% at 3 years. After adjusting for donor age, donor smoking history, recipient BMI, recipient, hypertension, and recipient diabetes, NAT+ status did not confer increased risk of CAV (HR.80; 95% CI.45–1.40, p = 0.43) or subclinical IVUS disease (HR.87; 95% CI.58–1.30, p = 0.49). Additionally, there was no difference in the presence of rapidly progressive lesions on IVUS. Conclusion: Our data show that NAT+ donors conferred no increased risk for early CAV or subclinical IVUS disease following transplantation in a cohort of heart transplant patients who were treated for HCV, suggesting the short‐term safety of this strategy to maximize the pool of available donor hearts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and alcohol-induced deaths have increased dramatically over the last 2 decades. Patients are often referred to liver transplant programs critically ill with a life expectancy of less than 6 months. Historically, less than 6 months sobriety has been an absolute contraindication for transplant listing as ALD is stigmatized as a choice, as patients are responsible for their condition because they did not stop drinking. It has been recommended that 6 months of sobriety should not be considered the determining factor for access to transplantation. However, changing years of clinical practice involves developing new protocols, finding available resources, reworking systems, transforming team, and institutional culture. Steps taken by a large, urban, academic liver transplant program to develop a program for patients with end stage ALD with less than 6 months of sobriety are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Heart transplant (HT) recipients with prior exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV R+) are considered intermediate risk for CMV‐related complications. Consensus guidelines allow for either universal prophylaxis (UP) or preemptive therapy (PET) (serial CMV testing) approaches to CMV prevention in such patients. Whether an optimal approach to mitigate CMV related risks exists in this setting remains uncertain. We therefore assessed the utility of PET as compared to UP in CMV R+ HT recipients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all CMV R+ HT recipients from 6 U.S. centers between 2010 and 2018 was performed. The primary outcome was the development of CMV DNAemia or end‐organ disease resulting in the initiation/escalation of anti‐CMV therapy. The secondary outcome was CMV‐related hospitalization. Additional outcomes included incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) ≥ grade 2R, death, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and leukopenia. Results: Of 563 CMV R+ HT recipients, 344 (61.1%) received UP. PET was associated with increased risk for the primary (adjusted HR 3.95, 95% CI: 2.65–5.88, p <.001) and secondary (adjusted HR 3.19, 95% CI: 1.47–6.94, p =.004) outcomes, and with increased ACR ≥ grade 2R (PET 59.4% vs. UP 34.4%, p <.001). Incidence of detectable CAV was similar at 1 year (PET 8.2% vs. UP 9.5%, p =.698). UP was associated with increased incidence of leukopenia within 6 months post‐HT (PET 34.7% vs. UP 43.6%, p =.036). Conclusion: The use of a PET CMV prophylaxis strategy in intermediate risk HT recipients associated with increased risk of CMV infection and CMV‐related hospitalization, and may associate with worse post‐HT graft outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A National Cancer Information System is planned for phased implementation in Irish cancer centres to enable electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) of systemic anti-cancer therapy. This study aimed to capture the opinions of healthcare professionals in a hospital setting relating to the current paper-based workflow for systemic anti-cancer therapy prescribing and their attitudes and expectations of the new ePrescribing system to develop recommendations, which assist in the planning and implementation of future ePrescribing systems. Methods: A mixed methods study of concurrent design was conducted. Interviews with healthcare professionals primarily aimed to evaluate processes and identify areas requiring improvement within the current paper-based workflow for systemic anti-cancer therapy prescribing. An online questionnaire adapted from the Information Systems Expectations and Experiences tool primarily aimed to capture expectations of the new ePrescribing system and attitudes towards the transition. Results: Twelve healthcare professionals were interviewed, and 50 healthcare professionals responded to the online questionnaire (response rate: 33.3%). Eight major themes emerged from interview transcripts relating to opinions on the paper-based workflow. Questionnaire respondents reported positive attitudes towards ePrescribing implementation and had high expectations for workflow improvements and functionalities of the new system. Seven recommendations for ePrescribing implementation were developed: (1) prioritise specific processes; (2) plan for changes in communication; (3) repeat research in the post-implementation setting; (4) ensure good information technology infrastructure and system support; (5) ensure optimum training; (6) outline limitations of clinical decision support; (7) provide clear instructions on local configurability. Conclusion: This study identifies potential challenges in transitioning to ePrescribing and provides recommendations, which assist stakeholders in ensuring safe and effective transitions, thus informing future ePrescribing systems' implementation in haematology/oncology settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been largely overlooked by neuroscientists, it has the potential to serve as a powerful model for the investigation of brain-behavior relationships. The silver fox is a melanistic variant of the red fox. Within this species, the long-running Russian farm-fox experiment has resulted in different strains bred to show divergent behavior. Strains bred for tameness, aggression, or without selection on behavior present an excellent opportunity to investigate neuroanatomical changes underlying behavioral characteristics. Here, we present a histological and MRI neuroanatomical reference of a fox from the conventional strain, which is bred without behavioral selection. This can provide an anatomical basis for future studies of the brains of foxes from this particular experiment, as well as contribute to an understanding of fox brains in general. In addition, this can serve as a resource for comparative neuroscience and investigations into neuroanatomical variation among the family Canidae, the order Carnivora, and mammals more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The call to raise educational standards in the UK has a particular focus on the underachievement of pupils attending schools facing challenging socioeconomic circumstances. In 2017 the Education Policy Institute (UK) reported that the most disadvantaged pupils in England are on average over 2 years of learning behind non-disadvantaged pupils by the end of their secondary education. Contributing to this underachievement is the notion of 'poverty of expectation' with some teachers being unambitious in their teaching, failing to challenge their pupils to achieve at the highest levels. In primary science education this is exacerbated by the fact that non-specialist teachers commonly deliver the science curriculum. Lack of confidence and expertise in science can limit knowledge of teaching strategies and approaches required to engage and stretch pupils. The Hope Challenge Model for partnership brings together a university's Initial Teacher Education programme and urban primary schools facing challenging socio–economic circumstances. It aims to introduce trainee teachers to schools in a way that builds their confidence and nurtures more ambitious teaching for the future. This paper provides insights from an action research study designed to understand the processes and impact of the HCM (an action research cycle in itself) on primary science teaching. Early findings revealed how elements of the HCM approach support the goal of more ambitious science teaching in respect of trainees and importantly and how this rippled out to build the confidence and skills of more established school-based staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite our close genetic relationship with chimpanzees, there are notable differences between chimpanzee and human social behavior. Oxytocin and vasopressin are neuropeptides involved in regulating social behavior across vertebrate taxa, including pair bonding, social communication, and aggression, yet little is known about the neuroanatomy of these systems in primates, particularly in great apes. Here, we used receptor autoradiography to localize oxytocin and vasopressin V1a receptors, OXTR and AVPR1a respectively, in seven chimpanzee brains. OXTR binding was detected in the lateral septum, hypothalamus, medial amygdala, and substantia nigra. AVPR1a binding was observed in the cortex, lateral septum, hypothalamus, mammillary body, entire amygdala, hilus of the dentate gyrus, and substantia nigra. Chimpanzee OXTR/AVPR1a receptor distribution is compared to previous studies in several other primate species. One notable difference is the lack of OXTR in reward regions such as the ventral pallidum and nucleus accumbens in chimpanzees, whereas OXTR is found in these regions in humans. Our results suggest that in chimpanzees, like in most other anthropoid primates studied to date, OXTR has a more restricted distribution than AVPR1a, while in humans the reverse pattern has been reported. Altogether, our study provides a neuroanatomical basis for understanding the function of the oxytocin and vasopressin systems in chimpanzees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasite, Babesia divergens causes redwater fever in cattle and a rare, albeit life-threatening disease in humans. In Ireland, B. divergens has always been considered an important pathogen as the high incidence of redwater fever precluded areas of the country from cattle farming. Moreover a relatively large proportion of human cases were reported here. Red deer (Cervus elaphus), which often harbour babesias that are genetically very similar (if not identical) to B. divergens, are quite widespread. In this study 1369 nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from various habitats were screened for the presence of B. divergens using TaqMan followed by conventional nested PCR. Fragments of the 18S rRNA gene locus (560 bp) were compared against published Irish B. divergens isolates from cattle, humans and red deer. Overall just 1% of I. ricinus nymphs were infected with B. divergens, with similar infection rates in ticks collected from farm- and woodland. Most (90%) 18S rRNA gene fragments derived from woodland ticks were 100% identical to published sequences from cattle and humans. One differed by a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) as did two isolates from ticks collected in bogland. Two isolates derived from nymphs collected in farmland differed by 2 and 4 SNPs respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tustin et al. described cases of silicosis among workers at a US workplace that manufactures and fabricates engineered stone (also known as artificial stone or quartz conglomerate) countertops.1 These cases were identified through Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-mandated medical surveillance, after an investigation found that workers at this plant were exposed to respirable crystalline silica above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL). Self-reported silica exposures and workplace protections among engineered stone fabrication workers in California Findings were based on worker self-report; workers may have limited recall of past work practices and may also have been hesitant to report perceived workplace safety issues to Cal/OSHA inspectors. [Extracted from the article]

Are acts of violence performed in virtual environments ever morally wrong, even when no other persons are affected? While some such acts surely reflect deficient moral character, I focus on the moral rightness or wrongness of acts. Typically it's thought that, on Kant's moral theory, an act of virtual violence is morally wrong (i.e., violates the Categorical Imperative) only if the act mistreats another person. But I argue that, on Kant's moral theory, some acts of virtual violence can be morally wrong, even when no other persons or their avatars are affected. First, I explain why many have thought that, in general on Kant's moral theory, virtual acts affecting no other persons or their avatars can't violate the Categorical Imperative. For there are real world acts that clearly do, but it seems that when we consider the same sorts of acts done alone in a virtual environment, they don't violate the Categorical Imperative, because no others persons were involved. But then, how could any virtual acts like these, that affect no other persons or their avatars, violate the Categorical Imperative? I then argue that there indeed can be such cases of morally wrong virtual acts—some due to an actor's having erroneous beliefs about morally relevant facts, and others due not to error, but to the actor's intention leaving out morally relevant facts while immersed in a virtual environment. I conclude by considering some implications of my arguments for both our present technological context as well as the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of electronic case reporting (eCR) for identifying cases of silicosis in California. It discusses the use of eCR, where electronic health records automatically generate and transmit disease reports in real time. It underscores the importance of routine work-related inquiries by health care providers and recommends expanding eCR criteria for other public health conditions.

Essential oils emit many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with some considered potentially hazardous. However, little is known about specific emissions from essential oils that make therapeutic claims for health and well-being. This study investigated VOCs emitted from 14 commercially available essential oils with therapeutic claims, such as beneficial for coughs, colds, flus, relaxation, sleep, tension, headaches, stress, or skin irritation. The essential oils were selected from different brands and types, such as tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil, bergamot oil, orange oil, and oil blends. Analyses were performed using headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The analyses found 1034 VOCs emitted from the 14 essential oils, representing 378 VOC identities. The most prevalent VOCs (in more than 90% of the oils) were acetaldehyde, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-pinene, camphene, limonene, methanol, terpinolene, 3-carene, acetone, beta-phellandrene, ethanol, and gamma-terpinene. Among the 1034 VOCs emitted, 251 VOCs, representing 60 VOC identities, are classified as potentially hazardous. The most prevalent potentially hazardous VOCs were acetaldehyde, limonene, methanol, acetone, ethanol, and 3-carene. Toluene was found in more than 70% of the essential oils. Each of the essential oils emitted 9 or more potentially hazardous VOCs. Fewer than 1% of all VOCs identified and fewer than 1% of all potentially hazardous VOCs were listed on any essential oil label, safety data sheet, or website. Results from this study provide new findings on VOC emissions from essential oils with therapeutic claims, which can help to improve public awareness about potential exposures and risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hippocampal formation is important for higher brain functions such as spatial navigation and the consolidation of memory, and it contributes to abilities thought to be uniquely human, yet little is known about how the human hippocampal formation compares to that of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees. To gain insight into the comparative organization of the hippocampal formation in catarrhine primates, we quantified neurons stereologically in its major subdivisions—the granular layer of the dentate gyrus, CA4, CA2-3, CA1, and the subiculum—in archival brain tissue from six chimpanzees ranging from 29 to 43 years of age. We also sought evidence of Aβ deposition and hyperphosphorylated tau in the hippocampus and adjacent neocortex. A 42-year-old animal had moderate cerebral Aβ-amyloid angiopathy and tauopathy, but Aβ was absent and tauopathy was minimal in the others. Quantitatively, granule cells of the dentate gyrus were most numerous, followed by CA1, subiculum, CA4, and CA2-3. In the context of prior investigations of rhesus monkeys and humans, our findings indicate that, in the hippocampal formation as a whole, the proportions of neurons in CA1 and the subiculum progressively increase, and the proportion of dentate granule cells decreases, from rhesus monkeys to chimpanzees to humans. Because CA1 and the subiculum engender key hippocampal projection pathways to the neocortex, and because the neocortex varies in volume and anatomical organization among these species, these findings suggest that differences in the proportions of neurons in hippocampal subregions of catarrhine primates may be linked to neocortical evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air fresheners, used in a variety of indoor environments, emit a range of volatile chemicals, including some classified as hazardous. However, little is known about the emissions from air fresheners designed for use in cars. This study investigates the volatile organic compounds emitted from car air fresheners, identifies potentially hazardous compounds, compares emissions between so-called natural and regular versions, and assesses whether ingredients are disclosed. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, 12 car air fresheners were analyzed for their volatile emissions. Air freshener types included car vent clips, wraps, hanging ornaments, cans, and spray. Results reveal that the air fresheners collectively emitted 546 VOCs with 30 VOCs classified as potentially hazardous. All air freshener types emitted one or more potentially hazardous compounds. Comparing regular air fresheners with so-called natural or green air fresheners, no significant difference was found in the emissions of hazardous compounds. Notably, all products emitted at least one VOC classified as potentially hazardous. Among all of the 546 compounds emitted, fewer than 2% of all VOCs, and none of the potentially hazardous VOCs, were disclosed on any product label or safety data sheet. This study reveals that car air fresheners can be a source of exposure to numerous volatile compounds, including potentially hazardous VOCs, most of which are undisclosed. Of particular concern for human exposure is the small and enclosed breathing space within vehicles, as well as involuntary exposure in commercial vehicles such as taxi cabs and rideshares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling particles of respirable crystalline silica. These particles trigger inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, leading to progressive, irreversible, and potentially disabling disease. Silica exposure is also associated with increased risk for lung infection (notably, tuberculosis), lung cancer, emphysema, autoimmune diseases, and kidney disease (1). Because quartz, a type of crystalline silica, is commonly found in stone, workers who cut, polish, or grind stone materials can be exposed to silica dust. Recently, silicosis outbreaks have been reported in several countries among workers who cut and finish stone slabs for countertops, a process known as stone fabrication (2-5). Most worked with engineered stone, a manufactured, quartz-based composite material that can contain >90% crystalline silica (6). This report describes 18 cases of silicosis, including the first two fatalities reported in the United States, among workers in the stone fabrication industry in California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. Several patients had severe progressive disease, and some had associated autoimmune diseases and latent tuberculosis infection. Cases were identified through independent investigations in each state and confirmed based on computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest or lung biopsy findings. Silica dust exposure reduction and effective regulatory enforcement, along with enhanced workplace medical and public health surveillance, are urgently needed to address the emerging public health threat of silicosis in the stone fabrication industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relative to the oral contraceptive pill, uptake of long‐acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARCs) in Australia continues to be lower than might be suggested by the evidence on their clinical and economic benefits. Aim: To undertake a critical appraisal of published economic evaluations of LARCs to assess the generalisability of their results to the Australian healthcare context. Materials and Methods: A search of the literature was conducted to identify studies of economic evaluations of LARCs using the Medline, Embase and PubMed databases. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. Results: A total of 1009 citations were screened, from which 20 papers, typically reporting the cost per pregnancy avoided, were reviewed. The overall quality of the studies varied but was generally poor (average score of 62/100). To aid comparisons, results have been grouped under the headings IUS (all hormonal intrauterine systems), IUDs (all non‐hormonal intrauterine devices), injectables (all contraceptive injections) and implants (all subdermal contraceptive implants). Overall, the results indicated that LARCs were more effective and less costly than oral contraceptives. Conclusions: Despite evidence that LARCs represent value for money, limitations in study quality and approaches must be taken into account when applying these results to Australia. Differences in healthcare settings aside, LARCs may also have benefits beyond their effect on pregnancy that might be captured in broader analyses, such as cost‐benefit analyses using willingness to pay methods. These would capture benefits beyond health, which seem to be particularly relevant to contraception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fragrance chemicals are used in a large array of products. Workers may be exposed to these chemicals in the workplace directly when used as air fresheners, or indirectly in personal care products used by coworkers or others. This study characterizes work-related asthma (WRA) cases associated with fragrance exposures in California workplaces from 1993 through 2012. Methods: We used the California Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program's surveillance database to identify individuals with physician-diagnosed WRA associated with the use of air fresheners and scented personal care products (perfumes, colognes, etc.). Cases were classified using previously published, standardized surveillance methods. Results: Perfume was the ninth most common exposure identified from 1993 through 2012. A total of 270 WRA cases associated with fragrance exposure were reported during this period, representing 3.8% of all confirmed cases. These 270 cases included 242 associated with perfume or cologne, 32 associated with air freshener, and 4 associated with both. Similar to non-fragrance cases, nearly a quarter of fragrance-associated cases were classified as new-onset asthma. Fragrance-associated cases were significantly more likely to be in office, health, and education jobs than non-fragrance-associated cases. When compared to non-fragrance cases, fragrance cases were significantly more likely to be female (94% vs 62%) and be classified as having work-aggravated asthma (38% vs 20%), yet had similar outcomes compared with cases associated with other exposures. Conclusions: Our surveillance data show that fragrance use in the workplace is associated with WRA. Prevention methods include employee education, enforced fragrance-free policies, well-designed ventilation systems, and good building maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Sox2 expression marks gastric stem and progenitor cells, raising important questions regarding the genes regulated by Sox2 and the role of Sox2 itself during stomach homeostasis and disease. By using ChIP-seq analysis, we have found that the majority of Sox2 targets in gastric epithelial cells are tissue specific and related to functions such as endoderm development, Wnt signaling, and gastric cancer. Unexpectedly, we found that Sox2 itself is dispensable for gastric stem cell and epithelial self-renewal, yet Sox2 + cells are highly susceptible to tumorigenesis in an Apc/Wnt-driven mouse model. Moreover, Sox2 loss enhances, rather than impairs, tumor formation in Apc -deficient gastric cells in vivo and in vitro by inducing Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription and upregulating intestinal metaplasia-associated genes, providing a mechanistic basis for the observed phenotype. Together, these data identify Sox2 as a context-dependent tumor suppressor protein that is dispensable for normal tissue regeneration but restrains stomach adenoma formation through modulation of Wnt-responsive and intestinal genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]