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Two-molecule theory refers to a class of microscopic, self-consistent field theories for the radial distribution function in classical molecular liquids. The version examined here can be considered as one of the very few formally derived closures to the reference interaction site model (RISM) equation. The theory is applied to polyethylene liquids, computing their equilibrium structural and thermodynamic properties at melt densities. The equation for the radial distribution function, which is represented as an average over the accessible states of two molecules in an external field that mimics the effects of the other molecules in the liquid, is computed by Monte Carlo simulation along with the intramolecular structure function. An improved direct sampling algorithm is utilized to speed the equilibration. Polyethylene chains of 24 and 66 united atom CH2 units are studied. The results are compared to full, many-chain molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and self-consistent polymer-RISM (PRISM) theory with the atomic Percus–Yevick (PY) closure under the same conditions. It is shown that the two-molecule theory produces results that are close to those of MD and is thus able to overcome defects of PRISM-PY theory and predict more accurate liquid structure at both short and long ranges. Predictions for the equation of state are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in materials manufacturing has allowed researchers to engineer unique wave-matter interactions at the nano-scale. These interactions foster unique and coupled modes of thermal, optical, electrical, and acoustic energy transport and conversion. This study addresses the sensitivity of the static ϵ 0 and complex ϵ ~ (ω) = ϵ 1 (ω) + i ϵ 2 (ω) dielectric constant due to changes in pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T). General β -sensistivity relations are derived based on traditional Drude and Lorentz oscillator models. Then, these sensitivity relations are compared to literature d ln ⁡ ϵ i / d T and d ln ⁡ ϵ i / d ln ⁡ V data for various metals, dielectric insulators, and semiconductor materials. For example, the effects of isotropic strain on ϵ (ω) are found to have two common contributions: the frequency dependence of the dielectric dispersion (d ln ⁡ ϵ / d ln ⁡ ω) and key vibrational-mode Grüneisen parameters (γ i = − d ln ⁡ ω i / d ln ⁡ V). Because these sensitivity relations are dictated by the various electronic, optical, and lattice Grüneisen parameters, a comprehensive listing of mode Grüneisen parameters and coupled property data are provided for materials ranging from metals to semiconductors to polymers to dielectric insulators such as BaTiO 3. In most cases, the developed sensitivity relations are consistent with published isotropic strain derivative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) is the default approach to statistical analysis and reporting in marketing and the biomedical and social sciences more broadly. Despite its default role, NHST has long been criticized by both statisticians and applied researchers, including those within marketing. Therefore, the authors propose a major transition in statistical analysis and reporting. Specifically, they propose moving beyond binary: abandoning NHST as the default approach to statistical analysis and reporting. To facilitate this, they briefly review some of the principal problems associated with NHST. They next discuss some principles that they believe should underlie statistical analysis and reporting. They then use these principles to motivate some guidelines for statistical analysis and reporting. They next provide some examples that illustrate statistical analysis and reporting that adheres to their principles and guidelines. They conclude with a brief discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a popular management tool that is used in a variety of ways by firms, not-for-profits, and government. This study firstly provides an overview of the various ways in which the NPS is used. It then canvasses four concerns raised by researchers, authors and commentators about the NPS. These relate to (1) its presumed link to business growth, (2) the assumption that low NPS scores indicate negative word of mouth, (3) the weak association between stated likelihood to recommend and actual recommending, and (4) the claim that NPS is a superior metric to customer satisfaction. The evidence pertaining to those concerns is examined. The study then discusses another problem with the NPS that many practitioners are aware of, but has not been studied. The problem is that the counting method used to calculate the NPS introduces additional variation in scores compared to mean average likelihood-to-recommend scores. This additional variation occurs both across brands in a study, as well as for the same brand over survey waves. This variation is likely to be difficult for market research providers, or those who commission NPS work, to explain. The study concludes with alternative courses of action for NPS users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ microscopic methods can help researchers to analyse microstructural changes of materials structures under different conditions (e.g., temperature and pressure) at various length scales. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) combines image registration and tracking to enable accurate measurements of changes in materials in 2D and 3D. This review focuses on combining microscopy and DIC to study the properties of materials (including natural/synthetic biomaterials, biological samples and their composites) in academic, public and industry settings, including exciting examples of bioimaging. Article highlights: In-situ microscopic methods facilitate understanding of microstructural changes of materials. The DIC technique can be used with optical and non-optical microscopic methods. The DIC technique is applicable for a broad range of length scales and time scales. The techniques are applicable for a variety of soft and hard materials and their composites, including natural/biological materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the medical seriousness, or lethality, of suicide attempts remains challenging for clinicians, as impulsive and planned attempts can both be fatal and risk may vary with age and suicidal intent. We investigated whether attempt lethality is driven by practical preparedness (objective suicidal intent) and/or psychological resolve (subjective suicidal intent) and whether these associations vary with age of onset of suicidal behavior. The study used a cross-sectional lifespan sample (N = 95; age range 16–76 years) with current depression and recent suicidal behavior (≤ 5 years). Linear regression models indicated that older age of onset of suicidal behavior (B = 0.86, SE = 0.20, p < 0.001), and both higher objective intent (B = 0.69, SE = 0.19, p < 0.001) and subjective intent (B = 0.50, SE = 0.20, p = 0.014) were associated with more severe lethality at the most recent attempt, although the association with subjective intent was driven by its shared portion with objective intent. The association between objective intent and lethality was stronger with older age of onset (interaction B = 0.75, SE = 0.20, p < 0.001), whereas the association between subjective intent and lethality was stronger with younger age of onset (interaction B = − 0.42, SE = 0.20, p = 0.036). Our findings suggest that contextualizing suicidal intentions with age of onset, rather than age at the current suicidal crisis, can help clinicians better appraise suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Learning from feedback – adapting behavior based on reinforcing and punishing outcomes – has been implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders, including substance misuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression; an emerging literature suggests it may also play a role in suicidality. This study examined whether a feedback-based learning task with rewarding, punishing and ambiguous outcomes, followed by computational modeling, could improve near-term prospective prediction of suicide attempt in a high-risk sample. Method: Veterans (N=60) at high-risk for suicide were tested on a task of reward- and punishment-based learning, at multiple sessions across a one-year period. Each session was coded according to whether the participant had (1) an actual suicide attempt (ASA); (2) another suicide-related event (OtherSE) such as suicidal behavior or suicidal ideation-related hospital admission (but not an ASA); or (3) neither (noSE) in the next 90 days. Computational modeling was used to estimate latent cognitive variables including learning rates from positive and negative outcomes, and the subjective value of ambiguous feedback. Results: Optimal responding on the reward-based trials was positively associated with upcoming ASA, and remained predictive even after controlling for other standard clinical variables such as current suicidal ideation severity and prior suicide attempts. Computational modeling revealed that patients with upcoming ASA tended to view ambiguous outcomes as similar to weak punishment, while OtherSE and noSE both tended to view the ambiguous outcome as similar to weak reward. Differences in the reinforcement value of the neutral outcome remained predictive for ASA even after controlling for current suicidal ideation and prior suicide attempts. Conclusion: A reinforcement learning task with ambiguous neutral outcomes may provide a useful tool to help predict near-term risk of ASA in at-risk patients. While most individuals interpret ambiguous feedback as mildly reinforcing (a "glass half full" interpretation), those with upcoming ASA tend to view it as mildly punishing (a "glass half empty" interpretation). While the current results are based on a very small sample with relatively few ASA events, and require replication in a larger sample, they provide support for the role of negative biases in feedback-based learning in the cognitive profile of suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present a high-sensitivity, rapid, and low-cost method for methane sensing based on a nonlinear interferometer. This method utilizes signal photons generated by stimulated parametric downconversion (ST-PDC), enabling the use of a silicon detector to capture high-precision methane absorption spectra in the mid-infrared region. By controlling the system loss, we achieve more significant changes in visibility, thereby increasing sensitivity. A low-cost CMOS camera is employed to capture spatial interference fringes, ensuring fast and efficient detection. Thereby, we demonstrate an accurate measurement of methane concentration within a gas cell. In addition, we show that ST-PDC enables long-distance sensing and the capability to measure open-path low ambient methane concentrations in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in the Journal of Neurological Surgery discusses the development and evaluation of a deep learning neural network for automated operative workflow recognition in vestibular schwannoma resection surgeries. The study utilized a dataset of twenty-one surgeries to train a machine learning model that accurately predicted operative phases and steps, with a focus on the excision phase. While the model showed high accuracy in phase prediction, there is room for improvement in individual step classification. The research highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing surgical training and decision-making in complex operations. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Mapping the Clinical Pathway for Patients Undergoing Vestibular Schwannoma Resection" published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part B. Skull Base discusses the importance of structured data entry and automated data collection in improving patient care for vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection. The study utilized a two-stage mixed methodology to identify critical data entry points within the clinical pathway, involving interviews with key stakeholders and validation against electronic health records (EHR). The results highlighted areas for documentation improvement in preoperative and postoperative clinics, emphasizing the need for structured data entry templates and behavioral interventions to enhance data collection practices. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Exploring the Feasibility of a Handheld Robot for 360-Degree Skull Base Surgical Approaches: A Cadaver Study" published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part B. Skull Base discusses the evaluation of a novel handheld robotic instrument for endoscopic skull base surgery. The study involved seven skull base approaches on cadaveric specimens, showing that the robot achieved feasibility in all approaches and demonstrated improved workspace reach in most cases. Limitations were identified, such as shaft length, grasping force, and controller size, suggesting the need for design improvements to optimize functionality. The research supports the potential of handheld robots in endoscopic skull base surgery but emphasizes the importance of ongoing development to enhance instrument design and performance. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Endonasal Skull Base Surgery (PROMESS)—Prospective Multicenter Validation Study" focuses on the development and validation of the Pituitary Outcome Score (POS) as a dedicated Patient Reported Outcome Measure for pituitary patients undergoing surgery. The study aims to validate the POS in the UK and Ireland, exploring factors impacting changes in QoL after surgery, such as operative techniques, inpatient complications, surgical outcomes, and endocrine outcomes. The research will involve collecting patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative details, and outcomes, with results expected to be shared in peer-reviewed journals and patient support networks. [Extracted from the article]

This article from the Journal of Neurological Surgery explores the impact of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol on the length of stay and readmission rates following endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary adenomas at NYU Langone Health. The study, based on data from 594 patients treated between 2012 and 2024, found that the implementation of an ERAS protocol significantly reduced length of stay and readmission rates compared to standard hospital policies. The findings suggest that expeditious perioperative discharge may lead to cost savings and improved patient safety in this patient population. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the use of smartphone and wearable activity monitoring as a marker for recovery after skull base surgery. The study included 68 patients who underwent various skull base surgeries, with the majority being female and white. Results showed that patients achieved an 81% return to preoperative mobility by the sixth week, with varying rates of return based on the type of skull base surgery performed. The study suggests that passive smartphone/wearable activity monitoring could be a reliable metric for outcomes in skull base surgery. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the history of the North American Skull Base Society (NASBS) and its role in promoting collaboration in the field of skull base surgery. It highlights key individuals who broke down barriers between specialties and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The NASBS, founded in 1989, has grown significantly over the years, with a focus on communication, research excellence, and fellowship training to advance the field of skull base surgery. [Extracted from the article]

The article published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part B. Skull Base discusses the presence of pathogenic bacteria at the surgical site in patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery. The study found that even after surgical site preparation, patients had notable bacteria burdens, but no immediate correlation with postoperative infections was observed. The research aims to determine optimal surgical site preparation techniques and investigate the source of postoperative infections in these patients. The study provides valuable insights into reducing the risk of surgical site infections in endoscopic endonasal neurosurgical cases. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to identify and appraise the evidence on the effectiveness of using wearable devices to promote physical activity and reduce pain in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods: Systematic searches of electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, and Medline (Ovid) were undertaken for randomised control trials and observational studies of wearable-based interventions in patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Result: Thirteen studies were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included articles was found to vary between moderate and high quality. Studies included patients with osteoarthritis hip/knee (number; n = 5), low back pain (n = 3), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 1), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n = 1), inflammatory arthritis (n = 1), spondylarthritis (n = 1), and ankylosing spondylitis (n = 1). The intervention group of some of the studies included additional components associated with the use of wearable devices such as step or diet diary, motivational interviewing or counselling, goal setting, and multidimensional and tailored exercise programme interventions delivered in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. Intervention duration ranged from 1 week to 28 weeks. There were no serious adverse events related to the use of wearables. Overall, evidence from this systematic review shows that wearable technology intervention was effective in increasing physical activity significantly, especially where extra components (counselling, coaching, prescribed physical activity, goal setting, physiotherapist) were used among clinical and non-clinical populations. However, no significant effect was found in pain reduction with the use of wearable devices. Conclusions: It is concluded that the use of wearable technology should be encouraged in patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Additional research is needed, such as increasing the duration of the intervention, which may have an impact on pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the impact of both frailty and chronologic age on outcomes of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Methods: The study population consisted of patients enrolled in the 'WorldwidE. AssessmeNt of Separation of pAtients From ventilatory assistancE (WEAN SAFE) study. We defined 4 non-overlapping groups, namely: 'frail' (clinical frailty scale [CFS] score > 4; age < 80 years); 'elderly' (CFS ≤ 4; age ≥ 80y), 'frail \elderly' (CFS > 4; age ≥ 80 years), and a 'not frail or elderly' population. The primary outcome was the impact of frailty and older age on delayed weaning and failed weaning from invasive MV. Secondary outcomes included the impact of frailty and age on ICU and hospital survival. Results: In the study population, 760 (17%) were frail, while 360 (8%) were elderly, 197 (4%) were frail and elderly, while 3,176 (70%) were not frail or elderly. The frail and elderly cohorts were more likely to be female, had hypoxemic/hypercapnic respiratory failure or sepsis, and had more comorbidities. The proportion of delayed weaning and of failed weaning from invasive MV was significantly higher in the frail (28 and 23%), the elderly (25 and 19%), and the frail and elderly groups (22% and 25%), compared to the not frail or elderly population (12% and 13%, P < 0.01). ICU and hospital mortality was higher in the frail (21 and 33%), the elderly (19 and 31%), and the frail and elderly groups (26 and 46%), compared to the not frail or elderly population (12% and 18%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, there was an independent association between frailty and delayed weaning initiation and weaning failure. Old age was independently associated with risk of weaning failure. Conclusions: Frailty status had a more consistent impact than older age on weaning outcomes. However, overall outcomes in these cohorts are encouraging once separation attempts have been initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Early detection of neurodegeneration is essential for optimizing interventions. The highly reproducible progression of neurodegeneration in the decrepit (dcr) mouse allows investigation of early biomarkers and mechanisms of brain injury. Methods: Using high-frequency ultrasound, the common carotid arteries of female and male dcr and control mice were imaged longitudinally at time points bracketing the disease progression (50, 75, and 125 days of age) (n = 6 mice/group/sex). Results: Over the disease time course, the female dcr mice demonstrated increased carotid artery blood flow and pulse wave velocity while the male dcr mice had a decrease in heart rate and no change in carotid artery ultrasound parameters. Early imaging biomarkers were sex-specific, with decreased carotid artery blood flow in female dcr mice and increased carotid artery diameter and decreased pulse wave velocity in males. Discussion: Carotid artery and wave reflection ultrasound is a promising screening tool for early detection of neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Climate change and human activities have caused the drying of marine environments around the world. An example is the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA which is at a near record low water level. Adverse health effects have been associated with exposure to windblown dust originating from dried lakebed sediments, but mechanistic studies evaluating the health effects of these dusts are limited. Results: Monitoring data and images highlight the impact of local crustal and Great Salt Lake sediment dusts on the Salt Lake Valley/Wasatch front airshed. Great Salt Lake sediment and derived PM< 3.1 (quasi-PM2.5 or qPM2.5) contained metals/salts, natural and anthropogenic chemicals, and bacteria. Exposure of mice via inhalation and oropharyngeal aspiration caused neutrophilia, increased expression of mRNA for Il6, Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Muc5ac in the lungs, and increased IL6 and CXCL1 in bronchoalveolar lavage. Inhaled GSLD qPM2.5 caused a greater neutrophilic response than coal fly ash qPM2.5 and was more cytotoxic to human airway epithelial cells (HBEC3-KT) in vitro. Pro-inflammatory biomarker mRNA induction was replicated in vitro using HBEC3-KT and differentiated monocyte-derived (macrophage-like) THP-1 cells. In HBEC3-KT cells, IL6 and IL8 (the human analogue of Cxcl1 and Cxcl2) mRNA induction was attenuated by ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N, N,N′,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and ruthenium red (RR) co-treatment, and by TRPV1 and TRPV3 antagonists, but less by the Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR4) inhibitor TAK-242 and deferoxamine. Accordingly, GSLD qPM2.5 activated human TRPV1 as well as other human TRP channels. Dust from the Salton Sea playa (SSD qPM2.5) also stimulated IL6 and IL8 mRNA expression and activated TRPV1 in vitro, but inhibition by TRPV1 and V3 antagonists was dose dependent. Alternatively, responses of THP-1 cells to the Great Salt Lake and Salton Sea dusts were partially mediated by TLR4 as opposed to TRPV1. Finally, "humanized" Trpv1N606D mice exhibited greater neutrophilia than C57Bl/6 mice following GSLD qPM2.5 inhalation. Conclusions: Dust from the GSL playa and similar dried lakebeds may affect human respiratory health via activation of TRPV1, TRPV3, TLR4, and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objectives: High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is an increasingly popular mode of non-invasive respiratory support for the treatment of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). Previous experimental studies in healthy subjects have established that HFNC generates flow-dependent positive airway pressures, but no data is available on the levels of mean airway pressure (mPaw) or positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) generated by HFNC therapy in AHRF patients. We aimed to estimate the airway pressures generated by HFNC at different flow rates in patients with AHRF, whose functional lung volume may be significantly reduced compared to healthy subjects due to alveolar consolidation and/or collapse. Materials and methods: We developed a high-fidelity mechanistic computational model of the cardiopulmonary system during HFNC therapy using data from healthy subjects, and then measured the mPaw and PEEP levels produced when different amounts of alveolar consolidation/collapse were incorporated into the model. Results: When calibrated to represent normal lung physiology in healthy subjects, our model recapitulates the airway pressures produced by HFNC at different flow rates in healthy volunteers who were breathing normally, with their mouths closed or open. When different amounts of alveolar consolidation/collapse are implemented in the model to reflect the pathophysiology of AHRF, the mPaw and PEEP produced by HFNC at all flow rates increase as the functional lung volume decreases (up to a mPaw of 11.53 and a PEEP of 11.41 cmH2O at 60 L/min with the mouth closed when 50% of the model's alveolar compartments are non-aerated). When the model was matched to individual patient data from a cohort of 58 patients with AHRF receiving HFNC at 60 L/min, the mean (standard deviation) of the mPaw / PEEP produced by HFNC in the models of these patients was 8.56 (1.50) / 8.92 (1.49) cmH2O with mouths closed, and 1.73 (0.31) / 1.36 (0.36) cmH2O with mouths open. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the airway pressures produced by HFNC in patients with AHRF could be higher than is currently assumed based on experimental data from healthy subjects, particularly in patients whose mouths remain closed. Higher levels of PEEP could be beneficial if they lead to alveolar recruitment and improved lung compliance, but could cause alveolar overdistension if they do not, motivating the close monitoring of the effects of HFNC on lung mechanics. Further clinical studies are warranted to directly measure the airway pressures produced by HFNC in patients with different severities of AHRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no commercial antibodies for detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis, only a relatively slow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, DNA aptamers have recently been developed by our group against known proteins and whole oocysts of C. cayetanensis and shown to specifically detect the oocysts when attached on their 5' ends to red-emitting fluorophores and used as probes for fluorescence microscopy. Aptamers developed against recombinant wall protein 2 and TA4 antigen-like protein as well as whole oocysts specifically stained C. cayetanensis oocysts while exhibiting little, if any, staining of numerous other waterborne parasite species. Interestingly, the aptamers stained both exterior cell wall moieties and internal structures, suggesting that the aptamers penetrate the oocysts even without added detergents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To what extent are emotion words used in anglophone disciplines? The data used to explore this question were the relative frequencies with which each of 20 emotion words occurred in each of 11 disciplines in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The subjects examined included astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, sociology, mathematics, economics, political science, psychology, history, and philosophy. Each discipline was compared with every other discipline in terms of the relative frequencies of their usage of emotion words in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Every emotion word was used by every discipline in both centuries. Overall, there were more positive than negative emotion words used, although it was suggested that the negative emotion words may be more salient. The use of the words pleasure and amusement declined in frequency in the twentieth century in every discipline. By contrast, the word hate increased in frequency in every discipline in the twentieth century. Over the last few decades an increasing number of disciplines have taken an active interest in emotion as a research topic, and the characteristics of a multidisciplinary approach to emotion are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rotator cuff repair (RCR) is a frequently performed outpatient orthopaedic surgery, with substantial financial implications for health-care systems. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) is a method for nuanced cost analysis and is a valuable tool for strategic health-care decision-making. The aim of this study was to apply the TDABC methodology to RCR procedures to identify specific avenues to optimize cost-efficiency within the health-care system in 2 critical areas: (1) the reduction of variability in the episode duration, and (2) the standardization of suture anchor acquisition costs. Methods: Using a multicenter, retrospective design, this study incorporates data from all patients who underwent an RCR surgical procedure at 1 of 4 academic tertiary health systems across the United States. Data were extracted from Avant-Garde Health's Care Measurement platform and were analyzed utilizing TDABC methodology. Cost analysis was performed using 2 primary metrics: the opportunity costs arising from a possible reduction in episode duration variability, and the potential monetary savings achievable through the standardization of suture anchor costs. Results: In this study, 921 RCR cases performed at 4 institutions had a mean episode duration cost of $4,094 ± $1,850. There was a significant threefold cost variability between the 10th percentile ($2,282) and the 90th percentile ($6,833) (p < 0.01). The mean episode duration was registered at 7.1 hours. The largest variability in the episode duration was time spent in the post-acute care unit and the ward after the surgical procedure. By reducing the episode duration variability, it was estimated that up to 640 care-hours could be saved annually at a single hospital. Likewise, standardizing suture anchor acquisition costs could generate direct savings totaling $217,440 across the hospitals. Conclusions: This multicenter study offers valuable insights into RCR cost as a function of care pathways and suture anchor cost. It outlines avenues for achieving cost-savings and operational efficiency. These findings can serve as a foundational basis for developing health-economics models. Level of Evidence: Economic and Decision Analysis Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), is categorized into two primary clades: Clade I and Clade II, with notable outbreaks linked to Clade IIb. Historically endemic in Africa, recent years have seen significant global spread. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2024, highlighting the emergence of Clade Ib outside Africa and the broadening demographic impact of the outbreak. This review updates the current status of mpox vaccines and treatments, including their safety and effectiveness. There are two US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccines for the prevention of mpox disease, JynneosTM and ACAM2000®. The JynneosTM vaccine, recommended for high-risk individuals, has seen limited uptake despite its efficacy in preventing disease. Tecovirimat, while FDA-approved for smallpox and available in the European Union for mpox, has shown mixed results in recent trials, with new data suggesting limited effectiveness in Clade I infections and emergence of new mutations with resistance to this drug. Brincidofovir and Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous offer additional treatment options, particularly for severe cases, although their use is constrained by regulatory and logistical challenges. Furthermore, the WHO recently approved the first commercial molecular assay, the Alinity m MPXV assay by Abbott Molecular Inc., for emergency use—an essential step in expanding testing capacity in regions experiencing mpox outbreaks. These updates underscore the critical need for continued research to enhance therapeutic outcomes and adapt public health strategies. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics remains a significant challenge as the global community responds to the evolving mpox situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As organizational change becomes more radical, frequent, and unpredictable, our knowledge of the mechanisms governing change at the intrapersonal or within-person level remains limited. In this systematic review of the management and I/O psychology literatures, we offer a novel theoretically based definition of radical change taking place within an individual. Drawing on the theories of dissonance and attitudes toward change, we also present a conceptual model that merges cognitive, affective, and motivational dimensions to explain how an individual's goal pursuit and achievement are influenced by radical change. In doing so, we move away from studying change at the 'macro' organizational level to focus instead on the processes underpinning one's personal radical change. We further differentiate these processes between two important role occupiers, namely change agents and recipients, and recommend that future scholars consider other boundary conditions and mediating mechanisms. Finally, we conclude with some research-based implications for managerial praxis. We urge future researchers and practitioners to try to better understand the self-transformative experience that is 'radical change' and to incorporate this deeper understanding in their theorizing and practice, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of the eight-item Hospice Philosophy Scale (HPS-8) through confirmatory factor analysis; differential item functioning by age, gender, race, and professional discipline; and internal consistency reliability. We administered the HPS-8 to a national convenience sample of 471 interdisciplinary hospice clinicians. Confirmatory factor analysis results supported a one-factor model with an error correlation between two similarly worded items, χ2(19) = 48.38, p <.001 (RMSEA =.06, SRMR =.03, CFI =.98, TLI =.97). "Multiple indicators, multiple causes" model results indicated differential item functioning by age, race, and/or professional discipline on five items. However, subsequent uncorrected and differential item functioning-corrected models detected no statistically significant HPS-8 mean differences by grouping variables. Composite reliability results (CR =.82) demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability. Our results support the HPS-8 as a valid and reliable measure of attitudes toward the hospice philosophy of care in hospice clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obituary in "Magnetic Resonance in Medicine" commemorates the life and contributions of R. Mark Henkelman, a distinguished Canadian biophysics researcher known for his pioneering work in MRI. Mark's career spanned from developing MRI techniques to founding the Mouse Imaging Centre at SickKids, leaving a lasting impact on imaging in medicine and science. His legacy includes advancements in MRI image artifacts, quantitative techniques, magnetization transfer, high-throughput phenotyping, and mouse model characterization, influencing current research and clinical practices. Mark's dedication to scientific innovation and mentorship continues to inspire future scientists. [Extracted from the article]

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) populations have been in apparent decline across their native range in North America for decades. Several hypotheses exist for the causes of these declines, including loss of wetlands. We used time‐to‐detection data from 925 surveys from 276 sites across Rhode Island, USA, between 2021–2023 to fit an occupancy model that related the probability of muskrat occupancy at a site to land cover classification. We found that muskrat occupancy was higher in areas with more open water, urban land cover, or a second‐order or larger stream, and lower in areas with salt water. We estimated changes in wetland area throughout Rhode Island using the National Land Cover Database classifications from 2001 and 2019 and found a net loss in wetland cover of 219 ha. We calculated the distance between wetland patches in each of these periods and found that patches were closer together than the dispersal distance of muskrats, suggesting isolation is unlikely to be driving muskrat declines. Additionally, when we used our model to predict changes in muskrat occupancy between 2001 and 2019, both mean and median predicted occupancy changed by <0.005. These results indicate that muskrat declines are not driven by habitat loss, and suggest future research is needed that focuses on other hypothesized mechanisms of muskrat declines such as disease, declining habitat quality, predation, and competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiologic studies frequently use risk ratios to quantify associations between exposures and binary outcomes. When the data are physically stored at the sites of multiple data partners, it can be challenging to perform individual-level analysis if data cannot be pooled centrally due to privacy constraints. Existing methods either require multiple file transfers between each data partner and an analysis center (eg, distributed regression) or only provide approximate estimation of the risk ratio (eg, meta-analysis). Here we develop a practical method that requires a single transfer of 8 summary-level quantities from each data partner. Our approach leverages an existing risk-set method and software originally developed for Cox regression. Sharing only summary-level information, the proposed method provides risk ratio estimates and 95% CIs identical to those that would be provided—if individual-level data were pooled—by the modified Poisson regression. We justify the method theoretically, confirm its performance using simulated data, and implement it in a distributed analysis of COVID-19 data from the US Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel System. This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, orthopaedic procedures have increasingly shifted from inpatient to outpatient settings. This trend includes total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), which is being performed more frequently in outpatient facilities and ambulatory surgical centres. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and rates of adverse events between outpatient and inpatient TSA. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar (pages 1–20) databases were screened for articles comparing outpatient to inpatient TSA through June 2024, using relevant and holistic search terms. Non-comparative articles and those utilizing national databases were excluded from our study. Data on complications, myocardial infarction (MI), thromboembolic events, anaemia/transfusions, infections, readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits, revision surgery, and patient reported outcome measures at one year (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) were extracted. Results: A total of 14 articles were included in our study, involving 1070 outpatient and 1330 inpatient TSA patients. Patients in the inpatient group were older and had a higher ASA compared to the patients in the outpatient group. The outpatient TSA group was found to have significantly lower rates of overall complications (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59, p = 0.001), medical complications (OR = 0.43, p < 0.001), and readmissions (OR = 0.47, p = 0.008), as well as higher mean ASES scores (81.4 vs. 78.5, p = 0.01) when compared to the inpatient TSA group. There were no significant differences in rates of ED visits (p = 0.27), revisions (p = 0.06), and VAS scores (p = 0.15) between inpatient and outpatient TSA groups. Conclusion: TSAs performed in the outpatient setting had a lower rate of overall adverse events, medical complications, readmissions, and a higher ASES score compared to inpatient TSAs. However, since patients in the inpatient group had higher ASA and were older, our results support the safety of the outpatient TSA based on the current selection criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a short history of the discovery by Rodney Loudon and Heidi Fearn of the counter-intuitive destructive interference effect occurring when two indistinguishable photons meet at a beamsplitter. This effect, commonly known as the Hong Ou Mandel effect, underpins much of present day photonic quantum information processing. Here I try to review its development from inception to present day proposals of million qubit photonic quantum computers. This article is part of the theme issue 'The quantum theory of Light'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study investigates the impact of sub-toxic cisplatin levels on nuclear and nucleolar abnormalities and chromosome instability in HeLa cells since our current knowledge of cisplatin effects on these parameters is based on studies with high concentrations of cisplatin. Materials and methods: HeLa cells were exposed to gradually increasing sub-toxic doses of cisplatin (0.01 to 0.2 μg/ml). Cells treated with 0.1 and 0.2 μg/ml, termed HeLaC0.1 and HeLaC0.2, were not cisplatin-resistant, only exhibiting a slightly reduced viability, and were termed "cisplatin-sensitized cells." Giemsa and silver staining were used to detect nuclear and nucleolar abnormalities and chromosomal alterations. Results: Notable abnormalities were observed in HeLaC0.1 and HeLaC0.2 cells after treatment with sub-toxic concentrations of cisplatin: nuclei showed abnormal shapes, blebs, micronuclei, fragmentation, pulverization, and multinucleation; nucleoli exhibited irregular shapes and increased numbers; anaphase cells showed more nucleolar organizing regions. Abnormal chromosome segregation, heightened aneuploidy (81–140 chromosomes), polyploidy, double minutes, dicentrics, chromatid exchanges, chromatid separations, pulverization, and chromosome markers were prominently noted. These abnormalities were intensified in cells pre-sensitized to 0.02 or 0.08 μg/ml cisplatin for seven days, then exposed to 0.03 or 0.1 μg/ml cisplatin for 24 hours, and finally cultured in cisplatin-free medium for 24 hours before chromosome analysis. Conclusion: HeLa cells subjected to increasing concentrations of sub-toxic cisplatin exhibited large-scale, multiple-type abnormalities in nuclei, nucleoli, chromosomes, and chromosomal numbers, indicating genetic/chromosomal instability associated with high malignancy, before the development of cisplatin resistance. These results suggest that low doses of cisplatin administration in the clinical setting may promote malignancy and caution should be used with this type of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive lightning leaders are a ubiquitous, yet poorly understood, component of lightning flashes. Upward lightning started by positive leaders may be formed when nearby storm activity induces electrical charges in a tall structure, such as communications towers or wind turbines. Alternatively, upward lightning can be triggered with the rocket‐and‐wire technique. In this paper, we introduce a new self‐consistent model for this important discharge mode, one which solves Maxwell's equations under the quasi‐electrostatic approximation. The model also includes a realistic treatment of the nonlinear plasma conductivity within the leader channel. This new computational tool explains the origin of the positive leader speed, of ∼ ${\sim} $10s of km/s, as well as why it displays a steady behavior over time. The model also explains the temporal evolution of current to ground measured during the early stages of rocket‐triggered lightning, where the current exhibits a series of small‐amplitude pulses, which disappear over time. The article also outlines straightforward criteria for leader inception, which may have practical applications for lightning protection. Plain Language Summary: Lightning which propagates upward from the ground to the cloud has been the subject of intense investigation in recent years. Upward lightning may be formed when nearby storm activity induces electrical charges in a tall structure, such as communications towers or wind turbines. Alternatively, upward lightning can be triggered with the rocket‐and‐wire technique, as routinely performed at New Mexico Tech's Langmuir Lab. The latter presents a great opportunity for studying the physics of lightning and its impacts. In this paper, we introduce a new self‐consistent model for the initial stages of upward lightning, one rooted in basic physics laws, which describes the leader propagation as a series of small steps. The calculations explain the behavior of leader speed and current transferred to ground. A better understanding of upward lightning and its initiation and propagation could be used to better protect structures such as communication towers, tall buildings, wind turbines, or other tall structures which are prone to damage from lightning strikes. Key Points: New self‐consistent leader model predicts experimentally measured leader speeds and propagation behaviorModel postulates leader propagation in small steps and explains behavior of current measured to ground, including presence of pulsesCriteria for upward leader ignition is strictly defined based on wire height and ambient electric field [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite extensive theoretical debate, empirical research on medical aid in dying (MAID) largely has disregarded broader, contextual factors as potential correlates of attitudes in hospice clinicians. Objective: Informed by institutional theory and neofunctional attitude theory, the objective of the current study was to quantitatively examine hospice clinicians' attitudes toward MAID as functions of institutional characteristics relating to (Aim 1) individual adherence to hospice values and (Aim 2) state law. Design: We used a cross-sectional design. Methods: A national convenience sample of interdisciplinary hospice clinicians recruited through US professional membership associations self-administered an online survey. Measures included attitudes toward MAID, attitudes toward the hospice philosophy of care, attitudes toward the principle that hospice care should not hasten death, orientation toward patient-centeredness, professional exposure to working in a state where MAID is legal, and demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed via a partial proportional odds model. Results: The sample (N = 450) comprised hospice physicians (227 [50.4%]), nurses (64 [14.2%]), social workers (74 [16.4%]), and 85 chaplains (85 [18.9%]). Results of the partial proportional odds model indicated that professional exposure to working in a state where MAID is legal was significantly associated with over twice the cumulative odds of MAID support. Although neither orientation toward patient-centered care nor attitudes toward the hospice philosophy of care was significantly associated with attitudes toward MAID, results showed that disagreement with the narrower principle that hospice care should not hasten death was significantly associated with 6-to-7 times the cumulative odds of MAID support. Conclusion: Findings suggest that contextual factors—namely, the environments in which hospice clinicians practice—may shape attitudes toward MAID. Unanticipated results indicating that hospice professionals' adherence to hospice values was not significantly associated with attitudes toward MAID underscore the need for further research on these complex associations, given previous theoretical and empirical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of advanced administrative leadership and character formation on the faculty and staff in a secondary public school within the 1st District of Sultan Kudarat. The research aims to evaluate how these leadership practices enhance key areas such as communication, risk management, strategic planning, resource allocation, and delegation of power within the school. Additionally, it examines how character formation influences organizational commitment, career progression, values and attitudes, social environment, and cultural practices among staff members. Data were collected from 114 respondents through surveys and interviews, revealing a strong positive correlation (r = 0.884, p < 0.05) between advanced administrative leadership practices and character formation. The findings highlight the critical role of effective leadership in fostering a supportive and ethical school environment, which in turn promotes staff satisfaction and student success. This study explores the impact of advanced administrative leadership and character formation on faculty and staff in a secondary public school within the 1st District of Sultan Kudarat. Recommendations include the implementation of targeted professional development programs, improved feedback mechanisms, and initiatives to strengthen ethical and collaborative practices within the school. These strategies aim to create a cohesive and motivated educational community, ultimately contributing to the holistic development of students and the overall excellence in a secondary public school within the 1st District of Sultan Kudarat. The insights gained from this research provide valuable guidance for educational institutions aiming to cultivate an environment that supports both professional and personal growth for their staff and students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female preference for longer eyespan has driven exaggerated sexual dimorphism in several species of stalk-eyed flies. Longer eyespan increases a fly's moment of inertia, and flies experience significant increase in body mass across age as they mature sexually. These costs may impact flight behavior and fitness through maneuverability and predator evasion, and appear ameliorated by co-selection for compensatory traits, as flies with longer eyespans tend to have larger thoraces and wings, allowing them to perform turns similar to flies with shorter eyespans. However, the capacity to compensate for a potentially costly ornament may not be limited to morphological traits which are fixed at the time of eclosion: as flies age, they also accumulate thorax mass and improve their flight performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the compensatory ability of two populations of stalk-eyed flies (Teleopsis dalmanni and Diasemopsis meigenii) through comparing morphology and flight performance relative to eyespan. 'Over-compensators' should exhibit greater morphological and/or performance traits relative to eyespan, whereas 'under-compensators' should exhibit relatively less across these metrics. Flight performance was assessed using high-speed videography and variable-density gas-mixtures to determine maximal flight capacity. Young adult flies eclosed as 'under-compensators', with less thorax mass, wing velocity and flight capacity relative to their eyespan as compared to older flies. As flies aged and accumulated thorax mass, they became 'over-compensators'. Thus, compensation for long eye-stalks is not a fixed trait; instead, variation in compensatory ability appears to be associated with the development of thorax muscle and flight performance across age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uric acid (UA), a metabolite of purine and fructose metabolism, is linked to inflammation and metabolic disorders, including gout and cardiovascular disease. Its pro-inflammatory effects are largely driven by the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, leading to increased cytokine production. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a ketone produced during fasting or carbohydrate restriction, has been shown to reduce inflammation. This study explores the role of BHB in mitigating the inflammatory and metabolic effects of elevated uric acid levels. Methods: We utilized a murine muscle cell culture treated with UA and BHB. Results: Muscle cells treated with UA had increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced cell viability. Co-treatment with BHB reversed these effects, improving cell survival and reducing cytokine levels. Additionally, uric acid impaired mitochondrial function and increased oxidative stress, which were mitigated by BHB. Furthermore, uric acid disrupted insulin signaling, but BHB co-treatment restored insulin sensitivity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that BHB holds therapeutic potential by counteracting the inflammatory and metabolic disruptions caused by elevated uric acid, making it a promising target for conditions such as hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaling, to remove the effects of body size, is an important methodological approach for enabling an equitable comparison of performance differences between individuals who vary in anthropometric characteristics. Many previous studies using scaling in sport have done so based on only one or two anthropometric characteristics, with only one study to date adopting a three‐dimensional approach. To apply a three‐dimensional allometric model to rowing ergometer performance (REP) in adolescents, and to detect whether key 'scaling' parameters remain stable when scaling REP both before and after a 6‐week training intervention. Novel three‐dimensional allometric models were used, incorporating body mass, stature and waist circumference (WC) to detect the most appropriate body size dimension(s) and scaling parameters associated with REP before and after a 6‐week training intervention. Using this more flexible and sensitive three‐dimensional allometry demonstrated that, following 6‐weeks of training, there was a change in the ideal body shape associated with REP. Before training, taller, but not heavier, adolescents performed better. After 6‐weeks of training, older participants with a greater body mass but smaller WC performed better. Scaling approaches are important for evaluating performance differences between individuals of differing body size. The findings from the current study (using a novel three‐dimensional allometry approach) emphasise that relatively subtle changes in individuals' behavioural characteristics, such as changes in their training/fitness status, can result in quite dramatic changes in the body dimension characteristics and scaling parameters deemed to be key for performance in activities such as REP. Highlights: This study examined three‐dimensional allometric models of rowing ergometer performance (REP) before and after a 6‐week rowing training intervention.At baseline, stature was the most important determinant of REP.Following a 6‐week training intervention, the three‐dimensional allometric model revealed a positive effect of body mass and negative effect of waist circumference on REP.These findings highlight that allometric models are sensitive to changes over time, even in response to a relatively modest 6‐week training intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the association between behavioral loyalty and satisfaction scores for banks. Past work has generally viewed the link between satisfaction and loyalty to be one way – satisfaction causes or induces loyalty. This study suggests the relationship may not be just one-way, and that current loyal behavior towards banks (measured as using 1, 2 or 3 banks) may be related to satisfaction scores: the more banks used, the lower the satisfaction score. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs large-scale survey data from the UK YouGov panel. It analyses satisfaction scores for 16 banks, from consumers who use either 1, 2 or 3 banks. Findings: Banks receive lower satisfaction scores from their customers who use one other bank, compared to customers who do not use one other bank. Furthermore, users of two banks are less satisfied with either of them compared to users of one, and users of three banks are, on average, less satisfied with each of them compared to users of two. Practical implications: The results will help managers and researchers better understand satisfaction scores. For example, part of the reason why a bank obtains low satisfaction scores could be that it has a large proportion of dual or multi-bank customers. Next, knowing that satisfaction scores differ according to the number of banks currently used may contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the link between satisfaction and future loyalty. Originality/value: The study is highly original in proposing a novel hypothesis relating to bank usage and how it relates to satisfaction scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nicotiana megalosiphon Van Heurck & Müll.Arg. species complex has been shown to be composed of several morphologically cryptic species similar to N. simulans N.T.Burb. Using phylogenetic and population genetic approaches (maximum likelihood, co-ancestry, admixture proportions, Bayesian species delimitation and coalescent methods), we demonstrate that there is an additional undescribed species in this complex. The species limits of N. latifolia M.W.Chase & Christenh. , N. latzii M.W.Chase, R.W.Jobson & Christenh., N. megalosiphon , N. sessilifolia (P.Horton) M.W.Chase & Christenh. and N. simulans , previously circumscribed based solely on a phylogenetic approach, are confirmed in the new analyses and a new species, N. palssonae M.W.Chase & Christenh., is described. A map of species distributions and a key to the species of the N. megalosiphon species complex are provided. The Nicotiana megalosiphon species complex includes several morphologically cryptic species. We use phylogenetic and population genetic approaches (maximum likelihood, admixture proportions, Bayesian species delimitation and coalescent methods) to assess delimitations of these species and on this basis, describe a new species, N. palssonae M.W.Chase & Christenh. A map of species distributions and key to the species of the N. megalosiphon species complex are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a common source of infection in shoulder surgery. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a naturally occurring metabolite of C. acnes that creates an exothermic reaction when activated by blue light. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative photodynamic therapy using topical 5-ALA to decrease C. acnes colonization. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive topical 5-ALA skin solution activated by blue light photodynamic therapy or standard of care preoperative skin preparation. Prior to skin incision, two punch biopsy specimens were taken from the portal sites and were incubated for 13 days. Culture positivity rate, days until positive, and semiquantitative growth classification were analyzed. Results: Fifty patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized. The overall positive culture rate was 54%. All cultures were positive for C. acnes except for one. Sixty-four percent of standard preparation patients and 44% of investigational group patients had at least one positive culture for C. acnes. There was no significant difference between groups in patients with at least one positive C. acnes culture (p = 0.49). Conclusion: The use of photodynamic therapy undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery did not significantly reduce colonization of C. acnes as compared to standard preparation. Level of Evidence: Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic mixing aims to increase the genetic diversity of small or isolated populations, by mitigating genetic drift and inbreeding depression, either by maximally increasing genetic diversity, or minimising the prevalence of recessive, deleterious alleles. However, few studies investigate this beyond a single generation of mixing. Here, we model genetic mixing using captive, low‐diversity recipient population of the threatened Southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) over 50 generations and compare wild populations across south‐eastern Australia as candidate source populations. We first assess genetic differentiation between 12 populations, including the first genomic assessment of three mainland Australian and three Tasmanian populations. We assess genetic diversity in the 12 populations using an individualised autosomal heterozygosity pipeline, using these results to identify a candidate recipient population for genetic mixing simulations. We found that populations fell into four major groups of genetic similarity: Adelaide Hills, western Victoria, eastern Victoria, and Tasmania, but populations within these groups were also distinct, and additional substructure was observed in some populations. Our autosomal heterozygosity pipeline indicated significant variability in mean heterozygosity between populations, identifying one extremely genetically degraded population on Inner Sister Island, Tasmania. Genetic mixing simulations of a low heterozygosity captive population in Victoria suggested the greatest increase in heterozygosity would be reached by using highly differentiated populations as mixing sources. However, when removing populations that may represent taxonomically discrete lineages, neither metrics of differentiation nor heterozygosity was strongly correlated with modelled heterozygosity increase, indicating the value of simulation‐based approaches when selecting source populations for population mixing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high morbidity and mortality rates of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and the importance of early IA detection for successful treatment and subsequent outcome, this study aimed to determine a time course of detectable antigen in a mouse model of IA and correlate it with tissue invasion by using two novel monoclonal antibodies, 1D2 and 4E4, that can be used to detect the Aspergillus-derived glycoproteins. Immunocompromised mice were randomly divided into five groups: uninfected control, and inoculation with conidia from Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus. Conidia (2 × 106 cells/mL) were administered intravenously via tail vein injection. Three mice from each group were euthanised at each time point (6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h, and 48 h) after inoculation. Urine and blood were collected for analysis using a double-sandwich ELISA using 1D2 and 4E4. Liver, spleen, and kidney tissues were harvested for tissue staining. The levels of liver injury in the IA mice progressively increased with time after inoculation with Aspergillus conidia. Following inoculation with A. fumigatus, swollen conidia were identified in the spleen, as well as antigens in blood after 18 h. Hyphae were detected in the spleen, liver, and kidney after 48 h. For A. flavus, the antibodies detected hyphae in the liver and spleen as well as circulating antigens in blood samples 48 h after inoculation. Tissue injury was observed in the mice inoculated with A. terreus and A. niger, but there was no evidence of fungal invasion or antigens in the blood. Antigens were not detectable in mouse urine but could be detected in glomeruli of the kidney by immunofluorescence. In conclusion, the mAb-based antigen detection double-sandwich ELISA results were consistent with the IHC results in this study. Novel monoclonal antibodies 1D2 and 4E4 can serve as tools for the early identification of IA in mice infected by A. fumigatus and A. flavus. This study also suggests the potential usefulness of this approach in human disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal cancer surgery aims for curative intent but carries high complication rates. Transthoracic esophagectomy is the dominant approach, however, transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) offers selective advantages in certain clinical scenarios. Minimally invasive THE (MI-THE) is an evolving technique with limited data. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 38 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent MI-THE using "Antegrade Inversion Technique" between 2013 and 2023 at a tertiary care center. Perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Data were presented as mean with standard deviation, median with interquartile range, and percentages. Results: Most patients (86.8%) had early-stage cancer. Median operative time was 375 minutes, hospital stay was 8 days, and intensive care unit stay was 3 days. All patients achieved a negative resection margin. Pleural effusion (57.9%) was the most common complication, followed by pneumothorax (31.6%) and surgical site infection (15.8%). Anastomotic leak rate was 13.2%. There was no mortality. Conclusions: MI-THE appears safe and feasible with encouraging perioperative outcomes, particularly for early-stage disease and high-risk patients. While potentially offering advantages over open THE, further research is needed to definitively establish its role compared to traditional approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injectable in situ‐forming scaffolds that induce both angiogenesis and osteogenesis have been proven to be promising for bone healing applications. Here, we report the synthesis of an injectable hydrogel containing cobalt‐doped bioactive glass (BG)‐loaded microspheres. Silk fibroin (SF)/gelatin microspheres containing BG particles were fabricated through microfluidics. The microspheres were mixed in an injectable alginate solution, which formed an in situ hydrogel by adding CaCl2. The hydrogel was evaluated for its physicochemical properties, in vitro interactions with osteoblast‐like and endothelial cells, and bone healing potential in a rat model of calvarial defect. The microspheres were well‐dispersed in the hydrogel and formed pores of >100 μm. The hydrogel displayed shear‐thinning behavior and modulated the cobalt release so that the optimal cobalt concentration for angiogenic stimulation, cell proliferation, and deposition of mineralized matrix was only achieved by the scaffold that contained BG doped with 5% wt/wt cobalt (A‐S‐G5Co). In the scaffold containing higher cobalt content, a reduced biomimetic mineralization on the surface was observed. The gene expression study indicated an upregulation of the osteogenic genes of COL1A1, ALPL, OCN, and RUNX2 and angiogenic genes of HIF1A and VEGF at different time points in the cells cultured with the A‐S‐G5Co. Finally, the in vivo study demonstrated that A‐S‐G5Co significantly promoted both angiogenesis and osteogenesis and improved bone healing after 12 weeks of follow‐up. These results show that incorporation of SF/gelatin microspheres containing cobalt‐doped BG in an injectable in situ‐forming scaffold can effectively enhance its bone healing potential through promotion of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safe, secure, suitable housing is often an unattainable reality for kaumātua (older Māori aged 55 years and over in this study) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Kaumātua, unfortunately, are at the forefront of the housing crisis, and struggle to find housing which meets their most basic needs. Therefore, many organisations are considering the development of urban papakāinga to meet their needs. The purpose of this study is to assess the needs of kaumātua currently in temporary, emergency or state housing situations to understand their perspectives about what factors enable successful urban papakāinga. The research design and methodology in this article apply a multi-method observational approach, guided by the He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) Implementation Framework. The main findings in this study include five cultural characteristics necessary within urban papakāinga developments; whanaungatanga (connections); kaitiakitanga (environmental care/ guardianship); manaakitanga (care for others); rangatiratanga (leadership, autonomy, or control); and haumarutanga (safety/security). In addition, key correlates of wellbeing indicators included housing suitability, community connection and a safe neighbourhood. These key needs and perspectives have important theoretical and practical implications for kaumātua wellbeing, and successful housing developments for Māori. Glossary of Kupu Māori words: Aotearoa: Māori name of New Zealand; haumarutanga: security, safety, or peace of mind; kaitiakitanga: environmental care, guardianship, or stewardship; kaumātua: older Māori aged 55 years and over; kaupapa Māori: Māori approach; koroua: older male; kuia: older female; manaakitanga: generosity, cherish, respect, care and hospitality; Māori: Indigenous people of Aotearoa-NZ; papakāinga: traditional Māori housing/community complex; Papatūānuku: Earth Mother; rangatiratanga: leadership, self-determination, autonomy, or control; Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Waka: The Blossoming of Aspirations for All; tikanga: correct custom, procedure, or protocol; tūrangawaewae: a place of strength, belonging, connection, a place to stand; urban papakāinga: modern Māori housing/urban intergenerational village; wairuatanga: spirituality; whakapapa: decent, lineage, ancestor, or genealogy; whānau: family or closely connected kin group; whanaungatanga: connectedness, kinship, or relationships [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]