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The article looks at the issue of whether and how work in the scholarly field of consumer research is relevant for various audiences. It notes concerns have been voiced about the content of the periodical failing to offer such relevance. It offers a framework for assessing different kinds of relevance that a consumer research study may have which includes considerations such as the targeted audience of the research question, the importance of the research topic, and whether the research results are actionable.

The current research examines how the knowledge that a product is made using a traditional method influences perceptions of its quality. We propose that consumers believe that a brand using traditional methods is beneficial for society because it is concerned about cultural preservation and this belief has a positive effect on perceived quality. Six experimental studies show that consumers evaluate products produced with a method described as traditional to be higher in quality than similar products that are not described as traditionally made and this effect is mediated by the belief that the brand is beneficial for society. Consistent with this theory, the positive effect of traditional production on perceived quality is attenuated when consumers view the brand to be unconcerned about cultural preservation, such as when the use of a traditional method is framed as a follower strategy (i.e. it imitates the actions of other brands) or when the brand is a multinational company. By showing that the mere mention of a traditional method can be another subtle way to position a brand as a moral actor, these findings contribute to the understanding of the link between perceived social responsibility and product evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a critical need for fall-prevention interventions to reach medically underserved, hard-to-reach, rural older adults. The evidence-based Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB) program reduces falls in older adults. This pre-COVID-19 pandemic study assessed the feasibility and impact of a 16-week tele-TJQMBB intervention in older adults. Instructors led six tele-TJQMBB classes via Zoom for 52 older adults (mean age ± SD 68.5 ± 7.7 years) at one academic and four community sites. Nearly all (97%) planned sessions were delivered. Average attendance was 61%. There were no adverse events. Fidelity was fair to good (mean 67%). Forty-one percent of sessions experienced technical disruptions. Participants improved their gait speed, balance, lower-extremity strength, and body mass index. Tele-TJQMBB was feasible with a positive impact on outcomes. This study was the first step toward establishing an additional delivery mode that could potentially expand TJQMBB's reach and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mainstream area of marketing maintains that consumerism is a social movement that seeks to support consumers against corporate wrongdoings. Led by the area's canons, particularly Philip Kotler, marketing has associated consumerist values with neoliberal-capitalist principles; however, it has failed to address the issues, realities, and contexts of consumerism and consumerists in the Global South, in their multiple and non-homogenous forms, which are onto-epistemically aligned to such realities. The present paper aims to analyse, through a decolonial perspective from Latin America, how the consumerism led in marketing by Kotler fails to promote consumer protection in multiple realities and for multiple groups, especially (if not only) in the Global South. Latin American decolonial theorisations related to hierarchies of power, locus of enunciation and universalisation of knowledge are adopted, in order to critically analyse these failures, based on a perspective that originates in a non-hegemonic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new bidentate bridging ligand, bis(2-pyridyl)thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine is reported, along with its mono- and bi-metallic Ru(II) complexes as representative examples. Spectroscopic, electrochemical and X-ray crystallographic characterization of these species is reported, with the separation of the two Ru(III)/Ru(II) couples of the bimetallic complex suggesting better metal–metal communication than classical polypyridyl analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) is an X-linked intellectual disability and endocrine disorder caused by pathogenic variants of plant homeodomain finger gene 6 (PHF6). An understanding of the role of PHF6 in vivo in the development of the mammalian nervous system is required to advance our knowledge of how PHF6 mutations cause BFLS. Here, we show that PHF6 protein levels are greatly reduced in cells derived from a subset of patients with BFLS. We report the phenotypic, anatomical, cellular and molecular characterization of the brain in males and females in two mouse models of BFLS, namely loss of Phf6 in the germline and nervous system-specific deletion of Phf6. We show that loss of PHF6 resulted in spontaneous seizures occurring via a neural intrinsic mechanism. Histological and morphological analysis revealed a significant enlargement of the lateral ventricles in adult Phf6-deficient mice, while other brain structures and cortical lamination were normal. Phf6 deficient neural precursor cells showed a reduced capacity for self-renewal and increased differentiation into neurons. Phf6 deficient cortical neurons commenced spontaneous neuronal activity prematurely suggesting precocious neuronal maturation. We show that loss of PHF6 in the foetal cortex and isolated cortical neurons predominantly caused upregulation of genes, including Reln, Nr4a2, Slc12a5, Phip and ZIC family transcription factor genes, involved in neural development and function, providing insight into the molecular effects of loss of PHF6 in the developing brain. Author summary: The Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome (BFLS) is an intellectual disability and endocrine disorder. Mutations in the plant homeodomain finger 6 gene (PHF6) cause the disorder. We show here that a subset of BFLS patients lack PHF6 and report the effects of loss of PHF6 in an animal model with complete loss of PHF6 from conception. The cerebral cortex is the site of higher brain functions, including cognition and decision-making. We report here the effects of lack of PHF6 on the developing brain, cerebral cortex and neuronal cells isolated from this structure. Since PHF6 associates with the genetic material in the cell nucleus and has been proposed to regulate gene activity, we also report the effects of lack of PHF6 on gene expression in the cerebral cortex and purified neuronal cells. We observed that loss of PHF6 results in the dysregulation of neuronal development and differentiation genes, including genes involved in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, neuroblastoma, attention deficit disorder, autism and schizophrenia. Lastly, we report that mice lacking PHF6 mirror BFLS patients in that they also suffer from spontaneous epileptic seizures. Our mouse models and findings will be useful to further investigate BFLS neuronal function and other aspects of the disorder in the adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Celiac plexus block has been commonly utilized for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis-associated abdominal pain. Prospective studies suggest efficacy in 30 to 50% of patients, although no randomized sham-controlled trials have been performed. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus block on abdominal pain in patients with documented chronic pancreatitis. Methods: This is a two-arm randomized sham-controlled trial with blinded evaluators. The study will be conducted at multiple academic sites in the United States who are members of the United States Pancreatic Disease Study Group (USPG). Patients referred for EUS to exclude chronic pancreatitis as a cause of abdominal pain as well as those with established painful chronic pancreatitis undergoing EUS for another indication will be eligible. At the time of EUS with confirmation of chronic pancreatitis by standard EUS diagnostic criteria, patients will be randomized to either celiac plexus block or sham whereby an anesthetic and steroid combination will be injected into the celiac plexus or saline will be injected into the gastric lumen with the same type of needle as used for celiac plexus block, respectively. The main outcome measure will be a 50% reduction in abdominal pain using the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) at 1 month post-intervention. A number of secondary outcomes will be measured including visual analog scale (VAS), Comprehensive Pain Assessment Tool Short Form (COMPAT-SF) pain scores, and quality of life using a pancreas-specific validated measure (PANQOLI). Discussion: In this study, the effect of celiac plexus block on abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis will be compared to a sham intervention. This randomized trial will offer a definitive assessment of the role of celiac plexus block for the treatment of abdominal pain in this setting. Trial registration {2}: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 06178315. Registered on December 21, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Snuff is a smokeless source of nicotine that is common in Scandinavia and increasingly used by women of fertile age. Persistent use of snuff during pregnancy has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Emerging data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway distinguishes between occasional use and daily use. We provide preliminary estimates of associations between frequency of snuff and gestational length and birth weight. Methods: Data on snuff use during pregnancies delivered in 2020 and 2021 were available for the west and central regions of Norway. Associations of snuff use with gestational length and birth weight at term (39–41 weeks) were estimated using quantile regression at the 25th, the 50th and the 75th percentiles, with adjustments for mother's age, pre-pregnancy weight, and parity. We compared associations with the pregnancy outcomes according to maternal snuff and cigarette use. Results: 12.4% of 18 042 non-smoking women reported daily use of snuff before pregnancy, and 4.6% reported continuing use during pregnancy, with 1.2% still reporting daily use in the last trimester. Women with daily use through the last trimester delivered babies with a median gestational length reduced by 3.4 days (95% CI: -5.0 to -1.7 days) compared with women who never used snuff. The reduction was even stronger at the 25th percentile of gestational age. The median term birth weight was reduced by 44 g (95% CI: -134 to 46 g). These associations were much weaker for women who quit snuff at some point during pregnancy or used snuff only occasionally. Mothers who smoked daily through the last trimester had a median gestational length reduced by 2.1 days (95% CI: -2.7 to -1.4) and a median term birth weight reduced by 294 g (95% CI: -325 to -262) compared with never-smokers. Conclusions: Daily snuff use through the last trimester reduced the median gestational length by more than three days. Snuff reduced birth weight, but not as much as smoking, suggesting that the predominant effect of smoking on fetal growth is not through nicotine but through the additional toxic chemicals in cigarettes or by reduced oxygen supply to the fetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate risk factors for severe COVID-19 in persons living with HIV (PWH), including among racialized PWH, using the U.S. population-sampled National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) data released from January 1, 2020 to October 10, 2022. We defined severe COVID-19 as hospitalized with invasive mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, discharge to hospice or death. We used machine learning methods to identify highly ranked, uncorrelated factors predicting severe COVID-19, and used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the associations of these variables with severe COVID-19 in several models, including race-stratified models. There were 3 241 627 individuals with incident COVID-19 cases and 81 549 (2.5%) with severe COVID-19, of which 17 445 incident COVID-19 and 1 020 (5.8%) severe cases were among PWH. The top highly ranked factors of severe COVID-19 were age, congestive heart failure (CHF), dementia, renal disease, sodium concentration, smoking status, and sex. Among PWH, age and sodium concentration were important predictors of COVID-19 severity, and the effect of sodium concentration was more pronounced in Hispanics (aOR 4.11 compared to aOR range: 1.47–1.88 for Black, White, and Other non-Hispanics). Dementia, CHF, and renal disease was associated with higher odds of severe COVID-19 among Black, Hispanic, and Other non-Hispanics PWH, respectively. Our findings suggest that the impact of factors, especially clinical comorbidities, predictive of severe COVID-19 among PWH varies by racialized groups, highlighting a need to account for race and comorbidity burden when assessing the risk of PWH developing severe COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose was to examine the prevalence of low energy availability (LEA), explore dietary behaviors in men collegiate gymnasts (n = 14), and investigate the relationships between energy availability (EA), body composition, and plyometric performance. Methods: Body composition was measured using air displacement plethysmography. Lower- and upper-body peak power (PWRpeak) and modified reactive strength index (RSImod) were calculated from countermovement jump (CMJ) and plyometric push-up (PP) assessments. Energy expenditure was tracked over 3 days, while daily energy and macronutrient intake were recorded. EA was calculated and used to categorize athletes into LEA and non-LEA groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between EA, body composition, and performance metrics. Results: 85.7% of athletes (n = 12) exhibited LEA (20.98 ± 5.2 kcals/kg FFM), with non-LEA athletes (n = 2) marginally surpassing the <30 kcal/kg of fat-free mass (FFM) threshold (30.58 ± 0.2 kcals/kg FFM). The cohort (n = 14) consumed insufficient energy (30.5 ± 4.5 kcal/kg/day) and carbohydrates (3.7 ± 1.1 g/kg/day), resulting in LEA (22.36 ± 5.9 kcal/kg/FFM). EA was not correlated with body composition or performance metrics. Discussion: A high prevalence of LEA may exist in men gymnasts, largely due to a low relative energy and carbohydrate intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the learnability of English filler-gap dependencies and the "island" constraints on them by assessing the generalizations made by autoregressive (incremental) language models that use deep learning to predict the next word given preceding context. Using factorial tests inspired by experimental psycholinguistics, we found that models acquire not only the basic contingency between fillers and gaps, but also the unboundedness and hierarchical constraints implicated in the dependency. We evaluated a model's acquisition of island constraints by demonstrating that its expectation for a filler-gap contingency is attenuated within an island environment. Our results provide empirical evidence against the argument from the poverty of the stimulus for this particular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the meaning of 脈象 màixiàng (translated here as 'pulse image') in order to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the traditional approach to clinical pulse diagnosis in Chinese medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5c, between ~106 000 and ~93 000 years ago, represents an important warm period in which the current anthropogenic warming can be contextualized. Although viewed as a pronounced interstadial, its climate expression is regionally disparate, with different regions on Earth showing evidence of either cooler or warmer conditions than modern‐day. It is therefore important to expand temperature reconstructions to different regions on Earth to gain a better picture of climate dynamics during MIS 5c. In Alaska, there are no quantitative temperature reconstructions for MIS 5c, limiting our knowledge of temperature changes in this climatically sensitive high‐latitude region. Here, we fill this gap by providing the first quantitative temperature estimates from MIS 5c in Alaska using hydrogen isotopes of fluid inclusions in precisely dated speleothems. We find that regional temperatures during MIS 5c were within error of the modern‐day reference period (1929–1989 ce) temperatures, possibly representing the most recent time period that regional temperatures were as high as modern‐day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in display resolution, frame rate, and bit depth, particularly with advances in stereoscopic 3D (S3D) displays, have increased demand for efficient compression throughout the imaging pipeline. To meet such requirements, typically the aim is to reduce bandwidth while presenting content that is visually indistinguishable from the original uncompressed versions. Subjective image quality assessment is essential and multiple methods have been proposed. Of these, the ISO/IEC 29170‐2 flicker paradigm is a rigorous method used to define visually lossless performance. However, it is possible that the enhanced sensitivity to artifacts in the presence of flicker does not predict visibility under natural viewing conditions. Here, we test this prediction using high‐dynamic range S3D images and video under flicker and non‐flicker protocols. As hypothesized, sensitivity to artifacts was greater when using the flicker paradigm, but no differences were observed between the non‐flicker paradigms. Results were modeled using the Pyramid of Visibility, which predicted artifact detection driven by moderately low spatial frequencies. Overall, our results confirm the flicker paradigm is a conservative estimate of visually lossless behavior; it is highly unlikely to miss artifacts that would be visible under normal viewing. Conversely, artifacts identified by the flicker protocol may not be problematic in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridging the theory-practice gap remains a challenge in preparing preservice elementary teachers for science teaching. Research experiences for undergraduates (REU) offer a potential way to help preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) come to value and implement research-based science teaching. REUs come in many forms but often take the form of either extracurricular research with a practicing scientist. Alternatively, practitioner inquiries are often used as part of a teacher preparation course or practicum but often are limited in time and scope. In this study, we report on a novel approach to an REU that combined the features of a traditional REU and practitioner inquiry, which we refer to as Extracurricular Practitioner Inquiry (EPI). PSTs collaboratively developed, tested, and prepared curricular units for publication as part of an extracurricular, funded project. A mixed-methods approach, including nonrandom matched pairs and semi-structured interviews, was used to investigate the impact of the EPI experience on PSTs' knowledge and beliefs about science teaching. As a result of their participation in the novel EPI, when compared with a control group, the PST participants developed beliefs more consistent with research-based science teaching. Support from collaborators, shifts in self-perception, and improved understanding of the research-practice relationship seem to have mediated changes in the PSTs' knowledge and beliefs about science teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligence communities regularly produce important assessments that inform policymakers. The Analysis of Competing Hypotheses technique (ACH) is one of the most widely-touted methods for improving the accuracy of those assessments. But does ACH work? This critical review identified seven articles describing six experiments testing ACH. The results indicate ACH – as a whole – has little to no overall benefit on judgment quality, and may even harm it, even though some aspects of ACH might be beneficial. We consequently discourage intelligence organizations from mandating the training or use of ACH, and we recommend greater integration of science into intelligence practices in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tourette OCD Alberta Network (TOAN) supports mental health therapists to improve the delivery of care to patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) and OCD in Alberta. We evaluated the professional development needs of health care workers to develop a continuing professional development (CPD) webinar series. Health care workers demonstrated an urgent need to access a CPD program grounded in evidenced based knowledge about TS and OCD. While 80% of health care workers treated children with TS and OCD, 50% had no formal training. A curriculum consisting of a series of twelve live, online webinars was developed and delivered between September 2020 and June 2021, covering a range of clinical topics. The webinars were attended on average by 63 attendees, with the outcome of a positive knowledge gain. In future, the educational program will need to reflect the ongoing developing clinical understanding of TS and OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organizational adoption is a key but understudied step in translating evidence-based interventions into practice. The purpose of this study was to report recruitment strategies and factors associated with church enrollment and intervention adoption in a national implementation study of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program. Methods: We worked with partners using multiple strategies to disseminate intervention availability. Interested churches completed an online form. To enroll, the church coordinator (FAN coordinator) and pastor completed baseline surveys and then received intervention online training access. We compared enrolled vs. non-enrolled churches on how they heard about the study and church characteristics. We compared intervention-adopting vs. non-adopting churches on Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs using Fisher's exact tests, χ2, or independent sample t-tests and reported differences where p < 0.10, d≥|0.35|, or the difference in percentage points was ≥ 10. Results: We received 226 interest forms; 107 churches enrolled, and 85 churches adopted the intervention. Faith-based sources were the most, and paid media the least, effective in reaching churches, which were largely from the southeast with a Methodist or Baptist tradition (no differences by enrollment status). Enrolled churches were less likely to have 500 + worshipers and more likely to have attended a study information session than non-enrolled churches. Church (CFIR inner setting) and FAN coordinator characteristics, but not intervention characteristics, were related to intervention adoption. Conclusion: Partnerships, relationships, and "face time" are important for enrolling churches in evidence-based interventions. Church and church coordinator characteristics are related to intervention adoption. Further work on adoption conceptualization and operationalization is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early identification of knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) could enable timely interventions to improve long-term outcomes. However, little is known about the change in early OA symptoms from 6 to 12 months post-ACLR. To evaluate the change over time in meeting classification criteria for early knee OA symptoms from 6 to 12 months after ACLR. Prospective cohort study. Research laboratory. Eighty-two participants aged 13 to 35 years who underwent unilateral primary ACLR. On average, participants' first and second visits were 6.2 and 12.1 months post-ACLR. Early OA symptoms were classified using generic (Luyten Original) and patient population–specific (Luyten Patient Acceptable Symptom State [PASS]) thresholds on Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales. Changes in meeting early OA criteria were compared between an initial and follow-up visit at an average of 6 and 12 months post-ACLR, respectively. Twenty-two percent of participants exhibited persistent early OA symptoms across both visits using both the Luyten Original and PASS criteria. From initial to follow-up visit, 18% to 27% had resolution of early OA symptoms, while 4% to 9% developed incident symptoms. In total, 48% to 51% had no early OA symptoms at either visit. No differences were found for change in early OA status between adults and adolescents. Nearly one-quarter of participants exhibited persistent early knee OA symptoms based on KOOS thresholds from 6 to 12 months post-ACLR. Determining if this symptom persistence predicts worse long-term outcomes could inform the need for timely interventions after ACLR. Future researchers should examine if resolving persistent symptoms in this critical window improves later outcomes. Tracking early OA symptoms over time may identify high-risk patients who could benefit from early treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The gut microbiome has been implicated in outcomes for HCC, and gut microbe-derived products may serve as potential non-invasive indices for early HCC detection. This study evaluated differences in plasma concentrations of gut microbiota-derived metabolites. Methods: Forty-one patients with HCC and 96 healthy controls were enrolled from surgical clinics at the Cleveland Clinic from 2016 to 2020. Gut microbiota-derived circulating metabolites detectable in plasma were compared between patients with HCC and healthy controls. Hierarchical clustering was performed for generating heatmaps based on circulating metabolite concentrations using ClustVis, with Euclidean and Ward settings and significant differences between metabolite concentrations were tested using a binary logistic regression model. Results: In patients with HCC, 25 (61%) had histologically confirmed cirrhosis. Trimethylamine (TMA)-related metabolites were found at higher concentrations in those with HCC, including choline (p < 0.001), betaine (p < 0.001), carnitine (p = 0.007), TMA (p < 0.001) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO, p < 0.001). Notably, concentrations of P-cresol glucuronide (p < 0.001), indole-lactic acid (p = 0.038), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (p < 0.0001) and 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (p < 0.001) were also increased in those with HCC compared to healthy controls. Hierarchical clustering of the metabolite panel separated patients based on the presence of HCC (p < 0.001), but was not able to distinguish between patients with HCC based on the presence of cirrhosis (p = 0.42). Conclusions: Gut microbiota-derived metabolites were differentially abundant in patients with HCC versus healthy controls. The observed perturbations of the TMAO pathway in HCC seem particularly promising as a target of future research and may have both diagnostic and therapeutic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical reasoning is a complex process whereby psychologists review a large amount of data to generate diagnostic conclusions. Limited research has studied clinical reasoning specific to psychoeducational assessment. In this study, we used a think-aloud protocol to examine trainees' and licensed practitioners' clinical reasoning as they completed an unfolding case. Data were collected on efficiency (time spent on case, amount and order of diagnostic information requested), accuracy, and confidence, with the expectation that these areas would be more developed in experienced practitioners. Analyses found no effect of experience on clinical reasoning efficiency. However, trainees were less confident and accurate in their diagnostic conclusions and more likely to be influenced by contextual information that was less core to the diagnosis. These findings suggest that previous exposure to specific disorders is beneficial to clinical reasoning development and suggests a need for systemic training related to a broad range of disorders in graduate programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a tribute to the late Prof. Simon R. Leather, a highly respected entomologist. It includes personal reflections from colleagues who worked closely with Prof. Leather, highlighting his dedication, expertise, and impact on the field of entomology. The article also mentions his role as an editor for scientific journals and his contributions to research and education. Overall, it pays homage to Prof. Leather's significant contributions and influence in the field of entomology. [Extracted from the article]

This pilot study aims to identify characteristic A‐mode ultrasound features relevant to noninvasive detection of esophageal bolus transit in the proximal esophagus. Ultrasound signals at a lateral neck site were obtained via a single‐element ultrasonic transducer with synchronous videofluoroscopic swallowing studies images of swallows of differing viscosities in 21 adult dysphagia outpatients. Characteristic ultrasound features were extracted to differentiate a bolus‐filled from a collapsed esophagus. From 21 subjects, 412 swallows exhibited 4 reproducible waveform patterns associated with bolus transit as displayed in a heatmap: (1) Strong Reflectors; (2) Echo Shifts; (3) Distal Acoustic Enhancement; and (4) Speckling: One or more of these features were observed in the swallow series for all 21 subjects. Distinct acoustic waveform features acquired by single‐element ultrasonic transducers can identify bolus transit through the cervical esophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) displays are being used in an increasingly wide range of applications. However, previous work shows that viewers often perceive scene properties very differently in real and virtual environments and so realistic perception of virtual stimuli should always be a carefully tested conclusion, not an assumption. One important property for realistic scene perception is surface color. To evaluate how well virtual platforms support realistic perception of achromatic surface color, we assessed lightness constancy in a physical apparatus with real lights and surfaces, in a commercial VR headset, and on a traditional flat-panel display. We found that lightness constancy was good in all three environments, though significantly better in the real environment than on the flat-panel display. We also found that variability across observers was significantly greater in VR and on the flat-panel display than in the physical environment. We conclude that these discrepancies should be taken into account in applications where realistic perception is critical but also that in many cases VR can be used as a flexible alternative to flat-panel displays and a reasonable proxy for real environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the evolution of the US Army War College's approach to military education and leadership. Topics include the historical shifts in the college's educational focus, the current emphasis on adapting to great-power competition and technological advancements, and the development of a tailored educational model to enhance strategic leadership and problem-solving skills.

Background: Referral of patients with heart failure (HF) who are at high mortality risk for specialist evaluation is recommended. Yet, most tools for identifying such patients are difficult to implement in electronic health record (EHR) systems. Objective: To assess the performance and ease of implementation of Machine learning Assessment of RisK and EaRly mortality in Heart Failure (MARKER-HF), a machine-learning model that uses structured data that is readily available in the EHR, and compare it with two commonly used risk scores: the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) and Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic (MAGGIC) Heart Failure Risk Score. Design: Retrospective, cohort study. Participants: Data from 6764 adults with HF were abstracted from EHRs at a large integrated health system from 1/1/10 to 12/31/19. Main measures: One-year survival from time of first cardiology or primary care visit was estimated using MARKER-HF, SHFM, and MAGGIC. Discrimination was measured by the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). Calibration was assessed graphically. Key results: Compared to MARKER-HF, both SHFM and MAGGIC required a considerably larger amount of data engineering and imputation to generate risk score estimates. MARKER-HF, SHFM, and MAGGIC exhibited similar discriminations with AUCs of 0.70 (0.69–0.73), 0.71 (0.69–0.72), and 0.71 (95% CI 0.70–0.73), respectively. All three scores showed good calibration across the full risk spectrum. Conclusions: These findings suggest that MARKER-HF, which uses readily available clinical and lab measurements in the EHR and required less imputation and data engineering than SHFM and MAGGIC, is an easier tool to identify high-risk patients in ambulatory clinics who could benefit from referral to a HF specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Apnea test (AT) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is challenging, leading to variation in determining death by neurologic criteria (DNC). We aim to describe the diagnostic criteria and barriers for DNC in adults on ECMO in a tertiary care center. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospective observational standardized neuromonitoring study was conducted in adult VA- and VV-ECMO patients at a tertiary center from June 2016 to March 2022. Brain death was defined according to the 2010 American Academy of Neurology guidelines and following the 2020 World Brain Death Project recommendations for performing AT in ECMO patients. Results: Eight (2.7%) ECMO patients (median age = 44 years, 75% male, 50% VA-ECMO) met criteria for DNC, six (75%) of whom were determined with AT. In the other two patients who did not undergo AT due to safety concerns, ancillary tests (transcranial doppler and electroencephalography) were consistent with DNC. An additional seven (2.3%) patients (median age = 55 years, 71% male, 86% VA-ECMO) were noted to have absent brainstem reflexes but failed to complete determination of DNC as they underwent withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) before a full evaluation was completed. In these patients, AT was never performed, and ancillary tests were inconsistent with either neurological exam findings and/or neuroimaging supporting DNC, or with each other. Conclusion: AT was used safely and successfully in 6 of the 8 ECMO patients diagnosed with DNC and was always consistent with the neurological exam and imaging findings, as opposed to ancillary tests alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random variations in microelectronic circuit structures represent the source of entropy for physical unclonable functions (PUFs). In this paper, we investigate delay variations that occur through the routing network and switch matrices of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The delay variations are isolated from other components of the programmable logic, e.g., look-up tables (LUTs), flip-flops (FFs), etc., using a feature of Xilinx FPGAs called dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR). A set of partial designs is created to fix the placement of a time-to-digital converter (TDC) and supporting infrastructure to enable the path delays through the target interconnect and switch matrices to be extracted by subtracting out common-mode delay components. Delay variations are analyzed in the different levels of routing resources available within FPGAs, i.e., local routing and across-chip routing. Data are collected from a set of Xilinx Zynq 7010 devices, and a statistical analysis of within-die variations in delay through a set of the randomly-generated and hand-crafted interconnects is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some animal defenders are committed to complete abstinence from animal products. However the strongest arguments for adopting veganism only seem to require that one avoid using animal products, where use or procurement of these products will harm sentient animals. As such, there is seemingly a gap between our intuition and our argument. In this article I attempt to defend the more comprehensive claim that we have a moral reason to avoid using animal products, regardless of the method of procurement. I argue that animal bodies give rise to properties which grant sentient animals' moral status and in light of this, animal bodies possess final value in themselves. This final value gives us a moral reason not to commodify animal bodies, which means we have a defeasible reason to abstain from using animal products in almost all circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study surveyed veterinarians and facility managers to characterise the use of antimicrobials in laboratory rodent facilities within Australia and New Zealand. Most facilities (71%) reported routine administration of antimicrobials. The indications for antibiotic use reflected those described in publications and differed significantly to reasons for use in non-laboratory animals. Antimicrobials used include those of critical importance to human health, and access to these drugs is unregulated, as prescription-only classes are ordered through research catalogues, without human or veterinary physician prescriptions. The ways in which antimicrobials are used in Australian and New Zealand rodent facilities are likely contributing to antimicrobial resistance within rodent populations, particularly as they are largely administered in drinking water, risking subtherapeutic dosing. Much antimicrobial use reported is unnecessary and could be replaced with changes to husbandry and handling. The generation of resistance in both pathogenic and commensal microbes may also represent a work health and safety issue for humans working with these animals. Reported disposal of antimicrobials included discharge into wastewater, without inactivation, and some respondents reported disposal of substrate, or soiled bedding, nesting material, and disposable enrichment items, from treated animals and medicated feed into landfill, without prior inactivation. Environmental contamination with resistant microbes and antimicrobials is a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance. As such, significant opportunities exist to implement judicious and responsible use of antimicrobials within research rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand, with a particular focus on instituting aseptic surgery, optimising dosing regimens, and inactivation of medicated water and substrate before disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pit latrines are the most common household sanitation system in East African cities. Urbanisation reduces the space available for new latrines to be constructed when pits fill and they increasingly require emptying. But formal services that empty and transport sludge to safe disposal or treatment are often unaffordable to low-income households. Cross-subsidies have been suggested to fund services for low-income households but there are no academic studies assessing this funding mechanism. This study analyses empirical financial and operational data shared by a formal service provider in Kigali, Rwanda who is establishing a cross-subsidy model between corporate and high-income households, and low-income households in informal settlements. A semi-mechanical method is used to serve households which cannot be accessed from the road by an exhauster truck. We find that mechanical emptying is gross profitable when exhauster trucks are fully used, particularly large volume and corporate customers. Transferring sludge between vehicles for efficient transport reduces average cost. Cross-subsidies are found to be a viable funding method and a ten-fold increase in mechanical emptying by the service provider would generate 466,876 Int$ (2022 international dollars) gross profit to fund a cross-subsidy for all low-income households in Kigali which require semi-mechanical emptying. This study highlights the opportunities that city authorities have to organise funding to cross-subsidise emptying for low-income households. In addition, by using data from operational records rather than self-reported estimates the reliability of cost estimates is in improved. Further research is required to understand customer group size, demand and emptying frequencies to determine the structure of a citywide cross-subsidy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is little to no data evaluating long term usage of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) after a training intervention for medical students. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an intensive POCUS training program on medical student's usage at 9-months post-program. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of rising second year medical students who participated in a 2-week summer POCUS training program. Instruction consisted of 8 h of asynchronous online didactic material, 2–4 h of daily hands-on instructor-led and independent scanning, and instruction on how to teach POCUS. Students were assessed pre- and post-program, and again at 9 months post-program to evaluate POCUS usage. Results: A total of 56 students participated in the program over 2 summers; 52 (92.9%) responded to the 9-month post-program survey. At 9 months, 49 (94.2%) of students taught POCUS after the program to peers or faculty. Students reported serving as a POCUS instructor in 283 subsequent teaching sessions accounting for 849 h of POCUS instruction time. Six (11.5%) students were involved in the creation of a POCUS interest group on their regional campus, 7 (13%) created a POCUS curriculum for their student interest group, and 4 (7.7%) created an opt-in co-curricular POCUS program for students at their regional campus. Three (5.8%) students did not serve as educators after the program and only one student reported not using POCUS again after the program. Conclusion: After a 2-week intensive POCUS training program for medical students, the majority of students demonstrated continued involvement in POCUS learning and education at 9-month follow-up including serving as peer instructors and assisting with limitations in financial resources and trained faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid metal‐elastomer composites have immense potential for emerging electronic applications due to their exceptional mechanical and functional properties. Underwater exploration is one area of interest for these composites, where divers or robots could benefit from wearable sensing, health monitoring, and energy harvesting. However, the influence of water submersion on liquid metal composites is not well understood. Here, the effect of underwater environments on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of liquid metal composites exposed to month‐long aging is quantified. Under most conditions, liquid metal composites maintain their initial properties over the course of aging. However, for composites with high volume loadings of liquid metal (ϕ = 80%) exposed to saltwater conditions, a decrease up to 70% in tensile modulus and up to 44% in thermal conductivity can occur. The aging environments were not shown to have an effect on the electrical conductivity of the composites. Liquid metal composites are then shown to outperform traditional copper electrodes after saltwater aging, demonstrating these soft, multifunctional composites as strong candidates for wearable, water‐resistant devices and machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue sarcomas account for less than 1% of new cancer diagnoses, approximately one in five of which are liposarcomas. These tumors typically arise in the deep tissues of the proximal extremity or retroperitoneum, with just under 3% presenting as primary intrathoracic neoplasms. We present an exceedingly rare and particularly unique presentation of primary lung liposarcoma which traversed the mediastinum into the contralateral hemithorax. This report highlights the primary characteristics of the disease and underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to its successful treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-micrometer size devices are strong candidates for future use as probes of quantum fluids. They can be reproducibly manufactured with resonant frequencies in the range of kilohertz to gigahertz and have low power consumption and dissipation. Here, we present doubly clamped aluminum nanobeams of lengths from 15 μm up to 100 μm operated in vacuum and the hydrodynamic regime of liquid 4He. We observe that in vacuum devices are described well using a simple harmonic motion with a constant Duffing coefficient, and in helium, we quantitatively model their behavior with the conventional hydrodynamic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To address challenges in large-scale electronic health record (EHR) data exchange, we sought to develop, deploy, and test an open source, cloud-hosted app "listener" that accesses standardized data across the SMART/HL7 Bulk FHIR Access application programming interface (API). Methods We advance a model for scalable, federated, data sharing and learning. Cumulus software is designed to address key technology and policy desiderata including local utility, control, and administrative simplicity as well as privacy preservation during robust data sharing, and artificial intelligence (AI) for processing unstructured text. Results Cumulus relies on containerized, cloud-hosted software, installed within a healthcare organization's security envelope. Cumulus accesses EHR data via the Bulk FHIR interface and streamlines automated processing and sharing. The modular design enables use of the latest AI and natural language processing tools and supports provider autonomy and administrative simplicity. In an initial test, Cumulus was deployed across 5 healthcare systems each partnered with public health. Cumulus output is patient counts which were aggregated into a table stratifying variables of interest to enable population health studies. All code is available open source. A policy stipulating that only aggregate data leave the institution greatly facilitated data sharing agreements. Discussion and Conclusion Cumulus addresses barriers to data sharing based on (1) federally required support for standard APIs, (2) increasing use of cloud computing, and (3) advances in AI. There is potential for scalability to support learning across myriad network configurations and use cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial or complete imaging resolution of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has gone by many names in the past few decades, including LV recovery, remission, reverse remodeling, and, most recently, improvement. This phenomenon has been described in a variety of clinical scenarios, including removal of an acute myocardial insult, unloading with durable LV assist devices, and treatment with various devices as well as pharmacotherapies, termed guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Irrespective of definition, systolic improvement is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared to persistent systolic dysfunction. In the past few years, systolic improvement has been distinguished from HFrEF as a new clinical entity referred to as HF with improved EF (HFimpEF). Given the relative novelty of this condition, there is a paucity of data with regard to the clinical trajectory and management of this population. In this review, we describe the history of myocardial improvement terminology and explore notable findings that have led to the delineation of HFimpEF. Additionally, we highlight the importance of understanding LV trajectory and the potential opportunity for new GDMT management for clinicians when treating patients with HFimpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical and mechanical integration approaches are essential for emerging hybrid electronics that must robustly bond rigid electrical components with flexible circuits and substrates. However, flexible polymeric substrates and circuits cannot withstand the high temperatures used in traditional electronic processing. This constraint requires new strategies to create flexible materials that simultaneously achieve high electrical conductivity, strong adhesion, and processibility at low temperature. Here, an electrically conductive adhesive is introduced that is flexible, electrically conductive (up to 3.25×105 S m−1) without sintering or high temperature post‐processing, and strongly adhesive to various materials common to flexible and stretchable circuits (fracture energy 350

Objective: To evaluate the utility of ordering chest x‐rays after pediatric tracheostomy tube placement in identifying acute, post‐operative complications and how it impacts clinical decision‐making. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we identified tracheostomies performed in 139 pediatric patients through CPT codes over a 5‐year period from 2013 to 2018. Manual chart review was performed for demographic and clinical characteristics, pre‐procedure and post‐procedure chest x‐ray interpretations, and the presence of complications. Each complication was reviewed to see if action was taken due to post‐procedure chest x‐ray findings. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine associations with changes in pre‐procedure versus post‐procedure chest x‐rays. Results: In a cohort of 139 pediatric patients with pre‐procedure and post‐procedure chest x‐rays, 40 (28.8%) of patients had new significant post‐procedure chest x‐ray findings compared to pre‐procedure chest x‐ray findings. Of these 40 instances of changes in pre‐procedure versus post‐procedure chest x‐ray findings, only eight resulted in action being taken due to the observed findings. Among these eight instances of action being taken, only one instance involved in invasive action being taken with a bronchoscopy. With multivariable regression analysis, patient age, race, gender, and the presences of genetic syndromes, were not found to be significant risk factors in predicting changes in pre‐procedure versus post‐procedure chest x‐ray. Conclusion: In our study, post‐procedure chest x‐ray after tracheostomy tube placement did not significantly impact clinical decision making. It may be worth reconsidering the value in routine chest x‐rays after tracheostomy tube placement in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines school-based crime prevention tactics using a place management framework in conjunction with deterrence and labeling theoretical perspectives. We examine the effects of four different aspects of place management on student offending and explore whether and how the effects are distinctive for female versus male students. We analyze survey data from students and principals across three waves of the Rural Substance abuse and Violence Project using multilevel-binomial models. Findings reveal that several aspects of place management interacted with gender, thus differentially impacting male versus female offending. Overall, this study extends past work in providing evidence of the gendered impact of some crime prevention practices—conditional effects that are consistent with insights from both deterrence and labeling theoretical perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their emerging use, the in vivo behaviour of dual-mobility (DM) total hip replacements (THRs) is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the articulating surfaces of 20 early-retrieved DM polyethylene liners (mean length of implantation 20.0 ± 18.8 months) for damage to improve the current understanding of their in vivo functional mechanisms. The internal and external surfaces of each liner were visually and geometrically assessed, and the material composition of embedded debris particles were further characterized. Scratching and pitting were the most common modes of damage identified on either surface, and a high incidence of burnishing (50%) and embedded debris (65%) were observed on the internal and external surfaces, respectively. Embedded debris particles were commonly titanium- or iron-based, although other materials such as cobalt-chrome and tantalum were also identified. The geometric assessment demonstrated highly variable damage patterns across the liners, with the internal surfaces commonly presenting with crescent-shaped, circumferential, or circular regions of penetration whilst the external surfaces commonly presented with regions of deep pitting or gouging. This study demonstrates that DM-THRs primarily articulate at the head/liner junction, and that polyethylene liners are capable of rotating about the femoral neck axis, although the extent of this may be limited in some cases. Additionally, this study suggests that intra-prosthetic dislocation and edge loading may remain pertinent failure mechanisms of DM implants despite the advent of highly crosslinked polyethylene and design features, thus highlighting the need for enhanced monitoring of these devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Providing personal demographic information is routine practice in the United States, and yet, little is known about the impacts of this process. This study aims to examine the experiences and perspectives of Multiracial/ethnic adults in the United States when disclosing racial/ethnic identity. Methods: Seventeen semistructured interviews were conducted with adults identifying as Multiracial/ethnic. The Multiracial/ethnic identities of participants included Black or African American and White; Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Hispanic or Latino; Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino; Black or African American and AI/AN; AI/AN and White and Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and White. Multiple participants reported identifying with multiple ethnic groups for any single broad category. Three identified as sexual minorities. Nine were Millennials; six were Gen X; one was Gen Z; one was Baby Boomer. Qualitative data were analyzed using staged hybrid inductive–deductive thematic analysis. Results: Disclosure of racial and ethnic identities presents a unique stressor for Multiracial/ethnic populations due to methods used to obtain data, perceived mismatch of identity and phenotype and exposure to prejudice. Social norms, constructs and movements impact the categories that a Multiracial/ethnic person indicates to external parties. Conclusions: The stress and negative feelings that Multiracial/ethnic adults face when identifying their race/ethnicity underscore the broader implications of standard demographic questions on feelings of inclusivity and visibility within a population. Patient or Public Contribution: Gathering data on individuals' racial and ethnic backgrounds is a standard practice, and yet, it can pose challenges for those who identify with multiple groups or do not see their identities reflected in the options provided. Such individuals may feel excluded or experience unfair treatment when disclosing their identity, leading to significant stress. As the frequency of this data collection increases, it is essential that the questions are posed empathetically and equitably, with a strong commitment to enhancing inclusivity throughout the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Skin pigmentation influences peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) compared to arterial saturation of oxygen (SaO2). Occult hypoxemia (SaO2 ≤ 88% with SpO2 ≥ 92%) is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in venovenous-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) patients. We hypothesized VV-ECMO cannulation, in addition to race/ethnicity, accentuates the SpO2-SaO2 discrepancy due to significant hemolysis. Methods: Adults (≥ 18 years) supported with VV-ECMO with concurrently measured SpO2 and SaO2 measurements from over 500 centers in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry (1/2018–5/2023) were included. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine whether race/ethnicity was associated with occult hypoxemia in pre-ECMO and on-ECMO SpO2-SaO2 calculations. Results: Of 13,171 VV-ECMO patients, there were 7772 (59%) White, 2114 (16%) Hispanic, 1777 (14%) Black, and 1508 (11%) Asian patients. The frequency of on-ECMO occult hypoxemia was 2.0% (N = 233). Occult hypoxemia was more common in Black and Hispanic patients versus White patients (3.1% versus 1.7%, P < 0.001 and 2.5% versus 1.7%, P = 0.025, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression, Black patients were at higher risk of pre-ECMO occult hypoxemia versus White patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18–2.02, P = 0.001). For on-ECMO occult hypoxemia, Black patients (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.16–2.75, P = 0.008) and Hispanic patients (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.15–2.55, P = 0.008) had higher risk versus White patients. Higher pump flow rates (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.08–1.55, P = 0.005) and on-ECMO 24-h lactate (aOR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03–1.10, P < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of on-ECMO occult hypoxemia. Conclusion: SaO2 should be carefully monitored if using SpO2 during ECMO support for Black and Hispanic patients especially for those with high pump flow and lactate values at risk for occult hypoxemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the barriers and facilitators to organizational maintenance of faith-based health promotion programs. This study used qualitative data (collected from 2016–2019) from pastors (n = 81) and program coordinators (n = 103) to identify barriers and facilitators to 24-month maintenance of a faith-based physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) intervention in South Carolina. Barriers differed for PA versus HE: resistance to change impeded HE while church characteristics tended to impede PA. Similar themes emerged for PA and HE facilitators: healthy opportunities, church communication, and consistency. Future research should build upon this study to tailor faith-based health promotion programs for long-term sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MR-guided microwave ablation (MWA) has proven effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with small-sized tumors, but the state-of-the-art technique suffers from sub-optimal workflow due to the limited accuracy provided by the manual needle insertions. This paper presents a compact body-mounted MR-conditional robot that can operate in closed-bore MR scanners for accurate needle guidance. The robotic platform consists of two stacked Cartesian XY stages, each with two degrees of freedom, that facilitate needle insertion pose control. The robot is actuated using 3D-printed pneumatic turbines with MR-conditional bevel gear transmission systems. Pneumatic valves and control mechatronics are located inside the MRI control room and are connected to the robot with pneumatic transmission lines and optical fibers. Free-space experiments indicated robot-assisted needle insertion error of 2.6 ± 1.3 mm at an insertion depth of 80 mm. The MR-guided phantom studies were conducted to verify the MR-conditionality and targeting performance of the robot. Future work will focus on the system optimization and validations in animal trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]