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Visual surveys for cetaceans were conducted along transect lines in the central Bering Sea in association with a groundfish stock assessment survey from 5 July to 5 August 1999. There were 125 sightings of single or groups of mysticete whales during 6,043km of survey effort. Fin whales were most common (60% of all sightings), with distribution clustered along the outer continental shelf break near the 200m isobath. In addition, there were 27 sightings of minke whales and 17 sightings of humpback whales. Minke whales were primarily found along the upper slope in water 100-200m deep, while humpbacks clustered along the eastern Aleutian Islands and near the USA/Russian Convention Line southwest of St. Lawrence Island. Abundance estimates for fin, humpback and minke whales were: 4,951 (95% CI = 2,833-8,653); 1,175 (95% CI = 197-7,009) and 936 (95% CI = 473-1,852), respectively. These three species were the only ones for which sufficient on-effort sightings were available to estimate abundance. Sei whales, a gray whale and a pair of northern right whales were also seen. Although right whales have been seen in this area before, some behavioural details are provided here because observations of these whales remain rare.

Paired, independent searches for gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were conducted through fix-mounted, 25-power binoculars during January 1995 and 1996 at Granite Canyon, California. The study was a test of an efficient method for documenting inter-year changes in the offshore distribution of the migration. The research site has been used most years since 1975 by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory to make counts for abundance estimates of gray whales. Matching sightings between the paired observation efforts showed a very high agreement between observers (detection probability 0.97) for whale groups apparently of more than one animal within 1-3 n.miles of shore and a fairly high agreement (0.87) for animals travelling alone (5% of the sampled population) within 1-3 n.miles of shore. Sighting probability thus remained high up to 3 n.miles, a distance which includes most (98.7%) of the whale migration. For the critical sighting range of 1-3 n.miles, the method applied here is considered a feasible, cost-effective technique for detecting inter-year differences in the offshore tail of the distribution.

Renal fibrosis, a detrimental feature of irreversible kidney damage, remains a sinister consequence of long-term calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immunosuppressive therapy. Our study not only incorporates renal fibroblasts into the growing list of cell types negatively impacted by CNIs but also identifies renal fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition as a process mediated via a TGF-β-dependent mechanism. This insight will direct future studies investigating the feasibility of inhibiting TGF-β signaling to maintain CNI-mediated immunosuppression while ultimately preserving kidney health.

More than 700 species of avifauna found in New Guinea including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Bird and Orchid Park (TBTA) in Biak, an ex-situ conservation facility of Papuan endemic birds and captive breeding center where Crowned Pigeon birds are raised. A study on care management of Goura victoria (Mambruk) is conducted to support the Master Plan for the development of TBTA as one of the Regional Technical Implementation Units under the Forestry and Environment Papua Province Office. This study indicates that feed given to Mambruk birds approximately 2.21 Kg for five individuals in average, or ± 442 g/individual, fresh, cut in the form of squares/dice, with specific smell characteristic of fresh fruit in brightly colored. Food is given once every day, between 08:00 WIT and 09:00 WIT, following the starting working hour at the TBTA Biak. Drinking water is available ad libitum. The cages used for breeding Mambruk birds in TBTA Biak are permanent cages made of wire iron for roofs and walls. Two types of cages are available, group and individual cages with supporting facilities such as eating and drinking places, rooting sites, places to make nests, trees and tubs for bathing. Eating and drinking places are cleaned before use. The environment around the cage in TBTA is quite clean. The design of the cage is quite safe for birds. Cages are rarely cleaned and no quarantine/isolation cages are available. The facility is not supporting with veterinarians to control the bird’s health, and schedule for regular health care programs.

Background Developing, elaborating, and consolidating positive views of the self is a plausible route to increased psychological well-being. We set out to provide an assessment of positive self-beliefs that could be used in research and clinical practice. Methods A non-probability online survey was conducted with 2500 UK adults, quota sampled to match the population for age, gender, ethnicity, income, and region. Exploratory factor analysis of a 94-item pool – generated with guidance from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties – was conducted to develop the Oxford Positive Self Scale (OxPos). The item pool was further reduced using regularised structural equation modelling (SEM) before confirmatory factor analysis. Optimal cut-off scores were developed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Additional validations were carried out with two further general population cohorts (n = 1399; n = 1693). Results A 24-item scale was developed with an excellent model fit [robust χ2 = 995.676; df = 246; CFI = 0.956; TLI = 0.951; RMSEA = 0.049 (0.047, 0.052); SRMR = 0.031]. The scale comprises four factors: mastery; strength; enjoyment; and character. SEM indicated that the scale explains 68.6% of variance in psychological well-being. The OxPos score was negatively correlated with depression (r = −0.49), anxious avoidance (r = −0.34), paranoia (r = −0.23), hallucinations (r = −0.20), and negative self-beliefs (r = −0.50), and positively correlated with psychological well-being (r = 0.79), self-esteem (r = 0.67), and positive social comparison (r = 0.72). Internal reliability and test–retest reliability were excellent. Cut-offs by age and gender were generated. A short-form was developed, explaining 96% of the full-scale variance. Conclusions The new open access scale provides a psychometrically robust assessment of positive cognitions that are strongly connected to psychological well-being.

The Brazilian coast is recognised as a Southern Hemisphere humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering ground (IWC breeding stock ‘A’). The northeastern coast of Brazil was an important whaling ground in the 20th century. Shipboard sighting surveys were conducted in this area to evaluate large whales’ distribution and density in 1999 and 2000. Humpback whale sightings (n = 81, 153 individuals) were recorded using line transect methodology. Data from the 2000 survey were used to estimate abundance over the continental shelf from 5 to 12°S (20,040km2 ). A total of 872.1km were surveyed on effort. Humpback whales were distributed from nearshore to the 800m isobath, but 93.5% of sightings were recorded shoreward of the 300m isobath. The relatively high density off northeastern Brazil suggests that the species is reoccupying historical areas of distribution and the presence of newborn individuals indicates that calving and nursing occur in the area. The hazard rate model best fit perpendicular distance data. Abundance was estimated at 628 individuals (CV = 0.335, 95% CI = 327-1,157). This estimate probably corresponds to only a portion of the breeding population. Therefore, additional studies must be conducted to estimate the total size of the humpback whale population wintering off Brazil.

Systematic counts of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were conducted from 13 December 1995 to 23 February 1996 at Granite Canyon, California. This study was the second of three during the five-year period following the removal of gray whales from the US government list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The counts were made at the same research station used most years since 1975 by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory to observe the southbound migration of the eastern North Pacific stock. Counting methods were kept similar to those used in previous surveys and included double counting to assess observer performance. In addition, aerial surveys and highpowered binoculars provided documentation that a negligible fraction of migrating whales passed beyond the sighting range of the counting observers. A total of 2,151 pods (3,928 whales) was counted during 472.7hrs of standard watch effort with visibility recorded as fair to excellent. Data analysis procedures were substantially the same as in previous years with a modification to account for differential sightability by pod size. Population size is estimated to be 22,263 whales (CV=9.25%; 95% log-normal CI=18,700-26,500). This estimate is similar to the previous estimate of 23,109 (CV=5.42%; 95% CI=20,800-25,700) from the 1993/94 survey.

Naled, an organophosphate insecticide, is applied aerially at ultra-low volumes over aquatic ecosystems near Sacramento, California, USA, during summer months for mosquito control. Two ecosystem types (rice fields and a flowing canal) were sampled in 2020 and 2021. Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) were measured in water, biofilm, grazer macroinvertebrates, and omnivore/predator macroinvertebrates (predominantly crayfish). Maximum naled and dichlorvos concentrations detected in water samples one day after naled application were 287.3 and 5647.5 ng/L, respectively, which were above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s aquatic life benchmarks for invertebrates. Neither compound was detected in water more than one day after the application. Dichlorvos, but not naled, was detected in composite crayfish samples up to 10 days after the last aerial application. Detections in water from the canal showed that the compounds were transported downstream of the target application area. Factors such as vector control flight paths, dilution, and transport through air and water likely affected concentrations of naled and dichlorvos in water and organisms from these aquatic ecosystems. Graphical Abstract

Purpose Primary malignant brain and other central nervous system tumors are rare cancers that have shown rising mortality rates in recent years. To elucidate potential factors involved in this rising death rate, we examined mortality trends for primary malignant BT in the United States stratified by histopathology groupings, age, race, and sex. Methods Mortality rates for demographic factors within primary malignant BT were generated using the National Center for Health Statistics' National Vital Statistics Systems data from 2004 to 2018. Additionally, histopathology-specific incidence-based mortality rates were calculated using the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) 18 data from 2004 to 2018. Joinpoint modeling was used to estimate mortality trends and annual percent changes with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results Overall, there was a very small increase in mortality from 2004 to 2018. Individuals > 65 years saw a small increase in mortality, while changes in individuals of other ages were non-significant. Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian/Alaskan Native had the largest increase in mortality. Among histopathology groupings, there was a small mortality increase in adults ages > 65 years with glioblastoma, while the mortality rate of other malignant gliomas declined in the same age group. CNS lymphoma mortality rates in patients ages 15–39 and 40–64 years declined significantly while rising significantly in the > 65 age group. In pediatric patients, embryonal tumor mortality had a non-significant increase between 2004 and 2007 but declined significantly between 2007 and 2018. Conclusion Examining age, race, sex, and histopathology-specific mortality trends at the population level can provide important information for clinicians, researchers, and aid in public health planning.

Background: Deaths in the community are increasing. However, community palliative care out-of-hours is variable. We lack detailed understanding of how care is provided out-of-hours and the associated outcomes. Aim: To review systematically the components, outcomes and economic evaluation of community-based ‘out-of-hours’ care for patients near the end of life and their families. Design: Mixed method systematic narrative review. Narrative synthesis, development and application of a typology to categorise out-of-hours provision. Qualitative data were synthesised thematically and integrated at the level of interpretation and reporting. Data sources: Systematic review searching; MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL from January 1990 to 1st August 2022. Results: About 64 publications from 54 studies were synthesised (from 9259 retrieved). Two main themes were identified: (1) importance of being known to a service and (2) high-quality coordination of care. A typology of out-of-hours service provision was constructed using three overarching dimensions (service times, focus of team delivering the care and type of care delivered) resulting in 15 categories of care. Only nine papers were randomised control trials or controlled cohorts reporting outcomes. Evidence on effectiveness was apparent for providing 24/7 specialist palliative care with both hands-on clinical care and advisory care. Only nine publications reported economic evaluation. Conclusions: The typological framework allows models of out-of-hours care to be systematically defined and compared. We highlight the models of out-of-hours care which are linked with improvement of patient outcomes. There is a need for effectiveness and cost effectiveness studies which define and categorise out-of-hours care to allow thorough evaluation of services.

The policy orientations of advanced neoliberal democracies situate young people as rational actors who are responsible for their own career outcomes. While career scholars have been critical of how this routinely ignores the unequal effects of structural constraints on personal agency, they have long suggested that young people should have access to the best available ‘roadmaps’ and advice to navigate the uncertainties baked into the contemporary economic landscape. Complementing the significant attention that is given to the (potentially emancipatory) experience of formal careers guidance, we present findings from a multi-method study. We explore young Australians’ (aged 15–24) navigation of careers information through a nationally representative survey (n = 1103), focus groups with 90 participants and an analysis of 15,227 social media comments. We suggest that the variety of formal and informal sources pursued and accessed by young people forms a relational ‘ecology’. This relationality is twofold. First, information is often sequential, and engagements with one source can inform the experience or pursuit of another. Second, navigation of the ecology is marked by a high level of intersubjectivity through interpersonal support networks including peers, family and formal service provision. These insights trouble a widespread, but perhaps simplistic, reading of young people having largely internalised a neoliberal sensibility of ‘entrepreneurial selfhood’ in their active pursuit of a range of career advice. Throughout our analysis, we attend to the ways that engagement in the career information ecology is shaped by social inequalities, further underscoring challenges facing careers guidance and social justice goals.

AIVS (Accelerometer-based Intensity Vector Sensors, /āvs/) represent a new way to measure 3-d sound and are designed to integrate into existing noise monitoring solutions. Standard microphones measure sound pressure, which cannot alone deduce the direction of sound propagation. AIVS is based on the measurement of the velocity of a small parcel of air surrounding a triaxial accelerometer, from which a vector-based representation of sound intensity is calculated. AIVS integrates a MEMS triaxial accelerometer with one MEMS microphone and synchronously measures particle velocity and pressure, resulting in a 3-d intensity vector at each AIVS node. An AIVS network is synchronized to GNSS time and sensors are deployed in groups surrounding and/or within a local measurement site. Low power AIVS nodes are location-aware and estimate azimuth and elevation angles to detected noise sources as a function of frequency. Range to source is computed when noise events are observed from multiple nodes. AIVS nodes are managed by a Raspberry-PI (RPI) sensor hub in a wired CAN-bus supporting distances up to 100 m, or via the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. More widely separated nodes are joined through WWLAN technologies via the local RPI hub.

The coronavirus pandemic necessitated rapid, radical changes to global systems, structures, and organisations across all areas of life, including education, healthcare, and social services. These changes were something of a double‐edged sword. On the one hand, widespread adoption of the kinds of remote‐working technologies long advocated for by disabled people opened up possibilities for inclusion. On the other, some people’s inability to access such technologies, together with increased social isolation, exacerbated forms of exclusion. This thematic issue considers what lessons can be learned from the pandemic in striving to design a future which is more inclusive for all. In this editorial, we provide a brief overview of some of the major challenges the pandemic created for disabled people, who were disproportionately negatively affected by it. We also suggest that a disability rights lens is a useful way of highlighting both the contingency of disability and the need for more responsive and humane healthcare systems. The editorial goes on to outline the opportunities to challenge entrenched ableism and create a “new normal” the pandemic afforded. It concludes by offering a thematic overview of the articles in this thematic issue, which together reveal a complex pattern of inclusions and exclusions, interdependence, and intersectionality.

Aim Psychosis and related disorders are a major public health issue. Early identification and prevention for those at high risk (at-risk-mental-state, ARMS) is important. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for health services. In this review we aim to identify (1) the most common methods for identifying individuals with an ARMS in primary care, (2) the methods for improving identification of individuals with an ARMS in primary care, and (3) the most common barriers that prevent GPs from screening for individuals with an ARMS. Methods We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO 42021245095) of quantitative and qualitative studies with no date restriction. Searches were performed in September 2021. Studies' quality was appraised using Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT). Results We identified 16 eligible studies, and all but one provided quantitative data. Nearly two-thirds of studies were classified as ‘medium’ quality. Employing narrative synthesis, we identified three themes relating to (1) improving GP knowledge and confidence in identifying individuals with an ARMS, (2) balancing the over- and under-identification of individuals with an ARMS in primary care, and (3) supporting GPs as significant stakeholders in early diagnosis and treatment of individuals with an ARMS. Conclusions Improved identification of individuals with an ARMS is needed. We identified various strategies, including development and implementation of identification methods (e.g., screening measures), educational interventions for GPs (e.g., workshops), and systemic interventions (e.g., simplifying referrals to secondary care, developing integrated services). When implemented successfully, these interventions may help facilitate the access to appropriate care for individuals with an ARMS.

A partir de una revisión de conceptos y críticas principales y complementarias del derecho a la ciudad, este estudio pretende llenar los vacíos en la literatura sobre el derecho a la ciudad de los individuos y grupos vulnerables que enfrentan diversas formas de exclusión socio-espacial en la vida cotidiana. Argumenta que los problemas relacionados con el derecho a la ciudad se pueden abordar mejor analizando las experiencias de la vida real de los habitantes urbanos vulnerables. Dicho análisis, basado en el caso de Estambul, se desarrolló a través de 48 entrevistas realizadas a habitantes de la ciudad que se identificaron con una o varias categorías de vulnerabilidad sociológica. A partir de los relatos de los encuestados sobre las relaciones sociales que establecen en el espacio público, el artículo concluye con una discusión basada en la literatura sobre cómo lograr y mantener con éxito el derecho a la ciudad.

The state-of-the-art in forecasting debt recovery from portfolios of non-performing unsecured consumer loans is to use stochastic models of payment behaviour of individual customers. Monte Carlo simulation of these models can enable forecasting of collections, where computational complexity arises from the very large number of heterogeneous accounts. We aim to solve 2 problems: efficient allocation of computational resources and quantification of uncertainty. We show that robust estimators of population-level variance can be constructed using unbiased estimators of the variance of individual accounts. The proposed methods are demonstrated through application to a model similar to those used in practice.

Physico-chemical and microbiological processes occurring in water distribution systems (WDSs) can result in the formation of pipe scales which accumulate harmful metals.

In this study, we focus on Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) to explore the associations between executive function deficits and repetitive behaviors. Thirty individuals with RTS completed direct assessments of inhibition, working memory and set-shifting. Informants completed repetitive behavior and executive function questionnaires. Repetitive questions were associated with poorer inhibition and working memory. Stereotypy was associated with poorer inhibition. Adherence to routines was associated with poorer set-shifting, but only on the parental report measure. No other associations were evident. There is evidence of an association between specific repetitive behaviors and executive functioning in RTS, suggesting executive dysfunction may underpin behavioral difference in RTS. The findings point towards specific associations that are of interest for further research across populations in which repetitive behaviors are present.

Plants sense a myriad of signals through cell-surface receptors to coordinate their development and environmental response. The Arabidopsis ERECTA receptor kinase regulates diverse developmental processes via perceiving multiple EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR (EPF)/EPF-LIKE peptide ligands. How the activated ERECTA protein is turned over is unknown. Here we identify two closely related plant U-box ubiquitin E3 ligases, PUB30 and PUB31, as key attenuators of ERECTA signalling for two developmental processes: inflorescence/pedicel growth and stomatal development. Loss-of-function pub30 pub31 mutant plants exhibit extreme inflorescence/pedicel elongation and reduced stomatal numbers owing to excessive ERECTA protein accumulation. Ligand activation of ERECTA leads to phosphorylation of PUB30/31 via BRI1-ASSOCIATED KINASE1 (BAK1), which acts as a coreceptor kinase and a scaffold to promote PUB30/31 to associate with and ubiquitinate ERECTA for eventual degradation. Our work highlights PUB30 and PUB31 as integral components of the ERECTA regulatory circuit that ensure optimal signalling outputs, thereby defining the role for PUB proteins in developmental signalling.

25.08.2022 відбулася робота Біологічної секції щорічної Міжнародної Гамовської конференції у режимі он-лайн на платформі Zoom. Традиційно Біологічна секція проходить під назвою “The Importance of G. Gamow's Ideas for Biology of the 21st Century”. У роботі секції брали участь відомі науковці, що ведуть дослідження в області молекулярної біології та генетики з провідних наукових установ України, Канади, США, Великої Британії і Німеччини, також брали участь аспіранти та студенти (загалом 52 учасника). Було представлено 13 усних доповідей, серед них доповіді – «Генетичні ресурси рослин для підвищення стресостійкості – на прикладі зернових культур» - проф., д.б.н. Бьорнер А. (Інститут генетики рослин і досліджень сільськогосподарських рослин імені Лейбніца, Гатерслебен, Німеччина); «Дослідження загальногеномних асоціації для виявлення локусів та генів-кандидатів, що впливають на вміст білка в зерні пшениці м’якої» – проф., д.б.н. Мішева С. (Інститут фізіології рослин і генетики Болгарської академії наук, Софія, Болгарія); «Дослідження молекулярної еволюції та таксономічне застосування 5S рДНК при аналізі роду Aconitum» – проф., д.б.н. Волков Р.А. (Чернівецький національний університет імені Юрія Федьковича, Чернівці, Україна); «Подолання селекційних бар'єрів для пшениці» - проф. Гріффітс С. і доктор Вінген Л.У. (Центр Джона Іннеса, Норвіч, Велика Британія); «Оцінка сучасного стану популяцій Gentiana lutea L. Українських Карпат: Еколого-генетичні підходи» – доц., к.б.н. Прокоп'як М.З. (Тернопільський національний педагогічний університет імені Володимира Гнатюка, Тернопіль, Україна); «Часова динаміка спектрів фонового світіння Photobacterium phosphoreum» – проф., д.б.н. Мартинюк В.С. (Київський національний університет імені Тараса Шевченка, Київ, Україна.); «Нові мутації STARD8 і STARD9 виявлені в 46 гонадах XY пацієнтів з дисгенезією, що підтримують ці гени як кандидатів на DSD» – Сіроха Д. і проф., д.б.н. Лівшиц Л.А. (Інститут молекулярної біології і генетики НАН України, Київ, Україна); «MYD88 і CXCR4, два гени, які відіграють вирішальну роль у макроглобулінемії Вальденстрема» – д.б.н. Мончак Ю. (Завідувач відділу молекулярної генетики, Центр охорони здоров'я університету Макгілла, Університет Макгілла та Монреальський університет, Канада); «Джордж Гамов і генетичний код ДНК» – проф., д.ф.н. Сегре Г. (Університет Пенсільванії, США). Серед підготовлених доповідей вважаємо необхідним відмітити високу якість та актуальність виконаних на сучасному рівні досліджень молодих та починаючих науковців: «Біоінформаційний аналіз нуклеотидних послідовностей локусів Gli-1 Triticum aestivum L.» – аспірант Попович Ю.А., проф., д.б.н. Чеботар С.В. (ОНУ імені І.І. Мечникова, Одеса, Україна); «Скринінг продуцентів тіопептидних антибіотиків за допомогою репортерної системи на основі промотору гена tipA» – аспірант Тістечок С.І. (Львівський національний університет імені Івана Франка, Україна); «Довгі та короткі варіанти 5S рДНК у геномах видів Apis» – аспірант Рошка Н.М. (Чернівецький національний університет імені Юрія Федьковича, Чернівці, Україна). Як позитивну рису роботи біологічної секції було відмічено багатоплановість охопленої тематики, що має генетичне підґрунтя, та перспективність досліджень, що виконуються на стику наук. Учасники Біологічної секції звернули увагу, що Г.А. Гамов зробив внесок у розвиток саме молекулярної біології, поставивши питання про розшифрування генетичного коду, тому необхідно у назву конференції додати – «molecular biology», щоб назва конференції виглядала наступним чином: «Аstronomy and Beyond: Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation, Astroparticle physics, Rradioastronomy, Astrobiology and Molecular biology».

The social withdrawal of many patients with psychosis can be conceptualised as agoraphobic avoidance due to a range of long-standing fears. We hypothesised that greater severity of agoraphobic avoidance is associated with higher levels of psychiatric symptoms and lower levels of quality of life. We also hypothesised that patients with severe agoraphobic avoidance would experience a range of benefits from an automated virtual reality (VR) therapy that allows them to practise everyday anxiety-provoking situations in simulated environments.345 patients with psychosis in a randomised controlled trial were categorised into average, moderate, high, and severe avoidance groups using the Oxford Agoraphobic Avoidance Scale. Associations of agoraphobia severity with symptom and functioning variables, and response over six months to brief automated VR therapy (gameChange), were tested.Greater severity of agoraphobic avoidance was associated with higher levels of persecutory ideation, auditory hallucinations, depression, hopelessness, and threat cognitions, and lower levels of meaningful activity, quality of life, and perceptions of recovery. Patients with severe agoraphobia showed the greatest benefits with gameChange VR therapy, with significant improvements at end of treatment in agoraphobic avoidance, agoraphobic distress, ideas of reference, persecutory ideation, paranoia worries, recovering quality of life, and perceived recovery, but no significant improvements in depression, suicidal ideation, or health-related quality of life.Patients with psychosis with severe agoraphobic avoidance, such as being unable to leave the home, have high clinical need. Automated VR therapy can deliver clinical improvement in agoraphobia for these patients, leading to a number of wider benefits.

Reusing single-use medical supplies offers a capability enhancement during massive casualty incidents when resupply of medical supplies is unavailable in times of national health care crises. This pilot study determined the feasibility of disinfection of endotracheal tubes with commonly used chemical disinfecting agents.Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) were subjected to either CaviCide, Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner, Cidex, or saline according to the manufacturer's recommended disinfection contact times. Alterations to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) integrity by disinfecting agents were determined by volume/pressure measurements within the ETT cuff. To test the disinfection rate, ETTs were inoculated with Staphylococcus Aureus and subjected to experimental disinfection protocol.There were no significant alterations to ETT tracheal cuff function and mixed results in disinfection among ETTs. ETTs bacterial culture data presented possible contamination among the groups.These data support the feasibility of single-use ETT reuse as a last resort while making every attempt and effort to follow established protocols to minimize harm to the patient.

This study compared the airway changes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) with or without genial tubercle advancement (GTA) using cone-beam computed tomography.The authors retrospectively studied 26 patients with moderate to severe OSA who underwent MMA with or without GTA. Airway changes were determined from preoperative and postoperative 3-dimensional reconstructed cone-beam computed tomography images. The Wilcoxon signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman correlation coefficients were used in data analysis.Airway was changed in all dimensions significantly after MMA with or without GTA. There was no significant difference in horizontal surgical changes between MMA and MMA with the GTA group. The mean increase in total airway volume was 66.8% for MMA alone and 74.7% for MMA with GTA (P = 0.39). Patients who underwent MMA had a larger percentage change of segmented upper airway volume than patients with MMA and GTA (106.6% vs 85.3%; P = 0.65). The group with MMA and GTA had a greater percentage change of segmented lower airway volume than the MMA alone group (80.1% vs 56.3%; P = 0.42).Differences in airway changes between MMA alone and MMA with GTA were not statistically significant. Performing the GTA concomitantly with MMA may not cause greater improvement in the pharyngeal airway in patients with OSA compared with MMA alone.

Background:Academic researchers are occupying more varied roles as both knowledge producers and knowledge brokers in policymaking spaces beyond the national level. As the local arena presents different dimensions to the knowledge-policy-practice nexus, an assessment of the interaction of evidence and policy at this scale is warranted. Aims and objectives:This paper considers how two early career researchers acted within two different policymaking spaces at the local level to: bring new and synthesised evidence to decisionmakers; respond to evidence and research requests from a diverse group of local actors; and serve as a critical friend. Methods:Autoethnography. Findings:We find that early career positionality presents common issues for policy engagement across the cases, however, the contexts necessarily differ due to the power of specific actors, the internal and external interests at play, and the varied relationships confronting the academics. Deploying Smith’s four ‘idea types’ as a framework, we draw attention to the shifting roles academics need to play given the churn between institutionalised ideas, critical ideas, charismatic ideas and chameleonic ideas. Discussion and conclusion:Agency, triggers and structural rigidities are key to the movement between idea types. Future research based on interviews with local policymakers may help to further reveal how shifts between idea types come about.

Background A newly developed brain molecular marker (BMM) data item was implemented by US cancer registries for individuals diagnosed with brain tumors in 2018—including IDH and 1p/19q-co-deletion statuses for adult-type diffuse gliomas. We thus investigated the testing/reporting completeness of BMM in the United States. Methods Cases of histopathologically confirmed glioblastoma, astrocytoma, and oligodendroglioma diagnosed in 2018 were identified in the National Cancer Database. Adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of BMM testing/reporting were evaluated for association with the selected patient, treatment, and facility-level characteristics using multivariable logistic regression. As a secondary analysis, predictors of MGMT promoter methylation testing/reporting among IDH-wildtype glioblastoma individuals were assessed. Key limitations of the BMM data item were that it did not include any details regarding testing technique or assay type and could not distinguish between a lack of testing and a lack of cancer registry reporting of testing results. Results Among 8306 histopathologically diagnosed adult-type diffuse gliomas nationally, overall BMM testing/reporting completeness was 81.1%. Compared to biopsy-only cases, odds of testing/reporting increased for subtotal (ORadj= 1.38 [95% CI: 1.20–1.59], P < .001) and gross total resection (ORadj=1.50 [95% CI: 1.31–1.72], P < .001). Furthermore, the odds were lowest at community centers (hospitals (67.3%; ORadj=0.35 [95% CI: 0.26–0.46], P < .001) and highest at academic/NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers (85.4%; referent). By geographical location, BMM testing/reporting completeness ranged from a high of 86.8% at New England (referent) to a low of 76.0 % in the West South Central region (ORadj=0.57 [95% CI: 0.42–0.78]; P < .001). Extent of resection, Commission-on-Cancer facility type, and facility location were additionally significant predictors of MGMT testing/reporting among IDH-wildtype glioblastoma cases. Conclusions Initial BMM testing/reporting completeness for individuals with adult-type diffuse gliomas in the United States was promising, although patterns varied by hospital attributes and extent of resection.

The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute, is the largest population-based registry focused exclusively on primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the United States (US) and represents the entire US population. This report contains the most up-to-date population-based data on primary brain tumors available and supersedes all previous reports in terms of completeness and accuracy. All rates are age-adjusted using the 2000 US standard population and presented per 100,000 population. The average annual age-adjusted incidence rate (AAAIR) of all malignant and non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors was 24.71 per 100,000 population (malignant AAAIR=7.02 and non-malignant AAAIR=17.69). This overall rate was higher in females compared to males (27.62 versus 21.60 per 100,000) and non-Hispanic persons compared to Hispanic persons (25.09 versus 22.95 per 100,000). The most commonly occurring malignant brain and other CNS histopathology was glioblastoma (14.2% of all tumors and 50.1% of all malignant tumors), and the most common non-malignant histopathology was meningioma (39.7% of all tumors and 55.4% of all non-malignant tumors). Glioblastoma was more common in males, and meningiomas were more common in females. In children and adolescents (ages 0-19 years), the incidence rate of all primary brain and other CNS tumors was 6.20 per 100,000 population. An estimated 93,470 new cases of malignant and non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors are expected to be diagnosed in the US population in 2022 (26,670 malignant and 66,806 non-malignant). There were 84,264 deaths attributed to malignant brain and other CNS tumors between 2015 and 2019. This represents an average annual mortality rate of 4.41 per 100,000 population and an average of 16,853 deaths per year. The five-year relative survival rate following diagnosis of a malignant brain and other CNS tumor was 35.7%, while for non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors the five-year relative survival rate was 91.8%.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is an irreversible neurosurgical procedure used to reduce spasticity while aiming to improve gross motor function for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Little research has explored the complexity of parental decision-making experiences surrounding SDR surgery and required rehabilitation. The aim was to explore parental experiences and expectation in the decision-making process around the SDR operation, physiotherapy treatment and outcomes.Qualitative methods using in-depth, semi-structured interviews were used. Eighteen parents (11 mothers and 7 fathers) participated whose child had SDR and completed 2-year post-operative rehabilitation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Decision making involved an interacting process between the 'parental information seeking experience', 'influence of professional encounters and relationships' and 'emotional and social aspects'. Despite underlying uncertainties about outcomes, parental drivers of expectations and aspirations for their child preceded and sustained this decision-making process. A foundational narrative of 'wanting no regrets' resolved their decision to undertake SDR. Outcomes did not always match expectations, and parents moved away from a position of idealism, which was driven in part by parental information seeking including overly optimistic media representation.Universally, parents expressed they had 'no regrets' on their decision, yet many felt a mismatch between expectation and outcomes of SDR surgery. A greater understanding of the complex nature of SDR decision making is required to help improve family preparedness and provide support from clinicians to enable balanced discussions in parental decision-making.

Evidence of liquid water is a primary indicator of habitability on the icy moons in our outer solar system as well as on terrestrial planets such as Mars. If liquid water-containing environments host life, some of its organic remains can be fossilized and preserved as organic biosignatures. However, inorganic materials may also be present and water-assisted organic-inorganic reactions can transform the organic architecture of biological remains. Our understanding of the fate of these organic remains can be assisted by experimental simulations that monitor the chemical changes that occur in microbial organic matter due to the presence of water and minerals. We performed hydrothermal experiments between 100–300°C involving lipid-rich microbes and natural serpentinite mineral mixtures generated by the subaqueous hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic rock. The products reveal what the signals of life may look like when subjected to water-organic-inorganic reactions. Straight and branched chain lipids in unaltered samples are joined by cyclization and aromatization products in hydrothermally altered samples. Hydrothermal reactions produce distinct products that are not present in the starting materials including small, single-ring, heteroatomic and aromatic compounds such as indoles and phenols. Hydrothermal reactions in the presence of serpentinite minerals lead to the significant reduction of these organic structures and their replacement by diketopiperazines (DKPs) and dihydropyrazines (DHPs), which may be compounds that are distinct to organic-inorganic reactions. Given that the precursors of DKPs and DHPs are normally lost during early diagenesis, the presence of these compounds can be an indicator of co-existing recent life and hydrothermal processing. However, the thermal stability of these compounds reveals that the formation and preservation of these compounds only occurs within a distinct temperature window. Serpentinite is also found to have a preservative effect on some compounds, such as alkylamides. Our findings are relevant to life detection missions that aim to access hydrothermal and serpentinizing environments in the subsurfaces of icy moons and Mars.

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