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Portraits of Resistance: Activating Art During Slavery. By Jennifer Van Horn. (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2022. Pp. xii, 331. $60.00, ISBN 978-0-300-25763-2.) Jennifer Van Horn's groundbreaking book [...]

BayREN Integrated Commercial Retrofits (BRICR) is a DOE-funded project which aims to enhance the capacity of energy efficiency programs to recruit participants, develop retrofits, and measure outcomes in small and medium-sized commercial buildings, a sector notoriously hard to reach and expensive to serve, that accounts for ⅔ of US commercial floor space. To address these barriers, BRICR leverages existing incentives, financing, data, and open source software to facilitate two paths for comprehensive improvements: a deep energy retrofit, or serial upgrades integrated into capital improvement and maintenance cycles. BRICR is developing an integrated workflow for iterative energy modeling of commercial buildings for city energy program managers and auditors - starting with mass building-scale simulation based on public records and proceeding through audit, retrofit, and measurement and verification stages. BRICR builds on existing tools including LBNL’s CBES, NREL’s OpenStudio, PNNL’s Audit Template, and DOE’s BuildingSync and SEED PlatformTM. At each stage, BRICR uses available information to inform simulations (starting with public records but iteratively augmented with observations from energy program staff) to improve the quality of the models that inform decision making. This paper presents initial results from energy models of 1699 office and retail buildings in San Francisco. Building stock data from public records were translated to create a BuildingSync file for each building which was stored in SEED. Each BuildingSync file was then translated to multiple OpenStudio Workflow files for EnergyPlus simulation to estimate energy savings of energy conservation measures (ECM). Energy savings predictions for each ECM were written back to an updated BuildingSync file for each building and re-uploaded to SEED. The distribution of baseline energy simulations was calibrated against the publicly disclosed distribution of energy benchmarking data to increase confidence in results.

Although still prevalent in many human societies, the practice of cousin marriage has precipitously declined in populations undergoing rapid demographic and socioeconomic change. However, it is still unclear whether changes in the structure of the marriage pool or changes in the fitness-relevant consequences of cousin marriage more strongly influence the frequency of cousin marriage. Here, we use genealogical data collected by the Tsimane Health and Life History Project to show that there is a small but measurable decline in the frequency of first cross-cousin marriage since the mid-twentieth century. Such changes are linked to concomitant changes in the pool of potential spouses in recent decades. We find only very modest differences in fitness-relevant demographic measures between first cousin and non-cousin marriages. These differences have been diminishing as the Tsimane have become more market integrated. The factors that influence preferences for cousin marriage appear to be less prevalent now than in the past, but cultural inertia might slow the pace of change in marriage norms. Overall, our findings suggest that cultural changes in marriage practices reflect underlying societal changes that shape the pool of potential spouses.

Abstract Background Solutions to global health challenges depend on nations’ capacity for cross-disciplinary research in global health. Despite longstanding demands for practical guidelines, published guidance and frameworks for evaluating cross-disciplinary research are scarce and scattered among disciplines. We aimed to bring together information on how cross-disciplinary research has been evaluated and collate the frameworks and tools that have been used to advance knowledge and practice about the design and evaluation of cross-disciplinary research in global health. Methods We conducted a systematic scoping review by searching five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL COMPLETE, Global Health, PubMed, Web of Science) for publications relevant for our objectives. These were to understand the characteristics of frameworks used to evaluate cross-disciplinary research, to describe how they had been used in practice, and to identify underlying common underpinning criteria. Our inclusion criteria were that the publications (a) focus on frameworks for cross-disciplinary research and (b) include aspects of evaluation or monitoring. The last search was conducted in July 2023. Results Thirty-one of 2718 screened publications met our inclusion criteria. The intended users of the frameworks were cross-disciplinary researchers (31; 97%), funders (15; 48%), evaluators/reviewers (15; 48%) and practitioners/stakeholders (10; 32%). Eight frameworks (26%) were bespoke for a particular project and used a ‘context-process-outcome’ approach to incorporate the whole research pathway. Four frameworks (13%) focused on evaluating outcome/impact. Nineteen (61%) focused on other specific aspects of cross-disciplinary research. Seventeen frameworks (55%) provided evaluation tools and 14 (45%) included guidance about their use in practice. Twenty-four (77%) provided examples of how their frameworks were used in practice, and 21 (68%) stated that their frameworks were generalizable in different contexts. The criteria used for the evaluations across the publications fell into four categories: appropriate cross-disciplinary research approaches for the project goal; shared learning and integration; meeting disciplinary standards; and effective synthesis. Conclusions Our collation and description of the heterogenous published guidance and frameworks for evaluating cross-disciplinary research, and our practical lessons for how to improve the robustness of such evaluations, will help funders, researchers and evaluators to make evidence-informed choices when they commission, design and evaluate cross-disciplinary research programmes in global health.

Abstract Hantaan virus (HTNV) and Puumala virus (PUUV) are pathogenic zoonoses found in Asia and Europe, respectively. We conducted a randomized Phase 1 clinical trial of individual HTNV and PUUV DNA vaccines targeting the envelope glycoproteins (GnGc), as well as a combined HTNV/PUUV DNA vaccine delivered at varying doses using the PharmaJet Stratis® needle-free injection system (NCT02776761). Cohort 1 and 2 vaccines consisted of 2 mg/vaccination of HTNV or PUUV plasmid, respectively. Cohort 3 vaccine consisted of 2 mg/vaccination of 1:1 mixture of HTNV and PUUV vaccines. Vaccinations were administered on Days 0, 28, 56, and 168. The vaccines were safe and well tolerated. Neutralizing antibody responses were elicited in 7/7 (100%) subjects who received the HTNV DNA (Cohort 1) and 6/6 (100%) subjects who received the PUUV DNA (Cohort 2) vaccines alone. The combination vaccine resulted in 4/9 (44%) seroconversion against both viruses. After the first two vaccinations, the seroconversion rates for the HTNV and PUUV vaccines were >80%.

Abstract Background There is critical need to strengthen the global nursing and midwifery workforce. This is especially true in Malawi where they are the primary providers of obstetric and neonatal care. In Neno district, Malawi, in 2017, we implemented an intensive training and longitudinal bedside mentorship intervention for nurses and midwives. From inception, there was a pre-planned project target completion after 5 years, including a staged handover to local ownership after 3 years. The objective of this study was to assess differences in reported maternal and neonatal complications following project completion and handover to local leadership. Methods The project was a partnership between an academic institution and local nongovernmental organization. In October 2020, the intervention was handed over and maintained by the local organization with limited support from the academic institution. Data from January 2019 to May 2023 were extracted from the Malawi District Health Information Software 2. Bivariate analyses explored differences in the pre- and post-handover periods for all government-collected, birth-related variables. The “pre-handover” period encompassed January 2019 to September 2020 and “post-handover” from October 2020 to May 2023. Multivariate linear regression explored outcomes while controlling for health facility. Results Data were collected from 10 health facilities in the district and included a total of 23,259 births. Overall, there were few significant changes between periods. Exceptions were in reporting of antepartum hemorrhage (p

Abstract We develop a method for the extraction of the surface impedance tensor of a generic reflective metasurface using an analytic relation between the tensorial surface impedance and the four polarisation-dependent reflection coefficients. We apply this technique to experimental data obtained from a metasurface with a rhomboidal unit cell in the 16–26 GHz range, but note that it could be applied to reflective metasurfaces in any frequency regime. The extraction method can also be applied to model data to facilitate the design process of spatially graded tensorial metasurfaces that allow for full control of the form of the scattered field.

Abstract Aurora B kinase (AURKB) inhibitors have been trialled in a range of different tumour types but are not approved for any indication. Expression of the human papilloma virus (HPV) oncogenes and loss of retinoblastoma (RB) protein function has been reported to increase sensitivity to AURKB inhibitors but the mechanism of their contribution to sensitivity is poorly understood. Two commonly reported outcomes of AURKB inhibition are polyploidy and senescence, although their relationship is unclear. Here we have investigated the major cellular targets of the HPV E6 and E7, p53 and RB, to determine their contribution to AURKB inhibitor induced polyploidy and senescence. We demonstrate that polyploidy is a universal feature of AURKB inhibitor treatment in all cell types including normal primary cells, but the subsequent outcomes are controlled by RB and p53. We demonstrate that p53 by regulating p21 expression is required for an initial cell cycle arrest by inhibiting both CDK2 and CDK4 activity, but this arrest is only triggered after cells have undergone two failed mitosis and cytokinesis. However, cells can enter senescence in the absence of p53. RB is essential for AURKB inhibitor-induced senescence. AURKB inhibitor induces rapid hypophosphorylation of RB independent of inhibition of CDK2 or CDK4 kinases and p53. This work demonstrates that p53 activation determines the timing of senescence onset, but RB is indispensable for senescence.

Abstract Background In randomised controlled trials with efficacy-related primary outcomes, adverse events are collected to monitor potential intervention harms. The analysis of adverse event data is challenging, due to the complex nature of the data and the large number of unprespecified outcomes. This is compounded by a lack of guidance on best analysis approaches, resulting in widespread inadequate practices and the use of overly simplistic methods; leading to sub-optimal exploitation of these rich datasets. To address the complexities of adverse events analysis, statistical methods are proposed that leverage existing structures within the data, for instance by considering groupings of adverse events based on biological or clinical relationships. Methods We conducted a methodological scoping review of the literature to identify all existing methods using structures within the data to detect signals for adverse reactions in a trial. Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched. We reviewed the analysis approaches of each method, extracted methodological characteristics and constructed a narrative summary of the findings. Results We identified 18 different methods from 14 sources. These were categorised as either Bayesian approaches (n=11), which flagged events based on posterior estimates of treatment effects, or error controlling procedures (n=7), which flagged events based on adjusted p-values while controlling for some type of error rate. We identified 5 defining methodological characteristics: the type of outcomes considered (e.g. binary outcomes), the nature of the data (e.g. summary data), the timing of the analysis (e.g. final analysis), the restrictions on the events considered (e.g. rare events) and the grouping systems used. Conclusions We found a large number of analysis methods that use the group structures of adverse events. Continuous methodological developments in this area highlight the growing awareness that better practices are needed. The use of more adequate analysis methods could help trialists obtain a better picture of the safety-risk profile of an intervention. The results of this review can be used by statisticians to better understand the current methodological landscape and identify suitable methods for data analysis - although further research is needed to determine which methods are best suited and create adequate recommendations.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether obesity had a detrimental effect on the long-term performance and survival of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKAs). Methods: This study reviewed prospectively collected functional outcome scores and revision rates of all medial UKA patients with recorded BMI performed in Christchurch, New Zealand, from January 2011 to September 2021. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were the primary outcome of this study, with all-cause revision rate analyzed as a secondary outcome. PROMs were taken preoperatively, at six months, one year, five years, and ten years postoperatively. There were 873 patients who had functional scores recorded at five years and 164 patients had scores recorded at ten years. Further sub-group analysis was performed based on the patient’s BMI. Revision data were available through the New Zealand Joint Registry for 2,323 UKAs performed during this time period. Results: Obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m2) were 3.1 years younger than non-obese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m2) at the time of surgery (mean age of obese patients 65.5 years (SD 9.7) and mean age of non-obese patients 68.6 years (SD 10.1)). Preoperatively, obese patients tended to have significantly lower functional scores than non-obese patients, which continued at five and ten years postoperatively. At these timepoints, obese patients had significantly lower scores for most PROMs measured compared to non-obese patients. However, there was no significant difference in the improvement of any of these scores after surgery between obese and non-obese patients. There was no significant difference in revision rates between obese and non-obese patients at any time. All-cause revision rate for obese patients was 0.73 per 100 observed component years compared to 0.67 in non-obese patients at ten years. There was also no significant difference in the aseptic loosening rate between groups. Conclusion: Our study supports the use of UKAs in obese patients, with similar benefit and survival compared to non-obese patients at ten years.

The grounding line position of glaciers and ice shelves is an essential observation for the study of the Earth's ice sheets. However, in some locations, such as the Antarctic Peninsula, where many grounding lines have not been mapped since the 1990s, remote sensing of grounding line position remains challenging. Here we present a tidal motion offset correlation (TMOC) method for measuring the grounding line position of tidewater glaciers and ice shelves, based on the correlation between tide amplitude and synthetic aperture radar offset tracking measurements. We apply this method to the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet to automatically delineate a new grounding line position for 2019–2020, with near complete coverage along 9300 km of coastline, updating the 20-year-old record. A comparison of the TMOC grounding line to contemporaneous interferometrically measured grounding line position shows the method has a mean seaward offset compared to interferometry of 185 m and a standard deviation of 295 m. Our results show that over the last 24 years there has been grounding line retreat at a number of fast-flowing ice streams on the Antarctic Peninsula, with the most retreat concentrated in the north-eastern sector, where grounding lines have retreated following the collapse of ice shelves. We observe a maximum grounding line retreat since 1996 of 16.3 ± 0.5 km on Hektoria Glacier, with other notable glaciers retreating by 9.3 ± 0.5, 9.1 ± 0.5 and 3.6 ± 0.5 km. Our results document dynamic change on Antarctic Peninsula glaciers and show the importance of using an updated grounding line location to delineate the boundary between floating and grounded ice.

This paper explores how messages for health and PE ([H]PE) within English and Welsh curricula are being re-legitimised through distinct performance and competence pedagogic models. Drawing upon Bernstein's sociology of knowledge (Bernstein, 1996. "Pedagogy, symbolic control and identity: Theory, research, critique." Taylor and Francis; 2000. "Pedagogy, symbolic control and identity: Theory, research and critique" (revised ed.). Rowman and Littlefield) data was generated through a deductive content analysis of the contemporary statutory English National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE) and the new Curriculum for Wales (CfW), Health and Well-Being Area of Learning and Experience (HWB-AoLE). Findings illustrate how the current English and Welsh curricula are re-legitimising discourses for (H)PE through a more prominent emphasis placed on competency models whereby the educator and learner are given greater autonomy to control the transmission and acquisition of (H)PE messages. However, the curriculum documents are beset with contradictions that to an extent reproduce discourses of performativity and individualisation. Consequently, the paper emphasises the need for educators and policymakers to be given the opportunity for critical dialogue on the implications of re-legitimising messages through competency models for all educator and learner identities.

This paper uses insider research within a Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) framework to examine the lived induction-to-teaching experiences of twelve new academics at a case-study Northern UK university. A CHAT lens foregrounds contradictions as a source for change in the induction-to-teaching process. Data generated through semi-structured interviews with these academics were analysed and, informed by CHAT, allowed us to discern contradictions in sociocultural and structural aspects of the induction activity systems which significantly impact new academics' experiences. Examining these contradictions enabled us to identify interventions for enhancing academic induction policy and practice within the case-study University, but also more widely.

The research aimed to estimate educational psychologist (EP) service provision required to deliver a "good" level of EP service within primary and secondary schools in one local authority (LA) in England. There is no current shared understanding of the level of demand for EP services, nor the required workforce to meet projected needs. Using a mixed methods design, four index schools were recruited; key staff within each school forecasted potential future commissioning of EP services. Content analysis was used to present key findings from focus groups/interviews to a working group of EPs who assessed the exact time-cost required to supply services. By extrapolation of the data, a model forecasted potential future demand for EP services across all primary and secondary schools in the LA. Findings reveal that all four schools would, with sufficient funding, commission significantly more EP time than they do currently; details and proportions are provided. The model predicts that schools across the LA would commission a fourfold increase in EP time purchased. Under the assumption that other EP service levels remain constant, the model suggests that meeting this need for increased EP services would require more than doubling of the size of the LA EP workforce.

As a group of researchers representing England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, we previously carried out a comparative analysis of the health discourses evident within the physical education (PE) curriculum of each UK nation (Gray et al., 2022b). We uncovered complex 'health' landscapes, represented through different discourses of health across contexts and shifting discourses within contexts. The purpose of the present proof of concept study is to extend this cross-border work by exploring how UK PE teachers conceptualise health and wellbeing (HWB), and to identify the ways in which their conceptualisations align (or not) with their respective curricula. We found some alignment between the teachers' understanding of HWB and their respective curricular documentation, which was highlighted in the similarities and differences across contexts. Furthermore, all of the PE teachers had some understanding of HWB as a holistic and broad concept. We argue that understanding the various conceptualisations of HWB within and across contexts can serve as a useful foundation for cross-border dialogue, which may support the development of PE teachers' critical reading of curriculum and their capacity and authority to contribute to future curriculum developments.