Search

Abstract Sea level rise is expected to cause chronic shoreline retreat, affecting over 10% of the world’s population in low-elevation coastal zones (LECZ). Sandy beaches supported by man-made structures are more vulnerable to substantial beach area loss due to restricted landward migration, affecting ecosystem services. However, the global extent of ‘hardened’ sandy coastlines at risk of ‘severe beach loss’ has not been comprehensively quantified. Here, using products and geospatial datasets derived from satellite imagery, we find that, 33% of the world’s sandy coastline is currently hardened. Analysis of the results by IPCC AR6 regions show that the most hardened coastal regions are the Bay of Bengal, Western & Central Europe, the Mediterranean, Western North America, and East Asia. Linking coastal hardening information with existing shoreline retreat projections, we find that under SSP5-8.5, up to 26% of the world’s sandy coastline (~52,100 km) is likely to face severe beach loss by the end of the 21st century. Under a moderate emissions scenario (SSP2-4.5), this projection decreases to 21% (~42,080 km), highlighting the potential mitigation gain. The results also show that the vast majority of projected severe sandy beach losses are in high and upper-middle-income countries, with up to 82% of severe losses under SSP5-8.5 and up to 81% under SSP2-4.5 by the end of the 21st century, relative to the total length of sandy coastline, including both hardened and natural coastlines. The IPCC AR6 regions with the highest projected sandy beach losses include Eastern North America, Northern South America, the Mediterranean, the Bay of Bengal, Western Africa, and South-east Asia.

This study investigated the effects of intragastric administration of apelin-13 on the secretion of critical pancreatic hormones in a cohort of three-week-old Wistar rats. The research aimed to uncover apelin’s modulatory roles in endocrine interactions dictating metabolic homeostasis during early life.

Nature-based instruction offers students the benefts of experiential learning while spending time in nature. Research supports nature-based learning (NBL) with younger students (Pre-K-12), yet there is a dearth of research focused on students in post-secondary education. To advance research in higher education, an NBL project was launched with 16 faculty members (two cohorts) from different disciplines at a commuter community college in New York City to pilot the implementation of NBL into the curriculum. This paper offers a model to guide the implementation of NBL in a variety of disciplines. It is hoped that this model may be used by other undergraduate institutions who aim to integrate novel approaches to experiential learning.

Background: Recurrent hemarthrosis and resultant hemophilic arthropathy are significant causes of morbidity in persons with hemophilia, despite the marked evolution of hemophilia care. Prevention, timely diagnosis, and treatment of bleeding episodes are key. However, a physical examination or a patient’s assessment of musculoskeletal pain may not accurately identify a joint bleed. This difficulty is compounded as hemophilic arthropathy progresses. Objectives: Our system aims to utilize artificial intelligence and ultrasonography (US; point-of-care and handheld) to enable providers, and ultimately patients, to detect joint bleeds at the bedside and at home. We aimed to develop and assess the reliability of artificial intelligence algorithms in detecting and segmenting synovial recess distension (SRD; an indicator of disease activity) on US images of adult and pediatric knee, elbow, and ankle joints. Methods: A total of 12,145 joint exams, comprising 61,501 US images from 7 international healthcare centers, were collected. The dataset included healthy participants and adult and pediatric persons with hemophilia, with and without SRD. Images were manually labeled by 2 experts and used to train binary convolutional neural network classifiers and segmentation models. Metrics to evaluate performance included accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve. Results: The algorithms exhibited high performance across all joints and all cohorts. Specifically, the knee model showed an accuracy of 97%, sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 97%, and an area under the curve of 0.97 in SRD. High Dice coefficients (80%-85%) were achieved in segmentation tasks across all joints. Conclusion: This technology could assist with the early detection and management of hemarthrosis in hemophilia.

This review article comprehensively explores the role of orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides in the management of obesity in companion animals, with a focus on clinical applications. Obesity in domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats, is prevalent, with significant implications for their health and well-being. Factors contributing to obesity include overfeeding, poor-quality diet, lack of physical activity, and genetic predispositions. Despite the seriousness of this condition, it is often underestimated, with societal perceptions sometimes reinforcing unhealthy behaviors. Understanding the regulation of food intake and identifying factors affecting the function of food intake-related proteins are crucial in combating obesity. Dysregulations in these proteins, whether due to genetic mutations, enzymatic dysfunctions, or receptor abnormalities, can have profound health consequences. Molecular biology techniques play a pivotal role in elucidating these mechanisms, offering insights into potential therapeutic interventions. The review categorizes food intake-related proteins into anorexigenic peptides (inhibitors of food intake) and orexigenic peptides (enhancers of food intake). It thoroughly examines current research on regulating energy balance in companion animals, emphasizing the clinical application of various peptides, including ghrelin, phoenixin (PNX), asprosin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), leptin, and nesfatin-1, in veterinary obesity management. This comprehensive review aims to provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between peptides, energy balance regulation, and obesity in companion animals. It underscores the importance of targeted interventions and highlights the potential of peptide-based therapies in improving the health outcomes of obese pets.

Abstract Monitoring sandy shoreline evolution from years to decades is critical to understand the past and predict the future of our coasts. Optical satellite imagery can now infer such datasets globally, but sometimes with large uncertainties, poor spatial resolution, and thus debatable outcomes. Here we validate and analyse satellite-derived-shoreline positions (1984–2021) along the Atlantic coast of Europe using a moving-averaged approach based on coastline characteristics, indicating conservative uncertainties of long-term trends around 0.4 m/year and a potential bias towards accretion. We show that west-facing open coasts are more prone to long-term erosion, whereas relatively closed coasts favor accretion, although most of computed trends fall within the range of uncertainty. Interannual shoreline variability is influenced by regionally dominant atmospheric climate indices. Quasi-straight open coastlines typically show the strongest and more alongshore-uniform links, while embayed coastlines, especially those not exposed to the dominant wave climate, show weaker and more variable correlation with the indices. Our results provide a spatial continuum between previous local-scale studies, while emphasizing the necessity to further reduce satellite-derived shoreline trend uncertainties. They also call for applications based on a relevant averaging approach and the inclusion of coastal setting parameters to unravel the forcing-response spectrum of sandy shorelines globally.

Introduction and purpose: Impaired cognitive function is a growing public health problem, where dementia is affecting about 47 million people worldwide, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. The MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet is intended to overcome this problem. This article aims to raise awareness of the MIND diet, highlighting how dietary choices can promote cognitive health and delay disease progression. Brief description of the state of knowledge: The MIND diet focuses on foods that support cognitive health and may mitigate these degenerative processes. It emphasizes green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, fish, and poultry while limiting red meat, dairy, sweets, and fried foods. These products contain several components with multidirectional neuroprotective effects. Material and method: This work was based on material found on Google Scholar. Articles were selected based on citation counts, publication dates, and relevance, ensuring a comprehensive review of recent findings on the MIND diet's impact on cognitive health. Summary: The MIND diet enhances brain health by incorporating nutrient-dense foods that reduce inflammation, combat oxidative stress, and support neuronal function. Green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats work together to improve cognitive function, support synaptic plasticity, and protect brain structure, leading to slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Introduction and purpose Oral cancer belongs to a heterogeneous group of head and neck cancers. In many cases, it is detected at an advanced stage, which translates into a relatively high mortality rate among patients. For this reason, the identification of risk factors promoting carcinogenesis is of great importance in terms of prevention. The purpose of our study is to demonstrate the relationship between the type of diet consumed and the intake of stimulants and the risk of developing oral cancer. State of knowledge This article is an overview of selected dietary ingredients and stimulants - tobacco, alcohol and betel, presenting their possible effects on the oral area. We have presented both dietary products known for their harmfulness and those with health-promoting effects. Material and method In our work, we focused on analyzing medical literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar. The sources we have chosen are based on studies conducted in epidemiology, biochemistry and oncology. Summary Dietary habits and ingested stimulants have a direct impact on the development of oral cancer. Depending on the content of various components, the diet may exhibit protective properties or promote carcinogenesis. On the other hand, chronic habitual use of certain substances has been found to be a strong factor in increasing the risk of oral malignancies. Therefore, efforts should be made to raise public awareness of the potential consequences of pro-inflammatory diets and stimulants intake.

INTRODUCTION In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of herbal stimulants around the world. Many people cannot imagine life without coffee, a cup of this drink is often a mandatory part of the day. As the world moves faster and faster, people are looking for a way to keep up with it. Therefore, more and more plant and mushroom stimulants appear on the market, which help people replenish energy deficiencies and meet the challenge of constantly living on the run. Selected stimulants, the benefits associated with their use, and side effects are described in the work below. THE AIM The aim of this work is to discuss the properties that stimulate the human body. We have selected less and more known plants and mushrooms, describing their properties, benefits of their use, side effects, and contraindications to their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this work, we describe the impact of substances that stimulate the human body contained in selected plants and mushrooms. A review of the literature available in the National Library of Medicine database at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and Google Scholar was conducted. The articles were searched using keywords such as herbs stimulants, fungi, side effects, adaptogens, and advantages. SUMMARY There are many plants and fungi in nature containing substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body. They improve brain function, reduce stress, and increase concentration. We often reach for them because we really need an additional energy booster in today's world. However, it should be remembered that these agents in too high doses may also cause side effects. Therefore, these preparations should be selected individually, taking into account chronic diseases, conditions such as pregnancy and lactation, and medications taken.

Introduction: Creatine is a naturally occurring compound vital for energy metabolism, particularly in high-energy-demand tissues like muscles and the brain. Traditionally, research on creatine has focused on its ergogenic effects in sports, but emerging research suggests it may also positively impact brain health. Studies are exploring creatine monohydrate's role in improving cognitive function, mitigating neurodegenerative processes, and supporting mental health. This dual functionality highlights the compound's versatility as both a performance enhancer and a potential therapeutic agent for neurological health. By expanding the scope of creatine research beyond physical performance, we can better understand and utilize its full capabilities to enhance human health. This research review examines the growing evidence suggesting that creatine supplementation could significantly benefit brain health and the management of neurological diseases. Aim of the study: This review aims to synthesize current findings on creatine's cognitive benefits and its therapeutic potential for neurological disorders, critically analyzing preclinical and clinical studies to identify gaps and suggest future research directions. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, covering studies published between 2000 and 2024. Keywords such as creatine supplementation, brain health and neurodegeneration were used. Exclusion criteria included non-peer-reviewed articles, studies with insufficient data, and those not in English. Conclusions: This review highlights the potential benefits of creatine supplementation for cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases, noting its positive effects on memory, alleviating depression and anxiety, and offering neuroprotection. Future research should aim to standardize dosing, extend follow-up periods, and include larger, more diverse populations.

Injuries in combat sports can happen to any athlete, regardless of gender, age, training experience or whether he or she is an amateur or a professional. The range of injuries varies from superficial, short-term damage to severe injuries with serious consequences, including death. There are many types of combat sports, each with different rules and specific injuries. Amongst various divisions of combat sports, one of the basic ones is the division into ground and stand-up sports. In the following work, using the available literature, we wanted to present the specifications of several of the most popular combat sports and compare their most common locations of injuries, types of injuries and mechanisms of their formation, paying attention to which of these categories a given sport belongs to. We also discuss differences in the rate of injury for different age, genders, prevalence of injuries during situations of practice and competition. In the end, it is presented what are the possible long-term complications of injuries in combat sports and which actions such as protective gear, bans on certain techniques or behavioural changes might reduce the injury rate to protect the athletes health, well-being and decrease the economic burden on healthcare systems.

In recent years, the popularity of drugs which were firstly introduced as treatment for diabetes type 2 has surged, because of their’s significant effect of managing the body weight especially for patients that suffer for diabetes type 2. Tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonist. The aim of our study is to present reliable and up-to-date knowledge of effects that both drugs provide and their beneficial effects on health.

Introduction and purpose Nephropathy is characterized by a gradual increase in blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion and cardiovascular risk. It is associated with a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) resulting in end-stage renal failure. It lowers the standard of living and leads to premature death in patients with this complication of diabetes. The purpose of this article is to present the problem of diabetic nephropathy, possible diagnostic methods, treatment methods with emphasis on the effect of physical activity on improving and alleviating diabetic nephropathy. State of knowledge This article reviews the literature on type 1 and type 2 diabetes, diabetic complications with special attention to diabetic nephropathy and the effect of exercise on the frequency and progression of this complication. The number of people with diabetes and the associated complications of diabetes are steadily increasing. Proper diet and physical activity can maintain normal blood glucose levels and slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy as well as other diabetic complications. Material and method The literature available in “PubMed” and Google Schoolar was reviewed. The focus was on the problem of complications of diabetes mellitus with a special emphasis on diabetic nephropathy, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment methods and prevention of nephropathy through the beneficial effects of exercise in diabetic patients. Summary In our review, we managed to show how diabetic nephropathy is a big problem in diabetic patients. Based on a number of studies, we were able to prove the beneficial effects of physical activity on reducing the incidence of diabetes complications. Through a variety of modalities and mechanisms, exercise helps control blood sugar and blood pressure and reduce serum creatinine and albuminuria, thereby alleviating kidney damage.

Objective Parkwood VIP4SCI platform is a virtual e-health solution adapted from a version created for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO) that focused on self-management skill development for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) transitioning between stages of care, in partnership with caregivers and clinicians. This evaluation of the platform informs the usability and feasibility of a model to facilitate service care aims postrehabilitation. Design Participants: Inpatients and outpatients admitted to the SCI Rehabilitation Program (n = 31), and a mix of interdisciplinary clinicians on the Rehabilitation Team (n = 20). Caregivers participated at the discretion of the patient. Interventions: Inpatients were randomized into two groups (Platform or Standard Care (i.e., delayed access)). Outpatients were given access at enrollment. Pre–post assessments were completed using surveys, and platform analytics were collected. Weekly check-ins were introduced to increase engagement. Focus groups were held with a subset of participants near study completion. Results VIP4SCI was viewed as usable and feasible. Platform satisfaction assessed on a −3 to +3 scale ranged from +0.9 to 2.5, demonstrating positive agreement. Self-efficacy related to self-management ranged from 5.4 to 7.6 out of 10. The educational resource hub was identified as the most beneficial feature. Lack of clinician uptake was a barrier to integration into day-to-day practice. Conclusions Platform usage was low among all groups despite the perceived need for facilitating care coordination with consistent and intentional self-management programming. Despite the lack of uptake, partly due to challenges associated with the pandemic, conclusions on platform features and barriers to implementation will help to inform future programming.

Introduction and purpose This article explores the impact of physical activity on insomnia and sleep quality. It reviews existing research to clarify how exercise affects sleep patterns, identifies mechanisms through which exercise improves sleep, and evaluates practical recommendations for integrating physical activity into insomnia treatment. The goal is to offer valuable insights for individuals and healthcare professionals on using exercise as a non-pharmacological method to manage insomnia. State of knowledge The article reviews the literature on sleep, with a particular focus on the issue of insomnia. By understanding the causes of sleep disorders, it is possible to implement targeted diagnostics and subsequent treatment. The impact of physical activity on the overall problem of insomnia is also highlighted. Material and Methods A review of literature from 2004 to 2024 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Keywords included "insomnia," "sleep disorder," and "sleep impairment." The review focused on English-language primary research articles from peer-reviewed journals. Summary The review highlights the role of physical activity in managing insomnia, emphasizing its positive effects. Evidence indicates that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk and severity of insomnia and improves sleep quality. This underscores the effectiveness of physical activity as a valuable non-pharmacological approach to enhancing sleep and overall well-being. Keywords Insomnia; physical activity; sleep disorders; quality of sleep; sport

Introduction and purpose Infertility is defined as a condition characterized by the inability to become clinically pregnant after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, or because a person's ability to reproduce, either as an individual or with his or her partner, is impaired. Infertility affects between 8% and 12% of couples of reproductive age worldwide. Fertility decline in women begins as early as age 25-30. The purpose of this article is to present the problem of infertility in women, possible diagnostic options, methods of prevention and treatment of infertility. We draw attention to the important role of a proper lifestyle, including diet in the fight against infertility. State of knowledge The article reviews the literature on infertility with special attention to the problem of infertility in women. Knowing the causes of infertility, it is possible to implement targeted diagnosis and then treatment. Attention is paid to the influence of proper diet on female fertility. Material and method A review of the literature available on PubMed and Google Schoolar was conducted. We focused on presenting different causes of infertility in women, diagnostic options, treatment methods depending on the cause of the problem. We paid special attention to proper diet and its impact on female fertility. Summary In our review, we presented how big a problem female infertility is. We managed to describe the current state of knowledge on the definition, epidemiology of fertility and infertility, and the main causes of female infertility. Based on a number of studies, we have proven the beneficial effects of a proper lifestyle with emphasis on a proper diet.

The structural and functional characteristics of skeletal muscle fibers play a crucial role in understanding the physical capabilities of dogs, particularly in relation to their breed-specific roles. This study aimed to compare the muscle fiber composition of working and companion dog breeds by analyzing the triceps brachii and biceps femoris muscles, focusing on fiber morphology, myosin heavy chain (MYH) isoform distribution, and nuclei per fiber. A total of 12 dogs, divided equally into working and companion breed groups, were used in this study. Muscle samples were collected post-mortem and prepared for histological analysis using cryosectioning. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to identify the expression of MYH isoforms, including MYH2, MYH4, and MYH7, which correspond to type IIa, IIb, and type I fibers, respectively. The results demonstrated significant differences between the two breed groups. Working dogs exhibited larger muscle fibers, a higher proportion of type IIa (MYH2) and type I (MYH7) fibers, and a greater number of nuclei per fiber, suggesting adaptations for endurance and strength. In contrast, companion dogs showed a higher proportion of type IIb (MYH4) fibers, indicative of their capacity for short bursts of activity rather than sustained exertion. Companion breeds also displayed a higher fiber density but fewer nuclei per fiber, which may contribute to slower muscle regeneration. These findings may provide insights into the muscle adaptations of dogs based on their breed-specific functional demands and highlight the importance of considering these differences in veterinary care and rehabilitation. The study underscores the influence of selective breeding on muscle structure and function in dogs and suggests further research into breed-specific muscle recovery mechanisms.

The Valsalva maneuver, named after Antonio Maria Valsalva, is one of the vagal maneuvers. It is defined as a forced expiration against a closed glottis, leading to an increase in intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure. Over the years it has become a subject of interest to many clinical researchers who have comprehensively studied its physiology and clinical significance. As a result, the application of the Valsalva maneuver has expanded to become a versatile technique applied across a wide range of medical specialties as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Additionally, it has found its use in sport among athletes. The aim of this article is to present the current state of knowledge about the clinical significance of the Valsalva maneuver and show that this simple physiological technique described in the 18th century remains a valuable tool in modern clinical practice and has found its use in sport. The review was based on chosen literature obtained from the PubMed electronic database, Google Scholar electronic database, and other scientific articles. Search terms included keywords listed below. Keywords: Valsalva maneuver; vagal maneuver; respiratory maneuver; autonomic system

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental illness that affects multiple areas of life. Patients with schizophrenia are prone to developing serious and even fatal disorders when it comes to their physical health. They have a higher mortality risk and an average of 14,5 years of potential life lost compared to the general population. Physical activity decreases mortality, reduces cardiovascular risk, and improves mental health. Within this article, we explore the topic of physical activity and its influence on the physical and mental health of schizophrenia patients and their treatment.

W styczniu 1480 r., przed sądem biskupa włocławskiego Zbigniewa Oleśnickiego rozpoczęły się przesłuchania mieszkańców Inowrocławia w sprawie miejscowych sympatyków husytyzmu. W ciągu 10 miesięcy przesłuchano kilkanaście osób, których zeznania rzuciły światło na działalność niewielkich grup utrakwistów kujawskich na przestrzeni ponad pół wieku. Zeznania osób podejrzewanych o herezję i świadków, a także zapiski dotyczące innych czynności procesowych zostały zapisane w wyodrębnionej dokumentacji, która stanowi wstępną część najstarszej zachowanej włocławskiej księgi biskupiej (Archiwum Diecezjalnym we Włocławsku, sygn. 011). Artykuł analizuje powstanie i strukturę tej dokumentacji, a zarazem ukazuje rolę biskupa, kapituły katedralnej, a także papieskiego inkwizytora w działaniach inkwizycyjnych przeciwko kujawskim zwolennikom utrakwizmu.

This undergraduate laboratory experiment is designed for first-year general chemistry students with the goal of introducing the brilliant colors and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes within a bioinorganic/cell biology context. In the first laboratory period, a coordination complex formed from ferric chloride and maltol is prepared(Fe­(maltol)[subscript 3]). The intense red color of the complex is noted, and the UV-vis spectra of the ligand and complex are compared. Yeast cells are incubated with ferric chloride and with Fe­(maltol)[subscript 3]. In the second laboratory period, the yeast cells treated with the ferric chloride or Fe­(maltol)[subscript 3] are isolated and placed over ring magnets to study whether the yeast have paramagnetic properties. Yeast viability studies are done to compare the toxicity of Fe­(maltol)[subscript 3] and FeCl[subscript 3]. Students are asked to predict the magnetic properties of iron complexes of different spin and oxidation states and to consider the basis for iron uptake into yeast cells.

Abstract Muddy coasts provide ecological habitats, supply food and form a natural coastal defence. Relative sea level rise, changing wave energy and human interventions will increase the pressure on muddy coastal zones. For sustainable coastal management it is key to obtain information on the geomorphology of and historical changes along muddy areas. So far, little is known about the distribution and behaviour of muddy coasts at a global scale. In this study we present a global scale assessment of the occurrence of muddy coasts and rates of coastline change therein. We combine publicly available satellite imagery and coastal geospatial datasets, to train an automated classification method to identify muddy coasts. We find that 14% of the world’s ice-free coastline is muddy, of which 60% is located in the tropics. Furthermore, the majority of the world’s muddy coasts are eroding at rates exceeding 1 m/yr over the last three decades.

Abstract Satellite remote sensing is becoming a widely used monitoring technique in coastal sciences. Yet, no benchmarking studies exist that compare the performance of popular satellite-derived shoreline mapping algorithms against standardized sets of inputs and validation data. Here we present a new benchmarking framework to evaluate the accuracy of shoreline change observations extracted from publicly available satellite imagery (Landsat and Sentinel-2). Accuracy and precision of five established shoreline mapping algorithms are evaluated at four sandy beaches with varying geologic and oceanographic conditions. Comparisons against long-term in situ beach surveys reveal that all algorithms provide horizontal accuracy on the order of 10 m at microtidal sites. However, accuracy deteriorates as the tidal range increases, to more than 20 m for a high-energy macrotidal beach (Truc Vert, France) with complex foreshore morphology. The goal of this open-source, collaborative benchmarking framework is to identify areas of improvement for present algorithms, while providing a stepping stone for testing future developments, and ensuring reproducibility of methods across various research groups and applications.

BackgroundArtificial intelligence as a medical device (AIaMD) has the potential to transform many aspects of ophthalmic care, such as improving accuracy and speed of diagnosis, addressing capacity issues in high-volume areas such as screening, and detecting novel biomarkers of systemic disease in the eye (oculomics). In order to ensure that such tools are safe for the target population and achieve their intended purpose, it is important that these AIaMD have adequate clinical evaluation to support any regulatory decision. Currently, the evidential requirements for regulatory approval are less clear for AIaMD compared to more established interventions such as drugs or medical devices. There is therefore value in understanding the level of evidence that underpins AIaMD currently on the market, as a step toward identifying what the best practices might be in this area. In this systematic scoping review, we will focus on AIaMD that contributes to clinical decision-making (relating to screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment) in the context of ophthalmic imaging. ObjectiveThis study aims to identify regulator-approved AIaMD for ophthalmic imaging in Europe, Australia, and the United States; report the characteristics of these devices and their regulatory approvals; and report the available evidence underpinning these AIaMD. MethodsThe Food and Drug Administration (United States), the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (Australia), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom), and the European Database on Medical Devices (European Union) regulatory databases will be searched for ophthalmic imaging AIaMD through a snowballing approach. PubMed and clinical trial registries will be systematically searched, and manufacturers will be directly contacted for studies investigating the effectiveness of eligible AIaMD. Preliminary regulatory database searches, evidence searches, screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment will be undertaken by 2 independent review authors and arbitrated by a third at each stage of the process. ResultsPreliminary searches were conducted in February 2023. Data extraction, data synthesis, and assessment of methodological quality commenced in October 2023. The review is on track to be completed and submitted for peer review by April 2024. ConclusionsThis systematic review will provide greater clarity on ophthalmic imaging AIaMD that have achieved regulatory approval as well as the evidence that underpins them. This should help adopters understand the range of tools available and whether they can be safely incorporated into their clinical workflow, and it should also support developers in navigating regulatory approval more efficiently. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/52602

The LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter search aims to achieve a sensitivity to the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross-section down to (1–2)×10−12 pb at a WIMP mass of 40 GeV/c2. This paper describes the simulations framework that, along with radioactivity measurements, was used to support this projection, and also to provide mock data for validating reconstruction and analysis software. Of particular note are the event generators, which allow us to model the background radiation, and the detector response physics used in the production of raw signals, which can be converted into digitized waveforms similar to data from the operational detector. Inclusion of the detector response allows us to process simulated data using the same analysis routines as developed to process the experimental data.

Health and safety concerns and universal restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic lead to an increase in remote internships in the human services field. This was the first experience for many human services graduate and undergraduate programs with this type of internship placement. An initial study conducted during the summer of 2021 found that participants had mixed feelings about remote internships and were unsure of its role in the future. This study investigates the attitudes of faculty, students, and human services professionals on remote internships and their role in the human services field approximately a year and half after the initial study and three years after lockdown measures were put in place in March 2020. Flexibility and cost-effectiveness continue to be the most frequently noted strengths of remote internships, making the argument as a more equitable option for students, while the biggest challenge remained the lack of in-person interactions both with clients and colleagues. Findings indicate that human services programs are continuing to offer remote internships and most participants believe that they will play a significant role in the future. This study adds to the discussion about the role remote internships will play in a post-pandemic society, a society that is currently experiencing major transitions in the fields of human services and in higher education. As students call for more flexible learning modalities and human services education programs assess remote and hybrid internships models as viable options for their students, there is also a critical need to identify best practices in the implementation and support of these types of learning experiences.

Researchers are beginning to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on island populations, but little is known about the experiences of the residents of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in the Northeast region of the United States. In this study, islanders (N=41) provide insight into how spending time in nature influenced their well-being, especially their mental well-being, during this unprecedented time. For the majority of participants, the influence of nature on their well-being increased during the pandemic. Additionally, participants shared benefits of island living such as isolation from the mainland, as well as challenges such as food and supply shortages. Results from this study indicate that further research is needed around the importance of nature on well-being, especially mental health, for island residents.