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A Sudden Fine-scale Bright Kernel Captured by Hi-C Flare in 11 MK Emission during an M1.6-class Solar Flare’s Postmaximum Phase
No full textOn 2024 April 17, the third successful Hi-C sounding rocket flight, Hi-C Flare, recorded coronal images in Fe XXI 129 Å emission from 11 MK plasma during the postmaximum phase of an M1.6-class solar flare, achieving unprecedented spatial (∼300 km) and temporal (1.3 s) resolutions. The flare started at 21:55 UT, peaked at 22:08 UT, and lasted ∼40 minutes. Hi-C observed for over 5 minutes (22:15:45–22:21:25), starting roughly 8 minutes after flare maximum. A sudden compact bright burst—875 ± 25 km wide, lasting 90 ± 1.3 s, exhibiting a proper motion of ∼ 50 km s−1, and splitting into two toward the end—occurs near the foot of some postflare loops. Its size and brightness are reminiscent of flare-ribbon kernels during a flare’s rapid rise phase, kernels marking sites of sudden heating and hot plasma upflow, making its occurrence during the late phase surprising. Such isolated brightenings in a flare’s postmaximum phase are rare and have not been previously reported. The kernel was detected in all Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly channels. Its 1600 Å light curve peaked ∼50 s earlier than its 131 Å light curve, similar to that of flare-ribbon kernels, albeit with a smaller delay of ∼25 s, during the impulsive phase of the flare. In SDO/Helioseismic Magnetic Imager magnetograms, the kernel sits in unipolar positive magnetic flux near an embedded clump of negative flux. Although localized magnetic reconnection within the kernel (a microflare) cannot be ruled out for its cause, the observations favor the localized brightening being an isolated, exceptionally late flare-ribbon kernel, resulting from an exceptionally late burst of the flare’s coronal reconnection
Navigating creativity, technology, and human-centred learning: An open, collaborative education community reflection
No full textWe live in a postdigital world - a messy and paradoxical condition of art and media after a series of digital technology revolutions (Anderson et al., 2014, cited in Jandrić et al., 2018). ‘Postdigital’ does not mean that we have moved beyond the influence of technology, but rather we exist in a digitally saturated landscape where it no longer makes sense to distinguish, say, between education and so-called Technology Enhanced Education. Technology is a fact of our educational lives. This paper examines the postdigital classroom as a dynamic space where technology is not merely adopted for its own sake but thoughtfully integrated to foster equitable, student-centred learning. Through provocative vignettes, the authors critically explore the interplay between digital tools and hands-on, embodied practices such as making, drawing, and play. They advocate for a reimagined postdigital classroom - one that is flexible, inclusive, and co-created by educators, technologists - and students. By striking a balance between technological innovation and human creativity, this vision moves beyond passive digital transformation toward a future where education is imaginative, adaptive, and deeply humane
Culpeper versus physicians: deficiencies in the London Pharmacopoeia, his commentary and their responses
No full textNicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) achieved notoriety for his translation into English of the pharmacopoeia of the College of Physicians of London during a suspension of censorship after the Civil War, which included many scurrilous comments about the College. In this second article of a comparative textual study, I analyse Culpeper’s main lines of critique regarding the book’s compound remedies ‐ their cost, the practicality of instructions for making them up and the safety of certain opiated medicines and drastic purgative formulas ‐ and compare this text with a later expurgated version of 1661 aimed at physicians by Culpeper’s publisher Peter Cole. This version had been revised by three physicians (the ‘medical editors’) who deleted Culpeper’s most hostile entries, modified others but let some criticisms stand. The aim is to explore in depth for the first time what Culpeper originally wrote during the Interregnum and how these observations were received in Restoration England in this evaluation of mid‐seventeenth‐century recipes. Culpeper criticised the costly ingredients of some medicines required by the College, questioned the soundness of their instructions for making up others and warned his readers about dangerous preparations; the medical editors brought their experience to bear in comments on the range of compound medicines and countered Culpeper’s fear-mongering over their safety
Fabricated or Induced Illness in England: Examining Mortality and Serious Harm
No full textThe term Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) has been used in England since 2002 to cover a situation in which a parent or carer exaggerates the child’s symptoms, or deliberately causes illness in their child, to convince medical professionals that their child is ill. There is an absence of published evidence on its incidence, prevalence, and on the alerting signs used to identify it. This study examined mortality and morbidity in England due to FII by analysing serious case reviews (SCRs) published from 2010 to 2021. During this twelve-year period there were no reported deaths of children in England due to FII in the SCRs nor in a literature review. In the rare cases which found serious harm the study suggests that strengthening standard medical practices rather than searching for evidence of parental culpability might have provided better outcomes for the children. The paper calls for guidance on FII which suggests there are high rates of mortality and morbidity to be re-evaluated
Pre-transplant and transplant parameters predict long-term survival after hematopoietic cell transplantation using machine learning
No full textBackground
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem transplantation (allo-HSCT) constitutes a curative treatment for various hematological malignancies. However, various complications limit the therapeutic efficacy of this approach, increasing the morbidity and decreasing the overall survival of allo-HSCT recipients. In everyday clinical practice, various laboratory and clinical biomarkers and scorning systems have been developed and implemented focusing on the recognition of high-risk patients for organ dysfunction-related complications and those who might experience low overall survival. However, the predictive accuracy of developed scores has been reported deficient in some studies. The aim of the current retrospective study is to develop a machine learning (ML) model to predict the long-term survivorship of patients who receive allo-HSCT based on clinical pre- and post-allo-HSCT variables, and on transplantation-related characteristics.
Methods
For this purpose, a database of 564 allo-HSCT recipients incorporating 16 clinical and laboratory variables and the survivorship status of the patients during follow-up (Alive, Dead, Alive but follow-up less than 24 months) was used. An ML model was developed and tested, based on the previously published Data Ensemble Refinement Greedy Algorithm (DEGRA) algorithm.
Results
A predictive ML model was built with 92.02 % accuracy. The eight parameters included in the algorithm were the following: CD34+ cells infused, patients' age and gender, conditioning regimen toxicity, disease risk index (DRI), graft source, and platelet and neutrophil engraftment.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first AI model incorporating post-HSCT variables for the prediction of mortality in adult HSCT recipients. In the era of precision medicine, the recognition of patients who undergo allo-HSCT and face a great risk for mortality and morbidity, with high-accuracy algorithms is crucial
The relationship between individualised speed thresholds and changes in aerobic fitness in elite professional youth soccer players. A case study
Get PDFBackground: This study aimed to examine the dose-response relationship between training load and aspects of physical fitness in English Premier League (EPL) U23 soccer players. Materials and Methods: Seven male EPL U23 outfield soccer players (age 20.1±1.1 years) participated in this study and performed the Bronco test on five occasions within one season. Individualised running thresholds were employed using maximal aerobic speed (MAS), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) and maximal sprint speed (MSS) values utilising a GPS system. Results: No significant differences in the Bronco performance between the tests (p > 0.05, ES = 0.101) were observed. Distance covered above 30% ASR (r = -0.51) and time spent above 30% ASR (r = -0.54) over a 2-week period displayed a moderate negative linear relationship with Bronco performance. Conclusions: ASR-based training load variables displayed the highest correlations with Bronco results. These findings support practitioners to individualise high-speed running thresholds
The Yemeni genetic structure revealed by the Y chromosome STRs
Get PDFYemen, with its rich historical background and strategic geographical position at a major crossroads of trade and migration, offers an ideal setting for exploring population genetics. This study aimed to develop a Y-STR database for a Yemeni population and compare it with existing regional databases in the Middle East. For this investigation, buccal swabs were collected from 128 unrelated males. Genomic DNA was extracted using the QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit, and Y-chromosomal STR profiling was performed with the AmpFℓSTR® Yfiler™ PCR Amplification Kit to generate haplotype data across 17 Y-STR loci. The final dataset exhibited a haplotype diversity of 0.008 and a discrimination capacity of 0.95. Among the STR loci assessed, DYS458 emerged as the most polymorphic, displaying a gene diversity of 0.87 and accounting for the majority of microvariant alleles (62.5%). Additionally, haplogroup analysis using the NevGen haplogroup predictor tool revealed two predominant haplogroups within this Yemeni population: J1a (59.37%) and E1b1b (21.09%). Comparisons with 52 Middle Eastern populations (encompassing 5,568 individuals) through multidimensional scaling, phylogenetic assessments, admixture analyses, and ancestry variability evaluations collectively underscore the unique genetic landscape of Yemen. Overall, the combined findings indicate evidence of a potential founder effect within the Yemeni population. Taken together, these data not only enrich the forensic and population genetic understanding of the region but also emphasize Yemen’s pivotal role in illuminating migration and demographic processes in the Middle East
The Emerging Metaverse: IEEE ISEMV 2024 Retrospective and Future Directions
No full textAt the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, the metaverse is driving a new technological revolution across industrial applications, entertainment and gaming, transportation, and numerous other sectors
Lutein abates doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity via modulation of Beclin-1/mTOR signaling pathway mediating inhibition of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidonitrergic stress
No full textBackground
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a medication utilized in several solid tumor treatment. However, using it raises the possibility of serious dose-dependent injury to non-target organs such as the testis. Meanwhile, research has shown that the naturally occurring carotenoid lutein, has androgenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is unclear, though, if lutein can lessen the damage that doxorubicin causes on the testicles. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how lutein ameliorated doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats.
Methods
Animals were randomly assigned to four groups and treated with 10 ml, of saline, 15 mg/kg of doxorubicin, 40 mg/kg of lutein and DOX with lutein, respectively. Treatment waas done intraperitoneally for 28 days. Hormonal assay, androgenic enzyme quantification accompanied with antioxidant, apoptotic players, pro-inflammatory cytokine and autophagy mediator assays were done using UV/VIS spectrophotometry, ELISA and histological techniques.
Results
The results showed that doxorubicin caused a dysfunctional pituitary-testicular hormonal axis accompanied with low sperm count and semen quality. Also, oxidative stress leading to activation of autophagy which was accompanied with inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis were all associated with doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity. However, treatment with lutein significantly abated these changes and restored normal testicular functions.
Conclusion
Lutein abated doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity via modulation of Beclin-1/mTOR signaling pathway mediating inhibition of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidonitrergic stress
Challenges and Optimized Approaches in Manual Handling Practice for Patient Positioning Among UK-based Health Care Staff
No full textObjectives
To explore experts’ opinions and health care staff's experiences regarding challenges in patient manual handling and optimized approaches to promote patient safety and reduce the burden on health care staff.
Design
Two-phase study using a semistructured interview and online cross-sectional survey.
Setting
UK-based health care staff.
Participants
Nine manual handling expert interviews 70 UK-based health care workers participated in phase 2.
Interventions
Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically with NVivo software. The phase 2 survey elicited data on the practice areas and challenges for manual handling, analyzed using the inferential statistics of analysis of variance and 2-way Pearson chi-square tests using SPSS software.
Main Outcome Measures
Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire.
Results
Six overarching themes highlighted the major challenges in phase 1: (1) bed mobility; (2) Fowler's position; (3) postural care; (4) repositioning and turning, (5) side-lying; and (6) training issues. Health care staff often lacked adequate skills in these areas. Suggested optimized approaches included involving the patient in their care, time to build rapport, and ensuring realistic, comprehensive training. Findings from phase 2 revealed a high (56.30%) prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, with the majority occurring in the lower back (37.50%). Health care staff with work-related musculoskeletal disorders were not simplifying and splitting the movement/task (P<.001), had a majority caseload of patients with muscle tone issues (P=.043), did not consider supporting patients in symmetric postures (P=.020), and did not receive training on supporting patients in side-lying positions (P=.036).
Conclusions
Health care tasks in bed can be challenging due to the frequent need for being hands-on, more so with marked limitations in training, and poor practice of bed mobility, side-lying, and posture care. There are currently no safe approaches to rolling and turning a completely dependent patient. Optimized approaches were highlighted, including using low-tech and commonly available devices such as wedges, slide sheet systems, hoists, and firm support surfaces, as well as ergonomically safe handling techniques. Optimized positioning techniques currently lack empirical evidence, and UK-based health care staff showed low awareness of their practice. The future phase of this work will evaluate the ergonomics of these optimized approaches as single-handed care implementation with a 4-way slide sheet with hooks attached to mobile hoists for patient sliding, turning, and repositioning into side-lying. Findings from the study will aim toward improving manual handling training and practices, thereby reducing sick leaves, injury claims, staff turnovers, early retirement, and the consequent staff shortages with their effect on the quality of health care.
Disclosures
none