Direct Contact Research Articles

Effect of Climatological Factors on the Horizontal Accuracy of Photogrammetric Products Obtained with UAV

The use of UAVs (drones) and photogrammetry has gained attention in recent years in the construction industry, allowing information to be obtained from a given area without having direct contact with the area, and thus, being a more efficient alternative in terms of time and costs when compared to a traditional topographic survey. Due to the increase in the use of UAVs for photogrammetry, an investigation is proposed to determine the influence of a non-controllable component in photogrammetric flights: the weather. Factors such as brightness, temperature, wind, KP index, and solar radiation affect the precision and quality of the images to be used in photogrammetry. This research determines which factors are most influential in these results through a varied database obtained over a year. In this way, the moments with the most favorable conditions for a photogrammetric flight in climates such as that of the city of Lima or similar are established. A total of 448 flights carried out over a year were analyzed, collecting climatic data such as air temperature, speed and wind direction, solar radiation, and KP index. The flights, which were carried out with a Mavic 2 Pro UAV, were carried out at 100 m high and with a camera at 90° to obtain detailed information on the works.

BN SO28 - Dual Mesh Technique in Revisional Complex Laparoscopic Repair of Recurrent Paraesophageal Hernia (PEH)

Abstract Background Mesh Augmentation in laparoscopic repair of complex PEH has been an ongoing debate with regards to its risk profile and success rate in reducing hernia recurrence.1 There have been concerns regarding the deployment of non-absorbable mesh around the hiatus resulting in erosion and stricture, which may lead to oesophagectomy or gastrectomy.2 Absorbable mesh has been introduced with appealing advantages of lower mesh-related morbidities, however its high cost and unclear long-term durability remains questionable for its role as an ideal mesh.2 Method This is the case of a 65-year-old patient with chronic reflux symptoms undergoing revisional complex laparoscopic repair of recurrent type 4 PEH. The focus of this video is using a dual mesh technique involving fixation of a non-absorbable synthetic mesh at least 15mm from the oesophageal wall, reinforced with placement of an absorbable biosynthetic mesh which is in contact with the hiatus boundary. Results With regards to position of the permanent synthetic mesh, direct contact with the oesophagogastric wall should be avoided due to complications secondary to erosions and strictures. The deployment of a second mesh of absorbable material is preferred in this patient for hiatal reinforcement to reduce risk of recurrence due to friability of adjacent tissues. Conclusion The dual mesh technique aims to overcome the limitations of both types of mesh materials while preserving their individual benefits, expectantly reducing recurrence.

Alignment of Audiologists' Values With Best-Practice Standards: Insights From a National Survey.

Previous research documented the values of audiology through a qualitative content analysis of documents representing traditional, best-practice hearing health care. The primary objective of this study was to validate the existing list of audiology values. Through a nationwide survey, this study aimed to elicit the values of practicing audiologists, with a specific focus on the prescription and dispensing of amplification devices, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their priorities. Additionally, this study sought to identify any values missing from the original list and determine the rank order importance of these values, comparing this to the prioritization of values found in best-practice audiology documents. This comparison aimed to assess the alignment of recommended guidelines and real-world practices in hearing health care. An online survey was distributed to audiologists to elicit the prioritization of values from hearing health care providers. Participants were tasked with sorting and ranking 18 items, each representing a specific value in hearing health care, based on importance. Respondents were encouraged to suggest and rank the importance of additional values not included in the list. Audiologists were recruited from professional association mailing lists and direct contact. Respondent demographics were representative of U.S. audiologists. Qualitative content analysis was used to interpret values suggested by audiologists. Kendall's rank distance test was used to compare values prioritization between audiologists and best-practice audiology documents. After filtering out incomplete or disqualifying responses, data from 289 audiologists across 46 states were analyzed. Additional values suggested by respondents aligned with existing values from best-practice documents; thus, no new values were added as a result of this study. A ranked list of values based on mean order of importance was elicited from U.S.-based audiologists. There was substantial agreement between survey results and the rank order of values found in best-practice audiology documents. A demographic subgroup analysis revealed a broad agreement among audiologists in the rank order of values. This study validated a comprehensive list of values in audiology and identified the rank order of values among a nationally representative sample of audiologists. The findings provide a foundation for future investigations into how these values influence decision-making processes for individuals with hearing difficulty. Addressing values conflicts as potential barriers to hearing health care usage can lead to solutions aligned with values of specific populations, ultimately improving the adoption and effectiveness of hearing health care interventions. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27478149.

Evaluating the Antifungal Potential of Cinnamaldehyde: A Study of its Efficacy against Candida Species

Candida species exist as commensals in nature, colonizing the mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract, vagina as well as the skin and usually cause infections in immunocompromised patients. C. albicans are known to be the most prevalent Candida species associated with infections, while there has been a significant surge in the incidence of Non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCAC) recently. The recent occurrences of the antifungal resistance in Candida, especially in NCAC species are quite alarming which raises the need for a safe and efficient alternative antimycotic drug. This study analyses the efficacy of cinnamaldehyde against Candida species, which is known to cause the majority of the fungal infections in humans. Cinnamaldehyde is a natural antimicrobial compound derived from cinnamon and has demonstrated significant antimycotic properties. Antifungal susceptibility profiles of cinnamaldehyde against Candida species were studied by disc diffusion as well as by broth microdilution assays. The mean diameter of the inhibition zone (IZ) formed by direct contact and disc volatilization assays were 61.26 mM and 65.20 mM, respectively. Both the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of cinnamaldehyde ranged from 16-256 mg/L with mean MIC of 60.61 mg/L and a mean MFC of 81.94 mg/L. Co-incubation of Candida cells with cinnamaldehyde resulted in the loss of viable cells within 4 hours of incubation. Cinnamaldehyde was found to exhibit both fungistatic and fungicidal properties, making it a potent natural alternative for conventional antifungal agents.

An Experience on Capitalism in Post Covid-19 times: The Case of Vollepension Restaurants

Abstract: In 2024 many questions are made about the future of the Capitalist system. Extreme views as total anarchy and total dirigisme exist. However, practical examples of ways of going beneath and over the traditional market system based in supply, demand, price and quantity are scarce. It is in this context that the Vollepension experience on restaurants management in Austria is amazingly relevant. In this restaurant and for a certain time, during the Summer of 2023, products had no price, because "someone already paid your lunch before". This way of acting is called “Pay-it-First” (PIF) and has been already analysed in the core of the “Gift Economy”. In order to study this mentioned case, first we performed a literature review on SCOPUS database about the “PIF concept”, then we used published data in the internet about Vollepension and direct contacts with the restaurant to describe the experience, finally we discussed the case in the context of the theory We concluded that PIF is a very significant alternative to traditional capitalism and it might drive societies to a new and innovative way of managing Capitalism. This paper has the limitation of being centred in a single organisation although we mention other cases in the literature review. Finally we believe that researchers in management should pay attention to this innovative initiative as in the 21st century societies are trying to find alternative ways of living and existence.

Adenoviral delivery of the CIITA transgene induces T-cell-mediated killing in glioblastoma organoids.

The immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment poses a significant challenge to effective immunotherapies against glioblastoma (GB). Boosting the immune response is critical for successful therapy. Here, we adopted a cancer gene therapy approach to induce T-cell-mediated killing of the tumor through increased activation of the immune system. Patient-based three-dimensional (3D) GB models were infected with a replication-deficient adenovirus (AdV) armed with the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) transactivator (CIITA) gene (Ad-CIITA). Successful induction of surface MHC-II was achieved in infected GB cell lines and primary human GB organoids. Infection with an AdV carrying a mutant form of CIITA with a single amino acid substitution resulted in cytoplasmic accumulation of CIITA without subsequent MHC-II expression. Co-culture of infected tumor cells with either peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or isolated T-cells led to dramatic breakdown of GB organoids. Intriguingly, both wild-type and mutant Ad-CIITA, but not unarmed AdV, triggered immune-mediated tumor cell death in the co-culture system, suggesting an at least partially MHC-II-independent process. We further show that the observed cancer cell killing requires the presence of either CD8+ or CD4+ T-cells and direct contact between GB and immune cells. We did not, however, detect evidence of activation of canonical T-cell-mediated cell death pathways. Although the precise mechanism remains to be determined, these findings highlight the potential of AdV-mediated CIITA delivery to enhance T-cell-mediated immunity against GB.

EGS SO06 - Emergency provision for Oesophago-Gastric Surgery in the United Kingdom: A National Survey

Abstract Background Oesophagogastric (OG) emergency conditions may require specialised intervention in centralised OG cancer surgery units. Recently published AUGIS OG commissioning guidance recommends OG units provide 24/7 on-call cover for internal and external OG emergency referrals with a formalised rota. However, there may be widespread inconsistent provision of OG emergency services across United Kingdom (UK) regions with significant workforce, capacity, and funding challenges. This may lead to barriers to provision of on-call OG services. Currently there is no research that establishes current OG on-call coverage or explores OG surgeons’ perceptions and attitudes towards providing this service. Method An 11-item electronic questionnaire was developed at an OG cancer unit to identify OG consultant emergency on-call coverage at NHS OG cancer units in the UK. The questionnaire was initially piloted among OG surgeons for refinement and subsequently disseminated through professional networks (AUGIS), direct contact, and snowballing. It was active for three weeks in January 2024. Secondary outcomes included: identifying barriers to providing an emergency OG service; defining the scope of conditions acceptable for transfer; understanding current referral mechanisms and examining OG consultant attitudes and perceptions towards providing an on-call OG service. Results 71 consultant OG surgeons from 26 UK OG cancer units responded (Figure 1). 61% (n=43) report participating in a 24/7 formalised emergency OG on-call rota, staffed by a median of 5 (range 3-8) surgeons. Among the nine respondents from three centres without a formal OG emergency service, all cited limited funding as the primary barrier. Only 31% (n=19) used auditable referral mechanisms like email or online systems. 97% percent (n=69) of respondents perceive an OG emergency service to be beneficial for patients, and 86% (n=61) agreed it should be nationally mandated for OG cancer units to provide a 24/7 service. Conclusion Consultant OG surgeons recognize the importance of delivering high-quality OG emergency services. However, the data indicates inconsistent delivery across the UK. Given the seriousness of OG emergencies, mandatory provision of this service with appropriate funding and remuneration is essential. Several workforce challenges, including potential impacts on OG cancer resection volume and provision of General Surgical on-call, need to be addressed. Ultimately, patients require timely and specialised intervention. As one respondent emphasized: "A situation where surgeons in non-OG centres can spend a whole night ringing around various OG centres looking for help with a Boerhaave perforation is unacceptable."

Abstract 4120312: Patient Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cascade Testing Through the Lens of the Socio-Ecological Model

Background: Low uptake of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) cascade testing, the stepwise identification of at-risk relatives, leads to missed opportunities for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention. The IMPACT-FH study offered strategies (packet, chatbot, and direct contact) to support FH cascade testing. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that IMPACT-FH strategies would facilitate cascade testing uptake and overcome persistent barriers to cascade testing. Aim: We aimed to understand barriers and facilitators to FH cascade testing in the context of the socio-ecological model (SEM) which provides a framework to examine the interconnected influences of intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy levels. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with IMPACT-FH study participants. The SEM informed qualitative analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to FH cascade testing. Results: A total of 15 FH probands (initial family member tested) and 12 relatives were interviewed, of whom the majority (59%) were female with an average age of 55.7 years. All relatives completed cascade testing. At the interpersonal level, probands reported that relatives’ attitudes about high cholesterol, including seriousness and treatability, were a barrier or facilitator to cascade testing. Probands explained how relatives’ beliefs were informed by interactions with their clinicians and societal beliefs about cholesterol (i.e., medication stigma). Interpersonally, probands described challenges overcoming relatives’ beliefs and a reluctance to encourage relatives to complete testing despite the availability of novel strategies. Probands and relatives reported that insurance policies and concerns about testing costs informed cascade testing decision-making. Institutional strategies to provide low-cost testing and cost transparency were described as facilitators. Variable access to clinicians with genetics expertise and licensure laws were described as barriers by out-of-state relatives. Probands and relatives agreed that strategies providing direct access genetics expertise (i.e., direct contact, chatbot) helped address these barriers. Conclusion: The IMPACT-FH study ameliorated barriers at higher levels of the SEM related to access to genetics expertise and cost. Intra- and interpersonal barriers remained challenging to overcome. To improve FH detection and ASCVD prevention, it is important to address barriers at all levels of the SEM.

Skin Sensitization Potential of Sensitizers in the Presence of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro

Silica (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in dermal products. Their skin sensitization potential, especially their effects in combination with known sensitizers, is poorly studied in vitro and their sensitization inconsistently reported in animal studies. In this study, cellular assays were used to identify different steps of sensitization, the activation of keratinocytes and dendritic cells, when cells were exposed to these NPs in the absence and presence of sensitizers. Cellular systems included HaCaT keratinocytes and U937 (U-SENS™) alone, as well as different co-culture systems of THP-1 cells with HaCaT cells (COCAT) and with primary keratinocytes. The effect of NPs differed between co-cultures and U-SENS™, whereas co-cultures with either primary keratinocytes or HaCaT cells responded similarly. Pre-exposure to ZnO NPs increased the U-SENS™ assay response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene six-fold. The COCAT increase was maximally four-fold for the combination of SiO2 and trans cinnamaldehyde. When the THP-1 cells were separated from the keratinocytes by a membrane, the response of the co-culture system was more similar to U-SENS™. The direct contact with keratinocytes decreased the modulating effect of TiO2 and ZnO NPs but suggested an increase in response to sensitizers following dermal contact with SiO2 NPs.

Modern concepts on the mechanisms of endovasal laser coagulation in varicose vein disease

Mechanisms of endovasal laser coagulation (EVLC) applied in varicose vein disease are not fully understood.Purpose. To analyze currently applied EVLC mechanisms so as to prevent hemorrhagic complications and paresthesia caused by these mechanisms.Methods. This review analyses modern theories on EVLC mechanisms when applied in varicose vein disease in the lower extremities.Results. Published experimental and clinical trials, including histological ones, have shown that the degree of vein damage during EVLC session depends on many factors, such as wavelength, intensity, and optical fiber speed. Damage to veins during EVLC procedure depends on various factors, such as direct contact of the vein wall with an optical fiber tip, carbonization of blood elements leading to the increased intravenous blood temperature and to the formation of gas bubbles as well as heat convection on the vein wall through the blood.Conclusion. Destruction of the vein wall during EVLC procedure is the result of a synergistic effect of various damaging factors. Currently, 2-μm laser irradiation is being implemented into clinical practice. This technique provides better vein coagulation under less power values which promotes less postoperative complications.

Tissue-probe contact assessment during robotic surgery using single-fiber reflectance spectroscopy

The introduction of robotic surgery has improved minimally invasive surgery, and now robotic surgery is used in several areas of surgical oncology. Several optical techniques can be used to discriminate cancer from healthy tissue based on their optical properties. These technologies can also be employed with a small fiber-optic probe during minimally invasive surgery; however, for acquiring reliable measurements, some optical techniques require the fiber-optic probe to be in direct contact with the tissue. The lack of tactile feedback in robotic surgery makes assessing tissue-probe contact suitable for optical contact measurements challenging for the surgeon. In this study, we investigated the use of single fiber reflectance (SFR) to determine tissue-probe contact adequately. A machine learning-based algorithm was developed to classify if direct tissue-probe contact was present during the measurement in an ex-vivo tissue setup. Using this classification algorithm, an average accuracy of 93.9% was achieved for assessing probe-tissue contact, suggesting that this technique can be utilized to assess tissue-probe contact in an in vivo clinical setting.

Effects of vertical forest stratification on precipitation material redistribution and ecosystem health of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China.

Vertical stratification of forest plays important roles in the local material balance and in maintaining forest health by distributing and redistributing precipitation materials through adsorption, fixation, and release. Differences in runoff nutrient concentrations among vertical layers are closely related to vertical stratification (factors such as the trunk, canopy, forest litter, and soil physical and chemical properties). Long-term forest observations revealed significant spatial differences in Pinus massoniana (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forests in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. Pinus massoniana forests on downslopes were characterized by a dense canopy, green needles, and rich forest vegetation, while those on upslopes were characterized by low vegetation cover, dead trees, and decreases in the tree height, diameter at breast height, and volume per plant with increasing slope. By analyzing the soil at different sites, we found that the pH of the forest land soil differed significantly among different slope positions. Soil on upper slopes was significantly more acidic than soil on lower slopes, indicating that acidic substances were intercepted by filtration through the broad litter layer and the soil surface layer. This filtration process resulted in a normal rhizosphere environment suitable for the absorption of nutrients by vegetation on the lower slopes. In this way, downhill sites provided a good microenvironment for the growth of Pinus massoniana and other vegetation. Our results show that direct contact between needles and acid rain was not the main cause of root death. Instead, the redistribution of rainfall substances by forest spatial stratification caused changes in the soil microenvironment, which inhibited the absorption of nutrients by the roots of Pinus massoniana and the growth of understory plants in Pinus massoniana forests on upper slopes. These findings emphasize that increasing land cover with forests with vertical structural stratification plays an important role in woodland material redistribution and forest conservation.

TMIC-25. MICROGLIA IN THE GLIOBLASTOMA MICROENVIRONMENT SECRETE ACETYLATED AMINO ACIDS WHICH ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF RADIATION INDUCED DNA DAMAGE

Abstract Rapid repair of DNA damage mediates genotoxic therapy resistance and poor prognosis in glioblastoma (GBM). The GBM tumor microenvironment (TME) is heterogenous, and we hypothesized that non-malignant cells support the repair of DNA damage in glioblastoma cells. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that GBM tumors grown intracranially in mice had rapid DNA repair and were resistant to radiation compared to tumors of identical genotype grown extracranially in mouse flanks. Further interrogation of irradiated intracranial tumors using gamma-H2AX immunofluorescence revealed spatial heterogeneity in DNA damage repair, with spatially separate regions of rapid and slow gamma-H2AX resolution. Paired spatial transcriptomic analysis and gamma-H2AX immunofluorescence showed that tumor regions with rapid DNA repair were rich in microglia. Having nominated microglia from these results, we cocultured GBM cells and microglia in direct contact as well as in transwell coculture. We found that GBM cells cocultured with microglia repair DNA damage faster in a contact-independent manner. We then assessed the supernatant metabolome of microglia and GBM monocultures and cocultures and found that acetylated amino acids are secreted by microglia and consumed by GBM cells. Supplementation with acetylated amino acids promotes radiation resistance by speeding the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage. Mechanistically, acetylated amino acid supplementation allows glioma cells to re-route glucose utilization away from the TCA cycle and towards nucleotide synthesis. Hence, we show that microglia in the GBM microenvironment assist GBM cells to repair radiation induced DNA damage by secreting acetylated amino acids which are consumed by GBM cells and used to fuel the TCA cycle allowing utilization of glucose for nucleotide synthesis, thereby making the GBM cells resistant to radiation therapy.

EXTH-76. REDIRECTING STROMAL CELLS TO IGNITE ANTI-TUMOR IMMUNITY AGAINST GLIOBLASTOMA

Abstract BACKGROUND The dismal prognosis of high-grade gliomas demands novel treatment approaches. Through the development of a novel mRNA lipid particle aggregate (RNA-LPA) vaccine, our lab has shown anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical murine studies and promising immunological responses in canine glioma models and human studies (Cell. 2024 May 9;187(10):2521-2535.e21). The translational potential necessitates further investigating the immune activation mechanism to allow greater applicability of this therapy in the future. OBJECTIVE We sought to unravel mechanistic cross-talk for immune initiation following intravenous administration of RNA-LPAs. METHODS We used Ai14 reporter mice to determine RNA-LPA transfected cellular subsets and dual reporter mice to assess cellular infiltration into murine glioma models. Murine gliomas were generated via implantation of K2 or KR158b-luc cell lines. RESULTS Following intravenous administration, we found fibroblastic reticular cells in secondary lymphoid organs take up RNA-LPAs. We show that FRCs have direct contact with antigen presenting cells and mediate release of full-length proteins following RNA-LPA transfection. Similar to the periphery, there is transfection of stromal cells in the brain tumor microenvironment (TME) and recruitment of infiltrating leukocytes. In response to RNA-LPAs, transfected stromal cells release type I interferon (IFN-I), which is requisite for anti-tumor efficacy. IFN-I mediates upregulation of CD69 on lymphocytes leading to sequestration following co-localization with RNA-LPAs. IFN-I is necessary for LFA-I expression on T cells, which is important for T cell trafficking across the blood-brain barrier. In preclinical models to track antigen specific immunity, we find systemic RNA administration elicits an increase in tumor reactive T cells with decreased S1P1 expression suggestive of a ‘locked-in’ response within the TME. CONCLUSION While stromal cells are regulatory niches in glioblastoma ecosystems, we show they can be leveraged for immunologic cross-talk that facilitates T cell recruitment, trafficking and sequestration in the TME critical for immunologic reprogramming and long-lasting immunotherapy.

The metabolic burden associated with plasmid acquisition: An assessment of the unrecognized benefits to host cells.

Bacterial conjugation, wherein DNA is transferred between cells through direct contact, is highly prevalent in complex microbial communities and is responsible for spreading myriad genes related to human and environmental health. Despite their importance, much remains unknown regarding the mechanisms driving the spread and persistence of these plasmids in situ. Studies have demonstrated that transferring, acquiring, and maintaining a plasmid imposes a significant metabolic burden on the host. Simultaneously, emerging evidence suggests that the presence of a conjugative plasmid can also provide both obvious and unexpected benefits to their host and local community. Combined, this highlights a continuous cost-benefit tradeoff at the population level, likely contributing to overall plasmid abundance and long-term persistence. Yet, while the metabolic burdens of plasmid conjugation, and their causes, are widely studied, their attendant potential advantages are less clear. Here, we summarize current perspectives on conjugative plasmids' metabolic burden and then highlight the lesser-appreciated yet critical benefits that plasmid-mediated metabolic burdens may provide. We argue that this largely unexplored tradeoff is critical to both a fundamental theory of microbial populations and engineering applications and therefore warrants further detailed study.

Development of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) Loads in Pigs and Pig Stables During the Fattening Period

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is widespread in European pig production and poses an occupational hazard to farm workers and their household members. Farm workers are exposed to LA-MRSA through direct contact with pigs and airborne transmission, enabling bacteria to be carried home in the nose or on the skin. Consequently, it is important to consider LA-MRSA in a one-health context, studying human exposure by examining LA-MRSA levels in pigs, air, and dust in the farm environment. In this investigation, LA-MRSA levels were quantified in nasal swab samples from the pigs, air samples, and dust at three different time points in a farm rearing pigs from approx. 30 kg until slaughter. Sampling was repeated across seven batches of pigs, resulting in the analysis of 504 nasal swab samples, alongside air and dust samples. LA-MRSA was cultured and quantified on MRSA2 agar plates. Findings revealed significant batch-to-batch variation and a significant 94.1% decrease in LA-MRSA levels during the rearing period. Despite this decline, all nasal swab samples tested positive, with the highest level reaching 353,000 cfu in a sample. Among the 42 air samples, LA-MRSA levels were low to moderate, with a maximum of 568 and an average of 63 cfu/m3. In the 28 dust samples collected during the second and third sampling periods, LA-MRSA counts were high, reaching up to 37,272 cfu/g, with an average of 17,185 cfu/g. The results suggest that while LA-MRSA levels in pigs decrease with age, reaching low levels before slaughter, the bacterium remains highly abundant in dust, posing an occupational hazard to farm workers.

The Effect of Emotional Coworker Support on Work Engagement Among Pediatric Health Care Providers: The Mediator Role of Emotional Regulation.

Previous findings demonstrated that healthcare workers with a high level of social support are likely to engage in their work. Healthcare workers are not only engaged in the physical problems of their patients but also in their emotional difficulties. Pediatric professionals must express and regulate their own emotions during their interactions with young patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of coworkers' emotional support on healthcare workers' work engagement in pediatric healthcare settings and the emotional regulation mechanisms by which emotional coworker support leads to work engagement. A cross-sectional study was distributed in a Belgian pediatric hospital between October 2021 and December 2021. The sample consisted of 274 healthcare workers who were in direct contact with patients. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of measures of coworker emotional support, work engagement, emotional suppression, and cognitive reevaluation. Emotional suppression partially mediated the effects of perceived emotional coworker support on work engagement. Coworkers' emotional support fosters work engagement by reducing the negative effects of emotional suppression. Moreover, cognitive evaluation was positively associated with work engagement. These results provide insight into the influence of perceived emotional coworkers, emotional suppression, and cognitive reevaluation on work engagement.

PYRAMID CHANNEL-BASED FEATURE ATTENTION NETWORK WITH ENSEMBLE LEARNING-BASED UAV IMAGE CLASSIFICATION ON IoT-ASSISTED REMOTE SENSING ENVIRONMENT

Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), otherwise recognized as drones, have tremendous promise in improving the wide-ranging applications of the Internet of Things (IoT). UAV image classification using deep learning (DL) is an amalgamation to modernize data analysis, collection, and decision-making in a variety of sectors. IoT devices collect information in real time, while remote sensing captures data afar without direct contact. UAVs equipped with sensors offer high-quality images for classification tasks. DL techniques, especially the convolutional neural networks (CNNs), analyze data streams, extracting complicated features for the accurate classification of objects or environmental features. This synergy enables applications including urban planning and precision agriculture, fostering smarter disaster response, decision support systems, and efficient resource management. This paper introduces a novel Pyramid Channel-based Feature Attention Network with an Ensemble Learning-based UAV Image Classification (PCFAN-ELUAVIC) technique in an assisted remote sensing environment. The PCFAN-ELUAVIC technique begins with the contrast enhancement of the UAV images using the CLAHE technique. Following that, the feature vectors are derived by the use of the PCFAN model. Meanwhile, the hyperparameter tuning procedure is executed by the inclusion of a vortex search algorithm (VSA). For image classification, the PCFAN-ELUAVIC technique comprises an ensemble of three classifiers like long short-term memory (LSTM), graph convolutional networks (GCNs), and Hermite neural network (HNN). To exhibit the improved detection results of the PCFAN-ELUAVIC system, an extensive range of experiments are carried out. The experimental values confirmed the enhanced performance of the PCFAN-ELUAVIC model when compared to other techniques.

The Resident Scholars Program for Workforce Diversity: A Qualitative Study About Supporting Family Medicine Abortion Providers

Background and Objectives: While workforce diversity helps mitigate health inequities, few initiatives support prospective abortion providers who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM). To address this issue, Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine established the Resident Scholars Program for Workforce Diversity (RSPWD), a year-long program for URiM and other Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) residents committed to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) provision. Program elements include: (a) mentorship by BIPOC family physicians; (b) virtual didactic sessions about SRH integration into primary care, advocacy, leadership, reproductive justice, and patient-centered care; (3) conference sponsorship; and (4) community-building among residents and mentors. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with the program’s first cohort of residents and mentors to examine perspectives about program successes and needed improvements. We used a semistructured interview guide along with a direct contact analysis approach. Results: We interviewed eight scholars and four mentors. From the interviews, we gleaned data on three main themes: (a) value of mentorship, (b) importance of community, and (c) program improvement suggestions. Scholars expressed appreciation for SRH mentorship from BIPOC mentors who had lived experiences similar to their own, noted the mentorship’s importance for career-building, and spoke positively of their sense of safe community among all program participants. Respondents shared suggestions for improved scheduling and requested better guidance for navigating the mentee–mentor relationship. Conclusions: The RSPWD success is reflected in the enthusiasm and gratitude for the program and the resulting mentorship and community that fostered supportive personal and professional relationships, including career opportunities. When considering the importance yet dearth of workforce diversification in family medicine, this program offers a promising model for supporting a more diverse and representative future SRH workforce that may apply to other family medicine clinical niches.

Metronidazole-laden silk fibroin methacrylated scaffolds for managing periapical lesions.

This study aimed to develop and characterize silk fibroin methacrylated/SilkMA electrospun scaffolds associated with metronidazole/MET to control infection in root-end resected periapical lesions while supporting bone regeneration. SilkMA-based formulations (10% w/v) incorporating MET (0-control; 5, 15, or 30% w/w) were electrospun into fibrous scaffolds and photocrosslinked. Scaffolds' morphology, chemical composition, swelling/degradation profiles, mechanical properties, cytocompatibility with alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells/aBMSCs and stem cells from apical papilla/SCAPs, anti-inflammatory potential, and antibacterial efficacy (direct contact assay against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/Aa and Fusobacterium nucleatum/Fn; Aa biofilm model) were assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted using a significance level of 5%. Morphological analysis revealed that MET content influenced fiber diameters post-crosslinking, while the chemical composition analysis confirmed MET integration within the scaffolds. 30%MET-laden scaffolds demonstrated reduced swelling capacity compared to SilkMA/control scaffolds, while complete degradation was observed after 42days for the formulated scaffolds. Mechanical testing indicated enhanced stiffness and tensile strength in 30%MET-laden scaffolds compared to SilkMA/control (p < 0.05). Cytocompatibility evaluations showed non-cytotoxic effects across all formulations for aBMSCs and SCAPs. Anti-inflammatory assays demonstrated decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 synthesis by aBMSCs treated with SilkMA + MET30% and Escherichia coli LPS, comparable to negative control (p > 0.05). Antibacterial efficacy assays revealed significant inhibition of Aa and Fn, with 30%MET-laden scaffolds demonstrating biofilm inhibition against Aa (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the potential of SilkMA scaffolds laden with MET as a promising strategy for managing periapical lesions, offering enhanced structural support, antimicrobial properties, and biocompatibility crucial for effective tissue regeneration and infection control after endodontic surgery.