Scientific evidence should guide adjustments to isolation policies as part of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exit strategies. However, such evidence was limited when these strategies were implemented. This study retrospectively evaluated the relaxation of isolation policies in South Korea, aiming to generate evidence to support policy decisions in future pandemic scenarios. We developed an age-stratified deterministic vaccination-extended Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered model to simulate counterfactual scenarios related to isolation policy changes during the Omicron wave. Two phases were assessed: partial relaxation of isolation in 2022 and complete lifting of isolation mandates in 2023. Model outputs included confirmed cases and wage loss. Modified cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated as economic savings per additional infection. Moderate shortening of isolation from 10 to 7 days before the epidemic peak was associated with relatively favorable trade-offs between additional infections and wage loss reduction. In contrast, a more aggressive approach, reducing isolation to 5 days, resulted in a substantially higher number of confirmed cases with only marginal additional economic benefit. Delaying full lifting until July 2023, 1 month after the actual policy change, led to smaller and later epidemic peaks and greater economic gains. Our findings suggested that both the timing and extent of isolation policy relaxation significantly influence epidemic dynamics and economic-epidemiologic trade-offs. Scenario-based modeling offers a valuable tool for anticipating trade-offs and informing policy decisions. Strengthening real-time surveillance and predictive modeling infrastructure is critical for an adaptive and balanced pandemic response.

Background: The availability of new topical molecular-targeted therapies, biologics, and oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors has expanded treatment options for pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD). However, real-world prescribing patterns, rationale for use, and challenges in clinical decision-making remain unclear. This study aimed to characterize contemporary management practices and identify barriers to optimal therapy among physicians providing pediatric allergy care in Japan. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional, anonymous online survey of members of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology from July 2025 to August 2025. The questionnaire, developed by AD specialists, captured physician characteristics, treatment strategies, utilization of topical and systemic agents, adverse events, and perceived difficulties in clinical practice. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses. Results: A total of 488 physicians participated. Most were experienced pediatric specialists who reported high adherence to AD guidelines and frequent use of proactive therapy. Difamilast and delgocitinib were widely used among topical nonsteroidal agents. Biologics had been prescribed by 65.6% of respondents and oral JAK inhibitors by 36.1%, although substantial caution was observed. Safety was the primary factor guiding selection between biologics and JAK inhibitors. Many physicians reported difficulty determining appropriate discontinuation timing for systemic therapies. Conclusions: Japanese pediatric allergy physicians actively employ novel topical and systemic therapies but face persistent uncertainty regarding long-term management and treatment discontinuation. Strengthening standardized topical care, clarifying exit strategies for systemic therapy, and enhancing long-term safety data are essential to optimize pediatric AD management.

Use of dogs trained to search for wild boar carcasses in passive surveillance as the most effective tool to control the spread of African swine fever in Poland.

Probing the host cell exit strategy ofBabesia divergens.

ABSTRACT As the decarbonization‐driven energy transition accelerates, land‐intensive renewable energy technologies, and large‐scale solar facilities (LSS) in particular, increasingly compete for rural land. In the Northeast United States, LSS development largely depends on private landowners' decisions to lease land for LSS development. Little research has documented the characteristics of landowners who either agree or refuse to contract with LSS developers nor how they are likely to change their future land management, especially agricultural practices. Drawing on a survey of 1499 rural landowners ( n = 584 responses) conducted in three counties of New York State, currently ranked 8th nationally in solar energy production, but with even more ambitious solar production goals, this study explores landowner beliefs, decision‐making, and intended land management behavior concerning LSS development. Nearly half of respondents had been approached to lease land for LSS development. Farmland owners—compared to landowners who do not own land that is agricultural (henceforth “non‐farmland owners”) were approached to lease more frequently but were less likely to lease if approached. More negative beliefs about LSS, stronger levels of opposition to LSS, and concerns about the solar development company are associated with observed lower rates of leasing among farmland owners. Farmers with LSS leases are three times more likely to indicate that they intend to use solar revenues to continue farming rather than as an agricultural exit strategy. Nearly half do not intend to change their agricultural practices. Based on these results we suggest that—at least in this context—concerns about farmland loss due to LSS may be overstated.

Financial sustainability of the matching grant-supported farming enterprise post-matching grant period for smallholder farmers has been a concern for both international development agencies and the government, considering the financial investment involved. This study explores how farmers and government implementers perceive and construct the sustainability of smallholder enterprises following the conclusion of matching grant support. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions from 19 Participants consisting of farmers and government staff who participated in the implementation of the matching grant program in Chipili district of Zambia. The Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that farmers’ constructions of sustainability are shaped by a combination of social, organizational, and economic factors, including Clearly Defined Tangible Benefits for members, Reliable Markets, Sense of ownership, Strong Leadership and Cohesive Group Dynamics, Effective Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer, Proactive Reinvestment and Diversification, Robust Market Linkages, Value Addition, Meaningful beneficiary contributions, Financial Literacy, Post-Grant Mentorship and Continuous Support. The study underscores the importance of understanding sustainability not merely as a financial outcome but as a socially constructed process, influenced by collective practices, knowledge sharing, and an ongoing support mechanism. The study recommends that farming enterprise supported by the matching grant to be successful and sustainable post-grant, the Ministry of Agriculture should continue to offer post-grant mentorship, enhance market linkages, while international organisations should have a clear project exit strategy and sustainability plan agreed upon by both the government and farmers.

Young people experiencing cyber dating abuse (CDA) often rely on coping strategies that compromise their well-being; however, the relational factors associated with these strategies remain understudied. This study addresses this gap by examining (a) whether higher CDA victimization is associated with lower psychological well-being (PWB) and reduced relationship satisfaction through greater use of the conflict-resolution strategies of exit, loyalty, and neglect; (b) whether lower perceived relational power accounts for the association between CDA victimization and destructive strategies (exit and neglect); and (c) whether the degree of inclusion of the other in the self (IOS) moderates the link between relational power and the exit strategy. Across two cross-sectional studies (N = 618), results showed that frequent CDA victimization was associated with increased use of destructive strategies, which in turn were linked to lower PWB and relationship satisfaction (Studies 1 and 2). Moreover, CDA victimization was related to greater use of destructive strategies through reduced relational power (Study 2). The association between lower relational power and intentions to end the relationship (exit strategy) emerged only among individuals with low IOS (Study 2). These findings advance understanding of relational patterns and dynamics in CDA and inform future research on interventions aimed at enhancing CDA-related knowledge and protective strategies.

Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) often necessitates treatment changes due to safety concerns, inadequate efficacy, or patient-specific factors. While second-line therapies (e.g., natalizumab, ocrelizumab) are effective, real-world evidence on outcomes after switching or discontinuing these therapies are limited, particularly in diverse healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate treatment transition patterns, reasons for discontinuation, and six-month clinical/MRI outcomes in patients with RRMS switching between second-line therapies or discontinuing treatment. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran, including 338 RRMS patients who switched or discontinued second-line therapies including fingolimod, natalizumab, ocrelizumab and rituximab. Clinical and MRI data were collected at baseline (therapy change/discontinuation) and six-month follow-up. Outcomes included relapse frequency, disability progression (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]), and MRI lesion activity. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-tests and descriptive statistics. Among 338 patients (83.1% female, mean age 33.9 years), treatment transitions occurred most frequently to ocrelizumab (42.3%) or rituximab (33.4%). Safety concerns (32.0%), inadequate efficacy (29.9%), tolerability issues (13.6%), and pregnancy planning (8.9%) were primary reasons for therapy changes. Overall paired analyses of EDSS scores showed a strong correlation between pre- and post-switch measurements (r = 0.944, p < 0.001), although the average change for the entire cohort was minimal and not statistically significant. Notably, the subgroup of patients who switched from fingolimod to ocrelizumab demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in EDSS scores, with a mean difference of 0.19 (p = 0.019). Furthermore, among 110 patients whose treatment change was driven solely by inadequate efficacy (e.g., ongoing relapses or poor symptom control), the mean EDSS improved significantly from 2.41 (± 1.74) at baseline to 2.16 (± 1.80) at six months, with a mean difference of 0.25 (p < 0.001) and a strong correlation between baseline and follow-up scores (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). B-cell-depleting therapies, particularly ocrelizumab, may help lower disability in active RRMS, but longer follow-up is needed to confirm sustained benefits. Personalized strategies that balance efficacy, safety, and patient-specific factors (e.g., PML risk, pregnancy) are essential. Although most patients had low baseline disability, which may limit generalizability, these findings still offer real-world insight into treatment transitions. Longer prospective studies are needed to confirm long-term outcomes.

The Ghana Productive Safety Net Project (GPSNP) is one of Ghana’s major social protection initiatives aimed at reducing rural poverty through cash transfers, labour-intensive public works (LIPW), and productive inclusion support. This study assessed the sustainability of GPSNP interventions in the Upper West Region using secondary data from project reports, monitoring and evaluation documents, poverty profiles, and relevant academic literature. Findings revealed that while GPSNP interventions contribute significantly to short-term poverty reduction—especially through improved household consumption, seasonal income stability, and enhanced livelihood opportunities—the sustainability of these benefits remains mixed. Long-term sustainability is constrained by funding inconsistencies, weak institutional capacity, limited market access, and climate-related risks. Comparisons between GPSNP Phase 1 and Phase 2 show improvements in training, youth support, and institutional strengthening, yet challenges persist. The study concludes that for GPSNP interventions to remain sustainable, there must be stronger institutional systems, increased domestic financing, improved community ownership of assets, and climate-resilient livelihood support. Key recommendations include integrating robust exit strategies, strengthening district-level capacity, enhancing market linkages, and adopting climate-smart approaches.

BackgroundInpatient antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are associated with improved infection cure rates, as well as reduced risk of adverse drug events and antibiotic resistance development. However, there is often limited ASP presence at the discharge setting. Data has shown over 70% of parenteral antibiotic prescriptions at hospital discharge are excessively broad spectrum or have prolonged durations. Additionally, these patients’ discharge planning process is complex, prolonging length of stay (LOS). The objective of this gap analysis is to evaluate the inpatient LOS and antibiotic appropriateness of parenteral antibiotic therapy prescribed at discharge from an urban, non-teaching, community medical center.MethodsThis IRB-approved retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients discharged on parenteral antibiotics between January and March 2024. The primary outcome is LOS in days from hospital admission to discharge. We also evaluated antibiotic appropriateness, antibiotic days of therapy, vascular access devices, 30-day readmission rates, and discharge disposition. Antibiotic appropriateness was assessed using the validated National Antibiotic Prescribing Survey (NAPS) which stratifies regimens as appropriate (optimal or adequate), inappropriate (suboptimal or inadequate), or not assessable based on local treatment guidelines, literature references, and patient-specific factors. Inappropriate antibiotic regimens were further evaluated to identify specific opportunities for ASP intervention. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion.ResultsA total of 168 patients met inclusion criteria. The average LOS was 10.7±7.7 days. The proportion of appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic regimens were 52.8% and 38.8%, respectively. The most frequently identified opportunities for intervention included improving antibiotic selection, duration, and transition to oral antibiotics.ConclusionThis gap analysis illustrates discharge parenteral antibiotic stewardship metrics, including associated inpatient LOS and antibiotic appropriateness. Based on these findings, we aim to integrate ASPs in discharge planning to close these gaps and improve antibiotic utilization.DisclosuresAll Authors: No reported disclosures

ABSTRACT Unmanned aerial‐aquatic vehicles (UAAVs) have gradually emerged as a robotics research hotspot in recent years due to their wide range of potential applications in both military and civilian domains. Although the structural design and related theoretical research of these prototypes have been validated in UAAVs, there are still many problems that need to be addressed, such as inflexible and unstable medium transition of the vehicles and the stability control during the transition process, etc. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further research on existing designs of UAAVs, power selections, water‐entry/exit strategies and optimization of key technologies. By summarizing the design and related technologies of existing UAAVs, including propulsion choices, transition methods, and motion control algorithms, this paper aims to provide references for the future research and development of UAAVs. All cited papers on UAAV prototypes are accessed on https://nubot-uaav.github.io/ .

Introduction Factors influencing successful remediation in postgraduate medical education remain largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the variables associated with remediation outcomes. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all residents who underwent remediation from July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2024 at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to identify outcome variables associated with remediation success. Results The most common CanMEDS roles remediated were Professional (52.7%), Communicator (51.1%), and Medical Expert (45.1%). Reduced odds of successful remediation were seen when the remediation plan included the Medical Expert Role (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.35 [0.14, 0.82], p = 0.016); and an increasing number of successful prior remediations (OR 0.58 [0.35, 0.95], p = 0.029). Discussion Remediation rates in postgraduate medical education are rising. Difficulties in the Medical Expert role are associated with lower remediation success and persistent issues that lead to recurrent remediations predict poor outcomes. Support should target core competencies, provide compassionate exit strategies for recurring struggles, and prioritize early intervention research.

Fires and human casualties caused by single phase-to-ground faults in distribution networks are frequent. However, existing ground fault suppression methods are affected by ground fault resistance. Thus, an adaptive suppression method that seamlessly combines principles of current and voltage suppression is proposed, which has good adaptability to different ground fault resistance. Meanwhile, a multi-criteria ground fault suppression exit strategy matched to adaptive suppression method is proposed to avoid damage of device caused by power backflow, which provides the possibility for reliable and fast exit of the fault suppression device. Experimental results demonstrate effectiveness and advantages of the adaptive suppression method and its exit strategy.

The importance of endorser–product fit in sports sponsorship is well established; yet, knowledge on how athletes establish a sense of fit when pursuing sponsorships is lacking, although fit is critical for successful outcomes. Employing the conceptual framework of person–environment (PE) fit, we pursue a constructivist grounded theory approach featuring interviews ( N = 26) and five focus groups ( N = 24) with National Collegiate Athletic Association college athletes to explore their experiences in pursuit of name, image, and likeness sponsorship. We uncover (a) motives informing search for fit, (b) perceived facets of the fit experience, and (c) consequences of (mis)fit. The findings show the complexity of PE fit negotiation as PE fit is evaluated across role, market, and sponsor fit umbrella dimensions, each comprising two related facets. The process of PE fit negotiation is cyclical as athletes use dispositional, situational, and exit strategies to reconcile individual considerations with external demands to achieve PE fit.

This study aimed to explore and conceptualize the key dimensions and mechanisms of risk management in partnership contracts by analyzing the practical experiences of legal experts and practitioners in Tehran. A qualitative exploratory–analytical design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 legal specialists, including experienced attorneys, corporate legal advisors, and academic experts in private and commercial law. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on at least five years of professional experience in drafting, supervising, or arbitrating partnership contracts. Interviews, each lasting 45–60 minutes, were conducted in person or online until theoretical saturation was achieved. All interviews were recorded with informed consent, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. Coding and theme development were facilitated by NVivo 14 software, and trustworthiness was ensured through peer debriefing, member checking, and applying the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Four overarching themes emerged as central to effective risk management in partnership contracts: risk and responsibility allocation, emphasizing proactive financial risk assessment, insurance, and clear assignment of duties; clarity and precision in contractual terms, including standardized definitions, detailed annexes, performance metrics, and force majeure clauses; dispute resolution and enforcement mechanisms, featuring multi-tiered negotiation, mediation, arbitration frameworks, and technology-assisted monitoring; and contract flexibility and adaptability, incorporating price adjustment, renegotiation triggers, technological change management, and predefined exit strategies. These elements collectively enable better anticipation and mitigation of financial, legal, and operational uncertainties. By integrating proactive risk-sharing, precise drafting, adaptive governance, and modern dispute resolution frameworks, partnership contracts can become more resilient, reduce litigation, and foster sustainable collaboration in Iran’s evolving legal and economic context.

This paper is a study of exit strategies in the management of micro and small businesses in the city of Tehuacán. This study stands out for its regional analysis and compares the responses of two groups of micro entrepreneurs, 440 in the year 2024 and 600 in the year 2025, regarding their perceptions of strategies for sales and business survival. Information was obtained through multiple-choice questionnaires, where perceptions are questioned. The objective of this paper is to determine if there are differences between management strategies between the two years. Responses were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA using the Welch technique, and Games-Howell tests were used to test for statistical differences in responses from one year to the next. The study shows that company satisfaction strategies are the ones that present differences, while other strategies, such as competitive advantage, remained unchanged.

The Partition of India in 1947 is often explained as an unavoidable outcome of deep-rooted communal antagonism between Hindus and Muslims. This paper challenges that narrative by examining Partition as a deliberate imperial exit strategy shaped by British colonial policies. It argues that segregationist administrative practices—such as census classifications, separate electorates, and political favouritism—hardened communal identities over time and made territorial division appear both logical and expedient to the departing colonial power. Through a focused case study of the Bengal and Punjab Boundary Commissions, particularly the role of Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the paper highlights how haste, secrecy, political pressure, and lack of local knowledge undermined the legitimacy of boundary-making. The drawing of borders prioritised speed and imperial convenience over accuracy, justice, and human consequences, resulting in mass violence, displacement, and long-term instability in South Asia. By situating Partition within broader imperial practices of “divide and rule” and comparative colonial experiences, the study concludes that British withdrawal was less an act of conflict resolution and more a strategic abdication of responsibility. The legacy of this exit continues to shape Indo-Pak relations, border disputes, and communal tensions to this day.

This study examines the relationship between foreign aid and recipient-country dependence through a case study of the Republic of Ecuador, focusing on the period following the implementation of the dollarization policy in 2000. Using dependency theory, complex interdependence, and institutional approaches, the research finds that although foreign aid provides short-term economic stabilization and facilitates post-crisis recovery, it simultaneously reinforces fiscal and structural dependence on international institutions and donor states, especially the United States. Dollarization, initially intended to curb inflation and restore market confidence, significantly reduced Ecuador’s monetary sovereignty and deepened its reliance on external economic policies. Findings from the literature and policy evaluations indicate that IMF assistance through the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) improved fiscal governance and strengthened social protection, while also contributing to long-term dependency patterns exacerbated by the loss of national monetary instruments. Efforts to diversify development partnerships, such as cooperation with Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China, offer new opportunities but also carry the risk of increasing external debt burdens. The study concludes that without a comprehensive exit strategy and strengthened domestic economic capacity, Ecuador is likely to remain trapped in a cycle of external dependence that constrains its long-term economic sovereignty.

This research analyzes the dynamics of hegemony and resistance in the Lio indigenous community of Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, focusing on the power practices of mosalaki (traditional elites) and the forms of hidden resistance developed by farming communities. Using an ethnographic approach over four months in Keliwumbu Village, this study combines Antonio Gramsci's concept of hegemony with James Scott's theory of hidden transcripts to understand the complexity of power relations in traditional societies experiencing economic transformation. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with 18 informants, and document analysis, then analyzed using a thematic approach. Findings indicate that the legitimacy of mosalaki power is constructed through three main pillars: genealogical narratives derived from the myths of Lepe and Mbusu, control over customary land encompassing 70% of agricultural land, and ritual authority positioning them as intermediaries with ata mate (ancestral spirits). Hegemonic practices operate through the pire system (customary prohibitions), mandatory nggua rituals requiring offerings, and control over decision-making as evidenced in the coal-fired power plant construction case. However, farming communities have developed hidden resistance in the form of subtle sabotage, passive non-compliance, gossip and informal criticism, and exit strategies through migration and purchase of alternative land. This resistance operates within the same cultural framework as the hegemony it contests, developing alternative interpretations of "true custom" rather than rejecting the traditional system entirely. This research contributes to theoretical understanding of hegemony in non-Western societies and reveals that "local wisdom" discourse can be manipulated to perpetuate structural inequality. Practically, these findings demonstrate the need for more critical approaches in development policies that accommodate internal power dynamics of indigenous communities to prevent reinforcement of local elite domination

EE452 Exit Strategies in Patients With Stable MS: Cost-Effectiveness of Extended Interval Dosing of Ocrelizumab and Natalizumab vs. De-escalating to Cladribine