Intensity Ratings Research Articles

Human motion and musical expression: Exploring the link between physical movement and emotional resonance in performance

Musical performance has traditionally been understood as an auditory experience, with emotions conveyed primarily through sound. However, emerging research highlights the role of physical movement—gestures, posture, and body language—in enhancing emotional expression and creating a deeper connection between performers and their audiences. While existing studies have explored some aspects of this relationship, there is limited understanding of how specific movements modulate emotional responses across different musical genres. This study addresses these gaps by investigating the interaction between human motion and musical expression, focusing on the emotional resonance experienced by performers and audience members. The need for this study arises from the lack of comprehensive data on the correlation between movement and emotional engagement during musical performances, particularly concerning different genres. Using motion capture, biometric sensors, and facial recognition technology, the research analyzed the performances of professional and amateur musicians across classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Audience members’ emotional responses were captured through physiological data and post-performance surveys. One limitation of this study is that it focused solely on live performance environments, leaving digital or virtual performances unexplored. Key findings reveal that expressive movements increased emotional intensity ratings by 1.6 points (p < 0.001), with heart rate rising by 6.9 BPM (p < 0.0012) and electrodermal activity increasing by 1.6 µS (p < 0.0008). Movement synchronization with musical elements, especially during climaxes, strongly correlated with heightened emotional responses (r = 0.85, p < 0.01). Classical performances exhibited the highest synchronization between movement and emotion, with audience emotional intensity peaking at 8.3 on a Likert scale.

Upper-ocean changes with hurricane-strength wind events: a study using Argo profiles and an ocean reanalysis

Abstract. As the Earth's climate warms, the intensity and rain rate of tropical cyclones (TCs) is projected to increase. TCs intensify by extracting heat energy from the ocean; hence, a better understanding of upper-ocean changes with the TC passage is helpful to improve our understanding of air–sea interactions during and after the event. This work uses Argo float observations and the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) ocean reanalysis to describe characteristics of upper-ocean changes with hurricane-strength wind events. We study the association of these changes with the vertical structure of the salinity profile before the event, i.e., increasing versus decreasing with depth. We also study the contribution of changes in salinity to upper-ocean density changes in each case. Results show that in regions where pre-event salinity increases with depth there is a corresponding statistically significant increase in upper-ocean salinity; vice versa, we observe a significant decrease in upper-ocean salinity in regions where pre-event salinity decreases with depth. Consistent with previous studies, temperature decreases in both regions. As near-surface temperature decreases, upper-ocean density increases, and the increase is larger where pre-event salinity increases with depth. Changes in upper-ocean properties from Argo and HYCOM are overall consistent with wind-driven vertical mixing of near-surface waters with colder and higher-salinity (or lower-salinity) waters below. Resulting changes in ocean stratification have implications for air–sea interactions during and after the event, with potential impacts on weather events that follow.

Side Illumination Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Twisted End‐Emitting Polymer Optical Fiber Bundles

AbstractPolymer optical fibers (POFs), including side‐emitting POF (SEPOF) and end‐emitting POF (EEPOF) are developed for luminous textiles. The SEPOF is more common for usage but suffers from significant intensity decay, which limits its effective usage length. In contrast, the EEPOF can provide a much more stable side illumination behavior than SEPOF since the light is largely confined within the EEPOF, while its side illumination requires special treatment. In this work, 0.5 mm diameter EEPOFs were firstly assembled into bundles with 10 EEPOFs (B10) and 15 EEPOFs (B15), and then twisted. The morphology, tensile properties, and side illumination behavior of the twisted EEPOF bundles are evaluated. With an increased twisting degree, the initial modulus of twisted sample B10 increases (due to shortening of bundle diameter) from 1.06 to 1.17 GPa while the initial modulus of twisted sample B15 decreases from 1.01 to 0.91 GPa. The increased twisting degree also results in the higher flexibility (indirectly connected with modulus) of the twisted EEPOF bundles. Besides, the increased twisting degree results in a higher side illumination intensity meantime causes a decreased side illumination intensity along the light penetration path. When the twisting degree is low (e.g., 10 T m−1), the highest decrease rate of side illumination intensity along the light penetration path is found.

Simulating Daily Large Fire Spread Events in the Northern Front Range, Colorado, USA

Extreme spread events (ESEs), often characterized by high intensity and rapid rates of spread, can overwhelm fire suppression and emergency response capacity, threaten responder and public safety, damage landscapes and communities, and result in high socioeconomic costs and losses. Advances in remote sensing and geospatial analysis provide an improved understanding of observed ESEs and their contributing factors; however, there is a need to improve anticipatory and predictive capabilities to better prepare, mitigate, and respond. Here, leveraging individual-fire day-of-arrival raster outputs from the FSim fire modeling system, we prototype and evaluate methods for the simulation and categorization of ESEs. We describe the analysis of simulation outputs on a case study landscape in Colorado, USA, summarize daily spread event characteristics, threshold and probabilistically benchmark ESEs, spatially depict ESE potential, and describe limitations, extensions, and potential applications of this work. Simulation results generally showed strong alignment with historical patterns of daily growth and the proportion of cumulative area burned in the western US and identified hotspots of high ESE potential. Continued analysis and simulation of ESEs will likely expand the horizon of uses and grow in salience as ESEs become more common.

EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION STRATEGIES FOR MUSCLE INJURIES IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

The rehabilitation of muscle injuries in football players is a pivotal area of sports physiotherapy, addressing the intense physical demands and high injury rates associated with the sport. Muscle injuries often arise from factors such as overload, muscle imbalances, and improper techniques, impacting athletes' performance and career longevity. To optimize recovery, evidence-based methodologies are crucial, allowing physiotherapists to create personalized rehabilitation programs tailored to the specifics of each injury. Central to effective rehabilitation is a thorough functional assessment, which identifies specific deficits in players. Techniques such as electrotherapy and therapeutic ultrasound are effective in accelerating healing and reducing pain, while functional taping provides support without restricting movement. Neuromuscular rehabilitation is equally vital, incorporating proprioceptive exercises to enhance stability and prevent future injuries. The multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration between physiotherapists, medical professionals, nutritionists, and coaches, ensures comprehensive care for athletes. Psychological support also plays a key role in addressing anxiety and fostering a positive mindset during recovery. Recent studies underscore the importance of accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment plans, utilizing frameworks like the PRICE principle and specific rehabilitation protocols that facilitate faster and safer returns to play. The literature indicates a gap in understanding among team managers regarding the role of sports physiotherapy, highlighting the pressure players face to return prematurely, which increases the risk of re-injury. In summary, successful rehabilitation of muscle injuries in football necessitates a comprehensive, personalized approach that integrates physical, nutritional, and psychological elements. As research continues to evolve, these strategies will enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, ensuring football players can recover fully and maintain optimal performance levels.

Liking for Sweet Taste, Sweet Food Intakes, and Sugar Intakes

Background/Objectives: Sweet taste preferences are currently targeted to aid with reducing free sugar intakes, but associations between sweet taste liking, sweet food intakes, and sugar intakes are not well established. Methods: UK consumers (n = 179) who were consuming >5% of total energy intakes from free sugars provided several laboratory measures of sweet taste liking, laboratory test meal measures of sweet food choice and sugar intakes, and 3-day food diary measures of free-living free sugar and total sugar intakes. Liking measures included liking for a 1 M sucrose solution, and pleasantness, desire to eat, and sweet taste intensity ratings for seven foods of a range of sweet taste intensities in a taste test. Results: Wide individual differences in sweet taste liking, in liking for a high sweet taste intensity, and in the relationships between sweet taste intensity and sweet taste liking were found. The majority of participants confirmed high liking and increasing liking for increasingly sweet tastes, but differing patterns of responses were also found. Higher liking for sweet foods was associated with increased sweet food selection and consumption at the test meal, and to some degree with free sugar and total sugar consumption in this restricted scenario. However, we found no associations between sweet taste liking, regardless of measure, and either free-living free sugar or total sugar intakes. Conclusions: These findings cast doubt on assumptions that sweet taste preferences are high for all and that these high sweet taste preferences drive high free sugar intakes.

Clinical outcome of combination of vancomycin and ceftaroline versus vancomycin monotherapy for treatment of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection

BackgroundThe role of combination therapies for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is widely debated.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included adults with MRSA bacteraemia treated between January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022. Patients receiving combination therapy with vancomycin and ceftaroline were matched in a 2:1 ratio with those on vancomycin monotherapy based on bacteraemia source and illness severity. The primary outcome was frequency of bacteraemia recurrence. Secondary outcomes were all cause 30/90-day mortality, recurrence or mortality at 30/90 days and in hospital length of stay.ResultsOf 57 patients included, 37 (65%) were in the combination group. The overall intensive care unit admission rate was 63.2% (36/57) and the Pitt Bacteraemia Score was 1 [0–4] at the time of diagnosis. The most common source of infection was endovascular/endocarditis (n = 36, 63.2%). Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the monotherapy and combination group of patients, except for higher body mass index (32.5 [25.5–36.4] vs. 24.4 [20.9–29], p = 0.004) and a greater immunosuppression prevalence (3 (15%) vs. 0 (0%), p = 0.039) in monotherapy group. There was no significant difference in bacteraemia recurrence (3 (15%) vs. 4 (10.8%), p = 0.7) or all-cause 30-day mortality (3 (15%) vs. 4 (10.8%), p = 0.7) between the two groups.ConclusionThe results of this study are limited by a retrospective observational design; however, combination of vancomycin and ceftaroline for MRSA bacteraemia was not associated with lower bacteraemia recurrence or mortality compared to vancomycin monotherapy.

Interdecadal Variations in the Seasonal Cycle of Explosive Growth of Southern Hemisphere Storms with Impacts on Southern Australian Rainfall

Interdecadal variations, since the middle of the 20th century, in the seasonal cycle of Southern Hemisphere extratropical synoptic scale weather systems, are studied and related to associated anomalies in Southern Australian rainfall over south-west Western Australia (SWWA) and southeast Australia (SEA). A data-driven method is employed in which atmospheric fluctuations, specified from 6-hourly lower-tropospheric reanalysis data, are spectrally analysed in space and time to determine the statistics of the intensity and growth rates of growing and decaying eddies. Extratropical storms, blocking and north-west cloud band weather types are investigated in two frequency bands, with periods less than 4 days and between 4 and 8 days, and in three growth rate and three decay rate bins. Southern Australian rainfall variability is found to be most related to changes in explosive storms particularly in autumn and winter. During the first 10 years of the Australian Millennium Drought (AMD), from 1997 to 2006, dramatic changes in rainfall and storminess occurred. Rainfall declines ensued over SEA in all seasons, associated with corresponding reductions in the intensity of fast-growing storms with periods less than 4 days. These changes, compared with the 20-year timespans of 1949 to 1968 and 1975 to 1994, also took place for the longer duration of 1997 to 2016, apart from summer. Over SWWA, autumn and winter rainfall totals have decreased systematically with time for each of the 10-year and 20-year timespans analysed. Southern Australian rainfall variability is also found to be closely related to the local, hemispheric or global features of the circulation of the atmosphere and oceans that we characterise by indices. Local circulation indices of sea level pressure and 700 hPa zonal winds are good predictors of SWWA and SEA annual rainfall variability particularly in autumn and winter with vertical velocity generally less so. The new Subtropical Atmospheric Jet (SAJ) and the Southern Ocean Regional Dipole (SORD) indices are found to be the most skilful non-local predictors of cool season SWWA rainfall variability on annual and decadal timescales. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) are the strongest non-local predictors of SEA annual rainfall variability from autumn through to late spring, while on the decadal timescale, different indices dominate for different 3-month periods.

The Impact of Exercise Load and Intensity on the Performance of China U24 3x3 Women Teams

This study analyzed the exercise load and exercise intensity of the China U24 3x3 women team in multiple games, combined with the performance data of the players in the game, and explored the impact of these factors on exercise performance. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between load intensity and average heart rate, and high load intensity usually led to a higher average heart rate. In addition, performance data such as scoring and rebounding were also significantly correlated with load intensity and load volume. Players with higher scores often underwent higher load volume and load intensity in the game. This shows that in high-intensity games, players' physical fitness and performance are closely related, and reasonable monitoring and management of load intensity are crucial to improving player performance and reducing the risk of injury. The study also showed that there were significant differences in load volume and load intensity between the U24 Blue Team and the U24 Red Team in different games, further emphasizing the importance of load management in game strategy and physical training. This study provides empirical evidence for basketball teams to formulate scientific training plans and game strategies, and emphasizes the importance of exercise load and intensity management to improve the overall performance of the team and the individual performance of the players.

Evaluation of the Effect of Vaccination Status on Lung Involvement and Hospitalization in COVID-19 Patients

Background: The spectrum of COVID-19 in adults ranges from asymptomatic infection to mild respiratory tract symptoms to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiorgan dysfunction. In our study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of COVID- 19 vaccine on lung involvement and hospitalization. Materials and Methods: Cases over the age of 18, who had a history of contact with cases infected with COVID-19 or had clinical findings suggestive of COVID-19, who applied to the emergency department and who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were included in the study. Age, gender, comorbid diseases, hospitalization status, thorax tomography findings, and vaccination status in the last 3 months of the patients included in the study were obtained by examining the hospital information system and patient files. Results: Our study included 496 patients. One hundred eighty-three of the cases were vaccinated and 42.6% (n = 78) of the vaccinated patients were male. Of the 313 unvaccinated patients, 36% (n = 113) were male. Comorbid disease was observed in 55.2% (n = 101) of the vaccinated patients and 38.7% (n = 121) of the unvaccinated patients. Of the 313 unvaccinated patients, 72.2% (n = 226) were discharged from the emergency department, 19.8% (n = 62) were admitted to the service, and 8% (n = 25) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Of the 183 vaccinated patients, 78.1% (n = 143) were discharged from the emergency department, 16.4% (n = 30) were admitted to the service, and 5.5% (n = 10) were admitted to the intensive care unit. In the vaccinated patient group, both the service admission rate and the intensive care hospitalization rate were found to be significantly lower than the non-vaccinated patient group (p < 0.05). Thoracic tomography findings of 32.9% (n = 103) of 313 unvaccinated patients were reported as CORADS 1-2-3, and thoracic tomography of the remaining 210 patients was reported as CORADS 4-5. The number of patients whose thorax tomography report was CORADS 4-5 was found to be significantly higher in the unvaccinated group than in the vaccinated group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, it was found that vaccination significantly reduced hospitalization in COVID-19 patients. Although the mean age was higher in the vaccinated patient group, both the service admission rate and the intensive care admission rate were found to be lower.

Mother-Led Science: Rethinking Science-Based Social Movements Through Temporality and Care

This article explores the subjective and temporal modes of organizing underlying science-based social movements through an analysis of two mother-led movements in Argentina. The Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo appropriated forensic anthropology and nascent DNA technologies to identify their disappeared grandchildren during the 1976–83 dictatorship. The Madres de Ituzaingó Anexo developed community-led epidemiology studies and agrochemical contamination mapping to argue for a causal relation between intensive pesticide use and high rates of childhood illnesses. We focus on how these movements delineate visions of time, responsibility, and collective action by closely examining the underlying histories and practices of each social movement as they politicized motherhood and appropriated scientific practice. We offer the concept of mother-led science through the temporal registers of constancy, desgaste, and durability to illuminate the iterative relationship between care work, creating sustainable communities and institutions, and the fragile processes of stabilizing facts. Mother-led science, with its dual claims to scientific authority in an epistemic register and maternal authority in an affective register, articulates a potent form of scientific organizing. We suggest that these affective temporalities may be present across all science-based social movements but can be obscured by narratives of linear progress toward objective truths.

Impact of Days to Receivable on the Profitability of Exporting Coal Companies in Indonesia

This study examines the effects of exchange rates, export intensity, and days to receivable on the profitability of Indonesian coal exporting companies, using panel data from 2015 to 2023. The objective is to find if export intensity and exchange rate impedes the effect of days to receivable on profitability. Interaction analyses reveal that the positive impact of receivables on profitability diminishes with increasing exchange rates. Conversely, the interaction between days to receivable and export intensity does not significantly affect profitability. Therefore, it might be beneficial for Indonesian coal companies should explore implementing more flexible trade credit policies to enhance customer relationships, particularly during periods of rupiah appreciation.

Assessment of Changes in Sensory Characteristics of Strawberries during 5-Day Storage through Correlation between Human Senses and Electronic Senses.

In the last decade, significant efforts have been made to predict sensory characteristics using electronic senses, such as the electronic nose (e-nose) and the electronic tongue (e-tongue), and discuss their relationship to the eating quality evaluated by human panels. This study was conducted (1) to characterize the aroma and taste profiles of strawberries over a 5-day storage period (4 °C) using both electronic senses and human panels and (2) to correlate the electronic sense data with human panel data. A total of 10 sensory attributes of strawberries, including 7 aroma and 3 taste attributes, were analyzed by a descriptive sensory panel (n = 16) over the five days. Although the human panel did not find significant differences in the intensities of the strawberry attributes over the five days, the intensity ratings showed an increasing or decreasing trend over the storage period. However, the e-nose and the e-tongue discriminated each of the storage days of the strawberry samples. Furthermore, the partial least square regression coefficients of determination (R2) indicated that the e-nose and the e-tongue were highly predictive in their evaluation of the intensities of all the descriptive sensory attributes. Lastly, the concentrations of furaneol, one of the key volatiles imparting a distinct ripe strawberry aroma, were determined using an e-nose to correlate with the intensities of aroma attributes evaluated by the panel. A significant positive Pearson's correlation coefficient was found with the intensities of overripe aroma. The findings indicate the potential of electronic senses to determine sensory characteristics and their excellent capability to predict the eating quality of strawberries.

Nebulized fentanyl does not improve exercise capacity or dyspnoea in fibrosing interstitial lung disease.

Exercise intolerance and exertional dyspnoea are hallmarks of fibrosing interstitial lung disease (FILD) and are associated with worse prognosis and quality of life. Activation of pulmonary vagal afferents influences the ventilatory pattern and contributes to the sensation of dyspnoea. We tested the hypothesis that nebulized fentanyl, which might attenuate aberrant pulmonary afferent activity in FILD, reduces ventilation and dyspnoea while extending exercise endurance time (EET). In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, eight FILD patients (two males, 71±6years of age) performed incremental cardiopulmonary cycle exercise tests following nebulization of either fentanyl citrate (100 µg) or 0.9% saline. Previous work indicated that this dose was unlikely to produce central effects. Comparisons between treatment conditions at rest were undertaken using Student's paired t-test, and exercise data were evaluated with two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Dyspnoea was assessed using the Borg dyspnoea scale. Resting respiratory variables were not different following treatment with fentanyl and saline; however, resting heart rate was lower following fentanyl (P=0.002) and remained lower throughout exercise compared with placebo (P=0.008). Fentanyl did not increase EET (placebo 334±117s vs. fentanyl 348±126s, P=0.250) although overall minute ventilation was reduced slightly (mean difference: -0.97 L/min, P=0.022). There were no differences in ratings of dyspnoea intensity or unpleasantness between the conditions either at rest or at end-exercise. Nebulized fentanyl did not improve EET or exercise dyspnoea but did decrease minute ventilation during exercise, although the extent of this reduction appears clinically insignificant. These findings suggest that nebulized fentanyl is unlikely to offer significant benefits for enhancing exercise capacity in FILD.

Post-disaster investigations of damage feature of buildings and structures due to several local strong winds in China during 2021–2024

Local strong winds such as tornadoes and downbursts are rare in terms of measured wind speed data due to their rapid formation and strong destructive power. Post-disaster investigations have become an important approach for rating the strength of these two kind of winds and analyzing structural failure mechanism. From 2021 to 2024, several tornadoes and downbursts occurred in China. This study delineated changes in the intensity levels of wind disasters along their paths based on on-site disaster investigations and established standards for the level of structural damage based on the extent of functional loss and repair. This study focused on the damage feature to light steel structures, masonry structures, steel-concrete structures, and pole structures, and discussed the causes of the damage from the perspectives of construction and force transmission mechanisms. In addition, this study estimated the equivalent wind speeds based on the damage feature of pole structures and metal roof claddings. To reproduce the damage process for a group of high-rise buildings, the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) technology is used to simulate the airflow distribution inside buildings under two conditions of open and closed interior doors. The investigation results can provide useful information for the wind intensity classification and rating standards in China. Meanwhile, compared with the interior doors being open or closed, closing indoor doors during strong winds can significantly reduce indoor wind speeds, which is beneficial for ensuring safety.

Digital cognitive behavioral therapy vs education for pain in adults with sickle cell disease

AbstractDespite the significant burden of chronic pain in sickle cell disease (SCD), nonpharmacological approaches to manage pain in SCD are lacking. Behavioral interventions incorporating digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain should be compared with available education efforts. This multisite randomized comparative effectiveness trial aimed to compare a CBT intervention tailored for adults with SCD with a digital pain/SCD educational intervention (“Education”) in terms of improving pain and associated symptoms. Participants were recruited virtually from 7 comprehensive SCD centers and community organizations in the United States. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with SCD-related chronic pain and/or daily opioid use were randomly assigned to CBT or Education. Over 12 weeks, the CBT arm received an app-based intervention for pain management; the Education arm received digital pain/SCD education. Both groups received interactive chatbot lessons plus personalized health coach support. Changes in the pain interference scale (primary outcome) and other patient-reported secondary outcomes, including pain intensity, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and self-efficacy, were assessed over 6 months. Of the 453 participants who completed screening, 359 (79%) were randomly assigned to CBT (n = 181) or Education (n = 178), 332 (92%) were Black African American, and 238 were (66.3%) female. At 6 months, 250 (70%) participants (n = 125 per arm) completed follow-up assessments, 93 (26%) missed their follow-up window, and 16 (4%) withdrew. Engagement with the chatbot content was variable (76% connected, 48% completed ≥1 lesson). However, 80% of participants completed ≥1 session with a health coach via phone, video, or text. The 6-month change in pain interference in the CBT (−2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], −3.42 to −0.84) and Education (−2.66; 95% CI, −3.97 to −1.36) groups was not significantly different (mean difference, 0.54; 95% CI, −1.30 to 2.37; ∗P = ∗.57). Daily pain intensity ratings did not change for either group. There were no between-arm differences in depression, anxiety, quality of life, or the effect of the intervention on pain and mental health in SCD when combined with health coaching. Variable engagement with digital components and high engagement with health coaching may explain the lack of between-group differences, but these findings also provide insights into delivering digital interventions in racial minority and difficult-to-reach populations. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04419168.

Effects of Intraoperative Opioid Use and a Combined Anesthesia Protocol in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy for Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder—A Single-Center Experience

Background: An increased intraoperative opioid dose seems to lead to worse outcomes in several types of cancer. We assessed the effect of intraoperatively administered opioids as well as the type of anesthesia on survival, recurrence rates and major perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Methods: We included patients who underwent open RC at our center between 2015 and 2022. The role of the type and dosage of intraoperative opioid agents, such as remifentanil, sufentanil and morphine milligram equivalents (MME), as well as the type of anesthesia (intravenous only versus intravenous/epidural), was assessed regarding perioperative and long-term outcomes after RC. Results: A total of 508 patients with a median age of 73 years (IQR: 64–78) were included. Overall, 92 (18%) patients received intravenous anesthesia, whereas 416 (82%) received combined anesthesia. At a median follow-up of 270 days (IQR: 98–808), 108 (21%) deaths and 106 (21%) recurrences occurred. Combined anesthesia was associated with better survival (HR:0.63, 95% CI: 0.4–0.97, p = 0.037) and lower intensive care unit admission rates (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.31–0.77, p = 0.002) in the univariate analysis (unadjusted). The type and dosage of intraoperative opioid agents did not affect long-term survival and recurrence rates, as well as major perioperative outcomes. Nevertheless, the findings of our study were limited by its single-center, retrospective design. Conclusion: The use of intraoperative opioids was not associated with worse outcomes in our cohort, while the use of additional epidural anesthesia seems to be beneficial in terms of overall survival and intensive care unit admissions. Nevertheless, further research is mandatory to validate the safety of opioids in patients undergoing RC.

Predictive model for the risk of paediatric intensive care utilization in children with medical complexity: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study.

Children with medical complexity (CMC) are at increased risk of admission in intensive care. Despite improvements in mortality rates, there remains a burden of morbidity, long-term health care needs and hospital readmissions. Beyond clinical factors, socio-demographic determinants could impact utilization of acute services. To identify risk factors that can differentiate CMC who are admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A 6-year longitudinal retrospective cohort study evaluated clinical, socio-demographic and health care utilization. A total of 248 CMC were included, with a median age of 13 years (9.75-17.00). Intensive care admission rate was 47.2%. The risk of PICU admission was higher for children undergoing surgical interventions (HR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.34-1.86, p < .001) and those using medical devices (HR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.54-2.13, p < .001). Mother's higher educational level was a protective factor (HR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.55-0.79, p < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed significant associations between risk of admission and the presence of malignancy, comorbidities, home medical devices, surgical procedures and higher health care utilization. Children's age and higher maternal educational level acted as protective factors. Socio-demographic factors should be considered in the provision of care to CMC. Individualized assessments to guide supportive interventions adapted to socio-economic factors may prevent PICU admissions. This study highlights the importance of integrating individualized assessments of socio-demographic risk factors, such as maternal educational level, into the clinical practice of paediatric nurses. Moreover, targeted interventions, including educational resources and community support programmes, may optimize care.

Intensive care unit admission rates and factors associated following Autologous stem cell transplantation-real-world experience from a tertiary center in rural India.

Infectious and other complications can necessitate admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Data on need for ICU care, impact of various pre- and peri-transplant characteristics on requirement of ICU care and outcomes are scarce from the developing world. A retrospective case record review of ASCT cases was conducted. Pre- and peri-transplant characteristics like infection within 4weeks of transplant, mucositis, surveillance culture positivity, peri-transplant infections, comorbidity, and time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were noted. A total of 109 patients underwent 109 ASCTs. Most common diagnosis was the plasma cell disorder in 75 (69%) patients. Forty-eight (45%) patients had peri-transplant infections. Fifteen (14%) patients had infections with multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms. Fifteen (14%) patients required ICU care, the most common reason being hypotension in nine patients (8.3%). Four patients (3.7%) required non-invasive ventilation, and one (0.9%) required invasive ventilation. Mortality rate was 1.8% (two patients). Factors associated with the need for ICU care were time to platelet engraftment (median 15days among those required ICU care versus 13days who did not, p = 0.04) and presence of peri-transplant infection showed a trend toward ICU care need (19% among those required ICU care versus 7% in those who did not, p = 0.05). Delayed platelet engraftment was associated with the need for ICU care and peri-transplant infections were associated with a trend toward need for ICU care.

Odor lateralization test is insensitive to small degrees of intranasal trigeminal activation.

Odors with prominent trigeminal compounds are more easily localized than purely olfactory ones. However, it is still unclear whether adding a small amount of a trigeminal compound to an olfactory odor significantly improves lateralization performance. We included 81 healthy adults aged 25.4 ± 4.8 years to complete odor lateralization tasks using 12 odors: two "olfactory", two "trigeminal" odors, and eight odor mixtures at two low concentrations of "trigeminal" odors (4%, 8%). This task utilized a "Squeezer" delivering odor or air to either nostril, and participants indicated which nostril received the odor. Evaluations also included olfactory function, odor intensity ratings, and individual olfactory importance. Degrees of trigeminal compounds significantly affected lateralization performance (F = 82.32, p < 0.001), with 100% irritants showing higher performance than 0%, 4%, and 8% irritants (p's < 0.001), while no significant differences were found between odors with 0%, 4%, and 8% irritants (p's > 0.05). Chi-square tests confirmed higher percentages of above-chance lateralization with 100% irritants than with 0%, 4%, and 8% irritants (χ2 = 30.89 to 47.33, p's < 0.001). Adding a small amount of a trigeminal compound to a selective olfactory odor does not significantly improve lateralization performance. Trigeminal lateralization likely follows an "accumulative" pattern rather than an "all or none" rule. With only 20 trials, the task may lack sensitivity to detect low levels of trigeminal irritation in selective olfactory odors, though it does not rule out trigeminal activation. The odor lateralization task can screen for odors with prominent trigeminal compounds by comparing group-level performance with that of purely olfactory odors. Future studies should use more ideal stimuli (e.g., PEA for olfactory, CO2 for trigeminal) to test the replicability of the results.