Water skills for life: assessing population-level coverage of a school-based aquatic program in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are known to cause characteristic—and sometimes unpleasant—body odour. Human presence may influence the odour of indoor air; however, the contribution of skin-derived VSCs has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to elucidate the regional and whole-body dermal emission rates of VSCs—diallyl disulfide (DADS), allyl methyl sulfide (AMS), ethyl mercaptan (EMT), allyl mercaptan (AMT) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS)—by conducting simultaneous and multi-point measurements of dermal emissions from the human skin surface to assess their potential impact on indoor air quality. Dermal emission fluxes of VSCs were measured at 14 anatomical regions of 12 healthy young subjects using a passive flux sampler coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. These fluxes were converted to emission rates using regional body surface area, and the whole-body emission rates were subsequently used to estimate indoor air concentrations for comparison with the odour thresholds of each VSC. The results showed that although some regional differences in emission rates were observed among subjects, the large inter-individual variability ultimately led to no significant differences in whole-body emission rates of VSCs between males and females. Using the average whole-body emission rates across 12 subjects, the estimated indoor air concentrations of VSCs followed the descending order: EMT > AMT >> DMTS > AMS > DADS. The odour quotient was used to evaluate the impact of skin-derived VSCs on indoor air quality and indicated that EMT consistently contributes to indoor odour.

Early detection of duodenal neoplasms is crucial because of the complications associated with their treatment and their increasing recognition. However, standardised protocols for duodenal observation during screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) have not been established. This study was performed to survey the current practical status of duodenal observation and to evaluate the clinical relevance of our systematic photo-documentation protocol, known as the Seven Pictures Rule (7PR). A cross-sectional survey using a web-based self-administered questionnaire was conducted among endoscopists in a regional area of Japan. The questionnaire included items on respondents' professional background, duodenal observation practices during screening EGD (observed locations, observation time, ampulla visualization, and patient discomfort), as well as awareness, application, and perceived effects of the 7PR, and preferences for future protocols. Data were anonymized and analyzed descriptively. Of the 99 endoscopists included, 96.7% reported observing the duodenum based on their own individual methods. The intentional observation rates by location were highest in the following order: bulb (99%), ampulla in descending (94%), contralateral ampulla in descending (84%), superior duodenal angle (77%), contralateral superior duodenal angle (79%), and transverse duodenum (33%). However, only 14% of respondents reported successfully observing the ampulla in more than 75% of cases. While 62% were aware of the 7PR, only one-fourth had implemented it in practice. Notably, 43% of respondents familiar with the 7PR felt that it had led to an increased detection of duodenal neoplasms. Current duodenal observation practices vary among endoscopists. The establishment of a systematic photo-documentation protocol such as the 7PR may serve as a useful strategy for improving the detection of duodenal neoplasms. Further optimisation of the protocol is warranted to support broader adoption in clinical settings.

The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest set of white matter fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain. In humans, it is essential for coordinating sensorimotor responses and performing associative or executive functions. Identifying which genetic variants underpin CC morphometry can provide molecular insights into the CC’s role in mediating cognitive processes. We developed and used an artificial intelligence based tool to extract the midsagittal CC’s total and regional area and thickness in two large public datasets. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of European participants (combined N = 46,685) with generalization to the non-European participants (combined N = 7040). Post-GWAS analyses implicated prenatal intracellular organization and cell growth patterns, and high heritability in regions of open chromatin. Results suggest programmed cell death mediated by the immune system drives the thinning of the posterior body and isthmus. Genetic overlap, and causal genetic liability, between the CC, cerebral cortex features, and neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity, bipolar disorders, and Parkinson’s disease were identified.

Background: Acute rejection (AR) and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality after pediatric heart transplant (PHT). Cardiac catheterization with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is the gold standard for diagnosing AR and CAV but it is invasive and costly. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has potential as a non-invasive screening modality, but standard software requires selection of one slice for base, mid, and apex, resulting in a significant loss of data. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that a recently developed regional 4D (3D+time) CMR strain analysis method would identify regional strain differences between healthy PHT patients and those with AR or CAV. Methods: PHT patients undergoing cardiac catheterization with EMB and concomitant CMR were prospectively enrolled. For each patient, we used a custom graphical user interface in MATLAB to compile short-axis CMR image stacks into four-dimensional sequences. Using feature tracking, we generated a deformable 3D mesh throughout the cardiac cycle, which allowed us to calculate regional surface area and transmural peak strain, systolic strain rate and diastolic strain rate. Continuous variables between groups (Healthy PHT, AR, or CAV) were compared with a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Wilcoxon rank-sum test for pairwise comparisons. Results: Thirty-eight patients were included (median age 17 years [IQR 15-19]), nine (24%) with AR and eight (21%) with CAV. AR patients had worse surface area peak strain and systolic strain rate compared to the healthy PHT group at multiple basal and mid-LV segments (Table 1); no apical segments reached significance. Surface area peak strain and late diastolic strain rate were worse in AR compared to CAV, though the CAV group was overall similar to healthy PHT. AR patients also had worse transmural peak strain and systolic strain rate in several basal and mid-LV segments compared to healthy PHT and CAV groups (Table 2). Conclusion: Patients with AR have worse surface area peak strain and systolic strain rate compared to healthy PHT patients, highlighting the utility of CMR as a non-invasive screening modality for AR. Further evaluation of strain patterns that distinguish CAV, AR, and healthy PHT patients is necessary.

Multimodal integration of plasma biomarkers, MRI, and genetic risk to predict cerebral amyloid burden in Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose: Understanding the lived experience of major trauma survivors who have engaged with recovery and rehabilitation services is a vital component of trauma system quality improvement. The purpose of this study was to explore the first 12 months of major trauma recovery from the perspectives of those with lived experience across different geographical locations (regional, rural and remote). Method: Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were conducted with nineteen major traumatic injury survivors (aged 28 to 74 years; 78.9% male; 73.7% living in a regional area) who were on average 1.9 years post injury. Results: Interviews were thematically analysed, and four superordinate themes were generated: (1) communication in acute recovery, (2) transition from hospital to home, (3) service quality and accessibility, and (4) recovery beyond physical rehabilitation. Conclusion: Overall, the findings illustrate potential avenues to better support major traumatic injury survivors with their recovery, across a range of geographical areas.

Abstract A large body of literature illustrates that nature connection is associated with both higher wellbeing and a greater likelihood of displaying more pro‐environmental behaviours. This indicates that higher nature connection is an important leverage point for sustainability. It is important to understand correlates of nature connection to improve both individual well‐being, and the health of the planet. This study is the first survey to explore nature connection and its variation across diverse geographies and environments at a national‐level in Australia. We aim to understand the overall level of nature connection in Australia, the socio‐demographic correlates of nature connection and the barriers to connecting with nature. The distributions of nature connection according to two different instruments: the CN‐12 and the INS indicate that nature connection is relatively high in Australia. Nature connection is higher for older Australians, individuals who identify as female, individuals who grew up in rural or regional area, those who work part‐time or are self‐employed, Indigenous Australians and those who speak a language other than English. Being time poor is the most common barrier to engaging with nature, with individuals on higher incomes being more likely to identify this barrier. Other barriers, such as lack of access, cost of access and safety concerns, were more likely to be raised by people on lower incomes. Our research identifies numerous structural barriers to engaging with nature that have global relevance and indicate the need for socio‐ecological policy reforms. Policy implications. Our research points to valuable policy levers such as increasing green space in urban areas, enhancing opportunities for meaningful interactions in nature and addressing structural inequalities to enhance access to nature for certain groups. Doing so will help create positive change for both people and planet. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Kediri is one of the regencies in East Java Province with a variety of potential natural resources. In Kediri Regency, there are various potentials and natural resources that can support the welfare of the community spread across several sub-districts. The potential and natural resources that exist can be used as an agropolitan area in order to empower the community. Through the implementation method based on regional area design, sector implementation, and impact on the community which are the three main phases in an effort to increase the spirit of skilled and creative work for the community in the agropolitan area of ​​Kediri Regency. The potential and natural resources that can be maximized for export, processing, and creation into productivity in the agropolitan area include: 1) pineapple, papaya, sorgum, and turmeric which can be maximized in the sub-districts of Ngancar, Wates, Plosoklaten, and Kandat, 2) oyster mushrooms, corn, dragon fruit, and sugar cane which can be maximized in the sub-districts of Ngadiluwih, Ringinrejo, and Kras, 3) chili and vegetables which can be maximized in the sub-districts of Pare, Kandangan, Puncu, and Kepung, 4) rice and secondary crops which can be maximized in the sub-districts of Pagu, Plemahan, Papar, and Purwoasri, and 5) podang mango, coffee, orange, and cassava which can be maximized in the sub-districts of Semen, Grogol, Banyakan, Tarokan, and Mojo. Through the distribution map that has been designed by the Kediri Regency Government, it at least provides an illustration to be maximized massively and sustainably in order to increase income and the economy for the people of Kediri Regency.

Wide-area cognitive orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) links in television white space (TVWS) under the IEEE 802.22 Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) standard require channel estimation (CE) that is both accurate and computationally frugal under mobility. We propose a low-complexity Modified Pilot-Based Channel Estimation (MPCE) scheme that operates in the channel impulse response (CIR) domain: interpolation weights are computed once per frame and reused across OFDM symbols, eliminating redundant per-symbol estimation while preserving fidelity. Complementing this, we cast pilot placement as an information-theoretic D-optimal design–maximize log ⁡ det of the Fisher information matrix (FIM)–and solve it with a greedy exchange using rank-one (Sherman–Morrison) updates under IEEE 802.22 feasibility (guard/direct-current (DC) tone exclusion and minimum spacing). A FIM/Cramér–Rao bound (CRB) analysis links pilot spacing and correlation to mean-squared error (MSE), explaining when nonuniform pilots help. Simulations under wide-sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) Rayleigh fading show that MPCE reduces runtime by up to 78% versus conventional pilot interpolation while achieving comparable or lower MSE and post-detection bit-error rate (BER) for quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM), with the largest gains in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range of 10–20 dB. The D-optimal solver converges to a near-uniform layout in our regime (justifying the standard pattern) and departs from uniformity when pilots are scarce or frequency selectivity increases. MPCE thus offers a scalable, hardware-friendly CE approach for wide-area cognitive OFDM links.

Abstract The Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October has intensified the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Since then, antisemitic incidents have increased in Germany, in which Israel serves as a target for antisemitic projection. At the same time, however, the numerous public controversies demonstrate that the distinction between legitimate criticism and Israel-related antisemitism is controversial. Discussions about the appropriateness of criticism, the use of historically and morally charged terms and their ability to connect to antisemitic semantics are carried out in public as well as in academia. The article discusses the contribution of regional and comparative area studies to a differentiated debate that takes both Israel-related antisemitism and the conflict and its dynamics seriously.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an important prognostic predictor of various cardiovascular diseases. However, the complex structural morphology of the RV limits the accurate quantitative assessment of its function. We investigated the utility of a novel three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) analysis system with automatic tracing and analysis functions to evaluate global and regional RV function. This study involved 60 healthy participants; 3D-STE analysis of the RV using 3D RV-STE automatic analysis software was compared with conventional two-dimensional echocardiography findings. We measured the peak global and regional 3D RV area change ratios (3D RV-ACRs). The peak regional 3D RV-ACRs were measured for three inlet, two apical, and two outflow tract segments of the RV; 3D RV ejection fraction (3D-RVEF) was also measured. The 3D RV tracking automatically traced the RV endocardium and analyzed the RV function of the participants. The median global 3D RV-ACR was - 31.6% [interquartile range (IQR): - 33.4 to - 30.0%] and demonstrated a significant correlation with 3D-RVEF (r = 0.8957, p < 0.0001). The median values for the 3D RV inlet, RV outflow tract, and apical ACRs were - 36.3% (IQR: - 38.7 to - 34.6%), - 28.5% (IQR: - 32.5 to - 25.8%), and - 23.8% (IQR: - 27.1 to - 20.1%), respectively. Their contributions to the 3D-RVEF were 35.0%, 32.3%, and 4.2%, and to the global 3D RV-ACR were 44.5%, 39.6%, and 11.1%, respectively. The 3D RV-ACRs determined by the novel RV-specialized automatic 3D-STE analysis enable precise and quantitative assessment of RV function.

Frailty Risk After a Cardiovascular Event Among Community-Dwelling Older People: Influence of Sociodemographic, Polypharmacy, and Pre-event Frailty.

Does foot morphology influences postural control in people with multiple sclerosis?

Ultra-processed food intake and brain health in middle-aged and older adults.

PurposeTo quantitatively evaluate differences in area proportions and Young's modulus among anatomical subregions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insertion, including direct and indirect insertions as well as anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles, and to assess their impact on local stress distribution.MethodsMicro‐CT was utilized to quantify the area proportions of four anatomically defined subregions of porcine ACL insertions (n = 6). Mechanical testing was conducted to assess the Young's modulus of each region (n = 6). Finite element analysis was performed to evaluate how variations in regional area proportions (30%, 50% and 70% for the direct insertion) and mechanical properties (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous distributions) influence load distribution at the insertion.ResultsThe direct region occupied a significantly larger area proportion than the indirect region (54% vs. 46%, p < 0.01), and the AM bundle covered a significantly greater area than the PL bundle (65% vs. 35%, p < 0.01). The indirect region demonstrated a significantly higher Young's modulus than the direct region (12.0 vs. 6.8 MPa, p < 0.01), while no significant difference was observed between AM and PL bundles (8.4 vs. 10.4 MPa). Finite element results indicated that stress distribution at the insertion became more uniform when the direct and indirect regions had comparable area proportions, and incorporating regional heterogeneity in mechanical properties resulted in increased force transmission through the indirect region.ConclusionsDistinct regional differences in area proportions and Young's moduli were found at the ACL insertion, and these characteristics substantially affect local stress distribution.Level of EvidenceLevel N/A.

The Energy Efficient Regional Area Metropolitan Optical Access Network (MOAN) is a modern optical communication system specifically designed for metropolitan areas. It addresses the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission while optimizing energy consumption. In this paper, energy-efficient traffic data aggregation and energy-aware routing are presented to increase the network lifetime of the system. The traffic data aggregation reduces redundant transmissions, while energy-aware routing minimizes energy consumption by selecting energy-efficient paths. Initially, the wavelength utility-based dynamic wavelength allocation approach (WU-DWA) was developed to facilitate efficient resource utilization. Then, the data aggregation is performed in the context of traffic grooming using the adaptive principal component analysis (APCA)technique. APCA combines or grooms multiple low-bandwidth data streams into higher-capacity data channels to optimize the use of available network resources, such as wavelengths in optical networks or channels in general communication systems. The aggregated data is routed with the proposed energy efficient adaptive Tuna slap Swarm Optimization strategy (ATSSO). By using the proposed approach, the performance obtained in terms of energy consumption is 88, throughput is 131.63, average packet delay is 3.551, and energy savings are 29.99, respectively. The proposed approach is implemented, and the performance is evaluated in terms of standard performance metrics and analyzed using traditional approaches. The better performance indicates that the proposed approach is more efficient than existing approaches.

Abstract Background Knowledge about the spatial dynamics of fish populations, including social dynamics during the spawning season, is important for ensuring that fisheries management is rooted in ecology. Yet such detailed information about individual fish movement is hard to obtain and therefore typically lacking. Methods We applied network analyses to acoustic telemetry data to study movements and spatial associations of sexually mature Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in amid-Norway fjord complex. Cod were caught at five known spawning grounds, acoustically tagged, and released annually at these grounds during 2017–2019. Network analyses using community detection algorithms were then performed on bipartite network graphs for each spawning period (February–April) and feeding period (June–December) to identify spatial groupings or communities of the cod selected for analyses (ntotal = 352). Additionally, edge use, i.e. movement between receivers, was analysed for individual cod in the spawning and feeding periods. Results Spawning communities were typically dominated by cod captured and released locally, but commonly also contained fish from other grounds. A tendency for temporal and spatial stability in spawning communities was evident, with 67% of cod monitored over several spawning periods (n = 119) assigned to communities containing at least one common station across years. However, seven cod clearly utilized different spawning sites in different years. Cod detected during both the feeding and spawning period (n = 88) tended to have similar edge use during both periods, with said edge use increasing with fish size. However, eight cod showed either limited movement during spawning and much more extensive movements outside the spawning period or vice versa. Conclusions The network analyses revealed temporal and spatial stability in communities of mature cod during the spawning period. Notwithstanding this, some cod switched their spawning site locality within our regional study area between years. Individual cod tended to have similar edge use during the spawning and feeding periods, although there were examples of cod moving a lot during the spawning period and little outside this period and vice versa. Management should consider such networks of spawning grounds to preserve the intraspecific diversity of movements and the mating system of cod.

BackgroundEmbedding researchers in healthcare settings is a strategy used to close the gap between research and practice. Existing research pays little attention to the factors related to the implementation, development, and outcomes of embedded researcher programs in rural healthcare settings. There are additional challenges to embedding research in rural health practice, including enduring workforce shortages and limited research resources.This case study aimed to describe the implementation, development, and the types of outcomes of a rural and regional embedded researcher program, comprising three research translation coordinator (RTC) roles implemented in rural health services by an academic health science centre (AHSC).MethodsThis exploratory case study was informed by multiple data sources: the RTCs (n = 4; 100%); their employing health service chief executive officers (n = 3; 100%), and the implementing AHSC’s executive officers (n = 2; 100%). Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews, RTCs’ written activity reports, and impact case examples developed by the RTCs. Data were analysed using a team-based five stage framework approach.ResultsData collected included eight semi-structured interviews, fifteen activity reports and six impact case examples. Analysis of these data informed three themes and sub-themes: (1) Enabling and challenging implementation factors coded to two sub-themes (Rural health service ownership and Region-wide implementation) (2), Development of the rural embedded research translation coordinator role, comprising three sub-themes (Emerging and responsive to health service needs; Supporting translation of research, and Engaging strategic partners, and (3) Types of outcomes of the rural embedded research translation coordinator program at four levels (Rural clinician-researcher; Rural RTC; Organisation, and Region-wide or AHSC-levels).ConclusionsThe rural embedded researcher program represents an evolving, yet ostensibly successful initiative implemented across a large rural and regional area. The RTCs were employed by and accountable to a rural health service, and worked as a team while simultaneously collaborating with partner regional health services and universities. This rural health-service driven embedded researcher program operated within a collectivist framework to produce different types of outcomes for clinicians and researchers, health services, and the region. These findings will inform policymakers and organisations concerned with improving research and practice in rural and other resource-constrained health settings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13336-x.

ABSTRACTAlthough both the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations have established clear indicator systems to promote the sustainable improvement of ecological quality (EQ), few existing studies have systematically conducted comparative studies and correlation analyses on the characteristics of EQ changes between these two periods. Therefore, this study takes the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR) as an example and innovatively proposes a research framework of remote sensing information extraction—spatio‐temporal evolution trajectory analysis—sustainability assessment—analysis of typical regional driving forces for EQ assessment. The results show that a spatial distribution of EQ in the IMAR features eastern dominance, western deficiency, and staggered in the center. Temporally, improvement was observed across 65.09% of the regional area. In terms of trajectory change, 32.56% of the area shows a positive trend in EQ, with a linear growth trajectory accounting for 58.48%. Ecological engineering and restoration policies in the SDGs stage have significantly improved EQ, successfully reversed the degradation trend in some areas in the MDGs stage, and are gradually working to meet the SDGs standards. Climatic factors play the pivotal role in determining the spatial configuration of EQ across the typical region. This study systematically analyzes the sustainability of EQ and the driving mechanism of spatial differentiation under the dual framework of MDGs and SDGs, offering critical decision‐making support for IMAR's sustainable development.