Small Fraction Research Articles

Airborne Microplastics: Challenges, Prospects, and Experimental Approaches

Airborne microplastics are emerging pollutants originating from disposable tableware, packaging materials, textiles, and other consumer goods. Microplastics vary in shape and size and exposed to external factors break down into even smaller fractions. Airborne microplastics are abundant in both urban and natural environments, including water bodies and glaciers, as particles can travel long distances. The potential toxicity of airborne microplastics cannot be underestimated. Microparticles, especially those < 10 µm, entering the human body through inhalation or ingestion have been shown to cause serious adverse health effects, such as chronic inflammation, oxidation stress, physical damage to tissues, etc. Microplastics adsorb toxic chemicals and biopolymers, forming a polymer corona on their surface, affecting their overall toxicity. In addition, microplastics can also affect carbon dynamics in ecosystems and have a serious impact on biochemical cycles. The approaches to improve sampling techniques and develop standardized methods to assess airborne microplastics are still far from being perfect. The mechanisms of microplastic intracellular and tissue transport are still not clear, and the impact of airborne microplastics on human health is not understood well. Reduced consumption followed by collection, reuse, and recycling of microplastics can contribute to solving the microplastic problem. Combinations of different filtration techniques and membrane bioreactors can be used to optimize the removal of microplastic contaminants from wastewater. In this review we critically summarize the existing body of literature on airborne microplastics, including their distribution, identification, and safety assessment.

Gravimetric Characterization of Solid Waste in the Dump of the Municipality of Coari - Amazonas, Brazil

Objective: To estimate the gravimetric characterization of solid waste in the waste dump in the municipality of Coari, located in the state of Amazonas, in the region of the Middle Solimões, Brazil, and to evaluate the implications for sustainable management and management. Theoretical Reference: The main public policy bases related to solid waste treatment, from generation to final destination, were contextualized, as well as the scenarios regarding gravimetric composition, as well as the references to support a resolving horizon for materials of a recyclable nature. Method: This study addresses quantitative and qualitative analysis of the collected samples of solid waste destined to the landfill of the municipality of Coari - Amazonas, in accordance with the steps required by NBR 10.007/2004 and tabulation in Microsoft Excel. Results and conclusion: The results indicate that the majority is composed of organic material, followed by plastics and paper/cardboard, among other smaller fractions: glass, metals, wood, pointing to the need for the implementation of urgent recycling and composting practices, even if the municipality does not have an environmentally adequate destination. Implications of the research: In Brazil, even with the public policies already implanted, the great majority of the municipalities have not yet propitiated the extinction of their garbage dumps or have some irregular form as to the final destination of their solid residues. The gravimetric composition is one of the important tools for analyzing the composition of materials taken to the final destination, which is absent in many municipalities. Originality/value: Knowledge of the composition of the fractions of the solid waste generated is fundamental for guiding strategic actions and planning related to management and management, aligned with public policies that direct the practices of utilization from the generating source to the final destination, in order to avoid expansion or mitigate environmental impacts.

A review of the potential use of melatonin in cancer treatment: Data analysis from Clinicaltrials.gov.

Melatonin's antioxidative and immune effects suggest potential in cancer therapy. This review assesses related clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov. All ClinicalTrials.gov trials registered up to January 17, 2024 were examined, focusing on trials that involved use of melatonin in cancer treatment. A 46 trials were summarized by their study status, study phase, study type, funder type and study results in the use of melatonin in cancer treatment. The examination of the research data revealed a collective count of 46 clinical trials enlisted on ClinicalTrials.gov, all focus around the utilization of melatonin in cancer treatment. Among these, 24 trials had reached completion, constituting 91.3% of the entire trials, while 5 trials were presently in the recruitment phase, making up 10.8% of the total. None of these trials had received approval for marketing yet. The majority focus of the analysis encompassed interventional studies, around 42 trials and representing 91.3% of the overall trials, thereby incorporating most enrolled patients. In contrast, observational studies are a smaller fraction, comprising 4 trials (8.6% of the total), with a correspondingly lower number of involved patients. Regarding funding sources, most registered studies secured funding from diverse entities such as individuals, universities, and organizations, constituting 95.6% of all trials. In comparison, a minority of studies received funding from the National Institutes of Health, comprising 5 trials and accounting for 10.8% of the total trials. The analysis of 46 clinical trials on melatonin's use in cancer treatment reveals a significant importance on interventional studies. Overall, these findings contribute to the evolving understanding of melatonin's role in cancer treatment.

Support Matrix Machine via Joint l2,1 and Nuclear Norm Minimization Under Matrix Completion Framework for Classification of Corrupted Data.

Traditional support vector machines (SVMs) are fragile in the presence of outliers; even a single corrupt data point can arbitrarily alter the quality of the approximation. If even a small fraction of columns is corrupted, then classification performance will inevitably deteriorate. This article considers the problem of high-dimensional data classification, where a number of the columns are arbitrarily corrupted. An efficient Support Matrix Machine that simultaneously performs matrix Recovery (SSMRe) is proposed, i.e. feature selection and classification through joint minimization of l2,1 (the nuclear norm of L ). The data are assumed to consist of a low-rank clean matrix plus a sparse noisy matrix. SSMRe works under incoherence and ambiguity conditions and is able to recover an intrinsic matrix of higher rank in the presence of data densely corrupted. The objective function is a spectral extension of the conventional elastic net; it combines the property of matrix recovery along with low rank and joint sparsity to deal with complex high-dimensional noisy data. Furthermore, SSMRe leverages structural information, as well as the intrinsic structure of data, avoiding the inevitable upper bound. Experimental results on different real-time applications, supported by the theoretical analysis and statistical testing, show significant gain for BCI, face recognition, and person identification datasets, especially in the presence of outliers, while preserving a reasonable number of support vectors.

Phosphorus Speciation, Migration and Transformation in Seawater and Sediments and Potential Role in Starfish Outbreaks of the Xisha Islands, Northern South China Sea

AbstractPeriodic outbreaks of crown‐of‐thorns starfish have led to severe coral reef degradation, with one hypothesized cause being eutrophication. Phosphorus (P) is one of the driving factors for eutrophication, but researches on the spatiotemporal distributions of P in coral reefs are limited, impeding our understanding of the P cycling in coral reefs and its correlation with starfish outbreaks. This study undertook an analysis of various P species, migration and transformation in seawater, sediments, and crown‐of‐thorns starfish within the coral reefs of the Xisha Islands, northern South China Sea. The results show that in seawater, P predominantly existed in the dissolved phase, with organic P constituting the largest fraction (>67%). Conversely, in sediments, P primarily existed as inorganic form (43%−95%), with calcium‐bound P comprising the majority (26%−46%). Notably, exchangeable P accounted for a relatively smaller fraction (9%−20%) but played a significant role as a source of P released from sediments into seawater (0.01−0.17 mmol m−2 hr−1). During starfish outbreaks, starfish (1,000 individuals per hectare) assimilated P from seawater via phytoplankton or corals, resulting in substantial accumulation of both organic and inorganic P in their tissues (69−315 μmol g−1). Meanwhile, starfish excretion released P back into the seawater, which contributes to the migration and transformation of various P forms. Historical data also show a close relationship between P content and starfish density. These findings highlight the interactions between starfish and P cycling within coral reefs, and provide valuable insights into conservation and restoration on coral reefs, especially those severely affected by starfish outbreaks.

PI3K/PTEN/mTOR pathway dynamic tracking and prognostic value in HR+/HER2− BC patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a cohort study

AimsHormone receptor-positive (HR)+/HER2− breast cancer (BC) is highly heterogeneous, with PI3K/PTEN/mTOR pathway alterations emerging as possible players within this complexity. We longitudinally tracked PI3K/PTEN/mTOR pathway dynamics from baseline biopsy to...

Molecular investigation of MEFV gene polymorphisms among patients with familial mediterranean fever-like symptoms.

The diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is primarily based on clinical standards. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relevance of Mediterranean fever (MEFV) genetic testing in the diagnosis of FMF as well as to identify the most frequent variant alleles and their relationship to clinical symptoms in Egyptian patients. Egyptian patients with a clinical suspicion of having FMF were studied in order to determine MEFV genotypes. Each patient was meticulously evaluated through an extensive collection of their medical history, a thorough clinical examination, and a series of laboratory tests, encompassing CBC, ESR, and CRP measurements. The MEFV variant screening procedure included the use of reverse dot blot hybridization. The average age of our patients when they were given a diagnosis was 22.8 ±1.404 years old. The predominant clinical manifestations identified were abdominal pain, fever, and arthralgia. Molecular interrogation of the MEFV gene unveiled that a significant proportion of the cohort, constituting 72 individuals (60%), displayed heterozygosity, whereas a smaller fraction, comprising 12 subjects (10%), demonstrated homozygosity and an equivalent number (10%) exhibited compound heterozygosity. Pertaining to the distribution of allele variants, E148Q emerged as the most prevalent, succeeded by M694I, accounting for 12.5% of the cases, and M680I (G/A), representing 10.41%. This notable prevalence of heterozygous genotypes among the Egyptian demographic, preliminarily identified as potential FMF cases, underscores the imperative for molecular diagnostics to enhance the precision of FMF identification.

Iron chelation capacity and prediction of peptide binding modes identified in California red worm hydrolysates and effects on iron bioavailability in differentiated Caco-2 cells

Metal-chelating peptides represent an alternative for overcoming iron deficiencies, a common nutritional disease affecting populations worldwide. This study explored the iron-chelating activity of California red worm hydrolysates (WH) and its fractions. WH was obtained by hydrolysis with Alcalase 2.4 L and fractionated using a ceramic membrane with molecular weight cutoff 3 kDa. Both the complete hydrolysate and its fractions were assessed for their in-vitro iron-chelating activity and their ability to improve iron bioavailability through ferritin formation by differentiated Caco-2 cells assay. Finally, peptides in the fraction with the highest activity were sequenced by LC-MS/MS analysis and molecular docking was performed to elucidate the chelation mechanism. The findings reveal that the smallest fraction (F < 3 kDa) exhibits the most potent iron-chelating activity with IC50 value like carnosine. Moreover, in intestinal-like differentiated Caco-2 cells, this fraction enhances iron bioavailability in a remarkable 77.9% in comparison to FeSO4 alone. On the other hand, the peptide SLLDDRLDEK identified in this fraction presents the lowest value of affinity energy (−1.5 kcal/mol) and exhibits specific interactions with iron, allowing iron ions to be trapped within its structure. These results underscore the potential of F < 3 kDa fractions from WH as promising candidates for increasing iron bioavailability and addressing iron deficiency and related health concerns.

Progressive heterogeneity of enlarged and irregularly shaped apicoplasts in P. falciparum persister blood stages after drug treatment.

Morphological modifications and shifts in organelle relationships are hallmarks of dormancy in eukaryotic cells. Communications between altered mitochondria and nuclei are associated with metabolic quiescence of cancer cells that can survive chemotherapy. In plants, changes in the pathways between nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts are associated with cold stress and bud dormancy. Plasmodium falciparum parasites, the deadliest agent of malaria in humans, contain a chloroplast-like organelle (apicoplast) derived from an ancient photosynthetic symbiont. Antimalarial treatments can fail because a small fraction of the blood stage parasites enter dormancy and recrudesce after drug exposure. Altered mitochondrial-nuclear interactions in these persisters have been described for P. falciparum, but interactions of the apicoplast remained to be characterized. In the present study, we examined the apicoplasts of persisters obtained after exposure to dihydroartemisinin (a first-line antimalarial drug) followed by sorbitol treatment, or after exposure to sorbitol treatment alone. As previously observed, the mitochondrion of persisters was consistently enlarged and in close association with the nucleus. In contrast, the apicoplast varied from compact and oblate, like those of active ring stage parasites, to enlarged and irregularly shaped. Enlarged apicoplasts became more prevalent later in dormancy, but regular size apicoplasts subsequently predominated in actively replicating recrudescent parasites. All three organelles, nucleus, mitochondrion, and apicoplast, became closer during dormancy. Understanding their relationships in erythrocytic-stage persisters may lead to new strategies to prevent recrudescences and protect the future of malaria chemotherapy.

Effect of individual and synergistic alloying of In and Ni on microstructure, phase stability and thermal properties of lead-free Sn-0.7Cu solder

ABSTRACT The study explores the individual and synergistic effect of alloying indium (In) and nickel (Ni) with Sn-0.7 wt.% Cu solder on microstructure and thermal properties. Solders consist of β-Sn phase matrix and Cu6Sn5 intermetallic phase. In dissolves within β-Sn, while Ni substitutes Cu atoms of Cu6Sn5 forming (Cu,Ni)6Sn5. Alloying either In or Ni with Sn-0.7Cu lowers solidus and liquidus temperatures of the alloys, with a greater reduction in the case of In. Synergistic alloying of In and Ni with Sn-0.7Cu leads to a widening of 93%. Smaller fraction and localised presence of Cu6Sn5 in In-containing alloys resulted in dual-peaked grain size distribution. In the case of Ni, a fraction of (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 increased, generating more interfaces for nucleating β-Sn grains and eventually causing grain refinement. An increment in the fraction of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) was observed in both alloying cases. The synergistic effect of In and Ni yields a more uniform grain size and lesser LAGBs.

Rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in fjord waters: Comparison between seawater in the Trondheimfjord (Norway), its local riverine REY sources and the North Atlantic

The rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) are critical resources increasingly released into the environment due to their pivotal role for an ever-growing number of high-tech products and processes. Fjords, worldwide and particularly in Norway, are not only of high importance for biodiversity but they also have great economic value. Knowledge on the distribution of REY in Norwegian coastal and riverine waters is, however, surprisingly scarce. We here report REY data for water samples from depth profiles from ten stations in the Trondheimfjord, one of Norway’s largest fjords, several Norwegian rivers, and two wastewater treatment plants in Trondheim.Our results show that water from different locations in the Trondheimfjord yield similar REY concentrations that correlate well with dissolved organic carbon. The deepest sample at each station shows the lowest REY concentrations. The shale-normalised (SN) REY patterns of the fjord waters resemble those of North Atlantic seawater, but can be distinguished from open-ocean water by the smaller fractionation between light and middle REY (PrSN/TbSN ≥ 0.5). Stations in the vicinity of a river mouth show considerably higher REY concentrations at shallow depths. The respective REYSN patterns resemble the typically flat patterns of boreal rivers that are often rich in nanoparticles and colloids (NPCs). The REYSN patterns of the four rivers investigated (Nidelva, Orkla, Gaula, Stjørdalselva) show the features of the shallow(er) fjord water samples but have even higher REY concentrations. Ultrafiltration (< 1 kDa) data for the Nidelva corroborate that the typical “REYSN seawater signature” is in fact already present in freshwater where it is, however, usually hidden by the REY associated with NPCs. The local wastewater treatment plants release anthropogenic Gd (from contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging) into the Trondheimfjord, but this signal is immediately diluted and thus is not observed in the REYSN patterns of the fjord water. However, our results in general suggest that the slightly elevated Gd/Tb ratios observed in almost all fjord waters relative to North Atlantic marine water may rather be due to the presence of anthropogenic Gd in the southern North Sea and the Baltic Sea, corroborating that anthropogenic Gd can be applied as a sensitive far-field watermass tracer.

Absence of a pancreatic microbiome in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

ObjectiveThis study aims to validate the existence of a microbiome within intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) that can be differentiated from the taxonomically diverse DNA background of next-generation sequencing procedures.DesignWe...

Sedimentary phosphorus sequential extraction method offers new insight into soil development

Fractionation of soil phosphorus (P) by sequential extraction is one of tools to study the soil development in Earth's critical zone for characterization of weathering pattern and soil evolution. A sequential extraction method originally developed for sediment with advantage of separating CaCO3-bound P from igneous fluorapatite has been used to quantify different forms of P in New England native forest soils, USA. Total soil phosphorus is fractionated into exchangeable, iron-bound, CaCO3-bound, igneous fluorapatite and refractory organic P pools. Seven surface soil samples were collected from coastal, terrestrial, and lacustrine environments. Total P (TP) ranges from 11.4 to 21.5 ​μmol ​P g−1. Averaging over all sampling locations, the largest fraction is igneous fluorapatite with an average concentration of 4.9 ​± ​1.6 ​μmol ​P g−1, accounting for 29.2 ​± ​9.5 % of TP. Refractory organic P is the second largest fraction with an average concentration of 4.4 ​± ​1.6 ​μmol ​P g−1, accounting for 27.0 ​± ​9.6 % of TP. Iron-bound P is the third largest fraction with an average concentration of 3.3 ​± ​1.7 ​μmol ​P g−1, accounting for 20.3 ​± ​10.0 % of TP. CaCO3 -bound P is the second smallest fraction with an average concentration of 2.8 ​± ​1.4 ​μmol ​P g−1, accounting for 16.3 ​± ​7.5 % of TP. As usual, the smallest fraction is exchangeable P with an average concentration of 1.2 ​± ​0.8 ​μmol ​P g−1, accounting for 7.2 ​± ​4.3 % of TP. Data from this study are well fitted to a linear model based on the previous sequential extraction data compiled from global soils and sediments samples. The sequential extraction method used here offers an improved procedure that quantify the abundance of igneous fluorapatite as primary P mineral, which provides an estimate of the state and degree of weathering and soil development in the region.

Kinetic Isotope Effects During Reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II): Large Normal and Inverse Isotope Effects for Abiotic Reduction and Smaller Fractionations by Phytoplankton in Culture

AbstractIron stable isotopes (δ56Fe) are a useful tool for studying Earth processes, many of which involve redox transformations between Fe(III) and Fe(II). Here, we present two related experimental efforts, a study of the kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) associated with the reduction of Fe(III)‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to Fe(II), and measurements of the biological fractionation of Fe isotopes by phytoplankton in culture. Reductants tested were ascorbate, hydroxylamine, Mn(II), dithionite, and photoreduction at pH between 5 and 9 and temperatures from 0 to 100°C. Isotope fractionations were very large, and included both normal and inverse KIEs, ranging from −4‰ to +5‰. Experiments were reproducible, yielding similar results for triplicate experiments run concurrently and for experiments run weeks apart. However, fractionations were not predictable, without a clear relationship to reaction rate, temperature, pH, or the reductant used. Acquisition of Fe by eukaryotic phytoplankton also often involves the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II). Several species of diatoms and a coccolithophore were tested for Fe isotope fractionation in culture using EDTA, NTA, and DFB as Fe(III) chelating ligands, yielding fractionations from −1.3‰ to +0.6‰. Biological isotope effects were also unpredictable, showing no clear relationship to species, growth rate, or Fe concentration. Variability in Fe isotope fractionation observed in culture may be explained in part by the sensitivity of KIEs. This work has implications for the industrial purification of isotopes, interpretation of natural δ56Fe, and the use of Fe isotopes as a tracer Fe source and biological processes in the ocean and other natural systems.

Optimization of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Pakistani Patients Undergoing PCI: A Strategy to Minimize Bleeding Risks and Improve Outcomes

Background: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is essential for treating coronary artery disease. The use of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) is crucial to prevent thrombotic complications but presents bleeding risks. This challenge is accentuated by the variability in genetic, demographic, and regional factors, particularly in Pakistan, where there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To optimize DAPT strategies for Pakistani patients undergoing PCI by minimizing bleeding risks while ensuring therapeutic efficacy, aiming to pioneer personalized cardiovascular care. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, involving 500 patients who underwent PCI and received DAPT from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024. Comprehensive data collection included patient demographics, clinical histories, specifics of PCI procedures, and outcomes of bleeding and thrombotic events, through a detailed review of medical records. Results: The cohort predominantly consisted of males (70%), with an average age of 58 years. Most patients (96%, n=480) were prescribed aspirin and clopidogrel, while a smaller fraction (4%, n=20) received aspirin and ticagrelor. Compliance was high, with 90% adherence. Bleeding occurred in 10% of the cohort (n=50), with major bleeds necessitating hospitalization in 4% (n=20). Thrombotic events were noted in 3% of patients (n=15). Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of personalized DAPT regimens that address individual risks and regional healthcare challenges in Pakistan. Tailored approaches are essential for optimizing treatment efficacy and safety, advocating for advanced, nuanced cardiovascular care practices.

OGLE-2023-BLG-0836L: The sixth microlensing planet in a binary stellar system

Aims. Light curves of microlensing events occasionally deviate from the smooth and symmetric form of a single-lens single-source event. While most of these anomalous events can be accounted for by employing a binary-lens single-source (2L 1S) or a single-lens binary-source (1L2S) framework, it is established that a small fraction of events remain unexplained by either of these interpretations. We carried out a project in which data collected by high-cadence microlensing surveys were reinvestigated with the aim of uncovering the nature of anomalous lensing events with no proposed 2L 1S or 1L 2S models. Methods. From the project we found that the anomaly appearing in the lensing event OGLE-2023-BLG-0836 cannot be explained by the usual interpretations, and we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the event. From thorough modeling of the light curve under sophisticated lens-system configurations, we arrived at the conclusion that a triple-mass lens system is imperative to account for the anomalous features observed in the lensing light curve. Results. From the Bayesian analysis using the measured observables of the event timescale and angular Einstein radius, we determined that the least massive component of the lens has a planetary mass of 4.36−2.18+2.35 MJ. This planet orbits within a stellar binary system composed of two stars with masses 0.71−0.36+0.38 M⊙ and 0.56−0.28+0.30 M⊙. This lensing event signifies the sixth occurrence of a planetary microlensing system in which a planet belongs to a stellar binary system.

A case for stronger integration of physical landscape processes in conservation science and practice.

I argue that the dynamic nature of contemporary, landscape-shaping (geomorphic) processes deserves more consideration in conservation science and practice. In an analysis of a sample of fundamental terms related to geomorphology and area-based conservation in the Web of Science, I found that the terms co-occurred in <2% of the analyzed entries (titles, abstracts, and keywords) from 2000 to 2020. This result is indicative of the rather peripheral attention that, more broadly, landscape-shaping processes seem to receive in the conservation literature. Among conservation scientists and practitioners, landforms that define the physical structure of habitat are often perceived as largely static, whereas the consideration of their dynamic adjustments to geomorphic processes is often limited to extreme events. I use examples derived from river-floodplain environments to illustrate strong, multifaceted, and reciprocal interactions between biota and various erosional and depositional processes. These ubiquitous interdependencies clearly demonstrate that geomorphic processes are an integral part of ecosystem dynamics at time scales relevant for conservation. Crucially, erosional and depositional processes modulate many environmental impacts of past and current anthropogenic activities. I conclude that the absence of a more explicit and widespread consideration of geomorphic processes in conservation science and practice is surprising and detrimental to their effectiveness. I call for bolstered efforts among the conservation and geoscience communities to better integrate landscape dynamics within the field of conservation. The rise of the ecosystem-based and social-ecological systems approaches to conservation and the growth of interdisciplinary geoscience branches (e.g., biogeomorphology, ecohydraulics, and geoconservation) will facilitate such an integration.

Unravelling variations: an examination of entry point selection in proximal femoral cephalomedullary nailing

BackgroundThe exact positioning of the cephalomedullary (CM) nail entry point for managing femoral fractures remains debatable, with significant implications for fracture reduction and postoperative complications. This study aimed to explore the variability in the selection of the entry point among trauma surgeons, hypothesizing potential differences and their association with surgeon experience.MethodsIn this prospective multicenter study, 16 participants, ranging from residents to senior specialists, partook in a simulation wherein they determined the optimal entry point for the implantation of a proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFN-A; DePuy Synthes) in various femora. The inter- and intra-observer variability was calculated, along with comprehensive descriptive statistical analysis, to assess the variability in entry point selection and the impact of surgeon experience.ResultsIn this study, the mean distance from the selected entry points to the calculated mean entry point was 3.98 mm, with a smaller distance observed among surgeons with more than 500 implantations (ANOVA, p = 0.050). Intra-surgeon variability for identical femora averaged at 5.14 mm, showing no significant differences across various levels of surgical experience or training. Notably, 13.6% of selected entry points would not allow a proper intramedullary positioning of the implant, thereby rendering anatomical repositioning unfeasible. Among these impossible entry points, a significant skew towards anterior placement was observed (70.6% of the impossible entry points), with a smaller fraction being overly lateral (27.5%) or medial (13.7%). On a patient level, the impossibility rate varied widely from 0 to 35% among the different femora examined, with a significantly higher rate seen in younger patients (mean age 55.02 versus 60.32; t-test for independent samples, p = 0.04).ConclusionsSignificant variations exist in surgeons’ selection of entry points for proximal femoral nailing, underscoring the task’s complexity. Experience does not prevent the choice of unfeasible entry points, emphasizing the inadequacy of a universal approach and pointing towards the necessity for a patient-specific strategy for improved outcomes.Trial registration number: DRKS00032465.

The use of drama in A Level chemistry: a study into the effects of simulation-role-play on the quality of learning of organic reaction mechanisms

ABSTRACT Background Much of the research into the use of drama in science education has been qualitative, with its primary focus being on its affective value amongst students aged 6–14 years, with a smaller fraction on effectiveness in terms of academic achievement and understanding of chemistry amongst older school students (16–18 years). Purpose This article reports on a study that compared the effectiveness of drama, as a pedagogy, with a didactic practice-examinations-questions-based approach on students’ understanding of chemistry organic reaction mechanisms as measured by examination question scores. Sample Data were collected in seven 11–18 schools and a Further Education (FE) college in England, with a total of 236 students, aged 16–18 years, studying Advanced (A) Level chemistry. Each institution had two different classes studying chemistry concurrently. Design and methods The research was a quasi-experimental intervention with one class of A Level chemistry students in each institution being taught an aspect of organic reaction mechanisms using drama and the second, non-drama, class being taught the same material using practice examination questions. Post-intervention, all students completed previously unseen A Level examination questions and, in one phase of the study, a diagnostic question designed to probe deeper understanding. The responses were subject to statistical analysis. Results In all cases there were no statistically significant differences between the test scores of the two groups for the answers to the examination questions. However, answers to a diagnostic question, probing deep level understanding, showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in favour of the drama group. Conclusions Whilst drama is at least as effective as the use of practice examination questions in the teaching and learning of organic reaction mechanisms it was statistically significantly more effective in terms of the development of deeper level conceptual understanding.

Assessment of handling practices for maize by farmers and marketers in food-insecure regions of Western Honduras

The objective of this study was to understand the maize production chain in the Republic of Honduras, and to identify potential obstacles hindering grain end-quality. Seventy-one municipalities across six departments of Western Honduras were surveyed: Copán, Intibucá, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, and Santa Bárbara. A total of 871 surveys were collected, out of which 725 were from rural areas and 146 from urban areas. The sampling design reflected population density and population-based indicators from USAID's Feed the Future initiative, such as poverty level and prevalence of underweight non-pregnant females between the ages of 15 and 49. Further, indicators associated with underdevelopment in children were also considered. Survey instruments designed for either maize farmers or maize marketers were used to collect data including seed source, type planted, intercropping, time of harvest, drying and storage practices, quality control, and consumption patterns. Farmers preferred to plant criolla (native) maize (81–96%), although non-native varieties were also grown and consumed (3–13%). Following harvest, sun drying is the most used method (14–40%) for moisture control. Farmers reported maize spoilage resulting primarily from inadequate drying and pest damage (56–82%). Although aware of this, up to 28% of the producers reported not performing preventive grain inspections in the course of storage. Maize marketers typically sourced their grain within the department (33–71%), with a smaller fraction (0–8%) also obtaining maize from other departments or neighboring countries. Mirroring farmers, visual quality checks by marketers occurred primarily at initial storage (36–69%) and decreased in frequency as storage time lengthened. Given that both studied groups of farmers and marketers continue to rely on traditional practices, and corrective rather than preventive measures, the likelihood of low-quality product and risk for mycotoxin contamination is exacerbated. Based on these findings, achieving food security for the region of study will require a transformation in pre- and post-harvest handling practices.