The dispositional need for cognitive closure indirectly predicts mock jurors' sentencing decisions through right-wing authoritarianism.

One reason people are motivated to hold right-wing authoritarian beliefs is the need to manage uncertainty. Right-wing authoritarianism provides a stable source of black-and-white 'answers' about the social world - obey established authorities and norms and show hostility to deviants. Right-wing authoritarianism, in turn, is positively associated with more punitive attitudes and judgements. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mock capital jurors' need for cognitive closure and sentencing decisions through right-wing authoritarianism. Four-hundred and fifty-one jury-eligible adults read a hypothetical capital case, weighed aggravating and mitigating evidence and chose a sentence. They also responded to items measuring right-wing authoritarianism and the need for cognitive closure. The need for cognitive closure was indirectly related to choosing a death sentence through right-wing authoritarianism and the weighing of aggravators and mitigators. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future studies, are discussed.

Cumulated time to chart closure: a novel electronic health record-derived metric associated with clinician burnout.

Objective: We sought to determine whether average cumulated time to chart closure (CTCC), a novel construct to measure clinician workload burden, and electronic health record (EHR) measures were associated with a validated measure of burnout. Materials and methods: Physicians at a large academic institution participated in a well-being survey that was linked to their EHR use data. CTCC was defined as the average time from the start of patient encounters to chart closure over a set of encounters. Established EHR use measures including daily total time in the EHR (EHR-Time8), time in the EHR outside scheduled hours, work outside of work (WOW8), and time spent on inbox (IB-Time8) were calculated. We examined the relationship between CTCC, EHR use metrics, and burnout using descriptive statistics and adjusted logistic regression models. Results: We included data from 305 attendings, encompassing 242 432 ambulatory encounters (2021). Among them, 42% (128 physicians) experienced burnout. The median CTCC for all clinicians was 32.5 h. Unadjusted analyses revealed significant associations between CTCC, WOW8, IB-Time8, and burnout. In a final adjusted model, only CTCC remained statistically significant with an odds ratio estimate of 1.42 (95% CI, 1.00-2.01). Discussion: These results suggest that CTCC is predictive of burnout and that purely measuring duration of interaction with the EHR itself is not sufficient to capture burnout. Conclusion: Workload burden as manifested by average CTCC has the potential to be a practical, quantifiable measure that will allow for identification of clinicians at risk of burnout and to assess the success of interventions designed to address burnout.

A role for Vps13-mediated lipid transfer at the ER-endosome contact site in ESCRT-mediated sorting.

Endosomes are specialized organelles that function in the secretory and endocytic protein sorting pathways. Endocytosed cell surface receptors and transporters destined for lysosomal degradation are sorted into intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) at endosomes by endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. The endosomes (multivesicular bodies, MVBs) then fuse with the lysosome. During endosomal maturation, the number of ILVs increases, but the size of endosomes does not decrease despite the consumption of the limiting membrane during ILV formation. Vesicle-mediated trafficking is thought to provide lipids to support MVB biogenesis. However, we have uncovered an unexpected contribution of a large bridge-like lipid transfer protein, Vps13, in this process. Here, we reveal that Vps13-mediated lipid transfer at ER-endosome contact sites is required for the ESCRT pathway. We propose that Vps13 may play a critical role in supplying lipids to the endosome, ensuring continuous ESCRT-mediated sorting during MVB biogenesis.

Phosphate starvation signaling increases mitochondrial membrane potential through respiration-independent mechanisms.

Mitochondrial membrane potential directly powers many critical functions of mitochondria, including ATP production, mitochondrial protein import, and metabolite transport. Its loss is a cardinal feature of aging and mitochondrial diseases, and cells closely monitor membrane potential as an indicator of mitochondrial health. Given its central importance, it is logical that cells would modulate mitochondrial membrane potential in response to demand and environmental cues, but there has been little exploration of this question. We report that loss of the Sit4 protein phosphatase in yeast increases mitochondrial membrane potential, both by inducing the electron transport chain and the phosphate starvation response. Indeed, a similarly elevated mitochondrial membrane potential is also elicited simply by phosphate starvation or by abrogation of the Pho85-dependent phosphate sensing pathway. This enhanced membrane potential is primarily driven by an unexpected activity of the ADP/ATP carrier. We also demonstrate that this connection between phosphate limitation and enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential is observed in primary and immortalized mammalian cells as well as in Drosophila. These data suggest that mitochondrial membrane potential is subject to environmental stimuli and intracellular signaling regulation and raise the possibility for therapeutic enhancement of mitochondrial function even in defective mitochondria.

Response to OKN-007 and NAC in a Patient with Unilateral Hearing Loss and Chronic Tinnitus from Vestibular Schwannoma.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of external acoustic stimulation. Being one of the most common diseases of the ear, it has a global prevalence ranging from 4.1 to 37.2%. To date, it has been difficult to treat tinnitus as its pathophysiology is poorly understood and there are limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of OKN-007 (also known as HPN-07), a nitrone-based investigational drug, in combination with oral N-acetylcycsteine (NAC), for the treatment of hearing loss and chronic tinnitus under an individual expanded access protocol. PATIENT CASE: We report the case of a patient who presented with left-sided ear fullness, mild tinnitus, and mild high frequency sensorineural hearing loss with 100% word recognition. A large enhancing mass seen on MRI revealed a vestibular schwannoma. He underwent subtotal resection of the tumor resulting in a moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss and catastrophic tinnitus. The patient was treated with intravenous OKN-007 at 60 mg/kg dosed three times per week and oral NAC 2500 mg twice daily. RESULTS: Post-treatment audiometric testing revealed an average of 16.66 dB in hearing threshold improvement in three frequencies (125, 250 and 500 Hz) with residual hearing in the affected left ear. His tinnitus loudness matching improved from 90 dB to 19 dB post-treatment. His Tinnitus Handicap Inventory improved from 86/100 (Catastrophic) to 40/100 (Moderate). He also experienced improvements in sleep, concentration, hearing, and emotional well-being, and reported significantly decreased levels of tinnitusrelated distress. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the feasibility and therapeutic potential of the combination of OKN-007 and NAC in treating hearing loss and tinnitus that warrants further investigation.

Unexplained Vision Loss Associated With Intraocular Silicone Oil Tamponade in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcomes with unexplained vision loss during or after silicone oil (SO) tamponade. Methods: This multicenter retrospective case series comprised patients with unexplained vision loss associated with SO tamponade or its removal. Eyes with other clear secondary identifiable causes of vision loss were excluded. Results: Twenty-nine eyes of 28 patients (64% male) were identified. The mean age was 50 ± 13 years (range, 13-78 years). The mean duration of SO tamponade was 148 ± 38 days. Eighteen eyes (62%) developed unexplained vision loss while under SO; 11 (38%) had vision loss after SO removal. The most common optical coherence tomography (OCT) finding was ganglion cell layer (GCL) thinning (55%). Eyes with vision loss after SO removal had a mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.6 ± 0.7 (Snellen 20/85) before SO tamponade and 1.2 ± 0.4 (20/340) before SO removal. By the last follow-up after SO removal, the BCVA had improved to 1.1 ± 0.4 (20/235). In eyes with vision loss after SO removal, the BCVA before SO removal was 0.7 ± 0.7 (20/104), which deteriorated to 1.4 ± 0.4 (20/458) 1 month after SO removal. By the last follow-up, the BCVA had improved to 1.0 ± 0.5 (20/219). Conclusions: Unexplained vision loss can occur during SO tamponade or after SO removal. Vision loss was associated with 1000-centistoke and 5000-centistoke oil and occurred in macula-off and macula-on retinal detachments. The duration of tamponade was 3 months or longer in the majority of eyes. Most eyes had GCL thinning on OCT. Gradual visual recovery can occur yet is often incomplete.

The Use of mHealth Apps for the Assessment and Management of Diabetes-Related Foot Health Outcomes: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Globally, diabetes affects approximately 500 million people and is predicted to affect up to 700 million people by 2045. In Australia, the ongoing impact of colonization produces inequity in health care delivery and inequality in health care outcomes for First Nations Peoples, with diabetes rates 4 times those of non-Indigenous Australians. Evidence-based clinical practice has been shown to reduce complications of diabetes-related foot disease, including ulceration and amputation, by 50%. However, factors such as a lack of access to culturally safe care, geographical remoteness, and high costs associated with in-person care are key barriers for First Nations Peoples in accessing evidence-based care, leading to the development of innovative mobile health (mHealth) apps as a way to increase access to health services and improve knowledge and self-care management for people with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate studies investigating the use of mHealth apps for the assessment and management of diabetes-related foot health in First Nations Peoples in Australia and non-Indigenous populations globally. METHODS: PubMed, Informit's Indigenous Collection database, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Complete, and Scopus were searched from inception to September 8, 2022. Hand searches of gray literature and reference lists of included studies were conducted. Studies describing mHealth apps developed for the assessment and management of diabetes-related foot health were eligible. Studies must include an evaluation (qualitative or quantitative) of the mHealth app. No language, publication date, or publication status restrictions were used. Quality appraisal was performed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and the Health Evidence Bulletins Wales checklists for observational, cohort, and qualitative studies. RESULTS: No studies specifically including First Nations Peoples in Australia were identified. Six studies in non-Indigenous populations with 361 participants were included. Foot care education was the main component of all mHealth apps. Of the 6 mHealth apps, 2 (33%) provided functionality for participants to enter health-related data; 1 (17%) included a messaging interface. The length of follow-up ranged from 1-6 months. Of the 6 studies, 1 (17%) reported high levels of acceptability of the mHealth app content for self-care by people with diabetes and diabetes specialists; the remaining 5 (83%) reported that participants had improved diabetes-related knowledge and self-management skills after using their mHealth app. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this systematic review provide an overview of the features deployed in mHealth apps and indicate that this type of intervention can improve knowledge and self-care management skills in non-Indigenous people with diabetes. Future research needs to focus on mHealth apps for populations where there is inadequate or ineffective service delivery, including for First Nations Peoples and those living in geographically remote areas, as well as evaluate direct effects on diabetes-related foot disease outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022349087; https://tinyurl.com/35u6mmzd.

Trade-off between Gradual Set and On/Off Ratio in HfOx-Based Analog Memory with a Thin SiOx Barrier Layer.

HfOx-based synapses are widely accepted as a viable candidate for both in-memory and neuromorphic computing. Resistance change in oxide-based synapses is caused by the motion of oxygen vacancies. HfOx-based synapses typically demonstrate an abrupt nonlinear resistance change under positive bias application (set), limiting their viability as analog memory. In this work, a thin barrier layer of AlOx or SiOx is added to the bottom electrode/oxide interface to slow the migration of oxygen vacancies. Electrical results show that the resistance change in HfOx/SiOx devices is more controlled than the HfOx devices during the set. While the on/off ratio for the HfOx/SiOx devices is still large (∼10), it is shown to be smaller than that of HfOx/AlOx and HfOx devices. Finite element modeling suggests that the slower oxygen vacancy migration in HfOx/SiOx devices during reset results in a narrower rupture region in the conductive filament. The narrower rupture region causes a lower high resistance state and, thus, a smaller on/off ratio for the HfOx/SiOx devices. Overall, the results show that slowing the motion of oxygen vacancies in the barrier layer devices improves the resistance change during the set but lowers the on/off ratio.

The SWAP Filter: A Simple Azimuthally Varying Radial Filter for Wide-Field EUV Solar Images.

We present the SWAP Filter: an azimuthally varying, radial normalizing filter specifically developed for EUV images of the solar corona, named for the Sun Watcher with Active Pixels and Image Processing (SWAP) instrument on the Project for On-Board Autonomy 2 (PROBA2) spacecraft. We discuss the origins of our technique, its implementation and key user-configurable parameters, and highlight its effects on data via a series of examples. We discuss the filter's strengths in a data environment in which wide field-of-view observations that specifically target the low signal-to-noise middle corona are newly available and expected to grow in the coming years. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11207-023-02183-w.

Defining the Middle Corona.

The middle corona, the region roughly spanning heliocentric distances from 1.5 to 6 solar radii, encompasses almost all of the influential physical transitions and processes that govern the behavior of coronal outflow into the heliosphere. The solar wind, eruptions, and flows pass through the region, and they are shaped by it. Importantly, the region also modulates inflow from above that can drive dynamic changes at lower heights in the inner corona. Consequently, the middle corona is essential for comprehensively connecting the corona to the heliosphere and for developing corresponding global models. Nonetheless, because it is challenging to observe, the region has been poorly studied by both major solar remote-sensing and in-situ missions and instruments, extending back to the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) era. Thanks to recent advances in instrumentation, observational processing techniques, and a realization of the importance of the region, interest in the middle corona has increased. Although the region cannot be intrinsically separated from other regions of the solar atmosphere, there has emerged a need to define the region in terms of its location and extension in the solar atmosphere, its composition, the physical transitions that it covers, and the underlying physics believed to shape the region. This article aims to define the middle corona, its physical characteristics, and give an overview of the processes that occur there.

In the Eye of the Cytokine Storm: A Tale of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy.

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) commonly affects young to middle-aged females and is considered a relatively rare retinal disease, and the etiology is complex. Advances in multimodal imaging provide a better characterization of retinal disorders and have helped identify that one of the etiologies of AMN is microvascular in nature. This case is clinically relevant as it adds to the literature that the pathophysiology of AMN is vascular-driven. Our case is a 24-year-old Black female with no past medical history, the only medication she was taking was an oral contraceptive pill, who presented to the emergency room with a 24-hour history of left central field vision loss and endorsed a recent upper respiratory tract infection preceding the acute vision loss. It was subsequently found on admission that the patient tested positive for and had a SARS-CoV-2 infection. A retina specialist performed optical coherence tomography (OCT), which showed disruption in the outer segment junction, including the ellipsoid zone and outer plexiform. The use of multimodal imaging like OCT helped confirm AMN; therefore, prompt examination by ophthalmology is critical to confirm a correct diagnosis. This patient's vision improved and remained stable five months later. This case demonstrates that, like other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to cause retinal disease complications such as AMN. These findings reinforce and add to the current literature that SARS-CoV-2 can cause multiple-organ system dysfunction at a vascular level through immune-mediated pathways.

Enhanced sucrose-mediated cryoprotection of siRNA-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles.

The present study aimed to determine the effects of sucrose on the physical stability, cellular entry pathways and functional efficacy of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs). PLGA-NPs were synthesized in the absence or presence of 10 % sucrose, using HEI-101, an unmodified small interfering RNA (siRNA), as a drug model. The newly synthesized HEI-101-loaded PLGA-NPs (HEI-101-NPs) were exposed to repeated freeze-thaw cycles and iteratively tested over a six-month evaluation period. The effect of sucrose stabilization on HEI-101-NPs was independently tested in vitro for biocompatibility and cellular uptake in IMO-2B1 cells. Data analyses suggest that, without sucrose, freeze-thaw cycles of HEI-101-NPs resulted in increased particle diameter, increased polydispersity index, and reduced zeta potential. In contrast, a substantial improvement in the physical stability of HEI-101-NPs was observed in the presence of 10 % sucrose. The data revealed that the release of HEI-101 from the PLGA-NPs was governed by polymer erosion and drug diffusion. Data from cellular uptake study in IMO-2B1 cells demonstrated that, 10 % sucrose significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of nocodazole on the microtubule-dependent uptake of PLGA-NPs. In addition, the presence of 10 % sucrose seemed to lessen the inhibitory effect of sodium azide on the energy-dependent uptake of PLGA-NPs. Overall, the current data suggest that the cellular internalization of PLGA-NPs occurred through the polymerization of actin filaments under the control of the microtubules. Our findings reveal cryoprotective effect of 10 % sucrose on HEI-101-NPs that confers marked improvements in the stability, cellular uptake and efficiency for the delivery of biomolecules to inner ear cells.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' perceptions of foot and lower limb health: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ongoing colonisation produces inequity in healthcare delivery and inequality in healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. As a consequence, within the domain of lower limb health, foot disease has severe impacts for First Nations Peoples. Central to developing culturally safe healthcare and driving positive foot health change for First Nations Peoples, is the need for health professionals to develop understanding of First Nations perspectives of foot health. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate studies investigating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' perceptions of foot and lower limb health. METHODS: PubMeD, Ovid (Embase, Emcare, Medline), CINAHL, Informit Indigenous collection, and grey literature sources were searched to 23rd July 2021. We included any published reports or studies that examined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' perceptions of foot and lower limb health, or meanings of, or attitudes to, foot and lower limb health. RESULTS: Four studies with a total of 1515 participants were included. Studies found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people self-assessed foot health with a demonstrated ability to perceive their feet as healthy relative to Western clinical measures of peripheral blood supply and neurological function. Footwear, including ill-fitting or lack of footwear was considered a contributing factor to reduced foot and lower limb health. Foot pain affected up to 60% of participants with up to 70% of foot pain untreated. Lack of access to culturally safe health care delivered by culturally capable health professionals was perceived to contribute to worse foot and lower limb health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' perceptions of foot and lower limb health are influenced by multiple complex interrelated factors. The limited number of studies in this area indicates ongoing failings to consult First Nations Peoples regarding their own lower limb and foot health. It is therefore essential that healthcare service and cultural capability implementation is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in co-design. Urgent need for further research that exemplifies design and delivery of culturally safe care is required.

Yarning about foot care: evaluation of a foot care service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have high rates of diabetes-related foot disease including foot ulcer and amputation. There has been limited evaluation of foot care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This project aimed to evaluate an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foot care service (the Buridja Clinic) for prevention and management of diabetes-related foot disease embedded in a university podiatry program from a Community perspective using culturally appropriate methods. METHODS: This mixed-methods study took place from March 2018 to April 2021 in the Buridja Clinic on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and included an audit of occasions of service (March 2018 to March 2020), and review of the Buridja Clinic via research yarns with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients of the clinic and a written 10-item customised clinic feedback survey. Research yarns were transcribed and analysed thematically. Descriptive analysis of quantitative occasions of use and survey data was undertaken, with the open-ended survey responses thematically analysed. RESULTS: Total occasions of service across the review period was 548, with a total of 199 individual clients treated. Most common service types were general treatments (nail and skin care) and diabetes assessments. Nine participants who attended the Buridja Clinic were recruited to the two research yarns. An additional 52 participants who attended the clinic completed the customised clinic feedback survey. Specific clinic design elements, including yarning circles and group booking as well as student placement, were identified as strengths of the clinic. Participants reported difficulty with transport and restricted opening hours and encouraged increased Community engagement by clinic staff. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of a foot care service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples embedded in a university-based podiatry program demonstrated that the incorporation of specific service design elements, including yarning circles and group appointments as well as student placements, encouraged ongoing Community engagement with the service. Participants reported improved foot health, greater foot and self-care knowledge, and overall better general health and management as a result of attendance to the clinic. Consideration needs to be given to addressing limited access to transport and flexible operating hours when establishing similar services. Artist Jenni McEwen (Bundjalung) lives on Darkinjung Country. The story of her art shows people sitting in yarning circles sharing knowledges but looking outwards to connect with Country too, the Ochre of Wiradjuri Country around Wellington, and the Blue of Darkinjung Country around Central Coast. These are locations where podiatry service provision takes place. These are locations where everyone is sharing and learning. Students, teachers, patients, non-Indigenous people, and First Nations people, learning from each other, and learning from Country.

Fluorescent Molecular Logic Gates Driven by Temperature and by Protons in Solution and on Solid.

Temperature-driven fluorescent NOT logic is demonstrated by exploiting predissociation in a 1,3,5-trisubstituted Δ2 -pyrazoline on its own and when grafted onto silica microparticles. Related Δ2 -pyrazolines become proton-driven YES and NOT logic gates on the basis of fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switches. Additional PASS 1 and YES+PASS 1 logic gates on silica are also demonstrated within the same family. Beside these small-molecule systems, a polymeric molecular thermometer based on a benzofurazan-derivatized N-isopropylacrylamide copolymer is attached to silica to produce temperature-driven fluorescent YES logic.

Release of the National Scheme's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025; the impacts for podiatry in Australia: a commentary.

BACKGROUND: Developing since colonisation, Australia's healthcare system has dismissed an ongoing and successful First Nations health paradigm in place for 60,000 years. From Captain James Cook documenting 'very old' First Nations Peoples being 'far more happier than we Europeans' and Governor Arthur Phillip naming Manly in admiration of the physical health of Gadigal men of the Eora Nation, to anthropologist Daisy Bates' observation of First Nations Peoples living 'into their eighties' and having a higher life expectancy than Europeans; our healthcare system's shameful cultural safety deficit has allowed for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child born in Australia today to expect to live 9 years less than a non-Indigenous child. Disproportionately negative healthcare outcomes including early onset diabetes-related foot disease and high rates of lower limb amputation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples contribute to this gross inequity. MAIN BODY: In 2020, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority released the National Scheme's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025 - empowering all registered health practitioners within Australia to provide health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that is inclusive, respectful and safe, as judged by the recipient of care. This recently released strategy is critically important to the podiatry profession in Australia. As clinicians, researchers and educators we have a collective responsibility to engage with this strategy of cultural safety. This commentary defines cultural safety for podiatry and outlines the components of the strategy in the context of our profession. Discussion considers the impact of the strategy on podiatry. It identifies mechanisms for podiatrists in all settings to facilitate safer practice, thereby advancing healthcare to produce more equitable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples access health services more frequently and have better health outcomes where provision of care is culturally safe. By engaging with the National Scheme's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy, all registered podiatrists in Australia can contribute to achieving equity in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.