Balancing validity and reliability as a function of sampling variability in forensic voice comparison.

In forensic comparison sciences, experts are required to compare samples of known and unknown origin to evaluate the strength of the evidence assuming they came from the same- and different-sources. The application of valid (if the method measures what it is intended to) and reliable (if that method produces consistent results) forensic methods is required across many jurisdictions, such as the England & Wales Criminal Practice Directions 19A and UK Crown Prosecution Service and highlighted in the 2009 National Academy of Sciences report and by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in 2016. The current study uses simulation to examine the effect of number of speakers and sampling variability and on the evaluation of validity and reliability using different generations of automatic speaker recognition (ASR) systems in forensic voice comparison (FVC).

Phenotypic plasticity in bacterial elongation among closely related species.

Cell elongation is a fundamental component of the bacterial cell cycle and has been studied over many decades, in part owing to its mechanisms being a target of numerous antibiotic classes. While several distinct modes of cell elongation have been described, these studies have largely relied on a handful of model bacterial species. Therefore, we have a limited view of the diversity of cell elongation approaches that are employed by bacteria, and how these vary in response to evolutionary and environmental influences.

Emerging investigator series: open dumping and burning: an overlooked source of terrestrial microplastics in underserved communities.

Open dumping and burning of solid waste are widely practiced in underserved communities lacking access to solid waste management facilities; however, the generation of microplastics from these sites has been overlooked. We report elevated concentrations of microplastics (MPs) in soil of three solid waste open dump and burn sites: a single-family site in Tuttle, Oklahoma, USA, and two community-wide sites in Crow Agency and Lodge Grass, Montana, USA. We extracted, quantified, and characterized MPs from two soil depths (0-9 cm and 9-18 cm).

Visualisation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in cultured cells, infected sheep and human tissue sections using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

We describe the development, testing and specificity of a modified oligonucleotide probe for the specific detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in culture and in infected tissue using fluorescent in situ hybridisation and confocal microscopy. The detection of MAP in both animal and human tissue using our modified probe allows for a more rapid diagnosis of MAP infection compared to the more often applied detection methods of culture and PCR and has the potential for quantification of cellular abundance.

Caring: The heart of online nursing education- An integrative review.

With the widespread adoption of online education, nursing educators have observed significant challenges related to learner engagement and participation. Over the past decade, the implementation of Caring has consistently displayed a beneficial influence on creating and maintaining a sustainable online learning environment. However, existing online nursing curricula often lack a Caring and learner-centered approach.

Fostering belonging and social connectedness in nursing: Evidence-based strategies: A discussion paper for nurse students, faculty, leaders, and clinical nurses.

Background: The phenomenon of loneliness among healthcare providers, particularly nurses, has garnered increasing attention due to its detrimental effects on individual well-being and professional retention. The isolation experienced by nurses has been linked to heightened turnover rates and intentions to leave the profession, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems globally. Recognizing loneliness as an epidemic in 2023, the U.

Extended pleurectomy decortication and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pleural mesothelioma (MARS 2): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial.

Background: Extended pleurectomy decortication for complete macroscopic resection for pleural mesothelioma has never been evaluated in a randomised trial. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after extended pleurectomy decortication plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone.

Methods: MARS 2 was a phase 3, national, multicentre, open-label, parallel two-group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial conducted in the UK.

Enhancing the provision of cancer nutrition information to support care through experience-based co-design: a mixed-methods study.

Purpose: Nutrition is essential within cancer care, yet patient and carer access to nutrition care and information is variable. This study aimed to (1) investigate patient and carer access and perceptions, and health professional views and practices, relating to cancer nutrition information and care; and (2) co-design interactive resources to support optimal nutrition care.

Methods: Patients and carers completed a survey regarding access to nutrition care and information.

An ELISA Using Synthetic Mycolic Acid-Based Antigens with DIVA Potential for Diagnosing Johne's Disease in Cattle.

The Problem: Ante-mortem diagnosis of Johne's disease, caused by subsp. (MAP), is normally achieved through faecal culture, PCR, or serological tests, but agreement as to which samples are positive for Johne's disease is often poor and sensitivities are low, particularly in early-stage infections. The potential solution: Mycobacterial cells contain very complex characteristic mixtures of mycolic acid derivatives that elicit antibodies during infection; this has been used to detect infections in humans.

Resilience and Ethics in Nursing Education and Practice: Needs and Opportunities.

Background: Nursing faculty and clinicians are leaving the profession due to increased workload and burnout. Evidence-based interventions to build skills in resilience and well-being are encouraged; however, strategies to implement them in nursing curricula and nurse residency programs (NRPs) are not well known.

Purpose: To understand the current state of resilience, well-being, and ethics content in the curriculum in schools of nursing and NRPs in the state of Maryland as part of a statewide initiative for Renewal, Resilience and Retention of Maryland Nurses (R 3 ).

Examining moral injury in clinical practice: A narrative literature review.

Healthcare workers experience moral injury (MI), a violation of their moral code due to circumstances beyond their control. MI threatens the healthcare workforce in all settings and leads to medical errors, depression/anxiety, and personal and occupational dysfunction, significantly affecting job satisfaction and retention. This article aims to differentiate concepts and define causes surrounding MI in healthcare.

Travel history among persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in the United States, December 2020-February 2021.

The first three SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic lineages classified as variants of concern (VOCs) in the United States (U.S.) from December 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021, Alpha (B.

The use of videofluoroscopy (VFS) and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in the investigation of oropharyngeal dysphagia in stroke patients: A narrative review.

Objectives: Patients with suspected acute stroke require rapid assessment of swallowing on admission. If aspiration is suspected, this takes the form of specialist assessment, using either videofluoroscopy (VFS) or fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). The review aim was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of each method in stroke patients.

Gastric perforation after blunt abdominal trauma: first case report in Argentina.

We report the case of a 18-year-old male with gastric perforation due to blunt abdominal trauma as a result of a vehicular collision. An exploratory laparotomy with suturing of the lesion and an omental patch is performed. The post-operative outcome was favorable.

3D analysis and grading of calcifications from ex vivo human meniscus.

Objective: Meniscal calcifications are associated with the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis (OA). We propose a micro-computed tomography (μCT) based 3D analysis of meniscal calcifications ex vivo, including a new grading system.

Method: Human medial and lateral menisci were obtained from 10 patients having total knee replacement for medial compartment OA and 10 deceased donors without knee OA (healthy references).

A qualitative descriptive study of effective leadership and leadership development strategies used by nurse leaders in European island countries.

Aim: Nurse leaders influence workplace culture; however, little is known about ethnic cultural influences on nurse leader development. This research aims to identify personal strategies promoting effective leadership by nurse leaders from European small island countries.

Design: Descriptive qualitative study.

Acute appendicitis secondary to metastatic breast cancer. 12 Years after first primary tumor diagnosis. A case report.

Introduction: Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the appendix is an uncommon finding, there are few published cases in the literature of appendicitis from metastatic breast carcinoma.

Presentation Of Case: A 51-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department with a presumptive diagnosis of acute appendicitis with a past medical history of stage IV Breast Cancer 12 years ago. Appendectomy was performed, finding a perforated appendix.

Mineral Crystal Thickness in Calcified Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in Healthy and Osteoarthritic Human Knees.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, where articular cartilage degradation is often accompanied with sclerosis of the subchondral bone. However, the association between OA and tissue mineralization at the nanostructural level is currently not understood. In particular, it is technically challenging to study calcified cartilage, where relevant but poorly understood pathological processes such as tidemark multiplication and advancement occur.