Modeling Floral and Arthropod Electrostatics Using a Two-Domain AAA-Least Squares Algorithm

Relationships between plants and insects vitally underpin the health of global ecosystems and food production. Through coevolution, insects have acquired a variety of senses in response to the emergence of floral cues such as scent, color, and shape. Therefore, the recent discovery of electroreception among terrestrial arthropods motivates the investigation of floral electrics as part of their wider sensory ecology. We examine how a flower’s morphology and material properties produce and propagate detectable, ecologically relevant electrical signals in several biologically inspired scenarios. Since the electrical field both interior and exterior to the flower must be solved for, we develop an extension of the two-dimensional AAA-least squares algorithm for solving such two-domain electrostatics problems. It is found that the electrical signals produced by the plant can reveal information to the insect about the flower shape, available pollen, and the presence of other nearby arthropods. These results show good qualitative agreement with an equivalent three-dimensional scenario, computed using finite element methods. The extension of the AAA-least squares algorithm to two-domain problems provides a fast and accurate method for modeling electrostatic problems, with possible further application in fluid dynamics and magnetostatics. Biologically, our results highlight the significant role floral electrics may play in plant-pollinator and predator-prey relationships, unveiling previously unstudied facets of these key relationships

The effect of a supplementary ('Gist-based') information leaflet on colorectal cancer knowledge and screening intention: a randomized controlled trial.

Guided by Fuzzy Trace Theory, this study examined the impact of a 'Gist-based' leaflet on colorectal cancer screening knowledge and intentions; and tested the interaction with participants' numerical ability. Adults aged 45-59 years from four UK general practices were randomly assigned to receive standard information ('The Facts', n = 2,216) versus standard information plus 'The Gist' leaflet (Gist + Facts, n = 2,236). Questionnaires were returned by 964/4,452 individuals (22 %). 82 % of respondents reported having read the information, but those with poor numeracy were less likely (74 vs. 88 %, p < .001). The 'Gist + Facts' group were more likely to reach the criterion for adequate knowledge (95 vs. 91 %; p < .01), but this was not moderated by numeracy. Most respondents (98 %) intended to participate in screening, with no group differences and no interaction with numeracy. The improved levels of knowledge and self-reported reading suggest 'The Gist' leaflet may increase engagement with colorectal cancer screening, but ceiling effects reduced the likelihood that screening intentions would be affected

Population‐based cohort study of outcomes following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications in a prospective population‐based cohort. Methods Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two‐level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2). Results Data were collected on 8909 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 167 hospitals. Some 1451 cholecystectomies (16·3 per cent) were performed as an emergency, 4165 (46·8 per cent) as elective operations, and 3293 patients (37·0 per cent) had had at least one previous emergency admission, but had surgery on a delayed basis. The readmission and complication rates at 30 days were 7·1 per cent (633 of 8909) and 10·8 per cent (962 of 8909) respectively. Both readmissions and complications were independently associated with increasing ASA fitness grade, duration of surgery, and increasing numbers of emergency admissions with gallbladder disease before cholecystectomy. No identifiable hospital characteristics were linked to readmissions and complications. Conclusion Readmissions and complications following cholecystectomy are common and associated with patient and disease characteristics

Genetic history of Cambridgeshire before and after the Black Death.

The extent of the devastation of the Black Death pandemic (1346-1353) on European populations is known from documentary sources and its bacterial source illuminated by studies of ancient pathogen DNA. What has remained less understood is the effect of the pandemic on human mobility and genetic diversity at the local scale. Here, we report 275 ancient genomes, including 109 with coverage >0.1×, from later medieval and postmedieval Cambridgeshire of individuals buried before and after the Black Death. Consistent with the function of the institutions, we found a lack of close relatives among the friars and the inmates of the hospital in contrast to their abundance in general urban and rural parish communities. While we detect long-term shifts in local genetic ancestry in Cambridgeshire, we find no evidence of major changes in genetic ancestry nor higher differentiation of immune loci between cohorts living before and after the Black Death

Community-Centred interventions aimed at encouraging early diagnosis of PROstate CANcer among Black men: a systematic review

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men worldwide, including the UK with approximately 12,000 deaths each year. Black men are twice as likely to develop and die from prostate cancer than White men. Community-centred approaches can create culturally tailored interventions to address health inequalities. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding community-centred approaches to tackling barriers to early diagnosis of prostate cancer for Black men in the UK, which this review aims to fill. Methods: A database search from 2004 to 2024 was conducted of Medline, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Primary studies reporting community-centred approaches aimed at improving early diagnosis of prostate cancer in Black men were included. Two reviewers independently screened all database search hits against inclusion criteria, and data were extracted from the final included studies. Study quality was assessed via Covidence by two reviewers independently. Qualitative data were synthesised by grouping findings into four themes, based on level of community involvement. Results Of 345 studies, 22 met eligibility criteria. Although findings are preliminary, varying levels of community involvement were found in these studies. Some studies involved community members at the start of the intervention design (Theme 1), others requested feedback after intervention design (Theme 2). The delivery of intervention was by ‘trusted sources’ such as Black health professionals, or ‘trained’ religious leaders (Theme 3), while community-associated venues such as churches, barber shops or Black community centres were preferred location for the delivery (Theme 4). The aggregation of these themes improved cultural appropriateness, acceptability and increased knowledge of prostate cancer. Conclusions: The findings of this review suggest community-centred interventions have the potential to improve early diagnosis of prostate cancer in Black men via increased knowledge and improved decision making. Key words: Prostate cancer, Black men, early diagnosis, community centred

Using games to understand the mind

Board, card or video games have been played by virtually every individual in the world. Games are popular because they are intuitive and fun. These distinctive qualities of games also make them ideal for studying the mind. By being intuitive, games provide a unique vantage point for understanding the inductive biases that support behaviour in more complex, ecological settings than traditional laboratory experiments. By being fun, games allow researchers to study new questions in cognition such as the meaning of 'play' and intrinsic motivation, while also supporting more extensive and diverse data collection by attracting many more participants. We describe the advantages and drawbacks of using games relative to standard laboratory-based experiments and lay out a set of recommendations on how to gain the most from using games to study cognition. We hope this Perspective will lead to a wider use of games as experimental paradigms, elevating the ecological validity, scale and robustness of research on the mind

Barriers and facilitators to accessing healthcare for early diagnosis of prostate cancer for black men—a qualitative exploration in North-East England and Scotland

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United Kingdom. There are substantial inequalities in prostate cancer, with Black African and Caribbean men at least twice as likely as White men to develop prostate cancer, and twice as likely to die from it. Black men need to be aware of their elevated risk, which can encourage help-seeking behaviour leading to early diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators to accessing healthcare for early diagnosis of prostate cancer for Black men. Methods: Barriers and facilitators were explored through online focus groups with Black men ( n = 13) from Scotland and North-East England, who formed the Public Involvement and Community Engagement group for a larger study. Purposive and snowball sampling was used. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was iterative. Framework analysis was used and data were mapped onto the Integrated Screening Action Model (I-SAM). Results: Participants believed Black men lack prostate cancer knowledge. Additionally, prostate cancer communication needs to use language that Black men could identify with. Participants shared a lack of trust in healthcare providers and perspectives emerged resulting from negative healthcare experiences, including experiences of racism, as barriers to accessing healthcare for early prostate cancer diagnosis. Difficulties with accessing care, including navigating the healthcare system and making appointments, as well as cultural, social and religious factors, were reported as barriers to prostate cancer health checks. Discussing intimate and sensitive issues such as prostate cancer was perceived as difficult for Black men. The involvement of community and religious leaders, along with the collectivist characteristic of the community and the belief in staying healthy for the benefit of the family, were perceived as facilitators. Conclusion: Barriers to accessing healthcare for early prostate cancer diagnosis are complex and multifaceted, requiring complex solutions. Asset-based, participatory, and culturally tailored interventions have the potential to be effective in addressing barriers, and thus ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality through earlier diagnosis of prostate cancer in Black communities

A research agenda to support the development and implementation of genomics-based clinical informatics tools and resources.

OBJECTIVE: The Genomic Medicine Working Group of the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research virtually hosted its 13th genomic medicine meeting titled Developing a Clinical Genomic Informatics Research Agenda . The meeting\u27s goal was to articulate a research strategy to develop Genomics-based Clinical Informatics Tools and Resources (GCIT) to improve the detection, treatment, and reporting of genetic disorders in clinical settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experts from government agencies, the private sector, and academia in genomic medicine and clinical informatics were invited to address the meeting\u27s goals. Invitees were also asked to complete a survey to assess important considerations needed to develop a genomic-based clinical informatics research strategy. RESULTS: Outcomes from the meeting included identifying short-term research needs, such as designing and implementing standards-based interfaces between laboratory information systems and electronic health records, as well as long-term projects, such as identifying and addressing barriers related to the establishment and implementation of genomic data exchange systems that, in turn, the research community could help address. DISCUSSION: Discussions centered on identifying gaps and barriers that impede the use of GCIT in genomic medicine. Emergent themes from the meeting included developing an implementation science framework, defining a value proposition for all stakeholders, fostering engagement with patients and partners to develop applications under patient control, promoting the use of relevant clinical workflows in research, and lowering related barriers to regulatory processes. Another key theme was recognizing pervasive biases in data and information systems, algorithms, access, value, and knowledge repositories and identifying ways to resolve them