Mentor

Children diagnosed with autism face many barriers to learning. Animal Assisted Services and Interventions (AAS/AAI) have been adopted to support children within schools. The Dog Mentor is a UK-based organisation that provides training for handlers and assesses dogs to be integrated within schools. It adopts a rigorous and continuous training package and ensures the safety and welfare of all involved by adopting a whole school approach. This research uses content analysis to understand the types of activities and outcomes in The Dog Mentor programme, as established by teachers and dog handlers, across 58 schools. Teachers and dog handlers perceived that The Dog Mentor successfully supported children with autism, using a variety of sessions. This variability is seen as a benefit as it enables the intervention to be tailored to meet the needs of the students. Handler-reported benefits include creating a calm environment, promoting engagement, and supporting learning. Improved self- and emotion regulation, mental health, and resilience were also noted by the handler reports. Future research needs to investigate these perceived benefits using quantitative data, as well as look into outcomes relating to the dogs supporting others with bereavement and trauma. This topic was briefly mentioned by two of the schools, but there was not enough data to understand the impact in depth.

For women in the United States desiring implant-based breast reconstruction, the maximum volume of commercially available silicone breast implants has, to date, been 800cc. We evaluated the safety of MENTOR® larger-size MemoryGel® Ultra-High Profile breast implants (≥930cc) in women undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction. This 10-year, multicenter, open-label, prospective, investigational study assessed the safety and effectiveness of larger-volume implants in women undergoing postmastectomy 2-stage primary or revision reconstruction. Three-year Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression analyzed the association between patient and treatment characteristics and surgical outcomes. Breast-Q was used to assess effectiveness at 3 years. Four hundred women were enrolled (225 primary, 175 revision reconstruction). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 35.8 kg/m2; 81% had a BMI ≥30 kg/m2. At 3 years, the cumulative incidence of postoperative complications (excluding rupture) was 63.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.1-67.9). The reoperation rate was 24.5% (95% CI, 20.4-29.1), and the explantation rate was 15.8% (95% CI, 23.5-19.9). Independent predictors of complications included radiation and a history of smoking. There were no significant associations between postoperative complications and implant volume ≥1135cc or <1135cc. Breast-Q scores at Year 3 showed significant improvements from baseline in satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, sexual well-being, and physical well-being (all P<0.0001). The mean score for satisfaction with outcome was 79.9. These 3-year results demonstrate that larger-volume silicone breast implants represent a safe and effective option for patients with larger breasts who are requesting postmastectomy implant-based reconstruction.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02724371.

Electroadhesion(EA) is a promising mechanism for soft docking, detumbling, and proximity operations in space, but its performance under vacuum and space-relevant contact conditions remains poorly quantified. This paper presents a combined experimental and simulation framework to evaluate EA pad behavior in both atmospheric and vacuum environments. Two vacuum-compatible EA pad designs are investigated: a flexible printed circuit (FPC) pad using Kapton polyimide film and a bi-layer-coated pad combining a polyimide primer with a high-permittivity polyurethane topcoat. Finite-element simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics are used to estimate electroadhesive normal forces and explore parametric sensitivities, while complementary experiments are conducted using two testbeds. Shear and normal force measurements, performed by InOrbit Aerospace, quantify achievable EA forces in atmospheric conditions, while a fully vacuum-compatible rotator-stage setup enables qualitative comparison of adhesion performance between atmospheric and vacuum environments. The results show that surface conformity and contact mechanics dominate EA performance and introduce substantial variability in observed electroadhesive forces. Vacuum testing consistently improves repeatability and achievable adhesion, likely due to the elimination of humidity-related effects, but also reveals long-lived dielectric polarization of the EA pad complicating deadhesion. Both tested pad designs withstand significantly higher voltages than commonly reported in the literature, enabling higher forces (peak of 18 N shear force at 6 kV); measured normal forces agree in order of magnitude with simulations, but simulations predict higher dependence on applied voltage. Shear forces are observed to be significantly stronger than normal forces for both pad designs. The novel bi-layer coating does not outperform the monolayer coated pads as predicted by previous computational studies. Overall, these findings highlight key challenges for electroadhesion deployment in space, most notably the need for reliable and controllable deadhesion mechanisms and the implications of operating at higher voltages. At the same time, the results indicate that vacuum operation improves adhesion repeatability and robustness relative to atmospheric testing, motivating more systematic and quantitative electroadhesion characterization under space-relevant vacuum conditions.

BackgroundGlobally, the rising concern regarding the stress experienced by police officials poses a significant challenge. However, there is limited research on this issue in low- and middle-income countries like India. The present study examines the specific stressors associated with the operational demands and organizational structures experienced by police officers in the state of Kerala, India.MethodsA survey was conducted among police officials working in randomly selected police stations located in the Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. We used the level of occupational and organizational stress using the police stress questionnaire. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the factors that were associated with higher stress levels.ResultsThe findings indicated that 75.5% of participants experienced high operational stress and 65.6% experienced high organizational stress. Age was significantly associated with operational stress, with participants in the higher age group reporting higher levels of stress(odds ratio (OR): 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–4.59). Participants with lower physical activity levelshad a higher likelihood of experiencing operational stress (OR: 7.07; CI: 2.85–17.50) and organizational stress (OR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.38–5.59) compared to their more active counterparts. The use of alcohol or tobacco was found to be the highest associated factor with operational (OR: 14.58, CI:4.19–50.7) and organizational stress (OR: 27.45, CI:8.01–94.03). Having diabetes or hypertension was also significantly associated with a high level of operational stress (OR: 2.97, CI: 1.32–6.60) and organizational stress (OR: 4.16; CI: 2.02–8.57).ConclusionsThe study highlights factors associated with higher stress levels, including physical inactivity, alcohol or tobacco use, and morbidity, that require targeted interventions to enhance the mental and physical health of police officers. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers proposesuitable intervention programs in this population. Further, the findings suggest that the police departments may consider providing better stress-management skills, mental health resources, and flexible work arrangements to managestress.

BackgroundThe Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), is a highly invasive species that has successfully colonized many tropical and temperate regions worldwide. Its rapid global spread is strongly associated with human activities and has created favorable conditions for the emergence of human arboviruses in new geographic areas.MethodsMosquito larvae were collected by community health workers from different breeding sites and reared to adults in a field insectary. Adult mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species level. Species identification was confirmed by cytochrome oxidase subunit I DNA barcoding.ResultsWe report the first detection of Aedes albopictus in Angola during an Anopheles stephensi survey conducted in Soyo, Zaire Province. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Angolan Ae. albopictus population clusters with sequences from Central African countries, suggesting an introduction from within the continent.ConclusionsThe presence of Ae. albopictus in Angola highlights the need for enhanced vector surveillance and control measures to prevent the emergence of arboviral diseases. This finding emphasizes the relevance of collaboration between local health authorities, communities, and international organizations in monitoring the spread of invasive mosquito species.

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a high-grade glioma and one of the most aggressive tumor types within the central nervous system. Extensive research has explored the role of the tumor microenvironment in GBM progression, revealing diverse interactions and pathways that drive its development. A significant focus has been on hypoxic microenvironments, which are common in GBM and contribute to its immunosuppressive nature. The high heterogeneity and immunosuppressive characteristics of GBM present challenges for treatment, often reducing the efficacy of traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. As a result, there is increasing interest in combination therapies as a more effective strategy for managing this aggressive cancer. This paper focuses on exploring research conducted on understanding the role hypoxic microenvironments play in GBMs persistence.

IntroductionThis cross-sectional study examines whether the assumption that diastemas of 1 mm or greater are un-attractive is true in a Black West-African population, and identifies the determinants of attractiveness.MethodsA structured questionnaire was self-administered to adult participants, who rated digitally altered full-face colour photographs of a male and female model with diastema widths of 0–6 mm on a 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative data was analysed using SAS® (version 9.4) and SPSS® (version 26). Qualitative data was analysed with thematic analysis.Results375 participants completed the questionnaire (51% female, 48% male, 1% preferred not to disclose) with a modal age of 25–34. 65% of participants found maxillary midline diastema esthetic and/or desirable, with 63% of those with diastemas choosing to have no treatment, and the desire to have treatment decreasing with increasing age (p = 0.012). No smile was perceived to be unattractive, however female smiles were rated more favourably (p < 0.001) and increasing diastema width correlated with a decreasing attractiveness especially for diastemas wider than 3 mm in females and 2 mm in males. Diastema width, the gender of the model, and whether or not the participant had a diastema themselves was shown to impact perceptions of attractiveness in a multi-variable analysis.ConclusionThere is limited evidence to support the position that MMDs over 1 mm are not attractive in this population. Diastemas of ≤3 mm in females and ≤2 mm in males are considered attractive. In addition gender, diastema width, and an individual’s own diastema (or absence thereof) impact perceived attractiveness.

Objetivo: Investigar na literatura o impacto dos fármacos antirreabsortivos na prevenção de fraturas em pacientes diagnosticados com osteoporose. Método: Revisão Integrativa da Literatura. A pesquisa eletrônica ocorreu nas bases de dados LILACS e Pubmed Resultados: Foram selecionados 8 estudos, sendo o mais antigo publicado no ano de 2000 e o mais recente no ano de 2020. Quanto aos aspectos metodológicos, 100% dos estudos selecionados correspondem a ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados por placebo. Foram considerados como estratégias de busca, as seguintes palavras-chave registradas nos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCs): “Osteoporose”, “Tratamento”, “Bisfosfonatos”, “Saúde pública”, “Denosumabe”, “Estrogênio”, “Moduladores Seletivos de Recaptação de Estrogênio”, “Idosos”. Discussão: Os fármacos antirreabsortivos atuam impedindo a ação osteclástica e, consequentemente, reduzindo o processo de remodelamento ósseo. Os bisfosfonatos são o grupo de fármacos antirreabsortivos mais utilizados. Esses fármacos atuam prevenindo fraturas em pacientes com osteoporose. Considerações finais: Este estudo observou que, todos os fármacos antirrebsortivos analisados em ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados por placebo reduziram o risco de fraturas em pacientes com osteoporose ao serem com parados com nenhum tratamento. Assim, o tratamento da osteoporose com a utilização de fármacos antirreabsortivos provavelmente representa melhor benefício aos pacientes, especialmente na melhora da DMO e no menor risco de fraturas.