bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal Efficacy and Physical Properties of Poly(methylmethacrylate) Denture Base Material Reinforced with SiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Alzayyat Sara T. , Almutiri Ghadah A. , Aljandan Jawhara K. , Algarzai Raneem M. , Khan Soban Q. , Akhtar Sultan , Matin Asif , Gad Mohammed M.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of the addition of low concentration of silicon‐dioxide nanoparticles (nano‐SiO2) to poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) denture base material on Candida albicans adhesion, surface roughness, contact angle, hardness, and translucency.

Materials and methods

A total of 150 acrylic disks were fabricated from heat‐polymerized acrylic resin and specimens were divided into 3 groups of 50 per test. They were further subdivided into 5 subgroups (n = 10) according to the concentration of nano‐SiO2: control (no addition) and four tested groups modified with 0.05, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt% nano‐SiO2 of acrylic powder. Slide count and direct culture methods were used to measure C. albicans count (CFU/mL). The surface roughness values (Ra; μm) were determined using a profilometer. The contact angle (o) measurement was performed by a goniometer using the sessile drop method. Vickers hardness was used to analyze surface hardness. Translucency was measured using a spectrophotometer. Data analysis was conducted through analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Compared to the control group, direct culture and slide count methods illustrated a significant decrease in C. albicans count (p ˂ 0.001) with the addition of nano‐SiO2, and this decrease was correlated with the concentration of nano‐SiO2. The addition of nano‐SiO2 significantly decreased the contact angle (p ˂ 0.001), whereas hardness and surface roughness significantly increased (p ˂ 0.001). The addition of nano‐SiO2 significantly decreased translucency (p ˂ 0.001), and this decrease was concentration dependent.

Conclusion

Addition of low concentration of nano‐SiO2 decreased C. albicans adhesion to PMMA denture base resin. Also, low additions of nano‐SiO2 have positive effects on contact angle and hardness, whereas surface roughness and translucency were adversely affected at high concentrations.
The Unseen Picture: Issues with Health Care, Discrimination, Police and Safety, and Housing Experienced by Native American Populations in Rural America
Authors: Findling Mary T.G. , Blendon Robert J. , Benson John M. , Miller Carolyn
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Despite increased national attention to improving rural health, rural Native American populations face unique problems that are often unseen in aggregate research on the rural United States. The objective of this study was to examine rural Native Americans’ experiences with serious problems across domains important to health, using rural Whites as a comparison group.

Methods

Using 2 probability‐based national telephone surveys (2017 and 2019), we examined rural Native American adults’ reported problems in health care, discrimination, police and safety, and housing. We then compared Native American‐White differences in reported problems across domains.

Findings

Among rural Native American adults, 33% reported recent problems accessing health care when they needed it, 28% reported they or family members recently experienced major problems paying for medical bills, and 28% reported recent problems with health care quality. Several Native American‐White differences were reported, including experiencing racial violence (34% vs 5%, P < .001), discrimination in health care (19% vs 3%, P = .003), unfair police treatment (27% vs 5%, P = .002), and major housing problems (48% vs 26%, P < .001).

Conclusions

Rural Native American adults report ongoing and widespread problems with health care, discrimination, the police, safety, and housing. These findings support many national policy recommendations to improve federal funding and oversight for programs serving Native American populations living in rural areas.
Management of incontinence following pre‐pubic urethrostomy in a cat using an artificial urethral sphincter
Authors: Eayrs M. K. , Moores A. L.
Published: October 2020

A 14‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with a 4‐year history of urinary incontinence following prepubic urethrostomy. Physical examination confirmed peristomal dermatitis, urine scalding and constant urine leakage. Haematology, serum biochemistry and urinalysis were unremarkable. Ultrasonography revealed a non‐distended urinary bladder. An artificial urethral sphincter mechanism, with subsequent incremental inflation of the cuff 6 weeks later, resulted in complete resolution of clinical signs, return to normal urinary function and excellent quality of life. The cat was still continent at 5‐year follow‐up. Further studies including additional cases are required to highlight effectiveness and harms of the procedure.
Imerslund‐Grasbeck syndrome in a cross‐breed dog
Authors: Sancho I. M. , Holmes A. , Adamantos S.
Published: October 2020

Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease reported only in certain pure‐breed dogs. An 18‐month‐old, male neutered beagle cross‐breed was presented for evaluation of severe lethargy, progressive weakness and anorexia. Main clinicopathological findings included low body condition score (2.5/9), severe muscle atrophy, several neurological abnormalities, mild normochromic, normocytic, non‐regenerative anaemia, severe hypocobalaminemia and mild proteinuria. Extensive diagnostic tests ruled out most of differential diagnoses for the aforementioned clinicopathological abnormalities and genetic evaluation showed that the dog was heterozygous for two previously described mutations affecting the CUBN gene, the beagle and the border collie variants. The dog showed an excellent clinical response to oral cobalamin supplementation with no relapse after 4 months. In conclusion, this case creates awareness that Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome should be considered even in mixed‐breed dogs with compatible clinical signs and that two different pathogenic CUBN mutations in compound heterozygosity can lead to a typical Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome phenotype.
An explicit partial‐equilibrium model to justify the Generalized Marshall‐Lerner condition (GML)
Authors: Özçam Ahmet
Published: October 2020

Robinson's derivation of the Marshall‐Lerner condition (ML) is more general in that she considers a situation where initially the trade balance is not in equilibrium with the incorporation of the supply curves of exporters. This paper examines a partial equilibrium analysis of a country's imports and exports markets within a theoretical model which considers both the demand and supply sides in these two internationally traded‐goods markets. The aim here is to show explicitly how the Generalized Marshall‐Lerner condition (GML) of Robinson can be obtained. We examined the two effects of the nominal depreciation of the domestic currency on the trade balance: the volume effect and the value effect and how they counterbalance each other. We found that the standard Marshall‐Lerner condition (ML) was not sufficient when the trade balance was initially in deficit and it was also not necessary if the trade balance showed an initial surplus. Moreover, this study provides a new interpretation for Robinson’ sufficiency condition where the trade balance must improve following a nominal depreciation of domestic currency when the elasticity of foreign demand exceeds the ratio of imports to exports. This paper also examines the situation of a small open economy which could not influence the world prices where the foreign demand for exports and the foreign supply of exports are infinitely large. Finally, there is a discussion on two policy implications for exchange rate regulation: the amount of devaluation that is necessary to improve a given trade imbalance as a governments intervention and additional support for the slow improvement of the trade balance in the short run after a devaluation policy known as the J‐Curve effect.
Designing Binge‐Worthy Courses: Pandemic Pleasures and COVID‐19 Consequences
Authors: Ebner Noam , Greenberg Elayne E.
Published: October 2020

Teachers of conflict, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution who have transitioned their in‐person courses to synchronous video conferencing are posed with significant pedagogical challenges. How will they stoke their students’ curiosity and maintain their students’ interest? How will students find the motivation and energy necessary to engage in nonstop videoconferences, day in and day out? How are they to maintain the high cognitive function required for our courses in the face of Zoom fatigue and reduced social interaction? In light of these challenges, we explored another activity that students (and their teachers) not only engage in, but can’t pull themselves away from. Drawing on the literature examining psychological and neuroscientific aspects of binge‐watching television shows, we propose an innovative approach to designing courses our students will want to binge‐learn.
Acute interstitial nephritis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus following treatment with sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim and temozolomide
Authors: Athavale Akshay , Morris Jack , Jardine Meg , Gallagher Martin , Sen Shaundeep , Ritchie Angus , Wang Amanda Y.
Published: October 2020

We report a case of acute interstitial nephritis with associated nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in a patient treated with temozolomide and sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim for glioblastoma multiforme. Kidney biopsy demonstrated focal tubulointerstitial change with tubular dilatation, epithelial change and interstitial inflammation. The patient's kidney function improved with cessation of sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim and treatment with hydrochlorothiazide for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Recommencement of temozolomide did not result in further deterioration in kidney function. In this case report, we discuss the novel association between sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim‐induced acute interstitial nephritis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and suggest possible mechanisms involved.
Diurnal dynamics of nonphotochemical quenching in Arabidopsis npq mutants assessed by solar‐induced fluorescence and reflectance measurements in the field
Authors: Acebron Kelvin , Matsubara Shizue , Jedmowski Christoph , Emin Dzhaner , Muller Onno , Rascher Uwe
Published: October 2020

Solar‐induced fluorescence (SIF) is highly relevant in mapping photosynthesis from remote‐sensing platforms. This requires linking SIF to photosynthesis and understanding the role of nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms under field conditions. Hence, active and passive fluorescence were measured in Arabidopsis with altered NPQ in outdoor conditions.

Plants with mutations in either violaxanthin de‐epoxidase (npq1) or PsbS protein (npq4) exhibited reduced NPQ capacity. Parallel measurements of NPQ, photosystem II efficiency, SIF and spectral reflectance (ρ) were conducted diurnally on one sunny summer day and two consecutive days during a simulated cold spell.

Results showed that both npq mutants exhibited higher levels of SIF compared to wild‐type plants. Changes in reflectance were related to changes in the violaxanthin–antheraxanthin–zeaxanthin cycle and not to PsbS‐mediated conformational changes. When plants were exposed to cold temperatures, rapid onset of photoinhibition strongly quenched SIF in all lines.

Using well‐characterized Arabidopsis npq mutants, we showed for the first time the quantitative link between SIF, photosynthetic efficiency, NPQ components and leaf reflectance. We discuss the functional potential and limitations of SIF and reflectance measurements for estimating photosynthetic efficiency and NPQ in the field.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, COVID‐19 pathogenesis, and exposure to air pollution: What is the connection?
Authors: Woodby Brittany , Arnold Michelle M. , Valacchi Giuseppe
Published: October 2020

Exposure to air pollutants has been previously associated with respiratory viral infections, including influenza, measles, mumps, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Epidemiological studies have also suggested that air pollution exposure is associated with increased cases of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19–associated mortality, although the molecular mechanisms by which pollutant exposure affects viral infection and pathogenesis of COVID‐19 remain unknown. In this review, we suggest potential molecular mechanisms that could account for this association. We have focused on the potential effect of exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) since there are studies investigating how exposure to these pollutants affects the life cycle of other viruses. We have concluded that pollutant exposure may affect different stages of the viral life cycle, including inhibition of mucociliary clearance, alteration of viral receptors and proteases required for entry, changes to antiviral interferon production and viral replication, changes in viral assembly mediated by autophagy, prevention of uptake by macrophages, and promotion of viral spread by increasing epithelial permeability. We believe that exposure to pollutants skews adaptive immune responses toward bacterial/allergic immune responses, as opposed to antiviral responses. Exposure to air pollutants could also predispose exposed populations toward developing COIVD‐19–associated immunopathology, enhancing virus‐induced tissue inflammation and damage.
Ant foraging strategies vary along a natural resource gradient
Authors: Segev Udi , Tielbörger Katja , Lubin Yael , Kigel Jaime
Published: October 2020

Food selection by foragers is sensitive to the availability of resources, which may vary along geographical gradients. Hence, selectivity of food types by foragers is expected to track these resource gradients. Here we addressed this hypothesis and asked if foraging decisions of seed‐eating ants differ along a geographic gradient of habitat productivity. The study was carried out for two years at five sites along a natural climatic gradient, ranging from arid to Mediterranean, where plant productivity varies six‐fold across a short geographic distance of 250 km. We found that in ant colonies of the genus Messor, collective foraging decisions differed along the gradient. Specifically, at the high‐productivity sites, a stronger association was found between plant seed availability and selectivity, suggesting that colonies respond more accurately to within‐patch variation in food amounts. In contrast, colonies in low‐productivity sites foraged in patches with higher concentration of seeds, suggesting that they respond more accurately to among‐patch variation in food amounts. Moreover, at the high‐productivity sites, colonies were more discriminating in their choice of food and preferred bigger seeds, while in the low‐productivity sites, where smaller seeds were relatively more abundant, food collection depended mostly on seed availability. An experiment with artificial seed patches performed along the same climatic gradient, revealed no difference in food selectivity across sites when food type and availability were similar, and a general preference for bigger over medium‐sized seeds. Overall, our findings suggest that resource availability is an important factor explaining food choice along a climatic gradient and imply that in low‐productivity regions small‐seeded species incur high predation pressure, whereas in high‐productivity regions, large‐seeded species suffer higher predation. This could have important consequences for plant species composition, particularly at the face of climate change, which could dramatically alter the foraging decisions of granivores.
Clinical outcomes and prognosis of Thai retinoblastoma patients
Authors: Prajantawanich Kaewpanpat , Sanpakit Kleebsabai , Narkbunnam Nattee , Vathana Nassawee , Takpradit Chayamon , Phuakpet Kamon , Pongtanakul Bunchoo , Atchaneeyasakul La‐ongsri , Sinlapamongkolkul Phakatip , Buaboonnam Jassada
Published: October 2020

Background

Retinoblastoma (RB) outcomes in Thailand are unfavorable compared to those of developed countries. This study aims to determine whether the clinical outcomes of patients with RB significantly improved after the implementation of new therapeutic approaches and which clinical factors affect survival and globe‐saving outcomes.

Methods

The medical records of patients newly diagnosed with RB and treated at Siriraj Hospital between January 2005 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical data, treatments, and outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

In 194 eyes (144 patients), leukocoria was the most common presenting feature (76.8%); 129 (66.5%) eyes were staged in group E of the International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma. Of the 149 enucleated eyes, 35 had high‐risk histopathological features, mostly choroidal invasion; 45 eyes (23.2%) could be salvaged. The 5‐year overall survival rate was 90.3%, an improvement compared to the previous study. The 5‐year enucleation‐free survival rates of Groups A and B, C, D and E were 100%, 83.1%, 36.7% and 16.6% respectively. Factors associated with a lower survival rate were interval from symptom onset to diagnosis >3 months (hazard ratio (HR): 5.8: 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.637, 20.579) and buphthalmos (HR: 12.57: 95% CI: 3.936, 40.153). Factors associated with high‐risk features were secondary glaucoma (HR: 11.016: 95% CI: 1.24, 98.10) and pseudohypopyon (HR: 14.110: 95% CI: 2.16, 92.05).

Conclusions

Survival rates and globe‐saving rates appear to have improved; however, advanced‐stage presentation remains the major hindrance. Further studies with a larger cohort and longer follow‐up are warranted.
Remittances and rural credit markets: Evidence from Senegal
Authors: Mbaye Linguère Mously
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the relationship between remittances and credit markets in Senegal, focusing on rural areas where financial constraints are more challenging. Using a household fixed effects model, the findings show that remittances and credit markets are complements; namely, the receipt of remittances is positively associated with the likelihood of having a loan in a household. This means that migrants can increase the reliability of their family members and close relatives back home through their remittances, insuring them vis‐à‐vis lenders for their credit contracts. They are the collateral or the “element of trust” in the credit contract between the borrower and the lender, representing a potential alternative in case of non‐repayment. This result is robust to alternative models and various robustness tests mitigating the potential endogeneity of remittances. A detailed analysis also shows that the relationship between remittances and credit markets is mainly driven by loans taken for consumption and food, in particular, as well as loans provided by informal institutions.
Externalizing behaviors and attachment disorganization in children of different‐sex separated parents: The protective role of joint physical custody
Authors: Bacro Fabien , Macario de Medeiros Julio
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between externalizing behaviors and the quality of attachment representations in preschool children, and to determine if family type and custody arrangement had a moderating effect on this relationship. The participants were 33 girls and 31 boys (n = 64) aged between three and six years (M = 4.75; SD = 0.87 years) and their mothers. Among them, 36 came from “intact” families, 13 were living mainly with their mothers and 15 were in joint physical custody. Children’s attachment representations were assessed with the Attachment Story Completion Task (Bretherton, Ridgeway & Cassidy, 1990). Mothers reported on their child’s behavior problems using the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) and on their alliance with the father using the Parenting Alliance Inventory (Abidin & Brunner, 1995). Although children’s externalizing behaviors were found to be associated with the disorganization of their attachment representations, this relationship was significantly weaker and was non‐significant for children in joint physical custody. Thus, the results of this pilot study suggest that joint custody may protect children of separated parents from the effects of attachment disorganization on externalizing behaviors.
Emotional eating: A treatment‐worthy construct, or artifact of relations between mood and eating behaviors in younger and older women with obesity
Authors: Annesi James J. , Johnson Ping H.
Published: October 2020

Emotional eating (EE) is considered important for controlling weight, especially in women; however, it might be affected by age. Within a recently proposed model assessing theoretical paths from physical activity to changes in psychological variables and then eating behavior and weight, it was unclear if EE was a construct requiring specific treatment attention or if attending to effects of physical activity‐induced mood changes on eating was sufficient. Women with obesity of >35 years‐of‐age (n = 100) and ≤35 years (n = 44) participated in a behavioral weight loss treatment and were assessed on psychological factors and physical activity and eating behaviors over 6 months. At baseline, the younger group demonstrated significantly higher scores on physical activity and depression, and significantly lower scores on fruit/vegetable intake. Improvements in Tension (i.e., anxiety), Overall Negative Mood, and dimensions of EE from baseline–Month 3 were significantly greater in the younger group. Similar significant improvements in physical activity and the intake of sweets and fruits/vegetables over 6 months were observed in both groups. Incorporating aggregated data, change in physical activity was significantly related to mood improvements. With the exception of EE related to Anger/Frustration, changes in dimensions of EE and Overall EE significantly mediated the prediction of sweets and fruit/vegetable intake by corresponding dimensions of mood and Overall Mood. Age group significantly moderated embedded relationships between changes in Overall EE and EE‐Anxiety and change in fruit/vegetable intake, with the older age group having stronger relations. Findings suggest that EE is a construct requiring distinct attention within behavioral obesity treatments.
The long and short of it: The temporal significance of wealth and income
Authors: Hecht Katharina , Summers Kate
Published: October 2020

In the literatures on the lived experience of poverty and richness temporal dimensions are underappreciated. Comparing qualitative interviews with those at opposite ends of the income and wealth distributions in the UK, we examine a temporal contrast: while “poor” participants experience money as flows of income which focus orientation to the present and constrain orientation to the future, “rich” participants experience money not only as flows of income, but also in the form of a stock of wealth which facilitates long‐term orientations. Highlighting the enduring nature of wealth and the comparative short‐termism of income, we argue that the way in which capital and income relates to individuals' orientations to the future is important for understanding how economic inequality is experienced. Put differently, the form which economic resources take matters for one's ability to plan and control the future. This insight contributes to our understanding of the experience of being economically advantaged or disadvantaged, with implications for (social) policy.
Comparative Performance of K, E, and J-Type Fast Response Coaxial Probes for Short-Period Transient Measurements
Authors: Manjhi Sanjeev Kumar , Kumar Rakesh
Published: October 2020

In many engineering applications, the heating condition changes in a millisecond or less, thus to study such conditions, the coaxial thermocouples (CTs) are used because they have fast responding capability. The present study reveals the construction of K, E, and J-type of coaxial thermocouples and comparative investigation of performance parameters such as determination of thermal coefficient resistance, sensitivity, thermal product (TP), transient temperatures, surface heat flux, response time, and the comparative analysis are performed. These coaxial thermocouples are exposed to four different step heat loads (5 kW/m2, 25 kW/m2, 50 kW/m2, and 70 kW/m2) supplied by a continuous-wave type laser source. Subsequently, the transient temperature histories have been captured for 1.5 s, as well as the thermal product and the surface heat flux are assessed through one-dimensional heat conduction modeling for a semi-infinite body. For the known wattage input heat load, the finite element and analytical study have been done to compare the experimental outcomes. The experimental results have reasonable accuracy with the numerical and analytical results. The average error calculated for transient temperatures and evaluated heat flux are ±0.25% and ±2.5%, and the response times of these coaxial thermocouples are calculated as 40 µs, 36 µs, and 46 µs for K, E, and J-type, respectively, which shows the measuring capability of these CTs for short-duration measurements.
Study on the Effects of Cone Height on the Turbulent Nonpremixed Flames Downstream of a Conical Bluff Body
Authors: Ata Alper , Bedii Ozdemir I.
Published: October 2020

Flow, thermal, and emission characteristics of turbulent nonpremixed CH4 flames were investigated for three burner heads of different cone heights. The fuel velocity was kept constant at 15 m/s, while the coflow air speed was varied between 0 and 7.4 m/s. Detailed radial profiles of the velocity and temperature were obtained in the bluff body wake at three vertical locations of 0.5D, 1D, and 1.5D. Emissions of CO2, CO, NOx, and O2 were also measured at the tail end of every flame. Flames were digitally photographed to support the point measurements with the visual observations. Fifteen different stability points were examined, which were the results of three bluff body variants and five coflow velocities. The results show that a blue-colored ring flame is formed, especially at high coflow velocities. The results also illustrate that depending on the mixing at the bluff-body wake, the flames exhibit two modes of combustion regimes, namely fuel jet- and coflow-dominated flames. In the jet-dominated regime, the flames become longer when compared with the flames of the coflow-dominated regime. In the latter regime, emissions were largely reduced due to the dilution by the excess air, which also surpasses their production.
Review of Computational Fluid Dynamics Studies on Chemical Looping Combustion
Authors: Shao Yali , Agarwal Ramesh K. , Wang Xudong , Jin Baosheng
Published: October 2020

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is an attractive technology to achieve inherent CO2 separation with low energy penalty. In CLC, the conventional one-step combustion process is replaced by two successive reactions in two reactors, a fuel reactor (FR) and an air reactor (AR). In addition to experimental techniques, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful tool to simulate the flow and reaction characteristics in a CLC system. This review attempts to analyze and summarize the CFD simulations of CLC process. Various numerical approaches for prediction of CLC flow process are first introduced and compared. The simulations of CLC are presented for different types of reactors and fuels, and some key characteristics including flow regimes, combustion process, and gas-solid distributions are described in detail. The full-loop CLC simulations are then presented to reveal the coupling mechanisms of reactors in the whole system such as the gas leakage, solid circulation, redox reactions of the oxygen carrier, fuel conversion, etc. Examples of partial-loop CLC simulation are finally introduced to give a summary of different ways to simplify a CLC system by using appropriate boundary conditions.
Practical guide for curve fitting in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Major George H. , Fairley Neal , Sherwood Peter M. A. , Linford Matthew R. , Terry Jeff , Fernandez Vincent , Artyushkova Kateryna
Published: October 2020

The use of peak fitting to extract information from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data is of growing use and importance. Due to increased instrument accessibility and reliability, the use of XPS instrumentation has significantly increased around the world. However, the increased use has not been matched by the expertise of the new users, and the erroneous application of curve fitting has contributed to ambiguity and confusion in parts of the literature. This guide discusses the physics and chemistry involved in generating XPS spectra, describes good practices for peak fitting, and provides examples of appropriate use along with tools for avoiding mistakes.
A computational method whose time had come
Authors: Keith Wilson D.
Published: October 2020

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.
Effects of Time of Day on Pacing in a 4-km Time Trial in Trained Cyclists
Authors: Zadow Emma K. , Fell James W. , Kitic Cecilia M. , Han Jia , Wu Sam S. X.
Published: October 2020

Context:Time of day has been shown to impact athletic performance, with improved performance observed in the late afternoon–early evening. Diurnal variations in physiological factors may contribute to variations in pacing selection; however, research investigating time-of-day influence on pacing is limited.Purpose:To investigate the influence of time-of-day on pacing selection in a 4-km cycling time trial (TT).Methods:Nineteen trained male cyclists (mean [SD] age 39.0 [10.7] y, height 1.8 [0.1] m, body mass 78.0 [9.4] kg, VO2max 62.1 [8.7] mL·kg−1·min−1) completed a 4-km TT on 5 separate occasions at 08:30, 11:30, 14:30, 17:30, and 20:30. All TTs were completed in a randomized order, separated by a minimum of 2 d and maximum of 7 d.Results:No time-of-day effects were observed in pacing as demonstrated by similar power outputs over 0.5-km intervals (P = .78) or overall mean power output (333.0 [38.9], 339.8 [37.2], 335.5 [31.2], 336.7 [35.2], and 334.9 [35.7] W;P = .45) when TTs were performed at 08:30, 11:30, 14:30, 17:30, and 20:30. Preexercise tympanic temperature demonstrated a time-of-day effect (P < .001), with tympanic temperature higher at 14:30 and 17:30 than at 08:30 and 11:30.Conclusion:While a biological rhythm was present in tympanic temperature, pacing selection and performance when completing a 4-km cycling TT were not influenced by time of day. The findings suggest that well-trained cyclists can maintain a robust pacing strategy for a 4-km TT regardless of time of the day.
Azole and Amphotericin B MIC Values against
Aspergillus fumigatus
: High Agreement between Spectrophotometric and Visual Readings Using the EUCAST EDef 9.3.2 Procedure
Authors: Serrano-Lobo Julia , Gómez Ana , Sánchez-Yebra Waldo , Fajardo Miguel , Lorenzo Belén , Sánchez-Reus Ferrán , Vidal Inmaculada , Fernández-Torres Marina , Sánchez-Romero Isabel , Ruiz de Alegría-Puig Carlos , del Pozo José Luis , Muñoz Patricia , Escribano Pilar , Guinea Jesús
Published: October 2020

The EUCAST EDef 9.3.2 procedure recommends visual readings of azole and amphotericin B MICs against
Aspergillus
spp. Visual determination of MICs may be challenging. In this work, we aim to obtain and compare visual and spectrophotometric MIC readings of azoles and amphotericin B against
Aspergillus fumigatus
sensu lato
isolates. A total of 847
A. fumigatus
sensu lato
isolates (
A. fumigatus sensu stricto
[
n
 = 828] and cryptic species [
n
 = 19]) were tested against amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole using the EUCAST EDef 9.
Multiple Transporters and Glycoside Hydrolases Are Involved in Arabinoxylan-Derived Oligosaccharide Utilization in Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum
Authors: Saito Yuki , Shigehisa Akira , Watanabe Yohei , Tsukuda Naoki , Moriyama-Ohara Kaoru , Hara Taeko , Matsumoto Satoshi , Tsuji Hirokazu , Matsuki Takahiro
Published: October 2020

Bifidobacteria commonly reside in the human intestine and possess abundant genes involved in carbohydrate utilization. Arabinoxylan hydrolysates (AXH) are hydrolyzed products of arabinoxylan, one of the most abundant dietary fibers, and they include xylooligosaccharides and those decorated with arabinofuranosyl residues. The molecular mechanism by which
B. pseudocatenulatum
, a common bifidobacterial species found in adult feces, utilizes structurally and compositionally variable AXH has yet to be extensively investigated. In this study, we identified three gene clusters (encoding five GH43 enzymes and three solute-binding proteins of ABC transporters) that were upregulated in
B. pseudocatenulatum
YIT 4072
T
during AXH utilization. By investigating their substrate specificities, we revealed how these proteins are involved in the uptake and degradation of AXH. These molecular insights may provide a better understanding of how resident bifidobacteria colonize the colon.
Transformation of Microbial Negative Correlations into Positive Correlations by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inoculation during Pomegranate Wine Fermentation
Authors: Wang Xueshan , Ren Xidong , Shao Qingqing , Peng Xiao , Zou Wenjing , Sun Zhongguan , Zhang Lihua , Li Hehe
Published: October 2020

Microbial interactions play an important role in flavor metabolism during traditional food and beverage fermentation. However, we understand little about how selected starters influence interactions among native microorganisms. In this study, we found thatS. cerevisiaeinoculation changed the interactions and metabolisms of native fungal communities during pomegranate wine fermentation. This study not only suggests that starter inoculation should take into account the positive features of starters but also characterizes the microbial interactions established among the starters and the native communities. It may be helpful to select appropriate starter cultures for winemakers to design different styles of wine.
Eﬀect of CARD9 Deficiency on Neutrophil-Mediated Host Defense against Pulmonary Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Ishizuka Shigenari , Yokoyama Rin , Sato Ko , Shiroma Ryuhei , Nakahira Ayako , Yamamoto Hideki , Takano Kazuki , Kagesawa Takafumi , Miyasaka Tomomitsu , Kasamatsu Jun , Kanno Emi , Tanno Hiromasa , Ishii Keiko , Kawakami Kazuyoshi
Published: October 2020

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a major causative bacterium of community-acquired pneumonia. Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-2 (dectin-2), one of the C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), was previously reported to play a pivotal role in host defense against pneumococcal infection through regulating phagocytosis by neutrophils while not being involved in neutrophil accumulation. In the present study, to elucidate the possible contribution of other CLRs to neutrophil accumulation, we examined the role of caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9), a common adaptor molecule for signal transduction triggered by CLRs, in neutrophilic inflammatory response against pneumococcal infection.
Sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factors, pharmacological treatment and risk factor control in type 2 diabetes: findings from the Dutch Diabetes Pearl cohort
Authors: de Jong Marit , Oskam Marieke J , Sep Simone J S , Ozcan Behiye , Rutters Femke , Sijbrands Eric J G , Elders Petra J M , Siegelaar Sarah E , DeVries J Hans , Tack Cees J , Schroijen Marielle , de Valk Harold W , Abbink Evertine J , Stehouwer Coen D A , Jazet Ingrid , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H R , Peters Sanne A E , Schram Miranda T
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factors and their management in type 2 diabetes (T2D) have not been fully identified. Therefore, we aimed to examine differences in cardiometabolic risk factor levels, pharmacological treatment and achievement of risk factor control between women and men with T2D.

Research design and methods

Cross-sectional data from the Dutch Diabetes Pearl cohort were used (n=6637, 40% women). Linear and Poisson regression analyses were used to examine sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factor levels, treatment, and control.

Results

Compared with men, women had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (mean difference 1.79 kg/m2(95% CI 1.49 to 2.08)), while no differences were found in hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Women had lower diastolic blood pressure (−1.94 mm Hg (95% CI −2.44 to −1.43)), higher total cholesterol (TC) (0.44 mmol/L (95% CI 0.38 to 0.51)), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (0.26 mmol/L (95% CI 0.22 to 0.31)), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) sex-standardized (0.02 mmol/L (95% CI 0.00 to 0.04)), and lower TC:HDL ratio (−0.29 (95% CI −0.36 to −0.23)) and triglycerides (geometric mean ratio 0.91 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.98)). Women had a 16% higher probability of being treated with antihypertensive medication in the presence of high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and elevated SBP than men (relative risk 0.84 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.98)), whereas no sex differences were found for glucose-lowering medication and lipid-modifying medication. Among those treated, women were less likely to achieve treatment targets of HbA1c(0.92 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.98)) and LDL-c (0.89 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.92)) than men, while no differences for SBP were found.

Conclusions

In this Dutch T2D population, women had a slightly different cardiometabolic risk profile compared with men and a substantially higher BMI. Women had a higher probability of being treated with antihypertensive medication in the presence of high CVD risk and elevated SBP than men, and were less likely than men to achieve treatment targets for HbA1cand LDL levels.
Lactational amenorrhoea among adolescent girls in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Figaroa Martines N S , Bellizzi Saverio , Delvaux Therese , Benova Lenka
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Fertility levels among adolescents remain high in many settings. The objective of this paper was to review the available literature about postpartum and lactational amenorrhoea among adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, Global Health and CINAHL Plus databases using terms capturing adolescence and lactational or postpartum amenorrhoea. Inclusion criteria included publication date since 1990, data from LMICs, and topic related to lactational amenorrhoea as a postpartum family planning method or as an effect of (exclusive) breast feeding among adolescents. Thematic analysis and narrative synthesis were applied to summarise and interpret the findings.

Results

We screened 982 titles and abstracts, reviewed 75 full-text articles and included nine. Eight studies assessed data from a single country (three from India, two from Bangladesh, two from Turkey, one from Nigeria). One study using Demographic and Health Survey data included 37 different LMICs. The five studies measuring duration of postpartum or lactational amenorrhoea reported a wide range of durations across the contexts examined. Four studies (from Bangladesh, Nigeria and Turkey) examined outcomes related to the use of lactational amenorrhoea as a family planning method among adolescents. We did not find any studies assessing adolescents’ knowledge of lactational amenorrhoea as a postpartum family planning method. Likewise, little is known about the effectiveness of lactational amenorrhoea method among adolescents using sufficiently large samples and follow-up time.

Conclusion

The available evidence on lactational amenorrhoea among adolescents in LMICs is scarce. Given the potential contribution of lactational amenorrhoea to prevention of short interpregnancy intervals among adolescents and young women, there is a need for a better understanding of the duration of lactational amenorrhoea, and the knowledge and effective use of lactational amenorrhoea method for family planning among adolescents in a wider range of LMIC settings.
Spatial and spatio-temporal methods for mapping malaria risk: a systematic review
Authors: Odhiambo Julius Nyerere , Kalinda Chester , Macharia Peter M , Snow Robert W , Sartorius Benn
Published: October 2020

Background

Approaches in malaria risk mapping continue to advance in scope with the advent of geostatistical techniques spanning both the spatial and temporal domains. A substantive review of the merits of the methods and covariates used to map malaria risk has not been undertaken. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically retrieve, summarise methods and examine covariates that have been used for mapping malaria risk in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods

A systematic search of malaria risk mapping studies was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The search was restricted to refereed studies published in English from January 1968 to April 2020. To ensure completeness, a manual search through the reference lists of selected studies was also undertaken. Two independent reviewers completed each of the review phases namely: identification of relevant studies based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, data extraction and methodological quality assessment using a validated scoring criterion.

Results

One hundred and seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The median quality score across studies was 12/16 (range: 7–16). Approximately half (44%) of the studies employed variable selection techniques prior to mapping with rainfall and temperature selected in over 50% of the studies. Malaria incidence (47%) and prevalence (35%) were the most commonly mapped outcomes, with Bayesian geostatistical models often (31%) the preferred approach to risk mapping. Additionally, 29% of the studies employed various spatial clustering methods to explore the geographical variation of malaria patterns, with Kulldorf scan statistic being the most common. Model validation was specified in 53 (50%) studies, with partitioning data into training and validation sets being the common approach.

Conclusions

Our review highlights the methodological diversity prominent in malaria risk mapping across SSA. To ensure reproducibility and quality science, best practices and transparent approaches should be adopted when selecting the statistical framework and covariates for malaria risk mapping. Findings underscore the need to periodically assess methods and covariates used in malaria risk mapping; to accommodate changes in data availability, data quality and innovation in statistical methodology.
Reducing wait time for administration of systemic anticancer treatment (SACT) in a hospital outpatient facility
Authors: Macleod Angeline , Campbell Fiona , Macrae Derick , Gray Evelyn , Miller Leanne , Beattie Michelle
Published: October 2020

The demand for systemic anticancer treatment continues to rise due to the increasing numbers being diagnosed with cancer and developments in treatment options. The net result is greater pressure on services and subsequent patient delays. Delays in treatment could decrease the benefit of the therapy and be detrimental to patient experience. Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER 2) positive breast cancer within Raigmore Hospital waited an average of 41 min from the scheduled appointment time despite the administration of subcutaneous (SC) trastuzumab being scheduled for a 15 min treatment window. Given the frequency of these injections, this was having an adverse impact on patients and services. The aim of this project was for patients with breast cancer to receive treatment within the 15 min window. Lean principles were applied to reduce waste and increase value. Exploration of the problem led to the solution of relocating the administration of SC trastuzumab from the Macmillan Day Bed Unit (MDBU) to the Highland Breast Centre (HBC). Multiple improvement tools and techniques were used to implement the change. Data were collected on the median number of treatment episodes of SC trastuzumab per week at baseline and patient wait from appointment time to treatment completion was calculated at baseline and as an ongoing measure. Patient experience feedback was gathered following relocation of the treatment. Following relocation, the average time from scheduled appointment to discharge was 14 min (66% reduction). Patient experience feedback was positive and identified an unanticipated outcome; the regular Friday afternoon clinic, identified as most efficient for the service, was found by patients to be particularly convenient for their own planning. Through the application of Lean principles, the service was redesigned in a cost neutral way and resulted in a reduction in the wait time for treatment.
A realist synthesis of quality improvement curricula in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education: what works, for whom, and in what contexts?
Authors: Brown Allison , Lafreniere Kyle , Freedman David , Nidumolu Aditya , Mancuso Matthew , Hecker Kent , Kassam Aliya
Published: October 2020

Background

With the integration of quality improvement (QI) into competency-based models of physician training, there is an increasing requirement for medical students and residents to demonstrate competence in QI. There may be factors that commonly facilitate or inhibit the desired outcomes of QI curricula in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The purpose of this review was to synthesise attributes of QI curricula in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education associated with curricular outcomes.

Methods

A realist synthesis of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted to identify the common contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of QI curricula in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in order to develop a programme theory to articulate what works, for whom, and in what contexts.

Results

18854 records underwent title and abstract screening, full texts of 609 records were appraised for eligibility, data were extracted from 358 studies, and 218 studies were included in the development and refinement of the final programme theory. Contexts included curricular strategies, levels of training, clinical settings, and organisational culture. Mechanisms were identified within the overall QI curricula itself (eg, clear expectations and deliverables, and protected time), in the didactic components (ie, content delivery strategies), and within the experiential components (eg, topic selection strategies, working with others, and mentorship). Mechanisms were often associated with certain contexts to promote educational and clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

This research describes the various pedagogical strategies for teaching QI to medical learners and highlights the contexts and mechanisms that could potentially account for differences in educational and clinical outcomes of QI curricula. Educators may benefit from considering these contexts and mechanisms in the design and implementation of QI curricula to optimise the outcomes of training in this competency area.