bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CARTESIAN PHILOSOPHY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Authors: Breidenstein Joseph I.
Published: April 2020

Although Descartes has in some ways become a symbol of academic isolation, we can dispel this misunderstanding by taking into consideration the holistic nature of Cartesian philosophy. Descartes understood the various branches of philosophy as constituting an organic totality of knowledge that, because of its dependence on imagination and sensation, remains irreducible to intellectual comprehension. Ethics holds a particularly significant place in Cartesian philosophy, and this essay both demonstrates the spiritual nature of Cartesian ethics and explains why Descartes saw ethics as “the ultimate degree of wisdom” so as to illustrate how we can interpret Cartesian philosophy as a spiritual practice. This takes place through a discussion of the distinctions and interconnections of Descartes’s three primary notions (soul, body, and the union of soul and body) and concludes by reflecting on the specific temporality of nobility as well as addressing several objections to Cartesian ethics.
PHILOSOPHY AS EMPIRICAL EXPLORATION OF LIVING
Authors: Horst Steven
Published: April 2020

This essay describes an approach to designing a course in philosophy as a way of life (PWOL) around a set of immersive “spiritual exercises” through which students might examine their desires, engaging students in a process of testing their own experience against philosophical theories and theories against their own experience. These are used to tie together the units of a course covering classical Western and Eastern philosophical traditions, and to supplement traditional philosophical analysis of texts and arguments with ways of exploring what it might be like to live as a Platonist, Stoic, or Confucian. The essay details several exercises, engages perspectives on PWOL from Pierre Hadot and John Cooper, and addresses the question of how to assess immersive exercises.
WAYS OF DISCOURSE AND WAYS OF LIFE
Authors: Jeng I‐Kai
Published: April 2020

In book X of the Republic, Plato famously reports “a quarrel between poetry and philosophy.” The present essay examines this quarrel in book X, along with other relevant parts of the Republic, by understanding “philosophy” and “poetry” as rival ways of life and rival ways of discourse. The essay first explains why, in Plato’s view, poetic discourse weakens one’s power to reason and is at odds with philosophic discourse. Then it shows how poetic discourse is bound up with a way of life that champions the value of freedom. Such a life forms a contrast with the philosophic life, which is marked more by stability and unity than by freedom. The quarrel, however, is not a simple antagonism. The essay hence concludes by discussing why, despite the opposition between the two, philosophy cannot do without poetry.
When plants get bent out of shape: a new twist in plant reproduction
Authors: Goodwillie Carol
Published: April 2020

This article is a Commentary on Armbruster & Muchhala (2020), 227: 232–243.
Gene regulatory network and its constituent transcription factors that control nitrogen‐deficiency responses in rice
Authors: Ueda Yoshiaki , Ohtsuki Namie , Kadota Koji , Tezuka Ayumi , Nagano Atsushi J. , Kadowaki Taro , Kim Yonghyun , Miyao Mitsue , Yanagisawa Shuichi
Published: April 2020

Increase in the nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency and optimization of N response in crop species are urgently needed. Although transcription factor‐based genetic engineering is a promising approach for achieving these goals, transcription factors that play key roles in the response to N deficiency have not been studied extensively.

Here, we performed RNA‐seq analysis of root samples of 20 Asian rice (Oryza sativa) accessions with differential nutrient uptake. Data obtained from plants exposed to N‐replete and N‐deficient conditions were subjected to coexpression analysis and machine learning‐based pathway inference to dissect the gene regulatory network required for the response to N deficiency.

Four transcription factors, including members of the G2‐like and bZIP families, were predicted to function as key regulators of gene transcription within the network in response to N deficiency. Cotransfection assays validated inferred novel regulatory pathways, and further analyses using genome‐edited knockout lines suggested that these transcription factors are important for N‐deficiency responses in planta.

Many of the N deficiency‐responsive genes, including those encoding key regulators within the network, were coordinately regulated by transcription factors belonging to different families. Transcription factors identified in this study could be valuable for the modification of N response and metabolism.
Pediatric facial pyoderma gangrenosum preceding the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Haimes Hilary , Corey Kristen , Mostaghimi Arash , Schmidt Birgitta , Gellis Stephen E. , Liang Marilyn G.
Published: April 2020

We describe two adolescent patients with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) involving the face. Subsequent gastrointestinal evaluation revealed microscopic bowel inflammation suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease. While PG is rarely localized to the face, this brief report reveals two cases of pediatric facial PG and suggests a correlation between facial PG and microscopic colitis.
Attitudes among working professionals toward immigrants and refugees living in Ecuador: Impacts on health and well‐being
Authors: Dressel Anne , Falconí Elízabeth , Luft Heidi , Hawkins Maren , Noboa Hugo , Betancourt Óscar , Sedar Alexandria , Shedlin Michele G.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To explore attitudes toward immigrants and refugees living in Ecuador.

Design and Measures

A transnationalism framework informed this qualitative study, which utilized a semi‐structured interview guide to elicit responses from participants about their attitudes toward immigrants and refugees. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, audio‐taped, transcribed, coded, and analyzed in Spanish to identify emergent themes. Demographic data were analyzed using SPSS.

Sample

Participants (n = 50) were recruited from five sectors that interact with refugees: health care, the press, the police, nongovernmental organizations, and education. Fifty interviews were conducted with adults in Quito, Ecuador, in 2017.

Results

Participants reported concerns about the health and well‐being of immigrants and refugees, expressed a willingness to assist them, but within limits, noted discrimination and bias against refugees, and cited social policies and human rights as factors that influenced their attitudes.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that immigrants and refugees face challenges which impact their health and well‐being, according to participants in the study. Social policies can influence attitudes, but are also affected by rapidly shifting immigration patterns. Migration flows in South America is an under‐studied area of research, with opportunity for further public health nursing inquiry.
Knowing what you are doing: Action‐demonstratives in unreflective action
Authors: Valaris Markos
Published: April 2020

Almost everything that we do, we do by doing other things. Even actions we perform without deliberation or conscious planning are composed of ‘smaller’, subsidiary actions. But how should we think of such subsidiary actions? Are they fully‐fledged intentional actions (in the sense of things that we do for reasons) in their own right? In this paper I defend an affirmative answer to this question, against a recently influential form of scepticism. Drawing on a distinctive kind of ‘action‐demonstrative’ representation, I show that the sceptic's arguments do not go through.
Health Literacy among patients with end‐stage kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Lennerling Annette , Petersson Ingrid , Andersson Ulla-Maj , Forsberg Anna
Published: April 2020

Main problem

Self‐management is essential for patients both before and after kidney transplantation and requires an adequate level of health literacy (HL), that is the ability to comprehend and process health information. Low HL is associated with poor clinical outcome and an increased risk of death. In Europe, HL has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of HL in a Swedish cohort of kidney transplant (KTx) candidates and KTx recipients.

Methods

A single centre cross‐sectional cohort study. Participants; n = 50 KTx candidates and n = 49 KTx recipients. HL was measured with the Newest Vital Sign instrument (NVS). Statistical analysis was made using the chi‐square, Mann–Whitney U‐ or t‐test.

Results

Study participants; n = 99, 61.6% male, mean age 52 years. Low or possible inadequate HL was seen in 20%. There was no statistical difference in the levels of HL related to sex, educational level, ability to work or between KTx candidates and KTx recipients.

Conclusions

In this cohort, one fifth had low or possible inadequate HL measured by the NVS. Screening is needed to identify persons with poor HL. These persons require tailored education and person‐centred care to cope with self‐management.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*07:398 allele in a French hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Dard Céline , Senoussi Ornella , Buhler Stéphane , Bardy Béatrice , Masson Dominique
Published: April 2020

HLA‐B*07:398 differs from HLA‐B*07:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at codon 98.3 in exon 3.
Genetic variants and underlying mechanisms influencing variance heterogeneity in maize
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Min , Li Weijun , He Linlin , Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhu Jiantang , Che Ronghui , Warburton Marilyn L. , Yang Xiaohong , Yan Jianbing
Published: April 2020

Traditional genetic studies focus on identifying genetic variants associated with the mean difference in a quantitative trait. Because genetic variants also influence phenotypic variation via heterogeneity, we conducted a variance‐heterogeneity genome‐wide association study to examine the contribution of variance heterogeneity to oil‐related quantitative traits. We identified 79 unique variance‐controlling single nucleotide polymorphisms (vSNPs) from the sequences of 77 candidate variance‐heterogeneity genes for 21 oil‐related traits using the Levene test (P < 1.0 × 10−5). About 30% of the candidate genes encode enzymes that work in lipid metabolic pathways, most of which define clear expression variance quantitative trait loci. Of the vSNPs specifically associated with the genetic variance heterogeneity of oil concentration, 89% can be explained by additional linked mean‐effects genetic variants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that gene × gene interactions play important roles in the formation of variance heterogeneity for fatty acid compositional traits. The interaction pattern was validated for one gene pair (GRMZM2G035341 and GRMZM2G152328) using yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescent complementation analyses. Our findings have implications for uncovering the genetic basis of hidden additive genetic effects and epistatic interaction effects, and we indicate opportunities to stabilize efficient breeding and selection of high‐oil maize (Zea mays L.).
A Sparse Representation Classification Approach for Near Real-Time, Physics-Based Functional Monitoring of Aerosol Jet-Fabricated Electronics
Authors: Salary Roozbeh (Ross) , Lombardi Jack P. , Weerawarne Darshana L. , Tootooni M. Samie , Rao Prahalada K. , Poliks Mark D.
Published: April 2020

Aerosol jet printing (AJP) is a direct-write additive manufacturing (AM) method, emerging as the process of choice for the fabrication of a broad spectrum of electronics, such as sensors, transistors, and optoelectronic devices. However, AJP is a highly complex process, prone to intrinsic gradual drifts. Consequently, real-time process monitoring and control in AJP is a bourgeoning need. The goal of this work is to establish an integrated, smart platform for in situ and real-time monitoring of the functional properties of AJ-printed electronics. In pursuit of this goal, the objective is to forward a multiple-input, single-output (MISO) intelligent learning model—based on sparse representation classification (SRC)—to estimate the functional properties (e.g., resistance) in situ as well as in real-time. The aim is to classify the resistance of printed electronic traces (lines) as a function of AJP process parameters and the trace morphology characteristics (e.g., line width, thickness, and cross-sectional area (CSA)). To realize this objective, line morphology is captured using a series of images, acquired: (i) in situ via an integrated high-resolution imaging system and (ii) in real-time via the AJP standard process monitor camera. Utilizing image processing algorithms developed in-house, a wide range of 2D and 3D morphology features are extracted, constituting the primary source of data for the training, validation, and testing of the SRC model. The four-point probe method (also known as Kelvin sensing) is used to measure the resistance of the deposited traces and as a result, to define a priori class labels. The results of this study exhibited that using the presented approach, the resistance (and potentially, other functional properties) of printed electronics can be estimated both in situ and in real-time with an accuracy of ≥ 90%.
Thin-Film Evaporation Heat Transfer of Liquid Nitrogen and Its Application in Cell Vitrification
Authors: Su Fengmin , Fan Yiming , Xu He , Zhao Nannan , Ji Yulong , Deng Yangbo , Ma Hongbin
Published: April 2020

Cell vitrification has been an important method of cell cryopreservation. The faster the cooling rate is, the higher the cell survival rate is. However, in conventional cell vitrification methods, film boiling forms a vapor-blanket on the surface, which hinders further improvement of the cooling rate. To eliminate the problem, this article attempted to replace film boiling with thin-film evaporation (TFE) of liquid nitrogen. The experimental system was developed to investigate the TFE heat transfer characteristics of liquid nitrogen. Then, prostate cancer cells were cryopreserved by TFE vitrification method, open pulled straw vitrification method, and equilibrium freezing method. The results showed that the vitrification method of TFE obtained a higher cooling rate and better cell survival rate than the two other cell cryopreservation methods. Thus, the feasibility of this method was preliminarily proved viable when applied to the cell vitrification process. In addition, both the cooling rate and the cell survival rate are affected by the concentration of the cryoprotectant in the cell suspension. The cooling rate decreases as the concentration of the cryoprotectant increases, but the cell survival rate increases first and decrease afterward with an increase in the cryoprotectant concentration, in which an optimum value exists. This study demonstrates the practicality of the new ultrafast cell vitrification method.
Ultrasound in pediatric orbital cellulitis
Authors: Falticeanu Ana , Tritschler Pierre , Dumitriu Dana
Published: April 2020

Orbital cellulitis is an infrequent but serious complication of sinus infections in children, as was the case of a 7-year-old who presented to the emergency room with ultrasound signs of preseptal cellulitis. Despite a well conducted antibiotic treatment a control ultrasound demonstrated associated signs of retro-septal extension. This case brings to light the essential role of ultrasound in suspected cellulitis, as a mean to differentiate between preseptal cellulitis and retroseptal (orbital) cellulitis. In the paediatric population ultrasound should be the first intention exam to diagnose the extension of the illness, and help guide the management and follow-up of the patients.
Atomic layer deposition of thermoelectric layered cobalt oxides
Authors: Hagen Dirk J. , Karppinen Maarit
Published: April 2020

Layered cobalt oxides based on the hexagonal CoO2 layer, e.g., NaxCoO2 and [CoCa3O3]0.62CoO2 (or “Ca3Co4O9”), are promising thermoelectric materials. Here, the authors investigate the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of these materials in a thin-film form; this is not trivial, in particular, for the former compound, as both Na and Co are little challenged as components of ALD thin films. The authors employ diketonate precursors for all the metal constituents and ozone as the source of oxygen. In both cases, a postdeposition heat-treatment in O2 is applied to get crystalline coatings; the processes are found amazingly robust in terms of metal precursor pulsing ratios. A striking difference between the two processes is the resultant morphology: while the Ca3Co4O9 films grow highly homogeneous and smooth, the NaxCoO2 coatings exhibit a rather unique reproducible 10–20 μm scale channel-like island structure for all x values investigated. Finally, the authors characterized their ALD Ca3Co4O9 films for their chemical, structural, and physical property details not previously reported.
A Supervised Pelvic Floor Training Program Has Minimal Effect on the Prevalence of Postpartum Diastasis Recti Abdominis: A Critically Appraised Paper
Authors: Stedge Hannah L. , Medina McKeon Jennifer M.
Published: April 2020

Focused Clinical Question: For postpartum primiparous women, will a 16-week, supervised, targeted pelvic floor muscle training program result in a reduced prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis versus education only at discharge? Clinical Bottom Line: We can neither recommend nor caution against a targeted pelvic floor muscle training program to reduce the prevalence of postpartum diastasis recti abdominis.
Local Ca
2+
signals couple activation of TRPV1 and ANO1 sensory ion channels
Authors: Shah Shihab , Carver Chase M. , Mullen Pierce , Milne Stephen , Lukacs Viktor , Shapiro Mark S. , Gamper Nikita
Published: April 2020

TRPV1-mediated release of ER Ca
2+
is sufficient to activate the sensory ion channel ANO1.
Local and Transboundary Transmissions of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 398 through Pig Trading
Authors: Pirolo Mattia , Sieber Raphael N. , Moodley Arshnee , Visaggio Daniela , Artuso Irene , Gioffrè Angela , Casalinuovo Francesco , Spatari Giovanna , Guardabassi Luca , Stegger Marc , Visca Paolo
Published: April 2020

Over the past decade, livestock-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
sequence type 398 (LA-MRSA ST398) has spread among pig holdings throughout Europe, in parallel with the increased incidence of infections among humans, especially in intensive pig farming regions. Despite the growing prevalence of LA-MRSA ST398 in Italian pig farms, the transmission dynamics of this clone in Italy remains unclear. This work provides genome-based evidence to suggest transboundary LA-MRSA ST398 transmission through trading of colonized pigs between European countries and Italy, as well as between farms in the same Italian region. Our findings show that both international trading and local trading of colonized pigs are important factors contributing to the global spread of LA-MRSA ST398 and underscore the need for control measures on and off the farm to reduce the dissemination of this zoonotic pathogen.
Evaluation of the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel, the First Rapid Multiplex PCR Commercial Assay for SARS-CoV-2 Detection
Authors: Visseaux Benoit , Le Hingrat Quentin , Collin Gilles , Bouzid Donia , Lebourgeois Samuel , Le Pluart Diane , Deconinck Laurène , Lescure François-Xavier , Lucet Jean-Christophe , Bouadma Lila , Timsit Jean-François , Descamps Diane , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Casalino Enrique , Houhou-Fidouh Nadhira
Published: April 2020

In the race to contain severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), efficient detection and triage of infected patients must rely on rapid and reliable testing. In this work, we performed the first evaluation of the QIAstat-Dx respiratory SARS-CoV-2 panel (QIAstat-SARS) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This assay is the first rapid multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay, including SARS-CoV-2 detection, and is fully compatible with a non-PCR-trained laboratory or point-of-care (PoC) testing. This evaluation was performed using 69 primary clinical samples (66 nasopharyngeal swabs [NPS], 1 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sample [BAL], 1 tracheal aspirate sample, and 1 bronchial aspirate sample) comparing SARS-CoV-2 detection with the currently WHO-recommended reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) (WHO-RT-PCR) workflow.
Microbial Nitrogen Metabolism in Chloraminated Drinking Water Reservoirs
Authors: Potgieter Sarah C. , Dai Zihan , Venter Stephanus N. , Sigudu Makhosazana , Pinto Ameet J.
Published: April 2020

Chloramines are often used as a secondary disinfectant when free chlorine residuals are difficult to maintain. However, chloramination is often associated with the undesirable effect of nitrification, which results in operational problems for many drinking water utilities. The introduction of ammonia during chloramination provides a potential source of nitrogen either through the addition of excess ammonia or through chloramine decay. This promotes the growth of nitrifying microorganisms and provides a nitrogen source (i.e., nitrate) for the growth for other organisms. While the roles of canonical ammonia-oxidizing and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in chloraminated drinking water systems have been extensively investigated, those studies have largely adopted a targeted gene-centered approach. Further, little is known about the potential long-term cooccurrence of complete-ammonia-oxidizing (i.e., comammox) bacteria and the potential metabolic synergies of nitrifying organisms with their heterotrophic counterparts that are capable of denitrification and nitrogen assimilation. This study leveraged data obtained for genome-resolved metagenomics over a time series to show that while nitrifying bacteria are dominant and likely to play a major role in nitrification, their cooccurrence with heterotrophic organisms suggests that nitric oxide production and nitrate reduction to ammonia may also occur in chloraminated drinking water systems.
Untangling the Quaternary Period—A Legacy of Stephen C. Porter
Authors: Waitt Richard B. , Thackray Glenn D. , Gillespie Alan R.
Published: April 2020

Stephen C. Porter was an international leader in Quaternary science for several decades, having worked on most of the world’s continents and having led international organizations and a prominent interdisciplinary journal. His work influenced many individuals, and he played an essential role in linking Chinese Quaternary science with the broader international scientific community. This volume brings together nineteen papers of interdisciplinary Quaternary science honoring Porter. Special Paper 548 features papers from six continents, on wide-ranging topics including glaciation, paleoecology, landscape evolution, megafloods, and loess. The topical and geographical range of the papers, as well as their interdisciplinary nature, honor Porter’s distinct approach to Quaternary science and leadership that influences the field to this day.
Rare presentation of De Garengeot hernia in a 77-year-old woman
Authors: Raad Marjan , Høgsand Tord , Qureshi Muhammed Saeed , Pitt James
Published: April 2020

A 77-year-old woman presented with a rare surgical phenomenon known as De Garengeot hernia. This unique presentation occurs due to the presence of a vermiform appendix in a femoral hernia sac. The patient presented with right-sided groin pain and a partially reducible hernia; she was otherwise haemodynamically stable and denied fevers, nausea and vomiting. The diagnosis was confirmed with CT which demonstrated a right-sided femoral hernia containing a perforated tip of the appendix. The patient urgently underwent an open appendectomy and open right femoral hernia repair using the modified McEvedy’s incision.
Endotipsitis: a rare case of endovascular infection with ESBLKlebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Schwartz Andrei , Garg Aayushi , Statz Giselle , Smock Justin
Published: April 2020

Endotipsitis is a vegetative endovascular infection of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). There is currently no uniformly accepted diagnostic criterion, and most cases are diagnosed by clinical diagnosis of recurrent bacteraemia in patients with TIPS and no identifiable source after appropriate investigation. We present a case of 62-year-old man in whom endotipsitis was suspected clinically after emergent TIPS placement complicated by TIPS thrombosis, need for TIPS revision and recurrent bacteraemia. The diagnosis was confirmed using an Indium-111-labelled leucocyte scan (tagged white blood cell scan). This case highlights the potential risks of endotipsitis with TIPS procedures and provides insight into the utilisation of an old diagnostic tool in a new diagnostic role.
The promise and pitfalls of social science research in an emergency: lessons from studying the Zika epidemic in Brazil, 2015–2016
Authors: Passos Maria Joana , Matta Gustavo , Lyra Tereza Maciel , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Lopes , Kuper Hannah , Penn-Kekana Loveday , Mendonça Mila
Published: April 2020

Social science generates evidence necessary to control epidemics. It can help to craft appropriate public health responses, develop solutions to the epidemic impacts and improve understanding of why the epidemic occurred. Yet, there are practical constraints in undertaking this international research in a way that produces quality, ethical and appropriate data, and that values all voices and experiences, especially those of local researchers and research participants. In this paper, we reflected on the experience of undertaking social science research during the 2015/2016 Zika epidemic in Brazil. This experience was considered from the perspective of this paper’s authors: three Brazilian academics, two UK academics and two mothers of children affected by congenital Zika syndrome. This group came together through the conduct of the Social and Economic Impact of Zika study, a mixed-methods social science study. The key findings highlight practical issues in the achievement of three goals: the conduct of high-quality social science in emergencies and efforts towards the decolonisation of global health in terms of levelling the power between Brazilian and UK researchers and optimising the role of patients within research. From our perspective, the information collected through social science was valuable, providing detailed insight into the programmatic needs of mothers and their affected children (eg, economic and social support and mental health services). Social science was considered a low priority within the Zika epidemic despite its potential importance. There were logistical challenges in conducting social science research, foremost of which are the difficulties in developing a trusting and balanced power relationship between the UK and Brazilian researchers in a short time frame. When these issues were overcome, each partner brought unique qualities, making the research stronger. The mothers of affected children expressed dissatisfaction with research, as they were involved in many studies which were not coordinated, and from which they did not see a benefit. In conclusion, the importance of social science in epidemics must continue to be promoted by funders. Funders can also set in place mechanisms to help equalise the power dynamics between foreign and local researchers, researchers and participants, both to promote justice and to create best quality data.
Medical equipment trends during the UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 in Oman
Authors: Thompson Daniel C , Davies L G , Smith M B
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 was a joint British-Omani military exercise involving approximately 5500 British personnel deployed to Oman over a 6-month period. Role 1 medical care was provided by medical treatment facilities (MTFs) deployed with medical equipment as per the UK 300 medical module.

Method

Retrospective analysis was undertaken of prospectively collected equipment usage data from two Role 1 MTFs in Duqm (MTF 1) and Muaskar Al Murtafa (MTF 2) camps over a period of 6–8 weeks. Data were analysed alongside routinely collected epidemiological data (EPINATO) during the deployment. Equipment used in addition to the module was also recorded.

Results

MTF 1 used 50 out of the 179 different items from the module over the 8-week period. MTF 2 used 45 out of the 179 different items from their module over the 6-week period. The most commonly used items across the sites were non-sterile examination gloves, plastic aprons, tympanic thermometer probe covers, disinfectant wipes and self-adhesive plasters. Extramodular items (blunt fill needle, water pump sprayer, Jelonet gauze and stool specimen pot) accounted for 5% of all equipment used in MTF 1.

Conclusion

The study showed that the 300 module accommodates 95% of Role 1 patients’ needs but highlights the requirement for dedicated equipment for the treatment of heat casualties if deemed likely and blunt fill/filter needles for the administration of parenteral medication. Commanders must perform a thorough medical estimate and risk assessment prior to deployment to ensure that the 300 medical module is likely to provide the necessary equipment and supplement the module if required.
Aeromedical evacuation: experiences from the UK military level 2 hospital in Bentiu, South Sudan, during Op TRENTON
Authors: Eveson Leanne Jane , Nevin W , Cordingley N , Almond M
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) is a vital role of the Defence Medical Services (DMS). With a far-reaching defence global footprint, an AE capability is crucial to enable movement of patients in the fastest, safest and least stressful way that meets or exceeds the level of care an injured or ill person may expect to receive in the UK. Operation (Op) TRENTON is a UK military humanitarian operation in support of the United Nations (UN) Mission in South Sudan.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients who underwent AE from the UK level 2 hospital at Bentiu during Op TRENTON over a 17-month period from June 2017 to October 2018.

Results

14 patients underwent AE. The median age was 36 (22–64) years and all patients were male. 21% of AEs were for UK personnel and 79% were for UN personnel. 29% of AEs were due to non-battle injury with the remainder due to disease. Musculoskeletal was the largest diagnostic group (n=4) followed by respiratory (n=3), cardiovascular (n=2), undifferentiated febrile illness (n=2), neurology (n=1), renal medicine (n=1) and psychiatry (n=1).

Conclusions

Patients requiring AE from the level 2 hospital at Bentiu mostly had musculoskeletal and medical pathology, a stark contrast to the trauma patient cohort from operations in the past. The majority of patients had definitive care under the medical team highlighting the requirement for DMS physicians and the AE team, to be trained in acute, general and aviation medicine. The majority of AE moves were for UN personnel and on UN airframes, highlighting the importance of a sound understanding of the nations we are working with.
Sex, gender or occupational psychology: what matters most to preventing heat-related illnesses and improving outcomes for women in ground close combat?
Authors: Gifford Robert M , Taylor N , Stacey M , Woods D R
Published: April 2020

Since the advent of women in ground close combat (WGCC) roles, the impact on women of the attendant risk of heat stress and heat illness has been considered. Much emphasis has been placed on sex differences in thermal physiology. This article considers the application of evidence of sex-associated thermoregulatory variation to the occupational and environmental setting of WGCC, and weighs the relative importance of physiological differences arising from biological sex, and behaviour associated with gender normatives. Quantifying the risk of heat illness to WGCC should draw on data from their real-world occupational context.
Association between GP participation in a primary care group and monitoring of biomedical and lifestyle target indicators in people with type 2 diabetes: a cohort study (ELZHA cohort-1)
Authors: van Bruggen Sytske , Rauh Simone P , Bonten Tobias N , Chavannes Niels H , Numans Mattijs E , Kasteleyn Marise J
Published: April 2020

Objective

Whether care group participation by general practitioners improves delivery of diabetes care is unknown. Using ‘monitoring of biomedical and lifestyle target indicators as recommended by professional guidelines’ as an operationalisation for quality of care, we explored whether (1) in new practices monitoring as recommended improved a year after initial care group participation (aim 1); (2) new practices and experienced practices differed regarding monitoring (aim 2).

Design

Observational, real-life cohort study.

Setting

Primary care registry data from Eerstelijns Zorggroep Haaglanden (ELZHA) care group.

Participants

Aim 1:From six new practices (n=538 people with diabetes) that joined care group ELZHA in January 2014, two practices (n=211 people) were excluded because of missing baseline data; four practices (n=182 people) were included.Aim 2:From all six new practices (n=538 people), 295 individuals were included. From 145 experienced practices (n=21 465 people), 13 744 individuals were included.

Exposure

Care group participation includes support by staff nurses on protocolised diabetes care implementation and availability of a system providing individual monitoring information. ‘Monitoring as recommended’ represented minimally one annual registration of each biomedical (HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein) and lifestyle-related target indicator (body mass index, smoking behaviour, physical exercise).

Primary outcome measures

Aim 1:In new practices, odds of people being monitored as recommended in 2014 were compared with baseline (2013).Aim 2:Odds of monitoring as recommended in new and experienced practices in 2014 were compared.

Results

Aim 1:After 1-year care group participation, odds of being monitored as recommended increased threefold (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.84 to 4.88, p<0.001).Aim 2:Compared with new practices, no significant differences in the odds of monitoring as recommended were found in experienced practices (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.18 to 8.37, p=0.844).

Conclusions

We observed a sharp increase concerning biomedical and lifestyle monitoring as recommended after 1-year care group participation, and subsequently no significant difference between new and experienced practices—indicating that providing diabetes care within a collective approach rapidly improves registration of care.
Study protocol for optimising glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections: intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring, carbohydrate counting with automated bolus calculation, or both? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Secher Anna Lilja , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik , Svendsen Ole Lander , Gade-Rasmussen Birthe , Almdal Thomas P , Dørflinger Liv , Vistisen Dorte , Nørgaard Kirsten
Published: April 2020

Introduction

There are beneficial effects of advanced carbohydrate counting with an automatic bolus calculator (ABC) and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) in persons with type 1 diabetes. We aim to compare the effects of isCGM, training in carbohydrate counting with ABC and the combination of the two concepts with standard care.

Methods and analysis

A multi-centre randomised controlled trial with inclusion criteria: ≥18 years, type 1 diabetes ≥1 year, injection therapy, HbA1c >53 mmol/mol, whereas daily use of carbohydrate counting and/or CGM/isCGM wear are exclusion criteria. Inclusion was initiated in October 2018 and is ongoing. Eligible persons are randomised into four groups: standard care, ABC, isCGM or ABC+isCGM. Devices used are FreeStyle Libre Flash and smart phone diabetes application mySugr. Participants attend group courses according to treatment allocation with different educational contents. Participants are followed for 26 weeks with clinical visits and telephone consultations. At baseline and at study end, participants wear blinded CGM, have blood samples performed and fill in questionnaires on person-related outcomes, and at baseline also on personality traits and hypoglycaemia awareness. The primary outcome is the difference in time spent in normoglycaemia (4–10 mmol/L) at study end versus baseline between the isCGM group and the standard care group. Secondary outcomes will also be analysed. Results are expected in 2020.

Ethics and dissemination

Regional Scientific Ethics Committee approval (H-17040573). Results will be sought disseminated at conferences and in high impact journals.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrial.gov registry (NCT03682237).
Prevalence of and risk factors for curable sexually transmitted infections on Bubaque Island, Guinea Bissau
Authors: Cowley Giovanna , Milne Gregory , Teixeira da Silva Eunice , Nakutum Jose , Rodrigues Amabelia , Vasileva Hristina , Mabey David , Versteeg Bart , Last Anna
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Complications from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can result in severe morbidity and mortality. To date, no STI population studies have been conducted on the Bijagos Islands, Guinea Bissau. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors forChlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Neisseria gonorrhoea (Ng), Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg), Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv)andTreponema pallidum (Tp) on Bubaque, the most populated island.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the island of Bubaque among people aged 16–49 years. Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire on STI risk factors, to provide urine samples (men and women) and vaginal swabs (women) for PCR testing forCt, Ng, Mg and Tv,and to provide dry blood spots forTpparticle agglutination assays. Data were analysed to estimate the prevalence of STIs and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.

Results

In total, 14.9% of participants were found to have a curable STI, with the highest prevalence being observed forTv(5.9%) followed byCt(3.8%),Ng(3.8%),Mg(1.9%) andTp(0.8%). Significant risk factors for having any STI included being female, younger age and concurrent partnership. Having had a previous STI that was optimally treated was a protective factor.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that there is a considerable burden of STI on the Bijagos Islands, stressing the need for diagnostic testing to facilitate early detection and treatment of these pathogens to stop ongoing transmission. Moreover, these results indicate the need to conduct further research into the STI burden on the Bijagos Islands to help inform and develop a national STI control strategy.
Success and luck in creative careers
Authors: Janosov Milán , Battiston Federico , Sinatra Roberta
Published: April 2020

Luck is considered a crucial ingredient to achieve impact in all creative domains, despite their diversity. For instance, in science, the movie industry, music, and art, the occurrence of the highest impact work and a hot streak within a creative career are very difficult to predict. Are there domains that are more prone to luck than others? Here, we provide new insights on the role of randomness in impact in creative careers in two ways: (i) we systematically untangle luck and individual ability to generate impact in the movie, music, and book industries, and in science, and compare the luck factor between these fields; (ii) we show the surprising presence of randomness in the relationship between collaboration networks and timing of career hits. Taken together, our analysis suggests that luck consistently affects career impact across all considered sectors and improves our understanding in pinpointing the key elements in driving success.
Hexagonal PCF of honeycomb lattice with high birefringence and high nonlinearity
Authors: Devika V. , Rajan M. S. Mani
Published: April 2020

This paper presents an optimum design for highly birefringent micro structured photonic crystal fiber (PCF). This is designed with novel hexagonal PCF of honeycomb lattice cladding with hexagonal shaped air cavities and the kernel of the hive is formed by two oblong air holes. The dispersion characteristics of this novel structure have been analyzed analytically using Finite Element Method (FEM) and reported for dispersion and nonlinear coefficient including other fiber parameter. This structure is optimized with distinctive parameters of fiber geometry like pitch of the core, diameters of elliptical shaped air cavities, cladding region having ample of space assortment of wavelength from 0.1 m to 2.0 m also made of SF57 glass helps in reaching high birefringence and low dispersion through the optimization of the arrangement and diameter of elliptical and hexagonal air holes. The proposed model has been suggested with high nonlinearity for super continuum generation.
Mechanisms of Natural Killer Cell Evasion Through Viral Adaptation
Authors: Mancini Mathieu , Vidal Silvia M.
Published: April 2020

The continuous interactions between host and pathogens during their coevolution have shaped both the immune system and the countermeasures used by pathogens. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that are considered central players in the antiviral response. Not only do they express a variety of inhibitory and activating receptors to discriminate and eliminate target cells but they can also produce immunoregulatory cytokines to alert the immune system. Reciprocally, several unrelated viruses including cytomegalovirus, human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, and dengue virus have evolved a multitude of mechanisms to evade NK cell function, such as the targeting of pathways for NK cell receptors and their ligands, apoptosis, and cytokine-mediated signaling. The studies discussed in this article provide further insights into the antiviral function of NK cells and the pathways involved, their constituent proteins, and ways in which they could be manipulated for host benefit.
Reprogramming Müller Glia to Regenerate Retinal Neurons
Authors: Lahne Manuela , Nagashima Mikiko , Hyde David R. , Hitchcock Peter F.
Published: April 2020

In humans, various genetic defects or age-related diseases, such as diabetic retinopathies, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, cause the death of retinal neurons and profound vision loss. One approach to treating these diseases is to utilize stem and progenitor cells to replace neurons in situ, with the expectation that new neurons will create new synaptic circuits or integrate into existing ones. Reprogramming non-neuronal cells in vivo into stem or progenitor cells is one strategy for replacing lost neurons. Zebrafish have become a valuable model for investigating cellular reprogramming and retinal regeneration. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding spontaneous reprogramming of Müller glia in zebrafish and compares this knowledge to research efforts directed toward reprogramming Müller glia in mammals. Intensive research using these animal models has revealed shared molecular mechanisms that make Müller glia attractive targets for cellular reprogramming and highlighted the potential for curing degenerative retinal diseases from intrinsic cellular sources.
An Image Denoising Method Based on BM4D and GAN in 3D Shearlet Domain
Authors: Zhang Shengnan , Wang Lei , Chang Chunhong , Liu Cong , Zhang Longbo , Cui Huanqing
Published: April 2020

To overcome the disadvantages of the traditional block-matching-based image denoising method, an image denoising method based on block matching with 4D filtering (BM4D) in the 3D shearlet transform domain and a generative adversarial network is proposed. Firstly, the contaminated images are decomposed to get the shearlet coefficients; then, an improved 3D block-matching algorithm is proposed in the hard threshold and wiener filtering stage to get the latent clean images; the final clean images can be obtained by training the latent clean images via a generative adversarial network (GAN).Taking the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity (SSIM for short) of image, and edge-preserving index (EPI for short) as the evaluation criteria, experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can not only effectively remove image noise in high noisy environment, but also effectively improve the visual effect of the images.
Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe Improves Cognitive Performance, Inhibits Apoptosis, and Reduces Pathological Deposits in APP/PS1 Double Transgenic Mice via the PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Lin Shi-Yi , Wang Tian-Qi , Xu Lu-Ting , Lai Xiao-Xiao , Shen Yan , Lin Jian-Wei , Gao Shi-Yu , Hu Hai-Yan
Published: April 2020

The traditional Chinese medicine of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe (QKR) is effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aims to investigate whether QKR improves the cognitive ability and takes neuroprotective effect on APP/PS1 double transgenic mice via the PI3K/Akt pathway. APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model, donepezil‐treated, or QKR‐treated group (L‐QKR: 4.75 mg/kg/d, M‐QKR: 9.5 mg/kg/d, and H‐QKR: 19 mg/kg/d, respectively). Wild‐type C57/BL6J mice were used as the control group. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to test the ability of spatial navigation and memorization; terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labelling (TUNEL) assay was applied to test the apoptosis; amyloid protein granule deposition was detected via Methenamine silver staining; Western blot (WB) analysis, immunohistochemistry, and RT‐PCR were applied to measure the expression of Aβ and corresponding indicators of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Compared with the model group, QKR significantly relieved the cognitive impairment, reduced the deposition of senile plaques, decreased the expression of GSK‐3α and Aβ, and increased the expression of p‐PI3K, p‐Akt, and IDE. In addition, the number of TUNEL‐positive cells decreased after treatment using QKR. The current study proved that QKR, especially at the high dose tested, exerted a protective effect on improving learning and memory, inhibiting apoptosis, and reducing the process of pathological degeneration in the hippocampus of AD mice.
Assessment of Useful Alien Plant Species Cultivated and Managed in Rural Home Gardens of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Silas Semenya Sebua , Maroyi Alfred
Published: April 2020

Several communities in developing countries derive substantial part of their livelihood needs from alien plants cultivated and managed in home gardens. The aim of this study was to assess useful alien plant species cultivated and managed in home gardens of Limpopo province in South Africa. Semistructured interviews, personal observation, and guided walks with 300 participants between January 2015 and December 2016 were employed to obtain data on names of alien plants cultivated in home gardens and their use categories. A total of 101 plant species belonging to 44 families were recorded from the study area. More than half of the species (66.3%) belonged to 14 families, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Myrtaceae. Twenty-six use categories of alien plants were identified in this study with the majority of species (75.2%) used for medicinal purposes, followed by ornamental (33.7%), edible fruits (24.8%), spices (16.8%), vegetables (16.8%), shade (11.9%), beverages (10.9%), construction materials (8.9%), firewood (7.9%), and hedge (7.9%). These findings corroborate the existing body of knowledge emphasizing the importance of plants grown and managed in home gardens to the livelihood needs of local communities.