bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and enablers of breast-feeding protection and support after the 2017 earthquakes in Mexico
Authors: Vilar-Compte Mireya , Pérez Navarro Cecilia , Burrola-Méndez Soraya , Sachse-Aguilera Matthias , Veliz Paula
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To study the barriers and enablers of breast-feeding protection and support after the 2017 earthquakes in Mexico.

Design:

A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach to analyse data collected from in-depth interviews, virtual ethnography and documentary analysis of newspapers.

Setting:

Data were collected after the September 2017 earthquakes in Mexico (from 8 September 2017 to 15 May 2018).

Participants:

The participants included key informants (n 13) from different sectors. Postings retrieved from forty-two Facebook and forty-seven Twitter accounts and a WhatsApp group informed the virtual ethnography analysis. Newspaper material covering the 2017 earthquakes in Mexico (seven newspapers) was retrieved for the documentary analysis.

Results:

Interviews with key informants revealed a lack of knowledge, unclear institutional protocols during emergencies and lack of enforcement of existing international frameworks. The virtual ethnography uncovered a strong call for donations in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, and generalized donations of formula revealed a tense relationship between actions taken by breast-feeding experts and the negative reactions from the government and citizens. This analysis highlights the relevance of pre-existing networks of experts in protecting and supporting breast-feeding. From the newspaper documentary analysis, similar themes emerged.

Conclusions:

This study identified key barriers and enablers in the protection and support of breast-feeding during the 2017 earthquakes in Mexico. Relevant actors should embrace the lessons highlighted in this study because countries such as Mexico are likely to experience other emergencies in the near future.
Birth weight, childhood and adolescent growth and diabetes risk factors in 21-year-old Asian Indians: the Pune Children’s Study
Authors: Kumaran Kalyanaraman , Lubree Himangi , Bhat Dattatray S. , Joshi Suyog , Joglekar Charudatta , Yajnik Pallavi , Bhave Sheila , Pandit Anand , Fall Caroline H.D. , Yajnik Chittaranjan S
Published: August 2020

Our objective was to investigate associations of body size (birth weight and body mass index (BMI)) and growth in height, body fat (adiposity) and lean mass during childhood and adolescence, with risk markers for diabetes in young South Asian adults. We studied 357 men and women aged 21 years from the Pune Children’s Study birth cohort. Exposures were 1) birth weight, 21-year BMI, both of these mutually adjusted, and their interaction, and 2) uncorrelated conditional measures of growth in height and proxies for gain in adiposity and lean mass from birth to 8 years (childhood) and 8 to 21 years (adolescence) constructed from birth weight, and weight, height, and skinfolds at 8 and 21 years. Outcomes were plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test and derived indices of insulin resistance and secretion. Higher 21-year BMI was associated with higher glucose and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance, and lower disposition index. After adjusting for 21-year BMI, higher birth weight was associated with lower 120-min glucose and insulin resistance, and higher disposition index. In the growth analysis, greater adiposity gain during childhood and adolescence was associated with higher glucose, insulin and insulin resistance, and lower disposition index, with stronger effects from adolescent gain. Greater childhood lean gain and adolescent height gain were associated with lower 120-min glucose and insulin. Consistent with other studies, lower birth weight and higher childhood weight gain increases diabetes risk. Disaggregation of weight gain showed that greater child/adolescent adiposity gain and lower lean and height gain may increase risk.
Häusliche Gewalt im Alter: Prävention und Intervention
Authors: Wettstein Albert
Published: August 2020

Zusammenfassung. Gewalt gegen Alte ist häufig, 20–30 % alter Menschen erleben dies jährlich, am häufigsten in der Form von psychischer Misshandlung (20 %), seltener von finanzieller Ausnutzung (4 %) oder physischer Gewalt (3 %). Wichtigste Risikofaktoren für die Opfer sind Betreuungsbedürftigkeit, vor allem wegen Demenz. Pflegende Personen haben ein hohes Risiko, zu missbrauchen, wenn sie psychisch auffällig oder suchtabhängig sind, mit dem zu Pflegenden zusammenleben oder finanziell von ihm abhängig sind. Zusätzliche Risikofaktoren sind allgemeine soziale Isolation und ungelöste Familienkonflikte. Wichtigste Prävention ist die Organisation von Entlastungen der Betreuenden durch Einsätze von Aussenstehenden (ambulante Pflege, Spitex) und bei den Opfern ärztliche Behandlung von nächtlicher Unruhe ohne den Einsatz von Benzodiazepinen oder Neuroleptika, aber mit Phytopharmaka oder sedierenden Antidepressiva.
Tuberkulöse Spondylitis – Diagnose und Management
Authors: Stienen Martin N. , Sprengel Kai , Butsch Raphael , Achermann Yvonne , Wolfensberger Aline , Regli Luca , Bellut David
Published: August 2020

Zusammenfassung. Trotz abnehmender Inzidenz der Tuberkulose (TBC) über die vergangenen Jahrzehnte in der Schweiz ist die Häufigkeit der jährlich neu diagnostizierten tuberkulösen Spondylitis stabil. Sie tritt am häufigsten bei sehr alten, immun-kompromittierten und/oder aus TBC-Endemiegebieten zugezogenen Personen auf. Sie ist eine chronische Manifestation der TBC, welche im Wesentlichen durch «kalte Abszesse», neurologische Ausfälle und kyphotische Deformität der Wirbelsäule charakterisiert ist. Die tuberkulöse Spondylitis wird oft verzögert diagnostiziert, was zu einer höheren Morbidität und Behandlungskomplexität führen kann. Die antibiotische Therapie ist bei der tuberkulösen Spondylitis essenziell. Chirurgische Eingriffe haben das Ziel der Probengewinnung, Dekompression, Schmerzkontrolle und gegebenenfalls der Deformitätenkorrektur/Stabilisierung. Diese Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über das moderne diagnostische und therapeutische Management der tuberkulösen Spondylitis in der Schweiz.
Inverse design of metasurfaces with non-local interactions
Authors: Cai Haogang , Srinivasan Srilok , Czaplewski David A. , Martinson Alex B. F. , Gosztola David J. , Stan Liliana , Loeffler Troy , Sankaranarayanan Subramanian K. R. S. , López Daniel
Published: August 2020

Conventional metasurfaces have demonstrated efficient wavefront manipulation by using thick and high-aspect-ratio nanostructures in order to eliminate interactions between adjacent phase-shifter elements. Thinner-than-wavelength dielectric metasurfaces are highly desirable because they can facilitate fabrication and integration with both electronics and mechanically tunable platforms. Unfortunately, because their constitutive phase-shifter elements exhibit strong electromagnetic coupling between neighbors, the design requires a global optimization methodology that considers the non-local interactions. Here, we propose a global evolutionary optimization approach to inverse design non-local metasurfaces. The optimal designs are experimentally validated, demonstrating the highest efficiencies for the thinnest transmissive metalenses reported to-date for visible light. In a departure from conventional design methods based on the search of a library of pre-determined and independent meta-atoms, we take full advantage of the strong interactions among nanoresonators to improve the focusing efficiency of metalenses and demonstrate that efficiency improvements can be obtained by lowering the metasurface filling factors.
The BXD21/TyJ recombinant inbred strain as a model for innate inflammatory response in distinct brain regions
Authors: López-Granero Caridad , Ferrer Beatriz , dos Santos Alessandra Antunes , Barrasa Angel , Aschner Michael
Published: August 2020

Oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines affect the human brain, increasing the risk for mood and cognitive disorders. Such risk might be selective to brain-specific regions. Here, we determined whether BXD recombinant inbred (RI) mice strains are more suitable than C57BL/6J mice for the understanding of the relationship between antioxidant response and inflammatory responses. We hypothesized that inflammatory responses could be independent of antioxidant response and be inherent to brain-specific regions. This hypothesis will be addressed by the analyses of mRNA expression. We explored, at 7-months-of-age, the innate activation of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) mRNA in both male and female BXD84/RwwJ RI, BXD21/TyJ RI and control strain (C57BL/6J mice). We report that: (1) The cerebellum is more sensitive to antioxidant response in the BXD21/TyJ RI strain; (2) The cerebellum, hippocampus and striatum show increased levels of cytokines in the BXD21/TyJ RI strain; (3) The BXD RI strain has lower brain weight relative to control strain (C57BL/6 mice). In conclusion, our novel data show the utility of the BXD21/TyJ RI strain mice in offering mechanistic insight into Nrf2’s role in the inflammatory system.
Correction: A high-throughput microfluidic microphysiological system (PREDICT-96) to recapitulate hepatocyte function in dynamic, re-circulating flow conditions
Authors: Tan Kelly , Coppeta Jonathan , Azizgolshani Hesham , Isenberg Brett C. , Keegan Philip M. , Cain Brian P. , Patterson Abigail J. , Kim Ernest S. , Kratchman Louis B. , Rogers Miles , Haroutunian Nerses , Newlin Veronica , Golmon Stephanie , Tandon Vishal , Lu Mingjian , Gosset James R. , Vedula Else M. , Charest Joseph L. , Bale Shyam Sundhar
Published: August 2020

Correction for ‘A high-throughput microfluidic microphysiological system (PREDICT-96) to recapitulate hepatocyte function in dynamic, re-circulating flow conditions’ by Kelly Tan et al., Lab Chip, 2019, 19, 1556–1566, DOI: 10.1039/C8LC01262H.
Potentiated cytosolic drug delivery and photonic hyperthermia by 2D free-standing silicene nanosheets for tumor nanomedicine
Authors: Wang Fangfang , Duan Huican , Zhang Ruifang , Guo Haiyan , Lin Han , Chen Yu
Published: August 2020

The high-performance photonic drug-delivery nanoplatform on the basis of ultrathin silicene nanosheets was constructed for achieving synergistic chemotherapeutic and phototherapeutic efficiency against tumor.
N-Doped graphitic ladder-structured carbon nanotubes as a superior sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Luo Rui , Xi Baojuan , Wei Ruchao , Chen Weihua , Ma Xiaojian , Feng Zhenyu , Feng Jinkui , Xiong Shenglin
Published: August 2020

Nitrogen doped graphitic ladder-structured carbon nanotubes loaded with cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized and shown to be a suitable sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries, which exhibits good cycling stability and excellent rate capability.
Panchromatic dirhodium photocatalysts for dihydrogen generation with red light
Authors: Huang Jie , Gallucci Judith C. , Turro Claudia
Published: August 2020

Three dirhodium complexes cis-[Rh2(DPhB)2(bncn)2](BF4)2, cis-[Rh2(DPhTA)2(bncn)2](BF4)2 and cis-[Rh2(DPhF)2(bncn)2](BF4)2 are shown to act as single-molecule photocatalysts for H2 production.
Association between plasma betaine levels and dysglycemia in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Guo Fei , Qiu Xueting , Zhu Yuanting , Tan Zhirong , Li Zhenyu , Ouyang Dongsheng
Published: August 2020

Background: Dietary betaine intake was reported to associate with favorable profile of metabolic disorders. However, the role of circulating betaine in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with dysglycemia is still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the potential associations between plasma betaine levels and dysglycemia in CAD patients.

Methods: Total 307 subjects were enrolled in the present study with 165 CAD patients (57 with dysglycemia and 108 with normal glycemia) and 142 age- and sex-matched controls (CON). Fasting plasma betaine was detected using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Plasma betaine was lower in normal glycemia CAD patients (28.29 (22.38–35.73) μM) compared with healthy controls (29.75 (25.32–39.15) μM), and was further decreased in CAD patients with dysglycemia (24.14 (20.84–30.76) μM, P<0.01). Betaine levels were inversely correlated with fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin% (HbA1c), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglyceride (TG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (all, P≤0.05). Subjects in the highest betaine tertile group had lowest frequency of CAD and dysglycemia (all, P<0.01). Increased betaine levels were independently associated with low risk of dysglycemia in CAD after adjustment for multiple traditional risk factors (OR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0–0.37, P=0.01). Furthermore, betaine had good performance at distinguishing CAD with dysglycemia from normal glycemia CAD (AUC = 0.62, P<0.01).

Conclusion: Plasma betaine levels are independently and inversely associated with dysglycemia in CAD after adjustment for multiple factors, and may be useful for risk stratification of dysglycemia in CAD.
Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Connectivity Between Semantic and Phonological Regions of Interest May Inform Language Targets in Aphasia
Authors: Ramage Amy E. , Aytur Semra , Ballard Kirrie J.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Brain imaging has provided puzzle pieces in the understanding of language. In neurologically healthy populations, the structure of certain brain regions is associated with particular language functions (e.g., semantics, phonology). In studies on focal brain damage, certain brain regions or connections are considered sufficient or necessary for a given language function. However, few of these account for the effects of lesioned tissue on the “functional” dynamics of the brain for language processing. Here, functional connectivity (FC) among semantic–phonological regions of interest (ROIs) is assessed to fill a gap in our understanding about the neural substrates of impaired language and whether connectivity strength can predict language performance on a clinical tool in individuals with aphasia.

Method

Clinical assessment of language, using the Western Aphasia Battery–Revised, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained for 30 individuals with chronic aphasia secondary to left-hemisphere stroke and 18 age-matched healthy controls. FC between bilateral ROIs was contrasted by group and used to predict Western Aphasia Battery–Revised scores.

Results

Network coherence was observed in healthy controls and participants with stroke. The left–right premotor cortex connection was stronger in healthy controls, as reported by New et al. (2015) in the same data set. FC of (a) connections between temporal regions, in the left hemisphere and bilaterally, predicted lexical–semantic processing for auditory comprehension and (b) ipsilateral connections between temporal and frontal regions in both hemispheres predicted access to semantic–phonological representations and processing for verbal production.

Conclusions

Network connectivity of brain regions associated with semantic–phonological processing is predictive of language performance in poststroke aphasia. The most predictive connections involved right-hemisphere ROIs—particularly those for which structural adaptions are known to associate with recovered word retrieval performance. Predictions may be made, based on these findings, about which connections have potential as targets for neuroplastic functional changes with intervention in aphasia.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12735785
Adults Show Initial Advantages Over Children in Learning Difficult Nonnative Speech Sounds
Authors: Fuhrmeister Pamela , Schlemmer Brianna , Myers Emily B.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Children and early adolescents seem to have an advantage over adults in acquiring nonnative speech sounds, supported by evidence showing that earlier age of acquisition strongly predicts second language attainment. Although many factors influence children’s ultimate success in language learning, it is unknown whether children rely on different, perhaps more efficient learning mechanisms than adults.

Method

The current study compared children (aged 10–16 years) and adults in their learning of a nonnative Hindi contrast. We tested the hypothesis that younger participants would show superior baseline discriminability or learning of the contrast, better memory for new sounds after a delay, or improved generalization to a new talker's voice. Measures of phonological and auditory skills were collected to determine whether individual variability in these skills predicts nonnative speech sound learning and whether these potential relationships differ between adults and children.

Results

Adults showed superior pretraining sensitivity to the contrast compared to children, and these pretraining discrimination scores predicted learning and retention. Even though adults seemed to have an initial advantage in learning, children improved after a period of off-line consolidation on the trained identification task and began to catch up to adults after an overnight delay. Additionally, perceptual skills that predicted speech sound learning differed between adults and children, suggesting they rely on different learning mechanisms.

Conclusions

These findings challenge the view that children are simply better speech sound learners than adults and suggest that their advantages may be due to different learning mechanisms or better retention of nonnative contrasts over the broader language learning trajectory.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12735914
A Comparison of Speech Amplification and Personal Communication Devices for Hypophonia
Authors: Knowles Thea , Adams Scott G. , Page Allyson , Cushnie-Sparrow Daryn , Jog Mandar
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study compared the performance of three amplification devices hypothesized to improve speech communication in individuals with hypophonia (HP), as well as to identify individuals' device preferences.

Method

Twenty-two individuals with HP and their primary communication partners participated in a cross-over design study comparing three different speech amplification devices: a wired portable amplifier (Device A), a wireless stationary amplifier (Device B), and a one-way personal communication system (Device C). Participants attended one laboratory visit followed by 1-week trial periods with each device. At the first visit, HP participants completed speech tasks with and without the devices, in quiet and in noise. Following the in-laboratory test period, participants trialed each device at home for approximately 1 week per device. Following completion of the study, participants indicated whether or not they would like to continue using a device.

Results

Overall, in the presence of noise, all three devices demonstrated significant improvements in speech-to-noise levels and speech intelligibility compared to no device. A clear device hierarchy emerged such that the personal communication device (Device C) was associated with significantly better speech outcomes compared to the other two devices. The majority of participants elected to continue using a device at the completion of the study. Device preferences, however, did not clearly reflect the objective device hierarchy that was found for the objective speech measures. Each of the three devices was selected as a preferred device by at least three participants at the completion of the study.

Conclusion

Results from this study demonstrated clear differences in device performance in three distinct forms of amplification devices for individuals with HP. Findings suggest that amplification device use may be beneficial for this clinical population and underscore the potential to improve device availability and device selection criteria in future research.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12735875
Conversational Coordination of Articulation Responds to Context: A Clinical Test Case With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Borrie Stephanie A. , Wynn Camille J. , Berisha Visar , Lubold Nichola , Willi Megan M. , Coelho Carl A. , Barrett Tyson S.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Coordination of communicative behavior supports shared understanding in conversation. The current study brings together analysis of two speech coordination strategies, entrainment and compensation of articulation, in a preliminary investigation into whether strategy organization is shaped by a challenging communicative context—conversing with a person who has a communication disorder.

Method

As an initial clinical test case, an automated measure of articulatory precision was analyzed in a corpus of spoken dialogue, where a confederate conversed with participants with traumatic brain injury (
n
= 28) and participants with no brain injury (
n
= 48).

Results

Overall, the confederate engaged in significant entrainment and high compensation (hyperarticulation) in conversations with participants with traumatic brain injury relative to significant entrainment and low compensation (hypoarticulation) in conversations with participants with no brain injury. Furthermore, the confederate's articulatory precision changed over the course of the conversations.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the organization of conversational coordination is sensitive to context, supporting synergistic models of spoken dialogue. While corpus limitations are acknowledged, these initial results point to differences in the way in which speech strategies are realized in challenging communicative contexts, highlighting a viable and important target for investigation with clinical populations. A framework for investigating speech coordination strategies in tandem and ideas for advancing this line of inquiry serve as key contributions of this work.
Une course contre la montre
Authors: Iseni Frédéric , Tournier Jean-Nicolas
Published: August 2020

Le SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2), qui a émergé à la fin de l’année 2019 en République populaire de Chine, est responsable d’une crise sanitaire mondiale qui a entraîné le confinement de plus de 3 milliards d’individus et l’arrêt brutal de l’économie planétaire. Dans ce contexte, une course contre la montre est lancée afin de développer, dans les plus brefs délais, un traitement permettant d’enrayer la pandémie. Une étude de l’équipe de Volker Thiel, parue dans le journal Nature, rapporte la mise au point d’une technique de génétique inverse pour le SARS-CoV-2, leur ayant permis de recréer le virus en seulement quelques semaines. Les perspectives de ces travaux sont très intéressantes puisqu’elles permettent d’envisager la manipulation génétique du virus et ainsi le développement d’outils précieux qui seront utiles pour combattre l’infection. Si la technique représente également un saut technologique qui permettra d’améliorer nos connaissances sur le virus, elle porte aussi en elle le germe d’un possible mésusage et la création d’un virus à des fins malveillantes. Les avantages et inconvénients de recréer le SARS-CoV-2 dans cette période de pandémie sont discutés dans cet article.
Développement du sentiment d’efficacité comme psychothérapeute chez les résidents en psychiatrie
Authors: Boily Valérie , Jacques Marie-Claude , Grignon Sylvain
Published: August 2020

Problématique : Le sentiment d’efficacité du psychothérapeute (SE-PSY) de Larson et Daniels est un concept dérivé du sentiment d’efficacité personnelle de Bandura, largement appliqué pour l’apprentissage de la psychothérapie chez les psychologues. À notre connaissance, aucune étude ne s’est adressée au SE-PSY chez les résidents de psychiatrie, qui ont la particularité d’être d’abord médecins plutôt que psychothérapeutes. Objectif : L’objectif principal de notre étude était de décrire les composantes du SE-PSY chez les résidents de psychiatrie, lors des premières expériences de psychothérapie. Méthodes : Cette étude a utilisé un devis qualitatif descriptif. Les participants étaient interrogés sur leur expérience de l’apprentissage de la psychothérapie et sur le SE-PSY. L’analyse des données a été effectuée en utilisant l’approche de la théorisation ancrée. Résultats : Les neuf participants étaient âgés entre 25 et 31 ans et avaient une expérience de deux à sept suivis de psychothérapie. L’analyse qualitative a permis de mettre en lumière quatre composantes liées au SE-PSY, soit : le contexte de la résidence, l’insécurité initiale, l’environnement de supervision et le vécu d’expériences structurantes. Conclusion : Les résultats montrent que l’apprentissage de la psychothérapie et le SE-PSY s’articulent de façon particulière chez les résidents en psychiatrie. Ces résultats apportent des indications précieuses concernant les éléments à mettre en avant afin non seulement de favoriser le développement du sentiment d’efficacité du psychothérapeute chez les résidents en apprentissage, mais aussi de valoriser auprès de ceux-ci cette responsabilité professionnelle.
Freshwater production and solar disinfection of water released from the air-conditioning cooling system: an experimental investigation
Authors: Moosa Iessa Sabbe , Al-Iessi Laila Masoud Rashid , Kazem Hussein A.
Published: August 2020

Providing drinkable water for people is one of the crux duties of any government worldwide. As long, Oman classified among countries that suffer from a shortage of water resources, therefore finding any new sources of water is considered as very substantial work. In present work, a research was carried out on a massive quantity of water that is released out from cooling air-conditioning system in humid zones in Oman as byproduct water. The results showed that the average quantity of water gained from one AC in chosen cities was about 2 L/h, 1.9 L/h, and 1.7 L/h in Muscat, Sohar, and Al-Buraimi respectively. The results exposed that the water was almost distilled water with a pH of about 7. The electrical conductivity was very low, within the range of 45 µS/cm and less. The turbidity of the tested water was low as well, in the range of about 0.6 NTU. Additionally, it was found that solar disinfection technique was very effective to inactivate the existing bacteria in the examined water. A temperature of about 43 °C can be reached after solar irradiation for 2 h with transparent bottles. While, a temperature of around 84 °C was achieved on a sunny day after 6 h of irradiation time. The significant result of the solar disinfection was that the complete inactivation of bacteria could be achieved with an irradiation period of 2–4 h, depending on the number of bacteria per unit volume and the weather state. Moreover, some of the gained water was converted into drinking water after adding some required elements, filtration and disinfection by solar energy. Also, it is strongly recommended to use the released drain-water from cooling air-conditioning systems in the electrolysis unit cells for hydrogen gas production in conjugation with solar energy.
Synthesis of Unsymmetric Triarylmethanes Bearing CF3-Substituted All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters: 1,6-Arylation of δ-Trifluo­romethyl Substituted para-Quinone Methides
Authors: Ma Shutao , Liu Xigong , Liu Lei , Ma Yingang , Pang Jingxiang , Pan Xiaoguang
Published: August 2020

Pre-synthesized δ-CF3-δ-aryl-disubstituted para-quinone methides bearing δ-substituents were identified as isolable and storable substrates for 1,6-arylation reactions. A broad range of electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes participated in the arylation process, furnishing a wide array of unsymmetrical CF3-substituted triarylmethanes in high efficiency. The mild and expeditious protocol exhibited broad scopes of both arene and para-quinone methide components.
Novel SCN9A Mutations in a Compound Heterozygous Girl with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain
Authors: Stunnenberg Bas , Haaxma Charlotte , van Haelst Mieke , Ponson-Wever Maria , Verberne Eline , Peters Ivo , Gerrits Monique
Published: August 2020

Congenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIP) is a rare disorder that is characterized by the inability to perceive pain. It is caused by bi-allelic inactivating mutations in the SCN9A gene, which encodes the pore-forming α-subunit of the nerve voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.7). Patients with CIP are unable to feel pain from noxious stimuli, including heat, but all other peripheral somatosensory modalities function normally. Often anosmia is present as an additional feature. We reported a patient with CIP caused by compound heterozygous SCN9A mutations: a novel in-frame deletion of exon 7 and a novel frameshift mutation. The identification of these mutations expands the spectrum of mutations associated with CIP.
Postoperative Neurological Complications after a Cranial Surgery: A Multicentre Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Venkatapura Ramesh J. , Dubey Surya K. , Panda Nidhi , Chakrabarti Dhritiman , Venkataramaiah Sudhir , Rath Girija P. , Kaloria Narender , Sharma Deepak , Ganne Umamaheswara Rao S.
Published: August 2020

Background  Cranial surgery is associated with multiple postoperative complications varying from simple nausea and vomiting to devastating complications such as stroke and death. This multicentre collaborative effort was envisioned to collect observational data regarding postoperative complications in cranial surgeries among the Indian population. The aim of this study was to describe the postoperative neurological complications occurring within the first 24 hours after surgery and to identify the predictive factors.

Methods Data was collected from three participating tertiary care academic institutions. The study was prospective, observational, multicentre design with data collected over a period of two months or 100 cases, whichever is earlier, from each participating institute. A predesigned Microsoft excel sheet was distributed among all three centers to maintain uniformity. All patients aged 18 years and above of both sexes undergoing elective or emergency craniotomies were included in the study. The postoperative neurological complications (within 24 hours) assessed were: (1) Neurological deficit (ND) defined as new focal neurological motor deficit relative to preoperative status. (2) Sensorium deterioration (SD) defined as reduction in Glasgow coma score (GCS) by 2 or more points compared with preoperative GCS. (4) Postoperative seizures (SZs) defined as any seizure activity. All possible variables associated with the above neurological complications were tested using Chi-square/Fisher exact test or Mann–Whitney U test. The predictors, which were statistically significant at p < 0.2, were entered into a multiple logistic regression model. Alpha error of 5% was taken as significant.

Results Data from three institutions was collected with a total of 279 cases. In total, there were 53 (19%) neurological complications. There were 28 patients with new postoperative NDs (10.04%), 24 patients had SD (8.6%), and 17 patients had seizures (6.1%). Neurological deficits were significantly less in institution 2. Diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) was associated with very low risk of ND, and vascular pathology was associated with higher chance of a ND. The duration of anesthesia was found to be significantly predictive of SD (OR/CI = 1.01 / 1–1.02). None of the factors were predictive of PS.

Conclusion The incidences of postoperative ND, SD and postoperative seizures were 10%, 8.6%, and 6.1%, respectively. Studies with a much larger sample size are required for a better and detailed analysis of these complications.
Implementing national mental health carer partnership standards in South Australia
Authors: Lawn Sharon , Waddell Elaine , Cowain Taryn , Turnbull Carol , McMahon Janne
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the current state of carer engagement and partnership in two mental health (MH) services in South Australia and the implementation of the six partnership standards in A Practical Guide to Working with Carers of People with a Mental Illness.
MethodsAnonymous surveys of carer experiences and clinician self-ratings of their own practice against the six partnership standards were completed by 94 staff and 58 carers within public and private MH in-patient units before and after exposure of clinicians to education about the partnership standards. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and, where applicable, a comparative analysis used the two-sample Z-test of proportions. Qualitative data was analysed thematically.
ResultsConsiderable gaps were evident between carer experiences and clinician self-ratings of their own practice. Overall, the surveys point to the lack of a consistent approach by both public and private services, and suggest potential barriers to fostering carer participation and engagement. Confidentiality was a particularly noted barrier to partnership with carers.
ConclusionSignificant improvement is needed to meet the partnership standards. Brief exposure to the Guide is not, in itself, sufficient to effect change in the overall attitudes, skills and knowledge of clinical staff about engaging carers. Significantly more focus on staff education, clinical discussions and supervision is needed to meet the MH carer partnership standards.
What is known about the topic?Partnership with MH consumers and carers is an established key principle within national MH policies and accreditation standards. Family carers play an important role in supporting consumers’ recovery, yet many carers continue to report being excluded, particularly by in-patient clinical staff.
What does this paper add?This is the first study to investigate the partnership standards in practice by comparing the perspectives of carers and in-patient MH clinical staff.
What are the implications for practitioners?Improving partnership with carers of people with mental illness will require significant MH service leadership support shifts in current practice and culture. In addition, a more nuanced understanding of confidentiality is required to overcome the barriers to involving family carers more meaningfully in care.
Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and indigenous dairy cows at smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Duguma Belay
Published: August 2020

Context
Evaluation of the performance of dairy cows kept in different production systems is essential for the development of appropriate breeding strategies.

Aims
To examine milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred (CB) and indigenous (I) dairy cows, farmers’ traits preference for CB and I breeding females, and factors affecting the performance of dairy cattle on smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia.

Methods
In total, 52 smallholder dairy cattle farmers were randomly sampled and data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews by using structured questionnaires. The traits studied were daily milk yield (DMY), lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and number of service per conception (NSC), all being factors affecting performance of dairy cattle and farmers’ preferred dairy traits.

Results
On average, CB cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher DMY (6.0 ± 0.33 vs 1.8 ± 0.07 L/cow), LMY (1466.7 ± 1.13 vs 376.0 ± 21.02 L (L)), LL (8.1 ± 0.41 vs 6.9 ± 0.22 months), and lower AFS (2.69 ± 0.1 vs 3.3 ± 0.07 years), AFC (3.7 ± 0.13 vs 4.3 ± 0.07 years) and CI (21.2 ± 1.37 vs 29.8 ± 1.30 months) than did I cows. However, DO and NSC were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by genotype. In order of perceived importance, high milk yield (mean rank = 0.306), LL (0.292) and fertility (0.199) were farmers’ most preferred traits for CB breeding cows, and the corresponding preferred traits for I cows were high milk yield (0.253), adaptability (0.229) and LL (0.192). The most important factors perceived by farmers affecting the performance of dairy cattle were breed, nutrition, diseases, breeding and management practices

Conclusions
The findings of the study indicated that even though CB cows performed better, the performance of both breeds of dairy cows in the study area was found to be generally low due to delayed AFS, late AFC, long CI, shorter LL, low daily and LMY and high NSC.

Implications
The study highlighted that there is a potential for increasing the performance of dairy cows in the study area, through improved management strategies leading to shorter AFS, AFC, CI and lower NSC. Furthermore, future breed-improvement programs should take into consideration farmers’ trait preferences in design of sustainable improvement programs.
Growth strategies as determinants of CO2 sequestration and response to nitrogen fertilisation in C4 grasses in South American natural grasslands
Authors: Marques Anderson Cesar Ramos , de Oliveira Leandro Bittencourt , Schwalbert Raíssa , Del Frari Bianca Knebel , Brunetto Gustavo , de Quadros Fernando Luiz Ferreira , Nabinger Carlos , Nicoloso Fernando Teixeira
Published: August 2020

Grass species grown in South American natural grasslands present different growth strategies related to variations in specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and possible nitrogen (N) allocation. Nitrogen fertilisation can have effects on physiological processes such as CO2 assimilation; however, these responses can change depending on the growth strategy adopted by each species. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of N fertilisation on SLA, LDMC and CO2 assimilation in eight C4 grass species: Axonopus affinis, Paspalum pumilum, P. notatum, P. urvillei, P. plicatulum, Andropogon lateralis, Saccharum angustifolium and Aristida laevis. These species were cultivated in pots filled with soil subjected to two conditions of N availability: nil (control) and 200 mg N kg–1 soil. The SLA of Axonopus affinis was 5.4 times higher than that of Aristida laevis. Axonopus affinis and P. pumilum recorded the lowest LDMC, their leaves showed 53% lower LDMC than observed for Aristida laevis, on average. Resource-capture species showed variation in leaf area with N addition to values 20% higher than the control, whereas species characterised by a resource-conservation growth strategy recorded variation in leaf area with N addition to values only 8% higher than the control. With N addition, the CO2 assimilation of resource-capture species represented variation (increase) nine times that of resource-conservation species compared with their respective controls. Resource-capture species have greater CO2 capture potential than resource-conservation species, mainly a result of N addition.
Characteristics of clients newly diagnosed with HIV in central Sydney in 2016–17: a retrospective audit comparing a community-based testing site and a clinical sexual health service
Authors: Houghton Rebecca , McIver Ruthy , Lockwood Timmy , Johnson Karl , Foster Rosalind
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, innovative community-based testing models have been implemented to increase HIV testing among populations at risk. The characteristics of patients newly diagnosed with HIV at a community-based testing site and at a traditional clinical service in Sydney, NSW, were compared. Compared with the clinical service, clients diagnosed at the community-based site were more likely to be diagnosed at their first visit and report no prior HIV test. A high proportion of clients at both sites had a preferred language other than English. Innovative HIV testing models are reaching under-tested populations, but could be further improved.
Direct imaging of liquid domains in membranes by cryo-electron tomography
Authors: Cornell Caitlin E. , Mileant Alexander , Thakkar Niket , Lee Kelly K. , Keller Sarah L.
Published: August 2020

Significance

Fluorescence micrographs that capture the sizes, shapes, and distributions of liquid domains in model membranes have provided high standards of evidence to prove (and disprove) theories of how micron-scale domains form and grow. Some theories about smaller domains have remained untested, partly because experimental methods of identifying submicron domains in vitrified, hydrated vesicles have not been available. Here we introduce two such methods; both leverage cryo-electron tomography to observe membrane features far smaller than the diffraction limit of light. The first method is probe-free and identifies differences in thicknesses between liquid domains and their surrounding membranes. The second method identifies membrane regions labeled by an electron-dense, fluorescent protein, which enables direct comparison of fluorescence micrographs with cryo-electron tomograms.
Symbiosis between nanohaloarchaeon and haloarchaeon is based on utilization of different polysaccharides
Authors: La Cono Violetta , Messina Enzo , Rohde Manfred , Arcadi Erika , Ciordia Sergio , Crisafi Francesca , Denaro Renata , Ferrer Manuel , Giuliano Laura , Golyshin Peter N. , Golyshina Olga V. , Hallsworth John E. , La Spada Gina , Mena Maria C. , Merkel Alexander Y. , Shevchenko Margarita A. , Smedile Francesco , Sorokin Dimitry Y. , Toshchakov Stepan V. , Yakimov Michail M.
Published: August 2020

Significance

We report on cultivation and characterization of an association between
Candidatus
Nanohalobium constans and its host, the chitinotrophic haloarchaeon
Halomicrobium
LC1Hm, obtained from a crystallizer pond of marine solar salterns. High-quality nanohaloarchael genome sequence in conjunction with electron- and fluorescence microscopy, growth analysis, and proteomic and metabolomic data revealed mutually beneficial interactions between two archaea, and allowed dissection of the mechanisms for these interactions. Owing to their ubiquity in hypersaline environments, Nanohaloarchaeota may play a role in carbon turnover and ecosystem functioning, yet insights into the nature of this have been lacking. Here, we provide evidence that nanohaloarchaea can expand the range of available substrates for the haloarchaeon, suggesting that the ectosymbiont increases the metabolic capacity of the host.
Structures of filamentous viruses infecting hyperthermophilic archaea explain DNA stabilization in extreme environments
Authors: Wang Fengbin , Baquero Diana P. , Beltran Leticia C. , Su Zhangli , Osinski Tomasz , Zheng Weili , Prangishvili David , Krupovic Mart , Egelman Edward H.
Published: August 2020

Significance

Viruses pose enormous threats to human health around the world but can also be potential tools for everything from gene therapy to medical imaging to drug delivery. We have used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the atomic structure of two filamentous viruses that infect hosts living in some of the most extreme environments on the Earth’s surface, springs of nearly boiling acid. We show how the structure of the proteins that protect the viral DNA has been conserved in a family of filamentous viruses found in diverse extreme locations around the globe, suggesting that all had a common origin. These results have implications for understanding the evolution of viruses, as well as for developing new methods for packaging DNA in biotechnology.
Experimental determination of thermal neutron fluence around Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator for various photon energies
Authors: Vysakh R , Musthafa M M , Midhun C V , Niyas P , Anjana P T , Krishnan M P Arun , Ranjith C P , Irfad M P , Ganapathi Raman R
Published: August 2020

A complex neutron spectrum generated along with a useful photon beam imposes an additional radiation protection risk around medical linear accelerators (linac). The thermal neutron component of this complex neutron spectrum formed during different photon modes of operation of Elekta Versa HD linac has been quantified using Indium foil activation technique. The thermal neutron fluence (Φ
th
) at isocenter for 15 MV, 10 MV and 10 MV FFF beams was found to be 2.45 × 105, 4.35 × 104 and 3.2 × 104 neutrons cm−2 Gy−1, respectively. The analysis shows a reduction in the Φ
th
as the flattening filter is being taken out from the beam path. A negative correlation in Φ
th
with respect to field size has been observed with an average 18% reduction in Φ
th
per monitor units as field size changes from 10 cm × 10 cm to 40 cm × 40 cm. For particular field size and photon energy, Φ
th
was found to be uniform across the patient plane. From the measured gamma ray spectrum inside the treatment room six major isotopes have been identified which were 122Sb, 187W, 82Br, 56Mn, 24Na and 28Al.
Inhibition of cell membrane ingression at the division site by cell walls in fission yeast
Authors: Chew Ting Gang , Lim Tzer Chyn , Osaki Yumi , Huang Junqi , Kamnev Anton , Hatano Tomoyuki , Osumi Masako , Balasubramanian Mohan K.
Published: August 2020

This manuscript investigates cytokinesis in fission yeast spheroplasts and reports that the extracellular matrix inhibits division site ingression and that new septum synthesis relieves this inhibition. The work also shows the importance of the actomyosin ring and membrane secretion in spheroplast division.
Hypertensive Urgency in Tanzanian Adults: A 1-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Reis Karl G , Wilson Raymond , Kalokola Fredrick , Wajanga Bahati , Lee Myung-Hee , Safford Monika , Peck Robert N
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive urgency is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular events and mortality in the United States and Europe, but data from low-income countries and interventions to improve outcomes are lacking.

METHODS

We conducted a 1-year prospective study of the prevalence and outcomes of hypertensive urgency (blood pressure (BP) ≥180 mm Hg/120 mm Hg without end-organ damage) in a busy outpatient clinic in Tanzania.

RESULTS

Of 7,600 consecutive adult outpatients screened with 3 unattended automated BP measurements according to standard protocol, the prevalence of hypertensive crisis was 199/7,600 (2.6%) (BP ≥180 mm Hg/120 mm Hg) and the prevalence of hypertensive urgency was 164/7,600 (2.2%). Among 150 enrolled patients with hypertensive urgency, median age was 62 years (54–68), 101 (67.3%) were women, and 53 (35%) were either hospitalized or died within 1 year. In a multivariate model, the strongest predictor of hospitalization/death was self-reported medication adherence on a 3 question scale (hazard ratio: 0.06, P < 0.001); 90% of participants with poor adherence were hospitalized or died within 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hypertensive urgency in Africa are at high risk of poor outcomes. Clinicians can identify the patients at highest risk for poor outcomes with simple questions related treatment adherence. New interventions are needed to improve medication adherence in patients with hypertensive urgency.
A network model of freight data with spatial dependence
Authors: Hazan Aurélien
Published: August 2020

In this article, we analyse the origin–destination matrix arising from freight flows that occur in single-mode transport networks and compare unbiased maximum-entropy models of the corresponding networks. An original model based on earlier results allows to reconstruct a weighted network, from degree and strength sequences, taking distances into account. As an application, the properties of the European railroad freight are analysed in detail in year 2010, with a focus on spatial effects.