bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffuse glioneuronal tumour with oligodendroglioma‐like features and nuclear clusters (DGONC) – a molecularly defined glioneuronal CNS tumour class displaying recurrent monosomy 14
Authors: Deng M. Y. , Sill M. , Sturm D. , Stichel D. , Witt H. , Ecker J. , Wittmann A. , Schittenhelm J. , Ebinger M. , Schuhmann M. U. , Figarella‐Branger D. , Aronica E. , Staszewski O. , Preusser M. , Haberler C. , Lauten M. , Schüller U. , Hartmann C. , Snuderl M. , Dunham C. , Jabado N. , Wesseling P. , Deckert M. , Keyvani K. , Gottardo N. , Giangaspero F. , von Hoff K. , Ellison D. W. , Pietsch T. , Herold-Mende C. , Milde T. , Witt O. , Kool M. , Korshunov A. , Wick W. , von Deimling A. , Pfister S. M. , Jones D. T. W. , Sahm F.
Published: December 2019

Aims

DNA methylation‐based central nervous system (CNS) tumour classification has identified numerous molecularly distinct tumour types, and clinically relevant subgroups among known CNS tumour entities that were previously thought to represent homogeneous diseases. Our study aimed at characterizing a novel, molecularly defined variant of glioneuronal CNS tumour.

Patients and methods

DNA methylation profiling was performed using the Infinium MethylationEPIC or 450 k BeadChip arrays (Illumina) and analysed using the ‘conumee’ package in R computing environment. Additional gene panel sequencing was also performed. Tumour samples were collected at the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and provided by multinational collaborators. Histological sections were also collected and independently reviewed.

Results

Genome‐wide DNA methylation data from >25 000 CNS tumours were screened for clusters separated from established DNA methylation classes, revealing a novel group comprising 31 tumours, mainly found in paediatric patients. This DNA methylation‐defined variant of low‐grade CNS tumours with glioneuronal differentiation displays recurrent monosomy 14, nuclear clusters within a morphology that is otherwise reminiscent of oligodendroglioma and other established entities with clear cell histology, and a lack of genetic alterations commonly observed in other (paediatric) glioneuronal entities.

Conclusions

DNA methylation‐based tumour classification is an objective method of assessing tumour origins, which may aid in diagnosis, especially for atypical cases. With increasing sample size, methylation analysis allows for the identification of rare, putative new tumour entities, which are currently not recognized by the WHO classification. Our study revealed the existence of a DNA methylation‐defined class of low‐grade glioneuronal tumours with recurrent monosomy 14, oligodendroglioma‐like features and nuclear clusters.
Readiness Theory: A New Approach to Understanding Mediated Prenegotiation and Negotiation Processes Leading to Peace Agreements
Authors: Schiff Amira
Published: December 2019

Two main theoretical strands suggest causal explanations for the shifts in the de‐escalation dynamics of conflicts, in which parties that had been unwilling to sit together at the negotiating table ultimately agreed to do so and eventually signed an agreement. The first is the ripeness strand which embodies three loosely related subtheories, and the second, a corollary of it, is the readiness strand which is based on readiness theory. By applying readiness theory to two case studies of mediated negotiations which ended in agreement in Aceh (2005) and Sudan (2005), this study illustrates the value of the readiness strand as an integrative analytical framework for examining the negotiation process from prenegotiation to negotiation and agreement. This type of multicausal and dynamic analysis, which considers gradual changes in the variables throughout the process, offers insights for researchers as well as for practitioners.
Brachypodium and plant viruses: entwined tools for discovery
Authors: Scholthof Karen‐Beth G.
Published: December 2019

In just a decade, Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) has fulfilled its initial promise as a key tool for realizing new strategies for understanding host and pathogen biology during virus infections of the Poaceae. For this Tansley Insight, I have identified four areas – from the laboratory to the field – that may be particularly fruitful to explore, with a particular focus on Brachypodium–virus infections. These focus areas include: mechanisms of RNA modification of host plants and viruses; coevolution of virus–host interactions; viruses as tools of discovery; and how to explicate the complex outcomes during multivirus infections. Here, I broadly frame our current knowledge of Brachypodium–virus interactions and how these findings may inform virus studies of grasses in the laboratory, field and natural settings.
Root exudation of mature beech forests across a nutrient availability gradient: the role of root morphology and fungal activity
Authors: Meier Ina C. , Tückmantel Timo , Heitkötter Julian , Müller Karolin , Preusser Sebastian , Wrobel Thomas J. , Kandeler Ellen , Marschner Bernd , Leuschner Christoph
Published: December 2019

Root exudation is a key plant function with a large influence on soil organic matter dynamics and plant–soil feedbacks in forest ecosystems. Yet despite its importance, the main ecological drivers of root exudation in mature forest trees remain to be identified.

During two growing seasons, we analyzed the dependence of in situ collected root exudates on root morphology, soil chemistry and nutrient availability in six mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests on a broad range of bedrock types.

Root morphology was a major driver of root exudation across the nutrient availability gradient. A doubling of specific root length exponentially increased exudation rates of mature trees by c. 5‐fold. Root exudation was also closely negatively related to soil pH and nitrogen (N) availability. At acidic and N‐poor sites, where fungal biomass was reduced, exudation rates were c. 3‐fold higher than at N‐ and base‐richer sites and correlated negatively with the activity of enzymes degrading less bioavailable carbon (C) and N in the bulk soil.

We conclude that root exudation increases on highly acidic, N‐poor soils, in which fungal activity is reduced and a greater portion of the assimilated plant C is shifted to the external ecosystem C cycle.
Influence of program staff on quality of relationships in a community‐based youth mentoring program
Authors: Keller Thomas E. , DuBois David L.
Published: December 2019

In many mentoring programs, mentor–youth pairs have the latitude to engage in a wide range of activities together across varying community settings. Within this context, program staff are tasked with supporting development of high‐quality relationships between mentors and youth. To date, however, this role of program staff has been largely overlooked in research. The current study investigates potential contributions of program staff to mentoring relationships in the Big Brothers Big Sisters community‐based mentoring program over their first 15 months of relationship development with a sample of 450 mentor–youth pairs that were supported by 76 program staff across 10 agencies. Two‐level analyses (mentoring relationships nested within program staff) examined characteristics and approaches of program staff as prospective predictors of several facets of mentoring relationship quality as reported by youth: closeness, help with coping, youth‐centeredness, growth orientation, and attachment. Staff‐reported work engagement and emphasis on adherence to program guidelines as well as supervisor‐rated staff competence predicted more favorable mentoring relationship quality. By contrast, a nondirective approach to supporting mentors, as reported by staff, predicted lower relationship quality. These findings suggest that further investigation of program staff influences on mentoring relationship development could be fruitful and ultimately provide a basis for enhancing program effectiveness.
What works and why in the identification and referral of adults with comorbid obesity in primary care: A realist review
Authors: Blane David N. , Macdonald Sara , O'Donnell Catherine A.
Published: December 2019

Primary care practitioners (PCPs) are well placed to identify individuals with obesity and weight‐related comorbidities and to refer them to weight management services (WMS), but this does not often happen in practice. In this realist review, we searched six databases for intervention studies targeted at PCPs to improve the identification and referral of adults with comorbid obesity. Realist analysis was used to identify context‐mechanism‐outcome (CMO) configurations across 30 included papers (reporting on 27 studies). Most studies used multiple intervention strategies, categorised into: (a) training, (b) tools to improve identification, (c) tools to improve ease of referral, (d) audit/feedback, (e) working in networks/quality circles, and (f) other. The realist synthesis identified 12 mechanisms through which interventions work to improve identification and referral, including increasing knowledge about obesity and awareness of and confidence in WMS among practitioners, improved communication and trust between practitioners and WMS, and higher priority given to weight management among primary care teams. The theory of “candidacy” (a person's eligibility for medical attention and intervention) provided a robust explanatory framework but required refinement: (a) to take account of the different services (primary care and weight management) that patients must navigate to access support; and (b) to acknowledge the importance of wider contextual factors.
Novel three‐dimensional imaging approach for cryoballoon navigation and confirmation of pulmonary vein occlusion
Authors: Kowalewski Christopher A. B. , Rodrigo Miguel , Brodt Chad , Haddad Francois , Wang Paul J. , Narayan Sanjiv M.
Published: December 2019

Background

Cryoballoon apposition is crucial for durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation, yet the balloon is difficult to visualize by conventional mapping systems, and pulmonary venography may miss small or out‐of‐plane leaks. We report a novel imaging system that offers real‐time 3D navigation of the cryoballoon within atrial anatomy that may circumvent these issues.

Methods and results

A novel overlay guidance system (OGS) registers already‐acquired segmented atrial cardiac tomography (CT) with fluoroscopy, enabling real‐time visualization of the cryoballoon within tomographic left atrial imaging during PVI. Phantom experiments in a patient‐specific 3D printed left atrium showed feasibility for confirming PV apposition and leaks. We applied OGS prospectively to 68 PVs during PVI in 17 patients. The cryoballoon was successfully reconstructed in all cases, and its apposition was compared to concurrent PV venography. The OGS uncovered leaks undetected by venography in nine veins (eight cases), which enabled repositioning, confirming apposition in remaining 68 veins. Concordance of OGS to venography was 83.8% (χ2, P < .01)

Conclusions

We report a new system for real‐time imaging of cryoballoon catheters to ensure PV apposition within the tomography of the left atrium. While providing high concordance with other imaging modalities for confirming balloon apposition or leak, the system also identified leaks missed by venography. Future studies should determine if this tool can provide a new reference for cryoballoon positioning.
Homozygosity for a novel large deletion in SLC29A3 in a patient with H syndrome
Authors: Shankar Sukesh Gautam , Rangarajan Sudha , Priyadarshini Anuradha , Swaminathan Adikrishnan , Sundaram Murugan
Published: December 2019

H syndrome (OMIM 6027820) is a novel form of histiocytosis affecting multiple organs with peculiar cutaneous manifestations. It is an autosomal recessive genodermatosis caused by pathogenic mutations in SLC29A3 that encodes the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter, hENT3. The cutaneous manifestations can mimic other sclerodermoid conditions. We present a 15‐year‐old boy diagnosed with H syndrome with typical clinical features and homozygosity for a novel pathogenic mutation.
Two Distinct Photoprocesses in Cyanobacterial Bilin Pigments: Energy Migration in Light‐Harvesting Phycobiliproteins versus Photoisomerization in Phytochromes
Authors: Sineshchekov Vitaly A. , Bekasova Olga D.
Published: December 2019

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis, respiration and photoperception are connected with the appearance of cyanobacteria. The key compounds, which are involved in these processes, are tetrapyrroles: open chain — bilins and cyclic — chlorophylls and heme. The latter are characterized by their covalent bond with the apoprotein resulting in the formation of biliproteins. This type of photoreceptors is unique in that it can perform important and opposite functions—light‐harvesting in photosynthesis with the participation of phycobiliproteins and photoperception mediated by phycochromes and phytochromes. In this review, cyanobacterial phycobiliproteins and phytochrome Cph1 are considered from a comparative point of view. Structural features of these pigments, which provide their contrasting photophysical and photochemical characteristics, are analyzed. The determining factor in the case of energy migration with the participation of phycobiliproteins is blocking the torsional relaxations of the chromophore, its D‐ring, in the excited state and their freedom, in the case of phytochrome photoisomerization. From the energetics point of view, this distinction is preconditioned by the height of the activation barrier for the photoreaction and relaxation in the excited state, which depends on the degree of the chromophore fixation by its protein surroundings.
The process of responding to stigma in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and families: A grounded theory study
Authors: Rezayat Fatemeh , Mohammadi Eesa , Fallahi‐khoshknab Masoud
Published: December 2019

Background

The way people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and families address stigma has a significant role in their vulnerability to this distressing phenomenon. However, there is little knowledge about this issue in Middle Eastern countries.

Purpose

Exploring the process of addressing stigma in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and families.

Design and Methods

In our grounded theory study, we interviewed seven patients and nine family members and used a constant comparative analysis approach for data analysis.

Findings

The participants expressed being socially rejected and oppressed by others. In addressing stigma, the patients and families surrendered passively and reluctantly. This main strategy sometimes led to deprivation and isolation and sometimes resulted in lessening their tension.

Practice Implications

Mental health nurses can empower patients and families with the skills necessary to counter stigma and, in this way, modify the sense of disability as an obstacle to stigma resistance. Also, mental health nurses can modify the contextual factors of stigma by initiating campaigns, educating society members, and involving them in fighting stigma.
Policy Making in the Shadow of Executive Action
Authors: Moraguez Ashley
Published: December 2019

Presidents have prerogative powers, such as signing statements, that seemingly undo legislative bargains. Why do legislators commit to bargains within the legislature if the president can unravel those deals? I argue that legislators bargain over both their policy and electoral interests in the face of looming presidential action and that this induces legislators to commit to bargains, even when they know the president will not maintain their agreements. I derive the prediction that signing statements are more likely when congressional polarization is low. I find support for this expectation, using data on polarization and signing statements from 1981 until 2012.
Dental students’ perceived and actual knowledge of elder abuse: An online training curriculum
Authors: Nouer Simonne S. , Meyer Laura , Shen Yan , Hare Marion E. , Connor Pamela D.
Published: December 2019

Aims

Elder abuse, defined as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect, is a growing problem. Dental professionals have the unique opportunity to identify elder abuse. However, elder abuse awareness training, targeting dental students, is insufficient and research is limited. This knowledge gap prompted the research team at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) to develop, implement, and evaluate an online Elder Abuse Awareness Professional Education Training (EAAPET) program, designed to educate dental and other health professionals to recognize, respond to, and report elder abuse.

Methods and Results

Ninety‐six dental students, attending the UTHSC College of Dentistry during the fall semester of 2018, were enrolled. Pre‐ and post‐assessments, designed to assess changes in students’ perceived and actual knowledge, were conducted. Paired sample t‐test results indicate that the EAAPET program significantly improved students’ perception of their abilities to identify, respond to, and report elder abuse. Improvement was also demonstrated within students’ actual knowledge of how to appropriately interact with suspected elder abuse victims. Qualitative assessment suggested the training was well received by the students.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, the authors recommend that dental schools integrate elder abuse awareness education into their curriculums.
Do you feel like an insider? Job security and preferences for Flexibilization across Europe
Authors: Duman Anil , Kemmerling Achim
Published: December 2019

The paper analyses the determinants of public opinion on flexibilisation of work contracts. While the literature on new labour market divides has rapidly expanded, few contributions directly look at employees’ demands for labour market regulation. By using a multi‐level data set for 25 European countries, we find that the subjectively assessed job security is an important and valuable predictor of preferences for flexibilisation. In particular, those with very low and very high levels of perceived job security prefer flexibilisation compared to those with medium levels. We also show that the effect is stronger in countries with stricter employment protection legislation. The findings contribute to the literature on new divides of labour market politics in several ways. First, our empirical operationalization is related directly to the core of insider‐outsider theory, the protection of work contracts. Second, subjective assessment of employment security yields important complementary insights into a debate usually focusing on objective measures. Third, we find that the (subjective) divide is context dependent; it is much more visible in countries where employment protection regulation is strong.
Stifling Workplace Activism: The Consequences of Anthem Protests for NFL Players
Authors: Niven David
Published: December 2019

Objective

Tracking the future contract status of NFL players affords a rare opportunity to test whether there were repercussions for participating in the 2017 national anthem protest and whether more vulnerable players were right to be wary of the owners’ wrath.

Methods

A sample of NFL players with comparable performance is used to compare how protesters and nonprotesters were treated in their next contract.

Results

Data reveal distinct differences in treatment between NFL players who protested and those who did not. In short, protesters were more likely to take a pay cut, see their salaries grow at a lower rate, and were more likely to be sent to another team.

Conclusion

The results suggest the need for critics to acknowledge the real career consequences athletes can face for political activism. Moreover, if NFL players—who work in the public eye, hold proven track records of accomplishment, and compete in a market that prides itself on analytic efficiency—can be punished by their employers for political activism, it suggests the truly profound vulnerability of everyday workers who labor without those advantages.
Explaining Gender Differences in Turnout Using Panel Data Across Elections
Authors: Coffé Hilde , Lago Ignacio
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The current study offers the first systematic analysis of the impact of citizens’ interest in and perceptions of specific elections on gender differences in turnout.

Methods

Using an Internet panel survey conducted by the Making Electoral Democracy Work project covering the 2013 state, 2013 federal, and 2014 European elections in Bavaria (Germany), our probit models examine mediation and moderation effects of three election‐related characteristics: the issues that citizens consider most central in the elections, citizens’ interest in the elections, and the perceived influence among citizens of the policies of the different levels of policy making on their well‐being.

Results

The results indicate an overall gender difference in turnout in Bavaria with women being less likely to vote compared with men. Yet, this gender effect ceases to be significant once citizens’ attitudes toward and perceptions of specific elections are controlled for. Interest in the election at hand has a particularly strong and positive effect on the likelihood of voting. We find no significant gender interactions.

Conclusion

Citizens' interest in and perceptions of specific elections have a strong impact on turnout and gender differences therein.
Genetic diversity of influenza A viruses circulating in pigs between winter and summer in a Minnesota live animal market
Authors: Nirmala Jayaveeramuthu , Bender Jeff B. , Lynfield Ruth , Yang My , Rene Culhane Marie , Nelson Martha Irene , Sreevatsan Srinand , Torremorell Montserrat
Published: December 2019

There has been little surveillance of influenza A viruses (IAVs) circulating in swine at live animal markets, particularly in the United States. To address this gap, we conducted active surveillance of IAVs in pigs, the air, and the environment during a summer and winter season in a live animal market in St. Paul, Minnesota, that had been epidemiologically associated with swine‐origin influenza cases in humans previously. High rates of IAV were detected by PCR in swine lungs and oral fluids during both summer and winter seasons. Rates of IAV detection by PCR in the air were similar during summer and winter, although rates of successful virus isolation in the air were lower during summer than in winter (26% and 67%, respectively). H3N2 was the most prevalent subtype in both seasons, followed by H1N2. Genetically diverse viruses with multiple gene constellations were isolated from both winter and summer, with a total of 19 distinct genotypes identified. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of all eight segments of 40 virus isolates from summer and 122 isolates from winter revealed that the summer and winter isolates were genetically distinct, indicating IAVs are not maintained in the market, but rather are re‐introduced, likely from commercial swine. These findings highlight the extent of IAV genetic diversity circulating in swine in live animal markets, even during summer months, and the ongoing risk to humans.
Europe and Central Asia in China’s Belt and Road’ Initiative: A Multidimensional Analysis of Trade Intensiveness
Authors: Molnár Vivien Kitty , Huang Dechun , Hossain Md. Ekram
Published: December 2019

From the middle of 90’s, the bilateral trade between China and Europe and Central Asia (EU-CA) has become more important in the world trade. In 2013, the Chinese government introduced its new economic policy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which opened a new are of the world trade’s history. This paper is attempt to measure strength and nature of bilateral trading relationship between China and EU-CA. Furthermore, we are looking for the answer how the BRI is affecting on the studied countries’ economies. Many statistical indices can be used to measure international trade relations. This paper has used one such index such as trade intensity. Trade intensity indices have been calculated for the period from 1997 to 2017. Described intensity indices of bilateral trade relations, both countries will help determine how intensively countries that trade with each other. Thus, this study found that intensity between two countries is high and the BRI did not increase the trade intensiveness between China and EU-CA as we were expecting.
Research on the Performance of a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine With Helical Blades by Detached Eddy Simulation
Authors: Liu Xiaolan , Chen Qian , Yang Bo , Song Moru
Published: December 2019

In this paper, due to its advantages of high accuracy and moderate computational cost, detached eddy simulation (DES) is adopted to observe detail flow characteristics of a kind of vertical axial wind turbine equipped with four helical blades. The numerical results obtained from the method have been validated by experiments as well as been compared with those from unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (U-RANS). Several critical parameters, such as the torque, power coefficient, and tangential force, are studied in detail. It is found that the results from DES are closer to the measurement data than those from U-RANS. And, the characteristics of the flow field in the turbine can be clearly revealed by DES. Furthermore, the effects of tip vortex, Reynolds number, and pitch angle on turbine performance have also been analyzed and discussed.
Sustainable Agriculture Irrigation System Using a Novel Solar Still Design With a Compound Parabolic Concentrator Reflector
Authors: Ye Honglie , Zheng Yanjie , Zheng Hongfei , Liang Shen
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a new design of a solar still powered by a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC-SS) for agriculture irrigation is proposed and investigated. The concentrating performance of its concentrator is simulated which is proved that it has a wide focusing angle and the receiving rate is still more than 80% when the incident angle of light reaches to 35 deg. Theoretical calculations show that the daily water production rate per unit area of the solar still can reach 4 kg/m2, which can meet the crop growth needs of 2 m2. The water production performance and operating temperature of the CPC-SS were tested experimentally under actual weather conditions, and the variation curves of system internal working temperature and water production performance with time were given. As the results, in the sunny weather conditions in Beijing in the autumn, the daily water production of the tubular solar still is about 2.03 kg/m2, and the maximum operating temperature in the tube reaches 60 °C. The actual solar energy utilization efficiency can be as high as 22%.
Quantitative Evaluation on the Evolution of Water Cone Behavior in a Heavy Oil Reservoir With Bottom Water
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Ke , Zhou Wensheng , Zhu Guojin , Pan Yue , Fan Hongjun , Gao Yufei , Tang Jing , Xu Lei , You Qing
Published: December 2019

In order to solve the problem of the unclear understanding of the water cone behavior and its influencing factors of horizontal well in a heavy oil reservoir with bottom water, in this paper, a series of physical models were established to quantitatively describe the inner relationships between them and further illustrated their influence on the water-cut increasing law. The results showed that the water cone and water-cut grew quickly in the heavy oil reservoir with bottom water. The sweep efficiency of the basic 2D sand-pack model reaches 0.68. The decrement of crude oil viscosity increases the sweep efficiency to about 0.08. The increment of production pressure drop increases the sweep efficiency to about 0.05–0.07. Heterogeneity enhancement decreases the sweep efficiency to about 0.06. The addition of adjustment well and barriers increases the sweep efficiency to about 0.20 and 0.08, respectively. The final sweep efficiency of the whole water cone in the 3D sand-pack model reaches 0.42. Finally, we found that the water-cut increment rules are mainly affected by water cone behavior, production schedule, and the location and distribution of barriers. The study in this paper lays a foundation for the rational and effective development of heavy oil reservoirs with bottom water, which has a broad field application prospects in the future.
Analytical Study of the Snap-Through and Bistability of Beams With Arbitrarily Initial Shape
Authors: Hussein Hussein , Younis Mohammad I.
Published: December 2019

We derive the snap-through solution and the governing snapping force equations for an arbitrarily preshaped beam deflected under a mid-length lateral point force. The exact solution is obtained based on the classical theory of elastic beams as a superposition of the initial shape and the modes of buckling. Two kinds of solutions are identified depending on the axial force level. The two solutions, bifurcation conditions, bistability conditions, and the snapping force equations are derived and discussed. The snap-through and snapping force solutions are then calculated for two common beam initial shapes, the curved (first buckling shape) and the inclined one (V-shape). In both cases, explicit expressions are obtained describing the snap-through behavior. The analytical modeling results show excellent agreement with finite element simulations. The comparison between the two cases shows a similar snap-through behavior qualitatively, while several differences and similarities are noticed quantitatively.
Passive Hydraulic Training Simulator for Upper Arm Spasticity
Authors: Liang Jiahui , Pei Yinan , Ewoldt Randy H. , Tippett Steven R. , Hsiao-Wecksler Elizabeth T.
Published: December 2019

Spasticity is a hypertonic muscle behavior commonly observed in patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, etc. Clinical assessment for spasticity is done through passive stretch evaluations of various joints using qualitative clinical scales, such as the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Due to the subjective nature of this evaluation method, diagnostic results can have poor reliability and inconsistency. A few research groups have developed electromechanical training simulators of upper arm spasticity with the intent of providing healthcare students practical training opportunities. This paper presents a novel, purely mechanical (nonpowered) training simulator as an alternative design approach. This passive design utilizes a hydraulic damper with selectable viscous effect to simulate the speed-dependent spastic muscle tone and a Scotch-Yoke linkage system to create the “catch-release” behavior of spasticity. An analytical fluid model was developed to systematically design the hydraulic damper. The error residuals between model prediction and experimental damping force were found within ±2.0 N and percent errors within ±10% across various testing speeds (i.e., 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mm/min). The performance of the fully assembled simulator was tested under slow (ω ≤ 60 deg/s), medium (60 deg/s < ω < 150 deg/s), and fast (ω ≥ 150 deg/s) stretch speeds, where ω is the joint angular speed. Preliminary bench-top results suggested the feasibility of replicating five distinct levels of spasticity behaviors (MAS levels 0–4), where resistive torque increased with higher stretch speed and peak resistive torque ranged from 1.3 to 6.7 N · m under the fast stretch speed.
Apparatus Named After Our Academic Ancestors – IV
Authors: Greenslade Thomas B.
Published: December 2019

One of the memories of my freshman year at Amherst was a lecture in the required physics/calculus course in which Arnold Arons quoted Isaac Newton on standing on the shoulders of giants. Now that I have spent my physics career, I still use the same quote, but now apply it to the eponymous apparatus that has been designed by the giants in our field.
Flyby Measurement of the Magnetic Field of a Helmholtz Coil with a Smart Cart
Authors: Shakur Asif , Valliant Benjamin
Published: December 2019

The use of smartphones in experimental physics is by now widely accepted and documented. PASCO scientific’s smart cart, in combination with student-owned smartphones and free apps, has opened up a new universe of low-cost experiments that have traditionally required cumbersome and expensive equipment. In this paper we demonstrate the simplicity, convenience, and cost-saving achieved by replacing a plethora of traditional laboratory sensors, wires, air tracks, interface boards, and other equipment clutter with the smart cart and the free SPARKvue app for the smart cart by carrying out flyby measurements of the magnetic field of a Helmholtz coil. Recently, Monteiro et al. reported a similar experiment with a single coil but with an ordinary laboratory cart, and had to use the accelerometer of a smart-phone to laboriously extract the precise position of the mag-netic field sensor of the smartphone. The use of the smart cart in this report obviates the need for using the accelerometer and the concomitant laborious extraction of the position data. The eponymous smart cart broadcasts its precise location wirelessly over Bluetooth®. In addition to the single circular coil verification of the Biot-Savart law, we also used the Helmholtz coil to generate and measure a uniform magnetic field over a wide central region.
Extending the Role of Analogies in the Teaching of Physics
Authors: Fotou Nikolaos , Abrahams Ian
Published: December 2019

Research in physics teaching has supported the use of analogies as an effective instructional tool that can be used to facilitate students’ understanding of physics concepts. The effectiveness of analogies lies in that they allow students to form cognitive links between what they already know and what they are learning, harmoniously integrating, in this way, the new physics concepts into their existing knowledge. In this paper, it is suggested that analogies could be extended to provide physics teachers with a diagnostic form of assessment that can reveal both the misconceptions their students may hold, the prior knowledge upon which such misconceptions are based, as well as knowledge sources that can be productively used in the teaching process. This suggestion arises from the findings of a cross-age study in which students, from five different age groups, were asked to make predictions about a range of situations they had not previously encountered (novel situations) and explain the reasons that led them to make those predictions.
Cosmic Ray Muons on the Slopes of Mauna Kea
Authors: Goldman Jesse , McNichols Andrew , Pipes Robert
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we describe a study of cosmic ray muon rates and energies at various elevations on Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. The study was originally conceived as an extension to the upper-division modern physics laboratory at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and used the TeachSpin Muon Physics apparatus (abbreviated TSMP below) from that lab. The purpose of this paper is to provide a blueprint for similar experiments appropriate to introductory physics laboratory courses and to make students aware of the variety of investigations possible using this type of apparatus. Plans for future work are outlined in the conclusion.
An Inexpensive Semiconducting Device Laboratory: Building a Schottky Barrier Diode
Authors: Ekkens Tom
Published: December 2019

Semiconductor devices, usually made from silicon wafers, are present in the electronic gadgets that we use on a daily basis. In an introductory physics class, the textbook usually devotes a few pages to these devices and moves on. As a result, students may readily forget the material or fail to see how it relates to their lives. A solution is to have the student build a simple semiconductor device such as a diode. Generally, the process for making these devices is expensive, dangerous, and time consuming. While there has been some success in reducing these challenges for certain devices, labs that do this are mostly limited to upper-division engineering or physics classes. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method that can be followed to build a diode from a silicon wafer in less than an hour with limited equipment and with no exposure to dangerous chemicals. This lab can be conducted at the high school level or in an introductory college physics class. It requires an investment of less than $100 for the equipment and consumable materials.
Finger Paint and Physics: A Simple Demonstration of Circular Motion and Conservation of Energy
Authors: Phan-Budd Sarah
Published: December 2019

It can be a challenge to come up with simple demonstrations of circular motion and conservation of energy. One such demonstration consists of a large exercise ball, off of which a small solid ball is rolled. The small ball is coated in finger paint so, after an initial push, it rolls nearly without slipping and creates a visible track.
The Lincoln’s Tube: A new apparatus for demonstrating sound standing waves
Authors: Lincoln James
Published: December 2019

A new device for teaching the physics of sound, specifically demonstrating the wavelengths of standing sound waves, is here described. I define a “Lincoln’s Tube” as any hollow tube that uses lights (LEDs typically) to demonstrate the presence of sound standing waves. The name is chosen intentionally to recall a Ruben’s Tube or a Kundt’s Tube, which are similar apparatus that display standing sound waves in a long hollow cylinder of gas or air. In this article, a few variations of the Lincoln’s Tube approach are presented with instructions on how to build one. This new method for making sound waves visible has practical advantages over the other tubes, and the construction of one of these can be an engaging project with the potential to instruct on modern electronics and the fundamental wave properties of sound.
The Relationships Among Perceived Organization Support, Resilience, Perceived Mattering, Emotional Exhaustion, and Job Satisfaction in Adapted Physical Educators
Authors: Richards K. Andrew R. , Wilson Wesley J. , Holland Steven K. , Haegele Justin A.
Published: December 2019

Although much has been learned about the workplace experiences of physical education teachers, less is known about the unique experiences of adapted physical educators (APEs). Grounded in role socialization theory, the purpose of this study was to understand the relationships among perceived organizational support, resilience, perceived mattering, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction in APEs. The participants included 237 APEs from the United States, who completed an online survey. The primary data analyses included confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The final structural model was a good fit for the data, χ2(199) = 327.25, p < .001, χ2/df = 1.64; root-mean-square error of approximation = .052 (90% confidence interval [.042, .062], p = .354); standardized root-mean-square residual = .050; nonnormed fit index = .959; comparative-fit index = .964. The results of this study highlight the importance of developing a workplace environment in which APEs feel supported in developing perceptions of matter, reducing emotional exhaustion, and improving job satisfaction.
Evaluation of the Activity of a Combination of Three Bacteriophages Alone or in Association with Antibiotics on Staphylococcus aureus Embedded in Biofilm or Internalized in Osteoblasts
Authors: Kolenda Camille , Josse Jérôme , Medina Mathieu , Fevre Cindy , Lustig Sébastien , Ferry Tristan , Laurent Frédéric
Published: December 2019

Staphylococcus aureus
is responsible for difficult-to-treat bone and joint infections (BJIs). This is related to its ability to form biofilm and to be internalized and persist inside osteoblasts. Recently, bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a promising option to improve treatment of such infections, but data on its activity against the specific bacterial lifestyles presented above remain scarce. We evaluated the activity of a combination of three bacteriophages, recently used for compassionate treatment in France, against
S. aureus
HG001 in a model of staphylococcal biofilm and a model of osteoblasts infection, alone or in association with vancomycin or rifampin.
Vibrio cholerae Virulence Activator ToxR Regulates Manganese Transport and Resistance to Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Jiang Hang-hang , Zhou Yitian , Liu Ming , Larios-Valencia Jessie , Lee Zachariah , Wang Hui , Gao Xing-Hua , Zhu Jun
Published: December 2019

Like many other pathogens,
Vibrio cholerae
, the causative agent of cholera, can modulate its gene expression to combat stresses encountered in both aquatic and host environments, including stress posed by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We previously reported that the virulence activator AphB in
V. cholerae
is involved in ROS resistance. In this study, we found that another key virulence regulator, ToxR, was important for
V. cholerae
resistance to hydrogen peroxide.
Vaccine-derived rotavirus strains in infants in England
Authors: Gower Charlotte Mary , Dunning Jake , Nawaz Sameena , Allen David , Ramsay Mary Elizabeth , Ladhani Shamez
Published: December 2019

Objective

To describe infants with acute gastroenteritis symptoms in primary and secondary care who have the Rotarix vaccine-derived G1P[8] rotavirus strain identified in their stools.

Design

This is a prospective national surveillance conducted by Public Health England (PHE). Rotavirus-positive samples from vaccine-eligible children are routinely submitted to PHE for confirmation, and general practitioners are requested to complete a surveillance questionnaire for all cases. The modified Vesikari Score was used to assess severity of gastroenteritis.

Setting

England, July 2013–September 2016.

Results

2637 rotavirus strains were genotyped and 215 (8%) identified as the Rotarix vaccine-derived G1P[8] strain. There were no Rotarix vaccine-derived G1P[8] strains detected in unimmunised infants. Rotarix vaccine-derived G1P[8] strains clustered around the time of rotavirus vaccination and were responsible for 82% (107 of 130) of rotavirus-positive samples in 2-month-old infants and 68% (36 of 53) in 3-month-old infants. However, 13 samples were obtained more than 7 weeks after the last vaccination date; 10 of these specimens were from six children who were subsequently diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Diarrhoea was the single most common presenting symptom (83.0%) in infants with Rotarix vaccine-derived G1P[8] strains, who were less likely to present with fever, vomiting, dehydration or severe gastroenteritis than infants with wild-type rotavirus infection.

Conclusions

Rotavirus identified in stools of infants around the time of their routine immunisations is most likely the Rotarix vaccine-derived G1P[8] strain. Infants with undiagnosed SCID at the time of rotavirus immunisation may experience prolonged gastroenteritis symptoms. Most infants with vaccine strains in their stools more than 7 weeks after immunisation had SCID.
Contact burns: the influence of agents and mechanisms of injury on anatomical burn locations in children <5 years old and associations with child protection referrals
Authors: Javaid Assim Ali , Bennett Verity , Hollén Linda , Kemp Alison Mary
Published: December 2019

Objective

To identify how causative agents and mechanisms of injury influence the location of an accidental contact burn in children and whether these factors differ in cases referred for child protection (CP) assessment.

Design

Prospective multicentre cross-sectional study.

Setting

20 hospital sites across England and Wales, including: emergency departments, minor injury units and regional burn units.

Patients

Children less than 5 years old who attended hospital for a contact burn (August 2015 to September 2018).

Main outcome measures

Location of burns with respect to agent and mechanism for accidental contact burns. Secondary outcome: mechanism, agent and location of burns referred for CP assessment.

Results

816 accidental burns and 92 referrals for CP assessment. The most common for accidental burns: mechanism was reaching while stationary (68%, 553/816), agent was oven (24.5%, 200/816) and site was the hand (69.2%, 565/816). Burns to head and trunk were rare at 3.7% (30/816). The data enabled a tabulation of the locations of burns as predicted by agent and mechanism of injury. The location of the burn was most strongly influenced by mechanism.

Burns from irons (p<0.01), caused by mechanisms independent of the child (p=0.01), unwitnessed burns (p<0.001) and burns to the head and trunk (p<0.001) were significantly more common among the children referred for CP assessment.

Conclusions

By overlaying agent, mechanism and site it was possible to tabulate and quantify simple narratives of accidental contact burns in population of young children. These findings have the potential to aid clinicians in recognising accidental contact burns.
Global health, global surgery and mass casualties. I. Rationale for integrated mass casualty centres
Authors: Khan Tariq , Quintana Leonidas , Aguilera Sergio , Garcia Roxanna , Shoman Haitham , Caddell Luke , Latifi Rifat , Park Kee B , Garcia Patricia , Dempsey Robert , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V , Scurlock Corey , Crisp Nigel , Samad Lubna , Smith Montray , Lippa Laura , Jooma Rashid , Andrews Russell J
Published: December 2019

It has been well-documented recently that 5 billion people globally lack surgical care. Also well-documented is the need to improve mass casualty disaster response. Many of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030—healthcare and economic milestones—require significant improvement in global surgical care, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. Trauma/stroke centres evolved in high-income countries with evidence that 24/7/365 surgical and critical care markedly improved morbidity and mortality for trauma and stroke and for cardiovascular events, difficult childbirth, acute abdomen. Duplication of emergency services, especially civilian and military, often results in suboptimal, expensive care. By combining all healthcare resources within the ongoing healthcare system, more efficient care for both individual emergencies and mass casualty situations can be achieved. We describe progress in establishing mass casualty centres in Chile and Pakistan. In both locations, planning among the stakeholders (primarily civilian and military) indicates the feasibility of such integrated surgical and emergency care. We also review other programmes and initiatives to provide integrated mass casualty disaster response. Integrated mass casualty centres are a feasible means to improve both day-to-day surgical care and mass casualty disaster response. The humanitarian aspect of mass casualty disasters facilitates integration among stakeholders—from local healthcare systems to military resources to international healthcare organisations. The benefits of mass casualty centres—both healthcare and economic—can facilitate achieving the 2030 UN SDGs.