bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Firestone Liberia's Battle against Ebola
Authors: Feddersen Timothy , Achwal Nilima
Published: April 2021

This case puts students in the shoes of the Ebola response leadership teams of Firestone Liberia and its parent company, Bridgestone Americas, as they worked together to respond to the deadly 2014 Ebola epidemic. While the companies had received positive press for their containment of the virus on their rubber farm in Liberia, which was home to 8,000 employees and 80,000 Liberian citizens, the situation off the property was worsening. With death counts rising and hospitals across the nation closing as staff caught the virus, the Liberian government declared a national state of emergency. The teams now faced the possibility that the government might attempt to take control of the farm's medical center. How could they balance their duty to care effectively for employees against the demands of the Liberian government? Should they try to fend off the government or cooperate to meet the government's demands? Students will learn how to do a methodical situation analysis that considers ethical obligations and strategic implications, and to distill their recommendation into a briefing for senior leadership.
Expect the Unexpected: Risk Measurement and Management in Commercial Real Estate
Authors: Furfine Craig
Published: April 2021

In early December 2013, Roxann Biller, Associate at the Chicago-based private equity firm Delta Quantitative Real Estate Capital, was asked to assess the risk associated with the firm's first potential overseas investment. Haifu Sentā Gendaino (HSG) was a large multi-tenant logistics property located in the Gaikando area of Tokyo. High-quality tenants currently occupied the property, so at first glance the risks of investing in the property seemed minimal. However, Biller knew that she had to consider the potential drawbacks. This would mean gaining a better understanding of each tenant, trying to forecast the future condition of the Tokyo logistics market, and considering what new risks her firm would face because the property's cash flows were in a foreign currency.
VMock: Pivoting to Succeed and Scale in a Technology Startup Company
Authors: Sawhney Mohanbir , Goodman Pallavi
Published: April 2021

In 2010, Salil Pande founded VMock, an online product that helped MBA students prepare for job interviews. Students could upload their video interviews and get feedback from mentors and peers. Four years later, VMock pivoted from an interview feedback product to a “Smart Resume” product that focused on improving resumes. The pivot was based on the insight that job candidates first needed help fixing their resumes before they could obtain and prepare for interviews. Further, the interview feedback product was difficult to scale as it relied on human feedback. The Smart Resume product, on the other hand, was powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence technology, making it more scalable and allowing VMock to evolve its offering from a product to a platform for managing careers. VMock had forged strong relationships with top business schools in the United States and Europe and its Smart Resume platform had been well received by the market.

Now Salil and his wife (and head of product development), Kiran, had to determine the next step in the company's evolution. They realized that the time had come to take their business to the next level. But they were faced with several options on how to go about scaling VMock. Should they market directly to consumers or should they use partners to scale their user base? Should they create a solution for employers to help them recruit and manage talent? What revenue streams should they focus on to maximize growth and profitability? These strategic decisions would be key to the survival and growth of VMock.
World Bicycle Relief: Social Enterprise Business Model
Authors: Van Mieghem Jan A. , Glinsky Vadim
Published: April 2021

In this case, students assume the roles of FK Day and Dave Neiswander, leaders of the social enterprise World Bicycle Relief (WBR), which donates and sells bicycles in sub-Saharan Africa. As a social enterprise, WBR combines not-for-profit and for-profit activities. Starting as a traditional not-for-profit organization formed to donate bicycles after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, WBR eventually added a for-profit arm to facilitate growth and reduce its dependence on donations and grants. As a result, by 2017 WBR had distributed around 400,000 bicycles, primarily to schoolgirls, entrepreneurs, and health workers. As the organization grows, its leaders are interested in optimizing operations and entering new countries in Africa. What is the optimal distribution of WBR's resources between its for-profit and not-for-profit operations? How should it define the objective of its operations: should WBR maximize its social impact or the total number of bicycles in the field? Which countries should it enter?

To answer those questions, students are required to analyze the social enterprise business model. This analysis starts at the strategic level and ties into the operational level. If desired, this analysis can be followed by an Excel optimization of WBR's operations. The case contains historical data on the organization and poses questions that can be analyzed from the perspectives of a number of academic fields. It can be used in various types of courses including strategy, not-for-profit organizations, operations, and finance. The instructor materials include a prepared Excel model that can be used to make the quantitative analysis accessible to students without quantitative backgrounds, videos from WBR, and a video that shows FK Day and Dave Neiswander answering questions in the inaugural use of the case at Kellogg.
Farm to School of Park County: A Journey from Program to Nonprofit (B)
Authors: Cates Karen L. , Howard Liz Livingston
Published: April 2021

This case series describes the startup of Farm to School of Park County, an emerging nonprofit organization in the US state of Montana. Case (A) describes the community, the need, and the origins of Farm to School in Livingston, Montana. The leaders of Farm to School face a budget crisis and need to evaluate four options to decide whether, when, and how it should become an independent organization. As Case (B) begins, Farm to School has decided to enter into a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the local community foundation. The next task for the organization's leaders is recruiting founding board members. They need to decide whom to ask and how to do it. In Case (C), the board develops a strategic plan and establishes committees. However, the board members and leaders start to feel fatigue in the face of the demands of a startup organization, leading to questions about what is truly strategic and how work will get done. The Farm to School organization in Case (D) has just issued its first annual report, filled with meaningful accomplishments. The leaders of the organization begin to plan to build an organization that will outlast them and the founding board members.
Farm to School of Park County: A Journey from Program to Nonprofit (C)
Authors: Cates Karen L. , Howard Liz Livingston
Published: April 2021

This case series describes the startup of Farm to School of Park County, an emerging nonprofit organization in the US state of Montana. Case (A) describes the community, the need, and the origins of Farm to School in Livingston, Montana. The leaders of Farm to School face a budget crisis and need to evaluate four options to decide whether, when, and how it should become an independent organization. As Case (B) begins, Farm to School has decided to enter into a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the local community foundation. The next task for the organization's leaders is recruiting founding board members. They need to decide whom to ask and how to do it. In Case (C), the board develops a strategic plan and establishes committees. However, the board members and leaders start to feel fatigue in the face of the demands of a startup organization, leading to questions about what is truly strategic and how work will get done. The Farm to School organization in Case (D) has just issued its first annual report, filled with meaningful accomplishments. The leaders of the organization begin to plan to build an organization that will outlast them and the founding board members.
Farm to School of Park County: A Journey from Program to Nonprofit (D)
Authors: Cates Karen L. , Howard Liz Livingston
Published: April 2021

This case series describes the startup of Farm to School of Park County, an emerging nonprofit organization in the US state of Montana. Case (A) describes the community, the need, and the origins of Farm to School in Livingston, Montana. The leaders of Farm to School face a budget crisis and need to evaluate four options to decide whether, when, and how it should become an independent organization. As Case (B) begins, Farm to School has decided to enter into a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the local community foundation. The next task for the organization's leaders is recruiting founding board members. They need to decide whom to ask and how to do it. In Case (C), the board develops a strategic plan and establishes committees. However, the board members and leaders start to feel fatigue in the face of the demands of a startup organization, leading to questions about what is truly strategic and how work will get done. The Farm to School organization in Case (D) has just issued its first annual report, filled with meaningful accomplishments. The leaders of the organization begin to plan to build an organization that will outlast them and the founding board members.
Indicator species drive the key ecological functions of microbiota in a river impacted by acid mine drainage generated by rare earth elements mining in South China
Authors: Chen Ziwu , Zhong Xi , Zheng Mengyuan , Liu Wen‐Shen , Fei Yingheng , Ding Kengbo , Li Yaying , Liu Ye , Chao Yuanqing , Tang Ye‐Tao , Wang Shizhong , Qiu Rongliang
Published: April 2021

Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated by rare earth elements (REEs) deposits exploration contains high concentrations of REEs, ammonium and sulfates, which is quite different from typical metallic AMD. Currently, microbial responses and ecological functions in REEs‐AMD impacted rivers are unknown. Here, 16S rRNA analysis and genome‐resolved metagenomics were performed on microbial community collected from a REEs‐AMD contaminated river. The results showed that REEs‐AMD significantly changed river microbial diversity and shaped unique indicator species (e.g. Thaumarchaeota, Methylophilales, Rhodospirillales and Burkholderiales). The main environmental factors regulating community were pH, ammonium and REEs, among which high concentration of REEs increased REEs‐dependent enzyme‐encoding genes (XoxF and ExaF/PedH). Additionally, we reconstructed 566 metagenome‐assembled genomes covering 70.4% of identifying indicators. Genome‐centric analysis revealed that the abundant archaea Thaumarchaeota and Xanthomonadaceae were often involved in nitrification and denitrification, while family Burkholderiaceae were capable of sulfide oxidation coupled with dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. These indicators play crucial roles in nitrogen and sulfur cycling as well as REEs immobilization in REEs‐AMD contaminated rivers. This study confirmed the potential dual effect of REEs on microbial community at the functional gene level. Our investigation on the ecological roles of indicators further provided new insights for the development of REEs‐AMD bioremediation.
Characterisation of a thermally denatured whey protein isolate–butter emulsion/emulsion gel mediated by citric acid and a pre‐emulsification method
Authors: Li Hongjuan , Qin Airong , Zhang Yongming , Yu Hongmei , Sun Yanjun , Li Hongbo , Yu Jinghua
Published: April 2021

In this study, we prepared a cold‐set whey protein emulsion gel that was mediated by citric acid and a pre‐emulsification method. A pre‐emulsified solution was prepared with thermally denatured whey protein and butter. The stability and rheological properties of the emulsion gel were examined. The results demonstrated that the system changed from liquid behaviour at low protein contents to emulsion gel behaviour at high protein contents. Moreover, this method could produce a stable emulsion gel and its properties could be modulated by altering the protein and fat contents.
Optimal domestic redistribution and multinational monopoly
Authors: Hamilton Jonathan H. , Slutsky Steven M.
Published: April 2021

Having a monopoly that is not owned domestically affects a country's income redistribution policies. Assume the government uses lump‐sum taxes to redistribute but cannot regulate the monopolist's price. In many relevant circumstances, a social planner would not equate social marginal utilities of income across individuals. Thus, using aggregate welfare functions as the preferences of a single representative consumer is valid only under restrictive circumstances. The monopolist always prefers to set price before the social planner chooses transfers, while the social planner may not have a first‐mover advantage. Under endogenous timing of their decisions, the government never moves before the monopolist.
Relationship between the microstructure and the heat treatment and creep behavior of Fe–33Ni–19Cr alloy
Authors: Mudang Maureen , Hamzah Esah , Bakhsheshi‐Rad Hamid Reza , Berto Filippo
Published: April 2021

In the present study, the relationship between heat treatment, grain size, and the creep rupture properties of Fe–33Ni–19Cr alloy was investigated. The microstructure analysis showed that Fe–33Ni–19Cr alloy consists of the austenite phase matrix and a small number of precipitates such as titanium nitride and titanium carbides. Fe–33Ni–19Cr alloy shows an increase in steady‐state creep rate with increased grain size from 94 to 381 μm, due to the grain boundary sliding mechanism. The result also exhibited that the alloy that was subjected to creep test failed in ductile mode and cavitation at the grain boundaries. The fracture surface shows a transgranular fracture but an intergranular fracture at the recrystallized grains at the fracture area. Taken together, the result exhibited that the Fe–33Ni–19Cr alloy subjected lower heat treatment temperature possess a smaller grain size, which led to better creep property along with more excellent service life during operation.
Numerical investigation of the effect of holes on dynamic fracturing in multi‐flawed granite
Authors: Yue Zhongwen , Zhou Jun , Feng Chun , Li Akang , Qiu Peng , Gang Mingwei
Published: April 2021

A numerical study is conducted using the improved continuum‐based discrete element method (CDEM) to investigate the effect of holes on the dynamic fracturing of multi‐flawed rocks. The specimen geometries contain a perpendicular crack‐like flaw, a hole‐like flaw, and an inclined crack‐like flaw. A fracture model is implemented into the improved CDEM that combines the nonlinear pressure‐dependent shear strength and tensile strength of rocks. The digital image correlation method combined with ultra‐high‐speed photography is applied in a split Hopkinson pressure bar system to verify the accuracy of the proposed model. The experimental results show that the improved CDEM accurately reproduces dynamic crack behavior in rocks. The simulation results show that hole‐like flaws significantly affect crack behavior compared with the two investigated crack‐like flaws. However, this effect gradually weakens with increasing loading stresses. This study provides important insight into the dynamic fracturing of multi‐flawed rocks.
Paroxysmal hemifacial pain: A report of two cases
Authors: Dinan John E. , Smith Alexander , Hawkins James M.
Published: April 2021

Paroxysmal hemifacial pain (PHFP) is the orofacial counterpart to paroxysmal hemicrania headaches. This paper reports the cases of two patients suffering from episodic attacks of severe unilateral facial pain. In both cases, pain attacks were absolutely responsive to therapeutic doses of indomethacin. Both patients were diagnosed with PHFP, as per the International Classification of Orofacial Pain diagnostic guidelines. The diagnosis of PHFP, and a trial of indomethacin, must be considered in cases of severe unilateral facial pains not clearly explained by more common diagnoses.
Unilateral clubbing‐like digital thickening as a clinical manifestation of low‐flow vascular malformations: a series of 13 cases
Authors: García‐Souto Fernando , López‐Gutiérrez Juan Carlos , Narváez‐Moreno Basilio , Fernández‐Pineda Israel , Bernabéu‐Wittel José
Published: April 2021

Background

Digital clubbing is a well‐known clinical sign characterized by thickening of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. Unilateral clubbing occurs less frequently. A previous report showed for the first time two cases of unilateral clubbing as a clinical manifestation of lower limb venous malformation. The objective of the present study is to describe a series of 13 patients with a low‐flow vascular malformation where a clubbing‐like unilateral digital thickening is also observed.

Methods

All patients were retrospectively included after reviewing clinical photographs from a vascular malformations database.

Results

A total of 13 patients with low‐flow vascular malformations were included in this study. The mean age at diagnosis was 11 years (range 5–26 years) with a female predominance (nine patients). The most frequent vascular malformation collected was a blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome in four patients, followed by common venous malformations in three patients. All patients characteristically exhibited a clubbing‐like digital thickening. Seven patients had foot involvement and six patients hand involvement.

Conclusions

Although the number of cases is limited, our study is the first series of cases where a clubbing‐like digital thickening is described in patients with a low‐flow vascular malformation. The unilateral presence of clubbing or pseudoclubbing should lead to the suspicion of an underlying vascular malformation.
Progressive taxation as an automatic stabilizer under nominal wage rigidity and preference shocks
Authors: Gabrovski Miroslav , Guo Jang‐Ting
Published: April 2021

Previous research has shown that in the context of a prototypical New Keynesian model, more progressive income taxation may lead to higher volatility of hours worked and total output in response to a monetary disturbance. We analytically show that this business‐cycle destabilization result is overturned within an otherwise identical macroeconomy subject to impulses to the household's utility formulation. Under a continuously or linearly progressive fiscal policy rule with the symmetric‐equilibrium tax burden unchanged, an increase in the positive level of tax progressivity will always raise the degree of equilibrium nominal‐wage rigidity, and thus serve as an automatic stabilizer that mitigates cyclical fluctuations driven by preference shocks.
Can we treat inflammation by managing misbehaving monocytes?
Authors: Milling Simon
Published: April 2021

When monocytes migrate from blood into tissues they differentiate into macrophage‐like cells. The outcome of this differentiation process is strongly influenced by the tissue environment, and the macrophages produced help control the immunological properties of the tissue. The process of monocyte–macrophage differentiation is therefore potentially attractive when seeking therapeutic targets to amplify or modulate the inflammatory response. Here we highlight recent research in this area, identifying the gene Paqr11 as an important factor in monocyte differentiation, and therefore an important potential target for reducing macrophage‐mediated inflammation in arthritis.
Invasive salmonellosis in paediatric patients in the Northern Territory, Australia, 2005–2015
Authors: Hamilton Natasha J , Draper Anthony D K , Baird Rob , Wilson Angela , Ford Tim , Francis Joshua R
Published: April 2021

Aim

To describe the epidemiology of invasive Salmonella disease in children in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Methods

Design: A retrospective review of invasive salmonellosis cases identified by pathology records and the Northern Territory Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Case definitions: Those aged 18 years or under, with Salmonella cultured from a usually sterile site, collected in the Northern Territory between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2015. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the annual incidence rate of invasive salmonellosis, comparing rates between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children.

Results

There were 86 cases of invasive Salmonella infection in children over the 10‐year period; an annual incidence of 14.1 per 100 000 population, in those aged less than 18 years. Gastrointestinal Salmonella notifications were similar between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children. In children aged less than 15 years, the rate of invasive salmonellosis was higher in Indigenous children compared to non‐Indigenous children (23.4 per 100 000 compared with 11.6 per 100 000); rate ratio 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.3–3.3, P = 0.002). Indigenous children with invasive salmonellosis had a median hospital stay of 8 days, which was compared to 5 days for non‐Indigenous children (P = 0.015). The highest incidence rate of invasive salmonellosis occurred in Indigenous patients less than 12 months of age (138 per 100 000).

Conclusion

The Northern Territory of Australia has high rates of invasive salmonellosis in children. Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children experience similar rates of Salmonella gastroenteritis but Indigenous children experience higher rates of invasive salmonellosis.
Positive urine culture under indwelling urethral catheterization is a risk factor for febrile complications after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)
Authors: Kyono Yoko , Endo Fumiyasu , Shimbo Masaki , Ohwaki Kazuhiro , Hattori Kazunori
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for febrile complications (FCs) in patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 847 consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP in our hospital from June 2006 to December 2018. FCs were defined as a body temperature ≥38.0°C within 30 days after surgery. The incidence of FCs was determined and possible risk factors assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 87 (10.3%) patients presented with FCs, and 6 (0.7%) had urosepsis, with no fatal complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with preoperative positive urine culture and urethral catheterization had an increased risk of FCs compared with those with a negative culture who did not need catheterization (odds ratio [OR] 2.587, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.307‐5.121). A negative urine culture with catheterization and a positive culture without catheterization were not associated with the development of FCs (OR 0.320, 95% CI 0.040‐2.553 and OR 1.370, 95% CI 0.662‐2.365, respectively). Other significant risk factors included preoperative serum albumin levels (OR 0.382, 95% CI 0.173‐0.846) and immediate postoperative body temperature (OR 2.559, 95% CI 1.549‐4.230).

Conclusions

FCs are relatively common among patients after HoLEP despite preoperative prophylactic antibiotic administration. Surgeons may need to consider performing screening of urine cultures prior to HoLEP, especially in patients with urethral catheterization, even if asymptomatic. If the culture is positive, prophylactic antibiotics should be tailored according to bacterial susceptibility.
Coexistence of dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy and Parkinson's disease: An autopsy case report
Authors: Kim Seong‐Ik , Kim Hyunhee , Park Jin Woo , Choi Ji‐Hyun , Kim Han Joon , Won Jae Kyung , Jeon Beomseok , Park Sung‐Hye
Published: April 2021

We report an autopsy case of a 56‐year‐old male patient with the coexistence of dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) and Parkinson's disease (PD). He presented with gait instability and dysarthria for 10 years. The removed brain showed general atrophy (988 g) with depigmentation of the substantia nigra. The neocortex and deep gray matter, including the red nucleus, subthalamic nuclei, and globus pallidus, were atrophic, and grumose degeneration of the cerebellar dentate nucleus was observed. Polyglutamine‐ and p62‐positive neuronal inclusions were present and widespread in the areas mentioned above. Interestingly, this case also had brainstem‐predominant PD pathology with α‐synuclein‐positive Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Generalized white matter atrophy with patchy loss of astrocytes in the white matter suggested glial dysfunction by elongated CAG repeats in the atrophin 1 gene (atrophin 1). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragment analysis revealed increased CAG repeats (61) on atrophin 1 encoding atrophin 1. The patient had a family history of DRPLA, including his daughter, who was confirmed positive on genetic testing (CAG repeat: 65). His father, brother, and niece were suspected of having the disease. Clinicopathologically, all of the above findings are consistent with the coexistence of DRPLA and PD. So far, various overlapping neurodegenerative disorders have been reported, but the coexistence of DRPLA and PD has never been demonstrated in the published literature. Even though the exact time of PD development is unknown in this case, PD might develop after DRPLA, and the overwhelming symptoms of DRPLA might mask those of PD. Here, we report a clinicopathologically definite case of the coexistence of DRPLA and PD. White matter degeneration with patchy loss of astrocytes was another remarkable finding of this case.
Beyond composition: What the study of diversity in K12 schools can learn from research in higher education
Authors: Diehl David K. , Tunzi Dominique Odelle
Published: April 2021

Several decades of interdisciplinary research have demonstrated the benefits of racially and ethnically integrated K12 schools. However, there is still much we do not know about what happens inside diverse schools that lead to these outcomes. In this article, we argue that the study of diversity in higher education, with its greater focus on internal institutional dynamics and a broader range of outcomes, can help K12 researchers fill in these gaps. However, the framework for studying diversity in higher education cannot be applied to K12 schools without first accounting for developmental and structural differences across students and sectors. To that end, this article summarizes the main components of the framework for studying diversity in the higher education literature—compositional, interactional, and organizational diversity—as well as the broad range of outcomes including not only academic achievement but also skills for lifelong learning and dispositions for citizenship in a multiracial democracy, and suggests how they can be adapted for K12 research. We argue that with this comprehensive but adapted framework, research on K12 education can inform practice and policy by providing more insight into the underlying mechanisms of school diversity and its consequences.
A Comprehensive Heat Transfer Study Inside a Steam Turbine Valve: Experiment, Numerical Simulation, and Simplified Model
Authors: Zhang Xu , Shao Hongyi , Zhou Wenwu , Wang Weizhe , Liu Yingzheng
Published: April 2021

In a steam turbine system, one of the main factors limiting the operational flexibility is the thermal stress associated with a high-temperature gradient within the control valves, which often leads to structural damage during frequent startup and shutdown cycles. One possible solution is to utilize an electric heating system with appropriate insulation to decrease the warm-up time. Here, an experiment and a numerical simulation were performed using a scaled turbine valve equipped with an electric heating system to understand the heat transfer process. The experiment, which was conducted at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, had a duration of 100 h and included three heating–cooling cycles and two heat preservation states. The results showed that the temperature distribution of the scaled valve was uniform, which is due to the high thermal conductivity of the valve body and the low conductivity of the insulation layer. The simulation, which used the commercial software ansysfluent 2019 R1, was performed to model the experimental heat transfer process and showed less than 10% deviation from the measured temperatures. A sensitivity study revealed that the valve temperature is very insensitive to the heat transfer coefficient of the outer surface of the insulation layer, which is attributed to the negative feedback regulation of radiation heat transfer. To further improve the computing efficiency, a simplified model based on the lumped parameter method and the quasi-steady-state assumption was proposed and validated. This model can predict the 100 h valve temperature history in less than 1 min and showed good agreement for all of the studied cases. The ability of the simplified model to simulate the valve heating–cooling cycles at a high efficiency could accelerate the thermal design process to improve the operational flexibility of steam turbines in the future.
Chemical conversion of human epidermal stem cells into intestinal goblet cells for modeling mucus-microbe interaction and therapy
Authors: Zhao Andong , Qin Hua , Sun Mengli , Tang Mao , Mei Jinyu , Ma Kui , Fu Xiaobing
Published: April 2021

Induced goblet cells are useful for studying the interaction of intestinal mucus layer and the gut microbiota.
CaMKII holoenzyme mechanisms that govern the LTP versus LTD decision
Authors: Cook Sarah G. , Buonarati Olivia R. , Coultrap Steven J. , Bayer K. Ulrich
Published: April 2021

Molecular signal computation within the CaMKII holoenzyme determines the direction of synaptic plasticity.
Quantum cryptography with highly entangled photons from semiconductor quantum dots
Authors: Schimpf Christian , Reindl Marcus , Huber Daniel , Lehner Barbara , Covre Da Silva Saimon F. , Manna Santanu , Vyvlecka Michal , Walther Philip , Rastelli Armando
Published: April 2021

Semiconductor quantum dots are capable of emitting polarization entangled photon pairs with ultralow multipair emission probability even at maximum brightness. Using a quantum dot source with a fidelity as high as 0.987(8), we implement here quantum key distribution with an average quantum bit error rate as low as 1.9% over a time span of 13 hours. For a proof of principle, the key generation is performed with the BBM92 protocol between two buildings, connected by a 350-m-long fiber, resulting in an average raw (secure) key rate of 135 bits/s (86 bits/s) for a pumping rate of 80 MHz, without resorting to time- or frequency-filtering techniques. Our work demonstrates the viability of quantum dots as light sources for entanglement-based quantum key distribution and quantum networks. By increasing the excitation rate and embedding the dots in state-of-the-art photonic structures, key generation rates in the gigabits per second range are in principle at reach.
Controlling magnetoresistance by tuning semimetallicity through dimensional confinement and heteroepitaxy
Authors: Chatterjee Shouvik , Khalid Shoaib , Inbar Hadass S. , Goswami Aranya , Guo Taozhi , Chang Yu-Hao , Young Elliot , Fedorov Alexei V. , Read Dan , Janotti Anderson , Palmstrøm Chris J.
Published: April 2021

Dimensional confinement and heteroepitaxy enable the engineering of material properties at the atomic scale.
Histamine H
1
and H
2
receptors are essential transducers of the integrative exercise training response in humans
Authors: Van der Stede Thibaux , Blancquaert Laura , Stassen Flore , Everaert Inge , Van Thienen Ruud , Vervaet Chris , Gliemann Lasse , Hellsten Ylva , Derave Wim
Published: April 2021

Histamine H
1
and H
2
receptors regulate multiple health-promoting adaptations to exercise training.
Revealing molecular conformation–induced stress at embedded interfaces of organic optoelectronic devices by sum frequency generation spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Zhongwu , Lin Hongzhen , Zhang Xi , Li Jie , Chen Xiaosong , Wang Shuguang , Gong Wenbin , Yan Hui , Zhao Qiang , Lv Weibang , Gong Xue , Xiao Qingbo , Li Fujin , Ji Deyang , Zhang Xiaotao , Dong Huanli , Li Liqiang , Hu Wenping
Published: April 2021

Interface stress revealed by sum frequency generation spectroscopy is the origin of instability in organic optoelectronic devices.
Optical secret sharing with cascaded metasurface holography
Authors: Georgi Philip , Wei Qunshuo , Sain Basudeb , Schlickriede Christian , Wang Yongtian , Huang Lingling , Zentgraf Thomas
Published: April 2021

The secret of a holographic image can be shared across two closely stacked metasurface holograms.
mTORC2 controls the activity of PKC and Akt by phosphorylating a conserved TOR interaction motif
Authors: Baffi Timothy R. , Lordén Gema , Wozniak Jacob M. , Feichtner Andreas , Yeung Wayland , Kornev Alexandr P. , King Charles C. , Del Rio Jason C. , Limaye Ameya J. , Bogomolovas Julius , Gould Christine M. , Chen Ju , Kennedy Eileen J. , Kannan Natarajan , Gonzalez David J. , Stefan Eduard , Taylor Susan S. , Newton Alexandra C.
Published: April 2021

Phosphorylation of an evolutionarily conserved motif by mTORC2 enables the maturation of AGC kinases.
Heterocyst Septa Contain Large Nanopores That Are Influenced by the Fra Proteins in the Filamentous Cyanobacterium
Anabaena
sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Arévalo Sergio , Flores Enrique
Published: April 2021

Intercellular communication, an essential attribute of multicellularity, is required for diazotrophic growth in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria such as
Anabaena
, in which the cells are connected by proteinaceous septal junctions that are structural analogs of metazoan connexons. The septal junctions allow molecular intercellular diffusion traversing the septal peptidoglycan through nanopores.
Infection of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes with Midgut-Attenuated Sindbis Virus Reduces, but Does Not Eliminate, Disseminated Infection
Authors: Carpenter Alexis , Bryant William Bart , Santos Scott R. , Clem Rollie J.
Published: April 2021

When a mosquito ingests an arbovirus during a blood meal, the arbovirus must escape from the midgut of the vector and infect the salivary glands in order to be transmitted to a new host. We used tissue-specific miRNA targeting to examine the requirement for Sindbis virus (SINV) to replicate in midgut epithelium in order to cause disseminated infection in the mosquito
Aedes aegypti
.
Genome Sequence of Sulfide-Dependent Denitrification Bacterium
Thermomonas
sp. Strain XSG, Isolated from Marine Sediment
Authors: Wu Xiao-Tong , He Yu-Qin , Li Guo-Xiang , Xiao Hang , Dai Xiao-Rong , Yang Meng-Rong , Bao Peng
Published: April 2021

We report the draft genome sequence of
Thermomonas
sp. strain XSG, isolated from a marine sediment. The genome is 3,047,478 bp long with a GC content of 68.5%.
Candia albicanslumbar spondylodiscitis contiguous to infected abdominal aortic aneurysm in an intravenous drug user
Authors: Yamada Tsuyoshi , Shindo Shigeo , Otani Kazuyuki , Nakai Osamu
Published: April 2021

While the incidence of spondylodiscitis is rising because of longer life expectancy and the increasing use of immunosuppressant drug, indwelling devices and spinal surgeries, the fungal aetiology remains rare, sometimes affecting intravenous drug users.Candidaspondylodiscitis is an extremely rare complication post aortic aneurysm repair. It is potentially fatal due to the risk of aneurysm rupture and septic complications. The growing problem of systemic diseases caused byCandidaspecies reflects the enormous increase of patients at risk. The treatment of this complicated entity is challenging and often requiring a multidisciplinary team. We reported the rare case ofCandidaspondylodiscitis contiguous to infected aortic aneurysm in a 74-year-old male intravenous drug user, to the extent which the vertebral body bony destruction progressed to need one-stage posterior and anterior spinal fusion surgery with curettage. Our surgical intervention combined with prolonged course of antifungal therapy could successfully eradicate the infection and resolve the neurological deficits.
Impact of DSMES app interventions on medication adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Enricho Nkhoma Dumisani , Jenya Soko Charles , Joseph Banda Kondwani , Greenfield David , Li Yu-Chuan (Jack) , Iqbal Usman
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To conduct systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies to investigate the impact of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) apps on adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Methods

PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus and ProQuest were searched, in addition to references of identified articles and similar reviews. Experimental studies, reported in English, assessing DSMES app intervention’s impact on adherence and clinical outcomes of patients with T2D compared with usual care were included. Study bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias V.2.0 tool. Analysis plan involved narrative synthesis, moderator and meta-analysis.

Results

Six randomised controlled trials were included, involving 696 participants (average age 57.6 years, SD 10.59). Mobile apps were mostly used for imputing clinical data, dietary intake or physical activity, and transmitting information to the provider. At 3 months, DSMES apps proved effective in improving medication adherence (standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.393, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (mean difference (MD)=−0.314, 95% CI −0.477 to –0.151) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (MD=−0.28, 95% CI −0.545 to –0.015). All pooled estimates had low heterogeneity (I20%). Four studies had moderate risk of bias while one each was judged to be low and high risks, respectively.

Conclusion

DSMES apps had significant small to moderate effects on medication adherence, HbA1c and BMI of patients with T2D compared with usual care. Apps were described as reliable, easy to use and convenient, though participants were required to be phone literate. Evidence comes from feasibility trials with generally moderate risk of bias. Larger trials with longer follow-up periods using theory-based interventions are required to improve current evidence.
Determinants of childhood vaccination in Nagaland, India: a cross-sectional study with multilevel modelling
Authors: Kim Young Eun
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Childhood vaccination coverage in Nagaland has lagged almost all states in India for more than two decades. This study aims to find drivers and barriers of childhood vaccination in Nagaland from the perspective of demand, supply and local health governance.

Design

A cross-sectional study was designed using a survey conducted by the Directorate of Health and Family in 2015.

Setting

Households, community-based health centres and health committees were surveyed.

Participants

285 children aged under 2 years with vaccination cards and data on households, health centres and health committees were included.

Outcomes

Variables indicating whether a child received each of bacillus
calmette–guérin (BCG), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3), oral polio (OPV3) and measles vaccination and all of them were outcome variables. Associated factors were identified using multilevel logistic regressions.

Results

Antenatal care at least three times was significantly associated with BCG, DTP3, OPV3 and full vaccination with adjusted ORs ranging from 2.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 5.1) to 3.3 (1.1 to 9.9). The availability of bus to health centre was slightly significant for BCG and OPV3 with the adjusted ORs of 2.0 (0.9 to 4.5) and 2.1 (0.9 to 4.8), respectively. Health committees’ budget provision to health centres was significant for OPV3 and full vaccination with the respective adjusted ORs of 15.7 (1.0 to 234.1) and 15.9 (1.2 to 214.7), the wide 95% CIs of which were driven by a small sample size. Health committees’ review of expenditure of health centres was significant for measles and full vaccination with the adjusted ORs of 4.0 (1.4 to 11.4) and 5.2 (1.4 to 19.4), respectively.

Conclusion

This study suggests that enhancing the utilisation of antenatal care and providing reliable transportation between villages and health centres are required to improve childhood vaccination coverage. Also, the significant association of budget administration of health committees suggests that supporting local health committees for effective financial management is important.
Cluster randomised controlled trial of a menu box delivery service for Australian long day care services to improve menu guideline compliance: a study protocol
Authors: Kashef Shabnam , Zarnowiecki Dorota , Brown Victoria , Arguelles Jennifer C , Cox David N , Golley Rebecca K
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Globally, children are not meeting the recommended serves of the five food group foods, particularly vegetables. Childcare is an opportune setting to improve children’s diet quality. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a menu box delivery service tailored to the long day care setting to improve menu compliance with recommendations and improve children’s food intake while in care.

Methods and analysis

This study will employ a cluster randomised controlled trial and will recruit eight long day care centres, randomly allocated to the intervention or comparison groups. The intervention group will trial the delivery of a weekly menu box service that includes all ingredients and recipes required to provide morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. The menu boxes are underpinned by a 4-week menu developed by dietitians and meet menu planning guidelines. The comparison group will receive access to online menu planning training and a menu assessment tool for cooks. The primary outcomes are child dietary intake and menu guideline compliance. Secondary outcomes include within-trial cost-effectiveness and process evaluation measures including intervention acceptability, usability and fidelity. If effective, the menu box delivery will provide an easy strategy for childcare cooks to implement a centre menu that meets menu planning guidelines and improves child intake of five food group foods, including vegetables.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee. Study outcomes will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications, via local, national and international presentations. Non-traditional outputs including evidence summaries and development of a business case will be used to disseminate study findings to relevant stakeholder groups. Data will be used in a doctoral thesis.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000296932).
Virtual learning collaboratives to improve urine culturing and antibiotic prescribing in long-term care: controlled before-and-after study
Authors: Chambers Andrea , Chen Cynthia , Brown Kevin Antoine , Daneman Nick , Langford Bradley , Leung Valerie , Adomako Kwaku , Schwartz Kevin L , Moore Julia E , Quirk Jacquelyn , MacFarlane Sam , Cronsberry Tim , Garber Gary E
Published: April 2021

Background

Urine culturing practices are highly variable in long-term care and contribute to overprescribing of antibiotics for presumed urinary tract infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of virtual learning collaboratives to support long-term care homes in implementing a quality improvement programme focused on reducing unnecessary urine culturing and antibiotic overprescribing.

Methods

Over a 4-month period (May 2018–August 2018), 45 long-term care homes were self-selected from five regions to participate in virtual learning collaborative sessions, which provided an orientation to a quality improvement programme and guidance for implementation. A process evaluation complemented the use of a controlled before-and-after study with a propensity score matched control group (n=127) and a difference-in-difference analysis. Primary outcomes included rates of urine cultures performed and urinary antibiotic prescriptions. Secondary outcomes included rates of emergency department visits, hospital admission and mortality. An 18-month baseline period was compared with a 16-month postimplementation period with the use of administrative data sources.

Results

Rates of urine culturing and urinary antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 resident days decreased significantly more among long-term care homes that participated in learning collaboratives compared with matched controls (differential reductions of 19% and 13%, respectively, p<0.0001). There was no statistically significant changes to rates of emergency department visits, hospital admissions or mortality. These outcomes were observed with moderate adherence to the programme model.

Conclusions

Rates of urine culturing and urinary antibiotic prescriptions declined among long-term care homes that participated in a virtual learning collaborative to support implementation of a quality improvement programme. The results of this study have refined a model to scale this programme in long-term care.
Reaction of ammonia and dioxygen in solid neon excited with far-ultraviolet radiation investigated with electronic and vibrational spectra
Authors: Chou Sheng-Lung , Ogilvie J.F. , Lo Jen-Iu , Peng Yu-Chain , Cheng Bing-Ming
Published: April 2021

Irradiation of dilute mixtures of NH3 and O2 dispersed in solid Ne at 3.6 K with light of wavelengths 200, 192.5, 173, and 143 nm from a synchrotron initiated photochemical dissociation of those precursors and the production of N, NH, NH2, O, O3, HO2, NO, NO2, N2O, H2O, HONO in both s-cisoid and s-transoid rotational isomers, and HONO2, detected according to their spectra in mid-infrared absorption from 450 to 4000 cm−1 and in absorption and emission from 200 to 1100 nm.
A considerable proportion of metabolic syndrome–free adults from Bratislava Region, Slovakia, display an increased cardiometabolic burden
Authors: Miláček Dávid , Volkovová Katarína , Gajdoš Martin , Šebeková Katarína
Published: April 2021

Although the dichotomous classification of metabolic syndrome (MS) enables the classification of individuals as MS-free or presenting MS, it is inconvenient for assessing cardiometabolic risk in MS-free individuals. Continuous MS score allows for estimation of cardiometabolic burden even in MS-free subjects. We used the scores to estimate the proportion of MS-free subjects on high cardiometabolic risk. A total of 876 subjects (62% females) of Central European descent, aged 20–81 years, were included. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were employed to classify MS. Continuous scores were calculated. We used the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis to estimate the cutoff value to determine the proportion of MS-free subjects on increased risk. Using the waist circumference, 38% of males and 23% of females presented MS. ROC area under the curves (90%–98%) showed an acceptable performance of both scores to classify the presence of MS. Up to 18% of MS-free males and up to 10% of females displayed continuous score ≥ the relevant cutoff point. The waist-to-height ratio performed similar results. Both continuous scores were proven credible for assessing cardiometabolic risk in MS-free subjects. Clinically, this is important for earlier intervention. Despite minor differences between waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, it would be appropriate to objectify it using reference population.

Novelty: The first study using Z-MSS/siMSS (population-specific Z-score/continuous score of MS) to estimate cardiometabolic risk in Slovak adults. A proportion of MS-free Slovak adults is on high cardiometabolic risk. Difference between using waist circumference and the waist-to-height ratio does not seem to be major in our cohort.