bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and identification of Aspergillus and Penicillium species isolated from peanut kernels in central Myanmar
Authors: Chein Su Hlaing , Sadiq Muhammad Bilal , Datta Avishek , Anal Anil Kumar
Published: July 2019

The objective of the present study was to conduct a survey to evaluate the postharvest handling of peanuts at farm level and to screen and identify the strains of Aspergillus and Penicillium species from peanut kernels in central Myanmar. A total of 640 samples from the stores of farmers, collectors, and wholesalers were collected and seeded for growth, isolation, and characterization of fungi. Out of 85 isolates, Aspergillus flavus (38), A. niger (20), A. terreus (15), and Penicillium citrinum (12) were identified and confirmed by molecular techniques including DNA sequencing using internal transcribed spacer (ITS5/4) and beta‐tubulin (Bt2a/2b) primer sets. The study indicates different factors associated with fungal contamination at farm level peanut storage and warrants an immediate attention of food safety regulatory authorities to design and implement strategies for postharvest handling and storage practice in developing countries to minimize fungal contamination.

Practical applications

In developing countries like Myanmar, there are lack of food safety practices and policies regarding the food storage, handling, and farmer education. The current study indicates the different storage methods for peanut kernels at farm level and their influence on prevalence of fungi. The study will give a deep insight to the policy makers to design food safety practices at farm level and educate the farmers to adopt the better practices to assure the consumer health and satisfaction in developing countries.
Deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A in North Carolina grown organic wheat grains
Authors: Yu Jianmei , Mikiashvili Nona , Liang Chyi‐Lyi
Published: July 2019

The main safety issue of cereal grains is mycotoxin contamination. There is no published information about mycotoxin contamination of organic wheat in the United States. This study quantified the contents of deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA), two frequently occurring mycotoxins, in organic wheat samples collected from six counties in North Carolina by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By ELISA, all samples were DON and OTA positive, and the DON contents in the flour and bran samples were 0.7–2.35 ppm and 5–8 ppm, respectively, while OTA in the flour and bran samples were 9.54–25.55 ppb and 21.67–32.55 ppb, respectively. By HPLC, the DON detected in flour and bran were 0.24–0.47 ppm and 0.35–0.83 ppm, respectively; all flour samples were OTA negative, but 5 out of 6 bran samples were OTA positive (0.48–1.28 ppb). More studies with larger sample number are needed to obtain representative results.

Practical applications

This study provides preliminary results about the DON and OTA in organic wheat grains. The results indicate that the organic wheat produced in North Carolina during 2018 season were contaminated by DON and OTA to various degrees. However, the concentrations of these two mycotoxins determined by ELISA were significantly higher than those determined by HPLC. Therefore, to avoid overestimation or underestimation, it is important for researchers and regulatory agencies to conduct multi‐lab studies to develop and standardize analytical methods and detailed procedures for accurate DON and OTA quantification. Regardless of analytical methods, all bran samples showed higher DON and OTA concentrations than flour samples. Thus, when using organic wheat bran or whole wheat as food or feed ingredients, the level of bran inclusion should be controlled to protect consumers and animals from mycotoxicosis.
Using the Technology Acceptance Model to Develop StartSmart: mHealth for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Risk and Protective Factors in Pregnancy
Authors: Gance‐Cleveland Bonnie , Leiferman Jenn , Aldrich Heather , Nodine Priscilla , Anderson Jessica , Nacht Amy , Martin Julia , Carrington Suzanne , Ozkaynak Mustafa
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Technology decision support with tailored patient education has the potential to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to develop StartSmart, a mobile health (mHealth) intervention to support evidence‐based prenatal screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for risk and protective factors in pregnancy.

Methods

StartSmart was developed using Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model with end users engaged in the technology development from initial concept to clinical testing. The prototype was developed based upon the current guidelines, focus group findings, and consultation with patient and provider experts. The prototype was then alpha tested by clinicians and patients. Clinicians were asked to give feedback on the screening questions, treatment, brief motivational interviewing, referral algorithms, and the individualized education materials. Clinicians were asked about the feasibility of using the materials to provide brief intervention or referral to treatment. Patients were interviewed using the think aloud technique, a cognitive engineering method used to inform the design of mHealth interventions. Interview questions were guided by the Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment theory and attention to usefulness and usability.

Results

Expert clinicians provided guidance on the screening instruments, resources, and practice guidelines. Clinicians suggested identifying specific prenatal visits for the screening (first prenatal visit, 28‐week visit, and 36‐week visit). Patients reported that the tablet‐based screening was useful to promote adherence to guidelines and provided suggestions for improvement including more information on the diabetic diet and more resources for diabetes. During alpha testing, participants commented on navigability and usability. Patients reported favorable responses about question wording and ease of use.

Discussion

Clinicians reported the use of mHealth to screen and counsel pregnant patients on risk and protective factors facilitated their ability to provide comprehensive care.
Vagal baro‐ and chemoreceptors in middle internal carotid artery and carotid body in rat
Authors: Wang Feng‐Bin , Liao Yi‐Han , Kao Chih‐Kuan , Fang Chien‐Liang
Published: July 2019

The glossopharyngeal nerve, via the carotid sinus nerve (CSN), presents baroreceptors from the internal carotid artery (ICA) and chemoreceptors from the carotid body. Although neurons in the nodose ganglion were labelled after injecting tracer into the carotid body, the vagal pathway to these baro‐ and chemoreceptors has not been identified. Neither has the glossopharyngeal intracranial afferent/sensory pathway that connects to the brainstem been defined. We investigated both of these issues in male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 40) by injecting neural tracer wheat germ agglutinin‐horseradish peroxidase into: (i) the peripheral glossopharyngeal or vagal nerve trunk with or without the intracranial glossopharyngeal rootlet being rhizotomized; or (ii) the nucleus of the solitary tract right after dorsal and ventral intracranial glossopharyngeal rootlets were dissected. By examining whole‐mount tissues and brainstem sections, we verified that only the most rostral rootlet connects to the glossopharyngeal nerve and usually four caudal rootlets connect to the vagus nerve. Furthermore, vagal branches may: (i) join the CSN originating from the pharyngeal nerve base, caudal nodose ganglion, and rostral or caudal superior laryngeal nerve; or (ii) connect directly to nerve endings in the middle segment of the ICA or to chemoreceptors in the carotid body. The aortic depressor nerve always presents and bifurcates from either the rostral or the caudal part of the superior laryngeal nerve. The vagus nerve seemingly provides redundant carotid baro‐ and chemoreceptors to work with the glossopharyngeal nerve. These innervations confer more extensive roles on the vagus nerve in regulating body energy that is supplied by the cardiovascular, pulmonary and digestive systems.
Myoarchitectural disarray of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy begins pre‐birth
Authors: Garcia‐Canadilla Patricia , Cook Andrew C. , Mohun Timothy J. , Oji Onyedikachi , Schlossarek Saskia , Carrier Lucie , McKenna William J. , Moon James C. , Captur Gabriella
Published: July 2019

Myoarchitectural disarray – the multiscalar disorganisation of myocytes, is a recognised histopathological hallmark of adult human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It occurs before the establishment of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) but its early origins and evolution around the time of birth are unknown. Our aim is to investigate whether myoarchitectural abnormalities in HCM are present in the fetal heart. We used wild‐type, heterozygous and homozygous hearts (n = 56) from a Mybpc3‐targeted knock‐out HCM mouse model and imaged the 3D micro‐structure by high‐resolution episcopic microscopy. We developed a novel structure tensor approach to extract, display and quantify myocyte orientation and its local angular uniformity by helical angle, angle of intrusion and myoarchitectural disarray index, respectively, immediately before and after birth. In wild‐type, we demonstrate uniformity of orientation of cardiomyocytes with smooth transitions of helical angle transmurally both before and after birth but with traces of disarray at the septal insertion points of the right ventricle. In comparison, heterozygous mice free of LVH, and homozygous mice showed not only loss of the normal linear helical angulation transmural profiles observed in wild‐type but also fewer circumferentially arranged myocytes at birth. Heterozygous and homozygous showed more disarray with a wider distribution than in wild‐type before birth. In heterozygous mice, disarray was seen in the anterior, septal and inferior walls irrespective of stage, whereas in homozygous mice it extended to the whole LV circumference including the lateral wall. In conclusion, myoarchitectural disarray is detectable in the fetal heart of an HCM mouse model before the development of LVH.
Parent's and Children's Emotion Regulation and the Work–Family Interface
Authors: Melim Beatriz , Matias Marisa , Ferreira Tiago , Matos Paula M.
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study investigates the mediating role of parent–child relationship quality on the association between parents' work‐related exhaustion and children's emotion regulation and lability. The moderating role of parent's emotion suppression is also considered.

Background

Work‐related exhaustion has a significant impact in family life. However, few studies have investigated its relationship with both parent–child relationships and children's outcomes.

Method

Structural equation modeling and path analysis were used on a sample of 120 dual‐earner couples living in Portugal with children aged 2 to 6 years.

Results

Analysis revealed that (a) the quality of the father–child relationship mediates the link between father's work‐related exhaustion and child's emotion regulation and lability and (b) the quality of mother–child relationship mediates the link between mother's work‐related exhaustion and children's lability; (c) mother's work‐related exhaustion and emotion suppression negatively relate to mother–child as well as father–child relationship quality; (d) father's work‐related exhaustion and emotion suppression were only negatively associated with father–child (but not mother–child) relationship quality. Moreover, the indirect effect of mother's work‐related exhaustion on children's emotion regulation and lability through father–child relationship quality was only significant when mother's emotion suppression was low.

Conclusion

Not only is parental work‐related exhaustion associated with children's emotion regulation through parent–child relationship quality but also emotion suppression may have a moderating role on family relationships.
The outcome of a training programme (RESPECT) on staff’s attitudes towards causes and management of aggression in a Regional Referral Hospital of northern Uganda
Authors: Coneo Ana M.C. , Thompson Andrew R. , Parker Kim , Harrison Greg
Published: July 2019

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Health systems in many low‐ to middle‐income countries (LMICs) are heavily underfunded, and staff training opportunities are limited.

There is a lack of empirical data on the development and use of sustainable training programmes in aggression management skills in LMICs.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

After RESPECT, participants showed greater agreement with statements about the role of environmental and relational factors as antecedents of aggression and described favouring the use of non‐physical techniques to manage aggressive behaviour.

Attitudes towards management practices of seclusion, medication and restraint remained unchanged after RESPECT training.

What are the implications for practice?

Training programmes like RESPECT may be useful to improve attitudes towards causes of aggression and its management in LMIC hospitals. However, further evidence is required to demonstrate whether these results can be sustained over time and whether these attitudinal changes are associated with reduction of workplace violence.

Mental health nurses and other mental health professionals can play a key role in establishing hospital‐wide training and sharing skills across geographical boundaries.

Introduction

Occupational violence has been demonstrated to impact negatively on the well‐being of nurses and patients. Staff attitudes towards causes and management of patients’ aggression influence their practice. Training is likely to influence attitudes towards aggression; however, Uganda's health system lacks adequate resources to provide aggression management training for staff.

Aim

To assess the impact of a training programme (RESPECT) on staff attitudes towards causes and management of patient's aggression in a Ugandan hospital.

Methods

This study used a mixed‐methods convergent design. A convenience sample of nurses and support staff employed in the psychiatric ward and other services across the hospital (N = 90) completed the Management of Aggression and Violence Attitude Scale (MAVAS) pre‐ and post‐training. The views of a smaller sample (n = 35) were captured via interviews and focus groups and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants reported greater agreement with patients’ physical and social environment (external and situational causative models) as factors influencing patient's aggression. Qualitative findings substantiated the results identified in the survey. Attitudes towards seclusion, restraint and medication remained unchanged.

Discussion and implications for practice

RESPECT has the potential to change staff attitudes towards aggression in the short term. Further research is needed to investigate long‐term effects and impact on incidents of aggression.
The role of preemptive antimicrobial therapy in kidney recipients of urine‐only positive donor cultures
Authors: Cabrera Pierina , Centeno Alexandra , Revollo Jane , Camargo Jose F.
Published: July 2019

Background

The use of preemptive antimicrobial therapy for recipients of donors with microbial growth on pre‐transplant urine cultures remains poorly studied.

Methods

Single‐center retrospective study of kidney transplant recipients of allografts from deceased donors with urine‐only (ie, in absence of donor bacteremia) positive cultures (September 2011 to August 2015). Transplant outcomes, including donor‐derived infections (DDI) within the first three months post transplant, were analyzed.

Results

Of the 970 kidney transplants performed during the study period, urine cultures were obtained from all donors, and of these, 27 (2.8%) yielded growth. Twenty‐nine (73%) recipients were treated preemptively after transplantation. All of the recipients of donors with urine cultures positive for Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, or Candida spp. received therapy whereas only one of seven recipients with urine cultures positive for Escherichia coli was treated (P < .0001). All E coli isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX), which was given to all patients for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis. Infection within 3 months was evident in 16 (40%) patients: 10 out of 29 (35%) in the preemptive group and 6 out of 11 (55%) in the not‐treatment group (P = .29). Evidence of DDI occurred in two recipients, one in each group. There were no differences in one‐year graft and patient survival between groups.

Conclusion

Preemptive antibiotic therapy did not seem to impact transmission events and transplant outcomes in this small cohort. Low transmission rates might have been influenced by administration of PCP prophylaxis and universal preemptive therapy for positive donor urine cultures with virulent organisms. Larger studies are needed.
Safety and effectiveness of a prothrombin complex concentrate in approved and off‐label indications
Authors: Marcos‐Jubilar M. , García Erce J. A. , Martínez‐Calle N. , Páramo J. A. , Martínez Virto A. , Quintana‐Díaz M.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) in approved and off‐label indications.

Background

PCCs are approved for the urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Data concerning the efficacy, safety and dosing for off‐label indications are limited, but they are included in massive bleeding protocols.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of cases treated with four‐factor PCCs (4F‐PCCs) between January 2009 and 2016. Efficacy end‐points include: (i) VKA reversal efficacy assessed by international normalised ratio (INR) normalisation (<1·5) and (ii) clinical efficacy as bleeding cessation and/or decreased number of transfused blood components and 24‐h mortality in bleeding coagulopathy. The safety end‐point is the incidence of thromboembolic events.

Results

A total of 328 patients were included (51·8% male, median age 78 years old). Indications were as follows: VKA reversal (66·6%), bleeding coagulopathy (30·5%) and direct anticoagulant (DOAC) reversal due to bleeding (2·5%).

VKA reversal was effective in 97·1% of patients, and 76·5% demonstrated complete reversal (INR < 1·5); only 34·3% patients needed hemoderivatives. Prior to emergency procedures, PCCs achieved global responses in 83% of patients, with no bleeding complication during intervention. DOAC reversal was effective in 88·9% of patients. Bleeding cessation was associated with the dose administered (P = 0·002). In coagulopathy bleeding, haemorrhage cessation, established by the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostais (ISTH) definition, occurred in 56·7% of massive bleeding events and in 42·5% of other coagulopathies; 24‐h mortality was 30%, mainly related to active bleeding. Ten thrombotic episodes were observed (3·1%).

Conclusion

4F‐PCC was effective as adjuvant treatment with an acceptable safety profile, not only for the emergent reversal of VKAs but also for refractory coagulopathy associated with major bleeding.
Analyzing the Simonshaven Case With and Without Probabilities
Authors: Verheij Bart
Published: July 2019

This paper is one in a series of rational analyses of the Dutch Simonshaven case, each using a different theoretical perspective. The theoretical perspectives discussed in the literature typically use arguments, scenarios, and probabilities, in various combinations. The theoretical perspective on evidential reasoning used in this paper has been designed to connect arguments, scenarios, and probabilities in a single formal modeling approach, in an attempt to investigate bridges between qualitative and quantitative analytic styles. The theoretical perspective uses the recently proposed logical formalism of case models, where cases represent possible combinations of evidence and events, ordered by an ordering relation. In the context of evidential reasoning, the ordering relation can be represented by a probability function. As an ordering relation is qualitative in nature, the theoretical perspective is in a formally precise sense simultaneously with and without probabilities.
The Relationship between Working Capital Management and Financial Sustainability of Selected Christian Denominations in Ghana
Authors: Peprah Williams Kwasi , Anowuo Isaac , Ameyaw Daniel Adofo Kwakye
Published: July 2019

Management of working capital is a fundamental aspect of finance. This is because it affects the church's liquidity and financial sustainability. The study sort of establishing the relationship between working capital and financial sustainability for selected Christian denominations in Ghana. Using bivariate correlation application in SPSS 23, the financial statements from 2013 to 2017 of 15 Christian Council of Ghana denominational members conveniently sampled and analyzed. Working capital is represented by liquidity ratios of current ratio, and cash ratio and financial sustainability are epitomized by self-support. The study revealed that there was a positive relationship between working capital and financial sustainability among Christian denomination in Ghana. In a detailed outcome, there was a statistically small positive significant relationship between self-support and cash ratio and statistically large positive significant relationship between self-support and current ratio. The study recommends to churches in Ghana to seek an enhancing relationship between their working capital and financial sustainability to prevent a possible closure of the church. Not-for-profit organizations must seek self-support through income generation and diversification to improve their Liquidity. Again, not-for-profit organizations must have a positive relationship between working capital and financial sustainability in that churches exist because of liquidity.
Revisions about Government Subsidy Disclosures and Investors’ Response to Earnings Reports: Evidence from the 2017 Government Subsidy Disclosures
Authors: Hu Xiaoyu , Tang Jinying , Wang Qun
Published: July 2019

We examine whether the quality of information in earnings reports, as indicated by the earnings response coefficient (ERC) decreases when the measurement and disclosure of government subsidy has been changed by revising accounting standards. According to the old accounting standards in China, the gains from government subsidy should be reflected in “non-operating” income. However, the newly revised accounting standards regulates that a part of government subsidy can be reflected in the report item of “other income” in under the operating income item. We use 2017 revisions of accounting standards in China as an instrument to capture a change in the position of financial statements where the government subsidy is revealed. Employing a difference-in-differences design and exploiting the adoption of the new accounting standards, we find a statistically and economically significant decrease in ERC for treated firms relative to controlled firms. Our findings represent the first empirical evidence that the change of government disclosures can negatively affect the information content of earnings report.
Examining the Effect of Teachers’ Perception of Psychological Empowerment on the Stress Level They Perceive
Authors: Şanlı Önder
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to find out if there is a correlation and what kind of a correlation there is between how primary, secondary, and high school teachers perceive psychological empowerment provided for them and their perception of stress. The data for this study are based on the opinions of 680 teachers who wereselected by random sampling among the teachers lecturing in the city of Malatya, Turkey,during the 2017-2018 school year. The “Psychological Empowerment Scale” which was developed by Spreitzer (1995) and adapted into Turkish by Gümüşlüoğlu & Karakitapoğlu (2009), and the “Perceived Stress Scale” which was developed by Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein (1983), and adapted into Turkish by Eskin & Harlak, Demirkıran & Dereboy (2013) have been employed as data collection tools.After analyzing the data obtained during the study, it has been revealed that the average of all the dimensions on the perceived stress scale corresponds to the ‘moderate’ level, or ‘sometimes’, while the average of all the dimensions on the psychological empowerment scale corresponds to the high level, or ‘very often’. It has been found that there is a significant correlation between the ‘gender’ variable and the ‘self-determination’ dimension. Another significant correlation has been observed between ‘seniority’ variable and ‘competence’ dimension and psychological empowerment ‘in general’. In additionto evaluating the values of the dimension of ‘self-determination’ on the empowerment scale based on the ‘gender’ variable, it has been found that the average of male teachers’ perception is higher than of female teachers’. Finally, it has been concluded that the teachers’ perception of ‘impact’ significantly predicts their perception of ‘insufficient competence’.
Economic Model Predictive Control of Sampled-Data Linear Systems With Piecewise Constant Control
Authors: Liang Haojiao , Li Huiping , Xu Demin
Published: July 2019

The paper studies an economic model predictive control (EMPC) problem for sampled-data linear systems with system constraints. The cost function consists of an economic part and a regulatory part, and a new EMPC algorithm with piecewise constant control is designed. Iterative feasibility of the designed optimization problem and input-to-state stability (ISS) of the closed-loop system are proved. In particular, we show that the closed-loop system is input-to-state stable with respect to the supremum norm of the economic cost, and the system state is ultimately bounded within a bound determined by the economic cost. Through thorough simulations, the effectiveness of the designed algorithm is verified and the tradeoff between control and economic performance is demonstrated.
Numerical Analysis of Heat and Mass Transfer Coupled With Gaseous Fuel Injection in Reactive Porous Media
Authors: Cheng Zhilong , Yang Jian , Guo Zhigang , Fu Pei , Ihme Matthias , Wang Qiuwang
Published: July 2019

Iron ore sintering is a typical application of reactive porous media combustion (RPMC) which has been widely reported. In this work, a computational model of RPMC is developed, in which heat and mass transfer, as well as main chemical subprocesses in reactive porous media are incorporated. A gaseous-fuel injection method is examined to enable better heat pattern. However, the imbalance of heat distribution in the flow direction caused by internally recirculating heat released via a solid matrix is still problematic on energy efficiency. Through computations, it is observed that the heat pattern and melting quantity index (MQI) are sensitive on gaseous-fuel concentration, providing a possibility of improving the heat distribution imbalance. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the benefits of fuel segregation. Finally, more reasonable heat pattern is observed by combinations of gaseous-fuel segregation with hot air and oxygen enrichment. The dynamics of gaseous/solid-fuel combustion zones caused by the hot air and oxygen enrichment would contribute to an expansion of melting zone near the inlet, producing a more reasonable and uniform heat distribution in a sintering bed.
Mechano-thermo-chromic device with supersaturated salt hydrate crystal phase change
Authors: Cho Hyunmin , Kwon Jinhyeong , Ha Inho , Jung Jinwook , Rho Yoonsoo , Lee Habeom , Han Seungyong , Hong Sukjoon , Grigoropoulos Costas P. , Ko Seung Hwan
Published: July 2019

We demonstrated a reversible transparency-changing smart glass that can be operated by mechanical impacts and heat.
Atomic-scale interface engineering of Majorana edge modes in a 2D magnet-superconductor hybrid system
Authors: Palacio-Morales Alexandra , Mascot Eric , Cocklin Sagen , Kim Howon , Rachel Stephan , Morr Dirk K. , Wiesendanger Roland
Published: July 2019

Interface engineering of the Fe/Re hybrid system leads to a topological superconducting state with chiral Majorana edge modes.
Atomically thin three-dimensional membranes of van der Waals semiconductors by wafer-scale growth
Authors: Jin Gangtae , Lee Chang-Soo , Liao Xing , Kim Juho , Wang Zhen , Okello Odongo Francis Ngome , Park Bumsu , Park Jaehyun , Han Cheolhee , Heo Hoseok , Kim Jonghwan , Oh Sang Ho , Choi Si-Young , Park Hongkun , Jo Moon-Ho
Published: July 2019

Atomically thin van der Waals semiconductor films were synthesized in a three-dimensional membrane form with monolayer precision.
Nanoscale transient gratings excited and probed by extreme ultraviolet femtosecond pulses
Authors: Bencivenga F. , Mincigrucci R. , Capotondi F. , Foglia L. , Naumenko D. , Maznev A. A. , Pedersoli E. , Simoncig A. , Caporaletti F. , Chiloyan V. , Cucini R. , Dallari F. , Duncan R. A. , Frazer T. D. , Gaio G. , Gessini A. , Giannessi L. , Huberman S. , Kapteyn H. , Knobloch J. , Kurdi G. , Mahne N. , Manfredda M. , Martinelli A. , Murnane M. , Principi E. , Raimondi L. , Spampinati S. , Spezzani C. , Trovò M. , Zangrando M. , Chen G. , Monaco G. , Nelson K. A. , Masciovecchio C.
Published: July 2019

Spatially patterned extreme ultraviolet light pulses can be used for probing multiple dynamical processes at the nanoscale.
Pathways and challenges for efficient solar-thermal desalination
Authors: Wang Zhangxin , Horseman Thomas , Straub Anthony P. , Yip Ngai Yin , Li Deyu , Elimelech Menachem , Lin Shihong
Published: July 2019

We review recent advances, limitations, and prospects of solar-thermal desalination for sustainable, low-cost water production.
Three-spin solid effect and the spin diffusion barrier in amorphous solids
Authors: Tan Kong Ooi , Mardini Michael , Yang Chen , Ardenkjær-Larsen Jan Henrik , Griffin Robert G.
Published: July 2019

Using the three-spin solid effect, the spin diffusion barrier of the DNP polarizing agent trityl is found to be <6 Å.
Alveolar macrophages generate a noncanonical NRF2-driven transcriptional response
to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in vivo
Authors: Rothchild Alissa C. , Olson Gregory S. , Nemeth Johannes , Amon Lynn M. , Mai Dat , Gold Elizabeth S. , Diercks Alan H. , Aderem Alan
Published: July 2019

Induction of an NRF2-dependent cell-protective signature impairs alveolar macrophages from controlling M.tb. infection in vivo.
Treatment by Posaconazole Tablets, Compared to Posaconazole Suspension, Does Not Reduce Variability of Posaconazole Trough Concentrations
Authors: Gautier-Veyret Elodie , Bolcato Léa , Roustit Matthieu , Weiss Stéphanie , Tonini Julia , Brenier-Pinchart Marie-Pierre , Cornet Muriel , Thiebaut-Bertrand Anne , Stanke-Labesque Françoise
Published: July 2019

The delayed-release tablet formulation of posaconazole (POS-tab) results in higher plasma POS trough concentrations (C
min
) than the oral suspension (POS-susp), which raises the question of the utility of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). We aimed to compare the variability of the POS C
min
for the two formulations and identify determinants of the POS-tab C
min
and its variability.
First Clinical Case ofIn VivoAcquisition of DHA-1 Plasmid-Mediated AmpC in a Salmonella enterica subsp.entericaIsolate
Authors: Clément Mathieu , Keller Peter M. , Bernasconi Odette J. , Stirnimann Guido , Frey Pascal M. , Bloemberg Guido V. , Sendi Parham , Endimiani Andrea
Published: July 2019

A pan-susceptibleSalmonella entericaserovar Worthington isolate was detected in the stool of a man returning from Sri Lanka. Under ceftriaxone treatment, a third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-resistantSalmonellaWorthington was isolated after 8 days. Molecular analyses indicated that the two isolates were identical. However, the latter strain acquired ablaDHA-1-carrying IncFII plasmid probably from aCitrobacter amalonaticusisolate colonizing the gut.
Structural Insights into the Mechanism of Carbapenemase Activity of the OXA-48 β-Lactamase
Authors: Smith Clyde A. , Stewart Nichole K. , Toth Marta , Vakulenko Sergei B.
Published: July 2019

Carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D carbapenemases (CHDLs) are enzymes that produce resistance to the last-resort carbapenem antibiotics, severely compromising the available therapeutic options for the treatment of life-threatening infections. A broad variety of CHDLs, including OXA-23, OXA-24/40, and OXA-58, circulate in
Acinetobacter baumannii
, while the OXA-48 CHDL is predominant in
Enterobacteriaceae
.
Innate Immune Response to Influenza Virus at Single-Cell Resolution in Human Epithelial Cells Revealed Paracrine Induction of Interferon Lambda 1
Authors: Ramos Irene , Smith Gregory , Ruf-Zamojski Frederique , Martínez-Romero Carles , Fribourg Miguel , Carbajal Edwin A. , Hartmann Boris M. , Nair Venugopalan D. , Marjanovic Nada , Monteagudo Paula L. , DeJesus Veronica A. , Mutetwa Tinaye , Zamojski Michel , Tan Gene S. , Jayaprakash Ciriyam , Zaslavsky Elena , Albrecht Randy A. , Sealfon Stuart C. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Fernandez-Sesma Ana
Published: July 2019

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a respiratory pathogen of high importance to public health. Annual epidemics of seasonal IAV infections in humans are a significant public health and economic burden. IAV also causes sporadic pandemics, which can have devastating effects. The main target cells for IAV replication are epithelial cells in the respiratory epithelium. The cellular innate immune responses induced in these cells upon infection are critical for defense against the virus, and therefore, it is important to understand the complex interactions between the virus and the host cells. In this study, we investigated the innate immune response to IAV in the respiratory epithelium at the single-cell level, providing a better understanding on how a population of epithelial cells functions as a complex system to orchestrate the response to virus infection and how the virus counteracts this system.
Endosomal Toll-Like Receptors Mediate Enhancement of Interleukin-17A Production Triggered by Epstein-Barr Virus DNA in Mice
Authors: Shehab Marwa , Sherri Nour , Hussein Hadi , Salloum Noor , Rahal Elias A.
Published: July 2019

Epstein-Barr virus is a pathogen that causes persistent infection with potential consistent viral DNA shedding. The enhancement of production of proinflammatory cytokines by viral DNA itself may contribute to autoimmune disease development or exacerbation. In this project, we identified that endosomal Toll-like receptors are involved in triggering proinflammatory mediators in response to viral DNA. Pathways and receptors involved may serve as future therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Slow Infection due to Lowering the Amount of Intact versus Empty Particles Is a Characteristic Feature of Coxsackievirus B5 Dictated by the Structural Proteins
Authors: Turkki Paula , Laajala Mira , Stark Marie , Vandesande Helena , Sallinen-Dal Maso Heidi , Shroff Sailee , Sävneby Anna , Galitska Ganna , Lindberg A. Michael , Marjomäki Varpu
Published: July 2019

Enteroviruses cause several severe diseases, with lytic infections that lead to rapid cell death but also persistent infections that are more silent and lead to chronic states of infection. Our study compared a cytolytic echovirus 1 infection to persistent coxsackievirus B5 infection by making a chimera with the structural proteins of echovirus 1 and the nonstructural proteins of coxsackievirus B5. Coxsackievirus B5 infection was found to lead to the production of a high number of empty viruses (empty capsids) that do not contain genetic material and are unable to continue the infection. Coinciding with the high number of empty capsids, the amount of infective virions decreased. This characteristic property was not observed in the constructed chimera virus, suggesting that structural proteins are in charge of these phenomena. These results shed light on the mechanisms that may cause persistent infections. Understanding events leading to efficient or inefficient infections is essential in understanding virus-caused pathologies.
Многомасштабное моделирование процессов очистки газа
Authors: Поляков Сергей Владимирович , Polyakov Sergey Vladimirovich , Карамзин Юрий Николаевич , Karamzin Yurii Nikolaevich , Кудряшова Татьяна Алексеевна , Kudryashova Tat'yana Alekseevna , Подрыга Виктория Олеговна , Podryga Viktoriya Olegovna , Пузырьков Дмитрий Валерьевич , Puzyrkov Dmitrii Valer'evich , Тарасов Никита Игоревич , Tarasov Nikita Igorevich
Published: July 2019

Рассматривается проблема моделирования процессов очистки воздушной среды от мелкодисперсных твердых загрязняющих примесей, кластеризованных в виде наночастиц. Выбранная для исследования технология очистки предполагает применение системы, состоящей из нанофильтров и сорбентов. Оба используемых в ней способа очистки являются в настоящее время весьма востребованными и часто комбинируются в соответствующих устройствах. Первый способ очистки с помощью нанофильтров позволяет получить высокое качество последней. Однако этот способ является дорогостоящим вследствие необходимости частой замены фильтрующих элементов (мембран) и к тому же требует утилизации этих элементов. Второй способ очистки с помощью сорбентов дает относительно низкое качество очистки, однако позволяет проводить последнюю многократно после промывки сорбента специальными жидкостями. Для оптимизации устройств воздушной очистки, использующих нанофильтры и сорбенты, необходимо детальное исследование протекающих в системе очистки процессов. В предлагаемом исследовании рассматривается часть проблемы, связанная с прохождением воздушного потока, содержащего твердые наночастицы загрязнителя, через слой гранулированного сорбента. Для этого разработаны многомасштабная математическая модель, численный алгоритм и параллельная реализация модели на макроскопическом масштабе. Новизна подхода связана с использованием квазигазодинамической модели для описания течения в сорбирующем слое, а также с предложенной многомасштабной постановкой задачи. Предварительные расчеты на основе макромодели показали работоспособность предложенного подхода.
A 2-week wait referral diagnosed with post-sternotomy liver herniation in a background of adrenal myelolipoma
Authors: Oyewole Bankole , Boshnaq Mohamed , Yaktien Mohammed , Ahmed Shabbir
Published: July 2019

Herniation of the liver through the anterior abdominal wall is a rare post-sternotomy complication. A 32-year-old woman had a 2-week wait referral due to abdominal pain, weight loss and upper abdominal swelling. She was known to have a left adrenal myelolipoma and had a mitral valve replacement 3 years prior to presentation with the postoperative period complicated by sepsis and poor wound healing. She had recently been started on metformin for type 2 diabetes mellitus and she had long-standing lower abdominal symptoms known to the gynaecology team. Investigations revealed hepatic herniation of liver segments II & III through the anterior abdominal wall while there was no underlying malignancy a benign left adrenal myelolipoma was noted.
Knowledge mobilisation: an ethnographic study of the influence of practitioner mindlines on atopic eczema self-management in primary care in the UK
Authors: Cowdell Fiona
Published: July 2019

Objective

To explore how atopic eczema specific mindlines are developed by primary care practitioners.

Design

Ethnographic study.

Setting

One large, urban general practice in central England.

Participants

In observation, all practitioners and support staff in the practice and in interviews a diverse group of practitioners (n=16).

Results

Observation of over 250 hours and interview data were combined and analysed using an ethnographic approach through the lenses of mindlines and self-management. Three themes were identified: beliefs about eczema, eczema knowledge and approaches to self-management. Eczema mindlines are set against a backdrop of it being a low priority and not managed as a long-term condition. Practitioners believed that eczema is simple to manage with little change in treatments available and prescribing limited by local formularies. Practice is largely based on tacit knowledge and experience. Self-management is expected but not often explicitly facilitated. Clinical decisions are made from knowledge accumulated over time. Societal and technological developments have altered the way in which practitioner mindlines are developed; in eczema, for most, they are relatively static.

Conclusions

The outstanding challenge is to find novel, profession and context-specific, simple, pragmatic strategies to revise or modify practitioner mindlines by adding reliable and useful knowledge and by erasing outdated or inaccurate information thus potentially improve quality of eczema care.
Protocol for a longitudinal study to evaluate the use of tenofovir-based PrEP for safer conception and pregnancy among women in South Africa
Authors: Matthews Lynn T , Jaggernath Manjeetha , Kriel Yolandie , Smith Patricia M , O’Neil Kasey , Haberer Jessica E , Hendrix Craig , Baeten Jared M , Ware Norma C , Wirth Kathleen , Psaros Christina , Bangsberg David R , Smit Jennifer A
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Women who choose to conceive a baby with a partner living with HIV or a partner whose HIV serostatus is unknown in HIV-endemic settings need prevention strategies to mitigate HIV acquisition during conception and pregnancy.

Methods and analysis

We are conducting a single-arm longitudinal study offering oral tenofovirdisoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for periconception use to 350 HIV-uninfected women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. PrEP is offered as part of woman-centred safer conception programme that promotes couples-based HIV counselling and testing, antiretroviral therapy for partners who are HIV-infected, treatment for sexually transmitted infections and safer conception strategies, such as limiting condomless sex to peak fertility. We enrol HIV-uninfected women who are not currently pregnant, in a stable relationship (≥6 months) with a partner living with HIV or of unknown serostatus, and personal or partner plans for pregnancy in the next 12 months. We follow enrolled women for 12 months. Women who become pregnant are followed through pregnancy outcome, independent of their decisions regarding PrEP use. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the uptake of and adherence to PrEP during the periconception period and pregnancy. Secondary outcomes include the uptake of other safer conception strategies. We also measure clinical outcomes including HIV seroconversion rates and pregnancy and infant outcomes. Finally, we will explore conduct and evaluate qualitative interviews in 25 participants to further inform our conceptual framework for periconception PrEP uptake and adherence among HIV-exposed women in South Africa.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa) and the Institutional Review Board of Partners Healthcare (Boston, Massachusetts, USA). Study findings will be made available to interested participants. Results will be presented to local health officials and stakeholders at meetings. Investigators will share the results at meetings and in manuscripts. De-identified quantitative data will be made available.

Trial registration number

The protocol is registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Agency (SAHPRA, formerly known as the Medicine Controls Council, MCC#20170131) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03194308); Pre-results.
How do nursing students experience the clinical learning environment and respond to their experiences? A qualitative study
Authors: Najafi Kalyani Majid , Jamshidi Nahid , Molazem Zahra , Torabizadeh Camellia , Sharif Farkhondeh
Published: July 2019

Introduction

On entry into the clinical environment, nursing students are confronted with many challenges. It is a common problem throughout the world, including Iran. Although many studies have been conducted on the problems of nursing students in the clinical environment, limited information is available on nursing students’ experiences of the clinical learning environment and the way they respond to these experiences. Identifying nursing students’ experiences is essential to develop interventions to reduce challenges.

Objective

This study aimed to explore nursing students’ experiences in a clinical learning environment and the way they responded to these experiences.

Design

The present study was conducted based on the qualitative research design of the grounded theory methodology.

Setting

This study was conducted at schools of nursing in academic settings in Iran.

Participants

The participants included 19 nursing students, 4 nursing instructors and 3 clinical nurses.

Methods

The data were collected using semistructured interviews, field notes and observation, and were analysed using Strauss and Corbin’s approach.

Results

Students, as a result of the inadequacy of the educational environment, were faced with ‘confusion of identity’, stating this as their main concern. When confronted with this concern, they employed specific strategies, some of which prevented them from getting into unpleasant conditions. These strategies did not help students solve their problems and also prevented them from accepting their professional roles and responsibilities. Conversely, some other strategies led them to advanced professional development and enabled them to accept their role and the clinical environment.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, educational policymakers should focus on improving the clinical environment. Identifying professional models and increasing their influence on management, education and clinical education, as well as teaching positive and constructive strategies, will promote positive strategies in coping with inadequate educational contexts. This is necessary for the professional development of nursing students.
Sino Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Decline (SILCODE): protocol for a Chinese longitudinal observational study to develop risk prediction models of conversion to mild cognitive impairment in individuals with subjective cognitive decline
Authors: Li Xuanyu , Wang Xiaoni , Su Li , Hu Xiaochen , Han Ying
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Understanding the biological mechanism of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and identifying those who will soon convert to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are critical for developing appropriate strategies for early diagnosis and intervention of AD. We present the study protocol of the Sino Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Decline (SILCODE), a longitudinal observational study focusing on SCD in the context of AD.

Methods and analysis

Within SILCODE, approximately 800 subjects with SCD who are between 50 and 79 years old will be recruited through standardised public advertisements or memory clinics. They will undergo extensive assessment, including clinical and neuropsychological assessments, blood sample collection for plasma beta-amyloid and ApoE genotype, urine samples collection for AD7c-NTP, and multimodal MRI scans (structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI and optional task-based functional MRI) as well as optional glucose metabolism and amyloid positron emission tomography. Subjects will be contacted by telephone every 3 months and interviewed, on average, every 15 months for 5 years. The study endpoint is the development of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Jak & Bondi’s actuarial neuropsychological method will be used for diagnosis of MCI. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression model followed by the sub-distribution hazard function model with death as a competing risk will be constructed to establish risk prediction models.

Ethics and dissemination

The ethics committee of the Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University has approved this study protocol (ID: [2017]046). The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03370744; Pre-results.