bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A day-ahead power spot market clearing model considering incentive-based demand response
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhang Guoqiang , Fang Guanghua , Li Zhi , Wang Jin , Liu Hanghang
Published: July 2020

It is a gradual evolution path and the most common practice in the initial stage of power spot market construction in China to start with bidding without price on the demand side, which lead to a question of how to solve the demand respond (DR) in day-ahead power spot market. To this end, a day-ahead power market clearing model considering incentive-based demand response (IBDR) is proposed. The IBDR is mainly aimed at large users with certain load elasticity, which can adjust their production schedules and change their electricity load curve to obtain certain cost incentives. This clearing method can optimize the spot market clearing result to maximize the social benefit by coordinating the electricity purchase cost and DR incentive cost. In this process, large users can obtain certain economic compensation by providing DR and help the dispatching mechanism to solve the operation problems such as power grid congestion, which could improve the operation efficiency of thermal power units. Finally, a case study based on the IEEE-30 buses system is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
State Alcohol Policies, Binge Drinking Prevalence, Socioeconomic Environments and Alcohol’s Harms to Others: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Cook Won Kim , Li Libo , Greenfield Thomas K , Patterson Deidre , Naimi Timothy , Xuan Ziming , Karriker-Jaffe Katherine J
Published: July 2020

Aims

Alcohol policy effects on alcohol’s harms due to others’ drinking (AHTO) and contextual factors that may mediate such policy effects have been understudied. This study examines state binge drinking prevalence as a mediator of the relationship between state alcohol policy and socioeconomic environments and individual-level AHTO.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of US adults (N = 32,401; 13,873 males, 18,528 females) from the 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 National Alcohol Surveys and the 2015 National Alcohol’s Harm to Others Survey, administered in telephone interviews and based on random digit dialed sampling, were linked with state-level Alcohol Policy Scale (APS) scores, binge drinking prevalence and socioeconomic status (SES) data. Three 12-month AHTO measures were family/marriage difficulties, assault or vandalism and riding with drunk driver or having traffic accident. Three-level mediation analyses were conducted, controlling for gender, race, education, marital status, family problem-drinking history and state policing rate.

Results

The effects of the APS on reduced risks for assault/vandalism and drinking-driving harms were significantly mediated by reduced state binge drinking prevalence. The APS had no direct or indirect effect on family/marital trouble. State SES had significant indirect effects on increased risks for assault/vandalism and driving-related harm through increased state binge drinking prevalence and a direct effect on reduced family/marital problems.

Conclusions

A more stringent alcohol policy environment could reduce assault/vandalism and driving-related harm due to another drinker by lowering state binge drinking rates. Alcohol policies may not be effective in reducing family problems caused by another drinker more prevalent in low-SES states.
Continuous Laying and Clutch-Size Limitation in Mallards
Authors: Arnold Todd W. , Howerter David W. , Devries James H. , Joynt Brian L. , Emery Robert B. , Anderson Michael G.
Published: July 2020

We assessed nutritional constraints on clutch size in Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) by observing incidence and consequences of continuous laying—the sequential production of eggs in two or more nest bowls. Continuous laying behavior was detected in 278 of 3,064 radiotracked Mallards (9.1%). Continuous laying females produced an average of 12.12 total eggs (SD = 2.70, range 5–18, n = 69), versus 8.90 eggs for normal nesting females (SD = 1.67, range 4–14, n = 587). On average, continuous laying females were 25 g heavier than noncontinuous laying females, and body mass was positively correlated with egg production among continuous laying females. Nest success was not affected by continuous laying, but continuous laying females that abandoned their nests were more likely to be young or to have laid a greater number of eggs. A large component of the breeding Mallard population can lay more eggs than they typically do, and there appear to be minimal consequences of that behavior. These observations appear inconsistent with the egg-formation hypothesis.
Analysis of expression of candidate genes for polycystic ovary syndrome in adult and fetal human and fetal bovine ovaries†
Authors: Liu Menghe , Hummitzsch Katja , Hartanti Monica D , Rosario Roseanne , Bastian Nicole A , Hatzirodos Nicholas , Bonner Wendy M , Irving-Rodgers Helen F , Laven Joop S E , Anderson Richard A , Rodgers Raymond J
Published: July 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) appears to have a genetic predisposition and a fetal origin. We compared the expression levels of 25 PCOS candidate genes from adult control and PCOS human ovaries (n = 16) using microarrays. Only one gene was potentially statistically different. Using qRT-PCR, expression of PCOS candidate genes was examined in bovine fetal ovaries from early stages when they first developed stroma through to completion of development (n = 27; 60–270 days of gestation). The levels of ERBB3 mRNA negatively correlated with gestational age but positively with HMGA2, FBN3, TOX3, GATA4, and DENND1A.X1,2,3,4, previously identified as correlated with each other and expressed early. PLGRKT and ZBTB16, and less so IRF1, were also correlated with AMH, FSHR, AR, INSR, and TGFB1I1, previously identified as correlated with each other and expressed late. ARL14EP, FDFT1, NEIL2, and MAPRE1 were expressed across gestation and not correlated with gestational age as shown previously for THADA, ERBB4, RAD50, C8H9orf3, YAP1, RAB5B, SUOX, and KRR1. LHCGR, because of its unusual bimodal expression pattern, had some unusual correlations with other genes. In human ovaries (n = 15; <150 days of gestation), ERBB3.V1 and ERBB3.VS were expressed and correlated negatively with gestational age and positively with FBN3, HMGA2, DENND1A.V1,3,4, DENND1A.V1-7, GATA4, and FSHR, previously identified as correlated with each other and expressed early. Thus, the general lack of differential expression of candidate genes in adult ovaries contrasting with dynamic patterns of gene expression in fetal ovaries is consistent with a vulnerability to disturbance in the fetal ovary that may underpin development of PCOS.
Filamentous actin disorganization and absence of apical ectoplasmic specialization disassembly during spermiation upon interference with retinoid signaling†
Authors: Chung Sanny S W , Vizcarra Nika , Wolgemuth Debra J
Published: July 2020

Spermiation is a multiple-step process involving profound cellular changes in both spermatids and Sertoli cells. We have observed spermiation defects, including abnormalities in spermatid orientation, translocation and release, in mice deficient in the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) and upon treatment with a pan-RAR antagonist. To elucidate the role of retinoid signaling in regulating spermiation, we first characterized the time course of appearance of spermiogenic defects in response to treatment with the pan-RAR antagonist. The results revealed that defects in spermiation are indeed among the earliest abnormalities in spermatogenesis observed upon inhibition of retinoid signaling. Using fluorescent dye-conjugated phalloidin to label the ectoplasmic specialization (ES), we showed for the first time that these defects involved improper formation of filamentous actin (F-actin) bundles in step 8–9 spermatids and a failure of the actin-surrounded spermatids to move apically to the lumen and to disassemble the ES. The aberrant F-actin organization is associated with diminished nectin-3 expression in both RARA-deficient and pan-RAR antagonist-treated testes. An abnormal localization of both tyrosinated and detyrosinated tubulins was also observed during spermatid translocation in the seminiferous epithelium in drug-treated testes. These results highlight a crucial role of RAR receptor-mediated retinoid signaling in regulating microtubules and actin dynamics in the cytoskeleton rearrangements, required for proper spermiation. This is critical to understand in light of ongoing efforts to inhibit retinoid signaling as a novel approach for male contraception and may reveal spermiation components that could also be considered as new targets for male contraception.
Presenilin1 familial Alzheimer disease mutants inactivate EFNB1- and BDNF-dependent neuroprotection against excitotoxicity by affecting neuroprotective complexes of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor
Authors: Al Rahim Md , Yoon Yonejung , Dimovasili Christina , Shao Zhiping , Huang Qian , Zhang Emily , Kezunovic Nebojsa , Chen Lei , Schaffner Adam , Huntley George W , Ubarretxena-Belandia Iban , Georgakopoulos Anastasios , Robakis Nikolaos K
Published: July 2020

Excitotoxicity is thought to play key roles in brain neurodegeneration and stroke. Here we show that neuroprotection against excitotoxicity by trophic factors EFNB1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (called here factors) requires de novo formation of ‘survival complexes’ which are factor-stimulated complexes of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor with factor receptor and presenilin 1. Absence of presenilin 1 reduces the formation of survival complexes and abolishes neuroprotection. EPH receptor B2- and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-derived peptides designed to disrupt formation of survival complexes also decrease the factor-stimulated neuroprotection. Strikingly, factor-dependent neuroprotection and levels of the de novo factor-stimulated survival complexes decrease dramatically in neurons expressing presenilin 1 familial Alzheimer disease mutants. Mouse neurons and brains expressing presenilin 1 familial Alzheimer disease mutants contain increased amounts of constitutive presenilin 1–N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor complexes unresponsive to factors. Interestingly, the stability of the familial Alzheimer disease presenilin 1–N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor complexes differs from that of wild type complexes and neurons of mutant-expressing brains are more vulnerable to cerebral ischaemia than neurons of wild type brains. Furthermore, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated excitatory post-synaptic currents at CA1 synapses are altered by presenilin 1 familial Alzheimer disease mutants. Importantly, high levels of presenilin 1–N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor complexes are also found in post-mortem brains of Alzheimer disease patients expressing presenilin 1 familial Alzheimer disease mutants. Together, our data identify a novel presenilin 1-dependent neuroprotective mechanism against excitotoxicity and indicate a pathway by which presenilin 1 familial Alzheimer disease mutants decrease factor-depended neuroprotection against excitotoxicity and ischaemia in the absence of Alzheimer disease neuropathological hallmarks which may form downstream of neuronal damage. These findings have implications for the pathogenic effects of familial Alzheimer disease mutants and therapeutic strategies.
Acute Striato-Cortical Synchronization Induces Focal Motor Seizures in Primates
Authors: Aupy Jerome , Ribot Bastien , Dovero Sandra , Biendon Nathalie , Nguyen Tho-Hai , Porras Gregory , Deffains Marc , Guehl Dominique , Burbaud Pierre
Published: July 2020

Objective: Whether the basal ganglia are involved in the cortical synchronization during focal seizures is still an open question. In the present study, we proposed to synchronize cortico-striatal activities acutely inducing striatal disinhibition, performing GABA-antagonist injections within the putamen in primates. Method: Experiments were performed on three fascicularis monkeys. During each experimental session, low volumes of bicuculline (0.5–4 μL) were injected at a slow rate of 1 μL/min. Spontaneous behavioral changes were classified according to Racine’s scale modified for primates. These induced motor behaviors were correlated with electromyographic, electroencephalographic, and putaminal and pallidal local field potentials changes in activity. Results: acute striatal desinhibition induced focal motor seizures. Seizures were closely linked to cortical epileptic activity synchronized with a striatal paroxysmal activity. These changes in striatal activity preceded the cortical epileptic activity and the induced myoclonia, and both cortical and subcortical activities were coherently synchronized during generalized seizures. Interpretation: Our results strongly suggest the role of the sensorimotor striatum in the regulation and synchronization of cortical excitability. These dramatic changes in the activity of this “gating” pathway might influence seizure susceptibility by modulating the threshold for the initiation of focal motor seizures.
Early Visual Cortex Stimulation Modifies Well-Consolidated Perceptual Gains
Authors: Shmuel Dean , Frank Sebastian M , Sharon Haggai , Sasaki Yuka , Watanabe Takeo , Censor Nitzan
Published: July 2020

Perception thresholds can improve through repeated practice with visual tasks. Can an already acquired and well-consolidated perceptual skill be noninvasively neuromodulated, unfolding the neural mechanisms involved? Here, leveraging the susceptibility of reactivated memories ranging from synaptic to systems levels across learning and memory domains and animal models, we used noninvasive brain stimulation to neuromodulate well-consolidated reactivated visual perceptual learning and reveal the underlying neural mechanisms. Subjects first encoded and consolidated the visual skill memory by performing daily practice sessions with the task. On a separate day, the consolidated visual memory was briefly reactivated, followed by low-frequency, inhibitory 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over early visual cortex, which was individually localized using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Poststimulation perceptual thresholds were measured on the final session. The results show modulation of perceptual thresholds following early visual cortex stimulation, relative to control stimulation. Consistently, resting state functional connectivity between trained and untrained parts of early visual cortex prior to training predicted the magnitude of perceptual threshold modulation. Together, these results indicate that even previously consolidated human perceptual memories are susceptible to neuromodulation, involving early visual cortical processing. Moreover, the opportunity to noninvasively neuromodulate reactivated perceptual learning may have important clinical implications.
Growth factor involvement in progression of prostate cancer
Authors: Russell Pamela J , Bennett Suzanne , Stricker Phillip
Published: July 2020

Understanding how the regulation of growth factor pathways alters during prostate cancer (PC) progression may enable researchers to develop targeted therapeutic strategies for advanced disease. PC progression involves the shifting of cells from androgen-dependent growth to an androgen-independent state, sometimes with the loss or mutation of the androgen receptors in PC cells. Both autocrine and paracrine pathways are up-regulated in androgen-independent tumors and may replace androgens as primary growth stimulatory factors in cancer progression. Our discussion focuses on growth factor families that maintain homeostasis between epithelial and stromal cells in the normal prostate and that undergo changes as PC progresses, often making stromal cells redundant. These growth factors include fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factors, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α, retinoic acid, vitamin D3, and the transforming growth factor β families. We review their role in normal prostate development and in cancer progression, using evidence from clinical specimens and models of PC cell growth.
The frozen elephant trunk technique for aortic dissection is safe after previous aortic repair
Authors: Berger Tim , Kreibich Maximilian , Mueller Felix , Rylski Bartosz , Kondov Stoyan , Schröfel Holger , Pingpoh Clarence , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Siepe Matthias , Czerny Martin
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes of aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique after previous proximal and/or distal open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients [median age: 63 (55–74) years; 65% men] were operated on for acute or chronic aortic dissection after previous proximal and/or distal open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair. Intraoperative details, clinical outcome and follow-up results were evaluated.

RESULTS

The median time between the index and the FET procedure was 81 (40–113) months. Fifty-eight (92%) patients had already undergone proximal aortic surgery; supracoronary ascending aortic replacement was the most frequent index procedure [n = 25 (40%)]. Distal aortic interventions had been done in 8 (13%) patients including endovascular thoracic aortic repair in 6 patients (10%). In-hospital mortality was 3% (n = 2). Postoperative strokes occurred in 5 patients (8%); of those, 1 stroke was dissection-related (2%). Subsequent aortic reinterventions after the FET procedure had to be done in 33% (n = 21).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes of aortic arch replacement using the FET technique after previous proximal and/or distal open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair are associated with low mortality and morbidity. Still, postoperative stroke remains an issue. After the successful accomplishments, the approach serves as an ideal platform for the secondary surgical or endovascular downstream aortic procedures, which are frequently needed.
The outlier Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ATCC 9027 harbors a defective LasR quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator
Authors: García-Reyes Selene , Soto-Aceves Martín P , Cocotl-Yañez Miguel , González-Valdez Abigail , Servín-González Luis , Chávez Gloria Soberón
Published: July 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections represent an important health problem that has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a research priority. A complex regulatory network called the quorum sensing (QS) regulates several P. aeruginosa virulence-related traits, including production of elastase, rhamnolipids and pyocyanin. The avirulent P. aeruginosa strain ATCC 9027 belongs to clade 3, which is the more distant phylogroup in relationship to the other four clades of this species. This strain does not produce QS-regulated virulence factors such as elastase and rhamnolipids when cultured in rich LB medium. We report here that ATCC 9027 harbors a defective LasR protein, presumably due to the presence of an aspartic acid in position 196 instead of a glutamic acid which is the amino acid present in this position in functional LasR proteins of the type strains PAO1 (clade 1) and PA7 (also belonging to clade 3), among others. In addition, we report that ATCC 9027 and PA7 strains present differences compared to the PAO1 strain in lasB which encodes elastase, and in the rhlR regulatory sequences that modify las-boxes, and that these mutations have a little effect in the expression of these genes by a functional LasR transcriptional regulator.
On the validity of the eikonal equation for surface-wave phase-velocity tomography
Authors: Lehujeur M , Chevrot S
Published: July 2020

The phase velocity of surface waves can be directly determined from the amplitude and phase of the regional wavefield using the Helmholtz equation. However, the Helmholtz equation involves estimating the Laplacian of the amplitude field, a challenging operation to perform on noisy and sparsely sampled seismic data. For this reason, the amplitude information is often discarded. In that case, phase-velocity maps are reconstructed with the eikonal equation, which relates the local phase slowness to the gradient of the phase. Here, we derive analytical expression of the errors arising from neglecting the amplitude of the wavefield in eikonal tomography. In general, these errors are quite strong but they vary sinusoidally with the wave propagation direction. Consequently, if the azimuthal coverage is good, they will average out, and unbiased phase-velocity maps can be obtained with eikonal tomography. We numerically validate these results with a synthetic tomography experiment.
Single-stage repair for coarctation with ventricular septal defect: results of 100 cases at a single centre
Authors: Truong Nguyen Ly Thinh , Mai Nguyen Tuan , Vinh Tran Quang , Anh Doan Vuong , Duyen Mai Dinh
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVES

The outcomes of the single-stage surgical repair of aortic arch hypoplasia (AAH) and/or coarctation of the aorta (CoA) associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD) remain controversial, especially in a lower middle-income country. This study reports the results of a single-stage repair protocol at our institution for AAH/CoA with VSD using selective cerebral perfusion.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 100 consecutive patients who underwent single-stage repair via median sternotomy using selective cerebral perfusion for AAH/CoA with VSD from July 2010 to March 2017.

RESULTS

The patients consisted of 65 males and 35 females. The median age of the patients was 67 days (range 4–2266 days); the median weight was 3.8 kg (range 2.1–15 kg). The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 132 ± 28 min, the aortic cross-clamp time was 92 ± 23 min and the selective cerebral perfusion time was 33 ± 10 min. The survival rate of all patients was 94.7 ± 2.3%, with an in-hospital mortality of 5% and no late mortality at a median follow-up of 37 months (range 4–96 months). Four patients required reoperation due to recoarctation. The overall event-free survival rate following surgery was 87.1%. The median pressure gradient across the anastomosis at the last follow-up was 8.3 ± 2.8 mmHg. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed proximal aortic arch obstruction as a predictor of mortality (odds ratio = 3.8). The aortic isthmus diameter was identified as a predictor for reintervention by Cox regression (hazard ratio = 6.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Single-stage repair for AAH/CoA with VSD is safe and feasible in a developing country.
Human Behavior, Livelihood, and Malaria Transmission in Two Sites of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Daniela , Katusele Michelle , Auwun Alma , Marem Magdalene , Robinson Leanne J , Laman Moses , Hetzel Manuel W , Pulford Justin
Published: July 2020

Background

Malaria transmission is currently resurging in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In addition to intervention coverage, social and cultural factors influence changes in epidemiology of malaria in PNG. This study aimed to better understand the role of human behavior in relation to current malaria control efforts.

Methods

A mixed-method design was used in 2 sites in PNG. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, cross-sectional malaria indicator survey, and population census were implemented.

Results

We identified 7 population groups based on demographics and behavioral patterns with potential relevance to Anopheles exposure. People spend a substantial amount of time outdoors or in semiopen structures. Between 4 pm and 8 am, all types of activities across all groups in both study sites may be exposing individuals to mosquito bites; sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net was the exception. The later in the night, the more outdoor presence was concentrated in adult men.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the potential of outdoor exposure to hamper malaria control as people spend a remarkable amount of time outdoors without protection from mosquitoes. To prevent ongoing transmission, targeting of groups, places, and activities with complementary interventions should consider setting-specific human behaviors in addition to epidemiological and entomological data.
Evaluating the Impact of Programmatic Mass Drug Administration for Malaria in Zambia Using Routine Incidence Data
Authors: Fraser Maya , Miller John M , Silumbe Kafula , Hainsworth Michael , Mudenda Mutinta , Hamainza Busiku , Moonga Hawela , Chizema Kawesha Elizabeth , Mercer Laina D , Bennett Adam , Schneider Kammerle , Slater Hannah C , Eisele Thomas P , Guinovart Caterina
Published: July 2020

Background

In 2016, the Zambian National Malaria Elimination Centre started programmatic mass drug administration (pMDA) campaigns with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine as a malaria elimination tool in Southern Province. Two rounds were administered, 2 months apart (coverage 70% and 57%, respectively). We evaluated the impact of 1 year of pMDA on malaria incidence using routine data.

Methods

We conducted an interrupted time series with comparison group analysis on monthly incidence data collected at the health facility catchment area (HFCA) level, with a negative binomial model using generalized estimating equations. Programmatic mass drug administration was conducted in HFCAs with greater than 50 cases/1000 people per year. Ten HFCAs with incidence rates marginally above this threshold (pMDA group) were compared with 20 HFCAs marginally below (comparison group).

Results

The pMDA HFCAs saw a 46% greater decrease in incidence at the time of intervention than the comparison areas (incidence rate ratio = 0.536; confidence interval = 0.337–0.852); however, incidence increased toward the end of the season. No HFCAs saw a transmission interruption.

Conclusions

Programmatic mass drug administration, implemented during 1 year with imperfect coverage in low transmission areas with suboptimal vector control coverage, significantly reduced incidence. However, elimination will require additional tools. Routine data are important resources for programmatic impact evaluations and should be considered for future analyses.
Autocrine Regulation of Interleukin-3 in the Activity of Regulatory T Cells and its Effectiveness in the Pathophysiology of Sepsis
Authors: Zhao Jie , Liu Ying , Hu Jian-Nan , Peng Min , Dong Ning , Zhu Xiao-Mei , Ma Tao , Yao Yong-Ming
Published: July 2020

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response and participated in sepsis-related immune dysfunctions. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms by which Tregs are kept in check during immune responses. Here, we verified the simultaneous expression of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and its receptor (IL-3R) in Tregs. Then, by modulation of IL-3 expression via lentiviral transduction-mediated small interfering RNA, we demonstrated that IL-3 negatively regulated Tregs activity via an autocrine mechanism. Furthermore, we found that anti-IL-3 antibody treatment significantly diminished inflammatory cytokines and organ injury, and improved survival in septic mice, which was associated with enhanced Treg percentage and function. Collectively, these results suggest that IL-3 negatively regulates the activity of Tregs in a previously unrecognized autocrine manner, and plays an important role in the excessive inflammatory response in sepsis, which might be utilized as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of complications in sepsis.
Octenidine/carbenicillin GUMBOS as potential treatment for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea
Authors: Lopez Kelsey M , Hobden Jeffrey A , Warner Isiah M
Published: July 2020

Background

Reducing Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonies in the oropharynx is a viable solution to minimize the transmission of this bacterium amongst individuals.

Objectives

A strategy involving the electrostatic interaction between a common antiseptic and a discontinued antibiotic (i.e. octenidine and carbenicillin) was evaluated as a potential treatment for gonorrhoea. Octenidine/carbenicillin is a novel group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) with inherent in vitro antibacterial activity that comes from its parent antiseptic and antibacterial ions, octenidine and carbenicillin, respectively.

Methods

Antibacterial activities for octenidine dihydrochloride, disodium carbenicillin, octenidine/carbenicillin and stoichiometrically equivalent 1:1 octenidine dihydrochloride to disodium carbenicillin were assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay for N. gonorrhoeae (ATCC 49226) and three clinical isolates. Predictive permeability using the Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells was also evaluated.

Results

Additive in vitro antibacterial activities against N. gonorrhoeae were observed in this study, which suggests octenidine/carbenicillin could be a useful agent in reducing N. gonorrhoeae transmission and minimizing gonorrhoea infections. Octenidine/carbenicillin also exhibited bioequivalence to azithromycin and doxycycline, two currently prescribed antibiotics. Likewise, octenidine/carbenicillin had improved predicted permeability compared with octenidine dihydrochloride.

Conclusions

Antimicrobial GUMBOS synthesized in this study could be used as an adjunctive treatment approach to current drug therapies for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea infection control and prevention.
A scoping review of qualitative research inJAMIA:past contributions and opportunities for future work
Authors: Hussain Mustafa I , Figueiredo Mayara Costa , Tran Brian D , Su Zhaoyuan , Molldrem Stephen , Eikey Elizabeth V , Chen Yunan
Published: July 2020

Objective

Qualitative methods are particularly well-suited to studying the complexities and contingencies that emerge in the development, preparation, and implementation of technological interventions in real-world clinical practice, and much remains to be done to use these methods to their full advantage. We aimed to analyze how qualitative methods have been used in health informatics research, focusing on objectives, populations studied, data collection, analysis methods, and fields of analytical origin.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of original, qualitative empirical research in JAMIA from its inception in 1994 to 2019. We queried PubMed to identify relevant articles, ultimately including and extracting data from 158 articles.

Results

The proportion of qualitative studies increased over time, constituting 4.2% of articles published in JAMIA overall. Studies overwhelmingly used interviews, observations, grounded theory, and thematic analysis. These articles used qualitative methods to analyze health informatics systems before, after, and separate from deployment. Providers have typically been the main focus of studies, but there has been an upward trend of articles focusing on healthcare consumers.

Discussion

While there has been a rich tradition of qualitative inquiry in JAMIA, its scope has been limited when compared with the range of qualitative methods used in other technology-oriented fields, such as human–computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work, and science and technology studies.

Conclusion

We recommend increased public funding for and adoption of a broader variety of qualitative methods by scholars, practitioners, and policy makers and an expansion of the variety of participants studied. This should lead to systems that are more responsive to practical needs, improving usability, safety, and outcomes.
Applicability of Gradient Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry to the Simultaneous Screening for About 100 Pesticides in Crops
Authors: Klein Jeannette , Alder Lutz
Published: July 2020

A method was developed for screening crops for a range of pesticide residues by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A complete set of LC, electrospray ionization (ESI), and tandem MS acquisition parameters was established for the determination of 108 analytes; these parameters were used for the simultaneous acquisition of 98 analytes in the positive ESI mode and 10 analytes in an additional MS/MS method in the negative ESI mode. The entire procedure involves extraction of residues with methanol–water and partition into dichloromethane. The utility of the method is demonstrated by the analysis of crops of 5 matrix types (water-containing, acidic, dry, sugar-containing, and fatty). Of 108 pesticides/metabolites tested, 104 showed sufficient stability in most matrixes for determination by LC/MS/MS. These analytes belong to 20 chemical classes, which demonstrate the general applicability of the method for multiclass analysis. By using matrix-matched standards, 67 compounds could be determined in most matrixes with recoveries of 70–120% and a relative standard deviation of ≤25% at the 0.01 mg/kg level.
Analytical Methods Used to Measure Acrylamide Concentrations in Foods
Authors: Castle Laurence , Eriksson Sune
Published: July 2020

The state-of-the-art of analysis for acrylamide in food is reviewed. The majority of analytical methods adopts a similar approach: addition of internal standard to the specimen, extraction with water, purification of extract using a solid-phase extraction cartridge, and then determination using either gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) after bromination, or direct measurement with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (LC/MS). The available methods generally show good agreement and are likely to be accurate. However, improvements in precision (within-laboratory) and repeatability (between-laboratory) are needed by particular data users.
Determination of Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green in a Variety of Aquacultured Products by Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Detection
Authors: van de Riet Jeffrey M , Murphy Cory J , Pearce Johanna N , Potter Ross A , Burns B Garth
Published: July 2020

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed for determining the residues of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) in a number of aquatic species. MG and its metabolite were extracted from homogenized tissues with a perchloric acid-acetonitrile solution; the extract was centrifuged; and an aliquot was taken, concentrated, and passed through a chemically bonded octadecyl C18 solid-phase extraction column. The compounds of interest were eluted with acetonitrile, and the eluate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile and diluted with water in preparation for analysis by LC/MS/MS. MG and its metabolite were determined by reversed-phase LC using a Luna C18 column with an ammonium hydroxide-formic acid buffer in acetonitrile gradient and MS/MS detection using multiple reaction monitoring. Calibration curves were linear for all analyses between 5 and 500 pg injected for both analytes, with recoveries ranging from 81% for LMG to 98% for MG in salmon spiked at the 1 ng/g level. Detection limits of 0.1 ng/g for both MG and LMG were easily obtainable using the recommended method. The operational errors, interferences, and recoveries for spiked samples compared favorably with those obtained by established methodology. The recommended method is simple, rapid, and specific for monitoring residues of MG and LMG in a number of aquatic species.
Development and Validation of a Column High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Quantification of Ganaphaliin A and B in Inflorescences of Gnaphalium liebmannii Sch. Bp ex Klatt
Authors: Rodríguez-Ramos Fernando , Sánchez-Estrada Víctor H , Alfaro-Romero Alejandro , Tapia-Álvarez Gabriela Rubí , Navarrete Andrés
Published: July 2020

An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of gnaphaliin A and B, active compounds of Gnaphalium liebmannii Sch. Bp ex Klatt. The HPLC separation was performed on an Inertsil ODS-3 (150 × 4.6 mm id, 5 μm) RP C18 column operated at 40°C; the isocratic mobile phase was 0.02% aqueous orthophosphoric acid– methanol–acetonitrile (50 + 30 + 20, v/v/v), with a run time of 20 min and ﬂow rate of 1.5 mL/min. Detection with a photodiode array detector (PDAD) was at 270 nm. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, LOD, and LOQ. The LOD and LOQ for gnaphaliin A and B were found to be in the range of 0.4–0.5 and 1.0–1.4 μg/mL, respectively. This is the frst report of an analytical method developed for the quantitative analysis of ﬂavones from Gnaphalium species by HPLC-PDAD with applications for raw material and commercial products.
A Financial Capitalism Perspective on Start-Up Acquisitions: Introducing the Economic Goodwill Test
Authors: McLean Andrew P
Published: July 2020

This paper discusses the acquisition of start-ups by major technology firms. Such transactions pose a significant anticompetitive threat, yet often escape competition scrutiny because they fail to trigger merger notification threshold tests. Alongside a financial analysis of historic acquisitions by Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft, the paper introduces a new threshold test—the economic goodwill test. The economic goodwill test is a concerned with the value of a target’s net tangible assets as a proportion of total transaction value. The difference between these figures largely represents the gains an acquirer expects to realise from a strengthened competitive position, therefore reflecting the logic driving the mass acquisition of technology start-ups. Although a specific triggering figure is not prescribed, the economic goodwill test represents a useful innovation that could bring potentially anticompetitive start-up acquisitions under substantive merger review. More broadly, the paper argues start-up acquisitions are representative of the difficulties that competition law faces governing economic activity in the era of financial capitalism. The modern financial system creates a strong bridge between the present and the distant future. This enables firms to engage in future-oriented competitive strategies that challenge competition law’s static approach.
Allergic fungal sinusitis masquerading as cavernous sinus thrombosis
Authors: Chalam K V , Enghelberg Moises , Murthy Ravi K
Published: July 2020

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), a noninvasive form of fungal sinusitis, is rarely seen in immunocompetent patients. Involvement of sphenoid sinus can result in proptosis and loss of vision. We report AFS masquerading as posterior cavernous sinus syndrome. A 59-year-old African-American man presented with right complete ptosis with ophthalmoplegia. After an initial work-up and imaging studies, patient underwent endonasal sphenoid surgery, which revealed characteristic ‘allergic fungal mucin’. Cavernous sinus syndrome is a rare presenting clinical feature of allergic fungal sinusitis. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare presentation of relatively common otorhinological disease for timely referral and appropriate management.
Sticky or not sticky? Measurements of the tensile strength of microgranular organic materials
Authors: Bischoff D , Kreuzig C , Haack D , Gundlach B , Blum J
Published: July 2020

Knowledge of the mechanical properties of protoplanetary and cometary matter is of key importance to better understand the activity of comets and the early stages of planet formation. The tensile strength determines the required pressure to lift off grains, pebbles, and agglomerates from the cometary surface and also describes how much strain a macroscopic body can withstand before material failure occurs. As organic materials are ubiquitous in space, they could have played an important role during the planet-formation process. This work provides new data on the tensile strength of five different microgranular organic materials, namely, humic acid, paraffin, brown coal, charcoal, and graphite. These materials are investigated by the so-called Brazilian Disc Test and the resulting tensile strength values are normalized to a standard grain size and volume filling factor. We find that the tensile strength of these materials ranges over four orders of magnitude. Graphite and paraffin possess tensile strengths much higher than silica, whereas coals have very low tensile-strength values. This work demonstrates that organic materials are not generally stickier than silicates, or water ice, as often believed.
The role of galactic dynamics in shaping the physical properties of giant molecular clouds in Milky Way-like galaxies
Authors: Jeffreson Sarah M R , Kruijssen J M Diederik , Keller Benjamin W , Chevance Mélanie , Glover Simon C O
Published: July 2020

We examine the role of the large-scale galactic-dynamical environment in setting the properties of giant molecular clouds in Milky Way-like galaxies. We perform three high-resolution simulations of Milky Way-like discs with the moving-mesh hydrodynamics code arepo, yielding a statistical sample of ${\sim}80\, 000$ giant molecular clouds and ${\sim}55\, 000$ H i clouds. We account for the self-gravity of the gas, momentum, and thermal energy injection from supernovae and H ii regions, mass injection from stellar winds, and the non-equilibrium chemistry of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. By varying the external gravitational potential, we probe galactic-dynamical environments spanning an order of magnitude in the orbital angular velocity, gravitational stability, mid-plane pressure, and the gradient of the galactic rotation curve. The simulated molecular clouds are highly overdense (∼100×) and overpressured (∼25×) relative to the ambient interstellar medium. Their gravoturbulent and star-forming properties are decoupled from the dynamics of the galactic mid-plane, so that the kpc-scale star formation rate surface density is related only to the number of molecular clouds per unit area of the galactic mid-plane. Despite this, the clouds display clear, statistically significant correlations of their rotational properties with the rates of galactic shearing and gravitational free-fall. We find that galactic rotation and gravitational instability can influence their elongation, angular momenta, and tangential velocity dispersions. The lower pressures and densities of the H i clouds allow for a greater range of significant dynamical correlations, mirroring the rotational properties of the molecular clouds, while also displaying a coupling of their gravitational and turbulent properties to the galactic-dynamical environment.
Meta-analysis of nursing-related organizational and psychosocial predictors of sickness absence
Authors: Gohar B , Larivière M , Lightfoot N , Wenghofer E , Larivière C , Nowrouzi-Kia B
Published: July 2020

Background

Nursing is a stressful occupation with high rates of sickness absence. To date, there are no meta-analyses that statistically determined the correlates of sickness absence in this population.

Aims

This meta-analysis examined organizational and psychosocial predictors of sickness absence among nursing staff.

Methods

As a registered systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42017071040), which followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, five databases (CINAHL, PROQuest Allied, PROQuest database theses, PsycINFO, PubMed) were reviewed to examine predictors of sickness absence in nurses and nursing assistants between 1990 and 2019. The Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome tool was used to support our searches. Effect sizes were analysed using random-effects model.

Results

Following critical appraisals using (i) National Institutes of Health’s Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies and (ii) Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, 21 studies were included. Nursing assistants had greater odds of sickness absence than nurses. Working night shifts, in paediatrics or psychiatric units, experiencing poor mental health, and fatigue, also increased the odds of sickness absence. There was no evidence that job satisfaction or job strain influenced sickness absence; however, job demand increased the likelihood. Finally, work support reduced the odds of lost-time.

Conclusions

We synthesized three decades of research where several factors influenced sickness absence. Due to limited recent research, the results should be interpreted with caution as some practices may have changed overtime or between countries. Nevertheless, these findings could help in applying preventative strategies to mitigate lost-time in a vulnerable working population.
678. Galactomannan Is a Biomarker of APX001 (Fosmanogepix) Efficacy in Treating Experimental Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Gebremariam Teklegiorgis , Alkhazraji Sondus , Gu Yiyou , Alqarihi Abdullah , Mamouei Zeinab , Shaw Karen J , Ibrahim Ashraf S
Published: July 2020

Background

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a serious fungal infection afflicting immunocompromised patients. Galactomannan (GM) detection in biological samples using the Platelia ELISA has been shown to predict therapy response by azoles, and polyenes. We previously reported on the activity of APX001 (fosmanogepix) in treating murine IPA. Here, we investigated the potential use of GM as a biomarker of APX001 efficacy in an immunosuppressed murine model of IPA.

Methods

ICR mice (n = 8/group) were immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide and cortisone acetate on days −2, and +3, relative to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus via inhalation. Treatment with placebo (diluent control), APX001 (104 mg/kg, PO, a human equivalent dose), or posaconazole (POSA, 30 mg/kg, BID [equivalent to 6× the humanized dose]) began 16-hour post-infection and continued daily. To extend the half-life of APX001, mice were administered 50 mg/kg of the cytochrome P450 inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) 2 hours prior to APX001 administration. Mice were sacrificed 48-, 72-, or 96-hour post-infection and their lungs, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sera were collected. Lung fungal burden was determined by conidial equivalent (CE) using qPCR, while GM was determined using the Platelia ELISA.

Results

Compared with placebo, APX001 or POSA treatment resulted in a gradual decrease in tissue fungal burden over time with APX001 or POSA showing significant reduction as early as 96 and 72 hours, respectively (P < 0.005). Although the super-therapeutic dose of POSA resulted in faster reduction in lung fungal burden after 72 hours, both drugs resulted in similar reduction (~6–7 log) in lung CE vs. placebo after 96 hours. Changes in GM levels in BAL or serum samples mirrored reductions in lung CFU with significant decrease seen after 96 hours or 72 hours for APX001 or POSA, respectively, vs. placebo (P < 0.02) (figure).

Conclusion

A human equivalent dose of APX001 and a super humanized dose of POSA resulted in a time-dependent reduction of lung fungal burden and GM levels when compared with placebo. These results show that GM can be used as a biomarker of APX001 efficacy in immunosuppressed mice.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.
Smoke on the Hill: A Comparative Study of Wildfire and Two Communities
Authors: Blatner Keith A. , Mendez Sandra Rodriguez , Carroll Matthew S. , Findley Angela J. , Walker Gregg B. , Daniels Steven E.
Published: July 2020

Wildfire represents a serious challenge to communities in the rural West. After decades of fire suppression, land managers now perceive a greater role for wildfire in the ecosystem. In the meantime, migration patterns from urban to rural settings have increased the number of people living in forested areas throughout the West, therefore; wildfires are a threat to more homes than ever in the region. This study focuses on two communities' response to wildfires during the intense fire season of 1994. Through qualitative research methods, the study analyzes these diverse responses in the context of local social history.

Residents of the two communities in north central Washington differed markedly in their perceptions of the wildfires and the followup recovery efforts. We argue that these differences are in large part due to differences in the communities' historical development patterns, geographical location, and the resulting differences in social composition and world views of members. The historical trajectory and everyday life in each of the two communities serve to frame differing attitudes and positions regarding forest and fire management, which can be explained further by using three distinct perspectives on community. Lessons are drawn for forest/fire managers that center on the critical role of trust in successful fire management. West, J. Appl. For. 18(1):60–70.