bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intimate partner violence is associated with poorer maternal mental health and breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh
Authors: Tran Lan Mai , Nguyen Phuong Hong , Naved Ruchira Tabassum , Menon Purnima
Published: August 2020

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) can have profound adverse consequences on maternal and child health. This study aimed to: (1) identify factors associated with IPV during pregnancy and postpartum in Bangladesh; and (2) assess the associations between IPV and maternal mental health and breastfeeding practices. We used data from a cross-sectional survey of 2000 mothers with children <6 months in four districts in Bangladesh. We applied multivariable logistic regression models to examine factors associated with IPV and structural equation modelling to assess the inter-relationships between IPV, maternal common mental disorders (CMD, measured by Self-reporting Questionnaire ≥7) and breastfeeding practices. Overall, 49.7% of mothers experienced violence during the last 12 months and 28% of mothers had high levels of CMD. Only 54% of women reported early initiation of breastfeeding and 64% reported exclusive breastfeeding. Women were more likely to experience IPV if living in food-insecure households, being of low socio-economic status, having low autonomy or experiencing inequality in education compared with husbands (OR ranged from 1.6 to 2.8). Women exposed to IPV were 2–2.3 times more likely to suffer from high levels of CMD and 28–34% less likely to breastfeed their babies exclusively. The indirect path (the indirect effects of IPV on breastfeeding through CMD) through maternal CMD accounted for 14% of the relationship between IPV on breastfeeding practice. In conclusion, IPV is pervasive in Bangladesh and is linked to increased risks of CMD and poor breastfeeding practices. Integrating effective interventions to mitigate IPV, along with routine maternal and child health services and involving men in counselling services, could help both to reduce exposure to IPV among women and to contribute to better health outcomes for women and children.
Optimal design of the solar tracking system of parabolic trough concentrating collectors
Authors: Kong Li , Zhang Yunpeng , Lin Zhijian , Qiu Zhongzhu , Li Chunying , Le Ping
Published: August 2020

The present work aimed to select the optimum solar tracking mode for parabolic trough concentrating collectors using numerical simulation. The current work involved: (1) the calculation of daily solar radiation on the Earth’s surface, (2) the comparison of annual direct solar radiation received under different tracking modes and (3) the determination of optimum tilt angle for the north-south tilt tracking mode. It was found that the order of solar radiation received in Shanghai under the available tracking modes was: dual-axis tracking > north-south Earth’s axis tracking > north-south tilt tracking (β = 15°) > north-south tilt tracking (β = 45) > north-south horizontal tracking > east-west horizontal tracking. Single-axis solar tracking modes feature simple structures and low cost. This study also found that the solar radiation received under the north-south tilt tracking mode was higher than that of the north-south Earth’s axis tracking mode in 7 out of 12 months. Therefore, the north-south tilt tracking mode was studied separately to determine the corresponding optimum tilt angles in Haikou, Lhasa, Shanghai, Beijing and Hohhot, respectively, which were shown as follows: 18.81°, 27.29°, 28.67°, 36.21° and 37.97°.
Developing the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in colleges and universities to boost the development of low-carbon economy
Authors: Li Weijuan , Zhang Pengcheng
Published: August 2020

In this work, the network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was used to divide the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in colleges and universities into two stages, which makes up for the lack of process measurement in a single DEA model. Also, the relationship between the transformation efficiency of scientific and technological achievements in universities and the development of a low-carbon economy was quantitatively analyzed. The research results show that: (1) the transformation efficiency of scientific and technological achievements of universities in China is increasing year by year and which is significantly higher in the eastern region than that in the central and western regions. (2) The efficiency of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements of the university promotes the reduction of carbon emission intensity and the development of a low-carbon economy, indicating that the improvement of the transformation efficiency of scientific and technological achievements of the university has a good role in promoting the ecological environment protection. However, compared with the developed countries, the quantity and quality of science and technology supply and ecological environment protection in China’s universities are still insufficient. In this regard, the development suggestions are put forward from the aspects of government policy guidance, professional talent cooperation and strengthening the docking between universities and industrial low-carbon economic development. The purpose of this paper is to promote the development of a low-carbon economy by improving the efficiency of scientific and technological achievements transformation in universities, to achieve the goal of ecological environment protection.
Global Transcriptomic Analysis During Murine Pneumonia Infection Reveals New Virulence Factors in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Martínez-Guitián Marta , Vázquez-Ucha Juan C , Álvarez-Fraga Laura , Conde-Pérez Kelly , Vallejo Juan A , Perina Alejandra , Bou Germán , Poza Margarita , Beceiro Alejandro
Published: August 2020

Background

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii constitute a major health problem worldwide. In this study we present a global in vivo transcriptomic analysis of A. baumannii isolated from the lungs of mice with pneumonia infection.

Methods

Mice were infected with A. baumannii ATCC 17978 and AbH12O-A2 strains and the total bacterial RNA were analyzed by RNA sequencing. Lists of differentially expressed genes were obtained and 14 of them were selected for gene deletion and further analysis.

Results

Transcriptomic analysis revealed a specific gene expression profile in A. baumannii during lung infection with upregulation of genes involved in iron acquisition and host invasion. Mutant strains lacking feoA, mtnN, yfgC, basB, hisF, oatA, and bfnL showed a significant loss of virulence in murine pneumonia. A decrease in biofilm formation, adherence to human epithelial cells, and growth rate was observed in selected mutants.

Conclusions

This study provides an insight into A. baumannii gene expression profile during murine pneumonia infection. Data revealed that 7 in vivo upregulated genes were involved in virulence and could be considered new therapeutic targets.
China’s grand strategy and Myanmar’s peace process
Authors: Roy Chiraag
Published: August 2020

Despite growing interest in China, scholars continue to grapple with its reemergence as a major power, offering gloomy predictions of a fraught geopolitical landscape. More recent analyses, however, stemming from constructivist thinking, explore the relevance of China’s history, geography, and culture in shaping its foreign policy. Encapsulated in the grand strategy concept, this perspective highlights China’s long-standing preoccupation with its periphery and emphasis on peace. Problematically, current scholarship offers little insight as to whether periphery countries also share this benign view of China. Aimed at addressing this gap, this article explores China’s role in Myanmar’s peace process, using ‘grand strategy’ to analyze over 50 interviews with diverse stakeholders in Myanmar. Based on the data, this article finds that China’s support for Myanmar is perceived to be economically driven, often at the expense of peace, implying that the historically inclined perspective of grand strategy requires rethinking.
Developmental Plasticity of the Flesh FlyBlaesoxipha plinthopyga(Diptera: Sarcophagidae) on Different Substrates
Authors: El-Hefnawy Ahmed A , Abul Dahab Faten F , Ibrahim Abdelwahab A , Salama Elham M , Mahmoud Shaymaa H , Sanford Michelle R , Kovar Scott J , Tarone Aaron M
Published: August 2020

Forensic entomologists rely on laboratory growth data to estimate the time of colonization on human remains thus extrapolating a minimum postmortem interval (PMI) if assumptions are satisfied. The flesh fly Blaesoxipha plinthopyga (Wiedemann) is one species that occurs in casework in Idaho, Texas, and central California. Because of the few laboratory studies on the development of this fly, the following study was conducted to determine if different substrates impact immature development of the species. In this study, flies were reared on different substrates that are likely to be encountered at indoor and outdoor scenes (Wet Sand, Dry Sand, Clothes [Polyester fibers], and Carpet [Polypropylene fibers]) to determine the influence of substrate on larval, intrapuparial, and total immature development times at 25°C, 50% RH, and 14:10 (L:D) h cycle. The results revealed that substrate significantly affected minimum immature development times without affecting the sexes differently; though a female bias in sex ratio was observed consistently. Average minimum larval developmental times were 160–179 h with a significantly faster development in Carpet than in Clothes. Similarly, average minimum intrapuparial developmental times were 331–352 h; fastest on Carpet and the slowest in Dry Sand. For this species, it may be important to consider the substrates encountered at a death scene as they may affect the development of B. plinthopyga (Wiedemann) in casework by up to 29 h at 25°C and 50% humidity. These effects will also be important to consider when planning future development studies with the species.
Invasion of Tropical Montane Cities by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Depends on Continuous Warm Winters and Suitable Urban Biotopes
Authors: Pedrosa Michelle Cristine , Borges Magno Augusto Zazá , Eiras Álvaro Eduardo , Caldas Sérgio , Cecílio Alzira Batista , Brito Maria Fernanda , Ribeiro Sérvio Pontes
Published: August 2020

We provide the first evidence of a recent invasion of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus in Hasselquist, 1762) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894), followed by dengue virus, in tropical montane cities in south-eastern Brazil, Mariana, and Ouro Preto, at mid and high altitudes, respectively. Long-term temperature variation, dengue public data, and sampling of immature and adult mosquitoes (ovitraps and mosquitraps) in contrasting habitats were used to explain the distribution of Aedes in what in these two cities. From 1961 to 2014, the annual temperature increased significantly due to increases in winter temperatures. In the 1990s/2000s, the winter temperature was 1.3°C warmer than in the 1960s, when it varied from 21.2 to 18.9°C. After 2007, the winter temperatures increased and ranged from 21.6 to 21.3°C. The first autochthonous dengue cases in Mariana and Ouro Preto were in 2007, followed by few occurrences until in 2012, when the mean numbers increased three-fold, and peak at 2013. The continuous ‘warmer winter’ may have trigged the Aedes invasion. Aedes species benefited from higher winter temperatures, which was an important driver of their invasion of the state of Minas Gerais in the 1980s and, more recently, in the remaining montane urban habitats in this region. In both 2009 and 2011, we found more Aedes in Mariana than Ouro Preto, and more Ae. albopictus in green areas and Ae. aegypti in houses, the expected pattern for well-established populations.
A case series of intestinal obstruction secondary to shiitake mushroom intake during Chinese New Year
Authors: Ng Gaik Huey , Teoh Li Ying , Teh Mei Sze , Jamaris Suniza , See Mee Hoong
Published: August 2020

Shiitake mushroom is a common ingredient in East Asian cuisines. Food processing/preparation can cause the mushroom to be soft and slimy, leading to accidental swallowing. Due to its high insoluble fibre content, it remains the same size and shape in the intestinal tract. We present two cases of small bowel obstruction caused by shiitake mushroom requiring surgical intervention. Preoperative imaging showed dilated small bowel with a suspicious mass in the ileum. However, the exact cause was unclear. For both cases, exploratory laparotomy and enterotomy were then performed and undigested shiitake mushroom was found. Both patients recovered well from the surgery.
Colour–magnitude diagrams of transiting exoplanets – III. A public code, nine strange planets, and the role of phosphine
Authors: Dransfield Georgina , Triaud Amaury H M J
Published: August 2020

Colour–magnitude diagrams provide a convenient way of comparing populations of similar objects. When well populated with precise measurements, they allow quick inferences to be made about the bulk properties of an astronomic object simply from its proximity on a diagram to other objects. We present here a python toolkit that allows a user to produce colour–magnitude diagrams of transiting exoplanets, comparing planets to populations of ultra-cool dwarfs, of directly imaged exoplanets, to theoretical models of planetary atmospheres, and to other transiting exoplanets. Using a selection of near- and mid-infrared colour–magnitude diagrams, we show how outliers can be identified for further investigation, and how emerging subpopulations can be identified. Additionally, we present evidence that observed differences in the Spitzer’s 4.5 μm flux, between irradiated Jupiters and field brown dwarfs, might be attributed to phosphine, which is susceptible to photolysis. The presence of phosphine in low-irradiation environments may negate the need for thermal inversions to explain eclipse measurements. We speculate that the anomalously low 4.5 μm flux of the nightside of HD 189733b and the daysides of GJ 436b and GJ 3470b might be caused by phosphine absorption. Finally, we use our toolkit to include Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 spectra, creating a new photometric band called the ‘Water band’ (WJH band) in the process. We show that the colour index [WJH − H] can be used to constrain the C/O ratio of exoplanets, showing that future observations with James Webb Space Telescope and Ariel will be able to distinguish these populations if they exist, and select members for future follow-up.
Analysis of quiet-sun turbulence on the basis of SDO/HMI and goode solar telescope data
Authors: Abramenko Valentina I , Yurchyshyn Vasyl B
Published: August 2020

We analysed line-of-sight magnetic fields and magnetic power spectra of an undisturbed photosphere using magnetograms acquired by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on-board the Solar Dynamic Observatory and the Near InfraRed Imaging Spectrapolarimeter (NIRIS) operating at the Goode Solar Telescope of the Big Bear Solar Observatory. In the NIRIS data, we revealed thin flux tubes of 200–400 km in diameter and of 1000–2000 G field strength. The HMI power spectra determined for a coronal hole, a quiet sun, and a plage areas exhibit the same spectral index of −1 on a broad range of spatial scales from 10–20 Mm down to 2.4 Mm. This implies that the same mechanism(s) of magnetic field generation operate everywhere in the undisturbed photosphere. The most plausible one is the local turbulent dynamo. When compared to the HMI spectra, the −1.2 slope of the NIRIS spectrum appears to be more extended into the short spatial range until the cut-off at 0.8–0.9 Mm, after which it continues with a steeper slope of −2.2. Comparison of the observed and Kolmogorov-type spectra allowed us to infer that the Kolmogorov turbulent cascade cannot account for more than 35 per cent of the total magnetic energy observed in the scale range of 3.5–0.3 Mm. The energy excess can be attributed to other mechanisms of field generation such as the local turbulent dynamo and magnetic superdiffusivity observed in an undisturbed photosphere that can slow down the rate of the Kolmogorov cascade leading to a shallower resulting spectrum.
High-resolution survey for planetary companions to young stars in the Taurus molecular cloud
Authors: Wallace A L , Kammerer J , Ireland M J , Federrath C , Kraus A L , Maddison S T , Rizzuto A , Birchall E K , Martinache F
Published: August 2020

Direct imaging in the infrared at the diffraction limit of large telescopes is a unique probe of the properties of young planetary systems. We survey 55 single class I and class II stars in Taurus in the L’ filter using natural and laser guide star adaptive optics and the near-infrared camera (NIRC2) of the Keck II telescope, in order to search for planetary-mass companions. We use both reference star differential imaging and kernel phase techniques, achieving typical 5σ contrasts of ∼6 mag at separations of 0.2 arcsec and ∼8 mag beyond 0.5 arcsec. Although, we do not detect any new faint companions, we constrain the frequency of wide separation massive planets, such as HR 8799 analogues. We find that, assuming hot-start models and a planet distribution with power-law mass and semimajor axis indices of −0.5 and −1, respectively, less than 20 per cent of our target stars host planets with masses >2 MJ at separations >10 au.
A unified picture of Galactic and cosmological fast radio bursts
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Kumar Pawan , Zhang Bing
Published: August 2020

The discovery of a fast radio burst (FRB) in our Galaxy associated with a magnetar (neutron star with strong magnetic field) has provided a critical piece of information to help us finally understand these enigmatic transients. We show that the volumetric rate of Galactic-FRB like events is consistent with the faint end of the cosmological FRB rate, and hence they most likely belong to the same class of transients. The Galactic FRB had an accompanying X-ray burst, but many X-ray bursts from the same object had no radio counterpart. Their relative rates suggest that for every FRB there are roughly 102–103 X-ray bursts. The radio light curve of the Galactic FRB had two spikes, separated by 30 ms in the 400–800 MHz frequency band. This is an important clue and highly constraining of the class of models where the radio emission is produced outside the light cylinder of the magnetar. We suggest that magnetic disturbances close to the magnetar surface propagate to a distance of a few tens of neutron star radii where they damp and produce radio emission. The coincident hard X-ray spikes associated with the two FRB pulses seen in this burst and the flux ratio between the two frequency bands can be understood in this scenario. This model provides a unified picture for faint bursts like the Galactic FRB as well as the bright events seen at cosmological distances.
The warm-hot circumgalactic medium around EAGLE-simulation galaxies and its detection prospects with X-ray and UV line absorption
Authors: Wijers Nastasha A , Schaye Joop , Oppenheimer Benjamin D
Published: August 2020

We use the EAGLE (Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments) cosmological simulation to study the distribution of baryons, and far-ultraviolet (O vi), extreme-ultraviolet (Ne viii), and X-ray (O vii, O viii, Ne ix, and Fe xvii) line absorbers, around galaxies and haloes of mass $\,{M}_{\rm {200c}}= 10^{11}$–$10^{14.5} \, \rm {M}_{\odot}$ at redshift 0.1. EAGLE predicts that the circumgalactic medium (CGM) contains more metals than the interstellar medium across halo masses. The ions we study here trace the warm-hot, volume-filling phase of the CGM, but are biased towards temperatures corresponding to the collisional ionization peak for each ion, and towards high metallicities. Gas well within the virial radius is mostly collisionally ionized, but around and beyond this radius, and for O vi, photoionization becomes significant. When presenting observables, we work with column densities, but quantify their relation with equivalent widths by analysing virtual spectra. Virial-temperature collisional ionization equilibrium ion fractions are good predictors of column density trends with halo mass, but underestimate the diversity of ions in haloes. Halo gas dominates the highest column density absorption for X-ray lines, but lower density gas contributes to strong UV absorption lines from O vi and Ne viii. Of the O vii (O viii) absorbers detectable in an Athena X-IFU blind survey, we find that 41 (56) per cent arise from haloes with $\,{M}_{\rm {200c}}= 10^{12.0}{-}10^{13.5} \, \rm {M}_{\odot}$. We predict that the X-IFU will detect O vii (O viii) in 77 (46) per cent of the sightlines passing $\,{M}_{\star }= 10^{10.5}{-}10^{11.0} \, \rm {M}_{\odot}$ galaxies within $100 \, \rm {pkpc}$ (59 (82) per cent for $\,{M}_{\star }\gt 10^{11.0} \, \rm {M}_{\odot}$). Hence, the X-IFU will probe covering fractions comparable to those detected with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph for O vi.
CFHT MegaPrime/MegaCam u-band source catalogue of the AKARI North Ecliptic Pole Wide field
Authors: Huang Ting-Chi , Matsuhara Hideo , Goto Tomotsugu , Shim Hyunjin , Kim Seong Jin , Malkan Matthew A , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Hwang Ho Seong , Oi Nagisa , Toba Yoshiki , Lee Dongseob , Santos Daryl Joe D , Takagi Toshinobu
Published: August 2020

The $AKARI$ infrared (IR) space telescope conducted two surveys (Deep and Wide) in the North Ecliptic Pole (NEP) field to find more than 100 000 IR sources using its infrared camera (IRC). IRC’s nine filters, which cover wavebands from 2 to 24 μm continuously, make $AKARI$ unique in comparison with other IR observatories such as $Spitzer$ or $WISE$. However, studies of the $AKARI$ NEP-Wide field sources had been limited due to the lack of follow-up observations in the ultraviolet (UV) and optical. In this work, we present the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope MegaPrime/MegaCam u-band source catalogue of the $AKARI$ NEP-Wide field. The observations were taken in seven nights in 2015 and 2016, resulting in 82 observed frames covering 3.6 deg$^2$. The data reduction, image processing, and source extraction were performed in a standard procedure using the elixir pipeline and the astromatic software, and eventually 351 635 sources have been extracted. The data quality is discussed in two regions (shallow and deep) separately, due to the difference in the total integration time (4520 and 13 910 s). The 5$\sigma$ limiting magnitude, seeing full width at half-maximum, and the magnitude at 50 per cent completeness are 25.38 mag (25.79 mag in the deep region), 0.82 arcsec (0.94 arcsec), and 25.06 mag (25.45 mag), respectively. The u-band data provide us with critical improvements to photometric redshifts and UV estimates of the precious infrared sources from the $AKARI$ space telescope.
Constraining the depth of the winds on Uranus and Neptune via Ohmic dissipation
Authors: Soyuer Deniz , Soubiran François , Helled Ravit
Published: August 2020

Determining the depth of atmospheric winds in the outer planets of the Solar system is a key topic in planetary science. We provide constraints on these depths in Uranus and Neptune via the total induced Ohmic dissipation, due to the interaction of the zonal flows and the planetary magnetic fields. An upper bound can be placed on the induced dissipation via energy and entropy flux throughout the interior. The induced Ohmic dissipation is directly linked to the electrical conductivity profile of the materials involved in the flow. We present a method for calculating electrical conductivity profiles of ionically conducting hydrogen–helium–water mixtures under planetary conditions, using results from ab initio simulations. We apply this prescription on several ice giant interior structure models available in the literature, where all the heavy elements are represented by water. According to the energy (entropy) flux budget, the maximum penetration depth for Uranus lies above 0.93 RU (0.90 RU) and for Neptune above 0.95 RN (0.92 RN). These results for the penetration depths are upper bounds and are consistent with previous estimates based on the contribution of the zonal winds to the gravity field. As expected, interior structure models with higher water abundance in the outer regions also have a higher electrical conductivity and therefore reach the Ohmic limit at shallower regions. Thus, our study shows that the likelihood of deep-seated winds on Uranus and Neptune drops significantly with the presence of water in the outer layers.
Multi-epoch X-ray imaging of globular cluster M62 with Chandra
Authors: Oh Kwangmin , Hui C Y , Li K L , Kong A K H
Published: August 2020

Using archival spectral-imaging data with a total exposure of ∼144 ks obtained by Chandra, 43 X-ray sources are detected within the half-light radius of globular cluster M62 (NGC 6266). Based on the X-ray colour–luminosity diagram or the positional coincidences with known sources, we have classified these sources into different groups of compact binaries including cataclysmic variable (CV), quiescent low-mass X-ray binary (qLMXB), millisecond pulsar, and black hole (BH). Candidates of the X-ray counterparts of 12 CVs, 4 qLMXBs, 2 MSPs, and 1 BH are identified in our analysis. The data used in our analysis consist of two frames separated by 12 yr, which enable us to search for the long-term variability as well as the short-term X-ray flux variability within each observation window. Evidence for the short-term variability and long-term variability have been found in 7 and 12 sources, respectively. For a number of bright sources with X-ray luminosities Lx ≳ 1032 erg s−1, we have characterized their spectral properties in further details. By comparing the X-ray population in M62 with those in several other prototypical globular clusters, we found the proportion of bright sources is larger in M62 that can possibly be a result of their active dynamical formation processes.
The links between magnetic fields and filamentary clouds – III. Field-regulated mass cumulative functions
Authors: Law C -Y , Li H -B , Cao Zhuo , Ng C -Y
Published: August 2020

During the past decade, the dynamical importance of magnetic fields in molecular clouds has been increasingly recognized, as observational evidence has accumulated. However, how a magnetic field affects star formation is still unclear. Typical star formation models still treat a magnetic fields as an isotropic pressure, ignoring the fundamental property of dynamically important magnetic fields: their direction. This study builds on our previous work, which demonstrated how the mean magnetic field orientation relative to the global cloud elongation can affect cloud fragmentation. After the linear mass distribution reported earlier, we show here that the mass cumulative function (MCF) of a cloud is also regulated by the field orientation. A cloud elongated closer to the field direction tends to have a shallower MCF: in other words, a higher portion of the gas is at high density. The evidence is consistent with our understanding of the bimodal star formation efficiency discovered earlier, which is also correlated with the field orientation.
Monitoring polarization in comet 46P/Wirtanen
Authors: Zheltobryukhov Maxim , Zubko Evgenij , Chornaya Ekaterina , Luk'yanyk Igor , Ivanova Oleksandra V , Kochergin Anton , Kornienko Gennady , Mkrtichian David , Poshyachinda Saran , Molotov Igor E , Kim Sungsoo S , Videen Gorden
Published: August 2020

We measure the degree of linear polarization of comet 46P/Wirtanen during two months, embracing the perihelion passage in 2018 December with phase angles ranging from α = 18.1° to 46.4°. The polarimetric response PQ obtained resembles what was previously found in comet C/1975 V1 (West). This suggests 46P/Wirtanen belongs to a group of comets with high maximum positive polarization. In the first half of 2019 February, we conducted BVRI photometry of 46P/Wirtanen and found either neutral or blue colour of its dust, which is in good accordance with measurements of C/1975 V1 (West). While aperture-averaged polarimetry of 46P/Wirtanen reveals a nearly zero polarization PQ at the lowest phase angle α = 18.1°, simultaneous imaging polarimetry suggests that the negative polarization (PQ < 0) arises in a region of within 5000 km of the nucleus, where the negative polarization could be as strong as PQ = −(1.44 ± 0.15) per cent. This observation suggests the existence of the circumnucleus halo and that the coma is populated by at least two types of dust particles. One of those reveals a low positive polarization at side scattering and high negative polarization near backscattering. Both polarimetric features are simultaneously produced by weakly absorbing Mg-rich silicate particles. Another type of dust produces solely positive polarization that could be attributed to carbonaceous particles. This composition of 46P/Wirtanen coma appears to be similar with what was previously found in comet C/1975 V1 (West).
YdiV regulates Escherichia coli ferric uptake by manipulating the DNA-binding ability of Fur in a SlyD-dependent manner
Authors: Zhang Fengyu , Li Bingqing , Dong Hongjie , Chen Min , Yao Shun , Li Jingwen , Zhang Honghai , Liu Xiangguo , Wang Hongwei , Song Nannan , Zhang Kundi , Du Ning , Xu Sujuan , Gu Lichuan
Published: August 2020

Iron is essential for all bacteria. In most bacteria, intracellular iron homeostasis is tightly regulated by the ferric uptake regulator Fur. However, how Fur activates the iron-uptake system during iron deficiency is not fully elucidated. In this study, we found that YdiV, the flagella gene inhibitor, is involved in iron homeostasis in Escherichia coli. Iron deficiency triggers overexpression of YdiV. High levels of YdiV then transforms Fur into a novel form which does not bind DNA in a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase SlyD dependent manner. Thus, the cooperation of YdiV, SlyD and Fur activates the gene expression of iron-uptake systems under conditions of iron deficiency. Bacterial invasion assays also demonstrated that both ydiV and slyD are necessary for the survival and growth of uropathogenic E. coli in bladder epithelial cells. This reveals a mechanism where YdiV not only represses flagella expression to make E. coli invisible to the host immune system, but it also promotes iron acquisition to help E. coli overcome host nutritional immunity.
ART Adherence, Resistance, and Long-term HIV Viral Suppression in Postpartum Women
Authors: Redd Andrew D , Mukonda Elton , Hu Nai-Chung , Philips Tamsin K , Zerbe Allison , Lesosky Maia , Hsiao Nei-Yuan , Clarke William , Reynolds Steven J , Abrams Elaine J , Myer Landon
Published: August 2020

HIV+ South African women who achieved viral suppression during routine antenatal care, but later experienced a viremic episode (viral load >1000 copies/mL), were examined for presence of antiretrovirals and classified as “nonadherers” or “suboptimal adherers.” Women were tested for drug resistance mutations (DRMs) at several time points and underwent viral load testing 36–60 months postpartum. Suboptimal adherers were more likely to have DRM detected during their viremic episode (P = .03) and at a subsequent viremic time point (P = .05). There was no difference in levels of viral suppression 36–60 months later in women with DRM detected vs women who had no evidence of DRM (P = .5).
Conscience, Abortion and Jurisdiction
Authors: McGuinness Sheelagh , Thomson Michael
Published: August 2020

Conscientious objection has achieved a particular place in contemporary law and culture. Lawyers, political theorists, ethicists, health professionals and others have debated how we best negotiate the tensions that can exist between professional obligations and private beliefs. Conscientious objection to abortion care has been a particular focus of these discussions. In this article, we draw on theoretical work on ‘jurisdiction’ to provide an account of what is embedded in claims to conscience and what the effects of such claims are. We focus specifically on refusals of abortion care enabled by section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967. We argue that legitimating narratives on conscience seek to achieve seemingly contradictory goals: entrenching abortion as morally ambiguous while securing it as part of medicine’s monopolistic practice. While section 4 provides the focus, our concerns extend to the wider landscape and impact of claims to conscience. Through our jurisdictional analysis, we seek to better understand such claims and dramatically reorient thinking by grounding the conscience clause squarely in the politics of ‘task areas’, professional domains, market control and claims of epistemological authority.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Multimodal Chronic Pain Care for Veterans: A National Qualitative Study
Authors: Leonard Chelsea , Ayele Roman , Ladebue Amy , McCreight Marina , Nolan Charlotte , Sandbrink Friedhelm , Frank Joseph W
Published: August 2020

Objective

Chronic pain is more common among veterans than among the general population. Expert guidelines recommend multimodal chronic pain care. However, there is substantial variation in the availability and utilization of treatment modalities in the Veterans Health Administration. We explored health care providers’ and administrators’ perspectives on the barriers to and facilitators of multimodal chronic pain care in the Veterans Health Administration to understand variation in the use of multimodal pain treatment modalities.

Methods

 We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with health care providers and administrators at a national sample of Veterans Health Administration facilities that were classified as either early or late adopters of multimodal chronic pain care according to their utilization of nine pain-related treatments. Interviews were conducted by telephone, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed through the use of team-based inductive and deductive content analysis.

Results

 We interviewed 49 participants from 25 facilities from April through September of 2017. We identified three themes. First, the Veterans Health Administration’s integrated health care system is both an asset and a challenge for multimodal chronic pain care. Second, participants discussed a temporal shift from managing chronic pain with opioids to multimodal treatment. Third, primary care teams face competing pressures from expert guidelines, facility leadership, and patients. Early- and late-adopting sites differed in perceived resource availability.

Conclusions

Health care providers often perceive inadequate support and resources to provide multimodal chronic pain management. Efforts to improve chronic pain management should address both organizational and patient-level challenges, including primary care provider panel sizes, accessibility of training for primary care teams, leadership support for multimodal pain care, and availability of multidisciplinary pain management resources.
Traditional Chinese medicine use may reduce medical utility in patients with asthma: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liao P F , Wang Y T , Wang Y H , Chiou J Y , Wei J C C
Published: August 2020

Background

Many patients with atopic diseases, including asthma, have sought complementary and alternative medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments. But, limited clinical studies have yet examined TCM effects on medical utility in asthma patients.

Aim

To assess the medical utility of TCM in patients with asthma.

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

Methods

We performed a 13-year population-based retrospective cohort study. A total of 5235 asthma patients who were TCM users and 5235 propensity-score matched asthma patients who never used TCM were sampled from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2012. We compared these two groups of patients to calculate their medical utility, including numbers of emergency visits and hospitalizations until 2013. Univariate analyses were performed using Chi-square tests for dichotomous variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to investigate the medical utility of asthma after TCM use.

Results

Compared with non-TCM patients, TCM patients had a significantly decreased medical utility of asthma admission [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46–0.85; P < 0.05], especially in patients who used TCM for >60 days. Asthma medical utility in asthma emergencies was significantly higher for male than for female patients (adjusted OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.08–1.96). The most frequently used TCMs for asthma control or cough treatment were antitussive agents.

Conclusion

This population-based retrospective cohort study showed a significantly decreased medical utility of emergency visits and admissions in TCM patients, especially using TCM for >60 days.
Genome Resource for Peanut Web Blotch Causal AgentPeyronellaea arachidicolaStrain YY187
Authors: Li Shaojian , Xue Xia , Gao Meng , Wang Na , Cui Xiaowei , Sang Suling , Fan Wanwan , Wang Zhenyu
Published: August 2020

Peyronellaea arachidicola is the causal agent of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) web blotch. Here, we report an assembled draft genome sequence of P. arachidicola strain YY187 obtained from the symptomatic leaf of peanut in China. The genome size is 47.3 Mb, consisting of 26 contigs (N50= 2.2 Mb) with G+C content of 56.37%. This genome will provide a valuable foundation for further research on genetics and comparative genomics of P. arachidicola.
Evolution of Disease Severity and Susceptibility in the Asteraceae to the Powdery Mildew Golovinomyces latisporus: Major Phylogenetic Structure Coupled With Highly Variable Disease Severity at Fine Scales
Authors: Bradshaw Michael , Goolsby Eric , Mason Chase , Tobin Patrick C.
Published: August 2020

Pathogen host range and pathogen severity are dependent on interactions with their hosts and are hypothesized to have evolved as products of a coevolutionary arms race. An understanding of the factors that affect host range and pathogen severity is especially crucial in introduced pathogens that infect evolutionarily naïve hosts and cause substantial damage to ecosystems. Powdery mildews are detrimental pathogens found worldwide in managed and natural systems. Golovinomyces latisporus is a powdery mildew species that is especially damaging to plants within Asteraceae and to plants within the genus Helianthus in particular. In this study, we evaluated 126 species within Asteraceae to measure the role of host plant morphophysiological traits and evolutionary history on susceptibility to G. latisporus and disease severity. We observed phylogenetic signal in both susceptibility and severity within and among major clades of the Asteraceae. In general, there was a major phylogenetic structure of host severity to G. latisporus; however, there was some fine-scale phylogenetic variability. Phylogenetic statistical methods showed that chlorophyll content, biomass, stomatal index, and trichome density were not associated with disease severity, thus providing evidence that phylogenetic structure, rather than observed plant morphophysiological traits, is the most reliable predictor of pathogen severity. This work sheds light on the role that evolutionary history plays in plant susceptibility and severity to disease and underscores the relative unimportance of commonly assessed host plant traits in powdery mildew severity.
Systematic Approach to the Radiographic Interpretation of the Ankle and Foot Using a Checklist Approach to Avoid Common Diagnostic Errors
Authors: Weierich Kendall , Minor Matthew , Bui-Mansfield Liem T.
Published: August 2020

Traumatic foot and ankle injuries are common; therefore, radiologists need to be proficient in the interpretation of ankle and foot radiographs. The recognition of common injury patterns through the use of a checklist approach has the potential to improve a radiologist's diagnostic accuracy. The objective of this pictorial essay is to present a simple but thorough checklist for accurate radiographic evaluation of the ankle and foot and review some common injury patterns of the ankle and foot.
Postoperative delirium: why, what, and how to confront it at your institution
Authors: Curtis Michael S. , Forman Nell A. , Donovan Anne L. , Whitlock Elizabeth L.
Published: August 2020

Purpose of review

The current article reviews the importance of postoperative delirium (POD), focusing on the older surgical population, and summarizes the best-practice guidelines about POD prevention and treatment which have been published within the last several years. We also describe our local experience with implementing a perioperative delirium risk stratification and prevention pathway, and review implementation science principles which others may find useful as they move toward risk stratification and prevention in their own institutions.

Recent findings

There are few areas of consensus, backed by strong experimental data, in POD best-practice guidelines. Most guidelines recommend preoperative cognitive screening, nonpharmacologic delirium prevention measures, and avoidance of deliriogenic medications. The field of implementation science offers strategies for closing the evidence-practice gap, which we supplement with lessons learned from our own experience implementing a perioperative delirium risk stratification and prevention pathway.

POD continues to be a serious perioperative complication commonly experienced by older adults. Growing appreciation of its prognostic implications and evidence behind multidisciplinary, collaborative, and focused prevention strategies rooted in implementation science have prompted several major groups to issue consensus guidelines. Adopting best practices POD risk stratification and prevention pathways will improve perioperative care for older adults.
Delays in Obtaining Knee MRI in Pediatric Sports Medicine: Impact of Insurance Type
Authors: Beck Jennifer J. , West Nicole , Shaw Kylie G. , Jackson Nicholas , Bowen Richard E.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Increased enrollment in government-based insurance plans has been reported. With youth sports injuries on the rise, increased ordering of advanced imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has occurred. This study sought to report on the impact of insurance type on access to and results of knee MRI in pediatric sports medicine patients.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 178 consecutive pediatric sports medicine clinics was completed. Inclusion criteria: patients younger than 18 years, routine knee MRI ordered, sports medicine diagnosis, and insurance. Data included basic demographics, injury date, date and location (urgent care vs. clinic) of the first presentation, details of MRI ordering and approval, date and location of MRI follow-up, MRI results (negative, minor findings, major findings), and eventual treatment required.

Results:

A total of 168 charts underwent a complete review. The patients’ average age was 14±3 years and 54% (N=90) were female. Ninety-eight had government insurance and 70 had commercial insurance. The time between injury and MRI completion was significantly longer with government insurance (34 vs. 67 d, P<0.01). Government insurance had increased wait time between the first visit and MRI completion (11 vs. 40 d, P<0.001) as well as MRI order and completion (9 vs. 16.5 d, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in positive findings on MRI between insurance groups, including both major and minor findings nor in the proportion receiving eventual operative treatment.

Conclusion:

Pediatric sports medicine patients with government insurance have delays in obtaining knee MRI, despite there being no difference in the rate of positive findings and subsequent operative treatments.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—case-control study.
Scanning Electron Microscopic Observation of Myodural Bridge in the Human Suboccipital Region
Authors: Jiang Wen-Bin , Zhang Zhi-Hong , Yu Sheng-Bo , Sun Jing-Xian , Ding Shuai-Wen , Ma Guo-Jun , Zheng Nan , Sui Hong-Jin
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

A scanning electron microscopic study performed on three cadaveric specimens focused on the human suboccipital region, specifically, myodural bridge (MDB).

Objective.

This study showed the connection form of the MDB among the suboccipital muscles, the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) and the spinal dura mater (SDM), and provided an ultrastructural morphological basis for the functional studies of the MDB.

Summary of Background Data.

Since the myodural bridge was first discovered by Hack, researches on its morphology and functions had been progressing continuously. However, at present, research results about MDB were still limited to the gross anatomical and histological level. There was no research report showing the MDB's ultrastructural morphology and its ultrastructural connection forms between PAOM and SDM.

Methods.

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the connection of myodural bridge fibers with PAOM and SDM in atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial interspaces, and the connection forms were analyzed.

Results.

Under the SEM, it was observed that there were clear direct connections between the suboccipital muscles and the PAOM and SDM in the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial spaces. These connections were myodural bridge. The fibers of the myodural bridge merged into the spinal dura mater and gradually became a superficial layer of the spinal dura mater.

Conclusion.

MDB fibers merged into the SDM and became part of the SDM in the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial space. MDB could transfer tension and pulling force to the SDM effectively, during the contraction or relaxation of the suboccipital muscles.

Level of Evidence: N/A