bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the priority criteria and ranking of provincial bridge maintenance in West Sumatra using a combination of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and VIKOR-Modification methods
Authors: Yossyafra  , Angelia N , Yosritzal  , Meyadtri  , Mazni D I
Published: September 2019

There are many bridges that need to be maintained in a provincial road network, with limited funds for bridge maintenance, many bridge criteria (average daily traffic, economic benefits, fund budget, technical conditions, bridge hierarchy, spatial planning, flood potential, type of damage, erosion potential, age and surface concrete, etc.), and various levels of conditions, are a number of criteria that are taken into account in the decision making by the government as an institution responsible for the functioning of roads and bridges. The selection of bridge maintenance priorities in West Sumatra Province was decided through a coordination meeting between agencies, and sometimes relatively without going through sufficient technical analysis. This research initiated, the selected criteria to be taken into consideration, the order of the important criteria in the selected network segment. This study involved a number of road and bridge maintenance experts at the Ministry of Public Works, Road and Bridge Research and Development Institutions, as well as the Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning of West Sumatra Province. A combination of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (to determine weighted criteria) and VIKOR-Modification methods (to determine the order of choice of bridges to be handled) are selected. There are eight criteria that can be used in determining the priority of bridge maintenance, and the priority sequence of the most important are: bridge technical conditions, aging of the bridge, average daily traffic, economic benefits, road function, budget, disaster risk (Flood, Landslides, Tsunamis) and Spatial Plans.
Analysis of water balance on Lake Maninjau, West Sumatera
Authors: Sunaryo  , Nola Y D , Istijono B , Junaidi
Published: September 2019

Lake Maninjau is located in Tanjung Raya sub-district, Agam Regency, West Sumatra Province. Geographically, it’s located at 100 ° 32’46.33 “and 0 ° 50’84.2”. The research was to analyze the water balance of Lake Maninjau in accordance with the rainfall data. The data used in this study was a land use map in order to determine the progress of its land cover, rainfall data, and outlet data of Lake Maninjau. The rainfall value was the value of the debit calculation input using FJ Mock, and ETo from the calculation of annual air temperature climatology data. Outflow data was obtained from a summary of the measurements of Lake Maninjau hydropower from the year of 2007 to 2017. From the analysis of water availability of Lake Maninjau, an analysis of water needs and its availability was considered sufficient to meet the water needs around the lake. It was occured when the average lake water inflow was 174,935 m3/sec per year with 5,593 m3/sec per year on the need for (outflow) lake water, and the difference between the two was 169,342 m3/sec per year according to data from 2007 to 2017. Therefore, the capacity of Lake Maninjau’s water is still requisite in number.
Seismic retrofitting analysis using concrete jacketing and shear wall on dental hospital building of Andalas University
Authors: Fauzan  , Ismail F A , Jauhari Z A
Published: September 2019

Due to some damage to the structural elements of Andalas University Dental Hospital building, an evaluation of the building structure was carried out. Based on the structural evaluation using Indonesian standard code, SNI 03-1726-2012, it was found that the building is not strong enough to resist the combination loads acting on the structure, especially seismic load. Therefore, the structure should be seismically improved. In this study, there are two retrofitting methods are proposed and analysed: adding concrete jacketing and shear wall. The concrete jacketing method was conducted by enlarging the cross-sectional dimensions and adding reinforcement bar to the structural elements (beam and column) that are unable to resist the working loads. By using the concrete jacketing method, there are many structural components must be strengthened. Therefore, another retrofitting method is proposed, by adding the concrete shear wall. Shear wall is specially designed structural walls include in the buildings to resist the horizontal forces that induced in the plane of the wall due to earthquake forces. From the analysis, it is concluded that the two retrofitting methods are effective enough to reduce the internal forces and displacement of the building. Considering the more effective and efficient work, retrofitting method using shear wall was recommended for strengthening the Dental Hospital building.
Invited Commentary: What Social Epidemiology Brings to the Table—Reconciling Social Epidemiology and Causal Inference
Authors: Robinson Whitney R , Bailey Zinzi D
Published: September 2019

In response to the Galea and Hernán article, “Win-Win: Reconciling Social Epidemiology and Causal Inference” (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(XX):XXXX–XXXX), we offer a definition of social epidemiology. We then argue that methodological challenges most salient to social epidemiology have not been adequately addressed in quantitative causal inference, that identifying causes is a worthy scientific goal, and that quantitative causal inference can learn from social epidemiology’s methodological innovations. Finally, we make 3 recommendations for quantitative causal inference.
Choosing Axioms of Correlativity
Authors: Halpin Andrew
Published: September 2019

This article explores an axiomatic approach to distinguishing different usages of correlativity and investigates Hurd and Moore’s disagreement with Hohfeldian correlativity, in terms of a choice of axioms. Detailed critical consideration is provided of three negative steps, ascribing theoretical positions to Hohfeld that Hurd and Moore wish to amend or depart from; and three positive steps taken towards vindicating their stated objectives of avoiding moral combat and providing recognition to active rights. The conclusion is reached that the actual state of any normative system, moral or legal, can best be captured by the finer-grained analysis of correlativity found within Hohfeld’s scheme of analysis. Supplementary discussion is provided on the role of Hurd’s “Correspondence Thesis” within a correlativity axiom for permission (liberty/privilege); the relationship between the correspondence thesis and a set of compossible rights; the compatibility between a logic of correlativity and deontic logic; and, the relationship between moral and legal normative systems, or, our perceptions of them.
Females prefer the calls of better fathers in a Neotropical frog with biparental care
Authors: Pettitt Beth A , Bourne Godfrey R , Bee Mark A
Published: September 2019

Male secondary sexual traits potentially function as indicators of direct or indirect fitness benefits to females. Direct benefits, such as paternal care, may be especially important to females in species with biparental care. In an experimental field study of the golden rocket frog (Anomaloglossus beebei), a Neotropical species with biparental care, we tested predictions from four hypotheses proposed to explain the evolutionary relationship between male secondary sexual traits and paternal care quality (the “good parent,” “differential allocation,” “trade-off,” and “essential male care” hypotheses). We examined: 1) the influence of paternal care on offspring survival, 2) the relationships between male calls and paternal care, maternal care, and opportunities for males to acquire multiple mates, and 3) female preferences for three acoustic properties of male advertisement calls. Our results reveal that paternal care positively impacts offspring survival, that males producing longer calls also provide higher-quality paternal care in the form of greater egg attendance and territory defense, and that females prefer longer calls. Females did not discriminate among potential mates based on differences in dominant frequency or call rate. These findings, which suggest male advertisement calls are indicators of potential direct benefits to females in the form of paternal care, are consistent with the good parent hypothesis and inconsistent with the trade-off, differential allocation, and essential male care hypotheses.
Analysis of grouped data using conjugate generalized linear mixed models
Authors: Lee Jarod Y L , Green Peter J , Ryan Louise M
Published: September 2019

This article concerns a class of generalized linear mixed models for two-level grouped data, where the random effects are uniquely indexed by groups and are independent. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the marginal likelihood to be expressed in explicit form. These models are unified under the conjugate generalized linear mixed models framework, where conjugate refers to the fact that the marginal likelihood can be expressed in closed form, rather than implying inference via the Bayesian paradigm. The proposed framework allows simultaneous conjugacy for Gaussian, Poisson and gamma responses, and thus can accommodate both unit- and group-level covariates. Only group-level covariates can be incorporated for the binomial distribution. In a simulation of Poisson data, our framework outperformed its competitors in terms of computational time, and was competitive in terms of robustness against misspecification of the random effects distributions.
Polygenic burden in focal and generalized epilepsies
Authors: Leu Costin , Stevelink Remi , Smith Alexander W , Goleva Slavina B , Kanai Masahiro , Ferguson Lisa , Campbell Ciaran , Kamatani Yoichiro , Okada Yukinori , Sisodiya Sanjay M , Cavalleri Gianpiero L , Koeleman Bobby P C , Lerche Holger , Jehi Lara , Davis Lea K , Najm Imad M , Palotie Aarno , Daly Mark J , Busch Robyn M ,   Epi25 Consortium, Lal Dennis
Published: September 2019

Rare genetic variants can cause epilepsy, and genetic testing has been widely adopted for severe, paediatric-onset epilepsies. The phenotypic consequences of common genetic risk burden for epilepsies and their potential future clinical applications have not yet been determined. Using polygenic risk scores (PRS) from a European-ancestry genome-wide association study in generalized and focal epilepsy, we quantified common genetic burden in patients with generalized epilepsy (GE-PRS) or focal epilepsy (FE-PRS) from two independent non-Finnish European cohorts (Epi25 Consortium, n = 5705; Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center, n = 620; both compared to 20 435 controls). One Finnish-ancestry population isolate (Finnish-ancestry Epi25, n = 449; compared to 1559 controls), two European-ancestry biobanks (UK Biobank, n = 383 656; Vanderbilt biorepository, n = 49 494), and one Japanese-ancestry biobank (BioBank Japan, n = 168 680) were used for additional replications. Across 8386 patients with epilepsy and 622 212 population controls, we found and replicated significantly higher GE-PRS in patients with generalized epilepsy of European-ancestry compared to patients with focal epilepsy (Epi25: P = 1.64×10−15; Cleveland: P = 2.85×10−4; Finnish-ancestry Epi25: P = 1.80×10−4) or population controls (Epi25: P = 2.35×10−70; Cleveland: P = 1.43×10−7; Finnish-ancestry Epi25: P = 3.11×10−4; UK Biobank and Vanderbilt biorepository meta-analysis: P = 7.99×10−4). FE-PRS were significantly higher in patients with focal epilepsy compared to controls in the non-Finnish, non-biobank cohorts (Epi25: P = 5.74×10−19; Cleveland: P = 1.69×10−6). European ancestry-derived PRS did not predict generalized epilepsy or focal epilepsy in Japanese-ancestry individuals. Finally, we observed a significant 4.6-fold and a 4.5-fold enrichment of patients with generalized epilepsy compared to controls in the top 0.5% highest GE-PRS of the two non-Finnish European cohorts (Epi25: P = 2.60×10−15; Cleveland: P = 1.39×10−2). We conclude that common variant risk associated with epilepsy is significantly enriched in multiple cohorts of patients with epilepsy compared to controls—in particular for generalized epilepsy. As sample sizes and PRS accuracy continue to increase with further common variant discovery, PRS could complement established clinical biomarkers and augment genetic testing for patient classification, comorbidity research, and potentially targeted treatment.
Lower nucleus accumbens α-synuclein load and D3 receptor levels in Parkinson's disease with impulsive compulsive behaviours
Authors: Barbosa Pedro , Hapuarachchi Bimali , Djamshidian Atbin , Strand Kate , Lees Andrew J , de Silva Rohan , Holton Janice L , Warner Thomas T
Published: September 2019

Impulsive compulsive behaviours (ICBs) are common in Parkinson’s disease. In a post-mortem study, Barbosa et al. show that Parkinson’s disease patients with ICBs have lower alpha-synuclein load and dopamine D3 receptor levels in the nucleus accumbens. Excessive dopaminergic stimulation and relative preservation of the ventral striatum may contribute to ICBs.
Protective Immunity and New Vaccines for Lyme Disease
Authors: Gomes-Solecki Maria , Arnaboldi Paul M , Backenson P Bryon , Benach Jorge L , Cooper Christopher L , Dattwyler Raymond J , Diuk-Wasser Maria , Fikrig Erol , Hovius J W , Laegreid Will , Lundberg Urban , Marconi Richard T , Marques Adriana R , Molloy Philip , Narasimhan Sukanya , Pal Utpal , Pedra Joao H F , Plotkin Stanley , Rock Daniel L , Rosa Patricia , Telford Sam R , Tsao Jean , Yang X Frank , Schutzer Steven E
Published: September 2019

Lyme disease, caused by some Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is the most common tick-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere and the number of cases, and geographic spread, continue to grow. Previously identified B. burgdorferi proteins, lipid immunogens, and live mutants lead the design of canonical vaccines aimed at disrupting infection in the host. Discovery of the mechanism of action of the first vaccine catalyzed the development of new strategies to control Lyme disease that bypassed direct vaccination of the human host. Thus, novel prevention concepts center on proteins produced by B. burgdorferi during tick transit and on tick proteins that mediate feeding and pathogen transmission. A burgeoning area of research is tick immunity as it can unlock mechanistic pathways that could be targeted for disruption. Studies that shed light on the mammalian immune pathways engaged during tick-transmitted B. burgdorferi infection would further development of vaccination strategies against Lyme disease.
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Uptake and Discontinuation Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in Atlanta, Georgia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Serota David P , Rosenberg Eli S , Sullivan Patrick S , Thorne Annie L , Rolle Charlotte-Paige M , Del Rio Carlos , Cutro Scott , Luisi Nicole , Siegler Aaron J , Sanchez Travis H , Kelley Colleen F
Published: September 2019

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has great potential to reduce HIV incidence among young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM); however, initiation and persistence for this group remain low. We sought to understand the patterns and predictors of PrEP uptake and discontinuation among YBMSM in Atlanta, Georgia.

Methods

PrEP was offered to all participants in a prospective cohort of YBMSM aged 18–29 years not living with HIV. Time to PrEP uptake, first discontinuation, and final discontinuation were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify predictors of uptake and discontinuation.

Results

After 440 person-years of follow-up, 44% of YBMSM initiated PrEP through the study after a median of 122 days. Of PrEP initiators, 69% had a first discontinuation and 40% had a final discontinuation during the study period. The median time to first PrEP discontinuation was 159 days. Factors associated with PrEP uptake included higher self-efficacy, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and condomless anal intercourse. Factors associated with discontinuation included younger age, cannabis use, STI, and fewer sex partners. HIV incidence was 5.23/100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.40–7.23), with a lower rate among those who started PrEP (incidence rate ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, .16–.92).

Conclusions

Persistent PrEP coverage in this cohort of YBMSM was suboptimal, and discontinuations were common despite additional support services available through the study. Interventions to support PrEP uptake and persistence, especially for younger and substance-using YBMSM, are necessary to achieve full PrEP effectiveness.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02503618.
Validation of the San Diego Early Test Score for Early Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Amsterdam Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Dijkstra Maartje , Lin Timothy C , de Bree Godelieve J , Hoenigl Martin , Schim van der Loeff Maarten F
Published: September 2019

The San Diego Early Test score is a simple risk-assessment tool for acute, and early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Validation in a prospective cohort of Amsterdam men who have sex with men showed fair prediction of HIV seroconversion (AUC, 0.701). This score can help prioritize and target HIV-prevention strategies.
No evidence for a genetic association between female mating preference and male secondary sexual trait in a Lake Victoria cichlid fish
Authors: van der Sluijs Inke , Seehausen Ole , Dooren Tom J. M.Van , Alphen Jacques J. M. van
Published: September 2019

Sexual selection by female mating preference for male nuptial coloration has been suggested as a driving force in the rapid speciation of Lake Victoria cichlid fish. This process could have been facilitated or accelerated by genetic associations between female preference loci and male coloration loci. Preferences, as well as coloration, are heritable traits and are probably determined by more than one gene. However, little is known about potential genetic associations between these traits. In turbid water, we found a population that is variable in male nuptial coloration from blue to yellow to red. Males at the extreme ends of the phenotype distribution resemble a reproductively isolated species pair in clear water that has diverged into one species with blue-grey males and one species with bright red males. Females of the turbid water population vary in mating preference coinciding with the male phenotype distribution. For the current study, these females were mated to blue males. We measured the coloration of the sires and male offspring. Parents-offspring regression showed that the sires did not affect male offspring coloration, which confirms earlier findings that the blue species breeds true. In contrast, male offspring coloration was determined by the identity of the dams, which suggests that there is heritable variation in male color genes between females. However, we found that mating preferences of the dams were not correlated with male offspring coloration. Thus, there is no evidence for strong genetic linkage between mating preference and the preferred trait in this population.
The Combined Effect of Elevated O3 Levels and TYLCV Infection Increases the Fitness of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean on Tomato Plants
Authors: Cui Hongying , Sun Yucheng , Zhao Zihua , Zhang Youjun
Published: September 2019

Global change and biotic stress, such as tropospheric contamination and virus infection, can individually modify the quality of host plants, thereby altering the palatability of the plant for herbivorous insects. The bottom-up effects of elevated O3 and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) infection on tomato plants and the associated performance of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) were determined in open-top chambers. Elevated O3 decreased eight amino acid levels and increased the salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) content and the gene expression of pathogenesis-related protein (PR1) and proteinase inhibitor (PI1) in both wild-type (CM) and JA defense-deficient tomato genotype (spr2). TYLCV infection and the combination of elevated O3 and TYLCV infection increased eight amino acids levels, SA content and PR1 expression, and decreased JA content and PI1 expression in both tomato genotypes. In uninfected tomato, elevated O3 increased developmental time and decreased fecundity by 6.1 and 18.8% in the CM, respectively, and by 6.8 and 18.9% in the spr2, respectively. In TYLCV-infected tomato, elevated O3 decreased developmental time and increased fecundity by 4.6 and 14.2%, respectively, in the CM and by 4.3 and 16.8%, respectively, in the spr2. These results showed that the interactive effects of elevated O3 and TYLCV infection partially increased the amino acid content and weakened the JA-dependent defense, resulting in increased population fitness of MED on tomato plants. This study suggests that whiteflies would be more successful at TYLCV-infected plants than at uninfected plants in elevated O3 levels.
The decline in physical activity in aging people is not modified by gender or the presence of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Achttien Retze J , van Lieshout Jan , Wensing Michel , Nijhuis-van der Sanden Maria , Staal J Bart
Published: September 2019

Background

A physically active lifestyle decreases the progression of atherosclerosis and consequently reduces cardiovascular mortality. However, activity levels are hampered by aging. The association between aging and physical inactivity might be gender-specific or be modified by the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we investigated if the association between aging and physical inactivity was different between men and women and between primary and secondary prevention patients.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of three primary care samples including primary and/or secondary prevention patients (total n = 4726). Baseline data for sample 1 were collected in the years 2013–14, for sample 2 in 2009–10 and for sample 3 in 2009. Activity levels were measured by the patient reported Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire. A multilevel regression analysis was used to explore the association between aging and physical inactivity, adjusted for confounders. We examined potential effect modification by gender and the presence of CVD on the association between aging and physical inactivity.

Results

Multilevel regression revealed that aging was consistently associated with physical inactivity in three out of three samples. This association was, however, not modified by gender or the presence of CVD.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk management interventions should aim at increasing or maintaining physical activity levels in aging primary care population. This study does not support the notion that extra emphasis should be put in targeting men or women, or people with or without the presence of CVD.
Crustal anisotropy from shear-wave splitting of local earthquakes in the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya
Authors: Kanaujia Jyotima , Mitra Supriyo , Gupta S C , Sharma M L
Published: September 2019

Crustal anisotropy of the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya has been studied using local earthquake data from the Tehri seismic network. Earthquakes with magnitude (mL) up to 3, which occurred between January 2008 to December 2010, have been used for the shear wave splitting (SWS) analysis. SWS measurements have been done for steeply incident ray paths (ic ≤ 45°) to estimate the anisotropy fast axis orientation (ϕ) and the delay time (∂t). A total of 241 waveforms have been analysed, which yielded 209 splitting measurements, and 32 null results. The analysis reveals spatial and depth variation of ϕ and ∂t, suggesting complex anisotropic structure beneath the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya. The mean ∂t is estimated to be 0.07 ± 0.065 s with a mean depth normalized ∂t of 0.005 s km–1. We present the ϕ and Vs per cent anisotropy results by segregating these as a function of depth, for earthquakes originating above and below the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT); and spatially, for stations located in the Outer Lesser Himalaya (OLH) and the Inner Lesser Himalaya (ILH). Earthquakes above the MHT sample only the Himalayan wedge, while those below the MHT sample both the underthrust Indian crust and the Himalayan wedge. Within the Himalayan wedge, for both OLH and ILH, the mean ϕ is oriented NE–SW, in the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress axis (SHmax). This anisotropy is possibly due to stress-aligned microcracks controlled by the local stress pattern within the Himalayan wedge. The mean of normalized ∂t for all events originating within the Himalaya is 0.006 s km–1, which yields a Vs per cent anisotropy of ∼2.28 per cent. Assuming a homogeneous distribution of stress-aligned microcracks we compute a crack density of ∼0.0228 for the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya. At stations close to the regional fault systems, the mean ϕ is subparallel to the strike of the faults, and the anisotropy, locally, appears to be structure-related. For earthquakes originating below the MHT, in OLH, the mean ϕ orientation matches those from the Himalayan wedge and the normalized ∂t decreases with depth. This suggests depth localization of the anisotropy, primarily present within the Himalayan wedge. In the ILH, we observe large variations in the mean ϕ orientation and larger values of ∂t close to the regional fault/thrust systems. This is possibly a composite effect of the structure-related shallow crustal anisotropy and the frozen anisotropy of the underthrusting Indian crust. However, these cannot be segregated in this study.
Can institutional entrepreneurship strengthen clinical governance and quality improvement: a case study of a district-based clinical specialist team in South Africa
Authors: Oboirien Kafayat , Goudge Jane , Harris Bronwyn , Eyles John
Published: September 2019

We present an interpretive qualitative account of micro-level activities and processes of clinical governance by recently introduced district-based clinical specialist teams (DCSTs) in South Africa. We do this to explore whether and how they are functioning as institutional entrepreneurs (IE) at the local service delivery level. In one health district, between 2013 and 2015, we carried out 59 in-depth interviews with district, sub-district and facility managers, nurses, DCST members and external actors. We also ran one focus group discussion with the DCST and analysed key policies, activities and perceptions of the innovation using an institutional entrepreneurship conceptual lens. Findings show that the DCST is located in a constrained context. Yet, by revealing and bridging gaps in the health system, team members have been able to take on certain IE characteristics, functioning—more or less—as announcers of reforms, articulating a strategic vision and direction for the system, advocating for change, mobilizing resources. In addition, they have helped to reorganize services and shape care practices by re-framing issues and exerting power to influence organizational change. The DCST innovation provides an opportunity to promote institutional entrepreneurship in our context because it influences change and is applicable to other health systems. Yet there are nuanced differences between individual members and the team, and these need better understanding to maximize this contribution to change in this context and other health systems.
‘Blood pressure can kill you tomorrow, but HIV gives you time’: illness perceptions and treatment experiences among Malawian individuals living with HIV and hypertension
Authors: Hing Matthew , Hoffman Risa M , Seleman Juliet , Chibwana Florence , Kahn Daniel , Moucheraud Corrina
Published: September 2019

Non-communicable diseases like hypertension are increasingly common among individuals living with HIV in low-resource settings. The prevalence of hypertension among people with HIV in Malawi, e.g. has been estimated to be as high as 46%. However, few qualitative studies have explored the patient experience with comorbid chronic disease. Our study aimed to address this gap by using the health belief model (HBM) to examine how comparative perceptions of illness and treatment among participants with both HIV and hypertension may affect medication adherence behaviours. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 75 adults with HIV and hypertension at an urban clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Questions addressed participants’ experiences with antiretroviral and antihypertensive medications, as well as their perspectives on HIV and hypertension as illnesses. Interviews were performed in Chichewa, transcribed, translated into English and analysed using ATLAS.ti. Deductive codes were drawn from the HBM and interview guide, with inductive codes added as they emerged from the data. Self-reported medication adherence was much poorer for hypertension than HIV, but participants saw hypertension as a disease at least as concerning as HIV—primarily due to the perceived severity of hypertension’s consequences and participants’ limited ability to anticipate them compared with HIV. Differences in medication adherence were attributed to the high costs of antihypertensive medications relative to the free availability of antiretroviral therapy, with other factors like lifestyle changes and self-efficacy also influencing adherence practices. These findings demonstrate how participants draw on past experiences with HIV to make sense of hypertension in the present, and suggest that although patients are motivated to control their hypertension, they face individual- and system-level obstacles in adhering to treatment. Thus, health policies and systems seeking to provide integrated care for HIV and hypertension should be attentive to the complex illness experiences of individuals living with these diseases.
Methodological gaps and opportunities for studying multisectoral collaboration for health in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Glandon Douglas , Mondal Shinjini , Okeyo Ida , Zaidi Shehla , Khan Mishal S , Dar Osman , Bennett Sara
Published: September 2019

The current body of research into multisectoral collaborations (MSCs) for health raises more questions than it answers, both in terms of how to implement MSCs and how to study them. This article reflects on current methodological gaps and opportunities for advancing MSC research, based on a targeted review of existing literature and qualitative input from researchers and practitioners at the 2018 Health Systems Research (HSR) Symposium in Liverpool. Through framework analysis of 205 MSC research papers referenced in a separately published MSC ‘overview of reviews’ paper, this article identifies six broad MSC question domains (‘meta questions’) and applies content analysis to estimate the relative frequency with which these meta questions and the research method(s) used to answer them are present in the literature. Results highlight a preponderance of research exploring MSC implementation using case study methods, which, in aggregate, does not seem to adequately meet policymakers’ and practitioners’ needs for generalizable or transferable insights. The content analysis is complemented by qualitative insights from HSR Symposium participants and the authors’ own experience to identify six key methodological gaps in research on MSC for health. For each of these gaps, we propose areas in which we believe there are opportunities for methodological development and innovation to help advance this field of study, including: better understanding the role of power dynamics in shaping MSCs; development of a classification framework (or frameworks) of governance arrangements; exploring divergence of perspective and experience among MSC partners; identifying or generating theoretical frameworks for MSC that work across sectors and disciplines; developing intermediate indicators of collaboration; and increasing transferability of insights to other contexts. Collaboration with researchers outside of the health sector will enhance efforts in each of these areas, as will the establishment and strengthening of pluralistic MSC evidence networks also involving policymakers and practitioners.
Identification of genes involved in glaucoma pathogenesis using combined network analysis and empirical studies
Authors: Moazzeni Hamidreza , Mirrahimi Mehraban , Moghadam Abolfazl , Banaei-Esfahani Amir , Yazdani Shahin , Elahi Elahe
Published: September 2019

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. We aimed in this study to identify genes that may make subtle and cumulative contributions to glaucoma pathogenesis. To this end, we identified molecular interactions and pathways that include transcription factors (TFs) FOXC1, PITX2, PAX6 and NFKB1 and various microRNAs including miR-204 known to have relevance to trabecular meshwork (TM) functions and/or glaucoma. TM tissue is involved in glaucoma pathogenesis. In-house microarray transcriptome results and data sources were used to identify target genes of the regulatory molecules. Bioinformatics analyses were done to filter TM and glaucoma relevant genes. These were submitted to network-creating softwares to define interactions, pathways and a network that would include the genes. The network was stringently scrutinized and minimized, then expanded by addition of microarray data and data on TF and microRNA-binding sites. Selected features of the network were confirmed by empirical studies such as dual luciferase assays, real-time PCR and western blot experiments and apoptosis assays. MYOC, WDR36, LTPBP2, RHOA, CYP1B1, OPA1, SPARC, MEIS2, PLEKHG5, RGS5, BBS5, ALDH1A1, NOMO2, CXCL6, FMNL2, ADAMTS5, CLOCK and DKK1 were among the genes included in the final network. Pathways identified included those that affect ECM properties, IOP, ciliary body functions, retinal ganglion cell viability, apoptosis, focal adhesion and oxidative stress response. The identification of many genes potentially involved in glaucoma pathology is consistent with its being a complex disease. The inclusion of several known glaucoma-related genes validates the approach used.
Fully discrete numerical schemes of a data assimilation algorithm: uniform-in-time error estimates
Authors: Ibdah Hussain A , Mondaini Cecilia F , Titi Edriss S
Published: September 2019

Our aim is to approximate a reference velocity field solving the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations (NSE) in the absence of its initial condition by utilizing spatially discrete measurements of that field, available at a coarse scale, and continuous in time. The approximation is obtained via numerically discretizing a downscaling data assimilation algorithm. Time discretization is based on semiimplicit and fully implicit Euler schemes, while spatial discretization (which can be done at an arbitrary scale regardless of the spatial resolution of the measurements) is based on a spectral Galerkin method. The two fully discrete algorithms are shown to be unconditionally stable, with respect to the size of the time step, the number of time steps and the number of Galerkin modes. Moreover, explicit, uniform-in-time error estimates between the approximation and the reference solution are obtained, in both the $L^2$ and $H^1$ norms. Notably, the two-dimensional NSE, subject to the no-slip Dirichlet or periodic boundary conditions, are used in this work as a paradigm. The complete analysis that is presented here can be extended to other two- and three-dimensional dissipative systems under the assumption of global existence and uniqueness.
Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A Regulates Mycobacterium bovis–Induced IFN-β Production by Modulating Mitochondrial DNA Replication in Macrophages
Authors: Song Yinjuan , Hussain Tariq , Wang Jie , Liao Yi , Yue Ruichao , Sabir Naveed , Zhao Deming , Zhou Xiangmei
Published: September 2019

Background

Mycobacterium bovis persistently survives in macrophages by developing multiple strategies to evade host immune responses, and the early induction of interferon-β (IFN-β) is one of these critical strategies. The mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) plays a vital role in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) metabolism and has been suggested to influence IFN-β production in response to viral infection. However, its role in the production of IFN-β by M. bovis has not been elucidated.

Methods

In the current study, we investigated the role of TFAM in the production of IFN-β in M. bovis–infected macrophages.

Results

We found that knockdown of TFAM expression significantly reduced M. bovis–induced IFN-β production, mtDNA copy numbers and cytosolic mtDNA were increased in murine macrophages with M. bovis infection, cytosolic mtDNA contributed to IFN-β production, and TFAM was required for the increase in mtDNA copy numbers induced by M. bovis. We also observed that TFAM affected the intracellular survival of M. bovis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that TFAM plays an essential role in M. bovis–induced IFN-β production by regulating mtDNA copy numbers. This might be a new strategy adopted by M. bovis for its intracellular survival.
Efficacy of human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposures of cefepime, zidebactam and the combination (WCK 5222) against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model
Authors: Kidd James M , Abdelraouf Kamilia , Nicolau David P
Published: September 2019

Objectives

WCK 5222 combines cefepime with zidebactam, a β-lactam enhancer that binds PBP2 and inhibits class A and C β-lactamases. The efficacy of human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposures of WCK 5222 against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model.

Methods

Nineteen MDR isolates of P. aeruginosa (cefepime MICs ≥64 mg/L) were studied. MICs of zidebactam and WCK 5222 ranged from 4 to 512 mg/L and from 4 to 32 mg/L, respectively. Dosing regimens of cefepime and zidebactam alone and in combination that achieved epithelial lining fluid (ELF) exposures in mice approximating human ELF exposures after doses of 2 g of cefepime/1 g of zidebactam every 8 h (1 h infusion) were utilized; controls were vehicle-dosed. Lungs were intranasally inoculated with 107–108 cfu/mL bacterial suspensions. Mice were dosed subcutaneously 2 h after inoculation for 24 h, then lungs were harvested.

Results

In vitro MIC was predictive of in vivo response to WCK 5222 treatment. Mean ± SD changes in bacterial density at 24 h compared with 0 h controls (6.72 ± 0.50 log10 cfu/lungs) for 13 isolates with WCK 5222 MICs ≤16 mg/L were 1.17 ± 1.00, −0.99 ± 1.45 and −2.21 ± 0.79 log10 cfu/lungs for cefepime, zidebactam and WCK 5222, respectively. Against these isolates, zidebactam yielded >1 log10 cfu/lungs reductions in 8/13, while activity was enhanced with WCK 5222, producing >2 log10 cfu/lungs reductions in 10/13 and >1 log10 cfu/lungs reductions in 12/13. Among isolates with WCK 5222 MICs of 32 mg/L, five out of six showed a bacteriostatic response.

Conclusions

Human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposure of WCK 5222 is effective against MDR P. aeruginosa at MIC ≤16 mg/L in a murine pneumonia model. These data support the clinical development of WCK 5222 for pseudomonal lung infections.
Emerging Synthetic Cannabinoids: Development and Validation of a Novel Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Assay for Real-Time Detection
Authors: Krotulski Alex J , Mohr Amanda L A , Logan Barry K
Published: September 2019

Synthetic cannabinoids pose significant threats to public health and safety, as their implications in overdose and adverse events continue to arise in United States and around the world. Synthetic cannabinoids have seen several generations of chemically diverse structural elements, impacting potency and effects. These factors create new analytical challenges for forensic laboratories. This report describes an efficient liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) assay for the identification of synthetic cannabinoid parent compounds and metabolites, including real-time identification of emergent compounds, using a SCIEX TripleTOF® 5600+ with non-targeted SWATH® acquisition. Method validation evaluated precision/accuracy, limits of detection, interferences, processed sample stability and carryover, for which 19 parent compounds and 19 metabolites were tested. To demonstrate feasibility, de-identified blood sample extracts were acquired from a large forensic toxicology laboratory and analyzed using the validated LC-QTOF-MS assay. In mid-2018, 200 blood extracts were analyzed, demonstrating a 19% positivity rate with > 94% agreement rate with original testing. In addition, three newly discovered synthetic cannabinoids were identified, including 5F-MDMB-PICA, 4-cyano CUMYL-BUTINACA and 5F-EDMB-PINACA. These synthetic cannabinoids were previously unreported in forensic toxicology casework in the United States. 5F-MDMB-PICA has become the most prevalent synthetic cannabinoid in United States, as of early 2019. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of this assay and workflow in the identification and characterization of synthetic cannabinoids, as well as the usefulness of sample-mining using non-targeted mass acquisition by LC-QTOF-MS for the discovery of NPS. High resolution mass spectrometry should be considered when developing new or novel assays for synthetic cannabinoids.
An Optimized Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Assay for the Determination of Ethyl Palmitate in Hair
Authors: Bastiani M F , Lizot L L F , Da Silva A C C , Hahn R Z , Dries S S , Perassolo M S , Antunes M V , Linden R
Published: September 2019

The use of hair as a matrix for the evaluation of chronic ethanol drinking behavior presents the advantage of a longer window of detection and higher specificity when compared to classical biochemical markers. The most recent recommendations the Society of Hair Testing (SOHT) indicate that ethyl palmitate (EtP) hair levels can be used to estimate the ethanol drinking behavior, alternatively to the combined measurement of four main fatty acid ethyl esters. In this study, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) conditions for the extraction of EtP from hair were optimized using response surface analysis, after a Box–Behnken experiment. Analyses were performed by GC-MS. The optimized HS-SPME conditions, using a PDMS-DVB (65 μm) fiber, were pre-adsorption time of 6 min, extraction time of 60 min and incubation temperature of 94°C. The linear range was 0.05 to 3 ng mg−1, with accuracy within 95.15–109.91%. Between-assay and within-assay precision were 8.58–12.53 and 6.12–6.82%, respectively. The extraction yield was 61.3–71.9%. The assay was applied to hair specimens obtained from 46 volunteers, all presenting EtP levels within the linear range of the assay. Using a statistically designed experiment, a sensitive SPME-GC-MS assay for the measurement of EtP in hair was developed and validated, requiring only 20 mg of hair.
Comparing the Effect of Gabapentin, Ketamine, Dexmedetomidine, and Entonox on Pain Control in Burn Wound Dressing
Authors: Chaghazardi Simin , Hedari Mohammadbagher , Bazargan-Hejazi Shahrzad , Mohammadi Reza , Ahmadi Alireza
Published: September 2019

This study aimed to evaluate differences in the experience of pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as the hemodynamic parameters including heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in burn patients across four pain treatment groups—i.e., gabapentin, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and entonox. In a single blinded randomized comparative study, 25 burn patients with second- or third-degree burns between 20% and 50% of their body surface were assigned to different treatment groups by using block randomization, while keeping the investigator blind to the size of the block. We recorded demographics, the hemodynamics, adverse effects, and pain levels before the treatment and again 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 360 minutes postadministration of pain medication (after-treatment). Gabapentin ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and entonox had significant effects in treatment of pain in burn patients. Entonox had the best analgesic effect with the least adverse effects and hemodynamic changes. Gabapentin also had good pain management effects; however, it showed less desirable effects on hemodynamic variables. Entonox caused the least amount of hemodynamic changes and the least adverse reactions, but since the medication is delivered by a facemask it limited its application with our patients. Gabapentin offered good benefits but caused a gradual drop in BP and HR and had some unfavorable reactions. However, since it is administered orally and often is cheaper, it could be considered as the drug of choice.
Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against the Tobacco Cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Yan Xun , Shahid Arain Muhammad , Lin Yinying , Gu Xinghui , Zhang Limeng , Li Jiangzhou , Han Richou
Published: September 2019

Spodoptera litura (F.) is an obnoxious cosmopolitan pest that causes serious damage to different economic crops. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have the potential to control the S. litura larvae. Fifteen EPN isolates were screened, and Steinernema sp. 64-2, four isolates of S. carpocapsae (Weiser), S. longicaudum (Shen & Wang) X-7, and two isolates of H. indica (Poinar, Karunaka & David) were found to cause higher mortality of the second, third, and fourth instars of S. litura than the other tested isolates, with larval mortality rates > 90% after 48 h of exposure. An exposure rate of 12.5 infective juveniles per larva was enough for S. carpocapsae A24, All, and G-R3a-2 and S. longicaudum X-7 to cause 100% mortality of the second instar, and for S. longicaudum X-7 and H. indica 212-2 to cause 100% mortality of the third instar. Five EPN isolates were tested on their virulence at different temperatures and found that all the five EPN isolates performed well against the S. litura larvae at 25 and 30°C, but were not active at 10 and 15°C. Two S. carpocapsae isolates (All and Mex) were virulent against the S. litura larvae at lower temperatures. The five tested EPN isolates were also found to have the ability to infect and kill the pupae of S. litura in the laboratory. The present study further proves that EPN are effective at controlling S. litura, which may partially substitute the use of chemical insecticides, thus reduce the overuse of chemical insecticides.
Functional Responses of Three Candidate Asian Larval Parasitoids Evaluated for Classical Biological Control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Wang Xingeng , Biondi Antonio , Daane Kent M
Published: September 2019

Drosophila suzukii has become a key invasive pest of soft- and thin-skinned fruit crops in its invaded regions in Europe and Americas, where naturally occurring natural enemies are generally not effective for the suppression of this pest or largely absent such as larval-attacking parasitoids. As a part of systematic evaluations of candidate agents for classical biological control of this invasive pest, we evaluated the functional responses of three Asian-native larval hymenopteran parasitoids, Asobara japonica (Braconidae), Ganaspis brasiliensis, and Leptopilina japonica (both Figitidae) to D. suzukii or Drosophila melanogaster (A. japonica only) larvae. Host larval densities were 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 larvae per test for A. japonica and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, or 42 larvae per test for G. brasiliensis or L. japonica. Host larvae were provided in standard artificial diet in tubes for a 24-h exposure to individual female parasitoids under the quarantine conditions (23°C). All three parasitoids showed a linear (type I) functional response to the tested host densities. Host species (for A. japonica only) did not affect the number of hosts parasitized or the functional response. Asobara japonica was more efficient than either figitid in terms of the searching efficiency while L. japonica preformed slightly better than G. brasiliensis under the tested conditions. The results are discussed with respect to the selection of parasitoid species to be released in North America and Europe to suppress D. suzukii.