bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent historiographical approaches to the process of independence in Argentina
Authors: Di Meglio Gabriel
Published: September 2019

In the last decades, there was a substantial historiographical revision of the revolution of independence in what today is Argentina, which modified the traditional narratives about it. Recent historians have argued it's impossible to study Argentine Independence isolated from its context, as it used to be done. They also showed how independence was not planned or even desired but by very few people before 1810; it was not even the first goal of the majority of the revolutionaries that year. They have also established that there was not an Argentine national identity before the revolution and that it was constructed slowly after independence. And they also proved there was not only a small group of wealthy White men running the process but many other crucial actors as well. This paper examines briefly those statements and considers the revolutionary aspects of the process of independence, according to these recent contributions.
Clinicopathological features of pyloric gland adenomas of the duodenum: a multicentre study of 57 cases
Authors: Miller Gregory C , Kumarasinghe Marian P , Borowsky Jennifer , Choi Won‐Tak , Setia Namrata , Clauditz Till , Gidwani Raja , Sufiyan Wajiha , Lauwers Gregory Y , Brown Ian S
Published: September 2019

Aims

To determine the clinicopathological features of pyloric gland adenomas (PGA) that arise in the duodenum.

Methods and results

Fifty‐seven cases of duodenal PGA were identified and analysed from 56 patients. Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. PGA tend to occur in older individuals (median age = 73.5), with a slight female predominance (25 males, 31 females). PGA arise more commonly in the proximal duodenum (68.75% in D1, 25% in D2 and 6.25% in D3) and usually present as mucosal nodules (98.2%) or plaques (1.8%), with a mean size of 14.8 mm. There is associated gastric heterotopia in 22.8% of cases. PGA showing features of high‐grade dysplasia were significantly larger in size than PGA, showing only low‐grade dysplasia (23.1 versus 8.7 mm; P = 0.0001) and more likely to show a tubulovillous rather than a pure tubular architecture (P = 0.025). In our series, 10 of 56 patients had intramucosal or invasive carcinoma associated with the duodenal PGA (17.9%). Three of these carcinomas showed lymph node metastasis. Following definitive treatment, local recurrence occurred in only three patients.

Conclusions

Duodenal PGA tend to occur in the proximal duodenum of older individuals. Larger size and tubulovillous architecture correlates with high‐grade dysplasia and associated adenocarcinoma. The low recurrence rate of these lesions would suggest that endoscopic management is appropriate, provided that the lesion can be completely resected.
Exploratory spatial analysis of traffic crashes, road mortality and morbidity in Nigeria
Authors: Akinyemi Yingigba Chioma
Published: September 2019

This study examined the spatial distribution of road traffic crashes, mortality and morbidity in Nigeria for the period 2007–2017. The influence of exposure, road network and socio‐demographic characteristics on fatalities and injuries was analysed. Data were obtained from Federal Road Safety Corps and Annual Abstract of Statistics. Spatial statistical techniques were employed to determine the pattern of crashes, mortality and morbidity. Ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression models were used to identify significant variables. Crashes and mortality declined by 47.9 per cent and 46.3 per cent respectively, while morbidity increased by 78.6 per cent. Crashes, mortality and morbidity were significantly clustered and high in Niger, Kaduna, FCT, Kogi and Nassarawa States. FCT recorded the highest crashes and injured persons, while Kaduna recorded the highest fatalities. Variables that significantly influenced spatial variation of mortality and morbidity were length of asphaltic concrete, surfaced dressed and earth roads, unemployment and population density. This study shows that type of road is a major factor that contributes to road crash mortality and morbidity. Crash countermeasures such as implementation of safety standards during road construction, speed reduction strategies and enforcement of seat belt use and child restraint should be implemented.
Electrochemical performance of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 oxygen electrode promoted by Ruddlesden‐Popper structured La2NiO4
Authors: Akbari Zohreh , Babaei Alireza
Published: September 2019

The effects of introducing La2NiO4 nanocatalyst on the electrochemical performance of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 are investigated under solid oxide electrolysis cell and fuel cell modes, as well as open circuit voltage. Extracted data from impedance spectroscopy are interpreted with the analysis of distribution of relaxation times. La2NiO4 infiltration effectively reduces the activation energy of the oxygen reactions from 1.35 to 0.99 eV. It also changes the rate controlling process of the overall reaction. Polarization behavior of La2NiO4‐infiltrated La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 electrode shows superior performance under electrolysis mode compared to the fuel cell mode. Drastic increase in the size of low frequency arc during anodic current passage in the non‐infiltrated La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 electrode is hampered by infiltration of La2NiO4 nanocatalyst. By applying anodic current on infiltrated La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, no displacement is observed in the position of high frequency peaks in the distribution of relaxation time graphs and only a small increase in height occurs for the low frequency arc. Additionally, La2NiO4‐infiltrated electrode impressively decreases overpotential by 74% compared to the non‐infiltrated one under electrolysis mode at 800°C.
High pressure structuring of pea protein concentrates
Authors: Sim Shaun Y. J. , Karwe Mukund V. , Moraru Carmen I.
Published: September 2019

This work demonstrates the use of high pressure processing (HPP) to induce structural modifications in pea protein concentrates (PPC). Reconstituted PPC with 8–24 g protein /100 g water were subjected to HPP at 250–550 MPa for 15 min, at 20–33°C, or heat treatments at 95°C for 15 min. Structural changes were investigated using dynamic rheology, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and mid‐infrared spectroscopy. Gel formation occurred at 16 g protein /100 g water concentration and 250 MPa for the HPP‐treated samples, and at 12 g protein /100 g water concentration for the heat‐treated samples. Gel strength increased with both pressure level and protein concentration. Heat‐treated samples exhibited greater gel strength than pressure‐treated samples at the same protein concentration. A greater extent of protein denaturation, aggregation, and network formation occurred with increasing pressure level, due to protein tertiary and quaternary conformation changes. Starch granules present in PPC retained their structure and were not gelatinized even at 550 MPa. These findings can be used to create novel pea protein products with interesting structures and superior sensory and nutritional properties.

Practical Applications

This work shows that a range of unique pea‐based products, such as puddings or tofu analogs, can be created by low temperature HPP treatment of pea protein concentrates at different pressure levels and protein concentrations. This process has the potential to better preserve the organoleptic and nutritional properties of the final products compared to traditional, heat based processing methods. These findings can be also extended to create other pulse protein products using high pressure processing.
Serine 19 phosphorylation and 14‐3‐3 binding regulate phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase on serine 31 and serine 40
Authors: Ghorbani Sadaf , Szigetvari Peter D. , Haavik Jan , Kleppe Rune
Published: September 2019

Multisite phosphorylation and structural flexibility allow for complex regulation of proteins through cellular signaling. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a key enzyme of catecholamine synthesis, is regulated by multiple neuronal signaling pathways through phosphorylation at serine 19 (Ser19), serine 31 (Ser31), and serine 40 (Ser40) located in the flexible, far N‐terminal region of the regulatory domain. Phosphorylated Ser19 (pSer19) provides a binding site for 14‐3‐3 proteins, a family of multi‐target binding adaptor proteins. We hypothesized that pSer19 and 14‐3‐3 binding can regulate access to the Ser31 and Ser40 sites and modulate the dynamics of their phosphorylation state. To avoid complications from upstream signal interactions and have good control of TH‐phosphorylation and 14‐3‐3 binding stoichiometry, we used purified recombinant human TH and 14‐3‐3 dimer types. We found that pSer19 strongly stimulated Ser31 phosphorylation (4.6‐fold), but inhibited pSer31 dephosphorylation (3.4‐fold). Binding of 14‐3‐3ζ counteracted the stimulatory effect of pSer19 on phosphorylation at Ser31, but amplified the effect on its dephosphorylation. In contrast, phosphorylation at Ser19 had moderate effect on pSer40 dephosphorylation, but 14‐3‐3ζ binding inhibited dephosphorylation, an effect that was consistent across different homo‐ and heterodimeric 14‐3‐3s. Additional phosphorylation of Ser31 or Ser40 had little impact on the binding affinity of pSer19 TH to 14‐3‐3s. Mathematical modeling was performed to elucidate possible physiological implications of these observations. We propose a role of Ser19 and 14‐3‐3 proteins as modulators of TH phosphorylation in response to neuronal co‐signaling events. These mechanisms add to our understanding of the multifaceted roles of phosphorylation and adaptor proteins in cellular signaling.

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School‐Based Health Centers as the Pediatric Expanded Medical Home
Authors: Beem Angela A. , Batlivala Carla , Norwood Anne A.
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

School‐based health centers (SBHCs) provide primary and preventive health services and have been debated as possible medical homes for the pediatric population. The effect of a SBHC as an expanded medical home has yet to be determined.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper was to review the research evaluating the use of SBHCs as a pediatric patient's expanded medical home.

METHODS

The databases PubMed and CINAHL were searched for research articles pertaining to the value of using a SBHC as a pediatric medical home.

RESULTS

SBHCs provide care that is accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, continuous, family‐centered, compassionate, and mildly culturally effective for adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Community health systems and primary care providers should partner with SBHCs to establish an expanded medical home and promote greater coordination and continuity of care for adolescents.
Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium in cats following a single intravenous and subcutaneous injection
Authors: Zhang Mei , Yang Fang , Yu Hua‐jie , Kang Tian‐jing , Ding Yong‐hui , Yu Meng‐li , Wang Qian‐kun , Zhu Yuan‐xin , Yang Fan
Published: September 2019

Ceftiofur, a third‐generation cephalosporin antibiotic, is being extensively used by pet doctors in China. In the current study, the detection method was developed for ceftiofur and its metabolites, desfuroylceftiofur (DCE) and desfuroylceftiofur conjugates (DCEC), in feline plasma. Then, the pharmacokinetics studies were performed following one single intravenous and subcutaneous injection of ceftiofur sodium in cats both at 5 mg/kg body weight (BW) (calculated as pure ceftiofur). Ceftiofur, DCE, and DCEC were extracted from plasma samples, then derivatized and further quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The concentrations versus time data were subjected to noncompartmental analysis to obtain the pharmacokinetics parameters. The terminal half‐life (t1/2λz) was calculated as 11.29 ± 1.09 and 10.69 ± 1.31 hr following intravenous and subcutaneous injections, respectively. After intravenous treatment, the total body clearance (Cl) and volume of distribution at steady‐state (VSS) were determined as 14.14 ± 1.09 ml hr‐1 kg‐1 and 241.71 ± 22.40 ml/kg, respectively. After subcutaneous injection, the peak concentration (Cmax; 14.99 ± 2.29 μg/ml) was observed at 4.17 ± 0.41 hr, and the absorption half‐life (t1/2ka) and absolute bioavailability (F) were calculated as 2.83 ± 0.46 hr and 82.95%±9.59%, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profiles of ceftiofur sodium and its related metabolites demonstrated their relatively slow, however, good absorption after subcutaneous administration, poor distribution, and slow elimination in cats. Based on the time of drug concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (T>MIC) calculated in the current study, an intravenous or subcutaneous dose at 5 mg/kg BW of ceftiofur sodium once daily is predicted to be effective for treating feline bacteria with a MIC value of ≤4.0 μg/ml.
Unbalanced species losses and gains lead to non‐linear trajectories as grasslands become forests
Authors: Kimberley Adam , Bullock James M. , Cousins Sara A. O.
Published: September 2019

Questions

Rates of plant community shifts after environmental changes depend on how quickly affected species are gained and lost. Understanding how the balance between extinction and colonisation varies over time, and how it is influenced by local and landscape factors, is essential to understanding overall change trajectories. Investigating change requires data at several time steps over sufficient periods, and the paucity of such data represents an important knowledge gap. We ask: (a) how variation over time in the rates of species’ extinction and species’ colonization controls the trajectory of biodiversity change in abandoned semi‐natural grasslands? and (b) can landscape composition and habitat history modify change trajectories by acting independently on groups within plant communities?

Location

Sweden, Stockholm Archipelago.

Methods

We use data on plant composition, management history and landscape context in former grasslands, abandoned at different points since 1901, in a space‐for‐time analysis, comparing rates of grassland species loss and forest species establishment and investigating resulting biodiversity trajectories.

Results

Grassland species declined steeply in recently abandoned habitats before levelling off, while the accumulation of forest species was linear, with no plateau reached even at the longest time since abandonment. Hence, we observed a trough in biodiversity, with an initial decline in overall species richness followed by a partial recovery. Only forest species gain was enhanced by nearby habitat availability.

Conclusions

Information on community compositional changes over short time periods may be misleading about the extent and even direction of ongoing biodiversity gains and losses. Moreover, the non‐linear changes observed suggest thresholds in time, after which succession to the forest community accelerates and the ability to manage a return to the grassland community diminishes. Accounting for the combined influence of landscape composition and history is key to fully understanding community shifts over time.
Urbanization and the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) in the Pannonian basin, Serbia: nowhere safe?
Authors: Vukov T. , Mirč M. , Tomašević Kolarov N. , Stamenković S.
Published: September 2019

Numerous studies of urban environment impact on wildlife imply urbanization can have both negative and positive effects. Phenotypic variation of pileus in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) was analysed to determine whether urbanization levels can be associated with developmental instability induced by environmental stress. Pileus developmental pathways and instability in natural, suburban and urban populations were quantified by patterns of size and shape, fluctuating asymmetry (FA), modular organization and integration, allometric trajectories and frequency of phenodeviants. Our results show high asymmetry and modular structure of pileus with the high frequency of phenodeviants for natural, suburban and urban populations indicating elevated developmental instability in all three habitat types. However, some peculiarities were observed comparing habitats – the lowest level of FA and integration in urban populations and unexpectedly high level of FA and frequency of phenodeviants in the natural population. In addition, significant correlations between symmetric and asymmetric shape patterns, and presence of modular organization for all three habitat types suggest that genetic/environmental and developmental parcellation are somewhat aligned. Our results indicate that pileus morphology varies in a complex manner and future studies that link physiological, behavioural and morphological parameters to demographic parameters and fitness are necessary to fully understand how environmental stress affects developmental instability.
Domenico Scarlatti, Escape Artist: Sightings of His ‘Mixed Style’ towards the End of the Eighteenth Century
Authors: SCHMALFELDT JANET
Published: September 2019

A permanent move at the age of 34, from Italy into the private services of Princess María Bárbara in Portugal, later in Spain, allowed Domenico Scarlatti to escape fame and stylistic classification. In the absence of a convincing category for Scarlatti's music – post‐Baroque? pre‐Classical?galant? transitional? – the Scarlatti scholar W. Dean Sutcliffe resorts to the apt expression ‘mixed style’. But Sutcliffe acknowledges that ‘much about the Scarlatti sonatas demands to be considered in the light of the Classical style’, and so do I. In particular, the specific type of two‐part form that the composer employs in most of his 555 extant keyboard sonatas was hardly unique on the continent during his lifetime, and that form continued to appear long after it had yielded to what we today call ‘the Classical sonata’.

The composer's musical ‘escape mechanisms’ – surprising delays of expected outcomes by way of evaded cadences and ‘one‐more‐time’ repetitions – can be ‘sighted’ in much repertoire towards the end of the eighteenth century, especially in the music of Mozart. Just the same, no amount of comparison of Scarlatti's music with that of later composers can diminish his ‘Spanish’ flamboyance, his penchant for the juxtaposition of wildly different ideas within a single movement – in short, his unparalleled, signature contributions to keyboard music.
Sugar availability suppresses the auxin‐induced strigolactone pathway to promote bud outgrowth
Authors: Bertheloot Jessica , Barbier François , Boudon Frédéric , Perez‐Garcia Maria Dolores , Péron Thomas , Citerne Sylvie , Dun Elizabeth , Beveridge Christine , Godin Christophe , Sakr Soulaiman
Published: September 2019

Apical dominance occurs when the growing shoot tip inhibits the outgrowth of axillary buds. Apically‐derived auxin in the nodal stem indirectly inhibits bud outgrowth via cytokinins and strigolactones. Recently, sugar deprivation was found to contribute to this phenomenon.

Using rose and pea, we investigated whether sugar availability interacts with auxin in bud outgrowth control, and the role of cytokinins and strigolactones, in vitro and in planta.

We show that sucrose antagonises auxin’s effect on bud outgrowth, in a dose‐dependent and coupled manner. Sucrose also suppresses strigolactone inhibition of outgrowth and the rms3 strigolactone‐perception mutant is less affected by reducing sucrose supply. However, sucrose does not interfere with the regulation of cytokinin levels by auxin and stimulates outgrowth even with optimal cytokinin supply. These observations were assembled into a computational model in which sucrose represses bud response to strigolactones, largely independently of cytokinin levels. It quantitatively captures our observed dose‐dependent sucrose‐hormones effects on bud outgrowth and allows us to express outgrowth response to various combinations of auxin and sucrose levels as a simple quantitative law.

This study places sugars in the bud outgrowth regulatory network and paves the way for a better understanding of branching plasticity in response to environmental and genotypic factors.
Opiate Intoxication Caused by Epidural Infusion of Morphine: A Case Report of a Near Fatal Medication Error
Authors: Akkerman Ronald D.L. , Nguyen Thi M.D. , Dekkers Angela J.E. , de Haas Jan A.M.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Epidural infusion of local anesthetics with opioids is widely used for pain control during the perioperative—and peripartum—periods. Selection of the opioid, appropriate dosing, and follow‐up by the acute pain service are critical in providing safe postoperative epidural analgesia.

Case Report Summary

A 71‐year‐old man was scheduled for a parastomal hernia repair with midline laparotomy. The parastomal hernia was a complication from a previously performed colectomy for ulcerative colitis. Preoperatively, the patient received a lower thoracic epidural catheter. The epidural infusate (0.2% ropivacaine with 0.5 µg/mL sufentanil) was prepared and double‐checked by holding area nurses. The fact that the right prescription medication label partially covered a morphine label went unnoticed. The intraoperative phase was characterized by stable parameters. Postoperatively, it was not possible to demonstrate an epidural nerve block. No pain was reported, and the patient could be transferred to the ward. The patient developed coma and delayed respiratory depression after discharge to the surgical ward, requiring intensive care unit admission and naloxone administration. Analysis of the syringe content revealed the presence of morphine (1 mg/mL).

Discussion

Color‐coded prefilled syringes combined with the use of an epidural specific syringe connector to prevent cross‐connections should become standard practice. In addition, delayed respiratory depression should be considered after epidural administration of morphine.
Timing of disturbance, top‐down, and bottom‐up driving on early algal succession patterns in a tropical intertidal community
Authors: Mayakun Jaruwan , Prathep Anchana , Kim Jeong Ha
Published: September 2019

Herbivory and nutrient enrichment are major drivers of the dynamics of algal communities. However, their effects on algal abundance are under the influence of seasons. This study investigated the effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on early algal succession patterns using cages (uncaged and fully caged treatments) and two nutrient levels (ambient and enriched concentrations). To determine seasonal influences, experiment plots on dead coral patches were cleared during both dry and rainy season. Of the 17 algal species recruited in the experiment plots, three were dominant: Ulva paradoxa C. Agardh, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa Børgesen. In this succession process, U. paradoxa was the earliest colonizer and occupied the cleared plots within the first month after clearing with the highest percentage of 83.33 ± 1.67% to 88.33 ± 9.28%. Then, it was replaced by the late successional algae, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and P. sphaerocarpa. The effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on algal abundance varied across algal functional groups and seasons. During the dry season, neither herbivory nor nutrient enrichment affected Ulva cover but during the rainy season, Ulva cover was influenced by nutrient enrichment. However, the abundance of algae in this early stage was not apparently affected by either herbivory or nutrient enrichment. Our results indicated that the timing of disturbance strongly influenced the algal abundance and successional patterns in this tropical intertidal community.
Do Voluntary Associations Matter for the Spread of Civic Activism in Russia? Matching Technique Applied to Survey Data
Authors: Leonard Carol , Nazarov Zafar , Jakobson Lev
Published: September 2019

Objective

This article develops an empirical model that tests whether in post‐communist Russia prior membership in a civil society organization (CSO) motivates civic activism. Revisiting Tocquevillian notions of a nurturing effect by formal civil society organizations of civic activism, we aim to help explain recent research findings showing that civic activism is sustainable and vital in Russia.

Methods

To test the main hypothesis of the study, we use the cross‐sectional survey of Russians aged 18 and older in the fall of 2014 (N = 1,500) representing 43 regions conducted by the Russian Civil Society Monitoring Survey of the Higher School of Economics' Centre for Studies of Civil Society and the Nonprofit Sector (2006–). We use the propensity score matching (PSM) technique to estimate the main effects. We also show that the effect of unobserved factors on our PSM estimates is limited using Rosenbaum bounds analysis.

Results

The PSM analysis suggests that for all four indicators of civic activism, that is, willingness to integrate with other members of society, participation in tenant meetings, engagement in charity activities, and engagement in home improvement, CSO participation positively impacts civic activism. The impact varies from a 7.2 to 15.8 percent higher propensity of civic activism for CSO participants.

Conclusion

We conclude that prior participation in a CSO can have a motivating influence on civic activism such as charity work, residential home improvement, willingness to integrate with other members of the society, and participation in tenant meetings.
TheC4Ppcpromoters of many C4grass species share a common regulatory mechanism for gene expression in the mesophyll cell
Authors: Gupta Shipan Das , Levey Myles , Schulze Stefanie , Karki Shanta , Emmerling Jan , Streubel Monika , Gowik Udo , Paul Quick W. , Westhoff Peter
Published: September 2019

C4photosynthetic plants have evolved from C3ancestors and are characterized by differential expression of several hundred genes. Strict compartmentalization of key C4enzymes either to mesophyll (M) or bundle sheath cells is considered a crucial step towards the evolution of C4photosynthesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the 5′‐flanking sequences of the C4type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (Ppc) gene from three C4grass species could drive M‐cell‐specific expression of a reporter gene in rice. In addition to that, we identified about 450 bp (upstream of their transcription start site) of the analyzedC4Ppcpromoters contain all the essential regulatory elements for driving M‐cell‐specific expression in rice leaves. Importantly, four motifs of conserved nucleotide sequences (CNSs) were also determined, which are essential for the activity of the promoter. A putative interaction between theCNSs and an unknown upstream element(s) is required for driving M‐cell‐specific expression. This work identifies the evolutionary conservation ofC4Ppcregulatory mechanisms of multiple closely related C4grass species.
Visualization of Two-phase Bursting Flow Effect on the Two-Phase Closed Thermosyphon
Authors: Kim Yeonghwan , Shin Dong Hwan , Kim Jin Sub , You Seung M. , Lee Jungho
Published: September 2019

Two-phase flow inside the two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) including evaporator, adiabatic and condenser sections was visually investigated in order to qualitatively analyze the complicated behaviors of both liquid film and vapor flows simultaneously. The semi-cylindrical channel which is 650 mm long was formed in the long copper block and the flat face of the channel was covered with a flat Pyrex glass for visual observation. The inner diameter of the semi-cylindrical channel was 25 mm and distilled water was used as a working fluid. The filling ratio of the thermosyphon was fixed at 0.5 and the inclination angle was set to 60º. As the heat flux increases, nucleate boiling becomes dominant and the bursting motion starts to begin in the liquid pool at the evaporator section. The bursting liquid flow reaches the condenser section and changes the condensation regime from dropwise to filmwise by flooding the condenser wall, which results in the decrease of condensation heat transfer coefficient. In addition, the vigorous vapor generation which occurs in the liquid pool at the evaporator section disturbs the circulation of the condensate film from the condenser to the evaporator section. As a result, the local dry-out occurs on the evaporator section with increasing heat flux, so the boiling heat transfer coefficient is decreased.

[This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2018H1D3A2000929).]
Using a Novel Phase Change Material-Based Cooling Tower for a Photovoltaic Module Cooling
Authors: Abdollahi Nasrin , Rahimi Masoud
Published: September 2019

This paper presents an experimental investigation on a hybrid solar system, including a water-based photovoltaic (PV) solar module and a phase change material (PCM)-based cooling tower, for cooling of the module. Elimination of heat from the PV module was performed by the use of water in the back of the panel. The PCM-based cooling tower was used as a postcooling system. A composite oil consisting of 82 wt% coconut oil and 18 wt% sunflower oil has been used as a novel phase change material in the cooling tower. The helical tubes of the cooling tower were fabricated in two different curvature ratios of 0.054 and 0.032. The experiments were performed at three different water flow rates of 11.71, 16.13, and 19.23 mL/s. The cooling performance evaluation was carried out using the average surface temperature and output power of the photovoltaic panel. The results indicated that diminution of the average PV surface temperature relative to the reference temperature was 34.01 and 32.36 °C at a water flow rate of 19.23 mL/s for the cooling systems with helical tube curvature ratios 0.054 and 0.032, respectively. Furthermore, the highest electric output power was achieved for the cooling system with a helical tube curvature ratio of 0.054 at a water flow rate of 19.23 mL/s.
A deep learning method for grid-free localization and quantification of sound sources
Authors: Kujawski Adam , Herold Gert , Sarradj Ennes
Published: September 2019

In this contribution it is examined whether the use of deep neural networks can lead to an accurate characterization of single point sources from microphone array data. Based on conventional beamforming maps, the proposed method aims at estimating the source coordinates and the strength. The residual network architecture, a well-established model in the field of image recognition, is successfully applied to this task. The investigation reveals a method that fast and accurately renders the position and strength of an unknown source. Moreover, the accuracy of the position estimation is higher than the grid resolution of the beamforming map.
Targeting of host cell receptor tyrosine kinases by intracellular pathogens
Authors: Haqshenas Gholamreza , Doerig Christian
Published: September 2019

Intracellular pathogens target host receptor tyrosine kinases to enter host cells and suppress innate immunity.
Tumor-derived TGF-β inhibits mitochondrial respiration to suppress IFN-γ production by human CD4
+
T cells
Authors: Dimeloe Sarah , Gubser Patrick , Loeliger Jordan , Frick Corina , Develioglu Leyla , Fischer Marco , Marquardsen Florian , Bantug Glenn R. , Thommen Daniela , Lecoultre Yannic , Zippelius Alfred , Langenkamp Anja , Hess Christoph
Published: September 2019

The mitochondrial activity and antitumor function of human helper T cells are suppressed by a tumor-derived cytokine.
Full focus on calcium
Authors: Parys Jan B. , Guse Andreas H.
Published: September 2019

A conference was held on the complex mechanisms underlying intracellular Ca
2+
signaling.
Bacteriophages as Adjuvant to Antibiotics for the Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Tkhilaishvili Tamta , Winkler Tobias , Müller Michael , Perka Carsten , Trampuz Andrej
Published: September 2019

We documented the adjunctive bacteriophage therapy to treat a chronic relapsing periprosthetic joint infection of the knee and chronic osteomyelitis of the femur caused by multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The combined antibiotic-phage treatment eradicated the infection, and no side effects to phages were observed.
Digital Design of a Universal Rat Intraoral Device for Therapeutic Evaluation of a Topical Formulation against
Candida
-Associated Denture Stomatitis
Authors: Sultan Ahmed S. , Rizk Alexandra M. , Vila Taissa , Ji Yadong , Masri Radi , Jabra-Rizk Mary Ann
Published: September 2019

Candida
-associated denture stomatitis (DS) is a persistent and chronic oral infection of the denture-bearing palatal mucosa. DS stems from the ability of the fungal opportunistic pathogen
Candida albicans
to adhere to denture material and invade palatal tissue. Although DS is the most prevalent form of oral candidiasis, there are currently no feasible therapeutic strategies for the prevention of this recurrent condition.
Evaluation of Standard E TB-Feron Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Health Care Workers
Authors: Kweon Oh Joo , Lim Yong Kwan , Kim Hye Ryoun , Kim Tae-Hyoung , Lee Mi-Kyung
Published: September 2019

The laboratory diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is mainly performed with interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs). We compared the performance of a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based IGRA, the Standard E TB-Feron ELISA (TBF; SD Biosensor, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea), with that of a widely used assay, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), in a population of 425 health care workers (HCWs).
Diversity of Dromedary Camel Coronavirus HKU23 in African Camels Revealed Multiple Recombination Events among Closely Related Betacoronaviruses of the Subgenus Embecovirus
Authors: So Ray T. Y. , Chu Daniel K. W. , Miguel Eve , Perera Ranawaka A. P. M. , Oladipo Jamiu O. , Fassi-Fihri Ouafaa , Aylet Gelagay , Ko Ronald L. W. , Zhou Ziqi , Cheng Mo-Sheung , Kuranga Sulyman A. , Roger François L. , Chevalier Veronique , Webby Richard J. , Woo Patrick C. Y. , Poon Leo L. M. , Peiris Malik
Published: September 2019

Genetic recombination is often demonstrated in coronaviruses and can result in host range expansion or alteration in tissue tropism. Here, we showed interspecies events of recombination of an endemic dromedary camel coronavirus, HKU23, with other clade A betacoronaviruses. Our results supported the possibility that the zoonotic pathogen MERS-CoV, which also cocirculates in the same camel species, may have undergone similar recombination events facilitating its emergence or may do so in its future evolution.
mSphere of Influence: Hiring of Underrepresented Minority Assistant Professors in Medical School Basic Science Departments Has a Long Way To Go
Authors: Johnson Michael D. L.
Published: September 2019

Michael D. L. Johnson is a molecular microbiologist observing the role of metals in bacterial biology. In this mSphere of Influence article, he discusses the impact that the paper “Decoupling of the minority PhD talent pool and assistant professor hiring in medical school basic science departments in the US” by Kenneth D. Gibbs, Jr., Jacob Basson, Imam M. Xierali, and David A.
Glycogen storage disease type IV: dilated cardiomyopathy as the isolated initial presentation in an adult patient
Authors: Ndugga-Kabuye Mesaki Kenneth , Maleszewski Joseph , Chanprasert Sirisak , Smith Kelly D
Published: September 2019

Glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV, Andersen disease) is a rare autosomal recessive condition. The childhood neuromuscular subtype of GSD IV is characterised by a progressive skeletal myopathy with cardiomyopathy also reported in some individuals. We report a case of a 19-year-old man who presented with severe non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) necessitating heart transplantation, with biopsy showing aggregations of polyglucosan bodies in cardiac myocytes. He had no signs or symptoms of muscle weakness, liver dysfunction or neurologic involvement. A homozygousGBE1c.607C>A (p.His203Asn) variant was identified. Our case is unusual in that our patient presented with an isolated NIDCM in the absence of other clinical manifestations of GSD IV. This case highlights the importance of considering storage disorders in young adults presenting with isolated NIDCM of unknown aetiology. It also emphasises the potential synergy between histopathological evaluation and genomic testing in enhancing diagnostic certainty.
Acquired factor X deficiency in a patient with multiple myeloma: a rare case highlighting the significance of comprehensive evaluation and the need for antimyeloma therapy for bleeding diathesis
Authors: Reynolds Samuel Benjamin , Maghavani Dhaval Pravinkumar , Hashmi Hamza
Published: September 2019

Factor X deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder that can be associated with life-threatening bleeding events. Factor X deficiency can either be inherited or acquired. Acquired cases of factor X deficiency can be seen in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias as well as amyloidosis. Coagulopathy, with clinically relevant bleeding events, although rare, is not an unusual phenomenon for patients with systemic amyloidosis. However, clinically relevant bleeding in patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma, without associated amyloidosis, has not been reported in literature before. We present a rare case of multiple myeloma without concomitant amyloidosis that presented with life-threatening bleeding from acquired deficiency of factor X and responded remarkably to treatment for underlying multiple myeloma. This case not only highlights the diagnostic workup required in patients with factor X deficiency but also provides the principles of management of acquired coagulopathy in plasma cell dyscrasias.
Synchronous retroperitoneal Castleman’s disease with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Vishwajeet Vikarn , Kakkar Nandita , Singhal Paras , Mandal Arup Kumar
Published: September 2019

Castleman’s disease is a rare non-clonal lymphoproliferative disorder and known to be associated with a number of disorders such as polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes syndrome, Kaposi sarcoma, paraneoplastic pemphigus and plasma cell dyscrasias. The association of Castleman’s disease with epithelial malignancy is not clear and limited to few case reports. We describe a case of synchronous Castleman’s disease with renal cell carcinoma in a 53-year-old woman. She presented with right abdominal lump with feeling of heaviness. She also presented with vague discomfort in left hypochondrium for 15 years. The CT imaging of abdomen revealed two masses—one in right kidney and another in left anterior pararenal space of retroperitoneum. The patient underwent right radical nephrectomy with excision of left retroperitoneal mass. Histological examination revealed clear cell renal cell carcinoma and Castleman’s disease, respectively. Role of interleukin-6 has been postulated as an important factor in association of Castleman’s disease and epithelial malignancy.
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in a cross-sectional population-based study from rural southern China: Dongguan Eye Study
Authors: Cui Ying , Zhang Min , Zhang Liang , Zhang Lixin , Kuang Jian , Zhang Guanrong , Liu Qingyang , Guo Haike , Meng Qianli
Published: September 2019

Research question

The current population-based study aimed to investigate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and risk factors among residents over 40 years old in the rural area of Dongguan, southern China.

Study design

The Dongguan Eye Study was a population-based study from September 2011 to February 2012.

Setting

The area was set in the rural area of Dongguan, southern China.

Participants

Adult rural population aged 40 or older.

Intervention

Participants underwent haematological, physical, ophthalmic examinations and completed a questionnaire regarding lifestyles and systemic medical conditions.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The frequency and risk factors of visual impairment and the major vision-threatening eye diseases.

Results

Of the 8952 Han Chinese, 1500 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with an average age of 59.5±11.1 years, and 1310 participants with fundus photography results were analysed. Standardised prevalence rate of DR was 18.2% for all patients with diabetes, 32.8% for the patients with previously diagnosed diabetes and 12.6% for newly diagnosed patients with T2DM. The prevalence rate of male DR was significantly higher than that of female DR (23.0% vs 14.1%, p<0.001). No significant difference was found in age-specific prevalence of DR. In diabetic patients, the prevalence rates of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular oedema and clinically significant macular oedema were 2.5%, 2.8% and 0.9%, respectively. Male gender, higher education level, longer duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), higher systolic blood pressure and glycosylated haemoglobin were independent risk factors for DR development in patients with diabetes.

Conclusion

A relatively lower prevalence of DR was found among the participants with T2DM in residents over 40 years in the rural area of southern China. Thus, an ophthalmic examination is recommended, especially for individuals with DM and DR risk factors. There is a need to increase awareness and education on DM and DR, especially in subjects with DR risk factors to reduce the incidence of DR and macular oedema.
Interventions to prevent aggression against doctors: a systematic review
Authors: Raveel Ann , Schoenmakers Birgitte
Published: September 2019

Objective

To find out if there is evidence on interventions to prevent aggression against doctors.

Design

This systematic review searched the literature and reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Data sources

Pubmed, Embase, Turning Research into Practice (TRIP), Cochrane and Psycharticle, GoogleScholar andwww.guideline.govwere consulted.

Eligibility criteria

Abstracts published in English between January 2000 and January 2018 were screened. Eligible studies focused on prevention and risk factors of type II workplace violence in general healthcare, psychiatric departments, emergency departments, emergency primary care, general practice.

Data extraction and synthesis

The selected intervention studies were grouped into quantitative and qualitative studies. Systematic reviews were reported separately. For each study, the design, type of intervention and key findings were analysed. Quality rating was based on Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) and GRADE-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQUAL).

Results

44 studies are included. One randomised controlled trial (RCT) provided moderate evidence that a violence prevention programme was effective in decreasing risks of violence. Major risk factors are long waiting times, discrepancy between patients’ expectations and services, substance abuse by the patient and psychiatric conditions. Appropriate workplace design and policies aim to reduce risk factors but there is no hard evidence on the effectiveness. One RCT provided evidence that a patient risk assessment combined with tailored actions decreased severe aggression events in psychiatric wards. Applying de-escalation techniques during an aggressive event is highly recommended. Postincident reporting followed by root cause analysis of the incident provides the basic input for review and optimisation of violence prevention programmes.

Conclusions

This review documented interventions to prevent and de-escalate aggression against doctors. Aggression against physicians is a serious occupational hazard. There is moderate evidence that an integrated violence prevention programme decreases the risks of patient-to-worker violence. The review failed to gather sufficient numerical data to perform a meta-analysis. A large-scale cohort study would add to a better understanding of the effectiveness of interventions.
An interrupted time-series analysis of the impact of emergency department reconfiguration on regional emergency department trolley numbers in Ireland from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Lynch Brenda , Browne John , Buckley Claire Mary , Healy Orla , Corcoran Paul , Fitzgerald Anthony P
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To understand the impact of emergency department (ED) reconfiguration on the number of patients waiting for hospital beds on trolleys in the remaining EDs in four geographical regions in Ireland using time-series analysis.

Setting

EDs in four Irish regions; the West, North-East, South and Mid-West from 2005 to 2015.

Participants

All patients counted as waiting on trolleys in an ED for a hospital bed in the study hospitals from 2005 to 2015.

Intervention

The system intervention was the reconfiguration of ED services, as determined by the Department of Health and Health Service Executive. The timing of these interventions varied depending on the hospital and region in question.

Results

Three of the four regions studied experienced a significant change in ED trolley numbers in the 12-month post-ED reconfiguration. The trend ratio before and after the intervention for these regions was as follows: North-East incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.85 (95% CI 2.04 to 3.99, p<0.001), South IRR 0.68 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.89, p=0.006) and the Mid-West IRR 0.03 (95% 1.03 to 2.03, p=0.03). Two of these regions, the South and the Mid-West, displayed a convergence between the observed and expected trolley numbers in the 12-month post-reconfiguration. The North-East showed a much steeper increase, one that extended beyond the 12-month period post-ED reconfiguration.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the impacts of ED reconfiguration on regional level ED trolley trends were either non-significant or caused a short-term shock which converged on the pre-reconfiguration trend over the following 12 months. However, the North-East is identified as an exception due to increased pressures in one regional hospital, which caused a change in trend beyond the 12-month post reconfiguration.