bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organotrialkoxysilane-mediated controlled synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles and their impact on selective fluorescence enhancement and quenching
Authors: Pandey Prem C. , Shukla Shubhangi , Pandey Govind , Narayan Roger J.
Published: July 2020

Ordered noble metal nanoparticles functionalized with organotrialkoxysilanes [e.g., 2-(3, 4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane (EETMS), 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS)] were used as substrates to investigate the variation in fluorescence intensity of some well-known fluorophores (e.g., fluorescein, rhodamine, and l-tryptophan) based on distance effects and surface plasmonic activity. Anisotropic palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs), gold nanospheres (AuNPs), and silver nanospheres (AgNPs) were synthesized as a function of concentration of EETMS, APTMS, or GPTMS; the organotrialkoxysilane concentration directed the growth rate of particles along certain crystallographic facets. The reactive organic functionalities of alkoxysilanes facilitated the physisorption of probe molecules in proximity to the nanoparticles. The maximum enhancement in fluorescence intensity was observed in the case of APTMS-induced stabilization at hydrodynamic radii (RH) of ∼350 nm as a result of specific interactions with fluorescein molecules; quenching was mostly observed close for interactions between the GPTMS-functionalized nanoparticles and fluorophores. The smaller size of l-tryptophan and the absence of effective plasmonic coupling with PdNPs and AuNPs surfaces in the 290–370 nm emission range resulted in quenching; an appreciable far-field linking with AgNPs was noted around an emission wavelength of 360–375 nm, which resulted in several fold enhancement in intensity. Alkoxysilanes were shown to regulate the spatial control between the functionalized nanoparticles. As such nanoparticles, alkoxysilane-derived nanomaterials, may serve as promising platforms for metal enhanced fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
Dolphin echo-delay resolution measured with a jittered-echo paradigm
Authors: Finneran James J. , Jones Ryan , Guazzo Regina A. , Strahan Madelyn G. , Mulsow Jason , Houser Dorian S. , Branstetter Brian K. , Moore Patrick W.
Published: July 2020

Biosonar echo delay resolution was investigated in four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using a “jittered” echo paradigm, where dolphins discriminated between electronic echoes with fixed delay and those whose delay alternated (jittered) on successive presentations. The dolphins performed an echo-change detection task and produced a conditioned acoustic response when detecting a change from non-jittering echoes to jittering echoes. Jitter delay values ranged from 0 to 20 μs. A passive listening task was also conducted, where dolphins listened to simulated echoes and produced a conditioned acoustic response when signals changed from non-jittering to jittering. Results of the biosonar task showed a mean jitter delay threshold of 1.3 μs and secondary peaks in error functions suggestive of the click autocorrelation function. When echoes were jittered in polarity and delay, error functions shifted by approximately 5 μs and all dolphins discriminated echoes that jittered only in polarity. Results were qualitatively similar to those from big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and indicate that the dolphin biosonar range estimator is sensitive to echo phase information. Results of the passive listening task suggested that the dolphins could not passively detect changes in timing and polarity of simulated echoes.
Toward optimal acoustophoretic microparticle manipulation by exploiting asymmetry
Authors: Tahmasebipour Amir , Friedrich Leanne , Begley Matthew , Bruus Henrik , Meinhart Carl
Published: July 2020

The performance of a micro-acousto-fluidic device designed for microparticle trapping is simulated using a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model. It is demonstrated by numerical simulations that geometrically asymmetric architecture and actuation can increase the acoustic radiation forces in a liquid-filled cavity by almost 2 orders of magnitude when setting up a standing pressure half wave in a microfluidic chamber. Similarly, experiments with silicon-glass devices show a noticeable improvement in acoustophoresis of 20-μm silica beads in water when asymmetric devices are used. Microparticle acoustophoresis has an extensive array of applications in applied science fields ranging from life sciences to 3D printing. A more efficient and powerful particle manipulation system can boost the overall effectiveness of an acoustofluidic device. The numerical simulations are developed in the COMSOL Multiphysics® software package (COMSOL AB, Stockholm, Sweden). By monitoring the modes and magnitudes of simulated acoustophoretic fields in a relatively wide range of ultrasonic frequencies, a map of device performance is obtained. 3D resonant acoustophoretic fields are identified to quantify the improved performance of the chips with an asymmetric layout. Four different device designs are analyzed experimentally, and particle tracking experimental data qualitatively supports the numerical results.
Distance estimation of a sound source using the multiple intensity vectors
Authors: Jung In-Jee , Ih Jeong-Guon
Published: July 2020

The three-dimensional acoustic intensimetry employing multiple probe-modules are implemented for estimating the source distance by calculating the nearest intersection points of the vectors. The probe spacing, source localization error, and source distance affect the estimation error. It is found that the intensity vectors indicating the source location diverge in some directions due to the geometric singularity. Numerical and experimental tests are conducted with three probe-modules configured as an equilateral triangle on a plane. The result reveals that the large error due to geometric singularity can be significantly reduced by only excluding the corresponding vectors that cause the divergence.
Chapter 6: Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Twitter for Health and Physical Education Teacher Education: A Self-Determination Theoretical Approach
Authors: Hyndman Brendon P. , Harvey Stephen
Published: July 2020

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted relating to the use of social media during health and physical education teacher education. The aim of this study was to investigate preservice teachers’ perceptions of the value of using Twitter for health and physical education teacher education. Methods: Preservice teachers completed a qualitatively designed survey. Thematic analyses were conducted via Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software, aligned to self-determination theory. Results: Twitter was perceived to be valuable for the following motivational components: (a) autonomy (choice over professional development, latest ideas, and learning flexibility), (b) relatedness (enhancing communication, tailored collaborations, and receiving practical support), and (c) competence (transferring ideas to classes, increasing technological competence, and keeping ahead of other teachers). Yet there were concerns due to Twitter’s public exposure to undesired Twitter users (relatedness) and how to navigate the platform (competence). Discussion/Conclusions: The study provides guidance to health and physical education teacher education providers on how digital learning via Twitter can meet preservice teachers’ learning needs.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System To Assess Candida glabrata,
Candida nivariensis
, and
Candida bracarensis
Virulence and Antifungal Efficacy
Authors: Hernando-Ortiz Ainara , Mateo Estibaliz , Ortega-Riveros Marcelo , De-la-Pinta Iker , Quindós Guillermo , Eraso Elena
Published: July 2020

Although
Candida albicans
remains the major etiological agent of invasive candidiasis,
Candida glabrata
and other emerging species of
Candida
are increasingly isolated. This species is the second most prevalent cause of candidiasis in many regions of the world. However, clinical isolates of
Candida nivariensis
and
Candida bracarensis
can be misidentified and are underdiagnosed due to phenotypic traits shared with
C. glabrata
.
Phosphotransferase System Uptake and Metabolism of the β-Glucoside Salicin Impact Group A Streptococcal Bloodstream Survival and Soft Tissue Infection
Authors: Braza Rezia Era , Silver Aliyah B. , Sundar Ganesh S. , Davis Sarah E. , Razi Afrooz , Islam Emrul , Hart Meaghan , Zhu Jinyi , Le Breton Yoann , McIver Kevin S.
Published: July 2020

Streptococcus pyogenes
(group A
Streptococcus
[GAS]), a major human-specific pathogen, relies on efficient nutrient acquisition for successful infection within its host. The phosphotransferase system (PTS) couples the import of carbohydrates with their phosphorylation prior to metabolism and has been linked to GAS pathogenesis. In a screen of an insertional mutant library of all 14 annotated PTS permease (EIIC) genes in MGAS5005, the annotated β-glucoside PTS transporter (
bglP
) was found to be crucial for GAS growth and survival in human blood and was validated in another M1T1 GAS strain, 5448.
NKNK: a New Essential Motif in the C-Terminal Domain of HIV-1 Group M Integrases
Authors: Kanja Marine , Cappy Pierre , Levy Nicolas , Oladosu Oyndamola , Schmidt Sylvie , Rossolillo Paola , Winter Flore , Gasser Romain , Moog Christiane , Ruff Marc , Negroni Matteo , Lener Daniela
Published: July 2020

Intensive studies of HIV-1 have revealed its extraordinary ability to adapt to environmental and immunological challenges, an ability that is also at the basis of antiviral treatment escape. Here, by deconvoluting the different roles of the viral integrase in the various steps of the infectious cycle, we report how the existence of alternative equally efficient structural arrangements for carrying out one function opens up the possibility of adapting to the optimization of further functionalities exerted by the same protein. Such a property provides an asset to increase the efficiency of the infectious process. On the other hand, though, the identification of this new motif provides a potential target for interfering simultaneously with multiple functions of the protein.
Interactions of Monocytes, HIV, and ART Identified by an Innovative scRNAseq Pipeline: Pathways to Reservoirs and HIV-Associated Comorbidities
Authors: León-Rivera Rosiris , Morsey Brenda , Niu Meng , Fox Howard S. , Berman Joan W.
Published: July 2020

HIV enters tissues early after infection, leading to establishment and persistence of HIV reservoirs despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). Viral reservoirs are a major obstacle to the eradication and cure of HIV. CD14
+
CD16
+
(mature) monocytes may contribute to establishment and reseeding of reservoirs. A subset of monocytes, consisting mainly of CD14
+
CD16
+
cells, harbors HIV (HIV
+
), while the rest remain uninfected, exposed cells (HIV
exp
). It is important to identify cells harboring virus to eliminate reservoirs. Using an innovative single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) pipeline to detect HIV and host transcripts simultaneously, we characterized HIV
+
and HIV
exp
primary human mature monocytes with and without ART. HIV
+
mature monocytes are not a unique subpopulation but rather can be distinguished from HIV
exp
by differential gene expression. We characterized mature monocyte subpopulations differently impacted by HIV and ART, highlighting their potential contributions to HIV-associated comorbidities. Our data propose therapeutic targets to block HIV
+
monocyte entry into tissues, preventing establishment and replenishment of reservoirs even with ART.
Can Dietary Fatty Acids Affect the COVID-19 Infection Outcome in Vulnerable Populations?
Authors: Onishi J. C. , Häggblom M. M. , Shapses S. A.
Published: July 2020

There is high mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases, like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. A cytokine storm in some patients after infection contributes to this mortality. In addition to lungs, the intestine is targeted during COVID-19 infection. The intestinal membrane serves as a barrier to prevent leakage of microorganisms and their products into the bloodstream; however, dietary fats can affect the gut microbiome and may increase intestinal permeability.
Selective Translation of Low Abundance and Upregulated Transcripts in Halobacterium salinarum
Authors: López García de Lomana Adrián , Kusebauch Ulrike , Raman Arjun V. , Pan Min , Turkarslan Serdar , Lorenzetti Alan P. R. , Moritz Robert L. , Baliga Nitin S.
Published: July 2020

Our findings demonstrate conclusively that low abundance and upregulated transcripts are preferentially translated, potentially by environment-specific translation systems with distinct ribosomal protein composition. We show that a complex interplay of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation underlies the conditional and modular regulatory programs that generate ribosomes of distinct protein composition. The modular regulation of ribosomal proteins with other transcription, translation, and metabolic genes is generalizable to bacterial and eukaryotic microbes. These findings are relevant to how microorganisms adapt to unfavorable environments when they transition from active growth to quiescence by generating proteins from upregulated transcripts that are in considerably lower abundance relative to transcripts associated with the previous physiological state. Selective translation of transcripts by distinct ribosomes could form the basis for adaptive evolution to new environments through a modular regulation of the translational systems.
Microbiome and Metagenome Analyses of a Closed Habitat during Human Occupation
Authors: Malli Mohan Ganesh Babu , Parker Ceth W. , Urbaniak Camilla , Singh Nitin K. , Hood Anthony , Minich Jeremiah J. , Knight Rob , Rucker Michelle , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: July 2020

This study provides the first assessment of monitoring cultivable and viable microorganisms on surfaces within a submerged, closed, analog habitat. The results of the analyses presented herein suggest that the surface material plays a role in microbial community structure, as the microbial populations differed between LDP and metal/glass surfaces. The metal/glass surfaces had less-complex community, lower bioburden, and more closely resembled the controls. These results indicated that material choice is crucial when building closed habitats, even if they are simply analogs. Finally, while a few species were associated with previously cultivated isolates from the International Space Station and MIR spacecraft, the majority of the microbial ecology of the submerged analog habitat differs greatly from that of previously studied analog habitats.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Rapidly Evolving SARS-CoV-2 Reveals Mosaic Pattern of Phylogeographical Distribution
Authors: Kumar Roshan , Verma Helianthous , Singhvi Nirjara , Sood Utkarsh , Gupta Vipin , Singh Mona , Kumari Rashmi , Hira Princy , Nagar Shekhar , Talwar Chandni , Nayyar Namita , Anand Shailly , Rawat Charu Dogra , Verma Mansi , Negi Ram Krishan , Singh Yogendra , Lal Rup
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to storm the world, with over 6.5 million cases worldwide. The severity of the disease varies with the territories and is mainly influenced by population density and age factor. In this study, we analyzed the transmission pattern of 95 SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated from 11 different countries. Our study also revealed several nonsynonymous mutations in ORF1b and S-proteins and the impact on their structural stability. Our analysis showed the manipulation of host system by viral proteins through SARS-CoV-2–human protein interactome, which can be useful to understand the impact of virus on human health.
A Distinct Contractile Injection System Gene Cluster Found in a Majority of Healthy Adult Human Microbiomes
Authors: Rojas Maria I. , Cavalcanti Giselle S. , McNair Katelyn , Benler Sean , Alker Amanda T. , Cobián-Güemes Ana G. , Giluso Melissa , Levi Kyle , Rohwer Forest , Bailey Barbara A. , Beyhan Sinem , Edwards Robert A. , Shikuma Nicholas J.
Published: July 2020

To engage with host cells, diverse pathogenic bacteria produce syringe-like structures called contractile injection systems (CIS). CIS are evolutionarily related to the contractile tails of bacteriophages and are specialized to puncture membranes, often delivering effectors to target cells. Although CIS are key for pathogens to cause disease, paradoxically, similar injection systems have been identified within healthy human microbiome bacteria. Here, we show that gene clusters encoding a predicted CIS, which we term
Bacteroidales
injection systems (BIS), are present in the microbiomes of nearly all adult humans tested from Western countries. BIS genes are enriched within human gut microbiomes and are expressed both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Further, a greater abundance of BIS genes is present within healthy gut microbiomes than in those humans with with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our discovery provides a potentially distinct means by which our microbiome interacts with the human host or its microbiome.
Neoproterozoic Amdo and Jiayuqiao microblocks in the Tibetan Plateau: Implications for Rodinia reconstruction
Authors: Liu Yiming , Wang Yuhua , Li Sanzhong , Santosh M. , Guo Runhua , Yu Shengyao
Published: July 2020

The Tibetan Plateau is composed of several microblocks, the tectonic affinity and paleogeographic correlations of which remain enigmatic. We investigated the Amdo and Jiayuqiao microblocks in central Tibet Plateau with a view to understand their tectonic setting and paleogeographic position within the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia. We present zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope, and whole-rock geochemical data on Neoproterozoic granitic gneisses from these microblocks. Zircon grains from the Jiayuqiao granitic gneiss yielded an age of 857 ± 9 Ma with variable εHf(t) values (–8.9 to 4.0). The Amdo granitic gneisses yielded ages of 893 ± 5 Ma, 807 ± 5 Ma, and 767 ± 11 Ma, with εHf(t) values in the range of –4.9 to 3.5. Geochemically, the granitoids belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, with the protolith derived from partial melting of ancient crustal components. The ascending parental magma of the Amdo granitoids experienced significant mantle contamination as compared to the less contaminated magmas that generated the Jiayuqiao intrusions. In contrast to the Lhasa, Himalaya, South China, and Tarim blocks, we suggest that the Amdo and Jiayuqiao microblocks probably formed a unified block during the Neoproterozoic and were located adjacent to the southwestern part of South China craton. The Neoproterozoic magmatism was probably associated with the subduction of the peripheral ocean under the South China craton and the delamination of lithospheric mantle beneath the Jiangnan orogen.
Poverty in practice: using quality improvement in paediatrics to improve identification and support of families living in poverty
Authors: Singh Guddi , Zhu Hannah
Published: July 2020

We used quality improvement (QI) methodology in the acute paediatric setting to develop clinical screening tools and local resources for addressing child poverty in practice in a London district general hospital between March and August 2019.
Neonatal cardiac surgery in low resource settings: implications of birth weight
Authors: Gunasekara Chamith Mendis , Moynihan Katie , Sudhakar Abish , Sunil Gopalraj Sumangala , Kotayil Brijesh P , Bayya Praveen Reddy , Kumar Raman Krishna
Published: July 2020

Objective

We sought to evaluate the association between low birth weight (LBW) and outcomes following neonatal cardiac surgery in a low-income and middle-income country setting where LBW prevalence is high and its impact on surgical outcomes is undefined.

Design

Single-centre retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Referral paediatric hospital in Southern India

Patients

All neonatal cardiac surgical cases between January 2011 and December 2018. LBW was defined as <2.5 kg.

Main outcome measures

Patient demographics, corrective versus palliative surgery and postoperative outcomes were collected from the institutional database which undergoes regular audit as part of International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Disease. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome measure.

Results

Of 569 neonatal cardiac operations, 123 (21.6%) had LBW (mean: 2.2±0.3 kg); 18.7% <2 kg and 21.1% were preterm (<37 weeks). Surgery type (corrective vs palliative) or non-cardiac anomalies were not associated with birth weight. Birth weight did not correlate with ICU length of stay (LOS) and mechanical ventilation but was lower in those with postoperative sepsis. Overall in-hospital mortality was 7.0%; LBW neonates had higher mortality (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.29, p=0.025). Multivariable analyses revealed birth weight (OR per 100 g decrease in weight: 1.12; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.22), age at surgery (OR per day increase in age of 0.93; 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99) and palliative intervention (OR 4.46 (95% CI 1.91 to 10.44) as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

LBW adversely impacts in-hospital mortality outcomes following neonatal cardiac surgery in a resource-limited setting without increase in ICU or hospital LOS.
Overlap between child protection services and the youth justice system: protocol for a retrospective population-based cohort study using linked administrative data in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Nickel Nathan C , Turnbull Lorna , Wall-Wieler Elizabeth , Au Wendy , Ekuma Okechukwu , MacWilliam Leonard , Enns Jennifer Emily , Lee Janelle Boram , McCulloch Scott , Burchill Charles , Brownell Marni
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Children who have a history of involvement in child protection services (CPS) are over-represented in the youth and adult criminal justice systems. There are significant health and socioeconomic implications for individuals involved in either or both CPS and the justice system. Understanding the ‘overlap’ between these two systems would provide insight into the health and social needs of this population. This protocol describes a research programme on the relationship between the child welfare and the youth justice systems, looking specifically at the population involved in both CPS and the youth justice system. We will examine the characteristics associated with involvement in these systems, justice system trajectories of individuals with a history of CPS involvement and early adult outcomes of children involved in both systems.

Methods and analysis

Administrative data sets will be linked at the individual level for three cohorts born 1991, 1994 and 1998 in Manitoba, Canada. Involvement in CPS will be categorised as ‘placed in out-of-home care’, ‘received in-home services, but was not placed in care’ or ‘no involvement’. Involvement in the youth justice system will be examined through contacts with police between ages 12 and 17 that either led to charges or did not proceed. Individual, maternal and neighbourhood characteristics will be examined to identify individuals at greatest risk of involvement in one or both systems.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board and permission to access data sets has been granted by all data providers. We also received approval for the study from the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba’s Health Information Research Governance Committee and the Manitoba Metis Federation. Strategies to disseminate study results will include engagement of stakeholders and policymakers through meetings and workshops, scientific publications and presentations, and social media.
Determinants of virological failure among adults on first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy at public health facilities in Kombolcha town, Northeast, Ethiopia: a case–control study
Authors: Meshesha Habtamu Mengist , Nigussie Zelalem Mehari , Asrat Anemaw , Mulatu Kebadnew
Published: July 2020

Objective

To identify determinants of virological failure among HIV-infected adults on first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy at public health facilities in Kombolcha town, Northeast, Ethiopia, in 2019.

Methods

An unmatched case–control study was conducted from April to May 2019. About 130 cases and 259 controls were selected by simple random sampling. Data were extracted from charts of patients using a structured checklist. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify possible factors. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to check the model. Finally, independent predictor variables of virological failure were identified based on adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI and a p value of 0.05.

Results

The odds of virological failure were 2.4-fold (AOR=2.44, 95% CI 1.353 to 4.411) higher in clients aged <35 years compared with older clients, fivefold (AOR=5.00, 95% CI 2.60 to 9.63) higher in clients who did not disclose their HIV status, threefold (AOR=2.99, 95% CI 1.33 to 6.73) higher in clients with poor adherence, and 7.5-fold (AOR=7.51, 95% CI 3.98 to 14.14) higher in clients who had recent CD4 count of ≤250 cells/mm3.

Conclusion and recommendation

This study revealed that age, marital status, occupation, disclosure status, baseline functional status, missed clinic visit, current antiretroviral therapy regimen, adherence to treatment and recent CD4 count were significantly associated with virological failure. Therefore, adherence support should be strengthened among clients. Missed clinic visits should also be reduced, as it could help clients better adhere to treatment, and therefore boost their immunity and suppress viral replication.
Self-directed multimedia process for delivering participant informed consent
Authors: Chapman Niamh , McWhirter Rebekah , Armstrong Matthew K , Fonseca Ricardo , Campbell Julie A , Nelson Mark , Schultz Martin G , Sharman James E
Published: July 2020

Objective

Obtaining informed consent is a cornerstone requirement of conducting ethical research. Traditional paper-based consent is often excessively lengthy and may fail to achieve the desired participant understanding of study requirements. Multimedia tools including video and audio may be a useful alternative. This study aimed to determine the efficacy, usability and acceptability of self-directed multimedia delivery of participant consent.

Design

It is a single-centre, randomised, prospective study to determine the efficacy, usability and acceptability of a self-directed multimedia consent process (intervention) compared with the traditional paper-based approach (control). The intervention was free of research staff, with computer-based finger-signed consent.

Setting

Pathology blood collection services in Tasmania, Australia.

Participants

298 participants (63±8 years; 51% female individuals) referred from general practice were randomised to intervention (n=146) and control (n=152).

Outcome measures

Efficacy, usability and acceptability of the allocated consent process were assessed by a questionnaire.

Results

All participants successfully completed the allocated interventions. Efficacy parameters were higher among intervention participants, including a better understanding of study requirements compared with controls (p<0.05 all). Intervention participants were more likely to engage with the study information and spend more time on the consent process (p=<0.001 and p=0.006, respectively). Both groups reported similar levels of acceptability, although more control participants reported that the study information was too long (24% vs 14%; p=0.020).

Conclusion

A self-directed multimedia consent process is effective for achieving participant understanding and obtaining consent free of research staff. Thus, multimedia represents a viable method to reduce the burden on researchers, meet participant needs and achieve informed consent in clinical research.
General practice nurses and physicians and end of life: a systematic review of models of care
Authors: Mitchell Geoffrey , Aubin Michèle , Senior Hugh , Johnson Claire , Fallon-Ferguson Julia , Williams Briony , Monterosso Leanne , Rhee Joel J , McVey Peta , Grant Matthew , Nwachukwu Harriet , Yates Patsy
Published: July 2020

Background

General practitioners (GPs) and general practice nurses (GPNs) face increasing demands to provide palliative care (PC) or end-of-life care (EoLC) as the population ages. In order to maximise the impact of GPs and GPNs, the impact of different models of care that have been developed to support their practice of EoLC needs to be understood.

Objective

To examine published models of EoLC that incorporate or support GP and GPN practice, and their impact on patients, families and the health system.

Method

Systematic literature review. Data included papers (2000 to 2017) sought from Medline, Psychinfo, Embase, Joanna Briggs Institute and Cochrane databases.

Results

From 6209 journal articles, 13 papers reported models of care supporting the GP and GPN’s role in EoLC or PC practice. Services and guidelines for clinical issues have mixed impact on improving symptoms, but improved adherence to clinical guidelines. National Frameworks facilitated patients being able to die in their preferred place. A single specialist PC-GP case conference reduced hospitalisations, better maintained functional capacity and improved quality of life parameters in both patients with cancer and without cancer. No studies examined models of care aimed at supporting GPNs.

Conclusions

Primary care practitioners have a natural role to play in EoLC, and most patient and health system outcomes are substantially improved with their involvement. Successful integrative models need to be tested, particularly in non-malignant diseases. Such models need to be explored further. More work is required on the role of GPNs and how to support them in this role.
Women’s age and total motile normal morphology sperm count predict fecundability: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lam Mei Ting , Li Hang Wun Raymond , Wong Ching Yin Grace , Yeung William Shu Biu , Ho Pak Chung , Ng Ernest Hung Yu
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study investigated the role of women’s age, serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and semen parameters in predicting fecundability.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study on couples attending for preconceptional health check. Occurrence of conception at 1 year after ceasing contraception and time to pregnancy were noted by telephone follow-up. The women’s age, serum AMH level and total motile normal morphology sperm count (TMNC) were compared between those who conceived and those who did not after 1 year; their independent predictive value on conception at 1 year was analysed by logistic regression. Among those conceiving within 1 year, Spearman’s correlations between time to pregnancy and the clinical parameters were studied.

Results

Of the 100 couples analysed, we found younger age of the women (p=0.008), higher serum AMH level (p=0.038) and higher TMNC (p=0.015) in those that conceived within 1 year. Multivariate logistic regression found that women’s age (OR 0.867, 95% CI 0.761 to 0.988, p=0.032) and TMNC (OR 1.089, 95% 1.001–1.185, p=0.047), but not serum AMH level, significantly predicted conception within 1 year. Among those that conceived within 1 year, none of the parameters analysed were correlated with time to pregnancy within 1 year.

Conclusions

Women’s age and TNMC are significant independent predictors of conception within 1 year. No parameter was shown to predict the time to pregnancy within 1 year. This finding can aid preconceptional counselling of couples who are planning for pregnancy.
Mutation spectrum and erythrocyte indices characterisation of α-thalassaemia and β-thalassaemia in Sichuan women in China: a thalassaemia screening survey of 42 155 women
Authors: Li Bei , Han Xiao , Ma Jian , Yang Dan
Published: July 2020

Aims

The present study aims to investigate the mutation spectrum of thalassaemia, and characterise the erythrocyte indices of thalassaemia in a large cohort in Sichuan, which is a province with a high prevalence of thalassaemia in southern China.

Methods

The present study was conducted from July 2017 to July 2019. A total of 42 155 women screened for thalassaemia were enrolled. The thalassaemia carriers were screened by erythrocyte analysis and haemoglobin electrophoresis. Then, the screening test results and genetic results were collected.

Results

A total of 1109 individuals had thalassaemia gene defects. Among these individuals, 69.7% were α-thalassaemia (α-thal) and 28.6% were β-thalassaemia (β-thal). For α-thal defects, carriers with--SEAhad the lowest mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values. For β-thal defects, carriers with heterozygous haemoglobin E and −28 had the highest MCV and MCH values. In addition, an MCV cut-off of 80 fl and an MCH cut-off of 27 pg was able to detect 99.1% α0 thalassaemia and 99.7% β0/β+ thalassaemia; however, that criterion could result in a great number of false-negative results in α+ carriers.

Conclusion

A criterion of MCV <80 fl and MCH <27 pg is recommended for detecting –SEA carriers and β0/β+ carriers, while higher cut-offs are needed to detect α+ carriers.
Comprehensive characteristics of somatic mutations in the normal tissues of patients with cancer and existence of somatic mutant clones linked to cancer development
Authors: Oh Ji-Hye , Sung Chang Ohk
Published: July 2020

Background

Somatic mutations are a major driver of cancer development and many have now been identified in various cancer types, but the comprehensive somatic mutation status of the normal tissues matched to tumours has not been revealed.

Method

We analysed the somatic mutations of whole exome sequencing data in 392 patient tumour and normal tissue pairs based on the corresponding blood samples across 10 tumour types.

Results

Many of the mutations involved in oncogenic pathways such as PI3K, NOTCH and TP53, were identified in the normal tissues. The ageing-related mutational signature was the most prominent contributing signature found and the mutations in the normal tissues were frequently in genes involved in late replication time (p<0.0001). Variants were rarely overlapping across tissue types but shared variants between normal and matched tumour tissue were present. These shared variants were frequently pathogenic when compared with non-shared variants (p=0.001) and showed a higher variant-allele-fraction (p<0.0001). Normal tissue-specific mutated genes were frequently non-cancer-associated (p=0.009).PIK3CAmutations were identified in 6 normal tissues and were harboured by all of the matched cancer tissues. Multiple types ofPIK3CAmutations were found in normal breast and matched cancer tissues. ThePIK3CAmutations exclusively present in normal tissue may indicate clonal expansions unrelated to the tumour. In addition,PIK3CAmutation was appeared that they arose before the occurrence of the allelic imbalance.

Conclusion

Our current results suggest that somatic mutant clones exist in normal tissues and that their clonal expansion could be linked to cancer development.
Moving through capacity space: mapping disability and enhancement
Authors: Evans Nicholas Greig , Reynolds Joel Michael , Johnson Kaylee R
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we highlight some problems for accounts of disability and enhancement that have not been sufficiently addressed in the literature. The reason, we contend, is that contemporary debates that seek to define, characterise or explain the normative valence of disability and enhancement do not pay sufficient attention to (1) a wide range of cases, and (2) the transition between one state and another. In section one, we provide seven cases that might count as disability or enhancement. We explain why (with the exception of the first two, which lay the groundwork for the others) each case might count, and on what basis, and why it is been neglected. Each case is explained as a transition in what we call capacity space. We then argue that no definition of disability or enhancement addresses all of these cases, except for strict welfarist accounts of disability that do not rely on a depiction of any particular capacity. We argue further, however, that this is a serious deficiency of welfarist conceptions of disability. We then address objections to our account.
Effects on time to lapse of switching menthol smokers to non-menthol cigarettes prior to a cessation attempt: a pilot study
Authors: Kotlyar Michael , Shanley Ryan , Dufresne Sheena R , Corcoran Gretchen A , Okuyemi Kolawole S , Mills Anne M , Hatsukami Dorothy K
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Menthol smokers (particularly African-Americans) have lower cessation success rates than non-menthol smokers. With bans being considered on characterising menthol flavour in cigarettes, data are needed regarding how switching to non-menthol cigarettes impacts cessation measures.

Methods

In this randomised pilot study, African-American menthol cigarette smokers interested in quitting smoking either continued smoking menthol cigarettes (n=60) or switched to non-menthol cigarettes (n=62) for a 1-month period prior to a cessation attempt. The primary endpoint was time to smoking lapse (ie, time from quitting until any smoking). Additional endpoints included time to smoking relapse (ie, number of days from quitting until the first of seven consecutive smoking days) and difference between groups in subjective measures.

Results

After attempting to quit, the non-menthol cigarette group had indications of delayed time to lapse (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.22; p=0.33) and time to relapse (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.06; p=0.09), although these were not statistically significant. Post hoc analyses suggest that observed differences were largely due to a smaller proportion of participants in the non-menthol group relapsing within the first day of quitting (21% vs 40%; p=0.05). Values of other measures assessed postcessation were largely similar between groups.

Conclusions

These data suggest that among African-American smokers, a menthol cigarette ban would not undermine short-term cessation measures and may result in some benefits. Future research is needed to assess longer term cessation rates and to identify interventions to maximise cessation success in the event of a menthol ban.

Trial registration number

NCT02342327.
Effect of external growth environment on cocrystal habits of HNIW/DNB: a molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Song Liang , Xu Si-Yu , Zhao Feng-Qi , Ju Xue-Hai
Published: July 2020

The modified attachment energy model was applied to predict the crystal morphology of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane/1,3-dinitrobenzene (HNIW/DNB) cocrystal in ethanol. A double-layer interface structure was established based on experiments. Molecular dynamics simulation was employed to investigate the interaction of flat faces and ethanol solvents. We used periodic bond chains and roughness calculations to analyze the characteristics of the HNIW/DNB cocrystal. The crystal morphology of the HNIW/DNB cocrystal is mainly composed of the (001), (010), (102), and (111) faces in vacuum. The (001) face occupies the largest area (49.54%). In ethanol, the area of the (001) face increases to 68.58%. Ethanol molecules are adsorbed on the polar face through hydrogen bonding. In the slowest growth direction, two HNIW layers and one DNB layer alternately appear. The higher molecular recognition of the (001) face of HNIW/DNB resulted in this face becoming the most important growth face. Meanwhile, we also predicted the crystal morphologies of ε-HNIW and DNB in ethanol. The prediction morphologies are in excellent agreement with the experimental shapes. These simulation results can provide guidance for the recrystallization of HNIW/DNB.
Asymptotic behavior of spanning forests and connected spanning subgraphs on two-dimensional lattices
Authors: Chang Shu-Chiuan , Shrock Robert
Published: July 2020

We calculate exponential growth constants [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] describing the asymptotic behavior of spanning forests and connected spanning subgraphs on strip graphs, with arbitrarily great length, of several two-dimensional lattices, including square, triangular, honeycomb, and certain heteropolygonal Archimedean lattices. By studying the limiting values as the strip widths get large, we infer lower and upper bounds on these exponential growth constants for the respective infinite lattices. Since our lower and upper bounds are quite close to each other, we can infer very accurate approximate values for these exponential growth constants, with fractional uncertainties ranging from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. We show that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are monotonically increasing functions of vertex degree for these lattices.
Some remarks about the maximal perimeter of convex sets with respect to probability measures
Authors: Livshyts Galyna V.
Published: July 2020

In this note, we study the maximal perimeter of a convex set in [Formula: see text] with respect to various classes of measures. Firstly, we show that for a probability measure [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], satisfying very mild assumptions, there exists a convex set of [Formula: see text]-perimeter at least [Formula: see text] This implies, in particular, that for any isotropic log-concave measure [Formula: see text], one may find a convex set of [Formula: see text]-perimeter of order [Formula: see text]. Secondly, we derive a general upper bound of [Formula: see text] on the maximal perimeter of a convex set with respect to any log-concave measure with density [Formula: see text] in an appropriate position.

Our lower bound is attained for a class of distributions including the standard normal distribution. Our upper bound is attained, say, for a uniform measure on the cube.

In addition, for isotropic log-concave measures, we prove an upper bound of order [Formula: see text] for the maximal [Formula: see text]-perimeter of a convex set.
Attractors for 2D quasi-geostrophic equations with and without colored noise in W2α−,p(ℝ2)
Authors: Yang Lin , Wang Yejuan
Published: July 2020

The asymptotic behavior of stochastic modified quasi-geostrophic equations with damping driven by colored noise is analyzed. In fact, the existence of random attractors is established in [Formula: see text] In particular, we prove also the existence of a global compact attractor for autonomous quasi-geostrophic equations with damping in [Formula: see text] Here, we do not add any modifying factor on the nonlinear term.
A Constructive Explanation of Consciousness
Authors: Wang Pei
Published: July 2020

This paper describes the consciousness-related aspects of the AGI system NARS, discusses the implications of this design and compares it with other relevant theories and designs. It is argued that the function of consciousness is self-awareness and self-control, and the phenomenal aspect of consciousness is the first-person perspective of the same process for which the functional aspect is the third-person perspective.
Multidimensional ontology-based visual ranking
Authors: Triperina Evangelia
Published: July 2020

Evangelia Triperina obtained her PhD in Computer Sciences from the University of Limoges, France in 2020. Her thesis focuses on the interdisciplinary research in multidimensional decisions support in the ranking problematic aided by visual analytics and semantic web technologies. Interactive visual analytics exploit the increased visual perceptual abilities of the decision makers creating a more efficient decision support procedure, while semantic web technologies, and more specifically ontologies, structure data, make the system dynamic and add several needed capabilities to the decision support system. Furthermore, the multidimensional decision support method relies not only on evaluating an alternative based on multiple criteria, but also on important dimensions of the domain
1
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SAGe
Authors: Cerina L. , Santambrogio M. D.
Published: July 2020

Some of the most recent applications and services revolve around the analysis of time-series, which generally exhibits chaotic characteristics. This behavior brought back the necessity to simplify their representation to discover meaningful patterns and extract information efficiently. Furthermore, recent trends show how computation is moving back from the Cloud to the Edge of network, meaning that algorithms should be compatible with low-power embedded devices. A family of methods called Symbolic Analysis (SA) tries to solve this issue, reducing the dimensionality of the original data in a set of
symbolic words
and providing distance metrics for the obtained symbols. However, SA is usually implemented using application-specific tools, which are not easily adaptable, or mathematical environments (e.g. R, Julia) that do not ensure portability, or that require additional work to maximize computing performance. We propose here SAGe: a code generation tool that helps the user to prototype efficient and portable code, starting from a high-level representation of SA requirements. Other than exploiting similarities between SA pipelines, SAGe employs general code templates to build and deploy the code on different architectures, such as embedded devices, microcontrollers, and FPGAs. Preliminary results show a speedup up to 223x against Python implementations running on an x86 desktop machine and a notable increase in computational efficiency on a reconfigurable device.
FARD
Authors: Barbieri Samuele , Casasopra Fabiola , Brondolin Rolando , Santambrogio Marco D.
Published: July 2020

In the last few years Internet of Things (IoT) applications are moving from the cloud-sensor paradigm to a more variegated structure where IoT nodes interact with an intermediate fog computing layer. To enable compute-intensive tasks to be executed near the source of the data, fog computing nodes should provide enough performance and be sufficiently energy efficient to run on the field. Within this context, embedded Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) can be used to improve the performance per Watt ratio of fog computing nodes. In this paper we present Fog Acceleration through Reconigurable Devices (FARD), a distributed system that exploits FPGAs to accelerate compute-intensive tasks in fog computing applications. FARD is able to efficiently run distributed fog applications thanks to a well-defined application structure, a per-application isolated network overlay and thanks to the acceleration of tasks. Results show energy efficiency improvements while efficiently enabling cooperation across fog nodes.