bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin modulates neural processing of mitral/tufted cells in the olfactory bulb
Authors: Sun Changcheng , Yin Zhaoyang , Li Ben‐Zheng , Du Han , Tang Keke , Liu Penglai , Hang Pun Sio , Lei Tim C. , Li Anan
Published: February 2021

Aim

Oxytocin plays an important role in social recognition in rodents, which is mediated predominantly by the olfactory system. Although oxytocin modulates neural activity in the olfactory bulb, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we studied how direct infusion of oxytocin into the olfactory bulb affect social interactions in mice and modulate the neural activity of mitral/tufted cells in the olfactory bulb.

Methods

A three‐chamber social interaction test was used in the behavioural test. For in vivo studies, single unit recordings, local field potential recordings and fibre photometry recordings were used to record the neural activity of olfactory bulb. For in vitro studies, we performed patch clamp recordings in the slice of the olfactory bulb.

Results

Behaviourally, direct oxytocin infusion in olfactory bulb increased performance in a social interaction task. Moreover, odour‐evoked responses of mitral/tufted cells and neural discrimination of odours were both enhanced by oxytocin, whereas the spontaneous firing rate of mitral/tufted cells was reduced. At the neural network level, oxytocin decreased the amplitude of odour‐evoked high gamma responses. At the cell population level, oxytocin decreased odour‐evoked calcium responses (reflecting neural activity) specifically in granule cells. Moreover, in vitro slice recordings revealed that the inhibitory effect of oxytocin on mitral cell activity is mediated mainly by modulation of ATP‐sensitive potassium channels and involves the oxytocin receptor–Gq–PLC–IP3 signalling pathway.

Conclusion

Oxytocin modulates social interaction, likely by increasing the signal‐to‐noise ratio of odour responses in mitral cells which is partly through ATP‐sensitive potassium channel.
Hexylaminolevulinate‐mediated fluorescent urine cytology with a novel automated detection technology for screening and surveillance of bladder cancer
Authors: Miyake Makito , Nakai Yasushi , Nishimura Nobutaka , Ohnishi Sayuri , Oda Yuki , Fujii Tomomi , Owari Takuya , Hori Shunta , Morizawa Yosuke , Gotoh Daisuke , Anai Satoshi , Torimoto Kazumasa , Tanaka Nobumichi , Hirao Yoshihiko , Fujimoto Kiyohide
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of fluorescent voided urine cytology (FVUC) using a novel automated detection technology to screen for primary bladder cancer and for surveillance of recurrent bladder tumour.

Patients and Methods

We created a rapid, objective, automated, and high‐throughput detection device for hexylaminolevulinate‐mediated FVUC, named the cellular fluorescence analysis unit‐II (CFAU‐II). Two different cohorts were used in this study: (i) screening test for primary bladder cancer (165 patients with bladder cancer and 52 controls), and (ii) surveillance test for detecting intravesical recurrent tumour (192 patients with treated non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer and 15 with post‐nephroureterectomy upper urinary tract cancer). Voided urine samples were subjected to urine analysis, conventional VUC (cVUC), and FVUC. Diagnostic performance was compared between cVUC, FVUC, and a combination of the two.

Results

A total of 614 urine samples were successfully collected, processed, and analysed. Comparative analysis of the screening test cohort demonstrated that the overall sensitivity of FVUC (63%, P < 0.001) and combination testing (72%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher than that of cVUC (29%). FVUC was found to be superior in most of the subgroups, especially in low‐grade, Ta, and small tumours. Analysis of the surveillance test cohort showed that combination testing achieved a sensitivity of 82% and a negative predictive value of 98%, whereas those of cVUC were 39% and 96%, respectively. According to the pathological finding of recurrent tumours presenting false‐negative result in the FVUC, the majority of the overlooked recurrent diseases were Ta low‐grade tumours. Logistic regression analysis suggested an association between the risk of false‐positive results and high density of urine white blood cells and alkaluria.

Conclusion

The present findings clearly demonstrate that FVUC using the newly developed automation technology has superior sensitivity to cVUC for both screening for primary bladder cancer and recurrent tumour detection. It is essential to confirm the clinical usefulness of this method via further large‐scale studies, in addition to ensuring its affordability and availability.
Biogas residue biochar shifted bacterial community, mineralization, and molecular structure of organic carbon in a sandy loam Alfisol
Authors: Zheng Xuebo , Dong Jianxin , Zhang Wenhui , Xiang Jian , Yin Xingsheng , Han Lanfang
Published: February 2021

Pyrolysis into biochar as a soil amendment has been treated as an eco‐friendly and environmentally sustainable method to recycle biogas residue (BR). However, the effect of BR biochar on soil bacterial community, mineralization, and structure of organic carbon (OC) remains unrevealed, which limits the soil application of BR biochar. This study performed a microcosm incubation experiment for a sandy soil with BR and BR‐derived biochar produced at relatively low (300°C) and high (600°C) temperature (BC300 and BC600), and explored the shift in bacterial community, mineralization, and structure of OC. Results showed that BR decreased the richness and diversity of bacterial community by 19.0%–28.0%, while BR biochar caused lower reduction (4.0%–7.0%), suggesting the potential of pyrolysis in mitigating the harmful effect of BR in bacterial community. Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance demonstrated that BR and BR biochar shifted dissolved OC toward components with 12.0%–26.0% higher molecular weight and 18.0%–21.0% more aromatics but 10.0%–22.0% lower polarity and less protein‐, carbohydrate‐, and tannin‐like species, with the shift extent being stronger for BC600. Furthermore, BC600 increased the aromaticity of bulk OC but reduced the carbohydrate, possibly due to more Actinobacteria genera. Additionally, BR significantly elevated the amount and rate of soil carbon mineralization, while the potentially mineralizable C was the lowest in the BC600‐treated soil. These findings suggested that the pyrolysis into biochar at high temperature would be a promising way to treat BR in terms of soil bacterial community richness/diversity and carbon sequestration.
The effect of erythrocyte lysing reagents on enumeration of leukocyte subpopulations compared with a no‐lyse‐no‐wash protocol
Authors: Plank Karin , Dorn Carla , Krause Stefan W.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Standard protocols in flow cytometry (FCM) require lysis of erythrocytes, which may induce an unwanted loss of leukocytes as bystander effect.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated the influence of 6 laboratory protocols using 4 different lysing reagents, FACS® Lysing Solution (FacsL), QUICKLYSIS® (QuickL), IOTest® 3 Lysing Solution (NH4Cl), VersaLyse® (VersaL), and VersaLyse® with added fixative (VersaFix) on the relative quantity of leukocyte subsets identified by CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD14, CD16, CD56, and CD45, applying a no‐lyse‐no‐wash (NoL) protocol as reference. In addition, we compared the efficiency of red blood cell (RBC) lysis.

Results

Peripheral blood samples from 52 individuals were analyzed. NoL was suitable as reference method, but led to less clear‐cut gating of lymphocyte and monocyte populations due to a wider distribution of light scatter. Best completeness of RBC lysis with remaining erythrocytes below 10% was achieved using NH4Cl and VersaL. We observed a loss of 11% of monocytes after QuickL. Lymphocyte counts were 19% lower after FacsL. Cell subsets within the lymphocyte compartment were rather similar between the different methods with the exception of lower B‐cell counts (−8%) and higher NK‐cell counts (+11%) after FacsL. NH4Cl and VersaL were in good accordance with the NoL method and also with the mean values of all methods.

Conclusion

Our data show that the lysing reagents tested lead to specific deviations in the quantitation of leukocyte subsets and show different efficiency of erythrocyte lysis.
Effect of the graphitization level of the free carbon on the temperature sensitivity of silicon carbonitride‐based pressure sensors
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Huang Chenhao , Xu Jie , Zhu Jian , Cong Minghui , Song Jingyuan , Xia Shengnan
Published: February 2021

Polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) have recently attracted an increasing attention because of their applications for wireless passive pressure sensors in the harsh environment. However, due to the effect of temperature on the frequency of PDC‐based wireless passive pressure sensors, it is not beneficial to accurate measurement of pressure. In this paper, a dense polymer‐derived silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramic was prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) technique to reduce the temperature sensitivity of PDC–SiCN‐based pressure sensor. The open porosity and density of SiCN ceramics varied from 13.34% and 1.89 g/cm3 without PIP process to 3.24% and 2.09 g/cm3 after three PIP cycles, respectively. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the level of graphitization of free carbon in dense SiCN ceramics is higher than that in porous SiCN ceramics, which would lead to an increase in the conductivity of dense SiCN ceramics. After three PIP cycles, the conductivity increased by almost two orders of magnitude from 3.01E − 10 to 1.28E − 08 S/cm. In addition, SiCN ceramic discs after PIP cycles and without PIP were applied to wireless passive pressure sensor based on resonator, which were tested at high temperature, respectively. Results confirmed that the temperature sensitivity of PDC–SiCN‐based pressure sensor decreased from 220.5 to 50.8 kHz/°C by PIP process.
The impact of an intentional APRN student clinical experience on role transition towards becoming a clinically competent practitioner; pilot study
Authors: Urbanowicz Janet
Published: February 2021

Aims

This study was to determine if there is a greater difference in Advanced Practice student nurse self‐reported transition towards practice and professional identity for an experimental group compared with a control group. The information gathered is expected to: (a) provide a curriculum baseline for focused clinical objectives as well as preceptor training, and (b) to meet these objectives in alignment with the expectations for graduation and subsequent post‐graduation transition into practice.

Design

Pilot exploration using quasi‐experimental, mixed methods included a quantitative five‐point Likert Scale and a self‐reported qualitative phenomenological analysis.

Methods

This study evaluated responses from all participants through a series of three self‐report periods during a 14‐week clinical semester.

Results

Based on the self‐reported data, the experimental group made minor additional progress with respect to their growth and professional identity transition compared with the control group.

Conclusion

This study fostered the need for further studies to support residency programs that aid newly graduated nurse practitioners as they transition into the advanced practice role.

Impact

The cost to replace these practitioners can be as high as twice their annual salary. The adjustment to an advanced practice role is difficult as postgraduate training is currently optional in many States. According to Brown, et al. (Nurse Educator, 2015, 40:148), novice Advanced Practice Nurses report being underprepared for this new role, particularly diagnostic interpretation skills. Supporting the advanced practitioner with a structured curriculum is imperative to achieve successful skills development, transition to practice, and professional identity.
Maternal reproductive output and F1 hybrid fitness may influence contact zone dynamics
Authors: Dong Caroline M. , Rankin Katrina J. , McLean Claire A. , Stuart‐Fox Devi
Published: February 2021

The outcome of secondary contact between divergent lineages or species may be influenced by both the reproductive traits of parental species and the fitness of offspring; however, their relative contributions have rarely been evaluated, particularly in longer‐lived vertebrate species. We performed pure and reciprocal laboratory crosses betweenCtenophorus decresii(tawny dragon) andC. modestus(swift dragon) to examine how parental reproductive traits and ecologically relevant offspring fitness traits may explain contact zone dynamics in the wild. The two species meet in a contact zone of post‐F1 hybrids with asymmetric backcrossing and predominantlyC. modestusmtDNA haplotypes. We found no evidence for reduced parental fecundity or offspring fitness for F1 hybrid crosses. However, maternal reproductive strategy differed between species, irrespective of the species of their mate.Ctenophorus modestusfemales had higher fecundity and produced more and larger clutches with lower embryonic mortality. Parental species also influenced sex ratios and offspring traits, withC. modestus♀ × C. decresii♂ hybrids exhibiting higher trait values for more fitness measures (growth rate, sprint speed, bite force) than offspring from all other pairings. Together, these patterns are consistent with the prevalence ofC. modestusmtDNA in the contact zone, and asymmetric backcrossing likely reflects fitness effects that manifest in the F2 generation. Our results highlight how parental species can influence multiple offspring traits in different ways, which together may combine to influence offspring fitness and shape contact zone dynamics.
Simple non‐invasive scoring systems and histological scores in predicting mortality in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Chang‐Hai , Ampuero Javier , Pavlides Michael , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Fan Jian‐Gao , Bai Lang , Li Hong , Wu Dong‐Bo , Zhou Ling‐Yun , Du Ling‐Yao , Yang Tian‐Kuo , Jiang Wei , Shi Ying , Gil‐Gómez Antonio , Zhang Wen‐Ting , Liang Jia‐Xu , Romero‐Gómez Manuel , Tang Hong
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim

There is debate among the hepatology community regarding the simple non‐invasive scoring systems and histological scores (even it was developed for histological classification) in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to determine whether the presence of simple non‐invasive scoring systems and histological scores could predict all‐cause mortality, liver‐related mortality, and liver disease decompensation (liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or decompensated liver disease).

Methods

The pooled hazard ratio of prognostic factors and incidence rate per 1000 person‐years in patients with NAFLD was calculated and further adjusted by two different models of handling the duplicated data.

Results

A total of 19 longitudinal studies were included. Most simple non‐invasive scoring systems (Fibrosis‐4 Score, BARD, and aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index ) and histological scores (NAFLD activity score, Brunt, and "steatosis, activity, and fibrosis" ) failed in predicting mortality, and only the NAFLD fibrosis score > 0.676 showed prognostic ability to all‐cause mortality (four studies, 7564 patients, 118 352 person‐years followed up, pooled hazard ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.96). The incidence rate per 1000 person‐years of all‐cause mortality, liver‐related mortality, cardiovascular‐related mortality, and liver disease decompensation resulted in a pooled incidence rate per 1000 person‐years of 22.65 (14 studies, 95% CI 9.62–53.31), 3.19 (7 studies, 95% CI 1.14–8.93), 6.02 (6 studies, 95% CI 4.69–7.74), and 11.46 (4 studies, 95% CI 5.33–24.63), respectively.

Conclusion

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score showed promising prognostic value to all‐cause mortality. Most present simple non‐invasive scoring systems and histological scores failed to predict clinical outcomes.
Test of an organizational change model to reduce no‐shows in dental care settings
Authors: Okunseri Christopher , Boss Deanne , Jacobson Nora , Wang Ming (Veronica) , Szabo Aniko , Okunseri Elaye , Molfenter Todd
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To test the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the NIATx model for organizational change to reduce appointment no‐shows in dental care settings.

Methods

The NIATx Dental Pilot Study used a clustered prepost interventional design and a mixed‐methods approach. Five independent dental clinics serving Medicaid enrollees were recruited. Quantitative data on the impact of the NIATx model were complemented by qualitative assessment information collected from dental staff. The NIATx model was applied through a multisite learning collaborative that engaged participating organizations in adopting targeted no‐show best practices. The primary outcome measure was no‐show data collected at the preintervention phase (5 months), intervention phase (7 months), and postintervention phase (3 months).

Results

Female patients were in the majority (median 54.5 percent). Mean age ranged from 8 to 50 (median 35.2) years. The median percentage for Hispanics was 11.0 percent, and the proportion of uninsured patients was 25 percent. Preintervention no‐show rates ranged from 14 percent (clinic B) to 38 percent (clinic E). All clinics had lower no‐show rates during the postintervention period, with decreases ranging from 1 percent (clinic B) to 13 percent (clinic E). Overall, the no‐show rates decreased in the study.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated the feasibility of applying the NIATx model to reduce no‐show rates, with some difficulty observed with sustainability across dental practices during the postintervention period.
Nurses' views on palliative care for those diagnosed with severe persistent mental illness: A Pilot Survey Study in Switzerland
Authors: Gloeckler Sophie , Trachsel Manuel
Published: February 2021

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

In recent years, some have suggested that palliative care approaches be considered for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness.

Palliative care aims to decrease the suffering related to illness rather than focusing on curing the illness.

Palliative care approaches for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness are controversial: Some argue palliative care would improve quality of life while others argue it would negatively affect patients' well‐being.

A recent survey found that psychiatrists from Switzerland tended to support the idea of palliative care approaches for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, but little is known about nurses' attitudes or beliefs regarding palliative psychiatry.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge?

Participating nurses tended to agree that palliative care approaches may be appropriate and even important in caring for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness.

Participating nurses tended to prioritize quality of life and respect for patient autonomy.

Participating nurses tended to agree palliative sedation may be an appropriate intervention.

What the implications are for practice?

For those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, care that aims to increase daily functioning and quality of life rather than care that looks to cure may be appropriate.

Palliative psychiatry should be further explored and better defined.

Introduction

In recent years, palliative care approaches for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness have been proposed, but remain controversial.

Aim/Question

The central research question of the present study was whether nurses consider palliative psychiatry appropriate in general and for certain patient types in particular. This pilot study is designed to inform future research.

Method

A quantitative survey that explored attitudes and beliefs regarding palliative care for those with severe, persistent mental illness.

Results

The responding 38 nurses tended to agree that palliative care approaches are suitable (73%, n = 24) and even important (62%, n = 21) in treating patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, including interventions such as palliative sedation (73%, n = 24).

Discussion

Widespread support among respondents regarding palliative care approaches for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness might be an indication that palliative approaches are already implicitly understood and incorporated into patients' care. More research is needed to determine whether these findings represent nurses' views generally.

Implications for practice

These finding suggest that palliative psychiatry should be further explored and developed.
Integrating coalescent‐based species delimitation with ecological niche modeling delimited two species within theStewartia sinensiscomplex (Theaceae)
Authors: Lin Han‐Yang , Gu Kai‐Jie , Li Wen‐Hao , Zhao Yun‐Peng
Published: February 2021

Accurate species delimitation is the key to precise estimation of species diversity and is fundamental to most branches of biology. Unclear species boundaries within species complexes could lead to the underestimation of species diversity. However, species delimitation of species complexes remains challenging due to the continuum of phenotypic variations. To robustly examine species boundaries within a species complex, integrative approaches in phylogeny, ecology, and morphology were applied to theStewartia sinensiscomplex (Theaceae) endemic to China. Multispecies coalescent‐based species delimitation using 572 nuclear ortholog sequences (anchored enrichment) supported reciprocal phylogenetic monophyly of the northern lineage (NL) and southern lineage (SL), which were not sister clades. Niche equivalency and similarity tests demonstrated significant climatic niche differentiation between NL and SL with observed Warren et al.'sI = 0.0073 and Schoener'sD = 0.0021. Species distribution modeling also separated their potential distribution. Morphometric analyses suggested significant interlineage differentiation of multiple traits including the ratio of length and width, leaf width, and pedicel length, although overall similarity did not differ. Based on the integrative species concept, two distinct species were proposed with legitimate names ofStewartia gemmatafor SL andS. sinensisfor NL. Our empirical study of theS. sinensiscomplex highlights the importance of applying multiple species criteria, in particular the underappreciated niche differentiation, to species delimitation in species complexes pervasive in plants.
The population genomics of repeated freshwater colonizations by Gulf pipefish
Authors: Flanagan Sarah P. , Rose Emily , Jones Adam G.
Published: February 2021

How organisms adapt to the novel challenges imposed by the colonization of a new habitat has long been a central question in evolutionary biology. When multiple populations of the same species independently adapt to similar environmental challenges, the question becomes whether the populations have arrived at their adaptations through the same genetic mechanisms. In recent years, genetic techniques have been used to tackle these questions by investigating the genome‐level changes underlying local adaptation. Here, we present a genomic analysis of colonization of freshwater habitats by a primarily marine fish, the Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli). We sample pipefish from four geographically distinct freshwater locations and use double‐digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing to compare them to 12 previously studied saltwater populations. The two most geographically distant and isolated freshwater populations are the most genetically distinct, although demographic analysis suggests that these populations are experiencing ongoing migration with their saltwater neighbours. Additionally, outlier regions were found genome‐wide, showing parallelism across ecotype pairs. We conclude that these multiple freshwater colonizations involve similar genomic regions, despite the large geographical distances and different underlying mechanisms. These similar patterns are probably facilitated by the interacting effects of intrinsic barriers, gene flow among populations and ecological selection in the Gulf pipefish.
Real‐world safety of the novel, free radical scavenger edaravone for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: Data from the post‐marketing surveillance SUNRISE Japan
Authors: Ishizaki Kaoru , Yoshimura Kenta , Yoshida Kengo , Matsuda Masao , Kawaguchi Yutaka , Yuki Satoshi , Sobue Gen
Published: February 2021

Background

Treatment options for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are limited. SUNRISE Japan is an ongoing post‐marketing surveillance evaluating the long‐term efficacy and safety of edaravone, a novel neuroprotectant agent, and free radical scavenger, in patients with ALS.

Aim

This study aims to describe the real‐word safety results of ALS patients enrolled in SUNRISE Japan.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with ALS and prescribed edaravone for the first time during the surveillance period were included. Patients were prescribed edaravone according to the prescribing information. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported up to 1 year of follow‐up was evaluated.

Results

Of 805 patients enrolled up to April 2020, 800 were included in the safety analysis set. Patients had a mean age of 66.3 years, 55.1% were male, and they had a mean disease duration of 1.8 years. In total, 97 patients (12.1%) reported at least one ADR, with a total of 148 ADR events reported. Thirty patients (3.8%) reported at least one serious ADR with a total of 42 serious ADR events reported. Hepatic function abnormal was the most frequently reported ADR, with an incidence of 4.4% (35/800). A higher incidence of ADRs was observed in patients with percent forced vital capacity ≥80%, and those with previous/concomitant treatment with riluzole.

Conclusion

In this surveillance study, hepatic ADRs were the most frequently reported events. These ADRs have also been reported previously in patients receiving standard therapy. No new safety concerns were raised with real‐world use of edaravone.
Hepatitis C virus core antigen as alternative diagnostic algorithm for active hepatitis C virus infection among haemodialysis population: Cost implications
Authors: Wong Xue Z. , Amirah Azzeri , Gan Chye C. , Fatiha Shabaruddin , Maznah Dahlui , Yahya Rosnawati , Ganapathy Shubash , Tan Soek S. , Mohamed Rosmawati , Lim Soo K.
Published: February 2021

Aims

In Malaysia, majority anti‐HCV positive haemodialysis patients do not undergo hepatitis C confirmation due to the high cost of HCV RNA. HCV Core Antigen might be a cost‐effective diagnostic test to identify HD patients who have active HCV infection eligible for Direct Acting Anti‐viral therapy.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted to assess the correlation between HCV Ag and HCV RNA and the cost implications of different diagnostic algorithms to diagnose active HCV infection using Anti‐HCV, HCV Ag, and HCV RNA. Pre‐dialysis blood was tested for both HCV Ag and HCV RNA. HCV Ag was tested with Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag test.

Results

Two‐hundred twenty‐seven haemodialysis patients were recruited from 20 centres with mean age of 57.68 ± 12.48 years, and male constitutes 56.8% (129) of the study population. HCV Ag correlated well with HCV RNA (Spearman test coefficient 0.943, p < .001) with sensitivity of 93.9%, specificity 99.3%, and the accuracy was 97.36%. Cost analysis indicated that a sequential test involving Anti‐HCV antibody as initial screening, followed by HCV Ag on Anti‐HCV positive and HCV RNA on HCV Ag negative cases translated to a modest cost‐saving algorithm compared to standard diagnostic algorithm.

Conclusion

HCV Ag correlated well with HCV RNA and can potentially be fused in an alternative diagnostic algorithm to generate cost savings methods to diagnose active HCV infection among haemodialysis patients. This alternative algorithm is especially relevant in low to middle‐income countries such as Malaysia to optimize the use of the healthcare resource and gains in clinical outcomes.
Healthcare providers' challenges during the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic: A qualitative approach
Authors: Ness Michelle M. , Saylor Jennifer , Di Fusco Leigh Ann , Evans Kristen
Published: February 2021

The uncertain trajectory of COVID‐19 has led to significant psychosocial impacts on nurses and other healthcare providers. Given the critical role of these providers in pandemic response, this study sought to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare providers caring for adult patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted via semi‐structured interviews. A purposeful sample of healthcare providers (n = 23) caring for patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic was recruited to participate in interviews via snowball sampling and an information systems‐supported recruiting process (e‐recruiting). Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) Managing isolation, fear, and increased anxiety; (2) adapting to changes in healthcare practice and policy; (3) addressing emotional and physical needs of patients and their families; and (4) navigating evolving workplace safety. New evidence was introduced about nurses practicing outside their usual role. Nurses and other healthcare providers consistently reported increased anxiety during the pandemic. Hospital administrations can proactively support healthcare providers during this and future pandemics by ensuring access to mental health programs, standardizing communication, and developing plans that address equipment and supply availability.
Efficient Anticancer Effect on Choroidal Melanoma Cells Induced by Tanshinone IIA Photosensitization
Authors: Juan Li , Diandian Wei , Jianfeng Wang , Ning Li , Yuchen Fan , Na Li , Sijie Zhao , Kun Li , Fengyuan Sun
Published: February 2021

Tanshinone IIA (TanIIA) has multiple biological functions and already been clinically used to treat many cardiovascular diseases. TanIIA is a photoactive molecule and can be excited by light to generate 3TanIIA*. Generation of 3TanIIA* by TanIIA photosensitization indicates that TanIIA may serve as a photosensitizer to bring photodynamic damage to organisms. Therefore, human choroidal melanoma MUM‐2B cell was chosen as a superficial tumor model and the photodynamic effect of TanIIA on tumor cells was evaluated in this study. The results showed that TanIIA photosensitization could generate singlet oxygen in noncellular system. MTT, clone formation and wound‐healing assays showed that the survival and migration of MUM‐2B cells could be efficiently inhibited by TanIIA photosensitization. And then, laser confocal microscope and flow cytometry were used to try to elucidate related mechanism. It was found that TanIIA could pass through cellular membrane and preferably accumulate in nucleus. TanIIA photosensitization could efficiently induce cell apoptosis and necrosis, increase intracellular ROS levels, decrease mitochondria membrane potential, and lead to cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. Our findings indicate that TanIIA photosensitization can exert remarkable toxicity on choroidal melanoma cells.
Vacuolar Iron Transporter (Like) proteins: Regulators of cellular iron accumulation in plants
Authors: Ram Hasthi , Sardar Shaswati , Gandass Nishu
Published: February 2021

Iron is not only important for plant physiology, but also a very important micronutrient in human diets. The vacuole is the main site for accumulation of excess amounts of various nutrients and toxic substances in plant cells. During the past decade, many Vacuolar Iron Transporter (VIT) and VIT‐Like (VTL) genes have been identified and shown to play important roles in iron homeostasis in different plants. Furthermore, recent reports identified novel roles of these transporter genes in symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legume crops as well as in the blue coloration of petals in flowers. The literature indicates their universal role in Fe transport across different tissues (grains, nodules, flowers) to different biological processes (cellular iron homeostasis, SNF, petal coloration) in different plants. Here, we have systematically reviewed different aspects, such as structure, molecular evolution, expression, and function of VIT/VTL proteins. This will help future studies aimed at functional analysis of VIT/VTL genes in other plant species, vacuolar transportation mechanisms, and iron biofortification at large.
The Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois*
Authors: Itzigsohn José , Brown Karida
Published: February 2021

This essay is part of a special section entitled “Legacies of Sociology’s Past.” This work addresses the contributions of W. E. B. Du Bois.
How do I…perform therapeutic phlebotomy?
Authors: Peedin Alexis R. , Karp Julie Katz
Published: February 2021

Background

Therapeutic phlebotomy (TP) is a well‐established medical intervention that evolved from the historical practice of bloodletting.

Methods

Patients who require TP are not infrequently told by their health‐care providers to “just go donate blood,” but TP should always be offered in the context of a prescribed course of therapy. Providers can prescribe a course of TP for a number of indications, including hereditary hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera, iron overload, and testosterone replacement therapy.

Results

A course of prescribed TP specifies that patients can be phlebotomized more frequently than volunteer blood donors and reassures patients that TP is being performed per the orders of their provider. Prescribed TP also facilitates two‐way communication between the referring provider and the transfusion medicine (TM) physician overseeing the TP. The College of American Pathologists TM checklist describes several requirements regarding the documentation and performance of TP, and electronic medical record systems can be used to demonstrate compliance with these requirements.

Conclusions

TM physicians should discuss the advantages of prescribing TP with providers who mutually care for patients requiring this intervention.
Time Optimal Trajectories for a Mobile Robot With Acceleration and Speed Limits in the Presence of an Obstacle
Authors: Ben-Asher J. Z. , Rimon E. D. , Wetzler M. , Diepolder J.
Published: February 2021

This paper studies the time optimal paths of a mobile robot navigating in a planar environment containing an obstacle. The paper considers a point-mass robot that moves with bounded acceleration and limited turn-rate controls in the presence of an obstacle. The optimal control problem yields 12 path primitives that form the time optimal paths of the point-mass robot. The problem is then extended to a disc-robot that moves in the presence of an obstacle with turn in-place capability. The optimality conditions yield 12 modified path primitives that form the time optimal paths of the disc-robot. All path primitives are analytically characterized and examples demonstrate how they form time optimal trajectories in the presence of several obstacle types.
Web-It-Man: A Web-Based Integrated Tool for Manufacturing Environment
Authors: Karne Ramesh K. , Dandekar Swati V. , Poluri Sridhar , Chen Gang , Baras John S. , Nau Dana S. , Ball Michael O. , Lin Edward , Trichur Vinai S. , Williams James T.
Published: February 2021

Exponential growth in Internet applications and the need for a global access for future manufacturing demands web-based tools that operate seamlessly in heterogeneous environments. We present a Web-based Integrated Tool for Manufacturing that assists designers with a variety of CAD/CAM tools through a unified user interface. Web enabled system architecture is proposed for the future development of manufacturing tools. Design issues and research topics pertinent to this architecture are described. A prototype implementation based on this architecture and its current status is outlined. Finally, our research efforts in the development of this tool and some future research areas are identified.
CFD Study for Steam Flows Downstream From Turbine Bypass Pipe Flow
Authors: Amano R. S. , Draxler G. R. , Golembiewski J. M.
Published: February 2021

The main goal of this study is to investigate the evaporation process of a coolant (water droplets) which is injected through spray nozzles mounted on a steam turbine bypass pipeline in a co-generator system. The study includes several important factors: (1) the effects of four elbows on the flow pattern and evaporation process of the water particles, (2) heat transfer that affects the steam temperature and also the evaporation rates, and (3) the effects of inserting a perforated plate on the flow pattern and evaporation process.

The first goal of this study is to investigate whether or not the existence of elbows in the pipeline will enhance the evaporation process of water droplets. Two effects have been observed so far. One is that the generation of turbulence increases in the core of the elbow which results in a higher heat transfer rate between particles and steam and the other is that particles are forced to impinge onto the outer side of the pipe wall in the elbow due to the centrifugal inertia force of the flow in the curvature path.

The second goal is to carefully study the heat transfer effects of three different modes; i.e., the heat exchange between the steam and the water particles, the heat transfer of flow to the wall due to turbulence convection, and the conjugate heat transfer by means of heat conduction through the pipe wall and insulation materials.

The last goal of the research is to investigate the effect of the insertion of a perforated plate downstream from the cooling water spray nozzles. A detailed analysis was conducted by microscopically modeling the flow through each hole of the perforated plate. Modeling of the high-pressure turbulent steam flow was based on a non-staggered finite volume method in three-dimensional, turbulent, compressible, two-phase dispersed flow formulations.

The investigation of the structure of liquid spray jets during the transition into the gaseous phase was accomplished by developing a physical model of a particle tracking technique to investigate evaporation processes of the liquid droplets in a highly turbulent flow.

Computations were performed by separating the entire pipeline system into four sections, each of which was generated in a three-dimensional grid system for more efficient computations by maintaining a sufficiently large number of meshes for each section. Flow calculations were made in each region separately by patching the end conditions from one pipe to the inlet conditions of the next one.

Through this research, numerous data have been acquired and analyzed for heat transfer mechanisms of the cooling water droplets in the pipeline system. The results of the computations were verified by comparing them with theoretical models, and were shown to be quite reliable.
Collaborating on the Design and Manufacture of an Atomic Artifact Transport System: A Case Study in VRML As a Visualization Tool for Consensus Building
Authors: Allen R. H. , Nidamarthi S. , Rao P. V. M. , Rhorer R. , Sriram R. D. , Teague E. C.
Published: February 2021

We report on our experience using the Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML) to collaborate on the design and manufacture of an artifact transport system (ATS). Specifically designed for the purpose of transporting nanometer-scale dimensional artifacts at pressures ∼10−8 Pa, the ATS consists of a transport cart and an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system. As its name implies, the ATS is to transport an atomically-accurate specimen created in a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) laboratory to a scanning tunnel microscope (STM) laboratory across the NIST campus, where metrologists verify atomic-scale measurements. The project team involved between 15 and 20 participants — designers, engineers, physicists and manufacturers — and each individual was involved with the design and assembly of the ATS to varying degrees. After the project engineers developed their assembly models with their CAD tools, we exported the components and assemblies to VRML files. These representations were made available, via web browsers with VRML viewers, for feedback to project team members on their own workstations, which included PCs, Macintoshes and Suns. The port involved characterizing the simulation’s performance over a range of parameters such as processor capability, file size, VRAM available and graphics card capability. After meeting with the fabricators and physicists to determine the approximate assembly sequence of the ATS, we edited, augmented and animated the VRML files on a high-end workstation. By visualizing the animation sequence in a common facility with a videowall, participants were able to reach a consensus for the design and assembly changes needed. We conclude that VRML did help our team collaborate in the design and fabrication processes, although the technology supplemented, rather that supplanted face-to-face meetings. Our experience with VRML on multiple workstations leads us also to conclude that the language needs to be characterized to enhance easy development of engineering models and to achieve true and complete platform-independence.
Augmenting a Design Capture and Reuse System Based on Direct Observations of Usage
Authors: Liang Tao , Cannon David M. , Leifer Larry J.
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we describe recent experimental results from an ongoing design knowledge capture and reuse project. In the past several years, an increasing amount of the design work in the ME210 design course at Stanford, in which teams work for 30 weeks on industrially-sponsored real-world projects, has been captured in electronic format. This design information consists of design notes, drawings, reports, slide presentations, emails, vendor references, and even, in some cases, summaries of phone conversations, meeting minutes, and the like. The large corpus of captured information from the period of 1994 to 1996 was made available to the teams working on projects during the 1996–1997 academic year. A variety of filing and indexing schemes were used to organize the past data and help the teams sift through it. Because the data was all made available over a web server, we were able to collect information on access to it. We have thus had a chance to learn from studying the usage of a large body of captured design knowledge. Results from our analysis suggest that there were significant under-utilization of design work of others: there was only 8% access to past works, vs. 92% to the current year’s; and, there was only 15% access to design project-specific information, vs. 85% on logistic resources information. Important lessons have guided our efforts to improve the effectiveness of that usage based on what we’ve learned. These lessons include:

• Informal design information is more useful to a broader audience when it is contextualized. We have put in place a capture system that makes it possible for students to add context to any information that’s been captured, and also specific reward structure, encouraging engineers to store, contextualize, and reuse captured design information. Preliminary observations suggest that this is worth the investment for a project as a whole.

• It is important to accommodate a heterogeneous computing environment, both for capture and reuse; to support multiple methods for finding information; and to provide a uniform, well-behaved way of displaying archived documents.

• In explaining our observations of varying levels of success in design capture systems, we have identified some patterns of enquiry and retrieval usage that are analogous to the patterns seen in library usage. Thus we identify library science as a valuable source of knowledge that until now has been under used by the design community.
Epidemiology and characteristics of firearm injuries in a French level I trauma centre, 2009–2019
Authors: Fernandez Marie , Saccardy Claire , Letissier Hoel , Dubrana Frédéric , Di Francia Rémi
Published: February 2021

Background

Firearm injuries (FI) are an increasing problem in Europe but there have been few European epidemiological studies on civilian FI, particularly in France. This study investigated the epidemiology of FI at a French level I trauma centre.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients admitted to our centre with an FI between January 2009 and December 2019. We investigated the epidemiological trends of FI during the study period, and characterised the FI.

Results

A total of 162 patients were victims of FI. Prevalence was 0.11% and the mean annual incidence was 10.4 per 100 000 habs. A significant increase has been observed over the last 10 years, from 5 cases in 2009 (3.1%) to 30 in 2019 (18.5%). Of the 162 victims, 85 (52.5%) died as a direct result of the FI: 72 suicides (88.9%) and 9 victims of urban violence (11.1%) (armed public environment disorder). 95.3% of the patients died before reaching at the hospital. There were 95 cases (58.7%) of suicide and 33 cases (20.4%) of urban violence. The head was shot in 87 cases (48.9%), the thorax in 32 cases (18.5%) and the lower limbs in 24 cases (13.5%). A total of 106 surgeries were performed on 54 patients (33.3%).

Conclusions

We identified 162 cases of FI with a mean annual incidence of 10.4 per 100 000 habs. A significant increase in FI was observed over the last 10 years. 52.2% of patients died, and the main context was suicide or attempted suicide.
Integrating forest restoration, adaptation, and proactive fire management: Rogue River Basin case study
Authors: Metlen Kerry L. , Fairbanks Terry , Bennett Max , Volpe Jena , Kuhn Bill , Thompson Matthew P. , Thrailkill Jim , Schindel Michael , Helmbrecht Don , Scott Joe , Borgias Darren
Published: February 2021

Uncharacteristic disturbances exacerbated by climate change are challenging forests and social systems of North America. To improve efficiency and effectiveness of forest management to address these challenges, we demonstrated structured decision-making in the collaborative development of a novel 20-year dry forest management strategy for southwestern Oregon, USA. We framed priorities and evaluated options with a wildfire risk assessment, then modeled stand-scale prescriptions to estimate management outputs (e.g., area treated, fuels reduced, and timber volume). We mapped landscape-scale objectives and used optimization software to prioritize treatment placement constrained by realistic access considerations and robust habitat protections. The resulting prioritization integrated proactive forest adaptation and fire management (ecological forest thinning, prescribed fire) with protection of imperiled species. To evaluate tradeoffs, we tested three 20-year scenarios, finding that the All-Lands scenario best mitigated wildfire risk; it reduced risk overall by 70%, to homes by 50%, and to core northern spotted owl habitat by 47%. This scenario treated 25% of the 1.9 million ha landscape, including 31% of federal land and 40% of the community at risk. Clear articulation of collaborative objectives and evaluation of scenarios have expanded partnerships and co-investment in actions supporting a shared vision of resilient southwestern Oregon forests applicable to other landscapes.