bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of allergic diseases by measurement total IgE in umbilical cord blood levels: A 8 -year follow up study
Authors: Dib Ghazal , Doya Leen Jamel , Al-hakim Amal , Ismaeel Yazan , Motawej Hana Habib , Ismaeel Mayya
Published: December 2020

Allergic diseases in children have increased significantly in recent years and now affect up to 35% of children. This study aimed to investigate the total IgE level in newborn’s umbilical cord blood and its association with the development of allergic diseases during 8 years. Methods: In cross-sectional study included 500 infants who were born in the obstetrics department at Tishreen and Al-Assad University Hospitals during the period 2007-2015. Questionnaires were administered after the birth of the infant included gender, gestational age, birth weight, mode and season of delivery, smoking during pregnancy, family history of the allergic diseases, and umbilical cord blood was obtained for measurement of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. We followed the newborns for eight years through clinical examination to investigate the development of allergic diseases. Results: Of 500 newborns, 214 (42.8%) were classified as having high total immunoglobulin E in umbilical cord blood. We followed 143 of 214 newborns for 8 years. There was an allergic family history in 51.7% of newborns. During the following period, the allergic diseases developed in 76.22% of the children with high total immunoglobulin E in umbilical cord blood. Allergic symptoms in children varied between nasal allergy in 19.6% of children, skin allergy (Eczema and urticarial)in 25.2% of children, childhood asthma in 31.5% of children. The rate of development of allergic symptoms in the presence of two factors (family history and high total immunoglobulin E in umbilical cord blood) was 51.7%. Conclusion: We found a high Prevalence of allergic diseases in children with high total immunoglobulin E in umbilical cord blood. The Current study could be used as a preventative strategy to reduce the risk of allergic diseases by predictive of subsequent
A qualitative study to identify critical attributes and attribute-levels for a Discrete Choice Experiment on oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery among young people in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Authors: Dietrich Janan Janine , Atujuna Millicent , Tshabalala Gugulethu , Hornschuh Stefanie , Mulaudzi Mamakiri , Koh Michelle , Ahmed Nadia , Muhumuza Richard , Ssemata Andrew , Otwombe Kennedy , Bekker Linda-Gail , Seeley Janet , Martinson Neil Alexander , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Fox Julie
Published: December 2020

Background The uptake and adherence of daily oral PrEP has been poor in high-risk populations in South Africa including young people. We used qualitative research methods to explore user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP use among young South Africans, and to inform the identification of critical attributes and attribute-levels for quantitative analysis of user preferences, i.e. a discrete choice experiment (DCE). MethodsData were collected between September and November 2018 from eight group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with young people 13 to 24 years in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Using a convenience sampling strategy, participants were stratified by sex and age. Interviewers used a semi-structured interview guide to discuss several attributes (dosing regimen, location, costs, side effects, and protection period) for PrEP access and use. Groups discussions and in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. We used framework analysis to explore context-specific attributes and attribute-levels for delivering oral PrEP in South Africa. The adolescent community advisory board, expert and study team opinions were consulted for the final DCE attributes and levels. ResultsWe enrolled 74 participants who were 51% (n=38/74) male, had a median age of 18.5 [Interquartile range=16-21.25] years, 91% (n=67/74) identified as heterosexual and 49% (n=36/74) had not completed 12th grade education. Using the qualitative data, we identified five candidate attributes including (1) dosing regimen, (2) location to get PrEP, (3) cost, (4) route of administration and (5) frequency. After discussions with experts and the study team, we revised the DCE to include the following five attributes and levels: dosing regime: daily, and on-demand PrEP; location: private pharmacy, public clinic, mobile clinic, ATM); cost: free-of-charge, R50 (~2GBP), R265 (~12GBP); side effects: nausea, headache, rash; and duration of protection: fulltime protection versus when PrEP is used). ConclusionsThere is limited literature on qualitative research methods describing the step-by-step process of developing a DCE for PrEP in adolescents, especially in resource-constrained countries. We provide the process followed for the DCE technique to understand user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP among young people in South Africa.
Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Ghanaian language (Akan; AsanteTwi) version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire.
Authors: Boateng Millicent Addai , Angel Sanne , Agyei-Baffour Peter , Enemark Ulrika
Published: December 2020

Background: Patients’ competencies and resources to manage their own health, which is termed health literacy, is a necessity for better health outcomes. Thus, it is relevant to have a comprehensive health literacy measurement tool suitable for populations of interest. The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) is a tool useful for health literacy assessment covering nine dimensions/scales of health literacy. The HLQ has been translated and validated in diverse contexts but has so far not been assessed in any country in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to translate this tool into the most common language used in Ghana and assess its validity. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study using the HLQ concurrently with an assessment of a malaria programme for caregivers with children under five years. The HLQ was translated using a systematic translation procedure. We analysed the psychometric properties of the HLQ based on data collected by face-to-face interview of 1234 caregivers. The analysis covered tests on difficulty level of scales, composite reliability, Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: Cognitive testing showed that some words were ambiguous, which led to minor rewording of the questionnaire. A nine-factor CFA model was fitted to the 44 question items with no cross-loadings or correlated residuals allowed. Given the very restricted nature of the model, the fit was quite satisfactory: χ2 DWLS (866 df) = 17177.58, p < 0.000, CFI = 0.971, TLI = 0.969, RMSEA = 0.126 and SRMR = 0.107. Composite reliability and Cronbach’s alpha were >0.65 for all scales except Cronbach’s alpha for scale 9, ‘Understanding health information well enough to know what to do’ (0.57). The mean differences between most demographic groups among health literacy scales were statistically significant. Conclusion: The Akan-Twi version of HLQ proved relevant in our description of the health literacy levels among the caregivers in our study. This validated tool will be useful to conduct health literacy needs assessments to guide policies addressing such needs. Further work is needed to validate this tool for use in Ghana and similar contexts.
Barriers in Implementing the Dying Patient Law: The Israeli Experience - A Qualitative Study
Authors: Zigdon Avi , Nissanholtz-Gannot Rachel
Published: December 2020

Background: Coping with end-of-life issues is a major challenge for governments and health systems. Despite progress in legislation, many barriers exist to its full implementation. This study is aimed at identifying these end-of-life barriers in relation to Israel.Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews using professionals and decision makers in the health-care and related systems (n=37) were carried out, along with two focus groups based on brainstorming techniques consisting of nurses (n=10) and social workers (n=10). Data was managed and analyzed using Naralyzer software.Results: Qualitative analysis showed identification of six primary barriers: 1) law, procedures, and forms; 2) clinical aspects; 3) human aspects; 4) knowledge and skills of medical teams; 5) communication; and 6) resource allocation. These were further divided into 44 sub area barriers.Conclusions: This study highlights the role of the family doctor in end-of-life by training physicians in decision-making workshops and increasing their knowledge in the field of palliative medicine. Effectively channeling resources, knowledge, and support for medical teams, by accounting for the structure and response of the units for home treatment will improve patient's access to information on and support for end-of-life laws, as well as reduce legislative barriers in other countries that face the same issues.
Cost-effectiveness of Out-of-Hospital Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Acute Respiratory Failure: Decision analytic modelling using data from a feasibility trial
Authors: Thokala Praveen , Fuller Gordon W , Goodacre Steve , Keating Samuel , Herbert Esther , Perkins Gavin , Rosser Andy , Gunson Imogen , Miller Joshua , Ward Matthew , Bradburn Mike , Harris Tim , Marsh Maggie , Ren Kate , Cooper Cindy
Published: December 2020

Background Standard prehospital management for Acute respiratory failure (ARF) involves controlled oxygen therapy. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a potentially beneficial alternative treatment, however, it is uncertain whether this could improve outcomes and provide value for money. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of prehospital CPAP in ARF.Methods A cost-utility economic evaluation was performed using a probabilistic decision tree model synthesising available evidence. The model consisted of a hypothetical cohort of patients in a representative ambulance service with undifferentiated ARF, receiving standard oxygen therapy or prehospital CPAP. Costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated using methods recommended by NICE.Results In the base case analysis, using CPAP effectiveness estimates form the ACUTE trial, the mean expected costs of standard care and prehospital CPAP were £15,201 and £14,850 respectively and the corresponding mean expected QALYs were 1.190 and 1.128, respectively. The mean ICER estimated as standard oxygen therapy compared to prehospital CPAP was £5,685 per QALY which indicated that standard oxygen therapy strategy was likely to be cost-effective at a threshold of £20,000 per QALY (67% probability). The scenario analysis, using effectiveness estimates from an updated meta-analysis, suggested that prehospital CPAP was more effective (mean incremental QALYs of 0.157), but also more expensive (mean incremental costs of £1,522), than standard care. The mean ICER, estimated as prehospital CPAP compared to standard care, was £9,712 per QALY. At the £20,000 per QALY prehospital CPAP was highly likely to be the most cost-effective strategy (94%). Conclusions Cost-effectiveness of prehospital CPAP depends upon the estimate of effectiveness. When based on a small pragmatic feasibility trial, standard oxygen therapy is cost-effective. When based on meta-analysis of heterogeneous trials, CPAP is cost-effective. Value of information analyses support commissioning of a large pragmatic effectiveness trial, providing feasibility and plausibility conditions are met.
Evaluation of laparoscopic-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision (Ta-TME) for locally advanced distal rectal cancer in men with difficult pelvic conditions after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy
Authors: Li Yingjie , He Guoli , Wang Lin , Dong Qiushi , Liu Xinzhi , Leng Jiahua , Zhang Xiao , Sun Tingting , Zhang Yue , Yao Yunfeng , Wu Aiwen
Published: December 2020

Background: To evaluate the use of laparoscopic-assisted transanal and total mesorectal excision (Ta-TME) in men with difficult pelvic anatomy in an attempt to optimize anal sphincteric preservation, determine the completeness of TME, and determine postoperative morbidity and mortality.Methods: Twenty male patients (TA group) with difficult pelvic anatomy (narrow pelvis) who were diagnosed with rectal cancer underwent Ta-TME surgery from January 2017 to January 2018 at Peking University Cancer Hospital. We matched these 20 patients with 2 other groups of patients who underwent either a laparoscopic transabdominal TME (LA group) or an open transabdominal TME (OP group) according to age, sex, BMI, distance of tumour from the anal verge, and diameter of the tumour. All 3 groups of patients had undergone preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The efficacy and safety of Ta-TME were evaluated according to operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Outcomes of Ta-TME were evaluated by comparing the rate of a positive circumferential resection margin, the integrity of the TME, and the rate of sphincter preservation among the 3 groups. Results: When comparing Ta-TME (TA group), laparoscopic transabdominal TME (LA group), and open transabdominal TME (OP group), the respective mean blood loss (100 mL, 100 mL, 100 mL, p=0.335), postoperative hospital stay (9 days, 9 days, 7 days), number of harvested lymph nodes (7, 6, 7), positive circumferential resection margin rate (0%, 0%, 5%), rate of pathologic complete response (5%,10%,10%), and integrity of TME showed no significant differences across groups (p>0.5 for all). In contrast, there were significant differences in operation time (302 min, 253 min, 135 min), rate of preservation of the anal sphincter (100%, 30%, 45%), and the creation of a protective diverting ileostomy (100%, 30%, 45%, p<0.05 for all).Conclusion: The rate of anal sphincter preservation in the Ta-TME group was considerably greater than that in the other groups, but the safety of the operation did not differ among the 3 groups. Ta-TME required a diverting ileostomy in all cases, and the total operation time for Ta-TME was greater than that of laparoscopic and open transabdominal TME.
Initial description of the Genome of Aeluropus littoralis, a halophile grass
Authors: Hashemi Seyyed Hamidreza , Arab Mojhdeh , Dolatabadi Behnaz , Kuo Yi-Tzu , Baez Mariana Alejandra , Himmelbach Axel , Nematzadeh Ghorbanali , Maibody Seyed Ali Mohammad Mirmohammady , Schmutzer Thomas , Mälzer Michael , Altmann Thomas , Kuhlmann Markus
Published: December 2020

Background: The use of wild plant species or their halophytic relatives has been considered in plant breeding programs to improve salt and drought tolerance in crop plants. Aeluropus littoralis serves as halophyte model for identification and isolation of novel stress adaptation genes. This species is described as perennial monocot grass. A. littoralis grows in damp or arid areas, often salt-impregnated places and waste land in cultivated areas. A. littoralis can survive where the water salinity is periodically high and tolerate high salt concentrations in the soil up to 1100 mM sodium chloride. Therefore, it serves as valuable genetic resource to understand molecular mechanisms of stress-responses in monocots. The knowledge can potentially be used for improving tolerance to abiotic stresses in economically important crops. Several morphological, anatomical, ecological, and physiological traits of A. littoralis have been investigated so far and also the transfer of stress related genes to other species resulted in enhanced stress resistance. After watering with salt water the grass is able to excrete salt via its salt glands. Meanwhile, a number of ESTs (expressed sequence tag), genes and promoters induced by the salt and drought stresses were isolated, sequenced and annotated at a molecular level.Results: Here we describe the genome sequence and structure of A. littoralis analyzed by whole genome sequencing and histological analysis. The chromosome number was determined to be 20 (2n = 2X = 20), absence of B chromsomes shown, and the genome size calculated to be 354 Megabasepairs.Conclusions: This genomic information provided here, will support the functional investigation and application of novel genes improving salt stress resistance in crop plants.
Dual species dynamic transcripts reveal the interaction mechanisms between Chrysanthemum morifolium and Alternaria alternata
Authors: Liu Lina , Chen Fadi , Chen Sumei , Fang Weimin , Liu Ye , Guan Zhiyong
Published: December 2020

Background: Chrysanthemum (C. morifolium) black spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata is one of the plant’s most destructive diseases. Dual RNA-seq was performed to simultaneously assess their transcriptomes to analyze the potential interaction mechanism between the two species, i.e., host and pathogen. Results: C. morifolium and A. alternata were subjected to dual RNA-seq at 1, 12, and 24 hours after inoculation, and differential expression genes (DEGs) in both species were identified. This analysis confirmed 153,532 DEGs in chrysanthemum and 14,932 DEGs in A. alternata, that were involved in plant-fungal interactions and phytohormone signaling. Fungal DEGs such as toxin synthesis related enzyme and cell wall degrading enzyme genes played important roles during chrysanthemum infecton. Moreover, a series of key genes highly correlated with the early, middle, or late infection stage was identified, together with the regulatory network of key genes annotated in PRG or PPI databases. Highly correlated genes were identified at the late infection stage, expanding our understanding of the interplay between C. morifolium and A. alternata. Additionally, six DEGs each from chrysanthemum and A. alternata were selected for qRT-PCR assays to validate the RNA-seq output. Conclusions: Collectively, data obtained in this study enriches the resources available for research into the interactions that exist between chrysanthemum and A. alternata, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of new chrysanthemum cultivars with resistance to pathogen.
Understanding the barriers to using oral anticoagulants among long-term aspirin users with atrial fibrillation – A qualitative study 
Authors: Ng Vanessa WS , Siu Chung-Wah , Chiu Patrick KC , Kng Carolyn PL , Jamieson Elizabeth , Wong Ian CK , Lam May PS
Published: December 2020

Background: Despite international treatment guidelines currently advocating oral anticoagulants (OACs) as the only appropriate stroke prevention therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and evidence that OACs can greatly reduce the risk of stroke with similar risk of bleeding compared with aspirin, the underuse of OACs in patients with AF is common globally, especially in Asia. This study aimed to identify the barriers to prescribing and using OACs among long-term aspirin users with AF.Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with fourteen eligible patients with AF using a semi-structured interview guide. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and data was analyzed according to the principles of thematic analysis.Results: Five themes were developed: awareness of AF symptoms and diagnosis; knowledge and understanding of AF and stroke prevention therapy; role of decision-making in prescribing; willingness to switch from aspirin to OACs; and impact of OAC regimen on daily living. The majority of the patients were not aware of the symptoms and diagnosis of AF and only had a vague understanding of the illness and stroke prevention therapy, leading to their minimal involvement in decisions relating to their treatment. Some patients and their caregivers were particularly concerned about the bleeding complications from OACs and perceived aspirin to be a suitable alternative as they find the adverse effects from aspirin manageable and so preferred to remain on aspirin if switching to OACs was not compulsory. Lastly, the lifestyle modifications required when using warfarin, e.g. alternative dosing regimen, diet restriction, were seen as barriers to some patients and caregivers. Conclusion: The findings revealed patients’ knowledge gap in AF management which may be targeted using educational interventions to improve patients’ understanding of AF and its management and hence encourage active participation in the decision-making of their treatment in the future.
Multiple freeze-thaw cycles lead to a loss of consistency in poly(A)-enriched RNA sequencing
Authors: Kellman Benjamin , Baghdassarian Hratch , Pramparo Tiziano , Shamie Isaac , Gazestani Vahid , Begzati Arjana , Li Shengzhong , Nalabolu Srinivasa , Murray Sarah , Lopez Linda , Pierce Karen , Courchesne Eric , Lewis Nathan
Published: December 2020

Background: Both RNA-Seq and sample freeze-thaw are ubiquitous. However, knowledge about the impact of freeze-thaw on downstream analyses is limited. The lack of common quality metrics that are sufficiently sensitive to freeze-thaw and RNA degradation, e.g. the RNA Integrity Score, makes such assessments challenging.Results: Here we quantify the impact of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on the reliability of RNA-Seq by examining poly(A)-enriched and ribosomal RNA depleted RNA-seq from frozen leukocytes drawn from a toddler Autism cohort. To do so, we estimate the relative noise, or percentage of random counts, separating technical replicates. Using this approach we measured noise associated with RIN and freeze-thaw cycles. As expected, RIN does not fully capture sample degradation due to freeze-thaw. We further examined differential expression results and found that three freeze-thaws should extinguish the differential expression reproducibility of similar experiments. Freeze-thaw also resulted in a 3’ shift in the read coverage distribution along the gene body of poly(A)-enriched samples compared to ribosomal RNA depleted samples, suggesting that library preparation may exacerbate freeze-thaw-induced sample degradation.Conclusion: The use of poly(A)-enrichment for RNA sequencing is pervasive in library preparation of frozen tissue, and thus, it is important during experimental design and data analysis to consider the impact of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on reproducibility.
Development of a risk scoring system for prognostication in HIV-related toxoplasma encephalitis
Authors: Li Yao , Zeng Yanming , Liu Min , Lu Yanqiu , Liu Xueyan , Zhang Yulin , Jiang Zhongsheng , Yang Tongtong , Sun Yan , Lan Ke , Chen Yaokai
Published: December 2020

Background: This study aims to evaluate specific risk factors influencing prognosis of HIV-infected patients with toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) in order to develop a prognostic risk scoring system for them. Methods: This is a six-center retrospective study of hospitalized HIV/TE patients. Data including six-week mortality after diagnosis, baseline characteristics, clinical features, laboratory tests and radiological characteristics of eligible patients were assimilated for risk model establishing.Results: In this study, the six-week mortality among 94 retrospective cases was 11.7% (11/94). Seven specific risk factors, viz. time from symptom onset to presentation, fever, dizziness, CD4+ T-cell counts, memory deficits, patchy brain lesions, and disorders of consciousness were calculated to be statistically associated with mortality. A criterion value of ‘9’ was selected as the optimal cut-off value of the established model. The AUC of the ROC curve of this scoring model was 0.976 (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the risk scoring model was 100.0% and 86.9%, respectively, which were 81.8% and 94.1% of this scoring model in the verification cohort, respectively. Conclusions: The developed scoring system was established with simple risk factors, which also allows expeditious implementation of accurate prognostication, and appropriate therapeutic interventions in HIV-infected patients with TE.
Transcriptome dynamics in early in vivo developing and in vitro produced porcine embryos
Authors: Weijden Vera A van der , Schmidhauser Meret , Kurome Mayuko , Knubben Johannes , Flöter Veronika L , Wolf Eckhard , Ulbrich Susanne
Published: December 2020

Background: The transcriptional changes around the time of embryonic genome activation in pre-implantation embryos indicate that this process is highly dynamic. In vitro produced porcine blastocysts are known to be less competent than in vivo developed blastocysts. To understand the conditions that compromise developmental competence of in vitro embryos, it is crucial to evaluate the transcriptional profile of porcine embryos during pre-implantation stages. In this study, we investigated the transcriptome dynamics in in vivo developed and in vitro produced 4-cell embryos, morulae and hatched blastocysts.Results: In vivo developed and in vitro produced embryos displayed largely similar transcriptome profiles during development. Enriched canonical pathways from the 4-cell to the morula transition that were shared between in vivo developed and in vitro produced embryos included oxidative phosphorylation, tRNA charging, and EIF2 signaling. The shared canonical pathways from the morula to the hatched blastocyst transition were 14-3-3-mediated signaling, signaling of Rho family GTPases, and NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response. The in vivo developed and in vitro produced hatched blastocysts were compared to identify molecular signaling pathways indicative of lower developmental competence of in vitro produced hatched blastocysts. A higher metabolic rate and expression of the arginine transporter SLC7A1 were found in in vitro produced hatched blastocysts.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that embryos with compromised developmental potential are arrested at an early stage of development, while embryos developing to the hatched blastocyst stage display largely similar transcriptome profiles, irrespective of the embryo source. The hatched blastocysts derived from the in vitro fertilization-pipeline showed an enrichment in molecular signaling pathways associated with lower developmental competence, compared to the in vivo developed embryos.
RNA m6A demethylase ALKBH5 regulates the development of γδ T cells
Authors: Flavell Richard , Ding Chenbo , Yu Zhibin , Xu Hao , Roulis Manolis , Qu Rihao , Zhou Jing , Jarret Abigail , Jackson Ruaidhrí , Wei Zheng , Gao Yimeng , Skadow Mathias , Sefik Esen , Yin Zhinan , Zou Qiang , Su Bing , Xia Qiang , Li Hua-Bing
Published: December 2020

γδ T cells are abundant T cell population at the mucosa and are important in providing immune surveillance as well as maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, despite γδ T cells origin in thymus, detailed mechanisms regulating γδ T cell development remain poorly understood. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) represents one of the most common post-transcriptional modifications of mRNA in mammalian cells, but whether it plays a role in γδ T cell biology is still unclear. Here we show that depletion of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 in lymphocytes specifically induces an expansion of γδ T cells, which confers enhanced protection against gastrointestinal S. typhimurium infection. Mechanistically, loss of ALKBH5 favors the development of γδ T cell precursors by increasing the abundance of m6A RNA modification in thymocytes, which further reduces the expression of several target genes including Notch signaling components Jagged1 and Notch2. As a result, impairment of Jagged1/Notch2 signaling contributes to enhanced proliferation and differentiation of γδ T cell precursors, leading to an expanded mature γδ T cell repertoire. Taken together, our results indicate a checkpoint role of ALKBH5 and m6A modification in the regulation of γδ T cell early development.
Vapor-bubble growth in olivine-hosted melt inclusions
Authors: Rasmussen Daniel J. , Plank Terry A. , Wallace Paul J. , Newcombe Megan E. , Lowenstern Jacob B.
Published: December 2020

Melt inclusions record the depth of magmatic processes, magma degassing paths, and volatile budgets of magmas. Extracting this information is a major challenge. It requires determining melt volatile contents at the time of entrapment when working with melt inclusions that have suffered post-entrapment modifications. Several processes decrease internal melt inclusion pressure, resulting in nucleation and growth of a vapor bubble and, time permitting, diffusion of volatiles (especially CO2) into the vapor bubble. Previous studies have shown how this process may lead to most of the CO2 in the bulk melt inclusion being lost to the bubble. Without reconstruction, most of the melt inclusion data in the literature vastly underestimate the CO2 concentrations of magmas by measuring the glass phase only. Methods exist that attempt to reconstruct the entrapped CO2 contents, but they can be difficult to apply and do not always yield consistent results. Here, we explore bubble growth, evaluate CO2 reconstruction approaches, and develop improved experimental and computational approaches. Piston-cylinder experiments were conducted on olivine-hosted melt inclusions from Seguam (Alaska, U.S.A.) and Fuego (Guatemala) volcanoes at the following conditions: 500–800 MPa, 1140–1200 °C for Seguam and 1110–1140 °C for Fuego, 4–8 wt% H2O in the KBr brine filling the experimental capsules, and run durations of 10–120 min. Heated melt inclusions form well-defined S-CO2 trends consistent with degassing models. CO2 contents are enriched by a factor of ~2.5, on average, relative to those of the glasses in unheated melt inclusions, whereas S contents of heated and unheated melt inclusion glasses overlap, indicating that insignificant amounts of S partition into the vapor bubble. For naturally quenched melt inclusions, relatively low closure temperatures for CO2 diffusion enables some CO2 to enter vapor bubbles during quench, whereas higher closure temperatures for S diffusion limits its loss to vapor bubbles. We evaluate the timescales of post-entrapment processes and use the results to develop a new computational model to restore entrapped CO2 contents: melt inclusion modification corrections (MIMiC). Heated melt inclusion data are used as a benchmark to evaluate the results from MIMiC and other published methods of CO2 reconstruction. The methods perform variably well. Key advantages to our experimental technique are accurate measurements of CO2 contents and efficient rehomogenization of large quantities of melt inclusions. Our new computational model produces more accurate results than other computational methods, has similar accuracy to the Raman method of CO2 reconstruction in cases where Raman can be applied (i.e., no C-bearing phases in the bubble), and can be applied to the vast body of published melt inclusion data. To obtain the most robust data on bubble-bearing melt inclusions, we recommend taking both experimental- and MIMiC-based approaches.
New Mineral Names*,†
Authors: Belakovskiy Dmitriy I. , Uvarova Yulia , Cámara Fernando
Published: December 2020

In this issue

This New Mineral Names has entries for 13 new species, including falottaite, meieranite and high-pressure minerals found in meteorites, terrestrial impact rocks, and as inclusions in diamonds: hemleyite, hiroseite, ice-VII, kaitianite, maohokite, proxidecagonite, riesite, rubinite, uakitite, wangdaodeite, and zagamiite.
Entanglement spreading in non-equilibrium integrable systems
Authors: Calabrese Pasquale
Published: December 2020

These are lecture notes for a short course given at the Les Houches Summer School on ``Integrability in Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics'',
in summer 2018.
Here, I pedagogically discuss recent advances in the study of the entanglement spreading during the non-equilibrium dynamics
of isolated integrable quantum systems.
I first introduce the idea that the stationary thermodynamic entropy is the entanglement accumulated during the non-equilibrium dynamics
and then join such an idea with the quasiparticle picture for the entanglement spreading to provide quantitive predictions for the time evolution of the entanglement
entropy in arbitrary integrable models, regardless of the interaction strength.
Design aspects and plant species affect pollutant removal in Southern California stormwater biofilters
Authors: Winfrey B. K. , Ho M. , Wang W. , Li Y-J , Ambrose R. F.
Published: December 2020

We conducted a column study to better understand the relative effects of plants, design elements, and operating conditions on pollutant removal in stormwater biofilters in southern California under local conditions. We planted five southern California native species (Baccharis pilularis, Carex praegracilis, Juncus patens, Leymus condensatus, and Muhlenbergia rigens) in experimental biofilter columns fitted with a saturated zone and evaluated pollutant removal during weekly dosing and following a 52-day dry period. Columns planted with C. praegracilis and J. patens were also evaluated under conditions of fortnightly dosing and without the presence of a saturated zone. During weekly dosing, planted columns had a total nitrogen removal efficiency of 46% on average whereas removal was 8% in unplanted columns. B. pilularis and M. rigens performed better than other species at nitrogen removal. The presence of a saturated zone improved nitrogen removal and metal removal, but only before the 52-day dry period. With a few exceptions, local best management practice effluent concentrations limits were exceeded but performed similarly to existing southern California biofilters. Nitrogen removal decreased slightly under a fortnightly dosing frequency, which better represented rainfall event frequency in Los Angeles when compared to weekly dosing.
Impact of wastewater irrigation on groundwater in the Lahore region and contamination source identification
Authors: Ghaffar Abdul , Iqbal Naveed
Published: December 2020

Organic pollutants in groundwater samples were analyzed for the very densely populated ‘Lahore’ city and its surrounding ‘Mangamandi’ areas of Punjab-Pakistan, where composite (industrial and urban) wastewater is used for cultivation of crops and vegetables. The samples were pre-concentrated using the Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) technique and analyzed by using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and a Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Organic contaminants like Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), Dichlorophenol (DCP), Trichlorophenol (TCP), endrin, and dieldrin were found in certain samples above the permissible limits. Stable isotopes like 13C, 15N and 18O were analyzed to assess the source of shallow groundwater channel contamination. Chemical and isotopic data reveal that contamination of shallow groundwater channels in the area is mainly due to wastewater irrigation and, to some extent, by seepage through unlined wastewater drains in nearby areas. The wastewater containing organic pollutants, used for cultivation, filters through the soil to contaminate the shallow groundwater channels.
Enhanced molybdenum(VI) removal using sulfide-modified nanoscale zerovalent iron: kinetics and influencing factors
Authors: Lian J. J. , Yang M. , Wang H. L. , Zhong Y. , Chen B. , Huang W. L. , Peng P. A.
Published: December 2020

The overall goal of this study is to investigate the effect of sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) on the removal of hexavalent molybdate () under different aquatic chemistry conditions. Surface analysis suggests that Mo(VI) is removed mainly by adsorption and co-precipitation onto the surface of S-nZVI and a small amount of Mo(VI) can be reduced to Mo(V) species. The results of batch tests show that Mo(VI) removal by S-nZVI are well described with the pseudo-second-order adsorption model. The removal rate increases with a decrease in solution pH (4.0–9.0) and is significantly affected by the S/Fe ratio of S-nZVI, with the optimal S/Fe ratio being 0.5. The presence of anions or can reduce the Mo(VI) removal, which is likely because they compete for adsorption sites on the solid surfaces. The divalent cations Ni2+, Cu2+ and Co2+ also inhibit the removal of Mo(VI) whereas Zn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ enhance it. After being aged for 35 d in water, S-nZVI still exhibits high reactivity towards Mo(VI) removal (57.39%). The study demonstrates that S-nZVI can be used as an environmentally friendly material for effectively removing Mo(VI) from contaminated water.
Supporting the Parenting Programs in Learning during the Pandemic Period through a Comprehensive Connecting Sheet
Authors: Kusumastuti Grahita , Taufan Johandri , Utami Iga Setia
Published: December 2020

This article discusses about the contact sheet in parenting program which is useful for supporting learning during a pandemic. Participants in this article were 17 special school teachers and parents of students. Using the seminar and workshop method, teachers and parents are trained to develop comprehensive contact sheets to support learning during a pandemic. The seminar activities presented two experts, namely special education experts and educational technology. Workshop activities were carried out for five days in a row to assist teachers in which they can be more skilled in compiling comprehensive contact sheets. The result of this training is expected to support the achievement of learning objectives during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as on weekdays later through online and non-online home learning activities.
Imunobiologija transplantacije bubrega i mehanizmi djelovanja imunosupresivnih lijekova
Authors: Živčić-Ćosić Stela , Trobonjača Zlatko
Published: December 2020

Imunosni sustav obuhvaća imunost koju čini nespecifični (prirođeni) imunosni odgovor i specifičnu (stečenu) imunost koja se adaptivno razvija protiv stranih antigena. Presađivanje alogeničnog AB0-podudarnog bubrega prvenstveno stimulira specifičan imunosni odgovor usmjeren na peptidne antigene koji se predočavaju na donorskim stanicama u okviru molekula kodiranih glavnim sustavom tkivne podudarnosti MHC. Imunosni odgovor započinje prepoznavanjem antigena od strane limfocita T, pri čemu je neophodno međudjelovanje T-staničnog receptora s peptidnim antigenima predočenim od antigen-predočnih stanica i kostimulacijskog receptora s ligandom na antigen-predočnim stanicama. Oba signala su neophodna za ulazak limfocita T u stanični ciklus, a nakon toga se unutarstaničnim prijenosom signala aktiviraju geni za proizvodnju i lučenje citokina. Aktivirani limfociti T, koji migriraju do presatka gdje induciraju akutni upalni odgovor, djeluju izravno citotoksično i potpomažu proizvodnju protutijela od strane limfocita B te odgovore odgođenog tipa preosjetljivosti inducirane makrofagima. Čimbenici ovisni i neovisni o aloantigenu pridonose efektorskim mehanizmima koji uzrokuju reakciju odbacivanja presatka. Značajan napredak na područjima imunobiologije i imunogenetike omogućio je sigurnije i uspješnije liječenje transplantacijom organa. Izuzetno je važno rano otkrivanje i sprječavanje reakcije odbacivanja presatka. Uz primjenu suvremenih imunosupresivnih lijekova rijetko se javlja teška reakcija odbacivanja posredovana limfocitima T. Najčešći uzrok gubitka funkcije presatka je kronična reakcija odbacivanja posredovana protutijelima koja su usmjerena na HLA antigene darovatelja. U radu prikazujemo mehanizme nastanka reakcije odbacivanja presatka posredovane stanicama i protutijelima, mjesta djelovanja imunosupresivnih lijekova te razvoj novijih strategija liječenja s ciljem daljnjeg poboljšanja preživljenja pacijenata i presatka.
Transplantacija organa i religija
Authors: Pelčić Gordana , Gjuran Coha Anamarija , Pelčić Goran , Valković Ana
Published: December 2020

Darivanje i transplantacija organa jedno je od najvećih dostignuća medicine posljednjih šezdesetak godina. Napredak transplantacijske medicine ovisi o socijalnim, ekonomskim, kulturološkim i religijskim odrednicama pojedinog kraja. Istraživanja su pokazala kako je područje transplantacijske medicine vrlo osjetljivo u odnosu na ostala područja medicine te da neminovno uz sebe veže etičko-moralne dvojbe, ali i zakonodavne, kulturalne i religiozne dvojbe. Transplantacijska medicina uza se veže i pitanje trenutka smrti. Smrt kao pojam, od početaka ljudske civilizacije predstavlja entitet koji zaokuplja umjetnike, znanstvenike, etičare i medicinare. Ulaskom u 21. stoljeće svjedočimo velikim promjenama na globalnom socijalnom planu, te velikim migracijama stanovništva koja sa sobom povlače „sudar“ civilizacija, etike i religije. Stoga je nužno progovoriti o stavu religija prema darivanju i transplantaciji organa u svjetlu sadašnjih socijalnih događanja. Većina svjetskih religija odnosi se pozitivno prema transplantaciji i ksenotransplantaciji. U ovom radu opisat će se stav velikih svjetskih religija prema darovanju i transplantaciji organa, kao i o ksenotransplantaciji. Za buduća istraživanja ostaje istraživanje drugih religija i svjetskih zajednica prema transplantacijskoj medicini.
Pedeseta obljetnica transplantacije bubrega u Rijeci
Authors: Fučkar Željko , Španjol Josip , Markić Dean
Published: December 2020

Pripreme za transplantaciju bubrega počele su osnivanjem centra za hemodijalizu i započinjanjem programa eksperimentalne kirurgije. U transplantacijski program je bio uključen multidisciplinarni tim, te je konačno 30. siječnja 1971. godine u našem centru učinjena prva uspješna transplantacija bubrega u Hrvatskoj i tadašnjoj Jugoslaviji. Kroz svih pet desetljeća transplantacijski program je predstavljao ponos riječke medicine, a njegov razvoj je sa sobom povukao razvoj niza medicinskih disciplina. Danas je Klinika za urologiju Referentni centar za transplantaciju bubrega u Republici Hrvatskoj. U ovom preglednome radu ukratko ćemo prikazati povijesni razvoj kao i stručna i znanstvena dostignuća koja su pratila program transplantacije bubrega u Rijeci.
Self-Care Index and Post-Acute Care Discharge Score to Predict Discharge Destination of Adult Medical Inpatients: Protocol for a Multicenter Validation Study
Authors: Conca Antoinette , Koch Daniel , Regez Katharina , Kutz Alexander , Bächli Ciril , Haubitz Sebastian , Schuetz Philipp , Mueller Beat , Spirig Rebecca , Petry Heidi
Published: December 2020

Background

Delays in patient discharge can not only lead to deterioration, especially among geriatric patients, but also incorporate unnecessary resources at the hospital level. Many of these delays and their negative impact may be preventable by early focused screening to identify patients at risk for transfer to a post-acute care facility. Early interprofessional discharge planning is crucial in order to fit the appropriate individual discharge destination. While prediction of discharge to a post-acute care facility using post-acute care discharge score, the self-care index, and a combination of both has been shown in a single-center pilot study, an external validation is still missing.

Objective

This paper outlines the study protocol and methodology currently being used to replicate the previous pilot findings and determine whether the post-acute care discharge score, the self-care index, or the combination of both can reliably identify patients requiring transfer to post-acute care facilities.

Methods

This study will use prospective data involving all phases of the quasi-experimental study “In-HospiTOOL” conducted at 7 Swiss hospitals in urban and rural areas. During an 18-month period, consecutive adult medical patients admitted to the hospitals through the emergency department will be included. We aim to include 6000 patients based on sample size calculation. These data will enable a prospective external validation of the prediction instruments.

Results

We expect to gain more insight into the predictive capability of the above-mentioned prediction instruments. This approach will allow us to get important information about the generalizability of the three different models. The study was approved by the institutional review board on November 21, 2016, and funded in May 2020. Expected results are planned to be published in spring 2021.

Conclusions

This study will provide evidence on prognostic properties, comparative performance, reliability of scoring, and suitability of the instruments for the screening purpose in order to be able to recommend application in clinical practice.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/21447
Inspiring Brand Positionings with Mixed Qualitative Methods
Authors: Morais Robert J.
Published: December 2020

Qualitative research is often used by marketers to develop new brand positionings. This case illustrates how two sequentially applied qualitative approaches were used to generate positionings for a pet food brand. The methods included psychologically oriented focus groups and anthropologically informed ethnographies. When implemented independently by a single market research company, the two approaches inspired highly distinctive brand positionings. The focus groups sparked a positioning on the resolution of cognitive dissonance; the ethnographies spawned a positioning that entailed a re-conceptualization of the pet food category as a means to elevate the brand.  The case concludes by considering the merits and limitations of the methods and the interdisciplinary approach overall. This research design may have promise for marketing practitioners and academics, and for consumer anthropologists in particular who have concerns that mixed qualitative methods can compromise anthropology’s discipline-specific strengths.
Doing Well While Doing Good
Authors: Joy Annamma , Armano Linda , Pena Camilo
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To examine the mechanics—social, geographical, and logistical—of producing sustainable fashion apparel as a hybrid company (a company that is part-commercial and part-altruistic; i.e., pursues two goals: profitability and environmental/social sustainability), beholden equally to employees, the worker- owned cooperatives with which the company partners, and environmental and ethical best practices; and to investigate the complex interplay of altruism and entrepreneurship endemic to hybrid organizations.
Integrasi sustainability dan MCDM untuk kelayakan teknologi sterilisasi pada pendirian pabrik CPO terintegrasi palm kernel oil
Authors: Hasibuan Sawarni , Thaheer Hermawan
Published: December 2020

In the palm oil processing, one of the most important stages is boiling the fresh fruit bunches or sterilization, because it greatly determines the yield and quality of the CPO produced. The purpose of this study was to analyze the selection of sterilizer technology by considering the sustainability factor. A case study was conducted at PTPN V which is planning to expand its production capacity. The data used in this study consisted of primary data and secondary data. Primary data obtained from distributing questionnaires, interviews and field observations. Respondents of this study were stakeholders of the palm oil mill and PTPN V. This research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative analysis was conducted to describe the sterilization technology for processing fresh oil palm fruit bunches into CPO. Financial viability is evaluated based on the best sterilization technology recommendations. The results of the analysis recommend horizontal sterilized-indexer technology as a priority, followed by vertical sterilization technology and continuous sterilization technology. By paying attention to the sustainability criteria, the PKS design is integrated with PKO. This integration has implications for energy efficiency, kernel transportation, other utility facilities, and even a number of work units and personnel. The investment for the construction of PKS with a capacity of 45 tons/hour using horizontal-indexer sterilization technology requires a fund of IDR 170.8 billion were declared feasible with an IRR of 26.64%, a positive NPV, a B/C ratio of 2.23, and a PBP of 6 years and 5 months. The results of the sensitivity analysis to the assumption of an increase in production costs of 6 percent have not changed the recommendation, as well as a decrease in factory processing capacity by 6 percent.