bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detritus-Dependent Development of the Microbial Community in an Experimental System: Qualitative Analysis by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: van Hannen Erik J. , Mooij Wolf , van Agterveld Miranda P. , Gons Herman J. , Laanbroek Hendrikus J.
Published: December 2019

Correlations between the biomass of phytoplankton and the biomass of bacteria and between the biomass of bacteria and the biomass of protozoans suggest that there is coupling between these compartments of the “microbial loop.” To investigate this coupling on the species level, bacteria and protozoans from untreated lake water inocula were allowed to grow on detritus of the green alga
Ankistrodesmus falcatus
or the cyanobacterium
Oscillatoria limnetica
in continuous-flow systems for 1 month. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes was used to monitor the development of the bacterial community structure and the eukaryotic community structure, respectively. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling of the DGGE profiles revealed the changes in the microbial community structure. This analysis showed that significantly different bacterial communities developed on the green algal detritus and on the cyanobacterial detritus. Although similar results were obtained for the eukaryotic communities, the differences were not significant. Hence, our findings indicate that the origin of detritus can affect the structure of at least the bacterial community. A phylogenetic analysis of 20 18S ribosomal DNA clones that were isolated from the continuous cultures revealed that many sequences were related to the sequences of bacterivorous protozoans (members of the Ciliophora, Rhizopoda, Amoeba, and Kinetoplastida). One clone grouped in a recently established clade whose previously described members are all parasites. The affiliations of about 20% of the clones could not be determined.
Structures and Properties of Gellan Polymers Produced bySphingomonas paucimobilisATCC 31461 from Lactose Compared with Those Produced from Glucose and from Cheese Whey
Authors: Fialho Arsénio M. , Martins Lígia O. , Donval Marie-Lucie , Leitão Jorge H. , Ridout Michael J. , Jay Andrew J. , Morris Victor J. , Sá-Correia Isabel
Published: December 2019

The dairy industry produces large quantities of whey as a by-product of cheese production and is increasingly looking for new ways to utilize this waste product. Gellan gum is reliably produced bySphingomonas paucimobilisin growth media containing lactose, a significant component of cheese whey, as a carbon source. We studied and compared polysaccharide biosynthesis byS. paucimobilisATCC 31461 in media containing glucose, lactose (5 to 30 g/liter), and sweet cheese whey. We found that altering the growth medium can markedly affect the polysaccharide yield, acyl substitution level, polymer rheological properties, and susceptibility to degradation. Depression of gellan production from lactose compared with gellan production from glucose (approximately 30%) did not appear to occur at the level of synthesis of sugar nucleotides, which are the donors of monomers used for biosynthesis of the repetitive tetrasaccharide unit of gellan. The lactose-derived biopolymer had the highest total acyl content; the glucose- and whey-derived gellans had similar total acyl contents but differed markedly in their acetate and glycerate levels. Rheological studies revealed how the functionality of a gellan polysaccharide is affected by changes in the acyl substitution.
Degradation of Chlorobenzenes at Nanomolar Concentrations by
Burkholderia
sp. Strain PS14 in Liquid Cultures and in Soil
Authors: Rapp Peter , Timmis Kenneth N.
Published: December 2019

The utilization of 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro-, 1,2,4-trichloro-, the three isomeric dichlorobenzenes and fructose as the sole carbon and energy sources at nanomolar concentrations was studied in batch experiments with
Burkholderia
sp. strain PS14. In liquid culture, all chlorobenzenes were metabolized within 1 h from their initial concentration of 500 nM to below their detection limits of 0.5 nM for 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro- and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 7.5 nM for the three dichlorobenzene isomers, with 63% mineralization of the tetra- and trichloroisomers. Fructose at the same initial concentration was, in contrast, metabolized over a 4-h incubation period down to a residual concentration of approximately 125 nM with 38% mineralization during this time. In soil microcosms,
Burkholderia
sp. strain PS14 metabolized tetrachlorobenzene present at 64.8 ppb and trichlorobenzene present at 54.4 ppb over a 72-h incubation period to below the detection limits of 0.108 and 0.09 ppb, respectively, with approximately 80% mineralization. A high sorptive capacity of
Burkholderia
sp. strain PS14 for 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene was found at very low cell density. The results demonstrate that
Burkholderia
sp. strain PS14 exhibits a very high affinity for chlorobenzenes at nanomolar concentrations.
High-Level Production of Heterologous Protein by Engineered Yeasts Grown in Cottage Cheese Whey
Authors: Maullu Carlo , Lampis Giorgio , Desogus Alessandra , Ingianni Angela , Rossolini Gian Maria , Pompei Raffaello
Published: December 2019

Cottage cheese whey is a cheese industry by-product still rich in proteins and lactose. Its recycling is seldom cost-effective. In this work we show that the lactose-utilizing yeast
Kluyveromyces lactis
, engineered for production of recombinant human lysozyme, can be grown in cottage cheese whey, resulting in high-level production of the heterologous protein (125 μg/ml).
Development of Primers to O-Antigen Biosynthesis Genes for Specific Detection of
Escherichia coli
O157 by PCR
Authors: Maurer John J. , Schmidt Denise , Petrosko Patricia , Sanchez Susan , Bolton Lance , Lee Margie D.
Published: December 2019

The chemical composition of each O-antigen subunit in gram-negative bacteria is a reflection of the unique DNA sequences within each
rfb
operon. By characterizing DNA sequences contained with each
rfb
operon, a diagnostic serotype-specific probe to
Escherichia coli
O serotypes that are commonly associated with bacterial infections can be generated. Recently, from an
E. coli
O157:H7 cosmid library, O-antigen-positive cosmids were identified with O157-specific antisera. By using the cosmid DNAs as probes, several DNA fragments which were unique to
E. coli
O157 serotypes were identified by Southern analysis. Several of these DNA fragments were subcloned from O157-antigen-positive cosmids and served as DNA probes in Southern analysis. One DNA fragment within plasmid pDS306 which was specific for
E. coli
O157 serotypes was identified by Southern analysis. The DNA sequence for this plasmid revealed homology to two
rfb
genes, the first of which encodes a GDP-mannose dehydratase. These
rfb
genes were similar to O-antigen biosynthesis genes in
Vibrio cholerae
and
Yersinia enterocolitica
serotype O:8. An oligonucleotide primer pair was designed to amplify a 420-bp DNA fragment from
E. coli
O157 serotypes. The PCR test was specific for
E. coli
O157 serotypes. PCR detected as few as 10 cells with the O157-specific
rfb
oligonucleotide primers. Coupled with current enrichment protocols, O157 serotyping by PCR will provide a rapid, specific, and sensitive method for identifying
E. coli
O157.
Reductive Dechlorination of Chlorinated Ethenes and 1,2-Dichloroethane by “
Dehalococcoides ethenogenes
” 195
Authors: Maymó-Gatell Xavier , Anguish Timothy , Zinder Stephen H.
Published: December 2019

“
Dehalococcoides ethenogenes
” 195 can reductively dechlorinate tetrachloroethene (PCE) completely to ethene (ETH). When PCE-grown strain 195 was transferred (2% [vol/vol] inoculum) into growth medium amended with trichloroethene (TCE),
cis
-dichloroethene (DCE), 1,1-DCE, or 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) as an electron acceptor, these chlorinated compounds were consumed at increasing rates over time, which indicated that growth occurred. Moreover, the number of cells increased when TCE, 1,1-DCE, or DCA was present. PCE, TCE, 1,1-DCE, and
cis
-DCE were converted mainly to vinyl chloride (VC) and then to ETH, while DCA was converted to ca. 99% ETH and 1% VC.
cis
-DCE was used at lower rates than PCE, TCE, 1,1-DCE, or DCA was used. When PCE-grown cultures were transferred to media containing VC or
trans
-DCE, products accumulated slowly, and there was no increase in the rate, which indicated that these two compounds did not support growth. When the intermediates in PCE dechlorination by strain 195 were monitored, TCE was detected first, followed by
cis
-DCE. After a lag, VC, 1,1-DCE, and
trans
-DCE accumulated, which is consistent with the hypothesis that
cis
-DCE is the precursor of these compounds. Both
cis
-DCE and 1,1-DCE were eventually consumed, and both of these compounds could be considered intermediates in PCE dechlorination, whereas the small amount of
trans
-DCE that was produced persisted. Cultures grown on TCE, 1,1-DCE, or DCA could immediately dechlorinate PCE, which indicated that PCE reductive dehalogenase activity was constitutive when these electron acceptors were used.
Evidence for Involvement of Gut-Associated Denitrifying Bacteria in Emission of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) by Earthworms Obtained from Garden and Forest Soils
Authors: Matthies Carola , Grießhammer Anja , Schmittroth Martina , Drake Harold L.
Published: December 2019

Earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa,Lumbricus rubellus, andOctolasion lacteum) obtained from nitrous oxide (N2O)-emitting garden soils emitted 0.14 to 0.87 nmol of N2O h−1g (fresh weight)−1under in vivo conditions.L. rubellusobtained from N2O-emitting forest soil also emitted N2O, which confirmed previous observations (G. R. Karsten and H. L. Drake, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:1878–1882, 1997). In contrast, commercially obtainedLumbricus terrestrisdid not emit N2O; however, such worms emitted N2O when they were fed (i.e., preincubated in) garden soils.A. caliginosa,L. rubellus, andO. lacteumsubstantially increased the rates of N2O emission of garden soil columns and microcosms. Extrapolation of the data to in situ conditions indicated that N2O emission by earthworms accounted for approximately 33% of the N2O emitted by garden soils. In vivo emission of N2O by earthworms obtained from both garden and forest soils was greatly stimulated when worms were moistened with sterile solutions of nitrate or nitrite; in contrast, ammonium did not stimulate in vivo emission of N2O. In the presence of nitrate, acetylene increased the N2O emission rates of earthworms; in contrast, in the presence of nitrite, acetylene had little or no effect on emission of N2O. In vivo emission of N2O decreased by 80% when earthworms were preincubated in soil supplemented with streptomycin and tetracycline. On a fresh weight basis, the rates of N2O emission of dissected earthworm gut sections were substantially higher than the rates of N2O emission of dissected worms lacking gut sections, indicating that N2O production occurred in the gut rather than on the worm surface. In contrast to living earthworms and gut sections that produced N2O under oxic conditions (i.e., in the presence of air), fresh casts (feces) from N2O-emitting earthworms produced N2O only under anoxic conditions. Collectively, these results indicate that gut-associated denitrifying bacteria are responsible for the in vivo emission of N2O by earthworms and contribute to the N2O that is emitted from certain terrestrial ecosystems.
Microscale Distribution of Populations and Activities of
Nitrosospira
and
Nitrospira
spp. along a Macroscale Gradient in a Nitrifying Bioreactor: Quantification by In Situ Hybridization and the Use of Microsensors
Authors: Schramm Andreas , de Beer Dirk , van den Heuvel Johan C. , Ottengraf Simon , Amann Rudolf
Published: December 2019

The change of activity and abundance of
Nitrosospira
and
Nitrospira
spp. along a bulk water gradient in a nitrifying fluidized bed reactor was analyzed by a combination of microsensor measurements and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Nitrifying bacteria were immobilized in bacterial aggregates that remained in fixed positions within the reactor column due to the flow regimen. Nitrification occurred in a narrow zone of 100 to 150 μm on the surface of these aggregates, the same layer that contained an extremely dense community of nitrifying bacteria. The central part of the aggregates was inactive, and significantly fewer nitrifiers were found there. Under conditions prevailing in the reactor, i.e., when ammonium was limiting, ammonium was completely oxidized to nitrate within the active layer of the aggregates, the rates decreasing with increasing reactor height. To analyze the nitrification potential, profiles were also recorded in aggregates subjected to a short-term incubation under elevated substrate concentrations. This led to a shift in activity from ammonium to nitrite oxidation along the reactor and correlated well with the distribution of the nitrifying population. Along the whole reactor, the numbers of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria decreased, while the numbers of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria increased. Finally, volumetric reaction rates were calculated from microprofiles and related to cell numbers of nitrifying bacteria in the active shell. Therefore, it was possible for the first time to estimate the cell-specific activity of
Nitrosospira
spp. and hitherto-uncultured
Nitrospira
-like bacteria in situ.
The MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] Assay Is a Fast and Reliable Method for Colorimetric Determination of Fungal Cell Densities
Authors: Freimoser Florian M. , Jakob Claude A. , Aebi Markus , Tuor Urs
Published: December 2019

The entomopathogenic fungus
Neozygites parvispora
(Entomophthorales: Zygomycetes) grows in vitro as irregularly rod-shaped hyphal bodies in a complex medium. In order to simplify the medium composition and determine growth-promoting compounds for the cultivation of this fungus, we were looking for a rapid and quantitative method to estimate the number of living cells in small volumes of liquid culture. A colorimetric method for the determination of cell densities using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] proved to be more accurate and timesaving than conventional hemocytometer counting.
Characterization of an Acetyl Xylan Esterase from the Anaerobic Fungus
Orpinomyces
sp. Strain PC-2
Authors: Blum David L. , Li Xin-Liang , Chen Huizhong , Ljungdahl Lars G.
Published: December 2019

A 1,067-bp cDNA, designated
axeA
, coding for an acetyl xylan esterase (AxeA) was cloned from the anaerobic rumen fungus
Orpinomyces
sp. strain PC-2. The gene had an open reading frame of 939 bp encoding a polypeptide of 313 amino acid residues with a calculated mass of 34,845 Da. An active esterase using the original start codon of the cDNA was synthesized in
Escherichia coli
. Two active forms of the esterase were purified from recombinant
E. coli
cultures. The size difference of 8 amino acids was a result of cleavages at two different sites within the signal peptide. The enzyme released acetate from several acetylated substrates, including acetylated xylan. The activity toward acetylated xylan was tripled in the presence of recombinant xylanase A from the same fungus. Using
p
-nitrophenyl acetate as a substrate, the enzyme had a

K
m

of 0.9 mM and a
V
max
of 785 μmol min
−1
mg
−1
. It had temperature and pH optima of 30°C and 9.0, respectively. AxeA had 56% amino acid identity with BnaA, an acetyl xylan esterase of
Neocallimastix patriciarum
, but the
Orpinomyces
AxeA was devoid of a noncatalytic repeated peptide domain (NCRPD) found at the carboxy terminus of the
Neocallimastix
BnaA. The NCRPD found in many glycosyl hydrolases and esterases of anaerobic fungi has been postulated to function as a docking domain for cellulase-hemicellulase complexes, similar to the dockerin of the cellulosome of
Clostridium thermocellum
. The difference in domain structures indicated that the two highly similar esterases of
Orpinomyces
and
Neocallimastix
may be differently located, the former being a free enzyme and the latter being a component of a cellulase-hemicellulase complex. Sequence data indicate that AxeA and BnaA might represent a new family of hydrolases.
Fraction of Electrons Consumed in Electron Acceptor Reduction and Hydrogen Thresholds as Indicators of Halorespiratory Physiology
Authors: Löffler Frank E. , Tiedje James M. , Sanford Robert A.
Published: December 2019

Measurements of the hydrogen consumption threshold and the tracking of electrons transferred to the chlorinated electron acceptor (fe) reliably detected chlororespiratory physiology in both mixed cultures and pure cultures capable of using tetrachloroethene,cis-1,2-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzoate, or 1,2-dichloropropane as an electron acceptor. Hydrogen was consumed to significantly lower threshold concentrations of less than 0.4 ppmv compared with the values obtained for the same cultures without a chlorinated compound as an electron acceptor. The fevalues ranged from 0.63 to 0.7, values which are in good agreement with theoretical calculations based on the thermodynamics of reductive dechlorination as the terminal electron-accepting process. In contrast, a mixed methanogenic culture that cometabolized 3-chlorophenol exhibited a significantly lower fevalue, 0.012.
Detection and Identification of Amanitins in the Wood-Rotting Fungi
Galerina fasciculata
and
Galerina helvoliceps
Authors: Muraoka Shinjiro , Fukamachi Nobuko , Mizumoto Kiyohisa , Shinozawa Takao
Published: December 2019

More than 600 strains of wood-rotting fungi were screened for the detection of amanitins. Three strains of
Galerina fasciculata
and 18 strains of
Galerina helvoliceps
contained amanitins. These strains contained mainly α- and β-amanitins in the native fruit bodies, while α- and γ-amanitins were found in liquid-cultured mycelia. Purified amanitins were confirmed by their chromatographic profiles, spectra (UV, Fourier transform infrared, and atmospheric ionization mass), cytotoxicity for mammalian cell lines (3T3 and SiHa), and inhibitory effects on RNA polymerase II. The results revealed that the purified amanitin fractions from these species are identical to authentic amanitins and suggest that these two species must be handled as poisonous mushrooms.
Degradation of Polycarbonate by a Polyester-Degrading Strain,
Amycolatopsis
sp. Strain HT-6
Authors: Pranamuda Hardaning , Chollakup Rungsima , Tokiwa Yutaka
Published: December 2019

Amycolatopsis
sp. strain HT-6, a poly(tetramethylene succinate) (PTMS)-degrading actinomycete, was observed to degrade poly(tetramethylene carbonate) (PTMC). In a liquid culture with 150 mg of PTMC film, 59% degradation was achieved, but with a low yield of cell growth. On the other hand, PTMS copolymerized with a small amount of PTMC, forming a copolyester carbonate (PEC) that was completely and rapidly degraded with a high yield of cell growth.
Temperature-Dependent Fermentation of
d
-Sorbitol in
Escherichia coli
O157:H7
Authors: Bouvet O. M. M. , Pernoud S. , Grimont P. A. D.
Published: December 2019

The influence of growth temperature on the ability to ferment
d
-sorbitol was investigated in
Escherichia coli
O157:H7. It was found that O157:H7 strains have a temperature-sensitive sorbitol phenotype.
d
-Sorbitol transport and sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were expressed in sorbitol-fermenting cells grown at 30°C but only at a low level at 40°C. Sorbitol-positive variants able to transport
d
-sorbitol were easily selected at 30°C from culture of Sor
−
E. coli
O157:H7 strains.
Identification of
Lactobacillus
Isolates from the Gastrointestinal Tract, Silage, and Yoghurt by 16S-23S rRNA Gene Intergenic Spacer Region Sequence Comparisons
Authors: Tannock G. W. , Tilsala-Timisjarvi A. , Rodtong S. , Ng J. , Munro K. , Alatossava T.
Published: December 2019

Lactobacillus
isolates were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing of the region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes (spacer region). The sequences obtained from the isolates were compared to those of reference strains held in GenBank. A similarity of 97.5% or greater was considered to provide identification. To check the reliability of the method, the V2-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced in the case of isolates whose spacer region sequences were less than 99% similar to that of a reference strain. Confirmation of identity was obtained in all instances. Spacer region sequencing provided rapid and accurate identification of
Lactobacillus
isolates obtained from gastrointestinal, yoghurt, and silage samples. It had an advantage over 16S V2-V3 sequence comparisons because it distinguished between isolates of
Lactobacillus casei
and
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
.
The Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus NSs Protein Interacts with CDK1 To Induce G
2
Cell Cycle Arrest and Positively Regulate Viral Replication
Authors: Liu Sihua , Liu Hongyun , Kang Jun , Xu Leling , Zhang Keke , Li Xueping , Hou Wen , Wang Zhiyun , Wang Tao
Published: December 2019

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tick-borne pathogen that causes severe hemorrhagic fever. Although SFTSV poses a serious threat to public health and was recently isolated, its pathogenesis remains unclear. In particular, the relationship between SFTSV infection and the host cell cycle has not been described. Here, we show for the first time that both asynchronized and synchronized SFTSV-susceptible cells arrest at the G
2
/M checkpoint following SFTSV infection and that the accumulation of cells at this checkpoint facilitates viral replication. We also identify a key mechanism underlying SFTSV-induced G
2
/M arrest, in which SFTSV NSs interacts with CDK1 to inhibit formation and nuclear import of the cyclin B1-CDK1 complex, thus preventing it from regulating cell cycle progression. Our study highlights the key role that NSs plays in SFTSV-induced G
2
/M arrest.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism where poor glycaemic control was associated with low adherence to exercise and medication due to hypocalcaemia
Authors: Ueda Tomomi , Tsurutani Yuya , Katsuragawa Sho , Saito Jun
Published: December 2019

We report a rare case of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. A 36-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital owing to poor glycaemic control and hypocalcaemia. The patient had myalgia resulting from hypocalcaemia, which prevented adequate exercise. He considered the onset of myalgia to be an adverse event of oral hypoglycaemic agents and reduced compliance to medication; however, his serum calcium level was never measured. Treatment for hypocalcaemia immediately improved the myalgia, facilitating regular exercise therapy and ensuring compliance with prescribed medications, as the now-resolved myalgia was no longer perceived to be an adverse effect of glucose-lowering agents; this improved glycaemic control. Although hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease, it is necessary to assess serum calcium levels in patients with T2DM, particularly in cases presenting with unidentified complaints such as myalgia.
The SSSPIN study—spin in studies of spin: meta-research analysis
Authors: Bero Lisa , Chiu Kellia , Grundy Quinn
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To identify and calculate the prevalence of spin in studies of spin.

Design

Meta-research analysis (research on research).

Setting

35 studies of spin in the scientific literature.

Main outcome measures

Spin, categorised as: reporting practices that distort the presentation and interpretation of results, creating misleading conclusions; discordance between results and their interpretation, with presentation of favourable conclusions that are not supported by the data or results; attribution of causality when study design does not support it; and over-interpretation or inappropriate extrapolation of results.

Results

Five (14%) of 35 spin studies contained spin categorised as reporting practices that distort the presentation and interpretation of results (n=2) or categorised as over-interpretation or inappropriate extrapolation of results (n=3).

Conclusion

Spin occurs in research on spin. Although researchers on this topic should be sensitive to spinning their findings, our study does not undermine the need for rigorous interventions to reduce spin across various research fields.

Conclusion with spin

Our hypothesis that spin will be less prevalent in spin studies than in studies on other topics has been proven. Spin scholars are less likely to spin their conclusions than other researchers, and they should receive substantial resources to launch and test interventions to reduce spin and research waste in reporting.
The art of life and death: 14 year follow-up analyses of associations between arts engagement and mortality in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Fancourt Daisy , Steptoe Andrew
Published: December 2019

Objective

To explore associations between different frequencies of arts engagement and mortality over a 14 year follow-up period.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Participants

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing cohort of 6710 community dwelling adults aged 50 years and older (53.6% women, average age 65.9 years, standard deviation 9.4) who provided baseline data in 2004-05.

Intervention

Self reported receptive arts engagement (going to museums, art galleries, exhibitions, the theatre, concerts, or the opera).

Measurement

Mortality measured through data linkage to the National Health Service central register.

Results

People who engaged with receptive arts activities on an infrequent basis (once or twice a year) had a 14% lower risk of dying at any point during the follow-up (809/3042 deaths, hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.96) compared with those who never engaged (837/1762 deaths). People who engaged with receptive arts activities on a frequent basis (every few months or more) had a 31% lower risk of dying (355/1906 deaths, 0.69, 0.59 to 0.80), independent of demographic, socioeconomic, health related, behavioural, and social factors. Results were robust to a range of sensitivity analyses with no evidence of moderation by sex, socioeconomic status, or social factors. This study was observational and so causality cannot be assumed.

Conclusions

Receptive arts engagement could have a protective association with longevity in older adults. This association might be partly explained by differences in cognition, mental health, and physical activity among those who do and do not engage in the arts, but remains even when the model is adjusted for these factors.
Cross-sectional study on patient-physician aggression in Belgium: physician characteristics and aggression types
Authors: De Jager Lennart , Deneyer Michel , Buyl Ronald , Roelandt Sophie , Pacqueu Ralph , Devroey Dirk
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The aim of this Belgian research study was to describe the characteristics of physicians who are at increased risk for patient-physician aggression. Second, aggression subtypes were described and data were provided on the prevalence of patient-physician aggression in Belgium.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Primary and secondary care inside and outside hospitals.

Participants

Any physician who had worked in Belgium for the preceding 12 months was eligible to participate (n=34 648).

Main outcome measures

An online, original questionnaire was used to obtain physician characteristics (eg, age, sex, native language), department, working conditions and contact with aggressive patients during their career and during the preceding 12 months.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 4930 participants and 3726 (76%) were valid to take into account for statistics. During the preceding 12 months, 37% had been victims of aggression: 33% experienced verbal aggression, 30% psychological, 14% physical and 10% sexual. Multiple answers were allowed. Women and younger physicians were more likely to experience aggression. Psychiatric departments and emergency departments were the settings most commonly associated with aggression. Physicians who provided primarily outpatient care were more subject to aggression.

Conclusion

Belgian physicians experience several forms of aggression. Those most at-risk of aggression are young and female physicians who work in outpatient, emergency or psychiatric settings.
Exploring the psychometric properties of the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care measurement tool for care providers in Australia
Authors: Fares Julian , Chung Kon Shing Kenneth , Passey Megan , Longman Jo , Valentijn Pim P
Published: December 2019

Objective

To assess the reliability and validity of a shortened version of the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care (RMIC) measurement tool (MT). The original version of the measurement tool has been modified (shortened) for the Australian context.

Design

Validation of the psychometric properties of the RMIC-MT.

Setting

Healthcare providers providing services to a geographically defined rural area in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Participants

A sample of 56 healthcare providers providing mental and physical healthcare.

Main outcome measures

The psychometric properties of the tool were tested using principal component analysis for validity and Cronbach’s alpha for reliability.

Results

The tool was shown to have good validity and reliability. The 35 items used in the shortened version of the tool were reduced to 29 items grouped into four dimensions: community-governance orientation, normative integration, functional integration and clinical-professional coordination.

Conclusions

The shortened version of the RMIC-MT is a valid and reliable tool that evaluates integrated care from a healthcare provider’s perspective in NSW, Australia. In order to assess the tool’s appropriateness in an international context, future studies should focus on validating the tool in other healthcare settings.
Supporting survivors of sexual violence: protocol for a mixed-methods, co-research study of the role, funding and commissioning of specialist services provided by the voluntary sector in England
Authors: Combes Gill , Damery Sarah , Gunby Clare , Harlock Jenny , Isham Louise , Jones Alice , Maxted Fay , Parmar Priti , Schaub Jason , Smith Deb , Taylor Julie , Bradbury-Jones Caroline
Published: December 2019

Introduction

The voluntary sector provides a range of specialist services to survivors of sexual violence, many of which have evolved from grass roots organisations responding to unmet local needs. However, the evidence base is poor in terms of what services are provided to which groups of survivors, how voluntary sector specialist (VSS) services are organised and delivered and how they are commissioned. This will be the first national study on the role of the voluntary sector in supporting survivors in England.

Methods and analysis

This study uses an explanatory sequential naturalistic mixed-methods design with two stages. For stage 1, two national surveys of providers’ and commissioners’ views on designing and delivering VSS services will facilitate detailed mapping of service provision and commissioning in order to create a taxonomy of VSS services. Variations in the national picture will then be explored in stage 2 through four in-depth, qualitative case studies using the critical incident technique to explain the observed variations and understand the key contextual factors which influence service provision. Drawing on theory about the distinctive service contribution of the voluntary sector, survivors will be involved as co-researchers and will play a central role in data collection and interpretation.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by the University of Birmingham research ethics committee for stage 1 of the project. In line with the sequential and co-produced study design, further applications for ethical review will be made in due course. Dissemination activities will include case study and end-of-project workshops; good practice guides; a policy briefing; project report; bitesize findings; webinars; academic articles and conference presentations. The project will generate evidence about what survivors want from and value about services and new understanding about how VSS services should be commissioned and provided to support survivors to thrive in the long term.
Association between procedure appropriateness and patient-reported outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Yang Jesse Xiaolong , Stevenson Margaret J , Valsdottir Linda , Ho Kalon , Spertus John A , Yeh Robert W , Strom Jordan B
Published: December 2019

Objective

The Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) has been used to identify individuals who are likely to benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable ischaemic heart disease. However, whether physicians reliably grade PCI appropriateness and whether AUC categories stratify symptomatic improvement in real-world practice are unclear.

Methods

Patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) for angina (Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-7)), dyspnoea (Rose Dyspnea Scale (RDS)) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)) were collected on patients undergoing elective coronary angiography at an academic medical centre. Retrospectively, two physicians independently determined PCI appropriateness by the AUC criteria.

Results

Inter-rater agreement on appropriateness was moderate (κ=0.48, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.63). Of PCI procedures evaluated, 57 (47.1%) were appropriate (A-PCI), 62 (51.2%) were maybe appropriate (MA-PCI) and 2 (1.6%) were rarely appropriate. At baseline, A-PCI compared with MA-PCI patients had worse RDS scores (2.0 vs 1.2, p=0.01). At 30 days, the change in SAQ-7 summary score was similar between groups (A-PCI vs MA-PCI, +27.1 vs +20.7, p=0.11). The mean change in RDS score was greater in A-PCI than MA-PCI (−1.0 vs −0.5, p for group by time interaction=0.03). PHQ-2 scores were similar and did not improve at 30 days.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing PCI with PROMs collected before and 30 days after PCI, similar improvements in angina were observed regardless of appropriateness. Inter-rater agreement on PCI appropriateness was only moderate. Use of PROMs may improve reliability of physician assessments of PCI appropriateness.
Environmental and field characteristics associated with lameness in sheep: a study using a smartphone lameness app for data recording
Authors: Vittis Yiorgos , Kaler Jasmeet
Published: December 2019

Background

Sheep lameness is a major concern among farmers and policymakers with significant impacts on animal welfare standards as well as financial and production performance. The present study attempts to identify the relative importance of environmental and farm‐level management characteristics on sheep lameness.

Method

To address this objective, data were derived from the SPiLaMM project from 18 farms that used smartphone app to collect data, the British Geological Survey and the Meteorological Office over 2016–2018. Data were analysed using a multilevel Poisson regression model.

Results

Temperature and higher length of pasture had a positive relationship with lameness while concentration of Selenium in soil and flock size had a negative relationship with lameness. In addition, results showed lower lameness levels for the bedrock class mudstone, siltstone, limestone and sandstone in comparison to sandstone and finally, lambs and ewes younger than 1year old had lower levels of lameness than older ewes.

Conclusion

Findings of the present approach show the potential use of data collected via a smartphone app to study the epidemiology of disease. Furthermore, factors identified could be validated in intervention studies and generate data‐driven disease predictive models.
Rotating black string in Born–Infeld gravity’s rainbow
Authors: Hendi S.H. , Elahi M.
Published: December 2019

Compact objects endowed with rotation and charge are interesting both from physical and mathematical points of view. Motivated by the recent interesting consequences of gravity’s rainbow, in this paper we introduce energy-dependent asymptotically anti-de Sitter black string solutions of Einstein–Born–Infeld gravity. We report the geometric properties of the solutions and generalize them to rotating black string solutions through an improper local transformation. We calculate the conserved and thermodynamic quantities of rotating black strings and examine the validity of the first law of thermodynamics. In addition, the effects of both rainbow functions and nonlinear electrodynamics on the thermodynamic behavior of the solutions will be studied. Finally, we investigate the thermal stability of the solutions using different methods.
Quasinormal modes of dilatonic Reissner–Nordström black holes
Authors: Blázquez-Salcedo Jose Luis , Kahlen Sarah , Kunz Jutta
Published: December 2019

We calculate the quasinormal modes of static spherically symmetric dilatonic Reissner–Nordström black holes for general values of the electric charge and of the dilaton coupling constant. The spectrum of quasinormal modes is composed of five families of modes: polar and axial gravitational-led modes, polar and axial electromagnetic-led modes, and polar scalar-led modes. We make a quantitative analysis of the spectrum, revealing its dependence on the electric charge and on the dilaton coupling constant. For large electric charge and large dilaton coupling, strong deviations from the Reissner–Nordström modes arise. In particular, isospectrality is strongly broken, both for the electromagnetic-led and the gravitational-led modes, for large values of the charge.
Correlation function behavior in the topological Kosterlitz–Thouless transition using the Replica-Exchange Wang–Landau technique
Authors: Figueiredo T. P. , Costa B. V.
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we use the Replica-Exchange Wang–Landau (REWL) technique to study the behavior of the two-point correlation function of the site diluted classical anisotropic Heisenberg (AH) model in two dimensions. The model has a topological Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless (BKT) transition for any dilution down to the percolation threshold, [Formula: see text]. Contrary to earlier results that predict the exponent of the correlation function, [Formula: see text], to decay linearly to zero as a function of temperature, we found that it decreases with temperature to a finite value [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] for any dilution [Formula: see text].
Structural and elastic behavior of aluminum pnictides with temperature effect
Authors: Pawar Pooja , Singh Sadhna
Published: December 2019

A realistic interaction potential model (RIPM) has been formulated to theoretically predict the pressure-induced phase transition, elastic properties and thermophysical properties of AlAs and AlSb, including temperature effect (300 K). This model exhibits a better agreement with the available experimental rather than theoretical data for obtained calculations of phase transition pressures and volume collapses. We have achieved elastic moduli, anisotropy factor, Poisson’s ratio, Kleinman parameter, on the basis of the calculated elastic constants. Apparently, this is the first time when thermophysical properties of these compounds are explored at temperature effect by using a single model. Our results are justified by available measured and other reported data which support the validity of our model.
Ground state superconducting pair correlations in twisted bilayer graphene
Authors: Zhang Lufeng , Huang Tongyun , Liang Ying , Ma Tianxing
Published: December 2019

Motivated by the recent novel electronic features extracted from the magic-angle graphene superlattices, we studied the ground state superconducting pairing correlations within the Hubbard model on a twisted bilayer honeycomb lattice. Using Constrained-Path Quantum Monte Carlo method, we found that the [Formula: see text] pairing correlation dominates over other pairing patterns among various electron fillings and interaction strengths, and the effective pairing interaction was enhanced as the on-site Coulomb interaction increased. We further examined the effect of the nearest neighbor interaction [Formula: see text], and the effective pairing interaction with [Formula: see text] pairing symmetry was also enhanced by either a repulsive or attractive interaction. Our intensive numerical results confirm the interaction driven superconductivity with a dominant [Formula: see text] pairing symmetry in twisted bilayer graphene.
Rational solutions and lump solutions to the (3+1)-dimensional Mel’nikov equation
Authors: Yong Xuelin , Li Xiaoyu , Huang Yehui , Ma Wen-Xiu , Liu Yong
Published: December 2019

In this paper, explicit representation of general rational solutions for the (3[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional Mel’nikov equation is derived by employing the Hirota bilinear method. It is obtained in terms of determinants whose matrix elements satisfy some differential and difference relations. By selecting special value of the parameters involved, the first-order and second-order lump solutions are given and their dynamic characteristics are illustrated by two- and three-dimensional figures.
Two-dimensional ultrashort pulses in topological Kondo insulators
Authors: Konobeeva Natalia N. , Zhukov Alexander V. , Belonenko Mikhail B.
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we study the propagation of the electromagnetic field of an ultrashort laser pulse in a Kondo topological insulator. We analyze some specific peculiarities observed when varying the initial amplitude and velocity of the electromagnetic pulse, as well as the hybridization matrix. We find that the hybridization parameter — quantifying the strength of the interaction between electrons of different shells — has a very particular influence on the ultrashort pulse propagation, and provides a means to control the amplitude of the main pulse, as well as the “tail” in its wake.
Lump and interactional solutions of the (2+1)-dimensional generalized breaking soliton equation
Authors: Fan Yu-Pei , Chen Ai-Hua
Published: December 2019

In this paper, by using the long wave limit method, we study lump solution and interactional solution of the (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional generalized breaking soliton equation without using bilinear form. The moving properties of the lump solution, and the interactional properties of a lump and a solitary wave, are analyzed theoretically and graphically with asymptotic analysis.
Soliton solutions in different classes for the Kaup–Newell model equation
Authors: Souleymanou Abbagari , Korkmaz Alper , Rezazadeh Hadi , Mukam Serge Paulin Takougoum , Bekir Ahmet
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we use the new defined direct algebraic method based on some particular Riccati equations to find exact solutions to a Kaup–Newell model equation. Several new solutions which represent long waves parallel to the magnetic fields have been obtained. Many solutions in generalized hyperbolic and triangular function forms, exponential or logarithmic, are expressed explicitly. Most of the solutions determined in the study are new in the related literature.
Characteristic frequency of a three-loop mesoscopic LC circuit with two non-symmetric mutual inductances
Authors: Fan Hong-Yi , Wu Ze
Published: December 2019

We use the Invariant eigenoperator (IEO) method to derive characteristic frequency of two-loop and three-loop mesoscopic LC circuit with non-symmetric mutual inductances. By searching for invariant eigenoperators of the Hamiltonian of mesoscopic LC circuits, we can calculate their energy-levels very conveniently. This method is quite concise and effective and has many applications in quantum mechanics. Thus we can calculate energy-levels by searching for invariant eigenoperators.
Structural and magnetic properties of high magnetic-field-assisted hydrothermal synthesized Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 particles
Authors: Liu Shengman
Published: December 2019

[Formula: see text] (BFTO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method in high magnetic fields of 0T, 2T, 4T, and 8T. High magnetic field can greatly affect the growth behavior of BFTO particles. The magnetic fields promote the BFTO nanoplates to grow along (001) direction and form a high-index {115} facet. The BFTO samples prepared in different magnetic fields are paramagnetic with the presence of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic ordering, and the AFM interaction weakens when the magnetic field is increased. In particular, the magnetization of the as-prepared BFTO particles is slightly enhanced with the increase in magnetic fields arising from the increased amount of bipyramid particles in favor of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] plane alignment parallel to the magnetic field.
An end notched flexure specimen model for mode-II fracture of high-temperature superconductor tapes with thermal effect
Authors: Wang K. F. , Li Z. , Li J. E. , Wang B. L.
Published: December 2019

End notched flexure (ENF) experiment using three-point bending beam specimen is a very convenient test configuration to evaluate the mode-II fracture toughness of composites. High-temperature superconductor (HTS) tapes are multi-layered composite that have been widely used in magnets and cables. HTS tapes are manufactured at room temperature ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]300 K) but are used in the liquid-nitrogen temperature (77 K) environment. The large temperature change leads to large shear stress which may cause delamination of HTS tapes. In this paper, a closed-form expression of energy release rate (and therefore the stress intensity factor) for mode-II fracture of HTS tapes with thermal effect is developed based on the end notched flexure specimen. Results show that HTS tapes in working condition are prone to delaminating. Increasing the thickness of Hastelloy layer can reduce the energy release rate of mode-II cracking thus increase the interface strength. In the design of HTS tapes, the silver and copper layers are used to enhance the stretch of the HTS tapes. While silver and copper layers will increase the energy release rate for mode-II crack. This fact indicates that thicker silver and copper layers are not always good from the fracture mechanics point of view. The results of thermomechanical model and fracture criterion model of this research are useful for determining mode-II fracture toughness of superconducting composites for high-temperature applications.
EFFECTIVE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF POROUS MEDIA WITH ROUGHENED SURFACES BY FRACTAL-MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS
Authors: XIAO BOQI , WANG SHUAI , WANG YAN , JIANG GUOPING , ZHANG YIDAN , CHEN HANXIN , LIANG MINGCHAO , LONG GONGBO , CHEN XUBING
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the Fractal-Monte Carlo has been employed to simulate the effective thermal conductivity of porous media with roughened surfaces. The proposed probability model for the effective thermal conductivity of porous media with roughened surfaces can be expressed as a function of the relative roughness, porosity, minimum and maximum diameter of pores, fractal dimensions, and random number. The proposed model is validated by a satisfying agreement of our Fractal-Monte Carlo simulations and the experimental data. In our Fractal-Monte Carlo model, there is no extra empirical constant and each parameter has clear physical meaning. Then, the effects of micro-structural parameters of porous media on the effective thermal conductivity of porous media with roughened surfaces have been analyzed in detail. It can be found that the effective thermal conductivity of porous media with roughened surfaces decreases with the increase of relative roughness and tortuosity fractal dimension. Our results demonstrate that the proposed Fractal-Monte Carlo model can be used to characterize other transport properties such as mass transfer of porous media.