bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the university curriculum impact the level of students' food safety knowledge?
Authors: Smigic Nada , Lazarov Tijana , Djekic Ilija
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate food handling practices and food safety knowledge among undergraduate students in the Republic of Serbia. It was also to determine whether the university curriculum influences the food safety outcome among participating students.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured, self-administrative questionnaire was designed and used to assess the level of food handling practices and food safety knowledge among undergraduate students in the Republic of Serbia. In total, 240 students were involved in this study. For each participating student, the food handling practice score (FHPS) and food safety knowledge score (FSKS) was calculated by dividing the sum of correct answers by the total number of correct responses. Additionally, knowledge gaps among students of food/health related and non-food/health related faculties were identified.

Findings

The average FHPS for all students was 46%, while the average FSKS was 56%. Both FHPS and FSKS scores were significantly associated with the education, and students of food/health related faculties (Food Technology, Veterinary Medicine and Medicine) obtained better scores compared to students of non-food/health related faculties (Faculty of Agriculture, Economics and Faculty of Philology). Only 12.5% of all students and only 3.3% of non-food/health related students knew that food contaminated with food poisoning bacteria cannot be recognized by visual, olfactory or taste checks. The results indicated that 95% of students apply good practice of hand hygiene before preparing food, while only 52.5% of all students declared that they wash their hands for at least 20 s.

Originality/value

This is the first research aimed to investigate the food handling practices and food safety knowledge among undergraduate students in this part of Europe. Identifying knowledge gaps can help identifying at-risk populations and knowledge-based interventions. Also, novelty of this research was the connection between students' knowledge and curriculum of different food/health related faculties.
Feminine? Masculine? Androgynous leadership as a necessity in COVID-19
Authors: Blake-Beard Stacy , Shapiro Mary , Ingols Cynthia
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between leaders’ expressed traits and their impact on their country’s COVID-19 outcomes. Some leaders are over relying on masculine traits and dismissing feminine traits. An alternative – androgynous leadership – supports leaders in drawing from the full portfolio of behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has a theoretical approach using an extensive review of the literature.

Findings

Leaders can take a number of actions to fully embrace androgynous leadership. These actions include building a diverse “tempered” team, communicating with respect, recognizing the impact of framing and moving from autopilot to realizing their best androgynous self.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations include a critique of Bem’s framework as outdated and dichotomous; a categorization of feminine, masculine and neutral behaviors that is determined by the authors; and a focus on leadership style that does not take other dimensions, such as health-care systems, into account.

Practical implications

The authors propose that an “androgynous” leadership style has been used effectively by some political leaders around the globe in the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 context has provided a laboratory for developing and building competence as androgynous leaders.

Social implications

The mental capacity to look at a situation, pause and explicitly select effective behavior is necessary, but oftentimes, it is not put into practice. By not drawing from a larger portfolio of androgynous behaviors, the opportunity for leaders to their best work is missed.

Originality/value

There is an acknowledgement of the benefits of the combination of masculine and feminine leadership traits. There are also clear recommendations supporting leaders in developing their androgynous leadership skills.
Does role conflict influence discontinuous usage intentions? Privacy concerns, social media fatigue and self-esteem
Authors: Fan Xiaojun , Jiang Xinyu , Deng Nianqi , Dong Xuebing , Lin Yangxi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Using WeChat moments as an example, this article explores the impact of user role conflict on privacy concerns, social media fatigue and the three dimensions of discontinuous usage intention: control activities, short breaks and suspend usage intentions. Moreover, the moderating function of self-esteem in this process is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model includes role conflict, privacy concerns, social media fatigue, discontinuous usage intention and self-esteem. Three hundred and thirty-one questionnaires were collected using an online survey, and the data were analyzed with structural equation and hierarchical regression modeling.

Findings

The results show that (1) role conflict positively affects privacy concerns and social media fatigue; (2) privacy concerns also positively affect social media fatigue; (3) privacy concerns positively affect control activities intentions, although their impact on short breaks and suspend usage intentions is not significant, whereas social media fatigue significantly influences control activities, short breaks and suspend usage intentions; and (4) self-esteem negatively moderates the influence of role conflict on privacy concerns.

Research limitations/implications

A key limitation of this research is that it is designed for WeChat. Therefore, the question of whether other social media platforms face role conflict or discontinuous usage problems should be explored in the future.

Originality/value

The article is interesting in that it focuses on the discontinuous usage of social media and identifies factors that contribute to the discontinuous usage of social media. The findings make some theoretical contributions to, and have practical implications for, research into social media usage.
How does appreciation lead to higher job satisfaction?
Authors: Pfister Isabel Barbara , Jacobshagen Nicola , Kälin Wolfgang , Semmer Norbert Karl
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Building on the “Stress-as-Offense-to-Self” theory, this study investigates appreciation as a predictor of job satisfaction over time, mediated by subjective success and feelings of resentment towards one's organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyses are based on a three-wave study with two-month time intervals, with a sample of 193 employees from six Swiss organizations.

Findings

Double mediation by subjective success and feelings of resentment was confirmed; no mediation was found in a reversed mediation model. Results highlight the importance of appreciation for employees' feelings of success and job satisfaction, but also for affect related to the organization as a whole.

Practical implications

Organizations should recognize the role of appreciation in satisfaction, affective reactions toward the organization, and information about one's standing. Appreciation can be expressed in multiple ways; it not only increases job satisfaction but also helps employees to validate their judgments about their own performance.

Originality/value

Appreciation is a promising resource for employee well-being. The present study is one of few focusing on appreciation as a resource in its own right, rather than as part of broader constructs, such as social support. Our results not only confirm the importance of appreciation but also shed light on mechanisms through which it may exert its influence. They complement a multilevel analysis based on the same data showing an association of appreciation with different indicators of well-being on the interpersonal as well as the intrapersonal level.
Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility synergies: evidence from New Zealand
Authors: Zaman Rashid , Nadeem Muhammad , Carvajal Mariela
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide exploratory evidence on corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) interfaces. Although there remains a voluminous literature on CG and CSR, very little effort has been put forward to explore the nature of this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using interviews with Senior Executives of New Zealand Stock Exchange listed firms, this research assesses CG and CSR practices, identifies barriers for CG and CSR adoption and investigates the nature of the relationship between CG and CSR.

Findings

The results indicate a moderate level of CG and CSR practices, with a lack of resources and cost-time balance as common barriers for CG and CSR adoption. However, despite these barriers, we note that the majority of executives appreciate the increasing convergence between CG and CSR, and believe that a more robust CG framework will lead to more sustainable CSR practices.

Originality/value

These findings have important implications for managers and policymakers interested in understanding the CG-CSR nexus and promoting responsible business practices.
Efficacy and safety of first‐line nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Tanaka Toshikazu , Hatakeyama Shingo , Numakura Kazuyuki , Kido Koichi , Noro Daisuke , Oikawa Masaaki , Hosogoe Shogo , Tokui Noriko , Yamamoto Hayato , Narita Shintaro , Ito Hiroyuki , Yoneyama Takahiro , Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Kawaguchi Toshiaki , Habuchi Tomonori , Ohyama Chikara
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy and safety of first‐line nivolumab plus ipilimumab for patients treated with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 52 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who were treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab between August 2015 and January 2020. Data on patient characteristics, treatment parameters and adverse events were obtained. Oncological outcomes were assessed according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium prognostic model. Furthermore, differences in treatment parameters between patients with objective response (responders) and non‐responders were compared.

Results

The median age and follow‐up periods were 69 years and 8.2 months, respectively. The 1‐year progression‐free survival and overall survival rates were 55% and 75%, respectively. The objective response rate was 39%, and it was significantly different between the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium intermediate‐ and poor‐risk groups (52% vs 24%). We observed 36 (69%) any immune‐related adverse events, and 19 (37%) severe immune‐related adverse events (grades III–V). The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium poor‐risk group and higher value of initial C‐reactive protein (≥1.0 mg/dL) were significantly associated with non‐responders. Patients with two factors (the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium poor‐risk group plus C‐reactive protein ≥1.0 mg/dL) had a significantly poor overall survival than those with none or a single factor.

Conclusions

In our experience, treatment response to nivolumab plus ipilimumab is comparable with that of the CheckMate 214 clinical trial, but the incidence of treatment‐related adverse events is lower. The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium poor‐risk group and initial C‐reactive protein value might have a prognostic value for poor survival.
Hopelessness, Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Clinical Diagnosis of Depression
Authors: Beck Aaron T. , Steer Robert A. , Beck Judith S. , Newman Cory F.
Published: September 2020

The relevance of a clinical diagnosis of depression for explaining the discrepant relationships of hopelessness and depression with suicidal ideation was studied. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) were administered to 1,306 (72.8%) patients with at least one DSM‐III‐R mood disorder and 488 (27.3%) patients without any mood disorders. A multiple regression analysis was conducted, and hopelessness was 1.3 times more important than depression was for explaining suicidal ideation. The interactions of the BDI and BHS with diagnostic group were not significant.
Using Algebraic Inequalities to Reduce Uncertainty and Risk
Authors: Todinov Michael
Published: September 2020

The paper discusses applications of the domain-independent method of algebraic inequalities, for reducing uncertainty and risk. Algebraic inequalities have been used for revealing the intrinsic reliability of competing systems and ranking the systems in terms of reliability in the absence of knowledge related to the reliabilities of their components. An algebraic inequality has also been used to establish the principle of the well-ordered parallel-series systems which, in turn, has been applied to maximize the reliability of common parallel-series systems. The paper introduces linking an abstract inequality to a real process by a meaningful interpretation of the variables entering the inequality and its left- and right-hand parts. The meaningful interpretation of a simple algebraic inequality led to a counterintuitive result. If two varieties of items are present in a large batch, the probability of selecting randomly two items of different variety is smaller than the probability of selecting randomly two items of the same variety.
Soot Emission Simulations of a Single Sector Model Combustor Using Incompletely Stirred Reactor Network Modeling
Authors: Gkantonas Savvas , Foale Jenna M. , Giusti Andrea , Mastorakos Epaminondas
Published: September 2020

The simulation of soot evolution is a problem of relevance for the development of low-emission aero-engine combustors. Apart from detailed CFD approaches, it is important to also develop models with modest computational cost so that a large number of geometries can be explored, especially in view of the need to predict engine-out soot particle size distributions (PSDs) to meet future regulations. This paper presents an approach based on Incompletely Stirred Reactor Network (ISRN) modeling that simplifies calculations, allowing for the use of very complex chemistry and soot models. The method relies on a network of incompletely stirred reactors (ISRs), which are inhomogeneous in terms of mixture fraction but characterized by homogeneous conditional averages, with the conditioning performed on the mixture fraction. The ISRN approach is demonstrated here for a single sector lean-burn model combustor operating on Jet-A1 fuel in pilot-only mode, for which detailed CFD and experimental data are available. Results show that reasonable accuracy is obtained at a significantly reduced computational cost. Real fuel chemistry and a detailed physicochemical sectional soot model are consequently employed to investigate the sensitivity of ISRN predictions to the chosen chemical mechanism and provide an estimate of the soot PSD at the combustor exit.
Case Study of the Puna Geothermal Power Plant and Proposed Retrofit H2S Gas Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Anderson Kevin R. , Yassine Wael
Published: September 2020

This paper presents modeling of the Puna Geothermal Venture as a case study in understanding how the technology of geothermal can by successfully implemented. The paper presents a review of the Puna Geothermal Venture specifications, followed by simulation results carried out using NREL SAM and RETSCREEN analysis tools in order to quantify the pertinent metrics associated with the geothermal powerplant by retrofitting its current capacity of 30 MW to 60 MW. The paper closes with a review of current state-of-the art H2S abatement strategies for geothermal power plants, and presents an outline of how these technologies can be implemented at the Puna Geothermal Venture.
The Importance of Renewable Energy Systems in Meeting Rising Energy Needs of Megacities in a Sustainable Way: Case Study of Greater Cairo
Authors: Abd Alla Sara , Bianco Vincenzo , Simoes Sofia G.
Published: September 2020

Megacities are mainly located in developing countries and face challenges in building infrastructures to ensure modern and clean energy access to citizens while coping with lifestyle changes. This paper assesses the renewables impact on energy transition for megacities (supply and all demand sectors) using the Greater Cairo megacity as case study.

The MARKAL-EFOM System (TIMES) model is applied to the Greater Cairo region to investigate how energy supply and demand will evolve till 2050, and what are the impacts in terms of final energy consumption, GHG emissions, as well as share of renewable energy sources consumption in total final energy consumption considering two different emissions mitigation caps, namely 50% and 80%.

Compared to the business as usual scenario, the final energy consumption decreases of 46 PJ and 57 PJ respectively in the scenarios with the CO2 cap of 50% and 80%. Besides, the TIMES-Greater Cairo shows that the fossil free energy options are limited and thus, in order to meet the emission cap, it is necessary to deploy more energy efficient technologies than in the scenarios without the cap. Transport is the sector with the higher CO2 emissions contribution and the optimization results show that it may lower the environmental impact of 28% by 2050 with the sole deployment of more efficient technologies.
Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools: A Case Study in Florida
Authors: Doiphode Ganesh , Najafi Hamidreza , Favaretto Mariana Migliori
Published: September 2020

Buildings are one of the largest energy consumers in the United States. K-12 schools are responsible for nearly 8% of energy consumption by commercial buildings which is equivalent to 1.44% of total annual energy consumption in the country. Understanding the baseline energy consumption of the schools as well as identifying effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs) that result in significant energy savings without compromising occupant’s comfort in a given climate condition are essential factors in moving towards a sustainable future. In a collaboration between Florida Institute of Technology and Brevard Public Schools, three schools are identified for a test study in Melbourne, FL, representing the humid subtropical climate. Energy audit is conducted for these schools and monthly utility bill data as well as background information, end-user’s data and their associated operating schedules are obtained. A detailed analysis is performed on the utility bill data and energy consumption by each end-user is estimated. Several EEMs are considered and evaluated to achieve an improved energy efficiency for the schools. The implementation cost of each EEM and the associated simple payback period is also determined. A study is also conducted to explore possibility of using solar power to cover 50% of energy requirements of each school and the cost and payback period of the project are evaluated. The results of this paper provide insights regarding prioritizing energy efficiency projects in K-12 schools in humid subtropical climates and particularly the state of Florida and help with decision making regarding investment in on-site power generation using solar energy.
Investigation of Temperature Limitations During Rapid Thermal Cycling of a Micro-Tubular Flame-Assisted Fuel Cell
Authors: Milcarek Ryan J. , Ghotkar Rhushikesh , Ahn Jeongmin
Published: September 2020

Despite many efforts and improvements over the last few decades, two of the major challenges facing Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are slow heating rates to operating conditions (typically < 5 °C.min−1) and a limited ability to thermal cycle (< 200 cycles). Recently a novel hybridized setup that combines a fuel-rich combustion reformer with a SOFC was developed and utilized to investigate rapid heating, cooling and thermal cycling of a micro-Tubular SOFC. The setup places the SOFC directly in the flame and exhaust of the high temperature combustion of methane, which allows for extremely rapid temperature rise in the SOFC. A SOFC with a (La0.8Sr0.2)0.95MnO3-x cathode was tested in the setup, but limitations on air preheating for the cathode resulted in low SOFC cathode temperatures (∼500°C) and low power density. Thermal insulation improved pre-heating of the air delivered to the cathode, increased the SOFC cathode temperature and, when a (La0.60Sr0.40)0.95Co0.20Fe0.80O3-x cathode was applied to the SOFC, resulted in improved power density. After adjusting the thermal insulation, the air temperature near the cathode exceeded ∼750°C during testing. Over 3,000 thermal cycles were conducted at a heating rate exceeding 900°C.min−1 and a cooling rate that exceeded 300°C.min−1. The open circuit voltage was analyzed over the 150 h test and a low degradation rate of ∼0.0008V per 100 cycles per fuel cell was observed. Unlike the previous test, which was conducted at lower temperatures, significant degradation of the current collector was observed during this test. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that degradation in the SOFC was due to increases in ohmic losses, activation losses at the cathode and increased concentration losses. The setup demonstrates that rapid thermal cycling of micro-Tubular SOFCs can be achieved, but there are limitations on the maximum temperature that can be sustained depending on the current collector.
Revisiting Theoretical Limits for One-Degree-of-Freedom Wave Energy Converters
Authors: Tom Nathan M.
Published: September 2020

This work revisits the theoretical limits of one-degree-of-freedom wave energy converters. This paper considers the floating sphere used in the Ocean Energy Systems Task 10 Wave Energy Converter modeling and verification effort for analysis. Analytical equations are derived to determine bounds on the motion amplitude, time-averaged power, and power-take-off (PTO) force. A unique result was found that shows the time-averaged power absorbed by a wave energy converter can be defined solely by the inertial properties and radiation hydrodynamic coefficients. In addition, a unique expression for the PTO force amplitude was derived that has provided upper and lower bounds when resistive control is used to maximize power generation. For complex conjugate control, this same expression can only provide a lower bound, as there is theoretically no upper bound. These bounds are used to compare the performance of a floating sphere if it were to extract energy using surge or heave motion. The analysis shows that because of the differences in hydrodynamic coefficients of each oscillating mode, there will be different frequency ranges that provide better power capture efficiency. The influence of a motion constraint on power absorption while also utilizing a nonideal power take-off is examined and found to reduce the losses associated with bidirectional energy flow. The expression to calculate the time-averaged power with a nonideal PTO is modified by the mechanical-to-electrical efficiency and the ratio of the PTO spring and damping coefficients. The PTO spring and damping coefficients were separated in the expression, which allows for limits to be set on the possible values of PTO coefficients to ensure a net flow of power to the grid.
Design of Fresnel Lens With Constant Height Spherical Facets
Authors: Awasthi Kuldeep , Shashidhar Reddy Desireddy , Khan Mohd. Kaleem
Published: September 2020

In the present work, a ray tracing model based on Snell’s law of refraction is developed using MATLAB for the design of Fresnel lens with spherical facets of equal height. In practice, the facet curvature is approximated by straight line, which causes an increase in spherical aberrations and reduction in concentration ratio. The proposed model takes facet curvature into consideration, which will result in effective utilization of incident solar radiations. Fresnel lenses are available with facets having constant width and facets with constant height. A comparison of spherical aberrations in the two cases has also been presented using different f - numbers (ratio of focal length to aperture diameter). Effect of different parameters like number of facets and refractive index of lens material on concentration ratio is also presented in present study. The proposed ray tracing model is validated with the model developed in SolTrace, an open access software. The predictions from the proposed model are in good agreement with the results of SolTrace model with an average deviations of 6.8% for concentration ratio and 2.2% for focal length.
Improving Next-Generation Falling Particle Receiver Designs Subject to Anticipated Operating Conditions
Authors: Mills Brantley , Shaeffer Reid , Yue Lindsey , Ho Clifford K.
Published: September 2020

The thermal performance of a candidate next-generation falling particle receiver (FPR) is analyzed subject to various expected operating conditions. This receiver design was created from the result of an extensive optimization study and developed to support the Generation 3 Particle Pilot Plant (G3P3) project. Previous analysis demonstrated high thermal efficiencies for the receiver at nominal quiescent conditions, but further analysis was required to demonstrate that the receiver could maintain that thermal performance in a wide range of anticipated environments. In this study, the thermal efficiency was numerically evaluated using a CFD model for different wind conditions and shown to maintain a thermal efficiency above 83% for considered wind conditions. Moreover, the effect of radiative spillage from the incoming concentrated solar beam on the receiver exterior was investigated using ray tracing and CFD models. The exterior wall material temperature limits were not exceeded for the anticipated design power from the heliostats. Additional features were numerically explored including the addition of a chimney to capture particle fines and waste heat and a multi-stage concept to maximize curtain opacity. Particle fines of 10 μm were shown to preferentially flow into this chimney rather than out of the aperture, and the multi-stage design decreased radiative losses and minimized wall temperatures behind the particle curtain.
Optimizing the bandwidth of plate-type acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Langfeldt Felix , Gleine Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

Plate-type acoustic metamaterials (PAM) consist of a thin film with multiple periodically attached masses. Although these metamaterials can be very lightweight and thin, the resulting sound transmission loss at low frequencies can be much larger than the corresponding mass-law. This is a result of anti-resonances at which the sound transmission through the PAM is strongly reduced. One general challenge, however, is that the anti-resonances are only very narrowband. This makes the application of PAM to noise control problems with broadband noise sources or changing tonal sources difficult. In this contribution, different design strategies to improve the bandwidth of PAM for low-frequency noise control applications (multiple masses per unit cell or stacking multiple PAM layers) are evaluated using optimizations. An efficient modal based model is employed to represent the PAM using their eigenfrequencies and modal masses. The model is validated using simulations and experimental measurements. The optimization results show that it is possible to significantly improve the bandwidth of PAM using the investigated design strategies. In fact, it is shown that the same bandwidths can be achieved either using multiple masses or multiple PAM layers. This allows for some flexibility in the design of suitable noise control treatments with PAM.
Behavioral Tackling Interventions Decrease Head Impact Frequency in American Football Players: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Evans Ashley E. , Curtis Madeline , Montjoy Marguerite (Meg) , Beidler Erica
Published: September 2020

Context: The rate of sport-related concussion diagnosis has significantly increased in recent years, which has created a need for injury prevention initiatives. There have been efforts put forth by researchers and American football organizations to teach athletes how to tackle properly in order to decrease the number of subconcussive head impacts and concussions. Clinical Question: Does the implementation of a behavioral tackling intervention decrease the head impact frequency in American football players? Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate SORT Level B evidence to support the use of behavioral tackling interventions as a means for reducing head impact frequency in football athletes. All four included studies found a significant reduction in head impacts following a behavioral tackling intervention with study findings ranging from a 26–33% reduction in impact frequency. These findings were consistent in youth, high school, and college football players and for different types of behavioral tackling interventions. Therefore, these results indicate that behavioral tackling interventions have the potential to reduce the number of head impacts sustained by American football players, which may ultimately lead to a reduction in concussion occurrence as well.
The Syringate
O
-Demethylase Gene of
Sphingobium
sp. Strain SYK-6 Is Regulated by DesX, while Other Vanillate and Syringate Catabolism Genes Are Regulated by DesR
Authors: Araki Takuma , Tanatani Kenta , Kamimura Naofumi , Otsuka Yuichiro , Yamaguchi Muneyoshi , Nakamura Masaya , Masai Eiji
Published: September 2020

Syringate is a major degradation product in the microbial and chemical degradation of syringyl lignin. Along with other low-molecular-weight aromatic compounds, syringate is produced by chemical lignin depolymerization. Converting this mixture into value-added chemicals using bacterial metabolism (i.e., biological funneling) is a promising option for lignin valorization. To construct an efficient microbial lignin conversion system, it is necessary to identify and characterize the genes involved in the uptake and catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds and to elucidate their transcriptional regulation. In this study, we found that the transcription of
desA
, encoding syringate
O
-demethylase in SYK-6, is regulated by an IclR-type transcriptional regulator, DesX. The findings of this study, combined with our previous results on
desR
(encoding a MarR transcriptional regulator that controls the transcription of
ligM
and
desB
), provide an overall picture of the transcriptional-regulatory systems for syringate and vanillate catabolism in SYK-6.
First Draft Genome Sequence of Thermophilic Laceyella tengchongensis BKK01, Isolated from Municipal Solid Waste in Thailand
Authors: Wachiralurpan Sirirat , Ruangsuj Pattarawan , Yamprayoonswat Wariya , Sopha Pattarawut , Jumpathong Watthanachai , Sittihan Satapanawat , Kanjanavas Pornpimon , Areekit Supatra , Chansiri Kosum , Chauyrod Kondee , Yasawong Montri
Published: September 2020

Laceyella tengchongensis
BKK01 is a thermophilic bacterium isolated from municipal solid waste. The genome of
L. tengchongensis
BKK01 includes a gene putatively encoding gramicidin S synthase. Gramicidin S has antibiotic activity against some bacteria and fungi. The newly sequenced 3.44-Mb draft genome of
L. tengchongensis
BKK01 will shed some light on the biosynthesis of gramicidin S.
First-cycle sand supply and the evolution of the eastern Canadian continental margin: Insights from Pb isotopes in the Mesozoic Scotian Basin
Authors: Blowick Aoife , Pe-Piper Georgia , Piper David J.W. , Zhang Yuanyuan , Tyrrell Shane
Published: September 2020

Provenance analysis provides a powerful means to understand, connect, and reconstruct source-to-sink systems and Earth surface processes, if reliable toolkits can be developed, refined, and applied. Deciphering sediment routing to the Scotian Basin, offshore eastern Canada, is marred by sedimentary recycling but is critical to understanding the evolution of the Canadian margin in response to the evolving Labrador rift. In this study, Pb isotopes in detrital K-feldspars were fingerprinted in 13 wells across the Scotian Basin to track first-cycle sand supply. Unlike previous approaches, which utilized less labile proxies such as zircon, detrital K-feldspars are unlikely to survive multiple sedimentary cycles.

The Pb-isotopic data reveal a dynamic seesaw effect between hinterland sources across the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary, reflecting the complex interplay between the northward propagation of uplift along the rising Labrador rift flank and the reactivation of fault systems in the lower drainage basin. Pb isotopes in K-feldspar record progressively increasing long-distance supply from eastern Labrador, as early as the Callovian in the central basin, alongside diminishing but persistent local sourcing from adjacent Appalachian terranes. Comparison with more resilient mineral proxies, notably zircon, appears to confirm recycling in the lower drainage basin and highlights the limitations of using a single mineral proxy in isolation.

This case study serves as an example of the growing potential of multiproxy provenance toolkits not only to decipher sediment-routing corridors in paleodrainage systems, but to better define and connect the drivers, mechanisms, and spatial and temporal ranges of Earth surface processes and tectonic events.
Influence of corneal guttae and nuclear cataract on contrast sensitivity
Authors: Augustin Victor A , Weller Julia M , Kruse Friedrich E , Tourtas Theofilos
Published: September 2020

AIMS

To evaluate the contrast sensitivity in patients with nuclear cataract and corneal guttae compared to patients with nuclear cataract without guttae.

METHODS

In this retrospective, single-centre case series, 50 eyes of 50 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients with corneal guttae and nuclear cataract (n=25, study group) underwent triple Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Patients with nuclear cataract and healthy corneas underwent cataract surgery (n=25, control group). Inclusion criteria were preoperative best-corrected visual acuity ≥20/40, no corneal oedema and similar lens opacity (nuclear opalescence 2.0–2.9). Outcome measures included MARS letter and OPTEC 6500P contrast sensitivity test, corneal volume, central corneal thickness and anterior and posterior corneal densitometry.

RESULTS

Preoperative MARS letter and OPTEC 6500P contrast sensitivity was significantly worse in the study group (MARS: p<0.001; OPTEC 6500P: p<0.007 at low spatial frequencies in daylight with and without glare and nightlight without glare). After surgery, there was no significant difference in MARS letter contrast sensitivity between groups (p=0.225). OPTEC 6500P contrast sensitivity remained significantly lower in the study group in daylight and nightlight with and without glare at most spatial frequencies (p<0.01) postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative corneal volume, central corneal thickness and anterior corneal densitometry were equal in both groups (p>0.05). Posterior densitometry was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group preoperatively (p<0.001) but turned into equal values postoperatively (p=0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal guttae cause an additional significant decrease in contrast sensitivity in eyes with nuclear cataract. This is in favour of performing a triple DMEK even in eyes with a visual acuity of ≥20/40.
Effectiveness of a high volume injection as treatment for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: randomised controlled trial
Authors: van der Vlist Arco C , van Oosterom Robert F , van Veldhoven Peter L J , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M A , Waarsing Jan H , Verhaar Jan A N , de Vos Robert-Jan
Published: September 2020

Objective

To study whether a high volume injection without corticosteroids improves clinical outcome in addition to usual care for adults with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Design

Patient and assessor blinded, placebo controlled randomised clinical trial.

Setting

Sports medicine department of a large district general hospital, the Netherlands.

Participants

80 adults (aged 18-70 years) with clinically diagnosed chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy and neovascularisation on ultrasonography. 39 were randomised to a high volume injection without corticosteroids and 41 to placebo.

Interventions

Participants were instructed to perform an exercise programme for 24 weeks (usual care) combined with one 50 mL high volume injection of saline and lidocaine (intervention group) or one 2 mL placebo injection of saline and lidocaine (placebo group) at baseline.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was pain and function assessed using the validated Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire at 24 weeks (analysed using a generalised estimation equations model). Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction, return to sport, degree of ultrasonographic Doppler flow, visual analogue scale on 10 hop test, power and flexibility of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, pain detect questionnaire for neuropathic pain, and pain coping inventory. Participants were evaluated at baseline and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

Results

Only one participant (1%) was lost to follow-up. The estimated mean VISA-A score improved significantly, from 40.4 (95% confidence interval 32.0 to 48.7) at baseline to 59.1 (50.4 to 67.8) at 24 weeks in the high volume injection group and from 36.9 (27.1 to 46.8) to 58.5 (47.9 to 69.1) in the placebo group. The VISA-A score over time did not differ between the groups (adjusted between group difference at 24 weeks 0.5 points, 95% confidence interval −17.8 to 18.8). No significant between group differences were found for patient satisfaction (21/37 (57%)v19/39 (49%) patients, P=0.50) and return to desired sport (15/29 (52%)v19/31 (61%) patients active in sports, P=0.65) at 24 weeks. None of the other secondary outcomes differed between the two groups.

Conclusions

A high volume injection without corticosteroids in addition to usual care is not effective for symptom reduction in patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. On the basis of our findings, we cannot recommend the use of a high volume injection in this patient group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02996409
Sex-specific trends in smoking prevalence over seven years in different Austrian populations: results of a time-series cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Dorner Thomas Ernst , Brath Helmut , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Aim of this study was to examine trends over time in smoking status in men and women, and in subgroups, in Austria, a country with poor smoking regulation policies.

Design and participants

Two cross-sectional surveys (Austrian Health Interview Surveys for 2007 and 2014), each with more than 15 000 participants from the general population, aged ≥15 years.

Outcome measures

Prevalence of self-reported daily smoking. ORs for daily smoking in subgroups, presented as results of logistic regression models, adjusted for sociodemographic variables and presence of chronic diseases.

Results

Prevalence of daily cigarette smoking was 26.0% for men in both years, and increased from 19.1% to 22.0% (p<0.001) in women from 2007 to 2014. Smoking prevalence increased especially in female patients with diabetes mellitus (from 9.9% to 16.4%, p=0.005), obesity (from 17.1% to 21.6%, p=0.010) and hypertension (from 11.2% to 14.2%, p=0.010). Smoking prevalence increased significantly in unemployed men (from 43.6% to 57.1%, p<0.001). In women, smoking prevalence increased in those aged 30–64 years (from 21.9% to 26.3%, p<0.001) and 65+ (from 3.9% to 6.2%, p=0.002), with primary (from 17.2% to 24.4%, p<0.001) and secondary education (from 21.4% to 23.4%, p=0.021), and with a European (from 16.6% to 26.1%, p<0.001) and non-European migration background (from 25.0% to 32.8%, p=0.003). In the adjusted analysis for women in 2014, there was a higher likelihood of smoking (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.32, p<0.001) compared with 2007, and for those affected by a chronic disease (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.25, p=0.002).

Conclusions

There has been a remarkable increase in smoking prevalence over the 7-year period in women in Austria, especially for those with chronic diseases, higher age, lower education and a migration background. Better political and clinical efforts are needed to reduce the high tobacco use in Austria.
Impact of a national primary care pay-for-performance scheme on ambulatory care sensitive hospital admissions: a small-area analysis in England
Authors: Grigoroglou Christos , Munford Luke , Webb Roger , Kapur Navneet , Doran Tim , Ashcroft Darren , Kontopantelis Evangelos
Published: September 2020

Objective

We aimed to spatially describe hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) in England at small-area geographical level and assess whether recorded practice performance under one of the world’s largest primary care pay-for-performance schemes led to reductions in these potentially avoidable hospitalisations for chronic conditions incentivised in the scheme.

Setting

We obtained numbers of ACSC hospital admissions from the Hospital Episode Statistics database and information on recorded practice performance from the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) administrative dataset for 2015/2016. We fitted three sets of negative binomial models to examine ecological associations between incentivised ACSC admissions, general practice performance, deprivation, urbanity and other sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Hospital admissions for QOF incentivised ACSCs varied within and between regions, with clusters of high numbers of hospital admissions for incentivised ACSCs identified across England. Our models indicated a very small effect of the QOF on reducing admissions for incentivised ACSCs (0.993, 95% CI 0.990 to 0.995), however, other factors, such as deprivation (1.021, 95% CI 1.020 to 1.021) and urbanicity (0.875, 95% CI 0.862 to 0.887), were far more important in explaining variations in admissions for ACSCs. People in deprived areas had a higher risk of being admitted in hospital for an incentivised ACSC condition.

Conclusion

Spatial analysis based on routinely collected data can be used to identify areas with high rates of potentially avoidable hospital admissions, providing valuable information for targeting resources and evaluating public health interventions. Our findings suggest that the QOF had a very small effect on reducing avoidable hospitalisation for incentivised conditions. Material deprivation and urbanicity were the strongest predictors of the variation in ACSC rates for all QOF incentivised conditions across England.
Association of occupational dust exposure with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumoconiosis: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Fan Yali , Xu Wenjing , Wang Yuanying , Wang Yiran , Yu Shiwen , Ye Qiao
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Occupational dust exposure may induce various lung diseases, including pneumoconiosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The features of combined COPD and pneumoconiosis have not been well described, and this may hamper the management. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and characteristics as well as the risk factors of the combined diseases.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

758 patients with pneumoconiosis were recruited at a single-medical centre. Of these, 675 patients with pneumoconiosis, including asbestosis, silicosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and other pneumoconiosis, was eligible for analysis.

Primary outcome measures

COPD was diagnosed based on clinical features and/or history of exposure to risk factors and post bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.7. Clinical data were collected from predesigned medical reports. The patients underwent both chest radiograph and high-resolution CT scans. Risk factors for combined COPD and pneumoconiosis were analysed using regression analysis.

Results

COPD prevalence overall was 32.7% (221/675) and was the highest in silicosis (84/221) and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (100/221). COPD prevalence increased with smoking pack-years, dust exposure duration and pneumoconiosis stage. Patients with combined diseases had lower body mass index, higher smoking index and worse pulmonary function. Risk factors for combined diseases included heavy smoking, silica or coal exposure and advanced pneumoconiosis. The interaction between dust exposure and smoking in COPD was also identified. The risk of combined COPD significantly increased with heavy smoking and silica or coal exposure (OR 5.49, 95% CI 3.04 to 9.93, p<0.001).

Conclusions

COPD is highly prevalent in patients with pneumoconiosis, especially patients with silicosis and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Occupational dust exposure as well as heavy smoking is associated with an increased risk of combined COPD and pneumoconiosis, which demands an effective preventive intervention.
Improving the quality of trauma meetings by implementation of a modern trauma management platform
Authors: Sephton Benjamin Michael , Vernon Olivia Katherine , Kimber Kathryn , Shenouda Michael , Mahapatra Piyush
Published: September 2020

Trauma meetings constitute the majority of clinical decision-making for new referrals and also act as a crucial tool to coordinate the trauma theatre list. Incorporation of electronic technology has been shown to improve the quality of patient handover. eTrauma is a recently developed cloud-based patient management platform which we planned to implement at our hospital. The aim of our project was to evaluate the quality of our current trauma meeting and subsequently the effect of implementing a modern trauma management platform. In order to identify the key concerns of staff members with the trauma meeting handover, a questionnaire was given to 20 members of the team. A review of effective handover guidelines published from the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians was undertaken. We combined information from these guidelines to identify two key sets of data points for an effective trauma referral: patient demographics and referral details. Questionnaires were distributed at three separate time periods providing assessment of implementation of changes. The questionnaire results indicated progressive improvement in the morning trauma meeting with increased clarity for the anaesthetic team, better communication of operation to be performed, better documentation and clarity of management plans. A total of 150 referrals using the existing system (TIGER) were compared with 100 eTrauma referrals at two separate time intervals. Our analysis showed significant improvements in 12 (57%) of the 21 key data points indicating improved data entry for referrals using the new platform. Three PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) cycles were completed with relevant adjustments within this process. Introduction of a new cloud-based trauma management platform has had a positive impact overall within our trust. Modern electronic trauma systems have the ability to improve our trauma management, this must go hand in hand, however, with a structured and effectively communicated trauma meeting.