bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
White flight from immigration?: Attitudes to diversity and white residential choice
Authors: Kaufmann Eric
Published: March 2023

Background

Work on whites’ mobility behavior finds that they tend to move to less diverse neighborhoods than minorities. Work on white mobility preferences finds that whites who dislike diversity prefer less diverse neighborhoods. Do liberal whites practice what they preach, and do conservative whites really avoid diversity?

Objective

Combine data on white ethnocentrism and migration behavior to analyze liberal and conservative white mobility in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Method

Ordered logit and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models of destination choice predicted by attitudes toward Brexit, Trump, and immigration.

Results

Whites select significantly less diverse neighborhoods than nonwhites, but there is little or no racial difference in the destinations that white liberals and conservatives, British Brexiteers and Remainers, and American Trump supporters and opponents move to.

Conclusion

Ethnicity matters for segregation, but conscious white ethnocentrism is much less important. Future work could explore unconscious ethnocentrism, differing ethnic information about neighborhoods or ethnically divergent amenities as potential explanations.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*02:974 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Ananeva Anastasiia , Akhmetshina Gulnaz , Andryushkina Anna , Shagimardanova Elena
Published: March 2023

The novel HLA‐A*02:974 allele was characterized using next‐generation sequencing technology.
Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections in the immediate post‐lung transplant period: A case series and literature review
Authors: Divithotewala Chandima , Sweeney Emma L. , Burke Andrew , Graves Bianca , Stewart Adam , Whiley David , Heney Claire , Hopkins Peter M. , Chambers Daniel C.
Published: March 2023

Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma species infections in the post‐transplant setting are believed to be donor‐derived and can be associated with poor outcomes. Difficulty in culturing and identifying these organisms is a significant barrier to diagnosis and early intervention. Tetracyclines, macrolides and fluoroquinolones are the mainstay treatments to cure these infections; however, there are increasing reports of antibiotic resistance. In this case series, we report our single‐centre experience with M. hominis and U. urealyticum infection after lung transplantation (9 recipients, all men, mean age 56 years). Delayed diagnosis was common. Young donor age (mean age 23 yrs) and high‐risk donor social history (67%) were repeatedly noted in these cases, and all infections were associated with significant morbidity (anastomosis and sternal wound infection, empyema, mediastinitis, pericarditis). Two patients died; with one directly related to Ureaplasma urealyticum infection. In conclusion post lung transplant M. hominis, and U. urealyticum infections are challenging and carry high morbidity. More prospective studies are required to assess the true prevalence, full spectrum of complications and utility of molecular diagnostics to aid early diagnosis and identify antibiotic susceptibility of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in the post‐lung transplant setting.

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MORE PANICLES 3, a natural allele of OsTB1/FC1, impacts rice yield in paddy fields at elevated CO2 levels
Authors: Takai Toshiyuki , Taniguchi Yojiro , Takahashi Megumu , Nagasaki Hideki , Yamamoto Eiji , Hirose Sakiko , Hara Naho , Akashi Hiroko , Ito Jun , Arai‐Sanoh Yumiko , Hori Kiyosumi , Fukuoka Shuichi , Sakai Hidemitsu , Tokida Takeshi , Usui Yasuhiro , Nakamura Hirofumi , Kawamura Kensuke , Asai Hidetoshi , Ishizaki Takuma , Maruyama Kyonoshin , Mochida Keiichi , Kobayashi Nobuya , Kondo Motohiko , Tsuji Hiroyuki , Tsujimoto Yasuhiro , Hasegawa Toshihiro , Uga Yusaku
Published: March 2023

Improving crop yield potential through an enhanced response to rising atmospheric CO2 levels is an effective strategy for sustainable crop production in the face of climate change. Large‐sized panicles (containing many spikelets per panicle) have been a recent ideal plant architecture (IPA) for high‐yield rice breeding. However, few breeding programs have proposed an IPA under the projected climate change. Here, we demonstrate through the cloning of the rice (Oryza sativa) quantitative trait locus for MORE PANICLES 3 (MP3) that the improvement in panicle number increases grain yield at elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. MP3 is a natural allele of OsTB1/FC1, previously reported as a negative regulator of tiller bud outgrowth. The temperate japonica allele advanced the developmental process in axillary buds, moderately promoted tillering, and increased the panicle number without negative effects on the panicle size or culm thickness in a high‐yielding indica cultivar with large‐sized panicles. The MP3 allele, containing three exonic polymorphisms, was observed in most accessions in the temperate japonica subgroups but was rarely observed in the indica subgroup. No selective sweep at MP3 in either the temperate japonica or indica subgroups suggested that MP3 has not been involved and utilized in artificial selection during domestication or breeding. A free‐air CO2 enrichment experiment revealed a clear increase of grain yield associated with the temperate japonica allele at elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. Our findings show that the moderately increased panicle number combined with large‐sized panicles using MP3 could be a novel IPA and contribute to an increase in rice production under climate change with rising atmospheric CO2 levels.
Effects of extended transport on cryopreserved allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) product quality and optimal methods to assess HPC stability
Authors: Reddy Opal L. , Sall Mame Thioye , Dinh Anh , Cai Yihua , Ongkeko Martin , Arya Nina , Wilder Jennifer , Tran Minh , Jin Ping , Stroncek David F. , Panch Sandhya R.
Published: March 2023

Background

Since the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic, cryopreservation of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products has been increasingly used to ensure allogeneic donor graft availability prior to recipient conditioning for transplantation. However, in addition to variables such as graft transport duration and storage conditions, the cryopreservation process itself may adversely affect graft quality. Furthermore, the optimal methods to assess graft quality have not yet been determined.

Study Design and Methods

A retrospective review was performed on all cryopreserved HPCs processed and thawed at our facility from 2007 to 2020, including both those collected onsite and by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). HPC viability studies were also performed on fresh products, retention vials, and corresponding final thawed products by staining for 7‐AAD (flow cytometry), AO/PI (Cellometer), and trypan blue (manual microscopy). Comparisons were made using the Mann–Whitney test.

Results

For HPC products collected by apheresis (HPC(A)), pre‐cryopreservation and post‐thaw viabilities, as well as total nucleated cell recoveries were lower for products collected by the NMDP compared to those collected onsite. However, there were no differences seen in CD34+ cell recoveries. Greater variation in viability testing was observed using image‐based assays compared to flow‐based assays, and on cryo‐thawed versus fresh samples. No significant differences were observed between viability measurements obtained on retention vials versus corresponding final thawed product bags.

Discussion

Our studies suggest extended transport may contribute to lower post‐thaw viabilities, but without affecting CD34+ cell recoveries. To assess HPC viability prior to thaw, testing of retention vials offers predictive utility, particularly when automated analyzers are used.
REVIEW ON CONVENTIONAL CONCRETE AND NYLON FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE BEHAVIOR
Authors: Mohiuddin Mir , Abhi Abhijit Nath , Ulfat Maysha , Chowdhury Sharmin Reza
Published: March 2023

The addition of fibers to reinforced cement concrete enhances the suitability of structures under impacts and earthquake loads by boosting firmness or energy-consuming proficiency of the hardened concrete material. During cracking of concrete, one of the most relevant behaviors of fiber like “bridge effect” starts functioning. As a result of this, fiber blocks crack formation and propagation, and hence strength and ductility of concrete structure improve. The goal of this study is to compare the mechanical properties of reinforced cement concrete by mixing nylon fibers and without mixing nylon fibers. In this study, data from existing article are assessed to compare the strengths of nylon fiber reinforced concrete and conventional concrete by using concrete strength measuring test results such as compressive strength test, flexural strength test, and split tensile strength test. Adding fiber with concrete mix reduces the moisture content, thereby lessening the workability of concrete which produces ﬁber ball. Due to the obvious lack of homogeneity caused by fiber balling, the efficiency of fiber reinforced concrete is reduced. During the mixing of small portions of fibers with dry concrete the difficulty of fiber separation can prevent by providing good distribution and scattering within the mixtures which enhance concrete strength and thus the balling incident can escape. The dynamic transmission of stress between concrete mix and the fiber achieves by considering significant factors like aspect ratio, volume, and orientation of the fiber. Nylon fiber provides mechanical improvement of reinforced concrete by enhancing impact resistance and increasing flexural toughness, as a result the load-bearing capacity of concrete develops effectively. Introducing nylon fibers with concrete mixture promotes strong tensile comportment of concrete outstandingly after the post peak stage.
How User Acceptance Can Affect Government Website Efficiency
Authors: Elsafty Ashraf , Ramadan Eslam
Published: March 2023

The Egyptian Government published several digital services through their websites; however, the number of interactive users is very limited compared to the country's population and the expected users. This research is intended to figure out the user experience design challenges impact on the end-user to improve the efficiency of the GOV’s website, and this will help the government to improve the quality standard of the digital services before publishing the services to the Egyptian citizens. Through the collaboration between the three stakeholders (Government stockholders, The Implementing Companies, The End-users), we will develop hypothesis that will help the Gov to provide a successful product that meet the end-user expectation and improve the satisfaction level. in this research we will focus in phenomena of (Government website efficiency) figure the impact of the dependent variable (User acceptance) and its relation with the independent variables (User expectation, Software efficiency, Ease of use, and software efficiency) and the relationship with the mediating variable (remember flow). The primary data was collected through end-user Interviews that were conducted through the online questionnaire tool "surveymonkey" which resulted in the observation that " Customer acceptance is one of the major success roles in Government website efficiency".
Marketing Communications for Tourism Development in Ecoethno Leadcamp Site
Authors: Ahmadi Dadi , Sulaiman Adhi Iman , Runtiko Agus Ganjar , Noegroho Agoeng , Raqi Ray Ibrahim Ar , Maryani Anne , Yuniati Yenni , Yulianita Neni
Published: March 2023

Tourism is a critical sector for national, regional, and rural development, providing job opportunities and increasing income for communities, governments, and private sectors. The success of tourism development requires integrated marketing communications that showcase the natural and socio-economic potential of the region, including its tourist attractions. This study examines the marketing communications strategy of Ecoethno Leadcampsite, a camping ground-based tourist spot in Pangalengan, Bandung Regency, West Java Province. The study used a qualitative case study method with data collected through direct observation, interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and documentation. The results reveal that Ecoethno Leadcampsite's marketing communications strategy for tourism development is successful in establishing public relations by empowering the surrounding community to become partners, direct marketing, personal selling, and sales promotion with Word of Mouth to fellow tourists and partners, including the use of social media. The study also suggests that Ecoethno Leadcampsite can increase collaboration with educational institutions by developing educational-based tourism or tourism locations in nature conservation, socio-economic, culture, and character building that is creative, productive, and innovative.
Barreras al acceso a los servicios de salud de población afrocolombiana migrante y no migrante
Authors: Asprilla Córdoba Keyra Liseth , Montenegro Martínez Gino , Andrés Felipe Cubillo Novella
Published: March 2023

Introducción. Migrar implica afrontar una serie de cambios relacionados con la inserción laboral, adaptación al contexto sociocultural, estilo de vida, acceso a los servicios de salud y educación. Objetivo. Determinar las barreras al acceso a los servicios de salud de la población afrocolombiana que ha migrado del departamento del Chocó hacia Medellín y de la población afrocolombiana no migrante que reside en Medellín. Metodología. Estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal. Se aplicó encuesta telefónica a 211 personas afrocolombianas migrantes y no migrantes, residentes en Medellín. Se realizó análisis descriptivo orientado a describir características sociales y demográficas de la población. Se calcularon razones de prevalencia con IC 95% para indagar la relación entre las características sociales, demográficas y condición de migración con la presencia o no de barreras para el acceso a los servicios de salud. La técnica multivariante fue un modelo lineal generalizado para variables dependientes categóricas reportando RP con IC95%. Resultados. El sexo, la edad y el régimen de afiliación son características que pueden estar asociadas con la presencia barreras para el acceso a los servicios de salud. La condición de migrante se relaciona con barreras de tipo geográfico y de continuidad, pero no de manera significativa. La migración probablemente reduce la prevalencia de barreras por medicamentos. Conclusiones. La población afrocolombiana migrante y no migrante que residente en Medellín experimenta barreras para el acceso a los servicios de salud de tipo geográfica, de continuidad y para la entrega completa de medicamentos.
Modelo de avaliação do cuidado nutricional à criança na Estratégia Saúde da Família
Authors: Figueroa Pedraza Dixis
Published: March 2023

Objetivos. Propor e verificar a aplicabilidade de um modelo para avaliar o cuidado nutricional à criança menor de cinco anos na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Metodologia. O desenvolvimento do modelo baseou-se na análise de implantação de uma intervenção e na proposta avaliativa para serviços de saúde de Donabedian. O modelo desenvolvido foi aplicado em 24 equipes de saúde de dois municípios do Estado da Paraíba. Resultados. O modelo construído contempla parâmetros de estrutura (recursos humanos e disponibilidade de materiais e insumos) e processo (práticas gerais de profissionais de saúde, na vigilância do crescimento, na prevenção de carências nutricionais específicas, no contexto da Estratégia Amamenta e Alimenta Brasil e de gestão/intersetoriais). A aplicação do modelo caracterizou o cuidado nutricional como fragmentado. Conclusões. O modelo elaborado poderá orientar o monitoramento, avaliação, gestão e qualificação do cuidado nutricional na Estratégia Saúde da Família. O grau de implantação das ações foi “intermediário”, com melhor situação no município com equipes de saúde ampliadas com nutricionista.
Dynamic Transition of Unsteady Supersonic Flow From Mach to Regular Reflection Over a Moving Wedge
Authors: Margha Lubna , Hamada Ahmed A. , Eltaweel Ahmed
Published: March 2023

The design of supersonic and hypersonic air-breathing vehicles is influenced by the transition between the Mach reflection (MR) and regular reflection (RR) phenomena. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic transition of unsteady supersonic flow from MR to RR over a two-dimensional wedge numerically. The trailing edge of the wedge moves downstream along the x-direction with a velocity, V(t) at a freestream Mach number of 3. An unsteady compressible inviscid flow solver is used to simulate the phenomenon. The Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) technique is applied to deform the mesh during the wedge motion. The dynamic transition from MR to RR is defined by two criteria, the sonic and the von Neumann. Moreover, the lag in the dynamic transition from the steady-state condition is studied using various nondimensional angular velocities, κ, in the range of [0.1-2]. The lag effect in the shock system is remarkable at the high values of κ greater than 1.5. Furthermore, the dynamic transition from MR to RR happens below the dual solution domain (DSD) because the shock is upstream curved during the wedge motion.
Multi-Body Hydrodynamic Interactions in Fish-Like Swimming
Authors: Timm Mitchel L. , Pandhare Rohit S. , Masoud Hassan
Published: March 2023

Many animals in nature travel in groups either for protection, survival, or endurance. Among these, certain species do so under the burden of aero/hydrodynamic loads, which incites questions as to the significance of the multibody fluid-mediated interactions that are inherent to collective flying/swimming. Prime examples of such creatures are fish, which are commonly seen traveling in highly organized groups of large numbers. Indeed, over the years, there have been numerous attempts to examine hydrodynamic interactions among self-propelled fish-like swimmers. Though many have studied this phenomenon, their motivations have varied from understanding animal behavior to extracting universal fluid dynamical principles and transplanting them into engineering applications. The approaches utilized to carry out these investigations include theoretical and computational analyses, field observations, and experiments using various abstractions of biological fish. Here, we compile representative investigations focused on the collective hydrodynamics of fish-like swimmers. The selected body of works are reviewed in the context of their methodologies and findings, so as to draw parallels, contrast differences, and highlight open questions. Overall, the results of the surveyed studies provide foundational insights into the conditions (such as the relative positioning and synchronization between the members, as well as their swimming kinematics and speed) under which hydrodynamic interactions can lead to efficiency gains and/or group cohesion in two- and three-dimensional scenarios. They also shed some light on the mechanisms responsible for such energetic and stability enhancements in the context of wake-body, wake-wake, and body-body interactions.
What Did James Watt Really Invent?
Authors: Greenslade Thomas B.
Published: March 2023

Everyone knows that James Watt “invented” the steam engine. Like so many other “inventors,” such as Morse, Daguerre, and Marconi, he put together a number of ideas as he developed the finished piece of technology. In this note, I will discuss his own contribution, and show how considerations of physics lay behind his work. Let me end by telling you a physics story about a simple little object in my collection of historical physics apparatus.
Application of the Oscillation Concept: Measuring the Human Respiration Rate in Various Activities Using a Smartphone’s Magnetometer Sensor
Authors: Listiaji Prasetyo , Amalia Putri Angelina , Wulandari Tiara Dwi
Published: March 2023

We present here physics lessons on the application of the simple oscillation concept through measuring the rate of human respiration during various activities. The measurement used a smartphone’s magnetometer sensor, which recorded changes in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet that was attached to the stomach while breathing. Measurements were taken during rest, after walking for 10 min, and after running for 10 min. The experimental results showed that the magnetic field changed periodically with respiration, which indicated an oscillation. From the recorded magnetic field data, the oscillation period and respiratory rate per minute were calculated. From this experiment, physics students can learn that human breathing is an application of the concept of oscillation because it is periodic. This method is also an alternative to the conventional method using a stopwatch. Students also learn how activity affects the rate of breathing.
Tracking Parabolic Trajectories with a Mobile Phone
Authors: Tobaja Luis Manuel , Gil Julia
Published: March 2023

Using a mobile device (mobile phone or tablet) as a recording system together with a free image analysis app, upper secondary and undergraduate students can experimentally obtain the equation of motion of a real system. In this study, the parabolic trajectories of spheres with diameters of a few centimeters were recorded and analyzed. The results of determining the trajectory were found to be quite close to the theoretical equations.
Energy Conservation Analysis Using Arduino
Authors: Çoban Atakan , Çoban Niyazi , Çoban Emine
Published: March 2023

Studies have shown that students have difficulties in explaining concepts related to energy. Here, we report on an activity in which students analyze three similar energy scenarios, examining their own data taken with the aid of an Arduino microcontroller. In addition to learning about energy, students gain electronic skills, programming skills, and data analysis skills through these exercises.
Meshchersky Ladders
Authors: Denny Mark
Published: March 2023

Three mechanical problems involving falling or slipping ladders are here analyzed. These problems are easy to envisage, and their solutions are an instructive exercise in Newtonian mechanics (specifically, rotational dynamics with constraints); they are of interest to teachers of physics because of the prominent role played by reaction forces. A physics student who understands the analysis of these ladder problems will have a good understanding of the application of Newton’s laws.
Newton’s Cradle with Two Balls
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: March 2023

When two balls collide multiple times in a simplified Newton’s cradle, the impact point gradually moves away from the lowest point of the swing. The effect was examined using two billiard balls, and was traced to the fact that the upper support points were not separated by exactly one ball diameter.
Experimental Verification of the Temperature Coefficient of Resistivity
Authors: Polak Robert , Harris Michael R. , Nguyen Kiet A. , Kearns Anthony
Published: March 2023

We have created an experimental procedure for determining the temperature coefficient of resistivity, αR, for introductory physics laboratories. As in the procedure from Henry, this method examines the relationship between temperature and resistivity to establish αR within 10% of the accepted value.
Student-Created Physics Problems as an Independent and Equitable Assessment
Tool
Authors: Schumm Bruce A. , Ishii Joy , West Colin G.
Published: March 2023

Traditional high-stakes summative assessments—timed, in-class exams accounting for a large percentage of the term’s overall grade—have often received criticism from the educational community. Such assessments tend to prize a particular “narrow bundle of skills,” and have been shown in some contexts to produce disparate outcomes between different demographic groups. Alternative low-stakes assessments (assignments with significantly less impact on the overall grade) have shown potential to improve student engagement and close demographic gaps. At the same time, principles from physics education research suggest to us that students may benefit from the challenge of writing their own physics problems. Conjoining these ideas, we document an assignment (“The Problem Project”) in which students were asked to create and solve a problem of their own design, as an alternative form of assessment, and provide exploratory research into its equity impacts.
Origin of the Laplace Force Applied to a Current-Carrying Wire Immersed in a
Magnetic Field
Authors: Finazzi Marco , Zani Maurizio
Published: March 2023

The macroscopic force (called the Laplace force) acting on a wire carrying an electric current placed in a magnetic field is a consequence of the Lorentz force acting on each charge inside the wire. Typically, the Laplace force is explained as a magnetic force resulting from the interaction of the moving charges with the external magnetic field. Such an interpretation, however, is too simplistic and does not take into account all the interactions between the various charge populations inside the wire. This leads to a series of paradoxes that might hinder the understanding of this subject. For instance, a magnetic force cannot do any work, while a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field represents the paradigm to understand the working principle of an electric motor. Here, we will solve this and other inconsistencies by showing, with simple arguments comprehensible to undergraduate students, that the Laplace force is instead an electrostatic force.
A model experiment on the modern microscopic theory of sliding friction
Authors: Müller Andreas , Vogt Patrik , Kuhn Jochen
Published: March 2023

According to modern understanding, sliding friction is caused by the displacement of the irregularities and individual atoms in the interaction zone of the sliding interfaces, leading to microscopic oscillations around the equilibrium position (the stick/slip model of Tomlinson). This is in contrast to the traditional account of sliding friction (static interlocking asperities), which in fact is insufficient (see online Appendix for more information about the theoretical background and its development).
Stellar photometry in an introductory physics lab (or, translating flux into
magnitudes)
Authors: Sirola Christopher
Published: March 2023

Magnitudes—how astronomers express brightnesses of stars—are confusing to those unfamiliar with them, to say the least. They use a modified version of base-10 logarithms. The smaller—or more negative—the magnitude, the brighter the object. An object with a magnitude of zero is not an object with no brightness but instead is rather bright.
Therapeutic Potential of Intravenous Phage as Standalone Therapy for Recurrent Drug-Resistant Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Le Tram , Nang Sue C. , Zhao Jinxin , Yu Heidi H. , Li Jian , Gill Jason J. , Liu Mei , Aslam Saima
Published: March 2023

Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) are common in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and are associated with multidrug resistance and increased morbidity/mortality. Novel antibiotic alternatives to reduce UTI recurrence are critically needed.
Aneuploidy Is Associated with Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Khateb Aiah , Gago Sara , Bromley Michael , Richardson Malcom , Bowyer Paul
Published: March 2023

Azole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
is on the rise. Nontarget-mediated mechanisms are a common cause of azole resistance in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA).
A Novel Anti-CRISPR AcrIE9.2 Is Associated with Dissemination of
bla
KPC
Plasmids in Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 15
Authors: Wang Chuning , Sun Zhewei , Hu Yiyi , Li Dan , Guo Qinglan , Wang Minggui
Published: March 2023

Sequence type (ST) 15 has become an emerging clone of carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in which type I-E* CRISPR-Cas usually exists, indicating that the CRISPR-Cas system may not be able to block the transfer of
bla
KPC
plasmids. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying dissemination of
bla
KPC
plasmids in
K. pneumoniae
ST15.
Inhibition of Human Coronaviruses by Combinations of Host-Targeted and Direct-Acting Antivirals
Authors: de León Patricia , Cañas-Arranz Rodrigo , Bustos María José , Sáiz Margarita , Sobrino Francisco
Published: March 2023

Antiviral compounds targeting cellular metabolism are part of the therapeutic arsenal to control the spread of virus infection, either as sole treatment or in combination with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) or vaccines. Here, we describe the effect of two of them, lauryl gallate (LG) and valproic acid (VPA) both exhibiting a wide antiviral spectrum, against infection by coronaviruses such as HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and SARS-CoV-2.
Degradation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes by VADER with CRISPR-Cas Immunity
Authors: Li Xin , Bao Nan , Yan Zhen , Yuan Xian-Zheng , Wang Shu-Guang , Xia Peng-Fei
Published: March 2023

Antibiotic resistance has been causing severe health problems and has led to millions of deaths in recent years. Environmental processes, especially those of the wastewater treatment sector, are an important barrier to the spread of antibiotic resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, or civil sewage.
Regulation of Bacterial Two-Component Systems by Cardiolipin
Authors: Yeo Won-Sik , Dyzenhaus Sophie , Torres Victor J. , Brinsmade Shaun R. , Bae Taeok
Published: March 2023

The regulation of membrane protein activity for cellular functions is critically dependent on the composition of phospholipid membranes. Cardiolipin, a unique phospholipid found in bacterial membranes and mitochondrial membranes of eukaryotes, plays a crucial role in stabilizing membrane proteins and maintaining their function.
Novel Biomarkers, Including
tcdB
PCR Cycle Threshold, for Predicting Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection
Authors: Madden Gregory R. , Rigo Isaura , Boone Rachel , Abhyankar Mayuresh M. , Young Mary K. , Basener William , Petri William A.
Published: March 2023

Traditional clinical models for predicting recurrent
Clostridioides difficile
infection do not perform well, likely owing to the complex host-pathogen interactions involved. Accurate risk stratification using novel biomarkers could help prevent recurrence by improving underutilization of effective therapies (i.e., fecal transplant, fidaxomicin, bezlotoxumab).
Clinical Evaluation of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Elite Agar, a New Medium for the Isolation of NTM: a Multicenter Study
Authors: Broncano-Lavado Antonio , Barrado Laura , Lopez-Roa Paula , Cacho Juana , Domingo Diego , Hernandez Sara , Garcia-Martinez Jesus , Millan Maria Rosario , Perez-Cecilia Elisa , Ruiz-Serrano Maria-Jesus , Salso Santiago , Simon Maria , Tato Marta , Toro Carlos , Valverde-Canovas Jose F. , Esteban Jaime
Published: March 2023

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are gaining interest with the increased number of infected patients. NTM Elite agar is designed specifically for the isolation of NTM without the decontamination step.
Viral Gastroenteritis: Sickness Symptoms and Behavioral Responses
Authors: Hellysaz Arash , Neijd Magdalena , Vesikari Timo , Svensson Lennart , Hagbom Marie
Published: March 2023

Viral infections have a major impact on physiology and behavior. The clinical symptoms of human rotavirus and norovirus infection are primarily diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, but several other sickness symptoms, such as nausea, loss of appetite, and stress response are never or rarely discussed.
Bile Carriage of
optrA
-Positive Enterococcus faecium in a Patient with Choledocholith
Authors: Deng Li , Zhen Wendong , Wang Jing , Lin Dachuan
Published: March 2023

Oxazolidinone are effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The emergence and global spread of transferable oxazolidinone resistance genes such as
optrA
is worrisome.
Enterococcus
spp. can become causes of hospital-associated infections and are also widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tracts of animals and the natural environment.
Assessment of QuantuMDx Q-POC Assay for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Using Middle Turbinate Swabs
Authors: Fernandez-Pittol Mariana , Hurtado Juan Carlos , Ali Maryam , Simarro Álvar , Proaño Fadiana , Sierra Maria , Vila Jordi
Published: March 2023

In different health care settings, such as patients from emergency surgery, rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 is needed. The QuantuMDx Q-POC is an automatized fast workflow platform based on detection of three genes: two genes encoding structural proteins that can be used to differentiate SARS-CoV-2 from other coronavirus and a third target gene encoding a nonstructural region that is unique for SARS-CoV-2 such as the open reading frame (
ORF1
).
A Nanoparticle-Based Anticaries Vaccine Enhances the Persistent Immune Response To Inhibit Streptococcus mutans and Prevent Caries
Authors: Yu You-Bo , Liu Ying , Liang Hangeri , Dong Xianxin , Yang Xiao-Yan , Li Sha , Guo Zhong
Published: March 2023

Streptococcus mutans
is the main etiologic bacterium of dental caries, whose protein antigen c (PAc) has been administered as an anticaries vaccine. However, the immunogenicity of PAc is relatively weak.
Significance of Plasmodium berghei Amino Acid Transporter 1 in Food Vacuole Functionality and Its Association with Cerebral Pathogenesis
Authors: Anand Aditya , Chandana Manjunatha , Ghosh Sourav , Das Rahul , Singh Nalini , Vaishalli Pradeep Mini , Gantasala Nagavara Prasad , Padmanaban Govindarajan , Nagaraj Viswanathan Arun
Published: March 2023

Food vacuoles of the malaria parasite are involved in the degradation of red blood cell hemoglobin. The amino acids derived from hemoglobin degradation support parasite growth, and the heme released is detoxified into hemozoin.
Digital tools to improve parenting behaviour in low-income settings: a mixed-methods feasibility study
Authors: Jäggi Lena , Aguilar Leonel , Alvarado Llatance Milagros , Castellanos Andreana , Fink Guenther , Hinckley Kristen , Huaylinos Bustamante Maria-Luisa , McCoy Dana Charles , Verastegui Hector , Mäusezahl Daniel , Hartinger Pena Stella Maria
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Digital parenting interventions could be potentially cost-effective means for providing early child development services in low-income settings. This 5-month mixed-methods pilot study evaluated the feasibility of usingAfinidata, a comprehensiveFacebook Messenger-based digital parenting intervention in a remote rural setting in Latin America and explored necessary adaptations to local context.

Methods

The study was conducted in three provinces in the Cajamarca region, Peru, from February to July 2021. 180 mothers with children aged between 2 and 24 months and regular access to a smartphone were enrolled. Mothers were interviewed three times in-person. Selected mothers also participated in focus groups or in-depth qualitative interviews.

Results

Despite the rural and remote study site, 88% of local families with children between 0 and 24 months had access to internet and smartphones. Two months after baseline, 84% of mothers reported using the platform at least once, and of those, 87% rated it as useful to very useful. After 5 months, 42% of mothers were still active on the platform, with little variation between urban and rural settings. Modifications to the intervention focused on assisting mothers in navigating the platform independently and included adding a laminated booklet with general information on child development, sample activities and detailed instructions on how to self-enrol in case of lost phones.

Conclusions

We found high access to smartphones and the intervention was well received and used in very remote areas of Peru, suggesting that digital parenting interventions could be a promising path forward for supporting low-income families in remote parts of Latin America.
Venous thromboembolism with renal infarct due to paradoxical embolism
Authors: Aggarwal Nishant , Rector Dana , Lazar Nicholas , Bukovec Florian
Published: March 2023

Paradoxical thromboembolism has variable presentation depending on site of embolisation. An African-American man in his 40s presented with severe abdominal pain, watery stools and exertional dyspnoea. At presentation, he was tachycardic and hypertensive. Labwork showed elevated creatinine with unknown baseline. Urinalysis showed pyuria. A CT scan was unremarkable. He was admitted with working diagnosis of acute viral gastroenteritis and prerenal acute kidney injury and supportive care was instituted. On day 2, the pain migrated to left flank. Renal artery duplex ruled out renovascular hypertension but showed a lack of distal renal perfusion. MRI confirmed a renal infarct with renal artery thrombosis. Transoesophageal echocardiogram confirmed a patent foramen ovale. Simultaneous arterial and venous thrombosis require hypercoagulable workup, including investigation for malignancy, infection or thrombophilia. Rarely, venous thromboembolism can directly cause arterial thrombosis by ‘paradoxical thromboembolism’. Given the rarity of renal infarct, high index of clinical suspicion is necessary.
Development and internal validation of a clinical risk score for in-hospital mortality after stroke: a single-centre retrospective cohort study in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Tiruayehu Getinet , Feleke Sefineh Fenta , Dessie Anteneh Mengist , Anteneh Rahel Mulatie , Anteneh Zelalem Alamrew
Published: March 2023

Objective

To develop and validate a clinical risk score for in-hospital stroke mortality.

Design

The study used a retrospective cohort study design.

Setting

The study was carried out in a tertiary hospital in the Northwest Ethiopian region.

Participants

The study included 912 patients who had a stroke admitted to a tertiary hospital between 11 September 2018 and 7 March 2021.

Main outcome measures

Clinical risk score for in-hospital stroke mortality.

Methods

We used EpiData V.3.1 and R V.4.0.4 for data entry and analysis, respectively. Predictors of mortality were identified by multivariable logistic regression. A bootstrapping technique was performed to internally validate the model. Simplified risk scores were established from the beta coefficients of predictors of the final reduced model. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration plot.

Results

From the total stroke cases, 132 (14.5%) patients died during the hospital stay. We developed a risk prediction model from eight prognostic determinants (age, sex, type of stroke, diabetes mellitus, temperature, Glasgow Coma Scale, pneumonia and creatinine). The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.895 (95% CI: 0.859–0.932) for the original model and was the same for the bootstrapped model. The AUC of the simplified risk score model was 0.893 (95% CI: 0.856–0.929) with a calibration test p value of 0.225.

Conclusions

The prediction model was developed from eight easy-to-collect predictors. The model has excellent discrimination and calibration performance, similar to that of the risk score model. It is simple, easily remembered, and helps clinicians identify the risk of patients and manage it properly. Prospective studies in different healthcare settings are required to externally validate our risk score.
Evidence-guided approach to portfolio-guided teaching and assessing communications, ethics and professionalism for medical students and physicians: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Ting Jacquelin Jia Qi , Phua Gillian Li Gek , Hong Daniel Zhihao , Lam Bertrand Kai Yang , Lim Annabelle Jia Sing , Chong Eleanor Jia Xin , Pisupati Anushka , Tan Rei , Yeo Jocelyn Yi Huang , Koh Yi Zhe , Quek Chrystie Wan Ning , Lim Jia Yin , Tay Kuang Teck , Ong Yun Ting , Chiam Min , Zhou Jamie Xuelian , Mason Stephen , Wijaya Limin , Krishna Lalit Kumar Radha
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Guiding the development of longitudinal competencies in communication, ethics and professionalism underlines the role of portfolios to capture and evaluate the multiple multisource appraisals and direct personalised support to clinicians. However, a common approach to these combined portfolios continues to elude medical practice. A systematic scoping review is proposed to map portfolio use in training and assessments of ethics, communication and professionalism competencies particularly in its inculcation of new values, beliefs and principles changes attitudes, thinking and practice while nurturing professional identity formation. It is posited that effective structuring of portfolios can promote self-directed learning, personalised assessment and appropriate support of professional identity formation.

Design

Krishna’s Systematic Evidence-Based Approach (SEBA) is employed to guide this systematic scoping review of portfolio use in communication, ethics and professionalism training and assessment.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC, Scopus and Google Scholar databases.

Eligibility criteria

Articles published between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2020 were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

The included articles are concurrently content and thematically analysed using the split approach. Overlapping categories and themes identified are combined using the jigsaw perspective. The themes/categories are compared with the summaries of the included articles in the funnelling process to ensure their accuracy. The domains identified form the framework for the discussion.

Results

12 300 abstracts were reviewed, 946 full-text articles were evaluated and 82 articles were analysed, and the four domains identified were indications, content, design, and strengths and limitations.

Conclusions

This review reveals that when using a consistent framework, accepted endpoints and outcome measures, longitudinal multisource, multimodal assessment data fashions professional and personal development and enhances identity construction. Future studies into effective assessment tools and support mechanisms are required if portfolio use is to be maximised.
NNMT enriches for AQP5+cancer stem cells to drive malignant progression in early gastric cardia adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhangding , Wang Qiang , Chen Chen , Zhao Xiaoya , Wang Honggang , Xu Lei , Fu Yao , Huang Guang , Li Mengmeng , Xu Jiawen , Zhang Qianyi , Wang Bo , Xu Guifang , Wang Lei , Zou Xiaoping , Wang Shouyu
Published: March 2023

Objective

Early gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (EGCA) is a highly heterogeneous cancer, and the understanding of its classification and malignant progression is limited. This study explored the cellular and molecular heterogeneity in EGCA using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Design

scRNA-seq was conducted on 95 551 cells from endoscopic biopsies of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, well/moderately/poorly differentiated EGCA and their paired adjacent nonmalignant biopsy samples. Large-scale clinical samples and functional experiments were employed.

Results

Integrative analysis of epithelial cells revealed that chief cells, parietal cells and enteroendocrine cells were rarely detected in the malignant epithelial subpopulation, whereas gland and pit mucous cells and AQP5+stem cells were predominant during malignant progression. Pseudotime and functional enrichment analyses showed that the WNT and NF-κB signalling pathways were activated during the transition. Cluster analysis of heterogeneous malignant cells revealed that NNMT-mediated nicotinamide metabolism was enriched in gastric mucin phenotype cell population, which was associated with tumour initiation and inflammation-induced angiogenesis. Furthermore, the expression level of NNMT was gradually increased during the malignant progression and associated with poor prognosis in cardia adenocarcinoma. Mechanistically, NNMT catalysed the conversion of nicotinamide to 1-methyl nicotinamide via depleting S-adenosyl methionine, which led to a reduction in H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and then activated the WNT signalling pathway to maintain the stemness of AQP5+stem cells during EGCA malignant progression.

Conclusion

Our study extends the understanding of the heterogeneity of EGCA and identifies a functional NNMT+/AQP5+population that may drive malignant progression in EGCA and could be used for early diagnosis and therapy.
Pancreatic cancer cluster region identified inBRCA2
Authors: Chian Jia Sheng , Xu Wenzheng , Wang San Ming
Published: March 2023

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. Lack of diagnostic markers prevents its early diagnosis and treatment. Pathogenic germline variation inBRCA1andBRCA2(BRCA) is genetic predisposition for cancer. The location of variants in different regions inBRCAis non-randomly enriched in different types of cancer as shown by the breast cancer cluster region (BCCR), ovarian cancer cluster region (OCCR) and prostate cancer cluster region (PrCCR). Although pathogenicBRCAvariation also contributes to pancreatic cancer, no pancreatic cancer cluster region (PcCCR) inBRCA1orBRCA2has been identified due to the relatively low incidence of pancreatic cancer and the lack of sufficient variation data from pancreatic cancer. Through comprehensive data mining, we identified 215BRCApathogenic variants (PVs) (71 inBRCA1and 144 inBRCA2) from 27 118 pancreatic cancer cases. Through mapping the variants, we identified a region non-randomly enriched in pancreatic cancer betweenBRCA2c.3515 and c.6787. This region contained 59BRCA2PVs and included 57% of pancreatic cancer cases (95% CI 43% to 70%). The PcCCR did not overlap with the BCCR and PrCCR but overlapped with theBRCA2OCCR, highlighting that this region may play similar aetiological roles in pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer.
Changing patterns of cigarette and ENDS transitions in the USA: a multistate transition analysis of youth and adults in the PATH Study in 2015–2017 vs 2017–2019
Authors: Brouwer Andrew F , Jeon Jihyoun , Jimenez-Mendoza Evelyn , Land Stephanie R , Holford Theodore R , Friedman Abigail S , Tam Jamie , Mistry Ritesh , Levy David T , Meza Rafael
Published: March 2023

Introduction

It is unknown how recent changes in the tobacco product marketplace have impacted transitions in cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use.

Methods

A multistate transition model was applied to 24 242 adults and 12 067 youth in waves 2–4 (2015–2017) and 28 061 adults and 12 538 youth in waves 4 and 5 (2017–2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Transition rates for initiation, cessation and product transitions were estimated in multivariable models, accounting for gender, age group, race/ethnicity and daily versus non-daily product use.

Results

Changes in ENDS initiation/relapse rates depended on age, including among adults. Among youth who had never established tobacco use, the 1-year probability of ENDS initiation increased after 2017 from 1.6% (95% CI 1.4% to 1.8%) to 3.8% (95% CI 3.4% to 4.2%). Persistence of ENDS-only use (ie, 1-year probability of continuing to use ENDS only) increased for youth from 40.7% (95% CI 34.4% to 46.9%) to 65.7% (95% CI 60.5% to 71.1%) and for adults from 57.8% (95% CI 54.4% to 61.3%) to 78.2% (95% CI 76.0% to 80.4%). Persistence of dual use similarly increased for youth from 48.3% (95% CI 37.4% to 59.2%) to 60.9% (95% CI 43.0% to 78.8%) and for adults from 40.1% (95% CI 37.0% to 43.2%) to 63.8% (95% CI 59.6% to 67.6%). Youth and young adults who used both products became more likely to transition to ENDS-only use, but middle-aged and older adults did not.

Conclusions

ENDS-only and dual use became more persistent. Middle-aged and older adults who used both products became less likely to transition to cigarette-only use but not more likely to discontinue cigarettes. Youth and young adults became more likely to transition to ENDS-only use.