bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaboration among nurses when transitioning older adults between hospital and community settings: a scoping review
Authors: Moore Jane , Prentice Dawn , Crawford Joanne
Published: April 2021

Background

The transitioning of older patients between healthcare sectors requires the provision of high‐quality nursing care. Collaboration among nurses is identified as an essential element of transitional care, yet nurse–nurse collaboration has received little attention.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the extent, range and nature of nurse–nurse collaboration when transitioning older patients between hospital and community settings, and to identify gaps in the literature.

Methods

Arksey and O’Malleyʼs (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 2005 and 19) framework was used to undertake a scoping review to answer the research questions: how do nurses collaborate together when transitioning older patients from hospital to community settings and what are the facilitators, barriers and outcomes of nurse–nurse collaboration when transitioning older patients between sectors? The Nurse–Nurse Collaboration Scale (NNCS) subdomains informed the identification of selected studies.

Results

Twelve papers were included with most coming from Scandinavian countries and the majority using qualitative methodologies. Communication, coordination and professionalism were found to be both facilitators and barriers of nurse–nurse collaboration. Gaps in the literature included conflict management, and the outcomes of collaboration which was only reported in one study.

Conclusions

The findings indicate there is limited study of collaboration among nurses when transitioning older patients between hospital and community settings. Future research should address the impact of conflict on nurses working in collaborative practice as well as conducting intervention studies to examine the outcomes of nurse–nurse collaboration.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN JAPAN: 1885–2015
Authors: Fukao Kyoji , Makino Tatsuji , Settsu Tokihiko
Published: April 2021

This study presents growth account for Japan for the 130 years from 1885 to 2015 based on the measurement of labor quality simultaneously taking the effects of education and the allocation of labor across industries into account. The estimation results indicate that, over the 130 years, Japan's labor productivity rose 46‐fold, with increases in the capital‐labor ratio accounting for 40% of this rise, improvements in labor quality for 35%, and total factor productivity (TFP) growth for 36%. Looking at the periods before and after World War II separately, we found that labor productivity growth accelerated substantially in the postwar period and was twice as high as in the prewar period. This difference in labor productivity growth can be explained by differences in the sources of growth: while growth during the prewar period was driven mainly by improvements in labor quality (with a growth contribution of 37%), during the postwar period, increases in the capital‐labor ratio and TFP growth made the largest contribution (38% and 35%, respectively).
Cause of death based on systematic post‐mortem studies in patients with positive SARS‐CoV‐2 tissue PCR during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Romanova E. S. , Vasilyev V. V. , Startseva G. , Karev V. , Rybakova M. G. , Platonov P. G.
Published: April 2021

Importance

Assessment of the causative association between the COVID‐19 and cause of death has been hampered by limited availability of systematically performed autopsies. We aimed to present autopsy‐confirmed causes of death in patients who died with COVID‐19 and to assess the association between thrombosis and diffuse alveolar damage consistent with COVID‐19 (DAD).

Methods

Consecutive forensic (n = 60) and clinical (n = 42) autopsies with positive post‐mortem SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR in lungs (age 73 ± 14 years, 50% men) were included. The cause of death analysis was based on a review of medical records and histological reports. Thrombotic phenomena in lungs were defined as pulmonary thromboembolism (PE), thrombosis in pulmonary artery branches or microangiopathy in capillary vessels.

Results

COVID‐19 caused or contributed to death in 71% of clinical and 83% of forensic autopsies, in whom significant DAD was observed. Of the patients with COVID‐19 as the primary cause of death, only 19% had no thrombotic phenomena in the lungs, as opposed to 38% amongst those with COVID‐19 as a contributing cause of death and 54% amongst patients whose death was not related to COVID‐19 (p = 0.002). PE was observed in 5 patients. Two patients fulfilled the criteria for lymphocyte myocarditis.

Conclusions

Vast majority of all PCR‐positive fatalities, including out‐of‐hospital deaths, during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic were related to DAD caused by COVID‐19. Pulmonary artery thrombosis and microangiopathy in pulmonary tissue were common and associated with the presence of DAD, whilst venous PE was rarely observed. Histology‐confirmed lymphocyte myocarditis was a rare finding.
Portable Values, Inequities, and Techno‐Optimism in Global Health Storytelling
Authors: Black Steven P.
Published: April 2021

In this article, I draw on research on ethics, value, and narrative/storytelling, examining how global health professionals use techno‐optimistic stories to position themselves as experts ready to mediate between philanthropists and aid recipients. This techno‐optimism involves the coordination of three types of portability—scientific medical, ethico‐moral, and monetary. I identify and discuss five key plot elements of techno‐optimistic stories. I also describe how this storytelling may re‐inscribe health/communicative inequities along lines patterned by race, gender, and nationality. My analysis contributes to theorizations of value, especially theorizations of language and value, discussing how storytelling is central in the constitution and management of distinct types of value. [global health, narrative, portability, storytelling, value]
Personality maturation and personality relaxation: Differences of the Big Five personality traits in the years around the beginning and ending of working life
Authors: Asselmann Eva , Specht Jule
Published: April 2021

Objective

At work, people are confronted with clear behavioral expectations. In line with the Social Investment Principle, the beginning and ending of working life might thus promote changes in personality traits that are relevant at work (e.g., Conscientiousness).

Method

Based on the data from the Socio‐Economic Panel Study (SOEP), we examined nuanced differences of the Big Five personality traits in the years around the beginning and ending of working life. Whether participants had started working or retired in the past year was assessed yearly. The Big Five personality traits were assessed in four waves between 2005 and 2017.

Results

In people who started working, multilevel analyses revealed that Conscientiousness was higher in the first year of working life versus all other years. Extraversion was higher in and after the first year of working life versus before, and Agreeableness increased gradually in the three years after people had started working. In people who retired, Conscientiousness was lower in and after the first year of retirement versus before. No other traits differed around the start of retirement.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the start of working life might promote personality maturation and that retirement might promote personality “relaxation.”
Growth performance, tissue precipitation, metallothionein and cytokine transcript expression and economics in response to different dietary zinc sources in growing rabbits
Authors: Hassan Fardos A. M. , Kishawy Asmaa T. Y. , Moustafa Amira , Roushdy Elshimaa M.
Published: April 2021

The impact of different dietary zinc sources on the growth, serum metabolites, tissue zinc content, economics and relative expression of cytokine and metallothionein genes was evaluated in this study. A total of 120 35‐day‐old male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomly distributed into four dietary experimental groups with 10 replicates per group and 3 animals per replicate. The control group was fed basal diet with a Zn‐free vitamin–mineral premix; the other three groups received control basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg level with zinc oxide (ZnO; as inorganic source), Zn‐methionine (Zn‐Met; as organic source) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano‐ZnO). The results indicated that Zn‐Met and nano‐ZnO groups significantly improved body weight, daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nutrient digestibility, as well as decreased mortality, compared to ZnO and control groups. Zn‐Met and nano‐ZnO significantly reduced serum total cholesterol but did not affect serum proteins and liver function. Nano‐ZnO supplemented group also recorded the highest value of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) and lysozymes compared to other groups. Nano‐ZnO supplementation had increased hepatic Zn and Cu content and decreased faecal Zn content. Also nano‐ZnO group recorded higher expression levels of genes encoding for metallothionein I and metallothionein II, interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ in the liver of rabbits. The findings of this study demonstrated zinc nanoparticles, and organic zinc supplementation had improved growth performance and health status of growing rabbits than inorganic zinc oxide.
Optimal stopping under model ambiguity: A time‐consistent equilibrium approach
Authors: Huang Yu‐Jui , Yu Xiang
Published: April 2021

An unconventional approach for optimal stopping under model ambiguity is introduced. Besides ambiguity itself, we take into account howambiguity‐aversean agent is. This inclusion of ambiguity attitude, via an‐maxmin nonlinear expectation, renders the stopping problem time‐inconsistent. We look for subgame perfect equilibrium stopping policies, formulated as fixed points of an operator. For a one‐dimensional diffusion with drift and volatility uncertainty, we show that any initial stopping policy will converge to an equilibrium through a fixed‐point iteration. This allows us to capture much more diverse behavior, depending on an agent's ambiguity attitude, beyond the standard worst‐case (or best‐case) analysis. In a concrete example of real options valuation under model ambiguity, all equilibrium stopping policies, as well as thebestone among them, are fully characterized under appropriate conditions. It demonstrates explicitly the effect of ambiguity attitude on decision making: the more ambiguity‐averse, the more eager to stop—so as to withdraw from the uncertain environment. The main result hinges on a delicate analysis of continuous sample paths in the canonical space and the capacity theory. To resolve measurability issues, a generalized measurable projection theorem, new to the literature, is also established.
Morphologic mapping and interpretation of ejecta deposits from Tsiolkovskiy crater
Authors: Morse Zachary R. , Osinski Gordon R. , Tornabene Livio L. , Neish Catherine D.
Published: April 2021

High‐resolution images and elevation data sets from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter along with spectral data from the Clementine mission are used to identify and map in detail the well‐preserved Late Imbrian Tsiolkovskiy crater situated on the far side of the Moon. This study identifies five distinct morphologic units associated with Tsiolkovskiy crater and the surrounding ejecta blanket. Analysis of the spatial and stratigraphic relationships of each of the ejecta units shows an asymmetrical distribution of the overall ejecta blanket, as well as a consistent overprinting of ballistic ejecta by ponds and flows of impact melt‐bearing material. This study shows that the asymmetric distribution of the ejecta blanket, including a distinct up‐range “forbidden zone,” is related to the impact direction and angle for the impactor that formed Tsiolkovskiy crater. The consistent presence of melt‐bearing ponds and flows overlying the ballistic ejecta deposits indicates that two separate ejecta emplacement events occurred. We interpret this as an initial phase of ballistic ejecta emplacement during the excavation stage, followed by a second phase of melt‐bearing ejecta emplacement. The second phase begins during the end of the excavation stage and continues throughout and beyond the modification stage of crater formation.
TOWARDS A MORE RECIPROCAL DISCOURSE BETWEEN ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE
Authors: SEWELL IAN
Published: April 2021

This critical commentary surveys some of the now‐canonical literature that redefined the relationship between analysis and performance after Wallace Berry. While efforts have been made to give performance a place at the analytical table, I maintain that our current conceptions of what counts as musical structure have remained overly indebted to music theory, stifling any balanced dialogue with performance, and I suggest one possible way forward by probing an unusual structural moment in a Mozart quartet movement.
Use of the functional luminal imaging probe in pediatrics: A comparison study of patients with achalasia before and after endoscopic dilation and non‐achalasia controls
Authors: Benitez Alain J. , Budhu Stephen , Burger Cassandra , Turco Rossella , Ballester Lance , Shah Amit , Lynch Kristle , Fiorino Kristin , Menard‐Katcher Calies , Muir Amanda B. , Mamula Petar
Published: April 2021

Background

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by esophagogastric junction (EGJ) dysfunction and impaired esophageal peristalsis with significant impact on quality of life. While the functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) has been used to assess EGJ distensibility in achalasia, its clinical utility in pediatrics is limited due to absence of normative values and correlations with clinical outcomes in children. Thus, we sought to evaluate FLIP's use in a pediatric achalasia cohort undergoing dilations and non‐achalasia controls.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of pediatric patients with achalasia who underwent FLIP before and immediately after balloon dilations and compared to a non‐achalasia cohort.

Key Results

Thirty patients with achalasia (mean age, 15.2 years; 40% female), including fourteen treatment‐naïve and thirteen controls (mean age, 7.9 years; 61% female) were identified. Median EGJ distensibility index (EGJ‐DI) 2.07 mm2 mmHg−1 and diameter (9.23 mm) in treatment‐naïve patients were significantly lower compared to controls (EGJ‐DI 6.8 mm2 mmHg−1; diameter 18.61 mm; (p < 0.001). Balloon dilations resulted in a significant increase in EGJ‐DI immediately after the dilation, particularly in treatment‐naïve patients (p < 0.001), and a significant improvement in Eckardt scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusions & Inferences

Functional luminal imaging probe measurements of EGJ‐DI in pediatric patients with achalasia are mostly consistent with adult findings. However, normal EGJ‐DI is seen in symptomatic patients, including treatment‐naive, highlighting the need for pediatric reference data. Balloon dilations achieve a significant increase in EGJ‐DI with improvement in Eckardt scores, confirming the therapeutic value of dilations in achalasia management.
Photodynamic Therapy for Biomodulation and Disinfection in Implant Dentistry: Is It Feasible and Effective?
Authors: Choe Robert , Balhaddad Abdulrahman A. , Fisher John P. , Melo Mary Anne S. , Huang Huang‐Chiao
Published: April 2021

Dental implants are the most common rehabilitation and restorative treatment used to replace missing teeth. Biofilms adhere to implant surfaces to trigger implant‐associated infection and inflammatory response. Clinically, the biofilm induces a local host response with the infiltration of phagocytic immune cells. The pro‐inflammatory surroundings set off osteoclastogenesis, which leads to the septic loosening of the implant. The standard of dental care for implant‐associated infection relies on a combination of surgery and antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is a noninvasive and photochemistry‐based approach capable of reducing bacterial load and modulating inflammatory responses. In this review, we explore the photobiomodulation and disinfection outcomes promoted by photodynamic therapy for implant infections, highlighting the quality of evidence on the most up‐to‐date studies, and discuss the major challenges on the advance of these therapeutic strategies.
Do angiosperm tree species adjust intervessel lateral contact in response to soil drought?
Authors: Jupa Radek , Krabičková Dita , Plichta Roman , Mayr Stefan , Gloser Vít
Published: April 2021

During soil drought (i.e. limited soil water availability to plants), woody species may adjust the structure of their vessel network to improve their resistance against future soil drought stress. Impacts of soil drought on intervessel lateral contact remain poorly understood despite of its significance to xylem transport efficiency and safety. Here, we analysed drought‐induced modifications in xylem structures of temperate angiosperm trees with a focus on intervessel lateral contact. Anatomical analyses were performed both in stems of seedlings cultivated under different substrate water availability and annual rings of mature individuals developed during years of low and high soil drought intensities. In response to limited water availability, a decrease in vessel diameter (up to −20%) and simultaneous increase in vessel density (up to +60%) were observed both in seedlings and mature trees. Conversely, there were only small and inconsistent drought‐induced changes in intervessel contact frequency and intervessel contact fraction (typically up to ±15%) observed across species, indicating that intervessel lateral contact is a conservative trait. The small adjustments in intervessel lateral contacts were primarily driven by changes in the contact frequencies between neighbouring vessels (i.e. vessel grouping) rather than by changes in proportions of shared cell walls. Our results demonstrate that angiosperm tree species, despite remarkable adjustments in vessel dimensions and densities upon soil drought, exhibit surprisingly invariant intervessel lateral contact architecture.
Enhancing suicide prevention outreach via mobile‐enabled website design
Authors: Slay Patrick D. , Castille Kristina W. , Hong Esther , Polizzi Nicholas , Hoyt Tim
Published: April 2021

Online outreach campaigns are a potential public health method for reaching service members at risk for suicide. The Real Warriors Campaign website underwent a full redesign in 2019 to enhance its ability to provide crisis resources and increase engagement by adopting a mobile‐first strategy and implementing a responsive framework, meaning the site renders properly on all devices, including desktop, tablets, and mobile. Usability testing with end‐user service members led to several innovations on the website, including a one‐click banner that directly linked users on their mobile phones to crisis resources, the redesign of menus and content to better display on mobile devices, and promoting use of website resources through gateway topics. Comparing the 6 months before and after the mobile redesign showed significant increases in new mobile users, pages viewed on mobile devices, and new users coming to the site through social media. There was also a significant increase in specific help‐seeking actions by users, including use of referral links and live chat, as well as 200 individuals accessing crisis phone lines through new one‐click dialing banners. Suicide prevention campaigns should continue to optimize their online presence to reach groups at risk. This study of the website redesign from the Real Warriors Campaign illustrates several best practices in digital outreach as applied to suicide prevention, including leveraging usability testing, synching outreach material with social media, and ensuring mobile compatibility.
Veterans' satisfaction and perspectives on helpfulness of the Veterans Crisis Line
Authors: Johnson Lora L. , Muehler Tanner , Stacy Meaghan A.
Published: April 2021

Objective

Crisis hotlines are an important part of a public health approach to suicide prevention. The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) provides hotline services to Veterans. There is a paucity of research concerning the effectiveness of the VCL. The current work describes efforts to establish groundwork for VCL effectiveness research.

Methods

155 VCL users who were referred to a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Suicide Prevention Team completed interviews including open‐ended and closed‐ended questions. Outcomes are reported for suicidal participants, non‐suicidal participants, and those who had emergency intervention. Thematic analysis was used for open‐ended questions.

Results

Eighty‐seven percent of interviewees expressed satisfaction with the VCL, 81.9% reported that the VCL was helpful, and 72.9% said that the VCL helped keep them safe. Of those with suicidal thoughts, 82.6% said the contact helped stop them from killing themselves. Themes are described concerning user identified reasons for VCL contact, most and least helpful aspects of the contact, and suggestions for improvement.

Discussion

This project demonstrates that this group of people who used the VCL overwhelmingly finds the service to be helpful and a barrier to suicide. Further, implications of user feedback for application to VCL operations and future research are discussed.
Silence is Deadly: A controlled trial of a public health intervention to promote help‐seeking in adolescent males
Authors: Calear Alison L. , Morse Alyssa R. , Batterham Philip J. , Forbes Owen , Banfield Michelle
Published: April 2021

Objective

To test the effectiveness of a male‐targeted upstream public health intervention in increasing help‐seeking intentions for mental disorders and suicide in an adolescent population.

Method

A two‐arm controlled trial was conducted with 10 schools in the Australian Capital Territory. A total of 594 male adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years participated in the study. Participants in the intervention condition received the single session Silence is Deadly program, while participants in the control condition completed usual classes. All participants completed a pre‐intervention, post‐intervention, and a 6‐ to 12‐week follow‐up survey assessing help‐seeking intentions, attitudes, and behaviors.

Results

At follow‐up, the Silence is Deadly program was found to significantly increase help‐seeking intentions from friends, which was in line with the program’s messaging to seek help from and provide support to friends in times of distress or suicide risk. The program did not have an effect on help‐seeking intentions for other sources of help or on help‐seeking attitudes and behavior.

Conclusions

The present study provides preliminary support for male‐targeted public health interventions for suicide that use male‐focused norming and role modeling to improve help‐seeking in this population.
Mental health first aid training for Extension agents in rural communities
Authors: Robertson Mary Nelson , DeShong Hilary L. , Steen Je’Kylynn S. , Buys David R. , Nadorff Michael R.
Published: April 2021

Objective

The goal of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in broadening the network of gatekeepers in rural communities.

Method

Extension agents in Mississippi who completed MHFA training were recruited via email to participate in a 22‐item, web‐based, quantitative and qualitative, six‐month follow‐up survey that measured demographic characteristics, which MHFA skills agents used post‐training, barriers to skill use, and confidence in ability to use those skills (n = 80).

Results

Over 60% of the agents reported using the skills learned from the MHFA training, and nearly 15% of agents reported having an encounter with someone in crisis since completing the MHFA training. Agent participants reported using the skills learned from the training with farmers, 4‐H youth, volunteers, and parents, family members, colleagues, and friends. One agent commented that the training, “has been very helpful in speaking with various people and has increased confidence when encountering someone with mental health challenges.”

Conclusion

MHFA trainings appear to increase the confidence and competence of Extension agents as community gatekeepers and may greatly enhance the reach of the mental health network of rural areas by increasing identification and referral of those requiring mental health services.
The effect of state gun laws on youth suicide by firearm: 1981–2017
Authors: Kappelman Jack , Fording Richard C.
Published: April 2021

Background

Many studies have found that state gun laws that regulate the purchase and possession of firearms can lead to a reduction in suicide rates. Yet, the literature has primarily focused on the effects of state gun laws on adult suicides, despite the fact that some gun laws are specifically tailored to restrict the purchase and possession of firearms by youths.

Aims

In this study, we estimate the effect of two such laws—Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws and minimum age laws—on youth suicide by firearm rates.

Materials & Methods

Our sample consists of state‐level panel data for 41 states observed over the years 1981–2017.

Results

Based on a series of negative binomial regression analyses, we confirm previous research by finding that CAP laws are associated with a decrease in youth suicides by firearm, especially among males. However, we show that this effect is limited to states that have adopted relatively strict CAP laws. We also find that minimum age laws serve to reduce the youth suicide rate, but once again this effect is largely concentrated among males. Finally, we investigate the possibility that these effects were countered to some degree by “means substitution”—the substitution of firearms with other methods of suicide.

Discussion

Similar to other studies that have examined this question, we find no effect of youth‐targeted gun laws on nonfirearm suicide deaths.

Conclusion

Despite the noteworthy increase in youth suicide rates over the last decade, our results suggest that state laws which restrict firearm access to young people continue to represent a potentially effective strategy for suicide reduction.
Masks, Interferers, Finks, and Mimickers: A Novel Approach
Authors: Paolini Paoletti Michele
Published: April 2021

Masks, interferers, finks, reverse finks, and mimickers are troublesome for powers metaphysics insofar as the latter concedes that there are powers with essential stimuli/activation conditions. In this article, I aim at offering a novel approach for solving this problem. In Section 1, I shall present the problem; and in Section 2, I shall briefly show how it also arises within non‐reductive views of powers. Subsequently, in Section 3, I shall examine the failure of the ceteris paribus solution. The pars construens will begin in Section 4, where I shall distinguish between the activation conditions, the background conditions, and the possession conditions of a power. Within each category, I shall draw further distinctions. In Section 5, I shall demonstrate how such distinctions may ground a solution to our problem. Finally, in Section 6, I shall anticipate and reply to four objections.
English language choices in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Ahn Elise S. , Smagulova Juldyz
Published: April 2021

This article examines English language choice amidst dynamic social and linguistic change contexts in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan has formally committed to an official trilingual language policy – Kazakh, Russian, and English. In comparison, Kyrgyzstan has a dual language policy – Kyrgyz and Russian. However, its Ministry of Education and Science has demonstrated an informal commitment to developing English competency in‐country through various English language teaching/learning initiatives. Using data collected between 2014 and 2017 in both countries, this article explores how English language teaching/learning is positioned differently in these two Central Asian Republics, while also aiming to understand how participants’ language choices were informed both by the particularities of their contexts and the intersectional nature of language choice.
Relevance of Corporate Social Responsibility to Companies During Turbulent Economic Times: A Survey of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Listed Companies
Authors: Sibanda Vusumuzi , Shoko Imelda Sekai , Tadu Ruramayi
Published: April 2021

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has remained topical and contentious as various schools of thought are put forward on its relationship to cost versus profitability for businesses. This study explored the relevance of CSR and its effect on the survival of businesses during an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. The study purposively sampled 31 companies that are listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and have sound CSR programmes. A total of 93 questionnaires were administered and a Chi-square was conducted to test and establish the relationship between CSR strategies and business survival. The study concluded that companies with CSR strategies had a higher chance of surviving during turbulent times. Following the findings of the study, it is recommended that government comes up with CSR policies for different industries and that organisations continue investing in CSR especially in times of economic challenges.
The Level of Awareness of the Coronavirus Pandemic and Its Prevention for Students With Learning Difficulties in the State of Kuwait
Authors: AlThafiri Nawaf M. , AlSaeedi Ahmed M.
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to identify the level of awareness of the emerging coronavirus pandemic and prevent infection among (18) students with learning difficulties in the State of Kuwait. The study applied a scale prepared by researchers in the period of 12th till the 17th of May 2020. The alpha was between (0.74- 0.76), indicating that the scale has a high degree of validity and reliability. The results showed high levels of awareness and prevention among the study sample, as their awareness rate reached 83%, while the rate of infection prevention reached 88%, while as a whole, the model showed the rate of 87% on the scale.
UAV routing with genetic algorithm based matheuristic for border security missions
Authors: Ozkan Omer , Kaya Muhammed
Published: April 2021

In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a good alternative for the problem of ensuring the security of the borders of the countries. UAVs are preferred because of their speed, ease of use, being able to observe many points at the same time, and being more cost-effective in total compared to other security tools. This study is dealt with the problem of the use of UAVs for the security of the Turkey-Syria borderline which becomes sensitive in recent years and the problem is modeled as a UAV routing problem. To solve the problem, a Genetic Algorithm Based Matheuristic (GABM) approach has been developed and 12 scenarios have been created covering the departure bases, daily patrol numbers, and ranges of UAVs. GABM finds the minimum number of UAVs to use in scenarios with the help of a GA run first and tries to find the optimal routes for these UAVs. If GABM can find an optimal route for the determined UAV number, it decreases the UAV number and tries to solve the problem again. GABM proposes a hybrid approach in which a metaheuristic with a mathematical model works together and the metaheuristic sets an upper limit for the number of UAVs in the model. In computational studies, when compared GA with GABM it is seen that GABM has obtained good results and decreased the utilized number of UAVs (up to 400%) and their flight distances (up to 85.99%) for the problem in very short CPU times (max. 122.17 s. for GA and max. 46.39 s. for GABM in addition to GA).
Heightened respiratory‐parasympathetic coupling to airways in the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Moraes Davi J. A. , da Silva Melina P. , de Souza Daniel P. , Felintro Viviane , Paton Julian F. R.
Published: April 2021

Key points

Carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors are hyperactive in hypertension, and their acute activation produces bronchoconstriction.

We show that the respiratory‐modulated bronchiolar tone, pulmonary parasympathetic efferent activity, and the firing frequency and synaptic excitation of bronchoconstrictor motoneurones in the nucleus ambiguus were all enhanced in spontaneous hypertensive (SH) rats.

In SH rats, CB denervation reduced the respiratory‐related parasympathetic‐mediated bronchoconstrictor tone to levels seen in normotensive rats.

Chemoreflex evoked bronchoconstrictor tone was heightened in SH versus normotensive rats.

The intrinsic electrophysiological properties and morphology of bronchoconstrictor motoneurones were similar across rat strains.

The heightened respiratory modulation of parasympathetic‐mediated bronchoconstrictor tone to the airways in SH rats is caused by afferent drive from the CBs.

Much research has described heightened sympathetic activity in hypertension and diminished parasympathetic tone, especially to the heart. The carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors exhibit hyperreflexia and are hyperactive, providing excitatory drive to sympathetic networks in hypertension. Given that acute CB activation produces reflex evoked bronchoconstriction via activation of parasympathetic vagal efferents, we hypothesised that the parasympathetic bronchoconstrictor activity is enhanced in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats and that this is dependent on CB inputs. In situ preparations of Wistar and SH rats were used in which bronchiolar tone, the pulmonary branch of the vagus (pVN) and phrenic nerves were recorded simultaneously; whole cell patch clamp recordings of bronchoconstrictor vagal motoneurones were also made from the nucleus ambiguus. Bronchiolar tone, pVN and bronchoconstrictor motoneurones were respiratory modulated and this modulation was enhanced in SH rats. These differences were all eliminated after CB denervation. Stimulation of the CBs increased the phrenic frequency that caused a summation of the respiratory‐related increases in pVN, resulting in the development of bronchoconstrictor tone. This tone was exaggerated in SH rats. The enhanced respiratory‐parasympathetic coupling to airways in SH rats was not due to differences in the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of bronchoconstrictor motoneurones but reflected heightened pre‐inspiratory‐ and inspiratory‐related synaptic drive. In summary, in SH rats the phasic respiratory modulation of parasympathetic tone to the airways is elevated and the greater development of this bronchoconstrictor tone is caused by the heightened afferent drive originating from the CBs. Thus, targeting the CBs may prove effective for increasing lower airway patency.
Minimum Energy Control of a Unicycle Model Robot
Authors: Kim Youngjin , Singh Tarunraj
Published: April 2021

Point-to-point path planning for a kinematic model of a differential-drive wheeled mobile robot (WMR) with the goal of minimizing input energy is the focus of this work. An optimal control problem is formulated to determine the necessary conditions for optimality and the resulting two point boundary value problem is solved in closed form using Jacobi elliptic functions. The resulting nonlinear programming problem is solved for two variables and the results are compared to the traditional shooting method to illustrate that the Jacobi elliptic functions parameterize the exact profile of the optimal trajectory. A set of terminal constraints which lie on a circle in the first quadrant are used to generate a set of optimal solutions. It is noted that for maneuvers where the angle of the vector connecting the initial and terminal point is greater than a threshold, which is a function of the radius of the terminal constraint circle, the robot initially moves into the third quadrant before terminating in the first quadrant. The minimum energy solution is compared to two other optimal control formulations: (1) an extension of the Dubins vehicle model where the constant linear velocity of the robot is optimized for and (2) a simple turn and move solution, both of whose optimal paths lie entirely in the first quadrant. Experimental results are used to validate the optimal trajectories of the differential-drive robot.
Design and Optimization of a Composite Heat Spreader to Improve the Thermal Management of a Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuit
Authors: Tavakoli Andisheh , Vafai Kambiz
Published: April 2021

This study establishes a numerical investigation of the optimal distribution of a limited amount of high thermal conductivity material to enhance the heat removal from 3D integrated circuits, IC. The structure of the heat spreader is designed as a composite of high thermal conductivity (Boron Arsenide) and moderate thermal conductivity (copper) materials. The volume ratio of high-conductivity inserts to the total volume of the spreader is set at a fixed pertinent ratio. Two different boundary conditions of constant and variable temperature are considered for the heat sink. To examine the impact of adding high-conductivity inserts on the cooling performance of the heat spreader, various patterns of the single and double ring inserts are studied. A parametric study is performed to find the optimal location of the rings. Moreover, the optimal distribution of the high-conductivity material between the inner and outer rings is found. The results show that for the optimal conditions, the maximum temperature of the 3D IC is reduced up to 10%; while at the same time, the size of the heat sink and heat spreader can be diminished by as much as 200%.
The Protective Effect of Neuromuscular Training on the Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome in Youth Female Track-and-Field Athletes: A Clinical Trial and Cohort Study
Authors: Mendez-Rebolledo Guillermo , Figueroa-Ureta Romina , Moya-Mura Fernanda , Guzmán-Muñoz Eduardo , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Lloyd Rhodri S.
Published: April 2021

Context: Few reports have analyzed the effects of neuromuscular (NM) training programs on the injury incidence among youth female track-and-field athletes. Objective: To determine the effects of NM training on reducing lower limb injury incidence and to establish its effects on countermovement jump performance, balance, 30-m sprint, and joint position sense in youth female track-and-field athletes. Design: Single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Sports research laboratory. Participants: Twenty-two female athletes were allocated into 2 groups: Conventional (CONV) training (n = 11; age = 15.3 [2.1] y) and NM training (n = 11; age = 15.0 [2.7] y). Interventions: Interventions were performed during the preseason of 6 weeks. The CONV training included anaerobic, strength, and aerobic training. The NM training consisted of a multicomponent program that integrated jumps, landings, and running with strength, endurance, agility, balance, and CORE training. Main Outcome Measures: A follow-up of the cohorts was carried out through the evaluation of lower limb injuries (main outcome) during a regular season (weeks 7–18). Secondary outcomes were measured before and after the intervention: Y-balance test, active joint repositioning, ground reaction force, and countermovement jump height. Results: The injury incidence rate was 17.89 injuries per 1000 hours athlete-exposure in CONV training, and 6.58 in NM training (relative risk = 0.38; 95% confidence interval,  0.18 to 0.82; P = .044). Particularly, the medial tibial stress syndrome incidence rate was 5.96 injuries per 1000 hours athlete-exposure in CONV training and 0.82 in NM training (relative risk = 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.02 to 1.12; P = .012). In addition, a significant training × time interaction was noted, favoring improvements in 30-m sprint and countermovement jump height after NM. Conclusion: The NM training may improve youth female athlete’s physical fitness and reduce their injury relative risk of medial tibial stress syndrome injury.
CLIC1 and CLIC4 mediate endothelial S1P receptor signaling to facilitate Rac1 and RhoA activity and function
Authors: Mao De Yu , Kleinjan Matthew L. , Jilishitz Irina , Swaminathan Bhairavi , Obinata Hideru , Komarova Yulia A. , Bayless Kayla J. , Hla Timothy , Kitajewski Jan K.
Published: April 2021

S1P-induced motility and adhesion in endothelial cells require the intracellular Cl
−
channels CLIC1 and CLIC4.
Human Tissue Distribution of Anidulafungin and Micafungin
Authors: Marx Jana , Welte René , Gasperetti Tiziana , Moser Patrizia , Joannidis Michael , Bellmann Romuald
Published: April 2021

Concentrations of anidulafungin and micafungin were determined in eight different tissues obtained during autopsy of four deceased individuals who had been treated with anidulafungin and of seven who had received micafungin. The largest amounts were recovered from liver, with anidulafungin concentrations of 11.01 to 66.50 μg/g and micafungin levels of 0.36 to 5.53 μg/g (0.65 μg/g 30 days after the last administration).
Characterizing Risk Factors for Clostridioides difficile Infection among Hospitalized Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Jozefczyk Caroline C. , Moore W. Justin , Yarnold Paul R. , Harkabuz Karolina , Maxwell Robert , Sutton Sarah H. , Silkaitis Christina , Qi Chao , Wunderink Richard G. , Zembower Teresa R.
Published: April 2021

Hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are at risk of developing
Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI). We developed and tested clinical decision rules for identifying CDI risk in this patient population.
CRISPR Interference To Inducibly Repress Gene Expression in Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Ouellette Scot P. , Blay Emmanuel A. , Hatch Nathan D. , Fisher-Marvin Laura A.
Published: April 2021

The ability to inducibly repress gene expression is critical to the study of organisms, like
Chlamydia
, with reduced genomes in which the majority of genes are likely to be essential. We recently described the feasibility of a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system to inducibly repress gene expression in
Chlamydia trachomatis
. However, the initial system suffered from some drawbacks, primarily leaky expression of the anhydrotetracycline (aTc)-inducible dCas9 ortholog and plasmid instability, which prevented population-wide studies (e.g., transcript analyses) of the effects of knockdown.
Inhibition of Escherichia coli Lipoprotein Diacylglyceryl Transferase Is Insensitive to Resistance Caused by Deletion of Braun’s Lipoprotein
Authors: Diao Jingyu , Komura Rie , Sano Tatsuya , Pantua Homer , Storek Kelly M. , Inaba Hiroko , Ogawa Haruhiko , Noland Cameron L. , Peng Yutian , Gloor Susan L. , Yan Donghong , Kang Jing , Katakam Anand Kumar , Volny Michael , Liu Peter , Nickerson Nicholas N. , Sandoval Wendy , Austin Cary D. , Murray Jeremy , Rutherford Steven T. , Reichelt Mike , Xu Yiming , Xu Min , Yanagida Hayato , Nishikawa Junichi , Reid Patrick C. , Cunningham Christian N. , Kapadia Sharookh B.
Published: April 2021

As the emerging threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria continues to increase, no new classes of antibiotics have been discovered in the last 50 years. While previous attempts to inhibit the lipoprotein biosynthetic (LspA) or transport (LolCDE) pathways have been made, most efforts have been hindered by the emergence of a common mechanism leading to resistance, namely, the deletion of the gene encoding a major Gram-negative outer membrane lipoprotein
lpp
.
Peptidoglycan Contribution to the B Cell Superantigen Activity of Staphylococcal Protein A
Authors: Shi Miaomiao , Willing Stephanie E. , Kim Hwan Keun , Schneewind Olaf , Missiakas Dominique
Published: April 2021

The LysM domain is found in all kingdoms of life. While their function in mammals is not known, LysM domains of bacteria and their phage parasites are associated with enzymes that cleave or remodel peptidoglycan.
Term Human Placental Trophoblasts Express SARS-CoV-2 Entry Factors ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin
Authors: Ouyang Yingshi , Bagalkot Tarique , Fitzgerald Wendy , Sadovsky Elena , Chu Tianjiao , Martínez-Marchal Ana , Brieño-Enríquez Miguel , Su Emily J. , Margolis Leonid , Sorkin Alexander , Sadovsky Yoel
Published: April 2021

Pregnant women worldwide have been affected by COVID-19. As the virus is commonly spread to various organs via the bloodstream and because human placental trophoblasts are directly bathed in maternal blood, feto-placental infection by SARS-CoV-2 seems likely.
Exploring the relationship between gut microbiota and exercise: short-chain fatty acids and their role in metabolism
Authors: Carey Ryan A , Montag Doreen
Published: April 2021

The human body is host to a multitude of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other species in the intestine, collectively known as the microbiota. Dietary carbohydrates which bypass digestion and absorption are broken down and fermented by the microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Previous research has established the role of SCFAs in the control of human metabolic pathways. In this review, we evaluate SCFAs as a metabolic regulator and how they might improve endurance performance in athletes. By looking at research conducted in animal models, we identify several pathways downstream of SCFAs, either directly modulating metabolic pathways through second messenger pathways or through neuronal pathways, that contribute to energy utilisation. These pathways contribute to efficient energy metabolism and are thus key to maximising substrate utilisation in endurance exercise. Future research may prove the usefulness of targeted dietary interventions allowing athletes to maximise their performance in competition.
Phase I trial of intratumoral PVSRIPO in patients with unresectable, treatment-refractory melanoma
Authors: Beasley Georgia M , Nair Smita K , Farrow Norma E , Landa Karenia , Selim Maria Angelica , Wiggs Carol Ann , Jung Sin-Ho , Bigner Darell D , True Kelly Andrea , Gromeier Matthias , Salama April KS
Published: April 2021

Background

While programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antagonists have improved the prognosis for many patients with melanoma, around 60% fail therapy. PVSRIPO is a non-neurovirulent rhinovirus:poliovirus chimera that facilitates an antitumor immune response following cell entry via the poliovirus receptor CD155, which is expressed on tumor and antigen-presenting cells. Preclinical studies show that oncolytic virus plus anti-PD-1 therapy leads to a greater antitumor response than either agent alone, warranting clinical investigation.

Methods

An open-label phase I trial of intratumoral PVSRIPO in patients with unresectable melanoma (American Joint Committee on Cancer V.7 stage IIIB, IIIC, or IV) was performed. Eligible patients had disease progression on anti-PD-1 and V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF)/mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors (if BRAF mutant). The primary objective was to characterize the safety and tolerability of PVSRIPO. Twelve patients in four cohorts received a total of 1, 2 or 3 injections of PVSRIPO monotherapy, with 21 days between injections.

Results

PVSRIPO injections were well tolerated with no serious adverse events (SAEs) or dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) reported. All adverse events (AEs) were grade (G) 1 or G2 (G1 pruritus most common at 58%); all but two PVSRIPO-treatment related AEs were localized to the injected or adjacent lesions (n=1 G1 hot flash, n=1 G1 fatigue). Four out of 12 patients (33%) achieved an objective response per immune-related response criteria (two observations, 4 weeks apart), including 4/6 (67%) who received three injections. In the four patients with in-transit disease, a pathological complete response (pCR) was observed in two (50%) patients. Following study completion, 11/12 patients (92%) reinitiated immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapy, and 6/12 patients (50%) remained without progression at a median follow-up time of 18 months.

Conclusion

Intratumoral PVSRIPO was well tolerated. Despite the limited number of PVSRIPO treatments relative to the overall lesion burden (67% patients>5 lesions), intratumoral PVSRIPO showed promising antitumor activity, with pCR in injected as well as non-injected lesions in select patients.

Trial registration number

NCT03712358