bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between perception of COVID‐19, fear of COVID‐19 and self‐care management in individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process in Turkey
Authors: Kılıç Züleyha , Günaydın Yurdagül , Yıldırım Tekin , Aydınlı Ayşe
Published: September 2023

Aims

To determine the relationship between perception of COVID‐19, fear of COVID‐19 and self‐care management in individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process.

Background

Individuals with chronic diseases are a sensitive group during the COVID‐19 pandemic process; it is thought that self‐care management may be adversely affected as a result of their more intense exposure to the psychological, physiological and economic effects of the pandemic. In the literature, there is no study examining the effect of perception of COVID‐19 and fear of COVID‐19 on self‐care management in individuals with chronic diseases.

Design

Descriptive study.

Methods

The study was conducted with 322 individuals who applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinics of a university's Health Practice and Research Center, met the inclusion criteria, agreed to participate in the study and had a chronic disease. Questionnaire form, Perception of COVID‐19 Scale (P‐COVID‐19), The Fear of COVID‐19 Scale (FCV‐19S) and Self‐Care Management Process in Chronic Illness Scale (SCMP‐G) were used to collect data. STROBE checklist was used to report the present study.

Results

In the study, it can be stated that individuals with chronic diseases had a moderate to the high perception of contagiousness and dangerousness of COVID‐19, they had a moderate‐high level of fear of COVID‐19 and their self‐care care management was above moderate level. There was a significant positive correlation between P‐COVID‐19, FCV‐19S and SCMP‐G in the study.

Conclusions

It was found that the perception of COVID‐19 contagiousness and the fear of COVID‐19 had a positive effect on the self‐care management of individuals with chronic diseases.

Relevance to clinical practice

Determining the level of COVID‐19 perception and fear of COVID‐19 and their effects on the life of the individual, and evaluating self‐care management during the difficult pandemic process will increase the success in the holistic nursing care and management of chronic diseases.
Is low back pain a risk/prognostic factor for the development and/or progression of temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Justribó‐Manion C. , Mesa‐Jiménez J. , Caballero‐Ruiz‐de‐la‐hermosa C. , Zuil Escobar J. C. , Armijo‐Olivo S.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the association between low back pain (LBP) and painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Methods

Systematic review of observational studies. Searches were conducted using OVID MEDLINE, CINHAL, Web of Science and PUBMED databases up to 21 October 2022. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool (QUIPS).

Results

Eight studies were included in the present review with meta‐analysis. The first onset of TMDs was more likely in patients with previous chronic LBP (hazard ratio (HR) 1.53 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28; 1.83,p < .00001]). In addition, patients with chronic LBP had 3.25 times the odds (OR) [95% CI: 1.94; 5.43,p < .00001] of having chronic TMDs than those who did not have chronic LBP. In addition, the higher the exposure to chronic LBP, the higher the risk of developing a first onset of TMDs.

Conclusions

Chronic LBP can be considered a risk/contributing factor for painful TMDs. Although there is a high certainty in the evidence linking chronic LBP with the risk of a first onset of TMDs, there are insufficient studies to draw definitive conclusions. Furthermore, while an association between chronic LBP and chronic TMDs and a dose–effect was observed between these two conditions, a limited number of studies and evidence exist to support these findings. Future studies are needed to increase the body of evidence.
Beyond conflict: Kinship theory of intragenomic conflict predicts individual variation in altruistic behaviour
Authors: Bresnahan Sean T. , Galbraith David , Ma Rong , Anton Kate , Rangel Juliana , Grozinger Christina M.
Published: September 2023

Behavioural variation is essential for animals to adapt to different social and environmental conditions. The Kinship Theory of Intragenomic Conflict (KTIC) predicts that parent‐specific alleles can support different behavioural strategies to maximize allele fitness. Previous studies, including in honey bees (Apis mellifera), supported predictions of the KTIC for parent‐specific alleles to promote selfish behaviour. Here, we test the KTIC prediction that for altruism‐promoting genes (i.e. those that promote behaviours that support the reproductive fitness of kin), the allele with the higher altruism optimum should be selected to be expressed while the other is silenced. In honey bee colonies, workers act altruistically when tending to the queen by performing a ‘retinue’ behaviour, distributing the queen's mandibular pheromone (QMP) throughout the hive. Workers exposed to QMP do not activate their ovaries, ensuring they care for the queen's brood instead of competing to lay unfertilized eggs. Due to the haplodiploid genetics of honey bees, the KTIC predicts that response to QMP is favoured by the maternal genome. We report evidence for parent‐of‐origin effects on the retinue response behaviour, ovarian development and gene expression in brains of worker honey bees exposed to QMP, consistent with the KTIC. Additionally, we show enrichment for genes with parent‐of‐origin expression bias within gene regulatory networks associated with variation in bees' response to QMP. Our study demonstrates that intragenomic conflict can shape diverse social behaviours and influence expression patterns of single genes as well as gene networks.
Clinical factors associated with systemic sporotrichosis in Brazil
Authors: Magalhães Vanessa C. R. , Colombo Salene A. , Peres Nalu T. A. , Moura Alexandre S. , Lyon Ana C. , Lyon Sandra , Dutra Maria R. T. , Fereguetti Tatiani O. , Andrade Virginia A. , Azevedo Maria I. , Santos Daniel A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Systemic sporotrichosis occurs when organs, other than subcutaneous tissues and lymph nodes, are infected. Interestingly, systemic sporotrichosis in apparently immunocompetent individuals is increasing in Brazil, but data on clinical manifestations and risk factors are scarce. Most of the existing data on such condition relate to people living with HIV. We aimed to study the risk factors associated with systemic sporotrichosis among HIV‐negative and HIV‐positive patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cross‐sectional study with 80 patients from Brazil, diagnosed between 2014 and 2021. The association between disease classification, clinical presentation and risk factors were analysed by logistic regression.

Results

Of the 80 patients, 29 (36.3%) presented with systemic sporotrichosis. All HIV‐positive patients developed the systemic form, with increased mortality (p = .002). Alcohol ingestion (p = .009) and diabetes (p = .010) were associated with systemic disease. Alcohol ingestion seemed to favour pulmonary infection (p = .013) and, diabetes favoured osteoarticular (p = .009) and ocular involvement (p = .033). The occurrence of fever (p = .001) and weight loss (p = .006) were significantly associated with systemic sporotrichosis, while meningeal involvement (p = .001) increased mortality risk. Nine (11.3%) patients died from sporotrichosis. The presence of fungal structures in the mycological examination of the patients' lesions were associated with the systemic form (p = .017) and death (p = .002).

Conclusion

Our study points to the factors that drive systemic sporotrichosis other than HIV, such as alcohol ingestion and diabetes. Considering the high number of patients presenting severe sporotrichosis, the recognising these factors may contribute to timely diagnosis and proper treatment.
Changes in ocular astigmatism with age: A longitudinal study
Authors: Beesley Jeremy , Elliott David B.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To investigate changes in astigmatism with age. Are changes from with‐the‐rule (WTR) in younger ages to against‐the‐rule (ATR) in older patients mediated through oblique astigmatic axes or spherical prescriptions, and at what ages do these changes occur?

Methods

Prescription data were gathered retrospectively from one optical practice belonging to a large multiple group in the UK. Longitudinal assessments were made of the changes in astigmatism for 326 patients (mean age at first prescription 46 years, range 28–69 years) and 640 eyes through their recorded prescription history (median 20 years of prescription data per participant, IQR 19–22 years, range 18–29 years).

Results

Changes in small degrees of astigmatism (0.25 or 0.50 DC) from WTR to ATR were more than three times more likely to pass through an oblique cylinder axis as through a spherical prescription (56 vs. 16,  = 22.2, p < 0.0001). For patients aged 28–40 years at their first recorded eye examination, 55% (92/167) of eyes had an onset of astigmatic changes at a mean of 44 years (SD 6.2) and 41% (68/167) of eyes had no change until after a mean of 54 years (SD 4.6). Compared with a measured prevalence of oblique astigmatism in the literature of 11%–19%, 36% (232/640) of the eyes in this study had an oblique cylinder prescribed at least once in their refraction history and of these oblique cylinders, 78% were transient in nature.

Conclusions

The change in ocular astigmatism with age, from WTR to ATR, was more than three times more likely (56 vs. 16) to pass through oblique cylinder axes as through a spherical prescription. Changes in oblique astigmatism have been implicated in complaints with new spectacles, so given this prevalence of oblique cylinder axes (232/640, 36%), continuing professional development is needed regarding reconciling these oblique changes with previous prescriptions.
What does it mean to age well with bipolar disorder? A qualitative study using photo elicitation
Authors: Warner Aaron , Lobban Fiona , Holland Carol , Tyler Elizabeth , Settle Geoff , Rhodes Verity , Palmier‐Claus Jasper
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study is to explore what ageing well means to older adults with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Older adults with bipolar disorder took photographs of aspects of their lives that they felt represented ageing well. They then completed audio‐recorded photo elicitation interviews to explore what it meant to age well with bipolar disorder in detail. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Seventeen participants met the criteria for bipolar disorder I or II. The analysis resulted in four key themes to ageing well with bipolar disorder: (1) Lifelong learning – referring to how participants accumulated a wealth of knowledge about bipolar disorder and used this to maintain stability in later life; (2) Finding where you belong – relating to how participants prioritised finding new communities, utilised family support and refined their support networks over time to age well; (3) Recognising your value and worth – which involved participants using their strengths and experiences to support others; and (4) Continuity of support – older adults with bipolar disorder highlighted the benefits of continuous support that allowed them to be actively involved in their treatment.

Conclusions

Participants ageing with bipolar disorder identified unique challenges indicating that services require adaptation to meet their needs and support them to age well. Findings suggested that services should provide continuous care that allows this group to actively engage with their treatment, build upon their strengths, and develop meaningful connections with professionals and peers. This approach may enhance support for older adults with bipolar disorder and reduce the inequalities they experience.
The relationship between nursing students' environmental literacy and awareness of Global Climate Change
Authors: Incesu Olga , Yas Merve Altiner
Published: September 2023

Objectives

This study aims to examine the correlation between environmental literacy and levels of awareness of global climate change in nursing students.

Design

The cross‐sectional and correlational design.

Sample

476 undergraduate nursing students

Methods

Data were collected with The Personal Information Form, the Awareness Scale of University Students about Global Climate Change, and Environmental Literacy Scale for Adults in March 2023. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and linear regression analysis (stepwise method) were used to analyze the data.

Results

The mean scores of the Environmental Literacy Scale and the Awareness Scale of University Students about Global Climate Change Scale were 87.31 ± 8.61 and 75.60 ± 14.86, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the awareness of global climate change and environmental literacy (p < 0.05). As participation in meetings on environmental problems, environmental concerns and awareness increased, awareness of global climate change increased.

Conclusions

Nursing students had high levels of awareness of global climate change and environmental literacy. The awareness of nursing students on climate change and their environmental literacy levels are highly important in protecting public health against the adverse effects of climate change and reducing climate change through effective resource management in health services in the future. It is recommended that integrate courses related to environment health to curriculum of nursing school and in‐service training during healthcare. The study draws attention to the Sustainable Development Goals related to climate change.
Floor plan creation using a low‐cost 360° camera
Authors: Vynikal Jakub , Zahradník David
Published: September 2023

The creation of a 2D floor plan is an integral part of finishing a building construction. Legal obligations in different states often include submitting a precise floor plan for ownership purposes, as the building needs to be divided between new residents with reasonable precision. Common practice for floor plan generation includes manual measurements (tape or laser) and laser scanning (static or SLAM). In this paper, a novel approach is proposed using spherical photogrammetry, which is becoming increasingly popular due to its versatility, low cost and unexplored possibilities. Workflow is also noticeably faster than other methods, as video acquisition is rapid, on a par with SLAM. The accuracy and reliability of the measurements are then experimentally verified, comparing the results with established methods.
Vitamin E reduces the reactive oxygen species production in dominant follicle during the negative energy balance in cattle
Authors: Missio Daniele , Leivas Fabio Gallas , Cibin Francielli , Emanuelli Tatiana , Somacal Sabrina , Buss Vanessa , Gasperin Bernardo , Oliveira Dimas Estrasulas de , Gonçalves Paulo Bayard Dias , Ferreira Rogério
Published: September 2023

In the postpartum period, there is an increase in non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in both serum and follicular fluid (FF) of cattle. The increase in fatty acid concentration results in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can compromise bovine fertility. The objectives of this study were to characterize the lipid profile found in the FF of cows experiencing induced negative energy balance (NEB) and to evaluate the effect of α‐tocopherol in the prevention of oxidative stress in the serum and FF of cows. Twenty‐nine beef cows were divided into groups: (1) control; (2) Fasting for 24 days; and (3) Fasting + VitE. Between D0 and D4 blood samples were taken to assess concentrations of NEFA, ROS production, total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), lipid peroxidation, and α‐tocopherol (vitamin E). On D4, follicular aspiration was performed for analysis of FF from the dominant follicle. Our results demonstrate that fasting was effective in causing increased fat mobilization in animals. The increase in serum concentration of C18:1c9 was reflected in the FF of fasting cows. Serum α‐tocopherol concentration was higher in the control and Fasting + VitE groups compared to the Fasting group. In FF, there was an increase of α‐tocopherol in the Fasting + VitE group in comparison to Fasting cows. There was an increase in ROS production in the serum of fasting cows. ROS production in FF was higher in the Fasting compared to the Fasting + VitE group. Vitamin E has beneficial effects in reducing ROS production in the dominant follicle of cows in NEB.
The role of explanatory context for racial disparities in predicting sociopolitical attitudes during COVID‐19
Authors: Hakim Nader , Eggert Rachel , La Rosa Christina , Zhao Amelia
Published: September 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic placed preexisting racial health disparities in stark relief. Recent studies have already established that, among prejudiced Whites, exposure to such racial disparities reduced concern about the pandemic and support for mitigation policies (Harrel & Lieberman, 2021; Stephens‐Dougan, 2022). In response to such results, one cautionary line of reasoning argues that communicating the disparity figures without explanatory context can perpetuate (or at least not undermine) myths that African Americans are more likely to contract COVID‐19 due to genetic predispositions or maladaptive behavioral tendencies (Chowkwanyun & Reed, 2020). In two studies, we test the claims that (a) explanatory context mitigates the tendency to attribute racial disparities to essential racial differences and (b) that perceptions of racial disparities are attuned to specific racial inequalities in the U.S., and not merely expressions of outgroup bias. In Study 1, we found that exposure to racial disparities with explanatory context (vs. without explanatory context) did not reduce racial essentialism or stereotyping, but did promote support for healthcare equity. In Study 2, we found that black disadvantage frames (vs. white vs. Hispanic) uniquely promoted support for equitable healthcare and multicultural inclusion. Importantly, and contrary to other recent findings, exposure to black disadvantage did not preclude support for equity.
Pandemic precarity: A multi‐level study of neoliberal precarity and COVID‐Related outcomes in the United States
Authors: Schmitt Harrison J. , Jimenez Tyler , Young Isaac F.
Published: September 2023

Neoliberalism is the political‐economic system that has characterized the United States for the past half century. Structurally, neoliberalism has involved privatization, deregulation, and government divestment from public health systems. Cultural psychologists have begun to outline the ways that neoliberalism is reflected in attitudes, ways of being, and ideologies, such as in the form of heightened individualism, justification of inequality, depoliticization, and precarity. We argue that neoliberal structures and psychologies may contribute to deleterious outcomes in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We demonstrate that neoliberalism at the US state level (n = 51) is associated with higher COVID mortality and case fatality rates, as well as lower vaccination rates (Study 1). We also demonstrate that individual‐level (n = 8280) neoliberal ideology predicts less adaptive beliefs and attitudes such as the belief that the federal response to the pandemic was too fast and belief in COVID‐related misinformation (Study 2). We demonstrate using multilevel modeling that state‐level neoliberalism predicts individual‐level COVID‐related attitudes, which is explained in part by heightened neoliberal ideology in more neoliberal states (Study 2). This study contributes to an understanding of the structural and cultural psychological factors that have contributed to the severity of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the US.
Determination of intraocular pressure and Schirmer tear test and the comparison between the applanation tonometer (Tono‐Pen AVIA®) and the rebound tonometer (TonoVet Plus®) in mini lionhead rabbits
Authors: Oliveira Ismael V. , Oliveira Lídia V. S. X. , Santos Victória M. B. , Souza João L. T. , Costa Maria Lindomárcia. L. , Borges Péricles F. , Campos Danila B. , Talieri Ivia C.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) and tear production, as well as to compare the IOP obtained with the TonoVet Plus® (rebound) with the Tono‐Pen Avia® (applanation) tonometers.

Animals

Twenty‐five Mini Lionhead rabbits (n = 50 eyes).

Procedure

Tear production was measured at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. by using the STT. The IOP reading was performed with the rebound tonometer, followed by the applanation tonometer, at 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Regression analysis, analysis of variance (anova) and Bland–Altman statistics were used.

Results

Daily tear production was 10.25 ± 3.75 mm/min, with no differences among the moments evaluated. Average daily IOP was 17.7 ± 3.08 mmHg with the TonoVet Plus® and 11.5 ± 4.56 mmHg with the Tono‐Pen Avia®. IOP values were higher at the beginning and end of the day with both tonometers.

Conclusion

The IOP values are higher with the TonoVet Plus® tonometer. The reference values of IOP and tear production obtained in this work may support the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of ocular disorders in pet Mini Lionhead rabbits.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Contemporary Education, Vol. 6, No. 2
Authors: Oscar William
Published: September 2023

International Journal of Contemporary Education (IJCE) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJCE publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 2 Ahmad Suradi, State Islamic Institute of Bengkulu, IndonesiaAurora Q. Pestano, University of San Jose Recoletos, PhilippinesBlessing Dwumah Manu, Jiangsu University, GhanaCarme Pinya, University of Balearic Islands, SpainClaire Goode, Otago Polytechnic at Te Pūkenga, New ZealandDina Radeljas, Mohawk Valley Community College, USAEdward Bolden, Case Western Reserve University, USAFederica Cornali, University of Turin, ItalyIvan Lenard, Elementary School Ladimirevci, CroatiaMatthew Schatt, University of Florida, USANesrin Ozturk, Izmir Democracy University, TurkeyVassiliki Pliogou, Metropolitan College of Thessaloniki, Greece  William OscarEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of Contemporary Education------------------------------------------------------------Redfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USATel: 1-503-828-0536 ext. 509Fax: 1-503-828-0537E-mail 1: ijce@redfame.comE-mail 2: ijce@redfame.orgURL: http://ijce.redfame.com
Analysis of Wave Force and Run-Up Acting on an Impermeable Vertical Circular Cylinder Surrounded by Multiple Thick Porous Layers
Authors: Saha Sunanda , Nandan Bora Swaroop
Published: September 2023

In this work, we analyze the effect of multiple thick porous layers, fitted around a rigid vertical circular cylinder, on the wave forces acting on the rigid structure. Using the eigenfunction expansion method in cylindrical coordinates, we derive the expressions for velocity potentials in the respective domains and finally calculate the wave force acting on the rigid structure by integrating the pressure term. Consideration of the multiple porous layers, each with different porosities, gives rise to a very basic question to answer: what will be the appropriate arrangement of the porous layers to reduce the wave impact? Hence, for numerical study, we consider three different arrangements of the porous layers. For such arrangements of the porous layers, we also analyze the effects of the other crucial parameters, such as the number and the thickness of the porous layers, on the wave force. The key finding of the analysis is that the wave force acting on the rigid structure can be minimized by increasing the number of porous layers with decreasing porosity from the innermost layer to the outermost layer. The wave breaking and forced oscillations for certain values of the porous impedance parameter are some of the interesting observations. The present model is also verified against an existing work in the literature which shows an excellent agreement.
Urban Airflow Analysis Using Reduced-Order Modeling
Authors: Sharma Shivesh N. , Goudarzi Navid
Published: September 2023

The numerical and experimental techniques are widely used for urban air flow studies. As spatiotemporal scales increase, these models face an extended range of limitations, from the experimental setup sizing/equipment constraints to expensive physics-based computational modeling. Reduced order models (ROMs) are introduced as an alternative or a complementary tool to current practices for identifying urban airflow characteristics. This paper investigates the implementation of a group of ROMs on an opensource experimental dataset. These models follow two major steps dimensionality reduction and airflow feature computation. The results show a significant reduction in the computational cost with similar accuracy achieved when studying urban airflow characteristics to those from experimental testing. These models can be further used in urban climate analysis.
Energy Mix Forecasting: A Techno-Economic Analysis to Guide U.S. Power Production Decisions Through 2100
Authors: Keenan Michael , Brooks Joshua , Duncan Scott
Published: September 2023

With advancing technology, growing population, and increased accessibility, there is an ever-growing need for energy to power our world. Meeting the increased demand is challenged by stringent environmental constraints and the time to implement new energy sources, all while doing so in a cost-efficient manner. To assist decision makers in forecasting what the energy production future should look like, a framework is developed that can account for these factors. With flexible parameters for power production assets and energy constraints, varying energy mixes can be evaluated against each other. Through two initial investigations, this advises that changes to the energy mix begin to occur sooner rather than later to reduce long term costs and emissions. With the tuning of this framework, specific energy mix prediction cases can be assessed and utilized by decision makers to guide investment and policy for the far future.
An Innovative Seal Concept for Aircraft Engines
Authors: Hasan Md Wasif , Cesmeci Sevki , Hassan Mohammad Fuad , DeMond Matthew , Xu Hanping
Published: September 2023

Today, both the government and private aircraft companies strive for faster, lighter, and less expensive aircraft to stay competitive in both the national and international arena. This is only possible with continuous innovation and sustainability efforts for aircraft systems such as fans, compressors, combustors, and turbines, as well as the sub-systems including engine seals. Advanced engine seals show significant promise for improving the engine pressure ratio and cycle temperatures, which result in lower engine weight, stronger thrust, and higher fuel efficiency. We propose an innovative multistage seal concept that leverages the well-known Elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication theory. In this study, a physics-based computer simulation modeling approach was employed. Due to the highly non-linear nature of the complex Fluid-Solid-Interactions (FSI) between the seal and the rotor, a fully coupled Finite Element Analysis (FEA)-Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based modeling was adopted for the design of the seal system. With the recent improvements in the commercially available software, COMSOL Multiphysics software was employed to carry out the fully coupled FSI simulations. The modeling approach was presented thoroughly, and the results were discussed. The leakage was found to be less than 0.010 kg/s at 2.75 MPa. The proposed seal system could be an alternative to the existing sealing technologies in the market.
Renewable Power Recovery System Using Main Steam Condenser
Authors: Muldoon Thomas J.
Published: September 2023

Power plants are designed to discharge a significant amount of energy to the ambient environment with much of this discharge occurring through the main steam condenser. When condensers operate with lower than design temperature water or air, they produce a substantially improved capacity until other factors limit their performance such as steam velocities. Instead of modulating flow, the tubes can be segregated into condenser halves. In one half, the surface is operating at full load, as a standard steam condenser heating the cooling water or air while the other half of the surface evaporates a refrigerant. This refrigerant can then be drawn through another low pressure turbine to recover energy before being condensed in a separate condenser. This Condenser for Power Recovery System (CPRs) is a bottom cycling is based on one of several optional fluids and is described by a recent US Patent US10,577,986 B2.
Design/Development of an Ultra-Compact Jet Impingement Thermal Management System Integrated With Micro-Fins for High Power Applications: A CFD Modeling
Authors: Sisk Samual , Berber Halmen Feyza , Sobhansarbandi Sarvenaz
Published: September 2023

Gallium Nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are attracting attention, especially due to their high power densities. However, their performance is limited due to resulting temperature rise, which requires thermal management systems (TMS). Different methods have been proposed, including high thermal conductivity substrates, GaN-specific packaging solutions, and heat spreaders. In this study, the proposed ultra-compact jet impingement (UJI) TMS includes a single or array of jets impinging the heat transfer fluid (HTF) to the GaN package base plate, with an arrangement of fins to increase the effective surface area. A parametric study is performed to develop a mathematical model for the design of UJI-TMS integrated with micro-fins. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling for a single array of nozzles integrated with and without fins were performed. The system’s performance was evaluated under 1 kW/cm2 heat flux. The results from the analysis of the optimized geometry including array of nozzles integrated with fins, showed an average temperature of around 38 °C for the surface of the package.
Peer leader perspectives from a PLTL implementation in a Hispanic-serving institution
Authors: Narayanan Madhavan , Powers Kasey , Premawardena Dhananjaya , Colby Kelly , Liou Mark Janet , Rao Nagaraj , Smyth Davida S. , Knopp-Kelly Mary
Published: September 2023

Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) is a pedagogical approach that has been shown to benefit all students, especially underrepresented minority students and peer leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In this work, we present results from our study of the impact of PLTL on our peer leaders from a controlled implementation in general biology, general chemistry, and statistics courses at a Hispanic-serving, minority-serving institution. More specifically, we have measured our PLTL program’s impact on our peer leaders' skill development, engagement with the subject material, and sense of belonging as peer leaders. Weekly peer leader reflections analyzed using the Dreyfus model exhibited a consistent set of skills, while those analyzed using the Pazos model revealed a consistent type of student-peer leader interactions, allowing for peer leaders to be assigned to specific levels in the hierarchy of each of the models. Analysis of eight skill-based Likert-scale questions on the SALG survey showed an overall positive shift at the highest level. Independent of the skill or interaction level of the peer leader, we observed several instances of peer leaders acknowledging development in their communication skills, sincere attempts at creating an engaging classroom, and a deep investment in their student’s success. Peer leaders also reported improvements in understanding of the subjects they were teaching, wanting to persevere and solve problems independently, and feeling passionate about helping other students.
Host genetic variation at a locus near CHD1L impacts HIV sequence diversity in a South African population
Authors: Schulz Vanessa E. , Tuff Jeffrey F. , Tough Riley H. , Lewis Lara , Chimukangara Benjamin , Garrett Nigel , Abdool Karim Quarraisha , Abdool Karim Salim S. , McKinnon Lyle R. , Kharsany Ayesha B. M. , McLaren Paul J.
Published: September 2023

There is variability in viral load (VL) among individuals with untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and this variability can be partly attributed to host genetics. HIV is known to develop escape mutations to evade host immune pressure, particularly from HLA alleles and, in some cases, counteracts the protective effect of host alleles. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of HIV VL in individuals of African ancestry identified a locus on chromosome 1, near the protein-coding gene chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 1 like (
CHD1L
), that has a novel association with control of HIV replication. However, not all individuals carrying the protective alleles maintain low VL, and the region’s impact on viral evolution has not been investigated. To address this, we conducted a host-virus regional association analysis in 147 people living with HIV (PLWH) from South Africa with both human and viral genome data available. We observed significant associations between the
CHD1L
variants rs77029719 (G) (
P
= 1.6 × 10
−2
), rs7519713 (T) (
P
= 2.3 × 10
−2
), and rs59784663 (G) and 73004025 (T) (
P
= 1.4 × 10
−2
) with codon 248 of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) and between
CHD1L
variant rs7519713 (T) and codon 18 (
P
= 3.2 × 10
−2
) and 147 (
P
= 3.9 × 10
−2
) of HIV gag. These associations are consistent with viral escape from CHD1L pressure. In addition, we observed significant associations between
HLA B*81
(
P
= 1.5 × 10
−5
) and
HLA C*18
(
P
= 7.0 × 10
−4
) with RT codon 4 and
HLAB*58
with RT codon 196 (
P
= 9.0 × 10
−4
). This study reveals new evidence of host genetic variation impacting viral evolution in a population highly affected by HIV.

IMPORTANCE

It has been previously shown that genetic variants near
CHD1L
on chromosome 1 are associated with reduced HIV VL in African populations. However, the impact of these variants on viral diversity and how they restrict viral replication are unknown. We report on a regional association analysis in a South African population and show evidence of selective pressure by variants near
CHD1L
on HIV RT and gag. Our findings provide further insight into how genetic variability at this locus contributes to host control of HIV in a South African population.
The antihelminth drug rafoxanide reverses chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistance in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Han Rongjia , Xing Jiabao , Sun Huarun , Guo Zeyu , Yi Kaifang , Hu Gongzheng , Zhai Yajun , Velkov Tony , Wu Hua
Published: September 2023

The emergence and rapid spread of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a serious threat to global healthcare. Although the synergistic effect of rafoxanide and colistin was reported, little is known regarding the potential mechanism of this synergy, particularly against chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. In the present study, we elucidated the synergistic effect of rafoxanide and colistin against chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates from human (KP-9) and swine (KP-1) infections. Treatment with 1 mg/L rafoxanide overtly reversed the MIC max to 512-fold. Time-kill assays indicated that rafoxanide acted synergistically with colistin against the growth of KP-1 and KP-9. Mechanistically, we unexpectedly found that the combination destroys the inner-membrane integrity, and ATP synthesis was also quenched, albeit, not via F
1
F
0
-ATPase; thereby also inhibiting the activity of efflux pumps. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also an underlying factor contributing to the bacterial-killing effect of the combination. Transcriptomic analysis unraveled overt heterogeneous expression as treated with both administrations compared with monotherapy. Functional analysis of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) targeted to the plasma membrane and ATP-binding corroborated phenotypic screening results. These novel findings highlight the synergistic mechanism of rafoxanide in combination with colistin which effectively eradicates chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
.

IMPORTANCE

The antimicrobial resistance of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
caused by the abuse of colistin has increased the difficulty of clinical treatment. A promising combination (i.e., rafoxanide+ colistin) has successfully rescued the antibacterial effect of colistin. However, we still failed to know the potential effect of this combination on chromosome-mediated
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Through a series of
in vitro
experiments, as well as transcriptomic profiling, we confirmed that the MIC of colistin was reduced by rafoxanide by destroying the inner-membrane integrity, quenching ATP synthesis, inhibiting the activity of the efflux pump, and increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. In turn, the expression of relevant colistin resistance genes was down-regulated. Collectively, our study revealed rafoxanide as a promising colistin adjuvant against chromosome-mediated
Klebsiella pneumoniae
.
Reconstitution of a minimal ESX-5 type VII secretion system suggests a role for PPE proteins in the outer membrane transport of proteins
Authors: Bunduc C. M. , Ding Y. , Kuijl C. , Marlovits T. C. , Bitter W. , Houben E. N. G.
Published: September 2023

Mycobacteria utilize type VII secretion systems (T7SSs) to secrete proteins across their highly hydrophobic and diderm cell envelope. Pathogenic mycobacteria have up to five different T7SSs, called ESX-1 to ESX-5, which are crucial for growth and virulence. Here, we use a functionally reconstituted ESX-5 system in the avirulent species
Mycobacterium smegmatis
that lacks ESX-5, to define the role of each
esx-5
gene in system functionality. By creating an array of gene deletions and assessing protein levels of components and membrane complex assembly, we observed that only the five components of the inner membrane complex are required for its assembly. However, in addition to these five core components, active secretion also depends on both the Esx and PE/PPE substrates. Tagging the PPE substrates followed by subcellular fractionation, surface labeling and membrane extraction showed that these proteins localize to the mycobacterial outer membrane. This indicates that they could play a role in secretion across this enigmatic outer barrier. These results provide the first full overview of the role of each
esx-5
gene in T7SS functionality.

IMPORTANCE

Pathogenic mycobacteria, such as the notorious
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, are highly successful as pathogens, in part due to their specific and diderm cell envelope, with a mycolic acid-containing outer membrane. The architecture of this highly impermeable membrane is little understood and the proteins that populate it even less so. To transport proteins across their cell envelope, mycobacteria employ a specialized transport pathway called type VII secretion. While recent studies have elucidated the type VII secretion membrane channel that mediates transport across the inner membrane, the identity of the outer membrane channel remains a black box. Here, we show evidence that specific substrates of the type VII pathway could form these channels. Elucidating the pathway and mechanism of protein secretion through the mycobacterial outer membrane will allow its exploitation for the development of novel mycobacterial therapeutics.
Expanding success in the isolation of abundant marine bacteria after reduction in grazing and viral pressure and increase in nutrient availability
Authors: Rey-Velasco Xavier , Deulofeu-Capo Ona , Sanz-Sáez Isabel , Cardelús Clara , Ferrera Isabel , Gasol Josep M. , Sánchez Olga
Published: September 2023

Isolation of microorganisms is a useful approach to gathering knowledge about their genomic properties, physiology, and ecology, in addition to allowing the characterization of novel taxa. We performed an extensive isolation effort on samples from seawater manipulation experiments that were carried out during the four astronomical seasons in a coastal site of the northwest Mediterranean to evaluate the impact of grazing, viral mortality, resource competition reduction, and light presence/absence on bacterioplankton growth. Isolates were retrieved using two growth media, and their full 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to assess their identity and calculate their culturability across seasons and experimental conditions. A total of 1,643 isolates were obtained, mainly affiliated to the classes
Gammaproteobacteria
(44%),
Alphaproteobacteria
(26%), and
Bacteroidia
(17%). Isolates pertaining to class
Gammaproteobacteria
were the most abundant in all experiments, while
Bacteroidia
were preferentially enriched in the treatments with reduced grazing. Sixty-one isolates had a similarity below 97% to cultured taxa and are thus putatively novel. Comparison of isolate sequences with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences from the same samples showed that the percentage of reads corresponding to isolates was 21.4% within the whole data set, with dramatic increases in the summer virus-reduced (71%) and diluted (47%) treatments. In fact, we were able to isolate the top 10 abundant taxa in several experiments and from the whole data set. We also show that top-down and bottom-up controls differentially affect taxa in terms of culturability. Our results indicate that culturing marine bacteria using agar plates can be successful in certain ecological situations.

IMPORTANCE

Bottom-up and top-down controls greatly influence marine microbial community composition and dynamics, which in turn have effects on their culturability. We isolated a high amount of heterotrophic bacterial strains from experiments where seawater environmental conditions had been manipulated and found that decreasing grazing and viral pressure as well as rising nutrient availability are key factors increasing the success in culturing marine bacteria. Our data hint at factors influencing culturability and underpin bacterial cultures as a powerful way to discover new taxa.
Supplemental Material: Microbial sulfate reduction plays an important role at the initial stage of subseafloor sulfide mineralization
Authors: Nozaki Tatsuo , al. et
Published: September 2023

Supplemental figures and tables.
Leukoaraiosis and stroke severity scores in post-rtPA intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Boonrod Arunnit , Tangsakul Prompan , Kasemsap Narongrit , Vorasoot Nisa , Tiamkao Somsak , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak , Kongbunkiat Kannikar
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Post thrombolytic symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) is a major concern in patients who had acute ischaemic stroke. Leukoaraiosis (LA) is reported to be related with sICH after intravenous thrombolytic treatment. However, the influence of LA and stroke neurological and imaging severity scores is still debated.

Objective

To evaluate if LA or severity scores are related with sICH in patients who had acute ischaemic stroke who received thrombolytic therapy. And, predictors for sICH were also studied with adjustment of baseline severity scores.

Methods

This was a retrospective, analytical study. The inclusion criteria were adult patients diagnosed as acute ischaemic stroke who received the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment within 4.5 hours. The study period was between May 2007 and November 2016. Predictors for sICH were determined using logistic regression analysis.

Results

During the study period, there were 504 eligible patients. Of those, 45 patients (8.92%) had sICH. Among nine factors in the final model for predicting sICH, there were four independent factors including previous antiplatelet therapy, previous anticoagulant therapy, presence of LA and hyperdense artery sign. The highest adjusted OR was previous anticoagulant therapy (5.08 with 95% CI of 1.18 to 11.83), while the LA factor had adjusted OR (95% CI) of 2.52 (1.01 to 6.30).

Conclusions

LA, hyperdense artery sign, previous antiplatelet therapy and previous anticoagulant therapy were associated with post-rtPA sICH. Further studies are required to confirm the results of this study.
Mosaic
BRCA1
promoter methylation contribution in hereditary breast/ovarian cancer pedigrees
Authors: Schwartz Mathias , Ibadioune Sabrina , Chansavang Albain , Vacher Sophie , Caputo Sandrine M , Delhomelle Hélène , Wong Jennifer , Abidallah Khadija , Moncoutier Virginie , Becette Véronique , Popova Tatiana , Suybeng Voreak , De Pauw Antoine , Stern Marc-Henri , Colas Chrystelle , Mouret-Fourme Emmanuelle , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique , Golmard Lisa , Bieche Ivan , Masliah-Planchon Julien
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Mosaic
BRCA1
promoter methylation (
BRCA1
meth) increases the risk of early-onset breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer. As mosaic
BRCA1
meth are believed to occur de novo, their role in family breast/ovarian cancer has not been assessed.

Patients

Blood-derived DNA from 20 unrelated affected cases from families with aggregation of breast/ovarian cancer, but with no germline pathogenic variants in
BRCA1
/
2
,
PALB2
or
RAD51C/D
, were screened by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. CpG analysis was performed by pyrosequencing on blood and buccal swab. Two probands carried a pathogenic variant in a moderate-penetrance gene (
ATM
and
BARD1
), and 8 of 18 others (44%) carried
BRCA1
meth (vs none of the 20 age-matched controls). Involvement of
BRCA1
in tumourigenesis in methylated probands was demonstrated in most tested cases by detection of a loss of heterozygosity and a homologous recombination deficiency signature. Among the eight methylated probands, two had relatives with breast cancer with detectable
BRCA1
meth in blood, including one with high methylation levels in two non-tumour tissues.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of mosaic
BRCA1
meth in patients with breast/ovarian cancer with affected relatives, as well as this first description of a family aggregation of mosaic
BRCA1
meth, shows how this de novo event can contribute to hereditary breast/ovarian cancer pedigrees.