bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Human Sexuality Education Survey Research Among Vermont Public School Administrators
Authors: Blaisdell Amanda J. , Olsen Larry K. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDHealth educators in public high schools can provide educational interventions to reduce teen unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Characteristics of teachers and schools influence their decision to provide condom education. Studies to determine characteristics must be conducted so HIV/sex education can be improved. If schools do not participate in these studies, barriers must be identified so researchers can collect sufficient data to produce information for curriculum reform.METHODSA study was conducted to identify teacher characteristics that influence their decision and intention to provide appropriate condom education. Follow‐up e‐mails were sent to administrators who opted out of the study to request more information about their decision to not participate. All responses were submitted via e‐mail correspondence.RESULTSSix superintendents and 6 principals provided a reason for their decision to opt out. Superintendents cited being busy with district initiatives, time constraints, and lack of interest in participating in the study as reasons they did not wish to participate. Principals cited competing requests for participation in research, participation in other surveys, and time constraints.CONCLUSIONSSecuring administrative approval for human sexuality research is challenging. Administrators contend with many priorities, do not wish to overburden teachers, consider participation in voluntary research as a low priority, and may be more likely to respond to telephone requests. Administrators may not want to disclose that human sexuality or HIV education courses may not be taught by certified or qualified health educators.
Insights into the autotransport process of a trimeric autotransporter, Yersinia Adhesin A (YadA)
Authors: Chauhan Nandini , Hatlem Daniel , Orwick‐Rydmark Marcella , Schneider Kenneth , Floetenmeyer Matthias , van Rossum Barth , Leo Jack C. , Linke Dirk 
Published: January 2019

SummaryTrimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are a subset of a larger protein family called the type V secretion systems. They are localized on the cell surface of Gram‐negative bacteria, function as mediators of attachment to inorganic surfaces and host cells, and thus include important virulence factors. Yersinia adhesin A (YadA) from Yersinia enterocolitica is a prototypical TAA that is used extensively to study the structure and function of the type Vc secretion system. A solid‐state NMR study of the membrane anchor domain of YadA previously revealed a flexible stretch of small residues, termed the ASSA region, that links the membrane anchor to the stalk domain. In this study, we present evidence that single amino acid proline substitutions produce two different conformers of the membrane anchor domain of YadA; one with the N‐termini facing the extracellular surface, and a second with the N‐termini located in the periplasm. We propose that TAAs adopt a hairpin intermediate during secretion, as has been shown before for other subtypes of the type V secretion system. As the YadA transition state intermediate can be isolated from the outer membrane, future structural studies should be possible to further unravel details of the autotransport process.
Streptococcal dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis enzymes: functional characterization and lead compound identification
Authors: van der Beek Samantha L. , Zorzoli Azul , Çanak Ebru , Chapman Robert N. , Lucas Kieron , Meyer Benjamin H. , Evangelopoulos Dimitrios , de Carvalho Luiz Pedro S. , Boons Geert‐Jan , Dorfmueller Helge C. , van Sorge Nina M. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBiosynthesis of the nucleotide sugar precursor dTDP‐L‐rhamnose is critical for the viability and virulence of many human pathogenic bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS), Streptococcus mutans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Streptococcal pathogens require dTDP‐L‐rhamnose for the production of structurally similar rhamnose polysaccharides in their cell wall. Via heterologous expression in S. mutans, we confirmed that GAS RmlB and RmlC are critical for dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis through their action as dTDP‐glucose‐4,6‐dehydratase and dTDP‐4‐keto‐6‐deoxyglucose‐3,5‐epimerase enzymes respectively. Complementation with GAS RmlB and RmlC containing specific point mutations corroborated the conservation of previous identified catalytic residues. Bio‐layer interferometry was used to identify and confirm inhibitory lead compounds that bind to GAS dTDP‐rhamnose biosynthesis enzymes RmlB, RmlC and GacA. One of the identified compounds, Ri03, inhibited growth of GAS, other rhamnose‐dependent streptococcal pathogens as well as M. tuberculosis with an IC50 of 120–410 µM. Importantly, we confirmed that Ri03 inhibited dTDP‐L‐rhamnose formation in a concentration‐dependent manner through a biochemical assay with recombinant rhamnose biosynthesis enzymes. We therefore conclude that inhibitors of dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis, such as Ri03, affect streptococcal and mycobacterial viability and can serve as lead compounds for the development of a new class of antibiotics that targets dTDP‐rhamnose biosynthesis in pathogenic bacteria.
A preliminary investigation of sleep quality and patient‐reported outcomes in pediatric solid organ transplant candidates
Authors: Gutierrez‐Colina Ana M. , Cushman Grace K. , Eaton Cyd K. , Quast Lauren F. , Lee Jennifer , Rich Kristin Loiselle , Reed‐Knight Bonney , Mee Laura , Romero Rene , Mao Chad Y. , George Roshan , Blount Ronald L. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe current cross‐sectional, single‐center study aimed to examine sleep quality in a sample of adolescents awaiting solid organ transplantation and to explore associations between sleep quality and both health‐related quality of life and barriers to adherence. Thirty adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years (M age = 15.26, SD = 1.89) who were awaiting transplantation participated in this study. Participants completed measures of sleep quality, health‐related quality of life, and barriers to adherence. T test and correlational analyses were performed to examine study aims. Adolescents awaiting transplantation had significantly lower levels of overall sleep quality compared to published norms of healthy peers. Domains of sleep quality were positively related to emotional and psychosocial health‐related quality of life. Sleep quality domains were also negatively related to adherence barriers. This study provides preliminary evidence demonstrating that sleep quality among transplant candidates is compromised, and that poor sleep quality is related to adolescents’ functioning across a number of domains during the pretransplant period. Results highlight the clinical importance of assessing and targeting sleep functioning in adolescents awaiting transplantation in order to reduce the negative influence of suboptimal sleep on functioning during this vulnerable period.
Next of kin's perceptions of the meaning of participation in the care of older persons in nursing homes: a phenomenographic study
Authors: Ekström Kajsa , Spelmans Sanna , Ahlström Gerd , Nilsen Per , Alftberg Åsa , Wallerstedt Birgitta , Behm Lina 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundBeing involved in the care of a loved one is a desire of many next of kin. However, according to several studies of the perceptions of nursing home staff, the involvement of next of kin is not an obvious part of care. To be able to involve next of kin in care at nursing homes, the perceptions of what participation means are an important piece of knowledge. The aim of this study was therefore to describe variations in next of kin's perceptions of the meaning of participation in the care of older persons living in nursing homes.MethodsEighteen next of kin of older persons living in ten nursing homes in Sweden were recruited for interviews. The study design was based on a phenomenographic approach, focusing on the qualitatively different ways in which a person perceives, experiences or conceptualises a phenomenon or certain aspect of reality.ResultsFive categories emerged from analysis of the interviews, representing the next of kin's perceptions of the meaning of participation in the care of older persons in nursing homes: be present; communicate; monitor; do practical tasks; and to represent. The next of kin expressed meanings that belonged to more than one category, and the categories were interdependent.ConclusionsOur results indicate that there are several meanings of next of kin's perceptions of participation at nursing homes. Nursing home staff's knowledge of these perceptions is important to enable next of kin to participate according to their own preferences.
Gradient‐based 3D skin roughness rendering from an in‐vivo skin image for dynamic haptic palpation
Authors: Vicente Julia I. , Kim Kwangtaek 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackground/PurposeMany studies have revealed the importance of palpation for dermatologists; however, palpation is not always possible due to the risk of secondary infections or the risk of damaging the affected area. Thus, haptic rendering for indirect palpation using in‐vivo skin images, which will enable to examine a real three‐dimensional (3D) skin sample by virtual touch without directly palpating the infected skin area, could be a useful technology in dermatology.MethodsWe propose a new method of accurate 3D skin surface reconstruction using simple gradients from a single skin image for accurate 3D roughness rendering with a haptic device. Our approach takes advantage of bilateral filtering to preserve skin roughness and image gradients in order to generate a 3D skin surface (polygonal meshes) while preserving skin wrinkles and rough surface textures.ResultsOur method was evaluated using two experiments. The accuracy was tested with six 3D ground‐truth surfaces and four clinical skin images (acne, miliaria, sweet syndrome, and herpes simplex). For objective evaluation, a well‐known 3D roughness estimation method and the Hausdorff distance were adopted to compute errors. All results showed that the accuracy of our method is superior to that of the two existing methods.ConclusionHaptic roughness rendering for skin palpation examination requires efficient and accurate 3D surface reconstruction. In this study, we developed a new method that can be used to reconstruct a 3D skin surface accurately while preserving roughness through the use of a single skin image.
Non‐invasive analysis of skin mechanical properties in patients with lamellar ichthyosis
Authors: Cortés Hernán , Magaña Jonathan J. , Reyes‐Hernández Octavio D. , Zacaula‐Juárez Noé , González‐Torres Maykel , Diaz‐Beltrán Wendy , León‐Trejo María C. , Cariño‐Calvo Lizbeth , Leyva‐Gómez Gerardo , González‐Del Carmen Manuel 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundReliable methods for the quantitative evaluation of skin of patients with ichthyosis are critically needed. Our purpose was to evaluate the biomechanical parameters of skin in a cohort of patients with clinically diagnosed lamellar ichthyosis.Materials and methodsTwenty‐two patients diagnosed with lamellar ichthyosis were studied. Ichthyosis plaques located in upper distal limbs were assayed, and a nearby anatomical region without plaques from the same patient was employed as control. Skin biomechanical properties were studied through a non‐invasive device (Cutometer® MPA 580).ResultsIchthyosis plaques had higher values for the Uf‐Ua parameter and lower values for the Ua/Uf, Ur/Ue, and Ur/Uf parameters. Adults and children showed similar statistical differences. There were no significant differences in data from men, whereas in women differences for all of the parameters were found. There was a significant decrease in the hydration and an increase in melanin index in the ichthyosis plaques.ConclusionOur results suggest that analysis of parameters Uf‐Ua, Ua/Uf, Ur/Ue, Ur/Uf, hydration, and melanin index could be employed for quantitative monitoring of skin. Therefore, the non‐invasive method applied may be suitable for evaluation of skin of patients with ichthyosis in response to medical treatments.
Tattoos and skin barrier function: Measurements of TEWL, stratum corneum conductance and capacitance, pH, and filaggrin
Authors: Nørreslet Line Brok , Serup Jørgen , Kezic Sanja , Engebretsen Kristiane Aasen , Thyssen Jacob P. , Agner Tove , Clausen Maja‐Lisa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundInitially after tattooing, the skin barrier function is broken. However, the long‐term impact of clinically healed tattoos on this has never been studied. The aim was to investigate the long‐term effect on the skin barrier function in normal tattoos and examples of tattoos with chronic inflammatory complication.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the “Tattoo clinic” of the Dermatological Department on Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark, where patients with complicated tattoo reactions are treated. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), conductance, capacitance, and pH were measured in tattooed skin with regional control measurements in normal non‐tattooed skin. Natural moisturizing factor (NMF) was measured in collected tape strips.ResultsTwenty six individuals with 28 tattoos were included, that is, 23 normal tattoos without any pathologic reaction and 5 tattoos with chronic inflammatory complications. No significant differences were found in tattooed versus non‐tattooed skin with respect to TEWL (median values 6.6 vs 7.2 g/m2/h), conductance (76 vs 78 a.u.), pH (5.94 vs 5.79), and NMF (0.58 vs 0.59 mmol/g protein). Capacitance (64 vs 57 a.u.) was higher in tattooed skin compared to non‐tattooed skin (P = 0.006). Similar results were found in tattoos with inflammatory reactions.ConclusionOverall, skin tattoos do not affect the long‐term skin barrier function markedly. The skin capacitance was, however, affected in tattooed skin areas compared to non‐tattooed skin areas.
A multilocus phylogenetic framework of the tribe Aeromachini (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), with implications for taxonomy and biogeography
Authors: Huang Zhen‐Fu , Chiba Hideyuki , Jin Ju , Kizhakke Athulya Girish , Wang Min , Kunte Krushnamegh , Fan Xiao‐Ling 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe Oriental tribe Aeromachini (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) is diverse and widespread, but its monophyly and circumscription remain unresolved. In this study, we inferred phylogenetic relationships within the tribe using two mitochondrial (16S and COI‐COII) and two nuclear genes (EF‐1α and Wingless) from 71 samples representing all of the known genera of Aeromachini (s.l.). Phylogenetic topologies obtained from two model‐based methods (maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian inference) were largely congruent, showing that Aeromachini was monophyletic. Many genera within Aeromachini were polyphyletic, especially Arnetta, Thoressa, Ampittia and Sovia. Based on these results, we propose a new classification consisting of 14 genera, of which two are newly described: Halpemorpha gen.n. and Praethoressa gen.n. Ampittia and Ochus are restructured, with: (i) Ampittia nana and Ampittia dalailama moved to Aeromachus, (ii) new combinations proposed for the remaining Ampittia species, and (iii) a new combination, Ampittia subvittatus comb.n., proposed. The Oriental members of the genus Arnetta belong to this tribe, but the African Arnetta hyposticta was found to be embedded into the outgroup and closely related to Isoteinon. We propose that hyposticta be reinstated in the genus Galerga Mabille, along with two other African species (fito and ellipsis). Thoressa is polyphyletic, with three distinct lineages. The type species Thoressa masoni forms a clade closely related to the sister genera Sebastonyma and Parasovia. We thus describe Praethoressa gen.n. to include the species varia (formerly of Thoressa), and transfer the remaining Thoressa to Pedesta, which is confirmed as a valid genus. Although the relationships of some genera remained unsolved in our work, the present phylogenetic hypothesis will serve as a reference for further studies. A secondary calibration was used to estimate the divergence time, which indicated that the diversification of Aeromachini started in the late Eocene and early Oligocene (c. 34.22 Ma). Further, ancestral range estimates indicated that the common ancestor of Aeromachini originated in Southeast Asia. Diversification in situ and range expansion to adjacent areas have played essential roles in the evolution of Aeromachini, but founder‐event speciation and vicariance also have likely been important factors in shaping the biogeographical history of this tribe.This published work has been registered on ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AA11191A-A4E2-47C5-B47B-445E6A2A9E5D.
Improved Priority‐Flood method for depression filling by redundant calculation optimization in local micro‐relief areas
Authors: Xiong Li‐Yang , Jiang Ru‐Qiao , Lu Qing‐Hui , Yang Bi‐Sheng , Li Fa‐Yuan , Tang Guo‐An 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDepression filling is a critical step in distributed hydrological modeling using digital elevation models (DEMs). The traditional Priority‐Flood (PF) approach is widely used due to its relatively high efficiency when dealing with a small‐sized DEM. However, it seems inadequate and inefficient when dealing with large high‐resolution DEMs. In this work, we examined the relationship between the PF algorithm calculation process and the topographical characteristics of depressions, and found significant redundant calculations in the local micro‐relief areas in the conventional PF algorithm. As such calculations require more time when dealing with large DEMs, we thus propose a new variant of the PF algorithm, wherein redundant points and calculations are recognized and eliminated based on the local micro‐relief water‐flow characteristics of the depression‐filling process. In addition, depressions and flatlands were optimally processed by a quick queue to improve the efficiency of the process. The proposed method was applied and validated in eight case areas using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation model (SRTM‐DEM) with 1 arc‐second resolution. These selected areas have different data sizes. A comparative analysis among the proposed method, the Wang and Liu‐based PF, the improved Barnes‐based PF, the improved Zhou‐based PF, and the Planchon and Darboux (P&D) algorithms was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The results showed that the proposed algorithm is 43.2% (maximum) faster than Wang and Liu's variant of the PF method, with an average of 31.8%. In addition, the proposed algorithm achieved similar performance to the improved Zhou‐based PF algorithm, though our algorithm has the advantage of being simpler. The optimal strategies using the proposed algorithm can be employed in various landforms with high efficiency. The proposed method can also achieve good depression filling, even with large amounts of DEM data.
Mitochondrial complex II of plants: subunit composition, assembly, and function in respiration and signaling
Authors: Huang Shaobai , Braun Hans‐Peter , Gawryluk Ryan M. R. , Millar A. Harvey 
Published: January 2019

SummaryComplex II [succinate dehydrogenase (succinate‐ubiquinone oxidoreductase); EC 1.3.5.1; SDH] is the only enzyme shared by both the electron transport chain and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in mitochondria. Complex II in plants is considered unusual because of its accessory subunits (SDH5–SDH8), in addition to the catalytic subunits of SDH found in all eukaryotes (SDH1–SDH4). Here, we review compositional and phylogenetic analysis and biochemical dissection studies to both clarify the presence and propose a role for these subunits. We also consider the wider functional and phylogenetic evidence for SDH assembly factors and the reports from plants on the control of SDH1 flavination and SDH1–SDH2 interaction. Plant complex II has been shown to influence stomatal opening, the plant defense response and reactive oxygen species‐dependent stress responses. Signaling molecules such as salicyclic acid (SA) and nitric oxide (NO) are also reported to interact with the ubiquinone (UQ) binding site of SDH, influencing signaling transduction in plants. Future directions for SDH research in plants and the specific roles of its different subunits and assembly factors are suggested, including the potential for reverse electron transport to explain the succinate‐dependent production of reactive oxygen species in plants and new avenues to explore the evolution of plant mitochondrial complex II and its utility.
Characterizing nutrient dynamics with relation to changes in partial pressure of CO2 in a tropical sewage‐fed aquaculture pond situated in a Ramsar wetland
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sourav , Hazra Sugata , Das Sourav , Samanta Sourav , Mukhopadhyay Anirban , Dutta Dibyendu , Choudhury S. B. , Chanda Abhra 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe changes in nutrient dynamics (nitrate, ammonium, silicate, phosphate and iron concentration) vis‐à‐vis partial pressure of CO2 in water [pCO2(water)] from tropical sewage‐fed aquaculture ponds (East Kolkota Wetlands, India) were analysed by means of a microcosm. A significant relationship between these nutrient’s removal from the system and reduction in pCO2(water) was observed (with few exceptions). These water bodies acted as significant sources of CO2 in pre‐monsoon and monsoon seasons despite having substantial quantity of chlorophyll‐a to make it a net autotrophic system. The study revealed that if conditions favourable for optimum photosynthesis can be maintained in these ponds, the CO2 source character of these ponds can be reversed. In the post‐monsoon season, when the pH of the water column was high, the system acted as sink for CO2 which suggests the use of lime to prevent these systems from becoming hypereutrophic and carbon source at the same time.