Advances and challenges in barcoding pathogenic and environmental Leptospira

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease of global importance. A large spectrum of asymptomatic animal hosts can carry the infection and contribute to the burden of human disease. Environmental sources of human contamination also point to the importance of a hydrotelluric reservoir. Leptospirosis can be caused by as many as 15 different pathogenic or intermediate Leptospira species. However, classification of these bacteria remains complicated through the use of both serological and genetic classification systems that show poor correlation. With the advent of molecular techniques, DNA-based barcoding offers a conceptual framework that can be used for leptospirosis surveillance as well as source tracking. In this review, we summarize some of the current techniques, highlight significant successes and weaknesses and point to the future opportunities and challenges to successfully establish a widely applicable barcoding scheme for Leptospira

Theme Park Experiences of Families with a Child who has a Disability Regarding Accessibility and Participation - A mixed methods study

Despite the large number of children with disabilities, there is no research focused on the experience that families with a child who has a disability have while at theme parks. Utilizing surveys and semi-structured interviews, this mixed-methods study explored the experiences of these families, specifically looking at accessibility and participation within the theme park environment. Thirty-seven parents/guardians completed the online survey, while ten individuals also elected to participate in the semi-structured interviews. Results of the study revealed that families are driven to visit theme parks by a want for connectedness. The positives of theme parks include the staff/cast members and changing technology. There are areas for improvement, such as: physical design and current accessibility resources.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1020/thumbnail.jp

Laminar Smoke Points of Candle Flames

An experimental investigation of laminar smoke points of candle flames is presented. A smoke point is the flame length just before the onset of visible smoke release. Adjustable wicks with diameters of 2 - 7.6 mm were used to measure smoke points in quiescent air for 14 different waxes. The measured smoke points varied from 36 - 89 mm and increased with wick diameter. Smoke points fitted to a wick diameter of 4 mm increased from consumer-grade waxes (candelilla, carnauba, beeswax, paraffin) to alkanes (hexatriacontane, octacosane, tetracosane) to alcohols (octadecanol, docosanol, hexadecanol) to acids (stearic, palmitic, lauric, myristic). Within each wax family, a decrease in carbon number yielded an increased smoke point. Soot emission was not possible for any fuel when the wick diameter was below 1.8 mm or when wick length was below 6 mm. The results suggest new ways of producing cleaner burning candles

Dose-response between frequency of breaks in sedentary time and glucose control in type 2 diabetes: a proof of concept study

Objectives This study aimed to investigate dose-response between frequency of breaks in sedentary time and glucose control.DesignRandomised three-treatment, two-period balanced incomplete block trial.MethodsTwelve adults with type 2 diabetes (age, 60 ± 11 years; body mass index, 30.2 ± 4.7 kg/m2) participated in two of the following treatment conditions: sitting for 7 h interrupted by 3 min light-intensity walking breaks every (1) 60 min (Condition 1), (2) 30 min (Condition 2), and (3) 15 min (Condition 3). Postprandial glucose incremental area under the curves (iAUCs) and 21-h glucose total area under the curve (AUC) were measured using continuous glucose monitoring. Standardised meals were provided. Results Compared with Condition 1 (6.7 ± 0.8 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1), post-breakfast glucose iAUC was reduced for Condition 3 (3.5 ± 0.9 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.04). Post-lunch glucose iAUC was lower in Condition 3 (1.3 ± 0.9 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.03) and Condition 2 (2.1 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.05) relative to Condition 1 (4.6 ± 0.8 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1). Condition 3 (1.0 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p = 0.02) and Condition 2 (1.6 ± 0.6 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.04) attenuated post-dinner glucose iAUC compared with Condition 1 (4.0 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1). Cumulative 10.5-h postprandial glucose iAUC was lower in Condition 3 than Condition 1 (p = 0.02). Condition 3 reduced 21-h glucose AUC compared with Condition 1 (p < 0.001) and Condition 2 (p = 0.002). However, post-breakfast glucose iAUC, cumulative 10.5-h postprandial glucose iAUC and 21-h glucose AUC were not different between Condition 2 and Condition 1 (p ˃ 0.05).Conclusions There could be dose-response between frequency of breaks in sedentary time and glucose. Interrupting sedentary time every 15 min could produce better glucose control

Kinematic Components of the Reach-to-Target Movement After Stroke for Focused Rehabilitation Interventions:Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Better upper limb recovery after stroke could be achieved through tailoring rehabilitation interventions directly at movement deficits. Aim: to identify potential; targets for therapy by synthesizing findings of differences in kinematics and muscle activity between stroke survivors and healthy adults performing reach-to-target tasks. Methods: A systematic review with identification of studies, data extraction, and potential risk of bias was completed independently by two reviewers. Online databases were searched from their inception to November 2017 to find studies of reach-to-target in people-with-stroke and healthy adults. Potential risk-of-bias was assessed using the Down’s and Black Tool. Synthesis was undertaken via: (a) meta-analysis of kinematic characteristics utilizing the standardized mean difference (SMD) [95% confidence intervals]; and (b), narrative synthesis of muscle activation. Results: Forty-six studies met the review criteria but 14 had insufficient data for extraction. Consequently, 32 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Potential risk-of-bias was low for one study, unclear for 30, and high for one. Reach-to-target was investigated with 618 people-with-stroke and 429 healthy adults. The meta-analysis found, in all areas of workspace, that people-with-stroke had: greater movement times (seconds) e.g. SMD 2.57 [0.89, 4.25]; lower peak velocity (millimeters/second) e.g. SMD -1.76 [-2.29, -1.24]; greater trunk displacement (millimeters) e.g. SMD 1.42 [0.90, 1.93]; a more curved reach-path-ratio e.g. SMD 0.77 [0.32, 1.22] and reduced movement smoothness e.g. SMD 0.92 [0.32, 1.52]. In the ipsilateral and contralateral workspace, people-with-stroke exhibited: larger errors in target accuracy e.g. SMD 0.70 [0.39, 1.01]. In contralateral workspace, stroke survivors had: reduced elbow extension and shoulder flexion (degrees) e.g. elbow extension SMD -1.10 [-1.62, -0.58] and reduced shoulder flexion SMD -1.91 [-1.96, -0.42]. Narrative synthesis of muscle activation found that people-with-stroke, compared with healthy adults, exhibited: delayed muscle activation; reduced coherence between muscle pairs; and use of a greater percentage of muscle power. Conclusions: This first-ever meta-analysis of the kinematic differences between people with stroke and healthy adults performing reach-to-target found statistically significant differences for 21 of the 26 comparisons. The differences identified and values provided are potential foci for tailored rehabilitation interventions to improve upper limb recovery after stroke

The relationship between sedentary bout duration and glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes

Physical activity is important for blood glucose management in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Little research has explored the relationship between sedentary behaviour and mean glucose and glucose variability in people with T2D using objective and continuous measurements. Aims: To explore the relationship between sedentary bout duration and mean glucose and glucose variability in people with T2D using objective continuous measurement. Methods: 16 participants with T2D managed with diet, Metformin or DPP4 inhibitors were recruited (mean age 64.1±10.9 yr & BMI 29.4±6.9 kg/m2). Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and wore an activPAL accelerometer and FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor for 3-14 days whilst documenting sleep, food and medication. Average proportion of time spent sitting/lying, during the waking day were calculated. Bouts of wake time sedentary behaviour were identified and defined as a period of at least 30 minutes continuous, uninterrupted sitting/lying during the waking day. Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between sedentary bout duration and mean glucose, glucose range and glucose coefficient of variation. Results: On average, participants spent 65% of their day sitting/lying, 76% of sedentary bouts were ≥30minutes and 29% of bouts were ≥60minutes. Mean glucose was negatively (r = -0.08, p <0.01) associated with sedentary bout duration. Glucose range (r =0.47, p <0.001) and glucose coefficient of variation (r = 0.26, p <0.001) both positively correlated with sedentary bout duration. Participant characteristics such as age, gender and BMI appear to influence the relationship between sedentary bout duration and glucose response. Conclusions: Results indicate increased sedentary time leads to improved mean glucose and increased glucose variability

An examination of metaphor from Old English to present day English, focusing on notions of intelligence/cleverness and stupidity

Until recently, studies of metaphor and metonymy within cognitive linguistics have tended to rely on data collected on a fairly ad hoc basis from speakers' intuition, resulting in a largely theory-based method of analysis. In this thesis I present an analysis of the concept INTELLIGENCE, based on HTE data. By examining the etymologies of individual words and their roots I have identified a number of source concepts for INTELLIGENCE, and I consider the motivations that underlie these mappings. I hope to illustrate that the mechanisms of different mappings vary substantially; my evidence suggests that no one theory of metaphor is sufficient to account for all the mappings that characterise a single target concept, and that the crucial role of culture, as well as cognition, must be recognised. I have analysed a total of 1075 nouns and adjectives meaning a clever/stupid person, and clever/stupid. Although my study is not intended to be quantitative, I have used quantity as a very basic indication of the source fields that are particularly productive and therefore characterise our conceptualisation of intelligence. In the main part of the thesis, the source concepts the SENSES, ANIMALS and DENSITY are analysed in detail. These exhibit major differences in motivation, and each one raises particular theoretical issues. By taking a data-centred approach to a whole semantic area, and by looking from a historical as well as a cognitive perspective, I give an overview of a whole target concept. I hope that my analysis will challenge and illuminate both understanding of the way INTELLIGENCE is conceptualised, and beliefs about the motivations and mechanisms of figurative language. Above all, I wish to demonstrate the relevance and importance of diachronic language study in any consideration of metaphor

Hybrid P,E Ligands: Synthesis, Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis

This thesis provides an account of research into a family of novel hybrid P,E ligands containing an o-xylene backbone. A methodology for the synthesis of these ligands has been developed, and their coordination behaviour with platinum(II) and platinum(0) precursors has been explored, with particular focus on a phosphinethioether (P,S) ligand of this type. The coordination modes of this P,S ligand with palladium precursors have also been investigated, and the utility of the ligand in a palladium and copper co-catalysed Sonogashira carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction has been evaluated. A range of hybrid P,E ligands of the type o-C₆H₄(CH₂PBut₂)(CH₂E) (E = PR₂, SR, S(O)But, NR₂, SiPh₂H) have been synthesised in two or three steps from the novel substrate, o-C₆H₄(CH₂PBut₂(BH₃)}(CH₂Cl). The initial step involved treatment of the substrate with the appropriate nucleophilic reagent, or preparation of a Grignard reagent from o-C₆H₄{CH₂PBut₂(BH₃)}(CH₂Cl) and reaction with the appropriate electrophile. In most cases, this versatile strategy produced air-stable crystalline ligand precursors. Phosphine deprotection was achieved via one of three methods, dependent upon the properties of the second functional group. The reactivity of three of these ligands — o-C₆H₄{CH₂PBut₂)(CH₂SBut) (14a), o-C₆H₄{CH₂PBut₂){CH₂S(O)But} (16) and o-C₆H₄(CH₂PBut₂)(CH₂NMe₂) (18a) — with Pt(II) and Pt(0) precursor complexes has been investigated. Chelated [PtCl₂(P,E)] complexes were synthesised with P,S ligand 14a and P,N ligand 18a, but attempts to produce the equivalent species with P,S=O ligand 16 were unsuccessful. The X-ray crystal structure of [PtCl₂(P,S)] complex 21 displayed an unexpectedly small ligand bite angle of 86.1°. A series of platinum(II) hydride complexes of the types [PtHL(P,S)₂] and [PtHL(P,S)₂]CH(SO₂CF₃)₂ (L = Cl¯, H¯, NCMe, −CH₂SBut , CO, pta) have been synthesised, where ligand 14a binds in a monodentate fashion through the phosphorus donor atom. This work has demonstrated the hemilability of ligand 14a, via the facile and reversible conversion between [PtH(κ¹P-14a)(κ²P,S-14a)]CH(SO₂CF₃)₂ (26) and [PtH(NCMe)(κ¹P-14a)₂]CH(SO₂CF₃)₂ (28). The X-ray crystal structure of [PtH₂(P,S)₂] complex 25 was used to calculate a cone angle of 180° for the phosphine moiety in ligand 14a. Reaction of P,S ligand 14a and P,S=O ligand 16 with [Pt(alkene)₃] complexes (alkene = ethene, norbornene) gave the chelated [Pt(alkene)(P,E)] complexes 32–35; however, under similar conditions a [Pt(norbornene)(P,N)] complex did not form. A large ligand bite angle of 106.6° was observed in the X-ray crystal structure of [Pt(norbornene)(P,S)] complex 34. Reaction of two equivalents of each of the P,E ligands with [Pt(norbornene)₃] gave the corresponding 14-electron linear complexes [Pt(P,E)₂] (36–38) with the ligands coordinated through the phosphorus donor atoms only. The reactivity of [Pt(norbornene)(P,S)] complex 34 and [Pt(P,S)₂] complex 36 has been investigated, resulting in the complexes [PtH{CH(SO₂CF₃)₂}(P,S)] (39), [Pt(norbornyl)(P,S)] (40), [Pt(ethyne)(P,S)] (41) and [Pt(O₂)(P,S)₂] (42). The reactivity of P,S ligand 14a was investigated with Pd(II) and Pd(0) precursors, resulting in the identification of five coordination modes of this ligand. Monodentate binding was observed in [Pd(P,S)₂] complex 44, and chelation in the [Pd(alkene)(P,S)] complexes 47 (alkene = norbornene) and 48 (alkene = dba). Reaction of ligand 14a with [PdCl₂(NCBut)₂] at raised temperature resulted in S−C bond cleavage and the formation of palladium dimer 43 with bidentate coordination of the ligand through phosphine and bridging thiolate moieties. Reaction of ligand 14a with [Pd(OAc)₂] resulted in C−H activation of the aryl backbone and formation of [Pd(μ-OAc)(P,C)]₂ dimer 46. In the presence of excess [Pd(OAc)₂], palladium hexamer 45 was formed, with a combination of P,C palladacycle and monodentate thioether binding resulting in bridging P,C,S coordination of ligand 14a. The Sonogashira cross-coupling of 4-bromoanisole and phenylethyne was performed with 3 mol% of a pre-catalyst mixture containing P,S ligand 14a, [Pd(OAc)₂] and CuI, resulting in quantitative conversion to 4-(phenylethynyl)anisole in four hours. Two enyne by-products were also identified from the reaction. Variations to the pre-catalyst mixture and catalyst loading indicated there was a significant ligand dependence on the yield and selectivity of the reactions. Mercury drop tests and dynamic light scattering experiments confirmed the presence of palladium nanoparticles in the reaction solution; however, the active catalytic species in these reactions has not been identified

Leptospirosis in northern Tanzania: exploring the role of rodents and ruminant livestock in a neglected public health problem

Leptospirosis is an important but neglected zoonotic disease that is often overlooked in Africa. Although comprehensive data on the incidence of human disease are lacking, robust evidence of infection has been demonstrated in people and animals from all regions of the continent. However, to date, there are few examples of direct epidemiological linkages between human disease and animal infection. In East Africa, awareness of the importance of human leptospirosis as a cause of non-malarial febrile illness is growing. In northern Tanzania, acute leptospirosis has been diagnosed in 9% of patients with severe febrile illness compared to only 2% with malaria. However, little is known about the relative importance of different potential animal hosts as sources of human infection in this area. This project was established to investigate the roles of rodents and ruminant livestock, important hosts of Leptospira in other settings, in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in northern Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey of rodents living in and around human settlements was performed alongside an abattoir survey of ruminant livestock. Unusual patterns of animal infection were detected by real-time PCR detection. Renal Leptospira infection was absent from rodents but was detected in cattle from several geographic areas. Infection was demonstrated for the first time in small ruminants sub-Saharan Africa. Two major Leptospira species and a novel Leptospira genotype were detected in livestock. L. borgpetersenii was seen only in cattle but L. kirschneri infection was detected in multiple livestock species (cattle, sheep and goats), suggesting that at least two distinct patterns of Leptospira infection occur in livestock in northern Tanzania. Analysis of samples from acute leptospirosis in febrile human patients could not detect Leptospira DNA by real-time PCR but identified social and behavioural factors that may limit the utility of acute-phase diagnostic tests in this community. Analysis of serological data revealed considerable overlap between serogroups detected in cattle and human leptospirosis cases. Human disease was most commonly attributed to the serogroups Mini and Australis, which were also predominant reactive serogroups in cattle. Collectively, the results of this study led to the hypothesis that livestock are an important reservoir of Leptospira infection for people in northern Tanzania. These results also challenge our understanding of the relationship between Leptospira and common invasive rodent species, which do not appear to maintain infection in this setting. Livestock Leptospira infection has substantial potential to affect the well-being of people in East Africa, through direct transmission of infection or through indirect effects on food production and economic security. Further research is needed to quantify the impact of livestock leptospirosis in Africa and to develop effective interventions for the control of human and animal disease

A systematic and integrated review of mobile-based technology to promote active lifestyles in people with Type 2 diabetes

Background: An active lifestyle is important for good Type 2 diabetes management. Mobile-based technology is increasingly being used to promote active lifestyles. Aim: To review studies examining the effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of mobile-based technology for promoting active lifestyles in people with Type 2 diabetes. Methods: An integrated, systematic review method was used to allow inclusion of a variety of study designs. A comprehensive search of electronic databases including; PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect and ACM Digital Library was conducted to retrieve studies promoting active lifestyles in people with Type 2 diabetes using mobile-based technology (apps and wearable technology). Studies had to assess; effectiveness, acceptability or feasibility of mobile based technology. Studies were categorised as 1)informing, 2)monitoring, 3)provoking or 4)sustaining behaviour. Results: A total of 9 papers from the 7662 sourced met inclusion criteria; 5 studies used smartphone or tablet apps, 1 a diabetes personal digital assistant, 1 a combination of continuous glucose monitor and accelerometer, 1 a pedometer and 1 a website delivered by a smartphone. The effectiveness of technology was assessed in 6 studies, feasibility examined in 3 studies and acceptability in 4 studies. Most (n=5) of the studies examined the effectiveness of using mobile-based technology to provoke lifestyle. The effectiveness of mobile-based technology in monitoring active lifestyles and the feasibility and acceptability of using mobile-based technology to sustained lifestyle change has not been investigated. Conclusions: To maintain health benefit from active lifestyles future research should explore the feasibility and acceptability of mobile based technology monitoring in sustaining active lifestyles