A COVID-19 Rapid Response: Evaluating an interRAI telehealth placement for final year nursing students

This research study evaluates a novel ‘telehealth’ clinical placement undertaken by final-year Wintec Bachelor of Nursing students in 2020. These students, after training from the appropriate organisations, contacted and undertook health and wellbeing assessments for ‘at-risk’ older people across the Waikato Region during the national COVID-19 lockdown. This represented the first example of telehealth approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand as a student clinical experience. Results reveal several key themes highlighting the importance and lessons from this initiative, including tackling COVID-19; implementation requirements; nursing competencies; provider relationships, and community insights. More broadly, they demonstrate the viability and importance of telehealth placements in nursing programmes and provide learnings for those seeking to replicate such placements, especially in the context of constrained health systems growing health challenges

Textile Tools for Wearable Computing

Abstract: This paper describes the concept and application of textiles as tools, or components, for garments with wearable computing features. Evaluations of a selection of fabric swatches are presented and their suitability for use in the construction of smart textile systems. The electrical and electromagnetic properties of textiles are investigated with a fabric recommended for use as a UHF antenna, and another for thermochromatic use. The possibilities for power and signal networking are also explored. An illustrative garment using these fabrics is outlined, and opportunities for further research identified

Sterically restricted tin phosphines, stabilized by weak intramolecular donor-acceptor interactions

Funding: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Four related sterically restricted pen-substituted acenaphthenes have been prepared containing mixed tin phosphorus moieties in the proximal 5,6-positions (Acenap[SnR3][(PPr2)-Pr-i]; Acenap = acenaphthene-5,6-diyl; R-3 = Ph-3 (1), Ph2Cl (2), Me2Cl (3), Bu2Cl (4)). The degree of intramolecular P-Sn bonding within the series was investigated by X-ray crystallography, solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/SBKJC/PCM) calculations. All members of the series adopt a conformation such that the phosphorus lone pair is located directly opposite the tin center, promoting an intramolecular donor acceptor P -> Sn type interaction. The extent of covalent bonding between Sn and P is found to be much greater in triorganotin chlorides 2-4 in comparison with the triphenyl derivative 1. Coordination of a highly electronegative chlorine atom naturally increases the Lewis acidity of the tin center, enhancing the Ip(P)-sigma*(Sn-Y) donor acceptor 3c-4e type interaction, as indicated by conspicuously short Sn-P peri distances and significant (1)J(P-31,Sn-119) spin spin coupling constants (SSCCs) in the range 740-754 Hz. Evidence supporting the presence of this interaction was also found in solid-state NMR spectra of some of the compounds which exhibit an indirect spin spin coupling on the same order of magnitude as observed in solution. DFT calculations confirm the increased covalent bonding between P and Sn in 2-4, with notable WBIs of ca. 0.35 obtained, in comparison to 0.1 in 1.PostprintPeer reviewe

Peri-substituted phosphorus-tellurium systems – an experimental and theoretical investigation of the P∙∙∙Te through-space interaction

The authors are thankful to the EPSRC, the EPSRC National Mass Spectrometry Service Centre (NMSSC) Swansea, the School of Chemistry St. Andrews, and EaStCHEM for support.A series of peri-substituted phosphorus-tellurium systems R’Te–Acenap–PR2 (R’ = Ph, p-An, Nap, Mes, Tip; R = iPr, Ph) exhibiting large “through space” spin-spin coupling constants and the “onset” of three-centre four-electron type interactions are presented. The influence of the substituents at the phosphorus and tellurium atoms as well as their behavior upon oxidation (with S, Se) or metal-coordination (Pt, Au) is discussed using NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and advanced DFT studies including NBO, AIM and ELI-D analyses.PostprintPeer reviewe

A BEAT-PCD consensus statement:a core outcome set for pulmonary disease interventions in primary ciliary dyskinesia

BACKGROUND: Consistent use of reliable and clinically appropriate outcome measures is a priority for clinical trials, with clear definitions to allow comparability. We aimed to develop a core outcome set (COS) for pulmonary disease interventions in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).METHODS: A multidisciplinary international PCD expert panel was set up. A list of outcomes was created based on published literature. Using a modified three-round e-Delphi technique, the panel was asked to decide on relevant end-points related to pulmonary disease interventions and how they should be reported. First, inclusion of an outcome in the COS was determined. Second, the minimum information that should be reported per outcome. The third round finalised statements. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement among experts.RESULTS: During the first round, experts reached consensus on four out of 24 outcomes to be included in the COS. Five additional outcomes were discussed in subsequent rounds for their use in different subsettings. Consensus on standardised methods of reporting for the COS was reached. Spirometry, health-related quality-of-life scores, microbiology and exacerbations were included in the final COS.CONCLUSION: This expert consensus resulted in a COS for clinical trials on pulmonary health among people with PCD.</p

Genomic epidemiology reveals multiple introductions of Zika virus into the United States

Zika virus (ZIKV) is causing an unprecedented epidemic linked to severe congenital abnormalities. In July 2016, mosquito-borne ZIKV transmission was reported in the continental United States; since then, hundreds of locally acquired infections have been reported in Florida. To gain insights into the timing, source, and likely route(s) of ZIKV introduction, we tracked the virus from its first detection in Florida by sequencing ZIKV genomes from infected patients and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We show that at least 4 introductions, but potentially as many as 40, contributed to the outbreak in Florida and that local transmission is likely to have started in the spring of 2016-several months before its initial detection. By analysing surveillance and genetic data, we show that ZIKV moved among transmission zones in Miami. Our analyses show that most introductions were linked to the Caribbean, a finding corroborated by the high incidence rates and traffic volumes from the region into the Miami area. Our study provides an understanding of how ZIKV initiates transmission in new regions

A call for transparent reporting to optimize the predictive value of preclinical research

The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened major stakeholders in June 2012 to discuss how to improve the methodological reporting of animal studies in grant applications and publications. The main workshop recommendation is that at a minimum studies should report on sample-size estimation, whether and how animals were randomized, whether investigators were blind to the treatment, and the handling of data. We recognize that achieving a meaningful improvement in the quality of reporting will require a concerted effort by investigators, reviewers, funding agencies and journal editors. Requiring better reporting of animal studies will raise awareness of the importance of rigorous study design to accelerate scientific progress