Proposal for an Integrated Raman-free Correlated Photon Source

We propose a dual-pump third-order nonlinear scheme for producing pairs of correlated photons that is less susceptible to Raman noise than typical spontaneous four wave mixing methods (SFWM). Beginning with the full multimode Hamiltonian we derive a general expression for the joint spectral amplitude, from which the probability of producing a pair of photons can be calculated. As an example, we demonstrate that a probability of 0.028 pairs per pulse can be achieved in an appropriately designed fused silica microfiber. As compared with single pump SFWM in standard fiber, we calculate that our process shows significant suppression of the spontaneous Raman scattering and an improvement in the signal to noise ratio.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures (two containing 2 subfigures

Immobilization of Infant Fecal Microbiota and Utilization in an in vitro Colonic Fermentation Model

Bacteria isolated from infant feces were immobilized in polysaccharide gel beads (2.5% gellan gum, 0.25% xanthan gum) using a two-phase dispersion process. A 52-day continuous culture was carried out in a single-stage chemostat containing precolonized beads and fed with a medium formulated to approximate the composition of infant chyme. Different dilution rates and pH conditions were tested to simulate the proximal (PCS), transverse (TCS), and distal (DCS) colons. Immobilization preserved all nine bacterial groups tested with survival rates between 3 and 56%. After 1 week fermentation, beads were highly colonized with all populations tested (excepted Staphylococcus spp. present in low numbers), which remained stable throughout the 7.5 weeks of fermentation, with variations below 1 log unit. However, free-cell populations in the circulating liquid medium, produced by immobilized cell growth, cell-release activity from gel beads, and free-cell growth, were altered considerably by culture conditions. Compared to the stabilization period, PCS was characterized by a considerable and rapid increase in Bifidobacterium spp. concentrations (7.4 to 9.6 log CFU/mL), whereas Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Clostridium spp. concentrations decreased and Staphylococcus spp. and coliforms increased during TCS and DCS. Under pseudo-steady-state conditions, the community structure developed in the chemostat reflected the relative proportions of viable bacterial numbers and metabolites generally encountered in infant feces. This work showed that a complex microbiota such as infant fecal bacteria can be immobilized and used in a continuous in vitro intestinal fermentation model to reproduce the high bacterial concentration and bacterial diversity of the feces inoculum, at least at the genera level, with a high stability during long-term experimen

Differential characteristics of young and midlife adult users of psychotherapy, psychotropic medications, or both: information from a population representative sample in São Paulo, Brazil

Mutu pelayanan di rumah sakit tak lepas dari kinerja sumber daya manusia keperawatan. Setiap organisasi memiliki budaya yang merupakan faktor penting yang menentukan keberhasilan organisasi  dalam mencapai tujuannya. Penelitian yang bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi hubungan antara persepsi perawat pelaksana tentang budaya organisasi dengan kinerjanya di ruang rawat inap sebuah RS di Bogor ini, merupakan penelitian cross sectional yang melibatkan 113 perawat. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah instrumen budaya organisasi dan kinerja yang telah dimodifikasi. Sebanyak 79.6% perawat pelaksana mempersepsikan kinerjanya baik dan 85% mempersepsikan budaya organisasinya baik. Perawat pelaksana yang berpersepsi baik terhadap organisasinya, mereka juga berkinerja lebih baik. Karakteristik perawat pelaksana dan persepsi perawat pelaksana terhadap budaya organisasi tidak berhubungan dengan kinerja. Budaya organisasi yang sudah baik dankinerja yang optimalperlu dipertahankan dengan selalu mengevaluasi tiap komponennya,baik oleh manajemen maupun individu keperawatan. Abstract The Nurse Practitioners’ Perception on OrganizationalCulture and Work Performance. The quality of hospital services is supported by several aspects, including the work performance of human resources in nursing. Every organization has a culture which is an important factor that determines the success of the organization in achieving its goals. The research aimed to identify the relationship between the perceptions of nurses about the organizational culture with theirwork performance in inpatient ward at a hospital in Bogor, a cross-sectional study involving 113 nurses. The instrument used was the modified instrument of organizational culture and work performance. A total of 79.6% of nurses perceiving good performance and 85% perceive the organizational culture good. Nurses who have good perception for the organizational cultura, they also perform better. Characteristics of nurses and nurses’ perceptions of the organizational culture is not related to the work performance.Good organizational and optimum work performance need to maintain with evaluating each its component. Keyword: nurse practitioners, organizational culture, work performanceMutu pelayanan di rumah sakit tak lepas dari kinerja sumber daya manusia keperawatan. Setiap organisasi memiliki budaya yang merupakan faktor penting yang menentukan keberhasilan organisasi dalam mencapai tujuannya. Penelitian yang bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi hubungan antara persepsi perawat pelaksana tentang budaya organisasi dengan kinerjanya di ruang rawat inap sebuah Rumah Sakit di Bogor ini, merupakan penelitian cross sectional yang melibatkan 113 perawat. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah instrumen budaya organisasi dan kinerja yang telah dimodifikasi. Sebanyak 79.6% perawat pelaksana mempersepsikan kinerjanya baik dan 85% mempersepsikan budaya organisasinya baik. Perawat pelaksana yang berpersepsi baik terhadap organisasinya, mereka juga berkinerja lebih baik. Karakteristik perawat pelaksana dan persepsi perawat pelaksana terhadap budaya organisasi tidak berhubungan dengan kinerja. Budaya organisasi yang sudah baik dankinerja yang optimal perlu dipertahankan dengan selalu mengevaluasi tiap komponennya,baik oleh manajemen maupun individu keperawatan. Abstract The Nurse Practitioners’ Perception on Organizational Culture and Work Performance. The quality of hospital services is supported by several aspects, including the work performance of human resources in nursing. Every organization has a culture which is an important factor that determines the success of the organization in achieving its goals. The research aimed to identify the relationship between the perceptions of nurses about the organizational culture with theirwork performance in inpatient ward at a hospital in Bogor, a cross-sectional study involving 113 nurses. The instrument used was the modified instrument of organizational culture and work performance. A total of 79,6% of nurses perceiving good performance and 85% perceive the organizational culture good. Nurses who have good perception for the organizational cultura, they also perform better. Characteristics of nurses and nurses’ perceptions of the organizational culture is not related to the work performance. Good organizational and optimum work performance need to maintain with evaluating each its component. Keyword: nurse practitioners, organizational culture, work performanc

Comparative study of a new quantitative real-time PCR targeting the xylulose-5-phosphate/fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase bifidobacterial gene (xfp) in faecal samples with two fluorescence in situ hybridization methods

The definitive version is available at ww3.interscience.wiley.comInternational audienceAims: To detect and enumerate bifidobacteria in faeces with a new quantitative multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) method and to compare the results obtained with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Methods and Results: A multiplex qPCR assay was developed, which enabled the enumeration of Bifidobacterium spp. by targeting the bifidobacterial xylulose- 5-phosphate ⁄ fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase gene (xfp) and total bacteria using universal Eub-primers targeting 16S rRNA gene from the domain bacteria. The qPCR assay showed high sensitivity and specificity and a low detection limit of about 2.5 x 10³ bifidobacterial cells per gram of faeces. The qPCR results were compared with FISH combined with microscopy or flow cytometry (FCM). No statistical differences among bifidobacterial counts averages measured in adult faeces with the three methods were observed. Total bacterial count averages were higher with the FISH method coupled with microscopic analyses compared to FISH with FCM, whereas total cell numbers estimated by qPCR were intermediate between the two FISH methods. Conclusions: The new qPCR assay was shown to be sensitive, rapid and accurate for enumerating bifidobacteria in faeces. Significance and Impact of the Study: This method is a valuable alternative for other molecular methods for detecting faecal bifidobacteria, especially when their counts are below the detection limit of the FISH methods

Managing Barriers to Online Learning: Towards a Framework for Resilient and Inclusive Virtual Classroom

This paper identifies the barriers to online learning faced by students and explores the strategies they employ to manage them in the face of this international crisis. From the narratives of the learners and the literature, a framework for a resilient and inclusive virtual classroom is developed. A descriptive mixed-method design is employed. Data are gathered from the students during the second term of SY2020-21 using a researchers-made questionnaire which is content, and face validated by experts and tested for reliability and consistency. The questionnaire is deployed online using the college’s official learning management system.In conclusion, the barriers to online learning as accounted for by the students are classified in this research into personal, educational, relational, technological, and social. On the other hand, the coping mechanisms employed are social support and accepting responsibility. At the center and front of the students’ struggles and successful handling of this emergency remote learning are the teachers. Thus, the respondents' barriers are dealt with primarily by themselves and their teachers who unleash the pedagogy of care that made them resilient during this pandemic. A caring and accommodating teacher and strong and flexible online learners are the primary components of a resilient and inclusive virtual classroom.The framework can be a template for designing future virtual classrooms and capacity-building activities to prepare teachers and learners for major education disruptions like this pandemic. Keywords: barriers, resilient, inclusive, educational, technological, virtual, framework DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-12-04 Publication date: April 30th 202

Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Inactivity among Older Adults in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

BackgroundCurrent information on the epidemiology of physical inactivity among older adults is lacking, making it difficult to target the inactive and to plan for interventions to ameliorate adverse effects.ObjectivesTo present statewide representative findings on the prevalence of physical inactivity among older community residents, its correlates and associated health service use.MethodsA representative non-institutionalized random sample of 6963 individuals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aged >= 60 years, was interviewed face-to-face. Information was obtained on demographic characteristics, social resources, health conditions and behaviors, health service use, and physical inactivity. Controlled logistic regression was used to determine the association of physical inactivity with these characteristics.ResultsOverall, 62% reported no regular physical activity. Physical inactivity was significantly more prevalent among women, older persons, those with lower education and income, Afro-Brazilians (73%; White: 61%; other: 64%), those no longer married, and was associated with multiple individual health conditions and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). in adjusted analyses, associations remained for sociodemographic characteristics, social participation, impaired self-rated health, ADL, vision, and depression (odds ratios (OR) 1.2-1.7). Physically inactive respondents were less likely to report outpatient visits (OR 0.81), but more likely to be hospitalized (OR 1.41).ConclusionsPhysical inactivity is highly prevalent, particularly among Afro -Brazilians. It is associated with adverse sociodemographic characteristics; lack of social interaction; and poor self-rated health, ADL, vision, and depression; although not with other health conditions. Self-care may be neglected, resulting in hospitalization.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Bolsista de Produtividade em PesquisaNational Institute on AgingUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilDuke Univ, Med Ctr, Ctr Study Aging & Human Dev, Durham, NC 27710 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilBolsista de Produtividade em Pesquisa: 306156/2011-3National Institute on Aging: 1P30 AG028716Web of Scienc