Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses - Revised Consensus Statement

The purpose of this manuscript is to revise and update the previous consensus statement on inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses. Since 2007, a large number of scientific articles have been published on the topic and these new findings have led to a significant evolution of our understanding of IAD

Exciton states in monolayer MoSe2: impact on interband transitions

We combine linear and non-linear optical spectroscopy at 4K with ab initio calculations to study the electronic bandstructure of MoSe2 monolayers. In 1-photon photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and reflectivity we measure a separation between the A- and B-exciton emission of 220 meV. In 2-photon PLE we detect for the A- and B-exciton the 2p state 180meV above the respective 1s state. In second harmonic generation (SHG) spectroscopy we record an enhancement by more than 2 orders of magnitude of the SHG signal at resonances of the charged exciton and the 1s and 2p neutral A- and B-exciton. Our post-Density Functional Theory calculations show in the conduction band along the $K-\Gamma$ direction a local minimum that is energetically and in k-space close to the global minimum at the K-point. This has a potentially strong impact on the polarization and energy of the excitonic states that govern the interband transitions and marks an important difference to MoS2 and WSe2 monolayers.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers in the intensive care unit

Background. Intensive care unit (ICU)-related healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are two to three times higher in lower-income countries than in higher-income ones. Hand cleansing and other hygiene measures have been documented as one of the most effective measures in combating the transmission of HCAIs. There is a paucity of data pertaining to hygiene practices in the ICU in developing countries.Objectives. To determine compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital ICU.Methods. Hygiene practices of healthcare workers in a tertiary academic hospital ICU in Johannesburg, South Africa, were discreetly observed over an 8-week period. Compliance with hand cleansing and other hygiene practices was documented and analysed. Retrospective consent was obtained, and subject confidentiality was maintained. Results. A total of 745 hygiene opportunities were observed. Of the 156 opportunities where handwashing with soap and water was indicated (20.9%), compliance was noted in 89 cases (57.1%), while an alcohol-based hand rub was inappropriately used in 34 cases (21.8%) and no hand hygiene was performed in the remaining 33 cases (21.1%). Of the 589 opportunities where an alcohol-based hand-rub was indicated, it was used in 312 cases (53.0%). Compliance with the donning of disposable surgical gloves, disposable plastic aprons and being ‘bare below the elbows’ was noted in 114 (90.6%), 108 (71.1%) and 355 (47.7%) opportunities, respectively, where these were indicated.Conclusions. Overall compliance with hygiene measures among healthcare workers in the ICU was suboptimal in this study, but in keeping with general international trends. Regular retraining of staff, frequent reminders, peer oversight and regular audits may improve compliance

The potential of three whole blood microRNAs to predict outcome and monitor treatment response in sarcoid-bearing equids.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoid (ES) disease. In this study, the suitability of three whole blood miRNAs to diagnose ES and to predict and monitor the outcome of therapy was explored. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), expression levels of eca-miR-127, eca-miR-379, and eca-miR-432 in whole blood of ES-affected equids before and at least one year after therapy were compared to those of unaffected control equids. Associations of age, sex, species, diagnosis, and therapy outcome with miRNA expression levels were examined using general linear models. In total, 48 ES-affected equids and 47 control equids were recruited. From the affected animals, 31 responded favorably to treatment, and 17 demonstrated a failure of therapy. None of the tested miRNAs were influenced by age. Male equids showed increased expression of eca-miR-127 compared to females and horses showed higher expression levels of eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 than donkeys. Eca-miR-127 was confirmed as a diagnostic discriminator between ES-affected and control equids. No difference in miRNA profiles before therapy was found when comparing ES-affected equids with success vs. failure of therapy. Eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 decreased over time in horses where therapy was successful, but not in those cases where it failed. Biological variables influence equine whole blood miRNA expression, which may complicate biomarker validation. While none of the tested miRNAs could predict the response to therapy in ES-affected equids and eca-miR-127 showed poor diagnostic accuracy for ES, eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 miRNAs might allow refinement of monitoring of success of ES therapy

Low-Temperature Power Electronics Program

Many space and some terrestrial applications would benefit from the availability of low-temperature electronics. Exploration missions to the outer planets, Earth-orbiting and deep-space probes, and communications satellites are examples of space applications which operate in low-temperature environments. Space probes deployed near Pluto must operate in temperatures as low as -229 C. Figure 1 depicts the average temperature of a space probe warmed by the sun for various locations throughout the solar system. Terrestrial applications where components and systems must operate in low-temperature environments include cryogenic instrumentation, superconducting magnetic energy storage, magnetic levitation transportation system, and arctic exploration. The development of electrical power systems capable of extremely low-temperature operation represents a key element of some advanced space power systems. The Low-Temperature Power Electronics Program at NASA Lewis Research Center focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of low-temperature power systems and the development of supporting technologies for low-temperature operations such as dielectric and insulating materials, power components, optoelectronic components, and packaging and integration of devices, components, and systems

Pion gas viscosity at low temperature and density

By using Chiral Perturbation Theory and the Uehling-Uhlenbeck equation we compute the viscosity of a pion gas, in the low temperature and low density regime, in terms of the temperature, and the pion fugacity. The viscosity turns out to be proportional to the squared root of the temperature over the pion mass. Next to leading corrections are proportional to the temperature over the pion mass to the 3/2.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures. RevTeX

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a feasible tool in detecting adult malnutrition

Objectives: This study aimed to expand on the limited South African malnutrition prevalence data and investigate the feasibility of mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) as a malnutrition screening tool. Design: A cross-sectional, multi-centre, descriptive design was adopted. Setting: The study was undertaken in three tertiary public hospitals in the same urban area within the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Subjects: Adult hospitalised patients volunteered to participate (n = 266). Methods: Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires; obtaining anthropometric measurements; and consulting medical files. For maximum accuracy of various MUAC cut-off points, receiver operating characteristic curves were generated and area under the curve determined. Results: Both body mass index (BMI) and MUAC identified 21% of participants as underweight or malnourished, and 39% as overweight or obese. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) found 23% at increased malnutrition risk. Nurses or doctors detected and referred only 19% of underweight patients (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), to dietetics services. Direct measurements of BMI and MUST were unobtainable in 38% and 43% of patients respectively, whilst MUAC was obtainable in 100%. A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001) exists between MUAC, BMI and MUST to detect malnutrition or malnutrition risk. MUAC cut-offs for undernutrition were determined at < 23 cm (BMI < 16 kg/m2) and < 24 cm (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), respectively, for the study’s population groups. Conclusion: Malnutrition prevalence was high in this study, but often unidentified, with only a fifth referred to dietetic services. MUAC is a feasible method to identify adult malnutrition and should be considered as a malnutrition screening tool and key nutritional status indicator in South African public hospitals

Vortex lattice studies in CeCoIn5 with H perpendicular to c

We present small angle neutron scattering studies of the vortex lattice (VL) in CeCoIn5 with magnetic fields applied parallel (H) to the antinodal [100] and nodal [110] directions. For H || [100], a single VL orientation is observed, while a 90 degree reorientation transition is found for H || [110]. For both field orientations and VL configurations we find a distorted hexagonal VL with an anisotropy, Gamma = 2.0 +/- 0.05. The VL form factor shows strong Pauli paramagnetic effects similar to what have previously been reported for H || [001]. At high fields, above which the upper critical field (Hc2) becomes a first-order transition, an increased disordering of the VL is observed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Chandra Observations of Extended X-ray Emission in Arp 220

We resolve the extended X-ray emission from the prototypical ultraluminous infrared galaxy Arp 220. Extended, faint edge-brightened, soft X-ray lobes outside the optical galaxy are observed to a distance of 10 to 15 kpc on each side of the nuclear region. Bright plumes inside the optical isophotes coincide with the optical line emission and extend 11 kpc from end to end across the nucleus. The data for the plumes cannot be fit by a single temperature plasma, and display a range of temperatures from 0.2 to 1 keV. The plumes emerge from bright, diffuse circumnuclear emission in the inner 3 kpc centered on the Halpha peak, which is displaced from the radio nuclei. There is a close morphological correspondence between the Halpha and soft X-ray emission on all spatial scales. We interpret the plumes as a starburst-driven superwind, and discuss two interpretations of the emission from the lobes in the context of simulations of the merger dynamics of Arp 220.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; see also astro-ph/0208477 (Paper 1

Algal food and fuel coproduction can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while improving land and water-use efficiency

The goals of ensuring energy, water, food, and climate security can often conflict.Microalgae (algae) are being pursued as a feedstockfor both food and fuels—primarily due to algae’s high areal yield and ability to grow on non-arable land, thus avoiding common bioenergy-food tradeoffs. However, algal cultivation requires significant energy inputs that may limit potential emission reductions.We examine the tradeoffs associated with producing fuel andfood from algae at the energy–food–water–climate nexus.We use the GCAM integrated assessment model to demonstrate that algalfood production can promote reductions in land-use change emissions through the offset of conventional agriculture. However,fuel production, either via co-production of algal food and fuel or complete biomass conversion to fuel, is necessary to ensure long-term emission reductions, due to the high energy costs of cultivation. Cultivation of salt– water algae for food products may lead to substantial freshwater savings; but, nutrients for algae cultivation will need to be sourced from waste streams to ensure sustainability. By reducing the land demand of food production, while simultaneously enhancingfood and energy security, algae can further enable the development of terrestrial bioenergy technologies including those utilizing carbon capture and storage. Our results demonstrate that large-scale algae research and commercialization efforts should focus on developing both food and energy products to achieve environmental goals.https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/11/114006/metaPublished versio