Assessing the quality of health technology registers for national guidance development.

Background: The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence makes use of registers to collect data for technologies that require more evidence to inform future decision-making. This is particularly so for the Interventional Procedures Programme, which since 2003 has produced guidance for procedures that are typically not well established, meaning that named registers are often recommended for future data collection. Methods: We constructed a questionnaire based on quality standards for recommended registers defined by the Interventional Procedures Programme. All guidance from 2003 to 2016 were reviewed to identify recommended registers and compile a list of corresponding registries. We made a maximum of four attempts to contact each registry. Each register was scored on seven quality standards: accessibility, responsiveness, data publication, data coverage, data validity, independent oversight and data protection, with a maximum of 14 points. Results: We obtained responses from 17 out of 24 eligible registries, a response rate of 70.8%. The mean total score was 8.5 (standard deviation 2.9, range 4-14). Overall, the quality of recommended registers was disappointing, with a split between large registries that scored highly across all standards and smaller registries that scored poorly. Conclusions: This the first study to our knowledge to assess the quality of registers recommended by health technology assessment agencies. Only a limited number of registers were mature enough to deliver evidence of sufficiently high quality to inform funding decisions. A standardised quality assessment tool is needed to evaluate registers before their recommendation for observational data gathering by decision-making bodies

Measuring the vertical profile of leaf wetness in a forest canopy

Plant canopies are wet for substantial amounts of time and this influences physiological performance and fluxes of energy, carbon and water at the ecosystem level. Leaf wetness sensors enable us to quantify the duration of leaf wetness and spatially map this to canopy structure. However, manually analysing leaf wetness data from plot-level experiments can be time-consuming, and requires a degree of subjective judgement in delineating wetness events which can lead to inconsistencies in the analysis. Here we: • Describe how to set up an array of leaf wetness sensors (Phytos 31, Meter) enabling the measurement of leaf wetness duration through the profile of a forest canopy, • Present a method and R script to objectively identify and distinguish periods of rain and dew from the output of leaf wetness sensors, • Provide a criteria for separating the leaf wetness sensor output into dew and rain events which may form a reference standard, or be modified for use, in future studies

Evaluation of video-based linear depth inversion performance and applications using altimeters and hydrographic surveys in a wide range of environmental conditions

This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. The definitive version was published in Coastal Engineering 136 (2018): 147-160, doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2018.01.003.The performance of a linear depth inversion algorithm, cBathy, applied to coastal video imagery was assessed using observations of water depth from vessel-based hydrographic surveys and in-situ altimeters for a wide range of wave conditions (0.3 < significant wave height < 4.3 m) on a sandy Atlantic Ocean beach near Duck, North Carolina. Comparisons of video-based cBathy bathymetry with surveyed bathymetry were similar to previous studies (root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.75 m, bias = −0.26 m). However, the cross-shore locations of the surfzone sandbar in video-derived bathymetry were biased onshore 18–40 m relative to the survey when offshore wave heights exceeded 1.2 m or were greater than half of the bar crest depth, and broke over the sandbar. The onshore bias was 3–4 m when wave heights were less than 0.8 m and were not breaking over the sandbar. Comparisons of video-derived seafloor elevations with in-situ altimeter data at three locations onshore of, near, and offshore of the surfzone sandbar over ∼1 year provide the first assessment of the cBathy technique over a wide range of wave conditions. In the outer surf zone, video-derived results were consistent with long-term patterns of bathymetric change (r2 = 0.64, RMSE = 0.26 m, bias = −0.01 m), particularly when wave heights were less than 1.2 m (r2 = 0.83). However, during storms when wave heights exceeded 3 m, video-based cBathy over-estimated the depth by up to 2 m. Near the sandbar, the sign of depth errors depended on the location relative to wave breaking, with video-based depths overestimated (underestimated) offshore (onshore) of wave breaking in the surfzone. Wave speeds estimated by video-based cBathy at the initiation of wave breaking often were twice the speeds predicted by linear theory, and up to three times faster than linear theory during storms. Estimated wave speeds were half as fast as linear theory predictions at the termination of wave breaking shoreward of the sandbar. These results suggest that video-based cBathy should not be used to track the migration of the surfzone sandbar using data when waves are breaking over the bar nor to quantify morphological evolution during storms. However, these results show that during low energy conditions, cBathy estimates could be used to quantify seasonal patterns of seafloor evolution.This research was funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Field Data Collection Program, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology under ERDC's research program titled “Force Projection Entry Operations, STO D.GRD.2015.34”, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory base program from the Office of Naval Research, a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship funded by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and the National Science Foundation

The Role of Fraternity/Sorority Affiliation in Supporting College Student Mental Health and Wellness

Mental health is a growing concern in the United States, even more exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health among youth and young adult populations has also received attention in recent years. However, prior research suggests a higher sense of social support among active members of the fraternity/sorority community is associated with lower depression levels. The extent to which fraternity/sorority involvement helps address mental health among members is theorized but not demonstrated in the research. Using large-scale data, this study examined mental health experiences and behaviors of the fraternity/ sorority community and compared results with unaffiliated students. Findings suggest students in the fraternity/sorority community report higher levels of positive mental health

Identification and characterisation of a novel adhesin Ifp in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

BACKGROUND: In order to identify new virulence determinants in Y. pseudotuberculosis a comparison between its genome and that of Yersinia pestis was undertaken. This reveals dozens of pseudogenes in Y. pestis, which are still putatively functional in Y. pseudotuberculosis and may be important in the enteric lifestyle. One such gene, YPTB1572 in the Y. pseudotuberculosis IP32953 genome sequence, encodes a protein with similarity to invasin, a classic adhesion/invasion protein, and to intimin, the attaching and effacing protein from enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterohaemorraghic (EHEC) Escherichia coli. RESULTS: We termed YPTB1572 Ifp (Intimin family protein) and show that it is able to bind directly to human HEp-2 epithelial cells. Cysteine and tryptophan residues in the C-terminal region of intimin that are essential for function in EPEC and EHEC are conserved in Ifp. Protein binding occurred at distinct foci on the HEp-2 cell surface and can be disrupted by mutation of a single cysteine residue at the C-terminus of the protein. Temporal expression analysis using lux reporter constructs revealed that ifp is expressed at late log phase at 37°C in contrast to invasin, suggesting that Ifp is a late stage adhesin. An ifp defined mutant showed a reduction in adhesion to HEp-2 cells and was attenuated in the Galleria mellonella infection model. CONCLUSION: A new Y. pseudotuberculosis adhesin has been identified and characterised. This Ifp is a new member in the family of invasin/intimin outer membrane adhesins

Sellar Remodeling after Surgery for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma: Intercarotid Distance as a Predictor of Recurrence

Introduction  As they grow, pituitary adenoma can remodel the sella turcica and alter anatomical relationships with adjacent structures. The intercarotid distance (ICD) at the level of the sella is a measure of sella width. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess how ICD changes after transsphenoidal surgery and (2) explore whether the extent of ICD change is associated with tumor recurrence. Methods  A retrospective analysis of preoperative and postoperative coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans was carried out by two independent assessors on patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas. Preoperative tumor volume and any change in ICD following surgery were recorded and compared between groups. Logistic regression models of recurrence were generated. Results  In 36 of 42 patients, ICD fell after surgery (mean = 1.8 mm) and six cases were static. At time of follow-up (mean = 77 months), 25 had not required further intervention and 17 had undergone second surgery or radiosurgery. In patients in whom no further intervention has yet been necessary, the postoperative reduction in ICD was significantly smaller than in those who required repeat intervention (1.1 vs. 2.7 mm respectively, p  < 0.01). ICD decrease was weakly correlated with tumor volume ( r  = 0.35). ICD decrease was a significant predictor of recurrence (odds ratio [OR] = 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44–6.87), largely independent of tumor volume. Conclusion  For most patients, ICD falls following surgical excision of a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma. A greater reduction in ICD postsurgery appears to predict recurrence. Change in ICD shows promise as a radiographic tool for prognosticating clinical course after surgery

Long-term fertilization alters the relative importance of nitrate reduction pathways in salt marsh sediments

Salt marshes provide numerous valuable ecological services. In particular, nitrogen (N) removal in salt marsh sediments alleviates N loading to the coastal ocean. N removal reduces the threat of eutrophication caused by increased N inputs from anthropogenic sources. It is unclear, however, whether chronic nutrient over-enrichment alters the capacity of salt marshes to remove anthropogenic N. To assess the effect of nutrient enrichment on N cycling in salt marsh sediments, we examined important N cycle pathways in experimental fertilization plots in a New England salt marsh. We determined rates of nitrification, denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) using sediment slurry incubations with 15 N labeled ammonium or nitrate tracers under oxic headspace (20% oxygen / 80% helium). Nitrification and denitrification rates were more than ten-fold higher in fertilized plots compared to control plots. By contrast, DNRA, which retains N in the system, was high in control plots but not detected in fertilized plots. The relative contribution of DNRA to total nitrate reduction largely depends on the carbon/nitrate ratio in the sediment. These results suggest that long-term fertilization shifts N cycling in salt marsh sediments from predominantly retention to removal. Long-term fertilization alters the relative importance of nitrate reduction pathways in salt marsh sediments: NO 3 - reduction in salt marsh sediments (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305480944_Long-term_fertilization_alters_the_relative_importance_of_nitrate_reduction_pathways_in_salt_marsh_sediments_NO_3_-_reduction_in_salt_marsh_sediments [accessed Jun 6, 2017]

Response of Sorghum Enhanced in Monolignol Biosynthesis to Stalk Rot Pathogens

To increase phenylpropanoid constituents and energy content in the versatile C4 grass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), sorghum genes for protiens related to monolignol biosynthesis were overexpressed: SbMyb60 (transcriptional activator), SbPAL (phenylalanine ammonia ase), Bmr2 (4-coumarate: CoA ligase), and SbC3H (coumaroyl shikimate 3-hydroxylase). Overexpression lines were evaluted for responses to stalk pahtogens under greenhouse and field conditions. Greenhouse-grown plants were inoculated with Fusarium thapsinum (Fusarium stalk rot) and Macrophomia phaseolina (charocal rot), which cause yield-reducing diseases. F. thapsinum-inoculated overexpression plants had mean lesion lengths not significantly different than wild-type, except for significantly smaller lesions on two of three SbMyb60 and one of two SbCCoAOMT lines. M. phaseolina-inoculated expression lines had lesions not significantly different from wild-type except one SbPAL line (of two lines studied) with mean lesion lengths significantly larger. Field-grown SbMyb60 and SbCCoAOMT overexpression plants were inoculated with F. thapsinum. Mean lesions of SbMyb60 lines were similar to wild-type, one SbCCoAOMT had larger lesions, whereas the other line was not significantly different than wild-type. Because overexpression of SbMyb60, Bmr2, or SbC3H may not render sorghum more supceptible to stalk rots, these lines may provide sources for development of sorghum with increased phenylpropaniod concentrations