705 research outputs found
Co-designing Algorithms for Governance: Ensuring Responsible and Accountable Algorithmic Management of Refugee Camp Supplies
Exfoliation solvent dependent plasmon resonances in two-dimensional sub-stoichiometric molybdenum oxide nanoflakes
Few-layer two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum oxide nanoflakes are exfoliated using a grinding assisted liquid phase sonication exfoliation method. The sonication process is carried out in five different mixtures of water with both aprotic and protic solvents. We found that surface energy and solubility of mixtures play important roles in changing the thickness, lateral dimension, and synthetic yield of the nanoflakes. We demonstrate an increase in proton intercalation in 2D nanoflakes upon simulated solar light exposure. This results in substoichiometric flakes and a subsequent enhancement in free electron concentrations, producing plasmon resonances. Two plasmon resonance peaks associated with the thickness and the lateral dimension axes are observable in the samples, in which the plasmonic peak positions could be tuned by the choice of the solvent in exfoliating 2D molybdenum oxide. The extinction coefficients of the plasmonic absorption bands of 2D molybdenum oxide nanoflakes in all samples are found to be high (Îμ > 109 L mol-1 cm-1). It is expected that the tunable plasmon resonances of 2D molybdenum oxide nanoflakes presented in this work can be used in future electronic, optical, and sensing devices
National Tuberculosis Genotyping and Surveillance Network: Design and Methods
The National Tuberculosis Genotyping and Surveillance Network was established in 1996 to perform a 5-year, prospective study of the usefulness of genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates to tuberculosis control programs. Seven sentinel sites identified all new cases of tuberculosis, collected information on patients and contacts, and obtained patient isolates. Seven genotyping laboratories performed DNA fingerprinting analysis by the international standard IS6110 method. BioImage Whole Band Analyzer software was used to analyze patterns, and distinct patterns were assigned unique designations. Isolates with six or fewer bands on IS6110 patterns were also spoligotyped. Patient data and genotyping designations were entered in a relational database and merged with selected variables from the national surveillance database. In two related databases, we compiled the results of routine contact investigations and the results of investigations of the relationships of patients who had isolates with matching genotypes. We describe the methods used in the study
Long-term musculoskeletal function after Open Pelvic ring fractures in Children (OPEC); a multicentre, retrospective case series with follow-up measurement
Background: The proportion of Open Pelvic fractures in the paediatric population is relatively high. While operative fixation is the primary approach for managing Open Pelvic fractures in adults, there is limited literature on treatment outcomes in Children, particularly regarding long-term musculoskeletal, neurological, and urogenital function. Methods: This multicentre case series included paediatric patients (<18 years old) with Open Pelvic ring fractures treated at one of two major trauma centres in the Netherlands between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021. Data collection involved clinical records and long-term assessments, including musculoskeletal function, growth disorders, urogenital function, sexual dysfunction, and sensory motor function. Results: A total of 11 patients were included, primarily females (73 %), with a median age at trauma of 12 years (P25–P75 7–14). Most patients had unstable Pelvic ring fractures resulting from high-energy trauma. Surgical interventions were common, with external fixation as the main initial surgical approach (n = 7, 70 %). Complications were observed in eight (73 %) patients. Musculoskeletal function revealed a range of issues in the lower extremity, daily activities, and mental and emotional domain. Long-term radiologic follow-up showed high rates of Pelvic malunion (n = 7, 64 %). Neurological function assessment showed motor and sensory function impairment in a subset of patients. Urogenital function was moderately affected, and sexual dysfunction was limited with most respondents reporting no issues. Conclusion: Paediatric Open Pelvic fractures are challenging injuries associated with significant short-term complications and long-term musculoskeletal and urogenital issues. Further research is needed to develop tailored treatment strategies and improve outcomes of these patients.</p
Global Origin of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Midlands, UK
DNA fingerprinting data for 4,207 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were combined with data from a computer program (Origins). Largest population groups were from England (n = 1,031) and India (n = 912), and most prevalent strains were the Euro-American (45%) and East African–Indian (34%) lineages. Combining geographic and molecular data can enhance cluster investigation
High-performance field effect transistors using electronic inks of 2D molybdenum oxide nanoflakes
Planar 2D materials are possibly the ideal channel candidates for future field effect transistors (FETs), due to their unique electronic properties. However, the performance of FETs based on 2D materials is yet to exceed those of conventional silicon based devices. Here, a 2D channel thin film made from liquid phase exfoliated molybdenum oxide nanoflake inks with highly controllable substoichiometric levels is presented. The ability to induce oxygen vacancies by solar light irradiation in an aqueous environment allows the tuning of electronic properties in 2D substoichiometric molybdenum oxides (MoO3-x). The highest mobility is found to be approximate to 600 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) with an estimated free electron concentration of approximate to 1.6 x 10(21) cm(-3) and an optimal I-On/I-Off ratio of >10(5) for the FETs made of 2D flakes irradiated for 30 min (x = 0.042). These values are significant and represent a real opportunity to realize the next generation of tunable electronic devices using electronic inks
A Geographically-Restricted but Prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain Identified in the West Midlands Region of the UK between 1995 and 2008
Background: We describe the identification of, and risk factors for, the single most prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain in the West Midlands region of the UK.Methodology/Principal Findings: Prospective 15-locus MIRU-VNTR genotyping of all M. tuberculosis isolates in the West Midlands between 2004 and 2008 was undertaken. Two retrospective epidemiological investigations were also undertaken using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The first study of all TB patients in the West Midlands between 2004 and 2008 identified a single prevalent strain in each of the study years (total 155/3,056 (5%) isolates). This prevalent MIRU-VNTR profile (32333 2432515314 434443183) remained clustered after typing with an additional 9-loci MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping. The majority of these patients (122/155, 79%) resided in three major cities located within a 40 km radius. From the apparent geographical restriction, we have named this the "Mercian" strain. A multivariate analysis of all TB patients in the West Midlands identified that infection with a Mercian strain was significantly associated with being UK-born (OR = 9.03, 95% CI = 4.56-17.87, p 65 years old (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.09-0.67, p < 0.01). A second more detailed investigation analyzed a cohort of 82 patients resident in Wolverhampton between 2003 and 2006. A significant association with being born in the UK remained after a multivariate analysis (OR = 9.68, 95% CI = 2.00-46.78, p < 0.01) and excess alcohol intake and cannabis use (OR = 6.26, 95% CI = 1.45-27.02, p = .01) were observed as social risk factors for infection.Conclusions/Significance: The continued consistent presence of the Mercian strain suggests ongoing community transmission. Whilst significant associations have been found, there may be other common risk factors yet to be identified. Future investigations should focus on targeting the relevant risk groups and elucidating the biological factors that mediate continued transmission of this strain
Two new rapid SNP-typing methods for classifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex into the main phylogenetic lineages
There is increasing evidence that strain variation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) might influence the outcome of tuberculosis infection and disease. To assess genotype-phenotype associations, phylogenetically robust molecular markers and appropriate genotyping tools are required. Most current genotyping methods for MTBC are based on mobile or repetitive DNA elements. Because these elements are prone to convergent evolution, the corresponding genotyping techniques are suboptimal for phylogenetic studies and strain classification. By contrast, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are ideal markers for classifying MTBC into phylogenetic lineages, as they exhibit very low degrees of homoplasy. In this study, we developed two complementary SNP-based genotyping methods to classify strains into the six main human-associated lineages of MTBC, the 'Beijing' sublineage, and the clade comprising Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae. Phylogenetically informative SNPs were obtained from 22 MTBC whole-genome sequences. The first assay, referred to as MOL-PCR, is a ligation-dependent PCR with signal detection by fluorescent microspheres and a Luminex flow cytometer, which simultaneously interrogates eight SNPs. The second assay is based on six individual TaqMan real-time PCR assays for singleplex SNP-typing. We compared MOL-PCR and TaqMan results in two panels of clinical MTBC isolates. Both methods agreed fully when assigning 36 well-characterized strains into the main phylogenetic lineages. The sensitivity in allele-calling was 98.6% and 98.8% for MOL-PCR and TaqMan, respectively. Typing of an additional panel of 78 unknown clinical isolates revealed 99.2% and 100% sensitivity in allele-calling, respectively, and 100% agreement in lineage assignment between both methods. While MOL-PCR and TaqMan are both highly sensitive and specific, MOL-PCR is ideal for classification of isolates with no previous information, whereas TaqMan is faster for confirmation. Furthermore, both methods are rapid, flexible and comparably inexpensive
Adherence to a femoral neck fracture treatment guideline
Purpose: In 2007 the Dutch Surgical Society published a clinical practice guideline for the treatment of hip fracture patients, based on the best available international evidence at that time. We investigated to what extent treatment of femoral neck fracture patients in the Netherlands corresponded with these guidelines, and determined differences in patient characteristics between the treatment groups. Methods: All femoral neck fracture patients treated in 14 hospitals between February 2008 and August 2009 were included. Patient characteristics, X-rays, and treatment data were collected retrospectively. Results: From a total of 1,250 patients 59 % had been treated with arthroplasty, 39 % with internal fixation, and 2 % with a non-operative treatment. While 74 % of the treatment choices complied with the guideline, 12 % did not. In 14 % adherence could not be determined from the available data. Arthroplasty was preferred over internal fixation in elderly patients with severe comorbidity, pre-fracture osteoporosis and a displaced fracture, who were ambulatory with aids pre-fracture (odds ratio, OR 2.2-58.1). Sliding hip screws were preferred over cancellous screws in displaced fractures (OR 1.9). Conclusions: Overall guideline adherence was good. Most deviations concerned treatment of elderly patients with a displaced fracture and implant use in internal fixation. Additional data on these issues, preferably at a higher scientific level of evidence, is needed in order to improve the guideline and to reinforce a more uniform treatment of these patients
A conformal Bayesian network for classification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex lineages
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