A bibliographical review of research completed by Nepali students at Lincoln University, New Zealand (1956 - 2022)

Not long after the summiting of Everest in May 1953, Bidur Kumar Thapa, the first recorded Nepali student arrived at the then Lincoln Agricultural College, supported by the Colombo Plan. He graduated in 1956 with a Masters of Agricultural Science with Honours in Soil Science under the supervision of Dr Walker, and went on to publish his findings on grassland soils in the Journal of Soil Science, in 1959. Thapa’s work laid the foundation and pathway for future students from Nepal. In the following years, more than fifty Nepali research students have been recorded in the Lincoln University archives as completing a range of research-based qualifications from across the University, and in many instances going on to publish findings in scholarly journals. This annotated bibliography sets out to collate, review and curate their collective research efforts spanning almost seventy years

Fidelity protocol for the Action Success Knowledge (ASK) trial: A psychosocial intervention administered by speech and language therapists to prevent depression in people with post-stroke aphasia

Introduction: Treatment fidelity is a complex, multifaceted evaluative process which refers to whether a studied intervention was delivered as intended. Monitoring and enhancing fidelity is one recommendation of the TiDIER (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) checklist, as fidelity can inform interpretation and conclusions drawn about treatment effects. Despite the methodological and translational benefits, fidelity strategies have been used inconsistently within health behaviour intervention studies; in particular, within aphasia intervention studies, reporting of fidelity remains relatively rare. This paper describes the development of a fidelity protocol for the Action Success Knowledge (ASK) study, a current cluster randomised trial investigating an early mood intervention for people with aphasia (a language disability caused by stroke). Methods and analysis: A novel fidelity protocol and tool was developed to monitor and enhance fidelity within the two arms (experimental treatment and attention control) of the ASK study. The ASK fidelity protocol was developed based on the National Institutes of Health Behaviour Change Consortium fidelity framework. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee in Queensland, Australia under the National Mutual Acceptance scheme of multicentre human research projects. Specific ethics approval was obtained for those participating sites who were not under the National Mutual Agreement at the time of application. The monitoring and ongoing conduct of the research project is in line with requirements under the National Mutual Acceptance. On completion of the trial, findings from the fidelity reviews will be disseminated via publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number ACTRN12614000979651

A farm transmission model for Salmonella in pigs, applicable to EU members states

The burden of Salmonella entering pig slaughterhouses across the European Union (EU) is considered a primary food safety concern. In order to assist EU Member States with the development of National Control Plans, we have developed a farm transmission model applicable to all Member States. It is an individual-based stochastic Susceptible-Infected model, that takes into account four different sources of infection of pigs (sows, feed, external contaminants such as rodents and new stock) and various management practices linked to Salmonella transmission/protection (housing, flooring, feed, All-In-All-Out production). A novel development within the model is the assessment of dynamic shedding rates. The results of the model, parameterized for two case study Member States (one high and one low prevalence) suggest that breeding herd prevalence is a strong indicator of slaughter pig prevalence. Until a Member States’ breeding herd prevalence is brought below 10% then the sow will be the dominant source of infection to pigs raised for meat production; below this level of breeding herd prevalence, feed becomes the dominant force of infection

Design of slurries for 3D printing of sodium-ion battery electrodes

Additive manufacturing of battery electrodes, using syringe deposition 3D printing or direct ink writing methods, enables intricate microstructural design. This process differs from traditional blade or slot-die coating methods, necessitating tailored physical properties of composite slurries to ensure successful deposition. Inadequately optimised slurries result in non-uniform extrusion, and challenges such as nozzle swelling or slumping, result in compromised structural integrity of the print, limiting the resolution. This study focuses on developing slurry design principles by thoroughly characterising the rheology of several water-based hard carbon anode slurry, both in shear and extension. Hard carbon is chosen as a material of significant importance for future sodium-ion batteries, and an example for this optimisation. The slurry composition is tailored to introduce yield stress by incorporating network-forming binder (carrageenan) and additive (carbon nanotubes), effectively reducing spreading, and preserving the printed coating's structure. Validation is performed through printing a large width line and evaluating spread. The same slurry is deposited on a smaller 150 μm nozzle, which introduces die swell and spreading effects. This offers insights for further optimization strategies. The strategies developed in this research for characterizing and optimizing the rheology through formulation lay the groundwork for the advancement of detailed 3D printed electrodes, contributing to the progress of additive manufacturing technologies in the field of battery manufacturing.</p

Moving the Needle: Changing the Culture Around Professionalism For Faculty As Evaluated by Medical Students

Moving the needle: Changing the culture around professionalism for faculty as evaluated by medical students Rationale Professionalism is an integral aspect of physician growth and development and a core competency in medical education. Clinical experiences and faculty role models are the most powerful determinants of professional behaviors and values in the practice of medicine.1,2 Yet, with significantly greater stress placed on clinical faculty in the last 25 years, there has been increasing concern over an erosion of the attitudes and behaviors of practicing physicians and the resulting negative impact on the professional development of medical students and resident physicians3. Given its importance, faculty professionalism is assessed annually in the American Association of Medical Colleges graduate questionnaire (AAMC GQ) survey of fourth year medical students, providing medical education leaders with data on their performance compared to medical schools nationally, as well as year-over-year trends.. Many schools struggle with faculty professionalism data that is reported through the GQ and their students’ perception of a poorly perceived professional clinical environment. The three schools presenting at this session have received low learning environment scores at different times and have employed interventions to change the culture at their institutions, with varying success, to address the underlying root causes. In this session, we will discuss overall challenges of addressing the learning environment and faculty professionalism. After that, each student will report its GQ data, root causes identified, and interventions to address those root causes. After the presentations, participants will break out into small groups and, using a structured guide, review data from their own schools as well as interventions that have been tried to address those issues. Participants will come together at the end for a facilitated discussion to summarize their conversations and discuss ideas and opportunities to bring to their home institution to improve the learning environment. Learning Objectives • Review the quality improvement approach and interventions that have been shown to be effective at improving professionalism at UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego • Develop a list of high-impact interventions that can be utilized to improve professionalism in the learning environment at your institution • Describe your approach to implementation of interventions unique to your institutionand ways in which these incidents can be shared with the broader educational community Session Plan • 10 minutes: Describe why changing professionalism outcomes is a “wicked problem” • 24 minutes: Review the approach and adoption of interventions at UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego where these institutions have strived to improve culture of professionalism (8 mins each) • 30 minutes: Breakout sessions where participants discuss professionalism challenges at their home institutions and brainstorm interventions to improve their culture. • 25 minutes: Plenary group discussion to identify consensus approaches and opportunities to enact culture change Products/materials • PPT Experience • Mithu Molla MD – Director of the Learning Environment, Co-Chair Learning Climate Committee, UCD SOM • Sharad Jain MD – Associate Dean for Students, Co-Chair Learning Climate Committee, UCD SOM • Mark Servis MD – Vice Dean for Medical Education, UCD SOM • Christina Granillo, PhD - Director of Academic Success, Chair of the Grievance Committee and co-Chair of our Learning Environment Council • Michelle Daniel, MD, MHPE, FACEP - Vice Dean for Medical Education, Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine UC San Diego SOM • Emma M Simmons MD, MPH – Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, UC Riverside SOM Bibliography 1- Orit Karnieli-Miller, PhD, et al. Medical Students’ Professionalism Narratives: A Window on the Informal and Hidden Curriculum. Academic Medicine, Vol 85, No.1/January 2010 2- Inui TS, et al. A Flag in the Wind: Educating for Professionalism in Medicine. Washington DC: Association of American Medical Colleges; 2003. 3- Swick H, et al. Teaching Professionalism in Undergraduate Medical Education. JAMA, September 1, 1999- Vol 282, No.9 4- Binder R, et al. Preventing and Managing Unprofessionalism in Medical School Faculties. Acad Med. 2015;90:442-446

A review of metrology in lithium-ion electrode coating processes

Lithium-ion battery electrode design and manufacture is a multi-faceted process where the link between underlying physical processes and manufacturing outputs is not yet fully understood. This is in part due to the many parameters and variables involved and the lack of complete data sets under different processing conditions. The slurry coating step has significant implications for electrode design and advanced metrology offers opportunities to improve understanding and control at this stage. Here, metrology options for slurry coating are reviewed as well as opportunities for in-line integration, discussing the benefits of combining advanced metrology to provide comprehensive characterisation, improve understanding and feed into predictive design models. There is a comprehensive range of metrology which needs little improvement to provide the relevant quantifiable measures during coating, with one exception of particle sizing, where more precise, in-line measurement would be beneficial. However, there is a lack of studies that bring together the latest advancements in electrode coating metrology which is crucial to understanding the interdependency of myriad processing and product parameters. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive metrological picture whose value would be much greater than the sum of its parts for the next generation of multiphysics and data-driven models

Relationship between a Weighted Multi-Gene Algorithm and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertension

Hypertension (HTN) is a complex disease with interactions among multiple organ systems, including the heart, vasculature, and kidney with a strong heritable component. Despite the multifactorial nature of HTN, no clinical guidelines utilize a multi-gene approach to guide blood pressure (BP) therapy. Non-smokers with a family history of HTN were included in the analysis (n = 384; age = 61.0 ± 0.9, 11% non-white). A total of 17 functional genotypes were weighted according to the previous effect size in the literature and entered into an algorithm. Pharmacotherapy was ranked from 1⁻4 as most to least likely to respond based on the algorithmic assessment of individual patient's genotypes. Three-years of data were assessed at six-month intervals for BP and medication history. There was no difference in BP at diagnosis between groups matching the top drug recommendation using the multi-gene weighted algorithm (n = 92) vs. those who did not match (n = 292). However, from diagnosis to nadir, patients who matched the primary recommendation had a significantly greater drop in BP when compared to patients who did not. Further, the difference between diagnosis to current 1-year average BP was lower in the group that matched the top recommendation. These data suggest an association between a weighted multi-gene algorithm on the BP response to pharmacotherapy.Geneticure Inc.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Maternal nutrition modifies trophoblast giant cell phenotype and fetal growth in mice

Mammalian placentation is dependent upon the action of trophoblast cells at the time of implantation. Appropriate fetal growth, regulated by maternal nutrition and nutrient transport across the placenta, is a critical factor for adult offspring long-term health. We have demonstrated that a mouse maternal low-protein diet (LPD) fed exclusively during preimplantation development (Emb-LPD) increases offspring growth but programmes adult cardiovascular and metabolic disease. In this study, we investigate the impact of maternal nutrition on post-implantation trophoblast phenotype and fetal growth. Ectoplacental cone explants were isolated at day 8 of gestation from female mice fed either normal protein diet (NPD: 18% casein), LPD (9% casein) or Emb-LPD and cultured in vitro. We observed enhanced spreading and cell division within proliferative and secondary trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) emerging from explants isolated from LPD-fed females when compared with NPD and Emb-LPD explants after 24 and 48 h. Moreover, both LPD and Emb-LPD explants showed substantial expansion of TGC area during 24-48 h, not observed in NPD. No difference in invasive capacity was observed between treatments using Matrigel transwell migration assays. At day 17 of gestation, LPD- and Emb-LPD-fed conceptuses displayed smaller placentas and larger fetuses respectively, resulting in increased fetal:placental ratios in both groups compared with NPD conceptuses. Analysis of placental and yolk sac nutrient signalling within the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway revealed similar levels of total and phosphorylated downstream targets across groups. These data demonstrate that early post-implantation embryos modify trophoblast phenotype to regulate fetal growth under conditions of poor maternal nutrition

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Health of Emerging Young Adults in England Following a COVID-19 Infection

PURPOSE: This study describes long COVID symptomatology in a national sample of 18- to 20-year-olds with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-confirmed Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) and matched test-negative controls in England. Symptoms in 18- to 20-year-olds were compared to symptoms in younger adolescents (aged 11-17 years) and all adults (18+). METHODS: A national database was used to identify SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive 18- to 20-year-olds and test-negative controls matched by time of test, age, gender, and geographical region. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire about their health retrospectively at time of test and also when completing the questionnaire. Comparison cohorts included children and young people with long COVID and REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission studies. RESULTS: Of 14,986 people invited, 1,001 were included in the analysis (562 test-positive; 440 test-negative). At testing, 46.5% of test-positives and 16.4% of test-negatives reported at least one symptom. At the time of questionnaire completion (median 7 months post-testing), 61.5% of test-positives and 47.5% of test-negatives reported one or more symptoms. The most common symptoms were similar amongst test-positives and test-negatives and included tiredness (44.0%; 35.7%), shortness of breath (28.8%; 16.3%), and headaches (13.7%; 12.0%). Prevalence rates were similar to those reported by 11-17-year-olds (66.5%) and higher than those reported in all adults (37.7%). For 18- to 20-year-olds, there was no significant difference in health-related quality of life and well-being (p > .05). However, test-positives reported being significantly more tired than test-negatives (p = .04). DISCUSSION: Seven months after PCR test, a high proportion of test-positive and test-negative 18- to 20-year-olds reported similar symptoms to each other and to those experienced by younger and older counterparts

Long COVID in Children and Youth After Infection or Reinfection with the Omicron Variant: A Prospective Observational Study

To describe the prevalence of long COVID in children infected for the first time (n=332) or reinfected (n=243) with Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2, compared with test-negative children (n=311). 12-16% infected with Omicron met the research definition of long COVID at 3 and 6 months after infection, with no evidence of difference between cases of first-positive and reinfection (pchi-square=0.17)