Research has found that 24% of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore have poor mental health (24%), with depressive symptoms being identified as the second most severe psychological symptoms
...1
. The study assessed the acceptability and effectiveness of a 4-week cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based paraprofessional training program for FDWs in Singapore on depression literacy and CBT knowledge (primary outcomes), depression-related stigma, as well as attitudes towards seeking professional help (secondary outcomes) immediately and 2 months following the training. Forty female Filipino FDWs were recruited and randomized into either a CBT-based paraprofessional training program or wait-list (WL) group. Participants completed outcome measures before, after, and 2 months following their training. No significant difference was found on changes on any of the outcome variables in the intervention group as compared to the WL group. Following training, both groups showed significantly improved depression literacy, CBT knowledge, and attitudes towards seeking professional help. These changes were sustained at 2-month follow-up. All participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with the training program. While findings from between-group analyses do not support the efficacy of the CBT-based paraprofessional training program in improving depression literacy and related outcomes, participation in the program was associated with improvements in several outcomes within the training group. Future research should explore adaptations to the program (e.g., in terms of training duration and modes of delivery) that would increase its efficacy in improving depression literacy and CBT knowledge among FDWs.
We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs ...and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.
•A substantial number of patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have elevated levels of NT-proBNP, hsTnT, and hs-CRP.•Higher NT-proBNP is associated with aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation in ...BAV patients.•Higher hsTnT is associated with aortic valve regurgitation in BAV patients.•BAV patients have lower transforming growth factor-beta 1 levels than healthy controls.•This is the first study evaluating associations between biomarkers and disease stage in BAV patients.
Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are at risk of developing valve deterioration and aortic dilatation. We aimed to investigate whether blood biomarkers are associated with disease stage in patients with BAV.
Serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and total transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) were measured in adult BAV patients with valve dysfunction or aortic pathology. Age-matched general population controls were included for TGFß-1 measurements. Correlation analyses and multivariable linear regression were used to determine the association between (2log-transformed) biomarker levels and aortic valve regurgitation, aortic valve stenosis, aortic dilatation, or left ventricular function.
hsCRP and hsTnT were measured in the total group of 183 patients (median age 34 years, 25th–75th percentile 23−46), NT-proBNP in 162 patients, and TGF-ß1 beta in 108 patients. Elevated levels of NT-proBNP were found in 20% of the BAV patients, elevated hsTnT in 6%, and elevated hsCRP in 7%. Higher hsTnT levels were independently associated with aortic regurgitation odds ratio per doubling (OR2log) 1.34, 95% CI 1.01;1.76 and higher NT-proBNP levels with aortic valve maximal velocity (ß2log 0.17, 95%CI 0.07;0.28) and aortic regurgitation (OR2log 1.41, 95%CI 1.11;1.79). Both BAV patients with (9.9 ± 2.7 ng/mL) and without aortic dilatation (10.4 ± 2.9 ng/mL) showed lower TGF-ß1 levels compared to general population controls (n = 85, 11.8 ± 3.2 ng/mL).
Higher NT-proBNP and hsTNT levels were associated with aortic valve disease in BAV patients. TGF-ß1 levels were lower in BAV patients than in the general population, and not related to aortic dilatation. Longitudinal data are needed to further investigate the prognostic value of biomarkers in these patients.
Differential triangular flow, v3(pT), of negative pions is measured at sNN=17.3 GeV around midrapidity by the CERES/NA45 experiment at CERN in central PbAu collisions in the range 0–30% with a mean ...centrality of 5.5%. This is the first measurement as a function of transverse momentum of the triangular flow at SPS energies. The pT range extends from about 0.05 GeV/c to more than 2 GeV/c. The triangular flow magnitude, corrected for the HBT effects, is smaller by a factor of about 2 than the one measured by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC and the ALICE experiment at the LHC. Within the analyzed range of central collisions no significant centrality dependence is observed. The data are found to be well described by a viscous hydrodynamic calculation combined with an UrQMD cascade model for the late stages.
Genome-wide mRNA expression measurements can identify molecular signatures of cancer and are anticipated to improve patient management. Such expression profiles are currently being critically ...evaluated based on an apparent instability in gene composition and the limited overlap between signatures from different studies. We have recently identified a primary tumor signature for detection of lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Before starting a large multicenter prospective validation, we have thoroughly evaluated the composition of this signature. A multiple training approach was used for validating the original set of predictive genes. Based on different combinations of training samples, multiple signatures were assessed for predictive accuracy and gene composition. The initial set of predictive genes is a subset of a larger group of 825 genes with predictive power. Many of the predictive genes are interchangeable because of a similar expression pattern across the tumor samples. The head and neck metastasis signature has a more stable gene composition than previous predictors. Exclusion of the strongest predictive genes could be compensated by raising the number of genes included in the signature. Multiple accurate predictive signatures can be designed using various subsets of predictive genes. The absence of genes with strong predictive power can be compensated by including more genes with lower predictive power. Lack of overlap between predictive signatures from different studies with the same goal may be explained by the fact that there are more predictive genes than required to design an accurate predictor.
•The NeuMoDx 96 and 288 are fully-automated molecular sample-in-result-out systems.•The NeuMoDx CMV and EBV assays are suitable for detection and quantification in clinical specimens.•The CMV assay ...of NeuMoDx is more sensitive compared to the LDT.•The Abbott m2000 EBV assay seems to under-quantify compared to the NeuMoDx assay.
The detection and follow up of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral loads (VL) are crucial in the management of immunocompromised patients. Recently, molecular CE-IVD assays for detection and quantification of CMV and EBV have been launched for use on the random-access and sample-to-result NeuMoDx 96 and 288 platforms (Qiagen).
Evaluating the qualitative and quantitative performance of the NeuMoDx CMV and EBV assays in clinical specimens compared to a lab developed tests (LDT) and the CE-IVD assays on the Abbott m2000 system.
Both a prospective and a retrospective panel, compiled of non-detectable (ND), non-quantifiable (NQ) and quantifiable VLs in plasma samples have been evaluated for both CMV and EBV: NeuMoDx versus LDT and NeuMoDx versus Abbott m2000. Quantitative agreement was determined for samples with a quantifiable VL on both systems.
Qualitative and quantitative agreement between the NeuMoDx and LUMC's LDT CMV assays was 88%. Qualitative agreement between the NeuMoDx and Abbott m2000 CMV assays was 92% and quantitative agreement was 87%. Qualitative and quantitative agreement between the NeuMoDx and the LDT EBV assays was 87%. Qualitative agreement between the NeuMoDx and Abbott m2000 EBV assays was 91% and quantitative agreement was 0%.
These data show that the NeuMoDx assays are suitable for both detection and quantification of CMV and EBV in a medium- to high throughput diagnostic setting, but that differences in sensitivity and quantification (for EBV, NeuMoDx versus Abbott m2000) warrant an extensive transition period when using the respective assays for following VL in patient samples.
This work investigates the effect of copper substitution on the magnetic properties of SmCo5 thin films synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy. A series of thin films with varying concentrations of Cu ...were grown under otherwise identical conditions to disentangle structural and compositional effects on the magnetic behavior. The combined experimental and theoretical studies show that Cu substitution at the Co3g sites not only stabilizes the formation of the SmCo5 structure but also enhances magnetic anisotropy and coercivity. Density functional theory calculations indicate that Sm(Co4Cu3g)5 possesses a higher single-ion anisotropy as compared to pure SmCo5. In addition, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism reveals that Cu substitution causes an increasing decoupling of the Sm 4f and Co 3d moments. Scanning transmission electron microscopy confirms predominantly SmCo5 phase formation and reveals nanoscale inhomogeneities in the Cu and Co distribution. Our study based on thin film model systems and advanced characterization as well as modeling reveals novel aspects of the complex interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to magnetic hysteresis in rare-earth-based magnets, i.e., the combination of increased intrinsic anisotropy due to Cu substitution and the extrinsic effect of inhomogeneous elemental distribution of Cu and Co.
Abstract
The Phase-I trigger readout electronics upgrade of the ATLAS
Liquid Argon calorimeters enhances the
physics reach of the experiment during the upcoming operation at
increasing Large Hadron ...Collider luminosities.
The new system, installed during the second Large Hadron Collider Long Shutdown,
increases the trigger readout granularity by up to a factor of ten
as well as its precision and range.
Consequently, the background rejection at trigger level is improved
through enhanced filtering algorithms utilizing the additional information
for topological discrimination of electromagnetic and hadronic shower shapes.
This paper presents the final designs of the new electronic elements,
their custom electronic devices, the procedures
used to validate their proper functioning, and the performance achieved
during the commissioning of this system.
In South Africa, phosphonate trunk injections are widely used in a preventative management strategy against avocado root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Due to increasing costs, alternative ...application methods must be investigated. The efficacy of different phosphonate foliar spray treatments was evaluated in two trials that were each situated in a climatically different region. Efficacy was evaluated through quantification of root phosphite (breakdown product of phosphonates) concentrations at different time points, following fall and summer applications. Since no high-throughput cost-effective analytical methods are available for phosphite quantification from avocado roots, a phosphite extraction and purification method was first developed, from which phosphite was quantified using a publically available liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Foliar potassium phosphonate sprays, applied as three weekly sprays (full- and ¾ volume sprays) in fall, did not result in significantly lower root phosphite concentrations (8, 12 and 23 weeks after application) than the trunk injection. This was also true for two potassium phosphonate foliar sprays applied in summer (8 and 14 weeks after application) in the one trial. However, in the other trial, the summer applied potassium phosphonate foliar sprays had significantly lower root phosphite concentrations than the trunk injection. Ammonium phosphonate foliar sprays, three sprays applied in fall and two in summer, consistently yielded higher or similar root phosphite concentrations than the trunk injection. The ammonium phosphonate foliar sprays furthermore yielded significantly higher root phosphite concentrations than the corresponding potassium phosphonate foliar spray treatment. This was true for almost all time points, except 8-weeks after the summer application in one trial. Phosphite fruit residues were significantly higher for the foliar spray treatments than for the trunk injection in the one trial, but in the other trial it was similar or lower.
•A new method for phosphite extraction and purification from avocado roots was developed.•Phosphite extracted from roots could be quantified using a publically available LC-MS/MS method.•Foliar ammonium- and potassium phosphonate sprays show potential for replacing trunk injections.•Most phosphonate treatments resulted in exceedances of the maximum residue level (50 mg/kg phosphite syn. phosphonic acid).
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