Search

Early in the pandemic and prior to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, prevention measures were promoted to help inhibit the spread of the virus. To optimize adherence to prevention practices, it's important to understand factors that may influence adherence. A study was conducted in the month of April, 2020, to explore the influence of perceptions of COVID-19 on prevention practices. The sample included members of a public social-media group focused on providing updates and information on COVID-19. A total of 719 individuals completed an online survey that assessed various aspects of COVID-19 which included experience, perceptions, and prevention practices. The perceptions of COVID-19 included perceived susceptibility of contracting the virus, and perceived potential severity if contracted COVID-19. To assess prevention practices, the survey included a 10-item prevention practices questionnaire that included items such as wearing a mask, and social distancing. Results revealed that perceived susceptibility of contracting COVID-19, and potential severity of COVID-19 were significant in predicting prevention practices. Further, results suggest that perceived potential severity predicts a greater proportion of the variance in prevention practices than susceptibility of contracting COVID-19. In addition, a moderation analysis revealed no interaction between perceived susceptibility and severity, which provides evidence that the variables do not influence one another. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closing the gap in cancer care within low- and middle-income countries and in indigenous and geographically isolated populations in high-income countries requires investment and innovation. This is particularly true for radiotherapy, for which the global disparity is one of the largest in healthcare today. New models and paradigms and non-traditional collaborations have been proposed to improve global equity in cancer control. We describe recent initiatives from within the radiation oncology community to increase access to treatment, build the low- and middle-income countries' radiation oncology workforce, mobilise more professionals from within high-income countries and raise awareness of the global need for equitable cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the mechanisms and relevance of cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who never displayed major neuropsychiatric manifestations (nSLE). Thirty-one nSLE female patients and 31 cognitively healthy control women were recruited. Sociodemographic, clinical, neuropsychological and SLE-related markers were collected including cerebral perfusion by single-photon emission computed tomography. Prevalences of cognitive complaints were 22.6% in nSLE versus 6.5% in the control group (p = 0.147); respective prevalences of cognitive dysfunction were 32.3 versus 6.5% (p = 0.01). Within the nSLE group, all cognitive domains appeared similarly affected, and correlations were found between cognitive dysfunction and less skilled occupation (r = –0.41, p = 0.02) and between cognitive complaints and depressive symptoms (r = 0.35, p = 0.05). Cognitive dysfunction is rather frequent in nSLE and seems to negatively impinge on social functioning. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With growing concern about staff recruitment and retention, nurse leaders are challenged to create work cultures that promote professional empowerment, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Unsteady free-surface, wave-induced separation is documented using towing tank experiments for a surface-piercing NACA 0024 foil, which has insignificant separation, no wave effects, and 2-D flow in the deep. The test conditions are for minimal, reattaching, and nonreattaching separation: Froude numbers , 0.37, and 0.55 and Reynolds , 1.52, and 2.26×106. The measurements include mean far-field wave elevations for all three Fr, unsteady near-field wave elevations for medium and low Fr, mean foil-surface pressures for all three Fr, and unsteady foil-surface pressures for medium Fr. Unsteady measurements are statistically analyzed for mean, r.m.s., FFT, PSD, and phased-averaged organized oscillations and random fluctuation components. For , there is no separation and the expected Kelvin waves are present. For , the separation on the free and foil surfaces is demarcated by large r.m.s. (15–20% of the mean value dynamic range) and 1.94, 0.82, and 0.30Hz dominant FFT frequency regions corresponding to shear layer, Karman shedding, and flapping instabilities, respectively. A large bow wave resembles a spilling breaker with low r.m.s. (2–5% of the mean value dynamic range) and 8.5Hz dominant FFT frequency on the free and foil surfaces. Mean wave elevations in the separation region are relatively constant with intense free-surface oscillations, turbulence, and breaking. Outside the separation and wake region, the Kelvin waves are evident. The foil-surface pressure is high in the bow wave, low in the wave trough, gradually rises towards the trailing edge, and recovers 2-D distributions at large depths. For , the bow wave is enormous. The separation region moves towards the trailing edge with increased splashing and bubbles. The Kelvin waves are no longer distinguishable due to increased free-surface turbulence. The mean foil-surface pressure, free-surface, and bottom effects interact with each other. The combination of the present albeit relatively sparse experimental data with complementary computational fluid dynamics studies provides a credible description of the flow physics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The development of modern spacecrafts (launch and re-entry vehicles), either fully reusable or partly reusable needs powerful tools for the design of the aerodynamic shape with a guarantee for reliable flight and controllability along the complete ascent and descent trajectories. Experimental and numerical tools are available these days and for improving the reliability of vehicle design their capability has to be improved step by step. In the frame of the German TETRA Program very detailed technology work was carried out to reach this goal. The growth of the efficiency of these methods is demonstrated by some specific aerothermodynamic problems which are reported in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Normal γδ T-lymphocytes have the morphology of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) and, as the LGL of αβ T-cells, they express pan-T antigens, NK-associated antigens and the cytotoxic molecules, perforin and granzime B. In this report we describe an unusual patient with rheumatoid arthritis and neutropenia who has a chronic γδ T-cell proliferation with a chronic, indolent clinical course and atypical lymphocytes, lacking the classical LGL morphology, not expressing NK-associated antigens, and not expressing perforin or granzyme B. In spite of the atypical morphological features of the clonal cells, which were suggestive of a more malignant process, the patient has been followed for 4 years without aggressive therapy. It is important to recognize this entity and to distinguish it from other γδ T proliferations such as the hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the fabrication of low-noise YBCO superconducting quantum interference device magnetometers on SrTiO3 bicrystal substrates. Function of Josephson junctions; Composition of the magnetometer design; Device exhibiting large voltage modulation with applied flux.

The International Neutron Coincidence Counting (INCC) software plays an important role in nuclear safeguards and nuclear material control and accounting (NMC&A) measurements. While the current version, INCC5, represents the traditional standard utilized by inspectorates as well as facilities and practitioners alongside shift register hardware, LANL has recently developed an upgraded version of the software, INCC6. INCC6 offers the same analysis tools as INCC5 while adding new capabilities including acquisition and analysis of list-mode data, recording and storage of list-mode data files, and an expanded set of advanced analysis tools that make use of the additional information available from list-mode data. This paper presents the first demonstration of data acquisition and analysis using INCC6 and the Advanced List Mode Multiplicity Module (ALMM). The capability of INCC6 to perform live list-mode data acquisition and analysis is demonstrated for a variety of neutron sources with a range of neutron emission rates relevant for practical applications and validated against the results obtained with INCC5 and traditional shift register hardware. Advanced list-mode analysis tools introduced by INCC6, such as time-interval and coincidence matrix analysis, are also demonstrated. Finally, the capability of INCC6 to analyze list-mode data files is tested and validated against traditional shift register results using INCC5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prototype three-axis magnetometer has been developed, intended for geophysical applications, involving high-transition temperature dc superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). Each SQUID was fabricated from a thin film of YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7-x] deposited on a SrTiO[sub 3] bicrystal to form two Josephson junctions, and was directly coupled to a single-turn pickup loop patterned in the same film. The three orthogonally mounted sensors were immersed in liquid nitrogen in a fiberglass Dewar and operated in separate flux-locked loops. In nominally zero ambient magnetic field, the best magnetic field resolution was 170 fT Hz[sup -½] in the white noise, increasing to 225 fT Hz[sup -½] at 1 Hz. The dynamic range was ±1.6 × 10[sup 6] Hz[sup ½] in the white noise, and the highest slew rate achieved was 1.6 mT s[sup -1], at 900 Hz. The 3 dB point in the frequency response was about 90 kHz. The three channels were mutually orthogonal to about 1%. The three-axis magnetometer was also operated outside the laboratory in the presence of 60 Hz and radio-frequency noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract of a research paper on the therapeutic use of Rituximab, submitted at the 5th European Workshop on Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases in Sitges-Barcelona, Spain from December 1-3, 2010.

Presents a case study on clinical microbiology which involves a firm, right infraclavicular mass in an adult woman with connective tissue disease. Information on the symptoms presented by the patient; Findings of the diagnosis; Discussion on the treatment given.

Offers an insight on the clinical microbiological case of a firm, right infraclavicular mass in adult woman with connective tissue disease. Clinical presentation of Streptococcus agalactiae infections in non-pregnant adults; Discussion on the steps in identifying the bacterium; Recommendations for treatment.