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We report on results of spectropolarimetry of the afterglow of the long gamma-ray burst GRB 191221B, obtained with SALT/RSS and VLT/FORS2, as well as photometry from two telescopes in the MASTER Global Robotic Network, at the MASTER-SAAO (South Africa) and MASTER-OAFA (Argentina) stations. Prompt optical emission was detected by MASTER-SAAO 38 s after the alert, which dimmed from a magnitude (white-light) of ∼10–16.2 mag over a period of ∼10 ks, followed by a plateau phase lasting ∼10 ks and then a decline to ∼18 mag after 80 ks. The light curve shows complex structure, with four or five distinct breaks in the power-law decline rate. SALT/RSS linear spectropolarimetry of the afterglow began ∼2.9 h after the burst, during the early part of the plateau phase of the light curve. Absorption lines seen at ∼6010 and 5490 Å are identified with the Mg ii 2799 Å line from the host galaxy at z  = 1.15 and an intervening system located at z  = 0.96. The mean linear polarization measured over 3400–8000 Å was ∼1.5 per cent and the mean equatorial position angle (θ) was ∼65°. VLT/FORS2 spectropolarimetry was obtained ∼10 h post-burst, during a period of slow decline (α = −0.44), and the polarization was measured to be p  = 1.2 per cent and θ = 60°. Two observations with the MeerKAT radio telescope, taken 30 and 444 d after the GRB trigger, detected radio emission from the host galaxy only. We interpret the light curve and polarization of this long GRB in terms of a slow-cooling forward shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all front-line healthcare workers in the UK and is a crucial way of reducing mortality for vulnerable patient groups. However, to date the UK government has never explicitly monitored influenza vaccine uptake in medical students. This is important to ascertain, as students regularly move between clinical areas and are both a perfect vector for the spread of influenza and at an increased risk of contracting influenza themselves. Aims This service evaluation was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an influenza vaccination programme in one UK medical school and make recommendations to increase vaccination rates in the future. Methods This service evaluation collected data about medical student uptake of influenza vaccination in one UK medical school. Two hundred and fifty-one students at different course stages completed questionnaires, answering questions on vaccination status and Likert-scale 'belief' questions to assess the subjective reasons behind vaccine refusal. Results There was a substantial difference between year group cohorts (~20%), with significantly higher vaccination rates in the preclinical year group. Two significant negative predictors of vaccination were found (P < 0.001), related to scepticism over the effectiveness of the vaccine and lack of convenient access to the vaccination. Results indicated that integrating information about the influenza vaccine into the curriculum would reduce lack of knowledge over the efficacy of the vaccine. The centralization of vaccination programmes at mandatory university-based learning events would mitigate against the problem of diversity of vaccination locations and lack of central accountability. Conclusions The results of this service evaluation provide significant predictors of vaccination status for medical students and potential occupational health interventions to improve vaccine uptake in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), one of the most widely used medications, are commonly used to suppress several acid-related upper gastrointestinal disorders. Acid-suppressing medication use could be associated with increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), although the results of clinical studies have been conflicting.Data Sources: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library and Database of Systematic Reviews from the earliest available online year of indexing up to October 2018.Study Selection: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to evaluate the risk of PPI use on CAP outcomes.Data Extraction: Included study location, design, population, the prevalence of CAP, comparison group and other confounders. We calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) using a random-effects meta-analysis.Results Of Data Synthesis: Of the 2577 studies screening, 11 papers were included in the systematic review and 7 studies with 65 590 CAP cases were included in the random-effects meta-analysis. In current PPI users, pooled OR for CAP was 1.86 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30-2.66), and in the case of recent users, OR for CAP was 1.66 (95% CI, 1.22-2.25). In the subgroup analysis of CAP, significance association is also observed in both high-dose and low-dose PPI therapy. When stratified by duration of exposure, 3-6 months PPIs users group was associated with increased risk of developing CAP (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.22-3.45). There was a statistically significant association between the PPI users and the rate of hospitalization (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.83-3.66).Conclusion: We found possible evidence linking PPI use to an increased risk of CAP. More randomized controlled studies are warranted to clarify an understanding of the association between PPI use and risk of CAP because observational studies cannot clarify whether the observed epidemiologic association is a causal effect or a result of unmeasured/residual confounding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae) is causing widespread mortality of eastern hemlock (EH) (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carrière) across its range. Unless ecological or cultural considerations are accounted for, few forest managers would find it economical to manage the HWA. However, new markets for EH may increase incentives to manage the HWA or at least bring more value to this low-grade tree species. Our research explores the feasibility of using EH as animal bedding, by comparing water absorption, microbial growth, and wood shaving production factors with eastern white pine (EWP) (Pinus strobus L.). Results showed that when dried to 10 percent and 30 percent moisture content, EH absorbed 281 percent and 176 percent of its weight in water, which was significantly lower than EWP, which absorbed 361 percent and 243 percent respectively. However, no difference was found between tree species when comparing the growth of pathogenic bacteria in bedding samples. Furthermore, no difference in volume of produced bedding was found when using a wood shaving machine. These findings suggest that EH is suitable for animal bedding, especially if the substantially lower stumpage value of the wood resource, as compared with EWP and other species within its range, compensates for the reduced moisture absorbing capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat color is considered one of the driving factors in consumer purchasing decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of 2 different lighting sources on color and lipid oxidation of ground beef patties in a controlled environment. USDA Select top rounds (n = 20) were processed to produce ground beef at 2 different fat levels (5 and 25%) and made into patties (113.4 g). Patties were packaged with oxygen permeable polyvinyl chloride, assigned to one of three lighting treatments (low UV fluorescent [FLO], light emitting diode [LED], and no light [DRK, negative control]), and placed within deli cases at 5°C. Patty removal for evaluation occurred on retail display d 1, 3, 5, and 7. Objective color measurements were obtained using a HunterLab MiniScan 45/0 LAV. These values were utilized to determine myoglobin redox forms as a measure of myoglobin oxidation. Additionally, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured to indicate lipid oxidation. Objective color measurement for a* (redness), decreased for all light treatments by retail display day (P < 0.0001). Oxymyoglobin values for all light treatments decreased daily but showed no differences between treatments until d 5 (P < 0.0001) where DRK > LED > FLO. Conversely, metmyoglobin values increased daily (P < 0.0001), but showed no differences between treatments until d 5 where FLO > LED > DRK. TBARS values increased by day for each fat percentage (P < 0.0001) with 5% fat patties having higher TBARS values indicating great oxidation occurring in the phospholipids than adipose tissues. Results indicate that light treatment affected discoloration and metmyoglobin formation in ground beef patties; LED lighting may lead to increased meat quality shelf life in a retail setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animals use pheromone marking as a way to identify their territory or other resources. Among insects, substrate-borne marking is frequently reported for females, which in many species make marks containing oviposition-deterring pheromone, which other females avoid. However, there are fewer reports of substrate-borne marking for males. Here, marking in males of the parasitoid wasp Urolepis rufipes (Ashmead) is described. The conditions under which males mark and whether males and females respond to the males' marks were examined using behavioral observations. Males marked by dragging the tips of their abdomens across a substrate. They marked much more after mating and after consuming honey. They also marked more when with a female, irrespective of copulation, although not when with a male. Females spent more time on or near marked substrates, and males also responded to their own marks. Although males aggressively and successfully defended areas that they had marked against other males, males did not respond to another male's marks in the conspecific's absence. In contrast to males, females did not mark, either on the surface of hosts or on other surfaces, and males showed no detectable response to surfaces which females had recently occupied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Randomised studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of pre-surgical treatment with somatostatin analogues (SSA) in acromegaly when evaluated early postoperatively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term surgical cure rates Methods: Newly diagnosed patients were randomised to direct surgery (nZ30) or 6-month pretreatment with octreotide LAR (nZ32). The patients were evaluated 1 and 5 years postoperatively. Cure was defined as normal IGF1 levels and by normal IGF1 level combined with nadir GH <2 mU/l in an oral glucose tolerance test, all without additional post-operative treatment. A meta-analysis using the other published randomised study with long-term analyses on preoperative SSA treatment was performed. Results: The proportion of patients receiving post-operative acromegaly treatment was equal in the two groups. When using the combined criteria for cure, 10/26 (38%) macroadenomas were cured in the pretreatment group compared with 6/25 (24%) in the direct surgery group 1 year postoperatively (PZ0.27), and 9/22 (41%) vs 6/22 (27%) macroadenomas, respectively, 5 years postoperatively (PZ0.34). In the meta-analysis, 16/45 (36%) macroadenomas were cured using combined criteria in the pretreatment group vs 8/45 (18%) in the direct surgery group after 6-12 months (PZ0.06), and 15/41 (37%) vs 8/42 (19%), respectively, in the long-term (PZ0.08). Conclusion: This study does not prove a beneficial effect of SSA pre-surgical treatment, but in the meta-analysis a trend towards significance can be claimed. A potential favourable, clinically relevant response cannot be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat oxidation is caused by several factors including light source, oxygen incorporation during grinding, and degree of fat saturation. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of fat percentage on color and lipid oxidation in ground beef. Subcutaneous fat was removed from top rounds (n = 20), which were ground to produce patties (113.4 g) with either 5 or 25% fat. No additional fat was added to patties containing 5% fat. Subcutaneous fat from each top round was added back to achieve 25% fat content. Patties were packaged in Styrofoam trays with oxygen-permeable overwrap and then assigned into deli cases (5°C) with one of three lighting conditions: low UV fluorescent, light emitting diode (LED), or no light (negative control). Patties were removed from storage on d 1, 3,5, and 7 for evaluation of objective color measurements L*, a*, and b* and lipid oxidation determination by thiobarbi-turic acid reactive substances (TBAR). Myoglobin states were calculated using selected wavelengths. Means were separated using GLIMMIX on SAS. Patties with 5% fat had greater a* values (P < 0.05) than 25% for storage d 1, 3, and 7; the exception was Day 5 where there was no difference (P > 0.05). Metmyoglobin (MMb) percentage increased by storage day for both 5 and 25% fat with a difference (P < 0.05) on Day 7 of storage where patties with 25% fat had a greater percentage (45.28) MMb than patties with 5% fat (44.14). Conversely, oxymyoglobin (Mb02) percentage decreased by storage day for both 5 and 25% fat with a difference (P < 0.05) on Day 7 of storage where 5% fat patties had a greater Mb02 percentage (53.71) than patties with 25% fat (52.43). TBAR values increased by day for each fat percentage (P < 0.0001). After storage Day 1 (P > 0.05), means were consistently lower (P < 0.05) on storage Day 3, 5, and 7 for patties with 25% fat. Data from this study confirmed that the phospholipid membrane layer plays a larger role in lipid oxidation than additional added subcutaneous fat in ground beef. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat color is the most important factor that drives consumer purchasing decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of 2 different light sources on oxidation that causes color change in ground beef from the conversion of oxymyoglobin (Mb02) to metmyoglobin (MMb) in a controlled environment. Top rounds (n = 20) were ground at 2 different fat levels (5 and 25%) and made into patties (113.4 g). Patties were assigned to 1 of 3 lighting treatments (low UV fluorescent, Light Emitting Diode [LED], and no light [negative control]) within temperature controlled deli cases at 5°C Patties were removed on storage d 1, 3, 5, and 7 of storage. Utilizing a Hunter MiniScan 4500L, objective color measurements L*, a*, and b* were utilized to determine relative myoglobin variant concentrations as a measure of myoglobin oxidation. Means were separated using the GLIMMIX function of SAS with differences determined at P < 0.05. Objective color measurement for redness, a*, decreased for all light treatments by storage day (P < 0.0001) where storage Day 1 > 3 > 5 > 7, respectively. Oxymyoglobin values for all light treatments decreased daily (P < 0.0001) but showed no differences among treatments until d 5 where no light > LED > FLO with means of 57.52, 56.75, and 55.94%, respectively. Inversely, MMb values increased daily (P < 0.0001) but showed no differences among treatments until d 5 where FLO > LED > no light with means of 41.70,40.10, and 38.96%, respectively. In this study, no light was the superior display lighting; however, on storage d 5 LED had more desirable Mb02 and less MMb than LED. Indicating that LED a* and Mb02 values were more similar to patties treated with no light than FLO treated patties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Key Search, a subtest within the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome battery, is purported to assess planning and problem solving. However, evidence supporting the interpretability of performance on the Key Search is limited. This study evaluated the construct validity of the Key Search in neurologically healthy adults. Method: A diverse sample of healthy adults (n = 101) was administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Between-measure correlations and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to evaluate construct validity of the Key Search's total score (TS) and total time (TT) measures. Results: Covariate analyses revealed small correlations between the Key Search TS, but not TT, and 3 of 10 executive functioning (EF) measures: the D-KEFS Trail Making Test, Switching Condition (r = .259, p = .009), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (r = .25, p = .013), and the D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test, Inhibition/Switching (r = .217, p = .039). Discriminant analyses revealed no correlation between measures of non-verbal memory, visuospatial reasoning, or literacy (p > .05). An EFA of EF measures revealed a 3 component item structure (Eigenvalues > 1), accounting for 43% of the total variance. Key Search TS loaded on the executive control/working memory factor (Factor 1: .508). Key Search TT measure loaded minimally on the inhibitory control factor (Factor 2: .354). Neither loaded on the planning factor (Factor 2). Conclusion(s): Interpretability of the Key Search as a measure of planning and problem solving was not supported; however, the Key Search TS appears to measure other aspects of EF. Future studies should assess the Key Search's construct validity in clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]