REACh for the preschoolers; a developmental assessment tool for 2-5 year old children in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Preschool children in low resource settings are at higher risk of missing developmental potential due to the lack of standardized and validated methods for the timely detection of children with developmental delays or neurodevelopmental disorders. The preschool teacher is a non-specialist resourceful link within the community to detect and offer interventions early. This paper discusses the preliminary iteration of designing and testing the psychometric properties of a developmental assessment for children aged 24 to 60 months in Sri Lanka. This assessment is designed to be conducted by preschool teachers in their preschool setting. METHODS: Three processes followed: 1. Designing and development of the Ragama Early Assessment for Children (REACh) complete preschool developmental assessment and a tool kit 2. Testing and training teachers on conducting the REACh assessment 3. Preliminary assessment of the psychometric properties including content validity, internal consistency, interrater reliability and concurrent validity. RESULTS: A literature search identified 11 assessments and 542 items representing cognitive, social-emotional and adaptive, language and motor domains. Content validity was assessed to select and adapt items. A complete assessment tool was designed to be administered in four settings within the preschool. This was further improved during pre and pilot testing and teacher training. Cronbach's alpha measuring internal consistency was > 0.70 for cognitive, language, social-emotional and adaptive domains across all three age groups in 1809 children. Interrater reliability was > 65% for age groups 36-47 and 47- 60 months. Concurrent validity using a clinical gold standard demonstrated sensitivity of more than 0.75 for all age groups with variable specificities (24-35 months: 0.71, 36- 47 months: 0.43 and 48-60 months: 0.67) assessed in 75 children. CONCLUSIONS: This culturally and linguistically adapted tool was tested nationally in Sri Lanka. The inte-rrater reliability between teachers and research assistants was higher than 65% for all domains in children more than 36 months. The preliminary iteration confirms it as an acceptable screening assessment for all age groups but with significantly lower specificity in the 36-47 month age group. Further improvement in certain domains together with intense teacher training is likely to enhance the validity and reliability of the assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethics clearance for the procedure was granted prospectively from the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (ERC no. P 131/06/2018).

Electrochemistry on Tribocharged Polymers Is Governed by the Stability of Surface Charges Rather than Charging Magnitude.

Electrically insulating objects gain a net electrical charge when brought in and out of contact. This phenomenon-triboelectricity-involves the flow of charged species, but conclusively establishing their nature has proven extremely difficult. Here, we demonstrate an almost linear relationship between a plastic sample's net negative charge and the amount of solution metal ions discharged to metallic particles with a coefficient of proportionality linked to its electron affinity (stability of anionic fragments). The maximum magnitude of reductive redox work is also material dependent: metallic particles grow to a larger extent over charged dielectrics that yield stable cationic fragments (smaller ionization energy). Importantly, the extent to which the sample can act as electron source greatly exceeds the net charging measured in a Faraday pail/electrometer set up, which brings direct evidence of triboeletricity being a mosaic of positive and negative charges rather than a homogeneous ensemble and defines for the first time their quantitative scope in electrochemistry.

Comparison of Antimicrobial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Selected Bacteria.

Green silver nanoparticle (AgNP) biosynthesis is facilitated by the enzyme mediated reduction of Ag ions by plants, fungi and bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of green AgNPs is useful to overcome the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial properties of biosynthesized AgNPs depend on multiple factors including culture conditions and the microbial source. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs biosynthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Acinetobacter baumannii (confirmed clinical isolate) were investigated in this study. Biosynthesis conditions (AgNO3 concentration, pH, incubation temperature and incubation time) were optimized to obtain the maximum AgNP yield. Presence of AgNPs was confirmed by observing a characteristic UV-Visible absorbance peak in 420-435 nm range. AgNP biosynthesis was optimal at 0.4 g/L AgNO3 concentration under alkaline conditions at 60-70 °C. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed higher stability compared to chemogenized AgNPs in the presence of electrolytes. AgNPs synthesized by P. aeruginosa were the most stable while NPs of S. aureus were the least stable. AgNPs synthesized by P. aeruginosa and S. aureus showed good antimicrobial potential against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, MRSA and Candida albicans. AgNPs synthesized by S. aureus had greater antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of NPs may vary depending on the size and the morphology of NPs.

Erratum: Franson Interference Generated by a Two-Level System [Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 030501 (2017)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.030501.

Franson Interference Generated by a Two-Level System.

We report a Franson interferometry experiment based on correlated photon pairs generated via frequency-filtered scattered light from a near-resonantly driven two-level semiconductor quantum dot. In contrast to spontaneous parametric down-conversion and four-wave mixing, this approach can produce single pairs of correlated photons. We have measured a Franson visibility as high as 66%, which goes beyond the classical limit of 50% and approaches the limit of violation of Bell's inequalities (70.7%).

Analysis of high caesarean section rates: the second step after audits using the Ten Group Classification System

Objective: To identify possible methods of reducing high caesarean section rates in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Analysis of birth weight of neonates, maternal age and indications for caesarean section in the groups identified by a modification of Robson's 10 Group Classification of caesarean section (TGCS), which contribute significantly to the high caesarean section rates in the University Obstetric Unit, Teaching Hospital Mahamodara, Galle Sri Lanka during 2010 - to 2014. Results: Among nulliparous women, at term, having a singleton fetus, with a vertex presentation (NTSV) who underwent a caesarian section 25.6% delivered neonates weighing between 2500g and 2999g. Among multiparous women, at term, with no previous caesarean section, having a singleton fetes with a vertex presentation (MTSV) who underwent a caesarian section, those delivering neonates weighing between 2500g and 2999g ranged from 25.6% to 34.6%. Indications for ante part caesarean section included fetal distress, sub fertility, increased maternal age and cephalon-pelvic disproportion in NTSV, and fetal distress, vaginal varices, and a bad obstetric history in MTSV. Among multiparous women with one previous caesarean section undergoing repeat caesarean section, 29.8% delivered neonates weighing between 2500g and 2999g. Women >35 years had a higher risk of caesarean section, irrespective of whether they were nulliparous or multiparous, and whether they had a previous caesarean section or not. Conclusions: A reduction in caesarean section rates in NTSV and MTSV, and women with one previous caesarean section, especially in those with foetuses weighing 2500g - 2999g, should be considered. Increased maternal age and subfertility per se should not be routine indications for antepartum caesarean section. Antepartum caesarean section for vaginal varices and cephalo-pelvic disproportion should be avoided. The diagnosis of fetal distress should be improved.

A study on silicosis among employees of a silica processing factory in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVES: The silica industry is rapidly expanding in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of silicosis among workers exposed to silica dust, and to describe the disease pattern of the affected. We also screened the affected workers for tuberculosis. METHODS: Employees of a silica factory (n=250) were screened using a questionnaire. Details of duration of silica exposure and work category within the industry were recorded. All symptomatic workers were investigated with chest radiography and screened for tuberculosis. International Labour Organisation criteria for diagnosis of silicosis were used for diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 250 employees 25 (10%) had respiratory symptoms. Chest radiographs of 14 workers (5.6%) showed abnormalities diagnostic of silicosis. The mean age of the affected workers was 29 years. One worker had radiological changes suggestive of progressive massive fibrosis. Of 14 patients, 13 had duration of exposure less than 10 years suggestive of accelerated silicosis. Among the 14 workers diagnosed with silicosis five (35.7%) had Mantoux induration of more than 10 mm suggestive of latent tuberculesis. CONCLUSIONS: Silica workers at the investigated industrial facility are at a significant risk of developing accelerated silicosis. Prevalence of infection with mycobacteria was high. Education of workers, improvement of protective measures and regular monitoring of the work environment should be undertaken to avert this deadly disease.

Correlations in pulsed resonance fluorescence.

We investigated the first and second-order correlations of the light scattered near-resonantly by a quantum dot under excitation by a frequency comb, i.e., a periodically pulsed laser source. In contrast to its monochromatic counterpart, the pulsed resonance fluorescence spectrum features a superposition of sidebands distributed around a central peak with maximal sideband intensity near the Rabi frequency. Distinguishing between the coherently and incoherently scattered light reveals pulse-area dependent Rabi oscillations evolving with different phase for each component. Our observations, which can be reproduced theoretically, may impact schemes for remote entanglement based on pulsed two-photon interference.

Seroepidemiology of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in Saudi Arabia (1993) and Australia (2014) and characterisation of assay specificity.

The pseudoparticle virus neutralisation test (ppNT) and a conventional microneutralisation (MN) assay are specific for detecting antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) when used in seroepidemiological studies in animals. Genetically diverse MERS-CoV appear antigenically similar in MN tests. We confirm that MERS-CoV was circulating in dromedaries in Saudi Arabia in 1993. Preliminary data suggest that feral Australian dromedaries may be free of MERS-CoV but larger confirmatory studies are needed.

Animal and human influenzas.

Influenza type A viruses affect humans and other animals and cause significant morbidity, mortality and economic impact. Influenza A viruses are well adapted to cross species barriers and evade host immunity. Viruses that cause no clinical signs in wild aquatic birds may adapt in domestic poultry to become highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses which decimate poultry flocks. Viruses that cause asymptomatic infection in poultry (e.g. the recently emerged A/H7N9 virus) may cause severe zoonotic disease and pose a major pandemic threat. Pandemic influenza arises at unpredictable intervals from animal viruses and, in its global spread, outpaces current technologies for making vaccines against such novel viruses. Confronting the threat of influenza in humans and other animals is an excellent example of a task that requires a One Health approach. Changes in travel, trade in livestock and pets, changes in animal husbandry practices, wet markets and complex marketing chains all contribute to an increased risk of the emergence of novel influenza viruses with the ability to cross species barriers, leading to epizootics or pandemics. Coordinated surveillance at the animal- human interface for pandemic preparedness, risk assessment, risk reduction and prevention at source requires coordinated action among practitioners in human and animal health and the environmental sciences. Implementation of One Health in the field can be challenging because of divergent short-term objectives. Successful implementation requires effort, mutual trust, respect and understanding to ensure that long-term goals are achieved without adverse impacts on agricultural production and food security.

Determinants of sleep quality among pregnant women in a selected institution in the Southern province, Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Sleep is a vital requirement during pregnancy for the betterment of the fetus and the mother. Sleep quality could vary due to pregnancy-specific psychological and physiological changes. To introduce a tailored programme to enhance the sleep quality of mothers, it is paramount to assess the sleep quality and determinants of sleep. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of sleep quality among pregnant women in a selected institution in the Southern province of Sri Lanka. METHODS: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 245 antenatal women, selected using a systematic random sampling method. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which contains four parts. Below variables were involved and both continuous and categorical data were collected as required. 'Maternal sleep quality, socio-demographic data and gestational age, maternal depression and anxiety.' Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 for Windows by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test, and independent sample T-test (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was used to find the relationship with sleep quality and other variables. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, at 95% CI. RESULTS: The majority of women (60.8%) had good sleep quality and they didn't have either depressive symptoms (63.4%) or anxiety (64.2%). Aged between 34-41 years and third-trimester women had higher rates of poor sleep quality. Varying quality of sleep was identified among three-trimesters with subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbances. In comparison with the first and second trimester, pregnant women in the third trimester had higher score of global PSQI (5.22 ± 2.35), subjective sleep quality (1.23 ± 0.70), sleep latency (1.25 ± 0.86), habitual sleep efficiency (0.14 ± 0.43), and sleep disturbances (1.39 ± 0.58). There was a significant association between gestational age (P = .006), maternal age (P = .009), antenatal depression (P = .034), and anxiety (P = .013) with sleep quality. However, multinomial logistic regression revealed that only gestational age affected on quality of sleep. The first trimester was a protective factor for good quality sleep (Adjusted OR = 3.156) compared to the other two trimesters. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the majority of women had good sleep quality but quality of sleep was deprived with gestational age. It is expected that the findings of this research will be helpful for health and social care policymakers when formulating guidelines and interventions regarding improving the quality of sleep among pregnant women in Sri Lanka.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus seroprevalence in domestic livestock in Saudi Arabia, 2010 to 2013.

In Saudi Arabia, including regions of Riyadh and Al Ahsa, pseudoparticle neutralisation (ppNT) and microneutralisation (MNT) tests detected no antibodies to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in sheep (n= 100), goats (n= 45), cattle (n= 50) and chickens (n= 240). Dromedary camels however, had a high prevalence of MERS-CoV antibodies. Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) infected sera from cattle had no cross-reactivity in MERS-CoV ppNT or MNT, while many dromedary camels' sera reacted to both BCoV and MERS-CoV. Some nevertheless displayed specific serologic reaction profiles to MERS-CoV.

Availability of rehabilitation services for communication disorders in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the rehabilitation services available for communication disorders in Sri Lanka and to estimate the adequacy of the services in provinces and districts of the country. SETTING: The study considered government and private institutions, which provide rehabilitation services for communication disorders in Sri Lanka. PARTICIPANTS: Institutions providing services of speech-language pathologists, audiologists and audiology technicians in Sri Lanka. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We investigated the number of government hospitals and private institutions, which provide speech-language pathology and audiology services in Sri Lanka as the primary outcome measure. A number of speech-language pathologists, audiologists and audiology technicians working in the institutions were obtained from records and institution-based inquiries to identify the adequacy of the services in the country as the secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: Of the 647 government hospitals that provide free healthcare services in the country, 45 and 33 hospitals had speech and language therapy and audiology units, respectively. Government hospitals do not have audiologists but only have audiology technicians. The number of speech and language therapists and audiology technicians in the government sector per 100 000 population in the country was 0.44 and 0.18, respectively. There were wide variations in specialist to population ratio between districts. 77 private centres provide speech therapy services in 15 out of the 25 districts; 36 private centres provide audiological evaluations in 9 districts. CONCLUSIONS: The number of specialist speech and language therapists and audiologists is not sufficient to provide adequate rehabilitation services for communications disorder for the Sri Lankan population. Not recruiting audiologists to the government sector affects the management of hearing impairment in the affected.

Field-field and photon-photon correlations of light scattered by two remote two-level InAs quantum dots on the same substrate.

We report the measurement of field-field and photon-photon correlations of light scattered by two InAs quantum dots separated by ≈40 µm. Near 4 K a large fraction of photons can be scattered coherently by each quantum dot leading to one-photon interference at a beam splitter (visibility ≈20%). Simultaneously, two-photon interference is also observed (visibility ≈40%) due to the indistinguishability of photons scattered by the two different quantum emitters. We show how spectral diffusion accounts for the reduction in interference visibility through variations in photon flux.

Evidence of equine influenza A (H3N8) activity in horses from Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia: 2013-2015.

BACKGROUND: Equine influenza virus (EIV) is one of the main causes of viral respiratory affections in horses. Little is known about the prevalence of EIV in Saudi Arabia especially the H3N8 serotype. OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence of equine influenza in horse populations in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We collected 145 sera, 323 nasal and 323 rectal swabs from horses from six major cities in Eastern and Central regions. None of the horses were vaccinated against EIV. Sera were tested in ELISA assays for influenza A type-specific antibodies and by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests using equine H3N8. The swabs were tested by RT-qPCR assay targeting a conserved region of the influenza A matrix gene that detects influenza A viruses of all subtypes. RESULTS: None of the swabs had detectable influenza A virus RNA. Of the 145 serasamples tested by ELISA, 81 (55.9%) were positive and 98 (67.6%) of 145 sera tested by HI tests were positive for equine H3. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Our failure to detect and sequence any EIV prevents identification of the lineage of virus that circulates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that EIV H3N8 is circulating in Saudi Arabia and should be considered as a possible cause when investigating horses with respiratory disease in Saudi Arabia.

Molecular characterisation of an avian influenza (H5N8) outbreak in backyard flocks in Al Ahsa, Eastern Saudi Arabia, 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza viruses are still causing major concern not only to the poultry industry but also to human health across the globe. The live poultry markets and the small-scale local breeding of various species of birds in backyards are still playing important roles in the sustainability of most virulent influenza viruses, especially H5N8. METHODS: The authors investigated an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in backyard flocks in Al Ahsa, Eastern Saudi Arabia that occurred in 2017-2018. RESULTS: A range of poultry including chickens, ostriches, ducks, pigeons and turkeys were clinically affected. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that this was a common source outbreak caused by a virus closely related to H5N8 viruses causing outbreaks elsewhere in Saudi Arabia in early 2018. CONCLUSIONS: Small backyard flocks are still contributing to the epidemiology and transmission of H5N8.

Vortex fluidic mediated transformation of graphite into highly conducting graphene scrolls.

Two-dimensional graphene has remarkable properties that are revolutionary in many applications. Scrolling monolayer graphene with precise tunability would create further potential for niche applications but this has proved challenging. We have now established the ability to fabricate monolayer graphene scrolls in high yield directly from graphite flakes under non-equilibrium conditions at room temperature in dynamic thin films of liquid. Using conductive atomic force microscopy we demonstrate that the graphene scrolls form highly conducting electrical contacts to highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). These highly conducting graphite-graphene contacts are attractive for the fabrication of interconnects in microcircuits and align with the increasing interest in building all sp2-carbon circuits. Above a temperature of 450 °C the scrolls unravel into buckled graphene sheets, and this process is understood on a theoretical basis. These findings augur well for new applications, in particular for incorporating the scrolls into miniaturized electronic devices.

Changing epidemiology and ecology of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses.

The H5N1 virus currently circulating is continuing to evolve, and it has already resulted in the extension of its host and geographical range. It is likely that H5N1 will become a global problem for the poultry industry. How many of the recent H5N1 changes observed have been induced by changing patterns in poultry raising? A change in attitude on the use of high-quality vaccines is a change that would drastically help in the control of the current epidemic in the poultry industry. This article provides an overview of the changing properties that have been observed during the current H5N1 outbreaks.

Dromedary Camels and the Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an existential threat to global public health. The virus has been repeatedly detected in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Adult animals in many countries in the Middle East as well as in North and East Africa showed high (>90%) seroprevalence to the virus. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus isolated from dromedaries is genetically and phenotypically similar to viruses from humans. We summarize current understanding of the ecology of MERS-CoV in animals and transmission at the animal-human interface. We review aspects of husbandry, animal movements and trade and the use and consumption of camel dairy and meat products in the Middle East that may be relevant to the epidemiology of MERS. We also highlight the gaps in understanding the transmission of this virus in animals and from animals to humans.

Analysis of Swine Movements in a Province in Northern Vietnam and Application in the Design of Surveillance Strategies for Infectious Diseases.

While swine production is rapidly growing in South-East Asia, the structure of the swine industry and the dynamic of pig movements have not been well-studied. However, this knowledge is a prerequisite for understanding the dynamic of disease transmission in swine populations and designing cost-effective surveillance strategies for infectious diseases. In this study, we assessed the farming and trading practices in the Vietnamese swine familial farming sector, which accounts for most pigs in Vietnam, and for which disease surveillance is a major challenge. Farmers from two communes of a Red River Delta Province (northern Vietnam) were interviewed, along with traders involved in pig transactions. Major differences in the trade structure were observed between the two communes. One commune had mainly transversal trades, that is between farms of equivalent sizes, whereas the other had pyramidal trades, that is from larger to smaller farms. Companies and large familial farrow-to-finish farms were likely to act as major sources of disease spread through pig sales, demonstrating their importance for disease control. Familial fattening farms with high pig purchases were at greater risk of disease introduction and should be targeted for disease detection as part of a risk-based surveillance. In contrast, many other familial farms were isolated or weakly connected to the swine trade network limiting their relevance for surveillance activities. However, some of these farms used boar hiring for breeding, increasing the risk of disease spread. Most familial farms were slaughtering pigs at the farm or in small local slaughterhouses, making the surveillance at the slaughterhouse inefficient. In terms of spatial distribution of the trades, the results suggested that northern provinces were highly connected and showed some connection with central and southern provinces. These results are useful to develop risk-based surveillance protocols for disease detection in the swine familial sector and to make recommendations for disease control.