Diffraction grating enhanced photoluminescence from etching-free erbium thin films.

Micro-structuration by etching is commonly used in integrated optics, adding complex and costly processing steps that can also potentially damage the device performance, owing to degradation of the etched sidewalls. For diffraction grating fabrication, different strategies have been developed to avoid etching, such as layer deposition on a structured surface or grating deposition on top of active layers. However, etching remains one of the best processes for making high aspect ratio diffraction gratings. In this work, we have developed fully structured diffraction gratings (i.e., like fully etched gratings) using lift-off based processing performed in pulsed laser deposited layers, since the combination of both techniques is of great interest for making micro-structures without etching. We have first studied the influence of the lithography doses in the lift-off process, showing that (1) micrometric spatial resolution can be achieved and (2) the sidewall angle can be controlled from 50° to 150° in 0.5 µm thick layers. Using such optimizations, we have then fabricated Er-doped Y2O3 uniaxial diffraction gratings with different periods ranging from 3 to 8 µm. The fabricated devices exhibit emission and reflectivity properties as a function of the collection angle in good agreement with the modeling, with a maximum luminescence enhancement of ×15 compared with an unstructured layer at a wavelength of 1.54 µm. This work thus highlights lift-off based processing combined with pulsed laser deposition as a promising technique for etch-free practical applications, such as luminescence enhancement in Er-doped layers.

Bactericidal Efficacy of Oxidized Silver against Biofilms Formed by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.

Bacterial wilt is a re-emerging disease on dry bean and can affect many other crop species within the Fabaceae. The causal agent, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (CFF), is a small, Gram-positive, rodshaped bacterium that is seed-transmitted. Infections in the host become systemic, leading to wilting and economic loss. Clean seed programs and bactericidal seed treatments are two critical management tools. This study characterizes the efficacies of five bactericidal chemicals against CFF. It was hypothesized that this bacterium was capable of forming biofilms, and that the cells within biofilms would be more tolerant to bactericidal treatments. The minimum biocide eradication concentration assay protocol was used to grow CFF biofilms, expose the biofilms to bactericides, and enumerate survivors compared to a non-treated control (water). Streptomycin and oxysilver bisulfate had EC95 values at the lowest concentrations and are likely the best candidates for seed treatment products for controlling seed-borne bacterial wilt of bean. The results showed that CFF formed biofilms during at least two phases of the bacterial wilt disease cycle, and the biofilms were much more difficult to eradicate than their planktonic counterparts. Overall, biofilm formation by CFF is an important part of the bacterial wilt disease cycle in dry edible bean and antibiofilm bactericides such as streptomycin and oxysilver bisulfate may be best suited for use in disease management.

Correction: Evaluating the impact of meloxicam oral suspension administered at parturition on subsequent production, health, and culling in dairy cows: A randomized clinical field trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209236.].

Management of the sciatic nerve during transfemoral amputation: a survey of Dutch surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain often occurs after leg amputation. It is unclear why some patients suffer from pain and others do not. Intraoperative nerve handling might correlate with these pain syndromes. It is unknown which nerve handling techniques are currently used among surgeons and whether a specific technique is related to eliciting these pain syndromes. The aim of this study was to investigate the current surgical sciatic nerve management used among surgeons in the Netherlands. METHODS: A survey was carried out among Dutch surgeons. Additionally, surgical sciatic nerve management data were obtained from the surgical reports of transfemoral amputations that were performed in our hospital. RESULTS: Seventy-eight of the 102 online surveys were returned. Sharp transection without ligation was used most often (41.0%), followed by sharp transection after ligation (30.8%). There were 38 transfemoral amputations performed in our hospital. Sharp transection after ligation was most often used (55.3%), followed by transection with electrocautery (13.2%). CONCLUSIONS: All techniques of transecting the sciatic nerve are currently performed by Dutch surgeons. These results provide a solid basis to perform future studies to investigate whether a specific surgical technique is related to postamputation pain syndromes.

A Pilot Study To Evaluate The Effect Of A Novel Calcium And Vitamin D-Containing Oral Bolus On Serum Calcium Levels In Holstein Dairy Cows Following Parturition.

BACKGROUND: The initiation of lactation challenges the ability of the modern lactating cow to maintain calcium homeostasis, and typically results in a drop in blood calcium levels, leading to mobilization of calcium reserves from skeletal stores. As such, the recommendation to provide supplemental calcium at parturition to older cows has become an industry-standard practice. METHODS: Mature cows were treated at calving and 12 hrs later with either the novel calcium bolus (NB) or a commercially available calcium bolus (CB). Blood was collected from animals at 0, 1, 6, 12, 13, and 24 hrs following calving, and the resulting serum samples were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, there was no statistical difference between the NB and CB groups for blood calcium levels within the first 24 hrs following parturition (P = 0.50). Cows in both groups experienced a significant increase in serum calcium by 1 hr after parturition; however, this increase was not sustained through subsequent sampling times. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates that both boluses have a similar effect in the elevation of blood calcium.

Evaluating the impact of meloxicam oral suspension administered at parturition on subsequent production, health, and culling in dairy cows: A randomized clinical field trial.

Parturition is a painful event experienced by cows at the onset of lactation. This pain could lead to a reduced feed intake, altered metabolic and immunological status, and a host of other diseases that could seriously limit her productive herd lifespan. The objective of the current study was to assess the effect of administration of a single dose of oral meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on the production and health status of cows during their lactation. A total of 2,653 (1,009 meloxicam-treated and 1,644 untreated control) cows were enrolled across 20 herds in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Relative to untreated controls, meloxicam-treated cows produced 0.64 kg/day (SE = 0.29. P = 0.03) more milk over the first 3 test days (90-120 days in lactation), had 0.75 times the odds of subclinical mastitis at first test (SE = 0.08, P = 0.01), and were culled or died at 0.46 times the rate (SE = 0.16, P = 0.03) before 60 days in milk. These results are consistent with previous research and lend support to the hypothesis that parturition is a painful event in cattle. Attempts to ameliorate such pain with analgesics is associated with a variety of positive health and production outcomes.

[Abdominal aorta aneurysms discovered in cardiac rehabilitation]. / Anévrismes de l'aorte abdominale découverts en réadaption cardiaque.

We reported two cases of unusual discovery of asymptomatic surgical abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after a coronary artery bypass graft and a valve surgery. Attending cardiac rehabilitation, the patients were transferred for prompt surgery. Beyond these observations, it is of great importance that screening of AAA could be done during echocardiography.

[Cardiac rehabilitation in "sports" patients]. / La réadaptation cardiaque des patients « sportifs ¼.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) addresses for the greater part a middle-aged sedentary population. Nevertheless, some patients referred in CR are active or sportive, and care for these patients is less known. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare the results of CR between a little or not active population and an active or athletic population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Every patient referred in a CR department in Loire-Atlantique between 2010 and 2016 were included either in the group 1 (sedentary or little active) or in the group 2 (at least once a week physical training).) RESULTS: Among 2916 patients included, 2288 patients did two exercise tests, the functional capacity in the group 1 (n=2117) increased from 4.7±1.2 to 5.6±1.3 METs versus 6.5±1.7 to 7.6±1.8 METs in the group 2 (n=171), the gain was similar in both groups from 19±13% to 18±14% (P=0.16). The 6minutes Walking Test respectively increased from 445±91 to 517±89 versus 518±87 to 603±73 meters with a gain of 18±18 versus 18±16% (P=0.93). The prognosis is yet to be best in the group 2 in accordance to a best maximal functional capacity (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cardiac rehabilitation is useful in active or athletic patients and should be prescribed based on the current recommendations.

Evaluating the Impact of the Life of a Caregiver Simulation on Student Attitudes, Understanding, and Knowledge of Frail Older Adults and Their Family Caregivers.

Many older adults age at home, cared for by family caregivers. Nurse educators need effective educational strategies to teach students family caregiving issues. This article examines how the Life of a Caregiver (LOC) simulation influences students' understanding and knowledge of aging, family caregiving issues, and related community services. A descriptive mixed-methods study was used with a student sample (n = 46). Participants reported significantly higher knowledge of caregiving terminology and significantly greater understanding of caregiving challenges and community services. The LOC simulation was found to be an effective strategy to teach students to care for older adults and their caregivers.

The use of meloxicam oral suspension to treat musculoskeletal lameness in cattle.

Lameness in beef and dairy cattle is responsible for economic losses and has significant animal welfare implications. It has been proposed that early treatment with analgesics not only reduces acute pain but also leads to reduced long-term sensitization. Fifty-three cattle (309-954 kg body weight [BW], mean: 656 kg) with musculoskeletal lameness were scored for lameness and inflammation, then randomly assigned to a single oral treatment with meloxicam oral suspension (MOS) (28 animals) at 1 mg/kg or saline at 1 mL/15 kg BW. Lameness and inflammation were reevaluated 3 days after treatment, and 26 of 28 (92.8%) MOS-treated animals had a reduced lameness score, while only three of 25 control animals had a reduced lameness score. MOS was effective in treating musculoskeletal disease in cattle. In an accompanying residue depletion study, 22 lactating Holstein cows (BW: 553-927 kg, mean: 713 kg) were used in the study. All 22 animals received MOS at the dose of 1 mg/kg BW once. Milk (500 mL sample from the full milking volume) was collected at approximately 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after the treatment. Samples were subjected to in vitro analysis for quantification of meloxicam by liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. The mean meloxicam concentration at 48 and 72 hours were 30.75 and 2.82 ng/mL, respectively. The meloxicam milk concentration was below the limit of quantification (1 ng/mL) in 15 of 22 animals at 96 hours and in 22 of 22 animals at 120 hours. The milk meloxicam levels in all animals were below the maximum residue limit (Canada: 35 ng/mL; Europe: 15 ng/mL) at the 72-hour sampling.

Sexual Violence Victimization and Associations with Health in a Community Sample of African American Women.

Limited information exists on the relationship between sexual violence victimization and health among African American women. Using data from a community sample of African American women, we examine the association between current health and lifetime experiences of sexual violence. Inperson interviews were completed in 2010. Among interviewees, 53.7% of women reported rape victimization and 44.8% reported sexual coercion in their lifetime. Victims of rape or sexual coercion were significantly more likely to report depression and posttraumatic stress disorder during their lifetime. Among victims whose first unwanted sexual experience was rape or sexual coercion, perpetrators were mostly acquaintances and intimate partners, and over one third were injured and needed services. More attention is needed on the health needs of African American women and their association to victimization status.

[The daily living activities of the cardiac patient: Monocentre study]. / Les activités de la vie quotidienne du patient cardiaque: étude monocentrique.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of cardiac rehabilitation is for the patient to sustain physical activity at home. The daily living activities (DLA) are important to take into account. AIM OF THE STUDY: Analyze the DLA of patients in CR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One thousand seven hundred and eighty patients (mean age: 60.9±11 years) followed a CR programme between 2010 and 2015. They were tested for several DLA with their cardiac frequency (CF). The observed CF was included in the Karvonen's formula, used for the prescription of physical activity. RESULTS: The coefficient of Karvonen was situated between 0.54 to 0.69, which was compatible with the prescribed physical training. Nevertheless, when the maximal exercise capacity was less than 5 METs, the coefficients were higher (0.53-0.89). CONCLUSION: It was useful to test the cardiac patients for DLA during a CR programme. The use of Karvonen's formula allowed to compare these exercises with recommended physical training. We must be prudent when the maximal physical capacity is less than 5 METs.

The Overbite Complexity: How The Vertical Position, Tooth-Size Ratios And Other Factors Affect Occlusion and Overbites.

This article explains the complexity of overbites and how to diagnose pre-treatment occlusions to finish orthodontic cases with stable, long lasting occlusion and proper overbites. It explains the changes that occur when overbites deepen and how to correct to proper overbite positions.

Upper airway obstruction and resultant growth factors influencing malocclusions.

Upper airway obstruction is associated with many dental and skeletal malocclusions. Recognizing and removing the problems at an early age is encouraged. However, the malocclusions caused by upper airway obstruction can be addressed and corrected at different stages of dentitions using various types of appliances and orthodontic techniques. This article reports several cases, which were treated with the help of medical experts and otolaryngologists.

Marker assisted separation of resistance genes Rph22 and Rym16 (Hb) from an associated yield penalty in a barley: Hordeum bulbosum introgression line.

KEY MESSAGE: The resistance genes Rph22 and Rym16 (Hb) transferred into barley from Hordeum bulbosum have been separated from a large yield penalty locus that was present in the original introgression line '182Q20'. The Hordeum bulbosum introgression line '182Q20' possesses resistance to barley leaf rust (Rph22) and Barley mild mosaic virus (Rym16 (Hb) ) located on chromosome 2HL. Unfortunately, this line also carries a considerable yield penalty compared with its barley genetic background 'Golden Promise'. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of the components of yield (total yield, thousand grain weight, hectolitre weight, percentage screenings and screened yield) was performed using 75 recombinant lines derived from the original '182Q20' introgression line. A QTL for the yield penalty was located in the proximal region of the introgressed segment. Marker assisted selection targeting intraspecific recombination events between overlapping H. bulbosum introgression segments was used to develop the lines '372E' and '372H' which feature genetically small introgressions around Rph22. Further yield trials validated the separation of both Rph22 and Rym16 (Hb) from the proximal yield penalty. These results, combined with molecular markers closely linked to Rph22 and Rym16 (Hb) , make these resistance genes more attractive for barley breeding.

Longitudinal Associations Among Bullying, Homophobic Teasing, and Sexual Violence Perpetration Among Middle School Students.

Bullying perpetration and sexual harassment perpetration among adolescents are major public health issues. However, few studies have addressed the empirical link between being a perpetrator of bullying and subsequent sexual harassment perpetration among early adolescents in the literature. Homophobic teasing has been shown to be common among middle school youth and was tested as a moderator of the link between bullying and sexual harassment perpetration in this 2-year longitudinal study. More specifically, the present study tests the Bully-Sexual Violence Pathway theory, which posits that adolescent bullies who also participate in homophobic name-calling toward peers are more likely to perpetrate sexual harassment over time. Findings from logistical regression analyses (n = 979, 5th-7th graders) reveal an association between bullying in early middle school and sexual harassment in later middle school, and results support the Bully-Sexual Violence Pathway model, with homophobic teasing as a moderator, for boys only. Results suggest that to prevent bully perpetration and its later association with sexual harassment perpetration, prevention programs should address the use of homophobic epithets.

Sexual Violence Victimization and Associations with Health in a Community Sample of Hispanic Women.

This study sought to add to the limited information currently available on circumstances of sexual violence victimization and associated negative health experiences among Hispanic women. Data come from a community sample of mostly Mexican women in an urban southwestern city. Household interviews were completed with a sample of 142 women during 3 months in 2010. Findings indicate that 31.2% of women reported rape victimization and 22.7% reported being sexually coerced in their lifetime. Victims of rape and/or sexual coercion were significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetime. Among victims whose first unwanted sexual experience resulted in rape and/or sexual coercion, perpetrators were almost always someone known to the victims, and were mostly family members or intimate partners, depending on the victim's age. About one-fifth of victims were injured and 17.1% needed medical services. These findings suggest the need for more attention to the physical and mental health needs of sexually victimized Hispanic women.

[Cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction in France: still not prescribed enough]. / La réadaptation cardiaque après infarctus du myocarde en France : un taux d'abstention trop élevé

Despite well-documented benefits for patients after myocardial infarction, cardiac rehabilitation is underutilized in most countries. In France, a recent study showed a participation rate of 22.7 %, with huge regional disparities for unknown reasons. In this paper, we analyze some demographic particularities for explaining these curious results. Then, we review in the literature the complex factors influencing patient's referral in cardiac rehabilitation (patient's believes, role of the physician, health system's organization…), and the best ways of improving cardiac rehabilitation rate or finding adequate alternatives.

The development and benefits of vertical dimension primary molar buildup crowns.

This article describes the technique and advantages of vertical dimension-primary molar buildups (VD-PMB's). These primary molar buildups help correct the vertical dimension on overclosed children from 3 to 12 years old. The advantages of these VD-PMB's are enormous, with very little or no disadvantages when placed correctly. This is a very important procedure for the orthodontist because opening the bite on these children has many beneficial results. It changes the resting tongue position, changes the slope of the anterior border of the glenoid fossa from steep to normal on Class 2 div 2 patients, corrects overclosure and otitus media with effusion (ear infections). It is important for the orthodontist since it is very simple and an easy way to correct overclosure on class 2 patients, which is often not done in the correction of overclosed patients.