Search

In the last few years, the number of orbiting satellites has increased exponentially, in particular due to the development of the New Space Economy. Even if this phenomenon makes the space more accessible, bringing a great contribution to the scientific, economic and technological fields, on the other hand it contributes to the overpopulation of the space background. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new techniques to manage the space environment, such as in orbit servicing, which is a procedure that aims to refuel and repair satellites to extend their operational life. A first step to reach this goal is to inspect closely the object of interest to study its features. In this framework, the Space Rider Observer Cube (SROC) mission is being developed. SROC is a payload that will be deployed by Space Rider (SR), an uncrewed and reusable robotic spacecraft designed by ESA (European Space Agency). SROC is a 12U CubeSat, whose goal is to carry out inspection manoeuvres around SR, then re-enter on board using a safe docking system to come back to Earth. The feasibility of a mission similar to SROC has been simulated during a university class, starting from the definition of the system requirements with particular focus on the analysis of the payloads and subsystems, to ensure the achievement of the mission goals. In particular, the CubeSat is equipped with an imaging payload to capture high resolution images of Space Rider surface and a docking mechanism. Then, the design of the orbit and the simulation of the effects of the space environment on the CubeSat have been studied using GMAT, SYSTEMA, MATLAB and other numerical tools. The results of the study are useful for future missions, aiming to inspect orbiting objects, such as operative satellites for in orbit servicing, space debris and dead satellites to study their geometries and plan their removal.

ObjectivesTo systematically gather information on the professional team members, services provided, funding sources and population served for all consultant-led specialised paediatric palliative care (SPPC) teams in the UK.MethodsTwo-part online survey.ResultsSurvey 1: All 17 medical leads from hospital-based or hospice-based SPPC teams responded to the survey (100% response rate).Only six services met the NICE guidance for minimum SPPC team.All services reported providing symptom management, specialist nursing care, end-of-life planning and care, and supporting discharges and transfers to home or hospice for the child’s final days-hours. Most services also provided care coordination (n=14), bereavement support (n=13), clinical psychology (n=10) and social work-welfare support (n=9). Thirteen had one or more posts partially or fully funded by a charity.Survey 2: Nine finance leads provided detailed resource/funding information, finding a range of statutory and charity funding sources. Only one of the National Health Service (NHS)-based services fully funded by the NHS.ConclusionsOne-third of services met the minimum criteria of professional team as defined by NICE. Most services relied on charity funding to fund part or all of one professional post and only one NHS-based service received all its funding directly from the NHS.

ObjectiveTo assess the risks, benefits and resource implications of using home-blended food in children with gastrostomy tubes compared with currently recommended formula feeds.DesignThis is a cohort study. Data were collected at months 0, 12 and 18 from parents and clinicians using standardised measures.Setting32 sites across England: 28 National Health Service trusts and 4 children’s hospices.PatientsChildren aged 6 months–18 years who were gastrostomy fed.Main outcome measureThe main outcome measure was the PedsQL Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales score. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, sleep (child, parent), dietary intake, anthropometry, healthcare usage, safety outcomes and resource use.Results180 children and families completed the baseline data collection, with 134 (74%) and 105 (58%) providing follow-up data at 12 and 18 months. There were fewer gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms at all time points in the home-blended diet group, but there was no difference in change over time within or between the groups. The nutritional intake of those on a home-blended diet had higher calories per kilogram and fibre, and both home-blended and formula-fed children have values above the dietary reference values for most micronutrients. Safety outcomes were similar between groups and over time. The total costs to the statutory sector were higher among children who were formula fed, but the costs of purchasing special equipment for home-blended food and the total time spent on childcare were higher for families with home-blended diet.ConclusionsChildren who are gastrostomy fed a home-blended diet have similar safety profile, adequate nutritional intake and lower burden of GI symptoms than formula-fed children.Trial registration numberISRCTN13977361.

ObjectivesPoor psychological well-being among healthcare workers can have numerous negative impacts, but evidence about levels of burnout in children’s hospice care staff is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and to explore the association between staff characteristics and support mechanisms with burnout among children’s hospice care staff in the UK.MethodsTwo national online surveys collecting data on hospice care staff psychological well-being and hospice organisational characteristics. All children’s hospices in the UK were invited.Thirty-one hospices (out of 52) responded to the hospice survey and 583 staff responded to the staff survey. Data collection took place between May and December 2020 and measures included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Work Engagement and the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool.ResultsBurnout prevalence was 11% and mean burnout score was 32.5 (SD: 13.1). Burnout levels were independent of working arrangements (eg, working from home or at the hospice) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospices performed well in most management standards, but poorly on the ‘Control’ domain. The average Work Engagement score for staff was 7.5 (SD: 1.5).ConclusionsBurnout levels for staff in children’s hospices in the UK were lower than in other healthcare settings, with this comparing to 17.3% among palliative care staff generally. Overall, hospices performed well in management standards and there was no indication of urgent action needed. Work Engagement in our sample was higher compared with other National Health Service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundPoor psychological well-being among healthcare staff has implications for staff sickness and absence rates, and impacts on the quality, cost and safety of patient care. Although numerous studies have explored the well-being of hospice staff, study findings vary and the evidence has not yet been reviewed and synthesised. Using job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this review aimed to investigate what factors are associated with the well-being of hospice staff.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO for peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods studies focused on understanding what contributes to the well-being of hospice staff who provide care to patients (adults and children). The date of the last search was 11 March 2022. Studies were published from 2000 onwards in the English language and conducted in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data synthesis was conducted using a result-based convergent design, which involved an iterative, thematic approach of collating data into distinct factors and mapping these to the JD-R theory.ResultsA total of 4016 unique records were screened by title and abstract, 115 full-text articles were retrieved and reviewed and 27 articles describing 23 studies were included in the review. The majority of the evidence came from studies of staff working with adult patients. Twenty-seven individual factors were identified in the included studies. There is a strong and moderate evidence that 21 of the 27 identified factors can influence hospice staff well-being. These 21 factors can be grouped into three categories: (1) those that are specific to the hospice environment and role, such as the complexity and diversity of the hospice role; (2) those that have been found to be associated with well-being in other similar settings, such as relationships with patients and their families; and (3) those that affect workers regardless of their role and work environment, that is, that are not unique to working in a healthcare role, such as workload and working relationships. There was strong evidence that neither staff demographic characteristics nor education level can influence well-being.DiscussionThe factors identified in this review highlight the importance of assessing both positive and negative domains of experience to determine coping interventions. Hospice organisations should aim to offer a wide range of interventions to ensure their staff have access to something that works for them. These should involve continuing or commencing initiatives to protect the factors that make hospices good environments in which to work, as well as recognising that hospice staff are also subject to many of the same factors that affect psychological well-being in all work environments. Only two studies included in the review were set in children’s hospices, suggesting that more research is needed in these settings.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019136721 (Deviations from the protocol are noted in Table 8, Supplementary material).

Once inoculated into maize plants, Spiroplasma kunkeliicolonizes the sieve tubes of the phloem and moves systemically within the plant which, in turn, can set off defensive response to prevent infection and the development of corn stunt disease (CSD). The objective of this work was to verify the progress of CSD development along time, both considering disease incidence and PCR detection of S. kunkelii, in two maize hybrids in a greenhouse experiment, after vector-inoculation. Also, we evaluated the biochemical alterations in plantaalong time in those hybrids inoculated with S. kunkelii, for the total protein, peroxidase and β-1,3-glucanase activities, and carbohydrates. Plants were inoculated with S. kunkelii-infective Dalbulus maidis(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), whereas control plants were subjected to sham-inoculation. Evaluations were taken in different timepoints, at 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after the end of the 2-day inoculation access period. S. kunkeliiwas PCR-detected in maize inoculated plants with a difference of 20 days between the hybrids. Also, CSD symptoms were evident earlier in the same hybrid which S. kunkeliiwas first detected by PCR. There was no alteration on total protein content, but peroxidase and β-1,3-glucanase varied at the last three timepoints for the inoculated hybrids. There was a substantial increase of carbohydrates at 60 days after inoculation in one of the inoculated hybrid. The biochemical modifications together with the successful molecular detection of CSD pathogen and CSD symptoms onset in the hybrids inoculated with S. kunkeliievidence the synchronic dynamics of compounds imbalance potentially involved in defensive mechanisms and plant nutrition against infection with the advancement of the infection process in planta, and this occurs differentially within hybrids, suggesting that they respond with distinctive susceptibility to S. kunkeliiinfection.

Purpose: To evaluate the superficial (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) by mean of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in treatment-naïve patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: Between March 2019 and January 2020, patients with recent diagnosis of “definite RA” based on 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria were included in a Prospective, observational single center case-control study carried out at G.B. Bietti Foundation. Data were compared with those of 16 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects. Values of the vessel density (VD) of SCP and DCP, central foveal thickness (CFT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were collected by mean of OCTA. Main outcome measure was the VD alteration of SCP and DCP in treatment-naïve RA-patients.Results: No difference in age, sex-distribution, best-corrected visual acuity, CFT was registered between the two groups. OCTA data analysis showed in RA-patients a statistically significant reduction in the VD in the mean global area, inner ring, especially in the superior quadrant of the SCP. A trend of VD reduction was also registered in temporal, nasal, and inferior quadrants, respectively, although it did not reach a statistically significant value. Assessment of VD of DCP and FAZ area did not evidence any difference among the groups.Conclusions: OCTA allows to highlight the vascular remodeling of the retinal microcirculation in RA-patients, even in early stages of the disease, demonstrating a reduction of VD. Outcomes of the current investigation can provide new insight in the pathogenetic mechanism of RA and extend the potential applications of this diagnostic tool.

The aim of this study is the molecular characterization of a phytoplasma associated with cabbage stunt and spatial analyses of symptomatic plants in the field. Detection by nested PCR, sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and conventional and virtual RFLP, as well as phylogenetic analysis revealed that a 16SrIII-J phytoplasma was associated with cabbage plants that exhibited stunting, reduced size, malformation or failure to form head, reddening leaves, sprout proliferation and vessel necrosis. The spatial analyses demonstrated that the dispersion pattern of symptomatic plants was aggregated and the pathogen introduced from adjacent areas. Phytoplasmas of 16SrIII group were also detected in leafhoppers of the species Atanus nitiduscollected from cabbage fields and adjacent areas, evidencing that these insects are possibly potential vectors of this fastidious bacteria found in cabbage plants. These findings confirmed that a subgroup 16SrIII-J phytoplasma is associated with cabbage stunt. In addition, the spatial analyses indicated that the disease emerges from primary foci located in external areas and progress toward the center of the fields. The discovery of the etiological agent of the cabbage stunt together with the type of dispersion of the disease represent a relevant contribution to improve the management strategies aiming harm reduction.

Leaf symptoms of chlorosis and blotchy mottling, typically associated with agents of huanglongbing, were found in commercial citrus orchard located in the state of São Paulo, the main citrus producer region in Brazil. Affected trees tested negative for bacteria ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’. So, the total DNA was submitted to nested PCR employing the primer pairs P1/Tint followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Genomic fragments of 1.2 kb were amplified, sequenced and analyzed by computer-simulated RFLP, which confirmed the presence of a 16SrVII phytoplasma in symptomatic plants. Collective restriction patterns allowed distinguish the detected phytoplasma from all other members of the 16SrVII group using enzymes BfaI and MseI. In addition, the citrus phytoplasma showed a similarity coefficient lower than 0.97, when compared with all representative strains of subgroups within of the 16SrVII group, characterizing, therefore, a new subgroup. In agreement, the phylogenetic tree displayed that this strain emerges from a distinct branch in relation to those 16SrVII phytoplasmas currently described. Based on these features, the strain identified in the present study may be delineated as a new phytoplasma representative of the novel 16SrVII-G subgroup. Moreover, the results implicate citrus as a new host for a phytoplasma belonging to the group 16SrVII.

This study explored whether treatment-specific processes linking therapist behaviors, post-session client ratings, and 3-month proximal outcomes (i.e., end of treatment) can explain 12-month outcomes for two contrasting alcohol treatment conditions with equivalent overall outcomes.

Brachiariaspp. are the most important and widely used warm season grasses for pasture, but are also important weeds for most economic crops in the tropics. During phytoplasma surveys in pasture fields, asymptomatic plants of Brachiaria decumbenswere collected for inspection. Nested PCR detected phytoplasmas in more than 90% of sampled plants. Based on computer-simulated RFLP and a similarity coefficient calculation, a subgroup 16SrIII-J phytoplasma was molecularly characterized. Phylogenetic analysis was consistent with virtual RFLP identification. Representatives of this subgroup have been identified in diverse Brazilian regions encompassing various commercial crops. Our study revealed B. decumbensas a new host and reservoir of 16SrIII-J phytoplasma.

Vernonia brasilianais a wild species frequently found in Brazilian savanna areas, also known as “cerrado” areas. In pasture fields, shrubs were observed displaying typical symptoms induced by phytoplasmas, which were characterized by shoot proliferation, mild leaf chlorosis and deformed leaves. Molecular detection revealed the presence of phytoplasmas in approximately 80% of the symptomatic plants. Identification by computer-simulated RFLP allowed the classification of phytoplasma strains as representatives of ‘CandidatusPhytoplasma pruni’, taxonomic subgroups 16SrIII-B and 16SrIII-J. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis evidenced perfect agreement with virtual RFLP. Both phytoplasmas found in diseased vernonia plants have been reported in diverse commercial species cultivated in Brazil, including many vegetables and an extensive number of crops. These findings identify V. brasilianaas a new host of phytoplasmas affiliated with the subgroups 16SrIII-B and 16SrIII-J and suggest this species as a probable reservoir and possible inoculum source of phytoplasmas.

Aegiphila verticillata(parrot fruit) is a wild plant that commonly grows in Brazilian savanna fields, which are also denominated Cerrado. Trees and shrubs of this species were observed exhibiting profuse shoot proliferation that produced small leaves with mild chlorosis and flowers and fruit of reduced size which fell off prematurely. In the present study, PCR assays demonstrated the association of a phytoplasma with naturally affected plants. Identification performed with group-specific primers indicated this phytoplasma as belonging to the 16SrIII group. Molecular analysis based on virtual RFLP patterns and similarity coefficient calculations allowed to classify the phytoplasma as a representative of the 16SrIII-J subgroup. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed this result and evidenced that this phytoplasma was closely related to the reference strain for the 16SrIII-J subgroup. The disease was denominated Aegiphila witches’ broom (AegWB). In South America, representatives of the 16SrIII-J subgroup are frequently found in association with diseases of phytoplasmal etiology that occur in several wild and cultivated species. This study reveals for the first time that A. verticillata, a typical plant from the Brazilian Cerradoregion, is a host of phytoplasmas, specifically of a member of the 16SrIII-J subgroup.

This paper proposes the use of gray box mathematical modeling, through Identification Systems theory, for obtaining the behavioral performance of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) device. The target structures are two elastic masses, called double bridge and hinge, installed in a comb-drive actuator with simple typology and unidirectional displacement. The model structure used is the autoregressive with exogenous inputs (ARX), in which the parameters are estimated using the least squares method. The ARX estimated models, for both elastic masses, are compared to the MEMS structures simulated in the ANSYS computational tool, considering the relative error percentage and cross-validation indicators, and the root mean square error, Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion indexes. From the simulation results, it was observed that the ARX estimated models, for both elastic masses, presented a satisfactory accuracy. Therefore, the use of mathematical modeling can be suggested for MEMS device designers in order to contribute to the behavioral performance and the quality of these microstructures, reducing the production costs and manufacturing time.

Patients with chronic renal failure who are undergoing dialysis and kidney transplant recipients are susceptible to infection for several reasons. In this study, the profile of infections in patients with chronic renal failure and kidney transplant recipients treated at a hospital in northern Paraná, Brazil, from 2007 to 2009 was examined. The study involved 187 patients: 59 kidney transplant recipients and 128 patients undergoing dialysis. The frequency of infection was 25% (32/128) in dialysis patients and 8% (5/59) in transplant recipients (P= .008). Staphylococcus aureuswas the most prevalent infectious agent, cultured from 27% (13/48) of samples, followed by Escherichia coliat 17% (8/48). All isolates of S aureuswere sensitive to vancomycin and resistant to penicillin, and 43% were resistant to oxacillin. Most S aureussamples (43%) were isolated from cultures of blood samples. As for the E coli, 75% were resistant to cephalothin and 38% were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Most isolates of E coli(62%) were cultured from specimens of patients with suspected urinary tract infection.

Patients with chronic renal failure who are undergoing dialysis and kidney transplant recipients are susceptible to infection for several reasons. In this study, the profile of infections in patients with chronic renal failure and kidney transplant recipients treated at a hospital in northern Paraná, Brazil, from 2007 to 2009 was examined. The study involved 187 patients: 59 kidney transplant recipients and 128 patients undergoing dialysis. The frequency of infection was 25% (32/128) in dialysis patients and 8% (5/59) in transplant recipients (P= .008). Staphylococcus aureuswas the most prevalent infectious agent, cultured from 27% (13/48) of samples, followed by Escherichia coliat 17% (8/48). All isolates of S aureuswere sensitive to vancomycin and resistant to penicillin, and 43% were resistant to oxacillin. Most S aureussamples (43%) were isolated from cultures of blood samples. As for the E coli, 75% were resistant to cephalothin and 38% were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Most isolates of E coli(62%) were cultured from specimens of patients with suspected urinary tract infection.

Chitosan membranes of three types: i) dried in ammonia atmosphere (CSA); ii) double layer crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (CSG); and iii) prepared from aqueous-ethanolic solution and dried in the presence of ammonia vapor (CSE) were developed by casting chitosan solutions onto a glossy paper used as a support in the process of filtration under high pressures. All the membranes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and by permeation experiments. Addition of ethanol to the chitosan solution decreased the time of membrane preparation and of the filtration process. The performance (solute rejection) of these membranes was found to be efficient with organic compounds such as methylene blue, truncated hemoglobin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) with molecular weights of 319.8 Da 17.7 kDa and 66.4 kDa respectively, since it retained practically 100% of the sample.

L’iperaldosteronismo primitivo era considerato fino a pochi anni fa una causa di ipertensione arteriosa abbastanza rara, perché gli accertamenti diagnostici venivano eseguiti solo in pazienti con ipopotassiemia. Con l’introduzione del rapporto tra aldosterone plasmatico e attività reninica plasmatica come test di screening, una sempre maggiore quota di ipertesi sono risultati affetti (3–12%). In base a studi su animali da esperimento, e in parte in base ad evidenze nell’uomo, l’eccesso di aldosterone (e di sale) avrebbe conseguenze dannose sul sistema cardiovascolare, indipendentemente dai valori di pressione arteriosa. L’impiego di farmaci specifici (antialdosteronici) o l’asportazione dell’adenoma surrenalico secernente, quando presente, bloccherebbe tale fenomeno. La terapia specifica medica o chirurgica porta alla normalizzazione dei valori di potassio plasmatico e al miglioramento della pressione arteriosa nella quasi totalità dei casi, sebbene i valori pressori si normalizzino solo in una quota degli affetti.

The results are reported of an open multicentre trial in 228 rheumatic patients with flare-ups. Fourteen centres adopting the same investigational protocol collaborated in the study.Indoprofen was administered for 1 week at a daily dosage of 1000 mg according to a treatment schedule used with success in acute gouty arthritis: a 400 mg i.v. bolus was followed by 200 mg (1 tablet) t.i.d. Subjective (pain) and objective variables were used for reliable assessment of activity.Marked reduction of pain intensity was already noticeable on day 1 of treatment and was followed by progressive improvement in subjective and objective variables for all the diagnoses considered.According to the patients' own overall assessments, results were good or very good in more than 50% of cases. The best outcomes were obtained in low back pain, acute gout and psoriatic arthritis. At the end of treatment only 7·4% of patients experienced no change or deterioration of symptoms.Adverse reactions, consisting mostly of mild and reversible gastrointestinal disturbances, were reported by 9·2% of patients, but only in 1·8% was treatment discontinued.Indoprofen administered according to the above schedule is an appropriate treatment for acute episodes of rheumatic diseases.

Clinical, radiological and scintigraphic studies and HLA type assessment were performed in 38 subjects, constituting all the first-degree members of three generations of the families of six patients affected with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The families included both parents, all siblings and all children of the probands. Definite AS was found in three men and possible AS in another. In another man and in a woman, a diagnosis of asymptomatic bilateral sacroiliitis was made. These six subjects indicate a family prevalence of AS reaching 15.8%. HLA B27 was present in 20 individuals (52.6%), including those with definite and possible AS and the case with asymptomatic sacroiliitis. The woman with asymptomatic sacroiliitis lacked HLA B27 antigen. Our study confirms the familial occurrence of AS, but it shows the occurrence to be lower than that previously reported.

Serum lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA) was measured with a recently described procedure in 108 healthy subjects and in 138 patients with a variety of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. At the time of serum sampling, 128 patients had active disease and 10 patients had no evidence of disease. LSA was elevated in 104 of 128 (81.2%) patients with active disease, while carcinoembryonic antigen, analyzed in 74, was elevated only in 21 (28.4%) (P < 0.05). Sensitivity of the serum LSA test ranged from 66% for breast and gastrointestinal cancer to 92% for lung cancer. In patients with lung cancer, ovarian cancer or Hodgkin's disease, LSA was correlated with the extent of disease and it also proved to be useful in following the course of disease. Our preliminary data indicate that this test can be used as a monitor of tumor burden.

The causal agent of glume blight in Brazil was determined as Phoma sorghina (Sacc.) Boerema, Dorenbosch & Van Kesteren. The pathogenicity of Brazilian isolates was proved and the characteristic symptoms described. Out of 19 rice varieties tested under artificial inoculations, two vars., Limeira and Iguape Redondo, exhibited a high degree of resistance. Quantitative relationships between glume blight and some yield components were established. The relationship between glume blight severity and filled grain percentage was linear. On the other hand, the grain weight relationship to disease severity was exponential. The disease effect was more pronounced on grain filling than on grain weight. Based on the regression equation, estimated panicle weight losses in 3 different fields of cv. IAC 25 were 41%, 29% and 45% during an epidemic year. The head yield losses in these fields ranged from 0 to 14%. Glume blight was considered to be of minor economic importance in upland rice, but attained epidemic proportions over a large geographical area in 1979-80. The evidence presented shows its potential to cause severe losses in grain weight and quality under weather conditions favorable to the disease, mainly continuous heavy rains during heading.

A 38-year-old woman developed right upper quadrant pain due to a mass in the left lobe of the liver. The tumor was resected along with segment 3 of the left lobe. Histologic examination and immunochemistry supported a diagnosis of benign schwannoma. No metastatic disease was present, and the patient has been well for more than 18 months after surgery without recurrence. This is the first reported case of successful resection of a schwannoma of the liver in a patient without von Recklinghausen's disease.(Arch Surg. 1993;128:1396-1398)