Attachment Strength Research Articles

Strength of Salmonella attachment on apple and tomato surfaces: Effect of antimicrobial treatments on population reduction and inactivation

Presence of bacteria and its survival on produce surfaces is important in developing non-thermal processing interventions for food safety. In this study, whole apples and tomatoes were individually inoculated with Salmonella bacteria at 4.6 log CFU/g and 3.0 log CFU/g, respectively and then allowed to air dry in a laminar flow biological hood (NuareTM, Plymouth, MN, USA) before antimicrobial treatments at 0, 20 min, 30 min, 60min, 120 min, 360 min, 540 min and 1440 min post inoculation, respectively. After washing treatments, strength of attachment for Salmonella bacteria on apple and tomato surfaces was calculated. The efficacy of a new antimicrobial solution developed in our laboratory, was compared to 1.5% hydrogen peroxide and 200 ppm chlorine treatments. The relative strength of Salmonella attached on whole apples and tomatoes averaged 0.22 and 0.25, respectively. The 200-ppm chlorine and 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O2) treatments achieved 2.8 log CFU/g inactivation, while the new antimicrobial solution led to 3.9 log CFU/g and 2.9 log CFU/g reductions on tomatoes and apple surfaces, respectively. Strength of bacterial attachment increased at 360 min post inoculation. The attachment phenomena impacted the activity of all antimicrobial treatments in reducing bacterial populations, except the organic acid solution.

Holding on or falling off: The attachment mechanism of epiphytic Anthurium obtusum changes with substrate roughness.

For vascular epiphytes, secure attachment to their hosts is vital for survival. Yet studies detailing the adhesion mechanism of epiphytes to their substrate are scarce. Examination of the root hair-substrate interface is essential to understand the attachment mechanism of epiphytes to their substrate. This study also investigated how substrate microroughness relates to the root-substrate attachment strength and the underlying mechanism(s). Seeds of Anthurium obtusum were germinated, and seedlings were transferred onto substrates made of epoxy resin with different defined roughness. After 2 months of growth, roots that adhered to the resin tiles were subjected to anchorage tests, and root hair morphology at different roughness levels was analyzed using light and cryo scanning electron microscopy. The highest maximum peeling force was recorded on the smooth surface (glass replica, 0 µm). Maximum peeling force was significantly higher on fine roughness (0, 0.3, 12 µm) than on coarse (162 µm). Root hair morphology varied according to the roughness of the substrate. On smoother surfaces, root hairs were flattened to achieve large surface contact with the substrate. Attachment was mainly by adhesion with the presence of a glue-like substance. On coarser surfaces, root hairs were tubular and conformed to spaces between the asperities on the surface. Attachment was mainly via mechanical interlocking of root hairs and substrate. This study demonstrates for the first time that the attachment mechanism of epiphytes varies depending on substrate microtopography, which is important for understanding epiphyte attachment on natural substrates varying in roughness.

Antimicrobial enhancement via Cerium (II)/Lanthanum (III)‐doped TiO2 for emergency leak sealing polyurea coating system

Industrial piping structures often suffer from corrosion caused by biofouling or chemical etching, which can cause immediate structural failure. Polyurea coatings, which are fabricated for emergency leak sealing, are able to form high mechanical strength coating surfaces within seconds. After its further modification via Ce/La-doped TiO2, the polyurea coating will indicate an increment in mechanical strength, chemical durability, and reduction of microbial attachment. Due to the adsorption by the Ce/La-doped TiO2 and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), E. coli and Pseudomonas may lose their living conditions during the progress, and planktonic bacteria cells are prevented from enriching on the surface. The Ce/La‐dopants can also improve the original photocatalytic response of nano-TiO2 to UV light and environmental temperature. These Ce/La-doped TiO2 polyurea coatings illustrate an immediate application for emergency leak sealing purposes without any production interruption and it may prolong the time intervals for the maintenance service as well.

ANALYSIS ISSUE AND CHALLENGE OF COOPERATIVES DURING PANDEMIC ERA

The whole world is currently still battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The role of the government is very important to make policies in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The study aims to examine articles related to the issues and challenges of cooperatives facing the problems of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. The study used the literature review method to examine several selected articles related to foreign cooperation research that focused on the performance of cooperatives in dealing with problems that arise during the pandemic. The results of the article review, the research found that there are several problems that exist in Indonesian and Malaysian Cooperatives, and cooperatives have the strength of attachment and partnership of their members to survive during the pandemic crisis. This study has limitations in collecting articles that discuss specifically about cooperatives during the pandemic crisis because there are still few studies that discuss this. Therefore, it is recommended for further researchers to add articles related to the pandemic crisis.

On time and meaningful partisanship: Stability, strength, and sway of attachment to new parties

New parties pose a challenge to the claim that time is an essential element in the construction of partisanship. By definition, new parties have not been around for much time, so the opportunities for the construction of meaningful attachments could be considered limited. In this paper, we test this expectation, unpacking the dynamics and implications of the attachment to new parties. Using panel data collected in Spain during a period of profound party system change, we estimate the extent to which partisanship with new parties is stable and strong, works as a heuristic for preference formation, and predicts vote choice. Our data suggest that attachments to new parties can be as meaningful as those that citizens have with old parties. These findings seem particularly relevant in a context where new parties are on the rise.

A Tailored Approach to Supporting Parent-Child Attachment in Families with Children with Severe Disabilities: Matching Interventions to Needs

ABSTRACT Parents of children with severe disabilities have differing attachment-related support needs. An online vignette study with 25 experts, working in academia and/or clinical practice, was conducted to reflect upon the task of matching intervention components to families, based on their attachment strengths and needs. In two online rounds, the experts first completed an inventory of intervention (n = 25) components and second, they prioritised three components for particular families (n = 22). In addition, they reflected upon their argumentations for selecting these intervention components on different levels, either closely or more remotely connected to the children with disabilities themselves. The most common intervention choice across experts was to converse with parents to increase their understanding in the child’s behaviours and communication. Experts justified their choices at various levels (child, parent, family unit, broader environment and professional). In that way, the current study provided an overview of the large number of elements that professionals and policy need to take into account when providing tailored intervention trajectories to these families. Systematically reflecting upon parents’ attachment-related perceptions, strengths and (support) needs can furthermore stimulate professionals to prioritise their actions. It should, however, be embedded in a broader (diagnostic and contextual) intake procedure.

Dual-Layered Approach of Ovine Collagen-Gelatin/Cellulose Hybrid Biomatrix Containing Graphene Oxide-Silver Nanoparticles for Cutaneous Wound Healing: Fabrication, Physicochemical, Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Characterisation.

Tissue engineering products have grown rapidly as an alternative solution available for chronic wound and burn treatment. However, some drawbacks include additional procedures and a lack of antibacterial properties that can impair wound healing, which are issues that need to be tackled effectively for better wound recovery. This study aimed to develop a functionalized dual-layered hybrid biomatrix composed of collagen sponge (bottom layer) to facilitate cell proliferation and adhesion and gelatin/cellulose hydrogel (outer layer) incorporated with graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles (GC-GO/AgNP) to prevent possible external infections post-implantation. The bilayer hybrid scaffold was crosslinked with 0.1% (w/v) genipin for 6 h followed by advanced freeze-drying technology. Various characterisation parameters were employed to investigate the microstructure, biodegradability, surface wettability, nanoparticles antibacterial activity, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility of the bilayer bioscaffold towards human skin cells. The bilayer bioscaffold exhibited favourable results for wound healing applications as it demonstrated good water uptake (1702.12 ± 161.11%), slow rate of biodegradation (0.13 ± 0.12 mg/h), and reasonable water vapour transmission rate (800.00 ± 65.85 gm−2 h−1) due to its porosity (84.83 ± 4.48%). The biomatrix was also found to possess hydrophobic properties (48.97 ± 3.68°), ideal for cell attachment and high mechanical strength. Moreover, the hybrid GO-AgNP promoted antibacterial properties via the disk diffusion method. Finally, biomatrix unravelled good cellular compatibility with human dermal fibroblasts (>90%). Therefore, the fabricated bilayer scaffold could be a potential candidate for skin wound healing application.

Understanding inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated on romaine lettuce by emulsified thyme essential oil

Effects of thyme essential oil (TEO) emulsion (TEE) with cationic charge formulated using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on attachment strength and inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on romaine lettuce surface were examined in this study. Regardless of the inoculation time (2 h and 24 h), pathogen attachment was stronger on the adaxial surface of the romaine lettuce than on the abaxial surface because of the lower roughness of the former. Moreover, attachment strength increased with increasing inoculation time. TEE washing had the strongest inhibitory effect on pathogen attachment at 2 h when compared with that of TEO, CPC, and sodium hypochlorite (SH), demonstrating a 3.32 and 2.53 log-reduction in the size of the L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 populations, respectively, compared to the control samples. Additionally, the TEE washing effects were maintained even after inoculation for 24 h, and it decreased attachment to adaxial surface of the samples. These results indicate that TEE could be a good alternative to SH in improving the microbiological safety of romaine lettuce.

Predicting place attachment among walkers in the urban context: The role of dogs, motivations, satisfaction, past experience and setting development

Place attachment knowledge informs urban green space management to maximize positive visitor experiences. However, little is known about how place attachment differs between urban green space settings and users, particularly dog walkers or owners. This study explored place attachment and the better-known influence of variables such as motivation, satisfaction and visit frequency, as well as the understudied contributions of dog-ownership status and degree of setting development. In total, 450 on-site walkers and dog walkers in two cities and four green spaces with different levels of development were interviewed. Regression analyses revealed motivations, satisfaction and visit frequency predicted place attachment. Place attachment strength differed between walkers and dog walkers: dog walkers were more likely to have higher place identity and place dependence. Similarly, visitors to the urban green spaces with the lowest degree of development were highest on place dependence and identity. Implications and future research ideas are shared.

Novel Operating Mode of a Fluidic Oscillator

Abstract Fluidic oscillators show promise for use in aerodynamic flow control applications, with many studies reporting oscillation frequencies in the 1–10 kHz range. Spyropoulos, “A Sonic Oscillator,” introduced a “sonic” oscillator whose oscillation frequency depends on the inlet flow rate. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the existence of a second mode of operation (mode II) for such an oscillator, with a separate physical mechanism to the traditional, flow rate-dependent mode (mode I). Mode II is shown to be a back-pressure-driven oscillation that is largely independent of flow rate once instigated. This is explained by a stationary wave formed along the outlet paths, and occurs when conditions on the degree of back pressure and the weakening of the Coandă attachment strength are met. For a fixed device geometry, the conditions reduce to a minimum flow rate threshold so that the combination of high flow rate and constant oscillation frequency could make mode II an attractive flow control solution in an industrial context where minimizing device size is often critical.

Satisfaction with the Police: Perceptions and Related Variables from an Urban Community Sample

This quantitative, correlational, and transversal study was performed with a sample of 482 participants from an urban community at the Historic Centre of Porto (HCP). Participants answered to an enquiry designed to collect information about (dis)satisfaction with the police and its performance, with sociodemographic, victimisation, criminal, environmental, social control, and community variables as potential predictors. Findings revealed that the community was mainly satisfied with the police in its efforts to guarantee security, and there was no relationship between those variables, and sociodemographic and some community variables (e.g., years at the HCP, willingness to collaborate in security measures, and strength of attachment to HCP). On the other hand, there were relationships of (dis)satisfaction with the police and being the victim of crime, and some criminal and environmental variables (e.g., perception of increased criminality, conditions promoting crime, and incivilities). Regression analyses found that the perception of increased criminality and the need to adopt improvement measures were significant predictors of dissatisfaction with the police. This study promotes further discussion on factors that can be improved to increase satisfaction with the police and the connection of community–institutions to promote community security.

Parasitism by endolithic cyanobacteria reduces reproductive output and attachment strength of intertidal ecosystem engineers

Parasitism by endolithic cyanobacteria reduces reproductive output and attachment strength of intertidal ecosystem engineers

Biofilm streamer growth dynamics in various microfluidic channels.

Biofilms are microbial colonies that are encapsulated in extracellular polymers secreted by cells through their proliferation and differentiation. Biofilms exist on solid surfaces, liquid surfaces, or in liquid media, where the growth of the bacterial biofilm is closely related to the velocity of the secondary flow, main flow, and geometry of the channel, which are difficult to measure in a natural fluid environment, making the study of the biofilm streamer growth process difficult. In this study, we used microfluidic channels made of polydimethylsiloxane to study the growth dynamics of Bacillus subtilis biofilm streamers. We observed that the biofilm streamer growth undergoes three stages with different growth characteristics. First, we found that the initial growth of the streamer is located at the position with the maximum value of P = secondary flow velocity × main flow velocity. Second, the biofilm underwent floating growth around the microcolumn obstacle. After the transition stage, the last growth stage includes two types because of the different attachment strengths and mechanical properties of the biofilm. Our research provides new insights into the formation and shedding of biofilm streamers in natural and industrial environments and helps us to better understand biofilm growth in fluid flow.

Partisanship in a Young Democracy: Evidence from Ghana

Abstract While past studies have put forward many reasons why partisanship in young African democracies should be considered weak, I show evidence that suggests the presence of strong and stable patterns of partisanship among ordinary citizens. Based on survey data from Ghana, I exploit the variation introduced by the close general elections of 2008 to compare perceptions and attitudes of party supporters when their preferred party is in power and when it is not in a Difference-in-differences setting. The results suggest that partisanship is both meaningful and prompts motivated reasoning among citizens. On the one hand, this can be seen as evidence for a stable party landscape and thus a more mature democracy, but on the other hand, partisan polarization may also obstruct effective governance. Furthermore, the analysis of attitudes towards democratic principles uncovers a double standard that carries the potential to negatively affect efforts towards the consolidation of democracy. A simple heterogeneity analysis indicates that improving education might reduce partisan polarization but will likely not erase it. The analysis further suggests that ethnic identities seem to exist alongside partisan identities, but still, strongly determine the strength of party attachment in Ghana. Future research on political behavior needs to acknowledge the presence of these partisan motives and continue to investigate the impact of partisanship on the further development of democratic institutions in African democracies.

Effects of Thyme Essential Oil Emulsion with Cationic Charge on Attachment Strength and Inactivation of Listeria Monocytogenes and Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Inoculated on Romaine Lettuce

Effects of Thyme Essential Oil Emulsion with Cationic Charge on Attachment Strength and Inactivation of Listeria Monocytogenes and Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Inoculated on Romaine Lettuce

Ocean acidification and bivalve byssus: explaining variable responses using meta-analysis

Numerous studies have documented weakened byssal attachment strength under ocean acidification (OA); however, a comparable number have reported no effect, even within the same species. We used meta-analysis to explore factors that could potentially explain observed effect size variation in byssal attachment strength following OA exposure. A systematic literature search uncovered 20 studies experimentally testing the impact of OA on byssal attachment strength (or some proxy thereof). Meta-analysis revealed body size (mean shell length) to be the strongest predictor of effect size variation, with a negative linear relationship observed between body size and effect size. Despite this relationship, no single study or experiment included body size as a moderating factor. Our finding that the byssal strength of larger bivalves is more susceptible to negative OA effects runs counter to prevailing wisdom that larger, older animals of a given species are more robust to OA than earlier life history stages. This result highlights that body size may be an important factor in moderating OA sensitivity in adult calcifiers; however, in stress response studies, variation in animal size is typically standardized methodologically rather than embraced and warrants further investigation for other taxa and biological traits. In addition to body size, our analysis also identified a suite of previously unconsidered factors that could influence byssal thread attachment strength, including aspects of thread morphology, animal nutritional status, and the impact of seasonality, which we highlight to provide suggestions for future research.

Reaching out to the World: Pomeranian Medical University′s Connections to International Networks of Knowledge Production and Circulation, 1956–1968

This study explores the effects the political “Thaw” of 1956 had on the ability of the Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Poland (PUM) to join and contribute to the international production and circula- tion of medical knowledge in the years 1956–1968. It gives an overview of the challenges PUM had to face in its relationships with the state apparatus that controlled access to foreign networks. It also discusses the cases of three PUM professors, namely: Bolesław Górnicki (1908–1998; head of Paediatrics), Witold Starkiewicz (1906–1978; head of Ophthalmology), and Kazimierz Stojałowski (1903–1995; head of Pathological Anatomy). For the first of them, Szczecin was a nine-year episode in a prosperous academic career closely tied with Warsaw; the latter two were among PUM’s founding staff and stayed in Szczecin till retirement. The study reveals how personality, political and confessional worldview, strength of personal attachment to PUM, and diplomatic skills exhibited by each of the three professors influenced the range, the quality, and the durability of connections they established between PUM and the world.

Decreased mucosal adhesion of Lactobacillus species in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Probiotic Lactobacillus spp. modulate immune response via interactions of their binding proteins with epithelial cells. We studied the presence of attachment protein-encoding genes (mub1, mub2, and mapA) in Lactobacillus strains with probiotic features isolated from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and their attachment strength relative to healthy individuals. Bacterial strains have been isolated from stool samples of 35 healthy and 23 IBD volunteers. Lactobacillus spp. were identified using PCR. Strains with probiotic features were determined by testing resistance against acid and bile. Isolates were assigned as non-adhesive, adhesive, and strongly adhesive strains based on the number of attached bacteria to epithelial cells. Finally, PCR was used to detect the presence of mub1, mub2, and mapA genes. Probiotic lactobacilli were isolated from 35/35 and 9/23 of healthy and IBD individuals and yielded a total of 87 and 28 strains, respectively. The Mub1 gene was detected in 95.4% and 100% (p>0.05), mub2 in 95.4% and 89.3% (p>0.05), and mapA in 94.3% and 78.6% (p<0.05) of healthy and IBD isolates, respectively. The numbers of bacteria attached to epithelial cells in healthy and IBD isolates were respectively 33.68±6.00 and 12.23±3.87 in non-adhesive, 71.3±10.83 and 42.17±1.33 in adhesive, 124.40±8.59 and 104.67±5.50 in the strongly adhesive group (p< 0.05). Less Lactobacillus spp. with weaker attachments to epithelial cells colonize the gut in IBD than healthy individuals. These findings suggest the beneficial role of probiotics in the management of IBD.

Mediating Role of Interpersonal Relationships in the Effect of Emotional Competence on Prosocial Behavior among Adolescents in Malaysia

Prosocial behavior has been regarded as a necessity for a society to function well. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional competence, interpersonal relationship, and prosocial behavior among 496 school-going adolescents in Malaysia. The subjects were selected using Multistage Cluster Sampling method. Profile of Emotional Competence, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment Scale, and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires were used to measure emotional competence, interpersonal relationship with peers, and adolescents’ prosocial behavior respectively. The results showed significant positive relationships among emotional competence, interpersonal relationship with peers, and prosocial behavior. Further analysis revealed that adolescents who reported having higher emotional competence tend to have better interpersonal relationships with peers which in turn led to higher involvement in prosocial behavior. Emotional competence and interpersonal relationship with peers are thus established as two important factors to promote prosocial behavior among adolescents.

Physical rather than biotic factors set the lower limit of mussel beds in a horizontal rocky intertidal platform

Lower limits in the vertical distribution of rocky shore species have traditionally been considered as set by biotic factors, such as predation, grazing, or space competition. Yet, evidence in this regard comes mostly from sloping shores, i.e continuous surfaces without a noticeable topographic break. Here, we illustrate that this is not necessarily so in the case of horizontal shore platforms, i.e., those characterized by the presence of a sharp seaward scarp that delimits an upper and a lower platform level. Preliminarily, we observed that the lower limit of mussel (Brachidontes rodriguezii) beds in a horizontal shore platform of the Argentinean Patagonia occur in the scarp and that the surface of the lower platform immediately below is essentially bare, to the extent that not even biofilms or encrusting algae develop there. A priori, this lower mussel bed limit cannot be explained by competition or predators, as other forms of biotic cover should develop in the lower platform in both cases. To test whether physical forces – such as wave energy and sediment scour – set the lower mussel bed limit at this site, we compared water movement and abrasion in the upper and lower platforms, we evaluated losses of mussel cover and mussel attachment strength in boulders transplanted to both platform levels, and we manipulated predator access to transplanted mussel-covered boulders. Our findings show (a) that water motion and abrasion are higher in the lower than the upper platform, (b) that mussels transplanted to the lower platform for relatively short periods (2–3 days) show decreased attachment strength and increased detachment rates relative to those transplanted within the upper platform and, (c) that predators do not explain the higher mussel detachment rates observed in the lower platform. Collectively, these findings point to the harsh physical conditions at lower platform as the cause of bare surfaces and lower mussel bed limits at this site. They also suggest that our current general model of species zonation in rocky intertidal shores may need to be refined and/or expanded to account for species zonation limits in horizontal platforms.