bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competent to provide compassionate care? A critical discourse analysis of accreditation standards
Authors: Chen Amanda Y. , Kuper Ayelet , Whitehead Cynthia R.
Published: December 2020

Background

Medical school accreditation is recognised internationally as an important quality control process for programmes that lead to the Medical Doctor (MD) degree. Accreditation standards govern the accreditation process which in turn drives educational objectives. Given the power of these standards to shape what becomes valued in the curricula, it is therefore imperative to ensure that core values and ideals of the profession are meaningfully incorporated. As the provision of compassionate care has long been a central medical value, this value should be clearly articulated in MD programme accreditation standards.

Methods

We conducted a Critical Discourse Analysis of compassionate care within Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Accreditation Standards governing North American medical schools since 1957. We explored how and to what extent the written language of the accreditation standards incorporated compassionate care.

Results

References to compassionate care in the UME Accreditation Standards were few and far between. Historically, a statement of ‘The Objectives of Undergraduate Medical Education’ published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) was referenced for the first and only time in the 1957 standards, describing the development of attributes such as the provision of compassionate care as a basic objective of UME. Thereafter, there was infrequent mention of this value. Terms that could potentially incorporate aspects of compassionate care were identified, yet these were explicated in ways that limited connection to compassion. Instead, the term ‘care’ has increasingly been used instrumentally (ie acute care, chronic care).

Conclusion

The relative absence of language pertaining to compassionate care in accreditation standards is troubling as compassion is integral to good medical care. This absence is particularly important to attend to in the current era of competency‐based training where we must be explicit about all important curricular objectives lest essential values and practices be unintentionally lost.
The Escherichia coli FadR transcription factor: Too much of a good thing?
Authors: Cronan John E.
Published: December 2020

Escherichia coli FadR is a transcription factor regulated by acyl‐CoA thioester binding that optimizes fatty acid (FA) metabolism in response to environmental FAs. FadR represses the fad genes of FA degradation (β‐oxidation) and activates the fab genes of FA synthesis thereby allowing E. coli to have its cake (acyl chains for phospholipid synthesis) and eat it (degrade acyl chains to acetyl‐CoA). Acyl‐CoA binding of FadR derepresses the transcription of the fad genes and cancels fab gene transcriptional activation. Activation of fab genes was thought restricted to the fabA and fabB genes of unsaturated FA synthesis, but FadR overproduction markedly increases yields of all FA acyl chains. Subsequently, almost all of the remaining fab genes were shown to be transcriptionally activated by FadR binding, but binding was very weak. Why are the low‐affinity sites retained? What effects on cell physiology would result from their conversion to high‐affinity sites (thereby mimicking FadR overproduction)? Investigations of E. coli cell size determinants showed that FA synthesis primarily determines E. coli cell size. Upon modest induction of FadR, cell size increases, but at the cost of growth rate and accumulation of intracellular membranes. Greater induction resulted in further growth rate decreases and abnormal cells. Hence, too much FadR is bad. FadR is extraordinarily conserved in γ‐proteobacteria but has migrated. Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes FadR orthologs one of which is functional in E. coli. Strikingly, the FadR theme of acyl‐CoA‐dependent transcriptional regulation is found in a different transcription factor family where two Bacillus species plus bacterial and archaeal thermophiles contain related proteins of similar function.
Plant performance and food security in a wetter world
Authors: Sasidharan Rashmi , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Perata Pierdomenico
Published: December 2020

This article is an Editorial on: Cho et al.,229: 57–63;Hartmanet al.,229: 64–70; Labandera et al., 229: 126–139; Lee Bailey‐Serres, 229: 71–78; Lee et al., 229: 156–172; Licausi & Giuntoli, 229: 50–56;Müller et al., 229: 140–155; Nghi et al., 229: 85–93; Pedersen et al., (a) 229: 42–49; Pedersen et al., (b) 229: 94–105; Tang et al., 229: 106–125; Valeri et al., 229: 173–185; van Veen & Sasidharan, 229: 79–84;Weits et al., 229: 24–35; Yu et al., 229: 36–41.
Factors influencing obesogenic behaviours of adolescent girls and women in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Trübswasser Ursula , Verstraeten Roos , Salm Leah , Holdsworth Michelle , Baye Kaleab , Booth Andrew , Feskens Edith J.M. , Gillespie Stuart , Talsma Elise F.
Published: December 2020

This systematic review synthesized the qualitative evidence on factors influencing obesogenic behaviours in adolescent girls and women of reproductive age in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This qualitative evidence synthesis followed the framework synthesis approach to extract, analyse and synthesize data. Electronic searches were conducted in the Web of Science, SCOPUS, CABI Abstracts, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Studies were eligible if they were conducted in LMICs, of qualitative nature, and reported obesogenic behaviours of female adolescents (10–19 years of age) or women of reproductive age (15–49 years of age). The review resulted in 71 included studies from 27 different countries. Thirty‐two studies focused on dietary behaviours, 17 on physical activity and 22 on both behaviours. Gender norms and failures to recognize the importance of healthy behaviours across the life cycle were important factors. The abundance and promotion of affordable but unhealthy food, food safety concerns, taste preferences and social desirability of foods drive consumption of unhealthy foods. Busy lives and limited exercise spaces keep girls and women from being physically active. Obesogenic behaviours of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age are influenced by factors at individual, social, physical and environmental levels and require diverse solutions to address these factors in LMICs.
Pneumothorax leading to pneumopericardium after transvenous lead implantation in a patient with previous epicardial lead
Authors: Bansal Raghav , Mahajan Ankit , Rathi Chetan , Lokhandwala Yash
Published: December 2020

A 44‐year‐old lady, a follow‐up case of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator device implantation with epicardial left ventricular (LV) lead, underwent a transvenous LV lead revision in view of epicardial lead malfunction. A chest X‐ray after this, done for worsening dyspnea, revealed pneumopericardium along with left pneumothorax. The computed tomography (CT) revealed a communication between the left pleural and pericardial cavities, around the old epicardial lead. Drainage of the left pleural cavity resolved both the pneumothorax and pneumopericardium and the patient remained well on follow up.
Cardiac resynchronization with His‐CRT‐D in a patient with severe heart failure and Scimitar syndrome
Authors: Yang Quinton Jia Qi , Raja Deep Chandh , Stolcman Simon , Abhilash Sreevilasam Pushpangadhan , Greenough Robert , Abhayaratna Walter P. , Tan Ren Peng , Pathak Rajeev Kumar
Published: December 2020

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with His‐bundle pacing is evolving rapidly as a viable cardiac device strategy for the treatment of severe chronic heart failure. The success of this technique in patients with congenital heart disease is facilitated by advanced integrated imaging modalities. We report a case of cardiac resynchronization therapy with His‐bundle pacing with defibrillator for the management of a patient with heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction, left bundle branch block, and congenital heart disease characterized by Scimitar syndrome with cardiac dextroposition. We highlight the contribution of integrated imaging modalities to guide accurate lead positioning.
Anatomical targets and expected outcomes of catheter‐based ablation of atrial fibrillation in 2020
Authors: La Rosa Giulio , Quintanilla Jorge G. , Salgado Ricardo , González‐Ferrer Juan José , Cañadas‐Godoy Victoria , Pérez‐Villacastín Julián , Jalife José , Pérez‐Castellano Nicasio , Filgueiras‐Rama David
Published: December 2020

Anatomical‐based approaches, targeting either pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or additional extra PV regions, represent the most commonly used ablation treatments in symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences despite antiarrhythmic drug therapy. PVI remains the main anatomical target during catheter‐based AF ablation, with the aid of new technological advances as contact force monitoring to increase safety and effective radiofrequency (RF) lesions. Nowadays, cryoballoon ablation has also achieved the same level of scientific evidence in patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing PVI. In parallel, electrical isolation of extra PV targets has progressively increased, which is associated with a steady increase in complex cases undergoing ablation. Several atrial regions as the left atrial posterior wall, the vein of Marshall, the left atrial appendage, or the coronary sinus have been described in different series as locations potentially involved in AF initiation and maintenance. Targeting these regions may be challenging using conventional point‐by‐point RF delivery, which has opened new opportunities for coadjuvant alternatives as balloon ablation or selective ethanol injection. Although more extensive ablation may increase intraprocedural AF termination and freedom from arrhythmias during the follow‐up, some of the targets to achieve such outcomes are not exempt of potential severe complications. Here, we review and discuss current anatomical approaches and the main ablation technologies to target atrial regions associated with AF initiation and maintenance.
Assembly of the non‐heading pak choi genome and comparison with the genomes of heading Chinese cabbage and the oilseed yellow sarson
Authors: Li Peirong , Su Tongbing , Zhao Xiuyun , Wang Weihong , Zhang Deshuang , Yu Yangjun , Bayer Philipp E. , Edwards David , Yu Shuancang , Zhang Fenglan
Published: December 2020

Brassica rapa displays a wide range of morphological diversity which is exploited for a variety of food crops. Here we present a high‐quality genome assembly for pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis), an important non‐heading leafy vegetable, and comparison with the genomes of heading type Chinese cabbage and the oilseed form, yellow sarson. Gene presence–absence variation (PAV) and genomic structural variations (SV) were identified, together with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The structure and expression of genes for leaf morphology and flowering were compared between the three morphotypes revealing candidate genes for these traits in B. rapa. The pak choi genome assembly and its comparison with other B. rapa genome assemblies provides a valuable resource for the genetic improvement of this important vegetable crop and as a model to understand the diversity of morphological variation across Brassica species.
Citrus miraculin‐like protein hijacks a viral movement‐related p33 protein and induces cellular oxidative stress in defence against Citrus tristeza virus
Authors: Sun Yong‐Duo , Zhang Lei , Folimonova Svetlana Y.
Published: December 2020

To defend against pathogens, plants have developed a complex immune system, which recognizes the pathogen effectors and mounts defence responses. In this study, the p33 protein of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a viral membrane‐associated effector, was used as a molecular bait to explore virus interactions with host immunity. We discovered that Citrus macrophylla miraculin‐like protein 2 (CmMLP2), a member of the soybean Kunitz‐type trypsin inhibitor family, targets the viral p33 protein. The expression of CmMLP2 was up‐regulated by p33 in the citrus phloem‐associated cells. Knock‐down of the MLP2 expression in citrus plants resulted in a higher virus accumulation, while the overexpression of CmMLP2 reduced the infectivity of CTV in the plant hosts. Further investigation revealed that, on the one hand, binding of CmMLP2 interrupts the cellular distribution of p33 whose proper function is necessary for the effective virus movement throughout the host. On the other hand, the ability of CmMLP2 to reorganize the endomembrane system, amalgamating the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, induces cellular stress and accumulation of the reactive oxygen species, which inhibits the replication of CTV. Altogether, our data suggest that CmMLP2 employs a two‐way strategy in defence against CTV infection.
Acclimation of leaf photosynthesis and respiration to warming in field‐grown wheat
Authors: Coast Onoriode , Posch Bradley C. , Bramley Helen , Gaju Oorbessy , Richards Richard A. , Lu Meiqin , Ruan Yong‐Ling , Trethowan Richard , Atkin Owen K.
Published: December 2020

Climate change and future warming will significantly affect crop yield. The capacity of crops to dynamically adjust physiological processes (i.e., acclimate) to warming might improve overall performance. Understanding and quantifying the degree of acclimation in field crops could ensure better parameterization of crop and Earth System models and predictions of crop performance. We hypothesized that for field‐grown wheat, when measured at a common temperature (25°C), crops grown under warmer conditions would exhibit acclimation, leading to enhanced crop performance and yield. Acclimation was defined as (a) decreased rates of net photosynthesis at 25°C (A25) coupled with lower maximum carboxylation capacity (Vcmax25), (b) reduced leaf dark respiration at 25°C (both in terms of O2 consumption Rdark_O225 and CO2 efflux Rdark_CO225) and (c) lower Rdark_CO225 to Vcmax25 ratio. Field experiments were conducted over two seasons with 20 wheat genotypes, sown at three different planting dates, to test these hypotheses. Leaf‐level CO2‐based traits (A25, Rdark_CO225 and Vcmax25) did not show the classic acclimation responses that we hypothesized; by contrast, the hypothesized changes in Rdark_O2 were observed. These findings have implications for predictive crop models that assume similar temperature response among these physiological processes and for predictions of crop performance in a future warmer world.
Making a melanoma: Molecular and cellular changes underlying melanoma initiation
Authors: Darp Revati , Ceol Craig
Published: December 2020

Melanoma arises from the melanocyte lineage and is the most aggressive and lethal form of skin cancer. There are several genetic, genomic, and cellular changes associated with melanoma initiation. Here, we discuss these alterations and the melanoma cells of origin in which they are proposed to promote melanomagenesis.
How Coopetition Influences Environmental Performance: Role of Financial Slack, Leverage, and Leanness
Authors: Modi Sachin B. , Cantor David E.
Published: December 2020

Focal firms are struggling to improve their environmental performance for several reasons, including a scarcity of internal and external environmental resources. This study suggests that coopetition provides a boost to a focal firm’s environmental performance. In particular, this research theorizes that a coopetitor firm’s environmental performance has a spillover effect on a focal firm’s environmental performance. This study also investigates the moderating role of a focal firm’s financial slack, financial leverage, and inventory leanness on this relationship. The empirical analysis indicates that coopetitor firms’ environmental performance significantly influences a focal firm’s environmental performance. This relationship is weaker for firms with higher financial slack, and stronger for firms that have lower financial leverage and higher leanness. Collectively, these findings provide important managerial and research implications regarding the consequences of coopetition on a focal firm’s environmental performance.
Phloem and xylem modifications of Vitis vinifera stems in response to flavescence dorée phytoplasma infection
Authors: Jelmini Luca , Rizzoli Attilio , Jermini Mauro , Schumpp Olivier , Conedera Marco
Published: December 2020

Anatomical modifications of xylem and phloem tissues of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) stems of shoots infected by the flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp) were first observed and described in the 1960s, but never quantified in detail. In this paper, we describe and quantify the impact of FDp on grapevine stem tissues, and relate it to the level of expression of symptoms and to cultivar‐specific FDp susceptibility. For this purpose, we measured and quantified the anatomical parameters of xylem and phloem tissues of a tolerant (Merlot) and a susceptible (Chardonnay) cultivar. For each cultivar, thin sections of eight shoots with symptoms from FDp‐infected grapevines, eight symptomless shoots from the same FDp‐infected grapevines, and eight symptomless shoots from symptomless grapevines (control) were compared. Results showed general inhibition of xylem growth and proliferation of phloem tissues (hyperplasia) with lack or irregular arrangement of the fibre‐sclereids in the axial phloem of the stems from shoots with symptoms, irrespective of the cultivar. Xylem vessels of infected Merlot shoots were partly occluded by tyloses and a higher number of smaller vessels were produced than in control plants. Thus, the anatomical responses confirmed the detrimental effect of FDp on stems of infected grapevine shoots, including impaired stem development and lack of periderm formation. Statistically significant differences were found between the two cultivars with different levels of susceptibility to FDp infection.
Validation of SOBI‐DANS method for automatic identification of horizontal and vertical eye movement components from EEG
Authors: Sun Rui , Chan Cynthia , H. Hsiao Janet , Tang Akaysha C.
Published: December 2020

Neurophysiological investigation of neural processes are hindered by the presence of large artifacts associated with eye movement. Although blind source separation (BSS)‐based hybrid algorithms are useful for separating, identifying, and removing these artifacts from EEG, it remains unexamined to what extent neural signals can remain mixed with these artifact components, potentially resulting in unintended removal of critical neural signals. Here, we present a novel validation approach to quantitatively evaluate to what extent horizontal and vertical saccadic eye movement‐related artifact components (H and V Comps) are indeed ocular in origin. To automate the identification of the H and V Comps recovered by the second‐order blind identification (SOBI), we introduced a novel Discriminant ANd Similarity (DANS)‐based method. Through source localization, we showed that over 95% of variance in the SOBI‐DANS identified H and V Comps’ scalp projections were ocular in origin. Through the analysis of saccade‐related potentials (SRPs), we found that the H and V Comps’ SRP amplitudes were finely modulated by eye movement direction and distance jointly. SOBI‐DANS’ component selection was in 100% agreement with human experts’ selection and was 100% successful in component identification across all participants indicating a high cross‐individual consistency or robustness. These results set the stage for future work to transform the to‐be‐thrown‐away artifacts into signals indicative of gaze position, thereby providing readily co‐registered eye movement and neural signal without using a separate eye tracker.
The Association Between Reading and Emotional Development: A Systematic Review
Authors: Batini Federico , Luperini Valerio , Cei Eleonora , Izzo Diego , Toti Giulia
Published: December 2020

Reading practice is associated with numerous psychological benefits. However, its influence over individual emotional dimensions has generally been underestimated by research. Only recently has it been recognized across different developmental stages but evidence is still scarce. The aim of this systematic review is to shed light over the association between reading and the several (and sometimes hardly distinguishable) socio-emotional constructs that we have identified in literature: interpersonal skills and prosocial behavior; emotional and behavioral symptoms; emotional regulation and expression; empathy and theory of mind; emotional knowledge and comprehension; and emotional responses. A total of 50 studies were analyzed, including all age groups, various settings, research drawings, and different emotional constructs in order to create a comprehensive view of the association between reading and emotions. Results show that overall reading practice has a positive impact on socio-emotional development, whatever its declination, regardless of age, gender or setting of implementation.
Gate engineering in metal insulator semiconductor capacitors on native gallium nitride substrates for applications with high lifetime requirements
Authors: Dannecker Kevin , Baringhaus Jens
Published: December 2020

Planar metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors are fabricated on native gallium nitride substrates with different gate dielectrics, namely, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and aluminum oxide. The leakage current was measured to determine their robustness regarding electrical breakdown. Hysteresis effects were evaluated for the different gate dielectrics and for the substrate and the epitaxial surface. A gate-first process with a gate contact made from poly-crystalline silicon was compared to a gate-last process with a sputtered aluminum gate. The former showed superior robustness against electrical breakdown with a dielectric breakdown field strength of ≈ 9 MV/cm, which was found to be mostly independent of temperature in the range of 250–450 K. Furthermore, gate oxide traps were estimated by means of stress/recovery gate current transient measurements to confirm field strength limits for high lifetime requirements. Based on the various measurements, silicon dioxide emerged as the best choice regarding breakdown robustness and hysteresis effects. A limit for the dielectric field strength of 3–4 MV/cm is proposed to avoid short- and long-term damage of the dielectric layer.
Origin of area selective plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of microcrystalline silicon
Authors: Akiki Ghewa , Frégnaux Mathieu , Florea Ileana , Bulkin Pavel , Daineka Dmitri , Filonovich Sergej , Bouttemy Muriel , Johnson Erik V.
Published: December 2020

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of silicon from a SiF4/H2/Ar gas mixture is observed on a SiOxNy surface, while under the same plasma conditions, silicon films do not grow on AlOx or on Al surfaces. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that the silicon deposited on SiOxNy has a microcrystalline structure. After the plasma process, fluorine is detected in abundance on the AlOx surface by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray chemical analyses. This suggests that Al–F bonds are formed on this surface, blocking any deposition of silicon on it. In situ ellipsometry studies show that deposition can be initiated on AlOx surfaces by increasing the temperature of the electrodes or increasing the RF plasma power, leading to a loss of selectivity.
Practical guide to the use of backgrounds in quantitative XPS
Authors: Tougaard Sven
Published: December 2020

This guide is intended for both the novice in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as users with some experience. XPS is one of the most widely used methods to characterize surface nanostructured samples, and XPS is now also commonly accessible to most material scientists through XPS facility centers. It is, therefore, increasingly used as a routine analysis technique to complement other techniques. This has led to an increase in the number of users who may not have a full understanding of the details of XPS and consequently must rely on the report provided by the XPS center. The purpose of this practical guide on the aspects of quantitative XPS is first to put the reader in a position to be able to understand and judge the meaning and possible errors in atomic concentrations based on analysis of peak intensities, which is the standard way quantitative XPS is reported. We discuss different ways to improve the analysis. This is attained by giving the reader a good understanding of how the intensities in the peak and the background of inelastically scattered electrons are linked together through the depth distribution of atoms. We then explore how this can be applied to greatly increase the capabilities of XPS to more accurately determine the composition and structure of surfaces on the nanoscale. This is possible at different levels of sophistication. We first see how a visual inspection of the XPS survey spectrum can be applied to get a quick rough indication of the structure. Next, we go through other more quantitative methods that are being used. The practical application of these techniques is illustrated by several examples.
Musicians show enhanced perception, but not production, of native lexical tones
Authors: Ong Jia Hoong , Wong Patrick C. M. , Liu Fang
Published: December 2020

Many studies have reported a musical advantage in perceiving lexical tones among non-native listeners, but it is unclear whether this advantage also applies to native listeners, who are likely to show ceiling-like performance and thus mask any potential musical advantage. The ongoing tone merging phenomenon in Hong Kong Cantonese provides a unique opportunity to investigate this as merging tone pairs are reported to be difficult to differentiate even among native listeners. In the present study, native Cantonese musicians and non-musicians were compared based on discrimination and identification of merging Cantonese tone pairs to determine whether a musical advantage in perception will be observed, and if so, whether this is seen on the phonetic and/or phonological level. The tonal space of the subjects' lexical tone production was also compared. Results indicated that the musicians outperformed the non-musicians on the two perceptual tasks, as indexed by a higher accuracy and faster reaction time, particularly on the most difficult tone pair. In the production task, however, there was no group difference in various indices of tonal space. Taken together, musical experience appears to facilitate native listeners' perception, but not production, of lexical tones, which partially supports a music-to-language transfer effect.
Development of a Subtyping Tool for Zoonotic Pathogen
Cryptosporidium canis
Authors: Jiang Wen , Roellig Dawn M. , Guo Yaqiong , Li Na , Feng Yaoyu , Xiao Lihua
Published: December 2020

Cryptosporidium canis
is an important cause of cryptosporidiosis in canines and humans. Studies of the transmission characteristics of
C. canis
are currently hampered by the lack of suitable subtyping tools.
Essential Role for FtsL in Activation of Septal Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Authors: Park Kyung-Tae , Du Shishen , Lutkenhaus Joe
Published: December 2020

A critical step in bacterial cytokinesis is the activation of septal peptidoglycan synthesis at the Z ring. Although FtsN is the trigger and acts through FtsQLB and FtsA to activate FtsWI the mechanism is unclear.
Investigating the Role of Diet and Exercise in Gut Microbe-Host Cometabolism
Authors: Penney N. , Barton W. , Posma J. M. , Darzi A. , Frost G. , Cotter P. D. , Holmes E. , Shanahan F. , O’Sullivan O. , Garcia-Perez I.
Published: December 2020

Improved control of dietary confounders, through the use of an objective dietary assessment score, has uncovered further insights into the complex, multifactorial relationship between diet, exercise, the gut microbiome, and metabolism. Each of the models pertaining to diet healthiness, physical exercise, or a combination of both, displayed a distinct metabolic and functional microbial signature.
Central serous chorioretinopathy imaging biomarkers
Authors: Singh Sumit Randhir , Iovino Claudio , Zur Dinah , Masarwa Dua , Iglicki Matias , Gujar Ramkailash , Lupidi Marco , Maltsev Dmitrii S , Bousquet Elodie , Bencheqroun Mehdi , Amoroso Francesca , Lima Luiz H , Padhy Srikanta Kumar , Govindahari Vishal , Chandra Khushboo , Souied Eric H , Rodriguez Francisco J , Daza Laura A , Rios Hernan A , Cagini Carlo , Peiretti Enrico , Behar-Cohen Francine , Chhablani Jay
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To identify the factors predicting the visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) through 12 months.

Methods

Patients with diagnosis of CSCR, either acute or chronic, were included in this multicentric, retrospective study. Demographic factors; systemic risk factors; central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), linear extent of ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone damage on optical coherence tomography; details of leak on fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography were included as predictors of anatomical and visual outcomes. Regression analysis was performed to correlate the changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and resolution of disease activity.

Results

A total of 231 eyes of 201 patients with a mean age (49.7±11.8 years) were analysed. A total of 97 and 134 eyes were classified as acute and chronic CSCR. BCVA (0.35±0.31 to 0.24±0.34; p<0.001), baseline optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters including CMT (p<0.001), subretinal fluid (SRF) height (p<0.001) and SFCT (p=0.05) showed a significant change through 12 months. Multivariate regression analysis showed change in CMT (p≤0.01) and SRF height at baseline (p=0.05) as factors predictive of good visual outcome. Logistic regression analysis revealed changes in both CMT (p=0.009) and SFCT (p=0.01) through 12 months to correlate with the resolution of disease.

Conclusion

OCT parameters such as changes in both CMT and SFCT along with subfoveal EZ damage can be predictive of disease resolution whereas changes in CMT and baseline SRF height correlate well with changes in BCVA through 12 months.
Feasibility and validity of using death surveillance data and SmartVA for fact and cause of death in clinical trials in rural China: a substudy of the China salt substitute and stroke study (SSaSS)
Authors: Huang Liping , Yu Jie , Neal Bruce , Liu Yishu , Yin Xuejun , Hao Zhixin , Wu Yangfeng , Yan Lijing L , Wu Jason HY , Joshi Rohina , Shi Jingpu , Feng Xiangxian , Zhang Jianxin , Zhang Yuhong , Zhang Ruijuan , Zhou Bo , Li Zhifang , Sun Jixin , Zhao Yi , Yu Yan , Pearson Sallie-Anne , Chen Zhengming , Tian Maoyi
Published: December 2020

Background

In rural China, mortality surveillance data may be an alternative to primary data collection in clinical trials; SmartVA (verbal autopsy) is also a potential alternative for endpoint adjudication. The feasibility and validity of both need to be assessed.

Methods

We used mortality data from the first 24 months of the China Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS) trial and assessed the agreement between (1) mortality surveillance data and face-to-face visits for fact of death; (2) mortality surveillance data and SSaSS adjudication for causes of death; (3) SmartVA and SSaSS adjudication for causes of death; (4) cause-specific mortality fraction of different methods. Face-to-face visits and SSaSS adjudication were taken as reference methods. The agreement was measured by sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) across different 10th Revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases chapters.

Results

One thousand three hundred and sixty-five deaths were included. Mortality surveillance data had 82% sensitivity for fact of death and 81% sensitivity for causes of death, with substantial variances across different disease types and reasonable quality for circulatory death (91% sensitivity and 94% PPV). The sensitivity of SmartVA for causes of death was 61%, with reasonable quality for deaths of external causes of morbidity (90% sensitivity). The leading causes of death from different sources were the same with some variances in the fractions.

Conclusion

Using mortality surveillance data for fact of death in clinical trials need to account for under-reporting. A face-to-face visit to all participants at the completion of trials may be warranted. Neither mortality surveillance data nor SmartVA provided valid data source for endpoint events.
Acute intracerebral haemorrhage: diagnosis and management
Authors: McGurgan Iain J , Ziai Wendy C , Werring David J , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Parry-Jones Adrian R
Published: December 2020

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for half of the disability-adjusted life years lost due to stroke worldwide. Care pathways for acute stroke result in the rapid identification of ICH, but its acute management can prove challenging because no individual treatment has been shown definitively to improve its outcome. Nonetheless, acute stroke unit care improves outcome after ICH, patients benefit from interventions to prevent complications, acute blood pressure lowering appears safe and might have a modest benefit, and implementing a bundle of high-quality acute care is associated with a greater chance of survival. In this article, we address the important questions that neurologists face in the diagnosis and acute management of ICH, and focus on the supporting evidence and practical delivery for the main acute interventions.
Observation of marine mammal and bird interactions focused around a commercial fishing vessel in central Baffin Bay, Nunavut
Authors: Johnson Kelsey F. , Hussey Nigel E. , Ferguson Steven H.
Published: December 2020

A detailed account of a variety of species foraging on Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Walbaum, 1792)) fisheries discards associated with a commercial fishing vessel in central Baffin Bay, Nunavut, Canada is presented. Species observed included three marine mammals: northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus (Forster, 1770)), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758), and a hooded seal (Cystophora cristata (Erxleben, 1777)), and two marine bird species: northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis (Linnaeus, 1761)) and glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus Gunnerus, 1767). Interspecies and intraspecies interactions were observed while species were in close proximity to the stern and starboard of a commercial fishing vessel confirming anecdotal reports from boat captains. Improved understanding of marine mammal and bird interactions with fisheries in the Arctic is required to accurately assess financial and ecological (i.e., bycatch) losses, potential for entanglement and to predict the likely impact on energy flow and transport of these resource subsidies throughout the Arctic marine ecosystem.
Impact of scour on lateral resistance of wind turbine monopiles: an experimental study
Authors: Li Q. , Askarinejad A. , Gavin K.
Published: December 2020

The majority of offshore wind structures are supported on large-diameter, rigid monopile foundations. These piles may be subjected to scour due to the waves and currents that causes a loss of soil support and consequently decreases the pile capacity and system stiffness. The results of numerical models suggest that the shape of the scour hole affects the magnitude of pile capacity loss; however, there is a dearth of experimental test data that quantify this effect. This paper presents a series of centrifuge model tests on an instrumented model pile that investigates the effects of scour-hole geometry on the response of a laterally loaded pile embedded in sand. The pile instrumentation allowed load–displacement and p–y (soil reaction – displacement) curves to be derived. Three scour geometries (global, local wide, and local narrow) and three scour depths (1D, 1.5D, and 2D; where D is pile diameter) were modelled. For all three scour types, pile moment capacity decreased almost linearly with increase of scour depth. Simple empirical relations were proposed to evaluate the detrimental influence of scour on the pile moment capacity. A new method has been developed to allow designers to quantify the effect of scour-hole shape and severity of scour on the pile response.
Zooplankton communities in Precambrian Shield lakes (Quebec, Canada): responses to spatial and temporal gradients in water chemistry and climate
Authors: Couture Suzanne , Hudon Christiane , Gagnon Pierre , Taranu Zofia E. , Pinel-Alloul Bernadette , Houle Daniel , Aldamman Lama , Beauvais Conrad , Lachapelle Maude
Published: December 2020

Zooplankton are relevant indicators of changes in lake water quality, used for monitoring the response of aquatic ecosystems to the combined effects of declining acidic deposition and rising air temperatures. First, the current landscape was defined from the recent (2017) spatial patterns of zooplankton communities in 73 Quebec lakes distributed over an 800-km SW–NE gradient, spanning a wide range of water quality, climate, and morphometric characteristics. On a large scale, we identified among-lake clustering of three types of zooplankton assemblages and variation in species composition at fine scale between lake pairs. Dissimilarity in zooplankton assemblages among lake pairs were best correlated (r > 0.400, p < 0.001) with their difference in air temperature, pH, and calcium, reflecting spatial gradients in climate and lake acid–base status. Second, to examine long-term response in the zooplankton community, we compared acidification indicators and abundance of taxa for a subset of 19 lakes sampled in 1982 and 2017. Despite an average threefold drop in sulfate concentration, changes in calcium and pH were relatively small, and consequently, no major changes in zooplankton assemblages were detected since 1982.
Four priority areas to advance invasion science in the face of rapid environmental change
Authors: Ricciardi Anthony , Iacarella Josephine C. , Aldridge David C. , Blackburn Tim M. , Carlton James T. , Catford Jane A. , Dick Jaimie T.A. , Hulme Philip E. , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Liebhold Andrew M. , Lockwood Julie L. , MacIsaac Hugh J. , Meyerson Laura A. , Pyšek Petr , Richardson David M. , Ruiz Gregory M. , Simberloff Daniel , Vilà Montserrat , Wardle David A.
Published: December 2020

Unprecedented rates of introduction and spread of non-native species pose burgeoning challenges to biodiversity, natural resource management, regional economies, and human health. Current biosecurity efforts are failing to keep pace with globalization, revealing critical gaps in our understanding and response to invasions. Here, we identify four priority areas to advance invasion science in the face of rapid global environmental change. First, invasion science should strive to develop a more comprehensive framework for predicting how the behavior, abundance, and interspecific interactions of non-native species vary in relation to conditions in receiving environments and how these factors govern the ecological impacts of invasion. A second priority is to understand the potential synergistic effects of multiple co-occurring stressors— particularly involving climate change—on the establishment and impact of non-native species. Climate adaptation and mitigation strategies will need to consider the possible consequences of promoting non-native species, and appropriate management responses to non-native species will need to be developed. The third priority is to address the taxonomic impediment. The ability to detect and evaluate invasion risks is compromised by a growing deficit in taxonomic expertise, which cannot be adequately compensated by new molecular technologies alone. Management of biosecurity risks will become increasingly challenging unless academia, industry, and governments train and employ new personnel in taxonomy and systematics. Fourth, we recommend that internationally cooperative biosecurity strategies consider the bridgehead effects of global dispersal networks, in which organisms tend to invade new regions from locations where they have already established. Cooperation among countries to eradicate or control species established in bridgehead regions should yield greater benefit than independent attempts by individual countries to exclude these species from arriving and establishing.
Information diffusion structure on social networks with general degree distribution
Authors: Li Wenyao , Zhang Shuang , Wang Wei , Lin Tao
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we study the information diffusion structure on social networks with general degree distribution. To describe the information diffusion structure, we adopt six different viewpoints of metrics, including structural virality, distance variance, distance variability, distance susceptibility, cascade depth and cascade width. On Erdös–Rényi (ER) networks, we can intuitively see that as the diffusion tree becomes denser, the depth of the diffusion tree first increases to a peak and then decreases with the infection rate increasing, in addition the distance distribution of the diffusion tree obeys exponential distribution, and the metrics except cascade width decrease after reaching their peak values. When the information diffuses on scale-free (SF) networks, the diffusion trees are similar with the ones on ER networks. In other words, compared with the degree distribution, the infection rate is the main factor of diffusion tree in the same network scale.
Biautomatic structures in systolic Artin groups
Authors: Holt Derek F. , Rees Sarah
Published: December 2020

We examine the construction of Huang and Osajda that was used in their proof of the biautomaticity of Artin groups of almost large type. We describe a slightly simpler variant of that biautomatic structure, with explicit descriptions of a few small examples, and we examine some of the properties of the structure. We explain how the construction can be programmed within the GAP system .
Culturally Inclusive Adaptive User Interface (CIAUI) Framework: Exploration of Plasticity of User Interface Design
Authors: Miraz Mahdi H. , Excell Peter S. , Ali Maaruf
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a Culturally Inclusive Adaptive User Interface (CIAUI) Framework for developing Mobile Learning (M-Learning) and other mobile applications. The CIAUI Framework specifically incorporates the concepts of universal design aimed for culturally diverse users. This was derived as an outcome of a research project involving the design, analysis and evaluation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based adaptive interface development, known as the “Mobile Academy”, using plasticity of user interface (UI) design techniques for culturally inclusive design. The CIAUI Framework, was one of the major and significant output of the research, which satisfied the broad requirement for cross-cultural usability. The framework was not only defined but a complete analysis was conducted. Its parameters, validation, examples of developing applications and indicated direction of further research are presented here. The principles of culturally inclusive design are finally reviewed.
Predicting financial distress of Zimbabwean banks
Authors: Moyo Isabel Linda , Gumbo Victor , Chikodza Eriyoti , Jones Brian
Published: December 2020

Prediction of financial distress for lending institutions has been a major concern since the financial crisis of 2008. The motivation for empirical research in bank bankruptcy prediction is clear — the early detection of financial distress and the use of corrective measures are preferable to protection under bankruptcy law. If it is possible to recognize failing banks in advance, then appropriate action can be taken to reverse the process before it is too late. This study uses panel multi-state Markov (MSM) chains to build a predictive model for financial distress of banks in Zimbabwe. Microeconomic factors and the CAMELS ratings were used in the construction of the MSM model. Distress probabilities were calculated using hazard ratios found by MSM and then the Altman [Formula: see text]-Scores were generated for each bank as a means of validating the built MSM model. The scores generated were very similar to the current CAMELS ratings.
The Cenozoic volcanic fields in northern Hainan Island and the Leizhou Peninsula, south China: eruption history, magma source and dynamic background
Authors: Wei Feixiang , Wei Wei , Yu Hongmei
Published: December 2020

Northern Hainan Island and the Leizhou Peninsula volcanic fields (Leiqiong), the southernmost continental Cenozoic volcanism in China, cover an area of
c.
8000 km
2
with 177 volcanoes recognized. Far from the subduction areas, volcanoes in this area provide an ideal opportunity to study the geodynamics of intraplate volcanoes. Here, we review the geochronological and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks in Leiqiong volcanic fields, and discuss their magma sources and geodynamics on the basis of the geological and geophysical observations. Chronological data (34.78–0.01 Ma) show that the volcanic activities started approximately in the Miocene and continued to the Quaternary. These basalts show typical geochemical characteristics of oceanic island basalts, and tomographic images reveal that a mantle plume is situated beneath Hainan Island and extends down to the core–mantle boundary. Thus, we suggest that the Hainan mantle plume is responsible for the Cenozoic volcanism in Leiqiong volcanic fields and this plume is sourced from the lower mantle with additions of dehydrated slab fragments. These mixed plume materials were brought to the upper mantle and produce solid pyroxenites, which are the major source of Leiqiong magmas. Although there is no documental record of volcanic eruptions in Leiqiong volcanic fields, the volcanic danger cannot be neglected.
Efficient Estimation of Pauli Channels
Authors: Flammia Steven T. , Wallman Joel J.
Published: December 2020

Pauli channels are ubiquitous in quantum information, both as a dominant noise source in many computing architectures and as a practical model for analyzing error correction and fault tolerance. Here, we prove several results on efficiently learning Pauli channels and more generally the Pauli projection of a quantum channel. We first derive a procedure for learning a Pauli channel on
n
qubits with high probability to a
relative
precision ϵ using
O
(ϵ
-2
n2
n
) measurements, which is efficient in the Hilbert space dimension. The estimate is robust to state preparation and measurement errors, which, together with the relative precision, makes it especially appropriate for applications involving characterization of high-accuracy quantum gates. Next, we show that the error rates for an arbitrary set of
s
Pauli errors can be estimated to a relative precision ϵ using
O
(ϵ
-4
log
s
log s/ϵ) measurements. Finally, we show that when the Pauli channel is given by a Markov field with at most
k
-local correlations, we can learn an entire
n
-qubit Pauli channel to relative precision ϵ with only

O
k

(ϵ
-2
n
2
log
n
) measurements, which is efficient in the number of qubits. These results enable a host of applications beyond just characterizing noise in a large-scale quantum system: they pave the way to tailoring quantum codes, optimizing decoders, and customizing fault tolerance procedures to suit a particular device.